PMID- 26256213
TI  - Rif1 Is Required for Resolution of Ultrafine DNA Bridges in Anaphase to Ensure
      Genomic Stability.
AB  - Sister-chromatid disjunction in anaphase requires the resolution of DNA catenanes
      by topoisomerase II together with Plk1-interacting checkpoint helicase (PICH) and
      Bloom's helicase (BLM). We here identify Rif1 as a factor involved in the
      resolution of DNA catenanes that are visible as ultrafine DNA bridges (UFBs) in
      anaphase to which PICH and BLM localize. Rif1, which during interphase functions
      downstream of 53BP1 in DNA repair, is recruited to UFBs in a PICH-dependent
      fashion, but independently of 53BP1 or BLM. Similar to PICH and BLM, Rif1
      promotes the resolution of UFBs: its depletion increases the frequency of
      nucleoplasmic bridges and RPA70-positive UFBs in late anaphase. Moreover, in the
      absence of Rif1, PICH, or BLM, more nuclear bodies with damaged DNA arise in
      ensuing G1 cells, when chromosome decatenation is impaired. Our data reveal a
      thus far unrecognized function for Rif1 in the resolution of UFBs during anaphase
      to protect genomic integrity.

PMID- 26256212
TI  - Axud1 Integrates Wnt Signaling and Transcriptional Inputs to Drive Neural Crest
      Formation.
AB  - Neural crest cells are induced at the neural plate border by the combined action
      of transcription factors and signaling molecules. Here, we show that Axud1, a
      downstream effector of Wnt signaling, represents a critical missing link that
      integrates signaling and transcriptional cues to mediate neural crest formation.
      Axud1 is a transcription factor expressed in neural crest progenitors in a
      Wnt1/beta-catenin-dependent manner. Axud1 loss leads to downregulation of
      multiple genes involved in neural crest specification, similar to the effects of
      Wnt1 knockdown. Importantly, Axud1 is sufficient to rescue neural crest formation
      after disruption of Wnt signaling. Furthermore, it physically interacts with
      neural plate border genes Pax7 and Msx1 in vivo to directly activate
      transcription of stem cell factor FoxD3, initiating the neural crest program.
      Thus, Axud1 integrates Wnt signaling with transcriptional inputs to endow the
      neural crest with its unique molecular signature.

PMID- 26256214
TI  - ASPMN: A Relationship that Continues to Grow Sweeter Each Year.

PMID- 26256215
TI  - Evaluation of Evidence-based Nursing Pain Management Practice.
AB  - It is important to ensure that cancer pain management is based on the best
      evidence. Nursing evidence-based pain management can be examined through an
      evaluation of pain documentation. The aim of this study was to modify and test an
      evaluation tool for nursing cancer pain documentation, and describe the frequency
      and quality of nursing pain documentation in one oncology unit via the electronic
      medical system. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used for this study at
      an oncology unit of an academic medical center in the Pacific Northwest. Medical
      records were examined for 37 adults hospitalized during April and May 2013.
      Nursing pain documentations (N = 230) were reviewed using an evaluation tool
      modified from the Cancer Pain Practice Index to consist of 13 evidence-based pain
      management indicators, including pain assessment, care plan, pharmacologic and
      nonpharmacologic interventions, monitoring and treatment of analgesic side
      effects, communication with physicians, and patient education. Individual nursing
      documentation was assigned a score ranging from 0 (worst possible) to 13 (best
      possible), to reflect the delivery of evidence-based pain management. The
      participating nurses documented 90% of the recommended evidence-based pain
      management indicators. Documentation was suboptimal for pain reassessment,
      pharmacologic interventions, and bowel regimen. The study results provide
      implications for enhancing electronic medical record design and highlight a need
      for future research to understand the reasons for suboptimal nursing
      documentation of cancer pain management. For the future use of the data
      evaluation tool, we recommend additional modifications according to study
      settings. 

PMID- 26256216
TI  - Nonpharmacologic Pain Management Interventions in German Nursing Homes: A Cluster
      Randomized Trial.
AB  - The reported prevalence of pain among nursing home residents (NHRs) is high.
      Insufficient use of analgesics, the conventional pain management strategy, is
      often reported. Whether and to what extent nonpharmacologic therapies (NPTs) are
      used to manage the pain of NHRs in Germany is largely unknown. The aim of this
      cluster-randomized trial was to assess the NPTs provided and to enhance the
      application and prescription of NPTs in NHRs on an individual level. There were
      six nursing homes in the intervention group and six in the control group. There
      were 239 NHRs, aged >=65 years, with an average Mini-Mental State Examination
      score of at least 18 at baseline. Pain management interventions (cluster level)
      included an online course for physicians and 1-day seminar for nurses. Data on
      NPT applied by nurses and therapeutic NPT prescribed by physicians were obtained
      from residents' nursing documentation. Face-to-face interviews with NHRs assessed
      the NPT received. At baseline, 82.6% of NHR (mean age 83 years) were affected by
      pain, but less than 1 in 10 received NPT. The intervention did not result in a
      significant increase in the NPT applied by nurses, but did significantly increase
      the therapeutic NPT prescribed by physicians. Residents were active in using NPT
      to self-manage their pain. Given the prevalence of pain in NHRs, there is a clear
      need to improve pain management in this population. Extended use of NPT offers a
      promising approach. We recommend that nurses provide residents with education on
      pain-management techniques to support them in taking a proactive role in managing
      their pain.

PMID- 26256217
TI  - Psychometric Evaluation of the Revised Iowa Pain Thermometer (IPT-R) in a Sample
      of Diverse Cognitively Intact and Impaired Older Adults: A Pilot Study.
AB  - Self-report pain assessment tools are commonly used in clinical settings to
      determine patients' pain intensity. The Iowa Pain Thermometer (IPT) is a tool
      that was developed for research, but also can be used in clinical settings.
      However, its utility in clinical settings is challenging because it uses a 13
      point scale (0-12 scale) that does not align with common electronic pain scoring
      metrics. Therefore, this study evaluated the psychometric properties of an 11
      point (0-10 scale) adaptation of the Iowa Pain Thermometer (IPT-R) to evaluate
      the psychometric properties of the IPT-R and to determine patient preference for
      a self-report pain assessment tool. A descriptive, correlational design was
      employed. The IPT-R was compared with the original IPT and a numeric rating scale
      (NRS). This study was conducted in the southeastern United States with 75 adults
      ranging in age from 65-95 years with varying levels of cognition. Participants
      were primarily representative of black and white backgrounds. Participants were
      asked to rate current pain, worst pain during the past week, and reassessment of
      current pain after 10-minute intervals using three scales (IPT-R, IPT, and NRS)
      presented in random order. Participants were asked to identify the tool preferred
      (the easiest to use and that best represented their pain intensity). Spearman
      rank correlations were performed to determine convergent validity and test-retest
      reliability. Based on the results of this preliminary study, the IPT-R has good
      validity and reliability. The participants in this sample preferred the IPT-R
      over the original IPT (0-12 scale) and the traditional NRS (0-10 scale).
      Clinicians may consider using this tool with diverse older patients to assess
      pain intensity.

PMID- 26256218
TI  - Prevalence and Factors Affecting Dysmenorrhea in Female University Students:
      Effect on General Comfort Level.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and the affecting
      factors of dysmenorrhea and its effects on overall comfort among female
      university students. This was a cross-sectional study. The research was carried
      out between October and November 2013 at a university in Ankara. This study was
      conducted with 200 female students. The data were analyzed using frequencies,
      means, SD, chi(2) tests, independent t tests and analysis of variance. Data were
      collected using an interview questionnaire, the visual analog scale (VAS) and the
      General Comfort Questionnaire. The mean age of students in this study group was
      20.85 +/- 2.15 years. The prevalence of dysmenorrhea in the students was 84%. The
      mean severity of pain was 5.78 +/- 2.45 on the VAS. The present study found that
      45.8% of female students experienced moderate menstrual pain and the most common
      co-occurring symptoms were irritability (34.6%) and fatigue (21.5%). One-fourth
      of the students with dysmenorrhea consulted the advice of a physician and the
      most commonly used methods for pain were analgesics (69%), heat application
      (56.5%), and rest (71.4%). Family history of dysmenorrhea, education about
      menstruation, and frequency of menstrual cycle were identified as important
      factors in the development of dysmenorrhea (p < .05). The mean general comfort
      score for students with dysmenorrhea (2.57 +/- 0.25) was lower than that of
      students without the condition (2.65 +/- 0.23). Also, use of the methods for
      management of dysmenorrhea was found to increase students' general comfort
      levels. Therefore, it is important for nurses to educate and advise adolescents
      and young women about dysmenorrhea.

PMID- 26256219
TI  - Satisfaction with and Perception of Pain Management among Palliative Patients
      with Breakthrough Pain: A Qualitative Study.
AB  - Breakthrough pain is a significant contributor to much suffering by patients. The
      experience of intense pain may interfere with, and affect, daily life functioning
      and has major consequences on patients' well-being if it is not well managed. The
      area of breakthrough pain has not been fully understood. This study thus aimed to
      explore the experiences of breakthrough pain among palliative patients. A
      qualitative study based on a series of open-ended interviews among 21 palliative
      patients suffering from pain at an urban tertiary hospital in Malaysia was
      conducted. Five themes were generated: (i) pain viewed as an unbearable
      experience causing misery in the lives of patients, (ii) deterioration of body
      function and no hope of recovery, (iii) receiving of inadequate pain management
      for pain, (iv) insensitivity of healthcare providers toward patients' pain
      experience, and (v) pain coping experiences of patients. The findings revealed
      that nonpharmacologic approaches such as psychosocial support should be
      introduced to the patients. Proper guidance and information should be given to
      healthcare providers to improve the quality of patient care. Healthcare providers
      should adopt a sensitive approach in caring for patients' needs. The aim is to
      meet the needs of the patients who want to be pain free or to attain adequate
      relief of their pain for breakthrough pain.

PMID- 26256220
TI  - A Proposed Model of the Effective Management of Children's Pain.
AB  - The aim of this study was to understand the various factors that contribute to
      the delivery of effective pain management. The current picture of pain management
      is complex and contradictory, with children in the hospital still experiencing
      unnecessary pain, nurses reporting better pain care than is evidenced, and
      parents who are reluctant to report their child's pain. There is a real need to
      focus on areas of excellence where pain management innovations have been
      successfully implemented. Five hospitals were visited in three countries: the
      United Kingdom, Sweden, and Australia, spending a week in each country. In all,
      28 health care professionals were interviewed exploring innovations in pain
      management; the effect of improvements on children, parents, and nurses; and what
      helped and hindered the delivery of effective pain management. Better pain
      management provides nurses with confidence, which in turn gives children and
      parents confidence in their care and reduces anxiety for nurses. Resources, on
      the other hand, were a common issue in relation to obstacles to innovation. A
      recurring theme in all areas visited was the issue of culture and how it affected
      both negatively and positively on the management of children's pain. Strong
      leadership was integral to moving practice forward and to introducing the
      innovations that led to effective pain management. The key findings identified
      that underpin the effective management of children's pain are effective
      leadership, resources, and confidence; the consequences are less stress for
      children and nurses, more trusting relationships, and greater job satisfaction. A
      model of effective pain management is proposed.

PMID- 26256221
TI  - Examining Validity and Reliability of the Emotional Reactions Checklist with
      Hospitalized Children.
AB  - Fear, anxiety, and emotional upset are common experiences for hospitalized
      children. To identify and treat children's emotional reactions, health care
      professionals must be able to differentiate emotional reactions from pain and
      other symptoms. Clinical assessment of emotions requires the use of valid and
      reliable instruments in acute care settings. This study examined internal
      consistency, construct, and concurrent validity of the Emotional Reactions
      Checklist (ERC). A descriptive correlational design guided the psychometric
      approach. Children answered a sociodemographic questionnaire and responded to
      self-generated scenarios of pleasant and unpleasant events using two self-report
      scales of emotions. The convenience sample comprised 59 children admitted to an
      inpatient unit in a large children's hospital or to a community hospital
      emergency department. Construct validity was supported by significantly different
      ERC mean responses to recalled pleasant prehospitalization experiences and
      unpleasant hospitalization experiences (p < .001) for both ERC item responses and
      total scale scores. Children's explanations for seemingly inconsistent item
      responses further supported their ability to use the ERC to convey their
      emotions. Concurrent validity was supported by moderate (r = 0.32) to strong (r =
      0.70) correlations between the Facial Affective Scale and ERC items and scale
      scores. Internal consistency was better supported for the recalled unpleasant
      experience (alpha = 0.77) than for the pleasant experience (alpha = 0.60).
      Results supported construct and concurrent validity and beginning internal
      consistency reliability for the ERC in an acute care setting. Further research is
      required to establish feasibility of repeated use with ill children.

PMID- 26256222
TI  - The Pain Management Life History Calendar: A Pilot Study.
AB  - Pain management trajectory data that includes previous pain treatments, timing,
      changes, and outcomes provide crucial data for patients with chronic pain and
      their practitioners to use when discussing ways to optimize pain management
      regimens. The aim of this study was to test the use of the life history calendar
      method to identify pain treatments, treatment regimens, timing, and outcomes of
      the pain management trajectory of individuals with chronic pain, and to examine
      feasibility. A pilot, descriptive, methodological design was used. Settings
      included community-based sites such as congregate housing. Nineteen community
      dwelling older adults with osteoarthritis (OA) pain of at least 1 year's duration
      participated. Participants were interviewed and asked to chronicle from the
      beginning of the OA pain to the present all of their pain treatments and
      treatment effects (pain outcomes and adverse events). Raters independently
      content analyzed the transcribed interviews to identify pain treatments,
      treatment groupings (regimens), and treatment effects on pain. Feasibility of
      patients reporting their pain management trajectories was content analyzed by
      identifying participant difficulty identifying pain treatments, treatment
      effects, treatment sequence; and difficulty discriminating between treatments,
      and between OA pain and other pain sources. Individual pain management
      trajectories were constructed that depicted chronological order of pain treatment
      regimens and treatment effects. Participants identified pain treatments,
      discriminate between treatments and between OA and other conditions, and
      identified treatment effects. Treatment sequence was identified, but more precise
      timing was generally not reported. Pain management trajectories could provide a
      helpful way for practitioners to discuss safe, efficacious pain management
      options with patients.

PMID- 26256223
TI  - Pain Assessment and Management in Nursing Education Using Computer-based
      Simulations.
AB  - It is very important for nurses to have a clear understanding of the patient's
      pain experience and of management strategies. However, a review of the nursing
      literature shows that one of the main barriers to proper pain management practice
      is lack of knowledge. Nursing schools are in a unique position to address the gap
      in pain management knowledge by facilitating the acquisition and use of knowledge
      by the next generation of nurses. The purpose of this article is to discuss the
      role of computer-based simulations as a reliable educational technology strategy
      that can enhance the learning experience of nursing students acquiring pain
      management knowledge and practice. Computer-based simulations provide a
      significant number of learning affordances that can help change nursing students'
      attitudes and behaviors toward and practice of pain assessment and management.

PMID- 26256224
TI  - Where Are We: A Systematic Evaluation of the Psychometric Properties of Pain
      Assessment Scales for Use in Chinese Children.
AB  - Systematic pain assessment using reliable and valid pain scales is the foundation
      for optimal pain management in children. To evaluate the available scales for
      pain assessment in Chinese children, we systematically evaluated the psychometric
      properties of pain measurements used in Chinese children. We searched Chinese-
      and English-language databases from their inception to September 2013. Studies
      were eligible for inclusion if the psychometric properties of pain measures were
      examined in Chinese children (aged 0-18 years). Two bilingual reviewers
      independently evaluated the psychometric properties of the identified pain scales
      by a revised 11-item coding system. In all, 6 studies involving 775 participants
      were included in this review with six pain scales examined, including the Face,
      Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability (FLACC) Scale, COMFORT-Behavior Scale,
      Asian Version of Oucher Scale, Pain Observation Scale for Young Children (POCIS),
      Neonatal Facial Coding System (NFCS) and Pain Assessment Scale for Preterm
      Infants (PASPI). The FLACC, COMFORT-Behavior Scale, and PASPI had very good
      psychometric qualities when administered in Chinese children; the Asian Version
      of Oucher Scale and POCIS showed acceptable to good psychometric qualities; and
      the NFCS had unacceptable psychometric qualities. Further psychometric testing of
      these observational measures and self-report pain scales in particular are needed
      among Chinese children of various age groups and in different pain situations.

PMID- 26256225
TI  - Results of Arthroscopic Bankart Lesion Repair in Patients with Post-Traumatic
      Anterior Instability of the Shoulder and a Non-Engaging Hill-Sachs Lesion with a
      Suture Anchor after a Minimum of 6-Year Follow-Up.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Shoulder instability is an important clinical problem. Arthroscopic
      surgery is an established treatment modality in shoulder instability, but it
      continues to be associated with a high rate of recurrences and complications. The
      purpose of the study was to analyze late outcomes of arthroscopic repair of
      Bankart lesions in patients with post-traumatic anterior shoulder instability and
      non-engaging Hill-Sachs lesion, with special focus on the incidence and causes of
      recurrences and complications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We investigated 92 patients
      (92 shoulders) who underwent surgery on account of post-traumatic anterior
      shoulder instability. The duration of follow-up ranged from 6 to 12.5 years
      (mean: 8.2 years). All patients were operated on in the lateral decubitus
      position using FASTak 2.8-mm suture anchors (FASTak, Arthrex, Naples, Florida).
      Treatment outcomes were evaluated using the Rowe and University of California at
      Los Angeles rating system (UCLA). RESULTS: According to Rowe scores, there were
      71 (81.5%) excellent, 12 (12.6%) good, 5 (5.3%) satisfactory, and 2 (2.1%) poor
      results. Rowe scores improved in a statistically significant manner (p=0.00) post
      surgery, to a mean of 90 (range: 25-100). Treatment outcomes measured as UCLA
      scores improved in a statistically significant manner (p=0.00), reaching post
      operative levels of 12-35 (mean: 33.5). There were 9 recurrences, 1 case of
      axillary nerve praxia, and 1 case of anchor loosening. CONCLUSIONS: With rigorous
      criteria for qualifying patients for surgery, arthroscopic treatment of post
      traumatic anterior shoulder instability produces good outcomes and low recurrence
      and complication rates irrespective of the number of previous dislocations, age,
      or sex.

PMID- 26256226
TI  - Effect of parity on healthy promotion lifestyle behavior in women.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Health-promoting lifestyle behaviors are not only for the prevention
      of a disease or discomfort, but are also behaviors that aim to improve the
      individual's general health and well-being. Nurses have an important position in
      the development of healthy lifestyle behaviors in women. OBJECTIVE: The aim of
      this study was to assess the effect of parity on health-promoting lifestyle
      behaviors in women. METHOD/DESIGN: This descriptive and cross-sectional survey
      was performed in Adana, Turkey. This study was conducted with 352 women. The
      questionnaire consisted of two parts; the first part consisted of questions that
      assessed the socio-demographic and obstetric characteristics, and the second part
      employed the "Health Promotion Lifestyle Profile Scale" (HPLP). Data analysis
      included percentage, arithmetic average, and ANOVA tests. RESULTS: The results
      revealed that 24.1% of the women had no parity, 13.6% had one parity, 30.7% had
      two parities, 14.6% had three parities, and 17% had four and above parities. The
      mean total HPLP was 126.66+/-18.12 (interpersonal support subscale, 24.46+/-4.02;
      nutrition subscale, 21.59+/-3.92; self-actualization subscale, 24.42+/-4.30;
      stress management subscale, 18.73+/-3.81; health responsibility subscale, 21.75+/
      4.31; and exercise subscale, 15.71+/-4.22). CONCLUSIONS: The health behavior of
      women was moderate. A statistically significant correlation was found between the
      number of parities and the Health Responsibility, Nutrition, Interpersonal
      Support, which is the subscale of the HPLP Scale.

PMID- 26256228
TI  - Arterial blood gas anomaly in canine hepatobiliary disease.
AB  - Arterial blood gas analysis is an important diagnostic and monitoring tool for
      respiratory abnormalities. In human medicine, lung complications often occur as a
      result of liver disease. Although pulmonary complications of liver disease have
      not been reported in dogs, we have frequently encountered hypoxemia in dogs with
      liver disorders, especially extrahepatic biliary obstruction. In addition,
      respiratory disorders account for 20% of perioperative fatalities in dogs.
      Therefore, in this study, we evaluated the respiratory status in dogs with
      hepatobiliary disease by arterial blood gas analysis. PaO2 and PaCO2 were
      measured. Alveolar-arterial oxygen difference (AaDO2), the indicator of gas
      exchange efficiency, was calculated. Compared to healthy dogs (control group),
      hepatobiliary disease dogs had significantly lower PaO2 and higher AaDO2.
      Hypoxemia (PaO2 of <=80 mmHg) was observed in 28/71 dogs with hepatobiliary
      disease. AaDO2 was higher (>=30 mmHg) than the control group range (11.6 to 26.4
      mmHg) in 32/71 hepatobiliary disease dogs. By classifying type of hepatobiliary
      disease, dogs with extrahepatic biliary obstruction and chronic hepatitis showed
      significantly lower PaO2 and higher AaDO2 than in a control group. Dogs with
      chronic hepatitis also had significantly lower PaCO2. The present study shows
      that dogs with hepatobiliary disease have respiratory abnormalities more than
      healthy dogs. Preanesthetic or routine arterial blood gas analysis is likely
      beneficial to detect the respiratory abnormalities in dogs with hepatobiliary
      disease, especially extrahepatic biliary obstruction and chronic hepatitis. 

PMID- 26256227
TI  - Physical Principles of Nanoparticle Cellular Endocytosis.
AB  - This review article focuses on the physiochemical mechanisms underlying
      nanoparticle uptake into cells. When nanoparticles are in close vicinity to a
      cell, the interactions between the nanoparticles and the cell membrane generate
      forces from different origins. This leads to the membrane wrapping of the
      nanoparticles followed by cellular uptake. This article discusses how the
      kinetics, energetics, and forces are related to these interactions and dependent
      on the size, shape, and stiffness of nanoparticles, the biomechanical properties
      of the cell membrane, as well as the local environment of the cells. The
      discussed fundamental principles of the physiochemical causes for nanoparticle
      cell interaction may guide new studies of nanoparticle endocytosis and lead to
      better strategies to design nanoparticle-based approaches for biomedical
      applications. 

PMID- 26256229
TI  - Computed tomographic images of discospondylitis in a calf.
AB  - A 2-month-old male Japanese Black calf was presented with a 30-day history of
      progressive ataxia. Antemortem examination using computed tomography (CT)
      revealed narrowing of the disc spaces due to destruction of intervertebral
      structures between the first and second thoracic vertebrae and between the second
      and third thoracic vertebrae. Osteolysis was evident as irregular hypoattenuating
      lesions within the opposing end plates of the first, second and third thoracic
      vertebrae. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was detected as the causative bacteria, and
      discospondylitis was diagnosed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first
      bovine case report describing the application of CT for the diagnosis of
      discospondylitis. 

PMID- 26256230
TI  - Molecular cloning of feline resistin and the expression of resistin, leptin and
      adiponectin in the adipose tissue of normal and obese cats.
AB  - Resistin, one of the adipokines that has a cycteine-rich C-terminus, is
      considered to relate to the development of insulin resistance in rats. However,
      in cats, there is little knowledge regarding resistin. In this study, we cloned
      the feline resistin cDNA from adipose tissue by RT-PCR. The feline resistin clone
      contained an entire open reading frame encoding 107 amino acids that had 72.8%,
      75.4%, 50.9% and 51.8% homology with bovine, human, mouse and rat homologues,
      respectively. In both subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissues, the
      transcription levels of feline resistin mRNA were significantly higher in obese
      cats than normal cats, and those of feline adiponectin mRNA were significantly
      lower in obese cats than normal cats. However, there was no difference in the
      expression of feline leptin between normal and obese cats. On the other hand, in
      both normal and obese cats, there were no significant differences in resistin,
      leptin and adiponectin mRNA levels between subcutaneous and visceral adipose
      tissues. In cats, the altered expression of resistin and adiponectin mRNA with
      obesity may contribute to the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and subsequent
      diabetes mellitus. In addition to feline adiponectin, the feline resistin cDNA
      clone obtained in this study will be useful for further investigation of the
      pathogenesis of obesity in cats. 

PMID- 26256231
TI  - Change in intrarenal Ghrelin expression in immune complex-mediated glomerular
      disease in dogs.
AB  - Ghrelin is a peptide hormone that is mainly produced by the stomach. The kidney
      is a major source of local ghrelin, and maintaining body fluid balance is
      considered a critical role of renal ghrelin. However, there are no reports on
      renal ghrelin in small animal medicine. The present study investigated the
      intrarenal localization of and change in ghrelin expression in dogs with immune
      complex-mediated glomerulonephritis (ICGN). Ghrelin immunoreactivity (IR) was
      observed in the distal tubules of normal kidneys. Ghrelin IR was weak in ICGN
      kidneys, and the quantitative ghrelin IR score was significantly lower in ICGN
      kidneys than in normal kidneys. In cases of ICGN, plasma creatinine
      concentrations showed a positive correlation with the ghrelin IR score. 

PMID- 26256232
TI  - Infection of Melissococcus plutonius clonal complex 12 strain in European
      honeybee larvae is essentially confined to the digestive tract.
AB  - Melissococcus plutonius is an important pathogen that causes European foulbrood
      (EFB) in honeybee larvae. Recently, we discovered a group of M. plutonius strains
      that are phenotypically and genetically distinct from other strains. These
      strains belong to clonal complex (CC) 12, as determined by multilocus sequence
      typing analysis, and show atypical cultural and biochemical characteristics in
      vitro compared with strains of other CCs tested. Although EFB is considered to be
      a purely intestinal infection according to early studies, it is unknown whether
      the recently found CC12 strains cause EFB by the same pathomechanism. In this
      study, to obtain a better understanding of EFB, we infected European honeybee
      (Apis mellifera) larvae per os with a well-characterized CC12 strain, DAT561, and
      analyzed the larvae histopathologically. Ingested DAT561 was mainly localized in
      the midgut lumen surrounded by the peritrophic matrix (PM) in the larvae. In
      badly affected larvae, the PM and midgut epithelial cells degenerated, and some
      bacterial cells were detected outside of the midgut. However, they did not
      proliferate in the deep tissues actively. By immunohistochemical analysis, the PM
      was stained with anti-M. plutonius serum in most of the DAT561-infected larvae.
      In some larvae, luminal surfaces of the PM were more strongly stained than the
      inside. These results suggest that infection of CC12 strain in honeybee larvae is
      essentially confined to the intestine. Moreover, our results imply the presence
      of M. plutonius-derived substances diffusing into the larval tissues in the
      course of infection. 

PMID- 26256233
TI  - SCA 8 mimicking MSA-C.

PMID- 26256234
TI  - Quantum Mechanics and Molecular Mechanics Study of the Catalytic Mechanism of
      Human AMSH-LP Domain Deubiquitinating Enzymes.
AB  - Deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) catalyze the cleavage of the isopeptide bond in
      polyubiquitin chains to control and regulate the deubiquitination process in all
      known eukaryotic cells. The human AMSH-LP DUB domain specifically cleaves the
      isopeptide bonds in the Lys63-linked polyubiquitin chains. In this article, the
      catalytic mechanism of AMSH-LP has been studied using a combined quantum
      mechanics and molecular mechanics method. Two possible hydrolysis processes (Path
      1 and Path 2) have been considered. Our calculation results reveal that the
      activation of Zn(2+)-coordinated water molecule is the essential step for the
      hydrolysis of isopeptide bond. In Path 1, the generated hydroxyl first attacks
      the carbonyl group of Gly76, and then the amino group of Lys63 is protonated,
      which is calculated to be the rate limiting step with an energy barrier of 13.1
      kcal/mol. The energy barrier of the rate limiting step and the structures of
      intermediate and product are in agreement with the experimental results. In Path
      2, the protonation of amino group of Lys63 is prior to the nucleophilic attack of
      activated hydroxyl. The two proton transfer processes in Path 2 correspond to
      comparable overall barriers (33.4 and 36.1 kcal/mol), which are very high for an
      enzymatic reaction. Thus, Path 2 can be ruled out. During the reaction, Glu292
      acts as a proton transfer mediator, and Ser357 mainly plays a role in stabilizing
      the negative charge of Gly76. Besides acting as a Lewis acid, Zn(2+) also
      influences the reaction by coordinating to the reaction substrates (W1 and
      Gly76). 

PMID- 26256235
TI  - Enantioselective cascade double Michael addition of 3-nitro-2H-chromenes and
      acyclic enones: efficient synthesis of functionalized tricyclic chroman
      derivatives.
AB  - An efficient protocol for the asymmetric construction of enantiomerically
      enriched tetrahydro-6H-benzo[c]chromenes and their derivatives has been
      developed. The corresponding products were obtained by the cascade double Michael
      addition of 3-nitro-2H-chromenes and their derivatives with alpha,beta
      unsaturated ketones catalyzed by a combination of a quinine-derived primary amine
      and benzoic acid. Through this methodology, the desired products could be
      obtained in moderate to good yields (up to 90%), with excellent
      diastereoselectivities (up to >25 : 1 dr) and moderate to excellent
      enantioselectivities (up to 95% ee). 

PMID- 26256236
TI  - Addictive-Like Eating, Body Mass Index, and Psychological Correlates in a
      Community Sample of Preadolescents.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The two main objectives were to identify addictive-like eating in
      youth and determine the relationship between addictive-like eating, hedonic
      hunger, and psychological variables. METHOD: A cross-sectional design was used.
      Each subject's objective heights and weights were measured. Subjects completed
      questionnaires about anxiety, depression, appetitive responsiveness, addictive
      like eating, other forms of disordered eating, and exercise patterns. RESULTS:
      Sixty-five children, ages 9 to 14 years, participated in the study. The mean body
      mass index percentile for age and gender was 69%. Thirty-eight percent of the
      children were either overweight or obese. Sixteen percent reported three or more
      addictive-like eating behaviors, and 4% met the criteria for "food addiction."
      Addictive-like eating was significantly correlated with appetitive responsiveness
      but not body mass index, anxiety, depression, or other measures of disordered
      eating. DISCUSSION: Addictive-like eating occurs in children as young as 9 years
      and appears to be a different type of disordered eating. The hedonic value and
      proximity of food is a contributor to addictive-like eating behaviors.

PMID- 26256239
TI  - Bottom-up assembly of metallic germanium.
AB  - Extending chip performance beyond current limits of miniaturisation requires new
      materials and functionalities that integrate well with the silicon platform.
      Germanium fits these requirements and has been proposed as a high-mobility
      channel material, a light emitting medium in silicon-integrated lasers, and a
      plasmonic conductor for bio-sensing. Common to these diverse applications is the
      need for homogeneous, high electron densities in three-dimensions (3D). Here we
      use a bottom-up approach to demonstrate the 3D assembly of atomically sharp
      doping profiles in germanium by a repeated stacking of two-dimensional (2D) high
      density phosphorus layers. This produces high-density (10(19) to 10(20) cm(-3))
      low-resistivity (10(-4)Omega . cm) metallic germanium of precisely defined
      thickness, beyond the capabilities of diffusion-based doping technologies. We
      demonstrate that free electrons from distinct 2D dopant layers coalesce into a
      homogeneous 3D conductor using anisotropic quantum interference measurements,
      atom probe tomography, and density functional theory.

PMID- 26256240
TI  - Modelling the mechanics and hydrodynamics of swimming E. coli.
AB  - The swimming properties of an E. coli-type model bacterium are investigated by
      mesoscale hydrodynamic simulations, combining molecular dynamics simulations of
      the bacterium with the multiparticle particle collision dynamics method for the
      embedding fluid. The bacterium is composed of a spherocylindrical body with
      attached helical flagella, built up from discrete particles for an efficient
      coupling with the fluid. We measure the hydrodynamic friction coefficients of the
      bacterium and find quantitative agreement with experimental results of swimming
      E. coli. The flow field of the bacterium shows a force-dipole-like pattern in the
      swimming plane and two vortices perpendicular to its swimming direction arising
      from counterrotation of the cell body and the flagella. By comparison with the
      flow field of a force dipole and rotlet dipole, we extract the force-dipole and
      rotlet-dipole strengths for the bacterium and find that counterrotation of the
      cell body and the flagella is essential for describing the near-field
      hydrodynamics of the bacterium. 

PMID- 26256241
TI  - Establishment of a two-dimensional chiral HPLC system for the simultaneous
      detection of lactate and 3-hydroxybutyrate enantiomers in human clinical samples.
AB  - A two-dimensional chiral high-performance liquid chromatography system was
      established for simultaneous detection of lactate (LA) and 3-hydroxybutyrate
      (3HB) enantiomers in human clinical samples. d-LA is increased upon kidney damage
      but 3HB protected against kidney injury. Therefore, determining the
      concentrations of D,L-LA and D,L-3HB simultaneously would be useful for
      evaluating pathological conditions. LA and 3HB were pre-column-derivatized with
      the fluorescent reagent 4-(N-chloroformylmethyl-N-methylamino)-7-nitro-2,1,3
      benzoxadiazole (NBD-COCl) at 60  degrees C for 15 min and separated in the first
      dimension with a capillary monolithic octadecylsilane column. The mobile phase
      consisted of 13% acetonitrile and 0.05% tirfluoroacetic acid in water. Chiralpak
      QD-AX and KSAACSP-001S enantioselective columns were used in the second dimension
      to separate LA and 3HB enantiomers, respectively. Mobile phases were mixed
      solutions of methanol and acetonitrile containing formic acid. The separation
      factors were 1.14 and 1.08, respectively. The detection limit of LA and 3HB
      enantiomers was 10 fmol/injection. This method was applied to human clinical
      samples; intra- and inter-day relative standard deviations of LA and 3HB
      enantiomers were, respectively, 1.04-3.25% and 1.61-5.12% in plasma, 9.19-11.2%
      and 4.60-5.89% in urine, and 7.12-8.90% and 2.86-6.97% in saliva. This novel
      analytical method is a powerful tool for investigating variations in LA and 3HB
      enantiomers under disease conditions.

PMID- 26256242
TI  - Metal-coordination-driven mixed ligand binding in supramolecular bisporphyrin
      tweezers.
AB  - Mg(II)bisporphyrin has been used as an efficient host for the selective binding
      of guest ligands. In the presence of heterogeneous guest pairs, 2
      aminopyrimidine/pyrazine and 2-aminopyrimidine/1,4-dioxane, 2-aminopyrimidine is
      bound selectively inside the bisporphyrin cavity whereas pyrazine/1,4-dioxane is
      bound outside to produce 1D mixed ligand polymers. UV-vis, (1)H NMR spectra and X
      ray structure confirm such a selective and orthogonal binding of the guest
      ligands. The mixed ligand polymer has been synthesized just by mixing the host
      and guests in one pot and easily isolated as a solid in nearly quantitative yield
      due to its high stability.

PMID- 26256243
TI  - All-trans retinoic acid modulates the balance of ADAMTS13 and VWF in human
      microvascular endothelial cells.
AB  - PURPOSE: To better understand the antithrombotic property of All-trans retinoic
      acid (ATRA), we investigated whether ATRA may affect the balance between ADAMTS13
      and von Willebrand factor (VWF) in human microvascular endothelial cell. METHODS:
      Compared to tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), we observed the effects of
      ATRA on the expression of ADAMTS13 and VWF. ADAMTS13mRNA in human microvascular
      endothelial cell (HMEC-1 cell line) were detected by real-time polymerase chain
      reaction amplification (RT-PCR). The levels of ADAMTS13 and VWF antigen were
      detected by western blot or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the
      proteolytic activity of ADAMTS13 was also determined by using GST-VWF73-His
      peptide as a specific substrate. RESULTS: ATRA significantly upregulated the
      expression of ADAMTS13mRNA in HMEC-1, while TNF-alpha inhibited ADAMTS13mRNA
      expression. ATRA could reverse the inhibition expression of ADAMTS13 by TNF
      alpha. The results were confirmed from the levels of ADAMTS13 protein and its
      activity, while ATRA had no significant affection on triggering release of VWF.
      CONCLUSIONS: This study provides the evidence that ATRA modulates the balance of
      ADAMTS13 and VWF in human microvascular endothelial cell, which might be a very
      relevant compartment for the antithrombotic property of ATRA.

PMID- 26256244
TI  - A trimetallic strategy towards ZnDyCr and ZnDyCo single-ion magnets.
AB  - Two cyano- and phenoxo-bridged octanuclear complexes ZnDyCo (complex ) and ZnDyCr
      (complex ) with diamagnetic Zn(ii) and Co(iii) are reported. Dy(iii) is
      surrounded by nine oxygen atoms of two [Zn(Me2valpn)] (Me2valpn(2-) = dianion of
      N,N'-2,2-dimethylpropylenebis(3-methoxysalicylideneimine)) and one water
      molecule. Magnetic studies reveal that both exhibit single-ion magnet (SIM)
      behavior with the energy barrier of 85.9 K for complex and 100.9 K for complex . 

PMID- 26256245
TI  - Crystal structure of the first WW domain of human YAP2 isoform.
AB  - The WW domains are the smallest modular domains known. The study of the
      structural basis of their stability is important to understand their
      physiological role. These domains are intrinsically flexible, which makes them
      difficult to crystallize. The first WW domain of the human Yes tyrosine kinase
      Associated Protein (YAP) has been crystallized and its structure has been solved
      by X-ray diffraction at 1.6 A resolution. Crystals belong to the orthorhombic
      space group P21212 with unit cell parameters a=42.67, b=43.10 and c=21.30. The
      addition of proline and other small-molecule additives improves drastically the
      quality of the crystals. The interactions that stabilize this minimal modular
      domain have been analysed. This crystal structure reveals that, besides the
      stabilization of the hydrophobic core of the protein by the aromatic cluster
      formed by Trp177-Phe189-Pro202, some salt-bridges interactions might affect the
      stability of the domain.

PMID- 26256246
TI  - Cytosolic BMAL1 moonlights as a translation factor.
AB  - It is widely recognized that BMAL1 is an essential subunit of the primary
      transcription factor that drives rhythmic circadian transcription in the nucleus.
      In a surprising turn, Lipton et al. now show that BMAL1 rhythmically interacts
      with translational machinery in the cytosol to stimulate protein synthesis in
      response to mTOR signaling. 

PMID- 26256247
TI  - Comparing methods for ex vivo characterization of human monocyte phenotypes and
      in vitro responses.
AB  - Monocytes are key innate effector cells and their phenotype and function may be a
      useful biomarker of disease state or therapeutic response. However, for such an
      assay to be clinically feasible it needs to be simple and reproducible, which
      this study aimed to address. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC)(2)
      isolated from whole blood using Histopaque-1077 or cell preparation tubes (CPT)
      showed no difference in the ex vivo monocyte activation marker expression or in
      vitro responses; however, a delayed isolation using CPT significantly altered ex
      vivo and in vitro phenotypes and responses. Furthermore, purification of
      monocytes using CD14(+) microbeads resulted in a loss of CD14(low)CD16(+)
      monocytes compared to PBMC samples. Thus, the use of CPT reduced complexity and
      time compared to Histopaque, and PBMC isolation allowed the analysis of all 3
      major monocyte subsets. Finally, because the delayed isolation of PBMC from CPT
      significantly altered monocytes, time delays should be standardized. 

PMID- 26256248
TI  - Photocatalytic degradation of the antibiotic chloramphenicol and effluent
      toxicity effects.
AB  - Chloramphenicol sodium succinate (CAP, C15H15Cl2N2 Na2O8) is a broad-spectrum
      antibiotic exhibiting activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative
      bacteria as well as other groups of microorganisms only partially removed by
      conventional activated sludge wastewater treatment plants. Thus, CAP and its
      metabolites can be found in effluents. The present work deals with the
      photocatalytic degradation of CAP using TiO2 as photocatalyst. We investigated
      the optimization of reaction contact time and concentration of TiO2 considering
      CAP and its by-products removal as well as effluent ecotoxicity elimination.
      Considering a CAP real concentration of 25mgL(-1), kinetic degradation curves
      were determined at 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, 1.6 and 3.2gL(-1) TiO2 after 5, 10, 30, 60
      and 120min reaction time. Treated samples were checked for the presence of by
      products and residual toxicity (V. fischeri, P. subcapitata, L. sativum and D.
      magna). Results evidenced that the best combination for CAP and its by-products
      removal could be set at 1.6gL(-1) of TiO2 for 120min with an average residual
      toxicity of approximately 10%, that is the threshold set for negative controls in
      most toxicity tests for blank and general toxicity test acceptability. 

PMID- 26256249
TI  - Improving the performance and emission characteristics of a single cylinder
      diesel engine having reentrant combustion chamber using diesel and Jatropha
      methyl esters.
AB  - The emissions from the Compression ignition (CI) engines introduce toxicity to
      the atmosphere. The undesirable carbon deposits from these engines are realized
      in the nearby static or dynamic systems such as vehicles, inhabitants, etc. The
      objective of this research work is to improve the performance and emission
      characteristics of a diesel engine in the modified re-entrant combustion chamber
      using a diesel and Jatropha methyl ester blend (J20) at three different injection
      pressures. From the literature, it is revealed that the shape of the combustion
      chamber and the fuel injection pressure have an impact on the performance and
      emission parameters of the CI engine. In this work, a re-entrant combustion
      chamber with three different fuel injection pressures (200, 220 and 240bars) has
      been used in the place of the conventional hemispherical combustion chamber for
      diesel and J20. From the experimental results, it is found that the re-entrant
      chamber improves the brake thermal efficiency of diesel and J20 in all the tested
      conditions. It is also found that the 20% blend of Jatropha methyl ester showed
      4% improvement in the brake thermal efficiency in the re-entrant chamber at the
      maximum injection pressure. Environmental safety directly relates to the
      reduction in the undesirable effects on both living and non-living things.
      Currently environmental pollution is of major concern. Even with the stringent
      emission norms new methods are required to reduce the harmful effects from
      automobiles. The toxicity of carbon monoxide (CO) is well known. In the re
      entrant combustion chamber, the amount of CO emission is reduced by 26% when
      compared with the conventional fuel operation of the engine. Moreover, the amount
      of smoke is reduced by 24% and hydrocarbons (HC) emission by 24%. Thus, the
      modified re-entrant combustion chamber reduces harmful pollutants such as
      unburned HC and CO as well as toxic smoke emissions. 

PMID- 26256250
TI  - An acellular biologic scaffold does not regenerate appreciable de novo muscle
      tissue in rat models of volumetric muscle loss injury.
AB  - Extracellular matrix (ECM) derived scaffolds continue to be investigated for the
      treatment of volumetric muscle loss (VML) injuries. Clinically, ECM scaffolds
      have been used for lower extremity VML repair; in particular, MatriStemTM, a
      porcine urinary bladder matrix (UBM), has shown improved functional outcomes and
      vascularization, but limited myogenesis. However, efficacy of the scaffold for
      the repair of traumatic muscle injuries has not been examined systematically. In
      this study, we demonstrate that the porcine UBM scaffold when used to repair a
      rodent gastrocnemius musculotendinous junction (MTJ) and tibialis anterior (TA)
      VML injury does not support muscle tissue regeneration. In the MTJ model, the
      scaffold was completely resorbed without tissue remodeling, suggesting that the
      scaffold may not be suitable for the clinical repair of muscle-tendon injuries.
      In the TA VML injury, the scaffold remodeled into a fibrotic tissue and showed
      functional improvement, but not due to muscle fiber regeneration. The inclusion
      of physical rehabilitation also did not improve functional response or tissue
      remodeling. We conclude that the porcine UBM scaffold when used to treat VML
      injuries may hasten the functional recovery through the mechanism of scaffold
      mediated functional fibrosis. Thus for appreciable muscle regeneration, repair
      strategies that incorporate myogenic cells, vasculogenic accelerant and a
      myoconductive scaffold need to be developed. 

PMID- 26256251
TI  - P50: A candidate ERP biomarker of prodromal Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Reductions of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) amyloid-beta (Abeta42) and
      elevated phosphorylated-tau (p-Tau) reflect in vivo Alzheimer's disease (AD)
      pathology and show utility in predicting conversion from mild cognitive
      impairment (MCI) to dementia. We investigated the P50 event-related potential
      component as a noninvasive biomarker of AD pathology in non-demented elderly.
      METHODS: 36 MCI patients were stratified into amyloid positive (MCI-AD, n=17) and
      negative (MCI-Other, n=19) groups using CSF levels of Abeta42. All amyloid
      positive patients were also p-Tau positive. P50s were elicited with an auditory
      oddball paradigm. RESULTS: MCI-AD patients yielded larger P50s than MCI-Other.
      The best amyloid-status predictor model showed 94.7% sensitivity, 94.1%
      specificity and 94.4% total accuracy. DISCUSSION: P50 predicted amyloid status in
      MCI patients, thereby showing a relationship with AD pathology versus MCI from
      another etiology. The P50 may have clinical utility for inexpensive pre-screening
      and assessment of Alzheimer's pathology.

PMID- 26256253
TI  - Resisting false recognition: An ERP study of lure discrimination.
AB  - There is keen interest in what enables rememberers to differentiate true from
      false memories and which strategies are likely to be the most effective. This
      study measured electrical brain activity while healthy young adults performed a
      mnemonic discrimination task, deciding whether color pictures had been studied,
      were similar to studied pictures (lures), or were new. Between 500 and 800 ms
      post-stimulus, event-related potentials (ERPs) for correctly recognized studied
      pictures and falsely recognized lures compared to those for correctly rejected
      novel items had a left centroparietal scalp distribution. This was typical of the
      parietal old/new effect associated with recollection, and in line with previous
      evidence that similar lures may elicit false or phantom recollection as opposed
      to just familiarity. There was no evidence of a parietal effect for correctly
      rejected lures as would be expected if recall-to-reject was used. The ERP old/new
      effects for lures also varied with individual differences in performance.
      Parietal effects for falsely recognized lures were larger in better performers,
      who successfully rejected a greater number of lures as "similar". The better
      performers also showed more pronounced right frontocentral old/new effects
      between 800 and 1100 ms for correctly rejected and falsely recognized similar
      lures. The enhancement of false recollection in better performers implies false
      recognition of lures occurred only when more specific information was recovered
      about the study episodic. Together, the findings suggest reliance on recollection
      to decide that items were studied, supported by post-retrieval processing.

PMID- 26256252
TI  - Metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 upregulates surface NMDA receptor expression in
      striatal neurons via CaMKII.
AB  - Metabotropic and ionotropic glutamate receptors are closely clustered in
      postsynaptic membranes and are believed to interact actively with each other to
      control excitatory synaptic transmission. Metabotropic glutamate receptor 5
      (mGluR5), for example, has been well documented to potentiate ionotropic NMDA
      receptor activity, although underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. In this
      study, we investigated the role of mGluR5 in regulating trafficking and
      subcellular distribution of NMDA receptors in adult rat striatal neurons. We
      found that the mGluR1/5 agonist DHPG concentration-dependently increased NMDA
      receptor GluN1 and GluN2B subunit expression in the surface membrane. Meanwhile,
      DHPG reduced GluN1 and GluN2B levels in the intracellular compartment. The effect
      of DHPG was blocked by an mGluR5 selective antagonist MTEP but not by an mGluR1
      selective antagonist 3-MATIDA. Pretreatment with an inhibitor or a specific
      inhibitory peptide for synapse-enriched Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein
      kinase II (CaMKII) also blocked the DHPG-stimulated redistribution of GluN1 and
      GluN2B. In addition, DHPG enhanced CaMKIIalpha activity and elevated GluN2B
      phosphorylation at a CaMKII-sensitive site (serine 1303). These results
      demonstrate that mGluR5 regulates trafficking of NMDA receptors in striatal
      neurons. Activation of mGluR5 appears to induce rapid trafficking of GluN1 and
      GluN2B to surface membranes through a signaling pathway involving CaMKII.

PMID- 26256254
TI  - Exposure to prenatal stress has deleterious effects on hippocampal function in a
      febrile seizure rat model.
AB  - Prenatal stress has been shown to result in the development of a number of
      neurological disorders in the offspring. Most of these disorders are a result of
      an altered HPA axis resulting in higher than normal glucocorticoid levels in the
      affected neonate. This leaves the offspring prone to immune challenges. Therefore
      the aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of prenatal stress
      and febrile seizures on behavior and hippocampal function. Pregnant dams were
      exposed to restraint stress during the third trimester. Following birth, febrile
      seizures were induced in two week old pups using lipopolysaccharide and kainic
      acid. A week later, anxiety-like behavior and navigational ability was assessed.
      Trunk blood was used to measure basal corticosterone concentration and
      hippocampal tissue was collected and analyzed. Our results show that exposure to
      prenatal stress increased basal corticosterone concentration. Exposure to
      prenatal stress exacerbated anxiety-like behavior and impaired the rat's
      navigational ability. Exposure to prenatal stress resulted in reduced hippocampal
      mass that was exacerbated by febrile seizures. However, exposure to febrile
      seizures did not affect hippocampal mass in the absence of prenatal stress. This
      suggests that febrile seizures are exacerbated by exposure to early life
      stressors and this may lead to the development of neurological symptoms
      associated with a malfunctioning hippocampus.

PMID- 26256255
TI  - [Experience with the use of the bio-active stent coated with titanium nitric
      oxide compared with zotarolimus-eluting stent: experience of a unit medical high
      specialty].
AB  - The use of coronary stents in coronary angioplasty has evolved dramatically in
      its design, type materials, polymers, and a variety of drugs, the use of coronary
      stents covered nitric oxide have shown satisfactory results in practice, however
      compared to the results reported drug-eluting stents, there is little
      information. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare clinical outcomes
      of a stainless steel stent Bioactive nitric oxide coated titanium (BAS) and a
      drug-eluting stent zotarolimus (DES) in daily clinical practice. METHODS: A
      retrospective, analytical, descriptive and comparative study aimed at evaluating
      the safety and efficacy of two devices with different characteristics in our
      population. The primary endpoints were: death, acute infarction (AMI), and re
      intervention injury Treated (RLT). RESULTS: A total of 759 patients were included
      in the study which was performed angioplasty to a single vessel. Were divided
      into two arms 382 with DES and 377 patients with BAS, the one year follow up was
      carried in 95%. After this follow-up period, primary points (cardiovascular
      death, myocardial infarction, TLR and stent thrombosis) for arm DES vs BAS; 9.5%
      vs 8.5% P=NS but with shorter periods of dual antiplatelet therapy for arm BAS
      6.9+/-4.1 vs 11.1+/-2.5 months DES P=.0001. The results were independent of the
      clinical syndrome of presentation. CONCLUSIONS: After one year of follow no
      statistically significant difference in major clinical events, there was a trend
      in favour of BAS vs SM with respect to revascularization of the target lesion
      without reaching statistical significance.

PMID- 26256256
TI  - [Prehospital thrombolysis: A national perspective. Pharmaco-invasive strategy for
      early reperfusion of STEMI in Mexico].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To review the existing evidence on the role of prehospital
      thrombolysis in patients with ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction
      (STEMI) as part of a strategy of cutting edge to reduce the time of coronary
      reperfusion and as a consequence improves both the survival and function.
      METHODS: We used the technique of exploration-reduction-evaluation-analysis and
      synthesis of related studies, with an overview of current recommendations, data
      from controlled clinical trials and from the national and international
      registries about the different strategies for STEMI reperfusion. In total, we
      examined 186 references on prehospital thrombolysis, 130 references in times door
      treatment, 139 references in STEMI management and national and international
      registries as well as 135 references on rescue and primary percutaneous coronary
      intervention for STEMI. Finally the 48 references that were more relevant and
      informative were retained. CONCLUSION: The "time" factor is crucial in the
      success of early reperfusion in STEMI especially if thrombolysis is applied
      correctly during the prehospital time. The primary percutaneous coronary
      intervention is contingent upon its feasibility before 120 min from the onset of
      symptoms. In our midst to internationally, thrombolysis continues to be a
      strategy with great impact on their expectations of life and function of
      patients. Telecommunication systems should be incorporate in real time to the
      priority needs of catastrophic diseases such as STEMI where life is depending on
      time.

PMID- 26256257
TI  - Serum YKL-40 as a Marker of Left Atrial Fibrosis Assessed by Delayed Enhancement
      MRI in Lone Atrial Fibrillation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Assessment of the left atrial (LA) fibrosis by using delayed-enhanced
      magnetic resonance imaging (DE-MRI) in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients is a
      pioneering noninvasive method. Serum YKL-40 is a novel marker for inflammation
      and known to play a role in ongoing tissue fibrosis. However, its role in LA
      fibrosis is unclear. We aimed to investigate the association of serum YKL-40 with
      the presence and extent of LA fibrosis. METHODS: A total of 50 patients with lone
      paroxysmal AF (62% male; age: 47.2 +/- 7.0 years) underwent cardiac DE-MRI
      according to study protocol. Cardiac DE-MRI at 1.5 Tesla scanner was used to
      quantify LA fibrosis. Serum YKL-40 levels and clinical and echocardiographic data
      were recorded in all participants. RESULTS: DE-MRI revealed any degree of LA
      fibrosis in 31 (62%) patients. Median serum YKL-40 was significantly higher (P =
      0.008) and left venticular ejection fraction was lower (P = 0.047) in patients
      with LA fibrosis as compared to patients without LA fibrosis. Extent of LA
      fibrosis was significantly correlated with age, duration of AF history, serum C
      reactive protein, and serum YKL-40 levels. Only log (YKL-40) level was found as
      independent predictor for the presence of LA fibrosis (odds ratio: 1.626, P =
      0.022). Multivariate linear regression analysis pointed out that duration of AF
      history (beta = 0.330, P = 0.003) and serum log (YKL-40) levels (beta = 0.546, P
      < 0.001) were significantly and independently associated with the extent of LA
      fibrosis. CONCLUSION: Higher levels of serum YKL-40 are associated with the
      presence and more extensive LA fibrosis in patients with lone AF. As a marker of
      inflammation, serum YKL-40 may also be used as an indicator for the degree of LA
      fibrosis.

PMID- 26256258
TI  - Increased Butyrate Production During Long-Term Fermentation of In Vitro-Digested
      High Amylose Cornstarch Residues with Human Feces.
AB  - An in vitro semi-continuous long-term (3 wk) anaerobic incubation system
      simulating lower gut fermentation was used to determine variability in gut
      microbial metabolism between 4 predigested high amylose-resistant starch residues
      (SR): SRV, SRVI, SRVII, and SRGEMS in human fecal samples. Subjects participated
      twice, 5 mo apart: 30 in Phase I (15 lean, 9 overweight and 6 obese), 29 in Phase
      II (15 lean, 9 overweight, 5 obese); 13 of 15 lean subjects participated in both
      phases. Of the 4 SRs, SRV displayed the highest gelatinization temperature, peak
      temperature, enthalpy changes, and the least digestibility compared with the
      other SRs. In both phases, compared with blank controls, all SRs increased
      butyrate ~2-fold which stabilized at week 2 and only SRV caused greater
      propionate concentration (~30%) after 3 wk which might have been partly mediated
      by its lesser digestibility. Fecal samples from lean and overweight/obese
      subjects incubated with SRs showed similar short-chain fatty acid production
      across both time points, which suggests that resistant starch may benefit
      individuals across BMIs. 

PMID- 26256259
TI  - Dual-targeting nanocarrier system based on thermosensitive liposomes and gold
      nanorods for cancer thermo-chemotherapy.
AB  - The primary challenge of cancer therapy was the failure of most chemotherapeutics
      to accumulate in the tumors, additionally causing serious systemic side effects.
      We designed a tumor-targeting accumulated and locally triggered-release
      nanocarrier system to increase the intratumoral drug concentration and thus the
      efficacy of chemotherapy, based on gold nanorods (GNRs) and thermosensitive
      liposomes (TSLs). PEGylated GNRs could not only make nanocarriers to co
      accumulate in tumors depending on enhanced permeability and retention (EPR)
      effect, but also generated heat locally under near-infrared (NIR) stimulation.
      CO2 bubbles were generated by the encapsulated ammonium bicarbonate (ABC) under
      hyperthermia, thus the co-encapsulated drug was released and local drug
      concentration was increased along with the disintegration of liposomal membrane.
      On the other hand, this dual-targeting system prevented the drug leakage in blood
      circulation or other organs while facilitated most of the active agents delivered
      to tumors. In vitro and in vivo experiments revealed high cytotoxicity and good
      affinity of HTSL to MDA-MB-435 cells when used synergistically with GNRs, but low
      toxicity to normal cells at the same condition. When combined with thermotherapy,
      the smart nanocarrier system held significant promise for future cancer treatment
      for their markedly improved therapeutic efficacy and decreased systemic toxicity.

PMID- 26256261
TI  - Effects of the properties of short peptides conjugated with cell-penetrating
      peptides on their internalization into cells.
AB  - Peptides, especially intracellular functional peptides that can play a particular
      role inside a cell, have attracted attention as promising materials to control
      cell fate. However, hydrophilic materials like peptides are difficult for cells
      to internalize. Therefore, the screening and design of intracellular functional
      peptides are more difficult than that of extracellular ones. An effective high
      throughput screening system for intracellular functional peptides has not been
      reported. Here, we demonstrate a novel peptide array system for screening
      intracellular functional peptides, in which both cell-penetrating peptide (CPP)
      domain and photo-cleavable linkers are used. By using this screening system, we
      determined how the cellular uptake properties of CPP-conjugated peptides varied
      depending on the properties of the conjugated peptides. We found that the
      internalization ability of CPP-conjugated peptides varied greatly depending on
      the property of the conjugated peptides, and anionic peptides drastically
      decreased the uptake ability. We summarized our data in a scatter diagram that
      plots hydrophobicity versus isoelectric point (pI) of conjugated peptides. These
      results define a peptide library suitable for screening of intracellular
      functional peptides. Thus, our system, including the diagram, is a promising tool
      for searching biological active molecules such as peptide-based drugs. 

PMID- 26256260
TI  - Small molecules targeting microRNA for cancer therapy: Promises and obstacles.
AB  - Aberrant expression of miRNAs is critically implicated in cancer initiation and
      progression. Therapeutic approaches focused on regulating miRNAs are therefore a
      promising approach for treating cancer. Antisense oligonucleotides, miRNA
      sponges, and CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing systems are being investigated as tools
      for regulating miRNAs. Despite the accruing insights in the use of these tools,
      delivery concerns have mitigated clinical application of such systems. In
      contrast, little attention has been given to the potential of small molecules to
      modulate miRNA expression for cancer therapy. In these years, many researches
      proved that small molecules targeting cancer-related miRNAs might have greater
      potential for cancer treatment. Small molecules targeting cancer related miRNAs
      showed significantly promising results in different cancer models. However, there
      are still several obstacles hindering the progress and clinical application in
      this area. This review discusses the development, mechanisms and application of
      small molecules for modulating oncogenic miRNAs (oncomiRs). Attention has also
      been given to screening technologies and perspectives aimed to facilitate
      clinical translation for small molecule-based miRNA therapeutics. 

PMID- 26256262
TI  - Preparation and evaluation of lipid emulsified docetaxel-loaded nanoparticles.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Lipid emulsified nanoparticles (LPNPs) have been developed to load
      anticancer drug docetaxel (DTX) in this work. METHODS: We evaluated DTX-loaded
      lipid emulsified nanoparticles (DTX-LPNPs) in vitro compared with the
      conventional nanoparticles (DTX-NPs). The newly developed formulation was
      compared with DTX-NPs in terms of physicochemical properties and in-vitro
      efficacy. KEY FINDINGS: These two formulations had similar physicochemical
      properties in our results. And it has been proven that phosphatidylethanolamine
      had higher emulsification efficiency (20-fold of polyvinyl alcohol) in the same
      preparation procedure. The in-vitro release of DTX from DTX-LPNPs showed burst
      release initially and then followed by a sustained release, which prolonged the
      half time. The cytotoxicity test indicated that the DTX-LPNPs were more effective
      against tumour growth, and the IC50 of Duopafei, DTX-NPs and DTX-LPNPs for the
      inhibition of human lung cancer A549 cells at 48 h (n = 3) were found to be 3.53
      +/- 0.43, 1.15 +/- 0.06 and 0.55 +/- 0.08 MUm, respectively. The evaluation of
      the cellular uptake showed that DTX-LPNPs improved the drug delivery into
      cytoplasm compared with the commercial product Duopafei and DTX-NPs. CONCLUSIONS:
      DTX-LPNPs may be a promising formulation for cancer therapy.

PMID- 26256263
TI  - The Chronic Obstructive Sialadenitis Symptoms Questionnaire to assess
      sialendoscopy-assisted surgery.
AB  - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Introduce the Chronic Obstructive Sialadenitis Symptoms
      (COSS) questionnaire to quantify chronic sialadenitis symptoms and assess the
      impact of sialendoscopic-assisted salivary duct surgery (SASDS). STUDY DESIGN:
      Retrospective outcome symptoms questionnaire study. METHODS: The COSS
      questionnaire assesses the severity of sialadenitis symptoms from 0 to 100.
      Patients who underwent SASDS from April 2006 to December 2013 completed the COSS
      questionnaire and the ShortForm8 Health Survey (SF-8) based on current symptoms,
      and reported whether they had complete, partial, or no symptomatic response to
      SASDS. RESULTS: Sixty-six of the 156 (43%) contacted patients completed the
      questionnaires who had had symptoms in 26 submandibular ducts and 53 parotid
      ducts. The mean COSS score was higher for parotid ducts (12.0; interquartile
      range [IQR] 1.0-20.0) than for submandibular ducts (7.6; IQR 0.5-15.0) but not
      significantly so (P = 0.20). Thirty-eight (60%) patients reported complete
      resolution of symptoms, with a mean COSS score of 4.5 (IQR 0-7). Twenty-one (33%)
      patients reported partial resolution, with a mean COSS score of 18.5 (IQR 11.3
      22.8). Five (8%) patients reported no improvement, with a mean COSS score of 25.1
      (IQR 15.2-35). Thirty-six (46%) ducts with sialoliths had a significantly lower
      mean COSS score (5.8; IQR 0-9.5) compared to those without sialoliths (14.2; IQR
      4.5-21.5, P = 0.0004). There was no significant difference in SF-8 survey scores
      between these groups. CONCLUSION: The COSS questionnaire is a novel survey
      instrument to measure obstructive sialadenitis symptom severity that could be
      helpful in defining outcomes of SASDS. COSS scores under 10 correlate with
      complete resolution of symptoms, whereas scores between 10 and 25 correlate with
      partial resolution.

PMID- 26256264
TI  - Fetal limb soft tissue assessment for prediction of birth weight and umbilical
      cord blood analytes in gestational diabetes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the value of third trimester ultrasound (estimated fetal
      weight, cheek-to-cheek diameter, sectional Wharton's jelly area, sectional areas
      and fractional volumes in extremities) to predict birth weight and cord
      biochemical markers at birth (leptin, insulin, c-peptide, IGF1, erythropoietin
      and ferritin) in diabetic pregnancies. METHOD: Prospective study in 49 patients
      with gestational diabetes. An ultrasound was performed between 32 and 34 weeks.
      Clinical data were collected, and a blood sample was obtained from cord after
      birth. ROC curve models were evaluated for 75(th) and 90(th) birth weight
      percentile. Univariate and multivariate models were used to assess the
      association between ultrasound and neonatal outcomes. RESULTS: Sectional areas
      and fractional volumes showed significant differences and highest AUC values for
      predicting birth weight. A significant association was found for extremities
      measurements with total birth weight and its percentile. The only marker which
      showed a significant association to estimated fetal weight was erythropoietin.
      Sectional areas and fractional volumes related to cord leptin, erythropoietin,
      insulin and c-peptide. CONCLUSION: Sectional areas and fractional volumes improve
      the predictive value of estimated fetal weight in diabetic pregnancies. They also
      show a predictive association to biochemical changes in cord (leptin, insulin and
      erythropoietin) related to increased adiposity and risk of fetal hypoxia. (c)
      2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 26256265
TI  - Activated mast cells synthesize and release soluble ST2-a decoy receptor for IL
      33.
AB  - IL-33 released from damaged cells plays a central role in allergic inflammation
      by acting through its membrane-bound receptor, ST2 receptor (ST2L). IL-33
      activity can be neutralized by the soluble spliced variant of ST2 (sST2) that has
      been associated with allergic inflammation but its source is not well defined. We
      investigated whether mast cells (MCs) are a significant source of sST2 following
      activation through FcepsilonRI or ST2. We find that antigen and IL-33 induce
      substantial production and release of sST2 from human and mouse MCs in culture
      and do so synergistically when added together or in combination with stem cell
      factor. Moreover, increases in circulating sST2 during anaphylaxis in mice were
      dependent on the presence of MCs. Human MCs activated via FcepsilonRI failed to
      generate IL-33 and IL-33 produced by mouse bone marrow-derived MCs was retained
      within the cells. Therefore, FcepsilonRI-mediated sST2 production is independent
      of MC-derived IL-33 acting in an autocrine manner. These results are consistent
      with the conclusion that both mouse and human MCs when activated are a
      significant inducible source of sST2 but not IL-33 and thus have the ability to
      modulate the biologic impact of IL-33 produced locally by other cell types during
      allergic inflammation. 

PMID- 26256266
TI  - High temperature attenuates the gravitropism of inflorescence stems by inducing
      SHOOT GRAVITROPISM 5 alternative splicing in Arabidopsis.
AB  - In higher plants, gravitropism proceeds through three sequential steps in the
      responding organs: perception of gravity signals, signal transduction and
      asymmetric cell elongation. Light and temperature also influence the gravitropic
      orientation of plant organs. A series of Arabidopsis shoot gravitropism (sgr)
      mutants has been shown to exhibit disturbed shoot gravitropism. SGR5 is
      functionally distinct from other SGR members in that it mediates the early events
      of gravitropic responses in inflorescence stems. Here, we demonstrated that SGR5
      alternative splicing produces two protein variants (SGR5alpha and SGR5beta) in
      modulating the gravitropic response of inflorescence stems at high temperatures.
      SGR5beta inhibits SGR5alpha function by forming non-DNA-binding heterodimers.
      Transgenic plants overexpressing SGR5beta (35S:SGR5beta) exhibit reduced
      gravitropic growth of inflorescence stems, as observed in the SGR5-deficient sgr5
      5 mutant. Interestingly, SGR5 alternative splicing is accelerated at high
      temperatures, resulting in the high-level accumulation of SGR5beta transcripts.
      When plants were exposed to high temperatures, whereas gravitropic curvature was
      reduced in Col-0 inflorescence stems, it was uninfluenced in the inflorescence
      stems of 35S:SGR5beta transgenic plants and sgr5-5 mutant. We propose that the
      thermoresponsive alternative splicing of SGR5 provides an adaptation strategy by
      which plants protect the shoots from hot air under high temperature stress in
      natural habitats. 

PMID- 26256267
TI  - Integrated Proteomic and Glycoproteomic Analyses of Prostate Cancer Cells Reveal
      Glycoprotein Alteration in Protein Abundance and Glycosylation.
AB  - Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the U.S. and worldwide,
      and androgen-deprivation therapy remains the principal treatment for patients.
      Although a majority of patients initially respond to androgen-deprivation
      therapy, most will eventually develop castration resistance. An increased
      understanding of the mechanisms that underline the pathogenesis of castration
      resistance is therefore needed to develop novel therapeutics. LNCaP and PC3
      prostate cancer cell lines are models for androgen-dependence and androgen
      independence, respectively. Herein, we report the comparative analysis of these
      two prostate cancer cell lines using integrated global proteomics and
      glycoproteomics. Global proteome profiling of the cell lines using isobaric tags
      for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) labeling and two- dimensional (2D)
      liquid chromatography-tandem MS (LC-MS/MS) led to the quantification of 8063
      proteins. To analyze the glycoproteins, glycosite-containing peptides were
      isolated from the same iTRAQ-labeled peptides from the cell lines using solid
      phase extraction followed by LC-MS/MS analysis. Among the 1810 unique N-linked
      glycosite-containing peptides from 653 identified N-glycoproteins, 176
      glycoproteins were observed to be different between the two cell lines. A
      majority of the altered glycoproteins were also observed with changes in their
      global protein expression levels. However, alterations in 21 differentially
      expressed glycoproteins showed no change at the protein abundance level,
      indicating that the glycosylation site occupancy was different between the two
      cell lines. To determine the glycosylation heterogeneity at specific
      glycosylation sites, we further identified and quantified 1145 N-linked
      glycopeptides with attached glycans in the same iTRAQ-labeled samples. These
      intact glycopeptides contained 67 glycan compositions and showed increased
      fucosylation in PC3 cells in several of the examined glycosylation sites. The
      increase in fucosylation could be caused by the detected changes in enzymes
      belonging to the glycan biosynthesis pathways of protein fucosylation observed in
      our proteomic analysis. The altered protein fucosylation forms have great
      potential in aiding our understanding of castration resistance and may lead to
      the development of novel therapeutic approaches and specific detection strategies
      for prostate cancer. 

PMID- 26256268
TI  - The Dependence of Amyloid-beta Dynamics on Protein Force Fields and Water Models.
AB  - We studied the dynamics of Abeta40 , involved in Alzheimer's disease, by using 21
      methods combined from Amber03, Amber99sb-ILDN, Charmm27, Charmm22*, OPLS-2001,
      OPLS-2006, OPLS-2008, Gromos96-43a1, Gromos96-53a6, Gromos96-54a7, and the water
      models SPC, TIP3P, TIP4P. Major differences in the structural ensembles were
      systematized: Amber03, Charmm27, and Gromos96-54a7 stabilize the helices;
      Gromos96-43a1 and Gromos53a6 favor the beta-strands (with Charmm22* and Amber99sb
      ILDN in between), and OPLS produces unstructured ensembles. The accuracy of the
      NMR chemical shifts was in the order: Charmm22*>Amber99sb-ILDN>OPLS-2008~Gromos96
      43a1>Gromos96-54a7~OPLS-2001>OPLS-2006>Gromos96-53a6>Charmm27>Amber03. The
      computed (3) JHNHalpha -coupling constants were sensitive to experiment type and
      Karplus parameterization. Overall, the ensembles of Charmm22* and Amber99sb-ILDN
      provided the best agreement with experimental NMR and circular dichroism data,
      providing a model for the real Abeta monomer ensemble. Also, the polar water
      model TIP3P significantly favored helix and compact conformations. 

PMID- 26256269
TI  - Radiation therapy for people with cancer: what do written information materials
      tell them?
AB  - This study aimed to compare and contrast the contents of different types of
      written patient information about radiotherapy, namely (1) hospital radiotherapy
      departments vs. cancer control organisations and (2) generic vs. tumour-specific
      materials. A coding framework, informed by existing patients' information needs
      literature, was developed and applied to 54 radiotherapy information resources.
      The framework comprised 12 broad themes; cancer diagnosis, general information
      about radiotherapy, treatment planning, daily treatment, side effects, self-care
      management, external radiotherapy, internal radiotherapy, impact on daily
      activities, post-treatment, psychosocial health and other content, such as a
      glossary. Materials produced by cancer organisations contained significantly more
      information than hospital resources on diagnosis, general radiotherapy
      information, internal radiotherapy and psychosocial health. However, hospital
      materials provided more information about treatment planning, daily treatment and
      the impact on daily activities. Compared to generic materials, tumour-specific
      resources were superior in providing information about diagnosis, daily
      treatment, side effects, post-treatment and psychosocial health. Information
      about internal radiotherapy, prognosis and chronic side effects were poorly
      covered by most resources. Collectively, hospital and cancer organisation
      resources complement each other in meeting patients' information needs.
      Identifying ways to consolidate different information sources could help
      comprehensively address patients' medical and psychosocial information needs
      about radiotherapy. 

PMID- 26256270
TI  - The clinical significance of the pollen calendar of the Western Thrace/northeast
      Greece region in allergic rhinitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There are major differences in the clinical pattern of allergic
      rhinitis (AR) patients among countries, reflecting local aerobiological
      conditions. We analyzed the correlation between airborne pollen concentrations of
      the Western Thrace/northeast (NE) Greece region with symptoms scores in AR
      patients. The above data is the first provided for the Mediterranean climate of
      Greece and reflects the clinical significance of pollen calendar in everyday
      clinical practice. METHODS: An annual pollen calendar of the most important
      outdoor aeroallergens (grasses, trees, and weeds) was developed, using a Burkard
      volumetric spore trap. A total of 168 AR patients were studied and asked to
      evaluate their symptoms and main seasonal appearance. Sensitization prevalence to
      pollen species was detected by skin prick tests. Symptoms were evaluated by Total
      5 Symptoms Score (T5SS) and correlated to aerobiological data. RESULTS: As far as
      the pollen calendar is concerned, the highest total percentages of pollens were
      recorded for olive (24.02% of total), oak (13.74%), grasses (9.08%), and cypress
      (7.63%). Regarding patients' sensitivities, the most prevalent ones were to
      grasses (56.0%), olive (43.5%), wall pellitory (24.4%), and cypress (16.7%)
      antigens. A strong significant correlation between total pollen counts and
      patients' T5SS (r = 0.874, p < 0.001) was observed. Moreover, strong significant
      correlations between T5SS and pollen counts were also found for the most
      prevalent species, including grasses, olive, and Parietaria allergens (r = 0.627,
      p = 0.029; r = 0.695, p = 0.012; and r = 0.656, p = 0.021, respectively).
      CONCLUSION: Patients' symptoms scores were found to be significantly correlated
      to pollen counts. Given data are important for the management of AR patients who
      live in similar Mediterranean climate conditions.

PMID- 26256271
TI  - A novel liposomal drug delivery system for PMMA bone cements.
AB  - The population in developed countries is ageing and the number of people
      experiencing joint-related conditions, such as osteoarthritis, is expected to
      increase. Joint replacements are currently the most effective treatment for
      severe joint conditions and although many of these procedures are successful,
      infection developing after the procedure is still an issue, requiring complex and
      expensive revisions. Whilst incorporating a powdered antibiotic within the bone
      cement can reduce infection rates, the powder frequently agglomerates, resulting
      in poor antibiotic release characteristics and compromised mechanical performance
      of the cement. To overcome these issues, a novel delivery system consisting of
      antibiotic-loaded nano-sized liposomes was developed for inclusion into
      polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) bone cement. This system was tested in a
      commercial cement (Palacos R) and consistently delivered a higher percentage
      (22%) of the incorporated antibiotic when compared to the powdered antibiotic
      cement (9%), meaning less antibiotic needs to be incorporated than with
      conventional cement. The novel system resulted in a controlled and gradual
      release of antibiotic over a longer, 30-day period and enhanced the toughness,
      bending strength and Vickers hardness of the cement, without altering its
      polymerization or molecular structure. This new material has the potential to
      significantly reduce infections in cemented joint replacements leading to
      enhanced patient quality of life and reduced healthcare costs. (c) 2015 Wiley
      Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 104B: 1510-1524,
      2016.

PMID- 26256272
TI  - Determination of pKa values of some novel benzimidazole salts by using a new
      approach with (1)H NMR spectroscopy.
AB  - Benzimidazoles and their derivatives including imidazole are studied widely
      because they exist in the structure of natural products and different drugs. pKa
      values are extremely important for drug discovery and improvement in order to
      determine pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic features such as permeation through
      biological barriers, interactions with the target area or side effects. Acid-base
      features (pKa ) have great importance not only for physiological characteristics
      but also for being used as a ligand or changing physico-chemical features by
      turning benzimidazoles into salts. Within the scope of this study, a variety of
      new benzimidazole salts were synthesized, and their characterizations were made
      by NMR spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy and element analysis techniques. The pKa
      values of synthesized benzimidazole salts were determined by inflection point
      approach using integration values obtained with (1) H NMR spectroscopy and
      Henderson-Hasselbalch analysis. pKa values of some benzimidazole salts were also
      determined by potentiometric methods in order to compare those of NMR
      spectroscopy results.

PMID- 26256273
TI  - Functional connectivity changes related to cognitive and motor performance in
      spinocerebellar ataxia type 2.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Several neuropathological studies in spinocerebellar ataxia type 2
      (SCA2) have revealed significant atrophy of the cerebellum, brainstem,
      sensorimotor cortex, and several regions in the frontal lobe. However, the impact
      of the neurodegeneration on the functional integration of the remaining tissue is
      unknown. To analyze the clinical impact of these functional changes, we
      correlated the abnormal functional connectivity found in SCA2 patients with their
      scores in clinical scales. To obtain the functional connectivity changes, we
      followed two approaches. In one we used areas with significant cerebellar gray
      matter atrophy as anchor seeds, and in the other we performed a whole-brain data
      driven analysis. METHODS: Fourteen genetically confirmed SCA2 patients and aged
      matched healthy controls participated in the study. Voxel-based morphometry and
      resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) were done to analyze
      structural and functional brain changes. Independent component analysis and dual
      regression were used for intrinsic network comparison. Significant functional
      connectivity differences were correlated with the behavioral scores. RESULTS:
      Seed-based analysis found reduced functional connectivity within the cerebellum
      and between the cerebellum and frontal/parietal cortices. Cerebellar functional
      connectivity increases were found with parietal, frontal, and temporal areas.
      Intrinsic network analysis found a functional decrease in the cerebellar network,
      and increase in the default-mode and fronto-parietal networks. Further analysis
      showed significant correlations between clinical scores and the abnormal
      functional connectivity strength. CONCLUSION: Our findings show significant
      correlations between functional connectivity changes in key areas affected in
      SCA2 and these patients' motor and neuropsychological impairments, adding an
      important insight to our understanding of the pathophysiology of SCA2.

PMID- 26256274
TI  - The Life Expectancy of People with Intellectual Disabilities in Germany.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study presents age group-specific mortality rates and the
      average life expectancy of people with intellectual disabilities in Germany.
      METHOD: For two samples from Westphalia-Lippe and Baden-Wuerttemberg, person
      related data for the years 2007-2009 were analysed. Age group-specific mortality
      rates were estimated by exponential regression analyses. RESULTS: The average
      life expectancy of men with intellectual disabilities was 70.9 years in
      Westphalia-Lippe and 65.3 years in the Baden-Wuerttemberg sample. Women with
      intellectual disabilities reached a life expectancy of 72.8 years in the
      Westphalian sample and 69.9 years in Baden-Wuerttemberg. The mortality tables,
      the crude mortality rates and the standardized mortality rates according to the
      WHO standard population are reported. CONCLUSION: Comparing the results with
      other international studies, the trend of increasing life expectancies of people
      with intellectual disabilities is confirmed. People with intellectual
      disabilities still have a lower average life expectancy than the general
      population, partly due to subgroups with low life expectancies.

PMID- 26256275
TI  - Mortality Rates in the General Irish Population Compared to those with an
      Intellectual Disability from 2003 to 2012.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Historically, there has been higher and earlier mortality among
      people with intellectual disability as compared to the general population, but
      there have also been methodological problems and differences in the available
      studies. METHOD: Data were drawn from the 2012 National Intellectual Disability
      Database and the Census in Ireland. A standardized mortality ratio (SMR) was
      calculated, as well as average age at death. Ratios and differences were further
      examined for the influence of age, gender and level of intellectual disability.
      RESULTS: Mortality in persons with intellectual disability was four times higher
      and they were, on average, dying 19 years earlier than peers in the general
      population. Women with intellectual disability were living longer than males with
      intellectual disability, but differences in survival as compared to the general
      population were greater for these women. There was little change in average age
      at death over 10 years, and death was earlier the more severe the level of
      intellectual disability. DISCUSSION: The use of mortality ratios rather than
      average age at death alone is recommended, as well as greater standardization in
      use of data sets including the whole population, given high levels of earlier
      deaths in people with intellectual disability.

PMID- 26256276
TI  - Mortality of People with Intellectual Disabilities in England: A Comparison of
      Data from Existing Sources.
AB  - BACKGROUND: At present, there is limited statistical information about mortality
      of people with intellectual disabilities in England. This study explores the data
      that are currently available. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four recent sources of data
      about mortality of people with intellectual disabilities in England are reviewed:
      the Confidential Inquiry into Premature Deaths of People with intellectual
      disabilities (CIPOLD); the 2013 Joint Health and Social Care Intellectual
      Disability Self-assessment Exercise; local registers of people with intellectual
      disability; and analysis of Cause of Death certificates. RESULTS: Available data
      confirm that people with intellectual disability have a shorter lifespan and
      increased risk of early death when compared with the general population. The
      standardized mortality rate for people with intellectual disabilities is
      approximately twice that of the general population in England, with little
      indication of any reduction in this over time. CONCLUSIONS: Comprehensive data
      about mortality of people with intellectual disabilities that take account of the
      age and sex distribution of the population are currently lacking in England.
      Existing data suggest persistent inequalities between people with intellectual
      disabilities and the general population. There is an urgent need for better
      monitoring mechanisms and actions to address these.

PMID- 26256277
TI  - Understanding Information About Mortality Among People with Intellectual and
      Developmental Disabilities in Canada.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This paper reviews what is currently known about mortality among
      Canadians with intellectual and developmental disabilities and describes
      opportunities for ongoing monitoring. METHODS: In-hospital mortality among adults
      with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Ontario was examined using
      hospital data. Mortality was compared between age-, sex- and residence area
      matched groups of Manitobans with and without intellectual and developmental
      disabilities using linked administrative data. A retrospective cohort study of
      mortality among individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in a
      region of Ontario focused on measuring excess mortality and risk factors.
      FINDINGS: There is evidence of excess mortality in persons with intellectual and
      developmental disabilities in Canada. Some of the excess is attributable to
      comorbidities that are more common in this population. Women may have a greater
      risk of death than men. Excess mortality occurs at all ages but is more
      pronounced in early life. DISCUSSION: High-quality ongoing monitoring of
      mortality among individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities is
      possible in Canada. Examination of sex differences should be a priority.

PMID- 26256278
TI  - Molecular analysis of interactions between a PAMAM dendrimer-paclitaxel conjugate
      and a biomembrane.
AB  - Understanding the underlying mechanism of nanomedicine-biomembrane interactions
      is important for the design and optimization of payload delivery systems. This
      study investigates the interactions between polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer
      paclitaxel conjugates and biomembranes using coarse-grained molecular dynamics
      simulations. We found that acidic conditions (e.g., pH ~ 5) and membrane
      asymmetry can improve the conjugate penetration. Paclitaxel (PTX) distributions
      on a G4 PAMAM dendrimer can affect interactions via the penetration mechanism,
      although they have no significant effect on interactions via the adsorption
      mechanism. The random distribution of PTX can enhance the ability of PTX
      molecules to pass through asymmetric membranes. Furthermore, the penetration
      process becomes more difficult with increasing paclitaxel loading ratios. These
      results provide molecular insights into the precise translocation mechanism of
      dendrimer-drug conjugates and thus provide suggestions for drug design and
      delivery. 

PMID- 26256279
TI  - Evaluation of the Potential Role of Alirocumab in the Management of
      Hypercholesterolemia in Patients with High-Risk Cardiovascular Disease.
AB  - A high level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) has proved to have a
      positive correlation with mortality from cardiovascular disease, and it is the
      key modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Lowering levels of LDL-C
      with statins reduces both vascular morbidity and mortality; however, myalgias
      occur in 10% to 15% of patients, and many patients managed with statins achieve
      suboptimal levels of LDL-C. The injectable drug alirocumab-the first of a new
      class of drugs called proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9)
      inhibitors-is a monoclonal antibody to the PCSK9 gene, which regulates LDL
      receptor expression and circulating levels of LDL-C. In this review, we evaluated
      the efficacy and safety of alirocumab and its potential role in the management of
      patients with high-risk cardiovascular disease. Data were gathered from articles
      indexed in the PubMed database (2006-April 2015). All English-language,
      prospective, randomized, double-blinded trials evaluating the efficacy of
      alirocumab, as a monotherapy or in combination with statins, for treatment of
      hypercholesterolemia were identified. Five clinical trials were evaluated, and
      the results from these studies revealed that the use of alirocumab, both as
      monotherapy or in combination with statins, significantly reduced LDL-C levels.
      Patients treated with alirocumab, with or without statins, were more likely to
      achieve LDL-C goals of less than 100 or 70 mg/dl compared with placebo. Despite
      its ability to lower LDL-C level, one study did not show any antiinflammatory
      activity (i.e., reduced C-reactive protein level) among patients who received
      alirocumab; however, more clinical trials will be needed to further assess this
      effect. Alirocumab also appears to cause regression of plaque. The most commonly
      reported adverse effect was mild injection-site reaction. With increased odds of
      statin discontinuation among patients taking high-intensity statins, alirocumab
      will contribute to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk reduction.
      However, morbidity and mortality data, as well as long-term safety data, are
      pending. Therefore, we propose that alirocumab will better serve as an adjuvant
      therapy for the management of hypercholesterolemia in patients at high risk for
      cardiovascular events. As with all new promising injectable drugs, cost will also
      be a key consideration. 

PMID- 26256280
TI  - Learning curves for transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement in the
      PARTNER-I trial: Technical performance.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To assess technical performance learning curves of teams performing
      transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TF-TAVR). BACKGROUND: TF
      TAVR is a new procedure for treating severe aortic stenosis. The number of cases
      required for procedural efficiency is unknown. METHODS: In the PARTNER-I trial,
      1,521 patients underwent TF-TAVR from 4/2007-2/2012. Learning curve analysis of
      technical performance metrics was performed using institution-specific patient
      sequence number, interval between procedures, and institutional trial entry date.
      Learning curve characteristics were assessed using semi-parametric and parametric
      mixed-effects models. RESULTS: As patient sequence number increased, average
      procedure time decreased from 154 to 85 minutes (P < 0.0001), and fluoroscopy
      time from 28 to 20 minutes (P < 0.0001). Procedure time plateaued at an average
      of 83 minutes (range 52-140). Procedure time plateau was dynamic during the
      course of the trial, averaging 25 cases (range 21-52) by its end. The later
      institutions enrolled in the trial, the shorter the initial procedure time.
      During the trial, percutaneous rather than surgical access increased from 7.9% to
      69%. CONCLUSIONS: Technical performance learning curves exist for TF-TAVR;
      procedural efficiency increased with experience, with concomitant decreases in
      radiation and contrast media exposure. The number of cases needed to achieve
      efficiency decreased progressively, with optimal procedural performance reached
      after approximately 25 cases for late-entering institutions. Knowledge and
      experience accumulated by early TF-TAVR institutions were disseminated,
      shortening the learning curve of late-entering institutions. Technological
      advances resulting from learning during the trial moved the field from initial
      conservative surgical cut-down to percutaneous access for most patients. (c) 2015
      Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 26256281
TI  - Non-anaemic iron deficiency - a disease looking for recognition of diagnosis: a
      systematic review.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To capture all data meeting a rigid definition of non-anaemic iron
      deficiency (NAID) and determine whether it is associated with poor outcomes
      compared with normal iron status and whether iron supplementation improves
      outcomes in NAID. DESIGN: Systematic review. DATA SOURCES: EMBASE, Medline, Web
      of Science, clinicaltrials.gov, International Clinical Trials Registry Platform
      (ICTRP) and Central from database inception to April 2014. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:
      Ferritin <16 MUg/L (<12 MUg/L if age <5 yr) in the absence of anaemia in
      observational studies or randomised trials. Where populations were deemed to be
      sufficiently similar, meta-analysis was undertaken. RESULTS: There were 21
      studies included. NAID in pregnancy associated with reduction in birthweight (P =
      0.028). Iron supplementation in NAID was associated with improvement in objective
      scores (P = 0.005) and self-rating (P = 0.03) of fatigue. Meta-analysis was
      limited and, where possible, was not statistically significant including the
      comparison of NAID with cardiovascular function in adults (VO2max P = 0.21,
      RERmax P = 0.68), educational attainment in children (P = 0.14), infant mental (P
      = 0.29) and psychomotor (P = 0.07) development, and iron supplementation in NAID
      with educational attainment in language (P = 0.31). CONCLUSIONS: There is
      emerging evidence that NAID is a disease in its own right, deserving of further
      research in the development of strategies for detection and treatment.

PMID- 26256282
TI  - Pre-staining of glycoprotein in SDS-PAGE by the synthesis of a new hydrazide
      derivative.
AB  - In this study, a new hydrazide derivative (UGF202) was synthesized and introduced
      as a highly sensitive and selective fluorescent probe to pre-stain glycoproteins
      in 1D and 2D SDS-PAGE. As low as 0.5-1 ng glycoproteins (transferrin, alpha1-acid
      glycoprotein, avidin) could be selectively detected, which is comparable to that
      of Pro-Q Emerald 300 stain, one of the most sensitive and commonly used
      glycoprotein staining kit. In addition, the specificity of the newly developed
      method was confirmed by the study of de-glycosylation, glycoproteins affinity
      enrichment and LC-MS/MS, respectively. According to the results, it is concluded
      that UGF202 pre-stain can provide an alternative for the visualization of gel
      separated glycoproteins. 

PMID- 26256283
TI  - Office-Based Tools and Primary Care Visit Communication, Length, and Preventive
      Service Delivery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The use of physician office-based tools such as electronic health
      records (EHRs), health risk appraisal (HRA) instruments, and written patient
      reminder lists is encouraged to support efficient, high-quality, patient-centered
      care. We evaluate the association of exam room use of EHRs, HRA instruments, and
      self-generated written patient reminder lists with patient-physician
      communication behaviors, recommended preventive health service delivery, and
      visit length. RESEARCH METHODS: Observational study of 485 office visits with 64
      primary care physicians practicing in a health system serving the Detroit
      metropolitan area. Study data were obtained from patient surveys, direct
      observation, office visit audio-recordings, and automated health system records.
      Outcome measures included visit length in minutes, patient use of active
      communication behaviors, physician use of supportive talk and partnership
      building communication behaviors, and percentage of delivered guideline
      recommended preventive health services for which patients are eligible and due.
      Simultaneous linear regression models were used to evaluate associations between
      tool use and outcomes. Adjusted models controlled for patient characteristics,
      physician characteristics, characteristics of the relationship between the
      patient and physician, and characteristics of the environment in which the visit
      took place. RESULTS: Prior to adjusting for other factors, visits in which the
      EHR was used on average were significantly (p < .05) longer (27.6 vs. 23.8
      minutes) and contained fewer preventive services for which patients were eligible
      and due (56.5 percent vs. 62.7 percent) compared to those without EHR use.
      Patient written reminder lists were also significantly associated with longer
      visits (30.0 vs. 26.5 minutes), and less use of physician communication behaviors
      facilitating patient involvement (2.1 vs. 2.6 occurrences), but more use of
      active patient communication behaviors (4.4 vs. 2.6). Likewise, HRA use was
      significantly associated with increased preventive services delivery (62.1
      percent vs. 57.0 percent). All relationships remained significant (p > .05) in
      adjusted models with the exception of that between HRA use and preventive service
      delivery. DISSEMINATION AND IMPLEMENTATION IMPLICATIONS: Office-based tools
      intended to facilitate the implementation of desired primary care practice
      redesign are associated with both positive and negative cost and quality
      outcomes. Findings highlight the need for monitoring both intended and unintended
      consequences of office-based tools commonly used in primary care practice
      redesign.

PMID- 26256284
TI  - A Prebiotic Synthesis of Pterins.
AB  - The genesis of life on Earth is a hypothesis of evolutionary science that can be,
      at least partially, tested experimentally. The prebiotic synthesis of cofactors
      or coenzymes is a poorly explored issue, likely because their formation under
      plausible prebiotic conditions is not clear. In this sense, it has been proposed
      that the cofactors are "molecular fossils" of an early phase of life. In
      contrast, Eschenmoser and Loewenthal suggested a prebiotic hydrocyanic origin of
      cofactor building blocks. In the present paper, the formation of a set of pterins
      from cyanide polymerizations is demonstrated, showing that the main structure of
      some cofactors can be prebiotically formed. Indeed, it was observed that aqueous
      aerosols additionally increase the relative composition for pterins in the
      insoluble NH4CN polymers synthesized. The novel identification of pterins in
      NH4CN polymers, together with the previous detection of other important
      biomonomers, indicates that cyanide polymerizations were essential in the early
      state of prebiotic chemistry.

PMID- 26256285
TI  - Thoughts on the Retirement of Professor Juan Murube: Author and Editor of Sources
      in Time.

PMID- 26256286
TI  - Questions.

PMID- 26256287
TI  - Induction and contribution of beta platelet-derived growth factor signalling by
      hepatic stellate cells to liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in mice.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activate during injury to
      orchestrate the liver's inflammatory and fibrogenic responses. A critical feature
      of HSC activation is the rapid induction of beta platelet-derived growth factor
      (beta-PDGFR), which drives cellular fibrogenesis and proliferation; in contrast,
      normal liver has minimal beta-PDGFR expression. While the role of beta-PDGFR is
      well established in liver injury, its expression and contribution during liver
      regeneration are unknown. The aim of this study was to determine whether beta
      PDGFR is induced during liver regeneration following partial hepatectomy (pHx),
      and to define its contribution to the regenerative response. METHODS: Control
      mice or animals with HSC-specific beta-PDGFR-depletion underwent two-thirds pHx
      followed by assessment of hepatocyte proliferation and expression of beta-PDGFR.
      RNA-sequencing from whole liver tissue of both groups after pHx was used to
      uncover pathways regulated by beta-PDGFR signalling in HSCs. RESULTS: Beta
      platelet-derived growth factor expression on HSCs was up-regulated within 24 h
      following pHx in control mice, whereas absence of beta-PDGFR blunted the
      expansion of HSCs. Mice lacking beta-PDGFR displayed prolonged increases of
      transaminase levels within 72 h following pHx. Hepatocyte proliferation was
      impaired within the first 24 h based on Ki-67 and PCNA expression in beta-PDGFR
      deficient mice. This was associated with dysregulated growth in the beta-PDGFR
      deficient mice based on RNAseq with pathway analysis, and real-time quantitative
      PCR, which demonstrated reduced expression of Hgf, Igfbp1, Mapk and Il-6.
      CONCLUSIONS: Beta platelet-derived growth factor is induced in HSCs following
      surgical pHx and its deletion in HSCs leads to prolonged liver injury. However,
      there is no significant difference in liver regeneration.

PMID- 26256288
TI  - Extended follow-up of pediatric liver transplantation patients receiving once
      daily calcineurin inhibitor.
AB  - We describe longitudinal results in a cohort of pediatric liver transplant
      patients successfully minimized to once daily CNI monotherapy for longer than
      five yr and assess changes in liver biochemistries and liver histology. A
      retrospective chart review of all pediatric liver transplant patients at a single
      center was performed. Biopsies and serum biochemistries (AST, ALT, total
      bilirubin, direct bilirubin, INR, creatinine) are reported at time points: PM,
      five-yr, seven-yr, and nine-yr post-minimization. Biopsies were assessed for
      inflammation and fibrosis using Ishak and Batts grading systems. Successful
      minimization to daily CNI monotherapy was defined as normal liver enzymes with no
      episodes of rejection. Thirty-three patients have successfully remained on once
      daily CNI for >5 yr, and 19/33 of these patients have serial liver biopsies
      available for review. We report on the clinical and histological findings of
      these 19 patients. All 19 patients continue to have normal liver biochemistries.
      On post-minimization biopsies, fibrosis progressed by >=2 stages in one patient
      (5.3%) despite normal liver biochemistries. Carefully selected patients can
      tolerate minimization to once daily CNI monotherapy as few have progression of
      fibrosis.

PMID- 26256289
TI  - Preventing seasonal influenza worldwide through vaccination, education, and
      international cooperation: research, findings, and recommendations from the
      Global Influenza Initiative.

PMID- 26256290
TI  - Epidemiological and virological characteristics of influenza B: results of the
      Global Influenza B Study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Literature on influenza focuses on influenza A, despite influenza B
      having a large public health impact. The Global Influenza B Study aims to collect
      information on global epidemiology and burden of disease of influenza B since
      2000. METHODS: Twenty-six countries in the Southern (n = 5) and Northern (n = 7)
      hemispheres and intertropical belt (n = 14) provided virological and
      epidemiological data. We calculated the proportion of influenza cases due to type
      B and Victoria and Yamagata lineages in each country and season; tested the
      correlation between proportion of influenza B and maximum weekly influenza-like
      illness (ILI) rate during the same season; determined the frequency of vaccine
      mismatches; and described the age distribution of cases by virus type. RESULTS:
      The database included 935 673 influenza cases (2000-2013). Overall median
      proportion of influenza B was 22.6%, with no statistically significant
      differences across seasons. During seasons where influenza B was dominant or co
      circulated (>20% of total detections), Victoria and Yamagata lineages
      predominated during 64% and 36% of seasons, respectively, and a vaccine mismatch
      was observed in ~25% of seasons. Proportion of influenza B was inversely
      correlated with maximum ILI rate in the same season in the Northern and (with
      borderline significance) Southern hemispheres. Patients infected with influenza B
      were usually younger (5-17 years) than patients infected with influenza A.
      CONCLUSION: Influenza B is a common disease with some epidemiological differences
      from influenza A. This should be considered when optimizing control/prevention
      strategies in different regions and reducing the global burden of disease due to
      influenza.

PMID- 26256291
TI  - Burden of influenza-associated deaths in the Americas, 2002-2008.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Influenza disease is a vaccine-preventable cause of morbidity and
      mortality. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) region has invested in
      influenza vaccines, but few estimates of influenza burden exist to justify these
      investments. We estimated influenza-associated deaths for 35 PAHO countries
      during 2002-2008. METHODS: Annually, PAHO countries report registered deaths. We
      used respiratory and circulatory (R&C) codes from seven countries with distinct
      influenza seasonality and high-quality mortality data to estimate influenza
      associated mortality rates by age group (0-64, 65-74, and >= 75 years) with a
      Serfling regression model or a negative binomial model. We calculated the percent
      of all R&C deaths attributable to influenza by age group in these countries
      (etiologic fraction) and applied it to the age-specific mortality in 13 countries
      with good mortality data but poorly defined seasonality. Lastly, we grouped the
      remaining 15 countries into WHO mortality strata and applied the age and
      mortality stratum-specific rate of influenza mortality calculated from the 20
      countries. We summed each country's estimate to arrive at an average total annual
      number and rate of influenza deaths in the Americas. RESULTS: For the 35 PAHO
      countries, we estimated an annual mean influenza-associated mortality rate of
      2.1/100,000 among <65-year olds, 31.9/100 000 among those 65-74 years, and
      161.8/100,000 among those >= 75 years. We estimated that annually between 40,880
      and 160,270 persons (mean, 85,100) die of influenza illness in the PAHO region.
      CONCLUSION: Influenza remains an important cause of mortality in the Americas.

PMID- 26256292
TI  - Should clinical case definitions of influenza in hospitalized older adults
      include fever?
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Influenza is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in elderly
      persons. Fever is included in all standard definitions of influenza-like illness
      (ILI), yet older patients may have diminished febrile response to infection.
      Therefore, we examined the utility of various thresholds to define fever for case
      definitions of influenza in persons >= 65 years of age. METHODS: Data from two
      prospective surveillance studies for respiratory viral infection in adults
      hospitalized with acute cardiopulmonary illnesses with or without fever were
      examined. The highest temperature reported prior to admission or measured during
      the first 24 h after admission was recorded. The diagnosis of influenza was made
      by a combination of viral culture, reverse-transcription polymerase chain
      reaction, antigen testing, and serology. RESULTS: A total of 2410 subjects (66%
      >= 65 years of age) were enrolled; 281 had influenza (261 influenza A, 19
      influenza B, and one mixed influenza A and B). The commonly used definition of
      ILI (fever >= 37.8 degrees C and cough) resulted in 57% sensitivity and 71%
      specificity in older adults. Receiver operating characteristic curves examining
      the various temperature thresholds combined with cough and/or sore throat showed
      the optimal balance between sensitivity and specificity to be 37.9 degrees C (AUC
      0.71) and 37.3 degrees C (AUC 0.66), in younger and older persons, respectively.
      CONCLUSION: Clinical decision rules using the presence of cough and fever may be
      helpful when screening for influenza or empiric antiviral treatment when rapid
      influenza testing is not available; however, lower fever thresholds may be
      considered for elderly subjects.

PMID- 26256293
TI  - The Global Influenza Initiative recommendations for the vaccination of pregnant
      women against seasonal influenza.
AB  - There is a heavy disease burden due to seasonal influenza in pregnant women,
      their fetuses, and their newborns. The main aim of this study was to review and
      analyze current evidence on safety, immunogenicity, and clinical benefits of the
      inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV) in pregnant women. Current evidence shows
      that in pregnant women, the seasonal and pandemic IIVs are safe and well
      tolerated. After vaccination, pregnant women have protective concentrations of
      anti-influenza antibodies, conferring immunogenicity in newborns. The best
      evidence, to date, suggests that influenza vaccination confers clinical benefits
      in both pregnant women and their newborns. Vaccination with either the seasonal
      or pandemic vaccine has been shown to be cost-effective in pregnancy. There are
      scarce data from randomized clinical trials; fortunately, new phase 3 clinical
      trials are under way. In the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, data suggest that
      the greatest clinical benefit for infants occurs if the IIV is administered
      within the first weeks of availability of the vaccine, at the beginning of the
      influenza season, regardless of the pregnancy trimester. The optimal timing to
      vaccinate pregnant women who live in tropical regions is unclear. Based on
      evaluation of the evidence, the Global Influenza Initiative (GII) recommends that
      to prevent seasonal influenza morbidity and mortality in infants and their
      mothers, all pregnant women, regardless of trimester, should be vaccinated with
      the IIV. For countries where vaccination against influenza is starting or
      expanding, the GII recommends that pregnant women have the highest priority.

PMID- 26256294
TI  - Retrospective public health impact of a quadrivalent influenza vaccine in the
      United States.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Vaccination is an effective preventive strategy against influenza.
      However, current trivalent influenza vaccines (TIVs) contain only one of the two
      influenza B lineages that circulate each year. Vaccine mismatches are frequent
      because predicting which one will predominate is difficult. Recently licensed
      quadrivalent influenza vaccines (QIVs) containing the two B lineages should
      address this issue. Our study estimates their impact by assessing what would have
      been the US public health benefit of routinely vaccinating with QIV in 2000-2013.
      METHODS: We developed a dynamic compartmental model that accounts for
      interactions between influenza B lineages (natural or vaccine-induced) and
      simulates the multiyear influenza dynamics for 2000-2013. Age-structured
      population dynamics, vaccine efficacy (VE) per strain, and weekly ramp-up of
      vaccination coverage are modeled. Sensitivity analyses were performed on VE,
      duration of immunity, and levels of vaccine-induced cross-protection between B
      lineages. RESULTS: Assuming a cross-protection of 70% of the VE of the matched
      vaccine, the model predicts 16% more B lineage cases prevented by QIV. Elderly
      (>=65 years) and young seniors (50-64 years) benefit most from QIV, with 21% and
      18% reductions in B lineage cases. Reducing cross-protection to 50%, 30%, and 0%
      of the VE of the matched vaccine improves the relative benefit of QIV to 25%,
      30%, and 34% less B lineage cases. CONCLUSION: Using a dynamic retrospective
      framework with real-life vaccine mismatch, our analysis shows that QIV routine
      vaccination in the United States has the potential to substantially reduce the
      number of influenza infections, even with relatively high estimates of TIV
      induced cross-protection.

PMID- 26256295
TI  - A ruthenium(II) complex-based lysosome-targetable multisignal chemosensor for in
      vivo detection of hypochlorous acid.
AB  - Although considerable efforts have been made for the development of ruthenium(II)
      complex-based chemosensors and bioimaging reagents, the multisignal chemosensor
      using ruthenium(II) complexes as the reporter is scarce. In addition, the
      mechanisms of cellular uptake of ruthenium(II)-based chemosensors and their
      intracellular distribution are ill-defined. Herein, a new ruthenium(II) complex
      based multisignal chemosensor, Ru-Fc, is reported for the highly sensitive and
      selective detection of lysosomal hypochlorous acid (HOCl). Ru-Fc is weakly
      luminescent because the MLCT (metal-to-ligand charge transfer) state is corrupted
      by the efficient PET (photoinduced electron transfer) process from Fc (ferrocene)
      moiety to Ru(II) center. The cleavage of Fc moiety by a HOCl-induced specific
      reaction leads to elimination of PET, which re-establishes the MLCT state of the
      Ru(II) complex, accompanied by remarkable photoluminescence (PL) and
      electrochemiluminescence (ECL) enhancements. The result of MTT assay showed that
      the proposed chemosensor, Ru-Fc, was low cytotoxicity. The applicability of Ru-Fc
      for the quantitative detection of HOCl in live cells was demonstrated by the
      confocal microscopy imaging and flow cytometry analysis. Dye colocalization
      studies confirmed very precise distribution of the Ru(II) complex in lysosomes,
      and inhibition studies revealed that the caveolae-mediated endocytosis played an
      important role during the cellular internalization of Ru-Fc. By using Ru-Fc as a
      chemosensor, the imaging of the endogenous HOCl generated in live macrophage
      cells during the stimulation was achieved. Furthermore, the practical
      applicability of Ru-Fc was demonstrated by the visualizing of HOCl in laboratory
      model animals, Daphnia magna and zebrafish. 

PMID- 26256296
TI  - Joint Manipulation Under Anesthesia for Arthrofibrosis After Hallux Valgus
      Surgery.
AB  - Arthrofibrosis is a known complication of hallux valgus surgery. Joint
      manipulation under anesthesia has been studied for adhesive capsulitis of the
      shoulder; however, a paucity of published data exists on the use of this modality
      in the foot and ankle. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the
      outcomes of first metatarsophalangeal joint manipulation for arthrofibrosis that
      occurred as a complication of bunion surgery. The study population consisted of
      patients attending a single foot and ankle specialty clinic who were evaluated
      for arthrofibrosis after bunion surgery. Patients who underwent joint
      manipulation under anesthesia were asked to complete a research visit in which a
      clinical examination was performed and the presence and severity of joint pain
      were assessed. A total of 38 patients (34 females, 4 males, 53 feet), with a mean
      age of 55.7 +/- 11.8 (range 30 to 83) years, agreed to participate. The mean
      follow-up period was 6.5 +/- 3.4 (range 1 to 17) years. The visual analog scale
      scores improved significantly from baseline to the final follow-up visit
      (baseline 6.5 +/- 1.5, range 2 to 10; final follow-up visit 2.3 +/- 1.5, range 0
      to 6; p < .001). Furthermore, joint motion had increased significantly (p < .001)
      for both dorsiflexion and plantarflexion at the final follow-up examination. The
      final range of motion (dorsiflexion, r = -0.431, p = .002; plantarflexion, r = 
      0.494, p < .001) correlated highly with patient self-reported pain in the first
      metatarsophalangeal joint. Our findings suggest that joint manipulation could be
      a useful modality for increasing first metatarsophalangeal joint mobility and
      alleviating pain in patients who experience arthrofibrosis after surgical
      correction of hallux valgus.

PMID- 26256297
TI  - Influence of Hallux Rigidus on Reamputation in Patients With Diabetes Mellitus
      After Partial Hallux Amputation.
AB  - Diabetic foot ulceration of the plantar hallux is a challenging condition and can
      require partial hallux amputation when complicated by infection. Lower extremity
      biomechanics play an important role in the development of hallux ulcers, and
      hallux rigidus (HR) could influence the outcomes after partial hallux amputation.
      We hypothesized that radiographic evidence of HR in patients with diabetes would
      be associated with greater ulcer recurrence and reamputation rates after partial
      hallux amputation. We performed a retrospective review of all patients with
      diabetes who had undergone a partial hallux amputation from January 2005 to
      December 2012. The subjects were divided into 2 cohorts according to the presence
      or absence of HR identified on preoperative radiographs. Baseline characteristics
      and outcomes were compared using a 2-sample Student's t test for continuous
      variables, and categorical variables were compared using the chi-square test for
      homogeneity and Fisher's exact test. A total of 52 patients were included, with
      16 (31%) positive for radiographic evidence of HR at partial hallux amputation.
      Differences in the patient demographics and comorbidities were not significant
      between 2 cohorts with and without HR or reamputation. Reamputation was required
      in 5 subjects (31%) with HR and 2 (6%) without HR (p = .023). The average follow
      up duration was 126 +/- 89 weeks. Our results have demonstrated that the
      reamputation rate after partial hallux amputation is significantly greater in
      patients with than in those without radiographic evidence of HR. Surgeons should
      evaluate patients for HR when planning partial hallux amputation and use adjuvant
      methods of offloading when HR is evident to prevent recurrent ulceration and
      reamputation. 

PMID- 26256298
TI  - The Detection of Anti-adalimumab Antibodies in a Series of Inflammatory
      Polyarthritis: three ELISA Methods Compared.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A reliable identification of ADAb represents a fundamental tool in
      the followup of patients under treatment with anti-TNF drugs. OBJECTIVES: To
      compare three immunoenzymatic assays for anti-adalimumab antibodies (AAA)
      detection. METHODS: The study was performed in 40 patients with chronic
      inflammatory polyarthritis, comprising both patients showing a good response to
      adalimumab (ADL) and patients who lost response or did not respond to ADL,
      recently or in the past (retrospective study). Thus, sera were collected before
      ADL administration or well after ADL discontinuation. AAA were analysed by three
      different bridging ELISAs, following manufacturers' instructions. RESULTS: All
      methods disclosed negative results in responder patients and univocally
      recognized 11/31 (35.5%) AAA highpositive samples in non-responder patients,
      including several cases that had discontinued ADL for a long time (range 3-48
      months). Among the overall non-responder patients, 10/31 (32.3%) disclosed
      concordant clear-cut AAA-negative results, while negative versus low-positive or
      borderline results were found in another ten non-responder patients, indicating
      slight differences in sensitivity between the methods, especially in patients who
      were analysed retrospectively. Methotrexate in combination therapy with ADL
      tended to be more frequent in AAA-negative, than in AAA-positive patients (52.6%
      vs. 25%; p=ns). CONCLUSIONS: The three bridging ELISA methods under study showed
      a good agreement and were able to identify uniquely the presence of high positive
      AAA, even after a long time since ADL discontinuation.

PMID- 26256299
TI  - Influence of metformin intake on the risk of bladder cancer in type 2 diabetes
      patients.
AB  - AIM: The aim of this study was to look at the influence of metformin intake and
      duration, on urinary bladder cancer (UBC) risk, with sulfonylurea (SU) only users
      as control using a new user design (inception cohort). METHODS: We conducted a
      retrospective cohort study using data from the UK Clinical Practice Research
      Datalink (CPRD) including all patients with at least one prescription of oral
      anti-diabetic drugs (ADD) and/or insulin. The risk of UBC in different groups of
      ADD users (metformin alone (one), metformin in combination (two) with other ADD
      medication (glinides, glitazones, DPP-4-inhibitors, SUs, insulin or more than one
      combination), all metformin users (1 + 2) was compared with SU only users using
      Cox proportional hazards models. The estimates were adjusted for age, gender,
      smoking status, BMI and diabetes duration. RESULTS: The inception cohort included
      165,398 participants of whom 132,960 were metformin users and 32,438 were SU only
      users. During a mean follow-up time of more than 5 years 693 patients developed
      UBC, 124 of the control group and 461 of the all metformin users. There was no
      association between metformin use and UBC risk (HR = 1.12, 95% CI 0.90, 1.40)
      compared with SU only users, even after adjustment for diabetes duration (HR =
      1.13, 95% CI 0.90, 1.40). We found a pattern of decreasing risk of UBC with
      increasing duration of metformin intake, which was statistically not significant.
      CONCLUSION: Metformin has no influence on the risk of UBC compared with SU in
      type 2 diabetes patients using a new user design.

PMID- 26256300
TI  - Propofol cardioplegia: A single-center, placebo-controlled, randomized controlled
      trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass and cardioplegic arrest
      is an effective treatment for coronary artery and aortic valve diseases. However,
      the myocardium sustains reperfusion injury after ischemic cardioplegic arrest.
      Our objective was to assess the benefits of supplementing cardioplegia solution
      with the general anesthetic propofol in patients undergoing either coronary
      artery bypass grafting (CABG) or aortic valve replacement (AVR). METHODS: A
      single-center, double-blind randomized controlled trial was carried out to
      compare cardioplegia solution supplemented with propofol (concentration 6 MUg/mL)
      versus intralipid (placebo). The primary outcome was cardiac troponin T release
      over the first 48 hours after surgery. RESULTS: We recruited 101 participants (51
      in the propofol group, 50 in the intralipid group); 61 underwent CABG and 40
      underwent AVR. All participants were followed to 3 months. Cardiac troponin T
      release was on average 15% lower with propofol supplementation (geometric mean
      ratio, 0.85; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.73-1.01; P = .051). There were no
      differences for CABG participants but propofol-supplemented participants
      undergoing AVR had poorer postoperative renal function (geometric mean ratio,
      1.071; 95% CI, 1.019-1.125; P = .007), with a trend toward longer intensive care
      stay (median, 89.5 vs 47.0 hours; hazard ratio, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.31-1.09; P = .09)
      and fewer with perfect health (based on the EQ-5D health utility index) at 3
      months (odds ratio, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.06-1.05; P = .058) compared with the
      intralipid group. Safety profiles were similar. There were no deaths.
      CONCLUSIONS: Propofol supplementation in cardioplegia appears to be
      cardioprotective. Its influence on early clinical outcomes may differ between
      CABG and AVR surgery. A larger, multicenter study is needed to confirm or refute
      these suggestions.

PMID- 26256302
TI  - Nonexponential (1)H spin-lattice relaxation and methyl group rotation in
      molecular solids.
AB  - We report a quantitative measure of the nonexponential (1)H spin-lattice
      relaxation resulting from methyl group (CH3) rotation in six polycrystalline van
      der Waals solids. We briefly review the subject in general to put the report in
      context. We then summarize several significant issues to consider when reporting
      (1)H or (19)F spin-lattice relaxation measurements when the relaxation is
      resulting from the rotation of a CH3 or CF3 group in a molecular solid. 

PMID- 26256301
TI  - Structure and Characterization of Eriphia verrucosa Hemocyanin.
AB  - Arthropod hemocyanins (Hcs) are a family of large extracellular oxygen
      transporting proteins with high molecular mass and hexameric or multi-hexameric
      molecular assembly. This study reports for the first time the isolation and
      characterization of the structure of an arthropod hemocyanin from crab Eriphia
      verrucosa (EvH) living in the Black Sea. Its oligomeric quaternary structure is
      based on different arrangements of a basic 6 * 75 kDa hexameric unit, and four of
      them (EvH1, EvH2, EvH3, and EvH4) were identified using ion-exchange
      chromatography. Subunit 3 (EvH3) shows high similarity scores (75.0, 87.5, 91.7,
      and 75.0 %, respectively) by comparison of the N-terminal sequence of subunit 1
      from Cancer pagurus of the North Sea (Cp1), subunits 3 and 6 of Cancer magister
      (Cm3 and Cm6), and subunit 2 of Carcinus aestuarii (CaSS2), respectively.
      Moreover, a partial cDNA sequence (1309 bp) of E. verrucosa hemocyanin encoding a
      protein of 435 amino acids was isolated. The deduced amino acid sequence shows a
      high degree of similarity with subunits 3, 4, 5, and 6 of C. magister (81-84 %).
      Most of the hemocyanins are glycosylated, and three putative O-linkage sites were
      identified in the partial amino acid sequence of EvH at positions 444-446, 478
      480, and 547-549, respectively. The higher stability of native Hc in comparison
      to its subunit EvH4 as determined by circular dichroism (CD) could be explained
      with the formation of a stabilizing quaternary structure.

PMID- 26256303
TI  - Enforcement of Zero Tolerance in the State of Washington - Evidence from Breath
      Test Records.
AB  - Several studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of zero tolerance (ZT) laws
      that make it illegal for drivers younger than 21 years to have any measurable
      alcohol in their bodies when operating a vehicle. All 50 states in the United
      States now have such laws. However, there is some question as to the extent they
      are being enforced. Because it has a centralized file of all breath tests
      performed by police in that state, Washington provided a special opportunity to
      evaluate the extent of ZT enforcement. Analyses were performed on arrests and
      alcohol-related fatal crashes of drivers younger than 21 years using data from
      the Washington State Patrol Breath Test Section and from the National Highway
      Traffic Safety Administration Fatality Analysis Reporting System, respectively.
      The results indicate that low blood alcohol concentration citations increased and
      crashes were reduced for drivers younger than 21 years, but crashes for drivers
      older than 21 years also declined. This suggests that the decline in underage
      drinking drivers in fatal crashes could not be unequivocally attributed to the ZT
      law. 

PMID- 26256304
TI  - Handwriting Evidence in Federal Courts - From Frye to Kumho.
AB  - In federal courts, the admissibility of scientific expert testimony in the last
      century has been governed by three major standards. The first of these standards,
      the "general acceptance" test, arose from the 1923 Frye v. United States (Frye)
      and required that any technique or method introduced in court be generally
      accepted by the relevant community of scientists. The more liberal "relevancy"
      standard of the Federal Rules of Evidence was enacted in 1975, and required the
      expert witness to be qualified by knowledge, skill, experience, training, or
      education. Finally, the "reliability" standard stated in the Daubert v. Merrell
      Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Daubert) opinion was handed down by the U.S. Supreme
      Court in 1993, supplanting the Frye general acceptance test as the sole
      determining factor in considering the admissibility of scientific expert
      testimony, and suggesting falsifiability, peer review and publication, and error
      rate as additional factors useful in evaluating a scientific technique. Changing
      views on expert testimony have also resulted in published criticisms of several
      forensic fields, especially those with subjective components. The first such
      field to be questioned, which also has been the subject of great debate, is
      expert handwriting identification. Challenges leveled against handwriting
      identification began with a law review article published in 1989 (and two
      subsequent articles); other challenges have been based on the requirements
      outlined in the Federal Rules of Evidence and Daubert. These challenges resulted
      in several court opinions with disparate views of handwriting identification,
      though testimony by an expert in the field was not rejected. In U.S. v.
      Starzecpyzel, handwriting evidence was admitted as nonscientific expert testimony
      under the Federal Rules of Evidence after failing a review under the factors
      outlined in Daubert. In U.S. v. Velasquez (Velasquez), the testimony of a
      document examiner was accepted, while the testimony of an expert critic of
      handwriting identification was rejected by the district court; however, on
      appeal, the Third Circuit held that both witnesses met the requirements of the
      Federal Rules of Evidence, and thus both testimonies were admissible. U.S. v.
      Jones (Jones) demonstrated yet another situation, where handwriting
      identification was challenged under Daubert. There the court found that because
      handwriting identification was never viewed as scientific evidence under Frye, it
      should not therefore be reviewed under Daubert. The Jones court admitted
      handwriting identification as nonscientific evidence, but stated that
      admissibility of nonscientific evidence should be governed by the facts of future
      cases. After some time and many other opinions on the admissibility of expert
      testimony under Daubert, several federal circuits permitted review of
      nonscientific expert testimony under the factors outlined in Daubert, while other
      federal circuits restricted such reviews only to purportedly scientific
      testimonies. In the latter arenas, determining whether handwriting identification
      was a scientific field or not had bearing on how it was reviewed for
      admissibility, if it was reviewed at all. This situation ended in March 1999 with
      the U.S. Supreme Court opinion of Kumho Tire Co., Ltd. v. Carmichael (Kumho),
      which held that the Daubert factors may be used for review of all expert
      testimony as the courts see fit, regardless of whether the field is considered
      scientific. In the wake of Kumho, two other cases challenged handwriting
      identification: U.S. v. Paul (Paul) and U.S. v. Hines (Hines). The Paul case,
      like Velasquez, dealt with exclusion of an expert critic of handwriting
      identification, and also like Velasquez, the court appeared to rely on the
      Federal Rules of Evidence rather than the factors outlined in Daubert to form its
      judgment. Hines, however, represented a significant departure from earlier cases,
      as handwriting identification was partially excluded in that the document
      examiner was permitted to testify to similarities and differences but was not
      allowed to opine as to the authorship. In sum, the federal courts are currently
      evaluating the admissibility of handwriting identification in a variety of ways.
      Though handwriting identification continues to be widely admitted as a form of
      expert testimony, the recent changes in admissibility requirements and challenges
      from the legal community have generated a climate where admissibility should no
      longer to be taken for granted. Because Kumho is a relatively recent case, its
      long-term effects on the admissibility of many fields of forensic science,
      including handwriting identification, are yet unknown. 

PMID- 26256305
TI  - Postmortem Drug Redistribution.
AB  - One of the most difficult responsibilities of the forensic toxicologist is the
      interpretation of postmortem drug levels and their possible significance as to
      behavior and/or cause of death. During the past 15 years, much work has been
      performed using human case information and animal studies to illustrate and
      validate the phenomena of postmortem drug redistribution. These studies provide
      certain clarification to drug level interpretation. They also cast uncertainty on
      the interpretation of drugs where analogous studies are incomplete or totally
      absent. Literature data of more than 30 drugs, as reported by numerous authors,
      are reviewed to illustrate two phenomena: (a) postmortem redistribution occurs
      primarily as a function of the diffusion of drugs along a concentration gradient,
      from sites of high concentration in solid organs into the blood with artificial
      elevation of the drug levels; and (b) while many drugs seem to subject to
      postmortem redistribution, there are also others that undergo no change
      whatsoever. While additional work still needs to be performed, there has been
      enough achieved to both illustrate and validate that postmortem redistribution
      does exist. This information is helpful to forensic pathologists in determining
      sample sets taken during autopsy. 

PMID- 26256306
TI  - Somatic and Germline Mutation of Forensic DNA Markers.
AB  - Somatic and germline mutations of forensic DNA markers DQA1, PM, STR,
      minisatellite DNA, and mtDNA are reviewed in this paper. DQA1 and PM are stable
      point substitution polymorphic loci in nuclear DNA (nucDNA); thus, somatic and
      germline mutations are rarely reported. STR loci somatic mutations are not found
      in normal cells but are very unstable in cancer cells. Germline mutations are
      detected in STR loci with a mutation rate of approximately 0.1%. Germline
      mutations of STR loci are nucleotide sequence, sex, and age dependent. Among the
      13 CODIS core, TH01, TPOX, D16S539, and D3S1358 are more stable than others. Both
      somatic and germline mutations are found in minisatellite loci. Somatic mutations
      at mtDNA central region (CR) are detected in different tissues within the same
      individual, and the mutation rates are high in several cancer tissues. The
      intergenerational mutation rate of mtDNA CR is estimated to be 1/400 to 1/1200
      per generation by phylogenetic analysis. The intergenerational mutation rate
      estimated by the recently developed pedigree method is higher, 14/1221 (1/87).
      This rate does not include the hot spot and heteroplasmic mutation. If
      substitution, heteroplasmic, and poly-C tract mutation are included, the mutation
      rate of mtDNA CR is 33/1590 (1/49) per generation. Proposals and practices on the
      interpretation of test data that may be associated with mutation are also
      discussed. 

PMID- 26256307
TI  - Surgical Treatment for Traumatic Brain Injury: Is It Time for Reappraisal?

PMID- 26256308
TI  - Heavy metal pollution in the surface water of the Yangtze Estuary: A 5-year
      follow-up study.
AB  - The temporal-spatial changes in the concentration and health risk of eight
      dissolved heavy metals in the Yangtze Estuary over a 5-year period were discussed
      based on large-scale sampling data. Special attention was paid to the
      differentiation of metal sources. Concentrations of the metals were present in
      the following order: Zn?As>Cu>Cr>Ni>Pb>Cd>Hg, but the hazard quotient indices
      could be obviously divided into three gradients. More attention should be paid to
      As, Ni, Pb, and Cr because they increased yearly. Cu, Ni, Pb and As had higher
      health risks in the nearshore zones, while higher health risks of Zn, Cr, Cd, and
      Hg were observed in the estuarine channel. Correlations and hierarchical cluster
      analysis results of metal sources were consistent well with those obtained by
      temporal-spatial distributions. Shipping activities were the largest contributor
      to the elevated Zn concentrations in the estuary, while Megacity Shanghai
      significantly affected the Ni, Cu and As pollution. Yangtze River runoff was the
      primary source of Cu and As in the estuary. Cd and Cr pollution were closely
      related to the sediment release under the drive of the "salt-out effect". 

PMID- 26256309
TI  - Copper and zinc accumulation and fractionation in a clayey Hapludox soil subject
      to long-term pig slurry application.
AB  - Pig slurry (PS) recycling as fertilizer is commonly practiced as an option for
      minimizing livestock waste. Successive PS applications on the soil can lead to
      crop toxicity and environmental risk. Despite extensive investigation of
      macronutrient behavior, the fate of trace metals remains uncertain and only a few
      long-term field studies have been reported to date. This study was designed to
      assess the impact of 11-year continuous PS spreading on Cu and Zn accumulation
      and fractionation in a Brazilian clayey Hapludox soil. Three different PS
      application rates--50, 100 and 200m3 ha(-1)year(-1)--were monitored at six soil
      depths in comparison to a non-amended control soil. The modified Geological
      Survey of Canada sequential extraction protocol was applied. A statistically
      significant increase in Cu and Zn total concentration (assessed by the sum of
      fractions) was noted only within the 0-5 cm soil layer for the 50 and 100 m3 ha(
      1) year(-1) (PS50 and PS100) treatments, and up to 10-15 cm for the 200 m3 ha(
      1)year(-1) (PS200) treatment. The mass balance, determined for the 22 PS
      amendments over the period, confirmed the overall exogenous Cu and Zn
      accumulation within the surface layers. More than 70% of the natural heavy metal
      content was originally in the residual fraction. However, this was the only
      fraction not influenced by the PS amendments. After PS input, the exogenous Cu
      was mainly detected in the fraction bound to organic matter (66.4%) within the
      PS200 0-5 cm soil layer. Exogenous Zn was mainly distributed between the adsorbed
      fraction (36.7%) and the organic matter fraction (32.0%) within the PS200 0-5 cm
      layer.

PMID- 26256310
TI  - Orthogonal Ternary Functionalization of a Mesoporous Metal-Organic Framework via
      Sequential Postsynthetic Ligand Exchange.
AB  - A sequential postsynthetic ligand exchange process was used to prepare a series
      of mono-, di-, and trifunctionalized mesoporous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs).
      Using this process, orthogonal functional groups were installed and thereafter
      postsynthetically modified with dye and quencher molecules.
      Microspectrophotometry studies were used to determine the distribution of the two
      orthogonal functional groups within the MOF crystals. 

PMID- 26256311
TI  - Assembling the dodo in early modern natural history.
AB  - This paper explores the assimilation of the flightless dodo into early modern
      natural history. The dodo was first described by Dutch sailors landing on
      Mauritius in 1598, and became extinct in the 1680s or 1690s. Despite this brief
      period of encounter, the bird was a popular subject in natural-history works and
      a range of other genres. The dodo will be used here as a counterexample to the
      historical narratives of taxonomic crisis and abrupt shifts in natural history
      caused by exotic creatures coming to Europe. Though this bird had a bizarre form,
      early modern naturalists integrated the dodo and other flightless birds through
      several levels of conceptual categorization, including the geographical,
      morphological and symbolic. Naturalists such as Charles L'Ecluse produced a set
      of typical descriptive tropes that helped make up the European dodo. These long
      lived images were used for a variety of symbolic purposes, demonstrated by the
      depiction of the Dutch East India enterprise in Willem Piso's 1658 publication.
      The case of the dodo shows that, far from there being a dramatic shift away from
      emblematics in the seventeenth century, the implicit symbolic roles attributed to
      exotic beasts by naturalists constructing them from scant information and
      specimens remained integral to natural history. 

PMID- 26256312
TI  - Making Kew Observatory: the Royal Society, the British Association and the
      politics of early Victorian science.
AB  - Built in 1769 as a private observatory for King George III, Kew Observatory was
      taken over in 1842 by the British Association for the Advancement of Science
      (BAAS). It was then quickly transformed into what some claimed to be a 'physical
      observatory' of the sort proposed by John Herschel - an observatory that gathered
      data in a wide range of physical sciences, including geomagnetism and
      meteorology, rather than just astronomy. Yet this article argues that the
      institution which emerged in the 1840s was different in many ways from that
      envisaged by Herschel. It uses a chronological framework to show how, at every
      stage, the geophysicist and Royal Artillery officer Edward Sabine manipulated the
      project towards his own agenda: an independent observatory through which he could
      control the geomagnetic and meteorological research, including the ongoing
      'Magnetic Crusade'. The political machinations surrounding Kew Observatory,
      within the Royal Society and the BAAS, may help to illuminate the complex
      politics of science in early Victorian Britain, particularly the role of
      'scientific servicemen' such as Sabine. Both the diversity of activities at Kew
      and the complexity of the observatory's origins make its study important in the
      context of the growing field of the 'observatory sciences'. 

PMID- 26256313
TI  - Finding revelation in anthropology: Alexander Winchell, William Robertson Smith
      and the heretical imperative.
AB  - Anthropological inquiry has often been considered an agent of intellectual
      secularization. Not least is this so in the sphere of religion, where
      anthropological accounts have often been taken to represent the triumph of
      naturalism. This metanarrative, however, fails to recognize that naturalistic
      explanations could sometimes be espoused for religious purposes and in defence of
      confessional creeds. This essay examines two late nineteenth-century figures-
      Alexander Winchell in the United States and William Robertson Smith in Britain-
      who found in anthropological analysis resources to bolster rather than undermine
      faith. In both cases these individuals found themselves on the receiving end of
      ecclesiastical censure and were dismissed from their positions at church-governed
      institutions. But their motivation was to vindicate divine revelation, in
      Winchell's case from the physical anthropology of human origins and in Smith's
      from the cultural anthropology of Semitic ritual.

PMID- 26256314
TI  - Sounding the field: recent works in sound studies.
AB  - For sound studies, the publication of a 593-page handbook, not to mention the
      establishment of at least one society - the European Sound Studies Association -
      might seem to signify the emergence of a new academic discipline. Certainly, the
      books under consideration here, alongside many others, testify to an
      intensification of concern with the aural dimensions of culture. Some of this
      work comes from HPS and STS, some from musicology and cultural studies. But all
      of it should concern members of our disciplines, as it represents a long-overdue
      foregrounding of the aural in how we think about the intersections of science,
      technology and culture. 

PMID- 26256315
TI  - A survey of medicinal plants for diabetes treating from Chana and Nathawee
      district, Songkhla province, Thailand.
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease which
      cannot be cured and must be suffered for whole life. Nowadays, many patients
      wanting to treat themselves by herbal medicine are increasing. Therefore,
      surveying of medicinal plants for treating diabetes and disseminating the
      knowledge, might give people more choice to consume herbs. The purposes of this
      qualitative study were to compile the medicinal plants and their folk use to
      treat diabetes by local healers in Chana and Nathawee district, Songkhla
      province. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were used to gather
      about the local names, parts of plants used, preparation and use method, and
      local properties. Descriptive statistics, use value and interpretation were used
      to analyze the data. RESULTS: A total of 38 species belonging to 37 genera in 28
      families were used as herbs for treating diabetes. The family mostly used as
      herbal medicine was Rubiaceae (4 species; 10.53%). The part of herbal medicine
      mostly used was the root (8 speciess; 21.05%). Decoction and drinking were the
      most favorite preparation form and use method. Interestingly, the most used
      herbal plant is Lagerstraemia speciose Pers (0.83 of Use Value). CONCLUSION: It
      was found that the local healers possess the different knowledge based on their
      experience received secretly from the family and adapted by themselves. Thus,
      this study is important due to assistance for collecting the variety of knowledge
      before disappearing.

PMID- 26256316
TI  - Antinociceptive properties of the aqueous and methanol extracts of the stem bark
      of Petersianthus macrocarpus (P. Beauv.) Liben (Lecythidaceae) in mice.
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Aqueous maceration from the stem barks of
      Petersianthus macrocarpus (P. Beauv.) Liben (Lecythidaceae) is taken orally in
      the central Africa for the management of various ailments, including pain. AIM OF
      THE STUDY: This work was carried out to evaluate in mice, the antinociceptive
      effects of the aqueous and methanol extracts of the stem bark of P. macrocarpus.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: The chemical composition of the aqueous and methanol
      extracts prepared as cold macerations was determined by high performance liquid
      chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LCMS). The antinociceptive effects
      of these extracts administered orally at the doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg were
      evaluated using behavioral pain model induced by acetic acid, formalin, hot
      plate, capsaicin and glutamate. The rotarod test was also performed at the same
      doses. The oral acute toxicity of both extracts was studied at the doses of 800,
      1600, 3200 and 6400 mg/kg in mice. RESULT: The LCMS analysis revealed the
      presence of ellagic acid as the major constituent in the methanol extract. Both
      extracts of P. macrocarpus significantly and dose dependently reduced the time
      and number of writhing induced by acetic acid. They also significantly inhibited
      the two phases of formalin-induced pain. These effects were significantly
      inhibited by a pretreatment with naloxone, except for the analgesic activity of
      the methanol extract at the earlier phase. In addition, nociception induced by
      hot plate, intraplantar injection of capsaicin or glutamate was significantly
      inhibited by both extracts. Acute toxicity test showed no sign of toxicity.
      CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that aqueous and methanol extracts of P.
      macrocarpus are none toxic substances with good central and peripheral
      antinociceptive effects that are at least partially due to the presence of
      ellagic acid. These extracts may induce their antinociceptive effect by
      interfering with opioid, capsaicin and excitatory amino acid pathways.

PMID- 26256317
TI  - Biodegradability and mechanical properties of reinforced starch nanocomposites
      using cellulose nanofibers.
AB  - In this study the effects of chemical modification of cellulose nanofibers (CNFs)
      on the biodegradability and mechanical properties of reinforced thermoplastic
      starch (TPS) nanocomposites was evaluated. The CNFs were modified using acetic
      anhydride and the nanocomposites were fabricated by solution casting from corn
      starch with glycerol/water as the plasticizer and 10 wt% of either CNFs or
      acetylated CNFs (ACNFs). The morphology, water absorption (WA), water vapor
      permeability rate (WVP), tensile, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and fungal
      degradation properties of the obtained nanocomposites were investigated. The
      results demonstrated that the addition of CNFs and ACNFs significantly enhanced
      the mechanical properties of the nanocomposites and reduced the WVP and WA of the
      TPS. The effects were more pronounced for the CNFs than the ACNFs. The DMA showed
      that the storage modulus was improved, especially for the CNFs/TPS nanocomposite.
      Compared with the neat TPS, the addition of nanofibers improved the degradation
      rate of the nanocomposite and particularly ACNFs reduced degradation rate of the
      nanocomposite toward fungal degradation. 

PMID- 26256318
TI  - Fluctuation in physicochemical properties of chitins extracted from different
      body parts of honeybee.
AB  - It is well known that physicochemical properties of chitin are related with the
      extraction method. Recently, it was revealed that some physicochemical properties
      of chitin are also related with taxonomical relationship. For the first time in
      this study, it was tested how these properties of chitin are affected by
      different body parts of one organism. The chitins were extracted from five
      different body parts (head, thorax, abdomen, legs and wings) of honeybee. These
      chitins were physicochemically characterized and differences among these body
      parts were identified. Highest chitin content was observed in legs (13.25%) while
      the lowest from thorax (6.79%). The surface morphologies of the isolated chitin
      structures from five different body parts were analyzed with SEM, as a result,
      five different types of surface morphologies were recorded. However, three
      different types of surface morphologies were observed only in abdomen. Maximum
      degradation temperatures (DTG(max)) of thorax, abdomen, legs and wings were
      recorded between 359 and 367  degrees C while DTG(max) value of head chitin was
      found as 308  degrees C.

PMID- 26256319
TI  - Effect of the degree of substitution of octenyl succinic anhydride-banana starch
      on emulsion stability.
AB  - Banana starch was esterified with octenylsuccinic anhydride (OSA) at different
      degree substitution (DS) and used to stabilize emulsions. Morphology, emulsion
      stability, emulsification index, rheological properties and particle size
      distribution of the emulsions were tested. Emulsions dyed with Solvent Red 26
      showed affinity for the oil phase. Backscattering light showed three regions in
      the emulsion where the emulsified region was present. Starch concentration had
      higher effect in the emulsification index (EI) than the DS used in the study
      because similar values were found with OSA-banana and native starches. However,
      OSA-banana presented greater stability of the emulsified region. Rheological
      tests in emulsions with OSA-banana showed G'>G" values and low dependence of G'
      with the frequency, indicating a dominant elastic response to shear. When
      emulsions were prepared under high-pressure conditions, the emulsions with OSA
      banana starch with different DS showed a bimodal distribution of particle size.
      The emulsion with OSA-banana starch and the low DS showed similar mean droplet
      diameter than its native counterpart. In contrast, the highest DS led to the
      highest mean droplet diameter. It is concluded that OSA-banana starch with DS can
      be used to stabilize specific emulsion types.

PMID- 26256320
TI  - NaOH treatment of chitosan films: Impact on macromolecular structure and film
      properties.
AB  - In this paper, we examine the significance of treatment with NaOH on chitosan
      (CH) film structure to obtain biodegradable materials for several applications.
      In order to determine the structure of the films, an analysis based on SEM, FTIR
      spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction data was performed. In addition, the
      consequences of this treatment were evaluated by swelling index measurements and
      mechanical testing. As result of FTIR and X-ray analysis, three effects were
      identified: the deprotonation and phosphate extraction, which allowed new
      hydrogen bonds to form, and a higher CH deacetylation. These studies also
      revealed that two hydrated and anhydrous polymorphs were present in the CH-NaOH
      films. Moreover, the new hydrogen bond and the reduction of N-acetyl groups
      produced films with a more compact and disordered structure, reducing their
      swelling characteristics and increasing their brittleness. The introduction of a
      mild NaOH treatment is a versatile tool to obtain chitosan films with interesting
      and tunable properties. 

PMID- 26256321
TI  - Characterization, antioxidant and antitumor activities of polysaccharides from
      purple sweet potato.
AB  - Three polysaccharides, PSPP1-1, PSPP2-1 and PSPP3-1, were isolated from purple
      sweet potato. The three polysaccharides belonged to beta-type polysaccharides and
      contained low proportions of proteins and uronic acids. PSPP1-1 and PSPP3-1 with
      molecular weights of 33.3 and 75.3 kDa, respectively, were composed of rhamnose,
      xylose, glucose and galactose, whereas PSPP2-1 with molecular weight of 17.8 kDa
      was composed of rhamnose and galactose. The three polysaccharides possessed in
      vitro antioxidant (scavenging DPPH radicals, chelating ferrous ions and reducing
      power) and antitumor activities (against SGC7901 and SW620 cells) in a dose
      dependent manner. Among the three polysaccharides, PSPP2-1 exhibited the
      strongest reducing power, scavenging activity on DPPH radicals and chelating
      capability on ferrous ions. PSPP1-1 showed the strongest inhibitory activities on
      the growth of SGC7901 and SW620 cells. In addition, flow cytometry results showed
      that PSPP1-1 could induce apoptosis in SGC7901 and SW620 cells. These results
      suggest that polysaccharides from purple sweet potato are potential natural
      antioxidant and antitumor agents that can be used as drugs or functional food
      ingredients.

PMID- 26256322
TI  - Enzymatic synthesis of 2-deoxyglucose-containing maltooligosaccharides for
      tracing the location of glucose absorption from starch digestion.
AB  - The ileal brake mechanism which induces a potentially beneficial slower gastric
      emptying rate and increased satiety is triggered by macronutrients including
      glucose from glycemic carbohydrates. For optimization of this diet-induced health
      benefit, there is the need for a way to determine the location of glucose
      deposition in the small intestine. Labeled 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) can be used to
      trace the location of glucose absorption due to its accumulative property in the
      small intestine enterocytes. However, because pure glucose, or 2-DG, is directly
      absorbed in the proximal small intestine, we designed 2-DG containing
      maltooligosaccharides (2-DG-MOs) that can be used with a mild alpha-glucosidase
      inhibitor to attain an analytical method for determining location-specific
      delivery of glucose and its physiological effect. 

PMID- 26256323
TI  - Macroporous chitosan hydrogels: Effects of sulfur on the loading and release
      behaviour of amino acid-based compounds.
AB  - Chitosan is a biodegradable, biocompatible polymer of natural origin widely
      applied to the preparation of functional hydrogels suitable for controlled
      release of drugs, peptides and proteins. Non-covalent interactions, expecially
      ionic interactions, are the main driver of the loading and release behaviour of
      amino acids or peptides from chitosan hydrogels. With the aim to improve the
      understanding of the mechanisms governing the behaviour of chitosan hydrogels on
      peptide uptake and delivery, in this paper the attention was focused on the role
      played by sulfur on the interactions of chitosan hydrogels with sulfur-containing
      amino acids (AA) and peptides. Hence, loading and release experiments on
      cysteine, cystine and glutathione (SH containing amino acid, dipeptide and
      tripeptide, respectively) as well as on glycine and valine as apolar amino acids
      were carried out. For these puroses, chitosan hydrogels were prepared in an easy
      and reproducible manner by a freeze-gelation process on a poly-L-lysine coated
      support. The hydrogel surface pore size, uniformity and distribution were tested.
      Optimal results (D50 = 26 +/- 4 MUm) were obtained by using the poly-L-lysine
      positively-charged surface. The loading results gathered evidenced that the
      sulfur-containing molecules presented an increased absorption both in terms of
      rate and extent by chitosan hydrogels with respect to nonpolar amino acids,
      mainly due to ionic and hydrogen bond interactions. ATR-FTIR analysis carried out
      on chitosan hydrogels, with and without the AA related compounds to study
      putative interactions, supported these apparent sulfur-dependent results.
      Finally, chitosan hydrogels displayed excellent retention capabilities (AA
      release <5%) for all AA, strongly supporting the use of chitosan hydrogels as
      matrix for controlled drug release.

PMID- 26256324
TI  - Characterisation of branched gluco-oligosaccharides to study the mode-of-action
      of a glucoamylase from Hypocrea jecorina.
AB  - In the conversion of starch to fermentable glucose for bioethanol production,
      hydrolysis of amylopectin by alpha-amylases and glucoamylases is the slowest
      step. In this process, alpha-1,6-branched gluco-oligosaccharides accumulate and
      are slowly degraded. Glucoamylases that are able to degrade such branched
      oligosaccharides faster are economically beneficial. This research aimed at the
      isolation and characterisation of branched gluco-oligosaccharides produced from
      amylopectin digestion by alpha-amylase, to be used as substrates for comparing
      their degradation by glucoamylases. Branched gluco-oligosaccharides with a DP
      between five and twelve were purified using size exclusion chromatography. These
      structures were characterised after labelling with 2-aminobenzamide using UHPLC
      MS(n) analysis. Further, the purified oligosaccharides were used to evaluate the
      mode-of-action of a glucoamylase from Hypocrea jecorina. The enzyme cleaves the
      alpha-1,4-linkage adjacent to the alpha-1,6-linkage at a lower rate than that of
      alpha-1,4-linkages in linear oligosaccharides. Hence, the branched gluco
      oligosaccharides are a suitable substrate to evaluate glucoamylase activity on
      branched structures. 

PMID- 26256325
TI  - Purification, structural characterization and anticancer activity of the novel
      polysaccharides from Rhynchosia minima root.
AB  - Three novel acidic polysaccharides termed PRM1, PRM3 and PRM5 were purified from
      Rhynchosia minima root using DEAE-52 cellulose and sephadex G-150 column
      chromatography. Their structures were characterized by ultraviolet (UV) and
      Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry, gel permeation chromatography
      (GPC), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and differential scanning
      colorimeter (DSC) analysis. The uronic acid contents of PRM1, PRM3 and PRM5 were
      30.7%, 12.7% and 47.7%, respectively. PRM1 (143.2 kDa), PRM3 (105.3 kDa) and PRM5
      (162.1 kDa) were heteropolysaccharides because they were composed of arabinose,
      mannose, glucose and galactose. Their enthalpy values were 201.0, 111.0 and 206.8
      J/g, respectively. PRM3 and PRM1 exhibited strong in vitro anticancer activity
      against lung cancer A549 and liver cancer HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent manner.
      These findings suggested that PRM1 and PRM3 could be potentially developed as
      natural anticancer agents.

PMID- 26256326
TI  - Acinetobacter haemolyticus MG606 produces a novel, phosphate binding
      exobiopolymer.
AB  - The present study evaluated an extracellular, novel biopolymer produced by
      Acinetobacter haemolyticus MG606 for its physicochemical properties and phosphate
      binding mechanism. The exobiopolymer (EBP) was characterized to be majorly
      polysaccharide in nature consisting of 48.9 kDa heteropolysaccharide composed of
      galactose, glucose, xylose, lyxose, allose, ribose, arabinose, mannose and
      fructose. Maximum phosphate binding efficiency of 25mg phosphate/g of EBP was
      described by Langmuir isotherm and further, the physicochemical and spectroscopic
      studies revealed that phosphate appeared to bind predominantly with the
      polysaccharide fraction, and to a relatively lesser extent to protein fraction of
      EBP. The electrostatic interactions with amino groups and ligand exchange with
      hydroxyl groups of EBP were found to be primary basis for phosphate binding
      mechanism. The results of this study implicate the feasibility of the EBP for
      commercial bioremediation processes.

PMID- 26256327
TI  - Cyclodextrin/dextran based hydrogels prepared by cross-linking with sodium
      trimetaphosphate.
AB  - Novel betaCD-based hydrogels have been synthesized using sodium trimetaphosphate
      (STMP) as non-toxic reagent. Straightforward mixing of betaCD with dextran and
      STMP in basic aqueous media led to hydrogels incorporating dextran chains,
      phosphate groups and betaCD units. The hydrogels have been characterized by
      swelling measurements, XPS and (31)P NMR. The swelling ratio was correlated to
      the content in phosphated groups, which give a polyelectrolyte character to these
      hydrogels. The significant rise of the swelling ratio with the betaCD content
      increase has been attributed to a decrease of the number of phosphate-based
      crosslinks, the betaCD units playing the role of dangling ends in the
      tridimensional network. Their loading capacity and their release properties have
      been investigated for methylene blue and benzophenone in order to demonstrate
      their potentiality for drug delivery. Through different interaction mechanisms,
      electrostatic and inclusion complex interactions, these compounds are loaded with
      different efficiencies. The release involves deswelling, diffusion mechanisms and
      partition equilibrium. 

PMID- 26256328
TI  - Elimination of reactive blue 4 from aqueous solutions using 3-aminopropyl
      triethoxysilane modified chitosan beads.
AB  - The adsorption behavior of chitosan (CS) beads modified with 3-aminopropyl
      triethoxysilane (APTES) for the removal of reactive blue 4 (RB4) in batch studies
      has been investigated. The effects of modification conditions, such as the APTES
      concentration, temperature and reaction time on RB4 removal, were studied. The
      adsorbent prepared at a concentration of 2 wt% APTES for 8h at 50  degrees C was
      the most effective one for RB4 adsorption. The adsorption capacity of modified CS
      beads (433.77 mg/g) was 1.37 times higher than that of unmodified CS beads
      (317.23 mg/g). The isotherm data are adequately described by a Freundlich model,
      and the kinetic study revealed that the pseudo-second-order rate model was in
      better agreement with the experimental data. The negative values of the
      thermodynamic parameters, including DeltaG degrees  (-2.28 and -4.70 kJ/mol at 30
      +/- 2  degrees C), DeltaH degrees  (-172.18 and -43.82 kJ/mol) and DeltaS degrees
      (-560.71 and -129.08 J/mol K) for CS beads and APTES modified beads,
      respectively, suggest that RB4 adsorption is a spontaneous and exothermic
      process.

PMID- 26256329
TI  - Modification of potato peel waste with base hydrolysis and subsequent
      cationization.
AB  - Potato peel waste (PW) is a starch containing biomaterial produced in large
      amounts by food processing industry. In this work, the treatment of PW by
      alkaline hydrolysis and cationization in the water phase is reported. In order to
      improve the cationization of starch, PW was hydrolyzed by heating with alkaline
      (NaOH) ethanol solution (80%) in a water bath. The impact of variable molar
      ratios of anhydroglucose unit (AGU):NaOH, heating temperatures and times was
      studied on the degradation of starch and the molecular size distribution of the
      product. The hydrolyzed PW was cationized subsequently in water by using
      glycidyltrimethylammonium chloride and catalyzed by NaOH under microwave
      irradiation or in an oil bath. The impact of the various reaction conditions on
      the cationization and degree of substitution of starch was studied. The degree of
      substitution of the cationized starch varied in the range of 0-0.35. 

PMID- 26256330
TI  - Synthesis of fibrinolytic active silver nanoparticle using wheat bran xylan as a
      reducing and stabilizing agent.
AB  - A facile synthesis of highly stable silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was reported
      using a biopolymer, xylan as both a reducing and stabilizing agent. Xylan was
      isolated from waste biomass, wheat bran (WB) by alkaline treatment and was
      characterized by Fehling's test, dinitrosalicylic acid assay, FTIR, (1)H NMR and
      (13)C NMR. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by UV-Vis
      spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The nanoparticles were
      polydispersed with the size ranging from 20 to 45 nm. The synthesized WB-xylan
      AgNPs showed excellent free radical scavenging activity. In addition, WB-xylan
      AgNPs showed fibrinolytic activity as evidenced by the zone of clearance in
      fibrin plate assay. The biomedical potential of the WB-xylan AgNPs was
      demonstrated by dissolution of preformed blood clots. These results suggest that
      the development of xylan-metal nanoparticle composite would be feasible to treat
      thrombus related diseases.

PMID- 26256331
TI  - Preharvest treatments with chitosan and other alternatives to conventional
      fungicides to control postharvest decay of strawberry.
AB  - The effectiveness of the control of postharvest decay of strawberry (Fragaria *
      ananassa, 'Alba' and 'Romina' cvs.) fruit following field applications of
      chitosan, laminarin, extracts of Abies spp., Polygonum spp., and Saccharomyces
      spp., an organic acids and calcium combination, and benzothiadiazole, were
      compared with a fungicide strategy. These compounds were sprayed every 5 days on
      the strawberry canopy, from flowering to ripening, in 2012 and 2013. The
      treatments with alternative compounds provided ~ 30% reduction in postharvest
      decay of strawberry compared to the water-treated controls, mainly against gray
      mold and Rhizopus rot, and without negatively affecting fruit color and firmness.
      Chitosan and benzothiadiazole were the most effective alternative treatments.
      Preharvest spraying with these alternative treatments can complement the use of
      conventional fungicides in the control of postharvest decay of strawberry fruit,
      especially when disease pressure is low.

PMID- 26256332
TI  - Structure and anticancer activity in vitro of sulfated galactofucan from brown
      alga Alaria angusta.
AB  - Laminaran and three fractions of fucoidan were isolated from brown alga Alaria
      angusta. The laminaran AaL was characterized as a typical 1,3;1,6-beta-D-glucan
      (ratio of bonds 1,3:1,6 = 10:1). Fucoidans AaF1 and AaF2 are sulfated
      heteropolysaccharides, containing fucose, galactose, mannose and xylose. The
      fraction AaF3 is sulfated and acetylated galactofucan with the main chain
      represented by a repeating unit -> 3)-alpha-L-Fucp-(2,4-SO3(-))-(1 ->. According
      the data of methylation analysis, AaF3 contains mainly 1,3-linked fucose, less
      1,4-linked and 1,4,6-linked galactose residues. The autohydrolysis (37  degrees
      C) of fucoidan AaF3 allowed to obtain selectively 2-desulfaled polysaccharide
      fraction, built up of fucose only, and low molecular weight (LMW) fraction. The
      negative-ion tandem mass spectrometry of LMW fraction, further hydrolyzed by acid
      hydrolysis identified the following fragments: Gal-2-SO3(-)-(1 -> 4)-Gal, Gal-4
      SO3(-)-(1 -> 4)-Gal, Gal-(1 -> 2)-Gal-4-SO3(-), Fuc-2-SO3(-)-(1 -> 4)-Gal, Gal-2
      SO3(-)-(1 -> 3)-Fuc-(1 -> 3)-Fuc, Fuc-2-SO3(-)-(1 -> 3)-Fuc-(1 -> 4)-Gal. The
      laminaran AaL and the fucoidan AaF3 exhibited no cytotoxicity in vitro for HT 29,
      T-47D, and SK-MEL-28 cell lines. The AaF3 fraction suppressed colony formation of
      HT 29 and T-47D cells, AaL-only HT 29 cells.

PMID- 26256333
TI  - In situ synthesis of nano ZnO on starch sized cotton introducing nano photo
      active fabric optimized with response surface methodology.
AB  - In this study the idea of in situ synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles on starch sized
      raw cotton fabric was followed to produce white cotton fabric with durable self
      cleaning activity and tunable wettability. Alkaline condition of the preparation
      procedure played a prominent role in the synthesis and adsorption of ZnO
      nanoparticles on the cellulosic fabric. Moreover, starch size assisted the
      synthesis procedure and controlling the size of nanoparticles. The successful
      synthesis of nano ZnO particles on the treated fabrics was confirmed with XRD,
      FESEM and EDX. A central composite design based on response surface methodology
      was applied to study the influence of zinc nitrate and NaOH concentration, and
      their appropriate percentage for the best photoactivity and whiteness was
      obtained. The treated fabrics indicated good self-cleaning property toward
      degradation of Methylene Blue stain under sunlight irradiation while
      simultaneously benefited from higher whiteness due to the photo activity of nano
      white ZnO that is called "nano-photo bleaching". 

PMID- 26256334
TI  - The nanostructural characterization of strawberry pectins in pectate lyase or
      polygalacturonase silenced fruits elucidates their role in softening.
AB  - To ascertain the role of pectin disassembly in fruit softening, chelated- (CSP)
      and sodium carbonate-soluble (SSP) pectins from plants with a pectate lyase,
      FaplC, or a polygalacturonase, FaPG1, downregulated by antisense transformation
      were characterized at the nanostructural level. Fruits from transgenic plants
      were firmer than the control, although FaPG1 suppression had a greater effect on
      firmness. Size exclusion chromatography showed that the average molecular masses
      of both transgenic pectins were higher than that of the control. Atomic force
      microscopy analysis of pectins confirmed the higher degree of polymerization as
      result of pectinase silencing. The mean length values for CSP chains increased
      from 84 nm in the control to 95.5 and 101 nm, in antisense FaplC and antisense
      FaPG1 samples, respectively. Similarly, SSP polyuronides were longer in
      transgenic fruits (61, 67.5 and 71 nm, in the control, antisense FaplC and
      antisense FaPG1 samples, respectively). Transgenic pectins showed a more complex
      structure, with a higher percentage of branched chains than the control,
      especially in the case of FaPG1 silenced fruits. Supramolecular pectin
      aggregates, supposedly formed by homogalacturonan and rhamnogalacturonan I, were
      more frequently observed in antisense FaPG1 samples. The larger modifications in
      the nanostructure of pectins in FaPG1 silenced fruits when compared with
      antisense pectate lyase plants correlate with the higher impact of
      polygalacturonase silencing on reducing strawberry fruit softening.

PMID- 26256335
TI  - Structural modification and characterization of bacterial cellulose-alginate
      composite scaffolds for tissue engineering.
AB  - A novel bacterial cellulose-alginate composite scaffold (N-BCA) was fabricated by
      freeze drying and subsequent crosslinking with Ca(2+). The N-BCA then underwent a
      second freeze drying step to remove water without altering the physical
      structure. A stable structure of N-BCA with open and highly interconnected pores
      in the range of 90-160 MUm was constructed. The N-BCA was stable in both water
      and PBS. The swelling ability of N-BCA in water was approximately 50 times its
      weight, which was about 6.5 times that of the freeze dried bacterial cellulose
      pellicles. N-BCA demonstrated no cytotoxicity against L929 mouse fibroblast
      cells. For long-term culture, N-BCA supported attachment, spreading, and
      proliferation of human gingival fibroblast (GF) on the surface. However, under
      static conditions, the cell migration and growth inside the scaffold were
      limited. Because of its biocompatibility and open macroporous structure, N-BCA
      could potentially be used as a scaffold for tissue engineering.

PMID- 26256336
TI  - Effects of kappa-carrageenan on rheological properties of dually modified sago
      starch: Towards finding gelatin alternative for hard capsules.
AB  - Composite sago starch-based system was developed and characterized with the aim
      to find an alternative to gelatin in the processing of pharmaceutical capsules.
      Dually modified (Hydrolyzed-Hydroxypropylated) sago starches were combined with
      kappa-carrageenan (0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1%). The rheological properties of the
      proposed composite system were measured and compared with gelatin as reference
      material. Results show that combination of HHSS12 (Hydrolysed-hydroxypropylated
      sago starch at 12h) with 0.5% kappa-carrageenan was comparable to gelatin
      rheological behavior in pharmaceutical capsule processing. The solution viscosity
      at 50  degrees C and sol-gel transition of the proposed composite system were
      comparable to those of gelatin. The viscoelastic moduli (G' and G") for the
      proposed system were lower than those of gelatin. These results illustrate that
      by manipulation of the constituents of sago starch-based composite system, a
      suitable alternative to gelatin can be produced with comparable properties and
      this could find potential application in pharmaceutical capsule industry.

PMID- 26256337
TI  - Preparation and characterization of antibacterial thiosemicarbazide chitosan as
      efficient Cu(II) adsorbent.
AB  - In the present work a method has been developed for the preparation of
      thiosemicarbazide-chitosan (TSCS) exploring the evaluation of enhanced adsorption
      of metal ions and antibacterial activities via derivatization. The splitting of
      carbon-carbon (C-2 and C-3) bond of vicinal diols of the chitosan chain is
      planned in a way to figure a "Schiff base intermediate" which undergoes the
      addition reaction in order to enhance total nitrogen and sulphur content for the
      chelation of Cu(II) ions from aqueous solutions in a batch adsorption system.
      Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), (1)H NMR, elemental analysis
      (CHN analyzer), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetric
      (DSC) analyses were used for the characterization of the end product. Surface
      morphologies were also studied by scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The
      adsorption results showed that maximum adsorption was achieved at a dose
      concentration of 1.5 g/L, temperature of 25  degrees C with contact time of 20
      min. The adsorption properties of TSCS toward Cu(II) ions were evaluated and
      found to be 99 +/- 1%. The antibacterial properties were evaluated against
      Escherichia coli bacteria confirming that the modified material (TSCS) possess
      enhanced antibacterial activities when compared with the virgin chitosan.

PMID- 26256338
TI  - Fabrication of mucoadhesive chitosan coated
      polyvinylpyrrolidone/cyclodextrin/clotrimazole sandwich patches for oral
      candidiasis.
AB  - This study aims to fabricate clotrimazole (CZ)-composite sandwich nanofibers
      using electrospinning. The CZ-loaded polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)/hydroxypropyl
      beta-cyclodextrin (HPbetaCD) fiber was coated with chitosan-cysteine (CS
      SH)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) to increase the mucoadhesive properties and to
      achieve a sustained release of the drug from the nanofibers. The nanofibers were
      characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform
      infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffractometry (XRD). The nanofibers
      mechanical and mucoadhesive properties, drug release, antifungal activity and
      cytotoxicity were also assessed. The fibers were in the nanoscale with good
      mucoadhesive properties. The XRPD revealed a molecular dispersion of amorphous CZ
      in the nanofibers. The initial fast release of CZ from the nanofibers was
      achieved. Moreover, the sandwich nanofibers coated for longer times resulted in
      slower release rates compared with the shorter coating times. The CZ-loaded
      nanofibers killed the Candida significantly faster than the commercial CZ
      lozenges at 5, 15 and 30 min and were safe for a 2-h incubation. Therefore, these
      nanofibers may be promising candidates for the treatment of oral candidiasis.

PMID- 26256339
TI  - Characterization and biological activities of a novel polysaccharide isolated
      from raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) fruits.
AB  - A water-soluble polysaccharide namely RCP-II from raspberry fruits was obtained
      by complex enzyme method followed by successive purification using macroporous
      resin D4020 and Sephadex G-100 columns. RCP-II was an acidic heteropolysaccharide
      and the characteristic structure of polysaccharide was determined. The
      carbohydrate of RCP-II was composed with galacturonic acid, rhamnose, arabinose,
      xylose, glucose and galactose in a molar ratio of 1.00:0.55:1.19:0.52:0.44:1.90
      and the average molecular weight was estimated to be 4013 Da, based on dextran
      standards. RCP-II presented high scavenging activity toward DPPH*, HO*, O2(*-) in
      a concentration-dependent manner. The determination of the inhibitory activity on
      protein glycation showed that in 14 days of incubation the inhibitory ability of
      RCP-II was more effective on the development of non-enzymatic glycation reaction
      at early phase than that at the following two phases.

PMID- 26256340
TI  - Synthesis and characterization of thiolated beta-cyclodextrin as a novel
      mucoadhesive excipient for intra-oral drug delivery.
AB  - The objective of the present study was to synthesize and characterize cysteamine
      conjugated beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD-Cys) as a novel mucoadhesive oligomeric
      excipient for intra-oral drug delivery. beta-CD-Cys conjugates were obtained in a
      two-step synthetic pathway, whereby, vicinal diol groups of the oligomer were
      oxidized using increasing concentrations of sodium-per-iodate (NaIO4), prior to
      the covalent coupling of cysteamine via reductive amination. Quantification of
      immobilized thiol groups through Ellman's test revealed 561.56 +/- 81 MUmol/g,
      1054.26 +/- 131 MUmol/g and 1783.92 +/- 201 MUmol/g of free thiol groups attached
      to the oligomer backbone depending on the extent of oxidation. beta-CD-Cys
      conjugates at concentrations of 0.5% (m/v) showed no toxic effects on Caco-2
      cells within 72 h. Furthermore, beta-CD-Cys conjugates displayed a 4-fold
      improved water solubility compared to the parent oligomer. beta-CD-Cys conjugates
      (beta-CD-Cys561, beta-CD-Cys1054 and beta-CD-Cys1783) showed 2.86-, 15.09- and
      49.08-fold improved retention time on porcine intestinal mucosa and 9.66-, 16.43-
      and 34.51-fold improved on the porcine buccal mucosa, respectively. Formation of
      inclusion complexes of miconazole nitrate and beta-CD-Cys1054 resulted in 150
      fold increased solubility of miconazole nitrate. According to these results, it
      seems that beta-CD-Cys conjugates might provide a new promising tool for delivery
      of poorly water soluble therapeutic agents, such as miconazole nitrate for intra
      oral delivery.

PMID- 26256341
TI  - Strategies to improve the mechanical strength and water resistance of agar films
      for food packaging applications.
AB  - Agar films possess several properties adequate for food packaging applications.
      However, their high cost-production and quality variations caused by
      physiological and environmental factors affecting wild seaweeds make them less
      attractive for industries. In this work, native (NA) and alkali-modified (AA)
      agars obtained from sustainably grown seaweeds (integrated multi-trophic
      aquaculture) were mixed with locust bean gum (LBG) to make 'knife-coated' films
      with fixed final concentration (1 wt%) and variable agar/LBG ratios. Agar films
      were easier to process upon LBG addition (viscosity increase and gelling
      character decrease of the film-forming solutions observed by dynamic oscillatory
      and steady shear measurements). The mechanical properties and water resistance
      were optimal for films with 50 and/or 75% LBG contents and best in the case of NA
      (cheaper to extract). These findings can help reduce the cost-production of agar
      packaging films. Moreover, the controlled cultivation of seaweeds can provide
      continuous and reliable feedstock for transformation industries.

PMID- 26256342
TI  - Synthesis of the dendritic type beta-cyclodextrin on primary face via click
      reaction applicable as drug nanocarrier.
AB  - The objective of this study was the syntheses of well-defined glycodendrimer with
      entrapment efficiency by click reactions, with beta-cyclodextrins (beta-CDs)
      moiety to keep the biocompatibility properties, besides especially increase their
      capacity to load numerous appropriate sized guests. The original dendrimer
      containing beta-CD in both periphery and central was synthesized using click
      reaction. The entrapment property of the beta-CD-dendrimer was studied by
      methotrexate (MTX) drug. The chemical structure of beta-CD-dendrimer was
      characterized by (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR and FTIR and its inclusion complex structure
      were investigated by SEM, DLS, DSC and FTIR techniques. The cytotoxic effect of
      obtained compound and its inclusion complex with MTX was analyzed using MTT test.
      The MTT test exhibited that the synthesized compound was not cytotoxic to the
      cell line considered. The in vitro drug release study turned out that the
      obtained beta-CD dendrimer could be a suitable controlled drug delivery system
      for cancer treatment. 

PMID- 26256343
TI  - Preparing cationic cotton linter cellulose with high substitution degree by
      ultrasonic treatment.
AB  - As an important cellulose derivative, cationic cellulose has becoming an
      attractive material. However, it remains challenging to produce cationic
      cellulose with high substitute degree. In this paper, we successfully increased
      the substitute degree of cationic cellulose by introducing ultrasonic treatment,
      which efficiently breaks hydrogen bonds of the chemical structure of cationic
      cellulose. Properties of cationic cellulose were studied by scanning electron
      spectroscope (SEM), contact angle, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric
      analysis (TGA). Experimental results show that the cationic cellulose has rougher
      surface and lower crystallinity degree as compared to the original sample. TGA
      analysis verifies that the thermostability of CLC decreases after the cationic
      modification. The residual of the cationic cellulose (25 wt%) after pyrolysis
      increases significantly as compared to that of the original cellulose (15 wt%).

PMID- 26256344
TI  - Solution properties of a heteropolysaccharide extracted from pumpkin (Cucurbita
      pepo, lady godiva).
AB  - A water-soluble galactoglucofucomannan was extracted from pumpkin (Cucurbita
      pepo, lady godiva variety). GC-MS analysis indicated that the polysaccharide was
      composed of 1,6-linked-glucosyl, 1,2,6-linked-mannosyl, 1,3,6-linked-mannosyl,
      1,2,6-linked-galactosyl, 1,2,6-linked-galactosyl, terminal fucosyl and terminal
      glucose. The solution properties of the polysaccharide were studied
      systematically by using size-exclusion chromatography combined with multi-angle
      laser light scattering, viscometry and dynamic light scattering at 25  degrees C.
      The weight average molecular masses (Mw), intrinsic viscosity [eta], radius of
      gyration (Rg) and hydrodynamic radius (Rh) were found to be 12.7 * 10(5)g/mol,
      780 ml/g, 68 nm and 116 nm, respectively. The fraction dimension and value of rho
      (Rg/Rh) of the polysaccharide revealed that it existed in a sphere-like
      conformation in distilled water. The dependence of zero shear specific viscosity
      on the coil overlap parameter was analyzed using different models. Furthermore,
      degradation of samples upon autoclaving has been observed and quantified by
      intrinsic viscosity determination and SEC-MALLS.

PMID- 26256345
TI  - Catalytic actions of alkaline salts in reactions between 1,2,3,4
      butanetetracarboxylic acid and cellulose: II. Esterification.
AB  - 1,2,3,4-Butanetetracarboxylic acid (BTCA) reacts with cellulose in two steps with
      catalysis of alkaline salts such as sodium hypophosphite: anhydride formation and
      esterification of anhydride with cellulose. The alkali metal ions were found
      effective in catalyzing formation of BTCA anhydride in a previous report. In this
      work, catalytic functions of the alkaline salts in the esterification reaction
      between BTCA anhydride and cellulose were investigated. Results revealed that
      acid anions play an important role in the esterification reaction by assisting
      removal of protons on intermediates and completion of the esterification between
      cellulose and BTCA. Besides, alkaline salts with lower pKa1 values of the
      corresponding acids are more effective ones for the reaction since addition of
      these salts could lead to lower pH values and higher acid anion concentrations in
      finishing baths. The mechanism explains the results of FTIR and wrinkle recovery
      angles of the fabrics cured under different temperatures and times. 

PMID- 26256346
TI  - Changes in physicochemical properties and in vitro digestibility of common
      buckwheat starch by heat-moisture treatment and annealing.
AB  - Heat-moisture treatment (HMT) and annealing (ANN) were applied in the test to
      investigate how they can affect the physicochemical properties and in vitro
      digestibility of common buckwheat starch (CBS). In the practice, these two
      modification methods did not change typical 'A'-type X-ray diffraction pattern of
      CBS. However, the gelatinization temperature, amylose content, and relative
      crystallinity increased and peak viscosity value and gelatinization enthalpy of
      CBS declined significantly. Both the solubility and swelling power, which were
      temperature dependent, progressively decreased along with the treatments.
      Remarkable increase in slowly digested starch and resistant starch level was
      found at the same time. Besides, the decreases of rapidly digested starch and
      total hydrolysis content by using HMT were greater than by using ANN. The results
      indicated that the ANN and HMT efficiently modified physicochemical properties
      and in vitro digestibility of CBS and were able to improve its thermal stability,
      healthy benefits and application value. 

PMID- 26256347
TI  - Pomelo peel modified with acetic anhydride and styrene as new sorbents for
      removal of oil pollution.
AB  - Pomelo peel (PP), as one of the well-known agricultural wastes, is cost-effective
      and environmentally friendly. Based on PP, two new kinds of oil sorbents were
      prepared by using acetic anhydride and styrene. The structures of raw pomelo peel
      (RP), acetic anhydride-treated pomelo peel (AP) and styrene-treated pomelo peel
      (SP) were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and
      scanning electron microscopy (SEM), contact-angle (CA) measurements. The optimum
      reaction conditions for preparation of AP and SP were also investigated. The
      resulting products exhibited better oil sorption capacity than that of RP for
      diesel and lubricating oil, also SP had better oil sorption capacity than AP,
      while the oil sorption capacities of SP for diesel and lubricating oil reached
      18.91 and 26.36 g/g, respectively. Adsorption kinetics was well described by the
      pseudo-second-order model. The results indicated that AP and SP, especially SP
      could be used as the substitute for non-biodegradable oil sorption materials.

PMID- 26256348
TI  - Cellulose acetate from oil palm empty fruit bunch via a one step heterogeneous
      acetylation.
AB  - Acetone soluble oil palm empty fruit bunch cellulose acetate (OPEFB-CA) of DS
      2.52 has been successfully synthesized in a one-step heterogeneous acetylation of
      OPEFB cellulose without necessitating the hydrolysis stage. This has only been
      made possible by the mathematical modeling of the acetylation process by
      manipulating the variables of reaction time and acetic anhydride/cellulose ratio
      (RR). The obtained model was verified by experimental data with an error of less
      than 2.5%. NMR analysis showed that the distribution of the acetyl moiety among
      the three OH groups of cellulose indicates a preference at the C6 position,
      followed by C3 and C2. XRD revealed that OPEFB-CA is highly amorphous with a
      degree of crystallinity estimated to be ca. 6.41% as determined from DSC. The
      OPEFB-CA films exhibited good mechanical properties being their tensile strength
      and Young's modulus higher than those of the commercial CA. 

PMID- 26256349
TI  - Preparation of reactive fibre interfaces using multifunctional cellulose
      derivatives.
AB  - Cellulose fibres have poor reactivity and limited potential for surface
      engineering with advanced chemical functionalization in water. In this work,
      cellulose fibres were decorated with azide functions by charge-directed self
      assembly of a novel water-soluble multifunctional cellulose derivative yielding
      reactive fibres. Propargylamine and 1-ethynylpyrene were utilized as a proof of
      concept that alkyne molecules may react with the azide functions of the reactive
      fibres via copper(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne Huisgen cycloaddition (CuAAc)
      reaction in mild conditions. Chemical characterization of the fibres was carried
      out using classical techniques such as Raman-, fluorescence-, and UV-vis
      spectroscopy. Among other techniques, time-of-flight secondary ion mass
      spectrometry (ToF-SIMS), X-ray spectroscopy (XPS), two-photon microscopy (TPM),
      and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) were useful tools for
      additional characterization of the fibres decorated with amino- or photoactive
      groups. The information gathered in this work might contribute to the basis for
      the preparation of reactive cellulose-based interfaces with potential application
      in CuAAc reactions. 

PMID- 26256350
TI  - Evaluation of bionanocomposites as packaging material on properties of soft white
      cheese during storage period.
AB  - Novel bionanocomposites based on chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol)/titanium
      nanoparticles (CS/PVA/TiO2 nanocomposite) were prepared and used as packaging
      materials for soft white cheese. The prepared bionanocomposites were
      characterized using XRD, SEM, TEM and FT-IR. The CS/PVA/TiO2 bionanocomposites
      exhibited good mechanical properties. Furthermore, the obtained bionanocomposites
      exhibited superior antibacterial activity against gram positive (Staphylococcus
      aureus), gram negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli) bacteria and
      fungi (Candidia albicans). The soft white cheese was manufactured and packaged
      within the CS/PVA/TiO2 nanocomposite films and stored at 7  degrees C for 30
      days. The color, rheological and chemical properties of cheese were evaluated,
      also the influence of CS/PVA/TiO2 bionanocomposites on microbiological analysis
      of soft white cheese was assessed, the results indicated that the total bacterial
      counts, mold & yeast and coliform decreased with the increasing storage period
      and disappeared at the end of storage period compared with control. Consequently,
      CS/PVA/TiO2 bionanocomposite can be used in food packaging applications.

PMID- 26256351
TI  - Innovative production of bio-cellulose using a cell-free system derived from a
      single cell line.
AB  - The current study was intended to produce bio-cellulose through a cell-free
      system developed by disrupting Gluconacetobacter hansenii PJK through bead
      beating. Microscopic analysis indicated the complete disruption of cells (2.6 *
      10(7) cells/mL) in 20 min that added 95.12 MUg/mL protein, 1.63 mM ATP, and 1.11
      mM NADH into the medium. A liquid chromatography mass spectrometry/mass
      spectrometry linear trap quadrupole (LC-MS/MS LTQ) Orbitrap analysis of cell
      lysate confirmed the presence of all key enzymes for bio-cellulose synthesis.
      Under static conditions at 30  degrees C, microbial and cell-free systems
      produced 3.78 and 3.72 g/L cellulose, corresponding to 39.62 and 57.68% yield,
      respectively after 15 days. The improved yield based on consumed glucose
      indicated the superiority of cell-free system. Based on current findings and
      literature, we hypothesized a synthetic pathway for bio-cellulose synthesis in
      the cell-free system. This approach can overcome some limitations of cellulose
      producing cells and offers a wider scope for synthesizing cellulose composites
      with bactericidal elements through in situ synthesizing approaches.

PMID- 26256352
TI  - The efficient hemostatic effect of Antarctic krill chitosan is related to its
      hydration property.
AB  - Antarctic krill chitosan (A-Chitosan) was first evaluated in its hemostatic
      effect in this study. The prepared A-Chitosan powder showed low level of
      crystallinity and significantly high water binding capacity as 1293% (w/w). By
      mice tail amputation model and blood coagulation timing experiment, it is showed
      that this chitosan accelerated the tail hemostasis by 55% and shortened the blood
      clotting time by 38%. This efficacy was better than two other commercial
      chitosans investigated and was corresponding to their water binding capacities.
      Through examining the effect of chitosan on blood components, it could be found
      that platelets adhesion was mainly affected by the water binding capacity, and
      red blood cells aggregation was dependent on their deacetylation degree. The
      physicochemical properties resulted in better hydration property of chitosan
      would improve its hemostatic effect. These results suggested that Antarctic krill
      chitosan is a good candidate for hemostatic application. 

PMID- 26256353
TI  - A simple procedure for preparing chitin oligomers through acetone precipitation
      after hydrolysis in concentrated hydrochloric acid.
AB  - Chitin oligomers are of interest because of their numerous biologically relevant
      properties. To prepare chitin oligomers containing 4-6 GlcNAc units [(GlcNAc)4
      6], alpha- and beta-chitin were hydrolyzed with concentrated hydrochloric acid at
      40  degrees C. The reactant was mixed with acetone to recover the acetone
      insoluble material, and (GlcNAc)4-6 was efficiently recovered after subsequent
      water extraction. Composition analysis using gel permeation chromatography and
      MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry indicated that (GlcNAc)4-6 could be isolated from the
      acetone-insoluble material with recoveries of approximately 17% and 21% from the
      starting alpha-chitin and beta-chitin, respectively. The acetone precipitation
      method is highly useful for recovering chitin oligomers from the acid hydrolysate
      of chitin. The changes in the molecular size and higher-order structure of chitin
      during the course of hydrolysis were also analyzed, and a model that explains the
      process of oligomer accumulation is proposed.

PMID- 26256354
TI  - Review on biomedical and bioengineering applications of cellulose sulfate.
AB  - Polysaccharide sulfates are naturally existing chemicals that show important
      biological activities in living organisms. Cellulose sulfate is a semi
      synthesized polysaccharide sulfate with a relatively simple chain structure and
      unique biological properties and its biological applications have been explored
      in research and clinical trials. With the advance of cellulose derivatization and
      characterization, cellulose sulfate molecules with tailored structures have been
      developed to fulfill individual requirements. This review aims to provide a
      summary of recent development of cellulose sulfate in biomedical applications.
      Its synthesis pathways were discussed with structure-property relationship
      elucidated. The application of cellulose sulfate in drug delivery and
      microbe/cell immobilization were summarized with emphasis given on its
      polyelectrolyte complex formation processes. 

PMID- 26256355
TI  - Antitumor and immunomodulatory activities of a water-soluble polysaccharide from
      Chaenomeles speciosa.
AB  - In this study, a water-soluble polysaccharide (CSP) was successfully purified
      from Chaenomeles speciosa by DEAE-Sepharose and Sephadex G-100 column
      chromatography. CSP had a weight-average molecular weight of about 6.3 * 10(4)Da
      and was composed of glucose (Glc), galactose (Gal), rhamnose (Rha) and arabinose
      (Ara) with a relative molar ratio of 4.6:1.3:0.8:0.5. CSP could not only inhibit
      the growth of S180 tumor transplanted in mice, but also increase the relative
      spleen index and body weight of tumor bearing mice. Moreover, concanavalin A
      (ConA) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced splenocyte proliferation and
      peritoneal macrophage phagocytosis were also enhanced after CSP administration.
      Furthermore, CSP treatment could improve delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) and
      promote the secretion of IL-2, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma in serum. The overall
      findings suggest that the antitumor effect of CSP is might be associated with its
      potent immunostimulatory activity.

PMID- 26256356
TI  - Fabrication of interpenetrating polymer network chitosan/gelatin porous materials
      and study on dye adsorption properties.
AB  - One kind of adsorbent based on chitosan and gelatin with interpenetrating polymer
      networks (IPN) and porous dual structures was prepared using genipin as the cross
      linker. These dual structures were demonstrated by means of Fourier transform
      infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning
      electron microscopy (SEM). Adsorptions of acid orange II dye from aqueous
      solution were carried out at different genipin contents, adsorption times and pH
      values. The results showed that this material was put up the largest adsorption
      capacity when the genipin content is 0.25 mmol/L, meanwhile, the lower the
      solution pH value the greater the adsorption capacity. The chitosan/gelatin
      interpenetrating polymer networks porous material displayed pH-sensitive and
      rapidly response in adsorption and desorption to pH altered. It is indicated that
      the cross-linked chitosan/gelatin interpenetrating polymer networks porous
      material could be used as a recyclable adsorbent in removal or separation of
      anionic dyes as environmental pH condition changed.

PMID- 26256357
TI  - Bacillus subtilis 168 levansucrase (SacB) activity affects average levan
      molecular weight.
AB  - Levan is a fructan polymer that offers a variety of applications in the chemical,
      health, cosmetic and food industries. Most of the levan applications depend on
      levan molecular weight, which in turn depends on the source of the synthesizing
      enzyme and/or on reaction conditions. Here we demonstrate that in the particular
      case of levansucrase from Bacillus subtilis 168, enzyme concentration is also a
      factor defining the molecular weight levan distribution. While a bimodal
      distribution has been reported at the usual enzyme concentrations (1 U/ml
      equivalent to 0.1 MUM levansucrase) we found that a low molecular weight normal
      distribution is solely obtained al high enzyme concentrations (>5 U/ml equivalent
      to 0.5 MUM levansucrase) while a high normal molecular weight distribution is
      synthesized at low enzyme doses (0.1 U/ml equivalent to 0.01 MUM of
      levansucrase).

PMID- 26256358
TI  - Facile fabrication of mesoporous poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol)/chitosan blend
      monoliths.
AB  - Poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol) (EVOH)/chitosan blend monoliths were fabricated
      by thermally-induced phase separation method. Chitosan was successfully
      incorporated into the polymeric monolith by selecting EVOH as the main component
      of the monolith. SEM images exhibit that the chitosan was located on the inner
      surface of the monolith. Fourier-transform infrared analysis and elemental
      analysis indicate the successful blend of EVOH and chitosan. BET results show
      that the blend monoliths had high specific surface area and uniform mesopore
      structure. Good adsorption ability toward various heavy metal ions was found in
      the blend monoliths due to the large chelation capacity of chitosan. The blend
      monoliths have potential application for waste water purification or bio-related
      applications. 

PMID- 26256359
TI  - Development of silver sulfadiazine loaded bacterial cellulose/sodium alginate
      composite films with enhanced antibacterial property.
AB  - Sodium alginate (SA) and bacterial cellulose (BC) are widely used in many
      applications such as scaffolds and wound dressings due to its biocompatibility.
      Silver sulfadiazine (AgSD) is a topical antibacterial agents used as a topical
      cream on burns. In the study, novel BC/SA-AgSD composites were prepared and
      characterized by SEM, FTIR and TG analyses. These results indicate AgSD
      successfully impregnated into BC/SA matrix. The swelling behaviors in different
      pH were studied and the results showed pH-responsive swelling behaviors. The
      antibacterial performances of BC/SA-AgSD composites were evaluated with
      Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. Moreover, the
      cytotoxicity of BC/SA-AgSD composites was performed on HEK 293 cells. The
      experimental results showed BC/SA-AgSD composites have excellent antibacterial
      activities and good biocompatibility, thus confirming its utility as potential
      wound dressings. 

PMID- 26256360
TI  - Accumulation of recalcitrant xylan in mushroom-compost is due to a lack of xylan
      substituent removing enzyme activities of Agaricus bisporus.
AB  - The ability of Agaricus bisporus to degrade xylan in wheat straw based compost
      during mushroom formation is unclear. In this paper, xylan was extracted from the
      compost with water, 1M and 4M alkali. Over the phases analyzed, the remaining
      xylan was increasingly substituted with (4-O-methyl-)glucuronic acid and
      arabinosyl residues, both one and two arabinosyl residues per xylosyl residue
      remained. In the 1M and 4M KOH soluble solids of spent compost, 33 and 49 out of
      100 xylosyl residues, respectively, were substituted. The accumulation of
      glucuronic acid substituents matched with the analysis that the two A. bisporus
      genes encoding for alpha-glucuronidase activity (both GH115) were not expressed
      in the A. bisporus mycelium in the compost during fruiting. Also, in a maximum
      likelihood tree it was shown that it is not likely that A. bisporus possesses
      genes encoding for the activity to remove arabinose from xylosyl residues having
      two arabinosyl residues. 

PMID- 26256361
TI  - Design and characterization of chitosan-based composite particles with tunable
      interfacial properties.
AB  - Composite nano-microparticles were prepared in aqueous solution that contain
      chitosan or modified (carboxymethyl) chitosan with polyanion species such as
      alginate or tripolyphosphate, respectively. Several types of particles were
      prepared and characterized by (1)H/(31)P NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, and
      DLS. According to DLS, the particle size was observed to increase as the
      concentration of the aqueous urea solution increased. The average size and
      polydispersity index (in parentheses) vary and are reported for the chitosan
      based particles from 243.0 +/- 1 nm (0.28) to 424 +/- 14 nm (0.33), according to
      DLS measurements at ambient conditions. Thus, the particles are herein referred
      to as nano-microparticles (NMPs) due to the relative size range. The stability of
      the NMPs is related to the particle composition and the aqueous solution
      conditions, as evidenced by variable NMP stability on the order of two weeks or
      more at different ionic strength.

PMID- 26256362
TI  - Structure-function relationships of immunostimulatory polysaccharides: A review.
AB  - Immunostimulatory polysaccharides are compounds capable of interacting with the
      immune system and enhance specific mechanisms of the host response. Glucans,
      mannans, pectic polysaccharides, arabinogalactans, fucoidans, galactans,
      hyaluronans, fructans, and xylans are polysaccharides with reported
      immunostimulatory activity. The structural features that have been related with
      such activity are the monosaccharide and glycosidic-linkage composition,
      conformation, molecular weight, functional groups, and branching characteristics.
      However, the establishment of structure-function relationships is possible only
      if purified and characterized polysaccharides are used and selective structural
      modifications performed. Aiming at contributing to the definition of the
      structure-function relationships necessary to design immunostimulatory
      polysaccharides with potential for preventive or therapeutical purposes or to be
      recognized as health-improving ingredients in functional foods, this review
      introduces basic immunological concepts required to understand the mechanisms
      that rule the potential claimed immunostimulatory activity of polysaccharides and
      critically presents a literature survey on the structural features of the
      polysaccharides and reported immunostimulatory activity. 

PMID- 26256363
TI  - Comparison of the preliminary characterizations and antioxidant properties of
      polysaccharides obtained from Phellinus baumii growth on different culture
      substrates.
AB  - Three polysaccharides (PPB-MB, PPB-MW and PPB-MM) were obtained from the fruiting
      body of Phellinus baumii growth on different culture substrates (mulberry
      branches, mixed wood sawdust and an equal combination of the two materials) and
      their chemical composition was investigated. PPB-MM contained the highest
      contents of neutral sugar (66.59%) and uronic acid (23.38%), followed by PPB-MW
      and PPB-MB, with PPB-MW having the highest protein content. The three
      polysaccharides were all composed of six kinds of monosaccharides, namely fucose,
      mannose, glactose, xylose, arabinose and glucose. The antioxidant activities of
      the three polysaccharides were determined using lipid peroxidant inhibition, ABTS
      radical scavenging, and Fe(2+)-chelating assay. Results showed that PPB-MM
      exhibited the highest antioxidant properties in all the assays. As a result, an
      equal combination of mulberry branches and mixed wood sawdust serves as a good
      culture substrate for producing such antioxidant polysaccharides. 

PMID- 26256364
TI  - In situ synthesis of bacterial cellulose/polycaprolactone blends for hot pressing
      nanocomposite films production.
AB  - A series of bacterial cellulose (BC)/polycaprolactone (PCL) nanocomposite films
      were successfully prepared by supplementation of the BC culture medium with
      variable amounts of PCL powder followed by hot-pressing of the BC/PCL mixtures
      obtained after incubation. PCL powder was fully incorporated into the BC network
      during its production and did not change the BC network morphology. The obtained
      films showed a homogenous distribution of PCL throughout the BC network, as well
      as good thermal stability (up to 200  degrees C) and improved mechanical
      properties, when compared to pristine PCL. In addition, the intrinsic
      biodegradability and biocompatibility of the nanocellulose fibers and PCL opens
      the possibility of using this novel nanocomposite in the biomedical field and
      food packaging. The BC biosynthetic approach combined with the hot-pressing
      proved successful for the sustainable development of nanocomposites combining
      hydrophobic thermoplastic matrices and hydrophilic nanocellulose fibers, without
      the use of harmful organic solvents commonly used to dissolve this type of
      polymeric matrices.

PMID- 26256365
TI  - Synergistic amylomaltase and branching enzyme catalysis to suppress cassava
      starch digestibility.
AB  - Starch provides our main dietary caloric intake and over-consumption of starch
      containing foods results in escalating life-style disease including diabetes. By
      increasing the content of alpha-1,6 branch points in starch, digestibility by
      human amylolytic enzymes is expected to be retarded. Aiming at generating a
      soluble and slowly digestible starch by increasing the content and changing the
      relative positioning of the branch points in the starch molecules, we treated
      cassava starch with amylomaltase (AM) and branching enzyme (BE). We performed a
      detailed molecular analysis of the products including amylopectin chain length
      distribution, content of alpha-1,6 glucosidic linkages, absolute molecular weight
      distribution and digestibility. Step-by-step enzyme catalysis was the most
      efficient treatment, and it generated branch structures even more extreme than
      those of glycogen. All AM- and BE-treated samples showed increased resistance to
      degradation by porcine pancreatic alpha-amylase and glucoamylase as compared to
      cassava starch. The amylolytic products showed chain lengths and branching
      patterns similar to the products obtained from glycogen. Our data demonstrate
      that combinatorial enzyme catalysis provides a strategy to generate potential
      novel soluble alpha-glucan ingredients with low dietary digestibility assets. 

PMID- 26256366
TI  - Unusual effects of monocarboxylic acids on the structure and on the transport and
      mechanical properties of chitosan films.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to study the transport of monocarboxylic acids in
      chitosan films, since this is important for understanding and predicting the
      drying kinetics of chitosan from aqueous solutions. Despite the wealth of data on
      chitosan films prepared from aqueous monocarboxylic acid solutions, this
      transport has not been reported. Chitosan films were exposed to formic, acetic,
      propionic and butyric acid vapours, it was found that the rate of uptake
      decreased with increasing molecular size. The equilibration time was unexpectedly
      long, especially for propionic and butyric acid, nine months. A clear two-stage
      uptake curve was observed for propionic acid. Evidently, the rate of uptake was
      determined by acid-induced changes in the material. X-ray diffraction and
      infrared spectroscopy indicated that the structure of the chitosan acetate and
      buffered chitosan films changed during exposure to acid and during the subsequent
      drying. The dried films previously exposed to the acid showed less crystalline
      features than the original material and a novel repeating structure possibly
      involving acid molecules. The molar mass of the chitosan decreased on exposure to
      acid but tensile tests revealed that the films were always ductile. The films
      exposed to acid vapour (propionic and butyric acid) for the longest period of
      time were insoluble in the size-exclusion chromatography eluent, and they were
      also the most ductile/extensible of all samples studied. 

PMID- 26256367
TI  - Improving the hydrogen peroxide bleaching efficiency of aspen
      chemithermomechanical pulp by using chitosan.
AB  - The presence of transition metals during the hydrogen peroxide bleaching of pulp
      results in the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide, which decreases the bleaching
      efficiency. In this study, chitosans were used as peroxide stabilizer in the
      alkaline hydrogen peroxide bleaching of aspen chemithermomechanical pulp (CTMP).
      The results showed that the brightness of the bleached CTMP increased 1.5% ISO by
      addition of 0.1% chitosan with 95% degree of deacetylation during peroxide
      bleaching. Transition metals in the form of ions or metal colloid particles, such
      as iron, copper and manganese, could be adsorbed by chitosans. Chitosans could
      inhibit the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by different transition
      metals under alkaline conditions. The ability of chitosans to inhibit peroxide
      decomposition depended on the type of transition metals, chitosan concentration
      and degree of deacetylation applied. The addition of chitosan slightly reduced
      the concentration of the hydroxyl radical formed during the hydrogen peroxide
      bleaching of aspen CTMP. 

PMID- 26256368
TI  - One-pot beta-cyclodextrin-assisted extraction of active ingredients from Xue-Zhi
      Ning basing its encapsulated ability.
AB  - Xue-Zhi-Ning (XZN) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula, containing active
      ingredients with poor solubility in water, which has been demonstrated to be
      helpful for patients with hyperlipidemia. One-pot beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD)
      assisted extraction of active ingredients from XZN has been carried out to
      develop an efficient and eco-friendly extraction process. Five active compounds-
      rubrofusarin gentiobioside, 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxy-stilbene-2-O-beta-D-glucoside,
      emodin, nuciferine and quercetin--were identified by UPLC/DAD/MS and used as
      indexes to evaluate the process optimized by an orthogonal test. The results
      showed that addition of beta-CD significantly enhanced the extraction ratios of
      all five components. The enhancement of extraction ratios was positively
      correlated with the apparent formation constants between beta-CD and the
      compounds. The study also showed that the stabilities and dissolution rates of
      the active ingredients were improved in the presence of beta-CD. This one-pot
      beta-cyclodextrin-assisted extraction has the potential to be applied in
      pharmaceutical preparations directly.

PMID- 26256369
TI  - Cellulose based cationic adsorbent fabricated via radiation grafting process for
      treatment of dyes waste water.
AB  - A cationized adsorbent was prepared from cellulosic cotton fabric waste via a
      single step-green-radiation grafting process using gamma radiation source,
      wherein poly[2-(methacryloyloxy) ethyl]trimethylammonium chloride (PMAETC) was
      covalently attached to cotton cellulose substrate. Radiation grafted (PMAETC-g
      cellulose) adsorbent was investigated for removal of acid dyes from aqueous
      solutions using two model dyes: Acid Blue 25 (AB25) and Acid Blue 74 (AB74). The
      equilibrium adsorption data was analyzed by Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms,
      whereas kinetic data was analyzed by pseudo first order, pseudo second order,
      intra particle diffusion and Boyd's models. The PMAETC-g-cellulose adsorbent with
      25% grafting yield exhibited equilibrium adsorption capacities of ~ 540.0mg/g and
      ~ 340.0mg/g for AB25 and AB74, respectively. Linear and nonlinear fitting of
      adsorption data suggested that the equilibrium adsorption process followed
      Langmuir adsorption isotherm model, whereas, the kinetic adsorption process
      followed pseudo-second order model. The multi-linearities observed in the intra
      particle kinetic plots suggested that the intraparticle diffusion was not the
      only rate-controlling process in the adsorption of acid dyes on the adsorbent,
      which was further supported by Boyd's model. The adsorbent could be regenerated
      by eluting the adsorbed dye from the adsorbent and could be repeatedly used.

PMID- 26256370
TI  - Production of structurally diverse wheat arabinoxylan hydrolyzates using
      combinations of xylanase and arabinofuranosidase.
AB  - Structurally different wheat arabinoxylan hydrolyzates (AXH) were generated using
      different combinations of Cellvibrio japonicas xylanase (CJX), Aspergillus niger
      xylanase (ANX), Bifidobacterium adolescentis arabinofuranosidase (BAF) and
      Clostridium thermocellum arabinofuranosidase (CAF). Between the two xylanases,
      ANX might be an enzyme of choice for the production of AXH with simple structural
      details while CJX might be selected for the production of AXH with more complex
      structural features. Addition of BAF followed by CAF is more effective in
      generating AXH with higher amount of unsubstituted xylose. CJX series resulted in
      lower molecular weights compared to ANX series. The information derived about the
      capabilities of the two xylanases and two arabinofuranosidase could provide
      important information in decision making regarding enzymes to be used to generate
      AXH with specific structural details. Such hydrolyzates could be useful as
      substrate for future research exploring the effect of fine structural details in
      AXH on their biological and physical properties. 

PMID- 26256371
TI  - Behaviour of cyanidin-3-glucoside, beta-lactoglobulin and polysaccharides
      nanoparticles in bulk and oil-in-water interfaces.
AB  - Particle size distributions as well the interfacial and rheological properties of
      the films at the oil/water interface were used to study the effect of the
      interacting system between beta-lactoglobulin, cyanidin-3-glucoside and pectin or
      chitosan in buffer solutions. The particles obtained were smaller with cy-3-gluc
      beta-lg-pectin and had reduced polydispersity with cy-3-gluc-beta-lg-chitosan.
      Based on time dependent surface pressure results, beta-lg-pectin mixtures showed
      a slower increase at the beginning of the measurement, while beta-lg-chitosan
      mixtures showed no differences with beta-lg alone. Contrarily, dilatational
      properties increased for ternary chitosan mixtures, but they remained similar to
      the pure protein in ternary pectin mixtures. Cy-3-gluc interfacial properties
      were reduced by the presence of pectin and chitosan. The interactions between cy
      3-gluc and the biopolymers that have been selected in the present work resulted
      in a lower content of free polyphenol, reduced antioxidant properties as well as
      free beta-lg. The impact of this effect was more relevant when pectin was used.

PMID- 26256373
TI  - Investigation of physical and biological properties of polypyrrole nanotubes
      chitosan nanocomposites.
AB  - Polypyrrole nanotubes-chitosan (PPy-NTs:chitosan) nanocomposite films have been
      synthesized with varying concentration of polypyrrole nanotubes (PPy-NTs) and
      their physical and biological properties have been investigated. Scanning
      electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs exhibit the increase in surface roughness
      of the nanocomposite films with increasing concentration of PPy-NTs. Enhancement
      in hydrophilicity of the nanocomposite films has been observed after surface
      functionalization with glutaraldehyde which is attributed to increase in surface
      energy due to the incorporation of polar groups on the films surface. The
      increasing amount of PPy-NTs in the nanocomposite leads to an increase in
      haemolysis activity, while the treatment with glutaraldehyde results in the
      decrease in haemolysis activity giving rise to higher biocompatibility. Urease
      immobilization in glutaraldehyde treated films exhibits higher enzymatic activity
      as compared to that of the untreated films, which is attributed to the
      enhancement in hydrophilicity and biocompatibility of the PPy-NTs:chitosan
      nanocomposites after functionalization with glutaraldehyde. 

PMID- 26256372
TI  - Investigating triazine-based modification of hyaluronan using statistical
      designs.
AB  - Hyaluronan (HA) and its derivatives have been extensively researched for many
      biomedical applications. To precisely tailor the property of HA by derivatizing
      it to a pre-determined extent is challenging, yet critical. In this paper, we
      used 2-chloro-4,6-dimethoxy-1,3,5-triazine (CDMT) and N-methylmorpholine (NMM) to
      derivatize HA via a triazine-based coupling reaction. Using a fractional
      factorial (FF) design, we observed that water content in the solvent, and molar
      ratios of CDMT and NaHCO3 to the carboxylate were the significant factors
      controlling the derivatization. We investigated how the effect of each factor
      changes as reaction conditions change. Moreover, by altering the amount of CDMT
      and NaHCO3, we developed a cubic regression model for precise control of the
      extent of derivatization using a response surface methodology (RSM) with a D
      optimal design. No spurious peaks were detected by (1)H NMR spectrum and only 10%
      decrease of molecular weight of the derivatized HA was determined by GPC. The HA
      with 6% modification was relatively biocompatible up to 15 mg/mL.

PMID- 26256374
TI  - Injectable thermo-responsive hydrogel composed of xanthan gum and methylcellulose
      double networks with shear-thinning property.
AB  - Injectable hydrogel precursor solution was prepared by physical blend of xanthan
      gum (XG) and methylcellulose (MC) in aqueous solution. Due to the formation of XG
      network composed of XG double helical strand structure, XG/MC blend was a high
      viscous solution with good shear-thinning property at room temperature. When the
      temperature was changed from 23 to 37  degrees C, thermo-responsive MC network
      formed, which caused XG/MC blend solution to gelate. The gelation time and
      storage modulus of the blend can be tuned by XG and/or MC concentrations. Both in
      vitro and in vivo investigations revealed that the blend solution immediately
      recovered its high viscosity and rapidly formed hydrogel at body temperature
      after injection using a syringe. In vivo biocompatibility and biodegradability of
      the hydrogel were validated by implantation of the hydrogel in rats. In vitro
      investigation demonstrated that XG/MC blend is a promising injectable hydrogel
      material for long-term drug delivery.

PMID- 26256375
TI  - Thermal properties of frozen water in the native and amorphous starches with
      various hydration degrees.
AB  - The melting process of frozen water (FW) in various starches (rice, wheat,
      potato) that have crystal lattices of A- and B-type has been studied by means of
      differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The dependences of the melting
      temperature (Tm) and heat (Qm) of FW on the size of the water clusters forming in
      starches with various humidity (the so-called size effect) and on conformational
      changes of starch molecules upon the destruction of native starch crystals
      (starch amorphization) have been considered. It has been found that in the native
      starches with low humidity (<35%) the Tm of FW lies below 0  degrees C and
      decreases with the decrease of their humidity. The sizes of the water clusters
      formed under these conditions have been estimated. In contrast, such a size
      effect in amorphous starches has not been observed and possible reasons for its
      masking have been discussed. Still, all the values of Tm for FW obtained in the
      amorphous starches are also negative thereby indicating the dispersed state of
      water in these systems. Conversely, the size effect for Qm of FW in starches with
      low humidity, very pronounced in the amorphous state and barely visible in the
      native one, has been found. It has been established that the starch amorphization
      leads to a redistribution of the relative amounts of FW and unfrozen water (UFW)
      resulting in the decrease of Qm for FW in both A- and B- starch types. Finally,
      it has been concluded that in all the investigated starches there exist water
      clusters with Tm and Qm lower than that of bulk water.

PMID- 26256376
TI  - Physicochemical and functional properties of dietary fiber from maca (Lepidium
      meyenii Walp.) liquor residue.
AB  - Using maca (Lepidium meyenii) liquor residue as the raw material, dietary fiber
      (DF) was prepared by chemical (MCDF) and enzymatic (MEDF) methods, respectively,
      of which the physicochemical and functional properties were comparatively
      studied. High contents of DF were found in MCDF (55.63%) and MEDF (81.10%). Both
      fibers showed good functional properties, including swelling capacity, water
      holding capacity, oil holding capacity, glucose adsorption capacity and glucose
      retardation index. MEDF showed better functional properties, which could be
      attributed to its higher content of DF, more irregular surface and more abundant
      monosaccharide composition. The results herein suggest that maca DF prepared by
      enzymatic method from liquor residue is a good functional ingredient in food
      products. 

PMID- 26256377
TI  - Characterization of cellulose from banana pseudo-stem by heterogeneous
      liquefaction.
AB  - A cellulose extraction from banana pseudo-stem through the combination of bleach
      and liquefaction processes was described: holocellulose was isolated by the
      sodium chlorite method, and then the cellulose was obtained by removing the
      hemicellulose through chemical liquefaction. The chemical composition,
      morphology, thermal properties and degree of crystallinity of the celluloses were
      characterized to discuss their suitability for new bio-based composite materials.
      It was shown that hemicellulose can be selectively liquefied to get cellulose.
      The hemicellulose content in cellulose is decreased from 45.69% to 8.38%. Surface
      morphological studies revealed that there is a reduction in fiber diameter and
      fiber bundles are divided into individual fibrils, which lead to an increase of
      the surface area and results in an increased adhesion at the fiber-matrix
      interface in composites. Thermal analysis results show that the cellulose exhibit
      enhanced thermal stability over holocellulose. XRD results indicate that the
      crystallinity is increased from 52.22% to 81.26% by liquefaction. 

PMID- 26256378
TI  - Photo-responsive shell cross-linked micelles based on carboxymethyl chitosan and
      their application in controlled release of pesticide.
AB  - An amphiphilic carboxymethyl chitosan conjugate with photolabile 2-nitrobenzyl
      side groups (NBS-CMCS) was synthesized, which could self-assemble into polymeric
      micelles in aqueous condition following by adding dropwise dialdehyde to form a
      cross-linking structure. TEM and (1)H NMR confirmed that the cross-linked
      micelles had a core-shell configuration with an average diameter of 140 +/- 5.5
      nm. DLS and TEM observations showed that the cross-linked micelles were stable in
      aqueous solution at pH 7.0 without light irradiation, while they could transfer
      into nanocapsules upon exposure to 365 nm UV light. Diuron, a photosynthetic
      inhibitor, was encapsulated in the cross-linked micelles reaching encapsulation
      efficiency as much as 91.9%. No release of the encapsulated diuron was detected
      without light, whereas a release rate as high as 96.8% over 8h at pH 7.0 buffer
      was observed under solar stimulated irradiation, indicating that the cross-linked
      micelles may be used as a photo-controlled sustained release carrier for the
      delivery of photosynthetic inhibitor.

PMID- 26256379
TI  - Isolation of barley hulls and straw constituents and study of emulsifying
      properties of their arabinoxylans.
AB  - Both barley hulls and straw contain valuable arabinoxylans and other useful
      carbohydrate and non-carbohydrate components. The functional water soluble non
      caloric arabinoxylan (hemicellulose B) fraction was isolated from hot water
      extracted and de-starched barley hulls and straws by an alkaline hydrogen
      peroxide extraction followed by ethanol precipitation. Barley hulls contained
      comparatively more Hemi. B (20.51%) than barley straws (7.41 to 12.94%). The
      sugar composition of Hemi. B showed that they were typical arabinoxylans
      containing (in addition to arabinose and xylose) some galactose, glucose and
      acidic sugars in the side chains. The hemicellulose B fractions from barley
      straws were superior oil-in-water emulsifiers than those from barley hulls. These
      Hemi. B fractions contain protein, which contributes to their emulsions
      stabilizing property. 

PMID- 26256380
TI  - Chitosan/pectin polyelectrolyte complex as a pH indicator.
AB  - A polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) matrix formed between chitosan and pectin was
      developed to entrap a bioactive compound (anthocyanin), obtaining an useful pH
      indicator device. Polysaccharides of opposite charges such as chitosan and pectin
      can have a very strong intermolecular interaction. The innovation lies in
      obtaining a new system based on natural and biodegradable compounds, which is
      simple to manufacture, to indicate variation in pH by visual changes in colour.
      This device has potential applications in food packaging. The PEC was studied
      using chitosan and pectin solutions at different pHs values (3.0, 4.0, 5.0 and
      5.5) and pectin/chitosan molar ratios (1.0 to 10/1.0 to 5.0). PEC films were
      homogeneous and showed the highest yield (60.0%) at pH 5.5. Diffusion tests
      indicated efficient bioactive compound entrapment in the PEC matrix.
      Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier
      transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy indicate the compatibility between the
      polymers and bioactive compound. 

PMID- 26256381
TI  - Rhamnogalacturonan I containing homogalacturonan inhibits colon cancer cell
      proliferation by decreasing ICAM1 expression.
AB  - Pectin modified with pH, heat or enzymes, has previously been shown to exhibit
      anti-cancer activity. However, the structural requirements for modified pectin
      bioactivity have rarely been addressed. In this study several pectin extracts
      representing different structural components of pectin were assessed for effects
      against colon cancer cells. Rhamnogalacturonan I (RGI) extracts reduced
      proliferation of DLD1 and HCT116 colon cancer cells in a dose- and time-dependent
      manner. RGI reduced ICAM1 gene expression and siRNA-mediated knockdown of ICAM1
      expression decreased cell proliferation providing a potential novel mechanism for
      the anti-cancer activity of pectin. Structural analysis of bioactive and non
      bioactive RGIs suggested that a homogalacturonan component is maybe essential for
      the anti-proliferative activity, furthering the understanding of the structural
      requirements for pectin bioactivity. 

PMID- 26256382
TI  - Noble metal/functionalized cellulose nanofiber composites for catalytic
      applications.
AB  - In this study, cellulose acetate nanofibers (CANFs) with a mean diameter of 325
      +/- 2.0 nm were electrospun followed by deacetylation and functionalization to
      produce anionic cellulose nanofibers (f-CNFs). The noble metal nanoparticles
      (RuNPs and AgNPs) were successfully decorated on the f-CNFs by a simple wet
      reduction method using NaBH4 as a reducing agent. TEM and SEM images of the
      nanocomposites (RuNPs/CNFs and AgNPs/CNFs) confirmed that the very fine RuNPs or
      AgNPs were homogeneously dispersed on the surface of f-CNFs. The weight
      percentage of the Ru and Ag in the nanocomposites was found to be 13.29 wt% and
      22.60 wt% respectively; as confirmed by SEM-EDS analysis. The metallic state of
      the Ru and Ag in the nanocomposites was confirmed by XPS and XRD analyses. The
      usefulness of these nanocomposites was realized from their superior catalytic
      activity. In the aerobic oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde, the
      RuNPs/CNFs system gave a better yield of 89% with 100% selectivity. Similarly,
      the AgNPs/CNFs produced an excellent yield of 99% (100% selectivity) in the aza
      Michael reaction of 1-phenylpiperazine with acrylonitrile. Mechanism has been
      proposed for the catalytic systems.

PMID- 26256383
TI  - Synthesis of amide-functionalized cellulose esters by olefin cross-metathesis.
AB  - Cellulose esters with amide functionalities were synthesized by cross-metathesis
      (CM) reaction of terminally olefinic esters with different acrylamides, catalyzed
      by Hoveyda-Grubbs 2nd generation catalyst. Chelation by amides of the catalyst
      ruthenium center caused low conversions using conventional solvents. The effects
      of both solvent and structure of acrylamide on reaction conversion were
      investigated. While the inherent tendency of acrylamides to chelate Ru is
      governed by the acrylamide N-substituents, employing acetic acid as a solvent
      significantly improved the conversion of certain acrylamides, from 50% to up to
      99%. Homogeneous hydrogenation using p-toluenesulfonyl hydrazide successfully
      eliminated the alpha,beta-unsaturation of the CM products to give stable amide
      functionalized cellulose esters. The amide-functionalized product showed higher
      Tg than its starting terminally olefinic counterpart, which may have resulted
      from strong hydrogen bonding interactions of the amide functional groups. 

PMID- 26256384
TI  - Synthesis and antioxidant properties of chitosan and carboxymethyl chitosan
      stabilized selenium nanoparticles.
AB  - Monodispersible selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) were synthesized by using chitosan
      (CS) and carboxymethyl chitosan (CCS) as the stabilizer and capping agent using a
      facile synthetic approach. The structure, size, morphology and antioxidant
      activity of the nanocomposites were characterized by transmission electron
      microscopy (TEM), Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), Dynamic Light
      Scattering (DLS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Thermogravimetric analysis
      (TGA). The results revealed that the monodispersible SeNPs (mean particle size of
      about 50 nm) were ligated with CS and CCS to form nanocomposites in aqueous
      solution for at least 30 days, and for 120 days the nanoparticles increased to
      180 nm or so in size. The DPPH scavenging ability of CS-SeNPs was higher than
      that of CCS-SeNPs, and could reach 93.5% at a concentration of 0.6 mmol/L.
      Moreover, SeNPs, CS-SeNPs and CCS-SeNPs exhibited a higher ABTS scavenging
      ability in comparison to Na2SeO3.

PMID- 26256385
TI  - Particulate structure of phytoglycogen studied using beta-amylolysis.
AB  - Phytoglycogen (PG), a dendrimer-like glucan particulate, has a much higher
      dispersed molecular density than amylopectin (AP). In this study, beta-amylase
      was used to investigate the effect of high molecular density of PG on its
      susceptibility to enzymatic hydrolysis. AP and PG reached the limit of beta
      amylolysis at 20 and 480 min, respectively, suggesting a much higher resistance
      of PG to beta-amylase. The majority of PG beta-amylolysis occurred in the initial
      2 min, followed by a slow progression that implied low accessibility of internal
      particulate portion to enzyme. The chain length profile of PG beta-limit dextrin
      showed only one population of long chains, indicating the absence of branch
      clusters with PG. At the limit of beta-amylolysis, a substantial decrease in the
      molar mass was observed for both PG and AP, whereas only a slight reduction in
      the Z-average root mean square radius was observed for PG (from 24.5 to 23.1 nm)
      compared to that of AP (from 91.1 to 69.6 nm).

PMID- 26256386
TI  - Fabrication of tethered carbon nanotubes in cellulose acetate/polyethylene glycol
      400 composite membranes for reverse osmosis.
AB  - In this study pristine multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were surface
      engineered (SE) in strong acidic medium by oxidation purification method to form
      SE-MWCNT. Five different amount of SE-MWCNT ranging from 0.1 to 0.5 wt% were
      thoroughly and uniformly dispersed in cellulose acetate/polyethylene glycol
      (CA/PEG400) polymer matrix during synthesis of membrane by dissolution casting
      method. The structural analysis, surface morphology and roughness was carried out
      by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy
      (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM), respectively, which showed that the
      dispersed SE-MWCNT was substantially tethered in CA/PEG400 polymer matrix
      membrane. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of membranes also suggested some
      improvement in thermal properties with the addition of SE-MWCNT. Finally, the
      performance of these membranes was assessed for suitability in drinking water
      treatment. The permeation flux and salt rejection were determined by using
      indigenously fabricated reverse osmosis pilot plant with 1000 ppm NaCl feed
      solution. The results showed that the tethered SE-MWCNT/CA/PEG400 polymer matrix
      membrane, with strong SE-MWCNTs/polymer matrix interaction, improved the salt
      rejection performance of the membrane with the salt rejection of 99.8% for the
      highest content of SE-MWCNT.

PMID- 26256387
TI  - Cationic amphiphilic microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) for potential use for bile
      acid sorption.
AB  - In this work, Micro-fibrillated Cellulose (MFC) was cationically modified by
      quaternary ammonium groups with different chemical structures aiming to improve
      the sorption capacity to bile acid. The in-vitro bile acid sorption was performed
      by investigating various factors, such as quaternary ammonium group content and
      length of its alkyl substituent of the modified cationic MFC (CMFC), ionic
      strength, initial concentration and hydrophobicity of bile acid. The results
      showed that the sorption behavior of the modified CMFC was strongly influenced by
      the quaternary ammonium group content and the lengths of its alkyl substituent,
      the sorption capacity for the modified CMFC with a C18 alkyl substituent, was
      approximately 50% of that of Cholestyramine. The experimental isotherm results
      were well fitted into the Temkin model. The effect of salts in the solution was
      smaller for the bile acid sorption onto the hydrophobic CMFC than the CMFC. It
      was also found that the binding capacity of CMFC was higher for more hydrophobic
      deoxycholate in comparison with cholate. 

PMID- 26256388
TI  - Tailoring chitosan/collagen scaffolds for tissue engineering: Effect of
      composition and different crosslinking agents on scaffold properties.
AB  - Chitosan/collagen (Chit/Col) blends have demonstrated great potential for use in
      tissue engineering (TE) applications. However, there exists a lack of detailed
      study on the influence of important design parameters (i.e, component ratio or
      crosslinking methods) on the essential properties of the scaffolds (morphology,
      mechanical stiffness, swelling, degradation and cytotoxicity). This work entailed
      a systematic study of these essential properties of three Chit/Col compositions,
      covering a wide range of component ratios and using different crosslinking
      methods. Our results showed the possibility of tailoring these properties by
      changing component ratios, since different interactions occurred between
      Chit/Col: samples with Chit-enriched compositions showed a hydrogen-bonding type
      complex (HC), whereas a self-crosslinking phenomenon was induced in Col-enriched
      scaffolds. Additionally, material and biological properties of the resultant
      matrices were further adjusted and tuned by changing crosslinking conditions. In
      such way, we obtained a wide range of scaffolds whose properties were tailored to
      meet specific needs of TE applications. 

PMID- 26256389
TI  - Rheological properties and thickening mechanism of aqueous diutan gum solution:
      Effects of temperature and salts.
AB  - Rheological properties of a new microbial polysaccharide, diutan gum in aqueous
      solution have been systematically investigated. It is found that molecular
      aggregates of diutan gum can be formed at a very low concentration (0.12 g/L),
      and the mechanism of thickening by diutan gum is proposed. The viscosity
      retention rate of diutan gum changes little when increasing the temperature from
      298 K to 348 K or in a high salinity solution (55.5 g L(-1)). Gel structure can
      be formed in the diutan gum solution, owing to the finding that the dynamic
      modulus has an exponential relationship with the concentration. The gel
      properties of diutan gum are not sensitive to temperature, and are virtually
      independent of cationic environment (Na(+) and Ca(2+)). The temperature/salt
      tolerance of the diutan gum solution is mainly attributed to its perfect double
      helix molecular conformation, the location of the side chains of its molecules,
      and its water retention capacity.

PMID- 26256390
TI  - Distribution of phosphorus and hydroxypropyl groups within granules of modified
      sweet potato starches as determined after chemical peeling.
AB  - The distributions of phosphorus and hydroxypropyl groups within granules of cross
      linked and hydroxypropylated sweet potato starches were investigated. Chemical
      surface peeling of starch granules was performed after sieving of native and
      modified starches into large-size (diameter >= 20 MUm) and small-size (diameter <
      20 MUm) fractions. Starch granules were surface gelatinized in a 4M calcium
      chloride solution at different levels. After the peeling step, the remaining
      starch granules were analysed for the content of phosphorus and hydroxypropyl
      groups. The phosphorus level of the parental starch gradually decreased from
      periphery to core of the granules. The increase in phosphorus content after cross
      linking in periphery was higher than that in core. The subsequent
      hydroxypropylation reaction resulted in lower phosphate levels.
      Hydroxypropylation resulted in a gradient of hydroxypropyl group concentration
      from periphery to core. Cross-linking prior to the hydroxypropylation resulted in
      lower levels of hydroxypropyl groups and less pronounced differences between
      periphery and core.

PMID- 26256391
TI  - Protective effect of a polysaccharide from Salvia miltiorrhiza on isoproterenol
      (ISO)-induced myocardial injury in rats.
AB  - In this study, we investigated the cardioprotective effect of one purified
      polysaccharide (SMP1) from Salvia miltiorrhiza on isoproterenol (ISO)-induced
      myocardial infarction (MI) in rats. ISO-treated rats showed severe myocardial
      damage and high lipid peroxidation level, as well as decreased endogenous
      myocardial antioxidant function. Pretreatment with SMP1 (100 and 400mg/kg) for 30
      days significantly increased the body weight, decreased the heart weight,
      attenuated the serum levels of creatine kinase (CK), creatine phospokinase-MB (CK
      MB), dehydrogenase (LDH), alkaline phosphate (ALP), aspartate transaminase (AST),
      alanine transaminase (ALT), total cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL-cholesterol
      (LDL-C), along with the increased concentration of HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C). In
      addition, SMP1 also enhanced myocardial superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase
      (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities and elevated myocardial
      reduced glutathione (GSH) level, along with a decrease in thiobarbituric acid
      reactive substances (TBARS) concentration. Collectively, our results indicated
      that long-term oral administration of SMP1 offered significant protection against
      the damage induced by ISO in rat heart through enhancement of endogenous
      antioxidants and antihyperlipidemic activity. 

PMID- 26256392
TI  - Reversal of Mitochondrial Transhydrogenase Causes Oxidative Stress in Heart
      Failure.
AB  - Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a central role in most aging
      related diseases. ROS are produced at the respiratory chain that demands NADH for
      electron transport and are eliminated by enzymes that require NADPH. The
      nicotinamide nucleotide transhydrogenase (Nnt) is considered a key antioxidative
      enzyme based on its ability to regenerate NADPH from NADH. Here, we show that
      pathological metabolic demand reverses the direction of the Nnt, consuming NADPH
      to support NADH and ATP production, but at the cost of NADPH-linked antioxidative
      capacity. In heart, reverse-mode Nnt is the dominant source for ROS during
      pressure overload. Due to a mutation of the Nnt gene, the inbred mouse strain
      C57BL/6J is protected from oxidative stress, heart failure, and death, making its
      use in cardiovascular research problematic. Targeting Nnt-mediated ROS with the
      tetrapeptide SS-31 rescued mortality in pressure overload-induced heart failure
      and could therefore have therapeutic potential in patients with this syndrome.

PMID- 26256393
TI  - The European Citizens' Stop Vivisection Initiative.

PMID- 26256394
TI  - The protozoan, Paramecium primaurelia, as a non-sentient model to test laser
      light irradiation: The effects of an 808nm infrared laser diode on cellular
      respiration.
AB  - Photobiomodulation (PBM) has been used in clinical practice for more than 40
      years. Unfortunately, conflicting literature has led to the labelling of PBM as a
      complementary or alternative medicine approach. However, past and ongoing
      clinical and research studies by reputable investigators have re-established the
      merits of PBM as a genuine medical therapy, and the technique has, in the last
      decade, seen an exponential increase in the numbers of clinical instruments
      available, and their applications. This resurgence has led to a clear need for
      appropriate experimental models to test the burgeoning laser technology being
      developed for medical applications. In this context, an ethical model that
      employs the protozoan, Paramecium primaurelia, is proposed. We studied the
      possibility of using the measure of oxygen consumption to test PBM by irradiation
      with an infrared or near-infrared laser. The results show that an 808nm infrared
      laser diode (1W; 64J/cm2) affects cellular respiration in P. primaurelia,
      inducing, in the irradiated cells, a significantly (p < 0.05) increased oxygen
      consumption of about 40%. Our findings indicate that Paramecium can be an
      excellent tool in biological assays involving infrared and near-infrared PBM, as
      it combines the advantages of in vivo results with the practicality of in vitro
      testing. This test represents a fast, inexpensive and straightforward assay,
      which offers an alternative to both traditional in vivo testing and more
      expensive mammalian cellular cultures.

PMID- 26256395
TI  - The Ex Vivo Eye Irritation Test as an alternative test method for serious eye
      damage/eye irritation.
AB  - Ocular irritation testing is a common requirement for the classification,
      labelling and packaging of chemicals (substances and mixtures). The in vivo
      Draize rabbit eye test (OECD Test Guideline 405) is considered to be the
      regulatory reference method for the classification of chemicals according to
      their potential to induce eye injury. In the Draize test, chemicals are applied
      to rabbit eyes in vivo, and changes are monitored over time. If no damage is
      observed, the chemical is not categorised. Otherwise, the classification depends
      on the severity and reversibility of the damage. Alternative test methods have to
      be designed to match the classifications from the in vivo reference method.
      However, observation of damage reversibility is usually not possible in vitro.
      Within the present study, a new organotypic method based on rabbit corneas
      obtained from food production is demonstrated to close this gap. The Ex Vivo Eye
      Irritation Test (EVEIT) retains the full biochemical activity of the corneal
      epithelium, epithelial stem cells and endothelium. This permits the in-depth
      analysis of ocular chemical trauma beyond that achievable by using established in
      vitro methods. In particular, the EVEIT is the first test to permit the direct
      monitoring of recovery of all corneal layers after damage. To develop a
      prediction model for the EVEIT that is comparable to the GHS system, 37 reference
      chemicals were analysed. The experimental data were used to derive a three-level
      potency ranking of eye irritation and corrosion that best fits the GHS
      categorisation. In vivo data available in the literature were used for
      comparison. When compared with GHS classification predictions, the overall
      accuracy of the three-level potency ranking was 78%. The classification of
      chemicals as irritating versus non-irritating resulted in 96% sensitivity, 91%
      specificity and 95% accuracy. 

PMID- 26256396
TI  - The EpiOcularTM Eye Irritation Test is the Method of Choice for the In Vitro Eye
      Irritation Testing of Agrochemical Formulations: Correlation Analysis of
      EpiOcular Eye Irritation Test and BCOP Test Data According to the UN GHS, US EPA
      and Brazil ANVISA Classification Schemes.
AB  - The Bovine Corneal Opacity and Permeability (BCOP) test is commonly used for the
      identification of severe ocular irritants (GHS Category 1), but it is not
      recommended for the identification of ocular irritants (GHS Category 2). The
      incorporation of human reconstructed tissue model-based tests into a tiered test
      strategy to identify ocular non-irritants and replace the Draize rabbit eye
      irritation test has been suggested (OECD TG 405). The value of the EpiOcularTM
      Eye Irritation Test (EIT) for the prediction of ocular non-irritants (GHS No
      Category) has been demonstrated, and an OECD Test Guideline (TG) was drafted in
      2014. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the BCOP test, in
      conjunction with corneal histopathology (as suggested for the evaluation of the
      depth of the injury( and/or the EpiOcular-EIT, could be used to predict the eye
      irritation potential of agrochemical formulations according to the UN GHS, US EPA
      and Brazil ANVISA classification schemes. We have assessed opacity, permeability
      and histopathology in the BCOP assay, and relative tissue viability in the
      EpiOcular-EIT, for 97 agrochemical formulations with available in vivo eye
      irritation data. By using the OECD TG 437 protocol for liquids, the BCOP test did
      not result in sufficient correct predictions of severe ocular irritants for any
      of the three classification schemes. The lack of sensitivity could be improved
      somewhat by the inclusion of corneal histopathology, but the relative viability
      in the EpiOcular-EIT clearly outperformed the BCOP test for all three
      classification schemes. The predictive capacity of the EpiOcular-EIT for ocular
      non-irritants (UN GHS No Category) for the 97 agrochemical formulations tested
      (91% sensitivity, 72% specificity and 82% accuracy for UN GHS classification) was
      comparable to that obtained in the formal validation exercise underlying the OECD
      draft TG. We therefore conclude that the EpiOcular-EIT is currently the best in
      vitro method for the prediction of the eye irritation potential of liquid
      agrochemical formulations. 

PMID- 26256397
TI  - Non-animal Replacements for Acute Toxicity Testing.
AB  - Current approaches to predicting adverse effects in humans from acute toxic
      exposure to cosmetic ingredients still heavily necessitate the use of animals
      under EU legislation, particularly in the context of the REACH system, when
      cosmetic ingredients are also destined for use in other industries. These include
      the LD50 test, the Up-and-Down Procedure and the Fixed Dose Procedure, which are
      regarded as having notable scientific deficiencies and low transferability to
      humans. By expanding on previous in vitro tests, such as the animal cell-based
      3T3 Neutral Red Uptake (NRU) assay, this project aims to develop a truly animal
      free predictive test for the acute toxicity of cosmetic ingredients in humans, by
      using human-derived cells and a prediction model that does not rely on animal
      data. The project, funded by Innovate UK, will incorporate the NRU assay with
      human dermal fibroblasts in animal product-free culture, to generate an in vitro
      protocol that can be validated as an accepted replacement for the currently
      available in vivo tests. To date, the project has successfully completed an
      assessment of the robustness and reproducibility of the method, by using sodium
      lauryl sulphate (SLS) as a positive control, and displaying analogous results to
      those of the original studies with mouse 3T3 cells. Currently, the testing of
      five known ingredients from key groups (a surfactant, a preservative, a
      fragrance, a colour and an emulsifier) is under way. The testing consists of
      initial range-finding runs followed by three valid runs of a main experiment with
      the appropriate concentration ranges, to generate IC50 values. Expanded blind
      trials of 20 ingredients will follow. Early results indicate that this human cell
      based test holds the potential to replace aspects of in vivo animal acute
      toxicity testing, particularly with reference to cosmetic ingredients. 

PMID- 26256398
TI  - Single Housing of Primates in US Laboratories: A Growing Problem with Shrinking
      Transparency.

PMID- 26256399
TI  - In Vitro Models to Mimic the Endothelial Barrier.

PMID- 26256400
TI  - 17. The Choice of Procedures.

PMID- 26256401
TI  - Wavelet formulation of the polarizable continuum model. II. Use of piecewise
      bilinear boundary elements.
AB  - The simplicity of dielectric continuum models has made them a standard tool in
      almost any Quantum Chemistry (QC) package. Despite being intuitive from a
      physical point of view, the actual electrostatic problem at the cavity boundary
      is challenging: the underlying boundary integral equations depend on singular,
      long-range operators. The parametrization of the cavity boundary should be
      molecular-shaped, smooth and differentiable. Even the most advanced
      implementations, based on the integral equation formulation (IEF) of the
      polarizable continuum model (PCM), generally lead to working equations which do
      not guarantee convergence to the exact solution and/or might become numerically
      unstable in the limit of large refinement of the molecular cavity (small
      tesserae). This is because they generally make use of a surface parametrization
      with cusps (interlocking spheres) and employ collocation methods for the
      discretization (point charges). Wavelets on a smooth cavity are an attractive
      alternative to consider: for the operators involved, they lead to highly sparse
      matrices and precise error control. Moreover, by making use of a bilinear basis
      for the representation of operators and functions on the cavity boundary, all
      equations can be differentiated to enable the computation of geometrical
      derivatives. In this contribution, we present our implementation of the IEFPCM
      with bilinear wavelets on a smooth cavity boundary. The implementation has been
      carried out in our module PCMSolver and interfaced with LSDalton, demonstrating
      the accuracy of the method both for the electrostatic solvation energy and for
      linear response properties. In addition, the implementation in a module makes our
      framework readily available to any QC software with minimal effort. 

PMID- 26256402
TI  - Stigma, discrimination and HIV outcomes among people living with HIV in Rio de
      Janeiro, Brazil: The intersection of multiple social inequalities.
AB  - Limited research has examined the social context surrounding stigma and
      discrimination and HIV outcomes among people living with HIV (PLHIV). We surveyed
      900 PLHIV in Brazil and examined the relationship between stigma, discrimination
      and HIV outcomes utilising multivariable logistic regression. HIV stigma and
      discrimination were inversely associated with age (AOR Stigma 0.65, 95% CI 0.49
      0.88; AOR Discrimination 0.72, 95% CI 0.54-0.95) and income (AOR Stigma 0.74, 95%
      CI 0.55-0.99; AOR Discrimination 0.62, 95% CI 0.46-0.82). Stigma was inversely
      associated with education (AOR 0.71, 95% CI 0.52-0.96) and no history of sex work
      (AOR 0.56, 95% CI 0.35-0.90), and positively associated with having children (AOR
      1.71, 95% CI 1.18-2.48). Discrimination was inversely associated with no history
      of drug use (AOR 0.63, 95% CI 0.42-0.95). Stigma and discrimination were found to
      be inversely associated with overall health (AOR Stigma 0.54, 95% CI 0.40-0.74;
      AOR Discrimination 0.71, 95% CI 0.52-0.97). Discrimination was associated with
      having a sexually transmitted infection since HIV diagnosis (AOR 1.63, 95% CI
      1.14-2.32). Findings suggest that future interventions should address multiple
      social inequalities faced by PLHIV to reduce HIV stigma and discrimination and
      improve health and HIV outcomes.

PMID- 26256403
TI  - Discovery and structural optimization of 1-phenyl-3-(1-phenylethyl)urea
      derivatives as novel inhibitors of CRAC channel.
AB  - AIM: Ca(2+)-release-activated Ca(2+) (CRAC) channel, a subfamily of store
      operated channels, is formed by calcium release-activated calcium modulator 1
      (ORAI1), and gated by stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1). CRAC channel may be
      a novel target for the treatment of immune disorders and allergy. The aim of this
      study was to identify novel small molecule CRAC channel inhibitors. METHODS:
      HEK293 cells stably co-expressing both ORAI1 and STIM1 were used for high
      throughput screening. A hit, 1-phenyl-3-(1-phenylethyl)urea, was identified that
      inhibited CRAC channels by targeting ORAI1. Five series of its derivatives were
      designed and synthesized, and their primary structure-activity relationships
      (SARs) were analyzed. All derivatives were assessed for their effects on Ca(2+)
      influx through CRAC channels on HEK293 cells, cytotoxicity in Jurkat cells, and
      IL-2 production in Jurkat cells expressing ORAI1-SS-eGFP. RESULTS: A total of 19
      hits were discovered in libraries containing 32 000 compounds using the high
      throughput screening. 1-Phenyl-3-(1-phenylethyl)urea inhibited Ca(2+) influx with
      IC50 of 3.25+/-0.17 MUmol/L. SAR study on its derivatives showed that the alkyl
      substituent on the alpha-position of the left-side benzylic amine (R1) was
      essential for Ca(2+) influx inhibition and that the S-configuration was better
      than the R-configuration. The derivatives in which the right-side R3 was
      substituted by an electron-donating group showed more potent inhibitory activity
      than those that were substituted by electron-withdrawing groups. Furthermore, the
      free N-H of urea was not necessary to maintain the high potency of Ca(2+) influx
      inhibition. The N,N'-disubstituted or N'-substituted derivatives showed
      relatively low cytotoxicity but maintained the ability to inhibit IL-2
      production. Among them, compound 5b showed an improved inhibition of IL-2
      production and low cytotoxicity. CONCLUSION: 1-Phenyl-3-(1-phenylethyl)urea is a
      novel CRAC channel inhibitor that specifically targets ORAI1. This study provides
      a new chemical scaffold for design and development of CRAC channel inhibitors
      with improved Ca(2+) influx inhibition, immune inhibition and low cytotoxicity.

PMID- 26256404
TI  - Enhancement of cellular uptake, transport and oral absorption of protease
      inhibitor saquinavir by nanocrystal formulation.
AB  - AIM: Saquinavir (SQV) is the first protease inhibitor for the treatment of HIV
      infection, but with poor solubility. The aim of this study was to prepare a
      colloidal nanocrystal suspension for improving the oral absorption of SQV.
      METHODS: SQV nanocrystals were prepared using anti-solvent precipitation-high
      pressure homogenization method. The nanocrystals were characterized by a
      Zetasizer and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Their dissolution, cellular
      uptake and transport across the human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line (Caco
      2) monolayer were investigated. Bioimaging of ex vivo intestinal sections of rats
      was conducted with confocal laser scanning microscopy. Pharmacokinetic analysis
      was performed in rats administered nanocrystal SQV suspension (50 mg/kg, ig), and
      the plasma SQV concentrations were measured with HPLC. RESULTS: The SQV
      nanocrystals were approximately 200 nm in diameter, with a uniform size
      distribution. The nanocrystals had a rod-like shape under TEM. The dissolution,
      cellular uptake, and transport across a Caco-2 monolayer of the nanocrystal
      formulation were significantly improved compared to those of the coarse crystals.
      The ex vivo intestinal section study revealed that the fluorescently labeled
      nanocrystals were located in the lamina propria and the epithelium of the
      duodenum and jejunum. Pharmacokinetic study showed that the maximal plasma
      concentration (Cmax) was 2.16-fold of that for coarse crystalline SQV suspension,
      whereas the area under the curve (AUC) of nanocrystal SQV suspension was 1.95
      fold of that for coarse crystalline SQV suspension. CONCLUSION: The nanocrystal
      drug delivery system significantly improves the oral absorption of saquinavir.

PMID- 26256405
TI  - Cardiorespiratory and anesthetic effects produced by the combination of
      butorphanol, medetomidine and alfaxalone administered intramuscularly in Beagle
      dogs.
AB  - This study evaluated anesthesia quality, degree of analgesia and
      cardiorespiratory parameters after intramuscular (IM) injection of a combination
      of butorphanol (0.1 mg/kg), medetomidine (10 ug/kg) and alfaxalone (1.5 mg/kg) in
      ten healthy adult Beagle dogs. Rectal temperature (T), heart rate (HR),
      respiratory rate (fR), arterial pressure, arterial blood gases and M-mode
      echocardiographic left ventricular (LV) indices were measured before drug
      administration and every 10 min thereafter until extubation. Mean duration of
      anesthesia, recovery and analgesia were 89 +/- 17, 6 +/- 1 and 80 +/- 12 min. HR,
      fR, partial pressure of arterial CO2 and O2, arterial pressure, and LV
      contractility were significantly altered during anesthesia. IM administration of
      the drug combination provided acceptable anesthesia, but produced substantial
      cardiorespiratory suppression. 

PMID- 26256406
TI  - Cardiac ganglioneuroma in a juvenile pig.
AB  - A cardiac mass (3 * 5 * 3 cm) was detected at the base between the right
      auricular wall and right vena cava of a slaughtered 6-month-old female mixed
      breed pig during a meat inspection. The tumor comprised infiltrative prominent
      interweaving fascicles of Schwann cells with Verocay bodies. Moreover, the
      ganglion cells were scattered or aggregated throughout the neoplastic tissue. The
      ganglion and Schwann cells had neither cellular atypism nor mitosis. On the basis
      of the bearing site as well as the morphological and immunohistochemical
      features, this is the first case of a cardiac ganglioneuroma in a pig. 

PMID- 26256407
TI  - Electronic and Chemical Properties of Donor, Acceptor Centers in Graphene.
AB  - Chemical doping is one of the most suitable ways of tuning the electronic
      properties of graphene and a promising candidate for a band gap opening. In this
      work we report a reliable and tunable method for preparation of high-quality
      boron and nitrogen co-doped graphene on silicon carbide substrate. We combine
      experimental (dAFM, STM, XPS, NEXAFS) and theoretical (total energy DFT and
      simulated STM) studies to analyze the structural, chemical, and electronic
      properties of the single-atom substitutional dopants in graphene. We show that
      chemical identification of boron and nitrogen substitutional defects can be
      achieved in the STM channel due to the quantum interference effect, arising due
      to the specific electronic structure of nitrogen dopant sites. Chemical
      reactivity of single boron and nitrogen dopants is analyzed using force-distance
      spectroscopy by means of dAFM. 

PMID- 26256408
TI  - 17beta-Estradiol in the systemic circulation derives mainly from the parietal
      cells in cholestatic female rats.
AB  - PURPOSE: Estrogenic symptoms of liver disease patients including biliary tract
      disorder with high frequency is observed in clinical cases. However, the origin
      of 17beta-estradiol which is abundant enough to cause symptoms remains uncertain.
      In male rats, it has been reported that the parietal cells which have an
      abundance of aromatase-synthesized 17beta-estradiol, and a part of 17beta
      estradiol secreted into the portal vein, may flow into the systemic circulation
      under a pathophysiological condition of the liver including bile duct ligation
      (BDL). The aim of this study is to reveal the origin of 17beta-estradiol
      increment in female rats and to investigate the effect of BDL on the ovary during
      the estrus cycle. METHODS: Wistar female rats were used, and the common bile duct
      was ligated twice and transected completely at 7 days before termination. Serum
      portal venous and arterial 17beta-estradiol levels, Cyp19a1 expressions,
      aromatase protein levels, and estrogen receptor (ER) alpha levels in the liver
      were measured during the estrus cycle. RESULTS: Both arterial and portal venous
      17beta-estradiol levels increased 2.9 times at proestrus and maintained constant
      levels during the cycle. The expression of Cyp19a1 and aromatase protein in the
      stomach maintained constant levels, and significantly decreased during the estrus
      cycle in the ovary. Hepatic ERalpha protein and Esr1 expressions decrease by BDL
      in all stages. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the increment of serum
      17beta-estradiol levels in obstructive cholestasis induced by BDL is derived from
      17beta-estradiol secreted from the parietal cells in females as well as males.

PMID- 26256409
TI  - Formation of Cucurbit[8]uril-Based Supramolecular Hydrogel Beads Using Droplet
      Based Microfluidics.
AB  - Herein we describe the use of microdroplets as templates for the fabrication of
      uniform-sized supramolecular hydrogel beads, assembled by supramolecular cross
      linking of functional biopolymers with the macrocyclic host molecule,
      cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8]). The microdroplets were formed containing diluted
      hydrogel precursors in solution, including the functional polymers and CB[8], in
      a microfluidic device. Subsequent evaporation of water from collected
      microdroplets concentrated the contents, driving the formation of the CB[8]
      mediated host-guest ternary complex interactions and leading to the assembly of
      condensed three-dimensional polymeric scaffolds. Rehydration of the dried
      particles gave monodisperse hydrogel beads. Their equilibrium size was shown to
      be dependent on both the quantity of material loaded and the dimensions of the
      microfluidic flow focus. Fluorescein-labeled dextran was used to evaluate the
      efficacy of the hydrogel beads as a vector for controlled cargo release. Both
      passive, sustained release (hours) and triggered, fast release (minutes) of the
      FITC-dextran was observed, with the rate of sustained release dependent on the
      formulation. The kinetics of release was fitted to the Ritger-Peppas controlled
      release equation and shown to follow an anomalous (non-Fickian) transport
      mechanism. 

PMID- 26256410
TI  - Elusive 2H-1,2-oxasiletes through reactions of an isolable dialkylsilylene with
      diazocarbonyl compounds.
AB  - The reactions of isolable dialkysilylene 1 with 2-diazo-1,2-diphenylethanone and
      ethyl 2-diazo-2-phenylacetate gave elusive silacycles, 2H-1,2-oxasiletes 2 and 3,
      respectively, in high yields. Because these reactions occur at low temperatures
      of ca.-30  degrees C, initial complexation of the silylene to the carbonyl oxygen
      of the diazocarbonyl compounds is suggested to trigger dinitrogen elimination
      followed by cyclization. In contrast, a six-membered cyclic diazo compound 8 and
      1-sila-2,3-diazabicyclo[3.3.0]oct-3-ene 10 were obtained in good yields by the
      reaction of 1 with less reactive ethyl 2-diazo-3-oxo-3-phenylpropanoate 7 and
      trimethylsilyldiazomethane 9. Molecular structures of 2, 3, 8 and 10 were
      determined by X-ray crystallography. 

PMID- 26256411
TI  - 'The patient': at the center of patient-reported outcomes.
AB  - The recent emphasis of including patient reports in their own care management is
      reviewed in terms of the factors that contributed to its popularity. The role
      change of patients as being active participants in their own care as a result of
      the rising consumerism and advocacy has led to increased pressures for including
      patients in the therapeutic decision-making process. As consumers of clinical
      services, their perspectives and attitudes towards health and illness acquired
      more importance. The rising cost of healthcare has added another dimension in
      cost containment by empowering patients and sharing responsibility in their
      recovery, which hopefully can improve outcomes. Challenges in the development and
      implementation of patient-reported outcomes in psychiatry are reviewed and
      include the still unresolved subjective/objective dichotomy, identification of
      the most appropriate and relevant patient-reported outcomes. Few outcomes are
      identified and include: subjective tolerability of medication, self-reported
      health-related quality of life, preferences, patients' attitudes towards health
      and illness, satisfaction with medication and overall satisfaction of quality of
      care, and functional state, with particular focus on social functioning.

PMID- 26256412
TI  - The cost-effectiveness of novel direct acting antiviral agent therapies for the
      treatment of chronic hepatitis C.
AB  - In the USA, over 3 million individuals are infected with the HCV and 75-85% of
      them have or will develop chronic hepatitis C (CHC) which can lead to serious
      consequences such as liver cirrhosis, cancer and death. The old standard of care
      for the treatment of CHC was Pegylated-Interferon + Ribavirin with or without a
      protease inhibitor such as Boceprevir/Telaprevir. These treatments had a cure
      rate or rate of sustained virologic response of 66-80%. Since the close of 2013,
      several new direct acting antiviral agents (DAAs) for the treatment of CHC have
      been approved by the US FDA and have entered the US drug market. These novel CHC
      treatments boast very high cure rates of 80-100% and come with matching high
      price tags. Costs of CHC regimens that contain these novel DAAs range from
      $63,000 to $168,000 per treatment course. Using electronic databases, studies
      evaluating the cost-effectiveness of novel CHC treatments in USA were reviewed,
      and the reported incremental cost-effectiveness ratios based on cost per
      additional quality adjusted life year gained from the studies reviewed indicated
      that some novel DAA regimens are cost-effective; however, cost-effectiveness is
      contingent upon a variety of factors such as HCV genotype (1-4), presence of
      liver cirrhosis, patient treatment history and willingness-to-pay thresholds.

PMID- 26256414
TI  - Greater serum carotenoid levels associated with lower prevalence of nonalcoholic
      fatty liver disease in Chinese adults.
AB  - Previous studies have suggested that serum carotenoids may be inversely
      associated with liver injury, but limited data are available from population
      based studies. We examined the relationship between serum carotenoid levels and
      the prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in Chinese adults. A
      total of 2935 participants aged 40-75 years were involved in this community-based
      cross-sectional study. General information, lifestyle factors, serum levels of
      carotenoid and the presence and degree of NAFLD were determined. After adjusting
      for potential covariates, we observed a dose-dependent inverse association
      between NAFLD risk and each individual serum carotenoid and total carotenoids
      (all p-values < 0.001). The ORs of NAFLD for the highest (vs. lowest) quartile
      were 0.44 (95% CI 0.35, 0.56) for alpha-carotene, 0.32 (95% CI 0.25, 0.41) for
      beta-carotene, 0.62 (95% CI 0.49, 0.79) for beta-cryptoxanthin, 0.54 (95% CI
      0.42, 0.68) for lycopene, 0.56 (95% CI 0.44, 0.72) for lutein + zeaxanthin and
      0.41 (95% CI 0.32, 0.53) for total carotenoids. Higher levels of alpha-carotene,
      beta-carotene, lutein + zeaxanthin and total carotenoids were significantly
      associated with a decrease in the degree of NAFLD (p-trend: < 0.001 to 0.003).
      Serum carotenoids are inversely associated with prevalence of NAFLD in middle
      aged and elderly Chinese.

PMID- 26256415
TI  - Self-propelled worm-like filaments: spontaneous spiral formation, structure, and
      dynamics.
AB  - Worm-like filaments that are propelled homogeneously along their tangent vector
      are studied by Brownian dynamics simulations. Systems in two dimensions are
      investigated, corresponding to filaments adsorbed to interfaces or surfaces. A
      large parameter space covering weak and strong propulsion, as well as flexible
      and stiff filaments is explored. For strongly propelled and flexible filaments,
      the free-swimming filaments spontaneously form stable spirals. The propulsion
      force has a strong impact on dynamic properties, such as the rotational and
      translational mean square displacement and the rate of conformational sampling.
      In particular, when the active self-propulsion dominates thermal diffusion, but
      is too weak for spiral formation, the rotational diffusion coefficient has an
      activity-induced contribution given by v(c)/xi(P), where v(c) is the contour
      velocity and xi(P) the persistence length. In contrast, structural properties are
      hardly affected by the activity of the system, as long as no spirals form. The
      model mimics common features of biological systems, such as microtubules and
      actin filaments on motility assays or slender bacteria, and artificially designed
      microswimmers.

PMID- 26256416
TI  - Mas receptor overexpression increased Ang-(1-7) relaxation response in
      renovascular hypertensive rat carotid.
AB  - Renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is an important factor in the pathophysiology of
      hypertension. Mas receptor, Angiotensin-(1-7) [Ang-(1-7)]-activated receptor, is
      an important RAS component and exerts protective effects in the vasculature. Ang
      (1-7) vascular effects and Mas receptor expression in carotid from renovascular
      hypertensive (2K-1C) rats is not clear. In the present study we investigated Mas
      receptor vasodilator response activated by Ang-(1-7) in the carotid rings from
      sham and 2K-1C rats. Changes in isometric tension were recorded on organ chamber.
      Mas receptors expression was investigated in carotid by Western blot. Nitric
      oxide production was evaluated by 2,3-diaminonaphthalene (DAN) and eNOS
      expression and activity by immunofluoresce and western blot, respectively. Ang-(1
      7) induced concentration-dependent vasodilator effect in carotid rings from sham
      and 2K-1C, which the hypertension increased vasodilatation response. In the 2K-1C
      carotid rings, A-779 (Mas receptor antagonist) reduced but not abolish the
      vasodilator effect of Ang-(1-7). Corroborating, Mas receptor protein expression
      was significantly increased in the 2K-1C rats. L-NAME and ibuprofen decreased Ang
      (1-7) vasodilator response and L-NAME plus ibuprofen practically abolish the
      remaining vasodilatation response. Nitric oxide production is increased due
      increased of eNOS expression and pSer(1177) activity. Our results demonstrated
      that renovascular hypertension increased Mas receptors expression and nitric
      oxide production in the rats carotid which, consequently increased Ang-(1-7)
      vasorelaxant response. 

PMID- 26256417
TI  - Pyrosequencing for rapid detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis second-line
      drugs and ethambutol resistance.
AB  - The aim of this work was to study the diagnostic accuracy of pyrosequencing to
      detect resistance to fluoroquinolones, kanamycin, amikacin, capreomycin, and
      ethambutol (EMB) in Mycobacterium tuberculosis clinical strains. One hundred four
      clinical isolates previously characterized by BACTEC 460TB/MGIT 960 were
      included. Specific mutations were targeted in gyrA, rrs, eis promoter, and embB.
      When there was a discordant result between BACTEC and pyrosequencing, Genotype
      MTBDRsl (Hain Lifescience, Nehren, Germany) was performed. Sensitivity and
      specificity of pyrosequencing were 70.6% and 100%, respectively, for
      fluoroquinolones; 93.3% and 81.7%, respectively, for kanamycin; 94.1% and 95.9%,
      respectively, for amikacin; 90.0% and 100%, respectively, for capreomycin; and
      64.8% and 87.8%, respectively, for EMB. This study shows that pyrosequencing may
      be a useful tool for making early decisions regarding second-line drugs and EMB
      resistance. However, for a correct management of patients with suspected
      extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis, susceptibility results obtained by
      molecular methods should be confirmed by a phenotypic method. 

PMID- 26256418
TI  - Early detection with the beta-LACTATM test of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase
      producing Enterobacteriaceae in blood cultures.
AB  - Effective antibiotic therapy is crucial for the outcome of septic patients and
      requires early diagnosis of beta-lactam resistance in cases of Gram-negative
      bacteremia. Here, we report high sensitivity of the beta-LACTATM test in rapid
      detection of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in
      blood cultures positive for Gram-negative bacilli. 

PMID- 26256419
TI  - How is the Xpert MRSA Gen 3 assay (Cepheid) performing on pooled eSwab medium?
AB  - The performance of the Xpert MRSA Gen 3 was compared to the Xpert MRSA on pooled
      eSwab media from nose, throat, and perineum using broth enriched cultured as gold
      standard. A lower specificity was found for the Xpert MRSA Gen 3 compared to the
      Xpert MRSA (91.8% versus 97.9%; P<0.05). 

PMID- 26256420
TI  - Phosphodiesterase 10A inhibitor, MP-10 (PF-2545920), produces greater induction
      of c-Fos in dopamine D2 neurons than in D1 neurons in the neostriatum.
AB  - Studies described here tested the hypothesis that phosphodiesterase 10A
      inhibition by a selective antagonist, MP-10, activates the dopamine D2 receptor
      expressing medium spiny neurons to a greater extent than the D1 receptor
      expressing neurons. We used regional pattern of c-Fos induction in the
      neostriatal subregions of rodents and direct assessment of D1-positive and 
      negative neurons in the DRd1a-tdTomato mice for the purpose. MP-10 (1, 3, 10 or
      30 mg/kg, PO) dose-dependently increased c-Fos immunopositive nuclei in all
      regions of neostriatum. However, the effect was statistically greater in the
      dorsolateral striatum, a region known to be activated preferentially by the D2
      antagonism, than the D1-activated dorsomedial striatum. The D2 antagonist,
      haloperidol (0.3, 1, or 3 mg/kg, PO) produced an identical, regional pattern of c
      Fos induction favoring the dorsolateral striatum of the rat. In contrast, the D1
      agonist, SKF82958 (0.5, 1, or 2 mg/kg, PO), induced greater expression of c-Fos
      in the dorsomedial striatum. The C57Bl/6 mouse also showed regionally
      preferential c-Fos activation by haloperidol (2 mg/kg, IP) and SKF82858 (3 mg/kg,
      IP). In the Drd1a-tdTomato mice, MP-10 (3 or 10 mg/kg, IP) increased c-Fos
      immunoreactivity in both types of neurons, the induction was greater in the D1
      negative neurons. Taken together, both the regional pattern of c-Fos induction in
      the striatal sub-regions and the greater induction of c-Fos in the D1-negative
      neurons indicate that PDE10A inhibition produces a small but significantly
      greater activation of the D2-containing striatopallidal pathway. 

PMID- 26256421
TI  - The protective effects and underlying mechanism of an anti-oligomeric Abeta42
      single-chain variable fragment antibody.
AB  - Oligomeric Abeta42 aggregates have been identified as one of the major neurotoxic
      components of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Immunotherapy targeted against these
      Abeta42 aggregates has been proposed as an appropriate therapeutic approach for
      the treatment of AD. Here, we report an anti-oligomeric Abeta42 single-chain
      variable fragment (scFv) antibody, named MO6, obtained from the human antibody
      library of a healthy donor. ScFv MO6 specifically recognized and bound to the
      oligomeric Abeta42 (Abeta42 oligomers and immature protofibrils; 18-37 kDa), and
      reduced their levels mainly by blocking their formation, although scFv MO6 also
      induced disaggregation of Abeta42 aggregates. More importantly, scFv MO6
      ameliorated or attenuated Abeta42-induced cytotoxicity and increased cell
      viability by up to 33%. Furthermore, scFv MO6 efficiently passed through an in
      vitro blood-brain barrier (BBB) model with a delivery efficiency of 66% after 60
      min post-administration. ScFv MO6 is a monovalent antibody with an affinity
      constant (KD) of 5.2*10(-6) M for Abeta42 oligomers. Molecular docking
      simulations of Abeta42 to scFv MO6 revealed that the approach and specific
      binding of scFv MO6 to oligomeric Abeta42 aggregates was achieved by
      conformational recognition and directed induction, which resulted in a more
      dynamic adaptation of Abeta42 to scFv MO6, occurring mainly in the N-terminal (3
      4), middle (12-19) and C-terminal (34-42) regions of Abeta42. This binding mode
      of scFv MO6 to Abeta42 explains its protective effects against oligomeric
      Abeta42. Our findings may be applied for the design of a smaller antibody
      specific for Abeta42 oligermers.

PMID- 26256423
TI  - Purinergic neurone-glia signalling in cognitive-related pathologies.
AB  - Neuroglia, represented by astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, NG glia and microglia are
      homeostatic, myelinating and defensive cells of the brain. Neuroglial cells
      express various combinations of purinoceptors, which contribute to multiple
      intercellular signalling pathways in the healthy and diseased nervous system.
      Neurological diseases are invariably associated with profound neuroglial
      remodelling, which is manifest by reactive gliosis, pathological remodelling and
      functional atrophy of various types of glial cells. Gliopathology is disease and
      region specific and produces multiple glial phenotypes that may be
      neuroprotective or neurotoxic. In this review we summarise recent knowledge on
      the role of glial purinergic signalling in cognitive-related neurological
      diseases. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Purines in
      Neurodegeneration and Neuroregeneration'.

PMID- 26256422
TI  - Ketogenic diet prevents epileptogenesis and disease progression in adult mice and
      rats.
AB  - Epilepsy is a highly prevalent seizure disorder which tends to progress in
      severity and become refractory to treatment. Yet no therapy is proven to halt
      disease progression or to prevent the development of epilepsy. Because a high fat
      low carbohydrate ketogenic diet (KD) augments adenosine signaling in the brain
      and because adenosine not only suppresses seizures but also affects
      epileptogenesis, we hypothesized that a ketogenic diet might prevent
      epileptogenesis through similar mechanisms. Here, we tested this hypothesis in
      two independent rodent models of epileptogenesis. Using a pentylenetetrazole
      kindling paradigm in mice, we first show that a KD, but not a conventional
      antiepileptic drug (valproic acid), suppressed kindling-epileptogenesis.
      Importantly, after treatment reversal, increased seizure thresholds were
      maintained in those animals kindled in the presence of a KD, but not in those
      kindled in the presence of valproic acid. Next, we tested whether a KD can halt
      disease progression in a clinically relevant model of progressive epilepsy.
      Epileptic rats that developed spontaneous recurrent seizures after a pilocarpine
      induced status epilepticus were treated with a KD or control diet (CD). Whereas
      seizures progressed in severity and frequency in the CD-fed animals, KD-fed
      animals showed a prolonged reduction of seizures, which persisted after diet
      reversal. KD-treatment was associated with increased adenosine and decreased DNA
      methylation, the latter being maintained after diet discontinuation. Our findings
      demonstrate that a KD prevented disease progression in two mechanistically
      different models of epilepsy, and suggest an epigenetic mechanism underlying the
      therapeutic effects. 

PMID- 26256424
TI  - Novel phenanthroline-diaryldiazadiene ligands with heteroditopic coordination
      spheres.
AB  - 1,10-Phenanthroline-5,6-diaryldiazadienes are key structures for the development
      of novel heterodinuclear photocatalysts and for the construction of extended
      heterocycles of potential biological use. Herein, the first examples of this
      compound family are presented together with a wide range of initial reactivity
      studies. Synthetic strategies are presented to access the two first derivatives
      of the ligand and to accomplish subsequent metal coordination to the
      phenanthroline sphere. 

PMID- 26256425
TI  - The secreted fructose 1,6-bisphosphate aldolase as a broad spectrum vaccine
      candidate against pathogenic bacteria in aquaculture.
AB  - The development of aquaculture has been hampered by different aquatic pathogens
      that can cause edwardsiellosis, vibriosis, or other diseases. Therefore,
      developing a broad spectrum vaccine against different fish diseases is necessary.
      In this study, fructose 1,6-bisphosphate aldolase (FBA), a conserved enzyme in
      the glycolytic pathway, was demonstrated to be located in the non-cytoplasmic
      components of five aquatic pathogenic bacteria and exhibited remarkable
      protection and cross-protection against these pathogens in turbot and zebrafish.
      Further analysis revealed that sera sampled from vaccinated turbot had a high
      level of specific antibody and bactericidal activity against these pathogens.
      Meanwhile, the increased expressions of immune response-related genes associated
      with antigen recognition and presentation indicated that the adaptive immune
      response was effectively aroused. Taken together, our results suggest that FBA
      can be utilized as a broad-spectrum vaccine against various pathogenic bacteria
      of aquaculture in the future.

PMID- 26256426
TI  - Raman micro-spectroscopy study of living SH-SY5Y cells adhering on different
      substrates.
AB  - In this paper we test the ability of Raman micro-spectroscopy and Raman mapping
      to investigate the status of cells grown in adhesion on different substrates. The
      spectra of immortalized SH-SY5Y cells, grown on silicon and on metallic
      substrates are compared with those obtained for the same type of cells adhering
      on organic polyaniline (PANI), a memristive substrate chosen to achieve a living
      bio-hybrid system. Raman spectra give information on the status of the single
      cell, its local biochemical composition, and on the modifications induced by the
      substrate interaction. The good agreement between Raman spectra collected from
      cells adhering on different substrates confirms that the PANI, besides allowing
      the cell growth, doesn't strongly affect the general biochemical properties of
      the cell. The investigation of the cellular state in a label free condition is
      challenging and the obtained results confirm the Raman ability to achieve this
      information. 

PMID- 26256427
TI  - Different roles of the medial and lateral hamstrings in unloading the anterior
      cruciate ligament.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Anterior cruciate ligament injuries are closely associated with
      excessive loading and motion about the off axes of the knee, i.e. tibial rotation
      and knee varus/valgus. However, it is not clear about the 3-D mechanical actions
      of the lateral and medial hamstring muscles and their differences in loading the
      ACL. The purpose of this study was to investigate the change in anterior cruciate
      ligament strain induced by loading the lateral and medial hamstrings
      individually. METHODS: Seven cadaveric knees were investigated using a custom
      testing apparatus allowing for six degree-of-freedom tibiofemoral motion induced
      by individual muscle loading. With major muscles crossing the knee loaded
      moderately, the medial and lateral hamstrings were loaded independently to 200N
      along their lines of actions at 0 degrees , 30 degrees , 60 degrees  and 90
      degrees  of knee flexion. The induced strain of the anterior cruciate ligament
      was measured using a differential variable reluctance transducer. Tibiofemoral
      kinematics was monitored using a six degrees-of-freedom knee goniometer. RESULTS:
      Loading the lateral hamstrings induced significantly more anterior cruciate
      ligament strain reduction (mean 0.764 [SD 0.63] %) than loading the medial
      hamstrings (mean 0.007 [0.2] %), (P=0.001 and effect size=0.837) across the knee
      flexion angles. CONCLUSION: The lateral and medial hamstrings have significantly
      different effects on anterior cruciate ligament loadings. More effective
      rehabilitation and training strategies may be developed to strengthen the lateral
      and medial hamstrings selectively and differentially to reduce anterior cruciate
      ligament injury and improve post-injury rehabilitation. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The
      lateral and medial hamstrings can potentially be strengthened selectively and
      differentially as a more focused rehabilitation approach to reduce ACL injury and
      improve post-injury rehabilitation. Different ACL reconstruction procedures with
      some of them involving the medial hamstrings can be compared to each other for
      their effect on ACL loading.

PMID- 26256428
TI  - Rosacea is associated with chronic systemic diseases in a skin severity-dependent
      manner: results of a case-control study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Rosacea is a common chronic inflammatory dermatosis of unclear
      origin. It has been associated with systemic comorbidities, but methodical
      studies addressing this association are lacking. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated: (1) the
      association between rosacea and systemic comorbidities; and (2) if the severity
      of rosacea is impacted by comorbidities. METHODS: This was a case-control study:
      patients with rosacea were matched (1:1) to rosacea-free control subjects by age,
      sex, and race. Relative risk estimates were calculated using logistic regression
      as odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Among 130 participants (65
      patients/65 control subjects), we observed a significant association between
      rosacea and allergies (airborne, food), respiratory diseases, gastroesophageal
      reflux disease, other gastrointestinal diseases, hypertension, metabolic and
      urogenital diseases, and female hormone imbalance. Compared with mild rosacea,
      moderate to severe rosacea was significantly associated with hyperlipidemia,
      hypertension, metabolic diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and gastroesophageal
      reflux disease. LIMITATIONS: This was a case-control study with moderate sample
      size. Associated medical conditions were self-reported and could not always be
      confirmed by medication use and medical records. CONCLUSIONS: Rosacea is
      associated with numerous systemic comorbid diseases in a skin severity-dependent
      manner. Physicians should be aware of these associations to provide comprehensive
      care to patients with rosacea, especially to those with more severe disease.

PMID- 26256429
TI  - Levomilnacipran Pharmacokinetics in Healthy Volunteers Versus Patients with Major
      Depressive Disorder and Implications for Norepinephrine and Serotonin Reuptake
      Inhibition.
AB  - PURPOSE: Levomilnacipran, a selective serotonin (5-HT) and norepinephrine (NE)
      reuptake inhibitor, is approved for the treatment of major depressive disorder
      (MDD) in adults. The objectives of this investigation were to characterize the
      pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters of levomilnacipran in healthy subjects and in
      patients with MDD and to compare the plasma concentrations observed at clinically
      effective doses (40-120 mg daily) in MDD patients versus in vitro inhibitory
      concentration values for NE and 5-HT transporters. METHODS: Data from 2 trials
      were analyzed: a Phase I trial (healthy volunteers received a single dose of
      levomilnacipran extended-release capsule [ER; 25, 50, or 100 mg], escalating
      multiple doses of levomilnacipran ER [25-300 mg once daily], or placebo); and a
      Phase III trial (adults with MDD received a fixed dose of levomilnacipran ER [40,
      80, or 120 mg once daily for 8 weeks]). Plasma samples of participants were
      assayed to determine levomilnacipran concentrations, and PK analyses were
      performed. Unbound plasma concentrations of levomilnacipran in MDD patients were
      estimated, and inhibitory concentration values were determined by curve fitting
      of the in vitro data. FINDINGS: Cmax and AUC were dose proportional after single
      dosing (25-100 mg) and multiple dosing (across the 25-300 mg dose range) of
      levomilnacipran ER in healthy subjects. Dose-proportional steady-state Cmax (93,
      180, and 297 ng/mL) and AUC0-tau (1520, 2935, and 4799 ng*h/mL) were also
      observed in patients with MDD who received levomilnacipran ER (40, 80, and 120 mg
      daily). Tmax was ~6 hours and was similar after single and multiple oral doses of
      levomilnacipran ER. Estimates of levomilnacipran concentration at 50%, 80%, and
      90% inhibition were 19, 91, and 237 nM, respectively, for the 5-HT transporter,
      and 10, 41, and 92 nM for the NE transporter. Average unbound plasma
      concentrations for levomilnacipran in MDD patients treated with levomilnacipran
      ER 40, 80, or 120 mg daily exceeded the estimated concentration at 80% and 90%
      inhibition for 5-HT and NE. IMPLICATIONS: Levomilnacipran PK was dose
      proportional after single and multiple dosing and was similar between healthy
      subjects and patients with MDD. Steady-state unbound plasma concentrations of
      levomilnacipran across the approved dose range (40, 80, and 120 mg daily) in MDD
      patients were estimated to be comparable or greater than the concentrations that
      inhibited reuptake of NE and 5-HT by >90% and >80%, respectively, in vitro.

PMID- 26256430
TI  - Safety Alerts: An Observational Study in Portugal.
AB  - PURPOSE: The information that is available when marketing authorizations are
      approved is limited. Pharmacovigilance has an important role during the
      postauthorization period, and alerts published by national authorities allow
      health care professionals to be informed about new data on safety profiles. This
      study therefore sought to analyze all safety alerts published by the Portuguese
      National Authority of Medicines and Health Products I.P. (INFARMED). METHODS: We
      conducted an observational study of all alerts published on the INFARMED website
      from January 2002 through December 2014. From the data included in the alerts,
      the following information was abstracted: active substance name (and trade name),
      event that led to the alert, and the resulting safety measures. Active substances
      were classified according to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) code.
      FINDINGS: A total of 562 alerts were published, and 304 were eligible for
      inclusion. The musculoskeletal system was the ATC code with more alerts (n = 53),
      followed by the nervous system (n = 42). Communication of the information and
      recommendations to the health care professionals and the public in general was
      the most frequent safety measure (n = 128), followed by changes in the Summary of
      the Product Characteristics and package information leaflet (n = 66). During the
      study period, 26 marketing authorizations were temporarily suspended and 10 were
      revoked. IMPLICATIONS: The knowledge of the alerts published during the
      postmarketing period is very useful to the health care professionals for
      improving prescription and use of medicines and to the scientific community for
      the development of new researches.

PMID- 26256431
TI  - Synthesis and biological activity of alkynoic acids derivatives against
      mycobacteria.
AB  - 2-Alkynoic acids have bactericidal activity against Mycobacterium smegmatis but
      their activity fall sharply as the length of the carbon chain increased. In this
      study, derivatives of 2-alkynoic acids were synthesized and tested against fast-
      and slow-growing mycobacteria. Their activity was first evaluated in M. smegmatis
      against their parental 2-alkynoic acids, as well as isoniazid, a first-line
      antituberculosis drug. The introduction of additional unsaturation or heteroatoms
      into the carbon chain enhanced the antimycobacterial activity of longer chain
      alkynoic acids (more than 19 carbons long). In contrast, although the
      modification of the carboxylic group did not improve the antimycobacterial
      activity, it significantly reduced the toxicity of the compounds against
      eukaryotic cells. Importantly, 4-(alkylthio)but-2-ynoic acids, had better
      bactericidal activity than the parental 2-alkynoic acids and on a par with
      isoniazid against the slow-grower Mycobacterium bovis BCG. These compounds had
      also low toxicity against eukaryotic cells, suggesting that they could be
      potential therapeutic agents against other types of topical mycobacterial
      infections causing skin diseases including Mycobacterium abscessus, Mycobacterium
      ulcerans, and Mycobacterium leprae. Moreover, they provide a possible scaffold
      for future drug development. 

PMID- 26256432
TI  - Pancreatic paragonimiasis mimics pancreatic cystic-solid tumor--A case report.
AB  - Paragonimiasis is frequently misdiagnosed owing to its various and complicated
      clinical manifestations. Although paragonimiasis has diverse manifestations,
      there is no report of paragonimiasis involving the pancreas. Herein we report the
      first case of pancreatic paragonimiasis, which was misdiagnosed as pancreatic
      cystic-solid tumor by CT scan. The pancreatic lesion was finally proved to be
      pancreatic paragonimiasis by pathological examination and serum antibody
      detection. The clinical manifestations and imaging features of this patient were
      analyzed. Pancreatic paragonimiasis should be an important differential diagnosis
      for pancreatic cyst-solid lesions. 

PMID- 26256433
TI  - Acute Hemodynamic Response to Cardiac Resynchronization in Dilated
      Cardiomyopathy: Effect on Late Mitral Regurgitation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) is associated with reduced
      survival in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT)
      can improve FMR. We sought to identify the predictors of FMR improvement after
      CRT in DCM. METHODS: From January 2003 to December 2013, 430 DCM patients
      consecutively enrolled were retrospectively analyzed. Inclusion criteria were
      successful CRT implantation in the presence of conventional indications (i.e.,
      left bundle branch block, left ventricular ejection fraction <=35%, New York
      Heart Association functional class >=II) and moderate-to-severe FMR at the time
      of procedure. Early echocardiographic evaluation after CRT implantation (median
      2.5 days) has been performed in each patient. Improvement in FMR (absent/mild) at
      midterm (7 months; interquartile range 4-10) was considered as the primary study
      end point. RESULTS: A total of 44 patients (10% of the overall cohort) were
      included. A significant reduction in FMR severity was observed in 21 patients
      (48%) at midterm after CRT (median time 7 months). No preimplantation variables
      predicted FMR evolution, but FMR improvement at midterm was strongly predicted by
      an acute favorable hemodynamic response (persistence/development of normal right
      ventricular function and 10-mm Hg decrease or normalization [<=35 mm Hg] of
      systolic pulmonary artery pressure) at postimplantation echocardiography (odds
      ratio: 13.7; 95% confidence interval: 1.27-42.8; P = 0.016). FMR improvement at
      midterm was stable during follow-up and was associated with superior long-term
      transplant-free survival (P = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS: Stable FMR improvement
      frequently occurs after CRT implantation in DCM and is associated with improved
      transplant-free survival. Echocardiographic evaluation of acute hemodynamic
      response to CRT is helpful to early identification of the favorable FMR
      evolution.

PMID- 26256434
TI  - Inactivation of Staphylococcus aureus in Oat and Soya Drinks by Enterocin AS-48
      in Combination with Other Antimicrobials.
AB  - The presence of toxicogenic Staphylococcus aureus in foods and the dissemination
      of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) in the food chain are matters of
      concern. In the present study, the circular bacteriocin enterocin AS-48, applied
      singly or in combination with phenolic compounds (carvacrol, eugenol, geraniol,
      and citral) or with 2-nitro-1-propanol (2NPOH), was investigated in the control
      of a cocktail made from 1 methicillin-sensitive and 1 MRSA strains inoculated on
      commercial oat and soya drinks. Enterocin AS-48 exhibited low bactericidal
      activity against staphylococci in the drinks investigated when applied singly.
      The combinations of sub-inhibitory concentrations of enterocin AS-48 (25 MUg/mL)
      and phenolic compounds or 2NPOH caused complete inactivation of staphylococci in
      the drinks within 24 h of incubation at 22  degrees C. When tested in oat and
      soya drinks stored for 7 d at 10  degrees C, enterocin AS-48 (25 MUg/mL) in
      combination with 2NPOH (5.5 mM) reduced viable counts rapidly in the case of oat
      drink (4.2 log cycles after 12 h) or slowly in soya drink (3.8 log cycles after 3
      d). The same combined treatment applied on drinks stored at 22  degrees C
      achieved a fast inactivation of staphylococci within 12 to 24 h in both drinks,
      and no viable staphylococci were detected for up to 7 d of storage. Results from
      the study highlight the potential of enterocin AS-48 in combination with 2NPOH
      for inactivation of staphylococci. 

PMID- 26256435
TI  - Transversally oriented pedicled perforator flaps: A reliable alternative for
      lower leg reconstruction.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The use of a transverse pattern for perforator flap design and its
      possible clinical applications in the field of lower leg reconstruction are
      previously unreported in the medical literature. The purpose of this report is to
      describe our clinical experience with the use of transversally oriented pedicled
      perforator flaps in lower leg reconstruction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seven
      patients underwent lower leg reconstruction with transversally oriented pedicled
      perforator flaps. Patients age ranged from 42 to 68 years. All defects resulted
      from skin cancer ablation. Defect sizes ranged from 9 * 5 to 5 * 2.5 cm. The
      technique was applied to patients presenting with vertically oriented, long, and
      narrow defects, not feasible for primary closure, with the only audible
      perforators detected at a significant distance from the wound. RESULTS: All flaps
      were based on a single perforator vessel. One of them was converted to a
      perforator-plus peninsular flap design, which retained an additional source of
      blood supply from the opposite skin bridge. The flaps were always mobilized in V
      Y fashion. Donor sites were always closed primarily. Flap dimensions ranged from
      15 * 7 to 8 * 3.5 cm. Operative time ranged from 40 to 90 minutes. All flaps
      survived uneventfully. Follow-up ranged from 6 months to 2 years. All patients
      were satisfied with the surgical outcome. CONCLUSIONS: The use of transversally
      oriented pedicled perforator flaps proved to be a reliable alternative option to
      reconstruct small to medium size defects of the lower leg.

PMID- 26256436
TI  - Response assessment for HCC patients treated with repeated TACE: The optimal time
      point is still an open issue.

PMID- 26256438
TI  - Changing incidence patterns of hepatocellular carcinoma among age groups in
      Taiwan.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: This study examined and compared the incidence patterns of
      hepatocellular carcinoma among age groups in Taiwan, 30 years after a universal
      hepatitis B virus immunization program was launched. METHODS: Data for
      hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosed in 2003-2011 were collected from the
      population-based Taiwan Cancer Registry. Age-standardized incidence rates were
      calculated to analyze and compare the changes in incidence rates and trends. More
      specific analyses were performed on four age groups separated by sex. RESULTS: A
      total of 82,856 patients were diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma in 2003
      2011 in Taiwan, yielding an age-standardized incidence rate of 32.97 per 100,000
      person-years. Hepatocellular carcinoma was predominantly diagnosed in middle-aged
      adults (50.1%) and elderly people (49.1%), in contrast to the low incidences in
      children (0.04%) and adolescents and young adults (0.8%). Striking variations in
      trends were found for children (annual percent change: -16.6%, 2003-2010) and
      adolescents and young adults (annual percent change: -7.9%, 2003-2011). The
      incidence rate of hepatocellular carcinoma in children decreased to zero in 2011;
      only a slight decline in trends occurred for the middle-aged group (annual
      percent change: -2%, 2003-2011), and a slight upward trend was observed for
      elderly people (1.3%), specifically in women (1.7%). CONCLUSIONS: In Taiwan,
      hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma was nearly eradicated in
      children in 2011. The findings on age-specific incidence patterns and trends of
      hepatocellular carcinoma suggest that different control strategies for treating
      this devastating disease in the future be made according to age.

PMID- 26256437
TI  - Implications of microbiota and bile acid in liver injury and regeneration.
AB  - Studies examining the mechanisms by which the liver incurs injury and then
      regenerates usually focus on factors and pathways directly within the liver,
      neglecting the signaling derived from the gut-liver axis. The intestinal content
      is rich in microorganisms as well as metabolites generated from both the host and
      colonizing bacteria. Through the gut-liver axis, this complex "soup" exerts an
      immense impact on liver integrity and function. This review article summarizes
      data published in the past 30 years demonstrating the signaling derived from the
      gut-liver axis in relation to liver injury and regeneration. Due to the intricate
      networks of implicated pathways as well as scarcity of available mechanistic
      data, it seems that nutrigenomic, metabolomics, and microbiota profiling
      approaches are warranted to provide a better understanding regarding the
      interplay and impact between nutrition, bacteria, and host response in
      influencing liver function and healing. Therefore elucidating the possible
      molecular mechanisms that link microbiota alteration to host physiological
      response and vice versa.

PMID- 26256439
TI  - Streptomyces natalensis programmed cell death and morphological differentiation
      are dependent on oxidative stress.
AB  - Streptomyces are aerobic Gram-positive bacteria characterized by a complex life
      cycle that includes hyphae differentiation and spore formation. Morphological
      differentiation is triggered by stressful conditions and takes place in a pro
      oxidant environment, which sets the basis for an involvement of the oxidative
      stress response in this cellular process. Characterization of the phenotypic
      traits of Streptomyces natalensis DeltakatA1 (mono-functional catalase) and
      DeltacatR (Fur-like repressor of katA1 expression) strains in solid medium
      revealed that both mutants had an impaired morphological development process. The
      sub-lethal oxidative stress caused by the absence of KatA1 resulted in the
      formation of a highly proliferative and undifferentiated vegetative mycelium,
      whereas de-repression of CatR regulon, from which KatA1 is the only known
      representative, resulted in the formation of scarce aerial mycelium. Both mutant
      strains had the transcription of genes associated with aerial mycelium formation
      and biosynthesis of the hyphae hydrophobic layer down-regulated. The first round
      of the programmed cell death (PCD) was inhibited in both strains which caused the
      prevalence of the transient primary mycelium (MI) over secondary mycelium (MII).
      Our data shows that the first round of PCD and morphological differentiation in
      S. natalensis is dependent on oxidative stress in the right amount at the right
      time. 

PMID- 26256440
TI  - Distinct effects of novel naphtoquinone-based triazoles in human leukaemic cell
      lines.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the cytotoxic effect of new
      1,4-naphthoquinone- 1,2,3-triazoles, named C2 to C8 triazole derivatives, towards
      human cancer cell lines. METHODS: The effect on cell viability was assessed by
      MTT and propidium iodide assays. The cytotoxic effect of C2 and C3 in K562 and HL
      60 cells were analyzed by flow cytometry, DNA fragmentation and reactive oxygen
      species (ROS) production. Western blot and q-PCR procedures were also performed.
      KEY FINDINGS: C2 and C3 inhibited both K562 and HL-60 cells growth in a
      concentration-dependent manner. C2 presented the highest cytotoxic activity with
      an IC50 of approximately 14 MUm and 41 MUm for HL-60 and K562 cells,
      respectively, while being less toxic to normal peripheral blood monocyte cells.
      Both derivatives induced cellular changes in HL-60 cells, characteristic of
      apoptosis, such as mitochondrial membrane depolarization, phosphatidylserine
      externalization, increasing sub-G1 phase, DNA fragmentation, downregulating Bcl-2
      protein and upregulating Bax protein. In K562 cells, C2 and C3 induced S-phase
      arrest of cell cycle, which was associated with upregulation of p21. The effect
      of these derivatives in HL-60 cells can be related to the ROS intracellular
      level. CONCLUSION: Taken together our results showed that C2 and C3 triazole
      derivatives presented the best potential for drug design.

PMID- 26256441
TI  - Does quality of life depend on speech recognition performance for adult cochlear
      implant users?
AB  - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Current postoperative clinical outcome measures for adults
      receiving cochlear implants (CIs) consist of testing speech recognition,
      primarily under quiet conditions. However, it is strongly suspected that results
      on these measures may not adequately reflect patients' quality of life (QOL)
      using their implants. This study aimed to evaluate whether QOL for CI users
      depends on speech recognition performance. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty-three
      postlingually deafened adults with CIs were assessed. METHODS: Participants were
      tested for speech recognition (Central Institute for the Deaf word and AzBio
      sentence recognition in quiet) and completed three QOL measures-the Nijmegen
      Cochlear Implant Questionnaire; either the Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults
      or the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly; and the Speech, Spatial and
      Qualities of Hearing Scale questionnaires-to assess a variety of QOL factors.
      Correlations were sought between speech recognition and QOL scores. Demographics,
      audiologic history, language, and cognitive skills were also examined as
      potential predictors of QOL. RESULTS: Only a few QOL scores significantly
      correlated with postoperative sentence or word recognition in quiet, and
      correlations were primarily isolated to speech-related subscales on QOL measures.
      Poorer pre- and postoperative unaided hearing predicted better QOL. Socioeconomic
      status, duration of deafness, age at implantation, duration of CI use, reading
      ability, vocabulary size, and cognitive status did not consistently predict QOL
      scores. CONCLUSION: For adult, postlingually deafened CI users, clinical speech
      recognition measures in quiet do not correlate broadly with QOL. Results suggest
      the need for additional outcome measures of the benefits and limitations of
      cochlear implantation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4. Laryngoscope, 126:699-706, 2016.

PMID- 26256442
TI  - Longitudinal annular displacement by M-mode (MAPSE and TAPSE) in twin-to-twin
      transfusion syndrome before and after laser surgery.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate mitral and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion
      (MAPSE and TAPSE) in fetuses with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) before
      and after laser therapy. METHODS: A prospective study in 24 fetal pairs with TTTS
      evaluated 24 h before and within 48 h after fetoscopy and 13 gestational age
      matched normal monochorionic fetal pairs. MAPSE and TAPSE were measured in an
      apical or basal four-chamber view by placing the M-mode cursor at the lateral
      valve ring. RESULTS: Mean preoperative MAPSE (controls 3.6 +/- 1.3 mm vs. donors
      2.7 +/- 0.8 mm vs. recipients 2.8 mm +/- 0.9; P < 0.001) and TAPSE (controls 4.4
      +/- 1.5 mm vs. donors 3.3 +/- 1 mm vs. recipients 3.6  +/- 1.1 mm; P < 0.001)
      values were significantly reduced in both TTTS fetuses. When subdividing
      according to TTTS stages, changes were significant in both stage I-II and III-IV
      subgroups, although differences were more pronounced in the latter. All
      observations remained unchanged 48 h post-fetoscopy. CONCLUSION: Both recipient
      and donor fetuses had decreased global longitudinal motion, even in early TTTS
      stages.

PMID- 26256443
TI  - Starved human T lymphocytes keep fighting.
AB  - Cellular metabolism is emerging as a key determinant of T-lymphocyte
      differentiation and function. While this new paradigm has been primarily
      characterized in murine systems, research is now characterizing a role for
      different aspects of cellular metabolism in controlling human T-lymphocyte
      biology. In this issue of the European Journal of Immunology, Renner et al. [Eur.
      J. Immunol. 2015. 45: 2504-2516] analyze the glycolytic and mitochondrial
      activity of activated human CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells, and correlate it to T-cell
      function. The authors show that although neither glucose deprivation nor
      mitochondrial restriction affects cytokine production, the glycolytic inhibitor 2
      deoxyglucose severely affects T-cell function.

PMID- 26256444
TI  - Nonstructural carbohydrate dynamics of lodgepole pine dying from mountain pine
      beetle attack.
AB  - Bark beetle outbreaks are an important cause of tree death, but the process by
      which trees die remains poorly understood. The effect of beetle attack on whole
      tree nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) dynamics is particularly unclear, despite
      the potential role of carbohydrates in plant defense and survival. We monitored
      NSC dynamics of all organs in attacked and protected lodgepole pines (Pinus
      contorta) during a mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) outbreak in
      British Columbia, starting before beetle flight in June 2011 through October
      2012, when most attacked trees had died. Following attack, NSC concentrations
      were first reduced in the attacked region of the bole. The first NSC reduction in
      a distant organ appeared in the needles at the end of 2011, while branch and root
      NSC did not decline until much later in 2012. Attacked trees that were still
      alive in October 2012 had less beetle damage, which was negatively correlated
      with initial bark sugar concentrations in the attack region. The NSC dynamics of
      dying trees indicate that trees were killed by a loss of water conduction and not
      girdling. Further, our results identify locally reduced carbohydrate availability
      as an important mechanism by which stressors like drought may increase tree
      susceptibility to biotic attack. 

PMID- 26256445
TI  - Ulcerative colitis outpatient management: development and evaluation of tools to
      support primary care practitioners.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Current models of care for ulcerative colitis (UC) across healthcare
      systems are inconsistent with a paucity of existing guidelines or supportive
      tools for outpatient management. AIMS: This study aimed to produce and evaluate
      evidence-based outpatient management tools for UC to guide primary care
      practitioners and patients in clinical decision-making. METHODS: Three tools were
      developed after identifying current gaps in the provision of healthcare services
      for patients with UC at a Clinical Insights Meeting in 2013. Draft designs were
      further refined through consultation and consolidation of feedback by the
      steering committee. Final drafts were developed following feasibility testing in
      three key stakeholder groups (gastroenterologists, general practitioners and
      patients) by questionnaire. The tools were officially launched into mainstream
      use in Australia in 2014. RESULTS: Three quarters of all respondents liked the
      layout and content of each tool. Minimal safety concerns were aired and those,
      along with pieces of information that were felt to be omitted, that were reviewed
      by the steering committee and incorporated into the final documents. The majority
      (over 80%) of respondents felt that the tools would be useful and would improve
      outpatient management of UC. CONCLUSION: Evidence-based outpatient clinical
      management tools for UC can be developed. The concept and end-product have been
      well received by all stakeholder groups. These tools should support non
      specialist clinicians to optimise UC management and empower patients by
      facilitating them to safely self-manage and identify when medical support is
      needed.

PMID- 26256446
TI  - Screw Loosening and Pelvic Canal Narrowing After Lateral Plating of Feline Ilial
      Fractures With Locking and Nonlocking Plates.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the frequency of complications, including screw loosening
      and pelvic canal narrowing, associated with dynamic compression plating, locking
      plating, and double locking plating of ilial fractures in cats. STUDY DESIGN:
      Historical cohort study. METHODS: The radiographs and medical records of cats
      with pelvic fractures that were presented between 2004 and 2013 were reviewed.
      The cases were categorized based on the plate type and number as dynamic
      compression plate (DCP), single locking plate (LPS) and double locking plates
      (dLPS). The frequency of screw loosening was compared across categories using a
      Fisher's exact test. The change in pelvic alignment, described by the change in
      sacral index (postoperative sacral index-followup sacral index), was compared
      across plate categories using ANOVA. RESULTS: The frequency of screw loosening
      for DCP (5/10) was significantly higher than LPS (1/13) and dLPS (0/11) (P = .05,
      P = .012, respectively). There was no significant difference in the SI change
      across plate categories. The mean change in sacral index for DCP was -0.11 (95%CI
      -0.25 to 0.03), for LPS was 0.0007 (95%CI -0.07 to 0.08), and for dLPS was -0.01
      (95%CI -0.04 to 0.02). None of the cats showed constipation postoperatively.
      CONCLUSION: Screw loosening occurred less often but the change in pelvic canal
      alignment was not significantly different in ilial fractures repaired with LPS or
      dLPS compared to ilial fractures repaired with DCP. Locking plating of ilial
      fractures in cats may offer advantages compared to nonlocking plating.

PMID- 26256447
TI  - Biomimetic microstructural reorganization during suture retention strength
      evaluation of electrospun vascular scaffolds.
AB  - Suture retention strength (SRS) is commonly used as a measure the ability of
      sutures to adhere implants to surrounding tissue. While SRS is widely employed,
      surprisingly its effects on graft microstructure have not been characterized.
      This is particularly germane to the broad utilization of electrospun implants in
      tissue engineering. These implants need to retain their initial nanoscale
      topography while simultaneously preserving clinically critical mechanical
      properties. We examined the suture-driven microstructural deformation of
      polycaprolactone electrospun to form both square and tubular SRS samples. The
      impact of fiber orientation (generally parallel or random orientation,
      orthogonally aligned) on the SRS of these vascular tissue equivalents was
      analyzed and compared to native and decellularized porcine vasculature. The
      initial state of the fiber clearly dictates the overall efficiency of scaffold
      utilization. SRS values for as-spun fibers at a thickness of 300 MUm were found
      to be in the range of 1.59-4.78 N for the three orientations. Unexpectedly,
      random fibers provided the optimal SRS values based on both resistance to suture
      motion and the percentage of scaffold involvement. A "V-shaped" failure
      morphology is observed for both electrospun scaffolds and native tissue during
      SRS testing. Post-test fiber alignment in the tensile direction was visible in
      all initial fiber orientations similar to that of native tissue. These findings
      are significant as they allow us to employ new, counterintuitive biomimetic
      design criteria for nanofiber-based scaffolds in which reliable mechanical
      integration with the surrounding tissues via suture-based methods is important.
      (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 104B:
      1525-1534, 2016.

PMID- 26256448
TI  - Histone methylation-mediated silencing of miR-139 enhances invasion of non-small
      cell lung cancer.
AB  - MicroRNA expression is frequently altered in human cancers, and some microRNAs
      act as oncogenes or tumor suppressors. MiR-139-5p (denoted thereafter as miR-139)
      has recently been reported to function as a tumor suppressor in several types of
      human cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, and
      gastric cancer), but its function in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and the
      mechanism of its suppression have not been studied in detail. MiR-139 was
      suppressed frequently in primary NSCLCs. MiR-139 is located within the intron of
      PDE2A and its expression was significantly correlated with the expression of
      PDE2A. A chromatin immunoprecipitation assay revealed that miR-139 was
      epigenetically silenced by histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) of its
      host gene PDE2A and this process was independent of promoter DNA methylation.
      Pharmacological inhibition of both histone methylation and deacetylation-induced
      miR-139 with its host gene PDE2A. Ectopic expression of miR-139 in lung cancer
      cell lines did not affect the proliferation nor the migration but significantly
      suppressed the invasion through the extracellular matrix. In primary NSCLCs,
      decreased expression of miR-139 was significantly associated with distant lymph
      node metastasis and histological invasiveness (lymphatic invasion and vascular
      invasion) on both univariate and multivariate analyses. Collectively, these
      results suggest that H3K27me3-mediated silencing of miR-139 enhances an invasive
      and metastatic phenotype of NSCLC. 

PMID- 26256449
TI  - The influence of reward and punishment on motor learning.

PMID- 26256450
TI  - Polypoid extrahepatic bile duct carcinoma morphologically indistinguishable from
      benign giant cell tumor.

PMID- 26256451
TI  - Does job satisfaction mediate the relationship between healthy work environment
      and care quality?
AB  - BACKGROUND: A healthy work environment can increase nurse-reported job
      satisfaction and patient care outcomes. Yet the associations between healthy work
      environment, nurse job satisfaction and QC have not been comprehensively examined
      in Chinese ICUs. AIM: To investigate the mediating effect of nurse job
      satisfaction on the relationship between healthy work environment and nurse
      reported quality of care (QC) in Chinese intensive care units (ICUs). METHODS: A
      total of 706 nurses were recruited from 28 ICUs of 14 tertiary hospitals. The
      nurses completed self-reported questionnaires to evaluate healthy work
      environment, job satisfaction and quality of patient care. Mediation analysis was
      conducted to explore the mediating effect between nurse-reported healthy work
      environment and QC. RESULTS: Nurse work environment showed positive correlations
      with nurse-reported QC in the ICUs. Nurse-reported job satisfaction showed full
      mediating effects between healthy work environment and QC in the medical-surgical
      ICUs, surgical ICUs and neonatal/paediatric ICUs and indicated a partial
      mediating effect in the medical ICUs. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Significant
      mediating effects of nurse job satisfaction provide more support for thinking
      about how to use this mediator to increase nurse and patient care outcomes. Nurse
      administrators can design interventions to increase nurse work environment and
      patient care outcomes with this mediating factor addressed.

PMID- 26256452
TI  - Ventricular Support With Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: Beyond Cardiogenic
      Shock Treatment.

PMID- 26256453
TI  - Introduction of Innovations in Heart Disease in Spain: InnovaSEC.

PMID- 26256454
TI  - Raman spectroscopy for detecting supported planar lipid bilayers composed of
      ganglioside-GM1/sphingomyelin/cholesterol in the presence of amyloid-beta.
AB  - The aggregation and fibril formation of amyloid beta(Abeta) peptides onto a
      ganglioside-GM1-containing lipid membrane is a cause of neurodegenerative
      diseases. The mechanism of the initial binding and the conformational changes of
      Abeta on the membrane should be clarified. Fluorescence microscopy and Raman
      spectroscopy have been performed to investigate the supporting planar lipid
      bilayers (SPBs) composed of ganglioside-GM1, sphingomyelin and cholesterol. It is
      demonstrated that the SPBs are in a liquid-crystalline state when placed on mica,
      and increasing the amount of ganglioside-GM1 can decrease the lateral interaction
      between the acyl chains of the SPBs. It has been found that Abeta(1-40) initially
      interacts with the galactose ring of the ganglioside-GM1 head group, leading to
      its binding and gradual aggregation on the membrane surface. The obvious change
      observed in Raman spectroscopy in the nu(C-H) region confirms that the
      hydrophobic C-terminal of Abeta(1-40) inserts itself into the hydrophobic part of
      the SPBs. The Raman data indicate that alpha-helix and beta-sheet structures of
      Abeta(1-40) increase and coexist over longer time frames. Based on these results,
      a model was proposed to describe the mechanism of the conformational changes and
      the aggregation of Abeta(1-40) that are mediated by ganglioside-GM1-containing
      SPBs. 

PMID- 26256456
TI  - An update on methods for revascularization and expansion of the TASC lesion
      classification to include below-the-knee arteries: A supplement to the inter
      society consensus for the management of peripheral arterial disease (TASC II):
      The TASC steering committee.
AB  - The Inter-Society Consensus for the Management of Peripheral Arterial Disease
      (TASC) guidelines were last updated in 2007 (TASC II) and represented the
      collaboration of international vascular specialties involved in the management of
      patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Since the publication of TASC
      II, there have been innovations in endovascular revascularization strategies for
      patients with PAD. The intent of this publication is to provide a complete
      anatomic lower limb TASC lesion classification, including the infrapopliteal
      segment, and an updated literature review of new endovascular techniques and
      practice patterns employed by vascular specialists today.

PMID- 26256455
TI  - A joint latent class analysis for adjusting survival bias with application to a
      trauma transfusion study.
AB  - There is no clear classification rule to rapidly identify trauma patients who are
      severely hemorrhaging and may need substantial blood transfusions. Massive
      transfusion (MT), defined as the transfusion of at least 10 units of red blood
      cells within 24 h of hospital admission, has served as a conventional surrogate
      that has been used to develop early predictive algorithms and establish criteria
      for ordering an MT protocol from the blood bank. However, the conventional MT
      rule is a poor proxy, because it is likely to misclassify many severely
      hemorrhaging trauma patients as they could die before receiving the 10th red
      blood cells transfusion. In this article, we propose to use a latent class model
      to obtain a more accurate and complete metric in the presence of early death. Our
      new approach incorporates baseline patient information from the time of hospital
      admission, by combining respective models for survival time and usage of blood
      products transfused within the framework of latent class analysis. To account for
      statistical challenges, caused by induced dependent censoring inherent in 24-h
      sums of transfusions, we propose to estimate an improved standard via a pseudo
      likelihood function using an expectation-maximization algorithm with the inverse
      weighting principle. We evaluated the performance of our new standard in
      simulation studies and compared with the conventional MT definition using actual
      patient data from the Prospective Observational Multicenter Major Trauma
      Transfusion study. Copyright (c) 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. 

PMID- 26256457
TI  - Diagnosis and treatment of dementia in neurology outpatient departments of
      general hospitals in China.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The status of dementia diagnosis and treatment of neurology
      outpatients in general hospitals in China remains unclear. METHODS: From
      neurology outpatients at 36 randomly selected hospitals, we first collected
      baseline data concerning the number of dementia doctors, memory clinics, and
      patients diagnosed with dementia. In stage 2, we intervened based on drawbacks
      discovered in stage 1, implementing a dementia initiative program. In stage 3, we
      reinvestigated the outpatients to determine the effects of intervention. RESULTS:
      After intervention, all 36 hospitals had established memory clinics (205 dementia
      doctors) compared with only 6 (47 dementia doctors) before intervention. The
      percentage of patients diagnosed with dementia significantly increased from 0.10%
      (536 dementia patients of 553,986 outpatients) in stage 1 to 0.41% (2482 dementia
      patients of 599,214 outpatients) in stage 3. DISCUSSION: Proper diagnosis and
      treatment are unavailable to many dementia patients because of a lack of dementia
      doctors and memory clinics in China.

PMID- 26256458
TI  - Long-term remission in idiopathic Castleman's disease with tocilizumab followed
      by consolidation with high-dose melphalan--two case studies.
AB  - Multicentric Castleman's disease (MCD) is an uncommon lymphoproliferative
      disorder, often associated with a clinically aggressive behavior. No standard
      treatment has been established, but patients are usually treated with lymphoma
      type regimens such as rituximab or combination chemotherapy. Recently,
      immunotherapies targeting IL-6 have proven effective and have been approved for
      this indication. However, these agents require long-term administration. Here, we
      describe the clinical course of two patients, refractory to rituximab and
      chemotherapy, showing long-term remission (18 and 24 months), following an
      induction phase with tocilizumab (an anti-IL-6 receptor antibody) and a
      consolidative phase with high-dose melphalan accompanied by autologous stem cell
      support. This may prove to be an effective option for this group of patients with
      an orphan disorder.

PMID- 26256460
TI  - The lipid raft proteome of Borrelia burgdorferi.
AB  - Eukaryotic lipid rafts are membrane microdomains that have significant amounts of
      cholesterol and a selective set of proteins that have been associated with
      multiple biological functions. The Lyme disease agent, Borrelia burgdorferi, is
      one of an increasing number of bacterial pathogens that incorporates cholesterol
      onto its membrane, and form cholesterol glycolipid domains that possess all the
      hallmarks of eukaryotic lipid rafts. In this study, we isolated lipid rafts from
      cultured B. burgdorferi as a detergent resistant membrane (DRM) fraction on
      density gradients, and characterized those molecules that partitioned exclusively
      or are highly enriched in these domains. Cholesterol glycolipids, the previously
      known raft-associated lipoproteins OspA and OpsB, and cholera toxin partitioned
      into the lipid rafts fraction indicating compatibility with components of the
      DRM. The proteome of lipid rafts was analyzed by a combination of LC-MS/MS or
      MudPIT. Identified proteins were analyzed in silico for parameters that included
      localization, isoelectric point, molecular mass and biological function. The
      proteome provided a consistent pattern of lipoproteins, proteases and their
      substrates, sensing molecules and prokaryotic homologs of eukaryotic lipid rafts.
      This study provides the first analysis of a prokaryotic lipid raft and has
      relevance for the biology of Borrelia, other pathogenic bacteria, as well as for
      the evolution of these structures. All MS data have been deposited in the
      ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD002365
      (http://proteomecentral.proteomexchange.org/dataset/PXD002365). 

PMID- 26256459
TI  - Viscoelastic measurements of platelet function, not fibrinogen function, predicts
      sensitivity to tissue-type plasminogen activator in trauma patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Systemic hyperfibrinolysis is a lethal phenotype of trauma-induced
      coagulopathy. Its pathogenesis is poorly understood. Recent studies have support
      a central role of platelets in hemostasis and in fibrinolysis regulation,
      implying that platelet impairment is integral to the development of postinjury
      systemic hyperfibrinolysis. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to
      identify if platelet function is associated with blood clot sensitivity to
      fibrinolysis. We hypothesize that platelet impairment of the ADP pathway
      correlates with fibrinolysis sensitivity in trauma patients. METHODS: A
      prospective observational study of patients meeting the criteria for the highest
      level of activation at an urban trauma center was performed. Viscoelastic
      parameters associated with platelet function (maximum amplitude [MA]) were
      measured with native thrombelastography (TEG), and TEG platelet mapping of the
      ADP pathway (ADP-MA). The contribution of fibrinogen to clotting was measured
      with TEG (angle) and the TEG functional fibrinogen (FF) assay (FF-MA). Another
      TEG assay containing tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) (75 ng mL(-1) ) was
      used to assess clot sensitivity to an exogenous fibrinolytic stimulus by use of
      the TEG lysis at 30 min (LY30) variable. Multivariate linear regression was used
      to identify which TEG variable correlated with t-PA-LY30 (quantification of
      fibrinolysis sensitivity). RESULTS: Fifty-eight trauma patients were included in
      the analysis, with a median injury severity score of 17 and a base deficit of 6
      mEq L(-1) . TEG parameters that significantly predicted t-PA-LY30 were related to
      platelet function (ADP-MA, P = 0.001; MA, P < 0.001) but not to fibrinogen (FF
      MA, P = 0.773; angle, P = 0.083). Clinical predictors of platelet ADP impairment
      included calcium level (P = 0.001), base deficit (P = 0.001), and injury severity
      (P = 0.001). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Platelet impairment of the ADP pathway is
      associated with increased sensitivity to t-PA. ADP pathway inhibition in
      platelets may be an early step in the pathogenesis of systemic hyperfibrinolysis.

PMID- 26256461
TI  - Bevacizumab for Malignant Brain Gliomas. Which is the Current Evidence?
AB  - Recently, the improvement of innovative medications named focused treatments
      represents the consequence of a superior knowledge of the procedures implicated
      in the modification of physiological tissues in tumor. Focused treatment is known
      as the therapy which uses specific substances that affect selective mechanisms
      implicated in tumorigenesis and tumor development. Angiogenesis is important for
      tumor development and distant metastatic disease and represents a significant aim
      for modern biological substances. Bevacizumab belongs to humanized recombinant
      antibody family which obviates vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor
      fastening, and suspending genesis of new vessels and tumor development.
      Bevacizumab represents the primary antiangiogenic treatment authorized for usage
      in tumor and has FDA authorization to treat the recurrent glioblastoma multiform
      since 2009. Bevacizumab's efficiency for treating malignant brain gliomas along
      with correlated patent appliances related to this agent is discussed below. 

PMID- 26256462
TI  - Just How Useful Are Health Rankings?

PMID- 26256463
TI  - Efficacy and Safety of Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Colorectal
      Carcinoids.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Although endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) of colorectal
      carcinoids is increasing, little is known about long-term outcomes of patients.
      We investigated the efficacy and safety of ESD of colorectal carcinoids and
      evaluated long-term outcomes, including local recurrence and metastasis. METHODS:
      We performed a retrospective analysis of data collected from 239 consecutive
      patients with colorectal carcinoids <20 mm who underwent endoscopic
      ultrasonography (to evaluate the size of tumor and the depth of invasion),
      followed by ESD from January 2007 through October 2012 at the Zhongshan Hospital
      of Fudan University. Histology and patient data were collected during a median
      follow-up period of 52 months (range, 25-94 months) to determine tumor stage and
      type, completeness of resection, complications, tumor recurrence, and distant
      metastasis. RESULTS: En bloc resection was achieved for all of the 239 treated
      lesions; tumor tissues were completely resected for 216 of the lesions (90.38%).
      Eight patients had ESD-related complications (3.35%). As more ESDs were performed
      by endoscopists, the rate of complete tumor resection increased, and the rate of
      complications decreased. ESD of carcinoids in colon increased the risk of non-R0
      resection and the rate of complications. During the follow-up period, all
      patients remained free from local recurrence. However, distant metastases were
      detected in 6 patients (2.51%); lymphovascular invasion was a risk factor for
      metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: ESD is effective for the resection of rectal carcinoids
      <20 mm and causes complications in less than 4% of patients. ESD for colonic
      carcinoids is feasible but associated with a higher non-R0 resection rate and a
      trend toward higher complications risk. Tumor features and stage determine risk
      for distant metastasis, so long-term follow-up is essential.

PMID- 26256464
TI  - Efficacy of Psychosocial Interventions in Inducing and Maintaining Alcohol
      Abstinence in Patients With Chronic Liver Disease: A Systematic Review.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: We conducted a systematic review of efficacy of psychosocial
      interventions in inducing or maintaining alcohol abstinence in patients with
      chronic liver disease (CLD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD). METHODS: We performed
      structured keyword searches in PubMed, PsychINFO, and MEDLINE for original
      research articles that were published from January 1983 through November 2014
      that evaluated the use of psychosocial interventions to induce or maintain
      alcohol abstinence in patients with CLD and AUD. RESULTS: We identified 13
      eligible studies that comprised 1945 patients; 5 were randomized controlled
      trials (RCTs). Delivered therapies included motivational enhancement therapy,
      cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, supportive
      therapy, and psychoeducation either alone or in combination in the intervention
      group and general health education or treatment as usual in the control group.
      All studies of induction of abstinence (4 RCTs and 6 observational studies)
      reported an increase in abstinence among participants in the intervention and
      control groups. Only an integrated therapy that combined CBT and motivational
      enhancement therapy with comprehensive medical care, delivered during a period of
      2 years, produced a significant increase in abstinence (74% increase in
      intervention group vs 48% increase in control group, P = .02), which was reported
      in 1 RCT. All studies of maintenance of abstinence (1 RCT and 2 observational
      studies) observed recidivism in the intervention and control groups. Only an
      integrated therapy that combined medical care with CBT produced a significantly
      smaller rate of recidivism (32.7% in integrated CBT group vs 75% in control
      group, P = .03), which was reported from 1 observational study. However, data
      were not collected for more than 2 years on outcomes of patients with CLD and
      AUD. CONCLUSIONS: In a systematic analysis of studies of interventions to induce
      or maintain alcohol abstinence in patients with CLD and AUD, integrated
      combination psychotherapy with CBT, motivational enhancement therapy, and
      comprehensive medical care increased alcohol abstinence. No psychosocial
      intervention was successful in maintaining abstinence, but an integrated therapy
      with CBT and medical care appears to reduce recidivism.

PMID- 26256465
TI  - Acceptance rate of long-acting injection after short information: a survey in
      patients with first- and multiple-episode psychoses and their caregivers.
AB  - AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the acceptance rates of long-acting
      injection (LAI) in patients with first- and multiple-episode psychoses before and
      after providing concise information about LAI to the patients and their
      caregivers. Additionally, predictors of choosing LAI and the reasons for
      reluctance to accept LAI were also evaluated. METHODS: The survey included the
      questionnaire about participants' demographic characteristics, prior knowledge
      about LAI, attitude towards the importance of medication or psychotherapy and
      acceptance for LAI - treatment. The acceptance rate for LAI was re-evaluated
      after providing short information about current LAI or to the hypothetical
      questions like if there are a 3-ms lasting injection or the cost of injection is
      cheap. RESULT: This study included 161 patients and 113 caregivers who completed
      a cross-sectional survey. Following exposure to LAI information, acceptance rates
      for this method of treatment did not change in all groups. However, acceptance
      rates increased significantly when asked if the cost of LAI was cheaper than the
      current oral medication and the effect of LAI lasted for 3 months. Significant
      predictors of acceptance of LAI in patients with first-episode psychosis were
      prior knowledge about LAI, attitudes towards the importance of medication and
      discomfort due to medication side-effects. CONCLUSION: The present study
      demonstrated that a substantial portion of patients with first- and multiple
      episode psychoses and their caregivers prefer LAI over their current oral
      medication. The acceptance of LAI was not increased by providing succinct
      information concerning this method of treatment.

PMID- 26256466
TI  - Pharmacokinetics in neonatal prescribing: evidence base, paradigms and the
      future.
AB  - Paediatric patients, particularly preterm neonates, present many pharmacological
      challenges. Due to the difficulty in conducting clinical trials in these
      populations dosing information is often extrapolated from adult populations. As
      the processes of absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of drugs
      change throughout growth and development extrapolation presents risk of over or
      underestimating the doses required. Information about the development these
      processes, particularly drug metabolism pathways, is still limited with weight
      based dose adjustment presenting the best method of estimating pharmacokinetic
      changes due to growth and development. New innovations in pharmacokinetic
      research, such as population pharmacokinetic modelling, present unique
      opportunities to conduct clinical trials in these populations improving the
      safety and effectiveness of the drugs used. More research is required into this
      area to ensure the best outcomes for our most vulnerable patients. 

PMID- 26256468
TI  - Kidney transplant in pediatric patients with severe bladder pathology.
AB  - The aim of the current study was to compare results in pediatric renal
      transplantation of patients with and without SBP. Between 2001 and 2013, a total
      of 168 kidney transplants were performed at our center. A retrospective analysis
      was performed and recipients were divided into two groups: NB and SBP. Incidence
      of surgical complications after procedure, and graft and patient survival were
      evaluated. A total of 155 recipients (92%) with complete data were analyzed, and
      13 recipients that had had previous bladder surgeries were excluded (11 with VUR
      surgery and two with previous kidney transplants), of the 155 recipients: 123
      (79%) patients had NB, and 32 (21%) patients had SBP, with a median follow-up of
      60 (1-137) and 52 (1-144) months, respectively. Among post-transplant
      complications, UTI (68.8% vs. 23%, p < 0.0001) and symptomatic VUR to the graft
      (40.6% vs. 7.3%, p < 0.0001) were significantly higher in the SBP group. There
      was no significant difference in overall graft and patient survival between
      groups. Renal transplantation is safe in pediatric recipients with SBP; however,
      urologic complications such as UTI and VUR were significantly higher in this
      group. Graft and patient survival was similar in SBP and NB groups.

PMID- 26256467
TI  - Genome-wide association study of triglyceride response to a high-fat meal among
      participants of the NHLBI Genetics of Lipid Lowering Drugs and Diet Network
      (GOLDN).
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The triglyceride (TG) response to a high-fat meal (postprandial
      lipemia, PPL) affects cardiovascular disease risk and is influenced by genes and
      environment. Genes involved in lipid metabolism have dominated genetic studies of
      PPL TG response. We sought to elucidate common genetic variants through a genome
      wide association (GWA) study in the Genetics of Lipid Lowering Drugs and Diet
      Network (GOLDN). METHODS: The GOLDN GWAS discovery sample consisted of 872
      participants within families of European ancestry. Genotypes for 2,543,887
      variants were measured or imputed from HapMap. Replication of our top results was
      performed in the Heredity and Phenotype Intervention (HAPI) Heart Study (n =
      843). PPL TG response phenotypes were constructed from plasma TG measured at
      baseline (fasting, 0 hour), 3.5 and 6 hours after a high-fat meal, using a random
      coefficient regression model. Association analyses were adjusted for covariates
      and principal components, as necessary, in a linear mixed model using the kinship
      matrix; additional models further adjusted for fasting TG were also performed.
      Meta-analysis of the discovery and replication studies (n = 1715) was performed
      on the top SNPs from GOLDN. RESULTS: GOLDN revealed 111 suggestive (p < 1E-05)
      associations, with two SNPs meeting GWA significance level (p < 5E-08). Of the
      two significant SNPs, rs964184 demonstrated evidence of replication (p = 1.20E
      03) in the HAPI Heart Study and in a joint analysis, was GWA significant (p =
      1.26E-09). Rs964184 has been associated with fasting lipids (TG and HDL) and is
      near ZPR1 (formerly ZNF259), close to the APOA1/C3/A4/A5 cluster. This
      association was attenuated upon additional adjustment for fasting TG. CONCLUSION:
      This is the first report of a genome-wide significant association with
      replication for a novel phenotype, namely PPL TG response. Future investigation
      into response phenotypes is warranted using pathway analyses, or newer genetic
      technologies such as metabolomics.

PMID- 26256469
TI  - Bridging waitlist delays with interim buprenorphine treatment: initial
      feasibility.
AB  - Despite the effectiveness of agonist maintenance for opioid dependence,
      individuals can remain on waitlists for months, during which they are at
      significant risk for morbidity and mortality. Interim dosing, consisting of daily
      medication without counseling, can reduce these risks. In this pilot study, we
      examined the initial feasibility of a novel technology-assisted interim
      buprenorphine treatment for waitlisted opioid-dependent adults. Following
      buprenorphine induction during Week 1, participants (n=10) visited the clinic at
      Weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 to ingest their medication under staff observation,
      provide a urine specimen and receive their remaining doses via a computerized Med
      O-Wheel Secure device. They also received daily monitoring via an Interactive
      Voice Response (IVR) platform, as well as random call-backs for urinalysis and
      medication adherence checks. The primary outcome was percent of participants
      negative for illicit opioids at each 2-week visit, with secondary outcomes of
      past-month drug use, adherence and acceptability. Participants achieved high
      levels of illicit opioid abstinence, with 90% abstinent at the Week 2 and 4
      visits and 60% at Week 12. Significant reductions were observed in self-reported
      past-month illicit opioid use (p<.001), opioid withdrawal (p<.001), opioid
      craving (p<.001) and ASI Drug composite score (p=.008). Finally, adherence with
      buprenorphine administration (99%), daily IVR calls (97%) and random call-backs
      (82%) was high. Interim buprenorphine treatment shows promise for reducing
      patient and societal risks during delays to conventional treatment. A larger
      scale, randomized clinical trial is underway to more rigorously examine the
      efficacy of this treatment approach. 

PMID- 26256470
TI  - Parental monitoring and family relations: associations with drinking patterns
      among male and female Mexican students.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Parental monitoring and family relations are recognized as
      protective factors for youth alcohol use. The purpose of this study was to
      investigate perceived parental monitoring and family relations among subgroups of
      Mexican youths with different patterns of drinking behaviors and consequences.
      METHODS: A latent profile analysis (LPA) identified profiles of drinking behavior
      in a cross-sectional survey of entering first year university students.
      Multinomial regression examined associations between parental monitoring, family
      relations and drinking profiles among 22,224 students. RESULTS: Both lower
      perceived parental monitoring and weaker perceived family relations were
      associated with heavier drinking profiles among males and females, but more
      strongly associated with female than male heavier drinking profiles. Being older,
      having parents with lower education, and not living with parents were also
      associated with lower parental monitoring and weaker family relations. There was
      a general trend of lower parental monitoring and weaker family relations as the
      profiles increased from Non/Infrequent-No Consequences to Excessive-Many
      Consequences Drinkers. Lower perceived parental monitoring and weaker perceived
      family relations were more strongly associated with drinking profiles among
      females than among males. Both the parental monitoring and family relations
      scales had similar associations with drinking profiles. CONCLUSIONS: Findings
      suggest that drinking norms and values may contribute to any protective
      influences of parental monitoring and family relations on Mexican youths'
      drinking. Research about changes in drinking norms, contextual factors, and youth
      parent trust would inform the utility of parental monitoring or family relations
      as protective strategies against alcohol misuse among Mexican and Mexican
      American youths and also youths from other backgrounds.

PMID- 26256471
TI  - Elevated oxygen consumption rate in response to acute low-glucose stress:
      Metformin restores rate to normal level.
AB  - Cardiovascular disease (CVD) continues to be the leading cause of mortality among
      all age demographics in the United States, with the highest occurrence in
      populations aged 65 and older. Glucose levels, particularly hyperglycemia, are
      associated with the premature onset of age-related diseases including CVD. A
      major challenge in the treatment of elderly patients with chronically elevated
      blood glucose is the frequency of hypoglycemic episodes. Molecular mechanisms of
      hypoglycemia remain unclear, but are associated with premature onset of age
      related-diseases. Here we report a mitochondrial metabolic profile assessing
      short-term (up to six hours) and longer-term (12-24h) durations of low-glucose
      stress. We observed that the anti-diabetic biguanide and mitochondrial complex I
      inhibitor, metformin, can lower and restore the elevated oxygen consumption rate
      during shorter-term glucose stress to levels similar to that of cells cultured in
      normal glucose. This effect appears, in part, to involve activation of the 5' AMP
      activated protein kinase (AMPK). 

PMID- 26256472
TI  - Pore orientation mediated control of mechanical behavior of scaffolds and its
      application in cartilage-mimetic scaffold design.
AB  - Scaffolds with aligned pores are being explored in musculoskeletal tissue
      engineering due to their inherent structural anisotropy. However, influence of
      their structure on mechanical behavior remains poorly understood. In this work,
      we elucidate this dependence using chitosan-gelatin based random and aligned
      scaffolds. For this, scaffolds with horizontally or vertically aligned pores were
      fabricated using unidirectional freezing technique. Random, horizontal and
      vertical scaffolds were characterized for their mechanical behavior under
      compressive, tensile and shear loading regimes. The results revealed conserved
      trends in compressive, tensile and shear moduli, with horizontal scaffolds
      showing the least moduli, vertical showing the highest and random showing
      intermediate. Further, these scaffolds demonstrated a highly viscoelastic
      behavior under cyclic compressive loading, with a pore orientation dependent
      relative energy dissipation. These results established that mechanical behavior
      of porous scaffolds can be modulated by varying pore orientation alone. This
      finding paved the way to recreate the structural and consequent mechanical
      anisotropy of articular cartilage tissue using zonally varied pore orientation in
      scaffolds. To this end, monolithic multizonal scaffolds were fabricated using a
      novel sequential unidirectional freezing technique. The superficial zone of this
      scaffold had horizontally aligned pores while the deep zone consisted of
      vertically aligned pores, with a transition zone between the two having randomly
      oriented pores. This depth-dependent pore architecture closely mimicked the
      collagen alignment of native articular cartilage which translated into similar
      depth-dependent mechanical anisotropy as well. A facile fabrication technique,
      biomimetic pore architecture and associated mechanical anisotropy make this
      multizonal scaffold a promising candidate for cartilage tissue engineering. 

PMID- 26256473
TI  - Investigation of mechanisms of viscoelastic behavior of collagen molecule.
AB  - Unique mechanical properties of collagen molecule make it one of the most
      important and abundant proteins in animals. Many tissues such as connective
      tissues rely on these properties to function properly. In the past decade,
      molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have been used extensively to study the
      mechanical behavior of molecules. For collagen, MD simulations were primarily
      used to determine its elastic properties. In this study, constant force steered
      MD simulations were used to perform creep tests on collagen molecule segments.
      The mechanical behavior of the segments, with lengths of approximately 20 (1X),
      38 (2X), 74 (4X), and 290 nm (16X), was characterized using a quasi-linear model
      to describe the observed viscoelastic responses. To investigate the mechanisms of
      the viscoelastic behavior, hydrogen bonds (H-bonds) rupture/formation time
      history of the segments were analyzed and it was shown that the formation growth
      rate of H-bonds in the system is correlated with the creep growth rate of the
      segment (beta=2.41betaH). In addition, a linear relationship between H-bonds
      formation growth rate and the length of the segment was quantified. Based on
      these findings, a general viscoelastic model was developed and verified here,
      using the smallest segment as a building block, the viscoelastic properties of
      larger segments could be predicted. In addition, the effect of temperature
      control methods on the mechanical properties were studied, and it was shown that
      application of Langevin Dynamics had adverse effect on these properties while the
      Lowe-Anderson method was shown to be more appropriate for this application. This
      study provides information that is essential for multi-scale modeling of collagen
      fibrils using a bottom-up approach.

PMID- 26256474
TI  - Nickel-Catalyzed Asymmetric Reductive Cross-Coupling between Heteroaryl Iodides
      and alpha-Chloronitriles.
AB  - A Ni-catalyzed asymmetric reductive cross-coupling of heteroaryl iodides and
      alpha-chloronitriles has been developed. This method furnishes enantioenriched
      alpha,alpha-disubstituted nitriles from simple organohalide building blocks. The
      reaction tolerates a variety of heterocyclic coupling partners, including
      pyridines, pyrimidines, quinolines, thiophenes, and piperidines. The reaction
      proceeds under mild conditions at room temperature and precludes the need to
      pregenerate organometallic nucleophiles. 

PMID- 26256475
TI  - Systems Analysis of Protein Fatty Acylation in Herpes Simplex Virus-Infected
      Cells Using Chemical Proteomics.
AB  - Protein fatty acylation regulates diverse aspects of cellular function and
      organization and plays a key role in host immune responses to infection.
      Acylation also modulates the function and localization of virus-encoded proteins.
      Here, we employ chemical proteomics tools, bio-orthogonal probes, and capture
      reagents to study myristoylation and palmitoylation during infection with herpes
      simplex virus (HSV). Using in-gel fluorescence imaging and quantitative mass
      spectrometry, we demonstrate a generalized reduction in myristoylation of host
      proteins, whereas palmitoylation of host proteins, including regulators of
      interferon and tetraspanin family proteins, was selectively repressed.
      Furthermore, we found that a significant fraction of the viral proteome undergoes
      palmitoylation; we identified a number of virus membrane glycoproteins,
      structural proteins, and kinases. Taken together, our results provide broad
      oversight of protein acylation during HSV infection, a roadmap for similar
      analysis in other systems, and a resource with which to pursue specific analysis
      of systems and functions. 

PMID- 26256476
TI  - High-Throughput Multiplexed Peptide-Centric Profiling Illustrates Both Substrate
      Cleavage Redundancy and Specificity in the MMP Family.
AB  - Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play incompletely understood roles in health and
      disease. Knowing the MMP cleavage preferences is essential for a better
      understanding of the MMP functions and design of selective inhibitors. To
      elucidate the cleavage preferences of MMPs, we employed a high-throughput
      multiplexed peptide-centric profiling technology involving the cleavage of 18,583
      peptides by 18 proteinases from the main sub-groups of the MMP family. Our
      results enabled comparison of the MMP substrates on a global scale, leading to
      the most efficient and selective substrates. The data validated the accuracy of
      our cleavage prediction software. This software allows us and others to locate,
      with nearly 100% accuracy, the MMP cleavage sites in the peptide sequences. In
      addition to increasing our understanding of both the selectivity and the
      redundancy of the MMP family, our study generated a roadmap for the subsequent
      MMP structural-functional studies and efficient substrate and inhibitor design. 

PMID- 26256478
TI  - Design and Synthesis of Activity-Based Probes and Inhibitors for Bleomycin
      Hydrolase.
AB  - Bleomycin hydrolase (BLMH) is a neutral cysteine aminopeptidase that has been
      ascribed roles in many physiological and pathological processes, yet its primary
      biological function remains enigmatic. In this work, we describe the results of
      screening of a library of fluorogenic substrates to identify non-natural amino
      acids that are optimally recognized by BLMH. This screen identified several
      substrates with kcat/KM values that are substantially improved over the
      previously reported fluorogenic substrates for this enzyme. The substrate
      sequences were used to design activity-based probes that showed potent labeling
      of recombinant BLMH as well as endogenously expressed BLMH in cell extracts, and
      in intact cells. Importantly, we identify potent BLMH inhibitors that are able to
      fully inhibit endogenous BLMH activity in intact cells. These probes and
      inhibitors will be valuable new reagents to study BLMH function in cellular and
      animal models of human diseases where BLMH is likely to be involved. 

PMID- 26256477
TI  - Chemical Lectinology: Tools for Probing the Ligands and Dynamics of Mammalian
      Lectins In Vivo.
AB  - The importance and complexity associated with the totality of glycan structures,
      i.e. the glycome, has garnered significant attention from chemists and biologists
      alike. However, what is lacking from this biochemical picture is how cells,
      tissues, and organisms interpret glycan patterns and translate this information
      into appropriate responses. Lectins, glycan-binding proteins, are thought to
      bridge this gap by decoding the glycome and dictating cell fate based on the
      underlying chemical identities and properties of the glycome. Yet, our
      understanding of the in vivo ligands and function for most lectins is still
      incomplete. This review focuses on recent advances in chemical tools to study the
      specificity and dynamics of mammalian lectins in live cells. A picture emerges of
      lectin function that is highly sensitive to its organization, which in turn
      drastically shapes immunity and cancer progression. We hope this review will
      inspire biologists to make use of these new techniques and stimulate chemists to
      continue developing innovative approaches to probe lectin biology in vivo. 

PMID- 26256479
TI  - Repurposing Hsp104 to Antagonize Seminal Amyloid and Counter HIV Infection.
AB  - Naturally occurring proteolytic fragments of prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP248
      286 and PAP85-120) and semenogelins (SEM1 and SEM2) form amyloid fibrils in
      seminal fluid, which capture HIV virions and promote infection. For example,
      PAP248-286 fibrils, termed SEVI (semen-derived enhancer of viral infection), can
      potentiate HIV infection by several orders of magnitude. Here, we design three
      disruptive technologies to rapidly antagonize seminal amyloid by repurposing
      Hsp104, an amyloid-remodeling nanomachine from yeast. First, Hsp104 and an
      enhanced engineered variant, Hsp104(A503V), directly remodel SEVI and PAP85-120
      fibrils into non-amyloid forms. Second, we elucidate catalytically inactive
      Hsp104 scaffolds that do not remodel amyloid structure, but cluster SEVI, PAP85
      120, and SEM1(45-107) fibrils into larger assemblies. Third, we modify Hsp104 to
      interact with the chambered protease ClpP, which enables coupled remodeling and
      degradation to irreversibly clear SEVI and PAP85-120 fibrils. Each strategy
      diminished the ability of seminal amyloid to promote HIV infection, and could
      have therapeutic utility. 

PMID- 26256480
TI  - Highly accurate thermal flow microsensor for continuous and quantitative
      measurement of cerebral blood flow.
AB  - Cerebral blood flow (CBF) plays a critical role in the exchange of nutrients and
      metabolites at the capillary level and is tightly regulated to meet the metabolic
      demands of the brain. After major brain injuries, CBF normally decreases and
      supporting the injured brain with adequate CBF is a mainstay of therapy after
      traumatic brain injury. Quantitative and localized measurement of CBF is
      therefore critically important for evaluation of treatment efficacy and also for
      understanding of cerebral pathophysiology. We present here an improved thermal
      flow microsensor and its operation which provides higher accuracy compared to
      existing devices. The flow microsensor consists of three components, two stacked
      up thin film resistive elements serving as composite heater/temperature sensor
      and one remote resistive element for environmental temperature compensation. It
      operates in constant-temperature mode (~2  degrees C above the medium
      temperature) providing 20 ms temporal resolution. Compared to previous thermal
      flow microsensor based on self-heating and self-sensing design, the sensor
      presented provides at least two-fold improvement in accuracy in the range from 0
      to 200 ml/100 g/min. This is mainly achieved by using the stacked-up structure,
      where the heating and sensing are separated to improve the temperature
      measurement accuracy by minimization of errors introduced by self-heating. 

PMID- 26256482
TI  - Immunohistochemical biomarkers and FDG uptake on PET/CT in head and neck squamous
      cell carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is an exciting complementarity between the spatial resolution
      provided by molecular imaging of a single, often unspecific, biomarker on one
      hand and the more detailed biological profile achievable from a diagnostic biopsy
      using a panel of immunohistochemical (IHC) markers on the other. A number of
      previous studies have shown a relationship between glucose transport protein
      expression and 18F-Fludeoxyglucose (FDG) PET uptake. Here, FDG uptake is analyzed
      in relation to expression of a selected panel of IHC cancer biomarkers in head
      and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: IHC staining for
      Bcl-2, beta-tubulin-1 and 2, p53, EGFR, Ki-67, glutathione-S-transferase-pi and
      p16 was performed on formalin-fixed paraffin embedded diagnostic biopsies from
      102 HNSCC cases treated at Rigshospitalet during 2005-2009. The proportion of
      positive cells was used for analyses, except p16, which was scored according to
      EORTC guidelines. In all cases, maximal FDG standardized uptake value (SUV)
      metrics were extracted for the primary tumor, TSUVmax. Univariate linear
      regression and multiple linear regression of TSUVmax versus IHC markers were
      performed. RESULTS: In univariate analyses, TSUVmax showed negative associations
      with Bcl-2 (p = 0.002) and p16 (p = 0.005) indices and positive association with
      beta-tubulin-1 index (p = 0.003). On multivariate analysis, TSUVmax remained
      associated with beta-tubulin-1 (p = 0.009), Bcl-2 (p = 0.03) and p16 (p = 0.03).
      All correlations had r-squared < 0.3. CONCLUSION: Statistically significant
      correlations were observed between the expression of IHC biomarkers and maximum
      FDG uptake in the primary tumor.

PMID- 26256481
TI  - A multilayered microfluidic blood vessel-like structure.
AB  - There is an immense need for tissue engineered blood vessels. However, current
      tissue engineering approaches still lack the ability to build native blood vessel
      like perfusable structures with multi-layered vascular walls. This paper
      demonstrated a new method to fabricate tri-layer biomimetic blood vessel-like
      structures on a microfluidic platform using photocrosslinkable gelatin hydrogel.
      The presented method enables fabrication of physiological blood vessel-like
      structures with mono-, bi- or tri-layer vascular walls. The diameter of the
      vessels, the total thickness of the vessel wall and the thickness of each
      individual layer of the wall were independently controlled. The developed
      fabrication process is a simple and rapid method, allowing the physical
      fabrication of the vascular structure in minutes, and the formation of a vascular
      endothelial cell layer inside the vessels in 3-5 days. The fabricated vascular
      constructs can potentially be used in numerous applications including drug
      screening, development of in vitro models for cardiovascular diseases and/or
      cancer metastasis, and study of vascular biology and mechanobiology. 

PMID- 26256483
TI  - Relationship between leukocytes recruitment and risk of rebleeding in patients
      with peptic ulcers.
AB  - AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of leukocytes reaction on
      rebleeding development among patients with peptic ulcers. METHODS: This was a
      single-center cohort study enrolling 232 patients with a diagnosis of
      gastroduodenal ulcer bleeding. The end point was the in-hospital rebleeding rate
      during the three days after admission. The impact of clinical, demographic,
      endoscopic and laboratory data at the time of admission, as well as macrophages
      (CD68) and neutrophils count in ulcer margin, on bleeding outcome was assessed.
      In addition, impact of the leukocytes on the platelets aggregation induced with
      ADP (5MUM) and collagen (1MUM) was measured in vitro. RESULTS: Acute ulcer
      bleeding was accompanied with an acute inflammatory response to damage and
      hemorrhage. Despite the increase of neutrophil count (P=0.031) in peripheral
      blood of bleeders, there were not significant influence of this parameter on the
      outcome. It was shown that the most significant predicting factors were an
      increased neutrophils (OR 1.4; 95% CI 1.1-1.8) and macrophages count in the ulcer
      margin (OR 3.5; 95% CI 1.9-4.87); an endoscopically diagnosed active bleeding (OR
      3.0; 95% CI 1.4-6.3); an enhanced level of plasma fibrinogen (OR 1.04; 95% CI 1.0
      1.08). Co-incubation of platelets with leukocytes significantly decreased the
      collagen induced aggregation (P=0.008) that could indicate either alteration of
      mechanisms of platelets adhesion, or inhibition of stabilization phase of
      thrombogenesis. CONCLUSION: The severity of the local acute inflammatory reaction
      promotes progressive tissue damage of ulcer margin, and increases the risk of
      rebleeding.

PMID- 26256484
TI  - A novel therapeutic target of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis: skewing M2
      polarization through vitamin D-VDR-IL-37 pathway.

PMID- 26256485
TI  - Benzodiazepines - Effects on Human Performance and Behavior.
AB  - There exist a large number of drugs belonging to the benzodiazepine family. These
      include the 1,4-benzodiazepines such as diazepam, temazepam and oxazepam, the
      often more potent diazolo- and triazolo-groups represented by alprazolam,
      midazolam, triazolam etc. These drugs represent a large range of potencies from
      submilligram doses to over 100 mg and a range of polarities. Consequently, blood
      or plasma concentrations associated with prescribed use range from sub-nanogram
      per mL to near-microgram per mL. Their medical use varies, but they are
      predominantly used as hypnotics and sedatives. Some members are also used in the
      treatment of post-traumatic stress and obsessive-compulsive disorders, alcohol
      withdrawal, muscle spasm, and seizures. Recreationally, drug users favor these
      drugs to reduce the symptoms of withdrawal and unpleasant effects of heroin and
      cocaine. They are also commonly used as "date-rape" drugs to render a victim
      incapable of resisting an attack. Benzodiazepines elicit a large number of
      physiological and psychological responses in humans that often can lead to
      significant behavioral changes and adverse effects on skills required for safe
      driving. These include reduced lane control, increased reaction times, reduced
      hand-eye coordination and cognitive impairment. Impairment can exceed that seen
      with 0.05 g% ethanol. In high doses benzodiazepines can cause persons to exhibit
      classical features of CNS-depressant drugs such as nystagmus, ataxia, slurred
      speech, and impaired divided attention skills. As one would expect with hypnotics
      and sedatives, any sleep deprivation, or situations involving monotonous driving
      can lead to a reduced ability to concentrate and maintain vigilance. Adverse
      effects on REM and NREM sleep patterns will exacerbate fatigue-related components
      to driving. Persons with sleep abnormalities, e.g., sleep apnea, may be more
      likely to be affected by benzodiazepines than those with normal sleep patterns.
      Ethanol and narcotic analgesics also affect sleep patterns and may compound any
      CNS-depressant effects associated with the use of benzodiazepines. 

PMID- 26256486
TI  - Cannabis (Marijuana) - Effects on Human Performance and Behavior.
AB  - Cannabis is one of the oldest and most commonly abused drugs in the world.
      Recently, tremendous advances have been made in our understanding of the
      endogenous cannabinoid system with the identification of cannabinoid receptors,
      cannabinoid receptor antagonists, endogenous neurotransmitters, metabolic
      enzymes, and reuptake mechanisms. These advances have helped us to elucidate the
      mechanisms of action of cannabis and the side effects and toxicities associated
      with its use. In addition, potential therapeutic applications are being
      investigated for the use of smoked cannabis and synthetic THC (dronabinol). Most
      workplace, military, and criminal justice positive urine drug tests are due to
      the use of cannabis. In addition, alternative matrices, including saliva, sweat,
      and hair, are being utilized for monitoring cannabis use in treatment,
      employment, and criminal justice settings. Experimental laboratory studies have
      identified cognitive, physiological, and psychomotor effects following cannabis.
      Epidemiological studies reveal that cannabis is the most common illicit drug
      world-wide in impaired drivers, and in motor vehicle injuries and fatalities.
      Driving simulator studies also indicate performance impairment following cannabis
      use; however, the results of open- and closed-road driving studies and of
      culpability studies do not consistently document increased driving risk. Clearly
      a combination of ethanol and cannabis use significantly increases risks. This
      article reviews the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of cannabis and places
      special emphasis on the effects of cannabis on complex tasks such as driving and
      flying. 

PMID- 26256487
TI  - Cocaine - Effects on Human Performance and Behavior.
AB  - A brief history of cocaine is provided followed by an overview of the
      pharmacology of cocaine. In addition to the mechanism of action, the effects of
      cocaine withdrawal and its effects in combination with ethanol are discussed.
      Special emphasis is placed on the metabolism of cocaine and the interpretation of
      the concentration of cocaine and metabolites detected in various matrices.
      Consideration is given to stability of the drug, pathology, postmortem
      observations, passive and unknowing ingestion, and dermal exposure. A brief
      overview of analytical methodology is also presented. Finally, the effects of
      cocaine on driving are examined. 

PMID- 26256488
TI  - gamma-Hydroxybutyrate (GHB) - Effects on Human Performance and Behavior.
AB  - gamma-Hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is a powerful central nervous system (CNS) depressant
      which has had a history of limited therapeutic use and, more recently, potential
      for abuse. GHB is a naturally occurring compound present in mammalian CNS and
      peripheral tissues, and a minor metabolite and precursor of gamma-amino butyric
      acid. GHB is also an emerging recreational drug and has limited therapeutic
      potential. It is now a federally controlled substance. Since the substances gamma
      butyrolactone and 1,4-butanediol rapidly convert to GHB in vivo, they are abused
      as metabolic precursor drugs for GHB and are available in a wide variety of
      forms. GHB alters dopaminergic activity in the CNS, and its effects are primarily
      those of a CNS depressant. Following low doses, euphoria, relaxation, reduced
      inhibitions and sedation can be observed, while vomiting, sweating, severe
      respiratory depression, and unconsciousness are common with GHB intoxication.
      Tolerance to the effects of GHB develops with chronic use, and physical and
      psychological addiction can follow. This monograph reviews the chemistry of GHB
      and its precursor drugs, their reported medicinal and recreational uses,
      pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, metabolism, analytical methodology, and
      interpretation issues such as postmortem endogenous concentrations and specimen
      storage conditions. The manuscript concludes with a discussion of the effects GHB
      may have on human performance. Given the ability of GHB to induce sleep and
      unconsciousness, recreational use of GHB and its precursor drugs GBL and 1,4
      butanediol has the potential of causing impairment in psychomotor and cognitive
      skills. 

PMID- 26256489
TI  - Katamine - Effects on Human Performance and Behavior.
AB  - Ketamine is a rapid-acting anesthetic commonly used during surgical procedures in
      both animals and humans, as an experimental drug in the treatment of chronic
      pain, and as a probe for the study of the cause of schizophrenia. When used
      medically as an anesthetic it is administered as an intravenous (IV) solution,
      but when diverted to the illicit market it can be injected, snorted, smoked, or
      consumed in drinks. Ketamine produces effects similar in some respects to
      phencyclidine (PCP) and lysergic acid (LSD), but of shorter duration. Psychedelic
      effects are produced quickly by low doses of the drug, although larger doses are
      frequently used in an attempt to produce "near-death" experiences. Convulsions
      and death can be caused by higher doses, although most deaths in which ketamine
      is detected are the result of poly-drug use or trauma. Reports of ketamine use at
      rave parties attended by young adults appear to be on the rise. The effects from
      ketamine last from 1-5 hours, and ketamine can be detected in the urine for a
      period of 1-2 days following use. 

PMID- 26256490
TI  - Methamphetamine - Effects on Human Performance and Behavior.
AB  - Methamphetamine is a popular recreational drug that has also had some historical
      use as a therapeutic agent. Its effect profile is complex, with stimulant,
      alerting effects during acute low-dose administration, progressively more
      disorienting effects on cognition, reasoning, and psychomotor ability with
      increased dosing and duration of use, and a depressant-like profile during
      withdrawal, often compounded by delusions and psychotic episodes, especially
      after high-dose or chronic use. This manuscript reviews the synthetic,
      structural, and analytical chemistry of the drug; the pharmacology of its central
      and peripheral effects; its pharmacokinetics following various routes of
      administration and dosage regimens; and its pharmacodynamics in both acute and
      chronic administration and therapeutic and recreational doses, noting in
      particular its effects on judgment, decision making, risk-taking, cognition and
      psychomotor performance, and violence. Finally, the review considers the issue of
      how these various effects can impact driving ability and can contribute to
      impairment. From the material reviewed it is concluded that the use of
      methamphetamine in anything other than low-dose, therapeutic administration with
      medical oversight raises the likelihood of some impairment of performance in
      complex psychomotor tasks such as driving. 

PMID- 26256491
TI  - A canine case with cystic meningioma showing miraculous reduction of the cystic
      lesion.
AB  - A 12-year-old spayed female Labrador retriever was presented with forebrain
      signs. Brain MRI revealed a huge cystic lesion with the thickened falx in the
      frontal region. The brain parenchyma surrounding the lesion showed significant
      signs of a mass effect and also increased intracranial pressure. However, the dog
      suddenly became lucid after about two weeks, and an MRI scan one month after the
      initial study revealed a dramatically shrunken cystic lesion. The dog survived
      for over a year until it was euthanized for other reasons, and the brain lesion
      was diagnosed as a cystic meningioma histologically. To the authors' knowledge,
      this is the first report that described the reduction of the cystic lesion of a
      cystic meningioma in dogs. 

PMID- 26256492
TI  - Seroprevalence of antibody to NcSAG1 antigen of Neospora caninum in cattle from
      Western Java, Indonesia.
AB  - Neospora caninum can cause fetal abortion and neonatal mortality in cattle, and
      is a cause of economic concern worldwide. This study aimed to determine the
      prevalence of Neospora caninum-specific antibodies in cattle from Western Java,
      Indonesia. Serum samples from 991 cattle from 21 locations were tested for
      antibodies to N. caninum by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) on
      the basis of recombinant NcSAG1. The overall seroprevalence was 16.6%, ranging
      from 0 to 87.5% in the sampled locations. The results of this study indicate
      latent infection rates of sampled animals were different in each location.
      Further studies are necessary to elucidate the relationship between N. caninum
      infection and abortion in cattle, and to identify risk factors for infection in
      high-prevalence environments. 

PMID- 26256493
TI  - Relationship Between the Electroglottographic Signal and Vocal Fold Contact Area.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Electroglottography (EGG) is a widely used noninvasive method that
      purports to measure changes in relative vocal fold contact area (VFCA) during
      phonation. Despite its broad application, the putative direct relation between
      the EGG waveform and VFCA has to date only been formally tested in a single
      study, suggesting an approximately linear relationship. However, in that study,
      flow-induced vocal fold (VF) vibration was not investigated. A rigorous empirical
      evaluation of EGG as a measure of VFCA under proper physiological conditions is
      therefore still needed. METHODS/DESIGN: Three red deer larynges were phonated in
      an excised hemilarynx preparation using a conducting glass plate. The time
      varying contact between the VF and the glass plate was assessed by high-speed
      video recordings at 6000 fps, synchronized to the EGG signal. RESULTS: The
      average differences between the normalized [0, 1] VFCA and EGG waveforms for the
      three larynges were 0.180 (+/-0.156), 0.075 (+/-0.115), and 0.168 (+/-0.184) in
      the contacting phase and 0.159 (+/-0.112), -0.003 (+/-0.029), and 0.004 (+/
      0.032) in the decontacting phase. DISCUSSIONS AND CONCLUSIONS: Overall, there was
      a better agreement between VFCA and the EGG waveform in the decontacting phase
      than in the contacting phase. Disagreements may be caused by nonuniform tissue
      conductance properties, electrode placement, and electroglottograph hardware
      circuitry. Pending further research, the EGG waveform may be a reasonable first
      approximation to change in medial contact area between the VFs during phonation.
      However, any quantitative and statistical data derived from EGG should be
      interpreted cautiously, allowing for potential deviations from true VFCA.

PMID- 26256494
TI  - Visualization and Estimation of Vibratory Disturbance in Vocal Fold Scar Using
      High-Speed Digital Imaging.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the method to visualize and quantify the abnormality of
      vocal fold vibration in vocal fold scar (VFS) using high-speed digital imaging
      (HSDI). METHODS: HSDI was performed on 12 patients (2 men and 10 women) with VFS
      and 46 vocally healthy subjects (17 men and 29 women), and the obtained data were
      quantitatively evaluated by frame-by-frame analysis, laryngotopography (LTG),
      single-line and multiline kymography, and glottal area waveform. RESULTS:
      Visualization of a scarred area was feasible in 75% of VFS in the present study
      using LTG. Quantitative HSDI analysis revealed that VFS had poorer glottal
      closure (eg, larger open quotients, larger minimal glottal area), reduced
      vibration in a scarred area (eg, smaller mucosal wave magnitude, mucosal wave
      persistence, lateral peak index), and greater asymmetry (eg, amplitude
      difference, mucosal wave magnitude difference, lateral phase difference) than the
      control group. Correlation study revealed moderate correlations between HSDI
      derived parameters and conventional acoustic or aerodynamic parameters (eg,
      period perturbation quotient). CONCLUSIONS: HSDI is considered to be useful in
      the diagnosis of VFS, visualization of a scarred area, and quantification of
      vibratory abnormality.

PMID- 26256495
TI  - [Low back pain: when and what to do].
AB  - The low back pain has become one of the greatest public health problems
      worldwide. The author based on the current international standards summarizes the
      knowledge necessary for every day treatment of low back pain. In acute low back
      pain the author underlines the necessity of the rapid, accurate diagnosis and
      separation for specific and non-specific low back pain. In specific acute low
      back pain the treatment should focus on to eliminate the root causes. In non
      specific cases pain killing treatment and early active mobilization is the choice
      for the therapeutic process. Beside analgesia, the primary goal of the treatment
      is to prevent becoming chronic the symptomatology. Objectives of the management
      of chronic low back pain are effective pain reduction, continuous maintainance of
      physical activity, prevention of permanent disability, and restoration of working
      ability. Analgesics, non steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, and muscle relaxants
      reduce pain, while multidisciplinary management programs, personalized and guided
      physiotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, as well as short training programs
      will help to restore function. Surgical treatment is only indicated in
      degenerative cases and only after the failure of conservative therapy.

PMID- 26256496
TI  - [Psychological interventions following trauma to prevent posttraumatic stress
      disorder. A systematic review of the literature].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Because of the high prevalence of exposure to traumatic events and
      its negative consequences on mental health, the importance of effective
      interventions to prevent posttraumatic stress disorder has been emphasized. AIM:
      The authors wanted to evaluate the current status of evidence regarding early
      psychological interventions after traumatization. METHOD: A search was conducted
      in ProQuest PILOTS, PubMed, and Web of Science for early psychological
      interventions that were published between 2005 and 2015. RESULTS: Twenty-one
      trials were identified, of which 6 presented immediate interventions (within 72
      hours) and the rest early interventions within the first month. Based on these
      research findings immediate interventions are not effective, whilst multi-session
      cognitive behavior therapies could be effective in symptom reduction.
      CONCLUSIONS: Multi-session cognitive behavior therapy is preferred over immediate
      one session interventions especially over debriefing. A natural decline of
      symptoms was observed among controls and, therefore, targeted interventions are
      recommended only for people with higher risk for developing subsequent
      posttraumatic stress disorder.

PMID- 26256497
TI  - [Use of high-fidelity patient simulators for the assessment of students'
      performance].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The authors started to use high-fidelity simulators at Semmelweis
      University, Faculty of Health Sciences in September, 2007. AIM: The aim of this
      study was to evaluate the students' performance in order to determine their
      knowledge after each simulation course. METHOD: The Creighton Simulation
      Evaluation Instrument (C-SEI) was used to evaluate midwifery students'
      performance during examinations. 67 midwifery students were evaluated after the
      "Clinical simulation" course and 58 midwifery students after the "Case studies in
      simulation" course. RESULTS: The average total scores were significantly higher
      than the desired level of 75 (p<0.01); after the "Clinical simulation" 88.8+/
      9,14, and after the "Case studies in simulation" courses 86.6+/-14.87. Among
      subscales the lowest average total score was found in critical thinking in each
      of the course. Statistically significant correlation was found between the
      results of "General nursing care" and the results of "Case studies in simulation"
      courses (r = 0.34; p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The use of high-fidelity simulators with
      valid tools simultaneously might be a suitable method for students' evaluation.

PMID- 26256498
TI  - [Correlations between skin autofluorescence and conventional glycemic markers in
      patients with diabetes].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Skin autofluorescence has a well-known significance for screening
      diabetes and early diagnosis of vascular complications. It predicts
      cardiovascular events better than hemoglobin A1c, hence skin autofluorescence is
      a marker of cumulative tissue glycemic load whereas hemoglobin A1c reflects
      changes occurring in the previous 6-8 weeks. AIM: The aim of the authors was
      analyze the relationship between skin autofluorescence and conventional glycemic
      markers in patients with diabetes. METHOD: Skin autofluorescence measurements
      were performed in 2010 in 18 patients (10 men and 8 women with normal glomerular
      filtration rate; age, 61.4+/-13.8 years) with long term follow-up (2624 months,
      476 laboratory results). Relationships between skin autofluorescence values and
      fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c levels and metabolic parameters obtained
      before and after skin autofluorescence measurements were analysed using Spearman
      rank test. RESULTS: The average skin autofluorescence value was 2.88+/-0.65
      arbitrary units. There were no significant correlations between skin
      autofluorescence and hemoglobin A1c levels obtained before (7.84+/-1.08%, p =
      0.07) and after the skin autofluorescence measurements (7.45+/-1.18%, p = 0.71).
      Skin autofluorescence values also failed to show relationship with fasting blood
      glucose obtained before (p = 0.09) and after (p = 0.29) the skin autofluorescence
      measurements. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with diabetes skin autofluorescence may
      provide novel information about glycemic burden. Skin autofluorescence values
      (which may presumably provide a more accurate estimation of the cardiovascular
      risk) do not correlate with hemoglobin A1c and fasting blood glucose.

PMID- 26256499
TI  - [Isolated hypospadias in 5 brothers].
AB  - The healthy couple had five sons with hypospadias (glandular 1, coronal 4)
      without other child. Similar familial cluster has not reported in the sons of
      European parents without consanguinity. Mild form androgen insensitivity syndrome
      was expected in these 5 boys because of the X-linked androgen receptor gene,
      however, sequencing of the entire coding region (exons 1-8) and all intron-exon
      boundaries of the androgen receptor gene did not reveal abnormality and the CAG
      repeat was found in the normal range (21 repeats). This extreme familial cluster
      may help us to elucidate gene polymorphisms in the polygenic background of the
      multifactorial origin of isolated hypospadias. Therefore, the authors collaborate
      with a genetic institute in Pittsburg, USA to perform whole genome sequencing in
      these probands and their parents.

PMID- 26256500
TI  - Administration of Hwang-Ryun-Haedok-tang, a Herbal Complex, for Patients With
      Abdominal Obesity: A Case Series.
AB  - Herbal medicines have received attention as antiabdominal obesity agents. We
      present a series of 13 cases that demonstrate the positive effect of the herbal
      complex Hwang-Ryun-Haedok-Tang (HRHT; Tsumura, Tokyo, Japan) on weight and
      abdominal fat control in patients with abdominal obesity. We treated 13 patients
      with abdominal obesity treated for 54.46 +/- 18.07 days with 5.0 g of HRHT daily.
      To evaluate the treatment, the morphometric (i.e., waist circumstance, weight,
      body fat) and biochemical parameters were measured once monthly. After HRHT
      therapy, the waist circumstance decreased from 91.96 +/- 7.99 cm to 87.12 +/-
      8.09 cm (paired t test, P < .001) and the weight decreased from 78.09 +/- 14.35
      kg (average +/- standard deviation) to 75.72 +/- 14.60 kg (paired t test, P <
      .001). All 13 (100%) patients had low waist circumstances after treatment.
      Overall, 12 (92.3%) of the 13 patients had a lower weight and body mass index. In
      the present study, we showed the clinical effects of HRHT on waist circumstance,
      weight, body mass index, and body fat in patients with abdominal obesity. Further
      clinical studies investigating the effects of HRHT are needed.

PMID- 26256501
TI  - International Society for Plasmid Biology.

PMID- 26256502
TI  - Introduction: Surface Histories.

PMID- 26256503
TI  - Dust Plate, Retina, Photograph: Imaging on Experimental Surfaces in Early
      Nineteenth-Century Physics.
AB  - This article explores the entangled histories of three imaging techniques in
      early nineteenth-century British physical science, techniques in which a dynamic
      event (such as a sound vibration or an electric spark) was made to leave behind a
      fixed trace on a sensitive surface. Three categories of "sensitive surface" are
      examined in turn: first, a metal plate covered in fine dust; second, the retina
      of the human eye; and finally, a surface covered with a light-sensitive chemical
      emulsion (a photographic plate). For physicists Michael Faraday and Charles
      Wheatstone, and photographic pioneer William Henry Fox Talbot, transient
      phenomena could be studied through careful observation and manipulation of the
      patterns wrought on these different surfaces, and through an understanding of how
      the imaging process unfolded through time. This exposes the often-ignored
      materiality and temporality of epistemic practices around nineteenth-century
      scientific images said to be "drawn by nature."

PMID- 26256504
TI  - Leviathan and the Myograph: Hermann Helmholtz's "Second Note" on the Propagation
      Speed of Nervous Stimulations.
AB  - In the winter of 1849-1850 in Konigsberg, German physiologist Hermann von
      Helmholtz (1821-1894) conducted pioneering measurements concerning the
      propagation speed of stimulations in the living nerve. While recent historians of
      science have paid considerable attention to Helmholtz's uses of the graphic
      method, in particular his construction of an instrument called "myographion,"
      this paper draws attention to the inscription surfaces that he used in effective
      ways for capturing and transmitting his findings. Against the background of
      recent archival findings, I show that Helmholtz used isinglass copies of his
      graphical recordings in order to communicate the basic principle of previous
      measurements to the academic public. As the correspondence with his Berlin-based
      friend and colleague Emil du Bois-Reymond (1818-1896) and the subsequent
      development of the myographion make clear, these curves were not meant as
      measurements but functioned as demonstrations. In other words, Helmholtz's curves
      did provide "images of precision" (Olesko and Holmes 1993) - but they were not
      precise images.

PMID- 26256505
TI  - From Topos to Oikos: The Standardization of Glass Containers as Epistemic
      Boundaries in Modern Laboratory Research (1850-1900).
AB  - Glass vessels such as flasks and test tubes play an ambiguous role in the
      historiography of modern laboratory research. In spite of the strong focus on the
      role of materiality in the last decades, the scientific glass vessel - while
      being symbolically omnipresent - has remained curiously neglected in regard to
      its materiality. The popular image or topos of the transparent, neutral, and
      quasi-immaterial glass container obstructs the view of the physico-chemical
      functionality of this constitutive inner boundary in modern laboratory
      environments and its material historicity. In order to understand how glass
      vessels were able to provide a stable epistemic containment of spatially enclosed
      experimental phenomena in the new laboratory ecologies emerging in the nineteenth
      and early twentieth century, I will focus on the history of the material
      standardization of laboratory glassware. I will follow the rise of a new
      awareness for measurement errors due to the chemical agency of experimental glass
      vessels, then I will sketch the emergence of a whole techno-scientific
      infrastructure for the improvement of glass container quality in late nineteenth
      century Germany. In the last part of my argument, I will return to the laboratory
      by looking at the implementation of this glass reform that created a new oikos
      for the inner experimental milieus of modern laboratory research.

PMID- 26256506
TI  - Shaping Vulnerable Bodies at the Thin Boundary between Environment and Organism:
      Skin, DNA Repair, and a Genealogy of DNA Care Strategies.
AB  - This paper brings together the history of risk and the history of DNA repair, a
      biological phenomenon that emerged as a research field in between molecular
      biology, genetics, and radiation research in the 1960s. The case of xeroderma
      pigmentosum (XP), an inherited hypersensitivity to UV light and, hence, a
      disposition to skin cancer will be the starting point to argue that, in the 1970s
      and 1980s, DNA repair became entangled in the creation of new models of the human
      body at risk - what is here conceptually referred to as the vulnerability aspect
      of body history - and new attempts at cancer prevention and enhancement of the
      body associated with the new flourishing research areas of antimutagenesis and
      anticarcinogenesis. The aim will be to demonstrate that DNA repair created
      special attempts at disease prevention: molecular enhancement, seeking to
      identify means to increase the self-repair abilities of the body at the molecular
      level. Prevention in this sense meant enhancing the body's ability to cope with
      the environmental hazards of an already toxic world. This strategy has recently
      been adopted by the beauty industry, which introduced DNA care as a new target
      for skin care research and anti-aging formulas.

PMID- 26256507
TI  - Reading Communities and Hippocratism in Hellenistic Medicine.
AB  - The sect of ancient Greek physicians who believed that medical knowledge came
      from personal experience also read the Hippocratic Corpus intensively. While
      previous scholarship has concentrated on the contributions of individual
      physicians to ancient scholarship on Hippocrates, this article seeks to identify
      those characteristics of Empiricist reading methodology that drove an entire
      medical community to credit Hippocrates with medical authority. To explain why
      these physicians appealed to Hippocrates' authority, I deploy surviving
      testimonia and fragments to describe the skills, practices, and ideologies of the
      reading community of ancient Empiricist physicians over the one-hundred year
      period 175 to 75 BCE. The Empiricist conception of testimony taken on trust
      operative within that reading community elided the modern distinction between
      personal and institutional targets of trust by treating Hippocratic writings as
      revelatory of the moral character of Hippocrates as an author. Hippocrates' moral
      character as an honest witness who accurately observed empirical phenomena
      aligned with the epistemic virtues of an empirical medical community who believed
      that medical knowledge came from personal experience. So I argue that Empiricist
      reading culture constructed a moral authority of honesty and accuracy from
      Hippocratic writings, enlarged the personal authority of Hippocrates among
      medical readers, and contributed to the development of Hippocratism.

PMID- 26256508
TI  - The Emergence of Genetic Counseling in Sweden: Examples from Eugenics and Medical
      Genetics.
AB  - This paper examines the intertwined relations between eugenics and medical
      genetics from a Swedish perspective in the 1940s and 1950s. The Swedish case
      shows that a rudimentary form of genetic counseling emerged within eugenic
      practices in the applications of the Swedish Sterilization Act of 1941, here
      analyzed from the phenomenon of "heredophobia" (arftlighetsskrack). At the same
      time genetic counseling also existed outside eugenic practices, within the
      discipline of medical genetics. The paper argues that a demand for genetic
      counseling increased in the 1940s and 1950s in response to a sense of
      reproductive responsibility engendered by earlier eugenic discourse. The paper
      also questions the claim made by theoreticians of biopolitics that biological
      citizens have emerged only during the last decades, especially in neoliberal
      societies. From the Swedish case it is possible to argue that this had already
      happened earlier in relation to the proliferation of various aspects of eugenics
      to the public.

PMID- 26256509
TI  - Engaging therapeutic citizenship and clientship: Untangling the reasons for
      therapeutic pacifism among people living with HIV in urban Zambia.
AB  - This article explores the reasons for therapeutic pacifism among people living
      with HIV (PLHIVs) in urban Zambia. It contributes to a growing ethnography on
      global health, biosociality, and patient-provider dynamics. Therapeutic
      citizenship is a biopolitical citizenship that includes claims and ethical
      projects that emerge from techniques to control and manage bodies. In some
      contexts, therapeutic citizenship has included activism and claims-making against
      local, national, and international power brokers. This article investigates
      therapeutic citizenship in the specific context of impoverished urban Zambian
      compounds, sites of food insecurity, unemployment, and political exclusion, as
      well as targets for donor, NGO, and faith-based organisation projects and PLHIV
      support group proliferation. The article utilises data from participant
      observations at two Lusaka AIDS clinics, interviews, and focused discussions with
      support groups of PLHIVs. It argues that PLHIVs continuously negotiate
      subjectivities related to kinship, clientship, religious belief, and political
      citizenship in processes that complicate therapeutic citizenship. Rather than
      fostering participation in PLHIV support groups or challenging 'politics as
      usual' through activist claims-making to institutions of biopower, these
      processes lead to therapeutic pacifism.

PMID- 26256510
TI  - Carrier effects on tertiary nitrifying moving bed biofilm reactor: An examination
      of performance, biofilm and biologically produced solids.
AB  - Increasingly stricter ammonia and nitrogen release regulations with respect to
      wastewater effluents are creating a need for tertiary treatment systems. The
      moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) is being considered as an upgrade option for an
      increasing number of wastewater treatment facilities due to its small footprint
      and ease of operation. Despite the MBBRs creation as a system to remove nitrogen,
      recent research on MBBR systems showing that the system's performance is directly
      related to carrier surface area and is irrespective of carrier shape and type has
      been performed exclusively on chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal systems.
      Furthermore, the influence of carrier type on the solids produced by MBBR systems
      has also been exclusively studied for COD removal systems. This work investigates
      the effects of three specific carrier types on ammonia removal rates, biofilm
      morphology, along with solids production and settleability of tertiary nitrifying
      MBBR systems. The study concludes that carrier type has no significant effect on
      tertiary nitrifying MBBR system performance under steady, moderate loading
      conditions. The research does however highlight the propensity of greater surface
      area to volume carriers to become clogged under high loading conditions and that
      the high surface area carriers investigated in this study required longer
      adjustment periods to changes in loading after becoming clogged. 

PMID- 26256511
TI  - Legonaridin, a new member of linaridin RiPP from a Ghanaian Streptomyces isolate.
AB  - Linaridins are rare linear ribosomally-synthesized and post-translationally
      modified peptides (RiPPs) and only two, cypemycin and SGR-1832, in this family
      have been identified so far. Legonaridin 1 has been discovered as a new member of
      linaridins through chemical isolation, peptidogenomics, comprehensive 1- and 2-D
      NMR and advanced Marfey's analyses from the soil bacterium Streptomyces sp. CT34,
      an isolate collected from Legon, Ghana. Bioinformatics analysis of the gene
      cluster suggested that the biosynthesis of legonaridin 1 is different from those
      of cypemycin and SGR-1832. Consistent with bioinformatics and peptidogenomics
      analyses, 1 has a total of nine post-modifications, 8 dehydrobutyrine residues
      and a N,N-dimethylated N-terminus with a carboxylic acid at the C-terminus.
      Legonaridin 1 is structurally different from the two known linaridins comprising
      a new subfamily. This is the first time that NMR spectroscopy is used to
      establish the 2-D structure of a linaridin RiPP.

PMID- 26256512
TI  - Optical Signatures of Quantum Delocalization over Extended Domains in
      Photosynthetic Membranes.
AB  - The prospect of coherent dynamics and excitonic delocalization across several
      light-harvesting structures in photosynthetic membranes is of considerable
      interest, but challenging to explore experimentally. Here we demonstrate
      theoretically that the excitonic delocalization across extended domains involving
      several light-harvesting complexes can lead to unambiguous signatures in the
      optical response, specifically, linear absorption spectra. We characterize, under
      experimentally established conditions of molecular assembly and protein-induced
      inhomogeneities, the optical absorption in these arrays from polarized and
      unpolarized excitation, and demonstrate that it can be used as a diagnostic tool
      to determine the resonance coupling between iso-energetic light-harvesting
      structures. The knowledge of these couplings would then provide further insight
      into the dynamical properties of transfer, such as facilitating the accurate
      determination of Forster rates. 

PMID- 26256513
TI  - Value investing is the best model for selecting plastic surgery trainees.

PMID- 26256514
TI  - Key factors in determining the arrangement of pi-conjugated oligomers inside
      carbon nanotubes.
AB  - Density functional theory (DFT) calculations with dispersion corrections
      elucidated the key factors for determining the arrangement of pi-conjugated
      oligomers inside a carbon nanotube. The current study considered methyl
      terminated terfurans as guests inside a host tube; the results were compared with
      those obtained in previous studies for methyl-terminated terthiophenes inside a
      nanotube. DFT calculations found that the most important factor in determining
      the guest arrangement is the host-guest interactions arising from long-range CH
      pi and pi-pi interactions. In particular, the host-guest interactions play a
      crucial role in the arrangement of pi-conjugated oligomers inside a larger
      diameter tube: pi-conjugated oligomers sit near the inner tube wall to maximize
      attractive host-guest interactions. Within a smaller-diameter tube, host-guest
      interactions, as well as guest-guest (interchain) interactions, are responsible
      for the guest arrangement. Then, stronger host-guest (weaker guest-guest)
      interactions are a major (minor) factor. The stronger host-guest interactions are
      sufficient to deform the inner pi-conjugated oligomers. Due to the tube
      encapsulation, inner terfurans lose their planarity, leading to a weakening of
      the interchain interactions. In contrast, tube encapsulation induces
      terthiophenes to assume nearly planar structures, enhancing their interchain
      interactions. As a result, the magnitude of the interchain interactions is
      dependent on the type of inner oligomer. Reflecting the different interchain
      interactions, multimeric terfurans inside a nanotube exhibit molecular packings
      that are different from those of the corresponding terthiophenes. Considering the
      importance of the arrangement of inner pi-conjugated oligomers to their
      electronic properties, nanotube containers can thus tune the properties of inner
      oligomers. 

PMID- 26256515
TI  - Balancing mitochondrial biogenesis and mitophagy to maintain energy metabolism
      homeostasis.

PMID- 26256516
TI  - Involvement of RARRES3 in the regulation of Wnt proteins acylation and signaling
      activities in human breast cancer cells.

PMID- 26256517
TI  - Induction of apoptosis by IFNgamma in human neuroblastoma cell lines through the
      CD95/CD95L autocrine circuit.

PMID- 26256518
TI  - Magnetic field assisted programming of particle shapes and patterns.
AB  - Anisotropic particles have generated an enormous amount of research interest due
      to their applications for drug delivery, electronic displays and as micromotors.
      However, up till now, there is no single protocol capable of generating particles
      of "patchy" composition with a variety of well-defined and predictable shapes. To
      address this, in this submission we dispersed magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) in a
      non-magnetic fluid containing monomer and crosslinker. This solution was added to
      the surface of Teflon, which was submerged in the solvent 2,2,4-trimethylpentane.
      Under these conditions a round, stable droplet was formed on the Teflon. Upon
      exposure to a permanent magnet, the MNPs self-assembled into clusters with a
      variety shapes and sizes. The shape and size of the clusters depended on the
      magnetic field strength, which we controlled by systematically varying the
      distance between the magnet and the droplet. Interestingly, the shape of the
      liquid droplet was also influenced by the magnetic field. Upon polymerization,
      the MNP patterns and the droplet shape was preserved. We also show that very
      complex MNP patterns and particle shapes could be generated by controlling the
      distance between the drop and both a magnet above and below the droplet. In this
      case, the resulting patterns depended on whether the magnets were attracting or
      repelling each other, which was capable of changing the field lines that the MNPs
      align with. Overall, this approach is capable of generating particles with
      predictable MNP patterns and particle shapes without the use of any templates or
      complex synthetic steps. Furthermore, by using a sprayer (or similar approaches,
      e.g., ink jet printing) this technique can be easily scaled up to produce many
      complex anisotropic particles in a short amount of time. 

PMID- 26256519
TI  - Acute withdrawal-related hypophagia elicited by amphetamine is attenuated by
      pretreatment with selective dopamine D1 or D2 receptor antagonists in rats.
AB  - After receiving 2.0mg/kg amphetamine, rats show two phases of reduced food
      intake, short-term hypophagia, during the first several hours after treatment,
      and longer-term hypophagia, approximately 19 to 26 h after treatment. The longer
      term hypophagia may be an indicator of an acute withdrawal. This study assessed
      whether D1 and D2 receptor activation were important early events in the
      elicitation of longer-term hypophagia. Throughout a series of five-day tests,
      rats could lever press for food pellets for one-hour periods beginning every 3h.
      On test day 1, rats were given a saline pretreatment, and 15 min later they were
      given a saline treatment. On test day 3, they were given a pretreatment of either
      saline or a selective dopamine receptor antagonist, and 15 min later they were
      given a treatment of either saline or amphetamine (2.0mg/kg). In Experiment 1,
      pretreatments included 3, 12, 31, and 50 MUg/kg of the selective D1 receptor
      antagonist SCH 23390. In Experiment 2, pretreatments included 25, 50, and 100
      MUg/kg of the selective D2 receptor antagonist eticlopride. Distance moved was
      monitored for the first 6h following pretreatment-treatment combinations to
      obtain an indirect behavioral measure of receptor blockade (antagonist
      attenuation of amphetamine hyperactivity). Food intake at each meal opportunity
      was monitored throughout each five day test. Patterns of food intake following
      day 1 saline-saline and day 3 pretreatment-treatment were compared. The
      combination saline-amphetamine produced short-term and longer-term hypophagia.
      Combinations involving antagonist-saline did not produce longer-term changes in
      food intake. Pretreatment with 12 to 50 MUg/kg of SCH 23390 produced substantial
      blockade of amphetamine hyperactivity and prevented amphetamine-induced acute
      withdrawal-related longer-term hypophagia. Eticlopride produced a partial
      blockade of longer-term hypophagia. Both D1 and D2 receptor activation are
      required for full expression of longer-term hypophagia following amphetamine
      administration.

PMID- 26256521
TI  - Fine-tuning Risk Stratification for Non-Muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer.

PMID- 26256520
TI  - Poor quality of life, depressed mood, and memory impairment may be mediated by
      sleep disruption in patients with Addison's disease.
AB  - Standard replacement therapy for Addison's disease (AD) does not restore a normal
      circadian rhythm. In fact, hydrocortisone replacement in AD patients likely
      induces disrupted sleep. Given that healthy sleep plays an important role in
      improving quality of life, optimizing cognition, and ensuring affect regulation,
      the aim of this study was to investigate whether poor quality of life, mood
      alterations, and memory complaints reported by AD patients are associated with
      their disrupted sleep patterns. Sixty patients with AD and 60 matched healthy
      controls completed a battery of self-report questionnaires assessing perceived
      physical and mental health (Short-Form 36), mood (Beck Depression Inventory-II),
      sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), and cognition (Cognitive Failures
      Questionnaire). A latent variable model revealed that although AD had a
      significant direct effect on quality of life, the indirect effect of sleep was
      significantly greater. Furthermore, although AD had no direct effect on cognitive
      functioning, the indirect effect of sleep was significant. The overall model
      showed a good fit (comparative fit index = 0.91, root mean square of
      approximation = 0.09, and standardized root mean square residual = 0.05). Our
      findings suggest that disrupted sleep, and not the disease per se, may induce
      poor quality of life, memory impairment, and affect dysregulation in patients
      with AD. We think that improving sleep architecture may improve cognitive,
      affective, and physical functioning.

PMID- 26256522
TI  - Structural classification of metal complexes with three-coordinate centres.
AB  - Attempts to describe the geometry about three-coordinate silver(i) complexes have
      proven difficult because interatomic angles generally vary wildly and there is no
      adequate or readily available classification system found in the literature. A
      search of the Cambridge Structural Database shows that complexes formed between
      any metal centre and three non-metal donors (18 001 examples) usually adopt
      geometries that are quite different than ideal 'textbook' extremes of either
      trigonal planar (~4% with alpha = beta = gamma = 120 +/- 2 degrees ), T-shaped
      (~0.05% with alpha = 180 +/- 2 degrees , beta = gamma = 90 +/- 2 degrees ), or
      trigonal pyramidal (~0.3% with alpha = beta = gamma = 110 +/- 2 degrees ).
      Moreover, there are multiple variations of "Y-type" and "other" shapes that
      require elaboration. Thus, to assist in future structural descriptions, we
      developed a classification system that spans all known and yet-to-be-discovered
      three-coordinate geometries. A spreadsheet has also been constructed that
      utilizes the "shape-space" approach to extract the structural description from a
      user input of three angles about a tri-coordinate centre and the number of atoms
      in a plane. The structures of two silver(i) complexes of new N-donor ligands p
      NH2C6H4C6H4CH(pz = pyrazol-1-yl)2, L1, and 2-ferrocenyl-4,5-di(2
      pyridyl)imidazole, L2, illustrate the utility of this classification system.

PMID- 26256524
TI  - Maternal immunization at the crossroads.

PMID- 26256523
TI  - Transcriptional changes induced by candidate malaria vaccines and correlation
      with protection against malaria in a human challenge model.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The complexity of immunity to malaria is well known, and clear
      correlates of protection against malaria have not been established. A better
      understanding of immune markers induced by candidate malaria vaccines would
      greatly enhance vaccine development, immunogenicity monitoring and estimation of
      vaccine efficacy in the field. We have previously reported complete or partial
      efficacy against experimental sporozoite challenge by several vaccine regimens in
      healthy malaria-naive subjects in Oxford. These include a prime-boost regimen
      with RTS,S/AS02A and modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) expressing the CSP
      antigen, and a DNA-prime, MVA-boost regimen expressing the ME TRAP antigens.
      Using samples from these trials we performed transcriptional profiling, allowing
      a global assessment of responses to vaccination. METHODS: We used Human RefSeq8
      Bead Chips from Illumina to examine gene expression using PBMC (peripheral blood
      mononuclear cells) from 16 human volunteers. To focus on antigen-specific
      changes, comparisons were made between PBMC stimulated with CSP or TRAP peptide
      pools and unstimulated PBMC post vaccination. We then correlated gene expression
      with protection against malaria in a human Plasmodium falciparum malaria
      challenge model. RESULTS: Differentially expressed genes induced by both vaccine
      regimens were predominantly in the IFN-gamma pathway. Gene set enrichment
      analysis revealed antigen-specific effects on genes associated with IFN induction
      and proteasome modules after vaccination. Genes associated with IFN induction and
      antigen presentation modules were positively enriched in subjects with complete
      protection from malaria challenge, while genes associated with haemopoietic stem
      cells, regulatory monocytes and the myeloid lineage modules were negatively
      enriched in protected subjects. CONCLUSIONS: These results represent novel
      insights into the immune repertoires involved in malaria vaccination.

PMID- 26256525
TI  - How should influenza be treated? Focus on antivirals.

PMID- 26256526
TI  - Maternal antibodies and infant immune responses to vaccines.
AB  - Infants are born with immature immune systems, making it difficult for them to
      effectively respond to the infectious pathogens encountered shortly after birth.
      Maternal antibody is actively transported across the placenta and serves to
      provide protection to the newborn during the first weeks to months of life.
      However, maternal antibody has been shown repeatedly to inhibit the immune
      responses of young children to vaccines. The mechanisms for this inhibition are
      presented and the impact on ultimate immune responses is discussed. 

PMID- 26256527
TI  - The US FDA pregnancy lactation and labeling rule - Implications for maternal
      immunization.
AB  - The FDA has responsibility for ensuring that prescription drug and biological
      products including vaccines are accompanied by labeling that summarizes
      scientific information concerning their safe and effective use. As part of a
      broader effort to improve the content and format of prescription drug labeling
      FDA published a final rule, the Content and Format of Labeling for Human
      Prescription Drug and Biological Products; Requirements for Pregnancy and
      Lactation Labeling, referred to as the "Pregnancy and Lactation Labeling Rule
      (PLLR)." The most significant change to be implemented by this Rule is the
      removal of the letter risk categories A, B, C, D and X from all labeling,
      replacing them with a narrative summary of the risks of using a drug or
      biological product including vaccines during pregnancy. The PLLR requires an
      evaluation of available information about a product's use in pregnancy and
      provides an opportunity to update labeling when new information about use of a
      vaccine in pregnancy becomes available. Implementation of the provisions
      articulated in the PLLR, as they apply to vaccine product labeling, will require
      close collaboration between FDA and the vaccine manufacturer for both currently
      licensed vaccines and those in development. 

PMID- 26256528
TI  - Profiling the host response to malaria vaccination and malaria challenge.
AB  - A vaccine for malaria is urgently required. The RTS,S vaccine represents major
      progress, but is only partially effective. Development of the next generation of
      highly effective vaccines requires elucidation of the protective immune response.
      Immunity to malaria is known to be complex, and pattern-based approaches such as
      global gene expression profiling are ideal for understanding response to
      vaccination and protection against disease. The availability of experimental
      sporozoite challenge in humans to test candidate malaria vaccines offers a
      precious opportunity unavailable for other current targets of vaccine research
      such as HIV, tuberculosis and Ebola. However, a limited number of transcriptional
      profiling studies in the context of malaria vaccine research have been published
      to date. This review outlines the background, existing studies, limits and
      opportunities for gene expression studies to accelerate malaria vaccine research.

PMID- 26256529
TI  - An antenna model for the Purcell effect.
AB  - The Purcell effect is defined as a modification of the spontaneous emission rate
      of a quantum emitter at the presence of a resonant cavity. However, a change of
      the emission rate of an emitter caused by an environment has a classical
      counterpart. Any small antenna tuned to a resonance can be described as an
      oscillator with radiative losses, and the effect of the environment on its
      radiation can be modeled and measured in terms of the antenna radiation
      resistance, similar to a quantum emitter. We exploit this analogue behavior to
      develop a general approach for calculating the Purcell factors of different
      systems and various frequency ranges including both electric and magnetic Purcell
      factors. Our approach is illustrated by a general equivalent scheme, and it
      allows resenting the Purcell factor through the continuous radiation of a small
      antenna at the presence of an electromagnetic environment. 

PMID- 26256530
TI  - Association between waist circumference and gray matter volume in 2344
      individuals from two adult community-based samples.
AB  - We analyzed the putative association between abdominal obesity (measured in waist
      circumference) and gray matter volume (Study of Health in Pomerania: SHIP-2,
      N=758) adjusted for age and gender by applying volumetric analysis and voxel
      based morphometry (VBM) with VBM8 to brain magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. We
      sought replication in a second, independent population sample (SHIP-TREND,
      N=1586). In a combined analysis (SHIP-2 and SHIP-TREND) we investigated the
      impact of hypertension, type II diabetes and blood lipids on the association
      between waist circumference and gray matter. Volumetric analysis revealed a
      significant inverse association between waist circumference and gray matter
      volume. VBM in SHIP-2 indicated distinct inverse associations in the following
      structures for both hemispheres: frontal lobe, temporal lobes, pre- and
      postcentral gyrus, supplementary motor area, supramarginal gyrus, insula,
      cingulate gyrus, caudate nucleus, olfactory sulcus, para-/hippocampus, gyrus
      rectus, amygdala, globus pallidus, putamen, cerebellum, fusiform and lingual
      gyrus, (pre-) cuneus and thalamus. These areas were replicated in SHIP-TREND.
      More than 76% of the voxels with significant gray matter volume reduction in SHIP
      2 were also distinct in TREND. These brain areas are involved in cognition,
      attention to interoceptive signals as satiety or reward and control food intake.
      Due to our cross-sectional design we cannot clarify the causal direction of the
      association. However, previous studies described an association between subjects
      with higher waist circumference and future cognitive decline suggesting a
      progressive brain alteration in obese subjects. Pathomechanisms may involve
      chronic inflammation, increased oxidative stress or cellular autophagy associated
      with obesity. 

PMID- 26256532
TI  - CO2-selective PEO-PBT (PolyActiveTM)/graphene oxide composite membranes.
AB  - CO2-selective graphene oxide (GO) nano-composite membranes were prepared for the
      first time by embedding GO into a commercially available poly(ethylene oxide)
      poly(butylene terephthalate) (PEO-PBT) copolymer (PolyActiveTM). The as-prepared
      GO membrane shows high CO2 permeability (143 Barrer) and CO2/N2 selectivity
      (alpha = 73). 

PMID- 26256531
TI  - Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists for the prevention of shivering following general
      anaesthesia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Shivering after general anaesthesia is common. It is unpleasant but
      can also have adverse physiological effects. Alpha-2 (alpha-2) adrenergic agonist
      receptors, which can lead to reduced sympathetic activity and central regulation
      of vasoconstrictor tone, are a group of drugs that have been used to try to
      prevent postoperative shivering. OBJECTIVES: To assess the following: the effects
      of alpha-2 agonists on the prevention of shivering and subsequent complications
      after general anaesthesia in people undergoing surgery; the effects of alpha-2
      agonists on the risk of inadvertent perioperative hypothermia; and whether any
      adverse effects are associated with these interventions. SEARCH METHODS: We
      searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE,
      and EMBASE on 13 June 2014. Our search terms were relevant to the review question
      and limited to studies that assessed shivering or hypothermia. We also carried
      out searches of clinical trials registers, and forward and backward citation
      tracking. SELECTION CRITERIA: We considered all randomized controlled trials,
      quasi-randomized studies, and cluster-randomized studies with adult participants
      undergoing surgery with general anaesthesia in which an alpha-2 agonist was
      compared with another alpha-2 agonist or a placebo for the prevention of
      shivering. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently
      assessed trial quality and extracted data, consulting a third review author in
      the case of disagreements. We used standard Cochrane methodological procedures,
      including an assessment of risk of bias and use of GRADEpro software to interpret
      findings. MAIN RESULTS: We included 20 studies with 1401 surgical participants
      comparing an alpha-2 agonist against a control. Thirteen studies compared
      clonidine with a control, whilst seven compared dexmedetomidine with a control.
      The doses, methods, and time of administration varied between studies: three
      studies gave the drug orally or as an intravenous bolus preoperatively and nine
      intraoperatively; one study gave the drug as an infusion starting preoperatively
      and seven started at varying points from anaesthetic induction to the end of
      surgery. Whilst all the studies were described as randomized, many provided
      insufficient detail on methods used. We had anticipated that attempts would be
      made to reduce performance bias by blinding of personnel and participants,
      however this was detailed in only six of the papers. Similarly, in some studies
      detail was lacking on methods to reduce the risk of detection bias. We therefore
      downgraded the quality of evidence in our 'Summary of findings' table by one
      level for risk of bias using the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment,
      Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.All 20 included studies presented
      outcome data for postoperative shivering, and in meta-analysis alpha-2 agonists
      were shown to significantly reduce the risk of shivering (Mantel-Haenszel risk
      ratio 0.28, 95% confidence interval 0.18 to 0.43, P value < 0.0001). We found
      significant evidence of heterogeneity (I(2) = 80%) for this result that was not
      explained by sensitivity or subgroup analysis; we therefore downgraded the
      inconsistency of the evidence by one level. Although we did not feel that there
      were concerns with imprecision or indirectness of the data, we downgraded the
      quality of the evidence for the risk of publication bias following visual
      analysis of a funnel plot. Using GRADEpro, we rated the overall quality of the
      data for shivering as very low. Only one study reported the incidence of core
      hypothermia, whilst 12 studies measured core temperature. However, as the results
      for core temperature were reported in different styles, pooling the results was
      inappropriate. We found no studies with participant-reported outcomes such as
      experience of shivering or participant satisfaction. We found limited data for
      the outcomes of length of stay in the postanaesthetic care unit (three studies,
      200 participants) and the following adverse effects: sedation (nine studies, 875
      participants), bradycardia (eight studies, 716 participants), and hypotension
      (seven studies, 688 participants). Unpooled analysis suggested that sedation and
      bradycardia were significantly more common with dexmedetomidine than placebo,
      with all seven dexmedetomidine studies and none of the clonidine studies
      reporting statistically significantly higher levels of sedation as an adverse
      effect. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: There is evidence that clonidine and
      dexmedetomidine can reduce postoperative shivering, but patients given
      dexmedetomidine may be more sedated. However, our assessment of the quality of
      this evidence is very low.

PMID- 26256533
TI  - Piezotronic Effect in Polarity-Controlled GaN Nanowires.
AB  - Using high-quality and polarity-controlled GaN nanowires (NWs), we studied the
      piezotronic effect in crystal orientation defined wurtzite structures. By
      applying a normal compressive force on c-plane GaN NWs with an atomic force
      microscopy tip, the Schottky barrier between the Pt tip and GaN can be
      effectively tuned by the piezotronic effect. In contrast, the normal compressive
      force cannot change the electron transport characteristics in m-plane GaN NWs
      whose piezoelectric polarization axis is turned in the transverse direction. This
      observation provided solid evidence for clarifying the difference between the
      piezotronic effect and the piezoresistive effect. We further demonstrated a high
      sensitivity of the m-plane GaN piezotronic transistor to collect the transverse
      force. The integration of c-plane GaN and m-plane GaN indicates an overall
      response to an external force in any direction. 

PMID- 26256534
TI  - Effect of walking speed on gait sub phase durations.
AB  - Gait phase durations are important spatiotemporal parameters in different
      contexts such as discrimination between healthy and pathological gait and
      monitoring of treatment outcomes after interventions. Although gait phases
      strongly depend on walking speed, the influence of different speeds has rarely
      been investigated in literature. In this work, we examined the durations of the
      stance sub phases and the swing phase for 12 different walking speeds ranging
      from 0.6 to 1.7 m/s in 21 healthy subjects using infrared cinematography and an
      instrumented treadmill. We separated the stance phase into loading response, mid
      stance, terminal stance and pre-swing phase and we performed regression modeling
      of all phase durations with speed to determine general trends. With an increasing
      speed of 0.1m/s, stance duration decreased while swing duration increased by
      0.3%. All distinct stance sub phases changed significantly with speed. These
      findings suggest the importance of including all distinct gait sub phases in
      spatiotemporal analyses, especially when different walking speeds are involved.

PMID- 26256535
TI  - The Structure of YnaI Implies Structural and Mechanistic Conservation in the MscS
      Family of Mechanosensitive Channels.
AB  - Mechanosensitive channels protect bacteria against lysis caused by a sudden drop
      in osmolarity in their surroundings. Besides the channel of large conductance
      (MscL) and small conductance (MscS), Escherichia coli has five additional
      paralogs of MscS that are functional and widespread in the bacterial kingdom.
      Here, we present the structure of YnaI by cryo-electron microscopy to a
      resolution of 13 A. While the cytosolic vestibule is structurally similar to that
      in MscS, additional density is seen in the transmembrane (TM) region consistent
      with the presence of two additional TM helices predicted for YnaI. The location
      of this density suggests that the extra TM helices are tilted, which could induce
      local membrane curvature extending the tension-sensing paddles seen in MscS. Off
      center lipid-accessible cavities are seen that resemble gaps between the sensor
      paddles in MscS. The conservation of the tapered shape and the cavities in YnaI
      suggest a mechanism similar to that of MscS. 

PMID- 26256536
TI  - The Mechanism of ATP-Dependent Allosteric Protection of Akt Kinase
      Phosphorylation.
AB  - Kinases use ATP to phosphorylate substrates; recent findings underscore the
      additional regulatory roles of ATP. Here, we propose a mechanism for allosteric
      regulation of Akt1 kinase phosphorylation by ATP. Our 4.7-MUs molecular dynamics
      simulations of Akt1 and its mutants in the ATP/ADP bound/unbound states revealed
      that ATP occupancy of the ATP-binding site stabilizes the closed conformation,
      allosterically protecting pT308 by restraining phosphatase access and key
      interconnected residues on the ATP->pT308 allosteric pathway. Following ATP->ADP
      hydrolysis, pT308 is exposed and readily dephosphorylated. Site-directed
      mutagenesis validated these predictions and indicated that the mutations do not
      impair PDK1 and PP2A phosphatase recruitment. We further probed the function of
      residues around pT308 at the atomic level, and predicted and experimentally
      confirmed that Akt1(H194R/R273H) double mutant rescues pathology-related
      Akt1(R273H). Analysis of classical Akt homologs suggests that this mechanism can
      provide a general model of allosteric kinase regulation by ATP; as such, it
      offers a potential avenue for allosteric drug discovery. 

PMID- 26256537
TI  - Advances in Single-Particle Electron Cryomicroscopy Structure Determination
      applied to Sub-tomogram Averaging.
AB  - Recent innovations in specimen preparation, data collection, and image processing
      have led to improved structure determination using single-particle electron
      cryomicroscopy (cryo-EM). Here we explore some of these advances to improve
      structures determined using electron cryotomography (cryo-ET) and sub-tomogram
      averaging. We implement a new three-dimensional model for the contrast transfer
      function, and use this in a regularized likelihood optimization algorithm as
      implemented in the RELION program. Using direct electron detector data, we apply
      both single-particle analysis and sub-tomogram averaging to analyze radiation
      induced movements of the specimen. As in single-particle cryo-EM, we find that
      significant sample movements occur during tomographic data acquisition, and that
      these movements are substantially reduced through the use of ultrastable gold
      substrates. We obtain a sub-nanometer resolution structure of the hepatitis B
      capsid, and show that reducing radiation-induced specimen movement may be central
      to attempts at further improving tomogram quality and resolution. 

PMID- 26256538
TI  - Cooperative Dynamics of Intact AMPA and NMDA Glutamate Receptors: Similarities
      and Subfamily-Specific Differences.
AB  - Ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs) are tetrameric ion channels that mediate
      excitatory neurotransmission. Recent structures of alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl
      4-isoxazole propionate (AMPA) and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors permit a
      comparative analysis of whole-receptor dynamics for the first time. Despite
      substantial differences in the packing of their two-domain extracellular region,
      the two iGluRs share similar dynamics, elucidated by elastic network models.
      Motions accessible to either structure enable conformational interconversion,
      such as compression of the AMPA receptor toward the more tightly packed NMDA
      receptor conformation, which has been linked to allosteric regulation. Pivoting
      motions coupled to concerted rotations of the transmembrane ion channel are
      prominent between dimers of distal N-terminal domains in the loosely packed AMPA
      receptor. The occurrence and functional relevance of these motions is verified by
      cross-linking experiments designed to probe the computationally predicted
      distance changes. Together with the identification of hotspot residues acting as
      mediators of allosteric communication, our data provide a glimpse into the
      dynamic spectrum of iGluRs. 

PMID- 26256540
TI  - A Native-like Intermediate Serves as a Branching Point between the Folding and
      Aggregation Pathways of the Mouse Prion Protein.
AB  - Transient folding intermediates and/or partially unfolded equilibrium states are
      thought to play a key role in the formation of protein aggregates. However, there
      is only indirect evidence linking accumulation of folding intermediates to
      aggregation, and the underlying mechanism remains to be elucidated. Here, we show
      that a partially unfolded state of the prion protein accumulates both as a stable
      equilibrium state at acidic pH (A-state) and as a late folding intermediate. With
      a time resolution of approximately 60 MUs, we systematically studied the kinetics
      of folding and unfolding, starting from various initial conditions including the
      U-, N-, and A-states. Quantitative modeling showed that the observed kinetic data
      are completely consistent with a sequential four-state mechanism where the A
      state is a late folding intermediate. Combined with previous evidence linking A
      state accumulation to aggregation, the results indicate that this native-like
      state serves as a branching point between the folding and aggregation pathways.

PMID- 26256539
TI  - A YidC-like Protein in the Archaeal Plasma Membrane.
AB  - Cells possess specialized machinery to direct the insertion of membrane proteins
      into the lipid bilayer. In bacteria, the essential protein YidC inserts certain
      proteins into the plasma membrane, and eukaryotic orthologs are present in the
      mitochondrial inner membrane and the chloroplast thylakoid membrane. The
      existence of homologous insertases in archaea has been proposed based on
      phylogenetic analysis. However, limited sequence identity, distinct architecture,
      and the absence of experimental data have made this assignment ambiguous. Here we
      describe the 3.5-A crystal structure of an archaeal DUF106 protein from
      Methanocaldococcus jannaschii (Mj0480), revealing a lipid-exposed hydrophilic
      surface presented by a conserved YidC-like fold. Functional analysis reveals
      selective binding of Mj0480 to ribosomes displaying a stalled YidC substrate, and
      a direct interaction between the buried hydrophilic surface of Mj0480 and the
      nascent chain. These data provide direct experimental evidence that the archaeal
      DUF106 proteins are YidC/Oxa1/Alb3-like insertases of the archaeal plasma
      membrane.

PMID- 26256541
TI  - Evaluation of the relationship between education and sustainability in peasant
      movements: The experience of the National Education Program in Agrarian Reform.
AB  - Brazil is one of the largest agricultural producers in the world. However, its
      agrarian composition is based on two markedly different production models,
      particularly in relation to sustainability: a peasant family agriculture, which
      plays an important role in food production for domestic consumption and advocates
      agro-ecological practises; and agribusiness, the politically and economically
      hegemonic model that produces commodities for export based on monoculture and
      intensive use of pesticides. Therefore, in order to create the means to develop
      peasant lands, social movements and peasants have engaged themselves politically
      and defended an education model grounded in sustainable practises of production
      and social organisation. Taking this into account, the main purpose of this paper
      is to analyse and assess the Brazilian experience of integration between
      education and sustainability, in the National Education Program in Agrarian
      Reform (PRONERA). To accomplish this aim, a survey with a semi-structured
      questionnaire was carried out among teachers, students, monitors, and
      coordinators of the course offered by PRONERA. The surveys showed that the
      courses are promoting the concepts of sustainability among peasants. However,
      many adjustments need to be taken into consideration during the planning process
      for the next courses offered by PRONERA. 

PMID- 26256543
TI  - Advances in capillary electrophoresis for miniaturizing assays on kinase enzymes
      for drug discovery.
AB  - CE has become a frequently used tool for miniaturizing enzyme assays due
      particularly to its well-recognized low sample consumption. CE-based enzyme
      assays cover all aspects of kinetic analysis including the evaluation of enzyme
      activity, substrate and modulator characterization, and identification. These
      assays are performed to conduct high-quality primary (hit finding) and secondary
      (confirmation by determining the half maximal inhibitory concentration, IC50 )
      screening. Nowadays, the kinase family is among the most actively studied
      pharmaceutical targets in oncology, and in neurodegenerative and inflammation
      diseases. In this article, we review the fundamentals of the different approaches
      that may be employed for assaying kinase kinetics. Their advantages and
      limitations will also be discussed by covering the literature of CE-based assays
      for purified kinases as well as for kinases in living cells. The last section
      will be devoted to perspectives by showing some applications of multiplexed and
      of microchip devices for high-throughput screening kinase assays.

PMID- 26256542
TI  - Development of an immunochromatographic lateral flow device for rapid detection
      of Helicobacter pylori stool antigen.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Helicobacter pylori stool antigen (HpSA) test is a convenient and
      reliable non-invasive diagnosis for H. pylori infection. The aim of this study is
      to develop an immunochromatographic testing device for rapid detection of HpSA
      among Chinese patients. DESIGN AND METHODS: Monoclonal antibodies (McAb)
      targeting H. pylori were developed by conventional methods and paired by sandwich
      ELISA. The lateral flow device (LFD) was prepared using the selected McAb pair. A
      total of 867 clinically separated bacterial strains, including 56H. pylori
      strains, were employed to test the sensitivity and specificity. Subsequently, the
      LFD was used to test 1200 human fecal samples, with a commercial HpSA testing
      device as comparison. RESULTS: Two McAb pairs targeting H. pylori, DF2a/EE10b and
      IH10b/EE10b, were developed and proven to be of high specificity and sensitivity.
      After testing the cultures of 56 clinically separated H. pylori strains, the
      final LFD product was prepared using the mixture of DF2a and IH10b as capture
      antibodies and EE10b as the detection antibody. The testing threshold for H.
      pylori culture was 1.0 * 10(4)cfu/mL. The sensitivity and specificity were both
      100% for the 867 tested bacterial cultures. The testing results of 1200 fecal
      samples showed that the positive and negative agreement rates between the
      homemade LFD and the commercial testing device were 99.75% and 99.87%,
      respectively. CONCLUSION: Our homemade HpSA LFD can be a very promising testing
      device for rapid diagnosis and epidemic screening of H. pylori infection among
      Chinese patients.

PMID- 26256544
TI  - Role of adrenal vein sampling in primary aldosteronism: the Monash Health
      experience.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Adrenal vein sampling (AVS) is useful for distinguishing unilateral
      versus bilateral hypersecretion in primary aldosteronism (PA), but is technically
      challenging. Furthermore, the use of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
      stimulation in AVS is controversial. We implemented a Monash Health-specific AVS
      protocol in 2010. AIM: The audit aimed to: (i) examine the impact of a dedicated
      protocol on success rates of AVS at a tertiary referral centre; (ii) evaluate the
      impact of AVS on sub-typing of PA; and (iii) assess the utility of ACTH
      stimulation in AVS. METHODS: AVS was performed on patients with PA confirmed by
      positive saline suppression testing (aldosterone level >140 pmol/L post-saline
      infusion), with sequential sampling of adrenal and peripheral veins, pre- and
      post-ACTH infusion. Patients with unilateral aldosterone-producing adenoma
      diagnosed on successful AVS were referred for adrenalectomy. RESULTS: Between
      2010 and 2014 inclusive, a total of 28 AVS procedures was performed, with
      complete pre- and post-ACTH data for 19 procedures. Bilateral successful
      cannulation rates improved post-implementation of our protocol (61% vs 41%). Of
      the patients, 32% had discordant imaging and AVS results: four patients with
      unilateral adenomas did not lateralise on AVS and were managed medically; four
      patients with bilateral or no adenomas on imaging, lateralised on AVS and had
      surgery. Overall, use of ACTH did not increase successful cannulation and tended
      to mask lateralisation. CONCLUSION: AVS is crucial in subtype classification of
      PA and should be performed by a dedicated radiologist with a standardised
      protocol. AVS outcomes were not improved with the use of ACTH stimulation.

PMID- 26256545
TI  - Functions of synapsins in corticothalamic facilitation: important roles of
      synapsin I.
AB  - KEY POINTS: The synaptic vesicle associated proteins synapsin I and synapsin II
      have important functions in synaptic short-term plasticity. We investigated their
      functions in cortical facilitatory feedback to neurons in dorsal lateral
      geniculate nucleus (dLGN), feedback that has important functions in state
      dependent regulation of thalamic transmission of visual input to cortex. We
      compared results from normal wild-type (WT) mice and synapsin knockout (KO) mice
      in several types of synaptic plasticity, and found clear differences between the
      responses of neurons in the synapsin I KO and the WT, but no significant
      differences between the synapsin II KO and the WT. These results are in contrast
      to the important role of synapsin II previously demonstrated in similar types of
      synaptic plasticity in other brain regions, indicating that the synapsins can
      have different roles in similar types of STP in different parts of the brain.
      ABSTRACT: The synaptic vesicle associated proteins synapsin I (SynI) and synapsin
      II (SynII) have important functions in several types of synaptic short-term
      plasticity in the brain, but their separate functions in different types of
      synapses are not well known. We investigated possible distinct functions of the
      two synapsins in synaptic short-term plasticity at corticothalamic synapses on
      relay neurons in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus. These synapses provide
      excitatory feedback from visual cortex to the relay cells, feedback that can
      facilitate transmission of signals from retina to cortex. We compared results
      from normal wild-type (WT), SynI knockout (KO) and SynII KO mice, in three types
      of synaptic plasticity mainly linked to presynaptic mechanism. In SynI KO mice,
      paired-pulse stimulation elicited increased facilitation at short interpulse
      intervals compared to the WT. Pulse-train stimulation elicited weaker
      facilitation than in the WT, and also post-tetanic potentiation was weaker in
      SynI KO than in the WT. Between SynII KO and the WT we found no significant
      differences. Thus, SynI has important functions in these types of synaptic
      plasticity at corticothalamic synapses. Interestingly, our data are in contrast
      to the important role of SynII previously shown for sustained synaptic
      transmission during intense stimulation in excitatory synapses in other parts of
      the brain, and our results suggest that SynI and SynII may have different roles
      in similar types of STP in different parts of the brain.

PMID- 26256546
TI  - A detailed protocol for a rapid analysis of testicular cell populations using
      flow cytometry.
AB  - Accurate analysis and quantification of different testicular cell populations are
      of central importance in studies of male reproductive biology. The traditional
      histomorphometric and immunohistochemical methods remain the gold standard in
      studying the complex dynamics of the testicular tissue. Through past years
      advances have been made in the application of flow cytometry for the rapid
      analysis of testicular cell populations. Detection of DNA content and of surface
      antigens and fluorescent reporters have been widely used to analyze and sort
      cells. Detection of intracellular antigens can broaden the possibilities of
      applying flow cytometry in studies of male reproduction. Here, we report a
      detailed protocol for the preparation of rat testicular tissue for detection of
      intracellular antigens by flow cytometry, and a pipeline for subsequent data
      analysis and troubleshooting. Rat testicular ontogenesis was chosen as the
      experimental model to validate the performance of the assay using vimentin and
      gammaH2AX as intracellular markers for the somatic and spermatogenic cells,
      respectively. The results show that the assay is reproducible and recapitulates
      the rat testis ontogenesis. 

PMID- 26256547
TI  - Management of hearing loss and the normal ear in cases of unilateral Microtia
      with aural atresia.
AB  - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To identify the rate of hearing loss related to middle ear
      disease and the frequency of tympanostomy tube (TT) insertion in the
      contralateral ear of patients with unilateral microtia/aural atresia. STUDY
      DESIGN: Retrospective case series of patients less than 3 years of age with
      unilateral microtia/aural atresia treated at an urban, tertiary care children's
      hospital from 2008 to 2013. METHODS: Clinical and audiologic data were reviewed.
      Statistical analysis was performed to determine the relative risk of TT insertion
      in the normal ear. RESULTS: A total of 72 patients were included for analysis.
      The average age of patients at their initial otolaryngology visit was 3.3 months
      (range 0.08-1.67 years); 38 (52.8%) patients were males. Aural atresia involved
      the right ear in 43 (59.7%) cases. Five (6.9%) patients were syndromic. Abnormal
      audiometric testing of the normal ear was noted in 12 (16.7%), and 14 (19.4%)
      underwent TT during the first 3 years of life. Twelve children (85.7%) who had a
      TT placed were nonsyndromic. When compared to published norms for TT placement in
      the general population (6.8% of children < 3 year of age), a greater proportion
      of children with unilateral microtia/aural atresia had TT placement in the normal
      ear (z = 4.26, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Patients with unilateral microtia/aural
      atresia have increased rates of hearing loss and middle ear effusion leading to
      TT in their normal ear at a higher rate versus the general population. This
      information can help guide more vigilant care and audiologic follow-up in
      affected children. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4. Laryngoscope, 126:1470-1474, 2016.

PMID- 26256548
TI  - Prevalence of beta-Lactamase Producing Escherichia coli from Retail Meat in
      Turkey.
AB  - Extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) and plasmid-mediated AmpC beta-lactamase
      (pAmpC) producing Escherichia coli have been shown to be present in humans and
      animals representing a significant problem worldwide. This study aimed to search
      the presence of ESBL and/or AmpC-producing E. coli in retail meats (chicken and
      beef) in Turkey. A total of 88 beta-lactamase-producing E. coli were isolated
      from chicken (n = 81/100) and beef meat (n = 7/100) samples and their
      susceptibility to several antimicrobials were tested using disc diffusion method.
      E. coli isolates were further characterized for their phylogenetic groups. beta
      Lactamase encoding (blaTEM , blaSHV , blaOXA , blaCTX-M , and blaAmpC ) and
      quinolone resistance genes (qnrA, qnrB, qnrS, qepA, and acc(6')-Ib-cr) were also
      secreened by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). However, in regard to beta
      lactamase genes, 84 of 88 isolates were positive for blaCTX-M-1 (n = 39), blaCTX
      M-3 (n = 5), blaCTX-M-15 (n = 4), blaTEM-1b (n = 2), blaSHV-12 (n = 1), blaCTX-M
      1 /blaTEM-1b (n = 10), blaCTX-M-1 /blaTEM-1b /blaSHV-5 (n = 1), blaCTX-M-1
      /blaCMY-2 (n = 1) and blaTEM-1b /blaCMY-2 (n = 6), blaCTX-M-15 /blaSHV-12 (n =
      1), blaCTX-M-15 /blaTEM-1b (n = 1), blaTEM-1b /blaSHV-12 (n = 1), and blaCMY-2 (n
      = 12) genes. Resistance to cefuroxime (75.6% and 85.7%), nalidixic acid (89% and
      85.7%), tetracycline (91.4% and 100%), streptomycin (40.2% and 100%), and
      trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (36.6% and 85.7%) was observed among strains
      isolated from chicken and beef, respectively. However, all isolates were found to
      be susceptible to amikacin, imipenem, and cefepime. Resistance to ampicillin and
      cefoxitin was significantly linked to blaCMY-2 gene, while there was a
      significant correlation between CTX-M type ESBL and antimicrobial resistance to
      cefuroxime and streptomycin (P < 0.05). The results of this study suggest that
      raw chicken retail meats are highly contaminated with ESBL-producing E. coli
      implementing a great risk to human health in Turkey.

PMID- 26256549
TI  - Population Landscape of Familial Cancer.
AB  - Public perception and anxiety of familial cancer have increased demands for
      clinical counseling, which may be well equipped for gene testing but less
      prepared for counseling of the large domain of familial cancer with unknown
      genetic background. The aim of the present study was to highlight the full scope
      of familial cancer and the variable levels of risk that need to be considered.
      Data on the 25 most common cancers were obtained from the Swedish Family Cancer
      Database and a Poisson regression model was applied to estimate relative risks
      (RR) distinguishing between family histories of single or multiple affected first
      degree relatives and their diagnostic ages. For all cancers, individual risks
      were significantly increased if a parent or a sibling had a concordant cancer.
      While the RRs were around 2.00 for most cancers, risks were up to 10-fold
      increased for some cancers. Familial risks were even higher when multiple
      relatives were affected. Although familial risks were highest at ages below 60
      years, most familial cases were diagnosed at older ages. The results emphasized
      the value of a detailed family history as a readily available tool for
      individualized counseling and its preventive potential for a large domain of non
      syndromatic familial cancers. 

PMID- 26256550
TI  - Utility-based optimization of phase II/III programs.
AB  - Phase II and phase III trials play a crucial role in drug development programs.
      They are costly and time consuming and, because of high failure rates in late
      development stages, at the same time risky investments. Commonly, sample size
      calculation of phase III is based on the treatment effect observed in phase II.
      Therefore, planning of phases II and III can be linked. The performance of the
      phase II/III program crucially depends on the allocation of the resources to
      phases II and III by appropriate choice of the sample size and the rule applied
      to decide whether to stop the program after phase II or to proceed. We present
      methods for a program-wise phase II/III planning that aim at determining optimal
      phase II sample sizes and go/no-go decisions in a time-to-event setting.
      Optimization is based on a utility function that takes into account (fixed and
      variable) costs of the drug development program and potential gains after
      successful launch. The proposed methods are illustrated by application to a
      variety of scenarios typically met in oncology drug development.

PMID- 26256551
TI  - Intermittent versus Persistent Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome in Children:
      Electrophysiologic Properties and Clinical Outcomes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Intermittent Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome is considered to
      have a lower risk of sudden death. Fewer data exist regarding electrophysiologic
      (EP) characteristics and the natural history of intermittent WPW in children.
      METHODS: All patients with WPW age 1-18 years at a single institution (1996-2013)
      were reviewed. Patients with intermittent preexcitation were compared to those
      with loss of preexcitation on Holter/exercise testing and those with persistent
      preexcitation. High-risk accessory pathway (AP) was defined as AP effective
      refractory period (APERP), block cycle length, or shortest preexcited RR interval
      during atrial fibrillation <=250 ms. RESULTS: A total of 295 patients were
      included: 226 (76.6%) persistent, 39 (13.2%) intermittent, and 30 (10.2%) loss of
      preexcitation Holter/exercise. There were no differences in symptoms between
      groups. Median interquartile range APERP was significantly longer in intermittent
      WPW (380 [320, 488] ms vs 320 [300, 350] ms persistent, 310 [290, 330] ms loss of
      preexcitation Holter/exercise; P = 0.0008). At baseline, there was no difference
      between groups in frequency of high-risk pathways. However, when isoproterenol
      values were included, high-risk pathways were more frequent among patients with
      loss of preexcitation on Holter/exercise (54% vs 16% persistent, 11%
      intermittent; P = 0.005). There was one death in a patient with loss of
      preexcitation on exercise testing, no EP study, and prior drug use. A second
      patient with persistent WPW and APERP 270 ms required resuscitation following a
      methadone overdose. CONCLUSION: Intermittent preexcitation in children does not
      connote a lower risk AP by EP criteria or reduced symptoms. The low number of
      pediatric WPW patients who develop preexcited atrial fibrillation or sudden death
      warrants larger studies to investigate these outcomes.

PMID- 26256552
TI  - Assessment of optic nerve development using post-mortem Magnetic Resonance
      Imaging (MRI) in fetuses and newborns.

PMID- 26256554
TI  - SirX: a selective inversion recovery experiment on X-nuclei for the determination
      of the exchange rate of slow chemical exchanges between two sites.
AB  - Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy has proven to be powerful for the study
      of dynamic processes. A new pulse sequence, SirX, is designed to provide boundary
      conditions that simplify the McConnell equations. Both an initial rate
      approximation and a whole curve fitting to the time course of magnetization can
      be used to calculate the exchange rate. These methods were used to study the
      exchange kinetics of N,N-dimethylacetamide. As compared with the well-established
      exchange spectroscopy suitable to studies of slow exchange, SirX has the
      advantage of being less time consuming and capable of providing more reliable
      kinetic data. Furthermore, by setting the observation on X-nuclei with larger
      chemical shift dispersion as compared with an observation on (1)H resonance, SirX
      extends the upper limit of a reliable determination of exchange rates.

PMID- 26256553
TI  - CT-based analysis of pericoronary adipose tissue density: Relation to
      cardiovascular risk factors and epicardial adipose tissue volume.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pericoronary adipose tissue (PCAT) can promote atherosclerosis.
      Metabolically active and inactive PCAT may display different CT densities.
      However, CT density could be influenced by partial volume effects and image
      interpolation. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether PCAT density values in CT
      displays differences that are larger than those attributable to interpolation and
      partial volume effects, which would manifest themselves through the relationship
      between PCAT density and distance from the contrast-enhanced coronary lumen.
      METHODS: PCAT density analysis was performed (417 non-atherosclerotic segments,
      63 patients) using dual-source CT with a threshold-based measurement method.
      Changes in PCAT density values depending on distance from the contrast-enhanced
      coronary lumen and the influence of cardiovascular risk profile were analyzed.
      RESULTS: Mean PCAT density was -78.1 +/- 5.6 HU. PCAT density decreased from
      proximal to distal segments in the LAD (-78.0 +/- 7.3 vs. -82.4 +/- 7.7 HU; p <
      0.001). PCAT density was higher close to the lumen compared to more peripheral
      locations (-76.0 +/- 6.7 vs. -78.5 +/- 5.4 HU; p < 0.001). Decreasing PCAT
      density was significantly associated with higher epicardial adipose tissue (EAT)
      volume and body mass index. There was a trend of lower PCAT values with a family
      history of coronary artery disease. CONCLUSION: CT-measured attenuation of PCAT
      is influenced by EAT volume and body mass index. A decrease of PCAT attenuation
      with increasing distance from the vessel and from proximal to distal segments may
      suggest variations in CT density of PCAT due to partial volume effects and image
      interpolation rather than solely due to differences in tissue composition or
      metabolic activity.

PMID- 26256555
TI  - Effects of high-sugar and high-fiber meals on physical activity behaviors in
      Latino and African American adolescents.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This crossover experimental study examined the acute effects of high
      sugar/low-fiber (HSLF) vs. low-sugar/high-fiber (LSHF) meals on sedentary
      behavior (SB) and light-plus activity (L+) in minority adolescents with
      overweight and obesity. METHODS: 87 Latino and African American adolescents (mean
      age = 16.3 +/- 1.2 years, mean BMI z-score = 2.02 +/- 0.52, 56.8% Latino, 51.1%
      male) underwent two experimental meal conditions during which they consumed HSLF
      or LSHF meals. Physical activity and SB were measured using accelerometers, and
      blood glucose and insulin were collected every 30 minutes over 5 hours. Mixed
      models were used to examine the temporal trends of SB and L+, whether the
      temporal trends of SB and L+ differed by meal condition, and the influence of
      blood glucose and insulin on the activity behaviors. RESULTS: SB and L+
      fluctuated over time during the HSLF condition but were stable during the LSHF
      condition. SB and L+ were influenced by the blood glucose response to the HSLF
      meals. Insulin did not influence SB or L+ in either meal condition. CONCLUSIONS:
      Sugar and fiber content of meals can have differing acute impacts on activity
      behaviors in minority adolescents with overweight and obesity, possibly due to
      differing metabolic responses.

PMID- 26256556
TI  - What would Treg-cell biology look like when viewed from a rationalized
      perspective?
AB  - The argument that Treg cells play a role in determining the Self (S)-Nonself (NS)
      discrimination (i.e. tolerance) is challenged based on two theoretical
      constructs, the two stage-two signal model for the S-NS discrimination and the
      Tritope model of TCR function. The conclusions are then tested by reinterpreting
      a published probing set of data purporting to show that Treg cells regulate
      tolerance. It is concluded that the major role of suppression is to operate as a
      feedback mechanism modulating the magnitude of the effector response; it is not a
      determinant of the S-NS discrimination (i.e. tolerance). 

PMID- 26256557
TI  - What is healthy food? Objective nutrient profile scores and subjective lay
      evaluations in comparison.
AB  - To date, it is unclear how consumers evaluate the healthiness of individual foods
      and meals and how consumers' perceptions are related to expert opinions. This
      knowledge is essential for efficient communication of nutrition information with
      the goal of promoting healthy eating. This study used the fake food buffet method
      to investigate health perceptions of selected meals and of 54 individual foods
      and beverages. Lay consumers' subjective healthiness evaluations of meals and
      foods were compared to objective nutrient profile scores, which were previously
      shown to correlate highly with expert opinions. The results show that nutrition
      profile scores and lay evaluations were highly correlated, which indicates that
      lay people used similar criteria as experts to evaluate the healthiness of foods.
      However, lay consumers tended to neglect the amount of saturated fat, protein and
      sodium for their judgments. Also, it was found that while lay consumers were
      quite able to evaluate single food products, they had difficulties in evaluating
      entire meals. Future interventions should focus particularly on educating the
      consumer about the negative effects of diets high in salt and saturated fat and
      they should improve the consumer's abilities to evaluate entire meals. 

PMID- 26256558
TI  - Simulation of changes in diffusion related to different pathologies at cellular
      level after traumatic brain injury.
AB  - PURPOSE: The goal of the current study was to investigate tissue pathology at the
      cellular level in traumatic brain injury (TBI) as revealed by Monte Carlo
      simulation of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)-derived parameters and elucidate the
      possible sources of conflicting findings of DTI abnormalities as reported in the
      TBI literature. METHODS: A model with three compartments separated by permeable
      membranes was employed to represent the diffusion environment of water molecules
      in brain white matter. The dynamic diffusion process was simulated with a Monte
      Carlo method using adjustable parameters of intra-axonal diffusivity, axon
      separation, glial cell volume fraction, and myelin sheath permeability. The
      effects of tissue pathology on DTI parameters were investigated by adjusting the
      parameters of the model corresponding to different stages of brain injury.
      RESULTS: The results suggest that the model is appropriate and the DTI-derived
      parameters simulate the predominant cellular pathology after TBI. Our results
      further indicate that when edema is not prevalent, axial and radial diffusivity
      have better sensitivity to axonal injury and demyelination than other DTI
      parameters. CONCLUSION: DTI is a promising biomarker to detect and stage tissue
      injury after TBI. The observed inconsistencies among previous studies are likely
      due to scanning at different stages of tissue injury after TBI. Magn Reson Med
      76:290-300, 2016. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 26256559
TI  - A new adverse drug reaction--Schamberg's disease caused by amlodipine
      administration--a case report.

PMID- 26256560
TI  - Collagen duplicate genes of bone and cartilage participate during regeneration of
      zebrafish fin skeleton.
AB  - The zebrafish fin is widely used as a model for skeleton regeneration. For years,
      the nature of the fin skeleton has been controversial as its extracellular matrix
      shows hybrid characteristics of both bone and cartilage. The presence of co
      orthologs genes also increases the complexity of these tissues. In this article,
      we have identified and described the expression of fibrillar collagens in
      zebrafish fin skeleton. We found that genes coding for types I, II, V, XI and
      XXVII collagens are duplicated, showing in several cases, different expression
      domains. We also identified specific genomic features, such as the presence of
      type XXIV collagen and the absence of type III collagen in the zebrafish genome.
      Our study showed that actinotrichia-forming cells and osteoblasts synthesize a
      wide variety of these fibrillar collagens during fin regeneration. An
      intertrichial domain expressing most of the collagens was located in the
      transition between the mesenchyme condensations of actinotrichia and
      lepidotrichia and may determine an important niche associated with fin skeleton
      morphogenesis. We also confirmed the hybrid nature of the fin exoskeleton and
      provided a complete description of those fibrillar collagens expressed during the
      formation of the fin skeleton. 

PMID- 26256561
TI  - The satisfaction of families in the care of their loved ones in CCUs in Lebanon.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The needs of family members vary among cultures and hospitals. Often,
      these needs remain unmet increasing their stress and anxiety and decreasing their
      satisfaction with care, which may negatively impact the quality of patient care.
      AIMS: To assess the satisfaction of families with the care of their loved ones in
      critical care units (CCUs) in a large university medical centre in Lebanon and to
      assess the predictors of satisfaction. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive
      design was conducted using the Critical Care Family Satisfaction Survey (CCFSS).
      The participants were 123 adult relatives or significant others of patients cared
      for in both adult and paediatric intensive care units for at least 3 days.
      RESULTS: The CCFSS showed acceptable internal reliability and construct validity
      in a Lebanese population. In general, families were satisfied with the care their
      loved ones received in the CCUs, and the least satisfaction was in the area of
      'comfort' and the highest was in 'assurance'. Younger family members with more
      education were less satisfied with care and Christian families expressed less
      satisfaction with informational needs compared with Muslim families. Families of
      children in the paediatric CCU expressed least satisfaction with care. Gender,
      residency, relationship to patient, unit, prior experience in a CCU and diagnosis
      had no effect on satisfaction scores. CONCLUSIONS: Assessment of family
      satisfaction in different cultures is important as each culture has specific
      needs that are essential to decipher. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Patient
      satisfaction leads to improved quality of care; thus, it behoves nurses to meet
      the needs of families from different cultures to help them cope and increase
      their satisfaction, which leads to improve patient outcomes.

PMID- 26256562
TI  - 2015 ACC/HRS/SCAI Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion Device Societal Overview: A
      professional societal overview from the American College of Cardiology, Heart
      Rhythm Society, and Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions.

PMID- 26256563
TI  - Synthetic histone code.
AB  - Chromatin is the universal template of genetic information in all eukaryotic
      cells. This complex of DNA and histone proteins not only packages and organizes
      genomes but also regulates gene expression. A multitude of posttranslational
      histone modifications and their combinations are thought to constitute a code for
      directing distinct structural and functional states of chromatin. Methods of
      protein chemistry, including protein semisynthesis, amber suppression technology,
      and cysteine bioconjugation, have enabled the generation of so-called designer
      chromatin containing histones in defined and homogeneous modification states.
      Several of these approaches have matured from proof-of-concept studies into
      efficient tools and technologies for studying the biochemistry of chromatin
      regulation and for interrogating the histone code. We summarize pioneering
      experiments and recent developments in this exciting field of chemical biology. 

PMID- 26256564
TI  - Magnetoencephalography in the study of children with autism spectrum disorder.
AB  - Magnetoencephalography (MEG) is a non-invasive neuroimaging technique that
      provides a measure of cortical neural activity on a millisecond timescale with
      high spatial resolution. MEG has been clinically applied to various neurological
      diseases, including epilepsy and cognitive dysfunction. In the past decade, MEG
      has also emerged as an important investigatory tool in neurodevelopmental
      studies. It is therefore an opportune time to review how MEG is able to
      contribute to the study of atypical brain development. We limit this review to
      autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The relevant published work for children was
      accessed using PubMed on 5 January 2015. Case reports, case series, and papers on
      epilepsy were excluded. Owing to their accurate separation of brain activity in
      the right and left hemispheres and the higher accuracy of source localization,
      MEG studies have added new information related to auditory-evoked brain responses
      to findings from previous electroencephalography studies of children with ASD. In
      addition, evidence of atypical brain connectivity in children with ASD has
      accumulated over the past decade. MEG is well suited for the study of neural
      activity with high time resolution even in young children. Although further
      studies are still necessary, the detailed findings provided by neuroimaging
      methods may aid clinical diagnosis and even contribute to the refinement of
      diagnostic categories for neurodevelopmental disorders in the future. 

PMID- 26256565
TI  - Teenage cardiac arrest following abuse of synthetic cannabis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The cardiac effects of many illegal substances (cocaine, methadone)
      have previously been well described [1,2]. However the association between
      synthetic cannabis and cardiac arrest is less well documented. Here we describe
      an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in a previously healthy 16-year-old female
      associated with the use of inhaled synthetic cannabis. METHODS: An electronic
      systematic search of online databases PubMed and Embase was performed using
      keywords, "synthetic cannabis death" and "cardiac arrest". RESULTS: In this case
      study a previously healthy 16-year-old had a cardiac arrest after synthetic
      cannabis use. Despite extensive investigations no other cause for her arrest was
      found. To the best of our knowledge there has been one previous case report of
      cardiac arrest following synthetic cannabis use in a 56-year-old man [3].
      CONCLUSIONS: This case report augments the relationship between synthetic
      cannabis and cardiac arrest in the medical community. More awareness surrounding
      the risk of synthetic cannabinoids is warranted.

PMID- 26256566
TI  - County Health Rankings and the Cult of the Imperfect.

PMID- 26256567
TI  - Fresh frozen plasma transfusion fails to influence the hemostatic balance in
      critically ill patients with a coagulopathy: reply.

PMID- 26256568
TI  - The pattern of lip cancer occurrence over the 1990-2011 period in public
      hospitals in Madrid, Spain.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Some regions of Spain along with Canada and Australia have the
      highest rates of lip cancer in the world. The objective of this study was to
      examine the trends in the pattern of occurrence of lip cancer in Madrid, Spain.
      METHODS: Data were extracted from the Central Tumour Registry of Madrid, between
      1990 and 2011. Variables examined were age, sex, topographic and morphological
      location and tumour histology. Two consecutive periods, 1990-2001 and 2002-2011,
      were studied by descriptive and analytical methods, and the data from the two
      periods were statistically compared. RESULTS: A total of 881 cases were
      registered during the period 1990-2011. Comparing data between the two periods
      (1990-2001 and 2002-2011), subtle variations in age, histology and location were
      noted. Gender ratios remained constant. The mean age increased from 66.3 to 69.7
      years (P < 0.05). In the second period, the histological distribution showed an
      increase in frequency of basal cell carcinoma, from 2.1% to 4.7%, while the
      frequency of squamous cell carcinomas remained constant. Basal cell carcinoma no
      longer predominantly occurred in women, decreasing from 80% to 21.1% (P < 0.001).
      The distribution by gender of squamous cell carcinoma had become more equal due
      an increase in its frequency in women (P < 0.001). Frequency of tumours on lip
      mucosa and commissure had increased between the two periods (P < 0.004).
      CONCLUSIONS: The pattern of lip cancer reported to Public Hospitals of Madrid is
      changing: declining rates are noted since 2001-02. However, it is necessary to
      monitor these data to confirm the observed trends in future years.

PMID- 26256569
TI  - Is there any benefit from short-term perioperative antiepileptic prophylaxis in
      patients with chronic subdural haematoma? A retrospective controlled study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic subdural haematoma is a common pathology, which can be
      complicated by seizures. Seizures may worsen the outcome of patients presenting
      with a chronic subdural haematoma. However, since the overall and postoperative
      incidence of seizures and their impact on patients' outcome has been diversely
      appreciated in the literature, the interest of routine antiepileptic prophylaxis
      remains a controversial question. METHODS: We retrospectively investigated 99
      patients who were surgically treated for a chronic subdural haematoma in two
      French academic hospitals: 48 patients received antiepileptic prophylaxis (group
      A) and were compared with a group of 51 patients who did not receive any
      antiepileptic prophylaxis (group B). Incidence of perioperative seizures was
      determined, and potential risk factors for epilepsy were analysed. RESULTS:
      Overall postoperative seizure incidence was 5.1%. There was a slight trend
      towards a lower incidence of seizures in patients who had received antiepileptic
      prophylaxis, but no significant difference was found between the two groups (4.2%
      in group A versus 5.9% in group B, P=0.697). Seizures were not correlated with
      increased death. No risk factor for seizures was identified. CONCLUSIONS: Our
      retrospective data showed there is no benefit of perioperative antiepileptic
      prophylaxis in patients surgically treated for chronic subdural haematoma. Since
      other authors have shown conflicting results, sufficiently powered prospective
      randomized study should be conducted in order to confirm these results.

PMID- 26256570
TI  - Duration of untreated psychosis and acute remission of negative symptoms in a
      South American first-episode psychosis cohort.
AB  - AIM: To determine the association between duration of untreated psychosis (DUP)
      and symptoms remission in a hospitalized first-episode psychosis cohort. METHODS:
      Inpatients with a first-episode non-affective psychosis were recruited. Subjects
      were divided into two groups of long and short DUP using a 3-month cut-off point,
      and this was related to remission at 10 weeks of treatment. Multivariate analyses
      were performed. RESULTS: Fifty-five inpatients were included. There were no
      differences in remission rates of positive symptoms. Up to 76.5% of the patients
      with a short DUP (<3 months) achieved remission of negative symptoms versus 31.6%
      in the DUP >= 3 months group (P = 0.003). After controlling for relevant factors,
      patients with a shorter DUP were still three times more likely to achieve
      negative symptoms remission (HR: 3.04, 95% CI 1.2-7.5). CONCLUSIONS: DUP is a
      prognostic factor that should be considered at an early stage to identify a 'high
      risk' subgroup of persistent negative symptoms.

PMID- 26256571
TI  - Tip-to-nucleus migration dynamics of the asexual development regulator FlbB in
      vegetative cells.
AB  - In Aspergillus nidulans, asexual differentiation requires the presence of the
      transcription factor FlbB at the cell tip and apical nuclei. Understanding the
      relationship between these two pools is crucial for elucidating the biochemical
      processes mediating conidia production. Tip-to-nucleus communication was
      demonstrated by photo-convertible FlbB::Dendra2 visualization. Tip localization
      of FlbB depends on Cys382 in the C-terminus and the bZIP DNA-binding domain in
      the N-terminus. FlbE, a critical FlbB interactor, binds the bZIP domain.
      Furthermore, the absence of FlbE results in loss of tip localization but not
      nuclear accumulation. flbE deletion also abrogates transcriptional activity
      indicating that FlbB gains transcriptional competence from interactions with FlbE
      at the tip. Finally, a bipartite nuclear localization signal is required for
      nuclear localization of FlbB. Those motifs of FlbB may play various roles in the
      sequence of events necessary for the distribution and activation of this
      transcriptionally active developmental factor. The tip accumulation, FlbE
      dependent activation, transport and nuclear import sketch out a process of
      relaying an environmentally triggered signal from the tip to the nuclei. As the
      first known instance of transcription factor-mediated tip-to-nucleus
      communication in filamentous fungi, this provides a general framework for
      analyses focused on elucidating the set of molecular mechanisms coupling apical
      signals to transcriptional events. 

PMID- 26256572
TI  - Metabolomics-proteomics profiles delineate metabolic changes in kidney fibrosis
      disease.
AB  - Kidney fibrosis (KF) is a common process that leads to the progression of various
      types of kidney disease including kidney-yang deficiency syndrome, however,
      little is known regarding the underlying biology of this disorder. Fortunately,
      integrated omics approaches provide the molecule fingerprints related to the
      disease. In an attempt to address this issue, we integrated metabolomics
      proteomics profiles analyzed pathogenic mechanisms of KF based on rat model. A
      total 37 serum differential metabolites were contributed to KF progress, involved
      several important metabolic pathways. Using iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomics
      analysis, 126 differential serum proteins were identified and provide valuable
      insight into the underlying mechanisms of KF. These proteins appear to be
      involved in complement and coagulation cascades, regulation of actin
      cytoskeleton, MAPK signaling pathway, RNA transport, etc. Interestingly,
      pathway/network analysis of integrated proteomics and metabolomics data firstly
      reveals that these signaling pathways were closely related with KF. It further
      indicated that most of these proteins play a pivotal role in the regulation of
      metabolism pathways. 

PMID- 26256573
TI  - Community-acquired Legionnaires' disease in a renal transplant recipient with
      unclear incubation period: the importance of molecular typing.
AB  - Transplant recipients are at risk of developing Legionnaires' disease (LD)
      because of impaired cellular immunity. Here, we describe a renal transplant
      recipient who developed LD at least 10 days after hospital admission and
      transplantation. The hospital water network was initially suspected, but further
      testing determined that the probable source was the patient's domestic water
      supply. Our report also suggests that the patient's immunosuppressed state may
      have switched potential colonization to pneumonia. 

PMID- 26256574
TI  - Acute and chronic psychological stress as risk factors for cardiovascular
      disease: Insights gained from epidemiological, clinical and experimental studies.
AB  - Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a leading cause of death worldwide and
      identification and therapeutic modulation of all its risk factors is necessary to
      ensure a lower burden on the patient and on society. The physiological response
      to acute and chronic stress exposure has long been recognized as a potent
      modulator of immune, endocrine and metabolic pathways, however its direct
      implications for cardiovascular disease development, progression and as a
      therapeutic target are not completely understood. More and more attention is
      given to the bidirectional interaction between psychological and physical health
      in relation to cardiovascular disease. With atherosclerosis being a chronic
      disease starting already at an early age the contribution of adverse early life
      events in affecting adult health risk behavior, health status and disease
      development is receiving increased attention. In addition, experimental research
      into the biological pathways involved in stress-induced cardiovascular
      complications show important roles for metabolic and immunologic maladaptation,
      resulting in increased disease development and progression. Here we provide a
      concise overview of human and experimental animal data linking chronic and acute
      stress to CVD risk and increased progression of the underlying disease
      atherosclerosis. 

PMID- 26256575
TI  - Small RNAs growing tall: miRNAs as drug targets in herpesvirus infections.
AB  - Herpesviruses establish life-long latent infections. They can cause severe
      morbidity and significant mortality particularly in immunocompromised hosts.
      Several are associated with cancers. Most express large amounts of microRNAs
      during latent or lytic infection. There is increasing evidence that these small
      RNA molecules play important roles in many aspects of pathogenesis, including
      lytic and latent infections, immune evasion and tumorigenesis. Therapies
      targeting microRNAs have already successfully made it into clinics, for example,
      to treat hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. In this review, we will focus on
      regulatory functions of herpesvirus miRNAs that may be suitable for antiviral
      intervention. 

PMID- 26256576
TI  - Enantioselective Synthesis of Carbo- and Heterocycles through a CuH-Catalyzed
      Hydroalkylation Approach.
AB  - The enantioselective, intramolecular hydroalkylation of halide-tethered styrenes
      has been achieved through a copper hydride-catalyzed process. This approach
      allowed for the synthesis of enantioenriched cyclobutanes, cyclopentanes,
      indanes, and six-membered N- and O-heterocycles. This protocol was applied to the
      synthesis of the commercial serotonin reuptake inhibitor (-)-paroxetine. 

PMID- 26256577
TI  - Addressing barriers to emergency anaphylaxis care: from emergency medical
      services to emergency department to outpatient follow-up.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Anaphylaxis is a systemic life-threatening allergic reaction that
      presents unique challenges for emergency care practitioners. Allergists and
      emergency physicians have a history of collaborating to promote an evidence
      based, multidisciplinary approach to improve the emergency management and follow
      up of patients with or at risk of anaphylaxis. OBJECTIVES: To review recent
      scientific literature about anaphylaxis, discuss barriers to care, and recommend
      strategies to support improvement in emergency anaphylaxis care. METHODS: An
      expert panel of allergists and emergency physicians was convened by the American
      College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology in November 2014 to discuss current
      knowledge about anaphylaxis, identify opportunities for emergency practitioners
      and allergists to partner to address barriers to care, and recommend strategies
      to improve medical management of anaphylaxis along the continuum of care: from
      emergency medical systems and emergency department practitioners for acute
      management through appropriate outpatient follow-up with allergists to confirm
      diagnosis, identify triggers, and plan long-term care. RESULTS: The panel
      identified key barriers to anaphylaxis care, including difficulties in making an
      accurate diagnosis, low rates of epinephrine administration during acute
      management, and inadequate follow-up. Strategies to overcome these barriers were
      discussed and recommendations made for future allergist/emergency physician
      collaborations, and key messages to be communicated to emergency practitioners
      were proposed. CONCLUSION: The panel recommended that allergists and emergency
      physicians continue to work in partnership, that allergists be proactive in
      outreach to emergency care practitioners, and that easy-to-access educational
      programs and materials be developed for use by emergency medical systems and
      emergency department practitioners in the training environment and in practice.

PMID- 26256578
TI  - Comparison of Angiographic Burden of Coronary Artery Disease in Patients With
      Versus Without Hepatitis C Infection.
AB  - Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is thought to be associated with an increased
      risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) events, perhaps secondary to increased
      inflammation. We sought to examine the angiographic burden of coronary artery
      disease (CAD) in patients with HCV compared to HCV-negative patients. All
      consecutive HCV RNA-positive patients (n = 61) who underwent coronary angiography
      at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences from 2001 to 2013 were
      identified. A parallel group of HCV-negative controls (n = 61), matched for age,
      gender, and indication for coronary angiography served as control. Angiographic
      burden of CAD was assessed by computing Gensini scores. Statistical analysis was
      performed using SPSS 21.0. Patients with HCV had significantly lower levels of
      total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Preangiographic use of aspirin and
      statin was significantly lower in the HCV cohort. Number of patients with
      obstructive CAD was less in HCV group (23% vs 39%, p <0.05). However,
      angiographic Gensini score was similar in both groups. There was no correlation
      between HCV RNA titers and Gensini score (p = 0.9, analysis of variance). In
      conclusion, patients with active HCV infection have similar angiographic CAD
      burden as HCV-negative patients. Furthermore, viral load does not appear to
      correlate with atherosclerosis burden. Patients with HCV have less-obstructive
      CAD and less-frequent use of aspirin and statins. 

PMID- 26256580
TI  - TV1 Taller than TV6.

PMID- 26256579
TI  - Comparison of Bleeding Outcomes After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in
      Patients With Versus Without Aortic Stenosis.
AB  - Aortic stenosis (AS) is associated with an increased risk of bleeding, but little
      is known about the risk of bleeding during percutaneous coronary intervention
      (PCI) in patients with AS. In the era of transcutaneous aortic valve
      implantation, understanding the bleeding risks associated with AS is critical.
      This retrospective study included 7,926 patients who underwent PCI from 2004 to
      2013. Patients were categorized according to the presence of significant AS:
      moderate or severe AS (n = 354) and mild or no AS (n = 7,572). The National
      Cardiovascular Data Registry (NCDR) definition of a bleeding event (transfusion,
      prolonged hospital stay, or decrease in hemoglobin >3.0 mg/dl) was used as the
      primary outcome, and the NCDR PCI Bleeding Risk Score was used to control for the
      underlying risk of bleeding because of baseline characteristics. Patients with AS
      had significantly higher NCDR PCI Bleeding Risk Scores and higher rates of
      bleeding events. Logistic regression showed that the NCDR PCI Bleeding Risk Score
      did predict bleeding outcomes. There was not, however, an independent association
      between AS and bleeding outcomes. The addition of AS to the risk score using net
      reclassification improvement did not enhance the model's ability to predict
      bleeding (p = 0.71). These data suggest that the NCDR PCI Bleeding Risk Score
      appropriately adjusts for bleeding risks in patients with AS. In conclusion,
      although patients with AS are more likely to have bleeding complications after
      PCI, the increased risk of bleeding is driven by the patients' baseline co
      morbidities rather than their AS. 

PMID- 26256581
TI  - Effect of Echocardiographic Grading of Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction by
      Different Classifications in Primary Care.
AB  - The presence of left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction (DD) as characterized
      by Doppler echocardiography is associated with worse overall mortality both in
      symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. However, available data on this topic come
      from referral centers and have been obtained by different, validated algorithms
      for each single study. Thus, we aimed at determining the feasibility of
      comprehensive evaluation of LVDD in a primary care outpatient setting and at
      testing the concordance of different methodological approaches in grading
      diastolic dysfunction. Eight hundred eighty-five consecutive outpatients, in
      sinus rhythm, prospectively underwent Doppler echocardiography according to a
      predetermined protocol. Feasibility of each LV diastolic index and concordance
      between 3 methods to determine the degree of LVDD, namely the American Society of
      Echocardiography/European Association of Echocardiography (ASE/EAE)
      recommendations, the Olmstead County, and the Canberra Study protocols, were
      tested. Feasibility of all diastolic indexes was high, ranging from 93% of
      Valsalva maneuver to >=99% for mitral inflow and tissue Doppler parameters.
      Diastolic function was not classifiable in 6% to 19% of patients. The concordance
      for LV diastolic dysfunction degree was fair when comparing the classification of
      the ASE/EAE with those from Olmstead County (kappa = 0.25; reclassification rate
      51%) and Canberra Study (kappa = 0.27; reclassification rate 43.7%), and was good
      for the comparison between the Olmstead County and Canberra classifications
      (kappa = 0.68, reclassification rate 27%). In conclusion, feasibility of LV
      diastolic function measurements is very high and grading diastolic dysfunction is
      possible in most patients in primary care settings. Substantial differences,
      however, exist when concordance is tested among 3 documented criteria, resulting
      in poor concordance of data interpretation and hence patient stratification and
      clinical management. 

PMID- 26256582
TI  - Neuromelioidosis: Craniospinal MRI Findings in Burkholderia pseudomallei
      Infection.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of central
      nervous system (CNS) infection with Burkholderia pseudomallei. METHODS:
      Retrospective analysis of 10 patients (5 male and 5 female, age range from 13 to
      69 years) with CNS melioidosis confirmed on culture of blood, sputum,
      cerebrospinal fluid, brain biopsy, and postmortem brain tissue. Clinical data
      were collected and MRI brain and/or spine were independently reviewed. RESULTS:
      Seven patients with brain parenchymal or intramedullary spinal cord lesions
      demonstrated rim-enhancing microabscesses with propensity for white matter tracts
      including the corticospinal tracts, corpus callosum, and cerebellar peduncles.
      Three of these 7 patients also showed thickening and enhancement of the
      trigeminal nerves with contiguous spread to brain stem trigeminal nuclei. Three
      patients had isolated extraaxial disease with findings including meningeal
      enhancement, extradural abscess, skull osteomyelitis, and scalp abscess.
      CONCLUSION: Spread of microabscesses along white matter tracts and frequent
      trigeminal nerve involvement are unique imaging characteristics of CNS
      melioidosis. These findings may provide insight into potential mechanisms for B.
      pseuodomallei entry into the CNS through direct axonal transport in cranial
      nerves bypassing the blood brain barrier. Prompt recognition of the neuroimaging
      features of this potentially fatal infection may allow for early microbiological
      culture and treatment.

PMID- 26256584
TI  - The signal pathway regulated by mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channels
      might be involved in the mechanism of brain ischemic tolerance.

PMID- 26256585
TI  - Does interest broaden or narrow attentional scope?
AB  - Theory proposes that interest is a positive emotion that may either broaden
      attention to facilitate processing of new information, or narrow attention to
      preserve engagement with new information. To our knowledge, no research has
      directly examined the effect of interest on attentional scope. Across four
      experiments, we show that traits associated with the propensity to experience
      interest-specifically, trait curiosity and internal boredom proneness-are
      associated with a narrower scope of attention. We also find that, instead of
      broadening, interest actually narrows attentional scope in comparison to a
      neutral state and awe. Challenging the conventional notion that all positive
      emotions broaden cognition and attention, our findings suggest that specific
      emotions influence attention in ways that extend beyond a general emotional
      valence effect.

PMID- 26256583
TI  - How the cortico-thalamic feedback affects the EEG power spectrum over frontal and
      occipital regions during propofol-induced sedation.
AB  - Increasing concentrations of the anaesthetic agent propofol initially induces
      sedation before achieving full general anaesthesia. During this state of
      anaesthesia, the observed specific changes in electroencephalographic (EEG)
      rhythms comprise increased activity in the delta- (0.5-4 Hz) and alpha- (8-13 Hz)
      frequency bands over the frontal region, but increased delta- and decreased alpha
      activity over the occipital region. It is known that the cortex, the thalamus,
      and the thalamo-cortical feedback loop contribute to some degree to the propofol
      induced changes in the EEG power spectrum. However the precise role of each
      structure to the dynamics of the EEG is unknown. In this paper we apply a thalamo
      cortical neuronal population model to reproduce the power spectrum changes in EEG
      during propofol-induced anaesthesia sedation. The model reproduces the power
      spectrum features observed experimentally both in frontal and occipital
      electrodes. Moreover, a detailed analysis of the model indicates the importance
      of multiple resting states in brain activity. The work suggests that the alpha
      activity originates from the cortico-thalamic relay interaction, whereas the
      emergence of delta-activity results from the full cortico-reticular-relay
      cortical feedback loop with a prominent enforced thalamic reticular-relay
      interaction. This model suggests an important role for synaptic GABAergic
      receptors at relay neurons and, more generally, for the thalamus in the
      generation of both the delta- and the alpha- EEG patterns that are seen during
      propofol anaesthesia sedation. 

PMID- 26256586
TI  - Synthesis, Characterization, Antimicrobial and Antitumor Activities of Sucrose
      Octa(N-ethyl)carbamate.
AB  - Sucrose octa(N-ethyl)carbamate was synthesized directly from sucrose and ethyl
      isocyanate, and its structure was confirmed by various analytical methods, such
      as (1)H and (13)C NMR, FTIR, m.p., MS, and optical rotation. Its antibacterial,
      antifungal and cytotoxic activities were investigated. It exhibited strong
      inhibition against all bacteria tested, namely S. aureus (MIC 0.18+/-0.006), B.
      cereus (MIC 0.094+/-0.000), M. flavus (MIC 0.28+/-0.01), L. monocytogenes (MIC
      0.18+/-0.006), P. aeruginosa (MIC 0.094+/-0.002), S. typhimurium (MIC 0.094+/
      0.002), E. coli (MIC 0.18+/-0.006) and E. cloacae (MIC 0.18+/-0.006) and strong
      antifungal activity towards T. viride (MIC 0.09 +/- 0.006), A. versicolor (MIC
      0.18 +/- 0.01), A. ochraceus (MIC 0.375 +/- 0.01) and P. ochrochloron (MIC 0.375
      +/- 0.04). Furthermore, it showed moderate antitumor potential against human
      breast (GI50 357.20+/-14.12), colon (GI50 332.43+/-11.19) and cervical (GI50
      282.67+/-3.97) cell lines and, more important, without hepatotoxicity.

PMID- 26256587
TI  - Investigation of the antimycobacterial activity of 8-hydroxyquinolines.
AB  - A series of styrylquinolines and quinolineamides based on the 8-hydroxyquinoline
      moiety were investigated as potential antimycobacterial agents. The lipophilicity
      of the compounds was measured using RP-HPLC and the tests of their activity
      against Mycobacterium kansasii, the M. avium complex, M. smegmatis, M. abscessus,
      M. tuberculosis and M. avium paratuberculosis was performed. Several of the
      compounds that were obtained appeared to be more effective than isoniazid and
      ciprofloxacin. The 5,7-dinitro-8-hydroxyquinoline derivative possessed the
      highest potency against M. abscessus and M. Smegmatis, which was about twice as
      effective as ciprofloxacin, while 2-(2-hydroxystyryl)-8-hydroxyquinoline-7
      carboxylic acid appeared to be comparable with the standard drugs that are
      against the M. avium complex. The structure activity relationships are discussed.

PMID- 26256588
TI  - 2-Arylquinazolin-4(3H)-ones: Inhibitory Activities Against Xanthine Oxidase.
AB  - 2-Arylquinazolin-4(3H)-ones (1-25) were synthesized, and evaluated for their
      xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity. Significant to moderate activities were
      exhibited by the compounds 1-3, 7, 9, 13-15, 19-21, and 23 with IC50 between 2.80
      - 28.13 uM as compared to the standard allopurinol (IC50 (IC50 = 2.01 +/- 0.01
      uM). Compounds 4-6, 8, 11-12, 16-18, 22, and 24 demonstrated a weak activity with
      IC50 values 44.60 - 112.60 uM. Nonetheless, compounds 10 and 25 did not show any
      activity. Amongst all derivatives, compound 2, containing a C-4' dimethylamino
      group, was the most potent inhibitor of the enzyme with an IC50 value comparable
      to the standard. Kinetics studies on the most active compounds (2, 7, 9, 14, 15,
      19, and 20) were conducted in order to determine their modes of inhibition and
      dissociation constants Ki. Some of the compounds of 2-arylquinazolin-4(3H)-one
      series were thus identified as potential leads for further studies towards the
      treatment of hyperuricemia and gout. 

PMID- 26256589
TI  - Mechanical Modeling of the Human Cricoid Cartilage Using Computer-Aided Design:
      Applications in Airway Balloon Dilation Research.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Balloon dilation is generally considered first-line treatment for
      airway stenosis. Some dilation systems utilize a compliant balloon that can
      conform around rigid structures. Others use a noncompliant balloon that does not
      conform, allowing for dilation of more rigid stenoses. We hypothesized that
      subglottic dilation with a noncompliant balloon increases the likelihood of
      fracture of the cricoid when compared to a compliant balloon. METHODS: Three
      fresh human cricoid cartilages were placed in a universal testing system to
      determine the expansile force necessary for cricoid fracture. Using these data, a
      3D printer was used to construct a synthetic cricoid model possessing near
      identical physical characteristics to the human cricoid. Simulated dilation was
      then performed on the model using a compliant and a noncompliant balloon.
      RESULTS: Human cricoid fracture occurred at 97.25 N (SD = 8.34), and the
      synthetic cricoid model fractured at 100.10 N (SD = 7.32). Both balloons
      fractured the model in every replicate experiment. Mean balloon internal pressure
      at fracture was 7.67 ATM (SD = 1.21) for the compliant balloon and 11.34 ATM (SD
      = 1.29) for the noncompliant balloon. CONCLUSIONS: These data show that fracture
      of the cricoid is a valid concern in balloon dilation procedures where the
      balloon spans the subglottis. Furthermore, the hypothesis was rejected in that
      the compliant balloon system was at least as likely to fracture the cricoid model
      as the noncompliant.

PMID- 26256590
TI  - Natural course of subjects with elevated liver tests and normal liver histology.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Liver biopsy (LB) is performed if non-invasive work-up of
      liver disease is inconclusive. The examination of liver tissue occasionally
      reveals normal histology. Long-term follow-up of such patients has not been
      performed. METHODS: We identified a total 70 subjects from our LB database with
      elevated liver tests and normal liver histology after a mean of 90.5 +/- 52.3
      (range 15-216) months and conducted reassessment of medical history, physical
      examination, laboratory testing, ultrasound, transient elastography and LB if
      indicated. RESULTS: At follow-up examination, 15 (7 females (f)/8 males (m);
      21.4%) subjects had normal liver tests and no further evidence of liver disease.
      A subset of 37 (29 f/8 m; 52.9%) subjects had persistently elevated liver tests
      without evidence indicating progressive liver disease but the cause thereof
      remained unexplained also at the follow-up visit. Three (0 f/3 m; 4.3%) subjects
      had consumed excessive alcohol with indicators of alcoholic liver disease. Eleven
      subjects (4 f/7 m; 15.7%) had developed steatosis on ultrasound examination along
      with weight gain and/or biochemical features of the metabolic syndrome. In
      addition, three (2 f/1 m) patients developed autoimmune hepatitis, one female
      presented with primary biliary cirrhosis. One male was diagnosed with
      cholangiocellular carcinoma 3 months after the initial evaluation. CONCLUSION:
      The clinical course of most patients was benign, but in approximately 20% of the
      subjects a liver disease developed. Particular attention should be given to
      autoimmune liver diseases in subjects with positive autoantibodies. In addition,
      lifestyle factors such as weight gain and alcohol consumption were associated
      with the manifestation of liver diseases.

PMID- 26256591
TI  - Carisoprodol - Effects on Human Performance and Behavior.
AB  - Carisoprodol, a commonly prescribed muscle relaxant, has adverse effects on human
      performance and is gaining recognition as a factor in driver impairment and
      accident causation. Carisoprodol is a centrally acting skeletal muscle relaxant
      indicated for the relief of musculoskeletal pain. Carisoprodol and its major
      metabolite meprobamate have central nervous system (CNS) sedating effects similar
      to benzodiazepines or alcohol. Following the ingestion of carisoprodol or
      meprobamate symptoms such as drowsiness, confusion, poor balance, and
      coordination are well documented in drivers, all of which are detrimental to
      human performance and driving ability. Although identified as a drug capable of
      producing decreased human performance, the full extent of carisoprodol and
      meprobamate's involvement in motor vehicle accidents and effect on driving skills
      may not be fully appreciated. This is due in part to the common co-administration
      of other CNS depressants, hypnotics, or narcotic drugs and the lack of routine
      testing for carisoprodol and meprobamate in the human performance toxicology
      laboratory. 

PMID- 26256592
TI  - 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine - Effects on Human Performance and Behavior.
AB  - 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "ecstasy") is a unique drug, sharing
      properties of hallucinogens and stimulants. The acute effects of empathy,
      euphoria, and excitement for which it is used recreationally can make it
      overwhelmingly distracting for the user in the context of driving. This review
      considers the chemistry, synthesis, analysis, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and
      documented effects of MDMA on cognitive and psychomotor skills important to
      driving. Laboratory studies show that users do experience cognitive impairments,
      and may also act more impulsively while under the influence of the drug's
      sympathomimetic effects. Psychomotor impairment may occur with elevated doses or
      after repeated administration, and residual psychomotor impairment during the
      "coming-down" phase may be compounded by fatigue, dehydration, combined drug use,
      or other confounding factors. There is growing anecdotal information providing
      evidence of MDMA-impaired driving, and it is evident that many users recognize
      and attempt to mitigate the effects by delaying driving until the acute affects
      have dissipated. The drug inevitably may affect a subject's judgment and ability
      to properly assess their fitness to drive also. Blood concentrations in MDMA
      impaired drivers suggest that this impairment can be caused by normal patterns of
      recreational use, and MDMA use should be considered inconsistent with safe
      driving immediately following ingestion, and for up to a day or longer following
      use. 

PMID- 26256593
TI  - Opioids - Effects on Human Performance and Behavior.
AB  - The purpose of the monograph is to provide readers with a summary of the
      literature relating selected opioids to performance issues, specifically driving.
      This monograph provides a summary of information to aid expert witnesses in
      preparing for court testimony. Information for codeine, hydrocodone,
      hydromorphone, methadone, morphine, and oxycodone is provided. In addition to a
      review of performance studies, a summary of acute and chronic pharmacology,
      pharmacokinetics, and metabolism is included. Opioids appear to impair
      psychomotor functioning likely to be important to the performance of complex,
      divided attention tasks such as driving. This impairment is notably more
      prevalent in individuals with no history of opioid use; individuals with long
      term opioid use do not demonstrate as extensive of an impairment. Other factors
      such as personality, environment, and pain control also sharply modulate opioid
      impairment. 

PMID- 26256594
TI  - Phencyclidine - Effects on Human Performance and Behavior.
AB  - The history, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of phencyclidine hydrochloride
      (PCP) intoxication, the pharmacology of PCP and the detection, identification and
      analysis of PCP are reviewed. The history of PCP from its synthesis in the early
      1950s to the present is discussed. Intoxication with low to moderate doses of PCP
      resembles an acute, confusing state. High doses may cause serious neurological
      and cardiovascular complications and the patient is often comatose for several
      days. Treatment involves supportive psychological and medical measures, and
      acidification of the urine may further increase PCP clearance. The metabolism of
      PCP involves primarily hydroxylation followed by conjugation and elimination in
      the urine. Analysis can be accomplished by a number of instrumental methods, and
      several commercial test kits based on antigen-antibody interactions are
      available. PCP's effect on human performance and behaviour is due to its ability
      to alter the perception of reality in the user. PCP causes a range of effects
      that include hallucinations, delirium, disorientation, agitation, muscle
      rigidity, ataxia, nystagmus, seizures, and stupor. PCP has stimulant, depressant,
      hallucinogenic and analgesic effects. Which of these will be most pronounced is
      unpredictable and depends on the user's personality, psychological state and the
      environment of use. The impairment can manifest itself as over-aggressive or
      reckless driving behavior, or may mimic depressant effects due to PCP's
      anesthetic and depressant effect. 

PMID- 26256595
TI  - Kinetic Study of the Intermolecular Interaction between 2-Phenoxypropionic Acid
      and beta-Bromo-cyclodextrin Affixed on the Stationary Phase by Liquid
      Chromatography.
AB  - The intermolecular interaction between 2-phenoxypropionic acid and beta-bromo
      cyclodextrin affixed on the stationary phase surface in a chiral HPLC system was
      studied by the moment analysis method. At first, pulse response and peak parking
      experiments were conducted to measure some parameters concerning the column
      geometry, adsorption equilibrium, and mass-transfer kinetics. Then, the first
      absolute moment (MU1) and second central moment (MU2') of the elution peaks were
      analyzed by the moment equations, which were developed by assuming that the
      reaction kinetics between the solute molecules and the functional ligands can be
      represented by the Langmuir-type rate equation. Finally, the flow-rate dependence
      of HETP calculated from MU1 and MU2' was analyzed by using the values of the
      parameters to determine the association and dissociation rate constants of the
      intermolecular interaction. It was demonstrated that the combination of the
      chromatographic experiments and moment analysis is one of the effective
      strategies for the kinetic study of intermolecular interactions. 

PMID- 26256596
TI  - Highly Sensitive Determination of Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid Using a
      Permanganate Chemiluminescence System Catalyzed by Gold Nanoparticles.
AB  - A sensitive and selective chemiluminescence method was developed to determine
      ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) in water samples. It was observed that
      gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) catalyzed chemiluminescence (CL) reactions of
      permanganate-aldehydes which underwent an enhancement effect in the presence of
      iron(III) ions (Fe(3+)). This effect is more remarkable in the presence of EDTA,
      and a highly intensive CL emission is created in proportion to the EDTA
      concentration. These observations form the basis of the method for the high
      sensitive determination of EDTA in the 0.83 - 167 nmol L(-1) concentration range,
      with a detection limit of 0.25 nmol L(-1). The relative standard deviations for
      five repeated measurements of 5, 40 and 140 nmol L(-1) EDTA were 1.14, 2.48 and
      0.65%, respectively. The method has good selectivity toward EDTA, and there are
      no interferences from other ions. The offered method has good precision, and was
      satisfactorily used for the sensitive determination of EDTA in water samples. 

PMID- 26256598
TI  - Structural Transition of Bombyx mori Liquid Silk Studied with Vibrational
      Circular Dichroism Spectroscopy.
AB  - We investigated the structural transition from liquid silk to silk fibers with
      vibrational circular dichroism spectroscopy. Liquid silk showed a major right
      handed optically active band at around 1650 cm(-1) and a minor one at around 1680
      cm(-1). The former disappeared over time, while the intensity in the latter
      increased. With the former wavenumber, liquid silk mainly adopted a random-coil
      structure. In contrast, the latter may reflect an intermediate structure in the
      transition. Furthermore, two right-handed bands at around 1630 and 1660 cm(-1)
      appeared with the disappearance of the major band, and then the wavenumber of the
      former shifted to around 1620 cm(-1). The shift results from the decrease in the
      frequency of the CO stretching mode due to the stacking of the beta-sheet that
      comprises fibers. The band at 1660 cm(-1) may reflect another intermediate
      structure due to its strong correlation with that at 1620 cm(-1) in terms of
      their temporal change in intensity. 

PMID- 26256597
TI  - Simultaneous Online Measurement of H2O and CO2 in the Humid CO2
      Adsorption/Desorption Process.
AB  - A dew point meter (DP) and an infrared (IR) CO2 analyzer were assembled in a
      humid CO2 adsorption/desorption system in series for simultaneous online
      measurements of H2O and CO2, respectively. The humidifier, by using surface
      flushing on a saturated brine solution was self-made for the generation of humid
      air flow. It was found that by this method it became relatively easy to obtain a
      low H2O content in air flow and that its fluctuation could be reduced compared to
      the bubbling method. Water calibration for the DP-IR detector is necessary to be
      conducted for minimizing the measurement error of H2O. It demonstrated that the
      relative error (RA) for simultaneous online measurements H2O and CO2 in the
      desorption process is lower than 0.1%. The high RA in the adsorption of H2O is
      attributed to H2O adsorption on the transfer pipe and amplification of the
      measurement error. The high accuracy of simultaneous online measurements of H2O
      and CO2 is promising for investigating their co-adsorption/desorption behaviors,
      especially for direct CO2 capture from ambient air. 

PMID- 26256599
TI  - Determination of a N-Nitrosodimethylamine Precursor in Water Using Ultra-high
      Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry.
AB  - 1,1,5,5-Tetramethylcarbohydrazide (TMCH) is the main precursor of N
      nitrosodimethylamine upon ozonation in the Yodo River basin, Japan. This study
      was performed to develop an analytical method for TMCH using solid-phase
      extraction with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass
      spectrometry. TMCH is hydrophilic and a tertiary amine derivative, so Oasis((r))
      MCX cartridges were used as solid-phase cartridges. The recoveries of TMCH in tap
      and river waters as well as secondary effluent from a sewage treatment plant
      ranged from 75 to 94%. The limit of quantification of TMCH was 4 ng L(-1). The
      source of TMCH in the Yodo River basin was found to be effluent from one sewage
      treatment plant. The concentrations were < 4 ng L(-1) in raw water from water
      purification plants in regions other than the Yodo River basin, indicating that
      TMCH was used specifically in the basin. 

PMID- 26256600
TI  - Detection of Several Carbohydrates Using Boron-doped Diamond Electrodes Modified
      with Nickel Hydroxide Nanoparticles.
AB  - In this work the electrooxidations of glucose, galactose, mannose, rhamnose,
      xylose and arabinose are studied at a nickel hydroxide nanoparticle modified
      boron-doped diamond electrode and compared to an unmodified electrode. These
      carbohydrates are very important in the second-generation ethanol production
      process. Nickel hydroxide modified boron-doped diamond was characterized by
      scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray. Electrochemical
      impedance spectroscopy was employed to study the interface properties of surface
      modified electrodes in the absence and presence of the carbohydrates. Limits of
      detection were 5.3 * 10(-5), 6.8 * 10(-5), 2.7 * 10(-4), 6.9 * 10(-5), 8.8 * 10(
      5) and 2.6 * 10(-5) mol L(-1) for glucose, galactose, mannose, rhamnose,
      arabinose, xylose, respectively. 

PMID- 26256601
TI  - Development of Desolvation System for Single-cell Analysis Using Droplet
      Injection Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy.
AB  - With a view to enhance the sensitivity of analytical instruments used in the
      measurement of trace elements contained in a single cell, we have now equipped
      the previously reported micro-droplet injection system (M-DIS) with a desolvation
      system. This modified M-DIS was coupled to inductively coupled plasma atomic
      emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) and evaluated for its ability to measure trace
      elements. A flow rate of 100 mL/min for the additional gas and a measurement
      point -7.5 mm above the load coil (ALC) have been determined to be the optimal
      parameters for recording the emission intensity of the Ca(II) spectral lines. To
      evaluate the influence of the desolvation system, we recorded the emission
      intensities of the Ca(I), Ca(II), and H-beta spectral lines with and without
      inclusion of the desolvation system. The emission intensity of the H-beta
      spectral line reduces and the magnitude of the Ca(II)/Ca(I) emission intensity
      ratio increases four-fold with inclusion of the desolvation system. Finally, the
      elements Ca, Mg, and Fe present in a single cell of Pseudococcomyxa simplex are
      simultaneously determined by coupling the M-DIS equipped with the desolvation
      system to ICP-AES. 

PMID- 26256602
TI  - A Novel Sensor for Sensitive and Selective Detection of Iodide Using Turn-on
      Fluorescence Graphene Quantum Dots/Ag Nanocomposite.
AB  - Based on the principle of fluorescence enhancing, by the strong and specific
      interreaction between iodide (I(-)) ions and nanoAg on the surface of graphene
      quantum dots/Ag (GQDs/Ag) nanocomposite, we propose a simple label-free and turn
      on method for the detection of I(-) ions with high selectivity and sensitivity by
      using fluorescent GQDs/Ag nanocomposite in aqueous media. 

PMID- 26256603
TI  - Electrochemical Molecular Imprinted Sensors Based on Electrospun Nanofiber and
      Determination of Ascorbic Acid.
AB  - In this study, electrochemical molecularly imprinted sensors were fabricated and
      used for the determination of ascorbic acid (AA). Nanofiber membranes of
      cellulose acetate (CA)/multi-walled carbon nanotubes
      (MWCNTs)/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) (CA/MWCNTs/PVP) were prepared by
      electrospinning technique. After being transferred to a glass carbon electrode
      (GC), the nanofiber interface was further polymerized with pyrrole through
      electrochemical cyclic voltammetry (CV) technique. Meanwhile, target molecules
      (such as AA) were embedded into the polypyrrole through the hydrogen bond. The
      effects of monomer concentration (pyrrole), the number of scan cycles and scan
      rates of polymerization were optimized. Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV)
      tests indicated that the oxidation current of AA (the selected target) were
      higher than that of the structural analogues, which illustrated the selective
      recognition of AA by molecularly imprinted sensors. Simultaneously, the
      molecularly imprinted sensors had larger oxidation current of AA than non
      imprinted sensors in the processes of rebinding. The electrochemical measurements
      showed that the molecularly imprinted sensors demonstrated good identification
      behavior for the detection of AA with a linear range of 10.0 - 1000 MUM, a low
      detection limit down to 3 MUM (S/N = 3), and a recovery rate range from 94.0 to
      108.8%. Therefore, the electrochemical molecularly imprinted sensors can be used
      for the recognition and detection of AA without any time-consuming elution. The
      method presented here demonstrates the great potential for electrospun nanofibers
      and MWCNTs to construct electrochemical sensors. 

PMID- 26256604
TI  - A Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Dispersed Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes
      Electrode for Direct and Selective Electrochemical Detection of Uric Acid.
AB  - A nanocomposite platform built with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and
      nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(+)) via a noncovalent interaction between
      the large pi systems in NAD(+) molecules and MWCNTs on a glassy carbon substrate
      was successfully developed for the sensitive and selective detection of uric acid
      (UA) in the presence of ascorbic acid (AA), dopamine (DA). NAD(+) has an adenine
      subunit and a nicotinamide subunit, which enabled interaction with the purine
      subunit of UA through a strong pi-pi interaction to enhance the specificity of
      UA. Compared with a bare glassy carbon electrode (GCE) and MWCNTs/GCE, the MWCNTs
      NAD(+)/GCE showed a low background current and a remarkable enhancement of the
      oxidation peak current of UA. Using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), a high
      sensitivity for the determination of UA was explored for the MWCNTs-NAD(+)
      modified electrode. A linear relationship between the DPV peak current of UA and
      its concentration could be obtained in the range of 0.05 - 10 MUM with the
      detection limit as low as 10 nM (S/N = 3). This present strategy provides a novel
      and promising platform for the detection of UA in human urine and serum samples. 

PMID- 26256605
TI  - Development of High-purity Certified Reference Materials for 17 Proteinogenic
      Amino Acids by Traceable Titration Methods.
AB  - To ensure the reliability of amino acid analyses, the National Metrology
      Institute of Japan of the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and
      Technology (NMIJ/AIST) has developed high-purity certified reference materials
      (CRMs) for 17 proteinogenic amino acids. These CRMs are intended for use as
      primary reference materials to enable the traceable quantification of amino
      acids. The purity of the present CRMs was determined based on two traceable
      methods: nonaqueous acidimetric titration and nitrogen determination by the
      Kjeldahl method. Since neither method could distinguish compounds with similar
      structures, such as amino acid-related impurities, impurities were thoroughly
      quantified by combining several HPLC methods, and subtracted from the obtained
      purity of each method. The property value of each amino acid was calculated as a
      weighted mean of the corrected purities by the two methods. The uncertainty of
      the property value was obtained by combining measurement uncertainties of the two
      methods, a difference between the two methods, the uncertainty from the
      contribution of impurities, and the uncertainty derived from inhomogeneity. The
      uncertainty derived from instability was considered to be negligible based on
      stability monitoring of some CRMs. The certified value of each amino acid,
      property value with uncertainty, was given for both with or without enantiomeric
      separation. 

PMID- 26256606
TI  - A Catalytic DNA Probe with Stem-loop Motif for Human T47D Breast Cancer Cells.
AB  - In vitro selection methods allow for isolation of DNAzymes (catalytic DNAs) from
      random DNA pools. Here we describe a fluorogenic DNAzyme, LYF5, isolated using a
      double-random selection approach: a random DNA pool was selected against a
      complex molecular mixture derived from a breast cancer cell line, T47D. LYF5
      specifically indicates the T47D breast cancer cell line with high sensitivity.
      After sequence optimization, the second-generation DNAzyme, 2G-LYF5, exhibited an
      approximately 2-fold higher cleavage percentage. Finally, we have determined that
      the intramolecular stem-loop motif plays a crucial role in 2G-LYF5 activity. Our
      findings underscore the capability of single-stranded DNA molecules to perform
      highly sophisticated functions that are amenable to the development of diagnostic
      tests for early identification of breast cancer. 

PMID- 26256607
TI  - Multi-residue Method for Determination of Selected Neonicotinoid Insecticides in
      Traditional Chinese Medicine Using Modified Dispersive Solid-phase Extraction
      Combined with Ultra-performance Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry.
AB  - A reliable and cost-effective method for the determination of multiple
      neonicotinoids was developed using a modified QuEChERS-based extraction procedure
      in complex matrices, namely Hedyotis diffusa (a representative of the Traditional
      Chinese herb which contains lots of pigment, saponin and terpene) and Semifluid
      extract of deer foetus (a representative of the Chinese traditional patent
      medicine that was produced with several different herbs, and especially
      containing lots of protein, except for other interference components). Ultra
      performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was used
      for the quantification and confirmation of five compounds. Except for two
      transitions obtained by the MRM mode, identification was further carried out by
      the ion radios. The proposed chemical structure of every selected product ion and
      the proposed pyrolysis way were presented. The extraction, clean-up, UPLC
      separation and MS/MS parameters were especially optimized in order to obtain
      better recoveries. The low limits of detection (LODs) of five insecticides ranged
      from 0.04 to 0.81 MUg kg(-1). Matrix matched calibration in the concentration
      range of 0.05 - 50 MUg kg(-1) were used to compensate the matrix effect, and
      reasonable recoveries 80.2 - 105.4% of five compounds were demonstrated in
      different spiked levels with inter-RSD from 1.7 to 10.6%. The proposed method is
      an alternative approach to make an analysis of neonicotinoids in Chinese
      medicine, which is more reliable and promising compared with other detection
      methods. 

PMID- 26256608
TI  - Simultaneous Determination of Trigonelline, Caffeine, Chlorogenic Acid and Their
      Related Compounds in Instant Coffee Samples by HPLC Using an Acidic Mobile Phase
      Containing Octanesulfonate.
AB  - In order to analyze trigonelline, caffeine, chlorogenic acid, and their related
      compounds simultaneously, an HPLC method using an InertSustain C18 column and a
      mobile phase containing octanesulfonate as an ion-pairing reagent under an acidic
      condition was developed. The optimum mobile phase conditions were determined to
      be 0.1% phosphoric acid, 4 mM octanesulfonate, and 15% methanol at 35 degrees C.
      Using the proposed method, trigonelline, nicotinic acid, caffeine, theophylline,
      chlorogenic acid, and caffeic acid in ten instant coffee samples were analyzed.
      These analytes except for theophylline were detected in all samples. An increase
      in the caffeine content in instant coffee samples tended to decrease in both
      trigonelline and chlorogenic acid contents, and the trigonelline content was
      found to be correlated well with the chlorogenic acid content (R(2) = 0.887). 

PMID- 26256609
TI  - Comparative Studies on Effects of Acid Solutions on Aquatic Plants by Beam
      Deflection and Absorbance Spectroscopy Methods.
AB  - The beam deflection method and absorbance spectroscopy were applied to study
      effects of acid solutions on aquatic plants, and their results were compared.
      Aquatic plants Egeria densa and Ceratophyllum demersum L were used as model
      plants. In absorbance experiments, a piece of the plants was put in a beaker with
      20 mL HCl solution, and absorbance of the HCl solution was measured every 30 min.
      In beam deflection experiments, a probe beam from a He-Ne laser was focused to a
      vicinity of the plants in a culture dish with HCl solution by an objective lens,
      and deflection signals of the probe beam were monitored by a position sensor.
      Absorbance spectra of the HCl solutions with immersing of the plants showed
      absorbance below 410 nm, suggesting that some compounds leaked from the plants
      into the HCl solutions. Changes of absorbance and deflection signals with
      immersion time were examined for different pH levels. The changing trends of the
      absorbance and deflection signals with time were similar, but the absorbance
      changes were delayed for about 2 - 3 h. The absorbance method could not detect
      the effect of the pH 5.0 HCl solutions on the aquatic plants, while the
      deflection method could. 

PMID- 26256610
TI  - Retention Behavior of Halogenated Benzenes on a Stationary Phase Having a 2,4
      Dibromophenoxy Group as the Halogen Recognition Functional Group.
AB  - A stationary phase with a dipole interaction was synthesized by immobilizing the
      2,4-dibromophenoxy (DBP) group onto a hydrophilic base resin. The chromatographic
      properties for halogenated benzenes were evaluated on the DBP-resin by reversed
      phase mode. The separation efficiency of the DBP-resin for p-xylene and 1,4
      dihalogenated benzenes was better than that of the column packed with
      octadecylsilane (ODS). The results suggested that the retention of the solutes on
      the DBP-resin depends on the Debye interaction in addition to with the dispersion
      force caused by the DBP group. 

PMID- 26256611
TI  - Evaluation of the Effect on Temperature Conversion of pHT at 25 degrees C in the
      Temperature Range 0 - 40 degrees C Due to Incorrect Estimations of Salinity,
      Alkalinity, and Phosphate and Silicate Concentrations.
AB  - Under conditions where carbonate and oceanic parameters such as alkalinity
      (A(T)), salinity (Sp), and phosphate (P(T)) and silicate (SiT) concentrations
      cannot be obtained, the use of fixed values to calculate total pH (pHT) at 25
      degrees C was demonstrated. For temperatures of 20 - 30 degrees C, these values
      caused a maximum error of +/-0.001 in pHT. For temperatures of 0 - 40 degrees C,
      using fixed values with correct SP values caused a maximum error of approximately
      +0.0021.

PMID- 26256612
TI  - Weight-based Synthesized Standards Preparation for Correction-free Calibration in
      X-ray Fluorescence Determination of Tungsten in High-speed Steel.
AB  - This paper suggests a correction-free calibration method in wavelength dispersive
      X-ray fluorescence analysis in order to determine tungsten as a major alloyed
      element in high-speed steels accurately. Matrix effects on fluorescent X-ray
      intensity of tungsten Lalpha line were minimized by borate fusion, and the total
      amount of tungsten in the glassy matrix could be quantified. Glass bead specimens
      were prepared with 10 to 12 mg of the steel sample and 4.0 g of lithium
      tetraborate as a flux agent. Without untraceable X-ray intensity correction, a
      linear calibration curve was obtained by measuring synthesized calibration
      standards prepared by using standard solutions. As compared with fundamental
      parameter calculations, the present method gave more accurate results of tungsten
      in certified reference materials of high-speed steel. 

PMID- 26256613
TI  - Effect of Long-time X-ray Irradiation on Cr and Hg in a Polypropylene Disk
      Certified Reference Material Observed during Measurements by X-ray Fluorescence
      Spectrometry.
AB  - The effect of long-time X-ray irradiation on Cr and Hg in a polypropylene disk
      certified reference material (PP disk CRM, NMIJ CRM 8136-a) during measurements
      by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry was examined in the present study. The
      XRF intensities of Cr (Kalpha), Hg (Lalpha) and Pb (Lalpha), obtained by an
      energy-dispersive (ED)-XRF spectrometer, showed the different intensity trends
      and the obtained XRF intensity ratios of Cr/Pb and Hg/Pb revealed decreasing and
      constant ratios, respectively, for long-time X-ray irradiation of up to 430 h. A
      similar decreasing trend of the Cr/Pb intensity ratio was also observed by
      wavelength-dispersive (WD)-XRF measurements for 120 h. Moreover, Cr, Hg and Pb in
      the PP disks obtained after long-time measurements by the WD-XRF spectrometer
      were measured by an ED-XRF spectrometer, and the loss of Cr was confirmed. From
      these results, Cr in the PP disk CRM, whose chemical form was an organometallic
      compound, was considered to be possibly lost during the XRF analysis for long
      time or frequent measurements. 

PMID- 26256615
TI  - Erratum: Analytical Sciences, 2015, Vol. 31, No. 6, p. 481. Photoluminescent
      Detection of Nitrite with Carbon Nanodots Prepared by Microwave-assisted
      Synthesis.

PMID- 26256616
TI  - Letter to the editor regarding Bilotta et al. 2014 Diagnostic work up for
      language testing in patients undergoing awake craniotomy for brain lesions in
      language areas.

PMID- 26256618
TI  - Involving religious leaders in HIV care and treatment at a university-affiliated
      hospital in Ethiopia: Application of formative inquiry.
AB  - In sub-Saharan Africa, religious views strongly influence how people relate to
      illness, health, and healing. Belief in the curative power of religion, including
      for HIV, persists in many communities. As such, many funding agencies and
      organisations working in the field of HIV have incorporated religious
      institutions into their programmes in various capacities. Yet, debate continues
      regarding the benefits and drawbacks of including sectarian organisations in the
      fight against HIV. In the current study, we sought to explore whether patients
      with HIV would be amenable to receiving HIV-related psychosocial support from
      religious leaders. We interviewed 48 Ethiopian Orthodox Church followers who
      presented for routine HIV care at Gondar University Hospital ART (antiretroviral
      treatment) clinic. Although almost half (46%) of participants self-identified as
      'very religious', the majority of them (73%) had not disclosed their HIV status
      to a religious leader. Study participants highlighted multiple factors that could
      potentially affect their willingness to involve religious leaders in their HIV
      care. We discuss these findings in relation to religion and HIV in the African
      context. Our findings support the use of formative qualitative work prior to
      developing and implementing programmes that integrate faith and medical
      communities.

PMID- 26256619
TI  - Effect of sports bra type and gait speed on breast discomfort, bra discomfort and
      perceived breast movement in Chinese women.
AB  - This study investigated the effect of sports bra type (encapsulation versus
      compression) and gait speed on perceptions of breast discomfort, bra discomfort
      and breast movement reported by Chinese women. Visual analogue scales were used
      to evaluate breast discomfort, bra component discomfort and perceived breast
      movement of 21 Chinese participants when they wore an encapsulation or a
      compression sports bra, while static and while exercising at three different gait
      speeds. Participants perceived less breast discomfort and breast movement when
      wearing a compression bra compared to an encapsulation bra at a high gait speed,
      suggesting that compression bras are likely to provide the most effective support
      for Chinese women. However, significantly higher bra discomfort was perceived in
      the compression bra compared to the encapsulation bra when static and at the
      lower gait speed, implying that ways to modify the design of sports bras,
      particularly the straps, should be investigated to provide adequate and
      comfortable breast support. PRACTITIONER SUMMARY: The compression sports bra
      provided more comfortable support than the encapsulation sports bra for these
      Chinese women when running on a treadmill. However, these women perceived higher
      bra discomfort when wearing the compression bra when stationary. Further research
      is needed to modify the design of sports bras, particularly the straps, to
      provide adequate and comfortable breast support.

PMID- 26256620
TI  - Total synthesis of the natural product EBC-329.
AB  - The first total synthesis of an anti-leukemic diterpene natural product EBC-329
      (1) has been accomplished starting from readily available 6,6-dimethyl-3
      oxabicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-2,4-dione (7). An efficient and general approach has been
      reported for the synthesis of EBC-329 in 13 steps with an overall yield of 10%. 

PMID- 26256622
TI  - Monte Carlo simulations of the secondary neutron ambient and effective dose
      equivalent rates from surface to suborbital altitudes and low Earth orbit.
AB  - Occupational exposures from ionizing radiation are currently regulated for
      airline travel (<20 km) and for missions to low-Earth orbit (~300-400 km).
      Aircrew typically receive between 1 and 6 mSv of occupational dose annually,
      while aboard the International Space Station, the area radiation dose equivalent
      measured over just 168 days was 106 mSv at solar minimum conditions. It is
      anticipated that space tourism vehicles will reach suborbital altitudes of
      approximately 100 km and, therefore, the annual occupational dose to flight crew
      during repeated transits is expected to fall somewhere between those observed for
      aircrew and astronauts. Unfortunately, measurements of the radiation environment
      at the high altitudes reached by suborbital vehicles are sparse, and modelling
      efforts have been similarly limited. In this paper, preliminary MCNPX radiation
      transport code simulations are developed of the secondary neutron flux profile in
      air from surface altitudes up to low Earth orbit at solar minimum conditions and
      excluding the effects of spacecraft shielding. These secondary neutrons are
      produced by galactic cosmic radiation interacting with Earth's atmosphere and are
      among the sources of radiation that can pose a health risk. Associated estimates
      of the operational neutron ambient dose equivalent, used for radiation protection
      purposes, and the neutron effective dose equivalent that is typically used for
      estimates of stochastic health risks, are provided in air. Simulations show that
      the neutron radiation dose rates received at suborbital altitudes are comparable
      to those experienced by aircrew flying at 7 to 14 km. We also show that the total
      neutron dose rate tails off beyond the Pfotzer maximum on ascension from surface
      up to low Earth orbit.

PMID- 26256623
TI  - Use of micro-computed tomography to evaluate the effects of exercise on
      preventing the degeneration of articular cartilage in tail-suspended rats.
AB  - Space flight has been shown to induce bone loss and muscle atrophy, which could
      initiate the degeneration of articular cartilage. Countermeasures to prevent bone
      loss and muscle atrophy have been explored, but few spaceflight or ground-based
      studies have focused on the effects on cartilage degeneration. In this study, we
      investigated the effects of exercise on articular cartilage deterioration in tail
      suspended rats. Thirty-two female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into
      four groups (n=8 in each): tail suspension (TS), tail suspension plus passive
      motion (TSP), tail suspension plus active exercise (TSA), and control (CON)
      groups. In the TS, TSP, and TSA groups, the rat hindlimbs were unloaded for 21
      days by tail suspension. Next, the cartilage thickness and volume, and the
      attenuation coefficient of the distal femur were evaluated by micro-computed
      tomography (MUCT). Histological analysis was used to assess the surface integrity
      of the cartilage, cartilage thickness, and chondrocytes. The results showed that:
      (1) the cartilage thickness on the distal femur was significantly lower in the TS
      and TSP groups compared with the CON and TSA groups; (2) the cartilage volume in
      the TS group was significantly lower compared with the CON, TSA, and TSP groups;
      and (3) histomorphology showed that the chondrocytes formed clusters where the
      degree of matrix staining was lower in the TS and TSP groups. There were no
      significant differences between any of these parameters in the CON and TSA
      groups. The cartilage thickness measurements obtained by MUCT and histomorphology
      correlated well. In general, tail suspension could induce articular cartilage
      degeneration, but active exercise was effective in preventing this degeneration
      in tail-suspended rats. 

PMID- 26256624
TI  - Dermatopathology effects of simulated solar particle event radiation exposure in
      the porcine model.
AB  - The space environment exposes astronauts to risks of acute and chronic exposure
      to ionizing radiation. Of particular concern is possible exposure to ionizing
      radiation from a solar particle event (SPE). During an SPE, magnetic disturbances
      in specific regions of the Sun result in the release of intense bursts of
      ionizing radiation, primarily consisting of protons that have a highly variable
      energy spectrum. Thus, SPE events can lead to significant total body radiation
      exposures to astronauts in space vehicles and especially while performing
      extravehicular activities. Simulated energy profiles suggest that SPE radiation
      exposures are likely to be highest in the skin. In the current report, we have
      used our established miniature pig model system to evaluate the skin toxicity of
      simulated SPE radiation exposures that closely resemble the energy and fluence
      profile of the September, 1989 SPE using either conventional radiation
      (electrons) or proton simulated SPE radiation. Exposure of animals to electron or
      proton radiation led to dose-dependent increases in epidermal pigmentation, the
      presence of necrotic keratinocytes at the dermal-epidermal boundary and pigment
      incontinence, manifested by the presence of melanophages in the derm is upon
      histological examination. We also observed epidermal hyperplasia and a reduction
      in vascular density at 30 days following exposure to electron or proton simulated
      SPE radiation. These results suggest that the doses of electron or proton
      simulated SPE radiation results in significant skin toxicity that is
      quantitatively and qualitatively similar. Radiation-induced skin damage is often
      one of the first clinical signs of both acute and non-acute radiation injury
      where infection may occur, if not treated. In this report, histopathology
      analyses of acute radiation-induced skin injury are discussed. 

PMID- 26256625
TI  - Assessment of polycarbonate filter in a molecular analytical system for the
      microbiological quality monitoring of recycled waters onboard ISS.
AB  - On the ISS, as on Earth, water is an essential element for life and its quality
      control on a regular basis allows to ensure the health of the crew and the
      integrity of equipment. Currently, microbial water analysis onboard ISS still
      relies on the traditional culture-based microbiology methods. Molecular methods
      based on the amplification of nucleic acids for microbiological analysis of water
      quality show enormous potential and are considered as the best alternative to
      culture-based methods. For this reason, the Midass, a fully integrated and
      automated prototype was designed conjointly by ESA and bioMerieux for a rapid
      monitoring of the microbiological quality of air. The prototype allows air
      sampling, sample processing and the amplification/detection of nucleic acids. We
      describe herein the proof of principle of an analytical approach based on
      molecular biology that could fulfill the ESA's need for a rapid monitoring of the
      microbiological quality of recycled water onboard ISS. Both concentration and
      recovery of microorganisms are the main critical steps when the microfiltration
      technology is used for water analysis. Among filters recommended standards for
      monitoring the microbiological quality of the water, the polycarbonate filter was
      fully in line with the requirements of the ISO 7704-1985 standard in terms of
      efficacy of capture and recovery of bacteria. Moreover, this filter does not
      retain nucleic acids on the surface and has no inhibitory effect on their
      downstream processing steps such as purification and amplification/detection.
      Although the Midass system was designed for the treatment of air samples, the
      first results on the integration of PC filters were encouraging. Nevertheless,
      system modifications are needed to better adapt the Midass system for the
      monitoring of the microbiological water quality. 

PMID- 26256627
TI  - Modeling snail breeding in a bioregenerative life support system.
AB  - The discrete-time model of snail breeding consists of two sequentially linked
      submodels: "Stoichiometry" and "Population". In both submodels, a snail
      population is split up into twelve age groups within one year of age. The first
      submodel is used to simulate the metabolism of a single snail in each age group
      via the stoichiometric equation; the second submodel is used to optimize the age
      structure and the size of the snail population. Daily intake of snail meat by
      crewmen is a guideline which specifies the population productivity. The mass
      exchange of the snail unit inhabited by land snails of Achatina fulica is given
      as an outcome of step-by-step modeling. All simulations are performed using
      Solver Add-In of Excel 2007. 

PMID- 26256626
TI  - Nitric oxide-mediated bystander signal transduction induced by heavy-ion
      microbeam irradiation.
AB  - In general, a radiation-induced bystander response is known to be a cellular
      response induced in non-irradiated cells after receiving bystander signaling
      factors released from directly irradiated cells within a cell population.
      Bystander responses induced by high-linear energy transfer (LET) heavy ions at
      low fluence are an important health problem for astronauts in space. Bystander
      responses are mediated via physical cell-cell contact, such as gap-junction
      intercellular communication (GJIC) and/or diffusive factors released into the
      medium in cell culture conditions. Nitric oxide (NO) is a well-known major
      initiator/mediator of intercellular signaling within culture medium during
      bystander responses. In this study, we investigated the NO-mediated bystander
      signal transduction induced by high-LET argon (Ar)-ion microbeam irradiation of
      normal human fibroblasts. Foci formation by DNA double-strand break repair
      proteins was induced in non-irradiated cells, which were co-cultured with those
      irradiated by high-LET Ar-ion microbeams in the same culture plate. Foci
      formation was suppressed significantly by pretreatment with an NO scavenger.
      Furthermore, NO-mediated reproductive cell death was also induced in bystander
      cells. Phosphorylation of NF-kappaB and Akt were induced during NO-mediated
      bystander signaling in the irradiated and bystander cells. However, the
      activation of these proteins depended on the incubation time after irradiation.
      The accumulation of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), a downstream target of NO and NF
      kappaB, was observed in the bystander cells 6 h after irradiation but not in the
      directly irradiated cells. Our findings suggest that Akt- and NF-kappaB-dependent
      signaling pathways involving COX-2 play important roles in NO-mediated high-LET
      heavy-ion-induced bystander responses. In addition, COX-2 may be used as a
      molecular marker of high-LET heavy-ion-induced bystander cells to distinguish
      them from directly irradiated cells, although this may depend on the time after
      irradiation. 

PMID- 26256628
TI  - A protective role of HSP90 chaperone in gamma-irradiated Arabidopsis thaliana
      seeds.
AB  - The heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) is required for the maturation and
      conformational regulation of many regulatory proteins affecting morphogenetic
      pathways and stress tolerance. The purpose of this work is to disclose a role of
      HSP90 in radioresistance of seeds. Arabidopsis thaliana (Ler) seeds were exposed
      to gamma-ray irradiation with doses of 0.1-1 kGy using (60)Co source to obtain a
      viable but polymorphic material. A comet assay of the seeds showed a dose
      dependent increase in DNA damage. Phenotypic consequences of irradiation included
      growth stimulation at doses of 0.1-0.25 kGy and negative growth effects at doses
      from 0.5 kGy and beyond, along with increasing heterogeneity of seedling growth
      rate and phenotype. The frequencies of abnormal phenotypes were highly correlated
      with the degree of DNA damage in seeds. Treatment of seeds with geldanamycin
      (GDA), an inhibitor of HSP90, stimulated the seedling growth at all radiation
      doses and, at the same time, enhanced the growth rate and morphological
      diversity. It was also found that HSP70 induction by gamma-rays was increased
      following GDA treatment (shown at 1 kGy). We suppose that the GDA-induced HSP70
      can be involved in elimination of detrimental radiation effects that ultimately
      results in growth stimulation. On the other hand, the increase in phenotypic
      variation, when HSP90 function was impaired, confirms the supposition that the
      chaperone may control the concealment of cryptic genetic alterations and the
      developmental stability. In general, these results demonstrate that HSP90 may
      interface the stress response and phenotypic expression of genetic alterations
      induced by irradiation. 

PMID- 26256629
TI  - Developmental, nutritional and hormonal anomalies of weightlessness-grown wheat.
AB  - The behavior of water in weightlessness, as occurs in orbiting spacecraft,
      presents multiple challenges for plant growth. Soils remain saturated, impeding
      aeration, and leaf surfaces remain wet, impeding gas exchange. Herein we report
      developmental and biochemical anomalies of "Super Dwarf" wheat (Triticum aestivum
      L.) grown aboard Space Station Mir during the 1996-97 "Greenhouse 2" experiment.
      Leaves of Mir-grown wheat were hyperhydric, senesced precociously and accumulated
      aromatic and branched-chain amino acids typical of tissues experiencing oxidative
      stress. The highest levels of stress-specific amino acids occurred in
      precociously-senescing leaves. Our results suggest that the leaf ventilation
      system of the Svet Greenhouse failed to remove sufficient boundary layer water,
      thus leading to poor gas exchange and onset of oxidative stress. As oxidative
      stress in plants has been observed in recent space-flight experiments, we
      recommend that percentage water content in apoplast free-spaces of leaves be used
      to evaluate leaf ventilation effectiveness. Mir-grown plants also tillered
      excessively. Crowns and culms of these plants contained low levels of abscisic
      acid but high levels of cytokinins. High ethylene levels may have suppressed
      abscisic acid synthesis, thus permitting cytokinins to accumulate and tillering
      to occur. 

PMID- 26256630
TI  - A semiconductor radiation imaging pixel detector for space radiation dosimetry.
AB  - Progress in the development of high-performance semiconductor radiation imaging
      pixel detectors based on technologies developed for use in high-energy physics
      applications has enabled the development of a completely new generation of
      compact low-power active dosimeters and area monitors for use in space radiation
      environments. Such detectors can provide real-time information concerning
      radiation exposure, along with detailed analysis of the individual particles
      incident on the active medium. Recent results from the deployment of detectors
      based on the Timepix from the CERN-based Medipix2 Collaboration on the
      International Space Station (ISS) are reviewed, along with a glimpse of
      developments to come. Preliminary results from Orion MPCV Exploration Flight Test
      1 are also presented. 

PMID- 26256631
TI  - Group dynamics challenges: Insights from Biosphere 2 experiments.
AB  - Successfully managing group dynamics of small, physically isolated groups is
      vital for long duration space exploration/habitation and for terrestrial CELSS
      (Controlled Environmental Life Support System) facilities with human
      participants. Biosphere 2 had important differences and shares some key
      commonalities with both Antarctic and space environments. There were a multitude
      of stress factors during the first two year closure experiment as well as
      mitigating factors. A helpful tool used at Biosphere 2 was the work of W.R. Bion
      who identified two competing modalities of behavior in small groups. Task
      oriented groups are governed by conscious acceptance of goals, reality-thinking
      in relation to time and resources, and intelligent management of challenges. The
      opposing unconscious mode, the "basic-assumption" ("group animal") group,
      manifests through Dependency/Kill the Leader, Fight/Flight and Pairing. These
      unconscious dynamics undermine and can defeat the task group's goal. The
      biospherians experienced some dynamics seen in other isolated teams: factions
      developing reflecting personal chemistry and disagreements on overall mission
      procedures. These conflicts were exacerbated by external power struggles which
      enlisted support of those inside. Nevertheless, the crew evolved a coherent,
      creative life style to deal with some of the deprivations of isolation. The
      experience of the first two year closure of Biosphere 2 vividly illustrates both
      vicissitudes and management of group dynamics. The crew overrode inevitable
      frictions to creatively manage both operational and research demands and
      opportunities of the facility, thus staying 'on task' in Bion's group dynamics
      terminology. The understanding that Biosphere 2 was their life support system may
      also have helped the mission to succeed. Insights from the Biosphere 2 experience
      can help space and remote missions cope successfully with the inherent challenges
      of small, isolated crews. 

PMID- 26256632
TI  - Fluorescent minerals--A potential source of UV protection and visible light for
      the growth of green algae and cyanobacteria in extreme cosmic environments.
AB  - We propose that green algae (Chlorella variabilis and Dunaliella tertiolecta) and
      cyanobacteria (Synechococcus elongatus and Nostoc commune) can grow inside
      fluorescent rock minerals which convert damaging UV light to visible light,
      thereby allowing these organisms to survive and thrive in UV-rich environments
      without (or with limited) visible light, which would otherwise be inimical to
      them. The four microorganisms were incubated inside fluorescent rocks composed of
      fluorite, calcite and pyrite. The resultant growth was then measured following
      exposure to UV radiation, with the use of optical density and measurement of
      chlorophyll concentration. Results show that the microorganisms were shielded
      from harmful UV in these semi-transparent rocks, while at the same time
      benefiting from the fact that the minerals converted UV to visible light; this
      have been shown by a statistically significant increase in their growth, which
      although lower than when the cells were incubated in sunlight, was significantly
      higher than in controls incubated in the dark. 

PMID- 26256633
TI  - Concepts and challenges in cancer risk prediction for the space radiation
      environment.
AB  - Cancer is an important long-term risk for astronauts exposed to protons and high
      energy charged particles during travel and residence on asteroids, the moon, and
      other planets. NASA's Biomedical Critical Path Roadmap defines the carcinogenic
      risks of radiation exposure as one of four type I risks. A type I risk represents
      a demonstrated, serious problem with no countermeasure concepts, and may be a
      potential "show-stopper" for long duration spaceflight. Estimating the
      carcinogenic risks for humans who will be exposed to heavy ions during deep space
      exploration has very large uncertainties at present. There are no human data that
      address risk from extended exposure to complex radiation fields. The overarching
      goal in this area to improve risk modeling is to provide biological insight and
      mechanistic analysis of radiation quality effects on carcinogenesis.
      Understanding mechanisms will provide routes to modeling and predicting risk and
      designing countermeasures. This white paper reviews broad issues related to
      experimental models and concepts in space radiation carcinogenesis as well as the
      current state of the field to place into context recent findings and concepts
      derived from the NASA Space Radiation Program. 

PMID- 26256634
TI  - From the desk of the Editor-in-Chief.

PMID- 26256636
TI  - FRET versus PET: ratiometric chemosensors assembled from naphthalimide dyes and
      crown ethers.
AB  - Novel bi-chromophoric naphthalimide derivatives containing benzo-15-crown-5 and N
      phenyl-aza-15-crown-5 receptor moieties BNI2 and BNI3 were designed and prepared.
      Significant Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) from donor (D) amido
      naphthalimide to acceptor (A) amino-naphthalimide chromophores as well as
      photoinduced electron transfer (PET) between the N-aryl receptor and amido
      naphthalimide fragment was revealed by the steady-state and time-resolved UV/Vis
      absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. Upon the addition of alkaline-earth
      metal perchlorates to an acetonitrile solution of ligands, FRET mediated
      fluorescence enhancement was observed, which was a result of inhibition of the
      PET competitive deactivation pathway. The studied compounds provide an
      opportunity to register a two-channel fluorescence response upon selective
      excitation of either of the photoactive units and, thus, might be of interest as
      ratiometric probes. 

PMID- 26256635
TI  - Traumatic brain injuries and computed tomography use in pediatric sports
      participants.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Childhood sports-related head trauma is common, frequently leading to
      emergency department (ED) visits. We describe the spectrum of these injuries and
      trends in computed tomography (CT) use in the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied
      Research Network. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of a large prospective
      cohort of children with head trauma in 25 Pediatric Emergency Care Applied
      Research Network EDs between 2004 and 2006. We described and compared children 5
      to 18 years old by CT rate, traumatic brain injury (TBI) on CT, and clinically
      important TBI (ciTBI). We used multi-variable logistic regression to compare CT
      rates, adjusting for clinical severity. Outcomes included frequency of CT, TBIs
      on CT, and ciTBIs (defined by [a] death, [b] neurosurgery, [c] intubation>24
      hours, or [d] hospitalization for >=2 nights). FINDINGS: A total of 3289 (14%) of
      23082 children had sports-related head trauma. Two percent had Glasgow Coma Scale
      scores less than 14. 53% received ED CTs, 4% had TBIs on CT, and 1% had ciTBIs.
      Equestrians had increased adjusted odds (1.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0
      3.0]) of CTs; the rate of TBI on CT was 4% (95% CI, 3%-5%). Compared with team
      sports, snow (adjusted odds ratio, 4.1; 95% CI 1.5-11.4) and nonmotorized wheeled
      (adjusted odds ratio, 12.8; 95% CI, 5.5-32.4) sports had increased adjusted odds
      of ciTBIs. CONCLUSIONS: Children with sports-related head trauma commonly undergo
      CT. Only 4% of those imaged had TBIs on CT. Clinically important TBIs occurred in
      1%, with significant variation by sport. There is an opportunity for injury
      prevention efforts in high-risk sports and opportunities to reduce CT use in
      general by use of evidence-based prediction rules. What is known about this
      subject: Pediatric sports-related head injuries are a common and increasingly
      frequent ED presentation, as is the use of CT in their evaluation. Little is
      known about TBIs resulting from different types of sports activities in children.
      What this study adds to existing knowledge: This study broadens the understanding
      of the epidemiology of Pediatric TBIs resulting from different sports activities
      through a prospective assessment of frequency and severity of ciTBIs and ED CT
      use in a large cohort of head-injured children in a network of pediatric EDs.

PMID- 26256637
TI  - Telomere length predicts progression and overall survival in chronic lymphocytic
      leukemia: data from the UK LRF CLL4 trial.

PMID- 26256638
TI  - Efficient synthesis of novel antiproliferative steroidal spirooxindoles via the
      [3+2] cycloaddition reactions of azomethine ylides.
AB  - A series of novel steroidal spirooxindoles 3a-h were synthesized from
      pregnenolone in a high regioselective manner using the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition
      as the key step. This protocol resulted in the formation of two C-C bonds, one C
      N bond and the creation of one pyrrolidine ring and three contiguous
      stereocenters in a single operation. Biological evaluation showed that these
      synthesized steroidal spirooxindoles exhibited moderate to good antiproliferative
      activity against the tested cell lines and some of them were more potent than 5
      FU. Among them, compounds 3e and 3f displayed the best antiproliferative activity
      against MCF-7 cells with the IC50 values of 4.0 and 3.9MUM, respectively. Flow
      cytometry analysis demonstrated that compound 3d caused the cellular apoptosis
      and cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase in a concentration-dependent manner. Docking
      results indicated that compound 3d fitted well into the MDM2 active site 1RV1 by
      interacting with Lys94 and Thr101 residues. 

PMID- 26256639
TI  - Chemical Vapor Deposition Synthesized Atomically Thin Molybdenum Disulfide with
      Optoelectronic-Grade Crystalline Quality.
AB  - The ability to synthesize high-quality samples over large areas and at low cost
      is one of the biggest challenges during the developmental stage of any novel
      material. While chemical vapor deposition (CVD) methods provide a promising low
      cost route for CMOS compatible, large-scale growth of materials, it often falls
      short of the high-quality demands in nanoelectronics and optoelectronics. We
      present large-scale CVD synthesis of single- and few-layered MoS2 using direct
      vapor-phase sulfurization of MoO2, which enables us to obtain extremely high
      quality single-crystal monolayer MoS2 samples with field-effect mobility
      exceeding 30 cm(2)/(V s) in monolayers. These samples can be readily synthesized
      on a variety of substrates, and demonstrate a high-degree of optoelectronic
      uniformity in Raman and photoluminescence mapping over entire crystals with areas
      exceeding hundreds of square micrometers. Because of their high crystalline
      quality, Raman spectroscopy on these samples reveal a range of multiphonon
      processes through peaks with equal or better clarity compared to past reports on
      mechanically exfoliated samples. This enables us to investigate the layer
      thickness and substrate dependence of the extremely weak phonon processes at 285
      and 487 cm(-1) in 2D-MoS2. The ultrahigh, optoelectronic-grade crystalline
      quality of these samples could be further established through photocurrent
      spectroscopy, which clearly reveal excitonic states at room temperature, a feat
      that has been previously demonstrated only on samples which were fabricated by
      micro-mechanical exfoliation and then artificially suspended across trenches. Our
      method reflects a big step in the development of atomically thin, 2D-MoS2 for
      scalable, high-quality optoelectronics. 

PMID- 26256640
TI  - Comparison between optical-resolution photoacoustic microscopy and confocal laser
      scanning microscopy for turbid sample imaging.
AB  - Optical-resolution photoacoustic microscopy (ORPAM) in theory provides lateral
      resolution equivalent to the optical diffraction limit. Scattering media, such as
      biological turbid media, attenuates the optical signal and also alters the
      diffraction-limited spot size of the focused beam. The ORPAM signal is generated
      only from a small voxel in scattering media with dimensions equivalent to the
      laser spot size after passing through scattering layers and is detected by an
      acoustic transducer, which is not affected by optical scattering. Thus, both
      ORPAM and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) reject scattered light. A
      multimodal optical microscopy platform that includes ORPAM and CLSM was
      constructed, and the lateral resolution of both modes was measured using
      patterned thin metal film with and without a scattering barrier. The effect of
      scattering media on the lateral resolution was studied using different scattering
      coefficients and was compared to computational results based on Monte Carlo
      simulations. It was found that degradation of lateral resolution due to optical
      scattering was not significant for either ORPAM or CLSM. The depth discrimination
      capability of ORPAM and CLSM was measured using microfiber embedded in a light
      scattering phantom material. ORPAM images demonstrated higher contrast compared
      to CLSM images partly due to reduced acoustic signal scattering.

PMID- 26256641
TI  - Phylogeny of Neotropical Cercosaura (Squamata: Gymnophthalmidae) lizards.
AB  - Among Neotropical lizards, the geographically widespread gymnophthalmid
      Cercosaura as currently defined includes lowland and highland taxa from Panama to
      Argentina, with some species occurring in the northern Andes. In this study we
      analyze three mitochondrial (12S, 16S, ND4) and one nuclear (c-mos) gene using
      Bayesian methods to clarify the phylogenetic relationships among most species of
      Cercosaura based on a well-supported phylogenetic hypothesis that also includes a
      large sample of other taxa within Cercosaurini. The phylogenetic tree obtained in
      this paper shows that Cercosaura as currently defined is not monophyletic. Two
      species from the northern Andes (C. dicra and C. vertebralis) are nested within
      Pholidobolus, which has been formerly recognized as a major radiation along the
      Andes of Ecuador and Colombia. Therefore, Cercosaura has probably not diversified
      in the northern Andes, although the phylogenetic position of C. hypnoides from
      the Andes of Colombia remains unknown. Tree topology and genetic distances
      support both recognition of C. ocellata bassleri as a distinct species, C.
      bassleri, and recognition of C. argula and C. oshaughnessyi as two different
      species. In the interest of promoting clarity and precision regarding the names
      of clades of gymnophthalmid lizards, we propose a phylogenetic definition of
      Cercosaura. 

PMID- 26256642
TI  - Molecular phylogeny reveals the polyphyly of the snail genus Cepaea (Gastropoda:
      Helicidae).
AB  - Snails in the genus Cepaea are important model organisms in ecogenetic studies
      because of their colour and banding polymorphism. The monophyly of this group has
      been almost unanimously assumed based on superficial similarities in shell form
      and colouration. However, molecular phylogenetic analyses based on mitochondrial
      and nuclear sequences of 20 genera of Helicidae unequivocally demonstrated that
      Cepaea as currently understood is a polyphyletic assemblage. Only C. nemoralis
      and C. hortensis are retained in Cepaea, whereas C. vindobonensis is referred to
      Caucasotachea and C. sylvatica to Macularia based on our molecular phylogeny.
      Cepaea and Macularia belong to the western clade of the Helicinae, whereas
      Caucasotachea is nested in the eastern clade which probably diverged in the late
      Eocene. Because of the large phylogenetic distances between Cepaea, Macularia and
      Caucasotachea, it has to be shown whether the genetic mechanism underlying the
      simpler banding polymorphism in C. vindobonensis and M. sylvatica is a simpler
      version of the supergene that determines the polymorphism in Cepaea in the strict
      sense. This case illustrates the importance of sound phylogenetic analyses as a
      basis for any predictions in comparative biology. 

PMID- 26256643
TI  - Twisted trees and inconsistency of tree estimation when gaps are treated as
      missing data - The impact of model mis-specification in distance corrections.
AB  - Statistically consistent estimation of phylogenetic trees or gene trees is
      possible if pairwise sequence dissimilarities can be converted to a set of
      distances that are proportional to the true evolutionary distances. Susko et al.
      (2004) reported some strikingly broad results about the forms of inconsistency in
      tree estimation that can arise if corrected distances are not proportional to the
      true distances. They showed that if the corrected distance is a concave function
      of the true distance, then inconsistency due to long branch attraction will
      occur. If these functions are convex, then two "long branch repulsion" trees will
      be preferred over the true tree - though these two incorrect trees are expected
      to be tied as the preferred true. Here we extend their results, and demonstrate
      the existence of a tree shape (which we refer to as a "twisted Farris-zone" tree)
      for which a single incorrect tree topology will be guaranteed to be preferred if
      the corrected distance function is convex. We also report that the standard
      practice of treating gaps in sequence alignments as missing data is sufficient to
      produce non-linear corrected distance functions if the substitution process is
      not independent of the insertion/deletion process. Taken together, these results
      imply inconsistent tree inference under mild conditions. For example, if some
      positions in a sequence are constrained to be free of substitutions and
      insertion/deletion events while the remaining sites evolve with independent
      substitutions and insertion/deletion events, then the distances obtained by
      treating gaps as missing data can support an incorrect tree topology even given
      an unlimited amount of data. 

PMID- 26256644
TI  - Origin and intra-island diversification of Sulawesi endemic Adrianichthyidae.
AB  - Although the family Adrianichthyidae is broadly distributed throughout East and
      Southeast Asia, 19 endemic species, over half of the family, are distributed in
      Sulawesi, which is an island in Wallacea. However, it remains unclear how this
      Adrianichthyidae biodiversity hotspot was shaped. In this study, we reconstructed
      molecular phylogenies for the Sulawesi adrianichthyids and estimated the
      divergence times of major lineages to infer the detailed history of their origin
      and subsequent intra-island diversification. The mitochondrial and nuclear
      phylogenies revealed that Sulawesi adrianichthyids are monophyletic, which
      indicates that they diverged from a single common ancestor. Species in the
      earliest branching lineages are currently distributed in the central and
      southeastern parts of the island, indicating that the common ancestor colonized
      Sula Spur, which is a large promontory that projects from the Australian
      continental margin, from Asia by oversea dispersal c.a. 20Mya. The first
      diversification event on Sulawesi, the split of the genus Adrianichthys, occurred
      c.a. 16Mya, and resulted in the nesting of Adrianichthys within Oryzias. Strong
      geographic structure was evident in the phylogeny; many species in the lineages
      branching off early are riverine and widely distributed in the southeastern and
      southwestern arms of Sulawesi, which suggests that oversea dispersal between
      tectonic subdivisions of this island during the late Miocene (7-5Mya) contributed
      to the distributions and diversification of the early branching lineages. In
      contrast, most species in the lineages branched off later are endemic to a single
      tectonic lake or lake system in the central Sulawesi, suggesting that habitat
      fragmentation due to the Pliocene collisions (c.a. 4Mya) among the tectonic
      subdivisions was the primary factor for diversification of the late branching,
      lacustrine lineages. Adrianichthys and some Oryzias in a certain late branching
      lineage are sympatric in Lake Poso, which indicates multiple colonizations of
      these distinct lineages into this tectonic lake. Thus, the diversification of
      Sulawesi adrianichthyids largely reflects the complex geological history of this
      island. 

PMID- 26256645
TI  - Expanding the horizons of G protein-coupled receptor structure-based ligand
      discovery and optimization using homology models.
AB  - With >800 members in humans, the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) super-family
      is the target for more than 30% of the marketed drugs. The recent boom in GPCR
      crystallography has enabled the solution of ~30 different GPCR structures, which
      boosted the identification and optimization of novel modulators and new chemical
      entities through structure-based strategies. However, the number of available
      structures represents a small part of the human GPCR druggable target space, and
      its complete coverage in the near future seems unlikely. Homology modelling
      represents a reliable tool to fill this gap, and hence to vastly expand the
      horizons of structure-based drug discovery and design. In this Feature Article,
      we show from a wealth of retrospective and prospective studies that in spite of
      the pitfalls of and standing challenges in homology modelling, structural models
      have been critical for the blossoming and success of GPCR structure-based lead
      discovery and optimization endeavours; in addition, they have also been
      instrumental in characterizing receptor-ligand interaction, guiding the design of
      site-directed mutagenesis and SAR studies, and assessing off-target effects.
      Considering though their current limitations, we also discuss the most pressing
      issues to develop more accurate homology modelling strategies, with a special
      focus on the integration of computational tools with biochemical, biophysical and
      QSAR data, highlighting methodological aspects and recent progress. The teachings
      of the three GPCR Dock community-wide assessments and the fresh developments in
      GPCR classes B, C and F are commented. This is a fast growing and highly
      promising field of research, and in the coming years, the use of high-quality
      models should enable the discovery of a growing number of potent, selective and
      efficient GPCR drug leads with high therapeutic potential through receptor
      structure-based strategies. 

PMID- 26256646
TI  - Tumor Suppressor WWOX inhibits osteosarcoma metastasis by modulating RUNX2
      function.
AB  - Osteosarcoma (OS) is among the most frequently occurring primary bone tumors,
      primarily affecting adolescents and young adults. This malignant osteoid forming
      tumor is characterized by its metastatic potential, mainly to lungs. We recently
      demonstrated that WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) is frequently
      inactivated in human OS and that WWOX restoration in WWOX-negative OS cells
      suppresses tumorigenicity. Of note, WWOX levels are reduced in paired OS samples
      of post-treatment metastastectomies as compared to pre-treatment biopsies
      suggesting that decreased WWOX levels are associated with a more aggressive
      phenotype at the metastatic site. Nevertheless, little is known about WWOX
      function in OS metastasis. Here, we investigated the role of tumor suppressor
      WWOX in suppressing pulmonary OS metastasis both in vitro and in vivo. We
      demonstrated that ectopic expression of WWOX in OS cells, HOS and LM-7, inhibits
      OS invasion and cell migration in vitro. Furthermore, WWOX expression reduced
      tumor burden in vivo and inhibited metastases' seeding and colonization.
      Mechanistically, WWOX function is associated with reduced levels of RUNX2
      metastatic target genes implicated in adhesion and motility. Our results suggest
      that WWOX plays a critical role in determining the aggressive phenotype of OS,
      and its expression could be an attractive therapeutic target to combat this
      devastating adolescent disease. 

PMID- 26256647
TI  - Comparative study of the radiobiological effects induced on adherent vs suspended
      cells by BNCT, neutrons and gamma rays treatments.
AB  - The present work is part of a preclinical in vitro study to assess the efficacy
      of BNCT applied to liver or lung coloncarcinoma metastases and to limb
      osteosarcoma. Adherent growing cell lines can be irradiated as adherent to the
      culture flasks or as cell suspensions, differences in radio-sensitivity of the
      two modalities of radiation exposure have been investigated. Dose related cell
      survival and cell cycle perturbation results evidenced that the radiosensitivity
      of adherent cells is higher than that of the suspended ones. 

PMID- 26256648
TI  - An effective homogenate-assisted negative pressure cavitation extraction for the
      determination of phenolic compounds in pyrola by LC-MS/MS and the evaluation of
      its antioxidant activity.
AB  - A novel extraction method, homogenate-assisted negative pressure cavitation
      extraction (HNPCE), was designed for the extraction and determination of the main
      phenolic compounds of Pyrola incarnata Fisch. by LC-MS/MS. The particle sizes and
      extraction yields in the process of homogenization were compared with
      conventional pulverization. The results showed that homogenization for less than
      120 s could produce more suitable particle size powders for analyte extraction.
      The following NPCE parameters were optimized by a BBD test and under the optimal
      conditions, the maximum extraction yields of arbutin, epicatechin, hyperin, 2'-O
      galloylhyperin and chimaphilin increased by 68.7%, 72.0%, 43.3%, 62.5% and 34.5%
      with respect to normal NPCE. The LC-MS/MS method was successfully applied for the
      quantification of five target compounds in pyrola, and the results of the
      precision test indicated a high accuracy of the present method for the
      quantification of the target compounds in pyrola. Furthermore, the antioxidant
      activities of the pyrola extracts were also determined. The results showed that
      pyrola had good antioxidant activities and it was a valuable antioxidant natural
      source. 

PMID- 26256649
TI  - Pregnancy outcomes in women with growth hormone deficiency.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study pregnancies in a large group of patients with growth hormone
      deficiency and hypopituitarism; and to investigate potential factors determining
      pregnancy outcomes and pregnancy complications. DESIGN: We analyzed pregnancies
      reported in KIMS, the Pfizer International Metabolic Database, of adult patients
      with growth hormone deficiency treated with growth hormone. SETTING: Outpatient
      clinics. PATIENT(S): A total of 201 pregnancies were reported: 173 in female
      patients and 28 in partners of male patients. INTERVENTION(S): Growth hormone
      replacement therapy (GHRT) was prescribed according to the local clinical
      practice. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Pregnancy outcomes (live births, gestational
      week at delivery, and birth weight), pregnancy complications, and their
      relationship to use of GHRT during pregnancy were analyzed with regression
      models. RESULT(S): Two-thirds of women underwent fertility treatment to achieve
      pregnancy. Growth hormone replacement therapy was stopped before pregnancy in
      7.5% of the female patients, as soon as pregnancy was confirmed in 40.1%, and at
      the end of the second trimester in 24.7% of the patients, whereas 27.6% continued
      GHRT throughout pregnancy. Birth of a healthy child was reported in 79% of the
      female pregnancies, nonelective abortions occurred mainly in the first trimester,
      and one fetal malformation (cystic hygroma) was diagnosed in the second
      trimester. Pregnancy outcomes and pregnancy complications were not related to
      GHRT treatment patterns, method of conception, or number of additional pituitary
      deficiencies. CONCLUSION(S): These data on pregnancy outcomes in a large group of
      women with hypopituitarism revealed no relationship between GHRT regimens and
      pregnancy outcomes.

PMID- 26256650
TI  - Sterile reprocessing of surgical instruments in low- and middle-income countries:
      A multicenter pilot study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Surgical site infections increase the morbidity, mortality, and costs
      associated with surgical care. An estimated 96.2 million surgical procedures are
      performed in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) each year. This pilot study
      assessed the steam sterilization aspect of the surgical instrument reprocessing
      practice in LMIC hospitals. METHODS: Surgeons representing 26 hospitals in 9
      different LMICs were consented to test the single most frequently used autoclave
      in their respective surgical departments. Participants conducted 10 chemical
      integrator tests and recorded the total cycle time, exposure temperature, and
      pressure on each test. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and
      reviewed by medical reprocessing experts. RESULTS: Nine of the 26 (35%) study
      sites representing 7 countries returned their autoclave data and test strips (n =
      90). Of the sites, 78% obtained acceptable readings on all 10 tests. When the
      data were compared against the recommended parameters for sterility, the results
      were less favorable. All 90 tests had at least 1 variable not within the target
      exposure time, temperature, or pressure. CONCLUSION: This pilot study presents
      concerns in regard to the effectiveness of steam autoclaves used in LMIC
      hospitals and the subsequent risks this presents to surgical patients. We
      acknowledge the resource limitations in many LMIC hospitals. However, the
      international medical community must ensure that basic sterile practice
      guidelines are adhered to despite these constraints.

PMID- 26256651
TI  - Forearm articular proportions and the antebrachial index in Homo sapiens,
      Australopithecus afarensis and the great apes.
AB  - When hominin bipedality evolved, the forearms were free to adopt nonlocomotor
      tasks which may have resulted in changes to the articular surfaces of the ulna
      and the relative lengths of the forearm bones. Similarly, sex differences in
      forearm proportions may be more likely to emerge in bipeds than in the great apes
      given the locomotor constraints in Gorilla, Pan and Pongo. To test these
      assumptions, ulnar articular proportions and the antebrachial index (radius
      length/ulna length) in Homo sapiens (n=51), Gorilla gorilla (n=88), Pan
      troglodytes (n=49), Pongo pygmaeus (n=36) and Australopithecus afarensis A.L. 288
      1 and A.L. 438-1 are compared. Intercept-adjusted ratios are used to control for
      size and minimize the effects of allometry. Canonical scores axes show that the
      proximally broad and elongated trochlear notch with respect to size in H. sapiens
      and A. afarensis is largely distinct from G. gorilla, P. troglodytes and P.
      pygmaeus. A cluster analysis of scaled ulnar articular dimensions groups H.
      sapiens males with A.L. 438-1 ulna length estimates, while one A.L. 288-1 ulna
      length estimate groups with Pan and another clusters most closely with H.
      sapiens, G. gorilla and A.L. 438-1. The relatively low antebrachial index
      characterizing H. sapiens and non-outlier estimates of A.L. 288-1 and A.L. 438-1
      differs from those of the great apes. Unique sex differences in H. sapiens
      suggest a link between bipedality and forearm functional morphology.

PMID- 26256652
TI  - [Venous compression in venous insufficiency].
AB  - Compression is a mandatory therapeutic measure in all stages of venous
      insufficiency. This treatment, recommended by the French Health Authority (HAS),
      is consistently included in the protocols of therapeutic studies involving venous
      ulcers. Given the great variety in materials available and in the approaches of
      individual doctors, it is essential to avoid a dogmatic approach and instead to
      adapt treatment to the therapeutic results based on the premise that well
      controlled treatment should result in improvement in trophic disorders and in
      patient comfort, while poor treatment is badly tolerated, even potentially
      harmful, and rejected by patients. Manufacturers have made great progress in the
      design of compression hose and bandages; however, to assess this treatment using
      the evidence-based medical methods stipulated by learned societies, great rigour
      is demanded in clinical trials, and the active substances, mode of action and
      requisite "dosages" must be precisely defined. 

PMID- 26256653
TI  - [Recognising and treating lipidema OMIM 614103].
AB  - Lipedema is a poorly understood clinical entity that is frequently under
      diagnosed and neglected or else confused with lymphoedema. However, in most
      cases, diagnosis is simple and does not usually necessitate laboratory
      examinations. There is an extremely high demand for therapy since the condition
      causes major morbidity and affects quality of life. The aim of treatment is to
      reduce patient weight; although weight loss does not affect the morphology of the
      lower limbs, it optimises patient mobility while reducing related complaints and
      improving quality of life. Conservative surgical measures, of which tumescent
      liposuction is the most frequent, provide improvement of certain symptoms. A
      better understanding of this entity will result in improved therapy. 

PMID- 26256654
TI  - An efficient thermal evolution model for cryoablation with arbitrary multi
      cryoprobe configuration.
AB  - Cryoablation has been demonstrated powerful in treating of a variety of diseases,
      especially for the tumor ablation, which destroys the target tissue through the
      controlled freezing of cryoprobe. The prediction of temperature evolution during
      cryoablation is of great importance for developing and improving clinical
      procedure. This paper presented an efficient thermal model to characterize the
      freezing effect of cryoprobe with arbitrary layout including its size,
      orientation and number. The key step of the presented model is to establish a
      boundary heat source method to implicitly characterize the heat transfer from
      cryoprobe with fixed temperature or convective heat transfer boundary condition,
      which is furthermore incorporated to a fast parallel alternating direction
      explicit (PADE) finite difference method for computation acceleration. A novel
      dynamical and conformal computational region is designed through the shortest
      distance definition to balance the thermal effect of tissue and computational
      efficiency. The detailed test cases including a real head tissue demonstrated
      that the current model can accurately predict the temperature field evolution
      induced by arbitrary multi-cryoprobe configuration, and achieve significant
      computational ability due to allowable large time step (100-fold compared with
      the explicit finite difference method), compact computational region (at least
      reducing 40% number of voxels) and high parallel efficiency (speedup ratio about
      8 for 12 threads) for complex tissue structure. 

PMID- 26256655
TI  - Derivatisation for separation and detection in capillary electrophoresis (2012
      2015).
AB  - Derivatisation is a well-established and mature form of sample preparation for
      CE. The modification of the analyte can cause superior analysis characteristics
      such as better sensitivity and selectivity, however, derivatisation of the
      analyte introduces an additional step into the analytical workflow. This review
      covers articles from January 2012 to January 2015 on derivatisation in CE. The
      main sections are on the derivatisation modes (i.e. pre-capillary, in-line, in
      capillary and post-capillary), separation and detection modes (i.e. LIF and
      others). LIF is discussed in more detail since this detection mode was most
      prevalent. A table of the common labelling agents and wavelengths for excitation
      and emission and the common derivatisation reactions are included. In addition, a
      comprehensive table which summarises all research articles is provided. This
      review is suitable for analytical chemists as a guide for 'how to get started'
      with derivatisation for separation and detection in CE. 

PMID- 26256656
TI  - Maturing out, natural recovery, and dual diagnosis: What are the implications for
      older adult mental health services?
AB  - In 1962, Charles Winick proposed that addiction was a self-limiting process,
      whereby individuals stopped using substances once the stresses of life
      transitions ceased. The notion of maturing out, as labelled by Winick, often
      forms the basis of the natural recovery movement in alcohol and other drug (AOD)
      research, aiding the notion that older individuals either cease their substance
      use or fall victim to the higher mortality rates prevalent in substance-using
      populations. As more consumers present to adult mental health treatment settings
      with co-occurring substance use disorders, the idea that individuals will simply
      cease using AOD is outdated. Given the future challenges of an ageing population,
      it is prudent to explore those who fail to mature out of substance use, as well
      as challenge the notion that older adult mental health services rarely encounter
      substance-using individuals. The present study explores Winick's research in the
      context of an ageing population and older adult mental health services. It also
      ponders the proposition put forth in subsequent research that older individuals
      with lifelong substance use switch to substances that are easier to obtain and
      better tolerated by their ageing bodies. 

PMID- 26256657
TI  - Portal vein anatomy in the dog: comparison between computed tomographic
      angiography (CTA) and intraoperative mesenteric portovenography (IOMP).
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To compare and contrast the findings of intra-operative mesenteric
      portovenography (IOMP) and computed tomography angiography (CTA) for the
      visualisation and identification of the extrahepatic and intrahepatic portal
      venous system in the normal dog. METHODS: Retrospective study of dogs with raised
      post-prandial bile acids concentrations, normal portal venous pressures and
      grossly normal portal vasculature that had undergone both CTA and IOMP was
      performed. Images and video were compared with the published anatomic literature.
      RESULTS: Ten dogs met the inclusion criteria. CTA documented the portal vein and
      its tributaries in all 10 dogs. IOMP documented the portal vein and the cranial
      mesenteric vein in all 10 dogs and the splenic vein in 1 dog but failed to show
      the caudal mesenteric and gastroduodenal veins in any dog. CTA documented more
      extrahepatic portal venous tributaries than IOMP. Both techniques documented the
      intrahepatic portal vasculature completely with equal clarity. CLINICAL
      SIGNIFICANCE: There was a large difference between the ability of the two
      techniques to delineate the normal portal vasculature; CTA consistently
      visualised the extrahepatic portal vasculature more completely than the IOMP and,
      as such, might be considered the modality of choice for imaging the normal portal
      vasculature in the dog.

PMID- 26256658
TI  - Prognostic Tools for Early Mortality in Hemorrhagic Stroke: Systematic Review and
      Meta-Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Several risk scores have been developed to predict
      mortality in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). We aimed to systematically determine
      the performance of published prognostic tools. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE and
      EMBASE for prognostic models (published between 2004 and April 2014) used in
      predicting early mortality (<6 months) after ICH. We evaluated the discrimination
      performance of the tools through a random-effects meta-analysis of the area under
      the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) or c-statistic. We evaluated
      the following components of the study validity: study design, collection of
      prognostic variables, treatment pathways, and missing data. RESULTS: We
      identified 11 articles (involving 41,555 patients) reporting on the accuracy of
      12 different tools for predicting mortality in ICH. Most studies were either
      retrospective or post-hoc analyses of prospectively collected data; all but one
      produced validation data. The Hemphill-ICH score had the largest number of
      validation cohorts (9 studies involving 3,819 patients) within our systematic
      review and showed good performance in 4 countries, with a pooled AUC of 0.80 [95%
      confidence interval (CI)=0.77-0.85]. We identified several modified versions of
      the Hemphill-ICH score, with the ICH-Grading Scale (GS) score appearing to be the
      most promising variant, with a pooled AUC across four studies of 0.87 (95%
      CI=0.84-0.90). Subgroup testing found statistically significant differences
      between the AUCs obtained in studies involving Hemphill-ICH and ICH-GS scores
      (p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis evaluated the performance of 12 ICH
      prognostic tools and found greater supporting evidence for 2 models (Hemphill-ICH
      and ICH-GS), with generally good performance overall.

PMID- 26256659
TI  - Whole-Body Muscle MRI in Patients with Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis Carrying
      the SCN4A Mutation T704M: Evidence for Chronic Progressive Myopathy with
      Selective Muscle Involvement.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (hyperKPP) is a muscle
      sodium-ion channelopathy characterized by recurrent paralytic attacks. A
      proportion of affected individuals develop fixed or chronic progressive weakness
      that results in significant disability. However, little is known about the
      pathology of hyperKPP-induced fixed weakness, including the pattern of muscle
      involvement. The aim of this study was to characterize the patterns of muscle
      involvement in hyperKPP by whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS:
      We performed whole-body muscle MRI in seven hyperKPP patients carrying the T704M
      mutation in the SCN4A skeletal sodium-channel gene. Muscle fat infiltration,
      suggestive of chronic progressive myopathy, was analyzed qualitatively using a
      grading system and was quantified by the two-point Dixon technique. RESULTS:
      Whole-body muscle MRI analysis revealed muscle atrophy and fatty infiltration in
      hyperKPP patients, especially in older individuals. Muscle involvement followed a
      selective pattern, primarily affecting the posterior compartment of the lower leg
      and anterior thigh muscles. The muscle fat fraction increased with patient age in
      the anterior thigh (r=0.669, p=0.009), in the deep posterior compartment of the
      lower leg (r=0.617, p=0.019), and in the superficial posterior compartment of the
      lower leg (r=0.777, p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our whole-body muscle MRI findings
      provide evidence for chronic progressive myopathy in hyperKPP patients. The
      reported data suggest that a selective pattern of muscle involvement-affecting
      the posterior compartment of the lower leg and the anterior thigh-is
      characteristic of chronic progressive myopathy in hyperKPP.

PMID- 26256660
TI  - Dysphagia May Be an Independent Marker of Poor Outcome in Acute Lateral Medullary
      Infarction.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The functional recovery after the lateral medullary
      infarction (LMI) is usually good. Little is known about the prognostic factors
      associated with poor outcome following acute LMI. The aim of this study was to
      identify the factors associated with poor long-term outcome after acute LMI,
      based on experiences at a single center over 11 years. METHODS: A consecutive
      series of 157 patients with acute LMI who were admitted within 7 days after
      symptom onset was evaluated retrospectively. Clinical symptoms were assessed
      within 1 day after admission, and outcomes were evaluated over a 1-year period
      after the initial event. The lesions were classified into three vertical types
      (rostral, middle, and caudal), and the patients were divided into two groups
      according to the outcome at 1 year: favorable [modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score
      <=1] and unfavorable (mRS score >=2). RESULTS: Of the 157 patients, 93 (59.2%)
      had a favorable outcome. Older age, hypertension, dysphagia, requirement for
      intensive care, and pneumonia were significantly more prevalent in the
      unfavorable outcome group. The frequencies of intensive care (13%) and mortality
      (16.7%) were significantly higher in the rostral lesion (p=0.002 and p=0.002).
      Conditional logistic regression analysis revealed that older age and initial
      dysphagia were independently related to an unfavorable outcome at 1 year [odds
      ratio (OR)=1.04, 95% confidence interval (95% CI)=1.001-1.087, p=0.049; OR=2.46,
      95% CI=1.04-5.84, p=0.041]. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that older age and
      initial dysphagia in the acute phase are independent risk factors for poor long
      term prognosis after acute LMI.

PMID- 26256661
TI  - Bilateral Iatrogenic Femoral Neuropathy.

PMID- 26256662
TI  - Multiple Symmetric Lipomatosis Presenting with Bilateral Brachial Plexopathy.

PMID- 26256663
TI  - Clinical Characteristics of Primary Insomniacs with Sleep-State Misperception.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence
      of sleep-state misperception and to identify any differences in the clinical
      characteristics of primary insomniacs with and without misperception. METHODS: In
      total, 250 adult primary insomniacs were enrolled whose objective total sleep
      time (TST) was more than 120 min, as assessed by full-night polysomnography.
      Sleep state misperception was defined objectively as a TST of at least 6.5 h and
      an objective sleep efficiency (SE) of at least 85%. RESULTS: The prevalence of
      sleep-state misperception in primary insomniacs was 26.4%. The (low) quality of
      sleep and psychiatric parameters were similar in the two groups, although the
      objective sleep architecture was relatively normal for the misperception group.
      Multivariate analysis revealed that both SE and sleep quality were significant
      factors associated with subjective TST in the misperception group, while only SE
      was significant in those without misperception. Subjective TST was a significant
      effect factor with respect to sleep quality in the misperception group, while the
      Beck Depression Inventory-2 score and age were significant factors in those
      without misperception. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical characteristics of patients with
      sleep-state misperception differed from those without this condition. This
      suggests that these two groups should be separated and the treatment goals
      tailored specifically to each.

PMID- 26256664
TI  - Rhinology and medical malpractice: An update of the medicolegal landscape of the
      last ten years.
AB  - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Malpractice claims pertaining to rhinological procedures
      are a potentially important source of information that could be used to minimize
      the risk of future litigation and improve patient care. STUDY DESIGN: A
      retrospective review of a publicly available database containing jury verdicts
      and settlements. METHODS: The LexisNexis Jury Verdicts and Settlements database
      was reviewed for all lawsuits and out-of-court adjudications related to the
      practice of rhinology. Data including patient demographics, type of surgery
      performed, plaintiff allegation, nature of injury, outcomes, and indemnities were
      collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Of 85 cases meeting inclusion criteria, 42 were
      decided by a jury and 43 were adjudicated out of court. Endoscopic sinus surgery
      was the most commonly litigated surgery. The plaintiff was favored when the eye
      was injured (P = 0.0196), but the defendant was favored when neuropsychological
      injuries (P = 0.0137) or recurrent/worsened symptoms (P = 0.0050) were cited. No
      difference was found when death or skull base injuries occurred. When lack of
      informed consent was an allegation, the defendant was favored (P = 0.0001). A
      payout was made in two-thirds of cases overall, but the defendant was favored in
      two-thirds of cases decided by a jury. Payments were significant for both out-of
      court settlements ($1.3 million) and jury verdicts ($2 million). CONCLUSIONS:
      Endoscopic sinus surgery remains the most commonly litigated rhinology procedure
      and has the potential to result in large payouts. Meticulous dissection,
      recognition of complications, and documentation of informed consent remain
      paramount for providing optimal patient care.

PMID- 26256665
TI  - Improvement of Fish Sauce Quality by Strain CMC5-3-1: A Novel Species of
      Staphylococcus sp.
AB  - Staphylococcus sp. CMC5-3-1 and CMS5-7-5 isolated from fermented fish sauce at 3
      to 7 mo, respectively, showed different characteristics on protein hydrolysis and
      volatile formation. These Gram-positive cocci were able to grow in up to 15% NaCl
      with the optimum at 0.5% to 5% NaCl in tryptic soy broth. Based on ribosomal 16S
      rRNA gene sequences, Staphylococcus sp. CMC5-3-1 and CMS5-7-5 showed 99.0%
      similarity to that of Staphylococcus piscifermentans JCM 6057(T) , but DNA-DNA
      relatedness was <30%, indicating that they were likely to be new species. DNA
      relatedness between these 2 strains was only 65%, suggesting that they also
      belonged to different species. The alpha-amino group content of 6-month-old fish
      sauce inoculated with Staphylococcus sp. CMC5-3-1 was 740.5 mM, which was higher
      than that inoculated by the strain CMS5-7-5 (662.14 mM, P < 0.05). Histamine was
      not produced during fermentations with both strains. Fish sauce inoculated with
      Staphylococcus sp. CMC5-3-1 showed the highest content of total glutamic acid (P
      < 0.05). The major volatile compound detected in fish sauce inoculated with
      Staphylococcus sp. CMC5-3-1 was 2-methypropanal, contributing to the desirable
      dark chocolate note. Staphylococcus sp. CMC5-3-1 could be applied as a starter
      culture to improve the umami and aroma of fish sauce. 

PMID- 26256666
TI  - Ornithine Transcarbamylase ArgK Plays a Dual role for the Self-defense of
      Phaseolotoxin Producing Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola.
AB  - Pseudomonas syringae is a phytopathogenic bacterium widely spread on terrestrial
      plants. Sulfodiaminophosphinyl tripeptide Phaseolotoxins (PHTs), produced by P.
      syringae pv. phaseolicola and P. syringae pv. actinidiae, represent a kind of
      antimetabolic phytotoxins. PHTs inhibit host cell Ornithine transcarbamylase
      (OTCase) activity and induce Arginine auxotrophic phenotype. The biosynthesis of
      PHT is temperature dependent, being optically produced at around 18  degrees C,
      while blocked above 28  degrees C. PHT resistant OTCase ArgK acts as a functional
      replacement of housekeeping OTCase ArgF, which is the acting target of PHT, to
      confer PHT producers with self-resistance. It was postulated that argK might be
      regulated directly by a PHT biosynthetic precursor and indirectly by temperature
      with an unknown manner. Neither transcriptional regulator nor thermal regulation
      related protein encoding gene was detected from PHT biosynthetic gene cluster.
      The tripeptide, Cit-Ala-hArg, was identified to be a by-product of PHT
      biosynthetic pathway in this report. Formation of Cit-Ala-hArg was catalyzed by
      ArgK with tripeptide Orn-Ala-hArg and carbamyl phosphate as substrates. It showed
      that ArgK not only provided alternative Arginine source as reported previously,
      but also controlled the production of PHTs by converting PHT biosynthetic
      precursors to nontoxic Cit-Ala-hArg reservoir for producers' self-defense. 

PMID- 26256667
TI  - Predictors of Long-Term Survival Following Transvenous Extraction of
      Defibrillator Leads.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Little data exist on long-term outcomes following extraction of
      implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) leads, particularly for
      noninfectious indications. We sought to identify predictors of long-term survival
      after ICD lead extraction. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed ICD lead
      extractions at our institution (n = 508). Procedural outcomes and long-term
      survival were ascertained by medical records review. RESULTS: Indication for lead
      extraction was infection in 32.5% and lead failure in 61.8%. Mean dwell time of
      the oldest extracted lead was 5.1 +/- 5.9 years. Complete procedural success was
      achieved in 96.5% of cases. Major procedure-related complications occurred in
      1.6% with six periprocedural deaths. During a mean follow-up of 866 +/- 798 days,
      survival was significantly worse among patients with infection as the indication
      for extraction. At 1 year after extraction, survival among those with infection
      was 88.2%, compared to 95.0% in the lead failure cohort (P < 0.001). Procedural
      failure was a significant predictor of long-term mortality, even after excluding
      periprocedural deaths. In multivariate models, the presence of chronic kidney
      disease, increased number of leads requiring extraction, lower ejection fraction,
      and procedural failure were predictors of mortality. CONCLUSION: Despite high
      rates of procedural success, infectious indication for ICD lead extraction is
      associated with increased long-term mortality. In contrast, among patients
      undergoing extraction for lead failure, long-term survival was excellent. The
      presence of procedural failure was a significant predictor of long-term
      mortality. Further studies will be necessary to better understand the mechanisms
      by which procedural failure may adversely impact long-term outcomes.

PMID- 26256669
TI  - Integrating nutrients, foods, diets, and appetites with obesity and
      cardiometabolic health.

PMID- 26256668
TI  - B-cell intrinsic TLR7 signals promote depletion of the marginal zone in a murine
      model of Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome.
AB  - Patients with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) exhibit prominent defects in splenic
      marginal zone (MZ), resulting in abnormal T-cell-independent antibody responses
      and increased bacterial infections. B-cell-intrinsic deletion of the affected
      gene WAS protein (WASp) markedly reduces splenic MZ B cells, without impacting
      the rate of MZ B-cell development, suggesting that abnormal B-cell retention
      within the MZ accounts for MZ defects in WAS. Since WASp regulates integrin
      dependent actin cytoskeletal rearrangement, we previously hypothesized that
      defective B-cell integrin function promotes MZ depletion. In contrast, we now
      report that B-cell-intrinsic deletion of the TLR signaling adaptor MyD88 is
      sufficient to restore the MZ in WAS. We further identify TLR7, an endosomal
      single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) receptor, as the MyD88-dependent receptor responsible
      for WAS MZ depletion. These findings implicate spontaneous activation of MZ B
      cells by ssRNA-containing self-ligands (likely derived from circulating apoptotic
      material) as the mechanism underlying MZ depletion in WAS. Together, these data
      suggest a previously unappreciated role for B-cell intrinsic TLR signals in MZ
      homeostasis, of relevance to both pathogen responses and to the development of
      systemic autoimmunity. 

PMID- 26256670
TI  - Interactions Among Learning Stage, Retention, and Primary Motor Cortex
      Excitability in Motor Skill Learning.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that primary motor cortex (M1)
      excitability is modulated by motor skill learning and that the M1 plays a crucial
      role in motor memory. However, the following questions remain: (1) At what stage
      do changes in M1 excitability occur? (2) Are learning-induced changes in leg M1
      excitability associated with motor memory? Here, we did two experiments to answer
      these questions. METHODS AND RESULTS: In experiment 1, subjects learned a
      visuomotor tracking task over two consecutive days. Before and after the task in
      Day 1, we recorded input-output curves of the motor evoked potentials (I-O curve)
      produced in the tibialis anterior muscle by transcranial magnetic stimulation. We
      found that the changes in M1 excitability were affected by learning stage. In
      addition, the changes in M1 excitability in Day 1 were correlated with the
      retention. In experiment 2, we recorded I-O curves before learning, after the
      fast-learning stage, and after learning. We found no changes in M1 excitability
      immediately after the fast-learning stage. Furthermore, a significant
      relationship between the length of slow-learning stage and the changes in M1
      excitability was detected. CONCLUSIONS: Previous studies have suggested that
      optimal motor commands are repeatedly used during the slow-learning stage.
      Therefore, present results indicate that changes in M1 excitability occur during
      the slow-learning stage and that such changes are proportional to motor skill
      retention because use-dependent plasticity occur by repetitive use of same motor
      commands during the slow-learning stage.

PMID- 26256671
TI  - Optically controlled switch-mode current-source amplifiers for on-coil
      implementation in high-field parallel transmission.
AB  - PURPOSE: We tested the feasibility of implementing parallel transmission (pTX)
      for high-field MRI using a radiofrequency (RF) amplifier design to be located on
      or in the immediate vicinity of an RF transmit coil. METHOD: We designed a
      current-source switch-mode amplifier based on miniaturized, nonmagnetic
      electronics. Optical RF carrier and envelope signals to control the amplifier
      were derived, through a custom-built interface, from the RF source accessible in
      the scanner control. Amplifier performance was tested by benchtop measurements as
      well as with imaging at 7T (300 MHz) and 11.7 T (500 MHz). The ability to perform
      pTX was evaluated by measuring interchannel coupling and phase adjustment in a
      two-channel setup. RESULTS: The amplifier delivered in excess of 44 W RF power
      and caused minimal interference with MRI. The interface derived accurate optical
      control signals with carrier frequencies ranging from 64 to 750 MHz. Decoupling
      better than 14 dB was obtained between two coil loops separated by only 1 cm.
      Application to MRI was demonstrated by acquiring artifact-free images at 7 T and
      11.7 T. CONCLUSION: We propose an optically controlled miniaturized RF amplifier
      for on-coil implementation at high fields that should facilitate implementation
      of high-density pTX arrays. Magn Reson Med 76:340-349, 2016. Published 2015. This
      article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

PMID- 26256673
TI  - Parental perceptions of transition from intensive care following a child's
      cardiac surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Children with congenital heart disease (CHD) who undergo cardiac
      surgery are hospitalized in a paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) prior to
      being transferred to a surgical ward. This is a challenging transition for
      parents of children with CHD who experience high levels of stress related to
      their child's illness. AIM: To explore parents' perceptions of the transition
      from the PICU to the surgical ward following their child's cardiac surgery. STUDY
      DESIGN: A qualitative descriptive design using semi-structured interviews was
      used to explore parents' perceptions of the transfer experience. METHODS: All
      parents of children with CHD who met inclusion criteria were approached to
      participate. Parents were recruited until data saturation was achieved (n = 9).
      Interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were coded and
      thematically analysed concurrently with data collection. RESULTS: Parents
      described having mixed feelings of happiness and uncertainty upon learning that
      their child would be transferred to the surgical ward (theme 1). Parents'
      uncertainty prompted a need to rally for the upcoming transfer, a process in
      which the nurse was perceived to play an important role (theme 2). Once
      transferred to the surgical ward, parents described having to come to terms with
      a new care experience in which they encountered new role expectations and a
      challenging new environment (theme 3). CONCLUSION: Emotional reactions to
      transfer were generally consistent with the literature, although parents in our
      study did not describe feelings of isolation related to transition as reported
      elsewhere. We also identified the timing of transfer as a potential source of
      stress for parents. Parents identified key nursing interventions that helped them
      to prepare for transfer and come to terms with challenges in their new
      environment. RELEVANCE TO PRACTICE: A deeper understanding of parents' transfer
      experience will facilitate the development of effective nursing interventions to
      support parents at this time.

PMID- 26256672
TI  - Molecular simulations study of novel 1,4-dihydropyridines derivatives with a high
      selectivity for Cav3.1 calcium channel.
AB  - 1,4-Dihydropyridines (DHPs) have been developed to treat hypertension, angina,
      and nerve system disease. They are thought to mainly target the L-type calcium
      channels, but low selectivity prompts them to block Cav1.2 and Cav3.1 channels
      simultaneously. Recently, some novel DHPs with different hydrophobic groups have
      been synthesized and among them M12 has a higher selectivity for Cav3.1. However,
      the structural information about Cav3.1-DHPs complexes is not available in the
      experiment. Thus, we combined homology modeling, molecular docking, molecular
      dynamics simulations, and binding free energy calculations to quantitatively
      elucidate the inhibition mechanism of DHPs. The calculated results indicate that
      our model is in excellent agreement with experimental results. On the basis of
      conformational analysis, we identify the main interactions between DHPs and
      calcium channels and further elaborate on the different selectivity of ligands
      from the micro perspective. In conjunction with energy distribution, we propose
      that the binding sites of Cav3.1-DHPs is characterized by several interspersed
      hydrophobic amino acid residues on the IIIS6 and IVS6 segments. We also speculate
      the favorable function groups on prospective DHPs. Besides, our model provides
      important information for further mutagenesis experiments. 

PMID- 26256674
TI  - The impact of CYP3A5*3 polymorphism on sirolimus pharmacokinetics: insights from
      predictions with a physiologically-based pharmacokinetic model.
AB  - AIMS: Sirolimus is an mTOR inhibitor metabolized by CYP3A4 and CYP3A5. Reported
      effects of CYP3A5 polymorphisms on sirolimus pharmacokinetics (PK) have shown
      unexplained discrepancies across studies. We quantitatively assessed the effect
      of CYP3A5*3 status on sirolimus PK by in vitro assessment and simulation using a
      physiologically-based PK (PBPK) model. In addition, we explored designs for an
      adequately powered pharmacogenetic association study. METHOD: In vitro metabolism
      studies were conducted to confirm individual CYP contribution to sirolimus
      metabolism. PK profiles were simulated in CYP3A5 expressers and non-expressers
      with a PBPK model. The pre-dose concentration predictions were used as the
      outcome parameter to estimate the required sample size for a pharmacogenetic
      association study. RESULTS: Sirolimus metabolism was inhibited by over 90% by
      ketoconazole, a CYP3A specific inhibitor. The PBPK model developed based on
      CL(int) of recombinant CYP3A4, CYP3A5 and CYP2C8 predicted a small CYP3A5*3
      effect on simulated sirolimus PK profiles. A subsequent power analysis based on
      these findings indicated that at least 80 subjects in an enrichment design, 40
      CYP3A5 expressers and 40 non-expressers, would be required to detect a
      significant difference in the predicted trough concentrations at 1 month of
      therapy (P < 0.05, 80% power). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that CYP3A5
      contribution to sirolimus metabolism is much smaller than that of CYP3A4.
      Observed discrepancies across studies could be explained as the result of
      inadequate sample size. PBPK model simulations allowed mechanism-based evaluation
      of the effects of CYP3A5 genotype on sirolimus PK and provided preliminary data
      for the design of a future prospective study.

PMID- 26256675
TI  - (1)H NMR spectra of alcohols in hydrogen bonding solvents: DFT/GIAO calculations
      of chemical shifts.
AB  - Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) shifts of aliphatic alcohols in hydrogen
      bonding solvents have been computed on the basis of density functional theory by
      applying the gauge-including atomic orbital method to geometry-optimized
      alcohol/solvent complexes. The OH proton shifts and hydrogen bond distances for
      methanol or ethanol complexed with pyridine depend very much on the functional
      employed and very little on the basis set, provided it is sufficiently large to
      give the correct quasi-linear hydrogen bond geometry. The CH proton shifts are
      insensitive to both the functional and the basis set. NMR shifts for all protons
      in several alcohol/pyridine complexes are calculated at the Perdew, Burke and
      Ernzerhof PBE0/cc-pVTZ//PBE0/6-311 + G(d,p) level in the gas phase. The results
      correlate with the shifts for the pyridine-complexed alcohols, determined by
      analysing data from the NMR titration of alcohols against pyridine. More
      pragmatically, computed shifts for a wider range of alcohols correlate with
      experimental shifts in neat pyridine. Shifts for alcohols in dimethylsulfoxide,
      based on the corresponding complexes in the gas phase, correlate well with the
      experimental values, but the overall root mean square difference is high (0.23
      ppm), shifts for the OH, CHOH and other CH protons being systematically
      overestimated, by averages of 0.42, 0.21 and 0.06 ppm, respectively. If the
      computed shifts are corrected accordingly, a very good correlation is obtained
      with a gradient of 1.00 +/- 0.01, an intercept of 0.00 +/- 0.02 ppm and a root
      mean square difference of 0.09 ppm. This is a modest improvement on the result of
      applying the CHARGE programme to a slightly different set of alcohols. Some
      alcohol complexes with acetone and acetonitrile were investigated both in the gas
      phase and in a continuum of the relevant solvent.

PMID- 26256676
TI  - Morphogenetic characterisation, date of divergence, and evolutionary
      relationships of malaria vectors Anopheles cruzii and Anopheles homunculus.
AB  - The mosquito species Anopheles cruzii and Anopheles homunculus are co-occurring
      vectors for etiological agents of malaria in southeastern Brazil, a region known
      to be a major epidemic spot for malaria outside Amazon region. We sought to
      better understand the biology of these species in order to contribute to future
      control efforts by (1) improving species identification, which is complicated by
      the fact that the females are very similar, (2) investigating genetic composition
      and morphological differences between the species, (3) inferring their
      phylogenetic histories in comparison with those of other Anophelinae, and (4)
      dating the evolutionary divergence of the two species. To characterise the
      species we used wing geometry and mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I
      (COI) gene as morphological and genetic markers, respectively. We also used the
      genes white, 28S, ITS2, Cytb, and COI in our phylogenetic and dating analyses. A
      comparative analysis of wing thin-plate splines revealed species-specific wing
      venation patterns, and the species An. cruzii showed greater morphological
      diversity (8.74) than An. homunculus (5.58). Concerning the COI gene, An. cruzii
      was more polymorphic and also showed higher haplotype diversity than An.
      homunculus, with many rare haplotypes that were displayed by only a few
      specimens. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that all tree topologies converged and
      showed [Anopheles bellator+An. homunculus] and [Anopheles laneanus+An. cruzii] as
      sister clades. Diversification within the subgenus Kerteszia occurred 2
      14.2millionyears ago. The landmark data associated with wing shape were
      consistent with the molecular phylogeny, indicating that this character can
      distinguish higher level phylogenetic relationships within the Anopheles group.
      Despite their morphological similarities and co-occurrence, An. cruzii and An.
      homunculus show consistent differences. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the
      species are not sister-groups but species that recently diverged within the
      Kerteszia group, perhaps concomitantly with the radiation of bromeliads in South
      America or during the Pleistocene climate oscillations. 

PMID- 26256677
TI  - Multiscale modeling of the trihexyltetradecylphosphonium chloride ionic liquid.
AB  - A multiscale modeling protocol was sketched for the trihexyltetradecylphosphonium
      chloride ([P6,6,6,14]Cl) ionic liquid (IL). The optimized molecular geometries of
      an isolated [P6,6,6,14] cation and a tightly bound [P6,6,6,14]Cl ion pair
      structure were obtained from quantum chemistry ab initio calculations. A cost
      effective united-atom model was proposed for the [P6,6,6,14] cation based on the
      corresponding atomistic model. Atomistic and coarse-grained molecular dynamics
      simulations were performed over a wide temperature range to validate the proposed
      united-atom [P6,6,6,14] model against the available experimental data. Through a
      systemic analysis of volumetric quantities, microscopic structures, and transport
      properties of the bulk [P6,6,6,14]Cl IL under varied thermodynamic conditions, it
      was identified that the proposed united-atom [P6,6,6,14] cationic model could
      essentially capture the local intermolecular structures and the nonlocal
      experimental thermodynamics, including liquid density, volume expansivity and
      isothermal compressibility, and transport properties, such as zero-shear
      viscosity, of the bulk [P6,6,6,14]Cl IL within a wide temperature range. 

PMID- 26256678
TI  - Up-regulation of the kinin B2 receptor pathway modulates the TGF-beta/Smad
      signaling cascade to reduce renal fibrosis induced by albumin.
AB  - The presence of high protein levels in the glomerular filtrate plays an important
      role in renal fibrosis, a disorder that justifies the use of animal models of
      experimental proteinuria. Such models have proved useful as tools in the study of
      the pathogenesis of chronic, progressive renal disease. Since bradykinin and the
      kinin B2 receptor (B2R) belong to a renoprotective system with mechanisms still
      unclarified, we investigated its anti-fibrotic role in the in vivo rat model of
      overload proteinuria. Upon up-regulating the kinin system by a high potassium
      diet we observed reduction of tubulointerstitial fibrosis, decreased renal
      expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and vimentin, reduced Smad3
      phosphorylation and increase of Smad7. These cellular and molecular effects were
      reversed by HOE-140, a specific B2R antagonist. In vitro experiments, performed
      on a cell line of proximal tubular epithelial cells, showed that high
      concentrations of albumin induced expression of mesenchymal biomarkers, in
      concomitance with increases in TGF-beta1 mRNA and its functionally active
      peptide, TGF-beta1. Stimulation of the tubule cells by bradykinin inhibited the
      albumin-induced changes, namely alpha-SMA and vimentin were reduced, and
      cytokeratin recovered together with increase in Smad7 levels and decrease in type
      II TGF-beta1 receptor, TGF-beta1 mRNA and its active fragment. The protective
      changes produced by bradykinin in vitro were blocked by HOE-140. The development
      of stable bradykinin analogues and/or up-regulation of the B2R signaling pathway
      may prove value in the management of chronic renal fibrosis in progressive
      proteinuric renal diseases. 

PMID- 26256679
TI  - Cell memory-based therapy.
AB  - Current cell therapies, despite all of the progress in this field, still faces
      major ethical, technical and regulatory hurdles. Because these issues possibly
      stem from the current, restricted, stereotypical view of cell ultrastructure and
      function, we must think radically about the nature of the cell. In this regard,
      the author's theory of the cell memory disc offers 'memory-based therapy', which,
      with the help of immune system rejuvenation, nervous system control and
      microparticle-based biodrugs, may have substantial therapeutic potential. In
      addition to its potential value in the study and prevention of premature cell
      aging, age-related diseases and cell death, memory therapy may improve the
      treatment of diseases that are currently limited by genetic disorders, risk of
      tumour formation and the availability and immunocompatibility of tissue
      transplants.

PMID- 26256680
TI  - Optimal surgical management of pulmonary metastases: VATS versus thoracotomy.
AB  - Survival benefit after pulmonary metastasectomy is under question and knowledge
      of functional recovery after pulmonary metastasectomy by thoracotomy and video
      assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is of great importance. We analysed
      prospective data of 100 patients operated for pulmonary metastasis by either VATS
      or thoracotomy. VATS yielded a better physical performance 1 month postoperative,
      shorter hospital stay, a shorter duration of chest tube drainage and epidural
      analgesia. We concluded that VATS is the preferable approach due to superior
      functional outcome. 

PMID- 26256681
TI  - Efficient separation of curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, and bisdemethoxycurcumin
      from turmeric using supercritical fluid chromatography: From analytical to
      preparative scale.
AB  - Curcumin is the major constituent of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.). It has
      attracted widespread attention for its anticancer and anti-inflammatory
      activities. The separation of curcumin and its two close analogs,
      demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin, has been challenging by conventional
      techniques. In this study, an environmentally friendly method based on
      supercritical fluid chromatography was established for the rapid and facile
      separation of the three curcuminoids directly from the methanol extract of
      turmeric. The method was first developed and optimized by ultra performance
      convergence chromatography, and was then scaled up to preparative supercritical
      fluid chromatography. Eluted with supercritical fluid CO2 containing 8-15%
      methanol (containing 10 mM oxalic acid) at a flow rate of 80 mL/min, curcumin,
      demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin could be well separated on a Viridis
      BEH OBD column (Waters, 250 mm * 19 mm, 5 MUm) within 6.5 min. As a result, 20.8
      mg of curcumin (97.9% purity), 7.0 mg of demethoxycurcumin (91.1%), and 4.6 mg of
      bisdemethoxycurcumin (94.8%) were obtained after a single step of supercritical
      fluid chromatography separation with a mean recovery of 76.6%. Showing obvious
      advantages in low solvent consumption, large sample loading, and easy solvent
      removal, supercritical fluid chromatography was proved to be a superior technique
      for the efficient separation of natural products. 

PMID- 26256682
TI  - Sustainability of biofuels and renewable chemicals production from biomass.
AB  - In the sectors of biofuel and renewable chemicals the big feedstock demand asks,
      first, to expand the spectrum of carbon sources beyond primary biomass, second,
      to establish circular processing chains and, third, to prioritize product sectors
      exclusively depending on carbon: chemicals and heavy-duty fuels. Large-volume
      production lines will reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emission significantly but also
      low-volume chemicals are indispensable in building 'low-carbon' industries. The
      foreseeable feedstock change initiates innovation, securing societal wealth in
      the industrialized world and creating employment in regions producing biomass.
      When raising the investments in rerouting to sustainable biofuel and chemicals
      today competitiveness with fossil-based fuel and chemicals is a strong issue.
      Many countries adopted comprehensive bioeconomy strategies to tackle this
      challenge. These public actions are mostly biased to biofuel but should give well
      balanced attention to renewable chemicals as well. 

PMID- 26256683
TI  - Effects of human amnion-derived mesenchymal stromal cell transplantation in rats
      with radiation proctitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND AIMS: Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been reported to be a
      promising cell source in cell therapy, and large amounts of MSCs can easily be
      isolated from human amnion. Therapeutic irradiation for intra-pelvic cancer often
      causes radiation proctitis; however, there is currently no effective treatment.
      We therefore investigated the effect of transplantation of human amnion-derived
      MSCs (AMSCs) in rats with radiation proctitis. METHODS: Amnion was obtained at
      cesarean delivery, and AMSCs were isolated and expanded. Sprague-Dawley rats were
      gamma-irradiated (5 Gy/d) at the rectum for 5 days. On day 5, AMSCs (1 * 10(6)
      cells) were intravenously transplanted. Rats were killed on day 8. Histological
      analyses were performed, and messenger RNA expression of inflammatory mediators
      was measured. In vitro, after gamma-irradiation of rat intestinal epithelial
      cells (IEC-6), the cells were cultured with AMSC-conditioned medium (CM). The
      effect of AMSC-CM was evaluated by measurement of caspase-3/7 activity, p53
      transcription activity and quantitative reverse-transcription-polymerase chain
      reaction for p53-target genes. RESULTS: Histological examination demonstrated
      that epithelial injury and infiltration of inflammatory cells in the rectum were
      significantly suppressed by transplantation of AMSCs. In vitro, the cell injury
      in IEC-6 cells induced by gamma-irradiation was inhibited by AMSC-CM, which also
      inhibited the upregulation of p53 transcription activity, caspase-3/7 activity
      and p21 expression. CONCLUSIONS: Transplantation of AMSCs improved radiation
      proctitis, possibly through inhibition of cell injury and inflammatory reactions.
      AMSC transplantation should be considered as a new treatment for radiation
      proctitis.

PMID- 26256684
TI  - Modeling Area-Level Health Rankings.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Rank county health using a Bayesian factor analysis model. DATA
      SOURCES: Secondary county data from the National Center for Health Statistics
      (through 2007) and Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (through 2009).
      STUDY DESIGN: Our model builds on the existing county health rankings (CHRs) by
      using data-derived weights to compute ranks from mortality and morbidity
      variables, and by quantifying uncertainty based on population, spatial
      correlation, and missing data. We apply our model to Wisconsin, which has
      comprehensive data, and Texas, which has substantial missing information. DATA
      COLLECTION METHODS: The data were downloaded from www.countyhealthrankings.org.
      PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Our estimated rankings are more similar to the CHRs for
      Wisconsin than Texas, as the data-derived factor weights are closer to the
      assigned weights for Wisconsin. The correlations between the CHRs and our ranks
      are 0.89 for Wisconsin and 0.65 for Texas. Uncertainty is especially severe for
      Texas given the state's substantial missing data. CONCLUSIONS: The reliability of
      comprehensive CHRs varies from state to state. We advise focusing on the counties
      that remain among the least healthy after incorporating alternate weighting
      methods and accounting for uncertainty. Our results also highlight the need for
      broader geographic coverage in health data.

PMID- 26256685
TI  - MG53 protein: a promising novel therapeutic target for myocardial ischemia
      reperfusion injury.

PMID- 26256686
TI  - Long-term outcome prediction of CHA2DS2VASc and HATCH scores in a cohort of
      patients with typical atrial flutter.

PMID- 26256687
TI  - Post-cardiac surgery Takotsubo syndrome: another thing to keep in mind.

PMID- 26256688
TI  - Intramedullary megakaryocytes internalize released platelet factor 4 and store it
      in alpha granules.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Megakaryocytes express and store platelet factor 4 (PF4) in alpha
      granules. In vivo, PF4 is a clinically relevant, negative regulator of
      megakaryopoiesis and hematopoietic stem cell replication. These findings would
      suggest a regulated source of free intramedullary PF4. OBJECTIVES: Define the
      source of free intramedullary PF4 and its intramedullary life cycle. METHODS: We
      interrogated both murine and human bone marrow-derived cells during
      megakaryopoiesis in vitro by using confocal microscopy and enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay. With immunohistochemistry, we examined in vivo free PF4 in
      murine bone marrow before and after radiation injury and in the setting of
      megakaryocytopenia and thrombocytopenia. RESULTS: Exogenously added human PF4 is
      internalized by murine megakaryocytes. Human megakaryocytes similarly take up
      murine PF4 but not the related chemokine, platelet basic protein. Confocal
      microscopy shows that internalized PF4 colocalizes with endogenous PF4 in alpha
      granules and is available for release on thrombin stimulation.
      Immunohistochemistry shows free PF4 in the marrow, but not another alphagranule
      protein, von Willebrand factor. Free PF4 increases with radiation injury and
      decreases with megakaryocytopenia. Consistent with the known role of low-density
      lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 in the negative paracrine effect of PF4 on
      megakaryopoiesis, PF4 internalization is at least partially low-density
      lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 dependent. CONCLUSIONS: PF4 has a complex
      intramedullary life cycle with important implications in megakaryopoiesis and
      hematopoietic stem cell replication not seen with other tested alpha granule
      proteins.

PMID- 26256689
TI  - FgCDC14 regulates cytokinesis, morphogenesis, and pathogenesis in Fusarium
      graminearum.
AB  - Members of Cdc14 phosphatases are common in animals and fungi, but absent in
      plants. Although its orthologs are conserved in plant pathogenic fungi, their
      functions during infection are not clear. In this study, we showed that the CDC14
      ortholog is important for pathogenesis and morphogenesis in Fusarium graminearum.
      FgCDC14 is required for normal cell division and septum formation and FgCdc14
      possesses phosphatase activity with specificity for a subset of Cdk-type
      phosphorylation sites. The Fgcdc14 mutant was reduced in growth, conidiation, and
      ascospore formation. It was defective in ascosporogenesis and pathogenesis.
      Septation in Fgcdc14 was reduced and hyphal compartments contained multiple
      nuclei, indicating defects in the coordination between nuclear division and
      cytokinesis. Interestingly, foot cells of mutant conidia often differentiated
      into conidiogenous cells, resulting in the production of inter-connected conidia.
      In the interphase, FgCdc14-GFP localized to the nucleus and spindle-pole-body.
      Taken together, our results indicate that Cdc14 phosphatase functions in cell
      division and septum formation in F. graminearum, likely by counteracting Cdk
      phosphorylation, and is required for plant infection. 

PMID- 26256690
TI  - Synchronous mantle cell lymph node lymphoma and pulmonary adenocarcinoma: a case
      report with literature review.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Coexistence of mantle cell lymphoma and lung adenocarcinoma
      is extremely rare. The aim of this study is to present the first case of
      incidental discovery of primary lung adenocarcinoma associated to lymph node
      mantle cell lymphoma. METHODS: A 45 year-old man, admitted for inguinal mass
      appeared since three months. Physical examination showed a 1 cm axillary and 3 cm
      inguinal adenopathies which were hard and fixed. A biopsy of inguinal mass
      revealed mantle cell lymphoma. Assessment of disease extension found a right
      superior lobe tumor with mediastinal lymphadenopathies. Fibreoptic bronchoscopy
      was normal. A fine needle biopsy of lung tumor was performed to determinate the
      nature of the pulmonary lesion. Histopathological findings were consistent with
      primary poor differentiated pulmonary adenocarcinoma with TTF-1 expression. A
      first mediastinoscopy was realized to verify mediastinal lymphadenopathies;
      frozen section showed a mantle cell lymphoma. A right lobectomy was then
      performed confirming the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma. Then, the patient was
      treated for the mantle cell lymphoma by 6 cures of alternating RCHOP and RDHAP
      (dexamethasone, high-dose Ara-Cytarabine and cisplatin) regimens followed by
      autologous stem cell transplantation. RESULTS: The patient died because of
      treatment complications 3 years after diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Progresses are
      necessary to understand the pathogenesis of of synchronous occurrence of both
      diseases.

PMID- 26256691
TI  - The proteomic analysis improved by cleavage kinetics-based fractionation of
      tryptic peptides.
AB  - Selective enrichment of specific peptides is an effective way to identify low
      abundance proteins. Fractionation of peptides prior to mass spectrometry is
      another widely used approach to reduce sample complexity in order to improve
      proteome coverage.In this study, we designed a multi-stage digestion strategy to
      generate peptides with different trypsin cleavage kinetics. It was found that
      each of the collected peptide fractions yielded many new protein identifications
      compared to the control group due to the reduced complexity. The overlapping
      peptides identified between adjacent fractions were very low, indicating that
      each fraction had different sets of peptides. The multi-stage digestion strategy
      separates tryptic peptides with different cleavage kinetics while RPLC separates
      peptides with different hydrophobicity. These two separation strategies were
      highly orthogonal, and showed an effective multidimensional separation to improve
      proteome coverage. 

PMID- 26256692
TI  - The clinical impact of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus colonization and
      bloodstream infection in patients undergoing autologous transplantation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although several studies have documented adverse outcomes for
      vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) colonization and infection in allogeneic
      hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) recipients, data are
      inadequate for patients undergoing autologous (auto-)HSCT. METHODS: We conducted
      a retrospective cohort study of 300 consecutive patients receiving an auto-HSCT
      between 2006 and 2014. Patients had stool cultures for VRE on admission and
      weekly during hospitalization. RESULTS: Thirty-six percent of patients had VRE
      gastrointestinal (GI) colonization and 3% developed a VRE bloodstream infection
      (BSI), all of whom were colonized. VRE strain typing of BSI isolates showed that
      some patients shared identical patterns. Rates of colonization and BSI in
      colonized patients were similar to simultaneous patients undergoing allo-HSCT,
      except that the latter had a higher rate of colonization at admission. A
      diagnosis of lymphoma was associated with an increased risk of colonization. VRE
      BSI was associated with longer lengths of stay and possibly higher costs, but no
      decrease in overall survival, and colonized patients had no VRE infections during
      the year following discharge. Repeat stool cultures in patients subsequently
      undergoing allo-HSCT suggested that most, if not all, VRE-positive auto-HSCT
      patients lose their detectable GI colonization within a few months of discharge.
      CONCLUSION: VRE colonization is frequent but carries a low risk for infection in
      patients undergoing auto-HSCT. However, these patients can serve as reservoirs
      for transmission to higher risk patients. Moreover, patients may remain colonized
      if proceeding to an allo-HSCT shortly after auto-HSCT, potentially increasing the
      risk of the allogeneic procedure.

PMID- 26256693
TI  - Anomalously Rapid Hydration Water Diffusion Dynamics Near DNA Surfaces.
AB  - The emerging Overhauser effect dynamic nuclear polarization (ODNP) technique
      measures the translational mobility of water within the vicinity (5-15 A) of
      preselected sites. The work presented here expands the capabilities of the ODNP
      technique and illuminates an important, previously unseen, property of the
      translational diffusion dynamics of water at the surface of DNA duplexes. We
      attach nitroxide radicals (i.e., spin labels) to multiple phosphate backbone
      positions of DNA duplexes, allowing ODNP to measure the hydration dynamics at
      select positions along the DNA surface. With a novel approach to ODNP analysis,
      we isolate the contributions of water molecules at these sites that undergo free
      translational diffusion from water molecules that either loosely bind to or
      exchange protons with the DNA. The results reveal that a significant population
      of water in a localized volume adjacent to the DNA surface exhibits fast, bulk
      like characteristics and moves unusually rapidly compared to water found in
      similar probe volumes near protein and membrane surfaces. Control studies show
      that the observation of these characteristics are upheld even when the DNA duplex
      is tethered to streptavidin or the mobility of the nitroxides is altered. This
      implies that, as compared to protein or lipid surfaces, it is an intrinsic
      feature of the DNA duplex surface that it interacts only weakly with a
      significant fraction of the surface hydration water network. The displacement of
      this translationally mobile water is energetically less costly than that of more
      strongly bound water by up to several kBT and thus can lower the activation
      barrier for interactions involving the DNA surface. 

PMID- 26256694
TI  - Exploring the relationship between object realism and object-based attention
      effects.
AB  - Visual attention prioritizes processing of locations in space, and evidence also
      suggests that the benefits of attention can be shaped by the presence of objects
      (object-based attention). However, the prevalence of object-based attention
      effects has been called into question recently by evidence from a large-sampled
      study employing classic attention paradigms (Pilz et al., 2012). We conducted two
      experiments to explore factors that might determine when and if object-based
      attention effects are observed, focusing on the degree to which the concreteness
      and realism of objects might contribute to these effects. We adapted the classic
      attention paradigm first reported by Egly, Driver, and Rafal (1994) by replacing
      abstract bar stimuli in some conditions with objects that were more concrete and
      familiar to participants: items of silverware. Furthermore, we varied the realism
      of these items of silverware, presenting either cartoon versions or photo
      realistic versions. Contrary to predictions, increased realism did not increase
      the size of object-based effects. In fact, no clear object-based effects were
      observed in either experiment, consistent with previous failures to replicate
      these effects in similar paradigms. While object-based attention may exist, and
      may have important influences on how we parse the visual world, these and other
      findings suggest that the two-object paradigm typically relied upon to study
      object-based effects may not be the best paradigm to investigate these issues. 

PMID- 26256695
TI  - Simple procedure applying lactose induction and one-step purification for high
      yield production of rhCIFN.
AB  - Recombinant consensus interferon (CIFN) is a therapeutic protein with molecular
      weight of 19.5 kDa having broad spectrum antiviral activity. Recombinant human
      CIFN (rhCIFN) has previously been expressed in Escherichia coli using isopropyl
      beta-d-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG), a non-metabolizable and expensive compound,
      as inducer. For economical and commercial-scale recombinant protein production,
      it is greatly needed to increase the product yield in a limited time frame to
      reduce the processing cost. To reduce the cost of production of rhCIFN in E.
      coli, induction was accomplished by using lactose instead of IPTG. Lactose
      induction (14 g/L) in shake flask experiment resulted in higher yield as compared
      with 1 mM IPTG. Finally, with single-step purification on DEAE sepharose, 150
      mg/L of >98% pure rhCIFN was achieved. In the present study, an attempt was made
      to develop a low cost process for producing quality product with high purity.
      Methods devised may be helpful for pilot-scale production of recombinant proteins
      at low cost.

PMID- 26256696
TI  - Comparative effect of two pan-class I PI3K inhibitors used as anticancer drugs on
      human T cell function.
AB  - The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway is commonly deregulated in
      cancer and, thus, PI3K has been recognized as an attractive molecular target for
      novel anti-cancer therapies. However, the effect of PI3K inhibitors on T-cell
      function, a key component of antitumor immunity, has been scantly explored. The
      objective of this study was to investigate the effect on human T-cell activation
      of two PI3K inhibitors currently being tested in clinical trials: PX-866 and
      BKM120. Their activity against a leukemic T cell line was also assessed. For that
      purpose, Jurkat cells or anti-CD3/anti-CD28 stimulated human peripheral blood
      mononuclear cells were cultured in the presence of different concentrations of PX
      866 or BKM120 and their effect on T-cell proliferation, apoptosis, expression of
      activation markers and cytokine secretion was analyzed by flow cytometry. In
      addition, Akt and Erk phosphorylation was analyzed by Western blotting. Both PX
      866 and BKM120 decreased viability of Jurkat cells and blocked cell cycle
      progression. Regarding primary T cells, both compounds similarly inhibited
      expression of activation markers and cytokine secretion, although they did not
      induce apoptosis of stimulated T cells. Interestingly, we found differences in
      their ability to block T-cell proliferation and IL-2 secretion, exerting BKM120 a
      more potent inhibition. These disparate effects could be related to differences
      observed in PI3K/Akt and RAS/MEK/ERK signaling between PX-866 and BKM120 treated
      cells. Our results suggest that, when selecting a PI3K inhibitor for cancer
      therapy, immunosuppressive characteristics should be taken into account in order
      to minimize detrimental effects on immune function. 

PMID- 26256697
TI  - Molecular cloning, expression and bioactivity of B cell activating factor (BAFF)
      in African ostrich.
AB  - B cell activating factor (BAFF), which belongs to the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)
      family, is testified to play a critical role in B cell survival, proliferation,
      maturation and immunoglobulin secretion. In the present study, the cDNA of open
      reading frame (ORF) in African ostrich (Struthio camelus) BAFF (designated
      OsBAFF) was cloned by reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR). The OsBAFF gene encodes
      a 288-amino acid protein containing a predicted transmembrane domain and a
      putative furin protease cleavage site like BAFFs from chicken (cBAFF), quail
      (qBAFF), duck (dBAFF), goose (gBAFF) and dove (doBAFF). RT-PCR analysis showed
      that the OsBAFF gene is strongly expressed in the bursa of Fabricius, thymus,
      spleen, and bone marrow. The soluble OsBAFF had been cloned into pET28a. SDS-PAGE
      and Western blotting analysis confirmed that the soluble fusion protein His
      OsBAFF was efficiently expressed in Escherichia coli Rosset (DE3). In vitro,
      purified OsBAFF was not only able to promote the survival of African ostrich
      bursal lymphocytes, but also able to co-stimulate proliferation of mouse splenic
      B cells. The expression of OsBAFF in lymphocyte cells was higher than the control
      after LPS stimulation. These findings indicated that OsBAFF plays an important
      role in survival and proliferation of African ostrich bursal lymphocytes, which
      may provide valuable information for research into the immune system of African
      ostrich and OsBAFF may serve as a potential immunologic factor for enhancing
      immunological efficacy in African ostrich and any other birds. 

PMID- 26256698
TI  - Lactoferrin suppresses lipopolysaccharide-induced endometritis in mice via down
      regulation of the NF-kappaB pathway.
AB  - Lactoferrin (LF) is one of the most abundant proteins found in milk, and it has
      been reported to have anti-inflammatory properties. However, the anti
      inflammatory effects of LF on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced endometritis and
      the underlying molecular mechanisms remain to be elucidated. In this study, we
      evaluated the effects of LF on LPS-induced endometritis in mice. The endometritis
      model was established by the perfusion of mice with LPS. LF was administered by
      intraperitoneal injection 1h before and 12h after LPS induction. Our results
      demonstrated that LF significantly attenuated the histopathological changes in
      the uterus, reduced the activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and the levels of
      nitric oxide (NO), and inhibited the activation of NF-kappaB and the expression
      of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) in a
      dose-dependent manner. The results suggest that LF has an anti-inflammatory
      effect on LPS-induced endometritis in mice. Therefore, LF may be a potential
      therapeutic agent for the treatment of endometritis. 

PMID- 26256699
TI  - Anti-inflammatory effects of vina-ginsenoside R2 and majonoside R2 isolated from
      Panax vietnamensis and their metabolites in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated
      macrophages.
AB  - Panax vietnamensis Ha et Grushv., with its main constituents vina-ginsenoside R2
      (VR2) and majonoside R2 (MR2), is used in traditional folk medicine in the hill
      tribes of Vietnam for anti-fatigue, anti-inflammatory, and life-saving purposes.
      In a preliminary study, VR2 and MR2 were shown to be metabolized to
      pseudoginsenoside RT4 (PRT4) and ocotillol by human gut microbiota. Therefore, we
      measured the anti-inflammatory effects of VR2, MR2, and their metabolites in
      lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated mouse peritoneal macrophages. Among these
      ginsenosides, only VR2 exhibited cytotoxicity against peritoneal macrophages.
      MR2, PRT4, and ocotillol inhibited LPS-stimulated transcription factor (NF)
      kappaB activation, and expression of the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis
      factor-alpha and interleukin (IL)-1. However, these ginsenosides did not inhibit
      peptidoglycan-induced NF-kappaB activation in the macrophages. These three
      ginsenosides also inhibited LPS-stimulated cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible NO
      synthase expression, and phosphorylation of NF-kappaB signal molecules IL-1
      receptor-associated kinase 1 and tumor growth factor-beta-activated kinase 1 in
      peritoneal macrophages. Treatment with either PRT4 or ocotillol inhibited the
      Alexa Fluor 488-conjugated LPS-mediated shift of macrophages, as observed by flow
      cytometry. They also potently inhibited the binding of LPS to TLR4 on peritoneal
      macrophages, both with and without transfected MyD88 siRNA. Among the tested
      ginsenosides, ocotillol exhibited the strongest inhibitory effect on inflammation
      in LPS-stimulated macrophages via the NF-kappaB signaling pathway. Based on these
      findings, orally administered VR2 and MR2 of P. vietnamensis may be metabolized
      to ocotillol via PRT4, and the metabolites, particularly ocotillol, may inhibit
      inflammation by inhibiting the binding of LPS to TLR4 on macrophages.

PMID- 26256700
TI  - Reduced perfusion in normal-appearing white matter in mild to moderate
      hypertension as revealed by 3D pseudocontinuous arterial spin labeling.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the hemodynamic changes of normal-appearing white matter
      (NAWM) in hypertension using the 3D pseudocontinuous arterial spin labeling
      (pCASL) technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-three subjects, including a
      patient group (n = 41; 30 males; age = 47.7 +/- 8.3 years; test-time blood
      pressure [BP] = 155 +/- 23/98 +/- 11 mmHg) and an age-matched control group (n =
      32; 14 males; age = 46 +/- 8.3 years; test-time BP = 117 +/- 8/76 +/- 10 mmHg),
      were recruited and scanned on a 3.0T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system
      using routine MRI sequences and 3D pCASL sequence. The routine MRI sequences were
      used to further define the NAWM. The cerebral blood flow (CBF) values in various
      regions of interest (ROIs) were extracted. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA)
      and unpaired t-test were performed to evaluate the significance of the intergroup
      difference in CBF modifications. RESULTS: Compared to healthy volunteers, CBF
      values in global gray matter (GM) and various NAWM regions were found to be lower
      (P < 0.05) in hypertensive patients, except for genu of corpus callosum (CC),
      cingulate gyrus, amygdala, pallidum, putamen, and thalamus (P > 0.05).
      Furthermore, compared to the control group, mild hypertension showed
      significantly reduced CBF in various ROIs (P < 0.05), but no intergroup
      differences in GM, R anterior horn of periventricular WM, and genu of CC (P >
      0.05), while moderate hypertension showed reduced CBF in all ROIs (P < 0.05).
      However, it was observed that, between mild and moderate hypertensive patients,
      there were no statistically significant difference in CBF values except for genu
      of CC (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: 3D pCASL has the ability to detect subtle
      hemodynamic abnormalities in NAWM regions at relatively early stages of
      hypertension. The observed decreases in CBF in these regions may suggest an
      increased risk of cerebral small vessel diseases.

PMID- 26256701
TI  - Series of Noncontrast Time-of-Flight Magnetic Resonance Angiographies to Identify
      Problems with Arteriovenous Fistula Maturation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Successful maturation of arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) remains a
      challenge for those managing patients with end-stage renal disease. Time-of
      flight magnetic resonance angiography (TOF-MR) can be used to evaluate AVFs
      without the risk of radiation exposure, intravenous contrast, or reliance on the
      operator-dependent modality of color Doppler ultrasonography (CDUS). The
      objective of our study was to assess the utility of TOF-MR in the evaluation of
      nonmaturing AVFs and to identify the best clinical situations to use this
      technology. METHODS: Consecutive patients with abnormal findings on CDUS or
      physical examination after AVF creation underwent 3-dimensional (3D) TOF-MR.
      Imaging was performed at 3 T with a scan acquisition time of approximately 15
      min. The technique was similar to head and neck magnetic resonance angiography
      (MRA), except presaturation bands were not used, thereby allowing simultaneous
      visualization of both arterial and venous flow. A total of 19 TOF-MR studies were
      performed. RESULTS: Nineteen patients underwent imaging and were the focus of
      this study. Seventeen of 19 TOF-MR studies were of diagnostic quality and yielded
      findings which enabled the vascular surgeon to take corrective measures. Findings
      included inflow stenosis, anastomotic narrowing, venous outflow stenosis, and
      hemodynamically significant venous tributaries. Twelve of 17 patients required
      conventional digital subtraction angiography (DSA). The congruence rate between
      TOF-MR and DSA was 83.3%. Four patients (21%) avoided DSA and went directly to
      definitive surgical treatment including branch ligation (3) or new access (1).
      CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report in the literature of successful
      implementation of 3D TOF-MR to assist in identifying AVF maturation problems.
      This unique noninvasive imaging modality provides actionable images without
      contrast or radiation exposure and can obviate the need for invasive diagnostic
      procedures or provide an anatomic map for planning corrective intervention.

PMID- 26256702
TI  - Ten-Year Experience of Vascular Surgeon Management of Iatrogenic Pseudoaneurysms:
      Do Anticoagulant and/or Antiplatelet Medications Matter?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previous studies examining the natural history of femoral
      pseudoaneurysms (PSAs) were performed before the current era of anticoagulant
      and/or antiplatelet therapy. The purpose of our study was to elucidate in a
      vascular surgeon directed approach to PSAs, the association between medication
      use and the failure of conservative, observation-only management. METHODS: We
      retrospectively examined 308 femoral iatrogenic PSAs diagnosed via duplex imaging
      at our institution during a 10-year time period (2004-2013). Information on PSA
      characteristics, treatment, and antiplatelet and/or anticoagulant medication
      usage was obtained. We identified patients who failed observation-only
      conservation management, with failure defined as the need for delayed treatment
      because of PSAs triggered by either expansion (>= 1 cm increase or size enlarging
      to >= 3 cm) and/or persistence (>= 15 days). RESULTS: Immediate and/or acute
      treatments of PSAs included 1 ultrasound-guided compression, 14 surgical repairs,
      and 126 thrombin injections. Of the 167 PSAs initially managed by observation
      only, 70 (42%) were found by ultrasound imaging to thrombosis spontaneously. An
      additional 70 (42%) patients had the diagnosis of PSA <3 cm and were managed
      conservatively with only clinical follow-up. Twenty-seven PSAs (16%) originally
      managed conservatively required additional treatment because of expansion and/or
      persistence. Patients receiving dual-antiplatelet therapy had higher rates of
      failed conservative management (44%) than patients not on dual therapy (9%, P <
      0.01). The number of antiplatelet and/or anticoagulant medications used during
      observation was larger in patients failing conservative management (2.0 +/- 0.7)
      versus patients not requiring additional intervention (1.5 +/- 0.7, P < 0.01).
      CONCLUSIONS: Most of the PSAs initially managed with observation-only did not
      require additional intervention. However, anticoagulant and/or antiplatelet
      agents use associated with PSAs required further intervention after failing
      observation-only management. When observation is the chosen strategy for PSA
      management, especially in the setting of aggressive antithrombotic and dual
      antiplatelet therapy, surveillance is required to ensure proper resolution.

PMID- 26256703
TI  - Combined Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair:
      Presentation of 3 Cases and a Review of the Literature.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Coronary artery disease and abdominal aortic aneurysmal disease can
      occur in a single patient, and a therapeutic conundrum presents when open
      surgical repair is indicated for both conditions. The traditional standard of
      care is to conduct coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) followed by abdominal
      aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair 2-6 months later, but there is significant risk with
      staging these 2 major surgeries. An alternative method is to surgically repair
      both diseases in 1 combined operation. The aim of our study is to review our own
      experience with the combined procedure and to review the published literature to
      assess morbidity and mortality of combined CABG and AAA repair. METHODS: A
      systematic search for relevant studies was performed in the PubMed/Medline
      database. Short-term mortality (<30 days) and postoperative complications were
      assessed from relevant case series from 1993 to 2013. We also conducted a
      retrospective chart review of all patients undergoing the combined procedure at
      our institution. RESULTS: Thirty case series with a total of 369 patients
      averaged a 30-day mortality of 3.0%. Fourteen percent and 6% of patients
      experienced a cardiovascular or respiratory complication, respectively. Other
      postoperative events included acute renal failure (7%) and superficial wound
      complications (5%). In our own experience, 3 patients underwent combined CABG and
      AAA repair. The mean age was 71 years, the average AAA size was 8.9 cm, and
      average operative time was 328 min. None experienced any postoperative
      complications. Two are still alive at 9 and 10 years after surgery, and 1 died of
      unrelated causes 8 years postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this
      systematic review suggest that combined CABG and AAA repair is a viable procedure
      with low operative mortality. Patients with preserved ejection fractions, large
      AAA, and limited comorbidities appear to receive the most benefit from a combined
      approach based on reported data from the literature. We have experienced
      promising results in our highly selected patient population. More research is
      warranted to devise criteria to determine which patients would be good surgical
      candidates for this combined procedure.

PMID- 26256704
TI  - Value of C-Arm Cone Beam Computed Tomography Image Fusion in Maximizing the
      Versatility of Endovascular Robotics.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To report our initial experience and highlight the value of using
      intraoperative C-arm cone beam computed tomography (CT; DynaCT((r))) image fusion
      guidance along with steerable robotic endovascular catheter navigation to
      optimize vessel cannulation. METHODS: Between May 2013 and January 2015, all
      patients who underwent endovascular procedures using DynaCT image fusion
      technique along with Hansen Magellan vascular robotic catheter were included in
      this study. As a part of preoperative planning, relevant vessel landmarks were
      electronically marked in contrast-enhanced multi-slice computed tomography images
      and stored. At the beginning of procedure, an intraoperative noncontrast C-arm
      cone beam CT (syngo DynaCT((r)), Siemens Medical Solutions USA Inc.) was acquired
      in the hybrid suite. Preoperative images were then coregistered to intraoperative
      DynaCT images using aortic wall calcifications and bone landmarks. Stored
      landmarks were then overlaid on 2-dimensional (2D) live fluoroscopic images as
      virtual markers that are updated in real-time with C-arm, table movements and
      image zoom. Vascular access and robotic catheter (Magellan((r)), Hansen Medical)
      was setup per standard. Vessel cannulation was performed based on electronic
      virtual markers on live fluoroscopy using robotic catheter. The impact of 3
      dimensional (3D) image fusion guidance on robotic vessel cannulation was
      evaluated retrospectively, by assessing quantitative parameters like number of
      angiograms acquired before vessel cannulation and qualitative parameters like
      accuracy of vessel ostium and centerline markers. RESULTS: All 17 vessels were
      cannulated successfully in 14 patients' attempted using robotic catheter and
      image fusion guidance. Median vessel diameter at origin was 5.4 mm (range, 2.3-13
      mm), whereas 12 of 17 (70.6%) vessels had either calcified and/or stenosed origin
      from parent vessel. Nine of 17 vessels (52.9 %) were cannulated without any
      contrast injection. Median number of angiograms required before cannulation was 0
      (range, 0-2). On qualitative assessment, 14 of 15 vessels (93.3%) had grade = 1
      accuracy (guidewire inside virtual ostial marker). Fourteen of 14 vessels had
      grade = 1 accuracy (virtual centerlines that matched with the actual vessel
      trajectory during cannulation). CONCLUSIONS: In this small series, the experience
      of using DynaCT image fusion guidance together with a steerable endovascular
      robotic catheter indicates that such image fusion strategies can enhance
      intraoperative 2D fluoroscopy by bringing preoperative 3D information about
      vascular stenosis and/or calcification, angulation, and take off from main vessel
      thereby facilitating ultimate vessel cannulation.

PMID- 26256705
TI  - Heparin-Bonded Polytetrafluorethylene Does Not Improve Hemodialysis Arteriovenous
      Graft Function.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Heparin-bonded polytetrafluorethylene (hep PTFE), when compared with
      standard PTFE, has been shown to have a modest improvement in distal extremity
      bypass grafts. The data supporting its usage for dialysis access are less clear.
      We compared the patency rates, number of interventions, and complications between
      hep PTFE grafts and nonheparin-bonded PTFE (nonhep PTFE) grafts placed for
      dialysis access. METHODS: A retrospective review of all dialysis access
      procedures between January 2013 and March 2014 entered into a prospectively
      maintained vascular surgery database was performed. Our primary end point was
      functional graft patency. Secondary end points were primary, primary assisted,
      and secondary patency, as well as time to graft abandonment, and number of
      procedures required to maintain or restore graft patency. The number of
      interventions required to maintain graft patency and graft-related complications
      were also reviewed. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to compare the 2 groups.
      RESULTS: Between January 2013 and March 2014, 301-dialysis access procedures were
      performed, which included 70 arteriovenous grafts (AVGs) comprised 32 hep PTFE
      (32, 6-mm straight grafts) and 38 nonhep PTFE (35, 4-7-mm taper and 3, 6-mm
      straight). Mean follow-up was 7.35 +/- 5.15 months. At 1 year, Kaplan-Meier
      survival curves showed that functional patency between hep PTFE and nonhep PTFE
      AVG were 60% and 75%, respectively (P = 0.37). Primary and secondary patencies
      were not significantly different between groups; however, primary-assisted
      patency was significantly improved at 1 year (hep PTFE versus nonhep PTFE: 50%
      vs. 80%; P = 0.02). The number of hep PTFE grafts undergoing percutaneous
      thrombectomy was significantly higher than the nonhep PTFE grafts (11 vs. 2; P =
      0.009). The incidence and time to graft abandonment were not statistically
      different. The same was true for the number of complications between the 2
      groups. Multivariate analysis showed nonhep PTFE AVG to be advantageous for
      primary and primary-assisted patency. CONCLUSIONS: We did not demonstrate a
      benefit to the routine use of hep PTFE for AVG creation especially given the
      higher cost of these grafts. Functional patency rates were not improved, and the
      rates of reintervention and thrombectomy were higher with hep PTFE AVGs.

PMID- 26256706
TI  - Pneumatic Compression Improves Quality of Life in Patients with Lower-Extremity
      Lymphedema.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lymphedema is an incurable and disfiguring disease secondary to
      excessive fluid and protein in the interstitium as a result of lymphatic
      obstruction. Pneumatic compression (PC) offers a novel modality for treatment of
      lymphatic obstruction through targeting lymphatic beds and mimicking a functional
      drainage system. The objective of this study is to demonstrate improved quality
      of life in patients with lower-extremity lymphedema. METHODS: Consecutive
      patients presenting to a single institution for treatment of lymphedema were all
      treated with PC for at least 3 months. All patients underwent a pre- and post-PC
      assessment of episodes of cellulitis, number of ulcers, and venous insufficiency.
      Post-PC symptom questionnaires were administered. Symptom improvement was the
      primary outcome for analysis. RESULTS: A total of 100 patients met inclusion
      criteria. At presentation, 70% were female with a mean age of 57.5 years.
      Secondary lymphedema was present in 78%. Mean length of PC use was 12.7 months
      with a mean of 5.3 treatments per week. Ankle and calf limb girth decreased after
      PC use, (28.3 vs. 27.5 cm, P = 0.01) and (44.7 vs. 43.8 cm, P = 0.018),
      respectively. The number of episodes of cellulitis and ulcers pre- and post-PC
      decreased from mean of 0.26-0.05 episodes (P = 0.002) and 0.12-0.02 ulcers (P =
      0.007), respectively. Fourteen percent had concomitant superficial venous
      insufficiency, all of whom underwent venous ablation. Overall 100% of patients
      reported symptomatic improvement post-PC with 54% greatly improved. 90% would
      recommend the treatment to others. CONCLUSIONS: PC improves symptom relief and
      reduces episodes of cellulitis and ulceration in lower-extremity lymphedema. It
      is well tolerated by patients and should be recommended as an adjunct to standard
      lymphedema therapy. Screening for venous insufficiency is recommended.

PMID- 26256707
TI  - Management of Vascular Injury during Current Peaceful Yemeni Revolution.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To provide a complete review of our experience on the observed
      vascular injuries patterns during contemporary Yemeni revolution, management
      strategies used in the care of injuries and to highlight lessons learned from
      that period. METHODS: From February 2011 to January 2012, all casualties
      evaluated at Yemen International Hospital, were prospectively entered into a
      database and retrospectively reviewed. Data collected included site, type, and
      mechanism of vascular injury, associated trauma, type of vascular repair; initial
      outcome, amputation rate, and complication. RESULTS: Of 2,200 injured patients
      evacuated from field hospital, vascular injuries occurred in 63 patients, and
      these patients comprised the study group. Fifty-one (80.9%) patients were wounded
      by gunshots high velocity, 6 (9.5%) were wounded by gunshots low velocity, and 6
      (9.5%) experienced explosive devices injury. Most of injuries 55 (87%) occurred
      in the extremities 45 (71%) in the lower extremities and 10 (16%) in the upper
      extremities, 3 (5%) in carotid arteries, 3 (5%) in internal iliac arteries, and 2
      (3%) in internal jugular vein. Nearly half 31 (49%) of the patients sustained
      complex vascular injuries (arterial and venous injuries), isolated arterial
      injuries 28 (45%), and isolated venous injuries 4 (6%). Twenty (32%) of the
      patients underwent complete revascularization and 11 (15%) just arterial repair
      with venous ligation. According arterial management 32 (51%) of patients
      underwent revascularization with venous graft, 18 (29%) repaired by end-to-end
      anastomosis, 1 (2%) polytetrafluorethylene, 7 (11%) thrombectomy, and 5 (8%)
      arterial ligation. Vascular injuries were associated with bony fracture in 33
      (52%) of patients. Postoperative wound infection occurred in 9 (14%) patients. Of
      those, 7 had venous ligation. Secondary amputation and mortality rates during the
      study period were 3 (5%) and 4 (6%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This report
      represents the first analysis of vascular injuries during contemporary Yemeni
      revolution in Taiz city. Vascular injuries occurred in 3% of revolution-related
      injured patients. Our secondary amputation rate of extremities was 5%. Management
      of arterial repair with autologous vein graft remains the treatment of choice.
      Ligation of venous injured in a watershed area, such an iliofemoral and popliteal
      vein should be avoided to prevent leg phlegmasia.

PMID- 26256708
TI  - The Effect of Ovation Stent-Graft System on Aortic Pulse Wave Velocity:
      Preliminary Report on 3 Cases.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Ovation Aortic Stent-Graft System is based on a pair of polymer
      filled inflatable O-rings to achieve sealing at the infrarenal level. However,
      this O-rings inflation has been associated with restriction of flow lumen and
      regional stenosis up to ~60%. Since the aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV) is
      considered a valuable marker of aorta stiffening we investigated the influence of
      the O-rings induced aortic lumen stenosis on the aPWV during the early
      postoperative period in a sample of 3 patients. METHODS: The internal cross
      sectional area and the corresponding radius at the level immediately caudally to
      the renal arteries (Aupper and Rupper) and at the site of the inflated O-rings
      (Aint and Rint) was calculated from postoperative images of Computed tomography
      using dedicated software (3Mensio Medical Imaging B.V., Bilthoven, The
      Netherlands). Accordingly, the difference in the previously mentioned parameters
      between these areas was recorded. Noninvasive estimation of aPWV was conducted
      preoperatively and at 1-week and 1-month postoperatively with a brachial cuff
      based automatic oscillometric device (Mobil-O-Graph; IEM, Stolberg, Germany).
      RESULTS: Aupper was 286, 385, and 286 mm(2) for the 3 patients with Aint being
      116, 86 and 95 mm(2), corresponding to inflow stenosis of 60%, 75%, and 66%,
      respectively. Accordingly, the radius reduction of the lumen between Rupper and
      Rint was 35%, 50%, and 60%. aPWV was kept quite constant for all patients 1-week
      and 1-month postoperatively, ranging 13.2-13.7, 11.4-11.5, and 8.3-8.6 m/sec,
      respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The inflow restriction caused by the stiff, inflatable
      O-rings does not necessarily coincide with significant increase of aortic
      stiffness in the early postoperative period. Furthermore studies with more
      hemodynamic indices and longer follow-up are needed to delineate the impact of
      the Ovation's unique structural pattern on central hemodynamics.

PMID- 26256709
TI  - U Stent-Graft Technique as a Treatment for Homolateral Metachronous Common Iliac
      and Internal Iliac Arteries Aneurysms after Open Surgery.
AB  - We report a case of a metachronous common iliac artery and the internal iliac
      artery (IIA) aneurysm developed 8 years after an aortobi-femoral bypass for
      treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm associated at chronic occlusion of the
      right iliac axis. To exclude the metachronous aneurysm on the left iliac axis and
      to maintain the pelvic circulation, an external to IIA endografts were positioned
      ("U stent-graft technique"). At 6-month follow-up, the computed tomography scan
      showed patency of the endografts, of the bypass and of the IIA, without endoleak,
      or other adverse events. 

PMID- 26256710
TI  - A Multicenter, Retrospective Study of the Effectiveness of the Trellis-8 System
      in the Treatment of Proximal Lower-Extremity Deep Vein Thrombosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs in up to 600,000 patients in the
      United States annually and can lead to long-term morbidity because of the post
      thrombotic syndrome. The multicenter isolated-pharmacomechanical thrombolysis
      device (ISOL-8) study was designed to determine the safety and efficacy of the
      TrellisTM-8 peripheral infusion system when used as the primary intervention to
      achieve DVT thrombolysis in patients with proximal lower-extremity occlusive DVT,
      and track the incidence and severity of the post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS)
      symptoms in patients 2 years after treatment. METHODS: Data were collected
      retrospectively from 6 centers on patients treated with the Trellis-8 system, an
      isolated-pharmacomechanical thrombolysis device (IPMTD). Patients with occlusive
      lower-extremity DVT involving at least the iliac and/or common femoral vein were
      included. Patient demographics, medical history, procedure outcomes,
      complications, and follow-up venous duplex and Venous Clinical Severity Score
      (VCSS) were collected through 24 months. Data analysis of outcomes were performed
      at 1 and 12 months. A 24-month analysis was not performed because of the small
      number of patients for whom 24-month data could be collected. RESULTS: A total of
      151 limbs in 139 patients were treated with IPMTD. The mean +/- standard
      deviation (SD) procedure time was 122.6 +/- 63.4 min. Single session treatment
      was delivered in 69.9% (93 of 133) of cases. Occlusive DVT extended from the
      femoral into the external and/or common iliac vessel segments in most of the
      cases (113 of 151 limbs; 74.8%). Before treatment, 23.2% (35 of 151) of the
      treated limbs, based on a history of prior ipsilateral DVT or preoperative
      imaging revealing chronic venous scar, were expected to have some chronic venous
      disease despite presenting with acute symptoms. After treatment, 43.7% (66 of
      151) of the limbs showed evidence of chronic thrombus. The average amount (mean
      +/- SD) of thrombolysis, as determined by venogram, was highest in patients who
      had acute thrombus (81 +/- 19.7%), compared with subacute thrombus (61 +/- 22.5%)
      and complex cases involving acute and/or subacute thrombus on chronic scar (56 +/
      26.5%). VCSS scoring showed the number of patients with none and/or mild pain,
      varicose veins, and skin changes at 1-month remained stable at 12 months whereas
      the percent of patients with none and/or mild venous edema improved from 71.7% at
      1 month (38 of 53) to 86.8% (46 of 53) at 12 months. Twenty-four-month follow-up
      data were available for only 15% (23 of 151) of patients. No clinically
      significant pulmonary emboli or major periprocedural bleeding events were
      reported. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with acute lower-extremity DVT involving the
      proximal veins can be safely and successfully treated with IPMTD. Major
      procedural bleeding was absent. The occurrence of severe PTS after primary
      treatment with Trellis-8 system IPMTD is low. Further long-term follow-up data
      are needed to confirm the benefit of intervention for thrombus removal compared
      with standard medical management.

PMID- 26256711
TI  - Endovascular Aneurysm Repair of Acute Occlusion of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm with
      Intra-Aneurysmal Dissection.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To report a rare case of acute abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)
      occlusion successfully treated by endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). CASE
      REPORT: An 89-year-old man complained of severe back pain and weakness in the
      bilateral lower extremities. Although there were neither acute ischemic signs on
      the brain computed tomography (CT) nor critical leg ischemia, the patient
      presented progressing weakness in the bilateral lower extremities and decreased
      sensation in the perianal and saddle area. Contrast-enhanced CT demonstrated an
      infrarenal AAA, the formation of an ulcer-like lesion in the aneurysmal wall, and
      the complete occlusion of distal AAA because of the caudal extension of
      intramural hematoma. Both common iliac arteries were patent because of the
      development of collateral vessels. The neurologic symptoms were considered to be
      caused by the occlusion of lumbar radicular arteries. EVAR seemed anatomically
      feasible, if the occlusion could be crossed by guidewires from both side of the
      common femoral artery. Wires easily traversed the occlusion, and the stent graft
      could be smoothly unwrapped and opened. The patient could recover decent iliac
      arterial flow. The neurovascular deficits recovered within 4 days after the
      procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Although our experience may not be reproduced in all case
      of AAA occlusion, EVAR warrants consideration to reduce the high mortality rate
      associated with the classical treatments.

PMID- 26256712
TI  - Bilateral Axillary Artery Aneurysms Presenting as Upper Limb Ischemia.
AB  - An axillary artery aneurysm (AxAA) is a rare entity. Although some cases with
      AxAA are asymptomatic, complications including local pain, neurogenic symptoms,
      upper limb ischemia, and rupture may occur. Therefore, an early diagnosis and
      treatment are necessary. We herein report a case of bilateral AxAAs, in which the
      right AxAA showed acute upper limb ischemia and the left AxAA were asymptomatic.
      Both AxAAs were successfully treated by aneurysmectomy and interposition
      grafting. In the endovascular era, open surgical treatment for AxAAs remains a
      promising procedure. 

PMID- 26256713
TI  - Inadvertent Arterial Placement of Central Venous Catheters: Diagnostic and
      Therapeutic Strategies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Central venous catheterization (CVC) is among the most ubiquitous
      medical procedures. Inadvertent arterial placement of the catheter presents a
      challenging dilemma to the interventionalist. Treatment options include: removal
      and manual compression, off-label use of percutaneous closure devices and/or
      stent grafts, and open surgical removal. Potential sequelae include bleeding,
      thrombosis, stroke, limb ischemia, neurologic deficit, and death. Our aim is to
      evaluate the use of open and endovascular techniques for the management of
      iatrogenic carotid, subclavian, and brachiocephalic arterial injuries related to
      inadvertent arterial CVC placement. METHODS: Retrospective chart review revealed
      13 patients with iatrogenic arterial injuries related to inadvertent arterial CVC
      placement over a 5-year period at Northwestern Memorial Hospital using Current
      Procedural Terminology codes and interventional radiology and vascular databases.
      Presenting features, radiographic diagnosis, therapeutic maneuvers, and outcomes
      were reviewed. RESULTS: Endovascular therapy was instituted in 10 cases with 3
      requiring an adjunctive open procedure. In the endovascular therapy group, stent
      grafts were used in 5 patients and 4 patients were managed with percutaneous
      closure devices. In 1 patient, multiple embolization procedures were performed in
      an attempt to close a large innominate artery arteriovenous fistula (AVFs) that
      ultimately required sternotomy and surgical ligation for complete closure.
      Primary open repair was carried out in 3 patients. Two patients developed embolic
      stroke before therapy and removal, with 1 death reported at 36-month follow-up.
      Overall success rate with a single intervention was 100% (4 of 4) with closure
      devices, 80% (4 of 5) covered stents, 0% (0 of 1) with embolization, and 100% (3
      of 3) with open intervention. Overall complication rate was 7% (1 of 13)
      requiring further open, invasive intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Management of
      carotid, subclavian, and brachiocephalic arterial injuries from attempted jugular
      or subclavian venous cannulation can be challenging. The risk of embolic
      phenomenon associated with arterial catheterization, and the noncompressible
      anatomic location at the base of the neck frequently prevent simple removal. We
      use a strategy of immediate computed tomography or magnetic resonance to
      facilitate the most appropriate therapy. Endovascular treatment with covered
      stent grants, percutaneous closure devices, and embolization offer good results
      when selected appropriately based on imaging evaluation. However, more complex
      cases with associated pseudoaneurysms and/or AVFs with larger catheters may
      require definitive open repair.

PMID- 26256714
TI  - A Systematic Review of Fenestrated Endovascular Repair for Juxtarenal and Short
      Neck Aortic Aneurysm: Evidence So Far.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Fenestrated endovascular repair is an alternative to open repair in
      the management of juxtarenal aortic aneurysms and short-neck abdominal aortic
      aneurysms (AAAs). The aim of this article is to examine the evidence in published
      literature on the use of fenestrated endovascular stent grafts in the treatment
      of juxtarenal and short-neck AAAs. METHODS: Systematic review was formulated
      under the instruction of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and
      Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline. Articles published from January 1996 to October
      2014 in English language were included. Published studies on fenestrated
      endovascular stent grafts in treating juxtarenal and short-neck AAAs were
      systematically searched and reviewed through a computerized search of PubMed and
      Ovid MEDLINE and cross-referenced. Title key words include "fenestrated",
      "juxtarenal", and "short neck". All relevant published articles up to first
      October 2014 were reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 529 nonduplicated publications
      were identified but only 15 articles were eligible for our qualitative analysis,
      with 763 patients and 2,040 target vessels. Twelve studies were included in
      cohort studies with a short or medium follow-up period (median range, 6-67
      months). The mean 30-day and late follow-up mortality were 1.7% (range, 0-4%) and
      20.1% (range, 4-50%), respectively, with 5.3% aneurysm-related late deaths. A
      total of 74 target vessels (3.6%) were lost in all the studies with 65 of them
      (87.8%) lost postoperatively. Overall, 28.8% patients endured renal dysfunction
      postoperatively, whereas 2.5% of patients required dialysis. Target vessel events
      and endoleaks were the 2 major indications for reintervention, accounting for
      63.8%. Fourteen aneurysm sacs (1.8%) were enlarged continuously during follow-up
      and a half were due to type II endoleaks. Migration of the proximal fenestration
      component was reported with 3.0%. One registry study reported 4.1% of early
      mortality, higher than any cohort studies, whereas the target vessel loss was
      relatively low (1.6%). Freedom of late secondary intervention decreased from 90%
      at year 1 to 70% at year 3. Two nonrandom controlled comparative studies showed
      no definitive superiority of fenestrated repair over the open surgery.
      CONCLUSIONS: Contemporary published literature does not produce a high enough
      level of evidence that leads to a change in treatment guidelines for juxtarenal
      or short-neck aneurysm. Fenestrated endovascular repair is a safe and efficacious
      treatment, particularly for those deemed surgically high risk. Growing experience
      and innovation of stent graft are essential for the advancement of fenestrated
      grafting.

PMID- 26256715
TI  - Timing of Intervention in Blunt Traumatic Aortic Injury Patients: Open Surgical
      versus Endovascular Repair.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is a rapidly evolving
      therapy in treating blunt traumatic aortic injury (TAI). However, currently there
      is no consensus among literature regarding the repair timing of TAI. Our
      experiences to manage TAI with comparison between open surgical and endovascular
      repair in repair timing and short-term outcomes are reported. Risk factors for
      postoperative mortality and morbidity are stratified. METHODS: Between January
      2003 and February 2014, 63 consecutive patients who have suffered from TAI and
      underwent conventional open surgical or endovascular aortic repair were
      retrospectively reviewed in this study. The primary outcomes were in-hospital
      mortality, postoperative complication, and operation timing. All medical records
      regarding trauma mechanisms, concomitant injuries, intervention detail, and
      postoperative outcomes were reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 63 patients
      (mean age, 37.9 years; 57 male), 23 underwent open repair (OR) and 40 underwent
      TEVAR for blunt TAI. The TEVAR group had more urgent operation (injury to repair
      <24 hr; 57.5% vs. 30.4%, P = 0.038) and shorter operative time (136.25 +/- 54.48
      min vs. 414.78 +/- 212.24 min, P = 0.00) than the respective open surgical repair
      group. Postoperative mortality and morbidity analysis showed that the OR group
      had higher in-hospital mortality (30.4% vs. 7.5%; P = 0.029), more patients with
      acute renal failure in need of hemodialysis (17.4% vs. 2.3%; P = 0.038), and more
      post-operation infection (30.4% vs. 5%; P = 0.005) than the respective TEVAR
      group. The Multivariate analysis, of the 10 (15.88%) patients that died after the
      surgery, showed that the risk factors of hospital mortality were grade IV TAI
      (frank rupture). CONCLUSIONS: For treating TAI, TEVAR has emerged as a quicker
      and safer treatment option than OR. The findings of this study support the use of
      TEVAR over OR for patients who suffered from TAI.

PMID- 26256716
TI  - Osmotolerance provided by the alternative sigma factors sigmaB and rpoS to
      Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli is solute dependent and does not
      result in an increased growth fitness in NaCl containing media.
AB  - The aim of this work was to examine the role of the alternative general stress
      sigma factors sigma(B) and rpoS on the ability of Staphylococcus aureus and
      Escherichia coli, respectively, to grow in liquid and solid media of different
      osmolarity. For this purpose, S. aureus strain Newman and its isogenic DeltasigB
      mutant IK84 and E. coli strain BJ4 and its isogenic DeltarpoS mutant BJ4L1 were
      grown in media (TSBYE) with different concentrations of NaCl. Growth parameters
      (lag phase duration, growth rate and maximum number of microorganisms) and
      limiting growth concentrations (Maximum Non-Inhibitory Concentration - MNIC - and
      Minimum Inhibitory Concentration - MIC-) were determined. The mechanisms
      underlying the differences observed between parental and mutant strains were also
      explored. The absence of the sigma factors sigma(B) and rpoS led to a decrease in
      the MNICs and MICs calculated for S. aureus and E. coli, respectively.
      Conversely, neither sigma(B) nor rpoS provided with increased growth fitness to
      S. aureus and E. coli cells at NaCl concentrations up to 1.36M and 1M,
      respectively. The decreased osmotolerance of the sigma(B) and rpoS deficient
      strains, as compared to their parental strains, was compensated by the addition
      of glycine-betaine (1mM) to the growth medium. It was also observed that the
      decreased tolerance to NaCl of the mutant strains was coincident with a decreased
      tolerance to sucrose, KCl, and LiCl but not to glycerol, MgCl2, and CaCl2.
      Results obtained also demonstrate that the increased osmotolerance of stationary
      growth phase E. coli cells, as compared to exponential growth phase ones, would
      be due to the activation of both rpoS-independent and rpoS-dependent mechanisms.
      This work will help to understand the mechanisms of bacterial resistance to
      osmotic stress and the role of the alternative sigma factors sigma(B) and rpoS in
      this process. 

PMID- 26256717
TI  - Exopolysaccharides from co-cultures of Weissella confusa 11GU-1 and
      Propionibacterium freudenreichii JS15 act synergistically on wheat dough and
      bread texture.
AB  - The storage of bread is limited by both physical (staling) and microbial (mainly
      fungal) spoilage. Exopolysaccharides (EPS) produced by lactic acid bacteria (LAB)
      and organic acids from propionibacteria (PAB) have been used to enhance texture
      and extend shelf-life of bakery products. In this study the functionality of EPS
      of Weissella confusa A3/2-1 (dextran), W. confusa F3/2-2 (dextran and levan), W.
      confusa 11GU-1 (dextran and ropy capsular polysaccharide) was evaluated in wheat
      bread. Two strains of Propionibacterium freudenreichii (Pf), shown to produce a
      heteropolysaccharide (Pf JS15) or a beta-glucan (Pf DF30), were tested in single
      and mixed cultures with W. confusa (Wc). The EPS fermentates were prepared by
      batch fermentation of cereal- or malt-based medium using sucrose (Wc) or lactic
      acid (Pf) as carbon source. Incorporation of EPS from single culture fermentates
      and 1:1 Weissella-Propionibacterium fermentate mixtures revealed strong positive
      effects of dextran and ropy capsular polysaccharide produced by Wc 11GU-1 on
      bread staling retardation, with synergistic effects of EPS mixture from Wc 11GU-1
      and Pf JS15. A co-fermentation of Wc 11GU-1 and Pf JS15 was developed to produce
      EPS together with antifungal organic acid mixture (acetate and propionate) in a
      single step process. The addition of 15% (w/w flour base) co-culture, yielding
      EPS, acetate and propionate concentrations of 1.5, 0.5 and 1g/kg dough,
      respectively, resulted in improved bread texture, increased loaf volume and
      decreased crumb firming during storage for 3days compared with control breads and
      breads supplemented with equivalent levels of chemical organic acids. Our data
      showed that EPS could compensate for the negative effects of chemical acetate and
      propionate in a concentration range exerting antifungal effects. The natural
      bioingredient produced by Wc 11GU-1 and Pf JS15 has potential for applications as
      antifungal, texture-building and anti-staling agent in breads, consistent with
      consumer demands for clean label products. 

PMID- 26256718
TI  - Clustered array of ochratoxin A biosynthetic genes in Aspergillus steynii and
      their expression patterns in permissive conditions.
AB  - Aspergillus steynii is probably the most relevant species of section Circumdati
      producing ochratoxin A (OTA). This mycotoxin contaminates a wide number of
      commodities and it is highly toxic for humans and animals. Little is known on the
      biosynthetic genes and their regulation in Aspergillus species. In this work, we
      identified and analysed three contiguous genes in A. steynii using 5'-RACE and
      genome walking approaches which predicted a cytochrome P450 monooxygenase
      (p450ste), a non-ribosomal peptide synthetase (nrpsste) and a polyketide synthase
      (pksste). These three genes were contiguous within a 20742 bp long genomic DNA
      fragment. Their corresponding cDNA were sequenced and their expression was
      analysed in three A. steynii strains using real time RT-PCR specific assays in
      permissive conditions in in vitro cultures. OTA was also analysed in these
      cultures. Comparative analyses of predicted genomic, cDNA and amino acid
      sequences were performed with sequences of similar gene functions. All the
      results obtained in these analyses were consistent and point out the involvement
      of these three genes in OTA biosynthesis by A. steynii and showed a co-ordinated
      expression pattern. This is the first time that a clustered organization OTA
      biosynthetic genes has been reported in Aspergillus genus. The results also
      suggested that this situation might be common in Aspergillus OTA-producing
      species and distinct to the one described for Penicillium species.

PMID- 26256719
TI  - Controlling the "uncontrollable": Faking effects on the affect misattribution
      procedure.
AB  - In two experiments, the impact of faking on the affect misattribution procedure
      (AMP) was examined. Results revealed that faking influences both the overall
      means and the convergent validity of AMP effects in terms of correlations with
      self-report measures. Faking effects were very selective in that they affected
      fake-prime trials only, for which AMP effects were significant, but reversed in
      direction, while AMP effects for non-fake trials remained intact. Importantly,
      neither strategic advice nor prior task experience was a necessary prerequisite
      for successful faking. The discussion focuses on possible processes underlying
      successful faking in the AMP.

PMID- 26256720
TI  - Cerebral oxygenation in the beach chair position before and during general
      anesthesia in patients with and without cardiovascular risk factors.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVES: To evaluate changes in cerebral tissue oxygen index (TOI)
      values under the beach chair position before and during general anesthesia in
      surgical patients with or without cardiovascular risk factors. DESIGN:
      Prospective study. SETTING: Operating room in the university hospital. PATIENTS:
      Ninety-one patients undergoing surgery, including healthy patients (n = 28),
      patients with 1 cardiovascular risk factor (n = 33), and those with more than 1
      risk factor (n = 30). INTERVENTIONS AND MEASUREMENTS: Cerebral TOI the day before
      and during general anesthesia was evaluated using a near-infrared spectroscopy
      NIRO-200 (Hamamatsu Photonics, Hamamatsu, Japan) for each patient. The initial
      TOI measurement in the supine position after a 10-minute rest or 10 minute after
      the endotracheal intubation was followed by measurements in 30 degrees  and
      subsequent 60 degrees  upright position for 5 minutes. Phenylephrine 0.1 mg
      and/or ephedrine 4 mg was administered intravenously to maintain mean blood
      pressure above 60 mm Hg accordingly. MAIN RESULTS: The beach chair position
      decreased mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate under general anesthesia,
      although patients with more than 1 cardiovascular risk factor needed
      significantly more phenylephrine doses to maintain mean blood pressure above 60
      mm Hg. Values of TOI were within the normal range of about 70% before and during
      anesthesia in all groups. CONCLUSIONS: The beach chair position under general
      anesthesia did not alter cerebral oxygenation in patients with or without
      cardiovascular risk factors showing normal preoperative cerebral TOI values when
      the mean blood pressure was maintained above 60 mm Hg. The careful management
      using the cerebral oxygenation monitoring appears to maintain cerebral perfusion
      in the beach chair position during general anesthesia.

PMID- 26256721
TI  - Removal of an epidural catheter without discontinuation of dual antiplatelet
      therapy in a patient with postoperative urgent coronary stenting.

PMID- 26256722
TI  - VIA score: a mnemonic for airway assessment and management.

PMID- 26256723
TI  - Air-Q intubating supraglottic device for tracheal tumor resection.

PMID- 26256724
TI  - Erratum to: Mental Health and Its Associated Variables Among International
      Students at a Japanese University: With Special Reference to Their Financial
      Status.

PMID- 26256725
TI  - Correction: Eczema therapeutics in children: what do the clinical trials say?

PMID- 26256726
TI  - The Human Y-Chromosome - Introduction into Genetics and Applications.
AB  - Human Y-chromosomal DNA analysis is becoming well established in forensic
      sciences. That is because human Y-chromosomal DNA polymorphisms are the only
      genetic markers that are able to specifically characterize and identify male
      culprit DNA in material from sexual assault or forcible rape cases where
      offenders are almost always males. Appropriate Y-chromosomal DNA markers
      evaluated for forensic applications with standardized nomenclature, typing and
      statistic methodology, and haplotype frequency databases are currently available
      to the forensic DNA community. As with any other kind of DNA evidence, the Y
      chromosomal DNA analysis in forensic science requires not only a high standard of
      quality assurance but also appropriate scientific background knowledge to ensure
      correct interpretation of DNA profiles. The following overview article will
      provide an introduction to the molecular genetics of the human Y-chromosome and
      will discuss the advantages that Y-chromosomal DNA polymorphisms can offer to
      forensic applications, as well as the limitations to the types of information
      provided by the human Y-chromosome. 

PMID- 26256727
TI  - Recent Developments in Y-Short Tandem Repeat and Y-Single Nucleotide Polymorphism
      Analysis.
AB  - This article reviews new genetic markers on the Y-chromosome and methods for
      analyzing these short tandem repeat (STR) and single nucleotide polymorphism
      (SNP) loci. Relative chromosomal locations for over 50 Y-chromosome STRs (Y-STRs)
      are described along with their repeat motif and allele range characteristics
      based on published population studies. Multiplex assays for typing many of these
      markers in a parallel fashion are discussed, as are newly available commercial Y
      STR kits. Approximately 250 SNP markers are now catalogued along the Y-chromosome
      (Y-SNPs) with a unified haplogroup nomenclature describing their relative
      relationships. Technologies for typing these Y-SNPs are reviewed including primer
      extension and allele-specific hybridization methods. Finally, available reference
      materials for standardization of allele calls, Y-STR allele nomenclature issues,
      and published validation and interlaboratory studies are reviewed. 

PMID- 26256728
TI  - Y-Short Tandem Repeat Multiplex Systems - Y-PLEXTM 6 and Y-PLEXTM 5.
AB  - Y-Chromosome short tandem repeats (Y-STRs) have become a very useful tool in
      forensic casework, paternity, and male lineage studies. In forensic casework, one
      can obtain the male profile from a mixture sample containing male and female DNA.
      Two Y-STR genotyping systems, Y-PLEXTM 6 and Y-PLEXTM 5, have been developed for
      use in human identification. Y-PLEXTM 6 enables simultaneous amplification of
      DYS393, DYS19, DYS389II, DYS390, DYS391, and DYS385; Y-PLEXTM 5 enables
      simultaneous amplification of DYS389I, DYS389II, DYS439, DYS438, and DYS392 loci.
      The Y-PLEXTM 6 and Y-PLEXTM 5 systems together provide analysis of all nine Y-STR
      loci generating minimal haplotype and two additional loci, DYS438 and DYS439.
      These systems also provide analysis for all 11 Y-STR loci recommended by the
      Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods (SWGDAM) for forensic casework
      and population database studies. Both the systems were validated following the
      Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director's Quality Assurance Standards.
      Allelic ladders, which serve as a reference in genotyping, were generated. The
      nucleotide sequence of alleles in the allelic ladder was determined and the
      nomenclature is in accord with the recommendations of the International Society
      of Forensic Genetics (ISFG). The minimum sensitivity of the Y-PLEXTM 6 and Y
      PLEXTM 5 systems was 0.2 and 0.1 ng of male DNA, respectively. The nonhuman study
      revealed that the primers in the Y-PLEXTM 6 and Y-PLEXTM 5 systems were specific
      for the DNA from humans and some higher primates. Mean stutter values ranged from
      3.6 to 11.9%. The Y-PLEXTM 6 and Y-PLEXTM 5 systems were used in several forensic
      cases. The results from these multiplex systems have been admitted in various
      U.S. Courts. Thus, Y-PLEXTM 6 and Y-PLEXTM 5 genotyping systems are sensitive,
      reliable, and robust for use in human forensic and male lineage identification
      studies. 

PMID- 26256729
TI  - Strategies for the Design and Assessment of Y-Short Tandem Repeat Multiplexes for
      Forensic Use.
AB  - In order to improve the discriminatory potential, and hence the probative value,
      of Y-STR-based testing, the set of Y-chromosome STR loci available for forensic
      use needs to be expanded. We have designed and tested two novel Y-STR multiplexes
      for potential forensic casework use. In accord with the requirements of Y
      chromosome multiplex analytical systems developed specifically for forensic
      casework use, we have tried to maximize the number of loci able to be co
      amplified and minimize confounding female DNA artifacts while ensuring
      appropriate assay sensitivity (1-2 ng of input genomic DNA) and interlocus signal
      balance. This review will describe the strategies that we have developed that may
      provide guidance for the design and assessment of novel Y-STR multiplex systems.
      Novel Y-STR multiplexes developed for forensic use need to undergo a series of
      validation exercises that go beyond simply optimizing the PCR reaction
      conditions. Specifically, stringent performance checks on their efficacy need to
      be carried out using casework type specimens in order to determine potential
      confounding effects from female DNA. 

PMID- 26256730
TI  - Utility of Y-Chromosome Short Tandem Repeat Haplotypes in Forensic Applications.
AB  - Patrilineally transmitted Y-chromosomal markers have been shown to resolve
      forensic cases under certain scenarios where autosomal markers provide limited or
      inconclusive evidence. Several Y-short tandem repeat (Y-STR) loci have been
      validated for forensic use, and Y-STR haplotype databases for a number of
      geographic locations are now available in the literature and online. In this
      review, examples are presented of situations where Y-STR loci can provide
      valuable supplemental forensic evidence when autosomal STR loci fail or provide
      little evidence. Also, different methods of interpreting Y-STR forensic evidence
      in casework analysis are outlined, suggesting that in spite of excessive
      conservativeness, the counting method is still the most simple and easily
      defensible method of interpreting Y-STR forensic evidence. While the need for
      developing more powerful interpretation methods should be considered, it is
      stressed that expansion of Y-STR databases should focus on increasing sample
      sizes and the inclusion of more anthropologically defined populations to improve
      the efficiency of interpretation of Y-STR markers in forensic applications. 

PMID- 26256731
TI  - The Y-Short Tandem Repeat Haplotype Reference Database (YHRD) and Male Population
      Stratification in Europe - Impact on Forensic Genetics.
AB  - The forensic application of patrilinearly transmitted Y-chromosomal markers
      requires knowledge of its substantial sensitivity to population substructuring.
      The establishment of carefully constructed, large, onlineavailable and worldwide
      population databases for Y-short tandem repeat-based haplotypes illustrates the
      magnitude and importance of male population subdivision, which is even
      recognizable in the otherwise nearly indistinguishable European populations.
      Thus, the choice of the suitable reference population is an absolute requirement
      for the interpretation of haplotype matches. Based on the specific haplotype
      distribution in a given population, an extrapolation method has been worked out
      that allows the frequency estimation of very rare haplotypes. This "haplotype
      surveying" approach is recommended as a conservative method to assess the match
      probabilities in cases with non-exclusion constellations. As exemplified further,
      the population-specific distribution of haplotypes can help to infer the
      population of origin of an unknown male DNA. 

PMID- 26256732
TI  - Population Database and Mutation Study for Short Tandem Repeat Loci on Y
      Chromosome (Y-STRs) in Japanese Populations.
AB  - A database for 14 short tandem repeat loci on Y-chromosome (Y-STRs) (DYS393,
      DYS19, DYS391, DYS437, DYS435, DYS439, DYS389II, DYS438, DYS436, DYS390, Y-GATA
      H4, DYS385, DYS460, and DYS392) was constructed from 207 Honshu-Japanese (main
      island of Japan, Nagoya City) and 87 Okinawa-Japanese (southernmost islands of
      Japan) male DNA specimens. The samples were analyzed for 14 Y-STRs using two
      multiplex PCR typing systems, a newly devised 10-plex amplification system, and a
      commercially available Y-PLEXTM 6. The allele frequencies at 14 loci were
      calculated in each population and the distributions between both populations were
      significantly different at four of the 14 loci. A total of 244 unique haplotypes
      were observed in both Japanese populations, and 17 haplotypes were observed more
      than once. The two populations shared only seven haplotypes. The haplotype
      diversities for tested loci were 0.9987 and 0.9976 in Honshu- and Okinawa
      Japanese, respectively. In the 10-plex, however, an extremely uninformative
      trinucleotide-repeat DYS436 was replaced with a more informative tetranucleotide
      repeat locus, DYS389I, with a newly designed primer set to evolve modified 10
      plex. With the modified 10-plex, since the number of unique haplotypes increased
      each one in both populations, the haplotype diversity values increased to 0.9988
      and 0.9979 in Honshu- and Okinawa-Japanese, respectively. At present, in terms of
      the numbers of loci and individuals profiled, this database is the most
      informative in Japan. Only one instance of mutation was observed among the 51
      Japanese father-son samples tested for the modified 14 loci Haplotype analysis at
      14 Y-STR loci, especially at the modified 14 Y-STR loci, would be more useful in
      forensic fields and in population genetics. 

PMID- 26256733
TI  - Forensic Applications of Y-Short Tandem Repeats.
AB  - Y-short tandem repeats (STRs) are located in the nonrecombining part of the Y
      chromosome. Its genetic characteristics are helpful to paternity testing. The
      male lineage can be pursued over several generations. Since an overwhelming
      majority of rape or sexual assault cases involve male suspects, these markers
      proved to be very useful with mixed stains. Routine casework performed in our
      laboratory has demonstrated that Y-STRs analysis can detect minimal amounts of
      male DNA in a stain. Analysis of Y-STRs should be conducted even when preliminary
      tests for the presence of sperms are negative or when the analysis of autosomal
      STRs shows no male component in the mixed stains. 

PMID- 26256734
TI  - Advantages and Disadvantages of Y-Short Tandem Repeat Testing in Forensic
      Casework.
AB  - Y-chromosome-specific human DNA markers can be a useful tool in forensic
      casework. Several case scenarios are presented to point out the advantages and
      disadvantages of Y-STR testing over autosomal STR testing. The main advantage of
      the Y-STR approach is the ability to detect the male component even in extreme
      mixtures of male and female DNA. It is also useful for rapid screening of large
      number of stains and the determination of the number of semen donors for mixtures
      of two or more male individuals. The main disadvantage is the inability to
      distinguish between male relatives and the limitations of the haplotype frequency
      approach. 

PMID- 26256735
TI  - Forensic Casework Applications Using Y-PLEXTM 6 and Y-PLEXTM 5 Systems.
AB  - Analysis for Y-chromosome short tandem repeat (Y-STR) loci has become a useful
      tool in resolving difficult cases, particularly with evidence samples containing
      mixtures of male and female DNA. The Y-PLEXTM 6 and Y-PLEXTM 5 systems have been
      validated and used in forensic cases. A total of 188 samples, which included 127
      evidence samples, have been analyzed using Y-PLEXTM 6 and Y-PLEXTM 5 systems. The
      evidence sample types included fingernails, sperm, epithelial cells, blood, and
      tissue. The results from five cases are discussed. The results from Y-PLEXTM 6
      kits have accepted in several jurisdictions throughout the United States. 

PMID- 26256736
TI  - Are older adults living in more equal counties healthier than older adults living
      in more unequal counties? A propensity score matching approach.
AB  - We assessed the potential contextual effect of income inequality on health by: 1)
      comparing individuals with similar socioeconomic status (SES) but who reside in
      counties with different levels of income inequality; and 2) examining whether the
      potential effect of county-level income inequality on health varies across SES
      groups. We used the Health and Retirement Study, a nationally representative
      study of Americans over the age of 50. Using propensity score matching, we
      selected SES-comparable individuals living in high-income inequality counties and
      in low-income inequality counties. We examined differences in self-rated overall
      health outcomes and in other specific physical/mental health outcomes between the
      two groups using logistic regression (n = 34,994) and imposing different sample
      restrictions based on residential duration in the area. We then used logistic
      regression with interactions to assess whether, and if so how, health outcomes
      differed among participants of different SES groups defined by wealth, income,
      and education. In bivariate analyses of the unmatched full sample, adults living
      in high-income inequality counties have worse health outcomes for most health
      measures. After propensity score matching, adults in high-income inequality
      counties had worse self-rated health status (AOR = 1.12; 95% CI 1.04-1.19) and
      were more likely to report diagnosed psychiatric problems (AOR = 1.08; 95% CI
      0.99-1.19) than their matched counterparts in low-income inequality counties.
      These associations were stronger with longer-term residents in the area. Adverse
      health outcomes associated with living in high-income inequality counties were
      significant particularly for individuals in the 30(th) or greater percentiles of
      income/wealth distribution and those without a college education. In summary,
      after using more precise matching methods to compare individuals with similar
      characteristics and addressing measurement error by excluding more recently
      arrived county residents, adults living in high-income inequality counties had
      worse reported overall physical and mental health than adults living in low
      income inequality counties. 

PMID- 26256738
TI  - Remote cerebellar haemorrhage from site of craniotomy: A report of two cases.
AB  - Remote cerebellar haemorrhage (RCH) is a rare complication of neurosurgical
      procedures seldom requiring intervention. We report two cases of RCH. The first
      unilateral RCH is asymptomatic, the other is bilateral and associated with
      supratentorial haemorrhage and hydrocephalus requiring intervention. We propose
      multiple foci of haemorrhage as an adverse prognostic marker in RCH.

PMID- 26256737
TI  - Automated compromised right lung segmentation method using a robust atlas-based
      active volume model with sparse shape composition prior in CT.
AB  - To resolve challenges in image segmentation in oncologic patients with severely
      compromised lung, we propose an automated right lung segmentation framework that
      uses a robust, atlas-based active volume model with a sparse shape composition
      prior. The robust atlas is achieved by combining the atlas with the output of
      sparse shape composition. Thoracic computed tomography images (n=38) from
      patients with lung tumors were collected. The right lung in each scan was
      manually segmented to build a reference training dataset against which the
      performance of the automated segmentation method was assessed. The quantitative
      results of this proposed segmentation method with sparse shape composition
      achieved mean Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) of (0.72, 0.81) with 95% CI, mean
      accuracy (ACC) of (0.97, 0.98) with 95% CI, and mean relative error (RE) of
      (0.46, 0.74) with 95% CI. Both qualitative and quantitative comparisons suggest
      that this proposed method can achieve better segmentation accuracy with less
      variance than other atlas-based segmentation methods in the compromised lung
      segmentation.

PMID- 26256739
TI  - Classical imaging findings in spinal subdural hematoma - "Mercedes-Benz" and
      "Cap" signs.

PMID- 26256741
TI  - [The peritoneum is a full specific organ, requiring specific pathological exams].

PMID- 26256740
TI  - Fibrinogen production is enhanced in an in-vitro model of non-alcoholic fatty
      liver disease: an isolated risk factor for cardiovascular events?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the major cause of excess
      mortality in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The aim of
      this study was to investigate the individual contribution of NAFLD to CVD risk
      factors in the absence of pathogenic influences from other comorbidities often
      found in NAFLD patients, by using an established in-vitro model of hepatic
      steatosis. METHODS: Histopathological events in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
      were recapitulated by focused metabolic nutrient overload of hepatoblastoma C3A
      cells, using oleate-treated-cells and untreated controls for comparison.
      Microarray and proteomic data from cell culture experiments were integrated into
      a custom-built systems biology database and proteogenomics analysis performed.
      Candidate genes with significant dysregulation and concomitant changes in protein
      abundance were identified and STRING association and enrichment analysis
      performed to identify putative pathogenic pathways. RESULTS: The search strategy
      yielded 3 candidate genes that were specifically and significantly up-regulated
      in nutrient-overloaded cells compared to untreated controls: fibrinogen alpha
      chain (2.2 fold), fibrinogen beta chain (2.3 fold) and fibrinogen gamma chain
      (2.1 fold) (all rank products pfp <0.05). Fibrinogen alpha and gamma chain also
      demonstrated significant concomitant increases in protein abundance (3.8-fold and
      2.0-fold, respectively, p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In-vitro modelling of NAFLD and
      reactive oxygen species formation in nutrient overloaded C3A cells, in the
      absence of pathogenic influences from other comorbidities, suggests that NAFLD is
      an isolated determinant of CVD. Nutrient overload-induced up-regulation of all
      three fibrinogen component subunits of the coagulation cascade provides a
      possible mechanism to explain the excess CVD mortality observed in NAFLD
      patients.

PMID- 26256742
TI  - Interplay of medication errors and the separation of dispensing.

PMID- 26256743
TI  - [Side effects of anticancer treatment and the needs for translational research on
      toxicity: a clinician's perspective].

PMID- 26256744
TI  - [A challenge to overcome stomatitis of cancer patients treated with
      chemotherapy].

PMID- 26256745
TI  - [Establishment of new cancer cachexia rat model and evaluation of a promising
      medicine based on pathophysiology of this model - the mechanism by which
      rikkunshito ameliorates cancer cachexia].

PMID- 26256746
TI  - [Pain relieving effect of platelet-activating factor (PAF) antagonists in a bone
      cancer pain model].

PMID- 26256747
TI  - [New molecular basis in the regulation of lipolysis via dephosphorylation].

PMID- 26256748
TI  - [From the connectome to brain function: rabies virus tools for elucidating
      structure and function of neural circuits].

PMID- 26256749
TI  - [Pharmacological profile and clinical efficacy of human anti-human PD-1 antibody
      nivolumab (OPDIVO(r)) as a new immune checkpoint inhibitor].

PMID- 26256750
TI  - [Role-play for pharmacology education: active learning through the Case &
      Communication based approach].

PMID- 26256751
TI  - [Photoactivated adenylyl cyclase, a new optogenetic tool for neurobiology].

PMID- 26256752
TI  - Vertical jumping biomechanical evaluation through the use of an inertial sensor
      based technology.
AB  - Progress in micro-electromechanical systems has turned inertial sensor units
      (IUs) into a suitable tool for vertical jumping evaluation. In total, 9 men and 8
      women were recruited for this study. Three types of vertical jumping tests were
      evaluated in order to determine if the data provided by an IU placed at the
      lumbar spine could reliably assess jumping biomechanics and to examine the
      validity of the IU compared with force plate platform recordings. Robust
      correlation levels of the IU-based jumping biomechanical evaluation with respect
      to the force plate across the entire analysed jumping battery were found. In this
      sense, significant and extremely large correlations were found when raw data of
      both IU and force plate-derived normalised force-time curves were compared.
      Furthermore, significant and mainly moderate correlation levels were also found
      between both instruments when isolated resultant forces' peak values of
      predefined jumping phases of each manoeuvre were analysed. However, Bland and
      Altman graphical representation demonstrated a systematic error in the
      distribution of the data points within the mean +/-1.96 SD intervals. Using IUs,
      several biomechanical variables such as the resultant force-time curve patterns
      of the three different vertical jumps analysed were reliably measured. 

PMID- 26256753
TI  - Accuracy and repeatability of an inertial measurement unit system for field-based
      occupational studies.
AB  - The accuracy and repeatability of an inertial measurement unit (IMU) system for
      directly measuring trunk angular displacement and upper arm elevation were
      evaluated over eight hours (i) in comparison to a gold standard, optical motion
      capture (OMC) system in a laboratory setting, and (ii) during a field-based
      assessment of dairy parlour work. Sample-to-sample root mean square differences
      between the IMU and OMC system ranged from 4.1 degrees  to 6.6 degrees  for the
      trunk and 7.2 degrees -12.1 degrees  for the upper arm depending on the
      processing method. Estimates of mean angular displacement and angular
      displacement variation (difference between the 90th and 10th percentiles of
      angular displacement) were observed to change <4.5 degrees  on average in the
      laboratory and <1.5 degrees  on average in the field per eight hours of data
      collection. Results suggest the IMU system may serve as an acceptable instrument
      for directly measuring trunk and upper arm postures in field-based occupational
      exposure assessment studies with long sampling durations. Practitioner Summary:
      Few studies have evaluated inertial measurement unit (IMU) systems in the field
      or over long sampling durations. Results of this study indicate that the IMU
      system evaluated has reasonably good accuracy and repeatability for use in a
      field setting over a long sampling duration. 

PMID- 26256754
TI  - Supramolecular Ga4L6(12-) Cage Photosensitizes 1,3-Rearrangement of Encapsulated
      Guest via Photoinduced Electron Transfer.
AB  - The K12Ga4L6 supramolecular cage is photoactive and enables an unprecedented
      photoreaction not observed in bulk solution. Ga4L6(12-) cages photosensitize the
      1,3-rearrangement of encapsulated cinnamylammonium cation guests from the linear
      isomer to the higher energy branched isomer when irradiated with UVA light. The
      rearrangement requires light and guest encapsulation to occur. The Ga4L6(12-)
      cage-mediated reaction mechanism was investigated by UV/vis absorption,
      fluorescence, ultrafast transient absorption, and electrochemical experiments.
      The results support a photoinduced electron transfer mechanism for the 1,3
      rearrangement, in which the Ga4L6(12-) cage absorbs photons and transfers an
      electron to the encapsulated cinnamylammonium ion, which undergoes C-N bond
      cleavage, followed by back electron transfer to the cage and recombination of the
      guest fragments to form the higher energy isomer. 

PMID- 26256755
TI  - Characterization of Folic Acid and Poly(amidoamine) Dendrimer Interactions with
      Folate Binding Protein: A Force-Pulling Study.
AB  - Atomic force microscopy force-pulling experiments have been used to measure the
      binding forces between folic acid (FA) conjugated poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM)
      dendrimers and folate binding protein (FBP). The generation 5 (G5) PAMAM
      conjugates contained an average of 2.7, 4.7, and 7.2 FA per dendrimer. The most
      probable rupture force was measured to be 83, 201, and 189 pN for G5-FA2.7, G5
      FA4.7, and G5-FA7.2, respectively. Folic acid blocking experiments for G5-FA7.2
      reduced the frequency of successful binding events and increased the magnitude of
      the average rupture force to 274 pN. The force data are interpreted as arising
      from a network of van der Waals and electrostatic interactions that form between
      FBP and G5 PAMAM dendrimer, resulting in a binding strength far greater than that
      expected for an interaction between FA and FBP alone. 

PMID- 26256756
TI  - Synthesis of oligodiaminomannoses and analysis of their RNA duplex binding
      properties and their potential application as siRNA-based drugs.
AB  - The synthesis of artificial cationic oligodiaminosaccharides, alpha-(1 -> 4)
      linked-2,6-diamino-2,6-dideoxy-d-mannopyranose oligomers (ODAMans), and their
      interactions with RNA duplexes are described. The monomer through the pentamer,
      all of which bear unnatural 2,6-diaminomannose moieties, were successfully
      prepared. UV melting and fluorescence anisotropy analyses revealed that the
      ODAMans bound and thermodynamically stabilized both 12mer RNA duplexes and an
      siRNA. Furthermore, it was clearly shown that the siRNA acquired substantial
      RNase A resistance due to its binding to the ODAMan 4mer. 

PMID- 26256758
TI  - Online probing quantum dots and engineered enzyme self-assembly in a nanoliter
      scale.
AB  - Nanoparticles provide significantly enhanced binding characteristics. However,
      fast online probing of the self-assembly process remains hard to achieve in
      practice. Herein, we report a fluorescence coupled CE method for probing the self
      assembly events between quantum dots (QDs) and engineered Jumonji domain
      containing protein 6 (Jmjd6) enzyme. QDs and Jmjd6 were sequentially injected
      into the capillary, where the self-assembly took place in a nanoliter scale. In
      particular, we showed that the Jmjd6/QD ratio, the interval time, and the
      injection volume had a great effect on the online self-assembly. The current
      approach may allow for a better understanding of QDs-enzyme self-assembly and
      enzymatic activity detection. 

PMID- 26256759
TI  - A novel clinicogenetic prognostic score for follicular lymphoma.

PMID- 26256761
TI  - Disparities in cancer mortality for elderly poor in the USA.

PMID- 26256762
TI  - Urine test can detect early stage pancreatic cancer.

PMID- 26256760
TI  - Integration of gene mutations in risk prognostication for patients receiving
      first-line immunochemotherapy for follicular lymphoma: a retrospective analysis
      of a prospective clinical trial and validation in a population-based registry.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Follicular lymphoma is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous
      disease, but the prognostic value of somatic mutations has not been
      systematically assessed. We aimed to improve risk stratification of patients
      receiving first-line immunochemotherapy by integrating gene mutations into a
      prognostic model. METHODS: We did DNA deep sequencing to retrospectively analyse
      the mutation status of 74 genes in 151 follicular lymphoma biopsy specimens that
      were obtained from patients within 1 year before beginning immunochemotherapy
      consisting of rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and
      prednisone (R-CHOP). These patients were recruited between May 4, 2000, and Oct
      20, 2010, as part of a phase 3 trial (GLSG2000). Eligible patients had
      symptomatic, advanced stage follicular lymphoma and were previously untreated.
      The primary endpoints were failure-free survival (defined as less than a partial
      remission at the end of induction, relapse, progression, or death) and overall
      survival calculated from date of treatment initiation. Median follow-up was 7.7
      years (IQR 5.5-9.3). Mutations and clinical factors were incorporated into a risk
      model for failure-free survival using multivariable L1-penalised Cox regression.
      We validated the risk model in an independent population-based cohort of 107
      patients with symptomatic follicular lymphoma considered ineligible for curative
      irradiation. Pretreatment biopsies were taken between Feb 24, 2004, and Nov 24,
      2009, within 1 year before beginning first-line immunochemotherapy consisting of
      rituximab, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CVP). Median follow
      up was 6.7 years (IQR 5.7-7.6). FINDINGS: We established a clinicogenetic risk
      model (termed m7-FLIPI) that included the mutation status of seven genes (EZH2,
      ARID1A, MEF2B, EP300, FOXO1, CREBBP, and CARD11), the Follicular Lymphoma
      International Prognostic Index (FLIPI), and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group
      (ECOG) performance status. In the training cohort, m7-FLIPI defined a high-risk
      group (28%, 43/151) with 5-year failure-free survival of 38.29% (95% CI 25.31
      57.95) versus 77.21% (95% CI 69.21-86.14) for the low-risk group (hazard ratio
      [HR] 4.14, 95% CI 2.47-6.93; p<0.0001; bootstrap-corrected HR 2.02), and
      outperformed a prognostic model of only gene mutations (HR 3.76, 95% CI 2.10
      6.74; p<0.0001; bootstrap-corrected HR 1.57). The positive predictive value and
      negative predictive value for 5-year failure-free survival were 64% and 78%,
      respectively, with a C-index of 0.80 (95% CI 0.71-0.89). In the validation
      cohort, m7-FLIPI again defined a high-risk group (22%, 24/107) with 5-year
      failure-free survival of 25.00% (95% CI 12.50-49.99) versus 68.24% (58.84-79.15)
      in the low-risk group (HR 3.58, 95% CI 2.00-6.42; p<0.0001). The positive
      predictive value for 5-year failure-free survival was 72% and 68% for negative
      predictive value, with a C-index of 0.79 (95% CI 0.69-0.89). In the validation
      cohort, risk stratification by m7-FLIPI outperformed FLIPI alone (HR 2.18, 95% CI
      1.21-3.92), and FLIPI combined with ECOG performance status (HR 2.03, 95% CI 1.12
      3.67). INTERPRETATION: Integration of the mutational status of seven genes with
      clinical risk factors improves prognostication for patients with follicular
      lymphoma receiving first-line immunochemotherapy and is a promising approach to
      identify the subset at highest risk of treatment failure. FUNDING: Deutsche
      Krebshilfe, Terry Fox Research Institute.

PMID- 26256763
TI  - Physiological concentrations of albumin favor drug binding.
AB  - The ability to track drug binding and release makes electron paramagnetic
      resonance (EPR) spectroscopy well suited for drug delivery studies. Using the
      continuous wave (cw) EPR technique to extract information about the dynamics of
      the spin labeled drugs we can simultaneously determine the bound and unbound
      drugs. Here, spin labeled salicylic acid (SLSA) binding to and release from
      bovine serum albumin (BSA) is investigated, as a model for drug-transport protein
      interaction. We studied SLSA-BSA binding in a wide concentration range and found
      that the stoichiometry of the drug-protein increases significantly when the
      physiological range of BSA concentration is reached. Our EPR results explicitly
      reveal that up to ~7 SLSA can bind to one albumin at the physiological
      concentration, whereas at lower BSA concentrations (<0.125 mM) the SLSA-BSA
      stoichiometry is maximum 2. Moreover, we studied drug release and showed that the
      ratio of bound to unbound SLSA concentrations remains relatively stable during
      dialysis. This indicates that the binding equilibrium of SLSA is not altered
      through the process of dialysis. This study demonstrates that cw EPR spectroscopy
      in combination with spin labeled drugs is an effective technique for binding and
      release studies and stoichiometric analysis of drug-protein interactions. 

PMID- 26256765
TI  - Accumulation and effects of sediment-associated silver nanoparticles to sediment
      dwelling invertebrates.
AB  - Sediment is increasingly recognized as the major sink for contaminants including
      nanoparticles (NPs). Thus, sediment-living organisms are especially susceptible
      to NP exposure. Studies of the fate and effects of NPs in the sediment matrix are
      still in their infancy, and data from such studies are in high demand. Here, we
      examine the effects of exposure to sediment mixed with either aqueous Ag
      (administered as AgNO3) or Ag NPs (13nm, citrate-capped) at a nominal exposure
      concentration of 100MUg Ag/g dry weight sediment on four benthic invertebrates:
      two clones of the gastropod Potamopyrgus antipodarum (clones A and B) and two
      polychaete species (Capitella teleta, Capitella sp. S). Our results show that
      both species sensitivity and Ag form (aqueous Ag, Ag NPs) play a role in
      bioaccumulation and effects. Following two weeks of exposure, both clones of P.
      antipodarum were found to be insensitive towards both Ag forms (generally low Ag
      accumulation, no toxicity). In contrast, the two Capitella species varied widely
      with respect to Ag uptake and observed toxicity. Capitella sp. S was adversely
      affected by both aqueous Ag (mortality) and Ag NPs (growth), whereas C. teleta
      was not affected by either Ag form. For neither polychaete species was the
      observed toxicity directly related to bioaccumulation. Therefore, future nano
      ecotoxicological research should focus on understanding differences in uptake and
      handling mechanisms among species and the relationship between bioaccumulation
      and toxicity. 

PMID- 26256764
TI  - Paclitaxel-induced lung injury and its amelioration by parecoxib sodium.
AB  - To investigate the mechanism of paclitaxel-induced lung injury and its
      amelioration by parecoxib sodium. In this study, rats were randomly divided into:
      the control group (Con); the paclitaxel chemotherapy group (Pac); the paclitaxel+
      parecoxib sodium intervention group (Pac + Pare); and the parecoxib sodium group
      (Pare). We observed changes in alveolar ventilation function, alveolar-capillary
      membrane permeability, lung tissue pathology and measured the levels of
      inflammatory cytokines and cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) in lung tissue, the
      expression of tight junction proteins (Zo-1 and Claudin-4). Compared with the Con
      group, the lung tissue of the Pac group showed significantly increased expression
      of Cox-2 protein (p < 0.01), significant lung tissue inflammatory changes,
      significantly increased expression of inflammatory cytokines, decreased
      expression of Zo-1 and Claudin-4 proteins (p < 0.01), increased alveolar
      capillary membrane permeability (p < 0.01), and reduced ventilation function (p <
      0.01). Notably, in Pac + Pare group, intraperitoneal injection of parecoxib
      sodium led to decreased Cox-2 and ICAM-1 levels and reduced inflammatory
      responses, the recovered expression of Zo-1 and Claudin-4, reduced level of
      indicators reflecting the high permeability state, and close-to-normal levels of
      ventilation function. Intervention by the Cox-2-specific inhibitor parecoxib
      sodium can block this damage.

PMID- 26256767
TI  - Col2-Cre and tamoxifen-inducible Col2-CreER target different cell populations in
      the knee joint.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Collagen type 2 (Col2)-Cre or tamoxifen-inducible Col2-CreER
      transgenic mouse lines have been used for studies to explore the cellular and
      molecular pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA). The purpose of this study is to
      investigate whether the targeted cells are the same or different in the two mouse
      lines. METHODS: We crossed tamoxifen inducible Col2-CreER and Col2-Cre mice with
      Rosa tdTomato reporter mice and analyzed the labeling patterns at different time
      points. RESULTS: In the Col2-CreER mice, 90.8 [95% confidence interval (CI)
      (88.3, 93.2)] and 82.8 (77.4, 88.3) % of the articular surface cells are Tomato
      positive when tamoxifen was administered at 2 and 2.5 weeks of age and strong
      activity was observed even 4.5 months after injection. However, 46.0 (32.8, 59.1)
      and 22.2 (11.7, 32.6) % of the surface cells were Tomato positive when tamoxifen
      was administered at 3 and 4 weeks of age, respectively. Little to no Tomato
      activity in the articular surface cells was observed when tamoxifen was
      administered at 8 weeks of age. At any stage of tamoxifen injection, the Tomato
      activity was detected in growth plate and epiphyseal bone in addition to
      articular chondrocytes, but little in endosteum and not in the synovium and
      ligament. In contrast, the targeted tissues in the Col2-Cre mouse line were
      articular cartilage, growth plate, meniscus, endosteum, ligament, bone and
      synovium. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that the pattern of targeted cells
      in the inducible Col2-CreER mice are partially overlapping with but different
      from that of targeted cells in Col2-Cre mice and the pattern varies dependent on
      when tamoxifen is administered.

PMID- 26256766
TI  - Systemic administration of strontium or NBD peptide ameliorates early stage
      cartilage degradation of mouse mandibular condyles.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine whether mandibular condylar cartilage degradation induced
      by experimentally abnormal occlusion could be ameliorated via systemic
      administration of strontium or NBD peptide. METHODS: Six-week-old female C57BL/6J
      mice were used. From the seventh day after mock operation or unilateral anterior
      crossbite (UAC) treatment, the control and UAC mice were further respectively
      pharmacologically treated for 2 weeks or 4 weeks of saline (CON + Saline and UAC
      + Saline groups), SrCl2 (CON + SrCl2 and UAC + SrCl2 groups) or NBD peptide (CON
      + NBD peptide and UAC + NBD peptide groups). Changes in condylar cartilage and
      subchondral bone were assessed 21 and 35 days after mock operation or UAC
      procedure by histology and micro-CT. Real-time PCR and/or immunohistochemistry
      (IHC) were performed to evaluate changes in expression levels of col2a1,
      aggrecan, ADAMTS-5, tnf-alpha, il-1beta, nfkbia, nuclear factor-kappaB phospho
      p65 in condylar cartilage, and rankl/rank/opg in both condylar cartilage and
      subchondral bone. RESULTS: Cartilage degradation with decreased col2a1 and
      aggrecan expression, and increased ADAMTS-5, tnf-alpha/il1-beta, nfkbia and NF
      kappaB phospho-p65 was observed in UAC + Saline groups. Subchondral bone loss
      with increased osteoclast numbers and decreased opg/rankl ratio was found in UAC
      + Saline groups compared to age-match CON + Saline groups. Cartilage degradation
      and subchondral bone loss were reversed by treatment of SrCl2 or NBD peptide
      while the same dosage in control mice induced few changes in condylar cartilage
      and subchondral bone. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate reverse effect of
      systemic administration of strontium or NBD peptide on UAC-induced condylar
      cartilage degradation and subchondral bone loss.

PMID- 26256768
TI  - Cdon promotes neural crest migration by regulating N-cadherin localization.
AB  - Neural crest cells (NCCs) are essential embryonic progenitor cells that are
      unique to vertebrates and form a remarkably complex and coordinated system of
      highly motile cells. Migration of NCCs occurs along specific pathways within the
      embryo in response to both environmental cues and cell-cell interactions within
      the neural crest population. Here, we demonstrate a novel role for the putative
      Sonic hedgehog (Shh) receptor and cell adhesion regulator, cdon, in zebrafish
      neural crest migration. cdon is expressed in developing premigratory NCCs but is
      downregulated once the cells become migratory. Knockdown of cdon results in
      aberrant migration of trunk NCCs: crestin positive cells can emigrate out of the
      neural tube but stall shortly after the initiation of migration. Live cell
      imaging analysis demonstrates reduced directedness of migration, increased
      velocity and mispositioned cell protrusions. In addition, transplantation
      analysis suggests that cdon is required cell-autonomously for directed NCC
      migration in the trunk. Interestingly, N-cadherin is mislocalized following cdon
      knockdown suggesting that the role of cdon in NCCs is to regulate N-cadherin
      localization. Our results reveal a novel role for cdon in zebrafish neural crest
      migration, and suggest a mechanism by which Cdon is required to localize N
      cadherin to the cell membrane in migratory NCCs for directed migration. 

PMID- 26256770
TI  - Phosphorene: Synthesis, Scale-Up, and Quantitative Optical Spectroscopy.
AB  - Phosphorene, a two-dimensional (2D) monolayer of black phosphorus, has attracted
      considerable theoretical interest, although the experimental realization of
      monolayer, bilayer, and few-layer flakes has been a significant challenge. Here,
      we systematically survey conditions for liquid exfoliation to achieve the first
      large-scale production of monolayer, bilayer, and few-layer phosphorus, with
      exfoliation demonstrated at the 10 g scale. We describe a rapid approach for
      quantifying the thickness of 2D phosphorus and show that monolayer and few-layer
      flakes produced by our approach are crystalline and unoxidized, while air
      exposure leads to rapid oxidation and the production of acid. With large
      quantities of 2D phosphorus now available, we perform the first quantitative
      measurements of the material's absorption edge-which is nearly identical to the
      material's band gap under our experimental conditions-as a function of flake
      thickness. Our interpretation of the absorbance spectrum relies on an analytical
      method introduced in this work, allowing the accurate determination of the
      absorption edge in polydisperse samples of quantum-confined semiconductors. Using
      this method, we found that the band gap of black phosphorus increased from 0.33
      +/- 0.02 eV in bulk to 1.88 +/- 0.24 eV in bilayers, a range that is larger than
      that of any other 2D material. In addition, we quantified a higher-energy optical
      transition (VB-1 to CB), which changes from 2.0 eV in bulk to 3.23 eV in
      bilayers. This work describes several methods for producing and analyzing 2D
      phosphorus while also yielding a class of 2D materials with unprecedented
      optoelectronic properties. 

PMID- 26256769
TI  - A Multicomponent Intervention to Improve Primary Care Provider Adherence to
      Chronic Opioid Therapy Guidelines and Reduce Opioid Misuse: A Cluster Randomized
      Controlled Trial Protocol.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Prescription opioid misuse is a significant public health problem as
      well as a patient safety concern. Primary care providers (PCPs) are the leading
      prescribers of opioids for chronic pain, yet few PCPs follow standard practice
      guidelines regarding assessment and monitoring. This cluster randomized
      controlled trial will determine whether four implementation strategies; nurse
      care management, use of a patient registry, academic detailing, and electronic
      tools, will increase PCP adherence to chronic opioid therapy guidelines and
      reduce opioid misuse among patients, relative to electronic tools alone. The
      implementation strategies and intervention content are based on the chronic care
      model. METHODS: We include 53 PCPs from three Boston-area community health
      centers and one urban safety-net hospital-based primary care practice who have at
      least four patients meeting the following inclusion criteria: 1) age>=18; 2) one
      or more completed visits to the primary care practice in the past year; 3) long
      term opioid treatment defined as three or more opioid prescriptions written at
      least 21days apart within 6months and 4) an inpatient or outpatient ICD-9-CM
      diagnosis for musculoskeletal or neuropathic pain. We consider PCPs to be study
      subjects, and obtained a waiver of informed consent for patients because the
      study is promoting an established standard of care. We enrolled participants
      (PCPs) from December 2012 through March 2015. PCPs were randomized to receive the
      intervention, which includes four components: 1) nurse care management, 2) use of
      a patient registry, 3) academic detailing, and 4) electronic tools, or a control
      condition, which includes only the use of the electronic tools. The intervention
      PCPs receive the services of a nurse-managed registry for planning individual
      patient care and conducting population-based care for patients receiving opioids
      for chronic pain. In academic detailing visits, trained co-investigators provide
      intervention PCPs with individualized education to change prescribing practice.
      Electronic tools, located on a web site external to the EMR, www.mytopcare.org,
      include validated instruments to assess patient status, and management resources
      to facilitate PCP adherence to suggested monitoring. Electronic tools are
      available to PCPs in both study arms. The primary outcomes are PCP adherence to
      chronic opioid therapy guidelines and patient opioid misuse. Secondary outcomes
      include measures of substance abuse, possible opioid diversion, and level of
      opioid risk among patients. We will follow PCPs and their estimated 1200 chronic
      pain patients for 1year after study enrollment. To determine whether the
      intervention condition achieves greater adherence to guidelines and reduced
      opioid misuse after 1year compared to the control condition, we will compare the
      baseline and follow-up measures of the individual patients, stratifying by
      intervention status and noting differences that are statistically significant at
      the p=0.05 level. Analyses will be based on intent-to-treat. RESULTS:
      Randomization resulted in groups with similar baseline characteristics. The ages
      of PCPs are evenly distributed, with inclusion of both PCPs who have recently
      completed training and those who have been in practice for more than 20years. Two
      thirds of enrolled PCPs are women, and one-third are non-white. DISCUSSION: The
      study will determine the impact of this multicomponent intervention on improving
      PCP adherence to guidelines and reducing opioid misuse among patients.

PMID- 26256771
TI  - Detecting a Local Cohort Effect for Cancer Mortality Data Using a Varying
      Coefficient Model.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cancer mortality is increasing with the aging of the population in
      Japan. Cancer information obtained through feasible methods is therefore becoming
      the basis for planning effective cancer control programs. There are three time
      related factors affecting cancer mortality, of which the cohort effect is one.
      Past descriptive epidemiologic studies suggest that the cohort effect is not
      negligible in cancer mortality. METHODS: In this paper, we develop a statistical
      method for automatically detecting a cohort effect and assessing its statistical
      significance for cancer mortality data using a varying coefficient model.
      RESULTS: The proposed method was applied to liver and lung cancer mortality data
      on Japanese men for illustration. Our method detected significant positive or
      negative cohort effects. The relative risk was 1.54 for liver cancer mortality in
      the cohort born around 1934 and 0.83 for lung cancer in the cohort born around
      1939. CONCLUSIONS: Cohort effects detected using the proposed method agree well
      with previous descriptive epidemiologic findings. In addition, the proposed
      method is expected to be sensitive enough to detect smaller, previously
      undetected birth cohort effects.

PMID- 26256772
TI  - Dynapenic Obesity and Prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes in Middle-Aged Japanese Men.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The independent and combined associations of muscle strength and
      obesity on the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in Japanese men remain unclear.
      METHODS: Hand grip strength was cross-sectionally evaluated between 2011 and 2013
      to assess muscle strength in 5039 male workers aged 40 to 64 years. Weight and
      height were measured, and overweight/obesity was defined as a body mass index
      >=25 kg/m(2). The prevalence of type 2 diabetes, defined as fasting plasma
      glucose >=126 mg/dL and/or hemoglobin A1c >=6.5% and/or self-reported physician
      diagnosed diabetes, was evaluated. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals
      (95% CI) for the prevalence of type 2 diabetes were obtained using a logistic
      regression model. RESULTS: In total, 611 participants had type 2 diabetes, and
      1763 participants were overweight/obese. After adjustment for covariates, we
      found an inverse association between muscle strength and the prevalence of type 2
      diabetes (P for trend <0.01). In addition, when the analyses were stratified by
      obesity status, the multivariable-adjusted OR per 2-standard-deviation increase
      in muscle strength was 0.64 (95% CI, 0.49-0.83) in the overweight/obese group,
      compared to a weaker relationship in the normal-weight group (OR 0.79 per 2
      standard-deviation increase; 95% CI, 0.60-1.06). CONCLUSIONS: Dynapenia, an age
      related decrease in muscle strength, is associated with increased prevalence of
      type 2 diabetes, and this relationship is stronger in overweight/obese middle
      aged Japanese men than in normal-weight men.

PMID- 26256773
TI  - Splenectomy Correlates With Increased Risk of Pyogenic Liver Abscess: A
      Nationwide Cohort Study in Taiwan.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Little is known about the risk of pyogenic liver abscess in patients
      with splenectomy. We explored the relationship between splenectomy and pyogenic
      liver abscess in Taiwan. METHODS: We conducted a nationwide cohort analysis using
      the hospitalization dataset of the Taiwan National Health Insurance Program. We
      included 17,779 subjects aged 20-84 years who underwent splenectomy in 1998 to
      2010 (splenectomy group) and 70,855 randomly selected subjects without
      splenectomy (non-splenectomy group). Both groups were matched by sex, age, other
      comorbidities, and hospitalization year of receiving splenectomy. The incidence
      of pyogenic liver abscess at the end of 2011 was measured. The multivariable Cox
      proportional hazard regression model was used to estimate the hazard ratios and
      95% confidence intervals for pyogenic liver abscess associated with splenectomy
      and other comorbidities. RESULTS: The overall incidence rate was 3.75-fold higher
      in the splenectomy group than that in the non-splenectomy group (2.15 vs 0.57 per
      1000 person-years; 95% confidence interval, 3.57-3.94). After controlling for
      potential confounding factors, the adjusted hazard ratio of pyogenic liver
      abscess was 3.89 in subjects with splenectomy (95% confidence interval, 3.20
      4.72) when compared with subjects without splenectomy. In further analysis, the
      hazard ratio markedly increased to 14.34 for those with splenectomy and having
      any of the assessed comorbidities, including alcoholism, biliary stone, chronic
      kidney disease, chronic liver diseases, and diabetes mellitus (95% confidence
      interval, 10.61-19.39). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with splenectomy are at an
      increased risk of developing pyogenic liver abscess, particularly when they have
      comorbid conditions.

PMID- 26256774
TI  - Factor structure of the Childhood Autism Rating Scale as per DSM-5.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The DSM-5 recently proposed new diagnostic criteria for autism
      spectrum disorder (ASD). Although many new or updated tools have been developed
      since the DSM-IV was published in 1994, the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS)
      has been used consistently in ASD diagnosis and research due to its technical
      adequacy, cost-effectiveness, and practicality. Additionally, items in the CARS
      did not alter following the release of the revised DSM-IV because the CARS factor
      structure was found to be consistent with the revised criteria after factor
      analysis. For that reason, in this study confirmatory factor analysis was used to
      identify the factor structure of the CARS. METHOD: Participants (n = 150)
      consisted of children with an ASD diagnosis or who met the criteria for broader
      autism or emotional/behavior disorder with comorbid disorders such as attention
      deficit hyperactivity disorder, bipolar disorder, intellectual or developmental
      disabilities. Previous studies used one-, two-, and four-factor models, all of
      which we examined to confirm the best-fit model on confirmatory factor analysis.
      RESULTS: Appropriate comparative fit indices and root mean square errors were
      obtained for all four models. The two-factor model, based on DSM-5 criteria, was
      the most valid and reliable. The inter-item consistency of the CARS was 0.926 and
      demonstrated adequate reliability, thereby supporting the validity and
      reliability of the two-factor model of CARS. CONCLUSIONS: Although CARS was
      developed prior to the introduction of DSM-5, its psychometric properties,
      conceptual relevance, and flexible administration procedures support its
      continued role as a screening device in the diagnostic decision-making process.

PMID- 26256775
TI  - Two microporous MOFs constructed from different metal cluster SBUs for selective
      gas adsorption.
AB  - Two microporous MOFs have been constructed from different metal cluster SBUs.
      Both of them exhibit highly selective CO2 adsorption capacity over CH4 and N2
      owing to their abundant active sites. 

PMID- 26256776
TI  - In silico spatial simulations reveal that MCC formation and excess BubR1 are
      required for tight inhibition of the anaphase-promoting complex.
AB  - In response to the activation of the mitotic spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC),
      distinct inhibitory pathways control the activity of the anaphase-promoting
      complex (APC/C). It remains unclear whether the different regulatory mechanisms
      function in separate pathways or as part of an integrated signalling system.
      Here, five variant models of APC/C regulation were constructed and analysed. The
      simulations showed that all variant models were able to reproduce the wild type
      behaviour of the APC. However, only one model, which included both the mitotic
      checkpoint complex (MCC) as well as BubR1 as direct inhibitors of the APC/C, was
      able to reproduce both wild and mutant type behaviour of APC/C regulation.
      Interestingly, in this model, the MCC as well as the BubR1 binding rate to the
      APC/C was comparable to the known Cdc20-Mad2 binding rate and could not be made
      higher. Mad2 active transport towards the spindle mid-zone accelerated the
      inhibition speed of the APC/C but not its concentration level. The presented
      study highlights the principle that a systems biology approach is critical for
      the SAC mechanism and could also be used for predicting hypotheses to design
      future experiments. The presented work has successfully distinguished between
      five potent inhibitors of the APC/C using a systems biology approach. Here, the
      favoured model contains both BubR1 and MCC as direct inhibitors of the APC/C. 

PMID- 26256777
TI  - Rapid and accurate liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry method for
      the simultaneous quantification of ten metabolic reactions catalyzed by hepatic
      cytochrome P450 enzymes.
AB  - The hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes play a central role in the biotransformation
      of endogenous and exogenous substances. A sensitive high-throughput liquid
      chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry assay was developed and validated
      for the simultaneous quantification of the products of ten metabolic reactions
      catalyzed by hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes. After the substrates were incubated
      separately, the samples were pooled and analyzed by liquid chromatography with
      tandem mass spectrometry using an electrospray ionization source in the positive
      and negative ion modes. The method exhibited linearity over a broad concentration
      range, insensitivity to matrix effects, and high accuracy, precision, and
      stability. The novel method was successfully applied to study the kinetics of
      phenacetin-O deethylation, coumarin-7 hydroxylation, bupropion hydroxylation,
      taxol-6 hydroxylation, omeprazole-5 hydroxylation, dextromethorphan-O
      demethylation, tolbutamide-4 hydroxylation, chlorzoxazone-6 hydroxylation,
      testosterone-6beta hydroxylation, and midazolam-1 hydroxylation in rat liver
      microsomes. 

PMID- 26256778
TI  - Antiviral therapy in seasonal influenza and 2009 H1N1 pandemic influenza: Korean
      experiences and perspectives.
AB  - Influenza is a major cause of substantial morbidity and mortality in humans every
      year. Vaccination is the main strategy to prevent influenza infection, but
      antiviral agents also play an important role in the control of both seasonal and
      pandemic influenza. During the influenza A/H1N1 pandemic in 2009, early prompt
      antiviral therapy may have reduced the severity of the influenza outcomes
      including pneumonia, hospitalization and mortality in the Republic of Korea.
      Since the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, there have been increasing usages of antiviral
      agents for the treatment of patients with seasonal influenza. Although currently
      rare, antiviral resistance among influenza viruses may emerge and increase with
      increased use of neuraminidase inhibitors. New agents with different modes of
      action are under investigation, including favipiravir, DAS181, nitazoxanide and
      broad-spectrum neutralizing monoclonal antibodies. Data are limited with respect
      to high-dose and combination antiviral therapies. So, clinical trials are
      warranted to evaluate diverse antiviral combinations that may be synergistic and
      less likely to induce breakthrough resistance. 

PMID- 26256781
TI  - Role, perspective and knowledge of Iranian critical care nurses about breaking
      bad news.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Given the issue of caring critically ill patients, nurses are
      involved in the process of breaking bad news in critical care units, while little
      research has been conducted on this challenging issue. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of
      this study was to determine the role, perspective and knowledge of Iranian
      critical care nurses regarding breaking bad news. METHODS: This descriptive study
      was conducted on a sample of 160 nurses working in critical care units of
      hospitals affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Stratified and
      quota sampling methods were used. The data collection tool was a four-part
      questionnaire with validity and reliability confirmed via content validity and
      test-retest, respectively. RESULTS: The study showed that most critical care
      nurses were involved in breaking bad news, with different roles. The majority of
      participants (91.2%) had a positive attitude towards involvement of nurses in
      breaking bad news. In this study, 78.8% of nurses had moderate knowledge about
      how to break bad news, and only a few had good level of knowledge (16.2%).
      CONCLUSION: According to the findings, while critical care nurses took different
      roles in the process of breaking bad news and they had positive attitude towards
      participation in this process, yet their knowledge about this process was
      inadequate. Thus, designing educational programmes to enhance critical care
      nurses' knowledge and skills in this area seems necessary.

PMID- 26256782
TI  - Sequence-based typing characterization of the novel HLA-DRB3*01:16 allele,
      identified in an Italian family.
AB  - The novel DRB1*01:16 allele differs for G to T substitution at position 595 from
      DRB3*01:01P. 

PMID- 26256783
TI  - A modified Kampala trauma score (KTS) effectively predicts mortality in trauma
      patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mortality prediction in trauma patients has relied upon injury
      severity scoring tools focused on anatomical injury. This study sought to examine
      whether an injury severity scoring system which includes physiologic data
      performs as well as anatomic injury scores in mortality prediction. METHODS:
      Using data collected from 18 Level I trauma centers and 51 non-trauma center
      hospitals in the US, anatomy based injury severity scores (ISS), new injury
      severity scores (NISS) were calculated as were scores based on a modified version
      of the physiology-based Kampala trauma score (KTS). Because pre-hospital
      intubation, when required, is standard of care in the US, a modified KTS was
      calculated excluding respiratory rate. The predictive ability of the modified KTS
      for mortality was compared with the ISS and NISS using receiver operating
      characteristic (ROC) curves. RESULTS: A total of 4716 individuals were eligible
      for study. Each of the three scores was a statistically significant predictor of
      mortality. In this sample, the modified KTS significantly outperformed the ISS
      (AUC=0.83, 95% CI 0.81-0.84 vs. 0.77, 95% CI 0.76-0.79, respectively) and
      demonstrated similar predictive ability compared to the NISS (AUC=0.83, 95% CI
      0.81-0.84 vs. 0.82, 95% CI 0.80-0.83, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The modified
      KTS may represent a useful tool for assessing trauma mortality risk in real time,
      as well as in administrative data where physiologic measures are available.
      Further research is warranted and these findings suggest that the collection of
      physiologic measures in large databases may improve outcome prediction.

PMID- 26256784
TI  - Total and subtotal amputation of lower limbs treated by acute shortening,
      revascularization and early limb lengthening with ilizarov ring fixation - a
      retrospective study.
AB  - We present the results of 15 patients who sustained total or subtotal traumatic
      amputation of the lower limbs who were treated by acute limb shortening and
      stabilisation with external fixator, revascularization and early lengthening with
      Ilizarov ring fixator. The mean age of the patients was 28 years [5-38]. There
      were three females and 12 males. The mean Mangled Extremity Severity Score was
      8.5 [range 6-11]. The mean amount of shortening done was 6.9cm [range 3-12.5] to
      enable revascularization and soft tissue repair. Three cases had to be amputated
      early because of failure of vascular repair. In the remaining 12 patients who
      were followed up the mean interval between revascularization and application of
      Ilizarov ring fixator was 4.7 weeks [range 3-10]. The mean follow up was 6.5
      years [3-16 years]. Union occurred in all patients. Ten of the 12 patients
      returned to work and residual shortening was present in two cases. We conclude
      that whenever possible lower limb salvage should be undertaken. 

PMID- 26256785
TI  - The clamshell incision can be easily taught to both emergency physicians and
      surgeons.

PMID- 26256786
TI  - RNF8 deficiency results in neurodegeneration in mice.
AB  - The progressive loss of neurons causes neurodegenerative diseases. Because the
      accumulation of DNA breaks results in neuronal apoptosis, the lack of a variety
      of DNA damage repair-related proteins contributes to neurodegeneration. The
      ubiquitin ligase RNF8 plays an important role in DNA double-strand break repair
      via histone ubiquitination. However, the function of RNF8 in terminally
      differentiated neurons remains unknown. This study aimed to determine whether
      RNF8 is involved in the DNA damage response in neurons and contributes to
      neurodegeneration. Here, we present evidence suggesting that RNF8 deficiency
      results in DNA damage accumulation and neuronal apoptosis. RNF8(-/-) mice exhibit
      neuronal degeneration and reactive astrocytosis. Neurons from RNF8(-/-) mice
      appear to be more susceptible to X-ray-induced DNA damage. These changes were
      consistent with the behavioral performances of the RNF8-deficient mice, which
      included impaired performances in the open-field test and step-down avoidance
      task. Overall, these findings show that RNF8 is required for DNA damage repair in
      neurons. RNF8 deficiency is sufficient to cause neuronal pathology and cognitive
      decline, and the loss of RNF8 results in neuron degeneration.

PMID- 26256787
TI  - Sulcal morphology as a new imaging marker for the diagnosis of early onset
      Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - We investigated the utility of sulcal width measures in the diagnosis of
      Alzheimer's disease (AD). Sixty-six biologically confirmed AD patients (positive
      amyloid positron emission tomography [PET] and/or AD cerebrospinal fluid profile)
      were contrasted to 35 controls with negative amyloid PET. Patients were
      classified into prodromal or dementia stages as well as into late onset (LOAD, n
      = 31) or early onset (EOAD, n = 35) subgroups according to their age of onset. An
      automated method was used to calculate sulcal widths and hippocampal volumes
      (HV). In EOAD, the greatest ability to differentiate patients from age-matched
      controls, regardless of severity, was displayed by sulcal width of the
      temporoparietal cortex. In this region, diagnosis accuracy was better than the
      HV, especially at prodromal stage. In LOAD, HV provided the best discrimination
      power from age-matched controls. In conclusion, sulcal width measures are better
      markers than the HV for identifying prodromal AD in patients aged <65 years. In
      contrast, in older patients, the risk of over-diagnosis from using only sulcal
      enlargement is important. 

PMID- 26256788
TI  - The yin and yang of hepatitis C: synthesis and decay of hepatitis C virus RNA.
AB  - Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an unusual RNA virus that has a striking capacity to
      persist for the remaining life of the host in the majority of infected
      individuals. In order to persist, HCV must balance viral RNA synthesis and decay
      in infected cells. In this Review, we focus on interactions between the positive
      sense RNA genome of HCV and the host RNA-binding proteins and microRNAs, and
      describe how these interactions influence the competing processes of viral RNA
      synthesis and decay to achieve stable, long-term persistence of the viral genome.
      Furthermore, we discuss how these processes affect hepatitis C pathogenesis and
      therapeutic strategies against HCV. 

PMID- 26256791
TI  - Jumping depends on impulse not power.

PMID- 26256789
TI  - Bacterial protein networks: properties and functions.
AB  - Distinct cellular functions are executed by separate groups of proteins,
      organized into complexes or functional modules, which are ultimately
      interconnected in cell-wide protein networks. Understanding the structures and
      operational modes of these networks is one of the next great challenges in
      biology, and microorganisms are at the forefront of research in this field. In
      this Review, we present our current understanding of bacterial protein networks,
      their general properties and the tools that are used for systematically mapping
      and characterizing them. We then discuss two well-studied examples, the
      chemotaxis network and the cell cycle network in Escherichia coli, to illustrate
      how network architecture promotes function. 

PMID- 26256790
TI  - Baicalin Protects Keratinocytes from Toll-like Receptor-4 Mediated DNA Damage and
      Inflammation Following Ultraviolet Irradiation.
AB  - UVB radiation contributes to both direct and indirect damage to the skin
      including the generation of free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS),
      inflammatory responses, immunosuppression and gene mutations, which can
      ultimately lead to photocarcinogenesis. A plant-derived flavonoid, baicalin, has
      been shown to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and free radical scavenging
      activities. Previous studies from our laboratory have shown that in murine skin,
      Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) enhanced both UVB-induced DNA damage and
      inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of baicalin
      against TLR4-mediated processes in the murine keratinocyte PAM 212 cell line. Our
      results demonstrate that treating keratinocytes with baicalin both before and
      after UV radiation (100 mJ cm(-2) ) significantly inhibited the level of
      intracellular ROS and decreased cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and 8-Oxo-2'
      deoxyguanosine (8-oxo-dG)-markers of DNA damage. Furthermore, cells treated with
      baicalin demonstrated an inhibition of TLR4 and its downstream signaling
      molecules, MyD88, TRIF, TRAF6 and IRAK4. TLR4 pathway inhibition resulted in NF
      kappaB inactivation and down-regulation of iNOS and COX-2 protein expression.
      Taken together, baicalin treatment effectively protected keratinocytes from UVB
      induced inflammatory damage through TLR pathway modulation.

PMID- 26256792
TI  - Microcirculation abnormalities provoked by Loxosceles spiders' envenomation.
AB  - Loxoscelism is caused by envenomation by spiders from Loxosceles genus. Clinical
      symptoms only appear a few hours after envenomation and can evolve in local
      reactions, such as dermonecrosis, and systemic reactions, including intravascular
      haemolysis, intravascular coagulation and renal failure. Considering that
      alterations in the microcirculatory network are involved in the pathogenesis of
      different diseases, including the inflammatory process, the aim of this study was
      to investigate the action of venoms of males and females of Loxosceles intermedia
      and Loxosceles laeta on the microcirculatory network and examine the systemic
      production of inflammatory mediators in a murine model of loxoscelism. We
      observed that during systemic envenomation, the alterations in the
      microcirculation include increase in the number of rolling cells, which was more
      intense in animals injected with female Loxosceles spider venoms. This positively
      correlated with increase in TNF-alpha and NO serum levels, induction of which was
      higher by female venoms when compared with male venoms. The increase of
      leukocytes rolling was not accompanied by increase of cell adhesion. The absence
      of leukocyte extravasation may explain why in mice, in contrast to humans, no
      cutaneous loxoscelism occurs. Thus, targeting the neutrophil adhesion and
      extravasation in Loxosceles envenomed patients may prevent cutaneous pathology. 

PMID- 26256793
TI  - Feeding an army: The metabolism of T cells in activation, anergy, and exhaustion.
AB  - Through the direct control of infection or by providing cytokine signals to other
      cellular players, T cells play a central role in the orchestration of the immune
      response. However, in many disease states, T cells are rendered dysfunctional,
      unable to carry out their effector functions. As T cell activation is
      bioenergetically demanding, some T cell dysfunction can have metabolic
      underpinnings. In this review, we will discuss how T cells are programmed to fuel
      their effector response, and how programmed or pathologic changes can disrupt
      their ability to generate the energy needed to proliferate and carry out their
      critical functions. 

PMID- 26256795
TI  - Glucose-based dialysis fluids inhibit innate defense against Staphylococcus
      aureus.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Staphylococcus aureus peritonitis is a serious complication of
      Chronic Peritoneal Dialysis (CPD) and associated with a higher risk for severe
      and recurrent infections compared with other bacteria. We have previously shown
      that complement-mediated effectors essential for optimal opsonophagocytosis of S.
      aureus are inhibited by high glucose concentrations. Since most commonly used
      peritoneal dialysis (PD) fluids are glucose-based, we hypothesized that glucose
      based PD fluids likely inhibit complement host defenses against S. aureus.
      METHODS: Commercially available PD fluids were tested: glucose-based (Dianeal),
      Dianeal supplemented with amino acids, icodextrin-based (Extraneal) and amino
      acid-based (Nutrineal). Control PD fluid was generated to simulate Dianeal
      excluding the glucose. Three commercially available glucose concentrations were
      tested: Dianeal 1.5% (15 gm/1000 ml), Dianeal 2.5% (25 gm/1000 ml) and Dianeal
      4.25% (42.5 gm/1000 ml). Complement effectors against S. aureus were analyzed
      including opsonization with C3-fragments, anaphylatoxin generation, and
      phagocytosis efficiency. We also evaluated clinical strains, including MRSA
      strains, and specific complement activation pathways. RESULTS: Glucose-based PD
      fluids inhibited complement opsonization of S. aureus (>=7-fold reduction) and
      inhibited S. aureus-induced generation of anaphylatoxins C3a and C5a (>10-fold
      reduction) compared to non-glucose based PD fluids. Dianeal 1.5%, 2.5% and 4.25%,
      all similarly inhibited C3-mediated opsonization. Glucose-based PD fluids showed
      a >=4-fold reduction in opsonization of clinical strains of S.aureus, including
      MRSA strains. Decreased opsonization of S.aureus in the glucose-based PD fluid
      compared with non-glucose based fluids correlated with decreased phagocytosis by
      neutrophils. CONCLUSION: Complement-mediated opsonophagocytosis of S. aureus and
      anaphylatoxin generation were severely inhibited in glucose-based PD fluids
      compared with non-glucose-based PD fluids. By inhibiting complement host
      defenses, glucose-based PD fluids may increase the risk of and severity of S.
      aureus peritonitis for CPD patients using these fluids.

PMID- 26256794
TI  - ErbB3 binding protein 1 (EBP1) participates in the regulation of intestinal
      inflammation via mediating Akt signaling pathway.
AB  - ErbB3 binding protein-1 (EBP1) belongs to a family of DNA/RNA binding proteins
      implicated in cell growth, differentiation and apoptosis. Previous data
      demonstrated that EBP1 regulates phosphorylation of Akt to drive tumor progress.
      However, the expression and biological functions of EBP1 in ulcerative colitis
      (UC) remain unclear. In this study, we reported for the first time that EBP1 was
      down-regulated in intestinal epithelial cell (IECs) of patients with UC. In DSS
      induced colitis, we observed the down-regulation of EBP1 accompanied with the
      elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1beta, IL-6 and IL-8) and Akt
      activation indicators (phosphorylated Akt) in colitis IECs, indicating the
      possible involvement of EBP1 in regulation of intestinal inflammation via
      mediating Akt in UC. Employing the TNF-alpha-treated HT-29 cells as an IEC
      inflammatory model, we confirmed the negative correlation of EBP1 with Akt
      activation and Akt-dependent inflammation progress in vitro. EBP1 knocking down
      and over-expression significantly regulated TNF-alpha-induced Akt activation and
      proinflammatory cytokines expression in HT-29 cells. Taken together, our data
      suggested that EBP1 participates in the regulation of intestinal inflammation via
      mediating Akt signaling pathway. 

PMID- 26256797
TI  - Recent advances in the application of capillary electromigration methods for food
      analysis and Foodomics.
AB  - This review work presents and discusses the main applications of capillary
      electromigration methods in food analysis and Foodomics. Papers that were
      published during the period February 2013-February 2015 are included following
      the previous review by Garcia-Canas et al. (Electrophoresis, 2014, 35, 147-169).
      Analysis by CE of a large variety of food-related molecules with different
      chemical properties, including amino acids, hazardous amines, peptides, proteins,
      phenols, polyphenols, lipids, carbohydrates, DNAs, vitamins, toxins,
      contaminants, pesticides, residues, food additives, as well as small organic and
      inorganic compounds. This work includes recent results on food quality and
      safety, nutritional value, storage, bioactivity, as well as applications of CE
      for monitoring food processing. The use, among other CE developments, of
      microchips, CE-MS, and chiral CE in food analysis and Foodomics is also
      discussed.

PMID- 26256798
TI  - Structural and energetic insight into the interactions between the benzolactam
      inhibitors and tumor marker HSP90alpha.
AB  - The heat shock protein 90alpha (HSP90alpha) provides a promising molecular target
      for cancer therapy. A series of novel benzolactam inhibitors exhibited distinct
      inhibitory activity for HSP90alpha. However, the structural basis for the impact
      of distinct R1 substituent groups of nine benzolactam inhibitors on HSP90alpha
      binding affinities remains unknown. In this study, we carried out molecular
      docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and molecular mechanics and
      generalized Born/surface area (MM-GBSA) binding free energy calculations to
      address the differences. Molecular docking studies indicated that all nine
      compounds presented one conformation in the ATP-binding site of HSP90alpha N
      terminal domain. MD simulations and subsequent MM-GBSA calculations revealed that
      the hydrophobic interactions between all compounds and HSP90alpha contributed the
      most to the binding affinity and a good linear correlation was obtained between
      the calculated and the experimental binding free energies (R=0.88). The per
      residue decomposition revealed that the most remarkable differences of residue
      contributions were found in the residues Ala55, Ile96, and Leu107 defining a
      hydrophobic pocket for the R1 group, consistent with the analysis of binding
      modes. This study may be helpful for the future design of novel HSP90alpha
      inhibitors. 

PMID- 26256799
TI  - Analysis of image-based phenotypic parameters for high throughput gene
      perturbation assays.
AB  - Although image-based phenotypic assays are considered a powerful tool for siRNA
      library screening, the reproducibility and biological implications of various
      image-based assays are not well-characterized in a systematic manner. Here, we
      compared the resolution of high throughput assays of image-based cell count and
      typical cell viability measures for cancer samples. It was found that the optimal
      plating density of cells was important to obtain maximal resolution in both types
      of assays. In general, cell counting provided better resolution than the cell
      viability measure in diverse batches of siRNAs. In addition to cell count,
      diverse image-based measures were simultaneously collected from a single
      screening and showed good reproducibility in repetitions. They were classified
      into a few functional categories according to biological process, based on the
      differential patterns of hit (i.e., siRNAs) prioritization from the same
      screening data. The presented systematic analyses of image-based parameters
      provide new insight to a multitude of applications and better biological
      interpretation of high content cell-based assays. 

PMID- 26256800
TI  - MATEPRED-A-SVM-Based Prediction Method for Multidrug And Toxin Extrusion (MATE)
      Proteins.
AB  - The growth and spread of drug resistance in bacteria have been well established
      in both mankind and beasts and thus is a serious public health concern. Due to
      the increasing problem of drug resistance, control of infectious diseases like
      diarrhea, pneumonia etc. is becoming more difficult. Hence, it is crucial to
      understand the underlying mechanism of drug resistance mechanism and devising
      novel solution to address this problem. Multidrug And Toxin Extrusion (MATE)
      proteins, first characterized as bacterial drug transporters, are present in
      almost all species. It plays a very important function in the secretion of
      cationic drugs across the cell membrane. In this work, we propose SVM based
      method for prediction of MATE proteins. The data set employed for training
      consists of 189 non-redundant protein sequences, that are further classified as
      positive (63 sequences) set comprising of sequences from MATE family, and
      negative (126 sequences) set having protein sequences from other transporters
      families proteins and random protein sequences taken from NCBI while in the test
      set, there are 120 protein sequences in all (8 in positive and 112 in negative
      set). The model was derived using Position Specific Scoring Matrix (PSSM)
      composition and achieved an overall accuracy 92.06%. The five-fold cross
      validation was used to optimize SVM parameter and select the best model. The
      prediction algorithm presented here is implemented as a freely available web
      server MATEPred, which will assist in rapid identification of MATE proteins. 

PMID- 26256801
TI  - An efficient approach for the prediction of ion channels and their subfamilies.
AB  - Ion channels are integral membrane proteins that are responsible for controlling
      the flow of ions across the cell. There are various biological functions that are
      performed by different types of ion channels. Therefore for new drug discovery it
      is necessary to develop a novel computational intelligence techniques based
      approach for the reliable prediction of ion channels families and their
      subfamilies. In this paper random forest based approach is proposed to predict
      ion channels families and their subfamilies by using sequence derived features.
      Here, seven feature vectors are used to represent the protein sample, including
      amino acid composition, dipeptide composition, correlation features, composition,
      transition and distribution and pseudo amino acid composition. The minimum
      redundancy and maximum relevance feature selection is used to find the optimal
      number of features for improving the prediction performance. The proposed method
      achieved an overall accuracy of 100%, 98.01%, 91.5%, 93.0%, 92.2%, 78.6%, 95.5%,
      84.9%, MCC values of 1.00, 0.92, 0.88, 0.88, 0.90, 0.79, 0.91, 0.81 and ROC area
      values of 1.00, 0.99, 0.99, 0.99, 0.99, 0.95, 0.99 and 0.96 using 10-fold cross
      validation to predict the ion channels and non-ion channels, voltage gated ion
      channels and ligand gated ion channels, four subfamilies (calcium, potassium,
      sodium and chloride) of voltage gated ion channels, and four subfamilies of
      ligand gated ion channels and predict subfamilies of voltage gated calcium,
      potassium, sodium and chloride ion channels respectively. 

PMID- 26256802
TI  - Cavities create a potential back door in epoxide hydrolase Rv1938 from
      Mycobacterium tuberculosis-A molecular dynamics simulation study.
AB  - Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is the causative organism of tuberculosis.
      Extensively drug resistant strains and latency have posed formidable challenges
      in the treatment of tuberculosis. The current study addresses an alpha/beta
      hydrolase fold bearing enzyme, epoxide hydrolase Rv1938 from Mtb. Epoxide
      hydrolases are involved in detoxification processes, catabolism and regulation of
      signaling molecules. Using GROMACS, a 100ns Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulation
      was performed for Rv1938. Cavities were identified within the protein at various
      time frames of the simulation and their volumes were computed. During MD
      simulation, in addition to the substrate binding cavity, opening of two new
      cavities located behind the active site was observed. These cavities may be
      similar to the backdoor proposed for acetylcholinesterase. Structural
      superimposition of epoxide hydrolase from Mtb with the epoxide hydrolase of
      Agrobacterium radiobacter1 AD1 (Ephy) indicates that cavity1 in Mtb lies at an
      identical position to that of the water tunnel in Ephy. Further, docking of the
      substrate and an inhibitor with protein structures obtained from MD simulation at
      various time frames was also performed. The potential role of these cavities is
      discussed. 

PMID- 26256803
TI  - Physical activity, sedentary behavior time and lipid levels in the Observation of
      Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Luxembourg study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recently attention has been drawn to the health impacts of time spent
      engaging in sedentary behaviors. While many studies have investigated general
      physical activity (PA) in relation to blood lipid levels, the current study aimed
      to examine the intensity of activity, including sedentary behavior time, and time
      spent engaging in moderate and intense PA, with concentrations of HDL and LDL
      cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglycerides. METHODS: Participants
      comprised 1331 individuals, aged 18 to 70 years, from the Observation of
      Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Luxembourg (ORISCAV-LUX) study, who underwent
      objective cardiovascular health assessments and completed the International
      Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Time spent engaging in sedentary
      behaviors (screen time on a workday and a day off, and total sitting time on a
      work day), and moderate and intense PA, were related to levels of HDL and LDL
      cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglycerides. Analyses were conducted in the
      whole sample, and then with stratification according to BMI (normal weight versus
      overweight/obese). RESULTS: Both lower screen time during days off and higher
      intense PA time were significantly associated with higher HDL-cholesterol after
      full adjustment for socio-demographic factors, dietary factors and smoking (both
      p < 0.05). In normal weight individuals, consistent positive relations between
      triglycerides, LDL, and total cholesterol with all sedentary behavior time
      variables were observed (all p < 0.05; adjusted for age, education, gender).
      There were no statistically significant associations between any intensity level
      of PA or sedentary behavior time variable and lipid levels in those overweight or
      obese. CONCLUSIONS: Spending less time in sedentary behaviors, and engaging in
      medium levels of intense physical activity may be associated with a more
      favorable blood lipid profile, particularly with regard to levels of HDL and
      triglycerides.

PMID- 26256804
TI  - Spherical protein plug in the dilated branch duct of the pancreas.

PMID- 26256805
TI  - Self-Assembly of Cations in Aqueous Solutions of Hydroxyl-Functionalized Ionic
      Liquids: Molecular Dynamics Studies.
AB  - The effect of presence of a hydroxyl-functionalized alkyl chain of varying carbon
      number on the self-assembly of cations in aqueous solutions of 1-(n-hydroxyalkyl)
      3-decylimidazolium bromide (where the alkyl groups are ethyl, butyl, heptyl, and
      decyl) has been studied using atomistic molecular dynamics simulations.
      Spontaneous self-assembly of cations to form aggregates with hydrophobic core and
      hydrophilic surface is observed. The shape of the aggregates changes from
      quasispherical in the case of cations with hydroxyheptyl or smaller substituent
      chain, to a thin film like intercalated aggregate in the case of cations with
      hydroxydecyl chain. Cations with hydroxydecyl substituent chain exhibit long
      range spatial correlations, and the anions are associated with cations to a
      greater extent due to the higher surface charge density of the aggregate. The
      ordered film like aggregate is stabilized by the dispersion interactions between
      the intercalated substituent chains and the intermolecular hydrogen bonds formed
      between the alkoxy oxygen atoms and the hydrogen atoms of the imidazolium ring.
      The cations form less compact aggregates with lower aggregation number than their
      nonhydroxyl analogues in the corresponding aqueous solutions. The intracationic
      and aggregate structures are governed by the length of the hydroxyalkyl chain. 

PMID- 26256806
TI  - Mental health inpatient experiences of adults with intellectual disability.
AB  - This paper presents findings from a study exploring the mental health inpatient
      care of people with a dual disability of intellectual disability and mental
      health issues from the perspective of those people with the dual disability. A
      mixture of semi-structured interviews and focus group interviews were carried out
      with nine participants who had been admitted to an inpatient unit for mental
      health care exploring their experience of care. Interviews were transcribed and
      analyzed using open coding and Leximancer (an online data mining tool) analysis
      to identify dominant themes in the discourse. Analysis revealed themes around
      'Therapeutic and Meaningful Activity', 'Emotion Focussed Care', and 'Feeling
      Safe?' Participants were able to identify the aspects of inpatient care that
      worked for them in terms of coping with time in hospital. This research suggests
      that there are several factors that should be considered in providing effective
      mental health inpatient care for people with dual disability. A number of
      strategies and recommendations for responding to their needs are identified and
      discussed. 

PMID- 26256807
TI  - Antibiotic profiling of Clostridium difficile ribotype 176--A multidrug resistant
      relative to C. difficile ribotype 027.
AB  - Antibiotic profiling of twenty Czech Clostridium difficile PCR-ribotype 176
      isolates revealed a high level of resistance to erythromycin, ciprofloxacin and
      moxifloxacin (n = 20) and to rifampicin (n = 13). Accumulation of resistance
      mechanisms to multiple antibiotics highlight that PCR-ribotype 176 belong to
      problematic epidemic strains.

PMID- 26256808
TI  - Fluticasone propionate in clinically suspected asthma patients with negative
      methacholine challenge test.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Despite reports of response to steroid inhaler in some clinically
      suspected asthma patients with negative methacholine challenge test (CSA/MCT-),
      treatment in these patients has not been prospectively studied. OBJECTIVE: We
      studied the role of a 12 week high dose inhaled fluticasone trial in CSA/MCT-
      patients. METHODS: After a 2 week run-in period, CSA/MCT-patients were treated
      with 12 weeks of Fluticasone propionate 1000 ug/day. The Asthma Control Test
      (ACT), numeric cough score (NCS) and bronchodilator use were compared with their
      pretreatment values. RESULTS: Thirty-four of 42 CSA/MCT-patients completed the
      study. Mean pretreatment ACT score (pACT) was significantly increased after
      treatment (14.7 +/- 3.37 to 20.9 +/- 3.1, P < 0.001). Posttreatment values of
      daytime (1.0 +/- 1.0) and night-time (0.6 +/- 0.9) NCS decreased compared to
      their pretreatment values (2.8 +/- 1.1 and 1.9 +/- 1.3, respectively; P < 0.001).
      ACT score change (DeltaACT) were significantly greater in those with pACT < 15
      than in those >=15 (P < 0.001) . Fifteen of 21 patients with DeltaACT > 5 did not
      need to use bronchodilator for their symptom relief. Wheeze disappeared in all
      six patients with DeltaACT > 5 after the trial. Six months after the study,
      steroid inhaler continued to be used by 72.2% of patients. CONCLUSION: A
      significant portion of CSA/MCT- (especially those with pretreatment ACT score
      <15) respond to high dose fluticasone inhaler in terms of symptoms relief,
      disappearance of wheeze and need to bronchodilator use. DeltaACT could not be
      predicted with any individual symptoms or signs before MCT, % FEV1 decline or
      symptoms during MCT and exhaled nitric oxide.

PMID- 26256809
TI  - Three-dimensional textural features of conventional MRI improve diagnostic
      classification of childhood brain tumours.
AB  - The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of three-dimensional texture
      analysis (3D TA) of conventional MR images for the classification of childhood
      brain tumours in a quantitative manner. The dataset comprised pre-contrast T1 -
      and T2-weighted MRI series obtained from 48 children diagnosed with brain tumours
      (medulloblastoma, pilocytic astrocytoma and ependymoma). 3D and 2D TA were
      carried out on the images using first-, second- and higher order statistical
      methods. Six supervised classification algorithms were trained with the most
      influential 3D and 2D textural features, and their performances in the
      classification of tumour types, using the two feature sets, were compared. Model
      validation was carried out using the leave-one-out cross-validation (LOOCV)
      approach, as well as stratified 10-fold cross-validation, in order to provide
      additional reassurance. McNemar's test was used to test the statistical
      significance of any improvements demonstrated by 3D-trained classifiers.
      Supervised learning models trained with 3D textural features showed improved
      classification performances to those trained with conventional 2D features. For
      instance, a neural network classifier showed 12% improvement in area under the
      receiver operator characteristics curve (AUC) and 19% in overall classification
      accuracy. These improvements were statistically significant for four of the
      tested classifiers, as per McNemar's tests. This study shows that 3D textural
      features extracted from conventional T1 - and T2-weighted images can improve the
      diagnostic classification of childhood brain tumours. Long-term benefits of
      accurate, yet non-invasive, diagnostic aids include a reduction in surgical
      procedures, improvement in surgical and therapy planning, and support of
      discussions with patients' families. It remains necessary, however, to extend the
      analysis to a multicentre cohort in order to assess the scalability of the
      techniques used.

PMID- 26256810
TI  - Mitochondrial DNA Heteroplasmy.
AB  - Heteroplasmy, the presence of more than one type of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in
      an individual, holds implications for forensic analysis of specimens such as
      blood, hair, and skeletal material. That is, what can we conclude about the
      likelihood that heteroplasmic specimens could or could not be from known
      individuals? Originally believed to be quite rare in healthy individuals, we now
      know that heteroplasmy exists at some level in all tissues on a predominantly
      homoplasmic background. A substantial body of general literature covers the
      biological origins of heteroplasmy, especially its transmission to new offspring
      and during life, the methodology for its detection, and its distribution in
      different tissues. In addition, the forensic community has contributed many
      observations on the characteristic appearance of heteroplasmy in relevant regions
      of the mtDNA control region and its appropriate treatment in forensic science. As
      a result of this growing understanding of a relatively simple biological
      phenomenon, we conclude that heteroplasmy can be expected to play a role in
      forensic interpretation on a regular basis, and that knowledge of its biological
      underpinnings contribute to just, conservative, and scientifically appropriate
      interpretational guidelines. 

PMID- 26256811
TI  - Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms and Microarray Technology in Forensic Genetics -
      Development and Application to Mitochondrial DNA.
AB  - Variations in the genome, due to base substitutions, insertions, or deletions at
      single positions, are known as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).
      Approximately 85% of human variation is based on such polymorphisms. Therefore,
      there is an abundance of human SNPs that are available for forensic identity
      testing purposes. SNP analyses also may be suitable for some forensic identity
      cases, because they can be detected in smallsized amplicons, allowing for genetic
      analysis of substantially degraded DNA. While SNP analysis is unlikely to replace
      short tandem repeat loci typing for routine casework, SNPs may prove useful for
      certain circumstances, for example, typing mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Although
      sequencing mtDNA enables detection of all SNPs contained within the region of
      interest, it is currently not a practical approach for simultaneously typing SNPs
      that reside throughout the entire mtDNA genome. A variety of alternate methods to
      detect SNPs are available that may facilitate mtDNA analysis. All the methods
      include amplification, typically by the polymerase chain reaction, of the region
      containing the SNP of interest. Most assays are based on either hybridization of
      a probe to amplified product or primer extension chemistry, and multiplexing is
      possible. Some of these methodologies are: chips, SNaP shotTM, Luminex 100TM,
      SNPstream(r) UHT, and PyrosequencingTM. SNP analysis of mtDNA, both in the
      noncoding and coding regions, has been demonstrated using a number of these
      formats. 

PMID- 26256812
TI  - Phylogenetics and Mitochondrial DNA.
AB  - Phylogenetic analysis can be conducted using a variety of methods, generally
      classified as distancebased or character-based approaches. Patterns found through
      phylogenetic analysis of human mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences have revealed
      a wealth of information in such disparate fields as the human evolution; the
      movement of human lineages throughout history (phylogeography); and the
      susceptibility of certain groups to devastating diseases. Forensic mtDNA analysis
      has also benefited from the use of these methods. Phylogenetic assessment of
      forensic mtDNA databases has revealed a consistency with published data at a
      depth of analysis that is not attainable with basic population genetic methods.
      The detailed characteristics of specific sites within a mtDNA sequence are best
      assessed using phylogenetic methods. These studies have identified the most
      informative sites for individual differentiation, while also providing quality
      assurance metrics to apply to individual mtDNA profiles or entire databases. Such
      a level of evaluation and understanding enhances the interpretation of forensic
      casework. 

PMID- 26256813
TI  - Naming the Dead - Confronting the Realities of Rapid Identification of Degraded
      Skeletal Remains.
AB  - The Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL) is one of the leading
      laboratories in the world for the processing of degraded skeletal remains.
      Extended efforts have been made to develop protocols and standards that will hold
      up to the intense scrutiny of both the scientific world and the U.S. legal
      system. Presented in this paper are the specifics of the in-house systems and
      procedures that have allowed AFDIL to streamline the processing of degraded
      skeletal remains and family references for mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis.
      These include the development of our in-house bioinformatics systems by which
      every package and sample that passes through the laboratory is tracked; protocols
      designed specifically for both questioned and reference samples; and the
      difficulties inherent in this type of organization. Two case studies presented
      involve one of ancient remains and one on the recent event of September 11, 2001.
      Finally, future directions available to both AFDIL and the DNA analysis community
      as a whole are discussed. 

PMID- 26256814
TI  - Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia with QT Prolongation.
AB  - The QT interval in patients with catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular
      tachycardia (CPVT) is typically normal. However, CPVT patients are sometimes
      misdiagnosed as concealed long QT syndrome (LQTS), because patients with LQTS
      also manifest with syncope or sudden death following periods of exertion or
      extreme emotion. We report a CPVT patient with a pathogenic RyR2 mutation
      associated with a marked QT prolongation, which normalized after flecainide
      therapy. 

PMID- 26256815
TI  - The Intersection Between Prevention Science and Evidence-Based Policy: How the
      SPR Evidence Standards Support Human Services Prevention Programs.
AB  - The revised Society for Prevention Research (SPR) standards of evidence are an
      exciting advance in the field of prevention science. We appreciate the
      committee's vision that the standards represent goals to aspire to rather than a
      set of benchmarks for where prevention science is currently. The discussion about
      the standards highlights how much has changed in the field over the last 10 years
      and as knowledge, theory, and methods continue to advance, the new standards push
      the field toward increasing rigor and relevance. This commentary discusses how
      the revised standards support work of translating high-quality evaluations to
      support evidence-based policy and work supporting evidence-based programs'
      ability to implement at scale. The commentary ends by raising two areas,
      generating evidence at scale and transparency of research, as additional areas
      for consideration in future standards.

PMID- 26256817
TI  - Evaluating, understanding and improving the quality of clinical placements for
      undergraduate nurses: A practice development approach.
AB  - Supervision and support is central to sustainability of clinical placement
      experiences of undergraduate nurses, but open to influences that impact nurses'
      capacity to undertake the role. Whilst supervision of learners is integral to the
      role of health care professionals, the primary responsibility is to deliver safe
      and effective care. Supervision of learners in practice is impacted by low levels
      of organisational support, variable individual preparedness, and lack of feedback
      and recognition for the role from education and industry partners. Over a period
      of five years the Quality Clinical Placement Evaluation research team, consisting
      of a partnership between health care and tertiary sectors have developed, and
      utilised a practice development approach to understand and support the quality of
      clinical placement for undergraduates and supervising ward nurses involved in
      Tasmanian clinical placement programs. Importantly, the approach evolved over
      time to be a flexible three step program supporting the translation of findings
      to practice, comprised of an education session related to supervision support;
      survey distribution to undergraduates and supervising ward nurses following
      clinical placement; and workshops where stakeholders come together to consider
      findings of the survey, their experience and the local context, with resultant
      actions for change. This paper reports on findings from the program after
      successful implementation in urban tertiary hospitals as it was implemented in
      non-traditional clinical placement settings, including community, aged care and
      rural settings. Feedback from clinicians identifies the utility of the three step
      program across these settings. The unique partnerships and approach to
      evaluating, understanding and improving quality of clinical placements has
      potential for transferability to other areas, with the value of findings
      established for all stakeholders. 

PMID- 26256816
TI  - Parameterization of an effective potential for protein-ligand binding from host
      guest affinity data.
AB  - Force field accuracy is still one of the "stalemates" in biomolecular modeling.
      Model systems with high quality experimental data are valuable instruments for
      the validation and improvement of effective potentials. With respect to protein
      ligand binding, organic host-guest complexes have long served as models for both
      experimental and computational studies because of the abundance of binding
      affinity data available for such systems. Binding affinity data collected for
      cyclodextrin (CD) inclusion complexes, a popular model for molecular recognition,
      is potentially a more reliable resource for tuning energy parameters than
      hydration free energy measurements. Convergence of binding free energy
      calculations on CD host-guest systems can also be obtained rapidly, thus offering
      the opportunity to assess the robustness of these parameters. In this work, we
      demonstrate how implicit solvent parameters can be developed using binding
      affinity experimental data and the binding energy distribution analysis method
      (BEDAM) and validated using the Grid Inhomogeneous Solvation Theory analysis.
      These new solvation parameters were used to study protein-ligand binding in two
      drug targets against the HIV-1 virus and improved the agreement between the
      calculated and the experimental binding affinities. This work illustrates how
      benchmark sets of high quality experimental binding affinity data and physics
      based binding free energy models can be used to evaluate and optimize force
      fields for protein-ligand systems. Copyright (c) 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. 

PMID- 26256818
TI  - Combined Aortic Resection and Stent Graft Insertion for Local Recurrence of
      Metastatic Lung Carcinoma Following Stereotactic Radiotherapy: A Case Report.
AB  - Stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) is a useful treatment for malignant ling tumors.
      However, SRT is associated with complications such as high local recurrence rate
      and radiation-induced lung injury. Herein, we report a case of combined aortic
      resection for after SRT. An 82-year-old man underwent SRT for the metastatic lung
      carcinoma of rectal cancer at left lower lobe. Three years later, chest computed
      tomography showed local recurrence at the site of radiotherapy, with suspected
      invasion of the descending aorta. Thoracotomy was performed after metastatic lung
      carcinoma interpolation of a stent graft in the descending aorta. Because the
      tumor firmly adhered to the aorta, left lower lung lobe and aortic wall resection
      was performed. Pathological findings revealed fibrous hypertrophy and adhesion
      between the visceral pleura and aorta. As shown in our case, combined aortic
      resection and stent graft insertion is an effective minimally invasive and safe
      treatment for SRT-induced tissue damage. 

PMID- 26256819
TI  - Hydrogenation of Graphene by Reaction at High Pressure and High Temperature.
AB  - The chemical reaction between hydrogen and purely sp(2)-bonded graphene to form
      graphene's purely sp(3)-bonded analogue, graphane, potentially allows the
      synthesis of a much wider variety of novel two-dimensional materials by opening a
      pathway to the application of conventional chemistry methods in graphene.
      Graphene is currently hydrogenated by exposure to atomic hydrogen in a vacuum,
      but these methods have not yielded a complete conversion of graphene to graphane,
      even with graphene exposed to hydrogen on both sides of the lattice. By heating
      graphene in molecular hydrogen under compression to modest high pressure in a
      diamond anvil cell (2.6-5.0 GPa), we are able to react graphene with hydrogen and
      propose a method whereby fully hydrogenated graphane may be synthesized for the
      first time. 

PMID- 26256820
TI  - Designed, Helical Protein Nanotubes with Variable Diameters from a Single
      Building Block.
AB  - Due to their structural and mechanical properties, 1D helical protein assemblies
      represent highly attractive design targets for biomolecular engineering and
      protein design. Here we present a designed, tetrameric protein building block,
      Zn8R4, which assembles via Zn coordination interactions into a series of
      crystalline, helical nanotubes whose widths can be controlled by solution
      conditions. X-ray crystallography and transmission electron microscopy (TEM)
      measurements indicate that all classes of protein nanotubes are constructed
      through the same 2D arrangement of Zn8R4 tetramers held together by Zn
      coordination. The mechanical properties of these nanotubes are correlated with
      their widths. All Zn8R4 nanotubes are found to be highly flexible despite
      possessing crystalline order, owing to their minimal interbuilding-block
      interactions mediated solely by metal coordination. 

PMID- 26256822
TI  - Head kinematics during shaking associated with abusive head trauma.
AB  - Abusive head trauma (AHT) is a potentially fatal result of child abuse but the
      mechanisms of injury are controversial. To address the hypothesis that shaking
      alone is sufficient to elicit the injuries observed, effective computational and
      experimental models are necessary. This paper investigates the use of a coupled
      rigid-body computational modelling framework to reproduce in vivo shaking
      kinematics in AHT. A sagittal plane OpenSim computational model of a lamb was
      developed and used to interpret biomechanical data from in vivo shaking
      experiments. The acceleration of the head during shaking was used to provide in
      vivo validation of the associated computational model. Results of this study
      demonstrated that peak accelerations occurred when the head impacted the torso
      and produced acceleration magnitudes exceeding 200ms(-)(2). The computational
      model demonstrated good agreement with the experimental measurements and was
      shown to be able to reproduce the high accelerations that occur during impact.
      The biomechanical results obtained with the computational model demonstrate the
      utility of using a coupled rigid-body modelling framework to describe infant head
      kinematics in AHT.

PMID- 26256821
TI  - Joint attention, shared goals, and social bonding.
AB  - There has recently been interest in the ways in which coordinated movements
      encourage coactors to feel socially closer to one another, but this has generally
      overlooked the importance of necessary precursors to this joint action. Here we
      target two low-level behaviours involved in social coordination that may mediate
      a relationship between joint actions and social bonding, namely joint attention
      and shared goals. Participants engaged in a simple reaction time task while
      sitting next to a partner performing the same task. In a joint attention
      condition, both participants attended to stimuli presented on the same half of a
      computer screen, while in a control condition, they attended to opposite sides of
      the computer screen. Shared goals were manipulated by giving participants the
      instruction to keep below a threshold score for both individual response times
      and accuracy (individual goal), or their joint mean response time and accuracy
      (i.e., averaging their mean response time and accuracy with that of their
      partner: shared goal). Attending to the same side of the screen led to higher
      ratings on a composite social bonding index directed towards a partner, while
      shared goals did not cause any effects on partner ratings. Joint attention was
      sufficient to encourage social closeness with an interaction partner, which
      suggests that any activities which encourage attending to the same point in space
      could have some influence on how connected coactors feel about one another. 

PMID- 26256823
TI  - Neurotoxicity effects of atrazine-induced SH-SY5Y human dopaminergic
      neuroblastoma cells via microglial activation.
AB  - Atrazine (2-chloro-4-ethytlamino-6-isopropylamine-1,3,5-triazine; ATR) is a broad
      spectrum herbicide with a wide range of applications worldwide. However, ATR is
      neurotoxic; it reduces dopamine levels in the substantia nigra and corpus
      striatum in the midbrain, affects the absorption of synaptic vesicles and
      synaptic bodies, and interferes with dopamine storage and uptake in synaptic
      vesicles, leading to neurodegenerative disorders. Microglia are resident
      immunocompetent and phagocytic cells that regulate and participate in the
      microenvironment in the central nervous system. They demonstrate macrophage
      characteristics after activation by releasing inflammatory cytokines and
      neurotoxic substances to increase the inflammatory response, and are thus
      involved in neurodegeneration. The aim of this study was to investigate the
      neurotoxic effects of ATR-activated microglia-mediated neuronal damage in terms
      of human dopaminergic neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell death. ATR was administered to
      BV-2 microglial cells at 12.5, 25, and 50 MUM for 1, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h,
      respectively. ATR increased activated-microglia-induced overexpression of
      reactive oxygen species, inducible nitric oxide synthase, nitric oxide,
      gp91(phox), p47(phox), and the inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha
      and interleukin-1beta, thus reducing SH-SY5Y cell viability. These results
      suggest that activated microglia may play a critical role in inflammation
      mediated dopaminergic neuronal death, and provide the basis for further studies
      on the mechanisms of ATR-induced dopaminergic system toxicity. 

PMID- 26256824
TI  - Photodynamic diagnostic ureterorenoscopy: A valuable tool in the detection of
      upper urinary tract tumour.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Photodynamic diagnosis increases the detection rate and hence
      decreases recurrence rates of urothelial cancer (UC) of the bladder. This
      technique has been implemented in the upper urinary tract and like in the
      bladder, has shown to increase the detection rate of urothelial lesions.
      OBJECTIVES: To determine the sensitivity, specificity, and detection rates for
      photodynamic diagnostic flexible ureterorenoscopy (PDD-FURS) and white light
      ureterorenoscopy (WL-FURS). Design between 2009 and 2013, PDD-FURS was performed
      within 106 Upper urinary tract (UUT) Units (Mean age-72.6+/-9.5). Indications for
      the procedure included abnormal upper urinary tract on imaging, normal flexible
      cystoscopy with abnormal urine cytology, endoscopic treatment and follow-up of
      UUT UC. Oral 5-aminolevulinic acid was used as the photosensitizer administered 3
      4 h pre-operatively. RESULTS: 48 lesions were detected, of which 95.8% (46/48)
      where visualised by PDD-FURS compared to 47.9% (23/48) shown by WL-FURS
      (P<0.0001). PDD-FURS detected significantly more carcinoma in situ (CIS) or
      dysplasia lesions than WL-FURS (93.75% (15/16) vs. 18.75% (3/16), respectively,
      (P=0.0006)). Furthermore, PDD-FURS detected significantly more UC lesions than WL
      FURS (96.9% (31/32) vs. 62.5% (20/32) (P=0.007)). PDD-FURS was more sensitive
      (95.8; range: 85.7-99.5) than WL-FURS (53.5; range: 37.7-68.8) in detecting UUT
      UC (P<0.0001). There was no difference (P=0.716) in the specificity between PDD
      FURS (96.6; range: 88.1-99.6) and WL-FURS (95.2; range: 86.7-99). CONCLUSIONS:
      Our results PDD-FURS with oral 5-ALA as photosensitizer suggest higher
      sensitivity and detection rate of urothelial tumours than WL-FURS, with a good
      safety profile. In our series, PDD-FURS enhanced the visualisation of flat
      lesions, such as CIS and dysplasia that otherwise would have been missed.

PMID- 26256825
TI  - Molecular dynamics investigation of separation of hydrogen sulfide from acidic
      gas mixtures inside metal-doped graphite micropores.
AB  - The separation of poisonous compounds from various process fluids has long been
      highly intractable, motivating the present study on the dynamic separation of H2S
      in acidic-gas-mixture-filled micropores. The molecular dynamics approach, coupled
      with the isothermal-isochoric ensemble, was used to model the molecular
      interactions and adsorption of H2S/CO2/CO/H2O mixtures inside metal-doped
      graphite slits. Due to the difference in the adsorption characteristics between
      the two distinct adsorbent materials, the metal dopant in the graphitic
      micropores leads to competitive adsorption, i.e. the Au and graphite walls
      compete to capture free adsorbates. The effects of competitive adsorption,
      coupled with changes in the gas temperature, concentration, constituent ratio and
      slit width on the constituent separation of mixtures were systematically studied.
      The molecule-wall binding energies calculated in this work (those of H2S, H2O and
      CO on Au walls and those of H2O, CO and CO2 on graphite walls) show good
      agreement with those obtained using density functional theory (DFT) and
      experimental results. The z-directional self-diffusivities (Dz) for adsorbates
      inside the slit ranged from 10(-9) to 10(-7) m(2) s(-1) as the temperature was
      increased from 10 to 500 K. The values are comparable with those for a typical
      microporous fluid (10(-8)-10(-9) m(2) s(-1) in a condensed phase and 10(-6)-10(
      7) m(2) s(-1) in the gaseous state). The formation of H-bonding networks and
      hydrates of H2S is disadvantageous for the separation of mixtures. The results
      indicate that H2S can be efficiently separated from acidic gas mixtures onto the
      Au(111) surface by (i) reducing the mole fraction of H2S and H2O in the mixtures,
      (ii) raising the gas temperature to the high temperature limit (>=400 K), and
      (iii) lowering the slit width to below the threshold dimension (<=23.26 A). 

PMID- 26256826
TI  - Analysis of JAK2V617F mutation in Jordanian patients with myeloproliferative
      neoplasms.
AB  - OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND: Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are heterogeneous
      clonal bone marrow stem cell disorders and include polycythemia vera (PV),
      essential thrombocythemia (ET), and idiopathic myelofibrosis (IMF) neoplasia. In
      2005, the JAK2(V617F) mutation was identified in Philadelphia chromosome-negative
      patients. The aim of this study was to sequence coding exons 12 and 14 of the
      JAK2 gene in Jordanian patients with MPN. METHODS: Both exons 12 and 14 of the
      JAK2 gene were amplified using polymerase chain reaction from DNA extracted from
      68 blood and bone marrow samples belonging to 57 MPN patients and subjected to
      DNA sequencing. RESULTS: JAK2(V617F) mutations were detected in 26 of 57
      Jordanian patients (45%) with different MPNs. JAK2(V617F) was identified in 70%,
      31%, and 14% of PV, ET, and IMF cases, respectively. Five men diagnosed with PV
      were homozygous for JAK2(V617F), whereas the other 21 patients were heterozygous
      for the mutation. Neither the JAK2(V617F) mutation nor any DNA polymorphism in
      exon 12 or exon 14 of the JAK2 gene was detected among the 40 leukemic patients.
      A rare single nucleotide polymorphism, c.1860C->T (rs375442615), was detected in
      one patient with ET. CONCLUSION: This study is the first molecular investigation
      of the JAK2 gene in Jordan. We successfully identified the JAK2(V617F) mutation
      in Jordanian patients with Philadelphia chromosome-negative MPNs. Our results
      provide a basis for the early detection of this mutation and simplify the
      diagnostic workup for these disorders at the molecular level.

PMID- 26256827
TI  - Cystic clear cell papillary renal cell carcinoma: is it related to multilocular
      clear cell cystic neoplasm of low malignant potential?
AB  - AIMS: We report the morphological spectrum of nine cystic clear cell papillary
      renal cell carcinomas (CCP-RCC). METHODS AND RESULTS: Mean tumour size was 2.1 cm
      and the stage was pT1a in all cases. The original diagnosis was multilocular
      clear cell cystic renal neoplasm of low malignant potential (MCCN-LMP) in five
      and CCP-RCC in four patients. All examples were composed of variably sized cysts
      lined by one layer of clear cells. Two tumours were exclusively cystic, seven
      showed tubular formation in the septae and five in which the tubular growth was
      compact and pseudo-solid. Two tumours had foci of nests and single cells showing
      similarities to the cellular areas of MCCN-LMP. The tubular/pseudo
      solid/nested/single-cells foci formed microscopic nodules with a mean size of 1.8
      mm. Three tumours had intracystic micropapillary formation. Cells were of
      International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grades 1-2/4. In all cases,
      the neoplastic nuclei were aligned away from the basement membranes at least
      focally. Tumours were positive for paired box gene 8 (PAX8), carbonic anhydrase
      IX (CAIX), cytokeratin (CK)7 and CK34BE12 and negative for CD10. CONCLUSIONS:
      Cystic CCP-RCC is a pattern that should be recognized, as it shows overlapping
      morphological features with both multilocular cyst and MCCN-LMP. This series
      raises the question of whether some reported MCCN-LMPs are actually cystic CCP
      RCC.

PMID- 26256828
TI  - Hip and upper extremity kinematics in youth baseball pitchers.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between dynamic hip
      rotational range of motion and upper extremity kinematics during baseball
      pitching. Thirty-one youth baseball pitchers (10.87 +/- 0.92 years; 150.03 +/-
      5.48 cm; 44.83 +/- 8.04 kg) participated. A strong correlation was found between
      stance hip rotation and scapular upward rotation at maximum shoulder external
      rotation (r = 0.531, P = 0.002) and at ball release (r = 0.536, P = 0.002). No
      statistically significant correlations were found between dynamic hip rotational
      range of motion and passive hip range of motion. Hip range of motion deficits can
      constrain pelvis rotation and limit energy generation in the lower extremities.
      Shoulder pathomechanics can then develop as greater responsibility is placed on
      the shoulder to generate the energy lost from the proximal segments, increasing
      risk of upper extremity injury. Additionally, it appears that passive seated
      measurements of hip range of motion may not accurately reflect the dynamic range
      of motion of the hips through the progression of the pitch cycle. 

PMID- 26256829
TI  - Bifurcating stents in the pulmonary arteries: A novel technique to relieve
      bilateral branch pulmonary artery obstruction.
AB  - Balloon angioplasty and stent placement in close proximity to the bifurcation of
      the branch pulmonary arteries can be challenging. Multiple approaches have been
      previously described, though none of these approaches both treats bilateral
      proximal branch pulmonary artery stenosis and provides an anchor for a
      transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement. We report a novel approach that
      involves serial stent placement and balloon dilation through the struts of the
      stent in each pulmonary artery, along with balloon expansion of the proximal
      portion of the stents to the diameter of the main pulmonary artery. In the two
      cases we describe, this strategy resulted in significant relief of branch
      pulmonary artery obstruction without compromising the anatomy of the main
      pulmonary artery segment. This technique can be an effective way to alleviate
      stenoses of the bilateral proximal branch pulmonary arteries and provides a
      landing zone for a future transcatheter pulmonary valve.

PMID- 26256831
TI  - Late diagnosis of Takayasu's arteritis with repeated attacks of heart failure and
      uncontrolled hypertension due to abdominal aortic thrombosis: Case report and
      review of the literature.
AB  - Takayasu's arteritis (TA) is a chronic, idiopathic, inflammatory disease
      affecting the aorta and its branches. To date, only one case involving abdominal
      aortic thrombosis due to TA has been reported. After bilateral artificial
      subclavian-iliac bypass, a case of abdominal aortic thrombosis due to TA received
      a delayed diagnosis in a 44-year-old Chinese male who experienced recurrent
      episodes of heart failure and uncontrolled hypertension with claudication of two
      extremities. Abdominal color Doppler sonography and computed tomography
      aortography (CTA) showed occlusion of the abdominal aorta and bilateral renal
      artery stenosis. After vascular bypass and during 1 year follow-up, his cardiac
      function improved and blood pressure was well controlled, with reduced serum
      creatinine. Postoperative CTA still showed abdominal aortic thrombosis resulting
      in arterial occlusion extending from the left renal artery initial segment level
      to the bilateral common iliac artery and the bifurcation of the renal artery,
      except for the vascular bypass. Abdominal aortic thrombosis due to TA is very
      rare and potentially life threatening, probably becoming an atherosclerosis risk
      factor. Doppler sonography and CTA results are important for diagnosis.
      Artificial vascular bypass can be used for TA in debilitated patients with
      diffuse aortic disease.

PMID- 26256830
TI  - Anti-necrotic and cardioprotective effects of a cytosolic renin isoform under
      ischemia-related conditions.
AB  - In the heart, secretory renin promotes hypertrophy, apoptosis, necrosis,
      fibrosis, and cardiac failure through angiotensin generation from
      angiotensinogen. Thus, inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin system are among the
      most potent drugs in the treatment of cardiac failure. Renin transcripts have
      been identified encoding a renin isoform with unknown targets and unknown
      functions that are localized to the cytosol and mitochondria. We hypothesize that
      this isoform, in contrast to secretory renin, exerts cardioprotective effects in
      an angiotensin-independent manner. Cells overexpressing cytosolic renin were
      generated by transfection or obtained from CX(exon2-9)renin transgenic rats.
      Overexpression of cytosolic renin reduced the rate of necrosis in H9c2
      cardiomyoblasts and in primary cardiomyocytes after glucose depletion. These
      effects were not mediated by angiotensin generation since an inhibitor of renin
      activity did not influence the in vitro effects. siRNA-mediated knockdown of
      endogenous cytosolic renin increased the rate of necrosis and aggravated the pro
      necrotic effects of glucose depletion. Isolated perfused hearts obtained from
      transgenic rats overexpressing cytosolic renin exhibited a 50% reduction of
      infarct size after ischemia-reperfusion injury. Cytosolic renin is essential for
      survival, both under basal conditions and during glucose starvation. The
      protective effects are angiotensin-independent and contrary to the known actions
      of secretory renin. KEY MESSAGES: A cytosolic isoform of renin with unknown
      functions is expressed in the heart. Cytosolic renin diminishes ischemia induced
      damage to the heart. The protective effects of cytosolic renin contradict the
      known function of secretory renin. The effects of cytosolic renin are not
      mediated via angiotensin generation. Renin-binding protein is a potential target
      for cytosolic renin.

PMID- 26256832
TI  - Liver resection after selective internal radiotherapy (SIRT): Proof of concept,
      initial survival, and safety.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Extent of liver resections are restricted by the
      volume of the future liver remnant. Different strategies have been developed to
      increase the frequency of curative resections. Selective internal radiation
      therapy (SIRT) has emerged as an effective therapy for patients with primary non
      resectable malignancies of the liver. Here, we report the first clinical series
      of patients with curative liver resection following SIRT. METHODS: Starting 2010,
      patients with marginally resectable liver metastases treated by SIRT followed by
      liver resection were identified and prospectively documented in a database for
      subsequent retrospective analysis. RESULTS: Thirteen patients (five female, eight
      male; age 70 years [32-77 years]) with marginally resectable liver metastases
      were selected for liver resection after SIRT. After performing SIRT, 12 patients
      had potentially curative hepatic resection. In two patients, liver resection
      after SIRT could not be performed due to the appearance of new extrahepatic
      metastases. Analyzing the effect of SIRT, we observed a decrease in tumor size
      with central scaring. None of the patients developed liver necrosis after SIRT.
      Liver resection was performed safely in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: The
      combination of SIRT with state-of-the-art liver surgery opens up new therapeutic
      options in patients with liver metastases.

PMID- 26256834
TI  - Ancestry, Socioeconomic Status, and Age-Related Cataract in Asians: The Singapore
      Epidemiology of Eye Diseases Study.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of age-related cataract and its ancestral
      and socioeconomic risk factors in a multi-ethnic Asian population. DESIGN:
      Population-based, cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 10 033 adults
      (3353 Chinese, 3280 Malays, and 3400 Indians) aged >40 years in the Singapore
      Epidemiology of Eye Diseases Study. METHODS: Study participants were invited for
      a structured interview and received a standardized comprehensive eye examination.
      Digital lens photographs were taken from eyes of each participant and graded for
      nuclear, cortical, and posterior subcapsular (PSC) cataract, following the
      Wisconsin Cataract Grading System. Prevalence data were compared with the Blue
      Mountains Eye Study (BMES) in Australia. Information on medical and lifestyle
      factors was collected using questionnaires and blood samples. To increase the
      precision of racial definition, genetic ancestry was derived from genome-wide
      single nucleotide polymorphism markers using principal component analysis.
      Regression models were used to investigate the association of cataract with
      socioeconomic factors (education and income) and genetic ancestry. MAIN OUTCOME
      MEASURES: Age-related cataract. RESULTS: A total of 8750 participants (94.0%) had
      gradable lens photographs. The age-standardized prevalence of cataract surgery in
      Chinese (16.0%), Malays (10.6%), and Indians (20.2%) was higher than in white
      subjects (4.1%). We found the age-standardized cataract prevalence in Chinese
      (30.4%), Malays (37.8%), and Indians (33.1%) was higher than in whites (18.5%).
      Cataract was 1.5 to 2 times more common in Asians and began 10 years earlier than
      in white subjects. Malays had significantly higher age-standardized prevalence of
      nuclear, cortical, and PSC cataract than Chinese (P<0.001). The severity of
      nuclear, cortical, and PSC cataract was significantly correlated with genetic
      ancestry in our South East Asian population. Less education and lower income were
      associated with cataract for Chinese and Indians but not Malays. The presence of
      visual impairment associated with cataract was higher in people aged >=60 years
      and Malays. CONCLUSIONS: We showed that people of different Asian ethnicities had
      a higher prevalence and earlier age of onset of cataract than Europeans. People
      of Malay ancestry have a greater severity for all cataract subtypes than people
      of Chinese ancestry. Education and income were associated with cataract for
      certain Asian subgroups.

PMID- 26256833
TI  - Degeneration and Regeneration of Subbasal Corneal Nerves after Infectious
      Keratitis: A Longitudinal In Vivo Confocal Microscopy Study.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the longitudinal alterations of subbasal corneal nerves
      in patients with infectious keratitis (IK) during the acute phase, cessation of
      treatment, and the recovery phase by in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM). DESIGN:
      Prospective, longitudinal, case-control, single-center study. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty
      six eyes of 56 patients with the diagnosis of bacterial (n=28), fungal (n=15), or
      Acanthamoeba (n=13) keratitis were included in the study. Thirty eyes of 30
      normal volunteers constituted the control group. METHODS: Corneal sensation and
      serial IVCM of the central cornea were performed prospectively using the
      Heidelberg Retina Tomograph 3/Rostock Cornea Module (Heidelberg Engineering,
      Heidelberg, Germany). The IVCM images were assessed at 3 time points: at the
      acute phase (first visit to the cornea service), at cessation of antimicrobial
      treatment, and up to 6 months after the resolution of infection. MAIN OUTCOME
      MEASURES: Total nerve number and length, main nerve trunks, branching, and
      corneal sensation were assessed during the follow-up period. RESULTS: Corneal
      nerves were reduced significantly during the acute phase in eyes with IK compared
      with controls across all subgroups, with total nerve length of 5.47+/-0.69 mm/mm2
      versus 20.59+/-1.06 mm/mm2 (P<0.0001). At the cessation of treatment, corneal
      nerves in patients with IK had regenerated, including total nerve length (8.49+/
      0.94 mm/mm2; P=0.02) and nerve branch length (4.80+/-0.37 mm/mm2; P=0.005).
      During the recovery phase, after resolution of infection, corneal nerves
      regenerated further, including total nerve length (12.13+/-1.97 mm/mm2; P=0.005),
      main nerve trunk length (5.80+/-1.00 mm/mm2; P=0.01), and nerve branch length
      (6.33+/-0.76 mm/mm2; P=0.003) as compared with the acute phase, but were still
      significantly lower when compared with controls (P<0.05 for all parameters).
      Corneal degeneration and regeneration correlated with corneal sensation (r=0.47;
      P=0.0009). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with IK who sustain profound loss of corneal
      nerves during the acute phase of infection demonstrate increased corneal nerve
      density during the first 6 months after the resolution of infection. However,
      despite significant nerve regeneration, corneal nerve density does not recover
      fully and remains low compared to controls. By providing an objective methodology
      to monitor corneal re-innervation, IVCM adds potentially important findings that
      may have implications for clinical management and surgical planning.

PMID- 26256835
TI  - Participants' views of telephone interviews within a grounded theory study.
AB  - AIM: To offer a unique contribution to the evolving debate around the use of the
      telephone during semistructured interview by drawing on interviewees' reflections
      on telephone interview during a grounded theory study. BACKGROUND: The accepted
      norm for qualitative interviews is to conduct them face-to-face. It is typical to
      consider collecting qualitative data via telephone only when face-to-face
      interview is not possible. During a grounded theory study, exploring users'
      experiences with overnight mask ventilation for sleep apnoea, the authors
      selected the telephone to conduct interviews. This article reports participants'
      views on semistructured interview by telephone. DESIGN: An inductive thematic
      analysis was conducted on data pertaining to the use of the telephone interview
      in a grounded theory study. METHODS: The data were collected during 4 months of
      2011 and 6 months in 2014. The article presents an inductive thematic analysis of
      sixteen participants' opinions about telephone interviewing and discusses these
      in relation to existing literature reporting the use of telephone interviews in
      grounded theory studies. FINDINGS: Overall, participants reported a positive
      experience of telephone interviewing. From each participants reports we
      identified four themes from the data: being 'phone savvy; concentrating on voice
      instead of your face; easy rapport; and not being judged or feeling inhibited.
      CONCLUSION: By drawing on these data, we argue that the telephone as a data
      collection tool in grounded theory research and other qualitative methodologies
      need not be relegated to second best status. Rather, researchers can consider
      telephone interview a valuable first choice option.

PMID- 26256836
TI  - Chirally-modified metal surfaces: energetics of interaction with chiral
      molecules.
AB  - Imparting chirality to non-chiral metal surfaces by adsorption of chiral
      modifiers is a highly promising route to create effective heterogeneously
      catalyzed processes for the production of enantiopure pharmaceuticals. One of the
      major current challenges in heterogeneous chiral catalysis is the fundamental
      level understanding of how such chirally-modified surfaces interact with chiral
      and prochiral molecules to induce their enantioselective transformations. Herein
      we report the first direct calorimetric measurement of the adsorption energy of
      chiral molecules onto well-defined chirally-modified surfaces. Two model
      modifiers 1-(1-naphthyl)ethylamine and 2-methylbutanoic acid were used to impart
      chirality to Pt(111) and their interaction with propylene oxide was investigated
      by means of single-crystal adsorption calorimetry. Differential adsorption
      energies and absolute surface uptakes were obtained for the R- and S-enantiomers
      of propylene oxide under clean ultrahigh vacuum conditions. Two types of
      adsorption behavior were observed for different chiral modifiers, pointing to
      different mechanisms of imparting chirality to metal surfaces. The results are
      analyzed and discussed in view of previously reported stereoselectivity of
      adsorption processes. 

PMID- 26256837
TI  - Determinants and magnitudes of manual force strengths and joint moments during
      two-handed standing maximal horizontal pushing and pulling.
AB  - Pushing and pulling are common occupational exertions that are increasingly
      associated with musculoskeletal complaints. This study focuses on the sensitivity
      of shoulder capacity to gender, handle height, exertion type (push or pull) and
      handle orientation for these tasks. All factors except for handle orientation
      influenced unilateral and total manual force strength (p < 0.01), with exertion
      type being the most influential. Interaction effects also existed between handle
      height and exertion type. Additionally, joint moments at the shoulders and low
      back were influenced by all factors studied (p < 0.01), with exertion type again
      being most influential. Knowledge of the relative influence of multiple factors
      on shoulder capacity can provide guidance regarding these factors when designing
      or evaluating occupational pushing and pulling tasks for a diverse population.
      Practitioner Summary: pushing and pulling comprise nearly half of all manual
      materials handling tasks. Practitioners often assess, design or modify these
      tasks while incorporating constraints, including manual force direction and
      handle interface. This study provides guidance to aid design of pushing and
      pulling tasks in the context of shoulder physical capacity. 

PMID- 26256838
TI  - Macrocyclic peptidomimetics with antimicrobial activity: synthesis, bioassay, and
      molecular modeling studies.
AB  - Novel, cyclic peptidomimetics were synthesized by facile acylation reactions
      using benzotriazole chemistry. Microbiological testing of the synthesized
      compounds revealed an exceptionally high activity against Candida albicans with a
      minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) two orders of magnitude lower than the MIC
      of the antifungal reference drug amphotericin B. A strikingly high activity was
      also observed against three Gram-negative bacterial strains (Pseudomonas
      aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus vulgaris), two of which are known
      human pathogens. Thus the discovered chemotype is a potential polypharmacological
      agent. The toxicity against mammalian tumor cells was found to be low, as
      demonstrated in five different human cell lines (HeLa, cervical; PC-3, prostate;
      MCF-7, breast; HepG2, liver; and HCT-116, colon). The internal consistency of the
      experimental data was studied using 3D-pharmacophore and 2D-QSAR. 

PMID- 26256839
TI  - Oxidatively Initiated NHC-Catalyzed Enantioselective Synthesis of 3,4
      Disubstituted Cyclopentanones from Enals.
AB  - An unprecedented N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-catalyzed annulation of enals to
      form 3,4-disubstituted cyclopentanones has been discovered. Aryl enals undergo
      dimerization in the presence of a single-electron oxidant to form C2 symmetric
      cyclopentanones. A cross-reaction has also been developed, allowing for the
      synthesis of differentially substituted cyclopentanones. Mechanistically, the
      reaction is thought to proceed through radical intermediates, further
      establishing the synthetic utility of this class of reactivity. 

PMID- 26256842
TI  - Common Legal Challenges and Responses in Forensic Breath Alcohol Determination.
AB  - No other single criminal/civil offense connects the forensic science community
      together with the legal community more than driving while under the influence of
      alcohol (DUI). Statutory changes along with political pressure have caused DUI to
      be a very serious and expensive offense. The result has been an enormous increase
      in DUI defense challenges in recent years with the primary focus on breath
      alcohol measurement. This paper addresses several of the more common DUI defense
      challenges regarding breath alcohol analysis, along with suggested responses.
      Common DUI defense challenges include: uncertainty in breath alcohol results near
      statutory limits; interfering substances; storage of alcohol simulator solutions;
      simulator thermometer uncertainties; instrument repair history; Widmark
      computations; instrument software; program records; pre-exhalation observation
      time period; and concurrence between the officer's report and breath alcohol
      results. Most of these issues are addressed with the prudent construction of
      administrative rules and employing a forensically sound breath test protocol. 

PMID- 26256841
TI  - Death concerns and psychological well-being in mothers of children with autism
      spectrum disorder.
AB  - PURPOSE: Utilizing a terror management theory perspective, the present research
      examined whether having a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated
      with underlying cognitions and explicit worries about death, and their roles in
      psychological well-being. METHOD: 147 mothers of children with ASD (n=74) and
      typically developing children (n=73) completed a fear of death scale, as well as
      measures of death-thought accessibility, positive and negative affect,
      depression, and anxiety. RESULTS: Following previous research, mothers of
      children with ASD reported worse psychological health. Additionally, they
      evidenced greater death-thought accessibility compared to mothers of typically
      developing children, but did not differ in explicit worries about mortality.
      Greater death-thought accessibility, in turn, mediated the influence of ASD
      diagnosis on negative affect, depression, and anxiety. CONCLUSION: The current
      study offers an initial understanding of the association between mortality
      concerns and psychological health for mothers of children with ASD. Further, it
      underscores the importance of health care providers' efforts to attend to, and
      educate parents about, their thoughts of mortality, even if the parent does not
      acknowledge such concerns. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: The present study examined the
      impact of both implicit and explicit worries about death in parents of children
      with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Specifically, we were able to demonstrate
      that increased death-thought accessibility among mothers of children with ASD was
      associated with worse psychological health. While it is possible for parents of
      children with ASD to report conscious worries about death, there were no observed
      differences on this measure. As far as we know, this work is the first to
      empirically examine the prevalence of mortality-related concerns in this
      population and the subsequent effects of death-thought accessibility on
      psychological health. This is an important avenue of research as parents of
      children with ASD may experience greater worries about leaving their children
      upon death with no one to care for them, or to leave their children in the care
      of individuals who may not understand their son or daughter's unique needs.
      Additionally, the current findings highlight the importance of addressing
      mortality-related concerns, even when they may not be explicitly recognized,
      among parents of children with ASD. Given the effectiveness of parent education
      programs for children with ASD, a primary avenue for intervention may be
      education. Training care providers in ways to better discuss thoughts of death
      may help to alleviate stress and foster greater psychological well-being.

PMID- 26256843
TI  - Conventional and Novel Methods for Facial-Image Identification.
AB  - This article reviews conventional and novel methods for facial-image
      identification from forensic aspects. Among the conventional approaches, three
      methods, i.e., morphological comparison of facial features, anthropometric
      indices comparison, and face-to-face superimposition, are generally used. The
      methods most commonly used in caseworks are in the order of morphological
      comparison, anthropometric indices comparison, and face-to-face superimposition.
      A novel method based on the superimposition of 2D/3D facial images is introduced
      and its advantages and disadvantages are described. Assessments of the
      reliability of facial-image identification, including expert opinions, are
      discussed. A new retrieval system using a 3D facial-image database is proposed
      for the screening of suspects' facial images. 

PMID- 26256844
TI  - Mechanisms of Drug Deposition in Hair and Issues for Hair Testing.
AB  - The purpose of this review is to provide a summary of the knowledge of the
      mechanisms by which drugs deposit into hair. While much work and many reviews
      have been produced on methods of analysis of drugs in hair, a smaller body of
      work and fewer reviews have concentrated on the biochemical mechanisms by which
      drugs deposit and are retained in hair. Proposed mechanisms are discussed with
      various studies that have been used to elucidate these mechanisms. While multiple
      mechanisms are likely involved in the deposition and retention of drugs in hair,
      melanin and various interactions with melanin including potential covalent
      linkage of drug with melanin appear to dominate the scheme of interactions. The
      implications of these interactions are discussed with particular emphasis on the
      potential difficulties in distinguishing internal deposition from external
      contamination and the appropriateness of manufacturing control materials. The
      potential for hair testing to be truly reflective of endogenous deposition may
      hinge on the ability to isolate and analyze melanin adducts of drugs that would
      be indicative of endogenous drug deposition during hair growth and active
      melanogenesis. 

PMID- 26256845
TI  - Objective Diagnosis of Drowning by the "Diatom Test" - A Critical Review.
AB  - The identification of diatoms in the body tissues to prove a death by drowning
      (known as the diatom test) dates back to the end of the 19th century. However, in
      recent decades the reliability of this method was disproved because of an alleged
      inaccuracy and high false positive rate; nonetheless, the matter is still highly
      controversial. The purpose of the present work is to offer a critical review of
      the subject with a specific emphasis on the technical problems. In particular,
      contamination of samples during autopsy and of tissue extracts during processing
      was recognized as the main source of false positive results. However, the
      possibility of diatom passive penetration into the body (particularly into lungs)
      during submersion cannot be excluded, especially in highly transformed cadavers.
      Hence, tissues that are highly secluded from the drowning medium, such as bone
      marrow, are preferred as samples, according to the most recent literature.
      Additional information on the drowning site and circumstances can be drawn from
      the qualitative and quantitative comparison between the diatoms found in the body
      tissues and those present in the drowning water. From the analytical point of
      view, the majority of authors digest tissues by treatment with strong acids,
      often after oxidation; alternatively, proteolytic enzymes are widely used.
      Detection is generally carried out by light microscopy, but scanning electron
      microscopy (SEM) shows much better resolution, which is important for the
      identification of the smallest diatoms or diatom fragments. In the experimental
      part of the work, a recent evolution of SEM, known as environmental scanning
      electron microscopy (ESEM) has been tested on drowning victims. The main feature
      of ESEM is the possibility to work on standard microscopic preparations without
      the need of sample coating, which allows switching between light and electron
      microscopy, thus taking advantage of the wide optical field of the former
      technique and of the high resolution of the latter. On this basis, we propose an
      integrated approach to the diatom test including a screening with light
      microscopy (200-400*) and a confirmation with ESEM (5,000-20,000*). The review
      includes 92 references. 

PMID- 26256846
TI  - Charting the known chemical space for non-aqueous lithium-air battery electrolyte
      solvents.
AB  - Li-air batteries are very promising candidates for powering future mobility, but
      finding a suitable electrolyte solvent for this technology turned out to be a
      major problem. We present a systematic computational investigation of the known
      chemical space for possible Li-air electrolyte solvents. It is shown that the
      problem of finding better Li-air electrolyte solvents is not only - as previously
      suggested - about maximizing Li(+) and O2(-) solubilities, but also about finding
      the optimal balance of these solubilities with the viscosity of the solvent. As
      our results also show that trial-and-error experiments on known chemicals are
      unlikely to succeed, full chemical sub-spaces for the most promising compound
      classes are investigated, and suggestions are made for further experiments. The
      proposed screening approach is transferable and robust and can readily be applied
      to optimize electrolytes for other electrochemical devices. It goes beyond the
      current state-of-the-art both in width (considering the number of compounds
      screened and the way they are selected), as well as depth (considering the number
      and complexity of properties included). 

PMID- 26256847
TI  - Physicochemical Approach to Determine the Mechanism for Acid-Base Disorders in
      793 Hospitalized Foals.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The quantitative effect of strong electrolytes, unmeasured strong
      anions (UAs), pCO2, and plasma protein concentrations in determining plasma pH
      can be demonstrated using the physicochemical approach. Plasma anion gap (AG) and
      strong ion gap (SIG) are used to assess UAs in different species. HYPOTHESES:
      Strong ions are a major factor influencing changes in plasma pH of hospitalized
      foals. AG and SIG accurately predict severe hyper-L-lactatemia ([L-lac(-)] > 7
      mmol/L). ANIMALS: Seven hundred and ninety three hospitalized foals < 7 days old.
      METHODS: Retrospective study. The relationship between measured pH and
      physicochemical variables, and the relationship between plasma [L-lac(-)] and AG
      and SIG, were determined using regression analyses. Optimal AG and SIG cut points
      to predict hyper-L-lactatemia were identified using an ROC curve analysis.
      RESULTS: Combined, the measured strong ion difference and SIG accounted for 54
      69% of the changes in the measured arterial pH of hospitalized foals. AG and SIG
      were significantly associated with plasma [L-lac(-)] (P < .0001). The receiver
      operator characteristics (ROC) AUC of AG and SIG for prediction of severe hyper-L
      lactatemia were 0.89 (95%CI, 0.8-0.95; P < .0001) and 0.90 (95%CI, 0.81-0.96; P <
      .0001), respectively. Severe hyper-L-lactatemia was best predicted by AG > 27
      mmol/L (sensitivity 80%, 95%CI, 56-94, specificity 85%, 95%CI, 73-93; P < .0001)
      and SIG <-15 mmol/L (sensitivity 90%, 95%CI, 68-98; specificity 80%; 95%CI, 68
      90; P < .0001). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Altered concentrations of
      strong ions (Na(+), K(+), Cl(-)) and UAs were the primary cause of acidemia of
      hospitalized foals. AG and SIG were good predictors of hyper-L-lactatemia and
      could be used as surrogate tests.

PMID- 26256849
TI  - HemX is required for production of 2-ketogluconate, the predominant organic anion
      required for inorganic phosphate solubilization by Burkholderia sp. Ha185.
AB  - The bacterium Burkholderia sp. Ha185 readily solubilizes inorganic phosphate by
      releasing the low molecular weight organic anion, 2-ketogluconate. Using random
      transposon mutagenesis and in silico analysis, a mutation that caused almost
      complete abolition of phosphate solubilization was located within hemX, which is
      part of the hem operon. Burkholderia sp. Ha185 HemX is a multidomain protein,
      predicted to encode a bifunctional uroporphyrinogen-III synthetase/uroporphyrin
      III C-methyltransferase, which has not previously been implicated in phosphate
      solubilization. Complementation of hemX restored the ability of the mutant to
      solubilize phosphate in both plate and liquid cultures. Based on a combination of
      organic-anion profiling, quantitative polymerase chain reaction and in silico
      analyses, hemX was confirmed to be solely responsible for hydroxyapatite
      solubilization in Burkholderia sp. Ha185. It is proposed that the biosynthesis of
      a yet to be determined redox cofactor by HemX is the main pathway for generating
      2-ketogluconate via a haem-dependent gluconate 2-dehydrogenase in Burkholderia
      sp. Ha185. 

PMID- 26256848
TI  - High respiratory rate is associated with early reduction of lung edema clearance
      in an experimental model of ARDS.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The independent impact of respiratory rate on ventilator-induced lung
      injury has not been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate
      the effects of two clinically relevant respiratory rates on early ventilator
      induced lung injury evolution and lung edema during the protective ARDSNet
      strategy. We hypothesized that the use of a higher respiratory rate during a
      protective ARDSNet ventilation strategy increases lung inflammation and, in
      addition, lung edema associated to strain-induced activation of transforming
      growth factor beta (TGF-beta) in the lung epithelium. METHODS: Twelve healthy
      piglets were submitted to a two-hit lung injury model and randomized into two
      groups: LRR (20 breaths/min) and HRR (40 breaths/min). They were mechanically
      ventilated during 6 h according to the ARDSNet strategy. We assessed respiratory
      mechanics, hemodynamics, and extravascular lung water (EVLW). At the end of the
      experiment, the lungs were excised and wet/dry ratio, TGF-beta pathway markers,
      regional histology, and cytokines were evaluated. RESULTS: No differences in
      oxygenation, PaCO2 levels, systemic and pulmonary arterial pressures were
      observed during the study. Respiratory system compliance and mean airway pressure
      were lower in LRR group. A decrease in EVLW over time occurred only in the LRR
      group (P < 0.05). Wet/dry ratio was higher in the HRR group (P < 0.05), as well
      as TGF-beta pathway activation. Histological findings suggestive of inflammation
      and inflammatory tissue cytokines were higher in LRR. CONCLUSION: HRR was
      associated with more pulmonary edema and higher activation of the TGF-beta
      pathway. In contrast with our hypothesis, HRR was associated with less lung
      inflammation.

PMID- 26256850
TI  - Role of temperature in the recombination reaction on dye-sensitized solar cells.
AB  - The performance of photovoltaic (PV) devices as a function of temperature is
      crucial for technical development and for accurate commercial information. Along
      with solar irradiance, temperature is the most important operating factor of the
      PV device performance. Normally, it is widely accepted that dye sensitized solar
      cells (DSC) show minimal energy efficiency dependence with temperature (20-60 
      degrees C). The energy efficiency in DSCs depends on the light absorption, charge
      transport (ohmic resistances) and recombination rates. In this study, the
      recombination reaction kinetics was studied within a wide temperature range. A
      unique laser assisted sealing technique that allows studying the temperature
      effect between -5  degrees C and 105  degrees C without electrolyte leakage or
      external contamination was used. To the best of our knowledge, this is the
      highest operating temperature ever considered in kinetic studies of liquid state
      DSCs. The electrochemical reaction between electrons and triiodide/iodide ions
      was shown to be the most important factor for determining the energy efficiency
      of DSCs as a function of temperature. It was concluded that the activation energy
      of the recombination reactions depends on the interface where it happens -
      TiO2/electrolyte and SnO2-F/electrolyte - and on the temperature. It was found
      that in addition to temperature having a deep influence on the recombination
      reaction rate, the energy of the injecting electron is also critical. These
      conclusions should provide solid ground for further developments in the DSCs and
      perovskite solar cells, and allow a better comparison of the energy efficiency of
      different PV technologies over a range of operating temperatures. 

PMID- 26256851
TI  - Is there a role for axillary reverse mapping in the current management of breast
      cancer treatment?

PMID- 26256852
TI  - Research: a viable and meaningful career alternative for occupational therapists.

PMID- 26256853
TI  - Secondary health conditions experienced by people with spinal cord injury within
      community living: implications for a National Disability Insurance Scheme.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Australia's National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides
      supports for individuals, delivered through a personalised participant planning
      process, to influence choice and goal attainment. AIM: This study aimed to use
      both quantitative and qualitative methods to examine the impact of secondary
      health conditions on the experiences of people with spinal cord injury (SCI) who
      have returned to community living, in the context of Australia's National
      Disability Strategy and recently launched NDIS. Exploration of lived experience
      of health conditions following SCI utilising this mixed methods approach may
      offer important insights for effective planning within an NDIS. METHODS: A cross
      sectional survey using the Spinal Cord Injury Secondary Conditions Scale
      (SCISCS), demographic questionnaire and in-depth interview was undertaken with 33
      people with SCI living in the community. Demographic and SCISCS data were
      reported using descriptive statistics. Interviews were audio-taped, transcribed
      and analysed thematically. RESULTS: Participants were on average 58.5 years of
      age and 20 years post-injury. Five key themes emerged relating to (i) spasm and
      pain; (ii) sexual dysfunction; (iii) pressure areas; (iv) fatigue; and (v) the
      impact of secondary health conditions on life role participation and choice of
      supports and equipment. CONCLUSION: Secondary health conditions can significantly
      impact occupational participation following SCI. Appropriate intervention,
      including customised equipment and direct support, if delivered as part of an
      effective NDIS, may prevent or reduce the severity of these conditions and offer
      the potential to influence health and participation outcomes of people who have
      returned to community living.

PMID- 26256854
TI  - Feedback on students' clinical reasoning skills during fieldwork education.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: Feedback on clinical reasoning skills during fieldwork education
      is regarded as vital in occupational therapy students' professional development.
      The nature of supervisors' feedback however, could be confirmative and/or
      corrective and corrective feedback could be with or without suggestions on how to
      improve. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of supervisors' feedback
      on final-year occupational therapy students' clinical reasoning skills through
      comparing the nature of feedback with the students' subsequent clinical reasoning
      ability. METHOD: A mixed-method approach with a convergent parallel design was
      used combining the collection and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data.
      From focus groups and interviews with students, data were collected and analysed
      qualitatively to determine how the students experienced the feedback they
      received from their supervisors. By quantitatively comparing the final practical
      exam grades with the nature of the feedback, their fieldwork End-of-Term grades
      and average academic performance it became possible to merge the results for
      comparison and interpretation. RESULTS: Students' clinical reasoning skills seem
      to be improved through corrective feedback if accompanied by suggestions on how
      to improve, irrespective of their average academic performance. Supervisors were
      inclined to underrate high performing students and overrate lower performing
      students. CONCLUSIONS: Students who obtained higher grades in the final practical
      examinations received more corrective feedback with suggestions on how to improve
      from their supervisors. Confirmative feedback alone may not be sufficient for
      improving the clinical reasoning skills of students.

PMID- 26256855
TI  - Cognitive interventions and exercise-based interventions seem to show promise for
      supporting mobility for community-dwelling older adults, where educational
      interventions have mixed evidence.

PMID- 26256856
TI  - Emerging evidence for the benefits of support programmes and environments which
      support walking, for older adults community mobility, however, inconclusive
      evidence for the effectiveness of licensing policy intervention.

PMID- 26256858
TI  - Magnetic anomalies and itinerant character of electrochemically Li-inserted
      Li[Li1/3Ti5/3]O4.
AB  - Spinel oxides of Li[LiyTi2-y]O4 with 0 <=y<= 1/3 exhibit two desirable features
      for solid state chemistry and condensed matter physics. One is a reversible
      lithium insertion/extraction reaction, in particular for Li[Li1/3Ti5/3]O4, and
      the other is a superconducting transition at Tc? 13 K for Li[Ti2]O4. To study the
      change in magnetic environments of the y = 1/3 compound with excess Li(x), we
      measured the magnetic susceptibility (chi) for the Li1+x[Li1/3Ti5/3]O4 samples
      with 0 <=x<= 0.95, which were prepared by an electrochemical Li insertion
      reaction into Li[Li1/3Ti5/3]O4. Even for the x = 0 sample, two magnetic anomalies
      were found at T (=63 K) and T (=21 K), despite the fact that all Ti ions should
      be in the 4+ state with S = 0. A comparative study of TiO2 and Li2TiO3 revealed
      that these magnetic anomalies are not impurity-induced effects but are caused by
      an intrinsic nature of Li[Li1/3Ti5/3]O4, probably due to either slight
      compositional deviation from stoichiometry or dislocations such as a Magneli
      phase. For the x > 0 samples, the chi vs. temperature curve was found to consist
      of a temperature-independent Pauli-paramagnetic contribution and a Curie-Weiss
      contribution. Detailed analyses of chi clarified the systematic variations of the
      effective magnetic moment of Ti ions, effective mass of electrons in the
      conduction band, and density of states at the Fermi level with x, indicating that
      the Li(+) ions at the 16d site play a significant role in localizing d electrons
      of Ti(3+) ions. 

PMID- 26256859
TI  - Prostate cancer: AR splice variant dimerization-clinical implications.

PMID- 26256860
TI  - Novel methods for mapping the cavernous nerves during radical prostatectomy.
AB  - The cavernous nerves, which course along the surface of the prostate gland, are
      responsible for erectile function. During radical prostatectomy, urologists are
      challenged in preserving these nerves and their function. Cavernous nerves are
      microscopic and show variable location in different patients; therefore,
      postoperative sexual potency rates are widely variable following radical
      prostatectomy. A variety of technologies, including electrical and optical nerve
      stimulation, dye-based optical fluorescence and microscopy, spectroscopy,
      ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging have all been used to study cavernous
      nerve anatomy and physiology, and some of these methods are also potential
      intraoperative methods for identifying and preserving cavernous nerves. However,
      all of these technologies have inherent limitations, including slow or
      inconsistent nerve responses, poor image resolution, shallow image depth, slow
      image acquisition times and/or safety concerns. New and emerging technologies, as
      well as multimodal approaches combining existing methods, hold promise for
      improved postoperative sexual outcomes and patient quality of life following
      radical prostatectomy. 

PMID- 26256861
TI  - Interaction of propofol with voltage-gated human Kv1.5 channel through specific
      amino acids within the pore region.
AB  - The intravenous anesthetic propofol affects the function of a diversity of ligand
      gated and voltage-gated ion channels. However, there is little information as to
      whether propofol directly interacts with voltage-gated ion channel proteins to
      modulate their functions. The Kv1.5 channel is activated by membrane
      depolarization during action potentials and contributes to atrial repolarization
      in the human heart. This study was undertaken to examine the effect of propofol
      on voltage-gated human Kv1.5 (hKv1.5) channel and to elucidate the underlying
      molecular determinants. Site-directed mutagenesis was carried out through six
      amino acids that reside within the pore domain of hKv1.5 channel. Whole-cell
      patch-clamp technique was used to record membrane currents through the wild type
      and mutant hKv1.5 channels heterologously expressed in Chinese hamster ovary
      cells. Propofol (>=5 MUM) reversibly and concentration-dependently (IC50 of
      49.3+/-9.4 MUM; n=6) blocked hKv1.5 current. Propofol-induced block of hKv1.5
      current gradually progressed during depolarizing voltage-clamp steps and was
      enhanced by higher frequency of activation, consistent with a preferential block
      of the channels in their open state. The degree of current block by propofol was
      significantly attenuated in T480A, I502A, I508A and V516A, but not in H463C and
      L510A mutants of hKv1.5 channel. Thus, several amino acids near the selectivity
      filter (Thr480) or within S6 (Ile502, Ile508 and Val516) are found to be
      critically involved in the blocking action of propofol. This study provides the
      first evidence suggesting that direct interaction with specific amino acids
      underlies the blocking action of propofol on voltage-gated hKv1.5 channel.

PMID- 26256863
TI  - Social participation experiences of mothers of children with cerebral palsy in an
      Iranian context.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: Social participation is increasingly of interest in research that
      investigates the impact of caring for a child with a disability. Little has been
      investigated about the social participation experiences of mothers of children
      with cerebral palsy (CP). This study explored social participation among Iranian
      mothers of children with CP. METHODS: The conventional qualitative content
      analysis method was utilised. Data were collected via in-depth semi-structured
      interviews with 14 mothers (aged 26-45 years) of children with CP with the gross
      motor function classification system expanded & revised levels III-V. Constant
      comparative analysis was deployed for data analysis. RESULTS: The results were
      identified and classified into three main themes: (i) polarisation of positive
      and negative feelings; (ii) challenges to mothers' social activity; and (iii)
      striving to engage in society. CONCLUSION: In the Iranian context, mothers of
      children with CP are facing many challenges to social participation and seem to
      have been neglected by the health-care system. One of the priorities of Iranian
      health policy makers may be developing, establishing and implementing social
      support to enable the mothers to participate in social activities. Furthermore,
      occupational therapists can contribute and guide mothers' social participation by
      creating programs to develop and utilise skills for them.

PMID- 26256864
TI  - [Picture in Clinical Hematology].

PMID- 26256865
TI  - [Impacts of iron overload on hematopoiesis and its microenvironment].
AB  - A significant number of reports have described hematopoietic improvement after
      iron chelation therapy in iron-overloaded (IO) patients. These observations
      indicate negative impacts of excess iron on hematopoiesis. To investigate how
      excess iron affects hematopoiesis, we generated IO mice and examined
      hematopoietic parameters in these mice. IO mice did not show significant defects
      in the hematopoietic data of peripheral blood. Myeloid progenitor cells in the
      bone marrow were increased in IO mice, but the number and function of the
      erythroid progenitors and hematopoietic stem cells were not significantly
      affected. However, bone marrow transplantation from normal donors to IO
      recipients showed delayed hematopoietic reconstitution. Quantitative RT-PCR
      analyses of the bone marrow stromal cells demonstrated remarkably reduced
      expressions of several important cytokines, e.g. CXCL12, VCAM-1, Kit-ligand and
      IGF-1, in the IO mice. In addition, erythropoietin and thrombopoietin levels were
      significantly suppressed, and oxidative stress was significantly increased in the
      IO bone marrow and liver. Our findings thus indicate that excess iron can damage
      bone marrow stromal cells and other vital organs that support hematopoiesis,
      presumably via increased oxidative stress. 

PMID- 26256866
TI  - [In vivo imaging of intracellular signaling molecules: Come/Stop signals of
      neutrophils during acute inflammation].
AB  - Many chemical mediators regulate neutrophil recruitment to inflammatory sites.
      Although the actions of each of these chemical mediators have been demonstrated
      with neutrophils in vitro, how they act cooperatively or counteract each other in
      vivo remains largely unknown. To understand the behaviors of neutrophils in vivo,
      the activities of intracellular signaling molecules must be visualized in living
      tissues. For this purpose, we can use genetically-encoded biosensors based on the
      principle of Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET). In this review, we first
      provide an overview of FRET biosensors and then describe how we can utilize these
      biosensors to visualize the activity changes of signaling molecules in
      neutrophils during extravasation. In relation to this topic, we will also
      describe the development of transgenic mice expressing the FRET biosensors and in
      vivo two-photon excitation microscopy. 

PMID- 26256867
TI  - [Intravital multiphoton imaging of live bone tissues revealing hematopoietic cell
      dynamics in vivo].
AB  - During the last decade, multiphoton fluorescent microscopy has launched a new era
      in the field of biology. By using this advanced imaging technique we have
      established a system for visualizing the in situ behaviors of a diversity of
      living cells within intact tissues and organs. Among them we succeeded in
      visualizing the various dynamic phenomena within bones, a mysterious organ
      wherein various hematopoietic and immune cells are produced and functioning.
      However, these cell types are poorly understood with conventional methodologies
      such as histological analyses of decalcified bone sections. We have thus far
      focused on the behavior of osteoclasts, a type of specialized macrophage
      contributing to physiological turnover of bone tissues as well as pathological
      bone destruction, and have revealed novel mechanisms controlling the migration
      and function of osteoclasts in situ. Functional coupling between bone-destroying
      osteoclasts and bone-replenishing osteoblasts could also be visualized
      demonstrating a genuine mode of 'cross-talk' among these cell types. Furthermore,
      we have recently imaged in situ behaviors of different hematopoietic cells in
      bone marrow. Herein we present our latest data on cellular dynamics in the bone
      cavity, and discuss the applications of this novel methodology for future studies
      in the field of hematology. 

PMID- 26256862
TI  - The role of inflammation in suicidal behaviour.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Over the past decade, clinical data have accumulated showing that
      inflammation might contribute to the pathophysiology of suicide. To evaluate the
      associations and to identify the support for pathways linking inflammatory
      processes with suicidal behaviour, a comprehensive review of the literature was
      undertaken. METHOD: The search terms 'cytokine', 'risk factors', 'kynurenine',
      'asthma', 'allergy', 'autoimmunity', 'traumatic brain injury', 'infection' along
      with the terms 'inflammation' and 'suicide' were entered into PubMed, and a
      thorough analysis of the publications and their reference lists was performed.
      RESULTS: The effects of inflammation on mood and behaviour could partially be
      mediated by kynurenine pathway metabolites, modulating neuroinflammation and
      glutamate neurotransmission. At the same time, the triggers of the inflammatory
      changes documented in suicidal patients may be attributed to diverse mechanisms
      such as autoimmunity, neurotropic pathogens, stress or traumatic brain injury.
      CONCLUSION: Targeting the inflammatory system might provide novel therapeutic
      approaches as well as potential biomarkers to identify patients at increased
      risk. For the goal of improved detection and treatment of suicidal individuals to
      be achieved, we need to develop a detailed understanding of the origin,
      mechanisms and outcomes of inflammation in suicidal behaviour.

PMID- 26256868
TI  - [Roles of mTOR signalings in hematopoiesis and leukemogenesis].
AB  - Mechanistic/mammalian target protein of rapamycin (mTOR) is an evolutionarily
      conserved kinase that plays a critical role in sensing and responding to growth
      factors, cytokines and nutrients, including amino acids and glucose. Although
      mTOR was originally discovered as a target protein of rapamycin, the inhibitory
      effects of rapamycin on mTORC1 substrates are complex. Recent studies using
      genetic approaches have clearly demonstrated the physiological roles of mTOR
      complexes in regulating the maintenance of hematopoietic and leukemia stem cells.
      Advances in understanding of how mTOR signaling is involved in mechanisms of
      normal hematopoiesis and leukemogenesis may lead to novel therapeutic approaches
      that can successfully eradicate leukemia. 

PMID- 26256869
TI  - [Distinct vascular niches determine hematopoietic stem cell fate].
AB  - Identification of cellular constituents of the hematopoietic stem cell (HSC)
      niche has recently been the subject of intensive investigation. To investigate
      the spatial localization of the HSC niches in bone marrow, we have established a
      whole-mount immunofluorescence imaging technique in which the 3D spatial
      relationships between stromal structures and HSCs in the BM can be precisely
      determined. The imaging assessment combined with computational simulations has
      uncovered a significant association between HSCs and arterioles, ensheathed
      exclusively by rare Nestin(bright) NG2+ pericytes (Nes(peri) cells), distinct
      from sinusoid-associated Nestin(dim) Leptin receptor (LepR)+ (Nes(retic)) cells
      which reportedly represent peri-vascular niche cells. Depletion of NG2+ cells
      using NG2-creERTM / inducible diphtheria toxin receptor (iDTR) mice changed HSC
      localization away from arterioles, induced HSC cycling and reduced long-term
      repopulation of HSCs in BM, suggesting that periarteriolar NG2+ cells form
      quiescent niches for HSCs. These results form the basis of studies that will
      allow us to genetically dissect the functions of distinct vascular niches. This
      vascular niche model, in which arterioles and sinusoids differentially regulate
      HSC quiescence and proliferation, respectively, have implications for the
      behavior of healthy HSC and may be useful in the future for evaluating the niches
      for cancer (leukemic) stem cells.

PMID- 26256870
TI  - [Genetic and epigenetic abnormalities in myeloproliferative neoplasms].
AB  - Mutations in JAK2, MPL and CALR are regarded as driver mutations, and are
      mutually exclusively detected in more than 90% of myeloproliferative neoplasms
      (MPNs). In addition, mutations in epigenetic regulator genes such as TET2 or
      DNMT3A are detected in MPNs. Although the roles of mutations in epigenetic
      regulator genes were clarified in normal hematopoiesis, their roles have remained
      unclear in malignant hematopoiesis of MPNs. We analyzed three lines of mutant
      mice: mice with JAK2V617F, a representative of driver gene mutations; mice with
      loss of TET2, a representative of epigenetic abnormalities; and mice with both.
      We thereby clarified two roles of loss of TET2 in malignant hematopoiesis of JAK2
      mutated MPNs: one is "disease initiator and sustainer" via reinforcing the
      function of JAK2-mutated hematopoietic stem cells, and the other is "disease
      accelerator". New strategies in risk assessment or treatment are required,
      considering not only single but also multiple mutations. 

PMID- 26256871
TI  - [New hemophilia treatment employing a bispecific antibody to factors IXa and X].
AB  - Unmet needs of current hemophilia A treatment include the requirement for
      frequent intravenous infusions, inhibitor development, and containment of high
      medical costs. In order to overcome these issues, we produced FVIII which mimics
      a bispecific antibody against FIXa/FX. ACE910 demonstrated hemostatic effects on
      both ongoing and spontaneous joint bleeding in the primate acquired hemophilia A
      model. Recently, a phase 1 study for PK, PD, and the safety of ACE910 was
      initiated. The t1/2 was approximately 30 days. There were no severe ACE910
      related adverse events. Furthermore, bleeding was remarkably decreased by weekly
      subcutaneous administration in patients with severe hemophilia A, regardless of
      whether an inhibitor was used. ACE910 has the remarkable advantages of
      prophylactic efficacy which can be achieved by convenient subcutaneous
      administrations at a markedly reduced frequency. 

PMID- 26256872
TI  - [Antithrombin resistance: a new mechanism of inherited thrombophilia].
AB  - Venous thromboembolism is a multifactorial disease resulting from complex
      interactions among genetic and environmental factors. To date, numerous genetic
      defects have been found in families with hereditary thrombophilia, but there may
      still be many undiscovered causative gene mutations. We investigated a possible
      causative gene defect in a large Japanese family with inherited thrombophilia,
      and found a novel missense mutation in the prothrombin gene (p.Arg596Leu)
      resulting in a variant prothrombin (prothrombin Yukuhashi). The mutant
      prothrombin had moderately lower activity than wild type prothrombin in clotting
      assays, but formation of the thrombin-antithrombin (TAT) complex was
      substantially impaired resulting in prolonged thrombin activity. A thrombin
      generation assay revealed that the peak activity of the mutant prothrombin was
      fairly low, but its inactivation was extremely slow in reconstituted plasma. The
      Leu596 substitution caused a gain-of-function mutation in the prothrombin gene,
      resulting in resistance to antithrombin and susceptibility to thrombosis. We also
      showed the effects of the prothrombin Yukuhashi mutation on the thrombomodulin
      protein C anticoagulation system, recent development of a laboratory test
      detecting antithrombin resistance in plasma, and another antithrombin resistant
      mutation found in other thrombophilia families. 

PMID- 26256873
TI  - [Development of new treatments for extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma in Japan].
AB  - Extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type (ENKL), accounts for less than 3% of
      malignant lymphomas in Japan. Based on the results of prospective clinical
      trials, ENKL treatment has dramatically improved during the last decade in Japan.
      The Lymphoma Study Group of the Japan Clinical Oncology Group (JCOG) conducted a
      phase I/II study (JCOG0211) of concurrent chemoradiotherapy for newly-diagnosed,
      localized ENKL. The trial showed an excellent 5-year overall survival rate (70%)
      and acceptable toxicity of RT-2/3DeVIC. The NK-cell Tumor Study Group in Japan,
      together with Asian collaborators, conducted clinical trials (SMILE-PI & PII) of
      SMILE chemotherapy for patients with newly-diagnosed stage IV, or
      relapsed/refractory ENKL. The overall response rate for 2 cycles of SMILE in 38
      evaluated patients was 79%. The 2013 Japanese Society of Hematology guidelines
      recommend RT-2/3DeVIC for the treatment of newly-diagnosed ENKL of stage IE and
      contiguous stage IIE with cervical node involvement. For other ENKL, SMILE or
      other L-asparaginase-containing chemotherapies are recommended. A large
      retrospective study evaluating the efficacy and toxicity of these new treatments
      in clinical practice is currently underway in Japan. Close cooperation between
      radiation oncologists and international collaboration will be the key factors in
      developing better first-line treatments for ENKL. 

PMID- 26256874
TI  - [Recent progress of diagnosis and treatment in NK cell neoplasms].
AB  - Aggressive natural killer cell leukemia (ANKL) is a malignant disorder of mature
      NK cells that is relatively common in East Asia. It is associated with Epstein
      Barr virus in more than 80% of patients. The median survival is not more than
      three months after diagnosis. In a recent survey of 34 cases with ANKL, the
      median patient age was 40 years and the age distribution followed a bimodal
      pattern. Morphologically, the ANKL cells varied from large granular lymphocytes
      to atypical cells with pleomorphic-like appearances. Clinical characteristics
      include fever, liver dysfunction, hemophagocytic syndrome, and a rapidly
      progressive course. In one third of patients, tumor cells in peripheral blood or
      the bone marrow are below 20% at initial presentation, which might lead to
      diagnostic delay. L-asparaginase-based chemotherapy plus allogeneic hematopoietic
      stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a potential therapeutic option with curative
      intent.  As for extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma, nasal type, HSCT could be
      anticipated to provide survival benefit or a chance of cure for patients in
      clinical stage II to IV with complete remission at transplantation. However, the
      optimal stem cell source, timing of transplantation, and preconditioning regimen
      require further elucidation. 

PMID- 26256875
TI  - [TET2 as a gatekeeper for hematologic malignancies].
AB  - TET (Ten Eleven Translocation) family proteins are dioxygenases that convert
      methylcytosine to hydroxymethylcytosine, and play an important role in the DNA
      demethylation process. Most notably, TET2 mutations have frequently been
      identified in myeloid malignancies, such as myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS),
      myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, and acute
      myeloid leukemias, as well as angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma and a proportion
      of peripheral T-cell lymphomas. To date, various types of Tet2 knockout/knockdown
      mice have been generated. Tet2 mutations induce enhanced self-renewal ability and
      competitive repopulation capacity in hematopoietic stem cells, and various
      MPN/MDS-like diseases and T-cell lymphoma consequently develop in model mice.
      These findings appear to have a strong correlation with the recently identified
      TET2 mutations in a significant proportion of healthy elderly people, and suggest
      that TET2 mutations lead to a pre-cancer state in hematopoietic stem/progenitor
      cells. In conclusion, TET2 might play a major role as a gate keeper for
      hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells preventing them from developing into various
      hematologic malignancies by acquiring additional disease-specific gene mutations.

PMID- 26256876
TI  - [Functional analysis of TET2 using a knockdown mouse model].
AB  - In myeloid malignancies, mutations have occurred in epigenetic regulator genes,
      including Ten-Eleven-Translocation 2 (TET2). TET2 is an enzyme that catalyzes the
      conversion of 5-methylcytosine into 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC) which is a
      key intermediate for oxidative DNA demethylation. We analyzed the in vivo
      phenotype of TET2 failure using Ayu17-449 (TET2(trap/trap)) mice created by the
      gene-trap method in which TET2 mRNA levels were decreased to about 20% of the
      level in wild-type (WT) mice. In TET2(trap/trap) mice the levels of 5-hmC in
      genomic DNA from bone marrow (BM) cells were decreased in comparison to WT mice.
      TET2(trap/trap) mice were born at an expected Mendelian frequency but died at a
      high rate by postnatal day 3, indicating TET2 to be essential for survival. In
      analysis of the hematopoietic system, transplantation of TET2(trap/trap), but not
      WT fetal liver cells, led to mild myeloid hyperplasia and splenomegaly in WT
      recipient mice, but no onsets of lethal hematological malignancies were observed
      during a follow-up period of 12 months. TET2 knockdown led to an increased serial
      replating capacity of BM cells in vitro and increased hematopoietic stem cell
      (HSC) self-renewal in vivo in competitive repopulation and serial transplantation
      assays. These data indicate that TET2 has a critical role in survival and HSC
      homeostasis. 

PMID- 26256877
TI  - [A survey of HTLV-1 carrier clinics in Japan].
AB  - Human T-lymphotropic virus type-I (HTLV-1) is the causative agent of adult T-cell
      leukemia/lymphoma and HTLV-1 associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis.
      Currently, mother-to-child transmission via breastfeeding and sexual intercourse
      are considered to be the two major routes for HTLV-1 infection. We surveyed four
      clinics in Japan (two HTLV-1 carrier clinics in non-endemic areas and one in an
      endemic area, and one hematology clinic in a highly endemic area) and reviewed
      the management of carriers. In HTLV-1 carrier clinics, more than half of visitors
      had learned of their infections based on an examination conducted either for
      blood donation or pregnancy. Although half of visitors had known of their
      infection more than 2 years prior to their visit, they became to visit the
      clinics probably due to recent awareness of HTLV-1 in public and of carrier
      clinics. They requested a detailed explanation, and check-ups for infection and
      its related diseases. In contrast, most visitors in highly endemic areas had
      apparently received good explanations from their primary care physicians. It is
      noteworthy that neither parent of more than half of the carriers who visited the
      two clinics in the non-endemic area had been born outside of Kyushu, a highly
      endemic area, indicating that carriers will disperse from known endemic areas.
      Configuring an appropriate and efficient system to support carriers is necessary,
      especially in non-endemic areas. 

PMID- 26256878
TI  - [The efficacy of early use of recombinant soluble thrombomodulin for disseminated
      intravascular coagulation complicated with hematologic malignancies].
AB  - We retrospectively investigated treatment outcomes with soluble recombinant
      thrombomodulin (rTM) for disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) associated
      with hematological malignancies (acute leukemia and malignant lymphoma) at our
      hospital. After rTM administration, DIC scores improved in 29 of 39 cases with
      hematological malignancies (74.36%). Although one case with recurrent and
      refractory APL died due to cerebral bleeding during rTM administration, no
      bleeding-associated adverse events were observed in the other 38 cases. DIC
      improvement was augmented in cases with acute leukemia when rTM was introduced in
      the pre-DIC state. CRP decreased in 26 of 36 cases with hematological
      malignancies (72.22%) after rTM introduction, and CRP decreased particularly
      significantly in cases with malignant lymphoma, suggesting rTM to exert anti
      inflammatory activity. Taken together, these observations indicate that rTM,
      which rarely causes bleeding-associated adverse events, is an excellent agent in
      terms of both efficacy and safety for treating DIC associated with hematological
      malignancies, and the potential anti-inflammatory activity of this agent was also
      suggested. 

PMID- 26256879
TI  - [Development of Ph negative acute myeloid leukemia in a patient with minor
      BCR/ABL positive chronic myeloid leukemia achieving a partial cytogenetic
      response during tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment].
AB  - A 78-year-old male, who had CKD and chronic heart failure, was referred to our
      hospital for evaluation of leukocytosis. His bone marrow contained 12% blast
      cells and chromosome analysis showed the Ph chromosome as well as other changes.
      The patient was diagnosed with the accelerated-phase CML because FISH and RT-PCR
      disclosed BCR/ABL fusion signals and minor BCR/ABL, respectively. Imatinib was
      administered, but the CML was resistant to this treatment. We gave him nilotinib
      employing a reduced and intermittent administration protocol because of the
      progression of anemia and heart failure. The patient achieved PCyR in 8 months,
      but, 12 months later, his WBC count increased and 83% of the cells were blasts.
      Because the probable diagnosis was the blast crisis of CML, we switched from
      nilotinib to dasatinib. However, leukocytosis worsened and he died of pneumonia.
      It was later revealed that he had a normal karyotype and both FISH and RT-PCR
      analysis of BCR/ABL were negative. His final diagnosis was Ph negative AML
      developing from Ph positive CML in PCyR. Since there were no dysplastic changes
      indicative of MDS, it was assumed that the AML was not secondary leukemia caused
      by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor but, rather, de novo AML. 

PMID- 26256880
TI  - [Bacteremia due to Rothia mucilaginosa after chemotherapy for myeloid
      malignancies].
AB  - The number of reported cases of bacteremia due to Rothia mucilaginosa (R.
      mucilaginosa), a component of the normal flora of human gastrointestinal tract
      mucosa, is limited. We encountered three cases of bacteremia due to R.
      mucilaginosa during neutropenia after chemotherapy for myeloid malignancies.
      Although all three patients were successfully treated with antimicrobial agents,
      one patient developed disseminated lesions in the lungs and soft tissue. The
      portal of R. mucilaginosa bacteremia is reportedly mucositis or dental disorders;
      however, no such complications were identified in our patients. Even in the
      absence of a preexisting portal, R. mucilaginosa should be recognized as a
      potential causative pathogen of bacteremia during neutropenic periods.
      Accumulations of cases and isolates are required to further elucidate the risk
      factors for developing R. mucilaginosa bacteremia, its clinical course, and the
      optimal antimicrobial treatment. 

PMID- 26256881
TI  - [Isolated central nervous system relapse in type II enteropathy-associated T cell
      lymphoma].
AB  - A 75-year-old male presented with progressive lower abdominal discomfort. CT scan
      demonstrated hypertrophy of the intestinal wall, small bowel dilatation, and
      masses in the descending colon. Biopsy specimens of the jejunum and descending
      colon revealed widespread distribution of medium-sized atypical lymphocytes with
      an immunophenotype, positivity for CD3, CD8, CD56, TAI-1, granzyme B and TCRbeta,
      but negativity for CD4, CD5, CD20, CD30 and EBER-ISH. Type II enteropathy
      associated T cell lymphoma (EATL; Lugano, stage IIE) was diagnosed. Subsequently,
      he received 6 cycles of chemotherapy with 2/3 dose CHOP and obtained complete
      remission. However, 18 months after the initial presentation, he presented with
      rapidly progressive mental deterioration. Gadolinium enhanced T1-weighted brain
      MR images showed multiple masses with mild heterogeneous enhancement. Brain
      biopsy revealed necrotic tumors composed of medium-sized atypical lymphocytes,
      positive for CD3, CD8, CD56, TIA-1, granzyme B and TCRbeta, but negative for CD4,
      CD20, and EBER-ISH. CT scan disclosed no evidence of systemic lymphoma relapse,
      indicating central nervous system relapse of EATL. Despite immediate high-dose
      chemotherapy with methotrexate, he died of disease progression. EATL is a rare
      disease with a very poor outcome, for which a validated standard treatment is
      still lacking. Further studies are needed to identify innovative therapies for
      treating EATL. 

PMID- 26256882
TI  - [Brentuximab vedotin and cord blood transplantation for primary refractory
      Hodgkin lymphoma following autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation].
AB  - We report a 26-year-old man with primary refractory nodular sclerosis Hodgkin
      lymphoma against ABVD, ICE and autologous peripheral blood stem cell
      transplantation (auto-PBSCT), presenting with multiple epidural spinal cord
      compressions, paraplegia, and generalized lymphadenopathy. We administrated four
      cycles of brentuximab vedotin to achieve a complete response, and then conducted
      cord blood transplantation. This case raises the possibility of a new strategy
      for refractory Hodgkin lymphoma showing residual lesions after auto-PBSCT. 

PMID- 26256883
TI  - [Acquired pure red cell aplasia in a patient with B cell chronic lymphocytic
      leukemia after fludarabine therapy].
AB  - A 67-year-old woman was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in
      October 2001. In August 2004, she received chemotherapy consisting of fludarabine
      and cyclophosphamide (FC therapy). After three cycles of FC therapy, the number
      of tumor cells was markedly decreased. However, anemia progressed. She was
      diagnosed with pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) by bone marrow examination and was
      successfully treated with cyclosporin A (CsA). In October 2008, anemia progressed
      with the exacerbation of CLL and she received three cycles of fludarabine
      therapy. Although the number of tumor cells diminished, the anemia did not
      improve. She was diagnosed with PRCA recurrence and was again successfully
      treated with CsA. PRCA is a rare complication in patients with CLL and has been
      attributed to T cell-mediated mechanisms. Six cases with PRCA that developed
      after fludarabine therapy for CLL have already been reported. Fludarabine therapy
      may be toxic to Treg, resulting in the loss of self-tolerance. It is important to
      consider the possibility of PRCA in patients with progressive anemia after
      fludarabine therapy for CLL. 

PMID- 26256884
TI  - [Primary graft failure in a patient with refractory acute myeloid leukemia
      successfully treated with modified 'one-day'-based preparative regimen followed
      by cord blood transplantation].
AB  - A 32-year-old woman with acute myeloid leukemia failed to achieve remission with
      two courses of induction chemotherapy, and she received cord blood
      transplantation (CBT) in a non-remission state, using an HLA-matched cord blood
      (CB) graft after a conditioning regimen of fludarabine (Flu) at 125 mg/m2 +
      melphalan at 140 mg/m2 + total body irradiation (TBI) at 4 Gy. Chimerism analysis
      of the bone marrow (BM) cells performed on day 21 after CBT revealed 99% of these
      cells to be the recipient type. We diagnosed the patient as having graft failure
      (GF), and then carried out a second CBT using an HLA-matched male CB graft on day
      29 after the first CBT. The conditioning regimen (modified 'one-day'-based
      regimen) consisted of Flu at 30 mg/m2 (3 days) + cyclophosphamide (CY) at 2 g/m2
      (1 day) + TBI 2 Gy. She achieved neutrophil engraftment on day 18. FISH analysis
      of BM cells on day 13 showed 96% to be of male origin. She has remained in
      complete remission for 18 months, to date, since the salvage CBT. This case
      suggests that salvage CBT following a modified 'one-day'-based regimen may
      preserve a strong graft versus leukemia effect.

PMID- 26256887
TI  - Expression of heat shock protein 27 correlates with actin cytoskeletal dynamics
      and contractility of cultured human bladder smooth muscle cells.
AB  - Heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) is one of the most important chaperone proteins
      that modulates smooth muscle contraction. Here we investigated the effects of
      HSP27 expression on cytoskeleton dynamics and contractile function of human
      bladder smooth muscle cells (BSMCs) in vitro. Cultured human BSMCs were
      transfected with lentiviral vectors expressing either HSP27 or HSP27-siRNAs.
      Normal BSMCs cells and cells transfected with the empty lentivirus were used as
      control. Cells were then cultured on Flexcell flexible membrane dishes and
      mechanical stretch (14.8% elongation) was applied. The stretch caused significant
      disruption of actin cytoskeletal structure and decrease in F/G-actin ratio in
      BSMCs with HSP27 over-expression, knock-down and control groups (P<0.05) as
      indicated by phalloidin-FITC staining. It was also shown that the structure of
      actin filaments in HSP27 over-expressed cells recovered and F/G-actin ratio
      significantly increased at 12h after stretching compared to unstretched cells
      (P<0.05), but not in HSP27 knock-down cells, suggesting that HSP27 promoted the
      recovery of cytoskeletal structure in BSMCs from stretch-induced injury. In
      addition, the contractile force of BSMCs was enhanced by over-expression of HSP27
      and attenuated by knock-down of HSP27 (P<0.05), suggesting a pivotal role of
      HSP27 in regulating bladder smooth muscle contraction.

PMID- 26256888
TI  - Efficient episomal reprogramming of blood mononuclear cells and differentiation
      to hepatocytes with functional drug metabolism.
AB  - The possibility of converting cells from blood mononuclear cells (MNC) to liver
      cells provides promising opportunities for the study of diseases and the
      assessment of new drugs. However, clinical applications have to meet GMP
      requirements and the methods for generating induced pluripotent cells (iPCs) have
      to avoid insertional mutagenesis, a possibility when using viral vehicles for the
      delivery of reprogramming factors. We have developed an efficient non-integration
      method for reprogramming fresh or frozen blood MNC, maintained in an optimised
      cytokine cocktail, to generate induced pluripotent cells. Using electroporation
      for the effective delivery of episomal transcription factors (Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, L
      Myc, and Lin28) in a feeder-free system, without any requirement for small
      molecules, we achieved a reprogramming efficiency of up to 0.033% (65 colonies
      from 2*10(5) seeded MNC). Applying the same cytokine cocktail and reprogramming
      methods to cord blood or fetal liver-derived CD34(+) cells, we obtained 148 iPS
      colonies from 10(5) seeding cells (0.148%). The iPS cell lines we generated
      maintained typical characteristics of pluripotent cells and could be successfully
      differentiated into hepatocytes with drug metabolic function.

PMID- 26256889
TI  - Bacterioplankton community shifts associated with epipelagic and mesopelagic
      waters in the Southern Ocean.
AB  - The Southern Ocean is among the least explored marine environments on Earth, and
      still little is known about regional and vertical variability in the diversity of
      Antarctic marine prokaryotes. In this study, the bacterioplankton community in
      both epipelagic and mesopelagic waters was assessed at two adjacent stations by
      high-throughput sequencing and quantitative PCR. Water temperature was
      significantly higher in the superficial photic zone, while higher salinity and
      dissolved oxygen were recorded in the deeper water layers. The highest abundance
      of the bacterioplankton was found at a depth of 75 m, corresponding to the deep
      chlorophyll maximum layer. Both Alphaproteobacteria and Gammaproteobacteria were
      the most abundant taxa throughout the water column, while more sequences
      affiliated to Cyanobacteria and unclassified bacteria were identified from
      surface and the deepest waters, respectively. Temperature was the most
      significant environmental variable affecting the bacterial community structure.
      The bacterial community composition displayed significant differences at the
      epipelagic layers between two stations, whereas those in the mesopelagic waters
      were more similar to each other. Our results indicated that the epipelagic
      bacterioplankton might be dominated by short-term environmental variable
      conditions, whereas the mesopelagic communities appeared to be structured by
      longer water-mass residence time and relative stable environmental factors.

PMID- 26256890
TI  - Liver-specific case fatality due to chronic hepatitis C virus infection: a
      systematic review.
AB  - Despite reports that mortality is increasing, overall case fatality due to
      hepatitis C virus (HCV) is thought to be low. Given the variability in published
      rates, we aimed to synthesize estimates of liver-specific case fatality and all
      cause mortality in chronic HCV according to follow-up duration, sustained viral
      response (SVR) to treatment, and liver disease severity. A systematic review was
      conducted of studies published in English from 2003 to 2013, reporting liver
      specific case fatality estimates from HCV-infected samples. Thirty-five eligible
      articles were identified; 26 also presented estimates of all-cause mortality.
      Among community-based samples, liver-specific case fatality ranged from 0.3% over
      5.7 years to 9.2% over 8.2 years of follow-up; and of all-cause mortality, from
      4.0% over 5.7 years, to 23.0% over 8.2 years of follow-up. Estimates were higher
      among clinic-based samples and those with more severe liver disease. Among
      treated patients achieving SVR, liver-specific case fatality was low: up to 1.4%
      over 11.5 years of follow-up among samples with any severity of liver disease.
      Estimates were higher among those without SVR: up to 14.0% over 10 years of
      followup among samples with any severity of liver disease, and higher still among
      samples with more severe liver disease. The proportion of deaths attributable to
      liver-specific causes ranged from 55 to 85% among those with severe liver
      disease. Published estimates of fatality are high among certain populations of
      chronic HCV patients, with liver-specific causes being an important contributor.
      Understanding current HCV mortality rates is important for quantifying the total
      burden of HCV disease. 

PMID- 26256891
TI  - Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor for acute-on-chronic liver failure:
      systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is associated with increased short and long
      term mortality. Animal models of liver failure have demonstrated that granulocyte
      colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) accelerates the liver regeneration process and
      improves survival. However, clinical evidence regarding the use of G-CSF in ACLF
      remains scarce. The aim of this study was to assess the benefits and harms of G
      CSF in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure. An electronic search was
      made in The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE,
      EMBASE and LILACS up to November 2013. Randomized clinical trials comparing the
      use of any regimen of G-CSF against placebo or no intervention in patients with
      ACLF were included. Primary outcomes included overal mortality, mortality due
      multi-organ failure, and adverse events. Relative risk (RR) and mean difference
      (MD) were used. Two trials involving 102 patients were included. A significant
      reduction in short-term overall mortality was observed in patients receiving G
      CSF compared to controls (RR 0.56; 95%CI 0.39,0.80). G-CSF failed to reduce
      mortality secondary to gastrointestinal bleeding (RR 1.45; 95%CI 0.50, 4.27).
      Adverse effects reported included: fever, rash, herpes zoster, headache and
      nausea. In conclusion, the use of G-CSF for the treatment of patients with ACLF
      significantly reduced short-term mortality. While the evidence is still limited,
      the apparent benefit observed on short-term mortality, mild adverse effects and
      lack of an alternative therapy make the use of G-CSF in ACLF patients a
      reasonable alternative when liver transplantation is contraindicated or
      unavailable. 

PMID- 26256892
TI  - Increase of drug use and genotype 3 in HCV-infected patients from Central West
      and Northeast Mexico.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The evolving pattern of HCV genotypes (GTs) and risk factors (RFs) in
      HCV-infected patients in Mexico is poorly understood. This study aimed to access
      the temporal trend of HCV GTs and RFs in HCV patients from two care centers.
      MATERIAL AND METHODS: Chronic HCV patients [177 and 153 patients from the
      Northeast (NE) and Central West (CW) regions, respectively] were selected.
      Baseline features were demographics, date of birth (DOB), blood transfusion
      before 1992 (BTb1992), RFs, sexual promiscuity (SP), dental procedure (DP),
      injection drug use (IDU), viral load (VL), GTs, cirrhosis status and antiviral
      therapy (AT). Data were analyzed by Chi-square test for trends, unpaired T-test,
      and logistic regression. RESULTS: HCV GT distribution was: GT1, 67%; GT2, 16%;
      GT3, 12% and GT4, 1%. RFs were BTb1992, 56%; surgeries, 56%; tattooing, 18% and
      IDU, 16%. GT1a mostly prevailed in CW than NE patients. GT1b, surgeries, BTb1992
      and cirrhosis were more prevalent in older patients (p < 0.05); GT3, male gender
      IDU, SP, and tattooing showed an upward trend as younger were the patients in
      both regions (p < 0.05), contrariwise to the prevalence of GT1b. BTb1992 and
      surgeries were seen in elder women; BTb1992 was an independent RF for GT1. Age >=
      50 years old, GT1 and exposure to AT (p < 0.05) were associated with cirrhosis.
      CONCLUSION: GT1a prevalence in CW Mexico remained stable, whereas GT3 increased
      and GT1b decreased in younger patients in both regions, along with associated
      RFs. Further regional molecular epidemiology and RF analyses are required in
      order to avoid the dissemination of new cases of HCV infection.

PMID- 26256893
TI  - Intermediate fibrosis staging in hepatitis C: a problem not overcome by optimal
      samples or pathologists' expertise.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The prediction of intermediate stage of fibrosis in chronic
      hepatitis C represents a prognostic factor for disease progression. Studies
      evaluating biopsy performance in intermediate stage considering current patterns
      of liver samples and pathologists' variability are scarce. We aimed to evaluate
      the effect of optimal liver specimens (>= 20 mm and/or >= 11 portal tracts) and
      pathologists' expertise on agreement for intermediate stage of fibrosis in
      chronic hepatitis C. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Guided biopsies with large TruCut
      needle were initially scored by four pathologists with different expertise in
      liver disease and posteriorly reviewed by a reference hepatopathologist to
      evaluate fibrosis agreement. RESULTS: Of the 255 biopsies initially selected, 240
      met the criteria of an optimal fragment (mean length 24 +/- 5 mm; 16 +/- 6 portal
      tracts) and were considered for analysis. The overall agreement among all
      fibrosis stages was 77% (kappa = 0.66); intraobserver and interobserver agreement
      was, respectively, 97% (k = 0.96) and 73% (kappa = 0.60). Excluded samples (< 20
      mm and < 11 portal tracts) presented a lower agreement (40%; kappa = 0.24).
      Stratifying fibrosis stages, an interobserver agreement of 42% was found in
      intermediate stage (F2), ranging from 0 to 56% according to pathologists'
      expertise, compared to 97% in mild (F0-F1) and 72% in advanced fibrosis (>= F3)
      (p < 0.001). Of the 23% misclassified cases, fibrosis understaging occurred in
      82% of specimens, predominantly in F2, even when evaluated by a
      hepatopathologist. CONCLUSIONS: Liver biopsy presents intrinsic limitations to
      assess intermediate stage of fibrosis not overcome by optimal samples and
      experienced pathologists' analysis, and should not be considered the gold
      standard method to evaluate intermediate fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C.

PMID- 26256894
TI  - Fatty liver and abdominal fat relationships with high C-reactive protein in
      adults without coronary heart disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE: Fatty liver (FL) and abdominal visceral fat (AVF) are
      strongly associated with systemic inflammation, however, it has not been defined
      if each one is independently involved, and if the insulin resistance is
      associated. To investigate if FL, AVF and insulin resistance are independently or
      additively associated with the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in
      subjects without coronary artery disease we included 491 men and 553 women.
      MATERIAL AND METHODS: All had anthropometric and plasma biochemical measurements,
      FL and AVF assessments by computed tomography. RESULTS: The FL prevalence was
      35.6% in men and 28.0% in women, p < 0.01. The prevalence of obesity, metabolic
      syndrome and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was
      significantly higher in FL compared to non FL subjects. FL and AVF accounted for
      21 and 17%, respectively, to hs-CRP plasma levels. FL, AVF >= P75 and HOMA-IR >=
      P75 were independently and additively associated with plasma hs-CRP. The risk of
      hs-CRP >= 3 mg/L increased progressively in men from 1.36 (0.5-3.86) through 3.58
      (1.32-9.7) in those with 1 or 3 factors respectively. In women from 2.25 (1.2
      4.2) to 4.67 (2.3-9.4), respectively. In conclusion, both the FL and hs-CRP >= 3
      mg/L occur in 1 of every 3 non CAD subjects. In men, FL and AVF >= P75 were
      associated with 3.6 times the risk of hs-CRP >= 3 mg/L, while in women, these
      factors were independently and additively associated with a 4.7 times higher risk
      of systemic inflammation.

PMID- 26256895
TI  - SFRP5 hepatic expression is associated with non-alcoholic liver disease in
      morbidly obese women.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Secreted frizzled-related protein 5 (SFRP5) was recently
      described as a new adipokine protective for hepatic steatosis and other obesity
      related complications in the mouse model. To date, SFRP5 expression in non
      alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has not been fully assessed in humans. We
      measured circulating SFRP5 levels and its expression in liver and adipose tissue,
      and evaluated its association with NAFLD in morbidly obese women. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: Fifty-four morbidly obese women undergoing bariatric surgery were
      included in the study. Liver biopsies were used for histology and hepatic
      triglyceride content quantification. Circulating SFRP5 levels were measured
      through enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay, and SFRP5 expression was performed
      in hepatic and adipose tissue (subcutaneous and visceral). RESULTS: Although
      circulating SFRP5 levels showed a tendency to decrease with NAFLD progression, no
      significant differences were observed among non-alcoholic steatosis,
      steatohepatitis, and control subjects. Hepatic SFRP5 expression showed a negative
      correlation with hepatic triglyceride content (r = -0.349, P = 0.016 for mRNA and
      r = -0.291, P = 0.040 for SRFP5 protein) and ALT serum levels (r = -0.437, P =
      0.001 for SRFP5 protein). In addition, hepatic SFRP5 protein levels were
      significantly lower in NASH than in control subjects (P = 0.006). CONCLUSION:
      This is the first study reporting an association of hepatic SFRP5 expression with
      NAFLD in humans.

PMID- 26256896
TI  - Transient hyperglycemia during liver transplantation does not affect the early
      graft function.
AB  - Background and rationale for the study. Hyperglycemia after graft reperfusion is
      a consistent finding in liver transplantation (LT) that remains poorly studied.
      We aim to describe its appearance in LT recipients of different types of grafts
      and its relation to the graft function. MATERIAL & METHODS: 436 LT recipients of
      donors after brain death (DBD), donors after cardiac death (DCD), and familial
      amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP) donors were reviewed. Serum glucose was measured
      at baseline, during the anhepatic phase, after graft reperfusion, and at the end
      of surgery. Early graft dysfunction (EAD) was assessed by Olthoff criteria.
      Caspase-3, IFN-gamma, IL1beta, and IL6 gene expression were measured in liver
      biopsy. RESULTS: The highest increase in glucose levels after reperfusion was
      observed in FAP LT recipients and the lowest in DCD LT recipients. Glucose level
      during the anhepatic phase was the only modifiable predictive variable of
      hyperglycemia after reperfusion. No relation was found between hyperglycemia
      after reperfusion and EAD. However, recipients with the highest glucose levels
      after reperfusion tended to achieve the best glucose control at the end of
      surgery and those who were unable to control the glucose value after reperfusion
      showed EAD more frequently. The highest levels of caspase-3 were found in
      recipients with the lowest glucose values after reperfusion. In conclusion,
      glucose levels increased after graft reperfusion to a different extent according
      to the donor type. Contrary to general belief, transient hyperglycemia after
      reperfusion does not appear to impact negatively on the liver graft function and
      could even be suggested as a marker of graft quality.

PMID- 26256897
TI  - Risk factors for acute kidney injury and 30-day mortality after liver
      transplantation.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to evaluate the risk factors for acute
      kidney injury (AKI) and 30-day mortality after liver transplantation. MATERIAL
      AND METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort of consecutive adults undergoing
      orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) at a referral hospital in Brazil, from
      January 2013 to January 2014. Risk factors for AKI and death were investigated.
      RESULTS: A total 134 patients were included, with median age of 56 years. AKI was
      found in 46.7% of patients in the first 72 h after OLT. Risk factors for AKI
      were: viral hepatitis (OR 2.9, 95% CI = 1.2-7), warm ischemia time (OR 1.1, 95%
      CI = 1.01-1.2) and serum lactate (OR 1.3, 95%CI = 1.02-1.89). The length of
      intensive care unit (ICU) stay was longer in AKI group: 4 (3-7) days vs. 3 (2-4)
      days (p = 0.001), as well as overall hospitalization stay: 16 (9-26) days vs. 10
      (8- 14) days (p = 0.001). The 30-day mortality was 15%. AKI was an independent
      risk factor for mortality (OR 4.3, 95% CI = 1.3-14.6). MELD-Na >= 22 was a
      predictor for hemodialysis need (OR 8.4, 95%CI = 1.5-46.5). Chronic kidney
      disease (CKD) was found in 36 patients (56.2% of AKI patients). CONCLUSIONS:
      Viral hepatitis, longer warm ischemia time and high levels of serum lactate are
      risk factors for AKI after OLT. AKI is a risk factor for death and can lead to
      CKD in a high percentage of patients after OLT. A high MELD-Na score is a
      predictor for hemodialysis need.

PMID- 26256898
TI  - Secondary sclerosing cholangitis following major burn.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Secondary sclerosing cholangitis in critically ill patients
      (SSC-CIP) is a relatively new previously unrecognized entity which may lead to
      severe biliary disease with rapid progression to cirrhosis. We present for the
      first time a case series of patients with rapidly progressive SSC-CIP requiring
      aggressive intensive care treatment following major burn injury. RESULTS: SSC-CIP
      was diagnosed in 4 consecutive patients hospitalized due to major burn injuries
      at our Intensive Care Unit (ICU). SSC-CIP was diagnosed when ERCP (n = 1) or MRCP
      (n = 3) demonstrated irregular intrahepatic bile ducts with multiple strictures
      and dilatations and, when a liver biopsy (n = 3) demonstrated severe cholestasis
      and bile duct damage. All patients were males; none of whom had pre-existing
      liver disease. Ages: 18-56 y. All patients suffered from severe (grade 2-3) burn
      injuries with total burn surface area ranging from 35 to 95%. Mean length of ICU
      hospitalization was 129.2 +/- 53.0 days. All patients required mechanical
      ventilation (with a mean PEEP of 8.4 +/- 2.1 cm H2O) and the administration of
      catecholamines for hemodynamic stabilization. All patients demonstrated severe
      cholestasis. Blood cultures and cultures from drained liver abscesses grew
      hospital acquired multiple resistant bacteria. Liver cirrhosis developed within
      12 months. One patient underwent orthotopic liver transplantation. Two patients
      (50%) died. In conclusion, SSC-CIP following major burn injury is a rapidly
      progressive disease with a poor outcome. Liver cirrhosis developed rapidly.
      Awareness of this grave complication is needed for prompt diagnosis and
      considerations of a liver transplantation.

PMID- 26256899
TI  - Gallstone disease and obesity: a population-based study on abdominal fat
      distribution and gender differences.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Existing evidence suggests the visceral fat is more metabolically
      active than subcutaneous fat. We aimed to investigate the value of subcutaneous
      (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue thickness (VAT) for prediction of gallstone
      disease (GSD) in general population by focus on gender differences and comparison
      with body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and waist-to-height ratio
      (WHtR). MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional survey, 1,494 subjects
      (51.4 % men), aged above 50, randomly selected from Golestan Cohort Study
      residing in Gonbad City, Iran, underwent anthropometric measurements and
      abdominal ultrasonography. RESULTS: Prevalence of GSD was 17.8% (95% CI 15.9
      19.8). Following adjustment for age and then other potential risk factors, all
      obesity indices, except for SAT, were associated with GSD in women with the
      highest odds ratio observed in WHtR (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.22-1.89). In contrast, WHR
      was the only associated index in men (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.08-2.06). The trend of
      increasing obesity measures across the quartiles with the risk of GSD was
      significant in subgroups of WHtR and BMI in women and WHR in men. No significant
      association was found between SAT and GSD in men or women. CONCLUSIONS: The best
      anthropometric indicators of the risk of GSD may differ by gender. In men, WHR
      might be the only preferred index to estimate risk of GSD. WHtR, WHR, VAT and BMI
      are associated with GSD risk in women, although WHtR might better explain this
      risk. SAT is the poor indicator for identifying subjects with GSD in both
      genders.

PMID- 26256900
TI  - Effect of cholecystectomy on bile acid synthesis and circulating levels of
      fibroblast growth factor 19.
AB  - Background and rationale for the study. FGF19/15 is a gut-derived hormone
      presumably governing bile acid (BA) synthesis and gallbladder (GB) refilling.
      FGF19 mRNA is present in human GB cholangiocytes (hGBECs); however, the
      physiological significance of GB-derived FGF19 remains unknown. We investigated
      whether hGBECs secrete FGF19 and the effects of cholecystectomy on serum FGF19
      ([FGF19]s) and BA synthesis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: FGF19 expression was assessed
      by qRT-PCRs and immunostaining in hGBECs and terminal ileum, and quantified in
      bile and serum by ELISA. Basal and BA (chenodexycholic acid, CDCA) induced FGF19
      expression and secretion was analyzed in primary cultured hGBECs and GB-d1 cell
      line. Pre and postprandial serum changes in [FGF19]s, 7alpha-hydroxy-4-cholestene
      3-one (C4, a marker of BA synthesis) and BA were evaluated in plasma of gallstone
      disease patients at baseline and after cholecystectomy. RESULTS: FGF19 mRNA
      levels were ~250-fold higher in hGBECs compared to distal ileum. GB bile
      contained ~23-fold higher FGF19 levels compared to serum (p < 0.0001). CDCA
      induced dose-dependent expression and secretion of FGF19 in hGBECs and GB-d1
      cells. Cholecystectomy increased plasma BA synthesis >= 2-fold (p < 0.0001), and
      altered the diurnal rhythm and significantly reduced [FGF19]s noon peak. BA serum
      levels, serum cholesterol and triglyceride content remained unchanged.
      CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion human GB cholangiocytes constitutively express and
      secrete high levels of FGF19 in a process regulated by BA. Resection of this
      organ doubles BA synthesis concomitantly with changes in [FGF19]s. These findings
      suggest a potential connection between GB cholangiocytes-derived FGF19 and BA
      metabolism that could lead to metabolic dysregulation following cholecystectomy.

PMID- 26256901
TI  - Etiology, outcome and prognostic factors of childhood acute liver failure in a
      German Single Center.
AB  - Pediatric acute liver failure (PALF) is a progressive, potentially fatal clinical
      syndrome occurring in previously healthy children. Our study aimed to determine
      the current leading causes of PALF in a single center in Germany, identifying
      possible prognostic markers. Thirty-seven pediatric patients with PALF were
      included. Medical records were reviewed for demographic, laboratory and clinical
      data. Laboratory results on admission and at peak value, PELD and MELD score on
      admission, and intensive care support were assessed. Fifteen patients recovered
      spontaneously, 14 died without transplantation, and 8 received a liver
      transplant. Patients who survived were significantly older than patients who
      died. Specific causes of PALF could be identified as infectious diseases (16%),
      metabolic diseases (14%), toxic liver injury (11%), immunologic diseases (8%), or
      vascular diseases (8%). Causes of PALF remained indeterminate in 43%. High
      ammonia, low albumin, and low ALT levels on admission were associated with worse
      outcome. Absence of need of ventilation, hemodialysis, and circulatory support
      predicted spontaneous recovery. In conclusion, infections are the most common
      known cause of PALF. However, in a large proportion of patients the cause for
      PALF remains cryptic. Ammonia and albumin levels may be of prognostic value to
      predict outcomes. 

PMID- 26256902
TI  - Association of a novel TAS2R38 haplotype with alcohol intake among Mexican
      Mestizo population.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Alcohol intake has been associated with the bitter taste receptor
      T2R38. TAS2R38 gene expresses two common haplotypes: PAV and AVI. It has been
      reported that AVI homozygotes consume more alcohol than heterozygotes and PAV
      homozygotes. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of the TAS2R38
      haplotypes among Mexican-Mestizo population and to analyze its association with
      alcohol intake. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, a total of 375
      unrelated Mestizo individuals were genotyped for TAS2R38 polymorphisms (A49P,
      V262A and I296V) by a Real-Time PCR System (TaqMan). Haplotype frequencies were
      calculated. Association of TAS2R38 haplotypes with alcohol intake was estimated
      in drinkers (DRS) and nondrinkers (NDRS). RESULTS: Two haplotypes accounted for
      over 96% of all haplotypes(AVV, 60%, and PAI, 36.5%). The frequency of AVV
      homozygotes was significantly higher in DRS than NDRS(47.2 vs. 32.2%,
      respectively; p < 0.05). Additionally, the AVV/AVV genotype was associated with
      alcohol intake when compared with heterozygotes and PAI homozygotes (OR = 1.79,
      95% CI 1.13-2.84, p < 0.05 and OR = 2.23, 95% CI 1.11-4.48; p < 0.05,
      respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, two TAS2R38 haplotypes(AVV and PAI)
      prevailed in Mexican-Mestizo population. The novel AVV haplotype was associated
      with alcohol intake. The high prevalence of this allelic profile in our
      population could help to explain, at least in part, the preference for alcohol
      among the Mexicans.

PMID- 26256903
TI  - Development of steatohepatitis in Ob/Ob mice is dependent on Toll-like receptor
      4.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: The etiology of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
      progression, and why some patients develop non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
      vs. uncomplicated NAFLD, is not well understood. Obesity and NAFLD are thought to
      be associated with high circulating levels of leptin; however, the role of leptin
      in NASH has been controversial. Secondly, as ob/ob mice are known to have
      elevated circulating levels of TLR4-stimulating endotoxin secondary to increased
      intestinal permeability. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We evaluated the long-term effects
      of steatosis on the livers of aleptinemic (OB) mice and the role of TLR4 in the
      development of hepatic sequelae in these animals. RESULTS: At 20 weeks of age OB
      animals displayed grossly steatotic livers, but also features of early stage NASH
      including hepatocellular ballooning and numerous necroinflammatory foci with
      associated changes in serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine
      transaminase (ALT). TLR4 KO did not affect the development of obesity or
      steatosis in ob/ob mice, but protected these animals from hepatitis and liver
      injury. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the data presented here indicate that
      steatohepatitis develops in the absence of leptin, and that TLR4 is integral to
      the development NASH secondary to hyperphagia.

PMID- 26256904
TI  - Swallowed chicken bone migration into the liver.

PMID- 26256906
TI  - Gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumor with unresectable liver metastases: an
      example of multimodal therapeutic approach.
AB  - Gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors (NET) frequently present with unresectable
      hepatic metastases, which poses a barrier for curative treatment. Resection of
      the primary tumor and subsequent orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) has been
      proposed as a treatment approach but available data in this regard is limited. We
      present a clinical case of an otherwise asymptomatic 44-yo man complaining of
      abdominal pain and dyspepsia that was diagnosed of a 10 cm duodenal tumor with
      multiple hepatic metastases. A CT-guided biopsy confirmed a NET. He underwent
      first a Whipple's procedure, and then was listed for liver transplantation.
      During the waiting time a multimodal therapeutic approach was used including the
      use of radioactive 177lutetium-labeled somatostatin analogues, long-acting
      somastostatin analogues and antiangiogenic antibodies (bevacizumab) in order to
      keep neoplastic disease under control. Two years after Whipple's procedure and
      given disease stability he underwent OLT with an uneventful postoperative
      evolution. Patient condition and graft function are optimal after a 4-year follow
      up period with no evidence of recurrence. This case report underscores how a
      multimodal approach involving careful patient selection, resective surgery as
      well as use of somatostatin analogues and antiangiogenic biological therapy
      followed by liver transplantation can achieve excellent long-term results in this
      difficult patient population. 

PMID- 26256905
TI  - Reversal of advanced fibrosis after long-term ursodeoxycholic acid therapy in a
      patient with residual expression of MDR3.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 3 (PFIC-3) is a
      severe liver disorder associated with inherited dysfunction of multidrug
      resistance protein 3 (MDR3/ABCB4), which functions as a phospholipid floppase,
      translocating phosphatidylcholine from the inner to the outer hemileaflet of the
      canalicular membrane of hepatocytes. MDR3 deficiency results in a disbalanced
      bile which may damage the luminal membrane of cells of the hepatobiliary system.
      We evaluated clinical, biochemical and histological improvement in a genetically
      proven PFIC-3 patient after long-term ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) administration.
      MATERIAL AND METHODS: A PFIC-3 patient and a relative with cholestatic liver
      disease were studied. Hepatic MDR3 expression was analyzed by
      immunohistochemistry and ABCB4 mutations were identified. The effect of the
      mutations on MDR3 expression and subcellular localization was studied in vitro.
      RESULTS: A 23-year-old man presented cholestasis with severe fibrosis and
      incomplete cirrhosis. Canalicular staining for MDR3 was faint. Sequence analysis
      of ABCB4 revealed two missense mutations that reduce drastically protein
      expression levels. After 9 years of treatment with UDCA disappearance of fibrosis
      and cirrhosis was achieved. CONCLUSION: These data indicate that fibrosis
      associated with MDR3 deficiency can be reversed by long-term treatment with UDCA,
      at least when there is residual expression of the protein.

PMID- 26256907
TI  - Cholestatic hepatitis C after chemotherapy containing rituximab in diffuse large
      B cell lymphoma.
AB  - Rituximab is a chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody that is a widely used for
      the treatment of B cells non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The use of chemotherapy regimens
      containing rituximab in HCV-positive patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma has been
      associated with liver dysfunction, but no cases of cholestatic hepatitis C were
      described. To our knowledge, this is the first case of cholestatic hepatitis C in
      an HCV-positive patient with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma describes in the
      literature. We discuss the pathogenetic mechanisms underlying this severe form of
      hepatitis and describe its evolution after antiviral treatment. 

PMID- 26256908
TI  - Fecal transplant to mitigate hyperammonemia and hepatic encephalopathy in animal
      models.

PMID- 26256910
TI  - Prognostic significance of changes in red cell distribution width in an internal
      medicine ward.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The prognostic significance of red cell distribution width (RDW)
      during hospitalization in internal medicine wards was not sufficiently
      investigated. METHODS: Demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics were
      collected from 586 internal medicine inpatients. Following discharge, all-cause
      mortality was recorded. The data were compared according to DeltaRDW during
      hospitalization (primary endpoint), and to normal (<=14.7%) vs. high (>14.7%) RDW
      values on admission/discharge (secondary endpoint). RESULTS: Group A (rise in
      RDW, DeltaRDW +0.4%), group B (nonsignificant RDW changes, DeltaRDW up to 0.4%)
      and group C (drop in RDW, DeltaRDW -0.4%) comprised 20.3%, 60.6% and 19.1% of the
      patients, respectively. High RDW on admission and discharge was found in 31.7%
      and 31.4% of patients, respectively. In-hospital mortality rates were higher in
      group A than in groups B and C (14.3% vs. 2.8% and 4.5%, p<0.001), whereas
      increased long-term (median follow-up 43 months) mortality rates were observed in
      group C (35.7%), compared to groups A (17.6%) and B (23.4%), p=0.009. Mortality
      rates were significantly higher (p<0.001) in patients with high than normal RDW
      on admission (51.1% vs. 20.3%) and on discharge (50.5% vs. 20.6%). Every 1%
      increment of RDW on admission and discharge strongly predicted mortality
      (relative risks 1.21 and 1.21; 95% confidence intervals 1.12-1.31 and 1.13-1.32,
      respectively). CONCLUSIONS: High RDW on admission and discharge predicted poor
      prognosis. Rising RDW throughout hospitalization was associated with higher in
      hospital mortality, while an elevated long-term mortality rate was observed in
      patients with declining RDW. Repeated RDW measurements may improve risk
      stratification for internal medicine inpatients.

PMID- 26256909
TI  - The Use of Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator (rTPA) in The Treatment of
      Fibrinous Pleuropneumonia in Horses: 25 Cases (2007-2012).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Information about treatment protocols, adverse effects and outcomes
      with intrapleural recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rTPA) use in horses
      with fibrinous pleuropneumonia is limited. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: Describe
      factors that contribute to clinical response and survival of horses treated with
      rTPA intrapleurally. ANIMALS: Horses with bacterial pneumonia and fibrinous
      pleural effusion diagnosed by ultrasonography, that were treated with rTPA
      intrapleurally. METHODS: Retrospective multicenter case series from 2007-2012.
      Signalment, history, clinical and laboratory evaluation, treatment, and outcome
      obtained from medical records. Regression analysis used to identify associations
      between treatments and outcomes. RESULTS: Thirty three hemithoraces were treated
      in 25 horses, with 55 separate treatments. Recombinant tissue plasminogen
      activator (375-20,000 MUg/hemithorax) was administered 1-4 times. Sonographically
      visible reduction in fibrin mat thickness, loculations, fluid depth, or some
      combination of these was seen in 32/49 (65%) treatments. Response to at least 1
      treatment was seen in 17/20 (85%) horses with sonographic follow-up evaluation
      after every treatment. Earlier onset of rTPA treatment associated with increased
      survival odds. No association was found between cumulative rTPA dose or number of
      rTPA doses and survival, development of complications, duration of
      hospitalization or total charges. Clinical evidence of hypocoagulability or
      bleeding was not observed. Eighteen horses (72%) survived to discharge.
      CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Treatment with rTPA appeared safe and
      resulted in variable changes in fibrin quantity and organization within the
      pleural space. Recombinant tissue plasminogen activator could be a useful adjunct
      to standard treatment of fibrinous pleuropneumonia, but optimal case selection
      and dosing regimen remain to be elucidated.

PMID- 26256911
TI  - Evaluation of socio-economic inequalities in the use of maternal health services
      in rural western China.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To describe the use of maternal health services according to the
      standards of the Chinese Ministry of Health, and assess socio-economic
      inequalities in usage in rural Shaanxi province, western China. STUDY DESIGN:
      Cross-sectional survey. METHODS: Principal components analysis was used to
      measure the economic status of households. A concentration index (CI) approach
      was used as a measure of socio-economic inequalities in the use of maternal
      health services, and a decomposable CI was used to identify the factors that
      contributed to the socio-economic inequalities in usage. RESULTS: In total, 4760
      women who had given birth in the preceding three years were selected at random to
      be interviewed in the five counties. Household wealth index was calculated by
      constructing a linear index from asset ownership indicators using principal
      components analysis to derive weights. The CI approach is a standard measure in
      the analysis of inequalities in health. If the CI for the use of maternal health
      services is positive, it is pro-rich; if it is negative, it is pro-poor. The
      decomposition method was used to estimate the contributions of individual factors
      to CI. The overall CI for five or more prenatal visits was 0.075. The household
      wealth index was found to make the greatest contribution to socio-economic
      inequalities for five or more prenatal visits (35.5%), followed by maternal
      education (28.8%), receipt of a health handbook during pregnancy (12.1%), age
      group (11.0%), distance from health facility (10.5%), family members (1.5%) and
      district of residence (0.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Socio-economic inequalities in the use
      of prenatal health services were pro-rich in rural western China. Socio-economic
      inequalities in hospital delivery and postnatal health check-ups were not
      evident. Improving household economic status, providing prenatal health services
      for women with low income and low educational level, providing health handbooks
      and improving traffic conditions should be promoted as methods to eliminate socio
      economic inequalities in the use of maternal health services.

PMID- 26256912
TI  - Perception of health risks among adolescents due to consumption of cigarettes,
      alcohol and psychoactive substances in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This article describes the perception of health risks in adolescents
      due to the consumption of cigarettes, alcohol and psychoactive substances in the
      Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBIH), as well as their observation of the
      behavior of their peers related to addictive behaviors. METHODS: For the analysis
      was used a database from the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other
      Drugs (ESPAD) survey which was conducted in FBIH in 2011. The target population
      were students in the second grade of secondary schools in FBIH born in 1995
      according to the ESPAD protocol. The total number of respondents from the cohort
      born in 1995 was 3813 students. RESULTS: The research results showed that the
      prevalence of risk perception due to the consumption of cigarettes, alcohol and
      psychoactive substances among adolescents in the FBIH is lower than the mean
      prevalence in countries which have implemented the ESPAD survey of 2011.
      CONCLUSIONS: PPreventive activities should be aimed at adolescent risk behaviours
      and empower them to make the right decisions that can have far reaching
      significance. Attention has to be paid to selective prevention that is directed
      towards individuals or subgroup of population where the risk of developing
      disorder is much higher than average.

PMID- 26256913
TI  - Multifunctional MWCNTs-NaGdF4:Yb(3+),Er(3+),Eu(3+) hybrid nanocomposites with
      potential dual-mode luminescence, magnetism and photothermal properties.
AB  - A novel dual-mode luminescence multifunctional hybrid nanomaterial has been
      successfully prepared by coating the NaGdF4:Yb(3+),Er(3+),Eu(3+) nanoparticles
      (NPs) on the surface of MWCNTs. The as-synthesized MWCNTs
      NaGdF4:Yb(3+),Er(3+),Eu(3+) nanocomposites (NCs) can simultaneously take
      advantage of both magnetic and optical properties of NaGdF4:Yb(3+),Er(3+),Eu(3+)
      NPs and the photothermal conversion property of MWCNTs. The samples were
      characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM),
      energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS), vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM),
      UV-Vis absorption, luminescence spectroscopy and fluorescence lifetime
      measurements. Meanwhile, the photothermal conversion was examined under
      irradiation with a 980 nm laser. The results show that the MWCNTs
      NaGdF4:Yb(3+),Er(3+),Eu(3+) NCs have preferably magnetic, dual-mode (up- and down
      conversion) luminescence and photothermal properties. And the NCs have good
      biocompatibility, low toxicity and up-conversion luminescence for cell imaging.
      As a consequence, the dual-mode luminescence multifunctional nanomaterials have
      potential applications in environmental science fields and clinical fields for
      magnetic resonance imaging, fluorescence imaging, photothermal therapy,
      bioseparation and targeted drug delivery. 

PMID- 26256914
TI  - Factors related to occurrence and aggravation of pancreatic fistula after radical
      gastrectomy for gastric cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Pancreatic fistula (PF) and subsequent intra-abdominal
      abscess is a serious complication after gastrectomy for gastric cancer. The study
      aims to evaluate amylase concentration of drainage fluid (d-AMY) and serum C
      reactive protein (CRP) as the predictive factors related to PF amounting to
      Clavien-Dindo (CD) grade III. METHODS: 448 patients who underwent gastrectomy for
      gastric cancer were analyzed. Closed drains were placed in the left subphrenic
      cavity and/or Winslow's cavity depending on the procedures. The cutoff values of
      d-AMY and CRP were determined, and their roles as predictive factors for CD grade
      III PF were evaluated. RESULTS: PF, diagnosed in 58 patients, was stratified
      according to the CD classification. Consequently, grade III PF which includes PF
      related abscesses was observed in 32 patients. The cutoff value of d-AMY on the
      first postoperative day for predicting grade III PF was 1949 IU/l. The cutoff
      value of CRP on the third postoperative day for the same purpose was 20.44 mg/dl.
      Multivariate analysis demonstrated that d-AMY and CRP were significant predictive
      factors for grade III PF. CONCLUSIONS: The d-AMY on the first postoperative day
      and CRP on the third postoperative day might be useful for predicting CD grade
      III PF after gastrectomy.

PMID- 26256915
TI  - A lean neck mass clinic model: Adding value to care.
AB  - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To demonstrate that ultrasound-guided fine needle
      aspiration (USFNA) with on-site cytopathologic analysis eliminates unnecessary
      diagnostic testing, return visits, and repeat procedures and optimizes quality of
      care. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort. METHODS: Sixty-one new patients (28
      female; 33 male; age range=19-85 years) were seen in our dedicated neck mass
      clinic over a 1-year period. All patients underwent USFNA of masses located in
      neck levels I-VI (n=40), parotid gland (n=20), or parapharyngeal space (n=1).
      Each patient underwent two USFNA passes followed by on-site cytopathologic
      analysis with additional passes if required for diagnosis. RESULTS: Diagnosis was
      made in 93.4% (n=57) of patients, allowing for counseling and treatment planning
      at the first visit. To obtain a diagnosis, more than half (57.4%, n=35) of our
      patients required additional passes, which implies that they would have required
      an additional visit without on-site cytopathologic analysis. Treatment included
      observation in 42.6% (n=26) of patients, surgery in 32.8 % (n=20) of patients,
      and nonsurgical treatment (chemotherapy, radiation, other) in 24.6% (n=15) of
      patients. The average time from check-in to checkout including the clinic visit,
      biopsy, and treatment counseling was 103 minutes, and the average round trip
      mileage traveled per patient was 127.6 miles. CONCLUSIONS: The adult neck mass is
      a commonly encountered scenario in otolaryngology. For the patient, this can be a
      stressful situation in which timely and accurate diagnosis is critical. A
      dedicated lean neck mass clinic model with USFNA and on-site cytopathologic
      analysis can be both an efficient part of one's practice and a valuable addition
      to patient care. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

PMID- 26256916
TI  - Personality, attrition and weight loss in treatment seeking women with obesity.
AB  - Studies on small samples or in single units applying specific treatment
      programmes found an association between some personality traits and attrition and
      weight loss in individuals treated for obesity. We aimed to investigate whether
      pre-treatment personality traits were associated with weight loss outcomes in the
      general population of women with obesity. Attrition and weight loss outcomes
      after 12 months were measured in 634 women with obesity (mean age, 48; body mass
      index (BMI), 37.8 kg m(-2)) seeking treatment at eight Italian medical centres,
      applying different medical/cognitive behavioural programmes. Personality traits
      were assessed with the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI), eating disorder
      features with the Binge Eating Scale (BES) and Night Eating Questionnaire (NEQ).
      Within the 12-month observation period, 32.3% of cases were lost to follow-up.
      After adjustment for demographic confounders and the severity of eating
      disorders, no TCI personality traits were significantly associated with
      attrition, while low scores of the novelty seeking temperament scale remained
      significantly associated with weight loss >= 10% (odds ratio, 0.983; 95%
      confidence interval, 0.975-0.992). Additional adjustment for education and job
      did not change the results. We conclude that personality does not systematically
      influence attrition in women with obesity enrolled into weight loss programmes in
      the community, whereas an association is maintained between novelty seeking and
      weight loss outcome. Studies adapting obesity interventions on the basis of
      individual novelty seeking scores might be warranted to maximize the results on
      body weight.

PMID- 26256917
TI  - In-tube electro-membrane extraction with a sub-microliter organic solvent
      consumption as an efficient technique for synthetic food dyes determination in
      foodstuff samples.
AB  - A simple and efficient extraction technique with a sub-microliter organic solvent
      consumption termed as in-tube electro-membrane extraction (IEME) is introduced.
      This method is based upon the electro-kinetic migration of ionized compounds by
      the application of an electrical potential difference. For this purpose, a thin
      polypropylene (PP) sheet placed inside a tube acts as a support for the membrane
      solvent, and 30MUL of an aqueous acceptor solution is separated by this solvent
      from 1.2mL of an aqueous donor solution. This method yielded high extraction
      recoveries (63-81%), and the consumption of the organic solvent used was only
      0.5MUL. By performing this method, the purification is high, and the utilization
      of the organic solvent, used as a mediator, is very simple and repeatable. The
      proposed method was evaluated by extraction of four synthetic food dyes
      (Amaranth, Ponceau 4R, Allura Red, and Carmoisine) as the model analytes.
      Optimization of variables affecting the method was carried out in order to
      achieve the best extraction efficiency. These variables were the type of membrane
      solvent, applied extraction voltage, extraction time, pH range, and concentration
      of salt added. Under the optimized conditions, IEME-HPLC-UV provided a good
      linearity in the range of 1.00-800ngmL(-1), low limits of detection (0.3-1ngmL(
      1)), and good extraction repeatabilities (RSDs below 5.2%, n=5). It seems that
      this design is a proper one for the automation of the method. Also the
      consumption of the organic solvent in a sub-microliter scale, and its simplicity,
      high efficiency, and high purification can help one getting closer to the
      objectives of the green chemistry. 

PMID- 26256918
TI  - Development and validation of a simple high performance liquid chromatography -
      evaporative light scattering detector method for direct quantification of native
      cyclodextrins in a cyclization medium.
AB  - A simple HPLC-ELSD method was developed for the separation and quantification of
      native cyclodextrins. The technique was validated in the presence of two
      interfering matrices composed of byproducts from the cyclization medium. A fast
      separation of the compounds was achieved (in <20min) using a NUCLEODUR((r)) C18
      Pyramid column (150mm*4.6mm; particle size 5MUm) at 30 degrees C. The analytes
      were eluted using a linear gradient of acetonitrile and water containing 1% (v/v)
      of acetic acid at a flow rate of 0.3mL/min. Validation results showed that the
      method was accurate (93-110%) and selective. The precision was <=5.7% for a
      hydrolyzed starch blank matrix spiked with cyclodextrins, and <=6.2% for a blank
      matrix composed of a mixture of dextrin and glucose spiked with cyclodextrins.
      The limit of quantification was 0.05g/L for alpha- and 0.06g/L for beta- and
      gamma-cyclodextrins. The new HPLC-ELSD method could accurately quantify the three
      cyclodextrins directly in a cyclization medium, without pretreatment of the
      samples. 

PMID- 26256919
TI  - Alleviating nonlinear behavior of disulfide isoforms in the reversed-phase liquid
      chromatography of IgG2.
AB  - Reversed-phase chromatography is an established method for characterizing the
      disulfide isoforms of IgG2. This work explores the effect of mobile phase
      gradient profile and sample concentration on the separation of disulfide
      isoforms. The acidic mobile phase can alter the relative proportions of disulfide
      isoforms, but only when the level of the reactive A1 isoform is much higher than
      for typical conditions of separation and typical IgG2 samples. Otherwise, there
      is minimal disulfide scrambling. A slower gradient and flow rate modestly improve
      resolution, but the peaks remain heavily overlapped. Resolution is further
      improved and nonlinear chromatography lessened when injection is performed under
      non-stacking conditions. Non-stacking conditions also keep the concentration from
      spiking at the head of the column, reducing noncovalent associations that can
      promote disulfide scrambling. The higher resolution from non-stacking injection
      reveals the presence of at least seven species. 

PMID- 26256920
TI  - Ion-exchange molecularly imprinted polymer for the extraction of negatively
      charged acesulfame from wastewater samples.
AB  - Acesulfame is a known indicator that is used to identify the introduction of
      domestic wastewater into water systems. It is negatively charged and highly water
      soluble at environmental pH values. In this study, a molecularly imprinted
      polymer (MIP) was synthesized for negatively charged acesulfame and successfully
      applied for the selective solid phase extraction (SPE) of acesulfame from
      influent and effluent wastewater samples. (Vinylbenzyl)trimethylammonium chloride
      (VBTA) was used as a novel phase transfer reagent, which enhanced the solubility
      of negatively charged acesulfame in the organic solvent (porogen) and served as a
      functional monomer in MIP synthesis. Different molecularly imprinted polymers
      were synthesized to optimize the extraction capability of acesulfame. The
      different materials were evaluated using equilibrium rebinding experiments,
      selectivity experiments and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The most
      efficient MIP was used in a molecularly imprinted-solid phase extraction (MISPE)
      protocol to extract acesulfame from wastewater samples. Using high-performance
      liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS-MS) analysis, detection
      and quantification limits were achieved at 0.12MUgL(-1) and 0.35MUgL(-1),
      respectively. Certain cross selectivity for the chemical compounds containing
      negatively charged sulfonamide functional group was observed during selectivity
      experiments. 

PMID- 26256921
TI  - Optimization of dispersive micro solid-phase extraction for the rapid
      determination of benzophenone-type ultraviolet absorbers in aqueous samples.
AB  - A solvent-free method for the rapid analysis of six benzophenone-type UV
      absorbers in water samples is described. The method involves the use of
      dispersive micro solid-phase extraction (DmSPE) followed by the simultaneous
      silylation and thermal desorption (SSTD) gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC
      MS) operating in the selected-ion-storage (SIS) mode. A Plackett-Burman design
      was used for screening and a central composite design (CCD) for optimizing the
      significant factors was applied. The optimal experimental conditions involved
      immersing 1.5mg of the Oasis HLB adsorbent in a 10mL portion of water sample.
      After vigorous shaking for 1min, the adsorbents were transferred to a micro-vial,
      and were dried at 122 degrees C for 3.5min, after cooling, 2MUL of the BSTFA
      silylating reagent was added. For SSTD, the injection-port temperature was held
      at 70 degrees C for 2.5min for derivatization, and the temperature was then
      rapidly increased to 340 degrees C to allow the thermal desorption of the TMS
      derivatives into the GC for 5.7min. The limits of quantitation (LOQs) were
      determined to be 1.5-5.0ng/L. Precision, as indicated by relative standard
      deviations (RSDs), was equal or less than 11% for both intra- and inter-day
      analysis. Accuracy, expressed as the mean extraction recovery, was between 87%
      and 95%. A preliminary analysis of the municipal wastewater treatment plant
      (MWTP) effluent and river water samples revealed that 2-hydroxy-4
      methoxybenzophenone (BP-3) was the most common benzophenone-type UV absorber
      present. Using a standard addition method, the total concentrations of these
      compounds ranged from 5.1 to 74.8ng/L. 

PMID- 26256922
TI  - A charged aerosol detector/chemiluminescent nitrogen detector/liquid
      chromatography/mass spectrometry system for regular and fragment compound
      analysis in drug discovery.
AB  - In this paper, we introduce a high throughput LCMS/UV/CAD/CLND system that
      improves upon previously reported systems by increasing both the quantitation
      accuracy and the range of compounds amenable to testing, in particular, low
      molecular weight "fragment" compounds. This system consists of a charged aerosol
      detector (CAD) and chemiluminescent nitrogen detector (CLND) added to a LCMS/UV
      system. Our results show that the addition of CAD and CLND to LCMS/UV is more
      reliable for concentration determination for a wider range of compounds than
      either detector alone. Our setup also allows for the parallel analysis of each
      sample by all four detectors and so does not significantly increase run time per
      sample. 

PMID- 26256923
TI  - Antibody-free ultra-high performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass
      spectrometry measurement of angiotensin I and II using magnetic epitope-imprinted
      polymers.
AB  - The major challenges in measuring plasma renin activity (PRA) stem from the
      complexity of biological matrix, as well as from the instability and low
      circulating concentration of angiotensin. In this study, an ultra-high
      performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) based
      technique has been developed for the measurement of angiotensin using
      magnetically imprinted polymers for simultaneous enrichment of the precursor
      peptide angiotensin II (Ang II) and the upstream peptide precursor angiotensin I
      (Ang I). This technique involved surface graft imprinting in aqueous solutions
      using vinyl-modified nano-iron oxide as solid supports, the specificity
      determinant of Ang I and Ang II as the epitope, and methacrylic acid and N-t
      butylacrylamide as functional monomers. The vinyl-modified nano-iron oxide acted
      as a magnetic separation media, and the molecularly imprinted shell provided
      analyte selectivity for the recognition of Ang I and Ang II. Selective enrichment
      of Ang I and Ang II was accomplished by the magnetically imprinted polymers,
      followed by a magnetic separation procedure and subsequent quantification by UPLC
      MS/MS in the positive ionization mode with multiple reaction monitoring. Through
      the latter protocol, a low limit of detection could be realized, viz. 0.07ng/mL
      and 0.06ng/mL for Ang I and II, respectively, which was thoroughly validated for
      accuracy and reproducibility through analyzing Ang I and Ang II in human plasma
      samples. 

PMID- 26256924
TI  - Molecularly imprinted polymers as a tool for the study of the 4-ethylphenol
      metabolic pathway in red wines.
AB  - A molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) based methodology is described here for the
      determination of compounds that belong to the 4-ethylphenol (4EP) metabolic
      pathway in red wines. To this end, two MIP materials have been developed: a 4EP
      MIP as a class-selective material to extract phenols that belong to the 4EP
      metabolic pathway and a coumaric acid (CA) imprinted polymer as a MIP-based
      stationary phase capable of selectively separating these phenols on HPLC
      analysis, obtaining clean chromatograms. 4-vinyl pyridine and ethylene glycol
      dimethacrylate were respectively used as functional monomer and cross-linker for
      both MIPs. Once polymer compositions were optimised, the 4EP MIP was packed into
      SPE cartridges for wine sample clean-up and CA MIP was packed into HPLC columns
      to chromatographically separate the compounds present in the eluates obtained
      after SPE extraction. The accuracy of the proposed method was tested spiking wine
      samples with known concentrations of target compounds and subsequently, analytes
      were quantified by the standard addition method. Registered mean recoveries
      ranged from 95.2 to 109.2% and RSD values were below 10% in most cases. The
      described methodology was found to be suitable for the selective extraction and
      quantification of the compounds that belong to the 4EP metabolic pathway in red
      wines with minimal matrix effects and could be undoubtedly exploited to monitor
      4EP and its precursors in wines. 

PMID- 26256925
TI  - Off-label and unlicensed use of medicinal products in the neonatal setting in the
      Slovak Republic.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Frequent prescription of medication in an unapproved manner (off
      label or unlicensed) in the neonatal setting is a result of the limited
      availability of adequately studied drugs in the pediatric population. Given that
      little information is available on this issue from eastern European countries,
      the purpose of this study was to describe for the first time the extent and
      pattern of off-label or unlicensed use of medicines in newborns in the Slovak
      Republic. METHODS: Cross-sectional study was performed at the Department of
      Pathological Newborns of Children's University Hospital, Bratislava, and Unit of
      Pathological Newborns of Teaching Hospital Nitra. Data were collected on
      hospitalized neonates admitted between 1 April and 30 September 2012 who received
      pharmacotherapy. Label status of the administered drugs was determined according
      to the Slovak Summaries of Product Characteristics. RESULTS: A total of 962
      prescriptions referring to 97 different medications was administered to 202
      hospitalized newborns (46% premature). Anti-infectives and alimentary drugs were
      the most commonly prescribed. Of all prescriptions, 43% were identified as off
      label and 4.8% as unlicensed. At least one off-label or unlicensed drug was given
      to 88.6% of patients. Ketoconazole was the most frequent drug used in an
      unapproved manner. A total of 13.8% of all prescriptions was administered despite
      contraindication. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of drugs to newborns in an
      unapproved manner was common in the participating Slovak neonatal wards,
      reflecting the lack of appropriate pediatric drug labeling.

PMID- 26256926
TI  - Improved mechanical stability of HKUST-1 in confined nanospace.
AB  - One of the main concerns in the technological application of several metal
      organic frameworks (MOFs) relates to their structural instability under pressure
      (after a conforming step). Here we report for the first time that mechanical
      instability can be highly improved via nucleation and growth of MOF nanocrystals
      in the confined nanospace of activated carbons. 

PMID- 26256927
TI  - [Graft-versus-host disease associated with lenalidomide maintenance after
      allogeneic transplantation for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma].
AB  - Although allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) is a potentially
      curative treatment option for multiple myeloma (MM), it is not recognized as a
      standard of care because of the high associated incidences of both treatment
      related mortality and relapse. We administered lenalidomide (Len) as maintenance
      therapy for patients with MM undergoing allo-SCT who were at high risk of disease
      relapse. Graft-versus-host disease was induced by Len administration in two
      patients, but was manageable with dose reduction. Although Len has a direct anti
      myeloma effect and can also induce tumor immunity against residual myeloma cells,
      it is important to identify how to optimize the safety and the effects of Len
      administration after allo-SCT. Further accumulation of data including those from
      prospective clinical trials is urgently needed. 

PMID- 26256928
TI  - [Acquired von Willebrand syndrome in a patient with immune thrombocytopenic
      purpura].
AB  - Acquired von Willebrand syndrome (AVWS) is a rare bleeding disorder similar to
      inherited von Willebrand disease. We describe a 78-year-old woman with coexistent
      idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and AVWS. The patient had once been
      admitted to our hospital because of cerebral infarction. Her platelet count had
      been normal at that time. Ten years later, she showed a severe bleeding tendency
      (platelet count 3.2*10(4)/MUl). Analysis of hemostatic parameters showed very low
      (<6%) von Willebrand factor ristocetin cofactor (vWF: Rco), and low VIII: C
      (22%), but elevated (276%) von Willebrand antigen. Electrophoretic analysis of
      plasma showed low levels of the high-molecular weight VWF multimer. The presence
      of antibodies (IgG1 and IgG4) to VWF was detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent
      assay (ELISA). Factor XIII activity was 42%. Treatment with corticosteroids did
      not improve the thrombocytopenia, but did correct the bleeding diathesis. Also,
      VWF: Rco and VIII: C showed normalization. These findings indicated that the
      patient had ITP associated with AVWS. All reported cases of AVWS associated with
      systemic lupus erythematosus were cured by appropriate treatment of the
      underlying autoimmune disease with prednisone or immunosuppression. This bleeding
      disorder occurs mainly in patients with lymphoproliferative, myeloproliferative,
      cardiovascular and immunologic disorders, but no patients with ITP have
      previously been reported. This patient had the rare presentation of AVWS
      complicated by ITP and factor XIII deficiency. 

PMID- 26256929
TI  - [Successful treatment with dose-adjusted EPOCH-R for triple-hit lymphoma having
      BCL2, BCL6 and MYC translocations].
AB  - Double- and triple-hit lymphomas (DHL/THL), high-grade B-cell lymphomas with an
      extremely poor prognosis, are defined by a chromosomal breakpoint affecting the
      MYC/8q24 locus in combination with another recurrent breakpoint. The successful
      use of dose-adjusted (DA) EPOCH-R in patients with MYC-positive lymphoma and
      Burkitt lymphoma (BL) was recently reported. A 74-year-old man with acute renal
      dysfunction and hyperkalemia was transferred to our emergency center by
      ambulance. PET-CT revealed a left renal hilar mass enveloping the abdominal para
      aortic domain and bladder and hydronephrosis. High (18)F-FDG uptake revealed
      lymph node, peritoneum, and multiple bone metastases. Analysis of the bone marrow
      aspirate revealed abnormal lymphoid cells with deeply basophilic cytoplasm and
      numerous vacuoles resembling Burkitt cells. Chromosomal analysis revealed a
      complex chromosomal karyotype, including t(14;18)(q32;q21), and FISH analysis
      confirmed split BCL2, BCL6, and MYC signals. Bone marrow biopsy revealed
      diffusely infiltrating large abnormal lymphoid cells with a CD10+, CD20+, BCL2+,
      BCL6+, c-MYC+ and MUM1(-) immunophenotype. B-cell lymphoma, unclassifiable with
      features intermediate between diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and BL, was
      diagnosed. The patient achieved a partial response after eight courses of DA
      EPOCH-R chemotherapy. Our experience suggests that DA-EPOCH-R may be an effective
      treatment for DHL/THL.

PMID- 26256930
TI  - [Cutaneous extramedullary hematopoiesis associated with
      myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasm, unclassifiable].
AB  - Cutaneous extramedullary hematopoiesis has been reported in a small number of
      patients with myelofibrosis. A 79-year-old male with JAK2V617F-positive
      myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasm, unclassifiable (MDS-MPN-U),
      presented with multiple skin lesions. The skin lesions were papulonodular,
      reddish brown, and elastic hard on palpation. Based on a lesion biopsy, cutaneous
      extramedullary hematopoiesis associated with MDS/MPN-U was diagnosed. He died
      four months later due to exacerbation of MDS/MPN-U. Cutaneous invasion might be
      associated with progressive disease and a poor prognosis for MDS/MPN-U, as it is
      for myelofibrosis. 

PMID- 26256931
TI  - [Evaluation of the enhanced International Prognostic Index (NCCN-IPI) for cases
      with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma].
AB  - The NCCN-International Prognostic Index (IPI) is reported to be more powerful
      than the former IPI for predicting survival in the rituximab era. To evaluate the
      NCCN-IPI in our institutions, we analyzed 188 patients with diffuse large B-cell
      lymphoma treated with rituximab plus CHOP or THP-COP chemotherapy. The 5-year
      overall survival rates of patients with low, low-intermediate, high-intermediate,
      and high risk were 90%, 76%, 64%, and 34%, respectively. Although there was no
      difference in overall survival between patients 61-75 and those >75 years of age,
      the NCCN-IPI is useful for classifying prognostically relevant subgroups of
      Japanese patients. 

PMID- 26256933
TI  - [Erratum].

PMID- 26256935
TI  - Reaction kinetics for the solid state synthesis of the AlH3/MgCl2 nano-composite
      by mechanical milling.
AB  - The process of mechanical milling has been proved to be a cost-effective way to
      synthesize the AlH3/MgCl2 nano-composite by using MgH2 and AlCl3 as reagents.
      However, so far there is no comprehensive knowledge of the kinetics of this
      process. In an effort to predict the reaction progress and optimize the milling
      parameters, the kinetics of the synthesis of the AlH3/MgCl2 nano-composite by
      mechanical milling of MgH2 and AlCl3 is experimentally investigated in the
      present work. The reaction progress or the transformation fraction upon milling
      for different times is evaluated using the isothermal hydrogen desorption test of
      the as-milled samples at 220  degrees C, which is much lower than the threshold
      temperature for the de-hydriding of the reagent MgH2 but enough for the de
      hydriding of the as-synthesized nano-sized AlH3. The effects of milling
      parameters on the reaction kinetics as well as the underlying mechanism are
      discussed by referring to the mechanical energy input intensity, the vial
      temperature and the Gibbs free energy change for the reaction. Furthermore, it is
      found that the Johnson-Mehl-Avrami (JMA) model can well describe the kinetics
      theoretically. By fitting the experimental data with the JMA expression, the
      theoretical kinetics expressions, the equation parameters, and the activation
      energy are obtained. 

PMID- 26256934
TI  - Minimally invasive surgery fellowship graduates: Their demographics, practice
      patterns, and contributions.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Fellowship opportunities in minimally invasive surgery, bariatric,
      gastrointestinal, and hepatobiliary arose to address unmet training needs. The
      large cohort of non-Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education 
      accredited fellowship graduates (NACGMEG) has been difficult to track. In this,
      the largest survey of graduates to date, our goal was to characterize this unique
      group's demographics and professional activities. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 580
      NACGMEG were surveyed covering 150 data points: demographics, practice patterns,
      academics, lifestyle, leadership, and maintenance of certification. RESULTS: Of
      580 previous fellows, 234 responded. Demographics included: average age 37 years,
      84% male, 75% in urban settings, 49% in purely academic practice, and 58% in
      practice <5 years. They averaged 337 operating room cases/year (approximately
      400/year for private practice vs 300/year for academic). NACGMEG averaged 100
      flexible endoscopies/year (61 esophagogastroduodenoscopies, 39 colon). In the
      past 24 months, 60% had submitted abstracts to a national meeting, and 54%
      submitted manuscripts to peer-reviewed journals. Subset analyses revealed
      relevant relationships. There was high satisfaction (98%) that their fellowship
      experience met expectations; 78% termed their fellowships, versus 50% for
      residencies, highly pertinent to their current practices. 63% of previous fellows
      occupy local leadership roles, and most engage in maintenance of certification
      activities. CONCLUSION: Fellowship alumnae appear to be productive contributors
      to American surgery. They are clinically and academically active, believe
      endoscopy is important, have adopted continuous learning, and most assume work
      leadership roles. The majority acknowledge their fellowship training as having
      met expectations and uniquely equipping them for their current practice.

PMID- 26256936
TI  - Surgery vs medical treatment in the management of PFAPA syndrome: a comparative
      trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and cervical
      adenitis (PFAPA) syndrome is a common disorder in children but there is little or
      no consensus on its optimal diagnosis and management. OBJECTIVES: To compare the
      outcome of different management approaches - medical therapy or tonsillectomy.
      METHODS: The medical records of children diagnosed with PFAPA between 2008 and
      2013 were retrospectively reviewed according to the modified Thomas test
      criteria. Patients were divided into two groups: group 1 for medical treatment -
      corticosteroids, a single intramuscular injection of methylprednisolone, and
      group 2 for surgery - tonsillectomy alone or tonsillectomy plus adenoidectomy
      .The course of the disease including the number and duration of episodes and the
      presence of remission, was documented. RESULTS: 105 patients (30 in group 1, 75
      in group 2) met the study's inclusion criteria. Groups 1 and 2 were followed up
      for a mean (SD) of 23.6 (11.0) and 24 (10.3) months, respectively. At the end of
      the follow-up period, the number of episodes was 5.8 (6.3) vs 1.8 (1.9) (P<0.01)
      and their duration was 2.2 (1.3) vs 1.1 (0.8) days (P=0.03), both of which were
      significantly lower in group 2.The need for hospitalization during this period
      was significantly lower for group 2 at 1.1 (2.0) vs 0.1 (0.3) (P<0.01) and the
      remission rate in group 2 was significantly higher than in group 1 (98.6% vs
      56.6%, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that surgery is superior to
      medical treatment for PFAPA in terms of increased remission rates and a decrease
      in the number and duration of episodes.

PMID- 26256937
TI  - Self-assembled betulinic acid augments immunomodulatory activity associates with
      IgG response.
AB  - Studies relating to the adjuvanic role of self assembly, nanosized betulinic acid
      (SA-BA) are relatively limited. The concept of immunostimulatory activity of SA
      BA is based on the activation of immune system against cancer antigen. This study
      showed that SA-BA, a pentacyclic triterpene isolated from the bark of the
      Ziziphus jujube tree, elevated the immunological functions of cancer antigen in
      anticancer immunotherapy. We found that, SA-BA pulsed human macrophages secreted
      elevated level of pro-inflammatory cytokines with an increased CD4(+) cell
      population. Pulse macrophages were also significantly arrested the KG-1A and K562
      cell growth in vitro setup at 1:10 ratio for 48h. The use of TNF-alpha inhibitors
      confirmed the association between SA-BA with TNF-alpha function. SA-BA pulsed
      macrophages displayed substantial T cell allostimulatory capacity and promoted
      the generation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). The adjuvanticity of SA-BA was
      proved by the generation of in vivo IgG response. Collectively, these findings
      will enrich the biomedical applications of SA-BA as a potent immune stimulating
      agent. Moreover, the macrophage stimulating efficacy of SA-BA might be an
      effective way in the cancer immunotherapy. 

PMID- 26256938
TI  - Liver disease knowledge and acceptability of non-invasive liver fibrosis
      assessment among people who inject drugs in the drug and alcohol setting: The
      LiveRLife Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess factors associated with baseline
      knowledge of HCV and liver disease, acceptability of transient elastography (TE)
      assessment (FibroScan((r))), and willingness and intent to receive HCV treatment
      among persons with a history of injection drug use participating in a liver
      health promotion campaign. METHODS: The LiveRLife campaign involved three phases:
      (1) campaign resource development; (2) campaign resource testing; and (3)
      campaign implementation. Participants were enrolled in an observational cohort
      study with recruitment at four clinics - one primary health care facility, two
      OST clinics, and one medically supervised injecting centre - in Australia between
      May and October 2014. Participants received educational material, nurse clinical
      assessment, TE assessment, dried blood spot testing, and completed a knowledge
      survey. RESULTS: Of 253 participants (mean age 43 years), 68% were male, 71% had
      injected in the past month, and 75% self-reported as HCV positive. Median
      knowledge score was 16/23. In adjusted analysis, less than daily injection (AOR
      5.01; 95% CI, 2.64-9.51) and no daily injection in the past month (AOR 3.54; 95%
      CI, 1.80-6.94) were associated with high knowledge (>=16). TE was the most
      preferred method both pre- (66%) and post-TE (89%) compared to liver biopsy and
      blood sample. Eighty-eight percent were 'definitely willing' or 'somewhat
      willing' to receive HCV treatment, and 56% intended to start treatment in the
      next 12 months. Approximately 68% had no/mild fibrosis (F0/F1, >=2.5 to
      <=7.4kPa), 13% moderate fibrosis (F2, >=7.5 to <=9.4kPa), 10% severe fibrosis
      (F3, >=9.5 to <=12.4kPa), and 9% had cirrhosis (F4, >=12.5kPa). CONCLUSION: Liver
      disease and HCV knowledge was moderate. High acceptability of TE by PWID provides
      strong evidence for the inclusion of TE in HCV-related care, and could help to
      prioritise HCV treatment for those at greatest risk of liver disease progression.

PMID- 26256939
TI  - A response to Dolliver's "Evaluating drug trafficking on the Tor network".

PMID- 26256940
TI  - Atorvastatin for the Prophylaxis of Acute Graft-versus-Host Disease in Patients
      Undergoing HLA-Matched Related Donor Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell
      Transplantation (allo-HCT).
AB  - Statins possess potent immunomodulatory effects that may play a role in
      preventing acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) after allogeneic hematopoietic
      cell transplantation (allo-HCT). We performed a phase II study of atorvastatin
      for aGVHD prophylaxis when given to allo-HCT recipients and their HLA-matched
      sibling donors. Atorvastatin (40 mg/day) was administered to sibling donors,
      beginning 14 days before the anticipated start of stem cell collection. Allo-HCT
      recipients (n = 40) received atorvastatin (40 mg/day) in addition to standard
      aGVHD prophylaxis. The primary endpoint was cumulative incidence of grades II to
      IV aGVHD at day 100. Atorvastatin was well tolerated, with no attributable grades
      III to IV toxicities in donors or their recipients. Day 100 and 180 cumulative
      incidences of grades II to IV aGVHD were 30% (95% confidence interval [CI], 17%
      to 45%) and 40% (95% CI, 25% to 55%), respectively. One-year cumulative incidence
      of chronic GVHD was 43% (95% CI, 32% to 69%). One-year nonrelapse mortality and
      relapse incidences were 5.5% (95% CI, .9% to 16.5%) and 38% (95% CI, 18% to 47%),
      respectively. One-year progression-free and overall survival rates were 54% (95%
      CI, 38% to 71%) and 82% (95% CI, 69% to 94%). One-year GVHD-free, relapse-free
      survival was 27% (95% CI, 16% to 47%). These results did not differ from our
      historical control subjects (n = 96). Although safe and tolerable, the addition
      of atorvastatin did not appear to provide any benefit to standard GVHD
      prophylaxis alone. 

PMID- 26256941
TI  - Indications for Autologous and Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation:
      Guidelines from the American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation.
AB  - Approximately 20,000 hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) procedures are
      performed in the United States annually. With advances in transplantation
      technology and supportive care practices, HCT has become safer, and patient
      survival continues to improve over time. Indications for HCT continue to evolve
      as research refines the role for HCT in established indications and identifies
      emerging indications where HCT may be beneficial. The American Society for Blood
      and Marrow Transplantation (ASBMT) established a multiple-stakeholder task force
      consisting of transplant experts, payer representatives, and a patient advocate
      to provide guidance on "routine" indications for HCT. This white paper presents
      the recommendations from the task force. Indications for HCT were categorized as
      follows: (1) Standard of care, where indication for HCT is well defined and
      supported by evidence; (2) Standard of care, clinical evidence available, where
      large clinical trials and observational studies are not available but HCT has
      been shown to be effective therapy; (3) Standard of care, rare indication, for
      rare diseases where HCT has demonstrated effectiveness but large clinical trials
      and observational studies are not feasible; (4) Developmental, for diseases where
      preclinical and/or early phase clinical studies show HCT to be a promising
      treatment option; and (5) Not generally recommended, where available evidence
      does not support the routine use of HCT. The ASBMT will periodically review these
      guidelines and will update them as new evidence becomes available. 

PMID- 26256942
TI  - Management of Myelodysplastic Syndrome Relapsing after Allogeneic Hematopoietic
      Stem Cell Transplantation: A Study by the French Society of Bone Marrow
      Transplantation and Cell Therapies.
AB  - To find out prognostic factors and to investigate different therapeutic
      approaches, we report on 147 consecutive patients who relapsed after allogeneic
      hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) for myelodysplastic syndrome
      (MDS). Sixty-two patients underwent immunotherapy (IT group, second allo-HSCT or
      donor lymphocyte infusion), 39 received cytoreductive treatment alone (CRT group)
      and 46 were managed with palliative/supportive cares (PSC group). Two-year rates
      of overall survival (OS) were 32%, 6%, and 2% in the IT, CRT, and PSC groups,
      respectively (P < .001). In multivariate analysis, 4 factors adversely influenced
      2-year rates of OS: history of acute graft-versus-host disease (hazard ratio
      [HR], 1.83; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.26 to 2.67; P = .002), relapse within
      6 months (HR, 2.69; 95% CI, .82 to 3.98; P < .001), progression to acute myeloid
      leukemia (HR, 2.59; 95% CI, 1.75 to 3.83; P < .001), and platelet count < 50 G/L
      at relapse (HR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.15 to 2.44; P = .007). A prognostic score based
      on those factors discriminated 2 risk groups with median OSs of 13.2 versus 2.4
      months, respectively (P < .001). When propensity score, prognostic score, and
      treatment strategy were included in Cox model, immunotherapy was found to be an
      independent factor that favorably impacts OS (HR, .40; 95% CI, .26 to .63; P <
      .001). In conclusion, immunotherapy should be considered when possible for MDS
      patients relapsing after allo-HSCT. 

PMID- 26256943
TI  - Hepatitis C Virus Infection among Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Donors and
      Recipients: American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation Task Force
      Recommendations.

PMID- 26256944
TI  - Layered gadolinium hydroxides for low-temperature magnetic cooling.
AB  - Layered gadolinium hydroxides have revealed to be excellent candidates for
      cryogenic magnetic refrigeration. These materials behave as pure 2D magnetic
      systems with a Heisenberg-Ising critical crossover, induced by dipolar
      interactions. This 2D character and the possibility offered by these materials to
      be delaminated open the possibility of rapid heat dissipation upon substrate
      deposition. 

PMID- 26256946
TI  - High efficiency air stable organic photovoltaics with an aqueous inorganic
      contact.
AB  - We report a ZnO interfacial layer based on an environmentally friendly aqueous
      precursor for organic photovoltaics. Inverted PCDTBT devices based on this
      precursor show power conversion efficiencies of 6.8-7%. Unencapsulated devices
      stored in air display prolonged lifetimes extending over 200 hours with less than
      20% drop in efficiency compared to devices based on the standard architecture. 

PMID- 26256947
TI  - Methylisothiazolinone in selected consumer products in Belgium: Adding fuel to
      the fire?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Methylisothiazolinone (MI) contact allergy is severely affecting
      consumers with allergic contact dermatitis, owing to its presence in cosmetics,
      household detergents, and water-based paints, in particular. Data on the true
      isothiazolinone concentrations in these products are scarce, and labelling may be
      incorrect. OBJECTIVES: To report on the MI concentrations in such products
      marketed in Belgium, in order to verify the accuracy of labelling (when
      applicable) and compliance with EU regulations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty
      cosmetics (18 leave-on and 12 rinse-off), eight detergents and four paints were
      analysed for MI by the use of high-performance liquid chromatography with
      ultraviolet detection. RESULTS: The analysed leave-on, and to a lesser extent the
      rinse-off, cosmetics, contained MI at concentrations far exceeding the permitted
      100 ppm use concentration. Household detergents contained high concentrations of
      MI, and mislabelling occurred for both cosmetics and detergents. The (limited)
      data on paints are in line with the existing literature. CONCLUSION: Cosmetics
      and detergents may facilitate contact sensitization because of a (too) high MI
      concentration, and mislabelling may make its avoidance extremely difficult. Safer
      use concentrations and correct labelling should be ensured by adequate quality
      control.

PMID- 26256948
TI  - Undisclosed methylisothiazolinone in wet wipes for occupational use causing
      occupational allergic contact dermatitis in a nurse.

PMID- 26256949
TI  - Hypoxia-mediated cancer stem cells in pseudopalisades with activation of hypoxia
      inducible factor-1alpha/Akt axis in glioblastoma.
AB  - Pseudopalisades (Ps) around necrotic foci are severely hypoxic and overexpress
      hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) in glioblastoma (GBM). Hypoxic regions have been
      proposed as one of several distinct niches for cancer stem cells (CSCs) in GBM,
      but little is known about the association between Ps features and CSC properties.
      Herein, we focused on the biological role of Ps lesions. In clinical cases of
      GBM, expression of hypoxia-related molecules including HIF-1alpha, Glut-1,
      p27(Kip1), and pAkt was significantly increased in perinecrotic Ps lesions
      compared with nonnecrotic areas and perinecrotic lesions lacking Ps features.
      Significantly higher expression levels of several CSC-related markers, including
      CD133, Sox2, CD44s, and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) 1, were also observed in Ps
      lesions, which were positively correlated with expression of hypoxia-related
      molecules and pAkt. Ps lesions also showed increased number of apoptotic cells
      and decreased bcl-2 and survivin expression compared with the surrounding tissue.
      Short-term exposure of astrocytoma cell lines to cobalt chloride, which is known
      to mimic the effect of hypoxia, caused an increase in expression of both hypoxia-
      and CSC-related markers, in line with increases in the ALDH(high) cell population
      and number of spheroids. Inhibition of endogenous Akt by LY294002 resulted in
      decreased expression of Sox2, ALDH1, and CD133, leading to enhancement of cobalt
      chloride-mediated apoptotic events due to altered ratio of bcl-2 to bax
      expression. These findings suggest that Ps lesions within GBM may serve as a
      specialized hypoxic niche, in which the HIF-1alpha/pAkt axis is activated, in
      response to severe hypoxia. 

PMID- 26256951
TI  - Comparison of cadaveric and isomorphic three-dimensional printed models in
      temporal bone education.
AB  - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Current three-dimensional (3D) printed simulations are
      complicated by insufficient void spaces and inconsistent density. We describe a
      novel simulation with focus on internal anatomic fidelity and evaluate against
      template/identical cadaveric education. STUDY DESIGN: Research ethics board
      approved prospective cohort study. METHODS: Generation of a 3D printed temporal
      bone was performed using a proprietary algorithm that deconstructs the digital
      model into slices prior to printing. This supplemental process facilitates
      removal of residual material from air-containing spaces and permits requisite
      infiltrative access to the all regions of the model. Ten otolaryngology trainees
      dissected a cadaveric temporal bone (CTB) followed by a matched/isomorphic 3D
      printed bone model (PBM), based on derivative micro-computed tomography data.
      Participants rated 1) physical characteristics, 2) specific anatomic constructs,
      3) usefulness in skill development, and 4) perceived educational value. The
      survey instrument employed a seven-point Likert scale. RESULTS: Trainees felt
      physical characteristics of the PBM were quite similar to CTB, with highly ranked
      cortical (5.5 +/- 1.5) and trabecular (5.2 +/- 1.3) bone drill quality. The
      overall model was considered comparable to CTB (5.9 +/- 0.74), with respectable
      air cell reproduction (6.1 +/- 1.1). Internal constructs were rated as
      satisfactory (range, 4.9-6.2). The simulation was considered a beneficial
      training tool for all types of mastoidectomy (range, 5.9-6.6), posterior
      tympanotomy (6.5 +/- 0.71), and skull base approaches (range, 6-6.5).
      Participants believed the model to be an effective training instrument (6.7 +/-
      0.68), which should be incorporated into the temporal bone lab (7.0 +/- 0.0). The
      PBM was thought to improve confidence (6.7 +/- 0.68) and operative performance
      (6.7 +/- 0.48). CONCLUSIONS: Study participants found the PBM to be an effective
      platform that compared favorably to CTB. The model was considered a valuable
      adjunctive training tool with both realistic mechanical and visual character.
      LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA

PMID- 26256950
TI  - Lysine acetyltransfer supports platelet function.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The reversible acetylation of protein lysine epsilon
      amino groups, catalyzed by lysine acetyltransferases and deacetylases, serves as
      a molecular switch in the orchestration of diverse cellular activities. Here, we
      aimed to investigate the role of lysine acetyltransfer in platelet function.
      METHODS AND RESULTS: Proteomics methods identified 552 acetyllysine (acK)
      modifications on 273 platelet proteins that serve as candidate substrates for
      lysine acetyltransferases. Bioinformatics analyses of the identified acK-modified
      platelet proteins supported roles for the lysine acetyltransferase p300 in the
      regulation of actin-mediated platelet processes. Biochemical experiments showed
      that platelets express p300, which is activated in an Src kinase-dependent manner
      upon platelet stimulation with the platelet glycoprotein VI agonist collagen
      related peptide (CRP). Inhibition of platelet p300 abrogated CRP-stimulated
      lysine acetylation of actin, filamin, and cortactin, as well as F-actin
      polymerization, integrin activation, and platelet aggregation. Super-resolution
      visualization of platelet actin-rich adhesion structures revealed abundant acK
      protein colocalized with platelet actin cytoskeletal proteins. Inhibition of p300
      blocked platelet filopodium formation and the spreading of platelets on
      fibrinogen and collagen surfaces. In whole blood, p300 inhibition prevented the
      formation of platelet aggregates under shear, suggesting a physiologic role for
      lysine acetyltransferase activity in platelet function. CONCLUSION: Together, our
      findings reveal lysine acetyltransfer to be a potential regulator of platelet
      actin dynamics, and potential roles for lysine acetylation in the molecular
      coordination of platelet activation and function.

PMID- 26256952
TI  - Targeting oxidative stress to treat endometriosis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Endometriosis affects 10% of women of reproductive age. It is
      defined as the presence of implanted active endometrial tissue outside the
      uterine cavity. The exact pathophysiology of endometriosis is still uncertain,
      although several optional etiological theories have been suggested. Being so
      common, a novel treatment for endometriosis is widely quested. Recent studies
      addressing the pathological characteristics of endometriosis have revealed a
      vicious cycle in which oxidative stress (OS) is generated, which in turn
      facilitates the implantation of the ectopic endometrium. At the same time, the
      generation of high amounts of reactive oxygen species further triggers a state of
      OS. AREAS COVERED: The author examined the evidence associating OS and
      endometriosis. After establishing an association, a search for antioxidant agents
      that were investigated specifically on endometriosis patients are described
      including Vitamins C and E, melatonin, resveratrol, xanthohumol and
      epigallocatechin-3-gallate. A significant effect of all the reviewed antioxidants
      on endometriosis is reported. EXPERT OPINION: Aiming for the reduction of OS as
      the treatment goal for endometriosis looks promising. However, since most of the
      studies are either in vitro or are animal based, further studies on human
      subjects are deemed necessary to elucidate the impact of OS reduction on patients
      with endometriosis.

PMID- 26256953
TI  - Half-metallic and magnetic properties in nonmagnetic element embedded graphitic
      carbon nitride sheets.
AB  - We have investigated the structures, electronic structures and magnetic
      properties of the triazine-based g-C3N4 (gt-C3N4) monolayer doped with B, Al, and
      Cu atoms based on density functional theory using ab initio calculations. The B
      atom prefers to be situated at the center of the triazine ring, whereas the Al
      and Cu atoms tend to be located above the center of the triazine ring. The doping
      at the interstitial sites results in nonplanar structures which are
      thermodynamically stable. Each dopant atom induces a total magnetic moment of 1.0
      MUB which mainly arises from the pz orbitals because the n-type doping injects
      unpaired electrons into anti-pi orbitals. The results obtained from the GGA-PBE
      and HSE06 schemes show that all the doped systems exhibit half-metallic
      behaviors. B- and Al-doped systems are at a ferromagnetic ground state, while the
      Cu-doped case is at an anti-ferromagnetic ground state. The long-range half
      metallic ferromagnetic order is attributed to the p-p interactions. In
      particular, the estimated Curie temperature implies that the systems doped with B
      are potential candidates for spintronics applications in future. 

PMID- 26256954
TI  - Diatom silica biomineralization: Parallel development of approaches and
      understanding.
AB  - Diatom silica cell walls present an intriguing application of biomineralization
      in a single celled organism. The ability of diatoms to make an enormous variety
      of silica structures on the nano- to micro-scale is unparalleled in nature. The
      process is a whole-cell endeavor, involving diverse cellular components that
      coordinate "bottom up" and "top down" structure formation processes to
      reproducibly convert genetic information into physical structure. The study of
      silicification has been similarly all encompassing, involving the application of
      diverse analytical techniques to examine different aspects of the process. This
      review highlights the application of different approaches used to study
      silicification and the insights they have provided, and documents the progress
      that has been made. The current status offers the possibility of major
      breakthroughs in our understanding, by enabling a more widespread identification
      of genes involved, and direct testing of the role these genes play by genetic
      manipulation. 

PMID- 26256956
TI  - The First Fellow of American College of Surgeons to Come to Korea: Dr. Alfred
      Irving Ludlow.

PMID- 26256955
TI  - Mechanics of tissue compaction.
AB  - During embryonic development, tissues deform by a succession and combination of
      morphogenetic processes. Tissue compaction is the morphogenetic process by which
      a tissue adopts a tighter structure. Recent studies characterized the respective
      roles of cells' adhesive and contractile properties in tissue compaction. In this
      review, we formalize the mechanical and molecular principles of tissue compaction
      and we analyze through the prism of this framework several morphogenetic events:
      the compaction of the early mouse embryo, the formation of the fly retina, the
      segmentation of somites and the separation of germ layers during gastrulation. 

PMID- 26256957
TI  - An Outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infection in South
      Korea, 2015.

PMID- 26256958
TI  - Evolution of Gastric Cancer Treatment: From the Golden Age of Surgery to an Era
      of Precision Medicine.
AB  - Gastric cancer imposes a global health burden. Although multimodal therapies have
      proven to benefit patients with advanced diseases after curative surgery, the
      prognosis of most advanced cancer patients still needs to be improved. Surgical
      extirpation is the mainstay of gastric cancer treatment. Indeed, without curative
      surgery, variations and combinations of chemotherapy and/or radiation cannot
      bring clinically meaningful success. Centered around D2 surgery, adjuvant and
      peri-operative multimodal therapies have improved survival in a certain group of
      gastric cancer patients. Moving toward a personalized cancer therapy era,
      molecular targeted strategies have been tested in clinical trials for gastric
      cancer. With some success and failures, we have learned valuable lessons
      regarding the biology of gastric cancer and the clinical relevance of biological
      therapies in addition to conventional treatments. Future treatment of gastric
      cancer will be shifted to molecularly tailored and genome information-based
      personalized therapy. Collaboration across disciplines and actively adopting
      emerging anti-cancer strategies, along with in-depth understanding of molecular
      and genetic underpinnings of tumor development and progression, are imperative to
      realizing personalized therapy for gastric cancer. Although many challenges
      remain to be overcome, we envision that the era of precision cancer medicine for
      gastric cancer has already arrived and anticipate that current knowledge and
      discoveries will be transformed into near-future clinical practice for managing
      gastric cancer patients. 

PMID- 26256960
TI  - Outcome and Complications in Surgical Treatment of Lumbar Stenosis or
      Spondylolisthesis in Geriatric Patients.
AB  - Development of anesthesiology and improvement of surgical instruments enabled
      aggressive surgical treatment even in elderly patients, who require more active
      physical activities than they were in the past. However, there are controversies
      about the clinical outcome of spinal surgery in elderly patients with spinal
      stenosis or spondylolisthesis. The purpose of this study is to review the
      clinical outcome of spinal surgery in elderly patients with spinal stenosis or
      spondylolisthesis. MEDLINE search on English-language articles was performed.
      There were 39685 articles from 1967 to 2013 regarding spinal disease, among which
      70 dealt with geriatric lumbar surgery. Eighteen out of 70 articles dealt with
      geriatric lumbar surgery under the diagnosis of spinal stenosis or
      spondylolisthesis. One was non-randomized prospective, and other seventeen
      reports were retrospective. One non-randomized prospective and twelve out of
      seventeen retrospective studies showed that old ages did not affect the clinical
      outcomes. One non-randomized prospective and ten of seventeen retrospective
      studies elucidated postoperative complications: some reports showed that
      postoperative complications increased in elderly patients, whereas the other
      reports showed that they did not increase. Nevertheless, most complications were
      minor. There were two retrospective studies regarding the mortality. Mortality
      which was unrelated to surgical procedure increased, but surgical procedure
      related mortality did not increase. Surgery as a treatment option in the elderly
      patients with the spinal stenosis or spondylolisthesis may be reasonable.
      However, there is insufficient evidence to make strong recommendations regarding
      spinal surgery for geriatric patients with spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis.

PMID- 26256959
TI  - Cancer Cell Line Panels Empower Genomics-Based Discovery of Precision Cancer
      Medicine.
AB  - Since the first human cancer cell line, HeLa, was established in the early 1950s,
      there has been a steady increase in the number and tumor type of available cancer
      cell line models. Cancer cell lines have made significant contributions to the
      development of various chemotherapeutic agents. Recent advances in multi-omics
      technologies have facilitated detailed characterizations of the genomic,
      transcriptomic, proteomic, and epigenomic profiles of these cancer cell lines. An
      increasing number of studies employ the power of a cancer cell line panel to
      provide predictive biomarkers for targeted and cytotoxic agents, including those
      that are already used in clinical practice. Different types of statistical and
      machine learning algorithms have been developed to analyze the large-scale data
      sets that have been produced. However, much work remains to address the
      discrepancies in drug assay results from different platforms and the frequent
      failures to translate discoveries from cell line models to the clinic.
      Nevertheless, continuous expansion of cancer cell line panels should provide
      unprecedented opportunities to identify new candidate targeted therapies,
      particularly for the so-called "dark matter" group of cancers, for which
      pharmacologically tractable driver mutations have not been identified. 

PMID- 26256961
TI  - Prognostic Impacts of Metastatic Site and Pain on Progression to Castrate
      Resistance and Mortality in Patients with Metastatic Prostate Cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate predictors of progression to castration-resistant
      prostate cancer (CRPC) and cancer-specific mortality (CSM) in patients with
      metastatic prostate cancer (mPCa). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective
      analysis was performed on 440 consecutive treatment-naive patients initially
      diagnosed with mPCa between August 2000 and June 2012. Patient age, body mass
      index (BMI), Gleason score, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), PSA nadir, American
      Joint Committee on Cancer stage, Visual Analogue Scale pain score, Eastern
      Cooperative Oncology Group performance score (ECOG PS), PSA response to hormone
      therapy, and metastatic sites were assessed. Cox-proportional hazards regression
      analyses were used to evaluate survivals and predictive variables of men with
      bone metastasis stratified according to the presence of pain, compared to men
      with visceral metastasis. RESULTS: Metastases were most often found in bone
      (75.4%), followed by lung (16.3%) and liver (8.3%) tissues. Bone metastasis,
      pain, and high BMI were associated with increased risks of progression to CRPC,
      and bone metastasis, pain, PSA nadir, and ECOG PS>=1 were significant predictors
      of CSM. During the median follow-up of 32.0 (interquartile range 14.7-55.9)
      months, patients with bone metastasis with pain and patients with both bone and
      visceral metastases showed the worst median progression to CRPC-free and cancer
      specific survivals, followed by men with bone metastasis without pain. Patients
      with visceral metastasis had the best median survivals. CONCLUSION: Metastatic
      spread and pain patterns confer different prognosis in patients with mPCa. Bone
      may serve as a crucial microenvironment in the development of CRPC and disease
      progression.

PMID- 26256962
TI  - Characteristics and Survival of Breast Cancer Patients with Multiple Synchronous
      or Metachronous Primary Cancers.
AB  - PURPOSE: Newly developed extra-mammary multiple primary cancers (MPCs) are an
      issue of concern when considering the management of breast cancer survivors. This
      study aimed to investigate the prevalence of MPCs and to evaluate the
      implications of MPCs on the survival of breast cancer patients. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: A total of 8204 patients who underwent surgery at Severance Hospital
      between 1990 and 2012 were retrospectively selected. Clinicopathologic features
      and survival over follow-up periods of <=5 and >5 years were investigated using
      univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up of 67.3
      months, 962 MPCs in 858 patients (10.5%) were detected. Synchronous and
      metachronous MPCs were identified in 23.8% and 79.0% of patients, respectively.
      Thyroid cancer was the most prevalent, and the second most common was gynecologic
      cancer. At <=5 years, patients with MPCs were older and demonstrated
      significantly worse survival despite a higher proportion of patients with lower
      stage MPCs. Nevertheless, an increased risk of death in patients with MPCs did
      not reach statistical significance at >5 years. The causes of death in many of
      the patients with MPCs were not related to breast cancer. Stage-matched analysis
      revealed that the implications of MPCs on survival were more evident in the early
      stages of breast disease. CONCLUSION: Breast cancer patients with MPCs showed
      worse survival, especially when early-stage disease was identified. Therefore, it
      is necessary to follow screening programs in breast cancer survivors and to
      establish guidelines for improving prognosis and quality of life.

PMID- 26256963
TI  - Analysis of Dysphagia Patterns Using a Modified Barium Swallowing Test Following
      Treatment of Head and Neck Cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purposes of this study were to evaluate specific dysphagia patterns
      and to identify the factors affecting dysphagia, especially aspiration, following
      treatment of head and neck cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective
      analysis of 57 patients was performed. Dysphagia was evaluated using a modified
      barium swallow (MBS) test. The MBS results were rated on the 8-point penetration
      aspiration scale (PAS) and swallowing performance status (SPS) score. RESULTS:
      Reduced base of the tongue (BOT) retraction (64.9%), reduced laryngeal elevation
      (57.9%), and cricopharyngeus (CP) dysfunction (47.4%) were found. Reduced BOT
      retraction was correlated with clinical stage (p=0.011) and treatment modality
      (p=0.001). Aspiration in 42.1% and penetration in 33.3% of patients were
      observed. Twenty-four patients had PAS values over 6, implying aspiration. Forty
      one patients had a SPS score of more than 3, 25 patients had a score greater than
      5, and 13 patients had a SPS score of more than 7. Aspiration was found more
      often in patients with penetration (p=0.002) and in older patients (p=0.026). In
      older patients, abnormal swallowing caused aspiration even in those with a SPS
      score of more than 3, irrespective of stage or treatment, contrary to younger
      patients. Tube feeders (n=20) exhibited older age (65.0%), dysphagia/aspiration
      related structures (DARS) primaries (75.0%), higher stage disease (66.7%), and a
      history of radiotherapy (68.8%). CONCLUSION: Reduced BOT retraction was the most
      common dysphagia pattern and was correlated with clinical stage and treatment
      regimens including radiotherapy. Aspiration was more frequent in patients who had
      penetration and in older patients. In contrast to younger patients, older
      patients showed greater risk of aspiration even with a single abnormal swallowing
      irrespective of stage or treatment.

PMID- 26256964
TI  - Effect of Triflusal on Primary Vascular Dysregulation Compared with Aspirin: A
      Double-Blind, Randomized, Crossover Trial.
AB  - PURPOSE: Primary vascular dysregulation (PVD) is a condition in which the
      response to cold temperature or external stimuli is abnormal. We investigated
      whether triflusal use results in amelioration of PVD symptoms and improvement of
      several related parameters compared with aspirin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty
      eight PVD patients (54% female, 56+/-8 years) were randomly selected to receive
      either triflusal (300 mg, b.i.d.) or aspirin (150 mg, b.i.d.) for a period of 6
      weeks followed by crossover. PVD was defined as both red-blood-cell standstill in
      video-assisted microscopic capillaroscopy during cold stimulation using carbon
      dioxide gas and a score of more than 7 points in a validated questionnaire.
      Efficacy of treatment was assessed by 1) cold intolerance symptom severity (CISS)
      score, 2) finger Doppler indices, and 3) indocyanine green perfusion imaging.
      RESULTS: The use of triflusal resulted in a greater improvement in CISS score
      (44.5+/-18.4 vs. 51.9+/-16.2; p<0.001) and in mean radial peak systolic velocity
      (69.8+/-17.2 vs. 66.1+/-16.4; p=0.011) compared to aspirin. Furthermore,
      significant differences were also observed in perfusion rates on indocyanine
      green perfusion imaging between triflusal and aspirin (45.6+/-25.8 vs. 51.6+/
      26.9; p=0.020). CONCLUSION: Triflusal was more effective and demonstrated a more
      consistent impact on the improvement of symptoms and blood flow in patients with
      PVD than aspirin.

PMID- 26256965
TI  - Clinical and Angiographic Predictors of Microvascular Dysfunction in ST-Segment
      Elevation Myocardial Infarction.
AB  - PURPOSE: We aimed to discover clinical and angiographic predictors of
      microvascular dysfunction using the index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR) in
      patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: We enrolled 113 patients with STEMI (age, 56+/-11 years; 95 men) who
      underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The IMR was measured
      with a pressure sensor/thermistor-tipped guidewire after primary PCI. The
      patients were divided into three groups based on IMR values: Low IMR [<18 U
      (12.9+/-2.6 U), n=38], Mid IMR [18-31 U (23.9+/-4.0 U), n=38], and High IMR [>31
      U (48.1+/-17.1 U), n=37]. RESULTS: The age of the Low IMR group was significantly
      lower than that of the Mid and High IMR groups. The door-to-balloon time was <90
      minutes in all patients, and it was not significantly different between groups.
      Meanwhile, the symptom-onset-to-balloon time was significantly longer in the High
      IMR group, compared to the Mid and Low IMR groups (p<0.001). In the high IMR
      group, the culprit lesion was found in a proximal location significantly more
      often than in a non-proximal location (p=0.008). In multivariate regression
      analysis, age and symptom-onset-to-balloon time were independent determinants of
      a high IMR (p=0.013 and p=0.003, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that
      age and symptom-onset-to-balloon time might be the major predictors of
      microvascular dysfunction in STEMI patients with a door-to-balloon time of <90
      minutes.

PMID- 26256966
TI  - eNOS3 Genetic Polymorphism Is Related to Post-Ablation Early Recurrence of Atrial
      Fibrillation.
AB  - PURPOSE: Previous studies have demonstrated an association between eNOS
      polymorphisms and atrial fibrillation (AF). We sought to determine whether eNOS
      polymorphisms are associated with AF recurrence after a radiofrequency catheter
      ablation (RFCA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 500 consecutive patients (56+/
      11 years, 77% male) with paroxysmal (68%) or persistent (32%) AF who underwent
      RFCA and 500 age, gender-matched controls were genotyped for the eNOS3 single
      nucleotide polymorphism (rs1799983). AF recurrence was monitored according to
      2012 ACC/AHA/ESC guidelines. RESULTS: The frequencies of the rs1799983 variant
      alleles (T) in the case and control group were not significantly different (OR
      1.05, 95% CI 0.75-1.46, p=0.798). AF patients with rs1799983 variants were more
      likely to have coronary artery disease or stroke than those without genetic
      variant at this gene (31.0% vs. 17.3%, p=0.004). During mean 17 months follow-up,
      early recurrence of AF (ERAF; within 3 months) and clinical recurrence (CR) of AF
      were 31.8% and 24.8%, respectively. The rs1799983 variant was associated with
      higher risk of ERAF (OR 1.71, 95% CI 1.06-2.79, p=0.028), but not with CR. ERAF
      occurred earlier (11+/-16 days) in variant group than those without variant
      allele (20+/-25 days, p=0.016). A multiple logistic regression analysis showed
      that presence of the rs1799983 variant (OR 1.75, 95% CI 1.07-2.86, p=0.026) and
      persistent AF were independent predictors for ERAF after AF ablation. CONCLUSION:
      The rs1799983 variant of the eNOS3 gene was associated with ERAF, but not with
      CR, after RFCA. eNOS3 gene variants may have a potential role for stratification
      of post-ablation management.

PMID- 26256967
TI  - In silico Screening of Chemical Libraries to Develop Inhibitors That Hamper the
      Interaction of PCSK9 with the LDL Receptor.
AB  - PURPOSE: Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) binds to the low
      density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and promotes degradation of the LDLR.
      Inhibition of PCSK9 either by reducing its expression or by blocking its activity
      results in the upregulation of the LDLR and subsequently lowers the plasma
      concentration of LDL-cholesterol. As a modality to inhibit PCSK9 action, we
      searched the chemical library for small molecules that block the binding of PCSK9
      to the LDLR. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We selected 100 chemicals that bind to PCSK9
      where the EGF-AB fragment of the LDLR binds via in silico screening of the
      ChemBridge chemical library, using the computational GOLD algorithm analysis.
      Effects of chemicals were evaluated using the PCSK9-LDLR binding assay,
      immunoblot analysis, and the LDL-cholesterol uptake assay in vitro, as well as
      the fast performance liquid chromatography assay for plasma lipoproteins in vivo.
      RESULTS: A set of chemicals were found that decreased the binding of PCSK9 to the
      EGF-AB fragment of the LDLR in a dose-dependent manner. They also increased the
      amount of the LDLR significantly and subsequently increased the uptake of
      fluorescence-labeled LDL in HepG2 cells. Additionally, one particular molecule
      lowered the plasma concentration of total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol
      significantly in wild-type mice, while such an effect was not observed in Pcsk9
      knockout mice. CONCLUSION: Our findings strongly suggest that in silico screening
      of small molecules that inhibit the protein-protein interaction between PCSK9 and
      the LDLR is a potential modality for developing hypercholesterolemia
      therapeutics.

PMID- 26256969
TI  - Comparison of Second- and Third-Generation Cephalosporin as Initial Therapy for
      Women with Community-Onset Uncomplicated Acute Pyelonephritis.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study examined the clinical effectiveness of parenteral cefuroxime
      and cefotaxime as empirical antibiotics for treating hospitalized women with
      uncomplicated acute pyelonephritis (APN). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was
      based on the clinical and microbiologic data of 255 hospitalized women with APN.
      Of these 255 women, 144 patients received cefuroxime and 111 received cefotaxime.
      RESULTS: There were no marked differences in the demographic features, clinical
      characteristics, and treatment duration between the populations of the cefuroxime
      and cefotaxime groups. The rates of defervescence showed no significant
      differences in the two groups at 48, 72, 96, and 120 hours. The clinical cure
      rates observed at the follow-up visit 4 to 14 days after the completion of
      antimicrobial therapy were not statistically different between the cefuroxime and
      cefotaxime groups [94.9% (129 of 136) versus 98.0% (100 of 102), respectively;
      p=0.307], and the microbiological cure rates were also not significantly
      different [88.3% (91 of 103) versus 95.0% (76 of 80), respectively; p=0.186]. The
      median hospitalization periods in the cefuroxime and cefotaxime groups were 7 (6
      8) and 7 (6-8) days (p=0.157), respectively. Microbiological success rates after
      72-96 hours of initial antimicrobial therapy were also not statistically
      different in the cefuroxime and cefotaxime groups, 89.4% (110 of 123) versus
      94.9% (93 of 98; p=0.140). CONCLUSION: Cefuroxime, a second-generation
      cephalosporin, is an appropriate antibiotic option for the initial treatment of
      uncomplicated APN and its efficacy does not differ from cefotaxime, a third
      generation cephalosporin, in the initial parenteral therapy for community-onset
      APN.

PMID- 26256968
TI  - Clinical Features of Obstructive Sleep Apnea That Determine Its High Prevalence
      in Resistant Hypertension.
AB  - PURPOSE: Resistant hypertension (HTN) occurs in 15-20% of treated hypertensive
      patients, and 70-80% of resistant hypertensive patients have obstructive sleep
      apnea (OSA). The characteristics of resistant HTN that predispose patients to OSA
      have not been reported. Therefore, we aimed to determine the clinical,
      laboratory, and polysomnographic features of resistant HTN that are significantly
      associated with OSA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hypertensive patients (n=475) who
      underwent portable polysomnography were enrolled. The patients were categorized
      into controlled (n=410) and resistant HTN (n=65) groups. The risk factors for the
      occurrence of OSA in controlled and resistant hypertensive patients were
      compared, and independent risk factors that are associated with OSA were
      analyzed. RESULTS: Out of 475 patients, 359 (75.6%) were diagnosed with OSA. The
      prevalence of OSA in resistant HTN was 87.7%, which was significantly higher than
      that in controlled HTN (73.7%). Age, body mass index, neck circumference, waist
      circumference, and hip circumference were significantly higher in OSA. However,
      stepwise multivariate analyses revealed that resistant HTN was not an independent
      risk factor of OSA. CONCLUSION: The higher prevalence and severity of OSA in
      resistant HTN may be due to the association of risk factors that are common to
      both conditions.

PMID- 26256970
TI  - IL-10 Polymorphisms and Tuberculosis Susceptibility: An Updated Meta-Analysis.
AB  - PURPOSE: The association of interleukin-10 (IL-10) polymorphisms (-1082G/A, 
      819C/T, -592A/C) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) poly-morphisms (-174G/C) with
      tuberculosis (TB) risk has been widely reported. However, the results are
      controversial. To clarify the role of these polymorphisms in TB, we performed a
      meta-analysis of all available and relevant published studies. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Based on comprehensive searches of the PubMed, Medline, Embase, Web of
      Science, Elsevier Science Direct and Cochrane Library database, we identified
      outcome data from all articles estimating the association between IL-10 and IL-6
      polymorphisms and TB risk. RESULTS: The results indicated significant association
      of the allele model, heterozygous model and dominant model of IL-6 -174G/C
      polymorphism with decreased risk of TB. In the stratified analysis by ethnicity,
      significantly increased risk was observed for IL-10 -1082G/A polymorphism in
      Europeans under recessive model, for IL-10 -819C/T polymorphism in Asians under
      heterozygous model and dominant model and IL-10 -592A/C polymorphism in Asians
      under Allele model, homozygous model and recessive model. Moreover, significantly
      decreased risk of TB was associated with Asians for IL-6 -174C/G polymorphism in
      allele model, heterozygous model and dominant model. We also performed the
      analyses by sample types in IL-10 -1082G/A polymorphism, and observed
      significantly increased TB risk in mixed group under homozygous model.
      CONCLUSION: The results suggested that the IL-10 -1082G/A polymorphism is
      associated with increased TB risk in Europeans, while IL-10 -819C/T and IL-10 
      592A/C polymorphisms in Asians. However, IL-6 -174G/C polymorphism might be a
      genetic risk factor that decreases TB susceptibility in Asians.

PMID- 26256971
TI  - Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Is Associated with the Presence and Morphology
      of Subclinical Coronary Atherosclerosis.
AB  - PURPOSE: In this study, we aimed to evaluate whether nonalcoholic fatty liver
      disease (NAFLD) was associated with the presence and morphology of coronary
      atherosclerotic plaques shown by multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in
      asymptomatic subjects without a history of cardiovascular disease. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled 772 consecutive South Korean individuals who
      had undergone both dualsource 64-slice MDCT coronary angiography and hepatic
      ultrasonography during general routine health evaluations. The MDCT studies were
      assessed for the presence, morphology (calcified, mixed, and non-calcified), and
      severity of coronary plaques. RESULTS: Coronary atherosclerotic plaques were
      detected in 316 subjects (40.9%) by MDCT, and NAFLD was found in 346 subjects
      (44.8%) by hepatic ultrasonography. Subjects with NAFLD had higher prevalences of
      all types of atherosclerotic plaque and non-calcified, mixed, and calcified
      plaques than the subjects without NAFLD. However, the prevalence of significant
      stenosis did not differ between groups. After adjusting for age, smoking status,
      diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and metabolic syndrome, NAFLD
      remained a significant predictor for all types of coronary atherosclerotic plaque
      [odds ratio (OR): 1.48; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05-2.08; p=0.025] in
      binary logistic analysis, as well as for calcified plaques (OR: 1.70; 95% CI:
      1.07-2.70; p=0.025) in multinomial regression analysis. CONCLUSION: Our study
      demonstrated that NAFLD was significantly associated with the presence and the
      calcified morphology of coronary atherosclerotic plaques detected by MDCT.
      Further prospective clinical studies are needed to clarify the exact
      physiopathologic role of NAFLD in coronary atherosclerosis.

PMID- 26256972
TI  - Serum Dickkopf-1 as a Biomarker for the Diagnosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.
AB  - PURPOSE: Dickkopf-1 (DKK-1) is a Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway inhibitor. We
      investigated whether DKK-1 is related to progression in hepatocellular carcinoma
      (HCC) cells and HCC patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vitro reverse
      transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), wound healing assays, invasion
      assays, and ELISAs of patient serum samples were employed. The diagnostic
      accuracy of the serum DKK-1 ELISA was assessed using receiver operating
      characteristic (ROC) curves and area under ROC (AUC) analyses. RESULTS: RT-PCR
      showed high DKK-1 expression in Hep3B and low in 293 cells. Similarly, the
      secreted DKK-1 concentration in the culture media was high in Hep3B and low in
      293 cells. Wound healing and invasion assays using 293, Huh7, and Hep3B cells
      showed that DKK-1 overexpression promoted cell migration and invasion, whereas
      DKK-1 knock-down inhibited them. When serum DKK-1 levels were assessed in 370
      participants (217 with HCC and 153 without), it was significantly higher in HCC
      patients than in control groups (median 1.48 ng/mL vs. 0.90 ng/mL, p<0.001). The
      optimum DKK-1 cutoff level was 1.01 ng/mL (AUC=0.829; sensitivity 90.7%;
      specificity 62.0%). Although DKK-1 had a higher AUC than alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)
      and des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin (DCP) (AUC=0.829 vs. 0.794 and 0.815,
      respectively), they were statistically similar (all p>0.05). When three
      biomarkers were combined (DKK-1 plus AFP plus DCP), they showed significantly
      higher AUC (AUC=0.952) than single marker, DKK-1 plus AFP, or DKK-1 plus DCP (all
      p<0.001). CONCLUSION: DKK-1 might be a key regulator in HCC progression and a
      potential therapeutic target in HCC. Serum DKK-1 could complement the diagnostic
      accuracy of AFP and DCP.

PMID- 26256973
TI  - TWIK-Related Spinal Cord K+ Channel Expression Is Increased in the Spinal Dorsal
      Horn after Spinal Nerve Ligation.
AB  - PURPOSE: The TWIK-related spinal cord K+ channel (TRESK) has recently been
      discovered and plays an important role in nociceptor excitability in the pain
      pathway. Because there have been no reports on the TRESK expression or its
      function in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord in neuropathic pain, we analyzed
      TRESK expression in the spinal dorsal horn in a spinal nerve ligation (SNL)
      model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We established a SNL mouse model by using the L5-6
      spinal nerves ligation. We used real-time polymerase chain reaction and
      immunohistochemistry to investigate TRESK expression in the dorsal horn and L5
      dorsal rot ganglion (DRG). RESULTS: The SNL group showed significantly higher
      expression of TRESK in the ipsilateral dorsal horn under pain, but low expression
      in L5 DRG. Double immunofluorescence staining revealed that immunoreactivity of
      TRESK was mostly restricted in neuronal cells, and that synapse markers GAD67 and
      VGlut2 appeared to be associated with TRESK expression. We were unable to find a
      significant association between TRESK and calcineurin by double
      immunofluorescence. CONCLUSION: TRESK in spinal cord neurons may contribute to
      the development of neuropathic pain following injury.

PMID- 26256974
TI  - Effect of Subthalamic Deep Brain Stimulation on Levodopa-Induced Dyskinesia in
      Parkinson's Disease.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of bilateral subthalamic nucleus (STN) deep brain
      stimulation (DBS) on levodopa-induced peak-dose dyskinesia in patients with
      Parkinson's disease (PD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was
      conducted on patients who underwent STN DBS for PD from May 2000 to July 2012.
      Only patients with levodopa-induced dyskinesia prior to surgery and more than 1
      year of available follow-up data after DBS were included. The outcome measures
      included the dyskinesia subscore of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale
      (UPDRS) part IV (items 32 to 34 of UPDRS part IV) and the levodopa equivalent
      daily dose (LEDD). The patients were divided into two groups based on
      preoperative to postoperative LEDD change at 12 months after the surgery: Group
      1, LEDD decrease >15%; Group 2, all other patients. Group 2 was further divided
      by the location of DBS leads. RESULTS: Of the 100 patients enrolled, 67 were in
      Group 1, while those remaining were in Group 2. Twelve months after STN DBS,
      Groups 1 and 2 showed improvements of 61.90% and 57.14%, respectively, in the
      dyskinesia subscore. Group 1 was more likely to experience dyskinesia
      suppression; however, the association between the groups and dyskinesia
      suppression was not statistically significant (p=0.619). In Group 2, dyskinesia
      was significantly decreased by stimulation of the area above the STN in 18
      patients compared to stimulation of the STN in 15 patients (p=0.048). CONCLUSION:
      Levodopa-induced dyskinesia is attenuated by STN DBS without reducing the
      levodopa dosage.

PMID- 26256975
TI  - Ivy Sign on Fluid-Attenuated Inversion Recovery Images in Moyamoya Disease:
      Correlation with Clinical Severity and Old Brain Lesions.
AB  - PURPOSE: Leptomeningeal collateral, in moyamoya disease (MMD), appears as an ivy
      sign on fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery (FLAIR) images. There has been little
      investigation into the relationship between presentation of ivy signs and old
      brain lesions. We aimed to evaluate clinical significance of ivy signs and
      whether they correlate with old brain lesions and the severity of clinical
      symptoms in patients with MMD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: FLAIR images of 83 patients
      were reviewed. Each cerebral hemisphere was divided into 4 regions and each
      region was scored based on the prominence of the ivy sign. Total ivy score (TIS)
      was defined as the sum of the scores from the eight regions and dominant
      hemispheric ivy sign (DHI) was determined by comparing the ivy scores from each
      hemisphere. According to the degree of ischemic symptoms, patients were
      classified into four subgroups: 1) nonspecific symptoms without motor weakness,
      2) single transient ischemic attack (TIA), 3) recurrent TIA, or 4) complete
      stroke. RESULTS: TIS was significantly different as follows: 4.86+/-2.55 in
      patients with nonspecific symptoms, 5.89+/-3.10 in patients with single TIA,
      9.60+/-3.98 in patients with recurrent TIA and 8.37+/-3.39 in patients with
      complete stroke (p=0.003). TIS associated with old lesions was significantly
      higher than those not associated with old lesions (9.35+/-4.22 vs. 7.49+/-3.37,
      p=0.032). We found a significant correlation between DHI and motor symptoms
      (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Because TIS has a strong tendency with severity of
      ischemic motor symptom and the presence of old lesions, the ivy sign may be
      useful in predicting severity of disease progression.

PMID- 26256976
TI  - Influence of Parent Artery Segmentation and Boundary Conditions on Hemodynamic
      Characteristics of Intracranial Aneurysms.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to explore the influence of segmentation of
      the upstream and downstream parent artery and hemodynamic boundary conditions
      (BCs) on the evaluated hemodynamic factors for the computational fluid dynamics
      (CFD) analysis of intracranial aneurysms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three
      dimensional patient-specific aneurysm models were analyzed by applying various
      combinations of inlet and outlet BCs. Hemodynamic factors such as velocity
      pattern, streamline, wall shear stress, and oscillatory shear index at the
      systolic time were visualized and compared among the different cases. RESULTS:
      Hemodynamic factors were significantly affected by the inlet BCs while there was
      little influence of the outlet BCs. When the inlet length was relatively short,
      different inlet BCs showed different hemodynamic factors and the calculated
      hemodynamic factors were also dependent on the inlet length. However, when the
      inlet length (L) was long enough (L>20D, where D is the diameter of inlet
      section), the hemodynamic factors became similar regardless of the inlet BCs and
      lengths. The error due to different inlet BCs was negligible. The effect of the
      outlet length on the hemodynamic factors was similar to that of the inlet length.
      CONCLUSION: Simulated hemodynamic factors are highly sensitive to inlet BCs and
      upstream parent artery segmentation. The results of this work can provide an
      insight into how to build models and to apply BCs for more accurate estimation of
      hemodynamic factors from CFD simulations of intracranial aneurysms.

PMID- 26256977
TI  - Focal Lymphocytic Thyroiditis Nodules Share the Features of Papillary Thyroid
      Cancer on Ultrasound.
AB  - PURPOSE: It is often difficult to discriminate focal lymphocytic thyroiditis
      (FLT) or adenomatous hyperplasia (AH) from thyroid cancer if they both have
      suspicious ultrasound (US) findings. We aimed to make a predictive model of FLT
      from papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) in suspicious nodules with benign cytologic
      results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 214 patients who had undergone fine
      needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) and had shown thyroid nodules with suspicious US
      features. PTC was confirmed by surgical pathology. FLT and AH were confirmed
      through more than two separate FNABs. Clinical and biochemical findings, as well
      as US features, were evaluated. RESULTS: Of 214 patients, 100 patients were
      diagnosed with PTC, 55 patients with FLT, and 59 patients with AH. The proportion
      of elevated thyrotropin (TSH) levels (p=0.014) and thyroglobulin antibody (Tg-Ab)
      or thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO-Ab) positivity (p<0.001) in the FLT group was
      significantly higher than that in the PTC group. Regarding US features, absence
      of calcification (p=0.006) and "diffuse thyroid disease" (DTD) pattern on US
      (p<0.001) were frequently seen in the FLT group. On multivariate analysis, Tg-Ab
      positivity, presence of a DTD pattern on US, and absence of calcification in
      nodules were associated with FLT with the best specificity of 99% and positive
      predictive value of 96%. In contrast, a taller than wide shape of nodules was the
      only variable significant for differentiating AH from PTC. CONCLUSION: Suspicious
      thyroid nodules with cytologic benign results could be followed up with US rather
      than repeat FNAB, if patients exhibit Tg-Ab positivity, no calcifications in
      nodules, and a DTD pattern on US.

PMID- 26256978
TI  - Image Settings Affecting Nuchal Translucency Measurement Using Volume NT
      Software.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of the deviation from the mid-sagittal plane,
      fetal image size, tissue harmonic imaging (THI), and speckle reduction filter
      (SRF) on the measurement of the nuchal translucency (NT) thickness using Volume
      NT software. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 79 pregnant women, NT was measured using
      Volume NT. Firstly, the three-dimensional volumes were categorized based on the
      angle of deviation in 10 degrees  intervals from the mid-sagittal plane.
      Secondly, the operator downsized the fetal image to less than 50% of the screen
      (Method A) and by magnifying the image (Method B). Next, the image was magnified
      until the fetal head and thorax occupied 75% of the screen, and the NT was
      measured (Method C). Lastly, NT values were acquired with THI and SRF functions
      on, with each function alternately on, and with both functions off. RESULTS: The
      mean differences in NT measurements were -0.09 mm (p<0.01) between two
      dimensional (2D) and a deviation of 31-40 degrees  and -0.10 mm (p<0.01) between
      2D and 41-50 degrees . The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) for 2D-NT
      and NT according to image size were 0.858, 0.923, and 0.928 for methods A, B, and
      C, respectively. The ICC for 2D-NT and NT with respect to the THI and SRF were
      0.786, 0.761, 0.740, and 0.731 with both functions on, THI only, SRF only, and
      with both functions off, respectively. CONCLUSION: NT measurements made using
      Volume NT are affected by angle deviation from the mid-sagittal plane and fetal
      image size. Additionally, the highest correlation with 2D-NT was achieved when
      THI and SRF functions were used.

PMID- 26256979
TI  - Screening Ultrasound in Women with Negative Mammography: Outcome Analysis.
AB  - PURPOSE: To show the results of an audit of screening breast ultrasound (US) in
      women with negative mammography in a single institution and to analyze US
      detected cancers within a year and interval cancers. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      During the year of 2006, 1974 women with negative mammography were screened with
      US in our screening center, and 1727 among them had pathologic results or any
      follow up breast examinations more than a year. We analyzed the distribution of
      Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) category and the performance
      outcome through follow up. RESULTS: Among 1727 women (age, 30-76 years, median
      49.5 years), 1349 women (78.1%) showed dense breasts on mammography, 762 (44.1%)
      had previous breast US, and 25 women (1.4%) had a personal history of breast
      cancers. Test negatives were 94.2% (1.627/1727) [BI-RADS category 1 in 885
      (51.2%), 2 in 742 (43.0%)]. The recall rate (=BI-RADS category 3, 4, 5) was 5.8%.
      Eight cancers were additionally detected with US (yield, 4.6 per 1000). The
      sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value (PPV1, PPV2) were 88.9%,
      94.6%, 8.0%, and 28.0%, respectively. Eight of nine true positive cancers were
      stage I or in-situ cancers. One interval cancer was stage I cancer from BI-RADS
      category 2. CONCLUSION: Screening US detected 4.6 additional cancers among 1000.
      The recall rate was 5.8%, which is in lower bound of acceptable range of
      mammography (5-12%), according to American College of Radiology standard.

PMID- 26256980
TI  - Noninfectious Complications of Peritoneal Dialysis in Korean Children: A 26-Year
      Single-Center Study.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate noninfectious complications of
      peritoneal dialysis (PD), including mechanical and metabolic complications, at a
      single center in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed data from 60 PD
      patients aged <=18 years (40 boys and 20 girls) during the period between 1986
      and 2012. The collected data included gender, age, causes of PD, incidence of
      noninfectious complications, and treatment for the complications. RESULTS: The
      mean duration of PD therapy was 28.7+/-42.1 months (range 1-240 months). The most
      common cause of end-stage renal disease was glomerular disease (43.3%). There
      were no statistically significant differences between patients with and without
      mechanical complications regarding gender, age at the start of PD, and total
      duration of PD. Outflow failure was the most common catheter-related complication
      (14.3%), followed by leakage (10.0%) and hernia (8.6%). Metabolic complications,
      such as hyperglycemia and hypokalemia, were observed in three of 16 patients. The
      frequency of noninfectious complications of PD in our study was comparable with
      those in previous pediatric studies. PD was switched to hemodialysis (HD) in only
      three patients. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that noninfectious complications
      of PD are common, though they hardly lead to catheter removal or HD in pediatric
      patients on PD.

PMID- 26256981
TI  - Changes of Heart Rate Variability during Methylphenidate Treatment in Attention
      Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Children: A 12-Week Prospective Study.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between the
      autonomic nervous system and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
      rating scales and to evaluate the usefulness of heart rate variability (HRV) as a
      psychophysiological biomarker for ADHD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Subjects were
      recruited from outpatients in the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
      at the Korea University Medical Center from August 2007 to December 2010.
      Subjects received methylphenidate. Time- and frequency-domain analyses of HRV,
      the Korean ADHD rating scale (K-ARS), and computerized ADHD diagnostic system
      were evaluated before treatment. After a 12-week period of medication
      administration, we repeated the HRV measurements and K-ARS rating. RESULTS:
      Eighty-six subjects were initially enrolled and 37 participants completed the 12
      week treatment and HRV measurements subsequent to the treatment. Significant
      correlations were found between the K-ARS inattention score and some HRV
      parameters. All of the HRV parameters, except the standard deviations of the
      normal-to-normal interval, very low frequency, and low frequency to high
      frequency, showed a significant positive correlation between baseline and
      endpoint measures in completers. High frequency (HF) and the square root of the
      mean squared differences of successive normal-to-normal intervals (RMSSD), which
      are related to parasympathetic vagal tone, showed significant decreases from
      baseline to endpoint. CONCLUSION: The HRV test was shown to be reproducible. The
      decrease in HF and RMSSD suggests that parasympathetic dominance in ADHD can be
      altered by methylphenidate treatment. It also shows the possibility that HRV
      parameters can be used as psychophysiological markers in the treatment of ADHD.

PMID- 26256982
TI  - Anastomotic Airway Complications after Lung Transplantation.
AB  - PURPOSE: Anastomotic airway complications are a major cause of morbidity and
      mortality after lung transplantation (LTx). In this study, the authors identified
      types and clinical outcomes of airway complications after LTx. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: All bronchial anastomotic complications were analyzed in a total of 94
      LTx cases involving 90 recipients who underwent surgery between July 2006 and May
      2014. Fifteen LTx cases (14 recipients) with incomplete medical records for
      fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FBS) and three cases underwent heart-lung
      transplantation (HLT) were excluded. Postoperative FBS at 24-48 hours, 1, 3, 6,
      and 12 months, and then yearly after the transplantation were performed. RESULTS:
      A total of 76 LTx cases (75 recipients) were analyzed. The mean age of the
      recipients was 49.55 years (range, 18-71 years), and 38 (49.4%) were male. Twenty
      one out of 76 cases (27.6%) experienced early anastomotic complications, and 12
      (15.8%) presented late anastomotic complications. The early anastomotic airway
      complications presented in various forms: stenosis, 1 case; narrowing, 1;
      necrosis & dehiscence, 3; fistula, 4; granulation, 10; and infection, 2. Late
      complications almost entirely presented in the form of bronchial stenosis; five
      recipients showed stenosis at the anastomosis site, and one of them showed
      improvement after ballooning. Five others were found to have stenosis at the
      bronchus intermedius, distal to the anastomosis site. Three of these patients
      showed improvement after ballooning or bronchoplasty. CONCLUSION: By serial
      surveillance via FBS after LTx, we detected anastomotic airway complications in
      42.9% of cases, which were successfully managed with improved clinical outcomes.

PMID- 26256983
TI  - Efficacy of Direct Injection of Etanercept into Knee Joints for Pain in Moderate
      and Severe Knee Osteoarthritis.
AB  - PURPOSE: Osteoarthritic (OA) pain is largely considered to be inflammatory pain.
      However, during the last stage of knee OA, sensory nerve fibers in the knee are
      shown to be significantly damaged when the subchondral bone junction is
      destroyed, and this can induce neuropathic pain. Several authors have reported
      that tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) in a knee joint plays a crucial role
      in pain modulation. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the efficacy
      of etanercept, a TNFalpha inhibitor, for pain in knee OA. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Thirty-nine patients with knee OA and a 2-4 Kellgren-Lawrence grading were
      evaluated in this prospective study. Patients were divided into two groups;
      hyaluronic acid (HA) and etanercept injection. All patients received a single
      injection into the knee. Pain scores were evaluated before and 4 weeks after
      injection using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Western Ontario and
      McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and they were compared
      between the groups. RESULTS: Before injection, VAS and WOMAC scores were not
      significantly different between the groups (p>0.05). Significant pain relief was
      found in the etanercept group at 1 and 2 weeks by VAS, and at 4 weeks by WOMAC
      score, compared with the HA group (p<0.05). No adverse events were observed in
      either group. CONCLUSION: Direct injection of etanercept into OA knee joints was
      an effective treatment for pain in moderate and severe OA patients. Furthermore,
      this finding suggests that TNFalpha is one factor that induces OA pain.

PMID- 26256984
TI  - Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency in Korean Children Presenting with Nonspecific
      Lower-Extremity Pain.
AB  - PURPOSE: Although interest in the role played by vitamin D in bone health is
      increasing, little is known about the role of this vitamin in musculoskeletal
      pain in children. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of vitamin D
      deficiency in children presenting with nonspecific lower extremity pains.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2011 to 2012, 183 children underwent evaluation for
      nonspecific lower-extremity pains. Patients with valid causes, such as fractures
      or transient synovitis, were excluded, as were those with underlying medical
      conditions, such as cerebral palsy and metabolic disease. Ultimately, 140
      patients met the inclusion criteria. Levels of serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25
      (OH)D], the ideal indicator of vitamin D status, were measured in these children.
      RESULTS: Eighty-seven boys (62.1%) and 53 girls (37.9%) were included. The mean
      age at presentation was 5.2 years (range, 2-15). Serum 25-(OH)D levels were <10
      ng/mL in 5.7% of patients, 10 to <20 ng/mL in 51.4%, 20 to <30 ng/mL in 37.9%,
      and >=30 ng/mL in only 5.0%. Most patients visited the hospital in the winter
      (41.4%) (summer, 12.9%), and serum 25-(OH)D levels were also lowest in the winter
      (17.2+/-5.5 ng/mL). CONCLUSION: This study found a high prevalence of vitamin D
      deficiency or insufficiency in Korean children with nonspecific lower-extremity
      pains, indicating a positive association between vitamin D deficiency and growing
      pains. More attention should be directed toward vitamin D and its role in the
      optimization of bone health.

PMID- 26256985
TI  - Development of Thyroid-Associated Ophthalmopathy in Patients Who Underwent Total
      Thyroidectomy.
AB  - PURPOSE: To report clinical characteristics of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy
      (TAO) in patients who previously underwent total thyroidectomy for thyroid cancer
      or a benign mass of the thyroid. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of the patients who were
      diagnosed with TAO from March 2008 to March 2012, we performed a retrospective
      chart review on those who had undergone total thyroidectomy for thyroid cancer or
      a benign mass of the thyroid before the occurrence of ophthalmopathy. RESULTS: Of
      the 206 patients diagnosed with TAO, seven (3.4%) met the inclusion criteria. The
      mean age of the subjects was 47.4 years, and all were female. Six patients were
      diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer, and one was diagnosed with a benign
      mass. The duration between total thyroidectomy and onset of TAO ranged from 3-120
      months (median 48 months). Ophthalmic manifestations varied among cases. Except
      for the patient who was diagnosed with a benign mass, all patients showed
      hyperthyroid status and were under Synthroid hormone treatment at the time of TAO
      development. Five of these six patients had positive levels of thyroid
      stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor autoantibodies. CONCLUSION: TAO rarely
      develops after total thyroidectomy, and the mechanism of TAO occurrence is
      unclear. However, most patients showed abnormalities in thyroid function and TSH
      receptor autoantibodies.

PMID- 26256986
TI  - Analysis of Age-Related Changes in Asian Facial Skeletons Using 3D Vector
      Mathematics on Picture Archiving and Communication System Computed Tomography.
AB  - PURPOSE: There are marked differences in facial skeletal characteristics between
      Asian and Caucasian. However, ethnic differences in age-related facial skeletal
      changes have not yet been fully established. The aims of this study were to
      evaluate age-related changes in Asian midfacial skeletons and to explore ethnic
      differences in facial skeletal structures with aging between Caucasian and Asian.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 108 men (aged 20-79 years) and 115
      women (aged 20-81 years). Axial CT images with a gantry tilt angle of 0 were
      analyzed. We measured three-dimensional (3D) coordinates at each point with a
      pixel lens cursor in a picture archiving and communication system (PACS), and
      angles and widths between the points were calculated using 3D vector mathematics.
      We analyzed angular changes in 4 bony regions, including the glabellar, orbital,
      maxillary, and pyriform aperture regions, and changes in the orbital aperture
      width (distance from the posterior lacrimal crest to the frontozygomatic suture)
      and the pyriform width (between both upper margins of the pyriform aperture).
      RESULTS: All 4 midfacial angles in females and glabellar and maxillary angles in
      males showed statistically significant decreases with aging. On the other hand,
      the orbital and pyriform widths did not show statistically significant changes
      with aging. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that Asian midfacial
      skeletons may change continuously throughout life, and that there may be
      significant differences in the midfacial skeleton between both sexes and between
      ethnic groups.

PMID- 26256987
TI  - Risk Assessment of Mortality Following Intraoperative Cardiac Arrest Using POSSUM
      and P-POSSUM in Adults Undergoing Non-Cardiac Surgery.
AB  - PURPOSE: The Physiological and Operative Severity Score for enUmeration of
      Mortality and morbidity (POSSUM) and its Portsmouth modification (P-POSSUM) are
      comprehensive assessment methods for evaluating patient and surgical factors
      widely used to predict 30-day mortality rates. In this retrospective study, we
      evaluated the usefulness of POSSUM and P-POSSUM in predicting 30-day mortality
      after intraoperative cardiac arrests in adult patients undergoing non-cardiac
      surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among 190486 patients who underwent anesthesia,
      51 experienced intraoperative cardiac arrest as defined in our study protocol.
      Predicted mortality rates were calculated using POSSUM and P-POSSUM equations and
      were compared with actual outcomes using exponential and linear analyses. In
      addition, a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was undertaken, and
      area-under-the-curve (AUC) values with confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated
      for POSSUM and P-POSSUM. RESULTS: Among the 51 patients with intraoperative
      cardiac arrest, 32 (62.7%) died within 30 days postoperatively. The overall
      predicted 30-day mortality rates using POSSUM and P-POSSUM were 65.5% and 57.5%,
      respectively. The observed-to-predicted (O:E) ratio for the POSSUM 30-day
      mortality was 1.07, with no significant difference between the observed and
      predicted values (chi2=4.794; p=0.779). P-POSSUM predicted mortality equally
      well, with an O:E ratio of 1.10 (chi2=8.905; p=0.350). AUC values (95% CI) were
      0.771 (0.634-0.908) and 0.785 (0.651-0.918) for POSSUM and P-POSSUM,
      respectively. CONCLUSION: Both POSSUM and P-POSSUM performed well to predict
      overall 30-day mortality following intraoperative cardiac arrest in adults
      undergoing non-cardiac surgery at a university teaching hospital in Korea.

PMID- 26256988
TI  - Pharmacodynamic Estimate of Propofol-Induced Sedation and Airway Obstruction
      Effects in Obstructive Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea Syndrome.
AB  - PURPOSE: Sedatives must be carefully titrated for patients with obstructive sleep
      apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) as oversedation may lead to disastrous
      respiratory outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the relations between the
      effect-site concentration (Ce) of propofol and sedation and airway obstruction
      levels in patients with OSAHS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 25 patients with OSAHS,
      sedation was induced by 2% propofol using target-controlled infusion. Sedation
      and airway obstruction levels were assessed using the Observer's Assessment of
      Alertness/Sedation Scale and a four-category scale, respectively. The
      relationships between propofol Ce and sedation and airway obstruction were
      evaluated using a sigmoid Emax model. Pharmacodynamic modeling incorporating
      covariates was performed using the Nonlinear Mixed Effects Modeling VII software.
      RESULTS: Increased propofol Ce correlated with the depth of sedation and the
      severity of airway obstruction. Predicted Ce50(m) (Ce associated with 50%
      probability of an effect>=m) for sedation scores (m>=2, 3, 4, and 5) and airway
      obstruction scores (m>=2, 3, and 4) were 1.61, 1.78, 1.91, and 2.17 MUg/mL and
      1.53, 1.64, and 2.09 MUg/mL, respectively. Including the apnea-hypopnea index
      (AHI) as a covariate in the analysis of Ce50(4) for airway obstruction
      significantly improved the performance of the basic model (p<0.05). CONCLUSION:
      The probability of each sedation and airway obstruction score was properly
      described using a sigmoid Emax model with a narrow therapeutic range of propofol
      Ce in OSAHS patients. Patients with high AHI values need close monitoring to
      ensure that airway patency is maintained during propofol sedation.

PMID- 26256989
TI  - Association of 5-HT3B Receptor Gene Polymorphisms with the Efficacy of
      Ondansetron for Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting.
AB  - PURPOSE: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a common problem after
      general anesthesia. Although 5-hydroxytryptamine type 3 (5-HT3) receptor
      antagonists have significantly reduced PONV, over 35% of patients treated with
      ondansetron can experience PONV. In this study, we investigated whether the Y129S
      and -100_-102AAG deletion polymorphisms of the 5-HT3B receptor gene affect the
      efficacy of ondansetron in preventing PONV. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred
      and forty-five adult patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy were
      enrolled. Ondansetron 0.1 mg/kg was intravenously administered 30 minutes before
      the end of surgery. Genomic DNA was prepared from blood samples using a nucleic
      acid isolation device. Both the Y129S variant and the -100_-102AAG deletion
      variant were screened for using a single base primer extension assay and a DNA
      direct sequencing method, respectively. The relationship between genetic
      polymorphisms and clinical outcomes of ondansetron treatment was investigated.
      RESULTS: Among the 5-HT3B AAG deletion genotypes, the incidence of PONV was
      higher in patients with the homomutant than with other genotypes during the first
      2 hours after surgery (p=0.02). There were no significant differences in the
      incidence of PONV among genotypes at 2-24 hours after surgery. In the Y129S
      variants of the 5-HT3B receptor gene, there were no significant differences in
      the incidence of PONV among genotypes during the first 2 hours and at 2-24 hours
      after surgery. CONCLUSION: The response to ondansetron for PONV was significantly
      influenced by the -100_-102AAG deletion polymorphisms of the 5-HT3B gene. Thus,
      the -100_-102AAG deletion variants may be a pharmacogenetic predictor for
      responsiveness to ondansetron for PONV.

PMID- 26256990
TI  - Effects of Alveolar Recruitment and Positive End-Expiratory Pressure on
      Oxygenation during One-Lung Ventilation in the Supine Position.
AB  - PURPOSE: Hypoxemia during one-lung ventilation (OLV) remains a serious problem,
      particularly in the supine position. We investigated the effects of alveolar
      recruitment (AR) and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) on oxygenation
      during OLV in the supine position. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-nine patients
      were randomly allocated to one of the following three groups: a control group
      (ventilation with a tidal volume of 8 mL/kg), a PEEP group (the same ventilatory
      pattern with a PEEP of 8 cm H2O), or an AR group (an AR maneuver immediately
      before OLV followed by a PEEP of 8 cm H2O). The tidal volume was reduced to 6
      mL/kg during OLV in all groups. Blood gas analyses, respiratory variables, and
      hemodynamic variables were recorded 15 min into TLV (TLV(baseline)), 15 and 30
      min after OLV (OLV15 and OLV30), and 10 min after re-establishing TLV (TLV(end)).
      RESULTS: Ultimately, 92 patients were analyzed. In the AR group, the arterial
      oxygen tension was higher at TLV(end), and the physiologic dead space was lower
      at OLV15 and TLV(end) than in the control group. The mean airway pressure and
      dynamic lung compliance were higher in the PEEP and AR groups than in the control
      group at OLV15, OLV30, and TLV(end). No significant differences in hemodynamic
      variables were found among the three groups throughout the study period.
      CONCLUSION: Recruitment of both lungs with subsequent PEEP before OLV improved
      arterial oxygenation and ventilatory efficiency during video-assisted thoracic
      surgery requiring OLV in the supine position.

PMID- 26256991
TI  - The Long-Term Effect of an Independent Capacity Protocol on Emergency Department
      Length of Stay: A before and after Study.
AB  - PURPOSE: In this study, we determined the long-term effects of the Independent
      Capacity Protocol (ICP), in which the emergency department (ED) is temporarily
      used to stabilize patients, followed by transfer of patients to other facilities
      when necessary, on crowding metrics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A before and after
      study design was used to determine the effects of the ICP on patient outcomes in
      an academic, urban, tertiary care hospital. The ICP was introduced on July 1,
      2007 and the before period included patients presenting to the ED from January 1,
      2005 to June 31, 2007. The after period began three months after implementing the
      ICP from October 1, 2007 to December 31, 2010. The main outcomes were the ED
      length of stay (LOS) and the total hospital LOS of admitted patients. The mean
      number of monthly ED visits and the rate of inter-facility transfers between
      emergency departments were also determined. A piecewise regression analysis,
      according to observation time intervals, was used to determine the effect of the
      ICP on the outcomes. RESULTS: During the study period the number of ED visits
      significantly increased. The intercept for overall ED LOS after intervention from
      the before-period decreased from 8.51 to 7.98 hours [difference 0.52, 95%
      confidence interval (CI): 0.04 to 1.01] (p=0.03), and the slope decreased from 
      0.0110 to -0.0179 hour/week (difference 0.0069, 95% CI: 0.0012 to 0.0125)
      (p=0.02). CONCLUSION: Implementation of the ICP was associated with a sustainable
      reduction in ED LOS and time to admission over a six-year period.

PMID- 26256992
TI  - Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum: A Rare Disease Associated with Chest Pain in
      Adolescents.
AB  - PURPOSE: Spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM) is a rare entity, with only a few
      cases reported, especially in adolescents. We aimed to analyze the clinical
      characteristics of SPM in adolescents and the diagnostic implications of computed
      tomography (CT) and esophagography therein. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This
      retrospective descriptive study was conducted as a review of medical records of
      416 adolescents (10-18 years of age) with chest pain from March 2005 to June
      2013. Information on clinical presentation, methods of diagnosis, hospital stay,
      and outcomes were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Among adolescents complaining
      of chest pain, 11 patients had SPM (11/416, 2.64%). All patients presented with
      pleuritic chest pain, and 54.5% reported neck pain as the most common associated
      complaint. Clinical findings were nonspecific, and initial chest X-ray assessment
      was diagnostic only in three of 11 patients. However, reassessment of chest X-ray
      revealed diagnostic findings of SPM in five of the remaining eight patients. CT
      was diagnostic in all patients, while esophagography and echocardiogram were
      uninformative. Symptomatic improvement was noted within 2.45+/-1.2 hours (range,
      0.5 to 4) after supportive care; mean hospital stay was 4.54+/-0.99 days (range,
      2 to 6). No recurrence was observed. CONCLUSION: SPM is a rare disease that
      should be considered in adolescent patients with pleuritic chest pain. Careful
      reading of initial chest X-rays is important to avoiding further unnecessary
      investigations. SPM is self-limited and treatment is supportive; nevertheless, if
      there are no indications of esophageal rupture, urgent esophagography is not
      recommended.

PMID- 26256993
TI  - Snakebite in Korea: A Guideline to Primary Surgical Management.
AB  - PURPOSE: Snakebite is an emergency which causes local symptoms such as pain and
      edema around the bite. Systemic symptoms may also develop, such as dizziness or
      renal failure, and may even cause death. The purpose of this research was to
      assess the validity and safety of snakebite protocol for surgery when treating
      snakebite patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective research was performed
      on patients who were admitted after being treated at the emergency center from
      January 2008 to December 2012. When necessary, debridement was also performed,
      and 46 of 111 patients (41.4%) underwent debridement. Those who had received
      debridement without antivenom administration due to a positive skin reaction test
      were classified as group A, and group B received antivenom and delayed
      debridement. We reviewed the emergency and admission charts of the patients in
      each group and recorded and compared their age, sex, bite site, severity of local
      and general symptoms, time to receive antivenin, and complications. RESULTS: Of
      the ten patients (21.7%) in group A, two (66.6%) developed cellulites, and one of
      them experienced skin necrosis, resulting in a skin graft. In group B, there were
      36 patients (78.2%), 19 (52.7%) of whom developed cellulitis. Skin necrosis
      occurred in two patients, and one of these patients received a skin graft.
      Compartment syndrome was found in one patient, and fasciotomy and a skin graft
      were performed. CONCLUSION: The treatment protocol implemented to treat snakebite
      patients admitted to the emergency center during this research was safely and
      properly followed during surgical treatment.

PMID- 26256994
TI  - High-Dose Vitamin C Promotes Regression of Multiple Pulmonary Metastases
      Originating from Hepatocellular Carcinoma.
AB  - We report a case of regression of multiple pulmonary metastases, which originated
      from hepatocellular carcinoma after treatment with intravenous administration of
      high-dose vitamin C. A 74-year-old woman presented to the clinic for her cancer
      related symptoms such as general weakness and anorexia. After undergoing initial
      transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), local recurrence with multiple pulmonary
      metastases was found. She refused further conventional therapy, including
      sorafenib tosylate (Nexavar). She did receive high doses of vitamin C (70 g),
      which were administered into a peripheral vein twice a week for 10 months, and
      multiple pulmonary metastases were observed to have completely regressed. She
      then underwent subsequent TACE, resulting in remission of her primary
      hepatocellular carcinoma. 

PMID- 26256995
TI  - Invasive Primary Colonic Aspergillosis in the Immunocompetent Host without
      Classical Risk Factors.
AB  - Invasive aspergillosis (IA), generally considered an opportunistic infection in
      immunocompromised hosts, is associated with high morbidity and mortality. IA
      commonly occurs in the respiratory tract with isolated reports of aspergillosis
      infection in the nasal sinuses, central nervous system, skin, liver, and urinary
      tract. Extra-pulmonary aspergillosis is usually observed in disseminated disease.
      To date, there are a few studies regarding primary and disseminated
      gastrointestinal (GI) aspergillosis in immunocompromised hosts. Only a few cases
      of primary GI aspergillosis in non-immunocompromised hosts have been reported; of
      these, almost all of them involved the upper GI tract. We describe a very rare
      case of IA involving the lower GI tract in the patient without classical risk
      factors that presented as multiple colon perforations and was successfully
      treated by surgery and antifungal treatment. We also review related literature
      and discuss the characteristics and risk factors of IA in the immunocompetent
      hosts without classical risk factors. This case that shows IA should be
      considered in critically ill patients, and that primary lower GI aspergillosis
      may also occur in the immunocompetent hosts without classical risk factors. 

PMID- 26256996
TI  - The Preventive Effect of Belongings in Penetrating Trauma.

PMID- 26256997
TI  - A rare complication: an attempt of retrieval of an aortic valve wrapped with pig
      tail catheter during transcatheter aortic valve implantation.
AB  - Transcatheter aortic valve implantation is preferred to treat high surgical risk
      patients with severe aort stenosis. Wrapping of a pig tail catheter with device
      struts during transcatheter aortic valve implantation is a very rare
      complication. In this report, we present the images and videos of an attempt of
      retrieval of an aortic valve wrapped with pig tail catheter during transcatheter
      aortic valve implantation in a 71-year-old man.

PMID- 26256998
TI  - Tendon development and diseases.
AB  - Tendon is a uniaxial connective tissue component of the musculoskeletal system.
      Tendon is involved in force transmission between muscle and bone. Tendon injury
      is very common and debilitating but tendon repair remains a clinical challenge
      for orthopedic medicine. In vertebrates, tendon is mainly composed of type I
      collagen fibrils, displaying a parallel organization along the tendon axis. The
      tendon-specific spatial organization of type I collagen provides the mechanical
      properties for tendon function. In contrast to other components of the
      musculoskeletal system, tendon biology is poorly understood. An important goal in
      tendon biology is to understand the mechanisms involved in the production and
      assembly of type I collagen fibrils during development, postnatal formation, and
      healing processes in order to design new therapies for tendon repair. In this
      review we highlight the current understanding of the molecular and mechanical
      signals known to be involved in tenogenesis during development, and how
      development provides insights into tendon healing processes. WIREs Dev Biol 2016,
      5:5-23. doi: 10.1002/wdev.201 For further resources related to this article,
      please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26256999
TI  - Elevated serum ghrelin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 in
      congenital heart disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the association of
      congenital heart disease (CHD) with serum ghrelin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha
      (TNF-alpha) and interleukin (IL)-6. METHOD: Sixty-three children with CHD,
      hospitalized between January 2012 and September 2014 at Wuhan Women and
      Children's Health Care Center, were selected as the study group. Additionally, 28
      healthy individuals who had physical examinations at this hospital were selected
      as the control group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to
      measure serum ghrelin, TNF-alpha and IL-6. SPSS 18.0 and Comprehensive Meta
      analysis 2.0 were used for data analysis. RESULTS: There was significant
      difference in weight, height and body mass index (BMI; all P < 0.05) but not in
      age or sex (both P > 0.05) between the cyanotic CHD (CCHD), acyanotic CHD (ACHD)
      and control groups. On one-way analysis of variance serum ghrelin, TNF-alpha and
      IL-6 in both the CCHD and ACHD groups had a tendency to be higher compared with
      the control group (all P < 0.05), whereas, on Pearson correlation analysis, there
      was a correlation between serum ghrelin and BMI (all P < 0.05), and TNF-alpha was
      negatively, and IL-6 positively, correlated with BMI (all P < 0.05). Meta
      analysis further demonstrated that serum ghrelin, TNF-alpha and IL-6 in both the
      CCHD and ACHD groups were higher than in the control group (all P < 0.05).
      CONCLUSION: Serum ghrelin, TNF-alpha and IL-6 are elevated in children with CHD,
      and may play a role in the development and progression of CHD.

PMID- 26257000
TI  - A cultural setting where the other-race effect on face recognition has no social
      motivational component and derives entirely from lifetime perceptual experience.
AB  - Competing approaches to the other-race effect (ORE) see its primary cause as
      either a lack of motivation to individuate social outgroup members, or a lack of
      perceptual experience with other-race faces. Here, we argue that the evidence
      supporting the social-motivational approach derives from a particular cultural
      setting: a high socio-economic status group (typically US Whites) looking at the
      faces of a lower status group (US Blacks) with whom observers typically have at
      least moderate perceptual experience. In contrast, we test motivation-to
      individuate instructions across five studies covering an extremely wide range of
      perceptual experience, in a cultural setting of more equal socio-economic status,
      namely Asian and Caucasian participants (N = 480) tested on Asian and Caucasian
      faces. We find no social-motivational component at all to the ORE, specifically:
      no reduction in the ORE with motivation instructions, including for novel images
      of the faces, and at all experience levels; no increase in correlation between
      own- and other-race face recognition, implying no increase in shared processes;
      and greater (not the predicted less) effort applied to distinguishing other-race
      faces than own-race faces under normal ("no instructions") conditions. Instead,
      the ORE was predicted by level of contact with the other-race. Our results reject
      both pure social-motivational theories and also the recent Categorization
      Individuation model of Hugenberg, Young, Bernstein, and Sacco (2010). We propose
      a new dual-route approach to the ORE, in which there are two causes of the ORE
      lack of motivation, and lack of experience--that contribute differently across
      varying world locations and cultural settings.

PMID- 26257002
TI  - Mitotic transformation of TRAMM/TrappC12.

PMID- 26257001
TI  - Response to energy depletion: miR-451/AMPK loop.

PMID- 26257003
TI  - Trithorax group genes in hematopoiesis.

PMID- 26257004
TI  - Cell therapy--showing cells the way home.

PMID- 26257005
TI  - Regulation of the polo kinase during cytokinesis.

PMID- 26257006
TI  - Repressing the repressor: Fra1 controls plasma cell generation.

PMID- 26257007
TI  - WISp39 and Hsp90: actin' together in cell migration.

PMID- 26257008
TI  - Dynamic and steady state 1-D model of mediated electron transfer in a porous
      enzymatic electrode.
AB  - A 1-D mathematical model of a porous enzymatic electrode exhibiting the mediated
      electron transfer (MET) mechanism has been developed. As a model system, glucose
      oxidation catalyzed by immobilized glucose oxidase (GOx) in the presence of a co
      immobilized tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) mediator in the porous electrode matrix has
      been selected. The balance equations for potential fields in the electron- and
      ion-conducting phases as well as concentration field have been formulated, solved
      numerically and validated experimentally under steady state conditions. The
      relevant kinetic parameters of the lumped reaction kinetics have been obtained by
      global optimization. The confidence intervals (CIs) of each parameter have been
      extracted from the respective likelihood. The parameter study has shown that the
      parameters related to mediator consumption/regeneration steps can be responsible
      for the shift of the reaction onset potential. Additionally, the model has shown
      that diffusion of the oxidized mediator out of the catalyst layer (CL) plays a
      significant role only at more positive potentials and low glucose concentrations.
      Only concentration profiles in different layers influence the electrode
      performance while other state fields like potential distributions in different
      phases have no impact on the performance. The concentration profiles reveal that
      all electrodes work through; the observed limiting currents are diffusion
      reaction limiting. The normalized electrode activity decreases with an increase
      of enzyme loading. According to the model, the reason for this observation is
      glucose depletion along the CL at higher enzyme loadings. Comparison with
      experiments advices a decrease of enzyme utilization at higher enzyme loadings. 

PMID- 26257009
TI  - Calcium and Sudden Cardiac Death in End-Stage Renal Disease.
AB  - Sudden cardiac death (SCD) accounts for a quarter of all deaths in end-stage
      renal disease (ESRD) patients. While causative mechanisms of SCD in this high
      risk population remain poorly defined, interaction of the vulnerable myocardium
      with dialysis-related arrhythmic triggers is thought to play a major role. Recent
      evidence suggests that dialysis-induced derangement of calcium concentrations
      contributes to the increased risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality,
      vascular calcification, and SCD. Current KDIGO guidelines recommend avoiding high
      dialysate calcium concentrations as a precaution against adverse outcomes of
      increased calcium burden and vascular calcification. Conversely, low calcium
      concentration is also implicated in the development of SCD via increased QT
      dispersion and prolonged QT interval. Consequently, the optimal dialysate calcium
      concentration in dialysis patients remains debated and further studies are needed
      to establish the best strategy for managing calcium in dialysis patients.

PMID- 26257010
TI  - Monte Carlo method based QSAR modeling of maleimide derivatives as glycogen
      synthase kinase-3beta inhibitors.
AB  - The Monte Carlo method was used for QSAR modeling of maleimide derivatives as
      glycogen synthase kinase-3beta inhibitors. The first QSAR model was developed for
      a series of 74 3-anilino-4-arylmaleimide derivatives. The second QSAR model was
      developed for a series of 177 maleimide derivatives. QSAR models were calculated
      with the representation of the molecular structure by the simplified molecular
      input-line entry system. Two splits have been examined: one split into the
      training and test set for the first QSAR model, and one split into the training,
      test and validation set for the second. The statistical quality of the developed
      model is very good. The calculated model for 3-anilino-4-arylmaleimide
      derivatives had following statistical parameters: r(2)=0.8617 for the training
      set; r(2)=0.8659, and r(m)(2)=0.7361 for the test set. The calculated model for
      maleimide derivatives had following statistical parameters: r(2)=0.9435, for the
      training, r(2)=0.9262 and r(m)(2)=0.8199 for the test and r(2)=0.8418,
      r(av)(m)(2)=0.7469 and ?r(m)(2)=0.1476 for the validation set. Structural
      indicators considered as molecular fragments responsible for the increase and
      decrease in the inhibition activity have been defined. The computer-aided design
      of new potential glycogen synthase kinase-3beta inhibitors has been presented by
      using defined structural alerts.

PMID- 26257011
TI  - Antimicrobial peptide lysozyme has the potential to promote mouse hair follicle
      growth in vitro.
AB  - Lysozyme is a well-known antimicrobial peptide that exists widely in mammalian
      skin and it is also expressed by pilosebaceous units. However, the exact location
      of lysozyme in hair follicles and whether it exerts any direct effects on hair
      follicle growth are unclear. To determine whether lysozyme affected hair growth
      in vitro, micro-dissected mouse vibrissae follicles (VFs) were treated in serum
      free organ culture for 3 days with lysozyme (1-10MUg/ml). After that, the effects
      of lysozyme on dermal papilla (DP) cells were also investigated. Lysozyme was
      mainly identified in DP and dermal sheath regions of VF by immunochemistry. In
      addition, 5-10MUg/ml lysozyme had a promoting effect on shaft production. It was
      also associated with significant proliferation of matrix keratinocytes by
      immunofluorescence observation. Furthermore, lysozyme promoted hair growth by
      increasing the levels of alkaline phosphatase and lymphoid enhancer factor 1 in
      DP, as determined by Western blotting. These results indicate that lysozyme is a
      promoter of VF growth via enhancing the hair-inductive capacity of DP cells
      during organ culture. 

PMID- 26257012
TI  - Thermodynamic stability of high phosphorus concentration in silicon
      nanostructures.
AB  - Doping of Si nanocrystals (NCs) has been the subject of a strong experimental and
      theoretical debate for more than a decade. A major difficulty in the
      understanding of dopant incorporation at the nanoscale is related to the fact
      that theoretical calculations usually refer to thermodynamic equilibrium
      conditions, whereas, from the experimental point of view, impurity incorporation
      is commonly performed during NC formation. This latter circumstance makes
      impossible to experimentally decouple equilibrium properties from kinetic
      effects. In this report, we approach the problem by introducing the dopants into
      the Si NCs, from a spatially separated dopant source. We induce a P diffusion
      flux to interact with the already-formed and stable Si NCs embedded in SiO2,
      maintaining the system very close to the thermodynamic equilibrium. Combining
      advanced material synthesis, multi-technique experimental quantification and
      simulations of diffusion profiles with a rate-equation model, we demonstrate that
      a high P concentration (above the P solid solubility in bulk Si) within Si NCs
      embedded in a SiO2 matrix corresponds to an equilibrium property of the system.
      Trapping within the Si NCs embedded in a SiO2 matrix is essentially diffusion
      limited with no additional energy barrier, whereas de-trapping is prevented by a
      binding energy of 0.9 eV, in excellent agreement with recent theoretical findings
      that highlighted the impact of different surface terminations (H- or O-terminated
      NCs) on the stability of the incorporated P atoms. 

PMID- 26257013
TI  - Amine Chemistry Method for Selective Enrichment of N-Linked Glycopeptides for
      Glycoproteomics Analysis.
AB  - An amine chemistry method was developed for the extraction of N-glycopeptides
      using amine-functionalized beads for glycoproteomics analysis. Two reductive
      amination reactions between primary amine and aldehyde were employed in this
      approach. The first one was to block the primary amines in the peptides by
      addition of formaldehyde and sodium cyanoborohydride into the peptide sample, and
      the second one was to couple the glycopeptides onto solid phase beads by
      incubating the glycopeptides containing aldehyde groups (oxidized by periodate)
      with the amine-functionalized beads in the presence of sodium cyanoborohydride.
      It was demonstrated that the blocking of primary amines in the peptides by the
      first reductive amination reaction prior to the periodate oxidation made the
      amine chemistry method very efficient and sensitive. This new method was
      validated by analysis of glycoprotein standards as well as proteome samples. It
      was found that this new method led to significant increase in the identification
      of N-glycosites compared with the conventional hydrazide chemistry method. 

PMID- 26257014
TI  - Kounis syndrome with Samter-Beer triad treated with intracoronary adrenaline.
AB  - Kounis syndrome is a well-described clinical condition characterized by the
      simultaneous occurrence of chest pain and an allergic reaction accompanied by
      clinical and laboratory findings of angina caused by inflammatory mediators
      released during an allergic insult. We present the case of a 50-year-old male
      with the Samter-Beer triad of asthma, nasal polyps, and salicylate intolerance
      with an ST elevation myocardial infarction complicated with cardiac arrest due to
      multi-vessel coronary artery spasm secondary to aspirin anaphylaxis. Adrenaline
      is recommended during anaphylaxis but is controversial in Kounis syndrome as it
      may worsen coronary spasm. We report the use of intracoronary adrenaline in
      successfully reversing coronary artery spasm in this hemodynamically unstable
      patient.

PMID- 26257015
TI  - Spontaneous middle cranial fossa cerebrospinal fluid otorrhea in adults.
AB  - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The goals of this study are to: 1) investigate the urgency
      for repair of middle cranial fossa spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks in
      adults, and 2) review the literature and treatment recommendations for adult
      spontaneous CSF otorrhea. DATA SOURCES: 1) All patients who were referred to a
      tertiary center with spontaneous CSF otorrhea, exposed middle cranial fossa dura,
      or encephalocele from 2004 to 2015; and 2) landmark references on spontaneous CSF
      leaks REVIEW METHODS: Electronic medical records of patients with a documented
      spontaneous CSF leak, exposed dura, or encephalocele were reviewed. Subjects were
      excluded if they had a congenital, traumatic, or iatrogenic CSF leak. Main
      outcome measure was duration of CSF leak and development of meningitis after
      clinical presentation. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients (27 ears) who were at risk
      for meningitis from spontaneous CSF otorrhea, encephalocele, or a dural breach
      with or without mastoiditis were evaluated. Duration of CSF leaks in patients who
      refused repair or who continued to have CSF leak after repair or prior to
      successful repair ranged from 4 months to 11 years. Duration of encephaloceles
      and dural exposure in an uninfected mastoid ranged from 24 months to 6 years.
      Only one patient presented with meningitis. None of these 22 patients developed
      meningitis during the time periods they were under our care. CONCLUSION: Should
      patients with CSF otorrhea, exposed dura, or encephalocele refuse operation, it
      may be reasonable to follow them with close observation and education about
      warning signs for meningitis.

PMID- 26257017
TI  - Coaxial CoMoO4 nanowire arrays with chemically integrated conductive coating for
      high-performance flexible all-solid-state asymmetric supercapacitors.
AB  - Flexible all-solid-state supercapacitors have offered promising applications as
      novel energy storage devices based on their merits, such as small size, low cost,
      light weight and high wearability for high-performance portable electronics.
      However, one major challenge to make flexible all-solid-state supercapacitors
      depends on the improvement of electrode materials with higher electrical
      conductivity properties and longer cycling stability. In this article, we put
      forward a simple strategy to in situ synthesize 1D CoMoO4 nanowires (NWs), using
      highly conductive CC and an electrically conductive PPy wrapping layer on CoMoO4
      NW arrays for high performance electrode materials. The results show that the
      CoMoO4/PPy hybrid NW electrode exhibits a high areal specific capacitance of ca.
      1.34 F cm(-2) at a current density of 2 mA cm(-2), which is remarkably better
      than the corresponding values for a pure CoMoO4 NW electrode of 0.7 F cm(-2). An
      excellent cycling performance of nanocomposites of up to 95.2% (ca. 1.12 F cm(
      2)) is achieved after 2000 cycles compared to pristine CoMoO4 NWs. In addition,
      we fabricate flexible all-solid-state ASC which can be cycled reversibly in the
      voltage range of 0-1.7 V, and exhibits a maximum energy density of 104.7 W h kg(
      1) (3.522 mW h cm(-3)), demonstrating great potential for practical applications
      in flexible energy storage electronics. 

PMID- 26257016
TI  - Sialylation of neurites inhibits complement-mediated macrophage removal in a
      human macrophage-neuron Co-Culture System.
AB  - The complement system has been implicated in the removal of dysfunctional
      synapses and neurites during development and in disease processes in the mouse,
      but it is unclear how far the mouse data can be transferred to humans. Here, we
      co-cultured macrophages derived from human THP1 monocytes and neurons derived
      from human induced pluripotent stem cells, to study the role of the complement
      system in a human model. Components of the complement system were expressed by
      the human macrophages and human neuronal culture, while receptors of the
      complement cascade were expressed by human macrophages as shown via gene
      transcript analysis and flow cytometry. We mimicked pathological conditions
      leading to an altered glycocalyx by treatment of human neurons with sialidases.
      Desialylated human neurites were opsonized by the complement component C1q.
      Furthermore, human neurites with an intact sialic acid cap remained untouched,
      while desialylated human neurites were removed and ingested by human macrophages.
      While blockage of the complement receptor 1 (CD35) had no effect, blockage of
      CD11b as part of the complement receptor 3 (CR3) reversed the effect on
      macrophage phagocytosis of desialylated human neurites. Data demonstrate that in
      the human system sialylation of the neuronal glycocalyx serves as an inhibitory
      flag for complement binding and CR3-mediated phagocytosis by macrophages.

PMID- 26257018
TI  - Cell wall protection by the Candida albicans class I chitin synthases.
AB  - Candida albicans has four chitin synthases from three different enzyme classes
      which deposit chitin in the cell wall, including at the polarized tips of growing
      buds and hyphae, and sites of septation. The two class I enzymes, Chs2 and Chs8,
      are responsible for most of the measurable chitin synthase activity in vitro, but
      their precise biological functions in vivo remain obscure. In this work, detailed
      phenotypic analyses of a chs2Deltachs8Delta mutant have shown that C. albicans
      class I chitin synthases promote cell integrity during early polarized growth in
      yeast and hyphal cells. This was supported by live cell imaging of YFP-tagged
      versions of the class I chitin synthases which revealed that Chs2-YFP was
      localized at sites of polarized growth. Furthermore, a unique and dynamic pattern
      of localization of the class I enzymes at septa of yeast and hyphae was revealed.
      Phosphorylation of Chs2 on the serine at position 222 was shown to regulate the
      amount of Chs2 that is localized to sites of polarized growth and septation.
      Independently from this post-translational modification, specific cell wall
      stresses were also shown to regulate the amount of Chs2 that localizes to
      specific sites in cells, and this was linked to the ability of the class I
      enzymes to reinforce cell wall integrity during early polarized growth in the
      presence of these stresses. 

PMID- 26257019
TI  - Solution to Statistical Challenges in Proteomics Is More Statistics, Not Less.
AB  - In any high-throughput scientific study, it is often essential to estimate the
      percent of findings that are actually incorrect. This percentage is called the
      false discovery rate (abbreviated "FDR"), and it is an invariant (albeit, often
      unknown) quantity for any well-formed study. In proteomics, it has become common
      practice to incorrectly conflate the protein FDR (the percent of identified
      proteins that are actually absent) with protein-level target-decoy, a particular
      method for estimating the protein-level FDR. In this manner, the challenges of
      one approach have been used as the basis for an argument that the field should
      abstain from protein-level FDR analysis altogether or even the suggestion that
      the very notion of a protein FDR is flawed. As we demonstrate in simple but
      accurate simulations, not only is the protein-level FDR an invariant concept,
      when analyzing large data sets, the failure to properly acknowledge it or to
      correct for multiple testing can result in large, unrecognized errors, whereby
      thousands of absent proteins (and, potentially every protein in the FASTA
      database being considered) can be incorrectly identified. 

PMID- 26257020
TI  - Double-dose hepatitis B vaccination in people with HIV.

PMID- 26257023
TI  - Retrograde pedal access with a 20-gauge intravenous cannula after failed
      antegrade recanalization of a tibialis anterior artery in a diabetic patient: a
      case report.
AB  - Retrograde tibiopedal approach is being used frequently in below-the-knee
      vascular interventions. In patients with diabetic foot pathology, complex anatomy
      often requires a retrograde technique when the distal vascular anatomy and
      puncture site is suitable. The dorsalis pedis and posterior tibial arteries can
      be punctured because of their relatively superficial position. We report a
      retrograde puncturing technique in patients with chronic total occlusions. After
      failed antegrade recanalization, puncturing and cannulation of a tiny dorsalis
      pedis artery with a narrow bore [20-gauge (0.8 mm)] intravenous cannula is
      described. 

PMID- 26257022
TI  - Effects of MAO inhibition and a combination of minor alkaloids, beta-carbolines,
      and acetaldehyde on nicotine self-administration in adult male rats.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Although nicotine is the primary reinforcing constituent in
      cigarettes, there is evidence that other constituents in cigarette smoke may
      interact with nicotine to reinforce smoking behavior. METHODS: The present
      experiments investigated whether a novel combination of these cigarette smoke
      constituents would increase nicotine self-administration in adult male rats. The
      constituents included five minor alkaloids (anabasine, nornicotine, cotinine,
      myosmine, and anatabine), two beta-carbolines (harman and norharman), and
      acetaldehyde. All doses were indexed to be proportional to concentrations in
      cigarette smoke given a standard dose of nicotine used in rodent self
      administration, or ten times higher than this standard. To model MAO inhibition
      seen in chronic smokers, some groups received separate injections of
      tranylcypromine prior to each self-administration session. RESULTS:
      Tranylcypromine increased low-dose nicotine self-administration independent of
      other smoke constituents, which had no effect on self-administration behavior.
      The effect of tranylcypromine was confirmed across a large range of reinforcement
      schedules. The effect of tranylcypromine on low-dose nicotine self-administration
      was observed regardless of whether the injection was delivered 1-h or 23-h prior
      to the self-administration session, consistent with the interpretation that MAO
      inhibition was responsible for the increase in self-administration, instead of
      acute off-target effects. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that this cocktail of
      constituents does not significantly alter the primary reinforcing effects of
      nicotine, but constituents that inhibit MAO may increase the primary reinforcing
      effects of nicotine, especially at low doses.

PMID- 26257021
TI  - Safety and immunogenicity of double-dose versus standard-dose hepatitis B
      revaccination in non-responding adults with HIV-1 (ANRS HB04 B-BOOST): a
      multicentre, open-label, randomised controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Revaccination with double-dose hepatitis B vaccine has been
      recommended in HIV-infected patients who do not respond to standard vaccination,
      but has not yet been assessed. We aimed to compare the safety and immunogenicity
      of a reinforced hepatitis B revaccination protocol with the standard
      revaccination schedule in HIV-infected patients not responding to primary
      vaccination. METHODS: We did this multicentre, open-label, randomised controlled
      trial, at 53 centres in France. HIV-infected adults (aged >=18 years), with CD4
      counts of 200 cells per MUL or more and no response to a previous hepatitis B
      vaccination or a 20 MUg booster dose, were randomly assigned (1:1), according to
      a computer-generated randomisation list with permuted blocks (block sizes of two
      to six), to receive either standard-dose (20 MUg) or double-dose (40 MUg)
      recombinant hepatitis B vaccine at weeks 0, 4, and 24. Randomisation was
      stratified by baseline CD4 count (200-349 vs >=350 cells per MUL). Patients and
      treating physicians were not masked to treatment allocation, but the
      randomisation list was concealed from the investigators who assigned participants
      to the vaccination groups. The primary endpoint was the proportion of responders,
      defined as patients with hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) titres of 10
      mIU/mL or more, at week 28. We did analysis by modified intention to treat. This
      study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00670839. FINDINGS:
      Between May 19, 2008, and May 8, 2011, 178 participants were randomly assigned to
      the standard-dose group (n=90) or the double-dose group (n=88), of whom 176 (98%)
      participants were included in the primary efficacy analysis. At week 28, we
      recorded a response in 60 patients (67%, 95% CI 57-77) in the standard-dose group
      versus 64 patients (74%, 63-82) in the double-dose group (p=0.334). Except for
      more frequent local reactions in the double-dose group than the standard-dose
      group (13 [15%] vs four [4%] patients; p=0.020), there was no difference in
      safety between groups. INTERPRETATION: In adults with HIV-1 who have not
      responded to previous hepatitis B vaccination, double-dose revaccination did not
      achieve a higher response rate than did revaccination with standard single-dose
      regimen. However, the safety profile was similar between treatment groups. Our
      results should be assessed in future studies before double-dose vaccine can be
      considered for the standard of care of vaccine non-responders. FUNDING: French
      National Institute for Medical Research-French National Agency for Research on
      AIDS and Viral Hepatitis.

PMID- 26257026
TI  - Enhanced photovoltaic performances of graphene/Si solar cells by insertion of a
      MoS2 thin film.
AB  - Transition-metal dichalcogenides exhibit great potential as active materials in
      optoelectronic devices because of their characteristic band structure. Here, we
      demonstrated that the photovoltaic performances of graphene/Si Schottky junction
      solar cells were significantly improved by inserting a chemical vapor deposition
      (CVD)-grown, large MoS2 thin-film layer. This layer functions as an effective
      electron-blocking/hole-transporting layer. We also demonstrated that the
      photovoltaic properties are enhanced with the increasing number of graphene
      layers and the decreasing thickness of the MoS2 layer. A high photovoltaic
      conversion efficiency of 11.1% was achieved with the optimized trilayer
      graphene/MoS2/n-Si solar cell. 

PMID- 26257025
TI  - T-type calcium channels contribute to calcium disturbances in brain during
      hyponatremia.
AB  - Disturbance of calcium homeostasis is implicated in the normal process of aging
      and brain pathology prevalent in the elderly such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's,
      and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Previous studies demonstrated that applying a
      hyponatremic iso-osmotic (low-NaCl) artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF) to
      rodent hippocampus causes extracellular calcium to rapidly decrease. Restoring
      normonatremia after low-NaCl treatment causes a rapid increase in extracellular
      calcium that overshoots baseline. This study examined the amplitude, timing, and
      mechanism of these surprising calcium changes. We also tested whether
      hyponatremia increased calcium entry into brain cells or calcium binding to
      chondroitin sulfate (CS), a negatively charged constituent of the extracellular
      matrix (ECM) that may be occupied by sodium during normonatremia. We report three
      major findings. First we show that CS does not contribute to extracellular
      calcium changes during low-NaCl treatments. Second, we show that the time to
      minimum extracellular calcium during low-NaCl treatment is significantly shorter
      than the time to maximum extracellular calcium in recovery from low-NaCl
      treatment. Third, we show that the decrease in extracellular calcium observed
      during hyponatremia is attenuated by ML 218, a highly selective T-type calcium
      channel blocker. Together these data suggest that calcium rapidly enters cells at
      the onset of low-NaCl treatment and is extruded from cells when normonatremia is
      restored. Calcium binding to CS does not significantly contribute to calcium
      changes in brain during hyponatremia. Differences in timing suggest that
      extracellular calcium changes during and in recovery from hyponatremia occur by
      distinct mechanisms or by a multistep process. Finally, partial block of
      extracellular calcium influx by ML 218 suggests that T-type channels are involved
      in calcium entering cells during hyponatremia. Given the high prevalence of
      hyponatremia among elderly patients and the growing understanding of calcium's
      role in multiple neurologic pathologies, this study promotes a novel approach for
      studying and potentially preventing the effects of hyponatremia on calcium
      dysregulation in brain tissue. 

PMID- 26257027
TI  - Prospective study on the incidence of bladder/cloacal exstrophy and epispadias in
      Europe.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: On behalf of the European Society of Paediatric Urology (ESPU), a
      prospective study was designed with the aim of defining the actual number of
      babies born with bladder exstrophy, cloacal exstrophy, and epispadias in Europe
      over a 12-month period, and verifying the distribution of the exstrophy patients
      born during the study period among the different paediatric urology centres in
      Europe. STUDY DESIGN: The study was structured with a chief investigator and one
      national investigator for each country enrolled in the study. The national
      investigators nominated one local investigator for each European centre of
      paediatric surgery/paediatric urology and urology where the exstrophy complex
      could potentially be treated. The local investigators were responsible for
      reporting babies treated in their institutions for bladder/cloacal exstrophy
      and/or epispadias. During 2010, every 3 months, an electronic survey (Figure) was
      e-mailed to the local investigators asking them to report babies treated or
      referred for treatment during the previous 3 months. RESULTS: One-hundred and
      sixteen centres in 27 European counties were enrolled in the study. The overall
      response rate for the four online surveys was 79%. Two-hundred and thirty-eight
      babies were reported to be born with a condition within the bladder exstrophy
      epispadias complex (BEEC): 71 primary epispadias (66 males), 146 classic bladder
      exstrophy (97 males) of which two were female bladder exstrophy variant, and 21
      cloacal exstrophy (17 males). Two of 67 (3%) male epispadias, 24/146 (16.4%)
      bladder exstrophy, and 6/21 (28%) cloacal exstrophy were antenatally diagnosed.
      Associated anomalies were reported in 2/71 (2.8%) epispadias patients, 8/146
      (5.5%) bladder exstrophy patients, and 15/21 (71.4%) cloacal exstrophy patients.
      One-hundred and forty-seven (62%) of the 238 babies born in Europe with a
      condition within the exstrophy spectrum during 2010 were transferred from other
      institutions for treatment (36 male epispadias, 97 bladder exstrophy, and 14
      cloacal exstrophy). Only 12 centres treated six or more exstrophy and or
      epispadias patients during the study period; 52 treated between one and five
      patients, of which 22 treated only one case in 12 months. DISCUSSION: This study
      provides a contemporary incidence of the BEEC in Europe. It demonstrates also
      that only a minority (19%) of the European centres involved in the treatment of
      exstrophy can be considered "high volume" exstrophy centres. CONCLUSION: There is
      a case for proposing a rationalisation of the treatment of this group of
      conditions in a small number of exstrophy units around Europe.

PMID- 26257028
TI  - Management strategies for idiopathic urethritis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Williams and Mikhael (1971) described idiopathic urethritis (IU) as
      a self-limiting condition that affects boys aged 5-15 years, with symptoms of
      urethrorrhagia, dysuria and haematuria. However, a proportion of boys will remain
      symptomatic for several years, and may develop urethral stricture (Poch et al.,
      2007; Palagiri et al., 2003). There is no universally effective treatment for IU,
      although various strategies have been employed. OBJECTIVE: To review the
      presentation and long-term outcomes of boys with IU, and present the efficacy of
      management strategies that have been utilised. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective
      review was performed of all boys with IU. It was based on clinical and
      cystoscopic findings for presentation, medical history, management and clinical
      progress. RESULTS: Fifty-four boys were included, with a median age of 11 years
      (range 5-15 years) at presentation. The median duration of symptoms was 18 months
      (range 2-132 months). The median follow-up was 18.5 months (range 1-120 months).
      Seven (13.0%) boys had early urethral stricture at initial cystourethroscopy, and
      one (1.9%) developed stricture during follow-up. Thirty-six boys (66.7%) had
      previous circumcision and four (7.4%) had meatal stenosis. Eight (14.8%) had
      previous hypospadias repair. CONCLUSION: Whilst 50% of boys with IU do not
      require any specific treatment, those with severe/unremitting symptoms may
      benefit from a trial of urethral steroids or short-term urethral catheterisation.
      The mechanisms of benefit from these modalities are unclear and they require
      further evaluation.

PMID- 26257029
TI  - A bibliometric analysis of global Zika research.

PMID- 26257030
TI  - Amebic liver abscess; the role of PCR in the absence of a serologic reaction.

PMID- 26257024
TI  - Studying polyglutamine diseases in Drosophila.
AB  - Polyglutamine (polyQ) diseases are a family of dominantly transmitted
      neurodegenerative disorders caused by an abnormal expansion of CAG trinucleotide
      repeats in the protein-coding regions of the respective disease-causing genes.
      Despite their simple genetic basis, the etiology of these diseases is far from
      clear. Over the past two decades, Drosophila has proven to be successful in
      modeling this family of neurodegenerative disorders, including the faithful
      recapitulation of pathological features such as polyQ length-dependent formation
      of protein aggregates and progressive neuronal degeneration. Additionally, it has
      been valuable in probing the pathogenic mechanisms, in identifying and evaluating
      disease modifiers, and in helping elucidate the normal functions of disease
      causing genes. Knowledge learned from this simple invertebrate organism has had a
      large impact on our understanding of these devastating brain diseases. 

PMID- 26257031
TI  - Levels of selected urinary metabolites of volatile organic compounds among
      children aged 6-11 years.
AB  - Data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for the years 2011
      2012 were used to evaluate variability in the observed levels of 20 urinary
      metabolites of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by age, gender, and
      race/ethnicity among children aged 6-11 years. Exposure to environmental tobacco
      smoke was positively associated with the levels of selected metabolites of
      acrylonitrile, 1,3-butadiene, cyanide, and propylene oxide in a dose-response
      manner. Levels of the selected metabolites of acrolein, acrylonitrile, 1,3
      butadiene, styrene, toluene, and xylene decreased with increase in age. Levels of
      1-bromopropane decreased with number of rooms in the house but the reverse was
      true for 1,3-butadiene, carbon-disulfide, and N,N-dimethylformamide. Levels of
      most of the 20 metabolites did not vary with gender. Non-Hispanic white children
      had higher adjusted levels of N-Acetyl-S-(3,4-dihydroxybutyl)-L-cysteine (DHBMA),
      N-Acetyl-S-(N-methylcarbamoyl)-L-cysteine (AMCC), and phenylglyoxylic acid (PGA)
      than non-Hispanic black children. Non-Hispanic white children had statistically
      significantly higher adjusted levels of N-Acetyl-S-(2-carbamoyl-2-hydroxyethyl)-L
      cysteine (GAMA), trans, trans-Muconic acid (MU), and N-Acetyl-S-(N
      methylcarbamoyl)-L-cysteine (AMCC) than non-Hispanic Asian children but
      statistically significantly lower levels of N-Acetyl-S-(n-propyl)-L-cysteine
      (BPMA) than non-Hispanic Asian children. Non-Hispanic Asian children had the
      lowest levels of 13 of the 20 metabolites among four major racial/ethnic groups
      but highest levels for three metabolites. For selected metabolites of acrolein,
      acrylamide, acrylonitrile-vinyl chloride-ethylene oxide, benzene, 1,3-butadien,
      crotonaldehyde, cyanide, ethylbenzene-styrene, and toluene, children had
      statistically significantly higher levels than nonsmoking adults. These results
      demonstrate how vulnerable children are to being exposed to harmful chemicals
      like VOCs in their own homes.

PMID- 26257034
TI  - An overview of peptide and peptoid foldamers in medicinal chemistry.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Foldamers are artificial self-organizing systems with various
      critical properties: i) a stable and designable secondary structure; ii) a larger
      molecular surface as compared with ordinary organic drug molecules; iii)
      appropriate control of the orientation of the side-chain functional groups; iv)
      resistance against proteolytic degradation, which leads to potentially increased
      oral bioavailability and a longer serum half-life relative to ordinary alpha
      peptides; and v) the lower conformational freedom may result in increased
      receptor binding in comparison with the natural analogs. Areas covered: This
      article covers the general properties and types of foldamers. This includes
      highlighted examples of medicinal chemical applications, including antibacterial
      and cargo molecules, anti-Alzheimer compounds and protein-protein interaction
      modifiers. Expert opinion: Various new foldamers have been created with a range
      of structures and biological applications. Membrane-acting antibacterial
      foldamers have been introduced. A general property of these structures is their
      amphiphilic nature. The amphiphilicity can be stationary or induced by the
      membrane binding. Cell-penetrating foldamers have been described which serve as
      cargo molecules, and foldamers have been used as autophagy inducers. Anti
      Alzheimer compounds too have been created and the greatest breakthrough was
      attained via the modification of protein-protein interactions. This can serve as
      the chemical and pharmaceutical basis for the relevance of foldamers in the
      future.

PMID- 26257032
TI  - Transfer of perfluoroalkyl substances from mother to fetus in a Spanish birth
      cohort.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Prenatal exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) might affect
      child health; thus estimating PFAS fetal burden is relevant. PFAS fetal burden is
      best estimated in cord samples; previous studies have used either maternal plasma
      or serum during pregnancy as proxy, but their validity is not clear. We aimed to
      evaluate PFAS transfer between mother and fetus and determine its predictors in a
      Spanish birth cohort. METHODS: We measured perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS),
      perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS),
      perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), and perfluorononanoate (PFNA) in maternal blood and
      cord serum from 66 mother-child pairs. We used Spearman's rank coefficients to
      correlate PFAS concentrations in first trimester maternal plasma and serum, with
      cord serum samples. We assessed PFAS placental transfer by calculating maternal
      to cord ratios and examined their association with maternal socio-demographic
      characteristics and child sex using linear regression models. RESULTS: Median
      concentrations of PFAS (ng/mL) of PFHxS, PFOS, PFOA, and PFNA in maternal plasma
      (0.79, 6.18, 2.85 and 0.84, respectively) and serum (0.84, 6.99, 2.97 and 0.85)
      were higher than in cord serum (0.40, 1.86, 1.90 and 0.32). PFBS was not
      detected. Positive Spearman's correlations (p-values<0.001) were found between
      maternal plasma and serum (?>=0.80), maternal plasma and cord (?>=0.66), and
      maternal serum and cord samples (?>=0.67). Maternal plasma to cord ratios were
      above 1 (PFHxS: 2.35 [95%CI: 2.05, 2.70], PFOS: 3.33 [3.05, 3.62], PFOA: 1.37
      [1.27, 1.48], PFNA: 2.39 [2.18, 2.63]); maternal serum to cord ratios were
      similar. Maternal to cord ratios decreased with maternal age, but not with other
      socio-demographic factors. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that PFAS fetal body
      burden can be assessed using as proxy maternal plasma or serum collected early in
      pregnancy. Maternal age might influence PFAS placental transfer.

PMID- 26257033
TI  - Room Temperature Multiferroicity of Charge Transfer Crystals.
AB  - Room temperature multiferroics has been a frontier research field by manipulating
      spin-driven ferroelectricity or charge-order-driven magnetism. Charge-transfer
      crystals based on electron donor and acceptor assembly, exhibiting simultaneous
      spin ordering, are drawing significant interests for the development of all
      organic magnetoelectric multiferroics. Here, we report that a remarkable
      anisotropic magnetization and room temperature multiferroicity can be achieved
      through assembly of thiophene donor and fullerene acceptor. The crystal motif
      directs the dimensional and compositional control of charge-transfer networks
      that could switch magnetization under external stimuli, thereby opening up an
      attractive class of all-organic nanoferronics. 

PMID- 26257035
TI  - Cardiovascular risk profiles of adults with type-2 diabetes treated at urban
      hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
AB  - Diabetes mellitus substantially increases cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.
      Among Saudi Arabian citizens with diabetes, little is known about the prevalence
      and control of other CVD risk factors. We extracted data from medical records of
      a random selection of 422 patients seen between 2008 and 2012 at two diabetic
      clinics in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. We calculated the proportion of patients who had
      additional CVD risk factors: obesity (body mass index ? 30 kg/m(2)), hypertension
      (BP ? 140/90 mmHg), elevated cholesterol fractions, and multiple risk factors).
      Further, we calculated the proportion of patients meeting the American Diabetes
      Association's recommended care targets for each risk factor. Of 422 patients
      (mean age, 52 years), half were women, 56% were obese, 45% had hypertension, and
      77% had elevated LDL concentrations. In addition to diabetes, 70% had two or more
      CVD risk factors. Although 9% met both target HbA1c and BP values, only 3.5% had
      optimum HbA1c, BP, and lipid values. In Saudi Arabia's best diabetes clinics,
      most patients have poor control of their disease. This huge disease burden and
      related care gaps have important health and financial implications for the
      country.

PMID- 26257037
TI  - Editorial: Bioengineering for a better quality of life.

PMID- 26257038
TI  - Process analytical technologies in food industry - challenges and benefits: A
      status report and recommendations.

PMID- 26257040
TI  - Application of Good's buffers to pH imaging using hyperpolarized (13)C MRI.
AB  - N-(2-Acetamido)-2-aminoethanesulfonic acid (ACES), one of Good's buffers, was
      applied to pH imaging using hyperpolarized (13)C magnetic resonance spectroscopy.
      Rapid NMR- and MRI-based pH measurements were obtained by exploiting the
      sensitive pH-dependence of its (13)C chemical shift within the physiologic range.

PMID- 26257041
TI  - Upper airway stimulation for obstructive sleep apnea: The surgical learning
      curve.
AB  - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To determine the effect of surgeon experience with an
      upper airway stimulation (UAS) system on surgical time and complication rates.
      STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review. METHODS: Surgical procedure times and
      complication rates observed in patients implanted at 22 study centers as part of
      a phase III, multicenter surgical trial of upper airway nerve stimulation therapy
      for obstructive sleep apnea were reviewed. RESULTS: The study included 126
      subjects who were predominantly male (83%), with a mean age of 54.5 years (range
      = 31-80 years), and the mean body mass index was 28.4 +/- 2.6. There were an
      average of 5.7 (range = 1-22) surgical implants per site, with an average
      surgical time of 2.52 +/- 0.98 hours (range = 1.08-6.0 hours). The surgical
      implant time decreased significantly with surgeon experience, from 2.98 +/- 1.18
      hours for a surgeon's first implant (n = 22) to 2.08 +/- 0.55 hours for the fifth
      implant (n = 10, P = .025). Surgical time was inversely correlated with the site
      implant number (rho = -0.334, P < .001). Procedure-specific complications were
      uncommon and self-limited and did not decrease appreciably with increasing
      experience. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical time for implantation of the UAS system
      decreased significantly after the first five implants and then stabilized. The
      rate of surgical complications did not decrease with surgeon experience, although
      this may be attributable to the low overall rate of serious surgical
      complications and low number of implants at some centers. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

PMID- 26257042
TI  - Effect of Selected Volatiles on Two Stored Pests: The Fungus Fusarium
      verticillioides and the Maize Weevil Sithophilus zeamais.
AB  - New agronomic practices and technology enabled Argentina a larger production of
      cereal grains, reaching a harvest yield of 26.5 million metric tons of maize, of
      which, about 40% was exported. However, much of the maize production is lost
      annually by the attack of fungi and insects (2.6 million tons). In this study,
      the antifungal effect of selected volatiles on Fusarium verticillioides, its
      mycotoxin production, and the repellent and insecticidal activities against the
      weevill Sithophilus zeamais, an insect vector of F. verticillioides, were
      evaluated. The compounds tested were (2E)-2-hexenal, (2E)-2-nonenal, (2E,6Z)-2,6
      nonadienal, 1-pentanol, 1-hexanol, 1-butanol, 3-methyl-1-butanol, pentanal, 2
      decanone, and 3-decanone, which occur in the blend of volatile compounds emitted
      by various cereal grains. The most active antifungals were the aldehydes (2E)-2
      nonenal, (2E)-2-hexenal, and (2E,6Z)-2,6-nonadienal (minimum inhibitory
      concentration values of <0.03, 0.06, and 0.06 mM, respectively). The occurrence
      of fumonisin B1 also was prevented because these compounds completely inhibited
      fungal growth. The best insecticidal fumigant activities against the maize weevil
      were shown by 2-decanone and 3-decanone (lethal concentration <= 54.6 MUL/L
      (<0.28 mM)). Although, all tested compounds showed repellent activity against S.
      zeamais at a concentration of 4 MUL/L, (2E,6Z)-2,6-nonadienal was the most active
      repellent compound. These results demonstrate the potential of (2E,6Z)-2,6
      nonadienal to be used as a natural alternative to synthetic pesticides on F.
      verticillioides and S. zeamais. 

PMID- 26257043
TI  - Conflict and cooperation over sex: the consequences of social and genetic
      polyandry for reproductive success in dunnocks.
AB  - Conflict and cooperation within and between the sexes are among the driving
      forces that lead to the evolution of mating systems. Among mating strategies,
      female genetic polyandry and male reproductive cooperation pose challenging
      evolutionary questions regarding the maintenance of systems where one sex suffers
      from reduced fitness. Here, we investigate the consequences of social and genetic
      polyandry for reproductive success of females and males in a population of the
      dunnock, Prunella modularis. We show that female multiple mating ameliorates the
      negative effects of inbreeding. We, however, found little evidence that females
      engage in extra-group (pair) mating with less related or more heterozygous males.
      Breeding in socially polyandrous groups reduced the amount of paternity lost to
      extra-group males, such that, on average, cobreeding and monogamous males fledged
      a similar number of young. Importantly, c. 30% of cobreeding male dyads were
      related, suggesting they could gain indirect fitness benefits. Taken together,
      cobreeding males achieve equivalent reproductive success to monogamous
      counterparts under most circumstances. Our study has revealed unexpected
      complexities in the variable mating system of dunnocks in New Zealand. Our
      results differ from the well-known Cambridge dunnock study and can help our
      understanding of the evolution and maintenance of various breeding systems in the
      animal kingdom. 

PMID- 26257044
TI  - Intralesional hyaluronic acid: an innovative treatment for Peyronie's disease.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The significantly different effects of several conservative treatments
      for Peyronie's disease (PD) led us to conduct this study to evaluate the
      effectiveness of local treatment with injectable hyaluronic acid (HA) for
      patients with this disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 83 PD
      patients who underwent treatment and 81 PD patients who did not (control group).
      The inclusion criteria were: penile plaque volume <1 cm(3); clinical
      characteristics and ultrasonographic appearance compatible with active
      inflammation; and penile curvature <45 degrees . The medical history of all PD
      patients was collected. Patients undertook six tests: routine laboratory tests;
      penile auto-photography during erection; dynamic penile colour-duplex ultrasound
      study; penile X-ray (mammography technique); index of erectile function
      questionnaire (IIEF); and pain intensity questionnaire (visual analog scale).
      Treated patients received thirty penile infiltrations by injection of 20 mg HA in
      6 months. Follow-up checks were conducted at the end of treatment and 12 and 24
      months after treatment. RESULTS: At 12-month follow-up all treated PD patients
      had experienced three statistically significant outcomes: reduction in plaque
      size (-93.7 %, p < 0.0001); improvement in penile curvature (-9.01 degrees , p <
      0.0001); and improvement in penile rigidity (mean IIEF score +3.8) with an
      average increase of 21.1 % (p < 0.0001). Furthermore, the improvements remained
      substantially stable at 24-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: Considering the minimally
      invasive approach in this study, the absence of major side effects, and the
      significant treatment outcomes achieved, we conclude that intralesional penile
      injections with HA are effective for treating Peyronie's disease.

PMID- 26257045
TI  - Prognostic Factors for Outcome in Localized Extremity Rhabdomyosarcoma. Pooled
      Analysis from Four International Cooperative Groups.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Extremity rhabdomyosarcomas do not always show satisfactory outcomes.
      We analyzed data from 643 patients treated in 14 studies conducted by European
      and North American groups between 1983 and 2004 to identify factors predictive of
      outcome. PROCEDURE: Clinical factors, including age; histology; site of primary
      (hand and foot vs. other); size; invasiveness (T stage); nodal involvement (N
      stage); and treatment factors, including post-surgical group; chemotherapy type
      and duration; radiotherapy; and treatment (before or after 1995); were evaluated
      for impact on overall survival (OS). RESULTS: 5-year OS were 67% (se 1.8).
      Multivariate analysis showed that lower OS correlated with age >3 years, T2 and
      N1 stage, incomplete initial surgery, treatment before 1995, and European
      cooperative group treatment. Patients with gross residual disease after initial
      incomplete resection/biopsy had similar outcomes in both continental groups. The
      better global survival of patients treated in American studies was accounted for
      by differences in outcome in the subset of those with grossly resected tumors (OS
      86% [se 3] for COG patients vs. 68% [se 4] for European patients (P = 0.004)).
      When excluding chemotherapy duration from the model, analysis in this subset of
      patients showed that cooperative group (P = 0.001), site (P = 0.001), and T stage
      (P = 0.05) were all significant. However, after adding duration of chemotherapy
      (>=27 weeks) to the model, only primary site remained significant (P = 0.006).
      CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis confirms the role of many established prognostic
      factors but identifies for the first time that chemotherapy duration may have an
      impact on outcome in patients with grossly resected tumors.

PMID- 26257046
TI  - Vital need to engage the community in HIV control in South Africa.
AB  - According to the latest 2014 UNAIDS report, which was based on the 2012 South
      African National HIV Prevalence, Incidence & Behavior Survey, there were between
      6.3 and 6.4 million HIV infected people in South Africa. Although the number of
      new infections appears to have declined in the past 5 years, 370,000 new
      infections were still estimated to occur in 2013. Young, black women were most at
      risk with a very high incidence of 4.5%. Of the infected, only 2.2 million were
      on antiretroviral therapy (ART), meaning that the majority living with HIV was
      not virally suppressed and thus at risk of infecting somebody else. Eight out of
      10 South Africans still believed they were at low risk of HIV infection. Condom
      use was declining and multiple sexual partnerships were increasing. These
      findings raise questions about whether current control efforts are properly
      addressing the drivers of the epidemic. Recent behavior change campaigns target
      intergenerational sex and blame the high transmission rates among girls on 'sugar
      daddies' thus diverting attention away from common risk behaviors in the general
      population. Reduction of new infections is crucial. Much of the current global
      HIV debate focuses on treatment as prevention (TasP) - an approach hampered by
      resource problems and the fact that most people are infected by someone who is
      unaware of his/her HIV status. This raises doubts TasP alone is a sufficient and
      sustainable solution to prevention. It is not enough to mainly treat those
      already infected; there is also a need to allocate more resources to address the
      root causes - ART plus norm and behavior change. We thus propose increased
      attention to common sexual and social norms and behaviors. New and harmful
      community norms are one of the major drivers of the ongoing spread of HIV among
      young women and men in black communities. Addressing sexual risk behaviors and
      the gender and sexual norms that influence them to scale requires ensuring
      communities are provided with skills to reflect on the individual and social
      mechanisms by which these risk behaviors are generated and normalized. To achieve
      this, partnerships must be formed between political leaders, researchers,
      technocrats and affected communities. Considering the severity of the epidemic
      and the continued high incidence of HIV, it is high time to review the current
      strategy to HIV control in South Africa and allocate more resources to approaches
      that emphasize community driven norm and behavior change. 

PMID- 26257047
TI  - Haitian and international responders' and decision-makers' perspectives regarding
      disability and the response to the 2010 Haiti earthquake.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Following disasters, persons with disabilities (PWD) are especially
      vulnerable to harm, yet they have commonly been excluded from disaster planning,
      and their needs have been poorly addressed during disaster relief. Following the
      2010 Haiti earthquake, thousands of individuals experienced acute injuries. Many
      more individuals with preexisting disabilities experienced heightened
      vulnerability related to considerations including safety, access to services, and
      meeting basic needs. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research was to better
      understand the perceptions of responders and decision-makers regarding disability
      and efforts to address the needs of PWD following the 2010 earthquake. DESIGN: We
      conducted a qualitative study using interpretive description methodology and
      semistructured interviews with 14 Haitian and 10 international participants who
      were involved in the earthquake response. RESULTS: Participants identified PWD as
      being among the most vulnerable individuals following the earthquake. Though some
      forms of disability received considerable attention in aid efforts, the needs of
      other PWD did not. Several factors were identified as challenges for efforts to
      address the needs of PWD including lack of coordination and information sharing,
      the involvement of multiple aid sectors, perceptions that this should be the
      responsibility of specialized organizations, and the need to prioritize limited
      resources. Participants also reported shifts in local social views related to
      disability following the earthquake. CONCLUSIONS: Addressing the needs of PWD
      following a disaster is a crucial population health challenge and raises
      questions related to equity and responsibility for non-governmental
      organizations, governments, and local communities.

PMID- 26257048
TI  - Measuring population health: costs of alternative survey approaches in the Nouna
      Health and Demographic Surveillance System in rural Burkina Faso.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There are more than 40 Health and Demographic Surveillance System
      (HDSS) sites in 19 different countries. The running costs of HDSS sites are high.
      The financing of HDSS activities is of major importance, and adding external
      health surveys to the HDSS is challenging. To investigate the ways of improving
      data quality and collection efficiency in the Nouna HDSS in Burkina Faso, the
      stand-alone data collection activities of the HDSS and the Household Morbidity
      Survey (HMS) were integrated, and the paper-based questionnaires were
      consolidated into a single tablet-based questionnaire, the Comprehensive Disease
      Assessment (CDA). OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study are to estimate and compare
      the implementation costs of the two different survey approaches for measuring
      population health. DESIGN: All financial costs of stand-alone (HDSS and HMS) and
      integrated (CDA) surveys were estimated from the perspective of the implementing
      agency. Fixed and variable costs of survey implementation and key cost drivers
      were identified. The costs per household visit were calculated for both survey
      approaches. RESULTS: While fixed costs of survey implementation were similar for
      the two survey approaches, there were considerable variations in variable costs,
      resulting in an estimated annual cost saving of about US$45,000 under the
      integrated survey approach. This was primarily because the costs of data
      management for the tablet-based CDA survey were considerably lower than for the
      paper-based stand-alone surveys. The cost per household visit from the integrated
      survey approach was US$21 compared with US$25 from the stand-alone surveys for
      collecting the same amount of information from 10,000 HDSS households.
      CONCLUSIONS: The CDA tablet-based survey method appears to be feasible and
      efficient for collecting health and demographic data in the Nouna HDSS in rural
      Burkina Faso. The possibility of using the tablet-based data collection platform
      to improve the quality of population health data requires further exploration.

PMID- 26257049
TI  - Cell surface localised Hsp70 is a cancer specific regulator of clathrin
      independent endocytosis.
AB  - The stress inducible heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) is present specifically on the
      tumour cell surface yet without a pro-tumour function revealed. We show here that
      cell surface localised Hsp70 (sHsp70) supports clathrin-independent endocytosis
      (CIE) in melanoma models. Remarkably, ability of Hsp70 to cluster on lipid rafts
      in vitro correlated with larger nano-domain sizes of sHsp70 in high sHsp70
      expressing cell membranes. Interfering with Hsp70 oligomerisation impaired sHsp70
      mediated facilitation of endocytosis. Altogether our findings suggest that a sub
      fraction of sHsp70 co-localising with lipid rafts enhances CIE through
      oligomerisation and clustering. Targeting or utilising this tumour specific
      mechanism may represent an additional benefit for anti-cancer therapy. 

PMID- 26257050
TI  - Ammonium oxalate-extractable uronic acids positively affect biomass enzymatic
      digestibility by reducing lignocellulose crystallinity in Miscanthus.
AB  - Based on systems biology analyses of total 179 representative Miscanthus
      accessions, ammonium oxalate (AO)-extractable uronic acids could either
      positively affect biomass digestibility or negatively alter lignocellulose
      crystallinity at p<0.01 or 0.05. Comparative analysis of four typical pairs of
      Miscanthus samples indicated that the AO-extractable uronic acids, other than
      hexoses and pentoses, play a predominant role in biomass enzymatic
      saccharification upon various chemical pretreatments, consistent with
      observations of strong cell tissue destruction in situ and rough biomass residue
      surface in vitro in the unique Msa24 sample rich in uronic acids. Notably, AO
      extraction of uronic acids could significantly increase lignocellulose CrI at
      p<0.05, indicating that uronic acids-rich polymers may have the interactions with
      beta-1,4-glucan chains that reduce cellulose crystallinity. It has also suggested
      that increasing of uronic acids should be a useful approach for enhancing biomass
      enzymatic digestibility in Miscanthus and beyond.

PMID- 26257051
TI  - Effect of multi-stage inoculation on the bacterial and fungal community structure
      during organic municipal solid wastes composting.
AB  - In this study, PCR-DGGE method was applied to investigate the impact of multi
      stage inoculation treatment on the community composition of bacterial and fungal
      during municipal solid wastes (MSW) composting process. The results showed that
      the high temperature period was extended by the multi-stage inoculation
      treatment, 1day longer than initial-stage inoculation treatment, and 5days longer
      than non-inoculation treatment. The temperature of the secondary fermentation
      increased to 51 degrees C with multi-stage inoculation treatment. The multi-stage
      inoculation method improved the community diversity of bacteria and fungi that
      the diversity indexes reached the maximum on the 17days and 20days respectively,
      avoided the competition between inoculations and indigenous microbes, and
      enhanced the growth of dominant microorganisms. The DNA sequence indicated that
      various kinds of uncultured microorganisms with determined ratios were detected,
      which were dominant microbes during the whole fermentation process. These
      findings call for further researches of compost microbial cultivation technology.

PMID- 26257052
TI  - Lower-extremity ulcers: diagnosis and management.
AB  - Chronic wounds of the lower extremities are occurring with increasing prevalence.
      They affect millions of individuals annually, representing both a significant
      health risk and a large economic burden. Chronic wounds are associated with
      increased mortality and substantial morbidity due to infection, pain, limitation
      of daily activities, and psychosocial consequences. To manage these wounds
      effectively, clinicians must be able to diagnose and manage their aetiology.
      Diagnosis starts with determining whether the wound is one of the four most
      common chronic wounds: venous leg ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, pressure ulcers
      and arterial ulcers. Moreover, despite many recent advances in wound care, the
      challenge of managing chronic wounds is complicated by the lack of consistently
      accepted diagnostic methods and wound-care standards. We present a comprehensive
      yet condensed approach to managing lower-extremity ulcers, from diagnosis to
      basic management. 

PMID- 26257053
TI  - Parietal and Frontal Cortex Encode Stimulus-Specific Mnemonic Representations
      during Visual Working Memory.
AB  - Working memory (WM) enables the storage and manipulation of information in an
      active state. WM storage has long been associated with sustained increases in
      activation across a network of frontal and parietal cortical regions. However,
      recent evidence suggests that these regions primarily encode information related
      to general task goals rather than feature-selective representations of specific
      memoranda. These goal-related representations are thought to provide top-down
      feedback that coordinates the representation of fine-grained details in early
      sensory areas. Here, we test this model using fMRI-based reconstructions of
      remembered visual details from region-level activation patterns. We could
      reconstruct high-fidelity representations of a remembered orientation based on
      activation patterns in occipital visual cortex and in several sub-regions of
      frontal and parietal cortex, independent of sustained increases in mean
      activation. These results challenge models of WM that postulate disjoint
      frontoparietal "top-down control" and posterior sensory "feature storage"
      networks. 

PMID- 26257054
TI  - Analysis of chromium and sulphate origins in construction recycled materials
      based on leaching test results.
AB  - Twenty samples of recycled aggregates from construction and demolition waste
      (CDW) with different compositions collected at six recycling plants in the
      Andalusia region (south of Spain) were characterised according to the Landfill
      Directive criteria. Chromium and sulphate were identified as the most critical
      compounds in the leachates. To detect the sources of these two pollutant
      constituents in recycled aggregate, environmental assessments were performed on
      eight construction materials (five unused ceramic materials, two old crushed
      concretes and one new mortar manufactured in the laboratory). The results
      confirmed that leached sulphate and Cr were mainly released by the ceramic
      materials (bricks and tiles). To predict the toxicological consequences, the
      oxidation states of Cr (III) and Cr (VI) were measured in the leachates of
      recycled aggregates and ceramic materials classified as non-hazardous. The bricks
      and tiles mainly released total Cr as Cr (III). However, the recycled aggregates
      classified as non-hazardous according to the Landfill Directive criteria mainly
      released Cr (VI), which is highly leachable and extremely toxic. The obtained
      results highlight the need for legislation that distinguishes the oxidative state
      in which chromium is released into the environment. Leaching level regulations
      must not be based solely on total Cr, which can lead to inaccurate predictions. 

PMID- 26257055
TI  - Complete nitrification-denitrification of swine manure in a full-scale, non
      conventional composting system.
AB  - A full-scale composting plant (track type, aerated by screws), treating liquid
      swine manure (94.8% on mass basis) with straw (<0.8%) and sawdust (4.4%), was
      monitored. The main objectives were testing the performance of the process and
      assessing its environmental sustainability. Particular attention was dedicated to
      verify the possibility that this process could determine significant mass
      reduction, along with Nitrogen reduction, mainly by denitrification. Emissions
      were evaluated by measuring NH3, N2O and CH4 (by static chamber), H2S and odor
      emissions (by dynamic olfactometry). Quality and quantity of inputs and outputs
      and process parameters (redox, oxygen, and temperature) were monitored. The
      process produced a mature, highly humified (Humification Index=0.27), solid
      product with 92.8% mass reduction (mainly evaporation), and nitrogen reduction
      (85.8% referred to input TN). The process was revealed to be environmentally
      sustainable: emissions of odors and H2S resulted negligible; emissions of N-N2O
      represented 0.18% of TN input, while emissions of N-NH3 represented 0.87% of
      input TN. Microbiological analyses determined the presence of 10(7) CFU/g of
      bacteria related to N cycle and real time PCR demonstrated the presence in the
      final product of 4.77 ? 10(7) couples of genes of Bacterial amoA/gTS and 2.46 ?
      10(7) couples NosZ/gTS, indicating nitrification and complete denitrification.
      These results exhibit that nitrification and complete denitrification can
      efficiently occur in a composting process effectively transforming N2O into N2 as
      consequence of the optimized alternation of aerated and anoxic phases in the
      feedstock.

PMID- 26257056
TI  - Life Cycle Assessment of Mixed Municipal Solid Waste: Multi-input versus multi
      output perspective.
AB  - This paper analyses four strategies for managing the Mixed Municipal Solid Waste
      (MMSW) in terms of their environmental impacts and potential advantages by means
      of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology. To this aim, both a multi-input and a
      multi-output approach are applied to evaluate the effect of these perspectives on
      selected impact categories. The analyzed management options include direct
      landfilling with energy recovery (S-1), Mechanical-Biological Treatment (MBT)
      followed by Waste-to-Energy (WtE) conversion (S-2), a combination of an
      innovative MBT/MARSS (Material Advanced Recovery Sustainable Systems) process and
      landfill disposal (S-3), and finally a combination of the MBT/MARSS process with
      WtE conversion (S-4). The MARSS technology, developed within an European LIFE
      PLUS framework and currently implemented at pilot plant scale, is an innovative
      MBT plant having the main goal to yield a Renewable Refined Biomass Fuel (RRBF)
      to be used for combined heat and power production (CHP) under the regulations
      enforced for biomass-based plants instead of Waste-to-Energy systems, for
      increased environmental performance. The four scenarios are characterized by
      different resource investment for plant and infrastructure construction and
      different quantities of matter, heat and electricity recovery and recycling.
      Results, calculated per unit mass of waste treated and per unit exergy delivered,
      under both multi-input and multi-output LCA perspectives, point out improved
      performance for scenarios characterized by increased matter and energy recovery.
      Although none of the investigated scenarios is capable to provide the best
      performance in all the analyzed impact categories, the scenario S-4 shows the
      best LCA results in the human toxicity and freshwater eutrophication categories,
      i.e. the ones with highest impacts in all waste management processes. 

PMID- 26257057
TI  - Wnt addiction of genetically defined cancers reversed by PORCN inhibition.
AB  - Enhanced sensitivity to Wnts is an emerging hallmark of a subset of cancers,
      defined in part by mutations regulating the abundance of their receptors. Whether
      these mutations identify a clinical opportunity is an important question.
      Inhibition of Wnt secretion by blocking an essential post-translational
      modification, palmitoleation, provides a useful therapeutic intervention. We
      developed a novel potent, orally available PORCN inhibitor, ETC-1922159
      (henceforth called ETC-159) that blocks the secretion and activity of all Wnts.
      ETC-159 is remarkably effective in treating RSPO-translocation bearing colorectal
      cancer (CRC) patient-derived xenografts. This is the first example of effective
      targeted therapy for this subset of CRC. Consistent with a central role of Wnt
      signaling in regulation of gene expression, inhibition of PORCN in RSPO3
      translocated cancers causes a marked remodeling of the transcriptome, with loss
      of cell cycle, stem cell and proliferation genes, and an increase in
      differentiation markers. Inhibition of Wnt signaling by PORCN inhibition holds
      promise as differentiation therapy in genetically defined human cancers.

PMID- 26257059
TI  - NKX6.1 functions as a metastatic suppressor through epigenetic regulation of the
      epithelial-mesenchymal transition.
AB  - The transcription factor NKX6.1 (NK6 homeobox 1) is important in the development
      of pancreatic beta-cells and neurons. Although recent publications show that
      NKX6.1 is hypermethylated and downregulated during tumorigenesis, the function of
      NKX6.1 in carcinogenesis remains elusive. Here, we address the metastasis
      suppressor function of human NKX6.1 using cell, animal and clinical analyses. Our
      data show that NKX6.1 represses tumor formation and metastatic ability both in
      vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, NKX6.1 suppresses cell invasion by inhibiting
      the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). NKX6.1 directly enhances the mRNA
      level of E-cadherin by recruiting BAF155 coactivator and represses that of
      vimentin and N-cadherin by recruiting RBBP7 (retinoblastoma binding protein 7)
      corepressor. Clinical cancer tumors with metastasis show low NKX6.1 protein
      expression coinciding with low E-cadherin and high vimentin expression. Our
      results demonstrate that NKX6.1 functions as an EMT suppressor by interacting
      with different epigenetic modifiers, making it a potential novel therapeutic
      option.

PMID- 26257058
TI  - Effects of p21-activated kinase 1 inhibition on 11q13-amplified ovarian cancer
      cells.
AB  - p21-activated kinases (Paks) are Cdc42/Rac-activated serine-threonine protein
      kinases that regulate several key cancer-relevant signaling pathways, such as the
      Mek/Erk, PI3K/Akt and Wnt/b-catenin signaling pathways. Pak1 is frequently
      overexpressed and/or hyperactivated in different human cancers, including human
      breast, ovary, prostate and brain cancer, due to amplification of the PAK1 gene
      in an 11q13 amplicon. Genetic or pharmacological inactivation of Pak1 has been
      shown to reduce proliferation of different cancer cells in vitro and reduce tumor
      progression in vivo. In this work, we examined the roles of Pak1 in cellular and
      animal models of PAK1-amplified ovarian cancer. We found that inhibition of Pak1
      leads to decreased proliferation and migration in PAK1-amplified/overexpressed
      ovarian cancer cells, and has no effect in cell that lack such
      amplification/overexpression. Further, we observed that loss of Pak1 function
      causes 11q13-amplified ovarian cancer cells to arrest in the G2/M phase of the
      cell cycle. This arrest correlates with activation of p53 and p21(Cip) and
      decreased expression of cyclin B1. These findings suggest that small-molecule
      inhibitors of Pak1 may have a therapeutic role in the ~25% of ovarian cancers
      characterized by PAK1 gene amplification.

PMID- 26257060
TI  - GNAS(R201H) and Kras(G12D) cooperate to promote murine pancreatic tumorigenesis
      recapitulating human intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm.
AB  - Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN), the most common pancreatic cystic
      neoplasm, is known to progress to invasive ductal adenocarcinoma. IPMNs commonly
      harbor activating somatic mutations in GNAS and KRAS, primarily GNAS(R201H) and
      KRAS(G12D). GNAS encodes the stimulatory G-protein alpha subunit (Gsalpha) that
      mediates a stimulatory signal to adenylyl cyclase to produce cyclic adenosine
      monophosphate (cAMP), subsequently activating cAMP-dependent protein kinase A.
      The GNAS(R201H) mutation results in constitutive activation of Gsalpha. To study
      the potential role of GNAS in pancreatic tumorigenesis in vivo, we generated
      lines of transgenic mice in which the transgene consisted of Lox-STOP-Lox (LSL)
      GNAS(R201H) under the control of the CAG promoter (Tg(CAG-LSL-GNAS)). These mice
      were crossed with pancreatic transcription factor 1a (Ptf1a)-Cre mice
      (Ptf1a(Cre/+)), generating Tg(CAG-LSL-GNAS);Ptf1a(Cre/+) mice. This mouse line
      showed elevated cAMP levels, small dilated tubular complex formation, loss of
      acinar cells and fibrosis in the pancreas; however, no macroscopic tumorigenesis
      was apparent by 2 months of age. We then crossed Tg(CAG-LSL-GNAS);Ptf1a(Cre/+)
      mice with LSL-Kras(G12D) mice, generating Tg(CAG-LSL-GNAS);LSL
      Kras(G12D);Ptf1a(Cre/+) mice. We used these mice to investigate a possible
      cooperative effect of GNAS(R201H) and Kras(G12D) in pancreatic tumorigenesis.
      Within 5 weeks, Tg(CAG-LSL-GNAS);LSL-Kras(G12D);Ptf1a(Cre/+) mice developed a
      cystic tumor consisting of marked dilated ducts lined with papillary dysplastic
      epithelia in the pancreas, which closely mimicked the human IPMN. Our data
      strongly suggest that activating mutations in GNAS and Kras cooperatively promote
      murine pancreatic tumorigenesis, which recapitulates IPMN. Our mouse model may
      serve as a unique in vivo platform to find biomarkers and effective drugs for
      diseases associated with GNAS mutations.

PMID- 26257061
TI  - Biodegradable interstitial release polymer loading a novel small molecule
      targeting Axl receptor tyrosine kinase and reducing brain tumour migration and
      invasion.
AB  - Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and aggressive brain tumour. The
      neoplasms are difficult to resect entirely because of their highly infiltration
      property and leading to the tumour edge is unclear. Gliadel wafer has been used
      as an intracerebral drug delivery system to eliminate the residual tumour.
      However, because of its local low concentration and short diffusion distance,
      patient survival improves non-significantly. Axl is an essential regulator in
      cancer metastasis and patient survival. In this study, we developed a controlled
      release polyanhydride polymer loading a novel small molecule, n
      butylidenephthalide (BP), which is not only increasing local drug concentration
      and extending its diffusion distance but also reducing tumour invasion, mediated
      by reducing Axl expression. First, we determined that BP inhibited the expression
      of Axl in a dose- and time-dependent manner and reduced the migratory and
      invasive capabilities of GBM cells. In addition, BP downregulated matrix
      metalloproteinase activity, which is involved in cancer cell invasion.
      Furthermore, we demonstrated that BP regulated Axl via the extracellular signal
      regulated kinases pathway. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is related
      to epithelial cells in the invasive migratory mesenchymal cells that underlie
      cancer progression; we demonstrated that BP reduced the expression of EMT-related
      genes. Furthermore, we used the overexpression of Axl in GBM cells to prove that
      Axl is a crucial target in the inhibition of GBM EMT, migration and invasion. In
      an in vivo study, we demonstrated that BP inhibited tumour growth and suppressed
      Axl expression in a dose-dependent manner according to a subcutaneous tumour
      model. Most importantly, in an intracranial tumour model with BP wafer in situ
      treatment, we demonstrated that the BP wafer not only significantly increased the
      survival rate but also decreased Axl expression, and inhibited tumour invasion.
      These results contribute to the development of a BP wafer for a novel therapeutic
      strategy for treating GBM invasion and increasing survival in clinical subjects.

PMID- 26257062
TI  - Somatic gene copy number alterations in colorectal cancer: new quest for cancer
      drivers and biomarkers.
AB  - Colorectal cancer (CRC) results from the accumulation of genetic alterations, and
      somatic copy number alterations (CNAs) are crucial for the development of CRC.
      Genome-wide survey of CNAs provides opportunities for identifying cancer driver
      genes in an unbiased manner. The detection of aberrant CNAs may provide novel
      markers for the early diagnosis and personalized treatment of CRC. A major
      challenge in array-based profiling of CNAs is to distinguish the alterations that
      play causative roles from the random alterations that accumulate during
      colorectal carcinogenesis. In this view, we systematically discuss the frequent
      CNAs in CRC, focusing on functional genes that have potential diagnostic,
      prognostic and therapeutic significance.

PMID- 26257063
TI  - Imipramine blue halts head and neck cancer invasion through promoting F-box and
      leucine-rich repeat protein 14-mediated Twist1 degradation.
AB  - The unique characteristic of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is
      that local invasion rather than distant metastasis is the major route for
      dissemination. Therefore, targeting the locally invasive cancer cells is more
      important than preventing systemic metastasis in HNSCC and other invasive
      predominant cancers. We previously demonstrate a specific mechanism for HNSCC
      local invasion: the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) regulator Twist1
      represses microRNA let-7i expression, leading to the activation of the small
      GTPase Rac1 and engendering the mesenchymal-mode movement in three-dimensional
      (3D) culture. However, targeting the EMT regulator is relatively difficult
      because of its transcription factor nature and the strategy for confining HNSCC
      invasion to facilitate local treatment is limited. Imipramine blue (IB) is a
      newly identified anti-invasive compound that effectively inhibits glioma
      invasion. Here we demonstrate that in HNSCC cells, a noncytotoxic dose of IB
      represses mesenchymal-mode migration in two-and-a-half-dimensional/3D culture
      system. IB suppresses EMT and stemness of HNSCC cells through inhibition of
      Twist1-mediated let-7i downregulation and Rac1 activation and the EMT signalling.
      Mechanistically, IB inhibits reactive oxygen species-induced nuclear factor
      kappaB pathway activation. Importantly, IB promotes degradation of the EMT
      inducer Twist1 by enhancing F-box and leucine-rich repeat protein 14 (FBXL14)
      mediated polyubiquitination of Twist1. Together, this study demonstrates the
      potent anti-invasion and EMT-inhibition effect of IB, suggesting the potential of
      IB in treating local invasion-predominant cancers.

PMID- 26257064
TI  - Sustained adrenergic signaling leads to increased metastasis in ovarian cancer
      via increased PGE2 synthesis.
AB  - Adrenergic stimulation adversely affects tumor growth and metastasis, but the
      underlying mechanisms are not well understood. Here, we uncovered a novel
      mechanism by which catecholamines induce inflammation by increasing prostaglandin
      E2 (PGE2) levels in ovarian cancer cells. Metabolic changes in tumors isolated
      from patients with depression and mice subjected to restraint stress showed
      elevated PGE2 levels. Increased metabolites, PTGS2 and PTGES protein levels were
      found in Skov3-ip1 and HeyA8 cells treated with norepinephrine (NE), and these
      changes were shown to be mediated by ADRB2 receptor signaling. Silencing PTGS2
      resulted in significantly decreased migration and invasion in ovarian cancer
      cells in the presence of NE and decreased tumor burden and metastasis in
      restraint stress orthotopic models. In human ovarian cancer samples, concurrent
      increased ADRB2, PTGS2 and PTGES expression was associated with reduced overall
      and progression-free patient survival. In conclusion, increased adrenergic
      stimulation results in increased PGE2 synthesis via ADRB2-Nf-kB-PTGS2 axis, which
      drives tumor growth and metastasis.

PMID- 26257065
TI  - Genome-wide lentiviral shRNA screen identifies serine/arginine-rich splicing
      factor 2 as a determinant of oncolytic virus activity in breast cancer cells.
AB  - Oncolytic human herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) shows promising treatment
      efficacy in late-stage clinical trials. The anticancer activity of oncolytic
      viruses relies on deregulated pathways in cancer cells, which make them
      permissive to oncolysis. To identify pathways that restrict HSV-1 KM100-mediated
      oncolysis, this study used a pooled genome-wide short hairpin RNA library and
      found that depletion of the splicing factor arginine-rich splicing factor 2
      (SRSF2) leads to enhanced cytotoxicity of breast cancer cells by KM100.
      Serine/arginine-rich (SR) proteins are a family of RNA-binding phosphoproteins
      that control both constitutive and alternative pre-mRNA splicing. Further
      characterization showed that KM100 infection of HS578T cells under conditions of
      low SRSF2 leads to pronounced apoptosis without a corresponding increase in virus
      replication. As DNA topoisomerase I inhibitors can limit the phosphorylation of
      SRSF2, we combined a topoisomerase I inhibitor chemotherapeutic with KM100 and
      observed synergistic anticancer effect in vitro and prolonged survival of tumor
      bearing mice in vivo.

PMID- 26257066
TI  - PIAS1 is a determinant of poor survival and acts as a positive feedback regulator
      of AR signaling through enhanced AR stabilization in prostate cancer.
AB  - Novel drugs like Abiraterone or Enzalutamide, which target androgen receptor (AR)
      signaling to improve androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), have been developed
      during the past years. However, the application of these drugs is limited because
      of occurrence of inherent or acquired therapy resistances during the treatment.
      Thus, identification of new molecular targets is urgently required to improve
      current therapeutic prostate cancer (PCa) treatment strategies. PIAS1 (protein
      inhibitor of activated STAT1 (signal transducer and activator of transcription
      1)) is known to be an important cell cycle regulator and PIAS1-mediated
      SUMOylation is essential for DNA repair. In this context, elevated PIAS1
      expression has already been associated with cancer initiation. Thus, in the
      present study, we addressed the question of whether PIAS1 targeting can be used
      as a basis for an improved PCa therapy in combination with anti-androgens. We
      show that PIAS1 significantly correlates with AR expression in PCa tissue and in
      cell lines and demonstrate that high PIAS1 levels predict shorter relapse-free
      survival. Our patient data are complemented by mechanistic and functional in
      vitro experiments that identify PIAS1 as an androgen-responsive gene and a
      crucial factor for AR signaling via prevention of AR degradation. Furthermore,
      PIAS1 knockdown is sufficient to decrease cell proliferation as well as cell
      viability. Strikingly, Abiraterone or Enzalutamide treatment in combination with
      PIAS1 depletion is even more effective than single-drug treatment in multiple PCa
      cell models, rendering PIAS1 as a promising target protein for a combined
      treatment approach to improve future PCa therapies.

PMID- 26257068
TI  - Recurrent laryngeal nerve reinnervation in children: Acoustic and endoscopic
      characteristics pre-intervention and post-intervention. A comparison of treatment
      options.
AB  - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To establish the benefit of ansa cervicalis-recurrent
      laryngeal nerve reinnervation (ANSA-RLN) for the management of dysphonia
      secondary to unilateral vocal cord paralysis (UVCP) in children. Children treated
      with ANSA-RLN for the management of dysphonia secondary to unilateral vocal fold
      immobility will have superior acoustic, perceptual, and stroboscopic outcomes
      compared to injection laryngoplasty and observation. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective
      case-series chart review. METHODS: Laryngeal, perceptual, and acoustic analysis
      of dysphonia was performed in 33 children (age 2-16 years) diagnosed with UVCP.
      Comparison of pre-post function for treatment groups (no treatment, injection
      laryngoplasty, ANSA-RLN) with additional comparison between gestational ages, age
      at initial evaluation, and gender were examined. Perceptual measures included
      Pediatric Voice Handicap Index (pVHI) and Grade, Roughness, Breathiness,
      Asthenia, Strain (GBRAS) perceptual rating. Objective measures included semitone
      (ST) range, jitter%, shimmer%, noise-to-harmonic ratio, voicing, and maximum
      phonation time. RESULTS: Post-treatment, pVHI, jitter%, and ST were significantly
      improved for ANSA-RLN subjects compared to injection subjects. Improved function
      (laryngeal diadochokinesis, pVHI, GRBAS, and/or acoustic) was observed in all
      ANSA-RLN subjects who had vocal fold paralysis as the only laryngeal diagnosis.
      CONCLUSIONS: This study presents one of the largest studies of pediatric vocal
      fold paralysis diagnosis and treatment. The study looks at the spectrum of
      function in patients with UVCP and looks at the outcomes of options: no
      treatment, injection laryngoplasty, and ANSA-RLN. Although surgical outcomes
      vary, both injection laryngoplasty and ANSA-RLN show benefit in laryngeal
      function, voice stability, voice capacity, perceptual rating, and pVHI scores.
      Both injection laryngoplasty and ANSA-RLN showed improvements post-treatment, and
      should be considered for management of pediatric UVCP. However, the ANSA-RLN
      group showed better and longer-lasting perceptual and acoustic parameters in
      comparison with the injection and control groups. Reinnervation, even long term
      after the onset of vocal fold paralysis, should be considered a viable permanent
      treatment for pediatric UVCP.

PMID- 26257069
TI  - Dual lifetime referencing enables pH-control for oxidoreductions in hydrogel
      stabilized biphasic reaction systems.
AB  - pH-shifts are a serious challenge in cofactor dependent biocatalytic
      oxidoreductions. Therefore, a pH control strategy was developed for reaction
      systems, where the pH value is not directly measurable. Such a reaction system is
      the biphasic aqueous-organic reaction system, where the oxidoreduction of
      hydrophobic substrates in organic solvents is catalysed by hydrogel-immobilized
      enzymes, and enzyme-coupled cofactor regeneration is accomplished via formate
      dehydrogenase, leading to a pH-shift. Dual lifetime referencing (DLR), a
      fluorescence spectroscopic method, was applied for online-monitoring of the pH
      value within the immobilizates during the reaction, allowing for a controlled
      dosage of formic acid. It could be shown that by applying trisodium 8
      hydroxypyrene-1, 3, 6-trisulfonate as pH indicator and Ru(II) tris(4, 7-diphenyl
      1, 10-phenantroline) (Ru[dpp]) as a reference luminophore the control of the pH
      value in a macroscopic gel-bead-stabilized aqueous/organic two phase system in a
      range of pH 6.5 to 8.0 is possible. An experimental proof of concept could
      maintain a stable pH of 7.5 +/- 0.15 during the reaction for at least 105 h. With
      these results, it could be shown that DLR is a powerful tool for pH-control
      within reaction systems with no direct access for conventional pH-measurement. 

PMID- 26257070
TI  - Narrative review of current context of malaria and management strategies in
      Uganda (Part I).
AB  - In accordance with international targets, the Uganda National Malaria Control
      Strategic Plan established specific targets to be achieved by 2010. For children
      under five, this included increasing the number of children sleeping under
      mosquito nets and those receiving a first-line antimalarial to 85%, and
      decreasing case fatality to 2%. This narrative review offers contextual
      information relevant to malaria management in Uganda since the advent of
      artemisinin combination therapy (ACT) as first-line antimalarial treatment in
      2004. A comprehensive search using key words and phrases was conducted using the
      web search engines Google and Google Scholar, as well as the databases of PubMed,
      ERIC, EMBASE, CINAHL, OvidSP (MEDLINE), PSYC Info, Springer Link, Cochrane
      Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and Cochrane Database of
      Systematic Reviews were searched. A total of 147 relevant international and
      Ugandan literature sources meeting the inclusion criteria were included. This
      review provides an insightful understanding on six topic areas: global and local
      priorities, malarial pathology, disease burden, malaria control, treatment
      guidelines for uncomplicated malaria, and role of the health system in accessing
      antimalarial medicines. Plasmodium falciparum remains the most common cause of
      malaria in Uganda, with children under five being most vulnerable due to their
      underdeveloped immunity. While international efforts to scale up malaria control
      measures have resulted in considerable decline in malaria incidence and mortality
      in several regions of sub-Saharan Africa, this benefit has yet to be
      substantiated for Uganda. At the local level, key initiatives have included
      implementation of a new antimalarial drug policy in 2004 and strengthening of
      government health systems and programs. Examples of such programs include removal
      of user fees, training of frontline health workers, providing free ACT from
      government systems and subsidized ACT from licensed private outlets, and
      introduction of the integrated community case management program to bring
      diagnostics and treatment for malaria, pneumonia and diarrhea closer to the
      community. However despite notable efforts, Uganda is far from achieving its 2010
      targets. Several challenges in the delivery of care and treatment remain, with
      those most vulnerable and living in rural settings remaining at greatest risk
      from malaria morbidity and mortality. 

PMID- 26257067
TI  - Targeting BCL-2 to enhance vulnerability to therapy in estrogen receptor-positive
      breast cancer.
AB  - The last three decades have seen significant progress in our understanding of the
      role of the pro-survival protein BCL-2 and its family members in apoptosis and
      cancer. BCL-2 and other pro-survival family members including Mcl-1 and BCL-XL
      have been shown to have a key role in keeping pro-apoptotic 'effector' proteins
      BAK and BAX in check. They also neutralize a group of 'sensor' proteins (such as
      BIM), which are triggered by cytotoxic stimuli such as chemotherapy. BCL-2
      proteins therefore have a central role as guardians against apoptosis, helping
      cancer cells to evade cell death. More recently, an increasing number of BH3
      mimetics, which bind and neutralize BCL-2 and/or its pro-survival relatives, have
      been developed. The utility of targeting BCL-2 in hematological malignancies has
      become evident in early-phase studies, with remarkable clinical responses seen in
      heavily pretreated patients. As BCL-2 is overexpressed in ~75% of breast cancer,
      there has been growing interest in determining whether this new class of drug
      could show similar promise in breast cancer. This review summarizes our current
      understanding of the role of BCL-2 and its family members in mammary gland
      development and breast cancer, recent progress in the development of new BH3
      mimetics as well as their potential for targeting estrogen receptor-positive
      breast cancer. 

PMID- 26257071
TI  - Analysis of sitting forces on stationary chairs for daily activities.
AB  - No literature related to the study of sitting forces on chairs sat on by people
      who weighed over 136 kg was found. The Business Institutional Furniture
      Manufactures Association needs force data for development of performance test
      standards to test chairs for users who weigh up to 181 kg. 20 participants who
      weighed from 136 to 186 kg completed 6 tasks on an instrumented chair in the
      sequence of sitting down, remaining seated and rising. Effects of sitting motion,
      armrest use and seat cushion thickness on vertical sitting forces and centre-of
      force were investigated. Results indicated hard sitting down yielded the highest
      sitting force of 213% in terms of participants' body weights. Armrest use
      affected sitting forces of normal sitting down, but not of rising and hard
      sitting down. Cushion thickness affected sitting forces of normal and hard
      sitting down and shifting, but not of rising, static seating or stretching
      backward situations. Practitioner Summary: Results of the sitting force and
      centre-of-force data obtained for this research can help furniture manufacturers
      develop new product performance test standards for creating reliable engineering
      design and manufacturing quality and durable products to meet a niche market
      need. 

PMID- 26257072
TI  - Simultaneous Electrochemical Reduction and Delamination of Graphene Oxide Films.
AB  - Here we report an electrochemical method to simultaneously reduce and delaminate
      graphene oxide (G-O) thin films deposited on metal (Al and Au) substrates. During
      the electrochemical reaction, interface charge transfer between the G-O thin film
      and the electrode surface was found to be important in eliminating oxygen
      containing groups, yielding highly reduced graphene oxide (rG-O). In the
      meantime, hydrogen bubbles were electrochemically generated at the rG-O
      film/electrode interface, propagating the film delamination. Unlike other metal
      based G-O reduction methods, the metal used here was either not etched at all
      (for Au) or etched a small amount (for Al), thus making it possible to reuse the
      substrate and lower production costs. The delaminated rG-O film exhibits a
      thickness-dependent degree of reduction: greater reduction is achieved in thinner
      films. The thin rG-O films having an optical transmittance of 90% (lambda = 550
      nm) had a sheet resistance of 6390 +/- 447 Omega/? (ohms per square). rG-O-based
      stretchable transparent conducting films were also demonstrated. 

PMID- 26257073
TI  - Comparison of Aroma-Active Volatiles in Oolong Tea Infusions Using GC
      Olfactometry, GC-FPD, and GC-MS.
AB  - The aroma profile of oolong tea infusions (Dongdingwulong, DDWL; Tieguanyin, TGY;
      Dahongpao, DHP) were investigated in this study. Gas chromatography-olfactometry
      (GC-O) with the method of aroma intensity (AI) was employed to investigate the
      aroma-active compounds in tea infusions. The results presented forty-three, forty
      five, and forty-eight aroma-active compounds in the TGY, DHP, and DDWL infusions,
      including six, seven, and five sulfur compounds, respectively. In addition, the
      concentration of volatile compounds in the tea infusions was further quantitated
      by solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography (SPME)-GC-MS and SPME-GC-flame
      photometric detection (FPD). Totally, seventy-six and thirteen volatile and
      sulfur compounds were detected in three types of tea infusions, respectively.
      Quantitative results showed that forty-seven aroma compounds were at
      concentrations higher than their corresponding odor thresholds. On the basis of
      the odor activity values (OAVs), 2-methylpropanal (OAV: 230-455), 3-methylbutanal
      (1-353), 2-methylbutanal (34-68), nerolidol (108-184), (E)-2-heptenal (148-294),
      hexanal (134-230), octanal (28-131), beta-damascenone (29-59), indole (96-138), 6
      methyl-5-hepten-2-one (34-67), (R)-(-)-linalool (63-87), and dimethyl sulfide (7
      1320) presented relatively higher OAVs than those of other compounds, indicating
      the importance of these compounds in the overall aroma of tea infusions. 

PMID- 26257074
TI  - Real-time in situ monitoring via europium emission of the photo-release of
      antitumor cisplatin from a Eu-Pt complex.
AB  - A water-soluble light-responsive antitumor agent, PtEuL, based on a cisplatin
      linked europium-cyclen complex has been synthesized and evaluated for controlled
      cisplatin release by linear/two-photon excitation in vitro with concomitant turn
      on and long-lived europium emission as a responsive traceable signal. 

PMID- 26257075
TI  - Diagnosis and treatment of Merkel Cell Carcinoma. European consensus-based
      interdisciplinary guideline.
AB  - Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare tumour of the skin of neuro-endocrine
      origin probably developing from neuronal mechanoreceptors. A collaborative group
      of multidisciplinary experts form the European Dermatology Forum (EDF), The
      European Association of Dermato-Oncology (EADO) and the European Organization of
      Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) was formed to make recommendations on
      MCC diagnosis and management, based on a critical review of the literature,
      existing guidelines and expert's experience. Clinical features of the
      cutaneous/subcutaneous nodules hardly contribute to the diagnosis of MCC. The
      diagnosis is made by histopathology, and an incisional or excisional biopsy is
      mandatory. Immunohistochemical staining contributes to clarification of the
      diagnosis. Initial work-up comprises ultrasound of the loco-regional lymph nodes
      and total body scanning examinations. The primary tumour should be excised with 1
      2cm margins. In patients without clinical evidence of regional lymph node
      involvement, sentinel node biopsy is recommended, if possible, and will be taken
      into account in a new version of the AJCC classification. In patients with
      regional lymph node involvement radical lymphadenectomy is recommended. Adjuvant
      radiotherapy might be considered in patients with multiple affected lymph nodes
      of extracapsular extension. In unresectable metastatic MCC mono- or poly
      chemotherapy achieve high remission rates. However, responses are usually short
      lived. Treatment within clinical trials is regarded as a standard of care in
      disseminated MCC.

PMID- 26257077
TI  - Tailoring the Optical Absorption of Water-Stable Zr(IV)- and Hf(IV)-Based Metal
      Organic Framework Photocatalysts.
AB  - New Zr(IV)- and Hf(IV)-based metal-organic framework photocatalysts, termed VNU-1
      and VNU-2 (where VNU = Vietnam National University), were synthesized and their
      resulting structures fully characterized. By employing a highly pi-conjugated
      linker, namely 1,4-bis(2-[4-carboxyphenyl]ethynyl)benzene, the optical absorption
      properties were effectively red-shifted into the visible light region. This
      strategy, coupled with the high water stability of the materials, led to enhanced
      MOF-driven photocatalytic degradation, under ultraviolet-visible light, of
      organic dye pollutants commonly found in wastewater.

PMID- 26257078
TI  - Characterization of Atypical Off-Flavor Compounds in Natural Cork Stoppers by
      Multidimensional Gas Chromatographic Techniques.
AB  - Natural cork stoppers with sensory deviations other than the typical cork taint
      were subgrouped according to their sensory descriptions and compared with
      unaffected control cork stoppers. The assessment of purge and trap extracts
      obtained from corresponding cork soaks was performed by heart-cut
      multidimensional gas chromatography-olfactometry (MDGC-O). The identification of
      compounds responsible for atypical cork taint detected in MDGC-O was further
      supported with additional multidimensional GC analysis in combination with mass
      spectrometric detection. Geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol were mainly found in cork
      stoppers described as moldy and cellarlike; 3-isopropyl-2-methoxypyrazine and 3
      isobutyl-2-methoxypyrazine were found in cork stoppers described with green
      attributes. Across all cork subgroups, the impact compound for typical cork
      taint, 2,4,6-trichloroanisole (TCA), was present and is therefore a good marker
      for cork taint in general. Another potent aroma compound, 3,5-dimethyl-2
      methoxypyrazine (MDMP), was also detected in each subgroup, obviously playing an
      important role with regard to the atypical cork taint. Sensory deviations
      possibly affecting the wine could be generated by MDMP and its presence should
      thus be monitored in routine quality control. 

PMID- 26257076
TI  - STIM1 accelerates cell senescence in a remodeled microenvironment but enhances
      the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in prostate cancer.
AB  - The importance of store-operated Ca(2+) entry (SOCE) and the role of its key
      molecular regulators, STIM1 and ORAI1, in the development of cancer are emerging.
      Here, we report an unexpected dual function of SOCE in prostate cancer
      progression by revealing a decrease in the expression of STIM1 in human
      hyperplasia and tumor tissues of high histological grade and by demonstrating
      that STIM1 and ORAI1 inhibit cell growth by arresting the G0/G1 phase and
      enhancing cell senescence in human prostate cancer cells. In addition, STIM1 and
      ORAI1 inhibited NF-kappaB signaling and remodeled the tumor microenvironment by
      reducing the formation of M2 phenotype macrophages, possibly creating an
      unfavorable tumor microenvironment and inhibiting cancer development. However,
      STIM1 also promoted cell migration and the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition
      by activating TGF-beta, Snail and Wnt/beta-Catenin pathways. Thus, our study
      revealed novel regulatory effects and the mechanisms by which STIM1 affects cell
      senescence, tumor migration and the tumor microenvironment, revealing that STIM1
      has multiple functions in prostate cancer cells. 

PMID- 26257079
TI  - Electrochemically triggered release of human insulin from an insulin-impregnated
      reduced graphene oxide modified electrode.
AB  - An electrochemical insulin-delivery system based on reduced graphene oxide
      impregnated with insulin is described. Upon application of a potential pulse of 
      0.8 V for 30 min, up to 70 +/- 4% of human insulin was released into a
      physiological medium while preserving its biological activity. 

PMID- 26257080
TI  - Immunosenescence and the ability to survive bacterial infection in the red flour
      beetle Tribolium castaneum.
AB  - In most animals, ageing is associated with a decline in immune function (immune
      senescence). However, different components of the immune system seem to age
      differentially, and many studies do not measure the ultimate fitness consequences
      of immune function after infection. Previous work shows that immune function may
      be traded off with other fitness components such as reproduction. It is possible
      that age alters the nature of these trade-offs, particularly in conjunction with
      factors such as gender and mating that can also affect investment in immune
      function. We tested the impact of age, sex and mating on post-infection
      survivorship in Tribolium castaneum flour beetles, as well as the components of
      baseline constitutive innate immunity and external (secreted) immune function in
      uninfected individuals. We also tested whether the reproductive ability of
      uninfected females is traded off with immune function (baseline innate and
      external immunity) and post-infection survivorship across age groups. We found
      that age, sex and mating significantly affected immune components and infection
      outcome, although the magnitude and nature of the impact varied in each case. We
      found that older beetles were more susceptible to infection by the pathogen
      Bacillus thuringiensis even though major components of the constitutive innate
      immune defence (antibacterial and phenoloxidase activity) remained unchanged or
      improved with age. Thus, these aspects of innate immunity cannot explain the
      observed decline in post-infection survival of older beetles. We did not find
      trade-offs between the reproductive ability of uninfected females and their
      immune function. In contrast to innate immunity, external immunity showed an
      overall decline with age but was also affected by sex and mating. Finally, we
      show that bacterial infection alters external immunity via complex interactions
      between age, sex and mating status. Our work uncovers novel interactions between
      age, sex and mating that can determine the evolution and outcome of
      immunosenescence by affecting the time course of relative investment in different
      immune and fitness components. 

PMID- 26257081
TI  - Does the disparity in baseline characteristics of patients undergoing
      transcatheter aortic valve replacement with 23 mm vs. 26 mm valves impact
      clinical outcome?
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We sought to identify if baseline characteristic differences in
      patients who receive a 23 mm vs. 26 mm valve impact clinical outcomes.
      BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is currently an
      approved therapy for patients with severe aortic stenosis who are considered
      inoperable or are at high risk. METHODS: We retrospectively examined baseline
      characteristics and outcomes of patients receiving a 23 mm (n = 132) vs. 26 mm
      valve (n = 81) via the transfemoral approach. RESULTS: Gender (P < 0.01),
      previous coronary artery bypass surgery (P < 0.01), history of atrial
      fibrillation (P = 0.04), and mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) score (P <
      0.01) were significantly different between groups. There were no significant
      differences in the rates of minor/major vascular complications (2.2 vs. 3.7%, P =
      0.68 and 13.0 vs. 12.3%, P = 0.89, respectively). Bleeding complications were
      also comparable (major bleed 2.3 vs. 1%, P >0.99, minor bleed 19.0 vs. 22.0%, P =
      0.67 and life threatening bleed 7.0 vs. 5.0%, P = 0.77). In-hospital death (6.0
      vs. 5.0%, P >0.99), 30-day all-cause death (7.6 vs. 6.2%, P = 0.69), and all
      cause death at 1 year (17.4 vs. 25.9%, P = 0.13) were also similar between
      groups. Gender, valve size, previous coronary bypass surgery and atrial
      fibrillation were not independently associated with mortality; however, on
      multivariate analysis STS score was (HR 1.11; 95% CI 1.02-1.19; P = 0.01).
      CONCLUSION: Patients undergoing TAVR with 23 and 26 mm valves have similar
      clinical outcomes despite significant differences in baseline characteristics.
      (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 26257082
TI  - PreImplantation Factor (PIF*) endogenously prevents preeclampsia: Promotes
      trophoblast invasion and reduces oxidative stress.
AB  - Preeclampsia is a unique pregnancy disorder whose patho-physiology is initiated
      early in gestation, while clinical manifestations typically occur in mid-to-late
      pregnancy. Thus, prevention should optimally be initiated in early gestation. The
      intimate interaction between PIF, secreted early by viable embryos, and its host
      mother provides insight into putative mechanisms of preeclampsia prevention. PIF
      is instrumental at the two critical events underlying preeclampsia. At first,
      shallow implantation leads to impaired placentation, oxidative stress, protein
      misfolding, and endothelial dysfunction. Later in gestation, hyper-oxygenation
      due to overflow of maternally derived oxygenated blood compromises the placenta.
      The first is likely involved in early preeclampsia occurrence due to reduced
      effectiveness of trophoblast/uterus interaction. The latter is observed with
      later-onset preeclampsia, caused by a breakdown in placental blood flow
      regulation. We reported that 1. PIF promotes implantation, endometrium
      receptivity, trophoblast invasion and increases pro-tolerance trophoblastic HLA-G
      expression and, 2. PIF protects against oxidative stress and protein misfolding,
      interacting with specific targets in embryo, 3. PIF regulates systemic immunity
      to reduce oxidative stress. Using PIF as an early preventative preeclampsia
      intervention could ameliorate or even prevent the disease, whose current main
      solution is early delivery. 

PMID- 26257083
TI  - Screening of Carotenoids in Tomato Fruits by Using Liquid Chromatography with
      Diode Array-Linear Ion Trap Mass Spectrometry Detection.
AB  - This paper presents an analytical strategy for a large-scale screening of
      carotenoids in tomato fruits by exploiting the potentialities of the triple
      quadrupole-linear ion trap hybrid mass spectrometer (QqQLIT). The method involves
      separation on C30 reversed-phase column and identification by means of diode
      array detection (DAD) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-mass
      spectrometry (APCI-MS). The authentic standards of six model compounds were used
      to optimize the separative conditions and to predict the chromatographic behavior
      of untargeted carotenoids. An information dependent acquisition (IDA) was
      performed with (i) enhanced-mass scan (EMS) as the survey scan, (ii) enhanced
      resolution (ER) scan to obtain the exact mass of the precursor ions (16-35 ppm),
      and (iii) enhanced product ion (EPI) scan as dependent scan to obtain structural
      information. LC-DAD-multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) chromatograms were also
      acquired for the identification of targeted carotenoids occurring at low
      concentrations; for the first time, the relative abundance between the MRM
      transitions (ion ratio) was used as an extra tool for the MS distinction of
      structural isomers and the related families of geometrical isomers. The whole
      analytical strategy was high-throughput, because a great number of experimental
      data could be acquired with few analytical steps, and cost-effective, because
      only few standards were used; when applied to characterize some tomato varieties
      ('Tangerine', 'Pachino', 'Datterino', and 'Camone') and passata of 'San Marzano'
      tomatoes, our method succeeded in identifying up to 44 carotenoids in the
      'Tangerine'" variety. 

PMID- 26257084
TI  - Thermoluminescence signal in K-feldspar grains: Revisited.
AB  - Recent work has shown that infrared stimulated luminescence (IRSL) signals in
      sedimentary coarse-grain K-feldspars are derived mainly from high temperature
      thermoluminescence (TL) peaks around 400 degrees C, and the fading components of
      the IRSL signal can be preferentially removed by prior IR stimulation at
      relatively low temperature. Considering the complexity of TL signal for very old
      samples, we may choose non-fading components from K-feldspar TL signals using the
      combination of optical and thermal activation methods. This paper examines a
      protocol of post-IR isothermal TL (i.e. pIRITL) signal for sedimentary coarse
      grain K-feldspars, which results from isothermal TL measurements following
      elevated temperature IR bleaching. We show that a sum of two exponential decay
      functions can fit well to the pIRITL decay curves, and both the holding
      temperature for isothermal TL measurements and the prior elevated temperature IR
      bleaching can affect greatly the fast components of pIRITL signal. The dose
      response ranges of pIRITL signal are wider than those of post-IR IRSL signals,
      but the relative high residual pIRITL signal means that it is not appropriate for
      dating young samples. It is expected that one isothermal TL signal for K-feldspar
      measured at ~400 degrees C following IR bleaching at 290 degrees C (i.e.
      pIRITL400) is useful for dating very old samples. 

PMID- 26257085
TI  - Comparison of percutaneous device closure versus surgical closure of peri
      membranous ventricular septal defects: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: While percutaneous device closure (PDC) is a first-line therapy for
      isolated muscular ventricular septal defects (mVSD), surgery is still the
      preferred approach for peri-membranous ventricular septal defects (pmVSD).
      OBJECTIVE: We sought to compare the outcomes of percutaneous versus open surgical
      closure of pmVSDs. METHODS: PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science
      databases were searched through October 15, 2014 for English language studies
      comparing outcomes of PDC with surgical closure of pmVSDs. Study quality,
      publication bias, and heterogeneity were assessed. A meta-analysis of selected
      studies was performed using a random effects model. Comparison was done for early
      (<1 month) safety and efficacy outcomes. RESULTS: Seven studies with a total of
      3,134 patients (PDC = 1,312, surgery = 1,822) were identified. Patients in the
      PDC group were older than those treated surgically (mean age 12.2 vs. 5.5 years,
      respectively). In six out of seven studies, the mean VSD size was found to be
      comparable between the treatment arms (PDC 4.9 mm vs. surgery 6.0 mm). Males
      represented 52% of patients in either group. Follow-up ranged from 5 to 42
      months. No significant differences were observed between PDC vs. surgery in terms
      of procedural success rate [relative risk (RR): 1.00, confidence interval (CI):
      0.99-1.00; P = 0.67]. Combined safety end points for major complications (early
      death/reoperation/permanent pacemaker) were similar in both groups (RR: 0.55, CI:
      0.23-1.35; P = 0.19) as were as other outcomes like post-procedure significant
      residual shunt (RR: 0.69, CI: 0.29-1.68; P = 0.41), significant valvular
      (aortic/tricuspid) regurgitation (RR: 0.70, CI: 0.26-1.86; P = 0.47), and
      advanced heart block (RR: 0.99, CI: 0.46-2.14; P = 0.98). The need for blood
      transfusion (RR: 0.02, CI: 0.00-0.05; P < 0.001) and duration of hospital stay
      [standard mean difference (SMD) -2.17 days, CI: -3.12 to -1.23; P < 0.001] were
      significantly reduced in the PDC group. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous closure of pmVSD
      when performed in a selected subgroup of patients is associated with similar
      procedural success rate without increased risk of significant valvular
      regurgitation or heart block when compared with surgical closure.

PMID- 26257086
TI  - Emotional reactivity to social stimuli in patients with eating disorders.
AB  - Patients with eating disorders often display a wide range of difficulties in
      psychosocial functioning. Most of the studies on this subject have focused on
      theory of mind; however, little is known about the subjective emotional
      reactivity of patients to social situations. The aim of this study was to
      evaluate the patients' perceptions of their own emotions when viewing pictures
      with social content. Emotional reactivity was assessed in 85 women (29 with
      anorexia nervosa, 28 with bulimia nervosa, and 28 healthy controls) by using 30
      images from the International Affective Picture System. Images were divided into
      categories based on its social content and its emotional valence. The emotional
      response was evaluated through the Self-Assessment Manikin. Patients with bulimia
      nervosa presented higher arousal and lower control when viewing images with
      social content of pleasant, unpleasant, and neutral valence. Patients with
      anorexia nervosa reported higher arousal and lower control only for social images
      with neutral valence. There were no differences between groups for the control
      images. The finding of specific differences in emotional reactivity to pictures
      with social content contributes to a more accurate understanding of the
      difficulties of patients in social situations. 

PMID- 26257087
TI  - Factors contributing to social cognition impairment in borderline personality
      disorder and schizophrenia.
AB  - Social cognition (SC) deficits have been described both in patients with
      schizophrenia and borderline personality disorder (BPD). However, while the
      former tend towards simplistic mental state attributions (undermentalizing), the
      latter are more likely to make overly complex mental state inferences
      (overmentalizing). Performance on complex SC tasks has been shown to correlate
      with neurocognitive ability, emotion perception, a history of trauma, and
      overconfidence in errors. However, it is unclear how these factors relate to
      different aspects of SC deficits. Aim of the present study was to examine the
      pathways of SC impairment by investigating performance profiles and their
      predictors comparatively in BPD and schizophrenia. Participants were 44 patients
      with BPD, 36 patients with schizophrenia, and 38 healthy controls.
      Undermentalizing and overmentalizing were assessed with an ecologically valid SC
      task. Patients with BPD exhibited increased overmentalizing, whereas patients
      with schizophrenia showed a more extensive deficit pattern, their main error type
      being undermentalizing. Overconfidence in errors was the most important predictor
      for overmentalizing, while undermentalizing depended mainly on verbal memory and
      emotion perception. Thus, BPD und schizophrenia exhibited different SC impairment
      patterns, and different types of SC errors were predicted by different factors.
      These findings have implications for the optimization of treatment approaches. 

PMID- 26257088
TI  - Expanding the utility of the malignant self-regard construct.
AB  - The empirical and theoretical literature suggest that several proposed
      personality disorders (PDs) - Masochistic/Self-Defeating, Depressive, and
      Vulnerably Narcissistic - may be related through a common self-representation
      know as Malignant Self-Regard (MSR). To assess this construct, the MSR
      Questionnaire (MSRQ) was developed. Though its initial psychometric properties
      were very strong, the present study extended these findings by examining the
      relationship of the MSRQ with measures of other PDs and depressive subtypes, and
      by establishing four-week and eight-week test-retest reliability in two samples
      (Ns=840, 911) of undergraduate students. The MSRQ was internally consistent and
      temporally stable over four and eight weeks. It was positively correlated with
      measures of introjective and anaclitic depression, measures of Self-Defeating,
      Depressive, and Vulnerably Narcissistic personalities (rs ranging between 0.60
      and 0.82), and other select PDs. After controlling for depressive symptoms and
      self-esteem, the highest remaining partial correlations were with Vulnerably
      Narcissistic, Self-Defeating, Depressive, and Avoidant personalities. A factor
      analysis of the MSRQ with measures of other PDs yielded a two-factor solution,
      with MSR loading most strongly on one factor, along with Vulnerably Narcissistic,
      Avoidant, Depressive, and Self-Defeating personalities. It is concluded that MSR
      is a psychometrically supported construct that might have good clinical utility
      in explaining personality pathology that has historically been difficult to
      assess. 

PMID- 26257089
TI  - Is energy a stronger indicator of mood for those with bipolar disorder compared
      to those without bipolar disorder?
AB  - Theory and research indicate that activity is fundamental to mood episodes in
      bipolar disorder (BD), yet researchers have not tested whether energy is more
      closely tethered to mood in BD compared to those without BD. Eighty-seven
      participants (13 with self-reported BD) completed 4396 energy and mood ratings
      through a mood-monitoring application. Mixed modeling analyses indicated that low
      energy, but not high energy, was related to mood within the BD group. Low energy
      could provide a strong and easily recognized indicator of negative mood states in
      persons with BD. 

PMID- 26257090
TI  - Disruptions to processing of self referential emotional material are associated
      with positive symptoms of schizotypy.
AB  - The current experiment examined emotional processing difficulties related to self
      referential material in high schizotypal individuals employing the mnemic neglect
      paradigm. Participants read about behaviors, in reference to themselves, that
      were either central or peripheral, and positive or negative, before recalling
      those behaviors. Levels of self reported unusual experiences and cognitive
      disorganization were associated with reduced recall of central positive
      behaviors, and increased recall of central negative behaviors. These findings are
      discussed in terms of emotional processing of stimuli in schizotypy, and suggest
      that high schizotypal individuals are insensitive to emotional self referential
      material. 

PMID- 26257091
TI  - Aberrant response inhibition and task switching in psychopathic individuals.
AB  - Deficits in cognitive control have been considered a core dysfunction of
      psychopathy, responsible for disrupted self-control. We investigated cognitive
      control impairments, including difficulties with task switching, failure of
      response inhibition, and inability to adjust speed of responding. Participants
      included 16 subjects with psychopathic traits (Ps), and 22 healthy controls
      (HCs). We recorded behavioral responses during a Task Switching paradigm, a probe
      of flexible behavioral adaptation to changing contexts; and a Go/NoGo Task, which
      assesses response inhibition and indexes behavioral impulsivity. During task
      switching, Ps evidenced impairments shifting set when conflicting (incongruent)
      information was presented, but performed as well as HCs in the absence of such
      conflict. In addition, when they encountered these difficulties, they failed to
      adjust their speed of responding. Ps presented also with deficits in response
      inhibition, with many commission errors on the Go/NoGo Task. This study
      identified impairments in response inhibition and in set shifting in psychopathic
      individuals. When shifting set, they evidenced difficulties refocusing on a new
      task when it was incongruent with the previous task. These deficits interfere
      with regulation of ongoing behavior and disrupt self-regulation. Our findings
      suggest abnormal neural processing during suppression of inappropriate responses
      in psychopathic individuals. 

PMID- 26257093
TI  - Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma in Central America: A Report From the Central
      American Association of Pediatric Hematology Oncology (AHOPCA).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is curable in high
      income countries (HIC), data from low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) are
      lacking. We therefore conducted a retrospective study of the Central American
      Association of Pediatric Hematology Oncology (AHOPCA) experience in treating
      ALCL. PROCEDURE: We included all patients age <18 years newly diagnosed with ALCL
      treated between 2000 and 2013 in seven AHOPCA institutions. Retrospective data
      were extracted from the Pediatric Oncology Network Database. RESULTS: Thirty-one
      patients met inclusion criteria. Twenty-five (81%) had advanced disease (stages
      III and IV), six (19%) were treated on the APO (doxorubicin, prednisone,
      vincristine) regimen, 15 (49%) on multi-agent chemotherapy designed for T-cell
      lineage malignancies (GuatALCL protocol), and 10 (32%) on BFM-based treatment
      regimens. Five-year overall event-free survival and overall survival were,
      respectively, 67.1 +/- 8.6% and 66.7 +/- 8.7%. All 10 events occurred in patients
      treated on BFM-based treatment regimens or the GuatALCL protocol, none on APO
      treatment: two patients experienced relapse, six treatment related mortality
      (TRM), and two abandonment. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of ALCL in countries with
      limited resources is feasible with similar outcomes as in HIC, though the causes
      of treatment failure differ. Less intensive regimens may be preferable in order
      to decrease TRM and improve outcomes. Prospective clinical trials determining the
      ideal treatment for LMIC children with ALCL are necessary.

PMID- 26257092
TI  - Emotional trait and memory associates of sleep timing and quality.
AB  - Poor ability to remember the extinction of conditioned fear, elevated trait
      anxiety, and delayed or disrupted nocturnal sleep are reported in anxiety
      disorders. The current study examines the interrelationship of these factors in
      healthy young-adult males. Skin-conductance response was conditioned to two
      differently colored lamps. One color but not the other was then extinguished.
      After varying delays, both colors were presented to determine extinction recall
      and generalization. Questionnaires measured sleep quality, morningness
      eveningness, neuroticism and trait anxiety. A subset produced a mean 7.0 nights
      of actigraphy and sleep diaries. Median split of mean sleep midpoint defined
      early- and late-"sleep timers". Extinction was more rapidly learned in the
      morning than evening only in early timers who also better generalized extinction
      recall. Extinction recall was greater with higher sleep efficiency. Sleep
      efficiency and morningness were negatively associated with neuroticism and
      anxiety. However, neuroticism and anxiety did not predict extinction learning,
      recall or generalization. Therefore, neuroticism/anxiety and deficient fear
      extinction, although both associated with poor quality and late timing of sleep,
      are not directly associated with each other. Elevated trait anxiety, in addition
      to predisposing directly to anxiety disorders, may thus also indirectly promote
      such disorders by impairing sleep and, consequently, extinction memory. 

PMID- 26257095
TI  - From spent Mg/Al layered double hydroxide to porous carbon materials.
AB  - Adsorption has been considered as an efficient method for the treatment of dye
      effluents, but proper disposal of the spent adsorbents is still a challenge. This
      work attempts to provide a facile method to reutilize the spent Mg/Al layered
      double hydroxide (Mg/Al-LDH) after the adsorption of orange II (OII). Herein, the
      spent hybrid was carbonized under the protection of nitrogen, and then washed
      with acid to obtain porous carbon materials. Thermogravimetric analysis results
      suggested that the carbonization could be well achieved above 600 degrees C, as
      mass loss of the spent hybrid gradually stabilized. Therefore, the carbonization
      process was carried out at 600, 800, and 1000 degrees C, respectively. Scanning
      electron microscope showed that the obtained carbon materials possessed a crooked
      flaky morphology. Nitrogen adsorption-desorption results showed that the carbon
      materials had large BET surface area and pore volume, e.g., 1426 m(2)/g and 1.67
      cm(3)/g for the sample carbonized at 800 degrees C. Moreover, the pore structure
      and surface chemistry compositions were tunable, as they were sensitive to the
      temperature. Toluene adsorption results demonstrated that the carbon materials
      had high efficiency in toluene removal. This work provided a facile approach for
      synthesizing porous carbon materials using spent Mg/Al-LDH.

PMID- 26257094
TI  - Enhancement effects of reducing agents on the degradation of tetrachloroethene in
      the Fe(II)/Fe(III) catalyzed percarbonate system.
AB  - In this study, the effects of reducing agents on the degradation of
      tetrachloroethene (PCE) were investigated in the Fe(II)/Fe(III) catalyzed sodium
      percarbonate (SPC) system. The addition of reducing agents, including
      hydroxylamine hydrochloride, sodium sulfite, ascorbic acid and sodium ascorbate,
      accelerated the Fe(III)/Fe(II) redox cycle, leading to a relatively steady Fe(II)
      concentration and higher production of free radicals. This, in turn, resulted in
      enhanced PCE oxidation by SPC, with almost complete PCE removal obtained for
      appropriate Fe and SPC concentrations. The chemical probe tests, using
      nitrobenzene and carbon tetrachloride, demonstrated that HO was the predominant
      radical in the system and that O2(-) played a minor role, which was further
      confirmed by the results of electron spin resonance measurements. PCE degradation
      decreased significantly with the addition of isopropanol, a HO scavenger,
      supporting the hypothesis that HO was primarily responsible for PCE degradation.
      It is noteworthy that Cl(-) release was slightly delayed in the first 20 min,
      indicating that intermediate products were produced. However, these intermediates
      were further degraded, resulting in the complete conversion of PCE to CO2. In
      conclusion, the use of reducing agents to enhance Fe(II)/Fe(III) catalyzed SPC
      oxidation appears to be a promising approach for the rapid degradation of organic
      contaminants in groundwater.

PMID- 26257096
TI  - Denitrifying capability and community dynamics of glycogen accumulating organisms
      during sludge granulation in an anaerobic-aerobic sequencing batch reactor.
AB  - Denitrifying capability of glycogen accumulating organisms (GAOs) has received
      great attention in environmental science and microbial ecology. Combining this
      ability with granule processes would be an interesting attempt. Here, a
      laboratory-scale sequencing batch reactor (SBR) was operated to enrich GAOs and
      enable sludge granulation. The results showed that the GAO granules were
      cultivated successfully and the granules had denitrifying capability. The batch
      experiments demonstrated that all NO3(-)-N could be removed or reduced, some
      amount of NO2(-)-N were accumulated in the reactor, and N2 was the main gaseous
      product. SEM analysis suggested that the granules were tightly packed with a
      large amount of tetrad-forming organisms (TFOs); filamentous bacteria served as
      the supporting structures for the granules. The microbial community structure of
      GAO granules was differed substantially from the inoculant conventional activated
      sludge. Most of the bacteria in the seed sludge grouped with members of
      Proteobacterium. FISH analysis confirmed that GAOs were the predominant members
      in the granules and were distributed evenly throughout the granular space. In
      contrast, PAOs were severely inhibited. Overall, cultivation of the GAO granules
      and utilizing their denitrifying capability can provide us with a new approach of
      nitrogen removal and saving more energy. 

PMID- 26257097
TI  - Hepatitis E seroprevalence in inflammatory bowel disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Several cases of chronic infection by hepatitis E virus
      (HEV) in immunocompromised patients have been described recently. Patients with
      inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are frequently immunocompromised because of the
      disease itself or due to therapy. Our aims were to determine HEV seroprevalence
      in patients with IBD and to detect possible chronic forms. METHODS: We
      prospectively selected a random sample of 87 patients from our local IBD clinic
      database at the Gastroenterology Service, Hospital Ramon y Cajal, in Madrid,
      Spain. Patients completed an oral epidemiologic interview. Anti-HEV IgG and IgM
      antibodies and HEV-RNA were determined. Medical records were reviewed, focusing
      on drug exposure. RESULTS: We included 87 patients, with a mean age of 44.7 years
      (SD 16) and a mean of 10.4 years (SD 8.4) with IBD. Fifty-seven percent were
      diagnosed with Crohn's disease, 41.4% with ulcerative colitis and 1.1% with
      unclassified IBD. A total of 41.4% had received systemic glucocorticoids for more
      than 3 months, 32.2% had been treated with thiopurines, 16.1% with biological
      drugs, and 3.4% with methotrexate. Anti HEV-IgM was determined in 75 patients and
      IgG in 80, and were positive in 2.7% and 1.3%, respectively. HEV-RNA was analyzed
      in a random subset of 46 patients, and all determinations were negative.
      Therefore, no case of chronic HEV infection was detected. CONCLUSIONS: We found a
      low HEV seroprevalence of just 1.14% in patients with IBD, similar to that in the
      general population. This could be due to the lower degree of immunosuppression in
      this group, or to different dietary habits.

PMID- 26257098
TI  - Understanding inflammatory bowel disease via immunogenetics.
AB  - The major inflammatory bowel diseases, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis,
      are both debilitating disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, characterized by a
      dysregulated immune response to unknown environmental triggers. Both disorders
      have an important and overlapping genetic component, and much progress has been
      made in the last 20 years at elucidating some of the specific factors
      contributing to disease pathogenesis. Here we review our growing understanding of
      the immunogenetics of inflammatory bowel disease, from the twin studies that
      first implicated a role for the genome in disease susceptibility to the latest
      genome-wide association studies that have identified hundreds of associated loci.
      We consider the insight this offers into the biological mechanisms of the
      inflammatory bowel diseases, such as autophagy, barrier defence and T-cell
      differentiation signalling. We reflect on these findings in the context of other
      immune-related disorders, both common and rare. These observations include links
      both obvious, such as to pediatric colitis, and more surprising, such as to
      leprosy. As a changing picture of the underlying genetic architecture emerges, we
      turn to future directions for the study of complex human diseases such as these,
      including the use of next generation sequencing technologies for the
      identification of rarer risk alleles, and potential approaches for narrowing down
      associated loci to casual variants. We consider the implications of this work for
      translation into clinical practice, for example via early therapeutic hypotheses
      arising from our improved understanding of the biology of inflammatory bowel
      disease. Finally, we present potential opportunities to better understand
      environmental risk factors, such as the human microbiota in the context of
      immunogenetics.

PMID- 26257099
TI  - Premedication with IV steroids effectively prevented anaphylactic reactions
      following ferumoxytol given as IV push in hematology and oncology patients.

PMID- 26257100
TI  - PDZ interaction of Vangl2 links PSD-95 and Prickle2 but plays only a limited role
      in the synaptic localisation of Vangl2.
AB  - Postsynaptic density-95/Discs large/Zonula occludens-1 (PDZ) domain-mediated
      protein interactions play pivotal roles in various molecular biological events,
      including protein localisation, assembly, and signal transduction. Although the
      vertebrate regulator of planar cell polarity Van Gogh-like 2 (Vangl2) was
      recently described as a postsynaptic molecule with a PDZ-binding motif, the role
      of its PDZ interaction at the synapse is unknown. In this report, we demonstrate
      that the PDZ interaction was dispensable for the normal cluster formation of
      Vangl2 and not absolutely required for the synapse-associated localisation of
      Vangl2 in cultured hippocampal neurons. We further showed that the synaptic
      localisation of Vangl2 was categorised into two types: overlapping co
      localisation with postsynaptic density (PSD)-95 or highly correlated but
      complementary pattern of association with PSD-95. Only the former was
      significantly sensitive to deletion of the PDZ-binding motif. In addition, the
      PDZ interaction enhanced the protein interactions between PSD-95 and Prickle2,
      which is another planar cell polarity factor that is localised at the
      postsynaptic density. Taken together with our recent report that the density of
      PSD-95 clusters was reduced in Vangl2-silenced neurons, these results suggest
      that Vangl2 determines the complex formation and clustering of postsynaptic
      molecules for synaptogenesis in mammalian brains. 

PMID- 26257101
TI  - [Psycho-social factors involved in amputation. Systematic review of the
      literature].

PMID- 26257102
TI  - Multiple conversion between the genes encoding bacterial class-I release factors.
AB  - Bacteria require two class-I release factors, RF1 and RF2, that recognize stop
      codons and promote peptide release from the ribosome. RF1 and RF2 were most
      likely established through gene duplication followed by altering their stop codon
      specificities in the common ancestor of extant bacteria. This scenario expects
      that the two RF gene families have taken independent evolutionary trajectories
      after the ancestral gene duplication event. However, we here report two
      independent cases of conversion between RF1 and RF2 genes (RF1-RF2 gene
      conversion), which were severely examined by procedures incorporating the maximum
      likelihood phylogenetic method. In both cases, RF1-RF2 gene conversion was
      predicted to occur in the region encoding nearly entire domain 3, of which
      functions are common between RF paralogues. Nevertheless, the 'direction' of gene
      conversion appeared to be opposite from one another-from RF2 gene to RF1 gene in
      one case, while from RF1 gene to RF2 gene in the other. The two cases of RF1-RF2
      gene conversion prompt us to propose two novel aspects in the evolution of
      bacterial class-I release factors: (i) domain 3 is interchangeable between RF
      paralogues, and (ii) RF1-RF2 gene conversion have occurred frequently in
      bacterial genome evolution. 

PMID- 26257104
TI  - Editorial: Early detection of mental health and neurodevelopmental disorders: the
      ethical challenges of a field in its infancy.
AB  - The signs of many mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions first appear in
      childhood and diagnosis can reliably be made by school age for most. Such
      conditions can be chronically disabling and confer significant long-term
      impairment. Determining early risk signs and first emerging symptoms of disorder
      is imperative to enhance early detection and to identify targets and ideal time
      points for prevention and intervention efforts. This Special Issue of JCPP
      focuses on the prospect of earlier identification of conditions that are
      traditionally diagnosed later in childhood. Ten invited empirical articles cover
      topics related to the science of early detection. Several are focused on
      prediction of later diagnosis, of functional impairment, and of future service
      utilization, while others cover instrument development and topics related to
      screening. The papers span the conditions of ADHD, ASD, dyslexia, mood
      dysregulation, disruptive behavior disorders, and anxiety disorders. This
      Editorial provides an overview of the invited contributions and the perspectives
      they provide on the ethical challenges and choices of a field still in its
      infancy. 

PMID- 26257103
TI  - [Pomalidomide for multiple myeloma].
AB  - Once characterized by a very poor outcome, multiple myeloma (MM) now has a
      significantly prolonged survival, with major improvements allowed by the use of
      "novel agents": proteasome inhibitors (first-in-class bortezomib) and
      immunomodulatory compounds (IMiDs; first-in-class thalidomide and lenalidomide).
      However, the vast majority - if not all - of patients with MM ultimately end up
      being refractory to all existing drugs, including these efficient novel agents.
      There is a clear unmet medical need in this situation, which warrants the
      development of the next generation of proteasome inhibitors and IMiDs, as well as
      new drug classes. This review focuses on pomalidomide, the next generation IMiD,
      recently approved by the US FDA and the EMA for patients with relapsed or
      refractory MM who have received at least two prior therapies, including
      lenalidomide and bortezomib, and have demonstrated disease progression on their
      last therapy. 

PMID- 26257106
TI  - The loss of fragile Y chromosomes (comment on 10.1002/bies.201500040).

PMID- 26257105
TI  - Infection Rate and Risk Factors in Patients Treated With Azacitidine.

PMID- 26257107
TI  - An Argument for Light Microscopy - A Review of Forensic Microscopy for Trace
      Evidence Analysis.
AB  - The microscope may seem to be a relic of an antiquated age of science when
      compared with some of today's advanced instrumentation. But microscopy can be as
      powerful as many current technologies and, in some cases, more powerful. The
      microscope is a nearly universal symbol of science, representing our ability to
      explore the world below the limits of our perception. Forensic science is equally
      well represented by the microscope. A brief review of some of the central
      concepts of microscopy is presented along with case reviews that show the utility
      of trace evidence. 

PMID- 26257108
TI  - Examination, Analysis, and Application of Hair in Forensic Science - Animal Hair.
AB  - This article reviews the examination of animal hairs and their role in the
      forensic arena. The forensic examination of animal hair is a well-established
      discipline and has been so for two centuries. Examination is largely based on
      microscopy, which may enable the hair analyst to identify a hair as animal in
      origin, to characterize the hair to a particular species, and to conduct
      comparative examinations. Education and training underpin the ability of the hair
      analyst with the specialized knowledge and expertise required to proficiently
      conduct these examinations and give appropriate weight to the findings. This
      article will also discuss the effect two relative "newcomers" have exerted on the
      forensic examination of animal hair - (a) the transfer and persistence of animal
      hairs and (b) DNA profiling. Opinions regarding the transfer and persistence of
      animal hairs have been based on the data obtained from studies conducted on
      textile fibers because of the lack of data available for animal hairs.
      Preliminary studies conducted specifically on the transfer and persistence of
      animal hairs has shown that the results are comparable to the studies conducted
      on textile fibers. The progress in DNA profiling has seen this method being used
      with increasing frequency in the examination of animal hair. The results provide
      a degree of individualization that has not been possible with comparative
      microscopy. In conclusion, this review article will clearly demonstrate the role,
      value, and eclectic application of animal hair examination to forensic science. 

PMID- 26257109
TI  - Forensic Fiber Examination and Analysis.
AB  - Fiber evidence suffers from the same misperception as many other types of trace
      evidence, that it is weak in its significance. Despite this pejorative
      perception, textiles make excellent evidence because of their presence in our
      daily lives and the variations they demonstrate. Fibers from the textiles in our
      and others' environments transfer from surface to surface and variously persist.
      Textile fibers are produced with specific raw materials, production methods, and
      postproduction alterations that create this variety. The distribution and use of
      the fibers add to their distinctive significance. The number of methods used in
      analysis helps to define and identify the fibers. Millions of color shades are
      possible in textiles and yet color analysis is not a universal technique in
      forensic laboratories. Transfer study after transfer study demonstrates the
      rarity of finding unrelated fibers at random that exhibit the same microscopic
      characteristics and optical properties. Examples from casework also demonstrate
      the usefulness of forensic textile fiber analysis in demonstrating probative
      associations in criminal investigations. Additional work needs to be done to
      fortify and support these conclusions and provide the verification necessary to
      remove the taint of "could have". 

PMID- 26257110
TI  - Forensic Human Hair Examination and Comparison in the 21st Century.
AB  - Forensic hair examination and comparison is often undervalued as evidence.
      Significant information can be developed from a thorough microscopic examination
      and comparison of human and animal hairs that can assist criminal and civil
      investigations. Animal hairs can be distinguished easily from human hairs and
      often can be specified to a genus, species, or even breed. Human hairs often can
      be identified as to their body area origin and the racial ancestry of the person
      from whom they originated. Additionally, damage, disease, or cosmetic treatments
      can be identified and described. Finally, suitable hairs can be compared
      microscopically with known hair samples to determine if they could have come from
      the same source. This application is now being augmented by mitochondrial DNA
      analysis, which enhances the information already available from a microscopic
      examination of evidentiary hairs. Training and qualification of forensic hair
      examiners is crucial to the quality and reliability of forensic hair
      examinations. Many of the weaknesses in forensic hair examinations seen to date
      are a result of inadequate training of forensic hair examiners and a lack of
      understanding about the fundamental nature of the examination of hairs.
      Mitochondrial DNA offers a chance for the rehabilitation and validation of
      microscopical examination of human, and potentially animal, hairs. 

PMID- 26257111
TI  - Genetic variability of ten Chinese indigenous goats using MHC-linked
      microsatellite markers.
AB  - In this study, the genetic variability of Chinese indigenous goat breeds (Capra
      hircus) was analyzed using the MHC-associated microsatellite markers BF1, BM1818,
      BM1258, and DYMS1. To examine genetic variability, the levels of heterozigosity,
      degrees of inbreeding, and genetic differences among the breeds were analyzed.
      The mean number of alleles ranged from 5.50+/-3.70 in Enshi black goats (EB) to
      11.50+/-3.70 in the Jianyang big ear (JE) breed. The mean observed heterozygosity
      and mean expected heterozygosity varied from 0.25+/-0.04 in Jining Qing goats
      (JQ) to 0.54+/-0.05 in Chuannan black goats (CN) and from 0.49+/-0.18 in Hechuan
      white goats (HW) to 0.78+/-0.05 in JE, respectively. The mean FIS values ranged
      from 0.23 in HW to 0.51 in JQ. In addition, the genetic variation among
      populations and geographic location did indicate a correlation of genetic
      differences with geographic distance, which was revealed by the phylogenetic
      network. In conclusion, the high variability and population structure among
      Chinese native goats in the Major Histocompatibility Complex would be caused by
      co-evolution between MHC alleles and the epidemic history or pathogens in
      different agro-ecological zones. 

PMID- 26257112
TI  - Real time observation of the excimer formation dynamics of a gas phase benzene
      dimer by picosecond pump-probe spectroscopy.
AB  - We observed the real-time excimer (EXC) formation dynamics of a gas phase benzene
      dimer (Bz2) cluster after photo-excitation to the S1 state by applying an
      ionization detected picosecond transient absorption method for probing the
      visible EXC absorption for the first time. The time evolution of the EXC
      absorption from the S1 0(0) level shows a rise that is well fitted by a single
      exponential function with a time constant of 18 +/- 2 ps. The structure of the Bz
      dimer has a T-shaped structure in the ground electronic state, and that in the
      EXC state is a parallel sandwich (SW) structure. Thus, the observed rise time
      corresponds to the structural change from the T to the SW structures, which
      directly shows the EXC formation. On the other hand, the EXC formation after
      excitation of the S1 6(1) vibrational level of the stem site showed a faster rise
      of the time constant of 10 +/- 2 ps. Supposing equilibrium between the EXC and
      the local excited states, it followed that the intramolecular vibrational energy
      redistribution rate of the 6(1) level is largely enhanced and becomes faster than
      the EXC formation reaction. 

PMID- 26257113
TI  - Multiple paternity and hybridization in two smooth-hound sharks.
AB  - Multiple paternity appears to be a common trait of elasmobranch mating systems,
      with its occurrence likely driven by convenience, due to females seeking to
      minimize the stress of male harassment. Here we use molecular markers to analyse
      the frequency of multiple paternity in two related viviparous sharks, Mustelus
      mustelus and Mustelus punctulatus. We first applied molecular methods to assign
      pregnant females, embryos and additional reference adults (N = 792) to one of the
      two species. Paternity analysis was performed using a total of 9 polymorphic
      microsatellites on 19 females and 204 embryos of M. mustelus, and on 13 females
      and 303 embryos of M. punctulatus. Multiple paternity occurs in both species,
      with 47% of M. mustelus and 54% of M. punctulatus litters sired by at least two
      fathers. Female fecundity is not influenced by multiple mating and in 56% of
      polyandrous litters paternity is skewed, with one male siring most of the pups.
      Genetic analyses also revealed hybridization between the two species, with a M.
      punctulatus female bearing pups sired by a M. mustelus male. The frequency of
      polyandrous litters in these species is consistent with aspects of their
      reproductive biology, such as synchronous ovulation and possible occurrence of
      breeding aggregations.

PMID- 26257114
TI  - Central nervous system imaging findings of hemophagocytic syndrome.
AB  - We present a rare case of intracranial involvement in hemophagocytic
      lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) in an adult patient. MRI features in HLH may mimic
      those of other neoplastic, infectious, or inflammatory disorders. Key imaging
      findings correlate to central nervous system inflammation and include diffuse
      leptomeningeal enhancement, white matter changes with variable enhancement,
      hemorrhage, and restricted diffusion. Recognition of the imaging characteristic
      in correlation with clinical presentation, laboratory values, and biopsy findings
      is essential for making a correct diagnosis. 

PMID- 26257115
TI  - Idiopathic fibrosing mediastinitis: spectrum of imaging findings with emphasis on
      its association with IgG4-related disease.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to review the clinicoradiological features
      of idiopathic fibrosing mediastinitis (FM). METHODS: The records of six patients
      with idiopathic FM were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: The most common
      presenting symptom was cough. There were three localized forms and three diffuse
      forms. Definitive histological diagnosis was most commonly made with
      mediastinoscopy. Interestingly, three of our patients had disease manifestations
      of IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) outside the mediastinum. CONCLUSION: The
      imaging findings of idiopathic FM vary depending on the involved mediastinal
      structures. Therapeutic options include medical treatment, stenting, or surgery.
      Radiologists should pay attention to the possible association of idiopathic FM
      with extrathoracic manifestations of the IgG4-RD spectrum.

PMID- 26257116
TI  - Assessment of improvement scenario for water quality in Mogan Lake by using the
      AQUATOX Model.
AB  - In this study, the improvement scenarios for water quality in Mogan Lake were
      investigated using the AQUATOX Model. The ecosystem model AQUATOX simulates
      conventional pollutants, such as nutrients and sediments, and considers several
      trophic levels, including attached and planktonic algae, submerged aquatic
      vegetation, several types of invertebrates, and several types of fish. In this
      study, all data measured at both lakes and creeks was loaded into the AQUATOX
      Model including both initial concentration and dynamic loading for the year 2002.
      Then, the AQUATOX Model was calibrated and verified for the years 2004 and 2005.
      Accordingly, the Aquatox Model was utilized for the analysis of future scenarios
      as to improve water quality in terms of conventional parameters such as dissolved
      oxygen, temperature, total suspended solids, pH, total nitrogen, total
      phosphorus, and labile and refractory organic matters in water colon and
      sediment. During the development of future scenarios, some plans regarding
      measures were taken into account the modeling periods. In one of the scenarios,
      constructed wetlands located in big creeks' mouths were used for improving the
      water quality in Mogan Lake. The results indicated that Mogan Lake would improve
      its hypertrophic situation towards eutrophic situation. It would be anticipated
      that if the situation goes on like this, Mogan Lake would improve eutrophic
      situation towards mezotrophic situation. 

PMID- 26257117
TI  - Photochemistry of tetra- through hexa-brominated dioxins/furans, hydroxylated and
      native BDEs in different media.
AB  - The aim of this study was to investigate (i) the behavior of native PBDEs during
      UV irradiation in different media, (ii) the possibility of their transformation
      into hydroxylated PBDEs in aqueous media, and (iii) the photochemistry/levels of
      brominated dioxins/furans formed from hydroxylated PBDEs. Debromination leading
      to the formation of a wide range of low-brominated congeners was the main path of
      photocatalyzed transformations of PBDEs. In organic solvents other than toluene,
      BDEs degraded in line with the pseudo first order kinetics (10-20 min half-life,
      depending on congener type and reaction medium). Irradiated BDE 209 congener
      behaved quite differently than lower-brominated BDEs: detectable amounts of
      various bromo-benzenes were found. That suggests that UV irradiation of BDE 209
      leads to cleavage of the ether bound between the congener's aromatic rings.
      Formation of bromophenyl bromo-methyl-biphenyl ethers or benzyl
      bromophenoxybenzenes was observed in irradiated PBDE toluene-based solutions. The
      total concentration of OH-BDEs found in the reaction medium did not exceed 0.2%
      of the initial precursor mass. Moreover, lower-brominated congeners detected in
      the reaction medium indicate subsequent debromination of OH-BDEs or hydro
      debromination of the degraded congeners. Brominated dioxins and low levels of
      furans were observed in samples containing OH-BDEs. The total mass of dioxins did
      not exceed 3.5% of the initial precursor mass.

PMID- 26257118
TI  - Validation of cross-contamination control in biological safety cabinet for
      biotech/pharmaceutical manufacturing process.
AB  - For class II, type A2 biological safety cabinets (BSC), NSF/ANSI Standard 49
      should be conformed in cabinet airflow velocity derivation, particle
      contamination, and aerodynamic flow properties. However, there exists a potential
      problem. It has been built that the cabinet air flow stabilize is influenced by
      the quantity of downflow of air and the height above the cabinet exhaust opening.
      Three air downflow quantities were compared as an operating apparatus was placed
      from 20 to 40 cm above the bench of the cabinet. The results show that the BSC
      air downflow velocity is a function of increased sampling height, displaying that
      containment is improvingly permitted over product protection as the sampling
      height decreases. This study investigated the concentration gradient of particles
      at various heights and downflow air quantity from the bench of the BSC.
      Experiment results indicate that performance near the bench was better than in
      the rest of the BSC. In terms of height, the best cleanliness was measured at a
      height of 10 cm over the bench; it reduced actually with add in height. The
      empirical curves accommodate, founded on the concentration gradient of particle
      created was elaborated for evaluating the particle concentration at different
      heights and downflow air quantity from the source of the bench of the BSC. The
      particle image velocimetry system applied for BSC airflow research to fix amount
      of airflow patterns and air distribution measurement and results of measurements
      show how obstructions can greatly influence the airflow and contaminant
      transportation in a BSC.

PMID- 26257119
TI  - Influence of effluent organic matter on copper speciation and bioavailability in
      rivers under strong urban pressure.
AB  - This study focuses on spatiotemporal variations in the type of dissolved organic
      matter (DOM) and copper binding ability both upstream and downstream of Paris. It
      also compares the relative influence of both natural DOM upstream of Paris and
      effluent dissolved organic matter (EfDOM) output from a wastewater treatment
      plant (WWTP) on trace metal speciation and bioavailability in aquatic systems. In
      addition to the typical high- and low-affinity binding sites, a third family of
      very high-affinity binding sites has been highlighted for EfDOM. In receiving
      waters downstream of Paris during low-flow periods, the percentage of high- and
      very high-affinity sites originating from EfDOM reaches nearly 60 %. According to
      the speciation computation, the free copper concentration upstream of Paris
      exceeds the downstream Paris concentration by a factor of 2 to 4. As regards
      copper bioavailability, the highest EC50tot values were observed for EfDOM and
      downstream DOM, with a very low aromaticity and low UV absorbance. This finding
      suggests that specific ultraviolet absorbance (SUVA) is unlikely to be useful in
      assessing metal speciation and toxicity in aquatic systems subject to strong
      urban pressures. These results also highlight that the copper speciation
      computation for surface water exposed to considerable human pressures should
      include not only the humic and/or fulvic part of dissolved organic carbon but
      more hydrophilic fractions as well, originating for example from EfDOM.

PMID- 26257120
TI  - Effects of freeze-thaw on characteristics of new KMP binder stabilized Zn- and Pb
      contaminated soils.
AB  - For viable and sustainable reuse of solidified/stabilized heavy metal
      contaminated soils as roadway subgrade materials, long-term durability of these
      soils should be ensured. A new binder, KMP, has been developed for
      solidifying/stabilizing soils contaminated with high concentrations of heavy
      metals. However, the effects of long-term extreme weather conditions including
      freeze and thaw on the leachability and strength of the KMP stabilized
      contaminated soils have not been investigated. This study presents a systematic
      investigation on the impacts of freeze-thaw cycle on leachability, strength, and
      microstructural characteristics of the KMP stabilized soils spiked with Zn and Pb
      individually and together. For comparison purpose, Portland cement is also tested
      as a conventional binder. Several series of tests are conducted including the
      toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP), modified European Community
      Bureau of Reference (BCR) sequential extraction procedure, unconfined compression
      test (UCT), and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP). The results demonstrate that
      the freeze-thaw cycles have much less impact on the leachability and strength of
      the KMP stabilized soils as compared to the PC stabilized soils. After the freeze
      thaw cycle tests, the KMP stabilized soils display much lower leachability, mass
      loss, and strength loss. These results are assessed based on the chemical
      speciation of Zn and Pb, and pore size distribution of the soils. Overall, this
      study demonstrates that the KMP stabilized heavy metal-contaminated soils perform
      well under the freeze-thaw conditions. 

PMID- 26257121
TI  - Characteristics of particle-bound polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and
      dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in atmosphere used in carbon black feeding process at a
      tire manufacturing plant.
AB  - Concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs)
      were estimated for different particle size distributions in a carbon black
      feeding process at a tire manufacturing plant on 15 days in March and April of
      2014. A total of 75 integrated air samples were collected using a micro-orifice
      uniform deposition impactor (MOUDI). Particle-bound PCDD/Fs were analyzed using a
      high-resolution gas chromatograph/high-resolution mass spectrometer (HRGC/HRMS).
      Concentrations of thoracic particles and total particles produced in the carbon
      black feeding process of a tire manufacturing plant were measured in ranges of
      0.19-2.61 and 0.28-4.22 mg/m(3), respectively. On all sampling days, the three
      most abundant species of PCDD/Fs were OCDD, 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDF, and OCDF. The
      mean concentrations of total PCDD/Fs were 0.74-6.83 pg/m(3) within five particle
      size ranges. Total I-TEQ in particulate matter (PM)<1.0 was 2.2 and 3.2 times
      higher than those in PM>18 and PM2.5-10, respectively. However, the total I-TEQ
      of thoracic PM contributed approximately 74 % of the total I-TEQ of total PM. The
      assessment of health risk indicates that exposure to fractions of thoracic PM by
      inhalation poses a significant cancer risk (>10(-6)).

PMID- 26257122
TI  - Mass Spectrometric Data of Commonly Abused Amphetamines and Their Derivatives -
      Cross Contribution of Ion Intensity between the Analytes and Their Isotopically
      Labeled Analogs.
AB  - With GC-MS as the preferred method and isotopically labeled analogs of the
      analytes as the internal standards (ISs) of choice for the analysis of
      drugs/metabolites in biological specimens, one important aspect associated with
      chemical derivatization (CD) is that the CD products derived from the analyte and
      the selected IS must generate ions suitable for designating the analyte and the
      IS; these ions cannot have significant crosscontribution (CC), i.e., contribution
      to the intensity of the ion designated for the analyte by the IS, and vice versa.
      With this in mind, the authors have reviewed literature and commercial
      information on common CD reagents and methods and conducted a thorough search of
      isotopically labeled analogs of commonly abused amphetamine-type
      drugs/metabolites that are commercially available. These ISs and analytes were
      then derivatized with various derivatization groups. These CD products were then
      analyzed by GC-MS and the resulting MS data are presented here in two forms: (a)
      systematic presentation of full-scan spectra; and (b) tabulation of CC data for
      ions with potential for designating the ISs and analytes. Many (if not most) of
      these full-scan spectra are not yet available in the literature and should be of
      daily reference value to forensic and clinical laboratories that are engaged in
      the analysis of these drugs/metabolites. Full-scan MS data were further used to
      select ion-pairs with potential for designating the analytes and ISs in
      quantitative analysis protocols. The CC data of these ion-pairs were evaluated
      using data collected under the SIM mode and summarized in table format. These
      data should save enormous amounts of time and efforts for practicing laboratories
      in their search for this analytical parameter. 

PMID- 26257123
TI  - 1,25-Dihydroxy-vitamin D3 regulates NK-cell cytotoxicity, cytokine secretion, and
      degranulation in women with recurrent pregnancy losses.
AB  - Vitamin D has a pivotal role in regulating immune responses by promoting Th2
      immune responses and suppressing Th1 responses. Propensities to a Th1 immune
      response and increased NK-cell levels and cytotoxicity have been reported in
      women with recurrent pregnancy losses (RPL). In women with RPL, vitamin D
      deficiency is prevalent; however, the effect of vitamin D on NK cells is largely
      unknown. In this study, we demonstrated that CD69(+) activating receptor
      expression on NK cells was significantly decreased by incubation with 1,25(OH)2
      D3 in a dose-dependent manner, while CD158a and CD158b inhibitory receptor
      expression was upregulated. The degranulation marker CD107a was significantly
      downregulated on NK cells following incubation with 1,25(OH)2 D3 . NK-cell
      conjugation with K562 target cells was not affected by 1,25(OH)2 D3 ; however,
      depolarization of perforin granules in conjugated NK cells was significantly
      increased. TLR4 expression on NK cells was significantly decreased and TNF-alpha
      and IFN-gamma production was significantly reduced by 1,25(OH)2 D3 through
      interference with NF-kappaB. Our results suggest 1,25(OH)2 D3 has immune
      regulatory effects on NK cell cytotoxicity, cytokine secretion and degranulation
      process as well as TLR4 expression. Potential therapeutic application of
      1,25(OH)2 D3 for dysregulated NK-cell immunity should be explored in the future.

PMID- 26257124
TI  - Simulation with quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics for drug discovery.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Biological macromolecules, such as proteins or nucleic acids, are
      (still) molecules and thus they follow the same chemical rules that any simple
      molecule follows, even if their size generally renders accurate studies
      unhelpful. However, in the context of drug discovery, a detailed analysis of
      ligand association is required for understanding or predicting their interactions
      and hybrid quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) computations are
      relevant tools to help elucidate this process. Areas covered: In this review, the
      authors explore the use of QM/MM for drug discovery. After a brief description of
      the molecular mechanics (MM) technique, the authors describe the subtractive and
      additive techniques for QM/MM computations. The authors then present several
      application cases in topics involved in drug discovery. Expert opinion: QM/MM
      have been widely employed during the last decades to study chemical processes
      such as enzyme-inhibitor interactions. However, despite the enthusiasm around
      this area, plain MM simulations may be more meaningful than QM/MM. To obtain
      reliable results, the authors suggest fixing several keystone parameters
      according to the underlying chemistry of each studied system.

PMID- 26257125
TI  - Sub-surface alloying largely influences graphene nucleation and growth over
      transition metal substrates.
AB  - Sub-surface alloying (SSA) can be an effective approach to tuning surface
      functionalities. Focusing on Rh(111) as a typical substrate for graphene
      nucleation, we show strong modulation by SSA atoms of both the energetics and
      kinetics of graphene nucleation simulated by first-principles calculations.
      Counter-intuitively, when the sub-surface atoms are replaced by more active
      solute metal elements to the left of Rh in the periodic table, such as the early
      transition metals (TMs), Ru and Tc, the binding between a C atom and the
      substrate is weakened and two C atoms favor dimerization. Alternatively, when the
      alloying elements are the late TMs to the right of Rh, such as the relatively
      inert Pd and Ag, the repulsion between the two C atoms is enhanced. Such distinct
      results can be well addressed by the delicately modulated activities of the
      surface host atoms in the framework of the d-band theory. More specifically, we
      establish a very simple selection rule for optimizing the metal substrate for
      high quality graphene growth: the introduction of an early (late) solute TM in
      the SSA lowers (raises) the d-band center and the activity of the top-most host
      metal atoms, weakening (strengthening) the C-substrate binding, meanwhile both
      energetically and kinetically facilitating (hindering) the graphene nucleation,
      and simultaneously promoting (suppressing) the orientation disordering the
      graphene domains. Importantly, our preliminary theoretical results also show that
      such a simple rule is also proposed to be operative for graphene growth on the
      widely invoked Cu(111) catalytic substrate. 

PMID- 26257126
TI  - Withania somnifera aqueous extract facilitates the expression and release of
      GnRH: In vitro and in vivo study.
AB  - Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) has a long history in traditional medicines as
      an aphrodisiac. It has been known to influence sexual behaviour in animal models
      but mechanism of action is still unknown. The present study was aimed to
      investigate the mechanisms by which Ashwagandha extract exert its gonadotropic
      activities. Due to the complexity of neuroendocrine pathways, there are limited
      in vitro models available despite the strong demand for such systems to study and
      predict neuroendocrine effects of chemicals or natural products. Immortalized rat
      hypothalamic GnV-3 cell line was investigated as a model to screen for
      neuroendocrine effects of Ashwagandha extract. GnV-3 cells were cultured under
      different media conditions and evaluated after treatment with Ashwagandha water
      extract, for GnRH expression and release by immunostaining and ELISA
      respectively. These cells acquired differentiated morphology, characteristic
      shape displayed by preoptic GnRH neurons in vivo. In addition, GnV-3 cells
      exhibited upregulation of plasticity related polysialylated neural cell adhesion
      molecule (PSA-NCAM) and mature dendrite marker microtubule associated protein
      (MAP2) as well as GnRH expression and release. Chloroform fraction of the extract
      proved to exhibit all the bioactive properties as it induced differentiation and
      upregulated GnRH and MAP2 expression in GnV-3 cells, similar to Ashwagandha
      extract. Withanone and Withaferin A were found to be present in ASH-WEX and
      chloroform fraction while Withanone came out to be the major constituent of
      chloroform fraction. The preliminary in vivo studies in adult male animals showed
      that ASH-WEX was able to upregulate the GnRH levels although non-significantly.
      Taken together, this data demonstrate significant morphological and physiological
      changes in GnV-3 cells after treatment with Ashwagandha extract and may suggest
      the potential beneficial effects of Ashwagandha on reproductive functions in
      vivo. 

PMID- 26257127
TI  - The optical properties and quantum chemical calculations of thienyl and furyl
      derivatives of pyrene.
AB  - A detailed electrochemical, photophysical and theoretical study is presented for
      various new thienyl and furyl derivatives of pyrene. Their optical properties are
      described based on UV-VIS absorption and both steady-state and time-resolved
      fluorescence spectroscopy. DFT and TDDFT calculations are also presented to
      support experimental data. The calculations results show that HOMO-LUMO orbitals
      are delocalized uniformly between aromatic core and aryl substituents. Good
      electrochemical stability of thienyl and furyl hybrids of pyrene confirm their
      potential application for light emitting electrochemical cells or spintronics
      mainly due to their beneficial optical and charge transport properties in
      electrochromic devices. In order to demonstrate this potential, an OLED device is
      presented. Synthesized compounds included in this OLED device both facilitate
      electron transport and act as a light emitting layer. 

PMID- 26257128
TI  - Controlled release of bioactive PDGF-AA from a hydrogel/nanoparticle composite.
AB  - Polymer excipients, such as low molar mass poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), have
      shown contradictory effects on protein stability when co-encapsulated in
      polymeric nanoparticles. To gain further insight into these effects, platelet
      derived growth factor (PDGF-AA) was encapsulated in polymeric nanoparticles with
      vs. without PEG. PDGF-AA is a particularly compelling protein, as it has been
      demonstrated to promote cell survival and induce the oligodendrocyte
      differentiation of neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) both in vitro and in
      vivo. Here we show, for the first time, the controlled release of bioactive PDGF
      AA from an injectable nanoparticle/hydrogel drug delivery system (DDS). PDGF-AA
      was encapsulated, with high efficiency, in poly(lactide-co-glycolide)
      nanoparticles, and its release from the drug delivery system was followed over 21
      d. Interestingly, the co-encapsulation of low molecular weight poly(ethylene
      glycol) increased the PDGF-AA loading but, unexpectedly, accelerated the
      aggregation of PDGF-AA, resulting in reduced activity and detection by enzyme
      linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In the absence of PEG, released PDGF-AA
      remained bioactive as demonstrated with NSPC oligodendrocyte differentiation,
      similar to positive controls, and significantly different from untreated
      controls. This work presents a novel delivery method for differentiation factors,
      such as PDGF-AA, and provides insights into the contradictory effects reported in
      the literature of excipients, such as PEG, on the loading and release of proteins
      from polymeric nanoparticles. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Previously, the polymer
      poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) has been used in many biomaterials applications, from
      surface coatings to the encapsulation of proteins. In this work, we demonstrate
      that, unexpectedly, low molecular weight PEG has a deleterious effect on the
      release of the encapsulated protein platelet-derived growth factor AA (PDGF-AA).
      We also demonstrate release of bioactive PDGF-AA (in the absence of PEG).
      Specifically, we demonstrate the differentiation of neural stem and progenitor
      cells to oligodendrocytes, similar to what is observed with the addition of fresh
      PDGFAA. A differentiated oligodendrocyte population is a key strategy in central
      nervous system regeneration. This work is the first demonstration of controlled
      PDGF-AA release, and also brings new insights to the broader field of protein
      encapsulation.

PMID- 26257129
TI  - The human gut microbiota and virome: Potential therapeutic implications.
AB  - Human gut microbiota is a complex ecosystem with several functions integrated in
      the host organism (metabolic, immune, nutrients absorption, etc.). Human
      microbiota is composed by bacteria, yeasts, fungi and, last but not least,
      viruses, whose composition has not been completely described. According to
      previous evidence on pathogenic viruses, the human gut harbours plant-derived
      viruses, giant viruses and, only recently, abundant bacteriophages. New
      metagenomic methods have allowed to reconstitute entire viral genomes from the
      genetic material spread in the human gut, opening new perspectives on the
      understanding of the gut virome composition, the importance of gut microbiome,
      and potential clinical applications. This review reports the latest evidence on
      human gut "virome" composition and its function, possible future therapeutic
      applications in human health in the context of the gut microbiota, and attempts
      to clarify the role of the gut "virome" in the larger microbial ecosystem. 

PMID- 26257130
TI  - Study of the matrix effects of tetrodotoxin and its content in cooked seafood by
      liquid chromatography with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry.
AB  - Tetrodotoxin is a marine biotoxin with high acute toxicity. The levels in cooked
      seafood will help us to assess its intake in humans and may help assess the risk
      of toxicity. However, heavy matrices hinder the direct quantitation of
      tetrodotoxin. A quantitative method of measuring tetrodotoxin in cooked seafood
      using liquid chromatography with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry was
      established in this study. Tetrodotoxin was extracted from the sample matrix
      using 2% formic acid in methanol and cleaned using a cation exchange cartridge.
      The cleanup conditions were optimized. The matrix effects were determined using
      the postextraction spiking method and by comparing the slope of the linear
      regression equation in sample matrix to that in solvent. The limit of detection
      in the sample matrix was 5 MUg/kg and the limit of quantification was 10 MUg/kg.
      The mean recoveries at three spiking levels were 66.9-89.2% with relative
      standard deviations of 5.0-10.8% (n = 6) in five different matrices. Tetrodotoxin
      was found at concentrations of 26.1-2462 MUg/kg in nine of 83 cooked seafoods
      tested in this study. Eight analogs of Tetrodotoxin were detected in the samples
      studied. 

PMID- 26257131
TI  - Resilience and Transitioning to Adulthood among Emerging Adults with
      Disabilities.
AB  - Transitioning to adulthood is not without challenges. The move away from family
      influence towards independence and self-determination is filled with uncertainty.
      Increased challenges and vulnerabilities in transitioning are evident among
      emerging adults with disabilities because they face additional challenges related
      to their disability over and above what others of this developmental stage
      experience. The purpose of this convergent parallel mixed methods study was to
      understand resilience in a select group of emerging adults with disabilities, who
      have been recognized for their accomplishments, as they are transitioning to
      adulthood. Quantitative instruments were used to measure the relationship among
      resilience, physical health, mental health, satisfaction with life, future
      orientation, and social support resources, while a qualitative focus group and
      individual interviews further explored the central phenomenon of resilience. This
      study revealed transitioning goals and values, challenges encountered while
      transitioning, and key attributes of resilience that have aided in transitioning.
      Findings conclude that resilience mitigates adversity and facilitates
      transitioning, the capacity for resilience is well within reach, and resilience
      comes from a variety of individual and environmental attributes. Nurses care for
      individuals and are uniquely present to intervene throughout all stages of the
      transitioning process. Knowing which resilient attributes are most effective in
      facilitating transitioning would be especially useful in the development of
      preventative holistic patient-centered nursing interventions. The research and
      practice implications of this study may suggest that resilience is a viable
      concept for the development of strength-based, patient-centered nursing
      interventions that facilitate transitioning. 

PMID- 26257132
TI  - Food allergy in children with refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and food allergy are frequent
      disorders of childhood. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency
      of food allergy in children with refractory GERD. METHODS: A total of 151
      children resistant to pharmacologic GERD treatment underwent skin prick test,
      specific immunoglobulin E, eosinophil count, atopy patch test (APT), and oral
      food challenge, and were then divided into three groups according to the results
      of oral milk challenge and allergy work-up: group A1, positive oral milk
      challenge and positive IgE-mediated allergy test; group A2, positive milk
      challenge and negative IgE-mediated allergy test; and group B, negative oral milk
      challenge and negative allergy tests. RESULTS: There were 35, 30 and 86 patients
      in group A1, group A2 and group B, respectively. A total of 28 of 35 patients in
      group A1 had cow's milk allergy and the other seven patients had egg allergy. APT
      positivity was more common in group A2. Endoscopic esophagitis was observed in
      six group A1 patients and in four group A2 patients. Bloody stools, atopic
      dermatitis and recurrent wheezing episodes were significantly more common in
      group A1 than in group A2 and group B (P < 0.001, for both). CONCLUSION: Cow's
      milk allergy was observed frequently in children resistant to pharmacologic GERD
      treatment. Combined skin prick and specific IgE tests, APT and oral food
      challenge is essential for avoidance of unnecessary elimination diet.

PMID- 26257133
TI  - Facile Synthesis of Gd-Cu-In-S/ZnS Bimodal Quantum Dots with Optimized Properties
      for Tumor Targeted Fluorescence/MR In Vivo Imaging.
AB  - Dual-modal imaging techniques have gained intense attention for their potential
      role in the dawning era of tumor early accurate diagnosis. Chelate-free robust
      dual-modal imaging nanoprobes with high efficiency and low toxicity are of
      essential importance for tumor targeted dual-modal in vivo imaging. It is still a
      crucial issue to endow Cd-free dual-modal nanoprobes with bright fluorescence as
      well as high relaxivity. Herein, a facile synthetic strategy was developed to
      prepare Gd-doped CuInS/ZnS bimodal quantum dots (GCIS/ZnS, BQDs) with optimized
      properties. The fluorescent properties of the GCIS/ZnS BQDs can be thoroughly
      optimized by varying reaction temperature, aging time, and ZnS coating. The
      amount of Gd precursor can be well-controlled to realize the optimized balance
      between the MR relaxivity and optical properties. The obtained hydrophobic
      GCIS/ZnS BQDs were surface engineered into aqueous phase with PEGylated dextran
      stearyl acid polymeric lipid vesicles (PEG-DS PLVs). Upon the phase transfer, the
      hydrophilic GCIS/ZnS@PLVs exhibited pronounced near-infrared fluorescence as well
      as high longitudinal relaxivity (r1 = 9.45 mM(-1) S(-1)) in water with good
      colloidal stability. In vivo tumor-bearing animal experiments further verified
      GCIS/ZnS@PLVs could achieve tumor-targeted MR/fluorescence dual-modal imaging. No
      toxicity was observed in the in vivo and ex vivo experiments. The GCIS/ZnS@PLVs
      present great potential as bimodal imaging contrast agents for tumor diagnosis. 

PMID- 26257134
TI  - Identification of mutations, genotype-phenotype correlation and prenatal
      diagnosis of maple syrup urine disease in Indian patients.
AB  - Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is caused by mutations in genes BCKDHA, BCKDHB,
      DBT encoding E1alpha, E1beta, and E2 subunits of enzyme complex, branched-chain
      alpha-ketoacid dehydrogenase (BCKDH). BCKDH participates in catabolism of
      branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) - leucine, isoleucine and valine in the energy
      production pathway. Deficiency or defect in the enzyme complex causes
      accumulation of BCAAs and keto-acids leading to toxicity. Twenty-four patients
      with MSUD were enrolled in the study for molecular characterization and genotype
      phenotype correlation. Molecular studies were carried out by sequencing of the 3
      genes by Sanger method. Bioinformatics tools were employed to classify novel
      variations into pathogenic or benign. The predicted effects of novel changes on
      protein structure were elucidated by 3D modeling. Mutations were detected in 22
      of 24 patients (11, 7 and 4 in BCKDHB, BCKDHA and DBT genes, respectively).
      Twenty mutations including 11 novel mutations were identified. Protein modeling
      in novel mutations showed alteration of structure and function of these subunits.
      Mutations, c.1065 delT (BCKDHB gene) and c.939G > C (DBT gene) were noted to be
      recurrent, identified in 6 of 22 alleles and 5 of 8 alleles, respectively. Two
      third patients were of neonatal classical phenotype (16 of 24). BCKDHB gene
      mutations were present in 10 of these 16 patients. Prenatal diagnoses were
      performed in 4 families. Consanguinity was noted in 37.5% families. Although no
      obvious genotype-phenotype correlation could be found in our study, most cases
      with mutation in BCKDHB gene presented in neonatal period. Large number of novel
      mutations underlines the heterogeneity and distinctness of gene pool from India. 

PMID- 26257135
TI  - Vortex-assisted liquid-liquid microextraction using a low-toxicity solvent for
      the determination of five organophosphorus pesticides in water samples by high
      performance liquid chromatography.
AB  - Vortex-assisted liquid-liquid microextraction followed by high-performance liquid
      chromatography with UV detection was applied to determine Isocarbophos, Parathion
      methyl, Triazophos, Phoxim and Chlorpyrifos-methyl in water samples. 1
      Bromobutane was used as the extraction solvent, which has a higher density than
      water and low toxicity. Centrifugation and disperser solvent were not required in
      this microextraction procedure. The optimum extraction conditions for 15 mL water
      sample were: pH of the sample solution, 5; volume of the extraction solvent, 80
      MUL; vortex time, 2 min; salt addition, 0.5 g. Under the optimum conditions,
      enrichment factors ranging from 196 to 237 and limits of detection below 0.38
      MUg/L were obtained for the determination of target pesticides in water. Good
      linearities (r > 0.9992) were obtained within the range of 1-500 MUg/L for all
      the compounds. The relative standard deviations were in the range of 1.62-2.86%
      and the recoveries of spiked samples ranged from 89.80 to 104.20%. The whole
      proposed methodology is simple, rapid, sensitive and environmentally friendly for
      determining traces of organophosphorus pesticides in the water samples. 

PMID- 26257136
TI  - Association of Preoperative Anemia With Complications and Mortality Following
      Total Joint Arthroplasty.

PMID- 26257137
TI  - Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation Promotes Neurogenesis and Ameliorates
      Autism Related Behaviors in BTBR Mice.
AB  - Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are characterized by social communication
      deficits, cognitive rigidity, and repetitive stereotyped behaviors. Mesenchymal
      stem cells (MSC) have a paracrine regenerative effect, and were speculated to be
      a potential therapy for ASD. The BTBR inbred mouse strain is a commonly used
      model of ASD as it demonstrates robust behavioral deficits consistent with the
      diagnostic criteria for ASD. BTBR mice also exhibit decreased brain-derived
      neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling and reduced hippocampal neurogenesis. In the
      current study, we evaluated the behavioral and molecular effects of
      intracerebroventricular MSC transplantation in BTBR mice. Transplantation of MSC
      resulted in a reduction of stereotypical behaviors, a decrease in cognitive
      rigidity and an improvement in social behavior. Tissue analysis revealed elevated
      BDNF protein levels in the hippocampus accompanied by increased hippocampal
      neurogenesis in the MSC-transplanted mice compared with sham treated mice. This
      might indicate a possible mechanism underpinning the behavioral improvement. Our
      study suggests a novel therapeutic approach which may be translatable to ASD
      patients in the future.

PMID- 26257138
TI  - The 15q13.3 deletion syndrome: Deficient alpha(7)-containing nicotinic
      acetylcholine receptor-mediated neurotransmission in the pathogenesis of
      neurodevelopmental disorders.
AB  - Array comparative genomic hybridization (array CGH) has led to the identification
      of microdeletions of the proximal region of chromosome 15q between breakpoints
      (BP) 3 or BP4 and BP5 encompassing CHRNA7, the gene encoding the alpha7-nicotinic
      acetylcholine receptor (alpha7nAChR) subunit. Phenotypic manifestations of
      persons with these microdeletions are variable and some heterozygous carriers are
      seemingly unaffected, consistent with their variable expressivity and incomplete
      penetrance. Nonetheless, the 15q13.3 deletion syndrome is associated with several
      neuropsychiatric disorders, including idiopathic generalized epilepsy,
      intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and schizophrenia.
      Haploinsufficient expression of CHRNA7 in this syndrome has highlighted important
      roles the alpha7nAChR plays in the developing brain and normal processes of
      attention, cognition, memory and behavior throughout life. Importantly, the
      existence of the 15q13.3 deletion syndrome contributes to an emerging literature
      supporting clinical trials therapeutically targeting the alpha7nAChR in disorders
      such as ASDs and schizophrenia, including the larger population of patients with
      no evidence of haploinsufficient expression of CHRNA7. Translational clinical
      trials will be facilitated by the existence of positive allosteric modulators
      (PAMs) of the alpha7nAChR that act at sites on the receptor distinct from the
      orthosteric site that binds acetylcholine and choline, the receptor's endogenous
      ligands. PAMs lack intrinsic efficacy by themselves, but act where and when the
      endogenous ligands are released in response to relevant social and cognitive
      provocations to increase the likelihood they will result in alpha7nAChR ion
      channel activation. 

PMID- 26257139
TI  - Chitosan based nanoparticles functionalized with peptidomimetic derivatives for
      oral drug delivery.
AB  - The goal of this study was to develop an optimized drug delivery carrier for oral
      mucosa applications able to release in situ bioactive molecules by using
      biopolymeric materials. Among them chitosan and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)
      (PLGA) have gained considerable attention as biocompatible carriers able to
      improve the delivery of active agents. The formulation of such vehicles in the
      form of nanoparticles (NPs) could permit to exploit the peculiar properties of
      nanomaterials in order to enhance the efficacy of active agents. Chitosan (CS)
      and PLGA chlorexidine dihydrochloride (CHX)-loaded NPs were synthesized by
      ionotropic gelation and osmosis based methodology respectively. In order to
      facilitate NPs adhesion on human dental surfaces, two different strategies were
      employed: PLGA particles with an external shell of CS to produce a positive
      surface charge allowing CHX loaded PLGA NPs to interact with the negative charged
      dental surfaces, while CS particles were functionalized with peptidomimetic
      derivative glutathione (GSH). The morphology was investigated by scanning
      electron microscopy. A sustained release profile of CHX from CS NPs was achieved.
      CS-based NPs adhered on human tooth surfaces in a simulated brushing and rinsing
      process and their in vitro toxicity evaluation on Human Gingival Fibroblasts
      (HGFs) was between 20 and 60% in all experimental conditions. Thanks to their
      adhesion properties and low cytotoxicity, the synthesized CS-based formulations
      may be efficiently exploited for therapy purposes or to enhance in vivo dental
      care (i.e. preparation of toothpastes or other cosmetics for daily oral care). 

PMID- 26257140
TI  - Fluxes in PHA-storing microbial communities during enrichment and biopolymer
      accumulation processes.
AB  - The use of mixed microbial cultures for the production of polyhydroxyalkanoates
      (PHAs) is emerging as a viable technology. In this study, 16S rRNA gene amplicon
      pyrosequencing was used to analyse fluctuations in populations over a 63-day
      period within a PHA-storing mixed microbial community enriched on fermented whey
      permeate. This community was dominated by the genera Flavisolibacter and Zoogloea
      as well as an unidentified organism belonging to the phylum Bacteroidetes. The
      population was observed to cycle through an increase in Zoogloea followed by a
      return to a community composition similar to the initial one (highly enriched in
      Flavisolibacter). It was found that the PHA accumulation capacity of the
      community was robust to population flux during enrichment and even PHA
      accumulation, with final polymer composition dependent on the overall proportion
      of acetic to propionic acids in the feed. This community adaptation suggests that
      mixed culture PHA production is a robust process. 

PMID- 26257142
TI  - Body fat distribution and its associated factors in Korean women with polycystic
      ovary syndrome.
AB  - AIM: To investigate the body fat distribution in Korean women with polycystic
      ovary syndrome (PCOS) and the association of those distribution with metabolic
      parameters and hormone profiles. METHODS: A total 90 patients with PCOS and 97
      women without PCOS (control group) were included in this study. Total body fat,
      abdominal visceral fat, and subcutaneous fat were determined on abdominal fat
      computed tomography. Lipid profiles and sex-hormone binding globulin (SHBG),
      testosterone, free androgen index (FAI), and cortisol were measured in PCOS
      group. RESULTS: Total body fat and body fat distribution in the PCOS group were
      not significantly different from the control group in Korean women (P = 0.054, P
      = 0.761, P = 0.104), but abdominal visceral to subcutaneous fat ratio was larger
      in the PCOS group than the control group (P = 0.047). Not only total body fat and
      visceral fat, but also subcutaneous fat in the PCOS group had a positive
      correlation with homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance, fasting blood
      sugar, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, systolic blood
      pressure, diastolic blood pressure, fasting insulin, free testosterone, FAI, body
      mass index, but negative correlation with SHBG and high-density lipoprotein
      cholesterol. CONCLUSIONS: Korean PCOS women had the same body fat distribution as
      the control group. Subcutaneous fat was also correlated with metabolic parameters
      and hormone profiles in the Korean PCOS group.

PMID- 26257144
TI  - Attention is necessary for subliminal instrumental conditioning.
AB  - The capacity of humans and other animals to provide appropriate responses to
      stimuli anticipating motivationally significant events is exemplified by
      instrumental conditioning. Interestingly, in humans instrumental conditioning can
      occur also for subliminal outcome-predicting stimuli. However, it remains unclear
      whether attention is necessary for subliminal instrumental conditioning to take
      place. In two experiments, human participants had to learn to collect rewards
      (monetary gains) while avoiding punishments (monetary losses), on the basis of
      subliminal outcome-predicting cues. We found that instrumental conditioning can
      proceed subconsciously only if spatial attention is aligned with the subliminal
      cue. Conversely, if spatial attention is briefly diverted from the subliminal
      cue, then instrumental conditioning is blocked. In humans, attention but not
      awareness is therefore mandatory for instrumental conditioning, thus revealing a
      dissociation between awareness and attention in the control of motivated
      behavior. 

PMID- 26257143
TI  - Controlled vaporized cannabis, with and without alcohol: subjective effects and
      oral fluid-blood cannabinoid relationships.
AB  - Vaporized cannabis and concurrent cannabis and alcohol intake are commonplace. We
      evaluated the subjective effects of cannabis, with and without alcohol, relative
      to blood and oral fluid (OF, advantageous for cannabis exposure screening)
      cannabinoid concentrations and OF/blood and OF/plasma vaporized-cannabinoid
      relationships. Healthy adult occasional-to-moderate cannabis smokers received a
      vaporized placebo or active cannabis (2.9% and 6.7% Delta(9) 
      tetrahydrocannabinol, THC) with or without oral low-dose alcohol (~0.065g/210L
      peak breath alcohol concentration [BrAC]) in a within-subjects design. Blood and
      OF were collected up to 8.3 h post-dose and subjective effects measured at
      matched time points with visual-analogue scales and 5-point Likert scales. Linear
      mixed models evaluated subjective effects by THC concentration, BrAC, and
      interactions. Effects by time point were evaluated by dose-wise analysis of
      variance (ANOVA). OF versus blood or plasma cannabinoid ratios and correlations
      were evaluated in paired-positive specimens. Nineteen participants (13 men)
      completed the study. Blood THC concentration or BrAC significantly associated
      with subjective effects including 'high', while OF contamination prevented
      significant OF concentration associations <1.4 h post-dose. Subjective effects
      persisted through 3.3-4.3 h, with alcohol potentiating the duration of the
      cannabis effects. Effect-versus-THC concentration and effect-versus-alcohol
      concentration hystereses were counterclockwise and clockwise, respectively.
      OF/blood and OF/plasma THC significantly correlated (all Spearman r>=0.71), but
      variability was high. Vaporized cannabis subjective effects were similar to those
      previously reported after smoking, with duration extended by concurrent alcohol.
      Cannabis intake was identified by OF testing, but OF concentration variability
      limited interpretation. Blood THC concentrations were more consistent across
      subjects and more accurate at predicting cannabis' subjective effects. Copyright
      (c) 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. 

PMID- 26257141
TI  - 4D flow cardiovascular magnetic resonance consensus statement.
AB  - Pulsatile blood flow through the cavities of the heart and great vessels is time
      varying and multidirectional. Access to all regions, phases and directions of
      cardiovascular flows has formerly been limited. Four-dimensional (4D) flow
      cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) has enabled more comprehensive access to
      such flows, with typical spatial resolution of 1.5*1.5*1.5 - 3*3*3 mm(3), typical
      temporal resolution of 30-40 ms, and acquisition times in the order of 5 to 25
      min. This consensus paper is the work of physicists, physicians and biomedical
      engineers, active in the development and implementation of 4D Flow CMR, who have
      repeatedly met to share experience and ideas. The paper aims to assist
      understanding of acquisition and analysis methods, and their potential clinical
      applications with a focus on the heart and greater vessels. We describe that 4D
      Flow CMR can be clinically advantageous because placement of a single acquisition
      volume is straightforward and enables flow through any plane across it to be
      calculated retrospectively and with good accuracy. We also specify research and
      development goals that have yet to be satisfactorily achieved. Derived flow
      parameters, generally needing further development or validation for clinical use,
      include measurements of wall shear stress, pressure difference, turbulent kinetic
      energy, and intracardiac flow components. The dependence of measurement accuracy
      on acquisition parameters is considered, as are the uses of different
      visualization strategies for appropriate representation of time-varying
      multidirectional flow fields. Finally, we offer suggestions for more consistent,
      user-friendly implementation of 4D Flow CMR acquisition and data handling with a
      view to multicenter studies and more widespread adoption of the approach in
      routine clinical investigations. 

PMID- 26257145
TI  - Mapping of post-translational modifications of spermatid-specific linker histone
      H1-like protein, HILS1.
AB  - In mammalian spermiogenesis, haploid round spermatids undergo dramatic
      biochemical and morphological changes and transform into motile mature
      spermatozoa. A majority of the histones are replaced by transition proteins
      during mid-spermiogenesis and later replaced by protamines, which occupy the
      sperm chromatin. In mammals, 11 linker histone H1 subtypes have been reported.
      Among them, H1t, HILS1, and H1T2 are uniquely expressed in testis, with the
      expression of HILS1 and H1T2 restricted to spermiogenesis. However, there is a
      lack of knowledge about linker histone role in the nuclear reorganization during
      mammalian spermiogenesis. Here, we report a method for separation of endogenous
      HILS1 protein from other rat testis linker histones by reversed-phase high
      performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) and identification of 15 novel post
      translational modifications of HILS1, which include lysine acetylation and
      serine/threonine/tyrosine phosphorylation sites. Immunofluorescence studies
      demonstrate the presence of linker histone HILS1 and HILS1Y78p during different
      steps of spermiogenesis from early elongating to condensing spermatids. 

PMID- 26257146
TI  - Sitting time and physical activity after stroke: physical ability is only part of
      the story.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Understanding factors that influence the amount of time people with
      stroke spend sitting and being active is important to inform the development of
      targeted interventions. OBJECTIVE: To explore the physical, cognitive, and
      psychosocial factors associated with daily sitting time and physical activity in
      people with stroke. METHOD: Secondary analysis of an observational study (n = 50,
      mean age 67.2 +/- 11.6 years, 33 men) of adults at least 6 months post-stroke.
      Activity monitor data were collected via a 7-day, continuous wear (24 hours/day)
      protocol. Sitting time [total, and prolonged (time in bouts of >= 30 minutes)]
      was measured with an activPAL3 activity monitor. A hip-worn Actigraph GT3X+
      accelerometer was used to measure moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical
      activity (MVPA) time. Univariate analyses examined relationships of stroke
      severity (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale), physical [walking speed,
      Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) physical domain score], cognitive (Montreal Cognitive
      Assessment), and psychosocial factors (living arrangement, SIS emotional domain
      score) with sitting time, prolonged sitting time, and MVPA. RESULTS: Self
      reported physical function and walking speed were negatively associated with
      total sitting time (r = - 0.354, P = 0.022 and r = - 0.361, P = 0.011,
      respectively) and prolonged sitting time (r = - 0.5, P = 0.001 and - 0.45, P =
      0.001, respectively), and positively associated with MVPA (r = 0.469, P = 0.002
      and 0.431, P = 0.003, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Physical factors, such as
      walking ability, may influence sitting and activity time in people with stroke,
      yet much of the variance in daily sitting time remains unexplained. Large
      prospective studies are required to understand the drivers of activity and
      sitting time.

PMID- 26257148
TI  - Reply: To PMID 25747676.

PMID- 26257147
TI  - Neuroprogression and Cognitive Functioning in Bipolar Disorder: A Systematic
      Review.
AB  - Bipolar disorder (BD) has been associated with impairments in a range of
      cognitive domains including attention, verbal learning, and mental flexibility.
      These deficits are increased during the acute phases of the illness and worsen
      over the course of BD. This review will examine the literature in relation to
      potential mechanisms associated with cognitive decline in BD. Scopus (all
      databases), Pubmed, and Ovid Medline were systematically searched with no
      language or year restrictions, up to January 2015, for human studies that
      collected cross-sectional and longitudinal cognitive data in adults with BD and
      matched healthy controls (HC). Selected search terms were "bipolar," "cognitive,"
      "aging," "illness duration," "onset," and "progression." Thirty-nine studies
      satisfied the criteria for consideration. There is evidence that cognitive
      function in BD is negatively associated with features of illness progression such
      as number of mood episodes, illness duration, and hospitalizations. Aging does
      not appear to affect cognitive functioning to a greater extent than in HC.
      Furthermore, the small number of longitudinal studies in this field does not
      allow to reaching firm conclusion in terms of which sub-populations would be more
      prone to cognitive decline in BD. The decline in cognitive abilities over the
      course of the BD seems to be associated with the number of episodes and number of
      hospitalizations. No meaningful interaction of age and bipolar disorder has been
      found in terms of cognitive decline. Future large-scale longitudinal studies are
      necessary to confirm these findings and assist in the development of preventive
      interventions in vulnerable individuals. 

PMID- 26257149
TI  - Concanavalin A immobilized magnetic poly(glycidyl methacrylate) beads for
      prostate specific antigen binding.
AB  - The aim of this study was to prepare Concanavalin A (Con A) immobilized magnetic
      poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (mPGMA) beads for prostate specific antigen (PSA)
      binding and to study binding capacities of the beads using lectin-glycoprotein
      interactions. Firstly, iron oxide nanoparticles were synthesized by co
      precipitation method and then, beads were synthesized by dispersion
      polymerization in the presence of iron oxide nanoparticles. Con A molecules were
      both covalently immobilized onto the beads directly and through the spacer arm
      (1,6-diaminohexane-HDMA). The total PSA and free PSA binding onto the mPGMA-HDMA
      Con A beads were higher than that of the mPGMA-Con A beads. Maximum PSA binding
      capacity was observed as 91.2 ng/g. Approximately 45% of the bound PSA was eluted
      by using 0.1 M mannose as elution agent. The mPGMA-HDMA-Con A beads could be
      reused without a remarkable decrease in the binding capacities after 5 binding
      desorption cycles. Serum fractions were analyzed using SDS-PAGE. The mPGMA-HDMA
      Con A beads could be useful for the detection of PSA and suggested as a model
      system for other glycoprotein biomarkers.

PMID- 26257150
TI  - DBS in Dystonia and Other Hyperkinetic Movement Disorders.
AB  - OPINION STATEMENT: The diagnosis and appropriate treatment of hyperkinetic
      movement disorders require a work up of potentially reversible metabolic,
      infectious and structural disorders as well as side effects of current
      medication. In pharmacoresistant movement disorders with a disabling impact on
      quality of life, deep brain stimulation (DBS) should be considered. At different
      targets, DBS has become an established therapy for Parkinson's disease (GPi-STN),
      tremor (VIM) and primary dystonia (GPi) with reasonable perioperative risks and
      side effects, established guidelines and some clinical and radiological
      predictive factors. In contrast, for other hyperkinetic movement disorders,
      including secondary dystonia, Gilles de la Tourette, chorea and ballism, only few
      data are available. Definite targets are not well defined, and reported results
      are of less magnitude than those of the recognized indications. In this expanding
      therapeutical field without worked out recommendations, an individual approach is
      needed with DBS indication assessment only after rigorous multidisciplinary
      scrutiny, restricted to expert centres.

PMID- 26257151
TI  - Concurrent Validity of the Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale in VA
      Outpatients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this report is to investigate the concurrent validity
      of the Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale (DVPRS) with other validated self
      report measures in U.S. veterans. DESIGN: This correlational study was conducted
      using two samples of outpatients at the Washington, DC Veterans Affairs Medical
      Center who completed self-report measures relevant to pain conditions, including
      pain disability, quality of life, and mental health. Study 1 and 2 consisted of n
      = 204 and n = 13 participants, respectively. METHODS: Bivariate Spearman
      correlations were calculated to examine the correlation among total scores and
      subscale scores for each scale of interest. Multiple linear regressions were also
      computed in Study 1. RESULTS: In Study 1, the DVPRS interference scale (DVPRS-II)
      was significantly correlated with the Pain Disability Questionnaire (PDQ) (rho =
      0.69, P < 0.001) and the Veterans RAND 36-item Health Survey physical and mental
      component scales (rho = -0.37, P < 0.001; rho = -0.46, P < 0.001, respectively).
      When controlling for sex, age, and other self-report measures, the relationship
      between the DVPRS-II and PDQ remained significant. In Study 2, pain interference
      on the DVPRS and Brief Pain Inventory were highly correlated (rho = 0.90, P <
      0.001); however, the intensity scale of each measure was also highly associated
      with the interference summary scores. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide
      preliminary evidence for the concurrent validity of the DVPRS as a brief,
      multidimensional measure of pain interference that make it a practical tool for
      use in primary care settings to assess the impact of pain on daily functioning
      and monitor chronic pain over time.

PMID- 26257153
TI  - Characterisation of dendritic cell subsets in chronically inflamed human
      epididymis.
AB  - Infection and inflammation of the genital tract are thought to be a primary
      aetiological factor of male infertility. Chronic epididymitis appears to be more
      important than prostatitis or seminal vesiculitis due to the direct interaction
      between sperm cells and epididymal epithelium. Dendritic cells (DCs) are a
      heterogeneous population of antigen-presenting cells that play a crucial role in
      the regulation of the immune response and immunological tolerance. The aim of
      this study was to investigate the expression and characteristic of different DC
      subsets in chronic inflammation of human epididymis and controls. Our study
      demonstrated that normal human epididymis contained only immature CD1a(+) DCs,
      CD11c(+) myeloid DCs (mDCs) and CD209(+) DCs whereas CD123(+) plasmacytoid DCs
      and CD83(+) mature DCs were virtually absent. The number of both CD11c(+) IL
      23(+) mDCs and CD123(+) pDCs were significantly elevated in inflamed epididymis;
      meanwhile the mDC populations of CD1a(+), CD209(+) immature DCs and CD83(+)
      mature DCs also increased in inflamed group. Moreover, Th17 (CD4(+) IL-17(+))
      cells were predominantly distributed under chronic inflammation of human
      epididymis. Taken together these results suggest that epididymal DCs might play a
      pivotal role in the development of chronic epididymitis and induce an increased
      recruitment of Th17 cells under inflammatory conditions.

PMID- 26257152
TI  - Ikarisoside A inhibits acetylcholine-induced catecholamine secretion and
      synthesis by suppressing nicotinic acetylcholine receptor-ion channels in
      cultured bovine adrenal medullary cells.
AB  - Ikarisoside A is a natural flavonol glycoside derived from plants of the genus
      Epimedium, which have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine as tonics,
      antirheumatics, and aphrodisiacs. Here, we report the effects of ikarisoside A
      and three other flavonol glycosides on catecholamine secretion and synthesis in
      cultured bovine adrenal medullary cells. We found that ikarisoside A (1-100 MUM),
      but not icariin, epimedin C, or epimedoside A, concentration-dependently
      inhibited the secretion of catecholamines induced by acetylcholine, a
      physiological secretagogue and agonist of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.
      Ikarisoside A had little effect on catecholamine secretion induced by veratridine
      and 56 mM K(+). Ikarisoside A (1-100 MUM) also inhibited (22)Na(+) influx and
      (45)Ca(2+) influx induced by acetylcholine in a concentration-dependent manner
      similar to that of catecholamine secretion. In Xenopus oocytes expressing
      alpha3beta4 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, ikarisoside A (0.1-100 MUM)
      directly inhibited the current evoked by acetylcholine. It also suppressed (14)C
      catecholamine synthesis and tyrosine hydroxylase activity induced by
      acetylcholine at 1-100 MUM and 10-100 MUM, respectively. The present findings
      suggest that ikarisoside A inhibits acetylcholine-induced catecholamine secretion
      and synthesis by suppression of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor-ion channels in
      bovine adrenal medullary cells. 

PMID- 26257154
TI  - Patient-related risk factors for urinary retention following ambulatory general
      surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Postoperative urinary retention (POUR) is a source of avoidable
      patient harm. The aim of this review is to identify and quantify the role of
      patient-related risk factors in the development of POUR following ambulatory
      general surgery. METHODS: Studies published until December 2014 were identified
      by searching MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PsycINFO databases. Risk factors assessed in 3
      or more studies were meta-analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty-one studies were suitable for
      inclusion consisting of 7,802 patients. The incidence of POUR was 14%. Increased
      age and the presence of lower urinary tract symptoms significantly increased risk
      with odds ratios [ORs] of 2.11 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.15 to 3.86) and
      2.83 (1.57 to 5.08), respectively. Male sex was not associated with developing
      POUR (OR .96, 95% CI .62 to 1.50). Preoperative alpha-blocker use significantly
      decreased the incidence of POUR with an OR of .37 (95% CI .15 to .91).
      CONCLUSIONS: Increased age and the presence of lower urinary tract symptoms
      increase the risk of POUR, while alpha-blocker use confers protection. Male sex
      was not associated with POUR. These findings assist in preoperative
      identification of patients at high risk of POUR.

PMID- 26257155
TI  - Volume and methodological quality of randomized controlled trials in laparoscopic
      surgery: assessment over a 10-year period.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Measures have been taken to improve methodological quality of
      randomized controlled trials (RCTs). This review systematically assessed the
      trends in volume and methodological quality of RCTs on minimally invasive surgery
      within a 10-year period. DATA SOURCES: RCTs on minimally invasive surgery were
      searched in the 10 most cited general surgical journals and the 5 most cited
      journals of laparoscopic interest for the years 2002 and 2012. Bibliometric and
      methodological quality components were abstracted using the Scottish
      Intercollegiate Guidelines Network. The pooled number of RCTs from low
      contribution regions demonstrated an increasing proportion of the total published
      RCTs, compensating for a concomitant decrease of the respective contributions
      from Europe and North America. International collaborations were more frequent in
      2012. Acceptable or high quality RCTs accounted for 37.9% and 54.4% of RCTs
      published in 2002 and 2012, respectively. Components of external validity were
      poorly reported. CONCLUSIONS: Both the volume and the reporting quality of
      laparoscopic RCTs have increased from 2002 to 2012, but there seems to be ample
      room for improvement of methodological quality.

PMID- 26257156
TI  - Extant-only comparative methods fail to recover the disparity preserved in the
      bird fossil record.
AB  - Most extant species are in clades with poor fossil records, and recent studies of
      comparative methods show they have low power to infer even highly simplified
      models of trait evolution without fossil data. Birds are a well-studied
      radiation, yet their early evolutionary patterns are still contentious. The
      fossil record suggests that birds underwent a rapid ecological radiation after
      the end-Cretaceous mass extinction, and several smaller, subsequent radiations.
      This hypothesized series of repeated radiations from fossil data is difficult to
      test using extant data alone. By uniting morphological and phylogenetic data on
      604 extant genera of birds with morphological data on 58 species of extinct birds
      from 50 million years ago, the "halfway point" of avian evolution, I have been
      able to test how well extant-only methods predict the diversity of fossil forms.
      All extant-only methods underestimate the disparity, although the ratio of within
      to between-clade disparity does suggest high early rates. The failure of
      standard models to predict high early disparity suggests that recent radiations
      are obscuring deep time patterns in the evolution of birds. Metrics from
      different models can be used in conjunction to provide more valuable insights
      than simply finding the model with the highest relative fit. 

PMID- 26257157
TI  - Evaluation of biological activity of quantum dots in a microsystem.
AB  - The presented work aimed at systematic investigation of biological activity of
      CdSex S1- x /ZnS and CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs), whose surface was modified with
      different ligands. For these studies, we used a microfluidic system combined with
      fluorescence microscopy techniques, which enabled analysis of cells' morphology,
      viability, and QDs uptake. PDMS and glass-based microfluidic system enabled the
      precise control of the cell environment, allowed to examine five replications of
      each tested QDs concentrations (statistically significant number), monitor
      multiple cellular events, and avoid manual preparation of QDs dilutions. We
      investigated the influence of the core composition and the type of surface
      modifiers on QDs toxicity. We also determined whether the examined nanoparticles
      penetrate into the cells. For all tested nanoparticles, the decrease of cells'
      viability was observed when increasing nanoparticles concentration. The decrease
      of live cells' number in microchambers and the accumulation of the nanoparticles
      around cultured cells were observed. The effect of hydrocarbon chain length of
      surface modifiers and QDs core composition on the cell viability was confirmed in
      our tests. 

PMID- 26257158
TI  - Efficiency of photodynamic therapy on WM35 melanoma with synthetic porphyrins:
      Role of chemical structure, intracellular targeting and antioxidant defense.
AB  - Photodynamic therapy (PDT) could be an adjuvant therapy in melanoma, an
      aggressive cancer that arises from melanocytes. Several reports showed
      encouraging results of the efficacy of PDT in melanoma on experimental models and
      in clinical trials. Therefore, we studied the efficacy of two derivatives of
      tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP): meso-5,10,15,20-tetrakis (4-hydroxyphenyl) porphyrin
      (THOPP) and meso-5-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-10,15,20-tris (4-methoxyphenyl) porphyrin
      (THOMPP) as photosensitizers for PDT, compared to FDA approved delta
      aminolevulinic acid (ALA) against a lightly pigmented, melanoma cell line, WM35,
      in vitro. Both porphyrins were more efficient as photosensitizers, compared to
      ALA, without dark toxicity. The efficiency depended on the intracellular
      localization and the molecule structure. THOPP, the most efficient porphyrin
      localized mainly in mitochondria, while THOMPP accumulated in lysosomes; both
      showed melanosomal localization. The symmetric THOPP molecule was able to
      generate increased oxidative stress damage and apoptosis. THOPP also induced a
      low effect on the defense mechanisms like antioxidant enzyme SOD (superoxide
      dismutase), NF-kB (nuclear transcription factor kB) activation and MITF
      (microphthalmia transcription factor). The lower efficiency of the asymmetric
      molecule, THOMPP was probably due to a diminished photoactivation, which led to a
      lower ROS induced damage, combined with higher activation of the defense
      mechanisms. 

PMID- 26257159
TI  - Neurological Toxicity of Individual and Mixtures of Low Dose Arsenic, Mono and Di
      (n-butyl) Phthalates on Sub-Chronic Exposure to Mice.
AB  - The objective of this study was to evaluate the toxicity of individual and
      mixtures of di(n-butyl) phthalates (DBP) and their active metabolite monobutyl
      phthalate (MBP) and arsenic (As) on spatial cognition associated with hippocampal
      apoptosis in mice. Mice were exposed, individually or in combination, to DBP (50
      mg/kg body weight, intragastrically), MBP (50 mg/kg body weight,
      intragastrically), and As (10 mg/L, per os) for 8 weeks. The Morris water maze
      test showed that mice exposed to DBP/MBP combined with As exhibited longer escape
      latencies and the lower average number of crossing the platform. The As content
      in the hippocampus after As exposure increased as compared to those without As
      exposure. In mice exposed to DBP/MBP combined with As, pathological alterations
      and oxidative damage to the hippocampus were found. Expression of apoptosis
      related protein: Bax and caspase-3 were significantly increased in the
      hippocampus, while there was no significant change in expression of Bcl-2. The
      results suggested that DBP and MBP combined with As can induce spatial cognitive
      deficits through altering the expression of apoptosis-related protein and As
      played a critical role in cognition impairments. And the joint exposure has
      antagonistic effect. 

PMID- 26257160
TI  - Heat Shock Protein Alteration in the Gastrointestinal Tract Tissues of Chickens
      Exposed to Arsenic Trioxide.
AB  - Arsenic (As) is widely distributed in our living environment and is useful for
      industry, agriculture, medical treatment, and other fields. Arsenic trioxide
      (As2O3) is an existing form of As. Exposure to As2O3 has a toxic effect on humans
      and animals. It not only leads to skin cancer, peripheral vascular disease,
      hyperkeratosis, etc. but also interferes with the functioning of the
      gastrointestinal tract. The gastrointestinal tract is an important organ for
      animals to transform the food they eat into the nutrients their body needs for
      maintenance and growth. Heat shock proteins (Hsps) exist in the non-stress normal
      cells and their expression increases under stimuli. Therefore, we wonder whether
      the "stimulus" of As2O3 could change the messenger RNA (mRNA) abundance and
      expression level of Hsps in the gastrointestinal tract of birds. To investigate
      the relation between arseniasis and Hsp alterations in the chicken's
      gastrointestinal tract induced by an As2O3-supplemented diet, we selected 72 one
      day-old male Hy-line chickens and randomly divided them into four groups. They
      were fed either a commercial diet or an As2O3-supplemented diet containing 7.5,
      15, and 30 mg/kg As2O3. The experiment lasted for 90 days, and gastrointestinal
      tract tissue samples (gizzard, glandular stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ileum,
      cecum, and rectum) were collected at 30, 60, and 90 days. The mRNA contents of
      Hsps (including Hsp27, Hsp40, Hsp60, Hsp70, and Hsp90) were examined by real-time
      PCR (RT-PCR). The correlation between As2O3 and Hsp genes was assessed. In
      addition, the protein expression levels of Hsp60 and Hsp70 in the
      gastrointestinal tract tissue samples were measured by western blot. The results
      indicated that the mRNA expression levels and the Hsp expression levels in the
      gastrointestinal tract tissues of chickens with As2O3 supplementation increased
      at different time points in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). These
      data suggested that arseniasis influenced the mRNA abundance of Hsp27, Hsp40,
      Hsp60, Hsp70, and Hsp90 and the protein expression levels of Hsp60 and Hsp70 in
      the chicken's gastrointestinal tract tissues. 

PMID- 26257161
TI  - Vagally Mediated Analgesia: Breath-Holding during Exhalation as a Simple
      Manipulation to Reduce Pain Perception-Reyes Del Paso et al. Pain Medicine 2015.

PMID- 26257162
TI  - LSD enhances the emotional response to music.
AB  - RATIONALE: There is renewed interest in the therapeutic potential of psychedelic
      drugs such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). LSD was used extensively in the
      1950s and 1960s as an adjunct in psychotherapy, reportedly enhancing
      emotionality. Music is an effective tool to evoke and study emotion and is
      considered an important element in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy; however,
      the hypothesis that psychedelics enhance the emotional response to music has yet
      to be investigated in a modern placebo-controlled study. OBJECTIVES: The present
      study sought to test the hypothesis that music-evoked emotions are enhanced under
      LSD. METHODS: Ten healthy volunteers listened to five different tracks of
      instrumental music during each of two study days, a placebo day followed by an
      LSD day, separated by 5-7 days. Subjective ratings were completed after each
      music track and included a visual analogue scale (VAS) and the nine-item Geneva
      Emotional Music Scale (GEMS-9). RESULTS: Results demonstrated that the emotional
      response to music is enhanced by LSD, especially the emotions "wonder",
      "transcendence", "power" and "tenderness". CONCLUSIONS: These findings reinforce
      the long-held assumption that psychedelics enhance music-evoked emotion, and
      provide tentative and indirect support for the notion that this effect can be
      harnessed in the context of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Further research
      is required to test this link directly.

PMID- 26257163
TI  - Cue reactivity and its relation to craving and relapse in alcohol dependence: a
      combined laboratory and field study.
AB  - The present study investigated the nature of physiological cue reactivity and
      craving in response to alcohol cues among alcohol-dependent patients (N = 80) who
      were enrolled in detoxification treatment. Further, the predictive value with
      regard to future drinking of both the magnitude of the physiological and craving
      response to alcohol cues while in treatment and the degree of alcohol-cue
      exposure in patients' natural environment was assessed. Physiological reactivity
      and craving in response to experimental exposure to alcohol and soft drink
      advertisements were measured during detoxification treatment using heart rate
      variability and subjective rating of craving. Following discharge, patients
      monitored exposure to alcohol advertisements for five consecutive weeks with a
      diary and were followed up with an assessment of relapse at 5 weeks and 3 months
      post-discharge. The results indicated that the presence of alcohol cues such as
      the portrayal of the drug and drinking behaviour induced physiological cue
      reactivity and craving. Additionally, cue reactivity and craving were positively
      correlated, and cue reactivity was larger for patients with shorter histories of
      alcohol dependence. Further, patients reported a substantial daily exposure to
      alcohol cues. The magnitude of cue reactivity and the craving response to alcohol
      cues at baseline and degree of exposure to alcohol cues in patients' natural
      environment did not predict relapse. It is concluded that the presence of alcohol
      cues such as portrayal of alcoholic beverages and drinking behaviour induces cue
      reactivity and craving in alcohol dependence through a conditioned appetitive
      response.

PMID- 26257164
TI  - Ultrasound-assisted extraction method for the simultaneous determination of
      emerging contaminants in freshwater sediments.
AB  - Sediments are the fate of several emerging organic contaminants, such as
      pharmaceuticals, personal care products and hormones, and therefore an important
      subject in environmental monitoring studies. In the present work, a simple and
      sensitive method was developed, validated and applied for the simultaneous
      extraction of atenolol, caffeine, carbamazepine, diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen,
      propranolol, triclosan, estrone, 17-beta-estradiol and 17-alpha-ethinylestradiol
      using ultrasound-assisted extraction from freshwater sediment samples followed by
      solid-phase extraction clean-up and liquid chromatography with tandem mass
      spectrometry detection. The solvent type and extraction pH were evaluated to
      obtain the highest recoveries of the compounds. The best method shows absolute
      recoveries between 54.0 and 94.4% at 50 ng/g concentration. The method exhibits
      good precision with relative standard deviation ranging from 1.0-16%. The
      detection and quantification limits ranged from 0.006-0.067 and 0.016-0.336 ng/g,
      respectively. The developed method was successfully applied to freshwater
      sediment samples collected from different sites in Jundiai River basin of Sao
      Paulo State, Brazil. The compounds atenolol, caffeine, propranolol and triclosan
      were detected in all the sampling sites with concentrations of 13.8, 41.0, 28.5
      and 176 ng/g, respectively. 

PMID- 26257165
TI  - Effects of TNF-alpha blocking on experimental periodontitis and type 2 diabetes
      in obese diabetic Zucker rats.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) is considered a key
      signalling modulator in the pathogenesis of both periodontitis (PD) and type 2
      diabetes mellitus (DM2). This study aims at elucidating the effect of TNF-alpha
      blocking on the interplay between PD and DM2. METHODS: Obese diabetic Zucker rats
      and their lean littermates were divided into five treatment groups with or
      without periodontitis. Anti-TNF-alpha treatment was provided with Etanercept
      injections. Diabetic state was evaluated by oral glucose tolerance test, the
      homeostatic model assessment, free fatty acids and blood glucose. Systemic
      inflammation was assessed by measurement of interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6 and TNF
      alpha in plasma. Kidney complications were evaluated by real-time rtPCR,
      creatinine clearance rate, urinary albumin excretion and increase in weight. PD
      was evaluated by registration of alveolar bone level. RESULTS: After 4 weeks the
      diabetic state was modified by Etanercept treatment with lower insulin levels and
      lower homeostatic model assessment. Furthermore, while kidney complications were
      reduced by Etanercept treatment, PD had no effect. PD was influenced by diabetic
      state, but the impact was attenuated by Etanercept treatment. CONCLUSION: In this
      study anti-TNF-alpha treatment improved glucose tolerance and compensated for the
      increased periodontal disease in obese diabetic Zucker. PD did not influence
      diabetic parameters assessed including complications of the rats kidneys.

PMID- 26257166
TI  - Tenofovir/entecavir monotherapy after hepatitis B immunoglobulin withdrawal is
      safe and effective in the prevention of hepatitis B in liver transplant
      recipients.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Combination of hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) and a
      nucleos(t)ide analog (NA) is considered the standard of care for prophylaxis of
      hepatitis B virus (HBV) recurrence after liver transplantation (LT). However, use
      of lifelong HBIG has significant limitations. We evaluated the efficacy and
      safety of entecavir (ETV) or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) after withdrawal
      of HBIG in patients who had been under HBIG-regimen prophylaxis post LT. METHODS:
      Patients at low risk of recurrence were eligible for HBIG discontinuation
      (fulminant HBV hepatitis, co-infection with hepatitis D virus, and hepatitis B e
      antigen-negative cirrhotic patients with HBV DNA levels <300 copies/mL). All
      patients had received HBIG, with or without NA, for at least 12 months after LT.
      After HBIG discontinuation, they continued with ETV or TDF monotherapy. Patients
      were followed up with HBV serum markers and evaluation of renal function.
      RESULTS: Between September 2011 and June 2014, 58 liver transplant recipients
      were converted to TDF (31, 53%) or ETV (27, 47%). Mean follow-up after conversion
      was 28 +/- 5 months (range 13-36 months). Five patients (8.6%) developed
      detectable hepatitis B surface antigen at 7, 9, 13, 15, and 22 months after HBIG
      discontinuation. However, in every case seroconversion was transitory, serum HBV
      DNA was undetectable, with no clinical manifestations of HBV recurrence. No
      adverse effects were observed or dose reductions required associated with ETV or
      TDF. CONCLUSIONS: Maintenance therapy with newer NAs, after discontinuation of
      HBIG prophylaxis, was safe and effective, with a low rate of serological
      recurrence and no evident clinical, biochemical, or virological consequences.

PMID- 26257167
TI  - An integrated analysis of phenotypic selection on insect body size and
      development time.
AB  - Most studies of phenotypic selection do not estimate selection or fitness
      surfaces for multiple components of fitness within a unified statistical
      framework. This makes it difficult or impossible to assess how selection operates
      on traits through variation in multiple components of fitness. We describe a new
      generation of aster models that can evaluate phenotypic selection by accounting
      for timing of life-history transitions and their effect on population growth
      rate, in addition to survival and reproductive output. We use this approach to
      estimate selection on body size and development time for a field population of
      the herbivorous insect, Manduca sexta (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae). Estimated
      fitness surfaces revealed strong and significant directional selection favoring
      both larger adult size (via effects on egg counts) and more rapid rates of early
      larval development (via effects on larval survival). Incorporating the timing of
      reproduction and its influence on population growth rate into the analysis
      resulted in larger values for size in early larval development at which fitness
      is maximized, and weaker selection on size in early larval development. These
      results illustrate how the interplay of different components of fitness can
      influence selection on size and development time. This integrated modeling
      framework can be readily applied to studies of phenotypic selection via multiple
      fitness components in other systems. 

PMID- 26257168
TI  - In-depth proteomics approach of secretome to identify novel biomarker for sepsis
      in LPS-stimulated endothelial cells.
AB  - Sepsis and septic shock, which are conditions triggered by infection, occur with
      high incidence in emergency departments and are among the most common causes of
      death in hospitalized patients worldwide. Therefore, the identification of sepsis
      biomarkers for the rapid diagnosis is a major goal for researchers in the field
      of critical care. Endothelial cells play a pivotal role in orchestrating the
      inflammatory response triggered by sepsis. In this study, we used proteomics to
      investigate the secretome of EA.hy926 endothelial cells following
      lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation with 1 MUg/mL LPS for 12 or 24 h. SILAC in
      cell cultures and an online 2D-LC-MS/MS system were used to analyze the secretome
      dynamics in response to LPS. We found that 22 of the 77 secreted proteins
      identified in both the presence and absence of LPS and that 19 of the secreted
      proteins were quantified more strongly after LPS treatment for 24 h than after
      treatment for 12 h. By Gene Ontology and KEGG pathway analyses, we found that
      proteins related to the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton showed the highest
      secretion response to LPS stimulation. Out of the 19 candidate proteins, we
      focused on moesin, which is involved in the function of endothelial cells, and
      confirmed its amount in cellular lysates and media taken from primary human
      umbilical vein endothelial cells treated with LPS. To our knowledge, this study
      provides the first in-depth analysis of the LPS-induced secretome in human
      endothelial cells, and we propose 19 new biomarker candidates for sepsis,
      including moesin. 

PMID- 26257169
TI  - Metabolic Damage and Premature Thymus Aging Caused by Stromal Catalase
      Deficiency.
AB  - T lymphocytes are essential mediators of immunity that are produced by the thymus
      in proportion to its size. The thymus atrophies rapidly with age, resulting in
      progressive diminution of new T cell production. This decreased output is
      compensated by duplication of existing T cells, but it results in gradual
      dominance by memory T cells and decreased ability to respond to new pathogens or
      vaccines. Here, we show that accelerated and irreversible thymic atrophy results
      from stromal deficiency in the reducing enzyme catalase, leading to increased
      damage by hydrogen peroxide generated by aerobic metabolism. Genetic
      complementation of catalase in stromal cells diminished atrophy, as did chemical
      antioxidants, thus providing a mechanistic link between antioxidants, metabolism,
      and normal immune function. We propose that irreversible thymic atrophy
      represents a conventional aging process that is accelerated by stromal catalase
      deficiency in the context of an intensely anabolic (lymphoid) environment.

PMID- 26257170
TI  - Neutrophils Regulate Humoral Autoimmunity by Restricting Interferon-gamma
      Production via the Generation of Reactive Oxygen Species.
AB  - Here, we examine the mechanism by which plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and
      type I interferons promote humoral autoimmunity. In an amyloid-induced
      experimental autoimmune model, neutrophil depletion enhanced anti-nuclear
      antibody development, which correlated with heightened IFN-gamma production by
      natural killer (NK) cells. IFN-alpha/beta produced by pDCs activated NK cells via
      IL-15 induction. Neutrophils released reactive oxygen species (ROS), which
      negatively modulated the levels of IL-15, thereby inhibiting IFN-gamma
      production. Mice deficient in NADPH oxidase 2 produced increased amounts of IFN
      gamma and developed augmented titers of autoantibodies. Both the pDC-IFN
      alpha/beta pathway and IFN-gamma were indispensable in stimulating humoral
      autoimmunity. Male NZB/W F1 mice expressed higher levels of superoxide than their
      female lupus-prone siblings, and depletion of neutrophils resulted in spontaneous
      NK cell and autoimmune B cell activation. Our findings suggest a regulatory role
      for neutrophils in vivo and highlight the importance of an NK-IFN-gamma axis
      downstream of the pDC-IFN-alpha/beta pathway in systemic autoimmunity.

PMID- 26257171
TI  - Macrophages Contribute to the Spermatogonial Niche in the Adult Testis.
AB  - The testis produces sperm throughout the male reproductive lifespan by balancing
      self-renewal and differentiation of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). Part of the
      SSC niche is thought to lie outside the seminiferous tubules of the testis;
      however, specific interstitial components of the niche that regulate
      spermatogonial divisions and differentiation remain undefined. We identified
      distinct populations of testicular macrophages, one of which lies on the surface
      of seminiferous tubules, in close apposition to areas of tubules enriched for
      undifferentiated spermatogonia. These macrophages express spermatogonial
      proliferation- and differentiation-inducing factors, such as colony-stimulating
      factor 1 (CSF1) and enzymes involved in retinoic acid (RA) biosynthesis. We show
      that transient depletion of macrophages leads to a disruption in spermatogonial
      differentiation. These findings reveal an unexpected role for macrophages in the
      spermatogonial niche in the testis and raise the possibility that macrophages
      play previously unappreciated roles in stem/progenitor cell regulation in other
      tissues. 

PMID- 26257174
TI  - Oocyte Factors Suppress Mitochondrial Polynucleotide Phosphorylase to Remodel the
      Metabolome and Enhance Reprogramming.
AB  - Oocyte factors not only drive somatic cell nuclear transfer reprogramming but
      also augment the efficiency and quality of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)
      reprogramming. Here, we show that the oocyte-enriched factors Tcl1 and Tcl1b1
      significantly enhance reprogramming efficiency. Clonal analysis of pluripotency
      biomarkers further show that the Tcl1 oocyte factors improve the quality of
      reprogramming. Mechanistically, we find that the enhancement effect of Tcl1b1
      depends on Akt, one of its putative targets. In contrast, Tcl1 suppresses the
      mitochondrial polynucleotide phosphorylase (PnPase) to promote reprogramming.
      Knockdown of PnPase rescues the inhibitory effect from Tcl1 knockdown during
      reprogramming, whereas PnPase overexpression abrogates the enhancement from Tcl1
      overexpression. We further demonstrate that Tcl1 suppresses PnPase's
      mitochondrial localization to inhibit mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidation
      phosphorylation, thus remodeling the metabolome. Hence, we identified the Tcl1
      PnPase pathway as a critical mitochondrial switch during reprogramming. 

PMID- 26257173
TI  - MBNL Sequestration by Toxic RNAs and RNA Misprocessing in the Myotonic Dystrophy
      Brain.
AB  - For some neurological disorders, disease is primarily RNA mediated due to
      expression of non-coding microsatellite expansion RNAs (RNA(exp)). Toxicity is
      thought to result from enhanced binding of proteins to these expansions and
      depletion from their normal cellular targets. However, experimental evidence for
      this sequestration model is lacking. Here, we use HITS-CLIP and pre-mRNA
      processing analysis of human control versus myotonic dystrophy (DM) brains to
      provide compelling evidence for this RNA toxicity model. MBNL2 binds directly to
      DM repeat expansions in the brain, resulting in depletion from its normal RNA
      targets with downstream effects on alternative splicing and polyadenylation.
      Similar RNA processing defects were detected in Mbnl compound-knockout mice,
      highlighted by dysregulation of Mapt splicing and fetal tau isoform expression in
      adults. These results demonstrate that MBNL proteins are directly sequestered by
      RNA(exp) in the DM brain and introduce a powerful experimental tool to evaluate
      RNA-mediated toxicity in other expansion diseases.

PMID- 26257172
TI  - Exome Sequence Analysis Suggests that Genetic Burden Contributes to Phenotypic
      Variability and Complex Neuropathy.
AB  - Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous
      distal symmetric polyneuropathy. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) of 40 individuals
      from 37 unrelated families with CMT-like peripheral neuropathy refractory to
      molecular diagnosis identified apparent causal mutations in ~ 45% (17/37) of
      families. Three candidate disease genes are proposed, supported by a combination
      of genetic and in vivo studies. Aggregate analysis of mutation data revealed a
      significantly increased number of rare variants across 58 neuropathy-associated
      genes in subjects versus controls, confirmed in a second ethnically discrete
      neuropathy cohort, suggesting that mutation burden potentially contributes to
      phenotypic variability. Neuropathy genes shown to have highly penetrant
      Mendelizing variants (HPMVs) and implicated by burden in families were shown to
      interact genetically in a zebrafish assay exacerbating the phenotype established
      by the suppression of single genes. Our findings suggest that the combinatorial
      effect of rare variants contributes to disease burden and variable expressivity.

PMID- 26257175
TI  - Serotonin Mediates Maternal Effects and Directs Developmental and Behavioral
      Changes in the Progeny of Snails.
AB  - Many organisms survive in constantly changing environments, including cycling
      seasons. Developing embryos show remarkable instant adaptations to the variable
      environmental challenges they encounter during their adult life, despite having
      no direct contact with the changing environment until after birth or hatching.
      The mechanisms by which such non-genetic information is transferred to the
      developing embryos are largely unknown. Here, we address this question by using a
      freshwater pond snail (Lymnaea stagnalis) as a model system. This snail normally
      lives in a seasonal climate, and the seasons define its locomotion, feeding, and
      reproductive behavior. We discovered that the serotonergic system plays a crucial
      role in transmitting a non-genetic instructive signal from mother to progeny.
      This maternal serotonin-based signal functions in embryos during a short time
      window at exclusively early pre-neural developmental stages and modulates the
      dynamics of embryonic and juvenile growth, feeding behavior, and locomotion.

PMID- 26257176
TI  - Complete Loss of Netrin-1 Results in Embryonic Lethality and Severe Axon Guidance
      Defects without Increased Neural Cell Death.
AB  - Netrin-1 regulates cell migration and adhesion during the development of the
      nervous system, vasculature, lung, pancreas, muscle, and mammary gland. It is
      also proposed to function as a dependence ligand that inhibits apoptosis;
      however, studies disagree regarding whether netrin-1 loss-of-function mice
      exhibit increased cell death. Furthermore, previously studied netrin-1 loss-of
      function gene-trap mice express a netrin-1-beta-galactosidase protein chimera
      with potential for toxic gain-of-function effects, as well as a small amount of
      wild-type netrin-1 protein. To unambiguously assess loss of function, we
      generated netrin-1 floxed and netrin-1 null mouse lines. Netrin-1(-/-) mice die
      earlier and exhibit more severe axon guidance defects than netrin-1 gene-trap
      mice, revealing that complete loss of function is more severe than previously
      reported. Netrin-1(-/-) embryos also exhibit increased expression of the netrin
      receptors DCC and neogenin that are proposed dependence receptors; however,
      increased apoptosis was not detected, inconsistent with netrin-1 being an
      essential dependence receptor ligand in the embryonic spinal cord. 

PMID- 26257177
TI  - Heterotypic Signals from Neural HSF-1 Separate Thermotolerance from Longevity.
AB  - Integrating stress responses across tissues is essential for the survival of
      multicellular organisms. The metazoan nervous system can sense protein-misfolding
      stress arising in different subcellular compartments and initiate cytoprotective
      transcriptional responses in the periphery. Several subcellular compartments
      possess a homotypic signal whereby the respective compartment relies on a single
      signaling mechanism to convey information within the affected cell to the same
      stress-responsive pathway in peripheral tissues. In contrast, we find that the
      heat shock transcription factor, HSF-1, specifies its mode of transcellular
      protection via two distinct signaling pathways. Upon thermal stress, neural HSF-1
      primes peripheral tissues through the thermosensory neural circuit to mount a
      heat shock response. Independent of this thermosensory circuit, neural HSF-1
      activates the FOXO transcription factor, DAF-16, in the periphery and prolongs
      lifespan. Thus a single transcription factor can coordinate different stress
      response pathways to specify its mode of protection against changing
      environmental conditions. 

PMID- 26257178
TI  - Overlapping Requirements for Tet2 and Tet3 in Normal Development and
      Hematopoietic Stem Cell Emergence.
AB  - The Tet family of methylcytosine dioxygenases (Tet1, Tet2, and Tet3) convert 5
      methylcytosine to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine. To date, functional overlap among Tet
      family members has not been examined systematically in the context of embryonic
      development. To clarify the potential for overlap among Tet enzymes during
      development, we mutated the zebrafish orthologs of Tet1, Tet2, and Tet3 and
      examined single-, double-, and triple-mutant genotypes. Here, we identify Tet2
      and Tet3 as the major 5-methylcytosine dioxygenases in the zebrafish embryo and
      uncover a combined requirement for Tet2 and Tet3 in hematopoietic stem cell (HSC)
      emergence. We demonstrate that Notch signaling in the hemogenic endothelium is
      regulated by Tet2/3 prior to HSC emergence and show that restoring expression of
      the downstream gata2b/scl/runx1 transcriptional network can rescue HSCs in tet2/3
      double mutant larvae. Our results reveal essential, overlapping functions for tet
      genes during embryonic development and uncover a requirement for 5hmC in
      regulating HSC production.

PMID- 26257179
TI  - Nuclear Fractionation Reveals Thousands of Chromatin-Tethered Noncoding RNAs
      Adjacent to Active Genes.
AB  - A number of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been reported to regulate
      transcription via recruitment of chromatin modifiers or bridging distal enhancer
      elements to gene promoters. However, the generality of these modes of regulation
      and the mechanisms of chromatin attachment for thousands of unstudied human
      lncRNAs remain unclear. To address these questions, we performed stringent
      nuclear fractionation coupled to RNA sequencing. We provide genome-wide
      identification of human chromatin-associated lncRNAs and demonstrate tethering of
      RNA to chromatin by RNAPII is a pervasive mechanism of attachment. We also
      uncovered thousands of chromatin-enriched RNAs (cheRNAs) that share molecular
      properties with known lncRNAs. Although distinct from eRNAs derived from active
      prototypical enhancers, the production of cheRNAs is strongly correlated with the
      expression of neighboring protein-coding genes. This work provides an updated
      framework for nuclear RNA organization that includes a large chromatin-associated
      transcript population correlated with active genes and may prove useful in de
      novo enhancer annotation. 

PMID- 26257180
TI  - Role of DNA Methylation in Modulating Transcription Factor Occupancy.
AB  - Although DNA methylation is commonly invoked as a mechanism for transcriptional
      repression, the extent to which it actively silences transcription factor (TF)
      occupancy sites in vivo is unknown. To study the role of DNA methylation in the
      active modulation of TF binding, we quantified the effect of DNA methylation
      depletion on the genomic occupancy patterns of CTCF, an abundant TF with known
      methylation sensitivity that is capable of autonomous binding to its target sites
      in chromatin. Here, we show that the vast majority (>98.5%) of the tens of
      thousands of unoccupied, methylated CTCF recognition sequences remain unbound
      upon abrogation of DNA methylation. The small fraction of sites that show
      methylation-dependent binding in vivo are in turn characterized by highly
      variable CTCF occupancy across cell types. Our results suggest that DNA
      methylation is not a primary groundskeeper of genomic TF landscapes, but rather a
      specialized mechanism for stabilizing intrinsically labile sites.

PMID- 26257181
TI  - Aubergine iCLIP Reveals piRNA-Dependent Decay of mRNAs Involved in Germ Cell
      Development in the Early Embryo.
AB  - The Piwi-interacting RNA (piRNA) pathway plays an essential role in the
      repression of transposons in the germline. Other functions of piRNAs such as post
      transcriptional regulation of mRNAs are now emerging. Here, we perform iCLIP with
      the PIWI protein Aubergine (Aub) and identify hundreds of maternal mRNAs
      interacting with Aub in the early Drosophila embryo. Gene expression profiling
      reveals that a proportion of these mRNAs undergo Aub-dependent destabilization
      during the maternal-to-zygotic transition. Strikingly, Aub-dependent unstable
      mRNAs encode germ cell determinants. iCLIP with an Aub mutant that is unable to
      bind piRNAs confirms piRNA-dependent binding of Aub to mRNAs. Base pairing
      between piRNAs and mRNAs can induce mRNA cleavage and decay that are essential
      for embryonic development. These results suggest general regulation of maternal
      mRNAs by Aub and piRNAs, which plays a key developmental role in the embryo
      through decay and localization of mRNAs encoding germ cell determinants. 

PMID- 26257182
TI  - Graphene oxide quantum dots@silver core-shell nanocrystals as turn-on fluorescent
      nanoprobe for ultrasensitive detection of prostate specific antigen.
AB  - We report a fluorescent turn-on nanoprobe for ultrasensitive detection of
      prostate specific antigen (PSA) based on graphene oxide quantum dots@silver
      (GQDs@Ag) core-shell nanocrystals. The success of this work relies on the
      assembly of quantities of GQDs in one GQDs@Ag probe, which makes the ratio of
      probe to target significantly increased and thus enables the fluorescent signal
      enhancement. When the silver shell was removed via oxidative etching using
      hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), the incorporated GQDs could be readily released and the
      whole process caused little change to their fluorescence performance. We tested
      the probe for the ultrasensitive detection of PSA based on the sandwich protocol
      of immunosensors. In particular, magnetic beads (MBs) were employed to immobilize
      anti-PSA antibody (Ab1) and acted as a separable capture probe, while GQDs@Ag was
      used as detection probe by linking antibody (Ab2). The developed immunosensor
      showed a good linear relationship between the fluorescence intensity and the
      concentration of PSA in the range from 1 pg/mL to 20 ng/mL with a detection limit
      of 0.3 pg/mL. The immunosensor used for the analysis of clinical serum samples
      exhibited satisfactory results, which demonstrated its potential for practical
      diagnostic applications. This method provides a possible solution to the
      application of GQDs in immunosensing and could be potentially extended to other
      similar systems.

PMID- 26257183
TI  - Ultrasensitive electrochemical immunosensor for PSA biomarker detection in
      prostate cancer cells using gold nanoparticles/PAMAM dendrimer loaded with enzyme
      linked aptamer as integrated triple signal amplification strategy.
AB  - In the present study, a triple signal amplification strategy was developed for
      ultrasensitive immunosensing of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tumor marker. The
      proposed system was achieved by modification of glassy carbon electrode with
      graphene oxide/chitosan film and covalently attached of monoclonal PSA antibody
      and thionine as redox probe onto the modified electrode surface. Then,
      immunosensing was completed using sandwich-type immunoreaction of the PSA-antigen
      between anti-PSA immobilized on the graphene/chitosan interface and PSA-aptamer.
      For improve the sensitivity, polyamidoamine dendrimer-encapsulated gold
      nanoparticles (AuNPs-PAMAM) was used for covalent attachment of PSA-aptamer and
      HRP linked aptamer (Au-PAMA/aptamer-HRP) as electrochemical label in the sandwich
      format and electrocatalytic reduction of H2O2 in the presence of enzymatically
      oxidized thionine was measured. Under optimized condition, the obtained detection
      limit and linear concentration range were 10 fg ml(-1)(S/N=3) and 0.1 pg ml(-1)
      to 90 ngml(-1) respectively, using differential pulse voltammetry as measuring
      technique. In addition, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was used as
      simple, rapid, low cost label free analytical technique for PSA measurement with
      detection limit of 5 pg ml(-1) at concentration range up to 35 ng ml(-1).
      Finally, the immunosensor is used to PSA detection in human serum and prostate
      tissue samples and the obtained result is well agreed with the values obtained by
      the standard ELISA method. The obtained results indicate the proposed
      immunosensor can be used for monitor the differences in PSA concentration in
      cancer tissue samples which holds great promise in clinical screening of cancer
      biomarkers.

PMID- 26257184
TI  - A self-enhanced electrochemiluminescence immunosensor based on L-Lys
      Ru(dcbpy)3(2+) functionalized porous six arrises column nanorods for detection of
      CA15-3.
AB  - In this work, a new manganese ions doped zinc oxide porous six arrises column
      nanorods was rapidly synthesized with L-Lys as the precipitating and capping
      agent (L-Lys/Mn-ZnONRs). The as-synthesized L-Lys/Mn-ZnONRs exhibited large
      specific surface area and high ferromagnetism, which could serve as excellent
      nanocarrier. Meanwhile, due to the outstanding conductivity and biocompatibility,
      platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) were decorated on the surface of L-Lys/Mn-ZnONRs
      by Pt-N bond to form PtNPs/L-Lys/Mn-ZnONRs complexes. After that, the obtained
      complexes were used to immobilize abundant tris (4,4'-dicarboxylicacid-2,2'
      bipyridyl) ruthenium(II) dichloride (Ru(dcbpy)3(2+)) and detection antibody for
      construction of sandwiched electrochemiluminescence (ECL) immunosensor.
      Coincidentally, L-Lys not only acted as the precipitating and capping agent to
      control shape and size of L-Lys/Mn-ZnONRs, but also acted as a co-reactant of
      Ru(dcbpy)3(2+) to efficiently amplify the ECL signal. Importantly, L-Lys had free
      amino group which could link with Ru(dcbpy)3(2+)via amide bond to form a self
      enhanced ECL complex. Through this way, the electron transfer path between
      luminophore and co-reactant reagent was shortened and the energy loss of
      luminophore was lessened. Consequently, the prepared ECL immunosensor showed
      excellent performance for the detection of carbohydrate antigen 15-3 in the range
      from 0.05 U/mL to 120 U/mL with a detection limit of 0.014 U/mL (S/N=3) and a
      correlation coefficient of R=0.9977. Moreover, the prepared ECL immunosensor had
      good stability, excellent selectivity and satisfactory reproducibility.

PMID- 26257185
TI  - [G3T]5/Tb(3+) based DNA biosensor with target DNA-triggered autocatalytic multi
      cycle-amplification and magnetic nanoparticles assisted-background-lowered.
AB  - Due to terbium's unique photophysical properties, nucleic-acid-sensitized terbium
      (DNA/Tb(3+)) bioluminescent system becomes a potential candidate for the
      fabrication of DNA biosensors. However, the low sensitivity of DNA/Tb(3+)
      bioluminescent system limits its development. In this paper, a strategy combining
      autocatalytic multi-cycle-amplification (including exonuclease III (exo III)
      aided and Zn(2+)-requiring DNAzyme-assisted target recycling amplifications) and
      magnetic nanoparticles assisted-background-lowering to improve the sensitivity of
      DNA/Tb(3+) bioluminescent system is presented for sensitive detection of target
      DNA (tDNA). The DNA/Tb(3+) bioluminescent system was investigated by ultraviolet
      visible (UV-vis) absorption and luminescence spectra. The possible conjugation
      mechanism and mode of DNA with Tb(3+) were discussed. The autocatalytic multi
      cycle-amplification effect was investigated by the comparison of the
      luminescence. The carboxylation-functionalized Fe3O4-magnetic nanoparticles
      (MNPs) were characterized and its role in background lowering was proved. As a
      result, with the designed protocol, the detection limit for the tDNA detection
      reached a low level to aM, which is especially exciting for the DNA/Tb(3+)
      bioluminescent system. In the process, due to the separation effect of MNPs, the
      assay solution was purified to avoid the nonspecific luminescence of DNA/Tb(3+),
      not only lowering the background signal greatly (about five times lower than that
      without the use of MNPs but also improving the reproducibility and stability. We
      hope that our attempt in this field will not only extend the application of
      DNA/Tb(3+) luminescent system in biosensing areas but also open the road to
      adaptation of the protocols to other related analytes. 

PMID- 26257186
TI  - Electrochemical DNA sensor for anthrax toxin activator gene atxA-detection of PCR
      amplicons.
AB  - We report the DNA probe functionalized electrochemical genosensor for the
      detection of Bacillus anthracis, specific towards the regulatory gene atxA. The
      DNA sensor is fabricated on electrochemically deposited gold nanoparticle on self
      assembled layer of (3-Mercaptopropyl) trimethoxysilane (MPTS) on GC electrode.
      DNA hybridization is monitored by differential pulse voltammogram (DPV). The
      modified GC electrode is characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM), cyclic
      voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) method. We
      also quantified the DNA probe density on electrode surface by the
      chronocoulometric method. The detection is specific and selective for atxA gene
      by DNA probe on the electrode surface. No report is available for the detection
      of B. anthracis by using atxA an anthrax toxin activator gene. In the light of
      real and complex sample, we have studied the PCR amplicons of 303, 361 and 568
      base pairs by using symmetric and asymmetric PCR approaches. The DNA probe of
      atxA gene efficiently hybridizes with different base pairs of PCR amplicons. The
      detection limit is found to be 1.0 pM (S/N ratio=3). The results indicate that
      the DNA sensor is able to detect synthetic target as well as PCR amplicons of
      different base pairs.

PMID- 26257187
TI  - Stretchable biofuel cell with enzyme-modified conductive textiles.
AB  - A sheet-type, stretchable biofuel cell was developed by laminating three
      components: a bioanode textile for fructose oxidation, a hydrogel sheet
      containing fructose as fuel, and a gas-diffusion biocathode textile for oxygen
      reduction. The anode and cathode textiles were prepared by modifying carbon
      nanotube (CNT)-decorated stretchable textiles with fructose dehydrogenase (FDH)
      and bilirubin oxidase (BOD), respectively. Enzymatic reaction currents of anode
      and cathode textiles were stable for 30 cycles of 50% stretching, with initial
      loss of 20-30% in the first few cycles due to the partial breaking of the CNT
      network at the junction of textile fibers. The assembled laminate biofuel cell
      showed power of ~0.2 mW/cm(2) with 1.2 kOmega load, which was stable even at
      stretched, twisted, and wrapped forms.

PMID- 26257188
TI  - Ultrasensitive electrochemical biosensor based on reduced graphene oxide
      tetraethylene pentamine-BMIMPF6 hybrids for the detection of alpha2,6-sialylated
      glycans in human serum.
AB  - In this paper, a simple, ultrasensitive and label-free electrochemical alpha2,6
      sialylated glycans biosensor based on reduced graphene oxide-tetraethylene
      pentamine-1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMIMPF6) hybrids was
      developed. Due to the abundance of amino groups from reduced graphene oxide
      tetraethylene pentamine (rGO-TEPA) and the electrostatic interaction of BMIMPF6,
      bimetallic gold platinum alloy nanoparticles (AuPtNPs) were densely adsorbed onto
      the surface of the nanocomposite, providing a large surface area available for
      the immobilization of Sambucus nigra agglutinin (SNA). AuPtNPs have excellent
      conductivity and catalytic activity, which can promote electron transfer between
      the electrolyte solution and the surface of electrode and can enhance the
      sensitivity of biosensor. SNA, which specifically binds alpha2,6-sialylated
      glycans, was covalently immobilized on AuPtNPs for specific detection of alpha2,6
      sialylated glycans in human serum. Under optimal experimental conditions,
      amperometric response changes were used to detect alpha2,6-sialylated glycans
      with a broad linear range of 10 fg mL(-1) -1 MUg mL(-1) and a low detection limit
      of 3 fg mL(-1) (S/N=3). When applied to spiked serum samples, the recovery of the
      developed biosensor ranged from 100.8% to 101.4%, suggesting that the
      electrochemical biosensor would be suitable for the practical detection of
      alpha2,6-sialylated glycans.

PMID- 26257189
TI  - Getting the genome in shape: the formation of loops, domains and compartments.
AB  - The hierarchical levels of genome architecture exert transcriptional control by
      tuning the accessibility and proximity of genes and regulatory elements. Here, we
      review current insights into the trans-acting factors that enable the genome to
      flexibly adopt different functionally relevant conformations. 

PMID- 26257190
TI  - TPX2 regulates neuronal morphology through kinesin-5 interaction.
AB  - TPX2 (targeting protein for Xklp2) is a multifunctional mitotic spindle assembly
      factor that in mammalian cells localizes and regulates mitotic motor protein
      kinesin-5 (also called Eg5 or kif11). We previously showed that upon depletion or
      inhibition of kinesin-5 in cultured neurons, microtubule movements increase,
      resulting in faster growing axons and thinner dendrites. Here, we show that
      depletion of TPX2 from cultured neurons speeds their rate of process outgrowth,
      similarly to kinesin-5 inhibition. The phenotype is rescued by TPX2 re
      expression, but not if TPX2's kinesin-5-interacting domain is deleted. These
      results, together with studies showing a spike in TPX2 expression during
      dendritic differentiation, suggest that the levels and distribution of TPX2 are
      likely to be determinants of when and where kinesin-5 acts in neurons.

PMID- 26257192
TI  - Mellow Parenting: systematic review and meta-analysis of an intervention to
      promote sensitive parenting.
AB  - AIM: To review and meta-analyse Mellow Parenting interventions for parent-child
      dyads at high risk of adverse developmental outcomes. METHOD: Using Preferred
      Reporting Items of Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we
      extracted all published evaluations of Mellow Parenting and Mellow Babies
      programmes. We identified published studies with randomized controlled trials,
      quasi-experimental or within-subject pre-post designs. We incorporated 'grey
      literature' for unpublished publicly available evaluations. Effect sizes were
      calculated for impact of Mellow Parenting on parental mental health and child
      behaviour. Data were extracted on demographics, age of participants, country, and
      potential sources of bias. RESULTS: We identified eight papers, representing nine
      data sets, from five of which we calculated effect sizes. There was evidence of a
      medium treatment effect of Mellow Parenting compared with comparison groups on
      maternal well-being and child problems. Drop-out from treatment was variable.
      However, data were heterogeneous and there was evidence of methodological bias.
      INTERPRETATION: Our data give some support to claims for effectiveness of Mellow
      Parenting as a group intervention for families with multiple indices of
      developmental adversity. Given the methodological weaknesses of literature in the
      area, novel approaches are needed in future trials of low-budget complex
      interventions in non-commercial settings.

PMID- 26257193
TI  - Experimental studies of adaptation in Clarkia xantiana. III. Phenotypic selection
      across a subspecies border.
AB  - Sister taxa with distinct phenotypes often occupy contrasting environments in
      parapatric ranges, yet we generally do not know whether trait divergence reflects
      spatially varying selection. We conducted a reciprocal transplant experiment to
      test whether selection favors "native phenotypes" in two subspecies of Clarkia
      xantiana (Onagraceae), an annual plant in California. For four quantitative
      traits that differ between subspecies, we estimated phenotypic selection in
      subspecies' exclusive ranges and their contact zone in two consecutive years. We
      predicted that in the arid, pollinator-scarce eastern region, selection favors
      phenotypes of the native subspecies parviflora: small leaves, slow leaf growth,
      early flowering, and diminutive flowers. In the wetter, pollinator-rich, western
      range of subspecies xantiana, we expected selection for opposite phenotypes. We
      investigated pollinator contributions to selection by comparing naturally
      pollinated and pollen-supplemented individuals. For reproductive traits and for
      subspecies xantiana, selection generally matched expectations. The contact zone
      sometimes showed distinctive selection, and in ssp. parviflora selection
      sometimes favored nonnative phenotypes. Pollinators influenced selection on
      flowering time but not on flower size. Little temporal variation in selection
      occurred, possibly because of plastic trait responses across years. Though there
      were exceptions and some causes of selection remain obscure, phenotypic
      differentiation between subspecies appears to reflect spatially variable
      selection. 

PMID- 26257191
TI  - Vascular remodeling underlies rebleeding in hemophilic arthropathy.
AB  - Hemophilic arthropathy is a debilitating condition that can develop as a
      consequence of frequent joint bleeding despite adequate clotting factor
      replacement. The mechanisms leading to repeated spontaneous bleeding are unknown.
      We investigated synovial, vascular, stromal, and cartilage changes in response to
      a single induced hemarthrosis in the FVIII-deficient mouse. We found soft-tissue
      hyperproliferation with marked induction of neoangiogenesis and evolving abnormal
      vascular architecture. While soft-tissue changes were rapidly reversible,
      abnormal vascularity persisted for months and, surprisingly, was also seen in
      uninjured joints. Vascular changes in FVIII-deficient mice involved pronounced
      remodeling with expression of alpha-Smooth Muscle Actin (SMA), Endoglin (CD105),
      and vascular endothelial growth factor, as well as alterations of joint perfusion
      as determined by in vivo imaging. Vascular architecture changes and pronounced
      expression of alpha-SMA appeared unique to hemophilia, as these were not found in
      joint tissue obtained from mouse models of rheumatoid arthritis and
      osteoarthritis and from patients with the same conditions. Evidence that vascular
      changes in hemophilia were significantly associated with bleeding and joint
      deterioration was obtained prospectively by dynamic in vivo imaging with
      musculoskeletal ultrasound and power Doppler of 156 joints (elbows, knees, and
      ankles) in a cohort of 26 patients with hemophilia at baseline and during painful
      episodes. These observations support the hypothesis that vascular remodeling
      contributes significantly to bleed propagation and development of hemophilic
      arthropathy. Based on these findings, the development of molecular targets for
      angiogenesis inhibition may be considered in this disease.

PMID- 26257194
TI  - Late-onset recurrent mania as a manifestation of Wallenberg syndrome: a case
      report and review of the literature.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present case report was to describe the late onset of
      recurrent mania in a patient after ischemic injury to the cerebellum and
      dorsolateral medulla. METHODS: We studied an 86-year-old male with no prior
      psychiatric history who developed recurrent episodes of mania following a brain
      stroke. Additionally, he had neurological symptom constellation typical of
      Wallenberg syndrome. RESULTS: Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed
      infarction in the inferomedial right cerebellar hemisphere and the right
      dorsolateral medulla in the right posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA)
      distribution. He was successfully managed with a combination of antipsychotic and
      mood-stabilizer medications. CONCLUSIONS: Post-stroke mania may be one of the
      rare manifestations of Wallenberg syndrome. This case adds to the emerging
      literature on cerebellar involvement in mood regulation and pathology of mania.

PMID- 26257195
TI  - Development of a functional assay to detect inhibitors of Plasmodium falciparum
      glutathione reductase utilizing liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.
AB  - Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) like most other organisms, has a sophisticated
      antioxidant system, part of which includes glutathione reductase (GR). GR works
      by recycling toxic glutathione disulfide to glutathione, thereby reducing
      reactive oxygen species and making a form of glutathione (GSH) the parasite can
      use. Inhibition of this enzyme in Pf impedes parasite growth. In addition, it has
      been confirmed that PfGR is not identical to human GR. Thus, PfGR is an excellent
      target for antimalarial drug development. A functional assay utilizing liquid
      chromatography-mass spectrometry was developed to specifically identify and
      evaluate inhibitors of PfGR. Using recombinant PfGR enzyme and 1,4-naphthoquinone
      (1) as a reference compound and 4-nitrobenzothiadiazole (2) and methylene blue
      (3) as additional compounds, we quantified the concentration of GSH produced
      compared with a control to determine the inhibitory effect of these compounds.
      Our results coincide with that presented in literature: compounds 1-3 inhibit
      PfGR with IC50 values of 2.71, 8.38, and 19.23 um, respectively. Good precision
      for this assay was exhibited by low values of intraday and interday coefficient
      of variation (3.1 and 2.4%, respectively). Thus, this assay can be used to screen
      for other potential inhibitors of PfGR quickly and accurately.

PMID- 26257196
TI  - Glubran2(r), Histoacryl(r) or Trufill(r): Which cyanoacrylate glue for
      endovascular use?

PMID- 26257197
TI  - Separation and on-line preconcentration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
      by microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography.
AB  - The MEEKC separation and on-line preconcentration of nonsteroidal anti
      inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were investigated. In this work, two microemulsion
      (ME) systems were employed. Complete separation could be achieved at a pH of 5.5
      with octane as the oil phase (ME I). The LODs for the determination of
      flurbiprofen, fenoprofen, naproxen, ketoprofen, suprofen, and indoprofen were
      0.45, 0.32, 0.10, 0.48, 0.77, and 0.29 mg/L, respectively. To enhance the
      sensitivity, anion selective exhaustive injection-sweeping (ASEI-sweeping) and
      stacking with reverse migrating pseudostationary phase (SRMP) were compared. For
      having a simple process without polarity switching and shorter analysis time, a
      suppressed EOF and di-n-butyl-L-tartrate as the oil phase (ME II) were used for
      the simultaneous determination of NSAIDs. The sensitivity for ASEI-sweeping was
      enhanced approximately 280-fold. However, there was much background noise, and
      some of the analytes were co-eluted. When SRMP was used, all of the analytes
      could be detected simultaneously, and baseline separation could be achieved. The
      sensitivities of all of the analytes, except for indoprofen, were enhanced
      approximately 170-fold compared with the normal MEEKC, and the LODs were 2-45
      MUg/L. Herein, we propose a simple method for the direct determination of NSAIDs
      at therapeutic and toxic levels in urine throughout a wide concentration range.

PMID- 26257199
TI  - cAMP controls the balance of the propulsive forces generated by the two flagella
      of Chlamydomonas.
AB  - The motility of cilia and flagella of eukaryotic cells is controlled by second
      messengers such as Ca(2+), cAMP, and cGMP. In this study, the cAMP-dependent
      control of flagellar bending of Chlamydomonas is investigated by applying cAMP
      through photolysis of 4,5-dimethoxy-2-nitrobenzyl adenosine 3',5'
      cyclicmonophosphate (caged cAMP). When cAMP is applied to demembranated and
      reactivated cells, cells begin to swim with a larger helical path. This change is
      due to a larger turn about the axis normal to the anterior-posterior axis,
      indicating an increased imbalance in the propulsive forces generated by the cis
      flagellum (flagellum nearer to the eyespot) and trans-flagellum (flagellum
      farther from the eyespot). Consistently, when cAMP is applied to isolated
      axonemes, some axonemes show attenuated motility whereas others do not. Axonemes
      from uni1 mutants, which have only trans-flagella, do not respond to cAMP. These
      observations indicate that cAMP controls the balance of the forces generated by
      cis- and trans-flagella in Chlamydomonas.

PMID- 26257198
TI  - Pathophysiology of cutaneous lupus erythematosus.
AB  - The pathophysiology of cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) encompasses the
      complex interactions between genetics, the environment, and cells and their
      products. Recent data have provided enhanced understanding of these interactions
      and the mechanism by which they cause disease. A number of candidate genes have
      been identified which increase the risk of developing CLE. Ultraviolet radiation,
      the predominant environmental exposure associated with CLE, appears to initiate
      CLE lesion formation by inducing apoptosis, precipitating autoantigen
      presentation, and promoting cellular production of specific cytokines.
      Autoantibodies are a well-known entity in CLE, but their exact role remains
      unclear. Finally, cells ranging from native skin cells to innate and adaptive
      immune cells produce cytokines and other molecules and play specific roles in
      lesion formation and perpetuation. Native skin cells implicated in CLE include
      keratinocytes and endothelial cells. Innate immune cells crucial to CLE
      pathophysiology include dendritic cells and neutrophils. The primary adaptive
      immune cells thought to be involved include Th1 cells, Th17 cells, cytotoxic T
      cells, and invariant natural killer T cells. Though the pathophysiology of CLE
      has yet to be fully characterized, current research provides direction for future
      research and therapies. 

PMID- 26257200
TI  - The quest for patterns in dyskinetic cerebral palsy.

PMID- 26257201
TI  - Critical Reviews: How we treat sickle cell patients with leg ulcers.
AB  - The past five decades have seen an improvement in the mortality and morbidity of
      sickle cell disease (SCD) because of prophylaxis against infectious
      complications, improved and expanded red cell transfusions, implementation of
      hydroxyurea therapy, and advances in supportive care. Now that the majority of
      patients in the western hemisphere reaches adulthood, end organ diseases are
      frequent, which include vasculopathic complications such as chronic leg ulcers.
      The management of patients with leg ulcers requires the hematologist to lead a
      team of health care professionals, and investigates the presence of associated,
      but potentially still occult signs of vasculopathy, such as pulmonary
      hypertension, renal disease, priapism and retinopathy. These complications may be
      asynchronous, and long term careful screening is indicated, in order to ensure
      early diagnosis and intervention. It is crucial to address both the immediate
      consequences of pain, infection and disability, and long term effects on quality
      of life, employment and stigma associated with chronic ulceration. Recent
      insights into their pathophysiology may have practical implications. We propose a
      holistic approach to the management of patients' physical and emotional problems
      and mechanisms of ulcers formation and delayed healing. An overview of topical
      and systemic therapies for chronic ulcers is given, with the understanding that
      wound care therapy is best left to the wound specialists, medical and surgical,
      with whom the hematologist must keep an open line of communication. In the
      absence of evidence-based guidelines, our opinion is based on both a critical
      review of the literature and our personal clinical and research experience.

PMID- 26257202
TI  - Morphological innovation, ecological opportunity, and the radiation of a major
      vascular epiphyte lineage.
AB  - The emergence of angiosperm-dominated tropical forests in the Cretaceous led to
      major shifts in the composition of biodiversity on Earth. Among these was the
      rise to prominence of epiphytic plant lineages, which today comprise an estimated
      one-quarter of tropical vascular plant diversity. Among the most successful
      epiphytic groups is the Polypodiaceae, which comprises an estimated 1500 species
      and displays a remarkable breadth of morphological and ecological diversity.
      Using a time-calibrated phylogeny for 417 species, we characterized
      macroevolutionary patterns in the family, identified shifts in diversification
      rate, and identified traits that are potential drivers of diversification. We
      find high diversification rates throughout the family, evidence for a radiation
      in a large clade of Paleotropical species, and support for increased rates of
      diversification associated with traits including chlorophyllous spores and
      noncordiform gametophytes. Contrary to previous hypotheses, our results indicate
      epiphytic species and groups with humus-collecting leaves diversify at lower
      rates than the family as a whole. We find that diversification rates in the
      Polypodiaceae are positively correlated with changes in elevation. Repeated
      successful exploration of novel habitat types, rather than morphological
      innovation, appears to be the primary driver of diversification in this group.

PMID- 26257203
TI  - Abnormal gene expression of proinflammatory cytokines and their receptors in the
      lymphocytes of patients with bipolar disorder.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Abnormalities of protein levels of proinflammatory cytokines and
      their soluble receptors have been reported in plasma of patients with bipolar
      disorder (BP). In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the mRNA expression
      of membrane-bound receptors for proinflammatory cytokines will be altered in the
      lymphocytes of patients with BP. METHODS: We determined protein and mRNA
      expression of proinflammatory cytokines, and mRNA expression of their receptors
      in the lymphocytes from 29 drug-free, hospitalized patients with BP and 30 drug
      free normal control subjects. The subjects were diagnosed according to DSM-IV
      criteria. Plasma protein levels of cytokines were determined by enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay (ELISA); mRNA levels in lymphocytes were determined by the
      quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) method. RESULTS: We found that mean
      mRNA levels of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6 and
      tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and their receptors TNFR1, IL-1R1, and the
      antagonist IL-1RA were significantly higher in the lymphocytes of patients with
      BP compared with normal controls. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the
      observed abnormalities of membrane-bound cytokine receptors may alter the
      functional response of cytokines in BP and that the mRNA levels of these
      receptors could be a potential biomarker.

PMID- 26257204
TI  - CD4 changes among virologically suppressed patients on antiretroviral therapy: a
      systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy (ART) is assessed by
      measuring CD4 cell counts and viral load. Recent studies have questioned the
      added value of routine CD4 cell count measures in patients who are virologically
      suppressed. METHODS: We systematically searched three databases and two
      conference sites up to 31 October 2014 for studies reporting CD4 changes among
      patients who were on ART and virologically suppressed. No geographic, language or
      age restrictions were applied. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: We identified 12 published
      and 1 unpublished study reporting CD4 changes among 20,297 virologically
      suppressed patients. The pooled proportion of patients who experienced an
      unexplained, confirmed CD4 decline was 0.4% (95% CI 0.2-0.6%). Results were not
      influenced by duration of follow-up, age, study design or region of economic
      development. No studies described clinical adverse events among virologically
      suppressed patients who experienced CD4 declines. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of
      this review support reducing or stopping routine CD4 monitoring for patients who
      are immunologically stable on ART in settings where routine viral load monitoring
      is provided.

PMID- 26257205
TI  - High-throughput T-cell receptor sequencing across chronic liver diseases reveals
      distinct disease-associated repertoires.
AB  - Hepatic T-cell infiltrates and a strong genetic human leukocyte antigen
      association represent characteristic features of various immune-mediated liver
      diseases. Conceptually the presence of disease-associated antigens is predicted
      to be reflected in T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoires. Here, we aimed to determine
      if disease-associated TCRs could be identified in the nonviral chronic liver
      diseases primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC),
      and alcoholic liver disease (ALD). We performed high-throughput sequencing of the
      TCRbeta chain complementarity-determining region 3 of liver-infiltrating T cells
      from PSC (n = 20), PBC (n = 10), and ALD (n = 10) patients, alongside genomic
      human leukocyte antigen typing. The frequency of TCRbeta nucleotide sequences was
      significantly higher in PSC samples (2.53 +/- 0.80, mean +/- standard error of
      the mean) compared to PBC samples (1.13 +/- 0.17, P < 0.0001) and ALD samples
      (0.62 +/- 0.10, P < 0.0001). An average clonotype overlap of 0.85% was detected
      among PSC samples, significantly higher compared to the average overlap of 0.77%
      seen within the PBC (P = 0.024) and ALD groups (0.40%, P < 0.0001). From eight to
      42 clonotypes were uniquely detected in each of the three disease groups (>=30%
      of the respective patient samples). Multiple, unique sequences using different
      variable family genes encoded the same amino acid clonotypes, providing
      additional support for antigen-driven selection. In PSC and PBC, disease
      associated clonotypes were detected among patients with human leukocyte antigen
      susceptibility alleles. CONCLUSION: We demonstrate liver-infiltrating disease
      associated clonotypes in all three diseases evaluated, and evidence for antigen
      driven clonal expansions. Our findings indicate that differential TCR signatures,
      as determined by high-throughput sequencing, may represent an imprint of
      distinctive antigenic repertoires present in the different chronic liver
      diseases; this thereby opens up the prospect of studying disease-relevant T cells
      in order to better understand and treat liver disease.

PMID- 26257206
TI  - Roles of EGFR and KRAS and their downstream signaling pathways in pancreatic
      cancer and pancreatic cancer stem cells.
AB  - Pancreatic cancer is currently the fourth most common cancer, is increasing in
      incidence and soon will be the second leading cause of cancer death in the USA.
      This is a deadly malignancy with an incidence that approximates the mortality
      with 44,000 new cases and 36,000 deaths each year. Surgery, although only
      modestly successful, is the only curative option. However, due the locally
      aggressive nature and early metastasis, surgery can be performed on less than 20%
      of patients. Cytotoxic chemotherapy is palliative, has significant toxicity and
      improves survival very little. Thus new treatment paradigms are needed
      desperately. Due to the extremely high frequency of KRAS gene mutations (>90%)
      detected in pancreatic cancer patients, the roles of the epidermal growth factor
      receptor (EGFR), Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK and PI3K/PTEN/Akt/mTORC1/GSK-3 pathways have
      been investigated in pancreatic cancer for many years. Constitutively active Ras
      can activate both of these pathways and there is cross talk between Ras and EGFR
      which is believed to be important in driving metastasis. Mutant KRAS may also
      drive the expression of GSK-3 through Raf/MEK/ERK-mediated effects on GSK-3
      transcription. GSK-3 can then regulate the expression of NF-kappaB which is
      important in modulating pancreatic cancer chemoresistance. While the receptors
      and many downstream signaling molecules have been identified and characterized,
      there is still much to learn about these pathways and how their deregulation can
      lead to cancer. Multiple inhibitors to EGFR, PI3K, mTOR, GSK-3, Raf, MEK and
      hedgehog (HH) have been developed and are being evaluated in various cancers.
      Current research often focuses on the role of these pathways in cancer stem cells
      (CSC), with the goal to identify sites where therapeutic resistance may develop.
      Relatively novel fields of investigation such as microRNAs and drugs used for
      other diseases e.g., diabetes, (metformin) and malaria (chloroquine) have
      provided new information about therapeutic resistance and CSCs. This review will
      focus on recent advances in the field and how they affect pancreatic cancer
      research and treatment. 

PMID- 26257208
TI  - Investigation of photochemical reaction products of glucose formed during direct
      UV detection in CE.
AB  - In CE, saccharides are accessible to direct UV detection due to a photochemical
      reaction in the detection window of the separation capillary resulting in the
      formation of UV absorbing substances. Employing a CE method that allows long in
      capillary irradiation with subsequent UV and MS detection, the present study
      could identify several reaction products of glucose. Among these were UV
      absorbing substances so far unknown to be formed during direct UV detection with
      the chemical formulas C4 H6 O2 , C5 H6 O4 , C5 H8 O3, and C6 H8 O5 .
      Investigations of the impact of the irradiation time revealed differences between
      these reaction products suggesting differing reaction mechanisms especially for
      the smallest products. More detailed information could be obtained by experiments
      with isotope-labeled substrates performed to determine the parts of glucose that
      are converted to the particular reaction products. In addition, structural
      formulas for the reaction products were suggested based on HPLC-MS/MS
      measurements of off-line irradiated glucose solutions which revealed the
      existence of functional groups such as carboxylic acid or aldehyde groups. 

PMID- 26257207
TI  - Targeting executioner procaspase-3 with the procaspase-activating compound B-PAC
      1 induces apoptosis in multiple myeloma cells.
AB  - Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasma cell neoplasm that has a low apoptotic index.
      We investigated a new class of small molecules that target the terminal apoptosis
      pathway, called procaspase activating compounds (PACs), in myeloma cells. PAC
      agents (PAC-1 and B-PAC-1) convert executioner procaspases (procaspase 3, 6, and
      7) to active caspases 3, 6, and 7, which cleave target substrates to induce
      cellular apoptosis cascade. We hypothesized that targeting this terminal step
      could overcome survival and drug-resistance signals in myeloma cells and induce
      programmed cell death. Myeloma cells expressed executioner caspases.
      Additionally, our studies demonstrated that B-PAC-1 is cytotoxic to chemotherapy
      resistant or sensitive myeloma cell lines (n = 7) and primary patient cells (n =
      11). Exogenous zinc abrogated B-PAC-1-induced cell demise. Apoptosis induced by B
      PAC-1 treatment was similar in the presence or absence of growth-promoting
      cytokines such as interleukin 6 and hepatocyte growth factor. Presence or absence
      of antiapoptotic proteins such as BCL-2, BCL-XL, or MCL-1 did not impact B-PAC-1
      mediated programmed cell death. Collectively, our data demonstrate the
      proapoptotic effect of B-PAC-1 in MM and suggest that activating terminal
      executioner procaspases 3, 6, and 7 bypasses survival and drug-resistance signals
      in myeloma cells. This novel strategy has the potential to become an effective
      antimyeloma therapy. 

PMID- 26257209
TI  - A Brief Mindfulness Meditation Training Increases Pain Threshold and Accelerates
      Modulation of Response to Tonic Pain in an Experimental Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Research shows that mindfulness meditation (MM) affects pain
      perception; however, studies have yet to measure patterns of change over time. We
      examined effects of MM on perception of experimental heat pain using multiple
      psychophysical indices, including pattern of change in response to tonic painful
      stimuli. We also tested the potential moderating role of baseline mindfulness.
      METHOD: Forty participants were randomly assigned to a brief MM training or
      control group. We assessed: a) heat pain threshold (HPT), b) temperature which
      induces pain at a fixed, target intensity level, and c) response pattern over
      time to tonic heat pain. RESULTS: Compared to control group, the MM group showed
      increased HPT and more rapid attenuation of pain intensity for tonic pain
      stimuli. Moderation analyses indicated that baseline mindfulness moderated
      effects of MM on HPT. CONCLUSIONS: A brief MM intervention appears to affect
      perception of experimental pain both by increasing pain threshold and
      accelerating modulation of response. Findings may help elucidate mechanisms of MM
      for chronic pain.

PMID- 26257211
TI  - Efficient extraction of proteins from recalcitrant plant tissue for subsequent
      analysis by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis.
AB  - Protein extraction for two-dimensional electrophoresis from tissues of
      recalcitrant species is quite problematic and challenging due to the low protein
      content and high abundance of contaminants. Proteomics in Shorea robusta is
      scarcely conducted due to the lack of a suitable protein preparation procedure.
      To establish an effective protein extraction protocol suitable for two
      dimensional electrophoresis in Shorea robusta, four procedures (borate
      buffer/trichloroacetic acid extraction, organic solvent/trichloroacetic acid
      precipitation, sucrose/Tris/phenol, and organic solvent/phenol/sodium dodecyl
      sulfate) were evaluated. Following these, proteins were isolated from mature
      leaves and were analyzed for proteomics, and also for potential contaminants,
      widely reported to hinder proteomics. The borate buffer/trichloroacetic acid
      extraction had the lowest protein yield and did not result in any banding even in
      one-dimensional electrophoresis. In contrast, organic solvent/phenol/sodium
      dodecyl sulfate extraction allowed the highest protein yield. Moreover, during
      proteomics, organic solvent/phenol/sodium dodecyl sulfate extracted protein
      resolved the maximum number (144) of spots. Further, when proteins were evaluated
      for contaminants, significant (77-95%) reductions in the nucleic acids, phenol,
      and sugars were discernible with refinement in extraction procedure. Accumulated
      data suggested that the organic solvent/phenol/sodium dodecyl sulfate extraction
      was the most effective protocol for protein isolation for proteomics of Shorea
      robusta and can be used for plants that have a similar set of contaminants. 

PMID- 26257210
TI  - FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE LIKELIHOOD OF FURTHER MOVEMENT AMONG MOBILE FEMALE
      SEX WORKERS IN INDIA: A MULTINOMIAL LOGIT APPROACH.
AB  - Female sex workers (FSWs) are vulnerable to HIV infection. Their socioeconomic
      and behavioural vulnerabilities are crucial push factors for movement for sex
      work. This paper assesses the factors associated with the likelihood of movement
      of sex workers from their current place of work. Data were derived from a cross
      sectional survey conducted among 5498 mobile FSWs in 22 districts of high in
      migration across four states in southern India. A multinomial logit model was
      constructed to predict the likelihood of FSWs moving from their current place of
      work. Ten per cent of the sampled mobile FSWs were planning to move from their
      current place of sex work. Educational attainment, marital status, income at
      current place of work, debt, sexual coercion, experience of violence and having
      tested for HIV and collected the results were found to be significant predictors
      of the likelihood of movement from the current place of work. Consistent condom
      use with different clients was significantly low among those planning to move.
      Likewise, the likelihood of movement was significantly higher among those who had
      any STI symptom in the last six months and those who had a high self-perceived
      risk of HIV. The findings highlight the need to address factors associated with
      movement among mobile FSWs as part of HIV prevention and access to care
      interventions. 

PMID- 26257212
TI  - t(9;22) as secondary alteration in core-binding factor de novo acute myeloid
      leukemia.

PMID- 26257213
TI  - Application of RDC enhanced NMR spectroscopy in structural analysis of
      thiacalix[4]arene derivatives.
AB  - Thiacalix[4]arene spirodienone was rearranged into the corresponding phenoxathiin
      based macrocycle. Alkylation of this inherently chiral system to achieve its
      immobilization led to a mixture of only two (out of four theoretically possible)
      stereoisomers. As standard NOE and dynamic NMR experiments did not lead to
      unambiguous determination of the structures we applied the Residual Dipolar
      Coupling constant (RDC) method. Poly-gamma-ethyl-l-glutamate (PELG) and poly
      gamma-benzyl-l-glutamate (PBLG) were found to be easily applicable lyotropic
      liquid crystalline alignment media for the conformational analysis of
      thiacalixarene derivatives. Using these media the 1,2-alternate and the partial
      cone conformations were determined unequivocally. 

PMID- 26257214
TI  - Re: Radiation for Prostate Cancer: Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy versus
      Proton Beam: B. S. Hoppe, C. Bryant and H. M. Sandler J Urol 2015;193:1089-1091.

PMID- 26257215
TI  - An ophthalmology code of ethics in Canada: enhancing our practice patterns.

PMID- 26257217
TI  - The 20/20 patient who can't read.
AB  - To understand how reading can be disrupted in patients with good acuity, it is
      important to realize the complexities that underlie this task, which normally
      seems so effortless. The process of reading is an interplay among vision, eye
      movements, attention, and linguistic processing, and impairments in any of these
      functions can result in reduced reading efficiency. The goal of this review is to
      provide a systematic review of these functions that can help clinicians generate
      a logical and useful differential diagnosis of impaired reading in the patient
      with 20/20 vision. 

PMID- 26257218
TI  - Value of subjective visual reduction in patients with acute-onset floaters and/or
      flashes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To quantify the association between subjective visual reduction (SVR)
      and retinal pathology in patients with acute-onset monocular floaters or flashes,
      or both. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Prospective cohorts study involving
      all new patients referred for acute-onset floaters or flashes, or both, to a
      tertiary care emergency eye clinic in Kingston, Ontario, between July 1, 2011,
      and June 29, 2012 (n = 333). METHODS: All patients were evaluated for the
      presence of SVR in a standardized fashion, as well as other known risk factors
      for retina pathology including a family history of retinal tear or retinal
      detachment, a personal history of retinal tear or detachment, high myopia, and
      ocular trauma. Our major outcome was urgent retinal pathology, defined as retina
      pathology requiring a same-day referral to a retina specialist for evaluation,
      management, or both. RESULTS: SVR was strongly associated with retinal pathology
      (likelihood ratio 7.9, 95% CI 5.2-12.1). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with SVR are at
      increased risk for urgent retinal pathology and should be triaged for urgent
      ophthalmologic examination.

PMID- 26257219
TI  - Fibrin glue versus autologous blood for conjunctival autograft fixation in
      pterygium surgery.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcomes between autologous blood- and fibrin glue
      fixated conjunctival autografts in pterygium excision surgery. DESIGN:
      Retrospective case series. PARTICIPANTS: Forty eyes of 40 patients who had a
      primary nasal pterygium excision. METHODS: A retrospective comparative case
      series of 40 eyes (40 patients) that had a primary nasal pterygium excision. All
      eyes had a conjunctival autograft from the superior bulbar conjunctiva to cover
      the scleral bed. Twenty eyes (20 patients) had fixation of the autograft using
      autologous blood (AB), and 20 eyes (20 patients) had fixation using fibrin glue
      (FG). One year of follow-up data included conjunctival graft stability (graft
      loss, graft retraction), pterygium recurrence, visual acuity, and postoperative
      complications. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed. RESULTS:
      Intraoperatively, no complications occurred in either group. Graft loss occurred
      in 6 patients in the AB group, compared with none in the FG group. Graft
      retraction occurred in 3 patients in the AB group and 2 patients in the FG group.
      At 1 year postoperatively, pterygium recurrence occurred in 4 patients in the AB
      group and 1 patient in the FG group. One patient in the AB group developed a
      small pyogenic granuloma that resolved by 6 months with conservative management.
      Visual acuity remained stable in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Conjunctival autograft
      fixation with autologous blood resulted in less stable conjunctival autografts
      and a higher recurrence rate compared with fixation with fibrin glue.

PMID- 26257220
TI  - Comparison of conjunctival staining between lissamine green and yellow filtered
      fluorescein sodium.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare conjunctival staining between lissamine green and
      fluorescein sodium using a yellow barrier filter. DESIGN: Retrospective cross
      sectional study. PARTICIPANTS: Thirteen eyes of 13 patients with dry eyes.
      METHODS: All patients underwent ocular surface staining with fluorescein sodium
      and lissamine green. Ocular surface staining with fluorescein sodium was observed
      through slit-lamp examination under cobalt blue illumination and a yellow filter.
      Temporal (0-5) and nasal (0-5) conjunctival staining grade was separately graded
      according to the Oxford scheme. The contrast score was defined as the absolute
      difference between mean grey values of punctate staining and background.
      Conjunctival staining grade and contrast scores were compared between these 2
      staining methods. RESULTS: The sum of the conjunctival staining grade (0-10) for
      the nasal and temporal conjunctiva was 4.7 +/- 2.5 for fluorescein sodium, which
      was significantly higher than that of lissamine green, 4.1 +/- 2.5 (p = 0.005).
      The contrast score of temporal and nasal conjunctival staining was 34.6 +/- 12.0
      and 34.7 +/- 10.3, respectively, for fluorescein sodium, which was also
      significantly greater than for lissamine green (23.4 +/- 8.1 and 21.0 +/- 9.0,
      respectively; p = 0.003 and p = 0.003, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Conjunctival
      staining with fluorescein sodium and a yellow filter seems to be more sensitive
      for the detection of conjunctival damage than lissamine green. Fluorescein
      staining with the yellow filter has the advantage of simultaneous observation of
      both corneal and conjunctival damage in patients with dry eye without the need
      for additional vital staining.

PMID- 26257221
TI  - Meibomian gland dysfunction in Graves' orbitopathy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine morphologic changes in the meibomian glands associated with
      patients with Graves' orbitopathy (GO) using a novel meibography imaging system,
      and to evaluate its correlation with GO clinical manifestations. DESIGN:
      Retrospective, observational case series. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-one GO patients and
      31 normal control participants. METHODS: This retrospective study examined 51 GO
      patients and 31 normal control participants. The structure of the meibomian gland
      was assessed using the meibography imaging system. All of the participants
      completed the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire. The tear film
      break-up time (BUT) was measured. The palpebral fissure height, exophthalmos, and
      eyelid retraction were also assessed. RESULTS: The meibography score, tear film
      BUT, and OSDI indicated statistically significant differences between the GO and
      normal groups: The tear film BUT was shorter and the OSDI and meibography score
      were higher in the GO patient group. There was a significant negative correlation
      between the meibography score and the tear film BUT in GO patients (r = -.503 and
      p < .001). In the multivariable linear regression analysis, the meibography score
      of the GO patients had a positive association with exophthalmos and palpebral
      fissure height. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with the normal control participants, GO
      patients had more unstable tear films and severe symptoms of dry eye. Using the
      meibography system, the authors found that GO patients had a higher prevalence of
      obstructive type meibomian gland dysfunction and changes in meibomian glands
      increased, with proptosis and lid fissure widening.

PMID- 26257222
TI  - Effects of osmoprotective eye drops on tear osmolarity in contact lens wearers.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of osmoprotective eye drops on tear osmolarity
      and patient comfort, and to compare its efficacy with a commercially available
      lubricant in contact lens (CL) wearers. DESIGN: Prospective, cross-sectional
      study. PARTICIPANTS: Forty eyes of 20 first-time CL wearers were included.
      METHODS: Tear osmolarity measurements using TearLab osmolarity system were
      performed in each eye of subjects at 8 am, and 2, 4, and 8 h after that on the
      first and second days, and at 12:00 on the third day and eighth days. On the
      second day and afterward, all eyes were fitted Purevision 2 (Bausch & Lomb) soft
      CLs. Subjects instilled Optive (Allergan) osmoprotective eye drops into their 1
      eye (group 1) and Refresh tears (Allergan) eye drops into their other eyes (group
      2) after 2 hours of CL wear on the third day and afterward. Ocular comfort with
      eye drops was also assessed. RESULTS: There were no significant differences
      between the tear osmolarity measurements of the groups on the first day. On the
      second day, osmolarity significantly increased from baseline after 4 h of CL wear
      (p < 0.05) but returned to baseline after 8 h of CL wear (p > 0.05) in both
      groups. Tear osmolarity measurements of group 1 were significantly lower than
      those of group 2 on the third and eighth days (both p < 0.05). The mean comfort
      scores were significantly higher in group 1. CONCLUSIONS: Tear osmolarity
      increases within the first hours of CL wear, and instillation of osmoprotective
      eye drops prevents this increment in patients wearing CLs.

PMID- 26257223
TI  - Flicker defined form, standard perimetry and Heidelberg retinal tomography:
      Structure-function relationships.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare flicker defined form (FDF) perimetry using the Heidelberg
      edge perimeter (HEP) with standard automated perimetry (SAP) on the Humphrey
      visual field (HVF) analyzer and to compare their relationship to structural
      measurements acquired with the Heidelberg retina tomograph. DESIGN: Prospective,
      observational study. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-one glaucomatous eyes with varying
      severity and 13 normal control eyes were included in this analysis. METHODS: All
      subjects underwent FDF testing on the HEP using the 24-2 protocol by the adaptive
      staircase thresholding algorithm standard strategy and SAP on the HVF analyzer
      750 II using the SITA-Standard 24-2 test. Heidelberg retina tomography (HRT)
      testing was obtained for each patient. Spearman correlation coefficient, mean
      deviation (MD), and pattern standard deviation measurements by both machines were
      compared. RESULTS: FDF and SAP MD were significantly correlated (r = 0.81, p <
      0.001). FDF and SAP MD were significantly correlated with HRT cup/disc ratio (FDF
      MD: p < 0.001; SAP MD: p = 0.003), disc area (FDF MD: p = 0.005; SAP MD: p =
      0.059), rim volume (FDF MD: p < 0.001; SAP MD: p < 0.001), and retinal nerve
      fibre layer (FDF MD: p < 0.001; SAP MD: p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study
      shows that the MD parameter of FDF correlated with SAP results. FDF and SAP had
      significant correlations with HRT parameters in glaucomatous and healthy eyes.
      The potential utility of FDF in the clinical management of glaucoma requires
      further investigation.

PMID- 26257224
TI  - Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors as fourth drug in primary glaucomas: Is it worth
      it?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors as the
      fourth drug regarding intraocular pressure (IOP) control in patients with primary
      glaucomas. DESIGN: Single-centre, prospective study. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-five
      eyes from 25 patients with primary glaucomas treated concomitantly with a topical
      prostaglandin analogue, a beta-blocker, an alpha-adrenergic agonist, and a
      carbonic anhydrase inhibitor. METHODS: Patients followed at the Federal
      University of Sao Paulo were enrolled from August to November 2013 and were
      initially submitted to an ophthalmologic examination where the IOP was measured
      at 8 am, 10 am, and 12 pm. Afterward, patients underwent a 15-day washout of the
      carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and had their IOP measured again. RESULTS: Most
      patients were female, white, and with a mean age of 66.4 +/- 9.7 years. The
      removal of the fourth drug had a statistically significant effect on the IOP peak
      (increase of 1.20 mm Hg, p < 0.01) and mean (increase of 1.23 mm Hg, p < 0.01),
      but it did not interfere significantly with morning fluctuation of the IOP (p =
      0.83). After discontinuation of the fourth drug, the IOP increased >=2 mm Hg in
      32% of the patients, and there was a significant increase of the IOP (defined as
      an IOP change >=20%) in only 5 patients (20%). Age older than 60 years was
      associated with 20% of the documented IOP change (R(2) = 0.19, p = 0.03).
      CONCLUSIONS: The removal of a fourth medication does not appear to have a
      clinically significant impact on IOP control in most patients with glaucoma.
      However, 32% of the patients experienced an IOP increase >=2 mm Hg, with age
      older than 60 years being the only significant predictive factor.

PMID- 26257225
TI  - Fixation characteristics among subjects with diabetes: SN-DREAMS II, Report No.
      5.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate fixation and scotoma characteristics among subjects with
      diabetes in a population-based study. DESIGN: Cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: A
      subset of 357 subjects was recruited from follow-up cohort of Sankara Nethralaya
      Diabetic Retinopathy Epidemiology and Molecular Genetics Study I. METHODS: All
      subjects underwent detailed ophthalmic evaluation including microperimetry and
      spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Fixation parameters such as
      stability of fixation, fixation location, and presence of scotoma were evaluated.
      A p value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The
      mean age of the study sample was 56.86 +/- 8.63 years. Relatively unstable
      fixation was observed in 73 and poor central fixation in 25 subjects. Among
      subjects with poor central fixation, 72% (18 subjects) had relatively unstable
      fixation. Poor central and relatively unstable fixation were significantly
      associated with best corrected visual acuity (BCVA; p = 0.002 and p = 0.017,
      respectively). Prevalence rate of scotoma was 24.4%, which was highly prevalent
      in females (p = 0.035) and among subjects with reduced BCVA (p < 0.001), reduced
      contrast sensitivity (p < 0.001), cataract (p < 0.001), impaired retinal
      sensitivity (p < 0.001), and presence of sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy
      (STDR; p < 0.001). Presence of scotoma was significantly associated with abnormal
      foveal contour (p = 0.046) and altered inner retinal layers (p < 0.001).
      CONCLUSIONS: We report that fixation characteristics are independent of ocular
      characteristics except for BCVA. Female sex, reduced visual acuity and contrast
      sensitivity, cataract, and STDR were significantly associated with presence of
      scotoma.

PMID- 26257226
TI  - Duane syndrome: Clinical features and surgical management.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To further define the clinical features of Duane syndrome and analyze
      the surgical outcomes in a subset of these patients. DESIGN: Retrospective chart
      review. PARTICIPANTS: A retrospective chart review of 75 patients with Duane
      syndrome was performed. METHODS: Complete ophthalmologic and orthoptic data were
      extracted from the patients' charts, and patients were classified into group I,
      II, or III based on forced primary position (PP) deviation. Eighteen patients had
      strabismus surgery to correct the ocular misalignment with its related abnormal
      head posture. RESULTS: Fifty-six percent of the cases were in group I, 16% in
      group II, and 28% in group III. Fifty-seven percent were female, 91% were
      unilateral, and 66% had left eye involvement. Ninety-six percent had fissure
      narrowing/globe retraction on adduction; 67% had an upshoot, downshoot, or both;
      and 63% had an A, V, or X pattern. The A patterns correlated with downshoots in
      100% of cases, V patterns with upshoots in 88%, and X patterns with
      upshoots/downshoots in 100%. In the 18 surgical candidates, there were 14
      patients in group I, 4 in group II, and 0 in group III. An excellent surgical
      outcome occurred in 78% of patients and a fair-to-poor outcome in 22%.
      Upshoots/downshoots and fissure-narrowing/globe retraction patients showed modest
      improvement after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: There was a consistent relationship among
      the type of strabismus, head position, and motility defect. The type of
      upshoot/downshoot correlated strongly with the A, V, or X pattern. Postoperative
      improvements of abnormal head posture and PP alignment were achieved in the
      surgical subset of patients.

PMID- 26257227
TI  - Prognostic value of metal-metal contact during nasolacrimal duct probing.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prognostic value of metal-metal contact during
      nasolacrimal duct (NLD) probing in patients with simple membranous versus complex
      congenital NLD obstructions (CNLDO). DESIGN: Retrospective case series.
      PARTICIPANTS: Infants diagnosed with CNLDO. METHODS: Seventy-nine eyes of 70
      infants with CNLDO who underwent probing were recruited. Metal-metal contact was
      sought during probing in every patient. CNLDO was classified into simple
      membranous versus complex type of obstruction. Complete resolution of epiphora,
      increased tear meniscus, and mucous discharge were defined as successful outcome.
      RESULTS: The mean age of patients at the time of probing was 21.0 +/- 8.3 (range
      1-42) months. Postoperative evaluations were performed in all patients between
      the first and second postoperative months. Overall success rate of probing was
      84.9%. A higher success rate was obtained in membranous (89.7%) versus complex
      (54.5%) obstructions (p = 0.01). A metal-metal contact could be established in 62
      (78.5%) eyes. Treatment success was achieved in 93.5% of cases in which metal
      metal contact was detected versus 52.9% of cases without metal-metal contact (p <
      0.001). Among cases with metal-metal contact, a trend toward successful outcomes
      was observed with membranous as compared with complex obstructions (96.4% vs
      71.4%, p = 0.059). Logistic regression analysis revealed the presence of metal
      metal touch (odds ratio [OR] 13.3, p = 0.001) and membranous type obstruction (OR
      7.7, p = 0.019) as significant factors for a successful outcome. CONCLUSIONS:
      Establishment of metal-metal contact is an important prognostic sign for surgical
      success in both the membranous and the complex type of CNLDO.

PMID- 26257228
TI  - Traumatic carotid cavernous fistula in a pediatric patient.

PMID- 26257229
TI  - Histopathologic findings of perforated corneas due to ferric ion infiltration.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To report the histopathologic findings of 3 corneal buttons incised
      from 2 patients during penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) because of corneal
      perforation due to corneal siderosis. METHODS: Three eyes of 2 patients had
      accidental trauma to the corneas caused by iron fragments; the injuries were
      initially treated conservatively with antibiotics and therapeutic soft contact
      lenses. However, the corneal stroma melted and perforated, necessitating corneal
      transplantation. The corneal buttons removed during PKP were examined
      histopathologically, and the findings were compared with the slit-lamp
      biomicroscopic and anterior segment optical coherence tomographic (AS-OCT)
      findings. RESULTS: Slit-lamp examinations showed that the corneal epithelium was
      hyperplasic around the area of perforation in 2 eyes 1 month after the injury.
      Wide areas of the stroma had melted, and the corneas were perforated. The corneal
      epithelium was atrophic in the perforated corneas 4 months after injury.
      Histopathologically, the corneal stroma and Descemet's membrane were stained by
      Prussian blue, suggesting that the ferric ions had penetrated deeper than
      expected by the slit-lamp examinations. The areas of Prussian blue staining
      corresponded well with the areas altered in the AS-OCT images. CONCLUSIONS:
      Ferric ions penetrate much deeper into the cornea than estimated by slit-lamp
      biomicroscopy. The ferric ions can induce stromal melting that can lead to
      corneal perforation. We conclude that (i) the ferric ion-infiltrated areas can be
      estimated in the AS-OCT images and (ii) extensive corneal abrasion should be
      performed to prevent corneal melting and perforation.

PMID- 26257230
TI  - Ophthalmia neonatorum prophylaxis.

PMID- 26257231
TI  - National cross-sectional study of Canadian ophthalmology residency participation
      in external courses.

PMID- 26257232
TI  - Asymptomatic bacteriuria and acute-onset endophthalmitis after cataract surgery.

PMID- 26257233
TI  - Bilateral reversible macular edema following road traffic collision.

PMID- 26257234
TI  - Corneal stromal damage through the eyelid after tightening using intense focused
      ultrasound.

PMID- 26257235
TI  - Vision loss and vascular compromise with facial and periocular injections.

PMID- 26257236
TI  - An atypical case of bilateral posterior scleritis in a patient with chronic
      lymphocytic leukemia.

PMID- 26257237
TI  - Primary hyperparathyroidism presenting as a brown cell tumour of the hallux.

PMID- 26257238
TI  - Minimally invasive non-surgical approach for the treatment of periodontal
      intrabony defects: a retrospective analysis.
AB  - AIM: The aim of this retrospective analysis was to assess healing of intrabony
      defects treated with minimally invasive non-surgical therapy (MINST). METHODS: A
      retrospective analysis was carried out in 35 consecutive intrabony defects
      treated by MINST (without any adjuncts) in 23 non-smoking patients. All defects
      had a radiographic intrabony component > 3 mm and had clinical and radiographic
      data available at baseline and 12 after treatment. Pre- and post-treatment
      radiographs were analysed and bone levels were compared by multilevel linear
      regression adjusted by latent variable method. RESULTS: Following MINST, the
      average PPD and CAL reduction in the intra-bony defects were 3.12 mm and 2.78 mm
      respectively (p < 0.001). The average radiographic intrabony vertical defect
      depth was reduced by 2.93 mm (from 6.74 mm to 3.81 mm) (p < 0.001), whereas the
      average defect angle changed from and 28.5 degrees  at baseline to 44.4 degrees 
      at re-evaluation (p < 0.001). Smaller initial defect angles and deeper initial
      defect depths were associated with greater defect depth reduction. Greater
      initial defect angles were associated with less defect angle change. CONCLUSIONS:
      This paper shows considerable clinical and radiographic improvements after MINST,
      therefore bringing evidence to support its efficacy for the treatment of
      intrabony defects in non-smokers.

PMID- 26257239
TI  - Sorafenib enriches epithelial cell adhesion molecule-positive tumor initiating
      cells and exacerbates a subtype of hepatocellular carcinoma through TSC2-AKT
      cascade.
AB  - Sorafenib is a specific adenosine triphosphate-competitive RAF inhibitor used as
      a first-line treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the
      responses are variable, reflecting heterogeneity of the disease, while the
      resistance mechanism remains poorly understood. Here, we report that sorafenib
      treatment can exacerbate disease progression in both patient-derived xenografts
      and cell line-derived xenografts and that the therapeutic effect of the drug
      inversely covaries to the ratio of epithelial cell adhesion molecule-positive
      cells, which may be tumor initiating cells in HCC. The TSC2-AKT cascade mediates
      this sorafenib resistance. In response to sorafenib treatment, formation of the
      TSC1/2 complex is enhanced, causing increased phosphorylation of AKT, which
      contributes to up-regulation of "stemness"-related genes in epithelial cell
      adhesion molecule-positive cells and enhancement of tumorigenicity. The
      expression of TSC2 negatively correlated with prognosis in clinical sorafenib
      therapy. Furthermore, all-trans retinoic acid decreased AKT activity, reduced the
      epithelial cell adhesion molecule-positive cell population enriched by sorafenib,
      and potentiated the therapeutic effect of sorafenib in the patient-derived
      xenograft model. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that a subtype of HCC is not
      suitable for sorafenib therapy; this resistance to sorafenib can be predicted by
      the status of TSC2, and agents inducing differentiation of tumor initiating cells
      (e.g., all-trans retinoic acid) should improve the prognosis of this subtype of
      HCC.

PMID- 26257240
TI  - Insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 can modulate the phosphoinositide-3
      kinase/Akt/FoxO1 pathway in SZ95 sebocytes in vitro.
AB  - A recent hypothesis suggests that a high glycaemic load diet-associated increase
      of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and insulin may promote acne by reducing
      nuclear localization of the forkhead box-O1 (FoxO1) transcription factor via
      activation of the phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway. Using SZ95
      sebocytes as a model, we investigated the effect of the most important
      insulinotropic western dietary factors, IGF-1 and insulin on acne. SZ95 sebocytes
      were stimulated with different concentrations of IGF-1 and insulin (0.001, 0.01,
      0.1 and 1 MUM) for 15 to 120 min +/- PI3K inhibitor LY294002 (50 MUM).
      Cytoplasmic and nuclear protein expression of p-Akt and p-FoxO1 as well as FoxO
      transcriptional activity was analysed. In addition, the proliferation and
      differentiation of sebocytes and their TLR2/4 expression were determined. We
      found that high concentrations of IGF-1 and insulin differentially stimulate the
      PI3K/Akt/FoxO1 pathway by an early up-regulation of cytoplasmic p-Akt and delayed
      up-regulation of p-FoxO1 resulting in FoxO1 shift to the cytoplasm and the
      reduction of FoxO transcriptional activity, physiological serum concentration had
      no effect. IGF-1 at concentrations of 0.1 and 1 MUM significantly reduced
      proliferation but increased differentiation of sebocytes to a greater extent than
      insulin (0.1 and 1 MUM), but up-regulated TLR2/4 expression to comparable extent.
      These data provide the first in vitro evidence that FoxO1 principally might be
      involved in the regulation of growth-factor-stimulatory effects on sebaceous
      lipogenesis and inflammation in the pathological condition of acne. However, the
      in vivo significance under physiological conditions remains to be elucidated.

PMID- 26257241
TI  - Adipocyte aminopeptidases in obesity and fasting.
AB  - This study checked the existence of a diverse array of aminopeptidase (AP)
      enzymes in high (HDM) and low (LDM) density microsomal and plasma membrane (MF)
      fractions from adipocytes of control, monosodium glutamate obese and food
      deprived rats. Gene expression was detected for ArgAP, AspAP, MetAP, and two
      AlaAP (APM and PSA). APM and PSA had the highest catalytic efficiency, whereas
      AspAP the highest affinity. Subcellular distribution of AP activities depended on
      metabolic status. Comparing catalytic levels, AspAP in HDM, LDM and MF was absent
      in obese and control under food deprivation; PSA in LDM was 3.5-times higher in
      obese than in normally fed control and control and obese under food deprivation;
      MetAP in MF was 4.5-times higher in obese than in food deprived obese. Data show
      new AP enzymes genetically expressed in subcellular compartments of adipocytes,
      three of them with altered catalytic levels that respond to whole-body energetic
      demands. 

PMID- 26257243
TI  - Oxytocin Treatment, Circuitry, and Autism: A Critical Review of the Literature
      Placing Oxytocin Into the Autism Context.
AB  - Observed impairment in reciprocal social interaction is a diagnostic hallmark of
      autism spectrum disorders. There is no effective medical treatment for these
      problems. Psychological treatments remain costly, time intensive, and
      developmentally sensitive for efficacy. In this review, we explore the potential
      of oxytocin-based therapies for social impairments in autism. Evidence shows that
      acute oxytocin administration improves numerous markers critical to the social
      circuitry underlying social deficits in autism. Oxytocin may optimize these
      circuits and enhance reward, motivation, and learning to improve therapeutic
      outcomes. Despite this, the current evidence of therapeutic benefit from extended
      oxytocin treatment remains very limited. We highlight complexity in crossing from
      the laboratory to the autism clinical setting in evaluation of this therapeutic.
      We discuss a clinical trial approach that provides optimal opportunity for
      therapeutic response by using personalized methods that better target specific
      circuitry to define who will obtain benefit, at what stage of development, and
      the optimal delivery approach for circuitry manipulation. For the autism field,
      the therapeutic challenges will be resolved by a range of treatment strategies,
      including greater focus on specific interventions, such as oxytocin, that have a
      strong basis in the fundamental neurobiology of social behavior. More
      sophisticated and targeted clinical trials utilizing such approaches are now
      required, placing oxytocin into the autism context. 

PMID- 26257242
TI  - A Method for Psychosocial Stress-Induced Reinstatement of Cocaine Seeking in
      Rats.
AB  - We describe a novel preclinical model of stress-induced relapse to cocaine use in
      rats using social defeat stress, an ethologically valid psychosocial stressor in
      rodents that closely resembles stressors that promote craving and relapse in
      humans. Rats self-administered cocaine for 20 days. On days 11, 14, 17, and 20,
      animals were subjected to social defeat stress or a nonstressful control
      condition following the session, with discrete environmental stimuli signaling
      the impending event. After extinction training, reinstatement was assessed
      following re-exposure to these discrete cues. Animals re-exposed to psychosocial
      stress-predictive cues exhibited increased serum corticosterone and significantly
      greater reinstatement of cocaine seeking than the control group, and active
      coping behaviors during social defeat episodes were associated with subsequent
      reinstatement magnitude. These studies are the first to describe an operant model
      of psychosocial stress-induced relapse in rodents and lay the foundation for
      future work investigating its neurobiological underpinnings.

PMID- 26257244
TI  - Gastric metastasis of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor 5 years after surgical
      resection of the primary lesion.

PMID- 26257245
TI  - What is the role of sentinel lymph node biopsy in early-stage oral cavity
      carcinoma?

PMID- 26257246
TI  - One probe, two-channel imaging of nuclear and cytosolic compartments with orange
      and red emissive dyes.
AB  - Several new DNA-targeting probes that exhibit binding-induced 'turn on'
      fluorescence are presented. Two of the dyes, orange emissive 1, (E)-4-(4(-4
      methylpiperazin-1-yl)phenyl)6-(4-(4-methylpi-perazin-1-yl)styryl)pyrimidin-2-ol),
      and red emissive 2, (E)-4-(4(-4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-phenyl)6-(4-(4
      methylpiperazin-1-yl)styryl)-1,3-propanedionato-kappaO,kappaO']difluoroborane),
      are brightly fluorescent when bound to DNA, but are virtually non-fluorescent in
      aqueous solutions. Confocal fluorescence microscopy of live BT474, MCF7 and
      HEK293 cells demonstrates that both probes are cell permeable and rapidly
      accumulated intracellularly into cell nuclei and the cytosol. Taking advantage of
      their environmental sensitivity, these two pools of fluorophores are readily
      resolved into separate channels, and thus, a single dye allows two-color imaging
      of the nuclear and cytosolic compartments. 

PMID- 26257247
TI  - Echocardiographic evaluation in subjects with alpha1-Antitrypsin deficiency.
AB  - BACKGROUND: alpha1-Antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency (AATD) is a genetic condition
      associated with early-onset panacinar emphysema and, less often, vascular
      disease. Recently, abnormal elastic properties of ascending aortic wall were
      described in ZZ genotype AATD subjects who incidentally showed an increased left
      ventricular mass. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To evaluate biventricular dimensions,
      valvular apparatus, systolic and diastolic function, 33 AATD subjects with ZZ
      genotype and 33 healthy subjects matched for age and sex underwent a complete
      echocardiographic assessment. RESULTS: Compared to controls, AATD subjects showed
      increased left ventricular mass (160 +/- 59 g vs. 121 +/- 70 g, P < 0.001), a
      higher incidence of left and right ventricular diastolic dysfunction (30% vs.
      16%, P < 0.001 and 45% vs. 20%, P < 0.001, respectively) and mitral valve
      prolapse (35% vs. 6%, P < 0.001). In contrast, there was no difference between
      the two groups in diameters and systolic function of both ventricles and in the
      ejection fraction of left ventricle. The functions of aortic and tricuspidal
      valves were also similar. CONCLUSIONS: In the presence of greater left
      ventricular mass, a significantly higher incidence of left and right ventricular
      diastolic dysfunction and mitral valve prolapse occurs in AATD subjects (ZZ
      genotype). These findings strongly suggest an abnormal remodelling process in
      cardiac tissue in AATD.

PMID- 26257248
TI  - Medication errors detected in non-traditional databases: types of errors in
      methotrexate dosing as listed in four different Danish registers.
AB  - AIMS: We have looked for medication errors involving the use of low-dose
      methotrexate, by extracting information from Danish sources other than
      traditional pharmacovigilance databases. We used the data to establish the
      relative frequencies of different types of errors. METHODS: We searched four
      databases for cases involving low-dose methotrexate between 1999 and 2011: the
      Danish Patient Safety Databases (DPSD), controlled by the Danish National Agency
      for Patients' Rights and Complaints, the Patient Compensation Association (PCA),
      the Danish Poison and Information Centre (DPIC), and the online database of the
      Department for Patient Complaints (DPC). We categorized the place where the error
      occurred, the processes and types of error involved, the person responsible, and
      the clinical outcome. RESULTS: We identified 173 errors. In 109 (63%), either
      harm resulted or could not be excluded; of these, 26 (15%) resulted in serious
      harm, including nine deaths (5%); 53 (31%) involved incorrect daily
      administration; and 107 (62%) involved a dosing error. Sixteen events (9.2%)
      concerned insufficient or faulty monitoring, with four serious outcomes and two
      deaths. Prescription errors involving daily rather than weekly administration, by
      hospital physicians, were most likely to result in serious outcomes, including
      deaths. The error mechanism was evaluated in 129 events. Action-based errors
      comprised 50 % and knowledge-based errors 34 %. Action-based errors were more
      likely to result in completed errors, whereas knowledge-based errors more often
      resulted in near misses. CONCLUSIONS: The medication errors in this survey were
      most often action-based (50%) and knowledge-based (34%), suggesting that greater
      attention should be paid to education and surveillance of medical personnel who
      prescribe and monitor methotrexate, particularly physicians, who accounted for
      40% of the errors.

PMID- 26257249
TI  - Effects of NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 polymorphisms on stable warfarin
      doses in Korean patients with mechanical cardiac valves.
AB  - PURPOSE: NAD(P)H dehydrogenase, encoded by NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1
      (NQO1), is an enzyme that catalyzes the reduction of quinones, including vitamin
      K. Given its potential role in vitamin K metabolism, this study aimed to
      investigate the effects of NQO1 polymorphisms on stable warfarin doses. METHODS:
      We tested a possible effect of gene polymorphisms on variability in warfarin
      response using 206 Korean patients with mechanical cardiac valves. Single
      nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of NQO1 with a minor allele frequency of at least
      15% were included. Also, genotypes of vitamin K epoxide reductase complex subunit
      1 (VKORC1), cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C9, CYP4F2, gamma-glutamyl carboxylase (GGCX),
      and GATA4 were determined. RESULTS: NQO1 rs1800566 (C>T) and rs10517 (C>T) were
      significantly associated with stable warfarin doses. Variant homozygote carriers
      required lower stable warfarin doses than those with wild-type C allele in
      rs1800566 (4.85 +/- 1.61 vs. 5.61 +/- 1.94 mg; p = 0.033), whereas patients with
      wild homozygote required lower doses than those with T allele in rs10517 (5.11 +/
      1.73 vs. 5.75 +/- 1.98 mg; p = 0.017). Similar results were obtained from
      stratified analysis using VKORC1 variant homozygote carriers in both SNPs.
      Multivariate analysis showed that rs10517 (C>T) increased contribution of gene
      variations to the overall warfarin dose variability from 42.5 to 43.8%.
      CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that NQO1 gene polymorphisms influence stable
      warfarin doses in Korean patients.

PMID- 26257251
TI  - Suitability of dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction for the in situ
      silylation of chlorophenols in water samples before gas chromatography with mass
      spectrometry.
AB  - Trace analysis of chlorophenols in water was performed by simultaneous silylation
      and dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction followed by gas chromatography with
      mass spectrometry. Dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction was carried out using
      an organic solvent lighter than water (n-hexane). The effect of different
      silylating reagents on the method efficiency was investigated. The influence of
      derivatization reagent volume, presence of catalyst and derivatization/extraction
      time on the yield of the derivatization reaction was studied. Different
      parameters affecting extraction efficiency such as kind and volume of extraction
      and disperser solvents, pH of the sample and addition of salt were also
      investigated and optimized. Under the optimum conditions, the calibration graphs
      were linear in the range of 0.05-100 ng/mL and the limit of detection was 0.01
      ng/mL. The enrichment factors were 242, 351, and 363 for 4-chlorophenol, 2,4
      dichlorophenol, and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, respectively. The values of intra- and
      inter-day relative standard deviations were in the range of 3.0-6.4 and 6.1-9.9%,
      respectively. The applicability of the method was investigated by analyzing water
      and wastewater samples. 

PMID- 26257250
TI  - Model-based meta-analysis of the effects of non-selective and alpha1-selective
      GABAA receptor agonists in healthy volunteers.
AB  - PURPOSE: To quantify pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) relationships
      of various classes of GABAA agonists in healthy volunteers, in order to
      investigate the sensitivity of the biomarker responses due to differing GABAA
      subtype selectivity and to explore the correlation between biomarker responses
      and side effects of these drugs. METHODS: A comprehensive search was conducted
      for published placebo-controlled clinical studies of non- and alpha1-selective
      GABAA drugs in healthy volunteers. PK/PD models were developed for concentrations
      and biomarker outcomes (saccadic eye movement (SEM), visual analogue scale (VAS),
      digit symbol substitution task (DSST), and critical flicker fusion test (CFFT))
      extracted from included studies. Predicted responses and equivalent doses for
      biomarkers (based on predicted response) were used to compare drug effects. And
      the relationship between biomarkers and safety was explored by linear regression.
      RESULTS: A total of 2237 data from 163 articles were included. Based on PK and
      placebo effect modeling, linear biomarker-concentration relationships well fit
      the data. The alpha1-selective compounds had similar equivalent doses for VAS,
      DSST, and CFFT (4.7-6.7 mg), which were about three to seven times lower than
      that for SEM (14.4-35.5 mg), while such difference was less evident for non
      selective drugs. DSST had the highest correlations with incidences of somnolence
      and dizziness. CONCLUSIONS: The integral PK/PD models of GABAA agonists were
      established in healthy volunteers. SEM was identified as the most sensitive
      biomarker in differentiating GABAA receptor alpha1 subtype selective compounds.
      The exploratory analysis implied that different relationships existed between the
      drug effects on biomarkers and the adverse event profiles in healthy volunteers.

PMID- 26257253
TI  - Hepatoma in hepatitis B: Infectious disease or liver disease?

PMID- 26257252
TI  - Perspectives on next steps in classification of oro-facial pain - part 2: role of
      psychosocial factors.
AB  - This study was initiated by a symposium, in which the present authors
      contributed, organised by the International RDC/TMD Consortium Network in March
      2013. The purpose of the study was to review the status of biobehavioural
      research - both quantitative and qualitative - related to oro-facial pain (OFP)
      with respect to the aetiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of OFP
      conditions, and how this information can optimally be used for developing a
      structured OFP classification system for research. In particular, we address
      representation of psychosocial entities in classification systems, use of
      qualitative research to identify and understand the full scope of psychosocial
      entities and their interaction, and the usage of classification system for
      guiding treatment. We then provide recommendations for addressing these problems,
      including how ontological principles can inform this process.

PMID- 26257254
TI  - Association of adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder subtypes and
      response to methylphenidate HCL treatment: A magnetic resonance spectroscopy
      study.
AB  - The effects of methylphenidate (MPH) treatment on N-acetyl aspartate (NAA),
      choline and creatine are being examined in individuals with different subtypes of
      attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Sixty ADHD subjects were
      included into the study aging between 18 and 60 years. Levels of NAA, creatine
      and choline in anterior cingulate cortex, cerebellum, striatum and dorsolateral
      prefrontal cortex were measured with magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Then, 10mg
      oral MPH was given to the subjects and the same metabolite levels were measured
      after an interval of 30min. Distribution of the patients according to the ADHD
      subtypes was as follows: 21 of them (35.0%) were in the inattentive type, 11 of
      them (18.3%) were in the hyperactive type and 28 of them were (46.7%) in the
      combined type. Changes of brain metabolite levels after MPH were found not to be
      statistically significantly different between the subtypes. The increase of
      choline levels after MPH compared to the levels of choline before MPH in striatum
      in the combined type patients were statistically significant. No clear
      association was found between ADHD subtypes and changes of brain metabolites with
      use of MPH in adult ADHD. 

PMID- 26257256
TI  - Corrigendum: Rhodium-Catalyzed Asymmetric Synthesis of Silicon-Stereogenic
      Dibenzosiloles by Enantioselective [2+2+2] Cycloaddition.

PMID- 26257257
TI  - Corrigendum: Total Synthesis of Coralloidolides A, B, C, and E.

PMID- 26257260
TI  - Age related skeletal muscle atrophy and upregulation of autophagy in dogs.
AB  - Sarcopenia, the age related loss of muscle mass and strength, is a multifactorial
      condition that occurs in a variety of species and represents a major healthcare
      concern for older adults in human medicine. In veterinary medicine, skeletal
      muscle atrophy is often observed in dogs as they reach old age, but the process
      is not well understood. Autophagy is a mechanism for degradation and recycling of
      cellular constituents and is potentially involved in sarcopenia. The aim of the
      present study was to evaluate the expression of three markers of autophagy,
      Beclin 1, LC3 and p62, in muscle wasting of geriatric dogs, to establish whether
      the levels of autophagy change with increasing age. Muscle biopsies from 25
      geriatric dogs were examined and compared with those from five healthy young
      dogs. Samples from older dogs, assessed by routine histology, histoenzymatic
      staining and immunohistochemistry, showed evidence of muscle atrophy,
      sarcoplasmic vacuolisation and mitochondrial alterations. Furthermore, in 80% of
      the muscle samples from the older dogs, marked intracytoplasmic staining for
      Beclin 1 and LC3 was observed. Significantly greater expression of LC3 II and
      Beclin 1, but lower expression of p62, was found by Western blotting, comparing
      muscle samples from old vs. young dogs. The results of the study suggest that
      enhanced autophagy might be one of the factors underlying muscle atrophy in dogs
      as they age. 

PMID- 26257261
TI  - Symptomatic gossypiboma diagnosed by characteristic findings on endoscopic
      ultrasound.

PMID- 26257262
TI  - Novel mouse model for simulating microsurgical tumor excision with facial nerve
      preservation.
AB  - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To determine the feasibility of using a mouse tumor model
      as a microsurgical training tool for otolaryngology-head and neck surgery (OHNS)
      trainees. STUDY DESIGN: Animal study. METHODS: We injected athymic nude mice with
      human cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (A431 cell line) deep to the parotid
      region overlying the masseter muscle. We sacrificed the animals 1 to 3 weeks
      postinjection, once a visible tumor growth was confirmed. We then asked 10 OHNS
      trainees to excise the tumor with preservation of the facial nerves under a high
      magnification dissecting microscope. The trainees graded the tasks in several
      areas of specific measures using a visual analogue scale (VAS) including 1) tumor
      texture, 2) surgical realism, 3) usefulness, and 4) difficulty of the task.
      RESULTS: Noticeable tumor growth occurred within 5 days following A431 cell
      injection and reached measureable size (0.5-1.5 cm) within 1 to 3 weeks. The
      tumor displaced the facial nerve laterally and medially, with few demonstrating
      infiltration of the nerve. VAS scores (+/- standard deviation) were 8.1 (+/-
      1.7), 7.7 (+/- 2.5), 9.0 (+/- 0.9) and 6.6 (+/- 1.9) for tumor texture, surgical
      realism, usefulness, and the difficulty of the task, respectively. CONCLUSIONS:
      We demonstrate a novel, reliable and cost-effective mouse model for simulating
      tumor extirpation microsurgery with preservation of important neural structures.
      OHNS trainees have found this simulation model to be realistic, useful, and
      appropriately challenging.

PMID- 26257263
TI  - Influence of nitrogen sources on growth and fermentation performance of different
      wine yeast species during alcoholic fermentation.
AB  - In this study, the influence of twenty different single (i.e. 19 amino acids and
      ammonium sulphate) and two multiple nitrogen sources (N-sources) on growth and
      fermentation (i.e. glucose consumption and ethanol production) performance of
      Saccharomyces cerevisiae and of four wine-related non-Saccharomyces yeast species
      (Lachancea thermotolerans, Metschnikowia pulcherrima, Hanseniaspora uvarum and
      Torulaspora delbrueckii) was investigated during alcoholic fermentation. Briefly,
      the N-sources with beneficial effects on all performance parameters (or for the
      majority of them) for each yeast species were alanine, arginine, asparagine,
      aspartic acid, glutamine, isoleucine, ammonium sulphate, serine, valine and
      mixtures of 19 amino acids and of 19 amino acids plus ammonium sulphate (for S.
      cerevisiae), serine (for L. thermotolerans), alanine (for H. uvarum), alanine and
      asparagine (for M. pulcherrima), arginine, asparagine, glutamine, isoleucine and
      mixture of 19 amino acids (for T. delbrueckii). Furthermore, our results showed a
      clear positive effect of complex mixtures of N-sources on S. cerevisiae and on T.
      delbrueckii (although to a lesser extent) as to all performance parameters
      studied, whereas for L. thermotolerans, H. uvarum and M. pulcherrima, single
      amino acids affected growth and fermentation performance to the same extent as
      the mixtures. Moreover, we found groups of N-sources with similar effects on the
      growth and/or fermentation performance of two or more yeast species. Finally, the
      influences of N-sources observed for T. delbrueckii and H. uvarum resembled those
      of S. cerevisiae the most and the least, respectively. Overall, this work
      contributes to an improved understanding of how different N-sources affect
      growth, glucose consumption and ethanol production of wine-related yeast species
      under oxygen-limited conditions, which, in turn, may be used to, e.g. optimize
      growth and fermentation performance of the given yeast upon N-source
      supplementation during wine fermentations. 

PMID- 26257264
TI  - Effect of specific light supply rate on photosynthetic efficiency of
      Nannochloropsis salina in a continuous flat plate photobioreactor.
AB  - In this work, Nannochloropsis salina was cultivated in a continuous-flow flat
      plate photobioreactor, working at different residence times and irradiations to
      study the effect of the specific light supply rate on biomass productivity and
      photosynthetic efficiency. Changes in residence times lead to different steady
      state cell concentrations and specific growth rates. We observed that cultures at
      steady concentration were exposed to different values of light intensity per
      cell. This specific light supply rate was shown to affect the photosynthetic
      status of the cells, monitored by fluorescence measurements. High specific light
      supply rate can lead to saturation and photoinhibition phenomena if the biomass
      concentration is not optimized for the selected operating conditions. Energy
      balances were applied to quantify the biomass growth yield and maintenance
      requirements in N. salina cells.

PMID- 26257265
TI  - Jorgensen-Hayashi catalysts supported on poly(ethylene glycol)s as highly
      efficient and reusable organocatalysts for the enamine-catalyzed asymmetric
      Michael reaction.
AB  - A new kind of recyclable and reusable PEG-supported Jorgensen-Hayashi catalyst is
      synthesized for the first time and proven to be efficient for the enamine
      catalyzed asymmetric Michael reaction with generally moderate to good
      diastereoselectivity and high to excellent enantioselectivity (up to 6 : 1 dr,
      99% ee). The prepared PEG-supported catalyst can be recovered eight times and was
      found to provide similar diastereoselectivity and enantioselectivity to
      unsupported functional catalysts. 

PMID- 26257266
TI  - Minimal synthetic cells to study integrin-mediated adhesion.
AB  - To shed light on cell-adhesion-related molecular pathways, synthetic cells offer
      the unique advantage of a well-controlled model system with reduced molecular
      complexity. Herein, we show that liposomes with the reconstituted platelet
      integrin alphaIIb beta3 as the adhesion-mediating transmembrane protein are a
      functional minimal cell model for studying cellular adhesion mechanisms in a
      defined environment. The interaction of these synthetic cells with various
      extracellular matrix proteins was analyzed using a quartz crystal microbalance
      with dissipation monitoring. The data indicated that integrin was functionally
      incorporated into the lipid vesicles, thus enabling integrin-specific adhesion of
      the engineered liposomes to fibrinogen- and fibronectin-functionalized surfaces.
      Then, we were able to initiate the detachment of integrin liposomes from these
      surfaces in the presence of the peptide GRGDSP, a process that is even faster
      with our newly synthesized peptide mimetic SN529, which specifically inhibits the
      integrin alphaIIb beta3 . 

PMID- 26257267
TI  - Adjusting Hip Fracture Probability in Men and Women Using Hip Axis Length: the
      Manitoba Bone Density Database.
AB  - Most studies report that longer hip axis length (HAL) is associated with
      increased hip fracture risk in women, but comparable data in men are sparse.
      Using a registry of all dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) results for
      Manitoba, Canada, we identified 4738 men and 50,420 women aged 40 yr and older
      with baseline hip DXA results, HAL measurements, and Fracture Risk Assessment
      Tool (FRAX) hip fracture probability computed with femoral neck bone mineral
      density (BMD). Population-based health service records were assessed for a
      subsequent hospitalization with a primary diagnosis of hip fracture. During mean
      6.2 yr of follow-up, 70 men and 1020 women developed incident hip fractures. Mean
      HAL was significantly greater in those with vs without incident hip fractures
      (men 123.0 +/- 7.6 vs 121.3 +/- 7.4 mm, p = 0.050; women 106.9 +/- 6.2 vs 104.6
      +/- 6.2 mm, p < 0.001). When adjusted for age and femoral neck BMD, each
      millimeter increase in HAL increased hip fracture risk by 3.6% in men (p = 0.022)
      and 4.6% in women (p < 0.001); this association was unaffected by sex (p value
      for interaction = 0.477). When adjusted for log-transformed FRAX hip fracture
      probability, each millimeter increase in HAL increased hip fracture risk by 3.4%
      in men (p = 0.031) and 4.8% in women (p < 0.001); this association was again
      unaffected by sex (p interaction = 0.409). A bilinear adjustment applicable to
      both men and women was developed: relative increase in hip fracture probability
      4.7% for every millimeter that HAL is above the sex-specific average, relative
      decrease in hip fracture probability 3.8% for every millimeter that HAL is below
      the sex-specific average. We concluded that greater DXA-derived HAL is associated
      with increased incident hip fracture risk in both men and women, and this risk is
      independent of BMD and FRAX probability.

PMID- 26257268
TI  - An efficient, maintenance free and approved method for spectroscopic control and
      monitoring of blend uniformity: The moving F-test.
AB  - Dry powder mixing is a wide spread Unit Operation in the Pharmaceutical industry.
      With the advent of in-line Near Infrared (NIR) Spectroscopy and Quality by Design
      principles, application of Process Analytical Technology to monitor Blend
      Uniformity (BU) is taking a more prominent role. Yet routine use of NIR for
      monitoring, let alone control of blending processes is not common in the
      industry, despite the improved process understanding and (cost) efficiency that
      it may offer. Method maintenance, robustness and translation to regulatory
      requirements have been important barriers to implement the method. This paper
      presents a qualitative NIR-BU method offering a convenient and compliant approach
      to apply BU control for routine operation and process understanding, without
      extensive calibration and method maintenance requirements. The method employs a
      moving F-test to detect the steady state of measured spectral variances and the
      endpoint of mixing. The fundamentals and performance characteristics of the
      method are first presented, followed by a description of the link to regulatory
      BU criteria, the method sensitivity and practical considerations. Applications in
      upscaling, tech transfer and commercial production are described, along with
      evaluation of the method performance by comparison with results from quantitative
      calibration models. A full application, in which end-point detection via the F
      test controls the blending process of a low dose product, was successfully filed
      in Europe and Australia, implemented in commercial production and routinely used
      for about five years and more than 100 batches. 

PMID- 26257269
TI  - In response to the usefulness of the stay suture technique in tracheostomy.

PMID- 26257270
TI  - Comparative proteomic profiling and possible toxicological mechanism of acute
      injury induced by carbon ion radiation in pubertal mice testes.
AB  - We investigated potential mechanisms of acute injury in pubertal mice testes
      after exposure to carbon ion radiation (CIR). Serum testosterone was measured
      following whole-body irradiation with a 2Gy carbon ion beam. Comparative
      proteomic profiling and Western blotting were applied to identify potential
      biomarkers and measure protein expression, and terminal dUTP nick end-labeling
      (TUNEL) was performed to detect apoptotic cells. Immunohistochemistry and
      immunofluorescence were used to investigate protein localization. Serum
      testosterone was lowest at 24h after CIR, and 10 differentially expressed
      proteins were identified at this time point that included eIF4E, an important
      regulator of initiation that combines with mTOR and 4EBP1 to control protein
      synthesis via the mTOR signaling pathway during proliferation and apoptosis.
      Protein expression and localization studies confirmed their association with
      acute injury following exposure to CIR. These three proteins may be useful
      molecular markers for detecting abnormal spermatogenesis following exposure to
      environmental and therapeutic radiation. 

PMID- 26257271
TI  - Functional changes after early treatment of unilateral posterior cross-bite
      associated with mandibular shift: a systematic review.
AB  - The objective of this systematic review was to investigate whether oral
      functional asymmetry in children treated for unilateral functional posterior
      cross-bite disappears after orthodontic treatment with a resulting normalisation
      of oral functions. A literature search was carried out using PubMed, Web of
      Science and the Cochrane Library to locate longitudinal studies reporting on
      clinical oral functional changes, recorded by methods including masseter muscle
      thickness, bite force, masticatory/chewing cycle or electromyographic masticatory
      muscle activity, following the treatment of unilateral functional posterior cross
      bite. All potential articles were initially screened according to their title and
      abstract, the full text of selected articles was evaluated, and the final study
      selection was made based on the pre-defined criteria. Data extraction was
      subsequently carried out. The initial literature search identified 736 articles,
      with 12 articles fulfilling pre-defined criteria. Although there was a lack of
      high-quality prospective studies, based on the available evidence, results
      suggest that the abnormal masticatory cycle associated with functional posterior
      unilateral cross-bite tends to normalise following early cross-bite treatment.
      Masticatory muscle activity shows an increase after early functional unilateral
      posterior cross-bite treatment, and this activity approaches normal levels.
      Insufficient evidence was available to conclude on maximal molar bite force or
      masticatory muscle thickness changes following early treatment of functional
      unilateral posterior cross-bite. Results should be interpreted with caution due
      to the lack of high-quality controlled studies. Well-designed prospective studies
      with large patient samples and long-term follow-up are necessary before making
      reliable conclusions concerning change in functional asymmetry following
      unilateral functional posterior cross-bite correction. 

PMID- 26257272
TI  - Colorectal cancer screening by colonoscopy: putting it into perspective.
AB  - Implementation of nationwide screening programs aims to decrease the disease
      burden of colorectal cancer (CRC) in the general population. Globally, most
      population screening programs for CRC are carried out by either fecal occult
      blood test, flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy. For screening programs with
      colonoscopy as the primary method, only circumstantial evidence from
      observational studies is available to prove its effectiveness, suggesting that
      colonoscopy effectively reduces CRC incidence and mortality. Currently, large
      randomized trials are being conducted to corroborate these findings. Besides the
      direct effect of a screening program for CRC, its protective effect is further
      enhanced by enrolment of patients that underwent polypectomy in surveillance
      programs. However, despite CRC screening and surveillance colonoscopies, interval
      CRC still occur. Those are predominantly located in the right-sided colon and
      potential explanations, besides unfavorable tumor characteristics, are
      preventable operator-dependent factors relating to the quality of the colonoscopy
      procedure. In an effort to reduce differences in endoscopists' performance and
      thereby the occurrence of interval CRC, quality indicators of colonoscopy have
      been introduced. In addition, emerging advanced colonoscopy techniques might
      contribute to improvement in polyp detection and removal. Meticulous inspection
      of the colonic mucosa not only results in the detection of advanced and relevant
      lesions, but also in the removal of many diminutive and small lesions leading to
      an increasing number of surveillance colonoscopies, known as the 'high-detection
      paradox'. More data on the cost-effectiveness of high-quality colonoscopy as a
      primary screening method and surveillance programs with intervals based on
      optimal risk stratification are eagerly awaited. 

PMID- 26257273
TI  - Analysis of limb segments length and body proportion of southern Chinese children
      and adolescents.
AB  - AIM: This cross-sectional study was designed to characterize by age the ratios of
      limb segments length to height and extremities-trunk ratio and body proportions
      of southern Chinese children. METHODS: Data were collected from students (n =
      4715) from five school, aged 6-17 years, in the city of Chongqing. Their standing
      height, sitting height, arm span, forearm length, upper arm length, leg length,
      lower leg length, and ratios of extremities to trunk length were determined.
      RESULTS: Sitting height, forearm length, upper arm length, arm span, and lower
      leg length were highly correlated with standing height (r > 0.9; P < 0.05). The
      ratio of extremities to trunk increased till about 13 years of age for both
      genders. CONCLUSIONS: The length of extremities and their ratio to sitting height
      reflect regular changes of growth in Chinese children as their age, and limb
      segments length is highly correlated with height.

PMID- 26257274
TI  - The role of the non-covalent beta-ionone-ring binding site in rhodopsin:
      historical and physiological perspective.
AB  - Bleached rhodopsin regenerates by way of the Schiff base formation between the 11
      cis retinal and opsin. Recovery of human vision from light adapted states follows
      biphasic kinetics and each adaptive phase is assigned to two distinct classes of
      visual pigments in cones and rods, respectively, suggesting that the speed of
      Schiff base formation differs between iodopsin and rhodopsin. Matsumoto and
      Yoshizawa predicted the existence of a beta-ionone ring-binding site in
      rhodopsin, which has been proven by structural studies. They postulated that
      rhodopsin regeneration starts with a non-covalent binding of the beta-ionone ring
      moiety of 11-cis-retinal, followed by the Schiff base formation. Recent
      physiological investigation revealed that non-covalent occupation of the beta
      ionone ring binding site transiently activates the visual transduction cascade in
      the dark. In order to understand the role of non-covalent binding of 11-cis
      retinal to opsin during regeneration, we studied the kinetics of rhodopsin
      regeneration from opsin and 11-cis-retinal and found that the Schiff base
      formation is accelerated ~10(7) times compared to that between retinal and free
      amine. According to Cordes and Jencks, Schiff base formation in solution exhibits
      a bell-shaped pH dependence. However, we discovered that the rhodopsin formation
      is independent of pH over a wide pH range, suggesting that aqueous solvents do
      not have access to the Schiff base milieu during its formation. According to
      Hecht et al. the regeneration of iodopsin must be significantly faster than that
      of rhodopsin. Does this suggest that the Schiff base formation in iodopsin is
      favored due to its structural architecture? The iodopsin structure once solved
      would answer such a question as how molecular fine-tuning of retinal proteins
      realizes their dark adaptive functions. In contrast, bacteriorhodopsin does not
      require occupancy of a distinct beta-ionone ring-binding site, enabling an
      aldehyde without the cyclohexene ring to form a pigment. Studies of regeneration
      reaction of other retinal proteins, which are scarcely available, would clarify
      the molecular structure-phenotype relationships and their physiological roles. 

PMID- 26257275
TI  - Tantalum rod implantation for femoral head osteonecrosis: survivorship analysis
      and determination of prognostic factors for total hip arthroplasty.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the moderate survival data of
      porous tantalum rod implants for the treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral
      head (ONFH). Additionally, some independent prognostic factors for conversion to
      total hip arthroplasty (THA) were identified. METHODS: The porous tantalum rod
      population was obtained from a prospective, consecutive group of patients treated
      for Steinberg stage I and II osteonecrosis from April 2009 through July 2011. The
      historical core decompression and impaction of bone filling particle subjects
      underwent surgery from April 2007 through March 2009. Surgical data including
      time of surgery, blood loss, and cell transfusions were recorded. Post-operative
      values were measured for hospitalization length as well as days requiring a
      patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump. Primary outcomes were Harris hip score
      and survivorship analysis. Demographics and baseline characteristics included
      age, sex, etiology, bilateral disease, associated chronic systemic disease,
      Steinberg stage, Harris hip score, accompanied with bone marrow edema of femoral
      head, and osteonecrotic lesion size. RESULTS: Demographic/baseline
      characteristics were similar between two groups. At the post-operative follow-up
      of 62 months, Harris hip scores were significantly increased (P < 0.0001) when
      compared to that before surgery in both groups. The magnitude of increase in the
      tantalum rod implant group was significantly greater than that in the control
      group (P = 0.0426). With an average follow-up of 48 months (range, 38-62 months),
      the tantalum rod group had an 84.6 % survival rate. With an average follow-up of
      72 months (range, 67-85 months), the control group had a 63.3 % survival rate. A
      comparison of Kaplan-Meier curves showed significantly higher cumulative survival
      rates (P = 0.048) for hips with implantation of the porous tantalum rod (74.1 %
      at 62 months) than for those with impaction composite bone material (49.9 % at 62
      months). The Cox proportional-hazard model revealed that implantation of tantalum
      rod (P = 0.012), bone marrow edema (P = 0.003), corticosteroids intake (P =
      0.007), and age less than 50 years (P = 0.014) were the independent prognostic
      factors related to conversion into THA. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with the
      traditional impaction composite bone material technique, implantation of tantalum
      rod in the treatment of Steinberg stages I and II ONFH can obtain better clinical
      results and higher cumulative survival rates. For patients without the use of
      corticosteroids, and especially for hips without bone marrow oedema, the clinical
      results from our study show highly encouraging survival rates and a delay in or
      prevention of conversion into THA.

PMID- 26257276
TI  - Geometrical analysis of stemless shoulder arthroplasty: a radiological study of
      seventy TESS total shoulder prostheses.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of a stemless
      shoulder prosthesis to restore shoulder anatomy in relation to premorbid anatomy.
      METHODS: This prospective study was performed between May 2007 and December 2013.
      The inclusion criteria were patients with primary osteoarthritis (OA) who had
      undergone stemless total anatomic shoulder arthroplasty. Radiographic
      measurements were done on anteroposterior X-ray views of the glenohumeral joint.
      RESULTS: Sixty-nine patients (70 shoulders) were included in the study. The mean
      difference between premorbid centre of rotation (COR) and post-operative COR was
      1 +/- 2 mm (range -3 to 5.8 mm). The mean difference between premorbid humeral
      head height (HH) and post-operative HH was -1 +/- 3 mm (range -9.7 to 8.5 mm).
      The mean difference between premorbid neck-shaft angle (NSA) and post-operative
      NSA was -3 +/- 12 degrees  (range -26 to 20 degrees ). CONCLUSIONS: Stemless
      implants could be of help to reconstruct the shoulder anatomy. This study shows
      that there are some challenges to be addressed when attempting to ensure optimal
      implant positioning. The critical step is to determine the correct level of bone
      cut to avoid varus or valgus humeral head inclination and ensure correct head
      size.

PMID- 26257277
TI  - Clinical and radiological outcomes of unstable proximal humeral fractures treated
      with a locking plate and fibular strut allograft.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of unstable proximal
      humeral fractures (PHFs) treated with a locking plate and fibular strut
      allograft. METHODS: This study included 36 patients [7 men, 29 women; mean age,
      68 years (range, 22-94 years)] with unstable PHFs with medial column disruption.
      All patients were treated with open reduction and internal fixation using a
      locking plate and fibular strut allograft. Post-operative assessment included
      clinical outcomes, shoulder range of motion, radiographic examination, and any
      complications. Post-operative radiological assessment including the humerus neck
      shaft angle (NSA) and the humeral head height was performed. RESULTS: At the mean
      two year follow-up visit, the mean American Shoulder and Elbow Society (ASES) and
      University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) scores were 77 and 28, respectively.
      According to the UCLA rating scale, the result was excellent in six, good in 20,
      fair in six, and poor in four cases. According to the Paavolainen method, 31
      patients had good results with an NSA of 130 +/- 10 degrees ; three patients
      showed fair results with an NSA of 100-120 degrees , and two patients experienced
      a poor result with an NSA of <100 degrees . When calculating the humeral head
      height, the mean loss of reduction was measured as 1.6 mm (from 10.8 or 9.2 mm).
      Varus collapse and avascular necrosis of the humeral head was noted in two
      patients for each condition. CONCLUSIONS: For unstable proximal humerus
      fractures, particularly in elderly patients with severe osteoporosis or in
      younger patients with a four-part fracture, locking plate fixation with a fibular
      strut allograft provided rigid medial support and showed satisfactory clinical
      and radiological outcomes.

PMID- 26257278
TI  - Transarticular plating for acute posterior sternoclavicular joint dislocations: a
      valid treatment option?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Restoration of the sternoclavicular joint after posterior dislocation
      is important for upper limb function. The proximity of neuro-vascular mediastinal
      structures makes open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) a high-risk
      procedure. The ideal treatment strategy is still debated. Our aim is to review
      the treatment of acute posterior sternoclavicular joint dislocation with a
      locking compression plate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We present our experience of
      transarticular plating using a locking compression plate for the treatment of
      three consecutive patients with posterior sternoclavicular dislocation (SCD). Our
      primary outcome measure was objective functional outcome using DASH (disability
      of the arm, shoulder and hand) and PROMIS (patient-reported outcomes measurement
      information system) questionnaires. All patients had a minimum follow-up of six
      months, and serial radiographs were reviewed to evaluate maintenance of
      reduction. RESULTS: All three patients presented a posterior SCD with instability
      refractory to closed reduction. In all three patients, we opted for surgical
      management using open reduction and fixation with a locking compression plate and
      allowed early mobilization at two weeks postoperatively. No complications were
      encountered during follow-up. Good functional outcomes were evidenced by DASH
      scores of 7.5, 20 and 30, and PROMIS scores were 53.8, 53.8 and 38.1 in each
      patient, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our experience of transarticular plating using
      a locking compression plate for posterior SCD is positive, as it allows early
      mobilization and resulted in good functional outcomes.

PMID- 26257279
TI  - Imatinib Treatment in PDGFRA-Negative Childhood Hypereosinophilic Syndrome.
AB  - We report a 4-year-old female who presented with severe hypereosinophilia (215.7
      K/MUl) and end-organ dysfunction. Extensive evaluation including whole exome
      sequencing was performed, revealing no causative mutation. Initial treatment with
      corticosteroids, leukapheresis, and hydroxyurea decreased her absolute eosinophil
      count (AEC), although it remained elevated. Despite the absence of a PDGFRA
      mutation, an imatinib trial resulted in normalization of her AEC. Imatinib was
      discontinued after sustained normal counts for 1 month. AECs have remained normal
      for more than 1 year off therapy. This provides support for consideration of
      imatinib in the treatment of hypereosinophilia even in the absence of a known
      tyrosine kinase mutation.

PMID- 26257280
TI  - Relationship Between Peer Victimization and Posttraumatic Stress Among Primary
      School Children.
AB  - Peer victimization is a common stressor experienced by children. Although peer
      victimization has been studied extensively, few studies have examined the
      potential link between peer victimization and posttraumatic stress disorder
      (PTSD), and no studies of which we are aware have examined this link among
      children in primary school. The paucity of studies examining the link between
      PTSD and peer victimization in primary school is surprising because peer
      victimization occurs more frequently and is more likely to be physical among 7-
      and 8-year-old children. This study assessed the relationship between peer
      victimization and PTSD in a sample of 358 elementary school children (ages 6-11
      years). Results indicated that peer victimization accounted for 14.1% of PTSD
      symptom severity among boys and 10.1% among girls. Additionally, we found gender
      differences in the types of peer victimization that were most associated with
      PTSD symptom severity (d = 0.38). The long-term developmental consequences that
      may be associated with peer victimization-linked PTSD symptomatology are
      discussed.

PMID- 26257281
TI  - THZ1 Reveals Roles for Cdk7 in Co-transcriptional Capping and Pausing.
AB  - The Cdk7 subunit of TFIIH phosphorylates RNA polymerase II (Pol II) during
      initiation, and, while recent studies show that inhibition of human Cdk7
      negatively influences transcription, the mechanisms involved are unclear. Using
      in vitro transcription with nuclear extract, we demonstrate that THZ1, a covalent
      Cdk7 inhibitor, causes defects in Pol II phosphorylation, co-transcriptional
      capping, promoter proximal pausing, and productive elongation. THZ1 does not
      affect initiation but blocks essentially all Pol II large subunit C-terminal
      domain (CTD) phosphorylation. We found that guanylylation of nascent RNAs is
      length dependent and modulated by a THZ1-sensitive factor present in nuclear
      extract. THZ1 impacts pausing through a capping-independent block of DSIF and
      NELF loading. The P-TEFb-dependent transition into productive elongation was also
      inhibited by THZ1, likely due to loss of DSIF. Capping and pausing were also
      reduced in THZ1-treated cells. Our results provide mechanistic insights into THZ1
      action and how Cdk7 broadly influences transcription and capping. 

PMID- 26257282
TI  - Interaction between TBP and Condensin Drives the Organization and Faithful
      Segregation of Mitotic Chromosomes.
AB  - Genome/chromosome organization is highly ordered and controls various nuclear
      events, although the molecular mechanisms underlying the functional organization
      remain largely unknown. Here, we show that the TATA box-binding protein (TBP)
      interacts with the Cnd2 kleisin subunit of condensin to mediate interphase and
      mitotic chromosomal organization in fission yeast. TBP recruits condensin onto
      RNA polymerase III-transcribed (Pol III) genes and highly transcribed Pol II
      genes; condensin in turn associates these genes with centromeres. Inhibition of
      the Cnd2-TBP interaction disrupts condensin localization across the genome and
      the proper assembly of mitotic chromosomes, leading to severe defects in
      chromosome segregation and eventually causing cellular lethality. We propose that
      the Cnd2-TBP interaction coordinates transcription with chromosomal architecture
      by linking dispersed gene loci with centromeres. This chromosome arrangement can
      contribute to the efficient transmission of physical force at the kinetochore to
      chromosomal arms, thereby supporting the fidelity of chromosome segregation.

PMID- 26257283
TI  - Variable Glutamine-Rich Repeats Modulate Transcription Factor Activity.
AB  - Excessive expansions of glutamine (Q)-rich repeats in various human proteins are
      known to result in severe neurodegenerative disorders such as Huntington's
      disease and several ataxias. However, the physiological role of these repeats and
      the consequences of more moderate repeat variation remain unknown. Here, we
      demonstrate that Q-rich domains are highly enriched in eukaryotic transcription
      factors where they act as functional modulators. Incremental changes in the
      number of repeats in the yeast transcriptional regulator Ssn6 (Cyc8) result in
      systematic, repeat-length-dependent variation in expression of target genes that
      result in direct phenotypic changes. The function of Ssn6 increases with its
      repeat number until a certain threshold where further expansion leads to
      aggregation. Quantitative proteomic analysis reveals that the Ssn6 repeats affect
      its solubility and interactions with Tup1 and other regulators. Thus, Q-rich
      repeats are dynamic functional domains that modulate a regulator's innate
      function, with the inherent risk of pathogenic repeat expansions. 

PMID- 26257284
TI  - Crosslink Mapping at Amino Acid-Base Resolution Reveals the Path of Scrunched DNA
      in Initial Transcribing Complexes.
AB  - RNA polymerase binds tightly to DNA to recognize promoters with high specificity
      but then releases these contacts during the initial stage of transcription. We
      report a site-specific crosslinking approach to map the DNA path in bacterial
      transcription intermediates at amino acid and nucleotide resolution. After
      validating the approach by showing that the DNA path in open complexes (RPO) is
      the same as in high-resolution X-ray structures, we define the path following
      substrate addition in "scrunched" complexes (RPITC). The DNA bulges that form
      within the transcription bubble in RPITC are positioned differently on the two
      strands. Our data suggest that the non-template strand bulge is extruded into
      solvent in complexes containing a 5-mer RNA, whereas the template strand bulge
      remains within the template strand tunnel, exerting stress on interactions
      between the beta flap, beta' clamp, and sigma3.2. We propose that this stress
      contributes to sigma3.2 displacement from the RNA exit channel, facilitating
      promoter escape.

PMID- 26257285
TI  - SpDamID: Marking DNA Bound by Protein Complexes Identifies Notch-Dimer Responsive
      Enhancers.
AB  - We developed Split DamID (SpDamID), a protein complementation version of DamID,
      to mark genomic DNA bound in vivo by interacting or juxtapositioned transcription
      factors. Inactive halves of DAM (DNA adenine methyltransferase) were fused to
      protein pairs to be queried. Either direct interaction between proteins or
      proximity enabled DAM reconstitution and methylation of adenine in GATC.
      Inducible SpDamID was used to analyze Notch-mediated transcriptional activation.
      We demonstrate that Notch complexes label RBP sites broadly across the genome and
      show that a subset of these complexes that recruit MAML and p300 undergo changes
      in chromatin accessibility in response to Notch signaling. SpDamID differentiates
      between monomeric and dimeric binding, thereby allowing for identification of
      half-site motifs used by Notch dimers. Motif enrichment of Notch enhancers
      coupled with SpDamID reveals co-targeting of regulatory sequences by Notch and
      Runx1. SpDamID represents a sensitive and powerful tool that enables dynamic
      analysis of combinatorial protein-DNA transactions at a genome-wide level. 

PMID- 26257287
TI  - Dual antiplatelet therapy, drug-eluting stents and bioresorbable vascular
      scaffolds: Evolutionary perspectives.
AB  - Dual antiplatelet therapy reduces the risk of myocardial infarction, stent
      thrombosis, and cardiovascular mortality after percutaneous coronary
      intervention, but the optimal duration of therapy remains unclear. Stent
      thrombosis, one of the most feared complications of coronary intervention, is
      associated with high mortality and morbidity and is related in part to technical
      and patient-specific factors. Advances in device technology and better
      understanding of the pathophysiology of stent thrombosis have reduced the
      frequency of this devastating complication. Bioresorbable vascular scaffolds
      possess a number of advantageous features and are currently undergoing active
      investigation. Bioresorbable vascular scaffolds have been demonstrated to restore
      physiologic vasomotion, allow for late lumen enlargement, and upon full
      resorption remove the nidus for very late polymer reactions and resolve concerns
      of stent malapposition and side branch jailing. Based on the results from recent
      large-scale randomized trials, the optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy
      may depend on the choice of device type, as well as the individual patient risk
      of ischemic versus hemorrhagic complications.

PMID- 26257286
TI  - TAF11 Assembles the RISC Loading Complex to Enhance RNAi Efficiency.
AB  - Assembly of the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) requires formation of the
      RISC loading complex (RLC), which contains the Dicer-2 (Dcr-2)-R2D2 complex and
      recruits duplex siRNA to Ago2 in Drosophila melanogaster. However, the precise
      composition and action mechanism of Drosophila RLC remain unclear. Here we
      identified the missing factor of RLC as TATA-binding protein-associated factor 11
      (TAF11) by genetic screen. Although it is an annotated nuclear transcription
      factor, we found that TAF11 also associated with Dcr-2/R2D2 and localized to
      cytoplasmic D2 bodies. Consistent with defective RLC assembly in taf11(-/-) ovary
      extract, we reconstituted the RLC in vitro using the recombinant Dcr-2-R2D2
      complex, TAF11, and duplex siRNA. Furthermore, we showed that TAF11 tetramer
      facilitates Dcr-2-R2D2 tetramerization to enhance siRNA binding and RISC loading
      activities. Together, our genetic and biochemical studies define the molecular
      nature of the Drosophila RLC and elucidate a cytoplasmic function of TAF11 in
      organizing RLC assembly to enhance RNAi efficiency.

PMID- 26257288
TI  - Shape-Controlled Synthesis of Isotopic Yttrium-90-Labeled Rare Earth Fluoride
      Nanocrystals for Multimodal Imaging.
AB  - Isotopically labeled nanomaterials have recently attracted much attention in
      biomedical research, environmental health studies, and clinical medicine because
      radioactive probes allow the elucidation of in vitro and in vivo cellular
      transport mechanisms, as well as the unambiguous distribution and localization of
      nanomaterials in vivo. In addition, nanocrystal-based inorganic materials have a
      unique capability of customizing size, shape, and composition; with the potential
      to be designed as multimodal imaging probes. Size and shape of nanocrystals can
      directly influence interactions with biological systems, hence it is important to
      develop synthetic methods to design radiolabeled nanocrystals with precise
      control of size and shape. Here, we report size- and shape-controlled synthesis
      of rare earth fluoride nanocrystals doped with the beta-emitting radioisotope
      yttrium-90 ((90)Y). Size and shape of nanocrystals are tailored via tight control
      of reaction parameters and the type of rare earth hosts (e.g., Gd or Y) employed.
      Radiolabeled nanocrystals are synthesized in high radiochemical yield and purity
      as well as excellent radiolabel stability in the face of surface modification
      with different polymeric ligands. We demonstrate the Cerenkov radioluminescence
      imaging and magnetic resonance imaging capabilities of (90)Y-doped GdF3
      nanoplates, which offer unique opportunities as a promising platform for
      multimodal imaging and targeted therapy. 

PMID- 26257289
TI  - miRNA-mRNA crosstalk in esophageal cancer: From diagnosis to therapy.
AB  - The asymptomatic nature of esophageal cancer (EC) at early stages results in late
      clinical presentation leading to poor prognosis and limited success of
      therapeutic modalities. Efforts to identify diagnostic/prognostic markers have
      proven to be unsuccessful for translation into clinics. Hence, there is a
      pressing need for establishment of novel non-invasive biomarker for early
      diagnosis/better prognosis of EC. Recently, alteration in microRNA (miRNA)
      expression has emerged as an important hallmark of cancer. This review summarizes
      the differential expression of miRNAs in EC and addresses how their aberrant
      expression influences crucial biological processes such as apoptosis, cell
      proliferation, invasion and metastasis. Additionally, this review highlights the
      current status of circulating miRNA based diagnostic/prognostic markers. An
      effort has been made to find a connection between different miRNAs involved in EC
      and a detailed analysis has been done to screen out micoRNAs involved in
      prognosis and multidrug resistance. Further, investigation of these miRNAs would
      not only provide a gene therapy based strategy to prevent/treat cancer but also
      to reverse multidrug resistance leading to decreased requirement of harmful
      chemotherapeutic drugs. 

PMID- 26257290
TI  - Next generation sequencing technologies for rare Mendelian disorders: striking
      potential and ongoing challenges.

PMID- 26257292
TI  - A new methodology for the determination of enzyme activity based on carbon
      nanotubes and glucose oxidase.
AB  - In this research, a novel enzyme activity analysis methodology is introduced as a
      new perspective for this area. The activity of elastase enzyme, which is a
      digestive enzyme mostly of found in the digestive system of vertebrates, was
      determined by an electrochemical device composed of carbon nanotubes and a second
      enzyme, glucose oxidase, which was used as a signal generator enzyme. In this
      novel methodology, a complex bioactive layer was constructed by using carbon
      nanotubes, glucose oxidase and a supporting protein, gelatin on a solid,
      conductive substrate. The activity of elastase was determined by monitoring the
      hydrolysis rate of elastase enzyme in the bioactive layer. As a result of this
      hydrolysis of elastase, glucose oxidase was dissociated from the bioactive layer,
      and following this the electrochemical signal due to glucose oxidase was
      decreased. The progressive elastase-catalyzed digestion of the bioactive layer
      containing glucose oxidase decreased the layer's enzymatic efficiency, resulting
      in a decrease of the glucose oxidation current as a function of the enzyme
      activity. The ratio of the decrease was correlated to elastase activity level. In
      this study, optimization experiments of bioactive components and characterization
      of the resulting new electrochemical device were carried out. A linear
      calibration range from 0.0303U/mL to 0.0729U/mL of elastase was reported. Real
      sample analyses were also carried out by the new electrochemical device.

PMID- 26257293
TI  - Comparison of the anti-inflammatory active constituents and hepatotoxic
      pyrrolizidine alkaloids in two Senecio plants and their preparations by LC-UV and
      LC-MS.
AB  - Two Senecio plants, Senecio cannabifolius Less. and its variety S. cannabifolius
      Less. var. integrifolius (Kiodz.) Kidam., were both used as the raw material of
      Feining granule, a traditional Chinese medicine product for treating respiratory
      diseases. In this study, the chemical profiles of these two plants were
      investigated and compared by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and
      nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). A total number of 83 constituents, including 55
      organic acids, 11 flavonoids, 4 alkaloids, 3 terpenes and 10 other types of
      compounds, were characterized. The results indicated that the levels of most
      flavonoids were higher in S. cannabifolius than in S. cannabifolius var.
      integrifolius, however, the levels of hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs)
      were higher in S. cannabifolius var. integrifolius than in S. cannabifolius.
      Fifteen constituents were evaluated on lipopolysaccharides (LPS) induced RAW
      264.7 cells, and eleven of them showed inhibition effect against nitric oxide
      (NO) production. Finally, the levels of ten major constituents (including seven
      anti-inflammatory active ones) and two PAs in Feining granule from two Senecio
      plants were determined and compared by the LC-UV and LC-MS methods, respectively.
      It was found that one organic acid (homogentisic acid) and two PAs
      (seneciphylline and senecionine) had higher contents in the preparation of S.
      cannabifolius var. integrifolius than in that of S. cannabifolius, however, the
      situations were inverse for the levels of four organic acids and flavonoids
      (chlorogenic acid, hyperoside, isoquercitrin, and isochlorogenic acid B). Based
      on the above results, S. cannabifolius might be a better raw material for Feining
      granule than S. cannabifolius var. integrifolius, because it contained more anti
      inflammatory constituents and less hepatotoxic PAs than the latter. However, more
      pharmacological evaluations should be carried out to support the selection. The
      results in this study were helpful for the quality control of Feining granule.

PMID- 26257294
TI  - An integrated approach to assess heavy metal source apportionment in peri-urban
      agricultural soils.
AB  - Three techniques (Isotope Ratio Analysis, GIS mapping, and Multivariate
      Statistical Analysis) were integrated to assess heavy metal pollution and source
      apportionment in peri-urban agricultural soils. The soils in the study area were
      moderately polluted with cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg), lightly polluted with
      lead (Pb), and chromium (Cr). GIS Mapping suggested Cd pollution originates from
      point sources, whereas Hg, Pb, Cr could be traced back to both point and non
      point sources. Principal component analysis (PCA) indicated aluminum (Al),
      manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni) were mainly inherited from natural sources, while Hg,
      Pb, and Cd were associated with two different kinds of anthropogenic sources.
      Cluster analysis (CA) further identified fertilizers, waste water, industrial
      solid wastes, road dust, and atmospheric deposition as potential sources. Based
      on isotope ratio analysis (IRA) organic fertilizers and road dusts accounted for
      74-100% and 0-24% of the total Hg input, while road dusts and solid wastes
      contributed for 0-80% and 19-100% of the Pb input. This study provides a reliable
      approach for heavy metal source apportionment in this particular peri-urban area,
      with a clear potential for future application in other regions. 

PMID- 26257295
TI  - Removal of heavy metals from aqueous phases using chemically modified waste
      Lyocell fiber.
AB  - In this study, an outstanding performance of chemically modified waste Lyocell
      for heavy metals treatment is reported. The sorbent, which was prepared by a
      simple and concise method, was able to bind heavy metals such as Pb(II), Cu(II)
      and Cd(II), with very high efficiencies. The binding mechanisms were studied
      through adsorption and standard characterization tests such as scanning electron
      microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared
      spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction analyses. Adsorption kinetics was very fast
      and attained equilibrium within 5 min in all metals studied. The maximum single
      metal uptakes were 531.29+/-0.28 mg/g, 505.64+/-0.21 mg/g, and 123.08+/-0.26 mg/g
      for Pb(II), Cd(II) and Cu(II), respectively. In ternary metal systems, Cu(II)
      selectivity was observed and the underlying factors were discussed. The sorbent
      by its nature, could be very effective in treating large volumes of wastewater
      with the contact of very little amount.

PMID- 26257297
TI  - Mechanism and Kinetics of Li2S Precipitation in Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.
AB  - The kinetics of Li2 S electrodeposition onto carbon in lithium-sulfur batteries
      are characterized. Electrodeposition is found to be dominated by a 2D nucleation
      and growth process with rate constants that depend strongly on the electrolyte
      solvent. Nucleation is found to require a greater overpotential than growth,
      which results in a morphology that is dependent on the discharge rate. 

PMID- 26257296
TI  - Identification of Discrete Prognostic Groups in Ewing Sarcoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although multiple prognostic variables have been proposed for Ewing
      sarcoma (EWS), little work has been done to further categorize these variables
      into prognostic groups for risk classification. PROCEDURE: We derived initial
      prognostic groups from 2,124 patients with EWS in the SEER database. We
      constructed a multivariable recursive partitioning model of overall survival
      using the following covariates: age; stage; race/ethnicity; sex; axial primary;
      pelvic primary; and bone or soft tissue primary. Based on this model, we
      identified risk groups and estimated 5-year overall survival for each group using
      Kaplan-Meier methods. We then applied these groups to 1,680 patients enrolled on
      COG clinical trials. RESULTS: A multivariable model identified five prognostic
      groups with significantly different overall survival: (i) localized, age <18
      years, non-pelvic primary; (ii) localized, age <18, pelvic primary or localized,
      age >=18, white, non-Hispanic; (iii) localized, age >=18, all races/ethnicities
      other than white, non-Hispanic; (iv) metastatic, age <18; and (v) metastatic, age
      >=18. These five groups were applied to the COG dataset and showed significantly
      different overall and event-free survival based upon this classification system
      (P < 0.0001). A sub-analysis of COG patients treated with ifosfamide and
      etoposide as a component of therapy evaluated these findings in patients
      receiving contemporary therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Recursive partitioning analysis
      yields discrete prognostic groups in EWS that provide valuable information for
      patients and clinicians in determining an individual patient's risk of death.
      These groups may enable future clinical trials to adjust EWS treatment according
      to individualized risk.

PMID- 26257298
TI  - [Axillary lymph node metastases with an occult breast: About 16 cases from a
      cohort of 7770 patients].
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Isolated axillary lymph node metastases is an unusual clinical
      presentation of breast carcinoma. We studied its different issues. METHODS: This
      study is a follow-up study of 16patients, treated between 1996 and 2012,
      presenting with axillary metastases with an occult breast carcinoma, which could
      not be identified by physical examination nor by a conventional imaging or a
      breast MRI. Clinical characteristics, histological analysis, treatment,
      monitoring and five-year survival rate were studied. RESULTS: The incidence of
      this kind of breast cancer was 0.20%. A breast MRI was performed in 75% of the
      patients. The histology of these tumors showed a rate of hormono-sensibility of
      50% and an HER2 overexpression of 44%. Sixty-nine percent of the patients had no
      breast surgery or radiotherapy; global five-year survival rate for these women
      was 77.4%+/-11.5. CONCLUSION: The survival rates of this study should lead the
      practitioner to choose a less aggressive breast therapy. Moreover, the
      histological characteristics explain the high metastatic potential of these
      tumors, and relate them to the HER2+ subclass of gene expression patterns of
      breast carcinomas.

PMID- 26257299
TI  - A Theory of Waiting Time Reporting and Quality Signaling.
AB  - We develop a theoretical model to study a policy that publicly reports hospital
      waiting times. We characterize two effects of such a policy: the 'competition
      effect' that drives hospitals to compete for patients by increasing service rates
      and reducing waiting times and the 'signaling effect' that allows patients to
      distinguish a high-quality hospital from a low-quality one. While for a low
      quality hospital both effects help reduce waiting time, for a high-quality
      hospital, they act in opposite directions. We show that the competition effect
      will outweigh the signaling effect for the high-quality hospital, and
      consequently, both hospitals' waiting times will be reduced by the introduction
      of the policy. This result holds in a policy environment where maximum waiting
      time targets are not binding. Copyright (c) 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 26257300
TI  - The gut microbiota in human energy homeostasis and obesity.
AB  - Numerous studies of rodents suggest that the gut microbiota populations are
      sensitive to genetic and environmental influences, and can produce or influence
      afferent signals that directly or indirectly impinge on energy homeostatic
      systems affecting both energy balance (weight gain or loss) and energy stores.
      Fecal transplants from obese and lean human, and from mouse donors to gnotobiotic
      mice, result in adoption of the donor somatotype by the formerly germ-free
      rodents. Thus, the microbiota is certainly implicated in the development of
      obesity, adiposity-related comorbidities, and the response to interventions
      designed to achieve sustained weight reduction in mice. More studies are needed
      to determine whether the microbiota plays a similarly potent role in human body
      weight regulation and obesity. 

PMID- 26257301
TI  - ErbB-2 signaling plays a critical role in regulating androgen-sensitive and
      castration-resistant androgen receptor-positive prostate cancer cells.
AB  - While androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) reduces tumor burden, autocrine growth
      factor loops such as human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2/ErbB-2/neu)
      have been proposed to contribute to prostate cancer (PCa) survival and relapse.
      However, the role of ErbB-2 in regulating androgen-sensitive (AS) and castration
      resistant (CR) cell proliferation remains unclear. Here, we determined the role
      of ErbB-2 in PCa progression and survival under steroid-reduced conditions using
      two independent PCa cell progression models. In AR-positive androgen-independent
      (AI) PCa cells that exhibit the CR phenotype, ErbB-2 was constitutively
      activated, compared to corresponding AS PCa cells. In AS LNCaP C-33 cells,
      androgen-induced ErbB-2 activation through ERK1/2 mediates PCa cell
      proliferation. Further, the ErbB-2-specific but not EGFR-specific inhibitor
      suppresses basal and androgen-stimulated cell proliferation and also blocks
      ERK1/2 activation. ErbB-2 ectopic expression and cPAcP siRNA transfection of
      LNCaP C-33 cells each increases ErbB-2 tyrosine phosphorylation, correlating with
      increased AI PSA secretion and cell proliferation. Conversely, trapping ErbB-2 by
      transfected endoplasmic reticulum-targeting ScFv5R expression vector abolished
      DHT-induced LNCaP C-33 cell growth. Moreover, inhibition of ErbB-2 but not EGFR
      in AI LNCaP C-81 and MDA PCa2b-AI PCa cells significantly abolished AI cell
      growth. In contrast to androgens via ErbB-2/ERK1/2 signaling in AS PCa cells, the
      inhibition of ErbB-2 abrogated AI cell proliferation by inhibiting the cell
      survival protein Akt in those AI cells. These results suggest that ErbB-2 is a
      prominent player in mediating the ligand-dependent and -independent activation of
      AR in AS and AI/CR PCa cells respectively for PCa progression and survival. 

PMID- 26257302
TI  - RACK1 and beta-arrestin2 attenuate dimerization of PDE4 cAMP phosphodiesterase
      PDE4D5.
AB  - PDE4 family cAMP-selective cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases are important in
      the regulation of cAMP abundance in numerous systems, and thereby play an
      important role in the regulation of PKA and EPAC activity and the phosphorylation
      of CREB. We have used the yeast 2-hybrid system to demonstrate recently that long
      PDE4 isoforms form homodimers, consistent with data obtained recently by
      structural studies. The long PDE4 isoform PDE4D5 interacts selectively with beta
      arrestin2, implicated in the regulation of G-protein-coupled receptors and other
      cell signaling components, and also with the beta-propeller protein RACK1. In the
      present study, we use 2-hybrid approaches to demonstrate that RACK1 and beta
      arrestin2 inhibit the dimerization of PDE4D5. We also show that serine-to-alanine
      mutations at PKA and ERK1/2 phosphorylation sites on PDE4D5 detectably ablate
      dimerization. Conversely, phospho-mimic serine-to-aspartate mutations at the MK2
      and oxidative stress kinase sites ablate dimerization. Analysis of PDE4D5 that is
      locked into the dimeric configuration by the formation of a trans disulfide bond
      between Ser261 and Ser602 shows that RACK1 interacts strongly with both the
      monomeric and dimeric forms, but that beta-arrestin2 interacts exclusively with
      the monomeric form. This is consistent with the concept that beta-arrestin2 can
      preferentially recruit the monomeric, or "open," form of PDE4D5 to beta2
      adrenergic receptors, where it can regulate cAMP signaling.

PMID- 26257304
TI  - Activity, abundance and structure of ammonia-oxidizing microorganisms in plateau
      soils.
AB  - Both ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) and bacteria (AOB) can be involved in
      biotransformation of ammonia to nitrite in soil ecosystems. However, the
      distribution of AOA and AOB in plateau soils and influential factors remain
      largely unclear. In the present study, the activity, abundance and structure of
      ammonia oxidizers in different soils on the Yunnan Plateau were assessed using
      potential nitrification rates (PNRs), quantitative PCR assay and clone library
      analysis, respectively. Wide variation was found in both AOA and AOB communities
      in plateau soils. PNRs showed a significant positive correlation with AOB
      abundance. Both were determined by the ratio of organic carbon to nitrogen (C/N)
      and total phosphorous (TP). AOB could play a more important role in ammonia
      oxidation. AOB community diversity was likely affected by soil total nitrogen
      (TN) and total organic carbon (TOC) and was usually higher than AOA community
      diversity. Moreover, Nitrososphaera- and Nitrosospira-like organisms,
      respectively, were the dominant AOA and AOB in plateau soils. AOA community
      structure was likely shaped by TP and C/N, while AOB community structure was
      determined by pH. 

PMID- 26257303
TI  - Extracellular superoxide provokes glutathione efflux from Escherichia coli cells.
AB  - The aim of the study was to elucidate a possible relationship between
      transmembrane cycling of glutathione and changes in levels of external
      superoxide. Exposure of growing Escherichia coli to exogenous reactive oxygen
      species (ROS) generated by xanthine and xanthine oxidase (XO) stimulates
      reversible glutathione (GSH) efflux from the cells that is considerably lowered
      under phosphate starvation. This GSH efflux is prevented by exogenous SOD,
      partially inhibited by catalase, and is not dependent on the GSH exporter CydDC.
      The gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) deficiency completely prevents a return
      of GSH to the cytoplasm. In contrast to wild-type E. coli, mutants devoid of GGT
      and glutathione reductase (GOR) show enhanced accumulation of oxidized
      glutathione in the medium after exposure to xanthine and XO. Under these
      conditions, sodC, ggt and especially gshA mutants reveal more intensive and
      prolonged inhibition of growth than wild-type cells. Treatment with XO does not
      influence E. coli viability, but somewhat increases the number of cells with lost
      membrane potential. In summary, data obtained here indicate that transmembrane
      cycling of GSH may be involved in E. coli protection against extracellular ROS
      and may promote rapid growth recovery. 

PMID- 26257305
TI  - Cellular Response to Linear and Branched Poly(acrylic acid).
AB  - Poly(acrylic acid-co-sodium acrylate) (PNaA) is a pH-responsive polymer with
      potential in anticancer drug delivery. The cytotoxicity and intracellular effects
      of 3-arm star, hyperbranched and linear PNaA were investigated with L1210
      progenitor leukemia cells and L6 myoblast cells. Free solution capillary
      electrophoresis demonstrated interactions of PNaA with serum proteins. In a 72 h
      MTT assay most PNaAs exhibited a IC50 between 7 and 14 mmol L(-1), showing that
      precipitation may be a sufficient purification for PNaA dilute solutions.
      Dialyzed 3-arm star and hyperbranched PNaA caused an increase in L6 cell
      viability, challenging the suitability of MTT as cytotoxicity assay for PNaA.
      Fluorescent confocal microscopy revealed merging of cellular lipids after
      exposure to PNaA, likely caused by serum starvation.

PMID- 26257306
TI  - Peripheral cues and gaze direction jointly focus attention and inhibition of
      return.
AB  - Centrally presented gaze cues typically elicit a delayed inhibition of return
      (IOR) effect compared to peripheral exogenous cues. We investigated whether gaze
      cues elicit early onset IOR when presented peripherally. Faces were presented in
      the left or right peripheral hemifields, which then gazed upward or downward. A
      target appeared in one of four oblique spatial locations giving the cue and
      target horizontal or vertical congruency, both, or neither. After establishing
      that peripheral movement and gaze direction jointly facilitate target processing
      at short durations (200 ms: Experiment 1), IOR was evident for peripheral motion
      at longer time courses (800 and 2400 ms: Experiment 2). Only after 2400 ms did
      gaze direction additionally contribute to IOR for the specific gazed at location,
      showing the inverse pattern of response times to Experiment 1. The onset of IOR
      for gaze cues is independent from peripheral exogenous cueing but nevertheless
      contributes to the allocation of attention.

PMID- 26257307
TI  - Exposure of mental health nurses to violence associated with job stress, life
      satisfaction, staff resilience, and post-traumatic growth.
AB  - Workplace violence towards health workers in hospitals and in mental health units
      in particular is increasing. The aim of the present study was to explore the
      effects of exposure to violence, job stress, staff resilience, and post-traumatic
      growth (PTG) on the life satisfaction of mental health nurses. A descriptive,
      cross-sectional design was used. The sample consisted of mental health nurses (n
      = 118) working in a large mental health centre in Israel. Verbal violence by
      patients was reported by 88.1% of the nurses, and 58.4% experienced physical
      violence in the past year. Physical and verbal violence towards nurses was
      correlated with job stress, and life satisfaction was correlated with PTG and
      staff resilience. Linear regression analyses indicated that life satisfaction was
      mainly affected by PTG, staff resilience, and job stress, and less by exposure to
      verbal and physical violence. The present study is the first to show that,
      although mental health nurses are frequently exposed to violence, their life
      satisfaction is affected more by staff resilience, PTG, and job stress than by
      workplace violence. Therefore, it is recommended that intervention programmes
      that contribute to PTG and staff resilience, as well as those that reduce job
      stress among mental health nurses, be explored and implemented. 

PMID- 26257308
TI  - The effect of spiritual interventions addressing existential themes using a
      narrative approach on quality of life of cancer patients: a systematic review and
      meta-analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of spiritual
      interventions on quality of life of cancer patients. METHODS: We conducted our
      search on June 6, 2014 in Medline, PsycINFO, Embase, and PubMed. All clinical
      trials were included that compared standard care with a spiritual intervention
      that addressed existential themes using a narrative approach. Study quality was
      evaluated by the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. RESULTS: A total of 4972 studies
      were identified, of which 14 clinical trials (2050 patients) met the inclusion
      criteria, and 12 trials (1878 patients) were included in the meta-analysis. The
      overall risk of bias was high. When combined, all studies showed a moderate
      effect (d) 0.50 (95% CI = 0.20-0.79) 0-2 weeks after the intervention on overall
      quality of life in favor of the spiritual interventions. Meta-analysis at 3-6
      months after the intervention showed a small insignificant effect (0.14, 95% CI =
      -0.08 to 0.35). Subgroup analysis including only the western studies showed a
      small effect of 0.17 (95% CI = 0.05-0.29). Including only studies that met the
      allocation concealment criteria showed an insignificant effect of 0.14 (95% CI = 
      0.05 to 0.33). CONCLUSIONS: Directly after the intervention, spiritual
      interventions had a moderate beneficial effect in terms of improving quality of
      life of cancer patients compared with that of a control group. No evidence was
      found that the interventions maintained this effect up to 3-6 months after the
      intervention. Further research is needed to understand how spiritual
      interventions could contribute to a long-term effect of increasing or maintaining
      quality of life.

PMID- 26257309
TI  - Heterogeneous MR arthrography findings in patients with subacromial impingement
      syndrome - Diagnostic subgroups?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Subacromial Impingement Syndrome (SIS) is frequently diagnosed, but
      treatment results vary greatly. It is increasingly reported that SIS symptoms are
      caused by various underlying mechanisms that need distinctive treatment
      strategies. We evaluated a set of specific MRI Arthrography (MRA) characteristics
      that have been related with underlying mechanisms for SIS in the literature, in
      patients with SIS. METHODS: In 47 patients diagnosed with SIS, MRA
      characteristics were evaluated and categorized into categories of potential
      underlying mechanisms: (1) extrinsic: e.g. acromion shape; (2) intrinsic: e.g.
      tendinosis; (3) dynamic: e.g. signs of glenohumeral (micro-)instability. Control
      values were obtained from the literature. With cluster analysis, potential
      patient subgroups were assessed. RESULTS: In 17 (36.2%) patients originally
      diagnosed with SIS, specific other conditions were found, including rotator cuff
      tears and labrum lesions. In the remaining 30, all had positive signs of at least
      one of the predefined underlying mechanisms. Patients could be categorized into 2
      groups: predominantly findings corresponding with extrinsic/structural causes, or
      with dynamic/(micro)instability. CONCLUSIONS: MRA characteristics in patients
      with SIS symptoms are heterogeneous and many patients have specific other
      shoulder conditions causing symptoms. Patients without specific other conditions
      have MRA characteristics associated with either extrinsic (structural), or
      dynamic (e.g. micro-instability) underlying mechanisms.

PMID- 26257310
TI  - Describing Quality and Sensory Attributes of 3 Mango (Mangifera indica L.)
      Cultivars at 3 Ripeness Stages Based on Firmness.
AB  - To determine the ideal ripening stage for consumption of the mango cultivars,
      "Ataulfo," "Haden," and "Tommy Atkins"; fruits at 3 flesh firmness levels
      (ripeness stages) were evaluated by a trained panel using descriptive analysis
      after instrumental measurements were made. After harvest, all fruits were ripened
      to allow softening and quality and sensory attribute changes. Ripening changes
      during softening of Ataulfo mangos were expressed by a characteristic increase in
      the perception of "tropical fruit" and "peach" aromas, an increase in
      "juiciness," "sweetness," and "tropical fruit" flavor, while "fibrousness,"
      "chewiness," and "sourness" decreased. Similar desirable sensory changes were
      also detected during softening of Haden mangos; an increase in tropical fruit and
      peach aromas, sweetness and tropical fruit flavor, and a decrease in chewiness,
      sourness, and bitterness. Softening of Tommy Atkins mangos was followed by
      reduced chewiness and sourness and increased peach aroma. Softening of all
      cultivars was followed by decreased sourness and titratable acidity (TA) and
      increased soluble solids concentration (SSC) and SSC:TA ratio. The results
      indicate that mango ripening leads to increased expression of sensory attributes
      such as tropical fruit and peach aromas, tropical flavor, and sweetness that have
      been related to improved eating quality and these final changes in sensory
      quality attributes are specific for each cultivar. For example, Ataulfo and Haden
      mangos had greater improvement in quality and sensory attributes related to fruit
      eating quality during ripening-softening than Tommy Atkins. In our consumer test,
      these quality-sensory attributes expressed during ripening that were perceived by
      the trained panel were also validated, supporting the need for a controlled
      ripening protocol in mangos. 

PMID- 26257311
TI  - Late diagnosis: a factor associated with death from visceral leishmaniasis in
      elderly patients.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is among the seven global endemic
      diseases assigned a high priority by the World Health Organization. In Latin
      America, most cases occur in Brazil. Despite the availability of intensive
      treatment resources and protocols for specific treatment, lethality rates for VL
      have increased in several regions in the country over the past 10 years,
      particularly in patients under one and over 50 years of age. As the growth of the
      elderly population accelerates in Brazil, VL poses a greater challenge to public
      health. Given the scarcity of studies addressing the disease in this age group,
      the purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with VL lethality
      among the elderly. METHODS/KEY FINDINGS: This analytical, cross-sectional
      epidemiological study comprised 80 elderly patients who sought treatment at the
      teaching hospital of the Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo
      Grande, MS, Brazil, in the period 2000-2013.Clinical, laboratory and treatment
      variables were investigated from records of elderly patients with VL diagnosis
      confirmed by at least one laboratory test positive (culture for parasite or
      direct parasitological examination; reactive immunofluorescence;
      immunochromatographic test with recombinant antigens) or patients without
      laboratory confirmation who lived in endemic areas and responded favorably to
      therapeutic trial, as defined by the Brazilian Ministry of Health. Of the 80
      patients included, 78 tested positive to at least one exam; in two cases,
      diagnosis was based on clinical and epidemiological criteria. The lethality rate
      was 20%. Multivariate analysis revealed an association between death and time
      elapsed from symptom onset.

PMID- 26257312
TI  - Australian case managers' views about the impact of antipsychotic medication on
      mental health consumers.
AB  - This study examined case managers' views about antipsychotic medications and the
      impact of side-effects on mental health consumers in a community setting. Nine
      case managers were purposively sampled and interviewed. Content analysis was used
      to generate a series of themes. The findings indicated that case managers
      perceived that a lack of consumer insight was one of the main reasons for wanting
      to reduce, or altogether cease, antipsychotic medication. However, case managers
      lacked an adequate level of knowledge about antipsychotic medication side
      effects. Without a sufficient level of knowledge, case managers may be unable to
      fully address consumers' concerns. 

PMID- 26257313
TI  - The importance of emotional intelligence and meaning in life in psycho-oncology.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Cancer was considered the disease of the 20th century, and the
      management, treatment, and adaptation of patients to general wellbeing were
      worldwide concerns. Emotional intelligence has frequently been associated with
      wellbeing and considered one important factor to optimal human functioning. The
      purpose of the present study was to test the differences regarding the
      relationship between emotional intelligence, purpose in life, and satisfaction
      with life between cancer and healthy people. METHODS: This model was tested using
      structural path analysis in two independent samples. First, in a general
      Portuguese population without chronic disease, 214 participants (nmale  = 41,
      nfemale  = 173; Mage  = 53). Second, in 202 patients with cancer (nmale  = 40,
      nfemale  = 162; Mage  = 58.65). A two-step methodology was used to test the
      research hypothesis. RESULTS: First, a confirmatory factor analysis supported the
      measurement model. All factors also show reliability, convergent, and
      discriminate validity. Second, the path coefficients for each model indicate that
      the proposed relationships differ significantly according to the groups. The
      perception capacities of emotional intelligence were more related to satisfaction
      with life and purpose in life in oncologic patients than in the general
      population without chronic disease, specifically emotional understanding and
      regulation. Likewise, the relationship between purpose in life and satisfaction
      with life in oncologic patients was significantly higher than for the general
      population. CONCLUSION: The current findings thus suggest that emotional
      intelligence and purpose in life are potential components to promoting
      satisfaction in life in healthy people and more so in oncologic patients.

PMID- 26257314
TI  - Low-Temperature Synthesis of Large-Scale Molybdenum Disulfide Thin Films Directly
      on a Plastic Substrate Using Plasma-Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition.
AB  - By plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition, a molybdenum disulfide (MoS2 ) thin
      film is synthesized directly on a wafer-scale plastic substrate at below 300 
      degrees C. The carrier mobility of the films is 3.74 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) . Also,
      humidity is successfully detected with MoS2 -based sensors fabricated on the
      flexible substrate, which reveals its potential for flexible sensing devices. 

PMID- 26257315
TI  - Infant gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD): Australian GP attitudes and
      practices.
AB  - AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the attitudes and practices of
      Australian general practitioners (GPs) regarding infant gastro-oesophageal reflux
      disease (GORD) diagnosis and management. METHODS: A national cross-sectional
      survey, involving a random sample of currently practising Australian GPs (n =
      2319) was undertaken between July and September 2011. GPs attitudes and
      management of infant GORD were surveyed via an online and paper-based 41-item
      questionnaire. RESULTS: In total, 400 responses were analysed (17.24% response
      rate). The majority of GPs employed empirical trials of acid-suppression
      medication and/or lifestyle modifications to diagnose infant GORD. GPs frequently
      recommended dietary modification despite the belief that they were only
      moderately effective at best. In addition, GPs frequently prescribed acid
      suppression medication, despite concerns regarding their safety in the infant
      population. Other GP concerns included the lack of clinical guidelines and
      education for GPs about infant GORD, as well as the level of evidence available
      for the safety and efficacy of diagnostic tests and treatments. CONCLUSION:
      Despite the important role Australian GPs play in the diagnosis and management of
      infant GORD, high-level evidence-based guidelines for GPs are lacking.
      Consequently, GPs engage in diagnostic and management practices despite their
      concerns regarding the safety and effectiveness.

PMID- 26257316
TI  - Expression of mRNA in the frontal cortex and hypothalamus in a rat model of acute
      carbon dioxide poisoning.
AB  - Acute carbon dioxide (CO2) poisoning causes no specific features that are
      revealed upon autopsy, and the pathophysiological mechanism of this syndrome is
      unclear. To address this issue, in the present study, we exposed rats to CO2
      concentrations ranging from 10% to 60% and determined the effects on mRNA
      expression. According to the results of Gene Ontology (GO) and cluster analyses
      of microarrays data, we selected the following genes for further analysis:
      alkylglycerone phosphate synthase (Agps), hypocretin (Hcrt), tyrosine hydroxylase
      (Th), heat shock protein beta 2 (Hspb2), and opioid receptor delta 1 (Oprd1)
      expressed in the frontal cortex and renin (Ren), pancreatic polypeptide (Ppy),
      corticotropin releasing hormone receptor 2 (Crhr2), carbonic anhydrase 1 (Car1),
      and hypocretin receptor 1 (Hcrtr1) expressed in the hypothalamus. We found
      significant differences between the expression levels of Agps and Hspb2 mRNAs in
      the frontal cortex and that of Ppy, Crhr2 mRNAs in the hypothalamus in the
      presence of high concentrations of CO2. Further investigation of these genes may
      clarify the pathophysiology of acute CO2 poisoning and facilitate the development
      of novel forensic tests that can diagnose the cause of death.

PMID- 26257317
TI  - Identification and quantification of metabolites of AB-CHMINACA in a urine
      specimen of an abuser.
AB  - We experienced an autopsy case in which the cause of death was judged as
      poisoning by multiple new psychoactive substances, including AB-CHMINACA, 5
      fluoro-AMB and diphenidine [Forensic Toxicol. 33 (2015): 45-53]. Although
      unchanged AB-CHMINACA could be detected from 8 solid tissues, it could neither be
      detected from blood nor urine specimens. In this article, we obtained eight kinds
      of reference standards of AB-CHMINACA metabolites from a commercial source. The
      AB-CHMINACA metabolites from the urine specimen of the abuser were extracted by a
      modified QuEChERS method and analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass
      spectrometry before and after hydrolysis with beta-glucuronidase. Among the eight
      AB-CHMINACA metabolites tested, only 2 metabolites could be identified in the
      urine specimen of the deceased. After hydrolysis with beta-glucuronidase, the
      concentrations of the two metabolites were not increased, suggesting that the
      metabolites were not in the conjugated forms. The metabolites detected were 4
      hydroxycyclohexylmethyl AB-CHMINACA (M1), followed by N-[[1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-1H
      indazol-3-yl]carbonyl]-l-valine (M3). Their concentrations were 52.8 +/- 3.44 and
      41.3 +/- 5.04 ng/ml (n=10) for M1 and M3, respectively. Although there is one
      preceding report showing the estimations of metabolism of AB-CHMINACA without
      reference standards, this is the first report dealing with exact identification
      using reference standards, and quantification of M1 and M3 in an authentic urine
      specimen.

PMID- 26257318
TI  - De novo resistance biomarkers to anti-HER2 therapies in HER2-positive breast
      cancer.
AB  - Therapies targeting HER2 receptor, overexpressed in 20% breast cancer (BC),
      improved prognosis, however ~62% patients experiment progression during the first
      year. Molecular mechanisms proposed to be responsible for this de novo resistance
      include HER2 modifications, defects in the antibody dependent cellular
      cytotoxicity or in cell arrest and apoptosis or alterations in HER2 signaling
      components. This article will review the influence of genetic markers
      investigated to date as cause of de novo resistance to HER2-targeted drugs in
      HER2-positive BC patients. Biomarkers like p95HER2, CCND1 and CDC25A have
      demonstrated clinical relevance and prognostic value in HER2-positive BC
      patients. However, the prognostic value of most biomarkers investigated to date,
      such as PIK3CA or AKT1, cannot be fully established yet.

PMID- 26257319
TI  - Efficient pDNA Delivery Using Cationic 2-Hydroxypropyl-beta-Cyclodextrin Pluronic
      Based Polyrotaxanes.
AB  - A family of cationic Pluronic-based polyrotaxanes (PR(+)), threaded with 2
      hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HPCD), was synthesized for pDNA delivery into
      multiple cell lines. All PR(+) formed highly stable, positively charged pDNA
      complexes that were < 250 nm in diameter. The cellular uptake and pDNA
      transfection efficiencies of the PR(+):pDNA complexes was enhanced relative to
      the commercial transfection standards L2K and bPEI, while displaying similar or
      lower toxicity profiles. Charge density and threading efficiency of the PR(+)
      agent significantly influenced the colloidal stability and physical properties of
      the complexes, which impacted their intracellular transfection efficiencies.
      Taken together, our results suggest that HPCD: Pluronic PR(+) can be used as
      potent vectors for pDNA-based therapeutics.

PMID- 26257320
TI  - The Erratic Behavior of Lesions in Burnt Bone.
AB  - This study analyses depressed fractures (by blunt force trauma) and circular full
      thickness injuries (drill injuries and gunshot wounds) in charred bones. Fifty
      bovine ribs (total 104 lesions) were divided into three groups. The first group
      consisted in 20 depressed hammer-produced fractures; in the second one, 60 round
      drill-holes were produced (30 circular, 30 semicircular); in the third group, 12
      fleshed and 12 skeletonized ribs were hit by 9-mm bullets. Each specimen was
      carbonized in an electric oven up to 800 degrees C. Morphological and metric
      analyses were performed before and after: morphological features were preserved,
      but depressed fractures showed an increase in their dimensions (p-value<0.05);
      the drilled holes shrunk (p-value<0.01); the charring cycle increased the number
      of fractures in samples with gunshot wounds differently in fleshed and defleshed
      ribs. This study showed the complex behavior of charred bone, for what concerns
      the interpretation of trauma and how caution should be applied.

PMID- 26257321
TI  - Effects of physical and mental health on relationship satisfaction: a dyadic,
      longitudinal examination of couples facing prostate cancer.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Prostate cancer may affect quality of life in men diagnosed as well
      as their spouses. Changes in health may disrupt the couple's relationship
      functioning which disrupts recovery. This study examined how mental and physical
      health relates to relationship satisfaction for couples at diagnosis through the
      year following treatment. METHODS: Patients with stage I-II prostate cancer and
      their spouses (N = 159 couples) were recruited from a urology clinic and
      completed questionnaires at diagnosis, 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months post
      prostatectomy on demographics, mental and physical health quality of life, and
      relationship satisfaction. The Actor-Partner Interdependence Model was employed
      to examine effects of each partners' mental and physical health on their own and
      their partner's relationship satisfaction. RESULTS: Patients and spouses had
      declined mental and physical health at 1 month post-surgery. Health improved at 6
      and 12 months but did not fully return to pre-surgery levels. Actor effects
      showed that patient's physical health consistently predicted own relationship
      satisfaction. Both patient's and spouse's mental health consistently related to
      their own relationship satisfaction. Partner effects showed that patient's and
      spouse's physical health had an effect on each other's relationship satisfaction
      at 1 month. Spouse's mental health predicted patient's relationship satisfaction
      throughout the year following treatment. CONCLUSION: The effects of patient and
      spouse mental and physical health quality of life on their own as well as their
      partner's relationship satisfaction differed across time which will inform
      psychosocial interventions for couples with prostate cancer. Copyright (c) 2015
      John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 26257322
TI  - Two faces of cannabis.

PMID- 26257324
TI  - Bolt Cutter Blade's Imprint in Toolmarks Examination.
AB  - Bolt cutters are known as cutting tools which are used for cutting hard objects
      and materials, such as padlocks and bars. Bolt cutter blades leave their imprint
      on the cut objects. When receiving a cut object from a crime scene, forensic
      toolmarks examiners can determine whether the suspected cutting tool was used in
      a specific crime or not based on class characteristic marks and individual marks
      that the bolt cutter blades leave on the cut object. The paper presents
      preliminary results of a study on ten bolt cutters and suggests a quick
      preliminary examination-the comparison between the blade thickness and the width
      of the imprint left by the tool on the cut object. Based on the comparison
      result, if there is not a match, the examiner can eliminate the feasibility of
      the use of the suspected cutting tool in a specific crime. This examination
      simplifies and accelerates the comparison procedure.

PMID- 26257323
TI  - Safety, efficacy and glucose turnover of reduced prandial boluses during closed
      loop therapy in adolescents with type 1 diabetes: a randomized clinical trial.
AB  - AIMS: To evaluate safety, efficacy and glucose turnover during closed-loop with
      meal announcement using reduced prandial insulin boluses in adolescents with type
      1 diabetes (T1D). METHODS: We conducted a randomized crossover study comparing
      closed-loop therapy with standard prandial insulin boluses versus closed-loop
      therapy with prandial boluses reduced by 25%. Eight adolescents with T1D [3
      males; mean (standard deviation) age 15.9 (1.5) years, glycated haemoglobin 74
      (17) mmol/mol; median (interquartile range) total daily dose 0.9 (0.7, 1.1)
      IU/kg/day] were studied on two 36-h-long visits. In random order, subjects
      received closed-loop therapy with either standard or reduced insulin boluses
      administered with main meals (50-80 g carbohydrates) but not with snacks (15-30 g
      carbohydrates). Stable-label tracer dilution methodology measured total glucose
      appearance (Ra_total) and glucose disposal (Rd). RESULTS: The median
      (interquartile range) time spent in target (3.9-10 mmol/l) was similar between
      the two interventions [74 (66, 84)% vs 80 (65, 96)%; p = 0.87] as was time spent
      above 10 mmol/l [21.8 (16.3, 33.5)% vs 18.0 (4.1, 34.2)%; p = 0.87] and below 3.9
      mmol/l [0 (0, 1.5)% vs 0 (0, 1.8)%; p = 0.88]. Mean plasma glucose was identical
      during the two interventions [8.4 (0.9) mmol/l; p = 0.98]. Hypoglycaemia occurred
      once 1.5 h post-meal during closed-loop therapy with standard bolus. Overall
      insulin delivery was lower with reduced prandial boluses [61.9 (55.2, 75.0) vs
      72.5 (63.6, 80.3) IU; p = 0.01] and resulted in lower mean plasma insulin
      concentration [186 (171, 260) vs 252 (198, 336) pmol/l; p = 0.002]. Lower plasma
      insulin was also documented overnight [160 (136, 192) vs 191 (133, 252) pmol/l; p
      = 0.01, pooled nights]. Ra_total was similar [26.3 (21.9, 28.0) vs 25.4 (21.0,
      29.2) umol/kg/min; p = 0.19] during the two interventions as was Rd [25.8 (21.0,
      26.9) vs 25.2 (21.2, 28.8) umol/kg/min; p = 0.46]. CONCLUSIONS: A 25% reduction
      in prandial boluses during closed-loop therapy maintains similar glucose control
      in adolescents with T1D whilst lowering overall plasma insulin levels. It remains
      unclear whether closed-loop therapy with a 25% reduction in prandial boluses
      would prevent postprandial hypoglycaemia.

PMID- 26257325
TI  - Cancer services in Western Australia: A comparison of regional outcomes with
      metropolitan Perth.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether any survival differences existed between
      advanced cancer patients treated in metropolitan Perth and those treated in
      regional Western Australia (WA). DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Advanced
      cancer patients treated through medical oncology clinics at Royal Perth Hospital
      and regional cancer centres (Kalgoorlie, Albany, Geraldton and Northam).
      PARTICIPANTS: Patients diagnosed with advanced melanoma, breast, colorectal,
      gastro-oesophageal, prostate, lung and pancreatic cancers between 1 January 2007
      and 31 December 2011. INTERVENTIONS: Nil. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Median survival.
      RESULTS: Data were available for 1581 patients with 75% living in a metropolitan
      setting and 25% in rural WA. Median overall survival was 8.3 months for
      metropolitan patients and 7.6 months for regional patients (P = 0.06, HR 0.89;
      95% CI, 0.78-1.01). There was no statistically significant difference in median
      survival for different tumour types except pancreatic cancer: breast 22.1 months
      versus 21.3 months, colorectal 13.1 months versus 16.4 months, lung 5.1 months
      versus 3.1 months, upper GI 5.6 months versus 7.2 months, pancreatic 4.5 months
      versus 3 months (P = 0.02, HR 0.57; 95% CI, 0.32-0.99), melanoma 10.4 months
      versus 10.5 months, prostate 28.6 months versus 15.3 months. Rural cancer
      patients with breast and pancreatic cancers received fewer lines of anti-cancer
      therapy compared to metropolitan patients. The three-year survival rates for
      metropolitan compared to rural breast cancer patients were 34 and 23%,
      respectively (not statistically significant). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest a
      trend towards inferior survival for regional cancer patients in WA compared with
      metropolitan-based patients.

PMID- 26257326
TI  - Clinical study designs and corresponding levels of evidence: time to redefine?

PMID- 26257327
TI  - ESCP President's Report.

PMID- 26257328
TI  - Commentary on 'Navigating the mesentery: a comparative pre- and per-operative
      visualization of the vascular anatomy'.

PMID- 26257333
TI  - Biochemical characterization and selective inhibition of beta-carotene cis-trans
      isomerase D27 and carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase CCD8 on the strigolactone
      biosynthetic pathway.
AB  - The first three enzymatic steps of the strigolactone biosynthetic pathway
      catalysed by beta-carotene cis-trans isomerase Dwarf27 (D27) from Oryza sativa
      and carotenoid cleavage dioxygenases CCD7 and CCD8 from Arabidopsis thaliana have
      been reconstituted in vitro, and kinetic assays have been developed for each
      enzyme, in order to develop selective enzyme inhibitors. Recombinant OsD27 shows
      a UV-visible lambdamax at 422 nm and is inactivated by silver(I) acetate,
      consistent with the presence of an iron-sulfur cluster that is used in catalysis.
      OsD27 and AtCCD7 are not inhibited by hydroxamic acids that cause shoot branching
      in planta, but OsD27 is partially inhibited by terpene-like hydroxamic acids. The
      reaction catalysed by AtCCD8 is shown to be a two-step kinetic mechanism using
      pre-steady-state kinetic analysis. Kinetic evidence is presented for acid-base
      catalysis in the CCD8 catalytic cycle and the existence of an essential cysteine
      residue in the CCD8 active site. AtCCD8 is inhibited in a time-dependent fashion
      by hydroxamic acids D2, D4, D5 and D6 (> 95% inhibition at 100 MUm) that cause a
      shoot branching phenotype in A. thaliana, and selective inhibition of CCD8 is
      observed using hydroxamic acids D13H and D15 (82%, 71% inhibition at 10 MUm). The
      enzyme inhibition data imply that the biochemical basis of the shoot branching
      phenotype is due to inhibition of CCD8.

PMID- 26257334
TI  - Maturational alterations in constitutive activity of medial prefrontal cortex
      kappa-opioid receptors in Wistar rats.
AB  - Opioid receptors can display spontaneous agonist-independent G-protein signaling
      (basal signaling/constitutive activity). While constitutive kappa-opioid receptor
      (KOR) activity has been documented in vitro, it remains unknown if KORs are
      constitutively active in native systems. Using [(35) S] guanosine 5'-O-[gamma
      thio] triphosphate coupling assay that measures receptor functional state, we
      identified the presence of medial prefrontal cortex KOR constitutive activity in
      young rats that declined with age. Furthermore, basal signaling showed an age
      related decline and was insensitive to neutral opioid antagonist challenge.
      Collectively, the present data are first to demonstrate age-dependent alterations
      in the medial prefrontal cortex KOR constitutive activity in rats and changes in
      the constitutive activity of KORs can differentially impact KOR ligand efficacy.
      These data provide novel insights into the functional properties of the KOR
      system and warrant further consideration of KOR constitutive activity in normal
      and pathophysiological behavior. Opioid receptors exhibit agonist-independent
      constitutive activity; however, kappa-opioid receptor (KOR) constitutive activity
      has not been demonstrated in native systems. Our results confirm KOR constitutive
      activity in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) that declines with age. With the
      ability to presynaptically inhibit multiple neurotransmitter systems in the mPFC,
      maturational or patho-logical alterations in constitutive activity could disrupt
      corticofugal glutamatergic pyramidal projection neurons mediating executive
      function. Regulation of KOR constitutive activity could serve as a therapeutic
      target to treat compromised executive function.

PMID- 26257335
TI  - The loop structure of Actinomycete glycoside hydrolase family 5 mannanases
      governs substrate recognition.
AB  - Endo-beta-1,4-mannanases from Streptomyces thermolilacinus (StMan) and
      Thermobifida fusca (TfMan) demonstrated different substrate specificities. StMan
      hydrolyzed galactosylmannooligosaccharide (GGM5; 6(III) ,6(IV) -alpha-d
      galactosyl mannopentaose) to GGM3 and M2, whereas TfMan hydrolyzed GGM5 to GGM4
      and M1. To determine the region involved in the substrate specificity, we
      constructed chimeric enzymes of StMan and TfMan and evaluated their substrate
      specificities. Moreover, the crystal structure of the catalytic domain of StMan
      (StMandC) and the complex structure of the inactive mutant StE273AdC with M6 were
      solved at resolutions of 1.60 and 1.50 A, respectively. Structural comparisons of
      StMandC and the catalytic domain of TfMan lead to the identification of a subsite
      around -1 in StMandC that could accommodate a galactose branch. These findings
      demonstrate that the two loops (loop7 and loop8) are responsible for substrate
      recognition in GH5 actinomycete mannanases. In particular, Trp281 in loop7 of
      StMan, which is located in a narrow and deep cleft, plays an important role in
      its affinity toward linear substrates. Asp310 in loop8 of StMan specifically
      bound to the galactosyl unit in the -1 subsite.

PMID- 26257336
TI  - Systems biology approach to studying proliferation-dependent prognostic
      subnetworks in breast cancer.
AB  - Tumor proliferative capacity is a major biological correlate of breast tumor
      metastatic potential. In this paper, we developed a systems approach to
      investigate associations among gene expression patterns, representative protein
      protein interactions, and the potential for clinical metastases, to uncover novel
      survival-related subnetwork signatures as a function of tumor proliferative
      potential. Based on the statistical associations between gene expression patterns
      and patient outcomes, we identified three groups of survival prognostic
      subnetwork signatures (SPNs) corresponding to three proliferation levels. We
      discovered 8 SPNs in the high proliferation group, 8 SPNs in the intermediate
      proliferation group, and 6 SPNs in the low proliferation group. We observed
      little overlap of SPNs between the three proliferation groups. The enrichment
      analysis revealed that most SPNs were enriched in distinct signaling pathways and
      biological processes. The SPNs were validated on other cohorts of patients, and
      delivered high accuracy in the classification of metastatic vs non-metastatic
      breast tumors. Our findings indicate that certain biological networks underlying
      breast cancer metastasis differ in a proliferation-dependent manner. These
      networks, in combination, may form the basis of highly accurate prognostic
      classification models and may have clinical utility in guiding therapeutic
      options for patients. 

PMID- 26257337
TI  - Polymorphisms in MicroRNA Genes And Genes Involving in NMDAR Signaling and
      Schizophrenia: A Case-Control Study in Chinese Han Population.
AB  - Disturbances in glutamate signaling caused by disruption of N-methyl-D-aspartate
      type glutamate receptor (NMDAR) have been implicated in schizophrenia. Findings
      suggested that miR-219, miR-132 and miR-107 could involve in NMDAR signaling by
      influencing the expression of pathway genes or the signaling transmission and
      single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within miRNA genes or miRNA target sites
      could result in their functional changes. Therefore, we hypothesized that SNPs in
      miRNAs and/or their target sites were associated with schizophrenia. 3 SNPs in
      hsa-pri-miR-219/132/107 and 6 SNPs in 3'UTRs of GRIN2A/2B/3A and CAMK2G were
      selected and genotyped in a case-control study of 1041 schizophrenia cases and
      953 healthy controls in Chinese Han population. In the present study, GRIN2B
      rs890 showed significant associations with schizophrenia. Further functional
      analyses showed that the rs890 variant C allele led to significantly lower
      luciferase activity, compared with the A allele. MDR analysis showed that a 4
      locus model including rs107822, rs2306327, rs890 and rs12342026 was the best
      model. These findings suggest that GRIN2B may be associated with schizophrenia
      and interaction effects of the polymorphisms in hsa-miR-219, CAKM2G, GRIN2B and
      GRIN3A may confer susceptibility to schizophrenia in the Chinese Han population.

PMID- 26257338
TI  - Periodontal healing with a preameloblast-conditioned medium in dogs.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The predictability of conventional periodontal
      treatments for damaged periodontal tissue is limited, particularly on the
      regeneration of new cementum. As signaling molecules, a range of growth factors
      has been used to promote periodontal regeneration on periodontal ligament (PDL)
      and cementum defects. A preameloblast-conditioned medium (PA-CM) was prepared
      from cultured murine apical bud cells, which can differentiate into ameloblasts.
      We examined the effect of PA-CM on PDL cells and cementoblasts in vitro and
      evaluated histologically the effects of PA-CM on the regeneration of
      experimentally induced periodontal defects in vivo. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In
      vitro, the effects of PA-CM on the migration of human PDL cells were examined
      using a scratch wound healing assay and a transwell assay. The differentiation
      and mineralization potential of PA-CM-treated human PDL cells and murine
      cementoblastic OCCM-30 cells was examined by real-time polymerase chain reaction
      and Alizarin red-S staining. In vivo, six mongrel dogs (12-16 kg; 6-8 mo old)
      were used. Twenty-four roots were replanted with either, (i) only periodontal
      defects (n = 12; control group), or (ii) periodontal defects and PA-CM treatment
      (n = 12; experimental group). In the experimental group, the PDL and cementum
      between notches was removed using a Gracey curette and soaked in 0.08 mL water
      containing 80 MUg of a PA-CM for 2 min. The dogs were killed at 4 and 8 wk post
      surgery. RESULTS: The in vitro results showed that PA-CM stimulated the migration
      of PDL cells and promoted the differentiation and mineralization of PDL cells and
      cementoblasts. Real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed stronger
      expression of Runx2, Osx, OC, Bsp and Cap mRNAs in the PA-CM-treated PDL cells
      and cementoblasts than those in the control cells. In vivo, newly formed PDL-like
      tissue and cementum-like tissue were observed partially between the root surfaces
      and newly formed bone in the experimental group. The regenerated PDL-like tissue
      in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group
      at 8 wk (p < 0.05). The replacement resorption on the experimental group was
      significantly lower than that in the control group at 8 wk (p < 0.05). In
      addition, the amount of newly formed cementum-like tissue in the experimental
      group was significantly higher than that in the control group at 4 and 8 wk (p <
      0.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that PA-CM has the potential to
      regenerate periodontal tissues in PDL and cementum defects.

PMID- 26257339
TI  - Putative involvement of the nitrergic system on the consolidation, but not
      initiation, of behavioral sensitization after conspecific alarm substance in
      zebrafish.
AB  - Stressful manipulations can sensitize the behavior of an organism, increasing
      anxiety-like behavior after a delay; this long-term stress sensitization can
      represent the pathophysiological basis of trauma- and stress-related disorders
      (TRSDs), of which the most prevalent is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A
      role for the glutamate-nitric oxide pathway in this sensitization is implied by
      behavioral, neurophysiological and genomic data on different species. Here, we
      report on the long-term sensitization of anxiety-like behavior in zebrafish and
      the possible participation of nitric oxide in this process. Zebrafish exposed to
      a conspecific alarm substance (AS) show increased anxiety-like behavior at least
      24h after stimulus delivery. Blocking nitric oxide synthesis with l-NAME (5mg/kg)
      30min, but not 90min, after AS exposure blocks the sensitization of scototaxis
      and risk assessment, while treatment 90min after exposure blocks the
      sensitization of thigmotaxis and erratic swimming; l-NAME was not effective when
      administered 30min before AS exposure. These data suggest a participation of
      nitric oxide in the consolidation, but not in the initiation, of behavioral
      sensitization after predator threat. 

PMID- 26257340
TI  - Ozone concentrations, flux and potential effect on yield during wheat growth in
      the Northwest-Shandong Plain of China.
AB  - Ozone (O3) concentration and flux (Fo) were measured using the eddy covariance
      technique over a wheat field in the Northwest-Shandong Plain of China. The O3
      induced wheat yield loss was estimated by utilizing O3 exposure-response models.
      The results showed that: (1) During the growing season (7 March to 7 June, 2012),
      the minimum (16.1 ppbV) and maximum (53.3 ppbV) mean O3 concentrations occurred
      at approximately 6:30 and 16:00, respectively. The mean and maximum of all
      measured O3 concentrations were 31.3 and 128.4 ppbV, respectively. The variation
      of O3 concentration was mainly affected by solar radiation and temperature. (2)
      The mean diurnal variation of deposition velocity (Vd) can be divided into four
      phases, and the maximum occurred at noon (12:00). Averaged Vd during daytime
      (6:00-18:00) and nighttime (18:00-6:00) were 0.42 and 0.14 cm/sec, respectively.
      The maximum of measured Vd was about 1.5 cm/sec. The magnitude of Vd was
      influenced by the wheat growing stage, and its variation was significantly
      correlated with both global radiation and friction velocity. (3) The maximum mean
      Fo appeared at 14:00, and the maximum measured Fo was -33.5 nmol/(m(2).sec).
      Averaged Fo during daytime and nighttime were -6.9 and -1.5 nmol/(m(2).sec),
      respectively. (4) Using O3 exposure-response functions obtained from the USA,
      Europe, and China, the O3-induced wheat yield reduction in the district was
      estimated as 12.9% on average (5.5%-23.3%). Large uncertainties were related to
      the statistical methods and environmental conditions involved in deriving the
      exposure-response functions.

PMID- 26257341
TI  - Effect of orchard age on soil nitrogen transformation in subtropical China and
      implications.
AB  - A better understanding of nitrogen transformation in soils could reveal the
      capacity for biological inorganic N supply and improve the efficiency of N
      fertilizers. In this study, a (15)N tracing study was carried out to investigate
      the effects of converting woodland to orchard, and orchard age on the gross rates
      of N transformation occurring simultaneously in subtropical soils in Eastern
      China. The results showed that inorganic N supply rate was remained constant with
      soil organic C and N contents increased after converting woodland into citrus
      orchard and with increasing orchard age. This phenomenon was most probably due to
      the increase in the turnover time of recalcitrant organic-N, which increased with
      decreasing soil pH along with increasing orchard age significantly. The amoA gene
      copy numbers of both archaeal and bacterial were stimulated by orchard planting
      and increased with increasing orchard age. The nitrification capacity (defined as
      the ratio of gross rate of nitrification to total gross rate of mineralization)
      increased following the Michaelis-Menten equation, sharply in the first 10 years
      after woodland conversion to orchard, and increased continuously but much more
      slowly till 30 years. Due to the increase in nitrification capacity and unchanged
      NO3(-) consumption, the dominance of ammonium in inorganic N in woodland soil was
      shifted to nitrate dominance in orchard soils. These results indicated that the
      risk of NO3(-) loss was expected to increase and the amount of N needed from
      fertilizers for fruit growth did not change although soil organic N accumulated
      with orchard age.

PMID- 26257342
TI  - Comparisons of the film peeling from the composite oxides of quartz sand filters
      using ozone, hydrogen peroxide and chlorine dioxide.
AB  - To solve the problem of shortened backwashing intervals in groundwater plants,
      several disinfectants including ozone (O3), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and chlorine
      dioxide (ClO2) were examined to peel off the film from the quartz sand surface in
      four pilot-scale columns. An optimized oxidant dosage and oxidation time were
      determined by batch tests. Subsequently, the optimized conditions were tested in
      the four pilot-scale columns. The results demonstrated that the backwashing
      intervals increased from 35.17 to 54.33 (H2O2) and to 53.67 hr (ClO2) after the
      oxidation treatments, and the increase of backwashing interval after treatment by
      O3 was much less than for the other two treatments. Interestingly, the treatment
      efficiency of filters was not affected by O3 or H2O2 oxidation; but after
      oxidation by ClO2, the treatment efficiency was deteriorated, especially the
      ammonia removal (from 96.96% to 24.95%). The filter sands before and after the
      oxidation were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray
      photoelectron spectroscopy. Compared with the oxidation by O3 and H2O2, the
      structures on the surface of filter sands were seriously damaged after oxidation
      by ClO2. The chemical states of manganese on the surfaces of those treated sands
      were only changed by ClO2. The damage of the structures and the change of the
      chemical states of manganese might have a negative effect on the ammonia removal.
      In summary, H2O2 is a suitable agent for film peeling.

PMID- 26257343
TI  - The relationship between light intensity and nutrient uptake kinetics in six
      freshwater diatoms.
AB  - In order to find effective measures to control diatom blooms, a better
      understanding of the physiological characteristics of nutrient uptake in diatoms
      is needed. A study of P and Si-uptake kinetics for diatom species from two light
      regimes was conducted at low (LL), moderate (ML) and high light intensities (HL)
      (2, 25 and 80 MUmol photons/(m(2).sec)), respectively. The results showed that P
      uptake of diatoms was heavily influenced by historic light regimes. P affinity
      changed with growth and photosynthetic activity. The lowest half saturation
      constant for P uptake (Km(P)) was under HL for high-light adapted diatoms while
      the lowest half-saturation constant for low-light adapted diatoms was observed
      under LL. The Si half-saturation constant (Km(Si)) increased with increasing
      light intensities for pennate diatoms but decreased for centric diatoms. Diatom
      volumes were correlated with the maximum Si uptake rates (Vm(Si)) at HL and
      Km(Si) at ML and HL for six diatom species. Our results imply that when we assess
      the development of diatom blooms we should consider light intensity and cell
      volume in addition to ambient Si or P concentration. The relationship between
      light intensity and P-uptake suggests that we can find suitable methods to
      control diatom blooms on the basis of reducing phytoplankton activity of P-uptake
      and photosynthesis simultaneously.

PMID- 26257344
TI  - Regeneration performance and carbon consumption of semi-coke and activated coke
      for SO2 and NO removal.
AB  - To decrease the operating cost of flue gas purification technologies based on
      carbon-based materials, the adsorption and regeneration performance of low-price
      semi-coke and activated coke were compared for SO2 and NO removal in a simulated
      flue gas. The functional groups of the two adsorbents before and after
      regeneration were characterized by a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR)
      spectrometer, and were quantitatively assessed using temperature programmed
      desorption (TPD) coupled with FTIR and acid-base titration. The results show that
      semi-coke had higher adsorption capacity (16.2% for SO2 and 38.6% for NO) than
      activated coke because of its higher content of basic functional groups and
      lactones. After regeneration, the adsorption performance of semi-coke decreased
      because the number of active functional groups decreased and the micropores
      increased. Semi-coke had better regeneration performance than activated coke.
      Semi-coke had a larger SO2 recovery of 7.2% and smaller carbon consumption of 12%
      compared to activated coke. The semi-coke carbon-based adsorbent could be
      regenerated at lower temperatures to depress the carbon consumption, because the
      SO2 recovery was only reduced a small amount. 

PMID- 26257345
TI  - Vertical distribution of aerosol optical properties based on aircraft
      measurements over the Loess Plateau in China.
AB  - Vertical distributions of aerosol optical properties based on aircraft
      measurements over the Loess Plateau were measured for the first time during a
      summertime aircraft campaign, 2013 in Shanxi, China. Data from four flights were
      analyzed. The vertical distributions of aerosol optical properties including
      aerosol scattering coefficients (sigmasc), absorption coefficients (sigmaab),
      Angstrom exponent (alpha), single scattering albedo (omega), backscattering ratio
      (betasc), aerosol mass scattering proficiency (Qsc) and aerosol surface
      scattering proficiency (Qsc(')) were obtained. The mean statistical values of
      sigmasc were 77.45 Mm(-1) (at 450 nm), 50.72 Mm(-1) (at 550n m), and 32.02 Mm(-1)
      (at 700 nm). The mean value of sigmaab was 7.62 Mm(-1) (at 550 nm). The mean
      values of alpha, betasc and omega were 1.93, 0.15, and 0.91, respectively.
      Aerosol concentration decreased with altitude. Most effective diameters (ED) of
      aerosols were less than 0.8 MUm. The vertical profiles of sigmasc,, alpha,
      betasc, Qsc and Qsc(') showed that the aerosol scattering properties at lower
      levels contributed the most to the total aerosol radiative forcing. Both alpha
      and betasc had relatively large values, suggesting that most aerosols in the
      observational region were small particles. The mean values of sigmasc, alpha,
      betasc, Qsc, Qsc('), sigmaab and omega at different height ranges showed that
      most of the parameters decreased with altitude. The forty-eight hour backward
      trajectories of air masses during the observation days indicated that the
      majority of aerosols in the lower level contributed the most to the total aerosol
      loading, and most of these particles originated from local or regional pollution
      emissions.

PMID- 26257346
TI  - Evaluating the blank contamination and recovery of sample pretreatment procedures
      for analyzing organophosphorus flame retardants in waters.
AB  - Organophosphate esters (OPEs), used as flame retardants and plasticizers, are
      widely present in environmental waters. Development of accurate determination
      methods for trace OPEs in water is urgent for understanding the fate and risk of
      this class of emerging pollutants. However, the wide use of OPEs in experimental
      materials results in blank interference, which influences the accuracy of
      analytical results. In the present work, blank contamination and recovery of
      pretreatment procedures for analysis of OPEs in water samples were systematically
      examined for the first time. Blank contaminations were observed in filtration
      membranes, glass bottles, solid phase extraction cartridges, and nitrogen blowing
      instruments. These contaminations could be as high as 6.4-64ng/L per treatment.
      Different kinds of membranes were compared in terms of contamination levels left
      after common glassware cleaning, and a special wash procedure was proposed to
      eliminate the contamination from membranes. Meanwhile, adsorption of highly
      hydrophobic OPEs on the inside wall of glass bottles was found to be 42.4%-86.1%,
      which was the primary cause of low recoveries and was significantly reduced by an
      additional washing step with acetonitrile. This work is expected to provide
      guidelines for the establishment of analysis methods for OPEs in aqueous samples.

PMID- 26257347
TI  - Synergistic effect of ozonation and ionizing radiation for PVA decomposition.
AB  - Ozonation and ionizing radiation are both advanced oxidation processes (AOPs)
      without chemical addition and secondary pollution. Also, the two processes'
      efficiency is determined by different pH conditions, which creates more
      possibilities for their combination. Importantly, the combined process of
      ozonation and ionizing radiation could be suitable for treating wastewaters with
      extreme pH values, i.e., textile wastewater. To find synergistic effects, the
      combined process of ozonation and ionizing radiation mineralization was
      investigated for degradation of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) at different pH levels. A
      synergistic effect was found at initial pH in the range 3.0-9.4. When the initial
      pH was 3.0, the combined process of ozonation and ionizing radiation gave a PVA
      mineralization degree of 17%. This was 2.7 times the sum achieved by the two
      individual processes, and factors of 2.1 and 1.7 were achieved at initial pH of
      7.0 and 9.4, respectively. The combined process of ozonation and ionizing
      radiation was demonstrated to be a feasible strategy for treatment of PVA
      containing wastewater. 

PMID- 26257348
TI  - Breakthrough CO2 adsorption in bio-based activated carbons.
AB  - In this work, the effects of different methods of activation on CO2 adsorption
      performance of activated carbon were studied. Activated carbons were prepared
      from biochar, obtained from fast pyrolysis of white wood, using three different
      activation methods of steam activation, CO2 activation and Potassium hydroxide
      (KOH) activation. CO2 adsorption behavior of the produced activated carbons was
      studied in a fixed-bed reactor set-up at atmospheric pressure, temperature range
      of 25-65 degrees C and inlet CO2 concentration range of 10-30 mol% in He to
      determine the effects of the surface area, porosity and surface chemistry on
      adsorption capacity of the samples. Characterization of the micropore and
      mesopore texture was carried out using N2 and CO2 adsorption at 77 and 273 K,
      respectively. Central composite design was used to evaluate the combined effects
      of temperature and concentration of CO2 on the adsorption behavior of the
      adsorbents. The KOH activated carbon with a total micropore volume of 0.62
      cm(3)/g and surface area of 1400 m(2)/g had the highest CO2 adsorption capacity
      of 1.8 mol/kg due to its microporous structure and high surface area under the
      optimized experimental conditions of 30 mol% CO2 and 25 degrees C. The
      performance of the adsorbents in multi-cyclic adsorption process was also
      assessed and the adsorption capacity of KOH and CO2 activated carbons remained
      remarkably stable after 50 cycles with low temperature (160 degrees C)
      regeneration.

PMID- 26257349
TI  - Structure and properties of Co-doped cryptomelane and its enhanced removal of
      Pb2+ and Cr3+ from wastewater.
AB  - Cryptomelane is a reactive Mn oxide and has been used in removal of heavy metal
      from wastewaters. Co-doped cryptomelane was synthesized by refluxing at ambient
      pressure and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron
      microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and extended X-ray absorption fine
      structure spectroscopy, and its performances for removal of Pb(2+) and Cr(3+)
      from aqueous solutions were investigated. Co doping has a negligible effect on
      the structure and morphology of cryptomelane but increases the specific surface
      area and Mn average oxidation state. Mn and Co K-edge extended X-ray absorption
      fine structure spectroscopy (EXAFS) analysis shows that Co barely affects the
      atomic coordination environments of Mn, and distances of edge- and corner-sharing
      Co-Me (MeCo, Mn) pairs are shorter than those of the corresponding Mn-Me pairs,
      implying the replacement of framework Mn(III) by Co(III). These Co-doped
      cryptomelanes can quickly oxidize Cr(3+) to be HCrO4(-) and remove 45%-66% of the
      total Cr in the reaction systems by adsorption and fixation, and they have
      enhanced Pb(2+) adsorption capacities. Thus these materials are promising
      adsorbents for heavy metal remediation. The results demonstrate the design and
      modification of environmental friendly Mn oxide materials and can help us
      understand the interaction mechanisms of transition metals with Mn oxides. 

PMID- 26257350
TI  - Ractopamine up take by alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and wheat (Triticum aestivum)
      from soil.
AB  - Ractopamine is a beta adrenergic agonist used as a growth promoter in swine,
      cattle and turkeys. To test whether ractopamine has the potential to accumulate
      in plants grown in contaminated soil, a greenhouse study was conducted with
      alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and wheat (Triticum aestivum) grown in two soils having
      different concentrations of organic matter (1.3% and 2.1%), amended with 0, 0.5,
      and 10 MUg/g of ractopamine. Plant growth ranged from 2.7 to 8.8 g dry weight
      (dw) for alfalfa, and 8.7 to 40 g dw for wheat and was generally greater in the
      higher organic matter content soil. The uptake of ractopamine in plant tissues
      ranged from non-detectable to 897 ng/g and was strongly dependent on soil
      ractopamine concentration across soil and plant tissue. When adjusted to the
      total fortified quantities, the amount of ractopamine taken up by the plant
      tissue was low, <0.01% for either soil.

PMID- 26257351
TI  - Effects of nitrogen dioxide and its acid mist on reactive oxygen species
      production and antioxidant enzyme activity in Arabidopsis plants.
AB  - Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is one of the most common and harmful air pollutants. To
      analyze the response of plants to NO2 stress, we investigated the morphological
      change, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and antioxidant enzyme activity
      in Arabidopsis thaliana (Col-0) exposed to 1.7, 4, 8.5, and 18.8 mg/m(3) NO2. The
      results indicate that NO2 exposure affected plant growth and chlorophyll (Chl)
      content, and increased oxygen free radical (O2(-)) production rate in Arabidopsis
      shoots. Furthermore, NO2 elevated the levels of lipid peroxidation and protein
      oxidation, accompanied by the induction of antioxidant enzyme activities and
      change of ascorbate (AsA) and glutathione (GSH) contents. Following this, we
      mimicked nitric acid mist under experimental conditions, and confirmed the
      antioxidant mechanism of the plant to the stress. Our results imply that NO2 and
      its acid mist caused pollution risk to plant systems. During the process,
      increased ROS acted as a signal to induce a defense response, and antioxidant
      status played an important role in plant protection against NO2/nitric acid mist
      caused oxidative damage.

PMID- 26257352
TI  - Mechanism and kinetics of aluminum dissolution during copper sorption by acidity
      paddy soil in South China.
AB  - Soil aggregates were prepared from a bulk soil collected from paddy soil in the
      Taihu Lake region and aluminum (Al) dissolution, solution pH changes during
      copper (Cu(2+)) sorption were investigated with static sorption and magnetic
      stirring. Kinetics of Cu(2+) sorption and Al dissolution were also studied by
      magnetic stirring method. No Al dissolution was observed until Cu(2+) sorption
      was greater than a certain value, which was 632, 450, 601 and 674 mg/kg for sand,
      clay, silt, and coarse silt fractions, respectively. Aluminum dissolution
      increased with increasing Cu(2+) sorption and decreasing solution pH. An amount
      of dissolved Al showed a significant positive correlation with non-specific
      sorption of Cu(2+) (R(2)>0.97), and it was still good under different pH values
      (R(2)>0.95). Copper sorption significantly decreased solution pH. The magnitude
      of solution pH decline increased as Cu(2+) sorption and Al dissolution increased.
      The sand and clay fraction had a less Al dissolution and pH drop due to the
      higher ferric oxide, Al oxide and organic matter contents. After sorption
      reaction for half an hour, the Cu(2+) sorption progress reached more than 90%
      while the Al dissolution progress was only 40%, and lagged behind the Cu(2+)
      sorption. It indicated that aluminum dissolution is associated with non-specific
      sorption.

PMID- 26257353
TI  - Mercury levels and estimated total daily intakes for children and adults from an
      electronic waste recycling area in Taizhou, China: Key role of rice and fish
      consumption.
AB  - In order to assess the potential health risks of Hg pollution, total mercury (T
      Hg) and methyl mercury (MeHg) concentrations were determined in air, dust,
      surface soil, crops, poultry, fish and human hair samples from an electronic
      waste (e-waste) recycling area in Taizhou, China. High concentrations of T-Hg and
      MeHg were found in these multiple matrices, and the mean concentration was 30.7
      ng/m(3) of T-Hg for atmosphere samples, 3.1 MUg/g of T-Hg for soil, 37.6 MUg/g of
      T-Hg for dust, 20.3 ng/g of MeHg for rice and 178.1 ng/g of MeHg for fish,
      suggesting that the e-waste recycling facility was a significant source of Hg.
      The inorganic Hg (I-Hg) levels (0.84 MUg/g) in hair samples of e-waste workers
      were much higher than that in the reference samples. Pearson's correlation
      coefficients showed that strong positive correlations (p<0.01) between hair I-Hg
      and time staying in industrial area (r=0.81) and between MeHg and fish
      consumption frequency (r=0.91), imply that workers were mainly exposed to Hg
      vapor through long-time inhalation of contaminated air and dust, while other
      population mainly exposed to MeHg through high-frequency fish consumption. The
      estimated daily intakes of Hg showed that dietary intake was the major Hg
      exposure source, and Hg intakes from rice and fish were significantly higher than
      from any other foods. The estimated total daily intakes (TDIs) of MeHg for both
      children (696.8 ng/(kg.day)) and adults (381.3 ng/(kg.day)) greatly exceeded the
      dietary reference dose (RfD) of 230 ng/(kg.day), implying greater health risk for
      humans from Hg exposures around e-waste recycling facilities.

PMID- 26257354
TI  - Water chemistry controlled aggregation and photo-transformation of silver
      nanoparticles in environmental waters.
AB  - The inevitable release of engineered silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) into aquatic
      environments has drawn great concerns about its environmental toxicity and
      safety. Although aggregation and transformation play crucial roles in the
      transport and toxicity of AgNPs, how the water chemistry of environmental waters
      influences the aggregation and transformation of engineered AgNPs is still not
      well understood. In this study, the aggregation of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)
      coated AgNPs was investigated in eight typical environmental water samples (with
      different ionic strengths, hardness, and dissolved organic matter (DOM)
      concentrations) by using UV-visible spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering.
      Raman spectroscopy was applied to probe the interaction of DOM with the surface
      of AgNPs. Further, the photo-transformation and morphology changes of AgNPs in
      environmental waters were studied by UV-visible spectroscopy, inductively coupled
      plasma mass spectrometry, and transmission electron microscopy. The results
      suggested that both electrolytes (especially Ca(2+) and Mg(2+)) and DOM in the
      surface waters are key parameters for AgNP aggregation, and sunlight could
      accelerate the morphology change, aggregation, and further sedimentation of
      AgNPs. This water chemistry controlled aggregation and photo-transformation
      should have significant environmental impacts on the transport and toxicity of
      AgNPs in the aquatic environments.

PMID- 26257355
TI  - Biodegradation of indole by a newly isolated Cupriavidus sp. SHE.
AB  - Indole, a typical nitrogen heterocyclic aromatic pollutant, is extensively spread
      in industrial wastewater. Microbial degradation has been proven to be a feasible
      approach to remove indole, whereas the microbial resources are fairly limited. A
      bacterial strain designated as SHE was isolated and found to be an efficient
      indole degrader. It was identified as Cupriavidus sp. according to 16S rRNA gene
      analysis. Strain SHE could utilize indole as the sole carbon source and almost
      completely degrade 100mg/L of indole within 24hr. It still harbored relatively
      high indole degradation capacity within pH4-9 and temperature 25 degrees C-35
      degrees C. Experiments also showed that some heavy metals such as Mn(2+), Pb(2+)
      and Co(2+) did not pose severe inhibition on indole degradation. Based on high
      performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrum analysis, isatin was identified
      as a minor intermediate during the process of indole biodegradation. A major
      yellow product with m/z 265.0605 (C15H8N2O3) was generated and accumulated,
      suggesting a novel indole conversion pathway existed. Genome analysis of strain
      SHE indicated that there existed a rich set of oxidoreductases, which might be
      the key reason for the efficient degradation of indole. The robust degradation
      ability of strain SHE makes it a promising candidate for the treatment of indole
      containing wastewater. 

PMID- 26257356
TI  - Use of Fe/Al drinking water treatment residuals as amendments for enhancing the
      retention capacity of glyphosate in agricultural soils.
AB  - Fe/Al drinking water treatment residuals (WTRs), ubiquitous and non-hazardous by
      products of drinking water purification, are cost-effective adsorbents for
      glyphosate. Given that repeated glyphosate applications could significantly
      decrease glyphosate retention by soils and that the adsorbed glyphosate is
      potentially mobile, high sorption capacity and stability of glyphosate in
      agricultural soils are needed to prevent pollution of water by glyphosate.
      Therefore, we investigated the feasibility of reusing Fe/Al WTR as a soil
      amendment to enhance the retention capacity of glyphosate in two agricultural
      soils. The results of batch experiments showed that the Fe/Al WTR amendment
      significantly enhanced the glyphosate sorption capacity of both soils (p<0.001).
      Up to 30% of the previously adsorbed glyphosate desorbed from the non-amended
      soils, and the Fe/Al WTR amendment effectively decreased the proportion of
      glyphosate desorbed. Fractionation analyses further demonstrated that glyphosate
      adsorbed to non-amended soils was primarily retained in the readily labile
      fraction (NaHCO3-glyphosate). The WTR amendment significantly increased the
      relative proportion of the moderately labile fraction (HCl-glyphosate) and
      concomitantly reduced that of the NaHCO3-glyphosate, hence reducing the potential
      for the release of soil-adsorbed glyphosate into the aqueous phase. Furthermore,
      Fe/Al WTR amendment minimized the inhibitory effect of increasing solution pH on
      glyphosate sorption by soils and mitigated the effects of increasing solution
      ionic strength. The present results indicate that Fe/Al WTR is suitable for use
      as a soil amendment to prevent glyphosate pollution of aquatic ecosystems by
      enhancing the glyphosate retention capacity in soils. 

PMID- 26257357
TI  - A screening assay for thyroid hormone signaling disruption based on thyroid
      hormone-response gene expression analysis in the frog Pelophylax nigromaculatus.
AB  - Amphibian metamorphosis provides a wonderful model to study the thyroid hormone
      (TH) signaling disrupting activity of environmental chemicals, with Xenopus
      laevis as the most commonly used species. This study aimed to establish a rapid
      and sensitive screening assay based on TH-response gene expression analysis using
      Pelophylax nigromaculatus, a native frog species distributed widely in East Asia,
      especially in China. To achieve this, five candidate TH-response genes that were
      sensitive to T3 induction were chosen as molecular markers, and T3 induction was
      determined as 0.2 nmol/L T3 exposure for 48 hr. The developed assay can detect
      the agonistic activity of T3 with a lowest observed effective concentration of
      0.001 nmol/L and EC50 at around 0.118-1.229 nmol/L, exhibiting comparable or
      higher sensitivity than previously reported assays. We further validated the
      efficiency of the developed assay by detecting the TH signaling disrupting
      activity of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), a known TH signaling disruptor. In
      accordance with previous reports, we found a weak TH agonistic activity for TBBPA
      in the absence of T3, whereas a TH antagonistic activity was found for TBBPA at
      higher concentrations in the presence of T3, showing that the P. nigromaculatus
      assay is effective for detecting TH signaling disrupting activity. Importantly,
      we observed non-monotonic dose-dependent disrupting activity of TBBPA in the
      presence of T3, which is difficult to detect with in vitro reporter gene assays.
      Overall, the developed P. nigromaculatus assay can be used to screen TH signaling
      disrupting activity of environmental chemicals with high sensitivity.

PMID- 26257358
TI  - Disruption of iron homeostasis and resultant health effects upon exposure to
      various environmental pollutants: A critical review.
AB  - Environmental pollution has become one of the greatest problems in the world, and
      the concerns about environmental pollutants released by human activities from
      agriculture and industrial production have been continuously increasing. Although
      intense efforts have been made to understand the health effects of environmental
      pollutants, most studies have only focused on direct toxic effects and failed to
      simultaneously evaluate the long-term adaptive, compensatory and secondary
      impacts on health. Burgeoning evidence suggests that environmental pollutants may
      directly or indirectly give rise to disordered element homeostasis, such as for
      iron. It is crucially important to maintain concerted cellular and systemic iron
      metabolism. Otherwise, disordered iron metabolism would lead to cytotoxicity and
      increased risk for various diseases, including cancers. Thus, study on the
      effects of environmental pollutants upon iron homeostasis is urgently needed. In
      this review, we recapitulate the available findings on the direct or indirect
      impacts of environmental pollutants, including persistent organic pollutants
      (POPs), heavy metals and pesticides, on iron homeostasis and associated adverse
      health problems. In view of the unanswered questions, more efforts are warranted
      to investigate the disruptive effects of environmental pollutants on iron
      homeostasis and consequent toxicities. 

PMID- 26257359
TI  - Effects of chronic and subtoxic chlorobenzenes on adrenocorticotrophic hormone
      release.
AB  - Many environmental chemicals and pesticides have been found to alter
      neuroendocrine communication in exposed biological objects. The environmental
      loads have primary and secondary effects that can alter the homeostatic
      regulation potential. Since it is difficult to avoid human exposition, a
      potentially important area of research to develop in vivo and in vitro
      experimental models. In this context, the primary aim of this study was to
      demonstrate the effects of chlorobenzenes on adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH)
      release. In our experimental study, male Wistar rats were exposed to 0.1, 1.0 and
      10 MUg/b.w. (body weight)kg of 1,2,4- trichlorobenzene and hexachlorobenzene
      (ClB) mix via gastric tube for 30, 60 or 90 days. At the endpoints of the
      experiment blood samples were taken and animals were decapitated. Primary,
      monolayer adenohypophysis cell cultures were prepared by enzymatic and mechanical
      digestion. The ACTH hormone content in serum and supernatant media was measured
      by immuno-chemiluminescence assay. The Mg(2+)-dependent ATPase activity was
      determined by modified method of Martin and Dotty. Significant differences were
      detected in the hormone release between the control and treated groups. The
      hormone release was enhanced characteristically in exposed groups depending upon
      the dose and duration of exposure. The Mg(2+)-ATPase activity enhanced after
      chronic and subtoxic ClB exposition. Light microscopy revealed that the
      adenohypophysis seemed to be more abundant. Results indicate that Wistar rats
      exposed to subtoxic ClB have direct and indirect effects on hypothalamus
      hypophysis-adrenal axis.

PMID- 26257360
TI  - Characterizations of organic compounds in diesel exhaust particulates.
AB  - To characterize how the speed and load of a medium-duty diesel engine affected
      the organic compounds in diesel particle matter (PM) below 1 MUm, four driving
      conditions were examined. At all four driving conditions, concentration of
      identifiable organic compounds in PM ultrafine (34-94 nm) and accumulation (94
      1000 nm) modes ranged from 2.9 to 5.7 MUg/m(3) and 9.5 to 16.4 MUg/m(3),
      respectively. As a function of driving conditions, the non-oxygen-containing
      organics exhibited a reversed concentration trend to the oxygen-containing
      organics. The identified organic compounds were classified into eleven classes:
      alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, aromatic hydrocarbons, carboxylic acids, esters,
      ketones, alcohols, ethers, nitrogen-containing compounds, and sulfur-containing
      compounds. At all driving conditions, alkane class consistently showed the
      highest concentration (8.3 to 18.0 MUg/m(3)) followed by carboxylic acid, esters,
      ketones and alcohols. Twelve polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were
      identified with a total concentration ranging from 37.9 to 174.8 ng/m(3). In
      addition, nine nitrogen-containing polycyclic aromatic compounds (NPACs) were
      identified with a total concentration ranging from 7.0 to 10.3 ng/m(3). The most
      abundant PAH (phenanthrene) and NPACs (7,8-benzoquinoline and 3
      nitrophenanthrene) comprise a similar molecular (3 aromatic-ring) structure under
      the highest engine speed and engine load.

PMID- 26257361
TI  - Interactive response of photosynthetic characteristics in Haloxylon ammodendron
      and Hedysarum scoparium exposed to soil water and air vapor pressure deficits.
AB  - C4 plants possess better drought tolerance than C3 plants. However, Hedysarum
      scoparium, a C3 species, is dominant and widely distributed in the desert areas
      of northwestern China due to its strong drought tolerance. This study compared it
      with Haloxylon ammodendron, a C4 species, regarding the interactive effects of
      drought stress and different leaf-air vapor pressure deficits. Variables of
      interest included gas exchange, the activity levels of key C4 photosynthetic
      enzymes, and cellular anatomy. In both species, gas exchange parameters were more
      sensitive to high vapor pressure deficit than to strong water stress, and the net
      CO2 assimilation rate (An) was enhanced as vapor pressure deficits increased. A
      close relationship between An and stomatal conductance (gs) suggested that the
      species shared a similar response mechanism. In H. ammodendron, the activity
      levels of key C4 enzymes were higher, including those of phosphoenolpyruvate
      carboxylase (PEPC) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-malate enzyme
      (NADP-ME), whereas in H. scoparium, the activity level of nicotinamide adenine
      dinucleotide-malate enzyme (NAD-ME) was higher. Meanwhile, H. scoparium utilized
      adaptive structural features, including a larger relative vessel area and a
      shorter distance from vein to stomata, which facilitated the movement of water.
      These findings implied that some C4 biochemical pathways were present in H.
      scoparium to respond to environmental challenges.

PMID- 26257362
TI  - Seasonal variations and size distributions of water-soluble ions in atmospheric
      aerosols in Beijing, 2012.
AB  - The characteristics of water-soluble ions in airborne particulate matter in
      Beijing were investigated using ion chromatography. The results showed that the
      total concentrations of ions were 83.7 +/- 48.9 MUg/m(3) in spring, 54.0 +/- 17.0
      MUg/m(3) in summer, 54.1 +/- 42.9 MUg/m(3) in autumn, and 88.8 +/- 47.7 MUg/m(3)
      in winter, respectively. Furthermore, out of all the ions, NO3(-), SO4(2-) and
      NH4(+) accounted for 81.2% in spring, 78.5% in summer, 74.6% in autumn, and 76.3%
      in winter. Mg(2+) and Ca(2+) were mainly associated with coarse particles, with a
      peak that ranged from 5.8 to 9.0 MUm. Na(+), NH4(+) and Cl(-) had a multi-mode
      distribution with peaks that ranged from 0.43 to 1.1 MUm and 4.7 to 9.0 MUm.
      K(+), NO3(-), and SO4(2-) were mainly associated with fine particles, with a peak
      that ranged from 0.65 to 2.1 MUm. The concentrations of Na(+), K(+), Mg(2+),
      Ca(2+), NH4(+), Cl(-), NO3(-) and SO4(2-) were 2.69, 2.32, 1.01, 4.84, 16.9,
      11.8, 42.0, and 44.1 MUg/m(3) in particulate matter (PM) on foggy days,
      respectively, which were 1.4 to 7.3 times higher than those on clear days. The
      concentrations of these ions were 2.40, 1.66, 0.92, 4.95, 17.5, 7.00, 32.6, and
      34.7 MUg/m(3) in PM on hazy days, respectively, which were 1.2-5.7 times higher
      than those on clear days.

PMID- 26257363
TI  - Trends of the sunshine duration and diffuse radiation percentage on sunny days in
      urban agglomerations of China during 1960-2005.
AB  - The long-term observational data of sunshine duration (SD) and diffuse radiation
      percentage (defined as diffuse solar radiation/total solar radiation, DRP) on
      sunny days during 1960-2005 were analyzed in 7 urban agglomerations and the whole
      of China. The results show that the sunny sunshine duration (SSD) has decreased
      significantly except at a few stations over northwestern China in the past 46
      years. An obvious decrease of the SSD is found in eastern China, with the trend
      coefficients lower than -0.8. Accompanied by the SSD decline, the sunny diffuse
      radiation percentage (SDRP) in most stations shows obvious increasing trends
      during the 46 years. The averaged SDRP over China has increased 2.33% per decade,
      while the averaged SSD shows a decrease of -0.13 hr/day per decade. The
      correlation coefficient between SDRP and SSD is -0.88. SSD decreased over urban
      agglomerations (small to large city clusters) in the past 46 years, especially in
      large cities and medium cities, due to the strong anthropogenic activities and
      air pollution represented by aerosol option depth (AOD) and tropospheric column
      NO2 (TroNO2). On the regional scale, SSD has an opposite trend from SDRP during
      1960 to 2005, and the variation trends of regional mean values of SSD and SDRP in
      southeastern China are more pronounced than those in northwestern China.

PMID- 26257364
TI  - Determination of the cellulase activity distribution in Clostridium thermocellum
      and Caldicellulosiruptor obsidiansis cultures using a fluorescent substrate.
AB  - This study took advantage of resorufin cellobioside as a fluorescent substrate to
      determine the distribution of cellulase activity in cellulosic biomass
      fermentation systems. Cellulolytic biofilms were found to express nearly four
      orders greater cellulase activity compared to planktonic cultures of Clostridium
      thermocellum and Caldicellulosiruptor obsidiansis, which can be primarily
      attributed to the high cell concentration and surface attachment. The formation
      of biofilms results in cellulases being secreted close to their substrates, which
      appears to be an energetically favorable stategy for insoluble substrate
      utilization. For the same reason, cellulases should be closely associated with
      the surfaces of suspended cell in soluble substrate-fed culture, which has been
      verified with cellobiose-fed cultures of C. thermocellum and C. obsidiansis. This
      study addressed the importance of cellulase activity distribution in cellulosic
      biomass fermentation, and provided theoretical foundation for the leading role of
      biofilm in cellulose degradation. System optimization and reactor designs that
      promote biofilm formation in cellulosic biomass hydrolysis may promise an
      improved cellulosic biofuel process.

PMID- 26257365
TI  - Origin of high particle number concentrations reaching the St. Louis, Midwest
      Supersite.
AB  - Ultrafine particles are associated with adverse health effects. Total Particle
      Number Concentration (TNC) of fine particles were measured during 2002 at the St.
      Louis - Midwest supersite. The time series showed overall low level with frequent
      large peaks. The time series was analyzed alongside criteria pollutant
      measurements and meteorological observations. Multiple regression analysis was
      used to identify further contributing factors and to determine the association of
      different pollutants with TNC levels. This showed the strong contribution of
      sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) to high TNC levels. The analysis
      also suggested that increased dispersion resulting from faster winds and higher
      mixing heights led to higher TNC levels. Overall, the results show that there
      were intense particle nucleation events in a SO2 rich plume reaching the site
      which contributed around 29% of TNC. A further 40% was associated with primary
      emissions from mobile sources. By separating the remaining TNC by time of day and
      clear sky conditions, we suggest that most likely 8% of TNC are due to regional
      nucleation events and 23% are associated with the general urban background. 

PMID- 26257366
TI  - Advances in photocatalytic disinfection of bacteria: Development of
      photocatalysts and mechanisms.
AB  - Photocatalysis has attracted worldwide attention due to its potential in solar
      energy conversion. As a "green" advanced oxidation technology, it has been
      extensively used for water disinfection and wastewater treatment. This article
      provides a review of the recent progress in solar energy-induced photocatalytic
      disinfection of bacteria, focusing on the development of highly efficient
      photocatalysts and their underlying mechanisms in bacterial inactivation. The
      photocatalysts are classified into TiO2-based and non-TiO2-based systems, as TiO2
      is the most investigated photocatalyst. The synthesis methods, modification
      strategies, bacterial disinfection activities and mechanisms of different types
      of photocatalysts are reviewed in detail. Emphasis is given to the modified TiO2,
      including noble metal deposition, non-metal doping, dye sensitization and
      composite TiO2, along with typical non-TiO2-based photocatalysts for bacterial
      disinfection, including metal oxides, sulfides, bismuth metallates, graphene
      based photocatalysts, carbon nitride-based photocatalysts and natural
      photocatalysts. A simple and versatile methodology by using a partition system
      combined with scavenging study is introduced to study the photocatalytic
      disinfection mechanisms in different photocatalytic systems. This review
      summarizes the current state of the work on photocatalytic disinfection of
      bacteria, and is expected to offer useful insights for the future development in
      the field.

PMID- 26257367
TI  - Hydrothermal fabrication of selectively doped organic assisted advanced ZnO
      nanomaterial for solar driven photocatalysis.
AB  - Hydrothermal fabrication of selectively doped (Ag(+)+Pd(3+)) advanced ZnO
      nanomaterial has been carried out under mild pressure temperature conditions
      (autogeneous; 150 degrees C). Gluconic acid has been used as a surface modifier
      to effectively control the particle size and morphology of these ZnO
      nanoparticles. The experimental parameters were tuned to achieve optimum
      conditions for the synthesis of selectively doped ZnO nanomaterials with an
      experimental duration of 4 hr. These selectively doped ZnO nanoparticles were
      characterized using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared
      spectroscopy (FT-IR), UV-Vis spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
      The solar driven photocatalytic studies have been carried out for organic dyes,
      i.e., Procion MX-5B dye, Cibacron Brilliant Yellow dye, Indigo Carmine dye,
      separately and all three mixed, by using gluconic acid modified selectively doped
      advanced ZnO nanomaterial. The influence of catalyst, its concentration and
      initial dye concentration resulted in the photocatalytic efficiency of 89% under
      daylight.

PMID- 26257368
TI  - New insights into disruption of iron homeostasis by environmental pollutants.
AB  - Among the numerous health conditions environmental pollutants can cause, chronic
      exposure to pollutants including persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and heavy
      metals has been shown to disturb a specific biological homeostatic process, the
      iron metabolism in human body. Disorders of iron metabolism are among the common
      diseases of humans and encompass a broad spectrum of diseases with different
      clinical manifestations, ranging from anemia to iron overload, and possibly to
      neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. Hepcidin-ferroportin (FPN) signaling is
      one of the key mechanisms responsible for iron supply, utilization, recycling,
      and storage, and recent studies demonstrated that exposure to environmental
      pollutants including POPs and heavy metals could lead to disruption of the
      hepcidin-FPN axis along with disordered systemic iron homeostasis and diseases.
      This article introduces and highlights the accompanying review article by Drs. Xu
      and Liu in this journal, which elaborates in detail the adverse effects of
      environmental pollutants on iron metabolism, and the mechanisms responsible for
      these toxicological outcomes. It also points out the knowledge gaps still
      existing in this subject matter. Research that will fill these gaps will improve
      our understanding of the issue and provide useful information to prevent or treat
      diseases induced by environmental pollutants. 

PMID- 26257369
TI  - Is there a silver lining? Aggregation and photo-transformation of silver
      nanoparticles in environmental waters.

PMID- 26257370
TI  - High frequency of deficient consumption and low blood levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin
      D in HIV-1-infected adults from Sao Paulo city, Brazil.
AB  - Micronutrient deficiency is common in patients with HIV/AIDS, usually caused by
      mal-absorption and/or drug interactions. 25-hydroxyvitamin D is of fundamental
      importance for the homeostasis of musculoskeletal health. The current study aimed
      to evaluate the nutritional status of HIV-infected subjects in order to make
      their nutritional diagnoses, including their vitamin D blood levels, and to
      estimate their consumption of vitamin D. The study included 98 HIV-1-infected
      subjects, followed at University of Sao Paulo Medical School - HC-FMUSP. We
      performed a nutritional evaluation, along with the determination of patients'
      serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and calcium concentration, biochemical analyses, and an
      anthropometric assessment. In the medical interview a 24-hour food recall was
      used (R24) to estimate daily calorie intake, macronutrients, calcium, and vitamin
      D. A high level of vitamin D deficiency was observed in our patients: 83.4% of
      them had levels below 30 ng/ml; they also presented an increased risk of
      cardiovascular disease, along with a high consumption of dietary fat. Factors
      related to the virus itself and to the use of antiretroviral drugs may have
      contributed for the low vitamin D levels seen in our HIV-1-infected patients.

PMID- 26257371
TI  - Association between parental history of diabetes and the incidence of type 2
      diabetes mellitus differs according to the sex of the parent and offspring's body
      weight: A finding from a Japanese worksite-based cohort study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate differences in the association of parental history of
      diabetes with the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the offspring
      according to the sex of the parent and the offspring's body weight. METHODS: A
      prospective cohort study of 4446 middle-aged non-diabetic Japanese men and women
      were followed in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, from 2002 to 2011. Subjects
      were categorized by their self-reported parental history of diabetes ("no
      parental history," "father only," "mother only," and "both"). The association of
      parental history of diabetes and incidence in the offspring was examined
      according to overweight status adjusted for age, sex, birth weight, smoking,
      alcohol consumption, physical activity, total energy intake, body mass index, and
      number of metabolic syndrome components. RESULTS: During follow-up (median 8.9
      years), 277 subjects developed T2DM. Parental history of diabetes was positively
      associated with T2DM incidence. However, stratified analysis by overweight status
      revealed that only maternal history was associated with increased T2DM incidence
      in non-overweight subjects (hazard ratio=2.35, 95% confidence interval: 1.41
      3.91). While in overweight subjects, paternal history was significantly
      associated with higher T2DM incidence (hazard ratio=1.98, 95% confidence
      interval: 1.19-3.28). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that parental history of
      diabetes mellitus is associated with the incidence of T2DM in offspring
      differently according to the sex of the affected parent and the offspring's body
      weight.

PMID- 26257372
TI  - Editorial: 2nd Special Issue on behavior change, health, and health disparities.
AB  - This Special Issue of Preventive Medicine (PM) is the 2nd that we have organized
      on behavior change, health, and health disparities. This is a topic of
      fundamental importance to improving population health in the U.S. and other
      industrialized countries that are trying to more effectively manage chronic
      health conditions. There is broad scientific consensus that personal behavior
      patterns such as cigarette smoking, other substance abuse, and physical
      inactivity/obesity are among the most important modifiable causes of chronic
      disease and its adverse impacts on population health. As such behavior change
      needs to be a key component of improving population health. There is also broad
      agreement that while these problems extend across socioeconomic strata, they are
      overrepresented among more economically disadvantaged populations and contribute
      directly to the growing problem of health disparities. Hence, behavior change
      represents an essential step in curtailing that unsettling problem as well. In
      this 2nd Special Issue, we devote considerable space to the current U.S.
      prescription opioid addiction epidemic, a crisis that was not addressed in the
      prior Special Issue. We also continue to devote attention to the two largest
      contributors to preventable disease and premature death, cigarette smoking and
      physical inactivity/obesity as well as risks of co-occurrence of these unhealthy
      behavior patterns. Across each of these topics we included contributions from
      highly accomplished policy makers and scientists to acquaint readers with recent
      accomplishments as well as remaining knowledge gaps and challenges to effectively
      managing these important chronic health problems. 

PMID- 26257374
TI  - Synthesis of new saccharide azacrown cryptands.
AB  - New cryptands including bis-azacrown and saccharidic moieties in their structure
      were prepared in several steps by applying Staudinger-aza-Wittig reaction (SAW).
      Syntheses have been started from cheap, easily available commercial compounds
      such as D-glucose, D-cellobiose and D-lactose subsequently transformed into their
      derivatives in fairly good yields (60-65%) and suitable to give desired final
      cryptands by direct SAW coupling reactions. 

PMID- 26257373
TI  - White matter alterations in first episode treatment-naive patients with deficit
      schizophrenia: a combined VBM and DTI study.
AB  - Categorizing 'deficit schizophrenia' (DS) as distinct from 'non-deficit'
      schizophrenia (NDS) may help reduce heterogeneity within schizophrenia. However,
      it is unknown if DS has a discrete white matter signature. Here we used MRI to
      compare white matter volume (voxel-based morphometry) and microstructural
      integrity (fractional anisotropy, FA) in first-episode treatment-naive patients
      with DS and NDS and their unaffected relatives to control groups of similar age.
      We found that white matter disruption was prominent in DS compared to controls;
      the DS group had lower volumes in the cerebellum, bilateral extra-nuclear and
      bilateral frontoparietal regions, and lower FA in the body of corpus callosum,
      posterior superior longitudinal fasciculus and uncinate fasciculus. The DS group
      also had lower volume in bilateral extra-nuclear regions compared to NDS, and the
      volume of these clusters was negatively correlated with deficit symptom ratings.
      NDS patients however, had no significant volume alterations and limited
      disruption of microstructural integrity compared to controls. Finally, first
      degree relatives of those with DS shared volume abnormalities in right extra
      nuclear white matter. Thus, white matter pathology in schizophrenia is most
      evident in the deficit condition, and lower extra-nuclear white matter volumes in
      both DS patients and their relatives may represent a brain structural
      'endophenotype' for DS. 

PMID- 26257375
TI  - The O-specific polysaccharide from the marine bacterium Pseudoalteromonas
      agarivorans KMM 255(T).
AB  - The O-specific polysaccharide was isolated from the lipopolysaccharide of a
      marine bacterium Pseudoalteromonas agarivorans KMM 255(T) and studied by chemical
      methods along with (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopies. The following new structure
      of the O-specific polysaccharide from P. agarivorans KMM 255(T) containing 2
      acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose (D-GlcNAc), D-glucose (D-Glc), D-glucuronic acid (D
      GlcA) and two residues of D-galactose (D-Gal) was established: Formula: see
      text].

PMID- 26257376
TI  - Synthesis of four (4"-, 2"-, 2'-, and 6-) monodeoxy analogs of the trisaccharide
      alpha-D-Glcp-(1 -> 3)-alpha-D-Manp-(1 -> 2)-alpha-D-ManpOMe recognized by
      Calreticulin/Calnexin.
AB  - Routes for efficient synthesis of four (4"-, 2"-, 2'-, and 6-) monodeoxy analogs
      of the trisaccharide alpha-D-Glcp-(1 -> 3)-alpha-D-Manp-(1 -> 2)-alpha-D-ManpOMe
      have been developed. For the introduction of the 2'- and 2"-deoxy motifs the most
      efficient way was to use a 1,2-di-bromo-mannosyl donor in silver triflate
      promoted couplings to construct the alpha-glycosidic linkage followed by
      reduction of the 2-bromo-function to a 2-deoxy motif at the di- or trisaccharide
      level. In contrast, the 4"- and 6-deoxy functions were introduced already at the
      monosaccharide stage. The most challenging part of the syntheses was the
      stereoselective formation of the non-reducing end cis-alpha-D-glucosidic
      linkages. The established alpha-directing effect of a 3-O-acetyl group in
      glucosyl donors was explored but the magnitude of the effect was variable and
      dependent on donor/acceptor structure and nature of promoter and an optimization
      had to be made for each individual glycosylation.

PMID- 26257377
TI  - An efficient synthesis of novel bis-triazole glycoconjugates via a three
      component condensation as a key reaction.
AB  - Novel bis-triazole glycoconjugates were designed and prepared successfully via 5
      steps from propargyl per-O-acetyl-beta-d-glucoside or xyloside (total yield of 48
      53%), after utilizing a three-component condensation of propargyl per-O-acetyl
      beta-d-glycoside, formaldehyde, and sodium azide as a key step to synthesize 2
      hydroxymethyl-2H-1,2,3-triazole glycoconjugates. The developed bis-triazole
      glycoconjugates would be crucial in antivirus pharmacology and chemical biology. 

PMID- 26257378
TI  - Docking polysaccharide to proteins that have a Tryptophan box in the binding
      pocket.
AB  - Protein-carbohydrate interactions (PCIs) involve a variety of essential
      biological processes such as cell recognition and migration, metabolism processes
      and immunological reactions, which are important for securing functions of living
      organisms. Due to the polysaccharide structural diversity and dynamics
      flexibility, PCIs can be very difficult for experimental measurement and computer
      prediction. Here we report a simple method for docking polysaccharide to proteins
      whose binding pockets have a Tryptophan box. The method samples polysaccharide
      conformations using constraint conditions imposed by the box, evaluate the
      conformation energies based on a knowledge-based potential function, and finds
      the best docking structures using the conventional Monte Carlo simulated
      annealing technique. We applied the method to dock polysaccharides with 2 to 4
      monomers to three carbohydrate-binding proteins, whose pockets have clear
      aromatic residue-defined binding channels. The predictions found correct
      carbohydrate binding conformations with atomic RMSD of 1.1-1.6 A from X-ray
      crystal structures. The calculation can be performed in ordinary PC and only cost
      a couple of minutes for a single docking. Our method, when combined with other
      docking programs, provides a reliable start conformation for further accurate
      simulation of PCIs.

PMID- 26257379
TI  - Osteoinductive silk fibroin/titanium dioxide/hydroxyapatite hybrid scaffold for
      bone tissue engineering.
AB  - The present study demonstrated the fabrication that incorporation of titanium
      isopropoxide (TiO2) and hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticles into the silk fibroin
      (SF) scaffolds. In this process, we prepared TiO2 nanoparticles using sol-gel
      synthesis and the porous structure was developed by salt-leaching process.
      Homogeneous distribution of TiO2 and HA nanoparticles were confirmed by images of
      VP-FE-SEM and those equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer.
      Structural characteristics of the porous SF/TiO2/HA hybrid scaffold were also
      determined using FTIR analysis and X-ray diffractometer. In this study, the
      porous SF/TiO2/HA hybrid scaffold showed similar porosity, enhanced mechanical
      property, but decreased water binding abilities, compared with the porous SF
      scaffold. For evaluation of the osteogenic differentiation of rat bone marrow
      mesenchymal stem cells, alkaline phosphatase activity and osteogenic gene
      expression were employed. Our results revealed that the porous SF/TiO2/HA hybrid
      scaffold had improved osteoinductivity compared with the porous SF scaffold.
      These results suggest that the osteogenic property as well as mechanical property
      of the porous SF/TiO2/HA hybrid scaffold could be better than the porous SF
      scaffold. Therefore, the porous SF/TiO2/HA hybrid scaffold may be a good
      promising biomaterial for bone tissue engineering application.

PMID- 26257380
TI  - In vitro release and biological activities of Carum copticum essential oil (CEO)
      loaded chitosan nanoparticles.
AB  - In recent years, the unparalleled and functional properties of essential oils
      have been extensively reported, but the sensitivity of essential oils to
      environmental factors and their poor aqueous solubility have limited their
      applications in industries. Hence, we encapsulated CEO in chitosan nanoparticles
      by an emulsion-ionic gelation with pantasodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) and sodium
      hexametaphosphte (HMP), separately, as crosslinkers. The nanoparticles were
      analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Ultraviolet-visible
      spectroscopy (UV-vis), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron
      microscope (SEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The encapsulation efficiency
      (EE) and loading capacity (LC) of CEO in chitosan nanoparticles increased with
      the increase of initial CEO amount. The nanoparticles displayed an average size
      of 30-80nm with a spherical shape and regular distribution. In vitro release
      profiles exhibited an initial burst release and followed by a sustained CEO
      release at different pH conditions. The amount of CEO release from chitosan
      nanoparticles was higher in acidic pH to basic or neutral pH, respectively. The
      biological properties of CEO, before and after the encapsulation process were
      evaluated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) and agar disk diffusion
      method, respectively. The results indicated the encapsulation of CEO in chitosan
      nanoparticles could be protected the quality. 

PMID- 26257381
TI  - Production and characterization of poly-3-hydroxybutyrate from Bacillus cereus PS
      10.
AB  - Usage of renewable raw materials for production of fully degradable bioplastics
      (bacterial poly-3-hydroxybutyrate, PHB) has gained immense research impetus
      considering recalcitrant nature of petroleum based plastics, dwindling fossil
      fuel feed stocks, and associated green house gas emissions. However, high
      production cost of PHB is the major bottleneck for its wide range industrial
      applications. In current study, Bacillus cereus PS 10, a recent isolate,
      efficiently utilized molasses, an abundantly available by-product from sugar
      industries as sole carbon source for growth and PHB production. Most influential
      bioprocess variables i.e. molasses, pH and NH4Cl were identified based on
      Plackett-Burman-designed experiments. Design of experiment approach (response
      surface methodology) was further employed for optimization of these bioprocess
      variables, and an enhanced PHB yield (57.5%) was obtained. PHB produced by
      Bacillus cereus PS 10 was investigated using various physico-chemical approaches
      viz. thermogravimetric analysis, proton and carbon NMR ((1)H and (13)C)
      spectroscopy, melting point, elemental analysis and polarimetry for its detail
      characterization, and assessment for industrial application potential. 

PMID- 26257382
TI  - CgIL17-5, an ancient inflammatory cytokine in Crassostrea gigas exhibiting the
      heterogeneity functions compared with vertebrate interleukin17 molecules.
AB  - Interleukin 17 (IL17) is a proinflammatory cytokine that plays an important role
      in immune response. Recently, five novel IL17 homologs have been identified by
      screening and analyzing the genome of pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas. In the
      present study, the functions of CgIL17-5 were investigated by examining the
      distribution of its mRNA and protein, ligands binding and modulation in immune
      response. The mRNA expression levels of CgIL17-5 in hemocytes of oysters post
      twice challenges of Vibrio splendidus were all significantly up-regulated (P <
      0.01), while the secondary pathogen infection attenuated the expression level of
      CgIL17-5 mRNA compared with the primary challenge. CgIL17-5 was found to be
      located on oyster hemocyte membranes through fluorescence confocal assay. The
      luciferase reporter assays showed that CgIL17-5 could activate the transfactors
      NF-kappaB, CREB and ATF-1, and involve in their signal pathways in HEK293T cells.
      Meanwhile, CgIL17-5 could augment the IL6 synthesis in HuVEC cells, playing the
      similar roles as human IL17 in inflammatory response. Additionally, the
      recombinant CgIL17-5 (rCgIL17-5) could directly bind peptidoglycan (PGN),
      lipopolysaccharide (LPS), poly (I:C) and beta-1,3-glucan, with the highest
      affinity to PGN, and significantly inhibit the growth of Micrococcus luteus and
      Escherichia coli. All the results collectively suggested that CgIL17-5, as an
      ancient inflammatory cytokine, could not only activate signal transduction for
      the release of other cytokines, but also mediate the clearance of extracellular
      bacteria in oysters.

PMID- 26257383
TI  - Yellow nail syndrome: a case report and review of treatment options.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Yellow nail syndrome is a rare disorder involving
      characteristic nail changes, lymphedema and chronic respiratory symptoms.
      Currently there is no definitive treatment and there have been no prospective
      randomised controlled trials evaluating the available options. In order to
      strengthen the literature on this topic, we present the case of a 67-year-old man
      with YNS and a detailed review of current treatment options. METHODS: We included
      40 articles for the final review according to their relevance with the subject.
      RESULTS: Data for use of the commonly chosen therapies for YNS remains
      inconclusive, with small studies and case reports showing mixed results of
      efficacy. CONCLUSION: Although the date indicates that it is reasonable to
      recommend a trial of conservative therapy including vitamin E, antibiotics and
      compression stockings before pursuing more aggressive or invasive modalities,
      larger scale studies are required to determine the true efficacy of all treatment
      options.

PMID- 26257384
TI  - Adenosine monophosphate is not superior to histamine for bronchial provocation
      test for assessment of asthma control and symptoms.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Adenosine monophosphate (AMP) may reflect airway inflammation and
      hyperresponsiveness, but relationship between AMP and histamine (His, a
      conventional stimulus) bronchial provocation test (BPT) in asthma is not fully
      elucidated. OBJECTIVES: To compare both BPTs and determine their utility in
      reflecting changes of asthmatic symptoms. METHODS: BPTs were performed in a cross
      over fashion, at 2-4 day intervals. Cumulative doses eliciting 20% FEV1 fall
      (PD20 FEV1 ), diagnostic performance and adverse events (AEs) were compared.
      Patients with PD20 FEV1 lower than geometric mean were defined as responders,
      otherwise poor responders. Patients with uncontrolled and partly controlled
      asthma, who maintained their original inhaled corticosteroids therapy, underwent
      reassessment of airway responsiveness and asthmatic symptoms 3 and 6 months
      after. RESULTS: Nineteen uncontrolled, 22 partly controlled and 19 controlled
      asthmatic patients and 24 healthy subjects were recruited. Lower PD20 FEV1
      geometric means were associated with poorer asthma control in His-BPT (0.424
      MUmol vs 1.684 MUmol vs 3.757 MUmol), but not AMP-BPT (11.810 MUmol vs 7.781
      MUmol vs 10.220 MUmol). Both BPTs yielded similar overall diagnostic performance
      in asthma (area under curve: 0.842 in AMP-BPT vs 0.850 in His-BPT). AEs,
      including wheezing and tachypnea, were similar and mild. Ten patients with
      uncontrolled and 10 partly controlled asthma were followed-up. At months 3 and 6,
      we documented an increase in PD20 FEV1 -AMP and PD20 FEV1 -His, which did not
      correlate with reduction asthmatic symptom scores. This overall applied in
      responders and poor responders of AMP-BPT and His-BPT. CONCLUSION: Despite higher
      screening capacity of well-controlled asthma, AMP-BPT confers similar diagnostic
      performance and safety with His-BPT. AMP-BPT might not preferentially reflect
      changes asthmatic symptoms.

PMID- 26257385
TI  - AMPLISAS: a web server for multilocus genotyping using next-generation amplicon
      sequencing data.
AB  - Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies are revolutionizing the fields of
      biology and medicine as powerful tools for amplicon sequencing (AS). Using
      combinations of primers and barcodes, it is possible to sequence targeted genomic
      regions with deep coverage for hundreds, even thousands, of individuals in a
      single experiment. This is extremely valuable for the genotyping of gene families
      in which locus-specific primers are often difficult to design, such as the major
      histocompatibility complex (MHC). The utility of AS is, however, limited by the
      high intrinsic sequencing error rates of NGS technologies and other sources of
      error such as polymerase amplification or chimera formation. Correcting these
      errors requires extensive bioinformatic post-processing of NGS data. Amplicon
      Sequence Assignment (AMPLISAS) is a tool that performs analysis of AS results in
      a simple and efficient way, while offering customization options for advanced
      users. AMPLISAS is designed as a three-step pipeline consisting of (i) read
      demultiplexing, (ii) unique sequence clustering and (iii) erroneous sequence
      filtering. Allele sequences and frequencies are retrieved in excel spreadsheet
      format, making them easy to interpret. AMPLISAS performance has been successfully
      benchmarked against previously published genotyped MHC data sets obtained with
      various NGS technologies.

PMID- 26257386
TI  - Disrupted topological organization of resting-state functional brain network in
      subcortical vascular mild cognitive impairment.
AB  - AIMS: Neuroimaging studies have demonstrated both structural and functional
      abnormalities in widespread brain regions in patients with subcortical vascular
      mild cognitive impairment (svMCI). However, whether and how these changes alter
      functional brain network organization remains largely unknown. METHODS: We
      recruited 21 patients with svMCI and 26 healthy control (HC) subjects who
      underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scans. Graph theory
      based network analyses were used to investigate alterations in the topological
      organization of functional brain networks. RESULTS: Compared with the HC
      individuals, the patients with svMCI showed disrupted global network topology
      with significantly increased path length and modularity. Modular structure was
      also impaired in the svMCI patients with a notable rearrangement of the executive
      control module, where the parietal regions were split out and grouped as a
      separate module. The svMCI patients also revealed deficits in the intra- and/or
      intermodule connectivity of several brain regions. Specifically, the within
      module degree was decreased in the middle cingulate gyrus while it was increased
      in the left anterior insula, medial prefrontal cortex and cuneus. Additionally,
      increased intermodule connectivity was observed in the inferior and superior
      parietal gyrus, which was associated with worse cognitive performance in the
      svMCI patients. CONCLUSION: Together, our results indicate that svMCI patients
      exhibit dysregulation of the topological organization of functional brain
      networks, which has important implications for understanding the
      pathophysiological mechanism of svMCI.

PMID- 26257387
TI  - Exposure to Methylmercury Does Not Change the Sexual Preference of C57BL Male
      Mice.

PMID- 26257388
TI  - Gibbs ringing in diffusion MRI.
AB  - PURPOSE: To study and reduce the effect of Gibbs ringing artifact on computed
      diffusion parameters. METHODS: We reduce the ringing by extrapolating the k-space
      of each diffusion weighted image beyond the measured part by selecting an
      adequate regularization term. We evaluate several regularization terms and tune
      the regularization parameter to find the best compromise between anatomical
      accuracy of the reconstructed image and suppression of the Gibbs artifact.
      RESULTS: We demonstrate empirically and analytically that the Gibbs artifact,
      which is typically observed near sharp edges in magnetic resonance images, has a
      significant impact on the quantification of diffusion model parameters, even for
      infinitesimal diffusion weighting. We find the second order total generalized
      variation to be a good choice for the penalty term to regularize the
      extrapolation of the k-space, as it provides a parsimonious representation of
      images, a practically full suppression of Gibbs ringing, and the absence of
      staircasing artifacts typical for total variation methods. CONCLUSIONS:
      Regularized extrapolation of the k-space data significantly reduces truncation
      artifacts without compromising spatial resolution in comparison to the default
      option of window filtering. In particular, accuracy of estimating diffusion
      tensor imaging and diffusion kurtosis imaging parameters improves so much that
      unconstrained fits become possible. Magn Reson Med 76:301-314, 2016. (c) 2015
      Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 26257389
TI  - Detection of a novel stem cell probably involved in normal turnover of the lung
      airway epithelium.
AB  - Regeneration of the lung airway epithelium after injury has been extensively
      studied. In contrast, analysis of its turnover in healthy adulthood has received
      little attention. In the classical view, this epithelium is maintained in the
      steady-state by the infrequent proliferation of basal or Clara cells. The
      intermediate filament protein nestin was initially identified as a marker for
      neural stem cells, but its expression has also been detected in other stem cells.
      Lungs from CD1 mice at the age of 2, 6, 12, 18 or 24 months were fixed in neutral
      buffered formalin and paraffin-embedded. Nestin expression was examined by an
      immunohistochemical peroxidase-based method. Nestin-positive cells were detected
      in perivascular areas and in connective tissue that were in close proximity of
      the airway epithelium. Also, nestin-positive cells were found among the cells
      lining the airway epithelium. These findings suggest that nestin-positive stem
      cells circulate in the bloodstream, transmigrate through blood vessels and
      localize in the lung airway epithelium to participate in its turnover. We
      previously reported the existence of similar cells able to differentiate into
      lung chondrocytes. Thus, the stem cell reported here might be a bone marrow
      derived mesenchymal stem cell (BMDMSC) able to generate several types of lung
      tissues. In conclusion, our findings indicate that there exist a BMDMSC in
      healthy adulthood that participates in the turnover of the lung airway
      epithelium. These findings may improve our knowledge about the lung stem cell
      biology and also provide novel approaches to therapy for devastating pulmonary
      diseases.

PMID- 26257390
TI  - Intracellular pH modulates quinary structure.
AB  - NMR spectroscopy can provide information about proteins in living cells. pH is an
      important characteristic of the intracellular environment because it modulates
      key protein properties such as net charge and stability. Here, we show that pH
      modulates quinary interactions, the weak, ubiquitous interactions between
      proteins and other cellular macromolecules. We use the K10H variant of the B
      domain of protein G (GB1, 6.2 kDa) as a pH reporter in Escherichia coli cells. By
      controlling the intracellular pH, we show that quinary interactions influence the
      quality of in-cell (15) N-(1) H HSQC NMR spectra. At low pH, the quality is
      degraded because the increase in attractive interactions between E. coli proteins
      and GB1 slows GB1 tumbling and broadens its crosspeaks. The results demonstrate
      the importance of quinary interactions for furthering our understanding of
      protein chemistry in living cells. 

PMID- 26257391
TI  - Incremental Utility of Real Time Three-Dimensional Transthoracic Echocardiography
      for the Assessment of Left Ventricular Free Wall Rupture Location, Orifice
      Geometry, and Complex Intracardiac Flow.

PMID- 26257392
TI  - Salvianolic acid B-induced microRNA-152 inhibits liver fibrosis by attenuating
      DNMT1-mediated Patched1 methylation.
AB  - Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) was reported to be involved in the
      activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), contributing to the development of
      liver fibrosis. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition can be promoted by the Hedgehog
      (Hh) pathway. Patched1 (PTCH1), a negative regulatory factor of the Hh signalling
      pathway, was down-regulated during liver fibrosis and associated with its
      hypermethylation status. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are reported to play a critical role
      in the control of various HSCs functions. However, miRNA-mediated epigenetic
      regulations in EMT during liver fibrosis are seldom studied. In this study,
      Salvianolic acid B (Sal B) suppressed the activation of HSCs in CCl4 -treated
      mice and mouse primary HSCs, leading to inhibition of cell proliferation, type I
      collagen and alpha-smooth muscle actin. We demonstrated that the antifibrotic
      effects caused by Sal B were, at least in part, via inhibition of EMT and the Hh
      pathway. In particular, up-regulation of PTCH1 was associated with decreased DNA
      methylation level after Sal B treatment. Accordingly, DNA methyltransferase 1
      (DNMT1) was attenuated by Sal B in vivo and in vitro. The knockdown of DNMT1 in
      Sal B-treated HSCs enhanced PTCH1 expression and its demethylation level.
      Interestingly, increased miR-152 in Sal B-treated cells was responsible for the
      hypomethylation of PTCH1 by Sal B. As confirmed by the luciferase activity assay,
      DNMT1 was a direct target of miR-152. Further studies showed that the miR-152
      inhibitor reversed Sal B-mediated PTCH1 up-regulation and DNMT1 down-regulation.
      Collectively, miR-152 induced by Sal B, contributed to DNMT1 down-regulation and
      epigenetically regulated PTCH1, resulting in the inhibition of EMT in liver
      fibrosis.

PMID- 26257394
TI  - Left Ventricular Side Obstructive Pannus Formation after Rheumatic Mitral Valve
      Replacement with Preservation of the Subvalvular Apparatus.

PMID- 26257393
TI  - Large-scale identification of membrane proteins with properties favorable for
      crystallization.
AB  - Membrane protein crystallography is notoriously difficult due to challenges in
      protein expression and issues of degradation and structural stability. We have
      developed a novel method for large-scale screening of native sources for integral
      membrane proteins that have intrinsic biochemical properties favorable for
      crystallization. Highly expressed membrane proteins that are thermally stable and
      nonaggregating in detergent solutions were identified by mass spectrometry from
      Escherichia coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Sus scrofa cerebrum. Many of the
      membrane proteins identified had been crystallized previously, supporting the
      promise of the approach. Most identified proteins have known functions and
      include high-value targets such as transporters and ATPases. To validate the
      method, we recombinantly expressed and purified the yeast protein, Yop1, which is
      responsible for endoplasmic reticulum curvature. We demonstrate that Yop1 can be
      purified with the detergent dodecylmaltoside without aggregating. 

PMID- 26257395
TI  - Angiotensin type 1a receptors on corticotropin-releasing factor neurons
      contribute to the expression of conditioned fear.
AB  - Although generally associated with cardiovascular regulation, angiotensin II
      receptor type 1a (AT1a R) blockade in mouse models and humans has also been
      associated with enhanced fear extinction and decreased post-traumatic stress
      disorder (PTSD) symptom severity, respectively. The mechanisms mediating these
      effects remain unknown, but may involve alterations in the activities of
      corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)-expressing cells, which are known to be
      involved in fear regulation. To test the hypothesis that AT1a R signaling in
      CRFergic neurons is involved in conditioned fear expression, we generated and
      characterized a conditional knockout mouse strain with a deletion of the AT1a R
      gene from its CRF-releasing cells (CRF-AT1a R((-/-)) ). These mice exhibit normal
      baseline heart rate, blood pressure, anxiety and locomotion, and freeze at normal
      levels during acquisition of auditory fear conditioning. However, CRF-AT1a R((-/
      )) mice exhibit less freezing than wild-type mice during tests of conditioned
      fear expression-an effect that may be caused by a decrease in the consolidation
      of fear memory. These results suggest that central AT1a R activity in CRF
      expressing cells plays a role in the expression of conditioned fear, and identify
      CRFergic cells as a population on which AT1 R antagonists may act to modulate
      fear extinction. 

PMID- 26257397
TI  - Saline Contrast Echocardiography in the Era of Multimodality Imaging--Importance
      of "Bubbling It Right".
AB  - Saline contrast echocardiography is an established imaging modality. Logical
      interpretation of a carefully performed study is vital to realize its diagnostic
      potential. In this review, we discuss utility of saline contrast echocardiography
      in evaluation of various pathologies within and outside the heart other than a
      patent foramen ovale. 

PMID- 26257396
TI  - Differential backbone dynamics of companion helices in the extended helical
      coiled-coil domain of a bacterial chemoreceptor.
AB  - Cytoplasmic domains of transmembrane bacterial chemoreceptors are largely
      extended four-helix coiled coils. Previous observations suggested the domain was
      structurally dynamic. We probed directly backbone dynamics of this domain of the
      transmembrane chemoreceptor Tar from Escherichia coli using site-directed spin
      labeling and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Spin labels were
      positioned on solvent-exposed helical faces because EPR spectra for such
      positions reflect primarily polypeptide backbone movements. We acquired spectra
      for spin-labeled, intact receptor homodimers solubilized in detergent or inserted
      into native E. coli lipid bilayers in Nanodiscs, characterizing 16 positions
      distributed throughout the cytoplasmic domain and on both helices of its helical
      hairpins, one amino terminal to the membrane-distal tight turn (N-helix), and the
      other carboxyl terminal (C-helix). Detergent solubilization increased backbone
      dynamics for much of the domain, suggesting that loss of receptor activities upon
      solubilization reflects wide-spread destabilization. For receptors in either
      condition, we observed an unanticipated difference between the N- and C-helices.
      For bilayer-inserted receptors, EPR spectra from sites in the membrane-distal
      protein-interaction region and throughout the C-helix were typical of well
      structured helices. In contrast, for approximately two-thirds of the N-helix,
      from its origin as the AS-2 helix of the membrane-proximal HAMP domain to the
      beginning of the membrane-distal protein-interaction region, spectra had a
      significantly mobile component, estimated by spectral deconvolution to average
      approximately 15%. Differential helical dynamics suggests a four-helix bundle
      organization with a pair of core scaffold helices and two more dynamic partner
      helices. This newly observed feature of chemoreceptor structure could be involved
      in receptor function. 

PMID- 26257398
TI  - The antimicrobial effect of chlorhexidine varnish on mutans streptococci in
      patients with fixed orthodontic appliances: a systematic review of clinical
      efficacy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To conduct a systematic review aimed to determine the antimicrobial
      efficacy of chlorhexidine varnishes (CHX-V) on mutans streptococci (MS) in
      patients during orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: A systematic computerized database search was conducted using Ovid
      MEDLINE, Scopus and EMBASE up to September 2014. A Google search was also
      conducted to further identify articles that met the eligibility criteria.
      Clinical trials which used CHX-V alone as the intervention to investigate the
      antimicrobial effect of the varnish in subjects undergoing orthodontic treatment
      were included. Outcome measures included MS level reduction and/or decreased
      caries incidence from baseline data. RESULTS: Nineteen articles were identified
      for full-text reading; eleven articles met the criteria for inclusion in this
      review. Type and concentration of CHX-V, bacterial sampling method, application
      frequency, sampling schedule, risk of bias and study outcomes are presented.
      CONCLUSION: A limited number of studies with low risk of bias were available to
      address the antimicrobial efficacy of CHX-V on MS in patients during orthodontic
      treatment with fixed appliances. Therefore, while the majority of studies found
      CHX-V to be an effective antimicrobial against MS at an interval of 3-4 weeks,
      the strength of the recommendation is weak. Longitudinal studies are needed to
      determine whether this antimicrobial effect will contribute to clinically
      significant caries reduction in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment with
      fixed appliances.

PMID- 26257400
TI  - The effect of antimicrobial agents on bond strength of orthodontic adhesives: a
      meta-analysis of in vitro studies.
AB  - Antimicrobial orthodontic adhesives aim to reduce white spot lesions' incidence
      in orthodontic patients, but they should not jeopardizing its properties.
      Systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to answer the question whether
      the association of antimicrobial agents with orthodontic adhesives compromises
      its mechanical properties and whether there is a superior antimicrobial agent.
      PubMed and Scopus databases. In vitro studies comparing shear bond strength of
      conventional photo-activated orthodontic adhesives to antimicrobial photo
      activated orthodontic adhesives were considered eligible. Search terms included
      the following: orthodontics, orthodontic, antimicrobial, antibacterial,
      bactericidal, adhesive, resin, resin composite, bonding agent, bonding system,
      and bond strength. The searches yielded 494 citations, which turned into 467
      after duplicates were discarded. Titles and abstracts were read and 13
      publications were selected for full-text reading. Twelve studies were included in
      the meta-analysis. The global analysis showed no statistically significant
      difference between control and experimental groups. In the subgroup analysis,
      only the chlorhexidine subgroup showed a statistically significant difference,
      where the control groups had higher bond strength than the experimental groups.
      Many studies on in vitro orthodontic bond strength fail to report test conditions
      that could affect their outcomes. The pooled in vitro data suggest that adding an
      antimicrobial agent to an orthodontic adhesive system does not influence bond
      strength to enamel. It is not possible to state which antimicrobial agent is
      better to be associated.

PMID- 26257399
TI  - The structure of the Caenorhabditis elegans manganese superoxide dismutase MnSOD
      3-azide complex.
AB  - C. elegans MnSOD-3 has been implicated in the longevity pathway and its mechanism
      of catalysis is relevant to the aging process and carcinogenesis. The structures
      of MnSOD-3 provide unique crystallographic evidence of a dynamic region of the
      tetrameric interface (residues 41-54). We have determined the structure of the
      MnSOD-3-azide complex to 1.77-A resolution. Analysis of this complex shows that
      the substrate analog, azide, binds end-on to the manganese center as a sixth
      ligand and that it ligates directly to a third and new solvent molecule also
      positioned within interacting distance to the His30 and Tyr34 residues of the
      substrate access funnel. This is the first structure of a eukaryotic MnSOD-azide
      complex that demonstrates the extended, uninterrupted hydrogen-bonded network
      that forms a proton relay incorporating three outer sphere solvent molecules, the
      substrate analog, the gateway residues, Gln142, and the solvent ligand. This
      configuration supports the formation and release of the hydrogen peroxide product
      in agreement with the 5-6-5 catalytic mechanism for MnSOD. The high product
      dissociation constant k4 of MnSOD-3 reflects low product inhibition making this
      enzyme efficient even at high levels of superoxide. 

PMID- 26257401
TI  - Use of caprylic acid to control pathogens (Escherichia coli O157:H7 and
      Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium) in apple juice at mild heat temperature.
AB  - AIMS: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of caprylic acid (CA) on
      pathogens in apple juice having intrinsic organic acids, and to determine any
      synergistic effects. METHODS AND RESULTS: Bactericidal effects of CA were
      examined against Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella Typhimurium present in
      apple juice at mild heating temperatures. Apple juice containing each of the
      pathogens was treated with CA (0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 or 0.8 mmol l(-1)) at 50 or 55
      degrees C. Treatment with 0.8 mmol l(-1) (0.013%) CA at 50 degrees C for 5 min or
      with 0.6 mmol l(-1) (0.010%) CA at 55 degrees C for 5 min resulted in the
      complete eradication of E. coli O157:H7 (initial population: 7.25-7.34 log CFU
      ml(-1)). Salmonella Typhimurium were more sensitive than E. coli O157:H7: all
      bacteria (7.81-7.55 log CFU ml(-1)) were eradicated by treatment with 0.2 mmol l(
      1) (0.0032%) CA at 55 degrees C for 5 min or with 0.6 mmol l(-1) CA at 50 degrees
      C for 5 min. By contrast, when pH-adjusted apple juice (pH 7.0) was treated with
      0.8 mmol l(-1) CA, there was no significant difference in bactericidal effects
      between CA-treated samples and controls (heat treatment alone or heat + 0.1%
      ethanol treatment). This result suggested that acidic pH in the apple juice boost
      the antibacterial effects of CA. CA treatment did not affect (P > 0.05) the pH,
      colour or  degrees Brix of the apple juice. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the
      utility of CA as a natural antibacterial agent that can eliminate micro-organisms
      from apple juice at very low concentrations (<=0.013%) and temperatures (<=55
      degrees C) within a short time (<=10 min). SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY:
      The results of our study may contribute to the development of an efficient method
      for improving the microbiological safety of apple juice.

PMID- 26257402
TI  - Effect of reward downshift on the behaviour and physiology of chickens.
AB  - When a reward is downgraded in quantity or quality from that which is expected,
      one of two possible outcomes can result. Acquisition responses may decline
      gradually, owing to a strong stimulus-response reinforcement history, and thus
      follow the Thorndikian law of effect. Alternatively, there may be an exaggerated
      reaction to a downgraded reward when it is initially altered, compared to the
      behaviour of individuals that have always been trained to receive the lower
      magnitude reward; this is known as successive negative contrast (SNC). While
      behavioural SNC effects have been commonly demonstrated in mammals, evidence that
      they occur in other taxa is more equivocal. Additionally, studies demonstrating
      immediate physiological reactions during reward downshifts are limited. We
      investigated the reaction of chickens, Gallus gallus domesticus, to a downshift
      in the quality of a food reward that they had been trained to expect in a runway
      apparatus. During a preshift phase, 16 chickens (control) were given food that
      was flavoured to make it less preferred, while the other 16 (contrast) were fed
      the same food but without flavouring. During trial 7, unflavoured food was
      substituted by flavoured food for contrast hens and all birds were fed the
      flavoured food during a postshift phase. In the contrast group, food consumption
      immediately decreased and heart rate increased when the reward was downshifted
      from unflavoured to flavoured food, but there was no evidence of SNC effects,
      which could stem from methodological or taxonomic differences from previous
      studies. The latency to reach the food appeared to follow the Thorndikian law of
      effect, gradually increasing following the downshift. We suggest that the
      disparity between the pattern shown by the latency results and other measures
      could relate to the time period in which measures were taken, as acquisition
      responses are more likely to follow the law of effect.

PMID- 26257403
TI  - Training for eye contact modulates gaze following in dogs.
AB  - Following human gaze in dogs and human infants can be considered a socially
      facilitated orientation response, which in object choice tasks is modulated by
      human-given ostensive cues. Despite their similarities to human infants, and
      extensive skills in reading human cues in foraging contexts, no evidence that
      dogs follow gaze into distant space has been found. We re-examined this question,
      and additionally whether dogs' propensity to follow gaze was affected by age
      and/or training to pay attention to humans. We tested a cross-sectional sample of
      145 border collies aged 6 months to 14 years with different amounts of training
      over their lives. The dogs' gaze-following response in test and control
      conditions before and after training for initiating eye contact with the
      experimenter was compared with that of a second group of 13 border collies
      trained to touch a ball with their paw. Our results provide the first evidence
      that dogs can follow human gaze into distant space. Although we found no age
      effect on gaze following, the youngest and oldest age groups were more
      distractible, which resulted in a higher number of looks in the test and control
      conditions. Extensive lifelong formal training as well as short-term training for
      eye contact decreased dogs' tendency to follow gaze and increased their duration
      of gaze to the face. The reduction in gaze following after training for eye
      contact cannot be explained by fatigue or short-term habituation, as in the
      second group gaze following increased after a different training of the same
      length. Training for eye contact created a competing tendency to fixate the face,
      which prevented the dogs from following the directional cues. We conclude that
      following human gaze into distant space in dogs is modulated by training, which
      may explain why dogs perform poorly in comparison to other species in this task.

PMID- 26257404
TI  - Local and Systemic Therapies for Breast Cancer Patients: Reducing Short-term
      Symptoms with the Methods of Integrative Medicine.
AB  - With improved prognosis due to advances in the diagnosis and therapy of breast
      cancer, physicians and therapists now focus on aspects such as quality of life
      and the management of side effects from breast cancer treatment. Therapy- and
      disease-related side effects often reduce the patient's quality of life and can
      place a further burden on patients, with non-compliance or discontinuation of
      therapy a potential consequence. Study data have shown that therapy- and disease
      related side effects can be reduced using the methods of integrative medicine.
      Reported benefits include improving patients' wellbeing and quality of life,
      reducing stress, and improving patients' mood, sleeping patterns and capacity to
      cope with disease. Examining the impact of integrative medicine on the side
      effects of cancer treatment would be beyond the scope of this review. This
      article therefore looks at short-term side effects of cancer treatment which are
      usually temporary and occur during or after local and systemic therapy. The focus
      is on mind-body medicine, acupuncture and classic naturopathic treatments
      developed by Sebastian Kneipp as complementary therapies. The latter includes
      hydrotherapy, phytotherapy, nutritional therapy, exercise therapy and a balanced
      lifestyle.

PMID- 26257405
TI  - The Right Treatment for the Right Patient - Personalised Treatment of Breast
      Cancer.
AB  - The probability of healing breast cancer has been greatly improved in recent
      decades through the introduction and optimisation of multi-modal therapies and
      interdisciplinary treatments. Today, in addition to surgery or radiation, most
      patients receive a systemic treatment. To prevent excessive treatment, patients
      whose prognosis is so good that certain adjuvant therapies can be foregone or
      reduced must be identified. A lack of compliance with therapy, especially in the
      endocrine therapies stretching over years, is a further problem. As only
      treatments that are also carried out can improve chances of survival, efforts to
      improve compliance must be intensified. Studies show that lifestyle changes
      influence the efficiency of medication on the one hand, and on the other hand can
      also by themselves achieve a relevant improvement of the prognosis. Therefore, it
      is time not only to treat the tumour, but to also focus on the patient as a whole
      in therapeutic interventions.

PMID- 26257406
TI  - Patient-Reported Outcomes in Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction Alone or in
      Combination with a Titanium-Coated Polypropylene Mesh - A Detailed Analysis of
      the BREAST-Q and Overview of the Literature.
AB  - Background: Complication rates and surgical outcomes are well reported for
      implant-based breast reconstruction (IBBR) using supportive materials for the
      inferior pole of the breast. Patient-reported outcomes (PRO) are
      underrepresented. The aim of this study was to compare PRO in IBBR using implants
      alone or in combination with a synthetic mesh. Methods and Methods: PRO was
      measured in patients undergoing IBBR alone or in combination with a titanium
      covered polypropylene mesh (TiLOOP(r) Bra). In this non-randomized observational
      trial PRO was retrospectively assessed using the validated self-reporting BREAST
      Q. The raw responses of all questions applied in each domain and transformed
      BREAST-Q data using the Q-Score are presented. Results: Of 90 eligible women, 42
      received IBBR alone and 48 received IBBR in combination with mesh. No differences
      in complication rates were observed. The return rate was 67.7 % and was
      comparable between the groups (p = 0.117). PRO revealed no differences regarding
      satisfaction with breast shape (p = 0.079), outcome (p = 0.604), nipple
      sensitivity (p = 0.502), preoperative information (p = 0.195), office staff (p =
      0.462), psychosocial well-being (p = 0.370), sexual well-being (p = 0.508) and
      physical well-being (p = 0.654). Significant differences were noted regarding
      satisfaction with the surgeon (p = 0.013) and medical staff (p = 0.035) as well
      as the response behavior of certain questions of the sub-domains, thus helping to
      further stratify PRO with regards to aesthetic outcome. However, no differences
      were observed in the main BREAST-Q results. Conclusion: Use of the TiLOOP(r) Bra
      in IBBR results in comparable BREAST-Q scores compared with IBBR alone.
      Evaluating the BREAST-Q sub-domains helps to stratify PRO more profoundly and
      assists in interpreting the overall results and specific research questions.

PMID- 26257407
TI  - Psychosocial Information Requirements for Multimorbid Breast Cancer Patients in
      Breast Centres in North Rhine Westphalia.
AB  - Introduction: The importance of breast cancer patients (BPs) being supplied with
      sufficient information is well known. This study investigated the unfulfilled
      psychosocial information requirements of multimorbid BPs. Methods: This study
      records the unfulfilled psychosocial information requirements of 4166 patients,
      who were treated at one of the fifty breast centres in North Rhine Westphalia.
      The Cologne patient questionnaire for breast cancer 2.0 included in the postal
      survey following hospital stays records the information requirements using an
      adapted version of the "Cancer patient information needs" scale. Through a
      univariate analysis using the chi2 test, it was investigated whether multimorbid
      BPs had significantly different psychosocial information requirements than BPs
      without further concomitant illnesses. Results: In general, it transpired that
      BPs had relatively low unfulfilled information requirements regarding work (20.7
      %), everyday life (26.8 %), illness (27.4 %) and treatment (35.7 %), though such
      requirements were higher when it came to health-related behaviour (54.2 %).
      Multimorbid BPs had significantly lower unfulfilled information requirements
      regarding work and significantly larger ones regarding treatment in comparison to
      BPs without concomitant illnesses. Renal diseases and concomitant mental
      illnesses were associated with particularly high information requirements (p <
      0.05). Conclusion: The results of our study should clarify the complexity and
      heterogeneity of information requirements of breast cancer patients in
      oncological care and should help to design the supply of information to be more
      patient-oriented.

PMID- 26257408
TI  - Prognostic Factors for Local, Loco-regional and Systemic Recurrence in Early
      stage Breast Cancer.
AB  - Aim: The risk of recurrence in breast cancer depends on factors such as treatment
      but also on the intrinsic subtype. We analyzed the risk factors for local, loco
      regional and systemic recurrence, evaluated the differences and analyzed the risk
      of recurrence for different molecular subtypes. Material and Methods: A total of
      3054 breast cancer patients who underwent surgery followed by adjuvant treatment
      at HSK hospital or Essen Mitte Hospital between 1998 and 2011 were analyzed.
      Based on immunohistochemical parameters, cancers were divided into the following
      subgroups: luminal A, luminal B (HER2-), luminal B (HER2+), HER2+ and TNBC
      (triple negative breast cancer). Results: 67 % of tumors were classified as
      luminal A, 13 % as luminal B (HER2-), 6 % as luminal B (HER2+), 3 % as HER2+ and
      11 % as TNBC. After a median follow-up time of 6.6 years there were 100 local
      (3.3 %), 32 loco-regional (1 %) and 248 distant recurrences (8 %). Five-year
      recurrence-free survival for the overall patient collective was 92 %. On
      multivariate analysis, positive nodal status, TNBC subtype and absence of
      radiation therapy were found to be independent risk factors for all forms of
      recurrence. Age < 50 years, tumor size, luminal B (HER2-) subtype and breast
      conserving therapy were additional risk factors for local recurrence. Compared to
      the luminal A subtype, the risk of systemic recurrence was higher for all other
      subtypes; additional risk factors for systemic recurrence were lymphatic
      invasion, absence of systemic therapy and mastectomy. Conclusion: Overall, the
      risk of local and loco-regional recurrence was low. In addition to nodal status,
      subgroup classification was found to be an important factor affecting the risk of
      recurrence.

PMID- 26257409
TI  - Detection of Subpubic Tumor Causing Bladder Outlet Obstruction by 3D Perineal
      Ultrasound.
AB  - This case report shows that 3D perineal ultrasound can be superior to clinical
      examination and routine 2D perineal ultrasound in the detection of an unusual
      subpubic tumor. A 73-year-old female patient was referred to our urogynecological
      outpatient unit complaining of over-active bladder symptoms and voiding
      dysfunction for 3 years. Gynecological examination found no signs of pelvic organ
      prolapse or abnormality in the vaginal cavity. Routine 2D perineal ultrasound
      showed substantial residual urine (ca. 300 ml on catheter) and limited bladder
      neck mobility, but no signs of pelvic organ prolapse. Use of standardized 3D
      perineal ultrasound revealed a 24 * 26 * 32 mm spherical, hypoechoic tumor below
      the pubic symphysis between the distal urethra and the pubic bones. This
      structure was mistaken for the pubic symphysis in the midline on 2D ultrasound
      performed earlier. At surgery, the tumor was completely excised through a vaginal
      incision between the urethra and the pubic symphysis. After an uneventful
      postoperative recovery the patient developed de-novo stress urinary incontinence,
      which was corrected successfully by the insertion of a retropubic tension-free
      suburethral sling after an interval of 8 weeks. After a further follow-up of 8
      weeks the patient reported well-being, urinary continence and no voiding
      dysfunction; no abnormalities were found on examination. In conclusion, 3D
      perineal ultrasound is a useful additional tool for the diagnostic workup of
      bladder outlet obstruction.

PMID- 26257410
TI  - Scientific misconduct and unethical practices in anaesthesiology: Stumbling
      blocks to quality research and publications.

PMID- 26257411
TI  - Scientific misconducts and authorship conflicts: Indian perspective.
AB  - This article is a narrative review about how appropriate authorship can be
      achieved, a brief mention about various scientific misconducts, the reason and
      consequences of such misconducts and finally, the policies to be adopted by the
      aspiring authors to avert these problems. The literature search was performed in
      the Google and PubMed using 'scientific misconduct', 'honorary/ghost authorship',
      'publish-or-perish', 'plagiarism' and other related key words and phrases. More
      than 300 free full-text articles published from 1990 to 2015 were retrieved and
      studied. Many consensus views have been presented regarding what constitutes
      authorship, the authorship order and different scientific misconducts. The
      conflicts about authorship issues related to publication of dissertation, the
      area of the grey zone have been discussed. Suggestions from different authorities
      about improving the existing inappropriate authorship issues have been included. 

PMID- 26257412
TI  - Comparative study of EpisureTM AutoDetectTM syringe versus glass syringe for
      identification of epidural space in lower thoracic epidural.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: EpisureTM AutoDetectTM syringe (EAS), a spring-loaded
      syringe, is a new loss-of-resistance syringe used to identify epidural space. It
      has an advantage of subjective and objective confirmation in identifying epidural
      space over glass syringe (GS) for beginners. We compared the performance of EAS
      with that of GS for identifying epidural space in lower thoracic epidurals.
      METHODS: A total of 120 American Society of Anesthesiolgists I-II patients aged
      18-60 years requiring lower thoracic epidural analgesia for surgery were
      randomised into Group I (EAS): Epidural identified using EAS and Group II (GS)
      epidural identified with GS. Patient demographic data, depth to epidural space
      (cm), number of attempts, time to locate epidural space (s), inadvertent dural
      puncture and failed epidural analgesia were the parameters noted. RESULTS: There
      were no differences in patient demographics or depth to the epidural space
      between the two groups. There were five failed blocks in the GS group and none in
      the EAS group (P = 0.0287). Similarly, there were five inadvertent dural
      punctures in the GS group and none in the EAS group (P = 0.0287). When epidural
      was identified in fewer attempts, the time needed to identify epidural space was
      quicker with EAS (P = 0.0012). CONCLUSION: Using EAS allowed reliable and quick
      identification of the epidural space in lower thoracic epidural technique as
      compared to use of glass syringe. There was no incidence of inadvertent dural
      puncture or failed blocks with the EAS.

PMID- 26257413
TI  - Comparison of analgesic efficacy of flupirtine maleate and ibuprofen in
      gynaecological ambulatory surgeries: A randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Flupirtine maleate is a centrally acting, non-opioid
      analgesic with unique muscle relaxant properties as compared to common
      analgesics. The aim of this study was to compare post-operative analgesic
      efficacy of flupirtine maleate and ibuprofen in patients undergoing
      gynaecological ambulatory surgeries. METHODS: This prospective, randomised
      controlled study was conducted in 60 women of American Society of
      Anesthesiologists physical status I/II, 18-70 years of age and scheduled to
      undergo gynaecological ambulatory surgeries. The participants were randomised to
      receive either 100 mg oral flupirtine maleate (group flupirtine, n = 30) or 800
      mg oral ibuprofen (group ibuprofen, n = 30), 1 h prior to surgery and then every
      8 h for 48 h. Verbal Numerical Rating Scale (VNRS) on movement was assessed at 0,
      2, 4, 6 and 8 h following surgery. Following discharge from hospital, the
      patients were interviewed telephonically at 12, 24 and 48 h post-operatively.
      VNRS was statistically analysed using Mann-Whitney test. RESULTS: VNRS on
      movement was statistically reduced at 2 h after surgery (P = 0.04) in group
      flupirtine as compared to group ibuprofen. The analgesic efficacy was similar in
      both the groups at 4, 6, 8, 12, 24 and 48 h after surgery. The satisfaction
      scores at 24 and 48 h post-operatively were superior in group flupirtine as
      compared to group ibuprofen (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Analgesic efficacy of
      flupirtine maleate was comparable with ibuprofen in patients in ambulatory
      gynaecological patients up to 48 h postoperatively with superior satisfaction
      scores.

PMID- 26257414
TI  - Effectiveness of single dose conivaptan for correction of hyponatraemia in post
      operative patients following major head and neck surgeries.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Conivaptan, a vasopressin receptor antagonist, is commonly
      used for the treatment of euvolaemic, hypervolaemic hyponatraemia. Usually, an
      intravenous (IV) bolus followed by infusion is administered for many days. We
      decided to assess the effectiveness of single dose conivaptan for correction of
      hyponatraemia in post-operative patients. METHODS: This was a prospective,
      randomised trial conducted in 40 symptomatic post-operative Intensive Care Unit
      (ICU) patients with a serum sodium level of <=130 mEq/L. Group A patients
      received IV conivaptan 20 mg over 30 min, whereas in group B infusion of 3%
      hypertonic saline was started as an infusion at the rate of 20-30 ml/h. Serum
      sodium levels were measured at 12, 24, 48 and 72 h and the daily fluid balance
      was measured for 3 days. The Chi-square test, Wilcoxon signed rank test and Mann
      Whitney tests were used as applicable. RESULTS: The serum sodium levels before
      initiating treatment were comparable between groups. However, subsequent sodium
      levels at 12, 24 and 48 h showed significantly high values in group A. Though at
      72 h the mean sodium value was high in group A, it was not statistically
      significant. Group A showed a significantly high fluid loss on day 1, 2 and 3.
      The mean volume of hypertonic saline required in group B showed a steady decline
      from day 1 to 3 and only 13 patients required hypertonic saline on the 3(rd) day.
      CONCLUSION: Single dose conivaptan is effective in increasing serum sodium levels
      in post-operative ICU patients up to 72 h associated with a significant negative
      fluid balance.

PMID- 26257415
TI  - A prospective, randomised, clinical study to compare the use of McGrath((r)),
      Truview((r)) and Macintosh laryngoscopes for endotracheal intubation by novice
      and experienced Anaesthesiologists.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Video laryngoscopy has been recommended as an alternative
      during difficult conventional direct laryngoscopy using the Macintosh blade
      (MAC). However, successful visualisation of the larynx and tracheal intubation
      using some of the indirect laryngoscopes or video laryngoscopes (VL) requires
      hand-eye coordination. We conducted this study to determine whether non-channel
      VLs are easy to use for novices and whether there is any association between
      expertise with MAC and ease of tracheal intubation with VLs. METHODS:
      Anaesthesiologists participating in the study were divided into three groups:
      Group novice to intubation (NTI), Group novice to videoscope (NVL)- experienced
      with MAC, novice to VLs and Group expert (EXP) experienced in all. Group NTI, NVL
      received prior mannequin training. VLs- Truview((r)) and McGrath series 5 (MGR)
      were compared with MAC. One hundred and twenty six adult patients with normal
      airway were randomised to both, the intubating anaesthesiologist and
      laryngoscope. The time taken to intubate (TTI) and participants' rating of the
      ease of use was recorded on a scale of 1-10 (10-most difficult). RESULTS: In
      Group NTI, there was no difference in mean TTI with the three scopes (P = 0.938).
      In Group NVL, TTI was longer with the VLs than MAC (P < 0.001). In Group EXP, TTI
      with VL took 20 s more (P < 0.001). There was significant difference in
      participants' rating of ease of use of laryngoscope in Group NVL (P = 0.001) but
      not in the NTI (P = 0.205), EXP (P = 0.529) groups. A high failure was seen with
      MGR in Group NTI and NVL. CONCLUSION: In Group NTI, TTI and the ease of use were
      similar for all scopes. Expertise with standard direct laryngoscopy does not
      translate to expertise with VLs. Separate training and experience with VLs is
      required.

PMID- 26257416
TI  - Comparison of ketorolac and low-dose ketamine in preventing tourniquet-induced
      increase in arterial pressure.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Application of tourniquet during orthopaedic procedures
      causes pain and increase in blood pressure despite adequate anaesthesia and
      analgesia. In this study, we compared ketorolac with ketamine in patients
      undergoing elective lower limb surgery with tourniquet in order to discover if
      ketorolac was equally effective or better than ketamine in preventing tourniquet
      induced hypertension. METHODS: Approval was granted by the Institutional Ethics
      Review Committee and informed consent was obtained from all participants. A
      randomised double-blinded controlled trial with 38 patients each in the ketamine
      and ketorolac groups undergoing elective knee surgery for anterior cruciate
      ligament repair or reconstruction was conducted. Induction and maintenance of
      anaesthesia were standardised in all patients, and the minimum alveolar
      concentration of isoflurane was maintained at 1.2 throughout the study period.
      One group received ketamine in a dose of 0.25 mg/kg and the other group received
      30 mg ketorolac 10 min before tourniquet inflation. Blood pressure was recorded
      before induction of anaesthesia (baseline) and at 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60
      min after tourniquet inflation. RESULTS: The demographic and anaesthetic
      characteristics were similar in the two groups. At 0 and 10 min, tourniquet
      induced rise in blood pressure was not observed in both groups. From 20 min
      onward, both systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly higher in
      ketorolac group compared to ketamine group. CONCLUSION: We conclude that ketamine
      is superior to ketorolac in preventing tourniquet-induced increases in blood
      pressure.

PMID- 26257417
TI  - Hot charcoal vomitus in aluminum phosphide poisoning - A case report of internal
      thermal reaction in aluminum phosphide poisoning and review of literature.
AB  - Aluminium phosphide (ALP) poisoning is a commonly encountered poisoning in
      emergency departments in most developing countries. Many papers have revealed
      metabolic derangements in this poisoning and also examined contributing factors
      leading to death, but only few have reported physical damage. Some case reports
      have described a complication that has been frequently termed 'ignition'. The
      exact mechanism of this phenomenon has not been fully elucidated. An exothermic
      reaction during therapeutic administration of chemicals may contribute to this
      problem, but the incidence has occurred in the absence of treatment or drug
      administration. Here, we report a 34-year-old woman with ALP poisoning who
      presented with hot charcoal vomitus, a sign of internal thermal event, leading to
      the thermal burning of the patient's face and internal damage resulting in death.
      We reviewed all reported cases with similar complication to demonstrate varied
      characteristics of patients and to propose the possible mechanisms leading to
      this event. 

PMID- 26257418
TI  - Oral midazolam is a safe and effective premedication in adult outpatients
      undergoing brachytherapy for cancer cervix under general anaesthesia: A
      prospective randomised, double blind placebo-controlled study.

PMID- 26257419
TI  - Anaesthetic management of a rare case of single ventricle heterotaxy syndrome for
      emergency caesarean section.

PMID- 26257420
TI  - Post-operative airway obstruction in Noonan syndrome: An unusual presentation.

PMID- 26257421
TI  - Use of ProSeal((r)) LMA and thoracic epidural in myasthenia patients for trans
      sternal thymectomy: A case series.

PMID- 26257422
TI  - Oral ketamine for phantom limb pain: An option for challenging cases.

PMID- 26257423
TI  - Management of airway in intratracheal tumour surgery.

PMID- 26257424
TI  - Good vagal tone, a tourniquet and dexmedetomidine: Recipe for disaster.

PMID- 26257425
TI  - Unilateral pulmonary oedema: Rare manifestation of scorpion sting.

PMID- 26257426
TI  - Spinal cord surgery in left lateral position with tilt in a pregnant patient with
      intradural extramedullary Schwannoma.

PMID- 26257427
TI  - Radiation hazards in operation theatre: Anaesthesiologist's concerns and
      preventive strategies.

PMID- 26257428
TI  - Minimising intraoperative exposure of ionising radiation to the
      anaesthesiologist.

PMID- 26257429
TI  - Commentary: Minimising intraoperative exposure of ionising radiation to
      anaesthesiologists.

PMID- 26257430
TI  - Delayed presentation of post tuberculous broncho oesophageal fistula in an adult:
      Perioperative anaesthetic management.

PMID- 26257431
TI  - Perioperative management of a patient with severe Haemophilia B for abdominal
      pseudotumour Surgery.

PMID- 26257432
TI  - Opioids induced serotonin toxicity? Think again.

PMID- 26257433
TI  - Cardiac arrest from tramadol and fentanyl combination.

PMID- 26257434
TI  - Professional Development for Early Childhood Educators: Efforts to Improve Math
      and Science Learning Opportunities in Early Childhood Classrooms.
AB  - Because recent initiatives highlight the need to better support preschool-aged
      children's math and science learning, the present study investigated the impact
      of professional development in these domains for early childhood educators. Sixty
      five educators were randomly assigned to experience 10.5 days (64 hours) of
      training on math and science or on an alternative topic. Educators' provision of
      math and science learning opportunities were documented, as were the fall-to
      spring math and science learning gains of children (n = 385) enrolled in their
      classrooms. Professional development significantly impacted provision of science,
      but not math, learning opportunities. Professional development did not directly
      impact children's math or science learning, although science learning was
      indirectly affected via the increase in science learning opportunities. Both math
      and science learning opportunities were positively associated with children's
      learning. Results suggest that substantive efforts are necessary to ensure that
      children have opportunities to learn math and science from a young age.

PMID- 26257435
TI  - Evaluations of bit sleeve and twisted-body bit designs for controlling roof
      bolter dust.
AB  - Drilling into coal mine roof strata to install roof bolts has the potential to
      release substantial quantities of respirable dust. Due to the proximity of drill
      holes to the breathing zone of roof bolting personnel, dust escaping the holes
      and avoiding capture by the dust collection system pose a potential respiratory
      health risk. Controls are available to complement the typical dry vacuum
      collection system and minimize harmful exposures during the initial phase of
      drilling. This paper examines the use of a bit sleeve in combination with a dust
      hog-type bit to improve dust extraction during the critical initial phase of
      drilling. A twisted-body drill bit is also evaluated to determine the quantity of
      dust liberated in comparison with the dust-hog-type bit. Based on the results of
      our laboratory tests, the bit sleeve may reduce dust emissions by one-half during
      the initial phase of drilling before the drill bit is fully enclosed by the drill
      hole. Because collaring is responsible for the largest dust liberations, overall
      dust emission can also be substantially reduced. The use of a twisted-body bit
      has minimal improvement on dust capture compared with the commonly used dust-hog
      type bit.

PMID- 26257436
TI  - Phosphonate-substituted zirconium oxo clusters.
AB  - ABSTRACT: The phosphonate-substituted zirconium oxo clusters Zr6O2(OBu)12(O3PPh)4
      and Zr7O2(OiPr)12(O3PCH2CH2CH2Br)6, with octahedrally coordinated Zr atoms, were
      synthesized by reaction of zirconium alkoxides with phosphonic acid
      bis(trimethylsilyl) esters. The basic structural motif are Zr3O(u2-OR)3(OR)3
      units which are connected in different ways. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: 

PMID- 26257437
TI  - A Nonparametric, Multiple Imputation-Based Method for the Retrospective
      Integration of Data Sets.
AB  - Complex research questions often cannot be addressed adequately with a single
      data set. One sensible alternative to the high cost and effort associated with
      the creation of large new data sets is to combine existing data sets containing
      variables related to the constructs of interest. The goal of the present research
      was to develop a flexible, broadly applicable approach to the integration of
      disparate data sets that is based on nonparametric multiple imputation and the
      collection of data from a convenient, de novo calibration sample. We demonstrate
      proof of concept for the approach by integrating three existing data sets
      containing items related to the extent of problematic alcohol use and
      associations with deviant peers. We discuss both necessary conditions for the
      approach to work well and potential strengths and weaknesses of the method
      compared to other data set integration approaches.

PMID- 26257438
TI  - Cook's Distance Measures for Varying Coefficient Models with Functional
      Responses.
AB  - The aim of this paper is to develop Cook's distance measures for assessing the
      influence of both atypical curves and observations under varying coefficient
      model for functional responses. Our Cook's distance measures include Cook's
      distances for deleting multiple curves and for deleting multiple grid points, and
      their scaled Cook's distances. We systematically investigate some theoretical
      properties of these diagnostic measures. Simulation studies are conducted to
      evaluate the finite sample properties of these Cook's distances under different
      scenarios. A real diffusion tensor tract data set is analyzed to illustrate the
      use of our diagnostic measures.

PMID- 26257439
TI  - A modified procedure for the palladium catalyzed borylation/Suzuki-Miyaura cross
      coupling of aryl and heteroaryl halides utilizing bis-boronic acid.
AB  - A modified Pd-catalyzed method of forming aryl- and heteroarylboron species and a
      two-step, one-pot borylation/Suzuki-Miyaura cross coupling using the atom
      economical tetrahydroxydiboron (bis-boronic acid, BBA) is reported. By using
      ethylene glycol as an additive, the new method results in increased yields, lower
      BBA loading, faster reaction times, and a broader reaction scope, including
      previously problematic substrates such as heterocycles.

PMID- 26257440
TI  - Stereocontrolled enantioselective total synthesis of the [2+2] quadrigemine
      alkaloids.
AB  - A unified strategy for enantioselective total synthesis of all stereoisomers of
      the 2+2 family of quadrigemine alkaloids is reported. In this approach, two
      enantioselective intramolecular Heck reactions are carried out at the same time
      on precursors fashioned in four steps from either meso- or (+)-chimonanthine to
      form the two critical quaternary carbons of the peripheral cyclotryptamine rings
      of these products. Useful levels of catalyst control are realized in either
      desymmetrizing a meso precursor or controlling diastereoselectivity in
      elaborating C2-symmetic intermediates. None of the synthetic quadrigemines are
      identical with alkaloids isolated previously and referred to as quadrigemines A
      and E. In addition, we report improvements in our previous total syntheses of (+)
      or (-)-quadrigemine C that shortened the synthetic sequence to 10 steps and
      provided these products in 2.2% overall yield from tryptamine.

PMID- 26257441
TI  - Evolution of a thienopyrimidine antitubercular relying on medicinal chemistry and
      metabolomics insights.
AB  - The metabolic instability of an antitubercular small molecule CD117 was addressed
      through iterative alteration of a key sulfide substituent and interrogation of
      the effect on growth inhibition of cultured Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This
      process was informed by studies of the intramycobacterial metabolism of CD117 and
      its inactive carboxylic acid derivative. Isoxazole 4e and thiazole 4m
      demonstrated significant gains in mouse liver microsomal stability with slight
      losses in whole-cell activity. This work illustrates the challenges of
      antitubercular hit evolution, requiring a balance of chemical and biological
      insights.

PMID- 26257442
TI  - Design, Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of beta-Carboline Dimers Based on the
      Structure of Neokauluamine.
AB  - The design, synthesis and biological evaluation (anticancer and antimalarial
      activity) of bis-beta-carbolines, based on the structure of the naturally
      occurring alkaloid neokauluamine, is described.

PMID- 26257443
TI  - Conditions for a Rh(I)-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 1] cycloaddition reaction with methyl
      substituted allenes and alkynes.
AB  - The direct installation of the C4 and C10 methyl groups present in the 6,12
      guaianolide framework using a Rh(I)-catalyzed cyclocarbonylation reaction of
      methyl subsituted allenes and alkynes is described. High yields of
      bicyclo[5.3.0]decanes are afforded when low reaction concentrations involving
      syringe pump addition of the allene-yne to the catalyst are used.

PMID- 26257444
TI  - Synthesis of the C1-C17 fragment of the archazolids by complex cis-homodimer
      cross metathesis.
AB  - A synthesis of the C1-C17 fragment of the archazolids is described featuring a
      complex cross-metathesis coupling reaction between a cis-homodimer (prepared by
      silyl-tethered ring-closing metathesis) and the Z,Z-terminal triene containing
      "eastern domain" of the archazolid natural products. This cross-metathesis was
      only successful when using the cis- as opposed to the monomer or trans-homodimer,
      with the cis-dimer added batchwise to minimize cis/trans-isomerization. The
      product was obtained in an optimized 78% yield using the Hoveyda-Grubbs catalyst
      at 50  degrees C in toluene.

PMID- 26257445
TI  - Synthesis and Exploration of Electronically Modified (R)-5,5-Dimethyl-(p-CF3)3-i
      PrPHOX in Palladium-Catalyzed Enantio- and Diastereoselective Allylic Alkylation:
      A Practical Alternative to (R)-(p-CF3)3-t-BuPHOX.
AB  - The synthesis of the novel electronically modified phosphinooxazoline (PHOX)
      ligand, (R)-5,5-dimethyl-(p-CF3)3-i-PrPHOX, is described. The utility of this
      PHOX ligand is explored in both enantio- and diastereoselective palladium
      catalyzed allylic alkylations. These investigations prove (R)-5,5-dimethyl-(p
      CF3)3-i-PrPHOX to be an effective and cost-efficient alternative to
      electronically modified PHOX ligands derived from the prohibitively expensive (R)
      t-leucine.

PMID- 26257446
TI  - "There's Gotta be Some Give and Take": Community Partner Perspectives on Benefits
      and Contributions associated with Community Partnerships for Youth.
AB  - Successful community partnerships for youth are based on the premise that
      reciprocity exists between all parties, but to what extent is equal power
      actually present? The current investigation examines the benefits and
      contributions associated with partnerships from community partners' perspectives.
      Respondents from 15 different Connect to Protect(r) coalitions initiated by the
      Adolescent Medicine Trials Network for HIV/AIDS Interventions were interviewed at
      the onset of their partnerships. Community partners asserted that their
      contributions to partnerships are more varied than researchers', yet they
      perceived that researchers acquire more kinds of benefits. Findings indicate
      nuances regarding reciprocity and power inequities between partners. Community
      partners' insights have implications for defining best practices within
      partnerships that benefit youth.

PMID- 26257447
TI  - A LASSO FOR HIERARCHICAL INTERACTIONS.
AB  - We add a set of convex constraints to the lasso to produce sparse interaction
      models that honor the hierarchy restriction that an interaction only be included
      in a model if one or both variables are marginally important. We give a precise
      characterization of the effect of this hierarchy constraint, prove that hierarchy
      holds with probability one and derive an unbiased estimate for the degrees of
      freedom of our estimator. A bound on this estimate reveals the amount of fitting
      "saved" by the hierarchy constraint. We distinguish between parameter sparsity
      the number of nonzero coefficients-and practical sparsity-the number of raw
      variables one must measure to make a new prediction. Hierarchy focuses on the
      latter, which is more closely tied to important data collection concerns such as
      cost, time and effort. We develop an algorithm, available in the R package
      hierNet, and perform an empirical study of our method.

PMID- 26257448
TI  - Innovation indices: the need for positioning them where they properly belong.
AB  - A specific quality of the discussion about innovation indices (scoreboards) is
      that more often than not the subject is dealt with from a purely technical point
      of view. Such a narrow approach silently assumes that indices used as a policy
      tool are an accurate reflection of the phenomenon and should not be questioned,
      and also that the whole discussion concerning them should refer to methodological
      aspects and is best left to the statisticians. This author is of the opinion that
      for an accurate evaluation of the value of indices as a policy tool, it is
      necessary to consider the matter from the broader point of view and from the
      context in which such indices are generated and used. This article puts forward
      the thesis that progress in science and innovation policy studies depends on a
      diversity of issues, approaches and perspectives. If that is the case,
      maintaining thematic and methodological variety may be more important than
      creating coherent and closed analytical tools, i.e. indices. The advantage of
      indices is that they focus attention on those variables which are deemed to be
      key. Among their disadvantages, however, are their highly abstract nature (in
      order to understand innovation-related phenomena, it is necessary to study them
      in tangible, composite forms); their tendency to skip unmeasurable determinants;
      their prior acceptance of definitions and concepts of innovation (instead of
      searching for them); the way they apply a single yardstick to diverse countries
      and regions, assumed linearity and causality in a complex and non-linear world,
      the way they direct policy towards implementing indicators (rather than
      identifying and solving problems). It is suggested that big data revolution will
      allow the emergence of a new measurement tools that will replace innovation
      indices.

PMID- 26257449
TI  - Citation success of different publication types: a case study on all references
      in psychology publications from the German-speaking countries (D-A-CH-L-L) in
      2009, 2010, and 2011.
AB  - Scientometric data on the citation success of different publication types and
      publication genres in psychology publications are presented. Data refer to
      references that are cited in these scientific publications and that are
      documented in PSYNDEX, the exhaustive database of psychology publications from
      the German-speaking countries either published in German or in English language.
      Firstly, data analyses refer to the references that are cited in publications of
      2009 versus 2010 versus 2011. With reference to all cited references, the portion
      of journal articles ranges from 57 to 61 %, of books from 22 to 24 %, and of book
      chapters from 14 to 15 %, with a rather high stability across the three
      publication years analysed. Secondly, data analyses refer to the numbers of cited
      references from the German-speaking countries, which are also documented in
      PSYNDEX. These compose about 11 % of all cited references indicating that nearly
      90 % of the references cited are of international and/or interdisciplinary
      publications not stemming from the German-speaking countries. The subsample shows
      the proportion of journal articles, books, and chapters, and these are very
      similar to the percentages identified for all references that are cited. Thirdly,
      analyses refer to document type, scientific genre, and psychological sub
      discipline of the most frequently cited references in the psychology
      publications. The frequency of top-cited references of books and book chapters is
      almost equal to that of journal articles; two-thirds of the top-cited references
      are non-empirical publications, only one-third are empirical publications. Top
      cited references stem particularly from clinical psychology, experimental
      psychology, as well as tests, testing and psychometrics. In summary, the results
      point to the fact that citation analyses, which are limited to journal papers,
      tend to neglect very high portions of references that are cited in scientific
      publications.

PMID- 26257450
TI  - GEOGRAPHICALLY-WEIGHTED REGRESSION ANALYSIS OF PERCENTAGE OF LATE-STAGE PROSTATE
      CANCER DIAGNOSIS IN FLORIDA.
AB  - This study assessed spatial context and the local impacts of putative factors on
      the proportion of prostate cancer diagnosed at late-stages in Florida during the
      period 2001-2007. A logistic regression was performed aspatially and by
      geographically-weighted regression (GWR) at the nodes of a 5 km spacing grid
      overlaid over Florida and using all the cancer cases within a radius of 125 km of
      each node. Variables associated significantly with high percentages of late-stage
      prostate cancer included having comorbidities, smoking, being Black and living in
      census tracts with farmhouses. Having private or public insurance, being married
      or diagnosed in a for-profit facility, as well as living in census tracts with
      high household income reduced significantly this likelihood. Geographically
      weighted regression allowed the identification of areas where the local odds
      ratio is significantly different from the ratio estimated using aspatial
      regression (State-level). For example, the local odds ratios for the comorbidity
      covariates were significantly smaller than the State-level odds ratio in
      Tallahassee and Pensacola, while they were significantly larger in Palm Beach.
      This emphasizes the need for local strategies and cancer control interventions to
      reduce the percentage of prostate cancer diagnosed at late-stages and ultimately
      eliminate health disparities.

PMID- 26257451
TI  - Hierarchical Clustering With Prototypes via Minimax Linkage.
AB  - Agglomerative hierarchical clustering is a popular class of methods for
      understanding the structure of a dataset. The nature of the clustering depends on
      the choice of linkage-that is, on how one measures the distance between clusters.
      In this article we investigate minimax linkage, a recently introduced but little
      studied linkage. Minimax linkage is unique in naturally associating a prototype
      chosen from the original dataset with every interior node of the dendrogram.
      These prototypes can be used to greatly enhance the interpretability of a
      hierarchical clustering. Furthermore, we prove that minimax linkage has a number
      of desirable theoretical properties; for example, minimax-linkage dendrograms
      cannot have inversions (unlike centroid linkage) and is robust against certain
      perturbations of a dataset. We provide an efficient implementation and illustrate
      minimax linkage's strengths as a data analysis and visualization tool on a study
      of words from encyclopedia articles and on a dataset of images of human faces.

PMID- 26257452
TI  - Bayesian Inference for Multivariate Meta-regression with a Partially Observed
      Within-Study Sample Covariance Matrix.
AB  - Multivariate meta-regression models are commonly used in settings where the
      response variable is naturally multi-dimensional. Such settings are common in
      cardiovascular and diabetes studies where the goal is to study cholesterol levels
      once a certain medication is given. In this setting, the natural multivariate
      endpoint is Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C), High Density Lipoprotein
      Cholesterol (HDL-C), and Triglycerides (TG) (LDL-C, HDL-C, TG). In this paper, we
      examine study level (aggregate) multivariate meta-data from 26 Merck sponsored
      double-blind, randomized, active or placebo-controlled clinical trials on adult
      patients with primary hypercholesterolemia. Our goal is to develop a methodology
      for carrying out Bayesian inference for multivariate meta-regression models with
      study level data when the within-study sample covariance matrix S for the
      multivariate response data is partially observed. Specifically, the proposed
      methodology is based on postulating a multivariate random effects regression
      model with an unknown within-study covariance matrix Sigma in which we treat the
      within-study sample correlations as missing data, the standard deviations of the
      within-study sample covariance matrix S are assumed observed, and given Sigma, S
      follows a Wishart distribution. Thus, we treat the off-diagonal elements of S as
      missing data, and these missing elements are sampled from the appropriate full
      conditional distribution in a Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) sampling scheme via
      a novel transformation based on partial correlations. We further propose several
      structures (models) for Sigma, which allow for borrowing strength across
      different treatment arms and trials. The proposed methodology is assessed using
      simulated as well as real data, and the results are shown to be quite promising.

PMID- 26257453
TI  - Optimal Estimation and Rank Detection for Sparse Spiked Covariance Matrices.
AB  - This paper considers a sparse spiked covariancematrix model in the high
      dimensional setting and studies the minimax estimation of the covariance matrix
      and the principal subspace as well as the minimax rank detection. The optimal
      rate of convergence for estimating the spiked covariance matrix under the
      spectral norm is established, which requires significantly different techniques
      from those for estimating other structured covariance matrices such as bandable
      or sparse covariance matrices. We also establish the minimax rate under the
      spectral norm for estimating the principal subspace, the primary object of
      interest in principal component analysis. In addition, the optimal rate for the
      rank detection boundary is obtained. This result also resolves the gap in a
      recent paper by Berthet and Rigollet [2] where the special case of rank one is
      considered.

PMID- 26257454
TI  - Relations between Fathers' and Mothers' Infant Engagement Patterns in Dual-Earner
      Families and Toddler Competence.
AB  - This study examined the trajectories of time new fathers and mothers in dual
      earner families (N = 178) reported spending in developmentally appropriate
      positive engagement activities over the first 9 months of their child's life on
      both work and non-workdays. We also explored how paternal and maternal engagement
      patterns in infancy were associated with children's later social-emotional
      competence during toddlerhood (M = 25 months). Utilizing latent growth models, we
      found that, compared with mothers, fathers spent significantly less time engaging
      with their infants; however, both parents increased their engagement over time at
      relatively the same rate. Fathers' rate of increase over time and mothers'
      initial starting point of engagement on non-workdays were associated with
      toddlers' attention and mastery motivation. Findings are discussed with regards
      to what they mean for dual-earner couples and fathers' investment in their
      offspring, highlighting what they may imply about the second demographic
      transition and family functioning.

PMID- 26257455
TI  - Language Disorders in Multilingual and Multicultural Populations.
AB  - We review the characteristics of developmental language disorders (primary
      language impairment, reading disorders, autism, Down syndrome) and acquired
      language disorders (aphasia, dementia, traumatic brain injury) among multilingual
      and multicultural individuals. We highlight the unique assessment and treatment
      considerations pertinent to this population, including, for example, concerns of
      language choice and availability of measures and of normative data in multiple
      languages. A summary of relevant, recent research studies is provided for each of
      the language disorders selected.

PMID- 26257456
TI  - Prophylactic Treatments for Anomia in the Logopenic Variant of Primary
      Progressive Aphasia: Cross-Language Transfer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Treatment studies for anomia in PPA have rarely compared multiple
      treatments in the same individual, and few anomia treatment studies have included
      participants with the logopenic variant of PPA (lvPPA). AIMS: The goals of this
      study were to evaluate two types of treatment for anomia in a bilingual
      participant (ND) with lvPPA, and to examine possible cross-language transfer of
      treatment effects. METHODS & PROCEDURES: ND is a Norwegian-English bilingual
      woman with lvPPA who began this study at the age of 69. In the phonological
      treatment, ND listened to a word while viewing a corresponding picture, and she
      repeated the word. In the orthographic treatment, ND read a word out loud while
      viewing the corresponding picture, and she then copied the word. Both treatments
      were conducted in English, and accuracy for three tasks (oral naming, written
      naming, and naming to definition) was assessed in English and Norwegian. The
      treatment occurred over a one-year period, with eight sessions at the laboratory
      during the first month, followed by monthly laboratory sessions and thrice-weekly
      home practice sessions during the subsequent 11 months. Post-treatment
      assessments were conducted at 1 week, 8 months, 1 year, 20 months, and 3 years.
      OUTCOMES & RESULTS: Compared to untrained items, the orthographic treatment
      resulted in greater English written naming accuracy. This treatment also resulted
      in cross-language transfer: greater Norwegian oral naming and naming to
      definition accuracy. The phonological treatment resulted in marginally greater
      English oral naming accuracy, but it did not have a significant effect on naming
      accuracy in Norwegian. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the orthographic
      treatment was effective in strengthening the orthographic representations of the
      treated items, which facilitated ND's written naming performance. The pattern of
      cross-language transfer suggests that the orthographic treatment also
      strengthened the language-independent semantic representations of the treated
      items, thereby facilitating access to their Norwegian phonological
      representations.

PMID- 26257457
TI  - Understanding the Educational Attainment of Sexual Minority Women and Men.
AB  - National studies have not analyzed sexual identity disparities in high school
      completion, college enrollment, or college completion in the United States. Using
      Add Health data, we document the relationship between adult sexual orientation
      and each of these outcomes. Many sexual minority respondents experienced
      disadvantages in adolescent academic achievement, school experiences, and social
      environments. This translates into educational attainment in complex, gendered
      ways. We find that the socially privileged completely heterosexual identity
      predicts higher educational attainment for women, while for men it is often a
      liability. Mostly heterosexual and gay identities are educationally beneficial
      for men but not women. There are college completion disparities between gay and
      mostly heterosexual women and their completely heterosexual counterparts.
      Bisexual respondents, especially women, have particularly problematic outcomes.
      Adolescent experiences, attitudes, and social contexts explain some of these
      differences. From adolescence through college, sexual minority groups, but
      especially females, need intervention to reduce substantial educational
      disparities.

PMID- 26257458
TI  - Enzymatic Glucose Sensor Compensation for Variations in Ambient Oxygen
      Concentration.
AB  - Due to the increasing prevalence of diabetes, research toward painless glucose
      sensing continues. Oxygen sensitive phosphors with glucose oxidase (GOx) can be
      used to determine glucose levels indirectly by monitoring oxygen consumption.
      This is an attractive combination because of its speed and specificity. Packaging
      these molecules together in "smart materials" for implantation will enable non
      invasive glucose monitoring. As glucose levels increase, oxygen levels decrease;
      consequently, the luminescence intensity and lifetime of the phosphor increase.
      Although the response of the sensor is dependent on glucose concentration, the
      ambient oxygen concentration also plays a key role. This could lead to inaccurate
      glucose readings and increase the risk of hyper- or hypoglycemia. To mitigate
      this risk, the dependence of hydrogel glucose sensor response on oxygen levels
      was investigated and compensation methods explored. Sensors were calibrated at
      different oxygen concentrations using a single generic logistic equation, such
      that trends in oxygen-dependence were determined as varying parameters in the
      equation. Each parameter was found to be a function of oxygen concentration, such
      that the correct glucose calibration equation can be calculated if the oxygen
      level is known. Accuracy of compensation will be determined by developing an
      overall calibration, using both glucose and oxygen sensors in parallel,
      correcting for oxygen fluctuations in real time by intentionally varying oxygen,
      and calculating the error in actual and predicted glucose levels. While this
      method was developed for compensation of enzymatic glucose sensors, in principle
      it can also be implemented with other kinds of sensors utilizing oxidases.

PMID- 26257459
TI  - Hemoglobin A1c Level Is Not Related to the Severity of Atherosclerosis in
      Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The relationship between hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels and the extent
      of coronary artery stenosis in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS)
      remains uncertain. The present study aimed to assess the correlation of HbA1c
      level with angiographic coronary atherosclerosis. METHODS: 292 consecutive ACS
      patients were enrolled and stratified into three groups according to HbA1c levels
      (group 1: < 6.0%, n = 137; group 2: 6.0-6.4%, n = 67; group 3: >= 6.5%, n = 88).
      The severity of coronary arteriosclerosis was assessed by Gensini score. The
      relationship between HbA1c and Gensini score was analyzed by multiple variables
      analysis. RESULTS: HbA1c level was not associated with the severity of CAD
      assessed by Gensini score in patients with ACS, even after the adjustment for
      other risk factors. However, NT-proBNP, ApoA1 and LVEF levels were independent
      predictors for CAD severity. Moreover, HbA1c level was not associated with the
      risk of high Gensini score (> 40) by logistic regression analysis. Diabetes
      mellitus (DM) and LVEF levels were two independent risk factors for high Gensini
      score. CONCLUSIONS: HbA1c level is not a significant and independent marker for
      the severity of angiography in ACS patients, even in high-risk patients.

PMID- 26257460
TI  - Electrocardiographic Predictors of Cardiovascular Mortality.
AB  - Cardiovascular diseases are the main causes of mortality. Sudden cardiac death
      may also appear in athletes, due to underlying congenital or inherited cardiac
      abnormalities. The electrocardiogram is used in clinical practice and clinical
      trials, as a valid, reliable, accessible, inexpensive method. The aim of the
      present paper was to review electrocardiographic (ECG) signs associated with
      cardiovascular mortality and the mechanisms underlying those associations,
      providing a brief description of the main studies in this area, and consider
      their implication for clinical practice in the general population and athletes.
      The main ECG parameters associated with cardiovascular mortality in the present
      paper are the P wave (duration, interatrial block, and deep terminal negativity
      of the P wave in V1), prolonged QT and Tpeak-Tend intervals, QRS duration and
      fragmentation, bundle branch block, ST segment depression and elevation, T waves
      (inverted, T wave axes), spatial angles between QRS and T vectors, premature
      ventricular contractions, and ECG hypertrophy criteria. 

PMID- 26257461
TI  - Association of DNA Repair Gene APE1 Asp148Glu Polymorphism with Breast Cancer
      Risk.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of APE1 Asp148Glu
      polymorphism in breast cancer progression in Saudi population. METHODS: We
      examined the genetic variations (rs1130409) in the DNA base excision repair gene
      APE1 at codon 148 (Asp148Glu) and its association with breast cancer risk using
      genotypic assays and in silico structural as well as functional predictions. In
      silico structural analysis was performed with Asp148Glu allele and compared with
      the predicted native protein structure. The wild and mutant 3D structures of APE1
      were compared and analyzed using solvent accessibility models for protein
      stability confirmation. RESULTS: Genotypic analysis of APE1 (rs1130409) showed
      statistically significant association of Asp148Glu with elevated susceptibility
      to breast cancer. The in silico analysis results indicated that the nsSNP
      Asp148Glu may cause changes in the protein structure and is associated with
      breast cancer risk. CONCLUSION: Taken together, this is the first report that
      established that Asp148Glu variant has structural and functional effect on the
      APE1 and may play an important role in breast cancer progression in Saudi
      population.

PMID- 26257462
TI  - Toll-Like Receptor 9 Inactivation Alleviated Atherosclerotic Progression and
      Inhibited Macrophage Polarized to M1 Phenotype in ApoE-/- Mice.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) is involved in many inflammatory diseases,
      but its role in atherosclerosis remains controversial. This study aimed to
      investigate the role of TLR9 in atherosclerosis development and macrophage
      polarization. METHODS: ApoE(-/-) mice were treated with vehicle or IRS869 for 12
      weeks. Plaque vulnerability was assessed with immunohistochemical analysis, picro
      sirius red, and oil red O staining. The expressions of M1- and M2-associated
      markers in plaques were detected by RT-PCR and immunofluorescence. The aorta TLR9
      and its downstream molecules including myeloid differentiation protein 88
      (MyD88), phosphorylated nuclear factor-kappa B (p-NF-kappaB), and interferon
      regulatory factor 7 (IRF7) were determined by western blot analysis. The
      frequency of M1 and M2 subtype in RAW264.7 cells treated with IRS869 and/or
      ODN1826 was evaluated with flow cytometry. RESULTS: In ApoE(-/-) mice, functional
      inactivation of TLR9 pathway resulted in attenuated atherosclerosis development,
      as manifested by reduced plaque burden and by decreased plaque vulnerability.
      Mechanistically, TLR9 inhibition prevented the activation of MyD88/NF-kappaB
      pathway and shifted the balance of M1/M2 toward M2 macrophages that were
      involved. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicated that TLR9 inactivation ameliorated
      atherosclerosis via skewing macrophage plasticity to M2 phenotype in ApoE
      deficient mice. These findings may provide a promising therapeutic strategy for
      atherosclerosis.

PMID- 26257463
TI  - Characteristics of Three-Dimensional Power Doppler in Gestational Trophoblastic
      Disease.
AB  - PURPOSE: In the present study, the three-dimensional power Doppler was used as a
      quantitative method to evaluate its reliability in detecting and assessing of
      gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD). METHODS: 52 GTD patients who received
      diagnosis and treatment at the first affiliated hospitals of Xi'an Jiaotong
      University in China between 2011 and 2013 were evaluated using Voluson E8 (GE
      Medical System). Demographic information, pathological characteristics, clinical
      history, sonographic images, and related indices (resistance index,
      vascularization index, and flow and vascularization index) were evaluated.
      RESULT: Three-dimension power Doppler indicated that there were significant
      differences in the resistance index, vascularization index, flow index, and
      vascularization-flow index between the healthy individuals and each subgroup of
      patients (P < 0.01). Further, in combining invasive hydatidiform mole and
      choriocarcinoma groups, there was a significant difference between hydatidiform
      mole and the combined malignant group (P < 0.01). And the abnormal sonographic
      and power Doppler findings in GTD were resolved when chemotherapy was done
      successfully. CONCLUSION: Combined with the clinical features, sonography and
      three-dimension power Doppler imaging were helpful in diagnosing GTD as a
      noninvasive method, distinguishing the invasive nature of disease, detecting the
      recurrence of the disease, and assessing the effectiveness of the chemotherapy.

PMID- 26257464
TI  - Molecular Dynamics Simulation and NMR Investigation of the Association of the
      beta-Blockers Atenolol and Propranolol with a Chiral Molecular Micelle.
AB  - Molecular dynamics simulations and NMR spectroscopy were used to compare the
      binding of two beta-blocker drugs to the chiral molecular micelle poly-(sodium
      undecyl-(L)-leucine-valine). The molecular micelle is used as a chiral selector
      in capillary electrophoresis. This study is part of a larger effort to understand
      the mechanism of chiral recognition in capillary electrophoresis by
      characterizing the molecular micelle binding of chiral compounds with different
      geometries and charges. Propranolol and atenolol were chosen because their
      structures are similar, but their chiral interactions with the molecular micelle
      are different. Molecular dynamics simulations showed both propranolol enantiomers
      inserted their aromatic rings into the molecular micelle core and that (S)
      propranolol associated more strongly with the molecular micelle than (R)
      propranolol. This difference was attributed to stronger molecular micelle
      hydrogen bonding interactions experienced by (S)-propranolol. Atenolol
      enantiomers were found to bind near the molecular micelle surface and to have
      similar molecular micelle binding free energies.

PMID- 26257465
TI  - ALCOHOL-INVOLVED RAPES: ARE THEY MORE VIOLENT?
AB  - Alcohol's psychological, cognitive, and motor effects contribute to rape. Based
      on theory and past research, we hypothesized that there would be a curvilinear
      relationship between the quantity of alcohol consumed by perpetrators and how
      aggressively they behaved. Moderate levels of intoxication encourage
      aggressiveness; however, extreme levels severely inhibit cognitive and motor
      capacity. We also hypothesized that victims' alcohol consumption would have a
      curvilinear relationship to their resistance. These hypotheses were examined with
      data from 132 college women who had been the victims of attempted or completed
      rape. Although there was a curvilinear result for perpetrators, the slope of the
      curve suggested that aggressiveness was worst when no alcohol or the highest
      levels of alcohol were consumed. There was a negative linear relationship between
      victims' alcohol consumption and resistance. Difficulties associated with
      accurately assessing degree of intoxication from survey data are discussed and
      suggestions are made for improving alcohol measurement in rape research.

PMID- 26257466
TI  - SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES IN WOMEN'S SEXUAL ASSAULT EXPERIENCES BASED ON
      TACTICS USED BY THE PERPETRATOR.
AB  - Only a few studies have examined the characteristics of sexual assault based on
      the tactics used by the perpetrator. In this study we compared the experiences of
      women who were forced to engage in vaginal, anal, or oral intercourse due to
      verbal coercion, physical force, or intoxication. Random-digit dialing was used
      to obtain a sample of 272 single African American and Caucasian women between the
      ages of 18 and 49 from the Detroit metropolitan area. Participants completed a
      computer-assisted self-interview that asked detailed questions about a past
      sexual assault and their reactions to it. Among the 139 women who were forced to
      engage in vaginal, anal, or oral intercourse, sexual assaults that involved
      physical force produced the most severe negative outcomes. Situations that
      involved the woman being too intoxicated to resist differed from others primarily
      in terms of how much alcohol the man and woman consumed. Although all types of
      sexual assault were perceived as being at least moderately serious, verbally
      coerced assaults were on average perceived as being least serious. These findings
      suggest that the perpetrators' tactics affect women's responses to sexual
      assault.

PMID- 26257467
TI  - Distribution of algal aggregates under summer sea ice in the Central Arctic.
AB  - The sea ice cover of the Arctic Ocean has changed dramatically in the last
      decades, and the resulting consequences for the sea-ice-associated ecosystem
      remain difficult to assess. Algal aggregates underneath sea ice are of great
      importance for the ice-associated ecosystem and the pelagic-benthic coupling.
      However, the frequency and distribution of their occurrence is not well
      quantified. During the IceArc expedition (ARK-27/3) of RV Polarstern in late
      summer 2012, we observed different types of algal aggregates floating underneath
      various ice types in the Central Arctic basins. We investigated the spatial
      distribution of ice algal aggregates and quantified their biomass, using under
      ice image surveys obtained by an upward-looking camera on a remotely operated
      vehicle. On basin scale, filamentous aggregates of Melosira arctica are more
      frequently found in the inner part of the Central Arctic pack ice, while rounded
      aggregates mainly formed by pennate diatoms are found closer to the ice edge,
      under melting sea ice. On the scale of an ice floe, the distribution of algal
      aggregates in late summer is mainly regulated by the topography of the ice
      underside, with aggregates accumulating in dome-shaped structures and at the
      edges of pressure ridges. The average biomass of the aggregates from our sites
      and season was 0.1-6.0 mg C m-2. However, depending on the approach used,
      differences in orders of magnitude for biomass estimates may occur. This
      highlights the difficulties of upscaling observations and comparing results from
      surveys conducted using different methods or on different spatial scales.

PMID- 26257468
TI  - A noise control package for vibrating screens.
AB  - Hearing loss was the second-most common illness reported to the Mine Safety and
      Health Administration (MSHA) in 2009. Furthermore, between 2000 and 2010, 30% of
      all noise-related injury complaints reported to MSHA were for coal preparation
      plant employees. Previous National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
      (NIOSH) studies have shown that vibrating screens are key noise sources to
      address in order to reduce coal preparation plant noise. In response, NIOSH
      researchers have developed a suite of noise controls for vibrating screens
      consisting of constrained layer damping (CLD) treatments, a tuned mechanism
      suspension, an acoustic enclosure, and spring inserts. Laboratory testing
      demonstrates that this noise control suite reduces the A-weighted sound power
      level of the vibrating screen by 6 dB. To provide a comparison to laboratory
      results and prove durability, field testing of two noise controls was performed
      on a vibrating screen in a working coal preparation plant. The spring inserts and
      CLD treatments were selected due to their ease of installation and
      practicability. Field testing of these controls yielded reductions that were
      comparable to laboratory results.

PMID- 26257469
TI  - The effect of contextual constraint on parafoveal processing in reading.
AB  - Semantic preview benefit in reading is an elusive and controversial effect
      because empirical studies do not always (but sometimes) find evidence for it. Its
      presence seems to depend on (at least) the language being read, visual properties
      of the text (e.g., initial letter capitalization), the type of relationship
      between preview and target, and as shown here, semantic constraint generated by
      the prior sentence context. Schotter (2013) reported semantic preview benefit for
      synonyms, but not semantic associates when the preview/target was embedded in a
      neutral sentence context. In Experiment 1, we embedded those same
      previews/targets into constrained sentence contexts and in Experiment 2 we
      replicated the effects reported by Schotter (2013; in neutral sentence contexts)
      and Experiment 1 (in constrained contexts) in a within-subjects design. In both
      experiments, we found an early (i.e., first-pass) apparent preview benefit for
      semantically associated previews in constrained contexts that went away in late
      measures (e.g., total time). These data suggest that sentence constraint (at
      least as manipulated in the current study) does not operate by making a single
      word form expected, but rather generates expectations about what kinds of words
      are likely to appear. Furthermore, these data are compatible with the assumption
      of the E-Z Reader model that early oculomotor decisions reflect "hedged bets"
      that a word will be identifiable and, when wrong, lead the system to identify the
      wrong word, triggering regressions.

PMID- 26257470
TI  - Predicting Anxiety Diagnoses and Severity with the CBCL-A: Improvement Relative
      to Other CBCL Scales?
AB  - The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) is a widely used parent-report of child and
      adolescent behavior. We examined the ability of the CBCL-A scale, a previously
      published subset of CBCL items, to predict the presence of generalized anxiety
      disorder (GAD), separation anxiety disorder (SAD), and social phobia (SoP), as
      well as anxiety severity, among 488 youth randomized in the Child Anxiety
      Multimodal Study (CAMS). We predicted that the CBCL-A's unique inclusion of items
      related to somatic symptoms would better identify anxiety disorder and severity
      than other CBCL scales, given that somatic complaints are often key features of
      anxiety among youth. Results support the use of the anxiety-based CBCL subscales
      as first-line screeners for generally elevated symptoms of anxiety, rather than
      tools to identify specific anxiety disorders. Although somatic symptoms are often
      reported and included in diagnostic criteria for certain anxiety disorders (e.g.,
      SAD, GAD), the unique combination of somatic and non-somatic symptoms for the
      CBCL-A subscale did not increase its ability to consistently predict the presence
      of specific anxiety disorders.

PMID- 26257471
TI  - The nature of the language input affects brain activation during learning from a
      natural language.
AB  - Artificial language studies have demonstrated that learners are able to segment
      individual word-like units from running speech using the transitional probability
      information. However, this skill has rarely been examined in the context of
      natural languages, where stimulus parameters can be quite different. In this
      study, two groups of English-speaking learners were exposed to Norwegian
      sentences over the course of three fMRI scans. One group was provided with input
      in which transitional probabilities predicted the presence of target words in the
      sentences. This group quickly learned to identify the target words and fMRI data
      revealed an extensive and highly dynamic learning network. These results were
      markedly different from activation seen for a second group of participants. This
      group was provided with highly similar input that was modified so that word
      learning based on syllable co-occurrences was not possible. These participants
      showed a much more restricted network. The results demonstrate that the nature of
      the input strongly influenced the nature of the network that learners employ to
      learn the properties of words in a natural language.

PMID- 26257472
TI  - Social Attitudes toward Cerebral Palsy and Potential Uses in Medical Education
      Based on the Analysis of Motion Pictures.
AB  - This study presents how motion pictures illustrate a person with cerebral palsy
      (CP), the social impact from the media, and the possibility of cerebral palsy
      education by using motion pictures. 937 motion pictures were reviewed in this
      study. With the criteria of nondocumentary movies, possibility of disability
      classification, and availability, the total number of motion pictures about CP
      was reduced to 34. The geographical distribution of movie number ever produced is
      as follows: North America 12, Europe 11, India 2, East Asia 6, and Australia 3.
      The CP incidences of different motor types in real world and in movies,
      respectively, are 78-86%, 65% (Spastic); 1.5-6%, 9% (Dyskinetic); 6.5-9%, 26%
      (Mixed); 3%, 0% (Ataxic); 3-4%, 0% (Hypotonic). The CP incidences of different
      Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels in real world and in
      movies, respectively, are 40-51%, 47% (Level I + II); 14-19%, 12% (Level III); 34
      41%, 41% (Level IV + V). Comparisons of incidence between the real world and the
      movies are surprisingly matching. Motion pictures honestly reflect the general
      public's point of view to CP patients in our real world. With precise selection
      and medical professional explanations, motion pictures can play the suitable role
      making CP understood more clearly. 

PMID- 26257473
TI  - Saliency-aware food image segmentation for personal dietary assessment using a
      wearable computer.
AB  - Image-based dietary assessment has recently received much attention in the
      community of obesity research. In this assessment, foods in digital pictures are
      specified, and their portion sizes (volumes) are estimated. Although manual
      processing is currently the most utilized method, image processing holds much
      promise since it may eventually lead to automatic dietary assessment. In this
      paper we study the problem of segmenting food objects from images. This
      segmentation is difficult because of various food types, shapes and colors,
      different decorating patterns on food containers, and occlusions of food and non
      food objects. We propose a novel method based on a saliency-aware active contour
      model (ACM) for automatic food segmentation from images acquired by a wearable
      camera. An integrated saliency estimation approach based on food location priors
      and visual attention features is designed to produce a salient map of possible
      food regions in the input image. Next, a geometric contour primitive is generated
      and fitted to the salient map by means of multi-resolution optimization with
      respect to a set of affine and elastic transformation parameters. The food
      regions are then extracted after contour fitting. Our experiments using 60 food
      images showed that the proposed method achieved significantly higher accuracy in
      food segmentation when compared to conventional segmentation methods.

PMID- 26257475
TI  - Personality and health: Road to well-being.

PMID- 26257474
TI  - Granulocyte Macrophage-Colony Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF) Downregulates the
      Expression of Protumor Factors Cyclooxygenase-2 and Inducible Nitric Oxide
      Synthase in a GM-CSF Receptor-Independent Manner in Cervical Cancer Cells.
AB  - Enhanced expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide
      synthase (iNOS) is associated with the pathogenic processes of various tumor
      types. COX-2 and iNOS expression in the immunomodulatory dendritic cells is
      mediated by the granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), which
      is also expressed by cervical cancer cells; however, whether and how GM-CSF
      regulates COX-2 and iNOS expression in clinical cervical cancer cells remain
      unknown. In this study, we found that the COX-2 and iNOS expression was
      upregulated in the cervical cancer tissues and positively correlated with cancer
      metastasis and stage. About one-half of the cervical cancer tissues showed
      strong/moderate GM-CSF expression, while the normal cervical tissues showed >80%
      positive rate; no GM-CSFR protein was detectable on the cervical cancer cells.
      The GM-CSF expression was negatively correlated with the COX-2 and iNOS
      expression in the cervical cancer tissues and the functional negative regulatory
      effect of GM-CSF on COX-2/iNOS expression was demonstrated in various cervical
      cancer cell lines. Therefore, in cervical cancer cells, GM-CSF might contribute
      an antitumor response by inhibiting iNOS and COX-2 expression in a GM-CSFR
      independent manner. 

PMID- 26257476
TI  - Coping among the caregivers of patients with schizophrenia.
AB  - Coping is understood as the process of managing external or internal demands that
      are considered as taxing or exceeding the resources of the person. There is no
      formal classification of coping strategies, and these are understood as adaptive
      versus maladaptive and problem focuses versus emotion-focused. Understanding the
      commonly used coping strategies in a particular group of subjects can provide
      valuable insights for designing interventions to reduce the stress. In this
      review, we look at the literature which is available with regards to the coping
      strategies used by the caregivers of patients with schizophrenia. Findings
      suggest that caregivers of patients with schizophrenia use mixed type of coping
      mechanisms to deal with the stress of caregiving. The coping strategies are shown
      to have association with variables such as caregiver burden, caregiving
      experience, expressed emotions, social support, psychological morbidity in the
      caregivers, quality of life of caregivers and psychopathology in patients. One of
      the major limitations of the literature is that there is a lot of variability in
      the assessment instruments used across different studies to assess coping. 

PMID- 26257477
TI  - Fatigue management in the workplace.
AB  - Workers' fatigue is a significant problem in modern industry, largely because of
      high demand jobs, long duty periods, disruption of circadian rhythms, and
      accumulative sleep debt that are common in many industries. Fatigue is the end
      result of integration of multiple factors such as time awake, time of day, and
      workload. Then, the full understanding of circadian biologic clock, dynamics of
      transient and cumulative sleep loss, and recovery is required for effective
      management of workplace fatigue. It can be more investigated in a new field of
      sleep medicine called occupational sleep medicine. Occupational sleep medicine is
      concerned with maintaining best productivity and safety in the industrial
      settings. The fatigue risk management system (FRMS) is a comprehensive approach
      that is based on applying scientific evidence of sleep knowledge to manage
      workers fatigue. It is developing rapidly in the highly safety demand jobs;
      especially truck drivers, pilots, and power plant workers. The objective of this
      review is to explain about fatigue in the workplace with emphasis on its
      association work performance and errors/accidents. Also, we discussed about
      different methods of fatigue measurement and management. 

PMID- 26257478
TI  - The hippocampus and executive functions in depression.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The relationship between depression, hippocampus (HC), and executive
      dysfunctions seems complex and has been the focus of research. Recent evidence
      indicates a possible role of HC in executive dysfunction seen in depression. No
      such studies on Indian population have been done. AIM: To look for changes in HC
      and executive functions in depression. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A cross-sectional
      analytical controlled study. Sample size 50 (controls 50). MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Hippocampal volume and executive dysfunction was measured using structural
      magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST),
      respectively. Findings on these two parameters were compared between depressives
      and healthy matched controls as well as between first episode (FE) and recurrent
      depressives and across the severity of depression (mild, moderate, and severe).
      STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17
      was used for analysis. Normally distributed continuous variables were analyzed
      with independent t-tests. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for multiple
      comparisons. Categorical data were compared with chi(2) or Fisher's exact test.
      Clinical correlations were conducted using Pearson correlations. RESULT:
      Depressed patients had a smaller left (Lt) hippocampal volume as well as poor
      performance on several measures of executive functions. Smaller hippocampal
      volume was found even in FE. Those who had a past burden of depressive illness
      had an even smaller hippocampal volume. No direct correlation was found between
      the HC volume and cognitive dysfunction. CONCLUSION: Depressive illness appears
      to be toxic to the HC. The relationship between HC and executive dysfunction in
      depression may be indirect through its functional connections.

PMID- 26257479
TI  - Depression, anxiety and stress levels in industrial workers: A pilot study in
      Bangalore, India.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mental health disorders affect around 500 million people worldwide.
      In India, around 10-12% of people are affected by a mental disorder either due to
      stress, depression, anxiety, or any other cause. Mental health of workers affects
      the productivity of the workplace, with estimates putting these losses to be over
      100 million dollars annually. AIMS: The study aims to measure depression,
      anxiety, and stress levels of workers in an industry and to investigate if it has
      any effect on productivity of the firm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study utilized
      a cross-sectional design and was conducted among workmen of the firm. A
      sociodemographic based questionnaire and a mental health screening tool 
      Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS)-21 were used for the same. A total of 90
      completed questionnaires were analyzed for the study. The data was analyzed for
      central tendencies as well as for any associations and correlations. RESULTS: The
      study showed that none of the workers had a positive score for depression. It
      also showed that around 36% of the workers had a positive score for anxiety and
      18% of the workers had a positive score for stress on DASS-21 scale. The odds
      ratio between stress and number of leaves taken by a worker in the last 3 months
      suggested a dose-response relationship, but was statistically insignificant.
      CONCLUSION: The study found a prevalence rate of around 18-36% for anxiety and
      stress amongst the workers at the factory. Large-scale studies will help
      understand the effect mental health status has on the Indian workplace.

PMID- 26257480
TI  - Co-relationship between sexual dysfunction and high-risk sexual behavior in
      patients receiving buprenorphine and naltrexone maintenance therapy for opioid
      dependence.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: People suffering from substance dependence suffer from various
      sexual dysfunctions and are at risk for indulging in various high-risk sexual
      behaviors and thus are vulnerable to acquire various infections such as HIV/AIDS
      and other sexually transmitted infections. AIM: The aim of the study was to
      evaluate the correlation between sexual dysfunction and high-risk sexual behavior
      in opioid-dependent men receiving buprenorphine and naltrexone maintenance
      therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Semi-structured questionnaire, brief male sexual
      functioning inventory and HIV-risk taking behavior scale was administered to a
      sample of 60 sexually active men, receiving buprenorphine (n = 30) and naltrexone
      (n = 30) maintenance therapy for opioid dependence. RESULTS: The main outcomes
      are correlation between severity of sexual dysfunction and HIV-risk taking
      behavior. The study results showed 83% of the men on buprenorphine and 90% on
      naltrexone reported at least one of the sexual dysfunction symptoms. There was a
      negative correlation between sexual dysfunction and HIV-risk taking behavior that
      suggest severe the dysfunction, higher the risk taking behavior. Significant
      correlation was present with overall sexual dysfunction and HIV-risk taking
      behavior (P = 0.028 and in naltrexone receiving group premature ejaculation
      versus HIV-risk taking behavior however, (P = 0.022, P < 0.05) there were no
      significant differences among both the groups except above findings. CONCLUSION:
      Conclusion was treatment is associated with sexual dysfunctions and HIV-risk
      taking behavior, which has clinical implication. Future research should explore
      this further using biochemical analyses.

PMID- 26257481
TI  - A Study of personality profile and criminal behavior in substance abusers.
AB  - AIM: The aim of the present study was to study the personality characteristics
      and criminal behavior in the substance abusers. The role of various
      sociodemographic variables in substance abusers, which affected their criminal
      behavior was also studied. Moreover, in the present study, the personality
      profile of substance users and nonusers was compared using psychoticism,
      extraversion, and neuroticism (PEN) inventory. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of
      50 consecutive subjects diagnosed as per International Classification of Diseases
      10 criteria for substance abuse, fulfilling the inclusive and exclusive criteria
      were taken. A well-matched control was also assessed to compare the studied
      subject using a well-designed semi-structured proforma and PEN inventory.
      RESULTS: Most of the substance abusers were Hindus, married, belonged to 21-30
      age group and urban domicile, and were presently unemployed, educated up to
      middle class, and belonged to lower socioeconomic status. Family history of
      substance use was significant in the subjects, and the chief substance of use was
      opioids. Scores for psychoticism and neuroticism, as well as the criminal
      behavior was significantly higher in studied subjects. CONCLUSION: Thus,
      conclusions drawn were that personality characteristics of the substance abusers
      differed significantly from the control group and second, the number of variables
      including occupational status, socioeconomic status, family history of substance
      use, and type of substance of abuse significantly correlated with the criminal
      behavior in the substance abusers. Identifying these variables can be the first
      step in the intervention in substance abusers in order to reduce their future
      criminal behavior.

PMID- 26257482
TI  - Personality disorder, emotional intelligence, and locus of control of patients
      with alcohol dependence.
AB  - AIM: To assess personality disorder (PD), emotional intelligence (EI), and locus
      of control of alcohol dependent (AD) patients and its comparison with normal
      controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Based on purposive sampling technique, 33 AD
      patients were selected from the De-Addiction Ward of Ranchi Institute of Neuro
      Psychiatry and Allied Sciences (RINPAS) and 33 matched normal subjects were
      selected from Ranchi and nearby places. Both the groups were matched on various
      sociodemographic parameters, that is, age, gender, and socioeconomic level. All
      participants were assessed with Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III, Mangal
      EI Inventory, and Locus of Control scale. Obtained responses were scored by using
      standard scoring procedures and subsequently statistically analyzed by using Chi
      square test. RESULTS: AD patients have more comorbid pathological personality
      traits and disorders in comparison to their normal counterparts. Depressive,
      narcissistic, and paranoid PDs were prominent among AD group; followed by
      schizotypal, antisocial, negativistic, dependent, schizoid, sadistic,
      masochistic, and borderline PD. In comparison to normal participants, AD patients
      were significantly deficient in almost all the areas of EI and their locus of
      control was externally oriented. CONCLUSION: Patients with AD have significantly
      higher PDs, low EI, and an external orientation on the locus of control.
      Identification and management of these comorbid conditions are likely to improve
      the management and outcome of AD.

PMID- 26257483
TI  - Cognitive rehabilitation of attention and memory in depression.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cognitive deficits are an important component of depression and may
      remain impaired after recovery from depression. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the
      efficacy of cognitive rehabilitation in depression on cognitive dysfunction in
      the area of attention and memory. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was hospital
      based pre- and post-intervention with follow-up assessment design. Selection of
      the depressive patients was by purposive sampling. The sample size consists of 30
      intervention depressive patients included in the study after giving written
      informed consent. After preassessment, all patients underwent 15 sessions as part
      of cognitive rehabilitation. Postassessment was done to see the outcome of
      cognitive rehabilitation after 3 months follow-up. RESULTS: After the
      intervention, there was significant improvement in attention and memory area.
      Along with these deficits, their basic living skills were also improved.
      CONCLUSION: Cognitive rehabilitation techniques are useful in remediating
      cognitive dysfunction in the area of attention and memory in patients with
      depression.

PMID- 26257484
TI  - The relation between emotional intelligence and criminal behavior: A study among
      convicted criminals.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lack of emotional intelligence (EI) may lead to maladjustment and
      inability to achieve desired goals. A relationship between low levels of EI and
      crime has been proposed. AIM: The aim was to assess the relationship between EI
      and criminal behavior. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Study sample consisted of 202
      subjects, in whom 101 subjects were convicted offenders, and 101 were matched
      normal controls. Offender group comprised of individuals convicted for different
      crimes such as murder, rape, and robbery, selected from Birsa Munda Central Jail,
      Hotwar, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India based on purposive sampling. Sample of the
      normal control group was taken from Ranchi and nearby areas. All subjects gave
      informed consent for participating in the study. Both the groups were matched on
      age, gender, education, occupation, and marital status. All participants were
      assessed on General Health Questionnaire-12 and Mangal Emotional Intelligence
      Inventory (MEII). The results were analyzed using statistical package SPSS
      version 20. RESULTS: The group of convicted offenders obtained significantly
      lower scores on all the domains of MEII such as intrapersonal awareness (own
      emotions), interpersonal awareness (others emotions), intrapersonal management
      (own emotions) and interpersonal management (others emotions), and aggregate
      emotional quotient in comparison to their normal counterparts. CONCLUSION: The
      convicted offenders group had significantly lower EI compared to normal subjects.
      Starting EI enhancement program in prison can help the inmates better understand
      their feelings and emotions.

PMID- 26257485
TI  - Hazardous alcohol use among doctors in a Tertiary Health Center.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Doctors have been identified as one of the key agents in the
      prevention of alcohol-related harm, however, their level of use and attitudes
      toward alcohol will affect such role. AIM: This study is aimed at describing the
      pattern of alcohol use and the predictors of hazardous drinking among hospital
      doctors. SETTING: Study was conducted at the Ekiti State University Teaching
      Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey involving all the
      doctors in the teaching hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All the consenting
      clinicians completed a sociodemographic questionnaire and alcohol use was
      measured using the 10-item alcohol use disorder identification test (AUDIT) and
      psychological well-being was measured by the 12-item General Health Questionnaire
      (GHQ-12). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Statistical analyses were done using the
      Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 16. Chi-square tests with Yates
      correction were used to describe the relationship between respondent's
      characteristics and AUDIT scores as appropriate. RESULTS: There were a total of
      122 participants. Eighty-five (69.7%) of them were abstainers, 28 (23%) were
      moderate drinkers, and 9 (7.3%) hazardous drinkers. With the exception of age,
      there was no significant relationship between sociodemographic status, years of
      practice, specialty of practice, and hazardous alcohol use. Experiencing stress
      or GHQ score above average is significantly associated with hazardous drinking.
      CONCLUSION: Hazardous drinking among hospital doctors appears to be essentially a
      problem of the male gender, especially among those older than 40 years. Stress
      and other form of psychological distress seem to play a significant role in
      predicting hazardous drinking among doctors.

PMID- 26257486
TI  - Gender differences among suicide attempters attending a Crisis Intervention
      Clinic in South India.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Studying gender differences among suicide attempters
      is important for identifying gender-specific risk factors and for planning
      management and prevention. Our objective was to delineate gender differences
      among a well-defined group of suicide attempters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This
      record-based study was conducted among patients presenting to a Crisis
      Intervention Clinic in a Tertiary Care Hospital in South India. Information was
      gathered regarding sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Hopelessness
      was measured using Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), and stress was evaluated using
      Presumptive Stressful Life Events Scale (PSLES). RESULTS: The sample comprised of
      162 males and 137 females. Males were significantly older and were more likely to
      be employed as compared to females. Alcohol use was significantly more in males
      and number of men who attempted suicide under intoxication was significantly
      higher. Females had a greater proportion of attempts with the use of plant
      poisons and medication overdose. There was no significant difference between two
      genders on BHS though differences were noted on types of stresses reported on
      PSLES. CONCLUSION: Gender-specific differences were noted with regard to
      substance use, mode of attempt and types of stressors experienced. Identifying
      these factors might help us to design targeted interventions to prevent further
      attempts.

PMID- 26257487
TI  - Perceived stigma among attendees of psychiatric and nonpsychiatric outpatients
      department in an industrial township: A comparative study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION AND CONTEXT: Stigma associated with psychiatric disorders and few
      somatic disorders such as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), tuberculosis and
      leprosy, adversely effects treatment seeking behavior, leads to concealment, and
      poor compliance with treatment. In busy outpatient departments (OPDs), the issue
      of stigma is likely to be overlooked. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We carried out a
      cross-sectional study collecting data on an 8-item stigma scale from patients
      attending psychiatry and other OPDs of a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital in an
      industrial township. Information was collected by face to face interview from 400
      patients attending psychiatry OPD and 401 patients attending other OPDs.
      Validations of the scale were done by face, content, and construct validity.
      Reliability was appraised by Cronbach's alpha and Guttmann split-half
      coefficients. Significant differences in answers to the 8-item questionnaire were
      explored by Chi-square test for individual responses and Kruskal-Wallis test for
      difference in total stigma score. RESULTS: Patients attending psychiatry OPD
      consistently gave responses indicating a greater degree of perceived stigma than
      those attending OPD for somatic disorders. This difference was almost 3-4 times
      more on most of the items (P < 0.001). Among somatic disorders, stigma was
      highest (even higher than psychiatric disorders) among STDs, tuberculosis and
      leprosy patients among these and psychiatric disorders the score was almost 3
      times more compared to other somatic disorders (P < 0.001). The scale
      demonstrated good face, content, and construct validity. Reliability was also
      very high with Cronbach's alpha coefficient and Guttmann split-half reliability
      coefficient 0.932 and 0.901 indicating very good internal consistency of the 8
      item scale. CONCLUSION: Stigma was higher among STD patients, tuberculosis,
      leprosy, and psychiatry patients as compared to patients suffering from somatic
      disorders. Assessment of stigma among these groups of patients can help in
      planning management and intervention to deal with stigma. This in turn can
      improve patient compliance.

PMID- 26257488
TI  - Cavum septum pellucidum in a case of schizophrenia presenting with self
      mutilating behavior.
AB  - Cavum septum pellucidum (CSP) is a neurodevelopmental anomaly, which is commonly
      reported in schizophrenia patients. Various symptoms of schizophrenia, including
      thought disturbances have been associated with CSP. We present a rare case of
      undifferentiated schizophrenia with CSP who presented with self-mutilating
      behaviors. 

PMID- 26257489
TI  - Severe headache as a presenting complaint in sigmoid sinus thrombosis complicated
      by functional overlay.
AB  - An otherwise serious and potentially fatal organic condition may present with a
      co-existing strong functional component. We encountered a female patient who
      presented with bouts of severe headache over the occipital region, associated
      with blurring of vision. Initially, non-contrast computed tomography (CT) scan
      (Brain) showed normal study, and she was deemed as having functional symptoms.
      Later, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (Brain) showed filling defect in right
      sigmoid sinus and magnetic resonance (MR) venography confirmed right sigmoid
      sinus thrombosis. On adequate anticoagulation, she did not improve and still had
      bouts of severe headache, although no longer associated with impaired vision. The
      treating neurophysician concluded that symptoms could no longer be accounted for
      by the organic condition. Overt and covert psychosocial stressors were found to
      be present in a detailed psychological exploration. Psychological intervention
      effectively controlled the headache. Thus, functional overlay can complicate the
      clinical picture in a severe organic condition and may require active psychiatric
      intervention over and above medical treatment. 

PMID- 26257490
TI  - Multiple self-inserted pins and nails in pericardium in a patient of
      schizophrenia: Case report and review.
AB  - This report is the case of multiple self-inserted pins and nails in chest and
      pericardial cavity in a young male suffering from schizophrenia. This act of self
      mutilation was done to get relief from burning sensation in chest and
      palpitations. Review of the relevant literature revealed that self-inflicted
      intra-cardiac needle injuries occur mainly in young and middle-aged adults
      suffering from psychiatric disorders, commonly depression, schizophrenia, and
      substance use disorders. In one-fourth of the patients, it is due to deliberate
      self-harm. About 70% use a single needle but 30% may use multiple needles. Second
      attempts are rare. Majority of the patients (85%) are managed by surgery and
      recover from the injury. The condition has a low mortality rate of 5%. 

PMID- 26257491
TI  - Dissociative fugue: Recurrent episodes in a young adult.
AB  - Dissociative fugue is a rare disorder which has been described as sudden,
      unexpected, travel away from home or one's customary place of daily activities,
      with the inability to recall some or all of one's past. There is no systematic
      data existing on it and very few cases reported in the literature. Here we report
      a case of fugue in a young adult male who travelled 8 times away from his home
      during last 11/2 year. He has a loss of memory for episodes with patchy recall of
      few events. Longest duration of fugue episode was of 1-month. The case describes
      mode of presentation to hospital and treatment given to restore his identity and
      reunite him in society and family. 

PMID- 26257492
TI  - Irritable bowel syndrome and its psychological management.
AB  - Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a chronic and disabling gastrointestinal
      problem that affects psychosocial functioning as well as the quality of life.
      This case study reports the utility of cognitive behavior therapy as a
      psychological intervention procedure in a chronic case of IBS. The use of
      psychological intervention was found to result in a reduction of anxiety;
      amelioration of the symptoms associated with IBS and improved functioning. 

PMID- 26257493
TI  - Normal pressure hydrocephalus presenting as delusional disorder.
AB  - Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is caused by aqueductal stenosis resulting in
      syndrome of gait disturbance, cognitive impairment, and urinary incontinence.
      Late onset psychosis should be evaluated thoroughly to rule out any organic
      cause. We present the case of a female patient presenting with delusions, gait
      disturbances, urinary incontinence in her 50s. 

PMID- 26257494
TI  - Delusional parasitosis with folie a deux: A case series.
AB  - Delusional parasitosis (DP) is characterized by single hypochondriacal delusion
      in which patient feels he/she is infested with insects. The authors present a
      case series of three cases of DP with shared psychotic disorder (folie a deux) in
      which one individual developed a delusional belief in the context of a close
      relationship with another person or people who already had an established
      delusional idea. All patients of DP were assessed in the outpatient department of
      Psychiatry of a tertiary care hospital. Diagnosis of DP was made on detail
      clinical history and supporting clinical findings. All our primary cases had DP
      and the accompanying relatives of our patients had folie a deux as they shared
      the belief of parasite infestation which was firm and persisted despite evidence
      to the contrary. The primary cases of delusional parasitosis responded well to
      oral risperidone. The intensity of the belief in the secondary person also
      reduced with improvement in the symptoms of the patients. 

PMID- 26257495
TI  - Neuropsychological functioning in Wernicke's encephalopathy.
AB  - CONTEXT: Wernicke's encephalopathy (WE) is caused by thiamine (Vitamin B1)
      deficiency and most commonly found in chronic alcoholism and malnutrition.
      Clinically, the key features are mental status disturbances (global confusion),
      oculomotor abnormalities, and gait disturbances (ataxia). Apart from these
      clinical features, we can find deficits in neuropsychological functioning in
      patients with WE, which is more prominent after the improvement in the physical
      conditions. Neuropsychological functioning includes both basic cognitive
      processes (i.e., attention-concentration) as well as higher order cognitive
      processes (i.e., memory, executive functioning, reasoning), which is much vital
      for the maintenance of quality of life of an individual. However, unfortunately,
      in most of the cases, neuropsychological functioning is ignored by the
      clinicians. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study four case reports of WE have
      been presented. The patients were taken from the outdoor department of Mental
      Health Institute, S.C.B. Medical College, Cuttack, Odisha. Neuropsychological
      functioning was measured by administration of PGIBBD and Quality of Life was
      measured by WHO-QOL BREF Odia Version. DISCUSSION: As described in the
      literature, among the three cardinal signs (global confusion, ataxia, and ocular
      sings), the first two were present in all cases, but nystagmus was present in
      only two cases. Memory dysfunction was so disabling that the persons were unable
      to maintain a good Quality of Life and occupational impairment was prominent.
      There are disturbances in recent, remote memory, immediate recall, delayed
      recall, and attention and concentration, ultimately creating both physical and
      mental disability. PGI-BBD findings also suggest the overall impairment in
      neuropsychological functioning other than memory, that is, executive functioning,
      visual acuity, and depth perception. Findings of WHO-QOL BREF suggest the
      impairment of four domains of QOL in all the cases, but the severity level varies
      from person to person. CONCLUSION: Like the three cardinal features,
      neuropsychological dysfunction in WE should be given importance, which is a most
      vital component for the maintenance of QOL. As a result, the disability produced
      by this condition can be well managed.

PMID- 26257496
TI  - Undergraduate psychiatry education in India: Where do we stand on the crossroads?

PMID- 26257497
TI  - Peacekeeping operations: Challenges ahead.

PMID- 26257501
TI  - Fish remains as a source to reconstruct long-term changes of fish communities in
      the Austrian and Hungarian Danube.
AB  - The main objective of this paper is to investigate how archaeological fish
      remains and written historical records can contribute to the reconstruction of
      long-term developments of fish communities along the Austrian and Hungarian
      Danube. Although such approaches are sensitive to various factors, the
      chronological subdivision and relative quantification of proxy data demonstrate
      environmental and faunal changes from Prehistory onwards. Intensification of
      fisheries, decline of large specimens and massive exploitation of small and young
      fish point to increasing pressure along the chronological sequence towards Early
      Modern times. One result of this impact was the establishment of regulations and
      laws to protect such fish. At the same time, the rise of aquaculture and common
      carp cultivation can be viewed as another upshot of human impact on the Danube's
      environment. Finally, the massive import of salted marine fish reflects a
      compensation for the undersupply caused by overexploitation of the Danube fish
      fauna and points to the growing demand for fish as food in late medieval and
      Early Modern times.

PMID- 26257502
TI  - Historical change in fish species distribution: shifting reference conditions and
      global warming effects.
AB  - Species distributions models (SDM) that rely on estimated relationships between
      present environmental conditions and species presence-absence are widely used to
      forecast changes of species distributions caused by global warming but far less
      to reconstruct historical assemblages. By compiling historical fish data from the
      turn to the middle of the twentieth century in a similar way for several European
      catchments (Rhone, Danube), and using already published SDMs based on current
      observations, we: (1) tested the predictive accuracy of such models for past
      climatic conditions, (2) compared observed and expected cumulated historical
      species occurrences at sub-catchment level, and (3) compared the annual
      variability in the predictions within one sub-catchment (Salzach) under a future
      climate scenario to the long-term variability of occurrences reconstructed during
      an extended historical period (1800-2000). We finally discuss the potential of
      these SDMs to define a "reference condition", the possibility of a shift in
      baseline condition in relation with anthropogenic pressures, and past and future
      climate variability. The results of this study clearly highlight the potential of
      SDM to reconstruct the past composition of European fish assemblages and to
      analyze the historical ecological status of European rivers. Assessing the
      uncertainty associated with species distribution projections is of primary
      importance before evaluating and comparing the past and future distribution of
      species within a given catchment.

PMID- 26257503
TI  - STANDARDIZATION AND THE GROUP LASSO PENALTY.
AB  - We re-examine the original Group Lasso paper of Yuan and Lin (2007). The form of
      penalty in that paper seems to be designed for problems with uncorrelated
      features, but the statistical community has adopted it for general problems with
      correlated features. We show that for this general situation, a Group Lasso with
      a different choice of penalty matrix is generally more effective. We give insight
      into this formulation and show that it is intimately related to the uniformly
      most powerful invariant test for inclusion of a group. We demonstrate the
      efficacy of this method- the "standardized Group Lasso"- over the usual group
      lasso on real and simulated data sets. We also extend this to the Ridged Group
      Lasso to provide within group regularization as needed. We discuss a simple
      algorithm based on group-wise coordinate descent to fit both this standardized
      Group Lasso and Ridged Group Lasso.

PMID- 26257504
TI  - Penalized Q-Learning for Dynamic Treatment Regimens.
AB  - A dynamic treatment regimen incorporates both accrued information and long-term
      effects of treatment from specially designed clinical trials. As these trials
      become more and more popular in conjunction with longitudinal data from clinical
      studies, the development of statistical inference for optimal dynamic treatment
      regimens is a high priority. In this paper, we propose a new machine learning
      framework called penalized Q-learning, under which valid statistical inference is
      established. We also propose a new statistical procedure: individual selection
      and corresponding methods for incorporating individual selection within penalized
      Q-learning. Extensive numerical studies are presented which compare the proposed
      methods with existing methods, under a variety of scenarios, and demonstrate that
      the proposed approach is both inferentially and computationally superior. It is
      illustrated with a depression clinical trial study.

PMID- 26257505
TI  - Sensemaking Strategies for Ethical Decision-making.
AB  - The current study uses a sensemaking model and thinking strategies identified in
      earlier research to examine ethical decision-making. Using a sample of 163
      undergraduates, a low fidelity simulation approach is used to study the effects
      personal involvement (in causing the problem and personal involvement in
      experiencing the outcomes of the problem) could have on the use of cognitive
      reasoning strategies that have been shown to promote ethical decision-making. A
      mediated model is presented which suggests that environmental factors influence
      reasoning strategies, reasoning strategies influence sensemaking, and sensemaking
      in turn influences ethical decision-making. Findings were mixed but generally
      supported the hypothesized model. Interestingly, framing the outcomes of
      ethically charged situations in terms of more global organizational outcomes
      rather than personal outcomes was found to promote the use of pro-ethical
      cognitive reasoning strategies.

PMID- 26257506
TI  - Applying Cases to Solve Ethical Problems: The Significance of Positive and
      Process-Oriented Reflection.
AB  - This study examined the role of reflection on personal cases for making ethical
      decisions with regard to new ethical problems. Participants assumed the position
      of a business manager in a hypothetical organization and solved ethical problems
      that might be encountered. Prior to making a decision for the business problems,
      participants reflected on a relevant ethical experience. The findings revealed
      that application of material garnered from reflection on a personal experience
      was associated with decisions of higher ethicality. However, whether the case was
      viewed as positive or negative, and whether the outcomes, process, or outcomes
      and processes embedded in the experience were examined, influenced the
      application of case material to the new problem. As expected, examining positive
      experiences and the processes involved in those positive experiences resulted in
      greater application of case material to new problems. Future directions and
      implications for understanding ethical decision-making are discussed.

PMID- 26257507
TI  - A Qualitative Assessment of the Parenting Challenges and Treatment Needs of
      Mothers with Borderline Personality Disorder.
AB  - There are currently no empirically supported interventions to target parenting
      among mothers who have Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). The current study
      uses Consensus Qualitative Research (CQR) methodology to: I) learn about mothers'
      experiences of parenting with BPD, and II) identify treatment modifications to
      Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) as suggested by mothers with BPD who are
      currently engaged in DBT skills training. Twenty-three mothers were recruited
      from intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization programs that teach DBT
      skills. A total of 9 focus groups that met one time were conducted asking women a
      series of questions regarding their experiences of parenting with BPD and how
      they would modify DBT to address parenting issues. Using the CQR approach, we
      coded domains and categories that were discussed by mothers in the focus groups.
      Coding revealed that mothers with BPD wished parenting was integrated more in
      their current DBT skills groups. In addition, one of the most prominent themes to
      emerge was that parenting is particularly stressful to mothers with BPD and is
      associated with guilt, uncertainty, and worry. Finally, mothers offered many
      ideas for how to integrate parenting-focused interventions into DBT. The CQR
      method revealed gaps in current treatment for mothers with BPD and provided
      useful ideas for how to modify DBT to target parenting and integrate these
      modifications into other approaches for treating mothers with BPD.

PMID- 26257508
TI  - Monitoring Client Progress and Feedback in School-Based Mental Health.
AB  - Research in children's mental health has suggested that emotional and behavioral
      problems in are inextricably tied to academic difficulties. However, evidence
      based programs implemented in school-based mental health tend to focus primarily
      on treatment practices, with less explicit emphasis on components of evidence
      based assessment (EBA), such as progress monitoring and feedback. The current
      paper describes two studies that incorporated standardized assessment and
      progress monitoring/feedback into school-based mental health programs. Barriers
      to implementation are identified, recommendations for clinicians implementing EBA
      in the school setting are provided, and examples of mental health and academic
      indicators are discussed.

PMID- 26257509
TI  - Noninvasive intraocular pressure monitoring: current insights.
AB  - Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide and intraocular
      pressure (IOP) is currently its only modifiable risk factor. Peak IOP has for a
      long time been considered as a major contributor to glaucoma progression, but its
      effects may depend not only on its magnitude, but also on its time course. The
      IOP is nowadays considered to be a dynamic parameter with a circadian rhythm and
      spontaneous changes. The current practice of punctual measuring the IOP during
      office hours is therefore a suboptimal approach, which does not take into account
      the natural fluctuation of IOP. Because of its static nature a single IOP
      measurement in sitting position fails to document the true range of an
      individual's IOP, peak IOP, or variation throughout the day. Phasing means
      monitoring a patient's IOP during the daytime or over a 24-hour period. This can
      provide additional information in the management of glaucoma patients. This
      review focuses on the current insight of non-invasive IOP monitoring as a method
      of obtaining more complete IOP profiles. Invasive techniques using an implantable
      sensor are beyond the scope of this review. 

PMID- 26257510
TI  - Peripapillary choroidal thickness in healthy Turkish subjects.
AB  - AIM: The objective of the study reported here was to investigate the normal
      peripapillary choroidal thickness (CT), measured by enhanced depth imaging
      optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT), in healthy Turkish volunteers. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: In this prospective cross-sectional study, 57 eyes of 57 healthy
      Turkish subjects were enrolled. Each participant underwent a comprehensive
      ophthalmic examination and peripapillary CT measurement using EDI-OCT. RESULTS:
      The mean age of the 25 female and 32 male patients in the study was 30.9+/-10.6
      years (range, 18-56 years). The mean peripapillary CT at the superior, inferior,
      nasal, and temporal sites was 225+/-57, 183+/-47, 220+/-57, and 233+/-59 MUm,
      respectively. The inferior peripapillary CT value was significantly lower than
      the peripapillary CT values (P<0.001 for all), whereas no significant differences
      were found between the superior, nasal, and temporal peripapillary CT values.
      CONCLUSION: The findings of the study revealed that Turkish people had
      significantly lower peripapillary CT values in the inferior quadrant than in the
      superior, nasal, and temporal quadrants.

PMID- 26257511
TI  - Comparison of the pharmacokinetics and tolerability of HCP1004 (a fixed-dose
      combination of naproxen and esomeprazole strontium) and VIMOVO(r) (a marketed
      fixed-dose combination of naproxen and esomeprazole magnesium) in healthy
      volunteers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: HCP1004 is a newly developed fixed-dose combination of naproxen (500
      mg) and esomeprazole strontium (20 mg) that is used in the treatment of rheumatic
      diseases and can reduce the risk of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug
      associated ulcers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics
      (PK) and safety of HCP1004 compared to VIMOVO((r)) (a marketed fixed-dose
      combination of naproxen and esomeprazole magnesium). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: An
      open-label, randomized, two-treatment, two-sequence crossover, single-dose
      clinical study was conducted in 70 healthy volunteers. In each period, a
      reference (VIMOVO((r))) or test (HCP1004) drug was administered orally, and
      serial blood samples for PK analysis were collected up to 72 hours after dosing.
      To evaluate the PK profiles, the maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) and the area
      under the concentration-time curve from 0 to the last measurable time (AUC0-t)
      were estimated using a noncompartmental method. Safety profiles were evaluated
      throughout the study. RESULTS: Sixty-six of the 70 subjects completed the study.
      The Cmax (mean +/- standard deviation) and AUC0-t (mean +/- standard deviation)
      for naproxen in HCP1004 were 61.67 +/- 15.16 ug/mL and 1,206.52 +/- 166.46 h .
      ug/mL, respectively; in VIMOVO((r)); these values were 61.85 +/- 14.54 ug/mL and
      1,211.44 +/- 170.01 h . ug/mL, respectively. The Cmax and AUC0-t for esomeprazole
      in HCP1004 were 658.21 +/- 510.91 ng/mL and 1,109.11 +/- 1,111.59 h . ng/mL,
      respectively; for VIMOVO((r)), these values were 595.09 +/- 364.23 ng/mL and
      1,015.12 +/- 952.98 h . ng/mL, respectively. The geometric mean ratios and 90%
      confidence intervals (CIs) (HCP1004 to VIMOVO((r))) of the Cmax and AUC0-t of
      naproxen were 0.99 (0.94-1.06) and 1.00 (0.98-1.01), respectively. For
      esomeprazole, the geometric mean ratios (90% CI) for the Cmax and AUC0-t were
      0.99 (0.82-1.18) and 1.04 (0.91-1.18), respectively. The overall results of the
      safety assessment showed no clinically significant issues for either treatment.
      CONCLUSION: The PK of HCP1004 500/20 mg was comparable to that of VIMOVO((r))
      500/20 mg for both naproxen and esomeprazole after a single oral dose. Both drugs
      were well-tolerated without any safety issues.

PMID- 26257514
TI  - Supporting self-management of type 2 diabetes: is there a role for the community
      pharmacist?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Evidence supports the efficacy of pharmacy services in type 2
      diabetes (T2D). However, little is known about consumer perspectives on the role
      of community pharmacists in diabetes care. The objectives of this study were to
      identify potential unmet needs and explore preferences for pharmacist-delivered
      support for T2D. METHODS: A qualitative study using focus groups was conducted in
      Sydney, Australia. Patients with T2D who were members of the Australian Diabetes
      Council in Sydney, Australia, were recruited through a survey on medication use
      in T2D. Five focus groups with a total of 32 consumers with T2D were recorded,
      transcribed, and thematically analyzed. RESULTS: The key themes were 1) the
      experiences of diabetes services received, 2) the potential to deliver self
      management services, and 3) the suggested role of pharmacist in supporting
      diabetes management. Gaps in understanding and some degree of nonadherence to
      self-management signaled a potential for self-management support delivered by
      pharmacists. However, consumers still perceive that the main role of pharmacists
      in diabetes care centers on drug management services, with some enhancements to
      support adherence and continuity of supply. Barriers to diabetes care services
      included time constraints and a perceived lack of interest by pharmacists.
      CONCLUSION: Given the unmet needs in diabetes self-management, opportunities
      exist for pharmacists to be involved in diabetes care. The challenge is for
      pharmacists to upgrade their diabetes knowledge and skills, organize their
      workflow, and become proactive in delivering diabetes care support.

PMID- 26257512
TI  - Understanding the cross-resistance of oseltamivir to H1N1 and H5N1 influenza A
      neuraminidase mutations using multidimensional computational analyses.
AB  - This study embarks on a comprehensive description of the conformational
      contributions to resistance of neuraminidase (N1) in H1N1 and H5N1 to
      oseltamivir, using comparative multiple molecular dynamic simulations. The
      available data with regard to elucidation of the mechanism of resistance as a
      result of mutations in H1N1 and H5N1 neuraminidases is not well established.
      Enhanced post-dynamic analysis, such as principal component analysis, solvent
      accessible surface area, free binding energy calculations, and radius of gyration
      were performed to gain a precise insight into the binding mode and origin of
      resistance of oseltamivir in H1N1 and H5N1 mutants. Three significant features
      reflecting resistance in the presence of mutations H274Y and I222K, of the
      protein complexed with the inhibitor are: reduced flexibility of the alpha-carbon
      backbone; an improved DeltaEele of ~15 (kcal/mol) for H1N1 coupled with an
      increase in DeltaGsol (~13 kcal/mol) from wild-type to mutation; a low binding
      affinity in comparison with the wild-type of ~2 (kcal/mol) and ~7 (kcal/mol) with
      respect to each mutation for the H5N1 systems; and reduced hydrophobicity of the
      overall surface structure due to an impaired hydrogen bonding network. We believe
      the results of this study will ultimately provide a useful insight into the
      structural landscape of neuraminidase-associated binding of oseltamivir.
      Furthermore, the results can be used in the design and development of potent
      inhibitors of neuraminidases. 

PMID- 26257513
TI  - CTGF siRNA ameliorates tubular cell apoptosis and tubulointerstitial fibrosis in
      obstructed mouse kidneys in a Sirt1-independent manner.
AB  - Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) plays an important role in the
      pathogenesis and progression of chronic kidney disease. Connective tissue growth
      factor (CTGF) is a critical fibrogenic mediator of TGF-beta1. Mammalian sirtuin 1
      (Sirt1) is reported to attenuate renal fibrosis by inhibiting the TGF-beta1
      pathway. This study was designed to detect whether the delivery of CTGF siRNA in
      vivo directly ameliorates renal fibrosis. Furthermore, the relationship with
      Sirt1 underlying the protective effect of CTGF siRNA on interstitial fibrosis and
      apoptosis was explored. Here, we report that the expressions of CTGF and TGF
      beta1 were increased while Sirt1 expression and activity were both dramatically
      decreased in mouse kidneys with unilateral ureteral obstruction. Recombinant
      human TGF-beta1 treatment in HK-2 cells increased CTGF levels and remarkably
      decreased Sirt1 levels and was accompanied by apoptosis and release of fibrosis
      related factors. Recombinant human CTGF stimulation also directly induced
      apoptosis and fibrosis. The CTGF siRNA plasmid ameliorated tubular cell apoptosis
      and tubulointerstitial fibrosis, but did not affect Sirt1 expression and activity
      both in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, overexpression of Sirt1 abolished TGF
      beta1-induced cell apoptosis and fibrosis, while Sirt1 overexpression suppressed
      CTGF expression via stimulation by TGF-beta1. This study provides evidence that
      treatment strategies involving the delivery of siRNA targeting potentially
      therapeutic transgenes may be efficacious. Our results suggest that the decrease
      in Sirt1 is associated with the upregulated expression of CTGF in renal fibrosis,
      and may aid in the design of new therapies for the prevention of renal fibrosis. 

PMID- 26257515
TI  - Development and evaluation of the Measure of Drug Self-Management.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Current adherence scales often fail to assess the full spectrum of
      behaviors associated with safe and appropriate drug use and may be unsuitable for
      patients with limited health literacy. We sought to develop and evaluate a
      comprehensive yet brief Measure of Drug Self-Management (MeDS) for use in
      research and clinical settings among diverse patient groups. METHODS: Expert
      opinion, literature reviews, and interviews with patients and providers were
      utilized to create and revise potential items. Item performance testing was then
      conducted among 193 adult English-speaking patients with hypertension and
      diabetes. Factor analysis was used to inform item selection. Reliability was
      assessed via calculations of internal consistency. To assess construct and
      predictive validity, MeDS scores were compared with scores from the 8-item
      Morisky Medication Adherence Scale and relevant clinical measures (HbA1c, blood
      pressure, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol). RESULTS: The MeDS
      demonstrated adequate internal consistency with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.72. The
      MeDS was significantly correlated with the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (r=
      -0.62; P<0.001). The MeDS was also associated with clinical measures, with
      statistically significant correlations found between MeDS scores and low-density
      lipoprotein cholesterol (r= -0.27, P<=0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (r= 
      0.18, P=0.01). CONCLUSION: The MeDS seems to be a valid and reliable tool that
      can be used to assess medication self-management skills among diverse patients,
      including those with limited literacy skills. Future studies are needed to test
      the tool in actual use and explore clinical applications.

PMID- 26257516
TI  - Light-chain cardiac amyloidosis with neuropathy: a case report.
AB  - Light-chain amyloidosis is a relatively rare multisystem disorder. The disease
      often is normally difficult to diagnose due to its broad range of characters
      without specific symptoms. A 62-year-old male patient presented with heart
      failure after experiencing a long period of unexplained and untreated
      gastrointestinal symptoms. Clinical examination and laboratory findings indicated
      a systemic process with cardiac involvement. Echocardiography revealed concentric
      left ventricular hypertrophy with enhanced echogenicity and preserved ejection
      fraction. Rectum biopsy confirmed amyloid deposition. The side effect of delayed
      diagnosis on prognosis and the appropriate diagnostic strategy has been
      discussed. 

PMID- 26257517
TI  - Prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among patients with systemic
      arterial hypertension without respiratory symptoms.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is
      often delayed until later stages of the disease. The purpose of the present study
      was to determine the prevalence of COPD among adults on treatment for systemic
      arterial hypertension independently of the presence of respiratory symptoms.
      METHODS: This cross-sectional study included adults aged >=40 years with
      tobacco/occupational exposure and systemic arterial hypertension diagnosed at
      three Primary Health Care facilities in Goiania, Brazil. Patients were evaluated
      using a standardized respiratory questionnaire and spirometry. COPD prevalence
      was measured considering the value of forced vital capacity and/or forced
      expiratory volume in 1 second <0.70. RESULTS: Of a total of 570 subjects, 316
      (55%) met inclusion criteria and were invited to participate. Two hundred and
      thirty-three (73.7%) patients with arterial hypertension reported at least one
      respiratory symptom, while 83 (26.3%) reported no respiratory symptoms; 41
      (17.6%) patients with arterial hypertension and at least one respiratory symptom,
      and 10 (12%) patients with arterial hypertension but no respiratory symptoms were
      diagnosed with COPD (P=0.24). The prevalence of COPD in people with no previous
      COPD diagnosis was greater among those with no respiratory symptoms (100%) than
      among those with respiratory symptoms (56.1%) (P=0.01). CONCLUSION: Our findings
      suggest that regardless of the presence of respiratory symptoms, individuals aged
      >=40 years with tobacco/occupational exposure and arterial hypertension may
      benefit from spirometric evaluation.

PMID- 26257518
TI  - Construction and characterization of an anti-CD20 mAb nanocomb with exceptionally
      excellent lymphoma-suppressing activity.
AB  - The CD20-directed monoclonal antibody rituximab (RTX) established a new era in
      the treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL); however, suboptimal response and/or
      resistance to RTX still limit its clinical merits. Although four effector
      mechanisms are validated to participate in CD20-based immunotherapy, including
      complement-dependent cytotoxicity, antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity,
      caspase-dependent apoptosis, and lysosome-mediated programmed cell death (PCD),
      they could hardly be synchronously activated by any anti-CD20 mAb or mAb
      derivative until now. Herein, a novel mAb nanocomb (polyethylenimine polymer-RTX
      tositumomab [PPRT nanocomb]) was firstly constructed through mass arming two
      different anti-CD20 mAbs (RTX and tositumomab) to one polymer by nanotechnology.
      Comparing with free mAbs, PPRT nanocomb possesses a comparable binding ability
      and reduced "off-rate" to surface CD20 of NHL cells. When treated by PPRT
      nanocomb, the caspase-dependent apoptosis was remarkably enhanced except for
      concurrently eliciting complement-dependent cytotoxicity, antibody-dependent cell
      mediated cytotoxicity, and lysosome-mediated PCD. Besides, "cross-cell link"
      assisted homotypic adhesion by PPRT nanocomb further enhanced the susceptibility
      to PCD of lymphoma cells. Pharmacokinetic assays revealed that PPRT nanocomb
      experienced a relatively reduced clearance from peripheral blood compared with
      free antibodies. With the cooperation of all the abovementioned superiorities,
      PPRT nanocomb exhibits exceptionally excellent in vivo antitumor activities in
      both disseminated and localized human NHL xenotransplant models. 

PMID- 26257519
TI  - A curcumin-loaded liquid crystal precursor mucoadhesive system for the treatment
      of vaginal candidiasis.
AB  - Women often develop vaginal infections that are caused primarily by organisms of
      the genus Candida. The current treatments of vaginal candidiasis usually involve
      azole-based antifungals, though fungal resistance to these compounds has become
      prevalent. Therefore, much attention has been given to molecules with antifungal
      properties from natural sources, such as curcumin (CUR). However, CUR has poor
      solubility in aqueous solvents and poor oral bioavailability. This study
      attempted to overcome this problem by developing, characterizing, and evaluating
      the in vitro antifungal action of a CUR-loaded liquid crystal precursor
      mucoadhesive system (LCPM) for vaginal administration. A low-viscosity LCPM (F)
      consisting of 40% wt/wt polyoxpropylene-(5)-polyoxyethylene-(20)-cetyl alcohol,
      50% wt/wt oleic acid, and 10% wt/wt chitosan dispersion at 0.5% with the addition
      of 16% poloxamer 407 was developed to take advantage of the lyotropic phase
      behavior of this formulation. Notably, F could transform into liquid crystal
      systems when diluted with artificial vaginal mucus at ratios of 1:3 and 1:1
      (wt/wt), resulting in the formation of F30 and F100, respectively. Polarized
      light microscopy and rheological studies revealed that F behaved like an
      isotropic formulation, whereas F30 and F100 behaved like an anisotropic liquid
      crystalline system (LCS). Moreover, F30 and F100 presented higher mucoadhesion to
      porcine vaginal mucosa than F. The analysis of the in vitro activity against
      Candida albicans revealed that CUR-loaded F was more potent against standard and
      clinical strains compared with a CUR solution. Therefore, the vaginal
      administration of CUR-loaded LCPMs represents a promising platform for the
      treatment of vaginal candidiasis. 

PMID- 26257520
TI  - Ongoing ethical issues concerning authorship in biomedical journals: an
      integrative review.
AB  - Health professionals publishing within the field of health sciences continue to
      experience issues concerning appropriate authorship, which have clinical,
      ethical, and academic implications. This integrative review sought to explore the
      key issues concerning authorship from a bioethical standpoint, aiming to explore
      the key features of the authorship debate. Studies were identified through an
      electronic search, using the PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied
      Health Literature (CINAHL), and Scopus databases of peer-reviewed research,
      published between 2009 and 2014, limited to English language research, with
      search terms developed to reflect the current issues of authorship. From among
      the 279 papers identified, 20 research papers met the inclusion criteria.
      Findings were compiled and then arranged to identify themes and relationships.
      The review incorporated a wide range of authorship issues encompassing equal
      credited authors, honorary (guest/gift) and ghost authorship,
      perception/experiences of authorship, and guidelines/policies. This review
      suggests that the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors' (ICMJE)
      recommended guidelines for authorship are not reflected in current authorship
      practices within the domain of health sciences in both low-and high-impact-factor
      journals. This devaluing of the true importance of authorship has the potential
      to affect the validity of authorship, diminish the real contributions of the true
      authors, and negatively affect patient care. 

PMID- 26257521
TI  - Numerical optimization of targeted delivery of charged nanoparticles to the
      ostiomeatal complex for treatment of rhinosinusitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite the prevalence of rhinosinusitis that affects 10%-15% of the
      population, current inhalation therapy shows limited efficacy. Standard devices
      deliver <5% of the drugs to the sinuses due to the complexity of nose structure,
      secluded location of the sinus, poor ventilation, and lack of control of particle
      motions inside the nasal cavity. METHODS: An electric-guided delivery system was
      developed to guide charged particles to the ostiomeatal complex (OMC). Its
      performance was numerically assessed in an MRI-based nose-sinus model. Key design
      variables related to the delivery device, drug particles, and patient breathing
      were determined using sensitivity analysis. A two-stage optimization of design
      variables was conducted to obtain the best performance of the delivery system
      using the Nelder-Mead algorithm. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The OMC delivery system
      exhibited high sensitivity to the applied electric field and electrostatic
      charges carried by the particles. Through the synthesis of electric guidance and
      point drug release, the new delivery system eliminated particle deposition in the
      nasal valve and turbinate regions and significantly enhanced the OMC doses. An
      OMC delivery efficiency of 72.4% was obtained with the optimized design, which is
      one order of magnitude higher than the standard nasal devices. Moreover,
      optimization is imperative to achieve a sound delivery protocol because of the
      large number of design variables. The OMC dose increased from 45.0% in the
      baseline model to 72.4% in the optimized system. The optimization framework
      developed in this study can be easily adapted for the delivery of drugs to other
      sites in the nose such as the ethmoid sinus and olfactory region.

PMID- 26257522
TI  - Dual-functional c(RGDyK)-decorated Pluronic micelles designed for
      antiangiogenesis and the treatment of drug-resistant tumor.
AB  - Dual-functional drug delivery system was developed by decorating c(RGDyK) (cyclic
      RGD [arginine-glycine-aspartic acid] peptide) with Pluronic polymeric micelles
      (c[RGDyK]-FP-DP) to overcome the drawbacks of low transport of chemotherapeutics
      across the blood-tumor barrier and poor multidrug-resistant (MDR) tumor therapy.
      c(RGDyK) that can bind to the integrin protein richly expressed at the site of
      tumor vascular endothelial cells and tumor cells with high affinity and
      specificity was conjugated to the N-hydroxysuccinimide-activated PEO terminus of
      the Pluronic F127 block copolymer. In this study, decreased tumor angiogenic and
      increased apoptotic activity in MDR cancer cells were observed after the
      treatment with c(RGDyK)-FP-DP. c(RGDyK)-FP-DP was fully characterized in terms of
      morphology, particle size, zeta potential, and drug release. Importantly, in
      vitro antiangiogenesis results demonstrated that c(RGDyK)-FP-DP had a significant
      inhibition effect on the tubular formation of human umbilical vein endothelial
      cells and promoted cellular apoptotic activity in MDR KBv cells. In addition, the
      growth inhibition efficacy of KBv tumor spheroids after crossing the blood-tumor
      barrier was obviously increased by c(RGDyK)-FP-DP compared to other control
      groups. Results suggested that c(RGDyK)-decorated Pluronic polymeric micelles can
      take pharmacological action on both human umbilical vein endothelial cells and
      KBv MDR cancer cells, resulting in a dual-functional anticancer effect similar to
      that observed in our in vitro cellular studies. 

PMID- 26257523
TI  - Association between toll-like receptor 4 expression and symptoms of major
      depressive disorder.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In our previous study, toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) mRNA expression
      level was associated with severity of major depressive disorder (MDD) evaluated
      with the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17). However, there are
      few studies that have investigated the relationship between symptoms of MDD and
      changes in TLR4 expression. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to
      further analyze the association between subscales of HAMD-17 and TLR4. METHODS:
      Fifty-one patients with MDD (15 male and 36 female) participated in this study.
      HAMD-17 was used to assess the symptoms of major depression. The mRNA expression
      levels of TLR4 were examined in parallel with a housekeeping gene, using real
      time polymerase chain reaction. A stepwise linear regression forward model was
      used to evaluate the relationships between items of HAMD-17 and TLR4 expression.
      RESULTS: Some sickness behavior-associated symptoms, including suicide, somatic
      symptoms of anxiety, or performance of work and activities, were not associated
      with TLR4 expression. However, psychological signs of anxiety and loss of weight
      in HAMD-17 can predict the expression level of TLR4. CONCLUSION: Our results
      suggest a significant association between anxiety, body weight loss, and TLR4
      mRNA levels in patients with MDD. Larger longitudinal studies combining both
      subjective and objective measures of depression are needed to clarify the link
      between TLR4 and symptoms of depression.

PMID- 26257525
TI  - Determination and validation of mTOR kinase-domain 3D structure by homology
      modeling.
AB  - The AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is considered as one of the
      commonly activated and deregulated signaling pathways in human cancer. mTOR is
      associated with other proteins in two molecular complexes: mTOR complex 1/Raptor
      and the mTOR complex 2/Rictor. Using the crystal structure of the related lipid
      kinase PI3Kgamma, we built a model of the catalytic region of mTOR. The modeling
      of the three-dimensional (3D) structure of the mTOR was performed by homology
      modeling program SWISS-MODEL. The quality and validation of the obtained model
      were performed using PROCHECK and PROVE softwares. The overall stereochemical
      property of the protein was assessed by the Ramachandran plot. The model
      validation was also done by docking of known inhibitors. In this paper, we
      describe and validate a 3D model for the mTOR catalytic site. 

PMID- 26257526
TI  - The role of (18)F-FDG PET/CT imaging in patient with malignant PEComa treated
      with mTOR inhibitor.
AB  - Malignant perivascular epithelioid cell tumor (malignant PEComa) is a rare
      disease for which the diagnostic criteria and treatment options have not been
      established. Since PEComa is associated with upregulation of mammalian target of
      rapamycin (mTOR) pathway which controls Glut-1 (glucose transporter) function,
      increased (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG) uptake may indicate the over
      activation of mTOR pathway and may guide selectively inhibiting mTOR pathway
      treatment. We report a malignant PEComa patient who presented for (18)F-FDG
      positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) restaging. The tumor
      had shown significant avidity on PET/CT as well as an evident response to
      sirolimus (rapamycin, RapamuneTM) that supports the utility of mTOR inhibitors as
      an effective treatment for malignant PEComa. Therefore, (18)F-FDG PET/CT is
      helpful in restaging and guiding treatment for malignant PEComa with mTOR
      inhibitors. 

PMID- 26257527
TI  - A comparison of MRI tissue relaxometry and ROI methods used to determine regional
      brain iron concentrations in restless legs syndrome.
AB  - PURPOSE: Magnetic resonance imaging relaxometry studies differed on the
      relaxometry methods and their approaches to determining the regions of interest
      (ROIs) in restless legs syndrome (RLS) patients. These differences could account
      for the variable and inconsistent results found across these studies. The aim of
      this study was to assess the relationship between the different relaxometry
      methods and different ROI approaches using each of these methods on a single
      population of controls and RLS subjects. METHODS: A 3.0-T magnetic resonance
      imaging with the gradient-echo sampling of free induction decay and echo pulse
      sequence was used. The regional brain "iron concentrations" were determined using
      three relaxometry metrics (R2, R2*, and R2') through two different ROI methods.
      The substantia nigra (SN) was the primary ROI with red nucleus, caudate, putamen,
      and globus pallidus as the secondary ROIs. RESULTS: Thirty-seven RLS patients and
      40 controls were enrolled. The iron concentration as determined by R2 did not
      correlate with either of the other two methods, while R2* and R2' showed strong
      correlations, particularly for the substantia nigra and red nucleus. In the fixed
      shape ROI method, the RLS group showed a lower iron index compared to the control
      group in the substantia nigra and several other regions. With the semi-automated
      ROI method, however, only the red nucleus showed a significant difference between
      the two groups. CONCLUSION: Both the relaxometry and ROI determination methods
      significantly influenced the outcome of studies that used these methods to
      estimate regional brain iron concentrations.

PMID- 26257528
TI  - Observational longitudinal study of symptom burden and time for recovery from
      community-acquired pneumonia reported by older adults surveyed nationwide using
      the CAP Burden of Illness Questionnaire.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Millions of older adults who develop community-acquired pneumonia
      (CAP) each year survive, but there is a large knowledge gap on the burden of CAP
      and the recovery process in survivors from the patient perspective. METHODS: The
      newly developed CAP Burden of Illness Questionnaire was administered through a
      Web survey to a nationwide sample of US adults aged >=50 years who were recently
      diagnosed with CAP. Survey respondents with unresolved symptoms or other CAP
      related health problems completed a second survey 30 days later; a third survey
      was completed another 30 days later by respondents with unresolved symptoms or
      problems. Nationally representative results describing the average time to
      recovery of symptoms and other CAP-related problems were achieved using post
      stratification weights. RESULTS: Five hundred participants completed the initial
      survey. The time to resolution for the CAP symptoms of weakness, shortness of
      breath, and tiredness exceeded 3 weeks on average. There was an average of 13
      days of absenteeism, and 3 weeks (mean =21 days) before achieving full
      work/activity productivity after CAP. For participants with health conditions
      that worsened from pneumonia, chronic emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary
      disease took the longest to return to baseline (mean =60 and 52.4 days,
      respectively). CONCLUSION: The results from this study demonstrate that older
      adults surviving a CAP episode experience a significant multi-symptom illness
      with long recovery periods to achieve pre-CAP health and productivity. These
      findings highlight the need for further research on effective clinician-patient
      communication, the need for patient-centered outcomes in clinical trials for CAP
      therapeutics, adequate home care during the recovery process, and the pursuit of
      CAP prevention strategies.

PMID- 26257529
TI  - Is it fair for a junior doctor's deanery to be largely based on one test: a
      student's perspective.
AB  - The manner in which UK medical students are allocated foundation jobs is a
      controversial system. As medical students in the UK, we are subject to this
      system and have found students and junior doctors have varying opinions on it.
      Ultimately this led us to question, is this is a fair system? 

PMID- 26257524
TI  - Bridging the gap between education and appropriate use of benzodiazepines in
      psychiatric clinical practice.
AB  - More than half a century after their discovery, benzodiazepines (BDZs) still
      represent one of the largest and most widely prescribed groups of psychotropic
      compounds, not only in clinical psychiatry but also in the entire medical field.
      Over the last two decades, however, there has been an increased focus on the
      development of antidepressants and antipsychotics on the part of the
      pharmaceutical industry, clinicians, and researchers, with a reduced interest in
      BDZs, in spite of their widespread clinical use. As a consequence, many
      psychiatric residents, medical students, nurses, and other mental health
      professionals might receive poor academic teaching and training regarding these
      agents, and have the false impression that BDZs represent an outdated chapter in
      clinical psychopharmacology. However, recent advances in the field, including
      findings concerning epidemiology, addiction risk, and drug interactions, as well
      as the introduction of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,
      Fifth Edition with related diagnostic changes, strongly encourage an updated
      appraisal of the use of BDZs in clinical practice. During a recent thematic event
      convened with the aim of approaching this topic in a critical manner, a group of
      young Italian psychiatrists attempted to highlight possible flaws in current
      teaching pathways, identify the main clinical pros and cons regarding current use
      of BDZs in clinical practice, and provide an updated overview of their use across
      specific clinical areas and patient populations. The main results are presented
      and discussed in this review. 

PMID- 26257530
TI  - Introduction for Proceedings volume of 16(th) International Congress of
      Myriapodology.

PMID- 26257531
TI  - Type specimens of centipedes (Myriapoda, Chilopoda) in the National Museum,
      Prague (Czech Republic).
AB  - The centipede collection in the National Museum in Prague contains type material
      of 16 taxa (14 species and two subspecies), of which 15 were described by Ludek
      J. Dobroruka and one by Karl W. Verhoeff: Allothereuawilsonae Dobroruka, 1979;
      Chinobiusalenae Dobroruka, 1980; Lithobiuscorrigendus Dobroruka, 1988;
      Lithobiuscreticus Dobroruka, 1977; Lithobiuserythrocephalusmohelensis Dobroruka,
      1959; Lithobiusevae Dobroruka, 1958; Lithobiusmagurensis Dobroruka, 1971;
      Lithobiuspurkynei Dobroruka, 1957; Lithobiustatricus Dobroruka, 1958;
      Lithobiustatricusmonounguis Dobroruka, 1958; Monotarsobiushomolaci Dobroruka,
      1971; Monotarsobiuskrali Dobroruka, 1979; Pachymeriumdilottiae Dobroruka, 1976;
      Pachymeriumhanzaki Dobroruka, 1976; Scolopendraaztecorum Verhoeff, 1934 and
      Strigamiaolympica Dobroruka, 1977. Of these 16 taxa, five were described from the
      Czech Republic, three from Slovakia and eight from other countries (Greece, Iraq,
      Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, Nepal, Russia and Uzbekistan). The eight taxa described from
      the Czech and Slovak Republics are now considered as junior synonyms but the
      eight taxa described from the other countries are still valid. 

PMID- 26257532
TI  - First results of the German Barcode of Life (GBOL) - Myriapoda project: Cryptic
      lineages in German Stenotaenialinearis (Koch, 1835) (Chilopoda, Geophilomorpha).
AB  - As part of the German Barcode of Life (GBOL) Myriapoda program, which aims to
      sequence the COI barcoding fragment for 2000 specimens of Germany's 200 myriapod
      species in the near future, 44 sequences of the centipede order Geophilomorpha
      are analyzed. The analyses are limited to the genera Geophilus Leach, 1814 and
      Stenotaenia Koch, 1847 and include a total of six species. A special focus is
      Stenotaenia, of which 19 specimens from southern, western and eastern Germany
      could be successfully sequenced. The Stenotaenia data shows the presence of three
      to four vastly different (13.7-16.7% p-distance) lineages of the genus in
      Germany. At least two of the three lineages show a wide distribution across
      Germany, only the lineage including topotypes of Stenotaenialinearis shows a more
      restricted distribution in southern Germany. In a maximum likelihood phylogenetic
      analysis the Italian species Stenotaenia 'sorrentina' (Attems, 1903) groups with
      the different German Stenotaenialinearis clades. The strongly different
      Stenotaenialinearis lineages within Germany, independent of geography, are a
      strong hint for the presence of additional, cryptic Stenotaenia species in
      Germany. 

PMID- 26257533
TI  - Molecular-based estimate of species number, phylogenetic relationships and
      divergence times for the genus Stenotaenia (Chilopoda, Geophilomorpha) in the
      Italian region.
AB  - Stenotaenia is one of the largest and most widespread genera of geophilid
      centipedes in the Western Palearctic, with a very uniform morphology and about
      fifteen species provisionally recognized. For a better understanding of
      Stenotaenia species-level taxonomy, we have explored the possibility of using
      molecular data. As a preliminary assay, we sampled twelve populations, mainly
      from the Italian region, and analyzed partial sequences of the two genes COI and
      28S. We employed a DNA-barcoding approach, complemented by a phylogenetic
      analysis coupled with divergence time estimation. Assuming a barcoding gap of 10
      16% K2P pairwise distances, we found evidence for the presence of at least six
      Stenotaenia species in the Italian region, which started diverging about 50
      million years ago, only partially matching with previously recognized species. We
      found that small-sized oligopodous species belong to a single clade that
      originated about 33 million years ago, and obtained some preliminary evidence of
      the related genus Tuoba being nested within Stenotaenia. 

PMID- 26257534
TI  - Steps towards a phylogeny of the pill millipedes: non-monophyly of the family
      Protoglomeridae, with an integrative redescription of Eupeyerimhoffiaarchimedis
      (Diplopoda, Glomerida).
AB  - Eupeyerimhoffiaarchimedis (Strasser, 1965) is redescribed based on several
      specimens collected at a number of sites close to the type locality on Sicily,
      Italy. Scanning electron microscopy is used to illustrate several unusual
      morphological characters for a member of the Glomerida for the first time. A
      fragment of the mitochondrial COI gene (668bp) is sequenced for the first time in
      Eupeyerimhoffia to provide a species-specific barcode and to gain first insights
      into the genetic distances between the genera in the widespread family
      Protoglomeridae. The novel sequences are compared to representatives of all other
      genera of the family: Protoglomerisvasconica (Brolemann, 1897) from northern
      Spain, the dwarfed Glomerellinalaurae Silvestri, 1908 from Italy and
      Glomeroidesprimus (Silvestri, 1929) from western North America. The addition of
      COI sequences from the two other families of the Glomerida renders the family
      Protoglomeridae paraphyletic with Glomeroidesprimus being more closely related to
      Glomeridellaminima (Latzel, 1884) than to the other genera in the family. The
      large genetic distances (13.2-16.8%) between Eupeyerimhoffia and the other genera
      in the order, as well as its unusual morphological characters, including unique
      morphological adaptations to roll into a ball, are probably an indication of the
      old age of the group. 

PMID- 26257535
TI  - Species limits and phylogeography of Newportia (Scolopendromorpha) and
      implications for widespread morphospecies.
AB  - The genus Newportia Gervais, 1847, includes some 60 nominal species distributed
      in the Caribbean islands and from Mexico to central South America. Modern keys to
      species and subspecies are available, greatly facilitating identification, but
      some species are based on few specimens and have incomplete documentation of
      taxonomically-informative characters. In order to explore genetic variability and
      evolutionary relationships within geographically-widespread morphospecies,
      specimens of Newportia (Newportia) stolli (Pocock, 1896) and Newportia
      (Newportia) divergens Chamberlin, 1922, two nominal species distinguished
      principally by differences in suture patterns on T1, were sequenced for
      mitochondrial 16S rRNA and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) genes from
      populations in southern Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and Brazil. Newportia
      (Newportia) stolli is paraphyletic with respect to Newportia (Newportia)
      divergens within a clade from Guatemala, Honduras, and Chiapas (Mexico), most
      trees being consistent with a single loss of a connection between the anterior
      transverse suture on T1, whereas specimens of "Newportia (Newportia) stolli" from
      Brazil are not closely allied to those from the Mesomerican type area. The
      widespread morphospecies Newportia (Newportia) monticola Pocock, 1890, was
      sequenced for the same loci from populations in Costa Rica, Colombia and Brazil,
      finding that specimens from these areas do not unite as a monophyletic group.
      Samples of Newportia (Newportia) oreina Chamberlin, 1915, from different regions
      of Mexico form geographic clusters that resolve as each other's closest
      relatives. These results suggest that some widespread species of Newportia may be
      taxa of convenience more so than natural groupings. In several cases geographic
      proximity fits the phylogeny better than taxonomy, suggesting that non
      monophyletic species do not result from use of inappropriate molecular markers.
      Molecular identification is possible for specimens missing taxonomically
      informative morphological characters, notably damaged specimens that lack the
      ultimate leg pair, a protocol that may also apply to other taxonomically
      difficult genera that are prone to damage (such as Cryptops). 

PMID- 26257536
TI  - Cave Diplopoda of southern China with reference to millipede diversity in
      Southeast Asia.
AB  - The diversity of Diplopoda in caves of southern China is remarkably high, often 5
      6 species per cave, consisting mostly of local endemics and presumed
      troglobionts. These are evidently biased to just a few lineages, mainly members
      of the orders Chordeumatida and Callipodida, the families Cambalopsidae
      (Spirostreptida) and Haplodesmidae (Polydesmida) or the genera Pacidesmus,
      Epanerchodus and Glenniea (all Polydesmida, Polydesmidae), Trichopeltis
      (Polydesmida, Cryptodesmidae), Dexmoxytes (Polydesmida, Paradoxosomatidae) and
      Hyleoglomeris (Glomerida, Glomeridae). All these taxa, especially the
      Paradoxosomatidae and Cambalopsidae (usually amounting to about 60% and 10% of
      the total species diversity in the Oriental fauna, respectively), are moderately
      to highly speciose across Southeast Asia, being largely epigean. However, the
      epigean Diplopoda of southern China are yet badly understudied, since much of the
      collecting and taxonomic exploration efforts still focus on cavernicoles. The
      Oriental Region is the only biogeographic realm globally that harbours all 16
      orders of Diplopoda, of which 14 have already been encountered in China and/or
      the immediately adjacent parts of Indochina. Thus, China may actually prove to
      support no less than 1,000 millipede species of various origins, mainly Oriental
      and Palaearctic. 

PMID- 26257537
TI  - At the end of the rope: Geophilushadesi sp. n. - the world's deepest cave
      dwelling centipede (Chilopoda, Geophilomorpha, Geophilidae).
AB  - A new geophilomorph centipede, Geophilushadesi sp. n., is described from caves in
      the Velebit Mountain, central Croatia. Together with Geophiluspersephones Foddai
      & Minelli, 1999, described from Pierre Saint-Martin cave in France, they are the
      only two remarkably troglomorphic geophilomorphs hitherto known. The new species
      apparently belongs to a group of Geophilus species inhabiting mainly Western and
      Southern Europe, with a uniquely modified pretarsus in the second maxillae.
      Geophilushadesi sp. n. shows unusual traits, some of which commonly found in
      troglobitic arthropods, including exceptionally elongated antennae, trunk
      segments and leg claws. The species is described upon specimens found in two
      caves at a depth below -250 m. Another two specimens apparently belonging to the
      same species have been recorded in another deep vertical cave at -980 m and -1100
      m. The latter represents the world's deepest record of Chilopoda as a whole. 

PMID- 26257538
TI  - Millipedes faced with drought: the life cycle of a Mediterranean population of
      Ommatoiulussabulosus (Linnaeus) (Diplopoda, Julida, Julidae).
AB  - Growth, development and life-cycle duration of the millipede Ommatoiulussabulosus
      (f.aimatopodus) were studied in a Mediterranean shrubland of southern France and
      compared with previous data from northwest Europe. Changes in the proportions of
      stadia during the course of the year were analysed in several generations. The
      results show that stadia VII and VIII are consistently reached after the first
      year of growth, and stadia IX and X after the second year. First reproduction may
      occur at the age of two years in males reaching maturity at stadium X, but not
      until the age of three in those reaching maturity at stadia XI and XII.
      Reproduction cannot occur until at least the age of three in females, which carry
      mature eggs from stadium XI onwards. In comparison with more northern
      populations, life-cycle duration is not shorter in the Mediterranean population
      but there are marked differences in its phenology: the breeding period is in
      autumn, so that juveniles of stadia II to VI are never faced with the summer
      drought, and larger individuals are mostly inactive in summer; moreover, all
      individuals moult once every winter. The results illustrate how julid millipedes
      of humid temperate regions could respond to higher temperatures and drier summer
      conditions in the context of climate change. 

PMID- 26257539
TI  - Centipede (Chilopoda) richness and diversity in the Bug River valley (Eastern
      Poland).
AB  - The main aim of the survey was to describe the diversity and richness of
      Chilopoda in the selected area of the Bug River valley. The study sites were
      located in two regions differing in the shape of the valley, the presence of
      thermophilous habitats and the size of riparian forests. Pitfall traps were used
      as a sampling method. As a result, 444 specimens belonging to 12 centipede
      species of two orders - Geophilomorpha (four species) and Lithobiomorpha (eight
      species) were caught. Lithobius (Monotarsobius) curtipes C.L.Koch, 1847,
      Pachymeriumferrugineum (C.L.Koch, 1835), Lamyctes (Lamyctes) emarginatus
      (Newport, 1844) and Lithobius (Monotarsobius) dudichi Loksa, 1947 were the most
      common and the most numerous species. Of particular note is Lithobiusdudichi
      found in Poland for the first time and previously known based on a single
      specimen. Two to 10 Chilopoda species were found in each habitat under
      investigation. The greatest species richness was found in thermophilous thickets
      (10 species), sandy grasslands (eight), xerothermic grasslands (eight) and mesic
      meadows (six). The fewest number of species (two) was found in rushes at oxbows
      and in wet meadows. We found differences in the species composition and the
      number of Chilopoda between the lower (102 specimens, six species) and the middle
      (324 specimens, 11 species) section of the river valley. Our results confirm the
      need to protect xerothermic habitats, unique almost throughout entire Central
      Europe, which due to their distribution and their small area covered are fairly
      easily subject to the process of destruction. 

PMID- 26257540
TI  - Distribution of millipedes along an altitudinal gradient in the south of Lake
      Teletskoye, Altai Mts, Russia (Diplopoda).
AB  - The distribution of millipedes along an altitudinal gradient in the south of Lake
      Teletskoye, Altai, Russia based on new samples from the Kyga Profile sites, as
      well as on partly published and freshly revised material (Mikhaljova et al. 2007,
      2008, 2014, Nefedieva and Nefediev 2008, Nefediev and Nefedieva 2013, Nefedieva
      et al. 2014), is established. The millipede diversity is estimated to be at least
      15 species and subspecies from 10 genera, 6 families and three orders. The bulk
      of species diversity is confined both to low- and mid-mountain chern taiga
      forests and high-mountain shrub tundras, whereas the highest numbers, reaching up
      to 130 ind./m2, is shown in subalpine Pinussibirica sparse growths. Based on
      clustering studied localities on species diversity similarity two groups of sites
      are defined: low-mountain sites and subalpine sparse growths of Pinussibirica
      ones. 

PMID- 26257541
TI  - Centipede assemblages along an urbanization gradient in the city of Heraklion,
      Crete (Greece).
AB  - Global urbanization is a major force that causes alteration and loss of natural
      habitats. Urban ecosystems are strongly affected by humans and there is a
      gradient of decreasing human influence from city centers to natural habitats. To
      study ecological changes along this continuum, researchers introduced the urban
      rural gradient approach. The responses of centipedes to an urbanization gradient
      (urban-suburban-rural areas) were studied using pitfall traps in and near the
      city of Heraklion, in the island of Crete, Greece, from November 2010 to November
      2011. Our results do not support the intermediate disturbance hypothesis, in
      which suburban areas located in the transitional zone between urban and rural
      habitats failed to indicate significant increase in terms of species richness and
      diversity. 

PMID- 26257542
TI  - Distribution of millipedes (Myriapoda, Diplopoda) along a forest interior -
      forest edge - grassland habitat complex.
AB  - We studied the distribution of millipedes in a forest interior-forest edge
      grassland habitat complex in the Hajdusag Landscape Protection Area (NE Hungary).
      The habitat types were as follows: (1) lowland oak forest, (2) forest edge with
      increased ground vegetation and shrub cover, and (3) mesophilous grassland. We
      collected millipedes by litter and soil sifting. There were overall 30 sifted
      litter and soil samples: 3 habitat types * 2 replicates * 5 soil and litter
      samples per habitats. We collected 9 millipede species; the most abundant species
      was Glomeristetrasticha, which was the most abundant species in the forest edge
      as well. The most abundant species in the forest interior was
      Kryphioiulusoccultus, while the most abundant species in the grassland was
      Megaphyllumunilineatum. Our result showed that the number of millipede species
      was significantly lower in the grassland than in the forest or in the edge,
      however there were no significant difference in the number of species between the
      forest interior and the forest edge. We found significantly the highest number of
      millipede individuals in the forest edge. There were differences in the
      composition of the millipede assemblages of the three habitats. The results of
      the DCCA showed that forest edge and forest interior habitats were clearly
      separated from the grassland habitats. The forest edge habitat was characterized
      by high air temperature, high soil moisture, high soil pH, high soil enzyme
      activity, high shrub cover and low canopy cover. The IndVal and the DCCA methods
      revealed the following character species of the forest edge habitats:
      Glomeristetrasticha and Leptoiuluscibdellus. Changes in millipede abundance and
      composition were highly correlated with the vegetation structure. 

PMID- 26257543
TI  - Hay-bait traps are a useful tool for sampling of soil dwelling millipedes and
      centipedes.
AB  - Some species of centipedes and millipedes inhabit upper soil layers exclusively
      and are not recorded by pitfall trapping. Because of their sensitivity to soil
      conditions, they can be sampled quantitatively for evaluation of soil conditions.
      Soil samples are heavy to transport and their processing is time consuming, and
      such sampling leads to disturbance of the soil surface which land-owners do not
      like. We evaluated the use of hay-bait traps to sample soil dwelling millipedes
      and centipedes. The effectiveness of this method was found to be similar to the
      effectiveness of soil sampling. Hay-bait traps installed for 8-10 weeks can
      substitute for direct soil sampling in ecological and inventory studies. 

PMID- 26257544
TI  - New records of Lophoproctuscoecus Pocock, 1894 (Diplopoda, Polyxenida,
      Lophoproctidae) extend the range of the genus Lophoproctus.
AB  - The geographic distribution of the genus Lophoproctus Pocock, 1894 has greatly
      expanded with new records of the species Lophoproctuscoecus Pocock, 1894,
      together with the reassignment of a number of millipedes formerly identified as
      Lophoproctuslucidus (Chalande, 1888). Lophoproctuscoecus was found to be the sole
      representative of the family Lophoproctidae in collections examined from Crimea
      and the Caucasian region. The species was also identified from Iran and
      Kyrgyzstan. Lophoproctus specimens collected in Italy by Verhoeff were reassigned
      as Lophoproctuscoecus with the exception of one specimen of Lophoproctusjeanneli
      (Brolemann, 1910) from Capri. These data were combined with all available
      information from the literature to look at the pattern of distribution of the
      four species in the genus. The range of the genus Lophoproctus extends from
      Portugal to Central Asia. Lophoproctuscoecus is widespread from Italy eastward,
      while the morphologically very similar species Lophoproctuslucidus is confined to
      France and northern Africa. The two species have a narrow overlap in the Alpes
      Maritimes region of France. Lophoproctusjeanneli has a scattered coastal
      distribution around the Mediterranean Sea. The troglobitic species
      Lophoproctuspagesi (Conde, 1982) has only been recorded from a cave on Majorca,
      Spain. 

PMID- 26257545
TI  - The current knowledge on centipedes (Chilopoda) in Slovenia: faunistic and
      ecological records from a national database.
AB  - In spite of Slovenia's very high biodiversity, it has only a few animal groups
      that have been significantly investigated and are well known in this area.
      Slovenian researchers have studied only about half of the species known to be
      living in the country (Mrsic 1997), but among well investigated species are
      centipedes. All available data about centipedes in Slovenia collected from 1921
      to 2014 have been consolidated and constitute a general electronic database
      called "CHILOBIO", which was created to provide an easy overview of the Slovenian
      centipede fauna and to allow entry and interpretation of new data collected in
      future research. The level of investigation has been studied with this database,
      in conjunction with a geographic information system (GIS). In the study period,
      109 species were identified from 350 localities in 109 of the 236 UTM 10 * 10 km
      quadrants which cover the study area. The south-central part of the country has
      been the subject of the best investigations, whereas there is an absence of data
      from the south-eastern, eastern and north-eastern regions The highest number of
      species (52) has been recorded near the Iska valley (Central Slovenia, quadrant
      VL68). In 48% of the UTM quadrants investigated fewer than 10 species were
      recorded and just 5 species were found in one locality. Seventeen species were
      reported only in the Dinaric region, 4 in the Prealpine-subpannonian region and 7
      in the Primorska-submediterranean region. 

PMID- 26257546
TI  - Interaction of the tracheal tubules of Scutigeracoleoptrata (Chilopoda,
      Notostigmophora) with glandular structures of the pericardial septum.
AB  - Notostigmophora (Scutigeromorpha) exhibit a special tracheal system compared to
      other Chilopoda. The unpaired spiracles are localized medially on the long
      tergites and open into a wide atrium from which hundreds of tracheal tubules
      originate and extend into the pericardial sinus. Previous investigators reported
      that the tracheal tubules float freely in the hemolymph. However, here we show
      for the first time that the tracheal tubules are anchored to a part of the
      pericardial septum. Another novel finding is this part of the pericardial septum
      is structured as an aggregated gland on the basis of its specialized epithelium
      being formed by hundreds of oligocellular glands. It remains unclear whether the
      pericardial septum has a differently structure in areas that lack a connection
      with tracheal tubules. The tracheal tubules come into direct contact with the
      canal cells of the glands that presumably secrete mucous substances covering the
      entire luminal cuticle of the tracheal tubules. Connections between tracheae and
      glands have not been observed in any other arthropods. 

PMID- 26257547
TI  - Tentorial mobility in centipedes (Chilopoda) revisited: 3D reconstruction of the
      mandibulo-tentorial musculature of Geophilomorpha.
AB  - Mandibular mechanisms in Geophilomorpha are revised based on three-dimensional
      reconstructions of the mandibulo-tentorial complex and its muscular equipment in
      Dicellophiluscarniolensis (Placodesmata) and Hydroschendylasubmarina (Adesmata).
      Tentorial structure compares closely in the two species and homologies can be
      proposed for the 14/17 muscles that attach to the tentorium. Both species retain
      homologues of muscles that in other Pleurostigmophora are traditionally thought
      to cause swinging movements of the tentorium that complement the mobility of the
      mandibles. Although the original set of tentorial muscles is simplified in
      Geophilomorpha, the arrangement of the preserved homologues conforms to a system
      of six degrees of freedom of movement, as in non-geophilomorph Pleurostigmophora.
      A simplification of the mandibular muscles is confirmed for Geophilomorpha, but
      our results reject absence of muscles that in other Pleurostigmophora primarily
      support see-saw movements of the mandibles. In the construction of the tentorium,
      paralabial sclerites seem to be involved in neither Placodesmata nor Adesmata,
      and we propose their loss in Geophilomorpha as a whole. Current insights on the
      tentorial skeleton and its musculature permit two alternative conclusions on
      their transformation in Geophilomorpha: either tentorial mobility is primarily
      maintained in both Placodesmata and Adesmata (contrary to Manton's arguments for
      immobility), or the traditional assumption of the tentorium as being mobile is a
      misinterpretation for Pleurostigmophora as a whole. 

PMID- 26257548
TI  - On the function of the ultimate legs of some Scolopendridae (Chilopoda,
      Scolopendromorpha).
AB  - The function of the variously shaped ultimate legs of Scolopendridae is briefly
      reviewed. Their function in Scolopendraheros Girard, 1853, Scolopendrasubspinipes
      Leach, 1815, Scolopendramorsitans (Linnaeus, 1758), Scolopendragalapagoensis
      Bollman, 1889, Scolopendrahainanum Kronmuller, 2012, Scolopendraspinosissima
      Kraepelin, 1903 Cormocephalusaurantiipes (Newport, 1844) and
      Ethmostigmustrigonopodus (Leach, 1817), in which they are least specialised has
      been investigated. Specimens were tapped with forceps on different parts of the
      trunk to simulate the attack of a predator. When tapped on the first third of the
      trunk (near the head), the centipedes attacked the forceps with their forcipules.
      When tapped on the last third or the ultimate legs, they adopted a warning
      position, raising the ultimate legs to display the ventral and medial prefemoral
      spines as well as the spined coxopleural processes. In some cases the centipedes
      attacked the forceps with the claws of the ultimate legs by chopping down on them
      after lifting the legs high into the warning position. When tapped in the mid
      part of the trunk, the centipedes curled sideways to reach the forceps with their
      forcipules and ultimate legs simultaneously. Scolopendragalapagoensis not only
      lifted the ultimate legs into the warning position but also the last 3-4 pairs of
      locomotory legs, presenting their distodorsal prefemoral spines. This resembles
      the warning posture of some spiders. In addition to their function in warning
      behaviour, defensive stabbing, ritualised meeting reactions and during courtship
      behaviour, the ultimate legs may in addition act as hooks and perhaps be involved
      in species recognition. No evidence was found that the ultimate legs are used to
      catch prey, nor of prey or predators being held between the prefemora. 

PMID- 26257549
TI  - A new genus and species of octocoral with aragonite calcium-carbonate skeleton
      (Octocorallia, Helioporacea) from Okinawa, Japan.
AB  - A new genus and species of octocoral with a calcium-carbonate skeleton,
      Naniporakamurai sp. n., is described from a shallow coral reef in Okinawa, Japan.
      Contrary to most octocorals, the skeleton is composed of crystalline aragonite as
      in blue coral Heliopora. The results of molecular phylogenetic analyses of
      sequences of mtMutS, COI, and ITS1-5.8s-ITS2-28S region suggest Nanipora gen. n.
      specimens should be included in order Helioporacea. Based on morphological
      results compared with other Helioporacea including the genus Epiphaxum (family
      Lithotelestidae), we establish the new genus Nanipora within Lithotelestidae.
      This is the first time that a close molecular phylogenetic relationship between
      Heliopora and a related genus within Helioporacea has been revealed. 

PMID- 26257550
TI  - New data on two remarkable Antarctic species Amblydorylaimusisokaryon (Loof,
      1975) Andrassy, 1998 and Pararhyssocolpusparadoxus (Loof, 1975), gen. n., comb.
      n. (Nematoda, Dorylaimida).
AB  - The taxonomic position of two antarctic dorylaimid species
      Amblydorylaimusisokaryon (Loof, 1975) Andrassy, 1998 and
      Pararhyssocolpusparadoxus (Loof, 1975), gen. n., comb. n. are discussed on the
      basis of morphological, including SEM study, morphometric, postembryonic and
      sequence data of 18S rDNA and the D2-D3 expansion fragments of large subunit
      rDNA. The evolutionary trees inferred from 18S sequences show insufficient
      resolution to determine the assignment of the two species to particular families,
      moreover Pararhyssocolpusparadoxus gen. n., comb. n. (=Rhyssocolpusparadoxus)
      previously regarded as a member of Nordiidae or Qudsianematidae, showed distant
      relationship both to Rhyssocolpusvinciguerrae and Eudorylaimus spp. The phylogram
      inferred from 28S sequences revealed that Amblydorylaimusisokaryon is a member of
      a well-supported group comprised of several Aporcelaimellus spp., while, no close
      relationships could be revealed for the Pararhyssocolpusparadoxus gen. n., comb.
      n. to any nematode genus. On the basis of molecular data and morphological
      characteristics, some taxonomic changes are proposed. Amblydorylaimusisokaryon is
      transferred from family Qudsianematidae to family Aporcelaimidae, and a new
      monotypic genus Pararhyssocolpus gen. n. is proposed, attributed to
      Pararhyssocolpidaefam. n. The diagnosis of the new family is provided together
      with emended diagnosis of the genera Amblydorylaimus and Pararhyssocolpus gen. n.
      Data concerning distribution of these endemic genera in the Antarctic region are
      also given. 

PMID- 26257551
TI  - In the shadow of a megalopolis, a new Flexamia from a threatened grass species in
      the New Jersey Pine Barrens (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae, Deltocephalinae,
      Paralimnini).
AB  - A previously unknown species of the North American leafhopper genus Flexamia,
      Flexamiawhitcombi sp. n., is described from pinebarren smokegrass
      (Muhlenbergiatorreyana (Schult.) Hitchc.), a state-listed threatened grass in the
      New Jersey Pine Barrens. The serrata species group, to which it belongs, is
      redefined and a key to the species of the group is provided. This is the first
      reported insect association with Muhlenbergiatorreyana. 

PMID- 26257552
TI  - Tumidusternus, a new genus of Aspidimerini from China (Coleoptera,
      Coccinellidae).
AB  - Tumidusternus gen. n., along with Tumidusternusfujianensis sp. n. (Coleoptera,
      Coccinellidae, Aspidimerini) from China is described and illustrated. A key to
      the tribe Aspidimerini is given. 

PMID- 26257553
TI  - Contribution to the genus Xanthocorus Miyatake (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae,
      Chilocorini).
AB  - The genus Xanthocorus Miyatake, 1970 consists of three species from China,
      including two new species described here: Xanthocorusnigrosuturalis sp. n. and
      Xanthocorusmucronatus sp. n. A key to identification of species is given.
      Diagnoses, detailed descriptions, illustrations, and distributions are provided. 

PMID- 26257554
TI  - A review of the omicrine genera Omicrogiton, Mircogioton and Peratogonus of China
      (Coleoptera, Hydrophilidae, Sphaeridiinae).
AB  - The Chinese species of the genera Omicrogiton Orchymont, 1919, Peratogonus Sharp,
      1884 and Mircogioton Orchymont, 1937 are reviewed, diagnosed and keyed.
      Mircogioton and Omicrogiton are reported for the first time from China,
      Peratogonus for the first time for mainland China. Five species are recognized:
      Omicrogitoncoomani Balfour-Browne, 1939 (Guangdong, Hongkong),
      Omicrogitonhainanensis sp. n. (Hainan), Omicrogitonroberti sp. n. (Hainan),
      Mircogiotoncoomani Orchymont, 1937 (Yunnan), and Peratogonusreversus Sharp, 1884
      (Guangdong, Jiangxi, Taiwan). Lectotype of Omicrogitoncoomani is designated.
      Mircogiotoncognitus (Malcolm, 1981), syn. n. is considered a junior subjective
      synonym of Mircogiotoncoomani Orchymont, 1939. Species of Mircogioton and
      Omicrogiton inhabit decaying banana trunks, whereas Peratogonusreversus was
      always collected from moist forest leaf litter. 

PMID- 26257555
TI  - Two new species of Paramesosciophilodes (Diptera, Nematocera, Mesosciophilidae)
      from the Middle Jurassic of China.
AB  - Two new species, Paramesosciophilodesbellus sp. n. and
      Paramesosciophilodesrarissima sp. n., from the Jiulongshan Formation at Daohugou
      Village, Inner Mongolia, China, are described in the extinct family
      Mesosciophilidae. Altogether seven genera with 21 species of mesosciophilids have
      been described from the Jurassic of Siberia and Kazakhstan, the Lower Cretaceous
      of Transbaikalia, and the Middle Jurassic of Inner Mongolia. An emended generic
      diagnosis of Paramesosciophilodes and a list of known taxa of mesosciophilids are
      provided. 

PMID- 26257556
TI  - Helminths of three species of opossums (Mammalia, Didelphidae) from Mexico.
AB  - From August 2011 to November 2013, 68 opossums (8 Didelphis sp., 40
      Didelphisvirginiana, 15 Didelphismarsupialis, and 5 Philanderopossum) were
      collected in 18 localities from 12 Mexican states. A total of 12,188 helminths
      representing 21 taxa were identified (6 trematodes, 2 cestodes, 3
      acanthocephalans and 10 nematodes). Sixty-six new locality records, 9 new host
      records, and one species, the trematode Brachylaimadidelphus, is added to the
      composition of the helminth fauna of the opossums in Mexico. These data, in
      conjunction with previous records, bring the number of taxa parasitizing the
      Mexican terrestrial marsupials to 41. Among these species, we recognized a group
      of helminths typical of didelphids in other parts of the Americas. This group is
      constituted by the trematode Rhopaliascoronatus, the acanthocephalan
      Oligacanthorhynchusmicrocephalus and the nematodes Cruziatentaculata,
      Gnathostomaturgidum, and Turgidaturgida. In general, the helminth fauna of each
      didelphid species showed a stable taxonomic composition with respect to
      previously sampled sites. This situation suggests that the rate of accumulation
      of helminth species in the inventory of these 3 species of terrestrial marsupials
      in the Neotropical portion of Mexico is decreasing; however, new samplings in the
      Nearctic portion of this country will probably increase the richness of the
      helminthological inventory of this group of mammals. 

PMID- 26257557
TI  - Five new Platocoelotes species (Araneae, Agelenidae) from caves in southern
      China.
AB  - Five new Platocoelotes species are described based on both sexes collected from
      caves in southern China. They are: Platocoelotesluoi sp. n. from Jiangxi,
      Platocoelotesqinglinensis sp. n. from Yunnan, Platocoelotesshuiensis sp. n. from
      Guizhou, Platocoelotestianyangensis sp. n. from Sichuan and
      Platocoelotesxianwuensis sp. n. from Hubei. 

PMID- 26257558
TI  - The genus Trachionus Haliday, 1833 (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Alysiinae) new for
      China, with description of four new species.
AB  - The genus Trachionus Haliday, 1833 (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Alysiinae,
      Dacnusini) is reported for the first time from China. The genus is represented by
      four new species from Shaanxi province (NW China), which are described and
      illustrated. An identification key to the species in China is presented, a key to
      the genera of the Trachionus group and notes on the relationships with other
      Palaearctic species are added. 

PMID- 26257559
TI  - What is Tetramoriumsemilaeve Andre, 1883? (Hymenoptera, Formicidae).
AB  - Tetramoriumsemilaeve Andre, 1883 is redescribed based on the type series and new
      material from terra typica (Pyrenees-Orientales). Lectotype worker is designated.
      Detailed descriptions of gyne and male are given. A review of material from the
      Mediterranean area suggests that in the past the name Tetramoriumsemilaeve has
      been applied to more than one species and the true Tetramoriumsemilaeve is common
      only in the western part of the Mediterranean basin. The structure of the male
      genitalia is the most reliable set of characters allowing a proper distinction of
      species in Tetramoriumsemilaeve species group. All names attributed to the former
      name "semilaeve" are discussed. 

PMID- 26257560
TI  - A new species of Agaporomorphus Zimmermann, 1921 from Peru (Coleoptera,
      Dytiscidae, Copelatinae).
AB  - Agaporomorphusjulianeae sp. n. is described from the Biological Field Station
      Panguana, in Huanuco province of central Peru. The new species belongs to the
      Agaporomorphusknischi-group sensu Miller 2005. Together with
      Agaporomorphusknischi Zimmermann, 1921 and Agaporomorphuscolberti Miller &
      Wheeler, 2008 this is the third species of the genus with broadly enlarged male
      antennomeres. The new species can be separated from Agaporomorphuscolberti and
      Agaporomorphusknischi by the smaller please expanded male antennomere VIII, and
      the form of the median lobe. Important species characters (median lobe, male
      antennae, metafemur, colour pattern) of the new species and Agaporomorphusknischi
      are figured, and the habitat, a temporary blackwater forest pond, and its species
      rich water beetle coenosis are illustrated and described in detail. The Brazilian
      Agaporomorphusmecolobus Miller, 2001, only known from the type material from Sao
      Paulo, is here recorded for Minas Gerais. Habitus photos of four additional
      Agaporomorphus species and Hydrodytesopalinus (Zimmermann, 1921) are provided.
      Altogether ten species of Agaporomorphus are now known. 

PMID- 26257561
TI  - Co1 DNA supports conspecificity of Geomyphiluspierai and G.barrerai (Coleoptera,
      Scarabaeidae, Aphodiinae) and is a good marker for their phylogeographic
      investigation in Mexican mountains.
AB  - Members of Geomyphilus are associated with rodent burrows, such as pocket gophers
      and prairie dogs. In Mexico, they are found in the mountains of the Mexican
      Volcanic Belt and in Sierra Madre Oriental. Our study aims to initiate the
      exploration of the dispersal modes of Geomyphiluspierai and Geomyphilusbarrerai
      from burrows of pocket gophers. In order to estimate the dispersal scale of the
      beetles, the utility of mitochondrial and nuclear molecular markers for studying
      the phylogeographic structure of this complex of species (Geomyphiluspierai and
      Geomyphilusbarrerai) was tested from 49 beetle individuals. High intraspecific
      and intra-mountain nucleotidic diversity was captured from this sample using Co1
      mitochondrial sequences, whilst the ITS2 nuclear ribosomal sequence did not allow
      observing informative variation. Mitochondrial phylogenetic analysis revealed
      that the specific delineation between the two species under study was doubtful.
      In this preliminary study, Co1 was shown to be a good marker for elucidating
      dispersal routes of the burrowing rodent-associated beetles. 

PMID- 26257562
TI  - A new species group in Megaselia, the lucifrons group, with description of a new
      species (Diptera, Phoridae).
AB  - With 1,400 described species, Megaselia is one of the most species-rich genera in
      the animal kingdom, and at the same time one of the least studied. An important
      obstacle to taxonomic progress is the lack of knowledge concerning the
      phylogenetic structure within the genus. Classification of Megaselia at the level
      of subgenus is incomplete although Schmitz addressed several groups of species in
      a series of monographs published from 1956 to 1981. Another problem is the lack
      of molecular phylogenetic analyses to support morphology-based conclusions. As a
      contribution towards addressing these problems, we here circumscribe a previously
      unrecognized monophyletic lineage of Megaselia consisting of species similar to
      Megaselialucifrons. We base this taxonomic decision on morphological study of an
      extensive phorid material from Sweden, complemented by molecular analyses of
      select exemplars using two markers (COI and 28S). We name the clade the lucifrons
      species group, and show that it contains three distinct species. Our results also
      demonstrate that Megaseliasubnitida Lundbeck, 1920, previously treated as a
      synonym of Megaselialucifrons Schmitz, 1918, is a separate species, and we remove
      it from synonymy. The third species in the group was previously unknown; we
      describe it here as Megaseliaalbalucifrons sp. n. 

PMID- 26257563
TI  - A new flea of the genus Ctenidiosomus (Siphonaptera, Pygiopsyllidae) from Salta
      Province, Argentina.
AB  - A new species of flea of the genus Ctenidiosomus Jordan, 1931 (Siphonaptera:
      Pygiopsyllidae) is described from Phyllotisosilae J. A. Allen, 1901, from Salta
      Province, Argentina. This is the first time that Ctenidiosomus has been recorded
      in Argentina. A key to species of males of Ctenidiosomus is presented. 

PMID- 26257565
TI  - Four new species of Desmiphorini (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Lamiinae).
AB  - Four new species of Desmiphorini are described: Desmiphora (Desmiphora) orozcoi,
      from Belize; Estolawappesi, from Bolivia; Estolaimitatrix, from Bolivia; and
      Gyrpanetesclarkei, from Bolivia. A key to the species of Gyrpanetes is provided,
      and Estolawappesi and Estolaimitatrix are included in an existing key. 

PMID- 26257564
TI  - Taxonomy of the hyper-diverse ant genus Tetramorium Mayr in the Malagasy region
      (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Myrmicinae) - first record of the T.setigerum species
      group and additions to the Malagasy species groups with an updated illustrated
      identification key.
AB  - In this study we provide an update to the taxonomy of the ant genus Tetramorium
      Mayr in Madagascar. We report the first record of the Tetramoriumsetigerum
      species group in Madagascar and describe the only Malagasy representative as
      Tetramoriumcavernicola sp. n., which is known only from a cave in Ankarana. In
      addition, we provide an overview of the 19 proposed Malagasy species groups, and
      discuss their zoogeography and relationships to other groups and larger lineages
      within the hyper-diverse genus Tetramorium. At present, we recognise a highly
      unique Malagasy Tetramorium fauna with 113 species endemic to the island of
      Madagascar out of a total of 125 translating into an endemism rate of 93%. We
      hypothesise that this fauna is based on one or a few colonisation events from the
      Afrotropical region, with subsequent adaptive radiation in Madagascar.
      Furthermore, we present an updated and illustrated identification key to the
      Tetramorium species groups in the Malagasy region. 

PMID- 26257566
TI  - Termitotroxvenus sp. n. (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae), a new blind, flightless
      termitophilous scarab from Cambodia.
AB  - Termitotroxvenus sp. n. is described from Cambodia and represents the second
      discovery of Termitotrox Reichensperger, 1915 from the Indo-Chinese subregion of
      the Indomalayan region. Most of the type series was collected from refuse dumps
      in fungus garden cells of Macrotermescf.gilvus (Hagen, 1858). Macrotermes
      Holmgren, 1910 was previously an unknown host of Termitotrox species. The new
      species is easily distinguished from all known congeners by having wing-shaped
      trichomes on the elytra and the larger body size, at 2.5 mm in length. We also
      describe the mouthparts to complement the description of the genus Termitotrox. 

PMID- 26257567
TI  - New records of Limoniidae and Pediciidae (Diptera) from Croatia.
AB  - New records are provided for Limoniidae and Pediciidae from Croatia, with new
      distribution records for species in 12 different genera. Four genera and 18
      species are newly recorded for Croatia. Until now, including this data, 87
      Limoniidae and eight Pediciidae have been recorded from Croatia. In this paper we
      confirm presence of Ormosia (Oreophila) bergrothi (Strobl, 1895) and we give the
      first records of Dicranota (Paradicranota) pavida (Haliday, 1833) and Molophilus
      (Molophilus) repentinus Stary, 1971 from Balkan Peninsula. 

PMID- 26257569
TI  - Australian Allograpta Osten Sacken (Diptera, Syrphidae).
AB  - Allograptaterraenovae sp. n. and Allograptanotiale sp. n. are described from
      Australia. Notes on the Australian species of Allograpta and an identification
      key to them are also given. The lectotype of Allograptajavana Wiedemann is
      designated, and the species Syrphuspallidus Bigot is synonymized under
      Allograptaaustralensis (Schiner). 

PMID- 26257568
TI  - Mosquito species (Diptera, Culicidae) in three ecosystems from the Colombian
      Andes: identification through DNA barcoding and adult morphology.
AB  - Colombia, one of the world's megadiverse countries, has a highly diverse mosquito
      fauna and a high prevalence of mosquito-borne diseases. In order to provide
      relevant information about the diversity and taxonomy of mosquito species in
      Colombia and to test the usefulness of DNA barcodes, mosquito species collected
      at different elevations in the departments of Antioquia and Caldas were
      identified combining adult morphology and barcode sequences. A total of 22
      mosquito species from eight genera were identified using these combined
      techniques. We generated 77 barcode sequences with 16 species submitted as new
      country records for public databases. We examined the usefulness of DNA barcodes
      to discriminate mosquito species from the Neotropics by compiling 1,292 sequences
      from a total of 133 species and using the tree-based methods of neighbor-joining
      and maximum likelihood. Both methodologies provided similar results by resolving
      105 species of mosquitoes separated into distinct clusters. This study shows the
      importance of combining classic morphological methodologies with molecular tools
      to accurately identify mosquitoes from Colombia. 

PMID- 26257570
TI  - Description of two new filtering carnivore Drusus species (Limnephilidae,
      Drusinae) from the Western Balkans.
AB  - Two new species of the genus Drusus (Trichoptera, Limnephilidae, Drusinae) from
      the Western Balkans are described. Additionally, observations on the biodiversity
      and threats to the region's endemic aquatic fauna are discussed. Drususkrpachi
      sp. n. is a micro-endemic of the Korab Mountains, Macedonia, and Drususmalickyi
      sp. n. is a micro-endemic of the Prokletije Mountains, Albania. Both new species
      are most similar to Drususmacedonicus but differ from the latter in the shape of
      segment IX, the shape of the tips of the intermediate appendages in lateral view,
      the shape of the inferior appendages, and the form and shape of the parameres. In
      addition, males of the European species of filtering carnivore Drusinae are
      diagnosed and illustrated, including Cryptothrixnebulicola McLachlan,
      Drususchrysotus Rambur, Drususdiscolor Rambur, Drususmacedonicus Schmid,
      Drususmeridionalis Kumanski, Drususmuelleri McLachlan, Drususromanicus Murgoci
      and Botosaneanu, and Drusussiveci Malicky. These additions to the Western Balkan
      fauna demonstrate the significance of this region for European biodiversity and
      further highlight the importance of faunistic studies in Europe. 

PMID- 26257571
TI  - Four new species of Cymatodera Gray from central and southern Mexico (Coleoptera,
      Cleridae, Tillinae).
AB  - Four new species of Cymatodera are described from Mexico: Cymatoderatortuosa
      Burke & Rifkind, sp. n. from Hidalgo and Tamaulipas; Cymatoderaortegae Burke, sp.
      n. from Colima, Jalisco and Michoacan; Cymatoderagerstmeieri Burke & Rifkind, sp.
      n. from Chiapas; and Cymatoderamixteca Burke & Rifkind, sp. n. from Puebla and
      Guerrero. Male genitalia and other characters of taxonomic value are illustrated.

PMID- 26257572
TI  - A new, mesophotic Coryphopterus goby (Teleostei, Gobiidae) from the southern
      Caribbean, with comments on relationships and depth distributions within the
      genus.
AB  - A new species of western Atlantic Coryphopterus is described from mesophotic
      depths off Curacao, southern Caribbean. Coryphopteruscurasub sp. n., is similar
      to Coryphopterusdicrus in, among other features, having two prominent pigment
      spots of roughly equal intensity on the pectoral-fin base, the pelvic fins fused
      to form a disk, and no pelvic frenum. The two species can be differentiated by
      body depth (shallower in Coryphopteruscurasub at origin of dorsal fin and caudal
      peduncle); differences in the pigmentation on the head, trunk, and basicaudal
      region; and usually by total number of rays (spinous plus soft) in the second
      dorsal fin (10-11, usually 11, in Coryphopteruscurasub, 10 in
      Coryphopterusdicrus). Coryphopteruscurasub differs from other Coryphopterus
      species that have a prominent pigment spot on the lower portion of the pectoral
      fin base (Coryphopteruspunctipectophorus and Coryphopterusvenezuelae) in, among
      other features, lacking a pelvic frenum. Coryphopteruscurasub was collected
      between 70 and 80 m, the deepest depth range known for the genus. Collections of
      Coryphopterusvenezuelae at depths of 65-69 m extend the depth range of that
      species by approximately 50 m. Mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI)
      data corroborate the recognition of Coryphopteruscurasub as a distinct species
      but do not rigorously resolve its relationships within the genus. A revised key
      to the western Atlantic species of Coryphopterus is presented. 

PMID- 26257573
TI  - Taxonomic etymology - in search of inspiration.
AB  - We present a review of the etymology of zoological taxonomic names with emphasis
      on the most unusual examples. The names were divided into several categories,
      starting from the most common - given after morphological features - through
      inspiration from mythology, legends, and classic literature but also from
      fictional and nonfictional pop-culture characters (e.g., music, movies or
      cartoons), science, and politics. A separate category includes zoological names
      created using word-play and figures of speech such as tautonyms, acronyms,
      anagrams, and palindromes. Our intention was to give an overview of possibilities
      of how and where taxonomists can find the inspirations that will be consistent
      with the ICZN rules and generate more detail afterthought about the naming
      process itself, the meaningful character of naming, as well as the recognition
      and understanding of names. 

PMID- 26257574
TI  - Heterocycle-to-Heterocycle Route to Quinoline-4-amines: Reductive
      Heterocyclization of 3-(2-Nitrophenyl)isoxazoles.
AB  - A variety of quinoline-4-amines were synthesized from substituted 3-(2
      nitrophenyl)isoxazoles utilizing Zn0 or Fe0 dust and HOAc via a reductive
      heterocyclization process. The starting isoxazoles were synthesized from readily
      available starting materials. A brief survey of functional groups tolerated in
      this reductive heterocyclization was performed and several 10-amino-3,4
      dihydrobenzo[b][1,6]naphthyridin-1(2H)-one and 9-amino-3,4-dihydroacridin-1(2H)
      one examples were synthesized.

PMID- 26257575
TI  - Conformationally Constrained Penta(hetero)cyclic Molecular Architectures via
      Photoassisted Diversity-Oriented Synthesis.
AB  - Intramolecular cycloadditions of photogenerated azaxylylenes provide access to
      unprecedented polyheterocyclic scaffolds, suitable for subsequent
      postphotochemical modifications to further grow molecular complexity. Here we
      explore approaches to rapid "assembly" of novel photoprecursors with
      nitrogen/oxygen-rich tethers capable of producing potential pharmacophores and
      also compatible with subsequent 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions to furnish pentacyclic
      heterocycles with new structural cores, minimal number of rotatable bonds, and a
      high content of sp3 hybridized carbons. The modular "assembly" of the
      photoprecursors and potential variety of postphotochemical modifications of
      primary photoproducts provide framework for combinatorial implementation of this
      synthetic strategy.

PMID- 26257576
TI  - Studies Towards the Leucetta-derived Alkaloids Spirocalcaridine A and B -
      Possible Biosynthetic Implications.
AB  - An exploration of an abiotic approach to spirocalcaridines A and B is described
      centered on electrophile-induced dearomatizing spirocyclization of aryl enyne
      derivatives. Elaboration of the alpha-iodoenone via an Ullmann-like, copper
      catalyzed amidation provided a formamide which upon treatment with methylamine
      undergoes a dienol-arene rearrangement, providing the corresponding kealiinine
      like framework. This observation suggests a possible biosynthetic links between
      the spirocalcaridines and the naphthimidazole group of Leucetta alkaloids.

PMID- 26257577
TI  - A Convergent Synthesis of 6-O-Branched beta-Glucan Oligosaccharides.
AB  - beta-Glucans are important carbohydrate antigens on the surface of fungal cells
      useful for antifungal vaccine development. This paper has described a highly
      convergent and efficient strategy for the synthesis of structurally defined
      branched beta-glucan oligosaccharides that can be used for detailed studies of
      beta-glucans and for the design of beta-glucan-based vaccines. The strategy was
      highlighted by assembling the title compounds via preactivation-based
      glycosylation with thioglycosides as glycosyl donors. It was used to successfully
      prepare beta-glucan oligosaccharides that had a beta-1,3-linked nonaglucan
      backbone with beta-1,6-glucotetraose, beta-1,3-glucodiose and beta-1,3
      glucotetraose branches at the 6-O-position of the nonaglucan central sugar unit.
      The structure and size of the glycosyl donors and acceptors used in the syntheses
      did not significantly affect the glycosylation efficiency, suggesting that the
      strategy can be generally useful for the synthesis of more complex structures.

PMID- 26257578
TI  - Chlorin e6 131:152-Anhydride: A Key Intermediate in Conjugation Reactions of
      Chlorin e6.
AB  - Since the patent for the photodynamic therapy agent Talaporfin (mono-L
      aspartylchlorin e6) was issued in 1987, confusion has existed regarding which of
      the three carboxylic acid groups in the chlorophyll degradation product, chlorin
      e6 (1), is modified in standard amino acid type conjugations (using DCC or EDC
      and an organic base) with amino acids and other biomolecules. Here it is shown
      that the site of conjugation is the central 152-carboxylic acid, such reactions
      proceeding in numerous examples via a 131,152-anhydride for which a high
      resolution X-ray structure is reported. Conjugation with eight oxygen and
      nitrogen nucleophiles, in every case, afforded the 152-conjugate, reinforcing the
      earlier conclusion that Talaporfin is the 152-aspartyl conjugate of chlorin e6
      and suggesting that reports of 173-conjugation of chlorin e6 using stoichiometric
      peptide coupling procedures should be subjected to further scrutiny.

PMID- 26257579
TI  - Synthesis of 1,2,3-triazol-1-yl-methaneboronic acids via click chemistry: an easy
      access to a new potential scaffold for protease inhibitors.
AB  - Stereoselective synthesis of previously unreported 1,2,3-triazol-1-yl
      methaneboronic acids has been achieved from azidomethaneboronates by Copper
      catalyzed Azide-Alkyne Cycloaddition (CuAAC). The proximity of the cycloaddition
      reaction center to the boronic group is not detrimental for the stability of the
      sp3-carbon-boron bond nor to the stereoisomeric composition, further expanding
      the field of application of click chemistry to new boronate substrates and
      offering a new potential scaffold for protease inhibitors.

PMID- 26257580
TI  - One-pot directed alkylation/deprotection strategy for the synthesis of
      substituted pyrrole[3,4-d]pyridazinones.
AB  - In the course of an SAR study of pyrrole[3,4-d]pyridazinones we optimized
      conditions for a one pot directed lithiation / alkylation reaction that also
      promoted in situ cleavage of a Boc-protecting group on the pyrrole ring. The
      efficiency of the process allowed access to a number of substituted analogues of
      interest as possible antitumor agents.

PMID- 26257581
TI  - Aerobic and anaerobic reduction of birnessite by a novel Dietzia strain.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mn oxides occur in a wide variety of geological settings and exert
      considerable influences on the components and chemical behaviors of sediments and
      soils. Microbial reduction of Mn oxides is an important process found in many
      different environments including marine and freshwater sediments, lakes, anoxic
      basins, as well as oxic-anoxic transition zone of ocean. Although the pathway of
      Mn anaerobic reduction by two model bacteria, Geobacter and Shewanella, has been
      intensively studied, Mn bio-reduction is still the least well-explored process in
      nature. Particularly, reduction of Mn oxides by other bacteria and in the
      presence of O2 has been fewly reported in recent publishes. RESULTS: A series of
      experiments were conducted to understand the capability of Dietzia DQ12-45-1b in
      bioreduction of birnessite. In anaerobic systems, Mn reduction rate reached as
      high as 93% within 4 weeks when inoculated with 1.0 * 10(10) cells/mL Dietzia
      DQ12-45-1b strains. Addition of AQDS enhanced Mn reduction rate from 53 to 91%.
      The anaerobic reduction of Mn was not coupled by any increase in bacterial
      protein concentration, and the reduction rate in the stable stage of day 2-14 was
      found to be in good proportion to the protein concentration. The anaerobic
      reduction of birnessite released Mn(II) either into the medium or adsorbed on the
      mineral or bacteria surface and resulted in the dissolution of birnessite as
      indicated by XRD, SEM and XANES. Under aerobic condition, the reduction rate was
      only 37% with a cell concentration of 1.0 * 10(10) cells/mL, much lower than that
      in parallel anaerobic treatment. Bacterial growth under aerobic condition was
      indicated by time-course increase of protein and pH. In contrast to anaerobic
      experiments, addition of AQDS decreased Mn reduction rate from 25 to 6%. The
      reduced Mn(II) combined with carbon dioxide produced by acetate metabolism, as
      well as an alkaline pH environment given by cell growth, finally resulted in the
      formation of Mn(II)-bearing carbonate (kutnohorite), which was verified by XRD
      and XANES results. The system with the highest cell concentration of 1.0 * 10(10)
      cells/mL gave rise to the most amount of kutnohorite, while concentration of
      Mn(II) produced with cell concentration of 6.2 * 10(8) cells/mL was too low to
      thermodynamically favor the formation of kutnohorite but result in the formation
      of aragonite instead. CONCLUSION: Dietzia DQ12-45-1b was able to anaerobically
      and aerobically reduce birnessite. The rate and extent of Mn(IV) reduction depend
      on cell concentration, addition of AQDS or not, and presence of O2 or not.
      Meanwhile, Mn(IV) bioreduction extent and suspension conditions determined the
      insoluble mineral products.

PMID- 26257582
TI  - Expression and clinicopathological significance of miR-193a-3p and its potential
      target astrocyte elevated gene-1 in non-small lung cancer tissues.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Aberrant expression of miR-193a-3p and astrocyte elevated gene-1 (AEG
      1) have been revealed to be related to the tumorigenesis of various cancers,
      including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the significance of miR
      193a-3p and its correlation with AEG-1 in NSCLC has not been explored. The
      purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between miR-193a-3p and AEG
      1 and their relationship with the clinicopathological features in NSCLC patients.
      METHODS: Via online in silico prediction, complementary sequences were found
      between miR-193a-3p and the 3'-untranslated region of AEG-1. Three independent
      cohorts were applied in the current study. Firstly, miR-193a-3p level was
      detected in 125 cases of NSCLC with quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR).
      Secondly, AEG-1 protein level was evaluated in 339 cases of lung cancers with
      immunohistochemistry. Finally, the relationship between miR-193a-3p and AEG-1
      protein expression was verified in another group with 65 cases of NSCLC. RESULTS:
      The results showed that miR-193a-3p level was decreased in NSCLC tissues and
      significantly negatively related to tumor size (r = -0.277, P = 0.002), clinical
      TNM stage (r = -0.226, P = 0.011), lymph node metastasis (r = -0.186, P = 0.038),
      epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) protein level (r = -0.272, P = 0.041). On
      the contrary, AEG-1 protein expression was up-regulated in NSCLC and positively
      relative to tumor size (r = 0.240, P < 0.001), TNM stages (r = 0.164, P = 0.002)
      and lymph node metastasis (r = 0.232, P < 0.001) in NSCLC patients. In addition,
      miR-193a-3p was found to be inversely associated with AEG-1 protein expression in
      the third cohort (r = -0.564, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, miR-193a-3p
      and AEG-1 might be responsible for the carcinogenesis and aggressiveness of
      NSCLC. AEG-1 has the potential to be one of the targeted genes of miR-193a-3p.
      However, future in vitro and in vivo experiments are needed to verify this
      hypothesis.

PMID- 26257583
TI  - Emerald dragon bites vs veggie beans: Fun food names increase children's
      consumption of novel healthy foods.
AB  - Caregivers often struggle with food neophobia on the part of young children. This
      study examined whether labeling novel healthy foods with fun names would increase
      children's willingness to try those foods and encourage them to eat more of those
      foods in a child care setting. Thirty-nine toddler and preschool age children
      (mean age = 3.9 years) were served each of three foods twice, once labeled with a
      fun name and once with a healthy name. Percentage of the food consumed by each
      child was recorded. Overall, children ate a greater percentage of the target
      foods when they were labeled with fun names. Also, a larger percentage of the
      children tasted the foods when they were labeled with fun names. This simple
      strategy could be effective for increasing consumption of healthy foods among
      young children.

PMID- 26257584
TI  - Contributions of head-mounted cameras to studying the visual environments of
      infants and young children.
AB  - Head-mounted video cameras (with and without an eye camera to track gaze
      direction) are being increasingly used to study infants' and young children's
      visual environments and provide new and often unexpected insights about the
      visual world from a child's point of view. The challenge in using head cameras is
      principally conceptual and concerns the match between what these cameras measure
      and the research question. Head cameras record the scene in front of faces and
      thus answer questions about those head-centered scenes. In this "tools of the
      trade" article, we consider the unique contributions provided by head-centered
      video, the limitations and open questions that remain for head-camera methods,
      and the practical issues of placing head-cameras on infants and analyzing the
      generated video.

PMID- 26257585
TI  - Effect of the Materials Properties of Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles on Fibronectin
      Deposition and Conformation.
AB  - Hydroxyapatite (HAP, Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2) nanoparticles with controlled materials
      properties have been synthesized through a two-step hydrothermal aging method to
      investigate fibronectin (Fn) adsorption. Two distinct populations of HAP
      nanoparticles have been generated: HAP1 particles had smaller size, plate-like
      shape, lower crystallinity, and more negative zeta potential than HAP2 particles.
      We then developed two-dimensional platforms containing HAP and Fn and analyzed
      both the amount and the conformation of Fn via Forster resonance energy transfer
      (FRET) at various HAP concentrations. Our FRET analysis reveals that larger
      amounts of more compact Fn molecules were adsorbed onto HAP1 than onto HAP2
      particles. Additionally, our data show that the amount of compact Fn adsorbed
      increased with increasing HAP concentration due to the formation of nanoparticle
      agglomerates. We propose that both the surface chemistry of single nanoparticles
      and the size and morphology of HAP agglomerates play significant roles in the
      interaction of Fn with HAP. Collectively, our findings suggest that the HAP
      induced conformational changes of Fn, a critical mechanotransducer protein
      involved in the communication of cells with their environment, will ultimately
      affect downstream cellular behaviors. These results have important implications
      for our understanding of organic-inorganic interactions in physiological and
      pathological biomineralization processes such as HAP-related inflammation.

PMID- 26257586
TI  - A Smart Wirelessly Powered Homecage for Long-Term High-Throughput Behavioral
      Experiments.
AB  - A wirelessly powered homecage system, called the EnerCage-HC, that is equipped
      with multicoil wireless power transfer, closed-loop power control, optical
      behavioral tracking, and a graphic user interface is presented for longitudinal
      electrophysiology and behavioral neuroscience experiments. The EnerCage-HC system
      can wirelessly power a mobile unit attached to a small animal subject and also
      track its behavior in real-time as it is housed inside a standard homecage. The
      EnerCage-HC system is equipped with one central and four overlapping slanted wire
      wound coils with optimal geometries to form three- and four-coil power
      transmission links while operating at 13.56 MHz. Utilizing multicoil links
      increases the power transfer efficiency (PTE) compared with conventional two-coil
      links and also reduces the number of power amplifiers to only one, which
      significantly reduces the system complexity, cost, and heat dissipation. A
      Microsoft Kinect installed 90 cm above the homecage localizes the animal position
      and orientation with 1.6-cm accuracy. Moreover, a power management ASIC,
      including a high efficiency active rectifier and automatic coil resonance tuning,
      was fabricated in a 0.35-MUm 4M2P standard CMOS process for the mobile unit. The
      EnerCage-HC achieves a max/min PTE of 36.3%/16.1% at the nominal height of 7 cm.
      In vivo experiments were conducted on freely behaving rats by continuously
      delivering 24 mW to the mobile unit for >7 h inside a standard homecage.

PMID- 26257587
TI  - Regularization Paths for Conditional Logistic Regression: The clogitL1 Package.
AB  - We apply the cyclic coordinate descent algorithm of Friedman, Hastie, and
      Tibshirani (2010) to the fitting of a conditional logistic regression model with
      lasso [Formula: see text] and elastic net penalties. The sequential strong rules
      of Tibshirani, Bien, Hastie, Friedman, Taylor, Simon, and Tibshirani (2012) are
      also used in the algorithm and it is shown that these offer a considerable speed
      up over the standard coordinate descent algorithm with warm starts. Once
      implemented, the algorithm is used in simulation studies to compare the variable
      selection and prediction performance of the conditional logistic regression model
      against that of its unconditional (standard) counterpart. We find that the
      conditional model performs admirably on datasets drawn from a suitable
      conditional distribution, outperforming its unconditional counterpart at variable
      selection. The conditional model is also fit to a small real world dataset,
      demonstrating how we obtain regularization paths for the parameters of the model
      and how we apply cross validation for this method where natural unconditional
      prediction rules are hard to come by.

PMID- 26257588
TI  - The System Design and Evaluation of a 7-DOF Image-Guided Venipuncture Robot.
AB  - Accessing the venous bloodstream to deliver fluids or obtain a blood sample is
      the most common clinical routine practiced in the U.S. Practitioners continue to
      rely on manual venipuncture techniques, but success rates are heavily dependent
      on clinician skill and patient physiology. In the U.S., failure rates can be as
      high as 50% in difficult patients, making venipuncture the leading cause of
      medical injury. To improve the rate of first-stick success, we have developed a
      portable autonomous venipuncture device that robotically servos a needle into a
      suitable vein under image guidance. The device operates in real time, combining
      near-infrared and ultra-sound imaging, image analysis, and a 7-degree-of-freedom
      (DOF) robotic system to perform the venipuncture. The robot consists of a 3-DOF
      gantry to image the patient's peripheral forearm veins and a miniaturized 4-DOF
      serial arm to guide the cannula into the selected vein under closed-loop control.
      In this paper, we present the system architecture of the robot and evaluate the
      accuracy and precision through tracking, free-space positioning, and in vitro
      phantom cannulation experiments. The results demonstrate sub-millimeter accuracy
      throughout the operating workspace of the manipulator and a high rate of success
      when cannulating phantom veins in a skin-mimicking tissue model.

PMID- 26257590
TI  - Laboratory Tests Ordered By a Chiropractic Sports Physician on Elite Athletes
      Over a 1-Year Period.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to describe and discuss laboratory tests
      ordered on elite athletes in an interdisciplinary sports medicine clinic by a
      doctor of chiropractic over 1 calendar year. METHODS: A retrospective review of
      laboratory tests ordered during routine clinical practice as standard screening
      and diagnostic tests from November 1, 2009, to November 1, 2010 was performed.
      Data were collected during clinical encounters at one sports medicine clinic and
      entered into a database for analysis. Descriptive and frequency statistics were
      used to describe the tests ordered and the frequency of abnormal findings.
      RESULTS: Five hundred and thirty-nine studies were ordered for diagnostic and
      routine screenings on 137 athlete patients (86 males, 51 females), representing
      49 types of tests. Sample sources included blood, urine, skin lesions, and fecal
      matter. The most commonly ordered tests were complete blood count, comprehensive
      metabolic panel, serum ferritin, creatine kinase, serum iron and total iron
      binding capacity, total cortisol, thyroid stimulating hormone, and lipid panels.
      There were 217 studies (40%) flagged as abnormal by the reporting laboratory.
      CONCLUSION: This report provides greater insight into the diverse array of
      laboratory studies ordered over a 1-year period for diagnosis and screening of
      elite athletes. A high percentage of the results were flagged as abnormal by the
      laboratory. These findings show that the unique physiology of the elite athlete
      must be considered when interpreting laboratory findings in this population.

PMID- 26257591
TI  - Kienbock Disease: A Complicated Postsurgical Case Study Using Diagnostic
      Ultrasonography.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this case report is to describe a case of Kienbock
      disease (lunatomalacia) that was identified through diagnostic ultrasonography.
      CLINICAL FEATURES: A 27-year-old man presented to a chiropractic teaching clinic
      with a 3-year history of wrist pain. The history of chief concern consisted of
      lunatomalacia, diagnosed 2 years prior, with surgical intervention consisting of
      radial osteotomy and vascularized bone graft. Radiography and ultrasonography
      were performed upon presentation and at 2-year follow-up that demonstrated
      progressive collapse and fragmentation of his lunate with the development of
      progressive scapholunate advanced collapse of the wrist. INTERVENTION AND
      OUTCOME: Conservative care included class IV cold laser and a splint worn during
      strenuous activity and while sleeping. The patient received minimal pain relief
      and continued to experience chronic left wrist pain. He is continuing
      conservative care and evaluating options for further surgical intervention.
      CONCLUSION: This case demonstrates a patient with chronic wrist pain and
      progressive collapse of the lunate demonstrated on multiple imaging modalities
      after surgical intervention. To our knowledge, this is the first case
      demonstrating Kienbock disease using diagnostic ultrasonography.

PMID- 26257592
TI  - Multiple Venous Thromboses Presenting as Mechanical Low Back Pain in an 18-Year
      Old Woman.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this case report is to describe a patient who presented
      with acute musculoskeletal symptoms but was later diagnosed with multiple deep
      vein thrombosis (DVT). CLINICAL FEATURES: An 18-year-old female presented to a
      chiropractic clinic with left lumbosacral pain with referral into the posterior
      left thigh. A provisional diagnosis was made of acute myofascial syndrome of the
      left piriformis and gluteus medius muscles. The patient received 3 chiropractic
      treatments over 1 week resulting in 80% improvement in pain intensity. Two days
      later, a sudden onset of severe abdominal pain caused the patient to seek urgent
      medical attention. A diagnostic ultrasound of the abdomen and pelvis were
      performed and interpreted as normal. Following this, the patient reported
      increased pain in her left leg. Evaluation revealed edema of the left calf and
      decreased left lower limb sensation. A venous Doppler ultrasound was ordered.
      INTERVENTION AND OUTCOMES: Doppler ultrasound revealed reduction of the venous
      flow in the femoral vein area. An additional ultrasonography evaluation revealed
      an extensive DVTs affecting the left femoral vein and iliac axis extending
      towards the vena cava. Upon follow-up with a hematologist, the potential
      diagnosis of May-Thurner syndrome was considered based on the absence of blood
      dyscrasias and sustained anatomical changes found in the left common iliac vein
      at its junction with the right common iliac artery. A week following discharge,
      she presented with chest pain and was diagnosed with venous thromboembolism. The
      patient was successfully treated with anticoagulation therapy and insertion of a
      vena cava filter. CONCLUSION: Although DVTs are common in the general population,
      presence in low-risk individuals may be overlooked. In the presence of subtle
      initial clinical signs such as those described in this case report, clinicians
      should keep a high index of suspicion for a DVT. Rapid identification of such
      clinical signs in association with a lack of objective examination findings
      warrants further evaluation due to potentially negative outcomes.

PMID- 26257593
TI  - Manipulation in the Treatment of Plantar Digital Neuralgia: A Retrospective Study
      of 38 Cases.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this retrospective case series is to describe treatment
      outcomes for patients with plantar digital neuralgia (PDN) (Morton's neuroma) who
      were treated using foot manipulation. METHODS: Charts were reviewed
      retrospectively for patients with a diagnosis of PDN and who received a minimum
      of 6 treatments consisting of manipulation alone. Visual analogue pain scales
      (VAS) and pressure threshold meter readings (PTM) were extracted as outcome
      measures. RESULTS: Thirty-eight cases met inclusion criteria. Mean pretreatment
      duration of pain was 28 months. Mean pretreatment VAS was 69.5/100 mm. Mean
      pretreatment PTM was 2.54 Kp. By the sixth treatment, 30 (79%) of the 38 patients
      scored a VAS of 0 mm and a further 4 (10%) were below 10 mm. Contralateral limb
      PTM showed a mean pre-treatment score of 5.5 Kp, which rose slightly to 5.85 Kp.
      This compared to a pre-treatment score of 2.54 Kp rising to 5.86 Kp in the
      affected limb. This represents a 126% increase in the affected side compared to
      6.5% in the unaffected limb. Statistical analysis demonstrated a significant
      linear trend between decreasing VAS and manipulation (P < .001). CONCLUSION: The
      patients with PDN who were included in this case series improved with
      conservative care that included only foot manipulation.

PMID- 26257594
TI  - WFC'S 13th Biennial Congress Proceedings Athens, Greece, 10-13, 2013: Abstracts
      of the Scientific Sessions.
AB  - The World Federation of Chiropractic (WFC) held its 13th Biennial Congress in
      Athens, Greece, on May 13 through 16, 2015. The WFC call for abstracts resulted
      in 237 submissions from 19 countries (Australia, Bahrain, Brazil, Canada,
      Denmark, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Netherlands, New
      Zealand, Norway, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and
      the United States). From these abstracts, a total of 40 platforms and 117 posters
      were presented at the Congress. 

PMID- 26257595
TI  - Urinary proteomics in chronic kidney disease: diagnosis and risk of progression
      beyond albuminuria.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The contrast between a high prevalence of chronic kidney disease
      (CKD) and the low incidence of end-stage renal disease highlights the need for
      new biomarkers of progression beyond albuminuria testing. Urinary proteomics is a
      promising method, but more studies focusing on progression rate and patients with
      hypertensive nephropathy are needed. RESULTS: We analyzed urine samples with
      capillary electrophoresis coupled to a mass-spectrometer from 18 well
      characterized patients with CKD stage 4-5 (of whom six with hypertensive
      nephropathy) and 17 healthy controls. Classification scores based on a previously
      developed panel of 273 urinary peptides were calculated and compared to urine
      albumin dipstick results. Urinary proteomics classified CKD with a sensitivity of
      0.95 and specificity of 1.00. Overall diagnostic accuracy (area under ROC curve)
      was 0.98, which was better than for albuminuria (0.85, p = 0.02). Results for
      hypertensive nephropathy were similar to other CKD diagnoses. Adding the
      proteomic score to an albuminuria model improved detection of rapid kidney
      function decline (>4 ml/min/1.73 m(2) per year) substantially: area under ROC
      curve increased from 0.762 to 0.909 (p = 0.042), and 38% of rapid progressors
      were correctly reclassified to a higher risk and 55% of slow progressors were
      correctly reclassified to a lower risk category. Reduced excretion of collagen
      types I-III, uromodulin, and other indicators of interstitial inflammation,
      fibrosis and tubular dysfunction were associated with CKD diagnosis and rapid
      progression. Patients with hypertensive nephropathy displayed the same findings
      as other types of CKD. CONCLUSIONS: Urinary proteomic analyses had a high
      diagnostic accuracy for CKD, including hypertensive nephropathy, and strongly
      improved identification of patients with rapid kidney function decline beyond
      albuminuria testing.

PMID- 26257596
TI  - ASIC1A in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis mediates TMT-evoked freezing.
AB  - Mice display an unconditioned freezing response to TMT, a predator odor isolated
      from fox feces. Here we found that in addition to freezing, TMT caused mice to
      decrease breathing rate, perhaps because of the aversive smell. Consistent with
      this possibility, olfactory bulb lesions attenuated this effect of TMT, as well
      as freezing. Interestingly, butyric acid, another foul odor, also caused mice to
      reduce breathing rate. However, unlike TMT, butyric acid did not induce freezing.
      Thus, although these aversive odors may affect breathing, the unpleasant smell
      and suppression of breathing by themselves are insufficient to cause freezing.
      Because the acid-sensing ion channel-1A (ASIC1A) has been previously implicated
      in TMT-evoked freezing, we tested whether Asic1a disruption also altered
      breathing. We found that TMT reduced breathing rate in both Asic1a(+/+) and
      Asic1a(-/-) mice, suggesting that ASIC1A is not required for TMT to inhibit
      breathing and that the absence of TMT-evoked freezing in the Asic1a(-/-) mice is
      not due to an inability to detect TMT. These observations further indicate that
      ASIC1A must affect TMT freezing in another way. Because the bed nucleus of the
      stria terminalis (BNST) has been critically implicated in TMT-evoked freezing and
      robustly expresses ASIC1A, we tested whether ASIC1A in the BNST plays a role in
      TMT-evoked freezing. We disrupted ASIC1A in the BNST of Asic1a(loxP/loxP) mice by
      delivering Cre recombinase to the BNST with an adeno-associated virus (AAV)
      vector. We found that disrupting ASIC1A in the BNST reduced TMT-evoked freezing
      relative to control mice in which a virus expressing eGFP was injected. To test
      whether ASIC1A in the BNST was sufficient to increase TMT-evoked freezing, we
      used another AAV vector to express ASIC1A in the BNST of Asic1a(-/-) mice. We
      found region-restricted expression of ASIC1A in the BNST increased TMT-elicited
      freezing. Together, these data suggest that the BNST is a key site of ASIC1A
      action in TMT-evoked freezing. 

PMID- 26257597
TI  - Brain oscillatory activity during motor preparation: effect of directional
      uncertainty on beta, but not alpha, frequency band.
AB  - In time-constraint activities, such as sports, it is advantageous to be prepared
      to act even before knowing precisely what action will be needed. Here, we studied
      the relation between neural oscillations during motor preparation and amount of
      uncertainty about the direction of the upcoming target. Ten right-handed
      volunteers participated in a cued center-out task. A brief visual cue identified
      the region of space in which the target would appear. Three cue sizes were used
      to vary the amount of information about the direction of the upcoming target. The
      target appeared at a random location within the region indicated by the cue, and
      the participants moved a joystick-controlled cursor toward it. Time-frequency
      analyses showed phasic increases of power in low (delta/theta: <7 Hz) and high
      (gamma: >30 Hz) frequency-bands in relation to the onset of visual stimuli and of
      the motor response. More importantly in regard to motor preparation, there was a
      tonic reduction of power in the alpha (8-12 Hz) and beta (14-30 Hz) bands during
      the period between cue presentation and target onset. During motor preparation,
      the main source of change of power of the alpha band was localized over the
      contralateral sensorimotor region and both parietal cortices, whereas for the
      beta-band the main source was the contralateral sensorimotor region. During cue
      presentation, the reduction of power of the alpha-band in the occipital lobe
      showed a brief differentiation of condition: the wider the visual cue, the more
      the power of the alpha-band decreased. However, during motor preparation, only
      the power of the beta-band was dependent on directional uncertainty: the less the
      directional uncertainty, the more the power of the beta-band decreased. In
      conclusion, the results indicate that the power in the alpha-band is associated
      briefly with cue size, but is otherwise an undifferentiated indication of neural
      activation, whereas the power of the beta-band reflects the level of motor
      preparation. 

PMID- 26257598
TI  - Antidepressant mechanism of ketamine: perspective from preclinical studies.
AB  - A debilitating mental disorder, major depressive disorder is a leading cause of
      global disease burden. Existing antidepressant drugs are not adequate for the
      majority of depressed patients, and large clinical studies have demonstrated
      their limited efficacy and slow response onset. Growing evidence of low-dose
      ketamine's rapid and potent antidepressant effects offers strong potential for
      future antidepressant agents. However, ketamine has considerable drawbacks such
      as its abuse potential, psychomimetic effects, and increased oxidative stress in
      the brain, thus limiting its widespread clinical use. To develop superior
      antidepressant drugs, it is crucial to better understand ketamine's
      antidepressant mechanism of action. Recent preclinical studies indicate that
      ketamine's antidepressant mechanism involves mammalian target of rapamycin
      pathway activation and subsequent synaptogenesis in the prefrontal cortex, as
      well as glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK-3beta) inactivation. Adjunct GSK
      3beta inhibitors, such as lithium, can enhance ketamine's efficacy by augmenting
      and prolonging its antidepressant effects. Given the potential for depressive
      relapses, lithium in addition to ketamine is a promising solution for this
      clinical issue. 

PMID- 26257599
TI  - Modulation of incentivized dishonesty by disgust facial expressions.
AB  - Disgust modulates moral decisions involving harming others. We recently specified
      that this effect is bi-directionally modulated by individual sensitivity to
      disgust. Here, we show that this effect generalizes to the moral domain of
      honesty and extends to outcomes with real-world impact. We employed a dice
      rolling task in which participants were incentivized to dishonestly report
      outcomes to increase their potential final monetary payoff. Disgust or control
      facial expressions were presented subliminally on each trial. Our results reveal
      that the disgust facial expressions altered honest reporting as a bi-directional
      function moderated by individual sensitivity. Combining these data with those
      from prior experiments revealed that the effect of disgust presentation on both
      harm judgments and honesty could be accounted for by the same bidirectional
      function, with no significant effect of domain. This clearly demonstrates that
      disgust facial expressions produce the same modulation of moral judgments across
      different moral foundations (harm and honesty). Our results suggest strong
      overlap in the cognitive/neural processes of moral judgments across moral
      foundations, and provide a framework for further studies to specify the
      integration of emotional information in moral decision making. 

PMID- 26257600
TI  - Cortical iron regulation and inflammatory response in Alzheimer's disease and
      APPSWE/PS1DeltaE9 mice: a histological perspective.
AB  - Disruption of iron homeostasis and increased glial response are known to occur in
      brains afflicted by Alzheimer's disease (AD). While the APP/PS1 transgenic mouse
      model recapitulates the hallmark amyloid-beta plaque pathology of AD, it does so
      in a different neuronal mileu than humans. Understanding the iron characteristics
      and glial response of the APP/PS1 model is important when testing new treatment
      procedures and translating these results. Brain tissue from AD patients, APP/PS1
      mice, and controls were stained for iron, H- and L-ferritin, microglia,
      astrocytes, Abeta40/42, and degenerating neurons. The histological data
      demonstrate differences in ferritin, iron distribution, gliosis, and Abeta plaque
      composition between APP/PS1 and AD tissue. Specifically, an association between
      focal iron deposition and Abeta plaques is found ubiquitously throughout the AD
      tissue and is not observed in the APP/PS1 mouse model. Ferritin, microglia, and
      astrocyte staining show differential response patterns to amyloid plaques in AD
      and the APP/PS1 tissue. Abeta 40 and 42 antibody and thioflavin staining
      demonstrate morphological differences in plaque composition. The histological
      data support the hypothesis that iron distribution, iron management, and glial
      response histologically differ between the APP/PS1 and AD brain. Acknowledging
      the caveat that there are distinct plaque, iron, and glial contrasts between the
      AD brain and the APP/PS1 mouse is crucial when utilizing this model. 

PMID- 26257601
TI  - Boosting brain connectome classification accuracy in Alzheimer's disease using
      higher-order singular value decomposition.
AB  - Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive brain disease. Accurate detection of AD
      and its prodromal stage, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), are crucial. There is
      also a growing interest in identifying brain imaging biomarkers that help to
      automatically differentiate stages of Alzheimer's disease. Here, we focused on
      brain structural networks computed from diffusion MRI and proposed a new feature
      extraction and classification framework based on higher order singular value
      decomposition and sparse logistic regression. In tests on publicly available data
      from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, our proposed framework
      showed promise in detecting brain network differences that help in classifying
      different stages of Alzheimer's disease. 

PMID- 26257602
TI  - An Importin Code in neuronal transport from synapse-to-nucleus?

PMID- 26257603
TI  - Investigating neuronal function with optically controllable proteins.
AB  - In the nervous system, protein activities are highly regulated in space and time.
      This regulation allows for fine modulation of neuronal structure and function
      during development and adaptive responses. For example, neurite extension and
      synaptogenesis both involve localized and transient activation of cytoskeletal
      and signaling proteins, allowing changes in microarchitecture to occur rapidly
      and in a localized manner. To investigate the role of specific protein regulation
      events in these processes, methods to optically control the activity of specific
      proteins have been developed. In this review, we focus on how photosensory
      domains enable optical control over protein activity and have been used in
      neuroscience applications. These tools have demonstrated versatility in
      controlling various proteins and thereby cellular functions, and possess enormous
      potential for future applications in nervous systems. Just as optogenetic control
      of neuronal firing using opsins has changed how we investigate the function of
      cellular circuits in vivo, optical control may yet yield another revolution in
      how we study the circuitry of intracellular signaling in the brain. 

PMID- 26257604
TI  - On the possible role of protein vibrations in information processing in the
      brain: three Russian dolls.
AB  - Until recently it was held that the neurocomputations conducted by the brain
      involved only whole neurons as the operating units. This may however represent
      only a part of the mechanism. This theoretical and academic position article
      reviews the considerable evidence that allosteric interactions between proteins
      (as extensively described by Fuxe et al., 2014), and in particular protein
      vibrations in neurons, form small scale codes that are involved as parts of the
      complex information processing systems of the brain. The argument is then
      developed to suggest that the protein allosteric and vibration codes (that
      operate at the molecular level) are nested within a medium scale coding system
      whose computational units are organelles (such as microtubules). This medium
      scale code is nested in turn inside a large scale coding system, whose
      computational units are individual neurons. The hypothesis suggests that these
      three levels interact vertically in both directions thus materially increasing
      the computational capacity of the brain. The whole hierarchy is thus similar to
      three nested Russian dolls. This theoretical development may be of use in the
      design of experiments to test it. 

PMID- 26257605
TI  - The presence of cortical neurons in striatal-cortical co-cultures alters the
      effects of dopamine and BDNF on medium spiny neuron dendritic development.
AB  - Medium spiny neurons (MSNs) are the major striatal neuron and receive synaptic
      input from both glutamatergic and dopaminergic afferents. These synapses are made
      on MSN dendritic spines, which undergo density and morphology changes in
      association with numerous disease and experience-dependent states. Despite wide
      interest in the structure and function of mature MSNs, relatively little is known
      about MSN development. Furthermore, most in vitro studies of MSN development have
      been done in simple striatal cultures that lack any type of non-autologous
      synaptic input, leaving open the question of how MSN development is affected by a
      complex environment that includes other types of neurons, glia, and accompanying
      secreted and cell-associated cues. Here we characterize the development of MSNs
      in striatal-cortical co-culture, including quantitative morphological analysis of
      dendritic arborization and spine development, describing progressive changes in
      density and morphology of developing spines. Overall, MSN growth is much more
      robust in the striatal-cortical co-culture compared to striatal mono-culture.
      Inclusion of dopamine (DA) in the co-culture further enhances MSN dendritic
      arborization and spine density, but the effects of DA on dendritic branching are
      only significant at later times in development. In contrast, exogenous Brain
      Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) has only a minimal effect on MSN development
      in the co-culture, but significantly enhances MSN dendritic arborization in
      striatal mono-culture. Importantly, inhibition of NMDA receptors in the co
      culture significantly enhances the effect of exogenous BDNF, suggesting that the
      efficacy of BDNF depends on the cellular environment. Combined, these studies
      identify specific periods of MSN development that may be particularly sensitive
      to perturbation by external factors and demonstrate the importance of studying
      MSN development in a complex signaling environment. 

PMID- 26257606
TI  - A commentary on: "Anti-muscarinic adjunct therapy accelerates functional human
      oligodendrocyte repair".

PMID- 26257607
TI  - A frequency-dependent decoding mechanism for axonal length sensing.
AB  - We have recently developed a mathematical model of axonal length sensing in which
      a system of delay differential equations describe a chemical signaling network.
      We showed that chemical oscillations emerge due to delayed negative feedback via
      a Hopf bifurcation, resulting in a frequency that is a monotonically decreasing
      function of axonal length. In this paper, we explore how frequency-encoding of
      axonal length can be decoded by a frequency-modulated gene network. If the
      protein output were thresholded, then this could provide a mechanism for axonal
      length control. We analyze the robustness of such a mechanism in the presence of
      intrinsic noise due to finite copy numbers within the gene network. 

PMID- 26257609
TI  - A three-dimensional image processing program for accurate, rapid, and semi
      automated segmentation of neuronal somata with dense neurite outgrowth.
AB  - Three-dimensional (3-D) image analysis techniques provide a powerful means to
      rapidly and accurately assess complex morphological and functional interactions
      between neural cells. Current software-based identification methods of neural
      cells generally fall into two applications: (1) segmentation of cell nuclei in
      high-density constructs or (2) tracing of cell neurites in single cell
      investigations. We have developed novel methodologies to permit the systematic
      identification of populations of neuronal somata possessing rich morphological
      detail and dense neurite arborization throughout thick tissue or 3-D in vitro
      constructs. The image analysis incorporates several novel automated features for
      the discrimination of neurites and somata by initially classifying features in 2
      D and merging these classifications into 3-D objects; the 3-D reconstructions
      automatically identify and adjust for over and under segmentation errors.
      Additionally, the platform provides for software-assisted error corrections to
      further minimize error. These features attain very accurate cell boundary
      identifications to handle a wide range of morphological complexities. We
      validated these tools using confocal z-stacks from thick 3-D neural constructs
      where neuronal somata had varying degrees of neurite arborization and complexity,
      achieving an accuracy of >=95%. We demonstrated the robustness of these
      algorithms in a more complex arena through the automated segmentation of neural
      cells in ex vivo brain slices. These novel methods surpass previous techniques by
      improving the robustness and accuracy by: (1) the ability to process neurites and
      somata, (2) bidirectional segmentation correction, and (3) validation via
      software-assisted user input. This 3-D image analysis platform provides valuable
      tools for the unbiased analysis of neural tissue or tissue surrogates within a 3
      D context, appropriate for the study of multi-dimensional cell-cell and cell
      extracellular matrix interactions. 

PMID- 26257608
TI  - Sensory and spinal inhibitory dorsal midline crossing is independent of Robo3.
AB  - Commissural neurons project across the midline at all levels of the central
      nervous system (CNS), providing bilateral communication critical for the
      coordination of motor activity and sensory perception. Midline crossing at the
      spinal ventral midline has been extensively studied and has revealed that
      multiple developmental lineages contribute to this commissural neuron population.
      Ventral midline crossing occurs in a manner dependent on Robo3 regulation of
      Robo/Slit signaling and the ventral commissure is absent in the spinal cord and
      hindbrain of Robo3 mutants. Midline crossing in the spinal cord is not limited to
      the ventral midline, however. While prior anatomical studies provide evidence
      that commissural axons also cross the midline dorsally, little is known of the
      genetic and molecular properties of dorsally-crossing neurons or of the
      mechanisms that regulate dorsal midline crossing. In this study, we describe a
      commissural neuron population that crosses the spinal dorsal midline during the
      last quarter of embryogenesis in discrete fiber bundles present throughout the
      rostrocaudal extent of the spinal cord. Using immunohistochemistry, neurotracing,
      and mouse genetics, we show that this commissural neuron population includes
      spinal inhibitory neurons and sensory nociceptors. While the floor plate and roof
      plate are dispensable for dorsal midline crossing, we show that this population
      depends on Robo/Slit signaling yet crosses the dorsal midline in a Robo3
      independent manner. The dorsally-crossing commissural neuron population we
      describe suggests a substrate circuitry for pain processing in the dorsal spinal
      cord. 

PMID- 26257610
TI  - Dopamine in the auditory brainstem and midbrain: co-localization with amino acid
      neurotransmitters and gene expression following cochlear trauma.
AB  - Dopamine (DA) modulates the effects of amino acid neurotransmitters (AANs),
      including GABA and glutamate, in motor, visual, olfactory, and reward systems
      (Hnasko et al., 2010; Stuber et al., 2010; Hnasko and Edwards, 2012). The results
      suggest that DA may play a similar modulatory role in the auditory pathways.
      Previous studies have shown that deafness results in decreased GABA release,
      changes in excitatory neurotransmitter levels, and increased spontaneous neuronal
      activity within brainstem regions related to auditory function. Modulation of the
      expression and localization of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH; the rate limiting enzyme
      in the production of DA) in the IC following cochlear trauma has been previously
      reported (Tong et al., 2005). In the current study the possibility of co
      localization of TH with AANs was examined. Changes in the gene expression of TH
      were compared with changes in the gene expression of markers for AANs in the
      cochlear nucleus (CN) and inferior colliculus (IC) to determine whether those
      deafness related changes occur concurrently. The results indicate that bilateral
      cochlear ablation significantly reduced TH gene expression in the CN after 2
      months while in the IC the reduction in TH was observed at both 3 days and 2
      months following ablation. Furthermore, in the CN, glycine transporter 2 (GLYT2)
      and the GABA transporter (GABAtp) were also significantly reduced only after 2
      months. However, in the IC, DA receptor 1 (DRDA1), vesicular glutamate
      transporters 2 and 3 (VGLUT2, VGLUT3), GABAtp and GAD67 were reduced in
      expression both at the 3 days and 2 months time points. A close relationship
      between the distribution of TH and several of the AANs was determined in both the
      CN and the IC. In addition, GLYT2 and VGLUT3 each co-localized with TH within IC
      somata and dendrites. Therefore, the results of the current study suggest that DA
      is spatially well positioned to influence the effects of AANs on auditory
      neurons. 

PMID- 26257611
TI  - Transmitter inputs to different motoneuron subgroups in the oculomotor and
      trochlear nucleus in monkey.
AB  - In all vertebrates the eyes are moved by six pairs of extraocular muscles
      enabling horizontal, vertical and rotatory movements. Recent work showed that
      each extraocular muscle is controlled by two motoneuronal groups: (1) Motoneurons
      of singly-innervated muscle fibers (SIF) that lie within the boundaries of
      motonuclei mediating a fast muscle contraction; and (2) motoneurons of multiply
      innervated muscle fibers (MIF) in the periphery of motonuclei mediating a tonic
      muscle contraction. Currently only limited data about the transmitter inputs to
      the SIF and MIF motoneurons are available. Here we performed a quantitative study
      on the transmitter inputs to SIF and MIF motoneurons of individual muscles in the
      oculomotor and trochlear nucleus in monkey. Pre-labeled motoneurons were
      immunostained for GABA, glutamate decarboxylase, GABA-A receptor, glycine
      transporter 2, glycine receptor 1, and vesicular glutamate transporters 1 and 2.
      The main findings were: (1) the inhibitory control of SIF motoneurons for
      horizontal and vertical eye movements differs. Unlike in previous primate studies
      a considerable GABAergic input was found to all SIF motoneuronal groups, whereas
      a glycinergic input was confined to motoneurons of the medial rectus (MR) muscle
      mediating horizontal eye movements and to those of the levator palpebrae (LP)
      muscle elevating the upper eyelid. Whereas SIF and MIF motoneurons of individual
      eye muscles do not differ numerically in their GABAergic, glycinergic and vGlut2
      input, vGlut1 containing terminals densely covered the supraoculomotor area (SOA)
      targeting MR MIF motoneurons. It is reasonable to assume that the vGlut1 input
      affects the near response system in the SOA, which houses the preganglionic
      neurons mediating pupillary constriction and accommodation and the MR MIF
      motoneurones involved in vergence. 

PMID- 26257612
TI  - Histological validation of high-resolution DTI in human post mortem tissue.
AB  - Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is amongst the simplest mathematical models
      available for diffusion magnetic resonance imaging, yet still by far the most
      used one. Despite the success of DTI as an imaging tool for white matter fibers,
      its anatomical underpinnings on a microstructural basis remain unclear. In this
      study, we used 65 myelin-stained sections of human premotor cortex to validate
      modeled fiber orientations and oft used microstructure-sensitive scalar measures
      of DTI on the level of individual voxels. We performed this validation on high
      spatial resolution diffusion MRI acquisitions investigating both white and gray
      matter. We found a very good agreement between DTI and myelin orientations with
      the majority of voxels showing angular differences less than 10 degrees . The
      agreement was strongest in white matter, particularly in unidirectional fiber
      pathways. In gray matter, the agreement was good in the deeper layers
      highlighting radial fiber directions even at lower fractional anisotropy (FA)
      compared to white matter. This result has potentially important implications for
      tractography algorithms applied to high resolution diffusion MRI data if the aim
      is to move across the gray/white matter boundary. We found strong relationships
      between myelin microstructure and DTI-based microstructure-sensitive measures.
      High FA values were linked to high myelin density and a sharply tuned
      histological orientation profile. Conversely, high values of mean diffusivity
      (MD) were linked to bimodal or diffuse orientation distributions and low myelin
      density. At high spatial resolution, DTI-based measures can be highly sensitive
      to white and gray matter microstructure despite being relatively unspecific to
      concrete microarchitectural aspects. 

PMID- 26257613
TI  - High frequency synchrony in the cerebellar cortex during goal directed movements.
AB  - The cerebellum is involved in sensory-motor integration and cognitive functions.
      The origin and function of the field potential oscillations in the cerebellum,
      especially in the high frequencies, have not been explored sufficiently. The
      primary objective of this study was to investigate the spatio-temporal
      characteristics of high frequency field potentials (150-350 Hz) in the cerebellar
      cortex in a behavioral context. To this end, we recorded from the paramedian
      lobule in rats using micro electro-corticogram (MU-ECoG) electrode arrays while
      the animal performed a lever press task using the forelimb. The phase synchrony
      analysis shows that the high frequency oscillations recorded at multiple points
      across the paramedian cortex episodically synchronize immediately before and
      desynchronize during the lever press. The electrode contacts were grouped
      according to their temporal course of phase synchrony around the time of lever
      press. Contact groups presented patches with slightly stronger synchrony values
      in the medio-lateral direction, and did not appear to form parasagittal zones.
      The size and location of these patches on the cortical surface are in agreement
      with the sensory evoked granular layer patches originally reported by Welker's
      lab (Shambes et al., 1978). Spatiotemporal synchrony of high frequency field
      potentials has not been reported at such large-scales previously in the
      cerebellar cortex. 

PMID- 26257614
TI  - Editorial: General anesthesia: from theory to experiments.

PMID- 26257615
TI  - Information asymmetry and deception.
AB  - Situations such as an entrepreneur overstating a project's value, or a superior
      choosing to under or overstate the gains from a project to a subordinate are
      common and may result in acts of deception. In this paper we modify the standard
      investment game in the economics literature to study the nature of deception. In
      this game a trustor (investor) can send a given amount of money to a trustee (or
      investee). The amount received is multiplied by a certain amount, k, and the
      investee then decides on how to divide the total amount received. In our modified
      game the information on the multiplier, k, is known only to the investee and she
      can send a non-binding message to the investor regarding its value. We find that
      66% of the investees send false messages with both under and over, statement
      being observed. Investors are naive and almost half of them believe the message
      received. We find greater lying when the distribution of the multiplier is
      unknown by the investors than when they know the distribution. Further, messages
      make beliefs about the multiplier more pessimistic when the investors know the
      distribution of the multiplier, while the opposite is true when they do not know
      the distribution. 

PMID- 26257616
TI  - The influence of trial order on learning from reward vs. punishment in a
      probabilistic categorization task: experimental and computational analyses.
AB  - Previous research has shown that trial ordering affects cognitive performance,
      but this has not been tested using category-learning tasks that differentiate
      learning from reward and punishment. Here, we tested two groups of healthy young
      adults using a probabilistic category learning task of reward and punishment in
      which there are two types of trials (reward, punishment) and three possible
      outcomes: (1) positive feedback for correct responses in reward trials; (2)
      negative feedback for incorrect responses in punishment trials; and (3) no
      feedback for incorrect answers in reward trials and correct answers in punishment
      trials. Hence, trials without feedback are ambiguous, and may represent either
      successful avoidance of punishment or failure to obtain reward. In Experiment 1,
      the first group of subjects received an intermixed task in which reward and
      punishment trials were presented in the same block, as a standard baseline task.
      In Experiment 2, a second group completed the separated task, in which reward and
      punishment trials were presented in separate blocks. Additionally, in order to
      understand the mechanisms underlying performance in the experimental conditions,
      we fit individual data using a Q-learning model. Results from Experiment 1 show
      that subjects who completed the intermixed task paradoxically valued the no
      feedback outcome as a reinforcer when it occurred on reinforcement-based trials,
      and as a punisher when it occurred on punishment-based trials. This is supported
      by patterns of empirical responding, where subjects showed more win-stay behavior
      following an explicit reward than following an omission of punishment, and more
      lose-shift behavior following an explicit punisher than following an omission of
      reward. In Experiment 2, results showed similar performance whether subjects
      received reward-based or punishment-based trials first. However, when the Q
      learning model was applied to these data, there were differences between subjects
      in the reward-first and punishment-first conditions on the relative weighting of
      neutral feedback. Specifically, early training on reward-based trials led to
      omission of reward being treated as similar to punishment, but prior training on
      punishment-based trials led to omission of reward being treated more neutrally.
      This suggests that early training on one type of trials, specifically reward
      based trials, can create a bias in how neutral feedback is processed, relative to
      those receiving early punishment-based training or training that mixes positive
      and negative outcomes. 

PMID- 26257617
TI  - Conditioned place preference successfully established in typically developing
      children.
AB  - Affective processing, known to influence attention, motivation, and emotional
      regulation is poorly understood in young children, especially for those with
      neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by language impairments. Here we
      faithfully adapt a well-established animal paradigm used for affective
      processing, conditioned place preference (CPP) for use in typically developing
      children between the ages of 30-55 months. Children displayed a CPP, with an
      average 2.4 fold increase in time spent in the preferred room. Importantly,
      associative learning as assessed with CPP was not correlated with scores on the
      Mullen Scales of Early Learning (MSEL), indicating that CPP can be used with
      children with a wide range of cognitive skills. 

PMID- 26257618
TI  - Avoidance learning: a review of theoretical models and recent developments.
AB  - Avoidance is a key characteristic of adaptive and maladaptive fear. Here, we
      review past and contemporary theories of avoidance learning. Based on the
      theories, experimental findings and clinical observations reviewed, we distill
      key principles of how adaptive and maladaptive avoidance behavior is acquired and
      maintained. We highlight clinical implications of avoidance learning theories and
      describe intervention strategies that could reduce maladaptive avoidance and
      prevent its return. We end with a brief overview of recent developments and
      avenues for further research. 

PMID- 26257619
TI  - Intergenerational transmission of alloparental behavior and oxytocin and
      vasopressin receptor distribution in the prairie vole.
AB  - Variation in the early environment has the potential to permanently alter
      offspring behavior and development. We have previously shown that naturally
      occurring variation in biparental care of offspring in the prairie vole is
      related to differences in social behavior of the offspring. It was not, however,
      clear whether the behavioral differences seen between offspring receiving high
      compared to low amounts of parental care were the result of different care
      experiences or were due to shared genetics with their high-contact or low-contact
      parents. Here we use cross-fostering methods to determine the mode of
      transmission of alloparental behavior and oxytocin receptor (OTR) and vasopressin
      V1a receptor (V1aR) binding from parent to offspring. Offspring were cross
      fostered or in-fostered on postnatal day 1 and parental care received was
      quantified in the first week postpartum. At weaning, offspring underwent an
      alloparental care test and brains were then collected from all parents and
      offspring to examine OTR and V1aR binding. Results indicate that alloparental
      behavior of offspring was predicted by the parental behavior of their rearing
      parents. Receptor binding for both OTR and V1aR tended to be predicted by the
      genetic mothers for female offspring and by the genetic fathers for male
      offspring. These findings suggest a different, sex-dependent, role of early
      experience and genetics in shaping behavior compared to receptor distribution and
      support the notion of sex-dependent outcomes. 

PMID- 26257620
TI  - Short-term effects of prosocial video games on aggression: an event-related
      potential study.
AB  - Previous research has shown that exposure to violent video games increases
      aggression, whereas exposure to prosocial video games can reduce aggressive
      behavior. However, little is known about the neural correlates of these
      behavioral effects. This work is the first to investigate the
      electrophysiological features of the relationship between playing a prosocial
      video game and inhibition of aggressive behavior. Forty-nine subjects played
      either a prosocial or a neutral video game for 20 min, then participated in an
      event-related potential (ERP) experiment based on an oddball paradigm and
      designed to test electrophysiological responses to prosocial and violent words.
      Finally, subjects completed a competitive reaction time task (CRTT) which based
      on Taylor's Aggression Paradigm and contains reaction time and noise intensity
      chosen as a measure of aggressive behavior. The results show that the prosocial
      video game group (compared to the neutral video game group) displayed smaller
      P300 amplitudes, were more accurate in distinguishing violent words, and were
      less aggressive as evaluated by the CRTT of noise intensity chosen. A mediation
      analysis shows that the P300 amplitude evoked by violent words partially mediates
      the relationship between type of video game and subsequent aggressive behavior.
      The results support theories based on the General Learning Model. We provide
      converging behavioral and neural evidence that exposure to prosocial media may
      reduce aggression. 

PMID- 26257621
TI  - Wired for motherhood: induction of maternal care but not maternal aggression in
      virgin female CD1 mice.
AB  - Virgin adult female mice display nearly spontaneous maternal care towards foster
      pups after a short period of sensitization. This indicates that maternal care is
      triggered by sensory stimulation provided by the pups and that its onset is
      largely independent on the physiological events related to gestation, parturition
      and lactation. Conversely, the factors influencing maternal aggression are poorly
      understood. In this study, we sought to characterize two models of maternal
      sensitization in the outbred CD1 strain. To do so, a group of virgin females
      (godmothers) were exposed to continuous cohabitation with a lactating dam and
      their pups from the moment of parturition, whereas a second group (pup-sensitized
      females), were exposed 2 h daily to foster pups. Both groups were tested for
      maternal behavior on postnatal days 2-4. Godmothers expressed full maternal care
      from the first test. Also, they expressed higher levels of crouching than dams.
      Pup-sensitized females differed from dams in all measures of pup-directed
      behavior in the first test, and expressed full maternal care after two sessions
      of contact with pups. However, both protocols failed to induce maternal
      aggression toward a male intruder after full onset of pup-directed maternal
      behavior, even in the presence of pups. Our study confirms that adult female mice
      need a short sensitization period before the onset of maternal care. Further, it
      shows that pup-oriented and non-pup-oriented components of maternal behavior are
      under different physiological control. We conclude that the godmother model might
      be useful to study the physiological and neural bases of the maternal behavior
      repertoire. 

PMID- 26257622
TI  - Multi-scale complexity analysis of muscle coactivation during gait in children
      with cerebral palsy.
AB  - The objective of this study is to characterize complexity of lower-extremity
      muscle coactivation and coordination during gait in children with cerebral palsy
      (CP), children with typical development (TD) and healthy adults, by applying
      recently developed multivariate multi-scale entropy (MMSE) analysis to surface
      electromyographic (EMG) signals. Eleven CP children (CP group), eight TD children
      and seven healthy adults (considered as an entire control group) were asked to
      walk while surface EMG signals were collected from five thigh muscles and three
      lower leg muscles on each leg (16 EMG channels in total). The 16-channel surface
      EMG data, recorded during a series of consecutive gait cycles, were
      simultaneously processed by multivariate empirical mode decomposition (MEMD), to
      generate fully aligned data scales for subsequent MMSE analysis. In order to
      conduct extensive examination of muscle coactivation complexity using the MEMD
      enhanced MMSE, 14 data analysis schemes were designed by varying partial muscle
      combinations and time durations of data segments. Both TD children and healthy
      adults showed almost consistent MMSE curves over multiple scales for all the 14
      schemes, without any significant difference (p > 0.09). However, distinct
      diversity in MMSE curve was observed in the CP group when compared with the
      control group. There appears to be diverse neuropathological processes in CP that
      may affect dynamical complexity of muscle coactivation and coordination during
      gait. The abnormal complexity patterns emerging in the CP group can be attributed
      to different factors such as motor control impairments, loss of muscle couplings,
      and spasticity or paralysis in individual muscles. This study expands our
      knowledge of neuropathology of CP from a novel point of view of muscle co
      activation complexity, which might be useful to derive a quantitative index for
      assessing muscle activation characteristics as well as motor function in CP. 

PMID- 26257623
TI  - Recovery of post stroke proximal arm function, driven by complex neuroplastic
      bilateral brain activation patterns and predicted by baseline motor dysfunction
      severity.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Neuroplastic changes that drive recovery of shoulder/elbow function
      after stroke have been poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to
      determine the relationship between neuroplastic brain changes related to
      shoulder/elbow movement control in response to treatment and recovery of arm
      motor function in chronic stroke survivors. METHODS: Twenty-three chronic stroke
      survivors were treated with 12 weeks of arm rehabilitation. Outcome measures
      included functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) for the shoulder/elbow
      components of reach and a skilled motor function test (Arm Motor Abilities Test,
      AMAT), collected before and after treatment. RESULTS: We observed two patterns of
      neuroplastic changes that were associated with gains in motor function: decreased
      or increased task-related brain activation. Those with significantly better motor
      function at baseline exhibited a decrease in brain activation in response to
      treatment, evident in the ipsilesional primary motor and contralesional
      supplementary motor regions; in contrast, those with greater baseline motor
      impairment, exhibited increased brain activation in response to treatment. There
      was a linear relationship between greater functional gain (AMAT) and increased
      activation in bilateral primary motor, contralesional primary and secondary
      sensory regions, and contralesional lateral premotor area, after adjusting for
      baseline AMAT, age, and time since stroke. CONCLUSIONS: Recovery of functional
      reach involves recruitment of several contralesional and bilateral primary motor
      regions. In response to intensive therapy, the direction of functional brain
      change (i.e., increase or decrease in task-related brain recruitment) for
      shoulder/elbow reach components depends on baseline level of motor function and
      may represent either different phases of recovery or different patterns of
      neuroplasticity that drive functional recovery.

PMID- 26257624
TI  - Time course of EEG oscillations during repeated listening of a well-known aria.
AB  - While previous studies have analyzed mean neurophysiological responses to musical
      stimuli, the current study aimed to identify specific time courses of
      electroencephalography (EEG) oscillations, which are associated with dynamic
      changes in the acoustic features of the musical stimulus. In addition, we were
      interested in whether these time courses change during a repeated presentation of
      the same musical piece. A total of 16 subjects repeatedly listened to the well
      known aria "Nessun dorma," sung by Paul Potts, while continuous 128-channel EEG
      and heart rate, as well as electrodermal responses, were recorded. The time
      courses for the EEG oscillations were calculated using a time resolution of 1
      second for several frequency bands, on the basis of individual alpha-peak
      frequencies (theta, low alpha-1, low alpha-2, upper alpha, and beta). For all
      frequency bands, we identified a more or less continuous increase in power
      relative to a baseline period, indicating strong event-related synchronization
      (ERS) during music listening. The ERS time courses, however, did not correlate
      strongly with the time courses of the acoustic features of the aria. In addition,
      we did not observe changes in EEG oscillations after repeated presentation of the
      same musical piece. Aside from this distinctive feature, we identified a
      remarkable variability in EEG oscillations, both within and between the repeated
      presentations of the aria. We interpret the continuous increase in ERS observed
      in all frequency bands during music listening as an indicator of a particular
      neurophysiological and psychological state evoked by music listening. We suggest
      that this state is characterized by increased internal attention (accompanied by
      reduced external attention), increased inhibition of brain networks not involved
      in the generation of this internal state, the maintenance of a particular level
      of general alertness, and a type of brain state that can be described as "mind
      wandering." The overall state can be categorized as a psychological process that
      may be seen as a "drawing in" to the musical piece. However, this state is not
      stable and varies considerably throughout the music listening session and across
      subjects. Most important, however, is the finding that the neurophysiological
      activations occurring during music listening are dynamic and not stationary. 

PMID- 26257625
TI  - The pleasures of sad music: a systematic review.
AB  - Sadness is generally seen as a negative emotion, a response to distressing and
      adverse situations. In an aesthetic context, however, sadness is often associated
      with some degree of pleasure, as suggested by the ubiquity and popularity,
      throughout history, of music, plays, films and paintings with a sad content.
      Here, we focus on the fact that music regarded as sad is often experienced as
      pleasurable. Compared to other art forms, music has an exceptional ability to
      evoke a wide-range of feelings and is especially beguiling when it deals with
      grief and sorrow. Why is it, then, that while human survival depends on
      preventing painful experiences, mental pain often turns out to be explicitly
      sought through music? In this article we consider why and how sad music can
      become pleasurable. We offer a framework to account for how listening to sad
      music can lead to positive feelings, contending that this effect hinges on
      correcting an ongoing homeostatic imbalance. Sadness evoked by music is found
      pleasurable: (1) when it is perceived as non-threatening; (2) when it is
      aesthetically pleasing; and (3) when it produces psychological benefits such as
      mood regulation, and empathic feelings, caused, for example, by recollection of
      and reflection on past events. We also review neuroimaging studies related to
      music and emotion and focus on those that deal with sadness. Further exploration
      of the neural mechanisms through which stimuli that usually produce sadness can
      induce a positive affective state could help the development of effective
      therapies for disorders such as depression, in which the ability to experience
      pleasure is attenuated. 

PMID- 26257626
TI  - Space distribution of EEG responses to hanoi-moving visual and auditory
      stimulation with Fourier Independent Component Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The relationship between EEG source signals and action
      related visual and auditory stimulation is still not well-understood. The
      objective of this study was to identify EEG source signals and their associated
      action-related visual and auditory responses, especially independent components
      of EEG. METHODS: A hand-moving-Hanoi video paradigm was used to study neural
      correlates of the action-related visual and auditory information processing
      determined by mu rhythm (8-12 Hz) in 16 healthy young subjects. Independent
      component analysis (ICA) was applied to identify separate EEG sources, and
      further computed in the frequency domain by applying-Fourier transform ICA (F
      ICA). RESULTS: F-ICA found more sensory stimuli-related independent components
      located within the sensorimotor region than ICA did. The total number of
      independent components of interest from F-ICA was 768, twice that of 384 from
      traditional time-domain ICA (p < 0.05). In the sensory-motor region C3 or C4, the
      total source signals intensity distribution values from all 14 subjects was 23.00
      (Mean 1.64 +/- 1.17) from F-ICA; which was more than the 10.5 (Mean 0.75 +/-
      0.62) from traditional time-domain ICA (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the intensity
      distribution of source signals in the C3 or C4 region was statistically
      significant between the ICA and F-ICA groups (strong 50 vs. 92%; weak 50 vs. 8%
      retrospectively; p < 0.05). In the Pz region, the total source signal intensity
      distribution from F-ICA was 12.50 (Mean 0.89 +/- 0.53); although exceeding that
      of traditional time-domain ICA 8.20 (Mean 0.59 +/- 0.48), the difference was not
      statistically significant (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results support the
      hypothesis that mu rhythm was sensitive to detection of the cognitive expression,
      which could be reflected by the function in the parietal lobe sensory-motor
      region. The results of this study could potentially be applied into early
      diagnosis for those with visual and hearing impairments in the near future.

PMID- 26257627
TI  - Corrigendum: The development of trunk control and its relation to reaching in
      infancy: a longitudinal study.
AB  - [This corrects the article on p. 94 in vol. 9, PMID: 25759646.]. 

PMID- 26257628
TI  - Linking inter-individual differences in the perceptual load effect to spontaneous
      brain activity.
AB  - Previous researches have widely demonstrated that the interference from
      peripheral distractor will decrease when the task load is high. However, no study
      to date has paid attention to the individual differences in perceptual load
      effect (PLE) and little is known of spontaneous brain activity associated with
      PLE during resting state. To investigate this issue, we used resting-state
      functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) to examine the relationship between
      the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFFs) and PLE. The results showed
      that there were large individual differences in PLE and we found PLE was
      significantly associated with ALFFs in left inferior temporal gyrus (ITG) and
      left precentral/postcentral gyrus. The present study suggested that the PLE was
      measurable, and there were individual differences in this effect. Moreover, these
      results implicated that: 1) mutual competition for limited capacity, which is
      involved in visual attention, and 2) response control that is included in
      behavior response both may contribute to the modulation induced by perceptual
      load. 

PMID- 26257630
TI  - Corrigendum: Society, Organizations and the Brain: Building toward a Unified
      Cognitive Neuroscience Perspective.
AB  - [This corrects the article on p. 289 in vol. 9, PMID: 26042022.]. 

PMID- 26257629
TI  - Neuroart: picturing the neuroscience of intentional actions in art and science.
AB  - Intentional actions cover a broad spectrum of human behaviors involving
      consciousness, creativity, innovative thinking, problem-solving, critical
      thinking, and other related cognitive processes self-evident in the arts and
      sciences. The author discusses the brain activity associated with action
      intentions, connecting this activity with the creative process. Focusing on one
      seminal artwork created and exhibited over a period of three decades, Thought
      Assemblies (1979-82, 2014), he describes how this symbolic art interprets the
      neuropsychological processes of intuition and analytical reasoning. It explores
      numerous basic questions concerning observed interactions between artistic and
      scientific inquiries, conceptions, perceptions, and representations connecting
      mind and nature. Pointing to some key neural mechanisms responsible for forming
      and implementing intentions, he considers why and how we create, discover,
      invent, and innovate. He suggests ways of metaphorical thinking and symbolic
      modeling that can help integrate the neuroscience of intentional actions with the
      neuroscience of creativity, art and neuroaesthetics. 

PMID- 26257631
TI  - Corrigendum: A comparison of two sleep spindle detection methods based on all
      night averages: individually adjusted vs. fixed frequencies.
AB  - [This corrects the article on p. 52 in vol. 9, PMID: 25741264.]. 

PMID- 26257632
TI  - A systematic review of non-motor rTMS induced motor cortex plasticity.
AB  - Motor cortex excitability can be measured by single- and paired-pulse
      transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Repetitive transcranial magnetic
      stimulation (rTMS) can induce neuroplastic effects in stimulated and in
      functionally connected cortical regions. Due to its ability to non-invasively
      modulate cortical activity, rTMS has been investigated for the treatment of
      various neurological and psychiatric disorders. However, such studies revealed a
      high variability of both clinical and neuronal effects induced by rTMS. In order
      to better elucidate this meta-plasticity, rTMS-induced changes in motor cortex
      excitability have been monitored in various studies in a pre-post stimulation
      design. Here, we give a literature review of studies investigating motor cortex
      excitability changes as a neuronal marker for rTMS effects over non-motor
      cortical areas. A systematic literature review in April 2014 resulted in 29
      articles in which motor cortex excitability was assessed before and after rTMS
      over non-motor areas. The majority of the studies focused on the stimulation of
      one of three separate cortical areas: the prefrontal area (17 studies), the
      cerebellum (8 studies), or the temporal cortex (3 studies). One study assessed
      the effects of multi-site rTMS. Most studies investigated healthy controls but
      some also stimulated patients with neuropsychiatric conditions (e.g., affective
      disorders, tinnitus). Methods and findings of the identified studies were highly
      variable showing no clear systematic pattern of interaction of non-motor rTMS
      with measures of motor cortex excitability. Based on the available literature,
      the measurement of motor cortex excitability changes before and after non-motor
      rTMS has only limited value in the investigation of rTMS related meta-plasticity
      as a neuronal state or as a trait marker for neuropsychiatric diseases. Our
      results do not suggest that there are systematic alterations of cortical
      excitability changes during rTMS treatment, which calls into question the
      practice of re-adjusting the stimulation intensity according to the motor
      threshold over the course of the treatment. 

PMID- 26257635
TI  - Fear avoidance beliefs in back pain-free subjects are reflected by amygdala
      cingulate responses.
AB  - In most individuals suffering from chronic low back pain, psychosocial factors,
      specifically fear avoidance beliefs (FABs), play central roles in the absence of
      identifiable organic pathology. On a neurobiological level, encouraging research
      has shown brain system correlates of somatic and psychological factors during the
      transition from (sub) acute to chronic low back pain. The characterization of
      brain imaging signatures in pain-free individuals before any injury will be of
      high importance regarding the identification of relevant networks for low back
      pain (LBP) vulnerability. Fear-avoidance beliefs serve as strong predictors of
      disability and chronification in LBP and current research indicates that back
      pain related FABs already exist in the general and pain-free population.
      Therefore, we aimed at investigating possible differential neural functioning
      between high- and low fear-avoidant individuals in the general population using
      functional magnetic resonance imaging. Results revealed that pain-free
      individuals without a history of chronic pain episodes could be differentiated in
      amygdala activity and connectivity to the pregenual anterior cingulate cortex by
      their level of back pain related FABs. These results shed new light on brain
      networks underlying psychological factors that may become relevant for enhanced
      disability in a future LBP episode. 

PMID- 26257634
TI  - Many neighbors are not silent. fMRI evidence for global lexical activity in
      visual word recognition.
AB  - Many neurocognitive studies investigated the neural correlates of visual word
      recognition, some of which manipulated the orthographic neighborhood density of
      words and nonwords believed to influence the activation of orthographically
      similar representations in a hypothetical mental lexicon. Previous neuroimaging
      research failed to find evidence for such global lexical activity associated with
      neighborhood density. Rather, effects were interpreted to reflect semantic or
      domain general processing. The present fMRI study revealed effects of lexicality,
      orthographic neighborhood density and a lexicality by orthographic neighborhood
      density interaction in a silent reading task. For the first time we found greater
      activity for words and nonwords with a high number of neighbors. We propose that
      this activity in the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex reflects activation of
      orthographically similar codes in verbal working memory thus providing evidence
      for global lexical activity as the basis of the neighborhood density effect. The
      interaction of lexicality by neighborhood density in the ventromedial prefrontal
      cortex showed lower activity in response to words with a high number compared to
      nonwords with a high number of neighbors. In the light of these results the
      facilitatory effect for words and inhibitory effect for nonwords with many
      neighbors observed in previous studies can be understood as being due to the
      operation of a fast-guess mechanism for words and a temporal deadline mechanism
      for nonwords as predicted by models of visual word recognition. Furthermore, we
      propose that the lexicality effect with higher activity for words compared to
      nonwords in inferior parietal and middle temporal cortex reflects the operation
      of an identification mechanism based on local lexico-semantic activity. 

PMID- 26257633
TI  - Cognitive neuroscience of human counterfactual reasoning.
AB  - Counterfactual reasoning is a hallmark of human thought, enabling the capacity to
      shift from perceiving the immediate environment to an alternative, imagined
      perspective. Mental representations of counterfactual possibilities (e.g.,
      imagined past events or future outcomes not yet at hand) provide the basis for
      learning from past experience, enable planning and prediction, support creativity
      and insight, and give rise to emotions and social attributions (e.g., regret and
      blame). Yet remarkably little is known about the psychological and neural
      foundations of counterfactual reasoning. In this review, we survey recent
      findings from psychology and neuroscience indicating that counterfactual thought
      depends on an integrative network of systems for affective processing, mental
      simulation, and cognitive control. We review evidence to elucidate how these
      mechanisms are systematically altered through psychiatric illness and
      neurological disease. We propose that counterfactual thinking depends on the
      coordination of multiple information processing systems that together enable
      adaptive behavior and goal-directed decision making and make recommendations for
      the study of counterfactual inference in health, aging, and disease. 

PMID- 26257637
TI  - Role of the site of synaptic competition and the balance of learning forces for
      Hebbian encoding of probabilistic Markov sequences.
AB  - The majority of distinct sensory and motor events occur as temporally ordered
      sequences with rich probabilistic structure. Sequences can be characterized by
      the probability of transitioning from the current state to upcoming states
      (forward probability), as well as the probability of having transitioned to the
      current state from previous states (backward probability). Despite the prevalence
      of probabilistic sequencing of both sensory and motor events, the Hebbian
      mechanisms that mold synapses to reflect the statistics of experienced
      probabilistic sequences are not well understood. Here, we show through analytic
      calculations and numerical simulations that Hebbian plasticity (correlation,
      covariance, and STDP) with pre-synaptic competition can develop synaptic weights
      equal to the conditional forward transition probabilities present in the input
      sequence. In contrast, post-synaptic competition can develop synaptic weights
      proportional to the conditional backward probabilities of the same input
      sequence. We demonstrate that to stably reflect the conditional probability of a
      neuron's inputs and outputs, local Hebbian plasticity requires balance between
      competitive learning forces that promote synaptic differentiation and
      homogenizing learning forces that promote synaptic stabilization. The balance
      between these forces dictates a prior over the distribution of learned synaptic
      weights, strongly influencing both the rate at which structure emerges and the
      entropy of the final distribution of synaptic weights. Together, these results
      demonstrate a simple correspondence between the biophysical organization of
      neurons, the site of synaptic competition, and the temporal flow of information
      encoded in synaptic weights by Hebbian plasticity while highlighting the utility
      of balancing learning forces to accurately encode probability distributions, and
      prior expectations over such probability distributions. 

PMID- 26257636
TI  - Event-based prospective memory in patients with Parkinson's disease: the effect
      of emotional valence.
AB  - The present study investigated the effect of Parkinson's disease (PD) on
      prospective memory (PM) tasks by varying the emotional content of the PM actions.
      Twenty-one older adults with PD and 25 healthy older adults took part in the
      present study. Participants performed three virtual days in the Virtual Week
      task. On each virtual day, participants performed actions with positive, negative
      or neutral content. Immediately following each virtual day, participants
      completed a recognition task to assess their retrospective memory for the various
      PM tasks. PD patients were less accurate than the control group at both PM
      accuracy and recognition task accuracy. The effect of emotional valence was also
      evident, indicating that all participants were more accurate on positive PM tasks
      than both negative and neutral. This study confirmed PM impairment in PD patients
      and extended previous research showing how positive emotional stimuli can
      influence PM performance. 

PMID- 26257638
TI  - Biohybrid Control of General Linear Systems Using the Adaptive Filter Model of
      Cerebellum.
AB  - The adaptive filter model of the cerebellar microcircuit has been successfully
      applied to biological motor control problems, such as the vestibulo-ocular reflex
      (VOR), and to sensory processing problems, such as the adaptive cancelation of
      reafferent noise. It has also been successfully applied to problems in robotics,
      such as adaptive camera stabilization and sensor noise cancelation. In previous
      applications to inverse control problems, the algorithm was applied to the
      velocity control of a plant dominated by viscous and elastic elements. Naive
      application of the adaptive filter model to the displacement (as opposed to
      velocity) control of this plant results in unstable learning and control. To be
      more generally useful in engineering problems, it is essential to remove this
      restriction to enable the stable control of plants of any order. We address this
      problem here by developing a biohybrid model reference adaptive control (MRAC)
      scheme, which stabilizes the control algorithm for strictly proper plants. We
      evaluate the performance of this novel cerebellar-inspired algorithm with MRAC
      scheme in the experimental control of a dielectric electroactive polymer, a class
      of artificial muscle. The results show that the augmented cerebellar algorithm is
      able to accurately control the displacement response of the artificial muscle.
      The proposed solution not only greatly extends the practical applicability of the
      cerebellar-inspired algorithm, but may also shed light on cerebellar involvement
      in a wider range of biological control tasks. 

PMID- 26257640
TI  - A neural network-based exploratory learning and motor planning system for co
      robots.
AB  - Collaborative robots, or co-robots, are semi-autonomous robotic agents designed
      to work alongside humans in shared workspaces. To be effective, co-robots require
      the ability to respond and adapt to dynamic scenarios encountered in natural
      environments. One way to achieve this is through exploratory learning, or
      "learning by doing," an unsupervised method in which co-robots are able to build
      an internal model for motor planning and coordination based on real-time sensory
      inputs. In this paper, we present an adaptive neural network-based system for co
      robot control that employs exploratory learning to achieve the coordinated motor
      planning needed to navigate toward, reach for, and grasp distant objects. To
      validate this system we used the 11-degrees-of-freedom RoPro Calliope mobile
      robot. Through motor babbling of its wheels and arm, the Calliope learned how to
      relate visual and proprioceptive information to achieve hand-eye-body
      coordination. By continually evaluating sensory inputs and externally provided
      goal directives, the Calliope was then able to autonomously select the
      appropriate wheel and joint velocities needed to perform its assigned task, such
      as following a moving target or retrieving an indicated object. 

PMID- 26257639
TI  - Learning touch preferences with a tactile robot using dopamine modulated STDP in
      a model of insular cortex.
AB  - Neurorobots enable researchers to study how behaviors are produced by neural
      mechanisms in an uncertain, noisy, real-world environment. To investigate how the
      somatosensory system processes noisy, real-world touch inputs, we introduce a
      neurorobot called CARL-SJR, which has a full-body tactile sensory area. The
      design of CARL-SJR is such that it encourages people to communicate with it
      through gentle touch. CARL-SJR provides feedback to users by displaying bright
      colors on its surface. In the present study, we show that CARL-SJR is capable of
      learning associations between conditioned stimuli (CS; a color pattern on its
      surface) and unconditioned stimuli (US; a preferred touch pattern) by applying a
      spiking neural network (SNN) with neurobiologically inspired plasticity.
      Specifically, we modeled the primary somatosensory cortex, prefrontal cortex,
      striatum, and the insular cortex, which is important for hedonic touch, to
      process noisy data generated directly from CARL-SJR's tactile sensory area. To
      facilitate learning, we applied dopamine-modulated Spike Timing Dependent
      Plasticity (STDP) to our simulated prefrontal cortex, striatum, and insular
      cortex. To cope with noisy, varying inputs, the SNN was tuned to produce
      traveling waves of activity that carried spatiotemporal information. Despite the
      noisy tactile sensors, spike trains, and variations in subject hand swipes, the
      learning was quite robust. Further, insular cortex activities in the incremental
      pathway of dopaminergic reward system allowed us to control CARL-SJR's preference
      for touch direction without heavily pre-processed inputs. The emerged behaviors
      we found in this model match animal's behaviors wherein they prefer touch in
      particular areas and directions. Thus, the results in this paper could serve as
      an explanation on the underlying neural mechanisms for developing tactile
      preferences and hedonic touch. 

PMID- 26257641
TI  - The origin of glutamatergic synaptic inputs controls synaptic plasticity and its
      modulation by alcohol in mice nucleus accumbens.
AB  - It is widely accepted that long-lasting changes of synaptic strength in the
      nucleus accumbens (NAc), a brain region involved in drug reward, mediate acute
      and chronic effects of alcohol. However, our understanding of the mechanisms
      underlying the effects of alcohol on synaptic plasticity is limited by the fact
      that the NAc receives glutamatergic inputs from distinct brain regions (e.g., the
      prefrontal cortex (PFCx), the amygdala and the hippocampus), each region
      providing different information (e.g., spatial, emotional and cognitive).
      Combining whole-cell patch-clamp recordings and the optogenetic technique, we
      examined synaptic plasticity, and its regulation by alcohol, at cortical,
      hippocampal and amygdala inputs in fresh slices of mouse tissue. We showed that
      the origin of synaptic inputs determines the basic properties of glutamatergic
      synaptic transmission, the expression of spike-timing dependent long-term
      depression (tLTD) and long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term potentiation
      (tLTP) and their regulation by alcohol. While we observed both tLTP and tLTD at
      amygadala and hippocampal synapses, we showed that cortical inputs only undergo
      tLTD. Functionally, we provide evidence that acute Ethyl Alcohol (EtOH) has
      little effects on higher order information coming from the PFCx, while severely
      impacting the ability of emotional and contextual information to induce long
      lasting changes of synaptic strength. 

PMID- 26257643
TI  - Multi-domain training in healthy old age: Hotel Plastisse as an iPad-based
      serious game to systematically compare multi-domain and single-domain training.
AB  - Finding effective training interventions for declining cognitive abilities in
      healthy aging is of great relevance, especially in view of the demographic
      development. Since it is assumed that transfer from the trained to untrained
      domains is more likely to occur when training conditions and transfer measures
      share a common underlying process, multi-domain training of several cognitive
      functions should increase the likelihood of such an overlap. In the first part,
      we give an overview of the literature showing that cognitive training using
      complex tasks, such as video games, leisure activities, or practicing a series of
      cognitive tasks, has shown promising results regarding transfer to a number of
      cognitive functions. These studies, however, do not allow direct inference about
      the underlying functions targeted by these training regimes. Custom-designed
      serious games allow to design training regimes according to specific cognitive
      functions and a target population's need. In the second part, we introduce the
      serious game Hotel Plastisse as an iPad-based training tool for older adults that
      allows the comparison of the simultaneous training of spatial navigation,
      visuomotor function, and inhibition to the training of each of these functions
      separately. Hotel Plastisse not only defines the cognitive functions of the multi
      domain training clearly, but also implements training in an interesting learning
      environment including adaptive difficulty and feedback. We propose this novel
      training tool with the goal of furthering our understanding of how training
      regimes should be designed in order to affect cognitive functioning of older
      adults most broadly. 

PMID- 26257644
TI  - Specific cognitive functions and depressive symptoms as predictors of activities
      of daily living in older adults with heterogeneous cognitive backgrounds.
AB  - Cognitive functioning influences activities of daily living (ADL). However,
      studies reporting the association between ADL and neuropsychological performance
      show inconsistent results regarding what specific cognitive domains are related
      to each specific functional domains. Additionally, whether depressive symptoms
      are associated with a worse functional performance in older adults is still under
      explored. We investigated if specific cognitive domains and depressive symptoms
      would affect different aspects of ADL. Participants were 274 older adults (96
      normal aging participants, 85 patients with mild cognitive impairment, and 93
      patients probable with mild Alzheimer's disease dementia) with low formal
      education (~4 years). Measures of ADL included three complexity levels: Self
      care, Instrumental-Domestic, and Instrumental-Complex. The specific cognitive
      functions were evaluated through a factorial strategy resulting in four cognitive
      domains: Executive Functions, Language/Semantic Memory, Episodic Memory, and
      Visuospatial Abilities. The Geriatric Depression Scale measured depressive
      symptoms. Multiple linear regression analysis showed executive functions and
      episodic memory as significant predictors of Instrumental-Domestic ADL, and
      executive functions, episodic memory and language/semantic memory as predictors
      of Instrumental-Complex ADL (22 and 28% of explained variance, respectively).
      Ordinal regression analysis showed the influence of specific cognitive functions
      and depressive symptoms on each one of the instrumental ADL. We observed a
      heterogeneous pattern of association with explained variance ranging from 22 to
      38%. Different instrumental ADL had specific cognitive predictors and depressive
      symptoms were predictive of ADL involving social contact. Our results suggest a
      specific pattern of influence depending on the specific instrumental daily living
      activity. 

PMID- 26257642
TI  - Microglial cell dysregulation in brain aging and neurodegeneration.
AB  - Aging is the main risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases. In aging, microglia
      undergoes phenotypic changes compatible with their activation. Glial activation
      can lead to neuroinflammation, which is increasingly accepted as part of the
      pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD).
      We hypothesize that in aging, aberrant microglia activation leads to a
      deleterious environment and neurodegeneration. In aged mice, microglia exhibit an
      increased expression of cytokines and an exacerbated inflammatory response to
      pathological changes. Whereas LPS increases nitric oxide (NO) secretion in
      microglia from young mice, induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS)
      predominates in older mice. Furthermore, there is accumulation of DNA oxidative
      damage in mitochondria of microglia during aging, and also an increased
      intracellular ROS production. Increased ROS activates the redox-sensitive nuclear
      factor kappa B, which promotes more neuroinflammation, and can be translated in
      functional deficits, such as cognitive impairment. Mitochondria-derived ROS and
      cathepsin B, are also necessary for the microglial cell production of interleukin
      1beta, a key inflammatory cytokine. Interestingly, whereas the regulatory
      cytokine TGFbeta1 is also increased in the aged brain, neuroinflammation
      persists. Assessing this apparent contradiction, we have reported that TGFbeta1
      induction and activation of Smad3 signaling after inflammatory stimulation are
      reduced in adult mice. Other protective functions, such as phagocytosis, although
      observed in aged animals, become not inducible by inflammatory stimuli and
      TGFbeta1. Here, we discuss data suggesting that mitochondrial and endolysosomal
      dysfunction could at least partially mediate age-associated microglial cell
      changes, and, together with the impairment of the TGFbeta1-Smad3 pathway, could
      result in the reduction of protective activation and the facilitation of
      cytotoxic activation of microglia, resulting in the promotion of
      neurodegenerative diseases. 

PMID- 26257646
TI  - "Are we ready for robots that care for us?" Attitudes and opinions of older
      adults toward socially assistive robots.
AB  - Socially Assistive Robots (SAR) may help improve care delivery at home for older
      adults with cognitive impairment and reduce the burden of informal caregivers.
      Examining the views of these stakeholders on SAR is fundamental in order to
      conceive acceptable and useful SAR for dementia care. This study investigated SAR
      acceptance among three groups of older adults living in the community: persons
      with Mild Cognitive Impairment, informal caregivers of persons with dementia, and
      healthy older adults. Different technology acceptance questions related to the
      robot and user characteristics, potential applications, feelings about
      technology, ethical issues, and barriers and facilitators for SAR adoption, were
      addressed in a mixed-method study. Participants (n = 25) completed a survey and
      took part in a focus group (n = 7). A functional robot prototype, a multimedia
      presentation, and some use-case scenarios provided a base for the discussion.
      Content analysis was carried out based on recorded material from focus groups.
      Results indicated that an accurate insight of influential factors for SAR
      acceptance could be gained by combining quantitative and qualitative methods.
      Participants acknowledged the potential benefits of SAR for supporting care at
      home for individuals with cognitive impairment. In all the three groups,
      intention to use SAR was found to be lower for the present time than that
      anticipated for the future. However, caregivers and persons with MCI had a higher
      perceived usefulness and intention to use SAR, at the present time, than healthy
      older adults, confirming that current needs are strongly related to technology
      acceptance and should influence SAR design. A key theme that emerged in this
      study was the importance of customizing SAR appearance, services, and social
      capabilities. Mismatch between needs and solutions offered by the robot,
      usability factors, and lack of experience with technology, were seen as the most
      important barriers for SAR adoption. 

PMID- 26257647
TI  - Role of diffuse low-level heteroplasmy of mitochondrial DNA in Alzheimer's
      disease neurodegeneration.
AB  - Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia in the elderly. The
      vast majority of cases are not linked to a known genetic defect and the molecular
      mechanisms underlying AD pathogenesis are still elusive. Evidence suggests that
      mitochondrial dysfunction is a prominent feature of the disease, and that
      mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) alterations may represent a possible starting point of
      the pathophysiological cascade. Although specific mtDNA alterations have been
      reported in AD patients both in brain and peripheral tissues, such as D-loop
      mutations, 4977-bp deletion and poly-C tract D310 cytosine insertion, a
      generalized subtle allelic shift has also been demonstrated. This shift is
      significant for a few nucleotide positions (nps), but it is also detectable for
      most nps, although at a lower level. As single allelic substitutions can unlikely
      be determinant, it is proposed that the combination of all of them could lead to
      a less efficient oxidative phosphorylation, thus influencing AD development and
      course. 

PMID- 26257645
TI  - The quasi-parallel lives of satellite cells and atrophying muscle.
AB  - Skeletal muscle atrophy or wasting accompanies various chronic illnesses and the
      aging process, thereby reducing muscle function. One of the most important
      components contributing to effective muscle repair in postnatal organisms, the
      satellite cells (SCs), have recently become the focus of several studies
      examining factors participating in the atrophic process. We critically examine
      here the experimental evidence linking SC function with muscle loss in connection
      with various diseases as well as aging, and in the subsequent recovery process.
      Several recent reports have investigated the changes in SCs in terms of their
      differentiation and proliferative capacity in response to various atrophic
      stimuli. In this regard, we review the molecular changes within SCs that
      contribute to their dysfunctional status in atrophy, with the intention of
      shedding light on novel potential pharmacological targets to counteract the loss
      of muscle mass. 

PMID- 26257648
TI  - The effects of lifelong blindness on murine neuroanatomy and gene expression.
AB  - Mammalian neocortical development is regulated by neural patterning mechanisms,
      with distinct sensory and motor areas arising through the process of
      arealization. This development occurs alongside developing central or peripheral
      sensory systems. Specifically, the parcellation of neocortex into specific areas
      of distinct cytoarchitecture, connectivity and function during development is
      reliant upon both cortically intrinsic mechanisms, such as gene expression, and
      extrinsic processes, such as input from the sensory receptors. This developmental
      program shifts from patterning to maintenance as the animal ages and is believed
      to be active throughout life, where the brain's organization is stable yet
      plastic. In this study, we characterize the long-term effects of early removal of
      visual input via bilateral enucleation at birth. To understand the long-term
      effects of early blindness we conducted anatomical and molecular assays 18 months
      after enucleation, near the end of lifespan in the mouse. Bilateral enucleation
      early in life leads to long-term, stable size reductions of the thalamic lateral
      geniculate nucleus (LGN) and the primary visual cortex (V1) alongside a increase
      in individual whisker barrel size. Neocortical gene expression in the aging brain
      has not been previously identified; we document cortical expression of multiple
      regionalization genes. Expression patterns of Ephrin A5, COUP-TFI, and RZRbeta
      and patterns of intraneocortical connectivity (INC) are altered in the
      neocortices of aging blind mice. Sensory inputs from different modalities during
      development likely play a major role in the development of cortical areal and
      thalamic nuclear boundaries. We suggest that early patterning by prenatal retinal
      activity combined with persistent gene expression within the thalamus and cortex
      is sufficient to establish and preserve a small but present LGN and V1 into late
      adulthood. 

PMID- 26257649
TI  - Dendrogenin A and B two new steroidal alkaloids increasing neural responsiveness
      in the deafened guinea pig.
AB  - AIM: To investigate the therapeutic potential for treating inner ear damage of
      two new steroidal alkaloid compounds, Dendrogenin A and Dendrogenin B, previously
      shown to be potent inductors of cell differentiation. METHODS: Guinea pigs,
      unilaterally deafened by neomycin infusion, received a cochlear implant followed
      by immediate or a 2-week delayed treatment with Dendrogenin A, Dendrogenin B,
      and, as comparison artificial perilymph and glial cell-line derived neurotrophic
      factor. After a 4-week treatment period the animals were sacrificed and the
      cochleae processed for morphological analysis. Electrically-evoked auditory
      brainstem responses (eABRs) were measured weekly throughout the experiment.
      RESULTS: Following immediate or delayed Dendrogenin treatment the electrical
      responsiveness was significantly maintained, in a similar extent as has been
      shown using neurotrophic factors. Histological analysis showed that the spiral
      ganglion neurons density was only slightly higher than the untreated group.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that Dendrogenins constitute a new class of
      drugs with strong potential to improve cochlear implant efficacy and to treat
      neuropathy/synaptopathy related hearing loss. That electrical responsiveness was
      maintained despite a significantly reduced neural population suggests that the
      efficacy of cochlear implants is more related to the functional state of the
      spiral ganglion neurons than merely their number.

PMID- 26257651
TI  - Simultaneous inhibition of ATR and PARP sensitizes colon cancer cell lines to
      irinotecan.
AB  - Enhanced DNA damage repair is one mechanism involved in colon cancer drug
      resistance. Thus, targeting molecular components of repair pathways with specific
      small molecule inhibitors may improve the efficacy of chemotherapy. ABT-888 and
      VE-821, inhibitors of poly-ADP-ribose-polymerase (PARP) and the serine/threonine
      kinase Ataxia telangiectasia related (ATR), respectively, were used to treat
      colon cancer cell lines in combination with the topoisomerase-I inhibitor
      irinotecan (SN38). Our findings show that each of these DNA repair inhibitors
      utilized alone at nontoxic single agent concentrations resulted in sensitization
      to SN38 producing a 1.4-3 fold reduction in the 50% inhibitory concentration
      (IC50) of SN38 in three colon cancer cell lines. When combined together, nontoxic
      concentrations of ABT-888 and VE-821 produced a 4.5-27 fold reduction in the IC50
      of SN38 with the HCT-116 colon cancer cells demonstrating the highest
      sensitization as compared to LoVo and HT-29 colon cancer cells. Furthermore, the
      combination of all three agents was associated with maximal G2 -M arrest and
      enhanced DNA-damage (gammaH2AX) in all three colon cancer cell lines. The
      mechanism of this enhanced sensitization was associated with: (a) maximal
      suppression of SN38 induced PARP activity in the presence of both inhibitors and
      (b) ABT-888 producing partial abrogation of the VE-821 enhancement of SN38
      induced DNA-PK phosphorylation, resulting in more unrepaired DNA damage; these
      alterations were only present in the HCT-116 cells which have reduced levels of
      ATM. This novel combination of DNA repair inhibitors may be useful to enhance the
      activity of DNA damaging chemotherapies such as irinotecan and help produce
      sensitization to this drug in colon cancer. 

PMID- 26257652
TI  - Extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 as regulators of cardiac hypertrophy.
AB  - Cardiac hypertrophy results from increased mechanical load on the heart and
      through the actions of local and systemic neuro-humoral factors, cytokines and
      growth factors. These mechanical and neuroendocrine effectors act through
      stretch, G protein-coupled receptors and tyrosine kinases to induce the
      activation of a myriad of intracellular signaling pathways including the
      extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2). Since most stimuli that
      provoke myocardial hypertrophy also elicit an acute phosphorylation of the
      threonine-glutamate-tyrosine (TEY) motif within the activation loops of ERK1 and
      ERK2 kinases, resulting in their activation, ERKs have long been considered
      promotors of cardiac hypertrophy. Several mouse models were generated in order to
      directly understand the causal role of ERK1/2 activation in the heart. These
      models include direct manipulation of ERK1/2 such as overexpression, mutagenesis
      or knockout models, manipulations of upstream kinases such as MEK1 and
      manipulations of the phosphatases that dephosphorylate ERK1/2 such as DUSP6. The
      emerging understanding from these studies, as will be discussed here, is more
      complex than originally considered. While there is little doubt that ERK1/2
      activation or the lack of it modulates the hypertrophic process or the type of
      hypertrophy that develops, it appears that not all ERK1/2 activation events are
      the same. While much has been learned, some questions remain regarding the exact
      role of ERK1/2 in the heart, the upstream events that result in ERK1/2 activation
      and the downstream effector in hypertrophy. 

PMID- 26257650
TI  - Serotonin, neural markers, and memory.
AB  - Diverse neuropsychiatric disorders present dysfunctional memory and no effective
      treatment exits for them; likely as result of the absence of neural markers
      associated to memory. Neurotransmitter systems and signaling pathways have been
      implicated in memory and dysfunctional memory; however, their role is poorly
      understood. Hence, neural markers and cerebral functions and dysfunctions are
      revised. To our knowledge no previous systematic works have been published
      addressing these issues. The interactions among behavioral tasks, control groups
      and molecular changes and/or pharmacological effects are mentioned.
      Neurotransmitter receptors and signaling pathways, during normal and abnormally
      functioning memory with an emphasis on the behavioral aspects of memory are
      revised. With focus on serotonin, since as it is a well characterized
      neurotransmitter, with multiple pharmacological tools, and well characterized
      downstream signaling in mammals' species. 5-HT1A, 5-HT4, 5-HT5, 5-HT6, and 5-HT7
      receptors as well as SERT (serotonin transporter) seem to be useful neural
      markers and/or therapeutic targets. Certainly, if the mentioned evidence is
      replicated, then the translatability from preclinical and clinical studies to
      neural changes might be confirmed. Hypothesis and theories might provide
      appropriate limits and perspectives of evidence. 

PMID- 26257653
TI  - Inhibition of voltage-gated sodium channels by sumatriptan bioisosteres.
AB  - Voltage-gated sodium channels are known to play a pivotal role in perception and
      transmission of pain sensations. Gain-of-function mutations in the genes encoding
      the peripheral neuronal sodium channels, hNav1.7-1.9, cause human painful
      diseases. Thus while treatment of chronic pain remains an unmet clinical need,
      sodium channel blockers are considered as promising druggable targets. In a
      previous study, we evaluated the analgesic activity of sumatriptan, an agonist of
      serotonin 5HT1B/D receptors, and some new chiral bioisosteres, using the hot
      plate test in the mouse. Interestingly, we observed that the analgesic
      effectiveness was not necessarily correlated to serotonin agonism. In this study,
      we evaluated whether sumatriptan and its congeners may inhibit heterologously
      expressed hNav1.7 sodium channels using the patch-clamp method. We show that
      sumatriptan blocks hNav1.7 channels only at very high, supratherapeutic
      concentrations. In contrast, its three analogs, namely 20b, (R)-31b, and (S)-22b,
      exert a dose and use-dependent sodium channel block. At 0.1 and 10 Hz stimulation
      frequencies, the most potent compound, (S)-22b, was 4.4 and 1.7 fold more potent
      than the well-known sodium channel blocker mexiletine. The compound induces a
      negative shift of voltage dependence of fast inactivation, suggesting higher
      affinity to the inactivated channel. Accordingly, we show that (S)-22b likely
      binds the conserved local anesthetic receptor within voltage-gated sodium
      channels. Combining these results with the previous ones, we hypothesize that use
      dependent sodium channel blockade contributes to the analgesic activity of (R)
      31b and (S)-22b. These later compounds represent promising lead compounds for the
      development of efficient analgesics, the mechanism of action of which may include
      a dual action on sodium channels and 5HT1D receptors. 

PMID- 26257655
TI  - Docosahexaenoic (DHA) modulates phospholipid-hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase
      (Gpx4) gene expression to ensure self-protection from oxidative damage in
      hippocampal cells.
AB  - Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) is a unique polyunsaturated fatty acid
      particularly abundant in nerve cell membrane phospholipids. DHA is a pleiotropic
      molecule that, not only modulates the physicochemical properties and architecture
      of neuronal plasma membrane, but it is also involved in multiple facets of
      neuronal biology, from regulation of synaptic function to neuroprotection and
      modulation of gene expression. As a highly unsaturated fatty acid due to the
      presence of six double bonds, DHA is susceptible for oxidation, especially in the
      highly pro-oxidant environment of brain parenchyma. We have recently reported the
      ability of DHA to regulate the transcriptional program controlling neuronal
      antioxidant defenses in a hippocampal cell line, especially the
      glutathione/glutaredoxin system. Within this antioxidant system, DHA was
      particularly efficient in triggering the upregulation of Gpx4 gene, which encodes
      for the nuclear, cytosolic, and mitochondrial isoforms of phospholipid
      hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PH-GPx/GPx4), the main enzyme protecting
      cell membranes against lipid peroxidation and capable to reduce oxidized
      phospholipids in situ. We show here that this novel property of DHA is also
      significant in the hippocampus of wild-type mice and, to a lesser extent in
      APP/PS1 transgenic mice, a familial model of Alzheimer's disease. By doing this,
      DHA stimulates a mechanism to self-protect from oxidative damage even in the
      neuronal scenario of high aerobic metabolism and in the presence of elevated
      levels of transition metals, which inevitably favor the generation of reactive
      oxygen species. Noticeably, DHA also upregulated a Gpx4 CIRT (Cytoplasmic Intron
      sequence Retaining Transcripts), a novel Gpx4 splicing variant, harboring part of
      the first intronic region, which according to the "sentinel RNA hypothesis" would
      expand the ability of Gpx4 (and DHA) to provide neuronal antioxidant defense
      independently of conventional nuclear splicing in cellular compartments, like
      dendritic zones, located away from nuclear compartment. We discuss here, the
      crucial role of this novel transcriptional regulation triggered by DHA in the
      context of normal and pathological hippocampal cell. 

PMID- 26257654
TI  - Ongoing controversies surrounding cardiac remodeling: is it black and white-or
      rather fifty shades of gray?
AB  - Cardiac remodeling describes the heart's multimodal response to a myriad of
      external or intrinsic stimuli and stressors most of which are probably only
      incompletely elucidated to date. Over many years the signaling molecules involved
      in these remodeling processes have been dichotomized according to a classic
      antagonistic view of black and white, i.e., attributed either a solely
      maladaptive or entirely beneficial character. By dissecting controversies, recent
      developments and shifts in perspective surrounding the three major cardiac
      signaling molecules calcineurin (Cn), protein kinase A (PKA) and
      calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII), this review challenges this
      dualistic view and advocates the nature and dignity of each of these key
      mediators of cardiac remodeling as a multilayered, highly context-sensitive and
      sophisticated continuum that can be markedly swayed and influenced by a multitude
      of environmental factors and crosstalk mechanisms. Furthermore this review
      delineates the importance and essential contributions of degradation and
      proteolysis to cardiac plasticity and homeostasis and finally aims to integrate
      the various aspects of protein synthesis and turnover into a comprehensive
      picture. 

PMID- 26257656
TI  - Recovery from exercise: vulnerable state, window of opportunity, or crystal ball?
AB  - Why should we study the recovery from exercise as a discrete phenomenon from
      exercise itself? We identify three distinct (but not mutually exclusive)
      rationales that drive the need to investigate the physiology of recovery from
      exercise. (1) Some individuals are at a heightened risk of clinical outcomes in
      the immediate post-exercise period; thus the potential negative outcomes of this
      "vulnerable state" must be weighed against the numerous benefits of exercise
      training, and may be mitigated to reduce risk. (2) Many of the signaling
      mechanisms responsible for the beneficial effects of exercise training remain
      amplified during the exercise recovery period, and may present a "window of
      opportunity" that can be exploited by interventions to enhance the beneficial
      adaptations to exercise training, especially in clinical populations. (3) On an
      individual level, exercise recovery responses may provide investigators with a
      "crystal ball" ability to predict future clinical outcomes even in apparently
      healthy individuals. In short, the physiology of recovery is a multi-faceted and
      complex process, likely involving systems and pathways that are distinct from the
      physiology of exercise itself. For these reasons, it merits ongoing study. 

PMID- 26257657
TI  - Enteric motor pattern generators involve both myogenic and neurogenic mechanisms
      in the human colon.

PMID- 26257658
TI  - Evidence for water deficit-induced mass increases of raffinose family
      oligosaccharides (RFOs) in the leaves of three Craterostigma resurrection plant
      species.
AB  - The leaves of the resurrection plant Craterostigma plantagineum accumulate
      sucrose during dehydration, via a conversion from the unusual C8 ketose-sugar 2
      octulose. However, raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFOs) have been shown to be
      major photosynthetic products in this plant. The tetrasaccharide stachyose is the
      major phloem-mobile carbohydrate and is used as a carbon store in roots. It has
      been suggested that this carbon store is remobilized during rehydration,
      presumably for cellular repair processes. We examined the effects of water
      deficit on the leaf water-soluble carbohydrate profiles of three Craterostigma
      species. Apart from the classical 2-octulose-to-sucrose interconversion, there
      was a strong water deficit-associated mass increase of RFOs up to the
      pentasaccharide verbascose. However, the activities of three dedicated RFO
      biosynthetic enzymes (raffinose, stachyose, and verbascose synthase) was not
      correlated with RFO accumulation, suggesting that biosynthetic enzyme activities
      measured in the early stages of water-deficit were sufficient to synthesize
      enough galactinol and lead to RFO accumulation in the leaves. Our findings are
      suggestive of RFOs providing additional carbohydrate-based stress protection to
      the leaves of these plants during the desiccated state. 

PMID- 26257659
TI  - Transcriptome analysis and RNA interference of cockroach phototransduction
      indicate three opsins and suggest a major role for TRPL channels.
AB  - Our current understanding of insect phototransduction is based on a small number
      of species, but insects occupy many different visual environments. We created the
      retinal transcriptome of a nocturnal insect, the cockroach, Periplaneta americana
      to identify proteins involved in the earliest stages of compound eye
      phototransduction, and test the hypothesis that different visual environments are
      reflected in different molecular contributions to function. We assembled five
      novel mRNAs: two green opsins, one UV opsin, and one each TRP and TRPL ion
      channel homologs. One green opsin mRNA (pGO1) was 100-1000 times more abundant
      than the other opsins (pGO2 and pUVO), while pTRPL mRNA was 10 times more
      abundant than pTRP, estimated by transcriptome analysis or quantitative PCR
      (qPCR). Electroretinograms were used to record photoreceptor responses. Gene
      specific in vivo RNA interference (RNAi) was achieved by injecting long (596-708
      bp) double-stranded RNA into head hemolymph, and verified by qPCR. RNAi of the
      most abundant green opsin reduced both green opsins by more than 97% without
      affecting UV opsin, and gave a maximal reduction of 75% in ERG amplitude 7 days
      after injection that persisted for at least 19 days. RNAi of pTRP and pTRPL genes
      each specifically reduced the corresponding mRNA by 90%. Electroretinogram (ERG)
      reduction by pTRPL RNAi was slower than for opsin, reaching 75% attenuation by 21
      days, without recovery at 29 days. pTRP RNAi attenuated ERG much less; only 30%
      after 21 days. Combined pTRP plus pTRPL RNAi gave only weak evidence of any
      cooperative interactions. We conclude that silencing retinal genes by in vivo
      RNAi using long dsRNA is effective, that visible light transduction in
      Periplaneta is dominated by pGO1, and that pTRPL plays a major role in cockroach
      phototransduction. 

PMID- 26257660
TI  - Mental Imagery and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Neuroimaging and
      Experimental Psychopathology Approach to Intrusive Memories of Trauma.
AB  - This hypothesis and theory paper presents a pragmatic framework to help bridge
      the clinical presentation and neuroscience of intrusive memories following
      psychological trauma. Intrusive memories are a hallmark symptom of post-traumatic
      stress disorder (PTSD). However, key questions, including those involving
      etiology, remain. In particular, we know little about the brain mechanisms
      involved in why only some moments of the trauma return as intrusive memories
      while others do not. We first present an overview of the patient experience of
      intrusive memories and the neuroimaging studies that have investigated intrusive
      memories in PTSD patients. Next, one mechanism of how to model intrusive memories
      in the laboratory, the trauma film paradigm, is examined. In particular, we focus
      on studies combining the trauma film paradigm with neuroimaging. Stemming from
      the clinical presentation and our current understanding of the processes involved
      in intrusive memories, we propose a framework in which an intrusive memory
      comprises five component parts; autobiographical (trauma) memory, involuntary
      recall, negative emotions, attention hijacking, and mental imagery. Each
      component part is considered in turn, both behaviorally and from a brain imaging
      perspective. A mapping of these five components onto our understanding of the
      brain is described. Unanswered questions that exist in our understanding of
      intrusive memories are considered using the proposed framework. Overall, we
      suggest that mental imagery is key to bridging the experience, memory, and
      intrusive recollection of the traumatic event. Further, we suggest that by
      considering the brain mechanisms involved in the component parts of an intrusive
      memory, in particular mental imagery, we may be able to aid the development of a
      firmer bridge between patients' experiences of intrusive memories and the
      clinical neuroscience behind them. 

PMID- 26257662
TI  - Social-cognitive barriers to ethical authorship.

PMID- 26257661
TI  - Investigating the Role of Hippocampal BDNF in Anxiety Vulnerability Using
      Classical Eyeblink Conditioning.
AB  - Dysregulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), behavioral inhibition
      temperament (BI), and small hippocampal volume have been linked to anxiety
      disorders. Individuals with BI show facilitated acquisition of the classically
      conditioned eyeblink response (CCER) as compared to non-BI individuals, and a
      similar pattern is seen in an animal model of BI, the Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rat. The
      present study examined the role of hippocampal BDNF in the facilitated delay CCER
      of WKY rats. Consistent with earlier work, acquisition was facilitated in WKY
      rats compared to the Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. Facilitated acquisition was
      associated with increased BDNF, TrkB, and Arc mRNA in the dentate gyrus of SD
      rats, but learning-induced increases in BDNF and Arc mRNA were significantly
      smaller in WKY rats. To determine whether reduced hippocampal BDNF in WKY rats
      was a contributing factor for their facilitated CCER, BDNF or saline infusions
      were given bilaterally into the dentate gyrus region 1 h prior to training. BDNF
      infusion did not alter the acquisition of SD rats, but significantly dampened the
      acquisition of CCER in the WKY rats, such that acquisition was similar to SD
      rats. Together, these results suggest that inherent differences in the BDNF
      system play a critical role in the facilitated associative learning exhibited by
      WKY rats, and potentially individuals with BI. Facilitated associative learning
      may represent a vulnerability factor in the development of anxiety disorders. 

PMID- 26257663
TI  - Infants' neural responses to facial emotion in the prefrontal cortex are
      correlated with temperament: a functional near-infrared spectroscopy study.
AB  - Accurate decoding of facial expressions is critical for human communication,
      particularly during infancy, before formal language has developed. Different
      facial emotions elicit distinct neural responses within the first months of life.
      However, there are broad individual differences in such responses, so that the
      same emotional expression can elicit different brain responses in different
      infants. In this study, we sought to investigate such differences in the
      processing of emotional faces by analyzing infants's cortical metabolic responses
      to face stimuli and examining whether individual differences in these responses
      might vary as a function of infant temperament. Seven-month-old infants (N = 24)
      were shown photographs of women portraying happy expressions, and neural activity
      was recorded using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Temperament
      data were collected using the Revised Infant Behavior Questionnaire Short Form,
      which assesses the broad temperament factors of Surgency/Extraversion (S/E),
      Negative Emotionality (NE), and Orienting/Regulation (O/R). We observed that
      oxyhemoglobin (oxyHb) responses to happy face stimuli were negatively correlated
      with infant temperament factors in channels over the left prefrontal cortex
      (uncorrected for multiple comparisons). To investigate the brain activity
      underlying this association, and to explore the use of fNIRS in measuring
      cortical asymmetry, we analyzed hemispheric asymmetry with respect to temperament
      groups. Results showed preferential activation of the left hemisphere in low-NE
      infants in response to smiling faces. These results suggest that individual
      differences in temperament are associated with differential prefrontal oxyHb
      responses to faces. Overall, these analyses contribute to our current
      understanding of face processing during infancy, demonstrate the use of fNIRS in
      measuring prefrontal asymmetry, and illuminate the neural correlates of face
      processing as modulated by temperament. 

PMID- 26257664
TI  - The association between perceived maternal and paternal psychopathology and
      depression and anxiety symptoms in adolescent girls.
AB  - Exposure to parental depression and anxiety is known to heighten the risk of
      internalizing symptoms and disorders in children and adolescents. Ample research
      has focused on the influence of maternal depression and anxiety, but the
      contribution of psychopathology in fathers remains unclear. We studied the
      relationships of perceived maternal and paternal psychopathology with
      adolescents' depression and anxiety symptoms in a general population sample of
      862 adolescent girls (age M = 12.39, SD = 0.79). Assessments included
      adolescents' self-reports of their own depression and anxiety as well as their
      reports of maternal and paternal psychopathology. We found that perceived
      maternal and paternal psychopathology were both related to depression and anxiety
      symptoms in adolescent girls. A combination of higher maternal and paternal
      psychopathology was related to even higher levels of depression and anxiety in
      adolescent girls. Our findings showed that adolescents' perceptions of their
      parents' psychopathology are significantly related to their own emotional
      problems. 

PMID- 26257665
TI  - Trust and mindreading in adolescents: the moderating role of social value
      orientation.
AB  - In adolescence, aspects of cognition that are required to deal with complex
      cooperation situations, such as mentalising and social value orientation, are
      still in development. In the Trust Game, cooperation may lead to better outcomes
      for both players, but can also lead to exploitation by the trustee. In the
      present study, we explore how mindreading, a crucial aspect of mentalising, and
      social value orientation (whether someone is prosocial or proself) are related to
      trust. In a group of 217 students (51% girls, Mage = 15.1) social value
      orientation, mindreading and trust (using the Trust Game) were measured. The
      result show that social value orientation moderates the relation between
      mindreading and trust. In the group of prosocials, we find no correlation between
      mindreading and trust. In the group of proselfs, mindreading is negatively
      correlated to trust, indicating that proselfs use their mentalising skills to
      assess that the trustee is likely to exploit them. 

PMID- 26257666
TI  - Keeping track of who said what: Performance on a modified auditory n-back task
      with young and older adults.
AB  - A modified auditory n-back task was used to examine the ability of young and
      older listeners to remember the content of spoken messages presented from
      different locations. The messages were sentences from the Coordinative Response
      Measure (CRM) corpus, and the task was to judge whether a target word on the
      current trial was the same as in the most recent presentation from the same
      location (left, center, or right). The number of trials between comparison items
      (the number back) was varied while keeping the number of items to be held in
      memory (the number of locations) constant. Three levels of stimulus uncertainty
      were evaluated. Low- and high-uncertainty conditions were created by holding the
      talker (voice) and nontarget words constant, or varying them unpredictably across
      trials. In a medium-uncertainty condition, each location was associated with a
      specific talker, thus increasing predictability and ecological validity. Older
      listeners performed slightly worse than younger listeners, but there was no
      significant difference in response times (RT) for the two groups. An effect of
      the number back (n) was seen for both PC and RT; PC decreased steadily with n,
      while RT was fairly constant after a significant increase from n = 1 to n = 2.
      Apart from the lower PC for the older group, there was no effect involving age
      for either PC or RT. There was an effect of target word location (faster RTs with
      a late-occurring target) and an effect of uncertainty (faster RTs with a constant
      talker-location mapping, relative to the high-uncertainty condition). A similar
      pattern of performance was observed with a group of elderly hearing-impaired
      listeners (with and without shaping to ensure audibility), but RTs were
      substantially slower and the effect of uncertainty was absent. Apart from the
      observed overall slowing of RTs, these results provide little evidence for an
      effect of age-related changes in cognitive abilities on this task. 

PMID- 26257667
TI  - Miscommunication of science: music cognition research in the popular press.

PMID- 26257669
TI  - Connectedness to Nature and to Humanity: their association and personality
      correlates.
AB  - People differ in the extent to which they identify with humans beyond their
      ingroup and with non-human living things. We refer to the former as the
      Connectedness to Humanity (CH) and to the latter as the Connectedness to Nature
      (CN). In a sample of 324 undergraduate students, CH and CN were operationalized
      using the Identification with All Humanity Scale (McFarland et al., 2012) and the
      CN Scale (Mayer and Frantz, 2004), respectively. These variables correlated
      moderately with each other (r = 0.44) and shared Openness to Experience and
      Honesty-Humility as their primary personality correlates. CN was found to play an
      important role in mediating the relationships between the two personality
      variables and some specific pro-environmental/pro-animal attitudes and ecological
      behaviors. 

PMID- 26257670
TI  - Self-reported sleep duration mitigates the association between inflammation and
      cognitive functioning in hospitalized older men.
AB  - Examination of predictors of late-life cognitive functioning is particularly
      salient in at-risk older adults, such as those who have been recently
      hospitalized. Sleep and inflammation are independently related to late-life
      cognitive functioning. The potential role of sleep as a moderator of the
      relationship between inflammation and global cognitive functioning has not been
      adequately addressed. We examined the relationship between self-reported sleep
      duration, inflammatory markers, and general cognitive functioning in hospitalized
      older men. Older men (n = 135; Mean age = 72.9 +/- 9.7 years) were recruited from
      inpatient rehabilitation units at a VA Medical Center to participate in a cross
      sectional study of sleep. Participants completed the Mini-Mental State
      Examination and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and underwent an 8 a.m. blood
      draw to measure inflammatory markers [i.e., C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor
      necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1
      (sICAM-1), and interleukin-6 (IL-6)]. Hierarchical regression analyses
      (controlling for age, education, race, depression, pain, health comorbidity, and
      BMI) revealed that higher levels of CRP and sICAM are associated with higher
      global cognitive functioning in older men with sleep duration >=6 h (beta = 
      0.19, beta = -0.18, p's < 0.05, respectively), but not in those with short sleep
      durations (p's > 0.05). In elderly hospitalized men, sleep duration moderates the
      association between inflammation and cognitive functioning. These findings have
      implications for the clinical care of older men within medical settings. 

PMID- 26257671
TI  - Tears and transformation: feeling like crying as an indicator of insightful or
      "aesthetic" experience with art.
AB  - This paper explores a fundamental similarity between cognitive models for crying
      and conceptions of insight, enlightenment or, in the context of art, "aesthetic
      experience." All of which center on a process of initial discrepancy, followed by
      schema change, and conclude in a proposed adjustment or "transformation" of one's
      self image/world-view. Because tears are argued to mark one of the only physical
      indicators of this cognitive outcome, and because the process is particularly
      salient in examples with art, I argue that crying may provide an intriguing
      marker for empirical study of art experience. To explore this parallel, I offer a
      review of crying theory as well as of tearful cases with art, pointing out the
      key cognitive elements. I then introduce an expanded crying model, based upon our
      recent model of art experience which does consider insight and adjustment or
      application of the self. I also consider multiple emotional and evaluative
      factors, which may co-vary with crying response. This theoretical discussion is
      then applied in three exploratory, survey-based studies conducted within U.K.,
      Japan and U.S. museums, and including what is claimed to be the 20th century's
      most tear-inducing abstract paintings. Results showed-with cross-cultural
      consistency-significant relation between "feeling like crying" and a collection
      of responses posited to indicate a full progression to aesthetic experience, as
      well as to positive assessment of artwork goodness, beauty, understanding of
      meaning, and to final reported self reflection and epiphany. I argue that, beyond
      the question of why we may cry, by considering the implications of what tears may
      indicate within information processing, feeling like crying may indeed offer a
      compelling basis for empirically identifying outcomes of perceptual (art)
      experience. 

PMID- 26257668
TI  - Interoception and stress.
AB  - Afferent neural signals are continuously transmitted from visceral organs to the
      brain. Interoception refers to the processing of visceral-afferent neural signals
      by the central nervous system, which can finally result in the conscious
      perception of bodily processes. Interoception can, therefore, be described as a
      prominent example of information processing on the ascending branch of the brain
      body axis. Stress responses involve a complex neuro-behavioral cascade, which is
      elicited when the organism is confronted with a potentially harmful stimulus. As
      this stress cascade comprises a range of neural and endocrine pathways, stress
      can be conceptualized as a communication process on the descending branch of the
      brain-body axis. Interoception and stress are, therefore, associated via the bi
      directional transmission of information on the brain-body axis. It could be
      argued that excessive and/or enduring activation (e.g., by acute or chronic
      stress) of neural circuits, which are responsible for successful communication on
      the brain-body axis, induces malfunction and dysregulation of these information
      processes. As a consequence, interoceptive signal processing may be altered,
      resulting in physical symptoms contributing to the development and/or maintenance
      of body-related mental disorders, which are associated with stress. In the
      current paper, we summarize findings on psychobiological processes underlying
      acute and chronic stress and their interaction with interoception. While focusing
      on the role of the physiological stress axes (hypothalamic-pituitary
      adrenocortical axis and autonomic nervous system), psychological factors in acute
      and chronic stress are also discussed. We propose a positive feedback model
      involving stress (in particular early life or chronic stress, as well as major
      adverse events), the dysregulation of physiological stress axes, altered
      perception of bodily sensations, and the generation of physical symptoms, which
      may in turn facilitate stress. 

PMID- 26257672
TI  - From means and variances to persons and patterns.
AB  - A novel approach for conceptualizing and analyzing data from psychological
      studies is presented and discussed. This approach is centered on model building
      in an effort to explicate the structures and processes believed to generate a set
      of observations. These models therefore go beyond the variable-based, path models
      in use today which are limiting with regard to the types of inferences
      psychologists can draw from their research. In terms of analysis, the newer
      approach replaces traditional aggregate statistics such as means, variances, and
      covariances with methods of pattern detection and analysis. While these methods
      are person-centered and do not require parametric assumptions, they are both
      demanding and rigorous. They also provide psychologists with the information
      needed to draw the primary inference they often wish to make from their research;
      namely, the inference to best explanation. 

PMID- 26257673
TI  - Development of grouped icEEG for the study of cognitive processing.
AB  - Invasive intracranial EEG (icEEG) offers a unique opportunity to study human
      cognitive networks at an unmatched spatiotemporal resolution. To date, the
      contributions of icEEG have been limited to the individual-level analyses or
      cohorts whose data are not integrated in any way. Here we discuss how grouped
      approaches to icEEG overcome challenges related to sparse-sampling, correct for
      individual variations in response and provide statistically valid models of brain
      activity in a population. By the generation of whole-brain activity maps, grouped
      icEEG enables the study of intra and interregional dynamics between distributed
      cortical substrates exhibiting task-dependent activity. In this fashion, grouped
      icEEG analyses can provide significant advances in understanding the mechanisms
      by which cortical networks give rise to cognitive functions. 

PMID- 26257674
TI  - Higher chronic stress is associated with a decrease in temporal sensitivity but
      not in subjective duration in healthy young men.
AB  - Maintaining accurate and precise temporal perception under conditions of stress
      is important. Studies in animal models and clinic patients have suggested that
      time perception can change under chronic stress. Little is known, however, about
      the relationship between chronic stress and time perception in healthy
      individuals. Here, a sample of 62 healthy young men completed Cohen's Perceived
      Stress Scale (PSS) as a measure of chronic stress levels, while time perception
      was measured using a temporal bisection task. This task used short (400 ms) and
      long (1600 ms) visual signals as anchor durations. Participants were presented
      with a range of intermediate probe durations and were required to judge whether
      the durations were more similar to the short or the long anchor. Results showed
      that chronic stress was negatively related to temporal sensitivity indexed by the
      Weber ratio. However, there was no significant correlation between chronic stress
      and subjective duration indexed by the bisection point. These results demonstrate
      that higher chronic stress is associated with lower temporal sensitivity and thus
      provide evidence for a link between chronic stress and time perception in healthy
      adults. 

PMID- 26257675
TI  - Hesitant avoidance while walking: an error of social behavior generated by mutual
      interaction.
AB  - Altering physical actions when responding to changing environmental demands is
      important but not always effectively performed. This ineffectiveness, which is an
      error of social behavior generated by mutual interactions, is not well
      understood. This study investigated mechanisms of a hesitant behavior that occurs
      in people walking toward each other, causing people to move in the same direction
      when attempting to avoid a collision. Using a motion capture device affixed to 17
      pairs, we first confirmed the hesitant behavior by a difference between the
      experimental task, which involved an indeterminate situation to assess the
      actions of another individual, and the control task, which involved a
      predetermined avoiding direction, in a real-time situation involving two people.
      We next investigated the effect of three external factors: long distance until an
      event, synchronized walking cycle, and different foot relations in dyads on the
      hesitant behavior. A dramatic increase in freezing and near-collision behavior
      occurred in dyads for which the avoiding direction was not predetermined. The
      behavior related with the combination of long distance until an event,
      synchronized walking cycle, and different foot relations in dyads. We found that
      the hesitant behavior is influenced by an interpersonal relationship under enough
      distance to predict other movement. The hesitant behavior has possibly emerged as
      an undesired by-product of joint action. These results contribute to our
      understanding of the mechanisms of adaptive control of perception-action coupling
      in mutual interaction. 

PMID- 26257676
TI  - Using Motivational Interviewing to reduce threats in conversations about
      environmental behavior.
AB  - Human behavior contributes to a waste of environmental resources and our society
      is looking for ways to reduce this problem. However, humans may perceive feedback
      about their environmental behavior as threatening. According to self
      determination theory (SDT), threats decrease intrinsic motivation for behavior
      change. According to self-affirmation theory (SAT), threats can harm individuals'
      self-integrity. Therefore, individuals should show self-defensive biases, e.g.,
      in terms of presenting counter-arguments when presented with environmental
      behavior change. The current study examines how change recipients respond to
      threats from change agents in interactions about environmental behavior change.
      Moreover, we investigate how Motivational Interviewing (MI) - an intervention
      aimed at increasing intrinsic motivation - can reduce threats at both the social
      and cognitive level. We videotaped 68 dyadic interactions with change agents who
      either did or did not use MI (control group). We coded agents verbal threats and
      recipients' verbal expressions of motivation. Recipients also rated agents' level
      of confrontation and empathy (i.e., cognitive reactions). As hypothesized,
      threats were significantly lower when change agents used MI. Perceived
      confrontations converged with observable social behavior of change agents in both
      groups. Moreover, behavioral threats showed a negative association with change
      recipients' expressed motivation (i.e., reasons to change). Contrary to our
      expectations, we found no relation between change agents' verbal threats and
      change recipients' verbally expressed self-defenses (i.e., sustain talk). Our
      results imply that MI reduces the adverse impact of threats in conversations
      about environmental behavior change on both the social and cognitive level. We
      discuss theoretical implications of our study in the context of SAT and SDT and
      suggest practical implications for environmental change agents in organizations. 

PMID- 26257677
TI  - Look together: analyzing gaze coordination with epistemic network analysis.
AB  - When conversing and collaborating in everyday situations, people naturally and
      interactively align their behaviors with each other across various communication
      channels, including speech, gesture, posture, and gaze. Having access to a
      partner's referential gaze behavior has been shown to be particularly important
      in achieving collaborative outcomes, but the process in which people's gaze
      behaviors unfold over the course of an interaction and become tightly coordinated
      is not well understood. In this paper, we present work to develop a deeper and
      more nuanced understanding of coordinated referential gaze in collaborating
      dyads. We recruited 13 dyads to participate in a collaborative sandwich-making
      task and used dual mobile eye tracking to synchronously record each participant's
      gaze behavior. We used a relatively new analysis technique-epistemic network
      analysis-to jointly model the gaze behaviors of both conversational participants.
      In this analysis, network nodes represent gaze targets for each participant, and
      edge strengths convey the likelihood of simultaneous gaze to the connected target
      nodes during a given time-slice. We divided collaborative task sequences into
      discrete phases to examine how the networks of shared gaze evolved over longer
      time windows. We conducted three separate analyses of the data to reveal (1)
      properties and patterns of how gaze coordination unfolds throughout an
      interaction sequence, (2) optimal time lags of gaze alignment within a dyad at
      different phases of the interaction, and (3) differences in gaze coordination
      patterns for interaction sequences that lead to breakdowns and repairs. In
      addition to contributing to the growing body of knowledge on the coordination of
      gaze behaviors in joint activities, this work has implications for the design of
      future technologies that engage in situated interactions with human users. 

PMID- 26257678
TI  - Common impairments of emotional facial expression recognition in schizophrenia
      across French and Japanese cultures.
AB  - To address whether the recognition of emotional facial expressions is impaired in
      schizophrenia across different cultures, patients with schizophrenia and age
      matched normal controls in France and Japan were tested with a labeling task of
      emotional facial expressions and a matching task of unfamiliar faces.
      Schizophrenia patients in both France and Japan were less accurate in labeling
      fearful facial expressions. There was no correlation between the scores of facial
      emotion labeling and face matching. These results suggest that the impaired
      recognition of emotional facial expressions in schizophrenia is common across
      different cultures. 

PMID- 26257679
TI  - Embodied cognitive flexibility and neuroplasticity following Quadrato Motor
      Training.
AB  - Quadrato Motor Training (QMT) is a whole-body movement contemplative practice
      aimed at increasing health and well-being. Previous research studying the effect
      of one QMT session suggested that one of its means for promoting health is by
      enhancing cognitive flexibility, an important dimension of creativity. Yet,
      little is known about the effect of a longer QMT practice on creativity, or the
      relative contribution of the cognitive and motor aspects of the training. Here,
      we continue this line of research in two inter-related studies, examining the
      effects of prolonged QMT. In the first, we investigated the effect of 4-weeks of
      daily QMT on creativity using the Alternate Uses (AUs) Task. In order to
      determine whether changes in creativity were driven by the cognitive or the motor
      aspects of the training, we used two control groups: Verbal Training (VT,
      identical cognitive training with verbal response) and Simple Motor Training
      (SMT, similar motor training with reduced choice requirements). Twenty-seven
      participants were randomly assigned to one of the groups. Following training,
      cognitive flexibility significantly increased in the QMT group, which was not the
      case for either the SMT or VT groups. In contrast to one QMT session, ideational
      fluency was also significantly increased. In the second study, we conducted a
      pilot longitudinal structural magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion tensor
      imaging (4-weeks QMT). We report gray matter volume and fractional anisotropy
      changes, in several regions, including the cerebellum, previously related to
      interoceptive accuracy. The anatomical changes were positively correlated with
      cognitive flexibility scores. Albeit the small sample size and preliminary nature
      of the findings, these results provide support for the hypothesized creativity
      motor connection. The results are compared to other contemplative studies, and
      discussed in light of theoretical models integrating cognitive flexibility,
      embodiment and the motor system. 

PMID- 26257680
TI  - Mentalization, attachment, and subjective identity.

PMID- 26257681
TI  - True gender ratios and stereotype rating norms.
AB  - We present a study comparing, in English, perceived distributions of men and
      women in 422 named occupations with actual real world distributions. The first
      set of data was obtained from previous a large-scale norming study, whereas the
      second set was mostly drawn from UK governmental sources. In total, real world
      ratios for 290 occupations were obtained for our perceive vs. real world
      comparison, of which 205 were deemed to be unproblematic. The means for the two
      sources were similar and the correlation between them was high, suggesting that
      people are generally accurate at judging real gender ratios, though there were
      some notable exceptions. Beside this correlation, some interesting patterns
      emerged from the two sources, suggesting some response strategies when people
      complete norming studies. We discuss these patterns in terms of the way real
      world data might complement norming studies in determining gender
      stereotypicality. 

PMID- 26257682
TI  - Lagged and instantaneous dynamical influences related to brain structural
      connectivity.
AB  - Contemporary neuroimaging methods can shed light on the basis of human neural and
      cognitive specializations, with important implications for neuroscience and
      medicine. Indeed, different MRI acquisitions provide different brain networks at
      the macroscale; whilst diffusion-weighted MRI (dMRI) provides a structural
      connectivity (SC) coincident with the bundles of parallel fibers between brain
      areas, functional MRI (fMRI) accounts for the variations in the blood-oxygenation
      level-dependent T2(*) signal, providing functional connectivity (FC).
      Understanding the precise relation between FC and SC, that is, between brain
      dynamics and structure, is still a challenge for neuroscience. To investigate
      this problem, we acquired data at rest and built the corresponding SC (with
      matrix elements corresponding to the fiber number between brain areas) to be
      compared with FC connectivity matrices obtained by three different methods:
      directed dependencies by an exploratory version of structural equation modeling
      (eSEM), linear correlations (C) and partial correlations (PC). We also considered
      the possibility of using lagged correlations in time series; in particular, we
      compared a lagged version of eSEM and Granger causality (GC). Our results were
      two-fold: firstly, eSEM performance in correlating with SC was comparable to
      those obtained from C and PC, but eSEM (not C, nor PC) provides information about
      directionality of the functional interactions. Second, interactions on a time
      scale much smaller than the sampling time, captured by instantaneous connectivity
      methods, are much more related to SC than slow directed influences captured by
      the lagged analysis. Indeed the performance in correlating with SC was much worse
      for GC and for the lagged version of eSEM. We expect these results to supply
      further insights to the interplay between SC and functional patterns, an
      important issue in the study of brain physiology and function. 

PMID- 26257683
TI  - The influence of element type and crossed relation on the difficulty of chunk
      decomposition.
AB  - Chunk decomposition is an aspect of problem solving that involves decomposing a
      pattern into its component parts in order to regroup them into a new pattern.
      Previous work suggests that the primary source of difficulty in chunk
      decomposition is whether a problem's solution requires removing a part that is a
      meaningful perceptual pattern (termed a chunk) or not (a non-chunk). However, the
      role of spatial overlap (crossed relation or not) has been ignored in this line
      of research. Here, we dissociated the role of element type and crossed relation
      in chunk decomposition problems by employing a Chinese character transformation
      task. We replicated the finding that when the to-be-removed element is a non
      chunk, the problem is more difficult to solve than when the element is a chunk.
      However, this result held only if the elements had no crossed relation. Relative
      to non-crossed relation, problems that involved removing elements that overlapped
      with the remaining character were more difficult to solve irrespective of the
      element type. We conclude that both element type and crossed relation can cause
      the difficulty of chunk decomposition and crossed relation plays more important
      role in preventing people from finding insightful ways to decompose chunk
      relative to element type. 

PMID- 26257684
TI  - Increased reward value of non-social stimuli in children and adolescents with
      autism.
AB  - An econometric choice task was used to estimate the implicit reward value of
      social and non-social stimuli related to restricted interests in children and
      adolescents with (n = 12) and without (n = 22) autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
      Mixed effects logistic regression analyses revealed that groups differed in
      valuation of images related to restricted interests: control children were
      indifferent to cash payouts to view these images, but children with ASD were
      willing to receive less cash payout to view these images. Groups did not differ
      in valuation of social images or non-social images not related to restricted
      interests. Results highlight that motivational accounts of ASD should also
      consider the reward value of non-social stimuli related to restricted interests
      in ASD (Dichter and Adolphs, 2012). 

PMID- 26257685
TI  - A multi-method exploratory study of stress, coping, and substance use among high
      school youth in private schools.
AB  - There is growing awareness that students' experiences of stress may impede
      academic success, compromise mental health, and promote substance use. We
      examined these factors in an under-studied population, private/independent high
      school students, using a multi-method (qualitative and quantitative), iterative
      data collection and analytic process. We first conducted qualitative interviews
      with faculty and staff at a number of highly competitive private schools,
      followed by an anonymous quantitative survey with 128 11th grade students from
      two of these settings. We then conducted a qualitative exploration of the
      quantitative results with a subset of students. Next, a set of Expert Panel
      members participated in qualitative interviews to reflect on and interpret study
      findings. Overall, we found students experienced high levels of chronic stress,
      particularly in relation to academic performance and the college admissions
      process. While students described a range of effective, adaptive coping
      strategies, they also commonly internalized these serious pressures and turned to
      alcohol and drugs to cope with chronic stress, although not typically at
      problematic levels. We discuss study implications for both schools and families
      derived from the Expert Panel. 

PMID- 26257686
TI  - Early warning for human mental sub-health based on fMRI data analysis: an example
      from a seafarers' resting-data study.
AB  - Effective mental sub-health early warning mechanism is of great significance in
      the protection of individual mental health. The traditional mental health
      assessment method is mainly based on questionnaire surveys, which may have some
      uncertainties. In this study, based on the relationship between the default mode
      network (DMN) and the mental health status, we proposed a human mental sub-health
      early warning method by utilizing two-fold support vector machine (SVM) model,
      where seafarers' fMRI data analysis was utilized as an example. The method
      firstly constructed a structural-functional DMN template by combining the
      anatomical automatic labeling template with the functional DMN extracted by
      independent component analysis. Then, it put forward a two-fold SVM-based
      classifier, with one-class SVM utilized for the training of the initial
      classifier and two-class SVM utilized to refine the classification performance,
      to identify seafarers' mental health status by utilizing the correlation
      coefficients (CCs) among the areas of structural-functional DMN as the features.
      The experimental results showed that the proposed model could discriminate the
      seafarers with DMN function alteration from the healthy control (HC) effectively,
      and further the results demonstrated that when compared with the HC group, the
      brain functional disorders of the mental sub-healthy seafarers mainly manifested
      as follows: the functional connectivity of DMN had obvious alteration; the CCs
      among the different DMN regions were significant lower; the regional homogeneity
      decreased in parts of the prefrontal cortex and increased in multi-regions of the
      parietal, temporal and occipital cortices; the fractional amplitude of low
      frequency fluctuation decreased in parts of the prefrontal cortex and increased
      in parts of the parietal cortex. All of the results showed that fMRI-based
      analysis of brain functional activities could be effectively used to distinguish
      the mental health and sub-health status. 

PMID- 26257687
TI  - Manipulation gesture effect in visual and auditory presentations: the link
      between tools in perceptual and motor tasks.
AB  - There is much behavioral and neurophysiological evidence in support of the idea
      that seeing a tool activates motor components of action related to the perceived
      object (e.g., grasping, use manipulation). However, the question remains as to
      whether the processing of the motor components associated with the tool is
      automatic or depends on the situation, including the task and the modality of
      tool presentation. The present study investigated whether the activation of motor
      components involved in tool use in response to the simple perception of a tool is
      influenced by the link between prime and target tools, as well as by the modality
      of presentation, in perceptual or motor tasks. To explore this issue, we
      manipulated the similarity of gesture involved in the use of the prime and target
      (identical, similar, different) with two tool presentation modalities of the
      presentation tool (visual or auditory) in perceptual and motor tasks. Across the
      experiments, we also manipulated the relevance of the prime (i.e., associated or
      not with the current task). The participants saw a first tool (or heard the sound
      it makes), which was immediately followed by a second tool on which they had to
      perform a perceptual task (i.e., indicate whether the second tool was identical
      to or different from the first tool) or a motor task (i.e., manipulate the second
      tool as if it were the first tool). In both tasks, the similarity between the
      gestures employed for the first and the second tool was manipulated (Identical,
      Similar or Different gestures). The results showed that responses were faster
      when the manipulation gestures for the two tools were identical or similar, but
      only in the motor task. This effect was observed irrespective of the modality of
      presentation of the first tool, i.e., visual or auditory. We suggest that the
      influence of manipulation gesture on response time depends on the relevance of
      the first tool in motor tasks. We discuss these motor activation results in terms
      of the relevance and demands of the tasks. 

PMID- 26257688
TI  - Do-gooder derogation in children: the social costs of generosity.
AB  - Generosity is greatly valued and admired, but can it sometimes be unappealing?
      The current study investigated 8- to 10-year-old children's (N = 128) preference
      for generous individuals, and the effects of social comparison on their
      preferences. In Experiment 1, children showed a strong preference for a generous
      to a stingy child; however, this preference was significantly reduced in a
      situation that afforded children a comparison of their own (lesser) generosity to
      that of another child. In Experiment 2, children's liking for a generous
      individual was not reduced when that individual was an adult, suggesting that
      similarity in age influences whether a child engages in social comparison. These
      findings indicate that, by middle childhood, coming up short in comparison with a
      peer can decrease one's liking for a generous individual. 

PMID- 26257689
TI  - Commentary: "Poverty impedes cognitive function" and "The poor's poor mental
      power".

PMID- 26257690
TI  - Longer prime presentation decreases picture-word cross-domain priming.
AB  - A short prime presentation has been shown to provide a greater priming magnitude,
      whereas a longer prime presentation results in a lower priming magnitude. In
      Experiment 1, we attempted to replicate the decrease of priming using word
      stimuli. Words were presented in both prime and test sessions, and participants
      judged whether each stimulus was natural or manmade. In Experiment 2, we employed
      a cross-domain priming paradigm to assess the impact of prime duration on non
      perceptual processes. Pictures were presented in prime sessions, and their
      semantically matched words were presented in test sessions. We did not observe a
      significant decrease in priming in Experiment 1. However, we found that 2000 ms
      of prime exposure led to weaker cross-domain priming when compared with 250 ms of
      the exposure in Experiment 2. The results suggest that the longer presentation of
      pictures causes a non-perceptual adaptation effect. This effect may occur at
      conceptual, linguistic, and/or response-related levels. 

PMID- 26257692
TI  - Sharing feelings online: studying emotional well-being via automated text
      analysis of Facebook posts.
AB  - Digital traces of activity on social network sites represent a vast source of
      ecological data with potential connections with individual behavioral and
      psychological characteristics. The present study investigates the relationship
      between user-generated textual content shared on Facebook and emotional well
      being. Self-report measures of depression, anxiety, and stress were collected
      from 201 adult Facebook users from North Italy. Emotion-related textual
      indicators, including emoticon use, were extracted form users' Facebook posts via
      automated text analysis. Correlation analyses revealed that individuals with
      higher levels of depression, anxiety expressed negative emotions on Facebook more
      frequently. In addition, use of emoticons expressing positive emotions correlated
      negatively with stress level. When comparing age groups, younger users reported
      higher frequency of both emotion-related words and emoticon use in their posts.
      Also, the relationship between online emotional expression and self-report
      emotional well-being was generally stronger in the younger group. Overall,
      findings support the feasibility and validity of studying individual emotional
      well-being by means of examination of Facebook profiles. Implications for online
      screening purposes and future research directions are discussed. 

PMID- 26257691
TI  - Sex-dependent effects on tasks assessing reinforcement learning and interference
      inhibition.
AB  - Increasing evidence suggests that the prefrontal cortex (PFC) is influenced by
      sex steroids and that some cognitive functions dependent on the PFC may be
      sexually differentiated in humans. Past work has identified a male advantage on
      certain complex reinforcement learning tasks, but it is unclear which latent task
      components are important to elicit the sex difference. The objective of the
      current study was to investigate whether there are sex differences on measures of
      response inhibition and valenced feedback processing, elements that are shared by
      previously studied reinforcement learning tasks. Healthy young adults (90 males,
      86 females) matched in general intelligence completed the Probabilistic Selection
      Task (PST), a Simon task, and the Stop-Signal task. On the PST, females were more
      accurate than males in learning from positive (but not negative) feedback. On the
      Simon task, males were faster than females, especially in the face of incongruent
      stimuli. No sex difference was observed in Stop-Signal reaction time. The current
      findings provide preliminary support for a sex difference in the processing of
      valenced feedback and in interference inhibition. 

PMID- 26257693
TI  - Evolved biocultural beings (who invented computers).

PMID- 26257694
TI  - Using gaze patterns to predict task intent in collaboration.
AB  - In everyday interactions, humans naturally exhibit behavioral cues, such as gaze
      and head movements, that signal their intentions while interpreting the
      behavioral cues of others to predict their intentions. Such intention prediction
      enables each partner to adapt their behaviors to the intent of others, serving a
      critical role in joint action where parties work together to achieve a common
      goal. Among behavioral cues, eye gaze is particularly important in understanding
      a person's attention and intention. In this work, we seek to quantify how gaze
      patterns may indicate a person's intention. Our investigation was contextualized
      in a dyadic sandwich-making scenario in which a "worker" prepared a sandwich by
      adding ingredients requested by a "customer." In this context, we investigated
      the extent to which the customers' gaze cues serve as predictors of which
      ingredients they intend to request. Predictive features were derived to represent
      characteristics of the customers' gaze patterns. We developed a support vector
      machine-based (SVM-based) model that achieved 76% accuracy in predicting the
      customers' intended requests based solely on gaze features. Moreover, the
      predictor made correct predictions approximately 1.8 s before the spoken request
      from the customer. We further analyzed several episodes of interactions from our
      data to develop a deeper understanding of the scenarios where our predictor
      succeeded and failed in making correct predictions. These analyses revealed
      additional gaze patterns that may be leveraged to improve intention prediction.
      This work highlights gaze cues as a significant resource for understanding human
      intentions and informs the design of real-time recognizers of user intention for
      intelligent systems, such as assistive robots and ubiquitous devices, that may
      enable more complex capabilities and improved user experience. 

PMID- 26257696
TI  - Mechanisms behind the testing effect: an empirical investigation of retrieval
      practice in meaningful learning.
AB  - The testing effect-more learning by testing as compared to restudying-is a well
      established finding. A typical testing procedure in the context of meaningful
      learning comprises a recall task after an initial study phase. Different theories
      refer to different mechanisms when explaining the positive effects of such recall
      tasks. In the context of learning from expository texts, we tested three
      mechanisms as suggested by a variety of prominent approaches: the elaborative
      retrieval theory, the theory of transfer-appropriate processing, and the
      unspecific-goal perspective. We experimentally varied the type of testing task
      (short-answer task vs. free-recall task, both compared to a restudy task) in a
      within-subject design (N = 47 university students). We replicated the testing
      effect. We found no evidence for a transfer-appropriate processing effect or an
      unspecific-goal effect. The testing effect disappeared when statistically
      controlling for mental effort. Initially non-tested material was also fostered by
      testing (spreading activation effect). These findings indicate that testing helps
      learning when learners must invest substantial mental effort, as suggested by the
      elaborative retrieval theory. For educational purposes, testing tasks should be
      assigned that require the learners to invest substantial mental effort. 

PMID- 26257695
TI  - Music reduces pain and increases resting state fMRI BOLD signal amplitude in the
      left angular gyrus in fibromyalgia patients.
AB  - Music reduces pain in fibromyalgia (FM), a chronic pain disease, but the
      functional neural correlates of music-induced analgesia (MIA) are still largely
      unknown. We recruited FM patients (n = 22) who listened to their preferred
      relaxing music and an auditory control (pink noise) for 5 min without external
      noise from fMRI image acquisition. Resting state fMRI was then acquired before
      and after the music and control conditions. A significant increase in the
      amplitude of low frequency fluctuations of the BOLD signal was evident in the
      left angular gyrus (lAnG) after listening to music, which in turn, correlated to
      the analgesia reports. The post-hoc seed-based functional connectivity analysis
      of the lAnG showed found higher connectivity after listening to music with right
      dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (rdlPFC), the left caudate (lCau), and decreased
      connectivity with right anterior cingulate cortex (rACC), right supplementary
      motor area (rSMA), precuneus and right precentral gyrus (rPreG). Pain intensity
      (PI) analgesia was correlated (r = 0.61) to the connectivity of the lAnG with the
      rPreG. Our results show that MIA in FM is related to top-down regulation of the
      pain modulatory network by the default mode network (DMN). 

PMID- 26257697
TI  - Educational games for brain health: revealing their unexplored potential through
      a neurocognitive approach.
AB  - Educational games link the motivational nature of games with learning of
      knowledge and skills. Here, we go beyond effects on these learning outcomes. We
      review two lines of evidence which indicate the currently unexplored potential of
      educational games to promote brain health: First, gaming with specific
      neurocognitive demands (e.g., executive control), and second, educational
      learning experiences (e.g., studying foreign languages) improve brain health
      markers. These markers include cognitive ability, brain function, and brain
      structure. As educational games allow the combination of specific neurocognitive
      demands with educational learning experiences, they seem to be optimally suited
      for promoting brain health. We propose a neurocognitive approach to reveal this
      unexplored potential of educational games in future research. 

PMID- 26257698
TI  - Epistemic motivation affects the processing of negative emotional stimuli in
      interpersonal decisions.
AB  - The present electrophysiological study investigated the role of the need for
      cognitive closure (NFC) in emotional processing. The NFC is conceptualized as an
      epistemic motive that is related to how and why people seek out information in
      social environments. Event-related potentials were recorded while individuals
      with high NFC (i.e., low epistemic motivation) or low NFC (i.e., high epistemic
      motivation) performed a modified Ultimatum Game, in which the emotions of happy
      or angry game agents were employed to predict their most likely offer. High-NFC
      participants more closely adhered to the decisions rules of the game than low-NFC
      individuals did. The electrophysiological results showed that the dispositional
      NFC modified early perceptual components (N170, N200, and P200). The potentials
      showed that high-NFC subjects had a processing bias to angry faces, whereas low
      NFC individuals exhibited no such effects. These findings indicated that high-NFC
      individuals were more sensitive to negative emotional stimuli than low-NFC
      individuals in an interpersonal decision-making task. 

PMID- 26257699
TI  - Abnormal emotion processing, but intact fairness and intentionality
      considerations during social decision-making in schizophrenia.
AB  - Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder that is highly characterized by social
      cognitive impairments. Most studies investigating these impairments focus on one
      specific social domain such as emotion recognition. However, in daily life,
      processing complex social situations relies on the combination of several social
      cognitive and affective processes simultaneously rather than one process alone. A
      modified version of the economically based Ultimatum Game was used to measure the
      interplay between fairness, intentionality, and emotion considerations during
      social decision-making. In this task, participants accept or reject fair and
      unfair monetary offers proposed intentionally or unintentionally by either angry,
      happy, neutral, or sad proposers. Behavioral data was collected from a group of
      schizophrenia patients (N = 35) and a group of healthy individuals (N = 30). Like
      healthy participants, schizophrenia patients differentiated between fair and
      unfair offers by rejecting unfair offers more compared to fair offers. However,
      overall patients did reject more fair offers, indicating that their construct of
      fairness operates within different margins. In both groups, intentional unfair
      offers were rejected more compared to unintentional ones, indicating a normal
      integration of intentionality considerations in schizophrenia. Importantly,
      healthy subjects also differentiated between proposers' emotion when rejecting
      unfair offers (more rejections from proposers depicting angry faces compared to
      proposers depicting, happy, neutral, or sad faces). Schizophrenia patients'
      decision behavior on the other hand, was not affected by the proposers' emotions.
      The current study thus shows that schizophrenia patients have specific problems
      with processing and integrating emotional information. Importantly, the finding
      that patients display normal fairness and intentionality considerations
      emphasizes preservation of central social cognitive processes in schizophrenia. 

PMID- 26257700
TI  - Calm and smart? A selective review of meditation effects on decision making.
AB  - Over the past two decades, there has been a growing interest in the use of
      meditation to improve cognitive performance, emotional balance, and well-being.
      As a consequence, research into the psychological effects and neural mechanisms
      of meditation has been accumulating. Whether and how meditation affects decision
      making is not yet clear. Here, we review evidence from behavioral and
      neuroimaging studies and summarize the effects of meditation on social and non
      social economic decision making. Research suggests that meditation modulates
      brain activities associated with cognitive control, emotion regulation and
      empathy, and leads to improved non-social and social decision making.
      Accordingly, we propose an integrative model in which cognitive control,
      emotional regulation, and empathic concern mediate the effects of meditation on
      decision making. This model provides insights into the mechanisms by which
      meditation affects the decision making process. More evidence is needed to test
      our explanatory model and to explore the function of specific brain areas and
      their interactive effects on decision making during meditation training. 

PMID- 26257701
TI  - Contribution of working memory in multiplication fact network in children may
      shift from verbal to visuo-spatial: a longitudinal investigation.
AB  - Number facts are commonly assumed to be verbally stored in an associative
      multiplication fact retrieval network. Prominent evidence for this assumption
      comes from so-called operand-related errors (e.g., 4 * 6 = 28). However, little
      is known about the development of this network in children and its relation to
      verbal and non-verbal memories. In a longitudinal design, we explored elementary
      school children from grades 3 and 4 in a multiplication verification task with
      the operand-related and -unrelated distractors. We examined the contribution of
      multiplicative fact retrieval by verbal and visuo-spatial short-term and working
      memory (WM). Children in grade 4 showed smaller reaction times in all conditions.
      However, there was no significant difference in errors between grades.
      Contribution of verbal and visuo-spatial WM also changed with grade.
      Multiplication correlated with verbal WM and performance in grade 3 but with
      visuo-spatial WM and performance in grade 4. We suggest that the relation to
      verbal WM in grade 3 indicates primary linguistic learning of and access to
      multiplication in grade 3 which is probably based on verbal repetition of the
      multiplication table heavily practiced in grades 2 and 3. However, the relation
      to visuo-spatial semantic WM in grade 4 suggests that there is a shift from
      verbal to visual and semantic learning in grade 4. This shifting may be induced
      because later in elementary school, multiplication problems are rather carried
      out via more written, i.e., visual tasks, which also involve executive functions.
      More generally, the current data indicates that mathematical development is not
      generally characterized by a steady progress in performance; rather verbal and
      non-verbal memory contributions of performance shift over time, probably due to
      different learning contents. 

PMID- 26257703
TI  - DEC2-E4BP4 Heterodimer Represses the Transcriptional Enhancer Activity of the EE
      Element in the Per2 Promoter.
AB  - The circadian oscillation of clock gene expression in mammals is based on the
      interconnected transcriptional/translational feedback loops of Period (Per) and
      Bmal1. The Per feedback loop initiates transcription through direct binding of
      the BMAL1-CLOCK (NPAS2) heterodimer to the E-box of the Per2 promoter region.
      Negative feedback of PER protein on this promoter subsequently represses
      transcription. Other circadian transcription regulators, particularly E4BP4 and
      DEC2, regulate the amplitude and phase of Per2 expression rhythms. Moreover, a
      direct repeat of E-box-like (EE) elements in the Per2 promoter is required for
      its cell-autonomous circadian rhythm. However, the detailed mechanism for
      repression of the two core sequences of the EE element in the Per2 promoter
      region is unknown. Here, we show that E4BP4 binds to the Per2 EE element with
      DEC2 to repress transcription and identify the DEC2-E4BP4 heterodimer as a key
      repressor of the tightly interlocked Per2 feedback loop in the mammalian
      circadian oscillator. Our results suggest an additional modulatory mechanism for
      tuning of the phase of cell-autonomous Per2 gene expression cycling. 

PMID- 26257704
TI  - Estetrol Modulates Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthesis in Human Endothelial Cells.
AB  - Estetrol (E4) is a natural human estrogen that is present at high concentrations
      during pregnancy. E4 has been reported to act as an endogenous estrogen receptor
      modulator, exerting estrogenic actions on the endometrium or the central nervous
      system but presenting antagonistic effects on the breast. Due to these
      characteristics, E4 is currently being developed for a number of clinical
      applications, including contraception and menopausal hormone therapy. Endothelial
      nitric oxide (NO) is a key player for vascular function and disease during
      pregnancy and throughout aging in women. Endothelial NO is an established target
      of estrogens that enhance its formation in human endothelial cells. We here
      addressed the effects of E4 on the activity and expression of the endothelial
      nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells
      (HUVEC). E4 stimulated the activation of eNOS and NO secretion in HUVEC. E4 was
      significantly less effective compared to E2, and a peculiar concentration
      dependent effect was found, with higher amounts of E4 being less effective than
      lower concentrations. When E2 was combined with E4, an interesting pattern was
      noted. E4 antagonized NO synthesis induced by pregnancy-like E2 concentrations.
      However, E4 did not impede the modest induction of NO synthesis associated with
      postmenopausal-like E2 levels. These results support the hypothesis that E4 may
      be a regulator of NO synthesis in endothelial cells and raise questions on its
      peculiar signaling in this context. Our results may be useful to interpret the
      role of E4 during human pregnancy and possibly to help develop this interesting
      steroid for clinical use. 

PMID- 26257702
TI  - The Dark Side of the Force - Constraints and Complications of Cell Therapies for
      Stroke.
AB  - Cell therapies are increasingly recognized as a promising option to augment the
      limited therapeutic arsenal available to fight ischemic stroke. During the last
      two decades, cumulating preclinical evidence has indicated a substantial efficacy
      for most cell treatment paradigms and first clinical trials are currently
      underway to assess safety and feasibility in patients. However, the strong and
      still unmet demand for novel stroke treatment options and exciting findings
      reported from experimental studies may have drawn our attention away from
      potential side effects related to cell therapies and the ways by which they are
      commonly applied. This review summarizes common and less frequent adverse events
      that have been discovered in preclinical and clinical investigations assessing
      cell therapies for stroke. Such adverse events range from immunological and
      neoplastic complications over seizures to cell clotting and cell-induced
      embolism. It also describes potential complications of clinically applicable
      administration procedures, detrimental interactions between therapeutic cells,
      and the pathophysiological environment that they are placed into, as well as
      problems related to cell manufacturing. Virtually each therapeutic intervention
      comes at a certain risk for complications. Side effects do therefore not
      generally compromise the value of cell treatments for stroke, but underestimating
      such complications might severely limit therapeutic safety and efficacy of cell
      treatment protocols currently under development. On the other hand, a better
      understanding will provide opportunities to further improve existing therapeutic
      strategies and might help to define those circumstances, under which an optimal
      effect can be realized. Hence, the review eventually discusses strategies and
      recommendations allowing us to prevent or at least balance potential
      complications in order to ensure the maximum therapeutic benefit at minimum risk
      for stroke patients. 

PMID- 26257705
TI  - Gut Melatonin in Vertebrates: Chronobiology and Physiology.
AB  - Melatonin, following discovery in the bovine pineal gland, has been detected in
      several extra-pineal sources including gastrointestinal tract or gut.
      Arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT) is the key regulator of its
      biosynthesis. Melatonin in pineal is rhythmically produced with a nocturnal peak
      in synchronization with environmental light-dark cycle. A recent study on carp
      reported first that melatonin levels and intensity of a ~23 kDa AANAT protein in
      each gut segment also exhibit significant daily variations but, unlike pineal,
      show a peak at midday in all seasons. Extensive experimental studies ruled out
      direct role of light-dark conditions in determining temporal pattern of gut
      melatoninergic system in carp, and opened up possible role of environmental non
      photic cue(s) as its synchronizer. Based on mammalian findings, physiological
      significance of gut-derived melatonin also appears unique because its actions at
      local levels sharing paracrine and/or autocrine functions have been emphasized.
      The purpose of this mini review is to summarize the existing data on the
      chronobiology and physiology of gut melatonin and to emphasize their relation
      with the same hormone derived in the pineal in vertebrates including fish. 

PMID- 26257707
TI  - Microbially induced corrosion of carbon steel in deep groundwater environment.
AB  - The metallic low and intermediate level radioactive waste generally consists of
      carbon steel and stainless steels. The corrosion rate of carbon steel in deep
      groundwater is typically low, unless the water is very acidic or microbial
      activity in the environment is high. Therefore, the assessment of microbially
      induced corrosion of carbon steel in deep bedrock environment has become
      important for evaluating the safety of disposal of radioactive waste. Here we
      studied the corrosion inducing ability of indigenous microbial community from a
      deep bedrock aquifer. Carbon steel coupons were exposed to anoxic groundwater
      from repository site 100 m depth (Olkiluoto, Finland) for periods of 3 and 8
      months. The experiments were conducted at both in situ temperature and room
      temperature to investigate the response of microbial population to elevated
      temperature. Our results demonstrate that microorganisms from the deep bedrock
      aquifer benefit from carbon steel introduced to the nutrient poor anoxic deep
      groundwater environment. In the groundwater incubated with carbon steel the
      planktonic microbial community was more diverse and 100-fold more abundant
      compared to the environment without carbon steel. The betaproteobacteria were the
      most dominant bacterial class in all samples where carbon steel was present,
      whereas in groundwater incubated without carbon steel the microbial community had
      clearly less diversity. Microorganisms induced pitting corrosion and were found
      to cluster inside the corrosion pits. Temperature had an effect on the species
      composition of microbial community and also affected the corrosion deposits layer
      formed on the surface of carbon steel. 

PMID- 26257706
TI  - Sestrin2, a Regulator of Thermogenesis and Mitohormesis in Brown Adipose Tissue.
AB  - Sestrin2 is a stress-inducible protein that functions as an antioxidant and
      inhibitor of mTOR complex 1. In a recent study, we found that Sestrin2
      overexpression in brown adipocytes interfered with normal metabolism by reducing
      mitochondrial respiration through the suppression of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1)
      expression. The metabolic effects of Sestrin2 in brown adipocytes were dependent
      on its antioxidant activity, and chemical antioxidants produced similar effects
      in inhibiting UCP1-dependent thermogenesis. These observations suggest that low
      levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in brown adipocytes can actually be
      beneficial and necessary for proper metabolic homeostasis. In addition,
      considering that Sestrins are ROS inducible and perform ROS detoxifying as well
      as other metabolism-controlling functions, they are potential regulators of
      mitohormesis. This is a concept in which overall beneficial effects result from
      low-level oxidative stress stimuli, such as the ones induced by caloric
      restriction or physical exercise. In this perspective, we incorporate our recent
      insight obtained from the Sestrin2 study toward a better understanding of the
      relationship between ROS, Sestrin2, and mitochondrial metabolism in the context
      of brown adipocyte physiology. 

PMID- 26257708
TI  - Progress in the development of gelling agents for improved culturability of
      microorganisms.
AB  - Gelling agents are required for formulating both solid and semisolid media, vital
      for the isolation of microorganisms. Gelatin was the first gelling agent to be
      discovered but it soon paved the way for agar, which has far superior material
      qualities. Source depletion, issues with polymerase-chain-reaction and inability
      to sustain extermophiles etc., necessitate the need of other gelling agents. Many
      new gelling agents, such as xantham gum, gellan gum, carrageenan, isubgol, and
      guar gum have been formulated, raising the hopes for the growth of previously
      unculturable microorganisms. We evaluate the progress in the development of
      gelling agents, with the hope that our synthesis would help accelerate research
      in the field. 

PMID- 26257709
TI  - The reduced genomes of Parcubacteria (OD1) contain signatures of a symbiotic
      lifestyle.
AB  - Candidate phylum OD1 bacteria (also referred to as Parcubacteria) have been
      identified in a broad range of anoxic environments through community survey
      analysis. Although none of these species have been isolated in the laboratory,
      several genome sequences have been reconstructed from metagenomic sequence data
      and single-cell sequencing. The organisms have small (generally <1 Mb) genomes
      with severely reduced metabolic capabilities. We have reconstructed 8 partial to
      near-complete OD1 genomes from oxic groundwater samples, and compared them
      against existing genomic data. The conserved core gene set comprises 202 genes,
      or ~28% of the genomic complement. "Housekeeping" genes and genes for
      biosynthesis of peptidoglycan and Type IV pilus production are conserved. Gene
      sets for biosynthesis of cofactors, amino acids, nucleotides, and fatty acids are
      absent entirely or greatly reduced. The only aspects of energy metabolism
      conserved are the non-oxidative branch of the pentose-phosphate shunt and central
      glycolysis. These organisms also lack some activities conserved in almost all
      other known bacterial genomes, including signal recognition particle,
      pseudouridine synthase A, and FAD synthase. Pan-genome analysis indicates a broad
      genotypic diversity and perhaps a highly fluid gene complement, indicating
      historical adaptation to a wide range of growth environments and a high degree of
      specialization. The genomes were examined for signatures suggesting either a free
      living, streamlined lifestyle, or a symbiotic lifestyle. The lack of biosynthetic
      capabilities and DNA repair, along with the presence of potential attachment and
      adhesion proteins suggest that the Parcubacteria are ectosymbionts or parasites
      of other organisms. The wide diversity of genes that potentially mediate cell
      cell contact suggests a broad range of partner/prey organisms across the phylum. 

PMID- 26257710
TI  - Combatting cyanobacteria with hydrogen peroxide: a laboratory study on the
      consequences for phytoplankton community and diversity.
AB  - Experiments with different phytoplankton densities in lake samples showed that a
      high biomass increases the rate of hydrogen peroxide (HP) degradation and
      decreases the effectiveness of HP in the selective suppression of dominant
      cyanobacteria. However, selective application of HP requires usage of low doses
      only, accordingly this defines the limits for use in lake mitigation. To acquire
      insight into the impact of HP on other phytoplankton species, we have followed
      the succession of three phytoplankton groups in lake samples that were treated
      with different concentrations of HP using a taxa-specific fluorescence emission
      test. This fast assay reports relatively well on coarse changes in the
      phytoplankton community; the measured data and the counts from microscopical
      analysis of the phytoplankton matched quite well. The test was used to pursue HP
      application in a Planktothrix agardhii-dominated lake sample and displayed a
      promising shift in the phytoplankton community in only a few weeks. From a low
      diversity community, a change to a status with a significantly higher diversity
      and increased abundance of eukaryotic phytoplankton species was established.
      Experiments in which treated samples were re-inoculated with original P. agardhii
      rich lake water demonstrated prolonged suppression of cyanobacteria, and
      displayed a remarkable stability of the newly developed post-HP treatment state
      of the phytoplankton community. 

PMID- 26257712
TI  - First report of two rapid-onset fatal infections caused by a newly emerging
      hypervirulent K. Pneumonia ST86 strain of serotype K2 in China.
AB  - Here, we present the first report of one suspected dead case and two confirmed
      rapid-onset fatal infections caused by a newly emerging hypervirulent Klebsiella
      pneumoniae ST86 strain of serotype K2. The three cases occurred in a surgery ward
      during 2013 in Shanghai, China. A combination of multilocus sequence typing,
      pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, phenotypic and PCR tests for detecting
      virulence factors (VFs) was used to identify the isolates as K2 ST86 strains with
      common VFs, including Aerobactin and rmpA. Furthermore, the two K2 ST86 strains
      additionally harbored a distinct VF kfu (responsible for iron uptake system),
      which commonly existed in invasive K1 strains only. Thus, the unusual presence of
      both K1 and K2 VFs in the lethal ST86 strain might further enhance its
      hypervirulence and cause rapid onset of a life-threatening infection.
      Nevertheless, despite the administration of a combined antibiotic treatment,
      these three patients all died within 24 h of acute onset, thereby highlighting
      that the importance of early diagnosis to determine whether the ST86 strains
      harbor key K2 VF and unusual K1 kfu and whether patients should receive a timely
      and targeted antibiotic therapy to prevent ST86 induced fatal pneumonia. Finally,
      even though these patients are clinically improved, keeping on with oral
      antibiotic treatment for additional 2-3 weeks will be also vital for successfully
      preventing hvKP reinfection or relapse. 

PMID- 26257711
TI  - The universal tree of life: an update.
AB  - Biologists used to draw schematic "universal" trees of life as metaphors
      illustrating the history of life. It is indeed a priori possible to construct an
      organismal tree connecting the three major domains of ribosome encoding
      organisms: Archaea, Bacteria and Eukarya, since they originated by cell division
      from LUCA. Several universal trees based on ribosomal RNA sequence comparisons
      proposed at the end of the last century are still widely used, although some of
      their main features have been challenged by subsequent analyses. Several authors
      have proposed to replace the traditional universal tree with a ring of life,
      whereas others have proposed more recently to include viruses as new domains.
      These proposals are misleading, suggesting that endosymbiosis can modify the
      shape of a tree or that viruses originated from the last universal common
      ancestor (LUCA). I propose here an updated version of Woese's universal tree that
      includes several rootings for each domain and internal branching within domains
      that are supported by recent phylogenomic analyses of domain specific proteins.
      The tree is rooted between Bacteria and Arkarya, a new name proposed for the
      clade grouping Archaea and Eukarya. A consensus version, in which each of the
      three domains is unrooted, and a version in which eukaryotes emerged within
      archaea are also presented. This last scenario assumes the transformation of a
      modern domain into another, a controversial evolutionary pathway. Viruses are not
      indicated in these trees but are intrinsically present because they infect the
      tree from its roots to its leaves. Finally, I present a detailed tree of the
      domain Archaea, proposing the sub-phylum neo-Euryarchaeota for the monophyletic
      group of euryarchaeota containing DNA gyrase. These trees, that will be easily
      updated as new data become available, could be useful to discuss controversial
      scenarios regarding early life evolution. 

PMID- 26257713
TI  - The Campylobacter jejuni MarR-like transcriptional regulators RrpA and RrpB both
      influence bacterial responses to oxidative and aerobic stresses.
AB  - The ability of the human intestinal pathogen Campylobacter jejuni to respond to
      oxidative stress is central to bacterial survival both in vivo during infection
      and in the environment. Re-annotation of the C. jejuni NCTC11168 genome revealed
      the presence of two MarR-type transcriptional regulators Cj1546 and Cj1556,
      originally annotated as hypothetical proteins, which we have designated RrpA and
      RrpB (regulator of response to peroxide) respectively. Previously we demonstrated
      a role for RrpB in both oxidative and aerobic (O2) stress and that RrpB was a DNA
      binding protein with auto-regulatory activity, typical of MarR-type
      transcriptional regulators. In this study, we show that RrpA is also a DNA
      binding protein and that a rrpA mutant in strain 11168H exhibits increased
      sensitivity to hydrogen peroxide oxidative stress. Mutation of either rrpA or
      rrpB reduces catalase (KatA) expression. However, a rrpAB double mutant exhibits
      higher levels of resistance to hydrogen peroxide oxidative stress, with levels of
      KatA expression similar to the wild-type strain. Mutation of either rrpA or rrpB
      also results in a reduction in the level of katA expression, but this reduction
      was not observed in the rrpAB double mutant. Neither the rrpA nor rrpB mutant
      exhibits any significant difference in sensitivity to either cumene hydroperoxide
      or menadione oxidative stresses, but both mutants exhibit a reduced ability to
      survive aerobic (O2) stress, enhanced biofilm formation and reduced virulence in
      the Galleria mellonella infection model. The rrpAB double mutant exhibits wild
      type levels of biofilm formation and wild-type levels of virulence in the G
      mellonella infection model. Together these data indicate a role for both RrpA and
      RrpB in the C. jejuni peroxide oxidative and aerobic (O2) stress responses,
      enhancing bacterial survival in vivo and in the environment. 

PMID- 26257714
TI  - Microsensor measurements of hydrogen gas dynamics in cyanobacterial microbial
      mats.
AB  - We used a novel amperometric microsensor for measuring hydrogen gas production
      and consumption at high spatio-temporal resolution in cyanobacterial biofilms and
      mats dominated by non-heterocystous filamentous cyanobacteria (Microcoleus
      chtonoplastes and Oscillatoria sp.). The new microsensor is based on the use of
      an organic electrolyte and a stable internal reference system and can be equipped
      with a chemical sulfide trap in the measuring tip; it exhibits very stable and
      sulfide-insensitive measuring signals and a high sensitivity (1.5-5 pA per MUmol
      L(-1) H2). Hydrogen gas measurements were done in combination with microsensor
      measurements of scalar irradiance, O2, pH, and H2S and showed a pronounced H2
      accumulation (of up to 8-10% H2 saturation) within the upper mm of cyanobacterial
      mats after onset of darkness and O2 depletion. The peak concentration of H2
      increased with the irradiance level prior to darkening. After an initial build-up
      over the first 1-2 h in darkness, H2 was depleted over several hours due to
      efflux to the overlaying water, and due to biogeochemical processes in the
      uppermost oxic layers and the anoxic layers of the mats. Depletion could be
      prevented by addition of molybdate pointing to sulfate reduction as a major sink
      for H2. Immediately after onset of illumination, a short burst of presumably
      photo-produced H2 due to direct biophotolysis was observed in the illuminated but
      anoxic mat layers. As soon as O2 from photosynthesis started to accumulate, the
      H2 was consumed rapidly and production ceased. Our data give detailed insights
      into the microscale distribution and dynamics of H2 in cyanobacterial biofilms
      and mats, and further support that cyanobacterial H2 production can play a
      significant role in fueling anaerobic processes like e.g., sulfate reduction or
      anoxygenic photosynthesis in microbial mats. 

PMID- 26257715
TI  - Bacterial diversity differences along an epigenic cave stream reveal evidence of
      community dynamics, succession, and stability.
AB  - Unchanging physicochemical conditions and nutrient sources over long periods of
      time in cave and karst subsurface habitats, particularly aquifers, can support
      stable ecosystems, termed autochthonous microbial endokarst communities (AMEC).
      AMEC existence is unknown for other karst settings, such as epigenic cave
      streams. Conceptually, AMEC should not form in streams due to faster turnover
      rates and seasonal disturbances that have the capacity to transport large
      quantities of water and sediment and to change allochthonous nutrient and organic
      matter sources. Our goal was to investigate whether AMEC could form and persist
      in hydrologically active, epigenic cave streams. We analyzed bacterial diversity
      from cave water, sediments, and artificial substrates (Bio-Traps(r)) placed in
      the cave at upstream and downstream locations. Distinct communities existed for
      the water, sediments, and Bio-Trap(r) samplers. Throughout the study period, a
      subset of community members persisted in the water, regardless of hydrological
      disturbances. Stable habitat conditions based on flow regimes resulted in more
      than one contemporaneous, stable community throughout the epigenic cave stream.
      However, evidence for AMEC was insufficient for the cave water or sediments.
      Community succession, specifically as predictable exogenous heterotrophic
      microbial community succession, was evident from decreases in community richness
      from the Bio-Traps(r), a peak in Bio-Trap(r) community biomass, and from changes
      in the composition of Bio-Trap(r) communities. The planktonic community was
      compositionally similar to Bio-Trap(r) initial colonizers, but the downstream Bio
      Trap(r) community became more similar to the sediment community at the same
      location. These results can help in understanding the diversity of planktonic and
      attached microbial communities from karst, as well as microbial community
      dynamics, stability, and succession during disturbance or contamination responses
      over time. 

PMID- 26257716
TI  - Reconstruction of the temporal signaling network in Salmonella-infected human
      cells.
AB  - Salmonella enterica is a bacterial pathogen that usually infects its host through
      food sources. Translocation of the pathogen proteins into the host cells leads to
      changes in the signaling mechanism either by activating or inhibiting the host
      proteins. Given that the bacterial infection modifies the response network of the
      host, a more coherent view of the underlying biological processes and the
      signaling networks can be obtained by using a network modeling approach based on
      the reverse engineering principles. In this work, we have used a published
      temporal phosphoproteomic dataset of Salmonella-infected human cells and
      reconstructed the temporal signaling network of the human host by integrating the
      interactome and the phosphoproteomic dataset. We have combined two well
      established network modeling frameworks, the Prize-collecting Steiner Forest
      (PCSF) approach and the Integer Linear Programming (ILP) based edge inference
      approach. The resulting network conserves the information on temporality,
      direction of interactions, while revealing hidden entities in the signaling, such
      as the SNARE binding, mTOR signaling, immune response, cytoskeleton organization,
      and apoptosis pathways. Targets of the Salmonella effectors in the host cells
      such as CDC42, RHOA, 14-3-3delta, Syntaxin family, Oxysterol-binding proteins
      were included in the reconstructed signaling network although they were not
      present in the initial phosphoproteomic data. We believe that integrated
      approaches, such as the one presented here, have a high potential for the
      identification of clinical targets in infectious diseases, especially in the
      Salmonella infections. 

PMID- 26257717
TI  - Efficacy of a coating composed of chitosan from Mucor circinelloides and
      carvacrol to control Aspergillus flavus and the quality of cherry tomato fruits.
AB  - Cherry tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) fruits are susceptible to
      contamination by Aspergillus flavus, which may cause the development of fruit rot
      and significant postharvest losses. Currently there are significant drawbacks for
      the use of synthetic fungicides to control pathogenic fungi in tomato fruits, and
      it has increased the interest in exploring new alternatives to control the
      occurrence of fungal infections in these fruits. This study evaluated the
      efficacy of chitosan (CHI) from Mucor circinelloides in combination with
      carvacrol (CAR) in inhibiting A. flavus in laboratory media and as a coating on
      cherry tomato fruits (25 degrees C, 12 days and 12 degrees C, 24 days). During a
      period of storage, the effect of coatings composed of CHI and CAR on
      autochthonous microflora, as well as on some quality characteristics of the
      fruits such as weight loss, color, firmness, soluble solids, and titratable
      acidity was evaluated. CHI and CAR displayed MIC valuesof 7.5 mg/mL and 10
      MUL/mL, respectively, against A. flavus. The combined application of CHI (7.5 or
      3.75 mg/mL) and CAR (5 or 2.5 MUL/mL) strongly inhibited the mycelial growth and
      spore germination of A. flavus. The coating composed of CHI (3.75 mg/mL) and CAR
      (2.5 or 1.25 MUL/mL) inhibited the growth of A. flavus in artificially
      contaminated fruits, as well as the native fungal microflora of the fruits stored
      at room or low temperature. The application of the tested coatings preserved the
      quality of cherry tomato fruits as measured by some physicochemical attributes.
      From this, composite coatings containing CHI and CAR offer a promising
      alternative to control postharvest infection caused by A. flavus or native fungal
      microflora in fresh cherry tomato fruits without negatively affecting their
      quality over storage. 

PMID- 26257718
TI  - Drivers of the dynamics of diazotrophs and denitrifiers in North Sea bottom
      waters and sediments.
AB  - The fixation of dinitrogen (N2) and denitrification are two opposite processes in
      the nitrogen cycle. The former transfers atmospheric dinitrogen gas into bound
      nitrogen in the biosphere, while the latter returns this bound nitrogen back to
      atmospheric dinitrogen. It is unclear whether or not these processes are
      intimately connected in any microbial ecosystem or that they are spatially and/or
      temporally separated. Here, we measured seafloor nitrogen fixation and
      denitrification as well as pelagic nitrogen fixation by using the stable isotope
      technique. Alongside, we measured the diversity, abundance, and activity of
      nitrogen-fixing and denitrifying microorganisms at three stations in the southern
      North Sea. Nitrogen fixation ranged from undetectable to 2.4 nmol N L(-1) d(-1)
      and from undetectable to 8.2 nmol N g(-1) d(-1) in the water column and seafloor,
      respectively. The highest rates were measured in August at Doggersbank, both for
      the water column and for the seafloor. Denitrification ranged from 1.7 to 208.8
      MUmol m(-2) d(-1) and the highest rates were measured in May at the Oyster
      Grounds. DNA sequence analysis showed sequences of nifH, a structural gene for
      nitrogenase, related to sequences from anaerobic sulfur/iron reducers and sulfate
      reducers. Sequences of the structural gene for nitrite reductase, nirS, were
      related to environmental clones from marine sediments. Quantitative polymerase
      chain reaction (qPCR) data revealed the highest abundance of nifH and nirS genes
      at the Oyster Grounds. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain
      reaction (qRT-PCR) data revealed the highest nifH expression at Doggersbank and
      the highest nirS expression at the Oyster Grounds. The distribution of the
      diazotrophic and denitrifying communities seems to be subject to different
      selecting factors, leading to spatial and temporal separation of nitrogen
      fixation and denitrification. These selecting factors include temperature,
      organic matter availability, and oxygen concentration. 

PMID- 26257719
TI  - Exploring the role of sigma factor gene expression on production by
      Corynebacterium glutamicum: sigma factor H and FMN as example.
AB  - Bacteria are known to cope with environmental changes by using alternative sigma
      factors binding to RNA polymerase core enzyme. Sigma factor is one of the targets
      to modify transcription regulation in bacteria and to influence production
      capacities. In this study, the effect of overexpressing each annotated sigma
      factor gene in Corynebacterium glutamicum WT was assayed using an IPTG inducible
      plasmid system and different IPTG concentrations. It was revealed that growth was
      severely decreased when sigD or sigH were overexpressed with IPTG concentrations
      higher than 50 MUM. Overexpression of sigH led to an obvious phenotypic change, a
      yellow-colored supernatant. High performance liquid chromatography analysis
      revealed that riboflavin was excreted to the medium when sigH was overexpressed
      and DNA microarray analysis confirmed increased expression of riboflavin
      biosynthesis genes. In addition, genes for enzymes related to the pentose
      phosphate pathway and for enzymes dependent on flavin mononucleotide (FMN),
      flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), or NADPH as cofactor were upregulated when
      sigH was overexpressed. To test if sigH overexpression can be exploited for
      production of riboflavin-derived FMN or FAD, the endogenous gene for bifunctional
      riboflavin kinase/FMN adenyltransferase was co-expressed with sigH from a
      plasmid. Balanced expression of sigH and ribF improved accumulation of riboflavin
      (19.8 +/- 0.3 MUM) and allowed for its conversion to FMN (33.1 +/- 1.8 MUM) in
      the supernatant. While a proof-of-concept was reached, conversion was not
      complete and titers were not high. This study revealed that inducible and
      gradable overexpression of sigma factor genes is an interesting approach to
      switch gene expression profiles and to discover untapped potential of bacteria
      for chemical production. 

PMID- 26257720
TI  - Diversity of multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii population in a major
      hospital in Kuwait.
AB  - Acinetobacter baumannii is one of the most important opportunistic pathogens that
      causes serious health care associated complications in critically ill patients.
      In the current study we report on the diversity of the clinical multi-drug
      resistant (MDR) A. baumannii in Kuwait by molecular characterization. One hundred
      A. baumannii were isolated from one of the largest governmental hospitals in
      Kuwait. Following the identification of the isolates by molecular methods, the
      amplified bla OXA-51-like gene product of one isolate (KO-12) recovered from
      blood showed the insertion of the ISAba19 at position 379 in bla OXA-78. Of the
      33 MDR isolates, 28 (85%) contained bla OXA-23, 2 (6%) bla OXA-24 and 6 (18%) bla
      PER-1 gene. We did not detect bla OXA-58, bla VIM, bla IMP, bla GES, bla VEB, and
      bla NDM genes in any of the tested isolates. In three bla PER-1 positive isolates
      the genetic environment of bla PER-1 consisted of two copies of ISPa12 (tnpiA1)
      surrounding the bla PER-1 gene on a highly stable plasmid of ca. 140-kb.
      Multilocus-sequence typing (MLST) analysis of the 33 A. baumannii isolates
      identified 20 different STs, of which six (ST-607, ST-608, ST-609, ST-610, ST
      611, and ST-612) were novel. Emerging STs such as ST15 (identified for the first
      time in the Middle East), ST78 and ST25 were also detected. The predominant
      clonal complex was CC2. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and MLST defined the MDR
      isolates as multi-clonal with diverse lineages. Our results lead us to believe
      that A. baumannii is diverse in clonal origins and/or is undergoing clonal
      expansion continuously while multiple lineages of MDR A. baumannii circulate in
      hospital ward simultaneously. 

PMID- 26257721
TI  - Plant growth promotion induced by phosphate solubilizing endophytic Pseudomonas
      isolates.
AB  - The use of plant growth promoting bacterial inoculants as live microbial
      biofertilizers provides a promising alternative to chemical fertilizers and
      pesticides. Inorganic phosphate solubilization is one of the major mechanisms of
      plant growth promotion by plant associated bacteria. This involves bacteria
      releasing organic acids into the soil which solubilize the phosphate complexes
      converting them into ortho-phosphate which is available for plant up-take and
      utilization. The study presented here describes the ability of endophytic
      bacteria to produce gluconic acid (GA), solubilize insoluble phosphate, and
      stimulate the growth of Pisum sativum L. plants. This study also describes the
      genetic systems within three of these endophyte strains thought to be responsible
      for their effective phosphate solubilizing abilities. The results showed that
      many of the endophytic strains produced GA (14-169 mM) and have moderate to high
      phosphate solubilization capacities (~400-1300 mg L(-1)). When inoculated into P.
      sativum L. plants grown in soil under soluble phosphate limiting conditions, the
      endophytes that produced medium-high levels of GA displayed beneficial plant
      growth promotion effects. 

PMID- 26257722
TI  - Co(2+)-dependent gene expression in Streptococcus pneumoniae: opposite effect of
      Mn(2+) and Co(2+) on the expression of the virulence genes psaBCA, pcpA, and
      prtA.
AB  - Manganese (Mn(2+))-, zinc (Zn(2+))- and copper (Cu(2+)) play significant roles in
      transcriptional gene regulation, physiology, and virulence of Streptococcus
      pneumoniae. So far, the effect of the important transition metal ion cobalt
      (Co(2+)) on gene expression of S. pneumoniae has not yet been explored. Here, we
      study the impact of Co(2+) stress on the transcriptome of S. pneumoniae strain
      D39. BLAST searches revealed that the genome of S. pneumoniae encodes a putative
      Co(2+)-transport operon (cbi operon), the expression of which we show here to be
      induced by a high Co(2+) concentration. Furthermore, we found that Co(2+), as has
      been shown previously for Zn(2+), can cause derepression of the genes of the PsaR
      virulence regulon, encoding the Mn(2+)-uptake system PsaBCA, the choline binding
      protein PcpA and the cell-wall associated serine protease PrtA. Interestingly,
      although Mn(2+) represses expression of the PsaR regulon and Co(2+) leads to
      derepression, both metal ions stimulate interaction of PsaR with its target
      promoters. These data will be discussed in the light of previous studies on
      similar metal-responsive transcriptional regulators. 

PMID- 26257723
TI  - Giardia fatty acyl-CoA synthetases as potential drug targets.
AB  - Giardiasis caused by Giardia intestinalis (syn. G. lamblia, G. duodenalis) is one
      of the leading causes of diarrheal parasitic diseases worldwide. Although limited
      drugs to treat giardiasis are available, there are concerns regarding toxicity in
      some patients and the emerging drug resistance. By data-mining genome sequences,
      we observed that G. intestinalis is incapable of synthesizing fatty acids (FA) de
      novo. However, this parasite has five long-chain fatty acyl-CoA synthetases
      (GiACS1 to GiACS5) to activate FA scavenged from the host. ACS is an essential
      enzyme because FA need to be activated to form acyl-CoA thioesters before they
      can enter subsequent metabolism. In the present study, we performed experiments
      to explore whether some GiACS enzymes could serve as drug targets in Giardia.
      Based on the high-throughput datasets and protein modeling analyses, we initially
      studied the GiACS1 and GiACS2, because genes encoding these two enzymes were
      found to be more consistently expressed in varied parasite life cycle stages and
      when interacting with host cells based on previously reported transcriptome data.
      These two proteins were cloned and expressed as recombinant proteins. Biochemical
      analysis revealed that both had apparent substrate preference toward palmitic
      acid (C16:0) and myristic acid (C14:0), and allosteric or Michaelis-Menten
      kinetics on palmitic acid or ATP. The ACS inhibitor triacsin C inhibited the
      activity of both enzymes (IC50 = 1.56 MUM, K i = 0.18 MUM for GiACS1, and IC50 =
      2.28 MUM, K i = 0.23 MUM for GiACS2, respectively) and the growth of G.
      intestinalis in vitro (IC50 = 0.8 MUM). As expected from giardial evolutionary
      characteristics, both GiACSs displayed differences in overall folding structure
      as compared with their human counterparts. These observations support the notion
      that some of the GiACS enzymes may be explored as drug targets in this parasite. 

PMID- 26257724
TI  - New multiplex PCR methods for rapid screening of genetically modified organisms
      in foods.
AB  - We present novel multiplex PCR methods for rapid and reliable screening of
      genetically modified organisms (GMOs). New designed PCR primers targeting four
      frequently used GMO specific sequences permitted identification of new DNA
      markers, in particular 141 bp fragment of cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S
      promoter, 224 bp fragment of Agrobacterium tumefaciens nopaline synthase (NOS)
      terminator, 256 bp fragment of 5-enolppyruvylshikimate-phosphate synthase (epsps)
      gene and 258 bp fragment of Cry1Ab delta-endotoxin (cry1Ab) gene for GMO
      screening. The certified reference materials containing Roundup Ready soybean
      (RRS) and maize MON 810 were applied for the development and optimization of
      uniplex and multiplex PCR systems. Evaluation of amplification products by
      agarose gel electrophoresis using negative and positive controls confirmed high
      specificity and sensitivity at 0.1% GMO for both RRS and MON 810. The fourplex
      PCR was developed and optimized that allows simultaneous detection of three
      common transgenic elements, such as: CaMV 35S promoter, NOS terminator, epsps
      gene together with soybean-specific lectin gene. The triplex PCR developed
      enables simultaneous identification of transgenic elements, such as: 35S promoter
      and cry1Ab gene together with maize zein gene. The analysis of different
      processed foods demonstrated that multiplex PCR methods developed in this study
      are useful for accurate and fast screening of GM food products. 

PMID- 26257725
TI  - Vesicles-mediated resistance to antibiotics in bacteria.

PMID- 26257726
TI  - In vivo antimicrobial activity of marbofloxacin against Pasteurella multocida in
      a tissue cage model in calves.
AB  - Marbofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone specially developed for use in veterinary
      medicine with broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. The objective of our study
      was to re-evaluate in vivo antimicrobial activity of marbofloxacin against
      Pasteurella multocida using subcutaneously implanted tissue cages in calves.
      Calves were infected by direct injection into tissue cages with P. multocida(type
      B, serotype 2), then intramuscularly received a range of marbofloxacin doses 24 h
      after inoculation. The ratio of 24 h area under the concentration-time curve
      divided by the minimum inhibitory concentration or the mutant prevention
      concentration (AUC24 h/MIC or AUC24 h/MPC) was the pharmacokinetic
      pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) index that best described the effectiveness of
      marbofloxacin against P. multocida (R (2) = 0.8514) by non-linear regression
      analysis. Marbofloxacin exhibited a good antimicrobial activity in vivo. The
      levels of AUC24 h/MIC and AUC24 h/MPC that produced 50% (1.5log10 CFU/mL
      reduction) and 90% (3log10 CFU/mL reduction) of maximum response were 18.60 and
      50.65 h, 4.67 and 12.89 h by using sigmoid Emax model WINNONLIN software,
      respectively. The in vivo PK/PD integrated methods by tissue cage model display
      the advantage of the evaluation of antimicrobial activity and the optimization of
      the dosage regimen for antibiotics in the presence of the host defenses,
      especially in target animal of veterinary interest. 

PMID- 26257727
TI  - Molecular evidence of a Trypanosoma brucei gambiense sylvatic cycle in the human
      african trypanosomiasis foci of Equatorial Guinea.
AB  - Gambiense trypanosomiasis is considered an anthroponotic disease. Consequently,
      control programs are generally aimed at stopping transmission of Trypanosoma
      brucei gambiense (T. b. gambiense) by detecting and treating human cases.
      However, the persistence of numerous foci despite efforts to eliminate this
      disease questions this strategy as unique tool to pursue the eradication. The
      role of animals as a reservoir of T. b. gambiense is still controversial, but
      could partly explain maintenance of the infection at hypo-endemic levels. In the
      present study, we evaluated the presence of T. b. gambiense in wild animals in
      Equatorial Guinea. The infection rate ranged from 0.8% in the insular focus of
      Luba to more than 12% in Mbini, a focus with a constant trickle of human cases.
      The parasite was detected in a wide range of animal species including four
      species never described previously as putative reservoirs. Our study comes to
      reinforce the hypothesis that animals may play a role in the persistence of T. b.
      gambiense transmission, being particularly relevant in low transmission settings.
      Under these conditions the integration of sustained vector control and medical
      interventions should be considered to achieve the elimination of gambiense
      trypanosomiasis. 

PMID- 26257728
TI  - Development of Paramyosin as a Vaccine Candidate for Schistosomiasis.
AB  - Schistosomiasis, caused by three principal species of diecious trematodes
      (flatworms), currently afflicts over 250 million individuals, results in an
      estimated 2-15% chronic disability, and contributes to poor health and economic
      stagnation in endemic areas. Although schistosomiasis is effectively treated with
      praziquantel, rapid reinfection with rebound morbidity precludes effective
      control based on chemotherapy alone and justifies current efforts to develop
      vaccines for these parasites. Paramyosin (Pmy), an invertebrate muscle-associated
      protein, has emerged as a promising vaccine candidate for both Schistosoma
      mansoni and Schistosoma japonicum. Herein, we discuss the discovery of Pmy, its
      development as a vaccine candidate in rodents and bovines, as well as studies of
      naturally occurring immune responses to Pmy in prospective, observational human
      studies. We conclude with a proposed developmental plan to move Pmy toward Phase
      I clinical trials. 

PMID- 26257729
TI  - IL-15-PI3K-AKT-mTOR: A Critical Pathway in the Life Journey of Natural Killer
      Cells.
AB  - Among numerous cytokines modulating natural killer (NK) cell function,
      interleukin 15 (IL-15) exerts a broad range of effect from development and
      homeostasis, to activation of mature NK cells during infection. Its significance
      is further highlighted by clinical trials in which IL-15 is being used to boost
      the proliferation and anti-tumor response of NK cells. Among the signal
      transduction pathways triggered by the engagement of IL-15 receptor with its
      ligand, the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway seems to be critical for the IL-15-mediated
      activation of NK cells, therefore being responsible for efficient anti-viral and
      anti-tumor responses. This review provides an overview of the role of IL-15 at
      multiple stages of NK cell life journey. Understanding the pathway by which IL-15
      conveys critical signals for the generation of NK cells with efficient effector
      functions, in combination with established protocols for NK cell expansion ex
      vivo, will undoubtedly open new avenues for therapeutic applications for
      immunomodulation against infections and cancers. 

PMID- 26257730
TI  - Overexpression of Bovine FcRn in Mice Enhances T-Dependent Immune Responses by
      Amplifying T Helper Cell Frequency and Germinal Center Enlargement in the Spleen.
AB  - The neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) plays key roles in IgG and albumin homeostasis,
      maternal IgG transport, and antigen presentation of IgG-opsonized antigens.
      Previously, we reported that transgenic (Tg) mice that overexpress the bovine
      FcRn (bFcRn) have augmented T-dependent humoral immune response with increased
      IgG protection, higher level of antigen-specific antibodies, greater number of
      antigen-specific B cells, and effective immune response even against weakly
      immunogenic epitopes. In the current study, we analyzed the localization of the
      bFcRn in secondary lymphoid organs, and focused to demonstrate the in vivo impact
      of its overexpression in the spleen on the course of antibody production. bFcRn
      was highly expressed by red pulp macrophages and marginal zone macrophages in the
      spleen and by subcapsular sinus macrophages and macrophage-like cells in the
      interfollicular areas in the lymph node cortex. We also demonstrated that splenic
      dendritic cells of Tg mice express bFcRn and intraperitoneal immunization of
      these mice with T-dependent antigens led to more than threefold increase in the
      number of antigen-specific activated T helper cells with increased size and
      numbers of germinal centers compared to wild-type controls. bFcRn expression in
      splenic B cells was also detected and that may also contribute to the enhanced B
      cell activation. Finally, we demonstrated that these Tg mice developed efficient
      immune response against very low dose of antigen, reflecting another important
      practical benefit of these Tg mice. 

PMID- 26257731
TI  - Modulating the Innate Immune Response to Influenza A Virus: Potential Therapeutic
      Use of Anti-Inflammatory Drugs.
AB  - Infection by influenza A viruses (IAV) is frequently characterized by robust
      inflammation that is usually more pronounced in the case of avian influenza. It
      is becoming clearer that the morbidity and pathogenesis caused by IAV are
      consequences of this inflammatory response, with several components of the innate
      immune system acting as the main players. It has been postulated that using a
      therapeutic approach to limit the innate immune response in combination with
      antiviral drugs has the potential to diminish symptoms and tissue damage caused
      by IAV infection. Indeed, some anti-inflammatory agents have been shown to be
      effective in animal models in reducing IAV pathology as a proof of principle. The
      main challenge in developing such therapies is to selectively modulate signaling
      pathways that contribute to lung injury while maintaining the ability of the host
      cells to mount an antiviral response to control virus replication. However, the
      dissection of those pathways is very complex given the numerous components
      regulated by the same factors (i.e., NF kappa B transcription factors) and the
      large number of players involved in this regulation, some of which may be
      undescribed or unknown. This article provides a comprehensive review of the
      current knowledge regarding the innate immune responses associated with tissue
      damage by IAV infection, the understanding of which is essential for the
      development of effective immunomodulatory drugs. Furthermore, we summarize the
      recent advances on the development and evaluation of such drugs as well as the
      lessons learned from those studies. 

PMID- 26257732
TI  - Role of Tumor Necrosis Factor Superfamily in Neuroinflammation and Autoimmunity.
AB  - Tumor necrosis factor superfamily (TNFSF) molecules play an important role in the
      activation, proliferation, differentiation, and migration of immune cells into
      the central nervous system (CNS). Several TNF superfamily molecules are known to
      control alloimmunity, autoimmunity, and immunity. Development of transgenic and
      gene knockout animals, and monoclonal antibodies against TNFSF molecules have
      increased our understanding of individual receptor-ligand interactions, and their
      intracellular signaling during homeostasis and neuroinflammation. A strong
      clinical association has been observed between TNFSF members and CNS autoimmunity
      such as multiple sclerosis and also in its animal model experimental autoimmune
      encephalomyelitis. Therefore, they are promising targets for alternative
      therapeutic options to control autoimmunity. Although, TNFSF ligands are widely
      distributed and have diverse functions, we have restricted the discussions in
      this review to TNFSF receptor-ligand interactions and their role in the
      pathogenesis of neuroinflammation and CNS autoimmunity. 

PMID- 26257733
TI  - Thymic Crosstalk Coordinates Medulla Organization and T-Cell Tolerance Induction.
AB  - The thymus ensures the generation of a functional and highly diverse T-cell
      repertoire. The thymic medulla, which is mainly composed of medullary thymic
      epithelial cells (mTECs) and dendritic cells (DCs), provides a specialized
      microenvironment dedicated to the establishment of T-cell tolerance. mTECs play a
      privileged role in this pivotal process by their unique capacity to express a
      broad range of peripheral self-antigens that are presented to developing T cells.
      Reciprocally, developing T cells control mTEC differentiation and organization.
      These bidirectional interactions are commonly referred to as thymic crosstalk.
      This review focuses on the relative contributions of mTEC and DC subsets to the
      deletion of autoreactive T cells and the generation of natural regulatory T
      cells. We also summarize current knowledge regarding how hematopoietic cells
      conversely control the composition and complex three-dimensional organization of
      the thymic medulla. 

PMID- 26257734
TI  - Exosomes in the Thymus: Antigen Transfer and Vesicles.
AB  - Thymocytes go through several steps of maturation and selection in the thymus in
      order to form a functional pool of effector T-cells and regulatory T-cells in the
      periphery. Close interactions between thymocytes, thymic epithelial cells, and
      dendritic cells are of vital importance for the maturation, selection, and
      lineage decision of the thymocytes. One important question that is still
      unanswered is how a relatively small epithelial cell population can present a
      vast array of self-antigens to the manifold larger population of developing
      thymocytes in this selection process. Here, we review and discuss the literature
      concerning antigen transfer from epithelial cells with a focus on exosomes.
      Exosomes are nano-sized vesicles released from a cell into the extracellular
      space. These vesicles can carry proteins, microRNAs, and mRNAs between cells and
      are thus able to participate in intercellular communication. Exosomes have been
      shown to be produced by thymic epithelial cells and to carry tissue-restricted
      antigens and MHC molecules, which may enable them to participate in the thymocyte
      selection process. 

PMID- 26257735
TI  - Polarizing T and B Cell Responses by APC-Targeted Subunit Vaccines.
AB  - Current influenza vaccines mostly aim at the induction of specific neutralizing
      antibodies. While antibodies are important for protection against a particular
      virus strain, T cells can recognize epitopes that will offer broader protection
      against influenza. We have previously developed a DNA vaccine format by which
      protein antigens can be targeted specifically to receptors on antigen presenting
      cells (APCs). The DNA-encoded vaccine proteins are homodimers, each chain
      consisting of a targeting unit, a dimerization unit, and an antigen. The strategy
      of targeting antigen to APCs greatly enhances immune responses as compared to non
      targeted controls. Furthermore, targeting of antigen to different receptors on
      APCs can polarize the immune response to different arms of immunity. Here, we
      discuss how targeting of hemagglutinin to MHC class II molecules increases Th2
      and IgG1 antibody responses, whereas targeting to chemokine receptors XCR1 or
      CCR1/3/5 increases Th1 and IgG2a responses, in addition to CD8(+) T cell
      responses. We also discuss these results in relation to work published by others
      on APC-targeting. Differential targeting of APC surface molecules may allow the
      induction of tailor-made phenotypes of adaptive immune responses that are optimal
      for protection against various infectious agents, including influenza virus. 

PMID- 26257736
TI  - Tasting Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilms: Human Neutrophils Express the Bitter
      Receptor T2R38 as Sensor for the Quorum Sensing Molecule N-(3-Oxododecanoyl)-l
      Homoserine Lactone.
AB  - Bacteria communicate with one another via specialized signaling molecules, known
      as quorum sensing molecules or autoinducers. The Pseudomonas aeruginosa-derived
      quorum sensing molecule N-(3-oxododecanoyl)-l-homoserine lactone (AHL-12),
      however, also activates mammalian cells. As shown previously, AHL-12-induced
      chemotaxis, up-regulated CD11b expression, and enhanced phagocytosis of
      polymorphonuclear neutrophils. Circumstantial evidence concurred with a receptor
      for AHL-12, which has been elusive so far. We now investigated the bitter
      receptor T2R38 as a potential candidate. Although identified as a taste receptor,
      extragustatory cells express T2R38, for example, epithelial cells in the lung. We
      now detected T2R38 in peripheral blood neutrophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes.
      T2R38 is not only found on the cell membrane but also intracellular. In
      neutrophils, T2R38 was located in vesicles with characteristics of lipid
      droplets, and super-resolution microscopy showed a co-localization with the lipid
      droplet membrane. Neutrophils take up AHL-12, and it co-localized with T2R38 as
      seen by laser scan microscopy. Binding of AHL-12 to T2R28 was confirmed by pull
      down assays using biotin-coupled AHL-12 as bait. A commercially available
      antibody to T2R38 inhibited binding of AHL-12 to neutrophils, and this antibody
      by itself stimulated neutrophils, similarly to AHL-12. In conclusion, our data
      provide evidence for expression of functional T2R38 on neutrophils, and are
      compatible with the notion that T2R38 is the receptor for AHL-12. 

PMID- 26257737
TI  - The Many Alternative Faces of Macrophage Activation.
AB  - Monocytes and macrophages provide the first line of defense against pathogens.
      They also initiate acquired immunity by processing and presenting antigens and
      provide the downstream effector functions. Analysis of large gene expression
      datasets from multiple cells and tissues reveals sets of genes that are co
      regulated with the transcription factors that regulate them. In macrophages, the
      gene clusters include lineage-specific genes, interferon-responsive genes, early
      inflammatory genes, and genes required for endocytosis and lysosome function.
      Macrophages enter tissues and alter their function to deal with a wide range of
      challenges related to development and organogenesis, tissue injury, malignancy,
      sterile, or pathogenic inflammatory stimuli. These stimuli alter the gene
      expression to produce "activated macrophages" that are better equipped to
      eliminate the cause of their influx and to restore homeostasis. Activation or
      polarization states of macrophages have been classified as "classical" and
      "alternative" or M1 and M2. These proposed states of cells are not supported by
      large-scale transcriptomic data, including macrophage-associated signatures from
      large cancer tissue datasets, where the supposed markers do not correlate with
      other. Individual macrophage cells differ markedly from each other, and change
      their functions in response to doses and combinations of agonists and time. The
      most studied macrophage activation response is the transcriptional cascade
      initiated by the TLR4 agonist lipopolysaccharide. This response is reviewed
      herein. The network topology is conserved across species, but genes within the
      transcriptional network evolve rapidly and differ between mouse and human. There
      is also considerable divergence in the sets of target genes between mouse
      strains, between individuals, and in other species such as pigs. The deluge of
      complex information related to macrophage activation can be accessed with new
      analytical tools and new databases that provide access for the non-expert. 

PMID- 26257738
TI  - Editorial: "Recent Advances in Gamma/Delta T Cell Biology: New Ligands, New
      Functions, and New Translational Perspectives".

PMID- 26257739
TI  - MHC Class II Auto-Antigen Presentation is Unconventional.
AB  - Antigen presentation is highly critical in adoptive immunity. Only by interacting
      with antigens presented by major histocompatibility complex class II molecules,
      helper T cells can be stimulated to fight infections or diseases. The degradation
      of a full protein into small peptide fragments bound to class II molecules is a
      dynamic, lengthy process consisting of many steps and chaperons. Deregulation in
      any step of antigen processing could lead to the development of self-reactive T
      cells or defective immune response to pathogens. Indeed, human leukocyte antigens
      class II genes are the predominant contributors to susceptibility to autoimmune
      diseases. Conventional antigen-processing calls for internalization of
      extracellular antigens followed by processing and epitope selection within
      antigen-processing subcellular compartments, enriched with all necessary
      accessory molecules, processing enzymes, and proper pH and denaturing conditions.
      However, recent data examining the temporal relationship between antigen uptakes,
      processing, and epitope selection revealed unexpected characteristics for auto
      antigenic epitopes, which were not shared with antigenic epitopes from pathogens.
      This review provides a discussion of the relevance of these findings to the
      mechanisms of autoimmunity. 

PMID- 26257741
TI  - Signature Channels of Excitability no More: L-Type Channels in Immune Cells.
AB  - Although the concept of Ca(2+) as a universal messenger is well established, it
      was assumed that the regulatory mechanisms of Ca(2+)-signaling were divided along
      the line of electric excitability. Recent advances in molecular biology and
      genomics have, however, provided evidence that non-excitable cells such as
      immunocytes also express a wide and diverse pool of ion channels that does not
      differ as significantly from that of excitable cells as originally assumed. Ion
      channels and transporters are involved in virtually all aspects of immune
      response regulation, from cell differentiation and development to activation, and
      effector functions such as migration, antibody-secretion, phagosomal maturation,
      or vesicular delivery of bactericidal agents. This comprises TRP channel family
      members, voltage- and Ca(2+)-gated K(+)- and Na(+)-channels, as well as
      unexpectedly, components of the CaV1-subfamily of voltage-gated L-type Ca(2+)
      channels, originally thought to be signature molecules of excitability. This
      article provides an overview of recent observations made in the field of CaV1 L
      type channel function in the immune context, as well as presents results we
      obtained studying these channels in B-lymphocytes. 

PMID- 26257742
TI  - Thymic B Cells and Central T Cell Tolerance.
AB  - Central T cell tolerance is believed to be mainly induced by thymic dendritic
      cells and medullary thymic epithelial cells. The thymus also harbors substantial
      numbers of B cells. These may arise though intrathymic B lymphopoiesis or
      immigration from the bloodstream. Importantly, and in contrast to resting
      "mainstream" B cells in the periphery, thymic B cells display elevated levels of
      MHC class II and constitutively express CD80. Arguably, their most unexpected
      feature is the expression of autoimmune regulator. These unique features of
      thymic B cells result from a licensing process that involves cross-talk with CD4
      single-positive T cells and CD40 signaling. Together, these recent findings
      suggest that B cells play a more prominent role as thymic APCs than previously
      appreciated. 

PMID- 26257740
TI  - MIF and CXCL12 in Cardiovascular Diseases: Functional Differences and
      Similarities.
AB  - Coronary artery disease (CAD) as part of the cardiovascular diseases is a
      pathology caused by atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory disease of the vessel
      wall characterized by a massive invasion of lipids and inflammatory cells into
      the inner vessel layer (intima) leading to the formation of atherosclerotic
      lesions; their constant growth may cause complications such as flow-limiting
      stenosis and plaque rupture, the latter triggering vessel occlusion through
      thrombus formation. Pathophysiology of CAD is complex and over the last years
      many players have entered the picture. One of the latter being chemokines (small
      8-12 kDa cytokines) and their receptors, known to orchestrate cell chemotaxis and
      arrest. Here, we will focus on the chemokine CXCL12, also known as stromal cell
      derived factor 1 (SDF-1) and the chemokine-like function chemokine, macrophage
      migration-inhibitory factor (MIF). Both are ubiquitously expressed and highly
      conserved proteins and play an important role in cell homeostasis, recruitment,
      and arrest through binding to their corresponding chemokine receptors CXCR4
      (CXCL12 and MIF), ACKR3 (CXCL12), and CXCR2 (MIF). In addition, MIF also binds to
      the receptor CD44 and the co-receptor CD74. CXCL12 has mostly been studied for
      its crucial role in the homing of (hematopoietic) progenitor cells in the bone
      marrow and their mobilization into the periphery. In contrast to CXCL12, MIF is
      secreted in response to diverse inflammatory stimuli, and has been associated
      with a clear pro-inflammatory and pro-atherogenic role in multiple studies of
      patients and animal models. Ongoing research on CXCL12 points at a protective
      function of this chemokine in atherosclerotic lesion development. This review
      will focus on the role of CXCL12 and MIF and their differences and similarities
      in CAD of high risk patients. 

PMID- 26257743
TI  - Enhancing Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Specific CD8(+) T Cell Responses with
      Heteroclitic Peptides.
AB  - Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-specific CD8(+) T cells play a critical role
      in containing HIV replication and delaying disease progression. However, HIV
      specific CD8(+) T cells become progressively more "exhausted" as chronic HIV
      infection proceeds. Symptoms of T cell exhaustion range from expression of
      inhibitory receptors and selective loss of cytokine production capacity through
      reduced proliferative potential, impaired differentiation into effector cells and
      increased susceptibility to apoptosis. While effective combination antiretroviral
      therapy (cART) durably reduces HIV viremia to undetectable levels, this alone
      does not restore the full pluripotency of HIV-specific CD8(+) T cells. In a
      number of studies, a subset of peptide epitope variants categorized as
      heteroclitic, restimulated more potent cellular immune responses in vitro than
      did the native, immunizing peptides themselves. This property of heteroclitic
      peptides has been exploited in experimental cancer and chronic viral infection
      models to promote clearance of transformed cells and persistent viruses. In this
      review, we consider the possibility that heteroclitic peptides could improve the
      efficacy of therapeutic vaccines as part of HIV immunotherapy or eradication
      strategies. We review literature on heteroclitic peptides and illustrate their
      potential to beneficially modulate the nature of HIV-specific T cell responses
      toward those found in the small minority of HIV-infected, aviremic cART-naive
      persons termed elite controllers or long-term non-progressors. Our review
      suggests that the efficacy of HIV vaccines could be improved by identification,
      testing, and incorporation of heteroclitic variants of native HIV peptide
      epitopes. 

PMID- 26257745
TI  - Editorial: Novel Clinical Applications of Extracellular Vesicles.

PMID- 26257744
TI  - iNKT Cells and Their Potential Lipid Ligands during Viral Infection.
AB  - Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are a unique population of lipid-reactive
      CD1d-restricted innate-like T lymphocytes. Despite being a minor population, they
      serve as an early source of cytokines and promote immunological crosstalk thus
      bridging innate and adaptive immunity. Diseases ranging from allergy,
      autoimmunity, and cancer, as well as infectious diseases, including viral
      infection, have been reported to be influenced by iNKT cells. However, it remains
      unclear how iNKT cells are activated during viral infection, as virus-derived
      lipid antigens have not been reported. Cytokines may activate iNKT cells during
      infections from influenza and murine cytomegalovirus, although CD1d-dependent
      activation is evident in other viral infections. Several viruses, such as dengue
      virus, induce CD1d upregulation, which correlates with iNKT cell activation. In
      contrast, herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), human immunodeficiency virus
      (HIV), Epstein-Barr virus, and human papilloma virus promote CD1d downregulation
      as a strategy to evade iNKT cell recognition. These observations suggest the
      participation of a CD1d-dependent process in the activation of iNKT cells in
      response to viral infection. Endogenous lipid ligands, including phospholipids as
      well as glycosphingolipids, such as glucosylceramide, have been proposed to
      mediate iNKT cell activation. Pro-inflammatory signals produced during viral
      infection may stimulate iNKT cells through enhanced CD1d-dependent endogenous
      lipid presentation. Furthermore, viral infection may alter lipid composition and
      inhibit endogenous lipid degradation. Recent advances in this field are reviewed.

PMID- 26257746
TI  - Functional traits variation explains the distribution of Aextoxicon punctatum
      (Aextoxicaceae) in pronounced moisture gradients within fog-dependent forest
      fragments.
AB  - Climate change and fragmentation are major threats to world forests.
      Understanding how functional traits related to drought tolerance change across
      small-scale, pronounced moisture gradients in fragmented forests is important to
      predict species' responses to these threats. In the case of Aextoxicon punctatum,
      a dominant canopy tree in fog-dependent rain forest patches in semiarid Chile, we
      explored how the magnitude, variability and correlation patterns of leaf and
      xylem vessel traits and hydraulic conductivity varied across soil moisture (SM)
      gradients established within and among forest patches of different size, which
      are associated with differences in tree establishment and mortality patterns.
      Leaf traits varied across soil-moisture gradients produced by fog interception.
      Trees growing at drier leeward edges showed higher leaf mass per area, trichome
      and stomatal density than trees from the wetter core and windward zones. In
      contrast, xylem vessel traits (vessels diameter and density) did not vary
      producing loss of hydraulic conductivity at drier leeward edges. We also detected
      higher levels of phenotypic integration and variability at leeward edges. The
      ability of A. punctatum to modify leaf traits in response to differences in SM
      availability established over short distances (<500 m) facilitates its
      persistence in contrasting microhabitats within forest patches. However, xylem
      anatomy showed limited plasticity, which increases cavitation risk at leeward
      edges. Greater patch fragmentation, together with fluctuations in irradiance and
      SM in small patches, could result in higher risk of drought-related tree
      mortality, with profound impacts on hydrological balances at the ecosystem scale.

PMID- 26257747
TI  - An organ-specific view on non-host resistance.
AB  - Non-host resistance (NHR) is the resistance of plants to a plethora of non
      adapted pathogens and is considered as one of the most robust resistance
      mechanisms of plants. Studies have shown that the efficiency of resistance in
      general and NHR in particular could vary in different plant organs, thus pointing
      to tissue-specific determinants. This was exemplified by research on host and non
      host interactions of the fungal plant pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae with rice and
      Arabidopsis, respectively. Thus, rice roots were shown to be impaired in
      resistance to M. oryzae isolates to which leaves of the same rice cultivar are
      highly resistant. Moreover, roots of Arabidopsis are also accessible to
      penetration by M. oryzae while leaves of this non-host plant cannot be infected.
      We addressed the question whether or not other plant tissues such as the
      reproductive system also differ in NHR compared to leaves. Inoculation
      experiments on wheat with different Magnaporthe species forming either a host or
      non-host type of interaction revealed that NHR was as effective on spikes as on
      leaves. This finding might pave the way for combatting M. oryzae disease on wheat
      spikes which has become a serious threat especially in South America. 

PMID- 26257748
TI  - Overexpression of Arabidopsis thaliana ERI, the homolog of C. elegans Enhancer of
      RNAinterference, leads to enhanced growth.
AB  - Organisms adopt a wide range of strategies to adapt to change. Gene silencing
      describes the ability of organisms to modulate the expression of susceptible
      genes at certain times at the transcriptional or the translational level. In all
      known eukaryotic organisms 21-nt long short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) are the
      effector molecules of post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS), while 24-nt
      long siRNAs are involved in PTGS in plants. Mutant studies in Caenorhabditis
      elegans lead to the identification of the enzyme ERI (Enhancer of
      RNAinterference) with enhanced PTGS. Although the genes involved in growth vigor
      and growth rate are still unknown, it becomes clearer that the population of
      small RNAs plays a role in the very early phase of plant development. To pinpoint
      the link between growth and siRNAs, the expression of Arabidopsis uni-gene
      Enhancer of RNAi (ERI) homolog from C. elegans was modulated. Increased
      degradation of small RNAs was achieved by ectopic AtERI overexpression in planta.
      Based on global small RNA analysis, AtERI overexpression affects mainly the
      population of 21 mers, excluding miRNAs. To identify target genes, AtERI gain-of
      function mutants were analyzed, and differentially abundant small RNAs were
      identified. Plants with an elevated level of AtERI were bigger in all three light
      intensities analyzed, indicating an inhibitory function of particular small RNAs
      in plant growth, with differences in relative growth rates depending on
      developmental stage and light intensity. Understanding the role of these siRNAs
      could open new avenues for enhancing plant growth. 

PMID- 26257750
TI  - Camalexin contributes to the partial resistance of Arabidopsis thaliana to the
      biotrophic soilborne protist Plasmodiophora brassicae.
AB  - Camalexin has been reported to play defensive functions against several pathogens
      in Arabidopsis. In this study, we investigated the possible role of camalexin
      accumulation in two Arabidopsis genotypes with different levels of basal
      resistance to the compatible eH strain of the clubroot agent Plasmodiophora
      brassicae. Camalexin biosynthesis was induced in infected roots of both Col-0
      (susceptible) and Bur-0 (partially resistant) accessions during the secondary
      phase of infection. However, the level of accumulation was four-to-seven times
      higher in Bur-0 than Col-0. This was associated with the enhanced transcription
      of a set of camalexin biosynthetic P450 genes in Bur-0: CYP71A13, CYP71A12, and
      CYP79B2. This induction correlated with slower P. brassicae growth in Bur-0
      compared to Col-0, thus suggesting a relationship between the levels of camalexin
      biosynthesis and the different levels of resistance. Clubroot-triggered
      biosynthesis of camalexin may also participate in basal defense in Col-0, as gall
      symptoms and pathogen development were enhanced in the pad3 mutant (Col-0 genetic
      background), which is defective in camalexin biosynthesis. Clubroot and camalexin
      responses were then studied in Heterogeneous Inbred Families (HIF) lines derived
      from a cross between Bur-0 and Col-0. The Bur/Col allelic substitution in the
      region of the previously identified clubroot resistance QTL PbAt5.2 (Chromosome
      5) was associated with both the enhanced clubroot-triggered induction of
      camalexin biosynthesis and the reduced P. brassicae development. Altogether, our
      results suggest that high levels of clubroot-triggered camalexin biosynthesis
      play a role in the quantitative control of partial resistance of Arabidopsis to
      clubroot. 

PMID- 26257749
TI  - TAL effectors and activation of predicted host targets distinguish Asian from
      African strains of the rice pathogen Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola while
      strict conservation suggests universal importance of five TAL effectors.
AB  - Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola (Xoc) causes the increasingly important disease
      bacterial leaf streak of rice (BLS) in part by type III delivery of repeat-rich
      transcription activator-like (TAL) effectors to upregulate host susceptibility
      genes. By pathogen whole genome, single molecule, real-time sequencing and host
      RNA sequencing, we compared TAL effector content and rice transcriptional
      responses across 10 geographically diverse Xoc strains. TAL effector content is
      surprisingly conserved overall, yet distinguishes Asian from African isolates.
      Five TAL effectors are conserved across all strains. In a prior laboratory assay
      in rice cv. Nipponbare, only two contributed to virulence in strain BLS256 but
      the strict conservation indicates all five may be important, in different rice
      genotypes or in the field. Concatenated and aligned, TAL effector content across
      strains largely reflects relationships based on housekeeping genes, suggesting
      predominantly vertical transmission. Rice transcriptional responses did not
      reflect these relationships, and on average, only 28% of genes upregulated and
      22% of genes downregulated by a strain are up- and down- regulated (respectively)
      by all strains. However, when only known TAL effector targets were considered,
      the relationships resembled those of the TAL effectors. Toward identifying new
      targets, we used the TAL effector-DNA recognition code to predict effector
      binding elements in promoters of genes upregulated by each strain, but found that
      for every strain, all upregulated genes had at least one. Filtering with a
      classifier we developed previously decreases the number of predicted binding
      elements across the genome, suggesting that it may reduce false positives among
      upregulated genes. Applying this filter and eliminating genes for which
      upregulation did not strictly correlate with presence of the corresponding TAL
      effector, we generated testable numbers of candidate targets for four of the five
      strictly conserved TAL effectors. 

PMID- 26257751
TI  - Massive sequencing of Ulmus minor's transcriptome provides new molecular tools
      for a genus under the constant threat of Dutch elm disease.
AB  - Elms, especially Ulmus minor and U. americana, are carrying out a hard battle
      against Dutch elm disease (DED). This vascular wilt disease, caused by Ophiostoma
      ulmi and O. novo-ulmi, appeared in the twentieth century and killed millions of
      elms across North America and Europe. Elm breeding and conservation programmes
      have identified a reduced number of DED tolerant genotypes. In this study, three
      U. minor genotypes with contrasted levels of tolerance to DED were exposed to
      several biotic and abiotic stresses in order to (i) obtain a de novo assembled
      transcriptome of U. minor using 454 pyrosequencing, (ii) perform a functional
      annotation of the assembled transcriptome, (iii) identify genes potentially
      involved in the molecular response to environmental stress, and (iv) develop gene
      based markers to support breeding programmes. A total of 58,429 putative unigenes
      were identified after assembly and filtering of the transcriptome. 32,152 of
      these unigenes showed homology with proteins identified in the genome from the
      most common plant model species. Well-known family proteins and transcription
      factors involved in abiotic, biotic or both stresses were identified after
      functional annotation. A total of 30,693 polymorphisms were identified in 7,125
      isotigs, a large number of them corresponding to single nucleotide polymorphisms
      (SNPs; 27,359). In a subset randomly selected for validation, 87% of the SNPs
      were confirmed. The material generated may be valuable for future Ulmus gene
      expression, population genomics and association genetics studies, especially
      taking into account the scarce molecular information available for this genus and
      the great impact that DED has on elm populations. 

PMID- 26257752
TI  - Coping with drought: stress and adaptive responses in potato and perspectives for
      improvement.
AB  - Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is often considered as a drought sensitive crop and
      its sustainable production is threatened due to frequent drought episodes. There
      has been much research aiming to understand the physiological, biochemical, and
      genetic basis of drought tolerance in potato as a basis for improving production
      under drought conditions. The complex phenotypic response of potato plants to
      drought is conditioned by the interactive effects of the plant's genotypic
      potential, developmental stage, and environment. Effective crop improvement for
      drought tolerance will require the pyramiding of many disparate characters, with
      different combinations being appropriate for different growing environments. An
      understanding of the interaction between below ground water uptake by the roots
      and above ground water loss from the shoot system is essential. The development
      of high throughput precision phenotyping platforms is providing an exciting new
      tool for precision screening, which, with the incorporation of innovative
      screening strategies, can aid the selection and pyramiding of drought-related
      genes appropriate for specific environments. Outcomes from genomics, proteomics,
      metabolomics, and bioengineering advances will undoubtedly compliment
      conventional breeding strategies and presents an alternative route toward
      development of drought tolerant potatoes. This review presents an overview of
      past research activity, highlighting recent advances with examples from other
      crops and suggesting future research directions. 

PMID- 26257753
TI  - Genetic control of inflorescence architecture in legumes.
AB  - The architecture of the inflorescence, the shoot system that bears the flowers,
      is a main component of the huge diversity of forms found in flowering plants.
      Inflorescence architecture has also a strong impact on the production of fruits
      and seeds, and on crop management, two highly relevant agronomical traits.
      Elucidating the genetic networks that control inflorescence development, and how
      they vary between different species, is essential to understanding the evolution
      of plant form and to being able to breed key architectural traits in crop
      species. Inflorescence architecture depends on the identity and activity of the
      meristems in the inflorescence apex, which determines when flowers are formed,
      how many are produced and their relative position in the inflorescence axis.
      Arabidopsis thaliana, where the genetic control of inflorescence development is
      best known, has a simple inflorescence, where the primary inflorescence meristem
      directly produces the flowers, which are thus borne in the main inflorescence
      axis. In contrast, legumes represent a more complex inflorescence type, the
      compound inflorescence, where flowers are not directly borne in the main
      inflorescence axis but, instead, they are formed by secondary or higher order
      inflorescence meristems. Studies in model legumes such as pea (Pisum sativum) or
      Medicago truncatula have led to a rather good knowledge of the genetic control of
      the development of the legume compound inflorescence. In addition, the increasing
      availability of genetic and genomic tools for legumes is allowing to rapidly
      extending this knowledge to other grain legume crops. This review aims to
      describe the current knowledge of the genetic network controlling inflorescence
      development in legumes. It also discusses how the combination of this knowledge
      with the use of emerging genomic tools and resources may allow rapid advances in
      the breeding of grain legume crops. 

PMID- 26257756
TI  - Changing environmental conditions and applying organic fertilizers in Origanum
      vulgare L.
AB  - Any improvement in agricultural systems that results in higher production should
      also reduce negative environmental impacts and enhance sustainability. The aim of
      this research was to investigate the effect of two different production systems,
      one open-field and the other shade-enclosure with four bocashi doses, in order to
      find the best environmental option in terms of yield, physiological and
      morphometric characteristics in one oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) cultivar. In
      this study a completely randomized block design was used with four replications
      and evaluated for photosynthetic and transpiration rate, stomatal conductance,
      chlorophyll, leaf area and temperature, aerial and roots fresh and dry biomass,
      fresh and dry yield. The results showed that oregano adapted best to the shade
      enclosure with increase yield of fresh and dry leaf weight of 165% and 118%,
      respectively, when compared to open-field. Also, higher doses of bocashi improved
      yield in both environments but more so in shade-enclosure. Soil moisture
      retention was higher in shade-enclosure which was reflected in physiological
      variables for soil matric potential, transpiration, stomatal conductivity,
      photosynthesis being significantly higher in shade-enclosure compared to open
      field, thus improving yield. It seems that oregano plants can be grown and
      perform better under shade-enclosure than open-field and bocashi is a suitable
      organic fertilizer. 

PMID- 26257755
TI  - Identification of novel drought-tolerant-associated SNPs in common bean
      (Phaseolus vulgaris).
AB  - Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is a leguminous in high demand for human
      nutrition and a very important agricultural product. Production of common bean is
      constrained by environmental stresses such as drought. Although conventional
      plant selection has been used to increase production yield and stress tolerance,
      drought tolerance selection based on phenotype is complicated by associated
      physiological, anatomical, cellular, biochemical, and molecular changes. These
      changes are modulated by differential gene expression. A common method to
      identify genes associated with phenotypes of interest is the characterization of
      Single Nucleotide Polymorphims (SNPs) to link them to specific functions. In this
      work, we selected two drought-tolerant parental lines from Mesoamerica, Pinto
      Villa, and Pinto Saltillo. The parental lines were used to generate a population
      of 282 families (F3:5) and characterized by 169 SNPs. We associated the
      segregation of the molecular markers in our population with phenotypes including
      flowering time, physiological maturity, reproductive period, plant, seed and
      total biomass, reuse index, seed yield, weight of 100 seeds, and harvest index in
      three cultivation cycles. We observed 83 SNPs with significant association (p <
      0.0003 after Bonferroni correction) with our quantified phenotypes. Phenotypes
      most associated were days to flowering and seed biomass with 58 and 44 associated
      SNPs, respectively. Thirty-seven out of the 83 SNPs were annotated to a gene with
      a potential function related to drought tolerance or relevant
      molecular/biochemical functions. Some SNPs such as SNP28 and SNP128 are related
      to starch biosynthesis, a common osmotic protector; and SNP18 is related to
      proline biosynthesis, another well-known osmotic protector. 

PMID- 26257754
TI  - Role of proline in cell wall synthesis and plant development and its implications
      in plant ontogeny.
AB  - Proline is a proteogenic amino acid and accumulates both under stress and non
      stress conditions as a beneficial solute in plants. Recent discoveries point out
      that proline plays an important role in plant growth and differentiation across
      life cycle. It is a key determinant of many cell wall proteins that plays
      important roles in plant development. The role of extensins, arabinogalactan
      proteins and hydroxyproline- and proline-rich proteins as important components of
      cell wall proteins that play pivotal roles in cell wall signal transduction
      cascades, plant development and stress tolerance is discussed in this review.
      Molecular insights are also provided here into the plausible roles of proline
      transporters modulating key events in plant development. In addition, the roles
      of proline during seed developmental transitions including storage protein
      synthesis are discussed. 

PMID- 26257757
TI  - Acetylation of cell wall is required for structural integrity of the leaf surface
      and exerts a global impact on plant stress responses.
AB  - The epidermis on leaves protects plants from pathogen invasion and provides a
      waterproof barrier. It consists of a layer of cells that is surrounded by thick
      cell walls, which are partially impregnated by highly hydrophobic cuticular
      components. We show that the Arabidopsis T-DNA insertion mutants of REDUCED WALL
      ACETYLATION 2 (rwa2), previously identified as having reduced O-acetylation of
      both pectins and hemicelluloses, exhibit pleiotrophic phenotype on the leaf
      surface. The cuticle layer appeared diffused and was significantly thicker and
      underneath cell wall layer was interspersed with electron-dense deposits. A large
      number of trichomes were collapsed and surface permeability of the leaves was
      enhanced in rwa2 as compared to the wild type. A massive reprogramming of the
      transcriptome was observed in rwa2 as compared to the wild type, including a
      coordinated up-regulation of genes involved in responses to abiotic stress,
      particularly detoxification of reactive oxygen species and defense against
      microbial pathogens (e.g., lipid transfer proteins, peroxidases). In accordance,
      peroxidase activities were found to be elevated in rwa2 as compared to the wild
      type. These results indicate that cell wall acetylation is essential for
      maintaining the structural integrity of leaf epidermis, and that reduction of
      cell wall acetylation leads to global stress responses in Arabidopsis. 

PMID- 26257758
TI  - EXTENSIN18 is required for full male fertility as well as normal vegetative
      growth in Arabidopsis.
AB  - EXTENSINS (EXTs) are a 65-member subfamily of hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins
      (HRGPs) of which 20 putatively form crosslinking networks in the cell wall. These
      20 classical EXTs are involved at the start of new wall assembly as evidenced by
      a requirement for EXT3 during cytokinesis, and the ability of some EXTs to
      polymerize in vitro into dendritic patterns. EXT3 was previously shown to form
      pulcherosine (three Tyrosines) cross-links. Little direct data exists on the
      other 19 classical EXTs. Here, we describe the phenotypes of ext18 mutants and
      rescued progeny as well as associated expression profiles of all 20 classical EXT
      genes. We found that EXT18 is required for full male fertility, as well as for
      normal vegetative growth. EXT18 has potential to form crosslinking networks via
      di-iso-di-tyrosine (four Tyrosines) covalent bonds, and not via pulcherosine due
      to deficit of lone Tyrosines. This together with ext18 defective pollen grains
      and pollen tubes, and reduced plant size, suggests that EXT18-type EXTs are
      important contributors to wall integrity, in pollen and other rapidly extending
      walls. The data also show that a knockout of EXT18 had a pleiotropic affect on
      the expression of several EXTs, as did the reintroduction of the native EXT18
      gene, thus supporting the thesis that transcription of groups of EXTs are co
      regulated and work in different combinations to make distinctive inputs into wall
      assembly of different cell types. These insights contribute to basic knowledge of
      cell wall self-assembly in different cell types, and potentially enable
      biotechnological advances in biomass increase and plant fertility control. 

PMID- 26257759
TI  - Commentary: Toward a more physiologically and evolutionarily relevant definition
      of metal hyperaccumulation in plants.

PMID- 26257760
TI  - Maize miRNA and target regulation in response to hormone depletion and light
      exposure during somatic embryogenesis.
AB  - Maize somatic embryogenesis (SE) is induced from the immature zygotic embryo in
      darkness and under the appropriate hormones' levels. Small RNA expression is
      reprogrammed and certain miRNAs become particularly enriched during induction
      while others, characteristic to the zygotic embryo, decrease. To explore the
      impact of different environmental cues on miRNA regulation in maize SE, we tested
      specific miRNA abundance and their target gene expression in response to
      photoperiod and hormone depletion for two different maize cultivars (VS-535 and H
      565). The expression levels of miR156, miR159, miR164, miR168, miR397, miR398,
      miR408, miR528, and some predicted targets (SBP23, GA-MYB, CUC2, AGO1c, LAC2,
      SOD9, GR1, SOD1A, PLC) were examined upon staged hormone depletion in the
      presence of light photoperiod or darkness. Almost all examined miRNA, except
      miR159, increased upon hormone depletion, regardless photoperiod
      absence/presence. miR528, miR408, and miR398 changed the most. On the other hand,
      expression of miRNA target genes was strongly regulated by the photoperiod
      exposure. Stress-related miRNA targets showed greater differences between
      cultivars than development-related targets. miRNA/target inverse relationship was
      more frequently observed in darkness than light. Interestingly, miR528, but not
      miR159, miR168 or miR398, was located on polyribosome fractions suggesting a role
      for this miRNA at the level of translation. Overall our results demonstrate that
      hormone depletion exerts a great influence on specific miRNA expression during
      plant regeneration independently of light. However, their targets are
      additionally influenced by the presence of photoperiod. The reproducibility or
      differences observed for particular miRNA-target regulation between two different
      highly embryogenic genotypes provide clues for conserved miRNA roles within the
      SE process. 

PMID- 26257761
TI  - Mitogen-activated protein kinase cascades in Vitis vinifera.
AB  - Protein phosphorylation is one of the most important mechanisms to control
      cellular functions in response to external and endogenous signals. Mitogen
      activated protein kinases (MAPK) are universal signaling molecules in eukaryotes
      that mediate the intracellular transmission of extracellular signals resulting in
      the induction of appropriate cellular responses. MAPK cascades are composed of
      four protein kinase modules: MAPKKK kinases (MAPKKKKs), MAPKK kinases (MAPKKKs),
      MAPK kinases (MAPKKs), and MAPKs. In plants, MAPKs are activated in response to
      abiotic stresses, wounding, and hormones, and during plant pathogen interactions
      and cell division. In this report, we performed a complete inventory of MAPK
      cascades genes in Vitis vinifera, the whole genome of which has been sequenced.
      By comparison with MAPK, MAPK kinases, MAPK kinase kinases and MAPK kinase kinase
      kinase kinase members of Arabidopsis thaliana, we revealed the existence of 14
      MAPKs, 5 MAPKKs, 62 MAPKKKs, and 7 MAPKKKKs in Vitis vinifera. We identified
      orthologs of V. vinifera putative MAPKs in different species, and ESTs
      corresponding to members of MAPK cascades in various tissues. This work
      represents the first complete inventory of MAPK cascades in V. vinifera and could
      help elucidate the biological and physiological functions of these proteins in V.
      vinifera. 

PMID- 26257762
TI  - Commentary: Extracellular peptidase hunting for improvement of protein production
      in plant cells and roots.

PMID- 26257763
TI  - Identification of protein N-termini in Cyanophora paradoxa cyanelles: transit
      peptide composition and sequence determinants for precursor maturation.
AB  - Glaucophyta, rhodophyta, and chloroplastida represent the three main evolutionary
      lineages that diverged from a common ancestor after primary endosymbiosis.
      Comparative analyses between members of these three lineages are a rich source of
      information on ancestral plastid features. We analyzed the composition and the
      cleavage site of cyanelle transit peptides from the glaucophyte Cyanophora
      paradoxa by terminal amine labeling of substrates (TAILS), and compared their
      characteristics to those of representatives of the chloroplastida. Our data show
      that transit peptide architecture is similar between members of these two
      lineages. This entails a comparable modular structure, an overrepresentation of
      serine or alanine and similarities in the amino acid composition around the
      processing peptidase cleavage site. The most distinctive difference is the
      overrepresentation of phenylalanine in the N-terminal 1-10 amino acids of
      cyanelle transit peptides. A quantitative proteome analysis with periplasm-free
      cyanelles identified 42 out of 262 proteins without the N-terminal phenylalanine,
      suggesting that the requirement for phenylalanine in the N-terminal region is not
      absolute. Proteins in this set are on average of low abundance, suggesting that
      either alternative import pathways are operating specifically for low abundance
      proteins or that the gene model annotation is incorrect for proteins with fewer
      EST sequences. We discuss these two possibilities and provide examples for both
      interpretations. 

PMID- 26257764
TI  - Pollination triggers female gametophyte development in immature Nicotiana tabacum
      flowers.
AB  - In Nicotiana tabacum, female gametophytes are not fully developed at anthesis,
      but flower buds pollinated 12 h before anthesis produce mature embryo sacs. We
      investigated several pollination-associated parameters in N. tabacum flower buds
      to determine the developmental timing of important events in preparation for
      successful fertilization. First, we performed hand pollinations in flowers from
      stages 4 to 11 to study at which developmental stage pollination would produce
      fruits. A Peroxtesmo test was performed to correlate peroxidase activity on the
      stigma surface, indicative of stigma receptivity, with fruit set. Pollen tube
      growth and female gametophyte development were microscopically analyzed in
      pistils of different developmental stages. Fruits were obtained only after
      pollinations of flower buds at late stage 7 and older; fruit weight and seed
      germination capacity increased as the developmental stage of the pollinated
      flower approached anthesis. Despite positive peroxidase activity and pollen tube
      growth, pistils at stages 5 and 6 were unable to produce fruits. At late stage 7,
      female gametophytes were undergoing first mitotic division. After 24 h, female
      gametophytes of unpollinated pistils were still in the end of the first division,
      whereas those of pollinated pistils showed egg cells. RT-qPCR assay showed that
      the expression of the NtEC1 gene, a marker of egg cell development, is
      considerably higher in pollinated late stage 7 ovaries compared with unpollinated
      ovaries. To test whether ethylene is the signal eliciting female gametophyte
      maturation, the expression of ACC synthase was examined in unpollinated and
      pollinated stage 6 and late stage 7 stigmas/styles. Pollination induced NtACS
      expression in stage 6 pistils, which are unable to produce fruits. Our results
      show that pollination is a stimulus capable of triggering female gametophyte
      development in immature tobacco flowers and suggests the existence of a yet
      undefined signal sensed by the pistil. 

PMID- 26257766
TI  - Dissection of drought response of modern and underutilized wheat varieties
      according to Passioura's yield-water framework.
AB  - Trait-based breeding is essential to improve wheat yield, particularly when
      stress adaptation is targeted. A set of modern and underutilized wheat genotypes
      was examined in a 2-year field experiment with distinct seasonal water supply.
      Yield formation and drought response strategies were analyzed in relation to
      components of Passioura's yield-water framework based on phenological,
      morphological, physiological, and root characteristics. Limited water supply
      resulted in 60% yield loss and substantially lower water use (37%), water use
      efficiency (32.6%), and harvest index (14%). Phenology and root length density
      were key determinants of water use. Late flowering underutilized wheat species
      with large root system and swift ground coverage showed greatest water use. Leaf
      chlorophyll concentration and stomata conductance were higher in modern
      cultivars, supporting their high biomass growth and superior water use
      efficiency. While, lower chlorophyll concentration and stomata conductance of
      underutilized wheats indicated a water saving strategy with an intrinsic
      limitation of potential growth. Harvest index was strongly dependent on phenology
      and yield components. Optimized flowering time, reduced tillering, and strong
      grain sink of modern cultivars explained higher harvest index compared to
      underutilized wheats. Cluster analysis revealed the consistent differentiation of
      underutilized and modern wheats based on traits underlying Passioura's yield
      water framework. We identified physiological and root traits within modern
      cultivars to be targeted for trait-based crop improvement under water-limited
      conditions. High capacity of water use in underutilized genetic resources is
      related to yield-limiting phenological and morphological traits, constraining
      their potential role for better drought resistance. Still some genetic resources
      provide adaptive features for stress resistance compatible with high yield as
      revealed by high harvest index under drought of Khorasan wheat. 

PMID- 26257765
TI  - In vivo spectroscopy and NMR metabolite fingerprinting approaches to connect the
      dynamics of photosynthetic and metabolic phenotypes in resurrection plant
      Haberlea rhodopensis during desiccation and recovery.
AB  - The resurrection plant Haberlea rhodopensis was used to study dynamics of drought
      response of photosynthetic machinery parallel with changes in primary metabolism.
      A relation between leaf water content and photosynthetic performance was
      established, enabling us to perform a non-destructive evaluation of the plant
      water status during stress. Spectroscopic analysis of photosynthesis indicated
      that, at variance with linear electron flow (LEF) involving photosystem (PS) I
      and II, cyclic electron flow around PSI remains active till almost full dry state
      at the expense of the LEF, due to the changed protein organization of
      photosynthetic apparatus. We suggest that, this activity could have a
      photoprotective role and prevent a complete drop in adenosine triphosphate (ATP),
      in the absence of LEF, to fuel specific energy-dependent processes necessary for
      the survival of the plant, during the late states of desiccation. The NMR
      fingerprint shows the significant metabolic changes in several pathways. Due to
      the declining of LEF accompanied by biosynthetic reactions during desiccation, a
      reduction of the ATP pool during drought was observed, which was fully and
      quickly recovered after plants rehydration. We found a decline of valine
      accompanied by lipid degradation during stress, likely to provide alternative
      carbon sources for sucrose accumulation at late stages of desiccation. This
      accumulation, as well as the increased levels of glycerophosphodiesters during
      drought stress could provide osmoprotection to the cells. 

PMID- 26257767
TI  - Rapid estimation of nutritional elements on citrus leaves by near infrared
      reflectance spectroscopy.
AB  - Sufficient nutrient application is one of the most important factors in producing
      quality citrus fruits. One of the main guides in planning citrus fertilizer
      programs is by directly monitoring the plant nutrient content. However, this
      requires analysis of a large number of leaf samples using expensive and time
      consuming chemical techniques. Over the last 5 years, it has been demonstrated
      that it is possible to quantitatively estimate certain nutritional elements in
      citrus leaves by using the spectral reflectance values, obtained by using near
      infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS). This technique is rapid, non
      destructive, cost-effective and environmentally friendly. Therefore, the
      estimation of macro and micronutrients in citrus leaves by this method would be
      beneficial in identifying the mineral status of the trees. However, to be used
      effectively NIRS must be evaluated against the standard techniques across
      different cultivars. In this study, NIRS spectral analysis, and subsequent
      nutrient estimations for N, K, Ca, Mg, B, Fe, Cu, Mn, and Zn concentration, were
      performed using 217 leaf samples from different citrus trees species. Partial
      least square regression and different pre-processing signal treatments were used
      to generate the best estimation against the current best practice techniques. It
      was verified a high proficiency in the estimation of N (Rv = 0.99) and Ca (Rv =
      0.98) as well as achieving acceptable estimation for K, Mg, Fe, and Zn. However,
      no successful calibrations were obtained for the estimation of B, Cu, and Mn. 

PMID- 26257768
TI  - Remote homology and the functions of metagenomic dark matter.
AB  - Predicted open reading frames (ORFs) that lack detectable homology to known
      proteins are termed ORFans. Despite their prevalence in metagenomes, the extent
      to which ORFans encode real proteins, the degree to which they can be annotated,
      and their functional contributions, remain unclear. To gain insights into these
      questions, we applied sensitive remote-homology detection methods to functionally
      analyze ORFans from soil, marine, and human gut metagenome collections. ORFans
      were identified, clustered into sequence families, and annotated through profile
      profile comparison to proteins of known structure. We found that a considerable
      number of metagenomic ORFans (73,896 of 484,121, 15.3%) exhibit significant
      remote homology to structurally characterized proteins, providing a means for
      ORFan functional profiling. The extent of detected remote homology far exceeds
      that obtained for artificial protein families (1.4%). As expected for real genes,
      the predicted functions of ORFans are significantly similar to the functions of
      their gene neighbors (p < 0.001). Compared to the functional profiles predicted
      through standard homology searches, ORFans show biologically intriguing
      differences. Many ORFan-enriched functions are virus-related and tend to reflect
      biological processes associated with extreme sequence diversity. Each environment
      also possesses a large number of unique ORFan families and functions, including
      some known to play important community roles such as gut microbial polysaccharide
      digestion. Lastly, ORFans are a valuable resource for finding novel enzymes of
      interest, as we demonstrate through the identification of hundreds of novel ORFan
      metalloproteases that all possess a signature catalytic motif despite a general
      lack of similarity to known proteins. Our ORFan functional predictions are a
      valuable resource for discovering novel protein families and exploring the
      boundaries of protein sequence space. All remote homology predictions are
      available at http://doxey.uwaterloo.ca/ORFans. 

PMID- 26257769
TI  - Post-transcriptional regulation of BRCA1 through its coding sequence by the miR
      15/107 group of miRNAs.
AB  - MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important post-transcriptional regulators of gene
      expression that act by degrading their RNA targets or by repressing the
      translation of messenger RNAs (mRNAs). Initially thought to primarily target the
      3' untranslated region (3'UTR) of mRNAs, miRNAs have since been shown to also
      target the 5'UTR and coding sequence (CDS). In this work, we focus on the post
      transcriptional regulation of the BRCA1 gene, a major tumor suppressor and
      regulator of double-stranded break DNA repair and show that its mRNA is targeted
      by many members of the miR-15/107 group at a site located within the CDS. Ectopic
      expression of these miRNAs across a panel of nine cell lines demonstrated
      widespread suppression of BRCA1 mRNA levels. Additionally, by cloning a putative
      target site from BRCA1's amino acid CDS into a luciferase reporter plasmid we
      confirmed the direct interaction of these miRNAs with this BRCA1 target. We also
      examined the relationship between ectopic expression of these targeting miRNAs
      and BRCA1 protein levels in immortalized pancreatic epithelium (hTERT-HPNE),
      colorectal adenocarcinoma (HCT-116) and pancreatic adenocarcinoma (MIA PaCa-2)
      cell lines and found protein abundance to be variably regulated in a cell-type
      specific manner that was not necessarily concordant with mRNA transcript
      availability. Our findings reveal a previously unrecognized aspect of BRCA1's
      miRNA-mediated post-transcriptional regulation, namely the targeting of its amino
      acid coding region by the miR-15/107 group of miRNAs. The resulting regulation is
      apparently complex and cell-specific, an observation that may have implications
      for BRCA1-mediated DNA repair across tissue types. 

PMID- 26257770
TI  - Interaction between oxytocin receptor DNA methylation and genotype is associated
      with risk of postpartum depression in women without depression in pregnancy.
AB  - Postpartum depression (PPD) affects up to 19% of women, negatively impacting
      maternal and infant health. Reductions in plasma oxytocin levels have been
      associated with PPD and heritability studies have established a genetic
      contribution. Epigenetic regulation of the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) has been
      demonstrated and we hypothesized that individual epigenetic variability at OXTR
      may impact the development of PPD and that such variability may be central to
      predicting risk. This case-control study is nested within the Avon Longitudinal
      Study of Parents and Children and included 269 cases with PPD and 276 controls
      matched on age group, parity, and presence or absence of depressive symptoms in
      pregnancy as assessed by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. OXTR DNA
      methylation (CpG site -934) and genotype (rs53576 and rs2254298) were assayed
      from DNA extracted from blood collected during pregnancy. Conditional logistic
      regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals
      (CIs) for the association of elevated symptoms of PPD with genotype, methylation,
      and their interaction adjusted for psychosocial factors (n = 500). There was
      evidence of an interaction between rs53576 and methylation in the OXTR gene
      amongst women who did not have depression prenatally but developed PPD (p
      interaction = 0.026, adjusted for covariates, n = 257). Those women with GG
      genotype showed 2.63 greater odds of PPD for every 10% increase in methylation
      level (95% CI: 1.37, 5.03), whereas methylation was unrelated to PPD amongst "A"
      carriers (OR = 1.00, 95% CI: 0.58, 1.73). There was no such interaction among
      women with PPD and prenatal depression. These data indicate that epigenetic
      variation that decreases expression of OXTR in a susceptible genotype may play a
      contributory role in the etiology of PPD. 

PMID- 26257771
TI  - How well do whole exome sequencing results correlate with medical findings? A
      study of 89 Mayo Clinic Biobank samples.
AB  - Whole exome sequencing (WES) is increasingly being used for diagnosis without
      adequate information on predictive characteristics of reportable variants
      typically found on any given individual and correlation with clinical phenotype.
      In this study, we performed WES on 89 deceased individuals (mean age at death 74
      years, range 28-93) from the Mayo Clinic Biobank. Significant clinical diagnoses
      were abstracted from electronic medical record via chart review. Variants [Single
      Nucleotide Variant (SNV) and insertion/deletion] were filtered based on quality
      (accuracy >99%, read-depth >20, alternate-allele read-depth >5, minor-allele
      frequency <0.1) and available HGMD/OMIM phenotype information. Variants were
      defined as Tier-1 (nonsense, splice or frame-shifting) and Tier-2 (missense,
      predicted-damaging) and evaluated in 56 ACMG-reportable genes, 57 cancer
      predisposition genes, along with examining overall genotype-phenotype
      correlations. Following variant filtering, 7046 total variants were identified
      (~79/person, 644 Tier-1, 6402 Tier-2), 161 among 56 ACMG-reportable genes
      (~1.8/person, 13 Tier-1, 148 Tier-2), and 115 among 57 cancer-predisposition
      genes (~1.3/person, 3 Tier-1, 112 Tier-2). The number of variants across 57
      cancer-predisposition genes did not differentiate individuals with/without
      invasive cancer history (P > 0.19). Evaluating genotype-phenotype correlations
      across the exome, 202(3%) of 7046 filtered variants had some evidence for
      phenotypic correlation in medical records, while 3710(53%) variants had no
      phenotypic correlation. The phenotype associated with the remaining 44% could not
      be assessed from a typical medical record review. These data highlight
      significant continued challenges in the ability to extract medically meaningful
      predictive results from WES. 

PMID- 26257772
TI  - Heating and ultraviolet light activate anti-stress gene functions in humans.
AB  - Different environmental factors (i.e., toxins, heavy metals, ultraviolet (UV)
      rays, and X-radiation) cause damage to DNA, cell membranes and other organelles
      and induce oxidative stress, which results in the excessive production of
      reactive oxygen species (ROS) by phagocytes. All types of cell stress are
      accompanied by the activation of anti-stress genes that can suppress ROS
      synthesis. We hypothesized that different environmental factors would affect
      organisms through the activation of anti-stress genes by autologous serum (AS)
      proteins, followed by the synthesis of molecules that increase cell resistance to
      oxidative stress. The goal of this work was to study the influence of AS on ROS
      production by peripheral blood neutrophils isolated from donors in different age
      groups. Neutrophils were isolated from 59 donors (38-94 years old). AS was heated
      at 100 degrees C for 30 s. or irradiated by UV light at 200-280 nm and 8 W for 10
      min. Neutrophils were exposed to heat shock at 42 degrees C for 1 min. (short
      term heating stress) or 43 degrees C for 10 min., followed by the determination
      of the chemiluminescence reaction induced by zymosan. AS can increase or decrease
      ROS production by neutrophils depending on the structure of the proteins in the
      serum; these structures can be changed by heating or UV treatment and the
      temperature of their interaction (4 or 37 degrees C). We propose that the effect
      of environmental factors on AS proteins can cause an adverse increase in
      oxidative stress levels due to the functional reduction of anti-stress genes. We
      found a negative correlation between the quantity of intracellular Hsp70 and
      levels of intracellular ROS production following 10 min of heat shock at 43
      degrees C. Short-term heating stress (1 min) at 42 degrees C was followed by a
      prominent reduction in ROS production. This effect may be a result of the impact
      of the hormone adrenaline on the functions of anti-stress genes. Indeed, the same
      effect was observed after treatment of the neutrophils with adrenaline at
      concentrations of 10(-4) and 10(-5) M. In contrast, dexamethasone from the other
      stress hormone group did not evoke the same effect at the same concentrations. 

PMID- 26257773
TI  - Control of competence by related non-coding csRNAs in Streptococcus pneumoniae
      R6.
AB  - The two-component regulatory system CiaRH of Streptococcus pneumoniae is involved
      in beta-lactam resistance, maintenance of cell integrity, bacteriocin production,
      host colonization, virulence, and competence. The response regulator CiaR
      controls, among other genes, expression of five highly similar small non-coding
      RNAs, designated csRNAs. These csRNAs control competence development by targeting
      comC, encoding the precursor of the competence stimulating peptide, which is
      essential to initiate the regulatory cascade leading to competence. In addition,
      another gene product of the CiaR regulon, the serine protease HtrA, is also
      involved in competence control. In the absence of HtrA, five csRNAs could
      suppress competence, but one csRNA alone was not effective. To determine if all
      csRNAs are needed, reporter gene fusions to competence genes were used to monitor
      competence gene expression in the presence of different csRNAs. These experiments
      showed that two csRNAs were not enough to prevent competence, but combinations of
      three csRNAs, csRNA1,2,3, or csRNA1,2,4 were sufficient. In S. pneumoniae strains
      expressing only csRNA5, a surprising positive effect was detected on the level of
      early competence gene expression. Hence, the role of the csRNAs in competence
      regulation is more complex than anticipated. Mutations in comC (comC8) partially
      disrupting predicted complementarity to the csRNAs led to competence even in the
      presence of all csRNAs. Reconstitution of csRNA complementarity to comC8 restored
      competence suppression. Again, more than one csRNA was needed. In this case, even
      two mutated csRNAs complementary to comC8, csRNA1-8 and csRNA2-8, were
      suppressive. In conclusion, competence in S. pneumoniae is additively controlled
      by the csRNAs via post-transcriptional regulation of comC. 

PMID- 26257774
TI  - Dose-dependent effects of mTOR inhibition on weight and mitochondrial disease in
      mice.
AB  - Rapamycin extends lifespan and attenuates age-related pathologies in mice when
      administered through diet at 14 parts per million (PPM). Recently, we reported
      that daily intraperitoneal injection of rapamycin at 8 mg/kg attenuates
      mitochondrial disease symptoms and progression in the Ndufs4 knockout mouse model
      of Leigh Syndrome. Although rapamycin is a widely used pharmaceutical agent
      dosage has not been rigorously examined and no dose-response profile has been
      established. Given these observations we sought to determine if increased doses
      of oral rapamycin would result in more robust impact on mTOR driven parameters.
      To test this hypothesis, we compared the effects of dietary rapamycin at doses
      ranging from 14 to 378 PPM on developmental weight in control and Ndufs4 knockout
      mice and on health and survival in the Ndufs4 knockout model. High dose rapamycin
      was well tolerated, dramatically reduced weight gain during development, and
      overcame gender differences. The highest oral dose, approximately 27-times the
      dose shown to extend murine lifespan, increased survival in Ndufs4 knockout mice
      similarly to daily rapamycin injection without observable adverse effects. These
      findings have broad implications for the effective use of rapamycin in murine
      studies and for the translational potential of rapamycin in the treatment of
      mitochondrial disease. This data, further supported by a comparison of available
      literature, suggests that 14 PPM dietary rapamycin is a sub-optimal dose for
      targeting mTOR systemically in mice. Our findings suggest that the role of mTOR
      in mammalian biology may be broadly underestimated when determined through
      treatment with rapamycin at commonly used doses. 

PMID- 26257775
TI  - FOXP3 is a promising and potential candidate gene in generalised vitiligo
      susceptibility.

PMID- 26257777
TI  - Algorithmic Mechanism Design of Evolutionary Computation.
AB  - We consider algorithmic design, enhancement, and improvement of evolutionary
      computation as a mechanism design problem. All individuals or several groups of
      individuals can be considered as self-interested agents. The individuals in
      evolutionary computation can manipulate parameter settings and operations by
      satisfying their own preferences, which are defined by an evolutionary
      computation algorithm designer, rather than by following a fixed algorithm rule.
      Evolutionary computation algorithm designers or self-adaptive methods should
      construct proper rules and mechanisms for all agents (individuals) to conduct
      their evolution behaviour correctly in order to definitely achieve the desired
      and preset objective(s). As a case study, we propose a formal framework on
      parameter setting, strategy selection, and algorithmic design of evolutionary
      computation by considering the Nash strategy equilibrium of a mechanism design in
      the search process. The evaluation results present the efficiency of the
      framework. This primary principle can be implemented in any evolutionary
      computation algorithm that needs to consider strategy selection issues in its
      optimization process. The final objective of our work is to solve evolutionary
      computation design as an algorithmic mechanism design problem and establish its
      fundamental aspect by taking this perspective. This paper is the first step
      towards achieving this objective by implementing a strategy equilibrium solution
      (such as Nash equilibrium) in evolutionary computation algorithm. 

PMID- 26257776
TI  - Neuroactive compounds obtained from arthropod venoms as new therapeutic platforms
      for the treatment of neurological disorders.
AB  - The impact of neurological disorders in society is growing with alarming
      estimations for an incidence increase in the next decades. These disorders are
      generally chronic and can affect individuals early during productive life,
      imposing real limitations on the performance of their social roles. Patients can
      have their independence, autonomy, freedom, self-image, and self-confidence
      affected. In spite of their availability, drugs for the treatment of these
      disorders are commonly associated with side effects, which can vary in frequency
      and severity. Currently, no effective cure is known. Nowadays, the
      biopharmaceutical research community widely recognizes arthropod venoms as a rich
      source of bioactive compounds, providing a plethora of possibilities for the
      discovery of new neuroactive compounds, opening up novel and attractive
      opportunities in this field. Several identified molecules with a
      neuropharmacological profile can act in the central nervous system on different
      neuronal targets, rendering them useful tools for the study of neurological
      disorders. In this context, this review aims to describe the current main
      compounds extracted from arthropod venoms for the treatment of five major
      existing neurological disorders: stroke, Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy,
      Parkinson's disease, and pathological anxiety. 

PMID- 26257778
TI  - Choledochal Cyst in Adults: Etiopathogenesis, Presentation, Management, and
      Outcome-Case Series and Review.
AB  - Background. Choledochal cyst, a rare congenital cystic dilatation of biliary
      tree, is uncommon in adults. Their presentations differ from children and
      surgical management has evolved. Methods. A retrospective review of the records
      of all the patients above 15 years, who underwent therapeutic intervention in our
      hospital, was carried out. Results. Ten cases of choledochal cyst were found; 8
      female, with mean age 31 years. These included 8 cases of Todani type I and one
      case each of type II and type III. The predominant symptoms were abdominal pain
      and jaundice. Abdominal mass and past history of cholangitis and pancreatitis
      were seen in 2 patients. Investigations included ultrasound in 8 patients, CT in
      7, ERCP in 3, and MRCP in 5. Surgical intervention included complete excision of
      the cyst with hepaticojejunostomy and cholecystectomy (type I), excision of the
      diverticulum (type II), and ERCP sphincterotomy (type III). Malignancy was not
      seen in any patients. The long-term postoperative complications included
      cholangitis in two patients. Conclusion. Choledochal cyst is rare in adults. The
      typical triad of abdominal pain, jaundice, and mass is uncommon in adults. The
      surgical strategy aims for single stage complete excision of the cyst with
      hepaticojejunostomy. 

PMID- 26257779
TI  - Insulin Resistance of Normal Weight Central Obese Adolescents in Korea Stratified
      by Waist to Height Ratio: Results from the Korea National Health and Nutrition
      Examination Surveys 2008-2010.
AB  - Background. To evaluate insulin resistance of normal weight central obese 13-18
      year-old male and female adolescents stratified by waist to height ratio (WHR).
      Methods. Data were obtained from the Korea National Health and Nutrition
      Examination Survey (K-NHANES) conducted during 2008-2010. Central obesity was
      defined as that in the upper quartile of age and sex specific WHR. Subjects were
      classified into no central obesity normal weight (NW), central obesity normal
      weight (CONW), no central obesity overweight (OW), and central obesity overweight
      (COOW). Results. The prevalence of CONW was 9.6% (83/832) in female and 7.0%
      (61/909) in male. CONW showed higher levels of insulin (P < 0.006), HOMA-IR (P <
      0.006), and ALT (P < 0.001) than NW in female. CONW had higher levels of insulin
      (P < 0.0001), HOMA-IR (P < 0.0001), and WBC count (P < 0.021) and lower level of
      HDL (P < 0.0001) than NW in male. WHR and BMI had similar significant
      correlations with MS components. CONW showed 2.5 times (95% confidence interval,
      1.21-5.00) more likelihood to have high insulin resistance than NW in male.
      Conclusions. Screening for central obesity using WHR in clinical setting is
      recommended. 

PMID- 26257780
TI  - An Intensive Lifestyle Intervention Is an Effective Treatment of Morbid Obesity:
      The TRAMOMTANA Study-A Two-Year Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.
AB  - Bariatric surgery is currently the most effective therapy to induce weight loss
      in morbidly obese patients. Objective. This controlled, clinical trial with a two
      year intervention was aimed at comparing the efficacy of two nonsurgical
      approaches versus bariatric surgery, on body weight changes and metabolic
      parameters in morbidly obese patients. Methods. Patients were randomized to an
      Intensive Lifestyle Intervention (ILI) (n = 60) or Conventional Obesity Therapy
      (COT) (n = 46). The ILI group received behavioral therapy and nutritional
      counseling. The COT group received standard medical treatment. They were compared
      with a third group, Surgical Obesity Group (SOG) (n = 37). Results. Patients who
      received ILI had a greater percentage of weight loss than patients receiving COT
      (-11.3% versus -1.6%; p < 0.0044). Interestingly 31.4% of patients included in
      the ILI group were no longer morbidly obese after just six months of
      intervention, increasing to 44.4% after 24 months of intervention. The percentage
      weight loss in SOG was -29.6% after that same period of time. Conclusions. ILI
      was associated with significant weight loss when compared to COT, in a group of
      patients with obesity. An ILI approach could be an alternative therapy to
      patients with obesity, who are not candidates to undergo bariatric surgery. This
      trial is registered with EudraCT 2009-013737-24. 

PMID- 26257781
TI  - Ghrelin's Effects on Proinflammatory Cytokine Mediated Apoptosis and Their Impact
      on beta-Cell Functionality.
AB  - Ghrelin is a peptidic hormone, which stimulates cell proliferation and inhibits
      apoptosis in several tissues, including pancreas. In preclinical stage of type 1
      diabetes, proinflammatory cytokines generate a destructive environment for beta
      cells known as insulitis, which results in loss of beta-cell mass and impaired
      insulin secretion, leading to diabetes. Our aim was to demonstrate that ghrelin
      could preserve beta-cell viability, turnover rate, and insulin secretion acting
      as a counter balance of cytokines. In the present work we reproduced
      proinflammatory milieu found in insulitis stage by treating murine cell line INS
      1E and rat islets with a cytokine cocktail including IL-1beta, IFNgamma, and
      TNFalpha and/or ghrelin. Several proteins involved in survival pathways (ERK 1/2
      and Akt/PKB) and apoptosis (caspases and Bcl-2 protein family and endoplasmic
      reticulum stress markers) as well as insulin secretion were analyzed. Our results
      show that ghrelin alone has no remarkable effects on beta-cells in basal
      conditions, but interestingly it activates cell survival pathways, downregulates
      apoptotic mediators and endoplasmic reticulum stress, and restores insulin
      secretion in response to glucose when beta-cells are cytokine-exposed. These data
      suggest a potential role of ghrelin in preventing or slowing down the transition
      from a preclinical to clinically established diabetes by ameliorating the effects
      of insulitis on beta-cells. 

PMID- 26257783
TI  - Longer-Term Postcure Measurement of Cuspal Deformation Induced by Dimensional
      Changes in Dental Materials.
AB  - Aim. This paper presents a simple, versatile in vitro methodology that enables
      indirect quantification of shrinkage and expansion stresses under clinically
      relevant conditions without the need for a dedicated instrument. Methods. For
      shrinkage effects, resulting cusp deformation of aluminum blocks with MOD type
      cavity, filled with novel filling compositions and commercial cements, has been
      measured using a bench-top micrometer and a Linear Variable Differential
      Transformer (LVDT, a displacement transducer) based instrument. Results. The
      results demonstrated the validity of the proposed simple methodology. The
      technique was successfully used in longer-term measurements of shrinkage and
      expansion stress for several dental compositions. Conclusions. In contrast to in
      situ techniques where a measuring instrument is dedicated to the sample and its
      data collection, the proposed simple methodology allows for transfer of the
      samples to the environment of choice for storage and conditioning. The presented
      technique can be reliably used to quantify stress development of curing materials
      under clinically relevant (oral) conditions. This enables direct examination and
      comparison of structural properties corresponding to the final stage of formed
      networks. The proposed methodology is directly applicable to the study of self
      curing systems as they require mouth-type conditions (temperature and humidity)
      to achieve their designed kinetics and reactions. 

PMID- 26257782
TI  - Evaluation of Extraradicular Diffusion of Hydrogen Peroxide during Intracoronal
      Bleaching Using Different Bleaching Agents.
AB  - Objectives. Extra radicular diffusion of hydrogen peroxide associated with
      intracoronal teeth bleaching was evaluated. Methods. 108 intact single rooted
      extracted mandibular first premolars teeth were selected. The teeth were
      instrumented with WaveOne system and obturated with gutta percha and divided into
      four groups (n = 27) according to the bleaching materials used. Each main group
      was divided into three subgroups (n = 9) according to the time of extra radicular
      hydrogen peroxide diffusion measurements at 1, 7, and 14 days: group 1 (35%
      hydrogen peroxide), group 2 (35% carbamide peroxide), group 3 (sodium perborate
      30% hydrogen peroxide mixture), and group 4 (sodium perborate-water mixture).
      Four cemental dentinal defects were prepared just below the CEJ on each root
      surface. The amount of hydrogen peroxide that leached out was evaluated after 1,
      7, and 14 days by spectrophotometer analysis. The results were analyzed using the
      ANOVA and Tukey's test. Results. Group 1 showed highest extra radicular
      diffusion, followed by group 3 and group 2, while group 4 showed the lowest mean
      extra radicular diffusion. Conclusion. Carbamide peroxide and sodium perborate
      water mixture are the most suitable bleaching materials used for internal
      bleaching due to their low extra radicular diffusion of hydrogen peroxide. 

PMID- 26257784
TI  - An Unusual Case: Salmonella UTI and Orchitis in HIV Patient.
AB  - Salmonellosis is a major cause of gastroenteritis in the United States; however,
      nontyphoidal strains of Salmonella have also been known to cause urinary tract
      infections, usually transmitted via the fecal-urethral route. This can lead to
      critical illness in those patients with immune deficiencies, especially HIV,
      cancer patients, and those with diabetes mellitus. However, the spread of the
      infection from the urinary tract to involve the testicles and epididymis is very
      rare. Here, we present the first documented case of an immune-compromised young
      male with a urinary tract infection with orchitoepididymitis. 

PMID- 26257785
TI  - Transhepatic Embolization of Congenital Intrahepatic Portosystemic Venous Shunts
      with Associated Aneurysms.
AB  - Intrahepatic shunts between the portal and systemic venous systems with
      associated aneurysms are extremely rare. A middle aged woman presented with
      hepatic encephalopathy and was found to have two intrahepatic portosystemic
      venous shunts with associated aneurysms. Diagnosis was made by duplex ultrasound
      and was confirmed with contrast enhanced MRI. Treatment was performed
      percutaneously with an Amplatzer vascular plug. 

PMID- 26257786
TI  - First Reported Case of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Vertebral
      Osteomyelitis with Multiple Spinal and Paraspinal Abscesses Associated with
      Acupuncture.
AB  - Acupuncture is one of the oldest medical procedures in the world and originated
      in China about 2,000 years ago. Acupuncture is a form of complementary medicine
      and has gained popularity worldwide in the last few decades. It is mainly used
      for the treatment of chronic pain. Acupuncture is usually considered a safe
      procedure but has been reported to cause serious complications including death.
      It has been associated with transmission of many viruses and bacteria. Two cases
      of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus have been reported recently
      following acupuncture therapy. We are reporting a case of a 57-year-old Korean
      female who developed vertebral osteomyelitis and intraspinal and paraspinal
      abscesses as a complication of acupuncture. Blood cultures, skin lesion culture,
      and body fluid culture yielded Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
      (MRSA). Good anatomical and medical knowledge, good hygiene standards, and proper
      acupuncture techniques should be followed to prevent the complications.
      Acupuncturists should consistently review the infection control guidelines to
      acupuncture. This case should raise awareness of such condition and hazards of
      presumably benign procedures such as acupuncture. 

PMID- 26257787
TI  - Lemierre's Syndrome: A Neglected Disease with Classical Features.
AB  - We report the case of a previously healthy, immunocompetent 23-year-old male who
      presented to the Emergency Department with general malaise, difficulty in
      breathing, fever, and chest pain. He reported a two-week history of progressively
      worsening sore throat that he presumed to be a viral infection and thus initially
      neglected. However, when his condition deteriorated, he was admitted to hospital
      acutely unwell and in respiratory distress. He quickly developed septic shock
      requiring intensive care admission for inotropic support. Ultrasound and CT
      imaging revealed internal jugular vein thrombosis with associated septic emboli
      reaching the lungs to form bilateral cavitations and consequently pleural
      effusions. Blood cultures were positive for Fusobacterium necrophorum. Based on
      these findings, a diagnosis of Lemierre's syndrome was made. The patient was
      treated with appropriate antibiotics and anticoagulation and gradually recovered.
      He was discharged 20 days after admission with advice to complete a six-week
      course of antibiotics. 

PMID- 26257788
TI  - Effect of Increasing Doses of gamma-Radiation on Bone Marrow Stromal Cells Grown
      on Smooth and Rough Titanium Surfaces.
AB  - Radiation therapy for oral and maxillofacial tumors could damage bone marrow
      stromal cells (BMSCs) in jaw, which caused dental implant failure. However, how
      radiation affects BMSCs on SLA (sandblasted with large-grits, acid-etched)
      surfaces is still unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate effect of
      different dose of gamma-radiation on BMSCs on SLA and PT (polished titanium)
      surfaces. Rat BMSCs were radiated with 2, 4, and 8 Gy gamma-radiation and then
      seeded on both surfaces. Cell adhesion, spreading, and proliferation were tested.
      The osteogenesis and the adipogenesis ability were examined by Alizarin-Red and
      Oil-Red staining, respectively. Real-time PCR was performed to detect osteogenic
      (osteocalcin, OCN; runt-related transcription factor 2, Runx2) and adipogenic
      (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, PPARgamma) gene expression at
      days 7 and 14 postirradiation. Results showed that gamma-radiation reduced cell
      proliferation, adhesion, spreading, and osteogenic differentiation. 2 Gy
      radiation promoted adipogenic differentiation, but it was significantly decreased
      when dosage reached 4 Gy. In conclusion, results suggest that gamma-radiation
      influenced BMSCs behaviors in a dosage-dependent manner except adipogenic
      differentiation, low dose promoted it, and high dose inhibited it. This effect
      was influenced by surface characteristics, which may explain the different
      failure rate of various implants in patients after radiation. 

PMID- 26257789
TI  - Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Receptor Alpha as a Marker of Mesenchymal Stem
      Cells in Development and Stem Cell Biology.
AB  - Three decades on, the mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been intensively
      researched on the bench top and used clinically. However, ambiguity still exists
      in regard to their anatomical locations, identities, functions, and extent of
      their differentiative abilities. One of the major impediments in the quest of the
      MSC research has been lack of appropriate in vivo markers. In recent years, this
      obstacle has been resolved to some degree as PDGFRalpha emerges as an important
      mesenchymal stem cell marker. Accumulating lines of evidence are showing that the
      PDGFRalpha (+) cells reside in the perivascular locations of many adult
      interstitium and fulfil the classic concepts of MSCs in vitro and in vivo.
      PDGFRalpha has long been recognised for its roles in the mesoderm formation and
      connective tissue development during the embryogenesis. Current review describes
      the lines of evidence regarding the role of PDGFRalpha in morphogenesis and
      differentiation and its implications for MSC biology. 

PMID- 26257790
TI  - Alterations in the Secretome of Clinically Relevant Preparations of Adipose
      Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Cocultured with Hyaluronan.
AB  - Osteoarthritis (OA) can be a debilitating degenerative disease and is the most
      common form of arthritic disease. There is a general consensus that current
      nonsurgical therapies are insufficient for younger OA sufferers who are not
      candidates for knee arthroplasties. Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)
      therapy for the treatment of OA can slow disease progression and lead to
      neocartilage formation. The mechanism of action is secretion driven. Current
      clinical preparations from adipose tissue for the treatment of OA include
      autologous stromal vascular fraction (SVF), SVF plus mature adipocytes, and
      culture-purified MSCs. Herein we have combined these human adipose-derived
      preparations with Hyaluronan (Hylan G-F 20: Synvisc) in vitro and measured
      alterations in cytokine profile. SVF plus mature adipocytes showed the greatest
      decreased in the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1beta, IFN-gamma, and VEGF. MCP-1
      and MIP-1alpha decreased substantially in the SVF preparations but not the
      purified MSCs. The purified MSC preparation was the only one to show increase in
      MIF. Overall the SVF plus mature adipocytes preparation may be most suited of all
      the preparations for combination with HA for the treatment of OA, based on the
      alterations of heavily implicated cytokines in OA disease progression. This will
      require further validation using in vivo models. 

PMID- 26257792
TI  - Perceptions about Eclampsia, Birth Preparedness, and Complications Readiness
      among Antenatal Clients Attending a Specialist Hospital in Kano, Nigeria.
AB  - Background. Eclampsia is a reliable indicator of poor birth preparedness and
      complications readiness. We determined perceptions about eclampsia, birth
      preparedness, and complications readiness among antenatal clients in Kano,
      Nigeria. Materials and Method. A cross-sectional design was used to study 250
      randomly selected antenatal clients. Data was analyzed using SPSS 16.0. Result.
      The mean age of the respondents was 26.1 +/- 6.4 years. The majority perceived
      that eclampsia is preventable through good ANC (76.4%) and hospital delivery
      (70.8%). Overall, 66.8% had good perception about eclampsia. Having at least
      secondary school education and multigravidity were associated with good
      perception about eclampsia on multivariate analysis. About a third (39.6%) of the
      mothers was less prepared. On binary logistic regression, good perception about
      eclampsia and multigravidity were associated with being very prepared for birth.
      Up to 37.6% were not ready for complications. Half (50.4%) knew at least three
      danger signs of pregnancy, and 30.0% donated blood or identified suitable blood
      donor. On multivariate analysis, having at least secondary school education,
      being very prepared for birth, and multigravidity emerged as the only predictors
      of the respondents' readiness for complications. Conclusion and Recommendations.
      Health workers should emphasize the practicability of birth preparedness and
      complications readiness during ANC and in the communities, routinely review
      plans, and support clients meet-up challenging areas. The importance of girl
      child education to at least secondary school should be buttressed. 

PMID- 26257791
TI  - Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Affect Disease Outcomes via Macrophage Polarization.
AB  - Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are multipotent and self-renewable cells that
      reside in almost all postnatal tissues. In recent years, many studies have
      reported the effect of MSCs on the innate and adaptive immune systems. MSCs
      regulate the proliferation, activation, and effector function of T lymphocytes,
      professional antigen presenting cells (dendritic cells, macrophages, and B
      lymphocytes), and NK cells via direct cell-to-cell contact or production of
      soluble factors including indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase, prostaglandin E2, tumor
      necrosis factor-alpha stimulated gene/protein 6, nitric oxide, and IL-10. MSCs
      are also able to reprogram macrophages from a proinflammatory M1 phenotype toward
      an anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype capable of regulating immune response. Because
      of their capacity for differentiation and immunomodulation, MSCs have been used
      in many preclinical and clinical studies as possible new therapeutic agents for
      the treatment of autoimmune, degenerative, and inflammatory diseases. In this
      review, we discuss the central role of MSCs in macrophage polarization and
      outcomes of diseases such as wound healing, brain/spinal cord injuries, and
      diseases of heart, lung, and kidney in animal models. 

PMID- 26257794
TI  - The effect of group psycho-education program on the burden of family caregivers
      with multiple sclerosis patients in Isfahan in 2013-2014.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lack of adequate training and support of primary caregivers of
      multiple sclerosis (MS) patients is the major factor in causing stress, anxiety,
      and increase of burden. Therefore, the treatment team members such as psychiatric
      nurses can help these vulnerable people overcome psychiatric pressures
      effectively not only through their care and referral role but also through their
      supportive characteristic, which helps the patients improve their clinical
      status, together with their social, familial, and work adaptation. Therefore, the
      researcher tried to identify the effect of a group psycho-education program on
      the burden family caregivers with MS patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a
      two-group three-stage clinical trial. The researcher referred to the heads of
      neurology clinics to present the purpose of the study and to start the sampling.
      The neurology clinics of AL Zahra University Hospital, and also a Private
      Neurology Clinic were selected to collect the data of the study. The subjects
      were randomly selected, and then, assigned to two groups of study and control.
      RESULTS: Independent t-test showed a significant reduction in family caregivers'
      burden immediately after and 1-month after intervention in the study group,
      compared to control. Repeated measure ANOVA showed a significant reduction in
      caregivers' burden mean score in the study group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: As
      group psycho-education reduced family caregivers' burden, it is recommended to
      develop and design other programs for the family caregivers of the patients with
      MS.

PMID- 26257793
TI  - Challenges associated with the implementation of the nursing process: A
      systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nursing process is a scientific approach in the provision of
      qualified nursing cares. However, in practice, the implementation of this process
      is faced with numerous challenges. With the knowledge of the challenges
      associated with the implementation of the nursing process, the nursing processes
      can be developed appropriately. Due to the lack of comprehensive information on
      this subject, the current study was carried out to assess the key challenges
      associated with the implementation of the nursing process. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      To achieve and review related studies on this field, databases of Iran medix,
      SID, Magiran, PUBMED, Google scholar, and Proquest were assessed using the main
      keywords of nursing process and nursing process systematic review. The articles
      were retrieved in three steps including searching by keywords, review of the
      proceedings based on inclusion criteria, and final retrieval and assessment of
      available full texts. RESULTS: Systematic assessment of the articles showed
      different challenges in implementation of the nursing process. Intangible
      understanding of the concept of nursing process, different views of the process,
      lack of knowledge and awareness among nurses related to the execution of process,
      supports of managing systems, and problems related to recording the nursing
      process were the main challenges that were extracted from review of literature.
      CONCLUSIONS: On systematically reviewing the literature, intangible understanding
      of the concept of nursing process has been identified as the main challenge in
      nursing process. To achieve the best strategy to minimize the challenge, in
      addition to preparing facilitators for implementation of nursing process,
      intangible understanding of the concept of nursing process, different views of
      the process, and forming teams of experts in nursing education are recommended
      for internalizing the nursing process among nurses.

PMID- 26257795
TI  - Evaluating different types of malpractices in midwifery that were referred to the
      forensic medicine commission and the medical council between 2006 and 2011 in
      Isfahan province, 2013.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Medical malpractices in obstetrics are one of the main health
      concerns since in addition to the mortalities and morbidities caused for the two
      susceptible groups of mothers and neonates, they may lead to difficulties for the
      accused gynecologists and midwives in returning to their routine medical career
      and giving services to the patients. Hence, this study was conducted to evaluate
      different types of malpractices in midwifery that were referred to the legal
      medical commission and medical council in Isfahan province. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, we evaluated the data from
      all midwifery cases referred to the forensic medicine commission and medical
      council in Isfahan province between 2006 and 2011, with at least one lawsuit
      confirmed by the jury. RESULTS: The results showed that in a total of 206
      investigated cases at the medical council and forensic medicine commission in
      Isfahan, 66 cases of medical error sentences including 38 cases in medical
      council and 28 cases in forensic medicine commission were proved, which revealed
      32% of malpractice in midwifery services in 2006-2011 in Isfahan. Negligence
      (39.2%), imprudence (23.5%), and disobedience of governmental regulations (19.6%)
      stood among the most commonly reported malpractices. Our findings also suggest
      that the most common malpractices happened in the postpartum period with a
      frequency of 44.7%; in addition, governmental hospitals were shown to have the
      most frequent malpractices with a frequency of 50%. CONCLUSIONS: Our results
      reveal that malpractices in midwifery services during and after delivery are so
      common, leading to irreversible complications to the mothers' and neonates'
      health in the society. On the other hand, considering the fact that most of these
      malpractices are preventable, related education, pertinent plans, and proper
      supervision sys.

PMID- 26257796
TI  - The effect of resistance exercise on mean blood pressure in the patients
      referring to cardiovascular research centre.
AB  - BACKGROUND: One of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular disease is
      hypertension. 1 billion people in the world and 25-35% of the adult population in
      Iran suffer from hypertension. Despite the emphasis on medicational treatments,
      non-medicational treatments and modification of lifestyle, including physical
      activity and exercise, are important for the control and treatment of
      hypertension and lead to a reduction in cardiovascular diseases. Among the
      various types of exercises, resistance exercise has been considered important by
      the cardiologists. The present study investigates the effect of resistance
      exercise on mean blood pressure in the cardiovascular patients. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: In a randomized clinical trial, 40 patients admitted to the
      rehabilitation unit of cardiovascular research center were assigned to study and
      control groups. Demographic data were collected. Their blood pressure values were
      measured and recorded once 1 day before the beginning of the intervention and
      another time 1 day after its completion. All study subjects participated in two
      45-60 min exercise sessions for eight straight weeks. The control group followed
      routine rehabilitation unit protocol that was aerobic exercise. The study group
      subjects performed resistance exercise in addition to routine exercise. The
      weight was determined in the first session of the intervention. At the beginning,
      the number of the repetitions in the range of motion was 10, which was increased
      gradually to 15. After it reached 15 repetitions, the amount of weight was
      increased by 3-5% and the number of sets increased. RESULTS: One day before the
      beginning of the intervention, mean systolic blood pressure was 128.21 (15.39)
      mmHg in the study group and 120.00 (20.51) mmHg in the control group. Mean
      diastolic blood pressure was 82.50 (9.35) mmHg in the study group and 82.00
      (13.11) mmHg in the control group. There were no differences between the groups
      in terms of mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure (P > 0.05). After the end
      of the intervention, mean systolic blood pressure values were 116.42 (7.18) mmHg
      and 112.00 (12.60) mmHg in the study and control groups, respectively. There were
      no significant differences between the groups (P = 0.24). Mean diastolic blood
      pressure values were 81.78 (7.99) mmHg in the study group and 78.25 (12.48) mmHg
      in the control group. There was no significant difference between the groups (P =
      0.35). At the end of the intervention, mean systolic blood pressure in the study
      group decreased significantly (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, the
      effect of resistance exercise on mean systolic blood pressure showed a
      significant difference, caused by the aerobic exercise.

PMID- 26257797
TI  - Motivating factors among Iranian nurses.
AB  - BACKGROUND: One of the most important challenges of Iranian health care system is
      "quality of care," and it is assumed that motivated nurses are more ready to
      provide better care. There are limited studies investigating Iranian nurses'
      motivations; however, factors which motivate them have not been studied yet.
      Identifying the motivating factors enables nurse managers to inspire nurses for
      continuous quality improvement. The aim of this study was to identify motivating
      factors for Iranian hospital nurses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a cross
      sectional descriptive study in which 310 nurses working at 14 hospitals of Tehran
      University of Medical Sciences were selected by proportionate stratified random
      sampling. Data were collected in 2010 by a researcher-developed questionnaire.
      Descriptive statistics and independent t-test, analysis of variance, Tukey post
      hoc test, Chi-Square and Fisher's exact test were used for statistical analysis
      by Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16. RESULTS: The mean
      score of motivation was 90.53 +/- 10.76 (range: 59-121). Four motivating factors
      including "career development" (22.63 +/- 5.66), "job characteristics" (34.29 +/-
      4), "job authority" (18.48 +/- 2.79), and "recognition" (15.12 +/- 2.5) were
      recognized. The least mean of the motivation score, considering the number of
      items, was 3.23 for career development, while the highest mean was 3.81 for job
      characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: The findings showed that motivation of nurses was
      at a medium level, which calls for improvement. The factors that have the
      greatest potential to motivate nurses were identified in this study and they can
      help managers to achieve the goal of continuous quality improvement.

PMID- 26257798
TI  - The effects of discharge training and counseling on post-discharge problems in
      patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Advances in coronary artery surgery have reduced morbidity,
      mortality, and rates of graft occlusion. Discharge programs are important
      services for the continuity of treatment and must encompass physical,
      psychological, and social aspects of individual patient care. This study aimed at
      investigating the effect of planned discharge training and counseling on the
      problems experienced by patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)
      surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A semi-experimental study was performed on 100
      patients undergoing CABG surgery in the surgery department. During a period of 9
      months from January to September 2013, the patients in the intervention group
      were provided with adequate discharge training and counseling with a booklet
      before surgery and counseling until 6 weeks after discharge, while the control
      group patients received only routine clinical procedures, i.e. prescribing
      medicine, controlling vital signs, and wound dressing. The data were analyzed
      using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 23. Frequency and
      distribution were used to describe the data, and paired sample t-test, variance
      analysis, Fisher's exact test, and Chi-squared tests were also used. RESULTS: The
      reported problems for both groups had a descending pattern during the three
      follow-ups. However, this pattern had a greater slope in the intervention group
      compared to the control one. As a result of these education programs, problems
      were fewer in the intervention group than in the control group (P < 0.05).
      CONCLUSIONS: Discharge training and counseling given to the intervention group
      had a positive impact on decreasing the problems that the patients had.
      Therefore, the institutions may be recommended to support multidisciplinary
      patient training and counseling activities using the methods described in this
      study.

PMID- 26257799
TI  - Comparison of indomethacin suppository and lidocaine cream on post-episiotomy
      pain: A randomized trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: One of the most important problems after episiotomy is perineal pain
      which is more severe on the first day of postpartum period. The aim of this study
      was to compare the analgesic effects of indomethacin suppository and lidocaine
      cream in the management of post-episiotomy pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a
      randomized, controlled trial, 60 primiparous women who had mediolateral
      episiotomy received 50 mg indomethacin suppository (n = 30) or 2% lidocaine cream
      (n = 30) in the postpartum period in Hajar Hospital in Shahrekord (Iran). The
      mean severity of post-episiotomy pain was assessed with the first complaint and
      at 6, 12, and 24 h after the delivery, and compared in the two groups. The visual
      analog scale (VAS) was used for pain recording and data were analyzed with
      independent-samples t-test, chi(2), and Fisher's exact tests, and significance
      was defined as P < 0.05. RESULTS: With the first complaint of pain, the mean
      intensity of pain was 4.9 (1.9) in the indomethacin group and 4.9 (1.8) in the
      lidocaine group, and the difference was not significant (P = 0.25). Six hours
      after birth, it was 3.3 (1.3) in the indomethacin group and 3.2 (1.9) in the
      lidocaine group, and there was not a significant difference between the two
      groups (P = 0.90). No significant difference was found between the two groups at
      12 h after birth [2.3 (1.7) vs 2.5 (1.7); P = 0.59]. Also, the difference was not
      significant at 24 h after birth [1.5 (1.3) vs 1.8 (1.3); P = 0.31]. CONCLUSIONS:
      It was concluded from the study that indomethacin suppository and lidocaine cream
      have similar efficacy on episiotomy pain relief on the first day of postpartum
      period.

PMID- 26257800
TI  - Depression and anxiety in pregnancy and postpartum in women with mild and severe
      preeclampsia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Risk for anxiety and depression is increased in women with high-risk
      pregnancy. The aim of this study was to evaluate anxiety and depression in women
      with mild and severe preeclampsia at admission and 6 weeks postpartum. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: In this cohort study, 122 preeclamptic women who were admitted to
      the Public hospital and Tamin Ejtemaee hospital of Mashhad were included.
      Selection was done by convenience sampling method. Beck Depression Inventory II
      (BDI-II) and Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were completed at
      admission and 6 weeks after delivery. Data were analyzed by SPSS 16 using Chi
      square, Fisher's exact test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Repeated measurement.
      RESULTS: The mean depression score was 4.81 +/- 4.09 at admission and 11.17 +/-
      5.5 at 6 weeks postpartum. The mean of trait anxiety was 42.5 +/- 10.5 at
      admission and 32.3 +/- 6.5 at 6 weeks postpartum, and the mean of state anxiety
      score at admission was 43.09 +/- 9.5 and at 6 weeks postpartum was 31.99 +/- 5.9.
      There was a significant difference between the scores of depression (F = 3.8, P <
      0.001), state anxiety (F = 1.52, P < 0.001), and trait anxiety (F = 1.5, P <
      0.001) at admission and 6 weeks postpartum. No significant differences were found
      between severity of preeclampsia and the scores of depression, state anxiety, and
      trait anxiety at admission and 6 weeks postpartum. CONCLUSIONS: The mean score of
      state and trait anxiety decreased significantly in preeclamptic women from
      admission to 6 weeks postpartum, but the mean score of depression increased.
      Severity of preeclampsia was not an independent risk factor of depression and
      anxiety.

PMID- 26257801
TI  - The effect of Rosmarinus herbal tea on occupational burnout in Iran Chemical
      Industry Investment company employees.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Burnout is one of the most important problems that the employees
      encounter. Many health problems arise due to burnout which is to be dealt with by
      the employees and the owners in the industry. Among many different ways of
      dealing with this problem, herbal therapy seems to be a promising solution. The
      present study intended to investigate the effect of Rosmarinus officinalis (RO)
      on burnout in employees who work in industrial environments. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: An experimental study was performed to see whether RO has an effect on
      burnout or not. A total of 66 employees, aged between 20 and 60 years, who had
      worked for at least 1 year in the technical wards of Iran Chemical Industry
      Investment Company took part in the study. The participants were randomly
      assigned to two groups of control (n = 33) and RO (n = 33). The RO group received
      4 g of Rosemary in 150 cc water per day for 2 months. The control group, on the
      other hand, did not receive anything. The data were collected via Geldard (1989)
      Burnout Inventory before and after the treatment. A t-test was performed to
      analyze the collected data. RESULTS: The results of statistical tests showed that
      after intervention, the score of occupational burnout in RO group was better, and
      a significant difference was found between the control and experimental groups (P
      = 0.03), in favor of the experimental group. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the
      study revealed that Rosmarinus had a positive effect on burnout in employees in
      this study. Further studies in this field are suggested.

PMID- 26257802
TI  - Social support: An approach to maintaining the health of women who have
      experienced stillbirth.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Stillbirth is one of the deepest losses that can inflict a broad
      range of cognitive, mental, spiritual, and physical turmoil. Many researchers
      believe that the failure to provide the care required by health teams during the
      hard times is the main determinant of maternal mental health in the future. In
      other words, social support can significantly improve the mental health outcomes
      of mothers after stillbirth. This study aimed to explore social support to aid
      mothers in adaptation after the experience of stillbirth. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      This was a qualitative content analysis in which 15 women who had experienced
      stillbirth participated. They were selected through purposeful sampling method.
      Data were gathered by individual interviews recorded on audiotapes, transcribed,
      and analyzed. Interview transcriptions were coded and then classified. Finally,
      two main categories and five subcategories emerged. RESULTS: Analysis of
      participants' viewpoints and their statements about social support led to the
      emergence of the two main categories of support from relatives and support from
      social support systems with two and three subcategories, respectively. Analysis
      of findings showed that mothers experiencing stillbirth need the support of their
      spouse and family and friends through sympathizing, in performing everyday
      activities and to escape loneliness. These women require support from a peer
      group to exchange experiences and from trauma counseling centers to meet their
      needs. CONCLUSIONS: It seems necessary to revise and modify the care plan in the
      experience of stillbirth using these results and, of course, to be considered by
      a panel of experts in order to provide social support to these women. Thus,
      midwives and healthcare provider can act, based on the development and
      strengthening of social protection of women experiencing stillbirth, to provide
      these women with effective and appropriate care.

PMID- 26257803
TI  - Comparing the estimation of postpartum hemorrhage using the weighting method and
      National Guideline with the postpartum hemorrhage estimation by midwives.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: In developing countries, hemorrhage accounts for 30% of the
      maternal deaths. Postpartum hemorrhage has been defined as blood loss of around
      500 ml or more, after completing the third phase of labor. Most cases of
      postpartum hemorrhage occur during the first hour after birth. The most common
      reason for bleeding in the early hours after childbirth is uterine atony.
      Bleeding during delivery is usually a visual estimate that is measured by the
      midwife. It has a high error rate. However, studies have shown that the use of a
      standard can improve the estimation. The aim of the research is to compare the
      estimation of postpartum hemorrhage using the weighting method and the National
      Guideline for postpartum hemorrhage estimation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This
      descriptive study was conducted on 112 females in the Omolbanin Maternity
      Department of Mashhad, for a six-month period, from November 2012 to May 2013.
      The accessible method was used for sampling. The data collection tools were case
      selection, observation and interview forms. For postpartum hemorrhage estimation,
      after the third section of labor was complete, the quantity of bleeding was
      estimated in the first and second hours after delivery, by the midwife in charge,
      using the National Guideline for vaginal delivery, provided by the Maternal
      Health Office. Also, after visual estimation by using the National Guideline, the
      sheets under parturient in first and second hours after delivery were exchanged
      and weighted. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the t-test.
      RESULTS: According to the results, a significant difference was found between the
      estimated blood loss based on the weighting methods and that using the National
      Guideline (weighting method 62.68 +/- 16.858 cc vs. National Guideline 45.31 +/-
      13.484 cc in the first hour after delivery) (P = 0.000) and (weighting method
      41.26 +/- 10.518 vs. National Guideline 30.24 +/- 8.439 in second hour after
      delivery) (P = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: Natural child birth education by using the
      National Guideline can increase the accuracy of estimated blood loss. Therefore,
      training the personnel to use this guideline is recommended. However, It has less
      accuracy than 'sheet weighing'. Consequently, usage of symptoms and the weighing
      method is recommended in cases of postpartum bleeding.

PMID- 26257804
TI  - Resources-tasks imbalance: Experiences of nurses from factors influencing
      workload to increase.
AB  - BACKGROUND: While nursing workload is a worldwide challenge, less attention has
      been given to the determining factors. Understanding these factors is important
      and could help nursing managers to provide suitable working environment and to
      manage the adverse outcomes of nursing workload. The aim of this study was to
      discover nurses' experiences of determinant factors of their workload. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: In this qualitative study, the participants included 15 nurses
      working in two hospitals in Tehran, Iran. The data were collected through 26
      unstructured interviews and were analyzed using conventional content analysis.
      The rigor has been guaranteed with prolonged engagement, maximum variance
      sampling, member check, and audit trail. RESULTS: Resource-task imbalance was the
      main theme of nurses' experiences. It means that there was an imbalance between
      necessary elements to meet patients' needs in comparison with expectation and
      responsibility. Resource-task imbalance included lack of resource, assignment
      without preparation, assigning non-care tasks, and patients' and families'
      needs/expectations. CONCLUSIONS: A deep and comprehensive imbalance between
      recourses and tasks and expectations has been perceived by the participants to be
      the main source of work overload. Paying more attention to resource allocation,
      education of quality workforce, and job description by managers is necessary.

PMID- 26257805
TI  - Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), nitric oxide metabolite, and estradiol levels
      in serum and peritoneal fluid in women with endometriosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Increase in nitric oxide (NO) concentration accompanied by alteration
      in peritoneal immune defense reactions is involved in the pathogenesis of
      endometriosis. Asymmetric dimethylarginine is an endogenous competitive inhibitor
      of NO synthase. This study was designed to compare NO metabolite (nitrite),
      asymmetric dimethylarginine, and estradiol concentrations in serum and peritoneal
      fluid (PF) of patients with and without endometriosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Subjects were assigned to two groups based on their laparoscopic results. The
      groups consisted of women with and without endometriosis (90 and 89 participants,
      respectively). The serum and peritoneal levels of nitrite (stable NO metabolite),
      asymmetric dimethylarginine, and estradiol were measured using enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. These parameters were analyzed and compared
      between the groups statistically using SPSS software version 16. RESULTS: Both
      nitrite and asymmetric dimethylarginine levels were significantly higher in the
      serum of the participants from both groups than those in the PF group (P < 0.05).
      However, no significant difference in the asymmetric dimethylarginine level was
      detected between the two groups. In addition, the PF level of nitrite increased
      significantly in patients with endometriosis when compared with non-endometriosis
      subjects (P < 0.05). The PF levels of estradiol in both groups were significantly
      higher than the serum levels of estradiol (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The NO
      metabolite level of PF implies the possible role of NO in the pathogenesis of
      endometriosis.

PMID- 26257806
TI  - A survey of nurses' awareness of patient safety culture in neonatal intensive
      care units.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patient safety is considered as the most important quality for
      healthcare. One of the main factors that play an important role in the promotion
      of healthcare institutes is patient safety. This study describes the nurses'
      awareness of patient safety culture in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this descriptive study, 83 nurses working in neonatal
      intensive care units of hospitals affiliated to Isfahan University of Medical
      Sciences, Iran, were selected using purposive sampling. Data collection tools
      consisted of the demographic characteristics questionnaire and the Hospital
      Survey on Patient Safety Culture. Data were analyzed by using SPSS software.
      RESULTS: The dimension that received the highest positive response rate was
      "expectations and actions of the supervisor/manager in promoting safety culture."
      The dimension with the lowest percentage of positive responses was "frequency of
      error reporting." 21.70% of the NICU nurses reported one or two incidents in
      their work units in the previous 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: In order to create and
      promote patient safety, appropriate management of resources and a correct
      understanding of patient safety culture are required. In this way, awareness of
      dimensions which are not acceptable provides the basic information necessary for
      improving patient safety.

PMID- 26257807
TI  - The effect of saline lock on phlebitis rates of patients in cardiac care units.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite advances in the field of intravenous therapy, phlebitis is
      still a common complication of peripheral venous catheter and finding an
      appropriate solution to prevent and reduce the incidence of this complication
      remains challenging. One of the methods used in reducing the incidence of
      phlebitis is the use of saline lock, which is forgotten in most hospitals.
      Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate its impact on the incidence and severity
      of phlebitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a single-blind (the researcher) clinical
      trial, 88 patients with peripheral venous catheter admitted in cardiac care units
      in selected hospitals of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran, were
      selected through convenient sampling method. They were randomly divided into two
      groups of intervention and control groups using random number table. The
      intervention group received 3 ml of 0.9% normal saline sterilized before and
      after each intravenous drug or every 12 h. However, in the control group, the
      intravenous drugs were given as routine and saline lock was not used. The
      evaluation of intravenous catheter regarding the incidence of phlebitis and its
      degrees using Jackson's Visual Infusion Phlebitis Scale was performed 6 times
      within 72 h (every 12 h). Results were evaluated by SPSS software using
      descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, t-test, and Mann-Whitney test. RESULTS:
      Results showed that there was a statistically significant difference between the
      two groups regarding the degree of phlebitis (P = 0.003). The percentage of
      phlebitis incidence in the control group was 88.6% and in the intervention group
      was 43.2%. There was a statistically significant difference between the two
      groups (P < 0.001). The risk of incidence of phlebitis in the group without
      saline lock (control), compared to the intervention group, was 10.3 times greater
      (CI = 95%). The incidence of phlebitis in both groups increased with increase in
      the duration of catheter placement. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed
      that the use of saline lock in the intervention group compared to the control
      group, in which saline lock was not used, can have a significant impact on
      reducing the incidence of phlebitis and its degree.

PMID- 26257808
TI  - Effects of pain management program on the length of stay of patients with
      decreased level of consciousness: A clinical trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Critical care patients are at higher risk for untreated pain. Pain
      has persistent and untreated effects on most of the body systems and results in
      development of complications, chronic pain, and increased length of stay. The aim
      of this study was to determine the effects of the implementation of a pain
      management program on the length of stay in patients with decreased level of
      consciousness, admitted in Al-Zahra hospital intensive care units (ICUs) in 2013.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this clinical trial, 50 subjects with decreased level
      of consciousness were selected by convenient sampling from the ICU wards of Al
      Zahra hospital, Isfahan, Iran and were randomly assigned to two groups of study
      and control. Pain management program was applied on the study group and routine
      care was implemented in the control group. Data including demographic data and
      length of stay of patients in the ICUs were collected and analyzed using
      descriptive statistics and Chi-square test, independent t-test, and paired t
      test. RESULTS: Results showed that out of 50 subjects attending the study, there
      were 40% female and 60% male subjects in study, and 52% female and 48% male
      subjects in control group. (P = 0.395). Overall mean length of stay of the
      patients in the ICUs was significantly lower in the case group [3.2 (1.4)] days
      compared to the control group [7.4 (4.8) days] (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This
      study showed that overall mean length of stay of patients in the ICUs was
      significantly lower in the study group compared to the control group. It is
      suggested to use this program for patients in ICUs with decreased level of
      consciousness after a general surgery.

PMID- 26257809
TI  - The effect of massage therapy on occupational stress of Intensive Care Unit
      nurses.
AB  - BACKGROUND: One of the main causes of stress in the lives of people is their
      jobs. Occupational stress is causing a wide range of significant issues in health
      and community services. Nursing is the most stressful profession in the health
      services. Massage therapy is one way of coping with stress. This study was
      conducted to determine the effect of massage therapy on stress in nurses.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a clinical trial on 66 male and female
      nurses working in intensive care units (dialysis, ICU, and CCU) of Isfahan
      University of Medical Sciences, Iran, in 2013. Participants were selected
      according to the aims and inclusion criteria of the study. Then, they were
      randomly divided into experimental and control groups. The Occupational Stress
      Inventory (OSI) (Osipow and Spokane, 1987) was completed by participants of the
      two groups before, immediately after, and 2 weeks after the intervention. General
      Swedish massage was performed on participants of the experimental group for 25
      min in each session, twice a week for 4 weeks. Data were analyzed by descriptive
      and inferential statistics [Chi-square, t-test, and repeated measures analysis of
      variance (ANOVA)] using SPSS software. RESULTS: Results showed that the
      difference in overall mean occupation stress scores between experimental and
      control groups 2 weeks after the intervention was significant (P < 0.001).
      CONCLUSIONS: According to the results, it is recommended that massage, as a
      valuable noninvasive method, be used for nurses in intensive care units to reduce
      their stress, promote mental health, and prevent the decrease in quality of
      nursing work life.

PMID- 26257810
TI  - Relationship of sexual dysfunction and its associated factors in women with
      genital and breast cancers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sexuality is a basic and important factor in human experiences, which
      varies among different types of cancers. This study was carried out with the aim
      of defining the relationship between sexual dysfunction and related factors in
      genital and breast cancers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was
      conducted on 150 women with genital and breast cancers admitted to two
      specialized hospitals in Isfahan and by using a two-stage sampling method.
      Participants completed demographic/disease questionnaire and sexual function
      questionnaire. Collected data were analyzed by using SPSS software version 14 and
      statistical tests of correlation coefficient, Student's t-test and one-way
      analysis of variance (ANOVA). RESULTS: The obtained results showed that 47% of
      women had sexual dysfunction with the mean (SD) age of 47 (7.7) years (with the
      range of 25-65 years). There was a significant correlation between sexual
      functioning and age, occupation, educational level, and treatment duration (P <
      0.05). There was also a significant correlation between the stage of disease,
      primary disorder (0.003), and recent disorder (0.028). Meanwhile, Chi-square test
      showed no significant relationship between cancer type and primary disorder
      (0.403) and recent disorder (0.416). CONCLUSIONS: Breast and genital cancers may
      result in significant difficulties with sexual functioning and sexual life.
      Addressing these problems is essential to improve the quality of life in women
      with cancer and further investigations should be conducted for prevention and
      treatment of disorders by the health authorities.

PMID- 26257811
TI  - An assessment of the stressors and ways of coping in Iranian medical sciences
      students.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Several studies have reported that medical sciences students are
      usually dealing with severe stress. However, no study is available on ways of
      coping in medical sciences students in Iran. As socio-cultural factors may affect
      the students' responses toward stress, this study aimed to investigate the
      stressors and ways of coping among students of Guilan University of Medical
      Sciences (GUMS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on
      487 randomly selected students in GUMS in 2012. The student stress scale and
      Lazarus ways of coping scale were used for data collection. Descriptive
      statistics were calculated. Also, Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests, Kruskal
      Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests, and logistic regression analysis were utilized
      for data analysis. cross-sectional study was conducted on 487 randomly selected
      students in GUMS in 2012. The student stress scale and Lazarus ways of coping
      scale were used for data collection. Descriptive statistics were calculated.
      Also, Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests, Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U
      tests, and logistic regression analysis were utilized for data analysis. RESULTS:
      In the majority of students (61.4%), interpersonal factors were the dominant
      stressor. Most of the students used problem-focused ways of coping (79.7%). Chi
      square test showed a significant relationship between gender and ways of coping
      (P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Interpersonal sources of stress were the most common
      stressors among the medical sciences students. Establishing workshops on
      communication skills and effective counseling system are suggested.

PMID- 26257812
TI  - Ebola disease: Infection prevention and control in hospital and community
      settings.

PMID- 26257813
TI  - Performance of exome sequencing for pharmacogenomics.
AB  - AIM: We present the potential false-negative rate of exome sequencing for the
      detection of pharmacogenomic variants. MATERIALS & METHODS: Depth of coverage of
      1928 pharmacogenomically relevant variant positions was ascertained from 62 exome
      sequenced samples. RESULTS: Approximately 14% of the 1928 variant locations
      examined had inadequate depth of coverage (<20x). The variants with inadequate
      coverage were predominantly located outside of protein-coding portions and
      included some clinically relevant variant positions, such as the warfarin VKORC1
      variant. CONCLUSION: While the use of exome sequencing is becoming more prevalent
      in fundamental research, clinical trials and clinical use; there is a possibility
      of false-negative results. The possible quality issues such as false-negative
      rate should be considered with the use of exome sequencing.

PMID- 26257814
TI  - Gene Expression Response of Trichophyton rubrum during Coculture on Keratinocytes
      Exposed to Antifungal Agents.
AB  - Trichophyton rubrum is the most common causative agent of dermatomycoses
      worldwide, causing infection in the stratum corneum, nails, and hair. Despite the
      high prevalence of these infections, little is known about the molecular
      mechanisms involved in the fungal-host interaction, particularly during
      antifungal treatment. The aim of this work was to evaluate the gene expression of
      T. rubrum cocultured with keratinocytes and treated with the flavonoid trans
      chalcone and the glycoalkaloid alpha-solanine. Both substances showed a marked
      antifungal activity against T. rubrum strain CBS (MIC = 1.15 and 17.8 ug/mL,
      resp.). Cytotoxicity assay against HaCaT cells produced IC50 values of 44.18 to
      trans-chalcone and 61.60 uM to alpha-solanine. The interaction of keratinocytes
      with T. rubrum conidia upregulated the expression of genes involved in the
      glyoxylate cycle, ergosterol synthesis, and genes encoding proteases but
      downregulated the ABC transporter TruMDR2 gene. However, both antifungals
      downregulated the ERG1 and ERG11, metalloprotease 4, serine proteinase, and
      TruMDR2 genes. Furthermore, the trans-chalcone downregulated the genes involved
      in the glyoxylate pathway, isocitrate lyase, and citrate synthase. Considering
      the urgent need for more efficient and safer antifungals, these results
      contribute to a better understanding of fungal-host interactions and to the
      discovery of new antifungal targets. 

PMID- 26257815
TI  - Antiviral and Antioxidant Activities of Sulfated Galactomannans from Plants of
      Caatinga Biome.
AB  - Dengue represents a serious social and economic public health problem; then
      trying to contribute to improve its control, the objective of this research was
      to develop phytoterapics for dengue treatment using natural resources from
      Caatinga biome. Galactomannans isolated from Adenanthera pavonina L., Caesalpinia
      ferrea Mart., and Dimorphandra gardneriana Tull were chemically sulfated in order
      to evaluate the antioxidant, and antiviral activities and the role in the
      inhibition of virus DENV-2 in Vero cells. A positive correlation between the
      degree of sulfation, antioxidant and antiviral activities was observed. The
      sulfated galactomannans showed binding to the virus surface, indicating that they
      interact with DENV-2. The sulfated galactomannans from C. ferrea showed 96%
      inhibition of replication of DENV-2 followed by D. gardneriana (94%) and A.
      pavonina (77%) at 25 ug/mL and all sulfated galactomannans also showed
      antioxidant activity. This work is the first report of the antioxidant and
      antiviral effects of sulfated galactomannans against DENV-2. The results are very
      promising and suggest that these sulfated galactomannans from plants of Caatinga
      biome act in the early step of viral infection. Thus, sulfated galactomannans may
      act as an entry inhibitor of DENV-2. 

PMID- 26257816
TI  - Strong Manual Acupuncture Manipulation Could Better Inhibit Spike Frequency of
      the Dorsal Horn Neurons in Rats with Acute Visceral Nociception.
AB  - Afferent impulses from visceral nociception can be regulated by acupuncture at
      spinal cord level; however, the effects of different manual acupuncture (MA)
      manipulations on the afferent impulses are still unknown. Here, we analyzed the
      spike frequency of excitatory gastric-related wide dynamic range (WDR) neurons in
      spinal dorsal horn (SDH) following acute gastric distension (GD) in rats and
      compared their responses to MA manipulations with four different frequencies
      (0.5, 1, 2, and 3 Hz) at Zusanli (ST36). Results indicated that the spike
      frequency was increased by acute GD stimulation. Under acute GD circumstances,
      the spike frequency was further activated by weak MA stimulation (0.5 and 1 Hz),
      while being significantly inhibited by strong MA stimulation (2 and 3 Hz). After
      10 minutes of the strong MA stimulation, same intensity of acute GD caused less
      spike frequency. Our previous researches had demonstrated that different MA
      manipulations could increase spike frequency in an intensity-dependent manner in
      normal rats; these findings suggest that acupuncture may have different
      modulatory effects depending on the state of the stomach. Since neuronal spike
      frequency was related to the level of nociception, the results suggest that
      strong MA manipulation may have better effect on acute visceral nociception. 

PMID- 26257817
TI  - Alternative, Complementary, and Forgotten Remedies for Atopic Dermatitis.
AB  - Atopic dermatitis, perhaps more than other dermatologic diseases, has garnered
      much attention in the realm of alternative medicine. This may be because its
      etiopathogenesis is incompletely understood, it is increasingly common, and it
      waxes and wanes often without clear precipitants, opening up many opportunities
      for misinterpretation. Herein we explore the evidence for a number of different
      alternative and complementary therapies, from textiles to vitamin supplements. By
      definition, none have enough data to be deemed "effective" in a conventional
      sense, but it is hopeful that some show promising evidence that may one day lead
      to mainstream acceptance with further research. 

PMID- 26257818
TI  - Lonicerae Japonicae Flos and Lonicerae Flos: A Systematic Pharmacology Review.
AB  - Lonicerae japonicae flos, a widely used traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has
      been used for several thousand years in China. Chinese Pharmacopeia once included
      Lonicerae japonicae flos of Caprifoliaceae family and plants of the same species
      named Lonicerae flos in general in the same group. Chinese Pharmacopeia (2005
      Edition) lists Lonicerae japonicae flos and Lonicerae flos under different
      categories, although they have the similar history of efficacy. In this study, we
      research ancient books of TCM, 4 main databases of Chinese academic journals, and
      MEDLINE/PubMed to verify the origins and effects of Lonicerae japonicae flos and
      Lonicerae flos in traditional medicine and systematically summarized the research
      data in light of modern pharmacology and toxicology. Our results show that
      Lonicerae japonicae flos and Lonicerae flos are similar pharmacologically, but
      they also differ significantly in certain aspects. A comprehensive systematic
      review and a standard comparative pharmacological study of Lonicerae japonicae
      flos and Lonicerae flos as well as other species of Lonicerae flos support their
      clinical safety and application. Our study provides evidence supporting separate
      listing of Lonicerae japonicae flos and Lonicerae flos in Chinese Pharmacopeia as
      well as references for revision of relevant pharmacopeial records dealing with
      traditional efficacy of Lonicerae japonicae flos and Lonicerae flos. 

PMID- 26257819
TI  - Co-delivery of siRNA and therapeutic agents using nanocarriers to overcome cancer
      resistance.
AB  - There are two main mechanisms by which cells become multidrug resistant (MDR): by
      increasing drug efflux pumps on the cell membrane and by increasing anti
      apoptotic pathways. The use of nanotechnology to develop nanodelivery systems has
      allowed researchers to overcome limitations of antineoplastic drugs by increasing
      the solubility of the drug and decreasing the toxicity to healthy tissues. By
      encapsulating drugs into nanoparticles that bypass the efflux pumps, drug efflux
      is reduced, hence increasing the intracellular concentration of the drug. siRNA
      has the ability to disrupt cellular pathways by knocking down genes, opening the
      door to down regulating anti-apoptotic pathways. The use of nanocarriers to
      deliver siRNA, prevents both renal clearance and RNase degradation by protecting
      siRNA chains, increasing their half life in blood. It has been suggested that co
      delivering drugs and siRNA together in the same delivery system would be more
      effective in overcoming resistance of cancer cells than co-treatment of cancer
      cells with delivery systems carrying either siRNA or drugs. In this study we
      discuss the progress of nanoscale co-delivery systems in overcoming multidrug
      cancer resistance.

PMID- 26257820
TI  - A multiobjective approach for identifying protein complexes and studying their
      association in multiple disorders.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Detecting protein complexes within protein-protein interaction (PPI)
      networks is a major step toward the analysis of biological processes and
      pathways. Identification and characterization of protein complexes in PPI network
      is an ongoing challenge. Several high-throughput experimental techniques provide
      substantial number of PPIs which are widely utilized for compiling the PPI
      network of a species. RESULTS: Here we focus on detecting human protein complexes
      by developing a multiobjective framework. For this large human PPI network is
      partitioned into modules which serves as protein complex. For building the
      objective functions we have utilized topological properties of PPI network and
      biological properties based on Gene Ontology semantic similarity. The proposed
      method is compared with that of some state-of-the-art algorithms in the context
      of different performance metrics. For the purpose of biological validation of our
      predicted complexes we have also employed a Gene Ontology and pathway based
      analysis here. Additionally, we have performed an analysis to associate resulting
      protein complexes with 22 key disease classes. Two bipartite networks are created
      to clearly visualize the association of identified protein complexes with the
      disorder classes. CONCLUSIONS: Here, we present the task of identifying protein
      complexes as a multiobjective optimization problem. Identified protein complexes
      are found to be associated with several disorders classes like 'Cancer',
      'Endocrine' and 'Multiple'. This analysis uncovers some new relationships between
      disorders and predicted complexes that may take a potential role in the
      prediction of multi target drugs.

PMID- 26257821
TI  - Orchestration of Morphogenesis in Filamentous Fungi: Conserved Roles for Ras
      Signaling Networks.
AB  - Filamentous fungi undergo complex developmental programs including conidial
      germination, polarized morphogenesis, and differentiation of sexual and asexual
      structures. For many fungi, the coordinated completion of development is required
      for pathogenicity, as specialized morphological structures must be produced by
      the invading fungus. Ras proteins are highly conserved GTPase signal transducers
      and function as major regulators of growth and development in eukaryotes.
      Filamentous fungi typically express two Ras homologues, comprising distinct
      groups of Ras1-like and Ras2-like proteins based on sequence homology. Recent
      evidence suggests shared roles for both Ras1 and Ras2 homologues, but also
      supports the existence of unique functions in the areas of stress response and
      virulence. This review focuses on the roles played by both Ras protein groups
      during growth, development, and pathogenicity of a diverse array of filamentous
      fungi.

PMID- 26257822
TI  - The efficacy of QingfengGanke granule in treating postinfectious cough in
      pathogenic wind invading lungs syndrome: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind,
      placebo-controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Postinfectious cough (PIC) significantly affects cough-related
      quality of life but still lacks effective treatments. This study aims to
      investigate the efficacy of QingfengGanke granule (QFGKG) in treating PIC induced
      by pathogenic wind invading lungs syndrome. METHODS: A multicenter, randomized,
      double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted. A total of 180
      eligible participants were randomly (1:1:1) assigned to group A (QFGKG 6 g plus
      QFGKG-matched placebo 6 g), group B (QFGKG 12 g), and group C (QFGKG-matched
      placebo 12 g). All herbal medications were orally administered twice daily for 10
      consecutive days. The primary outcome was time to cough resolution, and secondary
      outcomes included time to cough alleviation, mean changes in cough symptom score
      (CSS), visual analogue scale (VAS) score, cough-specific quality of life
      questionnaire (CQLQ) score, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome score
      from baseline to Day 10, as well as adverse events. RESULTS: A total of 173
      participants were included in the efficacy and safety analyses (group A, n = 57;
      group B, n = 57; group C, n = 59). The median time to cough resolution in groups
      A, B, and C was more than 10 days, 8 days, and more than 10 days, respectively (P
      < 0.0001), and the median time to cough alleviation was 4, 4, and 6 days,
      respectively (P < 0.0001). Compared with the placebo condition, groups A and B
      showed significantly greater improvements in CSS (P = 0.0005, P < 0.0001,
      respectively), VAS (P = 0.0002, P < 0.0001, respectively), CQLQ (P = 0.0258, P =
      0.0003, respectively), and TCM syndrome (P = 0.0031, P < 0.0001, respectively).
      The time to cough resolution was faster in group B compared with group A (P =
      0.0091). The adverse event profiles were comparable among the three groups.
      CONCLUSION: QingfengGanke granule is efficacious in the treatment of PIC induced
      by pathogenic wind invading lungs syndrome.

PMID- 26257823
TI  - Ebola in the context of conflict affected states and health systems: case studies
      of Northern Uganda and Sierra Leone.
AB  - Ebola seems to be a particular risk in conflict affected contexts. All three of
      the countries most affected by the 2014-15 outbreak have a complex conflict
      affected recent history. Other major outbreaks in the recent past, in Northern
      Uganda and in the Democratic Republic of Congo are similarly afflicted although
      outbreaks have also occurred in stable settings. Although the 2014-15 outbreak in
      West Africa has received more attention than almost any other public health issue
      in recent months, very little of that attention has focused on the complex
      interaction between conflict and its aftermath and its implications for health
      systems, the emergence of the disease and the success or failure in controlling
      it. The health systems of conflict-affected states are characterized by a series
      of weaknesses, some common to other low and even middle income countries, others
      specifically conflict-related. Added to this is the burden placed on health
      systems by the aggravated health problems associated with conflict. Other
      features of post conflict health systems are a consequence of the global
      institutional response. Comparing the experience of Northern Uganda and Sierra
      Leone in the emergence and management of Ebola outbreaks in 2000-1 and in 2014-15
      respectively highlights how the various elements of these conflict affected
      societies came together with international agencies responses to permit the
      outbreak of the disease and then to successfully contain it (in Northern Uganda)
      or to fail to do so before a catastrophic cost had been incurred (in Sierra
      Leone). These case studies have implications for the types of investments in
      health systems that are needed to enable effective response to Ebola and other
      zoonotic diseases where they arise in conflict- affected settings. 

PMID- 26257824
TI  - Measuring depression and stigma towards depression and mental health treatment
      among adolescents in an Arab-American community.
AB  - There has been limited research that has examined the prevalence of depression
      and attitudes towards depression and mental health treatment in Arab-American
      adolescents; we sought to assess these in a predominantly Arab-American community
      in metro Detroit. A health survey of adolescents aged 12-17 years was conducted
      (n=98). Participants were recruited from two local community organizations in
      Dearborn, MI. Depression was assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ
      9) Depression Scale, and attitude towards depression and willingness to seek help
      for mental health conditions were assessed by the Self-Stigma of Depression Scale
      (SSDS). To assess whether attitudes might be affected by information about mental
      health treatment, adolescents were randomized to view either an educational video
      about mental health, or a control video before responding to questions about
      their willingness to seek help for mental health conditions. Overall, 14% of Arab
      American adolescents in this study endorsed moderate or moderately severe
      depression (PHQ-9 >= 11), suggesting a need to increase awareness of and access
      to mental health services and screening for Arab-American youth.

PMID- 26257825
TI  - Observations of the genomic landscape beyond 1p19q deletions and EGFR
      amplification in glioma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: With recent advancements in molecular techniques, the opportunities
      to gather whole genome information have increased, even in degraded samples such
      as FFPE tissues. As a result, a broader view of the genomic landscape of solid
      tumors may be explored. Whole genome copy number and loss of heterozygosity
      patterns can advance our understanding of mechanisms and complexity of various
      tumors. RESULTS: Genome-wide alterations involving copy number changes and loss
      of heterozygosity were identified in 17 glioma samples with positive FISH results
      for 1p19q co-deletions (n = 9) or EGFR amplification (n = 8). Gliomas positive
      for 1p19q co-deletions did not have other frequently recurrent genomic
      alterations. Additional copy-number alterations were observed in individual
      cases, and consisted primarily of large-scale changes, including gains or losses
      of entire chromosomes. The genomic architecture of EGFR amplified gliomas was
      much more complex, with a high number of gains and losses across the genome.
      Recurrent alterations in EGFR amplified gliomas were both focal, such as CDKN2A
      homozygous deletions, and large, such as chromosome 10 loss. CONCLUSIONS:
      Microarray enabled a broader picture of the genomic alterations occurring in
      glioma cases. Gliomas with 1p19q co-deletion had a relatively quiet genome, apart
      from the selected co-deletion. Additional alterations in isolated cases, involved
      primarily larger aberrations. On the other hand, EGFR amplified cases tended to
      be more complex and have specific abnormalities associated with the EGFR
      amplification. Furthermore, 1p19q co-deletions and EGFR amplification associated
      copy number changes appeared to often be mutually exclusive.

PMID- 26257826
TI  - Molecular cytogenetic studies characterizing a novel complex karyotype with an
      uncommon 5q22 deletion in childhood acute myeloid leukemia.
AB  - Deletions in the long arm of chromosome 5 or loss of the whole chromosome are
      rare in childhood Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) patients. It is also unknown if
      the wide variety of breakpoints have diverging implications in the patient's
      outcome. Despite -5/5q- abnormalities have usually been described as a poor
      prognostic feature, however, the low frequency of -5/5q- in pediatric AML
      patients limits a full knowledge about this cytogenetic and clinical category,
      which is an intriguing factor for further research and new findings. Here, we
      report an AML child showing an uncommon deletion in 5q associated with 2 new
      abnormalities involving chromosome 2 within a complex karyotype well
      characterized by several molecular cytogenetic approaches. Our work stimulates
      upcoming studies with more detailed descriptions about 5q abnormalities to better
      define its role in the stratification risk of such cytogenetic subgroup in
      childhood AML. 

PMID- 26257827
TI  - Mutational landscape of mucinous ovarian carcinoma and its neoplastic precursors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mucinous ovarian tumors are an unusual group of rare neoplasms with
      an apparently clear progression from benign to borderline to carcinoma, yet with
      a controversial cell of origin in the ovarian surface epithelium. They are
      thought to be molecularly distinct from other ovarian tumors but there have been
      no exome-level sequencing studies performed to date. METHODS: To understand the
      genetic etiology of mucinous ovarian tumors and assess the presence of novel
      therapeutic targets or pathways, we undertook exome sequencing of 24 tumors
      encompassing benign (5), borderline (8) and carcinoma (11) histologies and also
      assessed a validation cohort of 58 tumors for specific gene regions including
      exons 4-9 of TP53. RESULTS: The predominant mutational signature was of C>T
      transitions in a NpCpG context, indicative of deamination of methyl-cytosines. As
      well as mutations in known drivers (KRAS, BRAF and CDKN2A), we identified a high
      percentage of carcinomas with TP53 mutations (52 %), and recurrent mutations in
      RNF43, ELF3, GNAS, ERBB3 and KLF5. CONCLUSIONS: The diversity of mutational
      targets suggests multiple routes to tumorigenesis in this heterogeneous group of
      tumors that is generally distinct from other ovarian subtypes.

PMID- 26257829
TI  - Standards-based metadata procedures for retrieving data for display or mining
      utilizing persistent (data-DOI) identifiers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We describe three different procedures based on metadata standards
      for enabling automated retrieval of scientific data from digital repositories
      utilising the persistent identifier of the dataset with optional specification of
      the attributes of the data document such as filename or media type. RESULTS: The
      procedures are demonstrated using the JSmol molecular visualizer as a component
      of a web page and Avogadro as a stand-alone modelling program. We compare our
      methods for automated retrieval of data from a standards-compliant data
      repository with those currently in operation for a selection of existing
      molecular databases and repositories. CONCLUSIONS: Our methods illustrate the
      importance of adopting a standards-based approach of using metadata declarations
      to increase access to and discoverability of repository-based data. Graphical
      abstract.

PMID- 26257828
TI  - Relationship of colorectal cancer awareness and knowledge with colorectal cancer
      screening.
AB  - AIM: The aim was to describe the association of awareness and knowledge with
      participation in colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. MATERIALS & METHODS:
      Telephone survey research was conducted with South Carolina (USA) residents aged
      50-75 years using a 144-item instrument. Data were analyzed with SAS and Stata.
      Adjusted odds ratios are reported. RESULTS: Respondents (n = 1302) had heard of
      CRC screening (96%) and exhibited high levels of CRC awareness and knowledge;
      only 74% had ever been screened. Higher levels of knowledge were associated with
      a greater likelihood of having ever been screened (odds ratio: 1.05; 95% CI: 1.02
      1.41; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Results showed high levels of awareness and
      knowledge, but modest participation in CRC. Transforming awareness and knowledge
      into CRC screening participation should be a priority.

PMID- 26257830
TI  - An update on testosterone, HDL and cardiovascular risk in men.
AB  - Testosterone prescriptions have risen steadily and sharply in the USA despite a
      lack of clear understanding of the relationship between androgens and
      cardiovascular disease. In men with increasing age, testosterone levels decline
      and cardiovascular disease risk goes up. Ties between hypogonadism and
      cardiovascular disease are suggested by observational data, yet therapy with
      testosterone replacement has not been shown to mitigate that risk. To the
      contrary, recent literature has raised concern for increased cardiovascular
      disease in certain groups of men receiving testosterone therapy. In this article,
      we review current literature in an attempt to better understand what it suggests
      is the true relationship between testosterone and cardiovascular disease. We also
      take a closer look at effects of testosterone on lipids and HDL in particular, to
      see if this explains the cardiovascular effects seen in clinical studies.

PMID- 26257832
TI  - AH-7921: the list of new psychoactive opioids is expanded.
AB  - AH-7921 is a structurally unique synthetic opioid analgesic that has recently
      entered the drug arena in Europe, the USA, and Japan. Although it was synthesized
      and patented in the mid-1970s, it was first identified in a seized sample
      purchased via the Internet in July 2012 and formally brought to the attention of
      the European Union early warning system in August 2012 by the United Kingdom.
      Several in vitro experiments and animal model studies established the morphine
      like analgesic action of AH-7921 as a MU-opioid receptor agonist that has been
      found to be several times more potent than codeine and at least as potent as
      morphine. This novel psychoactive substance has already led to eight non-fatal
      intoxications and 16 deaths in Sweden, the United Kingdom, Norway, and the USA.
      Thus, AH-7921 is a current public health risk, and better international
      collaboration, effective legislation and continuous community alertness are
      needed to tackle this current growing problem. The aim of this review is to
      summarize the current knowledge about this drug concerning its chemistry,
      pharmacology, and toxicology, as well as its international legal status. The
      limited existing analytical methodologies for the determination of AH-7921 in
      biological samples are also presented. Published or reported AH-7921-related
      cases, fatalities, or intoxications, and self reports from drug users are
      reviewed.

PMID- 26257831
TI  - Comprehensive review of the detection methods for synthetic cannabinoids and
      cathinones.
AB  - A number of N-alkyl indole or indazole-3-carbonyl analogs, with modified chemical
      structures, are distributed throughout the world as synthetic cannabinoids. Like
      synthetic cannabinoids, cathinone analogs are also abused and cause serious
      problems worldwide. Acute deaths caused by overdoses of these drugs have been
      reported. Various analytical methods that can cope with the rapid changes in
      chemical structures are required for routine analysis and screening of these
      drugs in seized and biological materials for forensic and clinical purposes.
      Although many chromatographic methods to analyze each drug have been published,
      there are only a few articles summarizing these analytical methods. This review
      presents the various colorimetric detections, immunochemical assays, gas
      chromatographic-mass spectrometric methods, and liquid chromatographic-mass
      spectrometric methods proposed for the analysis of synthetic cannabinoids and
      cathinones.

PMID- 26257833
TI  - A synthetic cannabinoid FDU-NNEI, two 2H-indazole isomers of synthetic
      cannabinoids AB-CHMINACA and NNEI indazole analog (MN-18), a phenethylamine
      derivative N-OH-EDMA, and a cathinone derivative dimethoxy-alpha-PHP, newly
      identified in illegal products.
AB  - Six new psychoactive substances were identified together with two other
      substances (compounds 1-8) in illegal products by our ongoing survey in Japan
      between January and July 2014. A new synthetic cannabinoid, FDU-NNEI [1-(4
      fluorobenzyl)-N-(naphthalen-1-yl)-1H-indole-3-carboxamide, 2], was detected with
      the newly distributed synthetic cannabinoid FDU-PB-22 (1). Two 2H-indazole
      isomers of synthetic cannabinoids, AB-CHMINACA 2H-indazole analog (3) and NNEI 2H
      indazole analog (4), were newly identified with 1H-indazoles [AB-CHMINACA and
      NNEI indazole analog (MN-18)]. In addition, 2-methylpropyl N-(naphthalen-1-yl)
      carbamate (5) and isobutyl 1-pentyl-1H-indazole-3-carboxylate (6) were detected
      in illegal products. Compound 6 is considered to be a by-product of the
      preparation of NNEI indazole analog from compound 5 and 1-pentyl-1H-indazole. A
      phenethylamine derivative, N-OH-EDMA [N-hydroxy-3,4-ethylenedioxy-N
      methylamphetamine, 7], and a cathinone derivative, dimethoxy-alpha-PHP (dimethoxy
      alpha-pyrrolidinohexanophenone, 8), were newly identified in illegal products.
      Among them, compounds 1 and 8 have been controlled as designated substances
      (Shitei-Yakubutsu) under the Pharmaceutical Affairs Law in Japan since August and
      November 2014, respectively.

PMID- 26257834
TI  - Postmortem distribution of MAB-CHMINACA in body fluids and solid tissues of a
      human cadaver.
AB  - During the latter part of 2014, we experienced an autopsy case in which 5-fluoro
      ADB, one of the most dangerous synthetic cannabinoids, was identified and
      quantitated in solid tissues and in three herbal blend products [Forensic Toxicol
      (2015) 33:112-121]. At that time, although we suspected that there may be some
      drug(s) other than 5-fluoro-ADB in the herbal products, all trials to find
      it/them were unsuccessful. Subsequently, we carefully re-examined the presence of
      other synthetic cannabinoid(s) in the above herbal blend products using accurate
      mass spectrometry and found two new compounds, 5-fluoro-ADB-PINACA and MAB
      CHMINACA (Forensic Toxicol. doi: 10.1007/s 11419-015-0264-y). In the present
      communication, we report the distribution of MAB-CHMINACA in body fluids and
      solid tissue specimens collected from the same deceased individual (kept frozen
      at -80  degrees C) as described above for demonstration of 5-fluoro-ADB.
      Unexpectedly, unchanged MAB-CHMINACA could be identified and quantitated in whole
      blood and in pericardial fluid specimens, but it was below the detection limit
      (0.1 ng/ml) in the urine specimen. A higher concentration of MAB-CHMINACA could
      be found in all of the nine solid tissues; the highest concentration of MAB
      CHMINACA was found in the liver (156 ng/g), followed by the kidney, pancreas and
      so on. The compounds were detected in all nine solid tissues; their levels were
      generally higher than those in the whole blood and pericardial fluid. Contrary to
      expectations, the concentration of MAB-CHMINACA in the adipose tissue was
      relatively low. Our results show that the victim smoked one of the three herbal
      blend products containing both MAB-CHMINACA and 5-fluoro-ADB, resulting in the
      coexistence of both compounds. It should be concluded that 5-fluoro-ADB and MAB
      CHMINACA synergically exerted their toxicities, leading to death after a short
      interval. The differences in the distribution of 5-fluoro-ADB and MAB-CHMINACA
      among the cadaver specimens were also discussed in view of the structures of both
      compounds. To our knowledge, this is the first report to demonstrate MAB-CHMINACA
      in biological/human specimens.

PMID- 26257836
TI  - Statistical Methods for Generalized Linear Models with Covariates Subject to
      Detection Limits.
AB  - Censored observations are a common occurrence in biomedical data sets. Although a
      large amount of research has been devoted to estimation and inference for data
      with censored responses, very little research has focused on proper statistical
      procedures when predictors are censored. In this paper, we consider statistical
      methods for dealing with multiple predictors subject to detection limits within
      the context of generalized linear models. We investigate and adapt several
      conventional methods and develop a new multiple imputation approach for analyzing
      data sets with predictors censored due to detection limits. We establish the
      consistency and asymptotic normality of the proposed multiple imputation
      estimator and suggest a computationally simple and consistent variance estimator.
      We also demonstrate that the conditional mean imputation method often leads to
      inconsistent estimates in generalized linear models, while several other methods
      are either computationally intensive or lead to parameter estimates that are
      biased or more variable compared to the proposed multiple imputation estimator.
      In an extensive simulation study, we assess the bias and variability of different
      approaches within the context of a logistic regression model and compare variance
      estimation methods for the proposed multiple imputation estimator. Lastly, we
      apply several methods to analyze the data set from a recently-conducted GenIMS
      study.

PMID- 26257835
TI  - CNTN6 copy number variations in 14 patients: a possible candidate gene for
      neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Neurodevelopmental disorders are impairments of brain function that
      affect emotion, learning, and memory. Copy number variations of contactin genes
      (CNTNs), including CNTN3, CNTN4, CNTN5, and CNTN6, have been suggested to be
      associated with these disorders. However, phenotypes have been reported in only a
      handful of patients with copy number variations involving CNTNs. METHODS: From
      January 2009 to January 2013, 3724 patients ascertained through the University of
      Pittsburgh Medical Center were referred to our laboratory for clinical array
      comparative genomic hybridization testing. We screened this cohort of patients to
      identify individuals with the 3p26.3 copy number variations involving the CNTN6
      gene, and then retrospectively reviewed the clinical information and family
      history of these patients to determine the association between the 3p26.3 copy
      number variations and neurodevelopmental disorders. RESULTS: Fourteen of the 3724
      patients had 3p26.3 copy number variations involving the CNTN6 gene. Thirteen of
      the 14 patients with these CNTN6 copy number variations presented with various
      neurodevelopmental disorders including developmental delay, autistic spectrum
      disorders, seizures and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Family history
      was available for 13 of the 14 patients. Twelve of the thirteen families have
      multiple members with neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders including
      attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, seizures, autism spectrum disorder,
      intellectual disability, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, learning disability,
      and bipolar disorder. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that deletion or
      duplication of the CNTN6 gene is associated with a wide spectrum of
      neurodevelopmental behavioral disorders.

PMID- 26257837
TI  - Multiple Intravenous Infusions Phase 2a: Ontario Survey.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Research conducted in earlier phases of this study prospectively
      identified a number of concerns related to the safe administration of multiple
      intravenous (IV) infusions in Ontario hospitals. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the
      potential prevalence of practices or policies that may contribute to the patient
      safety risks identified in Phase 1b of this study. DATA SOURCES AND REVIEW
      METHODS: Sixty-four survey responses were analyzed from clinical units where
      multiple IV infusions may occur (e.g., adult intensive care units). Survey
      questions were organized according to the topics identified in Phase 1b as
      potential contributors to patient harm (e.g., labelling practices, patient
      transfer practices, secondary infusion policies). RESULTS: Survey results
      indicated suboptimal practices and policies in some clinical units, and
      variability in a number of infusion practices. Key areas of concern included the
      following: use of primary IV tubing without back check valves when administering
      secondary infusions, administration of secondary infusions with/as high-alert
      continuous IV medications, potential confusion about how IV tubing should be
      labelled to reflect replacement date and time, interruptions to IV therapy due to
      IV pump and/or tubing changes when patients are transferred between clinical
      units, coadministration of continuous or intermittent infusions on central venous
      pressure monitoring ports, variability in respondents' awareness of the infusion
      pump's bolus capabilities. LIMITATIONS: Due to the limited sample size, survey
      responses may not be representative of infusion practices across Ontario. Answers
      to some questions indicated that the intent of the questions might have been
      misunderstood. Due to a design error, 1 question about bolus administration
      methods was not shown to as many respondents as appropriate. CONCLUSIONS: The
      Ontario survey revealed variability in IV infusion practice across the province
      and potential opportunities to improve safety.

PMID- 26257838
TI  - Surface Structure of Bi(111) from Helium Atom Scattering Measurements. Inelastic
      Close-Coupling Formalism.
AB  - Elastic and inelastic close-coupling (CC) calculations have been used to extract
      information about the corrugation amplitude and the surface vibrational atomic
      displacement by fitting to several experimental diffraction patterns. To model
      the three-dimensional interaction between the He atom and the Bi(111) surface
      under investigation, a corrugated Morse potential has been assumed. Two different
      types of calculations are used to obtain theoretical diffraction intensities at
      three surface temperatures along the two symmetry directions. Type one consists
      of solving the elastic CC (eCC) and attenuating the corresponding diffraction
      intensities by a global Debye-Waller (DW) factor. The second one, within a
      unitary theory, is derived from merely solving the inelastic CC (iCC) equations,
      where no DW factor is necessary to include. While both methods arrive at similar
      predictions for the peak-to-peak corrugation value, the variance of the value
      obtained by the iCC method is much better. Furthermore, the more extensive
      calculation is better suited to model the temperature induced signal asymmetries
      and renders the inclusion for a second Debye temperature for the diffraction
      peaks futile.

PMID- 26257840
TI  - Chlorpyrifos Induces the Expression of the Epstein-Barr Virus Lytic Cycle
      Activator BZLF-1 via Reactive Oxygen Species.
AB  - Organophosphate pesticides (OPs) are among the most widely used synthetic
      chemicals for the control of a wide variety of pests, and reactive oxygen species
      (ROS) caused by OPs may be involved in the toxicity of various pesticides.
      Previous studies have demonstrated that a reactivation of latent Epstein-Barr
      virus (EBV) could be induced by oxidative stress. In this study, we investigated
      whether OPs could reactivate EBV through ROS accumulation. The Raji cells were
      treated with chlorpyrifos (CPF), one of the most commonly used OPs. Oxidative
      stress indicators and the expression of the EBV immediate-early gene BZLF-1 were
      determined after CPF treatment. Our results show that CPF induces oxidative
      stress as evidenced by decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) level, accompanied by an
      increase in ROS production, DNA damage, glutathione (GSH) level, and superoxide
      dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity. Moreover, CPF treatment
      significantly enhances the expression of BZLF-1, and the increased BZLF-1
      expression was ameliorated by N-acetylcysteine (NAC) incubation. These results
      suggest that OPs could contribute to the reactivation of the EBV lytic cycle
      through ROS induction, a process that may play an important role in the
      development of EBV-associated diseases. 

PMID- 26257839
TI  - Molecular Events Linking Oxidative Stress and Inflammation to Insulin Resistance
      and beta-Cell Dysfunction.
AB  - The prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) is increasing worldwide, a consequence
      of the alarming rise in obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS). Oxidative stress
      and inflammation are key physiological and pathological events linking obesity,
      insulin resistance, and the progression of type 2 DM (T2DM). Unresolved
      inflammation alongside a "glucolipotoxic" environment of the pancreatic islets,
      in insulin resistant pathologies, enhances the infiltration of immune cells which
      through secretory activity cause dysfunction of insulin-secreting beta-cells and
      ultimately cell death. Recent molecular investigations have revealed that
      mechanisms responsible for insulin resistance associated with T2DM are detected
      in conditions such as obesity and MetS, including impaired insulin receptor (IR)
      signalling in insulin responsive tissues, oxidative stress, and endoplasmic
      reticulum (ER) stress. The aim of the present review is to describe the evidence
      linking oxidative stress and inflammation with impairment of insulin secretion
      and action, which result in the progression of T2DM and other conditions
      associated with metabolic dysregulation. 

PMID- 26257842
TI  - Limitations of spinal cord stimulation for pain management.

PMID- 26257841
TI  - Brewers' Rice: A By-Product from Rice Processing Provides Natural Hepatorenal
      Protection in Azoxymethane-Induced Oxidative Stress in Rats.
AB  - Brewers' rice, which is known locally as temukut, is a mixture of broken rice,
      rice bran, and rice germ. Our present study was designed to identify the effect
      of brewers' rice on the attenuation of liver and kidney damage induced by
      azoxymethane (AOM). Alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP),
      aspartate transaminase (AST), creatinine, and urea were evaluated to understand
      potential hepatoprotective effects and the ability of brewers' rice to attenuate
      kidney pathology induced by AOM treatment. Liver and kidney tissues were
      evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Overall analyses revealed that
      brewers' rice improved the levels of serum markers in a manner associated with
      better histopathological outcomes, which indicated that brewers' rice could
      enhance recovery from hepatocyte and kidney damage. Taken together, these results
      suggest that brewers' rice could be used in future applications to combat liver
      and kidney disease. 

PMID- 26257843
TI  - Anesthesia and sedation outside of the operating room.
AB  - Due to rapid evolution and technological advancements, medical personnel now
      require special training outside of their safe zones. Anesthesiologists face
      challenges in practicing in locations beyond the operating room. New locations,
      inadequate monitoring devices, poor assisting staff, unfamiliarity of procedures,
      insufficient knowledge of basic standards, and lack of experience compromise the
      quality of patient care. Therefore, anesthesiologists must recognize possible
      risk factors during anesthesia in nonoperating rooms and familiarize themselves
      with standards to improve safe practice. This review article emphasizes the need
      for standardizing hospitals and facilities requiring nonoperating room
      anesthesia, and encourages anesthesiologists to take the lead in applying these
      practice guidelines to improve patient outcomes and reduce adverse events. 

PMID- 26257845
TI  - What repeated measures analysis of variances really tells us.
AB  - This article examined repeated measures analysis of variance (RMANOVA). Within
      subjects repeated measurements are unavoidable during clinical and experimental
      investigation, and between- and within-subject variability should be treated
      separately. Only through proper use and meticulous interpretation can ethical and
      scientific integrity be guaranteed. The philosophical background of, and
      knowledge pertaining to, RMANOVA are described in the first half of this text.
      The sphericity assumption and associated issues are discussed in the latter half.
      The final section provides a summary measure analysis, which was neglected by P
      value-dependent interpreters. 

PMID- 26257844
TI  - Practical considerations and nuances in anesthesia for patients undergoing deep
      brain stimulation implantation surgery.
AB  - The field of functional neurosurgery has expanded in last decade to include newer
      indications, new devices, and new methods. This advancement has challenged
      anesthesia providers to adapt to these new requirements. This review aims to
      discuss the nuances and practical issues that are faced while administering
      anesthesia for deep brain stimulation surgery. 

PMID- 26257846
TI  - Use of triazolam and alprazolam as premedication for general anesthesia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Triazolam has similar pharmacological properties as other
      benzodiazepines and is generally used as a sedative to treat insomnia. Alprazolam
      represents a possible alternative to midazolam for the premedication of surgical
      patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anxiolytic, sedative, and
      amnestic properties of triazolam and alprazolam as pre-anesthetic medications.
      METHODS: Sixty adult patients were randomly allocated to receive oral triazolam
      0.25 mg or alprazolam 0.5 mg one hour prior to surgery. A structured assessment
      interview was performed in the operating room (OR), the recovery room, and the
      ward. The levels of anxiety and sedation were assessed on a 7-point scale (0 =
      relaxation to 6 = very severe anxiety) and a 5-point scale (0 = alert to 4 = lack
      of responsiveness), respectively. The psychomotor performance was estimated using
      a digit symbol substitution test. As a memory test, we asked the patients the day
      after the surgery if they remembered being moved from the ward to the OR, and
      what object we had shown them in the OR. RESULTS: There were no significant
      differences between the groups with respect to anxiety and sedation. The
      postoperative interviews showed that 22.2% of the triazolam-treated patients
      experienced a loss of memory in the OR, against a 0% memory loss in the
      alprazolam-treated patients. In comparison with alprazolam 0.5 mg, triazolam 0.25
      mg produced a higher incidence of amnesia without causing respiratory depression.
      CONCLUSIONS: Oral triazolam 0.25 mg can be an effective preanesthetic medication
      for psychomotor performance.

PMID- 26257847
TI  - The changes of non-invasive hemoglobin and perfusion index of Pulse CO-Oximetry
      during induction of general anesthesia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We hypothesized that induction of general anesthesia using
      sevoflurane improves the accuracy of non-invasive hemoglobin (SpHb) measurement
      of Masimo Radical-7(r) Pulse CO-Oximetry by inducing peripheral vasodilation and
      increasing the perfusion index (PI). The aim of this study is to investigate the
      change in the SpHb and the PI measured by Rad7 during induction of general
      anesthesia using sevoflurane. METHODS: The laboratory hemoglobin (Hblab) was
      measured before surgery by venous blood sampling. The SpHb and the PI was
      measured twice; before and after the induction of general anesthesia using
      sevoflurane. The changes of SpHb, Hbbias (Hbbias = SpHb - Hblab), and PI before
      and after the induction of general anesthesia were analyzed using a paired t
      test. Also, a Pearson correlation coefficient analysis was used to analyze the
      correlation between the Hbbias and the PI. RESULTS: The SpHb and the PI were
      increased after the induction of general anesthesia using sevoflurane. There was
      a statistically significant change in the Hbbias from -2.8 to -0.7 after the
      induction of general anesthesia. However, the limit of agreement (2 SD) of the
      Hbbias did not change after the induction of general anesthesia. The Pearson
      correlation coefficient between the Hbbias and the PI was not statistically
      significant. CONCLUSIONS: During induction of general anesthesia using
      sevoflurane, the accuracy of SpHb measurement was improved and precision was not
      changed. The correlation between Hbbias and PI was not significant.

PMID- 26257848
TI  - Position does not affect the optic nerve sheath diameter during laparoscopy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Increase in intracranial pressure (ICP) is one of the physiologic
      changes during laparoscopic surgery, which is known to be associated with
      positional changes. Changes of ICP can be measured directly by invasive method,
      but ultrasonographic measurement of optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) is known
      to be a rapidly applicable technique for evaluating ICP. The aim of this study is
      to investigate the change of ONSD according to the positional change during
      laparoscopic surgery. METHODS: Female patients scheduled to undergo laparoscopic
      surgery were enrolled. Fifty-seven patients were assigned according to the
      position during surgery (Group T: gynecological surgery, Trendelenburg position,
      n = 27 vs. Group RT: laparoscopic cholecystectomy, Reverse trendelenburg
      position, n = 30). After induction of anesthesia, ONSD, PaCO2, end-tidal carbon
      dioxide (ETCO2), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were measured. Parameters were
      measured at 6 time points during surgery. RESULTS: There were no significant
      differences in the demographic data of patients, procedure time, and anesthesia.
      After pneumoperitoneum and positional change, ONSD, ETCO2, and MAP increased in
      both groups until 15 min and returned to the baseline. However, no significant
      differences in changes of ONSD, PaCO2, ETCO2, and MAP were observed between two
      groups. CONCLUSIONS: ONSD during laparoscopic surgery with pneumoperitoneum
      increased slightly until 15 minutes, but there were no significant differences
      according to the position. Increases in ICP during laparoscopic surgery with
      short period of pneumoperitoneum would be small in disregard of position in
      patients without intracranial pathology.

PMID- 26257849
TI  - Changes in blood coagulation after colloid administration in patients undergoing
      total hip arthroplasty: comparison between pentastarch and tetrastarches, a
      randomized trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hydroxyethyl starch (HES) solutions are used as plasma expanders for
      correcting hypovolemia, but can lead to impaired coagulation. We evaluated the
      changes in hematological and hemostatic profiles with three types of HES.
      METHODS: Patients were randomized to receive volume replacement with 10%
      pentastarch 260/0.45 in 0.9% saline (Group-PEN, n = 25), 6% tetrastarch 130/0.4
      in 0.9% saline (Group-TETS, n = 25), or 6% tetrastarch 130/0.4 in a balanced
      electrolyte solution (Group-TETB, n = 25). Coagulation was assessed using
      rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM(r)) and other laboratory tests were
      performed, including measurements of hematological and hemostatic parameters and
      electrolytes. RESULTS: Post-operative ROTEM(r) parameters changed toward
      hypocoagulable states in all groups. The post-operative parameters of EXTEM and
      FIBTEM were more impaired in Group-PEN than in Group-TETB. The percentage change
      in INTEM clot formation time (P = 0.004) and alpha-angle (P = 0.003) were smaller
      in Group-TETS and Group-TETB than in Group-PEN. The percentage change in the
      FIBTEM maximum clot firmness was greatest in Group-PEN (P = 0.011). The
      international normalized ratio of prothrombin time (P < 0.001) and the activated
      partial thromboplastin time (P < 0.001) were significantly prolonged in Group-PEN
      compared to those of Group-TETB. CONCLUSIONS: The 6% HES 130/0.4 in a balanced
      electrolyte solution seemed to have less of an impact on blood coagulation than
      the 10% HES 260/0.45. No differences in hemostatic profile were observed between
      the balanced electrolyte and saline-based 6% HES 130/0.4.

PMID- 26257850
TI  - A comparison of postoperative emergence agitation between sevoflurane and
      thiopental anesthesia induction in pediatric patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study was performed to compare the incidence of emergence
      agitation (EA) between inhalation and intravenous anesthesia induction in
      children after sevoflurane anesthesia. METHODS: In this prospective and double
      blind study, 100 children aged 3 to 7 years were enrolled. Subjects were randomly
      assigned to the sevoflurane (Group S) or thiopental (Group T) anesthesia
      induction groups. Anesthesia was induced using 8% sevoflurane and 4-6 mg/kg
      thiopental in Groups S and T, respectively. Anesthesia was maintained with
      nitrous oxide and sevoflurane. The children were evaluated at 5 and 20 min after
      arrival in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) with a four-point agitation scale
      and the Pediatric Anesthesia Emergence Delirium scale. The incidence of EA and
      administration of the rescue agent were recorded. RESULTS: The incidence of EA
      was significantly lower in Group T compared to Group S at 5 min after PACU
      arrival (3/49 patients, 6% vs. 12/47 patients, 26%, P = 0.019). However, there
      was no difference between the two groups at 20 min after PACU arrival (23/49 vs.
      19/47 patients in Group T vs. Group S, P = 0.425). The overall incidence of EA
      was 60% (28/47 patients) in Group S and 41% (20/49 patients) in Group T (P =
      0.102). The number of children who received propofol as a rescue agent was
      significantly lower in Group T (Group S: 14/47 vs. Group T: 5/49, P = 0.031).
      CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous anesthesia induction with thiopental reduced the
      incidence of EA in the early PACU period compared to inhalation induction with
      sevoflurane in 3- to 7-year-old children undergoing sevoflurane anesthesia.

PMID- 26257851
TI  - Impact of surgical approach on postoperative delirium in elderly patients
      undergoing gastrectomy: laparoscopic versus open approaches.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Postoperative delirium is a frequent complication in elderly patients
      undergoing major abdominal surgery and is associated with a poor outcome. We
      compared postoperative delirium in elderly patients following laparoscopic
      gastrectomy (LG) versus open gastrectomy (OG). METHODS: In total, 130 patients
      aged >= 65 years with gastric cancer undergoing LG and OG were enrolled
      prospectively. Postoperative delirium and cognitive status were assessed daily
      using the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) and Mini-Mental Status Examination
      (MMSE), respectively, for 3 days postoperatively. For CAM-positive patients,
      delirium severity was then assessed using the Delirium Index (DI). RESULTS: In
      total, 123 subjects (LG, n = 60; OG, n = 63) were included in the analysis. In
      both groups, the overall incidences of postoperative delirium were similar: 31.6%
      (19/60) in the LG group and 41.2% (26/63) in the OG group. When considering only
      those with delirium, the severity, expressed as the highest DI score, was similar
      between the groups. A decline in cognitive function (reduction in MMSE >= 2
      points from baseline) during 3 days postoperatively was observed in 23 patients
      in the LG group (38.3%) and 27 patients in the OG group (42.9%) (P = 0.744). In
      both groups, postoperative cognitive decline was significantly associated with
      postoperative delirium (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We found that, compared with
      traditional open gastrectomy, laparoscopic gastrectomy did not reduce either
      postoperative delirium or cognitive decline in elderly patients with gastric
      cancer.

PMID- 26257852
TI  - Comparison of the antiemetic effect of ramosetron with ondansetron in patients
      undergoing microvascular decompression with retromastoid craniotomy: a
      preliminary report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Microvascular decompression with retromastoid craniotomy carries an
      especially high risk of postoperative nausea and vomiting. In this study, we
      compare the antiemetic efficacy of ramosetron and ondansetron in patients
      undergoing microvascular decompression with retromastoid craniotomy. METHODS:
      Using balanced anesthesia with sevoflurane and remifentanil infusion, ondansetron
      8 mg (group O, n = 31) or ramosetron 0.3 mg (group R, n = 31) was administered at
      the dural closure. The incidence and severity of postoperative nausea and
      vomiting, required rescue medications and the incidence of side effects were
      measured at post-anesthetic care unit, 6, 24 and 48 hours postoperatively.
      Independent t-tests and the chi-square test or Fisher's exact test were used for
      statistical analyses. RESULTS: There were no differences in the demographic data
      between groups, except for a slightly longer anesthetic duration of group R (P =
      0.01). The overall postoperative 48 hour incidences of nausea and vomiting were
      93.6 and 61.3% (group O), and 87.1 and 51.6% (group R), respectively. Patients in
      group R showed a less severe degree of nausea (P = 0.02) and a lower incidence of
      dizziness (P = 0.04) between 6 and 24 hours. CONCLUSIONS: The preventive efficacy
      of ramosetron when used for postoperative nausea and vomiting was similar to that
      of ondansetron up to 48 hours after surgery in patients undergoing microvascular
      decompression with retromastoid craniotomy. A larger randomized controlled trial
      is needed to confirm our findings.

PMID- 26257853
TI  - Time course of end-tidal desflurane concentration during delivery and elimination
      according to the type and location of filters in a semi-closed circuit system.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine whether the end-tidal
      concentration of desflurane would be affected by a breathing circuit system
      filter attached at two different positions in anesthetic breathing circuit
      systems. METHODS: An artificial lung was ventilated under five different
      conditions. The first group was without any filter or desflurane (n = 5, sham),
      the second was with desflurane but without any filter (n = 10, control), the
      third group had a bacterial filter on the expiratory limb (n = 10), and the
      fourth and fifth groups had a viral/bacterial filter added on the expiratory limb
      (n = 10) or at the Y-piece of the breathing circuit (n = 10), respectively. In
      all groups except the sham, administration of 10% desflurane was performed for 5
      minutes and then stopped for 5 minutes. RESULTS: The mean (SD) end-tidal
      concentration of desflurane for the groups described above peaked at 0 (0), 9.8
      (0.1), 9.8 (0.1), 8.5 (0.1), and 6.7% (0.1) (P < 0.001), respectively. There was
      no difference in the desflurane concentrations and the expired tidal volume over
      time between the control and bacterial group, but there was a significant
      difference between the control and the fourth and fifth groups (P < 0.001).
      CONCLUSIONS: Filters can affect the expiratory desflurane concentration during
      anesthesia.

PMID- 26257854
TI  - Therapeutic effects of intravenous administration of bone marrow stromal cells on
      sevoflurane-induced neuronal apoptosis and neuroinflammation in neonatal rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sevoflurane exposure during the early postnatal period causes
      neuroinflammation and neuronal apoptosis in rodents. Bone marrow stromal cells
      (BMSCs) have been shown to protect and repair the damaged central nervous system,
      for example in ischemic stroke models. In this study, we investigated whether
      intravenous administration of BMSCs ameliorated neurodegeneration, induced by
      sevoflurane exposure, in neonatal rats. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rat pups
      (postnatal day 7) were exposed to 2% sevoflurane for 6 h (vehicle group, n = 7).
      BMSCs were administered 30 min after induction of sevoflurane anesthesia (BMSCs
      group, n = 7). The pups were exposed to carrier gas only, as a negative control
      (mock anesthesia group, n = 4). We assessed the therapeutic effects of BMSC
      treatment by measuring expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6
      (IL-6), and levels of cleaved caspase-3, in brain tissues immediately following
      sevoflurane anesthesia. RESULTS: Analysis of the cleaved caspase-3 bands revealed
      that levels of activated caspase-3 were elevated in the vehicle group compared
      with the mock anesthesia group, indicating that a single exposure to sevoflurane
      at subclinical concentrations can precipitate neuronal apoptosis. BMSC treatment
      did not suppress apoptosis induced by sevoflurane exposure (compared with the
      vehicle group). The vehicle group had higher proinflammatory cytokine IL-6
      protein levels compared with the mock anesthesia group, indicating that
      sevoflurane exposure induces IL-6 expression. BMSC treatment suppressed
      sevoflurane-induced increases in IL-6 expression, indicating that these cells can
      inhibit the neuroinflammation induced by sevoflurane exposure (vehicle group vs.
      BMSC group). CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous administration of BMSCs reduces
      neuroinflammation, but does not attenuate apoptosis induced by sevoflurane
      exposure.

PMID- 26257855
TI  - Correction of malposition of central venous catheter with 9-Fr introducer sheath
      assisted by mobile type diagnostic X-ray apparatus: a case report.
AB  - Central venous catheters provide long-term available vascular access. They are
      useful for central venous pressure monitoring, rapid fluid management, massive
      transfusion and direct cardiovascular medication, especially in operation.
      Central venous catheterization is usually performed by the landmark bedside
      technique without imaging guidance. The complications of central venous
      catheterization are frequent, which include malposition, pneumothorax,
      hemothorax, chylothorax, arterial puncture, hematoma, air embolism and infection.
      Malposition of a central venous catheter is not rare and may cause several
      complications such as malfunction of the catheter, default measurement of central
      venous pressure, catheter erosion, thrombophlebitis and cardiac tamponade. In
      this case, we report a malposition of central venous catheter with 9-Fr
      introducer sheath which is located in the right subclavian vein via ipsilateral
      internal jugular vein and the correction of this misplacement assisted by mobile
      type diagnostic X-ray apparatus (C-arm fluoroscope). 

PMID- 26257856
TI  - Airway management in patient with continuous bleeding lesion of the trachea: a
      case report.
AB  - Hemoptysis requires proper treatment to prevent blood aspiration and
      asphyxiation. If the patient loses consciousness or is anesthetized, the bleeding
      inside the trachea may continuously flow into the distal part, which may be
      fatal. Fatal damage resulting from hemoptysis is mainly caused by asphyxiation,
      and it is important to find the exact location of the bleeding in order to
      prevent it from spreading to both lungs. However, endotracheal intubation may
      increase the bleeding by stimulating the bleeding lesion in the respiratory
      track, and can make airway management more difficult. We report a successful case
      of airway management using the cuff and Murphy eye of the endotracheal tube in a
      patient with tracheal bleeding. 

PMID- 26257857
TI  - The use of lung ultrasonography to confirm lung isolation in an infant who
      underwent emergent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery: a case report.
AB  - Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for pediatric patients has gained popularity
      due to better outcomes than open surgery. For this procedure, one-lung
      ventilation may be necessary to provide an adequate surgical field. Confirming
      lung isolation is crucial when one-lung ventilation is required. Recently, we
      experienced a case in which one-lung ventilation was confirmed by ultrasonography
      using the lung sliding sign and the lung pulse in an infant. Since lung
      ultrasonography can be performed easily and quickly, it may be a useful method to
      confirm lung isolation, particularly in emergency surgeries with limited time,
      devices, and experienced anesthesiologists. 

PMID- 26257858
TI  - Tachycardia-bradycardia syndrome in a patient with atrial fibrillation: a case
      report.
AB  - An 83-year-old woman was scheduled for a second transurethral resection of a
      bladder tumor. The preoperative electrocardiogram evaluation revealed atrial
      fibrillation with a slow ventricular response (ventricular rate: 59 /min). After
      intravenous injection of 1% lidocaine 40 mg and propofol 60 mg, the ventricular
      rate increased to 113 beats/min and then fell rapidly to 27 beats/min. Blood
      pressure was 70/40 mmHg. Later an atrial fibrillation rhythm, with a ventricular
      rate of 100-130 beats/min, was observed together with a sinus pause and sinus
      rhythm with a ventricular rate of 40-50 beats/min. An external pacemaker was
      applied and set at 60 mA, 40 counts. After the patient regained consciousness,
      she presented an alert mental state and had no chest symptoms. She was discharged
      2 weeks later without complications after insertion of a permanent pacemaker. 

PMID- 26257859
TI  - Is there any quality improvement in the randomized controlled trial abstracts in
      the Korean Journal of Anesthesiology after the publication of the CONSORT
      abstract guidelines in 2008?

PMID- 26257860
TI  - Corrigendum: Occurrence bilateral bronchospasm consequently after unilateral
      bronchospasm (Korean J Anesthesiol 2013 December 65(6 Suppl): S28-S29).
AB  - [This corrects the article on p. S28 in vol. 65, PMID: 24478860.]. 

PMID- 26257861
TI  - Synthesis and evaluation of a series of resveratrol analogues as potent anti
      cancer agents that target tubulin.
AB  - A series of novel diarylacrylonitrile and trans-stilbene analogues of resveratrol
      has been synthesized and evaluated for their anticancer activities against a
      panel of 60 human cancer cell lines. The diarylacrylonitrile analogues 3b and 4a
      exhibited the most potent anticancer activity of all the analogues synthesized in
      this study, with GI50 values of < 10 nM against almost all the cell lines in the
      human cancer cell panel. Compounds 3b and 4a were also screened against the acute
      myeloid leukemia (AML) cell line, MV4-11, and were found to have potent cytotoxic
      properties that are likely mediated through inhibition of tubulin polymerization.
      Results from molecular docking studies indicate a common binding site for 4a and
      3b on the 3,3-tubulin heterodimer, with a slightly more favorable binding for 3b
      compared to 4a; this is consistent with the results from the microtubule assays,
      which demonstrate that 4a is more potent than 3b in inhibiting tubulin
      polymerization in MV4-11 cells. Taken together, these data suggest that
      diarylacrylonitriles 3b and 4a may have potential as antitubulin therapeutics for
      treatment of both solid and hematological tumors.

PMID- 26257862
TI  - Involvement of adiponectin in the pathogenesis of dystrophinopathy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The hormone adiponectin (ApN) is decreased in the metabolic syndrome,
      where it plays a key pathogenic role. ApN also exerts some anti-inflammatory
      effects on skeletal muscles in mice exposed to acute or chronic inflammation.
      Here, we investigate whether ApN could be sufficiently potent to counteract a
      severe degenerative muscle disease, with an inflammatory component such as
      Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). METHODS: Mdx mice (a DMD model caused by
      dystrophin mutation) were crossed with mice overexpressing ApN in order to
      generate mdx-ApN mice; only littermates were used. Different markers of
      inflammation/oxidative stress and components of signaling pathways were studied.
      Global force was assessed by in vivo functional tests, and muscle injury with
      Evans Blue Dye (EBD). Eventually, primary cultures of human myotubes were used.
      RESULTS: Circulating ApN was markedly diminished in mdx mice. Replenishment of
      ApN strikingly reduced muscle inflammation, oxidative stress, and enhanced the
      expression of myogenic differentiation markers along with that of utrophin A (a
      dystrophin analog) in mdx-ApN mice. Accordingly, mdx-ApN mice exhibited higher
      global force and endurance as well as decreased muscle damage as quantified by
      curtailed extravasation of EBD in myofibers. These beneficial effects of ApN were
      recapitulated in human myotubes. ApN mediates its protection via the adiponectin
      receptor 1 (AdipoR1, the main ApN receptor in muscle) and the AMPK-SIRT1-PGC
      1alpha signaling pathway, leading to downregulation of the nuclear factor kappa B
      (NF-kappaB) and inflammatory genes, together with upregulation of utrophin.
      CONCLUSIONS: Adiponectin proves to be an extremely powerful hormone capable of
      protecting the skeletal muscle against inflammation and injury, thereby offering
      novel therapeutic perspectives for dystrophinopathies.

PMID- 26257863
TI  - Imaging in neuroendocrine tumors: an update for the clinician.
AB  - Neuroendocrine tumors are a heterogeneous group of neoplasms that are best worked
      up and managed using a variety of clinical and imaging studies. They are often
      diagnosed after they have already metastasized, though this does not necessarily
      preclude an attempt at curative surgical treatment or surgical debulking. Tumor
      burden assessment often requires use of multiple imaging modalities including
      computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound. Somatostatin
      receptor-based imaging is also of great utility in looking for primaries and
      determining the extent of metastatic disease. This paper will review the most
      common imaging modalities used in the diagnosis and treatment of neuroendocrine
      tumors.

PMID- 26257865
TI  - Exploring seascape genetics and kinship in the reef sponge Stylissa carteri in
      the Red Sea.
AB  - A main goal of population geneticists is to study patterns of gene flow to gain a
      better understanding of the population structure in a given organism. To date
      most efforts have been focused on studying gene flow at either broad scales to
      identify barriers to gene flow and isolation by distance or at fine spatial
      scales in order to gain inferences regarding reproduction and local dispersal.
      Few studies have measured connectivity at multiple spatial scales and have
      utilized novel tools to test the influence of both environment and geography on
      shaping gene flow in an organism. Here a seascape genetics approach was used to
      gain insight regarding geographic and ecological barriers to gene flow of a
      common reef sponge, Stylissa carteri in the Red Sea. Furthermore, a small-scale
      (<1 km) analysis was also conducted to infer reproductive potential in this
      organism. At the broad scale, we found that sponge connectivity is not structured
      by geography alone, but rather, genetic isolation in the southern Red Sea
      correlates strongly with environmental heterogeneity. At the scale of a 50-m
      transect, spatial autocorrelation analyses and estimates of full-siblings
      revealed that there is no deviation from random mating. However, at slightly
      larger scales (100-200 m) encompassing multiple transects at a given site, a
      greater proportion of full-siblings was found within sites versus among sites in
      a given location suggesting that mating and/or dispersal are constrained to some
      extent at this spatial scale. This study adds to the growing body of literature
      suggesting that environmental and ecological variables play a major role in the
      genetic structure of marine invertebrate populations. 

PMID- 26257864
TI  - Liver cancer oncogenomics: opportunities and dilemmas for clinical applications.
AB  - Primary liver cancers are among the most rapidly evolving malignant tumors
      worldwide. An underlying chronic inflammatory liver disease, which precedes liver
      cancer development for several decades and frequently creates a pro-oncogenic
      microenvironment, impairs progress in therapeutic approaches. Molecular
      heterogeneity of liver cancer is potentiated by a crosstalk between epithelial
      tumor and stromal cells that complicate translational efforts to unravel
      molecular mechanisms of hepatocarcinogenesis with a drugable intend. Next
      generation sequencing has greatly advanced our understanding of cancer
      development. With regards to liver cancer, the unprecedented coverage of next
      generation sequencing has created a detailed map of genetic alterations and
      identified key somatic changes such as CTNNB1 and TP53 as well as several
      previously unrecognized recurrent disease-causing alterations that could
      contribute to new therapeutic approaches. Importantly, these investigations
      indicate that a classical oncogene addiction cannot be assumed for primary liver
      cancer. Therefore, hepatocarcinogenesis can be considered a paradigm suitable for
      individualized medicine.

PMID- 26257866
TI  - Evaluation of habitat suitability index models by global sensitivity and
      uncertainty analyses: a case study for submerged aquatic vegetation.
AB  - Habitat suitability index (HSI) models are commonly used to predict habitat
      quality and species distributions and are used to develop biological surveys,
      assess reserve and management priorities, and anticipate possible change under
      different management or climate change scenarios. Important management decisions
      may be based on model results, often without a clear understanding of the level
      of uncertainty associated with model outputs. We present an integrated
      methodology to assess the propagation of uncertainty from both inputs and
      structure of the HSI models on model outputs (uncertainty analysis: UA) and
      relative importance of uncertain model inputs and their interactions on the model
      output uncertainty (global sensitivity analysis: GSA). We illustrate the GSA/UA
      framework using simulated hydrology input data from a hydrodynamic model
      representing sea level changes and HSI models for two species of submerged
      aquatic vegetation (SAV) in southwest Everglades National Park: Vallisneria
      americana (tape grass) and Halodule wrightii (shoal grass). We found considerable
      spatial variation in uncertainty for both species, but distributions of HSI
      scores still allowed discrimination of sites with good versus poor conditions.
      Ranking of input parameter sensitivities also varied spatially for both species,
      with high habitat quality sites showing higher sensitivity to different
      parameters than low-quality sites. HSI models may be especially useful when
      species distribution data are unavailable, providing means of exploiting widely
      available environmental datasets to model past, current, and future habitat
      conditions. The GSA/UA approach provides a general method for better
      understanding HSI model dynamics, the spatial and temporal variation in
      uncertainties, and the parameters that contribute most to model uncertainty.
      Including an uncertainty and sensitivity analysis in modeling efforts as part of
      the decision-making framework will result in better-informed, more robust
      decisions. 

PMID- 26257867
TI  - Environmental factors prevail over dispersal constraints in determining the
      distribution and assembly of Trichoptera species in mountain lakes.
AB  - Aiming to elucidate whether large-scale dispersal factors or environmental
      species sorting prevail in determining patterns of Trichoptera species
      composition in mountain lakes, we analyzed the distribution and assembly of the
      most common Trichoptera (Plectrocnemia laetabilis, Polycentropus flavomaculatus,
      Drusus rectus, Annitella pyrenaea, and Mystacides azurea) in the mountain lakes
      of the Pyrenees (Spain, France, Andorra) based on a survey of 82 lakes covering
      the geographical and environmental extremes of the lake district. Spatial
      autocorrelation in species composition was determined using Moran's eigenvector
      maps (MEM). Redundancy analysis (RDA) was applied to explore the influence of MEM
      variables and in-lake, and catchment environmental variables on Trichoptera
      assemblages. Variance partitioning analysis (partial RDA) revealed the fraction
      of species composition variation that could be attributed uniquely to either
      environmental variability or MEM variables. Finally, the distribution of
      individual species was analyzed in relation to specific environmental factors
      using binomial generalized linear models (GLM). Trichoptera assemblages showed
      spatial structure. However, the most relevant environmental variables in the RDA
      (i.e., temperature and woody vegetation in-lake catchments) were also related
      with spatial variables (i.e., altitude and longitude). Partial RDA revealed that
      the fraction of variation in species composition that was uniquely explained by
      environmental variability was larger than that uniquely explained by MEM
      variables. GLM results showed that the distribution of species with longitudinal
      bias is related to specific environmental factors with geographical trend. The
      environmental dependence found agrees with the particular traits of each species.
      We conclude that Trichoptera species distribution and composition in the lakes of
      the Pyrenees are governed predominantly by local environmental factors, rather
      than by dispersal constraints. For boreal lakes, with similar environmental
      conditions, a strong role of dispersal capacity has been suggested. Further
      investigation should address the role of spatial scaling, namely absolute
      geographical distances constraining dispersal and steepness of environmental
      gradients at short distances. 

PMID- 26257868
TI  - Host-associated differentiation in a highly polyphagous, sexually reproducing
      insect herbivore.
AB  - Insect herbivores may undergo genetic divergence on their host plants through
      host-associated differentiation (HAD). Much of what we know about HAD involves
      insect species with narrow host ranges (i.e., specialists) that spend part or all
      their life cycle inside their hosts, and/or reproduce asexually (e.g.,
      parthenogenetic insects), all of which are thought to facilitate HAD. However,
      sexually reproducing polyphagous insects can also exhibit HAD. Few sexually
      reproducing insects have been tested for HAD, and when they have insects from
      only a handful of potential host-plant populations have been tested, making it
      difficult to predict how common HAD is when one considers the entire species'
      host range. This question is particularly relevant when considering insect pests,
      as host-associated populations may differ in traits relevant to their control.
      Here, we tested for HAD in a cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) pest, the cotton
      fleahopper (CFH) (Pseudatomoscelis seriatus), a sexually reproducing, highly
      polyphagous hemipteran insect. A previous study detected one incidence of HAD
      among three of its host plants. We used Amplified fragment length polymorphism
      (AFLP) markers to assess HAD in CFH collected from an expanded array of 13 host
      plant species belonging to seven families. Overall, four genetically distinct
      populations were found. One genetically distinct genotype was exclusively
      associated with one of the host-plant species while the other three were observed
      across more than one host-plant species. The relatively low degree of HAD in CFH
      compared to the pea aphid, another hemipteran insect, stresses the likely
      importance of sexual recombination as a factor increasing the likelihood of HAD. 

PMID- 26257869
TI  - Integration and scaling of UV-B radiation effects on plants: from DNA to leaf.
AB  - A process-based model integrating the effects of UV-B radiation through
      epidermis, cellular DNA, and its consequences to the leaf expansion was developed
      from key parameters in the published literature. Enhanced UV-B radiation-induced
      DNA damage significantly delayed cell division, resulting in significant
      reductions in leaf growth and development. Ambient UV-B radiation-induced DNA
      damage significantly reduced the leaf growth of species with high relative
      epidermal absorbance at longer wavelengths and average/low pyrimidine cyclobutane
      dimers (CPD) photorepair rates. Leaf expansion was highly dependent on the number
      of CPD present in the DNA, as a result of UV-B radiation dose, quantitative and
      qualitative absorptive properties of epidermal pigments, and repair mechanisms.
      Formation of pyrimidine-pyrimidone (6-4) photoproducts (6-4PP) has no effect on
      the leaf expansion. Repair mechanisms could not solely prevent the UV-B radiation
      interference with the cell division. Avoidance or effective shielding by
      increased or modified qualitative epidermal absorptance was required. Sustained
      increased UV-B radiation levels are more detrimental than short, high doses of UV
      B radiation. The combination of low temperature and increased UV-B radiation was
      more significant in the level of UV-B radiation-induced damage than UV-B
      radiation alone. Slow-growing leaves were more affected by increased UV-B
      radiation than fast-growing leaves. 

PMID- 26257870
TI  - Effects of grass species and grass growth on atmospheric nitrogen deposition to a
      bog ecosystem surrounded by intensive agricultural land use.
AB  - We applied a (15)N dilution technique called "Integrated Total Nitrogen Input"
      (ITNI) to quantify annual atmospheric N input into a peatland surrounded by
      intensive agricultural practices over a 2-year period. Grass species and grass
      growth effects on atmospheric N deposition were investigated using Lolium
      multiflorum and Eriophorum vaginatum and different levels of added N resulting in
      increased biomass production. Plant biomass production was positively correlated
      with atmospheric N uptake (up to 102.7 mg N pot(-1)) when using Lolium
      multiflorum. In contrast, atmospheric N deposition to Eriophorum vaginatum did
      not show a clear dependency to produced biomass and ranged from 81.9 to 138.2 mg
      N pot(-1). Both species revealed a relationship between atmospheric N input and
      total biomass N contents. Airborne N deposition varied from about 24 to 55 kg N
      ha(-1) yr(-1). Partitioning of airborne N within the monitor system differed such
      that most of the deposited N was found in roots of Eriophorum vaginatum while the
      highest share was allocated in aboveground biomass of Lolium multiflorum.
      Compared to other approaches determining atmospheric N deposition, ITNI showed
      highest airborne N input and an up to fivefold exceedance of the ecosystem
      specific critical load of 5-10 kg N ha(-1) yr(-1). 

PMID- 26257871
TI  - The evolution of obligate sex: the roles of sexual selection and recombination.
AB  - The evolution of sex is one of the greatest mysteries in evolutionary biology. An
      even greater mystery is the evolution of obligate sex, particularly when
      competing with facultative sex and not with complete asexuality. Here, we develop
      a stochastic simulation of an obligate allele invading a facultative population,
      where males are subject to sexual selection. We identify a range of parameters
      where sexual selection can contribute to the evolution of obligate sex:
      Especially when the cost of sex is low, mutation rate is high, and the
      facultative individuals do not reproduce sexually very often. The advantage of
      obligate sex becomes larger in the absence of recombination. Surprisingly,
      obligate sex can take over even when the population has a lower mean fitness as a
      result. We show that this is due to the high success of obligate males that can
      compensate the cost of sex. 

PMID- 26257872
TI  - BEMOVI, software for extracting behavior and morphology from videos, illustrated
      with analyses of microbes.
AB  - Microbes are critical components of ecosystems and provide vital services (e.g.,
      photosynthesis, decomposition, nutrient recycling). From the diverse roles
      microbes play in natural ecosystems, high levels of functional diversity result.
      Quantifying this diversity is challenging, because it is weakly associated with
      morphological differentiation. In addition, the small size of microbes hinders
      morphological and behavioral measurements at the individual level, as well as
      interactions between individuals. Advances in microbial community genetics and
      genomics, flow cytometry and digital analysis of still images are promising
      approaches. They miss out, however, on a very important aspect of populations and
      communities: the behavior of individuals. Video analysis complements these
      methods by providing in addition to abundance and trait measurements, detailed
      behavioral information, capturing dynamic processes such as movement, and hence
      has the potential to describe the interactions between individuals. We introduce
      BEMOVI, a package using the R and ImageJ software, to extract abundance,
      morphology, and movement data for tens to thousands of individuals in a video.
      Through a set of functions BEMOVI identifies individuals present in a video,
      reconstructs their movement trajectories through space and time, and merges this
      information into a single database. BEMOVI is a modular set of functions, which
      can be customized to allow for peculiarities of the videos to be analyzed, in
      terms of organisms features (e.g., morphology or movement) and how they can be
      distinguished from the background. We illustrate the validity and accuracy of the
      method with an example on experimental multispecies communities of aquatic
      protists. We show high correspondence between manual and automatic counts and
      illustrate how simultaneous time series of abundance, morphology, and behavior
      are obtained from BEMOVI. We further demonstrate how the trait data can be used
      with machine learning to automatically classify individuals into species and that
      information on movement behavior improves the predictive ability. 

PMID- 26257873
TI  - Effects of the Epichloe fungal endophyte symbiosis with Schedonorus pratensis on
      host grass invasiveness.
AB  - Initial studies of grass-endophyte mutualisms using Schedonorus arundinaceus
      cultivar Kentucky-31 infected with the vertically transmitted endophyte Epichloe
      coenophiala found strong, positive endophyte effects on host-grass invasion
      success. However, more recent work using different cultivars of S. arundinaceus
      has cast doubt on the ubiquity of this effect, at least as it pertains to S.
      arundinaceus-E. coenophiala. We investigated the generality of previous work on
      vertically transmitted Epichloe-associated grass invasiveness by studying a pair
      of very closely related species: S. pratensis and E. uncinata. Seven cultivars of
      S. pratensis and two cultivars of S. arundinaceus that were developed with high-
      or low-endophyte infection rate were broadcast seeded into 2 * 2-m plots in a
      tilled, old-field grassland community in a completely randomized block design.
      Schedonorus abundance, endophyte infection rate, and co-occurring vegetation were
      sampled 3, 4, 5, and 6 years after establishment, and the aboveground
      invertebrate community was sampled in S. pratensis plots 3 and 4 years after
      establishment. Endophyte infection did not enable the host grass to achieve high
      abundance in the plant community. Contrary to expectations, high-endophyte S.
      pratensis increased plant richness relative to low-endophyte cultivars. However,
      as expected, high-endophyte S. pratensis marginally decreased invertebrate taxon
      richness. Endophyte effects on vegetation and invertebrate community composition
      were inconsistent among cultivars and were weaker than temporal effects. The
      effect of the grass-Epichloe symbiosis on diversity is not generalizable, but
      rather specific to species, cultivar, infection, and potentially site. Examining
      grass-endophyte systems using multiple cultivars and species replicated among
      sites will be important to determine the range of conditions in which endophyte
      associations benefit host grass performance and have subsequent effects on co
      occurring biotic communities. 

PMID- 26257874
TI  - Variation in freshwater fish assemblages along a regional elevation gradient in
      the northern Andes, Colombia.
AB  - Studies on elevation diversity gradients have covered a large number of taxa and
      regions throughout the world; however, studies of freshwater fish are scarce and
      restricted to examining their changes along a specific gradient. These studies
      have reported a monotonic decrease in species richness with increasing elevation,
      but ignore the high taxonomic differentiation of each headwater assemblage that
      may generate high beta-diversity among them. Here, we analyzed how fish
      assemblages vary with elevation among regional elevation bands, and how these
      changes are related to four environmental clines and to changes in the
      distribution, habitat use, and the morphology of fish species. Using a
      standardized field sampling technique, we assessed three different diversity and
      two structural assemblage measures across six regional elevation bands located in
      the northern Andes (Colombia). Each species was assigned to a functional group
      based on its body shape, habitat use, morphological, and/or behavioral
      adaptations. Additionally, at each sampling site, we measured four environmental
      variables. Our analyses showed: (1) After a monotonic decrease in species
      richness, we detected an increase in richness in the upper part of the gradient;
      (2) diversity patterns vary depending on the diversity measure used; (3)
      diversity patterns can be attributed to changes in species distribution and in
      the richness and proportions of functional groups along the regional elevation
      gradient; and (4) diversity patterns and changes in functional groups are highly
      correlated with variations in environmental variables, which also vary with
      elevation. These results suggest a novel pattern of variation in species richness
      with elevation: Species richness increases at the headwaters of the northern
      Andes owing to the cumulative number of endemic species there. This highlights
      the need for large-scale studies and has important implications for the aquatic
      conservation of the region. 

PMID- 26257875
TI  - Temporal dynamics of seed excretion by wild ungulates: implications for plant
      dispersal.
AB  - Dispersal is a key process in metapopulation dynamics as it conditions species'
      spatial responses to gradients of abiotic and biotic conditions and triggers
      individual and gene flows. In the numerous plants that are dispersed through seed
      consumption by herbivores (endozoochory), the distance and effectiveness of
      dispersal is determined by the combined effects of seed retention time in the
      vector's digestive system, the spatial extent of its movements, and the ability
      of the seeds to germinate once released. Estimating these three parameters from
      experimental data is therefore crucial to calibrate mechanistic metacommunity
      models of plant-herbivore interactions. In this study, we jointly estimated the
      retention time and germination probability of six herbaceous plants transported
      by roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), red deer (Cervus elaphus), and wild boar (Sus
      scrofa) through feeding experiments and a Bayesian dynamic model. Retention time
      was longer in the nonruminant wild boar (>36 h) than in the two ruminant species
      (roe deer: 18-36 h, red deer: 3-36 h). In the two ruminants, but not in wild
      boar, small and round seeds were excreted faster than large ones. Low germination
      probabilities of the excreted seeds reflected the high cost imposed by
      endozoochory on plant survival. Trait-mediated variations in retention time and
      germination probability among animal and plant species may impact plant dispersal
      distances and interact with biotic and abiotic conditions at the release site to
      shape the spatial patterns of dispersed plant species. 

PMID- 26257876
TI  - Application of a Bayesian nonparametric model to derive toxicity estimates based
      on the response of Antarctic microbial communities to fuel-contaminated soil.
AB  - Ecotoxicology is primarily concerned with predicting the effects of toxic
      substances on the biological components of the ecosystem. In remote, high
      latitude environments such as Antarctica, where field work is logistically
      difficult and expensive, and where access to adequate numbers of soil
      invertebrates is limited and response times of biota are slow, appropriate
      modeling tools using microbial community responses can be valuable as an
      alternative to traditional single-species toxicity tests. In this study, we apply
      a Bayesian nonparametric model to a soil microbial data set acquired across a
      hydrocarbon contamination gradient at the site of a fuel spill in Antarctica. We
      model community change in terms of OTUs (operational taxonomic units) in response
      to a range of total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) concentrations. The Shannon
      diversity of the microbial community, clustering of OTUs into groups with similar
      behavior with respect to TPH, and effective concentration values at level x,
      which represent the TPH concentration that causes x% change in the community, are
      presented. This model is broadly applicable to other complex data sets with
      similar data structure and inferential requirements on the response of
      communities to environmental parameters and stressors. 

PMID- 26257877
TI  - Wind-mediated horseweed (Conyza canadensis) gene flow: pollen emission,
      dispersion, and deposition.
AB  - Horseweed (Conyza canadensis) is a problem weed in crop production because of its
      evolved resistance to glyphosate and other herbicides. Although horseweed is
      mainly self-pollinating, glyphosate-resistant (GR) horseweed can pollinate
      glyphosate-susceptible (GS) horseweed. To the best of our knowledge, however,
      there are no available data on horseweed pollen production, dispersion, and
      deposition relative to gene flow and the evolution of resistance. To help fill
      this knowledge gap, a 43-day field study was performed in Champaign, Illinois,
      USA in 2013 to characterize horseweed atmospheric pollen emission, dispersion,
      and deposition. Pollen concentration and deposition, coupled with atmospheric
      data, were measured in a source field (180 m by 46 m) and its surrounding areas
      up to 1 km downwind horizontally and up to 100 m vertically. The source strength
      (emission rate) ranged from 0 to 140 pollen grains per plant per second (1170 to
      2.1*10(6) per plant per day). For the life of the study, the estimated number of
      pollen grains generated from this source field was 10.5*10(10) (2.3*10(6) per
      plant). The release of horseweed pollen was not strongly correlated to
      meteorological data and may be mainly determined by horseweed physiology.
      Horseweed pollen reached heights of 80 to100 m, making long-distance transport
      possible. Normalized (by source data) pollen deposition with distance followed a
      negative-power exponential curve. Normalized pollen deposition was 2.5% even at
      480 m downwind from the source edge. Correlation analysis showed that close to or
      inside the source field at lower heights (<=3 m) vertical transport was related
      to vertical wind speed, while horizontal pollen transport was related to
      horizontal wind speed. High relative humidity prevented pollen transport at
      greater heights (3-100 m) and longer distances (0-1000 m) from the source. This
      study can contribute to the understanding of how herbicide-resistance weeds or
      invasive plants affect ecology through wind-mediated pollination and invasion. 

PMID- 26257878
TI  - Consumer trait variation influences tritrophic interactions in salt marsh
      communities.
AB  - The importance of intraspecific variation has emerged as a key question in
      community ecology, helping to bridge the gap between ecology and evolution.
      Although much of this work has focused on plant species, recent syntheses have
      highlighted the prevalence and potential importance of morphological, behavioral,
      and life history variation within animals for ecological and evolutionary
      processes. Many small-bodied consumers live on the plant that they consume, often
      resulting in host plant-associated trait variation within and across consumer
      species. Given the central position of consumer species within tritrophic food
      webs, such consumer trait variation may play a particularly important role in
      mediating trophic dynamics, including trophic cascades. In this study, we used a
      series of field surveys and laboratory experiments to document intraspecific
      trait variation in a key consumer species, the marsh periwinkle Littoraria
      irrorata, based on its host plant species (Spartina alterniflora or Juncus
      roemerianus) in a mixed species assemblage. We then conducted a 12-week mesocosm
      experiment to examine the effects of Littoraria trait variation on plant
      community structure and dynamics in a tritrophic salt marsh food web. Littoraria
      from different host plant species varied across a suite of morphological and
      behavioral traits. These consumer trait differences interacted with plant
      community composition and predator presence to affect overall plant stem height,
      as well as differentially alter the density and biomass of the two key plant
      species in this system. Whether due to genetic differences or phenotypic
      plasticity, trait differences between consumer types had significant ecological
      consequences for the tritrophic marsh food web over seasonal time scales. By
      altering the cascading effects of the top predator on plant community structure
      and dynamics, consumer differences may generate a feedback over longer time
      scales, which in turn influences the degree of trait divergence in subsequent
      consumer populations. 

PMID- 26257879
TI  - Discovery-dominance trade-off among widespread invasive ant species.
AB  - Ants are among the most problematic invasive species. They displace numerous
      native species, alter ecosystem processes, and can have negative impacts on
      agriculture and human health. In part, their success might stem from a departure
      from the discovery-dominance trade-off that can promote co-existence in native
      ant communities, that is, invasive ants are thought to be at the same time
      behaviorally dominant and faster discoverers of resources, compared to native
      species. However, it has not yet been tested whether similar asymmetries in
      behavioral dominance, exploration, and recruitment abilities also exist among
      invasive species. Here, we establish a dominance hierarchy among four of the most
      problematic invasive ants (Linepithema humile, Lasius neglectus, Wasmannia
      auropunctata, Pheidole megacephala) that may be able to arrive and establish in
      the same areas in the future. To assess behavioral dominance, we used
      confrontation experiments, testing the aggressiveness in individual and group
      interactions between all species pairs. In addition, to compare discovery
      efficiency, we tested the species' capacity to locate a food resource in a maze,
      and the capacity to recruit nestmates to exploit a food resource. The four
      species differed greatly in their capacity to discover resources and to recruit
      nestmates and to dominate the other species. Our results are consistent with a
      discovery-dominance trade-off. The species that showed the highest level of
      interspecific aggressiveness and dominance during dyadic interactions. 

PMID- 26257880
TI  - Temporal autocorrelation in host density increases establishment success of
      parasitoids in an experimental system.
AB  - Environmental variation is classically expected to affect negatively population
      growth and to increase extinction risk, and it has been identified as a major
      determinant of establishment failures in the field. Yet, recent theoretical
      investigations have shown that the structure of environmental variation and more
      precisely the presence of positive temporal autocorrelation might alter this
      prediction. This is particularly likely to affect the establishment dynamics of
      biological control agents in the field, as host-parasitoid interactions are
      expected to induce temporal autocorrelation in host abundance. In the case where
      parasitoid populations display overcompensatory dynamics, the presence of such
      positive temporal autocorrelation should increase their establishment success in
      a variable environment. We tested this prediction in laboratory microcosms by
      introducing parasitoids to hosts whose abundances were manipulated to simulate
      uncorrelated or positively autocorrelated variations in carrying capacity. We
      found that environmental variability decreased population size and increased
      parasitoid population variance, which is classically expected to extinction risk.
      However, although exposed to significant environmental variation, we found that
      parasitoid populations experiencing positive temporal autocorrelation in host
      abundance were more likely to persist than populations exposed to uncorrelated
      variation. These results confirm that environmental variation is a key
      determinant of extinction dynamics that can have counterintuitive effects
      depending on its autocorrelation structure. 

PMID- 26257881
TI  - Detectability of landscape effects on recolonization increases with regional
      population density.
AB  - Variation in population size over time can influence our ability to identify
      landscape-moderated differences in community assembly. To date, however, most
      studies at the landscape scale only cover snapshots in time, thereby overlooking
      the temporal dynamics of populations and communities. In this paper, we present
      data that illustrate how temporal variation in population density at a regional
      scale can influence landscape-moderated variation in recolonization and
      population buildup in disturbed habitat patches. Four common insect species, two
      omnivores and two herbivores, were monitored over 8 years in 10 willow short
      rotation coppice bio-energy stands with a four-year disturbance regime (coppice
      cycle). The population densities in these regularly disturbed stands were
      compared to densities in 17 undisturbed natural Salix cinerea (grey willow)
      stands in the same region. A time series approach was used, utilizing the natural
      variation between years to statistically model recolonization as a function of
      landscape composition under two different levels of regional density. Landscape
      composition, i.e. relative amount of forest vs. open agricultural habitats,
      largely determined the density of re-colonizing populations following willow
      coppicing in three of the four species. However, the impact of landscape
      composition was not detectable in years with low regional density. Our results
      illustrate that landscape-moderated recolonization can change over time and that
      considering the temporal dynamics of populations may be crucial when designing
      and evaluating studies at landscape level. 

PMID- 26257882
TI  - Differences in style length confer prezygotic isolation between two dioecious
      species of Silene in sympatry.
AB  - One fundamental signature of reinforcement is elevated prezygotic reproductive
      isolation between related species in sympatry relative to allopatry. However,
      this alone is inadequate evidence for reinforcement, as traits conferring
      reproductive isolation can occur as a by-product of other forces. We conducted
      crosses between Silene latifolia and S. diclinis, two closely related dioecious
      flowering plant species. Crosses with S. latifolia mothers from sympatry
      exhibited lower seed set than mothers from five allopatric populations when S.
      diclinis was the father. However, two other allopatric populations also exhibited
      low seed set. A significant interaction between style length and sire species
      revealed that seed set declined as style length increased when interspecific, but
      not intraspecific, fathers where used. Moreover, by varying the distance pollen
      tubes had to traverse, we found interspecific pollen placement close to the ovary
      resulted in seed set in both long- and short-styled S. latifolia mothers. Our
      results reveal that the long styles of S. latifolia in sympatry with S. diclinis
      contribute to the prevention of hybrid formation. We argue that forces other than
      reinforcing selection are likely to be responsible for the differences in style
      length seen in sympatry. 

PMID- 26257883
TI  - Inbreeding and adaptive plasticity: an experimental analysis on predator-induced
      responses in the water flea Daphnia.
AB  - Several studies have emphasized that inbreeding depression (ID) is enhanced under
      stressful conditions. Additionally, one might imagine a loss of adaptively
      plastic responses which may further contribute to a reduction in fitness under
      environmental stress. Here, we quantified ID in inbred families of the cyclical
      parthenogen Daphnia magna in the absence and presence of fish predation risk. We
      test whether predator stress affects the degree of ID and if inbred families have
      a reduced capacity to respond to predator stress by adaptive phenotypic
      plasticity. We obtained two inbred families through clonal selfing within clones
      isolated from a fish pond. After mild purging under standardized conditions, we
      compared life history traits and adaptive plasticity between inbred and outbred
      lineages (directly hatched from the natural dormant egg bank of the same pond).
      Initial purging of lineages under standardized conditions differed among inbred
      families and exceeded that in outbreds. The least purged inbred family exhibited
      strong ID for most life history traits. Predator-induced stress hardly affected
      the severity of ID, but the degree to which the capacity for adaptive phenotypic
      plasticity was retained varied strongly among the inbred families. The least
      purged family overall lacked the capacity for adaptive phenotypic plasticity,
      whereas the family that suffered only mild purging exhibited a potential for
      adaptive plasticity that was comparable to the outbred population. We thus found
      that inbred offspring may retain the capacity to respond to the presence of fish
      by adaptive phenotypic plasticity, but this strongly depends on the parental
      clone engaging in selfing. 

PMID- 26257884
TI  - Identifying signatures of sexual selection using genomewide selection components
      analysis.
AB  - Sexual selection must affect the genome for it to have an evolutionary impact,
      yet signatures of selection remain elusive. Here we use an individual-based model
      to investigate the utility of genome-wide selection components analysis, which
      compares allele frequencies of individuals at different life history stages
      within a single population to detect selection without requiring a priori
      knowledge of traits under selection. We modeled a diploid, sexually reproducing
      population and introduced strong mate choice on a quantitative trait to simulate
      sexual selection. Genome-wide allele frequencies in adults and offspring were
      compared using weighted F ST values. The average number of outlier peaks (i.e.,
      those with significantly large F ST values) with a quantitative trait locus in
      close proximity ("real" peaks) represented correct diagnoses of loci under
      selection, whereas peaks above the F ST significance threshold without a
      quantitative trait locus reflected spurious peaks. We found that, even with
      moderate sample sizes, signatures of strong sexual selection were detectable, but
      larger sample sizes improved detection rates. The model was better able to detect
      selection with more neutral markers, and when quantitative trait loci and neutral
      markers were distributed across multiple chromosomes. Although environmental
      variation decreased detection rates, the identification of real peaks
      nevertheless remained feasible. We also found that detection rates can be
      improved by sampling multiple populations experiencing similar selection regimes.
      In short, genome-wide selection components analysis is a challenging but feasible
      approach for the identification of regions of the genome under selection. 

PMID- 26236464
TI  - Anterior and posterior subareas of the dorsolateral frontal cortex in socially
      relevant decisions based on masked affect expressions.
AB  - Socially-relevant decisions are based on clearly recognizable but also not
      consciously accessible affective stimuli. We studied the role of the dorsolateral
      frontal cortex (DLFC) in decision-making on masked affect expressions using
      functional magnetic resonance imaging. Our paradigm permitted us to capture brain
      activity during a pre-decision phase when the subjects viewed emotional
      expressions below the threshold of subjective awareness, and during the decision
      phase, which was based on verbal descriptions as the choice criterion. Using meta
      analytic connectivity modeling, we found that the preparatory phase of the
      decision was associated with activity in a right-posterior portion of the DLFC
      featuring co-activations in the left-inferior frontal cortex. During the
      subsequent decision a right-anterior and more dorsal portion of the DLFC became
      activated, exhibiting a different co-activation pattern. These results provide
      evidence for partially independent sub-regions within the DLFC, supporting the
      notion of dual associative processes in intuitive judgments.

PMID- 26257889
TI  - Chemical Synthesis of the Tumor-Associated Globo H Antigen.
AB  - A derivative of the tumor-associated globo H antigen, a complex hexasaccharide,
      was synthesized by a convergent and efficient [3+2+1] strategy using various
      glycosylation methods. All glycosylation reactions afforded good to excellent
      yields and outstanding stereoselectivity, including the installation of cis alpha
      linked D-galactose and L-fucose. The longest linear sequence for this synthesis
      was 11 steps from a galactose derivative 11 to give an overall yield of 2.6%. The
      synthetic target had a free and reactive amino group at the glycan reducing end,
      facilitating its conjugation with other molecules for various applications.

PMID- 26257888
TI  - Characterization of the Binding of the Finland Trityl Radical with Bovine Serum
      Albumin.
AB  - Understanding the interactions of trityl radicals with proteins is required to
      expand their biomedical applications. In this work, we demonstrate that the
      Finland trityl radical CT-03 binds to bovine serum albumin (BSA) in aqueous
      solution. Upon binding with BSA, CT-03 exhibits a much broader electron
      paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signal and this line broadening can be reversed by
      proteolysis of the BSA. The binding induces a red-shift of the maximal UV-Vis
      absorbance wavelength of CT-03 around 470 nm, likely due to localization of CT-03
      in the relatively hydrophobic region of the protein. The interaction between CT
      03 and BSA is driven by a hydrophobic interaction with an estimated binding
      constant of 2.18 *105 M-1 at 298 K. Furthermore, only one CT-03 is bound to each
      molecule of BSA and the binding site is determined to be the sub-domain IIA
      (Sudlow's site I). This protein binding of the trityl probe to albumin can be
      used to study the structure and function of albumin and also must be considered
      for its use as an in vivo imaging agent or spin label.

PMID- 26257890
TI  - Purification and Structural Characterization of "Simple Catechol", the NGAL
      Siderocalin Siderophore in Human Urine.
AB  - The identification of ligands that bind the protein Neutrophil Gelatinase
      Associated Lipocalin (NGAL, Siderocalin, Lipocalin-2) have helped to elucidate
      its function. NGAL-Siderocalin binds and sequesters the iron loaded bacterial
      siderophore enterochelin (Ent), defining the protein as an innate immune
      effector. Simple metabolic catechols can also form tight complexes with NGAL
      Siderocalin and ferric iron, suggesting that the protein may act as an iron
      scavenger even in the absence of Ent. While different catechols have been
      detected in human urine, they have not been directly purified from a biofluid and
      demonstrated to ligate iron with NGAL-Siderocalin. This paper describes a
      "natural products" approach to identify small molecules that mediate iron binding
      to NGAL-Siderocalin. A 10K filtrate of human urine was subjected to multiple
      steps of column chromatography and reverse-phase HPLC, guided by NGAL-Siderocalin
      iron binding assays and LC-MS detection. The co-factor forming a ternary
      structure with iron and NGAL-Siderocalin was identified as authentic simple
      catechol (dihydroxybenze) by ESI-HR-Mass, UV, and NMR spectrometric analysis.
      Comparison of the binding strengths of different catechols demonstrated that the
      vicinal-dihydroxyl groups were the key functional groups and that steric
      compatibilities of the catechol ring have the strongest effect on binding.
      Although catechol was a known NGAL-Siderocalin co-factor, our purification
      directly confirmed its presence in urine as well as its capacity to serve as an
      iron trap with NGAL-Siderocalin.

PMID- 26236464
TI  - Anterior and posterior subareas of the dorsolateral frontal cortex in socially
      relevant decisions based on masked affect expressions.
AB  - Socially-relevant decisions are based on clearly recognizable but also not
      consciously accessible affective stimuli. We studied the role of the dorsolateral
      frontal cortex (DLFC) in decision-making on masked affect expressions using
      functional magnetic resonance imaging. Our paradigm permitted us to capture brain
      activity during a pre-decision phase when the subjects viewed emotional
      expressions below the threshold of subjective awareness, and during the decision
      phase, which was based on verbal descriptions as the choice criterion. Using meta
      analytic connectivity modeling, we found that the preparatory phase of the
      decision was associated with activity in a right-posterior portion of the DLFC
      featuring co-activations in the left-inferior frontal cortex. During the
      subsequent decision a right-anterior and more dorsal portion of the DLFC became
      activated, exhibiting a different co-activation pattern. These results provide
      evidence for partially independent sub-regions within the DLFC, supporting the
      notion of dual associative processes in intuitive judgments. 

PMID- 26257891
TI  - Tip-Based Nanofabrication of Arbitrary Shapes of Graphene Nanoribbons for Device
      Applications.
AB  - Graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) have promising applications in future
      nanoelectronics, chemical sensing and electrical interconnects. Although there
      are quite a few GNR nanofabrication methods reported, a rapid and low-cost
      fabrication method that is capable of fabricating arbitrary shapes of GNRs with
      good-quality is still in demand for using GNRs for device applications. In this
      paper, we present a tip-based nanofabrication method capable of fabricating
      arbitrary shapes of GNRs. A heated atomic force microscope (AFM) tip deposits
      polymer nanowires atop a CVD-grown graphene surface. The polymer nanowires serve
      as an etch mask to define GNRs through one step of oxygen plasma etching similar
      to a photoresist in conventional photolithography. Various shapes of GNRs with
      either linear or curvilinear features are demonstrated. The width of the GNR is
      around 270 nm and is determined by the width of the depositing polymer nanowire,
      which we estimate can be scaled down 15 nms. We characterize our TBN-fabricated
      GNRs using Raman spectroscopy and I-V measurements. The measured sheet
      resistances of our GNRs fall within the range of 1.65 kOmega/?-1 - 2.64 kOmega/?
      1, in agreement with previously reported values. Furthermore, we determined the
      high-field breakdown current density of GNRs to be approximately 2.94*108 A/cm2.
      This TBN process is seamlessly compatible with existing nanofabrication
      processes, and is particularly suitable for fabricating GNR based electronic
      devices including next generation DNA sequencing technologies and beyond silicon
      field effect transistors.

PMID- 26257892
TI  - Synthesis of surface nano-molecularly imprinted polymers for sensitive baicalin
      detection from biological samples.
AB  - Surface molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP@SBA-15) imprinted on the surface of
      hybrid nanostructured organic/inorganic materials (SBA-15) were prepared for the
      selective extraction and detection of baicalin (BA) from biological samples. The
      surface morphologies and characteristics of the imprinted and non-imprinted
      polymers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), scanning
      electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermo
      gravimetric analysis (TGA) and nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms. The
      results indicated that the polymers were successfully grafted on the surface of
      SBA-15 and possessed a highly ordered mesoporous structure. In binding tests,
      MIP@SBA-15 reached saturated adsorption within 80 min and exhibited significant
      specific recognition toward BA with large adsorption capacity. Meanwhile, the
      prepared MIP@SBA-15 was used as a selective sorbent for solid-phase extraction of
      BA from biological samples. Recoveries of BA from the liver and spleen ranged
      from 90.6% to 90.9% with RSD < 3.7%. All these results reveal that this method is
      simple, rapid and sensitive for effectively extracting and detecting trace BA in
      biological samples.

PMID- 26257893
TI  - Biological relevance of oxidative debris present in as-prepared graphene oxide.
AB  - The influence of oxidative debris (OD) present in as-prepared graphene oxide (GO)
      suspensions on proteins and its toxicity to human embryonic kidney cells (HEK
      293T) are reported here. The OD was removed by repeated washing with aqueous
      ammonia to produce the corresponding base-washed GO (bwGO). The loading (w/w) of
      bovine serum albumin (BSA) was increased by 85% after base washing, whereas the
      loading of hemoglobin (Hb) and lysozyme (Lyz), respectively, was decreased by
      160% and 100%. The secondary structures of 13 different proteins bound to bwGO
      were compared with the corresponding proteins bound to GO using the UV circular
      dichroism spectroscopy. There was a consistent loss of protein secondary
      structure with bwGO when compared with proteins bound to GO, but no correlation
      between either the isoelectric point or hydrophobicity of the protein and the
      extent of structure loss was observed. All enzymes bound to bwGO and GO indicated
      significant activities, and a strong correlation between the enzymatic activity
      and the extent of structure retention was noted, regardless of the presence or
      absence of OD. At low loadings (<100 MUg/mL) both GO and bwGO showed excellent
      cell viability but substantial cytotoxicity (~40% cell death) was observed at
      high loadings (>100 MUg/mL). In control studies, OD by itself did not alter the
      growth rate even after a 48-h incubation. Thus, the presence of OD in GO played a
      very important role in controlling the chemical and biological nature of the
      protein-GO interface and the presence of OD in GO improved its biological
      compatibility when compared to bwGO.

PMID- 26257894
TI  - Small lipopeptides possess anti-biofilm capability comparable to daptomycin and
      vancomycin.
AB  - Antibiotic resistance, to a large extent, is related to the formation of
      bacterial biofilms. Thus, compounds with anti-biofilm capability are of practical
      importance. Inspired by the recent discovery of two amino acid lipopeptides from
      marine bacteria, we constructed a family of small lipopeptides with 2-3 amino
      acids. While no antimicrobial activity was found for anionic lipopeptides,
      cationic candidates are potent against Staphylococcus strains, such as
      methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) USA200, USA300, USA400, UAMS
      1, Newman, and Mu50. In the simplest design, two lysines (C14-KK) or three
      arginines (C14-RRR) attached to an acyl chain of 14 carbons were sufficient to
      make the compounds antimicrobial. These simple lipopeptides are inherently stable
      towards S. aureus V8 proteinase and fungal proteinase K, more soluble in water,
      and more selective than other lipopeptides containing a mixture of hydrophobic
      and cationic amino acids. Furthermore, the activity of C14-RRR was not
      compromised by salts, serum, or a change in pH. Live cell experiments revealed
      that these lipopeptides, with a detergent-like structure, killed bacteria rapidly
      by targeting cell membranes. Importantly, these compounds were also able to
      inhibit biofilm formation and could even disrupt preformed biofilms of clinically
      relevant MRSA strains with an in vitro efficacy comparable to daptomycin and
      vancomycin. These results indicate that small lipopeptides are potentially useful
      candidates for preventing or eliminating bacterial biofilms alone or in
      combination with daptomycin or vancomycin.

PMID- 26257896
TI  - Annals of Medicine and Surgery - Educating and Developing Leading Physicians and
      Surgeons.

PMID- 26257895
TI  - Update on deep brain stimulation in Parkinson's disease.
AB  - Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is considered a safe and well tolerated surgical
      procedure to alleviate Parkinson's disease (PD) and other movement disorders
      symptoms along with some psychiatric conditions. Over the last few decades DBS
      has been shown to provide remarkable therapeutic effect on carefully selected
      patients. Although its precise mechanism of action is still unknown, DBS improves
      motor functions and therefore quality of life. To date, two main targets have
      emerged in PD patients: the globus pallidus pars interna and the subthalamic
      nucleus. Two other targets, the ventralis intermedius and zona incerta have also
      been selectively used, especially in tremor-dominant PD patients. The main
      indications for PD DBS have traditionally been motor fluctuations, debilitating
      medication induced dyskinesias, unpredictable "off time" state, and medication
      refractory tremor. Medication refractory tremor and intolerable dyskinesia are
      potential palliative indications. Besides aforementioned targets, the brainstem
      pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) is under investigation for the treatment of ON
      state freezing of gait and postural instability. In this article, we will review
      the most recent literature on DBS therapy for PD, including cutting-edge advances
      and data supporting the role of DBS in advanced neural-network modulation. 

PMID- 26257897
TI  - Annals of Medicine and Surgery - A modern Journal for Modern Trainees.
AB  - At its core, the purpose of healthcare is simple: to maximise quality and
      quantity of life. To achieve this vision, doctors have assumed an array of roles
      across a number of domains beyond the one-to-one patient-doctor interaction. Such
      domains include; teaching, research, leadership, management and clinical
      governance to name but a few. These roles and the healthcare systems in which
      they operate, have evolved over time to meet demand from patients, the
      profession, government and regulators. Further evolution is needed as we move
      into the 21st century to deal with the "perfect storm" of expensive technological
      advances, economic challenges and epidemiological changes.(1) It is the trainees
      and students of today who will drive this progress in the future. Journals are a
      gateway to scientific progress and we believe there is a need for a journal to
      educate and develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes of trainees and students.
      Furthermore, over the past few years, the very nature of scientific journal
      publication has come under scrutiny.(2) Hence we seek to establish a modern
      journal that deals with the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. 

PMID- 26257898
TI  - Should Doctors Be More Careful with Social Media?

PMID- 26257899
TI  - Neurosurgery in the Past and Future. An Appraisal.

PMID- 26257900
TI  - The Roles of the Learned Societies in Improving Quality of Life in the context of
      Globalisation.
AB  - This manuscript is an adapted text of an address to the Thai Royal Institution
      during the 'International Conference for the Celebrations on the Auspicious
      Occasion of His Majesty the King's 7th Cycle Birthday Anniversary'. There are
      many problems facing the world in the context of increasing globalization. "Thou
      shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." The Old Testament (Leviticus 19:18),
      reminds us all that whatever race, religion, or culture we come from, the simple
      command to love ones neighbour as ourselves, is the bedrock of civilization. In
      response to this command, we have to ask ourselves two simple questions; how do
      we best express our love, and who do we consider to be our neighbour? If one
      loves oneself, then what is the single most important gift one would grant
      him/herself? Most would say the gift of good health. Therefore, if one loves
      others, then the gift one wants for them is also good health. These others, who
      one should love in an unconditional way, are one's parents, spouses, children,
      and grandchildren. But to whom does this duty or commandment to love extend? How
      wide is this circle of love? Is it the immediate family, the extended family, our
      village, our tribe, or our nation state? 

PMID- 26257901
TI  - Has the Human Genome Project Delivered for Healthcare?

PMID- 26257902
TI  - Commentary on: "Physical activity education in the undergraduate curricula of all
      UK medical schools. Are tomorrow's doctors equipped to follow clinical
      guidelines?".

PMID- 26257903
TI  - Commentary On: "Surgical Smoke - A Health Hazard in the Operating Theatre: A
      Study to Quantify Exposure and a Survey of the Use of Smoke Extractor Systems in
      UK Plastic Surgery Units".

PMID- 26257904
TI  - Handover in Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery - A Human Factors Assessment.
AB  - Handovers permeate healthcare delivery systems. They are critical for patient
      safety and continuity of care, but also for logistics and clinical efficiency.
      Poor handovers can cause reduced efficiency, delayed discharge or time to
      operation, and contributes to patient harm. The Objective was to conduct a human
      factors assessment (HFA) using a systems approach to study the handover process
      at an Orthopaedic unit, determine barriers to information transfer, and suggest
      improvements. A direct observation model was used to help provide insights on the
      evening handover process. A Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety
      (SEIPS) model was used to provide a framework. A total of ten handover sessions
      were observed and the junior doctors were interviewed using a semi-structured
      approach. Participants had two chief centres of complaint: workspace and
      environmental issues (such as a small, hot, uncomfortable room), and the lack of
      the junior house officer at handover leading to 'signal loss' with respect to
      sick patients who may not be handed over fully. The process also lacked
      standardisation and structure compounding the potential loss of information.
      CONCLUSION: Good handover remains a cornerstone of safe and effective clinical
      practice and continuity of care. This study has shown how an HFA can be useful in
      determining problems with the handover process locally. It suggests an approach
      for improvement and recommends better training at all levels in this aspect of
      patient care.

PMID- 26257905
TI  - Improving Compliance with Statins in Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease: A
      Quality Improvement Study.
AB  - Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease affecting medium sized arteries. The
      prevalence, health, and financial impact of the disease has made it a key target
      for public health and large scale intervention. The statin class of drugs improve
      morbidity and mortality for patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD)
      through polymodal actions. This quality improvement study aimed to determine, and
      subsequently reduce, the percentage of patients with PAD discharged without
      statins. According to the Vascular Society of Great Britain and Ireland, and
      draft National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence guidance, all patients
      undergoing major vascular procedures should be prescribed a statin. A baseline
      audit of patients with PAD under the care of the vascular team at our instituted
      was undertaken for the period Dec 2009-July 2010. Electronic discharge letters
      (EDLs) were analysed and compliance with statin prescription were recorded. A
      number of interventions aimed at improving compliance were then enacted and
      monitored through weekly PDSA cycles. Junior doctor leadership was key to
      identifying the problem and conceiving, implementing, and measuring changes. A
      second cycle was run, using similar data collection methods to the first, for the
      period August-October 2010. In the first cycle, EDLs pertaining to 113 patient
      admissions, involving 96 patients with PAD, were examined. Statins were not
      prescribed in 30.1%. In the second cycle, 86 patient admissions, involving 76
      patients, were examined. Statins were not prescribed in 24.4%, representing an
      18.9% decrease. Poorly compliant sub-groups included patients presenting with
      embolism or those for elective angioplasty. 

PMID- 26257906
TI  - Improving Compliance with NICE Guidelines on Parkinson's isease: A Quality
      Improvement Study.
AB  - Parkinson's disease can progressively affect daily function and multidisciplinary
      teamwork is essential to provide high quality care. The National Institute of
      Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) issued guidelines regarding diagnosis,
      follow-up, and multidisciplinary care. This quality improvement project sought to
      measure and improve the compliance of service provision against the guidelines.
      In total, 3 audit cycles were completed. Each audit involved reviewing notes of
      patients attending a Parkinson's disease outpatient clinic against the PD NICE
      guidelines audit criteria. The first and second audits showed compliance was high
      for the criteria relating to initial diagnosis and referral but poor for those
      criteria relating to multidisciplinary referral. A pro forma stamp was
      recommended to be placed in the notes at each regular Parkinson's outpatient
      review by a specified date (October 2009), with re-audit occurring in June 2011
      as part of the official hospital audit plan. Compliance to the NICE criteria
      improved to 100% on all criteria measured. However, it was evident from the notes
      that the pro forma that had been recommended by the previous audit had been in
      use but was not at present. In fact the pro forma had been so successful that the
      clinicians had made each of the criteria a routine part of their consultations
      and so did not need to rely on it. Use of a checklist can have a lasting
      improvement on compliance with NICE guidelines, even if the intervention itself
      is transient. 

PMID- 26257907
TI  - Epidemiology and Pathogenesis of C. difficile and MRSA in the Light of Current
      NHS Control Policies: A Policy review.
AB  - Healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) cause significant morbidity and
      mortality, and are estimated to cost the United Kingdom National Health Service
      L1 billion annually. The current health care infection rates suggest that the
      level of performance to avoid HCAIs is not maintained consistently. Increasing
      screening, improving local accountability and performance management, careful use
      of antibiotics in the management of emergency patients, health economy wide
      approaches, and improved hand washing will be effective in lowering the rate of
      HCAIs. This paper reviews current NHS Control Policies in place for Methicillin
      Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) and C. difficile. 

PMID- 26257908
TI  - NICE Opioids in Palliative Care (Clinical Guideline 140) - A Guideline Summary.

PMID- 26257909
TI  - Skin Stretching for Burn Scar Excision - A Critically Appraised Topic.
AB  - Adults with burn scars are a clinical challenge, and the long term sequelae of
      burns can have a significant impact on the patient. Scar excision is thought to
      be the best treatment at present, as it results in a smaller scar. Scar
      stretching has shown promise in a previous study, as it may allow the surgeon to
      excise more burn scar. The goal of this study was to determine if good evidence
      exists for the use of burn scar stretching, in routine clinical practice, through
      the format of a critically appraised topic. A question was formulated using the
      Patient Intervention Comparator Outcome (PICO) method:-Patient - Adult burn
      victims-Intervention - Scar excision + skin stretching-Comparator - Scar excision
      Outcome - Total remaining scar The PICO question was used to develop a search
      query: "stretch* burn scar" (where '*' represents a wildcard function). A search
      was then conducted using PubMed, SCOPUS, the Cochrane Library, and Trip Database.
      One paper was selected for critical appraisal following identification,
      screening, and eligibility evaluation. The paper was critically appraised using
      accepted methodology outlined by Straus et al. and reporting quality was assessed
      using the CONSORT statement for non-pharmacological trials. Areas of
      methodological or reporting weakness were highlighted. Burn scar stretching,
      using the device or technique in question, requires much further research before
      widespread usage in burns patients. 

PMID- 26257910
TI  - Future Directions for Bariatric Surgery in Type 2 Diabetes.

PMID- 26257911
TI  - Growth, digestive and absorptive capacity and antioxidant status in intestine and
      hepatopancreas of sub-adult grass carp Ctenopharyngodonidella fed graded levels
      of dietary threonine.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study was carried out to investigate effects of threonine levels
      on growth, digestive and absorptive capacity and antioxidant status in intestine
      and hepatopancreas of sub-adult grass carp (Ctenopharyngodonidella). RESULTS:
      Weight gain, specific growth rate, feed intake and feed efficiency were
      significantly improved by dietary threonine (P < 0.05). Intestinal activities of
      trypsin, chymotrypsin, alpha-amylase, lipase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma
      glutamyl transpeptidase and creatine kinase took the similar trends. Contents of
      malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl in intestine and hepatopancreas were
      significantly decreased by dietary optimal threonine supplementation (P < 0.05).
      Anti-superoxide anion capacity, anti-hydroxyl radical capacity, glutathione
      content and activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione-S
      transferase in intestine and hepatopancreas were enhanced by dietary threonine (P
      < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Dietary threonine could improve growth, enhance digestive
      and absorptive capacity and antioxidant status in intestine and hepatopancreas of
      sub-adult grass carp. The dietary threonine requirement of sub-adult grass carp
      (441.9-1,013.4 g) based on weight gain was 11.6 g/kg diet or 41.5 g/kg of dietary
      protein by quadratic regression analysis.

PMID- 26257913
TI  - Incorporation of quantum dots in silk biomaterials for fluorescence imaging.
AB  - Tracking the distribution and degradation of biomaterials after in vivo
      implantation or injection is important for tissue engineering and drug delivery.
      Intrinsic and externally labeled fluorescence has been widely used for these
      purposes. In the present study, 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA)-coated CdTe
      quantum dots (QDs) were incorporated into silk materials via strong interactions
      between QDs and silk, likely involving the hydrophobic beta-sheet structures in
      silk. MPA-QDs were pre-mixed with silk solution, followed by ultrasonication to
      induce silk gelation or by blending with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) to generate silk
      microspheres. Silk structural changes and hydrogel/microsphere morphologies were
      examined by ATR-FTIR and SEM, respectively. The fluorescence of QDs-incorporated
      silk hydrogels and microspheres remained stable in PBS pH 7.4 for more than 4
      days. The amount of QDs released from the materials during the incubation was
      dependent on loading; no QDs were released when loading was below 0.026 nmol/mg
      silk. After subcutaneous injection in mice, the fluorescence of QDs-incorporated
      silk microspheres was quenched within 24 h, similar to that of free QDs. In
      contrast, the QDs-incorporated silk hydrogels fluoresced for more than 4 days in
      vivo.

PMID- 26257912
TI  - Histamine-functionalized copolymer micelles as a drug delivery system in 2D and
      3D models of breast cancer.
AB  - Histamine functionalized block copolymers based on poly(allyl glycidyl ether)-b
      poly(ethylene oxide) (PAGE-b-PEO) were prepared with different ratios of
      histamine and octyl or benzyl groups using UV-initiated thiol-ene click
      chemistry. At neutral pH, the histamine units are uncharged and hydrophobic,
      while in acidic environments, such as in the endosome, lysosomes, or
      extracellular sites of tumours, the histamine groups are positively charged and
      hydrophilic. pH responsible polymer drug delivery systems is a promising route to
      site specific delivery of drugs and offers the potential to avoid side effects of
      systemic treatment. Our detailed in vitro experiments of the efficacy of drug
      delivery and the intracellular localization characteristics of this library of
      NPs in 2D and 3D cultures of breast cancer revealed that the 50% histamine
      modified polymer loaded with DOX exhibited rapid accumulation in the nucleus of
      free DOX within 2 h. Confocal studies showed enhanced mitochondrial localization
      and lysosomal escape when compared to controls. From these combined studies, it
      was shown that by accurately tuning the structure of the initial block
      copolymers, the resulting self-assembled NPs can be designed to exploit histamine
      as an endosomal escape trigger and the octyl/benzyl units give rise to a
      hydrophobic core resulting in highly efficacious drug delivery systems (DDS) with
      control over intracellular localization. Optimization and rational control of the
      intracellular localization of both DDS and the parent drug can give nanomedicines
      a substantial increase in efficacy and should be explored in future studies.

PMID- 26257914
TI  - Faecal Escherichia coli isolates show potential to cause endogenous infection in
      patients admitted to the ICU in a tertiary care hospital.
AB  - Nosocomial infections are acquired during hospital treatment or in a hospital
      environment. One such infecting agent, Escherichia coli, harbours many virulence
      genes that enable it to become pathogenic, causing damage to the host. The
      mechanism of the E. coli virulence factors provenance to cause infection in host
      environments is not clearly elucidated. We investigated the virulence and
      pathogenicity of E. coli affected by the host environment. For this, blood (n =
      78) and faecal (n = 83) E. coli isolates were collected from patients with and
      without sepsis, respectively, who had been admitted to the intensive care unit.
      The E. coli genomic DNA was isolated; the phylogenetic grouping was conducted by
      triplex PCR. The occurrence of nine virulence genes among the all the isolates
      was confirmed by gene-specific PCR. The prevalence of E. coli in blood isolates
      was more in phylogenetic groups B2 and D compared to groups A and B1. However, in
      faecal isolates, there was no significant difference. The prevalence of adhesin
      and toxin (papG, sfa, afa, cnf1, hlyA) genes was higher in blood compared to
      faecal E. coli isolates. However, the prevalence of aer, traT and PAI was similar
      as well as higher among both of these groups. These observations indicate a role
      of external environment (hospital setting) on host susceptibility (development of
      infection) in the faecal E. coli isolates, thereby making the patient prone to a
      sepsis condition. 

PMID- 26257915
TI  - MUS-2, a novel variant of the chromosome-encoded beta-lactamase MUS-1, from
      Myroides odoratimimus.
AB  - The aim of the present study was to investigate the molecular mechanism of
      carbapenem resistance of three imipenem-resistant isolates of Myroides
      odoratimimus recovered from two livestock farms of cows and pigeons by rectal
      swab in Lebanon in January 2014. Investigation of imipenem resistance of these
      isolates using the modified Hodge test, the EDTA test, the modified CarbaNP test
      and the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass
      spectrometry Ultraflex assay showed a carbapenemase activity due to the presence
      of a chromosome-encoded beta-lactamase MUS, verified by PCR. However
      amplification and sequencing of this chromosomal gene showed a novel variant of
      it designated MUS-2 by the curators of the Lahey database of beta-lactamases
      (http://www.lahey.org/Studies/webt.asp). Cloning of the bla MUS-2 was performed,
      followed by protein expression in Escherichia coli TOP 10. Pulsed-field gel
      electrophoresis clearly showed that the three isolates belonged to the same
      clone. This study reports a novel variant of the chromosome-encoded bla MUS-1
      associated with carbapenem resistance in Myroides odoratimimus and shows that
      animals may represent a reservoir of bacteria harbouring several variants of
      resistance genes. 

PMID- 26257916
TI  - Synthetic Strategies Toward the Decalin Motif of Maklamicin and Related
      Spirotetronates.
AB  - Herein we describe a scalable approach to the decalin moiety of maklamicin. Key
      to the synthesis is an intramolecular Diels-Alder (IMDA) reaction that proceeds
      via an endo-axial transition state to generate the desired stereochemistry. We
      explored the diastereoselectivity of the IMDA reaction as a function of both
      chiral catalysis and acyclic precursor stereochemistry.

PMID- 26257918
TI  - Evaluation of ciprofloxacin and metronidazole encapsulated biomimetic nanomatrix
      gel on Enterococcus faecalis and Treponema denticola.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A triple antibiotic mixture (ciprofloxacin; CF, metronidazole; MN,
      and minocycline; MC) has been used for dental root canal medicaments in pulp
      regeneration therapy. However, tooth discolorations, cervical root fractures, and
      inadequate pulp-dentin formation have been reported due to the triple antibiotic
      regimen. Therefore, an antibiotic encapsulated biomimetic nanomatrix gel was
      developed to minimize the clinical limitations and maximize a natural healing
      process in root canal infections. In this study, minimal bacterial concentrations
      (MBC) of the selected antibiotics (CF and MN) were tested in 14 representative
      endodontic bacterial species. Then MBC of each CF and MN were separately
      encapsulated within the injectable self-assembled biomimetic nanomatrix gel to
      evaluate antibacterial level on Enterococcus faecalis and Treponema denticola.
      RESULTS: Antibiotic concentrations lower than 0.2 ug/mL of CF and MN demonstrated
      antibacterial activity on the 14 endodontic species. Furthermore, 6 different
      concentrations of CF and MN separately encapsulated with the injectable self
      assembled biomimetic nanomatrix gel demonstrated antibacterial activity on
      Enterococcus faecalis and Treponema denticola at the lowest tested concentration
      of 0.0625 ug/mL. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that each CF and MN
      encapsulated within the injectable self-assembled biomimetic nanomatrix gel
      demonstrated antibacterial effects, which could be effective for the root canal
      disinfection while eliminating MC. In the long term, the antibiotic encapsulated
      injectable self-assembled biomimetic nanomatrix gel can provide a multifunctional
      antibiotic delivery method with potential root regeneration. Further studies are
      currently underway to evaluate the effects of combined CF and MN encapsulated
      within the injectable self-assembled biomimetic nanomatrix gel on clinical
      samples.

PMID- 26257917
TI  - An ongoing search for potential targets and therapies for lethal sepsis.
AB  - Sepsis, which refers to a systemic inflammatory response syndrome resulting from
      a microbial infection, represents the leading cause of death in intensive care
      units. The pathogenesis of sepsis remains poorly understood although it is
      attributable to dysregulated immune responses orchestrated by innate immune cells
      that are sequentially released early (e.g., tumor necrosis factor(TNF),
      interleukin-1(IL-1), and interferon-gamma(IFN-gamma)) and late (e.g., high
      mobility group box 1(HMGB1)) pro-inflammatory mediators. As a ubiquitous nuclear
      protein, HMGB1 can be passively released from pathologically damaged cells,
      thereby converging infection and injury on commonly dysregulated inflammatory
      responses. We review evidence that supports extracellular HMGB1 as a late
      mediator of inflammatory diseases and discuss the potential of several Chinese
      herbal components as HMGB1-targeting therapies. We propose that it is important
      to develop strategies for specifically attenuating injury-elicited inflammatory
      responses without compromising the infection-mediated innate immunity for the
      clinical management of sepsis and other inflammatory diseases. 

PMID- 26257919
TI  - Boceprevir-Based Triple Antiviral Therapy for Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection
      in Kidney-Transplant Candidates.
AB  - Background. There are few data on the combination of (pegylated-) interferon-
      (Peg-IFN-) alpha, ribavirin, and first-generation direct-acting antiviral agents
      (DAAs). Our aim was to describe the efficacy and safety of Peg-IFN-alpha,
      ribavirin, and boceprevir in hemodialysis patients. Patients. Six hemodialysis
      patients, chronically infected by genotype-1 HCV, were given Peg-IFN-alpha (135
      ug/week), ribavirin (200 mg/d), and boceprevir (2400 mg/d) for 48 weeks. Results.
      At initiation of antiviral therapy, median viral concentration was 5.68 (3.78
      6.55) log IU/mL. HCV RNA was undetectable in four of the six patients at week 4
      and in all patients at week 24. A breakthrough was observed in two patients
      between weeks 24 and 48, and a third patient stopped antiviral therapy between
      weeks 24 and 48 because of severe peripheral neuropathy. At week 48, HCV RNA was
      undetectable in three patients. Of these, two patients relapsed within a month
      after antiviral therapy was stopped. Hence, only one patient had a sustained
      virological response; he was a previous partial responder. Overall, anemia was
      the main side effect. Conclusion. A triple antiviral therapy based on Peg-IFN
      alpha, ribavirin, and boceprevir is not optimal at treating hemodialysis patients
      with chronic HCV infection. Studies using new-generation drugs are required in
      this setting. 

PMID- 26257920
TI  - Factors Associated with Uncontrolled Hypertension among Renal Transplant
      Recipients Attending Nephrology Clinics in Nairobi, Kenya.
AB  - Objective. To determine the factors associated with poor blood pressure control
      among renal transplant recipients in a resource-limited setting. Methods. A cross
      sectional study was carried out on renal transplant recipients at the Kenyatta
      National Hospital. Sociodemographic details, blood pressure, urine albumin :
      creatinine ratio, and adherence using the MMAS-8 questionnaire were noted.
      Independent factors associated with uncontrolled hypertension were determined
      using logistic regression analysis. Results. 85 subjects were evaluated. Mean age
      was 42.4 (SD +/- 12.2) years, with a male : female ratio of 1.9 : 1. Fifty-five
      patients (64.7%) had uncontrolled hypertension (BP >= 130/80 mmHg). On univariate
      analysis, male sex (OR 3.7, 95% CI 1.4-9.5, p = 0.006), higher levels of
      proteinuria (p = 0.042), and nonadherence to antihypertensives (OR 18, 95% CI 5.2
      65.7, p < 0.001) were associated with uncontrolled hypertension. On logistic
      regression analysis, male sex (adjusted OR 4.6, 95% CI 1.1-19.0, p = 0.034) and
      nonadherence (adjusted OR 33.8, 95% CI 8.6-73.0, p < 0.001) were independently
      associated with uncontrolled hypertension. Conclusion. Factors associated with
      poor blood pressure control in this cohort were male sex and nonadherence to
      antihypertensives. Emphasis on adherence to antihypertensive therapy must be
      pursued within this population. 

PMID- 26257921
TI  - Extraction of Iron from the Rabbit Anterior Chamber with Reverse Iontophoresis.
AB  - Ocular siderosis is a common eye disease caused by retention of an iron
      containing intraocular foreign body in the eye. Iron-containing intraocular
      foreign bodies may cause severe inflammatory reaction and affect visual function.
      Currently the optimal treatment method of ocular siderosis is a moot point. This
      study used the reverse iontophoresis technique to noninvasively extract iron from
      the rabbit anterior chamber. By slit lamp observation and histological
      examination, reverse iontophoresis treatment has a good effect on ocular
      siderosis. Reverse iontophoresis seems to be a noninvasive and promising approach
      to extract iron from the anterior chamber to treat ocular siderosis. 

PMID- 26257923
TI  - Functionalized formazans: A review on recent progress in their pharmacological
      activities.
AB  - This review provides an up to date information about the diverse pharmaceutical
      activities of formazans. The bibliography includes 97 references which have been
      published during the period from 1980 to 2013. The covered biological activities
      of the title compounds include antioxidant, anticonvulsant, therapeutic,
      anthelmintic, anti-tubercular, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, anti
      HIV, antimicrobial, antiparkinsonian, cardiovascular and antiproliferative
      activities. 

PMID- 26257924
TI  - Why the radiation-attenuated cercarial immunization studies failed to guide the
      road for an effective schistosomiasis vaccine: A review.
AB  - Schistosomiasis is a debilitating parasitic disease caused by platyhelminthes of
      the genus Schistosoma, notably Schistosoma mansoni, Schistosoma haematobium, and
      Schistosoma japonicum. Pioneer researchers used radiation-attenuated (RA)
      schistosome larvae to immunize laboratory rodent and non-human primate hosts.
      Significant and reproducible reduction in challenge worm burden varying from 30%
      to 90% was achieved, providing a sound proof that vaccination against this
      infection is feasible. Extensive histopathological, tissue mincing and
      incubation, autoradiographic tracking, parasitological, and immunological studies
      led to defining conditions and settings for achieving optimal protection and
      delineating the resistance underlying mechanisms. The present review aims to
      summarize these findings and draw the lessons that should have guided the
      development of an effective schistosomiasis vaccine. 

PMID- 26257925
TI  - Assessing the global phylum level diversity within the bacterial domain: A
      review.
AB  - Microbial ecology is the study of microbes in the natural environment and their
      interactions with each other. Investigating the nature of microorganisms residing
      within a specific habitat is an extremely important component of microbial
      ecology. Such microbial diversity surveys aim to determine the identity,
      physiological preferences, metabolic capabilities, and genomic features of
      microbial taxa within a specific ecosystem. A comprehensive review of various
      aspects of microbial diversity (phylogenetic, functional, and genomic
      diversities) in the microbial (bacterial, archaeal, and microeukaryotic) world is
      clearly a daunting task that could not be aptly summarized in a single review.
      Here, we focus on one aspect of diversity (phylogenetic diversity) in one
      microbial domain (the Bacteria). We restrict our analysis to the highest
      taxonomic rank (phylum) and attempt to investigate the extent of global phylum
      level diversity within the Bacteria. We present a brief historical perspective on
      the subject and highlight how the adaptation of molecular biological and
      phylogenetic approaches has greatly expanded our view of global bacterial
      diversity. We also summarize recent progress toward the discovery of novel
      bacterial phyla, present evidences that the scope of phylum level diversity in
      nature has hardly been exhausted, and propose novel approaches that could greatly
      facilitate the discovery process of novel bacterial phyla within various
      ecosystems. 

PMID- 26257927
TI  - New era for management of chronic hepatitis C virus using direct antiviral
      agents: A review.
AB  - The pegylated interferon regimen has long been the lone effective management of
      chronic hepatitis C with modest response. The first appearance of protease
      inhibitors included boceprevir and telaprevir. However, their efficacy was
      limited to genotype 1. Recently, direct antiviral agents opened the gate for a
      real effective management of HCV, certainly after FDA approval of some compounds
      that further paved the way for the appearance of enormous potent direct antiviral
      agents that may achieve successful eradication of HCV. 

PMID- 26257926
TI  - Emerging flavobacterial infections in fish: A review.
AB  - Flavobacterial diseases in fish are caused by multiple bacterial species within
      the family Flavobacteriaceae and are responsible for devastating losses in wild
      and farmed fish stocks around the world. In addition to directly imposing
      negative economic and ecological effects, flavobacterial disease outbreaks are
      also notoriously difficult to prevent and control despite nearly 100 years of
      scientific research. The emergence of recent reports linking previously
      uncharacterized flavobacteria to systemic infections and mortality events in fish
      stocks of Europe, South America, Asia, Africa, and North America is also of major
      concern and has highlighted some of the difficulties surrounding the diagnosis
      and chemotherapeutic treatment of flavobacterial fish diseases. Herein, we
      provide a review of the literature that focuses on Flavobacterium and
      Chryseobacterium spp. and emphasizes those associated with fish. 

PMID- 26257928
TI  - Laser researches on livestock semen and oocytes: A brief review.
AB  - This article presents a brief review of the past and present literature pertinent
      to laser effects on sperm motility parameters, improvement of oocyte maturation
      and characterization of semen in livestock. The aim was, on one hand, to make the
      readers aware of such knowledge and on the other hand to trigger the interest of
      the animal reproduction scientific community in attempting some laser techniques
      that have not yet been fully exploited in the field of artificial insemination.
      With respect to the conventional methods, laser is a more sensitive and less
      costly technology that can be used for improving artificial insemination and
      embryo production system. Since 1980s, laser treatment came on the biological
      samples scene; its applications have continuously been developed thereafter.
      Exploitation of laser light by various researchers for improving the reproductive
      efficiency of sperm cells and the maturation rate in different livestock is
      demonstrated herein. Laser irradiation, in principal, can increase the production
      of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and consequently increases the energy provided to
      the cell. Since sperm motility and oocyte maturation depend on the energy
      consumption, an increase in the energy supply to the cells will be of great
      importance. In addition, the authors also discuss the use of laser
      spectrochemical analytical techniques, such as laser induced breakdown
      spectroscopy (LIBS) and laser induced fluorescence (LIF), in characterization of
      semen samples. 

PMID- 26257929
TI  - Mesothelioma treatment: Are we on target? A review.
AB  - Targeted treatment is a therapy directed at a specific molecular target close to
      a hallmark of cancer. The target should be measurable with a biomarker and
      measurement of the target should correlate with clinical outcome when targeted
      treatment is administered. Current clinical guidelines do not recommend targeted
      or biological therapy in MPM. However, since these recommendations came out, new
      agents have been investigated in MPM. This review updates the use of targeted and
      biological treatment in patients with mesothelioma. 

PMID- 26257931
TI  - GnRH agonist for final oocyte maturation in GnRH antagonist co-treated IVF/ICSI
      treatment cycles: Systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - Final oocyte maturation in GnRH antagonist co-treated IVF/ICSI cycles can be
      triggered with HCG or a GnRH agonist. We conducted a systematic review and meta
      analysis of randomized controlled trials to evaluate the efficacy and safety of
      the final oocyte maturation trigger in GnRH antagonist co-treated cycles. Outcome
      measures were ongoing pregnancy rate (OPR) and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
      (OHSS) incidence. Searches: were conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Science Direct,
      Cochrane Library, and databases of abstracts. There was a statistically
      significant difference against the GnRH agonist for OPR in fresh autologous
      cycles (n = 1024) with an odd ratio (OR) of 0.69 (95% CI: 0.52-0.93). In oocyte
      donor cycles (n = 342) there was no evidence of a difference (OR: 0.91; 95% CI:
      0.59-1.40). There was a statistically significant difference in favour of GnRH
      agonist regarding the incidence of OHSS in fresh autologous cycles (OR: 0.06; 95%
      CI: 0.01-0.33) and donor cycles respectively (OR: 0.06; 95% CI: 0.01-0.27). In
      conclusion GnRH agonist trigger for final oocyte maturation trigger in GnRH
      antagonist cycles is safer but less efficient than HCG. 

PMID- 26257930
TI  - Brain stem adenosine receptors modulate centrally mediated hypotensive responses
      in conscious rats: A review.
AB  - Adenosine is implicated in the modulation of cardiovascular responses either at
      the peripheral or at central level in experimental animals. However, there are no
      dedicated reviews on the involvement of adenosine in mediating the hypotensive
      response of centrally administered clonidine in general and specifically in
      aortically barodenervated rats (ABD). The conscious ABD rat model exhibits
      surgically induced baroreflex dysfunction and exaggerated hypotensive response,
      compared with conscious sham-operated (SO) rats. The current review focuses on,
      the role of adenosine receptors in blood pressure (BP) regulation and their
      possible crosstalk with other receptors e.g. imidazoline (I1) and alpha (alpha2A)
      adrenergic receptor (AR). The former receptor is a molecular target for
      clonidine, whose hypotensive effect is enhanced approx. 3-fold in conscious ABD
      rats. We also discussed how the balance between the brain stem adenosine A1 and
      A2A receptors is regulated by baroreceptors and how such balance influences the
      centrally mediated hypotensive responses. The use of the ABD rat model yielded
      insight into the downstream signaling cascades following clonidine-evoked
      hypotension in a surgical model of baroreflex dysfunction. 

PMID- 26257932
TI  - Physical and cognitive consequences of fatigue: A review.
AB  - Fatigue is a common worrying complaint among people performing physical
      activities on the basis of training or rehabilitation. An enormous amount of
      research articles have been published on the topic of fatigue and its effect on
      physical and physiological functions. The goal of this review was to focus on the
      effect of fatigue on muscle activity, proprioception, and cognitive functions and
      to summarize the results to understand the influence of fatigue on these
      functions. Attaining this goal provides evidence and guidance when dealing with
      patients and/or healthy individuals in performing maximal or submaximal
      exercises. 

PMID- 26257933
TI  - Some subgroup embeddings in finite groups: A mini review.
AB  - In this survey paper several subgroup embedding properties related to some types
      of permutability are introduced and studied. 

PMID- 26257934
TI  - A mini-review on Biginelli adducts with notable pharmacological properties.
AB  - Since the disclosure of Biginelli reaction by the chemist Pietro Biginelli,
      functionalized 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones/thiones (DHPMs) have emerged as
      prototypes for the design of compounds with a broad variety of biological
      activities. This mini-review describes over 100 Biginelli adducts demonstrated to
      be promising anticancer, inhibitors of calcium channel, anti-inflammatory,
      antimicrobial and antioxidant agents. Thus, this compilation presents the most
      notable in vitro and in vivo results for such fascinating class of organic
      compounds. 

PMID- 26257935
TI  - A mini review on cancer of unknown primary site: A clinical puzzle for the
      oncologists.
AB  - Cancer of unknown primary (CUP) is a well recognized clinical syndrome,
      accounting for 3-5% of all malignancies. It is characterized as a disease with an
      early dissemination of metastases without a primary detected site after extensive
      laboratory and clinical investigations. CUP is divided into the favorable and
      unfavorable groups based on histopathological and clinical manifestations.
      Adenocarcinoma of various differentiations is the commonest histopathological
      subtype. Favorable groups are treated with local or systemic treatment and some
      of them are enjoying long-term survival. On the contrary, unfavorable groups are
      treated with empirical chemotherapy having usually a dismal prognosis. Gene
      profiling microarray diagnosis has a high diagnostic sensitivity, but its
      predictive or prognostic value remains uncertain. 

PMID- 26257937
TI  - Legendre spectral-collocation method for solving some types of fractional optimal
      control problems.
AB  - In this paper, the Legendre spectral-collocation method was applied to obtain
      approximate solutions for some types of fractional optimal control problems
      (FOCPs). The fractional derivative was described in the Caputo sense. Two
      different approaches were presented, in the first approach, necessary optimality
      conditions in terms of the associated Hamiltonian were approximated. In the
      second approach, the state equation was discretized first using the trapezoidal
      rule for the numerical integration followed by the Rayleigh-Ritz method to
      evaluate both the state and control variables. Illustrative examples were
      included to demonstrate the validity and applicability of the proposed
      techniques. 

PMID- 26257936
TI  - Possible drug-drug interaction in dogs and cats resulted from alteration in drug
      metabolism: A mini review.
AB  - Pharmacokinetic drug-drug interactions (in particular at metabolism) may result
      in fatal adverse effects in some cases. This basic information, therefore, is
      needed for drug therapy even in veterinary medicine, as multidrug therapy is not
      rare in canines and felines. The aim of this review was focused on possible drug
      drug interactions in dogs and cats. The interaction includes enzyme induction by
      phenobarbital, enzyme inhibition by ketoconazole and fluoroquinolones, and down
      regulation of enzymes by dexamethasone. A final conclusion based upon the
      available literatures and author's experience is given at the end of the review. 

PMID- 26257938
TI  - Individual and competitive adsorption of phenol and nickel onto multiwalled
      carbon nanotubes.
AB  - Individual and competitive adsorption studies were carried out to investigate the
      removal of phenol and nickel ions by adsorption onto multiwalled carbon nanotubes
      (MWCNTs). The carbon nanotubes were characterized by different techniques such as
      X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, thermal analysis and Fourier
      transformation infrared spectroscopy. The different experimental conditions
      affecting the adsorption process were investigated. Kinetics and equilibrium
      models were tested for fitting the adsorption experimental data. The
      characterization experimental results proved that the studied adsorbent possess
      different surface functional groups as well as typical morphological features.
      The batch experiments revealed that 300 min of contact time was enough to achieve
      equilibrium for the adsorption of both phenol and nickel at an initial adsorbate
      concentration of 25 mg/l, an adsorbent dosage of 5 g/l, and a solution pH of 7.
      The adsorption of phenol and nickel by MWCNTs followed the pseudo-second order
      kinetic model and the intraparticle diffusion model was quite good in describing
      the adsorption mechanism. The Langmuir equilibrium model fitted well the
      experimental data indicating the homogeneity of the adsorbent surface sites. The
      maximum Langmuir adsorption capacities were found to be 32.23 and 6.09 mg/g, for
      phenol and Ni ions, respectively. The removal efficiency of MWCNTs for nickel
      ions or phenol in real wastewater samples at the optimum conditions reached up to
      60% and 70%, respectively. 

PMID- 26257939
TI  - A performance-oriented power transformer design methodology using multi-objective
      evolutionary optimization.
AB  - Transformers are regarded as crucial components in power systems. Due to market
      globalization, power transformer manufacturers are facing an increasingly
      competitive environment that mandates the adoption of design strategies yielding
      better performance at lower costs. In this paper, a power transformer design
      methodology using multi-objective evolutionary optimization is proposed. Using
      this methodology, which is tailored to be target performance design-oriented,
      quick rough estimation of transformer design specifics may be inferred. Testing
      of the suggested approach revealed significant qualitative and quantitative match
      with measured design and performance values. Details of the proposed methodology
      as well as sample design results are reported in the paper. 

PMID- 26257940
TI  - Diffusive smoothing of 3D segmented medical data.
AB  - This paper proposes an accurate, computationally efficient, and spectrum-free
      formulation of the heat diffusion smoothing on 3D shapes, represented as triangle
      meshes. The idea behind our approach is to apply a [Formula: see text]-degree
      Pade-Chebyshev rational approximation to the solution of the heat diffusion
      equation. The proposed formulation is equivalent to solve r sparse, symmetric
      linear systems, is free of user-defined parameters, and is robust to surface
      discretization. We also discuss a simple criterion to select the time parameter
      that provides the best compromise between approximation accuracy and smoothness
      of the solution. Finally, our experiments on anatomical data show that the
      spectrum-free approach greatly reduces the computational cost and guarantees a
      higher approximation accuracy than previous work. 

PMID- 26257941
TI  - Regional view of a Trans-African Drainage System.
AB  - Despite the arid to hyperarid climate of the Great Sahara of North Africa,
      pluvial climates dominated the region. Radar data shed some light on the
      postulated Trans-African Drainage System and its relationship to active and
      inactive tributaries of the Nile basin. Interpretations of recent elevation data
      confirm a source of the river water from the Red Sea highlands did not connect
      the Atlantic Ocean across Tushka basin, highlands of Uwinate and Darfur, and Chad
      basin, but northward to the ancestral Nile Delta. Elements of topography and
      climate were considered. They show that the former segments of the Nile closely
      mirror present-day tributaries of the Nile basin in drainage geometry, landscape,
      and climate. A rainfall data interpolation scenario revealed that this basin
      received concurrent runoff from both flanks such as Gabgaba-Allaqi to the east
      and Tushka basin to the west, similar to present-day Sobat and White Nile
      tributaries, respectively. Overall the western tributaries such as those of
      Tushka basin and Howar lead to the Nile, which was (and still is) the biggest
      river system in Africa. 

PMID- 26257942
TI  - Porous polymer monolithic columns with gold nanoparticles as an intermediate
      ligand for the separation of proteins in reverse phase-ion exchange mixed mode.
AB  - A new approach has been developed for the preparation of mixed-mode stationary
      phases to separate proteins. The pore surface of monolithic poly(glycidyl
      methacrylate-co-ethylene dimethacrylate) capillary columns was functionalized
      with thiols and coated with gold nanoparticles. The final mixed mode surface
      chemistry was formed by attaching, in a single step, alkanethiols,
      mercaptoalkanoic acids, and their mixtures on the free surface of attached gold
      nanoparticles. Use of these mixtures allowed fine tuning of the
      hydrophobic/hydrophilic balance. The amount of attached gold nanoparticles
      according to thermal gravimetric analysis was 44.8 wt.%. This value together with
      results of frontal elution enabled calculation of surface coverage with the
      alkanethiol and mercaptoalkanoic acid ligands. Interestingly, alkanethiols
      coverage in a range of 4.46-4.51 molecules/nm(2) significantly exceeded that of
      mercaptoalkanoic acids with 2.39-2.45 molecules/nm(2). The mixed mode character
      of these monolithic stationary phases was for the first time demonstrated in the
      separations of proteins that could be achieved in the same column using gradient
      elution conditions typical of reverse phase (using gradient of acetonitrile in
      water) and ion exchange chromatographic modes (applying gradient of salt in
      water), respectively. 

PMID- 26257943
TI  - Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for non-malignant
      hematological disorders.
AB  - Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) from a geno
      identical matched sibling (MSD) is one of the most successful therapies in
      patients with non-malignant hematological disorders. This study included 273
      patients with severe aplastic anemia (SAA), 152 patients with B-Thalassemia major
      (BTM), 31 patients with Fanconi's anemia (FA), 20 patients with congenital
      immunodeficiency diseases (ID), and 13 patients with inherited metabolic
      disorders (IMD) allografted from a MSD. In SAA, the 8-year overall survival (OS)
      of the whole group patients was 74%. OS was significantly better in patients
      conditioned with fludarabine and cyclophosphamide (Flu/Cy) than in those who
      received cyclophosphamide and antithymocyte globulin (Cy/ATG) (p = 0.021). Acute
      graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) grade II-IV occurred in 15% while chronic GVHD
      (cGVHD) occurred in 28%. In BTM, the 12-year disease-free survival (DFS) of the
      whole group of BTM patients was 72.4%. DFS was 74% for peripheral blood stem cell
      (PBSC) group compared to 64% in the BM stem cell group. The incidence of graft
      rejection was significantly lower in patients who received PBSC than in those who
      received BM (9% vs 25%) (p = 0.036). AGVHD grade II-IV and cGVHD occurred in 15%
      and 12% of the whole group of BTM patients respectively. In FA, the 5-year OS was
      64.5%. Graft rejection occurred in 10% of patients. Grade II-IV aGVHD occurred in
      16% while cGVHD occurred in 4%. In ID, the 5-year OS was 62%. Graft rejection
      occurred in two (10%) patients. Three patients (15%) developed grade II-IV aGVHD,
      2 of them progressed to secondary cGVHD. In IMD, OS was 46% at 5 years. Graft
      rejection occurred in 8% of patients. AGVHD grade II-IV occurred in 15% while
      cGVHD occurred in 14%. In conclusion, Allo-HSCT provides a higher DFS rate over
      conventional therapies for patients with non-malignant hematological disorders
      with prolonged survival. 

PMID- 26257944
TI  - Dynamic potential and surface morphology study of sertraline membrane sensors.
AB  - New rapid, sensitive and simple electrometric method was developed to determine
      sertraline hydrochloride (Ser-Cl) in its pure raw material and pharmaceutical
      formulations. Membrane sensors based on heteropolyacids as ion associating
      material were prepared. Silicomolybdic acid (SMA), silicotungstic acid (STA) and
      phosphomolybdic acid (PMA) were used. The slope and limit of detection are 50.00,
      60.00 and 53.24 mV/decade and 2.51, 5.62 and 4.85 MUmol L(-1) for Ser-ST, Ser-PM
      and Ser-SM membrane sensors, respectively. Linear range is 0.01-10.00 for the
      three sensors. These new sensors were used for the potentiometric titration of
      Ser-Cl using sodium tetraphenylborate as titrant. The surface morphologies of the
      prepared membranes with and without the modifier (ion-associate) were studied
      using scanning and atomic force microscopes. 

PMID- 26257945
TI  - Effect of preheating of low shrinking resin composite on intrapulpal temperature
      and microtensile bond strength to dentin.
AB  - The effect of preheating of the silorane-based resin composite on intrapulpal
      temperature (IPT) and dentin microtensile bond strength (MUTBS) was evaluated.
      For the IPT, teeth (n = 15) were sectioned to obtain discs of 0.5 mm thickness (2
      discs/tooth). The discs were divided into three groups (n = 10/group) according
      to the temperature of the Filtek LSTM silorane-based resin composite during its
      placement, either at room temperature (23 +/- 1  degrees C) or preheated to 54 
      degrees C or 68  degrees C using a commercial CalsetTM device. Discs were
      subjected to a simulated intrapulpal pressure (IPP) and placed inside a specially
      constructed incubator adjusted at 37  degrees C. IPT was measured before, during
      and after placement and curing of the resin composite using K-type thermocouple.
      For MUTBS testing, flat occlusal middentin surfaces (n = 24) were obtained. P90
      System Adhesive was applied according to manufacturer's instructions then Filtek
      LS was placed at the tested temperatures (n = 6). Restorative procedures were
      done while the specimens were connected to IPP simulation. IPP was maintained and
      the specimens were immersed in artificial saliva at 37  degrees C for 24 h before
      testing. Each specimen was sectioned into sticks (0.9 +/- 0.01 mm(2)). The sticks
      (24/group) were subjected to MUTBS test and their modes of failure were
      determined using scanning electron microscope (SEM). For both preheated groups,
      IPT increased equally by 1.5-2  degrees C upon application of the composite.
      After light curing, IPT increased by 4-5  degrees C in all tested groups.
      Nevertheless, the IPT of the preheated groups required a longer time to return to
      the baseline temperature. One-way ANOVA revealed no significant difference
      between the MUTBS values of all groups. SEM revealed predominately mixed mode of
      failure. Preheating of silorane-based resin composite increased the IPT but not
      to the critical level and had no effect on dentin MUTBS. 

PMID- 26257946
TI  - Task based synthesis of serial manipulators.
AB  - Computing the optimal geometric structure of manipulators is one of the most
      intricate problems in contemporary robot kinematics. Robotic manipulators are
      designed and built to perform certain predetermined tasks. There is a very close
      relationship between the structure of the manipulator and its kinematic
      performance. It is therefore important to incorporate such task requirements
      during the design and synthesis of the robotic manipulators. Such task
      requirements and performance constraints can be specified in terms of the
      required end-effector positions, orientations and velocities along the task
      trajectory. In this work, we present a comprehensive method to develop the
      optimal geometric structure (DH parameters) of a non-redundant six degree of
      freedom serial manipulator from task descriptions. In this work we define,
      develop and test a methodology to design optimal manipulator configurations based
      on task descriptions. This methodology is devised to investigate all possible
      manipulator configurations that can satisfy the task performance requirements
      under imposed joint constraints. Out of all the possible structures, the
      structures that can reach all the task points with the required orientations are
      selected. Next, these candidate structures are tested to see whether they can
      attain end-effector velocities in arbitrary directions within the user defined
      joint constraints, so that they can deliver the best kinematic performance.
      Additionally least power consuming configurations are also identified. 

PMID- 26257947
TI  - The effects of different night-time temperatures and cultivation durations on the
      polyphenolic contents of lettuce: Application of principal component analysis.
AB  - The present study was conducted to characterize the polyphenolic contents of
      lettuce leaves grown under different night-time temperatures (4, 12, and 20 
      degrees C) and cultivation durations (5, 15, and 20 days) using high performance
      liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). The assay method was
      validated based on specificity, linearity, accuracy, precision, and the
      performance limit. The total polyphenolic contents were highest (2462.6 mg/kg)
      after transplantation at a night temperature of 20  degrees C on day 20 and
      lowest (1132.7 mg/kg) at the same temperature on day 5. Quantification and
      principal component analysis showed that the relative contents of quercetin and
      kaempferol were markedly higher during the early stage of cultivation (day 5)
      than those of day 15 and 20, and that night-time temperatures of 12 and 20 
      degrees C on day 20 were favorable for producing polyphenol-rich lettuce
      containing caffeic acid. In conclusion, a synergistic effect between high night
      time temperatures (12 and 20  degrees C) and cultivation duration (20 days)
      produced lettuce rich in polyphenols compared to that at low temperature (4 
      degrees C). 

PMID- 26257948
TI  - Efficacy of pH elevation as a bactericidal strategy for treating ballast water of
      freight carriers.
AB  - Treatment of ship ballast water with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is one method
      currently being developed to minimize the risk to introduce aquatic invasive
      species. The bactericidal capability of sodium hydroxide was determined for 148
      bacterial strains from ballast water collected in 2009 and 2010 from the M/V
      Indiana Harbor, a bulk-freight carrier plying the Laurentian Great Lakes, USA.
      Primary culture of bacteria was done using brain heart infusion agar and a
      developmental medium. Strains were characterized based on PCR amplification and
      sequencing of a portion of the 16S rRNA gene. Sequence similarities (99+ %) were
      determined by comparison with the National Center for Biotechnology Information
      (NCBI) GenBank catalog. Flavobacterium spp. were the most prevalent bacteria
      characterized in 2009, comprising 51.1% (24/47) of the total, and Pseudomonas
      spp. (62/101; 61.4%) and Brevundimonas spp. (22/101; 21.8%) were the predominate
      bacteria recovered in 2010; together, comprising 83.2% (84/101) of the total.
      Testing was done in tryptic soy broth (TSB) medium adjusted with 5 N NaOH. Growth
      of each strain was evaluated at pH 10.0, pH 11.0 and pH 12.0, and 4 h up to 72 h.
      The median cell count at 0 h for 148 cultures was 5.20 * 10(6) cfu/mL with a
      range 1.02 * 10(5)-1.60 * 10(8) cfu/mL. The TSB adjusted to pH 10.0 and
      incubation for less than 24 h was bactericidal to 52 (35.1%) strains. Growth in
      pH 11.0 TSB for less than 4 h was bactericidal to 131 (88.5%) strains and pH 11.0
      within 12 h was bactericidal to 141 (95.3%). One strain, Bacillus horikoshii,
      survived the harshest treatment, pH 12.0 for 72 h. 

PMID- 26257949
TI  - Residue analysis of orthosulfamuron herbicide in fatty rice using liquid
      chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.
AB  - In the present study, orthosulfamuron residues were extracted from fatty
      (unpolished) rice and rice straw using a modified QuEChERS method and analyzed
      using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The matrix-matched
      calibration was linear over the concentration ranges of 0.01-2.0 mg/kg with
      determination coefficient (R (2)) ? 0.997. The recovery rates at two
      fortification levels (0.1 and 0.5 mg/kg) were satisfactory and ranged between
      88.1% and 100.6%, with relative standard deviation (RSD) <8%. The limit of
      quantitation, 0.03 mg/kg, was lower than the maximum residue limit, 0.05 mg/kg,
      set by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in the Republic of Korea. The
      developed method was applied successfully to field samples harvested at 116 days
      and none of the samples were positive for the residue. 

PMID- 26257950
TI  - An unusual presentation of a patient with advanced prostate cancer, massive
      ascites and peritoneal metastasis: Case report and literature review.
AB  - We describe the case of a patient with prostate cancer, ascites, omental and bone
      metastases, an extremely rare clinical variant that warrants further
      investigation, and review the relevant literature. 

PMID- 26257951
TI  - Development of a low grade lymphoma in the mastoid bone in a patient with
      atypical Cogan's syndrome: A case report.
AB  - Cogan's syndrome is a rare disorder characterized by ocular and audiovestibular
      manifestations in its typical form and caries a wide variety of atypical
      manifestations. It is considered as an autoimmune disease. We present the first
      case in the literature of a 67 year old woman with the development of low grade
      non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in the mastoid bone in a pre-existing history of
      atypical Cogan's syndrome. The anatomical development of NHL was to a "target"
      organ of Cogan's syndrome, which is the inner ear. 

PMID- 26257952
TI  - Mid-infrared laser-spectroscopic sensing of chemical species.
AB  - This letter reports on mid-infrared laser-based detection and analysis of
      chemical species. Emphasis is put on broadly tunable laser sources and sensitive
      detection schemes. Selected examples from our lab illustrate the performance and
      potential of such systems in various areas including environmental and medical
      sensing. 

PMID- 26257953
TI  - Ramsey CB, Dee MW, Rowland JM, Higham TFG, Harris SA, Brock F, et al. Radiocarbon
      based chronology for dynastic Egypt. Science 2010;328:1554.

PMID- 26257954
TI  - Combination Antiretroviral Therapy for HIV in Rwandan Adults: Clinical Outcomes
      and Impact on Reproductive Health up to 24 Months.
AB  - Adult women (n = 113) and men (n = 100) initiating combination antiretroviral
      therapy (cART) and women not yet eligible for cART (n = 199) in Kigali, Rwanda,
      were followed for 6-24 months between 2007 and 2010. In the cART groups, 21% of
      patients required a drug change due to side effects and 11% of patients had
      virological failure (defined as >1,000 HIV RNA copies/mL) after 12 months of
      cART. About a third of the pregnancies since HIV diagnosis were unintended. The
      proportion of women in the pre-cART group using modern contraception other than
      condoms (50%) was similar to women in the general population, but this proportion
      was only 25% in women initiating cART. Of the women who carried at least one
      pregnancy to term since having been diagnosed HIV-positive, a third reported to
      have participated in a prevention-of-mother-to-child-transmission (PMTCT, option
      A) intervention. Many patients were coinfected with herpes simplex virus type 2
      (79-92%), human papillomavirus (38-53%), and bacterial sexually transmitted
      infections (STIs) with no differences between groups. We applaud the Rwandan
      government for having strengthened family planning and PMTCT services and for
      having introduced HPV vaccination in recent years, but additional work is needed
      to strengthen STI and HPV-related cancer screening and management in the HIV
      positive population. 

PMID- 26257955
TI  - Intravenous Iron Therapy in Patients with Iron Deficiency Anemia: Dosing
      Considerations.
AB  - Objective. To provide clinicians with evidence-based guidance for iron therapy
      dosing in patients with iron deficiency anemia (IDA), we conducted a study
      examining the benefits of a higher cumulative dose of intravenous (IV) iron than
      what is typically administered. Methods. We first individually analyzed 5
      clinical studies, averaging the total iron deficit across all patients utilizing
      a modified Ganzoni formula; we then similarly analyzed 2 larger clinical studies.
      For the second of the larger studies (Study 7), we also compared the efficacy and
      retreatment requirements of a cumulative dose of 1500 mg ferric carboxymaltose
      (FCM) to 1000 mg iron sucrose (IS). Results. The average iron deficit was
      calculated to be 1531 mg for patients in Studies 1-5 and 1392 mg for patients in
      Studies 6-7. The percentage of patients who were retreated with IV iron between
      Days 56 and 90 was significantly (p < 0.001) lower (5.6%) in the 1500 mg group,
      compared to the 1000 mg group (11.1%). Conclusions. Our data suggests that a
      total cumulative dose of 1000 mg of IV iron may be insufficient for iron
      repletion in a majority of patients with IDA and a dose of 1500 mg is closer to
      the actual iron deficit in these patients. 

PMID- 26257956
TI  - Semantic Processing Impairment in Patients with Temporal Lobe Epilepsy.
AB  - The impairment in episodic memory system is the best-known cognitive deficit in
      patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Recent studies have shown evidence of
      semantic disorders, but they have been less studied than episodic memory. The
      semantic dysfunction in TLE has various cognitive manifestations, such as the
      presence of language disorders characterized by defects in naming, verbal
      fluency, or remote semantic information retrieval, which affects the ability of
      patients to interact with their surroundings. This paper is a review of recent
      research about the consequences of TLE on semantic processing, considering
      neuropsychological, electrophysiological, and neuroimaging findings, as well as
      the functional role of the hippocampus in semantic processing. The evidence from
      these studies shows disturbance of semantic memory in patients with TLE and
      supports the theory of declarative memory of the hippocampus. Functional
      neuroimaging studies show an inefficient compensatory functional reorganization
      of semantic networks and electrophysiological studies show a lack of N400 effect
      that could indicate that the deficit in semantic processing in patients with TLE
      could be due to a failure in the mechanisms of automatic access to lexicon. 

PMID- 26257957
TI  - Evaluation of Anthropometric and Metabolic Parameters in Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
AB  - AIMS: Sleep disorders have recently become a significant public health problem
      worldwide and have deleterious health consequences. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
      is the most common type of sleep-related breathing disorders. We aimed to
      evaluate anthropometric measurements, glucose metabolism, and cortisol levels in
      patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 50
      patients with a body mass index >=30 and major OSA symptoms were included in this
      study. Anthropometric measurements of the patients were recorded and blood
      samples were drawn for laboratory analysis. A 24-hour urine sample was also
      collected from each subject for measurement of 24-hour cortisol excretion.
      Patients were divided equally into 2 groups according to polysomnography results:
      control group with an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) <5 (n = 25) and OSA group with
      an AHI >=5 (n = 25). RESULTS: Neck and waist circumference, fasting plasma
      glucose, HbA1c, late-night serum cortisol, morning serum cortisol after 1 mg
      dexamethasone suppression test, and 24-hour urinary cortisol levels were
      significantly higher in OSA patients compared to control subjects. Newly
      diagnosed DM was more frequent in patients with OSA than control subjects (32%
      versus 8%, p = 0.034). There was a significant positive correlation between AHI
      and neck circumference, glucose, and late-night serum cortisol. CONCLUSIONS: Our
      study indicates that increased waist and neck circumferences constitute a risk
      for OSA regardless of obesity status. In addition, OSA has adverse effects on
      endocrine function and glucose metabolism.

PMID- 26257958
TI  - Effects of Myeloperoxidase-Induced Oxidation on Antiatherogenic Functions of High
      Density Lipoprotein.
AB  - High-density lipoprotein (HDL) has protective effects against the development of
      atherosclerosis; these effects include reverse cholesterol transport, antioxidant
      ability, and anti-inflammation. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) secreted by macrophages in
      atherosclerotic lesions generates tyrosyl radicals in apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I)
      molecules, inducing the formation of apoA-I/apoA-II heterodimers through the
      tyrosine-tyrosine bond in HDL. Functional characterization of HDL oxidized by MPO
      could provide useful information about the significance of apoA-I/apoA-II
      heterodimers measurement. We investigated the effects of MPO-induced oxidation on
      the antiatherogenic functions of HDL as described above. The antioxidant ability
      of HDL, estimated as the effect on LDL oxidation induced by copper sulfate, was
      not significantly affected after MPO oxidation. HDL reduced THP-1 monocyte
      migration by suppressing the stimulation of human umbilical vein endothelial
      cells induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). MPO-oxidized HDL also showed
      inhibition of THP-1 chemotaxis, but the extent of inhibition was significantly
      attenuated compared to intact HDL. MPO treatment did not affect the cholesterol
      efflux capacity of HDL from [(3)H]-cholesterol-laden macrophages derived from THP
      1 cells. The principal effect of MPO oxidation on the antiatherogenic potential
      of HDL would be the reduction of anti-inflammatory ability, suggesting that
      measurement of apoA-I/apoA-II heterodimers might be useful to estimate anti
      inflammatory ability of HDL. 

PMID- 26257959
TI  - Effect of Simvastatin on Arterial Stiffness in Patients with Statin Myalgia.
AB  - Statins reduce arterial stiffness but are also associated with mild muscle
      complaints. It is unclear whether individuals with muscle symptoms experience the
      same vascular benefit or whether statins affect striated and smooth muscle cells
      differently. We examined the effect of simvastatin treatment on arterial
      stiffness in patients who did versus those who did not exhibit muscle symptoms.
      Patients with a history of statin-related muscle complaints (n = 115) completed
      an 8 wk randomized, double-blind, cross-over trial of daily simvastatin 20 mg and
      placebo. Serum lipids and pulse wave velocity (PWV) were assessed before and
      after each treatment. Muscle symptoms with daily simvastatin treatment were
      reported by 38 patients (33%). Compared to baseline, central PWV decreased (P =
      0.01) following simvastatin treatment but not placebo (drug * time interaction: P
      = 0.047). Changes in central PWV with simvastatin treatment were not influenced
      by myalgia status or time on simvastatin (P >= 0.15). Change in central PWV after
      simvastatin treatment was inversely correlated with age (r = -0.207, P = 0.030),
      suggesting that advancing age is associated with enhanced statin-mediated
      arterial destiffening. In patients with a history of statin-related muscle
      complaints, the development of myalgia with short-term simvastatin treatment did
      not attenuate the improvement in arterial stiffness. 

PMID- 26257960
TI  - Neural Stem Cell Transplant-Induced Effect on Neurogenesis and Cognition in
      Alzheimer Tg2576 Mice Is Inhibited by Concomitant Treatment with Amyloid-Lowering
      or Cholinergic alpha7 Nicotinic Receptor Drugs.
AB  - Stimulating regeneration in the brain has the potential to rescue neuronal
      networks and counteract progressive pathological changes in Alzheimer's disease
      (AD). This study investigated whether drugs with different mechanisms of action
      could enhance neurogenesis and improve cognition in mice receiving human neural
      stem cell (hNSC) transplants. Six- to nine-month-old AD Tg2576 mice were treated
      for five weeks with the amyloid-modulatory and neurotrophic drug (+)-phenserine
      or with the partial alpha7 nicotinic receptor (nAChR) agonist JN403, combined
      with bilateral intrahippocampal hNSC transplantation. We observed improved
      spatial memory in hNSC-transplanted non-drug-treated Tg2576 mice but not in those
      receiving drugs, and this was accompanied by an increased number of Doublecortin-
      (DCX-) positive cells in the dentate gyrus, a surrogate marker for newly
      generated neurons. Treatment with (+)-phenserine did however improve graft
      survival in the hippocampus. An accumulation of alpha7 nAChR-expressing
      astrocytes was observed around the injection site, suggesting their involvement
      in repair and scarring processes. Interestingly, JN403 treatment decreased the
      number of alpha7 nAChR-expressing astrocytes, correlating with a reduction in the
      number of DCX-positive cells in the dentate gyrus. We conclude that transplanting
      hNSCs enhances endogenous neurogenesis and prevents further cognitive
      deterioration in Tg2576 mice, while simultaneous treatments with (+)-phenserine
      or JN403 result in countertherapeutic effects. 

PMID- 26257962
TI  - Neural Rhythms of Change: Long-Term Improvement after Successful Treatment in
      Children with Disruptive Behavior Problems.
AB  - Neural changes were investigated for children with disruptive behavior problems
      one year after a treatment program ended. Thirty-nine children and their parents
      visited the research lab before, after, and a year after treatment ended. During
      those lab visits, electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded during a challenging
      Go/No-go task. Treatment consisted of intensive 14-week combined cognitive
      behavioral therapy and parent management training sessions. For the analysis,
      participants were divided into long-term improvers (IMPs) and long-term
      nonimprovers (NIMPs) based on changes in their externalizing problem scores. The
      results showed early no-go theta power (4-8 Hz, 100-250 ms) decreased for long
      term IMPs compared to NIMPs. When participants were divided based on changes in
      their comorbid internalizing symptoms, effects were stronger and reductions in
      theta power were found for early as well as later phases (250-650 ms). We
      provided preliminary evidence that theta power is a useful neural measure to
      trace behavioral change linked to improved self-regulation even up to a year
      after treatment ended. Results may have implications for the characterization of
      children with disruptive behavior problems and may lead to the development of
      novel markers of treatment success.

PMID- 26257961
TI  - Decoding the Formation of New Semantics: MVPA Investigation of Rapid Neocortical
      Plasticity during Associative Encoding through Fast Mapping.
AB  - Neocortical structures typically only support slow acquisition of declarative
      memory; however, learning through fast mapping may facilitate rapid learning
      induced cortical plasticity and hippocampal-independent integration of novel
      associations into existing semantic networks. During fast mapping the meaning of
      new words and concepts is inferred, and durable novel associations are
      incidentally formed, a process thought to support early childhood's exuberant
      learning. The anterior temporal lobe, a cortical semantic memory hub, may
      critically support such learning. We investigated encoding of semantic
      associations through fast mapping using fMRI and multivoxel pattern analysis.
      Subsequent memory performance following fast mapping was more efficiently
      predicted using anterior temporal lobe than hippocampal voxels, while standard
      explicit encoding was best predicted by hippocampal activity. Searchlight
      algorithms revealed additional activity patterns that predicted successful fast
      mapping semantic learning located in lateral occipitotemporal and parietotemporal
      neocortex and ventrolateral prefrontal cortex. By contrast, successful explicit
      encoding could be classified by activity in medial and dorsolateral prefrontal
      and parahippocampal cortices. We propose that fast mapping promotes incidental
      rapid integration of new associations into existing neocortical semantic networks
      by activating related, nonoverlapping conceptual knowledge. In healthy adults,
      this is better captured by unique anterior and lateral temporal lobe activity
      patterns, while hippocampal involvement is less predictive of this kind of
      learning. 

PMID- 26257963
TI  - Giant Cell Myocarditis: Not Always a Presentation of Cardiogenic Shock.
AB  - Giant cell myocarditis is a rare and often fatal disease. The most obvious
      presentation often described in the literature is one of rapid hemodynamic
      deterioration due to cardiogenic shock necessitating urgent consideration of
      mechanical circulatory support and heart transplantation. We present the case of
      a 60-year-old man whose initial presentation was consistent with myopericarditis
      but who went on to develop a rapid decline in left ventricular systolic function
      without overt hemodynamic compromise or dramatic symptomatology. Giant cell
      myocarditis was confirmed via endomyocardial biopsy. Combined immunosuppression
      with corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitor resulted in resolution of symptoms
      and sustained recovery of left ventricular function one year later. Our case
      highlights that giant cell myocarditis does not always present with cardiogenic
      shock and should be considered in the evaluation of new onset cardiomyopathy of
      uncertain etiology as a timely diagnosis has distinct clinical implications on
      management and prognosis. 

PMID- 26257964
TI  - Malignant Course of Anomalous Left Coronary Artery Causing Sudden Cardiac Arrest:
      A Case Report and Review of the Literature.
AB  - Sudden cardiac arrest has been reported to occur in patients with congenital
      anomalous coronary artery disease. About 80% of the anomalies are benign and
      incidental findings at the time of catheterization. We present a case of sudden
      cardiac arrest caused by anomalous left anterior descending artery. 61-year-old
      African American female was brought to the emergency department after sudden
      cardiac arrest. Initial EKG showed sinus rhythm with RBBB and LAFB with
      nonspecific ST-T wave changes. Coronary angiogram revealed no atherosclerotic
      disease. The left coronary artery was found to originate from the right coronary
      cusp. Cardiac CAT scan revealed similar findings with interarterial and
      intramural course. Patient received one-vessel arterial bypass graft to her
      anomalous coronary vessel along with a defibrillator for secondary prevention.
      Sudden cardiac arrest secondary to congenital anomalous coronary artery disease
      is characterized by insufficient coronary flow by the anomalous left coronary
      artery to meet elevated left ventricular (LV) myocardial demand. High risk
      defects include those involved with the proximal coronary artery or coursing of
      the anomalous artery between the aorta and pulmonary trunk. Per guidelines, our
      patient received one vessel bypass graft to her anomalous vessel. It is important
      for clinicians to recognize such presentations of anomalous coronary artery. 

PMID- 26257965
TI  - Severe Hyperthyroidism Presenting with Acute ST Segment Elevation Myocardial
      Infarction.
AB  - Introduction. Acute myocardial infarction is life-threatening. A cardiac troponin
      rise accompanied by typical symptoms, ST elevation or depression is diagnostic of
      acute myocardial infarction. Here, we report an unusual case of a female who was
      admitted with chest pain. However, she did not present with a typical profile of
      an acute myocardial infarction patient. Case Presentation. A 66-year-old Han
      nationality female presented with chest pain. The electrocardiogram (ECG)
      revealed arched ST segment elevations and troponin was elevated. However, the
      coronary angiography showed a normal coronary arterial system. Thyroid function
      tests showed that this patient had severe hyperthyroidism. Conclusion. Our case
      highlights the possibility that hyperthyroidism may cause a large area of
      myocardium injury and ECG ST segment elevation. We suggest routine thyroid
      function testing in patients with chest pain. 

PMID- 26257966
TI  - Traumatic Cervical Spondyloptosis in a Neurologically Stable Patient: A
      Therapeutic Challenge.
AB  - This is a case report of a neurologically intact patient following posttraumatic
      cervical spondyloptosis. We discuss the disease, management protocol and some
      surgical nuances to prevent any damage to the cord during different stages of its
      treatment. 

PMID- 26257967
TI  - Rare Strain of Vibrio cholerae Septicemia in a Patient with Multiple Myeloma.
AB  - Introduction. Non-O1/non-O139 is a rare strain of Vibrio cholera that has been
      documented to cause significant morbidity and mortality in the immunosuppressed
      population. Case Presentation. A patient with multiple myeloma develops non
      O1/non-O139 Vibrio cholera septicemia, leading to multiorgan failure and
      ultimately death. Discussion. An exceedingly rare strain of Vibrio cholera, non
      O1/non-O139, may be an important factor of morbidity and mortality in certain
      immunosuppressed populations, such as patients with multiple myeloma and
      malignancies. Conclusion. Bacteremia involving generally noninvasive microbes,
      such as non-O1/non-O139 Vibrio cholerae, can have significant deleterious effects
      in the immunosuppressed patients as shown by this case report. Physicians need to
      be more diligent when treating these patients. 

PMID- 26257968
TI  - Early Onset Primary Hyperparathyroidism Associated with a Novel Germline Mutation
      in CDKN1B.
AB  - Individuals presenting with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) at a young age
      commonly have an underlying germline gene mutation in one of the following genes:
      MEN1, CASR, or CDC73. A small number of families with primary hyperparathyroidism
      have been identified with germline mutations in CDKN1B and those patients with
      primary hyperparathyroidism have almost exclusively been women who present in
      middle age suggesting that the age of onset of PHPT in MEN4 may be later than
      that of MEN1. We present a case of apparently sporadic PHPT presenting in
      adolescence with single gland disease associated with a novel CDKN1B germline
      mutation (heterozygote for a missense mutation in exon 1 of the CDKN1B gene
      (c.378G>C) (p.E126D)). The implication from this case is that CDKN1B germline
      mutations may be associated with PHPT at an earlier age than previously thought. 

PMID- 26257969
TI  - Life Threatening Idiopathic Recurrent Angioedema Responding to Cannabis.
AB  - We present a case of a 27-year-old man with recurrent episodes of angioedema
      since he was 19, who responded well to treatment with medical grade cannabis.
      Initially, he responded to steroids and antihistamines, but several attempts to
      withdraw treatment resulted in recurrence. In the last few months before
      prescribing cannabis, the frequency and severity of the attacks worsened and
      included several presyncope events, associated with scrotal and neck swelling. No
      predisposing factors were identified, and extensive workup was negative. The
      patient reported that he was periodically using cannabis socially and that during
      these periods he was free of attacks. Recent data suggest that cannabis
      derivatives are involved in the control of mast cell activation. Consequently, we
      decided to try a course of inhaled cannabis as modulators of immune cell
      functions. The use of inhaled cannabis resulted in a complete response, and he
      has been free of symptoms for 2 years. An attempt to withhold the inhaled
      cannabis led to a recurrent attack within a week, and resuming cannabis
      maintained the remission, suggesting a cause and effect relationship. 

PMID- 26257970
TI  - Professional Acquisition of M. bovis in Calabria Region (Southern Italy): A
      Challenging Case of Osteomyelitis in a Migrant Patient from Bulgaria.
AB  - We report herein the first case of a coinfection with Brucella spp., M. bovis,
      and Enterobacter cloacae in a butcher who moved from Bulgaria to Italy. Molecular
      typing suggested professional acquisition of M. bovis in Italy. So, surveillance
      and preventive measures need to be implemented. 

PMID- 26257971
TI  - Balloon Cell Urethral Melanoma: Differential Diagnosis and Management.
AB  - Introduction. Primary malignant melanoma of the urethra is a rare tumour (0.2% of
      all melanomas) that most commonly affects the meatus and distal urethra and is
      three times more common in women than men. Case. A 76-year-old lady presented
      with vaginal pain and discharge. On examination, a 4 cm mass was noted in the
      vagina and biopsy confirmed melanoma of a balloon type. Preoperative CT showed no
      distant metastases and an MRI scan of the pelvis demonstrated no associated
      lymphadenopathy. She underwent anterior exenterative surgery and vaginectomy
      also. Histology confirmed a urethral nodular malignant melanoma. Discussion.
      First-line treatment of melanoma is often surgical. Adjuvant treatment including
      chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or immunotherapy has also been reported. Even with
      aggressive management, malignant melanoma of the urogenital tract generally has a
      poor prognosis. Recurrence rates are high and the mean period between diagnosis
      and recurrence is 12.5 months. A 5-year survival rate of less than 20% has been
      reported in balloon cell melanomas along with nearly 20% developing local
      recurrence. Conclusion. To the best of our knowledge, this case is the first
      report of balloon cell melanoma arising in the urethra. The presentation and
      surgical management has been described and a literature review provided. 

PMID- 26257972
TI  - Benign Recurrent Sixth (Abducens) Nerve Palsy following Measles-Mumps-Rubella
      Vaccination.
AB  - Benign, isolated, recurrent sixth nerve palsy is rare in children. It may be
      associated with febrile viral illness and vaccination in exceptional
      circumstances although this is a diagnosis of exclusion. Here, we present the
      case of a 2-year-old Caucasian girl who developed recurrent 6th nerve palsy
      following vaccination with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. No underlying
      pathology was identified following extensive investigations and followup. There
      is limited data available on the pathophysiology of vaccination-related nerve
      palsies. As with all previous reports of cranial nerve palsies following
      vaccination, there was complete resolution in this case. Long term followup with
      repeated physical examination and investigations is warranted to avoid missing
      severe pathology and operating unnecessarily. 

PMID- 26257973
TI  - A Case of Docetaxel Induced Myositis and Review of the Literature.
AB  - In phase I and II trials taxane chemotherapeutic agents reported side effects,
      including myelosuppression, peripheral edema, and fluid retention. With further
      use of these agents, studies in the late 1980s and early 1990s began to report
      peripheral neuropathy and proximal muscle weakness as common complaints, the
      later with unexplained pathophysiology. We report a 65-year-old Hispanic woman
      with estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) positive invasive
      ductal breast carcinoma who presented with right thigh pain and swelling eight
      days after her third infusion of docetaxel (a taxane chemotherapeutic) and
      cyclophosphamide. Laboratory findings were notable for elevation in creatine
      phosphokinase (CPK), aldolase, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR); a
      magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of her lower extremities showed evidence of
      bilateral muscle edema involving the anterior compartment muscles of the thighs.
      A workup to rule out other causes of myositis was negative. Docetaxel was not
      reintroduced and the patient improved with corticosteroids. Since 2005 this is,
      to our knowledge, the fifth reported case of docetaxel related inflammatory
      myositis. Taxanes have been noted to cause disabling but transient arthralgias
      and myalgias; it is important to consider the possibility of inflammatory
      myopathy as a possible complication in patients undergoing treatment with these
      agents. 

PMID- 26257974
TI  - Conservative Management of an Iatrogenic Esophageal Tear in Kenya.
AB  - Since its description over 250 years ago, diagnosis of esophageal perforation
      remains challenging, its management controversial, and its mortality high. This
      rare, devastating, mostly iatrogenic, condition can quickly lead to severe
      complications and death due to an overwhelming inflammatory response to gastric
      contents in the mediastinum. Diagnosis is made with the help of esophagograms and
      although such tears have traditionally been managed via aggressive surgical
      approach, recent reports emphasize a shift in favor of nonoperative care which
      unfortunately remains controversial. We here present a case of an iatrogenic
      esophageal tear resulting from a routine esophagoscopy in a 50-year-old lady
      presenting with dysphagia. The esophageal tear, almost missed, was eventually
      successfully managed conservatively, thanks to a relatively early diagnosis. 

PMID- 26257975
TI  - Sarcomatoid Renal Cell Carcinoma Metastasis to the Penis.
AB  - Secondary cancers of the penis are extremely uncommon with less than 300 cases
      reported in the past 100 years. These cancers are most frequently a result of an
      aggressive or poorly managed primary prostate or bladder cancer and rarely a
      metastasis from a primary kidney tumor. Currently, there is no published
      literature which describes the spread of sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma (SRCC)
      to the penis. In this report, we present a 55-year-old-man who presented with a
      large right-sided SRCC which metastasized to the base of his penis within 1 month
      of symptom onset. We also discuss the possible route of metastasis based on
      primary tumor size and location within the retroperitoneum. 

PMID- 26257976
TI  - Prelaminated Gracilis Flap with Buccal Mucosal Graft for Salvage of Devastated
      Urethra.
AB  - In patients with devastated bulbous urethra, that is, bulbar necrosis, failed
      fasciocutaneous repairs and "watering can perineum" repair options are limited by
      paucity of reliable local tissue suitable for reconstruction. In this case report
      we demonstrate a novel variation of a two-stage technique for reconstruction of a
      devastated bulbous urethra in a 57-year-old male who suffered penetrating trauma
      to his previously reconstructed urethra. Because of extensive loss of local
      tissue from the prior reconstruction and subsequent trauma and infection a 2
      stage technique with use of gracilis was employed. This technique involved
      creation of two independently vascularized urethral hemi-plates prelaminated with
      buccal mucosa graft (BMG). In the first stage the dorsal plate was created by
      quilting buccal graft onto corpora cavernosa to create a temporary augmented
      perineal urethrostomy. In the same stage the future ventral neourethral plate was
      created by grafting another BMG onto the exposed distal gracilis muscle. Eight
      weeks later the two prelaminated plates were anastomosed by tunneling the
      gracilis-BMG composite into the perineum. At 8-month follow-up patient has normal
      voiding and continence. To our knowledge this is the first report of
      reconstructing an entire segment of devastated urethra in such a manner. 

PMID- 26257977
TI  - A Major Complication in Micropercutaneous Nephrolithotomy: Upper Calyceal
      Perforation with Extrarenal Migration of Stone Fragments due to Increased
      Intrarenal Pelvic Pressure.
AB  - Micropercutaneous nephrolithotomy is a safe and efficient technique for
      appropriate sized stones. It is performed through a 4.85 Fr all-seeing needle and
      stones are fragmented into dust, without the need for tract dilatation, unlike
      other percutaneous nephrolithotomy types. Even though micropercutaneous
      nephrolithotomy has many advantages, increase in intrapelvic pressure during
      surgery may cause rare but serious complications. Herein we report a case of
      micropercutaneous nephrolithotomy in a 20-year-old woman with a 20 mm right renal
      pelvis stone and present an undesired outcome of this complication, upper
      calyceal perforation. Right lower calyceal access was performed with 4.85 Fr all
      seeing needle and 2 cm renal pelvis stone was fragmented by 272 MUm Holmium-Yag
      laser system. Upper calyceal perforation and infrahepatic accumulation of stone
      fragments were detected by fluoroscopy during the surgery. Postoperative imagings
      revealed perirenal urinoma, perirenal and infrahepatic stone fragments, and lower
      calyceal stone fragments inside the system. On second postoperative day,
      minipercutaneous nephrolithotomy and double J catheter insertion procedures were
      applied for effective drainage and stone clearance. Risk of calyceal perforation
      and urinoma formation, due to increased intrapelvic pressure during
      micropercutaneous nephrolithotomy, should be kept in mind. 

PMID- 26257978
TI  - Evaluating Adult's Competency: Application of the Competency Assessment Process.
AB  - Competency assessment of adults with cognitive impairment or mental illness is a
      complex process that can have significant consequences for their rights. Some
      models put forth in the scientific literature have been proposed to guide health
      and social service professionals with this assessment process, but none of these
      appear to be complete. A new model, the Competency Assessment Process (CAP), was
      presented and validated in other studies. This paper adds to this corpus by
      presenting both the CAP model and the results of a survey given to health and
      social service professionals on its practical application in their clinical
      practice. The survey was administered to 35 participants trained in assessing
      competency following the CAP model. The results show that 40% of participants use
      the CAP to guide their assessment and the majority of those who do not yet use it
      plan to do so in the future. A large majority of participants consider this to be
      a relevant model and believe that all interdisciplinary teams should use it.
      These results support the relevance of the CAP model. Further research is planned
      to continue the study of the application of CAP in healthcare facilities. 

PMID- 26257979
TI  - Utility of Shear Wave Elastography for Diagnosing Chronic Autoimmune Thyroiditis.
AB  - The aims of this study were to evaluate the utility of shear wave elastography
      (SWE) using acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) for diagnosing chronic
      autoimmune thyroiditis (CAT) and to verify the effect of fibrotic thyroid tissue
      on shear wave velocity (SWV). The subjects were 229 patients with 253 normal
      thyroid lobes (controls) and 150 CAT lobes. The SWV for CAT (2.47 +/- 0.57 m/s)
      was significantly higher than that for controls (1.59 +/- 0.41 m/s) (P < 0.001).
      The area under the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve for CAT was
      0.899, and the SWV cut-off value was 1.96 m/s. The sensitivity, specificity, and
      diagnostic accuracy were 87.4%, 78.7%, and 85.1%, respectively. Levels of anti
      thyroperoxidase antibodies and thyroid isthmus thickness were correlated with
      tissue stiffness in CAT. However, there was no correlation between levels of anti
      thyroglobulin antibodies and tissue stiffness. Quantitative SWE is useful for
      diagnosing CAT, and it is possible that SWE can be used to evaluate the degree of
      fibrosis in patients with CAT. 

PMID- 26257980
TI  - Effects of Oxygen Element and Oxygen-Containing Functional Groups on Surface
      Wettability of Coal Dust with Various Metamorphic Degrees Based on XPS
      Experiment.
AB  - To investigate the difference of surface oxygen element and oxygen-containing
      functional groups among coal dusts with different metamorphic degrees and their
      influence on surface wettability, a series of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
      experiments on 6 coal samples are carried out. The result demonstrates that the
      O/C ratio of coal surface shows an overall increasing trend compared with the
      result of its elements analysis. As the metamorphic degree increases, the O/C
      ratio on the surface gradually declines and the hydrophilic groups tend to fall
      off from coal surface. It could be found that different coals show different
      surface distributions of carboxyl and hydroxyl which are considered as the
      greatest promoter to the wettability of coal surface. With the change of
      metamorphic degree, the distribution of ether group is irregular while the
      carbonyl distribution keeps stable. In general, as the metamorphic degree goes
      higher, the content of oxygen-containing polar group tends to reduce. According
      to the measurement results, the contact angle is negatively related to the
      content of oxygen element, surface oxygen, and polar groups. In addition,
      compared with surface oxygen content, the content of oxygen-containing polar
      group serves as a more reasonable indicator of coal dust wettability. 

PMID- 26257981
TI  - Neuroendoscopic treatment of symptomatic giant Virchow-Robin spaces.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Virchow-Robin spaces (VRS) or perivascular spaces are interstitial
      cystic spaces surrounding the vasculature of brain parenchyma and course from the
      subarachnoid space. Small VRS (<2 mm) appear in all age groups, but can enlarge
      and be confused with other lesions like cystic neoplasms. These enlarged VRS are
      termed giant tumefactive perivascular spaces (GRPVS). CASE DESCRIPTION: We
      present the case of a 50-year-old male who presents with right eye pain, blurred
      vision, headache, and gait imbalance. He was diagnosed with GRPVS and underwent
      an endoscopic third ventriculostomy and cyst fenestration. Postoperative imaging
      showed a decrease in size of the ventricular system with evidence of flow through
      the aqueduct and ventriculostomy. Brainstem VRS cysts decreased in size.
      CONCLUSION: Unlike the other small number of case reports, this patient is unique
      in his age of presentation and successful endoscopic method of treatment. The
      endoscopic approach provided great exposure and adequate access to the lesions.
      Clinically, symptoms improved, cyst size decreased, and need for permanent shunt
      placement was averted.

PMID- 26257982
TI  - Erratum: Pedunculated intraventricular subependymoma: Review of the literature
      and illustration of classical presentation through a clinical case: Erratum.
AB  - [This corrects the article on p. 117 in vol. 5, PMID: 25101212.]. 

PMID- 26257983
TI  - Multiple cerebral hydatid cysts in 8-year-old boy: A case report and literature
      review of a rare presentation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Multiple cerebral hydatid cysts are very rare with only a few reports
      in the literature detailing diagnostic workup, medical management, surgical
      techniques, possible complications, and outcomes. CASE DESCRIPTION: We present
      the case of an 8-year-old boy who presented with progressively worsening
      headaches, vomiting, and intermittent fever since 20 days. Diagnostic workup was
      performed, and magnetic resonance imaging revealed multiple intracranial cysts
      predominantly in the right frontal region with significant mass effect. A total
      of 19 intracranial cysts were removed surgically, and the child recovered
      uneventfully. CONCLUSIONS: Neurosurgeons should keep hydatidosis in the list of
      differentials when evaluating patients with cystic diseases of the brain.
      Although the removal of such cysts is challenging, outcomes are excellent when
      cysts are evacuated without rupture and patients show complete resolution of
      symptoms.

PMID- 26257984
TI  - C1-C2 cryptic cerebrospinal fluid leak directly identified by pressurized
      radionuclide cisternography: Case report and review of the literature.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic postural headaches may suffer from spontaneous
      intracranial hypotension (SIH). Trauma, degenerative disc spurring and connective
      tissue disorders are documented risk factors; in most cases there is no inciting
      event. Despite sophisticated means of evaluating the neuraxis, many cerebrospinal
      fluid (CSF) leaks are radiographically occult and treatment is focused on
      thoracic and cervical-thoracic regions. Although lumbar epidural blood patch
      (EBP) is the initial treatment of choice after failed conservative management,
      several studies document the need for treatment aimed at the specific leak area.
      CASE DESCRIPTION: This report describes the case of a 42-year-old female with
      scleroderma and sudden onset postural headaches. Magnetic resonance imaging
      revealed diffuse pachymeningeal enhancement suggestive of intracranial
      hypotension. Computed tomographic myelography demonstrated a collection of fluid
      ventral to the cervical thecal sac; an exact location for CSF egress was not
      identified. Conservative measures followed by lumbar EBP failed to alleviate her
      symptoms. The patient underwent placement of a lumbar drain and dynamic
      radionuclide cisternography (RIC). Panoramic images of the spine were taken at
      the time of the pressurized saline injection. The CSF leak was clearly visualized
      at C1-2. Treatment was focused at this region using percutaneous injection of
      autologous blood and fibrin glue. CONCLUSION: SIH is disabling if left untreated.
      Spinal CSF leaks are often discrete and difficult to identify using static
      imaging. The use of pressurized, RIC by lumbar drain injection allows for the
      real-time evaluation of CSF dynamics and can more precisely identify slow flow
      leaks often missed with static imaging.

PMID- 26257986
TI  - The death of Stalin - was it a natural death or poisoning?

PMID- 26257985
TI  - Chronic subdural hematoma: Surgical management and outcome in 986 cases: A
      classification and regression tree approach.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is one of the most common clinical
      entities in daily neurosurgical practice which carries a most favorable
      prognosis. However, because of the advanced age and medical problems of patients,
      surgical therapy is frequently associated with various complications. This study
      evaluated the clinical features, radiological findings, and neurological outcome
      in a large series of patients with CSDH. METHODS: A classification and regression
      tree (CART) technique was employed in the analysis of data from 986 patients who
      were operated at Asclepeion General Hospital of Athens from January 1986 to
      December 2011. Burr holes evacuation with closed system drainage has been the
      operative technique of first choice at our institution for 29 consecutive years.
      A total of 27 prognostic factors were examined to predict the outcome at 3-month
      postoperatively. RESULTS: Our results indicated that neurological status on
      admission was the best predictor of outcome. With regard to the other data, age,
      brain atrophy, thickness and density of hematoma, subdural accumulation of air,
      and antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy were found to correlate significantly
      with prognosis. The overall cross-validated predictive accuracy of CART model was
      85.34%, with a cross-validated relative error of 0.326. CONCLUSIONS:
      Methodologically, CART technique is quite different from the more commonly used
      methods, with the primary benefit of illustrating the important prognostic
      variables as related to outcome. Since, the ideal therapy for the treatment of
      CSDH is still under debate, this technique may prove useful in developing new
      therapeutic strategies and approaches for patients with CSDH.

PMID- 26257988
TI  - CTREC: C-arm Tracking and Reconstruction using Elliptic Curves.
AB  - C-arm fluoroscopy is ubiquitous in contemporary surgery, but it lacks the ability
      to accurately reconstruct three-dimensional information, attributable to the
      difficulty in obtaining the pose of X-ray images in 3D space. We propose a
      unified mathematical framework to address the issues of intra-operative pose
      estimation, correspondence and reconstruction, using simple elliptic curves. In
      contrast to other fiducial-based tracking methods, our method uses a single
      ellipse to constrain 5 out of 6 degrees of freedom of C-arm pose, along with
      randomly distributed unknown points in the imaging volume (either naturally
      present or induced by randomly placed beads or other markers in the image space)
      from two images/views to completely recover the C-arm pose. Preliminary phantom
      experiments indicate an average C-arm tracking accuracy of 0.51 degrees  and 0.12
      degrees  STD. The method appears to be sufficiently accurate and appealing for
      many clinical applications, since it uses a simple elliptic fiducial coupled with
      patient information and has very minimal interference with the workspace.

PMID- 26257987
TI  - Atypical pleomorphic neoplasms of the pineal gland: Case report and review of the
      literature.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pineal region tumors are rare and diverse. Among them exist reports
      of pleomorphic xanthroastrocytoma (PXA) and pleomorphic granular cell astrocytoma
      (PGCA) of the pineal gland. These related tumors are remarkably similar sharing
      pleomorphic histologic features with only minor immunohistochemical and
      ultrastructural differences. CASE DESCRIPTION: We present a case of a 42-year old
      right-handed woman presented with a longstanding history of migraine headaches
      which had worsened over the two months leading up to her hospitalization. MRI
      revealed a 1.7 * 1.3 * 1.6 cm intensely enhancing lesion originating in the
      pineal gland. The tumor closely resembled PGCA but did not strictly fit the
      diagnostic requirements of either PGCA or PXA. CONCLUSION: The present case
      highlights the exotic nature of pineal region tumors with pleomorphic cell
      histology. Given the diverse range of tumors encountered in the pineal region,
      pathological confirmation is mandatory. Favorable clinical outcomes demonstrate
      that surgical resection alone can yield excellent long-term results for tumors
      falling within the spectrum of pleomorphic lesions of the pineal gland.

PMID- 26257989
TI  - Role of amyloid beta in the induction of lipolysis and secretion of adipokines
      from human adipose tissue.
AB  - Amyloid-beta (Abeta) peptide, which is generated from proteolytic cleavage of
      amyloid precursor protein (APP), is a key molecule involved in the pathology of
      Alzheimer disease. Both APP and Abeta peptides are expressed in adipose tissue,
      however it is currently unclear whether Abeta can affect the key functions of
      adipose tissue. We aimed to explore whether Abeta affected lipolysis and
      adipokine secretion in cultured human adipose tissue. We found that Abeta25-35,
      which contains the main functional domain of the Abeta, stimulated lipolysis via
      PKA and ERK1/2-dependent pathways and that Abeta25-35 induced leptin and IL-6
      secretion. It is concluded that Abeta peptide exerts functional effects on
      adipose tissue that may lead to increased release of free fatty acids and pro
      inflammatory adipokines. 

PMID- 26257990
TI  - Pathways commonly dysregulated in mouse and human obese adipose tissue: FAT/CD36
      modulates differentiation and lipogenesis.
AB  - Obesity is linked to adipose tissue hypertrophy (increased adipocyte cell size)
      and hyperplasia (increased cell number). Comparative analyses of gene datasets
      allowed us to identify 1426 genes which may represent common adipose phenotype in
      humans and mice. Among them we identified several adipocyte-specific genes
      dysregulated in obese adipose tissue, involved in either fatty acid storage (acyl
      CoA synthase ACSL1, hormone-sensitive lipase LIPE, aquaporin 7 AQP7, perilipin
      PLIN) or cell adhesion (fibronectin FN1, collagens COL1A1, COL1A3, metalloprotein
      MMP9, or both (scavenger receptor FAT/CD36). Using real-time analysis of cell
      surface occupancy on xCELLigence system we developed a new method to study lipid
      uptake and differentiation of mouse 3T3L1 fibroblasts and human adipose stem
      cells. Both processes are regulated by insulin and fatty acids such as oleic
      acid. We showed that fatty acid addition to culture media increased the
      differentiation rate and was required for full differentiation into unilocular
      adipocytes. Significant activation of lipogenesis, i.e. lipid accumulation, by
      either insulin or oleic acid was monitored in times ranging from 1 to 24 h,
      depending on differentiation state, whereas significant effects on adipogenesis,
      i.e., surperimposed lipid accumulation and gene transcriptional regulations were
      measured after 3 to 4 d. Combination of selected times for analysis of lipid
      contents, cell counts, size fractionations, and gene transcriptional regulations
      showed that FAT/CD36 specific inhibitor AP5258 significantly increased cell
      survival of oleic acid-treated mouse and human adipocytes, and partially restored
      the transcriptional response to oleic acid in the presence of insulin through JNK
      pathway. Taken together, these data open new perspectives to study the molecular
      mechanisms commonly dysregulated in mouse and human obesity at the level of
      lipogenesis linked to hypertrophy and adipogenesis linked to hyperplasia. 

PMID- 26257991
TI  - Optimization of in vitro cultivation strategies for human adipocyte derived stem
      cells.
AB  - With adipose-derived stem cells being in the focus of research in regenerative
      medicine, the need arises for fast reliable cultivation protocols. We have tested
      the cultivation of human adipose-derived stem cells in endothelial cell growth
      medium prior to induction and differentiation, against the long-established use
      of DMEM/F12 medium-based cultivation protocols. We found that cultivation in
      endothelial cell growth medium not only accelerates growth before induction and
      differentiation, but also allows shorter induction and differentiation times than
      those following precultivation with DMEM/F12 medium with regard to the formation
      of mature adipocytes and to the viability undifferentiated cells. These results
      were first observed morphologically but could be confirmed by performing
      adiponectin ELISA and cell proliferation assays. 

PMID- 26257992
TI  - Glucose starvation and hypoxia, but not the saturated fatty acid palmitic acid or
      cholesterol, activate the unfolded protein response in 3T3-F442A and 3T3-L1
      adipocytes.
AB  - Obesity is associated with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and activation of
      the unfolded protein response (UPR) in adipose tissue. In this study we identify
      physiological triggers of ER stress and of the UPR in adipocytes in vitro. We
      show that two markers of adipose tissue remodelling in obesity, glucose
      starvation and hypoxia, cause ER stress in 3T3-F442A and 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Both
      conditions induced molecular markers of the IRE1alpha and PERK branches of the
      UPR, such as splicing of XBP1 mRNA and CHOP, as well as transcription of the ER
      stress responsive gene BiP. Hypoxia also induced an increase in phosphorylation
      of the PERK substrate eIF2alpha. By contrast, physiological triggers of ER stress
      in many other cell types, such as the saturated fatty acid palmitic acid,
      cholesterol, or several inflammatory cytokines including TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and
      IL-6, do not cause ER stress in 3T3-F442A and 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Our data suggest
      that physiological changes associated with remodelling of adipose tissue in
      obesity, such as hypoxia and glucose starvation, are more likely physiological ER
      stressors of adipocytes than the lipid overload or hyperinsulinemia associated
      with obesity. 

PMID- 26257993
TI  - Conditional immortalization of primary adipocyte precursor cells.
AB  - The production of new adipocytes requires the differentiation of adipocyte
      precursor (AP) cells residing within the adipose tissue stromal-vascular
      compartment. The objective was to obtain an immortalized primary adipogenic cell
      line derived from FACS isolated committed APs using the conditional expression of
      SV40 T antigen. Adipocyte precursors were isolated from white adipose tissue
      (WAT) using FACS to remove non-adipogenic cell populations from mice expressing a
      conditionally regulated SV40 T antigen. APs were maintained by continuous culture
      and induced to undergo adipogenic differentiation. Adipogenesis, determined by
      Oil Red O staining, was assessed with each passage and compared to wildtype
      controls. Adipogenic capability was rapidly lost with increased passage number in
      committed APs with concurrent reduction in cell proliferation and expression of
      essential late adipogenic genes, including Ppargamma and C/ebpalpha. Thus, FACS
      purified committed APs have limited capability to undergo expansion and
      subsequent adipogenic differentiation in vitro even if they are immortalized with
      the SV40 T antigen. 

PMID- 26257994
TI  - Wt1, the mesothelium and the origins and heterogeneity of visceral fat
      progenitors.
AB  - One major gap in adipocyte biology has been a lack of understanding of the
      developmental origins of the different visceral white adipose tissue (WAT) depots
      and subcutaneous WAT. In a recent study we showed that most visceral WAT but no
      subcutaneous WAT arises from cells expressing the Wilms' tumor 1 (Wt1) gene late
      in mouse gestation.(1) Wt1 continues to be expressed in visceral WAT progenitors
      into adult life. We also showed that visceral WAT is lined by a mesothelium and
      provided evidence that this structure is the source of adipocytes. Our study also
      adds to the growing body of evidence that there is heterogeneity in the visceral
      progenitors, such that there are Wt1-expressing and non-expressing subsets, the
      relative proportions of which vary between depots. This raises the enticing
      prospect that the adipocytes arising from these progenitor subsets may have
      different properties and our preliminary data support this notion. Finally,
      evidence from our study and one from Spiegelman's group(2) suggests that Wt1 is
      not just a marker but regulates visceral WAT identity and the progenitor
      population. We discuss the implications of this work and some of the questions
      and future directions that arise from it. 

PMID- 26257995
TI  - Role of microRNA biogenesis in adipocyte and lipodystrophy.
AB  - The detailed mechanism underlying adipocyte development and function remains to
      be fully understood. MicroRNAs are a class of non-coding regulators in adipocyte
      development and function in physiological and pathological conditions. Our recent
      study(11) using adipose-specific dgcr8 knockout mice demonstrates that microRNA
      biogenesis has a depot-specific function in adipose and plays an important role
      in brown adipocyte feature maintenance. Interestingly, in a parallel study from
      Kahn's group, Mori et al observed similar phenotypes in adipose-specific Dicer
      knockout mice. This study also reveals that the expression of Dicer is
      downregulated in the adipose from patients with HIV-associated lipodystrophy
      (HALS), suggesting that dysregulation of microRNA biogenesis may play a role in
      the onset of HALS. 

PMID- 26257996
TI  - In this Issue of Adipocyte.

PMID- 26257997
TI  - Comparison of Three Parametric Models for Glaucomatous Visual Field Progression
      Rate Distributions.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare parametric models for fitting published distributions of
      visual field progression rates (in dB/yr) for glaucoma. METHOD: We fitted a
      modified Gaussian model, a modified Cauchy model and a modified hyperbolic secant
      model to previously published distributions of visual field progression rates
      from Canada, Sweden, and the United States. The modification allowed the shape of
      the model's distribution either side of the mode to be independently varied to
      allow for the asymmetric tails seen in visual field progression rate
      distributions. RESULTS: Summing likelihoods across datasets, the modified
      hyperbolic secant was strongly favored (by 26.7 log units) compared with the next
      best-fitting model, the modified Cauchy. The modified hyperbolic secant was not
      the best fit for the Canadian dataset, however. Best-fitting modified hyperbolic
      secant parameters were broadly similarly between datasets, with parameter
      variances being less than those expected to negate the benefits of a previously
      described Bayesian method for improving individual visual field progression rate
      estimates in glaucoma. CONCLUSIONS: Although the optimum model differed depending
      upon the particular dataset, a modified hyperbolic secant performed well for all
      distributions investigated and was strongly favored when evidence was summed
      across datasets. TRANSLATIONAL RELEVANCE: Despite differences in the progression
      rate distributions between studies, the use of an "average" distribution may
      still be of benefit for improving individual visual field progression rate
      estimates in glaucoma using Bayesian methods.

PMID- 26257999
TI  - "Money talks. And the society we live in is very harsh." Cancer Care-Seeking from
      the Perspectives of Guam's Chamorros.
AB  - Cancer mortality is rising at an astonishing rate on the island of Guam compared
      to the US. The indigenous people of Guam, the Chamorro, suffer from the highest
      rates of cancer death compared to other ethnic groups. To better understand some
      of the factors underlying these mortality rates, in-depth interviews were
      conducted with 11 self-identified Chamorros of Guam to explore their experiences
      seeking screening and treatment for cancer. Respondent's care-seeking was
      significantly influenced by their family's wealth and their health insurance
      coverage. Informants who did not seek regular cancer screening reported financial
      barriers along with a lack of awareness of cancer screening. Immediate family
      members facilitated increased access to cancer care, but extended family members
      sometimes caused increased stress for participants with cancer. Public awareness
      campaigns promoting cancer screening need to be tied to structural changes to the
      health care system to make cancer care financially accessible for care-seekers.

PMID- 26257998
TI  - Characterizing the Impact of Off-Axis Scan Acquisition on the Reproducibility of
      Total Retinal Thickness Measurements in SDOCT Volumes.
AB  - PURPOSE: Off-axis acquisition of spectral domain optical coherence tomography
      (SDOCT) images has been shown to increase total retinal thickness (TRT)
      measurements. We analyzed the reproducibility of TRT measurements obtained using
      either the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) or Bruch's membrane as reference
      surfaces in off-axis scans intentionally acquired through multiple pupil
      positions. METHODS: Five volumetric SDOCT scans of the macula were obtained from
      one eye of 25 normal subjects. One scan was acquired through a central pupil
      position, while subsequent scans were acquired through four peripheral pupil
      positions. The internal limiting membrane, the RPE, and Bruch's membrane were
      segmented using automated approaches. These volumes were registered to each other
      and the TRT was evaluated in 9 Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study
      (ETDRS) regions. The reproducibility of the TRT obtained using the RPE was
      computed using the mean difference, coefficient of variation (CV), and the
      intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and compared to those obtained using
      Bruch's membrane as the reference surface. A secondary set of 1545 SDOCT scans
      was also analyzed in order to gauge the incidence of off-axis scans in a typical
      acquisition environment. RESULTS: The photoreceptor tips were dimmer in off-axis
      images, which affected the RPE segmentation. The overall mean TRT difference and
      CV obtained using the RPE were 7.04 +/- 4.31 MUm and 1.46%, respectively, whereas
      Bruch's membrane was 1.16 +/- 1.00 MUm and 0.32%, respectively. The ICCs at the
      subfoveal TRT were 0.982 and 0.999, respectively. Forty-one percent of the scans
      in the secondary set showed large tilts (> 6%). CONCLUSIONS: RPE segmentation is
      confounded by its proximity to the interdigitation zone, a structure strongly
      affected by the optical Stiles-Crawford effect. Bruch's membrane, however, is
      unaffected leading to a more robust segmentation that is less dependent upon
      pupil position. TRANSLATIONAL RELEVANCE: The way in which OCT images are acquired
      can independently affect the accuracy of automated retinal thickness
      measurements. Assessment of scan angle in a clinical dataset demonstrates that
      off-axis scans are common, which emphasizes the need for caution when relying on
      automated thickness parameters when this component of scan acquisition is not
      controlled for.

PMID- 26258000
TI  - An Abbreviated Impulsiveness Scale (ABIS) Constructed through Confirmatory Factor
      Analysis of the BIS-11.
AB  - Impulsiveness is a personality trait that reflects an urge to act spontaneously,
      without thinking or planning ahead for the consequences of your actions. High
      impulsiveness is characteristic of a variety of problematic behaviors including
      attention deficit disorder, hyperactivity, excessive gambling, risk-taking, drug
      use, and alcoholism. Researchers studying attention and self-control often assess
      impulsiveness using personality questionnaires, notably the common Barratt
      Impulsiveness Scale version 11 (BIS-11; last revised in 1995). Advances in
      techniques for producing personality questionnaires over the last 20 years
      prompted us to revise and improve the BIS-11. We sought to make the revised scale
      shorter - so that it would be quicker to administer - and better matched to
      current behaviors. We analyzed responses from 1549 adults who took the BIS-11
      questionnaire. Using a statistical technique called factor analysis, we
      eliminated 17 questions that did a poor job of measuring the three major types of
      impulsiveness identified by the scale: inattention, spontaneous action, and lack
      of planning. We constructed our ABbreviated Impulsiveness Scale (ABIS) using the
      remaining 13 questions. We showed that the ABIS performed well when administered
      to additional groups of 657 and 285 adults. Finally, we showed expected
      relationships between the ABIS and other personality measurements related to
      impulsiveness, and showed that the ABIS can help predict alcohol consumption. We
      present the ABIS as a useful and efficient tool for researchers interested in
      measuring impulsive personality.

PMID- 26258001
TI  - Novel Approaches to Individual Alcohol Interventions for Heavy Drinking College
      Students and Young Adults.
AB  - Efficacious alcohol interventions for college students and young adults have been
      developed but produce small effects of limited duration. This paper provides a
      review and critique of novel (e.g., a significant deviation from a traditional,
      brief, and motivational intervention) interventions published between 2009 and
      2014 to reduce alcohol use in this population and covers intervention
      format/components and efficacy on alcohol outcomes. We reviewed 12 randomized
      controlled trials of novel, individual-level alcohol interventions that reported
      alcohol outcomes. Four domains of novel interventions are discussed: content
      (e.g., pharmaco-therapy and automatic action tendency retraining), setting (e.g.,
      health centers and ED), modality (e.g., mobile technology), and treatment
      integration. Findings were mixed for intervention efficacy to reduce amount and
      frequency of alcohol consumption. Few studies assessed impact on alcohol-related
      problems. Despite the prevalence of efficacious interventions, there is still an
      urgent need for novel treatment approaches and delivery mechanisms for this
      difficult-to-treat population.

PMID- 26258002
TI  - Drug Resistance in the Microaerophilic Parasite Giardia lamblia.
AB  - The microaerophilic parasite Giardia lamblia is a causative agent of dysentery
      affecting hundreds of millions of people around the globe every year. The
      symptoms of the disease, commonly referred to as giardiasis, are diarrhea,
      nausea, and malabsorption. Treatment of giardiasis is exclusively based on
      chemotherapy with antigiardial drugs, including metronidazole, albendazole, and
      nitazoxanide. In this review, all drugs currently used in the treatment of
      Giardia infections are discussed with a special emphasis on treatment failure and
      drug resistance.

PMID- 26258003
TI  - Hypersomnia in Mood Disorders: a Rapidly Changing Landscape.
AB  - Hypersomnia is commonly comorbid with depressive illness and is associated with
      treatment resistance, symptomatic relapse, and functional impairment. This review
      highlights recent changes in nosological classifications of hypersomnia. In
      addition, emergent findings regarding the neurobiologic underpinnings,
      assessment, and treatment of hypersomnia in mood disorders are reviewed, as well
      as the effects of hypersomnolence on illness course. Future strategies for
      research are proposed that may elucidate the causes of hypersomnia in mood
      disorders and lead to the development of improved diagnostic and therapeutic
      strategies.

PMID- 26258004
TI  - Interactions between the transmembrane domains of CD39: identification of
      interacting residues by yeast selection.
AB  - Rat CD39, a membrane-bound ectonucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase that
      hydrolyzes extracellular nucleoside tri- and diphosphates, is anchored to the
      membrane by two transmembrane domains at the two ends of the molecule. The
      transmembrane domains are important for enzymatic activity, as mutants lacking
      one or both of these domains have a fraction of the enzymatic activity of the
      wild-type CD39. We investigated the interactions between the transmembrane
      domains by using a strain of yeast that requires surface expression of CD39 for
      growth. Random mutagenesis of selected amino acid residues in the N-terminal
      transmembrane domain revealed that the presence of charged amino acids at these
      positions prevents expression of functional protein. Rescue of the growth of
      these mutants by complementary mutations on selected residues of the C-terminal
      transmembrane domain indicates that there is contact between particular faces of
      the transmembrane domains.

PMID- 26258005
TI  - Looking back at ECSS 2014.
AB  - With the 2015 European College of Sports Science (ECSS) meeting in Malmo just
      around the corner (in time, if not space), I thought I would recap on what was an
      exciting meeting in Amsterdam last July. As Deputy Editor of a journal that, at
      the time, was yet to be launched - the 19th ECSS meeting provided the perfect
      place to make acquaintance with new and potential Editorial Board members and to
      get a feel for the research landscape. Despite the name, ECSS is an International
      organisation, and the delegation was truly global. Aside from Europe - Japan,
      Australasia and South Africa all seemed to be particularly well represented among
      delegates; not to mention, Aspetar, of Qatar, was a major sponsor of the event,
      and two exchange symposia were co-hosted between the ECSS and the American
      College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), and between ECSS and the Japanese Society of
      Physical Fitness & Sports Medicine (JSPFSM), respectively. The 4-day conference,
      held at the RAI Convention Centre, consisted of 4 plenary sessions and an
      honorary session, 36 invited symposia, 74 other oral sessions, 106 mini-oral
      sessions, and over 500 E-posters, covering the full gamut of sport and exercise
      science. As the programme's welcome message alluded to, I 'regretted that I had
      only two ears and two eyes'; however, in saying that, the vast coverage of the
      conference through social media provided one with no excuse for missing out on
      any information. 

PMID- 26258006
TI  - Effect of Segment-Body Vibration on Strength Parameters.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In this study, we examine the biomechanical advantage of combining
      localized vibrations to hamstring muscles involved in a traditional resistance
      training routine. METHODS: Thirty-six male and female participants with at least
      2 years of experience in resistance training were recruited from the German Sport
      University Cologne. The participants were randomized into two training groups:
      vibration training group (VG) and traditional training group (TTG). Both groups
      underwent a 4-week training phase, where each participant worked out at 70 % of
      the individual 1 repeat maximum (RM-maximum load capacity of a muscle for one
      lift to fatigue) (4 sets with 12 repetitions each). For participants in the VG
      group, local vibration was additionally applied directly to hamstring muscles
      during exercise. A 2-week examination phase preceded the pretests. After the
      pretests, the subjects underwent a prescribed training for 4 weeks. At the
      conclusion of the training, a 2-week detraining was imposed and then the study
      concluded with posttests and retest. RESULTS: The measured parameters were
      maximum isometric force of the hamstrings and maximum range of motion and muscle
      tension at maximum knee angle. The study revealed a significant increase in
      maximum isometric force in both training groups (VG = 21 %, TTG = 14 %). However,
      VG groups showed an increase in their range of motion by approximately 2 %.
      Moreover, the muscle tension at maximum knee angle increased less in VG
      (approximately 35 %) compared to TG (approximately 46 %). CONCLUSIONS: We
      conclude that segment-body vibrations applied in resistance training can offer an
      effective tool to increase maximum isometric force, compared to traditional
      training. The cause for these findings can be attributed to the additional local
      vibration stimulus.

PMID- 26258007
TI  - Spontaneous Entrainment of Running Cadence to Music Tempo.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Since accumulating evidence suggests that step rate is strongly
      associated with running-related injuries, it is important for runners to exercise
      at an appropriate running cadence. As music tempo has been shown to be capable of
      impacting exercise performance of repetitive endurance activities, it might also
      serve as a means to (re)shape running cadence. The aim of this study was to
      validate the impact of music tempo on running cadence. METHODS: Sixteen
      recreational runners ran four laps of 200 m (i.e. 800 m in total); this task was
      repeated 11 times with a short break in between each four-lap sequence. During
      the first lap of a sequence, participants ran at a self-paced tempo without
      musical accompaniment. Running cadence of the first lap was registered, and
      during the second lap, music with a tempo matching the assessed cadence was
      played. In the final two laps, the music tempo was either increased/decreased by
      3.00, 2.50, 2.00, 1.50, or 1.00 % or was kept stable. This range was chosen since
      the aim of this study was to test spontaneous entrainment (an average person can
      distinguish tempo variations of about 4 %). Each participant performed all
      conditions. RESULTS: Imperceptible shifts in musical tempi in proportion to the
      runner's self-paced running tempo significantly influenced running cadence (p <
      .001). Contrasts revealed a linear relation between the tempo conditions and
      adaptation in running cadence (p < .001). In addition, a significant effect of
      condition on the level of entrainment was revealed (p < .05), which suggests that
      maximal effects of music tempo on running cadence can only be obtained up to a
      certain level of tempo modification. Finally, significantly higher levels of
      tempo entrainment were found for female participants compared to their male
      counterparts (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The applicable contribution of these novel
      findings is that music tempo could serve as an unprompted means to impact running
      cadence. As increases in step rate may prove beneficial in the prevention and
      treatment of common running-related injuries, this finding could be especially
      relevant for treatment purposes, such as exercise prescription and gait
      retraining. KEY POINTS: Music tempo can spontaneously impact running cadence.A
      basin for unsolicited entrainment of running cadence to music tempo was
      discovered.The effect of music tempo on running cadence proves to be stronger for
      women than for men.

PMID- 26258008
TI  - Chemoresistance, cancer stem cells, and miRNA influences: the case for
      neuroblastoma.
AB  - Neuroblastoma is a type of cancer that develops most often in infants and
      children under the age of five years. Neuroblastoma originates within the
      peripheral sympathetic ganglia, with 30% of the cases developing within the
      adrenal medulla, although it can also occur within other regions of the body such
      as nerve tissue in the spinal cord, neck, chest, abdomen, and pelvis. MicroRNAs
      (miRNAs) regulate cellular pathways, differentiation, apoptosis, and stem cell
      maintenance. Such miRNAs regulate genes involved in cellular processes.
      Consequently, they are implicated in the regulation of a spectrum of signaling
      pathways within the cell. In essence, the role of miRNAs in the development of
      cancer is of utmost importance for the understanding of dysfunctional cellular
      pathways that lead to the conversion of normal cells into cancer cells. This
      review focuses on highlighting the recent, important implications of miRNAs
      within the context of neuroblastoma basic research efforts, particularly
      concerning miRNA influences on cancer stem cell pathology and chemoresistance
      pathology for this condition, together with development of translational medicine
      approaches for novel diagnostic tools and therapies for this neuroblastoma. 

PMID- 26258009
TI  - Isolation and time lapse microscopy of highly pure hepatic stellate cells.
AB  - Hepatic stellate cells (HSC) are the main effector cells for liver fibrosis. We
      aimed at optimizing HSC isolation by an additional step of fluorescence-activated
      cell sorting (FACS) via a UV laser. HSC were isolated from livers of healthy mice
      and animals subjected to experimental fibrosis. HSC isolation by iohexol-
      (Nycodenz) based density centrifugation was compared to a method with subsequent
      FACS-based sorting. We assessed cellular purity, viability, morphology, and
      functional properties like proliferation, migration, activation marker, and
      collagen expression. FACS-augmented isolation resulted in a significantly
      increased purity of stellate cells (>99%) compared to iohexol-based density
      centrifugation (60-95%), primarily by excluding doublets of HSC and Kupffer cells
      (KC). Importantly, this method is also applicable to young animals and mice with
      liver fibrosis. Viability, migratory properties, and HSC transdifferentiation in
      vitro were preserved upon FACS-based isolation, as assessed using time lapse
      microscopy. During maturation of HSC in culture, we did not observe HSC cell
      division using time lapse microscopy. Strikingly, FACS-isolated, differentiated
      HSC showed very limited molecular and functional responses to LPS stimulation. In
      conclusion, isolating HSC from mouse liver by additional FACS significantly
      increases cell purity by removing contaminations from other cell populations
      especially KC, without affecting HSC viability, migration, or differentiation. 

PMID- 26258010
TI  - MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities and TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 expression in the prostatic
      tissue of two ethanol-preferring rat models.
AB  - We investigated whether chronic ethanol intake is capable of altering the MMP-2
      and MMP-9 activities and TIMP-2 and TIMP-1 expression in the dorsal and lateral
      prostatic lobes of low (UChA) and high (UChB) ethanol-preferring rats. MMP-2 and
      MMP-9 activities and TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 expression were significantly reduced in
      the lateral prostatic lobe of the ethanol drinking animals. Dorsal prostatic lobe
      was less affected showing no significant alterations in these proteins, except
      for a reduction in the TIMP-1 expression in UChA rats. These important findings
      demonstrate that chronic ethanol intake impairs the physiological balance of the
      prostate extracellular matrix turnover, through downregulation of MMPs, which may
      contribute to the development of prostatic diseases. Furthermore, since these
      proteins are also components of prostate secretion, the negative impact of
      chronic ethanol intake on fertility may also involve reduction of MMPs and TIMPs
      in the seminal fluid. 

PMID- 26258012
TI  - Therapeutic Process During Exposure: Habituation Model.
AB  - The current paper outlines the habituation model of exposure process, which is a
      behavioral model emphasizing use of individually tailored functional analysis
      during exposures. This is a model of therapeutic process rather than one meant to
      explain the mechanism of change underlying exposure-based treatments. Habitation,
      or a natural decrease in anxiety level in the absence of anxiety-reducing
      behavior, might be best understood as an intermediate treatment outcome that
      informs therapeutic process, rather than as a mechanism of change. The
      habituation model purports that three conditions are necessary for optimal
      benefit from exposures: 1) fear activation, 2) minimization of anxiety-reducing
      behaviors, and 3) habituation. We describe prescribed therapist and client
      behaviors as those that increase or maintain anxiety level during an exposure
      (and therefore, facilitate habituation), and proscribed therapist and client
      behaviors as those that decrease anxiety during an exposure (and therefore,
      impede habituation). We illustrate model-consistent behaviors in the case of
      Monica, as well as outline the existing research support and call for additional
      research to further test the tenets of the habituation model as described in this
      paper.

PMID- 26258011
TI  - Insulin-like growth factor and epidermal growth factor signaling in breast cancer
      cell growth: focus on endocrine resistant disease.
AB  - Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer for women worldwide with a
      lifetime risk amounting to a staggering total of 10%. It is well established that
      the endogenous synthesis of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) and epidermal growth
      factor (EGF) polypeptide growth factors are closely correlated to malignant
      transformation and all the steps of the breast cancer metastatic cascade.
      Numerous studies have demonstrated that both estrogens and growth factors
      stimulate the proliferation of steroid-dependent tumor cells, and that the
      interaction between these signaling pathways occurs at several levels.
      Importantly, the majority of breast cancer cases are estrogen receptor- (ER-)
      positive which have a more favorable prognosis and pattern of recurrence with
      endocrine therapy being the backbone of treatment. Unfortunately, the majority of
      patients progress to endocrine therapy resistant disease (acquired resistance)
      whereas a proportion of patients may fail to respond to initial therapy (de novo
      resistance). The IGF-I and EGF downstream signaling pathways are closely involved
      in the process of progression to therapy resistant disease. Modifications in the
      bioavailability of these growth factors contribute critically to disease
      progression. In the present review therefore, we will discuss in depth how IGF
      and EGF signaling participate in breast cancer pathogenesis and progression to
      endocrine resistant disease. 

PMID- 26258014
TI  - Temporo-mandibular joint ankylosis - The difficult airway.

PMID- 26258013
TI  - Ubiquitin is a versatile scaffold protein for the generation of molecules with de
      novo binding and advantageous drug-like properties.
AB  - In the search for effective therapeutic strategies, protein-based biologicals are
      under intense development. While monoclonal antibodies represent the majority of
      these drugs, other innovative approaches are exploring the use of scaffold
      proteins for the creation of binding molecules with tailor-made properties.
      Ubiquitin is especially suited for this strategy due to several key
      characteristics. Ubiquitin is a natural serum protein, 100% conserved across the
      mammalian class and possesses high thermal, structural and proteolytic stability.
      Because of its small size and lack of posttranslational modifications, it can be
      easily produced in Escherichia coli. In this work we provide evidence that
      ubiquitin is safe as tested experimentally in vivo. In contrast to previously
      published results, we show that, in our hands, ubiquitin does not act as a
      functional ligand of the chemokine receptor CXCR4. Cellular assays based on
      different signaling pathways of the receptor were conducted with the natural
      agonist SDF-1 as a benchmark. In none of the assays could a response to ubiquitin
      treatment be elicited. Furthermore, intravenous application to mice at high
      concentrations did not induce any detectable effect on cytokine levels or
      hematological parameters. 

PMID- 26258015
TI  - Saliva as a prediction tool for dental caries: An in vivo study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The present study was undertaken to assess the caries activity by
      comparing the pH, buffering capacity, calcium, phosphorous, amylase along with
      the association of mutans in saliva for caries-free and caries-active children
      and to find out the interrelationship amongst the two groups. METHODOLOGY: The
      study sample of 80 children, aged between 4 and 8 years were included in the
      study. Caries status of each child was recorded using DMFS. They were divided
      into two groups: (i) caries-free group (40) and (ii) caries-active group (40).
      After collecting the salivary samples, mutans were determined using Saliva-Check
      mutans kit and buffering capacity by Saliva-Check Buffer kit. The remaining
      samples were sent to laboratory for analyzing pH by electrode pH meter, calcium
      by OCPC(o-cresolphthalein complexone) photometric method, phosphorous by
      phosphomolybdate/UV method, amylase by CNP-G3(2chloro-4-nitrophenyl-alpha
      maltotrioside) method using semi-autoanalyzer. RESULTS: The results obtained were
      tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis. The pH, buffering capacity,
      calcium and phosphorous level were found to be increased with the decrease in the
      caries activity of the children whereas amylase activity was increased with the
      increase in caries activity. It was observed that 77.5% children were tested
      positive and 22.5% were tested negative for mutans in caries-active group whereas
      100% children were tested negative for mutans in caries-free group. CONCLUSION:
      The physicochemical properties of saliva, such as pH, buffering capacity,
      calcium, phosphorous, amylase and Streptococcus mutans has a definite
      relationship with caries activity.

PMID- 26258016
TI  - Neurosensory disturbance after bilateral sagittal split osteotomy: A
      retrospective study.
AB  - AIM: To retrospectively evaluate neurosensory disturbance (NSD) after bilateral
      sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective review was
      carried out to assess inferior alveolar nerve function in patients treated by
      BSSO from 2010 to 2013. All patients included in the study were assessed using
      objective (cotton swabs and pin prick testing) and subjective testing
      (questionnaire) for inferior alveolar nerve function after a minimum of 1 year of
      follow-up. Medical records of the patients were used to assess the incidence of
      NSD in the immediate post-operative period. RESULTS: 15 patients (30 sides) had
      undergone BSSO during the specified time period. On subjective testing, NSD was
      reported in 22 operated sides (73.3%) in the immediate post-operative period,
      while 4 operated sides (13.3%) reported persistent NSD. On objective testing,
      immediate post-operative NSD was seen in 20 operated sides (66.7%). After a
      minimum of 1 year follow-up, recovery was seen in 18 operated sides while
      persistent NSD was seen in 2 operated sides (6.7%). CONCLUSION: NSD of the
      inferior alveolar nerve is a common complication after BSSO in the immediate post
      operative period. However in a long term, nerve function usually recovers.

PMID- 26258017
TI  - Comparative evaluation of healing after gingivectomy with electrocautery and
      laser.
AB  - PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: To evaluate whether laser has got any advantage over
      electrocautery in performing gingivectomy procedure. METHOD: This was randomized
      split mouth prospective study where 17 patients having symmetrical gingival
      hyperplasia were treated with electrocautery and laser on each side. Intra- and
      postoperative parameters assessed were duration of surgery, bleeding, tissue
      sticking, postoperative pain and healing. The results were statistically analyzed
      and compared. RESULT: There were 7 Females and 10 Males with a mean age of 28.2
      +/- 11.6 years. The mean time taken on the laser and electrocautery was 16 (+/
      8.05) and 16.7 min (+/-9.86) respectively and the difference was not significant.
      On laser side, there was no bleeding in 3 (17.6%) and self limiting in 14
      patients (82.4%) whereas electrocautery side, there was no bleeding in 2 (11.8%)
      and self limiting in 15 patients (88.2%). Both electrocautery and laser were
      comparable regarding ease of use during gingivectomy procedure. Charring was
      observed on both sides although there was more charring on the laser side.
      Fibrinous slough was present on both sides at 24 h. Difference in healing was not
      significant at various time intervals. There were no significant difference in
      postoperative pain experienced by the patients among the laser and cautery group
      at different time intervals. CONCLUSION: Both techniques with proper adhesion to
      safeguards, can be used to remove gingival overgrowth with equal efficiency and
      wound healing capacity. There is no advantage of diode laser over electrocautery
      in performing gingivectomy.

PMID- 26258018
TI  - Custom made orthotic device for maintaining skull architecture during the
      postoperative period in infants undergoing craniosynostosis surgery.
AB  - AIM: To fabricate a cost effective, indigenous and simple orthotics helmet for
      post-operative cranial molding in patients with craniosynostosis surgery.
      METHODS: We present a case of 15 month old infant with secondary cranial vault
      deformity. Cranial vault remodeling surgery involving the posterior skull was
      planned and executed to increase the posterior gap, so that brain growth would be
      facilitated towards this empty space. Materials such as thermoplastic sponge,
      thermoplastic ionomer resin sheet, soft sponge and Velcro straps are used to
      fabricate a cranial orthotics helmet. RESULTS: We have successfully used the
      above materials to fabricate the orthotics helmet for post-operative cranial
      molding. CONCLUSION: The technique described in this article is simple and cost
      effective. It can be custom made according to the demands of the surgical
      technique and the type of synostosis. It favors an individualistic prognosis, and
      proves worthwhile as every synostosis requires a unique treatment plan. It is an
      excellent adjuvant to craniosynostosis remodeling surgery.

PMID- 26258019
TI  - Are salivary amylase and pH - Prognostic indicators of cancers?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Saliva, "Mirror of body's health" has long been of particular
      interest as a substitute for blood for disease diagnosis and monitoring. The
      radiation effects on salivary glands are of particular interest in which salivary
      amylase is a good indicator of salivary glands function. Thus, estimation of
      these parameters represents a reasonable approach in evaluation of patient's risk
      for disease occurrence, intensity and prognosis. AIM OF STUDY: To evaluate and
      compare the pH and amylase levels in saliva of cancer patients prior to
      treatment, patients during treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Saliva samples of 90
      individuals were taken which were divided into 3 groups - 30 individuals without
      cancer, 30 cancer patients prior treatment and 30 cancer patients during
      treatment. Materials used were pH strips and pH meter, Salivary Amylase assay.
      RESULTS: Statistical analysis - ANOVA with post-hoc Tukey's test. 1) Significant
      decrease in salivary amylase levels - in cancer patients, during treatment when
      compared to others. 2) Significant decrease in salivary pH levels in newly
      diagnosed cancer patients prior to treatment. CONCLUSION: To conclude, pH strips
      and pH meter showed to be a useful tool in the measurement of pH of saliva in
      individuals with and without cancer. This study showed that cancer patients
      without treatment have a lower pH of saliva. Treatment increased the pH of the
      saliva to a more alkaline level whereas amylase levels decreased in those
      subjects. Therefore those parameters can be an area of further research with an
      increased sample size, which in-turn may help in opening the doors for new
      dimension in non invasive prognostic markers.

PMID- 26258021
TI  - Tentpole technique for bone regeneration in vertically deficient alveolar ridges:
      A review.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Vertical augmentation is necessary in cases of
      extensive resorption of alveolar ridge for dental implants placement and esthetic
      prosthetic rehabilitation. Several surgical techniques have been used to increase
      bone height including distraction osteogenesis, and particulate or block bone
      graft. This study was done to describe the evolution of "tentpole technique" and
      to review the literature related to this technique and thus evaluate its
      effectiveness to augment large vertical alveolar ridge defects for implant
      placement. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The evidence was obtained by PubMed and Google
      search using key words: tentpole technique, ridge resorption, and alveolar ridge
      augmentation . The years of search included from 2002 till 2013. RESULTS: The
      technique was described as effective on review of outcome of existing studies. It
      was found that considerable and stable increase in alveolar ridge height was
      achieved using tentpole technique. CONCLUSIONS: Tenting of periosteum and soft
      tissue matrix maintains space and enhances the effectiveness of bone graft. This
      technique offers predictable functional and esthetic reconstruction of large
      vertical alveolar defects.

PMID- 26258022
TI  - A rare case report of Ellis Van Creveld syndrome in an Indian patient and
      literature review.
AB  - Ellis Van Creveld syndrome (EVC) is a rare genetic disorder having autosomal
      recessive inheritance affecting the Amish population of Pennsylvania in USA with
      incidence of 1:244,000 for the general population. This syndrome consists of
      characteristic features such as bilateral postaxial polydactyly,
      chondroectodermal dysplasia, congenital heart defects and hypoplastic nails and
      teeth. There are few case reports of this syndrome reported in dental literature.
      We report a case of a 17 year old female presenting typical features of this
      syndrome and the oral findings of this patient which are the key diagnostic
      features. 

PMID- 26258020
TI  - Genomic expression in non syndromic cleft lip and palate patients: A review.
AB  - Cleft lip and palate are common congenital anomalies with significant medical,
      psychological, social, and economic ramifications, affecting one in seven hundred
      live births. Genetic causes of non syndromic cleft lip and/or palate (NSCLP)
      include chromosomal rearrangements, genetic susceptibility to teratogenic
      exposures, and complex genetic contributions of multiple genes. Development of
      the orofacial clefts in an individual will depend on the interaction of several
      moderately effecting genes with environmental factors. Several candidate genes
      have been genotyped in different population types, using case parent trio or case
      control design; also genes have been sequenced and SNPs have been reported.
      Quantitative and molecular analysis have shown linkage and association studies to
      be more relevant. Recent literature search shows genome wide association studies
      using microarray. The aim of this paper was to review the approaches to identify
      genes associated with NSCLP and to analyze their differential expressions.
      Although no major gene has been confirmed, a lot of research is ongoing to
      provide an understanding of the pathophysiology of the orofacial clefts. 

PMID- 26258023
TI  - Progressive facial asymmetry resulting from condylar osteochondroma - A case
      report detailing the resection, subsequent orthognathic intervention and custom
      joint replacement.
AB  - We discuss a 37 year old male - who presented with marked facial asymmetry and
      signs/symptoms suggestive of condylar hyperplasia. Imaging confirmed a large
      exophytic growth arising from the right mandibular condylar head. Treatment
      included tumour resection, orthognathic intervention and total joint replacement.
      The clinical presentation, pathology and treatment, along with a brief discussion
      are described in this report. 

PMID- 26258024
TI  - Orodental manifestations in cases with partial agenesis of corpus callosum-rare
      phenomena.
AB  - This article focuses on the associated signs and symptoms of patients with
      partial agenesis of the corpus callosum. The orodental manifestations of such
      cases have been given special weightage which will prove to be of great help to
      oral physician when encountered with such cases. CASE DETAILS: Two siblings, aged
      14 and 16 years, reported with a chief complaint of severe crowding of teeth with
      mouth breathing habit. They were low birth-weight babies and had been born to non
      consanguinous parents. The distinguishing features of these children were
      craniofacial abnormalities, delayed developmental milestones, mild mental
      retardation and abnormal gait. The nosological features and the clinical
      manifestations of this syndrome and the plausible autosomal recessive inheritance
      of this rare syndrome have been elicited. The diagnosis was based on
      characteristic phenotype, in particular striking craniofacial and skeletal
      abnormalities and neuroimaging. CONCLUSION: It is a challenge for healthcare
      professionals to help these youths to maximize their potential as human beings
      and help them achieve a meaningful adulthood. On the other hand, diagnosing such
      cases can be a challenge to dentistry. A systematic protocol, if adhered, can
      lead to a more appropriate diagnosis. Managing such cases in a clinical setup
      involves a multispeciality and interdisciplinary approach.

PMID- 26258025
TI  - Solitary fibrous tumor of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses: A case report.
AB  - Solitary Fibrous Tumors (SFT) are rare neoplasms first described in 1931 by
      Klemperer and Rabin. SFT's have mesenchymal rather than mesothelial origin. They
      arise mostly from serous membranes, although they also originate in other regions
      such as: the urogenital system, mediastinal space, lungs, vulva, orbit, thyroid,
      nasopharyngeal region, larynx, salivary glands. SFT of the nasal cavity and
      paranasal sinuses are extremely rare. To the year 2014 only 33 cases were
      reported in English literature. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We present a case of 58
      year-old man with solitary fibrous tumor localized in the right nasal cavity. The
      patient presented with an 18-month history of epistaxis and right epiphora. He
      also reported unilateral right-sided nasal obstruction over the last 6 months.
      RESULTS: CT disclosed a large, homogeneous mass in the nasal cavity infiltrating
      and destroying nasal septum, turbinates, occupying right maxillary sinus, right
      ethmoid, extending to the right frontal sinus and right orbit. The infiltration
      of the right oculus was suspected. Biopsy revealed fibrocytes and histiocytes
      proliferation with rich vascularization. There was no evidence of histological
      malignancy. Pathology results were significant for SFT. CONCLUSION: The tumor was
      excised by means of right lateral rhinotomy. Neither the extension to the right
      maxillary sinus nor the orbital floor infiltration was seen intraoperatively
      despite the fact, that it was observed in computed tomography before the surgery.
      The patient had a 5.5-year follow up after surgery, radiological examination
      showed no recurrence.

PMID- 26258026
TI  - Use of a light cured periodontal surgical dressing material in temporization: A
      convenient approach.
AB  - Majority of provisional restorations are fabricated directly in the mouth.
      However, there are several reasons where the direct technique may not be feasible
      and the clinician might need an indirect method. This report describes the use of
      a periodontal surgical dressing material (PSD) as a quick solution in such
      situations, utilizing it for short term temporization till the indirect
      provisional is fabricated. PSD's may be used for short term temporization in
      cases where the need of indirect temporization requires a patient to go without a
      provisional for a few days or the definitive restoration can be delivered in a
      very short span of time. It also opens up the possibility of single sitting
      abutment reduction at the time of periodontal surgery, using the pack for a dual
      purpose-healing & temporization. 

PMID- 26258027
TI  - Post-Odontoma autotransplantation of an impacted tooth: A case report.
AB  - After years of relegation by dental implants, autotransplantation has recently
      become more popular because of a better understanding of its science. The
      prognosis of autotransplantation primarily depends upon the presence of an intact
      alveolar bone at the transplant site and the regeneration of a functional
      periodontal ligament of the transplant. Replacement of an unsalvaged or a missing
      tooth by a natural tooth with normal periodontium within a short duration of
      treatment is the ultimate challenge of autotransplantation. Meanwhile, Platelet
      Rich Fibrin (PRF) is popular as a biomaterial which helps in the regeneration of
      bone and periodontal tissues. To improve the prognosis, and also shorten the
      treatment time in a rare case of autotransplantation of an impacted tooth in a
      post-odontoma site, we did a two-stage surgical procedure aided by synthetic bone
      granules (Biograft) and PRF. The clinical and radiological findings at 6 months
      follow-up showed good result and promise. 

PMID- 26258028
TI  - The midfacial glomangiopericytoma - Case report.
AB  - Glomangiopericytoma is classified as a borderline low malignancy tumor but
      recurrence rate is reported to be about 16.8%-30%, probably caused by the lack of
      radical resection.(1) It is a rare tumor arising from pericytes surrounding
      capillaries. The tumor has a predilection for the nasal cavity and paranasal
      sinuses. We report a case of glomangiopericytoma with an aim to present how it
      can invade and destroy both maxillary bones and lower part of nasal cavity. Due
      to its dimensions the tumor required extensive resection within tumor-free
      margins. On the basis of immunohistochemical staining the tumor was diagnosed as
      glomangiopericytoma. Strict follow-up of 16 months after radical resection
      revealed no recurrence of the tumor. 

PMID- 26258029
TI  - Hospital costs in the US for pulmonary mycobacterial diseases.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pulmonary mycobacterial diseases describe both tuberculosis (TB) and
      nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). Few data are available measuring the cost
      burden of mycobacterial diseases at the national level. The purpose of this study
      is to evaluate the cost burden and measure emerging trends in hospitalization of
      pulmonary TB and NTM cases in the United States from 2001 through 2012. METHODS:
      This study is a retrospective, community-based cost analysis of hospitalized
      patients with a principal diagnosis of pulmonary mycobacterial diseases from 2001
      through 2012. Data for pulmonary TB and NTM were retrieved from the Healthcare
      Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), US Department of Health and Human Services.
      The statistical significance of observed trends of NTM and TB national hospital
      costs was calculated using Poisson log-linear regression. RESULTS: 20,049
      hospital discharges were reported for pulmonary NTM and 69,257 for pulmonary TB
      in the US from 2001 through 2012. The total associated cost of these discharges
      was $903,767,292 for pulmonary NTM and $2,078,113,317 for pulmonary TB. During
      the study period, the national hospital costs of pulmonary NTM increased at a
      statistically significant rate in the US over each year (P = 0.001). However, no
      such increase was found for national hospital costs of pulmonary TB. CONCLUSIONS:
      The national hospital cost of NTM management is increasing. These results
      emphasize the importance of continued research in pulmonary NTM in order to
      improve current guidelines in prevention and treatment strategies.

PMID- 26258030
TI  - The Simple Cow Hitch Stitch Technique for Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair and
      Stabilization Using Knotless Suture Anchors.
AB  - The tissue-suture interface is the most vulnerable and challenging part of
      adequate restoration and fixation in rotator cuff repair. We describe a simple
      stitch technique for arthroscopic rotator cuff repair using knotless suture
      anchors based on the cow hitch. The simple cow hitch stitch technique is easy to
      perform, especially under difficult conditions, and provides excellent initial
      fixation strength as required for integration of the reinserted cuff and for
      shoulder stabilization. 

PMID- 26258031
TI  - Dry Endoscopic-Assisted Mini-Open Approach With Neuromonitoring for Chronic
      Hamstring Avulsions and Ischial Tunnel Syndrome.
AB  - Chronic hamstring origin avulsions and ischial tunnel syndrome are common causes
      of posterior hip pain. Although physical therapy has shown benefits in some
      cases, recent evidence has reported better outcomes with surgical treatment in
      appropriately selected patients. The full-open approach has been the classic
      procedure to address this problem. However, the complications related to
      extensive tissue exposure and the proximity of the incision to the perianal zone
      have led to the description of full-endoscopic techniques. Achieving an accurate
      hamstring repair could be technically demanding with a full-endoscopic procedure.
      Accurate reattachment is crucial in hamstring repair because of the functional
      demand of the muscles crossing of 2 major joints (hip and knee). This surgical
      note describes a mixed technique including a mini-open approach, neuromonitoring,
      and dry endoscopic-assisted repair of the hamstring origin as an alternative for
      treating patients with chronic hamstring avulsions and ischial tunnel syndrome
      that remain symptomatic despite nonoperative treatment. 

PMID- 26258032
TI  - Lateral Decubitus All-Arthroscopic Latarjet Procedure for Treatment of Shoulder
      Instability.
AB  - Shoulder instability can be a challenging condition to treat when it becomes
      refractory to soft-tissue procedures or when bone loss exceeds 25% to 27% of the
      glenoid. The Bristow-Latarjet procedure has been developed and popularized to
      deal with these concerns. Traditionally, the procedure has been performed as an
      open approach; however, this has been recently supplanted by novel arthroscopic
      techniques. We present a technique for the procedure performed with the patient
      in a semi-lateral decubitus position that assists with optimal graft placement on
      the native glenoid. We use the cannulated Bristow-Latarjet Instability Shoulder
      System (DePuy Mitek, Raynham, MA). After a diagnostic arthroscopic evaluation, we
      use multiple arthroscopic anterior portals to debride the rim of the glenoid. The
      coracoid is prepared and taken down arthroscopically, and the cannulated guide is
      attached and advanced through an arthroscopically created subscapularis split.
      With the shoulder held in a reduced position, we are then able to drill and
      anchor the graft to the native glenoid. The patient is able to begin gentle range
      of-motion exercises immediately postoperatively. 

PMID- 26258033
TI  - Arthroscopic Correction of a Supracondylar Malunion in a Child.
AB  - Malunions are a well-recognized complication of pediatric supracondylar humeral
      fractures. Results of corrective osteotomies vary, and complication rates have
      been reported to be as high as 40%. Considering the high rate of complications
      for malunion correction, we investigated the feasibility of arthroscopy. We
      present a technique for arthroscopic supracondylar osteotomy and percutaneous
      pinning. There are many advantages of an arthroscopic approach to malunion
      correction, including extension-type deformity correction, safe access to the
      anterior humerus, and minimal dissection and scarring; any intracapsular
      contracture can be addressed as well. Elbow arthroscopy appears to be a viable
      option in the pediatric orthopaedic surgeon's armamentarium. 

PMID- 26258034
TI  - Direct "Cystoscopic" Approach for Arthroscopic Decompression of an Intraosseous
      Ganglion of the Lunate.
AB  - Intraosseous ganglion cysts (IOGs) are uncommon lesions of the carpal bones and
      can present with persistent pain and stiffness of the wrist. Surgical
      decompression is recommended, and a variety of approaches to decompress
      symptomatic IOGs of the wrist have been described. We describe an arthroscopic
      approach that can be performed with only 2 portals and offers excellent access
      for visualization and instrumentation. The procedure involves creating a 3.2-mm
      tunnel into the lunate cyst; this is performed through the dorsal non-articular
      surface of the lunate, under direct vision, and the position is confirmed with
      fluoroscopy. A 2.4-mm arthroscope is passed through the drill hole, and a direct
      "cystoscopic" view of the IOG is obtained. Biopsy of the cyst contents is
      performed under direct vision, and small-joint shavers and burrs are used for
      effective debridement. Advantages of this technique are actual visualization of
      the pathology, complete intracystic debridement, and simultaneous treatment of
      any coexistent intra-articular pathology. In addition, the minimal 3.2-mm lunate
      tunnel access maintains the structural integrity of the lunate and reduces the
      need for additional bone graft supplementation. 

PMID- 26258035
TI  - Arthroscopic Suture Fixation in Femoral-Sided Avulsion Fracture of Anterior
      Cruciate Ligament.
AB  - A femoral-sided avulsion fracture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a
      rare and challenging condition. Most reported cases have occurred in childhood or
      adolescence. Many techniques of ACL repair have been reported, and in recent
      years, techniques in arthroscopic surgery have been developed and have become
      ever more popular with orthopaedic surgeons. We created a technique of
      arthroscopic ACL repair with suture anchor fixation for a femoral-sided ACL
      avulsion fracture. This technique saves the natural ACL stump. It is available
      for cases in which creation of a tibial tunnel is not allowed. Moreover, it does
      not require a skin incision for fixation on the far femoral cortex and,
      therefore, does not require a second operation to remove the fixation device. The
      arthroscopic technique also has a good cosmetic outcome. 

PMID- 26258036
TI  - Arthroscopic Visualization of Abnormal Movement of Discoid Lateral Meniscus With
      Snapping Phenomenon.
AB  - Discoid lateral meniscus with snapping phenomenon is a rare pathologic condition.
      The purpose of this article is to present an arthroscopic technique for the
      treatment of discoid lateral meniscus with snapping phenomenon. The patient is
      placed in the supine position for confirmation of snapping. As the patient's knee
      bends, it can be confirmed by arthroscopy that the posterior horn of the discoid
      lateral meniscus moves posteriorly and the central portion of the discoid lateral
      meniscus moves anteriorly at the same time with snapping at deep flexion angles.
      The anterior segment of the discoid lateral meniscus is found to be redundant and
      is often folded. On the contrary, as the patient's knee extends, the central
      portion is returned to the original position accompanied by snapping at nearly
      full extension. After excision of the central portion, the movement of the
      meniscus is evaluated again and the disappearance of the snapping phenomenon can
      be confirmed. Although it includes limitations, this application is easy and
      would certainly help surgeons to treat snapping knee with discoid lateral
      meniscus. 

PMID- 26258037
TI  - Combined Intra- and Extra-articular Reconstruction of the Anterior Cruciate
      Ligament: The Reconstruction of the Knee Anterolateral Ligament.
AB  - We present a new technique for the combined intra- and extra-articular
      reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament. Intra-articular reconstruction
      is performed in an outside-in manner according to the precepts of the anatomic
      femoral tunnel technique. Extra-articular reconstruction is performed with the
      gracilis tendon while respecting the anatomic parameters of the origin and
      insertion points and the path described for the knee anterolateral ligament. 

PMID- 26258038
TI  - Deep Transverse Lateral Retinaculum Reconstruction for Medial Patellar
      Instability.
AB  - Medial patellar instability can be a disabling complication of an extensive
      lateral retinaculum release. It is often overlooked, and for the diagnosis, it is
      necessary to have a high index of suspicion. Typically, the patient feels a new
      pain and new instability after the lateral retinaculum release that are distinct
      from, and much worse than, those before surgery. All of our patients had
      significant relief from their pain with "reverse" McConnell taping. If there is a
      significant improvement in symptoms after this taping and stress radiographs or
      stress axial computed tomography scans show an objective pathologic medial
      patellar displacement, reconstruction of the lateral retinaculum should be
      considered. This article details our technique for reconstruction of the deep
      transverse layer of the lateral retinaculum using an anterior strip of the
      iliotibial band. This strip is detached from its insertion onto the Gerdy
      tubercle and then reflected proximally beyond the level of the lateral femoral
      epicondyle. Finally, it is attached either by direct suture to the remaining
      prepatellar and peripatellar retinaculum if there is adequate tissue present or
      by a suture anchor. 

PMID- 26258039
TI  - Endoscopic Pubic Symphysectomy for Athletic Osteitis Pubis.
AB  - Osteitis pubis is a common form of athletic pubalgia associated with
      femoroacetabular impingement. Endoscopic pubic symphysectomy was developed as a
      less invasive option than open surgical curettage for recalcitrant osteitis
      pubis. This technical note demonstrates the use of the anterior and suprapubic
      portals in the supine lithotomy position for endoscopic burr resection of pubic
      symphyseal fibrocartilage and hyaline endplates. Key steps include use of the
      suprapubic portal for burr resection of the posteroinferior symphysis and
      preservation of the posterior and arcuate ligaments. Endoscopic pubic
      symphysectomy is a minimally invasive bone-conserving surgery that retains
      stability and may be useful in the treatment of recalcitrant osteitis pubis or
      osteoarthritis. It nicely complements arthroscopic surgery for femoroacetabular
      impingement and may find broader application in this group of co-affected
      athletes. 

PMID- 26258040
TI  - All-Arthroscopic Autologous Matrix-Induced Chondrogenesis for the Treatment of
      Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus.
AB  - Several surgical techniques have been described for the treatment of talar
      chondral lesions. Among them, microfracture is well established. Autologous
      matrix-induced chondrogenesis (AMIC), using microfracture and biomaterials, has
      shown promising results for the treatment of knee osteochondral lesions and has
      been proposed for the ankle as an open technique. We describe an all-arthroscopic
      AMIC technique. The benefits of an all-arthroscopic procedure include smaller
      incisions with less soft-tissue dissection, better visualization of the joint,
      and a quicker recovery compared with open surgery. The use of matrix to support
      cartilage regeneration promotes good-quality cartilage tissue with satisfactory
      long-term outcomes. Our all-arthroscopic AMIC technique uses a type I-type III
      porcine collagen matrix (Chondro-Gide; Geistlich Pharma, Wolhusen, Switzerland)
      and is characterized by 2 different arthroscopic surgical phases. First, adequate
      exposure is achieved through use of a Hintermann spreader (Integra LifeSciences,
      Plainsboro, NJ) with sufficient joint distraction and wet lesion preparation. The
      second surgical step is performed dry, involving matrix placement and fixation.
      The all-arthroscopic AMIC technique for the treatment of osteochondral lesions of
      the talus allows a very precise reconstruction in the case of cartilage defects
      and avoids the need for a more invasive operation associated with higher
      morbidity and a longer surgical time. 

PMID- 26258041
TI  - A Technique of Superficial Medial Collateral Ligament Reconstruction Using an
      Adjustable-Loop Suspensory Fixation Device.
AB  - This report describes superficial medial collateral ligament reconstruction of
      the knee using a novel method of graft fixation with the ACL Tightrope RT
      (Arthrex, Naples, FL). After tibial fixation with either a standard interference
      screw or staple, femoral fixation of the semitendinosus tendon is performed with
      the adjustable-loop suspensory fixation device, which allows for both initial
      graft tensioning and re-tensioning after cyclical knee range of motion. This
      provides the ability for the graft to accommodate for resultant soft-tissue creep
      and stress relaxation, thereby allowing for optimal soft-tissue tension and
      reduction in laxity at the end of the procedure. 

PMID- 26258042
TI  - Knotless Arthroscopic Repair of Subscapularis Tendon Tears Using Looped Suture.
AB  - Subscapularis tendon tears present a technical challenge because both diagnosis
      and arthroscopic treatment can be difficult. One difficulty is the limited
      visualization and working space of the anterior shoulder. Although most tears of
      the subscapularis are partial- or full-thickness tears of the upper third of the
      tendon, occasionally, larger or more retracted tears are encountered. Various
      techniques have been developed to treat a wide variety of tear patterns. We
      present a simple technique using a looped suture that remains easy to use in the
      limited working space of the anterior shoulder; can be easily modified to
      accommodate a broad spectrum of subscapularis pathology, from partial to full and
      retracted tears; and uses familiar viewing and working portals. This technique
      creates a single-row, knotless repair. Traction on the superior suture improves
      visualization and ease of passing more inferior sutures. Risks include
      unintentional over-tensioning of the repair and medialization of the femoral
      footprint, which can be avoided with appropriate exposure and arm positioning
      during repair. Postoperative care includes restriction of external rotation for 3
      to 6 weeks and strengthening at 3 months. 

PMID- 26258043
TI  - Single-Portal Arthroscopy of the Central Compartment of the Hip.
AB  - Since hip arthroscopy has become a standard of orthopaedic practice, the
      indications have continued to expand as it has proved to be a helpful diagnostic,
      as well as therapeutic, tool. Access to the hip joint, however, remains
      challenging for the orthopaedic surgeon who does not routinely perform hip
      arthroscopy. We present a single-portal arthroscopic technique, showing the
      feasibility of single-portal arthroscopic access to the hip joint, as well as
      describing basic indications and instrumentation for single-portal hip
      arthroscopy. Single-portal hip arthroscopy is ideal for the patient who needs to
      undergo diagnostic hip arthroscopy or for treatment in patients with simple hip
      pathology (e.g., removal of loose bodies or debridement). 

PMID- 26258044
TI  - Basket-Weave Technique for Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction.
AB  - The anatomy of the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) has been well defined,
      with parts of its uppermost fibers having a soft-tissue insertion onto the vastus
      intermedius. Bone tunnels and implants on the patellar side therefore cannot
      replicate this anatomic construct precisely. Because of implants and tunnels,
      complications have been reported with bone tunnel fracture. Similarly, on the
      femoral side, rigid fixation with implants can result in over-constraint with
      compromised results. Moreover, bone tunnels cannot be used in skeletally immature
      cases. To overcome issues related to bone tunneling and implants, as well as to
      reconstruct the MPFL in a precise anatomic manner, an all-soft-tissue fixation
      technique was devised. Bony landmarks were used as reference points instead of
      radiologic markers to achieve a more precise construct and to eliminate
      intraoperative radiography. Hamstring graft was used to reconstruct the MPFL.
      Special suturing techniques were used to achieve optimal graft fixation with
      minimal suture knots. A special tissue elevator-suture passer device was designed
      to facilitate graft passage and ease in performing the procedure. This technique
      permits differential tensioning, and therefore one achieves stability throughout
      the range of motion. 

PMID- 26258045
TI  - Microarray-based optimization to detect genomic deletion mutations.
AB  - We performed array comparative genome hybridization (aCGH) analyses of five
      Arabidopsis thaliana mutants with genomic deletions ranging in size from 4 bp to
      > 5 kb. We used the Roche NimbleGen Arabidopsis CGH 3 * 720 K whole genome custom
      tiling array to optimize deletion detection. Details of the microarray design and
      hybridization data have been deposited at the NCBI GEO repository with accession
      number GSE55327.

PMID- 26258046
TI  - Platform comparison of detecting copy number variants with microarrays and whole
      exome sequencing.
AB  - Copy number variation (CNV) is a common source of genetic variation that has been
      implicated in many genomic disorders, Mendelian diseases, and common/complex
      traits. Genomic microarrays are often employed for CNV detection. More recently,
      whole-exome sequencing (WES) has enabled detection of clinically relevant point
      mutations and small insertion-deletion exome wide. We evaluated (de Ligt et al.
      2013) [1] the utility of short-read WES (SOLiD 5500xl) to detect clinically
      relevant CNVs in DNA from 10 patients with intellectual disability and compared
      these results to data from three independent high-resolution microarray
      platforms. Calls made by the different platforms and detection software are
      available at dbVar under nstd84.

PMID- 26258047
TI  - Transcriptional Profiling of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Replicating in the Human
      Type II Alveolar Epithelial Cell Line, A549.
AB  - Alveolar epithelial cells outnumber alveolar macrophages by ~500 fold and
      increasing evidence suggests Mycobacterium tuberculosis may replicate
      dramatically in these cells during the initial weeks of infecting the lung [1,2].
      Here, we report in experimental detail the transcriptional profiling of
      Mycobacterium tuberculosis replicating at 72 hr post-infection in the human type
      II alveolar epithelial cell line, A549, as compared to Mycobacterium tuberculosis
      growing logarithmically in laboratory broth culture [2]. All resulting
      transcriptional profiling data was deposited to the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO)
      database under the accession number GSE58466.

PMID- 26258048
TI  - The impact of mobility scooters on their users. Does their usage help or hinder?:
      A state of the art review.
AB  - As older people start to have difficulty in walking many choose to use a mobility
      scooter to help them move around. Benefitting from improved design, mobility
      scooters are becoming an increasingly popular mobility device and are a common
      sight on many streets. However, very little is known about their usage or their
      impact in terms of either quality of life or functional health. Whilst mobility
      scooters may help to improve the quality of life of their users, it is also
      possible that the sedentary nature of their usage results in a decline of
      physical functionality and therefore reduced capabilities. Before any substantial
      research can be carried out it is crucial to understand the importance of a
      mobility scooter on the lives of the people that use them and to review the
      initial research published on the effect of scooter use on physical health. This
      paper is a state-of-the-art review. It describes the current research knowledge
      on mobility scooters, shows where gaps in knowledge exist and where future
      research needs to focus.

PMID- 26258049
TI  - Detection of BRAF mutations from solid tumors using TumorplexTM technology.
AB  - Allele specific multiplex sequencing (TumorplexTM) is a new molecular platform
      for the detection of single base mutation in tumor biopsies with high sensitivity
      for clinical testing. TumorplexTM is a novel modification of Sanger sequencing
      technology that generates both mutant and wild type nucleotide sequences
      simultaneously in the same electropherogram. The molecular weight of the two
      sequencing primers are different such that the two sequences generated are
      separated, thus eliminating possible suppression of mutant signal by the more
      abundant wild type signal. TumorplexTM platform technology was tested using BRAF
      mutation V600E. These studies were performed with cloned BRAF mutations and
      genomic DNA extracted from tumor cells carrying 50% mutant allele. The lower
      limit of detection for BRAF V600E was found to be 20 genome equivalents (GE)
      using genomic DNA extracted from mutation specific cell lines. Sensitivity of the
      assay was tested by challenging the mutant allele with wild type allele at 20 GE,
      and was able to detect BRAF mutant signal at a GE ration of 20:1 * 10(7) (mutant
      to wild-type). This level of sensitivity can detect low abundance of clonal
      mutations in tumor biopsies and eliminate the need for cell enrichment.
      *TumorplexTM is a single tube assay that permits the recognition of mutant allele
      without suppression by wildtype signal.*TumorplexTM provides a high level of
      sensitivity.*TumorplexTM can be used with small sample size with mixed population
      of cells carrying heterogeneous gDNA. 

PMID- 26258050
TI  - Trace elements determination in seawater by ICP-MS with on-line pre-concentration
      on a Chelex-100 column using a 'standard' instrument setup.
AB  - Trace element determination in seawater is analytically challenging due to the
      typically very low concentrations of the trace elements and the potential
      interference of the salt matrix. A common way to address the challenge is to pre
      concentrate the trace elements on a chelating resin, then rinse the matrix
      elements from the resin and subsequently elute and detect the trace elements
      using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). This technique
      typically involves time-consuming pre-treatment of the samples for 'off-line'
      analyses or complicated sample introduction systems involving several pumps and
      valves for 'on-line' analyses. As an alternative, the following method offers a
      simple method for 'on-line' analyses of seawater by ICP-MS. As opposed to
      previous methods, excess seawater was pumped through the nebulizer of the ICP-MS
      during the pre-concentration step but the gas flow was adjusted so that the
      seawater was pumped out as waste without being sprayed into the instrument.
      Advantages of the method include: *Simple and convenient analyses of seawater
      requiring no changes to the 'standard' sample introduction system except from a
      resin-filled micro-column connected to the sample tube. The 'standard' sample
      introduction system refers to that used for routine digest-solution analyses of
      biota and sediment by ICP-MS using only one peristaltic pump; and*Accurate
      determination of the elements V, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb in a range of
      different seawater matrices verified by participation in 6 successive rounds of
      the international laboratory intercalibration program QUASIMEME. 

PMID- 26258051
TI  - Study of a two species microbial community by an inferential comparative genomic
      analysis tool: Spatial Analytical Microbial Imaging.
AB  - Most molecular fingerprinting techniques, including denaturing gradient gel
      electrophoresis (DGGE) [1], comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) [2], real
      time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) [3], destroy community structure and/or
      cellular integrity, therefore lost the info. of the spatial locus and the in situ
      genomic copy number of the cells. An alternative technique, fluorescence in situ
      hybridization (FISH) doesn't require sample disintegration but needs to develop
      specific markers and doesn't provide info. related to genomic copy number. Here,
      a microbial analysis tool, Spatial Analytical Microbial Imaging (SAMI), is
      described. An application was performed with a mixture of Synechocystis sp. PCC
      6803 and E. coli K-12 MG1655. The intrinsic property of their genome, reflected
      by the average fluorescence intensity (AFI), distinguished them in 3D. And their
      growth rates were inferred by comparing the total genomic fluorescence binding
      area (GFA) with that of the pure culture standards. A 93% of accuracy in
      differentiating the species was achieved. *SAMI does not require sample
      disintegration and preserves the community spatial structure.*It measures the 3D
      locus of cells within the mixture and may differentiate them according to the
      property of their genome.*It allows assessment of the growth rate of the cells
      within the mixture by comparing their genomic copy number with that of the pure
      culture standards. 

PMID- 26258052
TI  - Nanomedicines for dental applications-scope and future perspective.
AB  - Nanotechnology is directed at manipulating matter at the nanometer level and the
      application of the same to medicine is called nanomedicine. Over the past few
      years researchers have developed various nanomedicines for diagnosis, prevention
      as well as cure of various ailments both locally and systemically. In dentistry,
      drug loaded nanopharmaceuticals based on nanomaterials have been utilized
      extensively over the past few years to cure dental problems and facilitate
      attainment of a near-perfect oral hygiene. Although various drug delivery systems
      have already been investigated for treating periodontitis, research is currently
      focused on nanodelivery systems for efficient targeted delivery of drugs to the
      periodontal pocket. In this context a few nanodelivery systems explored include
      nanocomposite hydrogels, nanoparticles, nanoemulsion etc. A number of herbal and
      synthetic drugs examples of which include trichlosan, tetracycline, Harungana
      madagascariensis leaf extract, minocycline, metronidazole, chlorhexidine have
      been encapsulated into nanodelivery systems for treating periodontitis. A few
      examples of polymers investigated as matrices for the delivery of drugs to the
      periodontal pocket include chitosan, Poly lactic-co-glycolic acid copolymer, poly
      e caprolactone, polylactic acid, polypropylene, cellulose acetate propionate and
      ethyl vinyl acetate. In the near future also nanotechnology is expected to find
      its application in all the specializations of dentistry ranging from diagnosis
      and treatment of oral cancers to development of colloidal suspension containing
      millions of active analgesic micron-size dental robots resulting in anesthesia in
      patients. In the light of the above facts the current editorial focuses on the
      applications of nanotechnology based nanomedicines which cannot be undermined in
      the improvement of dental health and hygiene both, in the current as well as in
      future scenario. 

PMID- 26258053
TI  - Mesoporous silica nanoparticles in target drug delivery system: A review.
AB  - Due to lack of specification and solubility of drug molecules, patients have to
      take high doses of the drug to achieve the desired therapeutic effects for the
      treatment of diseases. To solve these problems, there are various drug carriers
      present in the pharmaceuticals, which can used to deliver therapeutic agents to
      the target site in the body. Mesoporous silica materials become known as a
      promising candidate that can overcome above problems and produce effects in a
      controllable and sustainable manner. In particular, mesoporous silica
      nanoparticles (MSNs) are widely used as a delivery reagent because silica
      possesses favorable chemical properties, thermal stability, and biocompatibility.
      The unique mesoporous structure of silica facilitates effective loading of drugs
      and their subsequent controlled release of the target site. The properties of
      mesoporous, including pore size, high drug loading, and porosity as well as the
      surface properties, can be altered depending on additives used to prepare MSNs.
      Active surface enables functionalization to changed surface properties and link
      therapeutic molecules. They are used as widely in the field of diagnosis, target
      drug delivery, bio-sensing, cellular uptake, etc., in the bio-medical field. This
      review aims to present the state of knowledge of silica containing mesoporous
      nanoparticles and specific application in various biomedical fields. 

PMID- 26258055
TI  - Enhancement of ketorolac tromethamine permeability through rat skin using
      penetration enhancers: An ex-vivo study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Ketorolac tromethamine (KT), a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug,
      when given orally causes gastrointestinal disturbances. Its transdermal drug
      delivery may reduce such side effects associated with them. The present
      investigation was aimed at evaluating the efficiency of various penetration
      enhancers for improved permeation of KT through the skin. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      A concentration of 1 mg/mL of the drug solution with enhancers was used to
      evaluate diffusion through the rat skin using a Franz diffusion cell assembly. 20
      different penetration enhancers were selected for this study. RESULTS: Saturated
      fatty acids like stearic and palmitic acid were found to increase the permeation
      rate of the drug to a great extent whereas unsaturated fatty acid viz. oleic acid
      exhibited maximum permeation. Increase in permeability efficiency of various
      penetration enhancers was observed in the following order: Oleic acid > stearic
      acid > palmitic acid > isopropyl myristate > tween 80 > span 80 > span 40 > span
      20 > l-limonene > l-menthol > fenchone > alpha-pinene > urea > dimethyl sulfoxide
      (DMSO) > triton X-100 > tween 20 > dimethyl formamide > acetone > control >
      citric acid > ascorbic acid. Ascorbic acid and citric acid had no effect on
      permeation rate. CONCLUSION: The results revealed that the permeation of KT
      through the skin can maximally be enhanced using oleic acid-an unsaturated fatty
      acid.

PMID- 26258054
TI  - Synthesis and self-assembly of biodegradable polyethylene glycol-poly (lactic
      acid) diblock copolymers as polymersomes for preparation of sustained release
      system of doxorubicin.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The copolymer of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polyesters has many
      interesting properties, such as amphiphilicity, biocompatibility,
      biodegradability, and self-assembly in an aqueous environment. Diblock copolymers
      of PEG-polyester can form different structures such as micelles, polymersome,
      capsules or micro-container in an aqueous environment according to the length of
      their blocks. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Herein, a series of poly (lactic acid) (PLA)
      and PEG diblock copolymers were synthesized through the ring-opening
      polymerization. The polymerization reaction and the copolymer structures were
      evaluated by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and gel permeation chromatography
      (GPC). The corresponding copolymers were implemented for the formation of
      polymersome structures using film rehydration method. Impact of methoxy PEG chain
      length and hydrophobic weight fraction on particle size of polymersomes were
      studied, and the proper ones were selected for loading of doxorubicin (DOX) via
      pH gradient method. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Results obtained from (1)HNMR and GPC
      revealed that microwave irradiation is a simple and reliable method for the
      synthesis of PEG-PLA copolymers. Further analysis indicated the copolymer with
      relative molecular weight of PLA to PEG ratios of 3 or f Eo ~ 25% produced the
      smallest size polymersomes. Polymersomes prepared from PEG5000 to PLA15000 were
      more capable in loading and sustained release of DOX than those prepared from
      PEG2000 to PLA6000. CONCLUSION: In conclusion copolymers of PEG/PLA with f OE
      ~25% and relatively higher molecular weight are more suitable for encapsulation
      and providing sustained release of DOX.

PMID- 26258056
TI  - Fabrication and optimization of camptothecin loaded Eudragit S 100 nanoparticles
      by Taguchi L4 orthogonal array design.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The objective of this investigation was to design and optimize the
      experimental conditions for the fabrication of camptothecin (CPT) loaded Eudragit
      S 100. Nanoparticles, and to understand the effect of various process parameters
      on the average particles size, particle size uniformity and surface area of the
      prepared polymeric nanoparticles using Taguchi design. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CPT
      loaded Eudragit S 100 nanoparticles were prepared by nanoprecipitation method and
      characterized by particles size analyzer. Taguchi orthogonal array design was
      implemented to study the influence of seven independent variables on three
      dependent variables. Eight experimental trials involving seven independent
      variables at higher and lower levels were generated by design expert. RESULTS:
      Factorial design result has shown that (a) except, beta-cyclodextrin
      concentration all other parameters do not significantly influenced the average
      particle size (R1); (b) except, sonication duration and aqueous phase volume, all
      other process parameters significantly influence the particle size uniformity;
      (c) all the process parameters does not significantly influence the surface area.
      CONCLUSION: The R1, particle size uniformity and surface area of the prepared
      drug-loaded polymeric nanoparticles were found to be 120 nm, 0.237 and 55.7 m(2)
      /g and the results were good correlated with the data generated by the Taguchi
      design method.

PMID- 26258057
TI  - Dual agents loaded polymeric nanoparticle: Effect of process variables.
AB  - AIM AND OBJECTIVES: In the present investigation dual agents i.e., hesperidin and
      diazepam loaded polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) were formulated by
      nanoprecipitation method and optimized using three-level factorial design.
      METHODS: The developed NPs were optimized keeping poly (lactic-co-glycolic) acid
      (PLGA), poloxamer amount as independent process variable and z-average,
      percentage drug entrapment as a dependent response. The optimized NP was
      subjected to in vitro drug release study to investigate drug release mechanism
      from NP. Cell viability assay was performed on Vero cell line to confirm the
      safety of NP. RESULTS: Drug loaded NP showed z-average in the range of 189-307
      d.nm with percentage drug entrapment for diazepam and hesperidin 62-89% and 68
      92%, respectively. In vitro drug release studies showed controlled drug release
      behavior was observed from polymeric NP across dialysis membrane compared to
      aqueous drug solution. Cell viability assay showed drug dependent cytotoxicity on
      Vero cell line, however, polymeric NP showed less cytotoxicity compared with
      aqueous drug solution.

PMID- 26258058
TI  - Microspheres and tablet in capsule system: A novel chronotherapeutic system of
      ketorolac tromethamine for site and time specific delivery.
AB  - The objective of the present work was to develop a novel delivery system of
      ketorolac tromethamine (KT) for dual pulse release based on microspheres and
      tablet in capsule system (MATICS) as a treatment modality for rheumatoid
      arthritis. The design consisted of an impermeable hard gelatin capsule body, in
      which a core tablet was (second pulse) placed in the bottom and sealed with a
      hydrogel plug (HP2). The body was locked with enteric coated cap filled with KT
      microspheres (first pulse). The microspheres for first pulse were selected by
      screening the formulations (M1-M6), and M1 with least particle size of 96.38 +/-
      0.05 MUm, highest drug loading of 25.10% +/- 0.28% and maximum CDR of 89.32% +/-
      0.21% was adjudged as the best formulation. The HP2 tablet was selected based on
      its capability for maintaining a lag period of 6 h. The selection criterion of
      the second pulse (core tablet: T3) was its disintegration time of 4.02 +/- 0.53
      min and CDR of 99.10% +/- 0.32% in 30 min. All the optimized formulations were
      assembled in accordance with the proposed design to form pulsatile MATICS and
      evaluated for in vitro release. MATICS displayed delayed sustained CDR of 80.15%
      in 8 h from the first pulse (microspheres) after a lag time of 2 h, followed by
      97.05% KT release from second pulse (core tablet) in simulated colonic fluid
      within 10 h. Conclusively, in vitro pulsatile release was a rational combination
      of delayed sustained and immediate release of KT that has the potential to combat
      the pain at night and morning stiffness. Incorporation of two pulses in one
      system offers a reduction in dose frequency and better pain management. 

PMID- 26258059
TI  - Preparation and characterization of cefuroxime axetil solid dispersions using
      hydrophilic carriers.
AB  - AIM: The objective of the current study is to increase the dissolution rate of
      cefuroxime axetil (CA) by formation of binary CA solid dispersion using water
      soluble carriers such as polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP K30) and polyethylene glycol
      (PEG 4000). METHODS: Solid dispersions (SDs) between CA and PVP K30/PEG 4000 were
      formed by dissolving both compounds in a common solvent, methanol, which were
      rotary evaporated at 40 degrees C for 12 h. Physical mixtures between CA and PVP
      K30/PEG 4000 were also formulated as to compare the efficiency of SDs. The
      physicochemical properties of CA and all its formulations were then characterized
      using differential scanning calorimetric analysis (DSC), powder X-ray diffraction
      studies (PXRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). RESULTS: All
      SD formulations were found to have a higher dissolution rate comparatively to
      pure CA, while only physical mixtures of PVP K30 were found having a
      significantly higher dissolution rate. The enhancement of dissolution rate SD by
      PVP K30 may be caused by increase wettability, solubility, reduction in particle
      size or the formation of CA beta crystalline. Increment of dissolution rate of CA
      SDs by PEG 4000 similarly may be caused by increase wettability, solubility, and
      reduction in particle size. This phenomenon may also be caused by amorphization
      as suggested by DSC and PXRD. CONCLUSIONS: The SD of CA with PVP K30 and PEG
      4000, lends an ample credence for better therapeutic efficacy.

PMID- 26258060
TI  - Reader's Forum.

PMID- 26258061
TI  - Cone-beam computed tomography based evaluation of rotational patterns of
      dentofacial structures in skeletal Class III deformity with mandibular asymmetry.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess rotational patterns of
      dentofacial structures according to different vertical skeletal patterns by cone
      beam computed tomography (CBCT) and analyze their influence on menton deviation
      in skeletal Class III deformity with mandibular asymmetry. METHODS: The control
      group consisted of 30 young adults (15 men, 15 women) without any severe skeletal
      deformity. The asymmetry group included 55 adults (28 men, 27 women) with
      skeletal Class III deformity and at least 3-mm menton deviation from the
      midsagittal plane; it was divided into the hyperdivergent and hypodivergent
      subgroups using a mandibular plane angle cutoff of 35 degrees . Fourteen
      rotational variables of the dental arches and mandible were measured and compared
      among the groups. Correlations between menton deviation and the other variables
      were evaluated. RESULTS: The asymmetry group showed significantly larger
      measurements of roll and yaw in the mandible than the control group. The
      hypodivergent subgroup showed significant differences in maxillary posterior
      measurements of yaw (p < 0.01) and maxillary anterior shift (p < 0.05) compared
      with the hyperdivergent subgroup. All the mandibular measurements had significant
      correlations with menton deviation (p < 0.01). Most measurements of roll were
      positively correlated with one another (p < 0.01). Measurements of yaw and roll
      in the posterior regions were also positively correlated (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS:
      Menton deviation in skeletal Class III deformity with mandibular asymmetry is
      influenced by rotation of mandibular posterior dentofacial structures. The
      rotational patterns vary slightly according to the vertical skeletal pattern.

PMID- 26258062
TI  - Comparison of shear bond strength of orthodontic brackets using various zirconia
      primers.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the shear bond strength (SBS) of
      orthodontic brackets bonded to zirconia surfaces using three different zirconia
      primers and one silane primer, and subjected to thermocycling. METHODS: We
      designed 10 experimental groups following the surface treatment and
      thermocycling. The surface was treated with one of the following method: no
      primer (NP), Porcelain Conditioner (PC), Z-PRIME Plus (ZP), Monobond Plus (MP)
      and Zirconia Liner Premium (ZL) (n=20). Then each group was subdivided to non
      thermocycled and thermocycled groups (NPT, PC, ZPT, MPT, ZLT) (n=10). Orthodontic
      brackets were bonded to the specimens using TransbondTM XT Paste and light cured
      for 15 s at 1,100 mW/cm(2). The SBS was measured at a 1 mm/min crosshead speed.
      The failure mode was assessed by examination with a stereomicroscope and the
      amount of bonding resin remaining on the zirconia surface was scored using the
      modified adhesive remnant index (ARI). RESULTS: The SBS of all experimental
      groups decreased after thermocycling. Before thermocycling, the SBS was ZL, ZP >=
      MP >= PC > NP but after thermocycling, the SBS was ZLT >= MPT >= ZPT > PCT = NPT
      (p > 0.05). For the ARI score, both of the groups lacking primer (NP and NPT)
      displayed adhesive failure modes, but the groups with zirconia primers (ZP, ZPT,
      MP, MPT, ZL, and ZLT) were associated with mixed failure modes. CONCLUSIONS:
      Surface treatment with a zirconia primer increases the SBS relative to no-primer
      or silane primer application between orthodontic brackets and zirconia
      prostheses.

PMID- 26258063
TI  - Comparative evaluation of molar distalization therapy using pendulum and distal
      screw appliances.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare dentoalveolar and skeletal changes produced by the pendulum
      appliance (PA) and the distal screw appliance (DS) in Class II patients. METHODS:
      Forty-three patients (19 men, 24 women) with Class II malocclusion were
      retrospectively selected for the study. Twenty-four patients (mean age, 12.2 +/-
      1.5 years) were treated with the PA, and 19 patients (mean age, 11.3 +/- 1.9
      years) were treated with the DS. The mean distalization time was 7 months for the
      PA group and 9 months for the DS group. Lateral cephalograms were obtained at T1,
      before treatment, and at T2, the end of distalization. A Mann-Whitney U test was
      used for statistical comparisons of the two groups between T1 and T2. RESULTS: PA
      and DS were equally effective in distalizing maxillary molars (4.7 mm and 4.2 mm,
      respectively) between T1 and T2; however, the maxillary first molars showed less
      distal tipping in the DS group than in the PA group (3.2 degrees  vs. 9.0 degrees
      , respectively). Moreover, significant premolar anchorage loss (2.7 mm) and
      incisor proclination (5.0 degrees ) were noted in the PA group, whereas premolar
      distal movement (1.9 mm) and no significant changes at the incisor (0.1 degrees )
      were observed in the DS group. No significant sagittal or vertical skeletal
      changes were detected between the two groups during the distalization phase.
      CONCLUSIONS: PA and DS seem to be equally effective in distalizing maxillary
      molars; however, greater distal molar tipping and premolar anchorage loss can be
      expected using PA.

PMID- 26258064
TI  - Differences in the mandibular premolar positions in Angle Class I subjects with
      different vertical facial types: A cone-beam computed tomography study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the positions of the mandibular premolars in Angle Class I
      subjects according to vertical facial type. The results will provide a
      theoretical basis for predicting effective tooth movement in orthodontic
      treatment. METHODS: Cephalometric parameters were determined using cone-beam
      computed tomography in 120 Angle Class I subjects. Subjects were categorized as
      short, normal, and long face types according to the Frankfort mandibular angle.
      Parameters indicating the position of the mandibular right premolars and the
      mandible were also measured. RESULTS: The angle between the mandibular first
      premolar axis and buccal cortex, the distance between the root apex and buccal
      cortex, angle of vestibularization, arc of vestibularization, and root apex
      maximum movable distance were significantly greater in the short face type than
      in the long and norm face types. The angle between the mandibular second premolar
      axis and buccal cortex, the distance from root apex to buccal cortex, and the arc
      of vestibularization were significantly greater in the short face type than in
      the normal face type. CONCLUSIONS: There are significant differences in the
      mandibular premolar positions in Class I subjects according to vertical facial
      type.

PMID- 26258065
TI  - Dentoskeletal features in individuals with ectopic eruption of the permanent
      maxillary first molar.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to analyze the prevalence and distribution of
      ectopic eruption of the permanent maxillary first molar (EEM) in individuals
      scheduled for orthodontic treatment and to investigate the association of EEM
      with dental characteristics, maxillary skeletal features, crowding, and other
      dental anomalies. METHODS: A total of 1,317 individuals were included and
      randomly divided into two groups. The first 265 subjects were included as
      controls, while the remaining 1,052 subjects included the sample from which the
      final experimental EEM group was derived. The mesiodistal (M-D) crown width of
      the deciduous maxillary second molar and permanent maxillary first molar,
      maxillary arch length (A-PML), maxillomandibular transverse skeletal
      relationships (anterior and posterior transverse interarch discrepancies, ATID
      and PTID), maxillary and mandibular tooth crowding, and the presence of dental
      anomalies were recorded for each subject, and the statistical significance of
      differences in these parameters between the EEM and control groups was determined
      using independent sample t-tests. Chi-square tests were used to compare the
      prevalence of other dental anomalies between the two groups. RESULTS: The
      prevalence of maxillary EEM was 2.5%. The M-D crown widths, ATID and PTID, and
      tooth crowding were significantly greater, while A-PML was significantly smaller,
      in the EEM group than in the control group. Only two subjects showed an
      association between EEM and maxillary lateral incisor anomalies, which included
      agenesis in one and microdontia in the other. CONCLUSIONS: EEM may be a risk
      factor for maxillary arch constriction and severe tooth crowding.

PMID- 26258066
TI  - Effect of activation and preactivation on the mechanical behavior and neutral
      position of stainless steel and beta-titanium T-loops.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To quantify, for each activation, the effect of preactivations of
      differing distribution and intensity on the neutral position of T-loops (7-mm
      height), specifically the horizontal force, moment to force (M/F) ratio, and load
      to deflection ratio. METHODS: A total 100 loops measuring 0.017 * 0.025 inches in
      cross-section were divided into two groups (n = 50 each) according to
      composition, either stainless steel or beta-titanium. The two groups were further
      divided into five subgroups, 10 loops each, corresponding to the five
      preactivations tested: preactivations with occlusal distribution (0 degrees , 20
      degrees , and 40 degrees ), gingival distribution (20 degrees ), and occlusal
      gingival distribution (40 degrees ). The loops were subjected to a total
      activation of 6-mm with 0.5-mm iterations. Statistical analysis was performed
      using comprised ANOVA and Bonferoni multiple comparison tests, with a
      significance level of 5%. RESULTS: The location and intensity of preactivation
      influenced the force intensity. For the M/F ratio, the highest value achieved
      without preactivation was lower than the height of the loop. Without
      preactivation, the M/F ratio increased with activation, while the opposite effect
      was observed with preactivation. The increase in the M/F ratio was greater when
      the preactivation distribution was partially or fully gingival. CONCLUSIONS:
      Depending on the preactivation distribution, displacement of uprights is higher
      or lower than the activation, which is a factor to consider in clinical practice.

PMID- 26258067
TI  - New approach of maxillary protraction using modified C-palatal plates in Class
      III patients.
AB  - Maxillary protraction is the conventional treatment for growing Class III
      patients with maxillary deficiency, but it has undesirable dental effects. The
      purpose of this report is to introduce an alternative modality of maxillary
      protraction in patients with dentoskeletal Class III malocclusion using a
      modified C-palatal plate connected with elastics to a face mask. This method
      improved skeletal measurements, corrected overjet, and slightly improved the
      profile. The patients may require definitive treatment in adolescence or
      adulthood. The modified C-palatal plate enables nonsurgical maxillary advancement
      with maximal skeletal effects and minimal dental side effects. 

PMID- 26258069
TI  - Targeting Aggressive Cancer Stem Cells in Glioblastoma.
AB  - Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and fatal type of primary brain tumor.
      Gliosarcoma (GSM) is a rarer and more aggressive variant of GBM that has recently
      been considered a potentially different disease. Current clinical treatment for
      both GBM and GSM includes maximal surgical resection followed by post-operative
      radiotherapy and concomitant and adjuvant chemotherapy. Despite recent advances
      in treating other solid tumors, treatment for GBM and GSM still remains
      palliative, with a very poor prognosis and a median survival rate of 12-15
      months. Treatment failure is a result of a number of causes, including resistance
      to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Recent research has applied the cancer stem
      cells theory of carcinogenesis to these tumors, suggesting the existence of a
      small subpopulation of glioma stem-like cells (GSCs) within these tumors. GSCs
      are thought to contribute to tumor progression, treatment resistance, and tumor
      recapitulation post-treatment and have become the focus of novel therapy
      strategies. Their isolation and investigation suggest that GSCs share critical
      signaling pathways with normal embryonic and somatic stem cells, but with
      distinct alterations. Research must focus on identifying these variations as they
      may present novel therapeutic targets. Targeting pluripotency transcription
      factors, SOX2, OCT4, and Nanog homeobox, demonstrates promising therapeutic
      potential that if applied in isolation or together with current treatments may
      improve overall survival, reduce tumor relapse, and achieve a cure for these
      patients. 

PMID- 26258068
TI  - Implications of the Hybrid Epithelial/Mesenchymal Phenotype in Metastasis.
AB  - Transitions between epithelial and mesenchymal phenotypes - the epithelial to 
      mesenchymal transition (EMT) and its reverse the mesenchymal to epithelial
      transition (MET) - are hallmarks of cancer metastasis. While transitioning
      between the epithelial and mesenchymal phenotypes, cells can also attain a hybrid
      epithelial/mesenchymal (E/M) (i.e., partial or intermediate EMT) phenotype. Cells
      in this phenotype have mixed epithelial (e.g., adhesion) and mesenchymal (e.g.,
      migration) properties, thereby allowing them to move collectively as clusters. If
      these clusters reach the bloodstream intact, they can give rise to clusters of
      circulating tumor cells (CTCs), as have often been seen experimentally. Here, we
      review the operating principles of the core regulatory network for EMT/MET that
      acts as a "three-way" switch giving rise to three distinct phenotypes - E, M and
      hybrid E/M - and present a theoretical framework that can elucidate the role of
      many other players in regulating epithelial plasticity. Furthermore, we highlight
      recent studies on partial EMT and its association with drug resistance and tumor
      initiating potential; and discuss how cell-cell communication between cells in a
      partial EMT phenotype can enable the formation of clusters of CTCs. These
      clusters can be more apoptosis-resistant and have more tumor-initiating potential
      than singly moving CTCs with a wholly mesenchymal (complete EMT) phenotype. Also,
      more such clusters can be formed under inflammatory conditions that are often
      generated by various therapies. Finally, we discuss the multiple advantages that
      the partial EMT or hybrid E/M phenotype have as compared to a complete EMT
      phenotype and argue that these collectively migrating cells are the primary "bad
      actors" of metastasis. 

PMID- 26258070
TI  - EWS/FLI1 Target Genes and Therapeutic Opportunities in Ewing Sarcoma.
AB  - Ewing sarcoma is an aggressive bone malignancy that affect children and young
      adults. Ewing sarcoma is the second most common primary bone malignancy in
      pediatric patients. Although significant progress has been made in the treatment
      of Ewing sarcoma since it was first described in the 1920s, in the last decade
      survival rates have remained unacceptably invariable, thus pointing to the need
      for new approaches centered in the molecular basis of the disease. Ewing sarcoma
      driving mutation, EWS-FLI1, which results from a chromosomal translocation,
      encodes an aberrant transcription factor. Since its first characterization in
      1990s, many molecular targets have been described to be regulated by this
      chimeric transcription factor. Their contribution to orchestrate Ewing sarcoma
      phenotype has been reported over the last decades. In this work, we will focus on
      the description of a selection of EWS/FLI1 targets, their functional role, and
      their potential clinical relevance. We will also discuss their role in other
      types of cancer as well as the need for further studies to be performed in order
      to achieve a broader understanding of their particular contribution to Ewing
      sarcoma development. 

PMID- 26258071
TI  - HABP2 is a Novel Regulator of Hyaluronan-Mediated Human Lung Cancer Progression.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is a devastating disease with limited treatment options.
      Many lung cancers have changes in their microenvironment including upregulation
      of the extracellular matrix glycosaminoglycan, hyaluronan (HA), which we have
      previously demonstrated can regulate the activity of the extracellular serine
      protease, hyaluronan binding protein 2 (HABP2). This study examined the
      functional role of HABP2 on HA-mediated human lung cancer dynamics. METHODS:
      Immunohistochemical analysis was performed on lung cancer patient samples using
      anti-HABP2 antibody. Stable control, shRNA, and HABP2 overexpressing human lung
      adenocarcinoma cells were evaluated using immunoblot analysis, migration,
      extravasation, and urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) activation assays with
      or without high-molecular weight HA or low-molecular weight HA (LMW-HA). In human
      lung cancer xenograft models, primary tumor growth rates and lung metastasis were
      analyzed using consecutive tumor volume measurements and nestin immunoreactivity
      in nude mouse lungs. RESULTS: We provide evidence that HABP2 is an important
      regulator of lung cancer progression. HABP2 expression was increased in several
      subtypes of patient non-small cell lung cancer samples. Further, HABP2
      overexpression increased LMW-HA-induced uPA activation, migration, and
      extravasation in human lung adenocarcinoma cells. In vivo, overexpression of
      HABP2 in human lung adenocarcinoma cells increased primary tumor growth rates in
      nude mice by ~2-fold and lung metastasis by ~10-fold compared to vector control
      cells (n = 5/condition). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest a possible direct effect of
      HABP2 on uPA activation and lung cancer progression. Our observations suggest
      that exploration of HABP2 in non-small cell lung carcinoma merits further study
      both as a diagnostic and therapeutic option.

PMID- 26258073
TI  - Intracardiac Metastasis From Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.
AB  - A 56-year-old female with history of stage IIA adenosquamous lung carcinoma
      treated 13 months prior to presentation with lobectomy, mediastinal lymph node
      dissection, and adjuvant chemotherapy, presented for several weeks of worsening
      dyspnea. Exam was non-focal aside from tachycardia. Computed tomography of the
      chest revealed a large 4 cm * 5 cm mass in the bilateral ventricular myocardium.
      There was also evidence of metastatic disease elsewhere in the body, including a
      supraclavicular lymph node that was positive for metastatic adenosquamous lung
      carcinoma. She started whole heart radiotherapy and was to commence chemotherapy
      but passed away. This report discusses important aspects of diagnosis of this not
      uncommon condition that many oncologists may come across. We also discuss
      differential diagnosis of an isolated intracardiac mass as first-diagnosis
      presentations, and discuss the great importance of multidisciplinary cardio
      oncologic management and clinical prioritization. 

PMID- 26258074
TI  - Sustained Complete Response to Cytotoxic Therapy and the PARP Inhibitor Veliparib
      in Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer - A Case Report.
AB  - Solid tumors harboring BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations have been shown to respond to
      PARP inhibitors. These responses are partial and transient. In this case report,
      we describe an 82-year-old male with poorly differentiated prostate cancer with
      metastases to the lung, liver, abdomen, and bowel. Molecular testing demonstrated
      alterations in BRCA2, ERG, and TP53. Based on this result, he was enrolled in a
      therapeutic trial and received carboplatin, gemcitabine, and veliparib, to which
      he had a partial response. He continued to respond while on veliparib maintenance
      alone, and after 38 cycles he had a sustained complete response. A sustained
      complete response to PARP inhibitor-based therapy has not previously been
      described for prostate cancer. This case suggests that cytotoxic therapy in
      combination with PARP inhibitors may yield exceptional responses, and molecular
      studies may help guide patient selection for these therapies. 

PMID- 26258075
TI  - Pre-Clinical Models of Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma.
AB  - Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is a rare and incurable brain tumor that
      arises in the brainstem of children predominantly between the ages of 6 and 8.
      Its intricate morphology and involvement of normal pons tissue precludes surgical
      resection, and the standard of care today remains fractionated radiation alone.
      In the past 30 years, there have been no significant advances made in the
      treatment of DIPG. This is largely because we lack good models of DIPG and
      therefore have little biological basis for treatment. In recent years, however,
      due to increased biopsy and acquisition of autopsy specimens, research is
      beginning to unravel the genetic and epigenetic drivers of DIPG. Insight gleaned
      from these studies has led to improvements in approaches to both model these
      tumors in the lab and to potentially treat them in the clinic. This review will
      detail the initial strides toward modeling DIPG in animals, which included
      allograft and xenograft rodent models using non-DIPG glioma cells. Important
      advances in the field came with the development of in vitro cell and in vivo
      xenograft models derived directly from autopsy material of DIPG patients or from
      human embryonic stem cells. Finally, we will summarize the progress made in the
      development of genetically engineered mouse models of DIPG. Cooperation of
      studies incorporating all of these modeling systems to both investigate the
      unique mechanisms of gliomagenesis in the brainstem and to test potential novel
      therapeutic agents in a preclinical setting will result in improvement in
      treatments for DIPG patients. 

PMID- 26258072
TI  - Overview of Methods for Overcoming Hindrance to Drug Delivery to Tumors, with
      Special Attention to Tumor Interstitial Fluid.
AB  - Every drug used to treat cancer (chemotherapeutics, immunological, monoclonal
      antibodies, nanoparticles, radionuclides) must reach the targeted cells through
      the tumor environment at adequate concentrations, in order to exert their cell
      killing effects. For any of these agents to reach the goal cells, they must
      overcome a number of impediments created by the tumor microenvironment (TME),
      beginning with tumor interstitial fluid pressure (TIFP), and a multifactorial
      increase in composition of the extracellular matrix (ECM). A primary modifier of
      TME is hypoxia, which increases the production of growth factors, such as
      vascular endothelial growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor. These
      growth factors released by both tumor cells and bone marrow recruited myeloid
      cells form abnormal vasculature characterized by vessels that are tortuous and
      more permeable. Increased leakiness combined with increased inflammatory
      byproducts accumulates fluid within the tumor mass (tumor interstitial fluid),
      ultimately creating an increased pressure (TIFP). Fibroblasts are also up
      regulated by the TME, and deposit fibers that further augment the density of the
      ECM, thus, further worsening the TIFP. Increased TIFP with the ECM are the major
      obstacles to adequate drug delivery. By decreasing TIFP and ECM density, we can
      expect an associated rise in drug concentration within the tumor itself. In this
      overview, we will describe all the methods (drugs, nutraceuticals, and physical
      methods of treatment) able to lower TIFP and to modify ECM used for increasing
      drug concentration within the tumor tissue. 

PMID- 26258076
TI  - The Reliability of the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale: Meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) have been
      developed since two decades ago, the reliability of the CTAS has not been
      questioned comparing to moderating variable. AIMS: The study was to provide a
      meta-analytic review of the reliability of the CTAS in order to reveal to what
      extent the CTAS is reliable. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Electronic databases were
      searched to March 2014. Only studies were included that had reported samples
      size, reliability coefficients, adequate description of the CTAS reliability
      assessment. The guidelines for reporting reliability and agreement studies
      (GRRAS) were used. Two reviewers independently examined abstracts and extracted
      data. The effect size was obtained by the z-transformation of reliability
      coefficients. Data were pooled with random-effects models and meta-regression was
      done based on method of moments estimator. RESULTS: Fourteen studies were
      included. Pooled coefficient for the CTAS was substantial 0.672 (CI 95%: 0.599
      0.735). Mistriage is less than 50%. Agreement upon the adult version, among nurse
      physician and near countries is higher than pediatrics version, other raters and
      farther countries, respectively. CONCLUSION: The CTAS showed acceptable level of
      overall reliability in the emergency department but need more development to
      reach almost perfect agreement.

PMID- 26258077
TI  - YouTube as a Source of Information on Ebola Virus Disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The current West Africa epidemic of Ebola virus disease (EVD), which
      began from Guinea in December 2013, has been the longest and deadliest Ebola
      outbreak to date. With the propagation of the internet, public health officials
      must now compete with other official and unofficial sources of information to get
      their message out. AIMS: This study aimed at critically appraising videos
      available on one popular internet video site (YouTube) as a source of information
      for Ebola virus disease (EVD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Videos were searched in
      YouTube (http://www.youtube.com) using the keyword "Ebola outbreak" from
      inception to November 1, 2014 with the default "relevance" filter. Only videos in
      English language under 10 min duration within first 10 pages of search were
      included. Duplicates were removed and the rest were classified as useful or
      misleading by two independent reviewers. Video sources were categorized by
      source. Inter-observer agreement was evaluated with kappa coefficient. Continuous
      and categorical variables were analyzed using the Student t-test and Chi-squared
      test, respectively. RESULTS: One hundred and eighteen out of 198 videos were
      evaluated. Thirty-one (26.27%) videos were classified as misleading and 87
      (73.73%) videos were classified as useful. The kappa coefficient of agreement
      regarding the usefulness of the videos was 0.68 (P < 0.001). Independent users
      were more likely to post misleading videos (93.55% vs 29.89%, OR = 34.02, 95% CI
      = 7.55-153.12, P < 0.001) whereas news agencies were most likely to post useful
      videos (65.52% vs 3.23%, OR = 57.00, 95% CI = 7.40-438.74, P < 0.001).
      CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that majority of the internet videos about
      Ebola on YouTube were characterized as useful. Although YouTube seems to
      generally be a useful source of information on the current outbreak, increased
      efforts to disseminate scientifically correct information is desired to prevent
      unnecessary panic among the among the general population.

PMID- 26258078
TI  - Anti-Inflammatory Dietary Combo in Overweight and Obese Women with Polycystic
      Ovary Syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is of clinical and public health
      importance, affecting up to one in five women of reproductive age. It has
      significant and diverse clinical implications including reproductive, metabolic,
      and psychological features. AIM: The study was to investigate the effect of anti
      inflammatory dietary combo on metabolic, endocrine, inflammatory, and
      reproductive profiles in overweight and obese women with PCOS. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: A total of 100 nonpregnant, overweight, and obese adult females with
      PCOS according to the Rotterdam criteria, were screened during the year 2012, and
      75 completed the trial. At baseline and study end, fasting blood samples were
      drawn to measure biological markers, body fat percent (BFP), and visceral fat
      area (VFA) were assessed by the InBody720 device and anthropometric measurements
      were done for all participants who were subjected to an anti-inflammatory
      hypocaloric diet and physical activity for 12 weeks. RESULTS: At study
      completion, we achieved moderate weight loss of (+/- 7%) and significant
      improvements in body composition, hormones and menstrual cyclicity, blood
      pressure, glucose homeostasis, dyslipidemia, C-reactive protein (CRP), and serum
      amyloid A (SAA) (surrogate measures of cardiovascular risk (CVR)). This was a
      clinically relevant weight loss that is associated with a reduced prevalence of
      type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) and metabolic syndrome (MS) in the general
      population and improved fertility outcomes in PCOS. We achieved 63% regain of
      menstrual cyclicity and 12% spontaneous pregnancy rate within 12 week.
      CONCLUSIONS: We have explored an additional dietary treatment option with good
      prognostic metabolic and reproductive responses to weight loss that occur in
      overweight and obese PCOS.

PMID- 26258079
TI  - Fish Oil Intake and Seizure Control in Children with Medically Resistant
      Epilepsy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is considerable evidence which suggests that Omega 3
      polyunsaturated fatty acids may have a potential use in the treatment of
      epilepsy. AIM: The study was to investigate the effect of Omega 3 polyunsaturated
      fatty acids (as fish oil supplementation) in reducing the frequency and severity
      of epileptic seizures in children with medically resistant epilepsy. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: In the case-control study, a total of 70 children with medically
      resistant epilepsy underwent assessment of the frequency and severity of the
      epileptic attacks at baseline, after one month, two months and three months from
      the beginning of the study; 35 children received fish oil and the other 35
      children received placebo. RESULTS: The number of children who received fish oil,
      having 0 epileptic attacks increased from 0%, before starting the study, up to
      57.1% at the end of the third month, while the improvement was minimal in the
      placebo group, with a significant difference in the improvement between the
      intervention and the control groups. There was no statistically significant
      difference in improvement in the severity of the seizures either between cases
      and control or between the beginning and the end of the study. CONCLUSION: Omega
      3 polyunsaturated fatty acids elevated the seizure threshold in epileptic
      patients and may help in achieving seizure control.

PMID- 26258080
TI  - Evaluation of the Relationship Between Musculoskeletal Discomforts and
      Occupational Stressors Among Nurses.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Stress in nurses may increase the prevalence of musculoskeletal
      discomforts. AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of
      musculoskeletal discomforts and job stress among nurses and to investigate the
      association between musculoskeletal discomforts and occupational stressors.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 144 nurses in one of the
      main referral hospitals of Tehran-Iran were randomly selected and studied. Data
      were collected by HSE job stress questionnaire and The Cornell Musculoskeletal
      Discomfort Questionnaire through interviews with nurses in their workplace.
      RESULTS: Most reported musculoskeletal discomforts localized in the neck, back,
      knee and shoulder and the minimal discomforts were in wrist and elbow. On the
      other hand, stressors such as demand, changes in workplace, control and
      responsibilities had significant effect on increasing musculoskeletal discomforts
      of organs such as neck, shoulders and back (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: There was a
      significant association between stressors such as demand, control,
      responsibilities and changes in workplace and reported musculoskeletal disorders,
      especially in neck, shoulders and back. It is suggested to use defined programs
      for management and control of stressors to control occupational stress in nurses.
      Moreover, prevention of musculoskeletal discomforts due to their high prevalence
      in the study population is important.

PMID- 26258081
TI  - Lithium-Induced Minimal Change Disease and Acute Kidney Injury.
AB  - CONTEXT: Lithium carbonate is a psychiatric medication commonly used in the
      treatment of bipolar disorder. It has been implicated in inducing nephrogenic
      diabetes inspidus, chronic tubulointerstitial nephropathy, and acute tubular
      necrosis. We describe a case of lithium-induced minimal change disease (MCD) and
      acute kidney injury (AKI). CASE REPORT: A 32-year-old female with a medical
      history of bipolar disorder treated with chronic lithium therapy presented with
      anasarca, fatigue, and tremors. Work-up revealed supra-therapeutic lithium
      levels, hypoalbuminemia, and significant proteinuria. The patient was treated
      conservatively with fluids and discontinuation of lithium therapy. Subsequently,
      she developed significant AKI and persistent proteinuria. She underwent a renal
      biopsy that demonstrated effacement of podocyte foot processes consistent with
      lithium-induced MCD. This was treated with corticosteroids, which decreased the
      proteinuria and resolved all the patient's symptoms. CONCLUSION: Lithium-induced
      MCD is a rare disease that affects patients of all ages. It is often associated
      with therapeutic lithium and is typically resolved with discontinuation of
      lithium. In some cases, concurrent AKI may result due to vascular obstruction
      from hyperalbuminuria and associated renal interstitial edema. Corticosteroids
      may be needed to reduce the proteinuria and prevent progression to chronic kidney
      disease. As such, patients on lithium therapy may benefit from monitoring of
      glomerular function via urinalysis to prevent the onset of nephrotic syndrome.

PMID- 26258082
TI  - Emphysematous Cystitis: A Rare Disease of Genito-Urinary System.
AB  - CONTEXT: Emphysematous cystitis (EC) is a rare infection of the urinary tract
      that results in gas production in the bladder. It is more common in diabetic and
      female patients, and can be associated with more serious complications, including
      pyelonephritis. CASE REPORT: We describe a case of recurrent bacterial cystitis
      caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli). An incidental finding in our patient of
      pneumaturia on computed tomography (CT) scan prompted further work-up.
      Differential diagnoses for pneumaturia include infection, trauma, and fistula,
      most commonly colovesicular. The patient history ruled out trauma and CT scanning
      ruled out a fistula; culture of the urine then showed a bacterial load greater
      than 100,000 E. coli/mL. The patient was then diagnosed with EC. She was treated
      with ceftriaxone and released in stable condition. CONCLUSION: The literature was
      scarce when it came to diagnoses of EC based on bacterial load. We present this
      case to increase health care providers' awareness of recurrent EC with a urine
      culture bacterial load greater than 100,000 E. coli/mL.

PMID- 26258083
TI  - A Rare Combination of Giant Right Coronary Artery Aneurysm.
AB  - CONTEXT: Giant coronary artery aneurysm (CAA) in adults is a rare clinical entity
      with an estimated incidence of 0.02%. CAA is commonly found in the right coronary
      artery with significant number of cases associated with fistula formation. CASE
      REPORT: We describe a rare case of an 87 year-old man with large CAA with
      fistulous drainage into the right ventricle (RV) along with RV free wall
      vegetation as a cause of chronic weakness and lethargy. CONCLUSION: Giant CAA
      with fistulous drainage to the RV could present in the form of infective
      endocarditis. Early detection and surgical treatment would provide a significant
      benefit to these patients.

PMID- 26258084
TI  - Statin Intolerance and Vitamin D Supplementation: Sunny, but a Few Clouds
      Remain....

PMID- 26258085
TI  - Statin Intolerance and Vitamin D Supplementation.

PMID- 26258086
TI  - The Social Determinants of Health (SDH) in Iran: A Systematic Review Article.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Many studies have been conducted in Iran in order to investigate the
      status of social determinants of health (SDH) and their associations with health
      indicators. This study aimed to review the Iranian studies conducted on SDH.
      METHODS: A systematic review of all Iranian Persian and English languages
      articles published between 2005 and 2014 on the SDH was conducted using the
      search of SID, Iran Medex, Iran Doc, Medline, Embase, Scopus, and Google Scholar
      databases. The eligibility criteria were studies describing SDH status, designed
      based on the WHO conceptual framework of SDH, published in Persian or English
      languages, and full text articles. The structured narrative approach was used to
      synthesize the data. RESULTS: The entire review process led to the selection of
      21 papers. Most of studies had been conducted on the intermediary (38%) and
      structural (33%) components and determinants in Iran, 4 studies (19%) on the
      study of all components affecting the health and health inequality and, finally,
      the minimum number of studies (10%) on the context components and determinants.
      The focus of 43% of selected studies was on the WHO conceptual framework of SDH
      and had evaluated this model as an appropriate conceptual framework. CONCLUSION:
      In order to fill the gap in the scientific evidence of SDH and make appropriate
      policies and plans in Iran, it is needed to conduct studies on all SDH according
      to the WHO conceptual framework.

PMID- 26258088
TI  - Development of a Universal Safety Behavior Management System for Coal Mine
      Workers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In China, over 80% of all work-related deaths in the mining industry
      occur in coal mines and human factors constitute 85% of the direct causes of coal
      mine accidents, which indicates that significant shortcomings currently exist in
      the safety behavior management of Chinese coal mine workers. We aimed to verify
      the impact of human psychological behavior in coal mine accidents systematically
      through experimental study, theoretical analysis and management application.
      METHODS: Four test instruments (Sensory and cognitive capacity test, Sixteen
      Personal Factor Questionnaire, Symptom Checklist 90 Questionnaire and the
      supervisors' evaluation) were employed from November 2013 to June 2014 to
      identify unsafe behavior factors, the self-established Questionnaire of Safety
      Behavior Norms (QSBN) was also used to propose the safety behavior
      countermeasures of coal mine employees. RESULTS: The mental health of most coal
      mine workers' is relatively poor. The sensory and cognitive capacity of those in
      different work posts varies greatly, as does the sense of responsibility. Workers
      are susceptible to external influences, and score low in site management. When
      the 16-PF and SCL-90 sensory and cognitive assessments were combined, the
      psychological index predictive power was greatest for estimating sense of
      efficiency and degree of satisfaction in internal evaluations, while at the same
      time lowest for estimating control of introversion-extroversion and stress
      character. CONCLUSION: The psychological indicators can predict part of employee
      safety behavior, and assist a coal mine enterprise to recruit staff, develop
      occupational safety norms and improve the working environment.

PMID- 26258089
TI  - Sensory Impairment and Health-Related Quality of Life.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sensory impairment is a common condition that exerts negative effects
      on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in the elderly. This study aimed to
      determine the relationship between sensory impairment and HRQoL and identify
      sensory-specific differences in the HRQoL of elderly. METHODS: This study used
      data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey V (2010
      2012), analyzing 5,260 subjects over 60 years of age who completed ophthalmic and
      otologic examinations. Vision and hearing impairment were measured and
      classified. HRQoL was determined according to the European QoL five dimension
      test (EQ-5D). Multivariate logistic regression analysis and analysis of
      covariance were performed to identify relationships between sensory impairment
      and HRQoL dimensions as well as differences in HRQoL scores. RESULTS: In the
      final adjusted multivariate model, there was a statistically higher proportion of
      those with dual sensory impairment who reported problems with mobility (adjusted
      odds ratio [aOR] 2.30, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.45-5.03), usual activities
      (aOR 2.32, 95% CI 1.16-4.64), and pain/discomfort among EQ-5D subcategories (aOR
      1.79, 95% CI 1.07-2.97). In the EQ-5D dimensions, the means and standard
      deviations of vision impairment (0.86 [0.01]) and dual sensory impairment (0.84
      [0.02]) appeared meaningfully lower than those for no sensory impairment (0.88
      [0.00]) or hearing impairment (0.88 [0.01]); P = .02). CONCLUSION: Sensory
      impairment reduces HRQoL in the elderly. Improvement of HRQoL in the elderly thus
      requires regular screening and appropriate management of sensory impairment.

PMID- 26258090
TI  - Exposure Hazard to Bisphenol A for Labor and Particle Size Distribution at
      Polycarbonate Molding Plants.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This research provides an insight into exposure information and
      particle size distributions of Bisphenol A (BPA), a common environmental hormone,
      at polycarbonate (PC) molding plants in southern Taiwan. METHODS: The inhalable
      dust sampler as IOM and the micro-orifice uniform deposition impactor (MOUDI)
      were used for samples collection to evaluate the level and particle size
      distribution of BPA in PC molding plants. All collected samples were analyzed by
      high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for BPA concentrations. RESULTS:
      BPA concentrations detected from the plant using optical grade PC material ranged
      from 32.28 to 44.97 MUg/m(3), which were significantly higher than BPA
      concentrations (16.16 to 19.39 MUg/m(3)) detected from the plant using food grade
      PC material. Under working environment, the particle size distribution showed a
      single mode distribution, with a MMAD of 0.84MUm and a GSD of 1.97. Emission of
      BPA increased during heating process and most of BPA particles deposited in the
      nasal cavity (63.37%), following by alveolus (30.7%), and trachea-bronchus
      (5.93%). DISCUSSION: It is of importance that proper personal protection should
      be taken upon the BPA particulates released during the molding process at PC
      molding plants.

PMID- 26258091
TI  - Screening of Fetal Chromosome Aneuploidies in the First and Second Trimester of
      125,170 Iranian Pregnant Women.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Aneuploidy is one of the main causes of congenital anomalies, mental
      and physical disabilities, in newborns. The aim of this study was to determine
      various chromosomal aneuploidies in the first and second trimester screening of
      pregnant women, in Iran. METHODS: A descriptive retrospective study was conducted
      on 125,170 pregnant women referred to a major referral medical diagnostic
      laboratory (Niloo Laboratory, Tehran) for prenatal screening tests (2010-2013).
      Patients were divided into 3 groups: first trimester screening (FTS), second
      trimester screening (STS), and combined screening groups. In positive and
      borderline cases, and amniocentesis and cytogenetic analysis were carried out.
      RESULTS: Total prevalence of aneuploidy in 125,170 pregnant women was one in 491,
      (Detection Rate=82.7% for Down syndrome). The DR for DS in three groups was as
      follow: 87.5% for FTS (25783 women), 80.9% for STS (91345 women), and 94.7% for
      combined tests (8042 women). Total number of cases with Edward's syndrome was 18,
      Patau's syndrome six, Klinefelter syndrome six, triploidy three, and Cri-du-chat
      syndrome one. CONCLUSION: The present study shows the frequency of aneuploidy in
      the first and second trimester screenings in a major medical laboratory in
      Tehran. The prevalence of aneuploidies grows with increased maternal age. The
      rate of aneuploidy in first trimester is higher than second.

PMID- 26258087
TI  - Hormones in Dairy Foods and Their Impact on Public Health - A Narrative Review
      Article.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The presence of hormones in milk and dairy foods was discussed
      decades ago but rather more concerns attended to that with respect to finding
      hormones as biomarkers in milk for diseases and pregnancy diagnosis. Moreover,
      considerable amount of studies demonstrated that existing of hormones in humans
      and animals milk are essential for infants growing and immunity. During the last
      couple of years, increasing body of evidence are indicating another property of
      hormones in dairy products as possible impact on human health including the role
      of some estrogens and insulin-like growth factor-1 in initiation and provoking of
      breast, prostate and endometrial tumours. METHODS: Data was gathered from the
      published articles in database such as MEDLINE, science direct, Google scholar
      and web of science. We put no limitation on date of published date. Moreover, our
      own published and conducted methods and results also are presented. In this
      review we concentrated on several aspects of presence of hormones in dairy foods
      with especial emphasize on cow's milk as a major source of consuming milk for
      humans especially for children. RESULTS: The collected data from other
      researchers and our own data are indicating that the presence of steroid hormones
      in dairy products could be counted as an important risk factor for various
      cancers in humans. CONCLUSION: Our gathered data in this review paper may suggest
      more sophisticate analytical detection methods for oestrogens determination and
      also could be considered as a remarkable concern for consumers, producers and
      public health authorities.

PMID- 26258092
TI  - Does Supplementation with Royal Jelly Improve Oxidative Stress and Insulin
      Resistance in Type 2 Diabetic Patients?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Animal studies have shown antioxidant effects of Royal Jelly (RJ) and
      its effect on insulin resistance as the most common complication of Type 2
      diabetes. This study was conducted to determine the effect of RJ intake on serum
      total antioxidant capacity, Malondialdehyde and insulin resistance in T2DM.
      METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial, forty-six type 2 diabetic patients,
      aged 25-65 years, with BMI of 20-30 kg/m(2), and HbA1c of 6-8% were included. The
      patients were randomly assigned to receive 1000 mg of RJ supplement or placebo, 3
      times daily for 8 weeks. HOMA-IR, anthropometric measurements, fasting blood
      glucose, serum insulin, total antioxidant capacity and malondialdehyde level were
      measured. RESULTS: In comparison with placebo, HOMA-IR decreased (P=0.015) while
      serum total antioxidant capacity increased significantly in RJ group (P=0.016).
      No significant difference was detected for serum insulin and MDA in two groups.
      CONCLUSIONS: RJ intake may have favorable effects on serum TAC and HOMA-IR in
      diabetic patients.

PMID- 26258093
TI  - Psychological Well-Being (PWB) of School Adolescents Aged 12-18 yr, its
      Correlation with General Levels of Physical Activity (PA) and Socio-Demographic
      Factors In Gilgit, Pakistan.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Adolescence is a critical developmental stage marked by complex
      transitions. The purpose of study was to assess school adolescents' PWB, examine
      the relationship of PA and socio-demographic factors with PWB. METHODS: A cross
      sectional study conducted in five randomly selected schools with 345 adolescents
      (aged 12-18) from grade 6(th)-10(th). A self-administered Well-Being index was
      adapted to measure PWB and questionnaire for adolescents PA (PAQ-A). Socio
      demographic variables determined: age, gender, household income and parental
      education. Bivariate and multivariate regression analyses performed to examine
      the association between PWB, PA and covariates. RESULTS: Findings indicated the
      mean age 14.64 (SD=1.275), 55.4% were female. Without gender difference the
      majority (43.4%) of adolescents showed moderate, while (23.2%) revealed low level
      of PWB. Participants with low level likely to have depression but scores were
      significantly not different between low, moderate and high PWB with PA. Socio
      demographic trends of adolescents' were observed significant (P <0.005) for PWB.
      In multivariable analysis the mean wellbeing in females adjusted for other
      covariates was significant (P =0.004) than males. PWB importantly (P <0.001)
      decreased by 3.36 units as its covariates increased and PA score in boys found
      0.05 unit more than girls. CONCLUSION: The study results are invaluable in
      addressing low, moderate and high levels of PWB. Inadequate PA and PWB decreasing
      with some socio-demographic covariates is crucial health issue among female
      adolescents in Pakistan. Further studies need to find barrier, social indicators
      of PWB and implication of health among adolescents.

PMID- 26258094
TI  - Combination Effect of GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 Polymorphisms and Risk of Systemic
      Lupus Erythematosus.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Progression of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) could be due to
      oxidative stress especially through reactive oxygen species (ROS). Detoxification
      of ROS is largely performed by Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), therefore
      polymorphisms of GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 genes which decrease enzymes activity
      could affect SLE susceptibility. The aim of this study was to determine the
      effects of GSTM1 (deletion), GSTT1 (deletion) and GSTP1 (Ile105Val) polymorphisms
      on SLE susceptibility. METHODS: Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples of
      163 SLE patients and 180 age, sex and ethnically matched controls. GSTs genotypes
      were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-multiplex procedure or
      polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP)
      analysis. RESULTS: GSTT1 null genotype frequency was higher in SLE patients than
      controls. NO association observed between GSTM1 null genotype or GSTP1 Ile105Val
      polymorphism with SLE. Nevertheless combination of GSTT1 null/ GSTM1 null
      genotypes showed 2.8-fold increase in risk of SLE. Moreover the combination of
      GSTT1 null/ GSTM1 null/GSTP1 Ile/Val and Val/Val genotypes increased the SLE risk
      about 8 fold. CONCLUSION: Present data suggest that GSTT1 null/ GSTM1 null/GSTP1
      Ile/Val and Val/Val genotypes might largely contribute to the pathogenesis of
      SLE.

PMID- 26258095
TI  - Comparison of Indirect Calorimetry and Predictive Equations in Estimating Resting
      Metabolic Rate in Underweight Females.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Underweight as a public health problem in young women is associated
      with nutritional deficiencies, menstrual irregularity, eating disorders, reduced
      fertility, etc. Since resting metabolic rate (RMR) is a necessary component in
      the development of nutrition support therapy, therefore we determined the
      accuracy of commonly used predictive equations against RMR measured by indirect
      calorimetry among healthy young underweight females. METHODS: This cross
      sectional study was conducted on 104 underweight females aged 18-30 years old
      with body mass index (BMI) <18.5 kg/m(2) in 2013. After collecting anthropometric
      data, body composition was measured by bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA). RMR
      was measured by using indirect calorimetry (FitMateTM) and was estimated by 10
      commonly used predictive equations. Comparisons were conducted using paired t
      test. The accuracy of the RMR equations was evaluated on the basis of the
      percentage of subjects' predicted RMR within 10% of measured RMR. RESULTS: The
      mean BMI of subjects was 17.3+/-1.3 kg/m(2). The measured RMR ranged 736-1490
      kcal/day (mean 1084.7+/-175 kcal/day). Findings indicated that except Muller and
      Abbreviation, other equations significantly over estimated RMR, compared to
      measured value (P<0.05). As an individual prediction accuracy, these predictive
      equations showed poor performance with the highest accuracy rate of 54.8% for
      Muller equation (22.1% under and 23.1% over-prediction) and 43.3% for
      Abbreviation equation (31.7% under and 25% over-prediction), the percentage bias
      was 1.8% and 0.63% and RMSE was 162 and 173 kcal/d, respectively. CONCLUSION:
      Although Muller equation gave fairly acceptable prediction, more suitable new
      equations are needed to be developed to help better management of nutritional
      plans in young underweight people.

PMID- 26258096
TI  - The Evaluation of Multiple Sclerosis Dispersal in Iran and Its Association with
      Urbanization, Life Style and Industry.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease with unknown factor.
      The prevalence and incidence rate of this disease had an upward trend in many
      regions in the world such as Middle east and consequently in Iran over the recent
      years. As the risk factors of this increased trend and high-prevalence is unknown
      in Iran, the current study has been designed to evaluate the correlation between
      MS dispersal with urbanization, life style and industry, as an ecological
      research. METHODS: This retrospective study was designed as an ecological
      approach in 2011. Data were collected from three databases by high precision
      (CI95%) from national registry plans. The subjects of study were provinces of
      Iran (n=31). The linear regression was used to perform statistical analyses.
      RESULTS: The obtained results indicated an ascendant trend of MS during the
      recent years, as the incidence of this disease reached from 26.24/100000 (CI95%)
      people in 2006 to 44.53/100000 (CI95%) in 2011. There is a direct correlation
      (P<0.05) between the percentage of urbanization and the percentage of male
      smokers with the prevalence of MS in provinces. CONCLUSION: The role of smoking
      was more highlighted in this study as a probable factor in increasing risk and
      causing MS disease. Urbanization could be introduced as an augmentative factor,
      but this is a combination of several complex factors that this effect must be
      appraised with smaller scale in other researches.

PMID- 26258097
TI  - Impact of Education Based on Theory of Planned Behavior: An Investigation into
      Hypertension-Preventive Self-care Behaviors in Iranian Girl Adolescent.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Since risk factors of hypertension are formed during adolescent
      period and regarding that attitudes change occurs more easily in these ages, the
      present paper aimed to evaluate the impact of education based on the theory of
      planned behavior in hypertension prevention behaviors in female adolescent
      students. METHODS: In this quasi-experimental study, 160 girls of 12-16 yr old
      (80 in each case and control group), who had not been educated in prevention of
      hypertension over the recent three months, participated. Four schools in Tehran
      were selected based on cluster sampling method during two stages. The education
      was provided based on the theory of planned behavior in two sections (nutrition
      and physical activity) in four sessions. Data gathered before and after education
      through a two-part valid and reliable questionnaire. The results were analyzed
      based on SPSS software, version 17. RESULTS: The results of independent t-test
      showed in the nutrition section, attitude (P=0.000), subjective norm (P=0.025),
      perceived control (P=0.016) and behavioral intention (P=0.025); significantly
      increased. About physical activity, except subjective norm (P=0.219), the mean
      score of the attitude (P=0.001), perceived control (P=0.000) and behavioral
      intention (P=0.000) revealed a significant difference between two groups.
      CONCLUSION: Education based on the theory of planned behavior affects the
      intention of preventive behaviors of hypertension in female adolescents.

PMID- 26258098
TI  - Regional Disparity in Physical Resources in the Health Sector in Iran: A
      Comparison of Two Time Periods.
AB  - BACKGROUND: One of the major health policy issues, in the both developed and
      developing countries, is the equality in the distribution of health resources.
      The aim of this study was to investigate the disparity in the distribution of
      health physical resources across the provinces of Iran in 2001 and 2011. METHODS:
      This was a cross-sectional retrospective study which investigated inequality in
      the distribution of health physical resources by three indexes of Gini
      Coefficient, Gaswirth index and Index of Dissimilarity. The data on provinces
      were obtained from the yearbook statistics and Ministry of Health, and Medical
      Education. The Excel software was used to calculated indexes. RESULTS: The
      finding showed the mean Gini Coefficient for all variables was 0.178 in 2001 and
      0.158 in 2011. Besides, the mean Gaswirth index and index of dissimilarity were
      11.5 and 1.5% in 2001 and 11 and 1.4% in 2011, respectively. CONCLUSION: There
      was slightly inequality in distribution of physical health resources in Iran.
      According to the results of three indexes, this study showed when Tehran province
      excluding from total sample, the inequality was decreased.

PMID- 26258099
TI  - The Prevalence and Causes of Visaual Impairment and Blindness in a Rural
      Population in the North of Iran.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Visual impairment is a very important public health problem. In Iran,
      reports of visual impairment and blindness have been published from the urban
      population while the prevalence of visual impairment in the rural population has
      not been reported. The purpose of this study to determine the prevalence and
      causes of visual impairment, in a rural population in district of based on age
      and sex. METHODS: In a cross-sectional population-based study, using random
      cluster sampling, 13 of the 83 villages of Khaf County in the north east of Iran
      were selected. Eye examinations were performed in a Mobile Eye Clinic (Nooravaran
      Salamat, 2011) and included optometric examinations such as measuring uncorrected
      and corrected visual acuity along with non-cycloplegic refraction. RESULTS: The
      prevalence of visual impairment, low vision, and blindness was 6.3% (95% CI 5.3
      7.3), 3.4% (95% CI 2.6-4.1), and 3.0% (95% CI 2.3-3.6), respectively. The
      prevalence of visual impairment ranged from 1.8% in the participant younger than
      20 years of age to 28% in the subjects aged 60 and over (P<0.001). After matching
      for age, the prevalence of visual impairment and low vision was significantly
      higher in women. The most prevalent causes of visual impairment were uncorrected
      refractory error (54.5%) and cataract (17.6%). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of
      visual impairment was significantly higher in the rural population of this study
      when compared to previous reports from Iran. It seems that provision of
      therapeutic facilities like cataract surgery and availability of eyeglasses in
      villages can considerably reduce the prevalence of visual impairment.

PMID- 26258100
TI  - Detection of Emergence Cyclospora cayetanensis in A HIV(+) / AIDS Patient with
      Diarrhea from Tehran: A Case Report.
AB  - Coccidian protozoa of Cyclospora cayetanensis are obligate intracellular
      apicomplexan parasites that infect the mucosal epithelium of the small intestine
      of immunocompetent and immunocompromised persons. A 25- years old woman from
      around, Tehran with complaint of faintness and fatigue with HIV positive/AIDS
      confirmed eight months ago was admitted in Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran, Iran
      in 2014. The patient suffered from intestinal and lung symptoms like watery
      diarrhea, flu-like symptoms. The stool was examined by direct preparation and
      concentration technique, stained with modified acid-fast staining method, and
      observed with light and then Immunofluorescence microscope. The stool cultivation
      was made in dichromate potassium medium and diagnosis of Cyclospora infection was
      finally made according to observation of Cyclospora oocysts almost 10 MUm in acid
      fast staining method and autofluorescence of Cyclospora under Immunofluorescence
      microscope. The patient was initially treated with azithromycin, tazocin and
      fluconazol because of lung lesions and diarrhea and relative remission was
      observed. Cyclospora sp. causes an intestinal infection particularly in
      immunocompromised patients. 

PMID- 26258101
TI  - Central Nervous System Aspergilloma in an Immunocompetent Patient: A Case Report.
AB  - Intracranial aspergilloma is extremely rare. The diagnosis and treatment of
      invasive CNS aspergillosis is very difficult. Early diagnosis is important for a
      successful treatment. Here, we report a case of intracranial aspergilloma in an
      11-year-old boy in 2013. Good outcome was achieved by treatment with a
      combination of neurosurgical resection and antifungal administration, which we
      suggest is a good quality management plan. 

PMID- 26258102
TI  - Comparison of Bacterial Pollution Level According to Sponge Storage Method.

PMID- 26258103
TI  - Gender Differences in Sociodemographic Correlates with Excessive Television
      Viewing Time in Taiwanese Older Adults.

PMID- 26258104
TI  - Helicobacter pylori Related Health Problems in Children.

PMID- 26258105
TI  - Hepatitis: A Rapidly Spreading Viral Infection in Pakistan.

PMID- 26258106
TI  - Future Recommendations for School Dental Health Program in India.

PMID- 26258107
TI  - Can Waist Circumference Be a Reliable Anthropometric Parameter in Healthy Normal
      Weight and Overweight Adolescents?

PMID- 26258108
TI  - Evaluation of Shear Bond Strength of Giomer in Comparison with Two Dentin
      Adhesive Systems.

PMID- 26258109
TI  - Effectiveness of High Frequency of Two-Year Supervised Brushing with Fluoride Gel
      in Permanent Teeth in Children from Poland.

PMID- 26258110
TI  - Prevalence of Minor Psychiatric Disorders and Factors Affecting It in Iranian
      Nurses.

PMID- 26258111
TI  - Relationship between family meal frequency and individual dietary intake among
      diabetic patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Notoriously, the island of Mauritius has one of the highest
      prevalence of diabetes in the world. Management of the disease is very important
      and family meals are undoubtedly beneficial to patients as they promote the
      development of healthy eating behaviours and food choices. This study has aimed
      to probe into potential relationship(s) between family meal frequency and
      individual dietary intake among diabetic patients and to establish whether family
      cohesion may be a plausible mediator of this relationship. METHODS: A cross
      sectional survey was carried out with a random sample of 384 diabetic patients.
      The Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale III was used to obtain
      information on two general aspects of family functioning, that is, cohesiveness
      and adaptability. Chi-squared (chi (2)) tests, independent sample t-tests and one
      way ANOVA were used to determine statistical significance. Pearson correlation
      was used to examine associations between family meal frequency, individual
      dietary intake and family cohesion. Hierarchical linear regression models were
      performed for the mediation analysis. RESULTS: Family meal frequency (breakfast,
      lunch and dinner) was observed to be positively associated with intake of fish,
      raw vegetables, dried and fresh fruits, low-fat milk, cheese, yogurt, nuts and
      light butter and negatively associated with intake of red meat, white rice, white
      bread, whole egg fried, chocolates, fried cakes, burgers, chips, and fried
      noodles/rice. Average mediation (52.6 %) was indicated by family cohesion for the
      association between family meal frequency and individual dietary intake among
      diabetic patients. Sobel's test further confirmed the trend towards complete
      mediation (z = 15.4; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A strong relationship between family
      meal frequency and individual dietary intake among diabetic patients was
      recorded. The present study is one of the few studies that have examined family
      cohesion as a mediator of the relationship and to our best knowledge is the first
      work to demonstrate a trend towards complete mediation. Results obtained can be
      used by health professionals to devise strategies for increasing knowledge and
      awareness of both diabetic patients and their respective families to curd down
      this public health burden.

PMID- 26258112
TI  - PRECISION IN ESTIMATES OF DISABILITY PREVALENCE FOR THE POPULATION AGED 65 AND
      OVER IN THE UNITED STATES BY RACE AND ETHNICITY.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Populations are aging worldwide. In the United States (US), the older
      adult (aged >=65) population will increase rapidly in the decades to come.
      Identifying public health needs in older adults requires that sample-derived
      estimates of disability prevalence be produced using transparent methodologies.
      OBJECTIVES: Produce estimates of disabilities for the US older adult population
      by race and ethnicity and present measures on the 'level of precision' in the
      estimates. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study used American Community Survey (ACS)
      Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS) 3-year file collected during 2009-2011 survey
      period. SETTING: Community dwelling population aged >=65 in US. PARTICIPANTS: The
      1,494,893 actual survey participants (unweighted count) are said to represent
      40,496,512 individuals after population weights are applied (weighted count).
      From the weighted counts, the average age is 75, about 56% are females, and most
      (80%) are Non-Latino-Whites (NLW). RESULTS: Qualitative comparisons provide some
      evidence that except for hearing, disability prevalence is highest in Non-Latino
      Blacks along the following disability items: independent living (25%); ambulatory
      (34%); self-care (15%); cognitive (11%); and vision (11%). Person inflation
      ratios, width of 95% confidence interval, and rates of allocations are smaller in
      NLWs than all the other race-ethnic groups-suggesting disability estimates for
      NLWs merit the highest level of confidence. CONCLUSIONS: Improving measures of
      health in the older adult population requires that efforts continue to highlight
      how estimates of disability prevalence have the potential to vary in precision
      and as a function of various known and unknown factors.

PMID- 26258113
TI  - INTERSECTING SELF-REPORTED MOBILITY AND GAIT SPEED TO CREATEA MULTI-DIMENSIONAL
      MEASURE OF AMBULATION: THE "AMBULATION SPEED-ENDURANCE" (ASE) TYPOLOGY.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Assessing mobility through readily available and affordable protocols
      may help advance public health by providing early detection and implementing
      intervention therapies aimed at mitigating the progression from physiological
      vitality to disability at older ages. Until now, little attention has been given
      to how self-reported mobility (SRM) and gait speed can be combined in a
      categorization scheme. OBJECTIVES: The specific aim of this report is to
      introduce the Ambulation Speed-Endurance (ASE) Typology to the literature-a
      classification system that intersects SRM and gait speed to create a multi
      dimensional measure of ambulation. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Community
      dwelling older adults in the United States. PARTICIPANTS: Evidence is provided
      from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) that community-dwelling
      older adults (n=5,403) may be found in each of the ASE Typologies. The discussion
      is complimented by investigating the cross-sectional predictors of a "Discrepancy
      Score" (measure of gap between speed and endurance) amongst those with gait
      speeds < 0.99 m/sec (n=4,521). RESULTS: Multivariable linear regression results
      indicate level of severity in speed-endurance discrepancy is higher amongst: non
      Latino-Blacks (beta=0.48); Latinos (beta=0.42); older ages; and lower educated.
      Models also show that severity in speed-endurance discrepancy is lower amongst:
      females (beta=-0.38); those with higher body mass index; with more chronic health
      conditions; and poorer self-rated health. CONCLUSION: Research should continue to
      investigate how to optimize SRM.

PMID- 26258114
TI  - A novel method for the management of proximal segment using computer assisted
      simulation surgery: correct condyle head positioning and better proximal segment
      placement.
AB  - Computer Assisted Simulation Surgery (CASS) is a reliable method that permits
      oral and maxillofacial surgeons to visualize the position of the maxilla and the
      mandible as observed in the patient. The purpose of this report was to introduce
      a newly developed strategy for proximal segment management according to Balanced
      Orthognathic Surgery (BOS) protocol which is a type of CASS, and to establish the
      clinical feasibility of the BOS protocol in the treatment of complex maxillo
      facial deformities. The BOS protocol consists of the following 4 phases: 1)
      Planning and simulation phase, 2) Modeling phase, 3) Surgical phase, and 4)
      Evaluation phase. The surgical interventions in 80 consecutive patients were
      planned and executed by the BOS protocol. The BOS protocol ensures accuracy
      during surgery, thereby facilitating the completion of procedures without any
      complications. The BOS protocol may be a complete solution that enables an
      orthognatic surgeon to perform accurate surgery based on a surgical plan, making
      real outcomes as close to pre-planned outcomes as possible.

PMID- 26258115
TI  - Successful and rapid response of speech bulb reduction program combined with
      speech therapy in velopharyngeal dysfunction: a case report.
AB  - Velopharyngeal dysfunction in cleft palate patients following the primary palate
      repair may result in nasal air emission, hypernasality, articulation disorder and
      poor intelligibility of speech. Among conservative treatment methods, speech aid
      prosthesis combined with speech therapy is widely used method. However because of
      its long time of treatment more than a year and low predictability, some
      clinicians prefer a surgical intervention. Thus, the purpose of this report was
      to increase an attention on the effectiveness of speech aid prosthesis by
      introducing a case that was successfully treated. In this clinical report, speech
      bulb reduction program with intensive speech therapy was applied for a patient
      with velopharyngeal dysfunction and it was rapidly treated by 5months which was
      unusually short period for speech aid therapy. Furthermore, advantages of pre
      operative speech aid therapy were discussed.

PMID- 26258116
TI  - Approaches to Managing Autoimmune Cytopenias in Novel Immunological Disorders
      with Genetic Underpinnings Like Autoimmune Lymphoproliferative Syndrome.
AB  - Autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS) is a rare disorder of apoptosis.
      It is frequently caused by mutations in FAS (TNFRSF6) gene. Unlike most of the
      self-limiting autoimmune cytopenias sporadically seen in childhood, multi lineage
      cytopenias due to ALPS are often refractory, as their inherited genetic defect is
      not going to go away. Historically, more ALPS patients have died due to
      overwhelming sepsis following splenectomy to manage their chronic cytopenias than
      due to any other cause, including malignancies. Hence, current recommendations
      underscore the importance of avoiding splenectomy in ALPS, by long-term use of
      corticosteroid-sparing immunosuppressive agents like mycophenolate mofetil and
      sirolimus. Paradigms learnt from managing ALPS patients in recent years is
      highlighted here and can be extrapolated to manage refractory cytopenias in
      patients with as yet undetermined genetic bases for their ailments. It is also
      desirable to develop international registries for children with rare and complex
      immune problems associated with chronic multilineage cytopenias in order to
      elucidate their natural history and long-term comorbidities due to the disease
      and its treatments. 

PMID- 26258117
TI  - "Living in a Communal Garden" Associated with Well-Being While Reducing Urban
      Sprawl by 40%: A Mixed-Methods Cross-Sectional Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The extent to which novel land-efficient neighborhood design can
      promote key health behaviors is examined, concentrating on communal outdoor space
      provision (COSP). OBJECTIVES: To test whether a neighborhood (Accordia) with a
      higher ratio of communal to private outdoor space is associated with higher
      levels of resident's (a) self-reported local health behaviors and (b) observed
      engagement in local health behaviors, compared to a matched neighborhood with
      lower proportion of COSP. METHODS: Health behaviors were examined via direct
      observation and postal survey. Bespoke observation codes and survey items
      represented key well-being behaviors including "connecting," "keeping active,"
      "taking notice," "keep learning," and "giving." The questionnaire was validated
      using psychometric analyses and observed behaviors were mapped in real-time.
      RESULTS: General pursuit of health behaviors was very similar in both areas but
      Accordia residents reported substantially greater levels of local activity.
      Validated testing of survey dataset (n = 256) showed support for a stronger
      Attitude to Neighborhood Life (connecting and giving locally) in Accordia and
      partial support of greater physical activity. Analyses of the behavior
      observation dataset (n = 7,298) support the self-reported findings. Mapped
      observations revealed a proliferation of activity within Accordia's innovative
      outdoor hard spaces. CONCLUSION: Representation is limited to upper-middle class
      UK groups. However, Accordia was found to promote health behaviors compared a
      traditional neighborhood that demands considerably more land area. The positive
      role of home zone streets, hard-standing and semi-civic space highlights the
      principle of quality as well as quantity. The findings should be considered as
      part of three forthcoming locally led UK garden cities, to be built before 2020.

PMID- 26258119
TI  - Nanoparticle separation with a miniaturized asymmetrical flow field-flow
      fractionation cartridge.
AB  - Asymmetrical Flow Field-Flow Fractionation (AF4) is a separation technique
      applicable to particles over a wide size range. Despite the many advantages of
      AF4, its adoption in routine particle analysis is somewhat limited by the large
      footprint of currently available separation cartridges, extended analysis times
      and significant solvent consumption. To address these issues, we describe the
      fabrication and characterization of miniaturized AF4 cartridges. Key features of
      the down-scaled platform include simplified cartridge and reagent handling,
      reduced analysis costs and higher throughput capacities. The separation
      performance of the miniaturized cartridge is assessed using certified gold and
      silver nanoparticle standards. Analysis of gold nanoparticle populations
      indicates shorter analysis times and increased sensitivity compared to
      conventional AF4 separation schemes. Moreover, nanoparticulate titanium dioxide
      populations exhibiting broad size distributions are analyzed in a rapid and
      efficient manner. Finally, the repeatability and reproducibility of the
      miniaturized platform are investigated with respect to analysis time and
      separation efficiency. 

PMID- 26258118
TI  - Synthesis of lysine methyltransferase inhibitors.
AB  - Lysine methyltransferase which catalyze methylation of histone and non-histone
      proteins, play a crucial role in diverse biological processes and has emerged as
      a promising target for the development of various human diseases, including
      cancer, inflammation, and psychiatric disorders. However, inhibiting lysine
      methyltransferases selectively has presented many challenges to medicinal
      chemists. During the past decade, lysine methyltransferase inhibitors covering
      many different structural classes have been designed and developed. In this
      review, we describe the development of selective, small-molecule inhibitors of
      lysine methyltransferases with an emphasis on their discovery and chemical
      synthesis. We highlight the current state of lysine methyltransferase inhibitors
      and discuss future directions and opportunities for lysine methyltransferase
      inhibitor discovery. 

PMID- 26258120
TI  - Seed dormancy is modulated in recently evolved chlorsulfuron-resistant Turkish
      biotypes of wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis).
AB  - Biotypes of the broad-leaved wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis L.) found in wheat
      fields of Aegean and Marmara region of Turkey were characterized and shown to
      have developed resistance to sulfonylurea (chlorsulfuron), an inhibitor of
      acetolactate synthase (ALS). DNA sequence analysis of the ALS genes from two such
      resistant ("R") biotypes, KNF-R1 and KNF-R2, revealed point mutations, CCT (Pro
      197) to TCT (Ser 197) in KNF-R1 and CCT (Pro 197) to ACT (Thr 197) in KNF-R2;
      these substitutions are consistent with the presence of chlorsulfuron-insensitive
      ALS enzyme activity in the "R" S. arvensis biotypes. An additional phenotype of
      chlorsulfuron resistance in the Turkish S. arvensis "R" biotypes was revealed in
      the form of an altered seed dormancy behavior over 4-48 months of dry storage
      (after-ripening) compared to the susceptible ("S") biotypes. Seeds of the "S"
      biotypes dry stored for 4 months had a higher initial germination, which sharply
      decreased with storage time, while the seeds of the "R" biotypes had lower
      germination after 4-months storage, rising sharply and peaking thereafter by 24
      months' of dry storage. The "R" biotype seeds continued to maintain a higher
      germination percentage even after 48 months of after-ripening. The seed weight of
      "R" and "S" biotypes after-ripened for 4 months was similar but those after
      ripened for 48 months differed, "R" seeds were significantly heavier than those
      of the "S" seeds. Differential seed germinability between "S" and "R" biotypes
      was found not a case of differential viability, temperature regimen or non
      response to pro-germination hormone GA3. These studies are of relevance to
      ecological fitness of herbicide-resistant biotypes in terms of seed viability and
      germination. 

PMID- 26258121
TI  - Identification and Molecular Characterization of the Switchgrass AP2/ERF
      Transcription Factor Superfamily, and Overexpression of PvERF001 for Improvement
      of Biomass Characteristics for Biofuel.
AB  - The APETALA2/ethylene response factor (AP2/ERF) superfamily of transcription
      factors (TFs) plays essential roles in the regulation of various growth and
      developmental programs including stress responses. Members of these TFs in other
      plant species have been implicated to play a role in the regulation of cell wall
      biosynthesis. Here, we identified a total of 207 AP2/ERF TF genes in the
      switchgrass genome and grouped into four gene families comprised of 25 AP2-, 121
      ERF-, 55 DREB (dehydration responsive element binding)-, and 5 RAV (related to
      API3/VP) genes, as well as a singleton gene not fitting any of the above
      families. The ERF and DREB subfamilies comprised seven and four distinct groups,
      respectively. Analysis of exon/intron structures of switchgrass AP2/ERF genes
      showed high diversity in the distribution of introns in AP2 genes versus a single
      or no intron in most genes in the ERF and RAV families. The majority of the
      subfamilies or groups within it were characterized by the presence of one or more
      specific conserved protein motifs. In silico functional analysis revealed that
      many genes in these families might be associated with the regulation of responses
      to environmental stimuli via transcriptional regulation of the response genes.
      Moreover, these genes had diverse endogenous expression patterns in switchgrass
      during seed germination, vegetative growth, flower development, and seed
      formation. Interestingly, several members of the ERF and DREB families were found
      to be highly expressed in plant tissues where active lignification occurs. These
      results provide vital resources to select candidate genes to potentially impart
      tolerance to environmental stress as well as reduced recalcitrance.
      Overexpression of one of the ERF genes (PvERF001) in switchgrass was associated
      with increased biomass yield and sugar release efficiency in transgenic lines,
      exemplifying the potential of these TFs in the development of lignocellulosic
      feedstocks with improved biomass characteristics for biofuels. 

PMID- 26258122
TI  - Automatic Evaluation of Speech Rhythm Instability and Acceleration in Dysarthrias
      Associated with Basal Ganglia Dysfunction.
AB  - Speech rhythm abnormalities are commonly present in patients with different
      neurodegenerative disorders. These alterations are hypothesized to be a
      consequence of disruption to the basal ganglia circuitry involving dysfunction of
      motor planning, programing, and execution, which can be detected by a syllable
      repetition paradigm. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to design a
      robust signal processing technique that allows the automatic detection of
      spectrally distinctive nuclei of syllable vocalizations and to determine speech
      features that represent rhythm instability (RI) and rhythm acceleration (RA). A
      further aim was to elucidate specific patterns of dysrhythmia across various
      neurodegenerative disorders that share disruption of basal ganglia function.
      Speech samples based on repetition of the syllable /pa/ at a self-determined
      steady pace were acquired from 109 subjects, including 22 with Parkinson's
      disease (PD), 11 progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), 9 multiple system atrophy
      (MSA), 24 ephedrone-induced parkinsonism (EP), 20 Huntington's disease (HD), and
      23 healthy controls. Subsequently, an algorithm for the automatic detection of
      syllables as well as features representing RI and RA were designed. The proposed
      detection algorithm was able to correctly identify syllables and remove erroneous
      detections due to excessive inspiration and non-speech sounds with a very high
      accuracy of 99.6%. Instability of vocal pace performance was observed in PSP,
      MSA, EP, and HD groups. Significantly increased pace acceleration was observed
      only in the PD group. Although not significant, a tendency for pace acceleration
      was observed also in the PSP and MSA groups. Our findings underline the crucial
      role of the basal ganglia in the execution and maintenance of automatic speech
      motor sequences. We envisage the current approach to become the first step toward
      the development of acoustic technologies allowing automated assessment of rhythm
      in dysarthrias. 

PMID- 26258124
TI  - Clinical and Survival Impact of FDG PET in Patients with Suspicion of Recurrent
      Ovarian Cancer: A 6-Year Follow-Up.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the contribution
      of fluorine-18-fluoro-deoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) to
      the clinical management and survival outcome of patients (pts) suspected of
      recurrent ovarian carcinoma, with the hypothesis that early diagnosis of
      recurrent ovarian cancer may improve overall survival (OS). METHODS: Fifty-three
      FDG PET/CT scans were retrospectively analyzed for 42 pts. CT and PET/CT findings
      were confirmed by imaging and clinical follow-up, and/or pathology, which were
      considered as the gold standard diagnosis. The treatment plan based on CT staging
      was compared with that based on PET/CT findings. Medical records were reviewed
      for pts characteristics, progression-free survival (PFS), and OS. PFS and OS were
      analyzed using the Cox proportional hazards regression model. RESULTS: The final
      diagnosis of recurrence was established pathologically (n = 16), or by a median
      clinical follow-up of 6.5 years (range 0.5-7.5) after the PET/CT (n = 37). PET/CT
      provided a higher detection sensitivity (92.2%, 47/51) than CT (60.8%, 31/51) (p
      < 0.001). Globally, PET/CT modified the treatment plan in 56.6% (30/53) and in
      65.2% (15/23) when the CT was negative prior to PET/CT. In 30 cases, those
      benefited from a modified treatment plan, these changes led to the
      intensification of a previous treatment procedure in 83.3% (25/30), and to a
      reduction in the previous treatment procedure in 16.6% of cases (5/30). The Cox
      regression multivariate analysis showed that the number of lesions visualized by
      CT and presence of lung lesions detected by PET/CT were significantly associated
      with PFS (p = 0.002 and p = 0.035, respectively). CONCLUSION: On account of its
      impact on treatment planning, and especially in predicting patient outcome, FDG
      PET is a valuable diagnostic tool for cases of suspected ovarian cancer
      recurrence.

PMID- 26258123
TI  - Hypoxia signaling pathways: modulators of oxygen-related organelles.
AB  - Oxygen (O2) is an essential substrate in cellular metabolism, bioenergetics, and
      signaling and as such linked to the survival and normal function of all
      metazoans. Low O2 tension (hypoxia) is a fundamental feature of physiological
      processes as well as pathophysiological conditions such as cancer and ischemic
      diseases. Central to the molecular mechanisms underlying O2 homeostasis are the
      hypoxia-inducible factors-1 and -2 alpha (HIF-1alpha and EPAS1/HIF-2alpha) that
      function as master regulators of the adaptive response to hypoxia. HIF-induced
      genes promote characteristic tumor behaviors, including angiogenesis and
      metabolic reprogramming. The aim of this review is to critically explore current
      knowledge of how HIF-alpha signaling regulates the abundance and function of
      major O2-consuming organelles. Abundant evidence suggests key roles for HIF
      1alpha in the regulation of mitochondrial homeostasis. An essential adaptation to
      sustained hypoxia is repression of mitochondrial respiration and induction of
      glycolysis. HIF-1alpha activates several genes that trigger mitophagy and
      represses regulators of mitochondrial biogenesis. Several lines of evidence point
      to a strong relationship between hypoxia, the accumulation of misfolded proteins
      in the endoplasmic reticulum, and activation of the unfolded protein response.
      Surprisingly, although peroxisomes depend highly on molecular O2 for their
      function, there has been no evidence linking HIF signaling to peroxisomes. We
      discuss our recent findings that establish HIF-2alpha as a negative regulator of
      peroxisome abundance and suggest a mechanism by which cells attune peroxisomal
      function with O2 availability. HIF-2alpha activation augments peroxisome turnover
      by pexophagy and thereby changes lipid composition reminiscent of peroxisomal
      disorders. We discuss potential mechanisms by which HIF-2alpha might trigger
      pexophagy and place special emphasis on the potential pathological implications
      of HIF-2alpha-mediated pexophagy for human health. 

PMID- 26258125
TI  - Exosomic microRNAs in the Tumor Microenvironment.
AB  - Dissecting the crosstalk between tumor cells and tumor microenvironment is
      quickly becoming the new frontier in cancer research. It is now widely accepted
      that cancer cells can exert a profound influence over their surroundings, by
      changing the microenvironment from a normal to a tumor-supportive state that
      allows for sustained tumor growth, invasion, and drug resistance. Extracellular
      vesicles, especially exosomes, are recognized as a new category of intercellular
      communicator, and they are emerging as of primary importance in controlling the
      interplay between the tumor and its environment. Exosomes derived from cancer
      cells or from cells of the tumor microenvironment allow for the horizontal
      transfer of information by virtue of their cargo, made of functional proteins and
      nucleic acids that are specifically sorted and loaded in exosomes during their
      biogenesis. In this review, we will discuss the current knowledge regarding the
      role invested by microRNAs, a family of short non-coding RNAs frequently
      deregulated in malignancies and present in exosomes, in shaping the
      microenvironment in a cancer-dependent manner. 

PMID- 26258127
TI  - Bridging Basic Science with Cardiac Surgery: The Bristol Heart Institute
      Experience.

PMID- 26258128
TI  - Integrated Anterior, Central, and Posterior Skull Base Unit - A New Perspective.
AB  - The skull base is one of the most complex anatomical regions and forms the floor
      of the cranial cavity. Skull base surgery involves open, microscopic, and
      endoscopic approaches to the anterior, middle, or posterior cranial fossa. A
      multispecialty team approach is essential in treating patients with skull base
      lesions. Traditionally, rhinologists are involved in providing access to anterior
      skull base lesions while otologists are involved in the treatment of lesions of
      the posterior skull base. This is the case in most skull base centers today. In
      this article, we share a new perspective of an integrated skull base unit where a
      team of otolaryngologists and neurosurgeons treat anterior, middle, and posterior
      skull base pathologies. The rationale for this approach is that most technical
      skills required in skull base surgery are interchangeable and apply whether an
      endoscopic or microscopic approach is used. We show how the different skills
      apply to the different approaches and share our experience with an integrated
      skull base unit. 

PMID- 26258126
TI  - The L-Cell in Nutritional Sensing and the Regulation of Appetite.
AB  - The gastrointestinal (GI) tract senses the ingestion of food and responds by
      signaling to the brain to promote satiation and satiety. Representing an
      important part of the gut-brain axis, enteroendocrine L-cells secrete the
      anorectic peptide hormones glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and peptide YY (PYY)
      in response to the ingestion of food. The release of GLP-1 has multiple effects,
      including the secretion of insulin from pancreatic beta-cells, decreased gastric
      emptying, and increased satiation. PYY also slows GI motility and reduces food
      intake. At least part of the gut-brain response seems to be due to direct sensing
      of macronutrients by L-cells, by mechanisms including specific nutrient-sensing
      receptors. Such receptors may represent possible pathways to target to decrease
      appetite and increase energy expenditure. Designing drugs or functional foods to
      exploit the machinery of these nutrient-sensing mechanisms may offer a potential
      approach for agents to treat obesity and metabolic disease. 

PMID- 26258129
TI  - Advanced Imaging in Femoroacetabular Impingement: Current State and Future
      Prospects.
AB  - Symptomatic femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is now a known precursor of early
      osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip. In terms of clinical intervention, the decision
      between joint preservation and joint replacement hinges on the severity of
      articular cartilage degeneration. The exact threshold during the course of
      disease progression when the cartilage damage is irreparable remains elusive. The
      intention behind radiographic imaging is to accurately identify the morphology of
      osseous structural abnormalities and to accurately characterize the chondrolabral
      damage as much as possible. However, both plain radiographs and computed
      tomography (CT) are insensitive for articular cartilage anatomy and pathology.
      Advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques include magnetic resonance
      arthrography and biochemically sensitive techniques of delayed gadolinium
      enhanced MRI of cartilage (dGEMRIC), T1rho (T1rho), T2/T2* mapping, and several
      others. The diagnostic performance of these techniques to evaluate cartilage
      degeneration could improve the ability to predict an individual patient-specific
      outcome with non-surgical and surgical care. This review discusses the facts and
      current applications of biochemical MRI for hip joint cartilage assessment
      covering the roles of dGEMRIC, T2/T2*, and T1rho mapping. The basics of each
      technique and their specific role in FAI assessment are outlined. Current
      limitations and potential pitfalls as well as future directions of biochemical
      imaging are also outlined. 

PMID- 26258130
TI  - The primary photoreaction of channelrhodopsin-1: wavelength dependent
      photoreactions induced by ground-state heterogeneity.
AB  - The primary photodynamics of channelrhodopsin-1 from Chlamydomonas augustae
      (CaChR1) was investigated by VIS-pump supercontinuum probe experiments from
      femtoseconds to 100 picoseconds. In contrast to reported experiments on
      channelrhodopsin-2 from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (CrChR2), we found a clear
      dependence of the photoreaction dynamics on varying the excitation wavelength.
      Upon excitation at 500 and at 550 nm we detected different bleaching bands, and
      spectrally distinct photoproduct absorptions in the first picoseconds. We assign
      the former to the ground-state heterogeneity of a mixture of 13-cis and all-trans
      retinal maximally absorbing around 480 and 540 nm, respectively. At 550 nm, all
      trans retinal of the ground state is almost exclusively excited. Here, we found a
      fast all-trans to 13-cis isomerization process to a hot and spectrally broad P1
      photoproduct with a time constant of (100 +/- 50) fs, followed by photoproduct
      relaxation with time constants of (500 +/- 100) fs and (5 +/- 1) ps. The
      remaining fraction relaxes back to the parent ground state with time constants of
      (500 +/- 100) fs and (5 +/- 1) ps. Upon excitation at 500 nm a mixture of both
      chromophore conformations is excited, resulting in overlapping reaction dynamics
      with additional time constants of <300 fs, (1.8 +/- 0.3) ps and (90 +/- 25) ps. A
      new photoproduct Q is formed absorbing at around 600 nm. Strong coherent
      oscillatory signals were found pertaining up to several picoseconds. We
      determined low frequency modes around 200 cm(-1), similar to those reported for
      bacteriorhodopsin. 

PMID- 26258131
TI  - Evidence for Broadening Criteria for Atypical Depression Which May Define a
      Reactive Depressive Disorder.
AB  - Objective. Arguing that additional symptoms should be added to the criteria for
      atypical depression. Method. Published research articles on atypical depression
      are reviewed. Results. (1) The original studies upon which the criteria for
      atypical depression were based cited fatigue, insomnia, pain, and loss of weight
      as characteristic symptoms. (2) Several studies of DSM depressive criteria found
      patients with atypical depression to exhibit high levels of insomnia, fatigue,
      and loss of appetite/weight. (3) Several studies have found atypical depression
      to be comorbid with headaches, bulimia, and body image issues. (4) Most probands
      who report atypical depression meet criteria for "somatic depression," defined as
      depression associated with several of disordered eating, poor body image,
      headaches, fatigue, and insomnia. The gender difference in prevalence of atypical
      depression results from its overlap with somatic depression. Somatic depression
      is associated with psychosocial measures related to gender, linking it with the
      descriptions of atypical depression as "reactive" appearing in the studies upon
      which the original criteria for atypical depression were based. Conclusion.
      Insomnia, disordered eating, poor body image, and aches/pains should be added as
      criteria for atypical depression matching criteria for somatic depression
      defining a reactive depressive disorder possibly distinct from endogenous
      melancholic depression. 

PMID- 26258132
TI  - Genetic Geostatistical Framework for Spatial Analysis of Fine-Scale Genetic
      Heterogeneity in Modern Populations: Results from the KORA Study.
AB  - Aiming to investigate fine-scale patterns of genetic heterogeneity in modern
      humans from a geographic perspective, a genetic geostatistical approach framed
      within a geographic information system is presented. A sample collected for
      prospective studies in a small area of southern Germany was analyzed. None
      indication of genetic heterogeneity was detected in previous analysis. Socio
      demographic and genotypic data of German citizens were analyzed (212 SNPs; n =
      728). Genetic heterogeneity was evaluated with observed heterozygosity (H O ).
      Best-fitting spatial autoregressive models were identified, using socio
      demographic variables as covariates. Spatial analysis included surface
      interpolation and geostatistics of observed and predicted patterns. Prediction
      accuracy was quantified. Spatial autocorrelation was detected for both socio
      demographic and genetic variables. Augsburg City and eastern suburban areas
      showed higher H O values. The selected model gave best predictions in suburban
      areas. Fine-scale patterns of genetic heterogeneity were observed. In accordance
      to literature, more urbanized areas showed higher levels of admixture. This
      approach showed efficacy for detecting and analyzing subtle patterns of genetic
      heterogeneity within small areas. It is scalable in number of loci, even up to
      whole-genome analysis. It may be suggested that this approach may be applicable
      to investigate the underlying genetic history that is, at least partially,
      embedded in geographic data. 

PMID- 26258133
TI  - Effects of Surface Inclination on the Vertical Loading Rates and Landing Pattern
      during the First Attempt of Barefoot Running in Habitual Shod Runners.
AB  - Barefoot running has been proposed to reduce vertical loading rates, which is a
      risk factor of running injuries. Most of the previous studies evaluated runners
      on level surfaces. This study examined the effect of surface inclination on
      vertical loading rates and landing pattern during the first attempt of barefoot
      running among habitual shod runners. Twenty habitual shod runners were asked to
      run on treadmill at 8.0 km/h at three inclination angles (0 degrees ; +10 degrees
      ; -10 degrees ) with and without their usual running shoes. Vertical average rate
      (VALR) and instantaneous loading rate (VILR) were obtained by established
      methods. Landing pattern was decided using high-speed camera. VALR and VILR in
      shod condition were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in declined than in level or
      inclined treadmill running, but not in barefoot condition (p > 0.382). There was
      no difference (p > 0.413) in the landing pattern among all surface inclinations.
      Only one runner demonstrated complete transition to non-heel strike landing in
      all slope conditions. Reducing heel strike ratio in barefoot running did not
      ensure a decrease in loading rates (p > 0.15). Conversely, non-heel strike
      landing, regardless of footwear condition, would result in a softer landing (p <
      0.011). 

PMID- 26258134
TI  - Musculoskeletal Injuries and Training Patterns in Junior Elite Orienteering
      Athletes.
AB  - Findings about the relation between musculoskeletal injuries and training
      patterns in orienteering athletes are sparse. Therefore, the musculoskeletal
      injuries and training patterns of 31 Swiss elite orienteering athletes aged 18-19
      years were analyzed in a retrospective study. Individual training diaries and
      medical records were used to assess training data and injury history,
      respectively. Group comparisons and a multiple linear regression (MLR) were
      performed for statistical analysis. The junior elite orienteering athletes
      performed 7.38 +/- 2.00 training sessions weekly, with a total duration of 455.75
      +/- 98.22 minutes. An injury incidence rate (IIR) of 2.18 +/- 2.13 injuries per
      1000 hours of training was observed. The lower extremity was affected in 93% of
      all injuries, and the knee (33%) was the most commonly injured location. The MLR
      revealed that gender and six training variables explained 60% of the variance in
      the injury severity index in this study. Supported by the low IIR in the observed
      age group, the training protocol of the junior elite orienteering athletes was
      generally adequate. In comparison to elite track, marathon, and orienteering
      athletes, the junior elite athletes performed less high-intensity interval
      training (HIIT). However, more frequent HIIT seems to be a protective factor
      against injuries. 

PMID- 26258135
TI  - Genetic Variation, Heritability, and Diversity Analysis of Upland Rice (Oryza
      sativa L.) Genotypes Based on Quantitative Traits.
AB  - Upland rice is important for sustainable crop production to meet future food
      demands. The expansion in area of irrigated rice faces limitations due to water
      scarcity resulting from climate change. Therefore, this research aimed to
      identify potential genotypes and suitable traits of upland rice germplasm for
      breeding programmes. Forty-three genotypes were evaluated in a randomised
      complete block design with three replications. All genotypes exhibited a wide and
      significant variation for 22 traits. The highest phenotypic and genotypic
      coefficient of variation was recorded for the number of filled grains/panicle and
      yields/plant (g). The highest heritability was found for photosynthetic rate,
      transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, intercellular CO2, and number of filled
      grains/panicle and yields/plant (g). Cluster analysis based on 22 traits grouped
      the 43 rice genotypes into five clusters. Cluster II was the largest and
      consisted of 20 genotypes mostly originating from the Philippines. The first four
      principle components of 22 traits accounted for about 72% of the total variation
      and indicated a wide variation among the genotypes. The selected best trait of
      the number of filled grains/panicle and yields/plant (g), which showed high
      heritability and high genetic advance, could be used as a selection criterion for
      hybridisation programmes in the future.

PMID- 26258136
TI  - Influence of Pelvic Tilt on Polyethylene Wear after Total Hip Arthroplasty.
AB  - We aimed to evaluate the effects of pelvic tilt on polyethylene wear after total
      hip arthroplasty (THA). A total of 105 joints treated with primary THA were
      included; conventional polyethylene (CPE) liners were used in 43 hips and highly
      cross-linked polyethylene (HXLPE) liners were used in the remaining 62 hips. The
      pelvis was tilted 6 degrees  posteriorly in the standing position as compared to
      the supine position, which resulted in significant increases of 1.7 degrees  and
      2.8 degrees  in cup inclination in the CPE and HXLPE groups, respectively.
      Moreover, the change in pelvic tilt resulted in significant increases of 3.6
      degrees  and 4.9 degrees  in cup anteversion in the CPE and HXLPE groups,
      respectively. For the CPE group, multiple regression analysis showed a
      significant association between the angle of pelvic tilt (PTA) and cup
      inclination and the polyethylene wear ratio. The adjusted R (2) of the regression
      model was larger for measures obtained in the standing position as compared to
      the supine position. For the HXLPE group, there was no significant relationship
      between radiographic parameters and polyethylene wear. Close observation of
      polyethylene wear is recommended for patients with severe posterior pelvic tilt
      who have undergone THA with conventional polyethylene. 

PMID- 26258137
TI  - Experience of Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis for Hemophilia at the University
      Hospital Virgen Del Rocio in Spain: Technical and Clinical Overview.
AB  - Hemophilia A and B are the most common hereditary hemorrhagic disorders, with an
      X-linked mode of inheritance. Reproductive options for the families affected with
      hemophilia, aiming at the prevention of the birth of children with severe
      coagulation disorders, include preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). Here we
      present the results of our PGD Program applied to hemophilia, at the Department
      of Genetics, Reproduction and Fetal Medicine of the University Hospital Virgen
      del Rocio in Seville. A total of 34 couples have been included in our program
      since 2005 (30 for hemophilia A and 4 for hemophilia B). Overall, 60 cycles were
      performed, providing a total of 508 embryos. The overall percentage of transfers
      per cycle was 81.7% and the live birth rate per cycle ranged from 10.3 to 24.1%
      depending on the methodological approach applied. Although PGD for hemophilia can
      be focused on gender selection of female embryos, our results demonstrate that
      methodological approaches that allow the diagnosis of the hemophilia status of
      every embryo have notorious advantages. Our PGD Program resulted in the birth of
      12 healthy babies for 10 out of the 34 couples (29.4%), constituting a relevant
      achievement for the Spanish Public Health System within the field of
      haematological disorders. 

PMID- 26258138
TI  - Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse Technology in the Differential Diagnosis of
      Solid Breast Masses with Different Sizes: Which Features Are Most Efficient?
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate diagnostic performance of acoustic radiation force impulse
      (ARFI) technology for solid breast masses with different sizes and determine
      which features are most efficient. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 271 solid breast masses
      in 242 women were examined with ARFI, and their shear wave velocities (SWVs),
      Virtual Touch tissue imaging (VTI) patterns, and area ratios (ARs) were measured
      and compared with their histopathological outcomes. Receiver operating
      characteristic curves (ROC) were calculated to assess diagnostic performance of
      ARFI for small masses (6-14 mm) and big masses (15-30 mm). RESULTS: SWV of mass
      was shown to be positively associated with mass size (P < 0.001). For small
      masses, area under ROC (Az) of AR was larger than that of SWV (P < 0.001) and VTI
      pattern (P < 0.001); no significant difference was found between Az of SWV and
      that of VTI pattern (P = 0.906). For big masses, Az of VTI pattern was less than
      that of SWV (P = 0.008) and AR (P = 0.002); no significant difference was
      identified between Az of SWV and that of AR (P = 0.584). CONCLUSIONS: For big
      masses, SWV and AR are both efficient measures; nevertheless, for small masses,
      AR seems to be the best feature.

PMID- 26258139
TI  - Clinical Outcome after Colonic Resection in Women with Endometriosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In severe forms of endometriosis, the colon or rectum may be
      involved. This study evaluated the functional results and long-term outcome after
      laparoscopic colonic resection for endometriosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS:
      Questionnaire survey with 24 women who had experienced typical symptoms,
      including pelvic pain, infertility, and endometriotic lesions in the bowel and
      undergone laparoscopic surgery, including low anterior resection, from 2009 to
      2012, was conducted. RESULTS: Information about the postoperative outcome was
      obtained from 22 women and was analyzed statistically. Twenty-one had undergone
      low anterior resection; one patient required a primary Hartmann procedure due to
      a rectovaginal fistula. The conversion rate was 4.5%. Major complications
      occurred in one patient, including an anastomotic leakage, and a Hartmann
      procedure was carried out subsequently in this patient. The symptoms of pain
      during defecation, pelvic pain, dyspareunia, dysmenorrhea, and hematochezia
      showed clear improvement one year after the operation and at the time of the
      questionnaire. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic low anterior resection for deeply
      infiltrative endometriosis is technically demanding but feasible and safe, and it
      improves the clinical symptoms of endometriosis in the bowel.

PMID- 26258140
TI  - Endoscopic Management of Foreign Bodies in the Upper Gastrointestinal Tract of
      Adults.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Foreign object ingestion and food bolus impaction are a common
      clinical problem. We report our clinical experiences in endoscopic management for
      adults, foreign body ingestion, and food bolus impaction. METHOD: A retrospective
      chart review study was conducted on adult patients with foreign body ingestion
      and food bolus impaction between January 2011 and November 2014. Patients with
      incomplete medical records were excluded. RESULTS: A total of 198 patients (226
      incidents) were included in the study (male/female: 1.54/1; age 57 +/- 16 years).
      Among them, 168 foreign bodies were found successfully (74.3%). 75.6% of the
      foreign bodies were located in the esophagus. Food bolus impaction was most
      common (41.6%). 93.5% of foreign bodies in current study cohort were successfully
      extracted and 5 patients required surgical interventions. Comparisons between
      symptomatic and asymptomatic patients revealed that locations of foreign bodies
      in the pharynx and esophagus were the significant relevant factors (P < 0.001).
      Shorter time taken to initiate endoscopic interventions increased detection rate
      (289.75 +/- 465.94 versus 471.06 +/- 659.93 minutes, P = 0.028). CONCLUSION:
      Endoscopic management is a safe and highly effective procedure in extracting
      foreign body ingestion and food bolus impaction. Prompt endoscopic interventions
      can increase the chance of successful foreign bodies' detection.

PMID- 26258143
TI  - Engineering Micromechanical Systems for the Next Generation Wireless Capsule
      Endoscopy.
AB  - Wireless capsule endoscopy (WCE) enables the detection and diagnosis of
      inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
      However treatment of these pathologies can only be achieved through conventional
      means. This paper describes the next generation WCE with increased functionality
      to enable targeted drug delivery in the small intestinal tract. A prototype
      microrobot fabricated in Nylon 6 is presented which is capable of resisting
      peristaltic pressure through the deployment of an integrated holding mechanism
      and delivering targeted therapy. The holding action is achieved by extending an
      "anchor" spanning a 60.4 mm circumference, for an 11.0 mm diameter WCE. This
      function is achieved by a mechanism that occupies only 347.0 mm(3) volume,
      including mechanics and actuator. A micropositioning mechanism is described which
      utilises a single micromotor to radially position and then deploy a needle 1.5 mm
      outside the microrobot's body to deliver a 1 mL dose of medication to a targeted
      site. An analysis of the mechanics required to drive the holding mechanism is
      presented and an overview of microactuators and the state of the art in WCE is
      discussed. It is envisaged that this novel functionality will empower the next
      generation of WCE to help diagnose and treat pathologies of the GI tract. 

PMID- 26258141
TI  - Using Sibling Designs to Understand Neurodevelopmental Disorders: From Genes and
      Environments to Prevention Programming.
AB  - Neurodevelopmental disorders represent a broad class of childhood neurological
      conditions that have a significant bearing on the wellbeing of children,
      families, and communities. In this review, we draw on evidence from two common
      and widely studied neurodevelopmental disorders-autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
      and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)-to demonstrate the utility of
      genetically informed sibling designs in uncovering the nature and pathogenesis of
      these conditions. Specifically, we examine how twin, recurrence risk, and infant
      prospective tracking studies have contributed to our understanding of genetic and
      environmental liabilities towards neurodevelopmental morbidity through their
      impact on neurocognitive processes and structural/functional neuroanatomy. It is
      suggested that the siblings of children with ASD and ADHD are at risk not only of
      clinically elevated problems in these areas, but also of subthreshold symptoms
      and/or subtle impairments in various neurocognitive skills and other domains of
      psychosocial health. Finally, we close with a discussion on the practical
      relevance of sibling designs and how these might be used in the service of early
      screening, prevention, and intervention efforts that aim to alleviate the
      negative downstream consequences associated with disorders of neurodevelopment. 

PMID- 26258144
TI  - Laryngeal Neuroendocrine Carcinomas: A Retrospective Study of 14 Cases.
AB  - Laryngeal neuroendocrine carcinomas (LNECs) are rare and highly heterogeneous
      which present a wide spectrum of pathological and clinical manifestations.
      Fourteen patients with histologically demonstrated LNEC were collected and
      analyzed retrospectively. The 14 cases were classified into 3 subtypes: typical
      carcinoid in 2, atypical carcinoid in 5, and small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma
      in 7. The mean survival time of the 14 patients in this study was 112.5 months
      (95% CI, 81.5-143.6). Surgeries were performed for 2 patients of typical
      carcinoid, and they were alive with no evidence of recurrence after 24 and 47
      months of follow-ups. Patients in the atypical carcinoid group were treated with
      surgeries and postoperative radiotherapy. After 58.4 months of follow-ups (range:
      9-144), 2 patients showed no evidence of disease and 1 was lost to follow-up
      after 72 months. The other 2 patients died of other unrelated diseases. In the
      small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma group, a combination of chemotherapy and
      radiotherapy was applied. The mean survival time was 79.7 months (95% CI, 37.9
      121.4), and the 5-year survival rate was 53.6%. In conclusion, the clinical
      behaviors, treatment protocols, and prognosis are different for each subtype of
      LNECs. 

PMID- 26258142
TI  - Noncoding RNAs, Emerging Regulators of Skeletal Muscle Development and Diseases.
AB  - A healthy and independent life requires skeletal muscles to maintain optimal
      function throughout the lifespan, which is in turn dependent on efficient
      activation of processes that regulate muscle development, homeostasis, and
      metabolism. Thus, identifying mechanisms that modulate these processes is of
      crucial priority. Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), including microRNAs (miRNAs) and long
      noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), have emerged as a class of previously unrecognized
      transcripts whose importance in a wide range of biological processes and human
      disease is only starting to be appreciated. In this review, we summarize the
      roles of recently identified miRNAs and lncRNAs during skeletal muscle
      development and pathophysiology. We also discuss several molecular mechanisms of
      these noncoding RNAs. Undoubtedly, further systematic understanding of these
      noncoding RNAs' functions and mechanisms will not only greatly expand our
      knowledge of basic skeletal muscle biology, but also significantly facilitate the
      development of therapies for various muscle diseases, such as muscular
      dystrophies, cachexia, and sarcopenia. 

PMID- 26258145
TI  - Effective Dose of Ramosetron for Prophylaxis of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting
      in High-Risk Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) are common adverse events
      with an incidence of up to 80% in high-risk patients. Ramosetron, a selective 5
      HT3 receptor antagonist, is widely used to prevent PONV. The purpose of this
      study was to evaluate the effective dose of ramosetron for the prevention of PONV
      in high-risk patients. METHODS: Fifty-one patients were randomly allocated to 3
      groups and were administered ramosetron 0.3 mg (group A), 0.45 mg (group B), or
      0.6 mg (group C), at the end of their surgery. The episodes of PONV were assessed
      1, 6, 24, and 48 hours after the injection and all the adverse events were
      observed. RESULTS: The complete response rate in the postoperative period 6-24
      hours after the anesthesia was higher in group C than in group A: 93% versus 44%.
      Group C's experience score of Rhodes index was lower than group A's: 0.81 +/-
      2.56 versus 3.94 +/- 5.25. No adverse drug reaction could be observed in all
      groups. CONCLUSIONS: The effective dose of ramosetron to be injected for the near
      complete prophylaxis of PONV 6 to 24 hours after surgery in high-risk patients is
      a 0.6 mg bolus injection at the end of the surgery.

PMID- 26258146
TI  - Hypoglycemic Activity through a Novel Combination of Fruiting Body and Mycelia of
      Cordyceps militaris in High-Fat Diet-Induced Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Mice.
AB  - Diabetes mellitus (DM) is currently ranked among leading causes of death
      worldwide in which type 2 DM is reaching an epidemic proportion. Hypoglycemic
      medications for type 2 DM have either proven inadequate or posed adverse effects;
      therefore, the Chinese herbal products are under investigation as an alternative
      treatment. In this study, a novel combination of fruiting body and mycelia powder
      of herbal Cordyceps militaris number 1 (CmNo1) was administered to evaluate their
      potential hypoglycemic effects in high-fat diet- (HFD-) induced type 2 DM in
      C57BL/6J mice. Body weight, fasting blood glucose (FBG), oral glucose tolerance
      test (OGTT), and blood biochemistry indexes were measured. Results indicated that
      CmNo1 lowered the blood glucose level by increasing insulin sensitivity, while no
      change in body weight was observed. Increased protein expression of IRS-1, pIRS
      1, AKT, pAKT, and GLUT-4 in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue was found
      indicating restoration of insulin signaling. Additionally, PPAR-gamma expression
      in adipose tissue restored the triglyceride and cholesterol levels. Finally, our
      results suggest that CmNo1 possesses strong hypoglycemic, anticholesterolemic,
      and antihypertriglyceridemic actions and is more economical alternate for DM
      treatment. 

PMID- 26258147
TI  - Effect of Cinnamon Tea on Postprandial Glucose Concentration.
AB  - Glycaemic control, in particular at postprandial period, has a key role in
      prevention of different diseases, including diabetes and cardiovascular events.
      Previous studies suggest that postprandial high blood glucose levels (BGL) can
      lead to an oxidative stress status, which is associated with metabolic
      alterations. Cinnamon powder has demonstrated a beneficial effect on postprandial
      glucose homeostasis in animals and human models. The purpose of this study is to
      investigate the effect of cinnamon tea (C. burmannii) on postprandial capillary
      blood glucose level on nondiabetic adults. Participants were given oral glucose
      tolerance test either with or without cinnamon tea in a randomized clinical
      trial. The data revealed that cinnamon tea administration slightly decreased
      postprandial BGL. Cinnamon tea ingestion also results in a significantly lower
      postprandial maximum glucose concentration and variation of maximum glucose
      concentration (p < 0.05). Chemical analysis showed that cinnamon tea has a high
      antioxidant capacity, which may be due to its polyphenol content. The present
      study provides evidence that cinnamon tea, obtained from C. burmannii, could be
      beneficial for controlling glucose metabolism in nondiabetic adults during
      postprandial period. 

PMID- 26258148
TI  - Infusion of Sulfosuccinimidyl-4-[N-maleimidomethyl]cyclohexane-1-carboxylate
      Conjugated MOG35-55-Coupled Spleen Cells Effectively Prevents and Reverses
      Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis in Mice.
AB  - In this study, we have evaluated our recently developed method for antigen-cell
      coupling using sulfosuccinimidyl-4-[N-maleimidomethyl]cyclohexane-1-carboxylate
      (sulfo-SMCC) heterobifunctional crosslinker in prevention and reversal of
      experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). We demonstrate that infusion of
      MOG35-55-coupled spleen cells (MOG-SP) significantly prevents and reverses EAE.
      Further studies show that the protected animals exhibit significantly delayed EAE
      upon EAE reinduction. Moreover, adoptive transfer of CD4+ T cells from the
      protected mice to naive syngeneic mice renders the recipient mice resistant to
      EAE induction. Unexpectedly, CD4+ T cell proliferation is similar upon ex vivo
      stimulation by MOG35-55 amongst all groups. However, further analysis of those
      proliferating CD4+ T cells shows remarkable differences in Foxp3+ regulatory T
      cells (70% in MOG-SP groups versus 10-25% in control groups) and in IL-17+ cells
      (2-3% in MOG-SP groups versus 6-9% in control groups). In addition, we discover
      that MOG-SP treatment also significantly attenuates MOG35-55-responding IFN-gamma
      producing Th1 cells. These findings suggest that MOG-SP treatment induces EAE
      protective MOG35-55-specific regulatory T cells and suppresses EAE pathogenic
      Th17 and Th1 cells. Our study provides a novel approach for antigen-based EAE
      immunotherapy, which can potentially be translated into clinical application for
      immunotherapy of multiple sclerosis. 

PMID- 26258149
TI  - Safety and Efficacy Endpoints for Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Therapy in Renal
      Transplant Recipients.
AB  - Despite excellent short-term graft survival after renal transplantation, the long
      term graft outcome remains compromised. It has become evident that a combination
      of sustained alloreactivity and calcineurin-inhibitor- (CNI-) related
      nephrotoxicity results in fibrosis and consequently dysfunction of the graft. New
      immunosuppressive regimens that can minimize or eliminate side effects, while
      maintaining efficacy, are required to improve long-term graft survival. In this
      perspective mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are an interesting candidate, since
      MSCs have immunosuppressive and regenerative properties. The first clinical
      trials with MSCs in renal transplantation showed safety and feasibility and
      displayed promising results. Recently, the first phase II studies have been
      started. One of the most difficult and challenging aspects in those early phase
      trials is to define accurate endpoints that can measure safety and efficacy of
      MSC treatment. Since both graft losses and acute rejection rates declined,
      alternative surrogate markers such as renal function, histological findings, and
      immunological markers are used to measure efficacy and to provide mechanistic
      insight. In this review, we will discuss the current status of MSCs in renal
      transplantation with a focus on the endpoints used in the different experimental
      and clinical studies. 

PMID- 26258150
TI  - Sepsis: From Pathophysiology to Individualized Patient Care.
AB  - Sepsis has become a major health economic issue, with more patients dying in
      hospitals due to sepsis related complications compared to breast and colorectal
      cancer together. Despite extensive research in order to improve outcome in sepsis
      over the last few decades, results of large multicenter studies were by-and-large
      very disappointing. This fiasco can be explained by several factors, but one of
      the most important reasons is the uncertain definition of sepsis resulting in
      very heterogeneous patient populations, and the lack of understanding of
      pathophysiology, which is mainly based on the imbalance in the host-immune
      response. However, this heroic research work has not been in vain. Putting the
      results of positive and negative studies into context, we can now approach sepsis
      in a different concept, which may lead us to new perspectives in diagnostics and
      treatment. While decision making based on conventional sepsis definitions can
      inevitably lead to false judgment due to the heterogeneity of patients, new
      concepts based on currently gained knowledge in immunology may help to tailor
      assessment and treatment of these patients to their actual needs. Summarizing
      where we stand at present and what the future may hold are the purpose of this
      review. 

PMID- 26258151
TI  - Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Therapy in Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury.
AB  - Ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) represents a worldwide public health issue of
      increasing incidence. IRI may virtually affect all organs and tissues and is
      associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Particularly, the duration
      of blood supply deprivation has been recognized as a critical factor in stroke,
      hemorrhagic shock, or myocardial infarction, as well as in solid organ
      transplantation (SOT). Pathophysiologically, IRI causes multiple cellular and
      tissular metabolic and architectural changes. Furthermore, the reperfusion of
      ischemic tissues induces both local and systemic inflammation. In the particular
      field of SOT, IRI is an unavoidable event, which conditions both short- and long
      term outcomes of graft function and survival. Clinically, the treatment of
      patients with IRI mostly relies on supportive maneuvers since no specific target
      oriented therapy has been validated thus far. In the present review, we summarize
      the current literature on mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) and their potential use
      as cell therapy in IRI. MSC have demonstrated immunomodulatory, anti
      inflammatory, and tissue repair properties in rodent studies and in preliminary
      clinical trials, which may open novel avenues in the management of IRI and SOT. 

PMID- 26258153
TI  - Managing Opioid Use Disorder During and After Acute Hospitalization: A Case-Based
      Review Clarifying Methadone Regulation for Acute Care Settings.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Treatment with an opioid agonist such as methadone or buprenorphine is
      the standard of care for opioid use disorder. Persons with opioid use disorder
      are frequently hospitalized, and may be undertreated due to provider
      misinformation regarding the legality of prescribing methadone for inpatients.
      Using a case-based review, this article aims to describe effective management of
      active opioid withdrawal and ongoing opioid use disorder using methadone or
      buprenorphine among acutely ill, hospitalized patients. METHODS: We reviewed
      pertinent medical and legal literature and consulted with national legal experts
      regarding methadone for opioid withdrawal and opioid maintenance therapy in
      hospitalized, general medical and surgical patients, and describe a real-life
      example of successful implementation of inpatient methadone for these purposes.
      RESULTS: Patients with opioid use disorders can be effectively and legally
      initiated on methadone maintenance therapy or buprenorphine during an inpatient
      hospitalization by clinical providers and successfully transitioned to an
      outpatient methadone maintenance or buprenorphine clinic after discharge for
      ongoing treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Inpatient methadone or buprenorphine prescribing
      is safe and evidence-based, and can be used to effectively treat opioid
      withdrawal and also serves as a bridge to outpatient treatment of opioid use
      disorders.

PMID- 26258152
TI  - Innate Immune Defenses in Human Tuberculosis: An Overview of the Interactions
      between Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Innate Immune Cells.
AB  - Tuberculosis (TB) remains a serious global public health problem that results in
      up to 2 million deaths each year. TB is caused by the human pathogen,
      Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), which infects primarily innate immune cells
      patrolling the lung. Innate immune cells serve as barometers of the immune
      response against Mtb infection by determining the inflammatory milieu in the
      lungs and promoting the generation of adaptive immune responses. However, innate
      immune cells are also potential niches for bacterial replication and are readily
      manipulated by Mtb. Our understanding of the early interactions between Mtb and
      innate immune cells is limited, especially in the context of human infection.
      This review will focus on Mtb interactions with human macrophages, dendritic
      cells, neutrophils, and NK cells and detail evidence that Mtb modulation of these
      cells negatively impacts Mtb-specific immune responses. Furthermore, this review
      will emphasize important innate immune pathways uncovered through human
      immunogenetic studies. Insights into the human innate immune response to Mtb
      infection are necessary for providing a rational basis for the augmentation of
      immune responses against Mtb infection, especially with respect to the generation
      of effective anti-TB immunotherapeutics and vaccines. 

PMID- 26258154
TI  - Genitourinary Procedures as Risk Factors for Prosthetic Hip or Knee Infection: A
      Hospital-Based Prospective Case-Control Study.
AB  - Background.  The purpose of this study was to determine the risk of prosthetic
      joint infection (PJI) as a complication of routine genitourinary (GU) procedures
      in patients with total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA)
      and to study the impact of antibiotic prophylaxis administered prior to these
      procedures. Methods.  We conducted a prospective, single-center, case-control
      study between December 1, 2001 and May 31, 2006. Case patients were hospitalized
      with total hip or knee PJI. Control subjects underwent a THA or TKA and were
      hospitalized during the same period on the same orthopedic floor without a PJI.
      Data regarding demographic features and potential risk factors were collected.
      The outcome measure was the odds ratio (OR) of PJI after GU procedures performed
      within 2 years of admission. Results.  A total of 339 case patients and 339
      control subjects were enrolled in the study. Of these, 52 cases (15%) and 55
      controls (16%) had undergone a GU procedure in the preceding 2 years. There was
      no increased risk of PJI for patients undergoing a GU procedure with or without
      antibiotic prophylaxis (adjusted OR [aOR] = 1.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] =
      0.2-4.5, P = .95 and aOR = 1.0, 95% CI = 0.6-1.7, P = .99, respectively). Results
      were similar in a subset of patients with a joint age less than 6 months, less
      than 1 year, or greater than 1 year. Conclusions.  Genitourinary procedures were
      not risk factors for subsequent PJI. The use of antibiotic prophylaxis before GU
      procedures did not decrease the risk of subsequent PJI in our study. 

PMID- 26258155
TI  - Acute Phase Reactants in Infections: Evidence-Based Review and a Guide for
      Clinicians.
AB  - Acute-phase reactants such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive
      protein have traditionally been used as markers for inflammation and as a measure
      of "sickness index" in infectious and noninfectious conditions. In the last
      decade, more data have become available on the wider and more specific role for
      these markers in the management of complex infections. This includes the
      potential role in early diagnosis, in differentiating infectious from
      noninfectious causes, as a prognostic marker, and in antibiotic guidance
      strategies. A better defined role for biological markers as a supplement to
      clinical assessment may lead to more judicious antibiotic prescriptions, and it
      has the potential for a long-term favorable impact on antimicrobial stewardship
      and antibiotic resistance. Procalcitonin as a biological marker has been of
      particular interest in this regard. This review examines the current published
      evidence and summarizes the role of various acute-phase markers in infections. A
      MEDLINE search of English-language articles on acute-phase reactants and
      infections published between 1986 and March 2015 was conducted. Additional
      articles were also identified through a search of references from the retrieved
      articles, published guidelines, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. 

PMID- 26258156
TI  - Invasive Fusariosis in the Voriconazole Era: Single-Center 13-Year Experience.
AB  - Background.  Invasive fusariosis remains an aggressive, albeit infrequent
      infection in immunocompromised patients. Methods.  We identified all cases of
      invasive fusariosis between January 2002 and December 2014. We recorded patient
      characteristics including clinical presentation, treatment, and outcomes at 6 and
      12 weeks after diagnosis, as well as species identification and antifungal drug
      susceptibilities. Results.  Fifteen patients were diagnosed with proven (12, 80%)
      or probable (3, 20%) fusariosis. Median age was 60 years (range, 26-78), and 10
      patients were male. Underlying conditions included hematological malignancies
      (13, 87%), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (1, 7%), and third-degree burns (1, 7%).
      Five patients underwent hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation before diagnosis.
      Six patients (40%) received systemic glucocorticoids, and 11 patients (73%) had
      prolonged neutropenia at the time of diagnosis. Clinical presentations included
      the following: skin/soft tissue infection (8, 53%), febrile neutropenia (4, 27%),
      respiratory tract infection (2, 13%), and septic arthritis (1, 7%). Twelve
      patients were treated with voriconazole: 6 (40%) with voriconazole alone, 4 (27%)
      with voriconazole and terbinafine, and 2 (13%) with voriconazole, terbinafine,
      and amphotericin. One patient (7%) was treated with terbinafine alone, and
      another with micafungin alone. Four patients underwent surgical debridement (4,
      27%). Susceptibility testing was performed on 9 isolates; 8 demonstrated
      voriconazole minimum inhibitory concentrations >=4 ug/mL. The cumulative
      probability of survival was 66.7% and 53.3% at 6 and 12 weeks after diagnosis.
      Conclusions.  Mortality associated with invasive fusariosis remains high.
      Cumulative mortality at our center was lower than previous reports despite
      elevated voriconazole minimum inhibitory concentrations. Combination therapy
      should be studied systematically for fusariosis. 

PMID- 26258157
TI  - Impact of Late Oseltamivir Treatment on Influenza Symptoms in the Outpatient
      Setting: Results of a Randomized Trial.
AB  - We conducted a double-blind, randomized trial of 134 outpatients with polymerase
      chain reaction-confirmed influenza to assess the effects of oseltamivir initiated
      48-119 hours after illness onset. Oseltamivir treatment did not reduce illness
      duration, severity, or duration of virus detection. However, the power of this
      study was limited due to lower than expected enrollment. 

PMID- 26258158
TI  - Generation of Mammalian Host-adapted Leptospira interrogans by Cultivation in
      Peritoneal Dialysis Membrane Chamber Implantation in Rats.
AB  - Leptospira interrogans can infect a myriad of mammalian hosts, including humans
      (Bharti et al., 2003; Ko et al., 2009). Following acquisition by a suitable host,
      leptospires disseminate via the bloodstream to multiple tissues, including the
      kidneys, where they adhere to and colonize the proximal convoluted renal tubules
      (Athanazio et al., 2008). Infected hosts shed large number of spirochetes in
      their urine and the leptospires can survive in different environmental conditions
      before transmission to another host. Differential gene expression by Leptospira
      spp. permits adaption to these new conditions. Here we describe a protocol for
      the cultivation of Leptospira interrogans within Dialysis Membrane Chambers
      (DMCs) implanted into the peritoneal cavities of Sprague-Dawley rats (Caimano et
      al., 2014). This technique was originally developed to study mammalian adaption
      by the Lyme disease spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi (Akins et al., 1998;
      Caimano, 2005). The small pore size (8,000 MWCO) of the dialysis membrane tubing
      used for this procedure permits access to host nutrients but excludes host
      antibodies and immune effector cells. Given the physiological and environmental
      similarities between DMCs and the proximal convoluted renal tubule, we reasoned
      that the DMC model would be suitable for studying in vivo gene expression by L.
      interrogans. In a 20 to 30 min procedure, DMCs containing virulent leptospires
      are surgically-implanted into the rat peritoneal cavity. Nine to 11 days post
      implantation, DMCs are explanted and organisms recovered. Typically, a single DMC
      yields ~109 mammalian host-adapted leptospires (Caimano et al., 2014). In
      addition to providing a facile system for studying the transcriptional and
      physiologic changes pathogenic L. interrogans undergo within the mammal, the DMC
      model also provides a rationale basis for selecting new targets for mutagenesis
      and the identification of novel virulence determinants. Caution: Leptospira
      interrogans is a BSL-2 level pathogen and known to be excreted in the urine of
      infected animals. Animals should be handled and disposed of using recommended
      Animal Biosafety Levels (ABSL) for infectious agents using vertebrate animal
      guidelines. Note: All protocols using live animals must conform to governmental
      regulations regarding the care and use of laboratory animals. The success of this
      protocol is dependent on the proper use of aseptic techniques during all stages
      of both dialysis membrane chamber preparation and animal surgery.

PMID- 26258159
TI  - Dysfunctional Reward Processing in Depression.
AB  - Anhedonia - diminished pleasure and/or decreased reactivity to pleasurable
      stimuli - is a core feature of depression that frequently persists after
      treatment. As a result, extensive effort has been directed towards characterizing
      the psychological and biological processes that mediate dysfunctional reward
      processing in depression. Reward processing can be parsed into sub-components
      that include motivation, reinforcement learning, and hedonic capacity, which,
      according to preclinical and neuroimaging evidence, involve partially dissociable
      brain systems. In line with this, recent findings indicate that behavioral
      impairments and neural abnormalities in depression vary across distinct reward
      related constructs. Ultimately, improved understanding of precise reward-related
      dysfunctions in depression promises to improve diagnostic and therapeutic efforts
      in depression.

PMID- 26258160
TI  - Risk perceptions and health behavior.
AB  - Risk perceptions - or an individual's perceived susceptibility to a threat - are
      a key component of many health behavior change theories. Risk perceptions are
      often targeted in health behavior change interventions, and recent meta-analytic
      evidence suggests that interventions that successfully engage and change risk
      perceptions produce subsequent increases in health behaviors. Here, we review
      recent literature on risk perceptions and health behavior, including research on
      the formation of risk perceptions, types of risk perceptions (including
      deliberative, affective, and experiential), accuracy of risk perceptions, and
      associations and interactions among types of risk perceptions. Taken together,
      existing research suggests that disease risk perceptions are a critical
      determinant of health behavior, although the nature of the association among risk
      perceptions and health behavior may depend on the profile of different types of
      risk perceptions and the accuracy of such perceptions.

PMID- 26258161
TI  - The relationship between CSF tau markers, hippocampal volume and delayed primacy
      performance in cognitively intact elderly individuals.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Primacy performance in recall has been shown to predict cognitive
      decline in cognitively intact elderly, and conversion from mild cognitive
      impairment (MCI) to Alzheimer's disease (AD). Delayed primacy performance, but
      not delayed non-primacy performance, has been shown to be associated with
      hippocampal volume in cognitively intact older individuals. Since presence of
      neurofibrillary tangles is an early sign of AD-related pathology, we set out to
      test whether cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of tau had an effect on delayed
      primacy performance, while controlling for hippocampal volume and CSF Abeta 1-42
      levels. METHODS: Forty-seven individuals, 60 or older and cognitively intact,
      underwent a multi-session study including lumbar puncture, an MRI scan of the
      head and memory testing. RESULTS: Our regression analyses show that CSF levels of
      hyperphosphorylated (P) tau are only associated with reduced delayed primacy
      performance when hippocampal volumes are smaller. CONCLUSION: Our findings
      suggest that hippocampal size may play a protective role against the negative
      effects of P tau on memory.

PMID- 26258162
TI  - Traits of patients who screen positive for dementia and refuse diagnostic
      assessment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: As part of the debate about screening for dementia, it is critical to
      understand why patients agree or disagree to diagnostic assessment after a
      positive screening test. We used the Perceptions Regarding Investigational
      Screening for Memory in Primary Care (PRISM-PC) questionnaire to measure the
      characteristics of patients who screened positive for dementia but refused
      further diagnostic assessment. METHODS: Survey of patients >=65 years old without
      a diagnosis of dementia attending primary care clinics in Indianapolis, IN, in
      2008 and 2009. RESULTS: Five hundred and fifty-four individuals completed the
      PRISM-PC and 63 screened positive. Of those, 21 (33%) accepted and 42 (67%)
      refused diagnostic assessment. In adjusted models, having larger stigma domain
      scores and living alone were significantly associated with increased odds of
      refusing the diagnostic assessment. CONCLUSION: Despite screening positive, many
      patients refused a diagnostic assessment. Living alone and the perceived stigmas
      of dementia are associated with the refusal of diagnostic assessment for
      dementia.

PMID- 26258163
TI  - Antigenotoxic Effect of Trametes spp. Extracts against DNA Damage on Human
      Peripheral White Blood Cells.
AB  - Trametes species have been used for thousands of years in traditional and
      conventional medicine for the treatment of various types of diseases. The goal
      was to evaluate possible antigenotoxic effects of mycelium and basidiocarp
      extracts of selected Trametes species and to assess dependence on their
      antioxidant potential. Trametes versicolor, T. hirsuta, and T. gibbosa were the
      species studied. Antigenotoxic potentials of extracts were assessed on human
      peripheral white blood cells with basidiocarp and mycelium extracts of the
      species. The alkaline comet test was used for detection of DNA strand breaks and
      alkali-labile sites, as well as the extent of DNA migration. DPPH assay was used
      to estimate antioxidative properties of extracts. Fruiting body extracts of T.
      versicolor and T. gibbosa as well as T. hirsuta extracts, except that at 20.0
      mg/mL, were not genotoxic agents. T. versicolor extract had at 5.0 mg/mL the
      greatest antigenotoxic effect in both pre- and posttreatment of leukocytes. The
      mycelium extracts of the three species had no genotoxic activity and significant
      antigenotoxic effect against H2O2-induced DNA damage, both in pre- and
      posttreatment. The results suggest that extracts of these three species could be
      considered as strong antigenotoxic agents able to stimulate genoprotective
      response of cells.

PMID- 26258164
TI  - Automation of Presentation Record Production Based on Rich-Media Technology Using
      SNT Petri Nets Theory.
AB  - Rich-media describes a broad range of digital interactive media that is
      increasingly used in the Internet and also in the support of education. Last
      year, a special pilot audiovisual lecture room was built as a part of the
      MERLINGO (MEdia-rich Repository of LearnING Objects) project solution. It
      contains all the elements of the modern lecture room determined for the
      implementation of presentation recordings based on the rich-media technologies
      and their publication online or on-demand featuring the access of all its
      elements in the automated mode including automatic editing. Property-preserving
      Petri net process algebras (PPPA) were designed for the specification and
      verification of the Petri net processes. PPPA does not need to verify the
      composition of the Petri net processes because all their algebraic operators
      preserve the specified set of the properties. These original PPPA are
      significantly generalized for the newly introduced class of the SNT Petri process
      and agent nets in this paper. The PLACE-SUBST and ASYNC-PROC algebraic operators
      are defined for this class of Petri nets and their chosen properties are proved.
      The SNT Petri process and agent nets theory were significantly applied at the
      design, verification, and implementation of the programming system ensuring the
      pilot audiovisual lecture room functionality. 

PMID- 26258165
TI  - An Adaptive Multilevel Security Framework for the Data Stored in Cloud
      Environment.
AB  - Cloud computing is renowned for delivering information technology services based
      on internet. Nowadays, organizations are interested in moving their massive data
      and computations into cloud to reap their significant benefits of on demand
      service, resource pooling, and rapid elasticity that helps to satisfy the
      dynamically changing infrastructure demand without the burden of owning,
      managing, and maintaining it. Since the data needs to be secured throughout its
      life cycle, security of the data in cloud is a major challenge to be concentrated
      on because the data is in third party's premises. Any uniform simple or high
      level security method for all the data either compromises the sensitive data or
      proves to be too costly with increased overhead. Any common multiple method for
      all data becomes vulnerable when the common security pattern is identified at the
      event of successful attack on any information and also encourages more attacks on
      all other data. This paper suggests an adaptive multilevel security framework
      based on cryptography techniques that provide adequate security for the
      classified data stored in cloud. The proposed security system acclimates well for
      cloud environment and is also customizable and more reliant to meet the required
      level of security of data with different sensitivity that changes with business
      needs and commercial conditions. 

PMID- 26258166
TI  - Attitudes and Health Behavior of Lawyers in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.
AB  - The aim of the study is to evaluate the differences in the behavior and attitudes
      of male and female lawyers regarding their lifestyles and health habits. Lawyers
      were randomly chosen. Data was obtained through a structured questionnaire
      distributed among the lawyers of Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu. Lawyers are
      found to have unfavorable health practices related to use of tobacco and alcohol,
      exercise, diet, sleeping habits, and stress. This resulted in obesity,
      depression, and blood pressure. Many lawyers reported use of alcohol regularly,
      even as often as every day, and nearly half of them smoked. Many of the lawyers
      had poor feeding habit of skipping meals and eating snacks as breakfast. Most
      lawyers considered stressful situations to be unavoidable. Thus identifying
      individual lawyers with poor health behaviors and providing medical help are
      essential. 

PMID- 26258168
TI  - Corrigendum to "Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase Carriage State among Elderly
      Nursing Home Residents in Beirut".

PMID- 26258167
TI  - Assessment of Population Exposure to Coarse and Fine Particulate Matter in the
      Urban Areas of Chennai, India.
AB  - Research outcomes from the epidemiological studies have found that the course
      (PM10) and the fine particulate matter (PM2.5) are mainly responsible for various
      respiratory health effects for humans. The population-weighted exposure
      assessment is used as a vital decision-making tool to analyze the vulnerable
      areas where the population is exposed to critical concentrations of pollutants.
      Systemic sampling was carried out at strategic locations of Chennai to estimate
      the various concentration levels of particulate pollution during November 2013
      January 2014. The concentration of the pollutants was classified based on the
      World Health Organization interim target (IT) guidelines. Using geospatial
      information systems the pollution and the high-resolution population data were
      interpolated to study the extent of the pollutants at the urban scale. The
      results show that approximately 28% of the population resides in vulnerable
      locations where the coarse particulate matter exceeds the prescribed standards.
      Alarmingly, the results of the analysis of fine particulates show that about 94%
      of the inhabitants live in critical areas where the concentration of the fine
      particulates exceeds the IT guidelines. Results based on human exposure analysis
      show the vulnerability is more towards the zones which are surrounded by
      prominent sources of pollution. 

PMID- 26258170
TI  - Theory and Application on Rough Set, Fuzzy Logic, and Granular Computing.

PMID- 26258169
TI  - Adsorption Removal of Environmental Hormones of Dimethyl Phthalate Using Novel
      Magnetic Adsorbent.
AB  - Magnetic polyvinyl alcohol adsorbent M-PVAL was employed to remove and
      concentrate dimethyl phthalate DMP. The M-PVAL was prepared after sequential
      syntheses of magnetic Fe3O4 (M) and polyvinyl acetate (M-PVAC). The saturated
      magnetizations of M, M-PVAC, and M-PVAL are 57.2, 26.0, and 43.2 emu g(-1) with
      superparamagnetism, respectively. The average size of M-PVAL by number is 0.75
      MUm in micro size. Adsorption experiments include three cases: (1) adjustment of
      initial pH (pH0) of solution to 5, (2) no adjustment of pH0 with value in 6.04
      6.64, and (3) adjusted pH0 = 7. The corresponding saturated amounts of adsorption
      of unimolecular layer of Langmuir isotherm are 4.01, 5.21, and 4.22 mg g(-1),
      respectively. Values of heterogeneity factor of Freundlich isotherm are 2.59,
      2.19, and 2.59 which are greater than 1, revealing the favorable adsorption of
      DMP/M-PVAL system. Values of adsorption activation energy per mole of Dubinin
      Radushkevich isotherm are, respectively, of low values of 7.04, 6.48, and 7.19 kJ
      mol(-1), indicating the natural occurring of the adsorption process studied. The
      tiny size of adsorbent makes the adsorption take place easily while its
      superparamagnetism is beneficial for the separation and recovery of micro
      adsorbent from liquid by applying magnetic field after completion of adsorption.

PMID- 26258171
TI  - Automated Detection of 3D Landmarks for the Elimination of Non-Biological
      Variation in Geometric Morphometric Analyses.
AB  - Landmark-based morphometric analyses are used by anthropologists, developmental
      and evolutionary biologists to understand shape and size differences (eg. in the
      cranioskeleton) between groups of specimens. The standard, labor intensive
      approach is for researchers to manually place landmarks on 3D image datasets. As
      landmark recognition is subject to inaccuracies of human perception, digitization
      of landmark coordinates is typically repeated (often by more than one person) and
      the mean coordinates are used. In an attempt to improve efficiency and
      reproducibility between researchers, we have developed an algorithm to locate
      landmarks on CT mouse hemi-mandible data. The method is evaluated on 3D meshes of
      28-day old mice, and results compared to landmarks manually identified by
      experts. Quantitative shape comparison between two inbred mouse strains
      demonstrate that data obtained using our algorithm also has enhanced statistical
      power when compared to data obtained by manual landmarking.

PMID- 26258172
TI  - Oxa, Thia, Heterocycle, and Carborane Analogues of SQ109: Bacterial and Protozoal
      Cell Growth Inhibitors.
AB  - We synthesized a library of 48 analogs of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis cell
      growth inhibitor SQ109 in which the ethylene diamine linker was replaced by oxa-,
      thia- or heterocyclic species, and in some cases, the adamantyl group was
      replaced by a 1,2-carborane or the N-geranyl group by another hydrophobic
      species. Compounds were tested against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (H37Rv and/or
      Erdman), Mycobacterium smegmatis, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli,
      Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Trypanosoma brucei and two human cell lines (human
      embryonic kidney, HEK293T, and the hepatocellular carcinoma, HepG2). Most potent
      activity was found against T. brucei, the causative agent of human African
      trypanosomiasis, and involved targeting of the mitochondrial membrane potential
      with 15 SQ109 analogs being more active than was SQ109 in cell growth inhibition,
      having IC50 values as low as 12 nM (5.5 ng/mL) and a selectivity index of ~300.

PMID- 26258173
TI  - Biosynthesis of Squalene from Farnesyl Diphosphate in Bacteria: Three Steps
      Catalyzed by Three Enzymes.
AB  - Squalene (SQ) is an intermediate in the biosynthesis of sterols in eukaryotes and
      a few bacteria and of hopanoids in bacteria where they promote membrane stability
      and the formation of lipid rafts in their hosts. The genes for hopanoid
      biosynthesis are typically located on clusters that consist of four highly
      conserved genes-hpnC, hpnD, hpnE, and hpnF-for conversion of farnesyl diphosphate
      (FPP) to hopene or related pentacyclic metabolites. While hpnF is known to encode
      a squalene cyclase, the functions for hpnC, hpnD, and hpnE are not rigorously
      established. The hpnC, hpnD, and hpnE genes from Zymomonas mobilis and
      Rhodopseudomonas palustris were cloned into Escherichia coli, a bacterium that
      does not contain genes homologous to hpnC, hpnD, and hpnE, and their functions
      were established in vitro and in vivo. HpnD catalyzes formation of presqualene
      diphosphate (PSPP) from two molecules of FPP; HpnC converts PSPP to
      hydroxysqualene (HSQ); and HpnE, a member of the amine oxidoreductase family,
      reduces HSQ to SQ. Collectively the reactions catalyzed by these three enzymes
      constitute a new pathway for biosynthesis of SQ in bacteria.

PMID- 26258174
TI  - Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation in Heart Failure Patients: A Meta
      Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Rhythm control with antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) is not superior to
      rate control in patients with heart failure (HF) and atrial fibrillation (AF),
      but AF ablation may be more successful at achieving rhythm control than AADs.
      However, risks for both ablation and AADs are likely higher and success rates
      lower in patients with HF. OBJECTIVE: To compare rate control versus AF catheter
      ablation strategies in patients with AF and HF. METHODS: We conducted a meta
      analysis of trials which randomized HF patients (LVEF<50%) with AF to a rate
      control or AF catheter ablation strategy and reported change in LVEF, quality of
      life, 6-minute walk test, or peak oxygen consumption. Study quality and
      heterogenity were assessed using Jadad scores and Cochran's Q statistics,
      respectively. Mantel Haenszel relative risks and mean differences were calculated
      using random effect models. RESULTS: Four trials (N=224) met inclusion criteria;
      82.5% (n=185) had persistent AF. AF ablation was associated with an increase in
      LVEF (mean difference 8.5%; 95%CI 6.4,10.7%; P<0.001) compared to rate control.
      AF ablation was superior in improving quality of life by Minnesota Living with
      Heart Failure (MLWHF) questionnaire scores (mean difference -11.9; 95%CI -17.1, 
      6.6; P<0.001). Peak oxygen consumption and 6-minute walk distance increased in AF
      ablation compared to rate control patients (mean difference 3.2; 95%CI 1.1,5.2;
      P=0.003; mean difference 34.8; 95%CI 2.9, 66.7; P = 0.03, respectively). In the
      persistent AF subgroup LVEF and MLWHF were significantly improved with AF
      ablation. Major adverse event rates (RR 1.3; 95% CI, 0.4, 3.9; p=0.64) were not
      significantly different. No significant heterogeneity was evident. CONCLUSIONS:
      In patients with HF and AF, AF catheter ablation is superior to rate control in
      improving LVEF, quality of life and functional capacity. Prior to accepting a
      rate control strategy in HF patients with persistent or drug refractory AF,
      consideration should be given to AF ablation.

PMID- 26258175
TI  - Interfacial Adaptation of Composite Restorations Before and After Light Curing:
      Effects of Adhesive and Filling Technique.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of placement technique and adhesive material
      on adaptation of composites before and after light curing. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Cylindrical cavities (3 mm diameter, 1.7 mm depth) in extracted human molars were
      restored in 6 groups (n=5) using 2 adhesives--two-step self-etching Clearfil SE
      Bond 2 (SE2) and all-in-one Clearfil Tri-S Bond Plus (TSP) (Kuraray Noritake
      Dental)--and 2 composites--Estelite Sigma Quick (ESQ) and Estelite Flow Quick
      (FLQ) (Tokuyama Dental)--placed with three different techniques: ESQ bulk placed,
      FLQ lining followed by ESQ and FLQ bulk placed. Specimens were scanned twice
      using swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) before and after
      photopolymerization of the composite. Gap formation during polymerization or the
      difference in floor interface (DFI%) and final unsealed interface (USI%) were
      measured by image coregistration and subtraction on 6 diametrical planes across
      each scan. RESULTS: Two-way ANOVA suggested that both factors (adhesive and
      filling technique) and their interaction were significant (p<0.001). SE2 showed
      significantly lower DFI% than did TSP when the composites were placed in bulk,
      but no difference was found when flowable lining was applied (p<0.05). Within
      TSP, all filling techniques were significantly different and the lining group
      showed the lowest values, followed by ESQ-bulk. Overall, SE2 always showed lower
      UFI% than did TSP, while there was no difference among different techniques
      within SE2. CONCLUSION: SS-OCT is a unique method to observe the pre-existing
      interfacial defects and gaps developed during polymerization, which were found to
      depend on both placement technique and applied adhesive.

PMID- 26258176
TI  - Effect of Fluoride-containing Restorative Materials on Dentin Adhesion and
      Demineralization of Hard Tissues Adjacent to Restorations.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study evaluated (1) the dentin bond strength of fluoridated
      restorative systems following aging and (2) the enamel/dentin microhardness
      around restorations after a pH-cycling regimen. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-four
      human third molars and four restorative systems were used. A resin-modified glass
      ionomer (GC Fuji II LC) was used as a fluoride-containing material in the
      positive control group, while Adper Easy Bond adhesive and Filtek Z350 XT
      composite resin, which are not fluoridated, were used together in the negative
      control group. Beautifil II composite resin and FL-Bond II adhesive, both
      fluoride-containing materials, were compared to Bond Force and Estelite Sigma
      Quick restorative system, which only contain fluoride in the adhesive. For dentin
      bond strengths, specimens of each material were fabricated for two test groups
      (n=8): group 1: tested after 24 h; group 2: tested after 1 year of storage in
      artificial saliva. Both groups were tested using a microtensile method. For the
      cross-sectional microhardness test, standardized Class V cavities were prepared
      and filled with the different restorative systems. After experiencing repeated
      thermocycling and being subjected to pH-cycling, the teeth were sectioned. The
      microhardness was measured in enamel and dentin at 50 MUm from the cavity wall
      and at six depths in relation to the surface subjected to pH cycling. RESULTS:
      None of the restorative systems showed decreased bond strength after storage for
      one year in artificial saliva. No significant differences in microhardness were
      observed among the restorative materials on enamel and dentin. CONCLUSION: All
      the restorative systems evaluated presented stable bond strength after one year
      of storage. The pH cycling caused a reduction in the superficial enamel
      microhardness close to the cavity wall. In dentin, the demineralization affected
      the superficial and sub-surface areas.

PMID- 26258177
TI  - Six-month Clinical Evaluation of a Self-adhesive Flowable Composite in Noncarious
      Cervical Lesions.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this randomized, controlled, single-center, split-mouth
      clinical trial was to evaluate the clinical performance of a self-adhesive
      flowable composite resin (SAFC) in noncarious cervical lesions in comparison with
      a nanohybrid composite applied with a three-step etch-and-rinse adhesive system
      (E&Ra/nanoC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty noncarious cervical lesions were
      included and assigned to one of two groups according to the split-mouth design.
      The cervical lesions in the experimental group were restored with an SAFC (Fusio
      Liquid Dentin), while a nanohybrid composite (G-aenial) applied with a three-step
      etch-and-rinse adhesive system (Optibond FL) was used for the control group.
      Clinical evaluation was performed after 1 week and again at 6 months according to
      FDI criteria. Data were analyzed using Wilcoxon Signed Rank and Mann-Whitney U
      tests (alpha=0.05). RESULTS: After 6 months, 27 of the 40 SAFC restorations were
      in clinically unacceptable condition due to retention failure; this corresponded
      to a success rate of 33% compared to the success rate of 100% for the E&Ra/ nanoC
      restorations (p<0.05). For other criteria examined, the difference between the
      two groups was only statistically significant for color and translucency
      (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The clinical performance of the SAFC was found to be
      unacceptable after 6 months of clinical use.

PMID- 26258178
TI  - Effect of Thickness, Processing Technique and Cooling Rate Protocol on the MUTBS
      of a Bilayer Ceramic System.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the influence of different processing techniques, ceramic
      thicknesses, and cooling rate protocols on the MUTBS of a veneering ceramic to
      zirconia (Y-TZP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty Y-TZP ceramic blocks (VITA In
      Ceram 2000) with dimensions of 10 x 7 x 5 mm were obtained. The blocks were
      sintered in a special furnace at 1500 degrees  for 2 h, wet ground, and divided
      into 8 groups according to the factors "processing technique" (P:
      pressed/veneering ceramic PM9; or V: layered/ veneering ceramic VM9), "thickness"
      (2 mm and 4 mm), and "cooling protocol" (S: slow [10 degrees C/s]; F: fast [50
      degrees C/s]). The Y-TZP/veneering ceramic blocks were sectioned to produce non
      trimmed bar specimens (bonded area: 1+/-0.1 mm2), which were submitted to 1200
      thermal cycles (5 degrees C and 55 degrees C, 30-s dwell time) and stored for 1
      week in distilled water (37 degrees C) before microtensile testing in a universal
      test machine (EMIC, 1 mm/min). The data in MPa were analyzed statistically using
      three-way ANOVA and Tukey's test. RESULTS: ANOVA revealed that only the factor
      processing technique was significant (p=0.015), unlike the factors thickness
      (p=0.111) and cooling protocol (p=0.202). The majority of the failures were
      classified as adhesive. CONCLUSION: Layered application of a thin veneering
      ceramic using a fast cooling rate resulted in improved bonding between veneering
      ceramic and zirconia.

PMID- 26258179
TI  - Fishing the PTM proteome with chemical approaches using functional solid phases.
AB  - Post-translational modifications (PTMs) are covalent additions of functional
      groups to proteins and are known to play essential roles in biological processes.
      Covalently attached PTMs are usually present at substoichiometric levels,
      implying that a PTM proteome is often present in only a small fraction of the
      entire proteome. The low abundance of PTMs creates a tremendous analytical
      challenge for PTM proteomics. New analytical strategies, especially enrichment
      approaches, are required to allow the comprehensive determination of PTMs. Solid
      phase capture of PTMs through chemical reactions provides the most specific
      approach for fishing the PTM proteome, and based on these chemical reactions, a
      variety of novel functional nanomaterials have been developed. This review mainly
      focuses on the currently available chemical approaches for investigating PTMs, as
      well as the functional solid phases used for PTM proteome separation. 

PMID- 26258180
TI  - Electrochemical immunosensor for sensitive determination of the anorexigen
      peptide YY at grafted reduced graphene oxide electrode platforms.
AB  - The first electrochemical immunosensor for the determination of peptide YY is
      reported in this paper. A novel electrochemical platform, prepared by the
      electrochemical grafting of the diazonium salt of 4-aminobenzoic acid onto a
      reduced graphene oxide-modified glassy carbon electrode, was used, on which the
      covalent immobilization of specific anti-PYY antibodies was accomplished. The
      HOOC-Phe-rGO/GCEs were characterized using cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical
      impedance spectroscopy. The different variables affecting the preparation of the
      modified electrodes and the performance of the immunosensor were optimized. Under
      the optimized conditions, a calibration plot for PYY showing a linear range
      extending between 10(-4) and 10(2) ng mL(-1) was found. This range is adequate
      for the determination of this protein in real samples, since the expected
      concentration in human serum is around 100 pg mL(-1). The limit of detection was
      0.01 pg mL(-1) of PYY. The immunosensor exhibited good reproducibility of the PYY
      measurements, excellent storage stability and selectivity, as well as a shorter
      assay time than those of ELISA kits. The usefulness of the immunosensor for the
      analysis of real samples was demonstrated by analyzing human serum samples spiked
      with PYY at three concentration levels. 

PMID- 26258181
TI  - A 3D printed microliquid jet with an adjustable nozzle diameter.
AB  - Microliquid jets have many applications, in particular in the fields of
      spectroscopy/analysis of samples susceptible to beam damage. Herein, we report a
      microliquid jet, manufactured with 3D printing technology, with a tuneable nozzle
      diameter output. This strategy increases the breadth of techniques that can be
      covered with a single microliquid jet. 

PMID- 26258182
TI  - Colorimetric detection of sequence-specific microRNA based on duplex-specific
      nuclease-assisted nanoparticle amplification.
AB  - Developing simple and rapid methods for sequence-specific microRNA (miRNA)
      analysis is imperative to the miRNA study and use in clinical diagnosis. We have
      developed a colorimetric method for miRNA detection based on duplex-specific
      nuclease (DSN)-assisted signal amplification coupled to the aggregation of gold
      nanoparticles (AuNPs). The proposed method involves two processes: target
      mediated probe digestion by a DSN enzyme and probe-triggered AuNP aggregation as
      a switch for signal output. The reaction system consists of a rationally designed
      probe complex formed by two partly complementary DNA probes, and two sets of
      different oligonucleotide-modified AuNPs with sequences complementary to a DNA
      probe in the probe complex. In the presence of target miRNA, the probe complex is
      invaded, resulting in the formation of a miRNA-probe heteroduplex as the
      substrate of the DSN enzyme, and releasing the other probe to link to the AuNPs.
      The proposed method allows quantitative detection of miR-122 in the range of 20
      pM to 1 nM with a detection limit of ~16 pM, and shows an excellent ability to
      discriminate single-base differences. Moreover, the detection assay can be
      applied to accurately quantify miR-122 in cancerous cell lysates which is in
      excellent agreement with the results from a commercial miRNA detection kit. This
      method is simple, cost-effective, highly selective, and free of dye label and
      separation procedures. 

PMID- 26258183
TI  - Conversion of levulinic acid into gamma-valerolactone using Fe3(CO)12: mimicking
      a biorefinery setting by exploiting crude liquors from biomass acid hydrolysis.
AB  - The conversion of biomass-derived levulinic acid (LA) into gamma-valerolactone
      (GVL) using formic acid (FA) and Fe3(CO)12 as the catalyst precursor was achieved
      in 92% yield. To mimic a biorefinery setting, crude liquor (containing 20% LA)
      from the acid hydrolysis of sugarcane biomass in a pilot plant facility was
      directly converted into GVL in good yield (50%), without the need for isolating
      LA. 

PMID- 26258184
TI  - Self-assembly formation of a healable lanthanide luminescent supramolecular
      metallogel from 2,6-bis(1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)pyridine (btp) ligands.
AB  - The synthesis of five new 2,6-bis(1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)pyridine (btp) ligands is
      described: the self-assembly behaviour of the tri-methyl ester, 1, with Eu(III)
      showed the formation of a luminescent 1:3 Eu : btp complex, Eu13, which was
      studied in solution and in the solid state; while the tri-carboxylic acid, 2,
      formed a hydrogel and its corresponding complex Eu23, gave rise to a strongly red
      luminescent healable metallogel.

PMID- 26258185
TI  - Editor's Note.

PMID- 26258186
TI  - A tribute to Cecile Wandersman.

PMID- 26258187
TI  - Author's reply.

PMID- 26258188
TI  - Author's reply.

PMID- 26258189
TI  - Author's reply.

PMID- 26258190
TI  - Alan Hall (1952-2015).

PMID- 26258191
TI  - High-sensitivity CRP: possible link between job stress and atherosclerosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic inflammation may play an important role in linking job stress
      to atherosclerosis. We sought to investigate the relationship between job stress
      and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) among Chinese workers. METHODS:
      A total of 731 subjects (506 men and 225 women) were analyzed. Job stress was
      evaluated by effort-reward imbalance (ERI) model. RESULTS: Among men, after
      adjustment for confounders, effort, overcommitment, and ERI were significantly
      positively correlated with hs-CRP; and reward was significantly inversely related
      with hs-CRP; high level of effort, overcommitment, or ERI, respectively,
      significantly increased the odds of high hs-CRP with ORs of 2.0, 3.5, and 3.3
      (all P<0.001), compared with the corresponding low level groups. Among women,
      high overcommitment or ERI also increased risk of high hs-CRP with ORs of 2.8,
      and 4.1 (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: High effort, overcommmitment, and ERI were
      positively associated with hs-CRP. Inflammation indicated by hs-CRP may be one of
      important mediators linking job stress and atherosclerosis.

PMID- 26258192
TI  - Headache education 2015 and beyond!

PMID- 26258193
TI  - Inactivity increases risk of developing dementia.

PMID- 26258194
TI  - Nurse practitioner gains prestigious fellowship.

PMID- 26258195
TI  - Rates in golden staph drop.

PMID- 26258196
TI  - School nurses to be reinstated.

PMID- 26258197
TI  - Staffing issues linked to ward suicides.

PMID- 26258198
TI  - Prevention of Occupational Violence and Aggression in Healthcare.

PMID- 26258199
TI  - Alcohol and drug use raise health concerns in older Australians.

PMID- 26258200
TI  - Is this how we treat nurses?

PMID- 26258201
TI  - The next big challenge for EPs: The transition to ICD-10-CM coding system.
AB  - The long-delayed transition to the International Classification of Diseases,
      Clinical Modification administrative codes (lCD-10-CM) is set to take place in
      October, presenting a host of challenges for EPs. A new analysis suggests roughly
      a quarter of the clinical encounters that take place in the ED will involve
      complexity in the transition to the new system. Further, experts anticipate
      workflow challenges as well as new considerations when making planning decisions
      and reporting to public health departments. The number of codes available to
      providers will jump from 14,000 to 80,000 with the transition to the new coding
      system. Investigators found that that 23% of the visits, or 27% of the codes,
      emergency medicine physicians use are complex. The new coding system requires
      much more specificity, but there are also instances in which definitions have
      been altered or blended together, essentially changing the concepts described.
      While all EPs will face some challenges with the new coding system, analysts are
      particularly concerned about smaller EDs and physician groups because these
      practices typically don't have the ICD-10-CM implementation teams that larger
      systems have.

PMID- 26258202
TI  - Simplified approach for delivering medicine to patients with severe pain shows
      promise.
AB  - A new study suggests that in a busy emergency environment, a protocol based on
      simply asking patients if they need more pain medicine at 30-minute intervals can
      be effective at controlling pain, although some experts urge stricter limits on
      the automatic authorization of hydromorphone, and a mechanism to keep physicians
      more involved in care. Experts suggest that soliciting patient input is more
      effective than relying on numbered pain scales to gauge whether pain has been
      adequately controlled. For non-elderly patients in severe pain, the protocol
      includes an automatic authorization for an additional milligram of hydromorphone
      up to four times at 30-minute intervals. Study results indicate that all but two
      of 207 study participants achieved satisfactory pain control at one or more
      points in the study, and that most were satisfied with their treatment.

PMID- 26258203
TI  - Patients more likely to engage in treatment at 30 days when given buprenorphine
      in the ED, referred for follow-up.
AB  - A new randomized trial shows patients who present to the ED with opioid
      dependence are much more likely to engage in treatment when they receive
      buprenorphine along with coordinated follow-up than when they just receive a
      brief intervention and a facilitated referral for treatment or just screening and
      referral. However, barriers to prescribing are robust, and many ED leaders are
      not persuaded they should be in the business of providing treatment for
      addiction. In the trial, at 30 days 78% of patients in the buprenorphine group
      (89 of 114 patients) were engaged in addiction treatment, compared with just 45%
      of the patients in the brief intervention group (50 of 111 patients) and 37% of
      patients in the referral group (38 of 102 patients). To prescribe buprenorphine
      for addiction disease, providers must undergo training and pass a test to obtain
      a DEA waiver; they are limited to treating 100 patients. While experts note there
      are not enough providers to prescribe buprenorphine and provide the follow-up
      needed to patients with addiction disease, they also acknowledge concerns about
      drug diversion as well as potential problems with capacity if EDs take a larger
      role in treating addiction.

PMID- 26258204
TI  - New species of Hermanella complex (Ephemeroptera: Leptophlebiidae) from Brazilian
      Atlantic Forest.
AB  - In the present work, based on material from Brazilian Atlantic Forest, four new
      species of the Hermanella complex are described. The main characteristics that
      distinguish the new species from its congeners are, in Hermanella amere sp. nov.:
      (1) subgenital plate yellow, with wide projection near base of forceps; (2) penis
      lobe with ventral, robust, posterioly directed spine; in Hermanella nigra sp.
      nov.: (1) subgenital plate brown washed with gray, with wide projection near
      inner base of forceps; (2) penis lobe with a distomedial membranous projection
      and ventral, robust, posteriorly directed spine; in Hylister obliquus sp. nov.:
      (1) subgenital plate yellowish brown, with pointed projection near inner base of
      forceps; (2) penis lobe with ventral, short, narrow, posteromedially directed
      spine; in Traverella insolita sp. nov.: (1) subgenital plate strongly projected
      posteriorly, forming three broad and short projections; (2) penis lobe laterally
      sinuous and apically rounded, with a ventral, long, narrow spine curved toward
      the midline of the body. Modified keys of male imagos are provided for the three
      genera, whereas comments regarding their taxonomy are presented. Additionally,
      Hermanella mazama (Nascimento, Mariano & Salles 2012 in Lima et al. 2012), comb.
      nov., is proposed.

PMID- 26258205
TI  - Two new species of Rhodacaridae (Acari: Mesostigmata) from Egypt and a key to the
      species of the family from the Mediterranean region.
AB  - Two species of rhodacarid mites, Multidentorhodacarus aegypticus n. sp. and
      Protogamasellopsis zaheri n. sp., are de- scribed from adult females and males
      collected from soil and litter in Egypt. A key to identify the species of
      Rhodacaridae reported from the Mediterranean region is provided.

PMID- 26258206
TI  - Four new species of the subfamily Psilodercinae (Araneae: Ochyroceratidae) from
      Southwest China.
AB  - Four new species of the family Ochyroceratidae are described from Southwest
      China: Althepus christae sp. nov., Lecler- cera undulatus sp. nov., Psiloderces
      incomptus sp. nov. from Yunnan; and P. exilis sp. nov. from Guangxi. The four spe
      cies belong to the subfamily Psilodercinae.

PMID- 26258207
TI  - Occurrence in Japan of Frankliniella hemerocallis (Thysanoptera, Thripidae), with
      description of the larva and key to Frankliniella species from Japan.
AB  - The occurrence in Japan of the daylily thrips, Frankliniella hemerocallis, is
      confirmed. This thrips probably originated in Asia or Eurasia, because it is
      highly specific to Hemerocallis [Liliaceae] which is native to these areas. This
      thrips feeds on leaf, stem and petals rather than pollen. The second instar larva
      is described, and a key provided to the adults of Frankliniella species recorded
      from Japan.

PMID- 26258208
TI  - New records of Black Fungus Gnats (Diptera: Sciaridae) from New Caledonia, with
      the description of two new Bradysia species and an updated checklist.
AB  - The black fungus gnats Bradysia similigibbosa sp. n. and B. irwini sp. n. are
      described and new records of species of Bradysia Winnertz, Ctenosciara
      Tuomikoski, Epidapus Haliday, Pseudolycoriella Menzel & Mohrig, and Scatopsciara
      Edwards are presented for New Caledonia. A checklist of the sciarids of New
      Caledonia is given.

PMID- 26258209
TI  - A new species and new record of Reticulolaelaps Costa (Acari: Laelapidae) from
      Iran.
AB  - We describe a new species of mite from Iran--Reticulolaelaps hallidayi Joharchi,
      Nemati & Babaeian sp. nov. (Acari: Laelapidae). The new species was collected in
      a nest of Tapinoma sp. (Hymnoptera: Formicidae) in Taleghan city, Alborz Province
      and in soil in Khuzestan province in southwestern Iran. Reticulolaelapsfaini is
      reported for the first time from Iran. The genus Reticulolaelaps is redescribed,
      and Reticulolaelaps lativentris Karg is transferred to Pseudoparasitus Oudemans.

PMID- 26258210
TI  - A new species of Hydrogamasellus (Acari: Mesostigmata: Ologamasidae) from Brazil,
      with a key to the world species of the genus.
AB  - Hydrogamasellus alagoensis n. sp. is described based on the morphology of adult
      females and males collected from litter in the State of Alagoas, Brazil. Six new
      combinations are proposed, namely A cugamasus avium (Karg, 1976) n. comb.,
      Ologamasus lanceolatus (Karg, 1976) n. comb., Ologamasus microcrinis (Karg, 1979)
      n. comb., Ologamasus testudinis (Karg, 1976) n. comb., Rykellus longopilus (Karg,
      1976) n. comb. and Rykellus ubatubaensis (Hirschmann, 1966) n. comb., and a key
      for the separation of females of the eighteen recognizable world Hydrogamasellus
      species is provided.

PMID- 26258211
TI  - A new species of Prosopistoma (Ephemeroptera: Prosopistomatidae) from China with
      a key to Oriental species.
AB  - A new species of the monogeneric family Prosopistomatidae, Prosopistoma ocellatum
      sp. n., is described and illustrated based on mature larval stages from Guangxi
      and Hainan, southern China. The new species can be readily distinguished from the
      other members of Prosopistoma by the following combination of characters: antenna
      6-segmented, segment III much longer than segments IV-VI; three bristles at the
      base of the inner canine; 10-11 pectinate setae on ventral margin of fore tibiae,
      ventral and basal half surface of all femora with dense scale-like structures,
      and color pattern of eye-spot on the mesonotum. An update key to the known
      Oriental species is provided.

PMID- 26258212
TI  - Sunagocia omanensis, a new flathead fish (Scorpaeniformes, Platycephalidae) from
      the Western Indian Ocean, with comments on the distribution of Sunagocia
      carbuncular.
AB  - A new species of Platycephalidae having a weak development of sensory tubules on
      the cheek is placed in the genus Sunagocia Imamura. The description is based on
      two specimens taken at the Kuria Muria Ids., Oman. The new species may be
      distinguished from its congeners by having three preocular spines, ethmoid spines
      forming a rosette on mid-line with 5-6 tips coming from a common base, and a body
      coloration of tan with dark saddles reaching to lower sides. It is also
      characterized by having numerous small serrations along the supraorbital and
      suborbital ridges and sixgill rakers. A section concerning the status and range
      of Sunagocia carbuncula Valenciennes in the western Indian Ocean is also
      included. A key separating the species of Sunagocia appears below.

PMID- 26258213
TI  - Molecular phylogeny of the weevil genus Dichromacalles Stuben (Curculionidae:
      Cryptorhynchinae) and description of a new species.
AB  - A molecular phylogeny of the western Palearctic weevil genus Dichromacalles
      Stuben, 1998, is presented, combining two mitochondrial genes, COI and 16S, and
      the nuclear gene 28S in a Bayesian analysis of up to 1528 combined nucleotide
      positions. Based on this data we point out the putative ancestor of the currently
      known extant Dichromacalles species that initiated the unique radiation within
      the species of the formerly Acalles s.l. on the Canary Islands around 10 to 20
      million years ago. Where morphology reaches its limits in species
      differentiation, molecular analysis can provide deeper insight. By combining
      morphology and molecular biology into an integrative taxonomy, new characters can
      be found, making phenotypic descriptions easier. Using this integrative taxonomy
      background, the new species Dichromacalles algecirasensis Stuben (Spain: Cadiz)
      is described here and D. lentisci (Chevrolat, 1861) is transferred into the
      subgenus Balcanacalles Stuben & Behne, 1998 following a molecular phylogenetic
      reconstruction. A catalogue of all 12 species of Dichromacalles is given and a
      key is presented, combined with image stackings of the habitus and aedeagus for
      all species.

PMID- 26258214
TI  - Classification and relationships of Assiculus and Assiculoides (Teleostei:
      Pseudochromidae).
AB  - The monotypic Australian pseudochromid fish genera Assiculus and Assiculoides had
      been previously included in the subfamily Pseudochrominae on the basis of
      symplesiomorphic characters. Osteological synapomorphies are identified in
      support of a closer relationship to the remaining pseudochromid subfamilies. Two
      synapomorphies (five or fewer infraorbital bones, haemal spine of preural
      vertebra 2 attached to centrum) diagnose a clade consisting of Assiculoides,
      Pseudoplesiopinae, Anisochrominae and Congrogadinae. Two additional
      synapomorphies (parhypural not separate from hypurals 1+2, total caudalfin rays
      modally 27 or fewer) diagnose a more inclusive clade that also includes
      Assiculus. Two new subfamilies are erected to reflect these relationships.

PMID- 26258215
TI  - Review of the Argentinean species of Pseudomicrocara Armstrong (Coleoptera:
      Scirtidae).
AB  - The Pseudomicrocara Armstrong from Argentina are reviewed. In total, seven
      species are present: Pseudomicrocara angusta sp. nov., P. antarctica (Fairmaire)
      comb. nov., P hieroglyphica sp. nov., P. inflexipenis sp. nov., P livida
      (Fabricius), P. obliquata (Solier) comb. nov., and P patagonica (Curtis) comb.
      nov. New provincial records are provided for several species. Pseudomicrocara
      obliquata, previously known only from Chile, is recorded from Argentina for the
      first time. Illustrations of habitus and genitalia as well as distributional data
      for all Argentinean species of Pseudomicrocara are provided.

PMID- 26258216
TI  - Review of the subfamily Tripetalocerinae Bolivar, 1887 (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae).
AB  - Subfamily Tripetalocerinae consist of four genera distributed in Southeast Asia.
      Clinophaestus gen. nov. (type species: Clinophaestus robustus sp. nov.) and
      Tripetaloceroides gen. nov. (type species: Tripetalocera tonkinensis Gunther,
      1938) are described. New tribe Clinophaestini trib. nov. (type genus:
      Clinophaestus gen. nov.) is established. Diagnosis and key to tribes and genera
      are given. An annotated list of species is provided. Genus Kraengia Bolivar, 1909
      is transferred from Tripetalocerinae to Discotettiginae.

PMID- 26258217
TI  - Three species of Culicoides Latreille (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) newly recorded
      from the Republic of Korea.
AB  - Light trap surveys of adult Culicoides Latreille in the Republic of Korea (ROK)
      resulted in the capture of three previously unreported species, C. nasuensis
      Kitaoka, C. pallidulus Yu and C. jacobsoni Macfie. These new records are
      supported by supplementary morphological descriptions and DNA barcodes
      (mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I or COI). An updated checklist of species
      reported from the ROK is provided.

PMID- 26258218
TI  - Echiniscus semifoveolatus (Heterotardigrada: Echiniscidae), a newly recorded
      species from China.
AB  - Echiniscus semifoveolatus Ito, 1993 (Tardigrada: Echiniscidae) is reported as a
      new record for China, and was collected from the Mt. Jinggang, Jiangxi, and the
      Wuyi Mountains, south-eastern China. This is the first report of this species
      from outside the type locality, Mt. Fuji, central Japan. The number of dorsal
      spines that arise from the posterior edge of the scapular plate ranges from zero
      to five while the type specimen has two symmetrically arranged spines at Bd. The
      distance between the spines varies. These variations in both the number of spines
      and the distance between the spines could be considered as individual variation.
      We provide a detailed supplementary description for this species based on the
      Chinese specimens and supply a key to all known Chinese species of the genus
      Echiniscus.

PMID- 26258219
TI  - Two new Aphnaeus (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae: Theclinae) species from Liberia.
AB  - Two new butterfly species belonging to the genus Aphnaeus (Lycaenidae:
      Theclinae), A. mirabilis sp. n., A. nimbaensis sp. n. were found in the Nimba
      Mountains, Western Range, Liberia in February 2012. Both are illustrated and
      described in comparison with closely related species: A. flavescens Stempffer,
      1954 and A. liberti Bouyer, 1996, respectively. Genitalia of the male holotype of
      A. nimbaensis are also illustrated.

PMID- 26258220
TI  - An annotated catalog of the Iranian Reduvioidea (Hemiptera: Heteroptera:
      Cimicomorpha).
AB  - An updated list of Iranian Reduvioidea Latreille (families Pachynomidae,
      Reduviidae) is presented and discussed in this paper. For Iranian fauna, there
      are records of one species of Pachynomidae and 109 species and subspecies of
      assassin bugs (Reduviidae) distributed in 24 genera and subgenera, and seven
      subfamilies, Emesinae, Harpactorinae, Holoptilinae, Peiratinae, Phymatinae,
      Reduviinae, and Stenopodainae. We report 6 new country records and one new
      species, Empicoris baerensprungi (Dohrn, 1863) for Asian fauna. Synonyms and
      distribution data are also given.

PMID- 26258221
TI  - Studies of Madagascan Ptiliidae (Coleoptera) 1: The Tribe Discheramocephalini
      including eighteen new species.
AB  - This is the first report detailing Ptiliidae collected from forest leaf litter by
      the Moravian Museum expeditions to Madagascar 2010-2011.18 new species in three
      genera are described and figured: Discheramocephalus bisulcatus sp. n.; D.
      vasilii sp. n.; Cissidium banari sp. n.; Dacrysoma andasibense sp. n.; D.
      imitatuin sp. n.; D. delicatum sp. n.; D. denticulatum sp. n.; D. dolorosum sp.
      n.; D. fabrum sp. n.; D. fusum sp. n.; D. longulum sp. n.; D. nigerrimum sp. n.;
      D. pilosum sp. n.; D. rahanitriniainae sp. n.; D. ranomafanense sp. n.; D.
      ravelosoni sp. n.; D. subinsulsum sp. n.; and D. varium sp. n.

PMID- 26258222
TI  - On the phylogenetic position of Carollia manu Pacheco et al., 2004 (Chiroptera:
      Phyllostomidae: Carolliinae).
AB  - The Neotropical bat genus Carollia (Phyllostomidae: Carolliinae) currently
      includes eight species. Carollia manu was described in 2004 and is distributed in
      montane forests in southern Peru and Bolivia. The phylogenetic affinities of C.
      manu have never been assessed before. Phylogenetic analyses of cytochrome b
      sequences of seven of the eight known species of the genus place C. manu sister
      to C. subrufa. The analyses also suggest hidden diversity in the genus.

PMID- 26258223
TI  - Descriptions of two new species of Gonatocerus (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) from
      southeastern Europe.
AB  - Two new taxa, Gonatocerus (Lymaenon) bulgaricus Donev & Triapitsyn (Bulgaria, and
      also apparently mainland Greece) and G. (Lymaenon) mediterraneus Donev &
      Triapitsyn (Greece-Crete Island) are described, diagnosed, and illustrated. Also,
      a species tentatively identified as G (Lymaenon) ?beshbarmak Triapitsyn is
      reported from mainland Greece. If the species is indeed G. beshbarmak then this
      is the first record of it from Greece.

PMID- 26258225
TI  - On the correct name of Icterus bullockii (Passeriformes: Icteridae).

PMID- 26258224
TI  - A new species of Helobdella (Hirudinida: Glossiphoniidae) from Oregon, USA.
AB  - Helobdella bowermani n. sp. is described from specimens collected in fine
      sediment of open water benthos of Upper Klamath Lake, Klamath County, Oregon. The
      new species has pale yellow/buff coloration with scattered chromatophore blotches
      throughout the dorsal surface, lateral extensions or papillae only on the a2
      annulus, dorsal medial row of papillae with small papilla on al and larger
      papillae on a2 and a3, and a small oval scute (rarely triangular). Helobdella
      bowermani n. sp. is morphologically similar to Helobdella atli and Helobdella
      simplex. Molecular comparison of CO-I sequence data from H. bowermani n. sp.
      revealed differences of 10.6/--10.8% with Helobdella californica, differences of
      12.2%-13.7% with H. atli, and differences of 12.7%-13.2% with H. simplex.

PMID- 26258226
TI  - The gender of "cleis": correct spelling of Chiasmocleis supercilialbus Morales
      and McDiarmid, 2009, and Elachistocleis magnus Toledo, 2010 (Anura,
      Microhylidae).

PMID- 26258227
TI  - The advertisement call and clutch size of the Golden-capped Boulder-frog
      Cophixalus pakayakulangun (Anura: Microhylidae).

PMID- 26258228
TI  - Embryology of the spider crabs Leurocyclus tuberculosus (H. Milne-Edwards & Lucas
      1842) and Libinia spinosa (H. Milne-Edwards 1834) (Brachyura, Majoidea).
AB  - The embryonic development of the spider crabs Leurocyclus tuberculosus and
      Libinia spinosa was divided into five periods based on the differentiation of:
      (I) cleavage, (II) embryonic primordium, III) optic lobes, (IV) optic lobes
      pigmented and (V) chromatophores presence. Different traits such as spines, setae
      and telson morphology distinguish the two species from period III until hatching.
      Egg volume was greater in Leurocyclus tuberculosus than in Libinia spinosa. The
      duration of each period was different during development. Whereas in Leurocyclus
      tuberculosus period II (morphogenesis) is the longest, in Libinia spinosa the
      period IV is the longest. Complete embryonic development at 14'C lasted 36.7 +/-
      3.1 days in Leurocyclus tuberculosus and 57.4 +/- 4.4 days in Libinia spinosa.

PMID- 26258229
TI  - New species of subgenus Megaluracarus (Acari: Hydrachnidiae: Arrenuridae:
      Arrenurus) from Mexico.
AB  - Four new water mite species of the subgenus Arrenurus (Megaluracarus) from lakes
      and ponds in Mexico are described and illustrated: Arrenurus (Megaluracarus)
      anitahoffmannae sp. nov., A. olmeca sp. nov., A. maya sp. nov., and A. urbanus
      sp. nov. With these species the number of known species of this subgenus in
      Mexico increases to 21.

PMID- 26258230
TI  - Annotated checklist of the flat bug family Aradidae Brulle, 1836 from East Africa
      (Hemiptera, Heteroptera).
AB  - The flat bug fauna of East African countries has never been the subject of a
      comprehensive study. Most descriptions and distribution data are from colonial
      times, with most records coming from what is present day Tanzania, Rwanda and
      Burundi. In this checklist, the data from all available literature was assembled,
      and references are given for 16 genera and 37 species.

PMID- 26258231
TI  - The genus Mycterothrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in Iran, with three new
      species.
AB  - Three new species of Mycterothripsare described from Khorasane Shomali province
      in Northeast of Iran, M. mahvelatensis sp.n., M. nastarani sp.n. and M. sanubari
      sp.n.. An identification key is provided for both sexes of the nine species of
      Mycterothrips known from Iran. Host associations among these Iranian species, as
      well as the variation in number of pronotal posteromarginal setae, are discussed
      briefly.

PMID- 26258232
TI  - Samadinia longispina, a new genus and species of deep-sea spider crab from the
      western Pacific, and a new species of Rochinia A. Milne-Edwards, 1875, from Papua
      New Guinea (Crustacea: Brachyura: Majoidea: Epialtidae).
AB  - A new genus, Samadinia n. gen., and new species, Samadinia longispina n. sp., of
      deep-water epialtid spider crab is described from French Polynesia and New
      Caledonia. The new genus is superficially similar to Rochinia A. Milne-Edwards,
      1875, but can be distinguished by having the dorsal surface of the carapace
      covered with small, rounded granules (versus with long spines or strong
      tubercles), well developed hepatic and lateral branchial spines (versus
      relatively shorter and weaker), a prominently constricted male thoracic sternite
      4 (versus relatively broader with less prominent or without median constriction)
      and a proportionally broader male abdomen. A new species of Rochinia, R.
      granulosa n. sp., is also described from Papua New Guinea. It is easily
      distinguished from congeners its small adult size, the presence of numerous
      relatively large granules on the carapace and a relatively short hepatic spine.

PMID- 26258233
TI  - A new fish species of the Genus Hapalogenys (Perciformes: Hapalogenyidae) from
      the Bay of Bengal, India.
AB  - A new species of the genus Hapalogenys, Hapalogenys bengalensis sp. nov. is
      described from fourteen specimens collected from the Bay of Bengal coast. The
      species is distinct in having three longitudinal dark stripes; pelvic-fin tip
      almost reaching the base of first anal-fin spine when depressed; transverse scale
      rows above lateral line 7-8, below lateral line 19-20; gill rakers 18 (7 on lower
      limb and 11 on upper limb); posterior angle ofjaw reaching vertical through
      anterior rim of eye. Genetic divergence (13.0-14.2%) and analysis of NJ tree
      shows that the new species is closely related to H. kishinouyei in the
      "Hapalogenys kishinouyei complex" with significant morphological difference from
      the other three species reported from the same complex.

PMID- 26258234
TI  - Two new species of the genus Anemadus Reitter, 1885, from the Near East
      (Coleoptera: Cholevidae).
AB  - Two new species of Anemadus from the Near East are described and illustrated.
      Anemadus lucarellii sp. nov., from South-Western Anatolia, belongs to the
      Anemadus pellitus species-group (sensu Giachino & Vailati, 1993) and Anemadus
      kadleci sp. nov., from North-Western Syria, belongs to the Anemadus strigosus
      species-group (sensu Giachino & Vailati, 1993). The description of these new
      species markedly increases the knowledge of the distribution of this genus in the
      Near East.

PMID- 26258235
TI  - On the fauna of Cossidae (Lepidoptera) of Zimbabwe with description of a new
      species.
AB  - The annotated list of Cossidae of Zimbabwe consists of 15 species in 9 genera
      from the subfamilies Cossinae and Zeuzerinae. The species Brachylia vukutu
      Yakovlev & Lenz, sp. nov. is newly described.

PMID- 26258236
TI  - Advertisement call of Zachaenus carvalhoi Izecksohn, 1982 (Anura: Cycloramphidae)
      from southeastern Brazil.

PMID- 26258237
TI  - Taxonomic revision of Mesamphiagrion Kennedy, 1920 from Colombia (Odonata:
      Coenagrionidae), with the description of four new species.
AB  - The genus Mesamphiagrion Kennedy, 1920, occurs in the Pantepui region and
      northern Andes in South America and is most speciose in Colombia where the genus
      is less known. In this work, we record 10 species of Mesamphiagrion from
      Colombia, including four new species (Mesamphiagrion gaudiimontanum Bota-Sierra
      sp. nov., M nataliae Bota-Sierra sp. nov., M. rosseri Bota-Sierra sp. nov., and
      M. santainense Bota-Sierra sp. nov.). We also redescribe the male of M risi (De
      Marmels 1997) and describe the females of M. risi, M. ovigerum (Calvert, 1909),
      and M occultum (Ris, 1918), which were previously unknown. Descriptions,
      photographs, illustrations, distribution maps, natural history notes, and a diag
      nostic key for males and females of Mesamphiagrion from Colombia are provided.

PMID- 26258238
TI  - Rothilena (Araneae: Agelenidae), a new genus of funnel-web spiders endemic to the
      Baja California Peninsula, Mexico.
AB  - Rothilena (Araneae: Agelenidae: Ageleninae), a new genus of funnel-web spiders
      endemic to the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico, and six new species
      (Rothilena griswoldi sp. nov., Rothilena cochimi sp. nov., Rothilenapilar sp.
      nov., Rothilena golondrina sp. nov., Rothilena sudcaliforniensis sp. nov., and
      Rothilena naranjensis sp. nov.) are described and illustrated. Males are
      diagnosed by having pedipalps with a conductor with three projections and a
      retrolateral tibial apophysis divided in two parts, one distal and dorsally
      excavated and the other retrolateral and ventrally excavated. The epigynum of
      females has a pair of hoods that covers part of the atrium, and the copulatory
      ducts resemble a "duck head".

PMID- 26258239
TI  - A new species of Liropus (Crustacea, Amphipoda, Caprellidae) from California,
      U.S.A., with an illustrated key of the genus.
AB  - A new species of the genus Liropus (Crustacea, Amphipoda, Caprellidae) is
      described based on specimens collected from a small cave of Santa Catalina
      Island, California. The new species, Liropus minusculus, can be distinguished
      from all its congeners mainly by the presence of anterolateral projections on
      pereonites 2, 3, and 4 (males), pereopod 5 one-articulate (although with a second
      article incompletely tabicated), basis of gnathopod 2 very elongate (males), and
      abdomen with two pairs of one-articulate appendages (males), one of them
      rudimentary. Up-to-date morphological comparisons among the world Liropus species
      are provided, together with an illustrated key to species. This is the first
      record of Liropus from the north-east Pacific.

PMID- 26258240
TI  - Smetanabatrus kinabalu (Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae: Batrisitae), a new genus and
      new species from Sabah, Borneo.
AB  - A new genus and new species of the pselaphine tribe Batrisini, Smetanabatrus
      kinabalu gen. et sp. n., is described from Sabah, East Malaysia. Both sexes of
      the new species have securiform maxillary palpi, with the male exhibiting extreme
      abdominal modification. Illustrations of the habitus and major diagnostic
      features, as well as a discussion on the taxonomic placement of the new taxon is
      provided. A key to genera of the Batrisini from Borneo is provided.

PMID- 26258241
TI  - Myrmicella, a new genus of Harpactorinae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae)
      from Madagascar.
AB  - Myrmicella verticospinosa gen. et sp. nov., is described, based on four specimens
      (two males and two females) collected in south-west Madagascar (Zombitse
      Vohibasia National Park and Isalo National Park). Three specimens have been
      collected by sifting the leaf litter, one female was collected using yellow pan
      traps. Genitalia of both sexes are described and illustrated.

PMID- 26258242
TI  - A new species of frogfish of the genus Kuiterichthys (Lophiiformes:
      Antennariidae: Histiophryninae) from New South Wales, Australia.
AB  - Kuiterichthys pietschi, a new species of frogfish of the teleost order
      Lophiiformes, family Antennariidae, subfamily Histiophryninae, is described from
      20 specimens collected at depths of 60-89 m (average 73 m) off New South Wales,
      Aus- tralia. A member of the antennariid genus Kuiterichthys, the new species
      differs from its congener in escal morphology, a somewhat shorter second dorsal
      fm spine (17.0-22.5% SL vs. 17.8-29.8%); 20 vertebrae vs. 21; 10-11 dorsal-fin
      rays vs. 12-14; and 7-8 pectoral-fm rays vs. 9-10. The new species is described
      and compared with its purported sister species, Kuiterichthysfurcipilis.

PMID- 26258243
TI  - On Tetragonicipitidae (Crustacea, Copepoda) from the Channel of Sao Sebastiao,
      Brazil, with description of their nauplii and two new species of
      Phyllopodopsyllus.
AB  - Phyllopodopsyllus iuanamai sp. nov. and Phyllopodopsylluspseudokunzi sp. nov. are
      described from specimens collected in the Channel of Sao Sebastiao (State of Sao
      Paulo, Brazil). The nauplii of P. iuanamai, P. pseudokunzi, P aegypticus
      Nicholls, 1944 are described, additional information is given on nauplii and
      morphology of the adult P. setouchiensis Kitazima, 1981, and on the nauplius of
      Laophontella horrida (Por, 1964). These represent first records of P. aegypticus
      and L. horrida in Brazilian waters.

PMID- 26258244
TI  - Four new species of Plakinidae (Porifera: Homoscleromorpha) from Brazil.
AB  - Seven species of Plakinidae are currently known from Brazil, belonging to genera
      Plakina (P. trilopha), Plakinastrella (P. microspiculfera, P. onkodes), and
      Plakortis (P. angulospiculatus, P. halichondrioides, P. insularis, and P
      microrhabdifera). In this study we describe four new species of the genera
      Plakinastrella and Plakortis, increasing the number of plakinid species in Brazil
      to eleven. Plakortis petrupaulensis sp. nov. is encrusting, light brown; the
      skeleton is disorganized with few traces of reticulation; lacunae are absent; the
      spicules are diods and tuberculate microrhabds; spheres are common and triods are
      absent. Plakortis spinalis sp. nov. is encrusting, gray, cartilaginous, has a
      reticulated ectosomal skeleton, and is distinguished by the spines in some of the
      diods and triods; microrhabds are also tuberculate and smooth spheres are common.
      Plakortis potiguarensis sp. nov. is encrusting, brown with gray tinges, and
      cartilaginous; the skeleton is disorganized and scarce, composed of thin,
      irregular diods, triods and relatively large microrhabds. Plakinastrella
      globularis sp. nov. has a globular shape and dark blue color in vivo; the
      ectosomal skeleton has a double tangential reticulation and the choanosomal
      skeleton is reticulated. The spicules are diods, triods, calthrops and
      microrhabds; spheres are common. Two of the new species have characters
      previously unknown in their respective genera: the spined diods and triods of
      Plakortis spinalis sp. nov. and the blue color and microrhabds of Plakinastrella
      globularis sp. nov. The presence of microrhabds in Plakinastrella suggests a
      close relationship of this genus with Plakortis.

PMID- 26258245
TI  - Taxonomic notes on Pternoscirtapulchripes Uvarov, 1925 (Orthoptera: Acrididae:
      Oedipodinae) with proposal of new synonyms in the genera Flatovertex and
      Mioscirtus.
AB  - Based on the examination of types and additional materials, the morphology of
      Pternoscirtapulchripes Uvarov, 1925 and Flatovertex species were reviewed. As a
      result of our study, the genus Flatovertex Zheng, 1981 was synonymized with the
      genus Pternoscirta Saussure, 1884, the species Flatovertex cyaneitibialis Zhang &
      Han, 2010 was synonymized with Pternoscirta caliginosa (Haan, 1842), Flatovertex
      rufotibialis Zheng, 1981 with Pternoscirta pulchripes Uvarov, 1925, and
      Flatovertex nigritibialis Zheng & Zhang, 2006 with Mioscirtus wagneri wagneri
      (Eversmann, 1859), respectively. Mioscirtus varentzowi Zubowsky, 1896 was
      considered as a junior synonym of Mioscirtus wagneri wagneri (Eversmann, 1849)
      but not that of Mioscirtus wagneri rogenhoferi (Saussure, 1888).

PMID- 26258246
TI  - A molecular and morphological characterization of Oliver's parrot snake,
      Leptophis coeruleodorsus (Squamata: Serpentes: Colubridae) with the description
      of a new species from Tobago.
AB  - Currently, two snake species of the genus Leptophis occur in Trinidad and Tobago.
      One, L. stimsoni, is endemic to Trinidad's Northern Range and known from
      relatively few specimens. The second is the diurnal, arboreal, brightly colored
      parrot snake Leptophis coeruleodorsus Oliver. It was originally described based
      on 23 specimens from Trinidad, Tobago, and four locations in northern Venezuela
      but remains poorly known. It was later assigned as a subspecies of Leptophis
      ahaetulla; a widespread, polytypic species. Here we compare 11 specimens of the
      L. ahaetulla Group using DNA sequences from two mitochondrial genes (cytochrome b
      and 16S, 1,383 bp total) from island and mainland populations, report on the
      variation in the morphology of 54 museum specimens of Leptophis a.
      coeruleodorsus; describe the previously undescribed holotype of L. coeruleodorsus
      Oliver, and restrict its type locality. Additionally, we describe a new species
      of Leptophis from the island of Tobago that can be distinguished from L.
      coeruleodorsus on the basis of snout shape, upper labial architecture, elongated
      prefrontal scales, and ventral scale counts. The new Leptophis raises the number
      of endemic Tobago amphibians and reptiles to 11 taxa.

PMID- 26258247
TI  - Four new species of Phyllomyza Fallen from China (Diptera, Milichiidae).
AB  - The following four species of the genus Phyllomyza Fallen from China are
      described as new to science: P. angustigenis sp. nov., P. cuspigera sp. nov., P.
      clavellata sp. nov., and P euthyipalpis sp. nov. A key to the known species of
      Phyllomyza from China is presented.

PMID- 26258248
TI  - Schistura maculosa, a new species of loach (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae) from
      Mizoram, northeastern India.
AB  - Schistura maculosa, a new species of loach, is described from Tuingo and Pharsih
      Rivers, tributaries of Tuivai River (Barak drainage) in Mizoram, northeastern
      India. It is distinguished from other closely related Schistura species in having
      an axillary pelvic lobe; an incomplete lateral line; 20-30 narrow black bars on
      the body; 3-4 rows of black spots horizontally across the dorsal-fin; a slightly
      emarginate caudal-fin, with 5-7 rows of black spots more or less regularly
      arranged vertically on rays across the fin, and 8+8 branched caudal-fin rays.

PMID- 26258249
TI  - Three new species of the genus Ripeacma (Lepidoptera: Oecophoridae) from China.
AB  - Three new species of the genus Ripeacma Moriuti, Saito et Lewvanich, 1985 are
      described based on specimens collected in China: R. quadridigitata sp. nov. from
      Guizhou, R. damingshana sp. nov. from Guangxi, and R. magnihamata sp. nov. from
      Fujian. Images of adults and genitalia are provided.

PMID- 26258250
TI  - Description of the adult male of Aeschnosoma auripennis Geijskes, 1970 (Odonata:
      Corduliidae s.s.).
AB  - The male of A eschnosoma auripennis is described for the first time, based on a
      specimen reared from a larva collected in the Reserva Biologica do Uatuma,
      Amazonas State, Brazil. The species is newly reported from the Roraima State,
      Brazil.

PMID- 26258251
TI  - Cryoconservation of Chicken Blastodermal Cells: Effects of Slow Freezing,
      Vitrification, Cryoprotectant Type and Thawing Method during In Vitro Processing.
AB  - Cryoconservation of blastodermal cells (BCs) can preserve genetic material for
      the future reconstruction of poultry breeds. The aim of our study was to compare
      the effects of three slow freezing programs and vitrification, different
      cryoprotectants (5% DMSO, 10% DMSO, or multi-component cryoprotectant (MC) and
      two thawing methods on the viability of chicken BCs. Significant differences in
      the survival of slowly frozen BCs using program 3 (2 degrees C/min. to 0.4
      degrees C/min.) compared with programs 1 (1 degrees C/min. to 0.3 degrees C/min.)
      and 2 (4 degrees C/min. to 0.3 degrees C/min.) were observed. The percentage of
      live BCs was significantly higher after slow freezing in the presence of the MC
      compared with DMSO. The thawing method did not have a significant effect on the
      percentage of live BCs. We also observed significant differences in the survival
      rate of BCs after vitrification (81%) and slow freezing in the presence of 10%
      DMSO using program 3 (60%). The highest percentage of viable BCs was achieved by
      slow freezing with the MC using program 2 and thawing with method 1 (94%). The
      most unfavorable combination for BCs survival was slow freezing in 5% DMSO using
      program 3 and thawing with method 2 (58.3%). This is the first study to apply MC
      to the slow freezing of BCs. We also showed successful BCs vitrification.

PMID- 26258252
TI  - [Influence of pollution on respiratory and circulatory system. Review of
      conference dedicated memory of doctor Wojciech Lubinski].

PMID- 26258253
TI  - Hierarchical Bayesian Approach To Reduce Uncertainty in the Aquatic Effect
      Assessment of Realistic Chemical Mixtures.
AB  - Species in the aquatic environment differ in their toxicological sensitivity to
      the various chemicals they encounter. In aquatic risk assessment, this
      interspecies variation is often quantified via species sensitivity distributions.
      Because the information available for the characterization of these distributions
      is typically limited, optimal use of information is essential to reduce
      uncertainty involved in the assessment. In the present study, we show that the
      credibility intervals on the estimated potentially affected fraction of species
      after exposure to a mixture of chemicals at environmentally relevant surface
      water concentrations can be extremely wide if a classical approach is followed,
      in which each chemical in the mixture is considered in isolation. As an
      alternative, we propose a hierarchical Bayesian approach, in which knowledge on
      the toxicity of chemicals other than those assessed is incorporated. A case study
      with a mixture of 13 pharmaceuticals demonstrates that this hierarchical approach
      results in more realistic estimations of the potentially affected fraction, as a
      result of reduced uncertainty in species sensitivity distributions for data-poor
      chemicals. 

PMID- 26258254
TI  - Minutes of the Business Meeting of the International Society of Gynecological
      Pathologists, Boston, March 22, 2015.

PMID- 26258255
TI  - Direct Observation of Ion Pairing at the Liquid/Solid Interfaces by Surface
      Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy.
AB  - Ion-pairing, the association of oppositely charged ionic species in solution and
      at liquid/solid interfaces has been proposed as a key factor for a wide range of
      physicochemical phenomena. However, experimental observations of ion pairing at
      the ligand/solid interfaces are challenging due to difficulties in
      differentiating ion species in the electrical double layer from that adsorbed on
      the solid surfaces. Using surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy in combination with
      electrolyte washing, we presented herein the first direct experimental evidence
      of ion pairing, the coadsorption of oppositely charged ionic species onto gold
      nanoparticles (AuNPs). Ion pairing reduces the electrolyte concentration
      threshold in inducing AuNP aggregation and enhances the competitiveness of
      electrolyte over neutral molecules for binding to AuNP surfaces. The methodology
      and insights provided in this work should be important for understanding
      electrolyte interfacial interactions with nanoparticles. 

PMID- 26258256
TI  - Detection of the Thorium Dimer via Two-Dimensional Fluorescence Spectroscopy.
AB  - Thorium dimer, Th2, has been detected in the gas phase via two-dimensional laser
      induced fluorescence electronic spectroscopy. The visible excitation spectra are
      broad, unstructured features with an approximate line width of 10 cm(-1). The
      spectrum consists of vibrational progressions associated with excitation from the
      ground electronic state to two different excited electronic states. The dispersed
      fluorescence was analyzed to give ground state vibrational constants omegae =
      134.86 +/- 0.66 cm(-1) and omegaexe = 0.50 +/- 0.04 cm(-1). Vibrational constants
      omegae = 169 +/- 3 and 212 +/- 2 cm(-1) were determined for the two excited
      electronic states. The radiative lifetimes were measured. A comparison with
      theoretical predictions is given. 

PMID- 26258257
TI  - Aluminum Nanoantenna Complexes for Strong Coupling between Excitons and Localized
      Surface Plasmons.
AB  - We study the optical dynamics in complexes of aluminum nanoantennas coated with
      molecular J-aggregates and find that they provide an excellent platform for the
      formation of hybrid exciton-localized surface plasmons. Giant Rabi splitting of
      0.4 eV, which corresponds to ~10 fs energy transfer cycle, is observed in
      spectral transmittance. We show that the nanoantennas can be used to manipulate
      the polarization of hybrid states and to confine their mode volumes. In addition,
      we observe enhancement of the photoluminescence due to enhanced absorption and
      increase in the local density of states at the exciton-localized surface plasmon
      energies. With recent emerging technological applications based on strongly
      coupled light-matter states, this study opens new possibilities to explore and
      utilize the unique properties of hybrid states over all of the visible region
      down to ultraviolet frequencies in nanoscale, technologically compatible,
      integrated platforms based on aluminum. 

PMID- 26258259
TI  - Myxozoans and Our Dinner Table: Pathogenicity Studies of Myxobolus honghuensis
      (Myxosporea: Bivalvulida) Using a Suckling Mice Model.
AB  - Myxobolus honghuensis parasitizes the pharynx of the allogynogenetic gibel carp
      Carassius auratus gibelio (Bloch), an economically important food fish with large
      consumption rates in China. The fact that it is hard to detect the cysts formed
      by M. honghuensis without euthanizing the fish and the spores can reach the
      consumers has prompted us to investigate the effect of M. honghuensis on
      conventional, immunocompetent BALB/c suckling mice, in order to consider the
      possible pathological effects in general immunocompetent consumers by the
      ingestion of Myxobolus-infected fish. BALB/c suckling mice were inoculated with
      serial dilutions of the spore suspension and then hematological and histological
      studies were performed. Tests of suckling mice showed no statistically difference
      of fluid accumulation ratio between mice inoculated with 1.65 * 10(6) M.
      honghuensis spores and negative control after 8-h incubation. Spores did not
      disrupt intestinal histology, and no abnormal bowel movements were observed
      within 20 h postinoculation. No anomalous hematology parameters were documented.
      These results, taken together, reveal that M. honghuensis spores do not cause
      pathology (diarrhea and elevated fluid accumulation) in BALB/c suckling mice.
      However, an extrapolation is not currently feasible because of lack of a highly
      quantifiable risk extrapolation model, inaccessibility to data for the effect of
      M. honghuensis on humans, and lack of consideration of the immunosuppressed
      population. Our study extends the results of the effect of myxozoan on suckling
      mice and serves as baseline for future experiment using the same model in
      evaluating the myxozoan-caused foodborne disease.

PMID- 26258258
TI  - Multi-Province Listeriosis Outbreak Linked to Contaminated Deli Meat Consumed
      Primarily in Institutional Settings, Canada, 2008.
AB  - A multi-province outbreak of listeriosis occurred in Canada from June to November
      2008. Fifty-seven persons were infected with 1 of 3 similar outbreak strains
      defined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, and 24 (42%) individuals died. Forty
      one (72%) of 57 individuals were residents of long-term care facilities or
      hospital inpatients during their exposure period. Descriptive epidemiology,
      product traceback, and detection of the outbreak strains of Listeria
      monocytogenes in food samples and the plant environment confirmed delicatessen
      meat manufactured by one establishment and purchased primarily by institutions
      was the source of the outbreak. The food safety investigation identified a plant
      environment conducive to the introduction and proliferation of L. monocytogenes
      and persistently contaminated with Listeria spp. This outbreak demonstrated the
      need for improved listeriosis surveillance, strict control of L. monocytogenes in
      establishments producing ready-to-eat foods, and advice to vulnerable populations
      and institutions serving these populations regarding which high-risk foods to
      avoid. 

PMID- 26258260
TI  - Prevalence of CTX-M-15 Extended-Spectrum beta-Lactamase-Producing Salmonella
      Isolated from Chicken in Korea.
AB  - A total of 162 Salmonella isolates were isolated in samples from poultry farms,
      slaughterhouses, retail chicken meats, and human feces between 2012 and 2013. All
      extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing isolates had bla(CTX-M-15) gene
      sequence in their plasmids. This genotype may be related to multidrug resistance.
      Repetitive sequence-based polymerase chain reaction patterns among CTX-M-15
      isolates were classified into 12 indistinguishable groups. CTX-M-15 isolates had
      various plasmid replicon types; however, the most frequent type was FIIS. This
      result suggests that bla(CTX-M-15) could be propagated via plasmid transfer.

PMID- 26258261
TI  - Effects of In-Feed Copper, Chlortetracycline, and Tylosin on the Prevalence of
      Transferable Copper Resistance Gene, tcrB, Among Fecal Enterococci of Weaned
      Piglets.
AB  - Heavy metals, such as copper, are increasingly supplemented in swine diets as an
      alternative to antibiotics to promote growth. Enterococci, a common gut
      commensal, acquire plasmid-borne, transferable copper resistance (tcrB) gene
      mediated resistance to copper. The plasmid also carried resistance genes to
      tetracyclines and macrolides. The potential genetic link between copper and
      antibiotic resistance suggests that copper supplementation may exert a selection
      pressure for antimicrobial resistance. Therefore, a longitudinal study was
      conducted to investigate the effects of in-feed copper, chlortetracycline, and
      tylosin alone or in combination on the selection and co-selection of
      antimicrobial-resistant enterococci. The study included 240 weaned piglets
      assigned randomly to 6 dietary treatment groups: control, copper,
      chlortetracycline, tylosin, copper and chlortetracycline, and copper and tylosin.
      Feces were collected before (day 0), during (days 7, 14, 21), and after (days 28
      and 35) initiating treatment, and enterococcal isolates were obtained from each
      fecal sample and tested for genotypic and phenotypic resistance to copper and
      antibiotics. A total of 2592 enterococcal isolates were tested for tcrB by
      polymerase chain reaction. The overall prevalence of tcrB-positive enterococci
      was 14.3% (372/2592). Among the tcrB-positive isolates, 331 were Enterococcus
      faecium and 41 were E. faecalis. All tcrB-positive isolates contained both erm(B)
      and tet(M) genes. The median minimum inhibitory concentration of copper for tcrB
      negative and tcrB-positive enterococci was 6 and 18 mM, respectively. The
      majority of isolates (95/100) were resistant to multiple antibiotics. In
      conclusion, supplementing copper or antibiotics alone did not increase copper
      resistant enterococci; however, supplementing antibiotics with copper increased
      the prevalence of the tcrB gene among fecal enterococci of piglets.

PMID- 26258262
TI  - Prevalence of ColV Plasmid-Linked Genes and In Vivo Pathogenicity of Avian
      Strains of Escherichia coli.
AB  - Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) causes extraintestinal infections in
      birds, leading to an increase in the cost of poultry production. The ColV plasmid
      linked genes iroN, ompT, hlyF, iss, and iutA have previously been suggested to be
      predictors of the virulence of APEC. In this research, we analyzed the
      frequencies of these genes in a Brazilian collection of E. coli isolated from
      birds with colibacillosis (APEC) and from apparently healthy birds (avian fecal
      [A(fecal)]), as well as from the litter of poultry houses of apparently healthy
      flocks (avian litter [A(litter)]). All the isolates that harbored ompT also
      harbored hlyF, so they were considered as one trait for statistical analysis. The
      relationship between in vivo virulence in 1-day-old chicks, expressed as a
      pathogenicity score, and the number of genes in each isolate showed that isolates
      with less than two of the four genes were rarely pathogenic, while most
      pathogenic isolates contained two or more genes. Nevertheless, about half of the
      nonpathogenic isolates also harbored two or more genes, in agreement with
      previous observations that commensal E. coli isolates from the birds' microbiota
      can serve as a reservoir of virulence genes. Thus, the pentaplex polymerase chain
      reaction can be used to indicate that a strain carrying none or only one gene
      would be nonpathogenic, but it cannot be used to indicate that a strain with two
      to four genes would be an APEC. Isolates allocated to phylogenetic group B2,
      which is frequently associated with extraintestinal infections, had the highest
      pathogenicity scores, while isolates allocated to group B1 had the lowest.

PMID- 26258263
TI  - Development of a Method for the Analysis of Multiclass Antibiotic Residues in
      Milk Using QuEChERS and Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry.
AB  - A precise and simplified method of sample preparation for the simultaneous
      quantification of the antibiotics beta-lactam, macrolide, tetracycline,
      sulfonamide, and quinolone in bovine milk was developed. The central composite
      design of response surface methodology was used to design and optimize the method
      for the determination of six different antibiotic residues in milk. The recovery
      of each antibiotic was studied using a quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and
      safe (QuEChERS) method. Octadecylsilane (C18), primary secondary amine (PSA), and
      sodium acetate (Na acetate) were the main factors affecting the recovery of each
      antibiotic. After optimization, the maximum predicted recovery rate was 84.18%
      for erythromycin under the optimized conditions of 101.20 mg C18, 52.00 mg PSA,
      and 1.01 g Na acetate. The recovery rates of the five other antibiotic residues
      ranged from 86.09% to 115.99%. The results suggested that modified QuEChERS could
      effectively be implemented in the analysis of antibiotic residues in milk.

PMID- 26258265
TI  - Inadequate Source Control and Inappropriate Antibiotics are Key Determinants of
      Mortality in Patients with Intra-Abdominal Sepsis and Associated Bacteremia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients with intra-abdominal sepsis and associated bacteremia have a
      high mortality rate. However, outcomes studies in this population are limited, in
      part because of the small numbers of such patients. The objective of this study
      was to describe characteristics of critically ill patients with secondary blood
      stream infection (BSI) of intra-abdominal origin and identify predictors of
      mortality. METHODS: This retrospective, single-center study evaluated patients
      admitted between January 2005 and January 2011 with bacteremia because of an
      intra-abdominal source. Patients were included if they met criteria for severe
      sepsis based on International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision (ICD 9)
      codes for acute organ dysfunction, had a positive blood culture, had at least one
      ICD 9 code indicative of an intra-abdominal process, and had a confirmed or
      clinically suspected intra-abdominal infection (IAI) within 72 h of the blood
      culture. Chart review was performed to confirm the presence of these criteria and
      also the absence of any other potential source of bacteremia. Data were collected
      on patient demographics, BSI source, source control procedure details,
      microorganisms isolated, and antibiotics administered. Multivariable logistic
      regression analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of
      mortality. RESULTS: Three hundred six patients with BSI were identified, of which
      108 episodes were deemed to be of intra-abdominal origin. Gram-negative organisms
      comprised 43% of blood isolates, followed by gram-positives (33%), anaerobes
      (14%), and yeast (9%). Appropriate antimicrobial therapy was administered in 71%
      of patients. The overall mortality rate was 27.8%. As compared with survivors,
      non-survivors were older, more likely to have underlying COPD or asthma, and have
      renal or metabolic failure (p<0.05 for all). Among non-survivors, adequate source
      control was obtained less frequently (64% vs. 91%, p=0.002) and median time to
      appropriate antibiotics was longer (23 h vs. 4 h, p=0.004). Logistic regression
      analysis revealed inadequate source control (p=0.002) and inappropriate
      antibiotics (p=0.016) to be independently associated with mortality. CONCLUSIONS:
      Critically ill patients with a BSI of abdominal origin are at high risk for
      mortality. Failure to achieve adequate source control and administration of
      inappropriate antibiotics were independent predictors of mortality. Thus, these
      represent potential opportunities to impact outcomes in patients with complicated
      IAI.

PMID- 26258266
TI  - 25(th) Anniversary State-of-the-Art Expert Discussion With John J. Meehan, MD,
      FACS, on Robotics.

PMID- 26258264
TI  - Bioimaging of Hyaluronate-Interferon alpha Conjugates Using a Non-Interfering
      Zwitterionic Fluorophore.
AB  - We conducted real-time bioimaging of the hyaluronate-interferon alpha (HA
      IFNalpha) conjugate using a biologically inert zwitterionic fluorophore of ZW800
      1 for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. ZW800-1 was labeled on
      the IFNalpha molecule of the HA-IFNalpha conjugate to investigate its
      biodistribution and clearance without altering its physicochemical and targeting
      characteristics. Confocal microscopy clearly visualized the effective in vitro
      cellular uptake of the HA-IFNalpha conjugate to HepG2 cells. After verifying the
      biological activity in Daudi cells, we conducted the pharmacokinetic analysis of
      the HA-IFNalpha conjugate, which confirmed its target-specific delivery to the
      liver with a prolonged residence time longer than that of PEGylated IFNalpha. In
      vivo and ex vivo bioimaging of the ZW800-1-labeled HA-IFNalpha conjugate directly
      showed real-time biodistribution and clearance of the conjugate that are
      consistent with the biological behaviors analyzed by an enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay. Furthermore, the elevated level of OAS1 mRNA in the liver
      confirmed in vivo antiviral activity of HA-IFNalpha conjugates. With the data
      taken together, we could confirm the feasibility of ZW800-1 as a biologically
      inert fluorophore and target-specific HA-IFNalpha conjugate for the treatment of
      HCV infection. 

PMID- 26258267
TI  - Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery After Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy for Rectal
      Cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Radical rectal resection following neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy
      (CRT) for locally advanced rectal cancer is accompanied by relatively high
      morbidity. Local excision of rectal cancer may be more appropriate for some frail
      patients with severe comorbidities. Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM),
      consisting of local excision of selected rectal cancers, has been associated with
      low rates of postoperative complications. Because neoadjuvant CRT for rectal
      cancer may be associated with increased complications, the suitability of TEM
      following CRT is still unclear. In this study we aimed to assess the clinical
      outcomes of patients undergoing TEM following neoadjuvant CRT. PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: This study retrospectively analyzed all patients undergoing TEM for
      malignant rectal tumor in our institution between 2004 and 2010. They were
      divided into those who received CRT (CRT group) and those without CRT (non-CRT
      group). Demographics and clinical data were compared. RESULTS: Forty-four of 97
      patients who underwent TEM were included: 13 CRT and 31 non-CRT. Age,
      comorbidities, and the duration of the procedure were similar for both groups.
      There were no significant group differences in tumor diameter (2.1 cm [range, 0.5
      3.5 cm] and 2.9 cm [range, 0.5-4.2 cm], respectively; P=.125) or distance of the
      lower part of the tumor from the anal verge (6.7 cm [range, 5-10 cm] and 7.7 cm
      [range, 5-15 cm], respectively; P=.285). Two non-CRT patients had peritoneal
      entry, and 1 of them underwent protective ileostomy because of insecure rectal
      defect closure. One non-CRT patient underwent a re-operation for postoperative
      bleeding. The other perioperative complications were minor and included urinary
      retention requiring catheter placement (2 patients in each group), pulmonary
      edema (1 non-CRT patient), and pneumonia (1 non-CRT patient). All complications
      were managed conservatively. There was no wound disruption, major complication,
      or mortality in either group. CONCLUSIONS: With proper patient selection, TEM can
      be performed safely following CRT, without major complication or increased
      postoperative morbidity.

PMID- 26258268
TI  - Laparoendoscopic Single-Site Plus One-Port Donor Nephrectomy: Analysis of 169
      Cases.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To present our experience with laparoendoscopic single-site plus one
      port donor nephrectomy (LESSOP-DN) and compare the outcomes with laparoscopic
      donor nephrectomy (LDN). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospectively collected data from
      169 consecutive LESSOP-DNs and 83 LDNs performed by a single surgeon in the same
      time period were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: No differences in mean
      operative time (136 versus 130 minutes; P=.15), warm ischemia time (3.4 versus
      3.5 minutes; P=.42), blood loss (50 versus 45 mL; P=.41), transfusion rates (0
      versus 1 case), hospital stay (4.0 versus 3.9 days; P=.48), or overall
      complication rate (12.0% versus 7.7%; P=.25) were observed between the LDN and
      LESSOP-DN groups. The LESSOP-DN group had a shorter time to return to 100%
      recovery (39 versus 74 days; P<.001), a smaller surgical incision (5.5 versus 8.2
      cm; P<.001), higher scar satisfaction score (8.1 versus 6.4; P=.003), and lower
      analgesic requirements (79.0 versus 68.5 mg; P=.03) than the LDN group. Renal
      function of the recipient based on estimated glomerular filtration rate at 1 and
      3 months was similar between the groups. Health-related quality of life (QOL) was
      significantly higher in the LESSOP-DN group in four domains of the health survey
      than in the LDN group. CONCLUSIONS: LESSOP-DN might be associated with smaller
      surgical incision, improved cosmetic satisfaction, less time to recovery, less
      analgesic requirement, improved donor QOL, and equivalent recipient graft
      function.

PMID- 26258269
TI  - Early and Midterm Outcome After Laparoscopic Fundoplication and a Minimally
      Invasive Endoscopic Procedure in Patients with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A
      Prospective Observational Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Although the minimally invasive endoscopic Stretta procedure
      is being increasingly used as an alternative strategy to manage gastroesophageal
      reflux disease (GERD), the benefits of this procedure have to be further
      evaluated in clinical settings. This prospective observational study assessed the
      short-term and midterm outcomes associated with laparoscopic Toupet
      fundoplication (LTF) and the Stretta procedure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From
      January 2011 to January 2012, we allocated 80 patients to LTF and 85 to the
      Stretta procedure. Primary outcome measures, including symptom scores of
      heartburn, regurgitation, chest pain, belching, hiccup, cough, and asthma, as
      well as proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use, were analyzed at midterm follow-up (1-3
      years). RESULTS: Of the 165 patients, 125 patients following LTF (n=65) or the
      Stretta procedure (n=60) completed the designated 3-year follow-up and were
      included in the final analysis. At the end of the 3-year follow-up, the symptom
      scores were all significantly decreased compared with the corresponding values
      before the two procedures in both groups (P<.05). After LTF and the Stretta
      procedure, 47/65 (72.3%) and 41/60 (68.3%) patients, respectively, achieved
      complete PPI therapy independence (72.3% versus 68.3%, P=.627). Comparing with
      LTF, however, the Stretta procedure had less effect on improving typical symptoms
      of heartburn, regurgitation, and chest pain and reducing the rate of re-operation
      (11.8% versus 0%, P=.006). CONCLUSIONS: LTF and the Stretta procedure were
      equally effective in controlling GERD symptoms and reducing PPI use. However, LTF
      can achieve more improvement on typical symptoms and has a lower rate of re
      operation.

PMID- 26258270
TI  - The epidemiology and genetics of binge eating disorder (BED).
AB  - This narrative review provides an overview of the epidemiology of binge eating
      disorder (BED), highlighting the medical history of this disorder and its entry
      as an independent condition in the Feeding and Eating Disorders section of the
      recently published Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth
      Edition. Estimates of prevalence are provided, as well as recognition that the
      female to male ratio is lower in BED than in other eating disorders. Evidence is
      also provided of the most common comorbidities of BED, including mood and anxiety
      disorders and a range of addiction disorders. In addition, discussion of the
      viewpoint that BED itself may be an addiction - at least in severe cases - is
      presented. Although the genetic study of BED is still in its infancy, current
      research is reviewed with a focus on certain neurotransmitter genes that regulate
      brain reward mechanisms. To date, a focal point of this research has been on the
      dopamine and the MU-opioid receptor genes. Preliminary evidence suggests that a
      predisposing risk factor for BED may be a heightened sensitivity to reward, which
      could manifest as a strong dopamine signal in the brain's striatal region.
      Caution is encouraged, however, in the interpretation of current findings, since
      samples are relatively small in much of the research. To date, no genome-wide
      association studies have focused exclusively on BED. 

PMID- 26258271
TI  - Primary refractory diffuse large B cell lymphoma in the rituximab era.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The aim of this review is to describe the outcome of primary
      refractory diffuse large B cell lymphoma in the rituximab era and the different
      therapeutic options as well as new biological markers that could allow the
      pathologist to distinguish these cases at diagnosis. RECENT FINDINGS: Diffuse
      large B cell lymphoma outcome has been impressively improved since the
      introduction of rituximab in association with anthracycline-based chemotherapy;
      however, primary refractory patients still represent an unmet medical need.
      SUMMARY: If patients without relapse after 2 years from diagnosis have an outcome
      comparable to healthy individuals, primary refractory patients still represent
      20% of the cases with a very poor overall survival. These cases are usually
      described as progressive patients during first line or patients reaching a
      nonadequate partial response or those relapsing within a year after reaching a
      response.

PMID- 26258272
TI  - Epstein-Barr virus-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the elderly: a
      concise review and update.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive diffuse large B-cell
      lymphoma (DLBCL) of the elderly is an EBV-positive monoclonal large B-cell
      proliferative disease that arises in elderly patients older than 50 years.
      Updated knowledge on geographical/ethnical variations in the prevalence and
      prognostic impact of EBV positivity, the genetic mechanisms of lymphomagenesis,
      and the validity of the disease is available. RECENT FINDINGS: The poor
      prognostic impact of EBV positivity is consistent among Asian populations, but
      not in Western populations. CD30 may be associated with this
      geographical/ethnical variation. Gene expression analyses have confirmed the
      enhanced activity of the NF-kappaB and JAK/STAT pathways and more frequent
      expression of CD30 in EBV-positive DLBCL of the elderly. A substantial proportion
      of cases of EBV-positive DLBCL of the elderly occur in young immunocompetent
      adults; moreover, EBV-positive DLBCL in young adults has a distinct clinical
      course compared with EBV-positive DLBCL of the elderly. SUMMARY: Further research
      is anticipated, as follows: first, identifying geographical/ethnical differences
      in gene expression profiles and CD30 coexpression in EBV-positive DLBCL of the
      elderly; second, feasibility of the revision of the current disease entity
      confined to elderly patients; and third, novel therapeutic approaches targeting
      CD30 and the NF-kappaB and JAK/STAT pathways in EBV-positive DLBCL of the
      elderly.

PMID- 26258273
TI  - Current status of human papillomavirus vaccination.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In this article, we review the impact of the quadrivalent and
      bivalent prophylactic human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines on HPV infection and
      disease, review alternative vaccine dosing schedules, the vaccination of men and
      the nine-valent HPV vaccine. RECENT FINDINGS: HPV vaccines have had dramatic
      impacts on the prevalence of targeted HPV types (6,11,16 and 18), genital warts
      and precancerous cervical lesions. Population coverage would be facilitated by
      adopting two-dose schedules, with recent findings that two-dose schedules in
      young adolescents are as immunogenic as three doses in young adults. Extension of
      vaccination to men, particularly for men who have sex with men, could further
      reduce population prevalence of HPV and provide direct protection to men against
      genital warts and anal, penile and oropharyngeal cancers. The nine-valent HPV
      vaccine has demonstrated equivalent protection against the four types in the
      quadrivalent vaccine and high efficacy against the next five commonest causes of
      cervical cancer (HPV types 31,33,45,52 and 58). If cost-effective, it may extend
      the spectrum of protection against cervical cancer available through vaccination.
      SUMMARY: HPV vaccination is an effective strategy for reducing the burden of HPV
      related disease. New schedules, target populations and vaccines promise to expand
      this potential further.

PMID- 26258274
TI  - The Effects of Vertical Yoked Prism on Horizontal Heterophoria.
AB  - PURPOSE: Vertical yoked prisms (VYPs) have been recommended for the remediation
      of vergence dysfunction, but the evidence base for their use is mostly low level.
      This study investigates the effect of VYP on horizontal subjective dissociated
      heterophoria. METHODS: Phoria measurement was performed in primary gaze with the
      Modified Thorington technique at 3 m and at 40 cm on 40 nonpresbyopic young
      adults. Subjects were seated and head position was held constant. Baseline
      measures (without yoked prism) of distance and near phoria were measured. Phorias
      were measured again through the following range of VYP, randomly presented: 2
      prism diopters (Delta) base up (BU), 2Delta base down (BD), 5Delta BU, and 5Delta
      BD. Twenty-six subjects also had their phorias measured with control lenses of
      +0.125 DS OU (because of unavailability of Plano trial lenses) randomly presented
      along the other conditions. RESULTS: There was no significant difference overall
      between phoria measured in any of the yoked prism conditions, including the
      baseline measure, at distance or near. Neither was there evidence of a
      predictable esophoric or exophoric shift with either BU or BD prism. CONCLUSIONS:
      Vertical yoked prisms did not exert any immediate effect on horizontal phoria in
      young adults when posture was controlled. This suggests that, if VYPs do indeed
      improve horizontal vergence problems, they do not do so by a direct or immediate
      impact on horizontal phoria.

PMID- 26258275
TI  - Improved Photoreceptor Function in Male Acute Zonal Occult Outer Retinopathy.
AB  - PURPOSE: To describe male acute zonal occult outer retinopathy (AZOOR) patients
      with improvement of photoreceptor structure and visual function. CASE SERIES:
      Medical records for eight eyes in seven patients (mean age, 36.9 years; range, 22
      to 57 years) with AZOOR were reviewed retrospectively. Of the seven patients,
      four were treated with high-dose methylprednisolone therapy and three were not
      treated. All patients presented with photopsias and severe vision loss in the
      affected eyes. Visual acuity ranged from 0.2 to 1.5 on a Snellen decimal scale
      and Humphrey visual field testing showed blind spot enlargement or ring scotomas.
      Fundus and angiographic examinations found no specific abnormalities, leading to
      a diagnosis of AZOOR. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography showed
      attenuation of the photoreceptor inner segment ellipsoid zone. Multifocal
      electroretinography demonstrated that there were decreased responses at the site
      of the spectral domain optical coherence tomography abnormalities and
      corresponding visual field loss. Three patients had a spontaneous resolution with
      restoration of photoreceptor structure and visual function, and four patients had
      a visual improvement with restoration of photoreceptor structure and visual
      function after steroid pulse therapy. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that
      male AZOOR patients may have a tendency of visual improvement both with and
      without treatment.

PMID- 26258276
TI  - Comparing Autorefractors for Measurement of Accommodation.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare the static and dynamic accommodative responses measured with
      the WAM-5500 and the PowerRef-II autorefractors. METHODS: The dynamic and static
      monocular accommodative responses were measured with the WAM-5500 and the
      PowerRef-II instruments in 30 pre-presbyopic patients (23.66 [+/-3.19] years).
      The spherical equivalent was measured at 0.00, 2.50, and 5.00 diopters (D) of
      accommodative stimulation for the static measurements. The subjective refraction
      was also determined. Dynamic accommodation was measured for abrupt changes of
      stimulus vergence of 2.00 D. Mean and peak velocities of accommodation and
      disaccommodation were evaluated. For the PowerRef-II, dynamic measurements were
      calculated for sampling frequencies of 5 and 25 Hz. RESULTS: For far distance
      static results, the differences between subjective and WAM-5500 measurements were
      0.07 (+/-0.21) D (p = 0.093) and those between subjective and PowerRef-II
      measurements were 0.70 (+/-0.47) D (p = 0.001). The difference in the response
      measured with both instruments was 0.08 (+/-0.32) D (p = 0.194) for 2.50 D and 
      0.32 (+/-0.48) D (p = 0.001) for 5.00 D of stimulation. For the dynamic mode, the
      PowerRef-II at 25 Hz measured faster mean and peak velocities of accommodation
      and disaccommodation than the WAM-5500, with statistically significant (p < 0.05)
      differences of 0.68 (+/-1.01), 0.67 (+/-0.98), 1.26 (+/-1.19), and 1.42 (+/-1.53)
      D/s, respectively. With a sampling frequency of 5 Hz for the PowerRef-II, these
      differences, which were statistically significant (p < 0.05), were reduced to
      0.52 (+/-0.90), 0.49 (+/-0.91), 0.83 (+/-1.07), and 0.83 (+/-1.31) D/s,
      respectively. CONCLUSIONS: There is good agreement between subjective refraction
      and WAM-5500 measurements. In contrast, the PowerRef-II produced more hyperopic
      results. There were no differences among instruments at 2.50 D of static
      stimulation; however, differences were found at 5.00 D. In the dynamic
      measurements, the PowerRef-II measured faster velocities, partly attributed to
      the difference in the sampling frequency.

PMID- 26258277
TI  - Bilateral Iritis after Vaccine for Bladder Cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is a vaccine that can be instilled into
      the urinary bladder as immunotherapy against superficial bladder cancer. Several
      case reports have implicated intravesical BCG in the development of uveitis.
      Patients treated with BCG therapy may present with systemic symptoms resembling
      reactive arthritis and, less frequently, have ocular adverse effects including
      bilateral panuveitis or chorioretinitis. In all but three previously reported
      cases of uveitis associated with BCG treatment, HLA-B27 has been positive. No
      patients have been reported to be positive for rheumatoid factor or antinuclear
      antibody (ANA). CASE REPORT: An HLA-B27-negative and low-positive ANA patient
      presented with bilateral uveitis after treatment with BCG therapy for superficial
      bladder cancer. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need for greater awareness among
      urologists, primary care physicians, and optometrists of the potential for BCG to
      cause uveitis. These doctors should look for indicators of uveitis, such as
      circumlimbal conjunctival injection, photophobia, irregular pupils, and keratic
      precipitates. Together with appropriate treatment or prompt referral, this could
      prevent unnecessary morbidity. Future studies are needed to further elucidate the
      possible reasons for ANA positivity in these patients and the future role of the
      test in diagnosis and management.

PMID- 26258278
TI  - Subconjunctival Herniated Orbital Fat Mimicking Adipocytic Neoplasm.
AB  - PURPOSE: To describe and discuss rare and benign conditions of subconjunctival
      orbital fat herniation that may mimic adipocytic neoplasm. METHODS: Sixteen eyes
      of 13 patients with subconjunctival orbital fat herniation were included. They
      all underwent transconjunctival excision owing to cosmesis, discomfort, or
      suspicion of malignancy. Histopathologic examination, postoperative
      complications, and recurrent conditions were analyzed. RESULTS: Eleven male and
      two female patients were included. The lesion was unilateral in 10 and bilateral
      in 3 cases. Excision was performed via conjunctival wound and removing the
      prolapsed orbital fat. The conjunctiva was then closed with two to three
      interrupted sutures. All the histopathologic specimens revealed Lochkern cells,
      floret cells, and mature adipocytes separated by fibrovascular septae without
      hyperchromatic cells, consistent with subconjunctival herniated orbital fat. All
      the patients were treated successfully with transconjunctival excision without
      recurrence at an average follow-up of 10.6 months (range, 6 to 16 months).
      CONCLUSIONS: Prolapse of subconjunctival orbital fat is an uncommon entity of
      intraorbital masses and may mimic adipocytic neoplasm. It is usually associated
      with a dehiscence in the Tenon capsule. Surgical excision is indicated and
      pathologic evaluation is necessary if any malignancy is suspected.

PMID- 26258279
TI  - Refractive Changes in Amblyopic Children with High Anisometropia.
AB  - PURPOSE: To demonstrate the refractive changes of amblyopic children attributed
      to high anisometropia in the myopia endemic in Taiwan. METHODS: Amblyopic
      children younger than 10 years with myopic or hyperopic anisometropia 3 diopters
      (D) or more who had follow-up for more than 2 years and had final visual acuity
      of 20/30 or better in the amblyopic eye were included. RESULTS: The average age
      on the first visit was similar for the 13 myopic children (5.5 years) and 17
      hyperopic children (5.3 years). Initially, the mean anisometropia was
      significantly different (myopic, 7.25 D vs. hyperopic, 3.89 D), but the visual
      acuity of the amblyopic eye (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution) was
      similar between both groups at baseline (0.50 vs. 0.57). Myopization of the sound
      eye surpassed that of the amblyopic eye in the myopic group, which resulted in a
      yearly reduction of anisometropia of 0.51 D. However, hyperopia decreased
      synchronously in both eyes of the hyperopic children. The final degree of
      anisometropia was not significantly different between the two groups (4.07 D vs.
      3.62 D). CONCLUSIONS: Growing up in a country with a high prevalence of myopia,
      children with myopic and hyperopic anisometropia in this study inevitably had
      myopization in both eyes. Myopic anisometropia decreases significantly over time,
      but hyperopic anisometropia remains constant.

PMID- 26258280
TI  - Effect of Corneal Thickness on the Penetration of Topical Vancomycin.
AB  - PURPOSE: To study the influence of corneal thickness on intraocular penetration
      of topical ophthalmic drops, using vancomycin 50 mg/mL drops as a model. METHODS:
      The study included 58 eyes of 58 patients undergoing phacoemulsification cataract
      extraction. The central corneal thickness was measured by ultrasonic pachymetry
      on the day of surgery. Thirty minutes before the surgery, one drop of topical
      vancomycin 50 mg/mL was instilled three times with 10-minute intervals: 30
      minutes, 20 minutes, and 10 minutes before the surgery. At the beginning of
      surgery, a small specimen of aqueous humor was aspirated and sent to the
      laboratory for measurement of drug concentration to determine the effect of
      corneal thickness on vancomycin concentration in the anterior chamber. RESULTS:
      There was insufficient amount of aqueous humor for analysis in 9 samples, leaving
      a total of 49 samples. The mean central corneal thickness was 539.7 (+/-39.5) MUm
      (range, 458 to 635 MUm). The mean vancomycin concentration in the anterior
      chamber was 0.220 (+/-0.209) MUg/mL. There was no significant association between
      vancomycin concentration and corneal thickness (r = -0.07, p = 0.62, Pearson
      correlation). When patients were divided into three groups based on the mean (+/
      1 SD) central corneal thickness, no significant differences in vancomycin
      concentrations (in micrograms per milliliter) were encountered: 0.267 (+/-0.247)
      (for corneal thickness <500.2 MUm), 0.209 (+/-0.212) (for corneal thickness of
      500.2 to 579.2 MUm), and 0.200 (+/-0.160) (for corneal thickness >579.2 MUm) (p =
      0.73, analysis of variance). CONCLUSIONS: Corneal thickness does not influence
      the penetration of topically applied vancomycin into the anterior chamber.

PMID- 26258281
TI  - Bridging the Gap: Electron Relay and Plasmonic Sensitization of Metal
      Nanocrystals for Metal Clusters.
AB  - In recent years, enormous attention has been paid to the construction of metal
      cluster-semiconductor nanocomposites because of the fascinating and unique
      properties of metal clusters; however, investigations on photoelectrochemical
      (PEC) and photocatalytic properties of metal cluster-semiconductor systems are
      still rare. Moreover, to date, intrinsic correlation between metal clusters and
      bulk metal nanocrystals has yet to be elucidated. In this work, a facile layer-by
      layer (LbL) self-assembly strategy has been developed to judiciously and
      intimately integrate gold nanocrystals (Au) within the interface between gold
      clusters (Au(x)) and hierarchically ordered TiO2 nanotube arrays framework, by
      which imperative roles of Au nanocrystals as electron relay mediator and
      plasmonic sensitizer for Aux clusters were revealed. In addition, it was found
      that synergistic interaction between Au nanocrystals and Aux clusters contributed
      to promising visible-light-driven photocatalytical and PEC performances. It is
      anticipated that our work could provide a general way for rationally constructing
      metal and metal clusters codecorated semiconductor heterostructures and, more
      significantly, bridge the gap between metal clusters and metal nanocrystals for a
      diverse range of applications.

PMID- 26258282
TI  - High diversity stabilizes the thermal resilience of pollinator communities in
      intensively managed grasslands.
AB  - The resilience of ecosystems depends on the diversity of species and their
      specific responses to environmental variation. Here we show that the diversity of
      climatic responses across species contributes to a higher projected resilience of
      species-rich pollinator communities in real-world ecosystems despite land-use
      intensification. We determined the thermal niche of 511 pollinator species
      (flies, bees, beetles and butterflies) in 40 grasslands. Species in intensively
      used grasslands have broader thermal niches and are also more complementary in
      their thermal optima. The observed increase in thermal resilience with land-use
      intensification is mainly driven by the dominant flies that prefer cooler
      temperatures and compensate for losses of other taxa. Temperature explained 84%
      of the variation in pollinator activity across species and sites. Given the key
      role of temperature, quantifying the diversity of thermal responses within
      functional groups is a promising approach to assess the vulnerability of
      ecosystems to land-use intensification and climate change. 

PMID- 26258283
TI  - Defective DNA repair and increased chromatin binding of DNA repair factors in
      Down syndrome fibroblasts.
AB  - Down syndrome (DS) is characterized by genetic instability, neurodegeneration,
      and premature aging. However, the molecular mechanisms leading to this phenotype
      are not yet well understood. Here, we report that DS fibroblasts from both fetal
      and adult donors show the presence of oxidative DNA base damage, such as dihydro
      8-oxoguanine (8-oxodG), and activation of a DNA damage response (DDR), already
      during unperturbed growth conditions. DDR with checkpoint activation was
      indicated by histone H2AX and Chk2 protein phosphorylation, and by increased p53
      protein levels. In addition, both fetal and adult DS fibroblasts were more
      sensitive to oxidative DNA damage induced by potassium bromate, and were
      defective in the removal of 8-oxodG, as compared with age-matched cells from
      control healthy donors. The analysis of core proteins participating in base
      excision repair (BER), such as XRCC1 and DNA polymerase beta, showed that higher
      amounts of these factors were bound to chromatin in DS than in control cells,
      even in the absence of DNA damage. These findings occurred in concomitance with
      increased levels of phosphorylated XRCC1 detected in DS cells. These results
      indicate that DS cells exhibit a BER deficiency, which is associated with
      prolonged chromatin association of core BER factors. 

PMID- 26258284
TI  - Incidence Rate and Risk Factors for Contralateral Eye Involvement among Patients
      with AIDS and Cytomegalovirus Retinitis Treated with Local Therapy.
AB  - PURPOSE: To calculate the incidence of, and to identify the risk factors for
      developing contralateral eye involvement among patients with AIDS and unilateral
      cytomegalovirus retinitis (CMV retinitis), who were treated, in the era of highly
      active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), with repetitive intravitreal ganciclovir
      injections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical records of 119 patients were
      included. The main outcome measurement was the occurrence of contralateral eye
      involvement. RESULTS: Over a mean follow-up period of 1.6 years, the overall
      incidence rate of contralateral involvement was 0.17/person-year. The cumulative
      incidence of contralateral involvement at 6 months and 1 year was 23.8% and
      28.4%, respectively. Receiving HAART at the visit before the event was associated
      with a decreased risk of developing contralateral retinitis (hazard ratio [HR] =
      0.26, P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The use of HAART, associated with subsequent
      immune recovery, significantly reduced the incidence of contralateral eye
      involvement by approximately 75% among patients in our setting.

PMID- 26258285
TI  - Angel's share combats wine fraud: (14)C dating of wine without opening the
      bottle.
AB  - The problem of fraud continues to plague the wine industry, and detecting cases
      where the original bottle has been refilled with an inferior vintage is
      especially difficult. A novel noninvasive procedure presented here relies on
      radiocarbon dating the so-called angel's share: the trace amounts of ethanol and
      other gases that diffuse into and through the cork as bottled wine ages and
      matures. These are collected by applying a vacuum to the top of the bottle and
      cryo-trapping the extracted gas, leaving the liquid contents untouched. Vintage
      verification is therefore possible without exposing the liquid contents to the
      atmosphere, which may render a bottle costing tens of thousands of dollars
      worthless for later resale and consumption. The method also has a potential for
      stable isotope ratio as well as chemical analysis to find indications for fraud
      or spoilage of fine and rare wines as well as other liquids with cork stoppers. 

PMID- 26258287
TI  - Resistant Catatonia in a High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder Patient
      Successfully Treated with Amantadine.

PMID- 26258286
TI  - Two enzymes with redundant fructose bisphosphatase activity sustain
      gluconeogenesis and virulence in Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
AB  - The human pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) likely utilizes host fatty
      acids as a carbon source during infection. Gluconeogenesis is essential for the
      conversion of fatty acids into biomass. A rate-limiting step in gluconeogenesis
      is the conversion of fructose 1,6-bisphosphate to fructose 6-phosphate by a
      fructose bisphosphatase (FBPase). The Mtb genome contains only one annotated
      FBPase gene, glpX. Here we show that, unexpectedly, an Mtb mutant lacking GLPX
      grows on gluconeogenic carbon sources and has detectable FBPase activity. We
      demonstrate that the Mtb genome encodes an alternative FBPase (GPM2, Rv3214) that
      can maintain gluconeogenesis in the absence of GLPX. Consequently, deletion of
      both GLPX and GPM2 is required for disruption of gluconeogenesis and attenuation
      of Mtb in a mouse model of infection. Our work affirms a role for gluconeogenesis
      in Mtb virulence and reveals previously unidentified metabolic redundancy at the
      FBPase-catalysed reaction step of the pathway. 

PMID- 26258288
TI  - Vascular emergencies: Diagnosis and treatment.

PMID- 26258289
TI  - Implementation of the Integrated Electronic Patient Portal in the Pediatric
      Population: A Systematic Review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study assessed the current state of knowledge regarding the use
      of the integrated electronic health record (EHR) patient portal for pediatric
      clinical care. A systematic examination of the research on implementation,
      utilization, and evaluation of the integrated EHR patient portal among pediatric
      patients has not been previously conducted. Therefore, the purpose of the present
      study was to systematically review existing research on the state of the science,
      describe the way others have defined the patient portal, and examine pediatric
      patient portal utilization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Covering a period from 1992 to
      2014 a literature search was conducted on four electronic databases. Only
      articles in English were reviewed. Studies were included if they reported the use
      of a patient portal integrated with an electronic health record and captured
      pediatric medial encounters. Qualitative or quantitative studies of any design
      were eligible as long as they focused on patients (or parents) who access their
      health records through an electronic portal tied to an EHR and reported measures
      of satisfaction, attitudes on use, barriers and facilitators, adherence, or
      clinical and health outcomes. Content analysis of each article was performed
      independently by at least two authors using an extraction grid of study
      qualities, and quality and relevance of the studies were also assessed. RESULTS:
      Of a total of 189 potentially relevant publications identified, 31 full-text
      publications were obtained after screening titles and abstracts. After a full
      review, 11 publications corresponding to seven studies met the inclusion
      criteria. The methodological approaches included cross-sectional surveys,
      retrospective analysis, qualitative studies, and usability testing. In general,
      feedback was positive. The most frequent negative comments about the portal
      reflected concern about teenager interaction with the portal and how that might
      affect communication among patient, parent, and provider. Some users were
      frustrated with the complexity of medical terminology used. CONCLUSIONS:
      Reflecting the additional considerations of pediatric proxy access and fewer
      chronically ill patients, pediatric medicine has yet to use the patient portal as
      a modality for outcomes measurement. Given the paucity of studies within this age
      group, it is difficult to measure outcome improvements or the effect of patient
      record access on healthcare behaviors. This systematic review presents innovative
      research on the general acceptance of the patient portal among parents and
      highlights that the implementation of the portal is still in its early stages and
      has yet to be used widely in diverse populations or studies in a longitudinal
      manner. Further studies should confirm that protected access to health
      information and secure communication and information sharing with healthcare
      providers have an impact in the pediatric population on healthcare outcomes.

PMID- 26258290
TI  - Engraved Suicide Notes: The Last Note Written on Body by Metallic Object.
AB  - "Suicide notes" are the notes, where the victim has documented the intention to
      terminate one's own life. The victim generally writes them on a paper, notebook,
      wall, or mirror by means of pen or marker. However, suicide notes written on
      one's own body are very rare, and suicide note engraved by some metallic objects
      over body has not yet reported. We present two cases where the victim had used
      some metallic objects to write a message on the body. These may be termed
      "engraved suicide notes." We believe these to be the first reported cases where a
      metallic object was used for engraving the last notes on the body before
      committing suicide. 

PMID- 26258291
TI  - SpeedSeq: ultra-fast personal genome analysis and interpretation.
AB  - SpeedSeq is an open-source genome analysis platform that accomplishes alignment,
      variant detection and functional annotation of a 50* human genome in 13 h on a
      low-cost server and alleviates a bioinformatics bottleneck that typically demands
      weeks of computation with extensive hands-on expert involvement. SpeedSeq offers
      performance competitive with or superior to current methods for detecting
      germline and somatic single-nucleotide variants, structural variants, insertions
      and deletions, and it includes novel functionality for streamlined
      interpretation. 

PMID- 26258292
TI  - High-throughput cellular RNA device engineering.
AB  - Methods for rapidly assessing sequence-structure-function landscapes and
      developing conditional gene-regulatory devices are critical to our ability to
      manipulate and interface with biology. We describe a framework for engineering
      RNA devices from preexisting aptamers that exhibit ligand-responsive ribozyme
      tertiary interactions. Our methodology utilizes cell sorting, high-throughput
      sequencing and statistical data analyses to enable parallel measurements of the
      activities of hundreds of thousands of sequences from RNA device libraries in the
      absence and presence of ligands. Our tertiary-interaction RNA devices performed
      better in terms of gene silencing, activation ratio and ligand sensitivity than
      optimized RNA devices that rely on secondary-structure changes. We applied our
      method to build biosensors for diverse ligands and determine consensus sequences
      that enable ligand-responsive tertiary interactions. These methods advance our
      ability to develop broadly applicable genetic tools and to elucidate the
      underlying sequence-structure-function relationships that empower rational design
      of complex biomolecules. 

PMID- 26258293
TI  - Continuous directed evolution of DNA-binding proteins to improve TALEN
      specificity.
AB  - Nucleases containing programmable DNA-binding domains can alter the genomes of
      model organisms and have the potential to become human therapeutics. Here we
      present DNA-binding phage-assisted continuous evolution (DB-PACE) as a general
      approach for the laboratory evolution of DNA-binding activity and specificity. We
      used this system to generate transcription activator-like effectors nucleases
      (TALENs) with broadly improved DNA cleavage specificity, establishing DB-PACE as
      a versatile approach for improving the accuracy of genome-editing agents. 

PMID- 26258295
TI  - Conformational dynamics of a class C G-protein-coupled receptor.
AB  - G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) constitute the largest family of membrane
      receptors in eukaryotes. Crystal structures have provided insight into GPCR
      interactions with ligands and G proteins, but our understanding of the
      conformational dynamics of activation is incomplete. Metabotropic glutamate
      receptors (mGluRs) are dimeric class C GPCRs that modulate neuronal excitability,
      synaptic plasticity, and serve as drug targets for neurological disorders. A
      'clamshell' ligand-binding domain (LBD), which contains the ligand-binding site,
      is coupled to the transmembrane domain via a cysteine-rich domain, and LBD
      closure seems to be the first step in activation. Crystal structures of isolated
      mGluR LBD dimers led to the suggestion that activation also involves a
      reorientation of the dimer interface from a 'relaxed' to an 'active' state, but
      the relationship between ligand binding, LBD closure and dimer interface
      rearrangement in activation remains unclear. Here we use single-molecule
      fluorescence resonance energy transfer to probe the activation mechanism of full
      length mammalian group II mGluRs. We show that the LBDs interconvert between
      three conformations: resting, activated and a short-lived intermediate state.
      Orthosteric agonists induce transitions between these conformational states, with
      efficacy determined by occupancy of the active conformation. Unlike mGluR2,
      mGluR3 displays basal dynamics, which are Ca(2+)-dependent and lead to basal
      protein activation. Our results support a general mechanism for the activation of
      mGluRs in which agonist binding induces closure of the LBDs, followed by dimer
      interface reorientation. Our experimental strategy should be widely applicable to
      study conformational dynamics in GPCRs and other membrane proteins. 

PMID- 26258298
TI  - The pre-vertebrate origins of neurogenic placodes.
AB  - The sudden appearance of the neural crest and neurogenic placodes in early
      branching vertebrates has puzzled biologists for over a century. These embryonic
      tissues contribute to the development of the cranium and associated sensory
      organs, which were crucial for the evolution of the vertebrate "new head". A
      previous study suggests that rudimentary neural crest cells existed in ancestral
      chordates. However, the evolutionary origins of neurogenic placodes have remained
      obscure owing to a paucity of embryonic data from tunicates, the closest living
      relatives to those early vertebrates. Here we show that the tunicate Ciona
      intestinalis exhibits a proto-placodal ectoderm (PPE) that requires inhibition of
      bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and expresses the key regulatory determinant
      Six1/2 and its co-factor Eya, a developmental process conserved across
      vertebrates. The Ciona PPE is shown to produce ciliated neurons that express
      genes for gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), a G-protein-coupled receptor for
      relaxin-3 (RXFP3) and a functional cyclic nucleotide-gated channel (CNGA), which
      suggests dual chemosensory and neurosecretory activities. These observations
      provide evidence that Ciona has a neurogenic proto-placode, which forms neurons
      that appear to be related to those derived from the olfactory placode and
      hypothalamic neurons of vertebrates. We discuss the possibility that the PPE
      derived GnRH neurons of Ciona resemble an ancestral cell type, a progenitor to
      the complex neuronal circuit that integrates sensory information and
      neuroendocrine functions in vertebrates. 

PMID- 26258299
TI  - The zinc transporter ZIP12 regulates the pulmonary vascular response to chronic
      hypoxia.
AB  - The typical response of the adult mammalian pulmonary circulation to a low oxygen
      environment is vasoconstriction and structural remodelling of pulmonary
      arterioles, leading to chronic elevation of pulmonary artery pressure (pulmonary
      hypertension) and right ventricular hypertrophy. Some mammals, however, exhibit
      genetic resistance to hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension. We used a congenic
      breeding program and comparative genomics to exploit this variation in the rat
      and identified the gene Slc39a12 as a major regulator of hypoxia-induced
      pulmonary vascular remodelling. Slc39a12 encodes the zinc transporter ZIP12. Here
      we report that ZIP12 expression is increased in many cell types, including
      endothelial, smooth muscle and interstitial cells, in the remodelled pulmonary
      arterioles of rats, cows and humans susceptible to hypoxia-induced pulmonary
      hypertension. We show that ZIP12 expression in pulmonary vascular smooth muscle
      cells is hypoxia dependent and that targeted inhibition of ZIP12 inhibits the
      rise in intracellular labile zinc in hypoxia-exposed pulmonary vascular smooth
      muscle cells and their proliferation in culture. We demonstrate that genetic
      disruption of ZIP12 expression attenuates the development of pulmonary
      hypertension in rats housed in a hypoxic atmosphere. This new and unexpected
      insight into the fundamental role of a zinc transporter in mammalian pulmonary
      vascular homeostasis suggests a new drug target for the pharmacological
      management of pulmonary hypertension. 

PMID- 26258303
TI  - Measurement-based control of a mechanical oscillator at its thermal decoherence
      rate.
AB  - In real-time quantum feedback protocols, the record of a continuous measurement
      is used to stabilize a desired quantum state. Recent years have seen successful
      applications of these protocols in a variety of well-isolated micro-systems,
      including microwave photons and superconducting qubits. However, stabilizing the
      quantum state of a tangibly massive object, such as a mechanical oscillator,
      remains very challenging: the main obstacle is environmental decoherence, which
      places stringent requirements on the timescale in which the state must be
      measured. Here we describe a position sensor that is capable of resolving the
      zero-point motion of a solid-state, 4.3-megahertz nanomechanical oscillator in
      the timescale of its thermal decoherence, a basic requirement for real-time
      (Markovian) quantum feedback control tasks, such as ground-state preparation. The
      sensor is based on evanescent optomechanical coupling to a high-Q microcavity,
      and achieves an imprecision four orders of magnitude below that at the standard
      quantum limit for a weak continuous position measurement--a 100-fold improvement
      over previous reports--while maintaining an imprecision-back-action product that
      is within a factor of five of the Heisenberg uncertainty limit. As a
      demonstration of its utility, we use the measurement as an error signal with
      which to feedback cool the oscillator. Using radiation pressure as an actuator,
      the oscillator is cold damped with high efficiency: from a cryogenic-bath
      temperature of 4.4 kelvin to an effective value of 1.1 +/- 0.1 millikelvin,
      corresponding to a mean phonon number of 5.3 +/- 0.6 (that is, a ground-state
      probability of 16 per cent). Our results set a new benchmark for the performance
      of a linear position sensor, and signal the emergence of mechanical oscillators
      as practical subjects for measurement-based quantum control.

PMID- 26258302
TI  - Mutations in DCHS1 cause mitral valve prolapse.
AB  - Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is a common cardiac valve disease that affects nearly
      1 in 40 individuals. It can manifest as mitral regurgitation and is the leading
      indication for mitral valve surgery. Despite a clear heritable component, the
      genetic aetiology leading to non-syndromic MVP has remained elusive. Four
      affected individuals from a large multigenerational family segregating non
      syndromic MVP underwent capture sequencing of the linked interval on chromosome
      11. We report a missense mutation in the DCHS1 gene, the human homologue of the
      Drosophila cell polarity gene dachsous (ds), that segregates with MVP in the
      family. Morpholino knockdown of the zebrafish homologue dachsous1b resulted in a
      cardiac atrioventricular canal defect that could be rescued by wild-type human
      DCHS1, but not by DCHS1 messenger RNA with the familial mutation. Further genetic
      studies identified two additional families in which a second deleterious DCHS1
      mutation segregates with MVP. Both DCHS1 mutations reduce protein stability as
      demonstrated in zebrafish, cultured cells and, notably, in mitral valve
      interstitial cells (MVICs) obtained during mitral valve repair surgery of a
      proband. Dchs1(+/-) mice had prolapse of thickened mitral leaflets, which could
      be traced back to developmental errors in valve morphogenesis. DCHS1 deficiency
      in MVP patient MVICs, as well as in Dchs1(+/-) mouse MVICs, result in altered
      migration and cellular patterning, supporting these processes as aetiological
      underpinnings for the disease. Understanding the role of DCHS1 in mitral valve
      development and MVP pathogenesis holds potential for therapeutic insights for
      this very common disease. 

PMID- 26258306
TI  - Corrigendum: Bipolar seesaw control on last interglacial sea level.

PMID- 26258305
TI  - Structural basis of JAZ repression of MYC transcription factors in jasmonate
      signalling.
AB  - The plant hormone jasmonate plays crucial roles in regulating plant responses to
      herbivorous insects and microbial pathogens and is an important regulator of
      plant growth and development. Key mediators of jasmonate signalling include MYC
      transcription factors, which are repressed by jasmonate ZIM-domain (JAZ)
      transcriptional repressors in the resting state. In the presence of active
      jasmonate, JAZ proteins function as jasmonate co-receptors by forming a hormone
      dependent complex with COI1, the F-box subunit of an SCF-type ubiquitin E3
      ligase. The hormone-dependent formation of the COI1-JAZ co-receptor complex leads
      to ubiquitination and proteasome-dependent degradation of JAZ repressors and
      release of MYC proteins from transcriptional repression. The mechanism by which
      JAZ proteins repress MYC transcription factors and how JAZ proteins switch
      between the repressor function in the absence of hormone and the co-receptor
      function in the presence of hormone remain enigmatic. Here we show that
      Arabidopsis MYC3 undergoes pronounced conformational changes when bound to the
      conserved Jas motif of the JAZ9 repressor. The Jas motif, previously shown to
      bind to hormone as a partly unwound helix, forms a complete alpha-helix that
      displaces the amino (N)-terminal helix of MYC3 and becomes an integral part of
      the MYC N-terminal fold. In this position, the Jas helix competitively inhibits
      MYC3 interaction with the MED25 subunit of the transcriptional Mediator complex.
      Our structural and functional studies elucidate a dynamic molecular switch
      mechanism that governs the repression and activation of a major plant hormone
      pathway. 

PMID- 26258308
TI  - Linking phenotypes and modes of action through high-content screen fingerprints.
AB  - High-content screening (HCS) is a powerful technique for monitoring phenotypic
      responses to treatments on a cellular and subcellular level. Cellular phenotypes
      can be characterized by multivariate image readouts such as shape, intensity, or
      texture. The corresponding feature vectors can thus be defined as HCS
      fingerprints that serve as a powerful biological compound descriptor. Therefore,
      clustering or classification of HCS fingerprints across compound treatments
      allows for the identification of similarities in protein targets or pathways. We
      developed an HCS-based profiling panel that serves as basis for characterizing
      the mode of action of compounds. This panel measures phenotypic effects in six
      different compartments of U-2OS cells, namely the nucleus, the cytoplasm, the
      endoplasmic reticulum, the Golgi apparatus, and the cytoskeleton. We profiled a
      set of 2,725 well-annotated compounds and clustered their corresponding HCS
      fingerprints to establish links between predominant cellular phenotypes and
      cellular processes and protein targets. We found various different clusters
      enriched for individual targets (e.g., HDAC, HSP90, TOP1, HMGCR, TUB), signaling
      pathways (e.g., PIK3/AKT/mTOR), or gene sets associated with diseases (e.g.,
      psoriasis, leukemia). Based on this clustering we were able to identify novel
      compound-target associations for selected compounds such as a submicromolar
      inhibitory activity of Silmitasertib (a casein kinase inhibitor) on PI3K and
      mTOR. 

PMID- 26258309
TI  - What happened to surgical leadership?

PMID- 26258310
TI  - Combined preoperative mechanical bowel preparation with oral antibiotics
      significantly reduces surgical site infection, anastomotic leak, and ileus after
      colorectal surgery.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To clarify whether bowel preparation use or its individual components
      [mechanical bowel preparation (MBP)/oral antibiotics] impact specific outcomes
      after colorectal surgery. METHODS: National Surgical Quality Improvement Program
      targeted colectomy data initiated in 2012 capture information on the use/type of
      bowel preparation and colorectal-specific complications. For patients undergoing
      elective colorectal resection, the impact of preoperative MBP and antibiotics
      (MBP+/ABX+), MBP alone (MBP+/ABX-), and no bowel preparation (no-prep) on
      outcomes, particularly anastomotic leak, surgical site infection (SSI), and
      ileus, were evaluated using unadjusted/adjusted logistic regression analysis.
      RESULTS: Of 8442 patients, 2296 (27.2%) had no-prep, 3822 (45.3%) MBP+/ABX-, and
      2324 (27.5%) MBP+/ABX+. Baseline characteristics were similar; however, there
      were marginally more patients with prior sepsis, ascites, steroid use, bleeding
      disorders, and disseminated cancer in no-prep. MBP with or without antibiotics
      was associated with reduced ileus [MBP+/ABX+: odds ratio (OR) = 0.57, 95%
      confidence interval (CI): 0.48-0.68; MBP+/ABX-: OR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.68-0.91] and
      SSI [MBP+/ABX+: OR = 0.39, 95% CI: 0.32-0.48; MBP+/ABX-: OR = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.69
      0.93] versus no-prep. MBP+/ABX+ was also associated with lower anastomotic leak
      rate than no-prep [OR = 0.45 (95% CI: 0.32-0.64)]. On multivariable analysis, MBP
      with antibiotics, but not without, was independently associated with reduced
      anastomotic leak (OR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.35-0.94), SSI (OR = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.31
      0.53), and postoperative ileus (OR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.56-0.90). CONCLUSIONS: These
      data clarify the near 50-year debate whether bowel preparation improves outcomes
      after colorectal resection. MBP with oral antibiotics reduces by nearly half,
      SSI, anastomotic leak, and ileus, the most common and troublesome complications
      after colorectal surgery.

PMID- 26258311
TI  - Transfusion of cryopreserved packed red blood cells is safe and effective after
      trauma: a prospective randomized trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To determine the safety and efficacy of cryopreserved packed red
      blood cell (CPRBC) transfusion in trauma patients. BACKGROUND: Liquid packed red
      blood cells (LPRBCs) have an abbreviated shelf-life and worsening storage lesion
      with age. CPRBCs are frozen 2 to 6 days after donation, stored up to 10 years,
      and are available for 14 days after thawing and washing. CPRBCs can be utilized
      in diverse settings, but the effect on clinical outcomes is unknown. METHODS: We
      performed a prospective, randomized, double-blind study at 5 level 1 trauma
      centers. Stable trauma patients requiring transfusion were randomized to young
      LPRBCs (<=14 storage days), old LPRBCs (>14 storage days), or CPRBCs. Tissue
      oxygenation (StO2), biochemical and inflammatory mediators were measured, and
      clinical outcomes were determined. RESULTS: Two hundred fifty-six patients with
      well-matched injury severity and demographics (P > 0.2) were randomized (84
      young, 86 old, and 86 CPRBCs). Pretransfusion and final hematocrits were similar
      (P > 0.68). Patients in all groups received the same number of units
      postrandomization (2 [1-4]; P > 0.05). There was no difference in the change in
      tissue oxygenation between groups. CPRBCs contained less alpha2-macrogobulin,
      haptoglobin, C-reactive protein, and serum amyloid P (P < 0.001). Organ failure,
      infection rate, and mortality did not differ between groups (P > 0.2).
      CONCLUSIONS: Transfusion of CPRBCs is as safe and effective as transfusion of
      young and old LPRBCs and provides a mechanism to deliver PRBCs in a wide variety
      of settings.

PMID- 26258312
TI  - Changing paradigms in the management of 2184 patients with traumatic brain
      injury.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the change in trends in the
      management of traumatic brain injury (TBI) at a level I trauma center and the
      utilization of resources as a result of this change in management. BACKGROUND:
      The management of TBI has been evolving with trends toward management of
      minimally injured patients with intracranial hemorrhage exclusively by trauma
      surgeons. METHODS: A 5-year (2009-2014) prospective database on all patients with
      TBI (skull fracture/intracranial hemorrhage on head computed tomography)
      presenting to a level I trauma center was analyzed for patient demographics,
      injuries, admission physiology, computed tomographic scan results, and hospital
      outcomes. These records were matched to the institutional registry and hospital
      financial database. RESULTS: A total of 2184 patients were included with median
      (interquartile range) Glasgow Coma Scale score of 15 (12-15), and median
      (interquartile range) head-abbreviated injury scale score of 3 (2-4). The
      distribution of types and size of intracranial bleeds remained unchanged
      throughout the study period. The proportion of TBI managed exclusively by trauma
      surgeons increased significantly over the years from 6.8% to 40.1% (P < 0.001).
      Proportion of patients who received neurosurgical consultations (P < 0.001) and
      repeat head computed tomographic scans (P < 0.001), hospital length of stay (P =
      0.028), and costs (P < 0.001) decreased significantly over time. The overall
      mortality rate (18.5%) and rate of intervention (14.1%) remained unchanged.
      CONCLUSIONS: TBI patients can be selectively managed without initially involving
      neurosurgeons safely in a cost-effective manner, resulting in more effective use
      of precious resources.

PMID- 26258313
TI  - Factors influencing the decision of surgery residency graduates to pursue general
      surgery practice versus fellowship.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Surgery residency serves 2 purposes-prepare graduates for general
      surgery (GS) practice or postresidency surgical fellowship, leading to specialty
      surgical practice (SS). This study was undertaken to elucidate factors
      influencing career choice for these 2 groups. METHODS: All US allopathic surgery
      residency graduates from 2009 to 2013 (n = 5512) were surveyed by the American
      Board of Surgery regarding confidence, autonomy, and reasons for career selection
      between GS and SS. Surveys were distributed by mail in November 2013, with follow
      up mailings to initial nonrespondents. RESULTS: Sixty-one percent (3354) of
      graduates completed the survey; 26% pursued GS, and 74% SS. GS expressed greater
      levels of confidence than SS across the common surgical procedures queried.
      Confidence increased with each year after completion of residency for GS but not
      SS. The decision to pursue GS or SS was made during residency by 77% and 74%,
      respectively. Fifty-seven percent of those who chose GS indicated that a GS
      mentor significantly influenced their decision. GS rated procedural variety,
      opportunity for practice autonomy, choice of practice location, and influence of
      a mentor as reasons to pursue GS practice. SS listed control over scope of
      practice, prestige, salary, and specialty interest as reasons to pursue SF. Both
      groups expressed a high degree of satisfaction with their career choice (GS, 94%;
      SS, 90%). CONCLUSIONS: Most graduates who pursue GS practice are confident and
      content. The decision to pursue GS is strongly influenced by a GS mentor. Lack of
      confidence may be a more significant factor for choosing SS. These findings
      suggest opportunities for improvements in confidence and mentorship during
      residency.

PMID- 26258314
TI  - Long-term outcomes of helper peptide vaccination for metastatic melanoma.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare the long-term outcome of
      patients with metastatic melanoma vaccinated with 6MHP to that of a group of
      unvaccinated historical controls. BACKGROUND: A multipeptide vaccine (6MHP),
      designed to induce helper T cells against melanocytic and cancer-testis antigens,
      has been shown to induce specific Th1-dominant CD4+ T cell responses. METHODS:
      The 6MHP vaccine was administered to patients with metastatic melanoma.
      Circulating CD4+ T cell responses were measured by proliferation or direct IFN
      gamma ELIspot assay. Overall survival of vaccinated patients was compared to a
      group of clinically comparable historical controls using multivariable Cox
      regression analysis and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, taking into account age,
      metastatic site, and resection status. RESULTS: Across 40 vaccinated patients and
      87 controls, resection status (HR 0.54, P = 0.004) and vaccination (HR 0.24, P <
      0.001) were associated with improved overall survival. Forty pairs of vaccinated
      patients and controls were matched by metastatic site, resection status, and age
      within 10 years. Median survival was significantly longer for vaccinated patients
      (5.4 vs 1.3 years, P < 0.001). Among the vaccinated patients, the development of
      a specific immune response after vaccination was associated with improved
      survival (HR 0.35, P = 0.040). CONCLUSIONS: Helper peptide vaccination is
      associated with improved overall survival among patients with metastatic
      melanoma. These data support a randomized prospective trial of the 6MHP vaccine.

PMID- 26258315
TI  - Defining long-term outcomes with living donor liver transplantation in North
      America.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To compare long-term survival of living donor liver transplant (LDLT)
      at experienced transplant centers with outcomes of deceased donor liver
      transplant and identify key variables impacting patient and graft survival.
      BACKGROUND: The Adult-to-Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation Cohort Study is
      a prospective multicenter National Institutes of Health study comparing outcomes
      of LDLT and deceased donor liver transplant and associated risks. METHODS:
      Mortality and graft failure for 1427 liver recipients (963 LDLT) enrolled in the
      Adult-to-Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation Cohort Study who received
      transplant between January 1, 1998, and January 31, 2014, at 12 North American
      centers with median follow-up 6.7 years were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier and
      multivariable Cox models. RESULTS: Survival probability at 10 years was 70% for
      LDLT and 64% for deceased donor liver transplant. Unadjusted survival was higher
      with LDLT (hazard ratio = 0.76, P = 0.02) but attenuated after adjustment (hazard
      ratio = 0.98, P = 0.90) as LDLT recipients had lower mean model for end-stage
      liver disease (15.5 vs 20.4) and fewer received transplant from intensive care
      unit, were inpatient, on dialysis, were ventilated, or with ascites.
      Posttransplant intensive care unit days were less for LDLT recipients. For all
      recipients, female sex and primary sclerosing cholangitis were associated with
      improved survival, whereas dialysis and older recipient/donor age were associated
      with worse survival. Higher model for end-stage liver disease score was
      associated with increased graft failure. Era of transplantation and type of
      donated lobe did not impact survival in LDLT. CONCLUSIONS: LDLT provides
      significant long-term transplant benefit, resulting in transplantation at a lower
      model for end-stage liver disease score, decreased death on waitlist, and
      excellent posttransplant outcomes. Recipient diagnosis, disease severity, renal
      failure, and ages of recipient and donor should be considered in decision making
      regarding timing of transplant and donor options.Clinical Trials ID: NCT00096733.

PMID- 26258316
TI  - Resection margin and survival in 2368 patients undergoing hepatic resection for
      metastatic colorectal cancer: surgical technique or biologic surrogate?
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The impact of margin width on overall survival (OS) in the context of
      other prognostic factors after resection for colorectal liver metastases is
      unclear. We evaluated the relationship between resection margin and OS utilizing
      high-resolution histologic distance measurements. METHODS: A single-institution
      prospectively maintained database was queried for all patients who underwent an
      initial complete resection of colorectal liver metastases between 1992 and 2012.
      R1 resection was defined as tumor cells at the resection margin (0 mm). R0
      resection was further divided into 3 groups: 0.1 to 0.9 mm, 1 to 9 mm, and 10 mm
      or greater. RESULTS: A total of 4915 liver resections were performed at Memorial
      Sloan Kettering Cancer Center between 1992 and 2012, from which 2368 patients
      were included in the current study. Half of the patients presented with
      synchronous disease, 43% had solitary metastasis, and the median tumor size was
      3.4 cm. With a median follow-up for survivors of 55 months, the median OS of the
      R1, 0.1 to 0.9 mm, 1 to 9 mm, and 10 mm or more groups was 32, 40, 53, and 56
      months, respectively (P < 0.001). Compared with R1 resection, all margin widths,
      including submillimeter margins correlated with prolonged OS (P < 0.05). The
      association between the margin width and OS remained significant when adjusted
      for all other clinicopathologic prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS: Resection margin
      width is independently associated with OS. Wide margins should be attempted
      whenever possible. However, resection should not be precluded if narrow margins
      are anticipated, as submillimeter margin clearance is associated with improved
      survival. The prolonged OS observed with submillimeter margins is likely a
      microscopic surrogate for the biologic behavior of a tumor rather than the result
      of surgical technique.

PMID- 26258317
TI  - Treatment of 200 locally advanced (stage III) pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients
      with irreversible electroporation: safety and efficacy.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Ablative therapies have been increasingly utilized in the treatment
      of locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC). Irreversible electroporation (IRE)
      is an energy delivery system, effective in ablating tumors by inducing
      irreversible membrane destruction of cells. We aimed to demonstrate efficacy of
      treatment with IRE as part of multimodal treatment of LAPC. METHODS: From July
      2010 to October 2014, patients with radiographic stage III LAPC were treated with
      IRE and monitored under a multicenter, prospective institutional review board
      approved registry. Perioperative 90-day outcomes, local failure, and overall
      survival were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 200 patients with LAPC underwent IRE
      alone (n = 150) or pancreatic resection plus IRE for margin enhancement (n = 50).
      All patients underwent induction chemotherapy, and 52% received chemoradiation
      therapy as well for a median of 6 months (range, 5-13 months) before IRE. IRE was
      successfully performed in all patients. Thirty-seven percent of patients
      sustained complications, with a median grade of 2 (range, 1-5). Median length of
      stay was 6 days (range, 4-36 days). With a median follow-up of 29 months, 6
      patients (3%) have experienced local recurrence. Median overall survival was 24.9
      months (range: 4.9-85 months). CONCLUSIONS: For patients with LAPC (stage III),
      the addition of IRE to conventional chemotherapy and radiation therapy results in
      substantially prolonged survival compared with historical controls. These results
      suggest that ablative control of the primary tumor may prolong survival.

PMID- 26258318
TI  - Prospective randomized double-blinded trial comparing 2 anti-MRSA agents with
      supplemental coverage of cefazolin before lower extremity revascularization.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare with antibiotics with methicillin-resistant microbial
      coverage in a prospective fashion. BACKGROUND: Current antibiotic prophylaxis for
      vascular procedures includes a first generation cephalosporin. No changes in
      recommendations have occurred despite changes in reports of incidence of MRSA
      related surgical site infections. Does supplemental anti-MRSA prophylactic
      coverage provide a significant reduction in Gram-positive or MRSA infections?
      METHODS: Single center prospective double blinded randomized study of patients
      undergoing lower extremity vascular procedures from 2011 to 2014. One hundred
      seventy-eight (178) patients were evaluated at 90 days for surgical site
      infection. Infections were categorized as early infections less than 30 days of
      the index procedure and late after 90 days. RESULTS: Early vascular surgical site
      infection occurred in 7(8.24%) of patients in the Vancomycin arm, and 11 (11.83%)
      in the Daptomycin arm (P = 0.43). Gram-positive related infections and MRSA
      infections occurred in 1(1.18%)/0(0%) of Vancomycin patients and 9 (9.68%)/1
      (1.08%) of Daptomycin patients, respectively (P < 0.02 and P = 1.00).
      Readmissions related to surgical site infections occurred in 4(4.71%) in the
      Vancomycin group and 11 (11.8%) in the Daptomycin group (P = 0.11). Patients
      undergoing operative exploration occurred in 5 (5.88%) in the Vancomycin group
      and 10 (10.75%) of the Daptomycin group (P = 0.17). Late infections were reported
      in 3 patients, 2 of which were in the combined Daptomycin group. Median hospital
      charges related to readmissions due to a surgical site infection was $50,823 in
      the combination Vancomycin arm and $110,920 in the combination Daptomycin group;
      however, no statistical significance was appreciated (P = 0.11). CONCLUSIONS:
      Vancomycin supplemental prophylaxis seems to reduce the incidence of Gram
      positive infection compared with adding supplemental Daptomycin prophylaxis. The
      Incidence of MRSA-related surgical site infections is low with the addition of
      either anti-MRSA agents compared with historical incidence of MRSA-related
      infection.

PMID- 26258319
TI  - Early versus late readmission after surgery among patients with employer-provided
      health insurance.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To define the incidence of 90-day readmission and characterize the
      factors associated with 90-day readmission after 10 major surgical procedures.
      BACKGROUND: Most data on readmission focus solely on same hospital readmission
      (index hospitals) within 30 days of discharge. These studies may underestimate
      readmission, as patients may be readmitted beyond 30 days of discharge or to
      other non-index hospitals. METHODS: Patients discharged after 10 major surgical
      procedures (coronary artery bypass grafting, abdominal aortic aneurysm repair,
      carotid endarterectomy, aortic valve replacement, esophagectomy, pancreatectomy,
      pulmonary resection, hepatectomy, colectomy, and cystectomy) between 2010 and
      2012 were identified from the Truven Health MarketScan Commercial Claims and
      Encounters database. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to
      identify determinants of early (<=30 days) and late (31-90 days) readmission.
      RESULTS: A total of 158,753 patients were identified; 60.3% were male, and 42.3%
      had a Charlson Comorbidity Index of 2 or more. A total of 26,817 (16.9%) patients
      were readmitted within 90 days [early: 16,419 (10.4%) vs late: 10,398 (6.5%)].
      Among readmitted patients, 38.3% were readmitted to a different hospital than the
      index hospital. Both early and late readmissions were more common at the index
      versus non-index hospital (early: 83.9% vs 16.1%; late: 75.0% vs 25.0%; both P <
      0.001). In-hospital mortality after early readmission and late readmission was
      found to be lower at index hospitals than that at non-index hospitals (early;
      0.7% vs 2.5%, P = 0.04; late; 0.2% vs 2.0%, P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: More than one
      third of readmission occurred after 30 days of index discharge. Approximately 20%
      of patients were readmitted to non-index hospitals. Assessment of 30 day same
      hospital readmissions underestimated the true incidence of readmission.

PMID- 26258320
TI  - FAST ultrasound examination as a predictor of outcomes after resuscitative
      thoracotomy: a prospective evaluation.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine the ability of Focused
      Assessment Using Sonography for Trauma (FAST) to discriminate between survivors
      and nonsurvivors undergoing resuscitative thoracotomy (RT). BACKGROUND: RT is a
      high-risk, low-salvage procedure performed in arresting trauma patients with
      poorly defined indications. METHODS: Patients undergoing RT from 10/2010 to
      05/2014 were prospectively enrolled. A FAST examination including
      parasternal/subxiphoid cardiac views was performed before or concurrent with RT.
      The result was captured as adequate or inadequate with presence or absence of
      pericardial fluid and/or cardiac motion. A sensitivity analysis utilizing the
      primary outcome measure of survival to discharge or organ donation was performed.
      RESULTS: Overall, 187 patients arrived in traumatic arrest and underwent FAST.
      Median age 31 (1-84), 84.5% male, 51.3% penetrating. Loss of vital signs occurred
      at the scene in 48.1%, en-route in 23.5%, and in the ED in 28.3%. Emergent left
      thoracotomy was performed in 77.5% and clamshell thoracotomy in 22.5%. Sustained
      cardiac activity was regained in 48.1%. However, overall survival was only 3.2%.
      An additional 1.6% progressed to organ donation. FAST was inadequate in 3.7%,
      28.9% demonstrated cardiac motion and 8.6% pericardial fluid. Cardiac motion on
      FAST was 100% sensitive and 73.7% specific for the identification of survivors
      and organ donors. CONCLUSIONS: With a high degree of sensitivity for the
      detection of potential survivors after traumatic arrest, FAST represents an
      effective method of separating those that do not warrant the risk and resource
      burden of RT from those who may survive. The likelihood of survival if
      pericardial fluid and cardiac motion were both absent was zero.

PMID- 26258322
TI  - The Society of Thoracic Surgeons voluntary public reporting initiative: the first
      4 years.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate participant characteristics and outcomes during the first
      4 years of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) public reporting program.
      BACKGROUND: This is the first detailed analysis of a national, voluntary, cardiac
      surgery public reporting program using STS clinical registry data and National
      Quality Forum-endorsed performance measures. METHODS: The distributions of risk
      adjusted mortality rates, multidimensional composite performance scores, star
      ratings, and volumes for public reporting versus nonreporting sites were studied
      during 9 consecutive semiannual reporting periods (2010-2014). RESULTS: Among
      8929 unique observations (~1000 STS participant centers, 9 reporting periods),
      916 sites (10.3%) were classified low performing, 6801 (76.2%) were average, and
      1212 (13.6%) were high performing. STS public reporting participation varied from
      22.2% to 46.3% over the 9 reporting periods. Risk-adjusted, patient-level
      mortality rates for isolated coronary artery bypass grafting were consistently
      lower in public reporting versus nonreporting sites (P value range: <0.001
      0.0077). Reporting centers had higher composite performance scores and star
      ratings (23.2% high performing and 4.5% low performing vs 7.6% high performing
      and 13.8% low performing for nonreporting sites). STS public reporting sites had
      higher mean annualized coronary artery bypass grafting volumes than nonreporting
      sites (169 vs 145, P < 0.0001); high-performing programs had higher mean coronary
      artery bypass grafting volumes (n = 241) than average (n = 139) or low-performing
      (n = 153) sites. Risk factor prevalence (except reoperation) and expected
      mortality rates were generally stable during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: STS
      programs that voluntarily participate in public reporting have significantly
      higher volumes and performance. No evidence of risk aversion was found.

PMID- 26258321
TI  - Tumor genotype determines phenotype and disease-related outcomes in thyroid
      cancer: a study of 1510 patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To correlate thyroid cancer genotype with histology and outcomes.
      BACKGROUND: The prognostic significance of molecular signature in thyroid cancer
      (TC) is undefined but can potentially change surgical management. METHODS: We
      reviewed a consecutive series of 1510 patients who had initial thyroidectomy for
      TC with routine testing for BRAF, RAS, RET/PTC, and PAX8/PPARG alterations.
      Histologic metastatic or recurrent TC was tracked for 6 or more months after
      oncologic thyroidectomy. RESULTS: Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) was diagnosed in
      97% of patients and poorly differentiated/anaplastic TC in 1.1%. Genetic
      alterations were detected in 1039 (70%); the most common mutations were BRAFV600E
      (644/1039, 62%), and RAS isoforms (323/1039, 31%). BRAFV600E-positive PTC was
      often conventional or tall cell variant (58%), with frequent extrathyroidal
      extension (51%) and lymph node metastasis (46%). Conversely, RAS-positive PTC was
      commonly follicular variant (87%), with infrequent extrathyroidal extension
      (4.6%) and lymph node metastasis (5.6%). BRAFV600E and RET/PTC-positive PTCs were
      histologically similar. Analogously, RAS and PAX8/PPARG-positive PTCs were
      histologically similar. Compared with RAS or PAX8/PPARG-positive TCs, BRAFV600E
      or RET/PTC-positive TCs were more often associated with stage III/IV disease (40%
      vs 15%, P < 0.001) and recurrence (10% vs 0.7%, P < 0.001; mean follow-up 33 +/-
      21 mo). Distant metastasis was highest in patients with RET/PTC-positive TC
      (10.8%, P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: In this large study of prospective mutation
      testing in unselected patients with TC, molecular signature was associated with
      distinctive phenotypes including cancers, with higher risks of both distant
      metastasis and early recurrence. Preoperative genotype provides valuable
      prognostic data to appropriately inform surgery.

PMID- 26258323
TI  - Complete pathologic response to pretransplant locoregional therapy for
      hepatocellular carcinoma defines cancer cure after liver transplantation:
      analysis of 501 consecutively treated patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the rate, effect, and predictive factors of a complete
      pathologic response (cPR) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
      undergoing locoregional therapy (LRT) before liver transplantation (LT).
      BACKGROUND: Eligible patients with HCC receive equal model for end-stage liver
      disease prioritization, despite variable risks of tumor progression, waitlist
      dropout, and posttransplant recurrence. Pretransplant LRT mitigates these risks
      by inducing tumor necrosis. METHODS: Comparisons were made among HCC recipients
      with cPR (n = 126) and without cPR (n = 375) receiving pre-LT LRT (1994-2013).
      Multivariable predictors of cPR were identified. RESULTS: Of 501 patients, 272,
      148, and 81 received 1, 2, and 3 or more LRT treatments. The overall, recurrence
      free, and disease-specific survival at 1-, 3-, and 5 years was 86%, 71%, 63%;
      84%, 67%, 60%; and 97%, 90%, 87%. Compared with recipients without cPR, cPR
      patients had significantly lower laboratory model for end-stage liver disease
      scores, pretransplant alpha fetoprotein, and cumulative tumor diameters; were
      more likely to have 1 lesion, tumors within Milan/University of California, San
      Francisco (UCSF) criteria, LRT that included ablation, and a favorable tumor
      response to LRT; and had superior 1-, 3-, and 5-year recurrence-free survival
      (92%, 79%, and 73% vs 81%, 63%, and 56%; P = 0.006) and disease-specific survival
      (100%, 100%, and 99% vs 96%, 89%, and 86%; P < 0.001) with only 1 cancer-specific
      death and fewer recurrences (2.4% vs 15.2%; P < 0.001). Multivariate predictors
      of cPR included a favorable post-LRT radiologic/alpha fetoprotein tumor response,
      longer time interval from LRT to LT, and lower model for end-stage liver disease
      score and maximum tumor diameter (C-statistic 0.75). CONCLUSIONS: Achieving cPR
      in patients with HCC receiving LRT strongly predicts tumor-free survival. Factors
      predicting cPR are identified, allowing for differential prioritization of HCC
      recipients based on their variable risks of post-LT recurrence. Improving LRT
      strategies to maximize cPR would enhance posttransplant cancer outcomes.

PMID- 26258324
TI  - Collected world experience about the performance of the snorkel/chimney
      endovascular technique in the treatment of complex aortic pathologies: the
      PERICLES registry.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We sought to analyze the collected worldwide experience with use of
      snorkel/chimney endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) for complex abdominal
      aneurysm treatment. BACKGROUND: EVAR has largely replaced open surgery worldwide
      for anatomically suitable aortic aneurysms. Lack of availability of fenestrated
      and branched devices has encouraged an alternative strategy utilizing parallel or
      snorkel/chimney grafts (ch-EVAR). METHODS: Clinical and radiographic information
      was retrospectively reviewed and analyzed on 517 patients treated by ch-EVAR from
      2008 from 2014 by prearranged defined and documented protocols. RESULTS: A total
      of 119 patients in US centers and 398 in European centers were treated during the
      study period. US centers preferentially used Zenith stent-grafts (54.2%) and
      European centers Endurant stent-grafts (62.2%) for the main body component.
      Overall 898 chimney grafts (49.2% balloon expandable, 39.6% self-expanding
      covered stents, and 11.2% balloon expandable bare metal stents) were placed in
      692 renal arteries, 156 superior mesenteric arteries (SMA), and 50 celiac
      arteries. At a mean follow-up of 17.1 months (range: 1-70 months), primary
      patency was 94%, with secondary patency of 95.3%. Overall survival of patients in
      this high-risk cohort for open repair at latest follow-up was 79%. CONCLUSIONS:
      This global experience represents the largest series in the ch-EVAR literature
      and demonstrates comparable outcomes to those in published reports of
      branched/fenestrated devices, suggesting the appropriateness of broader
      applicability and the need for continued careful surveillance. These results
      support ch-EVAR as a valid off-the-shelf and immediately available alternative in
      the treatment of complex abdominal EVAR and provide impetus for the
      standardization of these techniques in the future.

PMID- 26258325
TI  - The Adult Phenotype of Tuberous Sclerosis Complex.

PMID- 26258326
TI  - Hydrogen alpha laser ablation plasma diagnostics.
AB  - Spectral measurements of the H(alpha) Balmer series line and the continuum
      radiation are applied to draw inferences of electron density, temperature, and
      the level of self-absorption in laser ablation of a solid ice target in ambient
      air. Electron densities of 17 to 3.2*10(24) m(-3) are determined from absolute
      calibrated emission coefficients for time delays of 100-650 ns after generation
      of laser plasma using Q-switched Nd:YAG radiation. The corresponding temperatures
      of 4.5-0.95 eV were evaluated from the absolute spectral radiance of the
      continuum at the longer wavelengths. The redshifted, Stark-broadened hydrogen
      alpha line emerges from the continuum radiation after a time delay of 300 ns. The
      electron densities inferred from power law formulas agree with the values
      obtained from the plasma emission coefficients.

PMID- 26258327
TI  - High Purcell factor in fiber Bragg gratings utilizing the fundamental slow-light
      mode.
AB  - We demonstrate through numerical simulations that the slow-light resonances that
      exist in strong, apodized fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) fabricated with femtosecond
      pulses in deuterium-loaded fibers can exhibit very large intensity enhancements
      and Purcell factors with the proper optimization of their length. This potential
      is illustrated with two saturated FBGs that are less than 5 mm long and have been
      annealed to reduce their internal loss. The first one exhibits the largest
      measured Purcell factor in an all-fiber device (38.7), and the second one
      exhibits the largest intensity enhancement (1525). These devices are anticipated
      to have significant applications in quantum-dot lasers, nonlinear fiber devices,
      and cavity quantum-electrodynamics experiments. 

PMID- 26258328
TI  - Characterization of C-apertures in a successful demonstration of heat-assisted
      magnetic recording.
AB  - An optical pump-probe setup was used to measure the coercivity change in a heat
      assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) medium. The incident optical power required to
      attain the Curie temperature of the medium was determined by calculating its
      coercivity from BH loops under different illuminating laser powers through use of
      the Kerr signal in the pump-probe setup. The HAMR medium was then illuminated
      through an array of square and C-shaped nanoapertures so that the necessary laser
      power required for magnetic reversal could be compared to the bulk case. Magnetic
      force microscopy and Kerr microscopy revealed that C-apertures were able to
      permit heating of the magnetic medium and lower the coercivity to achieve
      magnetic reversal whereas the square apertures were not. The results show that
      aperture shape and design play a large role in HAMR head designs. 

PMID- 26258329
TI  - Photonic crystal fiber polarization rotator based on the topological Zeeman
      effect.
AB  - A photonic crystal fiber polarization rotator (PR) is proposed based on the
      topological Zeeman effect. The proposed PR is achieved by permanently twisting a
      segment of sixfold symmetric photonic crystal fiber with a matched length, and
      under the optimized parameters, the PR can offer an almost 100% polarization
      conversion ratio in the wavelength of 1.55-MUm band (~200  nm bandwidth) and a
      compact length of about 157 MUm based on the numerical simulation result of the
      full-vector finite-element method. The proposed in-line PCF PR can be easily
      fabricated based on state-of-art PCF manufacturing, and it is a potential
      inexpensive candidate in the application of modern communication systems.

PMID- 26258330
TI  - Sinusoidal ghost imaging.
AB  - We introduce sinusoidal ghost imaging (SGI), which uses 2D orthogonal sinusoidal
      patterns instead of random patterns in "computational ghost imaging" (CGI).
      Simulations and experiments are performed. In comparison with the"differential
      ghost imaging" algorithm that was used to improve the SNR of ghost imaging,
      results of SGI show about 3 orders of magnitude higher SNR, which can be
      reconstructed even with a much smaller number of patterns. More importantly,
      based on the results, SGI provides the great opportunity to generate innate
      processed images by predefined selection of patterns. This can speed up detection
      process considerably and paves the way for real applications. 

PMID- 26258331
TI  - Branch-cut algorithm for optical phase unwrapping.
AB  - In this Letter, a proposal addressing the problem of two-dimensional phase
      unwrapping based on the theory of residues is presented. Here, wrapped phase maps
      with shifted phase jumps are used to balance residue charges. With this approach,
      we seek to minimize processing time and residue connection, which is essential in
      the development of branch-cut algorithms. Finally, a phase-unwrapping algorithm
      is applied to these wrapped maps, generated by Fourier transform profilometry to
      obtain three-dimensional profiles of objects illuminated by photorefractive moire
      like patterns generated in an experiment of real-time dynamic holography, and by
      fringe patterns generated with a Michelson interferometer. 

PMID- 26258332
TI  - Two-frame tilt-shift error estimation and phase demodulation algorithm.
AB  - We present an algorithm capable of performing fringe pattern phase demodulation
      from two frames with unknown, linearly nonuniform phase shift, i.e., under
      presence of the tilt-shift error. The method consists of intensity-based
      filtration of the tilt-shift component and subsequent two steps of a nonlinear
      error functional minimization. We verify the algorithm performance and robustness
      using both simulated and experimental data, indicating high accuracy of the
      presented method and its good numerical properties. Both small and large tilts
      can be treated. The Letter is complemented by numerical codes available online in
      Wielgus, "Two-frame tilt-shift error estimation and phase demodulation algorithm"
      (2015). 

PMID- 26258333
TI  - In situ characterization of few-cycle laser pulses in transient absorption
      spectroscopy.
AB  - Attosecond transient absorption spectroscopy has thus far been lacking the
      capability to simultaneously characterize the intense laser pulses at work within
      a time-resolved quantum-dynamics experiment. However, precise knowledge of these
      pulses is key to extracting quantitative information in strong-field highly
      nonlinear light-matter interactions. Here, we introduce and experimentally
      demonstrate an ultrafast metrology tool based on the time-delay-dependent phase
      shift imprinted on a strong-field-driven resonance. Since we analyze the
      signature of the laser pulse interacting with the absorbing spectroscopy target,
      the laser pulse duration and intensity are determined in situ. As we also show,
      this approach allows for the quantification of time-dependent bound-state
      dynamics in one and the same experiment. In the future, such experimental data
      will facilitate more precise tests of strong-field dynamics theories. 

PMID- 26258334
TI  - Generation of Kerr combs centered at 4.5 MUm in crystalline microresonators
      pumped with quantum-cascade lasers.
AB  - We report on the generation of mid-infrared Kerr frequency combs in high-finesse
      CaF2 and MgF2 whispering-gallery-mode resonators pumped with continuous-wave room
      temperature quantum cascade lasers. The combs were centered at 4.5 MUm, the
      longest wavelength to date. A frequency comb wider than one half of an octave was
      demonstrated when approximately 20 mW of pump power was coupled to an MgF2
      resonator characterized with quality factor exceeding 10(8).

PMID- 26258335
TI  - Fresnel transform as a projection onto a Nijboer-Zernike basis set.
AB  - The Fresnel transform is widely used in optics to calculate the free-space
      propagation of paraxial fields. Generally, there is no analytical solution for
      the Fresnel transform; therefore, the numerical methods are used often. In this
      Letter, we propose a new semi-analytical method to calculate the Fresnel
      transform, which is based on an extended Nijboer-Zernike theory. We calculate two
      examples to investigate how the sampling rate and maximal number of Zernike
      polynomials affect the accuracy of our results, and then use this method to
      calculate the reconstruction of two different kinds of holograms. At the end, we
      discuss the advantages and disadvantages of our method. 

PMID- 26258336
TI  - Remote mid-infrared photoacoustic spectroscopy with a quantum cascade laser.
AB  - We demonstrate non-contact remote photoacoustic spectroscopy in the mid-infrared
      region. A room-temperature-operated pulsed external-cavity quantum cascade laser
      is used to excite photoacoustic waves within a semitransparent sample. The
      ultrasonic waves are detected remotely on the opposite side of the sample using a
      fiber-optic Mach-Zehnder interferometer, thereby avoiding problems associated
      with acoustic attenuation in air. We present the theoretical background of the
      proposed technique and demonstrate measurements on a thin polystyrene film. The
      obtained absorption spectrum in the region of 1030-1230  cm(-1) is compared to a
      spectrum obtained by attenuated total reflection, showing reasonable agreement.

PMID- 26258337
TI  - Characterization of nonlinear properties of black phosphorus nanoplatelets with
      femtosecond pulsed Z-scan measurements.
AB  - The nonlinear properties of black phosphorus (BP) nanoplatelets (NPs) have been
      characterized with Z-scan measurements under 800-nm femtosecond pulsed laser
      excitation. A transition from saturable absorption (SA) to reverse saturable
      absorption (RSA) with the increase of laser intensity was observed in the open
      aperture (OA) measurements. Simultaneously, closed-aperture (CA) measurements
      were carried out to investigate the nonlinear refractive index of BP NPs
      together, and a value of n(2) ?(6.8+/-0.2)*10(-13) m2/W was obtained. The
      nonlinear absorption properties were analyzed according to the band structure of
      BP. A theoretical analysis based on SA and two-photon absorption (TPA) was used
      to determine the nonlinear absorption coefficients from the experimental results,
      and the TPA coefficient at 800 nm was estimated about (4.5+/-0.2)*10(-10) m/W.

PMID- 26258338
TI  - Label-free imaging of thick tissue at 1550 nm using a femtosecond optical
      parametric generator.
AB  - We have developed a simple wavelength-tunable optical parametric generator (OPG),
      emitting broadband ultrashort pulses with peak wavelengths at 1530-1790 nm, for
      nonlinear label-free microscopy. The OPG consists of a periodically poled lithium
      niobate crystal, pumped at 1064 nm by a ultrafast Yb:fiber laser with high pulse
      energy. We demonstrate that this OPG can be used for label-free imaging, by third
      harmonic generation, of nuclei of brain cells and blood vessels in a >150 MUm
      thick brain tissue section, with very little decay of intensity with imaging
      depth and no visible damage to the tissue at an incident average power of 15 mW.

PMID- 26258339
TI  - Adaptive mode control based on a fiber Bragg grating.
AB  - We experimentally demonstrated adaptive control of linearly polarized (LP) modes
      in a two-mode fiber. Our method is based on a stepwise adaptive optics algorithm,
      with feedback determined by the relative magnitude of optical power reflected by
      a fiber Bragg grating and the transmitted power. Selective excitations of the
      LP01 and LP11 modes are experimentally shown.

PMID- 26258340
TI  - Spatiotemporal pulse shaping using resonant diffraction gratings.
AB  - We propose a new theoretical model describing spatiotemporal transformations of
      two-dimensional optical pulses by resonant diffraction gratings. The diffraction
      of the pulse is described in terms of a linear system. Simple analytical
      approximations for the transfer function and the impulse response of the system
      are derived. The derived approximations contain five independent parameters,
      which can be estimated using the rigorous coupled-wave analysis. The presented
      numerical simulation results demonstrate that the resonant grating can perform
      complex pulse transformations, such as the simultaneous spatial and temporal
      differentiation of the optical pulse envelope. 

PMID- 26258341
TI  - Diffraction by three-dimensional slit-shape curves: decomposition in terms of
      Airy and Pearcey functions.
AB  - We analyze the diffraction field generated by coherent illumination of a three
      dimensional transmittance characterized by a slit-shape curve. Generic features
      are obtained using the Frenet-Serret equations, which allow a decomposition of
      the optical field. The analysis is performed by describing the influence of the
      curvature and torsion on osculating, normal, and rectifying planes. We show that
      the diffracted field has a decomposition in three optical fields propagating
      along three optical axes that are mutually perpendicular. The decomposition is in
      terms of the Pearcey and Airy functions, and the generalized Airy function.
      Experimental results are shown. 

PMID- 26258342
TI  - Simple all-PM-fiber laser mode-locked with a nonlinear loop mirror.
AB  - In this Letter, we present a figure-eight all-PM-fiber laser oscillator design
      with a nonlinear optical loop mirror as an artificial saturable absorber. Unlike
      previous constructions using the same mode-locking technique, our cavity is
      constructed entirely of polarization-maintaining (PM) fibers, making the
      oscillator more resistant to thermal and mechanical perturbations. Two simple and
      robust laser configurations that differ by the output coupling ratio (70% or 30%)
      are presented. The first configuration delivers high energy pulses of 3.5 nJ, and
      the second configuration delivers pulses of 1.6 nJ at a common repetition rate of
      15 MHz. In either configuration, the pulsed operation is stable, and the laser
      operates in a single pulse train regime, even for pump powers approaching twice
      the power required for mode-locking. We have also observed that, at higher
      intracavity powers, stimulated Raman scattering plays a significant role.

PMID- 26258343
TI  - Design of mechanically-tunable photonic crystal split-beam nanocavity.
AB  - Photonic crystal split-beam nanocavities allow for ultra-sensitive optomechanical
      transductions but are degraded due to their relatively low optical quality
      factors. We have proposed and experimentally demonstrated a new type of one
      dimensional photonic crystal split-beam nanocavity optimized for an ultra-high
      optical-quality factor. The design is based on the combination of the
      deterministic method and hill-climbing algorithm. The latter is the simplest and
      most straightforward method of the local search algorithm that provides the local
      maximum of the chosen quality factors. This split-beam nanocavity is made up of
      two mechanical uncoupled cantilever beams with Bragg mirrors patterned onto it
      and separated by a 75-nm air gap. Experimental results emphasize that the quality
      factor of the second-order TE mode can be as high as 1.99*10(4). Additionally,
      one beam of the device is actuated in the lateral direction with the aid of a
      NEMS actuator, and the quality factor maintains quite well even if there is a
      lateral offset up to 64 nm. Potentially promising applications, such as sensitive
      optomechanical torque sensor, local tuning of Fano resonance, all-optical
      reconfigurable filters, etc., are foreseen.

PMID- 26258344
TI  - Photonic microwave phase shifter based on dual-sideband phase-control technique.
AB  - An all-optical photonic microwave phase shifter that can realize a continuous 0
      degrees -360 degrees  phase shift is presented. The phase-shifting operation is
      implemented by controlling the phase of the two RF phase-modulation sidebands
      while keeping the optical carrier phase fixed. The use of two RF modulation
      sidebands, instead of a single sideband used in most conventional phase shifters,
      has the advantage of high-output RF signal power, and consequently high signal-to
      noise ratio performance. Experimental results demonstrate the full -180 degrees 
      to +180 degrees  phase shift over a wide microwave frequency range from 11 to
      26.5 GHz, and 14 dB increase in the output RF signal power compared to a
      conventional phase shifter.

PMID- 26258345
TI  - Broad working bandwidth and "endlessly" single-mode guidance within hybrid
      silicon photonics.
AB  - The successes of nonlinear photonics and hybrid silicon photonics with a growing
      variety of functional materials entail ever-enlarging bandwidths. It is best
      exemplified by parametric comb frequency generation. Such operation challenges
      the dielectric channel waveguide as the basis for guidance, because of the
      adverse advent of higher order modes at short wavelengths. Surprisingly, the
      popular mechanism of endlessly single-mode guidance [Opt. Lett.22, 961 (1997).]
      operating in photonic crystal fibers has not been transposed within silicon
      photonics yet. We outline here the strategy and potential of this approach within
      planar and hybrid silicon photonics, whereby in-plane and vertical confinement
      are shown to be amenable to near-single-mode behavior in the typical silicon
      band, i.e., lambda=1.1  MUm to ~5  MUm.

PMID- 26258346
TI  - Miniature and robust optical fiber in-line Mach-Zehnder interferometer based on a
      hollow ellipsoid.
AB  - An optical fiber in-line Mach-Zehnder interferometer based on a hollow ellipsoid
      fabricated by femtosecond laser micromachining and fusion-splicing technique is
      demonstrated. The surface of the hollow ellipsoid acts as an internal mirror that
      can be utilized for the construction of an interferometer. Such an interferometer
      device is miniature and robust and can perform external refractive index,
      curvature, and high-temperature sensing in a mutually independent way, and hence
      a simultaneous multiple parameter measurement capability can be readily achieved.

PMID- 26258347
TI  - Compact polarization-maintaining 2.05-MUm fiber laser at 1-MHz and 1-MW peak
      power.
AB  - We report on a compact all-polarization-maintaining 2.05-MUm chirped pulse fiber
      amplifier system emitting pulses at up to 1-MW peak power level at 371-fs pulse
      duration. The seed pulse repetition rate provided by an inhouse-built oscillator
      is reduced to around 1 MHz using a pulse picker. In combination with a two stage
      fiber amplifier, output pulse energies up to 570 nJ are obtained without the need
      of a high-power large-mode area amplifier. Both temporal stretching and
      compression of the chirped pulse amplifier design are achieved using a single
      chirped volume Bragg grating.

PMID- 26258348
TI  - Diode-side-pumped continuous wave Nd3+ : YVO4 self-Raman laser at 1176 nm.
AB  - Here we report, to the best of our knowledge, the first diode-side-pumped
      continuous wave (cw) Nd3+:YVO4 self-Raman laser operating at 1176 nm. The compact
      cavity design is based on the total internal reflection of the laser beam at the
      pumped side of the Nd3+:YVO4 crystal. Configurations with a single bounce and a
      double bounce of the laser beam at the pumped faced have been characterized,
      providing a quasi-cw peak output power of more than 8 W (multimode) with an
      optical conversion efficiency of 11.5% and 3.7 W (TEM00) having an optical
      conversion efficiency of 5.4%, respectively. Cw output power of 1.8 W has been
      demonstrated.

PMID- 26258349
TI  - Variation around a pyramid theme: optical recombination and optimal use of
      photons.
AB  - We propose a new type of wave-front sensor (WFS) derived from the pyramid WFS
      (PWFS). This new WFS, called the flattened pyramid-WFS (FPWFS), has a reduced
      pyramid angle in order to optically overlap the four pupil images into an unique
      intensity. This map is then used to derive the phase information. In this Letter,
      this new WFS is compared to three existing WFSs, namely the PWFS, the modulated
      PWFS (MPWFS), and the Zernike WFS (ZWFS) following tests about sensitivity,
      linearity range, and low-photon-flux behavior. The FPWFS turns out to be more
      linear than a modulated pyramid for the high-spatial order aberrations, but it
      provides an improved sensitivity compared to the non-modulated pyramid. The noise
      propagation may even be as low as the ZWFS for some given radial orders.
      Furthermore, the pixel arrangement being more efficient than for the PWFS, the
      FPWFS seems particularly well suited for high-contrast applications. 

PMID- 26258350
TI  - Iterative phase-retrieval method for generating stereo array of polarization
      controlled focal spots.
AB  - This Letter introduces an iterative phase-retrieval method based on the Gerchberg
      Saxton (G-S) algorithm for generating any arbitrary 3D pattern in image space,
      while simultaneously controlling the polarization orientation at each pixel. For
      proof-of-principle, we generate a stereo focal spot array with distinct
      polarization orientation for each spot. This method is universal for controlling
      the output polarization; the only requirement is that the input polarization
      should be spatially inhomogeneous. This work has the potential to impact coherent
      imaging techniques and spectroscopy. 

PMID- 26258351
TI  - Noisy metamolecule: strong narrowing of fluorescence line.
AB  - We consider a metamolecule consisting of a bosonic mode correlated with a two
      level system (TLS): it can be, for example, a plasmonic mode interacting with a
      quantum dot. We focus on the parameter range where all the correlations are
      strong and of the same order. The interaction between the bosonic mode is
      correlated with the TLS, external coherent drive, and dissipation. Quantum Monte
      Carlo simulations show that the fluorescence of this system at dissipation is
      larger than the driving amplitude and shows a strong (by the order of magnitude)
      narrowing of its spectral line. This effect may be related to kind of a quantum
      stochastic resonance. We show that the fluorescence corresponds to the finite
      domain over the coherent drive with sharp, low threshold, and that the Wigner
      function splits. 

PMID- 26258352
TI  - Blue-light Fourier-domain optical-coherence microscopy with linear k-sampling
      using second-harmonic generation.
AB  - We demonstrate Fourier-domain optical-coherence microscopy (OCM) method that uses
      blue light for high-resolution microscopic imaging. Spectrally broad bandwidth is
      obtained by means of second-harmonic generation of Ti:sapphire laser light on the
      nonlinear crystal. Angular scanning of the crystal performed by a resonant
      scanner results in second-harmonic generation for a broad range of frequencies
      producing blue light with central wavelength of 402 nm and bandwidth of 35 nm in
      one cycle. The axial resolution of the new setup is 3.5 MUm in air, and the
      transverse resolution for Olympus 40* objective lens is 2.7 MUm in X direction
      and 3.2 MUm in Y direction. The developed technique enables registering spectral
      interferometric signal directly in k domain. Additionally, we present examples of
      imaging a biological specimen using the newly developed method.

PMID- 26258353
TI  - Absolute terahertz power measurement of a time-domain spectroscopy system.
AB  - We report on, to the best of our knowledge, the first absolute terahertz (THz)
      power measurement of a photoconductive emitter developed for time-domain
      spectroscopy (TDS). The broadband THz radiation emitted by a photoconductor
      optimized for the excitation with 1550-nm femtosecond pulses was measured by an
      ultrathin pyroelectric thin-film (UPTF) detector. We show that this detector has
      a spectrally flat transmission between 100 GHz and 5 THz due to special
      conductive electrodes on both sides of the UPTF. Its flat responsivity allows the
      calibration with a standard detector that is traceable to the International
      System of Units (SI) at the THz detector calibration facility of PTB. Absolute
      THz power in the range from below 1 MUW to above 0.1 mW was measured.

PMID- 26258354
TI  - Dual-transverse-mode microsquare lasers with tunable wavelength interval.
AB  - A dual-transverse-mode microsquare laser with a tunable wavelength interval is
      designed and realized by using a square-ring-patterned contact window. For a 30
      MUm-side-length microsquare laser with the square-ring width of 4 MUm, the
      wavelength interval varies from 0.25 to 0.37 nm with the intensity ratio less
      than 2.5 dB as the injection current increases from 89 to 108 mA. Based on the
      dual-transverse-mode microsquare laser, the microwave signals with the
      frequencies of 30.56, 32.70, 35.12, and 39.51 GHz and the 3-dB bandwidths of 47,
      53, 54, and 47 MHz are obtained at the injection currents of 90, 95, 100, and 105
      mA, respectively.

PMID- 26258355
TI  - Efficient Yb3+:CaGdAlO4 bulk and femtosecond-laser-written waveguide lasers.
AB  - We report on, to the best of our knowledge, the first fs-laser-written waveguide
      laser in Yb3+:CaGdAlO4 (Yb:CALGO). With Yb:CALGO crystals grown in our labs, we
      obtained a slope efficiency of 69% and up to 2.4 W of continuous wave (cw) output
      power in a waveguide-laser configuration. Moreover, bulk laser experiments with
      Yb:CALGO were performed, and slope efficiencies up to 73%, optical-to-optical
      efficiencies of 65%, and maximum cw output powers of 3.3 W were reached. These
      are the highest efficiencies in the laser configuration with Yb:CALGO.

PMID- 26258356
TI  - Low-power microelectromechanically tunable silicon photonic ring resonator add
      drop filter.
AB  - We experimentally demonstrate a microelectromechanically (MEMS) tunable photonic
      ring resonator add-drop filter, fabricated in a simple silicon-on-insulator (SOI)
      based process. The device uses electrostatic parallel plate actuation to perturb
      the evanescent field of a silicon waveguide, and achieves a 530 pm resonance
      wavelength tuning, i.e., more than a fourfold improvement compared to previous
      MEMS tunable ring resonator add-drop filters. Moreover, our device has a static
      power consumption below 100 nW, and a tuning rate of -62  pm/V, i.e., the highest
      reported rate for electrostatic tuning of ring resonator add-drop filters.

PMID- 26258357
TI  - Dual-wavelength eye-safe Nd:YAP Raman laser.
AB  - We report on a diode-pumped, Q-switched intracavity-Raman-shifted Nd-doped
      yttrium-aluminum-perovskite (Nd:YAP) laser using potassium titanyl phosphate
      (KTP) or potassium titanyl arsenate (KTA) nonlinear crystals to produce eye-safe
      radiation. In both cases, we obtained simultaneous laser emission at two
      wavelengths corresponding to distinct Raman gain peaks and different Stokes
      orders for the nonlinear crystal used. From the Nd:YAP/KTP laser source, we
      obtained 3 ns pulses of combined 21 kW peak power at 1478 and 1503 nm. From the
      Nd:YAP/KTA laser source, we obtained up to 220 mW total average output power,
      equally split between 1474 and 1480 nm emission lines.

PMID- 26258358
TI  - Extended depth-of-field 3D endoscopy with synthetic aperture integral imaging
      using an electrically tunable focal-length liquid-crystal lens.
AB  - Conventional synthetic-aperture integral imaging uses a lens array to sense the
      three-dimensional (3D) object or scene that can then be reconstructed digitally
      or optically. However, integral imaging generally suffers from a fixed and
      limited range of depth of field (DOF). In this Letter, we experimentally
      demonstrate a 3D integral-imaging endoscopy with tunable DOF by using a single
      large-aperture focal-length-tunable liquid crystal (LC) lens. The proposed system
      can provide high spatial resolution and an extended DOF in synthetic-aperture
      integral imaging 3D endoscope. In our experiments, the image plane in the
      integral imaging pickup process can be tuned from 18 to 38 mm continuously using
      a large-aperture LC lens, and the total DOF is extended from 12 to 51 mm. To the
      best of our knowledge, this is the first report on synthetic aperture integral
      imaging 3D endoscopy with a large-aperture LC lens that can provide high spatial
      resolution 3D imaging with an extend DOF.

PMID- 26258359
TI  - Fast photoacoustic-guided depth-resolved Raman spectroscopy: a feasibility study.
AB  - In this Letter, photoacoustic-guided Raman spectroscopy (PARS) is proposed for a
      fast depth-resolved Raman measurement with accurate depth localization. The
      approach was experimentally demonstrated to receive both photoacoustic and Raman
      signals from a three-layer agar phantom based on a developed synergic
      photoacoustic-Raman probe, showing strong depth correlation and achieving
      magnitude of faster operation speed due to photoacoustic time-of-flight
      measurement and guidance, compared with the conventional depth-resolved Raman
      spectroscopy method. In addition, further combination with advanced optical
      focusing techniques in biological-scattering medium could potentially enable the
      proposed approach for cancer diagnostics with both tight and fast optical
      focusing at the desired depth of tumor. 

PMID- 26258360
TI  - Solid-state laser wavelength selection and tuning by fused-silica-transmission
      gratings with subwavelength deep-surface relief.
AB  - Wavelength selection and tuning of pulsed Ti:sapphire and Nd:YAG lasers is
      realized, to the best of our knowledge, for the first time by subwavelength
      surface-relief fused-silica-transmission gratings (SG). High efficiency, high
      laser damage threshold, and other advantages of these gratings are confirmed by
      several intracavity laser experiments. 

PMID- 26258361
TI  - Microfiber-coupler-assisted control of wavelength tuning for Q-switched fiber
      laser with few-layer molybdenum disulfide nanoplates.
AB  - Based on the liquid exfoliated method, we obtained the few-layer molybdenum
      disulfide (MoS2) nanoplates solution. By thermal evaporation method, we directly
      deposited MoS2 thin film onto the facet of a fiber patch cord. The modulation
      depth of the film is as high as 29%, and a Q-switched fiber laser was achieved.
      We also provided a new method to continuously tune the output laser with a tuning
      sensitivity of ~5.5  nm/(1%  strain) by controlling the cavity loss with a
      strained microfiber coupler (MFC).

PMID- 26258362
TI  - Up/down conversion switching by adjusting the pulse width of red laser beams in
      LaF3:Tm3+ nanocrystals.
AB  - We demonstrate a versatile approach to fine-tuning the ratio of blue to near
      infrared emission intensity from Tm3+ ions in LaF3 nanocrystals by adjusting the
      pulse widths and excitation wavelengths of red laser beams. The mechanism of
      color-tunable Tm3+ emission by pulse widths is explored, and a mechanism based on
      promoting the population of some luminescence levels and cutting off the
      population of others by suitably adjusting pulse duration is proposed. The
      underlying reason of excitation wavelength-modulated emission is ascribed to
      tuning absorption probability ratio of ground state absorption to excited state
      absorption by tuning the matching degree between the energies of excitation
      wavelength and ground (excited) state absorption of Tm3+. The ability of our
      LaF3:Tm3+ nanocrystals to emit variable emissions on demand in response to pulse
      width and excitation wavelength provides keen insights into controlling the
      population processes of luminescent levels and offers a versatile approach for
      tuning the spectral output.

PMID- 26258363
TI  - Dispersive-wave-based octave-spanning supercontinuum generation in InGaP membrane
      waveguides on a silicon substrate.
AB  - We demonstrate the generation of an octave-spanning supercontinuum in InGaP
      membrane waveguides on a silicon substrate pumped by a 1550-nm femtosecond
      source. The broadband nature of the supercontinuum in these dispersion-engineered
      high-index-contrast waveguides is enabled by dispersive wave generation on both
      sides of the pump as well as by the low nonlinear losses inherent to the
      material. We also measure the coherence properties of the output spectra close to
      the pump wavelength and find that the supercontinuum is highly coherent at least
      in this wavelength range. 

PMID- 26258364
TI  - Landau damping of electromagnetic transport via dielectric-metal superlattices.
AB  - We discuss the propagation of electromagnetic waves through a one-dimensional
      periodic array of bilayers with metal inclusions. We show that the nonlocality of
      metal conductivity leads to the emergence of the fundamental collisionless Landau
      damping. It cannot be neglected, not only when prevailing over ordinary collision
      damping, but even when these two kinds of electromagnetic absorption are of the
      same order. Landau damping always exists and considerably alters the photonic
      transmission of the array within the THz and near-infrared frequency range. 

PMID- 26258365
TI  - Top-hat random fiber Bragg grating.
AB  - We examined the possibility of using noise or pseudo-random variations of the
      refractive index in the design of fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs). We demonstrated
      theoretically and experimentally that top-hat FBGs may be designed and fabricated
      using this approach. The reflectivity of the fabricated top-hat FBG matches quite
      well with that of the designed one. 

PMID- 26258366
TI  - Overcoming the limitation of phase retrieval using Gerchberg-Saxton-like
      algorithm in optical fiber time-stretch systems.
AB  - We investigate the fundamental limitation of the full-field retrieval of optical
      pulses based on a time-equivalent Gerchberg-Saxton (GS)-like algorithm, in which
      the Fourier transformation of the temporal signal is performed by the group
      velocity dispersion (GVD) of optical fibers. The insufficient knowledge of the
      input pulse intensity fundamentally limited by the bandwidth of the photodetector
      influences the accuracy of the retrieved phase using the algorithm. To this end,
      we propose a modified GS algorithm, which involves multi-step intensity-only
      measurements, to mitigate this limitation. By studying the influence of spectral
      phase and amplitude modulations on the retrieval error, we show that the modified
      GS algorithm demonstrates a significant improvement in phase retrieval accuracy.
      More importantly, we anticipate the present study will provide valuable insight
      in understanding how the spectral variation generally influences the recovery
      accuracy in time-stretch-based GS algorithm, and thus identify its potential
      applications, particularly for those requiring ultrafast measurements. 

PMID- 26258367
TI  - Giant enhancement of upconversion emission in
      (NaYF4:Nd3+/Yb3+/Ho3+)/(NaYF4:Nd3+/Yb3+) core/shell nanoparticles excited at 808
      nm.
AB  - In this work, colloidal hexagonal-phase (NaYF4:Nd3+/Yb3+/Ho3+)/(NaYF4:Nd3+/Yb3+)
      core/shell nanoparticles with intense visible upconversion emissions under 808-nm
      laser excitation were prepared. Compared with the core-only nanoparticles, a
      maximum 990-fold overall enhancement in the emission intensity of Ho3+ ions was
      achieved with the help of active-shell coating design, due to the significant
      increase in the near-infrared absorption and efficient energy transfer from Nd3+
      primary-sensitizers to Ho3+ activators via Yb3+ bridging sensitizers. The
      luminescence-enhancement effect exhibited a strong dependence on the doping
      concentrations of NaYF4:Nd3+/Yb3+ active-shell. The optimal concentrations of
      Nd3+ and Yb3+ ions in the active-shell layer were found to be 30 and 5 mol. %,
      respectively. Moreover, the upconversion emission intensity of NaYF4:Nd3+/Yb3+
      coated nanoparticles was about 2.5 times higher than the one coated with a
      NaYF4:Nd3+ active-shell.

PMID- 26258368
TI  - Anderson localization in a partially random Bragg grating and a conserved area
      theorem.
AB  - We investigate the gradual emergence of the disorder-related phenomena in
      intermediate regimes between a deterministic periodic Bragg grating and a fully
      random grating and highlight two critical properties of partially disordered
      Bragg gratings. First, the integral of the logarithm of the transmittance over
      the reciprocal wavevector space is a conserved quantity. Therefore, adding
      disorder merely redistributes the transmittance over the reciprocal space.
      Second, for any amount of disorder, the average transmittance decays
      exponentially with the number of grating layers in the simple form of exp(-etaN)
      for sufficiently large N, where eta is a constant, and N is the number of layers.
      Conversely, the simple exponential decay form does not hold for small N except
      for a highly disordered system. Implications of these findings are demonstrated. 

PMID- 26258369
TI  - Optical spectroscopy of Cr3+-doped transparent nano-glass ceramics for lifetime
      based temperature sensing.
AB  - Transparent bulk glass ceramic containing Cr3+:LiGa5O8 nanoparticles was
      fabricated as an alternative for monocrystal to explore the possible application
      in fluorescence lifetime-based temperature sensing. Such glass ceramic exhibited
      deep-red luminescence upon the excitation of the wide wavelength range of visible
      light. Impressively, the Cr3+ lifetime dramatically decreased from 2.45 to 0.22
      ms with the temperature increasing from 293 to 563 K, owing to the competition of
      radiation transitions from the thermally coupled 2E and 4T2 excited states. A two
      level kinetic model was adopted to interpret this temperature-dependent
      luminescence of Cr3+, which gave a highest temperature sensitivity of 1.15%  K(
      1).

PMID- 26258370
TI  - Physical unsharp mask with structured detection.
AB  - We present a method to implement physically an unsharp mask filter in an imaging
      system. The idea is based on the use of a spatially periodic variation in the
      detection efficiency of an area detector. Such a "structured detection"
      introduces harmonic peaks in the Fourier spectrum associated with the image,
      enabling the use of higher spatial frequencies that would otherwise be
      inaccessible, due to the system point spread function. The result is an effective
      deblurring of the image implemented in hardware, i.e., before the detection noise
      occurs. The method is first demonstrated via a numerical simulation and then
      validated using experimental neutron imaging data. 

PMID- 26258371
TI  - Generation of phase difference between self-mixing signals in a-cut Nd:YVO4 laser
      with a waveplate in the external cavity.
AB  - We present a novel method using Nd:YVO4 laser with a waveplate in the external
      cavity to generate two orthogonally polarized signals with stable and adjustable
      phase difference. The phase difference is observed in the presence of external
      interference, and it is determined by the phase retardation of the waveplate. A
      model based on birefringent external-interference effect is proposed to
      theoretically explain the phase difference phenomenon, and the arithmetic
      solution of the relation between the phase difference and the phase retardation
      of waveplate is given. The simulated results accord with the experimental
      phenomena. This Letter provides the possibility for the measurement of phase
      retardation and also offers guidance to the design of interferometers based on
      fringe counting technique.

PMID- 26258373
TI  - Formation of in-volume nanogratings with sub-100-nm periods in glass by
      femtosecond laser irradiation.
AB  - We present direct experimental observation of the morphological evolution during
      the formation of nanogratings with sub-100-nm periods with the increasing number
      of pulses. Theoretical simulation shows that the constructive interference of the
      scattering light from original nanoplanes will create an intensity maximum
      located between the two adjacent nanoplanes, resulting in shortening the
      nanograting period by half. The proposed mechanism explains the formation of
      nanogratings with periods beyond those predicted by the nanoplasmonic model. 

PMID- 26258372
TI  - Electro-optical sun compass with a very high degree of accuracy.
AB  - We present a novel electro-optical solar compass that is able to determine the
      true North direction with an accuracy better than 1/100 of degree, superior to
      that of any other magnetic or electronic compass that does not resort to
      differential GPS. The compass has an electronic sensor to determine the line of
      sight of the Sun and a simple but effective algorithm to calculate the position
      of the Sun. The excellent results obtained during the experimental tests
      demonstrate the advantages of this compass, which is also compact and not
      expensive. 

PMID- 26258374
TI  - Point-spread function optimization in isoSTED nanoscopy.
AB  - IsoSTED nanoscopy, a variant of stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy,
      utilizes two opposing objective lenses and features the highest three-dimensional
      resolution of STED nanoscopes currently available. However, this technique is
      limited by axially repetitive side minima in the interference pattern of the
      depletion point-spread function (PSF), which can lead to ghost images. Here, we
      describe novel strategies to further improve the performance of isoSTED nanoscopy
      by reshaping the PSF. In particular, we propose employing moderate defocus on the
      depletion beam to reduce the side minima. Furthermore, we demonstrate a
      simplified alternative based on objective misalignment and quantitatively compare
      the expected performance between the two approaches. 

PMID- 26258375
TI  - Yb:fiber laser-based, spectrally coherent and efficient generation of femtosecond
      1.3-MUm pulses from a fiber with two zero-dispersion wavelengths.
AB  - We report, to the best of our knowledge, the first experimental characterization
      of spectral coherence properties of wavelength conversion inside photonic crystal
      fibers with two zero-dispersion wavelengths (TZDWs) and demonstrate a low-noise
      femtosecond 1.3-MUm source employing the TZDW fiber and a 1.3-W, 240-fs Yb:fiber
      amplifier as the seeding source. Theoretical investigation shows that pulse
      evolution in our TZDW fiber source is dominated by parametric amplification
      seeded by self-phase modulation broadening which efficiently converts the pump
      energy into two new wavelength bands in a deterministic manner, leading to low
      noise and coherent excitation of femtosecond pulses tunable in the 1.3-MUm
      spectral region, with up to 3 nJ of pulse energy at 32% of conversion efficiency.

PMID- 26258376
TI  - Evolution of coherence singularities of Schell-model beams.
AB  - We show that the propagation of the widely used Schell-model partially coherent
      light can be easily understood using the ambiguity function. This approach is
      especially beneficial for the analysis of the mutual intensity of Schell-model
      beams (SMBs), which are associated with stable coherent beams such as Laguerre-,
      Hermite-, and Ince-Gaussian. We study the evolution of the coherence
      singularities during the SMB propagation. It is demonstrated that the distance of
      singularity formation depends on the coherence degree of the input beam.
      Moreover, it is proved that the shape, position, and number of singularity curves
      in far field are defined by the associated coherent beam. 

PMID- 26258377
TI  - Enhanced internal quantum efficiency in non-polar ZnO/Zn0.81Mg0.19O multiple
      quantum wells by Pt surface plasmons coupling.
AB  - Non-polar-oriented ZnO/Zn0.81Mg0.19O multiple quantum wells (MQWs) were grown on
      r-plane sapphire substrates by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy. The
      internal quantum efficiency (eta(int)) of the non-polar MQWs was only 1.8%. The
      degraded quality of non-polar MQWs is the main factor for the low eta(int).
      Besides improving the quality of non-polar MQWs, an effective way to enhance the
      UV emission of the non-polar MQWs by sputtering Pt nanoparticles has been used.
      Employing the resonant coupling between UV emission from the MQWs and Pt
      nanoparticle surface plasmons (SPs), a 20-fold enhancement of the UV emission has
      been achieved under the optimized sputtering time. Moreover, the eta(int) value
      of the non-polar MQWs has been strongly improved with the help of Pt. 6.7-fold
      enhancement of eta(int) has been achieved due to SPs coupling. It paves a new way
      in designing highly efficient non-polar LEDs.

PMID- 26258378
TI  - Evaluating multi-exposure speckle imaging estimates of absolute autocorrelation
      times.
AB  - Multi-exposure speckle imaging (MESI) is a camera-based flow-imaging technique
      for quantitative blood-flow monitoring by mapping the speckle-contrast dependence
      on camera exposure duration. The ability of laser speckle contrast imaging to
      measure the temporal dynamics of backscattered and interfering coherent fields,
      in terms of the accuracy of autocorrelation measurements, is a major unresolved
      issue in quantitative speckle flowmetry. MESI fits for a number of parameters
      including an estimate of the electric field autocorrelation decay time from the
      imaged speckles. We compare the MESI-determined correlation times in vitro and in
      vivo with accepted true values from direct temporal measurements acquired with a
      photon-counting photon-multiplier tube and an autocorrelator board. The
      correlation times estimated by MESI in vivo remain on average within 14+/-11% of
      those obtained from direct temporal autocorrelation measurements, demonstrating
      that MESI yields highly comparable statistics of the time-varying fields that can
      be useful for applications seeking not only quantitative blood flow dynamics but
      also absolute perfusion. 

PMID- 26258379
TI  - Highly efficient plasmonic enhancement of graphene absorption at
      telecommunication wavelengths.
AB  - A hybrid graphene system consisting of graphene and silica layers coated on a
      metal film with groove rings is proposed to strongly enhance light absorption in
      the graphene layer. Our results indicate that the excited localized plasmon
      resonance in groove rings can effectively improve the graphene absorption from
      2.3% to 43.1%, even to a maximum value of 87.0% in five-layer graphene at
      telecommunication wavelengths. In addition, the absorption peak is strongly
      dependent on the groove depth and ring radius as well as the number of graphene
      layers, enabling the flexible selectivity of both the operating spectral position
      and bandwidth. This favorable enhancement and tunability of graphene absorption
      could provide a path toward high-performance graphene opto-electronic components,
      such as photodetectors. 

PMID- 26258380
TI  - Optical two-tone signal generation without use of optical filter for photonics
      assisted radio-frequency quadrupling.
AB  - Optical two-tone (OTT) signal generation is demonstrated without optical
      wavelength filtering for wavelength-free operation in radio-frequency (RF)
      upconversion assisted by photonics. This principle is based on selective
      polarization manipulation for the optical carrier; the optical carrier's
      polarization is first tilted, and the carrier is then suppressed using a
      polarizer. Owing to optimized conditions obtained from theoretical calculation
      and the high polarization extinction ratio achieving a 25.7-dB carrier
      suppression, a 40-GHz separated OTT signal is successfully generated by an
      optical intensity modulator driven by a 10-GHz sinusoidal RF signal. Conversion
      into a frequency-quadrupled RF signal is also demonstrated experimentally. 

PMID- 26258381
TI  - Optoelectronic cross-injection locking of a dual-wavelength photonic integrated
      circuit for low-phase-noise millimeter-wave generation.
AB  - We report on the stabilization of a 90-GHz millimeter-wave signal generated from
      a fully integrated photonic circuit. The chip consists of two DFB single-mode
      lasers whose optical signals are combined on a fast photodiode to generate a
      largely tunable heterodyne beat note. We generate an optical comb from each laser
      with a microwave synthesizer, and by self-injecting the resulting signal, we
      mutually correlate the phase noise of each DFB and stabilize the beatnote on a
      multiple of the frequency delivered by the synthesizer. The performances achieved
      beat note linewidth below 30 Hz.

PMID- 26258382
TI  - 3-MUm Mid-infrared pulse generation using topological insulator as the saturable
      absorber.
AB  - We report an 1150-nm diode-pump passively Q-switched Ho3+-doped ZBLAN fiber laser
      using topological insulator (TI): Bi2Te3 as the saturable absorber (SA). The TI:
      Bi2Te3 prepared using the cost-effective hydrothermal intercalation/exfoliation
      method was dropped onto a CaF2 substrate to fabricate the free-space SA
      component. It has a low saturable peak intensity of 2.12  MW/cm2 and a high
      modulation depth of 51.3% measured at 2 MUm. Inserting this component into a
      linear-cavity Ho3+-doped ZBLAN fiber laser, stable Q-switched pulses at 2979.9 nm
      were obtained with the repetition rate of 81.96 kHz and pulse duration of 1.37
      MUs. The achieved maximum output power and pulse energy were 327.4 mW at a slope
      efficiency of 11.6% and 3.99 MUJ, respectively, only limited by the available
      pump power. Our work reveals that the TIs are absolutely a class of promising and
      reliable SAs for pulse generation at 3-MUm mid-infrared waveband.

PMID- 26258383
TI  - Polarized backscattering by clusters of spherical particles.
AB  - The linear and circular polarization ratios for clusters of spherical particles
      averaged over multiple orientations show a systematic pattern as a function of
      the refractive index and the size parameter. We show that, at backscattering, the
      depolarizing behavior of orientation-averaged clusters of spheres can be
      approximated by second-order scattering of bispheres. The pattern is relatively
      invariable in terms of the number of particles. We also demonstrate the
      significance of the near-field effects for polarization at backscattering. 

PMID- 26258384
TI  - Transport of indirect excitons in ZnO quantum wells.
AB  - We report on spatially- and time-resolved emission measurements and observation
      of transport of indirect excitons in ZnO/MgZnO wide single quantum wells. 

PMID- 26258385
TI  - Fourier synthesis with single-mode pulses from a multimode laser.
AB  - Short pulses are generated by mode-locking techniques: amplitude modulation in
      time domain or frequency modulation in frequency domain. Direct Fourier synthesis
      of radiation from several single-frequency sources offers an opportunity to
      generate arbitrary waveforms. Here we report on a new technique of short-pulse
      synthesis in the Fourier domain. Instead of independent laser sources, we use a
      single multimode laser with retrieval of its individual cavity modes into a time
      sequence coherently combined in an external cavity. Combination of 20 consequent
      single-mode pulses has been performed, demonstrating a new way for arbitrary
      waveforms synthesis. 

PMID- 26258386
TI  - Continuously tunable modulation scheme for precision control of optical cavities
      with variable detuning.
AB  - We present a scheme for locking optical cavities with arbitrary detuning by many
      linewidths from resonance using an electro-optic modulator that can provide
      arbitrary ratios of amplitude-to-phase modulation. We demonstrate our scheme on a
      Fabry-Perot cavity, and show that a well-behaved linear error signal can be
      obtained by demodulating the reflected light from a cavity that is detuned by
      several linewidths. 

PMID- 26258387
TI  - Phase-matched electric-field-induced second-harmonic generation in Xe-filled
      hollow-core photonic crystal fiber.
AB  - Second-order nonlinearity is induced inside a Xe-filled hollow-core photonic
      crystal fiber (PCF) by applying an external dc field. The system uniquely allows
      the linear optical properties to be adjusted by changing the gas pressure,
      allowing for precise phase matching between the LP01 mode at 1064 nm and the LP02
      mode at 532 nm. The dependence of the second-harmonic conversion efficiency on
      the gas pressure, launched pulse energy, and applied field agrees well with
      theory. The ultra-broadband guidance offered by anti-resonant reflecting hollow
      core PCFs, for example, a kagome PCF, offers many possibilities for generating
      light in traditionally difficult-to-access regions of the electromagnetic
      spectrum, such as the ultraviolet or the terahertz windows. The system can also
      be used for noninvasive measurements of the transmission loss in a hollow-core
      PCF over a broad spectrum, including the deep and vacuum UV regions.

PMID- 26258388
TI  - Assessing the Utility of Soil DNA Extraction Kits for Increasing DNA Yields and
      Eliminating PCR Inhibitors from Buried Skeletal Remains.
AB  - DNA identification of human remains is often necessary when decedents are
      skeletonized; however, poor DNA recovery and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
      inhibition are frequently encountered, a situation exacerbated by burial. In this
      research, the utility of integrating soil DNA isolation kits into buried skeletal
      DNA analysis was evaluated and compared to a standard human DNA extraction kit
      and organic extraction. The soil kits successfully extracted skeletal DNA at
      quantities similar to standard methods, although the two kits tested, which
      differ mechanistically, were not equivalent. Further, the PCR inhibitors calcium
      and humic acid were effectively removed using the soil kits, whereas collagen was
      less so. Finally, concordant control region sequences were obtained from human
      skeletal remains using all four methods. Based on these comparisons, soil DNA
      isolation kits, which quickened the extraction process, proved to be a viable
      extraction technique for skeletal remains that resulted in positive
      identification of a decedent. 

PMID- 26258389
TI  - Case-Based Web Learning Versus Face-to-Face Learning: A Mixed-Method Study on
      University Nursing Students.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Case-based learning (CBL) is an effective educational method for
      improving the learning and clinical reasoning skills of students. Advances in e
      learning technology have supported the development of the Web-based CBL approach
      to teaching as an alternative or supplement to the traditional classroom
      approach. PURPOSE: This study aims to examine the CBL experience of Hong Kong
      students using both traditional classroom and Web-based approaches in
      undergraduate nursing education. This experience is examined in terms of the
      perceived self-learning ability, clinical reasoning ability, and satisfaction in
      learning of these students. METHODS: A mixture of quantitative and qualitative
      approaches was adopted. All Year-3 undergraduate nursing students were recruited.
      CBL was conducted using the traditional classroom approach in Semester 1, and the
      Web-based approach was conducted in Semester 2. Student evaluations were
      collected at the end of each semester using a self-report questionnaire. In
      depth, focus-group interviews were conducted at the end of Semester 2. RESULTS:
      One hundred twenty-two students returned their questionnaires. No difference
      between the face-to-face and Web-based approaches was found in terms of self
      learning ability (p = .947), clinical reasoning ability (p = .721), and
      satisfaction (p = .083). Focus group interview findings complemented survey
      findings and revealed five themes that reflected the CBL learning experience of
      Hong Kong students. These themes were (a) the structure of CBL, (b) the learning
      environment of Web-based CBL, (c) critical thinking and problem solving, (d)
      cultural influence on CBL learning experience, and (e) student-centered and
      teacher-centered learning. CONCLUSIONS: The Web-based CBL approach was comparable
      but not superior to the traditional classroom CBL approach. The Web-based CBL
      experience of these students sheds light on the impact of Chinese culture on
      student learning behavior and preferences.

PMID- 26258390
TI  - Health Promotion Outcomes of a Newly Developed Elastic Band Exercise Program for
      Older Adults in the Community: A Pilot Test.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Studies indicate that the incidence of disease, the mortality rate,
      and medical costs are significantly higher in people aged 65 years and over who
      do not engage in physical activities than in their peers who do engage in these
      activities. Therefore, promoting appropriate physical activity among older adults
      in the community is essential to delaying the health implications of aging.
      PURPOSE: This pilot test was developed to assess the effectiveness of a newly
      developed Senior Elastic Band (SEB) exercise program on the health of older
      adults in community care stations. METHODS: A quasiexperimental design was used.
      A convenience sample of 20 participants from a community care station was
      recruited. The SEB intervention included three phases (warm-up, aerobic motion,
      and static stretching) and was conducted three times per week, 40 minutes per
      session for 1 month. Twelve health indicators in three categories (functional
      fitness, self-perceived health status, and sleep quality) were examined before
      and immediately after 1 month of SEB exercises. RESULTS: Participants showed
      improved performance at the end of the 1-month study for the following
      indicators: lung capacity, cardiopulmonary fitness, upper and lower body
      flexibilities, upper limb muscle power, lower limb muscle endurance, and self
      perceived physical health status (all ps < .05). No significant differences were
      identified for the other indicators. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The
      SEB exercise program shows preliminary and promising effects on improving the
      health of older adults in a community care station. Healthcare professionals who
      work with older adults living in the community may consider the SEB exercise
      program as a health promotion modality to recommend and implement with this
      population. However, we recommend further testing the long-term effects of this
      program on a larger population.

PMID- 26258391
TI  - Establishing the Limits of TrueAllele(r) Casework: A Validation Study.
AB  - The limits of the expert system, TrueAllele(r) Casework (TA), were explored using
      challenging mock casework profiles that included 17 single-source and 18 two-, 15
      three- and 7 four-person DNA mixtures. The sensitivity (ability to detect a minor
      contributor) of the TA analysis process was examined by challenging the system
      with mixture DNA samples that exhibited allelic and locus dropout and other
      stochastic effects. The specificity (ability to exclude nondonors) was rigorously
      tested by interrogating TA derived genotypes with 100 nondonor profiles. The
      accuracy with which TA estimated mixture weights of contributors to the two
      person mixtures was examined. Finally, first-degree relatives of donors were used
      to assess the ability of the system to exclude close relatives. TA demonstrated
      great accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity. TA correctly assigned mixture
      weights and excluded nearly all first-degree relatives. This study demonstrates
      the analysis power of the TrueAllele(r) Casework system.

PMID- 26258392
TI  - Corrigendum.

PMID- 26258395
TI  - Global Collaboration to Develop New and Existing Drugs for Neonates.

PMID- 26258394
TI  - No association between mitochondrial DNA copy number and colorectal adenomas.
AB  - Despite previously reported associations between peripheral blood mtDNA copy
      number and colorectal cancer, it remains unclear whether altered mtDNA copy
      number in peripheral blood is a risk factor for colorectal cancer or a biomarker
      for undiagnosed colorectal cancer. Though colorectal adenomas are well-recognized
      precursor lesions to colorectal cancer, no study has evaluated an association
      between mtDNA copy number and colorectal adenoma risk. Hence, we investigated an
      association between peripheral blood mtDNA copy number and incident, sporadic
      colorectal adenoma in 412 colorectal adenoma cases and 526 cancer-free controls
      pooled from three colonoscopy-based case-control studies that used identical
      methods for case ascertainment, risk factor determination, and biospecimen
      collection. We also evaluated associations between relative mtDNA copy number and
      markers of oxidative stress, including circulating F2 -isoprostanes, carotenoids,
      and fluorescent oxidation products. We measured mtDNA copy number using a
      quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We used unconditional
      logistic regression to analyze the association between mtDNA copy number and
      colorectal adenoma risk after multivariable adjustment. We found no association
      between logarithmically transformed relative mtDNA copy number, analyzed as a
      continuous variable, and colorectal adenoma risk (odds ratio = 1.02, 95%CI: 0.82
      1.27; P = 0.86). There were no statistically significant associations between
      relative mtDNA copy number and other markers of oxidative stress. Our findings,
      taken together with those from previous studies, suggest that relative mtDNA copy
      number in peripheral blood may more likely be a marker of early colorectal cancer
      than of risk for the disease or of in vivo oxidative stress. (c) 2015 Wiley
      Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 26258396
TI  - Insights from ENCODE on Missing Proteins: Why beta-Defensin Expression Is
      Scarcely Detected.
AB  - beta-Defensins (DEFBs) have a variety of functions. The majority of these
      proteins were not identified in a recent proteome survey. Neither protein
      detection nor the analysis of transcriptomic data based on RNA-seq data for three
      liver cancer cell lines identified any expression products. Extensive
      investigation into DEFB transcripts in over 70 cell lines offered similar
      results. This fact naturally begs the question-Why are DEFB genes scarcely
      expressed? After examining DEFB gene annotation and the physicochemical
      properties of its protein products, we postulated that regulatory elements could
      play a key role in the resultant poor transcription of DEFB genes. Four regions
      containing DEFB genes and six adjacent regions on chromosomes 6, 8, and 20 were
      carefully investigated using The Encyclopedia of DNA Elements (ENCODE)
      information, such as that of DNase I hypersensitive sites (DHSs), transcription
      factors (TFs), and histone modifications. The results revealed that the
      intensities of these ENCODE features were globally weaker than those in the
      adjacent regions. Impressively, DEFB-related regions on chromosomes 6 and 8
      containing several non-DEFB genes had lower ENCODE feature intensities,
      indicating that the absence of DEFB mRNAs might not depend on the gene family but
      may be reliant upon gene location and chromatin structure.

PMID- 26258397
TI  - Solvation Dynamics in Different Phases of the Lyotropic Liquid Crystalline
      System.
AB  - Reverse hexagonal (HII) liquid crystalline material based on glycerol monooleate
      (GMO) is considered as a potential carrier for drugs and other important
      biomolecules due to its thermotropic phase change and excellent morphology. In
      this work, the dynamics of encapsulated water, which plays important role in
      stabilization and formation of reverse hexagonal mesophase, has been investigated
      by time dependent Stokes shift method using Coumarin-343 as a solvation probe.
      The formation of the reverse hexagonal mesophase (HII) and transformation to the
      L2 phase have been monitored using small-angle X-ray scattering and polarized
      light microscopy experiments. REES studies suggest the existence of different
      polar regions in both HII and L2 systems. The solvation dynamics study inside the
      reverse hexagonal (HII) phase reveals the existence of two different types of
      water molecules exhibiting dynamics on a 120-900 ps time scale. The estimated
      diffusion coefficients of both types of water molecules obtained from the
      observed dynamics are in good agreement with the measured diffusion coefficient
      collected from the NMR study. The calculated activation energy is found to be
      2.05 kcal/mol, which is associated with coupled rotational-translational water
      relaxation dynamics upon the transition from "bound" to "quasi-free" state. The
      observed ~2 ns faster dynamics of the L2 phase compared to the HII phase may be
      associated with both the phase transformation as well as thermotropic effect on
      the relaxation process. Microviscosities calculated from time-resolved anisotropy
      studies infer that the interface is almost ~22 times higher viscous than the
      central part of the cylinder. Overall, our results reveal the unique dynamical
      features of water inside the cylinder of reverse hexagonal and inverse micellar
      phases. 

PMID- 26258398
TI  - Delftia tsuruhatensis WGR-UOM-BT1, a novel rhizobacterium with PGPR properties
      from Rauwolfia serpentina (L.) Benth. ex Kurz also suppresses fungal
      phytopathogens by producing a new antibiotic-AMTM.
AB  - The bacterial strain designated as WGR-UOM-BT1 isolated from rhizosphere of
      Rauwolfia serpentina exhibited broad-spectrum antifungal activity and also
      improved early plant growth. Based on morphological, biochemical and 16S rRNA
      gene sequence analyses, the strain BT1 was identified as Delftia tsuruhatensis
      (KF727978). Under in vitro conditions, the strain BT1 suppressed the growth of
      wide range of fungal phytopathogens. Purified antimicrobial metabolite from the
      strain BT1 was identified as nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound, 'amino(5
      (4-methoxyphenyl)-2-methyl-2-(thiophen-2-yl)-2,3-dihydrofuran-3-yl)methanol'
      (AMTM), with molecular mass of 340*40 and molecular formula of C17 H19 NO3 S. The
      strain BT1 was positive for rhizosphere colonization (tomato), IAA production, 1
      aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase activity and phosphate
      solubilization. Under laboratory and greenhouse conditions, the strain BT1
      promoted plant growth and suppressed foliar and root fungal pathogens of tomato.
      Therefore, antimicrobial and disease protection properties of strain BT1 could
      serve as an effective biological control candidate against devastating fungal
      pathogens of vegetable plants. Besides, the production of IAA, P solubilization
      and ACC deaminase activity enhance its potential as a biofertilizer and may
      stabilize the plant performance under fluctuating environmental conditions.
      SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: In this study, we reported that Delftia
      tsuruhatensis WGR-UOM-BT1 strain has the plant growth promotion activities such
      as rhizosphere colonization (tomato), IAA production, 1-aminocyclopropane-1
      carboxylate (ACC) deaminase activity and phosphate solubilization. This bacterial
      strain was found producing an antimicrobial nitrogen-containing heterocyclic
      compound identified as 'amino(5-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-methyl-2-(thiophen-2-yl)-2,3
      dihydrofuran-3-yl)methanol' [C17 H19 NO3 S] (AMTM), which is new to the bacterial
      world.

PMID- 26258399
TI  - Test methods and response surface models for hot, humid air decontamination of
      materials contaminated with dirty spores of Bacillus anthracis ?Sterne and
      Bacillus thuringiensis Al Hakam.
AB  - AIMS: To develop test methods and evaluate survival of Bacillus anthracis ?Sterne
      or Bacillus thuringiensis Al Hakam on materials contaminated with dirty spore
      preparations after exposure to hot, humid air using response surface modelling.
      METHODS AND RESULTS: Spores (>7 log10 ) were mixed with humic acid + spent
      sporulation medium (organic debris) or kaolin (dirt debris). Spore samples were
      then dried on five different test materials (wiring insulation, aircraft
      performance coating, anti-skid, polypropylene, and nylon). Inoculated materials
      were tested with 19 test combinations of temperature (55, 65, 75 degrees C),
      relative humidity (70, 80, 90%) and time (1, 2, 3 days). The slowest spore
      inactivation kinetics was on nylon webbing and/or after addition of organic
      debris. CONCLUSIONS: Hot, humid air effectively decontaminates materials
      contaminated with dirty Bacillus spore preparations; debris and material
      interactions create complex decontamination kinetic patterns; and B.
      thuringiensis Al Hakam is a realistic surrogate for B. anthracis. SIGNIFICANCE
      AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Response surface models of hot, humid air
      decontamination were developed which may be used to select decontamination
      parameters for contamination scenarios including aircraft.

PMID- 26258400
TI  - Religion, spirituality, and health outcomes in cancer: A case for a meta-analytic
      investigation.
AB  - A growing body of research shows that a majority of patients with cancer report
      having religious and spiritual (R/S) beliefs, engaging in R/S behaviors, or
      deriving comfort from R/S experiences. These studies have been reviewed but not
      subjected to rigorous critical analysis. A meta-analytic approach is needed to
      provide a more definitive understanding of the relationships between R/S
      (affective, behavioral, and cognitive dimensions) and physical, mental, and
      social health in all phases of cancer including diagnosis, treatment,
      survivorship, and palliative care. A meta-analysis can quantify the degree of
      association between R/S dimensions and patient-reported health outcomes and the
      conditions under which these associations are strengthened or attenuated. Results
      can, in turn, help focus future work in this area by highlighting key variables
      for inclusion in studies of R/S and cancer and identifying particular subgroups
      for whom dimensions of R/S are particularly important to their health.

PMID- 26258401
TI  - Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis Have Increased Cardiovascular and
      Cerebrovascular Mortality: A Population-Based Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory arthritis
      affecting the spine in young adults. It is associated with excess cardiovascular
      and cerebrovascular morbidity. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether patients with AS
      are at increased risk for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular mortality. DESIGN:
      Population-based retrospective cohort study using administrative health data.
      SETTING: Ontario, Canada. PATIENTS: 21 473 patients with AS aged 15 years or
      older and 86 606 comparators without AS, matched for age, sex, and location of
      residence. MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcome was a composite of cardiovascular
      and cerebrovascular death. Hazard ratios (HRs) for vascular death were
      calculated; adjusted for history of cancer, diabetes, dementia, inflammatory
      bowel disease, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and peripheral vascular
      disease; and, among those aged 66 years or older, relevant drug therapies.
      Independent risk factors for vascular mortality were identified in patients with
      AS. RESULTS: The mean age of patients with AS was 46 years, and 53% were male.
      Patients and comparators were followed for 166 920 and 686 461 patient-years,
      respectively. Adjusted HRs for vascular death in AS were 1.36 (95% CI, 1.13 to
      1.65) overall, 1.46 (CI, 1.13 to 1.87) in men, and 1.24 (CI, 0.92 to 1.67) in
      women. Significant risk factors for vascular death were age; male sex; lower
      income; dementia; chronic kidney disease; peripheral vascular disease; and, among
      patients aged 65 years or older, lack of exposure to nonsteroidal anti
      inflammatory drugs and statins. LIMITATION: Diagnosis codes for AS were not
      validated in Ontario. CONCLUSION: Ankylosing spondylitis is associated with
      increased risk for vascular mortality. A comprehensive strategy to screen and
      treat modifiable vascular risk factors in AS is needed. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE:
      The Arthritis Program, University Health Network, Toronto; and The Arthritis
      Society, Canada.

PMID- 26258402
TI  - On the accuracy of viscous and turbulent loss quantification in stenotic aortic
      flow using phase-contrast MRI.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the limits of phase contrast MRI (PC-MRI)-based
      measurements of viscous losses and turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) pertaining to
      spatial resolution, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and non-Gaussian intravoxel
      velocity distributions. THEORY AND METHODS: High-resolution particle tracking
      velocimetry data obtained in a realistic aortic phantom with stenotic flow were
      used to simulate PC-MRI measurements at different resolutions and noise levels.
      Laminar viscous losses were computed using the spatial gradients of the mean
      velocity vector field, and TKE levels were derived based on the intravoxel phase
      dispersion of flow-sensitized PC-MRI measurements. RESULTS: Increasing the voxel
      size from 0.625 to 2.5 mm resulted in an underestimation of viscous losses of up
      to 83%, whereas total TKE values showed errors of <15% and reduced sensitivity to
      voxel size. Relative errors in viscous loss quantification were found to be less
      dependent on noise levels when compared with TKE values. In general, a SNR of 20
      30 is required for both methods. CONCLUSION: At spatial resolutions feasible in
      clinical three-dimensional PC-MRI measurements, viscous losses of stenotic flows
      are significantly underestimated, whereas TKE shows smaller errors and reduced
      sensitivity to spatial resolution. Magn Reson Med 76:191-196, 2016. (c) 2015
      Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 26258403
TI  - The Use of Femoral Neck Axis Length to Estimate Sex and Ancestry.
AB  - Having multiple reliable methods of estimating sex and ancestry from various
      skeletal features increases the likelihood of identifying skeletal remains.
      Femoral neck axis length (FNAL), as measured in living individuals, has been
      shown to vary by sex and ancestry. FNAL has not, however, been previously
      measured directly from skeletonized remains and investigated for its potential
      use in forensic anthropological applications. This research proposes a method for
      measuring FNAL from skeletal remains, determines the reliability and
      repeatability of the measurement, and assesses the validity of FNAL in sex and
      ancestry estimation. Results showed low interobserver error in the measurement of
      FNAL (TEM=0.33 mm, R=0.99). Significant differences in FNAL were found between
      sexes as well as between American Black, American White, and Native American
      groups. FNAL can correctly classify sex in ~86% of all cases and is considered
      valuable to sex estimation. The value of FNAL to ancestry estimation, however, is
      considered limited.

PMID- 26258404
TI  - Complexes of DNA with the Antimicrobial Peptide LL37 Augment NK Cell Functions by
      Inducing Type I Interferon Production from Circulating Monocytes and Plasmacytoid
      Predendritic Cells.
AB  - The cationic antimicrobial peptide, LL37, forms electrostatic complexes with DNA
      (LL37-DNA), which are potent activators of circulating plasmacytoid predendritic
      cells (ppDCs) and monocytes. However, the effects of LL37-DNA on other immune
      cell types, such as NK cells, are poorly characterized. In this study, we show
      that complexes of human genomic DNA (hgDNA) or synthetic double-stranded
      oligodeoxynucleotides with LL37 strongly enhance natural cytotoxicity of human
      peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) upon an overnight culture, whereas
      hgDNA alone has no effect, and LL37 alone is moderately active. LL37-DNA
      complexes potentiate degranulation of, and interferon (IFN)-gamma production by,
      NK cells upon subsequent encounter of K562 target cells. The complexes do not
      influence percentages of NK cells among PBMCs or the expression of cytotoxic
      proteins by NK cells. Using neutralizing anticytokine antibodies and
      immunomagnetic depletion of different subpopulations of PBMCs, we found that the
      effect of LL37-DNA on NK cells is indirect and mediated by type I IFNs produced
      by monocytes and, to a lesser extent, by ppDCs. We discuss possible roles of LL37
      DNA complexes in the regulation of NK cell functions and in the treatment of
      cancer. 

PMID- 26258405
TI  - Endoscopic management of colonic diverticular bleeding.
AB  - Colonic diverticular bleeding is the most common cause of lower gastrointestinal
      bleeding. Colonoscopy can be used for both diagnosis and treatment of colonic
      diverticular bleeding. Identification of the stigmata of recent hemorrhage allows
      for various endoscopic hemostasis methods. Clipping, endoscopic band ligation,
      injection therapy, and thermal contact are available methods for endoscopic
      hemostasis. However, the optimal technique remains to be determined. Herein, we
      review the techniques and clinical outcomes of endoscopic hemostasis for colonic
      diverticular bleeding. 

PMID- 26258406
TI  - Undermeasuring Overuse--An Examination of National Clinical Performance Measures.

PMID- 26258407
TI  - Identification of Novel Biomarkers for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Using
      Angiogenesis-Antibody Array and Intracellular Signaling Array.
AB  - Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the three leading causes for cancer mortality.
      CRC kills over 600,000 people annually worldwide. The most common cause of death
      from CRC is the metastasis to distant organs. However, biomarkers for CRC
      metastasis remain ill-defined. We compared primary and metastatic CRC cell lines
      for their angiogenesis-protein profiles and intracellular signaling profiles to
      identify novel biomarkers for CRC metastasis. To this end, we used primary and
      metastatic CRC cell lines as a model system and normal human colon cell line as a
      control. The angiogenesis profiles two isogenic CRC cell lines, SW480 and SW620,
      and HT-29 and T84 revealed that VEGF was upregulated in both SW620 and T84
      whereas coagulation factor III, IGFBP-3, DPP IV, PDGF AA/AB, endothelin I and
      CXCL16 were downregulated specifically in metastatic cell lines. Furthermore, we
      found that TIMP-1, amphiregulin, endostatin, angiogenin were upregulated in SW620
      whereas downregulated in T84. Angiogenin was downregulated in T84 and GM-CSF was
      also downregulated in SW620. To induce CRC cell metastasis, we treated cells with
      pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6. Upon IL-6 treatment, epithelial-mesenchymal
      transition was induced in CRC cells. When DLD-1 and HT-29 cells were treated with
      IL-6; Akt, STAT3, AMPKalpha and Bad phosphorylation levels were increased.
      Interestingly, SW620 showed the same signal activation pattern with IL-6
      treatment of HT-29 and DLD-1. Our data suggest that Akt, STAT3, AMPKalpha and Bad
      activation can be biomarkers for metastatic colorectal cancer. IL-6 treatment
      specifically reduced phosphorylation levels of EGFR, HER2 receptor, Insulin R and
      IGF-1R in receptor tyrosine kinase array study with HT-29. Taken together, we
      have identified novel biomarkers for metastatic CRC through the angiogenesis
      antibody array and intracellular signaling array studies. Present study suggests
      that those novel biomarkers can be used as CRC prognosis biomarkers, and as
      potential targets for the metastatic CRC therapy. 

PMID- 26258408
TI  - Alteration in metabolic signature and lipid metabolism in patients with angina
      pectoris and myocardial infarction.
AB  - Lipid metabolites are indispensable regulators of physiological and pathological
      processes, including atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease (CAD). However,
      the complex changes in lipid metabolites and metabolism that occur in patients
      with these conditions are incompletely understood. We performed lipid profiling
      to identify alterations in lipid metabolism in patients with angina and
      myocardial infarction (MI). Global lipid profiling was applied to serum samples
      from patients with CAD (angina and MI) and age-, sex-, and body mass index
      matched healthy subjects using ultra-performance liquid chromatography/quadruple
      time-of-flight mass spectrometry and multivariate statistical analysis. A
      multivariate analysis showed a clear separation between the patients with CAD and
      normal controls. Lysophosphatidylcholine (lysoPC) and
      lysophosphatidylethanolamine (lysoPE) species containing unsaturated fatty acids
      and free fatty acids were associated with an increased risk of CAD, whereas
      species of lysoPC and lyso-alkyl PC containing saturated fatty acids were
      associated with a decreased risk. Additionally, PC species containing palmitic
      acid, diacylglycerol, sphingomyelin, and ceramide were associated with an
      increased risk of MI, whereas PE-plasmalogen and phosphatidylinositol species
      were associated with a decreased risk. In MI patients, we found strong positive
      correlation between lipid metabolites related to the sphingolipid pathway,
      sphingomyelin, and ceramide and acute inflammatory markers (high-sensitivity C
      reactive protein). The results of this study demonstrate altered signatures in
      lipid metabolism in patients with angina or MI. Lipidomic profiling could provide
      the information to identity the specific lipid metabolites under the presence of
      disturbed metabolic pathways in patients with CAD. 

PMID- 26258409
TI  - The Role of Liver in Determining Serum Colon-Derived Uremic Solutes.
AB  - Evidence has shown that indoxyl sulfate (IS) and p-cresyl sulfate (PCS) may be
      alternative predictors of clinical outcomes in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Both
      toxins are derived from the gastrointestinal tract and metabolised in the liver.
      However, it is unclear whether the liver affects the production of IS and PCS.
      Here, we explore the association between IS and PCS levels in liver cirrhosis and
      a CKD-based cohort (N = 115). Liver and kidney function was assessed and
      classified by a Child-Pugh score (child A-C) and a modified version of the
      Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation (Stages 1-4), respectively.
      An animal model was also used to confirm the two toxin levels in a case of liver
      fibrosis. In patients with early liver cirrhosis (child A), IS and PCS were
      significantly associated with CKD stages. In contrast, serum IS and PCS did not
      significantly change in advanced liver cirrhosis (child C). A stepwise multiple
      linear regression analysis also showed that T-PCS was significantly associated
      with stages of liver cirrhosis after adjusting for other confounding factors (B =
      -2.29, p = 0.012). Moreover, the serum and urine levels of T-PCS and T-IS were
      significantly lower in rats with liver failure than in those without (p<0.01,
      p<0.05 and p<0.01, p<0.05, respectively). These results indicated that in
      addition to the kidneys, the liver was an essential and independent organ in
      determining serum IS and PCS levels. The production rate of IS and PCS was lower
      in patients with advanced liver cirrhosis. 

PMID- 26258410
TI  - An Economic Evaluation of Neonatal Screening for Inborn Errors of Metabolism
      Using Tandem Mass Spectrometry in Thailand.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) are a rare group of genetic
      diseases which can lead to several serious long-term complications in newborns.
      In order to address these issues as early as possible, a process called tandem
      mass spectrometry (MS/MS) can be used as it allows for rapid and simultaneous
      detection of the diseases. This analysis was performed to determine whether
      newborn screening by MS/MS is cost-effective in Thailand. METHOD: A cost-utility
      analysis comprising a decision-tree and Markov model was used to estimate the
      cost in Thai baht (THB) and health outcomes in life-years (LYs) and quality
      adjusted life year (QALYs) presented as an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio
      (ICER). The results were also adjusted to international dollars (I$) using
      purchasing power parities (PPP) (1 I$ = 17.79 THB for the year 2013). The
      comparisons were between 1) an expanded neonatal screening programme using MS/MS
      screening for six prioritised diseases: phenylketonuria (PKU); isovaleric
      acidemia (IVA); methylmalonic acidemia (MMA); propionic acidemia (PA); maple
      syrup urine disease (MSUD); and multiple carboxylase deficiency (MCD); and 2) the
      current practice that is existing PKU screening. A comparison of the outcome and
      cost of treatment before and after clinical presentations were also analysed to
      illustrate the potential benefit of early treatment for affected children. A
      budget impact analysis was conducted to illustrate the cost of implementing the
      programme for 10 years. RESULTS: The ICER of neonatal screening using MS/MS
      amounted to 1,043,331 THB per QALY gained (58,647 I$ per QALY gained). The
      potential benefits of early detection compared with late detection yielded
      significant results for PKU, IVA, MSUD, and MCD patients. The budget impact
      analysis indicated that the implementation cost of the programme was expected at
      approximately 2,700 million THB (152 million I$) over 10 years. CONCLUSION: At
      the current ceiling threshold, neonatal screening using MS/MS in the Thai context
      is not cost-effective. However, the treatment of patients who were detected early
      for PKU, IVA, MSUD, and MCD, are considered favourable. The budget impact
      analysis suggests that the implementation of the programme will incur
      considerable expenses under limited resources. A long-term epidemiological study
      on the incidence of IEM in Thailand is strongly recommended to ascertain the
      magnitude of problem.

PMID- 26258411
TI  - Epigenetic silencing of ITGA2 by MiR-373 promotes cell migration in breast
      cancer.
AB  - The loss of ITGA2 plays an important role in cancer metastasis in several solid
      cancers. However, the molecular mechanism of ITGA2 loss in primary cancers
      remains unclear. In this study, we found that a lower ITGA2 protein level was
      observed in breast cancers compared to adjacent non-cancerous breast tissues.
      Interestingly, the reduction degree of ITGA2 at the protein level was far more
      than that at the mRNA level. We further showed that the translation of ITGA2 mRNA
      was directly inhibited by miR-373 through binding to ITGA2-3'UTR. Silencing of
      ITGA2 detached cell-cell interactions, induced the deploymerization of stress
      fiber F-actin and stimulated cancer cell migration, similar to the effect of miR
      373 over-expression. The co-expression of ITGA2, not ITGA2-3'UTR, could abrogate
      miR-373-induced cancer cell migration because that the expression of ITGA2-3'UTR
      was inhibited by co-transfected miR-373. ITGA2 protein level was inversely
      associated with miR-373 level in breast cancers (r = -0.663, P<0.001). 73.33% of
      breast cancer patients with high miR-373 and low ITGA2 expression exhibited the
      lymph node-positive metastases. Together, our results show that epigenetic
      silencing of ITGA2 by miR-373 stimulates breast cancer migration, and miR
      373high/ITGA2low may be as a prognosis biomarker for breast cancer patients. 

PMID- 26258412
TI  - Tumor neoantigens: building a framework for personalized cancer immunotherapy.
AB  - It is now well established that the immune system can recognize developing
      cancers and that therapeutic manipulation of immunity can induce tumor
      regression. The capacity to manifest remarkably durable responses in some
      patients has been ascribed in part to T cells that can (a) kill tumor cells
      directly, (b) orchestrate diverse antitumor immune responses, (c) manifest long
      lasting memory, and (d) display remarkable specificity for tumor-derived
      proteins. This specificity stems from fundamental differences between cancer
      cells and their normal counterparts in that the former develop protein-altering
      mutations and undergo epigenetic and genetic alterations, resulting in aberrant
      protein expression. These events can result in formation of tumor antigens. The
      identification of mutated and aberrantly expressed self-tumor antigens has
      historically been time consuming and laborious. While mutant antigens are usually
      expressed in a tumor-specific manner, aberrantly expressed antigens are often
      shared between cancers and, therefore, in the past, have been the major focus of
      therapeutic cancer vaccines. However, advances in next-generation sequencing and
      epitope prediction now permit the rapid identification of mutant tumor
      neoantigens. This review focuses on a discussion of mutant tumor neoantigens and
      their use in personalizing cancer immunotherapies. 

PMID- 26258413
TI  - Restoration of Na+/H+ exchanger NHE3-containing macrocomplexes ameliorates
      diabetes-associated fluid loss.
AB  - Diarrhea is one of the troublesome complications of diabetes, and the underlying
      causes of this problem are complex. Here, we investigated whether altered
      electrolyte transport contributes to diabetic diarrhea. We found that the
      expression of Na+/H+ exchanger NHE3 and several scaffold proteins, including NHE3
      regulatory factors (NHERFs), inositol trisphosphate (IP3) receptor-binding
      protein released with IP3 (IRBIT), and ezrin, was decreased in the intestinal
      brush border membrane (BBM) of mice with streptozotocin-induced diabetes.
      Treatment of diabetic mice with insulin restored intestinal NHE3 activity and
      fluid absorption. Molecular analysis revealed that NHE3, NHERF1, IRBIT, and ezrin
      form macrocomplexes, which are perturbed under diabetic conditions, and insulin
      administration reconstituted these macrocomplexes and restored NHE3 expression in
      the BBM. Silencing of NHERF1 or IRBIT prevented NHE3 trafficking to the BBM and
      insulin-dependent NHE3 activation. IRBIT facilitated the interaction of NHE3 with
      NHERF1 via protein kinase D2-dependent phosphorylation. Insulin stimulated ezrin
      phosphorylation, which enhanced the interaction of ezrin with NHERF1, IRBIT, and
      NHE3. Additionally, oral administration of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) increased
      NHE3 activity and fluid absorption in diabetic mice via an insulin-independent
      pathway. Together, these findings indicate the importance of NHE3 in diabetic
      diarrhea and suggest LPA administration as a potential therapeutic strategy for
      management of diabetic diarrhea.

PMID- 26258414
TI  - Arginine methyltransferase PRMT5 is essential for sustaining normal adult
      hematopoiesis.
AB  - Epigenetic regulators play critical roles in normal hematopoiesis, and the
      activity of these enzymes is frequently altered in hematopoietic cancers. The
      major type II protein arginine methyltransferase PRMT5 catalyzes the formation of
      symmetric dimethyl arginine and has been implicated in various cellular
      processes, including pluripotency and tumorigenesis. Here, we generated Prmt5
      conditional KO mice to evaluate the contribution of PRMT5 to adult hematopoiesis.
      Loss of PRMT5 triggered an initial but transient expansion of hematopoietic stem
      cells (HSCs); however, Prmt5 deletion resulted in a concurrent loss of
      hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs), leading to fatal BM aplasia. PRMT5
      specific effects on hematopoiesis were cell intrinsic and depended on PRMT5
      methyltransferase activity. We found that PRMT5-deficient hematopoietic stem and
      progenitor cells exhibited severely impaired cytokine signaling as well as
      upregulation of p53 and expression of its downstream targets. Together, our
      results demonstrate that PRMT5 plays distinct roles in the behavior of HSCs
      compared with HPCs and is essential for the maintenance of adult hematopoietic
      cells. 

PMID- 26258415
TI  - A molecular trigger for intercontinental epidemics of group A Streptococcus.
AB  - The identification of the molecular events responsible for strain emergence,
      enhanced virulence, and epidemicity has been a long-pursued goal in infectious
      diseases research. A recent analysis of 3,615 genomes of serotype M1 group A
      Streptococcus strains (the so-called "flesh-eating" bacterium) identified a
      recombination event that coincides with the global M1 pandemic beginning in the
      early 1980s. Here, we have shown that the allelic variation that results from
      this recombination event, which replaces the chromosomal region encoding secreted
      NADase and streptolysin O, is the key driver of increased toxin production and
      enhanced infection severity of the M1 pandemic strains. Using isoallelic mutant
      strains, we found that 3 polymorphisms in this toxin gene region increase
      resistance to killing by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes, increase bacterial
      proliferation, and increase virulence in animal models of pharyngitis and
      necrotizing fasciitis. Genome sequencing of an additional 1,125 streptococcal
      strains and virulence studies revealed that a highly similar recombinational
      replacement event underlies an ongoing intercontinental epidemic of serotype M89
      group A Streptococcus infections. By identifying the molecular changes that
      enhance upper respiratory tract fitness, increased resistance to innate immunity,
      and increased tissue destruction, we describe a mechanism that underpins epidemic
      streptococcal infections, which have affected many millions of people. 

PMID- 26258417
TI  - Rapamycin improves TIE2-mutated venous malformation in murine model and human
      subjects.
AB  - Venous malformations (VMs) are composed of ectatic veins with scarce smooth
      muscle cell coverage. Activating mutations in the endothelial cell tyrosine
      kinase receptor TIE2 are a common cause of these lesions. VMs cause deformity,
      pain, and local intravascular coagulopathy, and they expand with time. Targeted
      pharmacological therapies are not available for this condition. Here, we
      generated a model of VMs by injecting HUVECs expressing the most frequent VM
      causing TIE2 mutation, TIE2-L914F, into immune-deficient mice. TIE2-L914F
      expressing HUVECs formed VMs with ectatic blood-filled channels that enlarged
      over time. We tested both rapamycin and a TIE2 tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TIE2
      TKI) for their effects on murine VM expansion and for their ability to inhibit
      mutant TIE2 signaling. Rapamycin prevented VM growth, while TIE2-TKI had no
      effect. In cultured TIE2-L914F-expressing HUVECs, rapamycin effectively reduced
      mutant TIE2-induced AKT signaling and, though TIE2-TKI did target the WT
      receptor, it only weakly suppressed mutant-induced AKT signaling. In a
      prospective clinical pilot study, we analyzed the effects of rapamycin in 6
      patients with difficult-to-treat venous anomalies. Rapamycin reduced pain,
      bleeding, lesion size, functional and esthetic impairment, and intravascular
      coagulopathy. This study provides a VM model that allows evaluation of potential
      therapeutic strategies and demonstrates that rapamycin provides clinical
      improvement in patients with venous malformation. 

PMID- 26258418
TI  - Maternal functional hemodynamics in the second half of pregnancy: a longitudinal
      study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Cardiovascular response to passive leg raising (PLR) is useful in
      assessing preload reserve, but it has not been studied longitudinally during
      pregnancy. We aimed to investigate gestational age associated serial changes in
      maternal functional hemodynamics and establish longitudinal reference ranges for
      the second half of pregnancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective
      longitudinal study on 98 healthy pregnant women who were examined 3-5 times
      during 20-40 weeks of gestation (a total of 441 observations). Maternal cardiac
      function and systemic hemodynamics were assessed at baseline and 90 seconds after
      PLR using impedance cardiography (ICG). The main outcome measures were
      gestational age specific changes in ICG-derived variables of maternal
      cardiovascular function and functional hemodynamic response to PLR. RESULTS:
      Hemodynamic response to PLR varied during pregnancy. PLR led to an insignificant
      increase in stroke volume during 20+0 to 31+6 weeks, but later in gestation the
      stroke volume was slightly lower at PLR compared to baseline. PLR caused no
      significant change in cardiac output between 20+0 and 23+6 weeks and a
      significant decrease after 24+0 weeks. A decrease in heart rate, mean arterial
      pressure, and cardiac contractility was observed during PLR throughout the second
      half of pregnancy. Systemic vascular resistance was reduced by PLR up to 32+0
      weeks, but increased slightly thereafter. CONCLUSION: Healthy pregnant women
      appear to have limited preload reserve and reduced cardiac contractility,
      especially in the third trimester, which makes them vulnerable to fluid overload
      and cardiac failure.

PMID- 26258419
TI  - [The Austrian LEAD (Lung hEart sociAL boDy) Study: Background of the Austrian
      Longitudinal Cohort Study].
AB  - More research is needed to elucidate natural history and underlying
      pathomechanisms of the most common airway diseases, Asthma and COPD. In the last
      decade risk factors affecting the natural history of lung function, defined by
      the decline of lung function over time, have been evaluated. Moreover, scientific
      methods have been extended and novel biomarkers, genetics, metabolomics, and
      epidemiology are dominant tools for investigating the natural history of lung
      function and potential risk factors. Evidence shows that lung function in
      childhood is a predictor for lung function in adulthood and risk factors starting
      in utero contribute to lung function decline during life. Therefore, recently it
      has been hypothesized that COPD begins in childhood. Thus, prospective
      investigation of lung function changes including novel scientific methodology has
      been advocated. The Austrian LEAD  study has been initiated in the general
      population 2012 to investigate the natural history of obstructive airway
      diseases.

PMID- 26258416
TI  - Reversal of microRNA-150 silencing disadvantages crizotinib-resistant NPM-ALK(+)
      cell growth.
AB  - The regulatory microRNA miR-150 is involved in the development of hemopathies and
      is downregulated in T-lymphomas, such as anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL)
      tumors. ALCL is defined by the presence or absence of translocations that
      activate the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), with nucleophosmin-ALK (NPM-ALK)
      fusions being the most common. Here, we compared samples of primary NPM-ALK(+)
      and NPM-ALK(-) ALCL to investigate the role of miR-150 downstream of NPM-ALK.
      Methylation of the MIR150 gene was substantially elevated in NPM-ALK(+) biopsies
      and correlated with reduced miR-150 expression. In NPM-ALK(+) cell lines, DNA
      hypermethylation-mediated miR-150 repression required ALK-dependent pathways, as
      ALK inhibition restored miR-150 expression. Moreover, epigenetic silencing of miR
      150 was due to the activation of STAT3, a major downstream substrate of NPM-ALK,
      in cooperation with DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1). Accordingly, miR-150
      repression was turned off following treatment with the DNMT inhibitor,
      decitabine. In murine NPM-ALK(+) xenograft models, miR-150 upregulation induced
      antineoplastic activity. Treatment of crizotinib-resistant NPM-ALK(+) KARPAS-299
      CR06 cells with decitabine or ectopic miR-150 expression reduced viability and
      growth. Altogether, our results suggest that hypomethylating drugs, alone or in
      combination with other agents, may benefit ALK(+) patients harboring tumors
      resistant to crizotinib and other anti-ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs).
      Moreover, these results support further work on miR-150 in these and other ALK(+)
      malignancies. 

PMID- 26258420
TI  - [Differential Treatment Strategy of Pleural Empyema in a Post-Pneumonectomy
      Cavity].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Pleural empyema in a post-pneumonectomy cavity (PEC) occurs with a
      frequency of 2% -15% and a mortality of more than 10%. It can occur with or
      without bronchopleural fistula (BPF). The treatment of empyema in the PEC
      requires a strict algorithm: drainage, bronchoscopy, closure of the fistula,
      thorough cleaning of the PEC, filling the cavity, thoracoplasty. METHODS: 39
      cases with an empyema in the PEC were analysed retrospectively (men: n = 38;
      women: n = 1; mean age: 60.3 +/- 7.6 years). In 32 (82.1%) of the patients, a BPF
      was detected (right: n = 26, left: n = 6). The average length of stay in hospital
      was 125 days (22 - 293 days). Cleaning of the PEC was achieved in all surviving
      patients (n = 23, 65.1%). All patients (n = 39) underwent bronchoscopy with
      placement of a chest tube for drainage. The BPF was closed in three cases (7.7%)
      with a stent while in 12 cases (30.8%) a vascularized flap was used. In 14
      patients (35.9%) the bronchial stump was either reclosed with sutures or
      resected. In three cases (7.7%) a re-anastomosis was performed. RESULTS: The PEC
      became sterile by regular flushing with antibiotic solution in three patients
      (7.7%). In 35.9% of the patients (n = 14), aggressive surgical debridement (Weder
      procedure) was necessary. A thoracic window was applied in 22 patients (56.4%),
      followed by negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) and change of dressing every
      three to four days or a tamponade of the thoracic cavity with simple dressings.
      In 19 patients (48.7%) the thoracic cavity was sealed with an antibiotic
      solution. In 5 cases an Alexander thoracoplasty took place. CONCLUSIONS: Pleural
      empyema after pneumonectomy still poses a serious postoperative complication. A
      bronchopleural fistula is often detected. Thus, two problems arise at the same
      time - fistula and infection in the pleural cavity. Through a strict algorithm,
      both problems can be dealt with in stages. After sealing the fistula, the
      thoracic cavity is thoroughly cleaned and finally the thorax is closed. Only in a
      small number of patients (1.3%) in whom these measures remain ineffective
      (persistent MRSA, aspergillus colonization) should the cavity be obliterated by
      thoracoplasty.

PMID- 26258421
TI  - [Pilot Project: Improved Lung Deposition via a New Nasal Inhalation Procedure].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Inhaled drugs can only be effective if they reach the middle and
      small airways. This study introduces a system that combines a trans-nasal
      application of aerosols with noninvasive pressure support ventilation. METHODS:
      In a pilot study, 7 COPD patients with GOLD stages II and III inhaled a
      radiolabeled marker dissolved in water via a trans-nasal route. The mean aerosol
      particle size was 5.5 um. Each patient took part in two inhalation sessions that
      included two application methods and were at least 70 hours apart. During the
      first session ("passive method"), the patient inhaled the aerosol through an open
      tube system. The second session ("active method") included pressure support
      ventilation during the inhalation process. A gamma camera and planar scintigraphy
      was used to determine the distribution of aerosol particles in the patient's body
      and lung. RESULTS: The pressure supported inhalation ("active method") results in
      an increased aerosol lung deposition compared to the passive method. Above all,
      we could demonstrate deposition in the lung periphery with relatively large
      aerosol particles (5.5 um). DISCUSSION: The results prove that the combination of
      trans-nasal inhalation with noninvasive pressure support ventilation leads to
      significantly increased particle deposition in the lung.

PMID- 26258422
TI  - [ROS1-Translocations in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer].
AB  - AIM: Summary of prevalence, testing and treatment approaches in patients with non
      small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and ROS1 activation. METHODS: Internet-based
      search for clinical and preclinical studies as well as search for ongoing studies
      in web-based databases. RESULTS: ROS1 translocations lead to tyrosine kinase
      activation and can be detected in 1 - 2% of all NSCLC and in 3 - 6% of pulmonary
      adenocarcinoma patients, respectively, using in situ hybridization techniques.
      RESULTS from phase I clinical studies using the ROS1 inhibitor crizotinib
      indicate response rates of 70 - 80% and a median progression-free survival of
      about 19 months. The therapy was generally well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: NSCLC
      harbouring ROS1-translocations can be treated with targeted therapy leading to
      promising response and survival in patients. Hence, these alterations should be
      included into current molecular testing panels in stage IV pulmonary
      adenocarcinomas.

PMID- 26258423
TI  - Evaluation of pain sensitivity by tender point counts and myalgic score in
      patients with and without obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.
AB  - AIM: The purpose of this study was to assess the difference between patients with
      and without obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) with respect to pain
      sensitivity. METHOD: The study was conducted on 31 womens diagnosed with OSAS and
      31 healthy women. All patients underwent polysomnographic testing. A pressure
      algometer (dolorimeter) was used to measure the pressure pain threshold.
      Fibromyalgia was diagnosed based on the 1990 American College of Rheumatology
      diagnosis criteria. RESULTS: The myalgic score was 73.95 +/- 18.09 in patients
      with OSAS, while this value was 84.18 +/- 24.31 in the control group. The
      difference between the groups was statistically significant (P = 0.041).The
      number of tender points was 8.19 +/- 3.35 in the patient group with OSAS, while
      this number was 6.35 +/- 2.23 in the control group. The difference between the
      two groups was statistically significant (P = 0.014). No statistically
      significant differences were found between age, body mass index, Beck depression
      scores, control point score and the presence of fibromyalgia, between the two
      groups (P > 0.05). A statistically significant positive correlation was found
      between the myalgic scores and mean saturation O2 (%) values of the patients (r =
      0.357; P = 0.049). CONCLUSION: The differences noted between OSAS patients and
      the control group with respect to myalgic score and the number of tender points
      suggest that there might be a relation between OSAS and pain sensitivity. There
      might be an association between low oxygen saturation and total myalgic score.

PMID- 26258424
TI  - Cell surface expression level variation between two common Human Leukocyte
      Antigen alleles, HLA-A2 and HLA-B8, is dependent on the structure of the C
      terminal part of the alpha 2 and the alpha 3 domains.
AB  - Constitutive cell surface expression of Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) class I
      antigens vary extremely from tissue to tissue and individual antigens may differ
      widely in expression levels. Down-regulation of class I expression is a known
      immune evasive mechanism used by cancer cells and viruses. Moreover, recent
      observations suggest that even minor differences in expression levels may
      influence the course of viral infections and the frequency of complications to
      stem cell transplantation. We have shown that some human multipotent stem cells
      have high expression of HLA-A while HLA-B is only weakly expressed, and
      demonstrate here that this is also the case for the human embryonic kidney cell
      line HEK293T. Using quantitative flow cytometry and quantitative polymerase chain
      reaction we found expression levels of endogenous HLA-A3 (median 71,204 molecules
      per cell) 9.2-fold higher than the expression of-B7 (P = 0.002). Transfection
      experiments with full-length HLA-A2 and -B8 encoding plasmids confirmed this
      (54,031 molecules per cell vs. 2,466, respectively, P = 0.001) independently of
      transcript levels suggesting a post-transcriptional regulation. Using chimeric
      constructs we found that the cytoplasmic tail and the transmembrane region had no
      impact on the differential cell surface expression. In contrast, ~65% of the
      difference could be mapped to the six C-terminal amino acids of the alpha 2
      domain and the alpha 3 domain (amino acids 176-284), i.e. amino acids not
      previously shown to be of importance for differential expression levels of HLA
      class I molecules. We suggest that the differential cell surface expression of
      two common HLA-A and-B alleles is regulated by a post-translational mechanism
      that may involve hitherto unrecognized molecules. 

PMID- 26258426
TI  - Lattice Breathing Inhibited Layered Vanadium Oxide Ultrathin Nanobelts for
      Enhanced Sodium Storage.
AB  - Operating as the "rocking-chair" battery, sodium ion battery (SIB) with
      acceptable high capacity is a very promising energy storage technology. Layered
      vanadium oxide xerogel exhibits high sodium storage capacity. But it undergoes
      large lattice breathing during sodiation/desodiation, resulting in fast capacity
      fading. Herein, we develop a facile hydrothermal method to synthesize iron
      preintercalated vanadium oxide ultrathin nanobelts (Fe-VOx) with constricted
      interlayer spacing. Using the Fe-VOx as cathode for SIB, the lattice breathing
      during sodiation/desodiation is largely inhibited and the interlayer spacing is
      stabilized for reversible and rapid Na(+) insertion/extraction, displaying
      enhanced cycling and rate performance. This work presents a new strategy to
      reduce the lattice breathing of layered materials for enhanced sodium storage
      through interlayer spacing engineering. 

PMID- 26258425
TI  - New circulating biomarkers for predicting cardiovascular death in healthy
      population.
AB  - There is interest to analyse newer biomarkers to identify healthy individuals at
      risk to develop cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidents and death. To determine in
      healthy individuals new circulating protein biomarkers, whose systemic levels may
      be associated with the risk of future development of CVD incidents and death. The
      study was performed in 82 individuals from the Malmo Diet and Cancer study
      cohort, free from CVD of whom 41 developed CVD and 41 did not. Plasma proteins
      related to inflammation and thrombo-coagulating processes were analysed. alpha1
      antitrypsin isotype 3 plasma levels were significantly higher while
      apolipoprotein J plasma levels were lower in participants that developed CVD
      incidents than those that did not develop acute cardiovascular episode. Of 82
      participants, 17 died by CVD causes. There were proteins whose expression in
      plasma was significantly higher in participants suffering CVD death as compared
      with those that did not die by CVD. These proteins included: fibrinogen beta
      chain isotypes 1 and 3, fibrinogen-gamma-chain isotype 2, vitamin D-binding
      protein isotypes 1, 2 and 3, alpha1-antitrypsin isotypes 3 and 6, haptoglobin
      isotypes 3,4,5 and 5, haemopexin isotypes 1 and 2, and Rho/Rac guanine nucleotide
      exchange factor 2. Moreover, apolipoprotein J plasma levels were found lower in
      participants that died by cardiovascular cause. Association between plasma levels
      of proteins and CVD death was independent of age, gender, conventional risk
      factors and plasma C-reactive protein levels. Several protein plasma levels and
      protein isotypes related to inflammation and thrombo-coagulating phenomena were
      independently associated with the risk of future CVD death. 

PMID- 26258430
TI  - Real-Time Automatic Segmentation of Optical Coherence Tomography Volume Data of
      the Macular Region.
AB  - Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a high speed, high resolution and non
      invasive imaging modality that enables the capturing of the 3D structure of the
      retina. The fast and automatic analysis of 3D volume OCT data is crucial taking
      into account the increased amount of patient-specific 3D imaging data. In this
      work, we have developed an automatic algorithm, OCTRIMA 3D (OCT Retinal IMage
      Analysis 3D), that could segment OCT volume data in the macular region fast and
      accurately. The proposed method is implemented using the shortest-path based
      graph search, which detects the retinal boundaries by searching the shortest-path
      between two end nodes using Dijkstra's algorithm. Additional techniques, such as
      inter-frame flattening, inter-frame search region refinement, masking and biasing
      were introduced to exploit the spatial dependency between adjacent frames for the
      reduction of the processing time. Our segmentation algorithm was evaluated by
      comparing with the manual labelings and three state of the art graph-based
      segmentation methods. The processing time for the whole OCT volume of 496*644*51
      voxels (captured by Spectralis SD-OCT) was 26.15 seconds which is at least a 2-8
      fold increase in speed compared to other, similar reference algorithms used in
      the comparisons. The average unsigned error was about 1 pixel (~ 4 microns),
      which was also lower compared to the reference algorithms. We believe that
      OCTRIMA 3D is a leap forward towards achieving reliable, real-time analysis of 3D
      OCT retinal data. 

PMID- 26258431
TI  - Fast flow microfluidics and single-molecule fluorescence for the rapid
      characterization of alpha-synuclein oligomers.
AB  - alpha-Synuclein oligomers can be toxic to cells and may be responsible for cell
      death in Parkinson's disease. Their typically low abundance and highly
      heterogeneous nature, however, make such species challenging to study using
      traditional biochemical techniques. By combining fast-flow microfluidics with
      single-molecule fluorescence, we are able to rapidly follow the process by which
      oligomers of alphaS are formed and to characterize the species themselves. We
      have used the technique to show that populations of oligomers with different FRET
      efficiencies have varying stabilities when diluted into low ionic strength
      solutions. Interestingly, we have found that oligomers formed early in the
      aggregation pathway have electrostatic repulsions that are shielded in the high
      ionic strength buffer and therefore dissociate when diluted into lower ionic
      strength solutions. This property can be used to isolate different structural
      groups of alphaS oligomers and can help to rationalize some aspects of alphaS
      amyloid fibril formation. 

PMID- 26258432
TI  - Ethylene Glycol Intercalated Cobalt/Nickel Layered Double Hydroxide Nanosheet
      Assemblies with Ultrahigh Specific Capacitance: Structural Design and Green
      Synthesis for Advanced Electrochemical Storage.
AB  - Because of the rapid depletion of fossil fuels and severe environmental
      pollution, more advanced energy-storage systems need to possess dramatically
      improved performance and be produced on a large scale with high efficiency while
      maintaining low-enough costs to ensure the higher and wider requirements. A
      facile, energy-saving process was successfully adopted for the synthesis of
      ethylene glycol intercalated cobalt/nickel layered double hydroxide (EG-Co/Ni
      LDH) nanosheet assembly variants with higher interlayer distance and tunable
      transitional-metal composition. At an optimized starting Co/Ni ratio of 1, the
      nanosheet assemblies display a three-dimensional, spongelike network, affording a
      high specific surface area with advantageous mesopore structure in 2-5 nm
      containing large numbers of about 1.2 nm micropores for promoting electrochemical
      reaction. An unprecedented electrochemical performance was achieved, with a
      specific capacitance of 4160 F g(-1) at a discharge current density of 1 A g(-1)
      and of 1313 F g(-1) even at 50 A g(-1), as well as excellent cycling ability. The
      design and optimization of EG-Co/Ni LDH nanosheets in compositions, structures,
      and performances, in conjunction with the easy and relatively "green" synthetic
      process, will play a pivotal role in meeting the needs of large-scale manufacture
      and widespread application for advanced electrochemical storage. 

PMID- 26258433
TI  - Sialic Acid Glycoengineering Using an Unnatural Sialic Acid for the Detection of
      Sialoglycan Biosynthesis Defects and On-Cell Synthesis of Siglec Ligands.
AB  - Sialoglycans play a vital role in physiology, and aberrant sialoglycan expression
      is associated with a broad spectrum of diseases. Since biosynthesis of
      sialoglycans is only partially regulated at the genetic level, chemical tools are
      crucial to study their function. Here, we report the development of
      propargyloxycarbonyl sialic acid (Ac5NeuNPoc) as a powerful tool for sialic acid
      glycoengineering. Ac5NeuNPoc showed strongly increased labeling efficiency and
      exhibited less toxicity compared to those of widely used mannosamine analogues in
      vitro and was also more efficiently incorporated into sialoglycans in vivo.
      Unlike mannosamine analogues, Ac5NeuNPoc was exclusively utilized in the
      sialoglycan biosynthesis pathway, allowing a genetic defect in sialic acid
      biosynthesis to be specifically detected. Furthermore, Ac5NeuNPoc-based sialic
      acid glycoengineering enabled the on-cell synthesis of high-affinity Siglec-7
      ligands and the identification of a novel Siglec-2 ligand. Thus, Ac5NeuNPoc
      glycoengineering is a highly efficient, nontoxic, and selective approach to study
      and modulate sialoglycan interactions on living cells. 

PMID- 26258434
TI  - Toward an Understanding of the Ambiguous Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectra
      of the Iminoxy Radical from o-Fluorobenzaldehyde Oxime: Density Functional Theory
      and ab Initio Studies.
AB  - Iminoxy radicals (R1R2C?N-O*) possess an inherent ability to exist as E and Z
      isomers. Although isotropic hyperfine couplings for the species with R1 = H allow
      one to distinguish between E and Z, unequivocal assignment of the parameters
      observed in the EPR spectra of the radicals without the hydrogen atom at the
      azomethine carbon to the right isomer is not a simple task. The iminoxyl derived
      from o-fluoroacetophenone oxime (R1 = CH3 and R2 = o-FC6H5) appears to be a case
      in point. Moreover, for its two isomers the rotation of the o-FC6H5 group brings
      into existence the syn and anti conformers, depending on the mutual orientation
      of the F atom and C?N-O* group, making a description of hyperfine couplings to
      structure even more challenging. To accomplish this, a vast array of theoretical
      methods (DFT, OO-SCS-MP2, QCISD) was used to calculate the isotropic hyperfine
      couplings. The comparison between experimental and theoretical values revealed
      that the E isomer is the dominant radical form, for which a fast interconversion
      between anti and syn conformers is expected. In addition, the origin of the
      significant AF increase with solvent polarity was analyzed.

PMID- 26258435
TI  - Model Peptide Studies Reveal a Mixed Histidine-Methionine Cu(I) Binding Site at
      the N-Terminus of Human Copper Transporter 1.
AB  - Copper is a vital metal cofactor in enzymes that are essential to myriad
      biological processes. Cellular acquisition of copper is primarily accomplished
      through the Ctr family of plasma membrane copper transport proteins. Model
      peptide studies indicate that the human Ctr1 N-terminus binds to Cu(II) with high
      affinity through an amino terminal Cu(II), Ni(II) (ATCUN) binding site. Unlike
      typical ATCUN-type peptides, the Ctr1 peptide facilitates the ascorbate-dependent
      reduction of Cu(II) bound in its ATCUN site by virtue of an adjacent HH (bis-His)
      sequence in the peptide. It is likely that the Cu(I) coordination environment
      influences the redox behavior of Cu bound to this peptide; however, the identity
      and coordination geometry of the Cu(I) site has not been elucidated from previous
      work. Here, we show data from NMR, XAS, and structural modeling that sheds light
      on the identity of the Cu(I) binding site of a Ctr1 model peptide. The Cu(I) site
      includes the same bis-His site identified in previous work to facilitate
      ascorbate-dependent Cu(II) reduction. The data presented here are consistent with
      a rational mechanism by which Ctr1 provides coordination environments that
      facilitate Cu(II) reduction prior to Cu(I) transport. 

PMID- 26258436
TI  - Molecular Switching via Multiplicity-Exclusive E/Z Photoisomerization Pathways.
AB  - Mutual exclusivity in the nature of forward and reserve isomerization pathways
      holds promise for predictably controlling responses of photoswitchable materials
      according to molecular structure or external stimuli. Herein we have
      characterized the E/Z photoisomerization mechanisms of the visible-light
      triggered switch 1,2-dithienyl-1,2-dicyanoethene (4TCE) in chlorobenzene with
      ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy. We observe that switching mechanisms
      occur exclusively by relaxation through electronic manifolds of different spin
      multiplicity: trans-to-cis isomerization only occurs via electronic relaxation
      within the singlet manifold on a time scale of 40 ps; in contrast, cis-to-trans
      isomerization is not observed above 440 nm, but occurs via two rapid ISC
      processes into and out of the triplet manifold on time scales of ~2 ps and 0.4
      ns, respectively, when excited at higher energies (e.g., 420 nm). Observation of
      ultrafast ISC in cis-4TCE is consistent with photoinduced dynamics of related
      thiophene-based oligomers. Interpretation of the photophysical pathways
      underlying these isomerization reactions is supported by the observation that cis
      to-trans isomerization occurs efficiently via triplet-sensitized energy transfer,
      whereas trans-to-cis isomerization does not. Quantum-chemical calculations reveal
      that the T1 potential energy surface is barrierless along the coordinate of the
      central ethylene dihedral angle (theta) from the cis Franck-Condon region (theta
      = 175 degrees ) to geometries that are within the region of the trans ground
      state well; furthermore, the T1 and S1 surfaces cross with a substantial spin
      orbital coupling. In total, we demonstrate that E/Z photoswitching of 4TCE
      operates by multiplicity-exclusive pathways, enabling additional means for
      tailoring switch performance by manipulating spin-orbit couplings through
      variations in molecular structure or physical environment. 

PMID- 26258437
TI  - Structure-Activity and Structure-Property Relationship and Exploratory in Vivo
      Evaluation of the Nanomolar Keap1-Nrf2 Protein-Protein Interaction Inhibitor.
AB  - Directly disrupting the Keap1-Nrf2 protein-protein interaction (PPI) is an
      effective way to activate Nrf2. Using the potent Keap1-Nrf2 PPI inhibitor that
      was reported by our group, we conducted a preliminary investigation of the
      structure-activity and structure-property relationships of the ring systems to
      improve the drug-like properties. Compound 18e, which bore p-acetamido
      substituents on the side chain phenyl rings, was the best choice for balancing
      PPI inhibition activity, physicochemical properties, and cellular Nrf2 activity.
      Cell-based experiments with 18e showed that the Keap1-Nrf2 PPI inhibitor can
      activate Nrf2 and induce the expression of Nrf2 downstream proteins in an Nrf2
      dependent manner. An exploratory in vivo experiment was carried out to further
      evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of 18e in a LPS-challenged mouse model.
      The primary results indicated that 18e could reduce the level of circulating pro
      inflammatory cytokines induced by LPS and relieve the inflammatory response. 

PMID- 26258438
TI  - Ship Compliance in Emission Control Areas: Technology Costs and Policy
      Instruments.
AB  - This paper explores whether a Panama Canal Authority pollution tax could be an
      effective economic instrument to achieve Emission Control Area (ECA)-like
      reductions in emissions from ships transiting the Panama Canal. This tariff-based
      policy action, whereby vessels in compliance with International Maritime
      Organisation (IMO) ECA standards pay a lower transit tariff than noncompliant
      vessels, could be a feasible alternative to petitioning for a Panamanian ECA
      through the IMO. A $4.06/container fuel tax could incentivize ECA-compliant
      emissions reductions for nearly two-thirds of Panama Canal container vessels,
      mainly through fuel switching; if the vessel(s) also operate in IMO-defined ECAs,
      exhaust-gas treatment technologies may be cost-effective. The RATES model
      presented here compares current abatement technologies based on hours of
      operation within an ECA, computing costs for a container vessel to comply with
      ECA standards in addition to computing the Canal tax that would reduce emissions
      in Panama. Retrofitted open-loop scrubbers are cost-effective only for vessels
      operating within an ECA for more than 4500 h annually. Fuel switching is the
      least-cost option to industry for vessels that operate mostly outside of ECA
      regions, whereas vessels operating entirely within an ECA region could reduce
      compliance cost with exhaust-gas treatment technology (scrubbers).

PMID- 26258439
TI  - Scalable Production of Si Nanoparticles Directly from Low Grade Sources for
      Lithium-Ion Battery Anode.
AB  - Silicon, one of the most promising candidates as lithium-ion battery anode, has
      attracted much attention due to its high theoretical capacity, abundant
      existence, and mature infrastructure. Recently, Si nanostructures-based lithium
      ion battery anode, with sophisticated structure designs and process development,
      has made significant progress. However, low cost and scalable processes to
      produce these Si nanostructures remained as a challenge, which limits the
      widespread applications. Herein, we demonstrate that Si nanoparticles with
      controlled size can be massively produced directly from low grade Si sources
      through a scalable high energy mechanical milling process. In addition, we
      systematically studied Si nanoparticles produced from two major low grade Si
      sources, metallurgical silicon (~99 wt % Si, $1/kg) and ferrosilicon (~83 wt %
      Si, $0.6/kg). It is found that nanoparticles produced from ferrosilicon sources
      contain FeSi2, which can serve as a buffer layer to alleviate the mechanical
      fractures of volume expansion, whereas nanoparticles from metallurgical Si
      sources have higher capacity and better kinetic properties because of higher
      purity and better electronic transport properties. Ferrosilicon nanoparticles and
      metallurgical Si nanoparticles demonstrate over 100 stable deep cycling after
      carbon coating with the reversible capacities of 1360 mAh g(-1) and 1205 mAh g(
      1), respectively. Therefore, our approach provides a new strategy for cost
      effective, energy-efficient, large scale synthesis of functional Si electrode
      materials. 

PMID- 26258440
TI  - Ferulic Acid-Based Polymers with Glycol Functionality as a Versatile Platform for
      Topical Applications.
AB  - Ferulic acid-based polymers with aliphatic linkages have been previously
      synthesized via solution polymerization methods, yet they feature relatively slow
      ferulic acid release rates (~11 months to 100% completion). To achieve a more
      rapid release rate as required in skin care formulations, ferulic acid-based
      polymers with ethylene glycol linkers were prepared to increase hydrophilicity
      and, in turn, increase ferulic acid release rates. The polymers were
      characterized using nuclear magnetic resonance and Fourier transform infrared
      spectroscopies to confirm chemical composition. The molecular weights, thermal
      properties (e.g., glass transition temperature), and contact angles were also
      obtained and the polymers compared. Polymer glass transition temperature was
      observed to decrease with increasing linker molecule length, whereas increasing
      oxygen content decreased polymer contact angle. The polymers' chemical structures
      and physical properties were shown to influence ferulic acid release rates and
      antioxidant activity. In all polymers, ferulic acid release was achieved with no
      bioactive decomposition. These polymers demonstrate the ability to strategically
      release ferulic acid at rates and concentrations relevant for topical
      applications such as skin care products. 

PMID- 26258441
TI  - LCGserver: A Webserver for Exploring Evolutionary Trajectory of Gene Orders in a
      Large Number of Genomes.
AB  - Genes and chromosomes are highly organized; together with protein-coding
      sequence, gene structure at per gene level and gene order at cluster level are
      both variable in a context of lineages and under natural selection. How gene
      order and chromosome organization are related and selected remains to be
      illuminated. The number of newly-sequenced genomes from various taxa has been
      increasing rapidly, but there have not been easy-to-use web tools that allow
      better visualization for gene order in a large genome collection. Here, we
      describe a webserver, LCGserver (http://lcgbase.big.ac.cn/LCGserver/), for
      exploring evolutionary dynamics of gene orders over diverse lineages. This server
      provides gene order information at three levels: single gene, paired gene (a
      minimal cluster), and clustered gene (more than two genes). The most exclusive
      feature of LCGserver is alignment and visualization of neighboring genes based on
      orthology, allowing users to inspect all conserved and dynamic events of gene
      order along chromosomes in a lineage-specific manner. In addition, it categories
      paired genes into six patterns and identifies fully-conserved gene clusters
      within and among lineages.

PMID- 26258442
TI  - Feasibility of using glass-bead thermoluminescent dosimeters for radiotherapy
      treatment plan verification.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility of using glass beads as novel
      thermoluminescent dosemeters (TLDs) for radiotherapy treatment plan verification.
      METHODS: Commercially available glass beads with a size of 1-mm thickness and 2
      mm diameter were characterized as TLDs. Five clinical treatment plans including a
      conventional larynx, a conformal prostate, an intensity-modulated radiotherapy
      (IMRT) prostate and two stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) lung plans
      were transferred onto a CT scan of a water-equivalent phantom (Solid Water((r)),
      Gammex, Middleton, WI) and the dose distribution recalculated. The number of
      monitor units was maintained from the clinical plan and delivered accordingly.
      The doses determined by the glass beads were compared with those measured by a
      graphite-walled ionization chamber, and the respective expected doses were
      determined by the treatment-planning system (TPS) calculation. RESULTS: The mean
      percentage difference between measured dose with the glass beads and TPS was
      found to be 0.3%, -0.1%, 0.4%, 1.8% and 1.7% for the conventional larynx,
      conformal prostate, IMRT prostate and each of the SBRT delivery techniques,
      respectively. The percentage difference between measured dose with the ionization
      chamber and glass bead was found to be -1.2%, -1.4%, -0.1%, -0.9% and 2.4% for
      the above-mentioned plans, respectively. The results of measured doses with the
      glass beads and ionization chamber in comparison with expected doses from the TPS
      were analysed using a two-sided paired t-test, and there was no significant
      difference at p < 0.05. CONCLUSION: It is feasible to use glass-bead TLDs as
      dosemeters in a range of clinical plan verifications. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE:
      Commercial glass beads are utilized as low-cost novel TLDs for treatment-plan
      verification.

PMID- 26258443
TI  - From parent-child mutuality to security to socialization outcomes: developmental
      cascade toward positive adaptation in preadolescence.
AB  - A developmental cascade from positive early parent-child relationship to child
      security with the parent to adaptive socialization outcomes, proposed in
      attachment theory and often implicitly accepted but rarely formally tested, was
      examined in 100 mothers, fathers, and children followed from toddler age to
      preadolescence. Parent-child Mutually Responsive Orientation (MRO) was observed
      in lengthy interactions at 38, 52, 67, and 80 months; children reported their
      security with parents at age eight. Socialization outcomes (parent- and child
      reported cooperation with parental monitoring and teacher-reported school
      competence) were assessed at age 10. Mediation was tested with PROCESS. The
      parent-child history of MRO significantly predicted both mother-child and father
      child security. For mother-child dyads, security mediated links between history
      of MRO and cooperation with maternal monitoring and school competence,
      controlling for developmental continuity of the studied constructs. For father
      child dyads, the mediation effect was not evident. 

PMID- 26258444
TI  - Merlin Isoforms 1 and 2 Both Act as Tumour Suppressors and Are Required for
      Optimal Sperm Maturation.
AB  - The tumour suppressor Merlin, encoded by the gene NF2, is frequently mutated in
      the autosomal dominant disorder neurofibromatosis type II, characterised
      primarily by the development of schwannoma and other glial cell tumours. However,
      NF2 is expressed in virtually all analysed human and rodent organs, and its
      deletion in mice causes early embryonic lethality. Additionally, NF2 encodes for
      two major isoforms of Merlin of unknown functionality. Specifically, the tumour
      suppressor potential of isoform 2 remains controversial. In this study, we used
      Nf2 isoform-specific knockout mouse models to analyse the function of each
      isoform during development and organ homeostasis. We found that both isoforms
      carry full tumour suppressor functionality and can completely compensate the loss
      of the other isoform during development and in most adult organs. Surprisingly,
      we discovered that spermatogenesis is strictly dependent on the presence of both
      isoforms. While the testis primarily expresses isoform 1, we noticed an
      enrichment of isoform 2 in spermatogonial stem cells. Deletion of either isoform
      was found to cause decreased sperm quality as observed by maturation defects and
      head/midpiece abnormalities. These defects led to impaired sperm functionality as
      assessed by decreased sperm capacitation. Thus, we describe spermatogenesis as a
      new Nf2-dependent process. Additionally, we provide for the first time in vivo
      evidence for equal tumour suppressor potentials of Merlin isoform 1 and isoform
      2. 

PMID- 26258446
TI  - Infections in Total Hip and Total Knee Arthroplasty: Development of a Score To
      Assess Endogenous Risk of Surgical Site Infections.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Surgical site infections (SSI) are a dreaded complication of total
      hip (THA) and knee arthroplasties (TKA), and are a major public health concern.
      Risk factors are well known, but no endogenous risk assessment score exists. The
      objective of this study to develop a score to assess endogenous risk of infection
      after THA or TKA. METHODS: All infections after TKA and THA implanted in the
      department of orthopedic surgery of a teaching hospital between January 2007 and
      December 2012 were included. Two control groups were matched to cases on the type
      of prosthesis (hip or knee; first-line or revision). RESULTS: Twenty-four SSIs
      after THA and 21 after TKA were registered (respective incidence during the study
      period: 1.56 and 1.91%). Relevant endogenous risk factors found were: Smoking
      (adjusted odds ratio=3.9), a BMI greater than 35 kg/mC (1.8), inflammatory
      rheumatism (7.3), and the number of operations (prosthetic or not) on the
      involved joint (2.9 per additional surgery). The average score of endogenous
      infection risk on all analyzed subjects was 3.37+/-3.33 (median=3, range=0-17).
      Mean scores were substantially different among cases and control groups:
      Respectively 5.84+/-4.04 vs 2.13+/-2.01 (p<0.0001). With a five-point threshold,
      the sensitivity and specificity of the score are respectively 62 and 91%. ASA
      score greater than or equal to three was not found to be substantial risk factor
      in this study (p=0.15). CONCLUSIONS: Endogenous infection risk score studied here
      was found to be relevant in discriminating cases from control groups, but
      requires validation in a larger cohort.

PMID- 26258447
TI  - Immediate effects of somatosensory stimulation on hand function in patients with
      poststroke hemiparesis: a randomized cross-over trial.
AB  - This study aimed to determine the immediate effects of somatosensory stimulation
      on hand function in patients with poststroke hemiparesis. Eleven patients with
      poststroke hemiparesis participated in this study. Four types (no stimulation,
      vibration, and light and rough touches) of somatosensory stimulation were
      performed randomly for 4 days applying only one type of somatosensory stimulation
      each day. The box and block test (BBT), the Jebsen-Taylor hand function test
      (JTHFT), hand grip strength (HGS), and movement distance and peak velocity of the
      wrist joint during a forward-reaching task were measured. The BBT and JTHFT
      scores for no stimulation [BBT: median (interquartile range), 0.00 (-1.00 to
      1.00) and JTHFT: 2.57 (-0.47 to 4.92)] were significantly different from those
      for vibration [BBT: 3.00 (2.00-5.00) and JTHFT: -16.02 (-23.06 to -4.31)], light
      touch [BBT: 3.00 (1.00-4.00) and JTHFT: -5.00 (-21.20 to -0.94)], and rough touch
      [BBT: 2.00 (1.00-4.00) and JTHFT: -6.19 (-18.22 to -3.70)]. The JTHFT score was
      significantly higher for vibration than that for rough touch (P<0.05). The
      increase in HGS was significantly greater for light touch than that for no
      stimulation (P<0.05) and for vibration than that for light touch (P<0.05). There
      were significant differences for the sagittal and coronal planes in movement
      distance and for the sagittal and horizontal planes in peak velocity during the
      forward-reaching task (P<0.05). The findings suggest that somatosensory
      stimulation may be advantageous to improve the hand function of patients with
      poststroke hemiparesis, with more favorable effects observed in vibration
      stimulation. 

PMID- 26258448
TI  - Predictors of self-efficacy in women on long-term sick leave.
AB  - Self-efficacy has been shown to be related to sick leave and to be a predictor of
      return to work after sickness absence. The aim of this study was to investigate
      whether factors related to sick leave predict self-efficacy in women on long-term
      sick leave because of pain and/or mental illness. This cross-sectional study uses
      baseline data from 337 Swedish women with pain and/or mental illness. All
      included women took part in vocational rehabilitation. Data were collected
      through a sick leave register and a baseline questionnaire. General self
      efficacy, sociodemographics, self-rated health, anxiety, depression, view of the
      future, and social support were measured and analyzed by univariate and
      multivariate linear regression analyses. The full multivariate linear regression
      model, which included mental health factors together with all measured factors,
      showed that anxiety and depression were the only predictive factors of lower self
      efficacy (adjusted R2=0.46, P<0.001) and explained 46% of the variance in self
      efficacy. The mean scores of general self-efficacy were low, especially in women
      born abroad, those with low motivation, those with uncertainties about returning
      to work, and women reporting distrust. Anxiety and depression are important
      factors to consider when targeting self-efficacy in vocational rehabilitation.

PMID- 26258445
TI  - Aptamers against pathogenic microorganisms.
AB  - An important current issue of modern molecular medicine and biotechnology is the
      search for new approaches to early diagnostic assays and adequate therapy of
      infectious diseases. One of the promising solutions to this problem might be a
      development of nucleic acid aptamers capable of interacting specifically with
      bacteria, protozoa, and viruses. Such aptamers can be used for the specific
      recognition of infectious agents as well as for blocking of their functions. The
      present review summarizes various modern SELEX techniques used in this field, and
      of several currently identified aptamers against viral particles and unicellular
      organisms, and their applications. The prospects of applying nucleic acid
      aptamers for the development of novel detection systems and antibacterial and
      antiviral drugs are discussed. 

PMID- 26258449
TI  - Visual analog rating of mood by people with aphasia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Considerable attention has been given to the identification of
      depression in stroke survivors with aphasia, but there is more limited
      information about other mood states. Visual analog scales are often used to
      collect subjective information from people with aphasia. However, the validity of
      these methods for communicating about mood has not been established in people
      with moderately to severely impaired language. OBJECTIVE: The dual purposes of
      this study were to characterize the relative endorsement of negative and positive
      mood states in people with chronic aphasia after stroke and to examine congruent
      validity for visual analog rating methods for people with a range of aphasia
      severity. METHODS: Twenty-three left-hemisphere stroke survivors with aphasia
      were asked to indicate their present mood by using two published visual analog
      rating methods. The congruence between the methods was estimated through
      correlation analysis, and scores for different moods were compared. RESULTS:
      Endorsement was significantly stronger for "happy" than for mood states with
      negative valence. At the same time, several participants displayed pronounced
      negative mood compared to previously published norms for neurologically healthy
      adults. Results from the two rating methods were moderately and positively
      correlated. CONCLUSIONS: Positive mood is prominent in people with aphasia who
      are in the chronic stage of recovery after stroke, but negative moods can also be
      salient and individual presentations are diverse. Visual analog rating methods
      are valid methods for discussing mood with people with aphasia; however, design
      optimization should be explored.

PMID- 26258450
TI  - Association between site of lesion and driving performance after ischemic stroke.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Stroke presents with heterogeneous recovery periods, severity, and
      manifestation of deficits, all of which may adversely impact fitness-to-drive.
      Little is known about the association between site of lesion and driving
      performance after stroke. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between site
      of stroke lesion and driving performance. METHOD: Seventy-three participants (age
      = 56 +/- 11 years; 66 men) underwent a detailed battery of visual, cognitive, and
      on-road tests to determine fitness-to-drive at about 10 months after ischemic
      stroke. Associations between stroke location and driving performance were
      calculated using rank biserial (r rb) correlation coefficients. Correlations were
      considered weak below 0.10, moderate between 0.10 and 0.49, and strong above
      0.50. Wilcoxon rank sum tests were employed to discern differences in on-road
      driving performance between participants whose performance was of concern to the
      driving assessor and those who exhibited no major difficulties on the road.
      RESULTS: In all, 28 (38%) out of the 73 participants exhibited major difficulties
      on the road. Those who showed difficulties on the road performed worse in all
      driving skills (P < 0.05). Correlation analysis showed moderate to strong
      correlations between site of lesion and performance in several visual, cognitive
      and on-road tests. Lesions in the parietal lobe showed correlations ranging
      between 0.23 and 0.25 with driving skills including vehicle control and speed
      adaptations. Lesions in the occipital lobes correlated strongly with visual field
      (r rb = 0.53) and moderately with visual neglect (r rb = 0.28). CONCLUSIONS: Our
      results suggest that cortical lesions in the parietal and occipital lobes are
      associated with driving deficits after stroke. Further advances in our
      understanding of the neural correlates of driving performance may provide
      prognostic markers of fitness-to-drive and lead to early, targeted
      rehabilitation.

PMID- 26258451
TI  - Effects of the combination of respiratory muscle training and abdominal drawing
      in maneuver on respiratory muscle activity in patients with post-stroke
      hemiplegia: a pilot randomized controlled trial.
AB  - PURPOSE: No study has examined the effects of the combination of respiratory
      muscle training (RMT) and abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM) on respiratory
      muscle activity and function in stroke patients during early pulmonary
      rehabilitation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of RMT
      combined with ADIM on decreased respiratory muscle activity and function in
      patients with post-stroke hemiplegia. METHODS: Thirty-seven subjects with post
      stroke hemiplegia were randomly allocated to three groups; integrated training
      group (ITG), respiratory muscle training group (RMTG), and control group (CG).
      All of the subjects received routine therapy for stroke rehabilitation for 1
      hour, five times a week for 6 weeks. Especially, the ITG received RMT using an
      incentive respiratory spirometer and ADIM using a Stabilizer, and the RMTG only
      received RMT using incentive respiratory spirometer for 15  minutes a day, five
      times a week for 6 weeks. Pulmonary function was evaluated using spirometry for
      measuring the forced vital capacity (FVC) and force expiratory volume in 1 
      second (FEV1). Additional surface electromyography (sEMG) analysis was included
      by measuring the respiratory muscle activity. RESULTS: Our results showed that
      changes between the pre- and post-test values of FVC (F = 12.50, P = 0.02) and
      FEV1 (F = 12.81, P = 0.01) (P < 0.05) in the ITG were significantly (P < 0.05)
      greater. Changes in EMG activation of the diaphragm (F = 13.75, P = 0.003) and
      external intercostal (F = 14.33, P = 0.002) (P < 0.01) muscles of patients in the
      ITG during maximal static inspiratory efforts were significantly (P < 0.05)
      greater than those in patients of the RMTG and the CG at post-test. CONCLUSIONS:
      Our findings suggested that RMT combined with ADIM could improve pulmonary
      function in patients with post-stroke hemiplegia.

PMID- 26258452
TI  - Joint position sense is bilaterally reduced for shoulder abduction and flexion in
      chronic hemiparetic individuals.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The stroke is the leading cause of adult disability in the world. One
      of the main complaints of individuals post-stroke refers to the loss of function
      of the upper limb, as evidenced during the performance of activities of daily
      living. This difficulty may be related to an important component of sensorimotor
      control, joint position sense, a submodality of proprioception. OBJECTIVES: To
      investigate whether the proprioception of both shoulders of chronic hemiparetic
      patients is altered during abduction and flexion. METHODS: Thirteen subjects with
      chronic hemiparesis due to ischemic stroke and 13 healthy subjects matched for
      gender and age was included. The joint sense position was assessed using a
      dynamometer. Absolute error for shoulder abduction and flexion at the 30 and 60
      degrees  was calculated. RESULTS: No difference was found between the paretic and
      non-paretic limbs in movements at both 30 and 60 degrees . Higher values of
      absolute error for both paretic and non-paretic limbs compared to the control
      were observed during abduction at 30 and at 60 degrees . CONCLUSIONS: Chronic
      ischemic post-stroke patients have bilateral proprioceptive deficits in the
      shoulder during abduction and flexion. But these deficits are dependent on the
      movement performed and the angle tested. The results demonstrate the need to
      include bilateral exercises and/or visual feedback in the rehabilitation program.

PMID- 26258453
TI  - Stair climbing test post-stroke: feasibility, convergent validity and metabolic,
      cardiac, and respiratory responses.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and treadmill walk tests (TMW) are
      commonly used to assess post-stroke patients (PSP) aerobic capacity. However,
      these tests are not without their limitations (e.g. limited sensitivity to change
      and the use of external pacing). Therefore, there is a need for additional tools
      to assess PSP aerobic capacity. OBJECTIVE: To establish the feasibility,
      convergent validity, and metabolic, cardiac, and respiratory responses of a stair
      climbing test (SC), among chronic PSP. METHODS: Nineteen chronic PSP conducted
      SC, TMW, and 6 MWT. Metabolic (oxygen consumption - VO2), cardiac (heart rate),
      and respiratory (ventilation volume, breathing frequency, and tidal volume)
      measures were established. Adverse events were documented. Correlations
      established the convergent validity of the SC test. A repeated measures analysis
      of variance was performed to compare the participant's physiological responses at
      the end of the various tests. RESULTS: SC is feasible and safe, as all
      participants completed the test with no adverse events. The SC demonstrated
      convergent validity as numerous associations were found between SC and TMW, and 6
      MWT. Metabolic, cardiac, and respiratory responses to the SC were significantly
      higher than these of the TMW and 6 MWT (e.g. VO2= 13.43 +/- 2.19, 11.01 +/- 2.0,
      and 11.26 +/- 1.87 ml/kg/min, respectively) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: SC is a
      feasible and valid test within chronic PSP. SC is more metabolically demanding
      than TMW and 6 MW and therefore, may enable appropriate endurance capacity
      measurement, especially for high functioning PSP. Negotiating stairs is a common
      community ambulation requirement. Therefore, it is appropriate to incorporate SC
      test in PSP testing battery.

PMID- 26258454
TI  - Classifying physical activity research following stroke using the behavioral
      epidemiologic framework.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Stroke is a significant public health issue in the USA and a need
      emerges to better understand how to reduce an individual's co-morbidity risk.
      Physical activity is one approach to improving the health of individuals and
      comprehensive literature supports increased activity as a means to reduce risk of
      morbidity and mortality. One approach to examining whether research in a field is
      addressing a public health issue is through application of the behavioral
      epidemiological framework. OBJECTIVE: To classify physical activity research for
      individuals following stroke into distinct phases so that efforts can be made to
      systematically address gaps and disseminate evidence-based practice. METHODS:
      Specific key words were identified and then searched through EBSCO host, PubMed,
      and Google Scholar. Physical activity and stroke literature from 2000-2014 was
      categorized into one of five discrete phases. Research in Phase 1 identified
      associations between activity and health; Phase 2 established valid measures of
      activity; Phase 3 examined determinants of behavior; Phase 4 evaluated activity
      interventions; and Phase 5 disseminated evidence-based practice. RESULTS: A
      comprehensive review of literature identified 202 articles with 70% categorized
      in Phase 1 (n = 141), 11% in Phase 2 (n = 23), 10% in Phase 3 (n = 20), 8% in
      Phase 4 (n = 15), and 1% in Phase 5 (n = 3). CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that
      physical activity research for individuals following stroke is in the early
      stages of development with less than 10% of research evaluating or disseminating
      interventions.

PMID- 26258455
TI  - Virtual rehabilitation via Nintendo Wii(r) and conventional physical therapy
      effectively treat post-stroke hemiparetic patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Nintendo(r) Wii is a simple and affordable virtual therapy
      alternative. It may be used at home, and it is a motivating recreational activity
      that provides continuous feedback. However, studies comparing the use of the
      Nintendo(r) Wii to conventional physical therapy are needed. OBJECTIVE: To
      compare the effect of a rehabilitation treatment using the Nintendo(r) Wii (NW)
      with conventional physical therapy (CPT) to improve the sensorimotor function and
      quality of life for post-stroke hemiparetic patients. METHODS: The present study
      applied a randomized, blind, and controlled clinical trial. In total, 30 patients
      with post-stroke hemiparesis were evaluated. A total of 15 patients were randomly
      assigned to each group. The SF-36 quality of life and Fugl-Meyer scales were used
      to evaluate the patients. RESULTS: After treatment, the only variable that
      differed between the groups was the physical functioning domain of the SF-36 in
      the group that received conventional physical therapy. A significant difference
      was observed between both groups before and after treatment in terms of the
      following Fugl-Meyer scale items: passive movement and pain, motor function of
      the upper limbs (ULs), and balance. The CPT group also showed a significant
      difference with regard to their UL and lower limb (LL) coordination. The SF-36
      scale analysis revealed a significant difference within both groups with regard
      to the following domains: physical functioning, role limitation due to physical
      aspects, vitality, and role limitation due to emotional aspects. The NW group
      also exhibited a significant difference in the mental health domain. The results
      indicate that both approaches improved the patients' performance in a similar
      manner. CONCLUSION: Virtual rehabilitation using the Nintendo Wii(r) and CPT both
      effectively treat post-stroke hemiparetic patients by improving passive movement
      and pain scores, motor function of the upper limb, balance, physical functioning,
      vitality, and the physical and emotional aspects of role functioning.

PMID- 26258456
TI  - Leap motion controlled videogame-based therapy for rehabilitation of elderly
      patients with subacute stroke: a feasibility pilot study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The leap motion controller (LMC) is a new optoelectronic system for
      capturing motion of both hands and controlling a virtual environment. Differently
      from previous devices, it optoelectronically tracks the fine movements of fingers
      neither using glows nor markers. OBJECTIVE: This pilot study explored the
      feasibility of adapting the LMC, developed for videogames, to neurorehabilitation
      of elderly with subacute stroke. METHODS: Four elderly patients (71.50 +/- 4.51
      years old) affected by stroke in subacute phase were enrolled and tested in a
      cross-over pilot trial in which six sessions of 30 minutes of LMC videogame-based
      therapy were added on conventional therapy. Measurements involved participation
      to the sessions, evaluated by means of the Pittsburgh Rehabilitation
      Participation Scale, hand ability and grasp force evaluated respectively by means
      of the Abilhand Scale and by means of the dynamometer. RESULTS: Neither adverse
      effects nor spasticity increments were observed during LMC training.
      Participation to the sessions was excellent in three patients and very good in
      one patient during the LMC trial. In this period, patients showed a significantly
      higher improvement in hand abilities (P = 0.028) and grasp force (P = 0.006).
      CONCLUSIONS: This feasibility pilot study was the first one using leap motion
      controller for conducting a videogame-based therapy. This study provided a proof
      of concept that LMC can be a suitable tool even for elderly patients with
      subacute stroke. LMC training was in fact performed with a high level of active
      participation, without adverse effects, and contributed to increase the recovery
      of hand abilities.

PMID- 26258457
TI  - Computer-Aided Identification of Anticonvulsant Effect of Natural Nonnutritive
      Sweeteners Stevioside and Rebaudioside A.
AB  - Steviol glycosides are natural constituents of Stevia rebaudiana (Bert.) Bert.
      (Asteraceae) that have recently gained worldwide approval as nonnutritive
      sweeteners by the Joint Food and Agriculture Organization/World Organization
      Expert Committee on Food Additives. Cheminformatic tools suggested that the
      aglycone steviol and several of its phase I metabolites were predicted as
      potential anticonvulsant agents effective in the seizure animal model maximal
      electroshock seizure (MES) test. Thus, aqueous infusion from S. rebaudiana was
      tested in the MES test (mice, intraperitoneal administration), confirming dose
      dependent anticonvulsant effect. Afterward, isolated stevioside and rebaudioside
      A were tested in the MES test, with positive results. Though drug repositioning
      most often focuses on known therapeutics, this article illustrates the
      possibilities of this strategy to find new functionalities and therapeutic
      indications for food constituents and natural products.

PMID- 26258458
TI  - Pigmented Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans and Blue Naevi with Similar Dermoscopy:
      A Case Report.

PMID- 26258459
TI  - Partial Amelioration of Medial Visceromotor Network Dysfunction in Major
      Depression by Sertraline.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Major depression is associated with reduced cardiac vagal control,
      most commonly indexed by heart rate variability. To examine the dynamics of this
      abnormality, we examined within-participant covariation over time between brain
      activity, cardiac vagal control, and depressive symptoms in depressed patients
      treated with sertraline and in healthy volunteers. METHODS: Patients with
      depression and nondepressed control participants were enrolled in a 12-week
      protocol. After Week 0 assessment, patients began treatment with sertraline.
      Neural activity and vagal control were measured for all participants at Weeks 0,
      2, 6, and 12 using functional magnetic resonance imaging and synchronized
      electrocardiographic recordings. At each of the four assessments, a moving window
      analysis was used to estimate vagal control as assessed by respiratory sinus
      arrhythmia (RSA) from the electrocardiographic data, which was then regressed
      onto functional magnetic resonance imaging activity. RESULTS: At baseline,
      patients showed reduced blood oxygen level-dependent RSA covariation compared
      with controls within multiple a priori brain regions associated with vagal
      control, collectively described as the medial visceromotor network (MVN).
      Sertraline treatment led to a significant increase in brain-RSA covariation for
      patients compared with controls, despite a lack of improvement in mean RSA.
      CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest a partial normalization of MVN dysfunction in
      depression during sertraline treatment. Specifically, results indicate a partial
      recovery of MVN function. However, this recovery was insufficient to cause a
      significant change in RSA levels. These results may help to explain both
      improvements with and limitations of sertraline treatment of depression.

PMID- 26258461
TI  - Integrating Telemental Healthcare with the Patient-Centered Medical Home Model.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to discuss how telemental healthcare
      and the patient-centered medical home (PCMH) can be integrated to improve the
      quality of mental healthcare available. METHODS: This article outlines the
      components of a PCMH, and how the needs of this type of system of care can
      benefit from telemental healthcare. RESULTS: The princples of PCMHs are being
      increasingly promoted in a variety of settings. In order to fulfill these
      principles, mental heathcare must be a integral part of the care provided to
      patients within the PCMH. The mental healthcare workforce is inadequate to
      provide care for patients, particularly in rural and high-poverty areas.
      Telemental healthcare provides a means to extend mental health services to the
      PCMHs using a variety of models. CONCLUSIONS: Telemental healthcare offers unique
      opportunities to bridge the need for mental healthcare integration in the PCMH
      for all patients.

PMID- 26258460
TI  - Epidermal micrografts produced via an automated and minimally invasive tool form
      at the dermal/epidermal junction and contain proliferative cells that secrete
      wound healing growth factors.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this scientific study was to assess epidermal micrografts
      for formation at the dermal-epidermal (DE) junction, cellular outgrowth, and
      growth factor secretion. Epidermal harvesting is an autologous option that
      removes only the superficial epidermal layer of the skin, considerably limiting
      donor site damage and scarring. Use of epidermal grafting in wound healing has
      been limited because of tedious, time-consuming, and inconsistent methodologies.
      Recently, a simplified, automated epidermal harvesting tool (CelluTome Epidermal
      Harvesting System; Kinetic Concepts Inc, San Antonio, Texas) that applies heat
      and suction concurrently to produce epidermal micrografts has become commercially
      available. The new technique of epidermal harvesting was shown to create viable
      micrografts with minimal patient discomfort and no donor-site scarring. DESIGN:
      This study was a prospective institutional review board-approved healthy human
      study. SETTING: This study was conducted at the multispecialty research facility,
      Clinical Trials of Texas, Inc, in San Antonio, Texas. PATIENTS: The participants
      were 15 healthy human volunteers. RESULTS: Epidermal micrografts formed at the DE
      junction, and migratory basal layer keratinocytes and melanocytes were
      proliferative in culture. Basement membrane-specific collagen type IV was also
      found to be present in the grafts, suggesting that the combination of heat and
      vacuum might cause partial delamination of the basement membrane. Viable basal
      cells actively secreted key growth factors important for modulating wound healing
      responses, including vascular endothelial growth factor, hepatocyte growth
      factor, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, platelet-derived growth factor,
      and transforming growth factor alpha. CONCLUSIONS: Harvested epidermal
      micrografts retained their original keratinocyte structure, which is critical for
      potential re-epithelialization and repigmentation of a wound environment.

PMID- 26258462
TI  - Educational intervention to improve adherence to the Mediterranean diet among
      parents and their children aged 1-2 years. EniM clinical trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness
      of an educational programme on healthy alimentation, carried out in day-care
      centres and aimed at the parents of children from 1 to 2 years of age, regarding
      the acquisition of healthy eating habits among themselves and their children.
      DESIGN: We performed a multicentre, multidisciplinary, randomized controlled
      study in a community setting. SETTING: The EniM study (nutritional intervention
      study among children from Mataro) was performed in twelve day-care centres in
      Mataro (Spain). Centres were randomized into a control group (CG) and an
      intervention group (IG). IG received four or five educational workshops on diet,
      CG did not have workshops. SUBJECTS: Children, not exclusively breast-fed, from 1
      to 2 years of age, in the participating day-care centres and the persons
      responsible for their alimentation (mother or father). RESULTS: Thirty-five per
      cent of the IG did not attend the minimum of three workshops and were excluded.
      The CG included seventy-four children and seventy-two parents and the IG seventy
      five children and sixty-seven parents. Both groups were comparable at baseline.
      Basal adherence to the Mediterranean diet was 56.4 % in parents (Gerber index)
      and 7.7 points in children (Kidmed test). At 8 months, Mediterranean diet
      adherence had improved in the IG by 5.8 points in the Gerber index (P=0.01) and
      0.6 points in the Kidmed test (P=0.02) compared with the CG. CONCLUSIONS: This
      educational intervention performed in parents at the key period of incorporation
      of a 1-2-year-old child to the family table showed significant increases in
      adherence of the parents to the Mediterranean diet, suggesting future improvement
      in different indicators of health and an expected influence on the diet of their
      children.

PMID- 26258463
TI  - Management of respiratory symptoms in paediatric palliative care.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Respiratory symptoms in children with life-limiting and life
      threatening conditions are common, distressing and have a lasting impact, yet
      there is a paucity of evidence to guide clinicians in their management. This
      article makes a series of recommendations for the management of the most frequent
      and distressing respiratory symptoms encountered in paediatrics (dyspnoea, cough,
      haemoptysis and retained secretions) with attention to the evidence from
      research. RECENT FINDINGS: There are very few paediatric studies exploring any
      aspect of respiratory symptoms in paediatric palliative care, so much of the
      evidence base has been drawn from adult studies, few of which have been published
      in the past 12-18 months. SUMMARY: In the absence of well designed paediatric
      studies we need to judiciously apply what we can extrapolate from adult studies
      to each child we are treating; selecting interventions and approaches carefully,
      adjusting them when there is no evidence of individual benefit.

PMID- 26258464
TI  - Progress in bladder cancer: is there light at the end of the tunnel?

PMID- 26258466
TI  - "Doing the Best We Can": Providing Care in a Malawian Antiretroviral Clinic.
AB  - Following a national policy shift toward universal access to antiretroviral
      therapy (ART) in Malawi, hospitals and clinics around the country made major
      changes to enable the provision of ART. In this already resource-limited
      environment, the provision of ART brought new health care delivery challenges to
      bear on both patients and health care professionals. The substance and form of
      these local interventions are affected by a multilayered global context. Drawing
      on fieldwork in an antiretroviral clinic in rural Malawi, this article discusses
      the daily implications of providing and receiving care in the context of a
      massive global shift in health policy, and argues that in order to fully
      understand the process of service rollout in all its complexity, care should be
      explored not only from the patients' perspective but also from that of local and
      international health care professionals and policymakers.

PMID- 26258467
TI  - The Human Dental Pulp Proteome and N-Terminome: Levering the Unexplored Potential
      of Semitryptic Peptides Enriched by TAILS to Identify Missing Proteins in the
      Human Proteome Project in Underexplored Tissues.
AB  - An underexplored yet widespread feature of the human proteome is the proteolytic
      proteoforms of proteins. We used terminal amine isotopic labeling of substrates
      (TAILS), a high-content N-terminal positional proteomics technique, for in-depth
      characterization of the human dental pulp proteome from its N-terminome and to
      provide data for the Chromosome-centric Human Proteome Project (C-HPP). Dental
      pulp is a unique connective tissue maintaining tooth sensation and structure by
      supporting a single cell layer of odontoblasts that synthesize mineralization
      competent dentine extracellular matrix. Therefore, we posited pulp to be a rich
      source of unique tissue-specific proteins and hence an abundant source of
      "missing" proteins as defined by neXtProt. From the identified 4332 proteins
      (false discovery rate (FDR) <= 0.7%), 21 528 unique peptides (FDR <= 1.0%) and
      9079 unique N-termini, we analyzed N-terminal methionine excision, co- and
      posttranslational Nalpha-acetylation, protein maturation, and proteolytic
      processing. Apart from 227 candidate alternative translation initiation sites,
      most identified N-termini (78%) represented proteolytic processing and mechanism
      informative internal neo-N-termini, confirming a pervasive amount of proteolytic
      processing generated proteoforms in vivo. Furthermore, we identified 17 missing
      protein candidates for the C-HPP, highlighting the importance of using (i) less
      studied human specimens and (ii) orthogonal proteomic approaches such as TAILS to
      map the human proteome. The mass spectrometry raw data and metadata have been
      deposited to ProteomeXchange with the PXD identifier <PXD002264>. 

PMID- 26258468
TI  - Molecular Origin of DNA Kinking by Transcription Factors.
AB  - Binding of transcription factor (TF) proteins with DNA may cause severe kinks in
      the latter. Here, we investigate the molecular origin of the DNA kinks observed
      in the TF-DNA complexes using small molecule intercalation pathway,
      crystallographic analysis, and free energy calculations involving four different
      transcription factor (TF) protein-DNA complexes. We find that although protein
      binding may bend the DNA, bending alone is not sufficient to kink the DNA. We
      show that partial, not complete, intercalation is required to form the kink at a
      particular place in the DNA. It turns out that while amino acid alone can induce
      the desired kink through partial intercalation, protein provides thermodynamic
      stabilization of the kinked state in TF-DNA complexes. 

PMID- 26258469
TI  - Ambient Temperature and Cerebrovascular Hemodynamics in the Elderly.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Some prior studies have linked ambient temperature with
      risk of cerebrovascular events. If causal, the pathophysiologic mechanisms
      underlying this putative association remain unknown. Temperature-related changes
      in cerebral vascular function may play a role, but this hypothesis has not been
      previously evaluated. METHODS: We evaluated the association between ambient
      temperature and cerebral vascular function among 432 participants >=65 years old
      from the MOBILIZE Boston Study with data on cerebrovascular blood flow,
      cerebrovascular resistance, and cerebrovascular reactivity in the middle cerebral
      artery. We used linear regression models to assess the association of mean
      ambient temperature in the previous 1 to 28 days with cerebrovascular
      hemodynamics adjusting for potential confounding factors. RESULTS: A 10 degrees C
      increase in the 21-day moving average of ambient temperature was associated with
      a 10.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.2%, 17.3%) lower blood flow velocity, a
      9.0% (95% CI, 0.7%, 18.0%) higher cerebrovascular resistance, and a 15.3% (95%CI,
      2.7%, 26.4%) lower cerebral vasoreactivity. Further adjustment for ozone and fine
      particulate matter (PM2.5) did not materially alter the results. However, we
      found statistically significant interactions between ambient temperature and
      PM2.5 such that the association between temperature and blood flow velocity was
      attenuated at higher levels of PM2.5. CONCLUSIONS: In this elderly population, we
      found that ambient temperature was negatively associated with cerebral blood flow
      velocity and cerebrovascular vasoreactivity and positively associated with
      cerebrovascular resistance. Changes in vascular function may partly underlie the
      observed associations between ambient temperature and risk of cerebrovascular
      events.

PMID- 26258470
TI  - Biosynthesis of SUMOylated Proteins in Bacteria Using the Trypanosoma brucei
      Enzymatic System.
AB  - Post-translational modification with the Small Ubiquitin-like Modifier (SUMO) is
      conserved in eukaryotic organisms and plays important regulatory roles in
      proteins affecting diverse cellular processes. In Trypanosoma brucei, member of
      one of the earliest branches in eukaryotic evolution, SUMO is essential for
      normal cell cycle progression and is likely to be involved in the epigenetic
      control of genes crucial for parasite survival, such as those encoding the
      variant surface glycoproteins. Molecular pathways modulated by SUMO have started
      to be discovered by proteomic studies; however, characterization of functional
      consequences is limited to a reduced number of targets. Here we present a
      bacterial strain engineered to produce SUMOylated proteins, by transferring SUMO
      from T. brucei together with the enzymes essential for its activation and
      conjugation. Due to the lack of background in E. coli, this system is useful to
      express and identify SUMOylated proteins directly in cell lysates by
      immunoblotting, and SUMOylated targets can be eventually purified for biochemical
      or structural studies. We applied this strategy to describe the ability of TbSUMO
      to form chains in vitro and to detect SUMOylation of a model substrate, PCNA both
      from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and from T. brucei. To further validate targets, we
      applied an in vitro deconjugation assay using the T. brucei SUMO-specific
      protease capable to revert the pattern of modification. This system represents a
      valuable tool for target validation, mutant generation and functional studies of
      SUMOylated proteins in trypanosomatids. 

PMID- 26258471
TI  - Distribution and Prevalence of Locoregional Recurrence after Video-Assisted
      Thoracoscopic Surgery for Primary Lung Cancer.
AB  - Background The aim of this study is to evaluate cases with locoregional
      recurrence after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for primary lung
      cancer. Methods We reviewed 248 patients with primary lung cancer who underwent
      lobectomy or segmentectomy with mediastinal lymph node dissection by VATS between
      January 2005 and December 2011. Locoregional recurrence is defined as per its
      occurrence in (1) bronchial stump or lung parenchymal cut end, (2) ipsilateral
      pleura, and (3) ipsilateral hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes, and we analyzed
      recurrence rate and significant associated factors for locoregional recurrence by
      logistic regression analysis. Results There were 47 cases of postoperative
      recurrence, which consisted of 26 distant, 6 locoregional and distant, and 15
      locoregional recurrences. The locoregional recurrence rate was 6.0%. Of the 15
      locoregional recurrence cases, there were two cases of bronchial stump and lung
      parenchyma cut end (0.4%), five cases of ipsilateral pleura (2.0%), and eight
      cases of ipsilateral hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes (3.2%). Pleural and
      lymphovascular invasion and advanced stages were significant associated factors
      in univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis revealed that advanced stages were
      only a significant associated factor for locoregional recurrence (p < 0.01, odds
      ratio: 3.3). Conclusion Although locoregional recurrence rates of our surgical
      treatments for primary lung cancer by VATS might be acceptable, we should explore
      more effective modalities against pathologically proven local advanced lung
      cancer for preventing not only distant but also locoregional recurrences. 

PMID- 26258472
TI  - Underlying Problems in Surgical Treatment of cT1-2N1 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.
AB  - Background Obtaining an accurate preoperative diagnosis of N1 in non-small cell
      lung cancer (NSCLC) is a major difficulty. The aim of this retrospective study
      was to evaluate the pathological and long-term outcomes of NSCLC patients
      clinically staged with N1 disease, to aid in the search for better treatment
      strategies. Materials and Methods We retrospectively reviewed the clinical
      records of 1,180 consecutive patients with NSCLC who underwent surgery for
      curative intent from 1991 to 2011 in our department. Data on 96 (8.1%) patients
      who had cT1-2N1 disease and underwent lobectomy or more extensive surgery were
      available. Results Only 32% of patients (n = 31) were confirmed to have
      pathological N1 disease, and 34 and 33% of patients were proven to have pN0 and
      pN2 disease, respectively. Female gender, <= 30 pack-year tobacco smoking
      history, adenocarcinoma, and left-sided disease were significantly associated
      with pathological upstaging (chi2 test). Multivariate analysis using logistic
      regression revealed left-sided disease to be independently associated with
      upstaging (relative risk 4.00, p = 0.015). Left-sided disease was more likely to
      be underestimated by clinical N staging than right-sided disease (chi2 test, p =
      0.0001). Univariate and multivariate survival analyses demonstrated that left
      sided disease was an independent prognostic factor associated with poor outcomes
      (Cox proportional hazards regression: hazard ratio 2.27, p = 0.037). Conclusion
      The diagnostic accuracy of clinical N1 status was poor. Left-sided disease
      appeared to be understaged by the preoperative assessment of N status, and
      therefore, patients who might benefit from preoperative induction treatment would
      not receive it.

PMID- 26258473
TI  - Levels of daily light doses under changed day-night cycles regulate temporal
      segregation of photosynthesis and N2 Fixation in the cyanobacterium Trichodesmium
      erythraeum IMS101.
AB  - While the diazotrophic cyanobacterium Trichodesmium is known to display inverse
      diurnal performances of photosynthesis and N2 fixation, such a phenomenon has not
      been well documented under different day-night (L-D) cycles and different levels
      of light dose exposed to the cells. Here, we show differences in growth, N2
      fixation and photosynthetic carbon fixation as well as photochemical performances
      of Trichodesmium IMS101 grown under 12L:12D, 8L:16D and 16L:8D L-D cycles at 70
      MUmol photons m-2 s-1 PAR (LL) and 350 MUmol photons m-2 s-1 PAR (HL). The
      specific growth rate was the highest under LL and the lowest under HL under
      16L:8D, and it increased under LL and decreased under HL with increased levels of
      daytime light doses exposed under the different light regimes, respectively. N2
      fixation and photosynthetic carbon fixation were affected differentially by
      changes in the day-night regimes, with the former increasing directly under LL
      with increased daytime light doses and decreased under HL over growth-saturating
      light levels. Temporal segregation of N2 fixation from photosynthetic carbon
      fixation was evidenced under all day-night regimes, showing a time lag between
      the peak in N2 fixation and dip in carbon fixation. Elongation of light period
      led to higher N2 fixation rate under LL than under HL, while shortening the light
      exposure to 8 h delayed the N2 fixation peaking time (at the end of light period)
      and extended it to night period. Photosynthetic carbon fixation rates and
      transfer of light photons were always higher under HL than LL, regardless of the
      day-night cycles. Conclusively, diel performance of N2 fixation possesses
      functional plasticity, which was regulated by levels of light energy supplies
      either via changing light levels or length of light exposure. 

PMID- 26258475
TI  - pGenN, a gene normalization tool for plant genes and proteins in scientific
      literature.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Automatically detecting gene/protein names in the literature and
      connecting them to databases records, also known as gene normalization, provides
      a means to structure the information buried in free-text literature. Gene
      normalization is critical for improving the coverage of annotation in the
      databases, and is an essential component of many text mining systems and database
      curation pipelines. METHODS: In this manuscript, we describe a gene normalization
      system specifically tailored for plant species, called pGenN (pivot-based Gene
      Normalization). The system consists of three steps: dictionary-based gene mention
      detection, species assignment, and intra species normalization. We have developed
      new heuristics to improve each of these phases. RESULTS: We evaluated the
      performance of pGenN on an in-house expertly annotated corpus consisting of 104
      plant relevant abstracts. Our system achieved an F-value of 88.9% (Precision
      90.9% and Recall 87.2%) on this corpus, outperforming state-of-art systems
      presented in BioCreative III. We have processed over 440,000 plant-related
      Medline abstracts using pGenN. The gene normalization results are stored in a
      local database for direct query from the pGenN web interface
      (proteininformationresource.org/pgenn/). The annotated literature corpus is also
      publicly available through the PIR text mining portal
      (proteininformationresource.org/iprolink/).

PMID- 26258474
TI  - A Non-Inferiority, Individually Randomized Trial of Intermittent Screening and
      Treatment versus Intermittent Preventive Treatment in the Control of Malaria in
      Pregnancy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The efficacy of intermittent preventive treatment for malaria with
      sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP) in pregnancy is threatened in parts of Africa
      by the emergence and spread of resistance to SP. Intermittent screening with a
      rapid diagnostic test (RDT) and treatment of positive women (ISTp) is an
      alternative approach. METHODS AND FINDINGS: An open, individually randomized, non
      inferiority trial of IPTp-SP versus ISTp was conducted in 5,354 primi- or
      secundigravidae in four West African countries with a low prevalence of
      resistance to SP (The Gambia, Mali, Burkina Faso and Ghana). Women in the IPTp-SP
      group received SP on two or three occasions whilst women in the ISTp group were
      screened two or three times with a RDT and treated if positive for malaria with
      artemether-lumefantrine (AL). ISTp-AL was non-inferior to IPTp-SP in preventing
      low birth weight (LBW), anemia and placental malaria, the primary trial
      endpoints. The prevalence of LBW was 15.1% and 15.6% in the IPTp-SP and ISTp-AL
      groups respectively (OR = 1.03 [95% CI: 0.88, 1.22]). The mean hemoglobin
      concentration at the last clinic attendance before delivery was 10.97g/dL and
      10.94g/dL in the IPTp-SP and ISTp-AL groups respectively (mean difference: -0.03
      g/dL [95% CI: -0.13, +0.06]). Active malaria infection of the placenta was found
      in 24.5% and in 24.2% of women in the IPTp-SP and ISTp-AL groups respectively (OR
      = 0.95 [95% CI 0.81, 1.12]). More women in the ISTp-AL than in the IPTp-SP group
      presented with malaria parasitemia between routine antenatal clinics (310 vs 182
      episodes, rate difference: 49.4 per 1,000 pregnancies [95% CI 30.5, 68.3], but
      the number of hospital admissions for malaria was similar in the two groups.
      CONCLUSIONS: Despite low levels of resistance to SP in the study areas, ISTp-AL
      performed as well as IPTp-SP. In the absence of an effective alternative
      medication to SP for IPTp, ISTp-AL is a potential alternative to IPTp in areas
      where SP resistance is high. It may also have a role in areas where malaria
      transmission is low and for the prevention of malaria in HIV positive women
      receiving cotrimoxazole prophylaxis in whom SP is contraindicated. TRIAL
      REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01084213 Pan African Clinical trials Registry
      PACT201202000272122.

PMID- 26258477
TI  - Antioxidant Properties of 2-Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate-Based Copolymers with
      Incorporated Sterically Hindered Amine.
AB  - A series of model linear copolymers of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and a
      sterically hindered amine derivative [N-(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidin-4
      yl)methacrylamide (HAS)] were synthesized and characterized. Scavenging
      activities of the copolymers against reactive oxygen species (peroxyl and
      hydroxyl radicals) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals were
      determined. It was found that copolymers with medium HAS content (3.5-4.0 mol %)
      were better scavengers than copolymers with lower and higher HAS content and also
      than polyHEMA and polyHAS homopolymers and the HAS monomer. Importantly, these
      copolymers compared favorably even to established low-molecular weight
      antioxidant standards (BHA and dexpanthenol). Monomer reactivity ratios were
      determined, and the microstructure of the copolymers was assessed. Subsequently,
      cross-linked copolymers in the powder and film forms with optimal HAS content
      were synthesized. Their scavenging activities against the three types of radicals
      were determined, revealing that these hydrogels are potent scavengers of reactive
      oxygen species. 

PMID- 26258476
TI  - Correlations of salivary biomarkers with clinical assessments in patients with
      cystic fibrosis.
AB  - RATIONALE: Monitoring clinical disease status in cystic fibrosis frequently
      requires invasive collection of clinical samples. Due to its noninvasive
      collection process and direct anatomic relationship with the lower airway, saliva
      shows great potential as a biological fluid for cystic fibrosis monitoring.
      OBJECTIVES: To measure the levels of multiple protein markers in human saliva
      supernatants and investigate the possibility of utilizing them to provide a more
      quantitative measure of disease state for use in research and monitoring of
      patients with cystic fibrosis clinically. METHODS: Whole saliva samples were
      collected and processed from cystic fibrosis patients at two distinct time points
      (2010 and 2013) and measured by two separate platforms. In this cross sectional
      study, a convenience sample of 71 participants were recruited with samples
      measured by multiplexed fluorescence microarray (fiber microarray) and another
      117 participant samples were measured by an automated, point-of-care, analyzer
      (SDReader) using a microsphere-based array via fluorescence sandwich immunoassay.
      For comparison, saliva from 56 and 50 healthy subjects were collected,
      respectively. The levels of six target proteins were quantified. Various
      demographic and clinical data, including spirometry, medical history, and
      clinicians' assessments were also collected from patients with cystic fibrosis on
      the day of saliva collection. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Similar trends were
      observed with both platforms and compared with healthy subjects, cystic fibrosis
      patients had significantly elevated levels of VEGF, IP-10, IL-8, and EGF as well
      as lower levels of MMP-9 (P <= 0.005) using fiber microarray and significantly
      elevated levels of IP-10, IL-8 with lower levels of MMP-9 and IL-1beta (P <=
      0.02) using the SDReader. The levels of the six proteins correlated with each
      other significantly, and in some cases, biomarker levels could be used to
      differentiate between subgroups of patients with different clinical
      presentations. For example, IP-10 levels significantly correlated with FEV1 and
      disease severity (as evaluated by clinicians) with both platforms (P < 0.05).
      CONCLUSIONS: Significant variations of the levels of six proteins in saliva
      supernatants, and the correlations of these levels with clinical assessments,
      demonstrated the potential of saliva for cystic fibrosis research and monitoring.

PMID- 26258478
TI  - Water Splitting Processes on Mn4O4 and CaMn3O4 Model Cubane Systems.
AB  - Catalytic conversion of solar energy into chemical energy has been frequently
      investigated to develop clean energy sources in the last few decades. Metal oxide
      complexes show high potential for the catalytic conversion process, but the
      biochemical process in green plants has better efficiency than artificial
      photocatalysts consisting of metal oxides. In this work, the water splitting
      process is theoretically investigated using two synthetic model complexes whose
      structures are similar to the manganese-based oxygen evolving complex in
      photosystem II. Model A consists of four Mn atoms, and model B consists of three
      Mn atoms and a Ca atom in the core. Model A shows a better ability for water
      splitting than model B when comparing the highest reaction energy. The highest
      reaction energies are 2.56 and 2.99 eV for models A and B, respectively. In model
      B, the first oxidation in the water splitting process is exothermic, which is
      different from model A. In both models, the molecular oxygen generation step is
      endothermic by about 1.0-2.5 eV. 

PMID- 26258479
TI  - Sequential substitution of K(+) bound to Na(+),K(+)-ATPase visualized by X-ray
      crystallography.
AB  - Na(+),K(+)-ATPase transfers three Na(+) from the cytoplasm into the extracellular
      medium and two K(+) in the opposite direction per ATP hydrolysed. The binding and
      release of Na(+) and K(+) are all thought to occur sequentially. Here we
      demonstrate by X-ray crystallography of the ATPase in E2.MgF4(2-).2K(+), a state
      analogous to E2.Pi.2K(+), combined with isotopic measurements, that the
      substitution of the two K(+) with congeners in the extracellular medium indeed
      occurs at different rates, substantially faster at site II. An analysis of
      thermal movements of protein atoms in the crystal shows that the M3-M4E helix
      pair opens and closes the ion pathway leading to the extracellular medium,
      allowing K(+) at site II to be substituted first. Taken together, these results
      indicate that site I K(+) is the first cation to bind to the empty cation-binding
      sites after releasing three Na(+). 

PMID- 26258480
TI  - Elucidation of the structure of retroviral proteases: a reminiscence.
AB  - Determinations of only a very few protein structures had consequences comparable
      to the impact exerted by the structure of the protease encoded by HIV-1,
      published just over 25 years ago. The structure of this relatively small protein
      and its cousins from other retroviruses provided a clear target for a
      spectacularly successful structure-assisted drug design effort that offered new
      hope for controlling the then-escalating AIDS epidemic. This reminiscence is
      limited primarily to work conducted at the National Cancer Institute, and is not
      meant to be a comprehensive history of the field, but is rather an attempt to
      provide a very personal account of how the structures of this most thoroughly
      studied crystallographic target were determined. 

PMID- 26258481
TI  - Targeted intracellular delivery of resveratrol to glioblastoma cells using
      apolipoprotein E-containing reconstituted HDL as a nanovehicle.
AB  - The objective of this study is to transport and deliver resveratrol to
      intracellular sites using apolipoprotein E3 (apoE3). Reconstituted high-density
      lipoprotein (rHDL) bearing resveratrol (rHDL/res) was prepared using
      phospholipids and the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLr)-binding domain of
      apoE3. Biophysical characterization revealed that resveratrol was partitioned
      into the phospholipid bilayer of discoidal rHDL/res particles (~19 nm diameter).
      Co-immunoprecipitation studies indicated that the LDLr-binding ability of apoE3
      was retained. Cellular uptake of resveratrol to intracellular sites was evaluated
      in glioblastoma A-172 cells by direct fluorescence using chemically synthesized
      NBD-labeled resveratrol (res/NBD) embedded in rHDL/res. Competition and
      inhibition studies indicate that the uptake is by receptor mediated endocytosis
      via the LDLr, with co-localization of apoE3 and res/NBD in late
      endosomes/lysosomes. We propose that rHDL provides an ideal hydrophobic milieu to
      sequester resveratrol and that rHDL containing apoE3 serves as an effective
      "nanovehicle" to transport and deliver resveratrol to targeted intracellular
      sites. 

PMID- 26258482
TI  - Resequencing Reveals Different Domestication Rate for BADH1 and BADH2 in Rice
      (Oryza sativa).
AB  - BADH1 and BADH2 are two homologous genes, encoding betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase
      in rice. In the present study, we scanned BADHs sequences of 295 rice cultivars,
      and 10 wild rice accessions to determine the polymorphisms, gene functions and
      domestication of these two genes. A total of 16 alleles for BADH1 and 10 alleles
      for BADH2 were detected in transcribed region of cultivars and wild species.
      Association study showed that BADH1 has significant correlation with salt
      tolerance in rice during germination stage, the SNP (T/A) in exon 4 is highly
      correlated with salt tolerance index (STI) (P<10(-4)). While, BADH2 was only
      responsible for rice fragrance, of which two BADH2 alleles (8 bp deletion in exon
      7 and C/T SNP in exon 13) explain 97% of aroma variation in our germplasm. Theses
      indicate that there are no overlapping functions between the two homologous
      genes. In addition, a large LD block was detected in BADH2 region, however, there
      was no large LD blocks in a 4-Mb region of BADH1. We found that BADH2 region only
      showed significant bias in Tajima's D value from the balance. Extended haplotype
      homozygosity study revealed fragrant accessions had a large LD block that
      extended around the mutation site (8 bp deletion in exon 7) of BADH2, while both
      of the BADH1 alleles (T/A in exon 4) did not show large extended LD block. All
      these results suggested that BADH2 was domesticated during rice evolution, while
      BADH1 was not selected by human beings.

PMID- 26258483
TI  - New hosts for the mite Ornithonyssus bursa in Argentina.
AB  - The mite Ornithonyssus bursa (Berlese) (Mesostigmata: Macronyssidae) is
      considered a poultry pest causing important infestations in chickens and it is
      considered a potential vector of arbovirus. Despite being considered a common
      parasite in wild birds, there is scarce published information about its potential
      hosts and effects on them. Here we present new bird hosts for O. bursa, assess
      the presence of Alphavirus, Flavivirus and Bunyavirus in mites from three host
      species, and discuss its potential impact on wild bird populations. We found O.
      bursa infecting five raptor and six passerine wild bird species. For nine of
      these species, this is the first record of infection by O. bursa. Although all
      analysed mites were negative for the examined arboviruses, the small sample size
      of mites does not allow further conclusions at the present moment. Because of the
      general nature of this ectoparasite, its presence in migratory long dispersal and
      endangered bird species, and the seropositivity for arboviruses in some of the
      species studied here, we consider it critical to assess the role of O. bursa and
      other ectoparasites as vectors and reservoirs of pathogens and as potential
      deleterious agents in wild bird populations. 

PMID- 26258484
TI  - The Gut Microbiota of Wild Mice.
AB  - The gut microbiota profoundly affects the biology of its host. The composition of
      the microbiota is dynamic and is affected by both host genetic and many
      environmental effects. The gut microbiota of laboratory mice has been studied
      extensively, which has uncovered many of the effects that the microbiota can
      have. This work has also shown that the environments of different research
      institutions can affect the mouse microbiota. There has been relatively limited
      study of the microbiota of wild mice, but this has shown that it typically
      differs from that of laboratory mice (and that maintaining wild caught mice in
      the laboratory can quite quickly alter the microbiota). There is also inter
      individual variation in the microbiota of wild mice, with this principally
      explained by geographical location. In this study we have characterised the gut
      (both the caecum and rectum) microbiota of wild caught Mus musculus domesticus at
      three UK sites and have investigated how the microbiota varies depending on host
      location and host characteristics. We find that the microbiota of these mice are
      generally consistent with those described from other wild mice. The rectal and
      caecal microbiotas of individual mice are generally more similar to each other,
      than they are to the microbiota of other individuals. We found significant
      differences in the diversity of the microbiotas among mice from different sample
      sites. There were significant correlations of microbiota diversity and body
      weight, a measure of age, body-mass index, serum concentration of leptin, and
      virus, nematode and mite infection. 

PMID- 26258485
TI  - HIV-1 Dual Infected LTNP-EC Patients Developed an Unexpected Antibody Cross
      Neutralizing Activity.
AB  - This study evaluated the neutralization breadth in dually infected (DI) HIV-1
      long-term non-progressor elite controller patients (LTNP-EC) using a
      representative minipanel of 6 viruses from 5 different subtypes. Our results
      showed an improved neutralization breadth in DI LTNP-EC patients when compared
      with matched LTNP single-infected patients. The role of viral diversity in
      neutralization was estimated with the Shannon Entropy and the p-distance in viral
      quasispecies. We found a positive correlation between neutralization breadth and
      diversity within the viral quasispecies. This correlation could explain why a
      group of LTNP-EC patients developed a broad neutralizing response despite having
      undetectable levels of viremia. 

PMID- 26258486
TI  - Phencyclidine Disrupts the Auditory Steady State Response in Rats.
AB  - The Auditory Steady-State Response (ASSR) in the electroencephalogram (EEG) is
      usually reduced in schizophrenia (SZ), particularly to 40 Hz stimulation. The
      gamma frequency ASSR deficit has been attributed to N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor
      (NMDAR) hypofunction. We tested whether the NMDAR antagonist, phencyclidine
      (PCP), produced similar ASSR deficits in rats. EEG was recorded from awake rats
      via intracranial electrodes overlaying the auditory cortex and at the vertex of
      the skull. ASSRs to click trains were recorded at 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 55 Hz
      and measured by ASSR Mean Power (MP) and Phase Locking Factor (PLF). In
      Experiment 1, the effect of different subcutaneous doses of PCP (1.0, 2.5 and 4.0
      mg/kg) on the ASSR in 12 rats was assessed. In Experiment 2, ASSRs were compared
      in PCP treated rats and control rats at baseline, after acute injection (5
      mg/kg), following two weeks of subchronic, continuous administration (5
      mg/kg/day), and one week after drug cessation. Acute administration of PCP
      increased PLF and MP at frequencies of stimulation below 50 Hz, and decreased
      responses at higher frequencies at the auditory cortex site. Acute administration
      had a less pronounced effect at the vertex site, with a reduction of either PLF
      or MP observed at frequencies above 20 Hz. Acute effects increased in magnitude
      with higher doses of PCP. Consistent effects were not observed after subchronic
      PCP administration. These data indicate that acute administration of PCP, a NMDAR
      antagonist, produces an increase in ASSR synchrony and power at low frequencies
      of stimulation and a reduction of high frequency (> 40 Hz) ASSR activity in rats.
      Subchronic, continuous administration of PCP, on the other hand, has little
      impact on ASSRs. Thus, while ASSRs are highly sensitive to NMDAR antagonists,
      their translational utility as a cross-species biomarker for NMDAR hypofunction
      in SZ and other disorders may be dependent on dose and schedule. 

PMID- 26258487
TI  - Area-specific information processing in prefrontal cortex during a probabilistic
      inference task: a multivariate fMRI BOLD time series analysis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Discriminating spatiotemporal stages of information processing
      involved in complex cognitive processes remains a challenge for neuroscience.
      This is especially so in prefrontal cortex whose subregions, such as the
      dorsolateral prefrontal (DLPFC), anterior cingulate (ACC) and orbitofrontal (OFC)
      cortices are known to have differentiable roles in cognition. Yet it is much less
      clear how these subregions contribute to different cognitive processes required
      by a given task. To investigate this, we use functional MRI data recorded from a
      group of healthy adults during a "Jumping to Conclusions" probabilistic reasoning
      task. METHODS: We used a novel approach combining multivariate test statistics
      with bootstrap-based procedures to discriminate between different task stages
      reflected in the fMRI blood oxygenation level dependent signal pattern and to
      unravel differences in task-related information encoded by these regions.
      Furthermore, we implemented a new feature extraction algorithm that selects
      voxels from any set of brain regions that are jointly maximally predictive about
      specific task stages. RESULTS: Using both the multivariate statistics approach
      and the algorithm that searches for maximally informative voxels we show that
      during the Jumping to Conclusions task, the DLPFC and ACC contribute more to the
      decision making phase comprising the accumulation of evidence and probabilistic
      reasoning, while the OFC is more involved in choice evaluation and uncertainty
      feedback. Moreover, we show that in presumably non-task-related regions (temporal
      cortices) all information there was about task processing could be extracted from
      just one voxel (indicating the unspecific nature of that information), while for
      prefrontal areas a wider multivariate pattern of activity was maximally
      informative. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: We present a new approach to reveal the
      different roles of brain regions during the processing of one task from
      multivariate activity patterns measured by fMRI. This method can be a valuable
      tool to assess how area-specific processing is altered in psychiatric disorders
      such as schizophrenia, and in healthy subjects carrying different genetic
      polymorphisms.

PMID- 26258488
TI  - Investigating Zigzag Film Growth Behaviors in Layer-by-Layer Self-Assembly of
      Small Molecules through a High-Gravity Technique.
AB  - The zigzag film growth behavior in the layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly method is a
      ubiquitous phenomenon for which the growth mechanism was rarely investigated,
      especially for small molecules. To interpret the zigzag increasing manner, we
      hypothesized that the desorption kinetics of small molecules was dominant for the
      film growth behavior and demonstrated this hypotheis by introducing the high
      gravity technique into the LbL assembly of a typical polyelectrolyte/small
      molecule system of polyethylenimine (PEI) and meso-tetra(4-carboxyphenyl)porphine
      (Por). The results showed that the high-gravity technique remarkably accelerated
      the desorption process of Por; the high-gravity LbL assembly provides a good
      platform to reveal the desorption kinetics of Por, which is tedious to study in
      conventional situation. We found that as much as 50 min is required for Por
      molecules to reach desorption equilibrium from the substrate to the bulk PEI
      solution for the conventional dipping method; however, the process could be
      accelerated and require only 100 s if a high-gravity field is used.
      Nonequilibrated desorption at 10 min for normal dipping and at 30 s for high
      gravity-field-assisted assembly both exhibited a zigzag film growth, but after
      reaching desorption equilibrium at 100 s under a high-gravity field, film growth
      began to cycle between assembly and complete disassembly instead of LbL assembly.
      For the first time we have proven that the high-gravity technique can also
      accelerate the desorption process and demonstrated the desorption-dependent
      mechanism of small molecules for zigzag film growth behaviors. 

PMID- 26258489
TI  - Multigenerational Positive Family History of Psychiatric Disorders Is Associated
      With a Poor Prognosis in Bipolar Disorder.
AB  - The authors assessed how family history loading affected the course of illness in
      patients from the United States. A total of 676 outpatients with bipolar disorder
      from the United States rated their illness and provided a parental and
      grandparental history of mood disorder, substance abuse, and other clinical
      conditions. A positive family history for each illness was associated with almost
      all of the seven poor prognosis factors established in the study (abuse in
      childhood, early onset, anxiety and substance abuse comorbidity, rapid cycling,
      multiple episodes, and worsening of severity or frequency of episodes). Family
      history for psychiatric difficulties in parents and grandparents was associated
      with a more complex and difficult course of bipolar illness. 

PMID- 26258490
TI  - Preinjury Emotional-Behavioral Functioning of Children With Lingering Problems
      After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.
AB  - This study aimed to characterize preinjury emotional-behavioral functioning in
      pediatric patients with lingering problems after mild traumatic brain injury
      (TBI). The clinical case series design included 278 patients 8-17 years old.
      Parents retrospectively rated children's preinjury emotional-behavioral
      functioning on a broadband questionnaire. The rate of clinically significant
      preinjury anxiety was elevated compared with national norms. The number of
      previous TBIs was associated with clinically significant preinjury externalizing
      problems, suggesting a link between externalizing disorders and mild TBI
      exposure. Premorbid emotional-behavioral difficulties may play an important role
      in the establishment or maintenance of lingering symptoms after pediatric mild
      TBI. 

PMID- 26258491
TI  - Research Trends in the Neuropsychiatry Literature Since the New Millennium.
AB  - The authors examined current research trends in neuropsychiatry by analyzing
      original research studies published since the new millennium. A total of 14,587
      articles published between 2000 and 2013 were systematically screened from 10
      neuropsychiatry journals, which were selected based on impact factor ranking.
      Clinical studies accounted for the highest proportion of neuropsychiatry research
      articles published since the new millennium (N=5,097; 68.9%), followed by
      laboratory studies (N=1,824; 24.7%) and service evaluation, classification, and
      historical studies (N=474; 6.4%). This study confirms that neuropsychiatry is a
      quintessentially clinical discipline with a continuing focus on phenomenological
      aspects, possibly reflecting the centrality of clinical observations to the
      diagnostic process. 

PMID- 26258492
TI  - Pathological Laughter and Crying and Psychiatric Comorbidity After Traumatic
      Brain Injury.
AB  - There are limited data regarding the incidence of pathological laughter and
      crying (PLC) after traumatic brain injury (TBI). This study aimed to identify the
      occurrence of PLC in the first year after TBI and to determine whether there is a
      relationship between PLC and other clinical features or demographics. Subjects
      who sustained a first-time TBI were recruited from acute trauma units and were
      assessed at 3, 6, and 12 months after TBI. Rates of PLC at 3, 6, and 12 months
      after TBI were 21.4%, 17.5%, and 15.5%, respectively. Patients with PLC had
      higher percentages of psychiatric diagnoses, including personality changes,
      depressive disorders, and mood disorders secondary to a general medical
      condition, as well as higher rates of posttraumatic stress disorder. Univariate
      logistic and linear regression analyses indicated a significant association
      between PLC and scores on the Clinical Anxiety Scale 3 months after TBI and on
      the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale 12 months after TBI. Individuals who have
      PLC during the first year after TBI are more likely to have any psychiatric
      diagnosis as well as higher rates of mood and anxiety symptoms. In addition, PLC
      in the early TBI period may serve as a predictor of depression and anxiety
      symptoms at 12 months after TBI. 

PMID- 26258493
TI  - Downregulation of GLS2 in glioblastoma cells is related to DNA hypermethylation
      but not to the p53 status.
AB  - Human phosphate-activated glutaminase (GA) is encoded by two genes: GLS and GLS2.
      Glioblastomas (GB) usually lack GLS2 transcripts, and their reintroduction
      inhibits GB growth. The GLS2 gene in peripheral tumors may be i) methylation-
      controlled and ii) a target of tumor suppressor p53 often mutated in gliomas.
      Here we assessed the relation of GLS2 downregulation in GB to its methylation and
      TP53 status. DNA demethylation with 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine restored GLS2 mRNA and
      protein content in human GB cell lines with both mutated (T98G) and wild-type
      (U87MG) p53 and reduced the methylation of CpG1 (promoter region island), and
      CpG2 (first intron island) in both cell lines. In cell lines and clinical GB
      samples alike, methylated CpG islands were detected both in the GLS2 promoter (as
      reported earlier) and in the first intron of this gene. CpG methylation of either
      island was absent in GLS2-expressing non-tumoros brain tissues. Screening for
      mutation in the exons 5-8 of TP53 revealed a point mutation in only one out of
      seven GB examined. In conclusion, aberrant methylation of CpG islands, appear to
      contribute to silencing of GLS2 in GB by a mechanism bypassing TP53 mutations.
      (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 26258494
TI  - Shading Beats Binocular Disparity in Depth from Luminance Gradients: Evidence
      against a Maximum Likelihood Principle for Cue Combination.
AB  - Perceived depth is conveyed by multiple cues, including binocular disparity and
      luminance shading. Depth perception from luminance shading information depends on
      the perceptual assumption for the incident light, which has been shown to default
      to a diffuse illumination assumption. We focus on the case of sinusoidally
      corrugated surfaces to ask how shading and disparity cues combine defined by the
      joint luminance gradients and intrinsic disparity modulation that would occur in
      viewing the physical corrugation of a uniform surface under diffuse illumination.
      Such surfaces were simulated with a sinusoidal luminance modulation (0.26 or 1.8
      cy/deg, contrast 20%-80%) modulated either in-phase or in opposite phase with a
      sinusoidal disparity of the same corrugation frequency, with disparity amplitudes
      ranging from 0'-20'. The observers' task was to adjust the binocular disparity of
      a comparison random-dot stereogram surface to match the perceived depth of the
      joint luminance/disparity-modulated corrugation target. Regardless of target
      spatial frequency, the perceived target depth increased with the luminance
      contrast and depended on luminance phase but was largely unaffected by the
      luminance disparity modulation. These results validate the idea that human
      observers can use the diffuse illumination assumption to perceive depth from
      luminance gradients alone without making an assumption of light direction. For
      depth judgments with combined cues, the observers gave much greater weighting to
      the luminance shading than to the disparity modulation of the targets. The
      results were not well-fit by a Bayesian cue-combination model weighted in
      proportion to the variance of the measurements for each cue in isolation.
      Instead, they suggest that the visual system uses disjunctive mechanisms to
      process these two types of information rather than combining them according to
      their likelihood ratios. 

PMID- 26258495
TI  - The Darwinian tension: Romantic science and the causal laws of nature.
AB  - There have been attempts to subsume Charles Darwin's theory of evolution under
      either one of two distinct intellectual traditions: early Victorian natural
      science and its descendants in political economy (as exemplified by Herschel,
      Lyell, or Malthus) and the romantic approach to art and science emanating from
      Germany (as exemplified by Humboldt and Goethe). In this paper, it will be shown
      how these traditions may have jointly contributed to the design of Darwin's
      theory. The hypothesis is that their encounter created a particular tension in
      the conception of his theory which first opened up its characteristic field and
      mode of explanation. On the one hand, the domain of the explanandum was conceived
      of under a holistic and aesthetic view of nature that, in its combination with
      refined techniques of observation, was deeply indebted to Humboldt in particular.
      On the other hand, Darwin fashioned explanations for natural phenomena, so
      conceived, in order to identify their proper causes in a Herschelian spirit. The
      particular interaction between these two traditions in Darwin, it is concluded,
      paved the way for a transfer of the idea of causal laws to animate nature while
      salvaging the romantic idea of a complex, teleological and harmonious order of
      nature. 

PMID- 26258496
TI  - Photodynamic Therapy for Actinic Keratoses: A Randomized Prospective Non
      sponsored Cost-effectiveness Study of Daylight-mediated Treatment Compared with
      Light-emitting Diode Treatment.
AB  - Daylight-mediated photodynamic therapy (DL-PDT) is considered as effective as
      conventional PDT using artificial light (light-emitting diode (LED)-PDT) for
      treatment of actinic keratoses (AK). This randomized prospective non-sponsored
      study assessed the cost-effectiveness of DL-PDT compared with LED-PDT. Seventy
      patients with 210 AKs were randomized to DL-PDT or LED-PDT groups. Effectiveness
      was assessed at 6 months. The costs included societal costs and private costs,
      including the time patients spent in treatment. Results are presented as
      incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). The total costs per patient were
      significantly lower for DL-PDT (?132) compared with LED-PDT (?170), giving a cost
      saving of ?38 (p = 0.022). The estimated probabilities for patients' complete
      response were 0.429 for DL-PDT and 0.686 for LED-PDT; a difference in probability
      of being healed of 0.257. ICER showed a monetary gain of ?147 per unit of
      effectiveness lost. DL-PDT is less costly and less effective than LED-PDT. In
      terms of cost-effectiveness analysis, DL-PDT provides lower value for money
      compared with LED-PDT. 

PMID- 26258497
TI  - The influence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy on local postural muscle and
      central sensory feedback balance control.
AB  - Poor balance control and increased fall risk have been reported in people with
      diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Traditional body sway measures are unable
      to describe underlying postural control mechanism. In the current study, we used
      stabilogram diffusion analysis to examine the mechanism under which balance is
      altered in DPN patients under local-control (postural muscle control) and central
      control (postural control using sensory cueing). DPN patients and healthy age
      matched adults over 55 years performed two 15-second Romberg balance trials.
      Center of gravity sway was measured using a motion tracker system based on
      wearable inertial sensors, and used to derive body sway and local/central control
      balance parameters. Eighteen DPN patients (age = 65.4+/-7.6 years; BMI = 29.3+/
      5.3 kg/m2) and 18 age-matched healthy controls (age = 69.8+/-2.9; BMI = 27.0+/
      4.1 kg/m2) with no major mobility disorder were recruited. The rate of sway
      within local-control was significantly higher in the DPN group by 49% (healthy
      local-controlslope = 1.23+/-1.06*10-2 cm2/sec, P<0.01), which suggests a
      compromised local-control balance behavior in DPN patients. Unlike local-control,
      the rate of sway within central-control was 60% smaller in the DPN group (healthy
      central-controlslope-Log = 0.39+/-0.23, P<0.02), which suggests an adaptation
      mechanism to reduce the overall body sway in DPN patients. Interestingly,
      significant negative correlations were observed between central-control rate of
      sway with neuropathy severity (rPearson = 0.65-085, P<0.05) and the history of
      diabetes (rPearson = 0.58-071, P<0.05). Results suggest that in the lack of
      sensory feedback cueing, DPN participants were highly unstable compared to
      controls. However, as soon as they perceived the magnitude of sway using sensory
      feedback, they chose a high rigid postural control strategy, probably due to high
      concerns for fall, which may increase the energy cost during extended period of
      standing; the adaptation mechanism using sensory feedback depends on the level of
      neuropathy and the history of diabetes. 

PMID- 26258498
TI  - Collective attention and stock prices: evidence from Google Trends data on
      Standard and Poor's 100.
AB  - Today's connected world allows people to gather information in shorter intervals
      than ever before, widely monitored by massive online data sources. As a dramatic
      economic event, recent financial crisis increased public interest for large
      companies considerably. In this paper, we exploit this change in information
      gathering behavior by utilizing Google query volumes as a "bad news" indicator
      for each corporation listed in the Standard and Poor's 100 index. Our results
      provide not only an investment strategy that gains particularly in times of
      financial turmoil and extensive losses by other market participants, but reveal
      new sectoral patterns between mass online behavior and (bearish) stock market
      movements. Based on collective attention shifts in search queries for individual
      companies, hence, these findings can help to identify early warning signs of
      financial systemic risk. However, our disaggregated data also illustrate the need
      for further efforts to understand the influence of collective attention shifts on
      financial behavior in times of regular market activities with less tremendous
      changes in search volumes. 

PMID- 26258499
TI  - Progressive Ataxia and Palatal Tremor.

PMID- 26258500
TI  - Supramolecular Detoxification of Neurotoxic Nanofibrils of Small Molecules via
      Morphological Switch.
AB  - Insoluble amyloid plagues are likely cytoprotective, but the cellular mechanism
      remains less known. To model beta-amyloid we use a small peptide derivative to
      generate cytotoxic nanofibrils that cause the death of model neuron cells (i.e.,
      PC12). The use of supramolecular interaction effectively converts the nanofibrils
      to nanoparticles that are innocuous to cells. This approach also removes the
      cytotoxicity of the fibrils to other mammalian cells (e.g., HeLa). Preliminary
      mechanistic study reveals that, in contrast to the fibrils, the particles promote
      the expression of TNFR2, a cell survival signal, and decrease the expression of
      TNFR1 and DR5, two extrinsic cell death receptors. As the first use of ligand
      receptor interaction to abrogate the cytotoxicity of nanoscale assemblies of
      small molecules, this work illustrates an effective way to use supramolecular
      interaction to control the morphology of supramolecular assemblies for modulating
      their biological activity. 

PMID- 26258501
TI  - Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome of the red crayfish,
      Procambarus clarkii (Decapoda: Cambaridae).
AB  - Here we present the complete mitochondrial (mt) genome of Procambarus clarkii
      (Decapoda: Cambaridae) and provide its annotation. The complete mt genome was
      determined to be 15 929 bp and contains 22 tRNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes
      (PCGs), two rRNA genes, and a D-loop region. The nucleotide composition was
      biased toward A + T nucleotides (72.91%) and the AT skew of this mt genome was
      slightly negative. All the 22 tRNA genes displayed a typical clover-leaf
      structure, with the exception of trnS1 (AGN). About 13 PCGs were initiated by ATN
      codons, except for cox1 and nad2 genes which were initiated by ACG and GTG,
      respectively. Six of the 13 PCGs harbor the incomplete termination codon by T or
      TA. The D-loop region of the mt genome was 1188 bp in length and the A + T
      content was 81.08%. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the placement of P. clarkii
      was within the Cambaridae. This mt genome sequence will provide a better
      understanding for crayfish evolution in the future.

PMID- 26258502
TI  - The sequence divergence in cytochrome C oxidase I gene of Culex quinquefasciatus
      mosquito and its comparison with four other Culex species.
AB  - The genetic diversity of Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito based on the standard
      barcode region of cytochrome C oxidase I (COI) gene fragment was studied in the
      present study. The COI gene sequences of Cx. quinquefasciatus were also compared
      with four other species of Genus Culex (i.e. Cx. tritaeniorhynchus, Cx.
      fuscocephala, Cx. pipiens, and Cx. theileri). Our data set included sequences of
      Culex mosquitoes from 16 different countries of world. The average intraspecific
      and interspecific divergences recorded were 0.67% and 8.27%, respectively. The
      clades for five species were clearly separated except Cx. quinquefasciatus and
      Cx. pipiens. It is concluded that the DNA barcoding is effective and reliable
      tool for the identification of selected Culex species but create little problem
      in case of sister species.

PMID- 26258503
TI  - The complete mitochondrial genome of the red-banded lobster Metanephrops thomsoni
      (Crustacea, Astacidea, Nephropidae): a novel gene order.
AB  - The complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of the red-banded lobster,
      Metanephrops thomsoni (Decapoda, Astacidea, Nephropidae), is 19,835 bp in length
      and contains 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 ribosomal RNAs, 24 transfer RNAs
      (including additional copies of trnW and trnL1), and 2 control regions (CR). The
      mitogenome of M. thomsoni has 10 long intergenic sequences (71-237 bp) with a
      high AT content (70.0%). The two CRs show 59.6% similarity and have an identical
      sequence region with a length of 295 bp. The mitogenome of M. thomsoni shows a
      novel gene arrangement compared with the pancrustacean ground pattern and is
      identical to that of M. sibogae, except for the two additional tRNAs (trnW and
      trnL1). Phylogenetic tree from maximum likelihood analysis using the concatenated
      sequences of 13 PCGs depicted M. thomsoni as one of the members of the
      superfamily Nephropoidea within Astacidea.

PMID- 26258504
TI  - Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome of Sickle pomfret
      Taractichthys steindachneri (Perciformes: Bramidae).
AB  - The complete mitogenome sequence of Taractichthys steindachneri was sequenced and
      analyzed in this study. The complete mitogenome of T. steindachneri is 16 723 bp
      in length, which contains 22 transfer RNAs, 2 ribosomal RNAs, 13 protein-coding
      genes and 2 non-coding region, a rep region and a control region (D-loop). This
      study will be useful for studying on the molecular systematic, taxonomic status
      and conservation genetics.

PMID- 26258505
TI  - The complete mitogenome of Jankowskia athleta (Lepidoptera: Geometridae).
AB  - We have sequenced the entire mitochondrial genome of Jankowskia athleta, that is
      15 534 bp in length with a 79.53% A + T content (GenBank accession no. KR822683).
      The mt genome of J. athleta encodes 37 genes that are typically found in metazoan
      mt genomes, consists of 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, and 22
      transfer RNA genes. Within the mt genome of J. athleta, there are six gene
      reading frame overlaps. The gene order is consistent with other yet sequenced mt
      genome in Geometridae. The mt genome of J. athleta has a 475 bp A + T-rich region
      with an A + T content of 93.47%. The result of phylogenetic analysis infers that
      J. athleta is more closely related to species of Geometridae than other moths.

PMID- 26258506
TI  - Complete mitochondrial genome and the phylogenetic position of the Blotchy swell
      shark Cephaloscyllium umbratile.
AB  - In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome of the Blotchy swell shark
      Cephaloscyllium umbratile was determined. It was a circle molecular (16 698 bp),
      contained 37 genes with typical order to that of most other vertebrates. The
      nucleotide composition was 31.0% A, 24.0% C, 14.0% G, and 31.3% T. There were 26
      bp short intergenic spaces located in 11 gene junctions and 28 bp overlaps
      located in 7 gene junctions in the whole mitogenome. Two start codons (GTG and
      ATG) and two stop codons (TAG and TAA/T) were used in the protein-coding genes.
      The phylogenetic result showed that C. umbratile was clustered with Scyliorhinus
      canicula and formed the Scyliorhinidae clade, which was the most basal clade
      within Carcharhiniformes, and Carcharhinidae is not monophyletic.

PMID- 26258507
TI  - The complete mitochondrial genome of the Ephippus orbis (Perciformes:
      Ephippidae).
AB  - The complete mitochondrial genome of the Ephippus orbis has been sequenced. The
      mitochondrial genome is 16 670 bp in length, containing 13 protein-coding genes,
      2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, and one control region. The gene
      order and the composition of E. orbis mitochondrial genome were similar to that
      of most other vertebrates. The overall nucleotides base composition of the heavy
      strand is A (27.17%), G (16.41%), C (31.46%), and T (24.96%). With the exception
      of the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 6 (ND6) and eight tRNA genes, all other
      mitochondrial genes are encoded on the heavy strand. Seen from the phylogenetic
      tree ( Figure 1 ), E. orbis, Platax teira, and Platax orbicularis from the same
      family (Ephippidae) clustered into one branch and were significantly divergent
      from the other families of closely related fish species.

PMID- 26258508
TI  - Complete mitochondrial genome of a red calcified alga Calliarthron tuberculosum
      (Corallinales).
AB  - 454 GS FLX Titanium sequencing data were used to obtain the complete
      mitochondrial genome of Calliarthron tuberculosum (26,469 bp). The mitogenome
      contains 44 genes, including 2 ribosomal RNA, 19 transfer RNA, 5 ribosomal
      proteins, 1 ymf, 2 open reading frames (ORFs) and 16 genes involved in cellular
      respiration. The secY and rps12 are overlapped by 69 bp. rps3 and rpl16 also have
      a 45 bp overlapped region. Except for open reading frames near stem-loop region,
      the results show Calliarthron tuberculosum mtDNA has a high similarity with other
      Florideophyceae algae mitogenomes in gene synteny, structure and gene content.
      Phylogeny analysis indicates a close genetic relationship of Calliarthron
      tuberculosum with Sporolithon durum.

PMID- 26258509
TI  - Complete mitochondrial genome of the Taractes rubescens (Perciformes: Bramidae).
AB  - Taractes rubescens is a high vulnerable species which widely distributes in
      tropical and subtropical water in Pacific and Atlantic Ocean. The complete
      mitogenome sequence of T. rubescens was determined in this study. The complete
      mitogenome of T. rubescensis 16 720 bp in length, which contains 13 protein
      coding genes, 22 transfer RNAs, 2 ribosomal RNAs and a control region (D-loop).
      Furthermore, base composition of A, C, G and T is estimated to be 27.6%, 30.9%,
      15.8% and 25.7%, respectively. The complete mtDNA sequence of T. rubescens
      provides a useful data for studying on the molecular systematic, stock assessment
      and conservation genetics.

PMID- 26258510
TI  - The complete mitochondrial genome of Sika deer Cervus nippon hortulorum
      (Artiodactyla: Cervidae) and phylogenetic studies.
AB  - Sika deer (Cervus nippon Temminck 1836) are classified in the order Artiodactyla,
      family Cervidae, subfamily Cervinae. At present, the phylogenetic studies of C.
      nippon are problematic. In this study, we first determined and described the
      complete mitochondrial sequence of the wild C. nippon hortulorum. The complete
      mitogenome sequence is 16 566 bp in length, including 13 protein-coding genes,
      two rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, a putative control region (CR) and a light-strand
      replication origin (OL). The overall base composition was 33.4% A, 28.6% T, 24.5%
      C, 13.5% G, with a 62.0% AT bias. The 13 protein-coding genes encode 3782 amino
      acids in total. To further validate the new determined sequences and phylogeny of
      Sika deer, phylogenetic trees involving 15 most closely related species available
      in GenBank database were constructed. These results are expected to provide
      useful molecular data for deer species identification and further phylogenetic
      studies of Artiodactyla.

PMID- 26258511
TI  - Complete mitochondrial genome of Lasiopodomys mandarinus mandarinus (Arvicolinae,
      Rodentia).
AB  - Mandarin voles (Lasiopodomys mandarinus) is a subterranean rodent species that
      are often used as a model for studying subterranean hypoxic stress in mammals.
      Its subspecies L. m. mandarinus span in cropland in most area of north China and
      is regarded as an agricultural pest. In this paper, the complete mitochondrial
      genome of L. m. mandarinus has been determined. Our results showed that the
      mitochondrial genome of L. m. mandarinus is a circular molecule of 16,367 bp,
      which contents 13 protein-coding, 22 tRNAs and 2 rRNAs genes. The overall base
      composition of the heavy strand is 32.47% A, 27.04% T, 27.01% C, and 13.47% G.
      with an AT content of 59.51%.

PMID- 26258512
TI  - Whole mitochondrial genome analysis in two families with dilated mitochondrial
      cardiomyopathy: detection of mutations in MT-ND2 and MT-TL1 genes.
AB  - Pathogenic mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations leading to mitochondrial
      dysfunction can cause cardiomyopathy and heart failure. These mutations were
      described in the mt-tRNA genes and in the mitochondrial protein-coding genes. The
      aim of this study was to identify the genetic defect in two patients belonging to
      two families with cardiac dysfunction associated to a wide spectrum of clinical
      phenotypes. The sequencing analysis of the whole mitochondrial DNA in the two
      patients and their parents revealed the presence of known polymorphisms
      associated to cardiomyopathy and two pathogenic mutations in DNA extracted from
      blood leucocytes: the heteroplasmic m.3243A > G mutation in the MT-TL1 gene in
      patient A; and the homoplasmic m.5182C > T mutation in the ND2 gene in patient B.
      Secondary structure analysis of the ND2 protein further supported the deleterious
      role of the m.5182C > T mutation, as it was found to be involved an extended
      imbalance in its hydrophobicity and affect its function. In addition, the
      mitochondrial variants identified in patients A and B classify both of them in
      the same haplogroup H2a2a1.

PMID- 26258513
TI  - Characteristics and phylogenetic studies of complete mitochondrial DNA based on
      the ricefield eel (Monopterus albus) from four different areas.
AB  - In this study, we cloned and sequenced the complete mitochondrial DNA of
      ricefield eel populations from four different areas (Guizhou province, Guangxi
      province, Hunan province, and Guangdong province) in China. The mitochondrial
      genome was 16,622 bp in length and deposited in the GenBank with accession
      numbers KP779622-KP779625. The organizations of the complete mitogenomes of the
      four ricefield eel were similar to those of other teleost species which contained
      13 protein-coding genes, two rRNA genes, and 22 tRNA genes, as well as a putative
      control region (CR). Most of these genes were encoded on the H-strand, except for
      the ND6 and eight tRNA genes, all other genes were encoded on the H-strand.
      Phylogenetic analyses using N-J computational algorithms showed that the
      ricefield eel was clustered with Mastacembelus armatus (KJ184553) and they belong
      to Synbranchiformes. The four ricefield eel populations could be divided into two
      groups: Guangxi province and the other population cluster together.

PMID- 26258514
TI  - The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Alocasia macrorrhizos.
AB  - The complete chloroplast sequence of Alocasia macrorrhizos is 154 995 bp in
      length, containing a pair of inverted repeats of 25 944 bp separated by a large
      single-copy (LSC) region and a small single-copy (SSC) region of 87 366 bp and 15
      741 bp, respectively. The chloroplast genome encodes 132 predicted functional
      genes, including 87 protein-coding genes, four ribosomal RNA genes, and 37
      transfer RNA genes, 18 of which are duplicated in the inverted repeat regions. In
      these genes, 16 genes contained single intron and two genes comprising double
      introns. A maximum-likelihood phylogenetic analysis using complete chloroplast
      genome revealed that A. macrorrhizos does not belong to Araceae family, which
      infers that the A. macrorrhizos is distant from the species in Araceae family.

PMID- 26258515
TI  - Complete mitochondrial genome of Manchurian Zokor (Myospalax psilurus).
AB  - Manchurian Zokor (Myospalax psilurus) is a common subterranean rodents which have
      a wide distribution in Transbaikalia, east Mongolia, east and central China, and
      Far East of Russian. The complete mitochondrial (MT) genome of M. psilurus has
      been determined in this study. It is a 16,360 bp circular molecule containing 13
      protein-coding, 22 tRNAs and 2 rRNAs genes. Except for the seven tRNA and Nd6
      genes, all other mitogenes are encoded on the heavy strand. The overall
      nucleotide composition of the H-strand is 33.68% A, 28.77% T, 25.35% C, and
      12.17% G. Total A + T content is 54.12%.

PMID- 26258516
TI  - Complete mitochondrial genome of Rhodeus ocellatus (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae).
AB  - The complete mitogenome sequence of Rhodeus ocellatus (Kner) was determined using
      the next-generation sequencing (NGS). The genome was 16 761 bp in length and
      contained 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes
      and a control region. The overall nucleotide composition was 30.43% A, 27.50% T,
      25.94% C, and 16.13% G, with an A + T bias of 57.93%. The gene composition and
      the arrangement of the R. ocellatus mitochondrial genome were similar to that of
      most other vertebrates. The complete mitochondrial genome sequence will help to
      study the evolutionary relationships and population genetics of Rhodeus fish.

PMID- 26258517
TI  - The complete mitochondrial genome of stretch spider Tetragnatha maxillosa
      (Araneae: Tetragnathidae).
AB  - The stretch spider Tetragnatha maxillosa (Araneae: Tetragnathidae) is found all
      over the world. In the present study, we investigated the complete mitochondrial
      genome of T. maxillosa and the mitogenome is a circular molecule of 14 414 bp in
      length, consists of 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNAs, 22 transfer
      RNAs, and a control region. The A + T content of the overall base composition of
      H-strand is 74.5% (T: 40.4%; C: 9.6%; A: 34.1%; G: 15.9%). COI gene begins with
      TTT as start codon, COII and COIII genes begin with TTG as start codon, ATP8, Cyt
      b, ND2, and ND4L genes begin with ATT as start codon, and other six protein
      coding genes start with ATA. ATP6, ATP8, COI, COIII, ND1, ND3, and ND6 genes are
      terminated with TAA as stop codon, Cyt b, ND2, ND4, ND4L, and ND5 end with T, and
      COII ends with TAG. In addition, the phylogenetic relationships from neighbor
      joining analyses based on the 13 concatenated PCGs indicated (Tetragnatha
      (Nephila (Argiope (Araneus, Neoscona)))).

PMID- 26258518
TI  - Complete mitochondrial genome of the Nemipterus virgatus (Perciformes:
      Nemipteridae).
AB  - The complete mitochondrial genome of the Nemipterus virgatus has been sequenced.
      The mitochondrial genome is 16 992 bp in length, containing 13 protein-coding
      genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes and one control region. The
      gene order and composition of N. virgatus mitochondrial genome was similar to
      that of most other vertebrates. The overall nucleotides base composition of the
      light strand is A (27.89%), G (26.61%), C (16.45%), T (29.05%). With the
      exception of the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 6 (ND6) and eight tRNA genes, all
      other mitochondrial genes are encoded on the heavy strand. The tRNA-Ser2 gene
      lacked DHC arm and could not fold into a typical clover-leaf secondary structure.
      Seen from the phylogenetic tree, N. virgatus, Nemipterus japonicus, and
      Nemipterus bathybius from the same genus clustered into one branch.

PMID- 26258519
TI  - The complete mitochondrial genome of Sinibotia robusta (Cypriniformes:
      Cobitidae).
AB  - The Sinibotia robusta mitochondrial genome (GenBank accession no. KP979711) was a
      circular molecule of 16 575 bp in length, with two rRNA genes, 13 protein-coding
      genes, 22 tRNA genes, an l-strand replication origin (OL), and a control region
      (D-loop). The nucleotide acid composition of the entire mitogenome was 31.91% for
      A, 26.90% for C, 15.56% for G, and 25.63% for T, with an A + T content of 57.54%.
      And the A + T content of 12S rRNA, 16S rRNA, and D-loop was 51.26%, 56.17%, and
      67.73%, respectively.

PMID- 26258520
TI  - Genetic basis of human left-right asymmetry disorders.
AB  - Humans and other vertebrates exhibit left-right (LR) asymmetric arrangement of
      the internal organs, and failure to establish normal LR asymmetry leads to
      internal laterality disorders, including situs inversus and heterotaxy. Situs
      inversus is complete mirror-imaged arrangement of the internal organs along LR
      axis, whereas heterotaxy is abnormal arrangement of the internal thoraco
      abdominal organs across LR axis of the body, most of which are associated with
      complex cardiovascular malformations. Both disorders are genetically
      heterogeneous with reduced penetrance, presumably because of monogenic, polygenic
      or multifactorial causes. Research in genetics of LR asymmetry disorders has been
      extremely prolific over the past 17 years, and a series of loci and disease genes
      involved in situs inversus and heterotaxy have been described. The review
      highlights the classification, chromosomal abnormalities, pathogenic genes and
      the possible mechanism of human LR asymmetry disorders. 

PMID- 26258522
TI  - A novel utility function for energy-efficient power control game in cognitive
      radio networks.
AB  - Spectrum scarcity is a major challenge in wireless communications systems
      requiring efficient usage and utilization. Cognitive radio network (CRN) is found
      as a promising technique to solve this problem of spectrum scarcity. It allows
      licensed and unlicensed users to share the same licensed spectrum band.
      Interference resulting from cognitive radios (CRs) has undesirable effects on
      quality of service (QoS) of both licensed and unlicensed systems where it causes
      degradation in received signal-to-noise ratio (SIR) of users. Power control is
      one of the most important techniques that can be used to mitigate interference
      and guarantee QoS in both systems. In this paper, we develop a new approach of a
      distributed power control for CRN based on utility and pricing. QoS of CR user is
      presented as a utility function via pricing and a distributed power control as a
      non-cooperative game in which users maximize their net utility (utility-price).
      We define the price as a real function of transmit power to increase pricing
      charge of the farthest CR users. We prove that the power control game proposed in
      this study has Nash Equilibrium as well as it is unique. The obtained results
      show that the proposed power control algorithm based on a new utility function
      has a significant reduction in transmit power consumption and high improvement in
      speed of convergence. 

PMID- 26258521
TI  - Development of Selective Covalent Janus Kinase 3 Inhibitors.
AB  - The Janus kinases (JAKs) and their downstream effectors, signal transducer and
      activator of transcription proteins (STATs), form a critical immune cell
      signaling circuit, which is of fundamental importance in innate immunity,
      inflammation, and hematopoiesis, and dysregulation is frequently observed in
      immune disease and cancer. The high degree of structural conservation of the JAK
      ATP binding pockets has posed a considerable challenge to medicinal chemists
      seeking to develop highly selective inhibitors as pharmacological probes and as
      clinical drugs. Here we report the discovery and optimization of 2,4-substituted
      pyrimidines as covalent JAK3 inhibitors that exploit a unique cysteine (Cys909)
      residue in JAK3. Investigation of structure-activity relationship (SAR) utilizing
      biochemical and transformed Ba/F3 cellular assays resulted in identification of
      potent and selective inhibitors such as compounds 9 and 45. A 2.9 A cocrystal
      structure of JAK3 in complex with 9 confirms the covalent interaction. Compound 9
      exhibited decent pharmacokinetic properties and is suitable for use in vivo.
      These inhibitors provide a set of useful tools to pharmacologically interrogate
      JAK3-dependent biology. 

PMID- 26258523
TI  - NMR and MD Studies Reveal That the Isolated Dengue NS3 Protease Is an
      Intrinsically Disordered Chymotrypsin Fold Which Absolutely Requests NS2B for
      Correct Folding and Functional Dynamics.
AB  - Dengue genome encodes a two component protease complex (NS2B-NS3pro) essential
      for the viral maturation/infectivity, thus representing a key drug target.
      Previously, due to its "complete insolubility", the isolated NS3pro could not be
      experimentally studied and it remains elusive what structure it adopts without
      NS2B and why NS2B is indispensable. Here as facilitated by our previous
      discovery, the isolated NS3pro has been surprisingly deciphered by NMR to be the
      first intrinsically-disordered chymotrypsin-like fold, which exists in a loosely
      packed state with non-native long-range interactions as revealed by paramagnetic
      relaxation enhancement (PRE). The disordered NS3pro appears to be needed for
      binding a human host factor to trigger the membrane remodeling. Moreover, we have
      in vitro refolded the NS3pro in complex with either NS2B (48-100) or the full
      length NS2B (1-130) anchored into the LMPC micelle, and the two complexes have
      similar activities but different dynamics. We also performed molecular dynamics
      (MD) simulations and the results revealed that NS2B shows the highest structural
      fluctuations in the complex, thus providing the dynamic basis for the observation
      on its conformational exchange between open and closed states. Remarkably, the
      NS2B cofactor plays a central role in maintaining the correlated motion network
      required for the catalysis as we previously decoded for the SARS 3CL protease.
      Indeed, a truncated NS2B (48-100;Delta77-84) with the flexible loop deleted is
      able to trap the NS2B-NS3pro complex in a highly dynamic and catalytically
      impotent state. Taken together, our study implies potential strategies to perturb
      the NS2B-NS3pro interface for design of inhibitors for treating dengue infection.

PMID- 26258524
TI  - Dose-responsive gene expression in suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid-treated
      resting CD4+ T cells.
AB  - DESIGN: Persistent latently infected CD4 T cells represent a major obstacle to
      HIV eradication. Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis) are a proposed
      activation therapy. However, off-target effects on gene expression in host immune
      cells are poorly understood. We hypothesized that HDACi-modulated genes would be
      best identified with a dose-response analysis. METHODS: Resting primary CD4 T
      cells were treated with 0.34, 1, 3, or 10 MUmol/l of the HDACi, suberoylanilide
      hydroxamic acid (SAHA), for 24 h and subjected to microarray gene expression
      analysis. Genes with dose-correlated expression were filtered to identify a
      subset with consistent up or downregulation at each SAHA dose. Histone
      modifications were characterized in six SAHA dose-responsive genes by chromatin
      immunoprecipitation (ChIP-RT-qPCR). RESULTS: A large number of genes were shown
      to be upregulated (N = 657) or downregulated (N = 725) by SAHA in a dose
      responsive manner (FDR-corrected P-value <= 0.5, fold change >=|2|). Several
      genes (e.g. CINNAL1, DPEP2, H1F0, IRGM, PHF15, and SELL) are potential in-vivo
      biomarkers of SAHA activity. SAHA dose-responsive genes included transcription
      factors, HIV restriction factors, histone methyltransferases, and host proteins
      that interact with HIV. Pathway analysis suggested net downregulation of T-cell
      activation with increasing SAHA dose. Histone acetylation was not correlated with
      host gene expression, but plausible alternative mechanisms for SAHA-modulated
      gene expression were identified. CONCLUSION: Numerous genes in CD4 T cells are
      modulated by SAHA in a dose-responsive manner, including genes that may
      negatively influence HIV activation from latency. Our study suggests that SAHA
      influences gene expression through a confluence of several mechanisms, including
      histone modification, and altered expression and activity of transcription
      factors.

PMID- 26258526
TI  - Re-engagement in HIV care among mothers living with HIV in South Africa over 36
      months post-birth.
AB  - Prevention of mother-to-child transmission services are integrated into antenatal
      care in South Africa, but post-birth care is at HIV clinics. Almost all Mothers
      Living with HIV (MLH) in 24 township neighborhoods (N = 324) reported engagement
      in HIV care from pregnancy to 36 months post-birth. Less than half re-engaged in
      HIV care at 6 months (45%), 52.5% at 18 months, and 62.5% at 36 months. Most were
      prescribed antiretroviral drugs if re-engaged in care, yet only about half (53%)
      are on antiretroviral drugs at 36 months post-birth. Implementation of Option B+
      will require substantially better engagement in care. 

PMID- 26258525
TI  - Incidence of sexually transmitted hepatitis C virus infection in HIV-positive men
      who have sex with men.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The epidemiology of the incidence of sexually transmitted hepatitis C
      virus (HCV) infection in HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) is only
      partially understood. In the presence of HIV, HCV infection is more likely to
      become chronic and liver fibrosis progression is accelerated. DESIGN: A
      systematic review and meta-analysis was used to synthesize data characterizing
      sexually transmitted HCV in HIV-positive MSM. METHODS: Electronic and other
      searches of medical literature (including unpublished reports) were conducted.
      Eligible studies reported on HCV seroconversion or on reinfection postsuccessful
      HCV treatment in HIV-positive MSM who were not injecting drugs. Pooled incidence
      rates were calculated using random-effects meta-analysis, and meta-regression was
      used to assess study-level moderators. Attributable risk measures were calculated
      from statistically significant associations between exposures and HCV
      seroconversion. RESULTS: More than 13 000 HIV-positive MSM in 17 studies were
      followed for more than 91 000 person-years between 1984 and 2012; the pooled
      seroconversion rate was 0.53/100 person-years. Calendar time was a significant
      moderator of HCV seroconversion, increasing from an estimated rate of 0.42/100
      person-years in 1991 to 1.09/100 person-years in 2010, and 1.34/100 person-years
      in 2012. Reinfection postsuccessful HCV treatment (n = 2 studies) was 20 times
      higher than initial seroconversion rates. Among the seroconverters, a large
      proportion of infections were attributable to high-risk behaviours including
      mucosally traumatic sex and sex while high on methamphetamine. CONCLUSION: The
      high reinfection rates and the attributable risk analysis suggest the existence
      of a subset of HIV-positive MSM with recurring sexual exposure to HCV. Approaches
      to HCV control in this population will need to consider the changing epidemiology
      of HCV infection in MSM.

PMID- 26258527
TI  - Genetic characterization of multiple hepatitis C virus infections following acute
      infection in HIV-infected men who have sex with men.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: High rates of hepatitis C virus (HCV) reinfections among HIV-infected
      men who have sex with men (MSM) following clearance of a primary infection
      suggest absence of protective immunity. Here, we investigated the incidence of
      HCV super and reinfections in 85 HIV-infected MSM with incident HCV infection.
      DESIGN AND METHODS: Serial sequencing of a fragment of NS5B and the HCV envelope
      was used to longitudinally characterize the virus. If the primary genotype was
      still present at the most recent viremic time point, as indicated by the NS5B
      sequence analysis, serial envelope 2/hypervariable region 1 (E2/HRV1) sequence
      analysis was performed to distinguish a new infection with the same genotype
      (clade switch) from intrahost evolution. Incidence rate and cumulative incidence
      of secondary infections were estimated, and the effect of the primary genotype
      (1a versus non1) on the risk of acquiring a second infection with the same
      genotype was determined using Cox proportional-hazards analysis. RESULTS: Among
      85 patients with a median follow-up of 4.8 years, incidence rate of secondary
      infections was 5.39 cases/100 person-years (95% confidence interval 3.34-8.26).
      Cumulative incidence of genotype switches was markedly higher than the cumulative
      incidence of clade switches (26.7 versus 4.8% at 5 years, respectively). In
      patients with HCV-1a as primary infection, the risk for acquiring another HCV-1a
      infection was reduced compared to those with a primary non-HCV-1a subsequently
      acquiring HCV-1a (hazard ratio 0.25, 95% confidence interval 0.07-0.93).
      CONCLUSION: Risk of acquiring a secondary infection with the primary genotype was
      strikingly reduced compared with the risk of acquiring a secondary infection with
      a different genotype.

PMID- 26258528
TI  - Systematic review of the efficacy and safety of intradermal versus intramuscular
      hepatitis B vaccination in end-stage renal disease population unresponsive to
      primary vaccination series.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The response to hepatitis B vaccine in the dialysis population is
      reduced compared to the general population. The intradermal (ID) hepatitis B
      vaccine has been studied as a potential alternative to intramuscular (IM)
      administration. This alternative route of administration may illicit a response
      via a distinct immunologic pathway that may help achieve higher seroconversion
      rates and thus, protection against hepatitis B infection in this vulnerable
      patient population. METHODS: A literature search was performed in January 2015
      using Embase, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials
      with keywords including, hepatitis B vaccines, intradermal, dermal,
      intracutaneous, dialysis, hemodialysis, continuous ambulatory peritoneal
      dialysis, CAPD, peritoneal dialysis, renal failure, chronic renal failure,
      chronic kidney disease, chronic renal insufficiency, End Stage Renal Disease,
      ESRD, and CKD. Our search strategy was restricted to human studies published in
      the English language, and additional literature was retrieved by hand-searching
      bibliographies of relevant articles. Two reviewers (F.Y. and S.G.) independently
      reviewed abstracts and/or full texts of articles retrieved from the electronic
      database using the above-mentioned search strategy. Inclusion criteria were as
      follows: (1) Published, English-language studies performed in the human
      population, (2) adult patient population (>=18 years of age), (3) randomized
      trials, (4) patient population must have been unresponsive to a primary IM
      hepatitis B vaccination protocol, (5) patients must be chronic dialysis patients,
      either on maintenance hemodialysis or continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis
      (CAPD), (6) studies that compare IM and ID hepatitis B vaccination-associated
      seroconversion rates, (7) results must be reported as seroconversion rates at 1
      3, 6-9, 12, or 20 months post-vaccination, and (8) seroconversion (protective
      antibody levels) defined as >10 or >=10 IU/L. RESULTS: Our initial literature
      review yielded 113 results, of which four were included in our final review.
      These four prospective trials studied a combined total of 204 dialysis patients.
      Of these patients, 120 (59%) had received the hepatitis B vaccine intradermally,
      while 84 (41%) received it intramuscularly. Hepatitis B vaccination type, dose,
      route, and seroconversion rates were tabulated for each study. Each of the
      studies used different protocols for patient inclusion, schedule of vaccine
      administration, and time-points for measuring seroconversion. Seroconversion
      rates at either 1, 2, 3, 6-9, 12 and/or 20 months were reported. The combined
      seroconversion rates were 91%, 83%, 86%, 81%, 76%, and 32% at 1, 2, 3, 6-9, 12,
      and 20 months in the ID group, respectively, and 55%, 72%, 58%, 44%, 24%, and 0%
      in the IM group, respectively. Chi-square analysis revealed a significantly
      higher proportion of patients achieving seroconversion in the ID group versus the
      IM group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our review demonstrates that ID hepatitis B
      vaccination in primary non-responders undergoing dialysis provides an effective
      alternative to IM vaccination as a means of protection against hepatitis B
      infection in this highly susceptible population. Additional well-designed, double
      blinded, randomized trials are warranted to establish clear guidelines on ID
      Hepatitis B vaccine dose and duration of vaccination schedule.

PMID- 26258529
TI  - Current evidence on whether perinatal risk factors influence coeliac disease is
      circumstantial.
AB  - Coeliac disease is triggered by an interplay of environmental and genetic factors
      and is one of the most prevalent autoimmune diseases in children, occurring in
      about 1% of Europeans. Over the last few decades, there has been a growing
      interest in the role of the perinatal environment in coeliac disease and this
      review discusses the growing body of literature on coeliac disease and perinatal
      risk factors. CONCLUSION: There is still only circumstantial evidence that the
      perinatal environment influences coeliac disease development. Large-scale cohort
      studies and emerging scientific concepts, such as epigenetics, may help us
      establish the role of these environmental factors.

PMID- 26258530
TI  - Kidney Dysfunction in Adult Offspring Exposed In Utero to Type 1 Diabetes Is
      Associated with Alterations in Genome-Wide DNA Methylation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Fetal exposure to hyperglycemia impacts negatively kidney development
      and function. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to determine whether fetal exposure to
      moderate hyperglycemia is associated with epigenetic alterations in DNA
      methylation in peripheral blood cells and whether those alterations are related
      to impaired kidney function in adult offspring. DESIGN: Twenty nine adult, non
      diabetic offspring of mothers with type 1 diabetes (T1D) (case group) were
      matched with 28 offspring of T1D fathers (control group) for the study of their
      leukocyte genome-wide DNA methylation profile (27,578 CpG sites, Human
      Methylation 27 BeadChip, Illumina Infinium). In a subset of 19 cases and 18
      controls, we assessed renal vascular development by measuring Glomerular
      Filtration Rate (GFR) and Effective Renal Plasma Flow (ERPF) at baseline and
      during vasodilatation produced by amino acid infusion. RESULTS: Globally, DNA was
      under-methylated in cases vs. controls. Among the 87 CpG sites differently
      methylated, 74 sites were less methylated and 13 sites more methylated in cases
      vs. controls. None of these CpG sites were located on a gene known to be directly
      involved in kidney development and/or function. However, the gene encoding DNA
      methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1)--a key enzyme involved in gene expression during
      early development--was under-methylated in cases. The average methylation of the
      74 under-methylated sites differently correlated with GFR in cases and controls.
      CONCLUSION: Alterations in methylation profile imprinted by the hyperglycemic
      milieu of T1D mothers during fetal development may impact kidney function in
      adult offspring. The involved pathways seem to be a nonspecific imprinting
      process rather than specific to kidney development or function.

PMID- 26258532
TI  - On the Agreement between Manual and Automated Methods for Single-Trial Detection
      and Estimation of Features from Event-Related Potentials.
AB  - The agreement between humans and algorithms on whether an event-related potential
      (ERP) is present or not and the level of variation in the estimated values of its
      relevant features are largely unknown. Thus, the aim of this study was to
      determine the categorical and quantitative agreement between manual and automated
      methods for single-trial detection and estimation of ERP features. To this end,
      ERPs were elicited in sixteen healthy volunteers using electrical stimulation at
      graded intensities below and above the nociceptive withdrawal reflex threshold.
      Presence/absence of an ERP peak (categorical outcome) and its amplitude and
      latency (quantitative outcome) in each single-trial were evaluated independently
      by two human observers and two automated algorithms taken from existing
      literature. Categorical agreement was assessed using percentage positive and
      negative agreement and Cohen's kappa, whereas quantitative agreement was
      evaluated using Bland-Altman analysis and the coefficient of variation. Typical
      values for the categorical agreement between manual and automated methods were
      derived, as well as reference values for the average and maximum differences that
      can be expected if one method is used instead of the others. Results showed that
      the human observers presented the highest categorical and quantitative agreement,
      and there were significantly large differences between detection and estimation
      of quantitative features among methods. In conclusion, substantial care should be
      taken in the selection of the detection/estimation approach, since factors like
      stimulation intensity and expected number of trials with/without response can
      play a significant role in the outcome of a study. 

PMID- 26258533
TI  - Macro-particle charcoal C content following prescribed burning in a mixed-conifer
      forest, Sierra Nevada, California.
AB  - Fire suppression and changing climate have resulted in increased large wildfire
      frequency and severity in the western United States, causing carbon cycle
      impacts. Forest thinning and prescribed burning reduce high-severity fire risk,
      but require removal of biomass and emissions of carbon from burning. During each
      fire a fraction of the burning vegetation and soil organic matter is converted
      into charcoal, a relatively stable carbon form. We sought to quantify the effects
      of pre-fire fuel load and type on charcoal carbon produced by biomass combusted
      in a prescribed burn under different thinning treatments and to identify more
      easily measured predictors of charcoal carbon mass in a historically frequent
      fire mixed-conifer forest. We hypothesized that charcoal carbon produced from
      coarse woody debris (CWD) during prescribed burning would be greater than that
      produced from fine woody debris (FWD). We visually quantified post-treatment
      charcoal carbon content in the O-horizon and the A-horizon beneath CWD (> 30 cm
      diameter) and up to 60 cm from CWD that was present prior to treatment. We found
      no difference in the size of charcoal carbon pools from CWD (treatment means
      ranged from 0.3-2.0 g m-2 of A-horizon and 0.0-1.7 g m-2 of O-horizon charcoal)
      and FWD (treatment means ranged from 0.2-1.7 g m-2 of A-horizon and 0.0-1.5 g m-2
      of O-horizon charcoal). We also compared treatments and found that the burn-only,
      understory-thin and burn, and overstory-thin and burn treatments had
      significantly more charcoal carbon than the control. Charcoal carbon represented
      0.29% of total ecosystem carbon. We found that char mass on CWD was an important
      predictor of charcoal carbon mass, but only explained 18-35% of the variation.
      Our results help improve our understanding of the effects forest restoration
      treatments have on ecosystem carbon by providing additional information about
      charcoal carbon content. 

PMID- 26258534
TI  - A Study of the First Year of the End-of-Life Clinic for Physician-Assisted Dying
      in the Netherlands.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Right to Die NL, an organization in the Netherlands that advocates
      for the option of euthanasia, founded the End-of-Life Clinic in 2012 to provide
      euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide for patients who meet all legal
      requirements but whose regular physicians rejected their request. Many patients
      whose requests are rejected have less common situations, such as a psychiatric or
      psychological condition, dementia, or being tired of living. OBJECTIVE: To study
      outcomes of requests for euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide received by the
      clinic and factors associated with granting or rejecting requests. DESIGN:
      Analysis of application forms and registration files from March 1, 2012, to March
      1, 2013, the clinic's first year of operation, for 645 patients who applied to
      the clinic with a request for euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide and whose
      cases were concluded during the study period. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: A
      request could be granted, rejected, or withdrawn or the patient could have died
      before a final decision was reached. We analyzed bivariate and multivariate
      associations with medical conditions, type of suffering, and sociodemographic
      variables. RESULTS: Of the 645 requests made by patients, 162 requests (25.1%)
      were granted, 300 requests (46.5%) were refused, 124 patients (19.2%) died before
      the request could be assessed, and 59 patients (9.1%) withdrew their requests.
      Patients with a somatic condition (113 of 344 [32.8%]) or with cognitive decline
      (21 of 56 [37.5%]) had the highest percentage of granted requests. Patients with
      a psychological condition had the smallest percentage of granted requests. Six
      (5.0%) of 121 requests from patients with a psychological condition were granted,
      as were 11 (27.5%) of 40 requests from patients who were tired of living.
      CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Physicians in the Netherlands have more reservations
      about less common reasons that patients request euthanasia and physician-assisted
      suicide, such as psychological conditions and being tired of living, than the
      medical staff working for the End-of-Life Clinic. The physicians and nurses
      employed by the clinic, however, often confirmed the assessment of the physician
      who previously cared for the patient; they rejected nearly half of the requests
      for euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide, possibly because the legal due
      care criteria had not been met.

PMID- 26258535
TI  - Electronic Structure of Ru2(II,II) Oxypyridinates: Synthetic, Structural, and
      Theoretical Insights into Axial Ligand Binding.
AB  - Reduction of (4,0)-Ru2(chp)4Cl (1) (chp = 6-chloro-2-oxypyridinate) with Zn or
      FeCl2 yields a series of axial ligand adducts of the Ru2(II,II) species
      Ru2(chp)4(L), with L = tetrahydrofuran (2), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO; 3), PPh3
      (4), pyridine (5), or MeCN (6). Zn reduction in noncoordinating solvents such as
      toluene or CH2Cl2 leads to the dimeric species [Ru2(chp)4]2 (7) or
      [Ru2(chp)4]2(ZnCl2) (8), whereas addition of strongly sigma-donating ligands such
      as CO causes cleavage of the Ru-Ru bond. Density functional theory (DFT) models
      of these complexes, the axially free species, and the axial adducts of several
      other potential ligands (H2O, NH3, CH2Cl2, S-bound DMSO, N2, and CO) indicate
      that these compounds can be divided into three distinct categories, based on
      their Ru-Ru bond length and electronic structure. Compounds 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, and 8,
      the hypothetical axially free species, and adducts of H2O and NH3 fit in Category
      1 with a (delta*)(2)(pi*)(2) ground state, as indicated by their electronic
      spectra, magnetic properties, and Ru-Ru bond distances. However, compound 4 and
      the CH2Cl2 adduct (Category 2) show a pseudo-Jahn-Teller distortion and
      spectroscopic signs of delta*/pi* orbital mixing suggestive of a new electronic
      ground state intermediate between the (delta*)(2)(pi*)(2) and (delta*)(1)(pi*)(3)
      configurations. Category 3 consists of the hypothetical adducts of N2, S-bound
      DMSO, and CO, all of which are predicted to have a (delta*)(1)(pi*)(3)
      configuration. Electronic spectra were recorded and assigned using time-dependent
      DFT, allowing assignment of a band in the 10,000-13,000 cm(-1) range as the delta
      -> pi* transition. The axial ligand's pi-acid character heavily influences the
      delta*-pi* gap, and thereby the ground-state electronic configuration, but not
      the axial ligand binding strength, which is dictated more by the sigma-donor
      character of the ligands. Thus, this work greatly expands the number of axial
      ligand adducts known for Ru2(II,II) complexes supported by N,O-donor ligands and
      provides a predictive theoretical framework for their stability and electronic
      structures.

PMID- 26258536
TI  - A meta-analytic approach to examining the correlation between
      religion/spirituality and mental health in cancer.
AB  - Religion and spirituality (R/S) are patient-centered factors and often are
      resources for managing the emotional sequelae of the cancer experience. Studies
      investigating the correlation between R/S (eg, beliefs, experiences, coping) and
      mental health (eg, depression, anxiety, well being) in cancer have used very
      heterogeneous measures and have produced correspondingly inconsistent results. A
      meaningful synthesis of these findings has been lacking; thus, the objective of
      this review was to conduct a meta-analysis of the research on R/S and mental
      health. Four electronic databases were systematically reviewed, and 2073
      abstracts met initial selection criteria. Reviewer pairs applied standardized
      coding schemes to extract indices of the correlation between R/S and mental
      health. In total, 617 effect sizes from 148 eligible studies were synthesized
      using meta-analytic generalized estimating equations, and subgroup analyses were
      performed to examine moderators of effects. The estimated mean correlation
      (Fisher z) was 0.19 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.16-0.23), which varied as a
      function of R/S dimensions: affective R/S (z = 0.38; 95% CI, 0.33-0.43),
      behavioral R/S (z = 0.03; 95% CI, -0.02-0.08), cognitive R/S (z = 0.10; 95% CI,
      0.06-0.14), and 'other' R/S (z = 0.08; 95% CI, 0.03-0.13). Aggregate, study-level
      demographic and clinical factors were not predictive of the relation between R/S
      and mental health. There was little indication of publication or reporting
      biases. The correlation between R/S and mental health generally was positive. The
      strength of that correlation was modest and varied as a function of the R/S
      dimensions and mental health domains assessed. The identification of optimal R/S
      measures and more sophisticated methodological approaches are needed to advance
      research.

PMID- 26258537
TI  - MicroRNA and transcription factor mediated regulatory network analysis reveals
      critical regulators and regulatory modules in myocardial infarction.
AB  - Myocardial infarction (MI) is a severe coronary artery disease and a leading
      cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. However, the molecular mechanisms of
      MI have yet to be fully elucidated. In this study, we compiled MI-related genes,
      MI-related microRNAs (miRNAs) and known human transcription factors (TFs), and we
      then identified 1,232 feed-forward loops (FFLs) among these miRNAs, TFs and their
      co-regulated target genes through integrating target prediction. By merging these
      FFLs, the first miRNA and TF mediated regulatory network for MI was constructed,
      from which four regulators (SP1, ESR1, miR-21-5p and miR-155-5p) and three
      regulatory modules that might play crucial roles in MI were then identified.
      Furthermore, based on the miRNA and TF mediated regulatory network and literature
      survey, we proposed a pathway model for miR-21-5p, the miR-29 family and SP1 to
      demonstrate their potential co-regulatory mechanisms in cardiac fibrosis,
      apoptosis and angiogenesis. The majority of the regulatory relations in the model
      were confirmed by previous studies, which demonstrated the reliability and
      validity of this miRNA and TF mediated regulatory network. Our study will aid in
      deciphering the complex regulatory mechanisms involved in MI and provide putative
      therapeutic targets for MI. 

PMID- 26258539
TI  - Genetic variants in GAPDH confer susceptibility to sporadic Parkinson's disease
      in a Chinese Han population.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that the glyceraldehyde-3
      phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) is a part of Lewy body inclusions and involves
      the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, it remains unknown whether
      or not genetic variation at the GAPDH locus contributes to the risk for PD.
      METHODS: A total of 302 sporadic PD patients and 377 control subjects were
      recruited in our study for assessing two single nucleotide polymorphisms
      (rs3741918 and rs1060619) in the GAPDH gene. Both allelic association and
      additive models were used to analyze association between GAPDH variants and risk
      for PD. RESULTS: Both polymorphisms were significantly associated with risk for
      PD after correction by Bonferroni multiple testing. The minor allele of rs3741918
      was associated with decreased risk of sporadic PD (allelic contrast, OR = 0.74,
      95% CI: 0.59-0.93, corrected P = 0.028; additive model, OR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.58
      0.92, corrected P = 0.018). While for the rs1060619 locus, the minor allele
      conferred increased risk for PD (allelic contrast, OR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.14-1.75,
      corrected P = 0.007; additive model, OR = 1.43, 95% CI: 1.15-1.79, corrected P =
      0.002). CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that GAPDH variants confer susceptibility
      to sporadic PD in a Chinese Han population, which is consistent with the role of
      GAPDH protein in neuronal apoptosis. To our knowledge, this is the first study of
      genetic association between GAPDH locus and risk for PD in the Chinese
      population.

PMID- 26258541
TI  - A scalable and operationally simple radical trifluoromethylation.
AB  - The large number of reagents that have been developed for the synthesis of
      trifluoromethylated compounds is a testament to the importance of the CF3 group
      as well as the associated synthetic challenge. Current state-of-the-art reagents
      for appending the CF3 functionality directly are highly effective; however, their
      use on preparative scale has minimal precedent because they require multistep
      synthesis for their preparation, and/or are prohibitively expensive for large
      scale application. For a scalable trifluoromethylation methodology,
      trifluoroacetic acid and its anhydride represent an attractive solution in terms
      of cost and availability; however, because of the exceedingly high oxidation
      potential of trifluoroacetate, previous endeavours to use this material as a CF3
      source have required the use of highly forcing conditions. Here we report a
      strategy for the use of trifluoroacetic anhydride for a scalable and
      operationally simple trifluoromethylation reaction using pyridine N-oxide and
      photoredox catalysis to affect a facile decarboxylation to the CF3 radical. 

PMID- 26258542
TI  - Anti-transcription intermediary factor-1gamma/alpha/beta antibody-positive
      dermatomyositis associated with multiple panniculitis lesions.

PMID- 26258543
TI  - Response Assessment of Thermal Papers from Four Continents to Fingerprint
      Development by Heat.
AB  - Latent fingerprint deposits on thermal paper sourced from the U.S., China, the
      U.K., and Australia have been visualized by heating. U.S. and Chinese sourced
      paper produced two distinct types of fingerprint development. In one type (type
      1), the paper dye colors where the deposit is present (as previously reported)
      and in the other type (type 2) the 'inverse' of this gives paper coloring only in
      areas not coincident with the deposit. Both development types gave identifiable
      fingerprints, the majority fading within 24 h of heating. Fingerprint development
      from U.K. and Australian sourced paper was exclusively type 1 and resistant to
      fading. Temperatures for fingerprint visualization were higher for U.S. paper (64
      71 degrees C) and Chinese paper (75-95 degrees C) than for U.K. and Australian
      sourced paper (43-50 degrees C). Particularly for Chinese sourced paper, these
      temperatures were within a few degrees of the normal paper color temperature. A
      mechanism for type 2 fingerprint development is proposed. 

PMID- 26258538
TI  - Prediction of human population responses to toxic compounds by a collaborative
      competition.
AB  - The ability to computationally predict the effects of toxic compounds on humans
      could help address the deficiencies of current chemical safety testing. Here, we
      report the results from a community-based DREAM challenge to predict toxicities
      of environmental compounds with potential adverse health effects for human
      populations. We measured the cytotoxicity of 156 compounds in 884 lymphoblastoid
      cell lines for which genotype and transcriptional data are available as part of
      the Tox21 1000 Genomes Project. The challenge participants developed algorithms
      to predict interindividual variability of toxic response from genomic profiles
      and population-level cytotoxicity data from structural attributes of the
      compounds. 179 submitted predictions were evaluated against an experimental data
      set to which participants were blinded. Individual cytotoxicity predictions were
      better than random, with modest correlations (Pearson's r < 0.28), consistent
      with complex trait genomic prediction. In contrast, predictions of population
      level response to different compounds were higher (r < 0.66). The results
      highlight the possibility of predicting health risks associated with unknown
      compounds, although risk estimation accuracy remains suboptimal. 

PMID- 26258540
TI  - Joint MiRNA/mRNA expression profiling reveals changes consistent with development
      of dysfunctional corpus luteum after weight gain.
AB  - Obese women exhibit decreased fertility, high miscarriage rates and dysfunctional
      corpus luteum (CL), but molecular mechanisms are poorly defined. We hypothesized
      that weight gain induces alterations in CL gene expression. RNA sequencing was
      used to identify changes in the CL transcriptome in the vervet monkey
      (Chlorocebus aethiops) during weight gain. 10 months of high-fat, high-fructose
      diet (HFHF) resulted in a 20% weight gain for HFHF animals vs. 2% for controls (p
      = 0.03) and a 66% increase in percent fat mass for HFHF group. Ovulation was
      confirmed at baseline and after intervention in all animals. CL were collected on
      luteal day 7-9 based on follicular phase estradiol peak. 432 mRNAs and 9 miRNAs
      were differentially expressed in response to HFHF diet. Specifically, miR-28, miR
      26, and let-7b previously shown to inhibit sex steroid production in human
      granulosa cells, were up-regulated. Using integrated miRNA and gene expression
      analysis, we demonstrated changes in 52 coordinately regulated mRNA targets
      corresponding to opposite changes in miRNA. Specifically, 2 targets of miR-28 and
      10 targets of miR-26 were down-regulated, including genes linked to follicular
      development, steroidogenesis, granulosa cell proliferation and survival. To the
      best of our knowledge, this is the first report of dietary-induced responses of
      the ovulating ovary to developing adiposity. The observed HFHF diet-induced
      changes were consistent with development of a dysfunctional CL and provide new
      mechanistic insights for decreased sex steroid production characteristic of obese
      women. MiRNAs may represent novel biomarkers of obesity-related subfertility and
      potential new avenues for therapeutic intervention. 

PMID- 26258544
TI  - Neuronal Gonadotrophin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) and Astrocytic Gonadotrophin
      Inhibitory Hormone (GnIH) Immunoreactivity in the Adult Rat Hippocampus.
AB  - Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and gonadotrophin inhibitory hormone
      (GnIH) are neuropeptides secreted by the hypothalamus that regulate reproduction.
      GnRH receptors are not only present in the anterior pituitary, but also are
      abundantly expressed in the hippocampus of rats, suggesting that GnRH regulates
      hippocampal function. GnIH inhibits pituitary gonadotrophin secretion and is also
      expressed in the hippocampus of a songbird; its role outside of the reproductive
      axis is not well established. In the present study, we employed
      immunohistochemistry to examine three forms of GnRH [mammalian GnRH-I (mGnRH-I),
      chicken GnRH-II (cGnRH-II) and lamprey GnRH-III (lGnRH-III)] and GnIH in the
      adult rat hippocampus. No mGnRH-I and cGnRH-II+ cell bodies were present in the
      hippocampus. Sparse mGnRH-I and cGnRH-II+ fibres were present within the CA1 and
      CA3 fields of the hippocampus, along the hippocampal fissure, and within the
      hilus of the dentate gyrus. No lGnRH-III was present in the rodent hippocampus.
      GnIH-immunoreactivity was present in the hippocampus in cell bodies that
      resembled astrocytes. Males had more GnIH+ cells in the hilus of the dentate
      gyrus than females. To confirm the GnIH+ cell body phenotype, we performed double
      label immunofluorescence against GnIH, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and
      NeuN. Immunofluorescence revealed that all GnIH+ cell bodies in the hippocampus
      also contained GFAP, a marker of astrocytes. Taken together, these data suggest
      that GnRH does not reach GnRH receptors in the rat hippocampus primarily via
      synaptic release. By contrast, GnIH might be synthesised locally in the rat
      hippocampus by astrocytes. These data shed light on the sites of action and
      possible functions of GnRH and GnIH outside of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal
      axis. 

PMID- 26258545
TI  - Inattentional Blindness and Individual Differences in Cognitive Abilities.
AB  - People sometimes fail to notice salient unexpected objects when their attention
      is otherwise occupied, a phenomenon known as inattentional blindness. To explore
      individual differences in inattentional blindness, we employed both static and
      dynamic tasks that either presented the unexpected object away from the focus of
      attention (spatial) or near the focus of attention (central). We hypothesized
      that noticing in central tasks might be driven by the availability of cognitive
      resources like working memory, and that noticing in spatial tasks might be driven
      by the limits on spatial attention like attention breadth. However, none of the
      cognitive measures predicted noticing in the dynamic central task or in either
      the static or dynamic spatial task. Only in the central static task did working
      memory capacity predict noticing, and that relationship was fairly weak.
      Furthermore, whether or not participants noticed an unexpected object in a static
      task was only weakly associated with their odds of noticing an unexpected object
      in a dynamic task. Taken together, our results are largely consistent with the
      notion that noticing unexpected objects is driven more by stochastic processes
      common to all people than by stable individual differences in cognitive
      abilities. 

PMID- 26258546
TI  - Protein kinase A activity is necessary for fission and fusion of Golgi to
      endoplasmic reticulum retrograde tubules.
AB  - It is becoming increasingly accepted that together with vesicles, tubules play a
      major role in the transfer of cargo between different cellular compartments. In
      contrast to our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of vesicular transport,
      little is known about tubular transport. How signal transduction molecules
      regulate these two modes of membrane transport processes is also poorly
      understood. In this study we investigated whether protein kinase A (PKA) activity
      regulates the retrograde, tubular transport of Golgi matrix proteins from the
      Golgi to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). We found that Golgi-to-ER retrograde
      transport of the Golgi matrix proteins giantin, GM130, GRASP55, GRASP65, and p115
      was impaired in the presence of PKA inhibitors. In addition, we unexpectedly
      found accumulation of tubules containing both Golgi matrix proteins and resident
      Golgi transmembrane proteins. These tubules were still attached to the Golgi and
      were highly dynamic. Our data suggest that both fission and fusion of retrograde
      tubules are mechanisms regulated by PKA activity. 

PMID- 26258547
TI  - Retinal Nerve Fiber and Optic Disc Morphology in Patients with Human
      Immunodeficiency Virus Using the Heidelberg Retina Tomography 3.
AB  - PURPOSE: To use novel confocal scanning ophthalmoscopy technology to test
      hypothesis that HIV-seropositive patients without history of retinitis with a
      history of a low CD4 count are more likely to have damage to their retinal nerve
      fiber layer (RNFL) when compared to patients with high CD4 count. In addition, we
      compared optic disc morphologic changes with glaucoma. DESIGN: Cross-sectional
      study. PARTICIPANTS AND CONTROLS: 171 patients were divided into four groups. The
      control group consisted of 40 eyes of 20 HIV-seronegative patients. The second
      group consisted of 80 eyes of 41 HIV-positive patients whose CD4 cell count never
      dropped below 100 (1.0 x 10(9)/L). The third group consisted of 44 eyes of 26 HIV
      positive patients with a history of low CD4 counts <100. Fourth group consisted
      of 79 eyes of 79 patients with confirmed glaucoma who served as positive
      controls. TESTING: Confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy was performed with the
      Heidelberg Retina Tomograph (HRT3) and data were analyzed with HRT3, software
      (Heyex version 1.5.10.0). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Disc area, cup area, cup volume,
      rim volume, mean cup depth, maximum cup depth, cup-to-disc ration, mean RNFL
      thickness, and RNFL cross-sectional area. RESULTS: Analysis of the global optic
      nerve and cup parameters showed no difference in disk area among the four groups.
      There was also no difference in cup, rim volume, mean cup depth, or maximum cup
      depth among the first three groups but they were all different from glaucoma
      group. The RNFL was thinner in glaucoma and both HIV-positive groups compared to
      HIV-seronegative subjects. The cross sectional RNFL area was thinner in both high
      and low CD4 HIV-positive groups compared to HIV-seronegative group in the nasal
      and temporal/inferior sectors, respectively. Glaucoma group showed thinning in
      all sectors. CONCLUSIONS: HIV retinopathy results in retinal nerve fiber layer
      loss without structural optic nerve supportive tissue change. RNFL damage may
      occur early in HIV disease by mechanism different than in glaucoma.

PMID- 26258548
TI  - Gag-Protease Sequence Evolution Following Protease Inhibitor Monotherapy
      Treatment Failure in HIV-1 Viruses Circulating in East Africa.
AB  - Around 2.5 million HIV-infected individuals failing first-line therapy qualify
      for boosted protease inhibitor (bPI)-based second-line therapy globally. Major
      resistance mutations are rarely present at treatment failure in patients
      receiving bPI and the determinants of failure in these patients remain unknown.
      There is evidence that Gag can impact PI susceptibility. Here, we have sequenced
      Gag-Protease before and following failure in 23 patients in the SARA trial
      infected with subtypes A, C, and D viruses. Before bPI, significant variation in
      Protease and Gag was observed at positions previously associated with PI exposure
      and resistance including Gag mutations L449P, S451N, and L453P and Protease K20I
      and L63P. Following PI failure, previously described mutations in Protease and
      Gag were observed, including those at the cleavage sites such as R361K and P453L.
      However, the emergence of clear genetic determinants of therapy failure across
      patients was not observed. Larger Gag sequence datasets will be required to
      comprehensively identify mutational correlates of bPI failure across subtypes. 

PMID- 26258549
TI  - Fourier magnetic imaging with nanoscale resolution and compressed sensing speed
      up using electronic spins in diamond.
AB  - Optically detected magnetic resonance using nitrogen-vacancy (NV) colour centres
      in diamond is a leading modality for nanoscale magnetic field imaging, as it
      provides single electron spin sensitivity, three-dimensional resolution better
      than 1 nm (ref. 5) and applicability to a wide range of physical and biological
      samples under ambient conditions. To date, however, NV-diamond magnetic imaging
      has been performed using 'real-space' techniques, which are either limited by
      optical diffraction to ~250 nm resolution or require slow, point-by-point
      scanning for nanoscale resolution, for example, using an atomic force microscope,
      magnetic tip, or super-resolution optical imaging. Here, we introduce an
      alternative technique of Fourier magnetic imaging using NV-diamond. In analogy
      with conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), we employ pulsed magnetic
      field gradients to phase-encode spatial information on NV electronic spins in
      wavenumber or 'k-space' followed by a fast Fourier transform to yield real-space
      images with nanoscale resolution, wide field of view and compressed sensing speed
      up.

PMID- 26258550
TI  - Opto-nanomechanical spectroscopic material characterization.
AB  - The non-destructive, simultaneous chemical and physical characterization of
      materials at the nanoscale is an essential and highly sought-after capability.
      However, a combination of limitations imposed by Abbe diffraction, diffuse
      scattering, unknown subsurface, electromagnetic fluctuations and Brownian noise,
      for example, have made achieving this goal challenging. Here, we report a hybrid
      approach for nanoscale material characterization based on generalized
      nanomechanical force microscopy in conjunction with infrared photoacoustic
      spectroscopy. As an application, we tackle the outstanding problem of spatially
      and spectrally resolving plant cell walls. Nanoscale characterization of plant
      cell walls and the effect of complex phenotype treatments on biomass are
      challenging but necessary in the search for sustainable and renewable bioenergy.
      We present results that reveal both the morphological and compositional
      substructures of the cell walls. The measured biomolecular traits are in
      agreement with the lower-resolution chemical maps obtained with infrared and
      confocal Raman micro-spectroscopies of the same samples. These results should
      prove relevant in other fields such as cancer research, nanotoxicity, and energy
      storage and production, where morphological, chemical and subsurface studies of
      nanocomposites, nanoparticle uptake by cells and nanoscale quality control are in
      demand. 

PMID- 26258552
TI  - "Stirred, Not Shaken": Vibrational Coherence Can Speed Up Electronic Absorption.
AB  - We have recently proposed a laser control scheme for ultrafast absorption in
      multilevel systems by parallel transfer (J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 2015, 6, 1724). In
      this work we develop an analytical model that better takes into account the main
      features of electronic absorption in molecules. We show that the initial
      vibrational coherence in the ground electronic state can be used to greatly
      enhance the rate and yield of absorption when ultrashort pulses are used,
      provided that the phases of the coherences are taken into account. On the
      contrary, the initial coherence plays no role in the opposite limit, when a
      single long pulse drives the optical transition. The theory is tested by
      numerical simulations in the first absorption band of Na2.

PMID- 26258551
TI  - Initial Reaction Mechanism of Platinum Nanoparticle in Methanol-Water System and
      the Anomalous Catalytic Effect of Water.
AB  - Understanding the detailed reaction mechanism in the early stage of noble metal
      nanoparticles is very critical for controlling the final crystal's size,
      morphology, and properties. Here, we report a systematic study on the initial
      reaction mechanism of Pt nanoparticles in methanol-water system and demonstrate
      an anomalous catalytic effect of H2O on the reduction of H2PtCl6 to Pt
      nanoparticles using a combination of UV-vis, X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS),
      liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LCMS), and first-principles calculation
      methods. The observations reveal the transformation route [PtCl6](2-) ->
      [PtCl5(CH3O)](2-) -> [PtCl4](2-) -> [PtCl3(CH3O)](2-) -> [PtCl2](2-) and finally
      to form Pt nanoparticles in a pure CH3OH solution. With 10 vol % water adding in
      the CH3OH solution, a new and distinct chemical reduction pathway is found in
      which the precursors change from [PtCl6](2-) to [PtCl5(CH3O)(H2O)](2-) to
      [PtCl4](2-) to [PtCl3(CH3O)(H2O)](2-) to [PtCl2](2-) and to Pt nanoparticles.
      Notably, the supernumerary water molecular can significantly accelerate the rate
      of chemical reduction and greatly shorten the reaction time. This work not only
      elucidates the initial reaction mechanism of Pt nanoparticles but also highlights
      the pronounced influence of H2O on the reaction pathway, which will provide
      useful insights for understanding the formation mechanism of noble metal
      nanoparticles and open up a high efficient way to synthesize new functional
      nanomaterial. 

PMID- 26258553
TI  - Role of Telokin in Regulating Murine Gastric Fundus Smooth Muscle Tension.
AB  - Telokin phosphorylation by cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase facilitates smooth
      muscle relaxation. In this study we examined the relaxation of gastric fundus
      smooth muscles from basal tone, or pre-contracted with KCl or carbachol (CCh),
      and the phosphorylation of telokin S13, myosin light chain (MLC) S19, MYPT1 T853,
      T696, and CPI-17 T38 in response to 8-Bromo-cGMP, the NO donor sodium
      nitroprusside (SNP), or nitrergic neurotransmission. We compared MLC
      phosphorylation and the contraction and relaxation responses of gastric fundus
      smooth muscles from telokin-/- mice and their wild-type littermates to KCl or
      CCh, and 8-Bromo-cGMP, SNP, or nitrergic neurotransmission, respectively. We
      compared the relaxation responses and telokin phosphorylation of gastric fundus
      smooth muscles from wild-type mice and W/WV mice which lack ICC-IM, to 8-Bromo
      cGMP, SNP, or nitrergic neurotransmission. We found that telokin S13 is basally
      phosphorylated and that 8-Bromo-cGMP and SNP increased basal telokin
      phosphorylation. In muscles pre-contracted with KCl or CCh, 8-Bromo-cGMP and SNP
      had no effect on CPI-17 or MYPT1 phosphorylation, but increased telokin
      phosphorylation and reduced MLC phosphorylation. In telokin-/- gastric fundus
      smooth muscles, basal tone and constitutive MLC S19 phosphorylation were
      increased. Pre-contracted telokin-/- gastric fundus smooth muscles have increased
      contractile responses to KCl, CCh, or cholinergic neurotransmission and reduced
      relaxation to 8-Bromo-cGMP, SNP, and nitrergic neurotransmission. However, basal
      telokin phosphorylation was not increased when muscles were stimulated with lower
      concentrations of SNP or when the muscles were stimulated by nitrergic
      neurotransmission. SNP, but not nitrergic neurotransmission, increased telokin
      Ser13 phosphorylation in both wild-type and W/WV gastric fundus smooth muscles.
      Our findings indicate that telokin may play a role in attenuating constitutive
      MLC phosphorylation and provide an additional mechanism to augment gastric fundus
      mechanical responses to inhibitory neurotransmission. 

PMID- 26258554
TI  - Gender Determination of Adult Individuals by Three-Dimensional Modeling of
      Canines.
AB  - Gender determination is a fundamental issue in forensic anthropology. Many
      techniques based on bone and dental remains have been proposed. It is not always
      possible to implement the techniques using bones, but teeth are often perfectly
      preserved. It has been demonstrated that the canine has the greatest sexual
      dimorphism, and the aim of this work was to provide an easy and accurate dental
      technique for determining the gender in the absence of other skeletal elements.
      The sample was composed of 210 CT scans with four healthy canines. The 840
      canines were modeled using MIMICS(r) 10.01 software. The total volume of each
      tooth was determined. Seven mathematical models were determined by binary
      logistic regressions and ranked in order of relative performance. The seven
      proposed predictive models thus performed (0.910<=AUC<=0.938), with overall rates
      of correct predictions between 82.38 and 85.24%. The 4-canine model is the most
      powerful for predicting the gender.

PMID- 26258555
TI  - Corticosteroid Therapy for Patients Hospitalized With Community-Acquired
      Pneumonia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is common and often severe.
      PURPOSE: To examine the effect of adjunctive corticosteroid therapy on mortality,
      morbidity, and duration of hospitalization in patients with CAP. DATA SOURCES:
      MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials through
      24 May 2015. STUDY SELECTION: Randomized trials of systemic corticosteroids in
      hospitalized adults with CAP. DATA EXTRACTION: Two reviewers independently
      extracted study data and assessed risk of bias. Quality of evidence was assessed
      with the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation
      system by consensus among the authors. DATA SYNTHESIS: The median age was
      typically in the 60s, and approximately 60% of patients were male. Adjunctive
      corticosteroids were associated with possible reductions in all-cause mortality
      (12 trials; 1974 patients; risk ratio [RR], 0.67 [95% CI, 0.45 to 1.01]; risk
      difference [RD], 2.8%; moderate certainty), need for mechanical ventilation (5
      trials; 1060 patients; RR, 0.45 [CI, 0.26 to 0.79]; RD, 5.0%; moderate
      certainty), and the acute respiratory distress syndrome (4 trials; 945 patients;
      RR, 0.24 [CI, 0.10 to 0.56]; RD, 6.2%; moderate certainty). They also decreased
      time to clinical stability (5 trials; 1180 patients; mean difference, -1.22 days
      [CI, -2.08 to -0.35 days]; high certainty) and duration of hospitalization (6
      trials; 1499 patients; mean difference, -1.00 day [CI, -1.79 to -0.21 days]; high
      certainty). Adjunctive corticosteroids increased frequency of hyperglycemia
      requiring treatment (6 trials; 1534 patients; RR, 1.49 [CI, 1.01 to 2.19]; RD,
      3.5%; high certainty) but did not increase frequency of gastrointestinal
      hemorrhage. LIMITATIONS: There were few events and trials for many outcomes.
      Trials often excluded patients at high risk for adverse events. CONCLUSION: For
      hospitalized adults with CAP, systemic corticosteroid therapy may reduce
      mortality by approximately 3%, need for mechanical ventilation by approximately
      5%, and hospital stay by approximately 1 day. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: None.

PMID- 26258556
TI  - Characterization of particulate-bound PAHs in rural households using different
      types of domestic energy in Henan Province, China.
AB  - The concentrations and composition of sixteen PAHs adsorbed to respirable
      particulate matter (PM10<=10 MUm) and inhalable particulate matter (PM2.5<=2.5
      MUm) were determined during autumn and winter in rural households of Henan
      Province, China, which used four types of domestic energy [crop residues, coal,
      liquid petroleum gas (LPG) and electricity] for cooking and heating. The present
      results show that there were significantly (p<0.05) seasonal variations of
      particulate-bound PAHs in the rural households. The daily mean concentrations of
      particulate-bound PAHs in the kitchens, sitting rooms and outdoors were
      apparently higher in winter than those in autumn, except those in the kitchens
      using coal. The present study also shows that there were obvious variations of
      particulate-bound PAHs among the four types of domestic energy used in the rural
      households. The households using LPG for cooking can, at least in some
      circumstances, have higher concentrations of PAHs in the kitchens than using crop
      residues or electricity. In addition, using coal in the sitting rooms seemed to
      result in apparently higher concentrations of particulate-bound PAHs than using
      the other three types of domestic energy during winter. The most severe
      contamination occurred in the kitchens using LPG in winter, where the daily mean
      concentrations of PM2.5-bound PAHs were up to 762.5+/-931.2 ng m(-3), indicating
      that there was serious health risk of inhalation exposure to PAHs in the rural
      households of Henan Province. Rural residents' exposure to PM2.5-bound PAHs in
      kitchens would be roughly reduced by 69.8% and 85.5% via replacing coal or crop
      residues with electricity in autumn. The pilot research would provide important
      supplementary information to the indoor air pollution studies in rural area.

PMID- 26258557
TI  - Increasing pressure on freshwater resources due to terrestrial feed ingredients
      for aquaculture production.
AB  - As aquaculture becomes more important for feeding the growing world population,
      so too do the required natural resources needed to produce aquaculture feed.
      While there is potential to replace fish meal and fish oil with terrestrial feed
      ingredients, it is important to understand both the positive and negative
      implications of such a development. The use of feed with a large proportion of
      terrestrial feed may reduce the pressure on fisheries to provide feed for fish,
      but at the same time it may significantly increase the pressure on freshwater
      resources, due to water consumption and pollution in crop production for
      aquafeed. Here the green, blue and gray water footprint of cultured fish and
      crustaceans related to the production of commercial feed for the year 2008 has
      been determined for the major farmed species, representing 88% of total fed
      production. The green, blue and gray production-weighted average feed water
      footprints of fish and crustaceans fed commercial aquafeed are estimated at 1629
      m3/t, 179 m3/t and 166 m3/t, respectively. The estimated global total water
      footprint of commercial aquafeed was 31-35 km3 in 2008. The top five contributors
      to the total water footprint of commercial feed are Nile tilapia, Grass carp,
      Whiteleg shrimp, Common carp and Atlantic salmon, which together have a water
      footprint of 18.2 km3. An analysis of alternative diets revealed that the
      replacement of fish meal and fish oil with terrestrial feed ingredients may
      further increase pressure on freshwater resources. At the same time economic
      consumptive water productivity may be reduced, especially for carnivorous
      species. The results of the present study show that, for the aquaculture sector
      to grow sustainably, freshwater consumption and pollution due to aquafeed need to
      be taken into account.

PMID- 26258558
TI  - The Combined Impact of Surgical Team Education and Chlorhexidine 2% Alcohol on
      the Reduction of Surgical Site Infection following Cardiac Surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The use of 2% chlorhexidine in 70% alcohol (CHG) has been associated
      with reduction in catheter-related bloodstream infections and surgical site
      infection (SSI) in general surgery. Also, improved awareness of best practice
      from the perspective of the operative team is likely to result in reductions in
      SSI rates. METHODS: This is an ambispective cohort study of patients undergoing
      elective cardiac surgery. Between January 2010 and December 2010, patients
      underwent surgical preparation using Alcohol Povidone Iodine (API). Between
      January 2011 and December 2011, the surgical team received education and switched
      to CHG for surgical preparation. Univariate analysis was performed to identify
      the impact of known risk factors for SSI. A logistic regression model was then
      fit to estimate the effect of education and CHG in the reduction of SSI in 2011,
      controlling for known SSI risk factors. RESULTS: There was a substantial
      reduction in overall SSI rate in 2011 following staff education and the
      introduction of CHG. The overall unadjusted SSI rate was 4.67% versus 2.08%
      (p<0.05) for 2010 and 2011 respectively. Using a logistic regression model, the
      combined effect of education and CHG in 2011 was a 63% reduction in SSI in
      cardiothoracic surgery (OR 0.37, 95% CI: 0.17-0.83, p=0.016), controlling for
      age, major co-morbidities, and SSI risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Using CHG as pre
      operative antiseptic in cardiothoracic surgery in a risk-adjusted cohort with
      education of the surgical team is associated with significantly lower SSI
      infection rates when compared with API. Emphasis must be placed on the
      multifactorial approach required to prevent postoperative wound infections.

PMID- 26258559
TI  - Combined oral administration of bovine collagen peptides with calcium citrate
      inhibits bone loss in ovariectomized rats.
AB  - PURPOSE: Collagen peptides (CPs) and calcium citrate are commonly used as bone
      health supplements for treating osteoporosis. However, it remains unknown whether
      the combination of oral bovine CPs with calcium citrate is more effective than
      administration of either agent alone. METHODS: Forty 12-week-old Sprague-Dawley
      rats were randomly divided into five groups (n = 8) for once-daily intragastric
      administration of different treatments for 3 months at 3 months after ovariectomy
      (OVX) as follows: sham + vehicle; OVX + vehicle; OVX + 750 mg/kg CP; OVX + CP
      calcium citrate (75 mg/kg); OVX + calcium citrate (75 mg/kg). After euthanasia,
      the femurs were removed and analyzed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and
      micro-computed tomography, and serum samples were analyzed for bone metabolic
      markers. RESULTS: OVX rats supplemented with CPs or CP-calcium citrate showed
      osteoprotective effects, with reductions in the OVX-induced decreases in their
      femoral bone mineral density. Moreover, CP-calcium citrate prevented trabecular
      bone loss, improved the microarchitecture of the distal femur, and significantly
      inhibited bone loss with increased bone volume, connectivity density, and
      trabecular number compared with OVX control rats. CP or CP-calcium citrate
      administration significantly increased serum procollagen type I N-terminal
      propeptide levels and reduced serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase,
      osteocalcin, and C-telopeptide of type I collagen levels. CONCLUSIONS: Our data
      indicate that combined oral administration of bovine CPs with calcium citrate
      inhibits bone loss in OVX rats. The present findings suggest that combined oral
      administration of bovine CPs with calcium citrate is a promising alternative for
      reducing bone loss in osteopenic postmenopausal women.

PMID- 26258560
TI  - Sugar-Sweetened Beverages and Obesity among Children and Adolescents: A Review of
      Systematic Literature Reviews.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and
      adolescents has increased worldwide and has reached alarming proportions.
      Currently, sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are the primary source of added sugar
      in the diet of children and adolescents. Contradictive findings from studies and
      reviews have fueled an endless debate on the role of SSBs in the development of
      childhood obesity. OBJECTIVES: The primary aim of the present review of reviews
      was to assess how review- and study-level methodological factors explain
      conflicting results across reviews and meta-analyses by providing an up-to-date
      synthesis of recent evidence regarding the association between SSB consumption
      and weight gain, overweight, and obesity in a population of 6-month-old to 19
      year-old children and adolescents. The secondary aim was to assess the quality of
      included reviews using the Assessment of Multiple SysTemAtic Reviews (AMSTAR)
      measurement tool. METHODS: Systematic literature reviews and meta-analyses were
      included. The literature search was performed through the platforms
      Pubmed/Medline, Cinahl, and Web of Knowledge. RESULTS: Thirteen reviews and meta
      analyses were included. Nine reviews concluded that there was a direct
      association between SSBs and obesity in children and adolescents and four others
      did not. The quality of the included reviews was low to moderate, and the two
      reviews with the highest quality scores showed discrepant results. CONCLUSIONS:
      The majority of reviews concluded that there was a direct association between SSB
      consumption and weight gain, overweight, and obesity in children and adolescents.
      However, recent evidence from well-conducted meta-analyses shows discrepant
      results regarding the association between SSB and weight gain, overweight, and
      obesity among children and adolescents. Improving methodological quality of
      studies and reviews as well as ensuring responsible conduct of research and
      scientific integrity is essential for the provision of objective results.

PMID- 26258561
TI  - The Role of Parenting Practices in the Home Environment among Underserved Youth.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The home environment, which includes parenting practices, is an
      important setting in which children develop their health behaviors. We examined
      the role of parenting practices in the home environment among underserved youth.
      METHODS: We examined baseline data of a family-focused pediatric obesity
      intervention. Parenting practices (monitoring, discipline, limit setting of
      soda/snacks [SS] and screen media [SM], pressure to eat, and reinforcement) and
      availability of fruits/vegetables (FV) and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs),
      family meals, television (TV) watching during meals, TVs in the home, owning
      active video games/sports equipment, and household food security were assessed in
      301 parent/caregivers of overweight/obese children (ages 7-12 years; BMI>=85th
      percentile). Associations were evaluated using Spearman's rank correlation
      coefficients and logistic regression models adjusted for potential confounders.
      RESULTS: Parents/caregivers (ages 22-67 years) were largely Hispanic/Latino
      (74.1%), female (92.4%), and reported high levels of limit setting SS and low
      levels of pressure to eat. Parent age, gender, country of birth, and years living
      in the United States accounted for differences among several parenting practices.
      Adjusted logistic regression models identified several statistically significant
      associations, including: Monitoring was positively associated with availability
      FV (odds ratio [OR]=2.19; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.25, 3.82); limit
      setting SS was inversely associated with availability of SSBs (OR=0.40; 95% CI,
      0.21, 0.75); and limit setting SM was inversely associated with TV viewing during
      family meals (OR=0.51; 95% CI, 0.31, 0.85). Nearly 40% of our population was food
      insecure, and food insecurity was positively associated with pressure to eat
      (OR=1.77; 95% CI, 1.01, 3.15). CONCLUSIONS: Parenting practices play an important
      role in the home environment, and longitudinal studies are needed to examine
      these associations in the context of family-focused pediatric obesity
      interventions.

PMID- 26258562
TI  - The Relationship between Obesity and Cognitive Performance in Children: A
      Longitudinal Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The relationship between obesity and academic outcomes remains
      unclear. We evaluated the association between obesity and cognitive performance
      in US children. METHODS: We analyzed two nationally representative prospective
      cohorts of children in the 1979 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, ages 2
      through 8 at baseline and followed for 6 years, from 1988 to 1994 (cohort 1,
      n=2672) and 1994 to 2000 (cohort 2, n=1991). The main exposure variable was
      obesity (defined as never obese, became obese, always obese, and became
      nonobese). The main outcomes were standardized scores on four cognitive
      assessments. Univariate regression analyses of test scores on obesity were
      performed. Fixed-effects regression models, controlling for measured and
      unmeasured time-invariant confounders, were additionally adjusted for time
      variant confounders to analyze the impact of change in obesity status on change
      in test scores. RESULTS: Unadjusted analyses revealed a significant association
      between obesity and Peabody Individual Achievement Test (PIAT) scores. In cohort
      1, always obese children had lower PIAT math scores than never obese children
      (beta=-7.48; p<0.05). Always obese boys had lower PIAT math scores than those who
      were never obese (beta=-16.45; p<0.01). In cohort 2, PIAT math scores were lower
      in the became obese category than the never obese category (beta=-4.10; p<0.05).
      Always obese girls had lower PIAT reading scores than those who were never obese
      (beta=-11.28; p<0.01). Fixed-effects models additionally adjusted for Home
      Observation Measurement of the Environment, Short Form score and height
      percentile showed no significant relationship between obesity and test scores in
      either cohort. CONCLUSION: Childhood obesity is unlikely to be causally related
      to cognitive performance.

PMID- 26258563
TI  - Observing Nucleation Transition in Stretched Natural Rubber through Self-Seeding.
AB  - Potential competition between fringed-micelle nucleation (N1) and folded-chain
      nucleation (N2) widely exists in strain-induced crystallization (SIC). However,
      during uniaxial deformation, no in situ observational evidence of nucleation
      transition from N2 to N1 in SIC of natural rubber (NR) has been reported yet. In
      this work, self-seeding provides an effective way for this observation. By the
      introduction of residual TIC (temperature-induced crystallization)-melting
      crystallites into pure NR system, in situ synchronic WAXD revealed the formation
      of low-oriented crystal in the initial deformation stage, which gradually evolves
      into highly oriented crystal at last. The low-oriented crystal is related to
      secondary folded-chain nucleation (N2) on the surface of residual TIC-melting
      crystallites (self-seeding), while newly formed highly oriented crystal is
      associated with N1. For the first time, the concept of "self-seeding" is
      innovatively applied to SIC process so that NR exhibits clear nucleation
      transition phenomenon. Further, theoretical computation of nucleation barrier in
      the special NR system well reflects that self-seeding has the role of both
      increasing critical strain of nucleation transition and decreasing onset strain
      of SIC, thus providing conditions for the observation. 

PMID- 26258564
TI  - Implementation and Operational Research: Cost-Effectiveness of Antiretroviral
      Therapy and Isoniazid Prophylaxis to Reduce Tuberculosis and Death in People
      Living With HIV in Botswana.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: In Botswana, a 36-month course of isoniazid treatment of latent
      tuberculosis (TB) infection [isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT)] was superior to
      6-month IPT in reducing TB and death in persons living with HIV (PLHIV), having
      positive tuberculin skin tests (TSTs) but not in those with negative TST. We
      examined the cost-effectiveness of IPT in Botswana, where antiretroviral therapy
      (ART) is widely available. DESIGN: Using a decision-analytic model, we determined
      the incremental cost-effectiveness of strategies for reducing TB and death in
      10,000 PLHIV over 36 months. METHODS: IPT for 6 months and provision of ART if
      CD4 lymphocyte count <250 cells per microliter (2011 Botswana policy) was
      compared with 6 alternative strategies that varied the use of IPT, TST, and ART
      for CD4 count thresholds, including CD4 <350 and <500 cells per microliter.
      RESULTS: Botswana policy, 2011 was dominated by most other strategies. IPT of 36
      months for TST-positive PLHIV with ART for CD4 <250 cells per microliter resulted
      in 120 fewer TB cases for an additional cost of $1612 per case averted and
      resulted in 80 fewer deaths for an additional $2418 per death averted compared
      with provision of 6-month IPT to TST-positive PLHIV who received ART for CD4 <250
      cells per microliter, the next most effective strategy. Alternative strategies
      offered lower incremental effectiveness at higher cost. These findings remained
      consistent in sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSIONS: A strategy of treating PLHIV who
      have positive TST with 36-month IPT is more cost effective for reducing both TB
      and death compared with providing IPT without a TST, providing only 6-month IPT,
      or expanding ART eligibility without IPT.

PMID- 26258566
TI  - Association of Hippocampal Magnetic Resonance Imaging With Learning and Memory
      Deficits in HIV-1-Seropositive Patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between cognitive impairment and
      hippocampal morphological and functional changes in HIV-seropositive patients.
      METHODS: Thirty HIV+ patients who complain of memory decrease and 15 healthy
      volunteers were recruited. Performances of learning and memory were assessed
      using Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised (HVLT-R) and Brief Visuospatial Memory
      Test-Revised (BVMT-R). Bilateral hippocampal volume, apparent diffusion
      coefficient (ADC) value, fractional anisotropy value, and magnetic resonance
      spectroscopy variables of bilateral hippocampus and parahippocampal gyrus were
      detected by 3.0 T magnetic resonance scanner. RESULTS: We found significant
      differences in all cognitive outcomes but one between HIV+ and HIV- patients.
      There was a difference in the ADC value of left parahippocampal gyrus between
      mild-impairment group and severe-impairment group (P = 0.018). We found
      differences in the choline (Cho), Cho/creatinine (Cr), and N-acetylaspartate/Cr
      of left hippocampus (P = 0.002, P = 0.008, P = 0.002) and the Cho/Cr of right
      parahippocampal gyrus (P = 0.023) between HIV+ and HIV- patients and in the
      myoinositol of left hippocampus (P = 0.003) and the glutamate and glutamine of
      right hippocampus (P < 0.001) between mild-impairment group and severe-impairment
      group. We found significant positive correlations between N-acetylaspartate/Cr of
      left hippocampus and outcomes of HVLT-R and BVMT-R. There were significant
      negative correlations between ADC values of hippocampus and parahippocampal gyrus
      and outcomes of HVLT-R and BVMT-R and between Cho and Cho/Cr of hippocampus and
      parahippocampal gyrus and outcomes of HVLT-R and BVMT-R. CONCLUSIONS: The
      performance of verbal learning and visual memory was significantly decreased in
      HIV-1-seropositive patients. The cognitive impairment of HIV infection was
      associated with conductive function and metabolic changes of hippocampus and
      parahippocampal gyrus in this study.

PMID- 26258565
TI  - Neuronal-Glia Markers by Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in HIV Before and After
      Combination Antiretroviral Therapy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) can suppress plasma HIV RNA
      to undetectable levels; yet reports indicate persistent HIV-associated
      neurocognitive disorders (HAND) among treated individuals. We sought to
      investigate imaging correlates of incomplete cognitive recovery among individuals
      with chronic HIV. METHODS: We used single voxel proton magnetic resonance
      spectroscopy in 4 regions of the brain to measure changes in neuronal and glia
      biomarkers in cART-naive subjects before (n = 59, 27 with HAND) and after 12
      months of cART. RESULTS: At baseline, we observed elevated total choline (CHO) in
      the basal ganglia (BG, P = 0.002) and in the posterior cingulate gyrus (PCG, P =
      0.022) associated with HIV infection. Myo-inositol (MI) was elevated in the
      frontal white matter (FWM, P = 0.040). N-acetylaspartate was elevated in the BG
      (P = 0.047). Using a mixed model approach among all HIV-infected individuals, at
      6 months, we observed decreased n- acetylaspartate in FWM (P = 0.031), decreased
      creatine in PCG (P = 0.026) and increased MI in frontal gray matter (FGM, P =
      0.023). At 12 months, we observed an increase in BG MI (P = 0.038) and in FGM (P
      = 0.021). Compared to those with normal cognition, HAND cases had higher FGM MI
      (P = 0.014) at baseline. At 12 months, individuals that remained cognitively
      impaired compared with those without HAND exhibited elevated CHO in the PCG (P =
      0.018) and decreased glutamate in both FWM (P = 0.027) and BG (P = 0.013).
      CONCLUSIONS: cART started during chronic HIV is associated with reduced neuronal
      glia and inflammatory markers. Alterations in CHO are noted among individuals who
      remain impaired after 12 months of cART.

PMID- 26258568
TI  - Phylogenetic Analysis of HIV-1 CRF65_CPX Reveals Yunnan Province Is Still a
      Source Contributing to the Spread of HIV-1 in China.

PMID- 26258567
TI  - Implementation and Operational Research: Strengthening HIV Test Access and
      Treatment Uptake Study (Project STATUS): A Randomized Trial of HIV Testing and
      Counseling Interventions.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine which of 3 HIV testing and counseling (HTC) models in
      outpatient departments (OPDs) increases HIV testing and entry of newly identified
      HIV-infected patients into care. DESIGN: Randomized trial of HTC interventions.
      METHODS: Thirty-six OPDs in South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda were randomly
      assigned to 3 different HTC models: (A) health care providers referred eligible
      patients (aged 18-49, not tested in the past year, not known HIV positive) to on
      site voluntary counseling and testing for HTC offered and provided by voluntary
      counseling and testing counselors after clinical consultation; (B) health care
      providers offered and provided HTC to eligible patients during clinical
      consultation; and (C) nurse or lay counselors offered and provided HTC to
      eligible patients before clinical consultation. Data were collected from October
      2011 to September 2012. We describe testing eligibility and acceptance, HIV
      prevalence, and referral and entry into care. Chi-square analyses were conducted
      to examine differences by model. RESULTS: Of 79,910 patients, 45% were age
      eligible and 16,099 (45%) age eligibles were tested. Ten percent tested HIV
      positive. Significant differences were found in percent tested by model. The
      proportion of age eligible patients tested by Project STATUS was highest for
      model C (54.1%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 42.4 to 65.9), followed by model A
      (41.7%, 95% CI: 30.7 to 52.8), and then model B (33.9%, 95% CI: 25.7 to 42.1). Of
      the 1596 newly identified HIV positive patients, 94% were referred to care (96.1%
      in model A, 94.7% in model B, and 94.9% in model C), and 58% entered on-site care
      (74.4% in model A, 54.8% in model B, and 55.6% in model C) with no significant
      differences in referrals or care entry by model. CONCLUSIONS: Model C resulted in
      the highest proportion of all age-eligible patients receiving a test. Although
      94% of STATUS patients with a positive test result were referred to care, only
      58% entered care. We found no differences in patients entering care by HTC model.
      Routine HTC in OPDs is acceptable to patients and effective for identifying HIV
      infected persons, but additional efforts are needed to increase entry to care.

PMID- 26258569
TI  - Phylogenetic Investigation of a Statewide HIV-1 Epidemic Reveals Ongoing and
      Active Transmission Networks Among Men Who Have Sex With Men.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Molecular epidemiological evaluation of HIV-1 transmission networks
      can elucidate behavioral components of transmission that can be targets for
      intervention. METHODS: We combined phylogenetic and statistical approaches using
      pol sequences from patients diagnosed between 2004 and 2011 at a large HIV center
      in Rhode Island, following 75% of the state's HIV population. Phylogenetic trees
      were constructed using maximum likelihood, and putative transmission clusters
      were evaluated using latent class analyses to determine association of cluster
      size with underlying demographic/behavioral characteristics. A logistic growth
      model was used to assess intracluster dynamics over time and predict "active"
      clusters that were more likely to harbor undiagnosed infections. RESULTS: Of the
      1166 HIV-1 subtype B sequences, 31% were distributed among 114 statistically
      supported, monophyletic clusters (range: 2-15 sequences/cluster). Sequences from
      men who have sex with men (MSM) formed 52% of clusters. Latent class analyses
      demonstrated that sequences from recently diagnosed (2008-2011) MSM with primary
      HIV infection (PHI) and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) were more
      likely to form larger clusters (odds ratio: 1.62-11.25, P < 0.01). MSM in
      clusters were more likely to have anonymous partners and meet partners at sex
      clubs and pornographic stores. Four large clusters with 38 sequences (100% male,
      89% MSM) had a high probability of harboring undiagnosed infections and included
      younger MSM with PHI and STIs. CONCLUSIONS: In this first large-scale molecular
      epidemiological investigation of HIV-1 transmission in New England, sexual
      networks among recently diagnosed MSM with PHI and concomitant STIs contributed
      to the ongoing transmission. Characterization of transmission dynamics revealed
      actively growing clusters, which may be targets for intervention.

PMID- 26258570
TI  - Measuring the HIV Care Continuum Using Public Health Surveillance Data in the
      United States.
AB  - The HIV care continuum is a critical framework for situational awareness of the
      HIV epidemic; yet challenges to accurate enumeration of continuum components
      hamper continuum estimation in practice. We describe local surveillance-based
      estimation of the HIV continuum in the United States, reviewing common practices
      as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Furthermore, we
      review some challenges and biases likely to threaten existing continuum
      estimates. Current estimates rely heavily on the use of CD4 cell count and HIV
      viral load laboratory results reported to surveillance programs as a proxy for
      receipt of HIV-related outpatient care. As such, continuum estimates are
      susceptible to bias because of incomplete laboratory reporting and imperfect
      sensitivity and specificity of laboratory tests as a proxy for routine HIV care.
      Migration of HIV-infected persons between jurisdictions also threatens the
      validity of continuum estimates. Data triangulation may improve but not fully
      alleviate biases. 

PMID- 26258571
TI  - Reduced Levels of D-dimer and Changes in Gut Microbiota Composition After
      Probiotic Intervention in HIV-Infected Individuals on Stable ART.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Microbial translocation and chronic inflammation may contribute to
      non-AIDS morbidity in patients with HIV. This study assessed the impact of
      probiotic intervention on microbial translocation and inflammation in patients on
      antiretroviral therapy with viral suppression and subnormal CD4 count. METHODS:
      Thirty-two patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (CD4 <500 cells/MUL) were
      randomized in a double-blind fashion to multistrain daily probiotics (n = 15),
      placebo (n = 9), or controls (n = 8) for 8 weeks. Soluble inflammation markers, D
      dimer, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), sCD14, T-cell activation, tryptophan
      metabolites, and gut microbiota composition were analyzed at baseline and end of
      study. Nonparametric statistics were applied. RESULTS: Twenty-four participants
      completed the study and were included in as-treated analyses. In patients
      receiving probiotics, there was a significant reduction in D-dimer levels (median
      change 33%, P = 0.03) and a tendency to reduced levels of C-reactive protein
      (CRP) (P = 0.05) and interleukin (IL)-6 (P = 0.06). The changes in CRP and IL-6
      were highly correlated (r = 0.95, P < 0.01), whereas changes in D-dimer did not
      correlate with changes in CRP or IL-6. Increases in Bifidobacteria (P = 0.04) and
      Lactobacilli (P = 0.06) were observed in the probiotic group, whereas the
      relative abundance of Bacteroides decreased (P <= 0.01). No significant changes
      were seen in markers of microbial translocation or T-cell activation. However,
      the expansion of Bifidobacteria correlated negatively with differences in LPS (r
      = -0.77, P = 0.01), whereas the reduction in Bacteroides correlated positively
      with changes in LPS during the study period (r = 0.72, P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS:
      Probiotic intervention seemed to reduce markers of coagulation and inflammation
      without overt changes in microbial translocation. These findings warrant further
      studies in larger cohorts with long-term follow-up.

PMID- 26258572
TI  - Brief Report: HIV Prevention by Australian Gay and Bisexual Men With Casual
      Partners: The Emergence of Undetectable Viral Load as One of a Range of Risk
      Reduction Strategies.
AB  - We analyzed the HIV risk reduction strategies (RRS) used by Australian gay and
      bisexual men with casual partners. Among 1346 men who reported any condomless
      anal intercourse with casual partners, 75% frequently practiced at least one RRS.
      The most common RRS was serosorting, frequently practiced by 55% of HIV-positive
      and 47% of HIV-negative participants. Condoms were frequently (but
      inconsistently) used by 17% of HIV-positive, 41% of HIV-negative, and 30% of
      untested participants. Relying on an undetectable viral load was frequently
      practiced by 58% of HIV-positive participants. Strategic positioning, withdrawal,
      and non-HIV-positive men taking antiretroviral medication were less common
      strategies. 

PMID- 26258573
TI  - Genome-Wide Analysis of Oleosin Gene Family in 22 Tree Species: An Accelerator
      for Metabolic Engineering of BioFuel Crops and Agrigenomics Industrial
      Applications?
AB  - Trees contribute to enormous plant oil reserves because many trees contain 50%
      80% of oil (triacylglycerols, TAGs) in the fruits and kernels. TAGs accumulate in
      subcellular structures called oil bodies/droplets, in which TAGs are covered by
      low-molecular-mass hydrophobic proteins called oleosins (OLEs). The OLEs/TAGs
      ratio determines the size and shape of intracellular oil bodies. There is a lack
      of comprehensive sequence analysis and structural information of OLEs among
      diverse trees. The objectives of this study were to identify OLEs from 22 tree
      species (e.g., tung tree, tea-oil tree, castor bean), perform genome-wide
      analysis of OLEs, classify OLEs, identify conserved sequence motifs and amino
      acid residues, and predict secondary and three-dimensional structures in tree
      OLEs and OLE subfamilies. Data mining identified 65 OLEs with perfect
      conservation of the "proline knot" motif (PX5SPX3P) from 19 trees. These OLEs
      contained >40% hydrophobic amino acid residues. They displayed similar properties
      and amino acid composition. Genome-wide phylogenetic analysis and multiple
      sequence alignment demonstrated that these proteins could be classified into five
      OLE subfamilies. There were distinct patterns of sequence conservation among the
      OLE subfamilies and within individual tree species. Computational modeling
      indicated that OLEs were composed of at least three alpha-helixes connected with
      short coils without any beta-strand and that they exhibited distinct 3D
      structures and ligand binding sites. These analyses provide fundamental
      information in the similarity and specificity of diverse OLE isoforms within the
      same subfamily and among the different species, which should facilitate studying
      the structure-function relationship and identify critical amino acid residues in
      OLEs for metabolic engineering of tree TAGs. 

PMID- 26258574
TI  - Phase Tuning of Nanostructured Gallium Oxide via Hybridization with Reduced
      Graphene Oxide for Superior Anode Performance in Li-Ion Battery: An Experimental
      and Theoretical Study.
AB  - The crystal phase of nanostructured metal oxide can be effectively controlled by
      the hybridization of gallium oxide with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) at variable
      concentrations. The change of the ratio of Ga2O3/rGO is quite effective in
      tailoring the crystal structure and morphology of nanostructured gallium oxide
      hybridized with rGO. This is the first example of the phase control of metal
      oxide through a change of the content of rGO hybridized. The calculations based
      on density functional theory (DFT) clearly demonstrate that the different surface
      formation energy and Ga local symmetry of Ga2O3 phases are responsible for the
      phase transition induced by the change of rGO content. The resulting Ga2O3-rGO
      nanocomposites show promising electrode performance for lithium ion batteries.
      The intermediate Li-Ga alloy phases formed during the electrochemical cycling are
      identified with the DFT calculations. Among the present Ga2O3-rGO nanocomposites,
      the material with mixed alpha-Ga2O3/beta-Ga2O3/gamma-Ga2O3 phase can deliver the
      largest discharge capacity with the best cyclability and rate characteristics,
      highlighting the importance of the control of Ga2O3/rGO ratio in optimizing the
      electrode activity of the composite materials. The present study underscores the
      usefulness of the phase-control of nanostructured metal oxides achieved by the
      change of rGO content in exploring novel functional nanocomposite materials. 

PMID- 26258575
TI  - Fast, Continuous Audiogram Estimation Using Machine Learning.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Pure-tone audiometry has been a staple of hearing assessments for
      decades. Many different procedures have been proposed for measuring thresholds
      with pure tones by systematically manipulating intensity one frequency at a time
      until a discrete threshold function is determined. The authors have developed a
      novel nonparametric approach for estimating a continuous threshold audiogram
      using Bayesian estimation and machine learning classification. The objective of
      this study was to assess the accuracy and reliability of this new method relative
      to a commonly used threshold measurement technique. DESIGN: The authors performed
      air conduction pure-tone audiometry on 21 participants between the ages of 18 and
      90 years with varying degrees of hearing ability. Two repetitions of automated
      machine learning audiogram estimation and one repetition of conventional modified
      Hughson-Westlake ascending-descending audiogram estimation were acquired by an
      audiologist. The estimated hearing thresholds of these two techniques were
      compared at standard audiogram frequencies (i.e., 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8 kHz).
      RESULTS: The two threshold estimate methods delivered very similar estimates at
      standard audiogram frequencies. Specifically, the mean absolute difference
      between estimates was 4.16 +/- 3.76 dB HL. The mean absolute difference between
      repeated measurements of the new machine learning procedure was 4.51 +/- 4.45 dB
      HL. These values compare favorably with those of other threshold audiogram
      estimation procedures. Furthermore, the machine learning method generated
      threshold estimates from significantly fewer samples than the modified Hughson
      Westlake procedure while returning a continuous threshold estimate as a function
      of frequency. CONCLUSIONS: The new machine learning audiogram estimation
      technique produces continuous threshold audiogram estimates accurately, reliably,
      and efficiently, making it a strong candidate for widespread application in
      clinical and research audiometry.

PMID- 26258577
TI  - First-Principles Study of Ion Diffusion in Perovskite Solar Cell Sensitizers.
AB  - Hysteresis in current-voltage curves has been an important issue for conversion
      efficiency evaluation and development of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). In this
      study, we explored the ion diffusion effects in tetragonal CH3NH3PbI3 (MAPbI3)
      and trigonal (NH2)2CHPbI3 (FAPbI3) by first-principles calculations. The
      calculated activation energies of the anionic and cationic vacancy migrations
      clearly show that I(-) anions in both MAPbI3 and FAPbI3 can easily diffuse with
      low barriers of ca. 0.45 eV, comparable to that observed in ion-conducting
      materials. More interestingly, typical MA(+) cations and larger FA(+) cations
      both have rather low barriers as well, indicating that the cation molecules can
      migrate in the perovskite sensitizers when a bias voltage is applied. These
      results can explain the ion displacement scenario recently proposed by
      experiments. With the dilute diffusion theory, we discuss that smaller vacancy
      concentrations (higher crystallinity) and replacement of MA(+) with larger cation
      molecules will be essential for suppressing hysteresis as well as preventing
      aging behavior of PSC photosensitizers. 

PMID- 26258576
TI  - Transcriptomics Analysis of Crassostrea hongkongensis for the Discovery of
      Reproduction-Related Genes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The reproductive mechanisms of mollusk species have been interesting
      targets in biological research because of the diverse reproductive strategies
      observed in this phylum. These species have also been studied for the development
      of fishery technologies in molluscan aquaculture. Although the molecular
      mechanisms underlying the reproductive process have been well studied in animal
      models, the relevant information from mollusks remains limited, particularly in
      species of great commercial interest. Crassostrea hongkongensis is the dominant
      oyster species that is distributed along the coast of the South China Sea and
      little genomic information on this species is available. Currently, high
      throughput sequencing techniques have been widely used for investigating the
      basis of physiological processes and facilitating the establishment of adequate
      genetic selection programs. RESULTS: The C.hongkongensis transcriptome included a
      total of 1,595,855 reads, which were generated by 454 sequencing and were
      assembled into 41,472 contigs using de novo methods. Contigs were clustered into
      33,920 isotigs and further grouped into 22,829 isogroups. Approximately 77.6% of
      the isogroups were successfully annotated by the Nr database. More than 1,910
      genes were identified as being related to reproduction. Some key genes involved
      in germline development, sex determination and differentiation were identified
      for the first time in C.hongkongensis (nanos, piwi, ATRX, FoxL2, beta-catenin,
      etc.). Gene expression analysis indicated that vasa, nanos, piwi, ATRX, FoxL2,
      beta-catenin and SRD5A1 were highly or specifically expressed in C.hongkongensis
      gonads. Additionally, 94,056 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 1,699
      simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were compiled. CONCLUSIONS: Our study
      significantly increased C.hongkongensis genomic information based on
      transcriptomics analysis. The group of reproduction-related genes identified in
      the present study constitutes a new tool for research on bivalve reproduction
      processes. The large group of molecular markers discovered in this study will be
      useful for population screening and marker assisted selection programs in
      C.hongkongensis aquaculture.

PMID- 26258578
TI  - State variations in women's socioeconomic status and use of modern contraceptives
      in Nigeria.
AB  - BACKGROUND: According to the 2014 World Population Data Sheet, Nigeria has one of
      the highest fertility and lowest contraceptive prevalence rates around the world.
      However, research suggests that national contraceptive prevalence rate
      overshadows enormous spatial variations in reproductive behavior in the country.
      OBJECTIVE: I examined the variations in women's socioeconomic status and modern
      contraceptive use across states in Nigeria. METHODS: Using the 2013 Nigeria
      Demographic and Health Survey data (n = 18,910), I estimated the odds of modern
      contraceptive use among sexually active married and cohabiting women in a series
      of multilevel logistic regression models. RESULTS: The share of sexually active,
      married and cohabiting women using modern contraceptives widely varied, from less
      than one percent in Kano, Yobe, and Jigawa states, to 40 percent in Osun state.
      Most of the states with low contraceptive prevalence rates also ranked low on
      women's socioeconomic attributes. Results of multilevel logistic regression
      analyses showed that women residing in states with greater shares of women with
      secondary or higher education, higher female labor force participation rates, and
      more women with health care decision-making power, had significantly higher odds
      of using modern contraceptives. Differences in women's participation in health
      care decisions across states remained significantly associated with modern
      contraceptive use, net of individual-level socioeconomic status and other
      covariates of modern contraceptive use. CONCLUSION: Understanding of state
      variations in contraceptive use is crucial to the design and implementation of
      family planning programs. The findings reinforce the need for state-specific
      family planning programs in Nigeria.

PMID- 26258579
TI  - Stretch-Triggered Drug Delivery from Wearable Elastomer Films Containing
      Therapeutic Depots.
AB  - Mechanical force-based stimulus provides a simple and easily accessible manner
      for spatiotemporally controlled drug delivery. Here we describe a wearable,
      tensile strain-triggered drug delivery device consisting of a stretchable
      elastomer and microgel depots containing drug loaded nanoparticles. By applying a
      tensile strain to the elastomer film, the release of drug from the microdepot is
      promoted due to the enlarged surface area for diffusion and Poisson's ratio
      induced compression on the microdepot. Correspondingly, both sustained drug
      release by daily body motions and pulsatile release by intentional administration
      can be conveniently achieved. Our work demonstrated that the tensile strain,
      applied to the stretchable device, facilitated release of therapeutics from
      microdepots for anticancer and antibacterial treatments. Moreover, polymeric
      microneedles were further integrated with the stretch-responsive device for
      transcutaneous delivery of insulin and regulation of blood glucose levels of
      chemically induced type 1 diabetic mice. 

PMID- 26258580
TI  - Production and characterization of novel self-assembling biosurfactants from
      Aspergillus flavus.
AB  - AIM: This work was conducted to produce, purify and characterize biosurfactants
      from Aspergillus flavus AF612 isolated from citrus fruit. METHODS AND RESULTS:
      Biosurfactant named 'Uzmaq' was isolated from A. flavus AF612. The chemical
      characterization of the biosurfactant was conducted. Biosurfactant Uzmaq produced
      by A. flavus, was composed of methoxy phenyl oxime glycosides. Two molecular
      forms of the biosurfactant, Uzmaq-A and Uzmaq-B were isolated. Biological
      properties (antifungal activity) were evaluated. The fractions of the
      biosurfactant were isolated and their surface properties were analysed. Uzmaq-A
      and Uzmaq-B had critical micelle concentration (CMC) around 170 and 80 mg l(-1) ,
      and lowered surface tension of water up to 20 and 25 m Nm(-1) respectively. The
      biosurfactants were stable at pH 3-12 and temperature up to 80 degrees C. Growth
      and biosurfactant production kinetics were also analysed. CONCLUSION: Novel
      biosurfactant Uzmaq was produced from A. flavus, which was composed of methoxy
      phenyl oxime glycosides. The surface activity of Uzmaq was better than the
      maximum values of synthetic chemical surfactants. The biosurfactant showed
      antifungal activity and self-assembling properties. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF
      THE STUDY: Aspergillus flavus AF612 can be used for commercial production of
      Uzmaq that may be employed for controlled drug release applications and
      bioremediation.

PMID- 26258582
TI  - In brief. Abdominal adhesions.

PMID- 26258583
TI  - Intra-abdominal adhesions: Anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, and treatment.

PMID- 26258584
TI  - Two Reviews on Immune Dysfunction.

PMID- 26258586
TI  - Treatment of Skin Calcifications with Intra-lesional Injection of Sodium
      Thiosulphate: A Case Series.

PMID- 26258587
TI  - Procedures for the quantification of whole-tissue immunofluorescence images
      obtained at single-cell resolution during murine tubular organ development.
AB  - Whole-tissue quantification at single-cell resolution has become an inevitable
      approach for further quantitative understanding of morphogenesis in organ
      development. The feasibility of the approach has been dramatically increased by
      recent technological improvements in optical tissue clearing and microscopy.
      However, the series of procedures required for this approach to lead to
      successful whole-tissue quantification is far from developed. To provide the
      appropriate procedure, we here show tips for each critical step of the entire
      process, including fixation for immunofluorescence, optical clearing, and digital
      image processing, using developing murine internal organs such as epididymis,
      kidney, and lung as an example. Through comparison of fixative solutions and of
      clearing methods, we found optimal conditions to achieve clearer deep-tissue
      imaging of specific immunolabeled targets and explain what methods result in
      vivid volume imaging. In addition, we demonstrated that three-dimensional digital
      image processing after optical clearing produces objective quantitative data for
      the whole-tissue analysis, focusing on the spatial distribution of mitotic cells
      in the epididymal tubule. The procedure for the whole-tissue quantification shown
      in this article should contribute to systematic measurements of cellular
      processes in developing organs, accelerating the further understanding of
      morphogenesis at the single cell level. 

PMID- 26258588
TI  - Detection of hepatitis B virus DNA with a paper electrochemical sensor.
AB  - Here we show that a simple paper-based electrochemical sensor, fabricated by
      paper folding, is able to detect a 30-base nucleotide sequence characteristic of
      DNA from the hepatitis B virus (HBV) with a detection limit of 85 pM. This device
      is based on design principles we have reported previously for detecting proteins
      via a metalloimmunoassay. It has four desirable attributes. First, its design
      combines simple origami (paper folding) assembly, the open structure of a hollow
      channel paper analytical device to accommodate micrometer-scale particles, and a
      convenient slip layer for timing incubation steps. Second, two stages of
      amplification are achieved: silver nanoparticle labels provide a maximum
      amplification factor of 250 000 and magnetic microbeads, which are mobile solid
      phase supports for the capture probes, are concentrated at a detection electrode
      and provide an additional ~25-fold amplification. Third, there are no enzymes or
      antibodies used in the assay, thereby increasing its speed, stability, and
      robustness. Fourth, only a single sample incubation step is required before
      detection is initiated. 

PMID- 26258589
TI  - Mice undergoing neuropathic pain induce anxiogenic-like effects and
      hypernociception in cagemates.
AB  - Rodents can recognize pain-related responses in conspecifics. Therefore,
      cohabitation with a conspecific animal with chronic pain can potentially promote
      a stressful situation, which can trigger behavioral changes such as anxiety and
      depression and alter nociceptive responses. In this study we investigated the
      effect of cohabitation with a mouse undergoing sciatic nerve constriction
      (neuropathic pain model). The cagemates were evaluated for nociception (writhing
      test), anxiety (elevated plus-maze and open field tests), depression (forced
      swim, tail suspension, and sucrose preference tests), and corticosterone levels.
      Male Swiss mice were housed in pairs for 14 days, and then divided into three
      groups: cagemate nerve constriction, in which one animal of each pair was
      subjected to constriction of the sciatic nerve; cagemate sham, in which one
      animal from each pair was subjected to the same surgery but without constriction;
      and control, in which animals were not subjected to any surgical procedure. After
      14 days, the cagemates were evaluated using behavioral tests. Social interaction
      with a conspecific undergoing constriction of the sciatic nerve induced
      hypernociception and increased anxiety-related responses, whereas in depression
      tests inconclusive responses and no changes in corticosterone levels were found.
      In conclusion, cohabitation with suffering conspecifics induces changes in
      nociceptive responses, as well as in affective responses including anxiety. 

PMID- 26258590
TI  - Wetland suitability and connectivity for trans-Saharan migratory waterbirds.
AB  - To complete their life cycle waterbirds rely on patchily distributed and often
      ephemeral wetlands along their migration route in a vast unsuitable matrix.
      However, further loss and degradation of remaining wetland habitats might lead to
      a configuration and size of stopovers that is no longer sufficient to ensure long
      term survival of waterbird populations. By identifying optimal conservation
      targets to maintain overall habitat availability en route, we can accommodate an
      as yet absent functional connectivity component in larger management frameworks
      for migratory waterbirds, such as the Ramsar Convention and the EU Natura 2000
      Network. Using a graph-based habitat availability metric (Equivalent Connected
      Area) we determine the functional connectivity of wetland networks for seven
      migratory waterbirds with divergent habitat requirements. Analyses are performed
      at two spatial extents both spanning the Mediterranean Sea and centered around
      Greece (Balkan-Cyrenaica and Greece-Cyrenaica). We create species-specific
      suitable habitat maps and account for human disturbance by species-specific
      disturbance buffers, based on expert estimates of Flight Initiation Distances. At
      both spatial extents we quantitatively determine the habitat networks' overall
      functional connectivity and identify wetland sites that are crucial for
      maintaining a well-connected network. We show that the wetland networks for both
      spatial extents are relatively well connected and identify several wetland sites
      in Greece and Libya as important for maintaining connectivity. The application of
      disturbance buffers results in wetland site-specific reduction of suitable
      habitat area (0.90-7.36%) and an overall decrease of the network's connectivity
      (0.65-6.82%). In addition, we show that the habitat networks of a limited set of
      species can be combined into a single network which accounts for their
      autoecological requirements. We conclude that targeted management in few but
      specific wetland complexes could benefit migratory waterbird populations.
      Deterioration of these vital wetland sites in Greece and Libya will have
      disproportionate consequences to the waterbird populations they support. 

PMID- 26258591
TI  - miR-512-5p suppresses tumor growth by targeting hTERT in telomerase positive head
      and neck squamous cell carcinoma in vitro and in vivo.
AB  - Telomerase activation has very important implications for head and neck squamous
      cell carcinoma (HNSCC), but the regulatory mechanisms of telomerase in HNSCC
      remain unclear. In our present study, we found that miR-512-5P was markedly
      downregulated in telomerase-positive HNSCC cell lines. Both in vitro and in vivo
      assays revealed that miR-512-5P mimic attenuated HNSCC cell proliferation, and
      tumor growth in nude mice, which exerts its tumor suppressor function through
      elevated apoptosis, inhibition of the telomerase activity, decrease of telomere
      binding proteins and shortening of telomere length by human telomerase reverse
      transcriptase (hTERT) downregulation. Furthermore, the dual-luciferase reporter
      gene assay results demonstrated that hTERT was a direct target of miR-512-5P. We
      conclude that the frequently miR-512-5P overexpression can regulate hTERT and
      function as a tumor suppressor in HNSCC. Therefore, miR-512-5P may serve as a
      potential therapeutic agent for miR-based HNSCC therapy. 

PMID- 26258592
TI  - Death from Nitrous Oxide.
AB  - Nitrous oxide is an inflammable gas that gives no smell or taste. It has a
      history of abuse as long as its clinical use, and deaths, although rare, have
      been reported. We describe two cases of accidental deaths related to voluntary
      inhalation of nitrous oxide, both found dead with a gas mask covering the face.
      In an attempt to find an explanation to why the victims did not react properly to
      oncoming hypoxia, we performed experiments where a test person was allowed to
      breath in a closed system, with or without nitrous oxide added. Vital signs and
      gas concentrations as well as subjective symptoms were recorded. The experiments
      indicated that the explanation to the fact that neither of the descendents had
      reacted to oncoming hypoxia and hypercapnia was due to the inhalation of nitrous
      oxide. This study raises the question whether nitrous oxide really should be
      easily, commercially available.

PMID- 26258593
TI  - Hysteretic Spin Crossover in Two-Dimensional (2D) Hofmann-Type Coordination
      Polymers.
AB  - Three new two-dimensional (2D) Hofmann-type coordination polymers with general
      formula [Fe(3-NH2py)2M(CN)4] (3-NH2py = 3-aminopyridine, M = Ni (1), Pd (2), Pt
      (3)) have been synthesized. Magnetic susceptibility measurements show that they
      exhibited cooperative spin crossover (SCO) with remarkable hysteretic behaviors.
      Their hysteresis widths are 25, 37, and 30 K for 1-3, respectively. The single
      crystal structure of 1 suggest that the pseudo-octahedral Fe sites are
      equatorially bridged by [M(CN)4](2-) to form 2D grids and axially coordinated by
      3-NH2py ligands. The intermolecular interactions between layers (the offset face
      to-face pi...pi interactions, hydrogen bonds, and weak N(amino)...Ni(II)
      contacts) together with the covalent bonds bridged by [M(CN)4](2-) units are
      responsible to the significant cooperativity.

PMID- 26258594
TI  - Direct oriented growth of armchair graphene nanoribbons on germanium.
AB  - Graphene can be transformed from a semimetal into a semiconductor if it is
      confined into nanoribbons narrower than 10 nm with controlled crystallographic
      orientation and well-defined armchair edges. However, the scalable synthesis of
      nanoribbons with this precision directly on insulating or semiconducting
      substrates has not been possible. Here we demonstrate the synthesis of graphene
      nanoribbons on Ge(001) via chemical vapour deposition. The nanoribbons are self
      aligning 3 degrees  from the Ge<110> directions, are self-defining with
      predominantly smooth armchair edges, and have tunable width to <10 nm and aspect
      ratio to >70. In order to realize highly anisotropic ribbons, it is critical to
      operate in a regime in which the growth rate in the width direction is especially
      slow, <5 nm h(-1). This directional and anisotropic growth enables nanoribbon
      fabrication directly on conventional semiconductor wafer platforms and,
      therefore, promises to allow the integration of nanoribbons into future hybrid
      integrated circuits. 

PMID- 26258595
TI  - Insights into the molecular mechanisms of action of bioportides: a strategy to
      target protein-protein interactions.
AB  - Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are reliable vehicles for the target-selective
      intracellular delivery of therapeutic agents. The identification and application
      of numerous intrinsically bioactive CPPs, now designated as bioportides, is
      further endorsement of the tremendous clinical potential of CPP technologies. The
      refinement of proteomimetic bioportides, particularly sequences that mimic
      cationic alpha-helical domains involved in protein-protein interactions (PPIs),
      provides tremendous opportunities to modulate this emergent drug modality in a
      clinical setting. Thus, a number of CPP-based constructs are currently undergoing
      clinical trials as human therapeutics, with a particular focus upon anti-cancer
      agents. A well-characterised array of synthetic modifications, compatible with
      modern solid-phase synthesis, can be utilised to improve the biophysical and
      pharmacological properties of bioportides and so achieve cell-and tissue
      selective targeting in vivo. Moreover, considering the recent successful
      development of stapled alpha-helical peptides as anti-cancer agents, we
      hypothesise that similar structural modifications are applicable to the design of
      bioportides that more effectively modulate the many interactomes known to
      underlie human diseases. Thus, we propose that stapled-helical bioportides could
      satisfy all of the clinical requirements for metabolically stable, intrinsically
      cell-permeable agents capable of regulating discrete PPIs by a dominant negative
      mode of action with minimal toxicity. 

PMID- 26258596
TI  - One-Pot Domino Aldol Reaction of Indium Enolates Affording 6-Deoxy-alpha-D,L
      altropyranose Derivatives: Synthesis, Mechanism, and Computational Results.
AB  - The domino-aldol-aldol-hemiacetal-reaction cascade of indium and other group 13
      metal enolates furnished 6-deoxy-alpha-D,L-altropyranose derivatives in up to 99%
      yield under thermodynamic control. At lower temperature and thus under kinetic
      control, the reaction proceeded in a much less diastereoselective manner. The
      changeover from kinetic to thermodynamic control operating in this multistep
      domino-aldol-aldol-hemiacetal protocol was used for probing the efficiency of DFT
      computations. Calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G(d)/LANL2DZ level provided a
      mechanistic picture in full agreement with the experimental outcome. 

PMID- 26258598
TI  - The Pseudocavitation Sign of Lung Adenocarcinoma: A Distinguishing Feature and
      Imaging Biomarker of Lepidic Growth.
AB  - PURPOSE: Our purpose was to evaluate whether pseudocavitation, characterized by
      round or oval areas of low attenuation in a lesion on computed tomography (CT),
      can help distinguish adenocarcinoma from other types of non-small cell lung
      cancer (NSCLC). We also sought to determine whether pseudocavitation is
      associated with lepidic growth on histopathology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This
      retrospective HIPAA-compliant study was approved by our institutional review
      board. The need for informed consent was waived. CT scans and pathology records
      from 158 NSCLCs in 149 patients were retrospectively reviewed. The frequency of
      pseudocavitation was compared among types of NSCLC, specifically adenocarcinoma
      versus other types of NSCLC. Subgroup analysis of adenocarcinomas was performed
      to identify any difference in the frequency of pseudocavitation between
      adenocarcinomas with reported lepidic growth and those without lepidic growth.
      RESULTS: There was a significantly greater frequency of pseudocavitation in
      adenocarcinomas versus other types of NSCLC [19/86 (22.1%) vs. 4/72 (5.6%),
      P=0.007]. The sensitivity and specificity of the pseudocavitation sign for
      adenocarcinoma were 0.22 and 0.94, respectively. Among adenocarcinomas, the
      pseudocavitation sign was more frequent in tumors with lepidic growth versus
      those without lepidic growth [10/24 (41.7%) vs. 9/62 (14.5%), P=0.015].
      CONCLUSIONS: Pseudocavitation at CT is more common in primary lung adenocarcinoma
      than in other types of NSCLC. It is also more common in adenocarcinomas with
      lepidic growth, suggesting a correlation between the imaging finding of
      pseudocavitation and the pathologic finding of lepidic growth. As the subtype of
      NSCLC guides treatment, predicting tumor pathology by imaging may improve
      diagnostic workup for patients with NSCLC.

PMID- 26258597
TI  - High Intensity Interval Training Improves Glycaemic Control and Pancreatic beta
      Cell Function of Type 2 Diabetes Patients.
AB  - Physical activity improves the regulation of glucose homeostasis in both type 2
      diabetes (T2D) patients and healthy individuals, but the effect on pancreatic
      beta cell function is unknown. We investigated glycaemic control, pancreatic
      function and total fat mass before and after 8 weeks of low volume high intensity
      interval training (HIIT) on cycle ergometer in T2D patients and matched healthy
      control individuals. Study design/method: Elderly (56 yrs+/-2), non-active T2D
      patients (n = 10) and matched (52 yrs+/-2) healthy controls (CON) (n = 13)
      exercised 3 times (10*60 sec. HIIT) a week over an 8 week period on a cycle
      ergometer. Participants underwent a 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). On
      a separate day, resting blood pressure measurement was conducted followed by an
      incremental maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) cycle ergometer test. Finally, a whole
      body dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was performed. After 8 weeks of training,
      the same measurements were performed. Results: in the T2D-group, glycaemic
      control as determined by average fasting venous glucose concentration (p = 0.01),
      end point 2-hour OGTT (p = 0.04) and glycosylated haemoglobin (p = 0.04) were
      significantly reduced. Pancreatic homeostasis as determined by homeostatic model
      assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and HOMA beta cell function (HOMA
      %beta) were both significantly ameliorated (p = 0.03 and p = 0.03, respectively).
      Whole body insulin sensitivity as determined by the disposition index (DI) was
      significantly increased (p = 0.03). During OGTT, the glucose continuum was
      significantly reduced at -15 (p = 0.03), 30 (p = 0.03) and 120 min (p = 0.03) and
      at -10 (p = 0.003) and 0 min (p = 0.003) with an additional improvement (p =
      0.03) of its 1st phase (30 min) area under curve (AUC). Significant abdominal fat
      mass losses were seen in both groups (T2D: p = 0.004 and CON: p = 0.02)
      corresponding to a percentage change of -17.84%+/-5.02 and -9.66%+/-3.07,
      respectively. Conclusion: these results demonstrate that HIIT improves overall
      glycaemic control and pancreatic beta cell function in T2D patients.
      Additionally, both groups experienced abdominal fat mass losses. These findings
      demonstrate that HIIT is a health beneficial exercise strategy in T2D patients.
      TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02333734
      http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02333734.

PMID- 26258599
TI  - Optimization of Radiology Reports for Intensive Care Unit Portable Chest
      Radiographs: Perceptions and Preferences of Radiologists and ICU Practitioners.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to evaluate opinions and perceptions of
      radiologists and referring practitioners regarding reports of portable chest
      radiography (pCXR) obtained in the intensive care unit (ICU). MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: A total of 1265 referring practitioners and 76 radiologists were invited
      to participate in 2 internet-based surveys, containing 15 and 17 multiple choice
      questions, respectively, similarly presented to both groups, utilizing a Likert
      scale or multiple choices. Results were compared using the Fisher exact test or
      chi test. RESULTS: One hundred ninety-two referring practitioners and 63
      radiologists answered the surveys, resulting in response rates of 15% and 83%.
      The majority of radiologists and referring practitioners are satisfied with the
      quality of the reports; however, radiologists and referring practitioners
      disagree about the reports' clinical value and impact, the referring
      practitioners having a more positive view. Both groups overwhelmingly agree that
      pertinent clinical information is crucial for optimal image interpretation. The 2
      groups differ in their preferences regarding report style and information
      content, with radiologists strongly supporting concise reports emphasizing
      temporal changes and major findings, whereas referring practitioners prefer more
      complete, itemized structured reports describing support devices in detail.
      CONCLUSIONS: The results substantiate the perceived clinical value of radiologist
      reports for pCXR, from the perspective of referring practitioners. Nonetheless,
      there is disagreement regarding report structure and content. Several issues were
      raised, offering opportunities for improvement, which may increase referring
      practitioners' satisfaction and positively impact patient outcomes. Any strategy
      to implement standardized structured reports for pCXR will have to satisfy
      referring practitioners' needs while optimizing radiologists' efficiency, will
      have to be widely accepted, and will have to fulfill the overarching goal of
      maximizing the value of pCXR reports.

PMID- 26258600
TI  - Imaging in Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Repair.
AB  - Minimally invasive mitral valve (MV) repair and replacement techniques have
      evolved as increasingly used alternatives to open heart surgery especially in
      patients unsuitable for surgery or at high perioperative risk. The vast majority
      of these techniques are still under development, and only a limited number of
      devices are approved for clinical use; however, they do show promising results in
      terms of minimizing complications and improving clinical outcome. The complex
      anatomy of the MV and the annulus complicates not only the development of devices
      for minimally invasive MV repair or replacement but also complicates
      preprocedural planning, which is mandatory for minimization of postprocedural
      complications. Although echocardiography still plays a crucial clinical role,
      cross-sectional imaging modalities such as coronary computed tomography (CCT) and
      cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) are increasingly gaining importance for
      preprocedural planning. Specifically, CCT seems to be more practicable for
      preinterventional planning and device sizing, whereas CMR has been shown useful
      in detecting increased risk for adverse clinical outcomes through delayed
      gadolinium enhancement and the monitoring of cardiac morphology and function in
      the framework of follow-up examinations. This article describes recent techniques
      currently available or under development for minimally invasive repair or
      replacement of the MV and reviews the current state of CCT and CMR imaging for
      preinterventional and postinterventional diagnostic workup. 

PMID- 26258601
TI  - Preprocedural Computed Tomography Evaluation for Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve
      Surgery: What the Surgeon Needs to Know.
AB  - The proven success of endoscopic and videoscopic surgery combined with recent
      advancements in telemanipulation has made the performance of minimally invasive
      cardiac surgery a clinical reality during the past decade. A complete
      understanding of the basic concepts of minimally invasive surgery and the recent
      advancements in peripheral cardiopulmonary bypass techniques help the cardiac
      imager to provide a clinically meaningful interpretation for the surgical team.
      In this article we present an overview of minimally invasive mitral valve surgery
      and the fundamentals of preprocedural computed tomography angiography imaging and
      highlight the usefulness of cardiac computed tomography as a supplementary tool
      to echocardiography. 

PMID- 26258602
TI  - Discovery of Selective Small Molecule Inhibitors of Monoacylglycerol
      Acyltransferase 3.
AB  - Inhibition of triacylglycerol (TAG) biosynthetic enzymes has been suggested as a
      promising strategy to treat insulin resistance, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and
      hepatic steatosis. Monoacylglycerol acyltransferase 3 (MGAT3) is an integral
      membrane enzyme that catalyzes the acylation of both monoacylglycerol (MAG) and
      diacylglycerol (DAG) to generate DAG and TAG, respectively. Herein, we report the
      discovery and characterization of the first selective small molecule inhibitors
      of MGAT3. Isoindoline-5-sulfonamide (6f, PF-06471553) selectively inhibits MGAT3
      with high in vitro potency and cell efficacy. Because the gene encoding MGAT3
      (MOGAT3) is found only in higher mammals and humans, but not in rodents, a
      transgenic mouse model expressing the complete human MOGAT3 was used to
      characterize the effects of 6f in vivo. In the presence of a combination of
      diacylglycerol acyltransferases 1 and 2 (DGAT1 and DGAT2) inhibitors, an oral
      administration of 6f exhibited inhibition of the incorporation of deuterium
      labeled glycerol into TAG in this mouse model. The availability of a potent and
      selective chemical tool and a humanized mouse model described in this report
      should facilitate further dissection of the physiological function of MGAT3 and
      its role in lipid homeostasis. 

PMID- 26258603
TI  - Strongyloides stercoralis infection in patients with systemic lupus
      erythematosus: diagnosis and prevention of severe strongyloidiasis.
AB  - AIM: Strongyloides stercoralis infection is usually chronic and asymptomatic and
      may persist undiagnosed for decades. However, in immunocompromised individuals,
      the infection can cause hyperinfection and dissemination. Therefore, early
      diagnosis is essential to prevent severe forms of strongyloidiasis. The aims of
      this study were: (i) to evaluate the frequency of S. stercoralis infection in
      patients with systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) and (ii) to estimate specific
      immunoglobulins G (IgG) and E (IgE) production using an enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. METHODS: Seventy-five SLE patients treated
      with prophylactic anthelmintic therapy were evaluated using the spontaneous
      sedimentation (SS), Baermann-Moraes (BM) and agar plate culture (APC) methods.
      Serum anti-S. stercoralis IgG and IgE antibodies were measured by ELISA. RESULTS:
      Using parasitological methods, the frequency of intestinal parasites was 10.7%,
      whereas the frequency of S. stercoralis infection was 1.3%. The sensitivity of
      the ELISA to detect anti-S. stercoralis IgG and IgE was 80% and 76.9%,
      respectively. Both assays presented the same specificity of 96.7%. The frequency
      of anti-S. stercoralis IgG and IgE was 16% and 28%, respectively. Six patients
      were positive for both antibodies. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnostic approaches using high
      sensitivity parasitological methods and the detection of specific antibodies are
      essential for the diagnosis of strongyloidiasis in immunocompromised patients.
      Early detection of infection can alter the course of the disease via appropriate
      treatment, preventing the occurrence of severe strongyloidiasis.

PMID- 26258604
TI  - Clinical Utility of Acetylcholine Receptor Antibody Testing in Ocular Myasthenia
      Gravis.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: The sensitivity of acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody testing is
      thought to be lower in ocular myasthenia gravis (OMG) compared with generalized
      disease, although estimates in small-scale studies vary. There is little
      information in the literature about the implications of AChR antibody levels and
      progression from OMG to generalized myasthenia gravis. OBJECTIVES: To test the
      hypothesis that serum AChR antibody testing is more sensitive in OMG than
      previously reported and to examine the association between AChR antibody levels
      and progression from OMG to generalized myasthenia gravis. DESIGN, SETTING, AND
      PARTICIPANTS: A retrospective, observational cohort study was conducted of 223
      patients (mean [SD] age, 59.2 [16.4] years; 139 [62.3%] male) diagnosed with OMG
      between July 1, 1986, and May 31, 2013, at 2 large, academic medical centers.
      MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Baseline characteristics, OMG symptoms, results of
      AChR antibody testing, and progression time to generalized myasthenia gravis (if
      this occurred) were recorded for each patient. Multiple logistic regression was
      used to measure the association between all clinical variables and antibody
      result. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed to examine time to
      generalization. RESULTS: Among the 223 participants, AChR antibody testing
      results were positive in 158 participants (70.9%). In an adjusted model,
      increased age at diagnosis (odds ratio [OR], 1.03; 95% CI, 1.01-1.04; P = .007)
      and progression to generalized myasthenia gravis (OR, 2.92; 95% CI, 1.18-7.26; P
      = .02) were significantly associated with positive antibody test results. Women
      were less likely to have a positive antibody test result (OR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.19
      0.68; P = .002). Patients who developed symptoms of generalized myasthenia gravis
      had a significantly higher mean (SD) antibody level than those who did not
      develop symptoms of generalized myasthenia gravis (12.7 [16.5] nmol/L vs 4.2
      [7.9] nmol/L; P = .002). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: We demonstrate a higher
      sensitivity of AChR antibody testing than previously reported in the largest
      cohort of patients with OMG available to date. Older age, male sex, and
      progression to generalized myasthenia gravis were significantly associated with a
      positive antibody test result. In addition, to our knowledge, this is the first
      report of an association between high AChR antibody levels and progression from
      OMG to generalized disease.

PMID- 26258605
TI  - The Moral Economy of Lying: Subjectcraft, Narrative Capital, and Uncertainty in
      the Politics of Asylum.
AB  - Based on narratives of asylum-seekers from sub-Saharan Africa in northern Italy,
      in this article I analyze the narrative strategies used by immigrants to meet the
      eligibility criteria established by asylum law. For many of them, this means
      "arranging" biographical details within what I call "a moral economy of lying."
      The first question I discuss is what types of experience and 'subject positions'
      these narrative strategies reveal or generate. I then examine the arbitrariness
      and the bureaucratic violence of the asylum evaluation process, and the role of
      these procedures in the making of nation-language and current technologies of
      citizenship. Finally, I consider the politics of testification, recognition, and
      memory these discourses and practices combine to shape. I analyze these issues
      from an historical point of view of the politics of identity, truth, and
      falsehood as imposed in a recent past by colonizers onto the colonized. 

PMID- 26258606
TI  - A Teach-Discover-Treat Application of ZincPharmer: An Online Interactive
      Pharmacophore Modeling and Virtual Screening Tool.
AB  - The 2012 Teach-Discover-Treat (TDT) community-wide experiment provided a unique
      opportunity to test prospective virtual screening protocols targeting the anti
      malarial target dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH). Facilitated by ZincPharmer,
      an open access online interactive pharmacophore search of the ZINC database, the
      experience resulted in the development of a novel classification scheme that
      successfully predicted the bound structure of a non-triazolopyrimidine inhibitor,
      as well as an overall hit rate of 27% of tested active compounds from multiple
      novel chemical scaffolds. The general approach entailed exhaustively building and
      screening sparse pharmacophore models comprising of a minimum of three features
      for each bound ligand in all available DHODH co-crystals and iteratively adding
      features that increased the number of known binders returned by the query.
      Collectively, the TDT experiment provided a unique opportunity to teach
      computational methods of drug discovery, develop innovative methodologies and
      prospectively discover new compounds active against DHODH. 

PMID- 26258607
TI  - Asialoglycoprotein Receptor-Mediated Gene Delivery to Hepatocytes Using
      Galactosylated Polymers.
AB  - Highly efficient, specific, and nontoxic gene delivery vector is required for
      gene therapy to the liver. Hepatocytes exclusively express asialoglycoprotein
      receptor (ASGPR), which can recognize and bind to galactose or N
      acetylgalactosamine. Galactosylated polymers are therefore explored for targeted
      gene delivery to the liver. A library of safe and stable galactose-based
      glycopolymers that can specifically deliver genes to hepatocytes were synthesized
      having different architectures, compositions, and molecular weights via the
      reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer process. The physical and
      chemical properties of these polymers have a great impact on gene delivery
      efficacy into hepatocytes, as such block copolymers are found to form more stable
      complexes with plasmid and have high gene delivery efficiency into ASGPR
      expressing hepatocytes. Transfection efficiency and uptake of polyplexes with
      these polymers decreased significantly by preincubation of hepatocytes with free
      asialofetuin or by adding free asialofetuin together with polyplexes into
      hepatocytes. The results confirmed that polyplexes with these polymers were taken
      up specifically by hepatocytes via ASGPR-mediated endocytosis. The results from
      transfection efficiency and uptake of these polymers in cells without ASGPR, such
      as SK Hep1 and HeLa cells, further support this mechanism. Since in vitro
      cytotoxicity assays prove these glycopolymers to be nontoxic, they may be useful
      for delivery of clinically important genes specifically to the liver. 

PMID- 26258608
TI  - Religion/spirituality and health in the context of cancer: Cross-domain
      integration, unresolved issues, and future directions.

PMID- 26258609
TI  - Evaluating Common Humoral Responses against Fungal Infections with Yeast Protein
      Microarrays.
AB  - We profiled the global immunoglobulin response against fungal infection by using
      yeast protein microarrays. Groups of CD-1 mice were infected systemically with
      human fungal pathogens (Coccidioides posadasii, Candida albicans, or
      Paracoccidioides brasiliensis) or inoculated with PBS as a control. Another group
      was inoculated with heat-killed yeast (HKY) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. After 30
      days, serum from mice in the groups were collected and used to probe S.
      cerevisiae protein microarrays containing 4800 full-length glutathione S
      transferase (GST)-fusion proteins. Antimouse IgG conjugated with Alexafluor 555
      and anti-GST antibody conjugated with Alexafluor 647 were used to detect antibody
      antigen interactions and the presence of GST-fusion proteins, respectively. Serum
      after infection with C. albicans reacted with 121 proteins: C. posadasii, 81; P.
      brasiliensis, 67; and after HKY, 63 proteins on the yeast protein microarray,
      respectively. We identified a set of 16 antigenic proteins that were shared
      across the three fungal pathogens. These include retrotransposon capsid proteins,
      heat shock proteins, and mitochondrial proteins. Five of these proteins were
      identified in our previous study of fungal cell wall by mass spectrometry (Ann.
      N. Y. Acad. Sci. 2012, 1273, 44-51). The results obtained give a comprehensive
      view of the immunological responses to fungal infections at the proteomic level.
      They also offer insight into immunoreactive protein commonality among several
      fungal pathogens and provide a basis for a panfungal vaccine. 

PMID- 26258610
TI  - The Relationship Between Helicobacter pylori Infection and Open-Angle Glaucoma: A
      Meta-Analysis.
AB  - PURPOSE: Previous studies assessed the associations between Helicobacter pylori
      infection and open-angle glaucoma (OAG) and produced inconsistent results.
      Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of H. pylori
      infection on OAG risk. METHODS: Relevant studies that reported the associations
      between H. pylori infection and OAG were identified through an extensive search
      of the Exerpta Medica Database (EMBASE), Web of Science, and PubMed databases in
      English and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP, and Wan Fang
      databases in Chinese, and by reviewing the reference lists of the key articles.
      The summary odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated
      using the random-effects model. RESULTS: This meta-analysis involved 695 glaucoma
      patients and 1580 control individuals. The overall combined ORs showed a
      significant correlation between H. pylori infection and OAG (OR = 2.08, 95% CI =
      1.42-3.04). The subgroup analysis showed the association of H. pylori infection
      with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG; OR = 3.06, 95% CI = 1.27-2.46) and normal
      tension glaucoma (NTG; OR = 1.77, 95% CI = 1.76-5.34), but not with
      pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PXFG; OR = 1.46, 95% CI = 0.40-5.30). CONCLUSIONS:
      The result of this meta-analysis suggested a statistically significant
      association between H. pylori infection and OAG. Further analysis showed that
      this positive relation is observed only in POAG and NTG patients, but not in the
      PXFG patients.

PMID- 26258611
TI  - Relationship Between Nocturnal Intraocular Pressure Elevation and Diurnal
      Intraocular Pressure Level in Normal-Tension Glaucoma Patients.
AB  - PURPOSE: We studied the relationship between nocturnal habitual position IOP
      elevation and diurnal IOP level in normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) patients.
      METHODS: A total of 70 young NTG patients with a low diurnal IOP level (mean
      diurnal seated IOP < 15.0 mm Hg; low IOP group) and 79 age-, axial length-, and
      disease severity-matched NTG patients with a high diurnal IOP level (mean diurnal
      seated IOP >= 15.0 mm Hg; high IOP group) were recruited prospectively.
      Intraocular pressure was recorded 11 times over a 24-hour period by a single,
      well-trained ophthalmology resident using a hand-held tonometer. RESULTS: The
      mean habitual position IOP during nighttime (14.2 mm Hg) was significantly higher
      than that of daytime (12.8 mm Hg) in the low IOP group (P < 0.001), whereas no
      such difference was found in the high IOP group (16.4 vs. 16.3 mm Hg, P = 0.706).
      The low IOP group showed an overall nocturnal acrophase in habitual-position IOP,
      with 11 patients (15.7%) having a diurnal, 30 (42.8%) a nocturnal, and 29 (41.4%)
      no evident acrophase. By contrast, the high IOP group showed no evident peak in
      habitual-position IOP, with 28 patients (35.4%) having a diurnal, 12 (15.2%) a
      nocturnal, and 39 (49.4%) no evident acrophase. CONCLUSIONS: In NTG eyes with a
      low diurnal IOP, there are significant IOP increases at nighttime in the habitual
      position, whereas there is no significant nocturnal IOP elevation in NTG eyes
      with a high diurnal IOP.

PMID- 26258612
TI  - The Role of LOX and LOXL2 in the Pathogenesis of an Experimental Model of
      Choroidal Neovascularization.
AB  - PURPOSE: We investigated whether lysyl oxidase (LOX) and lysyl oxidase-like 2
      (LOXL2) play a role in an experimental model of choroidal neovascularization
      (CNV). The therapeutic potential of antibodies against LOX (M64) and LOXL2
      (AB0023) was evaluated in a murine laser-induced CNV model. METHODS: Expression
      of LOX and LOXL2 in the posterior eye cups (including retina, retinal pigment
      epithelium, choroid, and sclera) was studied by qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry.
      In the murine model of CNV, both antibodies were administered intraperitoneally
      every other day until the day killed. On different time points after laser,
      treatment outcome was studied by immunohistochemical analysis of inflammation,
      angiogenesis and fibrosis, and by transcript analysis of different cytokines.
      RESULTS: Levels of LOX and LOXL2 in the posterior eye cups were increased after
      CNV-induction at different time points after laser. At day 35, their protein
      expression patterns appeared to correlate with retinal glial cells and
      endothelial cells, respectively. Both antibodies significantly inhibited
      fibrosis, whereas AB0023 also significantly reduced angiogenesis and
      inflammation. Transcript levels of alpha-1 type I collagen (COL1A1) in the
      posterior eye cups were significantly decreased in lasered mice treated with
      either M64 or AB0023. Vascular endothelial growth factor expression was also
      reduced only after AB0023 treatment, whereas activated fibroblast marker alpha
      smooth muscle actin (alphaSMA) levels were not significantly changed.
      CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that LOX and LOXL2 may play an important role in
      the pathogenesis of AMD. Targeting LOXL2 could have a broader efficacy than
      targeting LOX, by reducing angiogenesis and inflammation, as well as fibrosis.

PMID- 26258613
TI  - Multivariate Model of the Intersubject Variability of the Retinal Nerve Fiber
      Layer Thickness in Healthy Subjects.
AB  - PURPOSE: We present and validate a multivariate model that partially compensates
      for retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) intersubject variability. METHODS: A total
      of 202 healthy volunteers randomly attributed to a training (TS) and a validation
      (VS) sample underwent complete ophthalmic examination, including Fourier-domain
      optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT). We acquired FD-OCT data centered at the
      optic disc (OD) and the macula. Two-dimensional (2D) projection images were
      computed and registered, to determine the distance between fovea and OD centers
      (FD) and their respective angle (FA). Retinal vessels were automatically
      segmented in the projection images and used to calculate the circumpapillary
      retinal vessel density (RVD) profile. Using the TS, a multivariate model was
      calculated for each of 256 sectors of the RNFL, including OD ratio, orientation
      and area, RVD, FD, FA, age, and refractive error. Model selection was based on
      Akaike Information Criteria. The compensation effect was determined for 12 clock
      hour sectors, comparing the coefficients of variation (CoV) of measured and model
      compensated RNFL thicknesses. The model then was applied to the VS, and CoV was
      calculated. RESULTS: The R value for the multivariate model was, on average 0.57
      (max = 0.68). Compensation reduced the CoV on average by 18%, both for the TS and
      VS (up to 23% and 29%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We have developed and
      validated a comprehensive multivariate model that may be used to create a
      narrower range of normative RNFL data, which could improve diagnostic separation
      between early glaucoma and healthy subjects. This, however, remains to be
      demonstrated in future studies.

PMID- 26258614
TI  - Characterization of an Early-Onset, Autosomal Recessive, Progressive Retinal
      Degeneration in Bengal Cats.
AB  - PURPOSE: A form of retinal degeneration suspected to be hereditary was discovered
      in a family of Bengal cats. A breeding colony was established to characterize
      disease progression clinically, electrophysiologically, and morphologically, and
      to investigate the mode of inheritance. METHODS: Affected and related cats were
      donated by owners for breeding trials and pedigree analysis. Kittens from test
      and complementation breedings underwent ophthalmic and neuro-ophthalmic
      examinations and ERG, and globes were evaluated using light microscopy. RESULTS:
      Pedigree analysis, along with test and complementation breedings, indicated
      autosomal recessive inheritance and suggested that this disease is nonallelic to
      a retinal degeneration found in Persian cats. Mutation analysis confirmed the
      disease is not caused by CEP290 or CRX variants found predominantly in Abyssinian
      and Siamese cats. Ophthalmoscopic signs of retinal degeneration were noted at 9
      weeks of age and became more noticeable over the next 4 months. Visual deficits
      were behaviorally evident by 1 year of age. Electroretinogram demonstrated
      reduced rod and cone function at 7 and 9 weeks of age, respectively. Rod
      responses were mostly extinguished at 14 weeks of age; cone responses were
      minimal by 26 weeks. Histologic degeneration was first observed at 8 weeks,
      evidenced by reduced photoreceptor numbers, then rapid deterioration of the
      photoreceptor layer and, subsequently, severe outer retinal degeneration.
      CONCLUSIONS: A recessively inherited primary photoreceptor degeneration was
      characterized in the Bengal cat. The disease is characterized by early onset,
      with histologic, ophthalmoscopic, and electrophysiological signs evident by 2
      months of age, and rapid progression to blindness.

PMID- 26258615
TI  - Lens Position and Age: The Central India Eye and Medical Study.
AB  - PURPOSE: We assessed changes in the position of the lens with aging in a general
      population. METHODS: The population-based Central India Eye and Medical Study
      included 4711 subjects. As part of an ophthalmic examination, anterior segment
      length (ASL) was measured sonographically and calculated as anterior chamber
      depth plus lens thickness. Subjects with nuclear cataract grades 5 or more (43.9%
      of the sample) were excluded. RESULTS: The study included 2468 subjects (1176
      [47.6%] men) with a mean age of 41.2 +/- 8.5 years (range, 30-78 years) and mean
      axial length of 22.68 +/- 0.81 mm (range, 19.89-31.02 mm). In multivariate
      analysis, longer ASL was associated with older age (P = 0.04; correlation
      coefficient B, 0.002; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.000, 0.005) after adjusting
      for male sex (P < 0.001), longer axial length (P < 0.001), higher degree of
      nuclear cataract (P = 0.001), and higher body mass index (P = 0.02). Greater lens
      thickness was associated with older age (P < 0.001; B, 0.009; 95% CI, 0.007,
      0.0011) after adjusting for male sex (P < 0.001), shallower anterior chamber
      depth (P < 0.001), and higher degree of nuclear cataract (P < 0.001). Deeper
      anterior chamber depth was associated with younger age (P < 0.001; B, -0.007; 95%
      CI, -0.008, -0.005) after adjusting for male sex (P < 0.001), thinner lens
      thickness (P < 0.001), and longer axial length (P < 0.001). Combining both
      analyses revealed that for each year increase in age, lens thickness increased by
      0.009 mm, anterior chamber depth decreased by 0.007 mm, the posterior lens pole
      moved backward by 0.002 mm, and the lens center moved forward by 0.0025 mm.
      CONCLUSIONS: Increasing age before the development of cataract is associated with
      a slight forward movement of the lens center, adding to the lens paradox.

PMID- 26258617
TI  - Alteration of N-Glycan Profiles in Diabetic Retinopathy.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the alteration of vitreal N-glycans in patients with
      proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). METHODS: Plasma and vitreous samples
      were collected from 17 patients (10 females and 7 males) with PDR (PDR group) and
      17 nondiabetic patients (8 females and 9 males) with epiretinal membrane (ERM)
      and idiopathic macular hole (MH) (non-diabetes mellitus [DM] group). Profiles of
      N-glycans were analyzed by a glycoblotting-based high-throughput protocol that we
      recently developed. Human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMECs) were
      cultivated with culture media containing either low glucose (5 mM) or high
      glucose (25 mM), and expression levels of sialyltransferases were analyzed by
      real-time PCR and ELISA. RESULTS: Amount of N-glycans in the vitreous fluid of
      the PDR group was significantly higher than that of the non-DM group (495.5 +/-
      37.4 vs. 142.7 +/- 30.8 pmol/100 MUg protein, P < 0.005), whereas there was no
      significant difference in the plasma samples between the PDR and the non-DM
      group. In addition, profile analysis showed that N-glycans with sialic acids
      increased in the vitreous of the PDR group (328.4 +/- 25.8 pmol/100 MUg protein)
      compared to the non-DM group (92.1 +/- 21.2 pmol/100 MUg protein, P < 0.0005).
      Expression levels of sialyltransferases ST3GAL1 and ST3GAL4 were upregulated in
      the HRMECs after high-glucose stimulation. Consistent with the real-time PCR
      data, high-glucose stimulation elevated the protein levels of ST3GAL1 (117.4 +/-
      14.9 pg/mg, P < 0.01) and ST3GAL4 (6.1 +/- 0.9 pg/mg, P < 0.05) in the HRMECs
      compared with the cells cultured with low-glucose culture media (ST3GAL1, 64.4 +/
      5.8 pg/mg; ST3GAL4, 3.8 +/- 0.3 pg/mg). CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate
      distinct changes in the N-glycan profile and an increase in sialylated N-glycans
      in eyes with PDR.

PMID- 26258618
TI  - Switchable Pickering Emulsions Stabilized by Awakened TiO2 Nanoparticle
      Emulsifiers Using UV/Dark Actuation.
AB  - In this work, switchable Pickering emulsions that utilize UV/dark manipulation
      employ a type of smart TiO2 nanoparticle as emulsifiers. The emulsifiers can be
      awakened when needed via UV-induced degradation of grafted silanes on TiO2
      nanoparticles. By tuning the surface wettability of TiO2 nanoparticles in situ
      via UV/dark actuation, emulsions stabilized by the nanoparticles can be
      reversibly switched between the water-in-oil (W/O) type and oil-in-water (O/W)
      type for several cycles. Due to the convertible wettability, the smart
      nanoparticle emulsifiers can be settled in either the oil phase or the water
      phase as desired during phase separation, making it convenient for recycling. The
      present work provides a facile and noninvasive method to freely manipulate the
      formation, breakage, and switching of the emulsion; this method has promising
      potential as a powerful technique for use in energy-efficient and environmentally
      friendly industries. 

PMID- 26258619
TI  - [Complications after Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy Tube Placement - A
      Retrospective Analysis].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Enteral nutrition is vital for patients with inadequate or absent
      oral food intake, as it can help to avoid catabolic metabolism. Enteral feeding
      can be secured by placing a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube (PEG-tube)
      which is an approved method. Several clinical studies could verify the
      superiority of this procedure compared to other options. Even though PEG-tube
      placement is regarded as less invasive surgery, a considerable rate of
      complications is reported in literature. MATERIAL/METHODS: Here, we report a
      retrospective analysis of PEG-tube placements in the Bonn University Hospital
      from January 2005 to December 2012. RESULTS: Overall, 641 PEG-tubes were placed
      with a complication rate of 9.4 %, which can be further divided in 5.5 % minor
      complications (mic) and 3.9 % major complications (mac). Two cases of death
      occurred in the context of PEG-tube placement. Endoscopically inserted PEG-tubes
      showed a complication rate of 8.6 % (4.8 % mic, 3.8 % mac). 63.2 % of mac
      consisted of perforations, 15.8 % of intra-abdominal abscesses and 15.8 % of
      buried bumper syndromes. The complication rate of CT-guided placement of PEG
      tubes was 38.9 % (27.8 % mic, 11.1 % mac). In this group, all mac were
      perforations. Surgical PEG-tube placement was accompanied by no mac and 7.7 %
      mic. CONCLUSION: The amount of complications during PEG-tube placement is
      remarkable, therefore the indication of this procedure must be contemplated
      critically and careful follow-up is crucial.

PMID- 26258620
TI  - [Computed Tomography-Based Planimetry of the Pancreatic Transection Line in Risk
      Evaluation for Postoperative Pancreatic Fistula after Pancreatic Head Resection].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Postoperative pancreatic fistula is a relevant complication after
      pancreatoduodenectomy. Therefore, preoperative detection of high risk patients
      may be important. We evaluated preoperative CT-imaging by planimetry at the
      expected resection plane along the superior mesenteric vein and correlated the
      results with the incidence of postoperative pancreatic fistula. PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: From 2009 to 2013, 123 patients with pancreatoduodenectomy underwent
      homogenous preoperative imaging and reconstruction of the pancreatojejunostomy.
      Planimetry was performed at a multiplanar reconstruction of the pancreatic
      transection plane (diameter, range, duct width, area) as well as the calculation
      of ratios (duct width/pancreatic diameter; D/P-ratio). The measured values were
      correlated with the incidence of postoperative pancreatic fistula. RESULTS:
      Planimetry showed a significant difference of the pancreatic transection plane in
      relation to the incidence of postoperative pancreatic fistula. A thick parenchyma
      and a tiny duct are significant risk factors. In 84 % or, respectively, 94 % of
      the patients with postoperative pancreatic fistula, a duct width of less than 20
      % of the pancreatic diameter was observed (D/P ratio < 0.2; p < 0.01). The D/P
      ratio was the only independent risk factor in multivariate analysis. DISCUSSION:
      The incidence of postoperative pancreatic fistula correlates significantly with
      the morphology of the pancreatic transection plane. The risk increases
      significantly with a D/P ratio of < 0.2.

PMID- 26258621
TI  - [Young Women - Problematic Patients in Vascular Surgery].
AB  - The treatment of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in young women between 40 and
      60 years of age represents a difficult challenge for the vascular surgeon.
      Excessive smoking, an early menopause and the unfavourable anatomic proportions
      of thinner arterial vessels or vein grafts during peripheral bypass-surgery lead
      to a higher rate of complications or re-occlusion following invasive therapy in
      comparison to male patients. A special anatomic manifestation appearing nearly
      only in women around the 6th decade is the so-called aortoiliac hypoplastic
      syndrome with a high rate of re-occlusion after balloon-dilatation or local
      thrombendarteriectomy and bypass grafting, respectively. Variabilities in
      coagulation and the undertreatment of classical risk factors of PAD by medical
      drugs lead to poorer results in the treatment of PAD in young women. Therefore a
      conservative therapy - whenever feasible - should be the first choice for
      treating PAD in young women. 

PMID- 26258622
TI  - Androgen Receptor Coactivator ARID4B Is Required for the Function of Sertoli
      Cells in Spermatogenesis.
AB  - Defects in spermatogenesis, a process that produces spermatozoa inside
      seminiferous tubules of the testis, result in male infertility. Spermatogenic
      progression is highly dependent on a microenvironment provided by Sertoli cells,
      the only somatic cells and epithelium of seminiferous tubules. However, genes
      that regulate such an important activity of Sertoli cells are poorly understood.
      Here, we found that AT-rich interactive domain 4B (ARID4B), is essential for the
      function of Sertoli cells to regulate spermatogenesis. Specifically, we generated
      Sertoli cell-specific Arid4b knockout (Arid4bSCKO) mice, and showed that the
      Arid4bSCKO male mice were completely infertile with impaired testis development
      and significantly reduced testis size. Importantly, severe structural defects
      accompanied by loss of germ cells and Sertoli cell-only phenotype were found in
      many seminiferous tubules of the Arid4bSCKO testes. In addition, maturation of
      Sertoli cells was significantly delayed in the Arid4bSCKO mice, associated with
      delayed onset of spermatogenesis. Spermatogenic progression was also defective,
      showing an arrest at the round spermatid stage in the Arid4bSCKO testes.
      Interestingly, we showed that ARID4B functions as a "coactivator" of androgen
      receptor and is required for optimal transcriptional activation of reproductive
      homeobox 5, an androgen receptor target gene specifically expressed in Sertoli
      cells and critical for spermatogenesis. Together, our study identified ARID4B to
      be a key regulator of Sertoli cell function important for male germ cell
      development. 

PMID- 26258624
TI  - Lower mitochondrial DNA copy number in peripheral blood leukocytes increases the
      risk of endometrial cancer.
AB  - Mitochondria are the primary source of energy generation in human cells. Low
      mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number in peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) has
      been associated with obesity and increased risks of several cancers. Since
      obesity is a significant risk factor for endometrial cancer, we hypothesize that
      low mtDNA copy number in PBLs is associated with an increased susceptibility to
      endometrial cancer. Using a Caucasian case-control study, we measured mtDNA copy
      number in PBLs from 139 endometrial cancer patients and 139 age-matched controls
      and determined the association of mtDNA copy number with the risk of endometrial
      cancer using multivariate logistic regression analysis. The normalized mtDNA copy
      number was significantly lower in endometrial cancer cases (median, 0.84; range,
      0.24-2.00) than in controls (median, 1.06; range, 0.64-1.96) (P < 0.001).
      Dichotomized into high and low groups based on the median mtDNA copy number value
      in the controls, individuals with low mtDNA copy number had a significantly
      increased risk of endometrial cancer (adjusted OR, 5.59; 95%CI, 3.05-10.25; P <
      0.001) compared to those with high mtDNA copy number. There was a significant
      dose-response association in tertile analysis. In addition, there was a
      significant joint effect between lower mtDNA copy number and never smoking,
      hypertension, diabetes, and obesity in elevating the risk of endometrial cancer.
      Low mtDNA copy number in PBLs is significantly associated with an increased risk
      of endometrial cancer in Caucasians. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 26258623
TI  - Limitations to oxygen transport and utilization during sprint exercise in humans:
      evidence for a functional reserve in muscle O2 diffusing capacity.
AB  - To determine the contribution of convective and diffusive limitations to
      V(O2peak) during exercise in humans, oxygen transport and haemodynamics were
      measured in 11 men (22 +/- 2 years) during incremental (IE) and 30 s all-out
      cycling sprints (Wingate test, WgT), in normoxia (Nx, P(IO2): 143 mmHg) and
      hypoxia (Hyp, P(IO2): 73 mmHg). Carboxyhaemoglobin (COHb) was increased to 6-7%
      before both WgTs to left-shift the oxyhaemoglobin dissociation curve. Leg V(O2)
      was measured by the Fick method and leg blood flow (BF) with thermodilution, and
      muscle O2 diffusing capacity (D(MO2)) was calculated. In the WgT mean power
      output, leg BF, leg O2 delivery and leg V(O2) were 7, 5, 28 and 23% lower in Hyp
      than Nx (P < 0.05); however, peak WgT D(MO2) was higher in Hyp (51.5 +/- 9.7)
      than Nx (20.5 +/- 3.0 ml min(-1) mmHg(-1), P < 0.05). Despite a similar P(aO2)
      (33.3 +/- 2.4 and 34.1 +/- 3.3 mmHg), mean capillary P(O2) (16.7 +/- 1.2 and 17.1
      +/- 1.6 mmHg), and peak perfusion during IE and WgT in Hyp, D(MO2) and leg V(O2)
      were 12 and 14% higher, respectively, during WgT than IE in Hyp (both P < 0.05).
      D(MO2) was insensitive to COHb (COHb: 0.7 vs. 7%, in IE Hyp and WgT Hyp). At
      exhaustion, the Y equilibration index was well above 1.0 in both conditions,
      reflecting greater convective than diffusive limitation to the O2 transfer in
      both Nx and Hyp. In conclusion, muscle V(O2) during sprint exercise is not
      limited by O2 delivery, O2 offloading from haemoglobin or structure-dependent
      diffusion constraints in the skeletal muscle. These findings reveal a remarkable
      functional reserve in muscle O2 diffusing capacity.

PMID- 26258625
TI  - Intravascular ultrasonic-photoacoustic (IVUP) endoscope with 2.2-mm diameter
      catheter for medical imaging.
AB  - Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging is extremely important for detection and
      characterization of high-risk atherosclerotic plaques as well as gastrointestinal
      diseases. Recently, intravascular photoacoustic (IVPA) imaging has been used to
      differentiate the composition of biological tissues with high optical contrast
      and ultrasonic resolution. The combination of these imaging techniques could
      provide morphological information and molecular screening to characterize
      abnormal tissues, which would help physicians to ensure vital therapeutic value
      and prognostic significance for patients before commencing therapy. In this
      study, integration of a high-frequency IVUS imaging catheter (45MHz, single
      element, unfocused, 0.7mm in diameter) with a multi-mode optical fiber (0.6mm in
      core diameter, 0.22 NA), an integrated intravascular ultrasonic-photoacoustic
      (IVUP) imaging catheter, was developed to provide spatial and functional
      information on light distribution in a turbid sample. Simultaneously, IVUS
      imaging was co-registered to IVPA imaging to construct 3D volumetric sample
      images. In a phantom study, a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) tissue-mimicking arterial
      vessel phantom with indocyanine green (ICG) and methylene blue (MB) inclusion was
      used to demonstrate the feasibility of mapping the biological dyes, which are
      used in cardiovascular and cancer diagnostics. For the ex vivo study, an excised
      sample of pig intestine with ICG was utilized to target the biomarkers present in
      the gastrointestinal tumors or the atherosclerotic plaques with the proposed
      hybrid technique. The results indicated that IVUP endoscope with the 2.2-mm
      diameter catheter could be a useful tool for medical imaging. 

PMID- 26258626
TI  - Cigarette smoke extract induces apoptosis of rat alveolar Type II cells via the
      PLTP/TGF-beta1/Smad2 pathway.
AB  - Apoptosis of alveolar epithelial cells has been implicated in the pathogenesis of
      acute lung injury. Phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) may play a role in
      apoptosis. In the present study, the effect of the novel function of PLTP in
      cigarette smoke extract (CSE)-induced apoptosis of alveolar epithelial cells and
      the possible mechanism were examined. Male Wistar rats were exposed to air and
      cigarette smoke (n=10/exposure) for 6h/day on 3 consecutive days, then the lungs
      were sectioned and examined. To investigate effects on alveolar epithelial cells,
      rat alveolar epithelial cells (RLE-6TN) were treated with different
      concentrations of CSE for various times. siRNA for PLTP was transfected into
      cells and an inhibitor of the transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) type I
      receptor was administered prior to CSE exposure. Apoptosis was measured, and mRNA
      expression of PLTP and TGF-beta1 and protein levels of PLTP, TGF-beta1, p-Smad2
      and cleaved caspase-3 were analyzed. The results showed that apoptosis, as well
      as expression of PLTP, TGF-beta1, p-Smad2 and cleaved caspase-3 were all
      significantly increased after CSE stimulation (P<0.05). Furthermore, the
      expression of TGF-beta1, p-Smad2 and cleaved caspase-3 induced by CSE could be
      partly abrogated by knockdown of PLTP. The expression of PLTP showed no
      significant change as a result of TGF-beta1 receptor inhibition, while cleaved
      caspase-3 showed a remarkable reduction. PLTP may act as an upstream signal
      molecule of the TGF-beta1/Smad2 pathway and is likely to be involved in CSE
      induced apoptosis of alveolar epithelial cells.

PMID- 26258627
TI  - Primary Posttransplant Plasmablastic Lymphoma of the Tongue: Report of a Case
      With Immunohistochemical and Molecular Studies.
AB  - Plasmablastic lymphoma is a rare, highly aggressive lymphoma characterized by
      large lymphoid cells with immunoblastic or plasmablastic features, absent
      expression of CD45 and CD20, positivity for CD138, and monoclonal rearrangement
      of the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene. It was originally reported in oral cavity
      in the setting of underlying human immunodeficiency viral infection but may occur
      also in lymph nodes or extranodal sites after transplantation and, more rarely,
      immunocompetent patients. Herein, we report a case of PBL presenting as an
      ulcerated lesion of the tongue in an HIV-negative patient, 6 years after renal
      transplantation. To date, only rare cases of plasmablastic lymphoma presenting
      after solid organ transplantation have been reported. Although a reduction of
      immunosuppression and an aggressive chemotherapy were performed, the patient died
      after a few months because of septic and cardiovascular complications. 

PMID- 26258628
TI  - Nitrogen-Doping Induced Self-Assembly of Graphene Nanoribbon-Based Two
      Dimensional and Three-Dimensional Metamaterials.
AB  - Narrow graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) constructed by atomically precise bottom-up
      synthesis from molecular precursors have attracted significant interest as
      promising materials for nanoelectronics. But there has been little awareness of
      the potential of GNRs to serve as nanoscale building blocks of novel materials.
      Here we show that the substitutional doping with nitrogen atoms can trigger the
      hierarchical self-assembly of GNRs into ordered metamaterials. We use GNRs doped
      with eight N atoms per unit cell and their undoped analogues, synthesized using
      both surface-assisted and solution approaches, to study this self-assembly on a
      support and in an unrestricted three-dimensional (3D) solution environment. On a
      surface, N-doping mediates the formation of hydrogen-bonded GNR sheets. In
      solution, sheets of side-by-side coordinated GNRs can in turn assemble via van
      der Waals and pi-stacking interactions into 3D stacks, a process that ultimately
      produces macroscopic crystalline structures. The optoelectronic properties of
      these semiconducting GNR crystals are determined entirely by those of the
      individual nanoscale constituents, which are tunable by varying their width, edge
      orientation, termination, and so forth. The atomically precise bottom-up
      synthesis of bulk quantities of basic nanoribbon units and their subsequent self
      assembly into crystalline structures suggests that the rapidly developing toolset
      of organic and polymer chemistry can be harnessed to realize families of novel
      carbon-based materials with engineered properties. 

PMID- 26258629
TI  - Biological evaluation of two Keggin-type polyoxometalates containing glycine as
      mushroom tyrosinase inhibitors.
AB  - Two Keggin-type polyoxometalates (POMs) containing glycine, (HGly)3 PW12 O40 and
      (HGly)4 SiW12 O40 , were synthesized and evaluated as mushroom tyrosinase
      inhibitors. The spectrophotometric method results showed that both (HGly)3 PW12
      O40 and (HGly)4 SiW12 O40 could strongly inhibit the diphenolase activity of the
      tyrosinase and that their inhibition mechanisms were reversible. Their half
      inhibition concentration values were estimated to be 1.55 and 1.39 mmol/L,
      respectively. The inhibition kinetics analysis by Lineweaver-Burk plots indicated
      that (HGly)3 PW12 O40 was an uncompetitive inhibitor with KIS  = 0.046 mmol/L,
      whereas (HGly)4 SiW12 O40 was a noncompetitive inhibitor with KI  = KIS  = 2.17
      mmol/L. This study may help to extend the application of POMs in the fields of
      medicine and food preservation.

PMID- 26258630
TI  - In Situ Method for Measuring the Mechanical Properties of Nafion Thin Films
      during Hydration Cycles.
AB  - Perfluorinated ionomers, in particular Nafion, are an essential component in
      hydrogen fuel cells, as both the proton exchange membrane and the binder within
      the catalyst layer. During normal operation of a hydrogen fuel cell, the ionomer
      will progressively swell and deswell in response to the changes in hydration,
      resulting in mechanical fatigue and ultimately failure over time. In this study,
      we have developed and implemented a cantilever bending technique in order to
      investigate the swelling-induced stresses in biaxially constrained Nafion thin
      films. When the deflection of a cantilever beam coated with a polymer film is
      monitored as it is exposed to varying humidity environments, the swelling induced
      stress-thickness product of the polymer film is measured. By combining the stress
      thickness results with a measurement of the swelling strain as a function of
      humidity, as measured by quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) and X-ray reflectivity
      (XR), the swelling stress can be determined. An estimate of the Young's modulus
      of thin Nafion films as a function of relative humidity is obtained. The Young's
      modulus values indicate orientation of the ionic domains within the polymer
      films, which were confirmed by grazing incidence small-angle X-ray scattering
      (GISAXS). This study represents a measurement platform that can be expanded to
      incorporate novel ionomer systems and fuel cell components to mimic the stress
      state of a working hydrogen fuel cell. 

PMID- 26258631
TI  - Adaptive changes in the kinetochore architecture facilitate proper spindle
      assembly.
AB  - Mitotic spindle formation relies on the stochastic capture of microtubules at
      kinetochores. Kinetochore architecture affects the efficiency and fidelity of
      this process with large kinetochores expected to accelerate assembly at the
      expense of accuracy, and smaller kinetochores to suppress errors at the expense
      of efficiency. We demonstrate that on mitotic entry, kinetochores in cultured
      human cells form large crescents that subsequently compact into discrete
      structures on opposite sides of the centromere. This compaction occurs only after
      the formation of end-on microtubule attachments. Live-cell microscopy reveals
      that centromere rotation mediated by lateral kinetochore-microtubule interactions
      precedes the formation of end-on attachments and kinetochore compaction.
      Computational analyses of kinetochore expansion-compaction in the context of
      lateral interactions correctly predict experimentally observed spindle assembly
      times with reasonable error rates. The computational model suggests that larger
      kinetochores reduce both errors and assembly times, which can explain the
      robustness of spindle assembly and the functional significance of enlarged
      kinetochores. 

PMID- 26258632
TI  - Mad1 promotes chromosome congression by anchoring a kinesin motor to the
      kinetochore.
AB  - For proper partitioning of genomes in mitosis, all chromosomes must be aligned at
      the spindle equator before the onset of anaphase. The spindle assembly checkpoint
      (SAC) monitors this process, generating a 'wait anaphase' signal at unattached
      kinetochores of misaligned chromosomes. However, the link between SAC activation
      and chromosome alignment is poorly understood. Here we show that Mad1, a core SAC
      component, plays a hitherto concealed role in chromosome alignment. Protein
      protein interaction screening revealed that fission yeast Mad1 binds the plus-end
      directed kinesin-5 motor protein Cut7 (Eg5 homologue), which is generally thought
      to promote spindle bipolarity. We demonstrate that Mad1 recruits Cut7 to
      kinetochores of misaligned chromosomes and promotes chromosome gliding towards
      the spindle equator. Similarly, human Mad1 recruits another kinetochore motor
      CENP-E, revealing that Mad1 is the conserved dual-function protein acting in SAC
      activation and chromosome gliding. Our results suggest that the mitotic
      checkpoint has co-evolved with a mechanism to drive chromosome congression. 

PMID- 26258634
TI  - Guardianship and End-of-Life Decision Making.
AB  - As the population ages, more adults will develop impaired decision-making
      capacity and have no family members or friends available to make medical
      decisions on their behalf. In such situations, a professional guardian is often
      appointed by the court. This official has no preexisting relationship with the
      impaired individual but is paid to serve as a surrogate decision maker. When a
      professional guardian is faced with decisions concerning life-sustaining
      treatment, substituted judgment may be impossible, and reports have repeatedly
      suggested that guardians are reluctant to make the decision to limit care.
      Physicians are well positioned to assist guardians with these decisions and
      safeguard the rights of the vulnerable persons they represent. Doing so
      effectively requires knowledge of the laws governing end-of-life decisions by
      guardians. However, physicians are often uncertain about whether guardians are
      empowered to withhold treatment and when their decisions require judicial review.
      To address this issue, we analyzed state guardianship statutes and reviewed
      recent legal cases to characterize the authority of a guardian over choices about
      end-of-life treatment. We found that most state guardianship statutes have no
      language about end-of-life decisions. We identified 5 legal cases during the past
      decade that addressed a guardian's authority over these decisions, and only 1
      case provided a broad framework applicable to clinical practice. Work to improve
      end-of-life decision making by guardians may benefit from a multidisciplinary
      effort to develop comprehensive standards to guide clinicians and guardians when
      treatment decisions need to be made. 

PMID- 26258633
TI  - Genome-wide association between YAP/TAZ/TEAD and AP-1 at enhancers drives
      oncogenic growth.
AB  - YAP/TAZ are nuclear effectors of the Hippo pathway regulating organ growth and
      tumorigenesis. Yet, their function as transcriptional regulators remains
      underinvestigated. By ChIP-seq analyses in breast cancer cells, we discovered
      that the YAP/TAZ transcriptional response is pervasively mediated by a dual
      element: TEAD factors, through which YAP/TAZ bind to DNA, co-occupying chromatin
      with activator protein-1 (AP-1, dimer of JUN and FOS proteins) at composite cis
      regulatory elements harbouring both TEAD and AP-1 motifs. YAP/TAZ/TEAD and AP-1
      form a complex that synergistically activates target genes directly involved in
      the control of S-phase entry and mitosis. This control occurs almost exclusively
      from distal enhancers that contact target promoters through chromatin looping.
      YAP/TAZ-induced oncogenic growth is strongly enhanced by gain of AP-1 and
      severely blunted by its loss. Conversely, AP-1-promoted skin tumorigenesis is
      prevented in YAP/TAZ conditional knockout mice. This work highlights a new layer
      of signalling integration, feeding on YAP/TAZ function at the chromatin level. 

PMID- 26258635
TI  - BT-benzo-29 inhibits bacterial cell proliferation by perturbing FtsZ assembly.
AB  - We have identified a potent antibacterial agent N-(4-sec-butylphenyl)-2-(thiophen
      2-yl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazole-4-carboxamide (BT-benzo-29) from a library of
      benzimidazole derivatives that stalled bacterial division by inhibiting FtsZ
      assembly. A short (5 min) exposure of BT-benzo-29 disassembled the cytokinetic Z
      ring in Bacillus subtilis cells without affecting the cell length and nucleoids.
      BT-benzo-29 also perturbed the localization of early and late division proteins
      such as FtsA, ZapA and SepF at the mid-cell. Further, BT-benzo-29 bound to FtsZ
      with a dissociation constant of 24 +/- 3 MUm and inhibited the assembly and
      GTPase activity of purified FtsZ. A docking analysis suggested that BT-benzo-29
      may bind to FtsZ at the C-terminal domain near the T7 loop. BT-benzo-29 displayed
      significantly weaker inhibitory effects on the assembly and GTPase activity of
      two mutants (L272A and V275A) of FtsZ supporting the prediction of the docking
      analysis. Further, BT-benzo-29 did not appear to inhibit DNA duplication and
      nucleoid segregation and it did not perturb the membrane potential of B. subtilis
      cells. The results suggested that BT-benzo-29 exerts its potent antibacterial
      activity by inhibiting FtsZ assembly. Interestingly, BT-benzo-29 did not affect
      the membrane integrity of mammalian red blood cells. BT-benzo-29 bound to tubulin
      with a much weaker affinity than FtsZ and exerted significantly weaker effects on
      mammalian cells than on the bacterial cells indicating that the compound may have
      a strong antibacterial potential.

PMID- 26258636
TI  - Crystal structures of the PsbS protein essential for photoprotection in plants.
AB  - The photosystem II protein PsbS has an essential role in qE-type nonphotochemical
      quenching, which protects plants from photodamage under excess light conditions.
      qE is initiated by activation of PsbS by low pH, but the mechanism of PsbS action
      remains elusive. Here we report the low-pH crystal structures of PsbS from
      spinach in its free form and in complex with the qE inhibitor N,N'
      dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD), revealing that PsbS adopts a unique folding
      pattern, and, unlike other members of the light-harvesting-complex superfamily,
      it is a noncanonical pigment-binding protein. Structural and biochemical evidence
      shows that both active and inactive PsbS form homodimers in the thylakoid
      membranes, and DCCD binding disrupts the lumenal intermolecular hydrogen bonds of
      the active PsbS dimer. Activation of PsbS by low pH during qE may involve a
      conformational change associated with altered lumenal intermolecular interactions
      of the PsbS dimer. 

PMID- 26258637
TI  - Structure of Rab11-FIP3-Rabin8 reveals simultaneous binding of FIP3 and Rabin8
      effectors to Rab11.
AB  - The small GTPase Rab11 and its effectors FIP3 and Rabin8 are essential to
      membrane-trafficking pathways required for cytokinesis and ciliogenesis. Although
      effector binding is generally assumed to be sequential and mutually exclusive, we
      show that Rab11 can simultaneously bind FIP3 and Rabin8. We determined crystal
      structures of human Rab11-GMPPNP-Rabin8 and Rab11-GMPPNP-FIP3-Rabin8. The
      structures reveal that the C-terminal domain of Rabin8 adopts a previously
      undescribed fold that interacts with Rab11 at an unusual effector-binding site
      neighboring the canonical FIP3-binding site. We show that Rab11-GMPPNP-FIP3
      Rabin8 is more stable than Rab11-GMPPNP-Rabin8, owing to direct interaction
      between Rabin8 and FIP3 within the dual effector-bound complex. The data allow us
      to propose a model for how membrane-targeting complexes assemble at the trans
      Golgi network and recycling endosomes, through multiple weak interactions that
      create high-avidity complexes.

PMID- 26258638
TI  - Probing Galphai1 protein activation at single-amino acid resolution.
AB  - We present comprehensive maps at single-amino acid resolution of the residues
      stabilizing the human Galphai1 subunit in nucleotide- and receptor-bound states.
      We generated these maps by measuring the effects of alanine mutations on the
      stability of Galphai1 and the rhodopsin-Galphai1 complex. We identified
      stabilization clusters in the GTPase and helical domains responsible for
      structural integrity and the conformational changes associated with activation.
      In activation cluster I, helices alpha1 and alpha5 pack against strands beta1
      beta3 to stabilize the nucleotide-bound states. In the receptor-bound state,
      these interactions are replaced by interactions between alpha5 and strands beta4
      beta6. Key residues in this cluster are Y320, which is crucial for the
      stabilization of the receptor-bound state, and F336, which stabilizes nucleotide
      bound states. Destabilization of helix alpha1, caused by rearrangement of this
      activation cluster, leads to the weakening of the interdomain interface and
      release of GDP. 

PMID- 26258639
TI  - A software tool for tomographic axial superresolution in STED microscopy.
AB  - A method for generating three-dimensional tomograms from multiple three
      dimensional axial projections in STimulated Emission Depletion (STED)
      superresolution microscopy is introduced. Our STED< method, based on the use of a
      micromirror placed on top of a standard microscopic sample, is used to record a
      three-dimensional projection at an oblique angle in relation to the main optical
      axis. Combining the STED< projection with the regular STED image into a single
      view by tomographic reconstruction, is shown to result in a tomogram with three
      to-four-fold improved apparent axial resolution. Registration of the different
      projections is based on the use of a mutual-information histogram similarity
      metric. Fusion of the projections into a single view is based on Richardson-Lucy
      iterative deconvolution algorithm, modified to work with multiple projections.
      Our tomographic reconstruction method is demonstrated to work with real
      biological STED superresolution images, including a data set with a limited
      signal-to-noise ratio (SNR); the reconstruction software (SuperTomo) and its
      source code will be released under BSD open-source license. 

PMID- 26258640
TI  - Deficient angiogenesis in redox-dead Cys17Ser PKARIalpha knock-in mice.
AB  - Angiogenesis is essential for tissue development, wound healing and tissue
      perfusion, with its dysregulation linked to tumorigenesis, rheumatoid arthritis
      and heart disease. Here we show that pro-angiogenic stimuli couple to NADPH
      oxidase-dependent generation of oxidants that catalyse an activating
      intermolecular-disulphide between regulatory-RIalpha subunits of protein kinase A
      (PKA), which stimulates PKA-dependent ERK signalling. This is crucial to blood
      vessel growth as 'redox-dead' Cys17Ser RIalpha knock-in mice fully resistant to
      PKA disulphide-activation have deficient angiogenesis in models of hind limb
      ischaemia and tumour-implant growth. Disulphide-activation of PKA represents a
      new therapeutic target in diseases with aberrant angiogenesis. 

PMID- 26258641
TI  - Palate Shape and Depth: A Shape-Matching and Machine Learning Method for
      Estimating Ancestry from Human Skeletal Remains.
AB  - In the past, assessing ancestry relied on the naked eye and observer experience;
      however, replicability has become an important aspect of such analysis through
      the application of metric techniques. This study examines palate shape and
      assesses ancestry quantitatively using a 3D digitizer and shape-matching and
      machine learning methods. Palate curves and depths were recorded, processed, and
      tested for 376 individuals. Palate shape was an accurate indicator of ancestry in
      58% of cases. Cluster analysis revealed that the parabolic, hyperbolic, and
      elliptical shapes are discrete from one another. Preliminary results indicate
      that palate depth in Hispanic individuals is greatest. Palate shape appears to be
      a useful indicator of ancestry, particularly when assessed by a computer.
      However, these data suggest that palate shape is not useful for assessing
      ancestry in Hispanic individuals. Although ancestry may be determined from palate
      shape, the use of multiple features is recommended and more reliable. 

PMID- 26258642
TI  - Formin-like2 regulates Rho/ROCK pathway to promote actin assembly and cell
      invasion of colorectal cancer.
AB  - Formin-like2 (FMNL2) is a member of the diaphanous-related formins family, which
      act as effectors and upstream modulators of Rho GTPases signaling and control the
      actin-dependent processes, such as cell motility or invasion. FMNL2 has been
      identified as promoting the motility and metastasis in colorectal carcinoma
      (CRC). However, whether FMNL2 regulates Rho signaling to promote cancer cell
      invasion remains unclear. In this study, we demonstrated an essential role for
      FMNL2 in the activations of Rho/ROCK pathway, SRF transcription or actin
      assembly, and subsequent CRC cell invasion. FMNL2 could activate Rho/ROCK
      pathway, and required ROCK to promote CRC cell invasion. Moreover, FMNL2 promoted
      the formation of filopodia and stress fiber, and activated the SRF transcription
      in a Rho-dependent manner. We also demonstrated that FMNL2 was necessary for LPA
      induced invasion, RhoA/ROCK activation, actin assembly and SRF activation. FMNL2
      was an essential component of LPA signal transduction toward RhoA by directly
      interacting with LARG. LARG silence inhibited RhoA/ROCK pathway and CRC cell
      invasion. Collectively, these data indicate that FMNL2, acting as upstream of
      RhoA by interacting with LARG, can promote actin assembly and CRC cell invasion
      through a Rho/ROCK-dependent mechanism.

PMID- 26258644
TI  - A Comprehensive and Harmonized Digital Forensic Investigation Process Model.
AB  - Performing a digital forensic investigation (DFI) requires a standardized and
      formalized process. There is currently neither an international standard nor does
      a global, harmonized DFI process (DFIP) exist. The authors studied existing state
      of-the-art DFIP models and concluded that there are significant disparities
      pertaining to the number of processes, the scope, the hierarchical levels, and
      concepts applied. This paper proposes a comprehensive model that harmonizes
      existing models. An effort was made to incorporate all types of processes
      proposed by the existing models, including those aimed at achieving digital
      forensic readiness. The authors introduce a novel class of processes called
      concurrent processes. This is a novel contribution that should, together with the
      rest of the model, enable more efficient and effective DFI, while ensuring
      admissibility of digital evidence. Ultimately, the proposed model is intended to
      be used for different types of DFI and should lead to standardization.

PMID- 26258643
TI  - Endotoxin Exposure: Predictors and Prevalence of Associated Asthma Outcomes in
      the United States.
AB  - RATIONALE: Inhaled endotoxin induces airway inflammation and is an established
      risk factor for asthma. The 2005-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination
      Survey included measures of endotoxin and allergens in homes as well as specific
      IgE to inhalant allergens. OBJECTIVES: To understand the relationships between
      endotoxin exposure, asthma outcomes, and sensitization status for 15
      aeroallergens in a nationally representative sample. METHODS: Participants were
      administered questionnaires in their homes. Reservoir dust was vacuum sampled to
      generate composite bedding and bedroom floor samples. We analyzed 7,450 National
      Health and Nutrition Examination Survey dust and quality assurance samples for
      their endotoxin content using extreme quality assurance measures. Data for 6,963
      subjects were available, making this the largest study of endotoxin exposure to
      date. Log-transformed endotoxin concentrations were analyzed using logistic
      models and forward stepwise linear regression. Analyses were weighted to provide
      national prevalence estimates and unbiased variances. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN
      RESULTS: Endotoxin exposure was significantly associated with wheeze in the past
      12 months, wheeze during exercise, doctor and/or emergency room visits for
      wheeze, and use of prescription medications for wheeze. Models adjusted for age,
      sex, race and/or ethnicity, and poverty-to-income ratio and stratified by allergy
      status showed that these relationships were not dependent upon sensitization
      status but were worsened among those living in poverty. Significant predictors of
      higher endotoxin exposures were lower family income; Hispanic ethnicity;
      participant age; dog(s), cat(s), cockroaches, and/or smoker(s) in the home; and
      carpeted floors. CONCLUSIONS: In this U.S. nationwide representative sample,
      higher endotoxin exposure was significantly associated with measures of wheeze,
      with no observed protective effect regardless of sensitization status.

PMID- 26258645
TI  - The Prediction Predicament: Rethinking Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections
      Mortality.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Our study sought to identify independent risk factors predisposing
      patients with necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTIs) to mortality from among
      laboratory values, demographic data, and microbiologic findings in a small
      population. To this end, a retrospective review was conducted of the medical
      records of all patients with NSTI who had been treated at our institution from
      2003 to 2012 (n=134). METHODS: Baseline demographics and comorbidities, clinical
      and laboratory values, hospital course, and the microbiologic characteristics of
      surgical incision cultures were recorded. Each variable was tested for
      association with survival status and all associated variables with p<0.15 were
      included in a logistic regression model to seek factors associated independently
      with mortality. RESULTS: Surprisingly, no demographic or pre-existing condition
      proved to be a predictor of mortality. Two laboratory values had an inverse
      correlation to mortality: High C-reactive protein (CRP) and highest recorded CRP.
      Of surgical incisions that grew bacteria in culture, 33.6% were polymicrobial.
      Mortality rates were highest with Enterococcus-containing polymicrobial
      infections (50%), followed by those containing Pseudomonas (40%), and
      Streptococcus spp. (27%). Understanding why so many studies across the
      literature, now including our own, find such disparate results for correlation of
      NSTI mortality with patient data may lie in the fundamentally dynamic nature of
      the organisms involved. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that no single factor
      present on admission is a robust predictor of outcome; it is likely that survival
      in NSTI is predicated upon a complex interaction of multiple host and microbial
      factors that do not lend themselves to reduction into a simple formula. It is
      also abundantly clear that the well-established principles of NSTI surgery should
      continue to be followed in all cases, with an emphasis on early debridement,
      irrespective of apparent severity of initial presentation.

PMID- 26258646
TI  - Corticosteroids for Severe Community-Acquired Pneumonia: Time to Change Clinical
      Practice.

PMID- 26258647
TI  - Modeling and Understanding Combination pMDI Formulations with Both Dissolved and
      Suspended Drugs.
AB  - A simulation model has been established to predict the residual aerodynamic
      particle size distribution (APSD) of dual-component pressurized metered dose
      inhalers (pMDIs). More specifically, this model estimates the APSD of pMDI
      formulations containing dissolved and suspended compounds for various
      formulations, and has been verified experimentally. Simulated and experimental
      data illustrate that APSDs of the dissolved and suspended components of the pMDI
      are influenced by concentrations of the dissolved and micronized suspended drugs,
      along with suspended drug size. Atomized droplets from such combination
      formulations may contain varying number of suspended drug particles and a
      representative concentration of dissolved drug. These sub-populations of atomized
      droplets may explain the residual APSDs. The suspended drug follows a monomodal,
      lognormal distribution and is more greatly impacted by the size and concentration
      of the suspended drug in comparison to the concentration of dissolved drug. On
      the other hand, dissolved drug illustrates a bimodal, lognormal residual particle
      size distribution both theoretically and experimentally. The smaller mode
      consists of residual particles made of dissolved drug only, while the larger mode
      consists of residual particles that contain both dissolved and suspended drugs.
      The model effectively predicted the size distributions of both the dissolved and
      suspended components of combination formulations (r(2) value of 0.914 for the
      comparison of simulated versus experimental MMAD values for the formulations
      examined). The results demonstrate that this model is a useful tool that may be
      able to expedite the development of combination pMDI formulation. 

PMID- 26258648
TI  - Decoy Database Improvement for Protein Folding.
AB  - Predicting protein structures and simulating protein folding are two of the most
      important problems in computational biology today. Simulation methods rely on a
      scoring function to distinguish the native structure (the most energetically
      stable) from non-native structures. Decoy databases are collections of non-native
      structures used to test and verify these functions. We present a method to
      evaluate and improve the quality of decoy databases by adding novel structures
      and removing redundant structures. We test our approach on 20 different decoy
      databases of varying size and type and show significant improvement across a
      variety of metrics. We also test our improved databases on two popular modern
      scoring functions and show that for most cases they contain a greater or equal
      number of native-like structures than the original databases, thereby producing a
      more rigorous database for testing scoring functions. 

PMID- 26258649
TI  - Formation of Novel Aqueous Two-Phase Systems with Piperazinium-Based Ionic
      Liquids and Anionic Surfactants: Phase Behavior and Microstructure.
AB  - Two novel aqueous two-phase systems (ATPSs) involving protic piperazinium-based
      ionic liquids (ILs) and anionic surfactants were found in the 1-ethylpiperazinium
      tetrafluoroborate ([C2pi][BF4]) + sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) + H2O system and
      the 1-phenylpiperazinium tetrafluoroborate ([Phpi][BF4]) + sodium dodecyl
      benzenesulfonate (SDBS) + H2O system. The ATPS regions in the ternary phase
      diagrams were determined, and the compositions and the microstructures of the
      conjugated phases were analyzed by UV-vis, (1)H NMR, DLS, and cryogenic TEM
      measurements. The results demonstrate size-enhanced micelles for both ATPSs. The
      strong electrostatic interactions between the cationic moiety of IL and the
      anionic surfactant play a very important role in the assembly of the large
      aggregates, and the cation-pi interactions are involved in the [Phpi][BF4] + SDBS
      + H2O ATPS. In addition, the small cationic moiety of [C2pi][BF4] can be packed
      in the micelles, while the larger hydrophilic cationic moiety of [Phpi][BF4]
      makes it difficult to get into the micelles, leading to the different size
      enhancement effects. The driving force of phase separation is the formation and
      distribution of the large aggregates in the aqueous solutions. This work presents
      a novel nonaromatic ATPS formed by a piperazinium-based IL and an anionic
      surfactant, in which considerable size enhancement of aggregates takes place
      without the assistance of aromaticity in contrast to the other aromatic ATPSs. 

PMID- 26258650
TI  - Dysregulation of the Transforming Growth Factor beta Pathway in Induced
      Pluripotent Stem Cells Generated from Patients with Diamond Blackfan Anemia.
AB  - Diamond Blackfan Anemia (DBA) is an inherited bone marrow failure syndrome with
      clinical features of red cell aplasia and variable developmental abnormalities.
      Most affected patients have heterozygous loss of function mutations in ribosomal
      protein genes but the pathogenic mechanism is still unknown. We generated induced
      pluripotent stem cells from DBA patients carrying RPS19 or RPL5 mutations.
      Transcriptome analysis revealed the striking dysregulation of the transforming
      growth factor beta (TGFbeta) signaling pathway in DBA lines. Expression of
      TGFbeta target genes, such as TGFBI, BAMBI, COL3A1 and SERPINE1 was significantly
      increased in the DBA iPSCs. We quantified intermediates in canonical and non
      canonical TGFbeta pathways and observed a significant increase in the levels of
      the non-canonical pathway mediator p-JNK in the DBA iPSCs. Moreover, when the
      mutant cells were corrected by ectopic expression of WT RPS19 or RPL5, levels of
      p-JNK returned to normal. Surprisingly, nuclear levels of SMAD4, a mediator of
      canonical TGFbeta signaling, were decreased in DBA cells due to increased
      proteolytic turnover. We also observed the up-regulation of TGFbeta1R, TGFbeta2,
      CDKN1A and SERPINE1 mRNA, and the significant decrease of GATA1 mRNA in the
      primitive multilineage progenitors. In summary our observations identify for the
      first time a dysregulation of the TGFbeta pathway in the pathobiology of DBA. 

PMID- 26258651
TI  - An electro-conductive fluid as a responsive implant for the controlled stimuli
      release of diclofenac sodium.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to develop an electro-responsive co-polymeric (ERP)
      implantable gel from polyethylene glycol (PEG), sodium polystyrene sulphonate
      (NaPss), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and diethyl acetomidomalonate (DAA) for electro
      liberation of the model drug diclofenac sodium. Various physicochemical and
      physicomechanical characterization tests were undertaken on the synthesized drug
      free gel (ERP G1) and drug-loaded gel (ERP G2). The ability of the gel to release
      diclofenac sodium following electrical stimulation was evaluated using a
      galvanostat while Molecular Mechanics (MM) simulations were performed to
      elucidate the experimental mechanisms. A stable electro-active gel exhibiting
      superior cycling stability was produced with desirable rheological properties,
      rigidity (BHN = 35.4 N +/- 0.33 N/mm2; resilience = 10.91 +/- 0.11%), thermal
      properties (Tg ~ 70  degrees C; Tc ~ 200  degrees C) and homogeneous morphology.
      "ON-OFF" pursatile gradual drug release (37-94% from t30 min-t180 min) kinetics
      was observed upon applying electric stimulation intermittently, indicating that
      drug release from the gel was electrically controlled. Overall, the galvanometric
      and MM evaluation ascertained the suitability of the PEG/NaPss/PVA ERP-Gel for
      application as a subcutaneously injectable drug delivery implant.

PMID- 26258652
TI  - Tlx3 promotes glutamatergic neuronal subtype specification through direct
      interactions with the chromatin modifier CBP.
AB  - Nervous system development relies on the generation of precise numbers of
      excitatory and inhibitory neurons. The homeodomain transcription factor, T-cell
      leukemia 3 (Tlx3), functions as the master neuronal fate regulator by
      instructively promoting the specification of glutamatergic excitatory neurons and
      suppressing the specification of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABAergic) neurons.
      However, how Tlx3 promotes glutamatergic neuronal subtype specification is poorly
      understood. In this study, we found that Tlx3 directly interacts with the
      epigenetic co-activator cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-response element
      binding protein (CREB)-binding protein (CBP) and that the Tlx3 homeodomain is
      essential for this interaction. The interaction between Tlx3 and CBP was enhanced
      by the three amino acid loop extension (TALE)-class homeodomain transcription
      factor, pre-B-cell leukemia transcription factor 3 (Pbx3). Using mouse embryonic
      stem (ES) cells stably expressing Tlx3, we found that the interaction between
      Tlx3 and CBP became detectable only after these Tlx3-expressing ES cells were
      committed to a neural lineage, which coincided with increased Pbx3 expression
      during neural differentiation from ES cells. Forced expression of mutated Tlx3
      lacking the homeodomain in ES cells undergoing neural differentiation resulted in
      significantly reduced expression of glutamatergic neuronal subtype markers, but
      had little effect on the expression on pan neural markers. Collectively, our
      results strongly suggest that functional interplay between Tlx3 and CBP plays a
      critical role in neuronal subtype specification, providing novel insights into
      the epigenetic regulatory mechanism that modulates the transcriptional efficacy
      of a selective set of neuronal subtype-specific genes during differentiation. 

PMID- 26258654
TI  - Multicolor Depth-Resolved Cathodoluminescence from Eu-Doped SiOC Thin Films.
AB  - A very bright room-temperature cathodoluminescence (CL) signal, tunable in the
      visible range by changing the Eu(2+) concentration, has been observed in Eu-doped
      SiOC films. Depth-resolved CL measurements demonstrate that a bilayer consisting
      of two SiOC films containing different Eu concentrations allows the continuous
      tuning of the Eu(2+) emission from blue to green by changing the energy of the
      exciting electrons. Furthermore, the proper control at the nanoscale of the
      electron penetration depth allows to obtain a high-quality white light emission.
      The compatibility of SiOC films with Si technology opens the way to promising
      applications of Eu-based materials in lighting and display technologies. 

PMID- 26258653
TI  - Corpus Callosum Diffusion and Language Lateralization in Patients with Brain
      Tumors: A DTI and fMRI Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Examining how left-hemisphere brain tumors might impact
      both the microstructure of the corpus callosum (CC) as measured by fractional
      anisotropy (FA) values in diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) as well as cortical
      language lateralization measured with functional MRI (fMRI). METHODS: fMRI tasks
      (phonemic fluency and verb generation) were performed in order to detect
      activation in Broca's and Wernicke's area. Twenty patients with left-hemisphere
      brain tumors were investigated. fMRI results were divided into left dominant
      (LD), right dominant (RD), or codominant (CD) for language function. DTI was
      performed to generate FA maps in the anterior and posterior CC. FA values were
      correlated with the degree of language dominance. RESULTS: Patients who were LD
      or RD for language in Broca's area had lower FA in the anterior CC than those who
      were CD for language (median for CD = .72, LD = .66, RD = .65, P < .09).
      Lateralized versus CD group level analysis also showed that CD patients had
      higher FA in the anterior CC than patients who displayed strong lateralization in
      either hemisphere (median for CD = .72, lateralized = .65, P < .05). CONCLUSION:
      Our preliminary observations indicate that the greater FA in CD patients may
      reflect a more directional microstructure for the CC in this region, suggesting a
      greater need for interhemispheric transfer of information. Because brain tumors
      can cause compensatory codominance, our findings may suggest a mechanism by which
      interhemispheric transfer is facilitated during plasticity in the presence of a
      tumor.

PMID- 26258655
TI  - Dexmedetomidine added to an opioid-based analgesic regimen for the prevention of
      postoperative nausea and vomiting in highly susceptible patients: A randomised
      controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Dexmedetomidine, an alpha2 adrenergic receptor agonist, has
      analgesic, sedative and sympatholytic properties, with a lack of respiratory
      depression. It is licensed only for intensive care sedation. OBJECTIVE: The
      objective of this study is to investigate whether intravenous (i.v.) patient
      controlled analgesia (PCA) with dexmedetomidine added to a fentanyl-based drug
      mixture could reduce postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in highly
      susceptible patients undergoing lumbar spinal surgery. DESIGN: A randomised,
      double-blinded study. SETTING: At a tertiary university hospital between
      September 2012 and September 2013. PATIENTS: One hundred and eight patients
      undergoing level 1 or 2 posterior lumbar spinal fusion who had at least three
      risk factors for PONV (female, nonsmoker, use of postoperative opioids) were
      randomised into two groups. Three patients were excluded from analysis and 105
      patients completed the study. METHODS: Patients received either dexmedetomidine
      0.5 MUg kg-1 i.v. (dexmedetomidine group) or 0.9% normal saline (control group)
      30 min before the completion of surgery followed by fentanyl 0.5 MUg kg-1 and 4
      mg ondansetron. Postoperatively, the PCA (fentanyl 10 MUg kg-1 with 120 mg
      ketorolac, with or without dexmedetomidine 10 MUg kg-1 made up to a total volume
      of 100 ml) was programmed to deliver 1 ml bolus (lockout 15 min) with a
      continuous background infusion of 2 ml h-1. The PCA was used for the first 48 h
      postoperatively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The incidence and severity of PONV,
      cumulative dose of PCA fentanyl consumed and pain scores were assessed for 48 h.
      RESULTS: The dexmedetomidine group experienced less nausea during the time
      interval 1 to 3 h postoperatively compared with the control group [odds ratio
      (OR) 0.32; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.13 to 0.77; P = 0.019]. The intensity
      of nausea between the groups during the first 48 h was comparable, but the
      dexmedetomidine group had a lower incidence of moderate to severe nausea (OR
      0.28; 95% CI 0.12 to 0.67; P < 0.003). Pain scores were not significantly
      different between the groups, but patients in the dexmedetomidine group required
      less fentanyl and less rescue analgesia in the first 12 h. Compared with the
      control group, patients in the dexmedetomidine group experienced almost twice as
      many episodes of hypotension and bradycardia, but this failed to reach
      statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Adding dexmedetomidine to a fentanyl-based
      PCA drug mixture reduces the frequency and severity of acute postoperative nausea
      in highly susceptible patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov
      identifier: NCT01840254.

PMID- 26258656
TI  - Persistent posthysterectomy pain: A prospective, observational study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is a large variation in the prevalence of persistent
      postsurgical pain depending on the type of surgery. It is unclear how common
      persistent postsurgical pain is after vaginal or laparoscopic hysterectomy.
      OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to define the prevalence of
      persistent postsurgical pain 6 months after laparoscopic or vaginal hysterectomy
      for benign causes and to ascertain the intensity of the pain and its possible
      predictors. DESING: A prospective, observational study. SETTING: Pirkanmaa
      Hospital District between October 2008 and September 2013. PATIENTS: Two hundred
      and forty-two women who underwent laparoscopic (150) or vaginal (92) hysterectomy
      for benign causes and who also participated in our earlier studies concerning
      acute pain. INTERVENTIONS: A pain questionnaire and a prestamped return envelope
      were mailed to all women 6 months after surgery. If the questionnaire had not
      been returned within 4 weeks, a reminder was sent. Data regarding preoperative
      pain and acute postoperative pain were collected from the records of our earlier
      studies concerning acute pain. The patient characteristics and surgical outcomes
      were collected from the patients' medical records. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The
      prevalence of persistent postsurgical pain 6 months after hysterectomy. RESULTS:
      The response rate was 94% (227 respondents). Twenty-seven (18.9%) of 143 patients
      who had no pain preoperatively had persistent pain after surgery. Overall, 26.0%
      of patients had persistent pelvic pain 6 months after surgery. On an 11-point
      numeric rating scale (NRS), most of the patients rated their average pain as mild
      (NRS 0 to 3) and only 6.9% rated their worst pain as severe (NRS 7 to 10).
      Smoking, acute postoperative pain at 4 h after surgery and a laparoscopic
      approach were significantly associated with persistent pain in a multivariable
      analysis. CONCLUSION: Persistent posthysterectomy pain is common, but pain is
      mild and does not interfere with daily activities for most of the patients 6
      months after surgery. Smoking is the strongest predictor for persistent pain.
      TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT 01537731.

PMID- 26258657
TI  - Assessment of haemostasis in patients with cirrhosis: Relevance of the ROTEM
      tests?: A prospective, cross-sectional study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In patients with cirrhosis, decreased rotational thromboelastometry
      (ROTEM) parameters suggest hypocoagulability secondary to liver dysfunction.
      However, observed normal or increased thrombin generation suggests preserved
      haemostasis and/or a procoagulant state. The correlated levels of both
      coagulation factors and inhibitors also support preserved haemostasis. OBJECTIVE:
      The objective of this study is to investigate the correlation between three
      specific approaches of haemostasis (ROTEM, thrombin generation and coagulation
      factors/inhibitors) on the same plasma sample from patients with cirrhosis.
      DESIGN: A prospective, observational study. SETTING: Single university hospital.
      PARTICIPANTS: Forty patients with cirrhosis. INTERVENTION: Measurement of the
      following factors: model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores; ROTEM maximum
      clot firmness (ROTEM-MCF) in EXTEM, INTEM, FIBTEM assays; fibrinogen; factors V
      and VIII; von Willebrand factor; protein C; protein S; antithrombin; and the
      thrombin generation test (TGT) enabling the calculation of endogenous thrombin
      potential without and with thrombomodulin, and the ratio of endogenous thrombin
      potential with-to-without thrombomodulin (regarded as an index of
      hypercoagulability). RESULTS: ROTEM-MCF values were distributed within the normal
      and hypocoagulation ranges; were correlated to variations in factor V,
      fibrinogen, protein C and S and antithrombin; and were inversely correlated to
      MELD scores (rho > 0.5; P < 0.05). Levels of von Willebrand factor were above
      normal and were not correlated with any other factor levels. After addition of
      thrombomodulin, endogenous thrombin potential values were distributed within or
      above normal values. Factor V variation was correlated to the ratio of endogenous
      thrombin potential with-to-without thrombomodulin. CONCLUSION: ROTEM indicated
      hypocoagulability correlated to liver dysfunction. In contrast, the TGT indicated
      a preserved or even increased coagulation profile (which was supported by the
      correlation between coagulant factors and inhibitors) and a potential for
      hypercoagulability inversely correlated to the degree of liver dysfunction. ROTEM
      may not be appropriate for haemostasis assessment in patients with liver
      cirrhosis and could lead to the unnecessary transfusion of fresh frozen plasma.
      TRIAL REGISTRATION: S.C. 3024 - ID RCB: 2012-A01728-35.

PMID- 26258659
TI  - The minimum clinically important difference is fundamental to all clinical
      trials.

PMID- 26258658
TI  - Effective tranexamic acid concentration for 95% inhibition of tissue-type
      plasminogen activator induced hyperfibrinolysis in children with congenital heart
      disease: A prospective, controlled, in-vitro study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although recent studies have assessed tranexamic acid (TXA)
      pharmacokinetics in different subgroups, the effective concentration of TXA
      required to completely inhibit fibrinolysis remains to be determined. OBJECTIVE:
      An in-vitro determination of the effective TXA concentration needed for 95%
      inhibition (EC95) of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) activated
      fibrinolysis, using an experimental model designed for thromboelastometry
      (ROTEM). DESIGN: A prospective interventional study. SETTING: Department of
      Anaesthesiology, Queen Fabiola Children's University Hospital and Laboratory of
      Haematology and Haemostasis, Brugmann University Hospital. Patients were enrolled
      between June 2013 and October 2014. PATIENTS AND VOLUNTEERS: Twenty children,
      aged between 1 and 10 years, undergoing elective cardiac catheterisation were
      included (10 with cyanotic and 10 with noncyanotic diseases). Exclusion criteria
      were child requiring a procedure in a moribund state. Ten adult volunteers were
      also included as controls. INTERVENTION: Citrated whole blood samples were
      obtained from children and volunteers. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: The extrinsic
      coagulation pathway was activated by tissue factor using the EXTEM test on ROTEM.
      The degree of lysis measured 30 min (LI30) after the clotting time (CT), and clot
      amplitudes measured at different times were recorded at baseline, after addition
      of 1535 units t-PA ml(-1), and following the addition of increasing TXA
      concentrations in t-PA activated samples. RESULTS: The concentration-effect
      analysis performed with lysis index after 30 min (LI30) allowed the determination
      of TXA efficacy concentration 50% (EC50), and calculation of the EC95, which was
      significantly lower in cardiac surgery children than in adults [8.6 MUg ml(-1);
      95% confidence interval (95% CI) 6.9 to 14.9 versus 11.3 MUg ml(-1); 95% CI 10.6
      to 12.9, P < 0.001]. CONCLUSION: In this in-vitro study, we observed that the
      EC95 TXA concentration that completely inhibited t-PA induced hyperfibrinolysis
      in children with congenital heart was significantly lower than the concentration
      required in healthy adult volunteers. Further studies are needed to confirm that
      this plasma concentration can effectively inhibit fibrinolysis activation in
      children undergoing cardiac surgery.

PMID- 26258660
TI  - Dendron-Mediated Engineering of Interparticle Separation and Self-Assembly in
      Dendronized Gold Nanoparticles Superlattices.
AB  - Self-assembly of nanoparticles into designed structures with controlled
      interparticle separations is of crucial importance for the engineering of new
      materials with tunable functions and for the subsequent bottom-up fabrication of
      functional devices. In this study, a series of lipophilic, highly flexible,
      disulfide dendritic wedges (generations 0-4), based on 2,2
      bis(hydroxymethyl)propionic acid, was designed to bind Au nanoparticles with a
      thiolate bond. By controlling the solvent evaporation rate, the corresponding
      dendron-capped Au hybrids were found to self-organize into hexagonal close-packed
      (hcp) superlattices. The interparticular spacing was progressively varied from
      2.2 to 6.3 nm with increasing dendritic generation, covering a range that is
      intermediate between commercial ligands and DNA-based ligand shells. Dual
      mixtures made from some of these dendronized hybrids (i.e., same inner core size
      but different dendritic covering) yielded binary superlattice structures of
      unprecedented single inorganic components, which are isostructural with NaZn13
      and CaCu5 crystals. 

PMID- 26258661
TI  - Pressure-Modulated Conductivity, Carrier Density, and Mobility of Multilayered
      Tungsten Disulfide.
AB  - Tungsten disulfide (WS2) is a layered transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) that
      differs from other two-dimensional (2D) compounds such as graphene due to its
      unique semiconducting, tunable-band-gap nature. Multilayered WS2 exhibits an
      indirect band gap Eg of ~1.3 eV, along with a higher load-bearing ability that is
      promising for strain-tuning device applications, but the electronic properties of
      multilayered WS2 at higher strain conditions (i.e., static strain >12%) remain an
      open question. Here we have studied the structural, electronic, electrical, and
      vibrational properties of multilayered WS2 at hydrostatic pressures up to ~35 GPa
      experimentally in a diamond anvil cell and theoretically using first-principles
      ab initio calculations. Our results show that WS2 undergoes an isostructural
      semiconductor-to-metallic (S-M) transition at approximately 22 GPa at 280 K,
      which arises from the overlap of the highest valence and lowest conduction bands.
      The S-M transition is caused by increased sulfur-sulfur interactions as the
      interlayer spacing decreases with applied hydrostatic pressure. The metalization
      in WS2 can be alternatively interpreted as a 2D to 3D (three-dimensional) phase
      transition that is associated with a substantial modulation of the charge carrier
      characteristics including a 6-order decrease in resistivity, a 2-order decrease
      in mobility, and a 4-order increase in carrier concentration. These distinct
      pressure-tunable characteristics of the dimensionalized WS2 differentiate it from
      other TMD compounds such as MoS2 and promise future developments in strain
      modulated advanced devices. 

PMID- 26258662
TI  - Prospective diagnostic test accuracy comparison of computed tomography during
      arterial portography and Primovist magnetic resonance imaging in the pre
      operative assessment of colorectal cancer liver metastases.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To assess and compare the accuracy and inter-observer agreement for
      the detection of liver lesions using Primovist magnetic resonance imaging (pMRI)
      and computed tomography during arterial portography (CTAP). METHODS: Patients
      evaluated at St George Hospital Liver Unit for colorectal liver metastases
      (CRCLM) underwent CTAP as part of standard staging. pMRI was added to the pre
      operative assessment. Two radiologists reported CTAP and two reported pMRI. The
      sensitivity and specificity of CTAP and pMRI were calculated using histopathology
      as the gold standard. RESULTS: Complete data were available for 62 patients
      corresponding to 219 lesions confirmed on histopathology. Agreement on the
      detection of lesions between the two radiologists that reported pMRI was higher
      than for CTAP (Kappa = 0.80 versus 0.74). Specificity of lesion detection for
      pMRI was 0.88 and 0.83 for CTAP (P = 0.112). Sensitivity for pMRI was 0.83 and
      0.81 for CTAP. For patients who had chemotherapy before evaluation, pMRI had a
      significantly higher specificity than CTAP (0.79 versus 0.63, P = 0.011).
      CONCLUSIONS: pMRI is less invasive, has a good inter-observer agreement, has
      comparable sensitivity and specificity to CTAP in the pre-chemotherapy population
      and demonstrates better specificity in patients assessed post-chemotherapy. pMRI
      is a valid alternative to CTAP in the assessment of CRCLM.

PMID- 26258663
TI  - Measuring the cost-effectiveness of midwife-led versus physician-led intrapartum
      teams in developing countries.
AB  - International agencies have advocated scaling-up of midwifery resources as an
      important method for improving maternal health and reducing maternal mortality
      rates (MMR). The cost-effectiveness of midwife-led versus physician-led
      intrapartum care is an important consideration in the human resource planning
      required to reduce MMR. Studies suggest that midwife-led teams can achieve
      comparable effectiveness and outcomes using less medically intensive care
      compared with physician-led teams. In the absence of adequate medical cost data,
      decision makers should consider the substantially lower average costs for three
      main drivers: salaries, benefits and incentives (>=two-times lower); preservice
      training (three-times lower) and attrition (two-times lower) necessary to deliver
      intrapartum care at the level of midwife competencies. This suggests that scale
      up of midwifery resources is a less expensive and more cost-effective way to
      reduce MMRs and could potentially increase access to skilled intrapartum care. 

PMID- 26258664
TI  - Memantine Augmentation in a Down's Syndrome Adolescent with Treatment- Resistant
      Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

PMID- 26258665
TI  - Dyskeratosis of the Face: A Quiz.

PMID- 26258666
TI  - Resistance to Inhibitors of Cholinesterase 3 (Ric-3) Expression Promotes
      Selective Protein Associations with the Human alpha7-Nicotinic Acetylcholine
      Receptor Interactome.
AB  - The alpha7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (alpha7-nAChR) is a ligand-gated ion
      channel widely expressed in vertebrates and is associated with numerous
      physiological functions. As transmembrane ion channels, alpha7-nAChRs need to be
      expressed on the surface of the plasma membrane to function. The receptor has
      been reported to associate with proteins involved with receptor biogenesis,
      modulation of receptor properties, as well as intracellular signaling cascades
      and some of these associated proteins may affect surface expression of alpha7
      nAChRs. The putative chaperone resistance to inhibitors of cholinesterase 3 (Ric
      3) has been reported to interact with, and enhance the surface expression of,
      alpha7-nAChRs. In this study, we identified proteins that associate with alpha7
      nAChRs when Ric-3 is expressed. Using alpha-bungarotoxin (alpha-bgtx), we
      isolated and compared alpha7-nAChR-associated proteins from two stably
      transfected, human tumor-derived cell lines: SH-EP1-halpha7 expressing human
      alpha7-nAChRs and the same cell line further transfected to express Ric-3, SH-EP1
      halpha7-Ric-3. Mass spectrometric analysis of peptides identified thirty-nine
      proteins that are associated with alpha7-nAChRs only when Ric-3 was expressed.
      Significantly, and consistent with reports of Ric-3 function in the literature,
      several of the identified proteins are involved in biological processes that may
      affect nAChR surface expression such as post-translational processing of
      proteins, protein trafficking, and protein transport. Additionally, proteins
      affecting the cell cycle, the cytoskeleton, stress responses, as well as cyclic
      AMP- and inositol triphosphate-dependent signaling cascades were identified.
      These results illuminate how alpha-bgtx may be used to isolate and identify
      alpha7-nAChRs as well as how the expression of chaperones such as Ric-3 can
      influence proteins associating with alpha7-nAChRs. These associating proteins may
      alter activities of alpha7-nAChRs to expand their functionally-relevant
      repertoire as well as to affect biogenesis and membrane trafficking of alpha7
      nAChRs. 

PMID- 26258667
TI  - MADS-box transcription factor OsMADS25 regulates root development through
      affection of nitrate accumulation in rice.
AB  - MADS-box transcription factors are vital regulators participating in plant growth
      and development process and the functions of most of them are still unknown. ANR1
      was reported to play a key role in controlling lateral root development through
      nitrate signal in Arabidopsis. OsMADS25 is one of five ANR1-like genes in Oryza
      Sativa and belongs to the ANR1 clade. Here we have investigated the role of
      OsMADS25 in the plant's responses to external nitrate in Oryza Sativa. Our
      results showed that OsMADS25 protein was found in the nucleus as well as in the
      cytoplasm. Over-expression of OsMADS25 significantly promoted lateral and primary
      root growth as well as shoot growth in a nitrate-dependent manner in Arabidopsis.
      OsMADS25 overexpression in transgenic rice resulted in significantly increased
      primary root length, lateral root number, lateral root length and shoot fresh
      weight in the presence of nitrate. Down-regulation of OsMADS25 in transgenic rice
      exhibited significantly reduced shoot and root growth in the presence of nitrate.
      Furthermore, over-expression of OsMADS25 in transgenic rice promoted nitrate
      accumulation and significantly increased the expressions of nitrate transporter
      genes at high rates of nitrate supply while down-regulation of OsMADS25 produced
      the opposite effect. Taken together, our findings suggest that OsMADS25 is a
      positive regulator control lateral and primary root development in rice. 

PMID- 26258668
TI  - Efficacy and safety of eltrombopag in treatment-refractory primary immune
      thrombocytopenia: a retrospective study.
AB  - Eltrombopag was used in patients with chronic primary immune thrombocytopenia
      (ITP) who did not tolerate or were refractory to two or more previous treatments.
      The primary aims of the study were to determine the efficacy and safety of long
      term eltrombopag treatment. Data were extracted from medical chart records
      retrospectively. Platelet count of at least 50 000/MUl at any time point during
      the treatment was defined as the 'response'. Median duration of eltrombopag
      treatment was 29 weeks (11-74). The number of patients who had a platelet count
      of at least 50 000/MUl at any time point was 26 (83.9%). The response was
      achieved by the second week in most of the patients. Concomitant ITP medications
      were withdrawn in nine out of the 11 patients. Eltrombopag was discontinued in
      one patient due to sustained response despite discontinuation of the treatment.
      Age, sex, concomitant ITP treatments, and previous ITP treatment failures had no
      impact on the treatment response. The treatment was discontinued due to
      thrombosis in only four patients. Four patients experienced a minor bleeding
      event. Hepatotoxicity and all other adverse events were mild and manageable.
      Eltrombopag is effective, safe, and well tolerated in the long-term treatment of
      chronic ITP patients. 

PMID- 26258669
TI  - Two consecutive pregnancies in a patient with paroxysmal nocturnal
      haemoglobinuria treated with anticoagulant therapy at different doses.
AB  - Paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH) is a rare acquired disorder of
      haematopoietic stem cells characterized by intravascular haemolysis, cytopenias
      and thrombophilia. Thrombophilia is the leading cause of mortality in patients
      with PNH. As the risk of thrombogenesis further increases during pregnancy and
      the postpartum period, an anticoagulant therapy is generally recommended for
      pregnant women with PNH. However, there are no standardized criteria for
      determining the appropriate dose of anticoagulant therapy. We describe the case
      of a PNH patient with who was managed with anticoagulant therapy at different
      doses during two consecutive pregnancies. A prophylactic dose of heparin was
      administered during her first pregnancy and a therapeutic dose, during her second
      pregnancy. Both pregnancies resulted in uncomplicated vaginal deliveries without
      thrombosis. Interestingly, not only D-dimer (as a thrombotic marker) but also
      lactate dehydrogenase (as a haemolytic marker) levels were lower during her
      second pregnancy when a therapeutic dose of heparin was used. 

PMID- 26258670
TI  - Measuring dabigatran with the dilute Russell viper venom confirm assay in an
      anticoagulation clinic population.
AB  - The dabigatran dose-response is predictable; however, it is necessary to measure
      plasma levels in a variety of clinical conditions. We evaluated a novel
      dabigatran measure - the 'dilute Russell viper venom confirm (DRVVC) assay' -
      against current developmental assays and a reference method. We measured plasma
      dabigatran and compared results from the Stago Sta-Clot DRVVC assay, Stago Ecarin
      Chromogenic Assay, Biophen Hemoclot Thrombin Inhibitor, and liquid chromatography
      tandem mass spectrometry. We obtained dabigatran calibrators and controls from
      Biophen, and performed the coagulation assays using a Stago STA-R Evolution
      coagulometer. Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method specimens
      were performed on an AB Sciex instrument at LabCorp. We enrolled 97
      anticoagulation clinic patients (mean age 76 years) who were taking 150 mg
      dabigatran twice daily. All had creatinine clearances above 30 ml/min; patients
      were not excluded for concurrent medications or health issues. Citrated blood
      specimens were processed immediately, and stored at -70 degrees C. We did not
      correlate collection time with medication time. We employed descriptive
      statistics, analysis of variance, and the Bland-Altman difference plot to assess
      the data. The range for all assays was 11.6-917 ng/ml. Analysis of variance
      generated a P value of 0.1 and Bland-Altman differences were all below 4.0%
      compared with DRVVC. The DRVVC measures dabigatran with validity comparable to
      other methods.

PMID- 26258671
TI  - Changes in thrombin generation in children after cardiac surgery and ex-vivo
      response to blood products and haemostatic agents.
AB  - Impaired haemostasis has been reported in children with congenital heart disease
      undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass. As thrombin generation encompasses all phases
      of the coagulation process, this analysis might provide the best assessment of
      global haemostasis. A prospective study was undertaken to test the hypothesis
      that thrombin generation reveals an impaired haemostasis after paediatric cardiac
      surgery and that ex-vivo addition of platelet concentrate and haemostatic agents
      improves thrombin generation. The study comprised 29 children with congenital
      heart disease, who underwent corrective surgery including cardiopulmonary bypass.
      Thrombin generation was analysed both in platelet-poor plasma and platelet-rich
      plasma. Analysis of the thrombin generation showed a significantly prolonged lag
      time (Pplatelet-poorandplatelet-richplasma < 0.001), decreased peak thrombin
      generation (Pplatelet-poorplasma = 0.013; Pplatelet-richplasma < 0.001) as well
      as a decreased endogenous thrombin generation potential (Pplatelet
      poorandplatelet-richplasma < 0.001) after cardiopulmonary bypass compared to
      baseline. Ex-vivo addition of platelet concentrate, fibrinogen concentrate and
      recombinant factor VIIa improved thrombin generation significantly (all P <
      0.001). Changes were most pronounced after addition of platelet concentrate. The
      present study showed that thrombin generation was significantly reduced after
      cardiopulmonary bypass in children, both when analysed in platelet-poor and
      platelet-rich plasma. The impaired haemostasis was not only restored after ex
      vivo addition of platelet concentrate but also rVIIa improved the haemostatic
      capacity.

PMID- 26258672
TI  - Novel hematologic inflammatory parameters to predict acute mesenteric ischemia.
AB  - Acute mesenteric ischaemia (AMI) is an emergency condition that requires urgent
      diagnosis. Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR)
      have been studied as inflammatory biomarkers in atherosclerosis, but data
      regarding AMI are lacking. The study population included patients with AMI (n =
      46) versus age and sex-matched healthy controls (n = 46). Computed multidetector
      tomographic angiography was performed to diagnose AMI. NLR and PLR were
      calculated using complete blood count. C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were also
      analyzed. Neutrophil levels and lymphocytes were significantly higher in patients
      with AMI than in the control individuals (P < 0.001 and P = 0.43, respectively).
      NLR levels were significantly higher in patients with AMI compared with that in
      the control individuals (P < 0.001). Platelet levels did not reach statistical
      significance between the groups (P = 0.709). However, patients with AMI had
      significantly higher PLR levels than the control group (P = 0.039). CRP levels on
      admission were higher in patients with AMI in comparison with control
      individuals. There was also a positive correlation between NLR and CRP (r =
      0.548, P < 0.001), and between PLR and CRP (r = 0.528, P < 0.001). NLR level
      greater than 4.5, measured on admission, yielded an area under the curve value of
      0.790 (95% confidence interval 0.681-0.799, sensitivity 77%, specificity 72%),
      and PLR level of greater than 157 yielded an area under the curve value of 0.604
      (95% confidence interval 0.486-0.722, sensitivity 59%, specificity 65%). Patients
      with AMI had increased NLR, PLR, and CRP levels compared with controls. Increased
      NLR and PLR was an independent predictor of AMI. 

PMID- 26258673
TI  - Rivaroxaban and apixaban in orthopaedics: is there a difference in their plasma
      concentrations and anticoagulant effects?
AB  - The aim of this study was to improve knowledge of what happens in the coagulation
      of orthopaedic patients under rivaroxaban and apixaban, in order to finalize and
      cross-validate effective measurement methods and to provide arguments for helping
      to reference one or the other drug in our central pharmacy. One hundred and two
      patients undergoing total hip or knee replacement were included. Half of them
      received rivaroxaban and the other half received apixaban. Blood samples (n = 244
      with each drug) were taken at Cmax preoperatively and twice a week, apart from
      the day of the patient's discharge, when Ctrough concentration was targeted.
      Routine coagulation parameters, and functional and liquid chromatography tandem
      mass spectrometry assays for measurement of circulating concentrations were
      studied. The LC-MS/MS assay and the functional assays carried out in patients
      under routine conditions were highly correlated, apart from low concentrations
      (<30 ng/ml), which were affected by the variable individual potential to inhibit
      the exogenous bovine Xa used in the functional assays. After 1 week of treatment,
      the drugs differed: Cmax and Ctrough were closer when apixaban was taken twice
      daily (83 +/- 39 and 58 +/- 17 ng/ml) than with rivaroxaban taken once a day (113
      +/- 67 and 13 +/- 20 ng/ml). Rivaroxaban had a greater influence on routine
      coagulation tests and reduced the maximum thrombin concentration more
      efficiently, as assessed by the thrombin generation test. Although rivaroxaban
      and apixaban present apparently similar constant rates, they exhibit significant
      differences in their concentrations and anticoagulant effects when studied ex
      vivo in orthopedic patients.

PMID- 26258674
TI  - Meta-analysis on efficacy and safety of new oral anticoagulants for venous
      thromboembolism prophylaxis in elderly elective postarthroplasty patients.
AB  - The risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) increases with age. New oral
      anticoagulants (NOACs) have been increasingly studied for VTE prophylaxis in
      patients with elective postarthroplasty. Although the elderly population accounts
      for a significant proportion of patients requiring VTE prophylaxis, safety and
      efficacy of NOACs in this subgroup for VTE prophylaxis has not been well studied.
      Relevant studies were identified through electronic literature searches of
      MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov (from inception to 12
      August 2014). Phase III randomized controlled trials that compared NOACs against
      low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) in the prevention of VTE prophylaxis in
      patients with elective postarthroplasty were included. We defined our elderly
      population as adults of at least 75 years and assessed the reported safety and
      efficacy outcomes with NOACs in this population. Study-specific odds ratios (ORs)
      were calculated and between-study heterogeneity was assessed using the I
      statistic. In nine trials involving 29 403 patients, the risk of VTE or VTE
      related deaths in elderly patients with elective postarthroplasty was similar
      with NOACs compared with LMWH (OR 0.62, 95% confidence interval 0.30-1.26; P =
      0.18; I = 44%) but bleeding risk was significantly lower (OR 0.71, 95% confidence
      interval 0.53-0.94; P = 0.02; I = 0%). Analysis of individual NOACs showed
      superior efficacy but similar safety for apixaban when compared with LMWH.
      Efficacy and safety profiles of rivaroxaban and dabigatran were similar to LMWH.
      In elderly patients with elective postarthroplasty, NOACs have similar efficacy
      but superior safety when compared with enoxaparin for VTE prophylaxis.

PMID- 26258675
TI  - Association of mean platelet volume with impaired myocardial reperfusion and
      short-term mortality in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction
      undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention.
AB  - Impaired myocardial reperfusion, defined angiographically by myocardial blush
      grade (MBG) 0 or 1, is associated with adverse clinical outcomes in patients with
      ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The aim of this study was to
      investigate the impact of admission mean platelet volume (MPV) on the myocardial
      reperfusion and 30-day all-cause mortality in patients with STEMI with successful
      epicardial reperfusion after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). A
      total of 453 patients with STEMI who underwent primary PCI within 12 h of
      symptoms onset and achieved thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) 3 flow
      at infarct-related artery after PCI were enrolled and divided into two groups
      based on postinterventional MBG: those with MBG 2/3 and those with MBG 0/1.
      Admission MPV was measured before coronary angiography. The primary endpoint was
      all-cause mortality at 30 days. MPV was significantly higher in patients with MBG
      0/1 than in patients with MBG 2/3 (10.38 +/- 0.98 vs. 9.59 +/- 0.73, P < 0.001).
      The cumulative 30-day all-cause mortality rate was significantly higher in the
      groups with high MPV and MBG 0/1 (6.8 vs. 1.5%, P = 0.005, 7.6 vs. 1.9%, P =
      0.006, respectively). Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated MPV
      was independently associated with postinterventional impaired myocardial
      reperfusion (odds ratio 2.684, 95% confidence interval 2.010-3.585, P < 0.001)
      and 30-day all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 1.763, 95% confidence interval 1.009
      3.079, P = 0.046). Increased MPV on admission is an independent predictor of
      impaired myocardial reperfusion and short-term mortality in patients with STEMI
      with successful epicardial reperfusion after primary PCI. Admission MPV may be
      additive to conventional risk factors in patients with STEMI undergoing PCI.

PMID- 26258676
TI  - Neonates born to mothers with immune thrombocytopenic purpura: a single-center
      experience of 20 years.
AB  - Neonates born to mothers with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) have an
      increased risk of having thrombocytopenia and bleeding. The aim of our study was
      to determine maternal and fetal factors that can predict bleeding risk in
      neonates born to mothers with ITP, and effective treatment strategies by
      retrospective analysis of our single-center data. We performed a retrospective
      data review of neonates that were recorded as 'neonates born to mothers with ITP'
      in the Neonatal ICU of Hacettepe University, Ihsan Dogramaci Children's Hospital,
      Ankara, Turkey. Medical records of 36 neonates born from 35 mothers were
      analyzed. Among the 36 neonates born to mothers with ITP, thrombocytopenia
      (platelet count of less than 150 * 10/l) was detected in 20 (56.0%) neonates on
      the first day of life. Twelve of the 20 neonates with thrombocytopenia (60.0%)
      required treatment to increase the platelet counts. Clinical findings related to
      thrombocytopenia occurred in three (15.0%) neonates, but none of them presented
      with severe bleeding. There was no statistically significant association between
      neonatal lowest platelet count and maternal lowest platelet count, maternal
      platelet count at the time of delivery, and duration of thrombocytopenia,
      respectively. Neonates born to mothers with ITP have an increased tendency to
      develop thrombocytopenia, but severe bleeding is very rare in these neonates.
      Clinicians should pay special attention to follow these neonates. According to
      our results, both intravenous immunoglobulin and methyl prednisolone were found
      to be in equivalent efficacy for the treatment of neonatal thrombocytopenia due
      to maternal ITP.

PMID- 26258677
TI  - Low-dose tertiary prophylactic therapy reduces total number of bleeds and
      improves the ability to perform activities of daily living in adults with severe
      haemophilia A: a single-centre experience from Beijing.
AB  - Full-dose prophylaxis treatment for persons with haemophilia is not affordable in
      China due to its economic constraints, particularly in adults requiring higher
      clotting factor (CFC) doses. Low-dose tertiary prophylaxis for adults with severe
      haemophilia A (SHA) in Beijing became feasible and implemented when government
      insurance covering 85% CFC cost in Beijing began in December 2009. The aim of
      this study was to evaluate the benefits of low-dose tertiary prophylaxis in SHA
      adults. Analysis of data on 33 patients on low-dose tertiary prophylaxis (5-10
      IU/kg, two to three times per week) at the Haemophilia Treatment Center, Peking
      Union Medical College Hospital between December 2009 and December 2013. The 33
      patients (age 18-60 years, mean 33.4) were on prophylaxis for 20.8 +/- 9.9 months
      (compared with prior on-demand therapy for 20.0 +/- 11.7 months). Prophylaxis
      resulted in significant decrease in annual bleeding rate (ABR, 11.8 +/- 7.6 vs.
      41.5 +/- 20.7, 71.1% reduction, P < 0.0001), and significant improvement in
      Functional Independence Score in Haemophilia (FISH) measurement reflecting
      improvement in self-care and mobility. Radiologic (Pettersson) joint score was
      neither improved nor deteriorated. Ten of the 33 patients originally wheel chair
      and bed-bound began to walk and function independently in their daily lives. Low
      dose tertiary prophylaxis for adults with SHA in China is feasible and
      beneficial. Although the average ABR remained high, a significant improvement in
      self-care and mobility measured by FISH was observed. These promising clinical
      experiences form the basis for further formal studies with more defined
      therapeutic protocol and outcome measures for affordable prophylaxis regimens in
      haemophilia adults in China. 

PMID- 26258678
TI  - The effect of the amiodarone-warfarin interaction on anticoagulation quality in a
      single, high-quality anticoagulation center.
AB  - Clinical trials have reported a low time in therapeutic range (TTR) in patients
      with atrial fibrillation treated with both warfarin andamiodarone. These trials
      included centers and countries with both high and low TTRs. What is the impact of
      amiodarone on the TTR in a single, high-quality anticoagulation clinic? TTR was
      assessed in amiodarone and nonamiodarone-treated patients from a University
      anticoagulation clinic. Baseline characteristics between patients ever-taking or
      never-taking amiodarone were similar, except more amiodarone patients were
      smokers (19.5 vs. 6.1%, P = 0.0031). The TTR calculated from 8901international
      normalized ratios (INRs) in 249 nonamiodarone patients with a mean follow-up of
      34 +/- 20 months (mean INR 36 +/- 18) was 66 +/- 16.6% compared with 61.3 +/-
      16.2% (P = 0.111) from 1455 INRs in 41 amiodarone-treated patients with a mean
      follow-up of 28 +/- 20 months (mean INR 35 +/- 22). Factors associated with a low
      TTR were male sex (P = 0.0013), smoker (P = 0.0048), and amiodarone use (P =
      0.0374). A second on-treatment analysis, in which the TTR was calculated only
      during amiodarone therapy, resulted in similar findings; however, amiodarone did
      not emerge as a predictor of a low TTR. In 11 patients, the TTR prior to
      amiodarone (54.5 +/- 22.2%) was not significantly different in the first 3 months
      (54.6 +/- 33.4%) or after 3 months (67.2 +/- 33.7%) of amiodarone. In a single
      high-quality anticoagulation center, anticoagulation quality, as measured by the
      TTR, can be comparable in amiodarone and nonamiodarone-treated patients. 

PMID- 26258679
TI  - What is the most reliable marker in the differential diagnosis of pulmonary
      embolism and community-acquired pneumonia?
AB  - Because of similar clinical manifestations and laboratory findings, differential
      diagnosis of pulmonary embolism and community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is
      generally difficult. Therefore, this study was conducted to find good markers for
      the easy, cheap, and fast differential diagnosis of pulmonary embolism and CAP.
      Thirty-four patients diagnosed with pulmonary embolism and 38 patients with CAP
      who were admitted to either emergency department or chest diseases outpatient
      clinic were included in this study. On admission and third day, complete blood
      count, C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate, procalcitonin
      (PCT), and D-dimer levels of each patient were measured. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte
      ratio (NLR) was calculated using the formula NLR = neutrophil count/lymphocyte
      count. NLR/D-dimer and PCT/D-dimer ratios were also calculated. First day
      neutrophil count (P = 0.005), NLR (P = 0.002), CRP (P < 0.001), erythrocyte
      sedimentation rate (P < 0.001), PCT (P < 0.001), NLR/D-dimer (P < 0.001), and
      PCT/D-dimer (P < 0.001) levels were higher in patients with CAP compared with
      patients with pulmonary embolism. In stepwise logistic regression analysis done
      with all the parameters used for the differential diagnosis of pulmonary embolism
      and CAP, CRP, PCT/D-dimer, and NLR/D-dimer were found to be independent
      predictive factors for the presence of CAP. Among these factors, NLR/D-dimer
      ratio was found to be the most sensitive (97.4%) to have the highest negative
      predictive value 96.7% and to be the most accurate (area under curve = 0.921)
      (91.7%) parameter for the differential diagnosis of pulmonary embolism and CAP.
      In this study, NLR/D-dimer ratio was found to be more sensitive and more
      selective with negative predictive value and area under curve for the
      differential diagnosis of pulmonary embolism and CAP compared with other
      laboratory tests. 

PMID- 26258680
TI  - Elemental Characterization and Discrimination of Nontoxic Ammunition Using
      Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis and Principal
      Components Analysis.
AB  - Concerns over the toxic by-products produced by traditional ammunition have led
      to an increase in popularity of nontoxic ammunition. In this work, the chemical
      composition of six brands of nontoxic ammunition was investigated and compared to
      that of a road flare, which served as an environmental source with similar
      composition. Five rounds of each brand were fired while a further five were
      disassembled and the primer alone was fired. Particles collected from all
      samples, including the road flare, were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy
      with energy dispersive X-ray analysis. Common elements among the different
      ammunition brands included aluminum, potassium, silicon, calcium, and strontium.
      Spectra were then subjected to principal components analysis in which association
      of the primer to the intact ammunition sample was generally possible, with
      distinction among brands and from the road flare sample. Further, PCA loadings
      plots indicated the elements responsible for the association and discrimination
      observed. 

PMID- 26258681
TI  - An IL-13 promoter polymorphism associated with liver fibrosis in patients with
      Schistosoma japonicum.
AB  - The aim of this study was to determine whether two polymorphisms in the gene
      encoding IL13 previously associated with Schistosoma hematobium (S. hematobium)
      and S. mansoni infection are associated with S. japonicum infection. Single
      nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs1800925 (IL13/-1112C>T) and rs20541 (IL13R130Q)
      were genotyped in 947 unrelated individuals (307 chronically infected, 339 late
      stage with liver fibrosis, 301 uninfected controls) from a schistosomiasis
      endemic area of Hubei province in China. Regression models were used to evaluate
      allelic and haplotypic associations with chronic and late-stage schistosomiasis
      adjusted for non-genetic covariates. Expression of IL-13 was measured in S.
      japonicun-infected liver fibrosis tissue and normal liver tissue from uninfected
      controls by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The role of rs1800925 in IL-13
      transcription was further determined by Luciferase report assay using the
      recombinant PGL4.17-rs180092 plasmid. We found SNP rs1800925T was associated with
      late-stage schistosomiasis caused by S. japonicum but not chronic schistosomiasis
      (OR = 1.39, 95%CI = 1.02-1.91, p = 0.03) and uninfected controls (OR = 1.49,
      95%CI = 1.03-2.13, p = 0.03). Moreover, the haplotype rs1800925T-rs20541C
      increased the risk of disease progression to late-stage schistosomiasis (OR =
      1.46, p = 0.035), whereas haplotype rs1800925C-rs20541A showed a protective role
      against development of late-stage schistosomiasis (F = 0.188, OR = 0.61, p =
      0.002). Furthermore, S. japonicum-induced fibrotic liver tissue had higher IL13
      expression than normal liver tissue. Plasmid PGL4.17-rs1800925T showed a stronger
      relative luciferase activity than Plasmid PGL4.17-rs1800925C in 293FT, QSG-7701
      and HL-7702 cell lines. In conclusion, the functional IL13 polymorphism,
      rs1800925T, previously associated with risk of schistosomiasis, also contributes
      to risk of late-stage schistosomiasis caused by S. japonicum. 

PMID- 26258682
TI  - Cell type-specific manipulation with GFP-dependent Cre recombinase.
AB  - There are many transgenic GFP reporter lines that allow the visualization of
      specific populations of cells. Using such lines for functional studies requires a
      method that transforms GFP into a molecule that enables genetic manipulation. We
      developed a method that exploits GFP for gene manipulation, Cre recombinase
      dependent on GFP (CRE-DOG), a split component system that uses GFP and its
      derivatives to directly induce Cre/loxP recombination. Using plasmid
      electroporation and AAV viral vectors, we delivered CRE-DOG to multiple GFP mouse
      lines, which led to effective recombination selectively in GFP-labeled cells.
      Furthermore, CRE-DOG enabled optogenetic control of these neurons. Beyond
      providing a new set of tools for manipulation of gene expression selectively in
      GFP(+) cells, we found that GFP can be used to reconstitute the activity of a
      protein not known to have a modular structure, suggesting that this strategy
      might be applicable to a wide range of proteins. 

PMID- 26258683
TI  - EAG2 potassium channel with evolutionarily conserved function as a brain tumor
      target.
AB  - Over 20% of the drugs for treating human diseases target ion channels, but no
      cancer drug approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is intended to
      target an ion channel. We found that the EAG2 (Ether-a-go-go 2) potassium channel
      has an evolutionarily conserved function for promoting brain tumor growth and
      metastasis, delineate downstream pathways, and uncover a mechanism for different
      potassium channels to functionally cooperate and regulate mitotic cell volume and
      tumor progression. EAG2 potassium channel was enriched at the trailing edge of
      migrating medulloblastoma (MB) cells to regulate local cell volume dynamics,
      thereby facilitating cell motility. We identified the FDA-approved antipsychotic
      drug thioridazine as an EAG2 channel blocker that reduces xenografted MB growth
      and metastasis, and present a case report of repurposing thioridazine for
      treating a human patient. Our findings illustrate the potential of targeting ion
      channels in cancer treatment. 

PMID- 26258684
TI  - Parity and longevity of Aedes aegypti according to temperatures in controlled
      conditions and consequences on dengue transmission risks.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In Guadeloupe, Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are the only vectors of
      dengue and chikungunya viruses. For both diseases, vector control is the only
      tool for preventing epidemics since no vaccine or specific treatment is
      available. However, to efficiently implement control of mosquitoes vectors, a
      reliable estimation of the transmission risks is necessary. To become infective
      an Ae. aegypti female must ingest the virus during a blood meal and will not be
      able to transmit the virus during another blood-meal until the extrinsic
      incubation period is completed. Consequently the aged females will carry more
      infectious risks. The objectives of the present study were to estimate under
      controlled conditions the expectation of infective life for females and thus the
      transmission risks in relation with their reproductive cycle and parity status.
      METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Larvae of Ae. aegypti were collected in central
      Guadeloupe and breed under laboratory conditions until adult emergence. The
      experiments were performed at constant temperatures (+/- 1.5 degrees C) of 24
      degrees C, 27 degrees C and 30 degrees C on adults females from first generation
      (F1). Females were kept and fed individually and records of blood-feeding, egg
      laying and survival were done daily. Some females were dissected at different
      physiological stages to observe the ovaries development. The data were analyzed
      to follow the evolution of parity rates, the number of gonotrophic cycles, the
      fecundity and to study the mean expectation of life and the mean expectation of
      infective life for Ae. aegypti females according to temperatures. The expectation
      of life varies with the parity rates and according to the temperatures, with
      durations from about 10 days at low parity rates at the higher temperature to an
      optimal duration of about 35 days when 70% of females are parous at 27 degrees C.
      Infective life expectancy was found highly variable in the lower parous rates and
      again the optimal durations were found when more than 50% of females are parous
      for the mean temperatures of 27 degrees C and 30 degrees C. CONCLUSION: Parity
      rates can be determined for field collected females and could be a good proxy of
      the expectation of infective life according to temperatures. However, for the
      same parity rates, the estimation of infective life expectation is very different
      between Ae. aegypti and Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes. Correlation of field parity
      rates with transmission risks requires absolutely to be based on Ae. aegypti
      models, since available Anopheles sp. models underestimate greatly the females
      longevity.

PMID- 26258685
TI  - In Vitro Enzymatic Activities of Bacteriochlorophyll a Synthase Derived from the
      Green Sulfur Photosynthetic Bacterium Chlorobaculum tepidum.
AB  - The activity of an enzyme encoded by the CT1610 gene in the green sulfur
      photosynthetic bacterium Chlorobaculum tepidum, which was annotated as
      bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) a synthase, BchG (denoted as tepBchG), was examined in
      vitro using the lysates of Escherichia coli containing the heterologously
      expressed enzyme. BChl a possessing a geranylgeranyl group at the 17-propionate
      residue (BChl aGG) was produced from bacteriochlorophyllide (BChlide) a and
      geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate in the presence of tepBchG. Surprisingly, tepBchG
      catalyzed the formation of BChl a bearing a farnesyl group (BChl aF) as in the
      enzymatic production of BChl aGG, indicating loose recognition of isoprenoid
      pyrophosphates in tepBchG. In contrast to such loose recognition of isoprenoid
      substrates, BChlide c and chlorophyllide a gave no esterifying product upon being
      incubated with geranylgeranyl or farnesyl pyrophosphate in the presence of
      tepBchG. These results confirm that tepBchG undoubtedly acts as the BChl a
      synthase in Cba. tepidum. The enzymatic activity of tepBchG was higher than that
      of BchG of Rhodobacter sphaeroides at 45  degrees C, although the former activity
      was lower than the latter below 35  degrees C. 

PMID- 26258687
TI  - Oestrogens as apoptosis regulators in mammalian testis: angels or devils?
AB  - In the mammalian testis, spermatogenesis is a highly coordinated process of germ
      cell development, which ends with the release of 'mature' spermatozoa. The fine
      regulation of spermatogenesis is strictly dependent on sex steroid hormones,
      which orchestrate the cellular and molecular events underlying normal development
      of germ cells. Sex steroids actions also rely on the control of germ cell
      survival, and the programmed cell death by apoptosis has been indicated as a
      critical process in regulating the size and quality of the germ line. Recently,
      oestrogens have emerged as important regulators of germ cell fate. However, the
      beneficial or detrimental effects of oestrogens in spermatogenesis are
      controversial, with independent reports arguing for their role as cell survival
      factors or as apoptosis-inducers. The dual behaviour of oestrogens, shifting from
      'angels to devils' is supported by the clinical findings of increased oestrogens
      levels in serum and intratesticular milieu of idiopathic infertile men. This
      review aims to discuss the available information concerning the role of
      oestrogens in the control of germ cell death and summarises the signalling
      mechanisms driven oestrogen-induced apoptosis. The present data represent a
      valuable basis for the clinical management of hyperoestrogenism-related
      infertility and provide a rationale for the use of oestrogen-target therapies in
      male infertility. 

PMID- 26258689
TI  - Blood-Compatible Polymer for Hepatocyte Culture with High Hepatocyte-Specific
      Functions toward Bioartificial Liver Development.
AB  - The development of bioartificial liver (BAL) is expected because of the shortage
      of donor liver for transplantation. The substrates for BAL require the following
      criteria: (a) blood compatibility, (b) hepatocyte adhesiveness, and (c) the
      ability to maintain hepatocyte-specific functions. Here, we examined blood
      compatible poly(2-methoxyethyl acrylate) (PMEA) and poly(tetrahydrofurfuryl
      acrylate) (PTHFA) (PTHFA) as the substrates for BAL. HepG2, a human hepatocyte
      model, could adhere on PMEA and PTHFA substrates. The spreading of HepG2 cells
      was suppressed on PMEA substrates because integrin contribution to cell adhesion
      on PMEA substrate was low and integrin signaling was not sufficiently activated.
      Hepatocyte-specific gene expression in HepG2 cells increased on PMEA substrate,
      whereas the expression decreased on PTHFA substrates due to the nuclear
      localization of Yes-associated protein (YAP). These results indicate that blood
      compatible PMEA is suitable for BAL substrate. Also, PMEA is expected to be used
      to regulate cell functions for blood-contacting tissue engineering. 

PMID- 26258686
TI  - Correlation of lung collapse and gas exchange - a computer tomographic study in
      sheep and pigs with atelectasis in otherwise normal lungs.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Atelectasis can provoke pulmonary and non-pulmonary complications
      after general anaesthesia. Unfortunately, there is no instrument to estimate
      atelectasis and prompt changes of mechanical ventilation during general
      anaesthesia. Although arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) and
      intrapulmonary shunt have both been suggested to correlate with atelectasis,
      studies yielded inconsistent results. Therefore, we investigated these
      correlations. METHODS: Shunt, PaO2 and atelectasis were measured in 11 sheep and
      23 pigs with otherwise normal lungs. In pigs, contrasting measurements were
      available 12 hours after induction of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
      Atelectasis was calculated by computed tomography relative to total lung mass
      (Mtotal). We logarithmically transformed PaO2 (lnPaO2) to linearize its
      relationships with shunt and atelectasis. Data are given as median (interquartile
      range). RESULTS: Mtotal was 768 (715-884) g in sheep and 543 (503-583) g in pigs.
      Atelectasis was 26 (16-47) % in sheep and 18 (13-23) % in pigs. PaO2 (FiO2 = 1.0)
      was 242 (106-414) mmHg in sheep and 480 (437-514) mmHg in pigs. Shunt was 39 (29
      51) % in sheep and 15 (11-20) % in pigs. Atelectasis correlated closely with
      lnPaO2 (R2 = 0.78) and shunt (R2 = 0.79) in sheep (P-values<0.0001). The
      correlation of atelectasis with lnPaO2 (R2 = 0.63) and shunt (R2 = 0.34) was
      weaker in pigs, but R2 increased to 0.71 for lnPaO2 and 0.72 for shunt 12 hours
      after induction of ARDS. In both, sheep and pigs, changes in atelectasis
      correlated strongly with corresponding changes in lnPaO2 and shunt. DISCUSSION
      AND CONCLUSION: In lung-healthy sheep, atelectasis correlates closely with lnPaO2
      and shunt, when blood gases are measured during ventilation with pure oxygen. In
      lung-healthy pigs, these correlations were significantly weaker, likely because
      pigs have stronger hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) than sheep and
      humans. Nevertheless, correlations improved also in pigs after blunting of HPV
      during ARDS. In humans, the observed relationships may aid in assessing
      anaesthesia-related atelectasis.

PMID- 26258690
TI  - Discovery of a Novel Class of Negative Allosteric Modulator of the Dopamine D2
      Receptor Through Fragmentation of a Bitopic Ligand.
AB  - Recently, we have demonstrated that N-((trans)-4-(2-(7-cyano-3,4
      dihydroisoquinolin-2(1H)-yl)ethyl)cyclohexyl)-1H-indole-2-carboxamide (SB269652)
      (1) adopts a bitopic pose at one protomer of a dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) dimer
      to negatively modulate the binding of dopamine at the other protomer. The 1H
      indole-2-carboxamide moiety of 1 extends into a secondary pocket between the
      extracellular ends of TM2 and TM7 within the D2R protomer. To target this
      putative allosteric site, we generated and characterized fragments that include
      and extend from the 1H-indole-2-carboxamide moiety of 1. N-Isopropyl-1H-indole-2
      carboxamide (3) displayed allosteric pharmacology and sensitivity to mutations of
      the same residues at the top of TM2 as was observed for 1. Using 3 as an
      "allosteric lead", we designed and synthesized an extensive fragment library to
      generate novel SAR and identify N-butyl-1H-indole-2-carboxamide (11d), which
      displayed both increased negative cooperativity and affinity for the D2R. These
      data illustrate that fragmentation of extended compounds can expose fragments
      with purely allosteric pharmacology. 

PMID- 26258691
TI  - Adult Behcet's disease in Iran: analysis of 6075 patients.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: This is an analysis of adult Behcet's disease (BD) in Iran, from
      the Iran Registry of 7187 BD patients, gathered from 1975 to 2014, among which
      6075 were adults (84.5%). PATIENTS: Patients were seen by a multidisciplinary
      team of experts. The diagnosis was by expert opinion, not by any specific
      classification/diagnosis criteria. However, 96.8% of them were classified by the
      International Criteria for Behcet's Disease (ICBD). Adult BDs were patients who
      had their first manifestation at the age of 16 or later. RESULTS: Males
      constituted 56% (male/female ratio 1.3/1). The mean age at onset was 28.3 +/-
      8.7, mean duration 10.8 +/- 8.2, and mean follow-up 5.0 +/- 6.3. Oral aphthosis
      was seen in 97.5%, genital aphthosis 65.7%, skin manifestations 64.6%
      (pseudofolliculitis 53.2%, erythema nodosum 23.9%), ocular manifestations 58.1%
      (anterior uveitis 41.1%, posterior uveitis 45%, retinal vasculitis 33.6%,
      cataract 24.4%), joint manifestations 39.4% (arthralgia 18.9%, monoarthritis
      9.1%, oligoarthritis 17.8%, ankyloing spondylitis 2%), gastrointestinal
      manifestations 7% (gastroduodenitis 2.3%, peptic ulcer 1.2%, diarrhea 2.1%,
      rectorrhagia 1.0%, abdominal pain-nausea 1.8%), neurological manifestations 10.6%
      (central 3.7%, peripheral 0.3%, headache 7.6%), vessel involvement (large vessel
      1.7% with large vein thrombosis 1.1% and arterial involvement 0.7%, phlebitis
      6.6%, superficial phlebitis 2.3%), epididymitis 4.6%, pulmonary manifestations 1%
      and cardiac manifestations 0.6%. Positive pathergy test was seen in 52.3%, human
      leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B5 in 54%, HLA-B51 in 48.9%, and high erythrocyte
      sedimentation rate in 52.8% of patients. By International Study Group (ISG)
      criteria 77.9% were classified, compared to ICBD revised criteria with 96.9%. The
      specificity of ISG was 99.2% and ICBD 97.2%. CONCLUSION: Results are near the
      nationwide surveys from Japan, China, Korea and Germany.

PMID- 26258693
TI  - Importance of chemistry, nutrition and technology in rice processing.

PMID- 26258692
TI  - Cerebrospinal Fluid Patterns and the Risk of Future Dementia in Early, Incident
      Parkinson Disease.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Alterations in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) have been found in Parkinson
      disease (PD) and in PD dementia (PDD), but the prognostic importance of such
      changes is not well known. In vivo biomarkers for disease processes in PD are
      important for future development of disease-modifying therapies. OBJECTIVE: To
      assess the diagnostic and prognostic value of a panel of CSF biomarkers in
      patients with early PD and related disorders. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS:
      Regional population-based, prospective cohort study of idiopathic parkinsonism
      that included patients diagnosed between January 1, 2004, and April 30, 2009, by
      a movement disorder team at a university hospital that represented the only
      neurology clinic in the region. Participants were 128 nondemented patients with
      new-onset parkinsonism (104 with PD, 11 with multiple system atrophy, and 13 with
      progressive supranuclear palsy) who were followed up for 5 to 9 years. At
      baseline, CSF from 30 healthy control participants was obtained for comparison.
      MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of neurofilament
      light chain protein, Abeta1-42, total tau, phosphorylated tau, alpha-synuclein,
      and heart fatty acid-binding protein were quantified by 2 blinded measurements
      (at baseline and after 1 year). Follow-up included an extensive
      neuropsychological assessment. As PD outcome variables, mild cognitive impairment
      and incident PDD were diagnosed based on published criteria. RESULTS: Among the
      128 study participants, the 104 patients with early PD had a different CSF
      pattern compared with the 13 patients with progressive supranuclear palsy
      (baseline area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.87; P <
      .0001) and the 30 control participants (baseline area under the receiver
      operating characteristic curve, 0.69; P = .0021). A CSF biomarker pattern
      associated with the development of PDD was observed. In PD, high neurofilament
      light chain protein, low Abeta1-42, and high heart fatty acid-binding protein at
      baseline were related to future PDD as analyzed by Cox proportional hazards
      regression models. Combined, these early biomarkers predicted PDD with high
      accuracy (hazard ratio, 11.8; 95% CI, 3.3-42.1; P = .0001) after adjusting for
      possible confounders. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The analyzed CSF biomarkers have
      potential usefulness as a diagnostic tool in patients with parkinsonism. In PD,
      high neurofilament light chain protein, low Abeta1-42, and high heart fatty acid
      binding protein were related to future PDD, providing new insights into the
      etiology of PDD.

PMID- 26258694
TI  - Determination of some minerals and beta-carotene contents in aromatic indica rice
      (Oryza sativa L.) germplasm.
AB  - 39 aromatic indica rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars were characterized for Iron,
      Zinc, Calcium, Magnesium, Copper and beta-carotene contents. The beta-carotene
      contents were ranging from 1.23 to 9.9MUg/g in brown and 0.08 to 1.99MUg/g in
      milled rice. Among the mineral contents, Magnesium was found ranging from
      855MUg/g (Gham) to maximum of 1636MUg/g (Badshahbhog) followed by Iron in 32MUg/g
      (Jirga) to 218MUg/g (Kalsal), Copper content from 2MUg/g (Girga) to 1004MUg/g
      (Gham), Zinc content from 25 (Gham) to 165MUg/g (Ambemohar-157) and Calcium
      ranged from 14MUg/g (Ambemohar pandhara) to 67MUg/g (Kate chinoor). The study
      showed that the germplasm assessed is a good source of micronutrients and can be
      further exploited in breeding programme. 

PMID- 26258695
TI  - Simple and rapid determination of free fatty acids in brown rice by FTIR
      spectroscopy in conjunction with a second-derivative treatment.
AB  - A simple and rapid method for the determination of free fatty acid (FFA) content
      in brown rice using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) in conjunction
      with second-derivative treatment was proposed. Ground brown rice (10g) was soaked
      in toluene (20mL) for 30min, and the filtrate of the extract was placed in a 1mm
      CaF2 liquid cell. The transmittance spectrum of the filtrate was recorded using
      toluene for the background spectrum. The absorption band due to the CO stretching
      mode of FFAs was detected at 1710cm(-1), and the Savitzky-Golay second-derivative
      treatment was performed for band separation. A single linear regression model for
      FFA was developed using the 1710cm(-1) band in the second-derivative spectra of
      oleic acid in toluene (0.25-2.50gL(-1)), and the model displayed high prediction
      accuracy with a determination coefficient of 0.998 and a root mean square error
      of 0.03gL(-1). 

PMID- 26258696
TI  - Extraction of anthocyanins and polyphenols from black rice (Oryza sativa L.) by
      modeling and assessing their reversibility and stability.
AB  - This study was aimed the extraction of total flavonoids, anthocyanins and
      phenolics, as well as the antioxidant activity of black rice (Oryza sativa) and
      to study the stability in relation to pH, light and copigmentation. Variations in
      temperature (10-50 degrees C), time (20-80min), and solid-solvent ratio (1:15
      1:45) were studied using a Box-Behnken design. The regression models were
      significant (P<0.001) and determination coefficients ?0.900. Extraction at 34.7
      degrees C for 80min using a solid:solvent ratio of 1:30 rendered an extract with
      51.26mg 100g(-1) of flavonoids, 116.58mg 100g(-1) of anthocyanins, 520.17mg 100g(
      1) of phenolics and 46.50% inhibition of the DPPH radical. A decrease in the
      color intensity was observed when pH values were changed while anthocyanins were
      reversible in the process of protonation/deprotonation. The addition of glucose,
      phytic and gallic acids in the optimized extract exposed to light displayed an
      intermolecular copigmentation. The main anthocyanin identified in black rice was
      cyanidin-3-glucoside. 

PMID- 26258698
TI  - Effects of aleurone layer on rice cooking: A histological investigation.
AB  - Understanding how aleurone layer (AL) affects rice cooking behaviour is important
      for rice processing. Individual effects of AL on rice cooking behaviour were
      evaluated and histological characters of AL before and after cooking were
      investigated. AL slightly affected rice cooking quality (optimum cooking time,
      water absorption, volume expansion ratio and total solids loss) while remarkably
      affected rice texture (hardness and adhesiveness) and peak viscosity.
      Histological investigation showed that channels were formed in AL during cooking.
      The channels facilitated the penetration of water, which could explain why AL
      exhibited slight effects on rice cooking quality. In addition, thick cell walls
      and thermally stable aleurone grains were widely distributed in AL. Leached
      components accumulated on them and formed a reinforced coated film on rice
      surface during cooking, which may be a possible mechanism accounting for the
      remarkable effect of AL on rice texture. Histological characters of AL are
      closely related with rice cooking behaviour. 

PMID- 26258697
TI  - Development of NIRS models to predict protein and amylose content of brown rice
      and proximate compositions of rice bran.
AB  - With the escalating persuasion of economic and nutritional importance of rice
      grain protein and nutritional components of rice bran (RB), NIRS can be an
      effective tool for high throughput screening in rice breeding programme.
      Optimization of NIRS is prerequisite for accurate prediction of grain quality
      parameters. In the present study, 173 brown rice (BR) and 86 RB samples with a
      wide range of values were used to compare the calibration models generated by
      different chemometrics for grain protein (GPC) and amylose content (AC) of BR and
      proximate compositions (protein, crude oil, moisture, ash and fiber content) of
      RB. Various modified partial least square (mPLSs) models corresponding with the
      best mathematical treatments were identified for all components. Another set of
      29 genotypes derived from the breeding programme were employed for the external
      validation of these calibration models. High accuracy of all these calibration
      and prediction models was ensured through pair t-test and correlation regression
      analysis between reference and predicted values. 

PMID- 26258699
TI  - Characterization of rice starch and protein obtained by a fast alkaline
      extraction method.
AB  - This study evaluated the characteristics of rice starch and protein obtained by a
      fast alkaline extraction method on rice flour (RF) derived from broken rice. The
      extraction was conducted using 0.18% NaOH at 30 degrees C for 30min followed by
      centrifugation to separate the starch rich and the protein rich fractions. This
      fast extraction method allowed to obtain an isoelectric precipitation protein
      concentrate (IPPC) with 79% protein and a starchy product with low protein
      content. The amino acid content of IPPC was practically unchanged compared to the
      protein in RF. The proteins of the IPPC underwent denaturation during extraction
      and some of the starch suffered the cold gelatinization phenomenon, due to the
      alkaline treatment. With some modifications, the fast method can be interesting
      in a technological point of view as it enables process cost reduction and useful
      ingredients obtention to the food and chemical industries. 

PMID- 26258700
TI  - Relationships of damaged starch granules and particle size distribution with
      pasting and thermal profiles of milled MR263 rice flour.
AB  - This research was conducted to investigate the effects of different grinding
      techniques (dry, semi-wet and wet) of milled rice grains on the damaged starch
      and particle size distribution of flour produced from a new variety, MR263,
      specifically related to the pasting and thermal profiles. The results indicated
      that grinding techniques significantly (p<0.05) affected starch damage content
      and particle size distribution of rice flour. Wet grinding process yields flour
      with lowest percentage of starch damage (7.37%) and finest average particle size
      (8.52MUm). Pasting and gelatinization temperature was found in the range of 84.45
      89.63 degrees C and 59.86-75.31 degrees C, respectively. Dry ground flour
      attained the lowest pasting and gelatinization temperature as shown by the
      thermal and pasting profiles. Correlation analysis revealed that percentage of
      damaged starch granules had a significant, negative relationship with pasting
      temperature while average particle size distribution had a significant, strong
      negative relationship with gelatinization temperature. 

PMID- 26258701
TI  - Effect of succinylation on functional and morphological properties of starches
      from broken kernels of Pakistani Basmati and Irri rice cultivars.
AB  - Starch extracted from broken kernels of Basmati and Irri rice varieties of
      Pakistani rice were subjected to modification by addition of succinic anhydride
      at levels of 2%, 4% and 5% based on dried weight of starch. The succinyl content
      of Irri rice starch increased with the concentration of succinic anhydride.
      Scanning electron micrographs revealed presence of dents and fusion of rice
      starch granules. Swelling power and water retention capacity (WRC) significantly
      improved after succinylation while on refrigerated storage percent decline in
      paste clarity of modified rice starches was stable as compared to native Basmati
      (BC) and Irri (IC) rice starches. Succinylation also reduced solubility, pasting
      temperature (PT) and gel hardness of starch gels. Improvement was observed in
      cold storage stability of rice starch succinates as evident from textural profile
      analysis. 

PMID- 26258702
TI  - Physicochemical and structural characteristics of rice starch modified by
      irradiation.
AB  - This work evaluated the physicochemical and structural properties of rice starch
      of the cultivars IAC 202 and IRGA 417 modified by irradiation. Starch samples
      were irradiated by (60)Co in doses 1, 2 and 5kGy, on a rate of 0.4kGy/h. A
      control not irradiated was used for comparison. The granule morphology and A-type
      X-ray diffraction pattern were not altered by irradiation. There was an increase
      in amylose content, carboxyl content and acidity with irradiation. Gamma
      radiation did not affect the thermal properties of IAC202, but increased
      gelatinization temperature of IRGA417, in the higher dose (5kGy). The number of
      long chains of amylopectin was reduced and short chains were increased for
      IAC202, whereas for IRGA 417, the opposite was observed, probably due to cross
      linking of starch chains. Starches had their physicochemical and structural
      properties modified by irradiation differently. 

PMID- 26258703
TI  - Resistant starch improvement of rice starches under a combination of acid and
      heat-moisture treatments.
AB  - The effects of a combination of acid and heat-moisture treatment on formation of
      resistant starch (RS) and characteristics of high-amylose, normal and waxy rice
      starches were investigated in this study. The degrees of polymerization of the
      rice starches treated with citric acid, lactic acid or acetic acid were
      significantly reduced as compared to the native starches. The RS contents of acid
      and heat-moisture treated rice starches were in a range of 30.1-39.0%,
      significantly higher than those of native rice starches (6.3-10.2%) and those of
      heat-moisture treated rice starches (18.5-23.9%). The acid and heat-moisture
      treatments reduced swelling power and viscosity, but increased solubility of the
      starches, while the crystalline structure did not change. Among the organic acids
      used, citric acid had the most impact on starch characteristics and RS formation,
      followed by lactic acid and acetic acid. The results are useful in production of
      RS for functional food application. 

PMID- 26258704
TI  - In vitro digestibility and in vivo glucose response of native and physically
      modified rice starches varying amylose contents.
AB  - The native and physically modified rice starches with varying amylose contents
      were subjected to investigate the in vitro digestibility and the in vivo glucose
      tolerance in mice. The amylose and resistant starch (RS) contents of five native
      rice starches ranged in 4.7-30.6% and 6.3-11.8%, respectively. The RS contents of
      rice starches increased to 18.5-23.9% after heat-moisture treatment (HMT) and to
      19.5-26.9% after annealing treatment (ANN). The heat-moisture and annealing
      treatments significantly reduced glycemic index (GI) values of the rice starches.
      GI values of the native, heat-moisture treated and annealed rice starches ranged
      in 68.9-100, 61.2-88.9 and 21.2-43.9, respectively. There was no correlation
      between amylose contents and the RS contents or GI values, while a strong
      negative correlation between RS contents and GI values was found (R(2)=-0.747,
      P<0.01). 

PMID- 26258705
TI  - From rice bag to table: Fate of phenolic chemical compositions and antioxidant
      activities in waxy and non-waxy black rice during home cooking.
AB  - The objectives of this study were to systematically analyze degradation rate of
      functional substances, such as total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid
      content (TFC), condensed tannin content (CTC), monomeric anthocyanin content
      (MAC), cyanidin-3-glucoside (Cy3glc), and peonidin-3-glucoside (Pn3glc), as well
      as antioxidant activities in cooked waxy and non-waxy black rice through
      different home cooking manners. Results showed that greater phenolics and
      antioxidant capacities were detected in non-waxy rice rather than waxy one. All
      processed black rice exhibited significantly (p<0.05) lower TPC, TFC, CTC, MAC,
      Cy3glc, Pn3glc, and antioxidants as compared to the raw rice. Different
      processing methods significantly degraded the content and activities of
      antioxidants of both waxy and non-waxy black rice. Under the same cooking time,
      black rice porridge retained more active substances than that of cooked rice by
      rice cooker. Therefore, to maintain bioavailability of active components, black
      rice porridge may gain more health promoting effects. 

PMID- 26258706
TI  - Impact of structural characteristics on starch digestibility of cooked rice.
AB  - To examine the impact of structural characteristics of cooked rice grains on
      their starch digestibility, a simulated in vitro gastro-small intestinal
      digestion technique was applied to intact and homogenised cooked rice samples.
      The starch hydrolysis percentage increased during simulated small intestinal
      digestion, in which approximately 65% and 24% of the starch was hydrolysed within
      the first 5min, for homogenised and intact cooked rice, respectively. The kinetic
      constant of homogenised cooked rice, which was regarded as an estimated digestion
      rate, was ~8 times higher than the intact cooked rice. The homogenised and intact
      samples were also examined for any microstructural changes occurring during the
      in vitro digestion process using fluorescent and scanning electron microscopy. In
      the intact samples, the aleurone layers of the endosperm remained as thin-film
      like layers during in vitro digestion and thus may be regarded as less digestible
      materials that influence cooked rice digestibility. 

PMID- 26258707
TI  - Impact of the degree of cooking on starch digestibility of rice - An in vitro
      study.
AB  - The impact of cooking degree on the starch digestibility of a non-waxy, cooked
      rice was examined through a simulated gastro-small intestinal in vitro digestion
      model. The starch hydrolysis of both non-homogenised and homogenised cooked rice
      samples during simulated digestion was also compared in order to examine the
      impact of grain structure on starch digestibility. Polished rice grains were
      cooked in boiling water for 10min (partially cooked) and 20min (fully cooked) to
      obtain samples of different cooking degree. No significant differences in the
      equilibrium starch hydrolysis (%) were observed among the partially and fully
      cooked grains, although significant differences were observed among the uncooked
      and cooked samples. The equilibrium starch hydrolysis (%) of homogenised rice was
      higher than its non-homogenised counterpart. These results showed that rice
      starch digestibility should not be affected by the cooking degrees related to
      starch gelatinisation, but was influenced by the modification/destruction of the
      grain structure during mechanical processing. 

PMID- 26258708
TI  - Polishing and parboiling effect on the nutritional and technological properties
      of pigmented rice.
AB  - This study aims to evaluate the effects of polishing and parboiling on proximate
      composition, structure, phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity, cooking time
      and hardness of IAC-600 black rice cultivar and MPB-10 red rice lineage.
      Proximate analysis and light micrographs revealed higher migration of red rice
      proteins than black rice proteins to the endosperm as a result of parboiling.
      Parboiling reduced the ash content of red rice while no difference was determined
      in black rice. Gelatinized starch granules from both genotypes showed similar
      appearance. There was a decrease in relative crystallinity on both black and red
      rice subjected to parboiling, which was an indicative of crystallites disruption.
      Polishing removed more than 90% of free phenolics for both genotypes, while
      parboiling allowed the partial preservation of free phenolics content in polished
      rice. Parboiling induced an increase in the cooking time of red rice, but a
      decrease in the cooking time of black rice. 

PMID- 26258709
TI  - Conventional steaming retains tocols and gamma-oryzanol better than boiling and
      frying in the jasmine rice variety Khao dok mali 105.
AB  - The aim of this study was to determine the effect of various cooking methods on
      the white rice (WR), brown rice (BR) and parboiled geminated brown rice (PGBR) of
      the same variety, focusing on gamma-oryzanol and tocols. The methods used for
      analysis of gamma-oryzanol and tocols included solvent extraction and HPLC. The
      results indicated that PGBR had a higher content of gamma-oryzanol and tocols
      compared to BR and WR, when different cooking methods (raw, steamed, boiled and
      fried) were used. Steaming method retained the higher gamma-oryzanol content
      (53.6-62.2mg/100g) in both PGBR and BR, in comparison with boiling (53.0
      60.6mg/100g) and frying (23.4-31.5mg/100g) methods. Frying reduced the gamma
      oryzanol content significantly regardless of the rice type. Regarding tocols, a
      similar trend was noticed in all the methods studied. Tocotrienol was the most
      abundant tocol found in PGBR and BR. Therefore, steaming is the best cooking
      method to preserved most of the bioactive compounds; however, a slight increase
      in total tocols was observed after frying. 

PMID- 26258710
TI  - An improved process for high nutrition of germinated brown rice production: Low
      pressure plasma.
AB  - Brown rice was exposed to low-pressure plasma ranging from 1 to 3kV for 10min.
      Treatment of brown rice in low-pressure plasma increases the germination
      percentage, seedling length, and water uptake in laboratory germination tests. Of
      the various treatments, 3-kV plasma exposure for 10min yielded the best results.
      In germinating brown rice, alpha-amylase activity was significantly higher in
      treated groups than in controls. The higher enzyme activity in plasma-treated
      brown rice likely triggers the rapid germination and earlier vigor of the
      seedlings. Low-pressure plasma also increased gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)
      levels from ~19 to ~28mg/100g. In addition, a marked increase in the antioxidant
      activity of brown rice was observed with plasma treatments compared to controls.
      The main finding of this study indicates that low-pressure plasma is effective at
      enhancing the growth and GABA accumulation of germinated brown rice, which can
      supply high nutrition to consumer. 

PMID- 26258711
TI  - Inorganic arsenic in rice-based products for infants and young children.
AB  - Inorganic arsenic (Asi) is a chronic, non-threshold carcinogen. Rice and rice
      based products can be the major source of Asi for many subpopulations. Baby rice,
      rice cereals and rice crackers are widely used to feed infants and young
      children. The Asi concentration in rice-based products may pose a health risk for
      infants and young children. Asi concentration was determined in rice-based
      products produced in the European Union and risk assessment associated with the
      consumption of these products by infants and young children, and compared to an
      identical US FDA survey. There are currently no European Union or United States
      of America regulations applicable to Asi in food. However, this study suggests
      that the samples evaluated may introduce significant concentration of Asi into
      infants' and young children's diets. Thus, there is an urgent need for regulatory
      limits on Asi in food, especially for baby rice-based products. 

PMID- 26258712
TI  - Towards rice bran protein utilization: In silico insight on the role of
      oryzacystatins in biologically-active peptide production.
AB  - Rice bran proteins (RBP) have been demonstrated to harbour biologically active
      peptides, which can be released by proteases and applied in human health
      promotion. In this study, the roles of rice bran cysteine protease inhibitors,
      oryzacystatins, were considered for efficient production of bioactive peptides
      from RBP. In silico evidence demonstrates that aspartate protease (pepsin at
      pH>2) and metalloproteinase (thermolysin) have strong prospects for use in
      simultaneously cleaving the QXVXGX motif of oryzacystatins, which can lead to
      their inactivation, and in releasing bioactive sequences from the protease
      inhibitors. The cleaved bioactive peptides are known to possess activities that
      can be applied in the management of hypertension, oxidative stress, type 2
      diabetes mellitus and other aberrant cellular processes. Moreover, several
      potentially bioactive di- and tripeptides were identified in oryzacystatin
      peptide pools. This study provides an important consideration and a direction
      that can lead to efficient release of bioactive peptides from rice bran proteins
      for functional food applications. 

PMID- 26258713
TI  - Effect of puffing on physical and antioxidant properties of brown rice.
AB  - The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of puffing process on
      the physical, antioxidant properties and mineral composition of brown rice. Bulk
      density significantly varied (P<0.05) among the puffing stages and was lowest in
      expanded rice. From Hunter colour analysis, the lowest L(*) value and highest
      a(*) and b(*) values were observed for parboiled rice (P<0.05). A-type of
      diffraction pattern, observed in raw rice was altered by puffing process and led
      to the formation of B- and V-type patterns. Raman spectrum showed the intense
      peaks in raw rice and the intensity of those peaks was decreased during the
      puffing process. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a highly porous structure
      of expanded rice kernel. Significant decrease in the antioxidant properties was
      observed upon puffing process as compared to raw rice samples. Hence the present
      study demonstrates that the puffing process leads to the significant changes in
      the properties of brown rice. 

PMID- 26258714
TI  - Utilization of sorghum, rice, corn flours with potato starch for the preparation
      of gluten-free pasta.
AB  - The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of mixture of sorghum-rice-corn
      flour and potato starch in the development of gluten-free pasta for celiac
      disease patients. The experiment was designed according to simplex-lattice method
      and different types of gluten-free flours were used, such as sorghum, rice, corn,
      and potato starch. The fifteen formulations were subjected to sensory analysis
      (Mixed Structured Scale - MSS) and seven formulations were selected in respect to
      taste and grittiness. These formulations were subjected to Quantitative
      Descriptive Analysis (QDA), which evaluated the attributes: appearance, color,
      odor, hardness, elasticity, stickiness, grittiness, taste, residual bitterness
      and overall quality. Results showed significant difference in appearance, color
      and hardness. The formulations that showed the best sensory results were
      submitted to chemical analysis and cooking quality of pasta. It was observed that
      the best results for mixing is sorghum flour, rice flour and potato starch. 

PMID- 26258715
TI  - Physical, physicochemical and nutritional characteristics of Bhoja chaul, a
      traditional ready-to-eat dry heat parboiled rice product processed by an
      improvised soaking technique.
AB  - Bhoja chaul is a traditional whole rice product processed by the dry heat
      parboiling technique of low amylose/waxy paddy that is eaten after soaking in
      water and requires no cooking. The essential steps in Bhoja chaul making are
      soaking paddy in water, roasting with sand, drying and milling. In this study,
      the product was prepared from a low amylose variety and a waxy rice variety by an
      improvised laboratory scale technique. Bhoja chaul prepared in the laboratory by
      this technique was studied for physical, physicochemical, and textural
      properties. Improvised method shortened the processing time and gave a product
      with good textural characteristics. Shape of the rice kernels became bolder on
      processing. RVA studies and DSC endotherms suggested molecular damage and amylose
      lipid complex formation by the linear B-chains of amylopectin, respectively. X
      ray diffractography indicated formation of partial B-type pattern. Shifting of
      the crystalline region of the XRD curve towards lower values of Bragg's angle was
      attributed to the overall increase in inter-planar spacing of the crystalline
      lamellae. Resistant starch was negligible. Bhoja chaul may be useful for children
      and people with poor state of digestibility. 

PMID- 26258716
TI  - Increased Peripheral Blood Pro-Inflammatory/Cytotoxic Lymphocytes in Children
      with Bronchiectasis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Bronchiectasis (BE) in children is common in some communities
      including Indigenous children in Australia. Relatively little is known about the
      nature of systemic inflammation in these children, especially the contribution of
      specific pro-inflammatory and cytotoxic lymphocyte subsets: T-cells, natural
      killer (NK) cells and NKT-like cells. We have shown that these cells produce
      increased cytotoxic (granzyme b and perforin) and inflammatory (IFNgamma and
      TNFalpha) mediators in several adult chronic lung diseases and hypothesised that
      similar changes would be evident in children with BE. METHODS: Intracellular
      cytotoxic mediators perforin and granzyme b and pro-inflammatory cytokines were
      measured in T cell subsets, NKT-like and NK cells from blood and bronchoalveolar
      samples from 12 children with BE and 10 aged-matched control children using flow
      cytometry. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in the percentage of CD8+ T
      cells and T and NKT-like subsets expressing perforin/granzyme and IFNgamma and
      TNFalpha in blood in BE compared with controls. There was a further increase in
      the percentage of pro-inflammatory cytotoxic T cells in Indigenous compared with
      non-Indigenous children. There was no change in any of these mediators in BAL.
      CONCLUSIONS: Childhood bronchiectasis is associated with increased systemic pro
      inflammatory/cytotoxic lymphocytes in the peripheral blood. Future studies need
      to examine the extent to which elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytotoxic
      cells predict future co-morbidities.

PMID- 26258717
TI  - Early results of MitraClip system implantation by real-time three-dimensional
      speckle-tracking left ventricle analysis.
AB  - AIMS: To appraise the early effect of percutaneous mitral valve repair with the
      MitraClip system on myocardial function using real-time three-dimensional speckle
      tracking echocardiography (3D-STE). METHODS: Consecutive patients with moderate
      to-severe or severe mitral regurgitation, undergoing mitral valve repair with the
      MitraClip system, were prospectively evaluated during the peri-procedural workout
      and follow-up. Left ventricular deformation was evaluated by a two-dimensional
      and 3D speckle-tracking analysis. 3D-STE acquisitions were elaborated obtaining
      real-time 3D global longitudinal strain evaluation, and by appraising both
      volumetric and hemodynamic parameters (i.e. left ventricular end-diastolic
      volume, left ventricular end-systolic volume, left ventricular ejection fraction,
      cardiac output, and stroke volume). RESULTS: In all, 30 patients were included.
      At 1-month follow-up, 3D-STE analysis revealed no changes in left ventricular end
      diastolic volume (162.6 +/- 73.7 ml at baseline vs. 159.8 +/- 64.5 ml at 1-month
      follow-up; P = 0.63) and a downward trend in left ventricular end-systolic volume
      (104.7 +/- 52.0 vs. 100.1 +/- 50.4 ml, respectively; P = 0.06). Left ventricular
      ejection fraction did not significantly increase (38.1 +/- 11.3% at baseline vs.
      39.4 +/- 11.0% at 1-month follow-up; P = 0.20). No significant changes were
      reported in cardiac output (4.3 +/- 2.0 l/min at baseline vs. 4.0 +/- 1.5 l/min
      at follow-up; P = 0.377) and in stroke volume (59.5 +/- 25.5 ml at baseline vs.
      59.9 +/- 20.7 ml at follow-up; P = 0.867). On the contrary, left ventricular
      deformation capability significantly improved, with the real-time 3D global
      longitudinal strain value changing from -9.8 +/- 4.1% at baseline to -11.0 +/-
      4.4% at follow-up (P = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS: Accurately assessing myocardial
      function by the use of 3D-STE, this study reported irrelevant early changes in
      left ventricular size, but a positive effect on left ventricular deformation
      capability following mitral valve repair with the MitraClip system. These
      preliminary results need to be confirmed in larger series and extended to long
      term follow-up.

PMID- 26258718
TI  - A retrospective multicenter study on long-term prevalence of chronic pain after
      cardiac surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There are limited data on sternotomy as a cause of chronic
      postsurgical pain, mainly restricted to 1 year after surgery. AIMS: To assess the
      prevalence of chronic post-sternotomy pain and its interference on daily living.
      METHODS: In three groups of patients, a standardized telephone interview was
      obtained at 3 months (n = 313), 1 year (n = 313), and 3 years (n = 319) following
      the rehabilitation program after cardiac surgery, in 11 rehabilitation centers.
      Presence, site, and the severity and interference of pain on selected daily
      living items were assessed. RESULTS: The prevalence of pain after cardiac surgery
      was 35.3% in the 3-month group, 26.8% in the 1-year group, and 19.8% in the 3
      year group (P < 0.0001). Pain in the 3-year group was rated as moderate to severe
      in one-third of the patients. In patients aged above 75 years, the prevalence of
      pain in the 3-month and the 3-year group was nonsignificantly different [34.2 and
      29.3%, respectively (NS)]. In the 3-month group, pain was more frequent in the
      female (51.4%) than in the male patients (31.3%; P < 0.01); in the remaining
      groups, a comparable prevalence was documented. CONCLUSION: Results form this
      large, retrospective, multicenter survey indicated that one out of five patients
      still complain pain at 3 years after cardiac surgery; persistence of pain was
      more common in the older patients. The approach to management of chronic pain by
      cardiologists and cardiac surgeons should be improved.

PMID- 26258719
TI  - Comparison between intermediate and severe coronary stenoses and clinical
      outcomes of an OCT-guided PCI strategy.
AB  - AIMS: We compared optical coherence tomography (OCT) features of intermediate and
      severe coronary stenoses in patients with stable angina and acute coronary
      syndrome (ACS), and tested the clinical impact of an OCT-based strategy for
      treating intermediate stenoses. METHODS: The study enrolled 135 consecutive
      patients with either ACS or stable angina and a single de-novo coronary stenosis.
      Patients were divided into two groups: intermediate stenosis defined as
      quantitative coronary angiography percentage narrowing less than 70%, or presence
      of angiographic vessel haziness and severe stenosis with percentage narrowing
      more than 70%. OCT was performed to assess features of plaque vulnerability and
      to measure the minimal lumen area. We also appraised the 12-month rate of major
      adverse event (MACE) of an OCT-guided strategy of percutaneous coronary
      intervention (PCI) based on the presence of thrombus and/or minimal lumen area
      less than 3.0 mm. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients had intermediate stenoses, whilst
      79 had severe stenoses. In the 'intermediate stenosis group', patients with
      stable angina had a lower asymmetric index (P = 0.02) and a greater calcific arc
      (P = 0.0001). In the 'severe stenosis group', intermediate lesions of patients
      with ACS exhibited a greater lipid arc as compared with patients with stable
      angina (P = 0.03). A higher prevalence of thin cap fibroatheroma was seen in
      patients with ACS of both groups. The incidence of MACE was not significantly
      different between patients with an intermediate stenosis who received PCI vs.
      optimal medical therapy on the basis of OCT findings (P = 0.26). CONCLUSIONS:
      Intermediate coronary stenoses showed distinctive OCT-based features according to
      the initial clinical presentation. The adoption of an OCT-guided PCI strategy,
      based on the presence of coronary thrombus and significant vessel narrowing, led
      to encouraging results.

PMID- 26258720
TI  - Aortic valve decalcification for severe aortic valve stenosis in the elderly:
      medium-term results.
AB  - AIMS: To present the results of a novel technique of aortic valve decalcification
      (AVD) in a consecutive population of elderly patients with severe aortic valve
      stenosis (AVS) and small aortic annulus. METHODS: Between January 2008 and
      December 2012, a consecutive series of 34 patients (mean age 80 +/- 13 years)
      with severe AVS were operated on using AVD. They were compared with a matched
      population of 68 patients (mean age 82 +/- 7 years) submitted to aortic valve
      replacement (AVR) with bioprosthesis. The two groups were comparable for cardiac
      risk factors and admission symptoms. Preoperatively, all patients presented with
      severe AVS, small aortic annulus (19 mm) and preserved left ventricular function.
      RESULTS: Thirty-day mortality was 8.8 vs. 7.5% in the AVD and AVR groups,
      respectively (P = 0.88). Actuarial 2 and 5-year survival rates were 80 vs. 82%
      and 64 vs. 78% in the AVD and AVR groups, respectively (P = 0.27). Long-term
      valve-related events incidence was significantly higher in the AVD group (12%)
      compared with that in the AVR group (4%; P = 0.01). However, in the AVD group,
      patients with no or mild residual AR experienced 2 and 5 years of freedom from
      valve-related events, which is not significantly different from the patients
      submitted to the AVR group (P = 0.76). After AVD, a significant increase in the
      aortic valve area (from 0.8 to 1.9 cm) and a parallel reduction in the mean
      gradient (from 40 to 12 mmHg) was observed in all patients (P = 0.01).
      Postoperative aortic valve area (1.9 vs. 1.26 cm), as well as mean gradient (12
      vs. 21 mmHg), were significantly better in the AVD group compared with that in
      the AVR group (P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: In this preliminary experience, AVD seems a
      good therapeutic option for elderly patients with severe AVS. Further studies
      with longer follow-up are needed in order to confirm these preliminary results
      and to ascertain the valve durability over time.

PMID- 26258721
TI  - The prognostic value of autoantibodies against beta1-adrenoceptor and cardiac
      troponin-I for clinical outcomes in STEMI.
AB  - AIMS: The prevalence and potential role of autoantibodies against the beta1
      adrenoceptor autoantibody (beta1-aab) and cardiac troponin-I (anti-cTnI) in
      patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) are unknown. The aim of
      this study is to test whether beta1-aab and anti-cTnI are prevalent in STEMI
      patients and to investigate their prognostic value for left ventricular
      remodeling and clinical outcomes in STEMI patients. METHODS: This study included
      491 patients with first STEMI at two centers. Serum samples were obtained. beta1
      aab and anti-cTnI were detected by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay.
      Echocardiographic assessments were performed at admission and following 1 year.
      The major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) were evaluated during a median
      follow-up period of 37 months. RESULTS: The positive rates of beta1-aab and anti
      cTnI in STEMI patients were 39.1 and 19.1%, respectively. The extent of left
      ventricular remodeling correlated with the presence of beta1-aab and/or anti-cTnI
      (double positive > single positive > double negative). Logistic regression
      revealed that both beta1-aab [odds ratio (OR) 2.298, 95% confidence interval (CI)
      1.561-3.384, P < 0.001] and anti-cTnI (OR 2.389, 95% CI 1.460-3.909, P = 0.001)
      were predictive of left ventricular remodeling. Cox proportional-hazard
      regression revealed that beta1-aab, but not anti-cTnI, was strongly predictive of
      MACEs (hazard ratio 1.802, 95% CI 1.301-2.496, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: beta1-aab
      and anti-cTnI were prevalent in STEMI patients. Both beta1-aab and anti-cTnI were
      independent predictors of left ventricular remodeling, whereas only beta1-aab was
      an independent predictor of MACEs. Our findings suggest that beta1-aab and anti
      cTnI may actively participate in the process of left ventricular remodeling after
      STEMI.

PMID- 26258722
TI  - Care quality monitoring of a ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction programme
      over a 5-year period.
AB  - AIMS: The aim of this study is to investigate the long-term impact of a
      prehospital ECG programme on treatment times for patients with ST-elevation
      myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary
      intervention (PCI). METHODS: From January 2008 to December 2012, 213 STEMI
      patients transported by the Emergency Medical System (EMS) underwent primary PCI
      in our Hospital. The protocol included ECG tele-transmission, early activation of
      the cath lab and direct routing of the patient for primary PCI. Fifty-four
      patients referred by EMS in 2007, when ECG tele-transmission was unavailable,
      were used as controls. First diagnostic ECG-to-balloon time, door-to-balloon time
      and total ischemic time were collected for all patients. RESULTS: First
      diagnostic ECG-to-balloon time decreased from 125.5 min in 2007 to 104 min in the
      first year after implementation of the STEMI programme (2008). Successively, it
      declined to 81 min by the end of the study period (2012) (P < 0.0001). Door-to
      balloon time decreased notably from 92.5 min in 2007 to 40.5 min by the end of
      the study period (p < 0.0001). Total ischemic time fell from 200 min in 2007 to
      170 min in 2008 and it further declined to 163.5 min in 2012 (p < 0.042).
      CONCLUSIONS: We report progressive improvements in times to treatment over a 5
      year period in a STEMI program for patients referred by the EMS. The importance
      of data collection and monitoring is highlighted by our results.

PMID- 26258723
TI  - Effects of drug-eluting stents after rotational atherectomy: evidence from a
      multicenter experience.
AB  - AIMS: Rotational atherectomy is used as an adjuvant tool for percutaneous
      coronary interventions, especially in case of highly calcific atherosclerotic
      plaques. Subsequent drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation is common; however,
      there is a paucity of clinical evidence to support this practice. METHODS: From
      the databases of four high-volume Italian centers, we analyzed the angiographic
      outcome of patients who underwent rotational atherectomy in native coronary
      vessels followed by DES or bare metal stent (BMS) implantation. Primary study
      endpoint was late lumen loss at the longest available follow-up. Other analyses
      consisted of the evaluation of in-stent percentage diameter stenosis, binary
      restenosis, major adverse cardiovascular events, and stent thrombosis at
      angiographic control. RESULTS: Between 2006 and 2011, 672 patients with 734
      lesions treated had complete angiographic follow-up and were enrolled into this
      study; 385 lesions were treated with DES and 349 with BMS. The average follow-up
      length was 9 +/- 5 months. Only a few significant differences regarding baseline
      clinical and angiographic characteristics were observed. Late lumen loss result
      significantly improved after DES implantation in comparison with BMS (0.54 +/-
      0.79 vs. 1.01 +/- 1.13; P = 0.001), as well as in-stent percentage diameter
      stenosis (P = 0.01) and binary restenosis (P = 0.007). Major adverse
      cardiovascular events did not differ significantly, but showed an improved trend
      in the DES group, driven by a significantly lower target lesion revascularization
      (6.9 vs. 11.6%; P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: In a cohort of patients treated with
      rotational atherectomy and with complete angiographic follow-up, DES implantation
      is associated with improved late lumen loss over BMS. However, the DES effect in
      terms of angiographic endpoints seems mitigated if compared to previous studies.

PMID- 26258724
TI  - Utilization of stress echocardiography in patients with multivessel coronary
      artery disease.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of stress
      echocardiography in the risk stratification and prognosis of patients with
      multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD). BACKGROUND: Stress echocardiography is
      an established technique for diagnosis, risk stratification, and prognosis of
      patients with known or suspected CAD. METHODS: We evaluated 409 patients (65 +/-
      10 years; 63% men) referred for stress echocardiography (45% treadmill, 55%
      dobutamine), who underwent stress echocardiography and coronary angiography
      within 3 months. All patients had multivessel CAD as defined by coronary stenosis
      (>=50% left main or >=70% in two or more major epicardial vessels or branches).
      The left ventricle was divided into 16 segments and was scored on a five-point
      scale of wall motion. Patients with abnormal results on stress echocardiography
      were defined as those with stress-induced ischemia (increase in wall motion score
      of >=1 grade). RESULTS: Follow-up (3.1 +/- 1.3 years) for nonfatal myocardial
      infarction (n = 35) and cardiac death (n = 25) was obtained. In patients with
      multivessel CAD, stress echocardiography effectively risk-stratified normal (no
      ischemia, n = 83) vs. abnormal (ischemia, n = 326) groups for cardiac events
      (event rate 1.9 vs. 5.4%/year; P < 0.01). Multivariable Cox proportional-hazards
      regression model identified stress-induced ischemia (hazard ratio 5.5, 95%
      confidence interval 1.9-15.9, P = 0.002) as the most significant predictor of
      adverse cardiac events. A stepwise Cox proportional-hazards model demonstrated
      significant incremental prognostic value of stress echocardiography over clinical
      variables, stress electrocardiography and resting left ventricular function (P <
      0.0001), with the highest global chi-square value. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with
      angiographically significant multivessel CAD, despite normal-stress
      echocardiography, there was an intermediate cardiac event rate (1.9%/year);
      abnormal-stress echocardiography identified a high-risk group (5.4%/year); and
      stress echocardiography provided incremental prognostic value for risk
      stratification and prediction of cardiac events.

PMID- 26258725
TI  - Prevalence of true left bundle branch block in current practice of cardiac
      resynchronization therapy implantation.
AB  - AIMS: Accurate selection of patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB) may
      help increasing response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). There is no
      agreement on LBBB definition. The aim of the study was to investigate the
      prevalence of 'true-LBBB' according to Strauss in patients undergoing CRT.
      METHODS AND RESULTS: The study population included 414 consecutive patients
      (71.9% men; mean age 69.7 +/- 9.6 years), who underwent CRT according to 2010
      European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines. Patients were classified into
      three groups: traditional LBBB according to American Heart Association, LBBB
      according to Strauss and intraventricular conduction delay (IVCD). Subsequently,
      they were re-classified into classes of recommendations, according to the current
      2013 ESC Guidelines. Traditional LBBB was recorded in 229 patients (55%), an LBBB
      according to Strauss in 153 (37%) and an IVCD in 32 (8%). Patients with an LBBB
      according to Strauss showed a significantly more prolonged QRS duration (P <
      0.001), greater baseline end-systolic and end-diastolic volumes (P = 0.011 and P
      = 0.013, respectively) compared with those with IVCD. The prevalence of mid-QRS
      notching in at least two contiguous leads was 100% in LBBB according to Strauss;
      24% in traditional LBBB and 21.9% in IVCD (P < 0.001). At multivariate analysis,
      PR interval less than 200 ms and QRS of at least 150 ms were independent
      predictors of mid-QRS notching [odds ratio (OR) 1.78; 95% confidence interval
      (95% CI) 1.10-2.88; P = 0.02 and OR 2.88; 95% CI 1.80-4.62;P < 0.0001]. Applying
      stricter criteria for LBBB according to Strauss, a significant reduction in Class
      I recommendation and an increase in Class II was observed (90.1 vs. 37%; P <
      0.0001 and 9.9 vs. 63%; P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Applying stricter criteria,
      only 37% of patients undergoing CRT showed a true-LBBB according to Strauss.
      Accurate identification of true-LBBB may have a potential additional value in
      better selecting patients.

PMID- 26258726
TI  - Effects of functional tricuspid regurgitation on renal function and long-term
      prognosis in patients with heart failure.
AB  - AIMS: Renal dysfunction is common in heart failure. Recent evidence suggests a
      pivotal role for systemic venous congestion and functional tricuspid
      regurgitation (FTR) in the pathophysiology of renal dysfunction. We investigated
      the role of FTR as a determinant of renal dysfunction and a predictor of long
      term prognosis in chronic systolic heart failure patients. METHODS AND RESULTS:
      Four hundred and thirteen consecutive patients (mean age 74.2 +/- 11 years) with
      chronic heart failure and left ventricular ejection fraction below 50% were
      enrolled. The FTR severity was quantified by transthoracic echocardiography.
      Renal function was evaluated with the estimated glomerular filtration rate
      measured by the simplified Modification of Diet in Renal Disease formula. The
      association between moderate/severe FTR and renal dysfunction, and its impact on
      heart failure episodes and overall mortality were also assessed. The median
      follow-up was 36 months (range 1-144 months). Through multivariate analysis, the
      interaction between moderate/severe FTR with tricuspid annular plane systolic
      excursion less than 16 mm was found to be an independent determinant of renal
      dysfunction [odds ratio 1.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1-1.5, P = 0.04].
      Moderate/severe FTR (hazard ratio 1.3, 95% CI 1.2-2.7, P = 0.02) and tricuspid
      annular plane systolic excursion below 16 mm (hazard ratio 1.2, 95% CI 1.0-3.7, P
      = 0.01) were significantly related to the heart failure episodes. Moreover, the
      Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a worse outcome in patients with moderate/severe FTR
      (log-rank test 8.6, P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of significant FTR
      and right ventricular dysfunction, but not FTR and right ventricular dysfunction
      alone, is independently associated with renal dysfunction. The presence of
      significant FTR is related to an excess event rate of heart failure and has
      significant impact on outcome.

PMID- 26258727
TI  - How do I get my article published? Insight from an EACTS luncheon.

PMID- 26258728
TI  - Secular Redemptions: Biopolitics by Example.
AB  - In this article, I analyze the practices of a group of Catholic nuns who run
      shelters for 'victims of human trafficking' in Italy, and are thus involved in
      state-funded rehabilitation programs for former foreign prostitutes. This case
      shows how the state and the Church are deeply implicated in each other's projects
      of redemption and the creation of new forms of life. In Italy, the legal model
      for rehabilitating foreign prostitutes is avowedly secular yet also deeply shaped
      by a Catholic impetus to purify sinners. At the same time, however, the nuns
      themselves develop an understanding of redemption as a secular life-saving
      project in line with the state's project of recognition, and thus inscribe their
      practices within the biopolitical effort to transform lives. Ultimately, I argue,
      leading by example becomes a specific Catholic instantiation of biopolitics that
      characterizes both the state's and the Church's approach to foreigners.

PMID- 26258729
TI  - Probing the Biomimetic Ice Nucleation Inhibition Activity of Poly(vinyl alcohol)
      and Comparison to Synthetic and Biological Polymers.
AB  - Nature has evolved many elegant solutions to enable life to flourish at low
      temperatures by either allowing (tolerance) or preventing (avoidance) ice
      formation. These processes are typically controlled by ice nucleating proteins or
      antifreeze proteins, which act to either promote nucleation, prevent nucleation
      or inhibit ice growth depending on the specific need, respectively. These
      proteins can be expensive and their mechanisms of action are not understood,
      limiting their translation, especially into biomedical cryopreservation
      applications. Here well-defined poly(vinyl alcohol), synthesized by RAFT/MADIX
      polymerization, is investigated for its ice nucleation inhibition (INI) activity,
      in contrast to its established ice growth inhibitory properties and compared to
      other synthetic polymers. It is shown that ice nucleation inhibition activity of
      PVA has a strong molecular weight dependence; polymers with a degree of
      polymerization below 200 being an effective inhibitor at just 1 mg.mL(-1). Other
      synthetic and natural polymers, both with and without hydroxyl-functional side
      chains, showed negligible activity, highlighting the unique ice/water interacting
      properties of PVA. These findings both aid our understanding of ice nucleation
      but demonstrate the potential of engineering synthetic polymers as new
      biomimetics to control ice formation/growth processes. 

PMID- 26258731
TI  - Review of Fluid Therapy in Small Animal Practice (2nd edition).
AB  - Stephen P. DiBartola, ed.,Fluid Therapy in Small Animal Practice (2nd edition),
      611 pages, (WB Saunders), ISBN: 0-7216-7739-8, reviewed by Janet Aldrich, DVM. 

PMID- 26258732
TI  - A General Method for Solvent Exchange of Plasmonic Nanoparticles and Self
      Assembly into SERS-Active Monolayers.
AB  - We present a general route for the transfer of Au and Ag nanoparticles of
      different shapes and sizes, from water into various organic solvents. The
      experimental conditions for each type of nanoparticles were optimized by using a
      combination of thiolated poly(ethylene glycol) and a hydrophobic capping agent,
      such as dodecanethiol. The functionalized nanoparticles were readily transferred
      into organic dispersions with long-term stability (months). Such organic
      dispersions efficiently spread out on water, leading to self-assembly at the
      air/liquid interface into extended nanoparticle arrays which could in turn be
      transferred onto solid substrates. The dense close packing in the obtained
      nanoparticle monolayers results in extensive plasmon coupling, rendering them
      efficient substrates for surface-enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy. 

PMID- 26258735
TI  - A New ELOVL4 Mutation in a Case of Spinocerebellar Ataxia With
      Erythrokeratodermia.

PMID- 26258730
TI  - A meta-analytic review of religious or spiritual involvement and social health
      among cancer patients.
AB  - Religion and spirituality (R/S) play an important role in the daily lives of many
      cancer patients. There has been great interest in determining whether R/S factors
      are related to clinically relevant health outcomes. In this meta-analytic review,
      the authors examined associations between dimensions of R/S and social health
      (eg, social roles and relationships). A systematic search of the PubMed,
      PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health
      Literature databases was conducted, and data were extracted by 4 pairs of
      investigators. Bivariate associations between specific R/S dimensions and social
      health outcomes were examined in a meta-analysis using a generalized estimating
      equation approach. In total, 78 independent samples encompassing 14,277 patients
      were included in the meta-analysis. Social health was significantly associated
      with overall R/S (Fisher z effect size = .20; P < .001) and with each of the R/S
      dimensions (affective R/S effect size = 0.31 [P < .001]; cognitive R/S effect
      size = .10 [P < .01]; behavioral R/S effect size = .08 [P < .05]; and 'other' R/S
      effect size = .13 [P < .001]). Within these dimensions, specific variables tied
      to social health included spiritual well being, spiritual struggle, images of
      God, R/S beliefs, and composite R/S measures (all P values < .05). None of the
      demographic or clinical moderating variables examined were significant. Results
      suggest that several R/S dimensions are modestly associated with patients'
      capacity to maintain satisfying social roles and relationships in the context of
      cancer. Further research is needed to examine the temporal nature of these
      associations and the mechanisms that underlie them.

PMID- 26258736
TI  - Successful Antiviral Treatment of Giant Cell Arteritis and Takayasu Arteritis.

PMID- 26258737
TI  - Fragile X Tremor Ataxia Syndrome With Rapidly Progressive Myopathy.

PMID- 26258738
TI  - Subthalamic Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson Disease.

PMID- 26258739
TI  - Subthalamic Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson Disease--Reply.

PMID- 26258740
TI  - Diabetes Mellitus and Cognitive Resilience.

PMID- 26258742
TI  - Error in Byline. Neuroinflammation in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Measured Using
      Positron Emission Tomographic Imaging of Translocator Protein.

PMID- 26258741
TI  - Diabetes Mellitus and Cognitive Resilience--Reply.

PMID- 26258743
TI  - Error in Figure. Comparison of Switch to Fingolimod or Interferon Beta/Glatiramer
      Acetate in Active Multiple Sclerosis.

PMID- 26258744
TI  - Redundant Information in Text and Incorrect Reference. Association of a Novel
      ACTA1 Mutation With a Dominant Progressive Scapuloperoneal Myopathy in an
      Extended Family.

PMID- 26258746
TI  - Chimeric Nanoparticle: A Platform for Simultaneous Targeting of
      Phosphatidylinositol-3-Kinase Signaling and Damaging DNA in Cancer Cells.
AB  - Phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) signaling has been hijacked in different
      types of cancers. Hence, PI3K inhibitors have emerged as novel targeted
      therapeutics in cancer treatment as mono and combination therapy along with other
      DNA damaging drugs. However, targeting PI3K signaling with small molecules leads
      to the emergence of drug resistance and severe side effects to the cancer
      patients. To address these, we have developed a biocompatible, biodegradable
      cholesterol-based chimeric nanoparticle (CNP), which can simultaneously load
      PI103, doxorubicin, and cisplatin in a controlled ratiometric manner. Size,
      shape, and morphology of these CNPs were characterized by dynamic light
      scattering (DLS), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), atomic
      force microscopy (AFM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Increased
      amounts of PI103, doxorubicin, and cisplatin were released from CNPs through
      controlled and continuous manner over 120 h at pH = 5.5 compared to neutral pH.
      The CNPs showed much enhanced in vitro cytotoxicity in HeLa, HL60, MCF7, and MDA
      MB-231 cancer cells compared to a free drug cocktail at 24 and 48 h by inducing
      apoptosis. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) imaging revealed that indeed
      these CNPs were internalized into subcellular lysosomes through endocytosis in a
      time dependent mode over 6 h and retained inside for 48 h in HeLa, MDA-MB-231,
      and MCF7 cells. These CNPs showed their efficacy by damaging DNA and inhibiting
      Akt as a downstream modulator of PI3K signaling in HeLa cervical cancer cells.
      These CNPs have the potential to open up new directions in next-generation
      nanomedicine by simultaneous targeting of multiple oncogenic signaling pathways
      and inducing DNA damage for augmented therapeutic outcome by reducing toxic side
      effects and overcoming drug resistance. 

PMID- 26258748
TI  - Oral fumaric acid esters for psoriasis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that can markedly
      reduce life quality. Several systemic therapies exist for moderate to severe
      psoriasis, including oral fumaric acid esters (FAE). These contain dimethyl
      fumarate (DMF), the main active ingredient, and monoethyl fumarate. FAE are
      licensed for psoriasis in Germany but used off-licence in many countries.
      OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects and safety of oral fumaric acid esters for
      psoriasis. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the following databases up to 7 May 2015:
      the Cochrane Skin Group Specialised Register, CENTRAL in the Cochrane Library
      (Issue 4, 2015), MEDLINE (from 1946), EMBASE (from 1974), and LILACS (from 1982).
      We searched five trials registers and checked the reference lists of included and
      excluded studies for further references to relevant randomised controlled trials.
      We handsearched six conference proceedings that were not already included in the
      Cochrane Skin Group Specialised Register. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised
      controlled trials (RCTs) of FAE, including DMF monotherapy, in individuals of any
      age and sex with a clinical diagnosis of psoriasis. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS:
      Two review authors independently assessed trial quality and extracted data.
      Primary outcomes were improvement in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI)
      score and the proportion of participants discontinuing treatment due to adverse
      effects. MAIN RESULTS: We included 6 studies (2 full reports, 2 abstracts, 1
      brief communication, and 1 letter), with a total of 544 participants. Risk of
      bias was unclear in several studies because of insufficient reporting. Five
      studies compared FAE with placebo, and one study compared FAE with methotrexate.
      All studies reported data at 12 to 16 weeks, and we identified no longer-term
      studies. When FAE were compared with placebo, we could not perform meta-analysis
      for the primary outcome of PASI score because the three studies that assessed
      this outcome reported the data differently, although all studies reported a
      significant reduction in PASI scores with FAE. Only 1 small study designed for
      psoriatic arthritis reported on the other primary outcome of participants
      discontinuing treatment due to adverse effects (2 of 13 participants on FAE
      compared with none of the 14 participants on placebo; risk ratio (RR) 5.36, 95%
      confidence interval (CI) 0.28 to 102.1; 27 participants; very low-quality
      evidence). However, these findings are uncertain due to indirectness and a very
      wide confidence interval. Two studies, containing 247 participants and both only
      reported as abstracts, allowed meta-analysis for PASI 50, which showed
      superiority of FAE over placebo (RR 4.55, 95% CI 2.80 to 7.40; low-quality
      evidence), with a combined PASI 50 of 64% in those given FAE compared with a PASI
      50 of 14% for those on placebo, representing a number needed to treat to benefit
      of 2. The same studies reported more participants achieving PASI 75 with FAE, but
      we did not pool the data because of significant heterogeneity; none of the
      studies measured PASI 90. One study reported significant improvement in
      participants' quality of life (QoL) with FAE, measured with Skindex-29. However,
      we could not compute the mean difference because of insufficient reporting in the
      abstract. More participants experienced adverse effects, mainly gastrointestinal
      disturbance and flushing, on FAE (RR 4.72, 95% CI 2.45 to 9.08; 1 study, 99
      participants; moderate-quality evidence), affecting 76% of participants given FAE
      and 16% of the placebo group (representing a number needed to treat to harm of
      2). The other studies reported similar findings or did not report adverse effects
      fully.One study of 54 participants compared methotrexate (MTX) with FAE. PASI
      score at follow-up showed superiority of MTX (mean Difference (MD) 3.80, 95% CI
      0.68 to 6.92; 51 participants; very low-quality evidence), but the difference was
      not significant after adjustment for baseline disease severity. The difference
      between groups for the proportion of participants who discontinued treatment due
      to adverse effects was uncertain because of imprecision (RR 0.19, 95% CI 0.02 to
      1.53; 1 study, 51 participants; very low-quality evidence). Overall, the number
      of participants experiencing common nuisance adverse effects was not
      significantly different between the 2 groups, with 89% of the FAE group affected
      compared with 100% of the MTX group (RR 0.89, 95% CI 0.77 to 1.03; 54
      participants; very low-quality evidence). Flushing was more frequent in those on
      FAE, with 13 out of 27 participants affected compared with 2 out of 27 given MTX.
      There was no significant difference in the number of participants who attained
      PASI 50, 75, and 90 in the 2 groups (very low-quality evidence) whereas this
      study did not measure the effect of treatments on QoL. The included studies
      reported no serious adverse effects of FAE and were too small and of limited
      duration to provide evidence about rare or delayed effects. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS:
      Evidence suggests that FAE are superior to placebo and possibly similar in
      efficacy to MTX for psoriasis; however, the evidence provided in this review was
      limited, and it must be noted that four out of six included studies were
      abstracts or brief reports, restricting study reporting. FAE are associated with
      nuisance adverse effects, including flushing and gastrointestinal disturbance,
      but short-term studies reported no serious adverse effects.

PMID- 26258747
TI  - Cytoprotective effects of grape seed extract on human gingival fibroblasts in
      relation to its antioxidant potential.
AB  - Cytoprotective effects of short-term treatment with grape seed extract (GSE) upon
      human gingival fibroblasts (hGFs) were evaluated in relation to its antioxidant
      properties and compared with those of a water-soluble analog of vitamin E: trolox
      (Tx). GSE and Tx showed comparable antioxidant potential in vitro against
      di(phenyl)-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)iminoazanium (DPPH; a stable radical), hydroxyl
      radical (*OH), singlet oxygen (1O2), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Pretreatment
      or concomitant treatment with GSE for 1 min protected hGFs from oxidative
      stressors, including H2O2, acid-electrolyzed water (AEW), and 1O2, and attenuated
      the intracellular formation of reactive oxygen species induced by H2O2 and AEW.
      Tx also reduced the H2O2- and AEW-induced intracellular formation of reactive
      oxygen species, but showed no cytoprotective effects on hGFs exposed to H2O2,
      AEW, or 1O2. These results suggest that the cytoprotective effects of GSE are
      likely exerted independently of its antioxidant potential. 

PMID- 26258749
TI  - A head to head comparison of nine tools predicting non-sentinel lymph node status
      in sentinel node positive breast cancer women.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to evaluate the performance
      of available tools predicting non-sentinel lymph node (non-SLN) status in women
      with SLN positive breast cancer and to see if they can be safely used in everyday
      clinical practice. METHODS: Data of 220 women with breast cancer who underwent a
      SLN biopsy at the Maxima Medical Centre between 2000-2008 were analysed. Tools
      evaluated were: the models from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre, Stanford,
      Mayo, Cambridge, Gur, and MOU, and the scores from Saidi, Tenon, and MDA. Model
      performance was assessed using calibration, discrimination and Nagelkerke's
      explained variation. RESULTS: The MSKCC nomogram showed best overall performance
      with best discrimination (AUC 0.69), second best calibration, and highest
      explained variation (31%). The 10% low risk threshold led to defining only 22%
      (38/176) of the women as being low risk while in fact 66% (116/176) were non-SLN
      negative. The false negative rate was 13% (5/38). CONCLUSIONS: Current models for
      predicting non-SLN metastases in SLN positive breast cancer are not yet ready for
      implementation in general practice. Further research efforts should improve model
      performance in selecting patients or perhaps find a role in support in the
      paradigm shift to a "treat none unless" approach.

PMID- 26258750
TI  - Fabrication of aligned, porous and conductive fibers and their effects on cell
      adhesion and guidance.
AB  - The potential applications of aligned, conductive electrospun fibers have been
      widely studied in anisotropic tissue regeneration. In this study, aligned porous
      poly L-lactic acid fibers were obtained with electrospinning, then polypyrrole
      nanoparticles (PPy NPs) were coated onto the porous fibers with oxidation
      polymerization to prepare electrically conductive fibers with about 1.24 MUm of
      diameter, and their surface conductivity was about 50 mS. The results of L929
      cell test showed that more than 55% of cells grew along the aligned porous fiber
      axis, confirming that the cell guidance of aligned porous fibers was better than
      that of non-porous fibers. The results of differentiated PC12 cells on porous
      fibers showed that the alignment degree of neurite outgrowth and average neurite
      length of the cells were 84% and 111 MUm, respectively, which were larger than
      those on the non-porous fibers. A primary mechanism was proposed to explain
      effect of these pores on cell/neurite adhesion and orientation along the aligned
      porous fibers.

PMID- 26258751
TI  - Imprinted nanospheres based on precipitation polymerization for the simultaneous
      extraction of six urinary benzene metabolites from urine followed by injector
      port silylation and gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric analysis.
AB  - In the present communication, uniformly sized molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP)
      as nanospheres were synthesized based on precipitation polymerization using dual
      template imprinting approach and used it as sorbent for solid phase extraction of
      six urinary benzene metabolites (UBMs). This approach in combination with
      injector port silylation (IPS) has been used for the quantitative determination
      of these UBMs by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The MIP was
      synthesized by using t,t-muconic acid (t,t-MA) and 1,2,4-trihydroxybenzene (THB)
      as templates, methacrylic acid (MAA) as a monomer, ethyleneglycoldimethacrylate
      (EGDMA) as crosslinker, acetonitrile and dimethylsulphoxide as a porogen and
      azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as an initiator. The factors affecting the
      performance of polymer and IPS were investigated and optimized for the
      simultaneous determination of UBMs in urine. Binding study of imprinted and non
      imprinted polymer (NIP) shows that, MIP possesses higher affinity in comparison
      to NIP for these analytes. Under the optimum conditions, the method developed was
      found to be linear with regression coefficients falls in the range of 0.9721
      0.9988 for all the analyzed metabolites. The percent recovery of the metabolites
      analyzed in urine was found to be in the range of 76-89%, while the limit of
      detection and limit of quantification were found to be in the range of 0.9
      9.1ngmL(-1) and 2.8-27ngmL(-1) respectively. The validated method was
      successfully applied to the real urine samples collected from different groups
      (kitchen workers, smokers and petroleum workers) and found that the developed
      method has been promising applications in the routine analysis of urine samples
      of benzene exposed population. 

PMID- 26258752
TI  - Ki-67 Membranous Staining: Biologically Relevant or an Artifact of Multiplexed
      Immunofluorescent Staining.
AB  - In the process of developing a multiplex of 8 common breast cancer biomarkers
      (Her2/neu, estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, Ki-67, aldehyde
      dehydrogenase-1, NaK-ATPase, cytokeratin 8/18, and myosin smooth muscle) on a
      single formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded slide using a sequential staining,
      imaging, and dye bleaching technology developed by General Electric Company,
      membranous Ki-67 staining was observed and colocalized with Her2/neu staining.
      Using immunohistochemistry as gold standards, we discovered that membranous Ki-67
      was an artifact caused by the binding of cyanine 5-conjugated rabbit polyclonal
      Ki-67 antibody to a secondary cyanine 3-conjugated donkey anti-rabbit antibody
      which was previously applied and bound to rabbit Her2/neu antibody in our
      multiplexing experiment. After blocking with rabbit serum, a successful protocol
      for 8 biomarker multiplexing without cross-reactivity of antibodies from the same
      species was developed.

PMID- 26258753
TI  - Immunohistochemical Evaluation of Leptin Expression in Wound Healing: A Clue to
      Exuberant Scar Formation.
AB  - Leptin has been recognized as an important factor for promoting normal cutaneous
      wound healing. The aim of this work was to explore leptin expression in keloid
      and hypertrophic scars (HS) compared with surgical scars and normal skin. The
      relationship of this expression with clinicopathologic parameters of studied
      cases was also evaluated. Using immunohistochemical techniques, leptin was
      analyzed in skin biopsies of 60 nonobese subjects without metabolic syndrome who
      presented with keloids (20), HS (20), and surgical scars (20). Twenty normal skin
      samples, from age-matched, sex-matched, and body mass index-matched subjects,
      were enrolled as a control group. Leptin showed positive immunoreactivity in
      epidermis in all cases of surgical scars and keloids and in 75% of HS cases.
      Dermal expression in fibroblasts, inflammatory cells, and endothelial cells was
      positive in all cases of surgical scars and keloids and in 70% of HS cases.
      Leptin was overexpressed in keloids and HS compared with normal skin in epidermis
      (P<0.001 for both) and dermis (P<0.001 for both) and to surgical scars both in
      epidermis (P=0.0006, P=0.01, respectively) and dermis (P=0.0001, P=0.001,
      respectively). Higher leptin H score was significantly associated with older age
      (P=0.02) and positive family history (P=0.002) in keloid cases and with axial
      site in keloid and HS cases (P=0.001, P=0.02, respectively). Significant positive
      correlation was noted between epidermal and dermal leptin H scores in keloids
      (r=+0.37, P=0.04) and HS (r=+0.39, P=0.02). This may be due to epithelial
      mesenchymal interactions in scar pathogenesis. In conclusion, in situ leptin
      overexpression may increase the possibility of keloid and HS occurrence through
      altered cytokine production and prolonged healing phases with excessive
      deposition and delayed collagen degradation. This may open an avenue for research
      for new therapeutic modalities based on its inhibition. 

PMID- 26258754
TI  - Primary Intestinal Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma in Taiwan Showed a Relative
      Higher Rate of Perforation and EBV Association.
AB  - We retrospectively investigated 59 surgically resected primary intestinal diffuse
      large B-cell lymphomas (PI-DLBCL) including 31 males and 28 females with a median
      age of 66. Eleven (19%) tumors were perforated at presentation; 8 (14%) were
      multicentric. Ileum (n=24; 43%) and ileocecum (n=17; 30%) were most frequently
      involved. Twenty-one (36%) patients did not receive chemotherapy or radiotherapy
      including 6 with perforation and died in 0.2 to 7 months. The 1-, 2-, and 5-year
      overall survival rates were 68.4%, 56.5%, and 50.0%, respectively. Seven (12%) of
      59 cases were positive for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) by in situ hybridization.
      IGH, BCL2, BCL6, and MYC foci were rearranged in 22%, 3%, 17%, and 7% cases,
      respectively, with 14% exhibiting gain/amplification at the MYC locus.
      Perforation (P=0.009), high ECOG PS (>=2) (P=0.018), and no adjuvant chemotherapy
      (P<0.001) were poor prognostic factors but not immunophenotype including co
      expression of bcl-2 and myc, EBV status, or chromosomal aberrations. Perforation
      and chemotherapy remained significant by multivariate analysis. PI-DLBCL in
      Taiwan carried a relatively higher rate of perforation, lower frequency of
      germinal center B-cell phenotype, and higher EBV association as compared with
      studies from other geographic areas. Furthermore, perforation was a poor
      prognostic factor.

PMID- 26258755
TI  - Rheb/mTOR/p70s6k Cascade and TFE3 Expression in Conventional and Sclerosing
      PEComas of the Urinary Tract.
AB  - Perivascular epithelioid cell tumors (PEComas) are rarely found in the urinary
      tract. The clinicopathologic characteristics of 10 cases, retrospectively
      collected from 5 medical institutions in 3 different European countries, are
      presented in this study. Male/female ratio was 3:7 and the average age at
      diagnosis was 62.7 years. Nine cases were sporadic and 1 showed germline mutation
      of the TSC2 gene. Eight cases were located in the kidney, 1 in the left adrenal
      and 1 in the right ureter. All of the patients were alive and free of disease at
      the time of last contact (mean follow-up, 14.1 mo). Four cases displayed a
      conventional morphology and 6 showed a prominent sclerotic stroma. By
      immunohistochemistry, melanocytic markers were consistently expressed, especially
      HMB-45 (10 cases), MiTF (9 cases), and Melan-A (6 cases). Desmin was expressed in
      6 cases; 2 cases were positive for CD117; a single case showed TFE3 expression.
      pMAPK, mTOR, and pAKT demonstrated variable immunostaining with focal positivity
      in 7, 4, and 2 cases, respectively. Cytokeratins were repeatedly negative in all
      cases. PEComas in the urinary tract, especially in the renal region, may show a
      relatively high frequency of the sclerosing histologic subtype. Knowledge of the
      distinct histology and immunohistochemical profile is vital to correctly diagnose
      this rare entity.

PMID- 26258756
TI  - Reduced miR-512 and the Elevated Expression of Its Targets cFLIP and MCL1
      Localize to Neurons With Hyperphosphorylated Tau Protein in Alzheimer Disease.
AB  - The cause for the neurofibrillary tangles and plaques in Alzheimer disease likely
      relates to an abnormal accumulation of their key components, which include beta
      amyloid and hyperphosphorylated tau protein. We segregated Alzheimer brain
      sections from people with end-stage disease into those with abundant
      hyperphosphorylated tau protein and those without and compared each to normal
      brains for global microRNA patterns. A significant reduced expression of several
      microRNAs, including miR-512, was evident in the Alzheimer brain sections with
      abundant hyperphosphorylated tau. Immunohistochemistry documented that 2 known
      targets of microRNA-512, cFLIP and MCL1, were significantly over expressed and
      each colocalized to neurons with the abnormal tau protein. Analysis for apoptosis
      including activated caspase-3, increased caspase-4 and caspase-8, apoptosis
      initiating factor, APAF-1 activity, and the TUNEL assay was negative in the areas
      where neurons showed hyperphosphorylated tau. MCM2 expression, a marker of
      neuroprogenitor cells, was significantly reduced in the Alzheimer sections that
      contained the hyperphosphorylated tau. These results suggest that a basic defect
      in Alzheimer disease may be the reduced microRNA-driven increased expression of
      proteins that may alter the apoptotic/antiapoptotic balance of neurons. This, in
      turn, could lead to the accumulation of key Alzheimer proteins such as
      hyperphosphorylated tau that ultimately prevent normal neuronal function and lead
      to disease symptomatology. 

PMID- 26258757
TI  - Insulin-like Growth Factor II Messenger RNA-binding Protein 3 in Salivary Gland
      Tumors.
AB  - Insulin-like growth factor II mRNA-binding protein 3 (IMP3) is strongly expressed
      in malignant tumors and has been associated with their aggressive behavior. The
      aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of IMP3 in a series of salivary
      gland tumors. The sample consisted of 9 pleomorphic adenomas (PA), 14 adenoid
      cystic carcinomas (ACC), and 13 mucoepidermoid carcinomas (MEC) that were
      investigated by immunohistochemical technique. All cases of PA and MEC were
      positive for IMP3 particularly in the cytoplasm. PA showed 4 cases as high
      expression and 6 as low expression. MEC showed 10 cases as low expression and 3
      as high expression. For ACC, 4 cases were high expression, whereas 6 cases were
      low expression. No significant difference was observed between tumors (P>0.05,
      Fisher's test) when both scores of IMP3 were compared. This study showed that MEC
      seems to be more sensitive to IMP3 than ACC and provided an insight into this
      protein in salivary gland tumors. Furthermore, although IMP3 is not a specific
      diagnostic marker to distinguish the tumors studied, it seems to mediate cell
      adhesion and migration in these tumors. Further studies should be performed to
      better understand the IMP3 biology in salivary gland tumors.

PMID- 26258758
TI  - Novel Method Probe-based Real-Time PCR to Detect 2 Single-Nucleotide
      Polymorphisms Close to Each Other: HFE Hemochromatosis Gene Model.
AB  - Hereditary hemochromatosis is known as the most common genetic disorder among
      individuals of European genetic background. It is possible to find 2 mutations
      closely placed in the HFE gene (H63D and S65C) and this proximity can cause
      errors when genotyped by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) genotyping
      assay. The aim of this study was to develop a hydrolysis probe-based PCR assay
      for detection of the H63D and S65C mutations without interference from on each
      other. Herein the study involved the standardization of an improvement of the
      real-time PCR 5' nuclease assay to detect the desired mutations close placed
      using a same probe system. The assay analytical properties performances were
      tested, including the primers selectivity and detection limits. Also, the
      interexaminer reproducibility and repeatability of assay were estimated in 30
      blood samples. Others 153 results of samples were compared with reference method
      (PCR_RFLP) and the accordance of the results evaluated by Fleiss' kappa method.
      The results of variation of interexaminer reproducibility and repeatability of
      assay were not statistically relevant (P<0.001). The comparison between the 2
      methods by Fleiss' kappa analysis showed that 5' nuclease assay identified the
      H63D and S65C haplotype as well as the reference method in all 153 tested
      samples. Our results showed that novel method probe-based real-time PCR were
      capable to detect 2 adjacent polymorphisms without errors in genotyping.

PMID- 26258760
TI  - Quantum Transport Detected by Strong Proximity Interaction at a Graphene-WS2 van
      der Waals Interface.
AB  - Magnetotransport measurements demonstrate that graphene in a van der Waals
      heterostructure is a sensitive probe of quantum transport in an adjacent WS2
      layer via strong Coulomb interactions. We observe a large low-field
      magnetoresistance (? e(2)/h) and a -ln T temperature dependence of the
      resistance. In-plane magnetic field resistance indicates the origin is orbital
      and nonclassical. We demonstrate a strong electron-hole asymmetry in the mobility
      and coherence length of graphene demonstrating the presence of localized Coulomb
      interactions with ionized donors in the WS2 substrate, which ultimately leads to
      screening as the Fermi level of graphene is tuned toward the conduction band of
      WS2. This leads us to conclude that graphene couples to quantum localization
      processes in WS2 via the Coulomb interaction and results in the observed
      signatures of quantum transport. Our results show that theoretical descriptions
      of the van der Waals interface should not ignore localized strong correlations. 

PMID- 26258761
TI  - Attitudes to Alzheimer's disease testing of Australian general practice patients:
      a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: In view of proposed screening for presymptomatic Alzheimer's disease
      (AD) with advanced imaging, and blood and cerebral spinal fluid analysis, we
      aimed to establish levels, and associations, of acceptance of AD testing
      modalities by general practice patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire
      based study of consecutive patients (aged 50 years and over) of general practices
      of an Australian practice-based research network was used. The questionnaire
      elicited demographic data and attitudes to screening for other diseases and
      included the screening acceptance domain of the Perceptions Regarding
      Investigational Screening for Memory in Primary Care (PRISM-PC) instrument. This
      assesses receptivity to modalities of testing for AD: short questionnaire, blood
      test, cerebral imaging, and annual physician examination. Reflecting speculation
      of possible future AD diagnostic methods, an item regarding testing cerebral
      spinal fluid was also included. Associations of PRISM-PC scores were analyzed
      with multiple linear regression. RESULTS: Of 489 participants (response rate
      87%), 66.2% would like to know if they had AD. Participants were more accepting
      of testing modalities that were noninvasive or familiar (questionnaire,
      physician's examination, and blood test) as opposed to cerebral imaging or lumbar
      puncture. Attitudes to AD testing are influenced by a positive attitude to
      disease screening in general. Patients with a self-perceived higher risk of AD
      were less accepting of testing, as were participants with an educational level of
      junior high school (10 school years) or less. CONCLUSIONS: This study
      demonstrates that a majority of patients would like to know if they have AD.
      Acceptability of testing modalities, however, varies. Noninvasive, familiar
      methods are more acceptable.

PMID- 26258762
TI  - A fungal monooxygenase-derived jasmonate attenuates host innate immunity.
AB  - Distinct modifications fine-tune the activity of jasmonic acid (JA) in regulating
      plant growth and immunity. Hydroxylated JA (12OH-JA) promotes flower and tuber
      development but prevents induction of JA signaling, plant defense or both.
      However, biosynthesis of 12OH-JA has remained elusive. We report here an
      antibiotic biosynthesis monooxygenase (Abm) that converts endogenous free JA into
      12OH-JA in the model rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae. Such fungal 12OH-JA is
      secreted during host penetration and helps evade the defense response. Loss of
      Abm in M. oryzae led to accumulation of methyl JA (MeJA), which induces host
      defense and blocks invasive growth. Exogenously added 12OH-JA markedly attenuated
      abmDelta-induced immunity in rice. Notably, Abm itself is secreted after invasion
      and most likely converts plant JA into 12OH-JA to facilitate host colonization.
      This study sheds light on the chemical arms race during plant-pathogen
      interaction, reveals Abm as an antifungal target and outlines a synthetic
      strategy for transformation of a versatile small-molecule phytohormone.

PMID- 26258763
TI  - An excess of catalytically required motions inhibits the scavenger decapping
      enzyme.
AB  - The scavenger decapping enzyme hydrolyzes the protective 5' cap structure on
      short mRNA fragments that are generated from the exosomal degradation of mRNAs.
      From static crystal structures and NMR data, it is apparent that the dimeric
      enzyme has to undergo large structural changes to bind its substrate in a
      catalytically competent conformation. Here we studied the yeast enzyme and showed
      that the associated opening and closing motions can be orders of magnitude faster
      than the catalytic turnover rate. This excess of motion is induced by the binding
      of a second ligand to the enzyme, which occurs at high substrate concentrations.
      We designed a mutant that disrupted the allosteric pathway that links the second
      binding event to the dynamics and showed that this mutant enzyme is hyperactive.
      Our data reveal a unique mechanism of substrate inhibition in which motions that
      are required for catalytic activity also inhibit efficient turnover when they are
      present in excess.

PMID- 26258764
TI  - SH3 domain of c-Src governs its dynamics at focal adhesions and the cell
      membrane.
AB  - We studied the role of the Src SH3 domain in its dynamics at the cell membrane
      using site-directed mutagenesis and live cell imaging. Physiologically, cell
      proliferation and migration require the expression of Src family kinases.
      Hyperactivation of Src molecules has been detected in various cancer cells.
      Although the activation mechanism of Src has been intensively studied, the
      dynamics of Src at the cell membrane are still unclear. Although Src molecules
      also exist at various cellular locations, we found that activated Src molecules
      are mainly localized at peripheral cell adhesion sites. Src phosphorylation
      status and subdomain conformations are thought to regulate Src activation and
      translocation. In this study, we analyzed the single-molecule dynamics of wild
      type Src and SH2- and SH3-mutated Src at the cell membrane. Introducing mutations
      in the SH3 domain resulted in reduced Src motility at the cell membrane, both
      inside and outside of focal adhesions. Disruption of the actin cytoskeleton
      resulted in less diffusive Src movement at the cell membrane. We demonstrate
      that, inside focal adhesions, the SH3 domain enhanced dissociation of Src from
      the adhesion site and disruption of the SH3 domain altered the distribution of
      Src at the cell membrane. Inside focal adhesions, kinase activity of Src was
      essential for the Src mobility reduction by SH3 domain mutation, suggesting that
      rapid mobility of Src at focal adhesions mediated by the SH3 domain is catalytic
      activity-dependent. These findings show that the SH3 domain of Src governs the
      dynamics of Src at the cell membrane and may be involved in rapid signal
      transduction in cells.

PMID- 26258765
TI  - New Therapies in the Treatment of High Cholesterol: An Argument to Return to Goal
      Based Lipid Guidelines.

PMID- 26258766
TI  - Omental adipose tissue fibrosis and insulin resistance in severe obesity.
AB  - BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The unresolved chronic inflammation of white adipose
      tissue (WAT) in obesity leads to interstitial deposition of fibrogenic proteins
      as reparative process. The contribution of omental adipose tissue (oWAT) fibrosis
      to obesity-related complications remains controversial. The aim of our study was
      to investigate whether oWAT fibrosis may be related to insulin resistance in
      severely obese population. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Forty obese subjects were studied by
      glucose clamp before undergoing bariatric surgery and thus stratified according
      to insulin resistance severity (M-value). From the first (Group B: n=13; M=1.9+/
      0.7 mg kg(-1) min(-1)) and the highest (Group A: n=14; M=4.5+/-1.4 mg kg(-1) min(
      1)) M-value tertiles, which were age-, waist- and body mass index-matched, oWAT
      samples were then obtained.Gene expression of collagen type I, III and VI,
      interleukin-6, profibrotic mediators (transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1,
      activin A, connective tissue growth factor), hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha (HIF
      1alpha) and macrophage (CD68, monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1, CD86, CD206,
      CD150) markers were analyzed by quantitative reverse transcription PCR. Adipocyte
      size and total fibrosis were assessed by histomorphometry techniques. RESULTS:
      Fibrosis at morphological level resulted significantly greater in Group B
      compared with Group A, although collagens gene expression did not differ.
      Notably, collagen VI messenger RNA significantly correlated with collagen I,
      collagen III, HIF-1alpha, TGF-beta1, CD68, MCP-1 and CD86 transcription levels,
      supporting their relation with fibrosis development. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion,
      we show for the first time that human oWAT fibrosis in severe obesity is
      consistent with a higher degree of insulin resistance measured by glucose clamp.
      Therefore, collagen deposition could represent a maladaptive mechanism
      contributing to obesity-related metabolic complications.

PMID- 26258768
TI  - Self-consistent method for quantifying indium content from X-ray spectra of thick
      compound semiconductor specimens in a transmission electron microscope.
AB  - Based on Monte Carlo simulations of X-ray generation by fast electrons we
      calculate curves of effective sensitivity factors for analytical transmission
      electron microscopy based energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy including
      absorption and fluorescence effects, as a function of Ga K/L ratio for different
      indium and gallium containing compound semiconductors. For the case of InGaN
      alloy thin films we show that experimental spectra can thus be quantified without
      the need to measure specimen thickness or density, yielding self-consistent
      values for quantification with Ga K and Ga L lines. The effect of uncertainties
      in the detector efficiency are also shown to be reduced. 

PMID- 26258767
TI  - Relation of intelligence quotient and body mass index in preschool children: a
      community-based cross-sectional study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Overweight and obesity in children is a global problem. Besides
      physical effects, obesity has harmful psychological effects on children. METHODS:
      We carried out cross-sectional community-based study to investigate the relation
      between body mass index (BMI) and cognitive functioning in preschool children.
      Thirteen socioeconomical elements of 1151 children were measured and analyzed
      based on their intelligence quotient (IQ) test results. Thirteen out of 33
      provinces were selected randomly, and schools were selected as clusters in rural
      and urban areas. Descriptive statistics, t-test, analysis of variance and
      regression were used when appropriate. RESULTS: Our analysis showed that IQ was
      associated with household income, place of residence, delivery type, type of
      infant feeding and father's and mother's education level (P<0.001 for all). Using
      penalized linear regression for eliminating the impact of confounding factor, our
      study shows that, living in metropolitan (beta=2.411) and urban areas
      (beta=2.761), the level of participants' father's education (beta=5.251) was
      positively and BMI (beta=-0.594) was negatively related with IQ test
      results.ConclusionsThe findings of the present study showed that a lower IQ score
      is associated with higher BMI. However, this relation appears to be largely
      mediated when the socioeconomic status was considered.

PMID- 26258770
TI  - Fatal Injury Caused by a Ram (Ovis Aries) Attack.
AB  - Animal-inflicted injuries to humans are a major public health problem around the
      world resulting in great morbidity, money loss, and mortality. They are related
      to wild and domestic animals alike. Animals can cause injuries by various
      mechanisms--biting, stinging, crushing, goring, stomping, butting, kicking,
      pecking, etc. We present a case of a ram's attack with fatal consequences. A 4
      year-old, 120 kg jezersko-solcava breed ram with prior history of aggressive
      behavior inflicted multiple injuries to his 83-year-old owner, who died in the
      hospital a few hours later due to severe blunt force injuries sustained in the
      attack. The autopsy revealed the cause of death to be multiple injuries of the
      thorax and the head. Sheep, even though they are not considered aggressive or
      large farm animals such as cattle and horses, can inflict serious injuries with
      devastating results.

PMID- 26258769
TI  - Adiabatic far-field sub-diffraction imaging.
AB  - The limited resolution of a conventional optical imaging system stems from the
      fact that the fine feature information of an object is carried by evanescent
      waves, which exponentially decays in space and thus cannot reach the imaging
      plane. We introduce here an adiabatic lens, which utilizes a geometrically
      conformal surface to mediate the interference of slowly decompressed
      electromagnetic waves at far field to form images. The decompression is
      satisfying an adiabatic condition, and by bridging the gap between far field and
      near field, it allows far-field optical systems to project an image of the near
      field features directly. Using these designs, we demonstrated the magnification
      can be up to 20 times and it is possible to achieve sub-50 nm imaging resolution
      in visible. Our approach provides a means to extend the domain of geometrical
      optics to a deep sub-wavelength scale. 

PMID- 26258771
TI  - Eutrophication effects on greenhouse gas fluxes from shallow-lake mesocosms
      override those of climate warming.
AB  - Fresh waters make a disproportionately large contribution to greenhouse gas (GHG)
      emissions, with shallow lakes being particular hot spots. Given their global
      prevalence, how GHG fluxes from shallow lakes are altered by climate change may
      have profound implications for the global carbon cycle. Empirical evidence for
      the temperature dependence of the processes controlling GHG production in natural
      systems is largely based on the correlation between seasonal temperature
      variation and seasonal change in GHG fluxes. However, ecosystem-level GHG fluxes
      could be influenced by factors, which while varying seasonally with temperature
      are actually either indirectly related (e.g. primary producer biomass) or largely
      unrelated to temperature, for instance nutrient loading. Here, we present results
      from the longest running shallow-lake mesocosm experiment which demonstrate that
      nutrient concentrations override temperature as a control of both the total and
      individual GHG flux. Furthermore, testing for temperature treatment effects at
      low and high nutrient levels separately showed only one, rather weak, positive
      effect of temperature (CH4 flux at high nutrients). In contrast, at low
      nutrients, the CO2 efflux was lower in the elevated temperature treatments, with
      no significant effect on CH4 or N2 O fluxes. Further analysis identified possible
      indirect effects of temperature treatment. For example, at low nutrient levels,
      increased macrophyte abundance was associated with significantly reduced fluxes
      of both CH4 and CO2 for both total annual flux and monthly observation data. As
      macrophyte abundance was positively related to temperature treatment, this
      suggests the possibility of indirect temperature effects, via macrophyte
      abundance, on CH4 and CO2 flux. These findings indicate that fluxes of GHGs from
      shallow lakes may be controlled more by factors indirectly related to
      temperature, in this case nutrient concentration and the abundance of primary
      producers. Thus, at ecosystem scale, response to climate change may not follow
      predictions based on the temperature dependence of metabolic processes. 

PMID- 26258772
TI  - Stable Hemiaminals: 2-Aminopyrimidine Derivatives.
AB  - Stable hemiaminals can be obtained in the one-pot reaction between 2
      aminopyrimidine and nitrobenzaldehyde derivatives. Ten new hemiaminals have been
      obtained, six of them in crystal state. The molecular stability of these
      intermediates results from the presence of both electron-withdrawing nitro groups
      as substituents on the phenyl ring and pyrimidine ring, so no further
      stabilisation by intramolecular interaction is required. Hemiaminal molecules
      possess a tetrahedral carbon atom constituting a stereogenic centre. As the
      result of crystallisation in centrosymmetric space groups both enantiomers are
      present in the crystal structure. 

PMID- 26258773
TI  - Pheonolic Compounds from the Fruits of Viburnum sargentii Koehne.
AB  - Seven phenolic compounds were isolated from the fruits of Viburnum sargentii
      Koehne by silica gel column chromatography and preparative HPLC. On the grounds
      of chemical and spectroscopic methods, their structures were identified as (-)
      Epicatechin (1), 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-flavonoid-8-C-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), 1-(4
      hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-2-[4-(3-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoxypropyl)-2-methoxyphenoxy]
      1,3-propane-diol (erythro) (3), 1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-2-[4-(3-alpha-L
      rhamnopyranoxypropyl)-2-methoxyphenoxy]-1,3-propanediol (threo) (4), (R)-4
      hydroxylphenol O-(6-O-oleuropeoyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (5), (R)-3-methoxy-4
      hydroxylphenol O-(6-O-oleuropeoyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (6), quercetin-3-O
      rutinoside (7). Compounds 5 and 6 are new monoterpene phenolic glycosides,
      compounds 1, 3 and 4 were isolated from the Viburnum genus for the first time,
      and compounds 2 and 7 from the Viburnum sargentii Koehne for the first time.
      Compounds 1-7 were also assayed for their antioxidant activities with DPPH free
      radicals. 

PMID- 26258774
TI  - Mitochondria Retrograde Signaling and the UPR mt: Where Are We in Mammals?
AB  - Mitochondrial unfolded protein response is a form of retrograde signaling that
      contributes to ensuring the maintenance of quality control of mitochondria,
      allowing functional integrity of the mitochondrial proteome. When misfolded
      proteins or unassembled complexes accumulate beyond the folding capacity, it
      leads to alteration of proteostasis, damages, and organelle/cell dysfunction.
      Extensively studied for the ER, it was recently reported that this kind of
      signaling for mitochondrion would also be able to communicate with the nucleus in
      response to impaired proteostasis. The mitochondrial unfolded protein response
      (UPR(mt)) is activated in response to different types and levels of stress,
      especially in conditions where unfolded or misfolded mitochondrial proteins
      accumulate and aggregate. A specific UPR(mt) could thus be initiated to boost
      folding and degradation capacity in response to unfolded and aggregated protein
      accumulation. Although first described in mammals, the UPR(mt) was mainly studied
      in Caenorhabditis elegans, and accumulating evidence suggests that mechanisms
      triggered in response to a UPR(mt) might be different in C. elegans and mammals.
      In this review, we discuss and integrate recent data from the literature to
      address whether the UPR(mt) is relevant to mitochondrial homeostasis in mammals
      and to analyze the putative role of integrated stress response (ISR) activation
      in response to the inhibition of mtDNA expression and/or accumulation of
      mitochondrial mis/unfolded proteins.

PMID- 26258775
TI  - Potential Effects of Phytoestrogen Genistein in Modulating Acute Methotrexate
      Chemotherapy-Induced Osteoclastogenesis and Bone Damage in Rats.
AB  - Chemotherapy-induced bone damage is a frequent side effect which causes
      diminished bone mineral density and fracture in childhood cancer sufferers and
      survivors. The intensified use of anti-metabolite methotrexate (MTX) and other
      cytotoxic drugs has led to the need for a mechanistic understanding of
      chemotherapy-induced bone loss and for the development of protective treatments.
      Using a young rat MTX-induced bone loss model, we investigated potential bone
      protective effects of phytoestrogen genistein. Oral gavages of genistein (20
      mg/kg) were administered daily, for seven days before, five days during, and
      three days after five once-daily injections (sc) of MTX (0.75 mg/kg). MTX
      treatment reduced body weight gain and tibial metaphyseal trabecular bone volume
      (p < 0.001), increased osteoclast density on the trabecular bone surface (p <
      0.05), and increased the bone marrow adipocyte number in lower metaphyseal bone
      (p < 0.001). Genistein supplementation preserved body weight gain (p < 0.05) and
      inhibited ex vivo osteoclast formation of bone marrow cells from MTX-treated rats
      (p < 0.001). However, MTX-induced changes in bone volume, trabecular
      architecture, metaphyseal mRNA expression of pro-osteoclastogenic cytokines, and
      marrow adiposity were not significantly affected by the co-administration of
      genistein. This study suggests that genistein may suppress MTX-induced
      osteoclastogenesis; however, further studies are required to examine its
      potential in protecting against MTX chemotherapy-induced bone damage.

PMID- 26258777
TI  - Suppression of Systematic Errors of Electronic Distance Meters for Measurement of
      Short Distances.
AB  - In modern industrial geodesy, high demands are placed on the final accuracy, with
      expectations currently falling below 1 mm. The measurement methodology and
      surveying instruments used have to be adjusted to meet these stringent
      requirements, especially the total stations as the most often used instruments. A
      standard deviation of the measured distance is the accuracy parameter, commonly
      between 1 and 2 mm. This parameter is often discussed in conjunction with the
      determination of the real accuracy of measurements at very short distances (5-50
      m) because it is generally known that this accuracy cannot be increased by simply
      repeating the measurement because a considerable part of the error is systematic.
      This article describes the detailed testing of electronic distance meters to
      determine the absolute size of their systematic errors, their stability over
      time, their repeatability and the real accuracy of their distance measurement.
      Twenty instruments (total stations) have been tested, and more than 60,000
      distances in total were measured to determine the accuracy and precision
      parameters of the distance meters. Based on the experiments' results, calibration
      procedures were designed, including a special correction function for each
      instrument, whose usage reduces the standard deviation of the measurement of
      distance by at least 50%. 

PMID- 26258776
TI  - A Perturbed MicroRNA Expression Pattern Characterizes Embryonic Neural Stem Cells
      Derived from a Severe Mouse Model of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).
AB  - Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an inherited neuromuscular disorder and the
      leading genetic cause of death in infants. Despite the disease-causing gene,
      survival motor neuron (SMN1), encodes a ubiquitous protein, SMN1 deficiency
      preferentially affects spinal motor neurons (MNs), leaving the basis of this
      selective cell damage still unexplained. As neural stem cells (NSCs) are
      multipotent self-renewing cells that can differentiate into neurons, they
      represent an in vitro model for elucidating the pathogenetic mechanism of
      neurodegenerative diseases such as SMA. Here we characterize for the first time
      neural stem cells (NSCs) derived from embryonic spinal cords of a severe
      SMNDelta7 SMA mouse model. SMNDelta7 NSCs behave as their wild type (WT)
      counterparts, when we consider neurosphere formation ability and the expression
      levels of specific regional and self-renewal markers. However, they show a
      perturbed cell cycle phase distribution and an increased proliferation rate
      compared to wild type cells. Moreover, SMNDelta7 NSCs are characterized by the
      differential expression of a limited number of miRNAs, among which miR-335-5p and
      miR-100-5p, reduced in SMNDelta7 NSCs compared to WT cells. We suggest that such
      miRNAs may be related to the proliferation differences characterizing SMNDelta7
      NSCs, and may be potentially involved in the molecular mechanisms of SMA. 

PMID- 26258778
TI  - Keeping a Good Attitude: A Quaternion-Based Orientation Filter for IMUs and
      MARGs.
AB  - Orientation estimation using low cost sensors is an important task for Micro
      Aerial Vehicles (MAVs) in order to obtain a good feedback for the attitude
      controller. The challenges come from the low accuracy and noisy data of the
      MicroElectroMechanical System (MEMS) technology, which is the basis of modern,
      miniaturized inertial sensors. In this article, we describe a novel approach to
      obtain an estimation of the orientation in quaternion form from the observations
      of gravity and magnetic field. Our approach provides a quaternion estimation as
      the algebraic solution of a system from inertial/magnetic observations. We
      separate the problems of finding the "tilt" quaternion and the heading quaternion
      in two sub-parts of our system. This procedure is the key for avoiding the impact
      of the magnetic disturbances on the roll and pitch components of the orientation
      when the sensor is surrounded by unwanted magnetic flux. We demonstrate the
      validity of our method first analytically and then empirically using simulated
      data. We propose a novel complementary filter for MAVs that fuses together
      gyroscope data with accelerometer and magnetic field readings. The correction
      part of the filter is based on the method described above and works for both IMU
      (Inertial Measurement Unit) and MARG (Magnetic, Angular Rate, and Gravity)
      sensors. We evaluate the effectiveness of the filter and show that it
      significantly outperforms other common methods, using publicly available datasets
      with ground-truth data recorded during a real flight experiment of a micro
      quadrotor helicopter. 

PMID- 26258779
TI  - Automated Tracking of Drosophila Specimens.
AB  - The fruit fly Drosophila Melanogaster has become a model organism in the study of
      neurobiology and behavior patterns. The analysis of the way the fly moves and its
      behavior is of great scientific interest for research on aspects such as drug
      tolerance, aggression or ageing in humans. In this article, a procedure for
      detecting, identifying and tracking numerous specimens of Drosophila by means of
      computer vision-based sensing systems is presented. This procedure allows dynamic
      information about each specimen to be collected at each moment, and then for its
      behavior to be quantitatively characterized. The proposed algorithm operates in
      three main steps: a pre-processing step, a detection and segmentation step, and
      tracking shape. The pre-processing and segmentation steps allow some limits of
      the image acquisition system and some visual artifacts (such as shadows and
      reflections) to be dealt with. The improvements introduced in the tracking step
      allow the problems corresponding to identity loss and swaps, caused by the
      interaction between individual flies, to be solved efficiently. Thus, a robust
      method that compares favorably to other existing methods is obtained. 

PMID- 26258780
TI  - The Marine-Derived Fungus Clonostachys rosea, Source of a Rare Conjugated 4-Me
      6E,8E-hexadecadienoic Acid Reducing Viability of MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells and
      Gene Expression of Lipogenic Enzymes.
AB  - A marine-derived strain of Clonostachys rosea isolated from sediments of the
      river Loire estuary (France) was investigated for its high lipid production. The
      fungal strain was grown on six different culture media to explore lipid
      production changes. An original branched conjugated fatty acid, mainly present in
      triglycerides and mostly produced when grown on DCA (23% of total fatty acid
      composition). It was identified as 4-Me-6E,8E-hexadecadienoic on the basis of
      spectroscopic analyses. This fatty acid reduced viability of MCF-7 breast cancer
      cells in a dose dependent manner (up to 63%) at physiological free fatty acid
      human plasma concentration (100 MUM). Reduction of gene expression of two
      lipogenic enzymes, the acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC) and the fatty acid synthase
      (FAS) was evaluated to explore the mechanisms of action of 4-Me-6E,8E-16:2 acid.
      At 50 MUM, 50% and 35% of mRNA gene expression inhibition were observed for ACC
      and FAS, respectively. 

PMID- 26258781
TI  - Epipolythiodiketopiperazines from the Marine Derived Fungus Dichotomomyces cejpii
      with NF-kappaB Inhibitory Potential.
AB  - The Ascomycota Dichotomomyces cejpii was isolated from the marine sponge
      Callyspongia cf. C. flammea. A new gliotoxin derivative, 6
      acetylmonodethiogliotoxin (1) was obtained from fungal extracts. Compounds 2 and
      3, methylthio-gliotoxin derivatives were formerly only known as semi-synthetic
      compounds and are here described as natural products. Additionally the polyketide
      heveadride (4) was isolated. Compounds 1, 2 and 4 dose-dependently down-regulated
      TNFalpha-induced NF-kappaB activity in human chronic myeloid leukemia cells with
      IC50s of 38.5 +/- 1.2 uM, 65.7 +/- 2.0 uM and 82.7 +/- 11.3 uM, respectively. The
      molecular mechanism was studied with the most potent compound 1 and results
      indicate downstream inhibitory effects targeting binding of NF-kappaB to DNA.
      Compound 1 thus demonstrates potential of epimonothiodiketopiperazine-derived
      compounds for the development of NF-kappaB inhibitors. 

PMID- 26258782
TI  - Brand Cigarillos: Low Price but High Particulate Matter Levels-Is Their Favorable
      Taxation in the European Union Justified?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Second hand smoke (ETS)-associated particulate matter (PM)
      contributes considerably to indoor air contamination and constitutes a health
      risk for passive smokers. Easy to measure, PM is a useful parameter to estimate
      the dosage of ETS that passive smokers are exposed to. Apart from its suitability
      as a surrogate parameter for ETS-exposure, PM itself affects human morbidity and
      mortality in a dose-dependent manner. We think that ETS-associated PM should be
      considered an independent hazard factor, separately from the many other known
      harmful compounds of ETS. We believe that brand-specific and tobacco-product
      specific differences in the release of PM matter and that these differences are
      of public interest. METHODS: To generate ETS of cigarettes and cigarillos as
      standardized and reproducible as possible, an automatic second hand smoke emitter
      (AETSE) was developed and placed in a glass chamber. L&M cigarettes ("without
      additives", "red label", "blue label"), L&M filtered cigarillos ("red") and 3R4F
      standard research cigarettes (as reference) were smoked automatically according
      to a self-developed, standardized protocol until the tobacco product was smoked
      down to 8 mm distance from the tipping paper of the filter. RESULTS: Mean
      concentration (Cmean) and area under the curve (AUC) in a plot of PM2.5 against
      time were measured, and compared. CmeanPM2.5 were found to be 518 MUg/m(3) for
      3R4F cigarettes, 576 MUg/m(3) for L&M "without additives" ("red"), 448 MUg/m(3)
      for L&M "blue label", 547 MUg/m(3) for L&M "red label", and 755 MUg/m(3) for L&M
      filtered cigarillos ("red"). AUCPM2.5-values were 208,214 MUg/m(3).s for 3R4F
      reference cigarettes, 204,629 MUg/m(3).s for L&M "without additives" ("red"),
      152,718 MUg/m(3).s for L&M "blue label", 238,098 MUg/m(3).s for L&M "red label"
      and 796,909 MUg/m(3).s for L&M filtered cigarillos ("red"). CONCLUSION:
      Considering the large and significant differences in particulate matter emissions
      between cigarettes and cigarillos, we think that a favorable taxation of
      cigarillos is not justifiable.

PMID- 26258783
TI  - Association between the Hygiene Index Values of Live Fresh Aquatic Products and
      Food-Borne Diarrhea in the Population of the Ningbo Area in China.
AB  - To investigate the association of the hygiene index values of live fresh aquatic
      products and food-borne diarrhea in the population of the Ningbo area in China.
      Volatile basic nitrogen (VBN), histamine (HIS), indole, tetrodotoxin (TTX), and
      paralytic, neurotoxic, amnesic and diarrhetic shellfish poisons (PSP, NSP, ASP,
      and DSP, respectively) in the samples of live fresh aquatic products and food
      borne diarrhea cases in six studied districts were analyzed. Results indicate
      that the incidence rate of food-borne diarrhea is related to the hygiene index
      values. Aside from VBN, the main risk factors related to food-borne diarrhea in
      edible aquatic products include DSP (in marine fish, shrimp, and other
      shellfishes), NSP, and ASP (in marine shrimp and crab). Hygiene index values
      among different species were significantly different. No significant difference
      in the monitoring index values was found among the six different studied
      districts. The reported cases of food-borne diarrhea were positively associated
      with VBN and DSP in aquatic products in Haishu, Jiangbei, Zhenhai, and Beilun, as
      well as VBN and NSP in aquatic products in Jiangdong and Yinzhou. In conclusion,
      VBN, DSP, NSP, and ASP are important risk factors for the occurring of food-borne
      diarrhea in the population of the Ningbo area in China. 

PMID- 26258784
TI  - The Relationship of Policymaking and Networking Characteristics among Leaders of
      Large Urban Health Departments.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The relationship between policy networks and policy development among
      local health departments (LHDs) is a growing area of interest to public health
      practitioners and researchers alike. In this study, we examine policy activity
      and ties between public health leadership across large urban health departments.
      METHODS: This study uses data from a national profile of local health departments
      as well as responses from a survey sent to three staff members (local health
      official, chief of policy, chief science officer) in each of 16 urban health
      departments in the United States. Network questions related to frequency of
      contact with health department personnel in other cities. Using exponential
      random graph models, network density and centrality were examined, as were
      patterns of communication among those working on several policy areas using
      exponential random graph models. RESULTS: All 16 LHDs were active in
      communicating about chronic disease as well as about use of alcohol, tobacco, and
      other drugs (ATOD). Connectedness was highest among local health officials
      (density = .55), and slightly lower for chief science officers (d = .33) and
      chiefs of policy (d = .29). After accounting for organizational characteristics,
      policy homophily (i.e., when two network members match on a single
      characteristic) and tenure were the most significant predictors of formation of
      network ties. CONCLUSION: Networking across health departments has the potential
      for accelerating the adoption of public health policies. This study suggests
      similar policy interests and formation of connections among senior leadership can
      potentially drive greater connectedness among other staff.

PMID- 26258785
TI  - Analysis on Two Typical Landslide Hazard Phenomena in The Wenchuan Earthquake by
      Field Investigations and Shaking Table Tests.
AB  - Based on our field investigations of landslide hazards in the Wenchuan
      earthquake, some findings can be reported: (1) the multi-aspect terrain facing
      empty isolated mountains and thin ridges reacted intensely to the earthquake and
      was seriously damaged; (2) the slope angles of most landslides was larger than 45
      degrees . Considering the above disaster phenomena, the reasons are analyzed
      based on shaking table tests of one-sided, two-sided and four-sided slopes. The
      analysis results show that: (1) the amplifications of the peak accelerations of
      four-sided slopes is stronger than that of the two-sided slopes, while that of
      the one-sided slope is the weakest, which can indirectly explain the phenomena
      that the damage is most serious; (2) the amplifications of the peak accelerations
      gradually increase as the slope angles increase, and there are two inflection
      points which are the point where the slope angle is 45 degrees  and where the
      slope angle is 50 degrees , respectively, which can explain the seismic
      phenomenon whereby landslide hazards mainly occur on the slopes whose slope angle
      is bigger than 45 degrees . The amplification along the slope strike direction is
      basically consistent, and the step is smooth. 

PMID- 26258786
TI  - Characterization of the HCMV-Specific CD4 T Cell Responses that Are Associated
      with Protective Immunity.
AB  - Most humans become infected with human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). Typically, the
      immune system controls the infection, but the virus persists and can reactivate
      in states of immunodeficiency. While substantial information is available on the
      contribution of CD8 T cells and antibodies to anti-HCMV immunity, studies of the
      TH1, TH2, and TH17 subsets have been limited by the low frequency of HCMV
      specific CD4 T cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC). Using the
      enzyme-linked Immunospotr assay (ELISPOT) that excels in low frequency
      measurements, we have established these in a sizable cohort of healthy HCMV
      controllers. Cytokine recall responses were seen in all seropositive donors.
      Specifically, interferon (IFN)- and/or interleukin (IL)-17 were seen in isolation
      or with IL-4 in all test subjects. IL-4 recall did not occur in isolation. While
      the ratios of TH1, TH2, and TH17 cells exhibited substantial variations between
      different individuals these ratios and the frequencies were relatively stable
      when tested in samples drawn up to five years apart. IFN- and IL-2 co-expressing
      polyfunctional cells were seen in most subjects. Around half of the HCMV-specific
      CD4 cells were in a reversible state of exhaustion. The data provided here
      established the TH1, TH2, and TH17 characteristic of the CD4 cells that convey
      immune protection for successful immune surveillance against which reactivity can
      be compared when the immune surveillance of HCMV fails. 

PMID- 26258787
TI  - RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerases of Picornaviruses: From the Structure to Regulatory
      Mechanisms.
AB  - RNA viruses typically encode their own RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) to
      ensure genome replication within the infected cells. RdRP function is critical
      not only for the virus life cycle but also for its adaptive potential. The
      combination of low fidelity of replication and the absence of proofreading and
      excision activities within the RdRPs result in high mutation frequencies that
      allow these viruses a rapid adaptation to changing environments. In this review,
      we summarize the current knowledge about structural and functional aspects on
      RdRP catalytic complexes, focused mainly in the Picornaviridae family. The
      structural data currently available from these viruses provided high-resolution
      snapshots for a range of conformational states associated to RNA template-primer
      binding, rNTP recognition, catalysis and chain translocation. As these enzymes
      are major targets for the development of antiviral compounds, such structural
      information is essential for the design of new therapies. 

PMID- 26258788
TI  - Structural and Functional Properties of the Hepatitis C Virus p7 Viroporin.
AB  - The high prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in the human population
      has triggered intensive research efforts that have led to the development of
      curative antiviral therapy. Moreover, HCV has become a role model to study
      fundamental principles that govern the replication cycle of a positive strand RNA
      virus. In fact, for most HCV proteins high-resolution X-ray and NMR (Nuclear
      Magnetic Resonance)-based structures have been established and profound insights
      into their biochemical and biological properties have been gained. One example is
      p7, a small hydrophobic protein that is dispensable for RNA replication, but
      crucial for the production and release of infectious HCV particles from infected
      cells. Owing to its ability to insert into membranes and assemble into homo
      oligomeric complexes that function as minimalistic ion channels, HCV p7 is a
      member of the viroporin family. This review compiles the most recent findings
      related to the structure and dual pore/ion channel activity of p7 of different
      HCV genotypes. The alternative conformations and topologies proposed for HCV p7
      in its monomeric and oligomeric state are described and discussed in detail. We
      also summarize the different roles p7 might play in the HCV replication cycle and
      highlight both the ion channel/pore-like function and the additional roles of p7
      unrelated to its channel activity. Finally, we discuss possibilities to utilize
      viroporin inhibitors for antagonizing p7 ion channel/pore-like activity. 

PMID- 26258790
TI  - Correlates of University Students' Soft and Energy Drink Consumption According to
      Gender and Residency.
AB  - This study assessed personal and environmental correlates of Belgian university
      students' soft and energy drink consumption and investigated whether these
      associations were moderated by gender or residency. Four hundred twenty-five
      university students completed a self-reported on-line questionnaire assessing
      socio-demographics, health status, soft and energy drink consumption, as well as
      personal and environmental factors related to soft and energy drink consumption.
      Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted. Students believing soft drink
      intake should be minimized (individual subjective norm), finding it less
      difficult to avoid soft drinks (perceived behavioral control), being convinced
      they could avoid soft drinks in different situations (self-efficacy), having
      family and friends who rarely consume soft drinks (modelling), and having
      stricter family rules about soft drink intake were less likely to consume soft
      drinks. Students showing stronger behavioral control, having stricter family
      rules about energy drink intake, and reporting lower energy drink availability
      were less likely to consume energy drinks. Gender and residency moderated several
      associations between psychosocial constructs and consumption. Future research
      should investigate whether interventions focusing on the above personal and
      environmental correlates can indeed improve university students' beverage
      choices. 

PMID- 26258791
TI  - OTA-Grapes: A Mechanistic Model to Predict Ochratoxin A Risk in Grapes, a Step
      beyond the Systems Approach.
AB  - Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a fungal metabolite dangerous for human and animal health
      due to its nephrotoxic, immunotoxic, mutagenic, teratogenic and carcinogenic
      effects, classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer in group
      2B, possible human carcinogen. This toxin has been stated as a wine contaminant
      since 1996. The aim of this study was to develop a conceptual model for the
      dynamic simulation of the A. carbonarius life cycle in grapes along the growing
      season, including OTA production in berries. Functions describing the role of
      weather parameters in each step of the infection cycle were developed and
      organized in a prototype model called OTA-grapes. Modelling the influence of
      temperature on OTA production, it emerged that fungal strains can be shared in
      two different clusters, based on the dynamic of OTA production and according to
      the optimal temperature. Therefore, two functions were developed, and based on
      statistical data analysis, it was assumed that the two types of strains
      contribute equally to the population. Model validation was not possible because
      of poor OTA contamination data, but relevant differences in OTA-I, the output
      index of the model, were noticed between low and high risk areas. To our
      knowledge, this is the first attempt to assess/model A. carbonarius in order to
      predict the risk of OTA contamination in grapes. 

PMID- 26258789
TI  - Dietary Selenium Levels Affect Selenoprotein Expression and Support the
      Interferon-gamma and IL-6 Immune Response Pathways in Mice.
AB  - Selenium is an essential element that is required to support a number of cellular
      functions and biochemical pathways. The objective of this study was to examine
      the effects of reduced dietary selenium levels on gene expression to assess
      changes in expression of non-selenoprotein genes that may contribute to the
      physiological consequences of selenium deficiency. Mice were fed diets that were
      either deficient in selenium or supplemented with selenium in the form of sodium
      selenite for six weeks. Differences in liver mRNA expression and translation were
      measured using a combination of ribosome profiling, RNA-Seq, microarrays, and
      qPCR. Expression levels and translation of mRNAs encoding stress-related
      selenoproteins were shown to be up-regulated by increased selenium status, as
      were genes involved in inflammation and response to interferon-gamma. Changes in
      serum cytokine levels were measured which confirmed that interferon-gamma, as
      well as IL-6, were increased in selenium adequate mice. Finally, microarray and
      qPCR analysis of lung tissue demonstrated that the selenium effects on immune
      function are not limited to liver. These data are consistent with previous
      reports indicating that adequate selenium levels can support beneficial immune
      responses, and further identify the IL-6 and interferon-gamma pathways as being
      responsive to dietary selenium intake. 

PMID- 26258792
TI  - Citreoviridin Induces Autophagy-Dependent Apoptosis through Lysosomal
      Mitochondrial Axis in Human Liver HepG2 Cells.
AB  - Citreoviridin (CIT) is a mycotoxin derived from fungal species in moldy cereals.
      In our previous study, we reported that CIT stimulated autophagosome formation in
      human liver HepG2 cells. Here, we aimed to explore the relationship of autophagy
      with lysosomal membrane permeabilization and apoptosis in CIT-treated cells. Our
      data showed that CIT increased the expression of LC3-II, an autophagosome
      biomarker, from the early stage of treatment (6 h). After treatment with CIT for
      12 h, lysosomal membrane permeabilization occurred, followed by the release of
      cathepsin D in HepG2 cells. Inhibition of autophagosome formation with siRNA
      against Atg5 attenuated CIT-induced lysosomal membrane permeabilization. In
      addition, CIT induced collapse of mitochondrial transmembrane potential as
      assessed by JC-1 staining. Furthermore, caspase-3 activity assay showed that CIT
      induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells. Inhibition of autophagosome formation
      attenuated CIT-induced apoptosis, indicating that CIT-induced apoptosis was
      autophagy-dependent. Cathepsin D inhibitor, pepstatin A, relieved CIT-induced
      apoptosis as well, suggesting the involvement of the lysosomal-mitochondrial axis
      in CIT-induced apoptosis. Taken together, our data demonstrated that CIT induced
      autophagy-dependent apoptosis through the lysosomal-mitochondrial axis in HepG2
      cells. The study thus provides essential mechanistic insight, and suggests clues
      for the effective management and treatment of CIT-related diseases. 

PMID- 26258793
TI  - Not so Fast: Co-Requirements for Sonic Hedgehog Induced Brain Tumorigenesis.
AB  - The Sonic hedgehog (Shh) pathway plays an integral role in cellular proliferation
      during normal brain development and also drives growth in a variety of cancers
      including brain cancer. Clinical trials of Shh pathway inhibitors for brain
      tumors have yielded disappointing results, indicating a more nuanced role for Shh
      signaling. We postulate that Shh signaling does not work alone but requires co
      activation of other signaling pathways for tumorigenesis and stem cell
      maintenance. This review will focus on the interplay between the Shh pathway and
      these pathways to promote tumor growth in brain tumors, presenting opportunities
      for the study of combinatorial therapies. 

PMID- 26258794
TI  - Breast Cancer Survivorship Care: Targeting a Colorectal Cancer Education
      Intervention.
AB  - Breast cancer survivors are at risk of developing a second primary cancer.
      Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading second primary cancers, and it is
      often preventable. We developed a multi-component educational tool to inform and
      encourage women breast cancer survivors to engage in CRC screening. To assess the
      strengths and weakness of the tool and to improve the relevancy to the target
      audience, we convened four focus groups of women breast cancer survivors in
      Missouri. We also assessed the potential impact of the tool on the knowledge,
      attitudes, and beliefs regarding CRC and collected information on the barriers to
      CRC screening through pre- and post-focus groups' questionnaires. A total of 43
      women breast cancer survivors participated and provided very valuable suggestions
      on design and content to update the tool. Through the process and comparing pre-
      and post-focus group assessments, a significantly higher proportion of breast
      cancer survivors strongly agreed or agreed that CRC is preventable (78.6% vs.
      96.9%, p = 0.02) and became aware that they were at a slightly increased risk for
      CRC (18.6% vs. 51.7%, p = 0.003). The most cited barrier was the complexity of
      preparation for colonoscopy. 

PMID- 26258795
TI  - Role of MicroRNAs-221/222 in Digestive Systems.
AB  - MiR-221 and miR-222 (miR-221/222) are well-studied oncogenic microRNAs that are
      frequently upregulated in several types of human tumors, such as esophageal
      adenocarcinoma, gastric adenocarcinoma, colorectal adenocarcinoma, hepatocellular
      carcinoma, and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. In these cancers, silencing miR
      221/222 could represent a novel anti-tumor approach to inhibit tumor growth and
      metastasis. On the other hand, miR-221/222 also play onco-suppressive roles in
      cholangiocarcinoma and gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). Here we will
      review the roles of miR-221/222 in digestive systems and their possibility as
      prognostic and therapeutic tools. 

PMID- 26258796
TI  - Peptide Amphiphiles in Corneal Tissue Engineering.
AB  - The increasing interest in effort towards creating alternative therapies have led
      to exciting breakthroughs in the attempt to bio-fabricate and engineer live
      tissues. This has been particularly evident in the development of new approaches
      applied to reconstruct corneal tissue. The need for tissue-engineered corneas is
      largely a response to the shortage of donor tissue and the lack of suitable
      alternative biological scaffolds preventing the treatment of millions of blind
      people worldwide. This review is focused on recent developments in corneal tissue
      engineering, specifically on the use of self-assembling peptide amphiphiles for
      this purpose. Recently, peptide amphiphiles have generated great interest as
      therapeutic molecules, both in vitro and in vivo. Here we introduce this rapidly
      developing field, and examine innovative applications of peptide amphiphiles to
      create natural bio-prosthetic corneal tissue in vitro. The advantages of peptide
      amphiphiles over other biomaterials, namely their wide range of functions and
      applications, versatility, and transferability are also discussed to better
      understand how these fascinating molecules can help solve current challenges in
      corneal regeneration. 

PMID- 26258798
TI  - Suspect Height Estimation Using the Faro Focus(3D) Laser Scanner.
AB  - At present, very little research has been devoted to investigating the ability of
      laser scanning technology to accurately measure height from surveillance video.
      The goal of this study was to test the accuracy of one particular laser scanner
      to estimate suspect height from video footage. The known heights of 10
      individuals were measured using an anthropometer. The individuals were then
      recorded on video walking along a predetermined path in a simulated crime scene
      environment both with and without headwear. The difference between the known
      heights and the estimated heights obtained from the laser scanner software were
      compared using a one-way t-test. The height estimates obtained from the software
      were not significantly different from the known heights whether individuals were
      wearing headwear (p = 0.186) or not (p = 0.707). Thus, laser scanning is one
      technique that could potentially be used by investigators to determine suspect
      height from video footage.

PMID- 26258799
TI  - Identification of novel peptides for horse meat speciation in highly processed
      foodstuffs.
AB  - There is a need for robust analytical methods to support enforcement of food
      labelling legislation. Proteomics is emerging as a complementary methodology to
      existing tools such as DNA and antibody-based techniques. Here we describe the
      development of a proteomics strategy for the determination of meat species in
      highly processed foods. A database of specific peptides for nine relevant animal
      species was used to enable semi-targeted species determination. This principle
      was tested for horse meat speciation, and a range of horse-specific peptides were
      identified as heat stable marker peptides for the detection of low levels of
      horse meat in mixtures with other species. 

PMID- 26258800
TI  - Evolving the Palliative Care Workforce to Provide Responsive, Serious Illness
      Care.

PMID- 26258797
TI  - Frailty Phenotypes, Disability, and Outcomes in Adult Candidates for Lung
      Transplantation.
AB  - RATIONALE: Frailty is associated with morbidity and mortality in abdominal organ
      transplantation but has not been examined in lung transplantation. OBJECTIVES: To
      examine the construct and predictive validity of frailty phenotypes in lung
      transplant candidates. METHODS: In a multicenter prospective cohort, we measured
      frailty with the Fried Frailty Phenotype (FFP) and Short Physical Performance
      Battery (SPPB). We evaluated construct validity through comparisons with
      conceptually related factors. In a nested case-control study of frail and
      nonfrail subjects, we measured serum IL-6, tumor necrosis factor receptor 1,
      insulin-like growth factor I, and leptin. We estimated the association between
      frailty and disability using the Lung Transplant Valued Life Activities
      disability scale. We estimated the association between frailty and risk of
      delisting or death before transplant using multivariate logistic and Cox models,
      respectively. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Of 395 subjects, 354 completed FFP
      assessments and 262 completed SPPB assessments; 28% were frail by FFP (95%
      confidence interval [CI], 24-33%) and 10% based on the SPPB (95% CI, 7-14%). By
      either measure, frailty correlated more strongly with exercise capacity and grip
      strength than with lung function. Frail subjects tended to have higher plasma IL
      6 and tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 and lower insulin-like growth factor I and
      leptin. Frailty by either measure was associated with greater disability. After
      adjusting for age, sex, diagnosis, and transplant center, both FFP and SPPB were
      associated with increased risk of delisting or death before lung transplant. For
      every 1-point worsening in score, hazard ratios were 1.30 (95% CI, 1.01-1.67) for
      FFP and 1.53 (95% CI, 1.19-1.59) for SPPB. CONCLUSIONS: Frailty is prevalent
      among lung transplant candidates and is independently associated with greater
      disability and an increased risk of delisting or death.

PMID- 26258801
TI  - Characterization and evaluation of metformin-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles for
      celluar and mitochondrial uptake.
AB  - Considered a popular drug for diabetes in recent years, metformin was determined
      to have a moderate anti-tumor effect, particularly in breast cancer. In this
      study, the anticancer mechanism of metformin was verified by preparing solid
      lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) and chitosan-modified solid lipid nanoparticles
      (CSLNs) containing metformin and then estimating the potential of these SLNs for
      uptake in cells and mitochondria. Metformin-SLNs were prepared using an
      emulsification and low-temperature solidification method. The mean particle size,
      zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, and loading efficiency of metformin-SLNs
      and metformin chitosan-modified SLNs were 102.3 +/- 4.16 and 200.1 +/- 17.69 nm, 
      21.25 +/- 4.89 and 50.6 +/- 4.09 mv, 26.25 +/- 2.59% and 33.6 +/- 2.21%, and 1.74
      +/- 0.16% and 1.46 +/- 0.10%, respectively. TEM images showed that both the
      nanoparticles had spherical morphologies with no aggregation. Results of cellular
      and mitochondrial uptake showed that the metformin-SLNs were easier to uptake in
      cells and mitochondria than the pure drug group (that was the control group
      without SLN structure modification). The findings of this research provide a
      basis for conducting further studies on the anticancer mechanism of metformin.

PMID- 26258802
TI  - P-glycoprotein inhibitors: synthesis and in vitro evaluation of a preactivated
      thiomer.
AB  - The aim of this study was to synthesize the preactivated thiomer poly(acrylic
      acid)-cyteine-2-mercaptonicotinic acid (PAA-Cys-2MNA) and to evaluate its P
      glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibitory properties. The thiomer (PAA-Cys) was synthesized
      by covalent immobilization of thiol groups on poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) with a
      molecular mass of 250 kDa followed by immobilization of 2-mercaptonicotinic acid
      (2MNA) to thiol groups via disulfide bond formation resulting in PAA-Cys-2MNA. P
      gp inhibitory effect of this preactivated thiomer was evaluated on Caco-2 cells.
      Transports of rhodamine 123 at 37  degrees C with and without verapamil and at 4 
      degrees C were performed to evaluate P-gp function of cells. In total, 1571.81 +/
      156.18 umol thiol groups were immobilized per gram of polymer that were in the
      next step by 99.88% preactivated. The enhancement ratios of Papp calculated from
      the ratio between Papp of rhodamine 123 in the presence of P-gp inhibitors and
      Papp of rhodamine 123 alone were 2.36, 2.09, and 1.84-fold in the presence of PAA
      Cys-2MNA, PAA-Cys, and PAA, respectively. Because of its pronounced P-gp
      inhibitory effect, PAA-Cys-2MNA could be considered as promising macromolecular P
      gp inhibitor for various drug delivery systems.

PMID- 26258803
TI  - Estimation of Coast-Wide Population Trends of Marbled Murrelets in Canada Using a
      Bayesian Hierarchical Model.
AB  - Species at risk with secretive breeding behaviours, low densities, and wide
      geographic range pose a significant challenge to conservation actions because
      population trends are difficult to detect. Such is the case with the Marbled
      Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus), a seabird listed as 'Threatened' by the
      Species at Risk Act in Canada largely due to the loss of its old growth forest
      nesting habitat. We report the first estimates of population trend of Marbled
      Murrelets in Canada derived from a monitoring program that uses marine radar to
      detect birds as they enter forest watersheds during 923 dawn surveys at 58 radar
      monitoring stations within the six Marbled Murrelet Conservation Regions on
      coastal British Columbia, Canada, 1996-2013. Temporal trends in radar counts were
      analyzed with a hierarchical Bayesian multivariate modeling approach that
      controlled for variation in tilt of the radar unit and day of year, included year
      specific deviations from the overall trend ('year effects'), and allowed for
      trends to be estimated at three spatial scales. A negative overall trend of 
      1.6%/yr (95% credibility interval: -3.2%, 0.01%) indicated moderate evidence for
      a coast-wide decline, although trends varied strongly among the six conservation
      regions. Negative annual trends were detected in East Vancouver Island (-9%/yr)
      and South Mainland Coast (-3%/yr) Conservation Regions. Over a quarter of the
      year effects were significantly different from zero, and the estimated standard
      deviation in common-shared year effects between sites within each region was
      about 50% per year. This large common-shared interannual variation in counts may
      have been caused by regional movements of birds related to changes in marine
      conditions that affect the availability of prey. 

PMID- 26258804
TI  - Cost-effectiveness of physical activity among women with menopause symptoms:
      findings from a randomised controlled trial.
AB  - Menopause is a period that may predispose one to a decrease in muscle strength,
      cardiorespiratory fitness, and quality of life. A study was carried out to
      evaluate the cost-effectiveness of physical activity among women displaying
      symptoms of menopause. The cost-effectiveness analysis was based on data from a
      six-month randomised controlled trial (n = 151). The women in the intervention
      group engaged in an unsupervised session of at least 50 minutes of physical
      activity four times a week. The control group continued their physical activity
      as before. An incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was calculated in terms
      of maximal oxygen consumption, lean muscle mass, and quality-adjusted life years
      (QALYs) gained. A bootstrap technique was utilised to estimate uncertainty around
      the point estimate for ICER associated with the intervention. The mean total cost
      in the intervention group was ?1,307 (SEM: ?311) and in the control group was
      ?1,253 (SEM: ?279, p = 0.10) per person. The mean intervention cost was ?208 per
      person. After six months of the behaviour-change intervention, the ICER was ?63
      for a 1 ml/kg/min improvement in cardiorespiratory fitness, the additional cost
      per one-gram increase in lean muscle mass was ?126, and the cost per QALY gained
      was ?46. According to the findings, physical activity among menopausal women was
      cost-effective for cardiorespiratory fitness, for lean muscle mass, and for QALYs
      gained, since the intervention was more effective than the actions within the
      control group and the additional effects of physical activity were gained at a
      very low price. From the societal perspective, the intervention used may promote
      ability to work and thereby save on further costs associated with early
      retirement or disability pension if the physical-activity level remains at least
      the same as during the intervention. 

PMID- 26258805
TI  - MicroRNA regulation of viral immunity, latency, and carcinogenesis of selected
      tumor viruses and HIV.
AB  - MicroRNAs (miRNAs) function as key regulators in immune responses and cancer
      development. In the contexts of infection with oncogenic viruses, miRNAs are
      engaged in viral persistence, latency establishment and maintenance, and
      oncogenesis. In this review, we summarize the potential roles and mechanisms of
      viral and cellular miRNAs in the host-pathogen interactions during infection with
      selected tumor viruses and HIV, which include (i) repressing viral replication
      and facilitating latency establishment by targeting viral transcripts, (ii)
      evading innate and adaptive immune responses via toll-like receptors, RIG-I-like
      receptors, T-cell receptor, and B-cell receptor pathways by targeting signaling
      molecules such as TRAF6, IRAK1, IKKepsilon, and MyD88, as well as downstream
      targets including regulatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha,
      interferon gamma, interleukin 10, and transforming growth factor beta, (iii)
      antagonizing intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis pathways by targeting pro
      apoptotic or anti-apoptotic gene transcripts such as the Bcl-2 family and caspase
      3, (iv) modulating cell proliferation and survival through regulation of the Wnt,
      PI3K/Akt, Erk/MAPK, and Jak/STAT signaling pathways, as well as the signaling
      pathways triggered by viral oncoproteins such as Epstein-Barr Virus LMP1, by
      targeting Wnt-inhibiting factor 1, SHIP, pTEN, and SOCSs, and (v) regulating cell
      cycle progression by targeting cell cycle inhibitors such as p21/WAF1 and
      p27/KIP1. Further elucidation of the interaction between miRNAs and these key
      biological events will facilitate our understanding of the pathogenesis of viral
      latency and oncogenesis and may lead to the identification of miRNAs as novel
      targets for developing new therapeutic or preventive interventions.

PMID- 26258807
TI  - Dual Gold Catalysis: Stepwise Catalyst Transfer via Dinuclear Clusters.
AB  - The interest in and use of dual gold catalysts is forever increasing, but little
      is known of the mechanism for the catalyst transfer and its effect on the
      continued high turnover frequency. Herein, we present a computational
      investigation of the mechanism for the final intermolecular catalyst transfer in
      the synthesis of dibenzopentalene from 1-ethynyl-2-(phenylethynyl)benzene. Three
      different scenarios have been explored: a single catalyst transfer from the
      monoaurated product complex, the analogous water mediated single transfer, and a
      dual catalyst transfer from the diaurated product complex. Transition structures
      have been found for each step of the three possible pathways, and a stepwise dual
      catalyst transfer has proven to be the lowest energy pathway. We here describe a
      three-step transfer of two gold moieties from one dibenzopentalene to one diyne.
      This process directly gives the sigma,pi-gold coordinated diyne for the further
      intramolecular cyclization reaction. 

PMID- 26258806
TI  - Initiated Chemical Vapor Deposition (iCVD) of Highly Cross-Linked Polymer Films
      for Advanced Lithium-Ion Battery Separators.
AB  - We report an initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD) process to coat
      polyethylene (PE) separators in Li-ion batteries with a highly cross-linked,
      mechanically strong polymer, namely, polyhexavinyldisiloxane (pHVDS). The highly
      cross-linked but ultrathin pHVDS films can only be obtained by a vapor-phase
      process, because the pHVDS is insoluble in most solvents and thus infeasible with
      conventional solution-based methods. Moreover, even after the pHVDS coating, the
      initial porous structure of the separator is well preserved owing to the
      conformal vapor-phase deposition. The coating thickness is delicately controlled
      by deposition time to the level that the pore size decreases to below 7% compared
      to the original dimension. The pHVDS-coated PE shows substantially improved
      thermal stability and electrolyte wettability. After incubation at 140  degrees C
      for 30 min, the pHVDS-coated PE causes only a 12% areal shrinkage (versus 90% of
      the pristine separator). The superior wettability results in increased
      electrolyte uptake and ionic conductivity, leading to significantly improved rate
      performance. The current approach is applicable to a wide range of porous
      polymeric separators that suffer from thermal shrinkage and poor electrolyte
      wetting. 

PMID- 26258808
TI  - Association between breastfeeding and risk of endometrial cancer: a meta-analysis
      of epidemiological studies.
AB  - Epidemiological studies have yielded inconsistent findings on the relationship
      between breastfeeding and the risk of endometrial cancer. Pertinent studies were
      identified by searching PubMed, Embase, and Web of Knowledge through February
      2015 and by reviewing the reference lists of retrieved articles. Study-specific
      estimates were pooled using a random-effects model. Dose-response analysis was
      carried out for every 6-month increase in the duration of breastfeeding in
      relation to the risk of endometrial cancer. Three prospective and 11 case-control
      studies were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled estimates for ever
      compared with never breastfeeding and the longest duration of breastfeeding
      compared with the shortest were 0.91 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.75-1.09]
      and 0.76 (95% CI: 0.59-0.98). The risk of endometrial cancer decreased by 7% for
      every 6-month increase in the duration of breastfeeding (relative risk: 0.93; 95%
      CI: 0.88-0.97). This study provides evidence that ever breastfeeding,
      particularly a longer duration of breastfeeding, is associated with a lower risk
      of endometrial cancer.

PMID- 26258809
TI  - The variation trends of SFRP2 methylation of tissue, feces, and blood detection
      in colorectal cancer development.
AB  - The susceptibility of secreted frizzled-related protein 2 (SFRP2) methylation in
      colorectal cancer (CRC) has been studied previously. The aim of this study was to
      determine the risk sizes and variation trends of SFRP2 methylation in CRC
      development in Chinese populations. Subgroup meta-analysis and the least-squares
      curve-fitting method were carried out to analyze the risk of SFRP2 methylation in
      tissue, feces, and blood detection from 2221 samples, including a total of 1103
      cases of CRC, 459 cases of adenoma, 257 cases of polyps, and 402 controls. The
      data showed that odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) between CRC and controls
      for tissue, feces, and blood detection were 334.01 (104.42-1068.39), 63.76 (20.62
      197.63), and 133.75 (18.32-976.32), respectively. There were also significant
      differences between tissue and feces or blood as well as between feces and blood
      methylation frequency. These results showed that the risk size in tissue was much
      greater than that in feces and that in blood. The results pointed out that three
      curves in tissue, feces, and blood detection described the variation trends of
      methylation incidence from the control to polyp, to adenoma and to CRC, and that
      the variation trend of the risk size of SFRP2 methylation was synchronized with
      the histological evolution process of CRC. The variation trend of the risk size
      of SFRP2 methylation incidence is consistent with the histological evolution
      process of CRC. The susceptibility to SFRP2 methylation is an important biomarker
      in the study of early diagnosis of CRC and high-risk patients.

PMID- 26258810
TI  - Pentoxifylline prevents nonalcoholic steatohepatitis-related liver pre-neoplasms
      by inhibiting hepatic inflammation and lipogenesis.
AB  - Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) has gained attention as a hepatic
      manifestation associated with metabolic syndrome and one of the causes for
      chronic liver damage leading to hepatocellular carcinoma. Although no standard
      medicinal treatment for NASH has been established, pentoxifylline (PTX), a
      medicine used to improve circulation, has recently been reported to ameliorate
      the histopathological appearance of NASH. In the present study, we investigated
      the effects of PTX on the development of NASH and diethylnitrosamine-induced
      liver tumorigenesis in C57BLKS/J- +Lepr/+Lepr obese and diabetic mice, which are
      considered a rodent model for NASH-related hepatocarcinogenesis. Mice were
      administered diethylnitrosamine, and then they received water with or without
      PTX. At the time of sacrifice, the development of hepatic pre-neoplastic lesions
      was significantly suppressed in the PTX groups. Hepatic triglyceride contents
      were decreased by PTX administration. The serum levels of triglyceride, free
      fatty acid, and alanine aminotransferase were all decreased by PTX treatment, as
      was the mRNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines, macrophage-inducing
      chemokines, and several lipogenic genes in the liver. In-vitro studies also
      showed that PTX treatment decreased the expression of several lipogenic genes and
      chemokines in cell lines. These findings suggest that PTX prevents NASH-related
      liver tumorigenesis by attenuating chronic hepatic inflammation and decreasing
      lipogenic gene expression in the liver. 

PMID- 26258811
TI  - Ingenol mebutate: an unconventional treatment proposal.

PMID- 26258812
TI  - Detecting and Number Counting of Single Engineered Nanoparticles by Digital
      Particle Polymerase Chain Reaction.
AB  - The concentrations of nanoparticles present in colloidal dispersions are usually
      measured and given in mass concentration (e.g. mg/mL), and number concentrations
      can only be obtained by making assumptions about nanoparticle size and
      morphology. Additionally traditional nanoparticle concentration measures are not
      very sensitive, and only the presence/absence of millions/billions of particles
      occurring together can be obtained. Here, we describe a method, which not only
      intrinsically results in number concentrations, but is also sensitive enough to
      count individual nanoparticles, one by one. To make this possible, the
      sensitivity of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was combined with a binary
      (=0/1, yes/no) measurement arrangement, binomial statistics and DNA comprising
      monodisperse silica nanoparticles. With this method, individual tagged particles
      in the range of 60-250 nm could be detected and counted in drinking water in
      absolute number, utilizing a standard qPCR device within 1.5 h of measurement
      time. For comparison, the method was validated with single particle inductively
      coupled plasma mass spectrometry (sp-ICPMS). 

PMID- 26258813
TI  - Health after pregnancy in the mother with diabetes.
AB  - Progression of retinopathy and nephropathy in women with diabetes occurs, at
      least temporarily, during pregnancy and postpartum. However, normotensive
      pregnancy seems to have no detrimental effects regarding the long-term
      progression of any microvascular complication. Increased risk from pregnancy
      induced hypertension without proteinuria and with proteinuria (pre-eclampsia)
      relates mainly to the association with kidney disease in diabetes, and poor
      glycemic control. A history of pre-eclampsia or pregnancy induced hypertension is
      an important prognostic factor for micro- and macro-vascular complications later
      in life. Data regarding the long-term effects of hypertensive pregnancies on late
      complications of diabetes suggest that women with diabetes should be monitored
      regularly and nephroprotective treatment initiated early. 

PMID- 26258814
TI  - The parasitic plant Cuscuta australis is highly insensitive to abscisic acid
      induced suppression of hypocotyl elongation and seed germination.
AB  - Around 1% of angiosperms are parasitic plants. Their growth and development
      solely or partly depend on host plants from which they extract water, nutrients,
      and other molecules using a parasitic plant-specific organ, the haustorium.
      Strong depletion of nutrients can result in serious growth retardation and in
      some cases, death of the hosts. The genus Cuscuta (dodder) comprises about 200
      holoparasitic species occurring on all continents. Their seedlings have no roots
      and cotyledons but are only string-like hypocotyls. When they contact suitable
      host plants, haustoria are formed and thereafter seedlings rapidly develop into
      vigorously growing branches without roots and leaves. This highly specialized
      lifestyle suggests that Cuscuta plants likely have unique physiology in
      development and stress responses. Using germination and seedling growth assays,
      we show that C. australis seeds and seedlings are highly insensitive to abscisic
      acid (ABA). Transcriptome analysis and protein sequence alignment with
      Arabidopsis, tomato, and rice homologs revealed that C. australis most likely
      consists of only four functional ABA receptors. Given that Cuscuta plants are no
      longer severely challenged by drought stress, we hypothesize that the ABA
      mediated drought resistance pathway in Cuscuta spp. might have had degenerated
      over time during evolution. 

PMID- 26258816
TI  - Mining for Murder-Suicide: An Approach to Identifying Cases of Murder-Suicide in
      the National Violent Death Reporting System Restricted Access Database.
AB  - The National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) is a United States Centers
      for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) database of violent deaths from 2003 to
      the present. The NVDRS collects information from 32 states on several types of
      violent deaths, including suicides, homicides, homicides followed by suicides,
      and deaths resulting from child maltreatment or intimate partner violence, as
      well as legal intervention and accidental firearm deaths. Despite the
      availability of data from police narratives, medical examiner reports, and other
      sources, reliably finding the cases of murder-suicide in the NVDRS has proven
      problematic due to the lack of a unique code for murder-suicide incidents and
      outdated descriptions of case-finding procedures from previous researchers. By
      providing a description of the methods used to access to the NVDRS and coding
      procedures used to decipher these data, the authors seek to assist future
      researchers in correctly identifying cases of murder-suicide deaths while
      avoiding false positives. 

PMID- 26258817
TI  - Anthropometric Injury Risk Factors in Elite-standard Youth Soccer.
AB  - The aim of the study was to investigate whether an increased risk of injury
      occurrence can be determined through frequent anthropometric measurements in
      elite-standard youth soccer players. Over the course of one season, we followed
      101 male elite-standard youth soccer players between 11 and 19 years of age.
      Height and body mass were monitored at monthly measurement intervals and fat
      percentage was assessed every 3 months by use of the sum of skinfold method.
      Growth in height (cm), alternations in body mass index (kg/m(2)), fat percentage
      and fat-free mass index (kg/m(2)) were calculated. Injuries were recorded in
      accordance with the recommendations of the FIFA Consensus Model for Injury
      Registration. Odds ratio scores and 95% confidence intervals were calculated
      using binary logistic regression analyses. The following anthropometric injury
      risk factors were identified: >= 0.6 centimeter growth per month (p=0.03;
      OR=1.63; 95% CI: 1.06-2.52), >= 0.3 kg/m(2) increase of body mass index value per
      month (p=0.03; OR=1.61; 95% CI: 1.04-2.49) and low fat percentage; i. e., < 7%
      for players aged 11-16 and < 5% for players over 16 years (p=0.01; OR=1.81; 95%
      CI: 1.18-2.76). Individual monitoring of anthropometrics provides useful
      information to determine increased risk of injury occurrence in elite-standard
      youth soccer. 

PMID- 26258815
TI  - Islet Oxygen Consumption Rate (OCR) Dose Predicts Insulin Independence in
      Clinical Islet Autotransplantation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Reliable in vitro islet quality assessment assays that can be
      performed routinely, prospectively, and are able to predict clinical transplant
      outcomes are needed. In this paper we present data on the utility of an assay
      based on cellular oxygen consumption rate (OCR) in predicting clinical islet
      autotransplant (IAT) insulin independence (II). IAT is an attractive model for
      evaluating characterization assays regarding their utility in predicting II due
      to an absence of confounding factors such as immune rejection and
      immunosuppressant toxicity. METHODS: Membrane integrity staining (FDA/PI), OCR
      normalized to DNA (OCR/DNA), islet equivalent (IE) and OCR (viable IE) normalized
      to recipient body weight (IE dose and OCR dose), and OCR/DNA normalized to islet
      size index (ISI) were used to characterize autoislet preparations (n = 35).
      Correlation between pre-IAT islet product characteristics and II was determined
      using receiver operating characteristic analysis. RESULTS: Preparations that
      resulted in II had significantly higher OCR dose and IE dose (p<0.001). These
      islet characterization methods were highly correlated with II at 6-12 months post
      IAT (area-under-the-curve (AUC) = 0.94 for IE dose and 0.96 for OCR dose). FDA/PI
      (AUC = 0.49) and OCR/DNA (AUC = 0.58) did not correlate with II. OCR/DNA/ISI may
      have some utility in predicting outcome (AUC = 0.72). CONCLUSIONS: Commonly used
      assays to determine whether a clinical islet preparation is of high quality prior
      to transplantation are greatly lacking in sensitivity and specificity. While IE
      dose is highly predictive, it does not take into account islet cell quality. OCR
      dose, which takes into consideration both islet cell quality and quantity, may
      enable a more accurate and prospective evaluation of clinical islet preparations.

PMID- 26258818
TI  - Remnant Repair-enhanced Polyethylene Terepthalate Artificial Ligament Graft
      Ligamentization.
AB  - The aim of this study was to investigate whether augmented remnant repair could
      enhance polyethylene terepthalate (PET) artificial ligament graft
      ligamentization. 12 female goats underwent ACL reconstruction with PET artificial
      ligament graft in the right knees. Right knees in 6 goats were reconstructed with
      augmented remnant repair (Remnant group), whereas the other 6 goats had no
      augmented remnant repair comprised the Control group. 3 goats in each group were
      randomly sacrificed at 6 months and 12 months respectively after surgery. The
      intra-articular parts of the reconstructed grafts were harvested for histological
      evaluation. Well-vascularized tissue ingrowth within the artificial ligament was
      observed in the remnant group at 12 months postoperatively. Collagen-I content of
      graft was significantly higher in the Remnant group than in the Control group at
      each time point (p<0.05). The relative expression of collagen-III positive area
      of the remnant-preserved group was significantly higher than that of the Control
      group at 12 months (p=0.005). The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)
      positive or CD31-positive area in the graft appeared higher in the Remnant group
      compared with the Control group at 6 months. Remnant repair enhanced the
      revascularization and remodeling of the PET artificial ligament in ACL
      reconstruction. 

PMID- 26258819
TI  - Habitual Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour and Bone Health in Rheumatoid
      Arthritis.
AB  - Associations between habitual physical activity levels and bone health in
      rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were assessed. Twenty nine female patients with RA were
      assessed for bone mineral density (BMD), and classified as having low or normal
      hip BMD. Habitual physical activity levels were assessed using accelerometry, and
      disease activity was assessed using the Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI).
      Twenty one patients had normal bone mass, while 8 had low bone mass. There was no
      difference in age in the normal bone mass group (51(8)) compared to the low bone
      mass group (57(12)), p=0.19. Patients with normal bone mass spent on average 2 h
      less per day in sedentary activity (65(4)% vs. 73(2)%, p<0.01), over 70 min more
      time in light activity (23(1)% vs. 18(2)%, p<0.01), and over 50 min more in
      moderate activity per day (12(3)% vs. 8(2)%, p<0.01) than did patients with low
      bone mass, independently of disease activity or duration. Patients with normal
      bone mass broke up their sedentary time more frequently per day (72(21) vs.
      53(18) times per day, p=0.03). The results of this study indicate that higher
      habitual activity levels may be protective of bone health in patients with RA,
      and should be encouraged.

PMID- 26258820
TI  - The Acute Effect of Fast and Slow Stepping Cadence on Regional Vascular Function.
AB  - The aim of this study was to determine if stepping cadence when controlling for
      total steps has a differential impact on regional vascular function. 16 young
      adults (21+/-2 years) performed fast (125 steps per min) and slow (80 steps per
      min) walking for a total of 3 000 steps on separate days. Doppler ultrasound was
      used to measure compliance, blood flow and shear rate of the common carotid
      artery and superficial femoral artery before walking and at 30 and 60 min after
      walking. Carotid compliance was significantly (p<0.05) elevated 60 min after fast
      (17.1+/-25.9%) and slow (24.1+/-27.3%) walking with no difference between
      cadences. Both fast and slow walking failed to increase femoral compliance,
      despite significant (p<0.05) dilation in the femoral artery that was observed at
      30 (4.2+/-3.9%) and 60 min (3.9+/-5.4%) after fast walking. Consistent with this
      latter finding, femoral blood flow and shear rate were significantly (p<0.05)
      increased at 30 min after fast walking. These results indicate that a single bout
      of walking at a fast or slow stepping cadence increases compliance of large
      elastic arteries but has no acute effect on compliance of peripheral (leg)
      arteries. 

PMID- 26258821
TI  - Antioxidants may Attenuate Plasma Erythropoietin Decline after Hyperbaric Oxygen
      Diving.
AB  - According to previous studies, plasma erythropoietin (EPO) may decrease after
      hyperbaric oxygen exposure due to oxidative stress. It is hypothesized that the
      decrease of EPO can be attenuated by oxygen free radical scavengers.The aim of
      the present study was to evaluate whether EPO plasma levels can be influenced by
      oral application of vitamin C and E before repeated hyperbaric oxygen exposure
      during diving. 16 healthy male police task force divers performed 3 morning dives
      on oxygen within a regular diving schedule on 3 consecutive days. They were
      randomized into either the placebo group or the vitamin group, receiving 1 g
      ascorbic acid and 600 IU D-alpha-tocopherol orally 60 min before the dive. Blood
      samples for EPO measurement were taken on days 1, 2, and 3 at T1, T3 and T5 60
      min before and at T2, T4 and T6 60 min after each dive, respectively. A moderate
      decrease of EPO was observed beginning at T3 until T6 in the placebo group. The
      EPO concentrations in the vitamin group did not show relevant variations compared
      to baseline. Radical scavenging vitamins C and D may counteract hyperbaric oxygen
      related mechanisms reducing EPO production in hyperbaric oxygen exposure during
      diving. 

PMID- 26258822
TI  - Changes in Kidney Functions during Middle-distance Triathlon in Male Athletes.
AB  - Strenuous exercise induces proteinuria which is related to the intensity of
      exercise. However, renal responses to each type of exercise during a middle
      distance triathlon have not been reported. The present study, carried out on 7
      healthy athletes, investigated renal function at rest and after each exercise of
      a half-triathlon race. Blood and urine samples were collected at rest and after
      each specific event. Protein excretion and renal clearances were determined on
      each sample. Compared with resting values, albuminuria was increased by a factor
      of 30 (p<0.05) after swimming but did not differ from the resting value after
      cycling and running (p>0.05). Rates of beta2-microglobulin and retinol-binding
      protein excretion did not change throughout the triathlon (p>0.05). Glomerular
      filtration rate (expressed as creatinine clearance) remained stable after each
      exercise event, whereas tubular reabsorption rate (expressed as urea clearance)
      was reduced by 50, 40 and 65% after swimming, cycling and running, respectively,
      compared to pre-exercise values (p<0.05). Glomerular membrane permeability
      (expressed as albumin clearance) was significantly increased by the swimming
      event (13 times, p<0.05). These results suggest that middle-distance triathlon
      has a noticeable impact on the glomerular membrane permeability (albumin
      clearance) and elimination of protein waste (urea clearance) depending on
      exercise type. 

PMID- 26258823
TI  - Reliability of the Heart Rate Variability Threshold using Visual Inspection and
      Dmax Methods.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to compare heart rate variability threshold (HRVT)
      in 6 incremental tests and test its reproducibility using visual inspection and
      Dmax methods for root mean square of successive differences between the adjacent
      normal R-R intervals (RMSSD), standard deviation of the normal RR interval (SDNN)
      and standard deviation of instantaneous beat-to-beat variability (SD1). 12 adult
      males performed an incremental test to volitional fatigue on a cycle simulator
      during 6 visits to the laboratory. The initial test load was 25 W, and the
      intensity was increased by 25 W every 3 min until volitional fatigue set in. The
      HRV during the incremental test was analyzed using the RMSSD, SDNN and SD1
      indices and the determination of HRVT was performed using 2 methods: visual
      inspection and Dmax. The results demonstrated that the SD1 and RMSSD indices,
      determined by the visual inspection method, presented the highest reproducibility
      of HRVT when compared with the other indices and methods. We concluded that the
      best method for determining HRVT was the technique using the point of
      stabilization by visual inspection in the SD1 and RMSSD indices during the
      incremental test, due to its high reproducibility, lower coefficient of variation
      and increment size. 

PMID- 26258824
TI  - Imposed Cold-water Ingestion during Open Water Swimming in Internationally Ranked
      Swimmers.
AB  - The authors explored the effects of open water swimming in a tropical environment
      on both core temperature (T c) and thermal perceptions of high-level swimmers
      during an official international 10-km race and two 5-km swimming tests. The
      swimmers drank neutral water (i. e., 28.0+/-3.0 degrees C) ad libitum every 2,000
      m during Competition, whereas the ingested volume was imposed in the 5-km tests:
      every 1,000 m, they drank 190 mL of cold water (CW, 1.1+/-0.7 degrees C) or
      neutral water (NW, 28.0+/-3.0 degrees C). They also self-rated their thermal
      comfort and sensation (TC and TS), and their T c was recorded. The study
      demonstrated that adequate fluid intake significantly decreased T c in swimmers
      swimming at race pace in hot water (i. e., 37.5+/-0.3 degrees C vs. 38.3+/-0.4
      degrees C, in NW vs. Competition, respectively). This effect was more pronounced
      with cold water (i. e., 36.7+/-1.1 degrees C, in CW). No significant changes were
      noted in mean heart rate (i. e., 145+/-5, 143+/-4 and 141+/-5 bpm for NW, CW and
      Competition, respectively). Further studies are needed to explore the effect of
      this cooling method on the performances of international swimmers during tropical
      swimming events.

PMID- 26258825
TI  - Skeletal Maturation and Aerobic Performance in Young Soccer Players from
      Professional Academies.
AB  - The contribution of chronological age, skeletal age (Fels method) and body size
      to variance in peak velocity derived from the Carminatti Test was examined in 3
      competitive age groups of Brazilian male soccer players: 10-11 years (U-12,
      n=15), 12-13 years (U-14, n=54) and 14-15 years (U-16, n=23). Body size and
      soccer-specific aerobic fitness were measured. Body composition was predicted
      from skinfolds. Analysis of variance and covariance (controlling for
      chronological age) were used to compare soccer players by age group and by
      skeletal maturity status within of each age group, respectively. Relative
      skeletal age (skeletal age minus chronological age), body size, estimated fat
      free mass and performance on the Carminatti Test increased significantly with
      age. Carminatti Test performance did not differ among players of contrasting
      skeletal maturity status in the 3 age groups. Results of multiple linear
      regressions indicated fat mass (negative) and chronological age (positive) were
      significant predictors of peak velocity derived from the Carminatti Test, whereas
      skeletal age was not a significant predictor. In conclusion, the Carminatti Test
      appears to be a potentially interesting field protocol to assess intermittent
      endurance running capacity in youth soccer programs since it is independent of
      biological maturity status. 

PMID- 26258826
TI  - Critical Power in Laboratory and Field Conditions Using Single-visit Maximal
      Effort Trials.
AB  - To compare critical power (CP) and the maximum work performed above CP (W')
      obtained from a single-visit laboratory test with a single-visit field test, 10
      trained cyclists (VO(2max) 63.2+/-5.5 mL.min(-1).kg(-1)) performed a laboratory
      and a field test. The laboratory test consisted of 3 trials to exhaustion between
      2-15 min and the field test comprised 3 maximal efforts of 2, 6 and 12 min, where
      power output was measured using a mobile power meter. CP and W' were estimated
      using 3 mathematical models (hyperbolic, linear work-time, linear power -1/time).
      The agreement between laboratory and field conditions was assessed with the 95%
      limits of agreement (LoA). CP was not significantly different between laboratory
      (280+/-33 W) and field conditions (281+/-28 W) (P=0.950). W' was significantly
      higher in laboratory (21.6+/-7.1 kJ) compared to field conditions (16.3+/-7.4 kJ)
      (P=0.013). The bias was -2.8+/-27 W (95% LoA: -55 to 50 W) and 6.4+/-5.1 kJ (95%
      LoA: -3.5 to 16.4 kJ) for CP and W', respectively. No differences between the
      mathematical models were found for CP and W' (P=0.054-1.000). Although CP was not
      significantly different between conditions, a high random variation does not
      support its interchangeable use. The mathematical model used has no influence on
      estimates of CP and W'.

PMID- 26258828
TI  - Clinical Practicums: More Than Finding a Preceptor.

PMID- 26258829
TI  - Alarm Safety.

PMID- 26258830
TI  - A New Era of Nursing in Indonesia and a Vision for Developing the Role of the
      Clinical Nurse Specialist.

PMID- 26258831
TI  - Psychometric Properties of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social
      Support.

PMID- 26258832
TI  - Waiting for the Antidote: The Journey of Idarucizumab as a Potential Specific
      Reversal Agent for Dabigatran (Pradaxa).

PMID- 26258833
TI  - Mini-Mental State Examination for the Detection of Alzheimer Disease and Other
      Dementias in People With Mild Cognitive Impairment.

PMID- 26258834
TI  - Presenting With Power.

PMID- 26258835
TI  - Implementation of a Nursing Peer-Review Program in the Hospital Setting.
AB  - PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: Nursing peer review (NPR), a formal process by which nurses
      are referred for peer evaluation when patient care problems are identified, has
      gained acceptance as a method to improve nursing quality and safety. This article
      describes the development of a formal NPR program for acute care nurses, intended
      to validate and improve nursing practice. BACKGROUND: Nursing peer review is a
      systematic process of assessing and evaluating nursing care by peers against
      professional practice standards. The purpose of an NPR program is to provide a
      pathway whereby peers hold one another accountable for practice. RATIONALE:
      Accountability is an important demonstrator of professionalism. Because nursing
      is a trusted profession, it is imperative that it demonstrate accountability.
      DESCRIPTION: The NPR program was developed and implemented by a clinical nurse
      specialist. A literature review was conducted to assist program development
      including the processes of building an NPR committee and nurses for review. To
      trigger referrals to the NPR system, nursing indicators were identified. To
      diminish fear among nurses, education for staff members focused on the purpose
      and importance of the NPR process and the intent to strengthen practice. Nursing
      peer review committee members were also educated in the use of NPR principles
      including just culture, appreciative inquiry, and confidentiality. OUTCOME: Upon
      implementation, nearly 200 referrals were received within the first 14 months;
      85% met criteria for review. Nursing practice was identified as appropriate (ie,
      nursing actions were consistent with good practice) in 66% of the reviews. Trends
      in individual and system processes were identified for improvement.
      CONCLUSION/IMPLICATIONS: The clinical nurse specialist's role as NPR program
      coordinator provided an innovative way to impact nursing and organizational
      spheres of influence through program development and implementation. Future goals
      include sustaining/improving nursing awareness of the NPR process and
      identification of additional indicators to trigger review.

PMID- 26258836
TI  - Clinical Nurse Specialist Collaboration to Recognize, Prevent, and Treat
      Pediatric Pressure Ulcers.
AB  - PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this quality improvement project was to reduce
      the incidence of pressure ulcers in a 232-bed, freestanding children's hospital
      in Western United States. BACKGROUND: Pressure ulcers have been an
      underappreciated hospital-acquired condition in children. Children have distinct
      anatomic, physiologic, and developmental factors that alter how pressure ulcers
      occur, but nurses may not recognize the pediatric patient as at risk because of
      lack of knowledge and tools to assess skin, identify risk factors, and recognize
      or stage pressure ulcers. Our initial efforts to develop organizational tools to
      reduce pediatric pressure ulcers were not sufficient, despite improvements in
      care. Interprofessional and intraprofessional collaboration, led by clinical
      nurse specialists, focused on documentation, tracheostomies, respiratory devices,
      and hemodynamically unstable or extracorporeal life support patients. RATIONALE:
      Stage 3 and 4 and unstageable pressure ulcers are also "never events" in
      children. The unique factors involved with infant and pediatric pressure ulcers
      demand unique solutions. OUTCOME: Our collaborative efforts led to a significant
      and sustained reduction in pressure ulcer incidence, from 3.3 per 1000 patient
      days in the first quarter of 2010 to 1.7 per 1000 patient days in the second
      quarter of 2014. Reportable pressure ulcers were reduced by 60%. Improved
      awareness and prevention strategies also led to significant reductions in
      extracorporeal life support patient pressure ulcers and respiratory device
      related pressure ulcers. CONCLUSION: Through intraprofessional and
      interprofessional collaboration, the clinical nurse specialists were able to
      implement sustained organizational change and improve care for infants and
      children. IMPLICATIONS: Reduction in pressure ulcers is achievable but requires
      collaboration and creative solutions that involve multiple disciplines.

PMID- 26258837
TI  - Improving Outcomes for High-Risk Patients: Creating Timely Reports From the
      Electronic Health Record.
AB  - PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: This article describes a stepwise model to develop timely
      reports from the electronic health record (EHR), which can be used to improve
      outcomes for high-risk patients. BACKGROUND: The literature is beginning to
      describe the use of reports and decisional support tools to identify high-risk
      populations to affect outcomes. The clinical nurse specialist is in a unique
      position to optimize use of the EHR to create reports and decisional supports to
      improve individual nursing practice, standardize clinical workflows, and enhance
      patient outcomes. RATIONALE: These reports identify patients at high risk for
      complications and can be utilized by the clinical nurse specialist to implement
      targeted interventions early in the patient's hospital stay, resulting in
      improved outcomes for selected patient populations. DESCRIPTION: A stepwise
      process used to develop these clinical informational reports is described as a
      model that is clinically relevant to a wide range of clinical nurse specialist
      roles, populations, and settings who use EHR. OUTCOMES: This model was utilized
      to create reports to target the highest-risk patients in the organization
      including patients with high fall risk, alcohol withdrawal syndrome, and the need
      for sitters. CONCLUSIONS: The basic idea of reports described by this model can
      significantly alter healthcare outcomes by making it possible for clinicians to
      adjust the way patient data are viewed at the bedside. These reports assist the
      clinical nurse specialist in reducing patient safety events, transfers to higher
      levels of care, sitter usage, or readmissions IMPLICATIONS: : Clinical nurse
      specialists can create reports targeting highest-risk patients in the
      organization and address reportable outcomes resulting in improvement in both
      financial and patient outcomes. This model can also bring relevance, value, and
      visibility to the clinical nurse specialist within the system by placing the
      clinical experts at the bedside of greatest need.

PMID- 26258838
TI  - Radiation via Intracavitary-Interstitial Pelvic Implants for Gynecological
      Cancers: Clinical Nurse Specialists Affecting Change.
AB  - PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: This article describes the value of a clinical nurse
      specialist (CNS) team in partnering with interdisciplinary stakeholders to
      improve care for women with gynecological cancers receiving radiation via
      intracavitary-interstitial pelvic implants (IPI). BACKGROUND: Intracavitary
      interstitial pelvic implants can prolong survival but is associated with
      significant impacts on quality of life. Intracavitary-interstitial pelvic
      implants is a complex and invasive intervention that requires patients to be
      immobile for 3 days and creates challenges related to dignity, hygiene,
      nutrition, pain management, emotional health, skin care, and overall patient
      satisfaction. The nursing staff shared concerns with their respective CNSs
      regarding patients' quality of care. Lack of standardized practice/orders and
      gaps in knowledge created challenges. RATIONALE: Clinical nurse specialist
      practice requires collaborative efforts within the 3 spheres of influence to
      improve the care of patients receiving IPI therapy. DESCRIPTION: The CNSs
      recognized and addressed needs of patients/families, staff, and the organization
      across the continuum. The team's efforts relied on reflection of nurses'
      concerns, collaboration, and a unified vision for exceptional care. OUTCOMES:
      This CNS-led initiative was successful in establishing processes to ensure
      quality care. Improvement in patient care was achieved through creation of
      standardized order sets, a focused plan of care, and patient/family/staff
      education. Nurse satisfaction, confidence, and empowerment to provide patient
      care with dignity and sensitivity have been verbalized. CONCLUSION: The CNS
      team's broad scope of practice, across inpatient, outpatient, and evidence-based
      practice, is a strength. Key to the team's success was the recognition of
      challenges and a unified vision to bring together stakeholders to facilitate
      improvement of care. Future direction includes evaluating nutritional choices and
      examining psychosocial aspects of the patient's experience. An interdisciplinary
      nursing grand rounds is planned to highlight the outcomes of this team.
      IMPLICATIONS: The leadership of CNS teams with varied scopes is critical to
      affecting change within the spheres of influence and improving patient care
      across the continuum.

PMID- 26258839
TI  - A Healing, Restorative, Life-Enhancing Environment in 1900: The Free Hospital for
      Women in Brookline, Massachusetts.

PMID- 26258840
TI  - Complexities of Medication Management Across Care Transitions: A Case Report.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this article is to identify medication-related
      considerations for clinical nurse specialist practice by presenting a case report
      detailing the complexities of medication management, unresolved medication
      discrepancies, and reconciliation across care transitions. BACKGROUND: Care
      transitions are a vulnerable time for medication-related problems to occur.
      Unresolved medication discrepancies can lead to adverse drug events and other
      poor health outcomes, including hospital readmissions and increased healthcare
      costs. Reconciling medication discrepancies during care transitions has been
      identified as a national patient safety goal to prevent medication-related
      problems. Clinical nurse specialists are uniquely qualified to lead and manage
      efforts to mitigate these problems during care transitions. CASE PRESENTATION: A
      72-year-old male patient diagnosed with oral cancer underwent 8 weeks of
      chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Throughout these 8 weeks, the patient was
      seen by 4 providers and admitted to the hospital for neutropenia. As a result, a
      total of 19 new medications were prescribed and 5 medications were discontinued.
      Medication reconciliation was completed at each visit and at admission and
      discharge at the hospital. At discharge, the patient's medication regimen was
      complex, with 38 separate doses of 17 different medications per 24-hour period.
      Understanding and organizing the daily medication regimen were a consistent
      challenge for the patient during his illness. DISCUSSION: This case highlights
      the complexities of medication regimens and opportunities to improve medication
      management and reconciliation across care transitions. This case underscores the
      need for and importance of quality patient-provider communication, assessing and
      managing medication regimen complexity, evaluating medications against the
      American Geriatrics Society Beers Criteria, evaluating potential drug-drug or
      drug-food interactions, and recognizing at-risk behaviors that may lead to
      medication discrepancies and errors at care transitions. Potential opportunities
      where clinical nurse specialists could intervene to promote safe and effective
      medication management across care transitions are presented.
      CONCLUSION/IMPLICATIONS: Clinical nurse specialists have the unique ability to
      make key contributions and influence medication management and reconciliation
      across care transitions to promote medication effectiveness and safety.

PMID- 26258842
TI  - A Pilot Study on the Combination of Applied Behavior Analysis and Bumetanide
      Treatment for Children with Autism.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effects
      of combined bumetanide and applied behavior analysis (ABA) treatment in children
      with autism. METHODS: Sixty children diagnosed with autism according to the
      International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) criteria (mean
      age of 4.5 years) were randomly divided into two groups: A single treatment group
      (n=28) and a combined treatment group (n=32). The combined treatment group
      received ABA training combined with oral bumetanide (0.5 mg twice a day). The
      single treatment group received ABA training only. Autism symptoms were evaluated
      with the Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC) and the Childhood Autism Rating Scale
      (CARS), whereas severity of disease (SI) and global improvement (GI) were
      measured with the Clinical Global Impressions (CGI). Assessment of ABC, CARS, and
      CGI was performed immediately before and 3 months after initiation of the
      treatment(s). RESULTS: Prior to intervention(s) no statistically significant
      differences in scores on the ABC, CARS, SI, or GI were found between the two
      groups. Total scores of the ABC, CARS, and SI were decreased in both groups after
      3 months (p<0.05) compared with the scores prior to treatment. The total scores
      of the ABC and the CGI were significantly (p<0.05) lower in the combined
      treatment group than in the single treatment group. Although the total and item
      scores of the CARS in the combined treatment group were lower than in the single
      treatment group after a 3 month intervention, they did not reach statistical
      significance. No adverse effects of bumetanide were observed. CONCLUSIONS:
      Treatment with bumetanide combined with ABA training may result in a better
      outcome in children with autism than ABA training alone.

PMID- 26258843
TI  - Heparin versus DNA: Chiral Preferences in Polyanion Binding to Self-Assembled
      Multivalent (SAMul) Nanostructures.
AB  - This communication presents simple cationic self-assembling multivalent (SAMul)
      first generation dendrons based on L or D lysine, which form identical nanoscale
      assemblies in terms of dimensions and charge densities but toward which DNA and
      heparin exhibit different chiral binding preferences. However, higher generation
      dendrons with larger hydrophilic head groups are bound identically by these
      polyanions, irrespective of chirality. We propose that well-organized chiral
      ligands on the surface of self-assembled nanostructures can exhibit
      enantioselective polyanion binding. This demonstrates that small structural
      changes can be amplified by self-assembly and impact on nanoscale binding.

PMID- 26258844
TI  - Rise of the Helix from a Collapsed Globule during the Folding of Monellin.
AB  - Early kinetic intermediates observed during the folding of many proteins are
      invariably compact and appear to possess some secondary structure. Consequently,
      it has been difficult to understand whether compaction drives secondary structure
      formation or secondary structure formation facilitates compaction during folding.
      In this study of the folding of single-chain monellin, it is shown that a kinetic
      molten globule (MG) is populated at 2 ms of folding. Far-UV circular dichroism
      (CD) measurements show that the kinetic MG is devoid of any helical structure
      even under the most stabilizing folding conditions. Multisite fluorescence
      resonance energy transfer (FRET) measurements show that the kinetic MG is compact
      with different segments having contracted to different extents. It is shown that
      the sequence segment that goes on to form the sole helix in the native protein is
      fully collapsed in the kinetic MG. This segment expands to accommodate the helix
      as the kinetic MG folds further to the native state, while other segments of the
      protein contract. Helix formation starting from the kinetic MG is shown to occur
      in multiple kinetic steps, whether measured by far-UV CD or by FRET. 

PMID- 26258845
TI  - Widespread non-additive and interaction effects within HLA loci modulate the risk
      of autoimmune diseases.
AB  - Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes confer substantial risk for autoimmune
      diseases on a log-additive scale. Here we speculated that differences in
      autoantigen-binding repertoires between a heterozygote's two expressed HLA
      variants might result in additional non-additive risk effects. We tested the non
      additive disease contributions of classical HLA alleles in patients and matched
      controls for five common autoimmune diseases: rheumatoid arthritis (ncases =
      5,337), type 1 diabetes (T1D; ncases = 5,567), psoriasis vulgaris (ncases =
      3,089), idiopathic achalasia (ncases = 727) and celiac disease (ncases = 11,115).
      In four of the five diseases, we observed highly significant, non-additive
      dominance effects (rheumatoid arthritis, P = 2.5 * 10(-12); T1D, P = 2.4 * 10(
      10); psoriasis, P = 5.9 * 10(-6); celiac disease, P = 1.2 * 10(-87)). In three of
      these diseases, the non-additive dominance effects were explained by interactions
      between specific classical HLA alleles (rheumatoid arthritis, P = 1.8 * 10(-3);
      T1D, P = 8.6 * 10(-27); celiac disease, P = 6.0 * 10(-100)). These interactions
      generally increased disease risk and explained moderate but significant fractions
      of phenotypic variance (rheumatoid arthritis, 1.4%; T1D, 4.0%; celiac disease,
      4.1%) beyond a simple additive model. 

PMID- 26258846
TI  - Genomic spectra of biliary tract cancer.
AB  - The incidence of biliary tract cancer (BTC), including intrahepatic (ICC) and
      extrahepatic (ECC) cholangiocarcinoma and gallbladder cancer, has increased
      globally; however, no effective targeted molecular therapies have been approved
      at the present time. Here we molecularly characterized 260 BTCs and uncovered
      spectra of genomic alterations that included new potential therapeutic targets.
      Gradient spectra of mutational signatures with a higher burden of the APOBEC
      associated mutation signature were observed in gallbladder cancer and ECC. Thirty
      two significantly altered genes, including ELF3, were identified, and nearly 40%
      of cases harbored targetable genetic alterations. Gene fusions involving FGFR2
      and PRKACA or PRKACB preferentially occurred in ICC and ECC, respectively, and
      the subtype-associated prevalence of actionable growth factor-mediated signals
      was noteworthy. The subgroup with the poorest prognosis had significant
      enrichment of hypermutated tumors and a characteristic elevation in the
      expression of immune checkpoint molecules. Accordingly, immune-modulating
      therapies might also be potentially promising options for these patients. 

PMID- 26258847
TI  - Genomic analysis of mycosis fungoides and Sezary syndrome identifies recurrent
      alterations in TNFR2.
AB  - Mycosis fungoides and Sezary syndrome comprise the majority of cutaneous T cell
      lymphomas (CTCLs), disorders notable for their clinical heterogeneity that can
      present in skin or peripheral blood. Effective treatment options for CTCL are
      limited, and the genetic basis of these T cell lymphomas remains incompletely
      characterized. Here we report recurrent point mutations and genomic gains of
      TNFRSF1B, encoding the tumor necrosis factor receptor TNFR2, in 18% of patients
      with mycosis fungoides and Sezary syndrome. Expression of the recurrent TNFR2
      Thr377Ile mutant in T cells leads to enhanced non-canonical NF-kappaB signaling
      that is sensitive to the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib. Using an integrative
      genomic approach, we additionally discovered a recurrent CTLA4-CD28 fusion, as
      well as mutations in downstream signaling mediators of these receptors. 

PMID- 26258848
TI  - A gene-based association method for mapping traits using reference transcriptome
      data.
AB  - Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified thousands of variants
      robustly associated with complex traits. However, the biological mechanisms
      underlying these associations are, in general, not well understood. We propose a
      gene-based association method called PrediXcan that directly tests the molecular
      mechanisms through which genetic variation affects phenotype. The approach
      estimates the component of gene expression determined by an individual's genetic
      profile and correlates 'imputed' gene expression with the phenotype under
      investigation to identify genes involved in the etiology of the phenotype.
      Genetically regulated gene expression is estimated using whole-genome tissue
      dependent prediction models trained with reference transcriptome data sets.
      PrediXcan enjoys the benefits of gene-based approaches such as reduced multiple
      testing burden and a principled approach to the design of follow-up experiments.
      Our results demonstrate that PrediXcan can detect known and new genes associated
      with disease traits and provide insights into the mechanism of these
      associations. 

PMID- 26258850
TI  - Photoinduced Electron-Transfer-Based Hybridization Probes for Detection of DNA
      and RNA.
AB  - Here, we report the synthesis of a hybridization probe for detection of RNA and
      DNA based on photoinduced electron transfer (PeT). We designed and synthesized an
      oligonucleotide containing an adenosine analogue with a 9-(N,N
      dimethylaminomethyl)anthracenyl moiety at its 6-position via an ethynylene linker
      as the hybridization probe. When the probe was hybridized with a complementary
      RNA or DNA, the fluorescence intensity increased 3-fold or 4.5-fold,
      respectively, compared to the single-stranded state. 

PMID- 26258849
TI  - An APOBEC3A hypermutation signature is distinguishable from the signature of
      background mutagenesis by APOBEC3B in human cancers.
AB  - Elucidation of mutagenic processes shaping cancer genomes is a fundamental
      problem whose solution promises insights into new treatment, diagnostic and
      prevention strategies. Single-strand DNA-specific APOBEC cytidine deaminase(s)
      are major source(s) of mutation in several cancer types. Previous indirect
      evidence implicated APOBEC3B as the more likely major mutator deaminase, whereas
      the role of APOBEC3A is not established. Using yeast models enabling the
      controlled generation of long single-strand genomic DNA substrates, we show that
      the mutation signatures of APOBEC3A and APOBEC3B are statistically
      distinguishable. We then apply three complementary approaches to identify cancer
      samples with mutation signatures resembling either APOBEC. Strikingly, APOBEC3A
      like samples have over tenfold more APOBEC-signature mutations than APOBEC3B-like
      samples. We propose that APOBEC3A-mediated mutagenesis is much more frequent
      because APOBEC3A itself is highly proficient at generating DNA breaks, whose
      repair can trigger the formation of single-strand hypermutation substrates. 

PMID- 26258851
TI  - Ectopic osteogenesis and scaffold biodegradation of nano-hydroxyapatite-chitosan
      in a rat model.
AB  - The bone-formation and scaffold-biodegradation processes have not been fully
      characterized. This study aimed to determine the osteogenic ability of nHA-CS
      osteo-induced bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) composites and to explore
      the relationship between bone formation and scaffold biodegradation. The nHA-CS
      osteo-induced BMSC composites (nHA-CS+cells group) and the nHA-CS scaffolds (nHA
      CS group) were implanted into the femoral spatium intermusculare of SD rats. At
      2, 4, 6, 8, and 12 weeks post-implantation, the rat femurs were scanned using
      computerized tomography (CT), and the CT values of the implants were measured and
      comparatively analyzed. The implants were then harvested and subjected to
      hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and Masson's trichrome staining, and the percentages
      of bone area, scaffold area and collagen area were compared between the two
      groups. The CT values of the implants were higher in the nHA-CS+cells group than
      the nHA-CS group at the same time points (P < 0.05). Histological analysis
      revealed that de novo bone and collagen formation in the pores of the scaffolds
      gradually increased from 2 weeks post-implantation in both groups and that the
      scaffold gradually degraded as bone formation proceeded. However, more de novo
      bone and collagen formation and scaffold degradation occurred in the nHA-CS+cells
      group than in the nHA-CS group at the same time points (P < 0.05). In conclusion,
      nHA-CS osteo-induced BMSC composites are promising bone tissue engineering
      substitutes, and osteo-induced BMSCs can significantly enhance the osteogenic
      ability and play an active role in the degradation of nHA-CS scaffolds on par
      with bone formation. 

PMID- 26258853
TI  - The Relationships between Age and Running Biomechanics.
AB  - Running has high injury rates, especially among older runners. Most aging
      literature compares young with old runners without accounting for the progression
      of biomechanics throughout the lifespan. We used age as a continuous variable to
      investigate the continuum of age-related gait adaptations in running along with
      determining the chronology and rate of these adaptations. PURPOSE: This study
      aimed to identify the relations among age and selected running biomechanics
      throughout the range of 18-60 yr. METHODS: Experienced (n = 110) healthy runners
      (male, 54%) provided informed consent and ran at their training pace while motion
      and force data were captured. Kinematics, ground reaction forces (GRF), and lower
      limb joint torques and powers were correlated with age using Pearson product
      moment correlations and linear regression. RESULTS: Running velocity was
      inversely related to age (r = -0.27, P = 0.005) because of decreased stride
      length (r = -0.25, P = 0.008) but not rate. Peak vertical GRF (r = -0.23, P =
      0.016) and peak horizontal propulsive GRF decreased with age (r = -0.38, P <
      0.0001). Peak ankle torque (r = -0.32, P = 0.0007) and peak negative (r = 0.34, P
      = 0.0003) and positive (r = -0.37, P < 0.0001) ankle power decreased with age.
      Age-based regression equations and per-year reductions in all variables
      significantly related to age are reported. CONCLUSIONS: Data support previous
      work showing lower GRF, stride length, and velocity in old runners. Results are
      novel in showing the rate of decline in running biomechanics on a per-year basis
      and that mechanical reductions at the ankle but not at the hip or knee were
      correlated with age, confirming a previous observation of biomechanical
      plasticity with age showing reduced ankle but not hip function in gait.

PMID- 26258854
TI  - High Cardiorespiratory Fitness Levels Slow the Decline in Peak Heart Rate with
      Age.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Although it is well accepted that peak HR (HRpeak) decreases with
      age, there is no clear consensus on the rate of this decline and the influence of
      cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) on the rate of decline. METHODS: Treadmill
      cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) results with RER >= 1.0 from participants
      (1849 men and 1469 women; 18-80 yr) of a university-based health
      assessment/fitness program were retrospectively examined using cross-sectional
      and longitudinal study designs. All subjects were free of overt cardiovascular
      disease and were not taking HR-altering medications. Only subjects having
      completed >= 2 cardiopulmonary exercise tests with >= 1 yr between test dates
      were included in the longitudinal analysis (418 men and 225 women). Subjects were
      categorized into CRF categories (high, moderate, and low) relative to age and
      gender normative classifications. A general linear-model univariate analysis was
      performed to test the effect of CRF on the decline in HRpeak with age. RESULTS:
      In both cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses, HRpeak declined at a
      significantly faster rate across the CRF categories (cross-sectional: -0.60, 
      0.78, and -0.87 bpm . yr(-1), respectively; longitudinal: -0.61, -0.82, and -1.02
      bpm . yr(-1), respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence that the
      maintenance of a high or moderate CRF may slow the age-related decline in HRpeak
      in both men and women. The application of CRF-specific HRpeak prediction
      equations should be used to improve interpretation of HRpeak from exercise tests.

PMID- 26258852
TI  - Recent Advances in the Discovery of Norovirus Therapeutics.
AB  - Noroviruses are members of the family Caliciviridae. Norovirus infections are a
      global health burden that impacts >20 million individuals annually in the U.S.
      alone. Noroviruses are associated with high morbidity among vulnerable
      populations, particularly immunocompromised patients. This perspective highlights
      recent developments related to the discovery and development of norovirus
      specific small-molecule therapeutics as well as recent advances in our
      understanding of norovirus biology and pathogenesis. Most of the work in this
      area is at the early discovery stage and has been primarily focused on inhibitors
      of norovirus 3C-like protease and RNA dependent RNA polymerase. However, recent
      discoveries emanating from basic studies in norovirus research have resulted in
      the identification of new host-related drug targets that can be exploited. A
      repurposed compound has been advanced to human clinical studies. 

PMID- 26258855
TI  - Acute Strength Training Increases Responses to Stimulation of Corticospinal
      Axons.
AB  - PURPOSE: Acute strength training of forearm muscles increases resting twitch
      forces from motor cortex stimulation. It is unclear if such effects are spinal in
      origin and if they also occur with training of larger muscles. With the use of
      subcortical stimulation of corticospinal axons, the current study examined if one
      session of strength training of the elbow flexor muscles leads to spinal cord
      changes and if the type of training is important. METHODS: In experiment 1, 10
      subjects completed ballistic isometric training, ballistic concentric training,
      and no training (control) on separate days. In experiment 2, 13 subjects
      completed ballistic isometric training and slow-ramp isometric training. Before
      and after training, transcranial magnetic stimulation over the contralateral
      motor cortex elicited motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) in the resting biceps
      brachii, and electrical stimulation of corticospinal tract axons at the
      cervicomedullary junction elicited cervicomedullary motor-evoked potentials
      (CMEPs). Motor-evoked potential and CMEP twitch forces were also measured.
      RESULTS: In experiment 1, CMEPs and CMEP twitch forces were significantly
      facilitated after ballistic isometric training compared to control. In experiment
      2, MEPs, MEP twitch forces, CMEPs, and CMEP twitch forces increased for 15 to 25
      min after ballistic and slow-ramp isometric training. CONCLUSION: Via processes
      within the spinal cord, one session of strength training of the elbow flexors
      increases net output from motoneurons projecting to the trained muscles. Likely
      mechanisms include increased efficacy of corticospinal-motoneuronal synapses or
      increased motoneuron excitability. However, the rate of force generation during
      training is not important for inducing these changes. A concomitant increase in
      motor cortical excitability is likely. These short-term changes may represent
      initial neural adaptations to strength training.

PMID- 26258856
TI  - Effect of Plyometrics on the Energy Cost of Running and MHC and Titin Isoforms.
AB  - Several training strategies such as plyometrics have been shown to improve
      running economy; however, its physiological basis remains elusive. PURPOSE: To
      examine the effect of plyometric training on the energy cost of running (ECR, J .
      kg(-1) . min(-1)), titin, and myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoforms. METHODS:
      Subjects were randomly assigned to a 6-wk plyometric treatment (P; n = 11) or
      control group (C; n = 11). Preintervention and postintervention outcomes included
      body composition, vertical jump, sit-and-reach, maximal oxygen consumption
      (VO2max), speed at onset of blood lactate, 3-km time trial performance, ECR, and
      a vastus lateralis muscle biopsy for protein analysis. RESULTS: Plyometric
      intervention resulted in improved time trial (P, 2.6% faster, P = 0.04; C, 1.6%,
      P = 0.17). VO2max improved in the P group (5.2%, P = 0.03), whereas the C group
      increased by 3.1% (P = 0.20). The ECR decreased in the P group as the result of 6
      wk of plyometric training (P = 0.02 for stage 3), whereas it increased in the C
      group (P = 0.02 for stage 3). The ECR correlated strongly with performance at
      stages 2, 3, and 4 (r > 0.8, P < 0.001) independent of group. There was no
      significant main effect of group, time, or interaction on any of the protein
      isoforms analyzed. A negative correlation was found between the ECR at stage 7
      and MHC IIa (r = -0.96, P < 0.001), and the ECR at stage 6 with titin isoform 1
      (T1)/T2 ratio (r = -0.69, P = 0.007) independent of group. CONCLUSION: Six weeks
      of plyometric training improved running performance and the ECR despite no
      measurable changes in MHC and titin isoforms. However, higher MHC IIa and lower
      T1/T2 isoform ratios correlated to lower ECR.

PMID- 26258857
TI  - Ice Slurry Ingestion Leads to a Lower Net Heat Loss during Exercise in the Heat.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare the reductions in evaporative heat loss from the skin (Esk)
      to internal heat loss (Hfluid) induced by ice slurry (ICE) ingestion relative to
      37  degrees C fluid and the accompanying body temperature and local
      thermoeffector responses during exercise in warm, dry conditions (33.5  degrees C
      +/- 1.4  degrees C; 23.7% +/- 2.6% relative humidity [RH]). METHODS: Nine men
      cycled at approximately 55% VO2peak for 75 min and ingested 3.2 mL . kg(-1)
      aliquots of 37  degrees C fluid or ICE after 15, 30, and 45 min of exercise.
      Metabolic heat production (M-W), rectal temperature (Tre), mean skin temperature
      (Tsk), whole-body sweat loss (WBSL), local sweat rate (LSR), and skin blood flow
      (SkBF) were measured throughout. Net heat loss (HLnet) and heat storage (S) were
      estimated using partitional calorimetry. RESULTS: Relative to the 37  degrees C
      trial, M-W was similar (P = 0.81) with ICE ingestion; however, the 200 +/- 20 kJ
      greater Hfluid (P < 0.001) with ICE ingestion was overcompensated by a 381 +/-
      199-kJ lower Esk (P < 0.001). Net heat loss (HLnet) was consequently 131 +/- 120
      kJ lower (P = 0.01) and S was greater (P = 0.05) with ICE ingestion compared with
      37  degrees C fluid ingestion. Concurrently, LSR and WBSL were lower by 0.16 +/-
      0.14 mg . min(-1) . cm(-2) (P < 0.01) and 191 +/- 122 g (P < 0.001),
      respectively, and SkBF tended to be lower (P = 0.06) by 5.4%maxAU +/- 13.4%maxAU
      in the ICE trial. Changes in Tre and Tsk were similar throughout exercise with
      ICE compared to 37  degrees C fluid ingestion. CONCLUSIONS: Relative to 37 
      degrees C, ICE ingestion caused disproportionately greater reductions in Esk
      relative to Hfluid, resulting in a lower HLnet and greater S. Mechanistically,
      LSR and possibly SkBF were suppressed independently of Tre or Tsk, reaffirming
      the concept of human abdominal thermoreception. From a heat balance perspective,
      recommendations for ICE ingestion during exercise in warm, dry conditions should
      be reconsidered.

PMID- 26258858
TI  - Biomechanical Deficit Profiles Associated with ACL Injury Risk in Female
      Athletes.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study aimed to quantify the prevalence of biomechanical deficit
      patterns associated with anterior cruciate ligament injury risk and their
      interconnections in a large cohort of female athletes during an unanticipated
      cutting task. METHODS: High school female athletes (n = 721) performed an
      unanticipated cutting task in the biomechanics laboratory. Trunk and lower
      extremity three-dimensional kinetics and kinematics were measured and entered
      into a latent profile analysis model. RESULTS: Approximately 40% of female
      athletes demonstrated no biomechanical deficits and were categorized into the low
      risk group. The second most prevalent profile (24%) demonstrated a combination of
      high quadriceps and leg dominance deficits and was labeled as quadriceps-leg. The
      third most prevalent profile (22%) demonstrated a combination of trunk and leg
      dominance deficits and to lesser extent ligament dominance deficits and was
      labeled as trunk-leg-ligament. Finally, the fourth profile (14%) demonstrated
      very high ligament dominance deficits only and it was labeled as ligament
      dominance profile. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to identify the most
      common biomechanical profiles associated with anterior cruciate ligament injury
      during a cutting task in a large cohort of female athletes. Approximately 60% of
      female athletes belong to one of the high-risk profiles. With the exception of
      the ligament dominance profile, the current analysis indicates that risk profiles
      consist of a combination of biomechanical deficits. The findings provide
      important insight into the prevalence of biomechanical deficits and future
      directions for the development of injury prevention programs. The findings can be
      used to guide the development of quick and easy tests that accurately categorize
      athletes into one of the profiles and subsequently prescribe tailored injury
      prevention programs that will be more effective and efficient than the current
      generic ones.

PMID- 26258859
TI  - Neurovascular Control and Cardiac Structure in Amateur Runners with Hypertension.
AB  - PURPOSE: The neurovascular mechanisms underlying hypertension are minimized by
      exercise training. However, it is not known whether previously trained
      individuals with hypertension would have deleterious repercussion of this
      disease. Our aim was to investigate the neurovascular control and the cardiac
      structure of athletes with hypertension. METHODS: Muscle sympathetic nerve
      activity (MSNA) (microneurography), baroreflex sensitivity (intravenous infusion
      of phenylephrine and nitroprusside), arterial stiffness (pulse wave velocity and
      echotracking), and cardiac structure (echocardiography) were evaluated in 17
      runners with hypertension (42 +/- 1 yr) and 20 normotensive (43 +/- 1 yr) amateur
      runners. RESULTS: Runners with hypertension had higher MSNA (+24% burst
      frequency, P = 0.02; +24%, burst incidence, P < 0.01), left ventricular mass
      (+22%, P < 0.01), septum wall thickness (+9%, P = 0.04), posterior wall thickness
      (+11%, P = 0.04), and left atrium (+11%, P < 0.001) compared with normotensive
      runners. Baroreflex control of heart rate was lower in runners with hypertension
      during increase (P = 0.05) but not during decrease (P = 0.11) of systolic blood
      pressure when compared with normotensive runners. There was no difference between
      groups in baroreflex control of MSNA during increase (P = 0.38) and decrease (P =
      0.36) of diastolic blood pressure. Pulse wave velocity (P = 0.71) and carotid
      variables: intima media thickness (P = 0.18), diameter (P = 0.09), and distension
      (P = 0.79) were similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Sympathetic overactivity
      seems to be involved in the underlying mechanisms of hypertension in amateur
      runners. Alterations in cardiac structure and decreased baroreflex control of
      heart rate suggest limited protection from exercise training. However, baroreflex
      control of MSNA and elastic properties of artery are preserved in this
      population.

PMID- 26258860
TI  - Adverse Cardiovascular Response to Aerobic Exercise Training: Is This a Concern?
AB  - PURPOSE: Aerobic exercise training in sedentary individuals improves physical
      fitness and various cardiovascular (CV) biomarkers. Nevertheless, there has been
      controversy as to whether exercise training may adversely affect some biomarkers
      in a small segment of the population. The purpose of this study was to
      investigate whether clinically significant worsening of CV biomarkers was more
      prevalent among individuals randomized to a supervised endurance training program
      as compared with those randomized to a control condition. METHODS: Baseline and
      end of study measurements of fasting insulin (FI), triglycerides (TG), resting
      systolic blood pressure (SBP), and HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) were obtained on 1188
      healthy sedentary subjects from 4 clinical studies. Each study randomized
      subjects to 4- to 6-month supervised aerobic exercise programs or to a control
      group of no supervised exercise training. For each of the 4 CV biomarkers, we
      calculated the respective proportions of control and exercise group subjects
      whose baseline-to-follow-up changes were greater than or equal to previously
      reported adverse change (AC) thresholds. Those thresholds were increases of 24
      pmol . L(-1) or greater for FI, 0.42 mmol . L(-1) or greater for TG, 10 mm Hg or
      greater for SBP, and a decrease of 0.12 mmol . L(-1) or greater for HDL-C.
      RESULTS: The respective proportions of subjects meeting the AC threshold in the
      control and exercise groups were 15.2% versus 9.6% (P = 0.02) for FI, 14.9%
      versus 13.1% (P = 0.37) for TG, 16.9% versus 15.8% (P = 0.52) for SBP, and 28.6%
      versus 22.5% (P = 0.03) for HDL-C. All were nonsignificant at the 0.0125
      Bonferroni threshold adjusting for multiple comparisons. CONCLUSIONS: These
      findings do not support the concept that aerobic exercise training increases the
      risk of adverse changes in the CV biomarkers we studied.

PMID- 26258861
TI  - Intravenous Fibrinolytic Therapy in Central Retinal Artery Occlusion: A Patient
      Level Meta-analysis.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) is an ophthalmologic
      emergency that can result in blindness. At present, no proven therapy for CRAO
      exists. Treatment with fibrinolytic agents has shown promise but remains of
      unproven benefit. OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy of systemic fibrinolytic
      therapy for patients with CRAO and to define a time window of efficacy. DATA
      SOURCES: We systematically queried PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus using the
      following index terms: "retinal artery occlusion" OR "retinal ischemia" AND
      "thrombolysis" OR "fibrinolysis" OR "tissue plasminogen activator" OR
      "streptokinase" OR "urokinase." Search was not limited by year of publication or
      language and was conducted in August 2014. In addition, we evaluated the
      references from relevant review articles. STUDY SELECTION: We assembled
      observational studies reporting on visual acuity outcomes after CRAO. Inclusion
      criteria were complete reporting of visual outcomes after CRAO (with or without
      fibrinolytic therapy) and a series of more than 5 patients for fibrinolysis
      treatment or more than 20 cases when untreated or treated with conservative
      modalities. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Patient-level data were sought for
      studies reporting outcomes of treatment with fibrinolysis. Summary statistics
      were obtained for conservative treatment and natural history studies. The studies
      were weighted by the inverse of variance and merged in a random-effects model.
      MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Rate of visual recovery (defined as improvement of
      visual acuity from 20/200 or worse at presentation to 20/100 or better) was
      calculated for patients treated with fibrinolytic and conservative therapies and
      those who received no treatment. RESULTS: We obtained summary statistics from 7
      studies that included 396 patients who received no treatment after CRAO and from
      8 studies that included 419 patients treated with ocular massage, anterior
      chamber paracentesis, and/or hemodilution (conservative treatment). Patient-level
      data were obtained for 147 patients treated with systemic fibrinolysis. We found
      that fibrinolysis was beneficial at 4.5 hours or earlier after symptom onset
      compared with the natural history group (17 of 34 [50.0%] vs 70 of 396 [17.7%];
      odds ratio, 4.7 [95% CI, 2.3-9.6]; P < .001). Absolute risk reduction was 32.3%,
      with a number needed to treat of 4.0 (95% CI, 2.6-6.6). We also found that
      conservative treatment significantly worsened visual acuity outcomes and recovery
      rates after CRAO compared with the natural history group (31 of 419 [7.4%; 95%
      CI, 3.7%-11.1%] vs 70 of 396 [17.7%; 95% CI, 13.9%-21.4%]; P < .001; number
      needed to harm, 10.0 [95% CI, 6.8-17.4]). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Our analysis
      suggests that a clinical trial of early systemic fibrinolytic therapy for CRAO is
      warranted and that conservative treatments are futile and may be harmful.

PMID- 26258862
TI  - Changing incidence of cystic fibrosis in Wisconsin, USA.
AB  - RATIONALE: Previous investigations of cystic fibrosis (CF) incidence in
      Massachusetts, Colorado, and Minnesota (USA) yielded contradictory results,
      particularly regarding allele p.Phe508del; the racial compositions of the cohorts
      were not reported. OBJECTIVES: To clarify discrepancies in reported incidence
      with the ultimate goal of improving screening and quality of care, we assessed CF
      incidence, stratified by race and mutations in cystic fibrosis transmembrane
      conductance regulator (CFTR), in Wisconsin (USA) from 1994 to 2011. METHODS: Data
      on patients diagnosed with CF (N = 283), CFTR genotypes, CF carriers, and birth
      rate were collected. All data were categorized by racial background of the birth
      mother and the incidence of CF births was accordingly adjusted. Spearman's
      nonparametric rank correlation and Fisher's exact test were performed for
      continuous and categorical variables, respectively. Trends over time were fitted
      with a cubic spline. RESULTS: We detected a trending increase in CF cases (range
      within all data 1.67-2.98 per 10,000 births per year), homozygous p.Phe508del
      cases (0.57-1.79 per 10,000), heterozygous p.Phe508del cases (0.29-1.55 per
      10,000), and cases lacking p.Phe508del (0-0.45 per 10,000). Both the number of
      cases lacking the p.Phe508del mutation per year and the number of cases lacking
      p.Phe508del per 10,000 births significantly increased (P = 0.05) from 1994 to
      2011; the increase in overall incidence was not significant. The number of
      carriers identified through newborn screening significantly increased within the
      non-Hispanic Black (P = 0.0.021) and Hispanic (P = 0.003) populations.
      CONCLUSION: The racial composition of the CF cohort is changing in Wisconsin,
      possibly influencing disease detection, care, and outcome.

PMID- 26258863
TI  - Is there a link between exertional heat stroke and susceptibility to malignant
      hyperthermia?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The identification of a predisposition toward malignant hyperthermia
      (MH) as a risk factor for exertional heat stroke (EHS) remains a matter of
      debate. Such a predisposition indicates a causal role for MH susceptibility (MHS)
      after EHS in certain national recommendations and has led to the use of an in
      vitro contracture test (IVCT) to identify the MHS trait in selected or unselected
      EHS patients. The aim of this study was to determine whether the MHS trait is
      associated with EHS. METHODS: EHS subjects in the French Armed Forces were
      routinely examined for MHS after experiencing an EHS episode. This retrospective
      study compared the features of IVCT-diagnosed MHS (iMHS) EHS subjects with those
      of MH-normal EHS patients and MH patients during the 2004-2010 period. MHS status
      was assessed using the European protocol. RESULTS: During the study period, 466
      subjects (median age 25 years; 31 women) underwent MHS status investigation
      following an EHS episode. None of the subjects reported previous MH events. An
      IVCT was performed in 454 cases and was diagnostic of MHS in 45.6% of the study
      population, of MH susceptibility to halothane in 18.5%, of MH susceptibility to
      caffeine in 9.9%, and of MH susceptibility to halothane and caffeine in 17.2%.
      There were no differences in the clinical features, biological features or
      outcomes of iMHS EHS subjects compared with those of MH-normal or caffeine or
      halothane MHS subjects without known prior EHS episode. The recurrence rate was
      12.7% and was not associated with MH status or any clinical or biological
      features. iMHS EHS patients exhibited a significantly less informative IVCT
      response than MH patients. CONCLUSIONS: The unexpected high prevalence of the MHS
      trait after EHS suggested a latent disturbance of calcium homeostasis that
      accounted for the positive IVCT results. This study did not determine whether EHS
      patients have an increased risk of MH, and it could not determine whether MH
      susceptibility is a risk factor for EHS.

PMID- 26258864
TI  - Association of the I264T variant in the sulfide quinone reductase-like (SQRDL)
      gene with osteoporosis in Korean postmenopausal women.
AB  - To identify novel susceptibility variants for osteoporosis in Korean
      postmenopausal women, we performed a genome-wide association analysis of 1180
      nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNPs) in 405 individuals with
      osteoporosis and 722 normal controls of the Korean Association Resource cohort. A
      logistic regression analysis revealed 72 nsSNPs that showed a significant
      association with osteoporosis (p<0.05). The top 10 nsSNPs showing the lowest p
      values (p = 5.2*10-4-8.5*10-3) were further studied to investigate their effects
      at the protein level. Based on the results of an in silico prediction of the
      protein's functional effect based on amino acid alterations and a sequence
      conservation evaluation of the amino acid residues at the positions of the nsSNPs
      among orthologues, we selected one nsSNP in the SQRDL gene (rs1044032, SQRDL
      I264T) as a meaningful genetic variant associated with postmenopausal
      osteoporosis. To assess whether the SQRDL I264T variant played a functional role
      in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis, we examined the in vitro effect of the nsSNP
      on bone remodeling. Overexpression of the SQRDL I264T variant in the
      preosteoblast MC3T3-E1 cells significantly increased alkaline phosphatase
      activity, mineralization, and the mRNA expression of osteoblastogenesis markers,
      Runx2, Sp7, and Bglap genes, whereas the SQRDL wild type had no effect or a
      negative effect on osteoblast differentiation. Overexpression of the SQRDL I264T
      variant did not affect osteoclast differentiation of the primary-cultured
      monocytes. The known effects of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) on bone remodeling may
      explain the findings of the current study, which demonstrated the functional role
      of the H2S-catalyzing enzyme SQRDL I264T variant in osteoblast differentiation.
      In conclusion, the results of the statistical and experimental analyses indicate
      that the SQRDL I264T nsSNP may be a significant susceptibility variant for
      osteoporosis in Korean postmenopausal women that is involved in osteoblast
      differentiation. 

PMID- 26258866
TI  - Does High Alveolar Fluid Reabsorption Prevent HAPE in Individuals with
      Exaggerated Pulmonary Hypertension in Hypoxia?
AB  - An exaggerated increase in pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PAsP) is a
      highlight of high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE). However, the incidence of HAPE
      at 4559 m was much lower in altitude-naive individuals with exaggerated pulmonary
      vasoconstriction (HPV) in normobaric hypoxia than in known HAPE-susceptibles,
      indicating that elevated PAsP alone is insufficient to induce HAPE. A decreased
      nasal potential difference (NPD) has been found in HAPE-susceptibles, where,
      based on animal models, NPD serves as surrogate of alveolar epithelial ion
      transport. We hypothesize that those HAPE-resistant individuals with high HPV may
      be protected by elevated alveolar Na and fluid reabsorption, which might be
      detected as increased NPD. To test this hypothesis, we measured NPD in normoxia
      of subjects who were phenotyped in previous studies as high altitude tolerant
      (controls), known HAPE-susceptibles with high HPV (HP+HAPE), as well as
      individuals with high HPV but without HAPE (HP-no-HAPE) at 4559 m. NPD and
      amiloride-sensitive NPD were lower in HP+HAPE than in controls, whereas HP-no
      HAPE were not different from either group. There were no differences in Cl
      transport between groups. Our results show low nasal ion transport in HAPE but
      higher transport in those individuals with the highest HPV but without HAPE. This
      indicates that in some individuals with high PAsP at high altitude high alveolar
      fluid reabsorption might protect them from HAPE.

PMID- 26258868
TI  - Religion, spirituality, and physical health in cancer patients: A meta-analysis.
AB  - Although religion/spirituality (R/S) is important in its own right for many
      cancer patients, a large body of research has examined whether R/S is also
      associated with better physical health outcomes. This literature has been
      characterized by heterogeneity in sample composition, measures of R/S, and
      measures of physical health. In an effort to synthesize previous findings, a meta
      analysis of the relation between R/S and patient-reported physical health in
      cancer patients was performed. A search of PubMed, PsycINFO, the Cumulative Index
      to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and the Cochrane Library yielded 2073
      abstracts, which were independently evaluated by pairs of raters. The meta
      analysis was conducted for 497 effect sizes from 101 unique samples encompassing
      more than 32,000 adult cancer patients. R/S measures were categorized into
      affective, behavioral, cognitive, and 'other' dimensions. Physical health
      measures were categorized into physical well-being, functional well-being, and
      physical symptoms. Average estimated correlations (Fisher z scores) were
      calculated with generalized estimating equations with robust variance estimation.
      Overall R/S was associated with overall physical health (z = 0.153, P < .001);
      this relation was not moderated by sociodemographic or clinical variables.
      Affective R/S was associated with physical well-being (z = 0.167, P < .001),
      functional well-being (z = 0.343, P < .001), and physical symptoms (z = 0.282, P
      < .001). Cognitive R/S was associated with physical well-being (z = 0.079, P <
      .05) and functional well-being (z = 0.090, P < .01). 'Other' R/S was associated
      with functional well-being (z = 0.100, P < .05). In conclusion, the results of
      the current meta-analysis suggest that greater R/S is associated with better
      patient-reported physical health. These results underscore the importance of
      attending to patients' religious and spiritual needs as part of comprehensive
      cancer care.

PMID- 26258871
TI  - Polyfuran-Derived Microporous Carbons for Enhanced Adsorption of CO2 and CH4.
AB  - Oxygen-doped microporous carbons were synthesized by chemical activation of
      polyfuran with KOH or ZnCl2 at 600 and 800  degrees C. It was found that KOH
      preserves and ZnCl2 eliminates the O-C functional groups in the activation
      process. The O-doped carbon activated with KOH at 800  degrees C exhibited a high
      CO2 capacity (4.96 mmol g(-1), 273 K, 1 bar) and CH4 adsorption capacity (2.27
      mmol g(-1), 273 K, 1 bar). At 298 K and 1 bar, a very high selectivity for
      separating CO2/N2 (41.7) and CO2/CH4 (6.8) gas mixture pairs was obtained on the
      O-doped carbon activated with KOH at 600  degrees C. The excellent separation
      ability of the O-doped carbons was demonstrated in transient breakthrough
      simulations of CO2/CH4/N2 mixtures in a fixed bed adsorber. The isosteric
      adsorption heats of the O-doped carbons were also significantly lower than those
      of MOF-74 and NaX zeolite. The O-doped microporous carbon adsorbents appear to be
      a very promising adsorbent for CO2 capture from flue gas, biogas upgrading, and
      CH4 storage. 

PMID- 26258870
TI  - Depression and Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms After Perinatal Loss in a Population
      Based Sample.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Perinatal loss is often a traumatic outcome for families. While
      there are limited data about depressive outcomes in small populations,
      information about depression and posttraumatic stress disorder among large
      racially and economically diverse populations is sparse. METHODS: We collaborated
      with the Michigan Department of Community Health to conduct a longitudinal survey
      of bereaved mothers with stillbirth or infant death under 28 days of life and
      live-birth (control) mothers in Michigan. The study assessed 9-month mental
      health outcomes including self-reported symptoms of depression and posttraumatic
      stress disorder along with information about demographics, pregnancy and loss
      experience, social support, and past and present mental health and treatment.
      RESULTS: Of 1400 women contacted by the State of Michigan, 609 completed surveys
      and were eligible to participate for a 44% response rate (377 bereaved mothers
      and 232 control mothers with live births). In multivariable analysis, bereaved
      women had nearly 4-fold higher odds of having a positive screen for depression
      and 7-fold higher odds of a positive screen for post-traumatic stress disorder
      after controlling for demographic and personal risk variables. A minority of
      screen-positive women were receiving any type of psychiatric treatment.
      CONCLUSION: This is the largest epidemiologically based study to date to measure
      the psychological impact of perinatal loss. Nine months after a loss, bereaved
      women showed high levels of distress with limited rates of treatment. Symptoms
      need to be monitored over time for persisting disorder and further research
      should identify women at highest risk for poor outcomes.

PMID- 26258869
TI  - Metagenomic Analysis of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Dairy Cow Feces following
      Therapeutic Administration of Third Generation Cephalosporin.
AB  - Although dairy manure is widely applied to land, it is relatively understudied
      compared to other livestock as a potential source of antibiotic resistance genes
      (ARGs) to the environment and ultimately to human pathogens. Ceftiofur, the most
      widely used antibiotic used in U.S. dairy cows, is a 3rd generation
      cephalosporin, a critically important class of antibiotics to human health. The
      objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of typical ceftiofur
      antibiotic treatment on the prevalence of ARGs in the fecal microbiome of dairy
      cows using a metagenomics approach. beta-lactam ARGs were found to be elevated in
      feces from Holstein cows administered ceftiofur (n = 3) relative to control cows
      (n = 3). However, total numbers of ARGs across all classes were not measurably
      affected by ceftiofur treatment, likely because of dominance of unaffected
      tetracycline ARGs in the metagenomics libraries. Functional analysis via MG-RAST
      further revealed that ceftiofur treatment resulted in increases in gene sequences
      associated with "phages, prophages, transposable elements, and plasmids",
      suggesting that this treatment also enriched the ability to horizontally transfer
      ARGs. Additional functional shifts were noted with ceftiofur treatment (e.g.,
      increase in genes associated with stress, chemotaxis, and resistance to toxic
      compounds; decrease in genes associated with metabolism of aromatic compounds and
      cell division and cell cycle), along with measureable taxonomic shifts (increase
      in Bacterioidia and decrease in Actinobacteria). This study demonstrates that
      ceftiofur has a broad, measureable and immediate effect on the cow fecal
      metagenome. Given the importance of 3rd generation cephalospirins to human
      medicine, their continued use in dairy cattle should be carefully considered and
      waste treatment strategies to slow ARG dissemination from dairy cattle manure
      should be explored. 

PMID- 26258872
TI  - Electrospun Nanofibrous P(DLLA-CL) Balloons as Calcium Phosphate Cement Filled
      Containers for Bone Repair: in Vitro and in Vivo Studies.
AB  - The spinal surgeon community has expressed significant interest in applying
      calcium phosphate cement (CPC) for the treatment of vertebral compression
      fractures (VCFs) and minimizing its disadvantages, such as its water-induced
      collapsibility and poor mechanical properties, limiting its clinical use. In this
      work, novel biodegradable electrospun nanofibrous poly(d,l-lactic acid-epsilon
      caprolactone) balloons (ENPBs) were prepared, and the separation, pressure,
      degradation, and new bone formation behaviors of the ENPBs when used as CPC
      filled containers in vitro and in vivo were systematically analyzed and compared.
      CPC could be separated from surrounding bone tissues by ENPBs in vitro and in
      vivo. ENPB-CPCs (ENPBs serving as CPC-filled containers) exerted pressure on the
      surrounding bone microenvironment, which was enough to crush trabecular bone.
      Compared with the CPC implantation, ENPB-CPCs delayed the degradation of CPC
      (i.e., its water-induced collapsilibity). Finally, possible mechanisms behind the
      in vivo effects caused by ENPB-CPCs implanted into rabbit thighbones and pig
      vertebrae were proposed. This work suggests that ENPBs can be potentially applied
      as CPC-filled containers in vivo and provides an experimental basis for the
      clinical application of ENPBs for the treatment of VCFs. In addition, this work
      will be of benefit to the development of polymer-based medical implants in the
      future. 

PMID- 26258867
TI  - Recent Developments in Magnetic Diagnostic Systems.

PMID- 26258873
TI  - Exceptional Association of Syringotropic Mycosis Fungoides with Chronic
      Lymphocytic Leukaemia.

PMID- 26258874
TI  - Interventions for preventing and treating kidney disease in Henoch-Schonlein
      Purpura (HSP).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) is the most common vasculitis of
      childhood but may occur in adults. This small vessel vasculitis is characterised
      by palpable purpura, abdominal pain, arthritis or arthralgia and kidney
      involvement. This is an update of a review first published in 2009. OBJECTIVES:
      To evaluate the benefits and harms of different agents (used singularly or in
      combination) compared with placebo, no treatment or any other agent for: (1) the
      prevention of severe kidney disease in patients with HSP without kidney disease
      at presentation; (2) the prevention of severe kidney disease in patients with HSP
      and minor kidney disease (microscopic haematuria, mild proteinuria) at
      presentation; (3) the treatment of established severe kidney disease (macroscopic
      haematuria, proteinuria, nephritic syndrome, nephrotic syndrome with or without
      acute kidney failure) in HSP; and (4) the prevention of recurrent episodes of HSP
      associated kidney disease. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Kidney and
      Transplant's Specialised Register to 13 July 2015 through contact with the Trials
      Search Co-ordinator using search terms relevant to this review. SELECTION
      CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing interventions used to
      prevent or treat kidney disease in HSP compared with placebo, no treatment or
      other agents were included. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two authors
      independently determined study eligibility, assessed risk of bias and extracted
      data from each study. Statistical analyses were performed using the random
      effects model and the results were expressed as risk ratio (RR) or risk
      difference (RD) for dichotomous outcomes and mean difference (MD) for continuous
      outcomes with 95% confidence intervals (CI). MAIN RESULTS: Thirteen studies (1403
      enrolled patients) were identified. Risks of bias attributes were frequently
      poorly performed. Low risk of bias was reported in six studies (50%) for sequence
      generation (selection bias) and in seven (58%) for allocation concealment
      (selection bias). Blinding of participants and personnel (performance bias) and
      of outcome assessment (detection bias) was at low risk of bias in three studies.
      Five studies reported complete outcome data (attrition bias) while eight studies
      reported expected outcomes so were at low risk of reporting bias.Eight studies
      evaluated therapy to prevent persistent kidney disease in HSP. There was no
      significant difference in the risk of persistent kidney disease any time after
      treatment (5 studies, 746 children: RR 0.74, 95% CI 0.42 to 1.32), or at one,
      three, six and 12 months in children given prednisone for 14 to 28 days at
      presentation of HSP compared with placebo or supportive treatment. There were no
      significant differences in the risk of persistent kidney disease with
      antiplatelet therapy in children with or without kidney disease at entry. Heparin
      significantly reduced the risk of persistent kidney disease by three months
      compared with placebo (1 study, 228 children: RR 0.27, 95% CI 0.14 to 0.55); no
      significant bleeding occurred. Four studies examined the treatment of severe HSP
      associated kidney disease. Two studies (one involving 56 children and the other
      involving 54 adults) compared cyclophosphamide with placebo or supportive
      treatment and found no significant benefit of cyclophosphamide. There were no
      significant differences in adverse effects. In one study comparing cyclosporin
      with methylprednisolone (15 children) there was no significant difference in
      remission at final follow-up at a mean of 6.3 years (RR 1.37, 95% CI 0.74 to
      2.54). In one study (17 children) comparing mycophenolate mofetil with
      azathioprine, there was no significant difference in the remission of proteinuria
      at one year (RR 1.32, 95% CI 0.86 to 2.03). No studies were identified which
      evaluated the efficacy of therapy on kidney disease in participants with
      recurrent episodes of HSP. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: There are no substantial changes
      in conclusions from this update compared with the initial review. From generally
      low quality evidence, we found no evidence of benefit from RCTs for the use of
      prednisone or antiplatelet agents to prevent persistent kidney disease in
      children with HSP. Though heparin appeared effective, this potentially dangerous
      therapy is not justified to prevent serious kidney disease when fewer than 2% of
      children with HSP develop severe kidney disease. No evidence of benefit has been
      found for cyclophosphamide treatment in children or adults with HSP and severe
      kidney disease. Because of small patient numbers and events leading to
      imprecision in results, it remains unclear whether cyclosporin and mycophenolate
      mofetil have any roles in the treatment of children with HSP and severe kidney
      disease.

PMID- 26258875
TI  - FV-429 induces apoptosis and inhibits glycolysis by inhibiting Akt-mediated
      phosphorylation of hexokinase II in MDA-MB-231 cells.
AB  - In this study, the anticancer effect of a newly synthesized flavonoid FV-429,
      against human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells, and the underlying mechanisms were
      investigated. FV-429 triggered the apoptosis and simultaneously inhibited the
      glycolysis of MDA-MB-231 cells. Both the HK II activity and its level in
      mitochondria were significantly down regulated by FV-429. Moreover, FV-429
      weakened the interaction between HKII and VDAC, stimulated the detachment of HK
      II from the mitochondria, and resulted in the opening of the mitochondrial
      permeability transition pores. Thus FV-429 induced the mitochondrial-mediated
      apoptosis, showing increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, loss of mitochondrial membrane
      potential (MMP) and activation of caspase-3 and -9, cytochrome c (Cyt c) release,
      and apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) transposition. Further research revealed that
      the phosphorylation of mitochondrial HKII via Akt was responsible for the
      dissociation of HKII and the decreased HKII activity induced by FV-429. Taken
      together, FV-429 inhibited the phosphorylation of HKII, down-regulated its
      activity, and stimulated the release of HKII from the mitochondria, resulting the
      inhibited glycolysis and mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis. The studies provide a
      molecular basis for the development of flavonoid compounds as novel anticancer
      agents for breast cancer. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 26258876
TI  - Selective electrochemical sensing of human serum albumin by semi-covalent
      molecular imprinting.
AB  - We devised and prepared a conducting molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) for
      human serum albumin (HSA) determination using semi-covalent imprinting. The
      bis(2,2'-bithien-5-yl)methane units constituted the MIP backbone. This MIP was
      deposited as a thin film on an Au electrode by oxidative potentiodynamic
      electropolymerization to fabricate an electrochemical chemosensor. The HSA
      template imprinting, and then its releasing from the MIP was confirmed by the
      differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy
      (EIS), XPS, and PM-IRRAS measurements as well as by AFM imaging. Semi-covalent
      imprinting provided a very well defined locations of recognition sites in the MIP
      molecular cavities. These sites populated the imprinted cavities or the MIP
      surface only. The DPV and EIS response of the MIP film coated electrode to the
      HSA analyte was linear in the range of 0.8 to 20 and 4 to 80 ug/mL HSA,
      respectively, with the limit of detection of 16.6 and 800 ng/mL, respectively.
      The impressively high imprinting factor reached, exceeding 20, strongly confirmed
      that semi-covalent imprinting resulted in formation of a large number of very
      well defined molecular cavities with high affinity to the HSA molecules. The MIP
      selectivity against low-(molecular weight) interferences, common for
      physiological fluids, such as blood and urea, was very high. There was no
      response to the presence of these interferences at concentrations encountered in
      the samples analyzed. Moreover, the chemosensor selectivity to the myoglobin and
      cytochrome c interferences was excellent while that to lysozyme was slightly
      lower but still high. The chemosensor was useful for determination of abnormal
      HSA concentration in a control blood serum.

PMID- 26258877
TI  - Constructing heterostructure on highly roughened caterpillar-like gold nanotubes
      with cuprous oxide grains for ultrasensitive and stable nonenzymatic glucose
      sensor.
AB  - In this study, a metal-metal oxide heterostructure was designed and constructed
      by growing cuprous oxide (Cu2O) grains on highly surface roughened caterpillar
      like Au nanotubes (CLGNs) for ultrasensitive, selective and stable nonenzymatic
      glucose biosensors. The Cu2O grains are tightly anchored to the surface of CLGNs
      by the spines, resulting in a large increase in the contact area between Cu2O
      grains and the CLGNs, which facilitates the electron transport between metal and
      metal oxide and improves the sensitivity and stability of the sensors. The
      electron transfer coefficient (alpha) and electron transfer rate constant (ks)
      for redox reaction of Cu2O-CLGNs/GCE are found to be 0.50114 and 3.24+/-0.1 s(
      1), respectively. The biosensor shows a linear response to glucose over a
      concentration range of 0.1-5mM and a high sensitivity of 1215.7 uA mM(-1) cm(-2)
      with a detection limit of 1.83 MUM. Furthermore, the Cu2O-CLGNs biosensor
      exhibited strong anti-interference capability against uric acid (UA), ascorbic
      acid (AA), potassium chloride (KCl) and sodium ascorbate (SA), as well as a high
      stability and repeatability. Our current research indicates that the Cu2O-CLGNs
      hybrid electrode is a promising choice for constructing nonenzyme based
      electrochemical biosensors.

PMID- 26258878
TI  - Primary Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma With Coexpression of T-Cell Receptors alphabeta
      and gammadelta.
AB  - T lymphocytes belong to 2 distinct sublineages that express either alphabeta or
      gammadelta T-cell receptor (TCR) complex. Although malignancy is a great
      instigator of lineage infidelity, as exemplified by aberrant expression of
      numerous lineage markers in lymphoma cells, malignant T cells rarely coexpress
      alphabeta and gammadelta TCR complexes. Similarly, only rare cases of CD4/CD8
      double-positive primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma have been reported. In this
      report, we describe a remarkable case of primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma
      coexpressing alphabeta and gammadelta TCR complexes, strong diffuse CD8, and a
      very restricted coexpression of CD4 and CD8. A 66-year-old man was referred to
      our center for treatment of a persistent eczematoid eruption of 6 years of
      duration. An initial biopsy demonstrated not only marked spongiosis, but also an
      epidermotropic population of CD4 small mature T cells with partial expression of
      CD8. The process remained indolent for another year, followed by an abrupt
      progression with development of plaques and tumors. Repeat biopsies of these
      lesions demonstrated a superimposed population of large anaplastic T cells
      extensively involving the dermis and epidermis. The large cells showed a strong
      uniform expression of CD3, CD8, CD45RA, CD5, granzyme, TIA1, perforin, TCR-beta,
      and TCR-gamma and a weaker but unambiguous expression of CD4, CD25, CD2, and
      CD56. TCR gene rearrangement studies showed clonal rearrangements for TCR-beta
      and TCR-gamma with identical peaks to those seen in the biopsy from a year
      earlier. The patient developed lymphadenopathy, with a biopsy showing nodal
      involvement by a morphologically and phenotypically identical neoplastic T-cell
      population. The disease showed partial response to systemic chemotherapy with
      development of new plaques, but these new lesions have regressed with radiation
      therapy. 

PMID- 26258879
TI  - Antigen presentation kinetics control T cell/dendritic cell interactions and
      follicular helper T cell generation in vivo.
AB  - The production of high affinity, class switched antibodies produced by B cells
      hinges on the effective differentiation of T follicular helper (Tfh) cells. Here
      we define conditions specifically enhancing Tfh differentiation and providing
      protection in a model of influenza infection. Tfh responses were associated with
      prolonged antigen presentation by dendritic cells (DCs), which maintained T
      cell/DC interactions into stage 3 (>72 hr) of activation. Blocking stage 3
      interactions ablated Tfh generation, demonstrating a causal link between T cell
      DC behaviour and functional outcomes. The current data therefore explain how
      duration of antigen presentation affects the dynamics of T cell-DC interactions
      and consequently determine Tfh cell differentiation in the developing immune
      response. 

PMID- 26258880
TI  - Structural basis for recognition and remodeling of the TBP:DNA:NC2 complex by
      Mot1.
AB  - Swi2/Snf2 ATPases remodel substrates such as nucleosomes and transcription
      complexes to control a wide range of DNA-associated processes, but detailed
      structural information on the ATP-dependent remodeling reactions is largely
      absent. The single subunit remodeler Mot1 (modifier of transcription 1)
      dissociates TATA box-binding protein (TBP):DNA complexes, offering a useful
      system to address the structural mechanisms of Swi2/Snf2 ATPases. Here, we report
      the crystal structure of the N-terminal domain of Mot1 in complex with TBP, DNA,
      and the transcription regulator negative cofactor 2 (NC2). Our data show that
      Mot1 reduces DNA:NC2 interactions and unbends DNA as compared to the TBP:DNA:NC2
      state, suggesting that Mot1 primes TBP:NC2 displacement in an ATP-independent
      manner. Electron microscopy and cross-linking data suggest that the Swi2/Snf2
      domain of Mot1 associates with the upstream DNA and the histone fold of NC2,
      thereby revealing parallels to some nucleosome remodelers. This study provides a
      structural framework for how a Swi2/Snf2 ATPase interacts with its substrate
      DNA:protein complex. 

PMID- 26258881
TI  - The HIV-1 envelope protein gp120 is captured and displayed for B cell recognition
      by SIGN-R1(+) lymph node macrophages.
AB  - The HIV-1 envelope protein gp120 is both the target of neutralizing antibodies
      and a major focus of vaccine efforts; however how it is delivered to B cells to
      elicit an antibody response is unknown. Here, we show that following local gp120
      injection lymph node (LN) SIGN-R1(+) sinus macrophages located in interfollicular
      pockets and underlying SIGN-R1(+) macrophages form a cellular network that
      rapidly captures gp120 from the afferent lymph. In contrast, two other antigens,
      phycoerythrin and hen egg lysozyme, were not captured by these cells. Intravital
      imaging of mouse LNs revealed persistent, but transient interactions between
      gp120 bearing interfollicular network cells and both trafficking and LN follicle
      resident gp120 specific B cells. The gp120 specific, but not the control B cells
      repetitively extracted gp120 from the network cells. Our findings reveal a
      specialized LN antigen delivery system poised to deliver gp120 and likely other
      pathogen derived glycoproteins to B cells. 

PMID- 26258882
TI  - The activation of IgM- or isotype-switched IgG- and IgE-BCR exhibits distinct
      mechanical force sensitivity and threshold.
AB  - B lymphocytes use B cell receptors (BCRs) to sense the physical features of the
      antigens. However, the sensitivity and threshold for the activation of BCRs
      resulting from the stimulation by mechanical forces are unknown. Here, we
      addressed this question using a double-stranded DNA-based tension gauge tether
      system serving as a predefined mechanical force gauge ranging from 12 to 56 pN.
      We observed that IgM-BCR activation is dependent on mechanical forces and
      exhibits a multi-threshold effect. In contrast, the activation of isotype
      switched IgG- or IgE-BCR only requires a low threshold of less than 12 pN,
      providing an explanation for their rapid activation in response to antigen
      stimulation. Mechanistically, we found that the cytoplasmic tail of the IgG-BCR
      heavy chain is both required and sufficient to account for the low mechanical
      force threshold. These results defined the mechanical force sensitivity and
      threshold that are required to activate different isotyped BCRs. 

PMID- 26258883
TI  - CD73 Activity is Dispensable for the Polarization of M2 Macrophages.
AB  - The ectoenzyme CD73 catalyzes the hydrolysis of AMP, and is one of the most
      important producers of extracellular adenosine. On regulatory T cells, CD73 is
      necessary for immunosuppressive functions, and on Th17 cells CD73-generated
      adenosine exerts anti-inflammatory effects. However, the expression and function
      of CD73 in pro-inflammatory M1 and in immunosuppressive M2 macrophages is largely
      unknown. Here we show that CD73 expression and enzyme activity were induced in in
      vitro polarized pro-inflammatory human M(LPS+TNF) monocytes/macrophages, while
      CD73 was absent from immunosuppressive M(IL-4+M-CSF)-polarized macrophages.
      Inhibition of CD73 activity with the inhibitor AMPCP did not affect the
      polarization of human monocytes. In mice, CD73 was present on resident peritoneal
      macrophages. In striking contrast, elicited peritoneal macrophages remained CD73
      negative regardless of their polarization towards either a pro-inflammatory
      M(LPS) or anti-inflammatory M(IL-4c) direction. Finally, the ability of
      peritoneal macrophages to polarize to pro- and anti-inflammatory cells was
      perfectly normal in CD73-deficient mice in vivo. These data indicate that, in
      contrast to other major leukocyte subpopulations, CD73 activity on macrophages
      does not play a major role in their polarization and that in mice host CD73 on
      any cell type is not required in vivo for peritoneal macrophage polarization
      towards either a pro- or an anti-inflammatory direction. 

PMID- 26258884
TI  - Enantioselective Synthesis of (-)-Dysiherbaine.
AB  - Dysiherbaine, a natural product isolated from the Marine sponge Dysidea herbacea,
      has been shown to be a selective agonist of non-NMDA type glutamate receptors,
      kainate receptors. An enantioselective synthesis of dysiherbaine is reported.
      Metathesis of the diene followed by conversion of the resulting alkene to the
      amino alcohol and addition of the amino acid provides the natural product. This
      synthesis differs from previous approaches to the molecule in that the
      functionality on the tetrahydropyran ring is installed late in the route. 

PMID- 26258885
TI  - Near-IR Two-Photon Fluorescent Sensor for K(+) Imaging in Live Cells.
AB  - A new two-photon excited fluorescent K(+) sensor is reported. The sensor
      comprises three moieties, a highly selective K(+) chelator as the K(+)
      recognition unit, a boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY) derivative modified with
      phenylethynyl groups as the fluorophore, and two polyethylene glycol chains to
      afford water solubility. The sensor displays very high selectivity (>52-fold) in
      detecting K(+) over other physiological metal cations. Upon binding K(+), the
      sensor switches from nonfluorescent to highly fluorescent, emitting red to near
      IR (NIR) fluorescence. The sensor exhibited a good two-photon absorption cross
      section, 500 GM at 940 nm. Moreover, it is not sensitive to pH in the
      physiological pH range. Time-dependent cell imaging studies via both one- and two
      photon fluorescence microscopy demonstrate that the sensor is suitable for
      dynamic K(+) sensing in living cells. 

PMID- 26258886
TI  - Theory and X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy for Aluminum Coordination Complexes - Al
      K-Edge Studies of Charge and Bonding in (BDI)Al, (BDI)AlR2, and (BDI)AlX2
      Complexes.
AB  - Polarized aluminum K-edge X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES)
      spectroscopy and first-principles calculations were used to probe electronic
      structure in a series of (BDI)Al, (BDI)AlX2, and (BDI)AlR2 coordination compounds
      (X = F, Cl, I; R = H, Me; BDI = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl-beta-diketiminate).
      Spectral interpretations were guided by examination of the calculated transition
      energies and polarization-dependent oscillator strengths, which agreed well with
      the XANES spectroscopy measurements. Pre-edge features were assigned to
      transitions associated with the Al 3p orbitals involved in metal-ligand bonding.
      Qualitative trends in Al 1s core energy and valence orbital occupation were
      established through a systematic comparison of excited states derived from Al 3p
      orbitals with similar symmetries in a molecular orbital framework. These trends
      suggested that the higher transition energies observed for (BDI)AlX2 systems with
      more electronegative X(1-) ligands could be ascribed to a decrease in electron
      density around the aluminum atom, which causes an increase in the attractive
      potential of the Al nucleus and concomitant increase in the binding energy of the
      Al 1s core orbitals. For (BDI)Al and (BDI)AlH2 the experimental Al K-edge XANES
      spectra and spectra calculated using the eXcited electron and Core-Hole (XCH)
      approach had nearly identical energies for transitions to final state orbitals of
      similar composition and symmetry. These results implied that the charge
      distributions about the aluminum atoms in (BDI)Al and (BDI)AlH2 are similar
      relative to the (BDI)AlX2 and (BDI)AlMe2 compounds, despite having different
      formal oxidation states of +1 and +3, respectively. However, (BDI)Al was unique
      in that it exhibited a low-energy feature that was attributed to transitions into
      a low-lying p-orbital of b1 symmetry that is localized on Al and orthogonal to
      the (BDI)Al plane. The presence of this low-energy unoccupied molecular orbital
      on electron-rich (BDI)Al distinguishes its valence electronic structure from that
      of the formally trivalent compounds (BDI)AlX2 and (BDI)AlR2. The work shows that
      Al K-edge XANES spectroscopy can be used to provide valuable insight into
      electronic structure and reactivity relationships for main-group coordination
      compounds. 

PMID- 26258888
TI  - The manufacturing process should remain the focus for severe febrile reactions in
      children administered an Australian inactivated influenza vaccine during 2010.
AB  - Influenza vaccine safety is an ongoing issue. In 2010, inactivated trivalent
      influenza vaccines (TIVs), Fluvax((r)) and Fluvax Junior((r)) manufactured by CSL
      Biotherapies ('CSL'), Parkville, Australia, were associated with a marked
      increase in febrile seizures (FS) in children <5 years old. Extensive
      investigations initially failed to identify a root cause. The company's
      researchers recently published two papers outlining their latest findings.
      Cytokine responses to TIV were measured in paediatric whole blood assays (WBA);
      NF-kappaB activation was assessed using a HEK293 cell line reporter assay. CSL
      suggest that the combination of new influenza strains (H1N1 A/California/7/2009
      and B/Brisbane/60/2008), increased complexes of viral RNA and lipid in the
      vaccine, and inherent sensitivities of some children <5 years old caused elevated
      inflammatory responses resulting in FS. Whilst the papers provide insight into
      pathogenesis, much remains unclear. The WBA were from only 10 'healthy' children,
      potentially affecting generalisability of the results and reliability of these in
      vitro tests in assessing future influenza vaccine safety. Increased fever rates
      (without FS) found in CSL TIV studies between 2005 and 2010 suggest a long
      standing contribution to reactogenicity from the manufacturing process. More
      detailed comparisons with non-CSL vaccines would have helped elucidate the
      relative contribution of patient/strain factors and the manufacturing process.
      The focus remains on manufacturing process differences as the key causative
      factor of elevated febrile responses. Studies underway, of modified vaccines in
      young children, will determine whether reactogenicity issues have been
      successfully addressed and whether CSL TIV can be relicensed in children <5 years
      of age. 

PMID- 26258887
TI  - PARP14 promotes the Warburg effect in hepatocellular carcinoma by inhibiting JNK1
      dependent PKM2 phosphorylation and activation.
AB  - Most tumour cells use aerobic glycolysis (the Warburg effect) to support anabolic
      growth and evade apoptosis. Intriguingly, the molecular mechanisms that link the
      Warburg effect with the suppression of apoptosis are not well understood. In this
      study, using loss-of-function studies in vitro and in vivo, we show that the anti
      apoptotic protein poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP)14 promotes aerobic
      glycolysis in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by maintaining low activity of
      the pyruvate kinase M2 isoform (PKM2), a key regulator of the Warburg effect.
      Notably, PARP14 is highly expressed in HCC primary tumours and associated with
      poor patient prognosis. Mechanistically, PARP14 inhibits the pro-apoptotic kinase
      JNK1, which results in the activation of PKM2 through phosphorylation of Thr365.
      Moreover, targeting PARP14 enhances the sensitization of HCC cells to anti-HCC
      agents. Our findings indicate that the PARP14-JNK1-PKM2 regulatory axis is an
      important determinant for the Warburg effect in tumour cells and provide a
      mechanistic link between apoptosis and metabolism. 

PMID- 26258890
TI  - A paradigm shift in the treatment of central sleep apnea in heart failure.

PMID- 26258892
TI  - Microwave and Quantum Chemical Study of the Hydrazino Group as Proton Donor in
      Intramolecular Hydrogen Bonding of (2-Fluoroethyl)hydrazine (FCH2CH2NHNH2).
AB  - The microwave spectrum of (2-fluoroethyl)hydrazine (FCH2CH2NHNH2) was studied in
      the 11-123 GHz spectral region to investigate the ability of the hydrazino group
      to form intramolecular hydrogen bonds acting as a proton donor. This group can
      participate both in five-member and in six-member internal hydrogen bonds with
      the fluorine atom. The spectra of four conformers were assigned, and the
      rotational and centrifugal distortion constants of these rotameric forms were
      determined. Two of these conformers have five-member intramolecular hydrogen
      bonds, while the two other forms are without this interaction. The internal
      hydrogen bonds in the two hydrogen-bonded forms are assumed to be mainly
      electrostatic in origin because the N-H and C-F bonds are nearly parallel and the
      associated bond moments are antiparallel. This is the first example of a gas
      phase study of a hydrazine where the hydrazino functional group acts as a proton
      donor in weak intramolecular hydrogen bonds. Extensive quantum chemical
      calculations at the B3LYP/cc-pVTZ, MP2/cc-pVTZ, and CCSD/cc-pVQZ levels of theory
      accompanied and guided the experimental work. These calculations predict the
      existence of no less than 18 conformers, spanning a CCSD internal energy range of
      15.4 kJ/mol. Intramolecular hydrogen bonds are predicted to be present in seven
      of these conformers. Three of these forms have six-member hydrogen bonds, while
      four have five-member hydrogen bonds. The three lowest-energy conformers have
      five-member internal hydrogen bonds. The spectrum of the conformer with the
      lowest energy was not assigned because it has a very small dipole moment. The
      CCSD relative energies of the two hydrogen-bonded rotamers whose spectra were
      assigned are 1.04 and 1.62 kJ/mol, respectively, whereas the relative energies of
      the two conformers with assigned spectra and no hydrogen bonds have relative
      energies of 6.46 and 4.89 kJ/mol. 

PMID- 26258891
TI  - SPINK1 promotes colorectal cancer progression by downregulating Metallothioneins
      expression.
AB  - Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in the world, and second
      leading cause of cancer deaths in the US. Although, anti-EGFR therapy is commonly
      prescribed for CRC, patients harboring mutations in KRAS or BRAF show poor
      treatment response, indicating an ardent demand for new therapeutic targets
      discovery. SPINK1 (serine peptidase inhibitor, Kazal type 1) overexpression has
      been identified in many cancers including the colon, lung, breast and prostate.
      Our study demonstrates the functional significance of SPINK1 in CRC progression
      and metastases. Stable knockdown of SPINK1 significantly decreases cell
      proliferation, invasion and soft agar colony formation in the colon
      adenocarcinoma WiDr cells. Conversely, an increase in these oncogenic phenotypes
      was observed on stimulation with SPINK1-enriched conditioned media (CM) in
      multiple benign models such as murine colonic epithelial cell lines, MSIE and
      YAMC (SPINK3-negative). Mechanistically, SPINK1 promotes tumorigenic phenotype by
      activating phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K/AKT) and mitogen-activated protein
      kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK) signaling pathways, and
      the SPINK1-positive WiDr cells are sensitive to AKT and MEK inhibitors.
      Importantly, SPINK1 silencing mediated upregulation of various Metallothionein
      isoforms, considered as tumor suppressors in CRC, confer sensitivity to
      doxorubicin, which strengthens the rationale for using the combinatorial
      treatment approach for the SPINK1-positive CRC patients. Furthermore, in vivo
      studies using chicken chorioallantoic membrane assay, murine xenograft studies
      and metastasis models further suggest a pivotal role of SPINK1 in CRC progression
      and metastasis. Taken together, our study demonstrates an important role for the
      overexpressed SPINK1 in CRC disease progression, a phenomenon that needs careful
      evaluation towards effective therapeutic target development. 

PMID- 26258893
TI  - HisTOOLogy: an open-source tool for quantitative analysis of histological
      sections.
AB  - HisTOOLogy is an open-source software for the quantification of digital colour
      images of histological sections. The simple graphical user interface enables both
      expert and non-expert users to rapidly extract useful information from stained
      tissue sections. The software's main feature is a generalizable colour separation
      algorithm based on k-means clustering which accurately and reproducibly returns
      the amount of colour per unit area for any stain, thus allowing the
      quantification of tissue components. Here we describe HisTOOLogy's algorithms and
      graphical user interface structure, showing how it can be used to separate
      different dye colours in several classical stains. In addition, to demonstrate
      how the tool can be employed to obtain quantitative information on biological
      tissues, the effect of different hepatic tissue decellularization protocols on
      cell removal and matrix preservation was assessed through image analysis using
      HisTOOLogy and compared with conventional DNA and total protein content assays.
      HisTOOLogy's performance was also compared with ImageJ's colour deconvolution
      plug-in, demonstrating its advantages in terms of ease of use and speed of colour
      separation. 

PMID- 26258895
TI  - Analytical Challenge in Postmortem Toxicology Applied to a Human Body Found into
      a Lake after Three Years Immersion.
AB  - The body of a 30-year-old woman was found in Como lake at a depth of about 120
      meters in her own car after 3 years of immersion. The aim of this study was to
      evaluate psychoactive drugs as well as alcohol biomarkers in biological matrices.
      The following analyses were initially performed: GC-MS systematic toxicological
      analysis on biological fluids and tissues; GC-MS analysis of drugs of abuse on
      pubic hair; direct ethanol metabolite determination in pubic hair by LC-MS/MS.
      After 7 years, the samples, that had been stored at -20 degrees C, were re
      analyzed and submitted to an LC-MS/MS targeted screening method, using multiple
      reaction monitoring mode. These analyses detected citalopram (150-3000 ng/mL),
      desmethylcitalopram (50-2300 ng/mL), clotiapine (20-65 ng/mL), and ethyl
      glucuronide (97 pg/mg). The methods showed an acceptable reproducibility, and the
      concentrations of citalopram and desmethylcitalopram calculated through the two
      analytical techniques did not significantly differ in biological fluids.

PMID- 26258894
TI  - DNA/RNA heteroduplex oligonucleotide for highly efficient gene silencing.
AB  - Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) are recognized therapeutic agents for the
      modulation of specific genes at the post-transcriptional level. Similar to any
      medical drugs, there are opportunities to improve their efficacy and safety. Here
      we develop a short DNA/RNA heteroduplex oligonucleotide (HDO) with a structure
      different from double-stranded RNA used for short interfering RNA and single
      stranded DNA used for ASO. A DNA/locked nucleotide acid gapmer duplex with an
      alpha-tocopherol-conjugated complementary RNA (Toc-HDO) is significantly more
      potent at reducing the expression of the targeted mRNA in liver compared with the
      parent single-stranded gapmer ASO. Toc-HDO also improves the phenotype in disease
      models more effectively. In addition, the high potency of Toc-HDO results in a
      reduction of liver dysfunction observed in the parent ASO at a similar silencing
      effect. HDO technology offers a novel concept of therapeutic oligonucleotides,
      and the development of this molecular design opens a new therapeutic field. 

PMID- 26258896
TI  - Effect of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans from Aggressive Periodontitis
      patients on Streptococcus mutans.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To determine in vivo association between Aggregatibacter
      actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) and Streptococcus mutans (Sm) in aggressive
      periodontitis patients (AgP) and the in vitro influence on Sm of saliva and of Aa
      strains isolated from individual Aa-positive patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Clinical indices and saliva samples were taken from 30 AgP patients. Aa and
      mutans streptococci levels were determined. Antibacterial effect of saliva from
      12 Aa-positive patients, and their individual Aa strain, was checked
      turbidimetrically in vitro on Sm. RESULTS: Aa salivary level was inversely
      correlated with levels of mutans streptococci and directly correlated with
      pockets of >=7 mm. During exponential growth phase: (i) All Aa-positive and Aa
      negative saliva samples showed no significant influence on Sm growth. (ii) Each
      individually isolated Aa strain presented significant inhibitory effect on Sm
      growth. During stationary growth phase, all the above demonstrated an inhibitory
      effect on Sm growth, with significantly greater influence of Aa individual
      strains. CONCLUSION: Saliva of each AgP Aa-positive subject had an inhibitory
      effect on Sm growth, which is most likely derived from Aa bacterial physiology.
      This research raises the possibility that suppression of Aa due to periodontal
      treatment may increase Sm levels and hence caries incidence.

PMID- 26258897
TI  - A new flash-free orthodontic adhesive system: A first clinical and
      stereomicroscopic study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical and laboratory properties of the recently
      introduced APC flash-free orthodontic adhesive. MATERIAL AND METHODS: After
      bonding of 80 brackets on human teeth (group A: APC flash-free adhesive n  =  40,
      group B: APC Plus adhesive n  =  40), the following measurements were recorded:
      time for bonding, stereomicroscopic evaluation of excess adhesive, color
      penetration (methylene blue, 0.5%/24 h), and Adhesive Remnant Index (ARI) score
      after debonding. RESULTS: The time needed for bonding differed significantly
      between the two groups (A: 19.5 s/tooth vs B: 33.8 s/tooth). The adhesive excess,
      which was metrically measured from the bracket edge, ranged from 166.27 um to
      81.66 um (group A) and 988.53 um to 690.81 um (group B). After methylene
      coloration in group A, 52 of 80 measurements showed discoloration on the bracket
      adhesive and/or adhesive-enamel interface, while for group B, 78 of 80 were
      coloration positive. The ARI scores did not differ, with an average ARI score of
      2.0 for group A and 2.8 for group B. CONCLUSION: The flash-free adhesive
      significantly reduced the time needed for the bonding process. The excess resin
      expanded 0.16 to 0.08 mm over the bracket margin. The new technology seems to
      facilitate a smooth and sufficient marginal surface of the adhesive, which
      clinically might improve reduction of plaque accumulation.

PMID- 26258898
TI  - Anchorage condition during canine retraction using transpalatal arch with
      continuous and segmented arch mechanics.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare anchorage condition in cases in which transpalatal arch was
      used to enhance anchorage in both continuous and segmented arch techniques.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty cases that required first premolar extraction for
      orthodontic treatment and transpalatal arch to enhance anchorage were included in
      this study. Ten cases were treated using the continuous arch technique, while the
      other 10 cases were treated using 0.019 * 0.025-inch TMA T-loops with posterior
      anchorage bend according to the Burstone and Marcotte description. Lateral
      cephalometric analysis of before and after canine retraction was performed using
      Ricketts analysis to measure the anteroposterior position of the upper first
      molar to the vertical line from the Pt point. Data were analyzed using an
      independent sample t-test. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant forward
      movement of the upper first molar in cases treated by continuous arch mechanics
      (4.5 +/- 3.0 mm) compared with segmented arch mechanics (-0.7 +/- 1.4 mm; P  = 
      .01). CONCLUSIONS: The posterior anchorage bend to T-loop used to retract the
      maxillary canine can enhance anchorage during maxillary canine retraction.

PMID- 26258899
TI  - Treatment effects of skeletally anchored Forsus FRD EZ and Herbst appliances: A
      retrospective clinical study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the skeletal, dentoalveolar, and soft tissue effects of
      the Forsus FRD appliance with miniplate anchorage inserted in the mandibular
      symphyses and to compare the findings with a well-matched control group treated
      with a Herbst appliance for the correction of a skeletal Class II malocclusion
      due to mandibular retrusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample consisted of 32
      Class II subjects divided into two groups. Group I consisted of 16 patients (10
      females and 6 males; mean age, 13.20 +/- 1.33 years) treated using the Forsus FRD
      EZ appliance with miniplate anchorage inserted in the mandibular symphyses. Group
      II consisted of 16 patients (9 females and 7 males; mean age, 13.56 +/- 1.27
      years) treated using the Herbst appliance. Seventeen linear and 10 angular
      measurements were performed to evaluate and compare the skeletal, dentoalveolar,
      and soft tissue effects of the appliances using paired and Student's t-tests.
      RESULTS: Both appliances were effective in correcting skeletal class II
      malocclusion and showed similar skeletal and soft tissue changes. The maxillary
      incisor was statistically significantly more retruded in the skeletally anchored
      Forsus FRD group (P < .01). The mandibular incisor was retruded in the skeletally
      anchored Forsus FRD group (-4.09 degrees  +/- 5.12 degrees ), while it was
      protruded in the Herbst group (7.50 degrees  +/- 3.98 degrees ) (P < .001).
      CONCLUSION: Although both appliances were successful in correcting the skeletal
      Class II malocclusion, the skeletally anchored Forsus FRD EZ appliance did so
      without protruding the mandibular incisors.

PMID- 26258900
TI  - Durable Response of Leptomeningeal Metastasis of Breast Cancer to Salvage
      Intrathecal Etoposide After Methotrexate: A Case Report and Literature Review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) is recently on the rise as one of
      important clinical issues in the management of metastatic breast cancer (MBC).
      Clinical research on salvage intrathecal chemotherapy after failure of first-line
      treatment for MBC patients with LM has rarely been reported. CASE REPORT: We
      report the case of a breast cancer patient with LM who showed durable response to
      salvage intrathecal etoposide subsequent to failure of methotrexate. Etoposide 1
      mg was injected through an Ommaya reservoir every week. Corticosteroid was used
      for a prophylaxis of chemical arachnoiditis. The treatment was successful
      palliation of LM for 33 weeks without significant adverse effects. Time to
      neurologic progression was estimated to be about 230 days for the treatment and
      overall survival was 301 days from the diagnosis of LM. CONCLUSIONS: Intrathecal
      etoposide can be considered as an additional treatment option for LM in breast
      cancer. Further large clinical studies are necessary to investigate the
      effectiveness and safety of the treatment.

PMID- 26258901
TI  - Globus Pallidus Necrosis Unrelated to Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Retrospective
      Analysis of 27 Cases of Basal Ganglia Necrosis.
AB  - Bilateral globus pallidus necrosis is said to be characteristic of carbon
      monoxide (CO) poisoning. However, there has been no scientific test of this
      hypothesis. To examine the assertion that globus pallidus necrosis is typical of
      CO poisoning, this study examined autopsy cases from the King County Medical
      Examiner's Office (KCMEO) between 1994 and 2013. Twenty-seven cases with
      bilateral basal ganglia lesions were identified and examined for associated or
      causative disease or injury with the following results: 10 cases of drug
      overdose, seven heart disease, three asphyxia, two chronic ethanolism, two
      Huntington-like disorder, and one case each of remote trauma, rheumatic heart
      disease, and cerebral artery gas embolism. Additionally, review of all known
      cases at KCMEO of CO poisoning found no evidence of globus pallidus or basal
      ganglia necrosis. Thus, this study provides no support for the assertion that
      globus pallidus necrosis is characteristic of CO poisoning.

PMID- 26258902
TI  - Development of an LC-MS/MS method for studying migration characteristics of
      acetaldehyde in polyethylene terephthalate (PET)-packed mineral water.
AB  - During storage, acetaldehyde migration from polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
      bottles can affect the quality of mineral water even in the low ug l(-1) range
      negatively, as it features a fruity or plastic-like off-flavour. For a sensitive
      and fast analysis of acetaldehyde in mineral water, a new analysis method of 2,4
      dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) derivatisation followed by HPLC-electrospray tandem
      mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS) was developed. Acetaldehyde was directly
      derivatised in the mineral water sample avoiding extraction and/or pre
      concentration steps and then analysed by reversed-phase HPLC-ESI-MS/MS using
      multiple reaction monitoring mode (MRM). Along with method development, the
      optimum molar excess of DNPH in contrast to acetaldehyde was studied for the
      mineral water matrix, because no specific and robust data were yet available for
      this critical parameter. Best results were obtained by using a calibration via
      the derivatisation reaction. Without any analyte enrichment or extraction, an LOD
      of 0.5 ug l(-1) and an LOQ of 1.9 ug l(-1) were achieved. Using the developed
      method, mineral water samples packed in PET bottles from Germany were analysed
      and the correlation between the acetaldehyde concentration and other
      characteristics of the samples was evaluated illustrating the applicability of
      the method. Besides a relationship between bottle size and CO2 content of the
      mineral water and acetaldehyde migration, a correlation with acetaldehyde
      migration and the material composition of the bottle, e.g. recycled PET, was
      noted. Investigating the light influence on the acetaldehyde migration with a
      newly developed, reproducible light exposure setup, a significant increase of the
      acetaldehyde concentration in carbonated mineral water samples was observed.

PMID- 26258904
TI  - Artificial Loading of ASC Specks with Cytosolic Antigens.
AB  - Inflammasome complexes form upon interaction of Nod Like Receptor (NLR) proteins
      with pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAPMS) inside the cytosol.
      Stimulation of a subset of inflammasome receptors including NLRP3, NLRC4 and AIM2
      triggers formation of the micrometer-sized spherical supramolecular complex
      called the ASC speck. The ASC speck is thought to be the platform of inflammasome
      activity, but the reason why a supramolecular complex is preferred against
      oligomeric platforms remains elusive. We observed that a set of cytosolic
      proteins, including the model antigen ovalbumin, tend to co-aggregate on the ASC
      speck. We suggest that co-aggregation of antigenic proteins on the ASC speck
      during intracellular infection might be instrumental in antigen presentation. 

PMID- 26258906
TI  - Foldable Transparent Substrates with Embedded Electrodes for Flexible
      Electronics.
AB  - We present highly flexible transparent electrodes composed of silver nanowire
      (AgNW) networks and silica aerogels embedded into UV-curable adhesive
      photopolymers (APPs). Because the aerogels have an extremely high surface-to
      volume ratio, the enhanced van der Waals forces of the aerogel surfaces result in
      more AgNWs being uniformly coated onto a release substrate and embedded into the
      APP when mixed with an AgNW solution at a fixed concentration. The uniform
      distribution of the embedded composite electrodes of AgNWs and aerogels was
      verified by the Joule heating test. The APP with the composite electrodes has a
      lower sheet resistance (Rs) and a better mechanical stability compared with APP
      without aerogels. The APP with the embedded electrodes is a freestanding flexible
      substrate and can be used as an electrode coating on a polymer substrate, such as
      polydimethylsiloxane and polyethylene terephthalate. On the basis of the bending
      test results, the APPs with composite electrodes were sufficiently flexible to
      withstand a 1 mm bending radius (rb) and could be foldable with a slight change
      in Rs. Organic light emitting diodes were successfully fabricated on the APP with
      the composite electrodes, indicating the strong potential of the proposed
      flexible TEs for application as highly flexible transparent conductive
      substrates. 

PMID- 26258903
TI  - Cleaning Hospital Room Surfaces to Prevent Health Care-Associated Infections: A
      Technical Brief.
AB  - The cleaning of hard surfaces in hospital rooms is critical for reducing health
      care-associated infections. This review describes the evidence examining current
      methods of cleaning, disinfecting, and monitoring cleanliness of patient rooms,
      as well as contextual factors that may affect implementation and effectiveness.
      Key informants were interviewed, and a systematic search for publications since
      1990 was done with the use of several bibliographic and gray literature
      resources. Studies examining surface contamination, colonization, or infection
      with Clostridium difficile, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or
      vancomycin-resistant enterococci were included. Eighty studies were identified-76
      primary studies and 4 systematic reviews. Forty-nine studies examined cleaning
      methods, 14 evaluated monitoring strategies, and 17 addressed challenges or
      facilitators to implementation. Only 5 studies were randomized, controlled
      trials, and surface contamination was the most commonly assessed outcome.
      Comparative effectiveness studies of disinfecting methods and monitoring
      strategies were uncommon. Future research should evaluate and compare newly
      emerging strategies, such as self-disinfecting coatings for disinfecting and
      adenosine triphosphate and ultraviolet/fluorescent surface markers for
      monitoring. Studies should also assess patient-centered outcomes, such as
      infection, when possible. Other challenges include identifying high-touch
      surfaces that confer the greatest risk for pathogen transmission; developing
      standard thresholds for defining cleanliness; and using methods to adjust for
      confounders, such as hand hygiene, when examining the effect of disinfecting
      methods. 

PMID- 26258905
TI  - TE = 32 ms vs TE = 100 ms echo-time (1)H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy in
      prostate cancer: Tumor metabolite depiction and absolute concentrations in tumors
      and adjacent tissues.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare the depiction of metabolite signals in short and long echo
      time (TE) prostate cancer spectra at 3T, and to quantify their concentrations in
      tumors of different stage and grade, and tissues adjacent to tumor. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: First, single-voxel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) spectra were
      acquired from voxels consisting entirely of tumor, as defined on T2-weighted and
      diffusion-weighted (DW)-MRI and from a biopsy-positive octant, at TEs of 32 msec
      and 100 msec in 26 prostate cancer patients. Then, in a separate cohort of 26
      patients, single-voxel TE = 32 msec MR spectroscopy (MRS) was performed over a
      partial-tumor region and a matching, contralateral normal-appearing region,
      defined similarly. Metabolite depiction was compared between TEs using Cramer-Rao
      lower bounds (CRLB), and absolute metabolite concentrations were calculated from
      TE = 32 msec spectra referenced to unsuppressed water spectra. RESULTS: Citrate
      and spermine resonances in tumor were better depicted (had significantly lower
      CRLB) at TE = 32 msec, while the choline resonance was better depicted at TE =
      100 msec. Citrate and spermine concentrations were significantly lower in
      patients of more advanced stage, significantly lower in Gleason grade 3+4 than
      3+3 tumors, and significantly lower than expected from the tumor fraction in
      partial-tumor voxels (by 14 mM and 4 mM, respectively, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION:
      Citrate and spermine resonances are better depicted at short TE than long TE in
      tumors. Reduction in these concentrations is related to increasing tumor stage
      and grade in vivo, while reductions in the normal-appearing tissues immediately
      adjacent to tumor likely reflect tumor field effects.

PMID- 26258907
TI  - Protein Activity Regulation: Inhibition by Closed-Loop Aptamer-Based Structures
      and Restoration by Near-IR Stimulation.
AB  - Regulation of protein activity is vital for understanding the molecular mechanism
      of biological activities. In this work, protein activity is suppressed by
      proximity-dependent surface hybridization and subsequently restored by near
      infrared (NIR) light stimulation. Specifically, by constructing closed-loop
      structures with two aptamer-based affinity ligands, significantly enhanced
      inhibition of thrombin activity is achieved compared to traditional single
      affinity ligand based inhibitors. Furthermore, the activity of inhibited thrombin
      is efficiently recovered under NIR light stimulation by using gold nanorods
      (AuNRs) as photothermal agents to disrupt the closed-loop structures. Real-time
      and in situ monitoring of the conversion of fibrinogen into fibrin catalyzed by
      both inhibited and recovered thrombin was performed with light scattering
      spectroscopy and laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM). Thrombin trapped in
      the closed-loop structures shows slow reaction kinetics, while the photothermally
      liberated thrombin displays largely recovered catalytic activity. Human plasma
      was further employed to demonstrate that both the inhibited and restored thrombin
      can be applied to clotting reaction in reality. This strategy provides protein
      activity regulation for studying the molecular basis of biological activities and
      can be further applied to potential areas such as metabolic pathway regulation
      and the development of protein-inhibitor pharmaceuticals. 

PMID- 26258908
TI  - Estimating the Size of Hidden Populations Using Respondent-driven Sampling Data:
      Case Examples from Morocco.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Respondent-driven sampling is used worldwide to estimate the
      population prevalence of characteristics, such as HIV/AIDS and associated risk
      factors in hard-to-reach populations. Estimating the total size of these
      populations is of great interest to national and international organizations;
      however, reliable measures of population size often do not exist. METHODS:
      Successive sampling-population size estimation (SS-PSE) along with network size
      imputation allows population size estimates to be made without relying on
      separate studies or additional data (as in network scale-up, multiplier, and
      capture-recapture methods), which may be biased. RESULTS: Ten population size
      estimates were calculated for people who inject drugs, female sex workers, men
      who have sex with other men, and migrants from sub-Saharan Africa in six
      different cities in Morocco. SS-PSE estimates fell within or very close to the
      likely values provided by experts and the estimates from previous studies using
      other methods. CONCLUSIONS: SS-PSE is an effective method for estimating the size
      of hard-to-reach populations that leverages important information within
      respondent-driven sampling studies. The addition of a network size imputation
      method helps to smooth network sizes allowing for more accurate results. However,
      caution should be used particularly when there is reason to believe that
      clustered subgroups may exist within the population of interest or when the
      sample size is small in relation to the population.

PMID- 26258909
TI  - In Situ Activation of Nitrogen-Doped Graphene Anchored on Graphite Foam for a
      High-Capacity Anode.
AB  - We report the fabrication of a three-dimensional free-standing nitrogen-doped
      porous graphene/graphite foam by in situ activation of nitrogen-doped graphene on
      highly conductive graphite foam (GF). After in situ activation, intimate "sheet
      contact" was observed between the graphene sheets and the GF. The sheet contact
      produced by in situ activation is found to be superior to the "point contact"
      obtained by the traditional drop-casting method and facilitates electron
      transfer. Due to the intimate contact as well as the use of an ultralight GF
      current collector, the composite electrode delivers a gravimetric capacity of 642
      mAh g(-1) and a volumetric capacity of 602 mAh cm(-3) with respect to the whole
      electrode mass and volume (including the active materials and the GF current
      collector). When normalized based on the mass of the active material, the
      composite electrode delivers a high specific capacity of up to 1687 mAh g(-1),
      which is superior to that of most graphene-based electrodes. Also, after ~90 s
      charging, the anode delivers a capacity of about 100 mAh g(-1) (with respect to
      the total mass of the electrode), indicating its potential use in high-rate
      lithium-ion batteries. 

PMID- 26258911
TI  - The length and content of general practice consultation in two urban districts of
      Beijing: a preliminary observation study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Community health service center (CHSC) and community health service
      station (CHSS) are the main institutions where general practitioners (GPs)
      deliver primary care in the urban area of China. Motivated by incentive policies,
      visits to community health service institutions (CHSIs) increased gradually in
      recent years, but concerns had been raised on the quality of general practice
      consultation. This is a preliminary study aimed to investigate the existing
      problems of general practice consultation in Beijing and provide practical
      evidence for developing relevant policies. METHODS: Six GPs from 2 CHSCs and 3
      CHSSs were selected by purposive sampling. The GPs were observed for 4 or 5
      consecutive days during January 2013 to March 2013. The length and content of
      consultations were recorded in structured observation forms. Quantitative
      description was applied to describe the median, percentage and frequency of
      variables. RESULTS: A total of 1135 consultations were observed. The most
      frequent reason for consultations was specific prescription (61.6%), followed by
      presenting symptoms (20.7%), check-up (9.1%), counseling (5.4%), transfusion &
      injection (3.0%) and sickness certificate (0.2%). The median consultation length
      of all consultations was 2.0 minutes. The GPs prescribed in 81.0% of the
      consultations, on the other hand, history taking, physical examination,
      explanation of illness and health education only took place in 27.0%, 28.0%,
      21.9% and 17.7% of the consultations respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The adequacy of
      consultation length in CHSIs is in doubt. Most patients visited the CHSIs for
      prescription renewal. Health promotion e.g. health education are not adequately
      provided in consultations. The quality of general practice consultations was
      jeopardized by the large amount of patient flow for medicine renewal. Policies
      should be adjusted to reduce unnecessary consultations. Further studies are in
      need to evaluate the outcome and influencing factors of general practice
      consultation in China.

PMID- 26258910
TI  - An evolution in switching therapy for psoriasis patients who fail to meet
      treatment goals.
AB  - Switching psoriasis treatment is a common, accepted practice that is used to
      improve disease management and improve patient outcomes (e.g., when patients are
      experiencing suboptimal efficacy and/or tolerability with a given therapy).
      Historically, switching treatment was often performed to limit patients'
      cumulative exposure to conventional systemic agents (e.g., methotrexate,
      cyclosporine) with the goal of reducing end-organ toxicity. However, the practice
      of switching treatments has evolved in recent years with the availability of
      highly effective and tolerable biologic agents. In current practice, near
      complete skin clearance with minimal side effects should be a realistic treatment
      goal for most patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis, and consideration for
      switching therapies has shifted to become more focused on achieving maximum
      possible skin clearance, enhanced quality of life, and improved patient
      satisfaction. This review provides a discussion of recent guidance on switching
      psoriasis therapies, including initial considerations for when switching therapy
      may be advisable and challenges associated with switching therapy, along with an
      overview of published clinical studies evaluating outcomes associated with
      switching therapy. The goal of this review is to empower dermatologists to
      optimally manage their patients' psoriasis by providing the tools needed to
      develop rational strategies for switching treatments based on the pharmacologic
      characteristics of available treatments and each patient's clinical needs and
      treatment preferences. 

PMID- 26258912
TI  - Weight gain after oophorectomy among women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation.
AB  - AIM: To measure weight gain among unaffected women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation
      after undergoing an oophorectomy. PATIENTS & METHODS: We compared the bodyweight
      of women with (n = 405) and without an oophorectomy (n = 741) at baseline as well
      as the rate of weight change prior to and following surgery among 1454 BRCA
      mutation carriers who had an oophorectomy. RESULTS: There was a small and non
      significant difference in bodyweight between BRCA mutation carriers who had an
      oophorectomy compared with those women who did not (151.5 vs 149.1 pounds; p =
      0.26). There was an increase in bodyweight with increasing age, but this
      relationship did not differ prior to and following surgery (p comparing the slope
      parameters = 0.78). CONCLUSION: Oophorectomy is not associated with significant
      weight gain in high-risk women.

PMID- 26258913
TI  - A Longitudinal Study on Human Outdoor Decomposition in Central Texas.
AB  - The development of a methodology that estimates the postmortem interval (PMI)
      from stages of decomposition is a goal for which forensic practitioners strive. A
      proposed equation (Megyesi et al. 2005) that utilizes total body score (TBS) and
      accumulated degree days (ADD) was tested using longitudinal data collected from
      human remains donated to the Forensic Anthropology Research Facility (FARF) at
      Texas State University-San Marcos. Exact binomial tests examined the rate of the
      equation to successfully predict ADD. Statistically significant differences were
      found between ADD estimated by the equation and the observed value for
      decomposition stage. Differences remained significant after carnivore scavenged
      donations were removed from analysis. Low success rates for the equation to
      predict ADD from TBS and the wide standard errors demonstrate the need to re
      evaluate the use of this equation and methodology for PMI estimation in different
      environments; rather, multivariate methods and equations should be derived that
      are environmentally specific.

PMID- 26258914
TI  - Lymphadiposal Flaps and Lymphaticovenular Anastomoses for Severe Leg Edema:
      Functional Reconstruction for Lymph Drainage System.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Collecting lymphatics have lymph-drainage function with contraction
      of smooth muscle cells. Patients with edema have lost this drainage function due
      to degeneration of smooth muscle cells. Lymphaticovenular (LV) anastomosis
      salvages smooth muscle cells from reversible degeneration (mild edema), but
      muscle cells cannot be recovered from irreversible degeneration (severe edema).
      Therefore, in severe edema, LV anastomoses cannot reestablish the drainage
      function of the lymphatic system.To overcome this weakness of LV bypass methods
      for severe edema, new methods were instituted for repair of this missing drainage
      function using a lymphadiposal flap from the contralateral foot for hemilateral
      edema, or transfer of lateral thoracic lymph nodes for bilateral edema. METHODS:
      A total of 13 cases were repaired with lymphadiposal flaps and additional LV
      anastomoses. These cases have frequent phlegmon or cellulitis or resisted to
      previous LV anastomoses and/or compression therapy. The ages ranged from 15 to 75
      years. There were four cases of primary edema and nine cases of secondary edema.
      RESULTS: Regarding the lymphadiposal flap (n = 8), three cases showed an
      excellent response (37.5%; no need for compression therapy), four cases had a
      good response (50%; improvement with compression), one case showed no change
      (12.5%; no improvement), and there were no cases of deterioration. Regarding the
      lateral thoracic lymph nodes transfer (n = 5), two cases had a good response
      (40%), three showed no improvement (60%), and there were no cases of
      deterioration. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that lymphadiposal flap or lymph nodes
      transfer is suitable for severe edema having frequent cellulitis in unilateral or
      bilateral lower extremities resisting previous LV anastomoses and/or compression
      therapy.

PMID- 26258915
TI  - Usefulness of a Reconstructive Method for Oropharyngeal Defect Including the
      Larger Soft Palate with the Bent Anterolateral Thigh Flap.

PMID- 26258916
TI  - Combined Anterolateral Thigh and Anteromedial Thigh Flap for Extensive Extremity
      Reconstruction: Vascular Anatomy and Clinical Application.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The combined anterolateral thigh (ALT) and anteromedial thigh (AMT)
      flap has been previously reported for use in complicated head and neck
      reconstruction. However, it has not gained popularity due to the vascular
      variation. Here, we explore the vascular basis of this combined flap, and report
      its application in extremity reconstruction. METHODS: This study was divided into
      two parts: vascular anatomy and clinical application. In the anatomical study, 52
      sides of adult thighs were dissected to identity vascular perforators supplying
      the combined ALT and AMT flap, with focus on sizeable perforators (larger than
      0.5 mm) arising from the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral
      artery.Clinically, five male patients were treated by combined ALT and AMT flaps
      for extensive extremity reconstruction from January 2006 to December 2010. The
      mean age was 32 years (range, 23-45 years). The combined flap was used for
      covering large soft-tissue defects in forearm (n = 3) and calf (n = 2). For each
      patient, esthetic and functional results were recorded. RESULTS: The anatomical
      study showed that sizeable perforators supplying the ALT flap were present in 50
      thighs (96.2%), and the perforators supplying the AMT flap were present in 32
      thighs (61.5%). The combined ALT and AMT flaps were available in 30 thighs
      (57.7%).All five combined flaps survived completely. Skin grafts covering the
      donor sites healed uneventful. The mean follow-up was 9.6 months (range, 6-12
      months). No complications were recorded during the follow-up. CONCLUSION: The
      combined ALT and AMT flap may be used for extensive extremity reconstruction in
      selected patients for its great maneuverability and acceptable donor-site
      morbidity.

PMID- 26258917
TI  - Striving for Normalcy after Lower Extremity Reconstruction with Free Tissue: The
      Role of Secondary Esthetic Refinements.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Many patients with successful lower extremity salvage have
      postoperative functional and esthetic concerns. Such concerns range from contour
      irregularity preventing proper shoe-fitting to esthetic concerns involving color,
      contour, and texture match. The purpose of this study is to determine the overall
      incidence as well as factors associated with an increased likelihood of
      undergoing secondary, esthetic refinements of lower extremity free flaps and to
      review current revision techniques. METHODS: All patients undergoing lower
      extremity soft tissue coverage for limb salvage procedures between January 2007
      and June 2013 at a single institution were included in the analysis. Patients who
      underwent secondary refinements for lower extremity free flaps were compared with
      patients not undergoing secondary procedures. RESULTS: During the study period,
      152 patients underwent reconstruction and were eligible for inclusion. Of these,
      32 (21.1%) patients underwent secondary, esthetic revisions. Few differences in
      patient or case characteristics were noted, although revision patients trended
      toward being younger, having lower body mass index, with defects secondary to
      acute trauma located below the ankle. The most common revision was complex soft
      tissue rearrangement or surgical flap debulking/direct excision (87.5% of
      patients), followed by scar revision (12.5%), suction-assisted lipectomy (3.1%),
      laser scar revision (3.1%), and tissue expansion with local tissue rearrangement
      (3.1%). CONCLUSION: A significant portion of patients desire secondary revisions
      following the initial procedure. This is especially true of younger patients with
      below ankle reconstruction. In many patients, an esthetic consideration should
      not be of secondary concern, but should be part of the ultimate reconstructive
      algorithm for lower extremity limb salvage.

PMID- 26258918
TI  - To Resect or Not to Resect: The Effects of Rib-Sparing Harvest of the Internal
      Mammary Vessels in Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The internal mammary vessels are the most commonly used recipients
      for microsurgical breast reconstructions. Often, the costal cartilage is
      sacrificed to obtain improved vessel exposure. In an effort to reduce adverse
      effects associated with traditional rib sacrifice, recent studies have described
      less-invasive, rib-sparing strategies. METHODS: After obtaining institutional
      review board's approval, a retrospective review of all patients undergoing
      microsurgical breast reconstruction at a single institution between November 2007
      and December 2013 was conducted. Patients were divided into two cohorts for
      comparison: rib-sacrificing and rib-sparing internal mammary vessel harvests.
      RESULTS: A total of 547 reconstructions (344 patients) met inclusion criteria for
      this study. A total of 64.9% (n = 355) underwent rib-sacrificing internal mammary
      vessel harvest. Cohorts were similar in baseline patient characteristics,
      indications for surgery, and cancer therapies. However, patients undergoing rib
      sparing reconstructions had significantly shorter operative times (440 vs. 476
      minutes; p < 0.01), and significantly less postoperative pain on postoperative
      day (POD) 1 (2.8/10 vs. 3.4/10; p = 0.033) and POD2 (2.4/10 vs. 3.0/10; p =
      0.037). Furthermore, patients undergoing rib-sparing techniques had greater
      incidence of fat necrosis requiring excision (12.5 vs. 2.8%; p < 0.01) and a
      trend toward higher incidence of hematoma, venous thrombosis, and arterial
      thrombosis when compared with rib-sacrificing patients. CONCLUSIONS: Rib-sparing
      harvest of internal mammary vessels is a feasible technique in microsurgical
      breast reconstruction. However, given the significant increase in fat necrosis
      requiring surgical excision, the trend toward increased postoperative
      complications, and no significant difference in postoperative revision rates, the
      purported benefits of this technique may fail to outweigh the possible risks.

PMID- 26258920
TI  - Epidemiology of allergic conjunctivitis: clinical appearance and treatment
      patterns in a population-based study.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To analyse the most recently published studies on the
      prevalence of allergic conjunctivitis alone or in association with allergic
      rhinitis, and the clinical and demographic aspects of the disease. RECENT
      FINDINGS: Allergic conjunctivitis or conjunctival symptoms are present in 30-71%
      of patients with allergic rhinitis. Allergic conjunctivitis alone has been
      estimated in 6-30% of the general population and in up to 30% in children alone
      or in association with allergic rhinitis. Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis is the
      most frequent form; however, studies from tertiary, ophthalmology referral
      centers report that the chronic forms, such as vernal and atopic
      keratoconjunctivitis, are the most frequently seen by ophthalmologists. A recent
      large survey performed at a national level involving 304 ophthalmologists showed
      that the majority of patients with allergic conjunctivitis suffer annually of few
      episodes of mild ,intermittent conjunctivitis. However, 30% of patients are
      affected by frequent episodes with intense and persistent symptoms. Treatment is
      frequently not appropriate. SUMMARY: Even though allergic conjunctivitis is often
      associated to allergic rhinitis, epidemiology studies frequently do not include
      specific ophthalmological evaluations. An understanding of allergic
      conjunctivitis disease, its prevalence, demographics and treatment paradigms will
      provide important information towards understanding its pharmacoeconomics and
      burden on the national health systems.

PMID- 26258921
TI  - Epidemiology of food allergy and food-induced anaphylaxis: is there really a
      Western world epidemic?
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Food-induced anaphylaxis continues to be an important cause of
      hospital admissions, particularly in children. This review outlines recent
      advances in understanding the epidemiology of IgE-mediated food allergy and
      potential mechanisms for its rise in prevalence. RECENT FINDINGS: The rise in
      food allergy prevalence in Western countries has happened more quickly than
      changes to the genome can occur; thus, environmental changes are likely to be
      important. Recent studies, however, suggest that genetic risk determines
      responses to environmental risk factors. Environmental peanut exposure has been
      associated with increased peanut allergy risk in individuals with filaggrin null
      mutations, consistently with sensitization occurring through a damaged skin
      barrier. Reduced microbial and vitamin D exposure is also leading candidates for
      risk factors for food allergy in the context of genetic susceptibility. In
      addition, HLA-DR and HLA-DQ gene region variants appear to play a role in peanut
      allergy, although no studies have yet assessed their susceptibility to
      environmental cues. Finally, findings from observational cohorts and the first
      large-scale intervention trials for food allergy prevention support early oral
      allergen exposure to reduce the prevalence of specific food allergies, which is
      informing changes in public health guidelines at the population level. Further
      research will be required to assess the impact of these guideline changes on the
      population prevalence of food allergy. SUMMARY: New studies are providing
      important insights into the prevalence, causes, and mechanisms of food allergy.
      Recent findings are informing changes to population health guidelines in
      developed countries, which have the potential to halt or reverse the increase in
      food allergy prevalence. By contrast, food allergy in the developing world
      remains understudied.

PMID- 26258919
TI  - From genetics to treatment of eosinophilic esophagitis.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) is an emerging chronic atopic
      disease. Recent advances in understanding its genetic and molecular biology
      pathogenesis may lead to a better management of the disease RECENT FINDINGS: EoE
      is an atopic disease. Most of the patients affected by EoE have other atopic
      diseases such as allergic rhinitis, asthma, IgE-mediated food allergies and/or
      atopic dermatitis. The local inflammation is a T helper type 2 (Th2) flogosis,
      which most likely is driven by a mixed IgE and n-IgE-mediated reaction to food
      and/or environmental allergens. Epidemiological studies show that EoE is an
      atopic disease with a strong genetic component. Genetic studies have shown that
      EoE is associated with single nucleotide polymorphism on genes, which are
      released by the epithelium and important in atopic inflammation such as thymic
      stromal lymphopoietin located (TSLP) close to the Th2 cytokine cluster
      [interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-13] on chromosome 5q22, Calpain 14, EMSY, and
      Eotaxin3. When the EoE diagnosis is made, it is imperative to control the local
      eosinophilic inflammation not only to give symptomatic relief to the patient, but
      also to prevent complications such as esophageal stricture and food impaction.
      SUMMARY: EoE is treated like many other atopic diseases with a combination of
      topical steroids and/or food antigen avoidance. The new understanding of EoE may
      lead to more specific and definitive treatments of EoE.

PMID- 26258923
TI  - Early predictors of asthma and allergy in children: the role of epigenetics.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Asthma and allergic diseases are among the most prevalent
      chronic noncommunicable diseases of childhood. Although epidemiologic studies
      suggest that asthma begins in the preschool years, the lack of firm diagnostic
      criteria to distinguish children who will wheeze only transiently during early
      life lower respiratory illnesses from children who will wheeze persistently and
      develop asthma prevents pinpointing the time at which disease truly begins.
      Epigenetic mechanisms link gene regulation to environmental cues and
      developmental trajectories. This article reviews, the search for epigenetic
      predictors of asthma and/or allergy that can be identified already at birth
      and/or in early life. RECENT FINDINGS: DNA methylation signatures associated with
      asthma and/or allergy at birth, and time-dependent DNA methylation signatures
      associated with allergic disease phenotypes in early life have been identified.
      SUMMARY: The identification of early epigenetic predictors of allergic diseases
      points to a potential role of epigenetic mechanisms in regulating the inception
      of and the susceptibility to these diseases. Predictive signatures to more
      accurately estimate a child's risk for asthma and allergy may improve childhood
      asthma diagnosis. Moreover, understanding the biological implications of these
      signatures may help elucidate novel disease pathways and endotypes.

PMID- 26258922
TI  - Linking immune responses with fibrosis in allergic eye disease.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Here, we explore an emerging theme in the literature, which is
      the role of dendritic cells in the causation of fibrosis. To fully appreciate
      this pathway to disease, we also review the most recent literature regarding
      dendritic cell biology as it pertains to ocular surface tissues. On the basis of
      this information, we propose a unifying hypothesis for how dendritic cells may
      cause conjunctival fibrosis in the allergy setting. RECENT FINDINGS: Work in
      models of airway remodeling and liver fibrosis has pointed to a potentially
      central role for dendritic cells in the pathobiology of fibrosis. Indeed, these
      cells are recognized as the most potent antigen-presenting cells, and as such
      activate T lymphocytes that are profibrotic under certain conditions. However,
      recent findings suggest a more direct role for dendritic cells, which opens up
      the possibility that a similar pathway may be relevant in the causation of
      conjunctival fibrosis, particularly in allergic eye disease. SUMMARY:
      Conjunctival fibrosis is a serious clinical concern and is associated with
      chronic inflammation of the ocular surface tissue, such as in allergic eye
      disease. Dendritic cells are required in mediating allergic disease by activating
      pathologic T lymphocytes. Recent findings pointing to a central role for
      dendritic cell in fibrosis may, however, mean that these cells could also be
      contributing directly to conjunctival fibrosis. If so, furthering our
      understanding of dendritic cells could lead to the identification of novel and
      more effective therapeutic strategies to treat this disease.

PMID- 26258924
TI  - Understanding probiotics' role in allergic children: the clue of gut microbiota
      profiling.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To investigate the functional role of gut microbiota in diet
      modulated diseases, evaluating probiotic administration effects by systems
      biology-driven approaches. Understanding the role of host-gut microbial and gut
      microbe-microbe interactions in either allergic and healthy children may assist
      in selecting effective and targeted probiotics for personalized therapies. RECENT
      FINDINGS: Food allergy shows a significant increase, especially in Western
      countries where growing epidemiological data indicate prevalence of small family
      groups, limited rate of infections in childhood compared with low-income
      countries, high consumption of sterile foods, hence stimulating a poor trigger of
      the gut immune system. Therefore, new therapeutic strategies to treat food
      allergy consist of probiotic administration since early life, thus modulating gut
      microbiota through immune system stimulation at the mucosal level. SUMMARY:
      Currently, new insights for probiotic selection should take into consideration
      both phenotyping and genotyping bacterial features and host-microbial cross-talk
      at gut level, by employing multicomponent systems biology approaches to unveil
      gut ecosystem dynamics in terms of bacteria phylotypes and their metabolic
      activities. Moreover, new food processes need to be considered to assess the
      actual performance of probiotic strains administered to allergic patients. The
      advent of high-performance platforms employing genomic- and mass spectrometry
      based techniques has opened new perspectives on the gut microbiota field, and may
      now serve as advanced tool to dynamically investigate the interplay between
      probiotics and gut microbiota ecology under allergic conditions.

PMID- 26258925
TI  - Environmental aeroallergens and allergic rhino-conjunctivitis.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The rising prevalence of allergy and of allergic rhino
      conjunctivitis is associated with changes in modern lifestyle. The current period
      of rapid development and consequent urbanization and migration, coupled with
      changes in climate, is facilitating a growth in rates of allergy. RECENT
      FINDINGS: Alterations to indoor and outdoor environments resulting from
      urbanization, industrialization, and climate change have significant implications
      for the prevalence and management of allergic rhino-conjunctivitis. Rising
      temperatures, precipitation and more extreme weather enable longer pollen seasons
      and greater viability of indoor and outdoor moulds and result in increased
      exposure to (and allergenic potential of) these aeroallergens. Outdoor air
      pollution is a major risk factor for rhino-conjunctivitis; key contributors are
      fuel combustion and dust storms because of changes in land-use and development.
      Further studies are needed to recognize and understand sources of indoor
      pollution including phthalates. SUMMARY: A better understanding of the role of
      environmental aeroallergens in allergic rhino-conjunctivitis is important to aid
      future management of allergic conjunctivitis. Strategies such as region-specific
      modelling of aeroallergens (pollens, air pollution) are required to predict and
      thus prevent exposure and to better inform appropriate childhood exposure and
      minimize lifelong effects.

PMID- 26258926
TI  - Corneal complications of vernal keratoconjunctivitis.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is a severe bilateral
      chronic allergic inflammatory disease of the ocular surface. In most of the
      cases, the disease is limited to the tarsal conjunctiva and to the limbus.
      However, in the more severe cases, the cornea may be involved, leading to
      potentially sight threatening complications. Prompt recognition of these
      complications is crucial in the management of VKC, which is one of the most
      severe ocular allergic diseases. RECENT FINDINGS: A vicious cycle of inflammation
      occurs as a result of a set of reciprocal interactions between the conjunctiva
      and the cornea, which results in damage to the corneal epithelium and corneal
      stoma, and to the formation of shield ulcers and plaques, infectious keratitis,
      keratoconus, scarring, and limbal stem cell deficiency. These corneal
      complications can cause permanent decrease or loss of vision in children
      suffering from VKC. SUMMARY: Corneal complications in VKC are the result of an on
      going process of uncontrolled inflammation. Proper recognition of the corneal
      complications in VKC is crucial, as most of these can be managed or prevented by
      a combination of medical and surgical measures.

PMID- 26258928
TI  - Comparative Analysis of Different Methods of Modeling the Thermal Effect of
      Circulating Blood Flow During RF Cardiac Ablation.
AB  - Our aim was to compare the different methods of modeling the effect of
      circulating blood flow on the thermal lesion dimensions created by radio
      frequency (RF) cardiac ablation and on the maximum blood temperature.
      Computational models were built to study the temperature distributions and lesion
      dimensions created by a nonirrigated electrode by two RF energy delivery
      protocols (constant voltage and constant temperature) under high and low blood
      flow conditions. Four methods of modeling the effect of circulating blood flow on
      lesion dimensions and temperature distribution were compared. Three of them
      considered convective coefficients at the electrode-blood and tissue-blood
      interfaces to model blood flow: 1) without including blood as a part of the
      domain; 2) constant electrical conductivity of blood; and 3) temperature
      dependent electrical conductivity of blood (+2%/ degrees C). Method 4) included
      blood motion and was considered to be a reference method for comparison purposes.
      Only Method 4 provided a realistic blood temperature distribution. The other
      three methods predicted lesion depth values similar to those of the reference
      method (differences smaller than 1 mm), regardless of ablation mode and blood
      flow conditions. Considering the aspects of lesion size and maximum temperature
      reached in blood and tissue, Method 2 seems to be the most suitable alternative
      to Method 4 in order to reduce the computational complexity. Our findings could
      have an important implication in future studies of RF cardiac ablation, in
      particular, in choosing the most suitable method to model the thermal effect of
      circulating blood.

PMID- 26258927
TI  - Telepsychiatrists' Medication Treatment Strategies in the Children's Attention
      Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Telemental Health Treatment Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the prescribing strategies
      that telepsychiatrists used to provide pharmacologic treatment in the Children's
      Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Telemental Health Treatment Study
      (CATTS). METHODS: CATTS was a randomized controlled trial that demonstrated the
      superiority of a telehealth service delivery model for the treatment of ADHD with
      combined pharmacotherapy and behavior training (n=111), compared with management
      in primary care augmented with a telepsychiatry consultation (n=112). A diagnosis
      of ADHD was established with the Computerized Diagnostic Interview Schedule for
      Children (CDISC), and comorbidity for oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and
      anxiety disorders (AD) was established using the CDISC and the Child Behavior
      Checklist. Telepsychiatrists used the Texas Children's Medication Algorithm
      Project (TCMAP) for ADHD to guide pharmacotherapy and the treat-to-target model
      to encourage their assertive medication management to a predetermined goal of 50%
      reduction in ADHD-related symptoms. We assessed whether telepsychiatrists'
      decision making about making medication changes was associated with baseline ADHD
      symptom severity, comorbidity, and attainment of the treat-to-target goal.
      RESULTS: Telepsychiatrists showed high fidelity (91%) to their chosen algorithms
      in medication management. At the end of the trial, the CATTS intervention showed
      46.0% attainment of the treat-to-target goal compared with 13.6% for the
      augmented primary care condition, and significantly greater attainment of the
      goal by comorbidity status for the ADHD with one and ADHD with two comorbidities
      groups. Telepsychiatrists' were more likely to decide to make medication
      adjustments for youth with higher baseline ADHD severity and the presence of
      disorders comorbid with ADHD. Multiple mixed methods regression analyses
      controlling for baseline ADHD severity and comorbidity status indicated that the
      telepsychiatrists also based their decision making session to session on
      attainment of the treat-to-target goal. CONCLUSIONS: Telepsychiatry is an
      effective service delivery model for providing pharmacotherapy for ADHD, and the
      CATTS telepsychiatrists showed high fidelity to evidence-based protocols.

PMID- 26258929
TI  - Dynamic 3-D MR Visualization and Detection of Upper Airway Obstruction During
      Sleep Using Region-Growing Segmentation.
AB  - GOAL: We demonstrate a novel and robust approach for visualization of upper
      airway dynamics and detection of obstructive events from dynamic 3-D magnetic
      resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the pharyngeal airway. METHODS: This approach
      uses 3-D region growing, where the operator selects a region of interest that
      includes the pharyngeal airway, places two seeds in the patent airway, and
      determines a threshold for the first frame. RESULTS: This approach required 5
      s/frame of CPU time compared to 10 min/frame of operator time for manual
      segmentation. It compared well with manual segmentation, resulting in Dice
      Coefficients of 0.84 to 0.94, whereas the Dice Coefficients for two manual
      segmentations by the same observer were 0.89 to 0.97. It was also able to
      automatically detect 83% of collapse events. CONCLUSION: Use of this simple
      semiautomated segmentation approach improves the workflow of novel dynamic MRI
      studies of the pharyngeal airway and enables visualization and detection of
      obstructive events. SIGNIFICANCE: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a significant
      public health issue affecting 4-9% of adults and 2% of children. Recently, 3-D
      dynamic MRI of the upper airway has been demonstrated during natural sleep, with
      sufficient spatiotemporal resolution to noninvasively study patterns of airway
      obstruction in young adults with OSA. This study makes it practical to analyze
      these long scans and visualize important factors in an MRI sleep study, such as
      the time, site, and extent of airway collapse.

PMID- 26258931
TI  - Early Warning of Acute Decompensation in Heart Failure Patients Using a
      Noncontact Measure of Stability Index.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Hospitalization due to heart failure (HF) continues to be a major
      clinical and economic challenge. To reduce hospitalization, this paper proposes a
      novel home telemonitoring system for an early warning of acute decompensation in
      patients with chronic stable New York Heart Association class II-IV HF. METHODS:
      It is based on deriving nocturnal respiratory related time series using a
      noncontact radio-wave bio-motion sensor. The system generates an alert when there
      is a change in the underlying probability distribution of the time series which
      can be regarded as a surrogate marker of patient stability. RESULTS: The system's
      performance is evaluated using dual-site longitudinal data collected from 104 HF
      patients over 12-24 months. The system reported an average sensitivity of 0.62 to
      detect a change during an episode of acute decompensation and an average
      specificity of 0.67 on the blind validation set, when the frequency of alert was
      four weeks. The system also performed well to predict acute decompensation with
      an average sensitivity of 0.55 and specificity of 0.73 on the validation set,
      where an event window was defined as three weeks preceding an event. CONCLUSION:
      These results demonstrate that the design and implementation of such a system is
      a positive step toward developing noncontact systems capable of preventing acute
      decompensation, reducing readmissions to hospital and ensuring better quality of
      life for HF patients.

PMID- 26258930
TI  - Simulation-Based Design for Wearable Robotic Systems: An Optimization Framework
      for Enhancing a Standing Long Jump.
AB  - GOAL: Technologies that augment human performance are the focus of intensive
      research and development, driven by advances in wearable robotic systems. Success
      has been limited by the challenge of understanding human-robot interaction. To
      address this challenge, we developed an optimization framework to synthesize a
      realistic human standing long jump and used the framework to explore how
      simulated wearable robotic devices might enhance jump performance. METHODS: A
      planar, five-segment, seven-degree-of-freedom model with physiological torque
      actuators, which have variable torque capacity depending on joint position and
      velocity, was used to represent human musculoskeletal dynamics. An active
      augmentation device was modeled as a torque actuator that could apply a single
      pulse of up to 100 Nm of extension torque. A passive design was modeled as
      rotational springs about each lower limb joint. Dynamic optimization searched for
      physiological and device actuation patterns to maximize jump distance. RESULTS:
      Optimization of the nominal case yielded a 2.27 m jump that captured salient
      kinematic and kinetic features of human jumps. When the active device was added
      to the ankle, knee, or hip, jump distance increased to between 2.49 and 2.52 m.
      Active augmentation of all three joints increased the jump distance to 3.10 m.
      The passive design increased jump distance to 3.32 m by adding torques of 135,
      365, and 297 Nm to the ankle, knee, and hip, respectively. CONCLUSION: Dynamic
      optimization can be used to simulate a standing long jump and investigate human
      robot interaction. SIGNIFICANCE: Simulation can aid in the design of performance
      enhancing technologies.

PMID- 26258932
TI  - Toward Quantitative Assessment of Rheumatoid Arthritis Using Volumetric
      Ultrasound.
AB  - GOAL: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by inflammation within the joint
      space as well as erosion or destruction of the bone surface. We believe that
      volumetric (3-D) ultrasound imaging of the joints in conjunction with automated
      image-analysis tools for segmenting and quantifying the regions of interest can
      lead to improved RA assessment. METHODS: In this paper, we describe our proposed
      algorithms for segmenting 1) the 3 -D bone surface and 2) the 3-D joint capsule
      region. We improve and extend previous 2-D bone extraction methods to 3-D and
      make our algorithm more robust to the intensity loss due to surface normals
      facing away from incident acoustic beams. The extracted bone surfaces coupled
      with a joint-specific anatomical model are used to initialize a coarse
      localization of the joint capsule region. The joint capsule segmentation is
      refined iteratively utilizing a probabilistic speckle model. RESULTS: We apply
      our methods on 51 volumes from 8 subjects, and validate segmentation results with
      expert annotations. We also provide the quantitative comparison of our bone
      detection with magnetic resonance imaging. These automated methods have achieved
      average sensitivity/precision rates of 94%/93% for bone surface detection, and
      87%/83% for joint capsule segmentation. Segmentations of normal and inflamed
      joints are compared to demonstrate the potential of using proposed tools to
      assess RA pathology at the joint level. CONCLUSION: The proposed image-analysis
      methods showed encouraging results as compared to expert annotations.
      SIGNIFICANCE: These computer-assisted tools can be used to help visualize 3-D
      anatomy in joints and help develop quantitative measurements toward RA
      assessment.

PMID- 26258933
TI  - Novel Optical Position Sensing for Miniaturized Applications and Validation in a
      Total Artificial Heart.
AB  - GOAL: This paper describes the development and testing of various position
      sensing systems (PSSs) for miniaturized long-term applications with a focus on
      their validation in a total artificial heart (TAH). After a short description of
      the TAH's functioning principle, the special requirements for the PSS resulting
      from the application in a TAH are investigated. METHODS: Three PSS's were
      designed according to these requirements. A specially designed test method was
      used to first validate each PSS for general use in a miniaturized application.
      This test method validated the speed, resolution, and accuracy requirements for
      the PSS. In a second step, the PSS's were integrated in a TAH to measure its
      stroke position for the drive control. In this application, further requirements
      apart from miniaturization were considered. Each PSS's functionality in the TAH
      was validated in a mock circulation loop, which simulates the human circulatory
      system. RESULTS: Two of the three designed PSS's showed satisfactory results for
      all tested requirements inside the pump, whereas the third PSS did not operate
      properly at full-pump capacity. The best performing PSS was chosen for further
      use in the TAH. It performed up to a beat rate of 220 b/m. CONCLUSION: The
      extensive validation resulted in an accurate, miniature PSS for a TAH.
      SIGNIFICANCE: Besides the use in a TAH, the presented PSS's can be employed in a
      wide use of miniaturized applications. The introduced testing method allows the
      validation for general miniaturized applications, e.g., linear motor drives.

PMID- 26258934
TI  - Real-Time Respiratory Motion Analysis Using 4-D Shape Priors.
AB  - Respiratory motion analysis based on range imaging (RI) has emerged as a popular
      means of generating respiration surrogates to guide motion management strategies
      in computer-assisted interventions. However, existing approaches employ
      heuristics, require substantial manual interaction, or yield highly redundant
      information. In this paper, we propose a framework that uses preprocedurally
      obtained 4-D shape priors from patient-specific breathing patterns to drive
      intraprocedural RI-based real-time respiratory motion analysis. As the first
      contribution, we present a shape motion model enabling an unsupervised
      decomposition of respiration induced high-dimensional body surface displacement
      fields into a low-dimensional representation encoding thoracic and abdominal
      breathing. Second, we propose a method designed for GPU architectures to quickly
      and robustly align our models to high-coverage multiview RI body surface data.
      With our fully automatic method, we obtain respiration surrogates yielding a
      Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC) of 0.98 with conventional surrogates based
      on manually selected regions on RI body surface data. Compared to impedance
      pneumography as a respiration signal that measures the change of lung volume, we
      obtain a PCC of 0.96. Using off-the-shelf hardware, our framework enables high
      temporal resolution respiration analysis at 50 Hz.

PMID- 26258936
TI  - New Methods to Monitor Stair Ascents Using a Wearable Pendant Device Reveal How
      Behavior, Fear, and Frailty Influence Falls in Octogenarians.
AB  - GOALS: To investigate if the stair negotiation by older people during activities
      of daily life (ADL) can be accurately identified using a freely worn pendant
      device. To investigate how usual stair-ascent performances during ADL relate to
      clinical assessments and prospective falls. METHODS: ADL were recorded for 30 min
      by 52 community-dwelling older people (83 +/- 4 years) using a small pendant
      device. Classification accuracy was assessed using annotated video and four-fold
      cross validation. Correlations between sensor-derived stair-ascent features
      (comprising intensity, variability, and stability) and a battery of clinical
      tests (comprising physiological, psychological, health, and follow-up falls) were
      investigated. RESULTS: Accurate identification of stair events (99.8%, Kappa
      0.92) was possible in both "frail" and "athletic" participants by scaling the
      barometer threshold to stair cadences. Cautious double-stepping strategy could be
      identified remotely. Stair-ascent performance was correlated with ascent strategy
      ( r = -0.67), age ( r = -0.44), concern about falling ( r = -0.43 ), fall-risk
      scores ( r = -0.41), processing speed ( r = -0.38), and contrast sensitivity ( r
      = 0.32). Follow-up falls were correlated with ascent stability ( r = -0.35).
      CONCLUSION: Remote analysis of stair ascents is feasible. In our healthy older
      people, outcomes appeared more related to mental rather than physiological
      factors. The ascent strategies we observed in some older people may have
      reflected an appropriate behavioral response to increased concerns about falling.
      SIGNIFICANCE: Given acceptance of wearable devices is increasing; reduced
      functional performance and altered strategies for undertaking ADL could soon be
      routinely tracked to augment health care.

PMID- 26258935
TI  - A Sparse Model Based Detection of Copy Number  Variations From Exome Sequencing
      Data.
AB  - GOAL: Whole-exome sequencing provides a more cost-effective way than whole-genome
      sequencing for detecting genetic variants, such as copy number variations (CNVs).
      Although a number of approaches have been proposed to detect CNVs from whole
      genome sequencing, a direct adoption of these approaches to whole-exome
      sequencing will often fail because exons are separately located along a genome.
      Therefore, an appropriate method is needed to target the specific features of
      exome sequencing data. METHODS: In this paper, a novel sparse model based method
      is proposed to discover CNVs from multiple exome sequencing data. First, exome
      sequencing data are represented with a penalized matrix approximation, and
      technical variability and random sequencing errors are assumed to follow a
      generalized Gaussian distribution. Second, an iteratively reweighted least
      squares algorithm is used to estimate the solution. RESULTS: The method is tested
      and validated on both synthetic and real data, and compared with other approaches
      including CoNIFER, XHMM, and cn.MOPS. The test demonstrates that the proposed
      method outperform other approaches. CONCLUSION: The proposed sparse model can
      detect CNVs from exome sequencing data with high power and precision.
      Significance: Sparse model can target the specific features of exome sequencing
      data. The software codes are freely available at http://www.tulane.edu/
      wyp/software/Exon_CNV.m.

PMID- 26258937
TI  - A Feedback Control Approach to Organic Drug Infusions Using Electrochemical
      Measurement.
AB  - GOAL: Target-controlled infusion of anesthesia is a closed-loop automated drug
      delivery method with a computer-aided control. Our goal is to design and test an
      automated drug infusion platform for propofol delivery in total intravenous
      anesthesia (TIVA) administration. METHODS: In the proposed method, a dilution
      chamber with first-order exponential decay characteristics was used to model the
      pharmacodynamics decay of a drug. The dilution chamber was connected to a flow
      system through an electrochemical cell containing an organic film-coated glassy
      carbon electrode as working electrode. To set up the feedback-controlled delivery
      platform and optimize its parameters, ferrocene methanol was used as a proxy of
      the propofol. The output signal of the sensor was connected to a PI controller,
      which prompted a syringe pump for feedback-controlled drug infusion. RESULTS: The
      result is a bench-top drug infusion platform to automate the delivery of a
      propofol based on the measurement of concentration with an organic film-coated
      voltammetric sensor. CONCLUSION: To evaluate the performance characteristics of
      the infusion platform, the propofol concentration in the dilution chamber was
      monitored with the organic film-coated glassy carbon electrode and the difference
      between the set and measured concentrations was assessed. The feasibility of
      measurement-based feedback-controlled propofol delivery is demonstrated and
      confirmed. SIGNIFICANCE: This platform will contribute to high-performance TIVA
      application of intravenous propofol anesthesia.

PMID- 26258938
TI  - Ultrasound-Based Detection of Fasciculations in Healthy and Diseased Muscles.
AB  - Involuntary muscle activations are diagnostic indicators of neurodegenerative
      pathologies. Currently detected by invasive intramuscular electromyography, these
      muscle twitches are found to be visible in ultrasound images. We present an
      automated computational approach for the detection of muscle twitches, and apply
      this to two muscles in healthy and motor neuron disease-affected populations. The
      technique relies on motion tracking within ultrasound sequences, extracting local
      movement information from muscle. A statistical analysis is applied to classify
      the movement, either as noise or as more coherent movement indicative of a muscle
      twitch. The technique is compared to operator identified twitches, which are also
      assessed to ensure operator agreement. We find that, when two independent
      operators manually identified twitches, higher interoperator agreement (Cohen's
      kappa) occurs when more twitches are present (kappa = 0.94), compared to a lower
      number (kappa = 0.49). Finally, we demonstrate, via analysis of receiver
      operating characteristics, that our computational technique detects muscle
      twitches across the entire dataset with a high degree of accuracy (0.83 <
      accuracy < 0.96).

PMID- 26258939
TI  - Semi-parametric spatial joint modeling of HIV and HSV-2 among women in Kenya.
AB  - Several diseases have common risk factors. The joint modeling of disease outcomes
      within a spatial statistical context may provide more insight on the interaction
      of diseases both at individual and at regional level. Spatial joint modeling
      allows for studying of the relationship between diseases and also between regions
      under study. One major approach for joint spatial modeling is the multivariate
      conditional autoregressive approach. In this approach, it is assumed that all the
      covariates in the study have linear effects on the multiple response variables.
      In this study, we relax this linearity assumption and allow some covariates to
      have nonlinear effects using the penalized regression splines. This model was
      used to jointly model the spatial variation of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
      and herpes simplex virus-type 2 (HSV-2) among women in Kenya. The model was
      applied to HIV and HSV-2 prevalence data among women aged 15-49 years in Kenya,
      derived from the 2007 Kenya AIDS indicator survey. A full Bayesian approach was
      used and the models were implemented in WinBUGS software. Both diseases showed
      significant spatial variation with highest disease burdens occurring around the
      Lake Victoria region. There was a nonlinear association between age of an
      individual and HIV and HSV-2 infection. The peak age for HIV was around 30 years
      while that of HSV-2 was about 40 years. A positive significant spatial
      correlation between HIV and HSV-2 was observed with a correlation of 0.6831(95%
      CI: 0.3859, 0.871). 

PMID- 26258940
TI  - DNA tetrominoes: the construction of DNA nanostructures using self-organised
      heterogeneous deoxyribonucleic acids shapes.
AB  - The unique programmability of nucleic acids offers alternative in constructing
      excitable and functional nanostructures. This work introduces an autonomous
      protocol to construct DNA Tetris shapes (L-Shape, B-Shape, T-Shape and I-Shape)
      using modular DNA blocks. The protocol exploits the rich number of sequence
      combinations available from the nucleic acid alphabets, thus allowing for
      diversity to be applied in designing various DNA nanostructures. Instead of a
      deterministic set of sequences corresponding to a particular design, the protocol
      promotes a large pool of DNA shapes that can assemble to conform to any desired
      structures. By utilising evolutionary programming in the design stage, DNA blocks
      are subjected to processes such as sequence insertion, deletion and base shifting
      in order to enrich the diversity of the resulting shapes based on a set of
      cascading filters. The optimisation algorithm allows mutation to be exerted
      indefinitely on the candidate sequences until these sequences complied with all
      the four fitness criteria. Generated candidates from the protocol are in
      agreement with the filter cascades and thermodynamic simulation. Further
      validation using gel electrophoresis indicated the formation of the designed
      shapes. Thus, supporting the plausibility of constructing DNA nanostructures in a
      more hierarchical, modular, and interchangeable manner. 

PMID- 26258941
TI  - Pif97, a von Willebrand and Peritrophin Biomineralization Protein, Organizes
      Mineral Nanoparticles and Creates Intracrystalline Nanochambers.
AB  - The formation of the mollusk nacre layer involves the assembly and organization
      of mineral nanoparticles into fracture-toughened mesoscale-sized aragonite
      tablets that possess intracrystalline nanoporosities. At least one nacre protein
      family, known as the framework proteome, is strategically located as part of a
      macromolecular coating around each nacre tablet and is believed to participate in
      tablet formation. Here, we report new studies of a recombinant form (rPif97) of a
      unique Japanese pearl oyster (Pinctada fucata) nacre framework biomineralization
      protein, Pif97. This unique protein possesses both a von Willlebrand factor type
      A domain (vWA, F23-Y161) and a Peritrophin A chitin-binding domain (PAC, E234
      D298). rPif97 self-associates or aggregates to form amorphous protein phases that
      organize both amorphous and single-crystal calcium carbonate nanoparticles in
      vitro. Further, in the presence of nucleating calcite crystals, rPif97 protein
      phases deposit onto these crystals and become occluded over time, forming
      nanochambers within the crystal interior. The formation of these mineral
      modifying amorphous protein phases is linked to the presence of intrinsic
      disorder and amyloid-like cross-beta-strand aggregation-prone regions, and three
      dimensional modeling indicates that both the vWA and PAC domains are accessible
      for intermolecular interactions. Thus, the vWA- and PAC-containing Pif97 protein
      exhibits key functionalities that would allow its participation in mollusk nacre
      layer tablet assembly and porosity formation. 

PMID- 26258942
TI  - A discrete chromatin loop in the mouse Tcra-Tcrd locus shapes the TCRdelta and
      TCRalpha repertoires.
AB  - The locus encoding the T cell antigen receptor (TCR) alpha-chain and delta-chain
      (Tcra-Tcrd) undergoes recombination of its variable-diversity-joining (V(D)J)
      segments in CD4(-)CD8(-) double-negative thymocytes and CD4(+)CD8(+) double
      positive thymocytes to generate diverse TCRdelta repertoires and TCRalpha
      repertoires, respectively. Here we identified a chromatin-interaction network in
      the Tcra-Tcrd locus in double-negative thymocytes that was formed by interactions
      between binding elements for the transcription factor CTCF. Disruption of a
      discrete chromatin loop encompassing the D, J and constant (C) segments of Tcrd
      allowed a single V segment to frequently contact and rearrange to D and J
      segments and dominate the adult TCRdelta repertoire. Disruption of this loop also
      narrowed the TCRalpha repertoire, which, we believe, followed as a consequence of
      the restricted TCRdelta repertoire. Hence, a single CTCF-mediated chromatin loop
      directly regulated TCRdelta diversity and indirectly regulated TCRalpha
      diversity. 

PMID- 26258943
TI  - Selective Recognition of Phosphatidylcholine Lipids by a Biomimetic Calix[6]tube
      Receptor.
AB  - Phosphatidylcholines (PCs) and phosphatidylethanolamines (PEs) are usually the
      most abundant phospholipids in membranes. Only a few examples of artificial
      macrocyclic receptors capable of binding these zwitterionic lipids were reported,
      and in most cases, their mode of action differs from that of natural receptors.
      NMR studies show that calix[6]arenes 4-6 behave as heteroditopic receptors that
      can efficiently bind 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC) in nonpolar
      solvents. Similarly to natural systems, the recognition proceeds through the
      establishment of specific interactions with the zwitterionic head of the lipid.
      In a protic environment, calix[6]tube 4 binds DOPC much more strongly than 5 and
      6, thanks to the higher acidity of its H-bonding thiourea groups and the better
      preorganization of its binding site. Moreover, 4 is reluctant to the
      corresponding PE, highlighting a unique selectivity for PCs over PEs. A high
      selectivity for DOPC over dodecylphosphocholine (DPC) was also observed, and
      computer modeling studies showed that it may likely originate from the curved
      shape of the tubular recognition system of 4, which is well-adapted to the native
      conformation of DOPC. From a biomimetic point of view, the complex 4?DOPC shows
      remarkable similarities with a natural complex formed between a PC and the human
      phosphatidylcholine transfer protein. 

PMID- 26258944
TI  - In Reply: Chiari Severity Index: A Novel Grading System Intended for Preoperative
      Counseling.

PMID- 26258945
TI  - Guiding the Guardians and Other Participants in Shared Decision Making.

PMID- 26258946
TI  - Influence of Temperature, Relative Humidity, and Soil Properties on the Soil-Air
      Partitioning of Semivolatile Pesticides: Laboratory Measurements and Predictive
      Models.
AB  - Soil-air partition coefficient (Ksoil-air) values are often employed to
      investigate the fate of organic contaminants in soils; however, these values have
      not been measured for many compounds of interest, including semivolatile current
      use pesticides. Moreover, predictive equations for estimating Ksoil-air values
      for pesticides (other than the organochlorine pesticides) have not been robustly
      developed, due to a lack of measured data. In this work, a solid-phase fugacity
      meter was used to measure the Ksoil-air values of 22 semivolatile current- and
      historic-use pesticides and their degradation products. Ksoil-air values were
      determined for two soils (semiarid and volcanic) under a range of environmentally
      relevant temperature (10-30  degrees C) and relative humidity (30-100%)
      conditions, such that 943 Ksoil-air measurements were made. Measured values were
      used to derive a predictive equation for pesticide Ksoil-air values based on
      temperature, relative humidity, soil organic carbon content, and pesticide
      specific octanol-air partition coefficients. Pesticide volatilization losses from
      soil, calculated with the newly derived Ksoil-air predictive equation and a
      previously described pesticide volatilization model, were compared to previous
      results and showed that the choice of Ksoil-air predictive equation mainly
      affected the more-volatile pesticides and that the way in which relative humidity
      was accounted for was the most critical difference. 

PMID- 26258947
TI  - Fruit and vegetable consumption and cardiovascular risk factors in older Chinese:
      the Guangzhou biobank cohort study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine the adjusted associations of fruit consumption and
      vegetable consumption with the Framingham score and its components in the non
      Western setting of Southern China, considering health status. METHOD: Linear
      regression was used to assess the cross-sectional associations of fruit and
      vegetable consumption with the Framingham score and its components, among 19,518
      older Chinese (>=50 years) from the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study in Southern
      China (2003-2006), and whether these differed by health status. RESULTS: The
      association of fruit consumption with the Framingham score varied by health
      status (P-value<0.001), but not vegetable consumption (P-value 0.51). Fruit
      consumption was associated with a lower Framingham score (-0.04 per portions/day,
      95% confidence interval (CI) -0.08 to -0.004) among participants in poor health,
      adjusted for age, sex, recruitment phase, socio-economic position and lifestyle.
      However, similarly adjusted, fruit consumption was associated with a higher
      Framingham score (0.05, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.09) among participants in good health,
      perhaps due to a positive association of fruit consumption with fasting glucose.
      Similarly adjusted, vegetable consumption was associated with a higher Framingham
      score (0.03, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.05) among all participants, with no difference by
      health status. CONCLUSION: This large study from a non-western setting found that
      fruit and vegetable consumption was barely associated with the Framingham score,
      or major CVD risk factors.

PMID- 26258948
TI  - Correction: factors associated with the perception of speed among recreational
      skiers.

PMID- 26258949
TI  - Application of beta-lactamase reporter fusions as an indicator of effector
      protein secretion during infections with the obligate intracellular pathogen
      Chlamydia trachomatis.
AB  - Chlamydia spp. utilize multiple secretion systems, including the type III
      secretion system (T3SS), to deploy host-interactive effector proteins into
      infected host cells. Elucidation of secreted proteins has traditionally required
      ectopic expression in a surrogate T3SS followed by immunolocalization of
      endogenous candidate effectors to confirm secretion by chlamydiae. The ability to
      transform Chlamydia and achieve stable expression of recombinant gene products
      has enabled a more direct assessment of secretion. We adapted TEM-1 beta
      lactamase as a reporter system for assessment of chlamydial protein secretion. We
      provide evidence that this system facilitates visualization of secretion in the
      context of infection. Specifically, our findings provide definitive evidence that
      C. trachomatis CT695 is secreted during infection. Follow-up indirect
      immunofluorescence studies confirmed CT695 secretion and indicate that this
      effector can be secreted at multiple points during the chlamydial developmental
      cycle. Our results indicate that the BlaM-fusion reporter assay will allow
      efficacious identification of novel secreted proteins. Moreover, this approach
      can easily be adapted to enable more sophisticated studies of the secretion
      process in Chlamydia. 

PMID- 26258951
TI  - Influence of Secondary Interactions on the Structure, Sublimation Thermodynamics,
      and Solubility of Salicylate:4-Hydroxybenzamide Cocrystals. Combined Experimental
      and Theoretical Study.
AB  - Cocrystal screening of 4-hydroxybenzamide with a number of salicylates (salicylic
      acid, SA; 4-aminosalicylic acid, PASA; acetylsalicylic acid, ASA; and
      salicylsalicylic acid, SSA) was conducted to confirm the formation of two
      cocrystals, [SA+4-OHBZA] (1:1) and [PASA+4-OHBZA] (1:1). Their structures were
      determined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and the hydrogen-bond network
      topology was studied. Thermodynamic characteristics of salicylic acid cocrystal
      sublimation were obtained experimentally. It was proved that PASA
      cocrystallization with 4-OHBZA makes the drug more stable and prevents the
      irreversible process of decarboxylation of PASA resulting in formation of toxic 3
      aminophenol. The pattern of non-covalent interactions in the cocrystals is
      described quantitatively using solid-state density functional theory followed by
      Bader analysis of the periodic electron density. It has been found that the total
      energy of secondary interactions between synthon atoms and the side hydroxyl
      group of the acid molecule in [SA+4-OHBZA] (1:1) and [PASA+4-OHBZA] (1:1)
      cocrystals is comparable to the energy of the primary acid-amide heterosynthon.
      The theoretical value of the sublimation enthalpy of [SA+4-OHBZA], 231 kJ/mol,
      agrees fairly well with the experimental one, 272 kJ/mol. The dissolution
      experiments with [SA+4-OHBZA] have proved that the relatively large cocrystal
      stability in relation to the stability of its components has a negative effect on
      the dissolution rate and equilibrium solubility. The [PASA+4-OHBZA] (1:1)
      cocrystal showed an enhancement of apparent solubility compared to that of the
      corresponding pure active pharmaceutical ingredient, while their intrinsic
      dissolution rates are comparable. 

PMID- 26258950
TI  - Increased extra-pair paternity in broods of aging males and enhanced recruitment
      of extra-pair young in a migratory bird.
AB  - Despite keen interest in extra-pair mating in birds, its adaptive significance
      remains unresolved. Here, we use a multi-year dataset to test whether traits of a
      female's social mate influence her propensity to produce extra-pair offspring in
      a population of house wrens, and whether producing extra-pair young has
      consequences for a female's fitness through effects on offspring survival.
      Females were most likely to produce extra-pair offspring when paired with old
      males and when paired with males on poor-quality territories, although this
      latter effect was marginally nonsignificant. Among offspring, the cutaneous
      immunity of within-pair young decreased as the age of their sires increased, but
      cutaneous immunity of extra-pair young was not affected by the age of their extra
      pair sires or by the age of the males rearing them. Extra-pair offspring were
      more likely than within-pair offspring to return as breeding adults to the local
      population, with extra-pair sons being more likely to return as a breeder for
      multiple years. Our findings support the hypothesis that females produce extra
      pair offspring to enhance their inclusive fitness beyond what they are capable of
      given the male with which they are socially paired. 

PMID- 26258954
TI  - Utility of Preoperative Upper Gastrointestinal Series in Laparoscopic Gastrostomy
      Tube Placement.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: An upper gastrointestinal (UGI) series is a standard preoperative
      test for patients being evaluated for gastrostomy tube placement. We have
      recently begun to question the value of the radiation-exposing series in patients
      who tolerate gastric feeds. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was
      conducted in patients who underwent laparoscopic gastrostomy tube placement
      between 2000 and 2012. Demographics, indication for gastrostomy tube,
      comorbidities, preoperative imaging, and nutrition were analyzed. Patients with
      foregut pathology and those who underwent prior gastrointestinal surgery were
      excluded. RESULTS: Among 695 patients who underwent laparoscopic gastrostomy tube
      placement, the most common indications were failure to thrive (53%), neurologic
      disorder (25%), and dysphagia (12%). A UGI series was obtained for 420 patients
      (60%). Of these, 96 were found to have abnormalities (reflux, aspiration,
      anatomic). However, only 2 of these patients (0.3%) had a change in management,
      with 1 patient undergoing the Ladd procedure and 1 having negative diagnostic
      laparoscopy for suspected malrotation. In the subset analysis of 256 patients
      tolerating goal gastric feeds, 161 (63%) had a preoperative UGI series with only
      2 patients (1.2%) having a resultant change in operative management: 1 undergoing
      the Ladd procedure and 1 having negative diagnostic laparoscopy. Of the 275
      patients who did not have a preoperative UGI series, 1 patient (0.4%) was found
      to have malrotation postoperatively after two coins became lodged in the
      duodenum. This patient subsequently underwent an elective Ladd procedure.
      CONCLUSIONS: We found minimal impact of an UGI series during evaluation for
      gastrostomy alone. These studies may be able to be reserved for those with clear
      clinical indications.

PMID- 26258955
TI  - Are Common Skin Diseases among Norwegian Dermatological Outpatients Associated
      with Psychological Problems Compared with Controls? An Observational Study.
AB  - Dermatological disease has been shown to be associated with psychological
      comorbidity. The aim of this observational study is to describe the distribution
      of skin disease and the prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress among
      Norwegian dermatological outpatients. Thirteen percent of outpatients had
      clinical anxiety compared with 3.7% of healthy controls, and 5.8% had clinical
      depression compared with 0.9% of controls. Adjusted odds ratio for clinical
      anxiety was 4.53 in patients compared with controls, and for clinical depression
      6.25, which is much higher than previously described in a larger European study.
      Patients with tumours had less depression. Chronic inflammatory skin conditions
      had an especially high impact on patient's psychological wellbeing and should not
      be undervalued relative to, for instance, skin cancer in health strategies. These
      results argue strongly for including skin disease prevention and treatment in
      future health strategies. 

PMID- 26258952
TI  - Concentration ranges of antibacterial cations for showing the highest
      antibacterial efficacy but the least cytotoxicity against mammalian cells:
      implications for a new antibacterial mechanism.
AB  - Antibacterial metal ions, such as Ag(+), Zn(2+) and Cu(2+), have been extensively
      used in medical implants and devices due to their strong broad spectrum of
      antibacterial activity. However, it is still a controversial issue as to whether
      they can show the desired antibacterial activity while being toxic to mammalian
      cells. It is very important to balance their antibacterial effectiveness with
      minimal damage to mammalian cells. Toward this end, this study is to identify the
      suitable concentrations of these three ions at which they can effectively kill
      two types of clinically relevant bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and
      Escherichia coli (E. coli)) but show no obvious cytotoxicity on fibroblasts. Such
      concentration ranges are found to be 2.5 * 10(-7) M-10(-6) M, 10(-5) M-10(-4) M,
      and 10(-5) M-10(-4) M for Ag(+), Zn(2+), and Cu(2+), respectively. Investigation
      of their antibacterial mechanism shows that these three metal ions all show
      antibacterial property through a mechanism of damaging bacterial cell membranes
      by the generation of reactive oxygen species but surprisingly preserving the
      integrity of bacterial genomic DNA. The encouraging results indicate that
      antibacterial metal ions with controlled concentrations can bring considerable
      benefits to biomedical applications. 

PMID- 26258953
TI  - Heavy metal transport by the CusCFBA efflux system.
AB  - It is widely accepted that the increased use of antibiotics has resulted in
      bacteria with developed resistance to such treatments. These organisms are
      capable of forming multi-protein structures that bridge both the inner and outer
      membrane to expel diverse toxic compounds directly from the cell. Proteins of the
      resistance nodulation cell division (RND) superfamily typically assemble as
      tripartite efflux pumps, composed of an inner membrane transporter, a periplasmic
      membrane fusion protein, and an outer membrane factor channel protein. These
      machines are the most powerful antimicrobial efflux machinery available to
      bacteria. In Escherichia coli, the CusCFBA complex is the only known RND
      transporter with a specificity for heavy metals, detoxifying both Cu(+) and Ag(+)
      ions. In this review, we discuss the known structural information for the CusCFBA
      proteins, with an emphasis on their assembly, interaction, and the relationship
      between structure and function. 

PMID- 26258956
TI  - Xylanase Immobilized on Novel Multifunctional Hyperbranched Polyglycerol-Grafted
      Magnetic Nanoparticles: An Efficient and Robust Biocatalyst.
AB  - Although several strategies are now available for immobilization of enzymes to
      magnetic nanoparticles for bioapplications, little progresses have been reported
      on the use of dendritic or hyperbranched polymers for the same purpose. Herein,
      we demonstrated synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles supported hyperbranched
      polyglycerol (MNP/HPG) and a derivative conjugated with citric acid (MNP/HPG-CA)
      as unique and convenient nanoplatforms for immobilization of enzymes. Then, an
      important industrial enzyme, xylanase, was immobilized on the nanocarriers to
      produce robust biocatalysts. A variety of analytical tools were used to study the
      morphological, structural, and chemical properties of the biocatalysts.
      Additionally, the results of biocatalyst systems exhibited the substantial
      improvement of reactivity, reusability, and stability of xylanase due to this
      strategy, which might confer them a wider range of applications. 

PMID- 26258957
TI  - Passivation Dynamics in the Anisotropic Deposition and Stripping of Bulk
      Magnesium Electrodes During Electrochemical Cycling.
AB  - Although rechargeable magnesium (Mg) batteries show promise for use as a next
      generation technology for high-density energy storage, little is known about the
      Mg anode solid electrolyte interphase and its implications for the performance
      and durability of a Mg-based battery. We explore in this report passivation
      effects engendered during the electrochemical cycling of a bulk Mg anode,
      characterizing their influences during metal deposition and dissolution in a
      simple, nonaqueous, Grignard electrolyte solution (ethylmagnesium bromide,
      EtMgBr, in tetrahydrofuran). Scanning electron microscopy images of Mg foil
      working electrodes after electrochemical polarization to dissolution potentials
      show the formation of corrosion pits. The pit densities so evidenced are markedly
      potential-dependent. When the Mg working electrode is cycled both
      potentiostatically and galvanostatically in EtMgBr these pits, formed due to
      passive layer breakdown, act as the foci for subsequent electrochemical activity.
      Detailed microscopy, diffraction, and spectroscopic data show that further
      passivation and corrosion results in the anisotropic stripping of the Mg {0001}
      plane, leaving thin oxide-comprising passivated side wall structures that demark
      the {0001} fiber texture of the etched Mg grains. Upon long-term cycling, oxide
      side walls formed due to the pronounced crystallographic anisotropy of the anodic
      stripping processes, leading to complex overlay anisotropic, columnar structures,
      exceeding 50 MUm in height. The passive responses mediating the growth of these
      structures appear to be an intrinsic feature of the electrochemical growth and
      dissolution of Mg using this electrolyte. 

PMID- 26258958
TI  - Progesterone Exacerbates Short-Term Effects of Traumatic Brain Injury on
      Supragranular Responses in Sensory Cortex and Over-Excites Infragranular
      Responses in the Long Term.
AB  - Progesterone (P4) has been suggested as a neuroprotective agent for traumatic
      brain injury (TBI) because it ameliorates many post-TBI sequelae. We examined the
      effects of P4 treatment on the short-term (4 days post-TBI) and long-term (8
      weeks post-TBI) aftermath on neuronal processing in the rodent sensory cortex of
      impact acceleration-induced diffuse TBI. We have previously reported that in
      sensory cortex, diffuse TBI induces a short-term hypoexcitation that is greatest
      in the supragranular layers and decreases with depth, but a long-term
      hyperexcitation that is exclusive to the supragranular layers. Now, adult male
      TBI-treated rats administered P4 showed, in the short term, even greater
      suppression in neural responses in supragranular layers but a reversal of the TBI
      induced suppression in granular and infragranular layers. In long-term TBI there
      were only inconsistent effects of P4 on the TBI-induced hyperexcitation in
      supragranular responses but infragranular responses, which were not affected by
      TBI alone, were elevated by P4 treatment. Intriguingly, the effects in the
      injured brain were almost identical to P4 effects in the normal brain, as seen in
      sham control animals treated with P4: in the short term, P4 effects in the normal
      brain were identical to those exercised in the injured brain and in the long
      term, P4 effects in the normal brain were rather similar to what was seen in the
      TBI brain. Overall, these results provide no support for any protective effects
      of P4 treatment on neuronal encoding in diffuse TBI, and this was reflected in
      sensorimotor and other behavior tasks also tested here. Additionally, the effects
      suggest that mechanisms used for P4 effects in the normal brain are also intact
      in the injured brain. 

PMID- 26258959
TI  - Early versus late removal of the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) for general
      anaesthesia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The laryngeal mask airway (LMA) is a safe and effective modality to
      maintain the airway for general anaesthesia during surgical procedures. The LMA
      is removed at the end of surgery and anaesthesia, when the patient maintains an
      adequate respiratory rate and depth. This removal of the LMA can be done either
      when the patient is deep under anaesthesia (early removal) or only after the
      patient has regained consciousness (late removal). It is not clear which of these
      techniques is superior. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this review was to compare
      the safety of LMA removal in the deep plane of anaesthesia (early removal) versus
      removal in the awake state (late removal) for participants undergoing general
      anaesthesia. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Central Register of
      Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; 2014, Issue 8); MEDLINE (1966 to August 2014); EMBASE
      (1980 to August 2014); LILACS (1982 to August 2014); CINAHL (WebSPIRS; 1984 to
      August 2014); and ISI Web of Science (1984 to August 2014). We searched for
      ongoing trials through various trial registration websites. In addition, we
      searched conference proceedings and reference lists of relevant articles.
      SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on adults and
      children undergoing elective general anaesthesia using the LMA, that compared
      early removal of the LMA (defined as removal of the LMA in the deep plane of
      anaesthesia) versus late removal of the LMA (defined as removal of the LMA after
      the patient is awake). DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two authors independently
      assessed trial quality and extracted data. We contacted study authors for
      additional information. We used a random-effects model to generate forest plots
      from the data. MAIN RESULTS: We identified a total of 9188 citations and included
      15 RCTs conducted on 2242 participants in this review. All trials used the LMA
      Classic in American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I or II
      for patients undergoing elective general anaesthesia. Children were enrolled in
      11 trials and adults in five trials. None of the trials were of high
      methodological quality. Eight of the 15 studies had adequate generation of random
      sequence, whereas only one trial had adequate concealment of random sequence.
      Three trials had blinded the outcome assessor. Thus, the majority of the studies
      appeared to have a high risk of bias in the study design.Using the GRADE
      approach, we found low quality evidence that the risk of laryngospasm was similar
      with early removal of the LMA (3.3%) versus late removal (2.7%): risk ratio (RR)
      1.23, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.74 to 2.03; 11 trials, 1615 participants.
      The quality of evidence was very low that the risk of coughing was less after
      early removal (13.9%) than late removal (19.4%): RR 0.52, 95% CI 0.29 to 0.94; 11
      trials, 1430 participants. The quality of evidence for the risk of desaturation
      was also very low; there was no difference between early removal (7.9%) and late
      removal (10.1%): RR 0.68, 95% CI 0.4 to 1.16; 13 trials, 2037 participants. We
      found low quality evidence that the risk of airway obstruction was higher with
      early removal (15.6%) compared to late removal of the LMA (4.6%): RR 2.69, 95% CI
      1.32 to 5.5; eight trials, 1313 participants. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: This
      systematic review suggests that current best evidence comparing early versus late
      removal of the LMA in participants undergoing general anaesthesia does not
      demonstrate superiority of either intervention. However, the quality of evidence
      available is either low or very low. There is a paucity of well designed RCTs and
      a need for large scale RCTs to demonstrate whether early removal or late removal
      of the LMA is better after general anaesthesia.

PMID- 26258960
TI  - 3D profilometric characterization of the aged skin surface using a skin replica
      and alicona Mex software.
AB  - The skin's surface is characterized by a network of furrows and wrinkles showing
      different height and depth. Different studies showed that processes such as
      aging, photo aging and cancer may alter dermal ultrastructure surface. The
      quantitative analysis of skin topography is a key point for understanding health
      condition of the skin. Here, for the first time, the skin fine structure was
      studied via a new approach where replica method was combined with Mex Alicona
      software and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The skin texture of cheek and
      forearm were studied in 120 healthy sardinian volunteers. Patients were divided
      into three different aged groups. The skin areas of interest were reproduced by
      the silicone replica method, each replica was explored by SEM and digital images
      were taken. By using Mex Alicona software were created 3D imagine and a list of
      24 surface texture parameters were obtained, of these the most representative
      were chosen in order to assess eventual changes between groups. The skin's
      texture of forearm and cheek showed a gradually loss of its typical polyhedric
      mesh with increasing age group. In particular, the photoexposition increased loss
      of dermal texture. At today, Alicona mex technology was exclusively used on
      palaeontology studies, our results showed that a deep analyze of skin texture was
      performed and support Mex alicona software as a new promising tool on
      dermatological research. This new analytical approach provided an easy and fast
      process to appreciate skin texture and its changes, by using high quality 3D
      dimension images. SCANNING 38:213-220, 2016. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. 

PMID- 26258963
TI  - [Diagnostics and therapy of gout - editorial].

PMID- 26258964
TI  - [Alveolar echinococcosis - rare cystic disease of the liver - editorial].

PMID- 26258962
TI  - Transcription dynamically patterns the meiotic chromosome-axis interface.
AB  - Meiotic chromosomes are highly compacted yet remain transcriptionally active. To
      understand how chromosome folding accommodates transcription, we investigated the
      assembly of the axial element, the proteinaceous structure that compacts meiotic
      chromosomes and promotes recombination and fertility. We found that the axial
      element proteins of budding yeast are flexibly anchored to chromatin by the ring
      like cohesin complex. The ubiquitous presence of cohesin at sites of convergent
      transcription provides well-dispersed points for axis attachment and thus
      chromosome compaction. Axis protein enrichment at these sites directly correlates
      with the propensity for recombination initiation nearby. A separate modulating
      mechanism that requires the conserved axial-element component Hop1 biases axis
      protein binding towards small chromosomes. Importantly, axis anchoring by cohesin
      is adjustable and readily displaced in the direction of transcription by the
      transcriptional machinery. We propose that such robust but flexible tethering
      allows the axial element to promote recombination while easily adapting to
      changes in chromosome activity. 

PMID- 26258965
TI  - [PEGASUS - Ticagrelor in secondary prevention on patients after a myocardial
      infarction].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ticagrelor is a P2Y12 receptor antagonist that has been shown to
      reduce ischemic events for up to a year after an acute coronary syndrome. The
      efficacy and safety of long-term ticagrelor therapy beyond 1 year after a
      myocardial infarction is unknown. METHODS: We randomized 21,162 patients with a
      history of myocardial infarction within the prior 1-3 years in a double-blind 1 :
      1 : 1 fashion to ticagrelor 90 mg twice daily, ticagrelor 60 mg twice daily, or
      placebo, all with low-dose aspirin, and followed them for a median of 33 months.
      The primary efficacy endpoint was the composite of cardiovascular death,
      myocardial infarction, or stroke. The primary safety endpoint was TIMI major
      bleeding. RESULTS: Both doses of ticagrelor significantly reduced the primary
      combined efficacy endpoint compared to placebo with Kaplan-Meier rates at 3 years
      of 7.85 % with ticagrelor 90 mg, 7.77 % with ticagrelor 60 mg, and 9.04 % with
      placebo (HR for ticagrelor 90 mg vs placebo 0.85, 95% CI 0.75-0.96, p = 0.0080;
      HR for ticagrelor 60 mg vs placebo 0.84, 95% CI 0.74-0.95, p = 0.0043). Rates of
      TIMI major bleeding were higher with ticagrelor (2.60 % for 90 mg, 2.30 % for 60
      mg and 1.06 % for placebo, p < 0.001 for each dose against placebo); the rates of
      intracranial hemorrhage or fatal bleeding were 0.63 %, 0.71 % and 0.60 % in the 3
      arms, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of patients more than 1 year after a
      myocardial infarction with ticagrelor reduces the risk of cardi-ovascular death,
      myocardial infarction, or stroke, and increases the risk of major bleeding.Key
      words: myocardial infarction - secondary prevention - ticagrelor.

PMID- 26258966
TI  - [Diagnosing and therapy of gout].
AB  - Gout is an inflammatory, metabolically conditioned crystal-induced disease.
      Prevalence of gout is on the increase. In clinical practice it is frequently
      wrongly diagnosed and the therapy of acute attacks in particular is not adequate.
      The first part of the publication discusses diagnostic possibilities of gouty
      arthritis. First of all the advantage of the analysis of synovial exudate and of
      direct evidence of crystals in the polarization microscope is emphasized. If the
      material for crystallographic analysis is not available, it is necessary to use a
      combination of clinical criteria as specified e.g. in the recommendations of the
      European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR). The second part focuses on the
      therapy of gout which is divided into the periods of asymptomatic hyperuricemia,
      acute gouty attack, intercritical and chronic tophaceous gout. Asymptomatic
      hyperuricemia is only treated when uricemia greater than 540 umol/l occur
      repeatedly, or when other risk factors and comorbidities are present. In the
      treatment of acute gouty attack its early start is more important than the choice
      of a preparation. Alternatives are NSA, colchicine or glucocorticoids. A newly
      regist-ered medicine for the treatment of refractory acute inflammation is the IL
      1 inhibitor canakinumab. The treatment of hyperuricemia involves regimen and diet
      measures, abstinence and hypouricemic therapy. Available are the xanthine oxidase
      inhibitors, allopurinol and febuxostat; the latter is better suited for patients
      with moderate renal insufficiency. A new medicine for the treatment of severe
      refractory tophaceous gout is pegloticase.Key words: gouty arthritis - colchicine
      - nonsteroidal antirheumatic drugs. 

PMID- 26258961
TI  - Transglutaminase is a tumor cell and cancer stem cell survival factor.
AB  - Recent studies indicate that cancer cells express elevated levels of type II
      transglutaminase (TG2), and that expression is further highly enriched in cancer
      stem cells derived from these cancers. Moreover, elevated TG2 expression is
      associated with enhanced cancer stem cell marker expression, survival signaling,
      proliferation, migration, invasion, integrin-mediated adhesion, epithelial
      mesenchymal transition, and drug resistance. TG2 expression is also associated
      with formation of aggressive and metastatic tumors that are resistant to
      conventional therapeutic intervention. This review summarizes the role of TG2 as
      a cancer cell survival factor in a range of tumor types, and as a target for
      preventive and therapeutic intervention. The literature supports the idea that
      TG2, in the closed/GTP-binding/signaling conformation, drives cancer cell and
      cancer stem cell survival, and that TG2, in the open/crosslinking conformation,
      is associated with cell death.

PMID- 26258967
TI  - [Rare case of cystic disease of the liver - alveolar echinococcosis of the
      liver].
AB  - Alveolar echinococcosis is a rare parasitic disease, especially of liver, caused
      by larval stage of tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis. At the end of the last
      century France, Germany, Austria and Switzerland were the most often regions with
      this disease, these days is this infection diagnosed also in our territory. We
      describe the case of the disease of the twenty-five years old male with
      nonspecific signs and hepatomegaly, who was diagnosed on the basis of imaging and
      laboratory sampling. Due to inoperability the patient is now in infectologist
      follow-up on a long-term treatment with albendazole. He is clinically stable,
      included in waiting list for liver transplantation.Key words: alveolar
      echinococcosis - benzimidazols - Echinococcus multilocularis - parasitic disease
      of liver. 

PMID- 26258968
TI  - ["Stressful holiday" - takotsubo cardiomyopathy].
AB  - Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) is an acute syndrome characterized by rapid onset
      of transient systolic dysfunction of the left ventricle. Symptoms, ECG and
      laboratory findings resemble acute coronary syndrome, from which TTC differs by
      the absence of coronary artery disease. In typical cases, TTC is triggered by
      exposure to unexpected stress and the clinical course and prognosis are very
      good. We present a case of a 63-year-old woman, in whom the onset of the disease
      was complicated by ventricular fibrillation. The patient recovered without
      sequelae thanks to immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation and following care in
      a specialized cardiocenter, which involved also implantation of implantable
      cardioverter defibrillator to prevent sudden cardiac death. Takotsubo
      cardiomyopathy is an important entity in the differential diagnosis of acute
      coronary syndrome. Despite very good prognosis in most cases it should not be
      underestimated and it deserves careful attention and treatment which can prevent
      harmful complications.Key words: myocardial infarction - sudden cardiac death -
      takotsubo cardiomyopathy - ventricular fibrillation. 

PMID- 26258969
TI  - [Guidelines of Czech Association for Thrombosis and Haemostasis of the Czech
      Medical Association of J. E. Purkyne for safety treatment with new oral
      anticoagulants (NOAC) - dabigatran etexilate, apixaban and rivaroxaban].
AB  - There are presently new oral anticoagulants (NOAC) for prevention and the
      treatment of thromboembolic diseases and they are registered in CZ. It concerns
      of orally direct inhibitors of thrombin (dabigatran etexilate), inhibitors of
      factor Xa (apixaban, rivaroxaban), respectively, with advantage of some
      properties not being seen in "classical" anticoagulants. In the use of new
      anticoagulants, however, are some problems - such as laboratory monitoring in
      urgent situations of effective treatment and the absence of specific antidote -
      resolved. The text below brings indications, dosage of the drugs, their
      elimination, follow-up of efficacy of the treatment or risk of the bleeding as
      well as the therapy of bleeding complications.Key words: apixaban - dabigatran
      etexilate - NOAC - rivaroxaban. 

PMID- 26258970
TI  - [The imaging of musculoskeletal manifestations and complications in diabetes
      mellitus].
AB  - The musculoskeletal system is one of the major regions, where changes caused by
      diabetes mellitus (DM) are often encountered causing severe impairment of the
      quality of patients' lives. These changes have therefore become an important
      focus of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, with imaging methods - both plain
      radiography, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to a
      lesser extent ultrasound (US), being their cornerstones. In the article the
      images of musculoskeletal (MSK) manifestations of diabetes mellitus are
      presented, structured into changes directly caused by DM, metabolic consequences
      of DM, syndromes with increased coincidence with DM and septic complications. The
      CT, MRI and radiographic images of both initial and extensive changes are being
      displayed as well as evolution of the changes in a radiographic series. The
      concerning pathophysiologic remarks are only basic, as they are not the primary
      focus of radiodiagnostics. In conclusion it is stated, that imaging of the MSK
      system in diabetic patients is a large issue in radiologic units serving internal
      medicine departments, that the imaging methods should be applied specifically and
      that the radiologic findings influence further management of the patients in many
      respects, but also, that in some diagnostic questions, namely concerning septic
      complications of the diabetic foot, a fully reliable and unequivocal
      interpretation is not always possible.Key words: diabetes mellitus - imaging -
      musculoskeletal system. 

PMID- 26258971
TI  - [Continuing peripheral nerve blocks - benefit for orthopedic patients with
      diabetes mellitus?].
AB  - There is increasing incidence of diabetes mellitus in population of developed
      countries. And there is also, together with this fact, an increasing frequency of
      surgical not only orthopedic procedures for diabetic complications or for other
      reasons. However, thanks to modern sophisticated perioperative approaches,
      diabetes itself is no longer main risk factor for worsening of perioperative
      morbidity and mortality. The organ complications of diabetes still remain the
      crucial for patients outcome. The individual approach to each patient is
      important when we are plann-ing anesthesiological perioperative strategy.
      Assessment of long term diabetes compensation before elective surgical
      procedures, assessment and optimization of organ functions with searching for
      possible secondary complications of diabetes is also crucial. Generally, it is
      necessary to maintain compensation of diabetes through the whole perioperative
      period, avoid episodes of hypotension and tissue hypoperfusion and all
      anesthesiological interventions have to be targeted to rapid recovery (chronic
      medication, oral feeding and early rehabilitation). Technics of regional
      anesthesia and peripheral nerve blocks particularly, may be very useful for the
      objective especially for ortho-pedic patients.Key words: anesthesia - diabetes
      mellitus - perioperative period - peripheral nerve blocks. 

PMID- 26258972
TI  - [Perioperative care and diabetes].
AB  - The perioperative care of diabetic patients is specific due to the necessity of
      adequate glycaemic correction, as well as owing to the occurrence of
      complications not taking place in nondiabetic patients. The present antidiabetic
      treatment therefore mostly needs to be adjusted to the perioperative period, but
      this is largely not necessary in the case of small and short surgeries. The
      perioperative care of diabetic patients must be carefully organized and
      scheduled. The main rules include adequate monitoring of blood glucose and
      insulin therapy, provision of nutrition and surgery performance in the
      morning.Key words: antidiabetic treatment - perioperative care of the diabetic
      patient. 

PMID- 26258973
TI  - [Complications associated with joint replacements in diabetic patients].
AB  - While a joint implant is the method of choice for numerous locomotor disorders
      and it is indicated for diabetic patients based on the same rules as for patients
      without diabetes mellitus, a joint implant in diabetic patients is associated
      with a high risk of perioperative complications. Considering a very difficult and
      demanding treatment of a deep infection of a joint replacement, the prevention of
      complications plays the key role. A precondition for adequate perioperative
      preparation and correctly managed perioperative and postoperative care of
      patients with diabetes mellitus is the close cooperation of the orthopedist,
      diabetologist and anesthesiologist, who in their practice have to respect the
      specificities of their diabetic patients presented in submitted reports.Key
      words: arthroplasty - complication - diabetes mellitus. 

PMID- 26258974
TI  - [Obesity and orthopedic surgery, or else do mechanical complications of obesity
      exist?].
AB  - Arthroses of weight-bearing joints and vertebrogenic problems are characteristic
      diseases of the obese. However the extreme risk is associated in particular with
      the combination with metabolic syndrome. Arthroses of bearing joints thus do not
      only present a mechanical complication of obesity, but also a metabolic
      complication. Similarly, the risk of venous thromboembolism which involves all
      orthopedic surgeries, is associated with both a rising BMI and hormonal condition
      (use of hormones and the like.). A joint replacement surgery can be typically
      performed on patients with a weight of up to 90 kg or BMI below 30. A preparation
      aimed at decreasing BMI to reach these values significantly reduces the risk of
      postoperative complications. However it is also necessary for the patient to
      maintain the reduced weight.Key words: diabetes mellitus - knee joint replacement
      - hip joint replacement - mechanical complications of obesity - metabolic
      complications of obesity - metabolic syndrome - obesity - surgery related risk -
      venous tromboembolizmus. 

PMID- 26258976
TI  - [Diabetic neuropathy].
AB  - The paper deals with one of microvascular complications of diabetes - diabetic
      polyneuropathy. It is discussed comprehensively from its causes, incidence, its
      classification and diagnostic possibilities to the risks it entails for patients
      and therapeutic possibilities.Key words: autonomic neuropathy - diabetes mellitus
      - diabetic neuropathy - motor neuropathy - sensitive neuropathy - diabetic foot
      syndrome. 

PMID- 26258975
TI  - [Acute and chronic anticoagulation therapy in relation to joint replacements].
AB  - Thromboembolic disease (TED) is a considerable social and health problem. The
      solution evidently consists in the prevention of TED in clinical fields, not in
      the treatment itself. We can assume that effective prevention consequently
      reduces the cost of the following treatment. A lethal pulmonary embolism (PE) can
      be the first and the final clinical manifestation in patients with an
      asymptomatic deep venous thrombosis. This makes the systematic prevention of
      venous thromboembolism in higher risk patients necessary. Unfortunately,
      pharmacological prevention has been used less than would be needed. Inseparable
      from the TED prevention are physical methods. Pharmacological possibilities of
      the thromboembolic disease prevention were significantly extended within the past
      decade. To ensure the TED prevention after the total replacement (TEP) of hip and
      knee joints the following rules need to be observed: the TED prevention should be
      effected with LMWH, fondaparinux, dabigatran, rivaroxaban or apixaban for a
      period of 28-35 days after the hip joint replacement surgery and for 14 days
      after the knee joint replacement. The use of ASA, dextran and UFH as a
      thromboprophylaxis after the hip and knee joint TEP is not justified within the
      Czech Republic. Physical means (graduated compression stockings or IPC) can be
      used to support the recommended pharmacological treatment, they should not be
      used individually except in cases where pharmacological thromboprophylaxis is
      contraindicated.Key words: apixaban - dabigatran - LMWH - rivaroxaban - total hip
      and knee joint replacement - thromboembolic disease. 

PMID- 26258977
TI  - [Diabetic foot infections].
AB  - Diabetic foot infections (DFIs) are serious problems in persons with diabetes,
      about 10 to 25 % of patients with dia-betes develop a foot ulcer and 60 % of them
      are infected. DFIs cause morbidity, limit mobility, worsen patients quality of
      life. Infections are classified as mild, moderate, or severe. Most DFIs are
      polymicrobial, with Gram-positive cocci (especially staphylococci), Gram-negative
      bacilli and obligate anaerobes. Successful therapy of DFI requires proper topical
      care and often includes surgical interventions but appropriate antibiotic
      treatment plays a key role. Initial antimicrobial therapy of these infections is
      usually empirical, the antibiotic regimen should be based on the severity of the
      infection. Definitive therapy should then be tailored according to the results of
      culture and susceptibility tests from a reliably obtained specimen. 

PMID- 26258978
TI  - [Selected skin involvement of necrobiosis lipoidica type and skin and mucous
      membrane fungal infections in diabetes mellitus].
AB  - Article reviews some skin and mucosal lesions associated with diabetes mellitus
      with focus on skin fungal infections and necrobiosis lipoidica.Key words:
      diabetes mellitus - necrobiosis lipoidica - skin and mucous membrane fungal
      infections in diabetes mellitus - skin involvement. 

PMID- 26258979
TI  - [Application of stem cells in orthopedics].
AB  - Regeneration of articular cartilage remains a major challenge in orthopaedics.
      Cell-based therapies (with chondrocyte and MSCs - mesenchymal stem cells) to
      augment cartilage repair have received considerable interest during recent years.
      Adipose MSCs have been used in the Czech Republic for osteoarthritis therapy,
      despite not being re-commended by the Czech Orthopaedic Association. This lecture
      reviews the studies and their level of evidence for orthopaedic routine therapy
      of osteoarthritis.Key words: mesenchymal stem cells - osteoarthritis. 

PMID- 26258980
TI  - [Orthopedic surgical management of the diabetic foot].
AB  - The basic prerequisite for the successful treatment of the diabetic foot is a
      multidisciplinary approach. Ideally, the diagnosis and treatment is managed by a
      podiatrist, who is also responsible for a cost-effective and well-managed
      setting. General concern of diabetics is the fear of losing a limb. On the basis
      of multidisciplinary approach is pos-sible to prevent major amputations in many
      cases, or in case of them to ensure the prosthetic and rehabilitation care. New
      possibilities of revascularization and cooperation with antibiotic centers
      increase the success of surgical treatment of diabetic foot syndrome. Surgical
      procedures could be divided into four classes: elective, prophylactic, curative,
      emergent. The aim of elective operations is the correction of painful deformities
      that are at risk for the formation of ulcers. Surgical procedures are the same as
      in non-diabetics. Prophylactic procedures comprises reconstruction of Charcot
      foot. Special surgical procedures described the concept of "superconstruct".
      Curative procedures help to heal ulcers when conservative treatment fails. Type
      of procedure is planned with regard of the extent of osteomyelitis and of the
      intervention in architectonics of the foot to prevent a recurrence of the ulcer.
      Emergent procedures are performed in case of acute infection. Radical revision of
      all affected compartments with evacuation of the abscesses, adequate antibiotic
      therapy and revascularization are essential.Key words: amputation - diabetic foot
      - Charcot neuroarthropathy - osteomyelitis. 

PMID- 26258981
TI  - [Basic principles and difficulties relating to rehabilitation in diabetic
      patients following amputation].
AB  - Vascular diseases as a result of diabetes mellitus are the most frequent
      indication for amputation in the Czech republic. Diabetic patients following
      amputation, unlike the other amputees, very frequently suffer multiple
      complications. These are both of general and local nature and pose a limitation
      to rehabilitation care as well as a prosthesis use. The main goal of therapeutic
      rehabilitation is the practice of locomotion with a prosthesis (artificial limb)
      and the patients full return to normal life. A team of closely cooperating
      specialists is involved. The rehabilitation care of amputees is divided into
      acute and aftercare. Within preoperative care we try to improve the patients
      physical and psychological condition. Following surgery we verticalize the
      patient as soon as possible depending on his/her possibilities and condition, we
      carry out breathing and vascular gymnastics and prevention of thromboembolic
      disease and we start the care of the stump. When the stump has been healed and
      shaped, the patient is provided with an artificial limb. The patients equipped
      with an artificial limb take a walking course where they learn how to handle the
      limb as well as walk indoors and outdoors and cope with common terrain
      unevenness.Key words: amputation - diabetes mellitus - walking with an artificial
      limb - prosthesis - lower limb prosthetics. 

PMID- 26258984
TI  - Precision Screening for Colorectal Cancer: Promise and Challenges.

PMID- 26258983
TI  - Piezotransistive transduction of femtoscale displacement for photoacoustic
      spectroscopy.
AB  - Measurement of femtoscale displacements in the ultrasonic frequency range is
      attractive for advanced material characterization and sensing, yet major
      challenges remain in their reliable transduction using non-optical modalities,
      which can dramatically reduce the size and complexity of the transducer assembly.
      Here we demonstrate femtoscale displacement transduction using an AlGaN/GaN
      heterojunction field effect transistor-integrated GaN microcantilever that
      utilizes piezoelectric polarization-induced changes in two-dimensional electron
      gas to transduce displacement with very high sensitivity. The piezotransistor
      demonstrated an ultra-high gauge factor of 8,700 while consuming an extremely low
      power of 1.36 nW, and transduced external excitation with a superior noise
      limited resolution of 12.43 fm Hz(-1/2) and an outstanding responsivity of 170 nV
      fm(-1), which is comparable to the optical transduction limits. These
      extraordinary characteristics, which enabled unique detection of nanogram
      quantity of analytes using photoacoustic spectroscopy, can be readily exploited
      in realizing a multitude of novel sensing paradigms. 

PMID- 26258982
TI  - ATP Binding Cassette Transporter Mediates Both Heme and Pesticide Detoxification
      in Tick Midgut Cells.
AB  - In ticks, the digestion of blood occurs intracellularly and proteolytic digestion
      of hemoglobin takes place in a dedicated type of lysosome, the digest vesicle,
      followed by transfer of the heme moiety of hemoglobin to a specialized organelle
      that accumulates large heme aggregates, called hemosomes. In the present work, we
      studied the uptake of fluorescent metalloporphyrins, used as heme analogs, and
      amitraz, one of the most regularly used acaricides to control cattle tick
      infestations, by Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus midgut cells. Both compounds
      were taken up by midgut cells in vitro and accumulated inside the hemosomes.
      Transport of both molecules was sensitive to cyclosporine A (CsA), a well-known
      inhibitor of ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporters. Rhodamine 123, a
      fluorescent probe that is also a recognized ABC substrate, was similarly directed
      to the hemosome in a CsA-sensitive manner. Using an antibody against conserved
      domain of PgP-1-type ABC transporter, we were able to immunolocalize PgP-1 in the
      digest vesicle membranes. Comparison between two R. microplus strains that were
      resistant and susceptible to amitraz revealed that the resistant strain
      detoxified both amitraz and Sn-Pp IX more efficiently than the susceptible
      strain, a process that was also sensitive to CsA. A transcript containing an ABC
      transporter signature exhibited 2.5-fold increased expression in the amitraz
      resistant strain when compared with the susceptible strain. RNAi-induced down
      regulation of this ABC transporter led to the accumulation of metalloporphyrin in
      the digestive vacuole, interrupting heme traffic to the hemosome. This evidence
      further confirms that this transcript codes for a heme transporter. This is the
      first report of heme transport in a blood-feeding organism. While the primary
      physiological function of the hemosome is to detoxify heme and attenuate its
      toxicity, we suggest that the use of this acaricide detoxification pathway by
      ticks may represent a new molecular mechanism of resistance to pesticides. 

PMID- 26258985
TI  - Pulp tissue response to Portland cement associated with different radio pacifying
      agents on pulpotomy of human primary molars.
AB  - The objective of this research was to evaluate the response of Portland cement
      associated with different radio pacifying agents on pulp treatment of human
      primary teeth by clinical and radiographic exams and microscopic analysis. Thirty
      mandibular primary molars were randomly divided into the following groups: Group
      I - Portland cement; Group II - Portland cement with iodoform (Portland cement +
      CHI3 ); Group III - Portland cement with zirconium oxide (Portland cement + ZrO2
      ); and treated by pulpotomy technique (removal of a portion of the pulp aiming to
      maintain the vitally of the remaining radicular pulp tissue using a therapeutic
      dressing). Clinical and radiographic evaluations were recorded at 6, 12 and 24
      months follow-up. The teeth at the regular exfoliation period were extracted and
      processed for histological analysis. Data were tested using statistical analysis
      with a significance level of 5%. The microscopic findings were descriptively
      analysed. All treated teeth were clinically and radiographically successful at
      follow-up appointments. The microscopic analysis revealed positive response to
      pulp repair with hard tissue barrier formation and pulp calcification in the
      remaining roots of all available teeth. The findings of this study suggest that
      primary teeth pulp tissue exhibited satisfactory biological response to Portland
      cement associated with radio pacifying agents. However, further studies with long
      term follow-up are needed to determine the safe clinical indication of this
      alternative material for pulp therapy of primary teeth. 

PMID- 26258986
TI  - Knockdown of EHF inhibited the proliferation, invasion and tumorigenesis of
      ovarian cancer cells.
AB  - Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy worldwide. ETS
      homologous factor (EHF), a member of E26 transformation specific (ETS)
      transcription factors, has been reported overexpressed in ovarian cancer.
      However, the molecular mechanism underlying the biological function of EHF in
      ovarian cancer is still unclear. Here, we found that EHF was elevated in ovarian
      cancer tissues compared with non-tumorous tissues. Moreover, high EHF expression
      level was correlated with short survival time of patients with ovarian cancer.
      Knockdown of EHF in ovarian cancer cells, SKOV3 and OVCAR3, significantly
      inhibited cell proliferation and increased cells population in G1 phase. The
      proteins promoting cell cycles (Cyclin B1, Cyclin D1, and PCNA) were down
      regulated and the protein negatively regulating cell cycle progression (P21) was
      up-regulated after EHF knockdown. Moreover, inhibition of EHF in ovarian cancer
      cells dramatically induced cell apoptosis, but impaired cell adhesion and cell
      invasion. Furthermore, phosphorylation levels of ERK and AKT were notably reduced
      in EHF knockdown cells. Finally, in vivo data showed that knockdown of EHF
      inhibited tumor growth in nude mice. Our data indicates that EHF could be a
      potential prognosis marker for ovarian cancer and work as an oncogene by
      targeting ERK and AKT signaling, which can serve as a new target for ovarian
      cancer treatment. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 26258988
TI  - Performance of a Non-Local van der Waals Density Functional on the Dissociation
      of H2 on Metal Surfaces.
AB  - van der Waals functionals have recently been applied to obtain a potential energy
      surface to describe the dissociation of H2 on Ru(0001), where an improvement was
      found for computed reaction probabilities compared to experiment, which could not
      be achieved with the use of other exchange-correlation functionals. It is,
      however, not yet clear to what extent van der Waals functionals give a better
      description of other molecule-metal surface systems. In this study, the optPBE
      vdW-DF functional is compared to the SRP48 functional, which was originally
      fitted to describe the dissociation of H2 on Cu(111), in terms of the resulting
      potential energy surfaces and results of quasi-classical dynamics calculations
      and their agreement with experiment for different H2-metal surface systems. It is
      found that overall the optPBE-vdW-DF functional yields potential energy surfaces
      that are very similar to potential energy surfaces computed with the SRP48
      functional. In dynamics calculations the optPBE-vdW-DF functional gives a
      slightly better description of molecular beam experiments. Also a different
      dependence of reaction on the rotational quantum number J is found, which is in
      better agreement with experimental data for H2 dissociation on Cu(111). The
      vibrational efficacy is found to be relatively insensitive to which of the two
      functionals is chosen. 

PMID- 26258987
TI  - Decoding genome-wide GadEWX-transcriptional regulatory networks reveals
      multifaceted cellular responses to acid stress in Escherichia coli.
AB  - The regulators GadE, GadW and GadX (which we refer to as GadEWX) play a critical
      role in the transcriptional regulation of the glutamate-dependent acid resistance
      (GDAR) system in Escherichia coli K-12 MG1655. However, the genome-wide
      regulatory role of GadEWX is still unknown. Here we comprehensively reconstruct
      the genome-wide GadEWX transcriptional regulatory network and RpoS involvement in
      E. coli K-12 MG1655 under acidic stress. Integrative data analysis reveals that
      GadEWX regulons consist of 45 genes in 31 transcription units and 28 of these
      genes were associated with RpoS-binding sites. We demonstrate that GadEWX
      directly and coherently regulate several proton-generating/consuming enzymes with
      pairs of negative-feedback loops for pH homeostasis. In addition, GadEWX regulate
      genes with assorted functions, including molecular chaperones, acid resistance,
      stress response and other regulatory activities. These results show how GadEWX
      simultaneously coordinate many cellular processes to produce the overall response
      of E. coli to acid stress. 

PMID- 26258989
TI  - Complement activation product C4d in oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell
      carcinoma.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Complement C4d-containing fragments have been proposed as diagnostic
      markers for lung cancer. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the presence
      of C4d in oropharyngeal (OPSCC) and oral (OSCC) squamous cell carcinomas.
      SUBJECTS AND METHODS: C4d staining was analyzed by immunohistochemistry in 244
      OPSCC surgical specimens. C4d levels were quantified by ELISA in resting saliva
      samples from 48 patients with oral leukoplakia and 62 with OSCC. Plasma samples
      from 21 patients with leukoplakia and 30 with oral carcinoma were also studied.
      RESULTS: C4d staining in OPSCC specimens was associated with nodal invasion (P =
      0.001), histopathologic grade (P = 0.014), disease stage (P = 0.040), and focal
      adhesion kinase expression (P < 0.001). No association was found between C4d and
      prognosis. Saliva C4d levels were higher in patients with oral cancer than in
      subjects with leukoplakia (0.07 +/- 0.07 vs 0.04 +/- 0.03 MUg ml(-1) , P =
      0.003). The area under the ROC curve was 0.63 (95%CI: 0.55-0.71). Salivary C4d
      levels in stage IV patients were higher than in patients with earlier stages (P =
      0.028) and correlated with tumor size (P = 0.045). Plasma C4d levels also
      correlated with salivary C4d levels (P = 0.041), but differences between patients
      with oral cancer and subjects with leukoplakia were not significant (1.26 +/-
      0.59 vs 1.09 +/- 0.39 MUg ml(-1) , P = 0.232). CONCLUSION: C4d-containing
      fragments are detected in oral primary tumors and are increased in saliva from
      patients with OSCC.

PMID- 26258990
TI  - A Test of the DSP Sexing Method on CT Images from a Modern French Sample.
AB  - The hip bone is considered to be one of the most reliable indicators in sex
      determination. The aim of this study was to test the reliability of the DSP
      method for the hip bone proposed by Murail et al. (Bull Mem Soc Anthropol Paris,
      17, 2005, 167) on a sample from a present-day population in France (52 males and
      54 females). Ten linear measurements were collected from three-dimensional models
      derived from computed tomography images (CTI). To quantify the proportions of
      correct sex determinations, a more rigorous posterior probability threshold of
      0.95 was applied. Using all 10 measurements, 92.3% of males and 97.2% of females
      were sexed correctly. The percentage of undetermined specimens varied depending
      on the used combination of measurements; however, all sexes were assigned with a
      100% accuracy. This study proves that DSP is an appropriate and reliable tool for
      sex determination, based on dimensions obtained from CTI. 

PMID- 26258992
TI  - Neuroretinal Degeneration in HIV Patients Without Opportunistic Ocular Infections
      in the cART Era.
AB  - Subtle structural and functional retinal abnormalities, termed 'HIV-associated
      Neuroretinal Disorder (HIV-NRD)', have been reported in HIV patients receiving
      combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), without infectious retinitis or any
      apparent fundus abnormalities otherwise. In this review, we provide an overview
      of studies investigating HIV-NRD in HIV patients without opportunistic ocular
      infections in the cART era, and try to elucidate underlying mechanisms and
      associated risk factors. Most studies focused on patients with severe immune
      deficiency and demonstrated that patients with nadir CD4 counts<100 cells/MUL are
      most at risk for neuroretinal damage, with a thinner retinal nerve fiber layer,
      subtle loss of color vision and/or contrast sensitivity, visual field deficits,
      and subnormal electrophysiological responses. In contrast, alterations in retinal
      vascular calibers and retinal blood flow were not associated with nadir CD4
      counts, but instead with detectable viremia, suggesting a role for (chronic)
      inflammation in microvascular damage. Although the alterations in visual function
      are subtle, they can lead to difficulties in activities, such as reading or
      driving, thereby affecting quality of life. Since HIV has become a chronic
      disease, its long-term effects with respect to visual function loss become more
      important, as is recently emphasized by a longitudinal study, reporting that AIDS
      patients with HIV-NRD have higher risks of developing bilateral visual impairment
      and even blindness than patients without HIV-NRD. The question remains whether
      patients with high (>350 cells/MUL) nadir CD4 counts and well-suppressed HIV
      infection on cART remain at risk for HIV-NRD, as this group constitutes a growing
      part of the aging HIV-infected population.

PMID- 26258991
TI  - Fenofibrate Attenuates Neutrophilic Inflammation in Airway Epithelia: Potential
      Drug Repurposing for Cystic Fibrosis.
AB  - A hallmark of cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease is neutrophilic airway
      inflammation. Elevated neutrophil counts have been associated with decreased
      forced expiratory volume in 1 second and poor clinical measures in patients with
      CF. Interleukin 8 (IL-8), epithelial neutrophil activating protein 78 (ENA-78),
      tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), granulocyte macrophage colony
      stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)
      contribute to neutrophil activation and disease pathogenesis in the airways of
      patients with CF. Drugs that modify the production of these chemokines in the
      airways could potentially benefit CF patients. Thus, we determined the effects of
      fenofibrate on their production in cell populations obtained from the airways.
      Human small airway epithelial cells and CF bronchial epithelial cells were
      treated with IL-1beta to induce inflammation. We cotreated the cells with
      fenofibrate at concentrations ranging from 10 to 50 MUM to determine if this drug
      could attenuate the inflammation. IL-8, ENA-78, TNF-alpha, GM-CSF, and G-CSF
      production were measured from the cell culture supernates by ELISA. ANOVA
      statistical testing was conducted using SPSS 17.0. IL-1beta increased the
      production of each of the chemokines by several fold. Fenofibrate reduced IL
      1beta induced production of each of these neutrophilic chemokines at the
      concentrations used. IL-1beta increases the production of neutrophilic chemokines
      in airway epithelial cells. Cotreatment with fenofibrate blunts these processes.
      Fenofibrate should be explored as a therapeutic option to modulate the abundant
      neutrophilic inflammation observed in CF. 

PMID- 26258993
TI  - Giant Diaphragmatic Lipoma: Two Autopsy Case Reports and Review of the
      Literature.
AB  - Lipomas are common benign tumors most frequently found within the subcutaneous
      areas of the body. Deep-seated lipomas are rare and tend to be larger than
      cutaneous ones. Lipomas are rarely seen in the thoracic cavity, and they are
      usually located in the mediastinum, bronchiole, and lungs. Diaphragmatic lipomas
      have been occasionally reported in the literature, the first being described by
      Clark et al. in 1886. The authors report two rare cases of giant diaphragmatic
      lipoma incidentally found during forensic autopsies. In the first case, a
      Caucasian 85-year-old woman burned to death with another passenger, after her
      methane-fueled car collided with another car on a highway near Terni, Umbria,
      Italy. In the second case, a Caucasian 45-year-old man collapsed while walking
      through the countryside of Perugia. In either case, a large mass in the thorax
      was observed. The definitive pathologic diagnosis was giant intrathoracic
      diaphragmatic lipoma without evidence of malignancy. The authors also review the
      relevant literature and discuss differential diagnoses. These case reports
      contribute to the establishment of the actual incidence of diaphragmatic lipomas.

PMID- 26258994
TI  - Engaging Teens with Asthma in Designing a Patient-Centered Mobile App to Aid
      Disease Self-Management.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite the growing market of e-health disease self-management tools,
      few studies have reported the presence of teen patients in all phases of product
      design. While rates of American teens using mobile Internet grow, an opportunity
      to deliver disease self-management targeted for teen patients exists. Building on
      findings from previous investigations with teens with asthma, we explored teens'
      insights on the development of a patient-centered asthma management application
      (app). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two existing asthma apps were used by 16 teen
      asthmatics for 7-10 days. At the end of the trial period, in-depth interviews
      were conducted with each participant to gather insights about the user
      experience. RESULTS: Participants requested more asthma-related content that
      educates them about their condition. Suggested improvements to currently
      available apps included a longer list of selectable symptoms to track, medication
      tracking, and more compelling interface features. CONCLUSIONS: Participants
      showed interest in using apps for managing their asthma, yet recommended
      improvements on current design. Whereas national figures point to a more
      ubiquitous mobile device environment, implementation efforts must respond to
      participants' recommendations while minding lingering digital divides. Currently
      available apps lack appealing components that teens seek or desire. Subsequent
      development should include teens' participation in component design insights.

PMID- 26258995
TI  - Inhibitory Effects of PEI-RGD/125I-(alphav) ASODN on Growth and Invasion of HepG2
      Cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To investigate the in vitro inhibitory effects of PEI-RGD/125I
      (alphav)ASODN (PEI, polyethylenimine; RGD, Arg-Gly-Asp; ASODN, antisense
      oligodeoxynucleotide) on the growth and invasion of HepG2 cells. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: ASODN of the integrin alphav-subunit was marked with 125I and underwent
      complexation with PEI-RGD, a PEI derivative. Next, PEI-RGD/125I-(alphav) ASODN
      was introduced into HepG2 cells via receptor-mediated transfection, and its
      inhibition rate on HepG2 cell growth was tested using the methyl thiazolyl
      tetrazolium (MTT) method. The effects of PEI-RGD/125I-(alphav) ASODN on HepG2
      cell invasion ability were evaluated using the Boyden chamber assay. RESULTS: 1)
      The 125I marking rate of (alphav) ASODN was 73.78+/-4.09%, and the radiochemical
      purity was 96.68+/-1.38% (greater than 90% even after a 48-h incubation period at
      37 degrees C), indicating high stability. 2) The cytotoxicity assays showed that
      the cell inhibition rates did not differ significantly between the PEI-RGD/125I
      (alphav)ASODN group and the PEI-RGD/(alphav) ASODN group, but they were both
      significantly higher than in the other groups and were positively correlated
      (r=0.879) with the dosage within a certain range. 3) The invasion assays showed
      that the inhibition rate was significantly greater in the PEI-RGD/125I-(alphav)
      ASODN group compared to the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: PEI-RGD/125I-(alphav)
      ASODN can efficiently inhibit the growth and proliferation of HepG2 cells and can
      also weaken their invasive ability.

PMID- 26258996
TI  - Background for Real-Time Monitoring and Intervention Related to Alcohol Use.
AB  - Real-time assessment, known as ecological momentary assessment (EMA), and real
      time intervention (ecological momentary intervention [EMI]) can significantly
      extend the reach and impact of interventions to help individuals reduce their
      drinking behavior. For EMA, the user provides information on the variable of
      interest (e.g., drinking or craving) via a mobile device.This data reporting can
      occur either at pre-specified times or in certain high-risk situations.The
      primary benefits of EMA include external validity, minimized recall bias, and the
      ability to capture dynamic patterns in human behavior. EMI refers to
      interventions that are delivered via mobile devices at the time when the user
      needs it (i.e., in a high-risk situation). Key constructs of EMI are what
      interventions are delivered and when they are delivered.The timing of the EMI
      often is determined by the user's EMA reports. Both EMA and EMI have been studied
      in people with alcohol use disorders. EMA and EMI often are used in conjunction
      with each other because EMA can help inform the optimal timing of EMI and help
      tailor its content. Further development of high-impact, algorithm-driven,
      technology-mediated real-time intervention may help reduce drinking and promote
      positive health behavior change.

PMID- 26258997
TI  - Using Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) to Assess Situation-Level Predictors
      of Alcohol Use and Alcohol-Related Consequences.
AB  - Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) has afforded several important advances in
      the field of alcohol research, including testing prominent models of alcohol
      abuse etiology in "high resolution." Using high-tech methods for signaling and/or
      assessment, such as mobile electronic diaries, personal data assistants, and
      smartphones, EMA approaches potentially can improve understanding of precipitants
      of drinking, drinking patterns, and consequences. For example, EMA has been used
      to study complex drinking patterns and dynamic predictors of drinking in near
      real time. Compared with other methods, EMA can better sample and capture changes
      in these phenomena that occur in relatively short time frames. EMA also has
      several potential applications in studying the consequences of alcohol use,
      including physical, interpersonal, behavioral, and legal problems. However, even
      with all these potential capabilities, EMA research in the alcohol field still is
      associated with some limitations, including the potential for measurement
      reactivity and problems with acceptability and compliance. Despite these
      limitations, electronically based EMA methods are versatile and are capable of
      capturing data relevant to a variety of momentary influences on both alcohol use
      and consequences. Therefore, it will be exciting to fully realize the potential
      of future applications of EMA technologies, particularly if the associated costs
      can be reduced. 

PMID- 26258998
TI  - Tracking the When, Where, and With Whom of Alcohol Use: Integrating Ecological
      Momentary Assessment and Geospatial Data to Examine Risk for Alcohol-Related
      Problems.
AB  - Prevention researchers have found that drinking in different contexts is related
      to different alcohol problems. Where and with whom people drink affects the types
      of alcohol-related problems they experience. Consequently, identifying those
      contexts that result in the greatest number of problems provides a novel
      opportunity to target new prevention efforts aimed at those contexts. However,
      identifying these contexts poses methodological challenges to prevention
      research. To overcome these challenges, researchers need tools that allow them to
      gather detailed information about when and where people choose to drink and how
      contextual factors influence drinking risks. New data collection and analysis
      techniques, such as activity-space analysis, which examines movement through
      different contexts, and ecological momentary assessment, which captures
      microlevel contextual changes as individuals move through their days, can advance
      the field of alcohol studies by providing detailed information on the use of
      drinking contexts, particularly when combined. Data acquired through these
      methods allow researchers to better identify those con-texts where and conditions
      under which drinking and problems related to drinking occur. Use of these methods
      will allow prevention practitioners to target prevention efforts to those
      contexts that place most drinkers at risk and tailor prevention efforts to each
      context for specific outcomes.

PMID- 26258999
TI  - Biomonitoring for Improving Alcohol Consumption Surveys: The New Gold Standard?
AB  - To assess alcohol consumption levels in large populations, researchers often rely
      on self-report measures. However, these approaches are associated with several
      limitations, particularly underreporting. Use of noninvasive biomonitoring
      approaches may help validate self-report alcohol consumption measurements and
      thus improve their accuracy. Two such devices currently are available, the
      WrisTASTM and SCRAMTM devices, both of which measure alcohol vapors emitted
      through the skin after alcohol consumption. Several studies assessing the utility
      of the WrisTASTM bracelet in determining alcohol consumption levels noted that it
      was associated with relatively high failure rates. The SCRAMTM is an ankle
      bracelet intended for court-ordered alcohol monitoring. In studies, its
      sensitivity exceeded that of the WrisTASTM and increased with increasing blood
      alcohol concentrations. Although early studies also identified some equipment
      concerns with the SCRAMTM, studies of its ability to detect moderate and heavy
      drinking recently have yielded good results. Biomonitoring devices already are
      valuable tools and with further improvements may become even more useful in both
      research and practical applications. 

PMID- 26259000
TI  - Electronic Feedback in College Student Drinking Prevention and Intervention.
AB  - Alcohol consumption is prevalent among college students and can be associated
      with serious negative consequences. Several efficacious programs using one-on-one
      brief intervention techniques have been developed to target high-risk drinking by
      individual students, such as the Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for
      College Students (BASICS) (Dimeff et al. 1999). To reach a larger population
      (e.g., the incoming freshman class), researchers have adapted these interventions
      so that students can access them via the Internet or in some other electronic
      format.The purpose of this review is to discuss specific alcohol intervention
      programs that were (1) designed to be delivered remotely (e.g., via the Web or on
      an electronic device) without interaction with a provider and (2) were tested
      among college students using a randomized controlled trial design. Specific
      studies were drawn from earlier reviews as well as a comprehensive literature
      search. Although many programs have limited research support, and some findings
      are mixed, components that were directly translated from in-person BASICS to
      remote-delivery mediums (i.e., personalized feedback interventions [PFIs],
      personalized normative feedback [PNF] interventions), and broader programs that
      incorporate PFI/ PNF, show promise in reducing alcohol use and/or negative
      consequences. However, more research is needed and suggestions for how the field
      can move these interventions forward are discussed.

PMID- 26259001
TI  - Putting the Screen in Screening: Technology-Based Alcohol Screening and Brief
      Interventions in Medical Settings.
AB  - Alcohol is strongly linked to the leading causes of adolescent and adult
      mortality and health problems, making medical settings such as primary care and
      emergency departments important venues for addressing alcohol use. Extensive
      research evidence supports the effectiveness of alcohol screening and brief
      interventions (SBIs) in medical settings, but this valuable strategy remains
      underused, with medical staff citing lack of time and training as major
      implementation barriers. Technology-based tools may offer a way to improve
      efficiency and quality of SBI delivery in such settings. This review describes
      the latest research examining the feasibility and efficacy of computer- or other
      technology-based alcohol SBI tools in medical settings, as they relate to the
      following three patient populations: adults (18 years or older); pregnant women;
      and adolescents (17 years or younger).The small but growing evidence base
      generally shows strong feasibility and acceptability of technology-based SBI in
      medical settings. However, evidence for effectiveness in changing alcohol use is
      limited in this young field.

PMID- 26259002
TI  - Enhancing the Use of Vehicle Alcohol Interlocks With Emerging Technology.
AB  - Among the earliest applications of health technologies to a safety program was
      the development of blood alcohol content (BAC) tests for use in impaired-driving
      enforcement. This led to the development of miniature, highly accurate devices
      that officers could carry in their pockets. A natural extension of this
      technology was the vehicle alcohol interlock, which is used to reduce recidivism
      among drivers convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) by requiring them to
      install the devices (which will not allow someone with a positive BAC to drive)
      on their vehicles. While on the vehicle, interlocks have been shown to reduce
      recidivism by two-thirds. Use of these devices has been growing at the rate of 10
      to 15 percent a year, and there currently are more than 300,000 units in use.
      This expansion in the application of interlocks has benefited from the
      integration of other emerging technologies into interlock systems. Such
      technologies include data systems that record both driver actions and vehicle
      responses, miniature cameras and face recognition to identify the user, Wi-Fi
      systems to provide rapid reporting on offender performance and any attempt to
      circumvent the device, GPS tracking of the vehicle, and more rapid means for
      monitoring the integrity of the interlock system. This article describes how
      these health technologies are being applied in interlock programs and the outlook
      for new technologies and new court sanctioning programs that may influence the
      growth in the use of interlocks in the future. 

PMID- 26259003
TI  - Influence of Social Media on Alcohol Use in Adolescents and Young Adults.
AB  - Participation in online social media Web sites (e.g., Facebook and Twitter) has
      skyrocketed in recent years and created a new environment in which adolescents
      and young adults may be exposed to and influenced by alcohol-related content.
      Thus, young people are exposed to and display pro-alcohol messages and images
      through online portrayals of drinking on personal pages as well as unregulated
      alcohol marketing on social media sites that may reach underage people. Such
      online displays of alcohol behavior have been correlated with offline alcohol
      behavior and risky drinking. Health behavior theories have been used to describe
      the influence of social media sites, including Social Learning Theory, the Media
      Practice Model, and a more recent conceptual approach called the Facebook
      Influence Model. Researchers are beginning to assess the potential of social
      media sites in identifying high-risk drinkers through online display patterns as
      well as delivering prevention messages and interventions. Future studies need to
      further expand existing observational work to better understand the role of
      social media in shaping alcohol-related behaviors and fully exploit the potential
      of these media for alcohol-related interventions. 

PMID- 26259004
TI  - Ecological Momentary Assessment and Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment.
AB  - The ability to capture real-time data on human behavior inexpensively,
      efficiently, and accurately holds promise to transform and broaden our
      understanding of many areas of health science. One approach to acquiring this
      type of real-time data is ecological momentary assessment (EMA).This method has
      been used to collect data in many domains of addiction research, including
      research on the treatment of alcohol use disorders (AUDs). Empirical evidence
      supports the hypothesis that use of EMA can improve the quality of AUD treatment
      research when compared with standard assessment methods because it provides more
      accurate reporting, allows investigators to examine the dynamic unfolding of the
      behavior change process at an individual level, and can be used to augment and
      improve clinical assessment and treatment. Overall, the existing literature
      provides strong support for the advantages of EMA when combined with standard
      assessment of addictive behaviors in general. Nevertheless, use of EMA in AUD
      treatment research thus far has been limited, especially in the area of research
      on mechanisms of behavior change. Existing research indicates, however, that EMA
      can be used to deliver tailored feed- back as a novel and potentially
      transformative approach to improving AUD treatment. This research area clearly
      warrants additional future efforts.

PMID- 26259005
TI  - Mobile Delivery of Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorders: A Review of the
      Literature.
AB  - Several systems for treating alcohol-use disorders (AUDs) exist that operate on
      mobile phones. These systems are categorized into four groups: text-messaging
      monitoring and reminder systems, text-messaging intervention systems,
      comprehensive recovery management systems, and game-based systems. Text-messaging
      monitoring and reminder systems deliver reminders and prompt reporting of alcohol
      consumption, enabling continuous monitoring of alcohol use. Text-messaging
      intervention systems additionally deliver text messages designed to promote
      abstinence and recovery. Comprehensive recovery management systems use the
      capabilities of smart-phones to provide a variety of tools and services that can
      be tailored to individuals, including in-the-moment assessments and access to
      peer discussion groups. Game-based systems engage the user using video games.
      Although many commercial applications for treatment of AUDs exist, few (if any)
      have empirical evidence of effectiveness. The available evidence suggests that
      although texting-based applications may have beneficial effects, they are
      probably insufficient as interventions for AUDs. Comprehensive recovery
      management systems have the strongest theoretical base and have yielded the
      strongest and longest-lasting effects, but challenges remain, including cost,
      understanding which features account for effects, and keeping up with
      technological advances.

PMID- 26259006
TI  - Computerized Working-Memory Training as a Candidate Adjunctive Treatment for
      Addiction.
AB  - Alcohol and other drug dependencies are, in part, characterized by deficits in
      executive functioning, including working memory. Working-memory training is a
      candidate computerized adjunctive intervention for the treatment of alcoholism
      and other drug dependencies. This article reviews emerging evidence for
      computerized working memory training as an efficacious adjunctive treatment for
      drug dependence and highlights future challenges and opportunities in the field
      of working-memory training, including duration of training needed, persistence of
      improvements and utility of booster sessions, and selection of patients based on
      degree of deficits.

PMID- 26259007
TI  - Computerized Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy.

PMID- 26259009
TI  - Privacy and Security in Mobile Health (mHealth) Research.
AB  - Research on the use of mobile technologies for alcohol use problems is a
      developing field. Rapid technological advances in mobile health (or mHealth)
      research generate both opportunities and challenges, including how to create
      scalable systems capable of collecting unprecedented amounts of data and
      conducting interventions-some in real time-while at the same time protecting the
      privacy and safety of research participants. Although the research literature in
      this area is sparse, lessons can be borrowed from other communities, such as
      cybersecurity or Internet security, which offer many techniques to reduce the
      potential risk of data breaches or tampering in mHealth. More research into
      measures to minimize risk to privacy and security effectively in mHealth is
      needed. Even so, progress in mHealth research should not stop while the field
      waits for perfect solutions. 

PMID- 26259008
TI  - The Promises and Pitfalls of Digital Technology in Its Application to Alcohol
      Treatment.
AB  - Individuals seeking to change their alcohol use form a heterogeneous group with
      varied treatment goals-including moderation and abstinence-that therefore
      requires flexible treatment options. The availability of alcohol in the United
      States, and the pervasive social pressure to drink, warrant treatments that
      support individuals outside the treatment environment and that foster coping and
      self-regulation in the face of these demands. Emerging digital technologies show
      promise for helping both to hone therapies to clients' individual needs and to
      support clients in settings beyond the clinic. In the broader health care arena,
      digital health technologies (DHTs) are transforming how health professionals
      assess, prevent, and treat both physical and mental health problems. DHTs include
      assessments and interventions delivered via computer, Internet, mobile phone, and
      wireless or wearable device technologies. The emerging literature examining
      within-treatment and mobile DHTs highlights an opportunity to create personalized
      alcohol treatments for every person seeking care. Despite the promises DHTs may
      hold, however, there still are many potential risks to using them and a number of
      challenges regarding how to integrate them into treatment successfully. This
      article will review the current and potential advantages of DHTs in alcohol
      treatment and the technological, personal, organizational, and systemic
      limitations of integrating various technology-based assessment and intervention
      programs into care.

PMID- 26259010
TI  - Intensifying the Focus on the Contribution of the Inanimate Environment to Health
      Care-Associated Infections.

PMID- 26259011
TI  - Associations of life course socioeconomic position and job stress with carotid
      intima-media thickness. The Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA
      Brasil).
AB  - RATIONALE: The association between life course socioeconomic position (SEP) and
      subclinical atherosclerosis is not consistent across studies. Socioeconomic
      adversities early in life are related to an increased probability of a low
      occupational grade and more stressful jobs in adulthood. However, the role of job
      stress in explaining the life course social gradient in subclinical
      atherosclerosis is unknown. OBJECTIVES: To examine whether life course SEP is
      associated with carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and to investigate whether
      this association is partially mediated by job stress. METHODS: This study used
      baseline data (2008-2010) for 8806 current workers from ELSA-Brasil. Maternal
      education, social class of first occupation and social class of current
      occupation were used to evaluate childhood, youth and adulthood SEP,
      respectively. Accumulation of risk across the life course was also evaluated. Job
      stress was assessed by the Swedish Demand-Control-Support Questionnaire. Directed
      acyclic graph and linear regression models were used. RESULTS: Low childhood SEP
      was associated with increased IMT only in women, but low youth and adulthood SEP
      were associated with higher IMT in both genders. The simultaneous adjustment for
      all SEP indicators showed that only adulthood SEP continued to be associated with
      IMT. However, higher IMT values were observed among men and women sequentially
      exposed to low SEP in more than one period of life. High-strain jobs and low job
      control were not associated with IMT independent of SEP. CONCLUSION: Our results
      support a model of the cumulative effects of exposures to SEP across the life
      span because the highest IMT values were observed in individuals sequentially
      exposed to low SEP in more than one period of life. We did not find that job
      stress explained the association between life course SEP and IMT, suggesting that
      strategies to address socioeconomic inequalities in CVD should target additional
      steps beyond reducing job stress.

PMID- 26259012
TI  - Research on health inequalities: A bibliometric analysis (1966-2014).
AB  - The objective of this study is to report on research production and publications
      on health inequalities through a bibliometric analysis covering publications from
      1966 to 2014 and a content analysis of the 25 most-cited papers. A database of
      49,294 references was compiled from the search engine Web of Science. The first
      article appears in 1966 and deals with equality and civil rights in the United
      States and the elimination of racial discrimination in access to medical care. By
      2003, the term disparity has gained in prominence relative to the term inequality
      which was initially elected by the researchers. Marmot's 1991 article is one of
      the five papers with the largest number of citations and contributes to the
      central perspective of social determinants of health and the British influence on
      the international status of research on social inequalities of health. 

PMID- 26259013
TI  - Gas Separation Membranes Derived from High-Performance Immiscible Polymer Blends
      Compatibilized with Small Molecules.
AB  - An immiscible polymer blend comprised of high-performance copolyimide 6FDA
      DAM:DABA(3:2) (6FDD) and polybenzimidazole (PBI) was compatibilized using 2
      methylimidazole (2-MI), a commercially available small molecule. Membranes were
      fabricated from blends of 6FDD:PBI (50:50) with and without 2-MI for H2/CO2
      separations. The membranes demonstrated a matrix-droplet type microstructure as
      evident with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging where 6FDD is the
      dispersed phase and PBI is the continuous phase. In addition, membranes with 2-MI
      demonstrated a uniform microstructure as observed by smaller and more uniformly
      dispersed 6FDD domains in contrast to 6FDD:PBI (50:50) blend membranes without 2
      MI. This compatibilization effect of 2-MI was attributed to interfacial
      localization of 2-MI that lowers the interfacial energy similar to a surfactant.
      Upon the incorporation of 2-MI, the H2/CO2 selectivity improved remarkably,
      compared to the pure blend, and surpassed the Robeson's upper bound. To our
      knowledge, this is the first report of the use of a small molecule to
      compatibilize a high-performance immiscible polymer blend. This approach could
      afford a novel class of membranes in which immiscible polymer blends can be
      compatibilized in an economical and convenient fashion. 

PMID- 26259015
TI  - Joint Reconstruction of Multiple Images and Motion in MRI: Application to Free
      Breathing Myocardial T2Quantification.
AB  - Exploiting redundancies between multiple images of an MRI examination can be
      formalized as the joint reconstruction of these images. The anatomy is preserved
      indeed so that specific constraints can be implemented (e.g. most of the features
      or spatial gradients should be in the same place in all these images) and only
      the contrast changes from one image to another need to be encoded. The
      application of this concept is particularly challenging in cardiovascular and
      body imaging due to the complex organ deformations, especially with the patient
      breathing. In this study a joint optimization framework is proposed for
      reconstructing multiple MR images together with a nonrigid motion model. The
      motion model takes into account both intra-image and inter-image motion and
      therefore can correct for most ghosting/blurring artifacts and misregistration
      between images. The framework was validated with free-breathing myocardial T2
      mapping experiments from nine heart transplant patients at 1.5 T. Results showed
      improved image quality and excellent image alignment with the multi-image
      reconstruction compared to the independent reconstruction of each image. Segment
      wise myocardial T2 values were in good agreement with the reference values
      obtained from multiple breath-holds (62.5 +/- 11.1 ms against 62.2 +/- 11.2 ms
      which was not significant with p=0.49). 

PMID- 26259014
TI  - Single session imaging of cerebellum at 7 Tesla: obtaining structure and function
      of multiple motor subsystems in individual subjects.
AB  - The recent increase in the use of high field MR systems is accompanied by a
      demand for acquisition techniques and coil systems that can take advantage of
      increased power and accuracy without being susceptible to increased noise.
      Physical location and anatomical complexity of targeted regions must be
      considered when attempting to image deeper structures with small nuclei and/or
      complex cytoarchitechtonics (i.e. small microvasculature and deep nuclei), such
      as the brainstem and the cerebellum (Cb). Once these obstacles are overcome, the
      concomitant increase in signal strength at higher field strength should allow for
      faster acquisition of MR images. Here we show that it is technically feasible to
      quickly and accurately detect blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal changes
      and obtain anatomical images of Cb at high spatial resolutions in individual
      subjects at 7 Tesla in a single one-hour session. Images were obtained using two
      high-density multi-element surface coils (32 channels in total) placed beneath
      the head at the level of Cb, two channel transmission, and three-dimensional
      sensitivity encoded (3D, SENSE) acquisitions to investigate sensorimotor
      activations in Cb. Two classic sensorimotor tasks were used to detect Cb
      activations. BOLD signal changes during motor activity resulted in concentrated
      clusters of activity within the Cb lobules associated with each task, observed
      consistently and independently in each subject: Oculomotor vermis (VI/VII) and
      CrusI/II for pro- and anti-saccades; ipsilateral hemispheres IV-VI for finger
      tapping; and topographical separation of eye- and hand- activations in
      hemispheres VI and VIIb/VIII. Though fast temporal resolution was not attempted
      here, these functional patches of highly specific BOLD signal changes may reflect
      small-scale shunting of blood in the microvasculature of Cb. The observed
      improvements in acquisition time and signal detection are ideal for
      individualized investigations such as differentiation of functional zones prior
      to surgery. 

PMID- 26259016
TI  - Transport on Riemannian Manifold for Connectivity-Based Brain Decoding.
AB  - There is a recent interest in using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
      for decoding more naturalistic, cognitive states, in which subjects perform
      various tasks in a continuous, self-directed manner. In this setting, the set of
      brain volumes over the entire task duration is usually taken as a single sample
      with connectivity estimates, such as Pearson's correlation, employed as features.
      Since covariance matrices live on the positive semidefinite cone, their elements
      are inherently inter-related. The assumption of uncorrelated features implicit in
      most classifier learning algorithms is thus violated. Coupled with the usual
      small sample sizes, the generalizability of the learned classifiers is limited,
      and the identification of significant brain connections from the classifier
      weights is nontrivial. In this paper, we present a Riemannian approach for
      connectivity-based brain decoding. The core idea is to project the covariance
      estimates onto a common tangent space to reduce the statistical dependencies
      between their elements. For this, we propose a matrix whitening transport, and
      compare it against parallel transport implemented via the Schild's ladder
      algorithm. To validate our classification approach, we apply it to fMRI data
      acquired from twenty four subjects during four continuous, self-driven tasks. We
      show that our approach provides significantly higher classification accuracy than
      directly using Pearson's correlation and its regularized variants as features. To
      facilitate result interpretation, we further propose a non-parametric scheme that
      combines bootstrapping and permutation testing for identifying significantly
      discriminative brain connections from the classifier weights. Using this scheme,
      a number of neuro-anatomically meaningful connections are detected, whereas no
      significant connections are found with pure permutation testing. 

PMID- 26259017
TI  - Maximum-Likelihood Joint Image Reconstruction/Motion Estimation in Attenuation
      Corrected Respiratory Gated PET/CT Using a Single Attenuation Map.
AB  - This work provides an insight into positron emission tomography (PET) joint image
      reconstruction/motion estimation (JRM) by maximization of the likelihood, where
      the probabilistic model accounts for warped attenuation. Our analysis shows that
      maximum-likelihood (ML) JRM returns the same reconstructed gates for any
      attenuation map (MU-map) that is a deformation of a given MU-map, regardless of
      its alignment with the PET gates. We derived a joint optimization algorithm
      accordingly, and applied it to simulated and patient gated PET data. We first
      evaluated the proposed algorithm on simulations of respiratory gated PET/CT data
      based on the XCAT phantom. Our results show that independently of which MU-map is
      used as input to JRM: (i) the warped MU-maps correspond to the gated MU-maps,
      (ii) JRM outperforms the traditional post-registration reconstruction and
      consolidation (PRRC) for hot lesion quantification and (iii) reconstructed gated
      PET images are similar to those obtained with gated MU-maps. This suggests that a
      breath-held MU-map can be used. We then applied JRM on patient data with a MU-map
      derived from a breath-held high resolution CT (HRCT), and compared the results
      with PRRC, where each reconstructed PET image was obtained with a corresponding
      cine-CT gated MU-map. Results show that JRM with breath-held HRCT achieves
      similar reconstruction to that using PRRC with cine-CT. This suggests a practical
      low-dose solution for implementation of motion-corrected respiratory gated
      PET/CT.

PMID- 26259019
TI  - The Influence of Selected Fingerprint Enhancement Techniques on Forensic DNA
      Typing of Epithelial Cells Deposited on Porous Surfaces.
AB  - Fingerprints deposited at crime scene can be a source of DNA. Previous reports on
      the effects of fingerprint enhancement methods have focused mainly on fingermarks
      deposited in blood or saliva. Here, we evaluate the effects of fingerprint
      enhancement methods on fingerprints deposited on porous surfaces. We performed
      real-time quantification and STR typing, the results of which indicated that two
      methods (iodine fuming and 1,2-indanedione in ethyl acetate enhancement) had no
      effect on the quantity of DNA isolated and resultant STR alleles when compared to
      control samples. DNA quantities and allele numbers were lower for samples
      enhanced with silver nitrate and 1,2-indanedione in acetic acid when compared to
      control samples. Based on DNA quantity, quality, and observable stochastic
      effects, our data indicated that iodine fuming and 1,2-indanedione in ethyl
      acetate were the preferred options for the enhancement of fingerprints on porous
      surfaces. 

PMID- 26259018
TI  - Examining the Impact of Prior Models in Transmural Electrophysiological Imaging:
      A Hierarchical Multiple-Model Bayesian Approach.
AB  - Noninvasive cardiac electrophysiological (EP) imaging aims to mathematically
      reconstruct the spatiotemporal dynamics of cardiac sources from body-surface
      electrocardiographic (ECG) data. This ill-posed problem is often regularized by a
      fixed constraining model. However, a fixed-model approach enforces the source
      distribution to follow a pre-assumed structure that does not always match the
      varying spatiotemporal distribution of actual sources. To understand the model
      data relation and examine the impact of prior models, we present a multiple-model
      approach for volumetric cardiac EP imaging where multiple prior models are
      included and automatically picked by the available ECG data. Multiple models are
      incorporated as an Lp-norm prior for sources, where p is an unknown
      hyperparameter with a prior uniform distribution. To examine how different
      combinations of models may be favored by different measurement data, the
      posterior distribution of cardiac sources and hyperparameter p is calculated
      using a Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) technique. The importance of multiple
      model prior was assessed in two sets of synthetic and real-data experiments,
      compared to fixed-model priors (using Laplace and Gaussian priors). The results
      showed that the posterior combination of models (the posterior distribution of p)
      as determined by the ECG data differed substantially when reconstructing sources
      with different sizes and structures. While the use of fixed models is best suited
      in situations where the prior assumption fits the actual source structures, the
      use of an automatically adaptive set of models may have the ability to better
      address model-data mismatch and to provide consistent performance in
      reconstructing sources with different properties. 

PMID- 26259020
TI  - Coordination within medical neighborhoods: Insights from the early experiences of
      Colorado patient-centered medical homes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The term "medical neighborhood" refers to relationships that patient
      centered medical homes (PCMHs) seek to establish with other providers to
      facilitate coordinated patient care. Yet, how PCMHs can accomplish this
      coordination is not well understood. PURPOSE: Drawing upon organizational theory
      (; ; ), we explored how PCMHs use coordination mechanisms to build and optimize
      their medical neighborhoods. METHODOLOGY: We used mixed methods, blending data
      collected via interviews and surveys with practice leaders and care coordinators
      at 30 months after a PCMH collaborative intervention in Colorado as well as
      surveys from all providers from 13 PCMHs before and 30 months after the
      intervention. We used thematic analysis to understand the role and use of
      coordination mechanisms by PCMHs and changes in the ability to coordinate and
      deliver care continuity. FINDINGS: PCMHs drew on four coordination mechanisms to
      build relationships with their medical neighbors: interorganizational routines to
      improve reliability of information flow; information connectivity to facilitate
      continuity and safe care; boundary spanners to integrate care across silos; and
      communication, negotiation, and decision mechanisms to introduce shared
      accountability. When providers were fairly confident of the patient's diagnosis
      and management required sequential interactions (such as tests or procedures),
      PCMHs tended to coordinate care through interorganizational routines and
      information connectivity. When a diagnosis was less certain and required
      reciprocal interaction (i.e., consultation), PCMHs employed boundary spanners and
      communication, negotiation, and decision mechanisms. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Use
      of coordination mechanisms by PCMHs can help to improve care coordination in
      medical neighborhoods. All four mechanisms appear to be useful. The optimal mix
      of coordination mechanisms requires attention to patient context. Successfully
      building medical neighborhoods also requires meta-leaders, collaboration
      competencies, and high-quality relationships between providers in primary care,
      specialty care, and hospitals.

PMID- 26259021
TI  - Nursing home director of nursing leadership style and director of nursing
      sensitive survey deficiencies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nursing homes are becoming increasingly complex clinical environments
      because of rising resident acuity and expansion of postacute services within a
      context of historically poor quality performance. Discrete quality markers have
      been linked to director of nursing (DON) leadership behaviors. However, the
      impact of DON leadership across all measured areas of DON jurisdiction has not
      been tested using comprehensive domains of quality deficiencies. PURPOSE: The aim
      of this study was to examine the effects of DON leadership style including
      behaviors that facilitate the exchange of information between diverse people on
      care quality domains through the lens of complexity science. METHODOLOGY: Three
      thousand six hundred nine DONs completed leadership and intent-to-quit surveys.
      Quality markers that were deemed DON sensitive included all facility survey
      deficiencies in the domains of resident behaviors/facility practices, quality of
      life, nursing services, and quality of care. Logistic regression procedures
      estimated associations between variables. FINDINGS: The odds of deficiencies for
      all DON sensitive survey domains were lower in facilities where DONs practiced
      complexity leadership including more staff input and shared decisional authority.
      DON quit intentions were aligned with higher odds of facility deficiencies across
      all domains. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Results supported the hypotheses that DONs
      using complexity leadership approaches by interacting more freely with staff,
      discussing resident issues, and sharing decision making produced better care
      outcomes from every DON sensitive metric assessed by Centers for Medicare and
      Medicaid Services. The mechanism linking poor quality with high DON quit
      intentions is an area for future research. Encouraging DON use of complexity
      leadership approaches has the potential to improve a broad swath of quality
      outcomes.

PMID- 26259022
TI  - Two sides of the safety coin?: How patient engagement and safety climate jointly
      affect error occurrence in hospital units.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Safety climate (SC) and more recently patient engagement (PE) have
      been identified as potential determinants of patient safety, but conceptual and
      empirical studies combining both are lacking. PURPOSES: On the basis of extant
      theories and concepts in safety research, this study investigates the effect of
      PE in conjunction with SC on perceived error occurrence (pEO) in hospitals,
      controlling for various staff-, patient-, and hospital-related variables as well
      as the amount of stress and (lack of) organizational support experienced by
      staff. Besides the main effects of PE and SC on error occurrence, their
      interaction is examined, too. METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: In 66 hospital units, 4,345
      patients assessed the degree of PE, and 811 staff assessed SC and pEO. PE was
      measured with a new instrument, capturing its core elements according to a recent
      literature review: Information Provision (both active and passive) and Activation
      and Collaboration. SC and pEO were measured with validated German-language
      questionnaires. Besides standard regression and correlational analyses, partial
      least squares analysis was employed to model the main and interaction effects of
      PE and SC on pEO, also controlling for stress and (lack of) support perceived by
      staff, various staff and patient attributes, and potential single-source bias.
      FINDINGS: Both PE and SC are associated with lower pEO, to a similar extent. The
      joint effect of these predictors suggests a substitution rather than mutually
      reinforcing interaction. Accounting for control variables and/or potential single
      source bias slightly attenuates some effects without altering the results.
      PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Ignoring PE potentially amounts to forgoing a potential
      source of additional safety. On the other hand, despite the abovementioned
      substitution effect and conjectures of SC being inert, PE should not be
      considered as a replacement for SC.

PMID- 26259023
TI  - Highly Symmetric Gold Nanostars: Crystallographic Control and Surface-Enhanced
      Raman Scattering Property.
AB  - Gold nanostars have attracted widespread interest due to their remarkable
      properties and broad applications in plasmonics, spectroscopy, biomedicine, and
      energy conversion. However, current synthetic methods of Au nanostars have
      limited control over their symmetry; most existing nanostars are characterized by
      having uncertain number of arms with different lengths and random spatial
      arrangement. This morphological arbitrariness not only hampers the fundamental
      understanding of the properties of Au nanostars, but also lead to poor
      reproducibility in their applications. Here we demonstrate that, by using a
      robust solution-phase method, Au nanostars with unpreceded degree of symmetry
      control can be obtained in high yield and with remarkable monodispersity.
      Icosahedral seeds are used to dictate the growth of 3D evenly distributed arms in
      an Ih symmetric manner. Alkylamines serve as shape-control agent to regulate the
      growth of the hexagonal pyramidal arms enclosed by high-index facets. Benefiting
      from their high symmetry, the Au nanostars exhibit superior single-particle SERS
      performance compared to asymmetric Au nanostars, in terms of both intensity and
      reproducibility. 

PMID- 26259024
TI  - Structural elucidation of in vitro metabolites of bavachinin in rat liver
      microsomes by LC-ESI-MSn and chemical synthesis.
AB  - 1. Bavachinin isolated from Psoralea corylifolia has various activities, such as
      antimicrobial, antiallergic, antitumor and so on. Our previous study showed that
      natural bavachinin exhibits peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma
      agonist activity. 2. In vitro studies on bavachinin metabolism were conducted
      using rat liver microsomes incubated at 37  degrees C for 60 min. 3. Structures
      of eight metabolites of the incubation mixtures were cautiously characterized
      using electrospray tandem mass spectra and three synthetic compounds. The results
      indicated that eight metabolites of bavachinin were biotransformed mainly through
      oxidation. 4. The metabolic pathways of bavachinin were elucidated in vitro.
      These results contribute to the understanding of bavachinin's in vivo metabolism.

PMID- 26259025
TI  - The impact of the concentration of drug binding plasma proteins on drug
      distribution according to Oie-Tozer's model.
AB  - 1. New equations have been developed from an updated version of Oie-Tozer's model
      expressing how the free concentration and volume of distribution change in
      relation to changes in the concentration of drug binding plasma proteins. This
      updated model accommodates more than one drug binding plasma protein to
      contribute to the plasma protein binding. 2. Demonstrations of the model show
      that variability in the concentration of one plasma protein has considerably less
      impact on the free drug concentration and volume of distribution if other plasma
      proteins contribute to binding, than if they don't.

PMID- 26259026
TI  - TM6SF2 rs58542926 is not associated with steatosis and fibrosis in large cohort
      of patients with genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: We tested the putative association of the rs58542926 variant
      of TM6SF2, a recently described genetic determinant of nonalcoholic fatty liver
      disease, with steatosis and fibrosis in genotype 1(G1) chronic hepatitis C(CHC)
      patients. METHODS: A total of 694 consecutively biopsied Caucasian G1 CHC
      patients were genotyped for TM6SF2 rs58542926, IL28B rs12979860 and PNPLA3
      rs738409. Steatosis was classified as absent (<5%), mild-moderate(5-29%) and
      severe(>=30%), Fibrosis was considered severe if=F3-F4. RESULTS: Carriers of
      TM6SF2 rs58542926 (6.3% of patients) exhibited lower serum levels of cholesterol
      (P = 0.04) and triglycerides (P = 0.01), but a similar distribution of steatosis
      severity (P = 0.63), compared to noncarriers. Prevalence and severity of
      steatosis were reduced in IL28B C allele carriers (P = 0.005) and elevated in
      PNPLA3 G allele carriers (P < 0.001). After adjustment for age, gender, body mass
      index and homoeostasis model assessment score, steatosis severity was
      independently associated with IL28B rs12979860 (odds ratio [OR] 0.69, 95%
      confidence interval [CI] 0.55-0.86, P = 0.001) and PNPLA3 rs738409 (OR 1.84, 95%
      CI 1.46-2.83, P < 0.001), but not TM6SF2 rs58542926 (OR 1.48, 95% CI 0.82-2.69, P
      = 0.19). Variants of TM6SF2 (30.9% vs. 25%, P = 0.40), IL28B and PNPLA3 were not
      directly associated with fibrosis severity, although variants of IL28B and PNPLA3
      promoted steatosis (OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.06-1.75, P = 0.01) that in turn is
      associated with severe fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS: In G1 CHC patients, TM6SF2
      rs58542926 does not affect the histological severity of liver damage. However,
      IL28B rs12979860 and PNPLA3 rs738409 modify steatosis.

PMID- 26259027
TI  - Telemental Health for Children and Adolescents: An Overview of Legal, Regulatory,
      and Risk Management Issues.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The use of technology to provide telemental healthcare continues to
      increase; however, little has been written about the legal and regulatory issues
      involved in providing this form of care to children and adolescents. METHODS:
      This article reviews existing laws and regulations to summarize the risk
      management issues relevant to providing telemental healthcare to children and
      adolescents. RESULTS: There are several legal and regulatory areas in which
      telemental health clinicians need to have awareness. These areas include: 1)
      Licensure, 2) malpractice liability, 3) credentialing and privileging, 4)
      informed consent, 5) security and privacy, and 6) emergency management.
      CONCLUSIONS: Although legal and regulatory challenges remain in providing
      telemental healthcare to children and adolescents, it is possible to overcome
      these challenges with knowledge of the issues and appropriate risk management
      strategies. We provide general knowledge of these key legal and regulatory
      issues, along with some risk management recommendations.

PMID- 26259028
TI  - Avocado Proanthocyanidins as a Source of Tyrosinase Inhibitors: Structure
      Characterization, Inhibitory Activity, and Mechanism.
AB  - Proanthocyanidins were purified from avocado (Persea americana) fruit, and their
      structures were analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of
      flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and high-performance liquid
      chromatography-electrospray ionization-QTRAP mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-QTRAP
      MS) techniques. The results obtained from mass spectrometry (MS) analysis
      demonstrated that the proanthocyanidins were homo- and heteropolymers of
      procyanidins, prodelphinidins, propelargonidins, and procyanidin gallate. From
      the enzyme analysis, the results showed that they could inhibit the monophenolase
      and diphenolase activities of tyrosinase. The inhibition mechanism of the
      proanthocyanidins on the enzyme was further studied, and the results indicated
      that they were reversible and competitive inhibitors. Finally, the results
      acquired from molecular docking, fluorescence quenching, and copper ion
      interacting tests revealed that adjacent hydroxyl groups on the B ring of
      proanthocyanidins could chelate the dicopper catalytic center of the enzyme. In
      addtion, proanthocyanidins were proven to be an efficient quencher of substrates.
      This study would lay a scientific foundation for their use in agriculture, food,
      and nutrition industries. 

PMID- 26259029
TI  - Detection of the optic disc in fundus images by combining probability models.
AB  - In this paper, we propose a combination method for the automatic detection of the
      optic disc (OD) in fundus images based on ensembles of individual algorithms. We
      have studied and adapted some of the state-of-the-art OD detectors and finally
      organized them into a complex framework in order to maximize the accuracy of the
      localization of the OD. The detection of the OD can be considered as a single
      object detection problem. This object can be localized with high accuracy by
      several algorithms extracting single candidates for the center of the OD and the
      final location can be defined using a single majority voting rule. To include
      more information to support the final decision, we can use member algorithms
      providing more candidates which can be ranked based on the confidence ordered by
      the algorithms. In this case, a spatial weighted graph is defined where the
      candidates are considered as its nodes, and the final OD position is determined
      in terms of finding a maximum-weighted clique. Now, we examine how to apply in
      our ensemble-based framework all the accessible information supplied by the
      member algorithms by making them return confidence values for each image pixel.
      These confidence values inform us about the probability that a given pixel is the
      center point of the object. We apply axiomatic and Bayesian approaches, as in the
      case of aggregation of judgments of experts in decision and risk analysis, to
      combine these confidence values. According to our experimental study, the
      accuracy of the localization of OD increases further. Besides single
      localization, this approach can be adapted for the precise detection of the
      boundary of the OD. Comparative experimental results are also given for several
      publicly available datasets. 

PMID- 26259030
TI  - Gyrate Atrophy in 2 Siblings - Ophthalmological Findings and A New Mutation.

PMID- 26259031
TI  - Label-Free real-time quantification of enzyme levels by interferometric
      spectroscopy combined with gelatin-modified nanoporous anodic alumina photonic
      films.
AB  - Herein, we present an interferometric sensor based on the combination of
      chemically functionalized nanoporous anodic alumina photonic films (NAA-PFs) and
      reflectometric interference spectroscopy (RIfS) aimed to detect trace levels of
      enzymes by selective digestion of gelatin. The fabrication and sensing
      performance of the proposed sensor were characterized in real-time by estimating
      the changes in effective optical thickness (i.e., sensing principle) of gelatin
      modified NAA-PFs (i.e., sensing element) during enzymatic digestion. The working
      range (WR), sensitivity (S), low limit of detection (LLoD), and linearity (R(2))
      of this enzymatic sensor were established by a series of experiments with
      different concentrations of gelatin (i.e., specific chemical sensing element) and
      trypsin (i.e., analyte), a model protease enzyme with relevant implications as a
      biomarker in the diagnosis of several diseases. The chemical selectivity of the
      sensor was demonstrated by comparison of gelatin digestion by other nonspecific
      enzyme models such as chymotrypsin and horseradish peroxidase. Furthermore, the
      role of the chemical sensing element (i.e., gelatin) was assessed by using
      hemoglobin instead of gelatin. Finally, we demonstrated that this sensor can be
      readily used to establish the kinetic parameters of enzymatic reactions. The
      obtained results revealed that the presented sensor has a promising potential to
      be used as a point-of-care system for fast detection of gastrointestinal diseases
      at early stages. 

PMID- 26259034
TI  - Synthesis of Highly Substituted Quinolines via a Tandem Ynamide
      Benzannulation/Iodocyclization Strategy.
AB  - A two-stage "tandem strategy" for the regiocontrolled synthesis of very highly
      substituted quinolines is described. Benzannulation based on the reaction of
      cyclobutenones or diazo ketones with N-propargyl-substituted ynamides proceeds
      via a cascade of several pericyclic reactions to generate multiply substituted
      aniline derivatives. In the second stage of the tandem strategy, triflate
      derivatives of the phenolic benzannulation products undergo Larock cyclization
      upon exposure to iodine to form products that are further elaborated by methods
      such as palladium-catalyzed coupling to generate quinolines that can be
      substituted at every position of the bicyclic system. 

PMID- 26259033
TI  - Retrotransposon insertions in the clonal evolution of pancreatic ductal
      adenocarcinoma.
AB  - Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is typically diagnosed after the disease
      has metastasized; it is among the most lethal forms of cancer. We recently
      described aberrant expression of an open reading frame 1 protein, ORF1p, encoded
      by long interspersed element-1 (LINE-1; L1) retrotransposon, in PDAC. To test
      whether LINE-1 expression leads to somatic insertions of this mobile DNA, we used
      a targeted method to sequence LINE-1 insertion sites in matched PDAC and normal
      samples. We found evidence of 465 somatic LINE-1 insertions in 20 PDAC genomes,
      which were absent from corresponding normal samples. In cases in which matched
      normal tissue, primary PDAC and metastatic disease sites were available,
      insertions were found in primary and metastatic tissues in differing proportions.
      Two adenocarcinomas secondarily involving the pancreas, but originating in the
      stomach and duodenum, acquired insertions with a similar discordance between
      primary and metastatic sites. Together, our findings show that LINE-1 contributes
      to the genetic evolution of PDAC and suggest that somatic insertions are acquired
      discontinuously in gastrointestinal neoplasms. 

PMID- 26259035
TI  - Anxiogenic and Stressor Effects of the Hypothalamic Neuropeptide RFRP-3 Are
      Overcome by the NPFFR Antagonist GJ14.
AB  - RFamide-related peptide-3 (RFRP-3) is a recently discovered neuropeptide that has
      been proposed to play a role in the stress response. We aimed to elucidate the
      role of RFRP-3 and its receptor, neuropeptide FF (NPFF1R), in modulation of
      stress and anxiety responses. To achieve this, we characterized a new NPFF1R
      antagonist because our results showed that the only commercially available
      putative antagonist, RF9, is in fact an agonist at both NPFF1R and the kisspeptin
      receptor (KISS1R). We report here the identification and pharmacological
      characterization of GJ14, a true NPFFR antagonist. In in vivo tests of
      hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function, GJ14 completely blocked RFRP
      3-induced corticosterone release and neuronal activation in CRH neurons.
      Furthermore, chronic infusion of GJ14 led to anxiolytic-like behavior, whereas
      RFRP-3 infusion had anxiogenic effects. Mice receiving chronic RFRP-3 infusion
      also had higher basal circulating corticosterone levels. These results indicate a
      stimulatory action of RFRP-3 on the HPA axis, consistent with the dense
      expression of NPFF1R in the vicinity of CRH neurons. Importantly, coinfusion of
      RFRP-3 and GJ14 completely reversed the anxiogenic and HPA axis-stimulatory
      effects of RFRP-3. Here we have established the role of RFRP-3 as a regulator of
      stress and anxiety. We also show that GJ14 can reverse the effects of RFRP-3 both
      in vitro and in vivo. Infusion of GJ14 causes anxiolysis, revealing a novel
      potential target for treating anxiety disorders. 

PMID- 26259032
TI  - PCSK6-mediated corin activation is essential for normal blood pressure.
AB  - Hypertension is the most common cardiovascular disease, afflicting >30% of
      adults. The cause of hypertension in most individuals remains unknown, suggesting
      that additional contributing factors have yet to be discovered. Corin is a serine
      protease that activates the natriuretic peptides, thereby regulating blood
      pressure. It is synthesized as a zymogen that is activated by proteolytic
      cleavage. CORIN variants and mutations impairing corin activation have been
      identified in people with hypertension and pre-eclampsia. To date, however, the
      identity of the protease that activates corin remains elusive. Here we show that
      proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin-6 (PCSK6, also named PACE4; ref. 10)
      cleaves and activates corin. In cultured cells, we found that corin activation
      was inhibited by inhibitors of PCSK family proteases and by small interfering
      RNAs blocking PCSK6 expression. Conversely, PCSK6 overexpression enhanced corin
      activation. In addition, purified PCSK6 cleaved wild-type corin but not the R801A
      variant that lacks the conserved activation site. Pcsk6-knockout mice developed
      salt-sensitive hypertension, and corin activation and pro-atrial natriuretic
      peptide processing activity were undetectable in these mice. Moreover, we found
      that CORIN variants in individuals with hypertension and pre-eclampsia were
      defective in PCSK6-mediated activation. We also identified a PCSK6 mutation that
      impaired corin activation activity in a hypertensive patient. Our results
      indicate that PCSK6 is the long-sought corin activator and is important for
      sodium homeostasis and normal blood pressure. 

PMID- 26259036
TI  - General Strategy for Fabricating Sandwich-like Graphene-Based Hybrid Films for
      Highly Reversible Lithium Storage.
AB  - We report a general strategy for the fabrication of freestanding sandwich-like
      graphene-based hybrid films by electrostatic adsorption and following reduction
      reaction. We demonstrate that by rational control of pH value in precursors,
      graphene oxide (GO) sheets can form three-dimensional (3D) sandwich frameworks
      with nanoparticles decorated between the layers of graphene. In our proof-of
      concept study, we prepared the graphene/Si/graphene (G@Si@G) sandwich-like films.
      When used as negative electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries, it exhibits
      superior lithium-ion storage performance (~1800 mA h g(-1) after 40 cycles at 100
      mA g(-1)). Importantly, with this simple and general method, we also successfully
      synthesized graphene/Fe2O3/graphene and graphene/TiO2/graphene hybrid films,
      showing improved electrochemical performance. The good electrochemical property
      results from the enhanced electron transport rate, and the 3D flexible matrix to
      buffer volume changes during cycling. In addition, the porous sandwich structure
      consisting of plate-like graphene with high surface area provides effective
      electrolyte infiltration and promotes diffusion rate of Li(+), leading to an
      improved rate capability. 

PMID- 26259037
TI  - Managing type 2 diabetes in Black patients.
AB  - Despite many novel treatments available for managing type 2 diabetes mellitus,
      Black patients continue to disproportionately suffer complications associated
      with poor glycemic control. This article describes a comprehensive approach to
      managing diabetes mellitus in these patients while addressing cultural nuances
      that may be barriers to positive outcomes. 

PMID- 26259038
TI  - Euthanasia in Belgium and the Netherlands: On a Slippery Slope?

PMID- 26259039
TI  - Barbecue Fumes: An Overlooked Source of Health Hazards in Outdoor Settings?
AB  - Barbecuing or charcoal-grilling has become part of popular outdoor recreational
      activities nowadays; however, potential human health hazards through outdoor
      exposure to barbecue fumes have yet to be adequately quantified. To fill this
      knowledge gap, atmospheric size-fractioned particle and gaseous samples were
      collected near an outdoor barbecuing vendor stall (along with charcoal-grilled
      food items) in Xinjiang of Northwest China with a 10-stage micro-orifice uniform
      deposit impactor and a polyurethane foam (PUF) sampler and were analyzed for
      particulate matter and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Exposure to PAHs
      through inhalation and dermal contact by adult consumers who spent 1 h per day
      near a charcoal-grilling vendor for a normal meal (lunch or dinner) amounted to a
      BaP equivalent (BaPeq) dosage of 3.0-77 ng day(-1) (inhalation: 2.8-27 ng day(-1)
      of BaPeq; dermal contact: 0.2-50 ng day(-1) of BaPeq), comparable to those (22
      220 ng day(-1) of BaPeq) from consumer exposure through the consumption of
      charcoal-grilled meat, assumed to be at the upper limit of 50-150 g. In addition,
      the potential health risk was in the range of 3.1 * 10(-10) to 1.4 * 10(-4) for
      people of different age groups with inhalation and dermal contact exposure to
      PAHs once a day, with a 95% confidence interval (7.2 * 10(-9) to 1.2 * 10(-5))
      comparable to the lower limit of the potential cancer risk range (1 * 10(-6) to 1
      * 10(-4)). Sensitivity analyses indicated that the area of dermal contact with
      gaseous contaminants is a critical parameter for risk assessment. These results
      indicated that outdoor exposure to barbecue fumes (particularly dermal contact)
      may have become a significant but largely neglected source of health hazards to
      the general population and should be well-recognized. 

PMID- 26259040
TI  - Not Again: Benzodiazepines Once More Under Attack.

PMID- 26259041
TI  - Silybin and 2,3-Dehydrosilybin Flavonolignans as Free Radical Scavengers.
AB  - The electronic properties of six derivatives of silybin (characterized by the
      absence of the 2,3 double bond) and six derivatives of 2,3-dehydrosilybin
      (characterized by the presence of the 2,3 double bond) have been studied by
      applying density functional theory to fully understand the free radical
      scavenger's mechanism for action and the relationship between reactivity and
      chemical structure. Optimized geometries, Raman spectra, and lambdamax values are
      reported, enabling us to characterize the systems. These spectra may be useful
      for monitoring the oxidation between silybin and 2,3-dehydrosilybin, thus
      providing important experimental information. The relative abundance of
      deprotonated species under physiological conditions is also reported. Under
      physiological conditions (pH 7.4), ~70% of silybin is protonated, but 60% of 2,3
      dehydrosilybin is deprotonated. The free radical scavenger capacity is analyzed
      in terms of two mechanisms: electron transfer and adduct formation. Deprotonated
      molecules are better electron donors and worse electron acceptors than non
      deprotonated species. The conclusions derived from this investigation completely
      concur with previous experimental results. The free radical scavenging activity
      of 2,3-dehydrosilybin derivatives is higher than that for silybin derivatives.
      What was not previously considered was the importance of the deprotonated
      species, which is remarkable and may be important for future experiments. 

PMID- 26259042
TI  - Sport participation, screen time, and personality trait development during
      childhood.
AB  - This investigation explored the contribution of extracurricular sport and screen
      time viewing (television viewing and electronic gaming) to personality trait
      stability and change during childhood. Two independent samples of 3,956 young
      children (age 6) and 3,862 older children (age 10) were taken from the
      Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. Parent-reported child sport
      participation, screen time, and personality traits were measured at baseline and
      again 24 months later. Young children who were more active recorded more of a
      decrease in introversion, less of a decrease in persistence, and less of an
      increase in reactivity, than those who were less active. Older children who were
      more active recorded less of an increase in introversion and more of an increase
      in persistence than those who were less active. In addition, young children who
      continued participation in extracurricular sport had greater intra-individual
      stability of personality for introversion. These finding suggest that an active
      lifestyle might help to facilitate desirable personality trait stability and
      change during childhood. 

PMID- 26259043
TI  - Syndecan-1 up-regulates microRNA-331-3p and mediates epithelial-to-mesenchymal
      transition in prostate cancer.
AB  - MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs with a length of approximately 19-24
      nucleotides that regulate gene expression through translational inhibition and
      contribute to the progression of various tumors including prostate cancer.
      Aberrant expression of miRNAs has been implicated in the progression and
      metastasis of prostate cancer. The present study aimed to investigate whether miR
      331-3p controlled by syndecan-1 positively affects the epithelial-to-mesenchymal
      transition (EMT). Overexpression of miR-331-3p upregulated mesenchymal markers
      such as vimentin, N-cadherin, and snail and downregulated epithelial markers such
      as E-cadherin and desmoplakin in the prostate cancer cell line PC3. We identified
      Neuropilin 2 and nucleus accumbens-associated protein 1 as putative target
      molecules in silico, as they were closely associated with the expression of miR
      331-3p and TGF-beta/Smad 4 signals. In situ hybridization and
      immunohistochemistry of radical prostatectomy samples revealed miR-331-3p in
      cancer cells with high Gleason patterns, in which EMT was demonstrated by
      decreased E-cadherin, and increased vimentin staining. Syndecan-1 gene silencing
      decreased levels of Dicer, which is involved in miRNA maturation. MiR-331-3p
      mediated miRNA maturation and enhanced EMT via effects on TGF-beta/Smad 4 and
      Dicer are essential for the development of prostate cancer mediated by syndecan
      1. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 26259044
TI  - Sensitive Detection of a Modified Base in Single-Stranded DNA by a Single-Walled
      Carbon Nanotube.
AB  - In this work, we use molecular dynamics simulations to study the responses of the
      configuration of single-strand DNA (ssDNA) within a carbon nanotube (CNT) and the
      concomitant ion flow to a single modified base, i.e., benzoimidazole (Bzim)
      modified 5-hydroxymethyl cytosine (5hmC). Our simulation results show the Bzim
      modified 5hmC can considerably increase the ion flow through a single-walled
      carbon nanotube (SWCNT), despite its larger size, which is consistent with prior
      experimental results. This phenomenon is attributed to enhanced adsorption of DNA
      to the interior wall of the CNT driven by the Bzim-modified 5hmC, leading to a
      reduced steric effect on ion transport through the CNT. As revealed in this work,
      the distribution of ssDNA can be affected by limited change in the interactions
      with the CNT surface. Such behavior of ssDNA within small-sized CNTs can be
      exploited to further improve the sensitivity of nanopore detection. 

PMID- 26259045
TI  - "Stainless" Gold Nanorods: Preserving Shape, Optical Properties, and SERS
      Activity in Oxidative Environment.
AB  - One of the main limitations to the application of gold nanorods (Au NRs) as
      surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) probes for in situ monitoring of
      chemical processes is their instability in oxidative environments. Oxidation
      induces progressive anisotropic shortening of the NRs, which are eventually
      dissolved once this process has been completed. This paper compares two types of
      Au NRs, obtained through different routes and characterized by similar aspect
      ratios but different sizes. The key factors influencing the resistance of Au NRs
      to oxidation were systematically investigated, showing that the reduction of free
      bromide species and the increase of the particle size allowed the NRs to maintain
      their stability under harsh environments for several weeks. The most stable Au
      NRs were also demonstrated to be highly efficient SERS substrates in a series of
      Raman experiments involving molecular probes, treated under either oxidizing or
      nonoxidizing conditions, which simulate the oxidation of organic pollutants in
      water. These hallmarks make these "stainless" Au NRs attractive tools for
      ultrasensitive diagnostic under real working conditions. 

PMID- 26259046
TI  - Imaging of the Sclera in Patients with Scleritis and Episcleritis using Anterior
      Segment Optical Coherence Tomography.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the sclera and episclera in patients with scleritis and
      episcleritis using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT).
      METHODS: Cross-sectional prospective case series of 11 consecutive patients with
      episcleral or scleral inflammatory disease located anterior to the equator. The
      thickness of the ocular wall (sclera and the episclera) was measured using AS-OCT
      and compared to the contralateral healthy eye. RESULTS: Eleven patients with a
      mean age of 49.5 years presented with symptomatic scleritis or episcleritis. The
      mean thickness of the ocular wall in the affected eye was 982 +/- 56 MUm compared
      to 790 +/- 23 MUm (p < 0.05) in the fellow eye. Enhanced-depth AS-OCT showed that
      the thickening occurred mainly in the episcleral layer in both scleritis and
      episcleritis. CONCLUSION: Enhanced-depth AS-OCT may be a useful tool for imaging
      scleritis or episcleritis and may serve to monitor therapeutic success in these
      patients.

PMID- 26259047
TI  - Postoperative Leukocytosis After Robotic-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy Is Not
      Associated with Perioperative Outcome and Histopathological Findings.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Recently a retrospective study has been published describing a
      significant correlation of immediate postoperative leukocytosis (IPLC) and a
      favorable pathological Gleason score (pGS) in patients undergoing robotic
      assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). The aim of the present study was to
      prospectively validate these results on an external dataset. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: In total, 346 patients undergoing RARP as first-line therapy for
      localized prostate cancer were included. Clinical and histopathological
      parameters, criteria of IPLC, and pGS were recorded prospectively. Potential
      association between IPLC and pGS was evaluated by univariate and multivariate
      analyses. RESULTS: IPLC was found in 77.2% (n = 267) of all patients with a
      median leukocyte blood count (LBC) of 12.5 * 10(9)/L (interquartile range, 10.2
      15 * 10(9)/L). Of these, in 255 patients IPLC was found within the range of 10-20
      * 10(9)/L, whereas an IPLC of >20 * 10(9)/L was found in only 12 patients. Of the
      patients, 49.1%, 40.5%, and 10.4% presented with a pGS6, pGS7, and pGS8-10 tumor,
      respectively. There was neither a univariate nor a multivariate correlation
      between IPLC and pGS. Furthermore, no significant correlation could be detected
      between IPLC and other clinical, intraoperative, or histopathological criteria.
      In 175 (66%) patients with IPLC normal LBC levels were measured on postoperative
      Day 4. CONCLUSIONS: IPLC was not associated with more favorable tumor biology
      (lower pGS, better tumor stage) and not influenced by patient conditions (age,
      body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, smoking) or
      intraoperative parameters (blood loss, operating time, surgeon). In addition,
      there was no significant correlation with serious complications (Clavien-Dindo
      Grade 3a/b) within a period of 90 days.

PMID- 26259049
TI  - Ambient air pollution, blood mitochondrial DNA copy number and telomere length in
      a panel of diabetes patients.
AB  - CONTEXT: Several previous studies proposed a link between particulate matter (PM)
      pollution and mitochondrial DNA copy number (MtDNAcn) and telomere length (TL).
      However, this evidence is quite limited and inconsistent, especially on how the
      particle size affects the associations and on whether there exists such an
      association with gaseous pollutants. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the short
      term associations of size-fractionated PM and gaseous pollutants with blood
      MtDNAcn and TL. METHODS: We conducted a longitudinal panel study involving 6
      repeated measurements among 35 Type 2 diabetes patients in Shanghai, China from
      April to June 2013. We measured the real-time concentrations of size-fractionated
      PM (0.25-10 MUm) and criteria gaseous pollutants. Blood MtDNAcn and TL were
      tested by a quantitative real-time PCR-based assay. Linear mixed-effect models
      were used to explore their short-term associations using multiple lag periods,
      after controlling for individual characteristics, time trends and weather
      conditions. RESULTS: In general, there were inverse but statistically non
      significant associations between all pollutants and MtDNAcn. Coarse PM appeared
      to be more closely linked with MtDNAcn than smaller PM. The associations between
      various air pollutants and TL were generally positive but very weak. There were
      no clear lag patterns for these associations. The associations between air
      pollutants and MtDNAcn and TL were strengthened but still not significant among
      those who did not take statins regularly. CONCLUSIONS: This study did not support
      short-term associations of PM or gaseous pollutants with blood MtDNAcn and TL in
      type 2 diabetes patients.

PMID- 26259048
TI  - Pharmacological treatments for preventing epilepsy following traumatic head
      injury.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Head injury is a common event and can cause a spectrum of motor and
      cognition disabilities. A frequent complication is seizures. Antiepileptic drugs
      (AED) such as phenytoin are often used in clinical practice with the hopes of
      preventing post-traumatic epilepsy. Whether immediate medical intervention
      following head trauma with either AEDs or neuroprotective drugs can alter the
      process of epileptogenesis and lead to a more favorable outcome is currently
      unknown. This review attempted to address the effectiveness of these treatment
      interventions. This review updates and expands on the earlier Cochrane review.
      OBJECTIVES: To compare the efficacy of antiepileptic drugs and neuroprotective
      agents with placebo, usual care or other pharmacologic agents for the prevention
      of post-traumatic epilepsy in people diagnosed with any severity of traumatic
      brain injury. SEARCH METHODS: We searched The Cochrane Epilepsy Group's
      specialized register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, ClinicalTrials.gov and World Health
      Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) in January
      2015. We searched EMBASE, Biological Abstracts and National Research Register in
      September 2014 and SCOPUS in December 2013. The Cochrane Epilepsy Group performed
      handsearches of relevant journals. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomized
      controlled trials (RCTs) that include AEDs or neuroprotective agents compared
      with placebo, another pharmacologic agent or a usual care group. The outcomes
      measured included a seizure occurring within one week of trauma (early seizure),
      seizure occurring later than one week post-trauma (late seizure), mortality and
      any adverse events. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors
      independently assessed study quality and extracted the data. We calculated risk
      ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for each outcome. We used random
      effects models in the meta-analyses and performed pre-defined subgroup and
      sensitivity analyses. MAIN RESULTS: This review included 10 RCTs (reported in 12
      articles) consisting of 2326 participants The methodological quality of the
      studies varied. The type of intervention was separated into three categories; AED
      versus placebo or standard care, alternative neuroprotective agent versus placebo
      or standard care and AED versus other AED. Treatment with an AED (phenytoin or
      carbamazepine) decreased the risk of early seizure compared with placebo or
      standard care (RR 0.42, 95% CI 0.23 to 0.73; very low quality evidence). There
      was no evidence of a difference in the risk of late seizure occurrence between
      AEDs and placebo or standard care (RR 0.91, 95% CI 0.57 to 1.46; very low quality
      evidence). There was no evidence of a significant difference in all-cause
      mortality between AEDs and placebo or standard care (RR 1.08 95% CI 0.79 to
      1.46,very low quality of evidence). Only one study looked at other potentially
      neuroprotective agents (magnesium sulfate) compared with placebo. The risk ratios
      were: late seizure 1.07 (95% CI 0.53 to 2.17) and all-cause mortality 1.20 (95%
      CI 0.80 to 1.81). The risk ratio for occurrence of early seizure was not
      estimable.Two studies looked at comparison of two AEDs (levetiracetam, valproate)
      with phenytoin used as the main comparator in each study. The risk ratio for all
      cause mortality was 0.53 (95% CI 0.30 to 0.94). There was no evidence of
      treatment benefit of phenytoin compared with another AED for early seizures (RR
      0.66, 95% 0.20 to 2.12) or late seizures(RR 0.77, 95% CI 0.46 to 1.30).Only two
      studies reported adverse events. The RR of any adverse event with AED compared
      with placebo was 1.65 (95% CI 0.73 to 3.66; low quality evidence). There were
      insufficient data on adverse events in the other treatment comparisons. AUTHORS'
      CONCLUSIONS: This review found low-quality evidence that early treatment with an
      AED compared with placebo or standard care reduced the risk of early post
      traumatic seizures. There was no evidence to support a reduction in the risk of
      late seizures or mortality. There was insufficient evidence to make any
      conclusions regarding the effectiveness or safety of other neuroprotective agents
      compared with placebo or for the comparison of phenytoin, a traditional AED, with
      another AED.

PMID- 26259050
TI  - Disseminated Favus Caused by Microsporum gypseum in a Patient with Systemic Lupus
      Erythematosus.

PMID- 26259051
TI  - Performance-Based Versus Self-Reported Outcomes Using the Hip Disability and
      Osteoarthritis Outcome Score After Total Hip Arthroplasty.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between
      patients' self-reported and performance-based function after total hip
      arthroplasty (THA). DESIGN: Twenty-three patients (age, 61.4 +/- 8.3 yrs)
      undergoing primary THA for hip osteoarthritis participated. Self-reported
      function and recovery was measured using the Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis
      Outcome Score activities of daily living and pain subscales. Performance-based
      functional measures included the timed up and go test, the stair climbing test,
      and the 6-minute walk test. Outcome measures were assessed preoperatively and
      postoperatively at 1 and 6 mos. RESULTS: One month after THA, performance-based
      function declined compared with baseline as follows: timed up and go test, -22.1%
      +/- 25.4%; stair climbing test, -58.5% +/- 63.6%; and 6-minute walk test, -22.6%
      +/- 31.7%. In contrast, self-reported function on the Hip Disability and
      Osteoarthritis Outcome Score Activities of Daily Living significantly improved 1
      mo after THA compared with baseline: 40.8% +/- 33.3%. One to 6 mos after THA,
      there were significant improvements in timed up and go test, stair climbing test,
      and 6-minute walk test, which paralleled improvements on the Hip Disability and
      Osteoarthritis Outcome Score subscales, although changes were not significantly
      correlated. CONCLUSION: The disparity between changes in Hip Disability and
      Osteoarthritis Outcome Scores and functional performance postoperatively suggests
      that patients may overestimate their functional capacity early after THA, likely
      in response to pain improvements over the same time period. Therefore, outcomes
      assessment after THA should include both self-report and performance-based
      functional measures.

PMID- 26259052
TI  - Active-Arm Passive-Leg Exercise Improves Cardiovascular Function in Spinal Cord
      Injury.
AB  - In a 43-yr-old male subject with a chronic T3 AIS A spinal cord injury, the acute
      cardiorespiratory responses to active upper-extremity exercise alone and combined
      active-arm passive-leg exercise (AAPLE) were investigated, along with the
      cardiorespiratory, cardiac, vascular, and body composition responses to a 6-wk
      AAPLE interval training intervention. AAPLE elicited superior acute maximal
      cardiorespiratory responses compared with upper-extremity exercise alone. In
      response to a 6-wk interval training regimen, AAPLE caused a 25% increase in peak
      oxygen uptake, a 10% increase in resting stroke volume, and a 4-fold increase in
      brachial artery blood flow. Conversely, there were no changes in femoral arterial
      function, body composition, or bone mineral density in response to training. As a
      potential clinical intervention, AAPLE may be advantageous over other forms of
      currently available exercise, owing to the minimal setup time and cost involved
      and the nonreliance on specialized equipment that is required for other exercise
      modalities. 

PMID- 26259053
TI  - Effects of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation at Two Frequencies on
      Urinary Incontinence in Poststroke Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare the effects of two
      frequencies of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on urinary
      incontinence caused by stroke. METHODS: Eighty-one patients with poststroke
      urinary incontinence were recruited and randomized into the following three
      groups with a 1:1 ratio: a 20-Hz TENS group, a 75-Hz TENS group, and a no
      treatment control group (n = 27 per group). TENS currents were biphasic square
      waves with pulse durations of 150 MUsecs and pulse frequencies of 20 Hz or 75 Hz
      and were applied for 30 mins once per day for 90 days. The positive electrodes
      were placed in the region of the second sacral level on opposite sides of the
      vertebral column; the negative electrodes were placed on the inside of the middle
      and lower third of the junction between the posterior superior iliac spine and
      the ischial node. Overactive Bladder Symptom Scores, Barthel Index, urodynamic
      values, and voiding diary parameters were assessed before and after 90 days.
      RESULTS: The patients treated with 20 Hz had superior Overactive Bladder Symptom
      Scores, Barthel Index totals, urodynamic values, and voiding diary parameters (P
      < 0.05). In the 75-Hz group, values were statistically improved compared with the
      no-treatment group (P < 0.05), but the results were significantly inferior to
      those of the 20-Hz group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Twenty-hertz TENS improved
      incontinence symptoms and promoted activities of daily living better than 75-Hz
      TENS. These results will aid future research regarding TENS parameters.

PMID- 26259054
TI  - Residency and Beyond: Subspecialization Trends Among Graduating Physiatry
      Residents and the Musculoskeletal Curriculum.
AB  - Previous studies and informal surveys have demonstrated a trend among graduating
      physiatry residents who desired to practice in an outpatient musculoskeletal
      (MSK)- or spine-type setting. However, there has been no updated information on
      the current trend among graduating residents as well as sparse information on
      gauging if current trainees feel prepared on graduation to treat patients with
      such disorders. This article describes a prospective survey of graduating chief
      residents during the 2013-2014 academic year in which 72% of chief residents
      planned to pursue a fellowship. A total of 54% of those chief residents planned
      to pursue a pain, sports, or spine fellowship. Seventy-five percent of the
      responding chief residents reported that most of the residents in their program
      felt that the current amount of required rotations in MSK, sports, spine, or pain
      medicine was adequate and 85% felt comfortable practicing in a noninterventional
      spine or MSK position after graduation without a fellowship. The results of this
      survey provide an updated perspective on the current trends among graduating
      residents as well as how residents perceive their MSK curriculum. These results
      may prove useful when evaluating MSK curriculums and shaping resident education
      to maximize career goals. 

PMID- 26259055
TI  - Availability of Outpatient Rehabilitation Services for Children After Traumatic
      Brain Injury: Differences by Language and Insurance Status.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to explore associations between
      English proficiency, insurance status, outpatient rehabilitation service
      availability, and travel time for children with traumatic brain injury. DESIGN:
      The authors used an ecologic cross-sectional design. Data were analyzed from a
      cohort of 82 children with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury and
      rehabilitation providers in Washington State. Main measures included availability
      and travel time to services. RESULTS: Less than 20% of providers accepted
      children with Medicaid and provided language interpretation. Mental health
      services were most limited. Adjusted for median household income, multilingual
      service availability was lowest in counties with greater language diversity; for
      every 10% increase in persons older than 5 yrs speaking a language other than
      English at home, there was a 34% decrease in availability of multilingual
      services (prevalence ratio, 0.66; 95% confidence interval, 0.48-0.90). Adjusted
      for education and Medicaid status, children from Spanish-speaking families had
      significantly longer travel times to services (mean, 16 additional minutes to
      mental health; 9 to other therapies). CONCLUSIONS: Children in households with
      limited English proficiency and Medicaid faced significant barriers in
      availability and proximity of outpatient rehabilitation services. Innovative
      service strategies are needed to equitably improve availability of rehabilitation
      for children with traumatic brain injury. Similar studies in other regions will
      inform one's understanding of the scope of these disparities.

PMID- 26259056
TI  - From Wheelchair to Cane: Elective Transtibial Amputations in a Patient with Spina
      Bifida.
AB  - Spina bifida is associated with foot deformities, which may lead to foot ulcers,
      osteomyelitis, and limb amputation. Calcanectomy and Symes amputations have been
      reported successful in spina bifida. There is lack of evidence for transtibial
      amputations. This case describes a 27-yr-old woman with L4 level spina bifida who
      underwent bilateral transtibial amputations. She ambulated with bilateral ankle
      foot orthoses and canes until age 22. At age 22, she had bilateral foot
      reconstructive surgeries complicated by nonunion, ulcerations, and osteomyelitis.
      She was using a wheelchair by age 25. She had elective bilateral transtibial
      amputations at age 27 for progressive osteomyelitis. Four weeks after
      amputations, she was fit with bilateral prostheses. On completion of 2 mos of
      rehabilitation, she ambulated with a cane. This case demonstrates good functional
      outcomes after transtibial amputations in a young spina bifida patient.
      Prosthetic fitting should be considered for similar, previously high functioning
      spina bifida patients with transtibial amputation(s). 

PMID- 26259057
TI  - Comment on: Evaluation of Stress and Pain in Young Children with Cerebral Palsy
      During Early Developmental Intervention Programs.

PMID- 26259058
TI  - Ultrasound-Guided Glenohumeral Joint Injection Using the Posterior Approach.

PMID- 26259059
TI  - Ultrasound-Guided Injection for the Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

PMID- 26259060
TI  - Syringomyelia: From the Cervicomedullary Junction to the Conus.

PMID- 26259061
TI  - Asymmetrical Lower Extremity Loading Early After Anterior Cruciate Ligament
      Reconstruction Is a Significant Predictor of Asymmetrical Loading at the Time of
      Return to Sport.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine whether asymmetrical lower limb
      loading early after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (1 mo) can predict
      asymmetrical lower limb loading at the time of return to sport (6 mos) and
      whether other early predictors as knee joint range of motion or maximal isometric
      strength affect this relationship. DESIGN: Ground reaction forces were measured
      during a sit-to-stand task 1 mo after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction
      and a vertical countermovement jump 6 mos after anterior cruciate ligament
      reconstruction in 58 athletes. Other early postoperative measurements were knee
      joint range of motion (2 wks, 1 mo, and 2 mos after surgery) and maximal
      isometric strength of the knee extensor and flexor muscles (2 mos after surgery).
      Linear regression models were developed using side-to-side limb symmetry index
      (LSI) of countermovement jump as the dependent variable. RESULTS: LSI of sit-to
      stand task 1 mo after surgery was a significant independent predictor of LSI of
      countermovement jump 6 mos after surgery. After accounting for deficits in knee
      joint range of motion and LSI of maximal isometric strength (DeltaR2 = 0.35, P <
      0.01), LSI of sit-to-stand task predicted LSI of countermovement jump (DeltaR2 =
      0.14 P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Asymmetrical lower extremity loading 1 mo after
      anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is an early predictor of asymmetrical
      lower extremity loading 6 mos after surgery.

PMID- 26259062
TI  - Origins of female genital diversity: Predation risk and lock-and-key explain
      rapid divergence during an adaptive radiation.
AB  - The study of male genital diversity has long overshadowed evolutionary inquiry of
      female genitalia, despite its nontrivial diversity. Here, we identify four
      nonmutually exclusive mechanisms that could lead to genital divergence in
      females, and potentially generate patterns of correlated male-female genital
      evolution: (1) ecological variation alters the context of sexual selection
      ("ecology hypothesis"), (2) sexually antagonistic selection ("sexual-conflict
      hypothesis"), (3) female preferences for male genitalia mediated by female
      genital traits ("female-choice hypothesis"), and (4) selection against inter
      population mating ("lock-and-key hypothesis"). We performed an empirical
      investigation of all four hypotheses using the model system of Bahamas
      mosquitofish inhabiting blue holes that vary in predation risk. We found
      unequivocal support for the ecology hypothesis, with females exhibiting a smaller
      genital opening in blue holes containing piscivorous fish. This is consistent
      with stronger postmating female choice/conflict when predators are present, but
      greater premating female choice in their absence. Our results additionally
      supported the lock-and-key hypothesis, uncovering a pattern of reproductive
      character displacement for genital shape. We found no support for the sexual
      conflict or female choice hypotheses. Our results demonstrate a strong role for
      ecology in generating female genital diversity, and suggest that lock-and-key may
      provide a viable cause of female genital diversification. 

PMID- 26259063
TI  - The Effectiveness of Integrated Care on Pediatric Behavioral Health: Outcomes and
      Opportunities.

PMID- 26259064
TI  - Satisfaction and Preference for Traditional Chinese Medicine Drugs Among
      Guardians of Children with Acute Bronchiolitis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the satisfaction, concerns, and preference for
      Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) drugs among guardians of children with acute
      bronchiolitis, assess the agreement between satisfaction and preference, and
      explore the factors associated with satisfaction. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study
      was conducted in three main tertiary hospitals in Kunming, China, from September
      2012 to July 2013 by structured questionnaire interviews. The characteristics of
      children and their guardians and guardians' satisfaction with and preference for
      TCM drugs were collected and analyzed by using chi-square or Fisher exact test.
      The agreement of satisfaction and preference was assessed by kappa and prevalence
      adjusted kappa coefficients. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify
      factors associated with satisfaction. RESULTS: A total of 286 guardians were
      enrolled in the study. Most children (97.6%) were younger than age 2 years. In
      total, the rates of satisfaction and preference for TCM drugs were 75.5% and
      73.1%, respectively, and preference and satisfaction levels did not significantly
      differ between TCM and non-TCM hospitals. Guardians with higher socioeconomic
      status were more satisfied with TCM drugs, and the most common reason for
      preference for TCM drugs was that they had less toxicity or fewer adverse
      effects. Guardians were concerned most about safety and least concerned about
      cost. The agreement between satisfaction and preference was moderate in general
      (prevalence-adjusted kappa=0.42). CONCLUSIONS: Three fourths of the Chinese
      guardians of children with acute bronchiolitis were satisfied with and preferred
      the TCM drugs. Moderate agreement between satisfaction and preference was shown.

PMID- 26259065
TI  - Nexrutine inhibits azoxymethane-induced colonic aberrant crypt formation in rat
      colon and induced apoptotic cell death in colon adenocarcinoma cells.
AB  - Colon cancer is the third most common cause of death in the United States.
      Therefore, new preventive strategies are warranted for preventing colon cancer.
      Nexrutine (NX), an herbal extract from Phellodendron amurense, has been shown to
      have anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and anti-cancer activity for various
      tissue specific cancers, but its chemopreventive efficacy has not been evaluated
      against colon cancer. Here, we explored the mechanism of
      chemopreventive/chemotherapeutic efficacy of NX against colon cancer. We found
      that dietary exposure of NX significantly reduced the number of azoxymethane
      (AOM)-induced aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in rats. In addition, significant
      inhibition in AOM-induced cell proliferation and reduced expression of the
      inflammatory markers COX-2, iNOS as well as the proliferative markers PCNA and
      cyclin D1 were also seen. Moreover, NX exposure significantly enhanced apoptosis
      in the colon of AOM treated rats. Furthermore, in in vitro studies, NX (2.5, 5,
      10 MUg/ml, 48 h) decreased cell survival and colony formation while inducing
      G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in colon adenocarcinoma cells COLO205 and
      HCT-15. However, NX had minimal cytotoxic effect on IEC-6 normal rat intestinal
      cells, suggesting its high therapeutic index. NX treatment also modulates the
      level of Bax and Bcl-2 proteins along with cytochrome c release, cleavage and
      enhanced expression of poly (adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase as well as
      the catalytic activity of caspase 3 and caspase 9 in both COLO205 and HCT-15
      cells. Based on these in vivo and in vitro findings, we suggest that NX could be
      useful candidate agent for colon cancer chemoprevention and treatment. (c) 2015
      Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 26259068
TI  - Rotational Mode Specificity in the F(-) + CH3Y [Y = F and Cl] SN2 Reactions.
AB  - More than 12 million quasiclassical trajectories are computed for the F(-) +
      CH3Y(v = 0, JK) [Y = F and Cl] SN2 reactions using full-dimensional ab initio
      analytical potential energy surfaces. The initial (J, K = 0) and (J, K = J) [J =
      0, 2, 4, 6, 8] rotational state specific cross sections are obtained at different
      collision energies (Ecoll) in the 1-20 kcal mol(-1) range, and the scattering
      angle and initial attack angle distributions as well as the mechanism-specific
      opacity functions are reported at Ecoll = 10 kcal mol(-1). The tumbling rotation
      (K = 0) inhibits the F(-) + CH3F reaction by a factor of 3 for J = 8 at Ecoll =
      10 kcal mol(-1). This tumbling rotational effect becomes smaller at low and high
      Ecoll, and the tumbling motion affects the cross sections of F(-) + CH3Cl by only
      a few percent. The spinning rotation (K = J) hinders both reactions by factors in
      the 1.3-1.7 range for J = 8 at low Ecoll, whereas slight promotion is found as
      the Ecoll increases. The tumbling rotation may counteract the attractive ion
      dipole forces, and the spinning motion hinders the complex formation, thereby
      decreasing the reactivity. 

PMID- 26259066
TI  - Hydride bridge in [NiFe]-hydrogenase observed by nuclear resonance vibrational
      spectroscopy.
AB  - The metabolism of many anaerobes relies on [NiFe]-hydrogenases, whose
      characterization when bound to substrates has proven non-trivial. Presented here
      is direct evidence for a hydride bridge in the active site of the (57)Fe-labelled
      fully reduced Ni-R form of Desulfovibrio vulgaris Miyazaki F [NiFe]-hydrogenase.
      A unique 'wagging' mode involving H(-) motion perpendicular to the Ni(MU-H)(57)Fe
      plane was studied using (57)Fe-specific nuclear resonance vibrational
      spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. On Ni(MU-D)(57)Fe
      deuteride substitution, this wagging causes a characteristic perturbation of Fe
      CO/CN bands. Spectra have been interpreted by comparison with Ni(MU-H/D)(57)Fe
      enzyme mimics [(dppe)Ni(MU-pdt)(MU-H/D)(57)Fe(CO)3](+) and DFT calculations,
      which collectively indicate a low-spin Ni(II)(MU-H)Fe(II) core for Ni-R, with H(
      ) binding Ni more tightly than Fe. The present methodology is also relevant to
      characterizing Fe-H moieties in other important natural and synthetic catalysts. 

PMID- 26259067
TI  - Good Publication Practice for Communicating Company-Sponsored Medical Research:
      GPP3.
AB  - This updated Good Publication Practice (GPP) guideline, known as GPP3, builds on
      earlier versions and provides recommendations for individuals and organizations
      that contribute to the publication of research results sponsored or supported by
      pharmaceutical, medical device, diagnostics, and biotechnology companies. The
      recommendations are designed to help individuals and organizations maintain
      ethical and transparent publication practices and comply with legal and
      regulatory requirements. These recommendations cover publications in peer
      reviewed journals and presentations (oral or poster) at scientific congresses.
      The International Society for Medical Publication Professionals invited more than
      3000 professionals worldwide to apply for a position on the steering committee,
      or as a reviewer, for this guideline. The GPP2 authors reviewed all applications
      (n = 241) and assembled an 18-member steering committee that represented 7
      countries and a diversity of publication professions and institutions. From the
      174 selected reviewers, 94 sent comments on the second draft, which steering
      committee members incorporated after discussion and consensus. The resulting
      guideline includes new sections (Principles of Good Publication Practice for
      Company-Sponsored Medical Research, Data Sharing, Studies That Should Be
      Published, and Plagiarism), expands guidance on the International Committee of
      Medical Journal Editors' authorship criteria and common authorship issues,
      improves clarity on appropriate author payment and reimbursement, and expands
      information on the role of medical writers. By following good publication
      practices (including GPP3), individuals and organizations will show integrity;
      accountability; and responsibility for accurate, complete, and transparent
      reporting in their publications and presentations. 

PMID- 26259069
TI  - IgG4-related disease.
AB  - Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a regional or systemic fibro
      inflammatory disease of unknown etiology. It presents a distinctive
      histopathological appearance of dense lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates with abundant
      IgG4-positive plasma cells, storiform fibrosis and obliterative phlebitis with
      the appearance of inflammatory swelling or tumefactive lesions. This new disease
      entity includes a wide variety of diseases such as Mikulicz disease, autoimmune
      pancreatitis, Riedel thyroiditis, interstitial nephritis and retroperitoneal
      fibrosis. Glucocorticoid therapy can resolve the clinical and pathological
      abnormalities and impaired organ function. IgG4-RD was recognized internationally
      in 2011, and new evidence has accumulated regarding its pathogenesis, clinical
      features and treatment. In this review, we outline our present understanding of
      IgG4-RD. 

PMID- 26259070
TI  - Oral bacteria in placental tissues: increased molecular detection in pregnant
      periodontitis patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to identify the DNA of oral bacteria
      in placental samples from women with and without periodontitis who had or had not
      had preterm births and/or low birthweight (PB/LBW) neonates. METHODS: Data were
      gathered from 57 puerperal women in relation to socio-demographic,
      gynaecological, and periodontal variables and to placental histomorphology. Fifty
      seven biopsies, 28 from mothers with periodontitis, were taken aseptically from
      preterm placentas (n = 36) and from full-term placentas (n = 21). Total DNA was
      extracted, and the presence of 15 oral bacteria was assessed using Nested-PCR.
      RESULTS: The placentas from women with periodontitis showed a higher prevalence
      of periodontopathogens compared to those from women without periodontitis (P =
      0.009). Samples showed low prevalences of Actinomyces israelii, Parvimonas micra
      and Tannerella forsythia. An association was found between Eikenella corrodens in
      placenta and periodontitis (P = 0.002). The most ubiquitous bacterium,
      Fusobacterium nucleatum, was more prevalent in mothers with periodontitis and
      PB/LBW (P = 0.033). Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, Prevotella
      intermedia and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans were not detected.
      CONCLUSIONS: These results, along with previous findings, show that oral bacteria
      may be normally present in the placenta, however, the levels of certain oral
      pathogens in the placenta would highly depend on the mother's periodontal state.

PMID- 26259072
TI  - Microscopic Pattern of Bone Fractures as an Indicator of Blast Trauma: A Pilot
      Study.
AB  - The assessment of fractures is a key issue in forensic anthropology; however,
      very few studies deal with the features of fractures due to explosion in
      comparison with other traumatic injuries. This study focuses on fractures
      resulting from blast trauma and two types of blunt force trauma (manual
      compression and running over), applied to corpses of pigs; 163 osteons were
      examined within forty fractures by the transmission light microscopy. Blast
      lesions showed a higher percentage of fracture lines through the Haversian canal,
      whereas in other types of trauma, the fractures went across the inner lamellae.
      Significant differences between samples hit by blast energy and those runover or
      manually compressed were observed (p<0.05). The frequency of pattern A is
      significantly higher in exploded bones than in runover and compressed.
      Microscopic analysis of the fracture line may provide information about the type
      of trauma, especially for what concerns blast trauma.

PMID- 26259071
TI  - Genome-wide analysis of the genetic regulation of gene expression in human
      neutrophils.
AB  - Neutrophils are an abundant immune cell type involved in both antimicrobial
      defence and autoimmunity. The regulation of their gene expression, however, is
      still largely unknown. Here we report an eQTL study on isolated neutrophils from
      114 healthy individuals of Chinese ethnicity, identifying 21,210 eQTLs on 832
      unique genes. Unsupervised clustering analysis of these eQTLs confirms their role
      in inflammatory responses and immunological diseases but also indicates strong
      involvement in dermatological pathologies. One of the strongest eQTL identified
      (rs2058660) is also the tagSNP of a linkage block reported to affect leprosy and
      Crohn's disease in opposite directions. In a functional study, we can link the C
      allele with low expression of the beta-chain of IL18-receptor (IL18RAP). In
      neutrophils, this results in a reduced responsiveness to IL-18, detected both on
      the RNA and protein level. Thus, the polymorphic regulation of human neutrophils
      can impact beneficial as well as pathological inflammatory responses. 

PMID- 26259073
TI  - Metric Sex Determination of the Human Coxal Bone on a Virtual Sample using
      Decision Trees.
AB  - Decision trees provide an alternative to multivariate discriminant analysis,
      which is still the most commonly used in anthropometric studies. Our study
      analyzed the metric characterization of a recent virtual sample of 113 coxal
      bones using decision trees for sex determination. From 17 osteometric type I
      landmarks, a dataset was built with five classic distances traditionally reported
      in the literature and six new distances selected using the two-step ratio method.
      A ten-fold cross-validation was performed, and a decision tree was established on
      two subsamples (training and test sets). The decision tree established on the
      training set included three nodes and its application to the test set correctly
      classified 92% of individuals. This percentage was similar to the data of the
      literature. The usefulness of decision trees has been demonstrated in numerous
      fields. They have been already used in sex determination, body mass prediction,
      and ancestry estimation. This study shows another use of decision trees enabling
      simple and accurate sex determination.

PMID- 26259074
TI  - A Telemedicine-Based Intervention Reduces the Frequency and Severity of COPD
      Exacerbation Symptoms: A Randomized, Controlled Trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may not
      recognize worsening symptoms that require intensification of therapy. They may
      also be reluctant to contact a healthcare provider for minor worsening of
      symptoms. A telemedicine application for daily symptom reporting may reduce these
      barriers and improve patient outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients
      hospitalized for a COPD exacerbation within the past year or using supplemental
      O2 were approached for participation. Patients received optimal COPD care and
      were given a telecommunication device for symptom reporting. Initial symptom
      scores were obtained while patients were in their usual state of health. Patients
      were randomly assigned to an intervention group or a control group (usual medical
      care). The control group patients were instructed to seek medical care if their
      condition worsened. The intervention group symptom scores were assessed by a
      computer algorithm and compared with initial values. Scores 1 or more points
      above the initial score generated an "alert," and patients were reviewed by a
      nurse and referred to a physician who prescribed treatment. RESULTS: Eighty-six
      patients were screened; 79 met entry criteria and were randomized (intervention
      group, n=39; control group, n=40). Twelve patients submitted five or fewer
      symptom reports (5 intervention; 7 control) and were excluded from the analysis.
      Daily peak flow and dyspnea scores improved only in the intervention group. There
      were no differences in hospitalization and mortality rates between groups. No
      serious adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: A telemedicine-based symptom
      reporting program facilitated early treatment of symptoms and improved lung
      function and functional status.

PMID- 26259075
TI  - The 8 basic payment methods in health care.
AB  - Eight basic payment methods are applicable across all types of health care. Each
      method is defined by the unit of payment (per time period, beneficiary,
      recipient, episode, day, service, dollar of cost, or dollar of charges). These
      methods are more specific than common terms, such as capitation, fee for service,
      global payment, and cost reimbursement. They also correspond to the division of
      financial risk between payer and provider, with each method reflecting a risk
      factor within the health care spending identity. Financial risk gradually shifts
      from being primarily on providers when payment is per time period to being
      primarily on payers when payment is per dollar of charges. Method 4 (per episode)
      marks the line between epidemiologic and treatment risk. The 8 methods are
      typically combined to balance risk and thus balance incentives between payers and
      providers. This taxonomy makes it easier to understand trends in payment reform
      especially the shifting division of financial risk and the movement toward value
      based purchasing-and types of payment reform, such as bundling, accountable care
      organizations, medical homes, and cost sharing. The taxonomy also enables
      prediction of conflicts between payers and providers. For each unit of payment,
      providers are rewarded for increasing units while decreasing their own cost per
      unit. No payment method is neutral on quality because each encourages and
      discourages the provision of care overall and in particular situations. Many
      professional norms and business practices have been established to mitigate
      undesirable incentives. Health care differs from many other industries in that
      the unit of payment remains variable and unsettled. 

PMID- 26259077
TI  - Learning Super-Resolution Jointly From External and Internal Examples.
AB  - Single image super-resolution (SR) aims to estimate a high-resolution (HR) image
      from a low-resolution (LR) input. Image priors are commonly learned to regularize
      the, otherwise, seriously ill-posed SR problem, either using external LR-HR pairs
      or internal similar patterns. We propose joint SR to adaptively combine the
      advantages of both external and internal SR methods. We define two loss functions
      using sparse coding-based external examples, and epitomic matching based on
      internal examples, as well as a corresponding adaptive weight to automatically
      balance their contributions according to their reconstruction errors. Extensive
      SR results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method over the existing
      state-of-the-art methods, and is also verified by our subjective evaluation
      study. 

PMID- 26259076
TI  - Treosulfan-based conditioning regimens for allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell
      transplantation in children with non-malignant diseases.
AB  - An increasing number of children with non-malignant diseases can be cured by
      allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Treosulfan (L-treitol
      1,4-bis-methanesulfonate) is being used more frequently for conditioning, owing
      to its' lower toxicity profile compared with conventional myeloablative regimens.
      A retrospective analysis was performed of children registered in the EBMT
      database, who received treosulfan before HSCT between January 2005 and 2010, to
      identify possible dose-related toxicity and determine the incidence of
      engraftment, treatment-related mortality and overall survival (OS). Results from
      316 transplants from 11 different countries are presented. Ninety-five (30%) were
      under 1 year of age at the time of transplant. OS was 83% and event-free survival
      was 76%; 3-year OS and event-free survival of infants below 1 year were 79% and
      73%, respectively. No association was found with age at transplant, dose of
      treosulfan given, other agents used in combination with treosulfan, donor type,
      stem cell source, or second or subsequent transplant. In this report of the
      largest number of children to date receiving treosulfan for non-malignant
      diseases, treosulfan is shown to be a safe and effective agent even for those
      under 1 year of age at the time of transplant. Further prospective studies are
      needed using precisely defined protocols with pharmacokinetic monitoring and
      detailed chimerism analysis. In addition, long-term studies will be vital to
      determine long-term effects, for example, on fertility in comparison with other
      regimens. 

PMID- 26259078
TI  - Perceptual Quality Assessment of Screen Content Images.
AB  - Research on screen content images (SCIs) becomes important as they are
      increasingly used in multi-device communication applications. In this paper, we
      present a study on perceptual quality assessment of distorted SCIs subjectively
      and objectively. We construct a large-scale screen image quality assessment
      database (SIQAD) consisting of 20 source and 980 distorted SCIs. In order to get
      the subjective quality scores and investigate, which part (text or picture)
      contributes more to the overall visual quality, the single stimulus methodology
      with 11 point numerical scale is employed to obtain three kinds of subjective
      scores corresponding to the entire, textual, and pictorial regions, respectively.
      According to the analysis of subjective data, we propose a weighting strategy to
      account for the correlation among these three kinds of subjective scores.
      Furthermore, we design an objective metric to measure the visual quality of
      distorted SCIs by considering the visual difference of textual and pictorial
      regions. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed SCI perceptual
      quality assessment scheme, consisting of the objective metric and the weighting
      strategy, can achieve better performance than 11 state-of-the-art IQA methods. To
      the best of our knowledge, the SIQAD is the first large-scale database published
      for quality evaluation of SCIs, and this research is the first attempt to explore
      the perceptual quality assessment of distorted SCIs. 

PMID- 26259079
TI  - Recognizing Actions Through Action-Specific Person Detection.
AB  - Action recognition in still images is a challenging problem in computer vision.
      To facilitate comparative evaluation independently of person detection, the
      standard evaluation protocol for action recognition uses an oracle person
      detector to obtain perfect bounding box information at both training and test
      time. The assumption is that, in practice, a general person detector will provide
      candidate bounding boxes for action recognition. In this paper, we argue that
      this paradigm is suboptimal and that action class labels should already be
      considered during the detection stage. Motivated by the observation that body
      pose is strongly conditioned on action class, we show that: 1) the existing state
      of-the-art generic person detectors are not adequate for proposing candidate
      bounding boxes for action classification; 2) due to limited training examples,
      the direct training of action-specific person detectors is also inadequate; and
      3) using only a small number of labeled action examples, the transfer learning is
      able to adapt an existing detector to propose higher quality bounding boxes for
      subsequent action classification. To the best of our knowledge, we are the first
      to investigate transfer learning for the task of action-specific person detection
      in still images. We perform extensive experiments on two benchmark data sets: 1)
      Stanford-40 and 2) PASCAL VOC 2012. For the action detection task (i.e., both
      person localization and classification of the action performed), our approach
      outperforms methods based on general person detection by 5.7% mean average
      precision (MAP) on Stanford-40 and 2.1% MAP on PASCAL VOC 2012. Our approach also
      significantly outperforms the state of the art with a MAP of 45.4% on Stanford-40
      and 31.4% on PASCAL VOC 2012. We also evaluate our action detection approach for
      the task of action classification (i.e., recognizing actions without localizing
      them). For this task, our approach, without using any ground-truth person
      localization at test time, outperforms on both data sets state-of-the-art
      methods, which do use person locations. 

PMID- 26259080
TI  - Robust and Non-Negative Collective Matrix Factorization for Text-to-Image
      Transfer Learning.
AB  - Heterogeneous transfer learning has recently gained much attention as a new
      machine learning paradigm in which the knowledge can be transferred from source
      domains to target domains in different feature spaces. Existing works usually
      assume that source domains can provide accurate and useful knowledge to be
      transferred to target domains for learning. In practice, there may be noise
      appearing in given source (text) and target (image) domains data, and thus, the
      performance of transfer learning can be seriously degraded. In this paper, we
      propose a robust and non-negative collective matrix factorization model to handle
      noise in text-to-image transfer learning, and make a reliable bridge to transfer
      accurate and useful knowledge from the text domain to the image domain. The
      proposed matrix factorization model can be solved by an efficient iterative
      method, and the convergence of the iterative method can be shown. Extensive
      experiments on real data sets suggest that the proposed model is able to
      effectively perform transfer learning in noisy text and image domains, and it is
      superior to the popular existing methods for text-to-image transfer learning. 

PMID- 26259081
TI  - Shadow Remover: Image Shadow Removal Based on Illumination Recovering
      Optimization.
AB  - In this paper, we present a novel shadow removal system for single natural images
      as well as color aerial images using an illumination recovering optimization
      method. We first adaptively decompose the input image into overlapped patches
      according to the shadow distribution. Then, by building the correspondence
      between the shadow patch and the lit patch based on texture similarity, we
      construct an optimized illumination recovering operator, which effectively
      removes the shadows and recovers the texture detail under the shadow patches.
      Based on coherent optimization processing among the neighboring patches, we
      finally produce high-quality shadow-free results with consistent illumination.
      Our shadow removal system is simple and effective, and can process shadow images
      with rich texture types and nonuniform shadows. The illumination of shadow-free
      results is consistent with that of surrounding environment. We further present
      several shadow editing applications to illustrate the versatility of the proposed
      method. 

PMID- 26259082
TI  - Multispectral Image Out-of-Focus Deblurring Using Interchannel Correlation.
AB  - Out-of-focus blur occurs frequently in multispectral imaging systems when the
      camera is well focused at a specific (reference) imaging channel. As the
      effective focal lengths of the lens are wavelength dependent, the blurriness
      levels of the images at individual channels are different. This paper proposes a
      multispectral image deblurring framework to restore out-of-focus spectral images
      based on the characteristic of interchannel correlation (ICC). The ICC is
      investigated based on the fact that a high-dimensional color spectrum can be
      linearly approximated using rather a few number of intrinsic spectra. In the
      method, the spectral images are classified into an out-of-focus set and a well
      focused set via blurriness computation. For each out-of-focus image, a guiding
      image is derived from the well-focused spectral images and is used as the image
      prior in the deblurring framework. The out-of-focus blur is modeled as a Gaussian
      point spread function, which is further employed as the blur kernel prior. The
      regularization parameters in the image deblurring framework are determined using
      generalized cross validation, and thus the proposed method does not need any
      parameter tuning. The experimental results validate that the method performs well
      on multispectral image deblurring and outperforms the state of the arts. 

PMID- 26259083
TI  - Multi-Spectral Fusion Based Approach for Arbitrarily Oriented Scene Text
      Detection in Video Images.
AB  - Scene text detection from video as well as natural scene images is challenging
      due to the variations in background, contrast, text type, font type, font size,
      and so on. Besides, arbitrary orientations of texts with multi-scripts add more
      complexity to the problem. The proposed approach introduces a new idea of
      convolving Laplacian with wavelet sub-bands at different levels in the frequency
      domain for enhancing low resolution text pixels. Then, the results obtained from
      different sub-bands (spectral) are fused for detecting candidate text pixels. We
      explore maxima stable extreme regions along with stroke width transform for
      detecting candidate text regions. Text alignment is done based on the distance
      between the nearest neighbor clusters of candidate text regions. In addition, the
      approach presents a new symmetry driven nearest neighbor for restoring full text
      lines. We conduct experiments on our collected video data as well as several
      benchmark data sets, such as ICDAR 2011, ICDAR 2013, and MSRA-TD500 to evaluate
      the proposed method. The proposed approach is compared with the state-of-the-art
      methods to show its superiority to the existing methods. 

PMID- 26259084
TI  - From Local Similarities to Global Coding: A Framework for Coding Applications.
AB  - Feature coding has received great attention in recent years as a building block
      of many image processing algorithms. In particular, the importance of the
      locality assumption in coding approaches has been studied in many previous works.
      We review this assumption and claim that using the similarity of data points to a
      more global set of anchor points does not necessarily weaken the coding method,
      as long as the underlying structure of the anchor points is considered. We
      propose to capture the underlying structure by assuming a random walker over the
      anchor points. We also show that our method is a fast approximation to the
      diffusion map kernel. Experiments on various data sets show that with a knowledge
      of the underlying structure of anchor points, different state-of-the-art coding
      algorithms may boost their performance in different learning tasks by utilizing
      the proposed method. 

PMID- 26259085
TI  - Translating Alcohol Research: Opportunities and Challenges.
AB  - Alcohol use disorder (AUD) and its sequelae impose a major burden on the public
      health of the United States, and adequate long-term control of this disorder has
      not been achieved. Molecular and behavioral basic science research findings are
      providing the groundwork for understanding the mechanisms underlying AUD and have
      identified multiple candidate targets for ongoing clinical trials. However, the
      translation of basic research or clinical findings into improved therapeutic
      approaches for AUD must become more efficient. Translational research is a
      multistage process of stream-lining the movement of basic biomedical research
      findings into clinical research and then to the clinical target populations. This
      process demands efficient bidirectional communication across basic, applied, and
      clinical science as well as with clinical practitioners. Ongoing work suggests
      rapid progress is being made with an evolving translational framework within the
      alcohol research field. This is helped by multiple interdisciplinary
      collaborative research structures that have been developed to advance
      translational work on AUD. Moreover, the integration of systems biology
      approaches with collaborative clinical studies may yield novel insights for
      future translational success. Finally, appreciation of genetic variation in
      pharmacological or behavioral treatment responses and optimal communication from
      bench to bedside and back may strengthen the success of translational research
      applications to AUD. 

PMID- 26259087
TI  - Cognitive Neuroscience Approaches to Understanding Behavior Change in Alcohol Use
      Disorder Treatments.
AB  - Researchers have begun to apply cognitive neuroscience concepts and methods to
      study behavior change mechanisms in alcohol use disorder (AUD) treatments. This
      review begins with an examination of the current state of treatment mechanisms
      research using clinical and social psychological approaches. It then summarizes
      what is currently understood about the pathophysiology of addiction from a
      cognitive neuroscience perspective. Finally, it reviews recent efforts to use
      cognitive neuroscience approaches to understand the neural mechanisms of behavior
      change in AUD, including studies that use neural functioning to predict relapse
      and abstinence; studies examining neural mechanisms that operate in current
      evidence-based behavioral interventions for AUD; as well as research on novel
      behavioral interventions that are being derived from our emerging understanding
      of the neural and cognitive mechanisms of behavior change in AUD. The article
      highlights how the regulation of subcortical regions involved in alcohol
      incentive motivation by prefrontal cortical regions involved in cognitive control
      may be a core mechanism that plays a role in these varied forms of behavior
      change in AUD. We also lay out a multilevel framework for integrating cognitive
      neuroscience approaches with more traditional methods for examining AUD treatment
      mechanisms. 

PMID- 26259086
TI  - Advances in Medications and Tailoring Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder.
AB  - Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a chronic heritable brain disorder with a variable
      clinical presentation. This variability, or heterogeneity, in clinical
      presentation suggests complex interactions between environmental and biological
      factors, resulting in several underlying pathophysiological mechanisms in the
      development and progression of AUD. Classifying AUD into subgroups of common
      clinical or pathological characteristics would ease the complexity of teasing
      apart underlying molecular mechanisms. Genetic association analyses have revealed
      several polymorphisms-small differences in DNA-that increase a person's
      vulnerability to develop AUD and other alcohol-related intermediate
      characteristics, such as severity of drinking, age of AUD onset, or measures of
      craving. They also have identified polymorphisms associated with reduced
      drinking. Researchers have begun utilizing these genetic polymorphisms to
      identify alcoholics who might respond best to various treatments, thereby
      enhancing the effectiveness of currently tested medications for treating AUD.
      This review compares the efficacy of medications tested for treatment of AUD with
      and without incorporating genetics. It then discusses advances in pre-clinical
      genetic and genomic studies that potentially could be adapted to clinical trials
      to improve treatment efficacy. Although a pharmacogenetic approach is promising,
      it is relatively new and will need to overcome many challenges, including
      inadequate scientific knowledge and social and logistic constraints, to be
      utilized in clinical practice. 

PMID- 26259088
TI  - Utilization of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Research Involving Animal Models of
      Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.
AB  - It is well recognized that fetal alcohol exposure can profoundly damage the
      developing brain. The term fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) describes the
      range of deficits that result from prenatal alcohol exposure. Over the past two
      decades, researchers have used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a noninvasive
      technique to characterize anatomical, physiological, and metabolic changes in the
      human brain that are part of FASD. As using animal models can circumvent many of
      the complications inherent to human studies, researchers have established and
      explored a number of models involving a range of species. Using MRI-based
      modalities, the FASD animal models have demonstrated decreased brain volume and
      abnormal brain shape, disrupted cellular morphology differentiation, altered
      neurochemistry, and blood perfusion. These animal studies have facilitated
      characterization of the direct effects of ethanol; in many cases identifying
      specific sequelae related to the timing and dose of exposure. Further, as a
      result of the ability to perform traditional (such as histological) analyses on
      animal brains following neuroimaging experiments, this work leads to improvements
      in the accuracy of our interpretations of neuroimaging findings in human studies.

PMID- 26259090
TI  - Advances in Human Neuroconnectivity Research: Applications for Understanding
      Familial History Risk for Alcoholism.
AB  - Recent advances in brain imaging have allowed researchers to further study the
      networks connecting brain regions. Specifically, research examining the
      functioning of these networks in groups with a genetic predisposition for
      alcoholism has found atypical circuitry in the brains of such individuals.
      Further research with larger sample sizes and multimodal method integration are
      necessary to confirm these intriguing findings. 

PMID- 26259091
TI  - Advances in Diagnosis and Treatment of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: From
      Animal Models to Human Studies.
AB  - Prenatal alcohol exposure can cause a number of physical, behavioral, cognitive,
      and neural impairments, collectively known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
      (FASD). This article examines basic research that has been or could be translated
      into practical applications for the diagnosis or treatment of FASD. Diagnosing
      FASD continues to be a challenge, but advances are being made at both basic
      science and clinical levels. These include identification of biomarkers,
      recognition of subtle facial characteristics of exposure, and examination of the
      relation between face, brain, and behavior. Basic research also is pointing
      toward potential new interventions for FASD involving pharmacotherapies,
      nutritional therapies, and exercise interventions. Although researchers have
      assessed the majority of these treatments in animal models of FASD, a limited
      number of recent clinical studies exist. An assessment of this literature
      suggests that targeted interventions can improve some impairments resulting from
      developmental alcohol exposure. However, combining interventions may prove more
      efficacious. Ultimately, advances in basic and clinical sciences may translate to
      clinical care, improving both diagnosis and treatment. 

PMID- 26259092
TI  - Mechanisms of Neuroplasticity and Ethanol's Effects on Plasticity in the Striatum
      and Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis.
AB  - Long-lasting changes in synaptic function (i.e., synaptic plasticity) have long
      been thought to contribute to information storage in the nervous system. Although
      synaptic plasticity mainly has adaptive functions that allow the organism to
      function in complex environments, it is now clear that certain events or exposure
      to various substances can produce plasticity that has negative consequences for
      organisms. Exposure to drugs of abuse, in particular ethanol, is a life
      experience that can activate or alter synaptic plasticity, often resulting in
      increased drug seeking and taking and in many cases addiction.Two brain regions
      subject to alcohol's effects on synaptic plasticity are the striatum and bed
      nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), both of which have key roles in alcohol's
      actions and control of intake. The specific effects depend on both the brain
      region analyzed (e.g., specific subregions of the striatum and BNST) and the
      duration of ethanol exposure (i.e., acute vs. chronic). Plastic changes in
      synaptic transmission in these two brain regions following prolonged ethanol
      exposure are thought to contribute to excessive alcohol drinking and relapse to
      drinking. Understanding the mechanisms underlying this plasticity may lead to new
      therapies for treatment of these and other aspects of alcohol use disorder. 

PMID- 26259093
TI  - Neuroplasticity in Human Alcoholism: Studies of Extended Abstinence with
      Potential Treatment Implications.
AB  - Alcoholism is characterized by a lack of control over excessive alcohol
      consumption despite significant negative consequences. This impulsive and
      compulsive behavior may be related to functional abnormalities within networks of
      brain regions responsible for how we make decisions. The abnormalities may result
      in strengthened networks related to appetitive drive-or the need to fulfill
      desires-and simultaneously weakened networks that exercise control over
      behaviors. Studies using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in
      abstinent alcoholics suggest that abstinence is associated with changes in the
      tone of such networks, decreasing resting tone in appetitive drive networks, and
      increasing resting tone in inhibitory control networks to support continued
      abstinence. Identifying electroencephalographic (EEG) measures of resting tone in
      these networks initially identified using fMRI, and establishing in longitudinal
      studies that these abstinence-related changes in network tone are progressive
      would motivate treatment initiatives to facilitate these changes in network tone,
      thereby supporting successful ongoing abstinence. 

PMID- 26259095
TI  - Impact of salinity and dispersed oil on adsorption of dissolved aromatic
      hydrocarbons by activated carbon and organoclay.
AB  - Adsorption capacity of phenol and naphthalene by powdered activated carbon (PAC),
      a commercial organoclay (OC) and a lab synthesized organoclay (BTMA) was studied
      using batch adsorption experiments under variable feed water quality conditions
      including single- and multi- solute conditions, fresh water, saline water and
      oily-and-saline water. Increasing salinity levels was found to reduce adsorption
      capacity of OC, likely due to destabilization, aggregation and subsequent removal
      of organoclay from the water column, but did not negatively impact adsorption
      capacity of PAC or BTMA. Increased dispersed oil concentrations were found to
      reduce the surface area of all adsorbents. This decreased the adsorption capacity
      of PAC for both phenol and naphthalene, and reduced BTMA adsorption of phenol,
      but did not negatively affect naphthalene removals by either organoclay. The
      presence of naphthalene as a co-solute significantly reduced phenol adsorption by
      PAC, but had no impact on organoclay adsorption. These results indicated that
      adsorption by PAC occurred via a surface adsorption mechanism, while organoclay
      adsorption occurred by hydrophobic or pi electron interactions. In general, PAC
      was more sensitive to changes in water quality than either of the organoclays
      evaluated in this study. However, PAC exhibited a higher adsorption capacity for
      phenol and naphthalene compared to both organoclays even in adverse water quality
      conditions. 

PMID- 26259094
TI  - Neuroplasticity and Predictors of Alcohol Recovery.
AB  - Chronic alcohol-related neuroadaptations in key neural circuits of emotional and
      cognitive control play a critical role in the development of, and recovery from,
      alcoholism. Converging evidence in the neurobiological literature indicates that
      neuroplastic changes in the prefrontal-striatal-limbic circuit, which governs
      emotion regulation and decisionmaking and controls physiological responses in the
      autonomic nervous system and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis system,
      contribute to chronic alcoholism and also are significant predictors of relapse
      and recovery. This paper reviews recent evidence on the neuroplasticity
      associated with alcoholism in humans, including acute and chronic effects, and
      how these neurobiological adaptations contribute to alcohol recovery, along with
      the discussion of relevant clinical implications and future research directions. 

PMID- 26259096
TI  - Super-high photocatalytic activity, stability and improved photocatalytic
      mechanism of monodisperse AgBr doped with In.
AB  - Monodisperse In(3+) doped AgBr (In-AgBr) nanoparticles were synthesized by a
      hydrothermal route. The pure AgBr and In-AgBr samples were investigated by X-ray
      powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, ultraviolet-visible
      absorption spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, measurement of total
      organic carbon, and electron paramagnetic resonance spectrometry. In-AgBr was
      more photocatalytically active than pure AgBr in photodegradation of 20 mg/L
      methyl orange under visible light irradiation (lambda>420 nm). The 0.05 mol/L In
      AgBr sample showed the highest photodegradation efficiency and high stability.
      The doped In(3+) expanded the light absorption range, reduced the band gap of
      AgBr and improved the utilization of photons. The additional In(3+) can inhibit
      the formation of Ag particles on the surface of AgBr, which can further stabilize
      AgBr. The doped In(3+) in AgBr served as a temporary site for trapping of
      photoinduced electrons, and thereby obviously restrained the recombination of
      photoinduced electron-hole pairs on the surface of AgBr. The enhanced
      photocatalytic ability of In-AgBr may be mainly attributed to the improved
      separation efficiency of photogenerated charges.

PMID- 26259089
TI  - Advances in Electrophysiological Research.
AB  - Electrophysiological measures of brain function are effective tools to understand
      neurocognitive phenomena and sensitive indicators of pathophysiological processes
      associated with various clinical conditions, including alcoholism. Individuals
      with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and their high-risk offspring have consistently
      shown dysfunction in several electrophysiological measures in resting state
      (i.e., electroencephalogram) and during cognitive tasks (i.e., event-related
      potentials and event-related oscillations). Researchers have recently developed
      sophisticated signal-processing techniques to characterize different aspects of
      brain dynamics, which can aid in identifying the neural mechanisms underlying
      alcoholism and other related complex disorders.These quantitative measures of
      brain function also have been successfully used as endophenotypes to identify and
      help understand genes associated with AUD and related disorders. Translational
      research also is examining how brain electrophysiological measures potentially
      can be applied to diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. 

PMID- 26259097
TI  - Fluctuation of dissolved heavy metal concentrations in the leachate from
      anaerobic digestion of municipal solid waste in commercial scale landfill
      bioreactors: The effect of pH and associated mechanisms.
AB  - Heavy metals present in landfill leachate have infrequently been related to
      complete anaerobic degradation municipal solid waste (MSW) due to discrete ages
      of deposited MSW layers and leachate channelling in landfills. In this study,
      anaerobic digestion of MSW was performed in two enclosed 1000 tonne bioreactors
      using a unique flood and drain process. Leachates were characterised in terms of
      pH, soluble chemical oxygen demand, volatile fatty acids (VFAs), ammonium
      nitrogen and heavy metals over the entire course of digestion. All parameters,
      including pH, fluctuated during acidogenesis, acetogenesis and methanogenesis,
      which strongly impacted on the dynamics of dissolved heavy metal concentrations.
      The simulation of dissolution and precipitation processes indicated that metal
      sulphide precipitation was not a factor as metal concentrations exceeded
      solubility limits. The correlation of pH and dissolved heavy metal concentrations
      indicated that other, mechanisms were involved in the homogenised conditions
      within the bioreactors. Beside dissolution and precipitation, the main processes
      most likely involved in metal distributions were adsorption (Zn, Cu, Ni, Pb and
      Cd), complexation (Cr) or combinations of both process (As and Co). 

PMID- 26259098
TI  - Music evokes vivid autobiographical memories.
AB  - Music is strongly intertwined with memories-for example, hearing a song from the
      past can transport you back in time, triggering the sights, sounds, and feelings
      of a specific event. This association between music and vivid autobiographical
      memory is intuitively apparent, but the idea that music is intimately tied with
      memories, seemingly more so than other potent memory cues (e.g., familiar faces),
      has not been empirically tested. Here, we compared memories evoked by music to
      those evoked by famous faces, predicting that music-evoked autobiographical
      memories (MEAMs) would be more vivid. Participants listened to 30 songs, viewed
      30 faces, and reported on memories that were evoked. Memories were transcribed
      and coded for vividness as in Levine, B., Svoboda, E., Hay, J. F., Winocur, G., &
      Moscovitch, M. [2002. Aging and autobiographical memory: Dissociating episodic
      from semantic retrieval. Psychology and Aging, 17, 677-689]. In support of our
      hypothesis, MEAMs were more vivid than autobiographical memories evoked by faces.
      MEAMs contained a greater proportion of internal details and a greater number of
      perceptual details, while face-evoked memories contained a greater number of
      external details. Additionally, we identified sex differences in memory
      vividness: for both stimulus categories, women retrieved more vivid memories than
      men. The results show that music not only effectively evokes autobiographical
      memories, but that these memories are more vivid than those evoked by famous
      faces.

PMID- 26259099
TI  - Nationwide survey of Streptococcus pneumoniae drug resistance in the pediatric
      field in Japan.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major causative pathogen of pneumonia
      in children. The Drug-Resistant Pathogen Surveillance Group in Pediatric
      Infectious Disease conducted a nationwide surveillance of S. pneumoniae in 2000
      2001, 2004, 2007, 2010 and 2012, and investigated changes in drug resistance of
      S. pneumoniae. METHODS: All strains of S. pneumoniae were isolated from clinical
      specimens collected from pediatric patients. The minimun inhibitory concentration
      was measured and the strains were classified according to the Clinical Laboratory
      Standards Institute criteria. The isolation rates of penicillin-intermediate
      resistant S. pneumoniae (PISP) and penicillin-resistant S. pneumoniae (PRSP) were
      compared based on seven patient factors. Logistic regression analysis was also
      performed. RESULTS: The sum of the isolation rates for PISP and PRSP for each
      period was 64.6%, 67.0%, 56.2%, 76.9% and 49.5%, respectively. Among the patient
      factors, age category 1 (<3 years, >=3 years), age category 2 (infant, toddler
      and preschooler, schoolchild), siblings (absence, presence), and pre-treatment
      with antimicrobial agents (absence, presence) were associated with significant
      differences in the isolation rate of PISP + PRSP. An interaction was observed
      between pre-treatment with antimicrobial agents and schoolchild, and the
      isolation rate of PISP + PRSP was higher in patients with both pre-treatment with
      antimicrobial agents and schoolchild. CONCLUSION: Although some changes were
      observed in the rate of resistance of S. pneumoniae, an increasing trend was not
      observed. Both pre-treatment with antimicrobial agents and age were associated
      with resistance, and an interaction was observed between pre-treatment with
      antimicrobial agents and schoolchild.

PMID- 26259100
TI  - Tuning of Magnetic Optical Response in a Dielectric Nanoparticle by Ultrafast
      Photoexcitation of Dense Electron-Hole Plasma.
AB  - We propose a novel approach for efficient tuning of optical properties of a high
      refractive index subwavelength nanoparticle with a magnetic Mie-type resonance by
      means of femtosecond laser irradiation. This concept is based on ultrafast
      photoinjection of dense (>10(20) cm(-3)) electron-hole plasma within such
      nanoparticle, drastically changing its transient dielectric permittivity. This
      allows manipulation by both electric and magnetic nanoparticle responses,
      resulting in dramatic changes of its scattering diagram and scattering cross
      section. We experimentally demonstrate 20% tuning of reflectance of a single
      silicon nanoparticle by femtosecond laser pulses with wavelength in the vicinity
      of the magnetic dipole resonance. Such a single-particle nanodevice enables
      designing of fast and ultracompact optical switchers and modulators. 

PMID- 26259102
TI  - Stability of Grafted Polymer Nanoscale Films toward Gamma Irradiation.
AB  - The present article focuses on the influence of gamma irradiation on nanoscale
      polymer grafted films and explores avenues for improvements in their stability
      toward the ionizing radiation. In terms of applications, we concentrate on
      enrichment polymer layers (EPLs), which are polymer thin films employed in sensor
      devices for the detection of chemical and biological substances. Specifically, we
      have studied the influence of gamma irradiation on nanoscale poly(glycidyl
      methacrylate) (PGMA) grafted EPL films. First, it was determined that a
      significant level of cross-linking was caused by irradiation in pure PGMA films.
      The cross-linking is accompanied by the formation of conjugated ester, carbon
      double bonds, hydroxyl groups, ketone carbonyls, and the elimination of epoxy
      groups as determined by FTIR. Polystyrene, 4-amino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine
      1-oxyl, dimethylphenylsilanol, BaF2, and gold nanoparticles were incorporated
      into the films and were found to mitigate different aspects of the radiation
      damage. 

PMID- 26259101
TI  - Global SUMOylation on active chromatin is an acute heat stress response
      restricting transcription.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cells have developed many ways to cope with external stress. One
      distinctive feature in acute proteotoxic stresses, such as heat shock (HS), is
      rapid post-translational modification of proteins by SUMOs (small ubiquitin-like
      modifier proteins; SUMOylation). While many of the SUMO targets are chromatin
      proteins, there is scarce information on chromatin binding of SUMOylated proteins
      in HS and the role of chromatin SUMOylation in the regulation of transcription.
      RESULTS: We mapped HS-induced genome-wide changes in chromatin occupancy of SUMO
      2/3-modified proteins in K562 and VCaP cells using ChIP-seq. Chromatin
      SUMOylation was further correlated with HS-induced global changes in
      transcription using GRO-seq and RNA polymerase II (Pol2) ChIP-seq along with
      ENCODE data for K562 cells. HS induced a rapid and massive rearrangement of
      chromatin SUMOylation pattern: SUMOylation was gained at active promoters and
      enhancers associated with multiple transcription factors, including heat shock
      factor 1. Concomitant loss of SUMOylation occurred at inactive intergenic
      chromatin regions that were associated with CTCF-cohesin complex and SETDB1
      methyltransferase complex. In addition, HS triggered a dynamic chromatin binding
      of SUMO ligase PIAS1, especially onto promoters. The HS-induced SUMOylation on
      chromatin was most notable at promoters of transcribed genes where it positively
      correlated with active transcription and Pol2 promoter-proximal pausing.
      Furthermore, silencing of SUMOylation machinery either by depletion of UBC9 or
      PIAS1 enhanced expression of HS-induced genes. CONCLUSIONS: HS-triggered
      SUMOylation targets promoters and enhancers of actively transcribed genes where
      it restricts the transcriptional activity of the HS-induced genes. PIAS1-mediated
      promoter SUMOylation is likely to regulate Pol2-associated factors in HS.

PMID- 26259103
TI  - Negative-pressure-induced enhancement in a freestanding ferroelectric.
AB  - Ferroelectrics are widespread in technology, being used in electronics and
      communications, medical diagnostics and industrial automation. However, extension
      of their operational temperature range and useful properties is desired. Recent
      developments have exploited ultrathin epitaxial films on lattice-mismatched
      substrates, imposing tensile or compressive biaxial strain, to enhance
      ferroelectric properties. Much larger hydrostatic compression can be achieved by
      diamond anvil cells, but hydrostatic tensile stress is regarded as unachievable.
      Theory and ab initio treatments predict enhanced properties for perovskite
      ferroelectrics under hydrostatic tensile stress. Here we report negative-pressure
      driven enhancement of the tetragonality, Curie temperature and spontaneous
      polarization in freestanding PbTiO3 nanowires, driven by stress that develops
      during transformation of the material from a lower-density crystal structure to
      the perovskite phase. This study suggests a simple route to obtain negative
      pressure in other materials, potentially extending their exploitable properties
      beyond their present levels. 

PMID- 26259104
TI  - Eliminating degradation and uncovering ion-trapping dynamics in electrochromic
      WO3 thin films.
AB  - There is keen interest in the use of amorphous WO3 thin films as cathodic
      electrodes in transmittance-modulating electrochromic devices. However, these
      films suffer from ion-trapping-induced degradation of optical modulation and
      reversibility on extended Li(+)-ion exchange. Here, we demonstrate that ion
      trapping-induced degradation, which is commonly believed to be irreversible, can
      be successfully eliminated by constant-current-driven de-trapping; that is, WO3
      films can be rejuvenated and regain their initial highly reversible
      electrochromic performance. Pronounced ion trapping occurs when x exceeds ~0.65
      in LixWO3 during ion insertion. We find two main kinds of Li(+)-ion-trapping site
      (intermediate and deep) in WO3, where the intermediate ones are most prevalent.
      Li(+) ions can be completely removed from intermediate traps but are irreversibly
      bound in deep traps. Our results provide a general framework for developing and
      designing superior electrochromic materials and devices. 

PMID- 26259105
TI  - Ferroelectrics: The positives of going negative.

PMID- 26259106
TI  - Identification of catalytic sites for oxygen reduction in iron- and nitrogen
      doped graphene materials.
AB  - While platinum has hitherto been the element of choice for catalysing oxygen
      electroreduction in acidic polymer fuel cells, tremendous progress has been
      reported for pyrolysed Fe-N-C materials. However, the structure of their active
      sites has remained elusive, delaying further advance. Here, we synthesized Fe-N-C
      materials quasi-free of crystallographic iron structures after argon or ammonia
      pyrolysis. These materials exhibit nearly identical Mossbauer spectra and
      identical X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (XANES) spectra, revealing the
      same Fe-centred moieties. However, the much higher activity and basicity of NH3
      pyrolysed Fe-N-C materials demonstrates that the turnover frequency of Fe-centred
      moieties depends on the physico-chemical properties of the support. Following a
      thorough XANES analysis, the detailed structures of two FeN4 porphyrinic
      architectures with different O2 adsorption modes were then identified. These
      porphyrinic moieties are not easily integrated in graphene sheets, in contrast
      with Fe-centred moieties assumed hitherto for pyrolysed Fe-N-C materials. These
      new insights open the path to bottom-up synthesis approaches and studies on site
      support interactions. 

PMID- 26259107
TI  - Thermoresponsive actuation enabled by permittivity switching in an
      electrostatically anisotropic hydrogel.
AB  - Electrostatic repulsion, long used for attenuating surface friction, is not
      typically employed for the design of bulk structural materials. We recently
      developed a hydrogel with a layered structure consisting of cofacially oriented
      electrolyte nanosheets. Because this unusual geometry imparts a large anisotropic
      electrostatic repulsion to the hydrogel interior, the hydrogel resisted
      compression orthogonal to the sheets but readily deformed along parallel shear.
      Building on this concept, here we show a hydrogel actuator that operates by
      modulating its anisotropic electrostatics in response to changes of electrostatic
      permittivity associated with a lower critical solution temperature transition. In
      the absence of substantial water uptake and release, the distance between the
      nanosheets rapidly expands and contracts on heating and cooling, respectively, so
      that the hydrogel lengthens and shortens significantly, even in air. An L-shaped
      hydrogel with an oblique nanosheet configuration can thus act as a
      unidirectionally proceeding actuator that operates without the need for external
      physical biases. 

PMID- 26259108
TI  - Novel Ordered Mesoporous Carbon Based Sulfonic Acid as an Efficient Catalyst in
      the Selective Dehydration of Fructose into 5-HMF: the Role of Solvent and Surface
      Chemistry.
AB  - Novel ionic liquid derived ordered mesoporous carbons functionalized with
      sulfonic acid groups IOMC-ArSO3H and GIOMC-ArSO3H were prepared, characterized,
      and examined in the dehydration reaction of fructose into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural
      (5-HMF) both in aqueous and nonaqueous systems. To study and correlate the
      surface properties of these carbocatalysts and some other SBA-15 typed solid
      acids with 5-HMF yield, hydrophilicity index (H-index) were employed in the
      fructose dehydration. Our study systematically declared that almost a criterion
      may be expected for application of solid acids in which by increasing H-index
      value up to 0.8 the HMF yield enhances accordingly. More increase in H-index up
      to 1.3 did not change the HMF yield profoundly. Although, it has been shown that
      the catalyst with larger H-index (~1.3) resulted in higher activity both in
      aqueous and 2-propanol systems, during the recycling process deactivation occurs
      because of more water uptake and the catalysts with optimum amount of H-index
      (~0.8) is more robust in the dehydration of fructose. 

PMID- 26259109
TI  - Copolymerization of Propylene and Polar Monomers Using Pd/IzQO Catalysts.
AB  - Palladium catalysts bearing imidazo[1,5-a]quinolin-9-olate-1-ylidene (IzQO)
      ligands polymerize alpha-olefins while incorporating polar monomers. The steric
      environment provided by N-heterocyclic-carbene (NHC) enables regioselective
      insertion of alpha-olefins and polar monomers, yielding polypropylene,
      propylene/allyl carboxylate copolymers, and propylene/methyl acrylate copolymer.
      Known polymerization catalysts bearing NHC-based ligands decompose rapidly,
      whereas the present catalyst is durable because of structural confinement,
      wherein the NHC-plane is coplanar to the metal square plane. The present catalyst
      system enables facile access to a new class of functionalized polyolefins and
      helps conceive a new fundamental principle for designing NHC-based ligands. 

PMID- 26259113
TI  - Comparison of the Expression and Granting of Requests for Euthanasia in Belgium
      in 2007 vs 2013.

PMID- 26259114
TI  - Quantification of Maxillary Dental Arcade Curvature and the Estimation of
      Biological Ancestry in Forensic Anthropology.
AB  - Previous studies suggest that palate shape is a useful indicator of biological
      ancestry in human remains. This study evaluates interobserver error in ancestry
      estimation using palate shape and explores palate shape variation in Gullah
      (descendants of West Africans) and Seminole (Indigenous American) population
      samples using geometric morphometric analysis. Ten participants were asked to
      ascribe biological ancestry and shape to 28 dental casts based on a
      classification scheme employed in previous studies. The mean correct
      classification was 42.0%, indicating that the likelihood of assigning the correct
      ancestry is very poor and not significantly different from random assignment (p =
      0.12). The accuracy analysis based on categorical classification of the casts was
      complemented by geometric morphometric analysis of nine 3D landmarks reflecting
      palate shape of 158 casts. Principal component analysis results show no
      difference between populations regarding palate shape, and cross-validated
      discriminant function analysis correctly classified only 62.0% of the specimens.
      Combined, these results show that previous methods to estimate ancestry are
      inaccurate and that this inaccuracy is probably due to a lack of palate shape
      differences between groups, rather than limitation of the analytical method per
      se. Therefore, we recommend caution should be used when choosing to apply the
      analysis of palate shape in forensically relevant contexts.

PMID- 26259115
TI  - Preclinical evaluation of 2-amino-2-[11C]methyl-butanoic acid as a potential
      tumor-imaging agent in a mouse model.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: C-labeled 2-amino-2-methyl-butanoic acid (Iva) was previously reported
      to provide high tumor uptake; however, the pharmacokinetic properties of C
      labeled Iva have not been characterized. In the present study, we evaluated the
      potential of [C]Iva as a PET probe for tumor imaging. METHODS: [C]Iva was
      incubated in mouse serum for 60 min at 37 degrees C and then analyzed by high
      performance liquid chromatography and thin-layer chromatography. In-vitro
      cellular uptake of [C]Iva was determined in PBS and sodium-free buffer at 37
      degrees C using SY human small-cell lung cancer cells. The effects of inhibitors
      of amino acid transporters on [C]Iva uptake were also determined in PBS. In-vivo
      distribution and dynamic PET studies were conducted in SY tumor-bearing mice.
      RESULTS: [C]Iva was stable in mouse serum in vitro for 60 min. The cellular
      uptake of [C]Iva was linearly increased for 20 min in both PBS and sodium-free
      buffer and almost completely inhibited by an inhibitor of system L amino acid
      transporters and another of LAT1, a transporter of system L. In-vivo distribution
      and dynamic PET studies showed that [C]Iva was highly accumulated in tumor, but
      not in normal tissues, except for the pancreas and kidneys. The [C]Iva uptake
      ratio of tumor to several normal tissues, such as the lung, muscle, and brain,
      was high. CONCLUSION: [C]Iva was stable in mouse serum and transported through
      system L amino acid transporters including LAT1, which is highly expressed in
      several tumors. [C]Iva is a promising PET probe for noninvasive tumor imaging.

PMID- 26259116
TI  - Facile Synthesis of Novel Heterostructure Based on SnO2 Nanorods Grown on
      Submicron Ni Walnut with Tunable Electromagnetic Wave Absorption Capabilities.
AB  - In this work, the magnetic-dielectric core-shell heterostructure composites with
      the core of Ni submicron spheres and the shell of SnO2 nanorods were prepared by
      a facile two-step route. The crystal structure and morphology were investigated
      by X-ray diffraction analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and field
      emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). FESEM and TEM measurements present
      that SnO2 nanorods were perpendicularly grown on the surfaces of Ni spheres and
      the density of the SnO2 nanorods could be tuned by simply varying the addition
      amount of Sn(2+) in this process. The morphology of Ni/SnO2 composites were also
      determined by the concentration of hydrochloric acid and a plausible formation
      mechanism of SnO2 nanorods-coated Ni spheres was proposed based on hydrochloric
      acid concentration dependent experiments. Ni/SnO2 composites exhibit better
      thermal stability than pristine Ni spheres based on thermalgravimetric analysis
      (TGA). The measurement on the electromagnetic (EM) parameters indicates that SnO2
      nanorods can improve the impedance matching condition, which is beneficial for
      the improvement of electromagnetic wave absorption. When the coverage density of
      SnO2 nanorod is in an optimum state (diameter of 10 nm and length of about 40-50
      nm), the optimal reflection loss (RL) of electromagnetic wave is -45.0 dB at 13.9
      GHz and the effective bandwidth (RL below -10 dB) could reach to 3.8 GHz (12.3
      16.1 GHz) with the absorber thickness of only 1.8 mm. By changing the loading
      density of SnO2 nanorods, the best microwave absorption state could be tuned at 1
      18 GHz band. These results pave an efficient way for designing new types of high
      performance electromagnetic wave absorbing materials. 

PMID- 26259117
TI  - Carbohydrate-Conjugated Amino Acid-Based Fluorescent Block Copolymers: Their Self
      Assembly, pH Responsiveness, and/or Lectin Recognition.
AB  - An effective strategy has been documented to combine both carbohydrate and amino
      acid biomolecules in a single synthetic polymeric system via a reversible
      addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization technique. The
      resultant unique block copolymer was engineered to form uniform micelles with the
      desired projection of either selective or both amino acid/sugar residues on the
      outer surface with multivalency, providing pH-based stimuli-responsiveness and/or
      lectin recognition. The self-assembly process was studied in detail by field
      emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS),
      and UV-visible spectroscopy. The enhanced lectin binding behavior was observed
      for glyconanoparticles with both amino acid/sugar entities on the shell as
      compared to the only glycopolymer nanoparticle because of the higher steric
      hindrance factor in the case of only the glycopolymer nanoparticle. Fluorophore
      conjugation by postpolymerization functionalization was further exploited by
      fluorescence spectroscopy for evidencing the lectin recognition process. 

PMID- 26259118
TI  - Influence of the hospital environment and presence of the physician on the white
      coat effect.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the separate contribution of the physician and the
      hospital environment to differences between home (HBP) and office BP (OBP).
      METHODS: For 3 consecutive days, 65 hypertensive patients measured their HBP. OBP
      was determined with the same device by the physician. A higher OBP than HBP was
      regarded as white-coat effect (WCE), whereas lower OBP than HBP was regarded
      masked effect. OBP was measured automatically before, during and after the
      presence of the physician. The physician effect was the BP rise caused by the
      entrance of physician. The WCE minus the physician effect was regarded the
      hospital's contribution to the BP differences (hospital effect). We assessed the
      magnitudes of the hospital effect and the physician effect in determining the
      WCE. Furthermore, we assessed the correlation of these BP phenomena with each
      other, and with clinical variables. RESULTS: The WCE consisted of 4.6/-1.7 +/-
      9.9/10.9 mmHg hospital effect and of 4.4/3.4 +/- 6.6/3.3 mmHg PE. The masked
      effect consisted of a substantially larger hospital effect (19.6/9.4 +/- 12.7/9.5
      mmHg) than physician effect (4.6/3.0 +/- 6.4/3.9 mmHg). Physician effect did not
      correlate with systolic or diastolic WCE or masked effect (r = -0.05 to 0.08, P >
      0.39). In regression analysis, age, baseline mean arterial pressure and BMI were
      not significantly associated with WCE (all P values >0.4). CONCLUSION: BP
      differences between home and office can largely be attributed to the hospital
      environment rather than to the entrance of the physician. The physician-related
      BP effect is not related to differences of HBP and OBP.

PMID- 26259119
TI  - Refined phenotyping identifies links between preeclampsia and related diseases in
      a Norwegian preeclampsia family cohort.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Preeclampsia is a complex genetic disease of pregnancy with a
      heterogenous presentation, unknown cause and potential severe outcomes for both
      mother and child. Preeclamptic women have increased risk for atherothrombotic
      cardiovascular disease. We aimed to identify heritabilities and phenotypic
      correlations of preeclampsia and related conditions in the Norwegian Preeclampsia
      Family Biobank. METHODS: By applying a variance components model, a total of 493
      individuals (from 138 families with increased occurrence of preeclampsia) were
      classified according to 30 disease-related phenotypes. RESULTS: Of parous women,
      75.7% (263/338) had experienced preeclampsia and 35.7% of women with and 22.4%
      without preeclampsia delivered children small for gestational age (SGA). We
      identified 11 phenotypes as heritable. The increased occurrence of preeclampsia
      was reflected by the presence [heritability (H2r) = 0.60)] and severity (H2r =
      0.15) of preeclampsia and being born in a preeclamptic pregnancy (H2r = 0.25).
      Other heritable phenotypes identified included SGA (H2r = 0.40), chronic
      hypertension (H2r = 0.57), severity of atherothrombotic cardiovascular disease
      (H2r = 0.31), BMI (H2r = 0.60) and pulmonary disease (H2r = 0.91). The heritable
      phenotype preeclampsia overlapped with SGA (P = 0.03), whereas pulmonary disease
      was phenotypically correlated with atherothrombotic cardiovascular disease (P <
      0.01), SGA (P = 0.02) and BMI (P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: This is the first study
      identifying the H2r of a range of health-related conditions in preeclamptic
      families. Our study demonstrates how refinement of phenotypes leads to better H2r
      estimation and the identification of a biological relationship between
      preeclampsia and related traits.

PMID- 26259120
TI  - Health-related quality of life and blood pressure 12 months after renal
      denervation.
AB  - AIM: To examine the effect of renal denervation (RDN) on blood pressure (BP) and
      health-related quality of life (QoL) in patients with resistant hypertension,
      pseudoresistant hypertension due to a white-coat effect and in patients with
      uncontrolled masked hypertension. METHODS: Using the Medical Outcomes Study 36
      Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and
      Spielberger's state and trait anxiety questionnaires, we examined QoL, symptoms
      of depression and anxiety prior to and 12 months following RDN. BP was assessed
      from clinic and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) recordings. RESULTS:
      Patients with uncontrolled masked hypertension had the highest BDI and anxiety
      scores among all groups at baseline. Twelve months following RDN clinic and
      ambulatory BP were reduced only in those patients with resistant hypertension
      (delta SBP: clinic -16 +/- 3 mmHg, ABPMday -8 +/- 2 mmHg, ABPMnight -8 +/- 2
      mmHg, all P < 0.01). Clinic BP was reduced in the pseudoresistant group (-17 +/-
      6 mmHg, P < 0.01) but was elevated in the uncontrolled masked group (+13 +/- 6
      mmHg, P = 0.02). In all patients, trait anxiety (P < 0.05), BDI scores (P < 0.05)
      and the SF-36 mental component summary (MCS) score (P < 0.001) were improved. The
      improvement in the SF-36 MCS was confined to those patients with resistant
      hypertension (+4.0 +/- 1.1, P < 0.01). The change in clinic BP after RDN was
      related to the baseline clinic BP (systolic: r = 0.54, P < 0.001; diastolic r =
      0.43, P < 0.001), the number of ablations delivered (both clinic and mean day
      ABPM systolic r = 0.24, P < 0.05) and to the change in SF-36 MCS score (systolic:
      r = 0.25, P = 0.01; diastolic r = 0.24, P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: These results
      indicate that in patients with confirmed resistant hypertension, RDN is
      associated with a reduction in BP and a sustained improvement in mental health
      related aspects of QoL.

PMID- 26259121
TI  - Association of anxiety and depression with hypertension control: a US
      multidisciplinary group practice observational study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The presence of a mental health disorder with hypertension is
      associated with higher cardiovascular disease mortality than hypertension alone.
      Although earlier detection of hypertension has been demonstrated in patients with
      anxiety and depression, the relationship of mental health disorders to
      hypertension control is unknown. Our objective was to evaluate rates and
      predictors of incident hypertension control among patients with anxiety and/or
      depression compared with patients without either mental health diagnosis.
      METHODS: A 4-year retrospective analysis included 4362 patients, at least 18
      years old, who received primary care in a large academic group practice from 2008
      to 2011. Patients met The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on
      Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure criteria
      and had a hypertension diagnosis. Kaplan-Meier analysis estimated the probability
      of achieving control for patients with and without anxiety and/or depression. Cox
      proportional hazard models were fit to identify predictors of time to control.
      RESULTS: Overall, 13% (n = 573) had a baseline diagnosis of anxiety and/or
      depression. Those with anxiety and/or depression demonstrated more primary care
      and specialty visits than those without either condition. After adjustment,
      patients with anxiety and/or depression had faster rates of hypertension control
      (hazard ratio [HR] 1.22; 1.07-1.39] than patients without either diagnosis. Other
      associations of faster hypertension control included female gender (HR 1.32; 1.20
      1.44), absence of tobacco use (HR 1.17; 1.03-1.33), Medicaid use (HR 1.27; 1.09
      1.49), and a higher Adjusted Clinical Group Risk Score (HR 1.13; 1.10-1.17), a
      measure of healthcare utilization. CONCLUSION: Greater healthcare utilization
      among patients with anxiety and/or depression may contribute to faster
      hypertension control.

PMID- 26259122
TI  - Concordance with DASH diet and blood pressure change: results from the Framingham
      Offspring Study (1991-2008).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Concordance with the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH)
      diet has been shown to reduce blood pressure (BP) in short-term intervention
      studies, but long-term effects are unclear. We evaluated the association of DASH
      diet concordance with BP trajectories and incidence of hypertension, in 2187 men
      and women (mean age 52.5 years at baseline) participating in the Framingham
      Offspring cohort. METHOD: Diet and BP were assessed from 1991 to 2008, with a
      median follow-up time of 13.4 years. DASH scores (ranging from 0 for worst to 10
      for best concordance with DASH diet) were calculated by summing 10 food
      components that comprise the DASH diet pattern, including fruits and vegetables,
      low-fat dairy products, lean meat, and plant-based protein. Mixed-effect and Cox
      regression models were applied, to assess the association of DASH diet
      concordance with BP longitudinal change and with incidence of hypertension,
      respectively. All analyses were adjusted for age, sex, smoking status, history of
      diabetes, BMI, and physical activity. RESULT: Overall, SBP increased by 0.34 mmHg
      and DBP by 0.10 mmHg annually, in the Framingham Offspring cohort. Every unit
      increase in the DASH score resulted in a modest increase in SBP of 0.054
      mmHg/year (P = 0.028). No associations were observed between DASH diet
      concordance and DBP or incidence of hypertension. CONCLUSION: Long-term
      concordance with the DASH diet was not associated with a decreasing BP trajectory
      over time, or with decreased incidence of hypertension, in this population of
      middle-aged adults.

PMID- 26259123
TI  - Effects of passive smoking on hypertension in rural Chinese nonsmoking women.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Increasing evidence suggest that active smoking is a risk factor for
      hypertension, but little is known about the effects of passive smoking on this
      condition. In China, female passive smoking is widespread and severe due to the
      high proportion of men who smoke, particularly in rural areas. This study
      assessed whether passive smoking is associated with increased risk of
      hypertension among nonsmoking women in rural China. METHODS: A total of 392
      nonsmoking women from a rural area of Shanxi Province (northern China)
      participated in this cross-sectional study. Data on female passive smoking, and
      other factors known to influence hypertension, were collected during face-to-face
      interviews. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the association analyses
      after adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS: In total, 162 of the 392
      participants were hypertensive (41.3%); 118 participants (30.1%) reported
      exposure to passive smoking, of whom 88.4% were exposed to smoke in the home.
      After adjusting for age, BMI, education, occupation, drinking status, physical
      activity, and menopause status, passive smoking conferred an approximately two
      fold risk increase of hypertension (adjusted odds ratio = 1.99, 95% confidence
      interval 1.16, 3.39). The adjusted odds ratios for passive smoking exposure
      levels of one to three, four to six, and more than six occasions per week were
      1.01 (0.39-2.62), 2.57 (1.05-6.30), and 2.59 (1.18-5.69), respectively.
      CONCLUSION: In rural areas of northern China, female passive smoking in the home
      is prevalent. Frequent exposure to secondhand smoke is a risk factor for
      hypertension among nonsmoking women, which suggests that measures should be taken
      to prevent passive smoking among this population.

PMID- 26259124
TI  - Pulsatile and steady components of blood pressure and subclinical cerebrovascular
      disease: the Northern Manhattan Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To assess whether pulse pressure (PP) is associated, independently of
      mean arterial pressure (MAP), with perivascular spaces (PVS), lacunar lesions
      presumably ischemic (LPI), and white matter hyperintensity volume (WMHV) seen on
      brain MRI. METHODS: Participants in the Northern Manhattan Study had their blood
      pressure (BP) taken during their baseline enrollment visit and again during a
      visit for a brain MRI a mean of 7 years later. We assessed small and large PVS,
      lacunar LPI, and WMHV on MRI. We examined the association of SBP, DBP, MAP, and
      PP at baseline with subclinical markers of cerebrovascular disease using
      generalized linear models and adjusting for vascular risk factors. RESULTS:
      Imaging and BP data were available for 1009 participants (mean age 68 +/- 8
      years, 60% women, 60% Hispanic). DBP was associated with lacunar LPI and WMHV,
      whereas SBP was associated with small and large PVS. Using MAP and PP together
      disclosed that the effect size for PP was greater for large PVS, whereas the
      effect of MAP was greater for lacunar LPI and WMHV. The effects of DBP were flat
      or negative at any degree of SBP higher than 120 mmHg for small and large PVS,
      whereas a positive association was noted for lacunar LPI and WMHV with any DBP
      increase over any degree of SBP. CONCLUSION: We report here a segregated
      association between the pulsatile and steady components of the BP with
      subclinical markers of cerebrovascular disease. These differential associations
      may reflect the underlying disease of these biomarkers.

PMID- 26259125
TI  - Contribution of serotonin to cardiac remodeling associated with hypertensive
      diastolic ventricular dysfunction in rats.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Left-ventricular hypertrophy and interstitial fibrosis are the main
      pathophysiological factors of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.
      Blockade of the serotonin 5-HT2B receptor (5-HT2BR) has been shown to reduce
      cardiac hypertrophy, oxidative stress, and extracellular cell matrix activation.
      In this study, we evaluated the effects of the 5-HT2BR blockade, on hemodynamic
      and cardiac remodeling, in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) that display a
      diastolic dysfunction with preserved ejection fraction. METHOD: Thirty-seven-week
      old SHRs were randomized in four groups receiving either saline, the selective 5
      HT2BR antagonist RS-127445 (1 mg/kg per day), a calcium channel blocker
      nicardipine (6 mg/kg per day), or RS-127445 + nicardipine. During the 14 weeks of
      treatment period, cardiac function and blood pressure were monitored by
      echocardiography and tail-cuff. Finally, electrocardiograms and invasive
      hemodynamics were obtained before blood collection. Heart was analyzed for
      morphology and mRNA expression. A complementary study evaluated the cardiac and
      vascular effects of serotonin on wild-type and mice knockout for the 5-HT2BR
      (Htr2B) and/or the 5-HT2AR (Htr2A). RESULTS: Despite the left ventricular 5-HT2BR
      overexpression, 5-HT2BR blockade by RS-127445 did not affect left ventricular
      hypertrophy and fibrosis in SHRs. This antagonist did not improve diastolic
      dysfunction, neither alone nor in combination with nicardipine, although it
      induced plasma brain natriuretic peptide decrease. Moreover, RS-127445 amplified
      subendocardial fibrosis and favored left ventricular dilatation. Finally, a
      subendocardial left ventricular fibrosis was induced by chronic serotonin in wild
      type mice, which was increased in Htr2B animals, but prevented in Htr2A and
      Htr2A/2B mice, and could be explained by a contribution of the endothelial 5
      HT2BRs to coronary vasodilatation. CONCLUSION: This work is the first to identify
      a cardioprotective function of the 5-HT2BR in an integrated model of diastolic
      dysfunction with preserved ejection fraction.

PMID- 26259126
TI  - Magnetic zirconium hexacyanoferrate(II) nanoparticle as tracing tag for
      electrochemical DNA assay.
AB  - Novel multifunctional magnetic zirconium hexacyanoferrate nanoparticles (ZrHCF
      MNPs) were prepared, which consisted of magnetic beads (MBs) inner core and
      zirconium hexacyanoferrate(II) (ZrHCF) outer shell. As an artificial peroxidase,
      the ZrHCF MNPs exhibited remarkable electrocatalytic properties in the reduction
      of H2O2 at 0.2 V vs saturated calomel electrode (SCE). On the basis of the
      bonding interaction between Zr (IV) of the shell ZrHCF framework and phosphonate
      groups, the 5'-phosphorylated ssDNA probes with a consecutive stretch of guanines
      as a spacer could be incorporated in ZrHCF MNPs easily. Thus, DNA-grafted ZrHCF
      MNPs could be simply obtained by magnetic separation. The prepared
      nanoelectrocatalyst was further used as signal nanoprobe for the ultrasensitive
      electrochemical DNA assay. Under optimal conditions, the proposed biosensor
      presents high sensitivity for detecting target DNA with a linear range from 1.0
      fM to 1.0 nM and a low detection limit of 0.43 fM. Moreover, it exhibits good
      performance with excellent selectivity, high stability, and acceptable
      fabrication reproducibility. 

PMID- 26259127
TI  - Cell-Mediated Dexamethasone Release from Semi-IPNs Stimulates Osteogenic
      Differentiation of Encapsulated Mesenchymal Stem Cells.
AB  - Scaffold-based delivery of bioactive molecules capable of directing stem cell
      differentiation is critical to the development of point-of-care cell therapy for
      orthopedic repair. Dexamethasone-conjugated hyaluronic acid (HA-DXM) was
      synthesized and combined with hydrolytically degradable, photo-cross-linkable PEG
      bis(2-acryloyloxy propanoate) (PEG-bis-AP) to form semi-IPNs. Dexamethasone (DX)
      release was limited in physiological buffer and substantially increased in the
      presence of encapsulated human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) or exogenous
      hyaluronidase, confirming that release occurred primarily by a cell-mediated
      enzymatic mechanism. hMSCs encapsulated in PEG-bis-AP/HA-DXM semi-IPNs increased
      osteoblast-specific gene expression, alkaline phosphatase activity, and matrix
      mineralization, attaining levels that were not significantly different from
      positive controls consisting of hMSCs in PEG-bis-AP/native HA cultured with DX
      supplementation in the culture medium. These studies demonstrate that PEG-bis
      AP/HA-DXM semi-IPNs can provide cell-mediated release of bioactive free DX that
      induces hMSC osteogenic differentiation. This approach offers an efficient system
      for local delivery of osteogenic molecules empowering point of care applications.

PMID- 26259129
TI  - Origins and development of mirroring mechanisms: A neuroconstructivist framework.
AB  - The current review examines models developed to answer questions about the
      origins and early developmental processes determining the emergence of mirroring
      mechanisms and considers the debate about the role of the motor system in action
      understanding. Strengths and points of criticism deriving from existing
      alternative positions are illustrated. Particular emphasis is put on the
      neuroconstructivist framework with the aim of evaluating whether the hypotheses
      driven by this approach are in line with the available evidence. Within the
      neuroconstructivist framework, a novel model is proposed in which the direct
      matching and action reconstruction viewpoints on action understanding processes
      can be integrated by assuming a developmental perspective. It is suggested that
      mirroring mechanisms are shaped by a domain-relevant narrowing process driven by
      sensorimotor experience and that action understanding can take advantage of both
      top-down and bottom-up processes, in a multilevel and dynamic fashion. 

PMID- 26259128
TI  - Estimates of foodborne illness-related hospitalizations and deaths in Canada for
      30 specified pathogens and unspecified agents.
AB  - Foodborne illness estimates help to set food safety priorities and create public
      health policies. The Public Health Agency of Canada estimates that 4 million
      episodes of foodborne illness occur each year in Canada due to 30 known pathogens
      and unspecified agents. The main objective of this study was to estimate the
      number of domestically acquired foodborne illness-related hospitalizations and
      deaths. Using the estimates of foodborne illness for Canada along with data from
      the Canadian Hospitalization Morbidity Database (for years 2000-2010) and
      relevant international literature, the number of hospitalizations and deaths for
      30 pathogens and unspecified agents were calculated. Analysis accounted for under
      reporting and underdiagnosis. Estimates of the proportion foodborne and the
      proportion travel-related were incorporated for each pathogen. Monte Carlo
      simulations were performed to account for uncertainty generating mean estimates
      and 90% probability intervals. It is estimated that each year there are 4000
      hospitalizations (range 3200-4800) and 105 (range 75-139) deaths associated with
      domestically acquired foodborne illness related to 30 known pathogens and 7600
      (range 5900-9650) hospitalizations and 133 (range 77-192) deaths associated with
      unspecified agents, for a total estimate of 11,600 (range 9250-14,150)
      hospitalizations and 238 (range 155-323) deaths associated with domestically
      acquired foodborne illness in Canada. Key pathogens associated with these
      hospitalizations or deaths include norovirus, nontyphoidal Salmonella spp.,
      Campylobacter spp., VTEC O157 and Listeria monocytogenes. This is the first time
      Canada has established pathogen-specific estimates of domestically acquired
      foodborne illness-related hospitalizations and deaths. This information
      illustrates the substantial burden of foodborne illness in Canada. 

PMID- 26259130
TI  - Efficacy of sugammadex in rocuronium-induced or antibiotic-induced anaphylaxis. A
      case-control study.
AB  - We report 13 cases of presumed rocuronium-induced anaphylaxis in which sugammadex
      was administered with the intention of reversing the immunological reaction. Of
      these 13 cases, eight (62%) were later confirmed to be type-1 hypersensitivity
      reactions to rocuronium, three (23%) were triggered by an antibiotic and two
      (15%) were non-immunologically mediated. Response to treatment was scored by the
      treating anaesthetist, and compared with haemodynamic and inotrope measurements
      from the resuscitation and anaesthetic records. Haemodynamic improvement was seen
      in only six (46%) cases, three of which were associated with a non-rocuronium
      trigger. Of the three cases in which the treating anaesthetist thought that
      sugammadex had been beneficial, one was not caused by rocuronium, one had no
      improvement in blood pressure and one required 8.5 times as much adrenaline in
      boluses after, compared with the period before, sugammadex administration. These
      data suggest that sugammadex does not modify the clinical course of a suspected
      hypersensitivity reaction. 

PMID- 26259131
TI  - Expanding the Clinical Spectrum Associated With GLIS3 Mutations.
AB  - CONTEXT: GLIS3 (GLI-similar 3) is a member of the GLI-similar zinc finger protein
      family encoding for a nuclear protein with 5 C2H2-type zinc finger domains. The
      protein is expressed early in embryogenesis and plays a critical role as both a
      repressor and activator of transcription. Human GLIS3 mutations are extremely
      rare. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article was determine the phenotypic
      presentation of 12 patients with a variety of GLIS3 mutations. METHODS: GLIS3
      gene mutations were sought by PCR amplification and sequence analysis of exons 1
      to 11. Clinical information was provided by the referring clinicians and
      subsequently using a questionnaire circulated to gain further information.
      RESULTS: We report the first case of a patient with a compound heterozygous
      mutation in GLIS3 who did not present with congenital hypothyroidism. All
      patients presented with neonatal diabetes with a range of insulin sensitivities.
      Thyroid disease varied among patients. Hepatic and renal disease was common with
      liver dysfunction ranging from hepatitis to cirrhosis; cystic dysplasia was the
      most common renal manifestation. We describe new presenting features in patients
      with GLIS3 mutations, including craniosynostosis, hiatus hernia, atrial septal
      defect, splenic cyst, and choanal atresia and confirm further cases with
      sensorineural deafness and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. CONCLUSION: We
      report new findings within the GLIS3 phenotype, further extending the spectrum of
      abnormalities associated with GLIS3 mutations and providing novel insights into
      the role of GLIS3 in human physiological development. All but 2 of the patients
      within our cohort are still alive, and we describe the first patient to live to
      adulthood with a GLIS3 mutation, suggesting that even patients with a severe
      GLIS3 phenotype may have a longer life expectancy than originally described.

PMID- 26259132
TI  - Plasma DPP4 Activities Are Associated With Osteoporosis in Postmenopausal Women
      With Normal Glucose Tolerance.
AB  - CONTEXT: Inflammation, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and glucagon-like
      peptide-1 (GLP-1) are risk factors for osteoporosis. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4
      (DPP4) is a newly identified adipokine related to these risk factors. OBJECTIVE:
      To investigate the association between plasma DPP4 activities and osteoporosis.
      DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in
      Guilin, China. A total of 744 postmenopausal women with normal glucose tolerance
      were studied. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Plasma DPP4 activity, inflammatory markers,
      blood lipids, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR),
      active GLP-1, bone turnover markers, and bone mineral density (BMD) were measured
      in all participants. RESULTS: Participants in the highest quartile of DPP4
      activity had higher triglyceride, total cholesterol, HOMA-IR, IL-6, high
      sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), C-terminal telopeptide of type I
      collagen, and osteocalcin and lower BMD (lumbar spine and femoral neck) and
      active GLP-1 compared with participants in the lowest quartile (P < .05). DPP4
      activities were associated positively with triglyceride, total cholesterol, HOMA
      IR, IL-6, hs-CRP, C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen, and osteocalcin and
      negatively with active GLP-1 and BMD (P < .05). In the highest DPP4 quartile,
      osteoporosis risk was significantly higher (odds ratio, 3.01; 95% confidence
      interval, 1.66-5.43) than in the lowest quartile after adjustment for potential
      confounders. The risk for osteoporosis increased more with higher levels of DPP4
      activity, HOMA-IR, IL-6, and hs-CRP (P < .05), but not with higher levels of
      triglyceride and total cholesterol or lower levels of active GLP-1. CONCLUSIONS:
      This study shows that increased DPP4 activities are independently associated with
      osteoporosis. The mechanisms may be partly explained by the effect of DPP4 on
      inflammation and insulin resistance.

PMID- 26259133
TI  - Macronutrient Regulation of Ghrelin and Peptide YY in Pediatric Obesity and
      Prader-Willi Syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The roles of macronutrients and GH in the regulation of food intake
      in pediatric obesity and Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) are poorly understood.
      OBJECTIVE: We compared effects of high-carbohydrate (HC) and high-fat (HF) meals
      and GH therapy on ghrelin, insulin, peptide YY (PYY), and insulin sensitivity in
      children with PWS and body mass index (BMI) -matched obese controls (OCs).
      METHODS: In a randomized, crossover study, 14 PWS (median, 11.35 y; BMI z score
      [BMI-z], 2.15) and 14 OCs (median, 11.97 y; BMI-z, 2.35) received isocaloric
      breakfast meals (HC or HF) on separate days. Blood samples were drawn at baseline
      and every 30 minutes for 4 hours. Mixed linear models were adjusted for age, sex,
      and BMI-z. RESULTS: Relative to OCs, children with PWS had lower fasting insulin
      and higher fasting ghrelin and ghrelin/PYY. Ghrelin levels were higher in PWS
      across all postprandial time points (P < .0001). Carbohydrate was more potent
      than fat in suppressing ghrelin levels in PWS (P = .028); HC and HF were
      equipotent in OCs but less potent than in PWS (P = .011). The increase in PYY
      following HF was attenuated in PWS (P = .037); thus, postprandial ghrelin/PYY
      remained higher throughout. A lesser increase in insulin and lesser decrease in
      ghrelin were observed in GH-treated PWS patients than in untreated patients; PYY
      responses were comparable. CONCLUSION: Children with PWS have fasting and
      postprandial hyperghrelinemia and an attenuated PYY response to fat, yielding a
      high ghrelin/PYY ratio. GH therapy in PWS is associated with increased insulin
      sensitivity and lesser postprandial suppression of ghrelin. The ratio Ghrelin/PYY
      may be a novel marker of orexigenic drive.

PMID- 26259134
TI  - Metabolic Health in Short Children Born Small for Gestational Age Treated With
      Growth Hormone and Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Analog: Results of a
      Randomized, Dose-Response Trial.
AB  - CONTEXT: Previously we showed that pubertal children born small for gestational
      age (SGA) with a poor adult height (AH) expectation can benefit from treatment
      with GH 1 mg/m(2) per day (~ 0.033 mg/kg/d) in combination with 2 years of GnRH
      analog (GnRHa) and even more so with a double GH dose. GnRHa treatment is thought
      to have negative effects on body composition and blood pressure. Long-term
      effects and GH-dose effects on metabolic health in children treated with combined
      GH/GnRHa are unknown. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate body
      composition, blood pressure, and lipid profile during GH treatment, either with
      or without 2 years of additional GnRHa. To assess whether GH 2 mg/m(2) per day (~
      0.067 mg/kg/d) results in a similar or even more favorable metabolic health at AH
      than GH 1 mg/m(2) per day. METHODS: This was a longitudinal, randomized, dose
      response GH trial involving 107 short SGA children (58 girls) treated with GH
      until AH (GH randomized 1 or 2 mg/m(2)/d during puberty). Sixty-four children
      received additional GnRHa. At AH, metabolic parameters were compared between
      children treated with combined GH/GnRHa and those with only GH. The GH dose
      effect on metabolic health was evaluated in a subgroup of 47 children who started
      GH treatment in early puberty (randomized 1 or 2 mg/m(2)/d) with 2 years of
      GnRHa. RESULTS: At AH, fat mass percentage (FM%) SD score (SDS), lean body mass
      (LBM) SDS, blood pressure SDS, and lipid profile were similar between children
      treated with combined GH/GnRHa and those with only GH. In the pubertal subgroup,
      FM% SDS was lower during treatment with GH 2 mg/m(2) per day. There was no GH
      dose-dependent effect on LBM SDS, blood pressure, and lipid profile. CONCLUSIONS:
      Combined GH/GnRHa treatment has no long-term negative effects on metabolic health
      compared with only GH. Started in early puberty, a GH dose of 2 mg/m(2) per day
      results in a similar metabolic health at AH and a more favorable FM% than GH 1
      mg/m(2) per day.

PMID- 26259135
TI  - Succinate Dehydrogenase (SDH)-Deficient Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor Expands
      the SDH-Related Tumor Spectrum.
AB  - CONTEXT: Mutations in genes encoding the subunits of succinate dehydrogenase
      (SDH) can lead to pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma formation. However, SDH
      mutations have also been linked to nonparaganglionic tumors. OBJECTIVE: The
      objective was to investigate which nonparaganglionic tumors belong to the SDH
      associated tumor spectrum. DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study.
      SETTING: The setting was a tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: Patients included
      all consecutive SDHA/SDHB/SDHC and SDHD mutation carriers followed at the
      Department of Endocrinology of the Leiden University Medical Center who were
      affected by non-pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma solid tumors. MAIN OUTCOME
      MEASURES: Main outcome measures were SDHA/SDHB immunohistochemistry, mutation
      analysis, and loss of heterozygosity analysis of the involved SDH-encoding genes.
      RESULTS: Twenty-five of 35 tumors (from 26 patients) showed positive staining on
      SDHB and SDHA immunohistochemistry. Eight tumors showed negative staining for
      SDHB and positive staining for SDHA: a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor, a
      macroprolactinoma, two gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors, an abdominal
      ganglioneuroma, and three renal cell carcinomas. With the exception of the
      abdominal ganglioneuroma, loss of heterozygosity was detected in all tumors. A
      prolactinoma in a patient with a germline SDHA mutation was the only tumor
      immunonegative for both SDHA and SDHB. Sanger sequencing of this tumor revealed a
      somatic mutation (p.D38V) as a likely second hit leading to biallelic
      inactivation of SDHA. One tumor (breast cancer) showed heterogeneous SDHB
      staining, positive SDHA staining, and retention of heterozygosity. CONCLUSIONS:
      This study strengthens the etiological association of SDH genes with pituitary
      neoplasia, renal tumorigenesis, and gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors.
      Furthermore, our results indicate that pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor also falls
      within the SDH-related tumor spectrum.

PMID- 26259136
TI  - Contact Allergy in Danish Healthcare Workers: A Retrospective Matched Case
      control Study.
AB  - Contact dermatitis in healthcare workers is a world wide problem. We conducted a
      retrospective observational study of the patch-test results of 1402 healthcare
      workers and 1402 matched controls with contact dermatitis who were treated at 3
      hospitals departments in Denmark between 2007 and 2014. The primary objective was
      to determine whether healthcare work was associated with contact allergy to
      thiuram mix. Unadjusted univariate analyses revealed that healthcare work was
      significantly associated with occupational contact dermatitis and hand
      dermatitis. Contact allergy to thiuram mix was more common in healthcare workers
      was significantly associated with having occupational contact dermatitis, hand
      dermatitis and older age. In conclusion, we report here a potential problem of
      contact allergy to thiurams in healthcare workers with contact dermatitis.
      Legislative authorities may in the future focus on the use of rubber accelerators
      in, for example, protective gloves, which are widely used by healthcare
      professionals. 

PMID- 26259137
TI  - Influence of Tracheal Obstruction on the Efficacy of Superimposed High-frequency
      Jet Ventilation and Single-frequency Jet Ventilation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Both superimposed high-frequency jet ventilation (SHFJV) and single
      frequency (high-frequency) jet ventilation (HFJV) have been used with success for
      airway surgery, but SHFJV has been found to provide higher lung volumes and
      better gas exchange than HFJV in unobstructed airways. The authors systematically
      compared the ventilation efficacy of SHFJV and HFJV at different ventilation
      frequencies in a model of tracheal obstruction and describe the frequency and
      obstruction dependence of SHFJV efficacy. METHODS: Ten anesthetized animals
      (weight 25 to 31.5 kg) were alternately ventilated with SHFJV and HFJV at a set
      of different fHF from 50 to 600 min. Obstruction was created by insertion of
      interchangeable stents with ID 2 to 8 mm into the trachea. Chest wall volume was
      measured using optoelectronic plethysmography, airway pressures were recorded,
      and blood gases were analyzed repeatedly. RESULTS: SHFJV provided greater than
      1.6 times higher end-expiratory chest wall volume than HFJV, and tidal volume
      (VT) was always greater than 200 ml with SHFJV. Increase of fHF from 50 to 600
      min during HFJV resulted in a more than 30-fold VT decrease from 112 ml (97 to
      130 ml) to negligible values and resulted in severe hypoxia and hypercapnia.
      During SHFJV, stent ID reduction from 8 to 2 mm increased end-expiratory chest
      wall volume by up to 3 times from approximately 100 to 300 ml and decreased VT by
      up to 4.2 times from approximately 470 to 110 ml. Oxygenation and ventilation
      were acceptable for 4 mm ID or more, but hypercapnia occurred with the 2 mm
      stent. CONCLUSION: In this in vivo porcine model of variable severe tracheal
      stenosis, SHFJV effectively increased lung volumes and maintained gas exchange
      and may be advantageous in severe airway obstruction.

PMID- 26259138
TI  - Efficacy of Superimposed High-frequency Jet Ventilation Applied to Variable
      Degrees of Tracheal Stenosis: One Step Forward to Optimized Patient Care.

PMID- 26259140
TI  - Diagnostic Accuracy of Respiratory Distress Observation Scales as Surrogates of
      Dyspnea Self-report in Intensive Care Unit Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Dyspnea, like pain, can cause major suffering in intensive care unit
      (ICU) patients. Its evaluation relies on self-report; hence, the risk of being
      overlooked when verbal communication is impaired. Observation scales
      incorporating respiratory and behavioral signs (respiratory distress observation
      scales [RDOS]) can provide surrogates of dyspnea self-report in similar clinical
      contexts (palliative care). METHODS: The authors prospectively studied (single
      center, 16-bed ICU, large university hospital) 220 communicating ICU patients
      (derivation cohort, 120 patients; separate validation cohort, 100 patients).
      Dyspnea was assessed by dyspnea visual analog scale (D-VAS) and RDOS calculated
      from its eight components (heart rate, respiratory rate, nonpurposeful movements,
      neck muscle use during inspiration, abdominal paradox, end-expiratory grunting,
      nasal flaring, and facial expression of fear). An iterative principal component
      analysis and partial least square regression process aimed at identifying an
      optimized D-VAS correlate (intensive care RDOS [IC-RDOS]). RESULTS: In the
      derivation cohort, RDOS significantly correlated with D-VAS (r = 0.43; 95% CI,
      0.29 to 0.58). A five-item IC-RDOS (heart rate, neck muscle use during
      inspiration, abdominal paradox, facial expression of fear, and supplemental
      oxygen) significantly better correlated with D-VAS (r = 0.61; 95% CI, 0.50 to
      0.72). The median area under the receiver operating curve of IC-RDOS to predict D
      VAS was 0.83 (interquartile range, 0.81 to 0.84). An IC-RDOS of 2.4 predicted D
      VAS of 4 or greater with equal sensitivity and specificity (72%); an IC-RDOS of
      6.3 predicted D-VAS of 4 or greater with 100% specificity. Similar results were
      found in the validation cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Combinations of observable signs
      correlate with dyspnea in communicating ICU patients. Future studies in
      noncommunicating patients will be needed to determine the responsiveness to
      therapeutic interventions and clinical usefulness.

PMID- 26259139
TI  - MicroRNA-21 Mediates Isoflurane-induced Cardioprotection against Ischemia
      Reperfusion Injury via Akt/Nitric Oxide Synthase/Mitochondrial Permeability
      Transition Pore Pathway.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The role of microRNA-21 in isoflurane-induced cardioprotection is
      unknown. The authors addressed this issue by using microRNA-21 knockout mice and
      explored the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: C57BL/6 and microRNA-21 knockout
      mice were echocardiographically examined. Mouse hearts underwent 30 min of
      ischemia followed by 2 h of reperfusion in vivo or ex vivo in the presence or
      absence of 1.0 minimum alveolar concentration of isoflurane administered before
      ischemia. Cardiac Akt, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and neuronal
      nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) proteins were determined by Western blot analysis.
      Opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) in
      cardiomyocytes was induced by photoexcitation-generated oxidative stress and
      detected by rapid dissipation of tetramethylrhodamine ethyl ester fluorescence
      using a confocal microscope. RESULTS: Genetic disruption of miR-21 gene did not
      alter phenotype of the left ventricle, baseline cardiac function, area at risk,
      and the ratios of phosphorylated-Akt/Akt, phosphorylated-eNOS/eNOS, and
      phosphorylated-nNOS/nNOS. Isoflurane decreased infarct size from 54 +/- 10% in
      control to 36 +/- 10% (P < 0.05, n = 8 mice per group), improved cardiac function
      after reperfusion, and increased the ratios of phosphorylated-Akt/AKT,
      phosphorylated-eNOS/eNOS, and phosphorylated-nNOS/nNOS in C57BL/6 mice subjected
      to ischemia-reperfusion injury. These beneficial effects of isoflurane were lost
      in microRNA-21 knockout mice. There were no significant differences in time of
      the mPTP opening induced by photoexcitation-generated oxidative stress in
      cardiomyocytes isolated between C57BL/6 and microRNA-21 knockout mice. Isoflurane
      significantly delayed mPTP opening in cardiomyocytes from C57BL/6 but not from
      microRNA-21 knockout mice. CONCLUSIONS: Isoflurane protects mouse hearts from
      ischemia-reperfusion injury by a microRNA-21-dependent mechanism. The
      Akt/NOS/mPTP pathway is involved in the microRNA-21-mediated protective effect of
      isoflurane.

PMID- 26259141
TI  - Epigenetics: The Epicenter for Future Anesthesia Research?

PMID- 26259142
TI  - Preschool irritability predicts child psychopathology, functional impairment, and
      service use at age nine.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Little is known about the predictive validity and clinical
      significance of chronic irritability during early childhood. This prospective,
      longitudinal study examined associations of preschool chronic irritability with
      psychiatric disorders, functional impairment, and service use at age nine in a
      large community sample. METHODS: Four hundred and forty-six children were
      assessed at age three and again at age nine. Child psychopathology and functional
      impairment were assessed at age three with the Preschool Age Psychiatric
      Assessment (PAPA) with parents and at age nine with the Kiddie-Schedule of
      Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (K-SADS) with parents and children. Items
      from the PAPA were used to create a dimensional measure of chronic irritability
      at age three. At age nine, mothers, fathers, and youth completed the Child
      Depression Inventory (CDI) and the Screen for Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED).
      RESULTS: Chronic irritability at age three predicted any current and lifetime
      anxiety disorders at age nine, current and lifetime generalized anxiety disorder,
      and current separation anxiety, after controlling for baseline anxiety disorders.
      In addition, preschool irritability predicted increases in anxiety and disruptive
      behavior disorder symptoms on the K-SADS, and maternal and paternal reports of
      depressive and anxiety symptoms on the CDI and SCARED. Lastly, preschool
      irritability predicted greater functional impairment and outpatient treatment
      use, even after controlling for all psychiatric disorders at baseline.
      CONCLUSIONS: Findings underscore the central role of irritability in
      developmental psychopathology and support the importance of early detection and
      interventions targeting preschool irritability.

PMID- 26259143
TI  - Integrated Medical-Behavioral Care Compared With Usual Primary Care for Child and
      Adolescent Behavioral Health: A Meta-analysis.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Recent health care legislation and shifting health care financing
      strategies are transforming health and behavioral health care in the United
      States and incentivizing integrated medical-behavioral health care as a strategy
      for improving access to high-quality care for behavioral health conditions,
      enhancing patient outcomes, and containing costs. OBJECTIVE: To conduct a
      systematic meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials to evaluate whether
      integrated medical-behavioral health care for children and adolescents leads to
      improved behavioral health outcomes compared with usual primary care. DATA
      SOURCES: Search of the PubMed, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library databases
      from January 1, 1960, through December 31, 2014, yielded 6792 studies, of which
      31 studies with 35 intervention-control comparisons and 13,129 participants met
      the study eligibility criteria. STUDY SELECTION: We included randomized clinical
      trials that evaluated integrated behavioral health and primary medical care in
      children and adolescents compared with usual care in primary care settings that
      met prespecified methodologic quality criteria. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS:
      Two independent reviewers screened citations and extracted data, with raw data
      used when possible. Magnitude and direction of effect sizes were calculated. MAIN
      OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Meta-analysis with a random effects model were conducted
      to examine an overall effect across all trials, and within intervention and
      prevention trials. Subsequent moderator analyses for intervention trials explored
      the relative effects of integrated care type on behavioral health outcomes.
      RESULTS: Meta-analysis with a random-effects model indicated a significant
      advantage for integrated care interventions relative to usual care on behavioral
      health outcomes (d = 0.32; 95% CI, 0.21-0.44; P < .001). Moderator analyses
      indicated larger effects for treatment trials that targeted diagnoses and/or
      elevated symptoms (d = 0.42; 95% CI, 0.29-0.55; P < .001) relative to prevention
      trials (d = 0.07; 95% CI, -0.13 to 0.28; P = .49). The probability was 66% that a
      randomly selected youth would have a better outcome after receiving integrated
      medical-behavioral treatment than a randomly selected youth after receiving usual
      care. The strongest effects were seen for treatment interventions that targeted
      mental health problems and those that used collaborative care models. CONCLUSIONS
      AND RELEVANCE: Our results, demonstrating the benefits of integrated medical
      behavioral primary care for improving youth behavioral health outcomes, enhance
      confidence that the increased incentives for integrated health and behavioral
      health care in the US health care system will yield improvements in the health of
      children and adolescents.

PMID- 26259144
TI  - A novel multitarget tracking algorithm for Myosin VI protein molecules on actin
      filaments in TIRFM sequences.
AB  - We propose a novel multitarget tracking framework for Myosin VI protein molecules
      in total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy sequences which integrates
      an extended Hungarian algorithm with an interacting multiple model filter. The
      extended Hungarian algorithm, which is a linear assignment problem based method,
      helps to solve measurement assignment and spot association problems commonly
      encountered when dealing with multiple targets, although a two-motion model
      interacting multiple model filter increases the tracking accuracy by modelling
      the nonlinear dynamics of Myosin VI protein molecules on actin filaments. The
      evaluation of our tracking framework is conducted on both real and synthetic
      total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy sequences. The results show
      that the framework achieves higher tracking accuracies compared to the state-of
      the-art tracking methods, especially for sequences with high spot density. 

PMID- 26259145
TI  - Oroxylin A regulates glucose metabolism in response to hypoxic stress with the
      involvement of Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 in human hepatoma HepG2 cells.
AB  - Metabolic alteration in cancer cells is one of the most conspicuous
      characteristics that distinguish cancer cells from normal cells. In this study,
      we investigated the influence and signaling ways of oroxylin A affecting cancer
      cell energy metabolism under hypoxia. The data showed that oroxylin A remarkably
      reduced the generation of lactate and glucose uptake under hypoxia in HepG2
      cells. Moreover, oroxylin A inhibited HIF-1alpha expression and its stability.
      The downstream targets (PDK1, LDHA, and HK II), as well as their mRNA levels were
      also suppressed by oroxylin A under hypoxia. The silencing or the overexpression
      of HIF-1alpha assays suggested that HIF-1alpha is required for metabolic effect
      of oroxylin A in HepG2 cells during hypoxia. Furthermore, oroxylin A could reduce
      the expression of complex III in mitochondrial respiratory chain, and then
      decrease the accumulation of ROS at moderate concentrations (0-50 uM) under
      hypoxia, which was benefit for its inhibition on glycolytic activity by
      decreasing ROS-mediated HIF-1 expression. Besides, oroxylin A didn't cause the
      loss of MMP under hypoxia and had no obvious effects on the expression of OXPHOS
      complexes, suggesting that oroxylin A did not affect mitochondrial mass at the
      moderate stress of oroxylin A. The suppressive effect of oroxylin A on glycolysis
      led to a significantly repress of ATP generation, for ATP generation mostly
      depends on glycolysis in HepG2 cells. This study revealed a new aspect of glucose
      metabolism regulation of oroxylin A under hypoxia, which may contribute to its
      new anticancer mechanism. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 26259147
TI  - Summaries for patients. Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Mortality Are
      Increased in Ankylosing Spondylitis.

PMID- 26259146
TI  - The chromatin remodeller RSF1 is essential for PLK1 deposition and function at
      mitotic kinetochores.
AB  - Accumulation of PLK1 at kinetochores is essential for chromosome alignment and
      segregation; however, the mechanism underlying PLK1 recruitment to kinetochores
      remains unresolved. The chromatin remodeller RSF1 tightly associates with
      centromere proteins, but its mitotic function is unknown. Here we show that RSF1
      localizes at mitotic kinetochores and directly binds PLK1. RSF1 depletion
      disrupts localization of PLK1 at kinetochores; the C-terminal fragment of RSF1,
      which can bind PLK1, is sufficient to restore PLK1 localization. Moreover, CDK1
      phosphorylates RSF1 at Ser1375, and this phosphorylation is necessary for PLK1
      recruitment. Subsequently, PLK1 phosphorylates RSF1 at Ser1359, stabilizing PLK1
      deposition. Importantly, RSF1 depletion mimicks the chromosome misalignment
      phenotype resulting from PLK1 knockdown; these defects are rescued by RSF1 S1375D
      or RSF1 S1359D but not RSF1 S1375A, showing a functional link between
      phosphorylation of RSF1 and chromosome alignment. Together, these data show that
      RSF1 is an essential centromeric component that recruits PLK1 to kinetochores and
      plays a crucial role in faithful cell division. 

PMID- 26259149
TI  - Electrophysiological evidence of phonetic normalization across coarticulation in
      infants.
AB  - The auditory neural representations of infants can easily be studied with
      electroencephalography using mismatch experimental designs. We recorded high
      density event-related potentials while 3-month-old infants were listening to
      trials consisting of CV syllables produced with different vowels (/bX/ or /gX/).
      The consonant remained the same for the first three syllables, followed (or not)
      by a change in the fourth position. A consonant change evoked a significant
      difference around the second auditory peak (400-600 ms) relative to control
      trials. This mismatch response demonstrates that the infants robustly categorized
      the consonant despite coarticulation that blurs the phonetic cues, and at an age
      at which they do not produce these consonants themselves. This response was
      obtained even when infants had no visual articulatory information to help them to
      track the consonant repetition. In combination with previous studies establishing
      categorical perception and normalization across speakers, this result
      demonstrates that preverbal infants already have abstract phonetic representation
      integrating over acoustical features in the first months of life.

PMID- 26259148
TI  - Musculoskeletal disorders of the hand in type 2 diabetes mellitus: prevalence and
      its associated factors.
AB  - AIM: To assess the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders of the hand among
      adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and their relation to disease
      duration, glycemic control and microvascular complications. METHODS: A cross
      sectional study was conducted at the National Center for Diabetes, Endocrinology
      and Genetics in Amman, Jordan. RESULTS: One thousand patients with T2DM were
      included in this study (mean age 57.8 +/- 9.5 years, 52.2% females and 47.8%
      males). Hand disorders were seen in 69.5% of patients, limited joint mobility
      (LJM) was the most prevalent (63.1%) condition followed by Dupuytren's
      contracture (DC) (18.6%). Trigger finger, thick skin and carpal tunnel syndrome
      (CTS) were found in 7.2%, 6.2% and 5.5% of patients, respectively. One disorder
      was seen in 45.4% of patients, two in18.2%, three in 4.9%, four in 0.9%, while
      only 0.1% of patients had all disorders. Female gender, age over 60 years and
      long duration of diabetes were associated with hand abnormalities. Hypertension
      was significantly associated with DC while retinopathy was associated with
      increased odds of thick skin, DC and CTS with P-values 0.037, < 0.005 and 0.002,
      respectively. CONCLUSION: Hand disorders are very common in T2DM. Female gender,
      old age, duration of diabetes, retinopathy and hypertension were significantly
      associated with hand disorders in T2DM.

PMID- 26259150
TI  - Near-Optimal Controller for Nonlinear Continuous-Time Systems With Unknown
      Dynamics Using Policy Iteration.
AB  - This paper presents a single-network adaptive critic-based controller for
      continuous-time systems with unknown dynamics in a policy iteration (PI)
      framework. It is assumed that the unknown dynamics can be estimated using the
      Takagi-Sugeno-Kang fuzzy model with arbitrary precision. The successful
      implementation of a PI scheme depends on the effective learning of critic network
      parameters. Network parameters must stabilize the system in each iteration in
      addition to approximating the critic and the cost. It is found that the critic
      updates according to the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman formulation sometimes lead to
      the instability of the closed-loop systems. In the proposed work, a novel critic
      network parameter update scheme is adopted, which not only approximates the
      critic at current iteration but also provides feasible solutions that keep the
      policy stable in the next step of training by combining a Lyapunov-based linear
      matrix inequalities approach with PI. The critic modeling technique presented
      here is the first of its kind to address this issue. Though multiple literature
      exists discussing the convergence of PI, however, to the best of our knowledge,
      there exists no literature, which focuses on the effect of critic network
      parameters on the convergence. Computational complexity in the proposed algorithm
      is reduced to the order of (Fz)(n-1) , where n is the fuzzy state dimensionality
      and Fz is the number of fuzzy zones in the states space. A genetic algorithm
      toolbox of MATLAB is used for searching stable parameters while minimizing the
      training error. The proposed algorithm also provides a way to solve for the
      initial stable control policy in the PI scheme. The algorithm is validated
      through real-time experiment on a commercial robotic manipulator. Results show
      that the algorithm successfully finds stable critic network parameters in real
      time for a highly nonlinear system.

PMID- 26259152
TI  - The Homicide-Suicide Phenomenon: Findings of Psychological Autopsies.
AB  - Homicide-suicide represents a single episode of violence which may decimate an
      entire family. This study aimed to further describe motives and context of these
      tragedies. Psychological autopsies were completed for 18 homicide-suicide cases
      in Dallas, Texas. This included postevent interviews with surviving family
      members and review of police and coroner records. Two-thirds of perpetrators had
      made either verbal or written threats prior to the homicide-suicide. A simplified
      typology describing victim-perpetrator relationship and motive type is suggested
      for future studies and clinical ease. Two-thirds of perpetrators fell into the
      category of Intimate-Possessive, most of whom were depressed men who were abusing
      substances and undergoing separation. Additional categories included Intimate
      Ailing, Filial-Revenge, Familial-Psychotic, and Friend-Psychotic. Further,
      implications from this psychological autopsy study regarding risk assessment
      include use of collateral interviews regarding threats and past violence. 

PMID- 26259151
TI  - Oestrogen sulfotransferase ablation sensitizes mice to sepsis.
AB  - Sepsis is the host's deleterious systemic inflammatory response to microbial
      infections. Here we report an essential role for the oestrogen sulfotransferase
      (EST or SULT1E1), a conjugating enzyme that sulfonates and deactivates estrogens,
      in sepsis response. Both the caecal ligation and puncture (CLP) and
      lipopolysaccharide models of sepsis induce the expression of EST and compromise
      the activity of oestrogen, an anti-inflammatory hormone. Surprisingly, EST
      ablation sensitizes mice to sepsis-induced death. Mechanistically, EST ablation
      attenuates sepsis-induced inflammatory responses due to compromised oestrogen
      deactivation, leading to increased sepsis lethality. In contrast, transgenic
      overexpression of EST promotes oestrogen deactivation and sensitizes mice to CLP
      induced inflammatory response. The induction of EST by sepsis is NF-kappaB
      dependent and EST is a NF-kappaB-target gene. The reciprocal regulation of
      inflammation and EST may represent a yet-to-be-explored mechanism of endocrine
      regulation of inflammation, which has an impact on the clinical outcome of
      sepsis. 

PMID- 26259153
TI  - Attempted Serial Neonaticides: Case Report and a Brief Review of the Literature.
AB  - Neonaticide is an infant murder occurring on the day of birth. The case reports
      found in the literature are often focused on the mother as the agent in the
      context of pregnancy denial, dissociative symptoms, or psychosis. However, this
      report describes a rare case of attempted serial neonaticides, in which the acts
      were committed by a nurse at the nursery of a referral hospital in Brazil. The
      authors describe a forensic psychiatric evaluation for criminal responsibility
      and correlate the information from this particular case with relevant forensic
      themes, namely neonaticide, Munchausen by proxy syndrome, and serial healthcare
      killers. 

PMID- 26259155
TI  - Role of Risk-Based Approach in the Prevention of Vertical Transmission of
      Neonatal Sepsis.
AB  - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Vertical transmission of infections remains a common cause
      of neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. We studied the risk-based approach
      in preventing the vertical transmission of neonatal sepsis. PATIENTS AND METHODS:
      A prospective case control study of 154 pregnant women with risk factors for
      vertical transmission of infections (subjects) and 154 pregnant women without the
      risk factors (control) at University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin from 1st
      July to 31st December, 2010. After counseling and consent taking, all
      participants had active management of labour and all subjects had parenteral
      intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis with Ampicillin. There was postnatal
      evaluation of all babies for signs of neonatal sepsis followed by blood culture
      and treatment of culture positive babies. The outcome measures were signs and
      symptoms of neonatal sepsis, neonatal positive blood culture and maternal
      postpartum morbidity. RESULTS: Neonatal sepsis occurred in 16 babies
      (subjects=11, control=5); three babies had Early Onset Group B Streptococcal
      Disease (EOGBSD) (subjects=2, control=1; P=0.501) while 13 had non Group B
      Streptococcal (GBS) infections (subjects=9, control=4; P=0.113); onset of signs
      and symptoms was < 24hrs in all cases, incidence of EOGBSD were 12.9/1000
      (subjects) and 6.5/1000 (controls). Subjects whose babies had sepsis had multiple
      risk factors; one dose of antibiotics and antibiotics to delivery interval <
      2hours. There was no sepsis in babies of mothers who had adequate antibiotic
      prophylaxis. There was no maternal or neonatal death but 17.5% of subjects had
      maternal postpartum morbidities. CONCLUSION: The risk-based approach is a
      practicable alternative in preventing vertical transmission of neonatal sepsis if
      antibiotic prophylaxis is adequate before delivery.

PMID- 26259156
TI  - A Four-Year Retrospective Review of Very Low Birth Weight Babies Seen at the
      University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria.
AB  - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To review the outcome of very low birthweight infants
      admitted into the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) of University of Abuja Teaching
      Hospital (UATH), Gwagwalada, Abuja, Nigeria. METHODS: A retrospective review of
      medical records of very low birthweight (VLBW) babies seen at the SCBU of UATH
      over a 4-year period from April 2006 to March 2010, was undertaken. Data were
      obtained from patients' folders and analyzed. RESULTS: Overall survival was
      60.8%. Survival of infants with birth weight below 1000 grams was 26.8% compared
      to 66.4% for those between 1000 and 1499 grams. The main determinants of survival
      were birth weight (p< 0.0001) and gestational age (p = 0.0106). Other predictors
      of outcome were development of features of respiratory distress syndrome within
      hours of delivery, recurrent apnoea, drainage of liquor of more than 18 hours
      before delivery, hyperkalaemia, lack of antenatal care and being born-before
      arrival (outborn). CONCLUSIONS: Survival rate is low compared to values from
      other communities in developing countries but better than values from many
      centres in Nigeria. Timely and effective management of apnoea, respiratory
      distress syndrome and prevention of extremely low birthweight (ELBW) deliveries
      through adequate antenatal care are required to improve on the current survival
      rate.

PMID- 26259154
TI  - Derivation and Validation of a Scoring System to Stratify Risk for Advanced
      Colorectal Neoplasia in Asymptomatic Adults: A Cross-sectional Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Several methods are recommended equally strongly for colorectal
      cancer screening in average-risk persons. Risk stratification would enable
      tailoring of screening within this group, with less invasive tests (sigmoidoscopy
      or occult blood tests) for lower-risk persons and colonoscopy for higher-risk
      persons. OBJECTIVE: To create a risk index for advanced neoplasia (colorectal
      cancer and adenomas or serrated polyps >=1.0 cm, villous histology, or high-grade
      dysplasia) anywhere in the colorectum, using the most common risk factors for
      colorectal neoplasia. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Multiple endoscopy
      units, primarily in the Midwest. PATIENTS: Persons aged 50 to 80 years undergoing
      initial screening colonoscopy (December 2004 to September 2011). MEASUREMENTS:
      Derivation and validation of a risk index based on points from regression
      coefficients for age, sex, waist circumference, cigarette smoking, and family
      history of colorectal cancer. RESULTS: Among 2993 persons in the derivation set,
      prevalence of advanced neoplasia was 9.4%. Risks for advanced neoplasia in
      persons at very low, low, intermediate, and high risk were 1.92% (95% CI, 0.63%
      to 4.43%), 4.88% (CI, 3.79% to 6.18%), 9.93% (CI, 8.09% to 12.0%), and 24.9% (CI,
      21.1% to 29.1%), respectively (P < 0.001). Sigmoidoscopy to the descending colon
      in the low-risk groups would have detected 51 of 70 (73% [CI, 61% to 83%])
      advanced neoplasms. Among 1467 persons in the validation set, corresponding risks
      for advanced neoplasia were 1.65% (CI, 0.20% to 5.84%), 3.31% (CI, 2.08% to
      4.97%), 10.9% (CI, 8.26% to 14.1%), and 22.3% (CI, 16.9% to 28.5%), respectively
      (P < 0.001). Sigmoidoscopy would have detected 21 of 24 (87.5% [CI, 68% to 97%])
      advanced neoplasms. LIMITATIONS: Split-sample validation; results apply to first
      time screening. CONCLUSION: This index stratifies risk for advanced neoplasia
      among average-risk persons by identifying lower-risk groups for which
      noncolonoscopy strategies may be effective and efficient and a higher-risk group
      for which colonoscopy may be preferred. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: National Cancer
      Institute, Walther Cancer Institute, Indiana University Simon Cancer Center, and
      Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute.

PMID- 26259157
TI  - Computed Tomography in the Evaluation of Recurrent Unprovoked Seizure Disorders
      at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Nigeria.
AB  - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of cranial Computed Tomography (CT)
      Scan in detecting intracranial structural diseases related to recurrent
      unprovoked seizure disorder. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective
      analysis of the findings in 120 patients who had cranial CT scan for recurrent
      unprovoked seizure disorders in the Department of Radiology of University of Port
      Harcourt Teaching Hospital from August 2010 to September 2012. RESULTS: Of the
      1,240 cranial CT scans performed during the period under review, only 120 (9.7%)
      cases had recurrent unprovoked seizure as indication for the procedure and were
      therefore included in the study. The patients were 71 (59.2%) males and 49
      (40.8%) females. The ages of patients ranged from 1 month to 90 years. The mean
      age was 29.7+21.8 years. The highest prevalence of seizure disorder (25.8%)
      occurred in the less than ten year age group. The commonest lesions found were
      cerebral tumours 11 (9.2%), cerebral infarction 11 (9.2%) and cerebral atrophy 7
      (5.8%). Cranial CT Scans were normal in 76 (63.3%) patients with recurrent
      unprovoked seizure disorders. The most frequent seizure type was generalized
      tonic clonic (76.7%). CONCLUSION: The use of Cranial CT Scan as a diagnostic tool
      led to the detection of intracranial lesions in 36.7% of patients with recurrent
      unprovoked seizure disorders. The detection of intracranial lesions in these
      patients would facilitate early and appropriate intervention.

PMID- 26259158
TI  - Risk Factors for Apical Periodontitis Sub-Urban Adult Population.
AB  - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To assess the risk factors of apical periodontitis (AP) in a
      Nigerian sub-urban adult population and to compare the findings with those
      previously reported for various population groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The
      study was based on a full mouth radiographic survey of 285 patients. Patients'
      age ranged from 18-60 years. All teeth were assessed individually and data
      recorded for caries, fractured / cracked teeth, root fillings, and tooth
      restorations. The gender, smoking habit, and frequency of dental visit were also
      recorded. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to identify
      predictors of AP in the individual. RESULTS: The prevalence of AP was 74.4%. The
      average number of teeth with AP per patient was 2.8 (range 1-5). AP was found to
      be more prevalent among people 40- 49 years old (87.2%). Primary carious lesions,
      fractured / cracked teeth, root fillings and coronal fillings were associated
      with the incidence of AP in the individual. Fractured teeth had a higher risk of
      developing AP than carious teeth. The presence of root fillings and coronal
      restorations were also associated with the development of AP. Smoking (OR=3.82;
      CI=2.17-6.75) and irregular dental visit (OR=6.73; CI=3.75-12.06) were
      statistically significant risk factors for developing AP. Gender was not a risk
      factor for AP (OR=0.86; CI=0.50-1.46). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of AP among
      adult Nigerians is slightly higher than reported figures for many Western
      societies. Fractured/cracked teeth had a higher risk of developing AP than
      carious teeth; hence patients with fractured / cracked teeth should seek
      treatment early to prevent the development of AP.

PMID- 26259159
TI  - Smokers and Non Smokers: A Comparison of Oral Health Practices and Effect of Non
      Surgical Periodontal Therapy on their Periodontium.
AB  - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To assess the oral hygiene measures and self report oral
      symptoms of smokers and non smokers, as well as evaluate and compare the effect
      of non-surgical periodontal therapy on their periodontium. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      This was a quasi experimental study conducted on smokers and non smokers. Adult
      patient smokers were recruited into the study group and matched with age and sex
      controls (non-smokers). Data was collected on oral hygiene measures and self
      reported oral symptoms. The patients were examined and evaluated using oral
      indices. Each patient had scaling and root planing done and was re-examined after
      six weeks. Data was analysed using SPSS. RESULTS: Seventy-two patients completed
      the study with age ranging from 20 to 65 years and a mean age of 43.7 (+/- 17.8)
      years. Twenty-one percent (21%) of smokers and 42% of the non smokers reported
      experiencing gum bleeding, p = 0.041. Sixty percent of the smokers reported
      stains on their teeth compared to 29.7% of non smokers, p = 0.028. The baseline
      gingival and calculus indices were lower in smokers compared to non smokers while
      the plaque index was higher among the smokers. The response to scaling and root
      planing was worse among smokers comparing their gingival and calculus indices but
      better in terms of the plaque indices, however, these were not statistically
      significant. CONCLUSION: There were no significant differences between the
      response of smokers and non smokers to non surgical periodontal therapy although
      smokers experienced gingival bleeding less often and have lower gingival index.

PMID- 26259160
TI  - Hypertension and Diabetes Self-care Activities: A Hospital Based Pilot Survey in
      Benin City, Nigeria.
AB  - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The burden of hypertension and diabetes is on the increase
      globally with its attendant complications. Although self-care activities are
      critical to the successful management of both conditions, there are only a few
      reports on such activities, especially in this part of the world. This pilot
      study was therefore undertaken to assess the self-care activities among
      hypertensive and diabetic patients in Benin City. PATIENTS AND METHODS:
      Hypertensive and diabetic patients were consecutively recruited from the out-
      patient department of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. The
      questionnaires were developed based on past assessment scales such as the
      Hypertension Self-Care Activity Level Effects (H-SCALE) and the Summary of
      Diabetes Self-Care Assessment (SDSCA) for hypertensive and diabetic participants
      respectively. RESULTS: A total of 85(32 hypertensive, 24 diabetic and 29 co
      morbid hypertensive diabetic) participants completed the study. Only 14 (16.5%)
      subjects had good self-care practice, 39 (45.9%) had fair practice while poor
      self-care practice was found in 32 (37.6%) subjects. Adherence to medications,
      clinic adherence, use of self-monitoring devices, regular exercising and
      dietician contact were generally low. However, only a relatively few subjects
      smoked tobacco or took significant alcohol. CONCLUSION: The health-related self
      care practice among the patients was generally not good. There was no significant
      difference in the overall level of self-care among hypertensive, diabetic
      patients or those with co-morbid conditions. There is need for more aggressive
      health education aimed at improving the current health-related self-care habits
      among these patients.

PMID- 26259161
TI  - IVF Pregnancy and Delivery following Ultrasound Scan Guided Aspiration of a Left
      Hydrosalpinx- A Case Report.
AB  - The presence of hydrosalpinges is known to significantly reduce the pregnancy and
      implantation rates following in vitro fertilization (IVF). Salpingectomy or
      laparoscopic tubal occlusion before IVF have been shown to significantly improve
      pregnancy rates. Aspiration of the hydrosalpinges at the time of oocyte retrieval
      for IVF had been proposed as a viable alternative. We present a 36- year old
      nullipara with unilateral hydrosalpinx who declined salpingectomy prior to IVF
      treatment and subsequently had two failed IVF cycles. She however became pregnant
      with the third IVF attempt, following transvaginal ultrasound scan guided
      aspiration of the hydrosalpinx fluid at the time of oocyte retrieval. Large
      randomized trials are needed to clearly identify the place of ultrasound scan
      guided aspiration of hydrosalpinges on IVF outcome. 

PMID- 26259162
TI  - Mandibular Premolars with Multiple Roots:A Case Report.
AB  - Although the human mandibular premolars are known to exhibit variations in their
      root and canal configurations, multiple roots in mandibular premolars are rare
      though some cases have been reported. Prevalence of two rooted mandibular first
      and second premolars have been reported to be 1.8% - 2.1% and 0.4% respectively.
      Variations in root anatomy have been seen to differ with racial groups, gender
      and genetics. This case documents anatomical variation of mandibular premolars
      roots with a view to enhance successful endodontic treatments in Nigerians. A
      radiological investigation of the right and left mandibular jaw of a 20 year old
      man revealed that the mandibular right first and second premolars had two roots
      each. The left second premolar also presented with two roots. The occurrence of
      anatomical variations in the roots and canals of the human mandibular premolars
      cannot be overemphasised and should be considered diligently before performing
      endodontic treatment. 

PMID- 26259163
TI  - Enantioselective sorption of the chiral fungicide metalaxyl on soil from non
      racemic aqueous solutions: Environmental implications.
AB  - Mechanisms governing the enantioselectivity of the processes that determine the
      behavior of chiral pollutants in the environment need to be better understood.
      Understanding these mechanisms should help improve predictions of the hazards and
      risks chiral compounds can pose to people and the environment. We report the
      results of batch sorption experiments indicating that the sorption of the chiral
      fungicide metalaxyl on soil from non-racemic initial solutions was
      enantioselective. While from a racemic initial solution the two enantiomers of
      metalaxyl were sorbed on the soil to the same extent, increasing the fraction of
      R-enantiomer in the initial solution led to enhanced sorption of this enantiomer
      and to reduced sorption of the S-enantiomer. Considering the shape of the
      sorption isotherms (S-type) and the sorption behavior of model sorbents, we
      attributed this effect to molecular interactions between metalaxyl enantiomer
      species at the sorbed state, where R-R metalaxyl interactions appeared to be more
      favorable than R-S metalaxyl interactions. We discuss important environmental
      implications of the proposed mechanism, such as those related to the fact that
      the biological degradation of metalaxyl is known to be an enantioselective
      process that can yield non-racemic residues in soils shortly after application of
      the fungicide as a racemic mixture. 

PMID- 26259164
TI  - Intrinsic catalytic properties of extruded clay honeycomb monolith toward
      complete oxidation of air pollutants.
AB  - The present work highlights the intrinsic catalytic properties of extruded clay
      honeycomb monolith toward complete oxidation of various air pollutants namely CO,
      methane, propane, acetylene, propene, n-butene, methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, n
      butanol, acetone, dimethyl ether, benzene, toluene, o-xylene, monochlorobenzene
      and 1,2-dichlorobenzene. Total catalytic conversion was achieved for all tested
      compounds with different behaviors depending on pollutants' structural and
      chemical nature. The comparison of T50 values obtained from light-off curves
      allowed the establishment of the following reactivity sequence:
      ketone>alcohol>ether>CO>alkyne>aromatic>alkene>chlorinated aromatic>alkane. The
      intrinsic catalytic performances of the natural clay was ascribed to the
      implication of a quite complex mixture constituted by OH groups (Bronsted acids)
      and coordinately-unsaturated cations, such as Al(3+), Fe(3+) and Fe(2+) (Lewis
      acids). Hence, the combination of the clay's intrinsic catalytic performances and
      easier extrudability suggests a promissory potential for application in air
      pollution control. 

PMID- 26259165
TI  - Efficient visible-light photocatalytic oxidation of gaseous NO with graphitic
      carbon nitride (g-C3N4) activated by the alkaline hydrothermal treatment and
      mechanism analysis.
AB  - In this paper, an enhanced visible-light photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) of NO (~
      400 ppm) in the presence of the graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) treated by the
      alkaline hydrothermal treatment is evaluated. Various g-C3N4 samples were treated
      in different concentrations of NaOH solutions and the sample treated in 0.12 mol
      L(-1) of NaOH solution possesses the largest BET specific surface area as well as
      the optimal ability of the PCO of NO. UV-vis diffuse reflection spectra (DRS) and
      photoluminescence (PL) spectra were also conducted, and the highly improved
      photocatalytic performance is ascribed to the large specific surface area and
      high pore volume, which provides more adsorption and active sites, the wide
      visible-light adsorption edge and the narrow band gap, which is favorable for
      visible-light activation, as well as the decreased recombination rate of photo
      generated electrons and holes, which could contribute to the production of active
      species. Fluorescence spectra and a trapping experiment were conducted to further
      the mechanism analysis of the PCO of NO, illustrating that superoxide radicals
      (O2(-)) play the dominant role among active species in the PCO of NO.

PMID- 26259166
TI  - Motion Analysis-Based Skills Training and Assessment in Pediatric Laparoscopy:
      Construct, Concurrent, and Content Validity for the eoSim Simulator.
AB  - PURPOSE: To validate the eoSim((r)) (eoSurgical Ltd., Edinburgh, Scotland, United
      Kingdom) simulator for pediatric laparoscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants
      were stratified according to their pediatric laparoscopy expertise. Three tasks
      were tested on the Pediatric Laparoscopic Surgery (PLS) and adapted eoSim
      simulators. Skill assessment was undertaken using motion analysis software for
      eoSim tasks and an existing validated scoring system for PLS tasks. Content
      validity was determined using Likert scale graded feedback responses. Construct
      validity was evaluated by investigating the respective abilities of the eoSim and
      PLS assessment tools to differentiate levels of experience. Concurrent validity
      was investigated by assessing the relationship between PLS and eoSim task
      completion times. RESULTS: In total, 28 participants (8 experts, 7 intermediates,
      and 13 novices) were recruited. Content validity results were comparable or more
      favorable for the eoSim. Construct validity for motion analysis parameters was
      established for instrument path length (objects transfer, P = .025; suturing, P =
      .012), speed (suturing, P = .034), acceleration (suturing, P = .048), and
      smoothness (suturing, P < .001). For all tasks, there were significant
      differences between level of experience groups for eoSim task completion times
      and PLS scores (P = .038 to < .001). Significant relationships were found between
      eoSim and PLS task completion times for the precision cutting and suturing tasks
      (rho = 0.298 and rho = 0.435, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates
      validity of the adapted eoSim simulator for training in pediatric laparoscopy.
      Future work should focus on implementing and evaluating the proficiency-based
      training curriculum that is proposed using construct validity-derived metrics.

PMID- 26259167
TI  - Flexible Nitrogen Doped SiC Nanoarray for Ultrafast Capacitive Energy Storage.
AB  - The current trend with integrated energy-storage units in portable electronics
      lies in continuous advancements in nanostructured materials, thin-film
      manufacture technologies, and device architectures with enhanced functionality
      and reliability of existing components. Despite this, it is still challenging to
      provide cost-efficient solution to further improve the energy and power densities
      and cyclability of supercapacitors (SCs), especially at ultrafast rates while
      maintaining their environmentally friendly and even well-run at arbitrary harsh
      environments character. In this contribution, we report the fabrication of quasi
      aligned single crystalline 3C-SiC nanowire (3C-SiCNW) array with tailored shapes
      and nitrogen-doping (N-doping). The resultant large-scale SiCNWs were directly
      grown on the surface of a flexible carbon fabric via a simple chemical vapor
      deposition method. We found that the SC performance of SiCNW arrays can be
      substantially enhanced by nitrogen doping, which could favor a more localized
      impurity state near the conduction band edge that greatly improves the quantum
      capacitance and hence increases the bulk capacitance and the high-power
      capability. The measured areal capacitances are higher with values of 4.8 and 4.7
      mF cm(-2), in aqueous and gel electrolytes, respectively. The all-solid-state
      flexible textile-based SCs (TSCs) made with these electrodes are mechanically
      robust under bent and twisted states. Further, they show a power density of 72.3
      mW cm(-2) that is higher than that of electrolytic capacitors, and an energy
      density of 1.2 * 10(-4) mW.h cm(-2), in association with superior rate ability,
      cyclability, and being environmentally friendly. Such SiCNW-TSC devices allow for
      operations at ultrahigh rate up to 30 V s(-1), 2 orders of magnitude higher than
      that of conventional supercapacitors. All these data are comparable to the
      reported results for 1D nanostructure-based carbon nanotubes (CNTs) or graphenes,
      thus showing the promising application as large-area flexible textile
      electronics. 

PMID- 26259168
TI  - Starch Biocatalyst Based on alpha-Amylase-Mg/Al-Layered Double Hydroxide
      Nanohybrids.
AB  - The design of new biocatalysts through the immobilization of enzymes, improving
      their stability and reuse, plays a major role in the development of sustainable
      methodologies toward the so-called green chemistry. In this work, alpha-amylase
      (AAM) biocatalyst based on Mg3Al-layered double-hydroxide (LDH) matrix was
      successfully developed with the adsorption method. The adsorption process was
      studied and optimized as a function of time and enzyme concentration. The
      biocatalyst was characterized, and the mechanism of interaction between AAM and
      LDH, as well as the immobilization effects on the catalytic activity, was
      elucidated. The adsorption process was fast and irreversible, thus yielding a
      stable biohybrid material. The immobilized AAM partially retained its enzymatic
      activity, and the biocatalyst rapidly hydrolyzed starch in an aqueous solution
      with enhanced efficiency at intermediate loading values of ca. 50 mg/g of
      AAM/LDH. Multiple attachments through electrostatic interactions affected the
      conformation of the immobilized enzyme on the LDH surface. The biocatalyst was
      successfully stored in its dry form, retaining 100% of its catalytic activity.
      The results reveal the potential usefulness of a LDH compound as a support of
      alpha-amylase for the hydrolysis of starch that may be applied in industrial and
      pharmaceutical processes as a simple, environmentally friendly, and low-cost
      biocatalyst. 

PMID- 26259169
TI  - Cold tolerance in rice germinating seeds revealed by deep RNAseq analysis of
      contrasting indica genotypes.
AB  - Rice productivity is largely affected by low temperature, which can be harmful
      throughout plant development, from germination to grain filling. Germination of
      indica rice cultivars under cold is slow and not uniform, resulting in irregular
      emergence and small plant population. To identify and characterize novel genes
      involved in cold tolerance during the germination stage, two indica rice
      genotypes (sister lines previously identified as cold-tolerant and cold
      sensitive) were used in parallel transcriptomic analysis (RNAseq) under cold
      treatment (seeds germinating at 13  degrees C for 7 days). We detected 1,361
      differentially expressed transcripts. Differences in gene expression found by
      RNAseq were confirmed for 11 selected genes using RT-qPCR. Biological processes
      enhanced in the cold-tolerant seedlings include: cell division and expansion
      (confirmed by anatomical sections of germinating seeds), cell wall integrity and
      extensibility, water uptake and membrane transport capacity, sucrose synthesis,
      generation of simple sugars, unsaturation of membrane fatty acids, wax
      biosynthesis, antioxidant capacity (confirmed by histochemical staining of H2O2),
      and hormone and Ca(2+)-signaling. The cold-sensitive seedlings respond to low
      temperature stress increasing synthesis of HSPs and dehydrins, along with
      enhanced ubiquitin/proteasome protein degradation pathway and polyamine
      biosynthesis. Our findings can be useful in future biotechnological approaches
      aiming to cold tolerance in indica rice.

PMID- 26259170
TI  - Ups and downs in alfalfa: Proteomic and metabolic changes occurring in the
      growing stem.
AB  - The expanding interest for using lignocellulosic biomass in industry spurred the
      study of the mechanisms underlying plant cell-wall synthesis. Efforts using
      genetic approaches allowed the disentanglement of major steps governing stem
      fibre synthesis. Nonetheless, little is known about the relations between the
      stem maturation and the evolution of its proteome. During Medicago sativa L.
      maturation, the different internodes grow asynchronously allowing the
      discrimination of various developmental stages on a same stem. In this study, the
      proteome of three selected regions of the stem of alfalfa (apical, intermediate
      and basal) was analyzed and combined with a compositional analysis of the
      different stem parts. Interestingly, the apical and the median regions share many
      similarities: high abundance of chloroplast- and mitochondrial-related proteins
      together with the accumulation of proteins acting in the early steps of fibre
      production. In the mature basal region, forisomes and stress-related proteins
      accumulate. The RT-qPCR assessment of the expression of genes coding for members
      of the cellulose synthase family likewise indicates that fibres and the machinery
      responsible for the deposition of secondary cell walls are predominantly formed
      in the apical section. Altogether, this study reflects the metabolic change from
      the fibre production in the upper stem regions to the acquisition of defence
      related functions in the fibrous basal part. 

PMID- 26259171
TI  - Improving potato drought tolerance through the induction of long-term water
      stress memory.
AB  - Knowledge of drought tolerance in potato is limited and very little is known
      about stress memory in this crop. In the present study, long-term stress memory
      was tested on tuber yield and drought tolerance related traits in three potato
      varieties (Unica, Desiree and Sarnav) with contrasted yields under water
      restriction. Seed tubers produced by plants grown under non-restricted (non
      primed tubers) and restricted (primed tubers) water conditions were sown and
      exposed to similar watering treatments. Tuber yield and leaf greenness of plants
      from primed and non-primed seeds as well as tuber carbon isotope discrimination
      (Delta(13)C) and antioxidant activity (AA) responses to watering treatments were
      compared. Higher tuber yield, both under non-restricted and restricted water
      regimes, was produced by primed Sarnav plants. The decrease of tuber yield and
      Delta(13)C with water restriction was lower in primed Unica plants. Long-term
      stress memory consequently appears to be highly genotype-dependent in potato. Its
      expression in plants originated from primed tubers and facing water restriction
      seems to be positively associated to the degree of inherent capability of the
      cultivar to yield under water restriction. However, other effects of priming
      appear to be genotype-independent as priming enhanced the tuber AA in response to
      water restriction in the three varieties. 

PMID- 26259172
TI  - Transcriptome analysis reveals that distinct metabolic pathways operate in salt
      tolerant and salt-sensitive upland cotton varieties subjected to salinity stress.
AB  - Salinity stress is one of the most devastating abiotic stresses in crop plants.
      As a moderately salt-tolerant crop, upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is a
      major cash crop in saline areas and a suitable model for salt stress tolerance
      research. In this study, we compared the transcriptome changes between the salt
      tolerant upland cotton cultivar Zhong 07 and salt-sensitive cultivar Zhong G5 in
      response to NaCl treatments. Transcriptional regulation, signal transduction and
      secondary metabolism in two varieties showed significant differences, all of
      which might be related to mechanisms underlying salt stress tolerance. The
      transcriptional profiles presented here provide a foundation for deciphering the
      mechanism underlying salt tolerance. Based on our findings, we proposed several
      candidate genes that might be used to improve salt tolerance in upland cotton. 

PMID- 26259173
TI  - miRNAs and lncRNAs in reproductive development.
AB  - Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) regulate gene expression at the transcriptional and post
      transcriptional levels. Many ncRNAs have been identified in the past decade,
      including small ncRNAs, such as microRNAs (miRNAs), and long ncRNAs (lncRNAs).
      These novel molecules have important roles in a wide range of biological
      processes such as the regulation of reproduction and sex determination. Due to
      their ability to regulate specific genes or entire gene families, these molecules
      have the potential for uses in the development of breeding strategies as well as
      in the genetic modification of agronomic traits. In this review, we summarize
      recent progress on the understanding of plant miRNAs and lncRNAs in male and
      female development. We also discuss future challenges of using these molecules in
      agricultural applications, including transgenic plants in hybrid breeding, for
      novel genetic trait selection, for rapid character screening, and genetic
      modification for crop improvement. 

PMID- 26259174
TI  - Instability of the Arabidopsis mutant csn5a-2 caused by epigenetic modification
      of intronic T-DNA.
AB  - T-DNA insertion mutants play a crucial role in elucidating Arabidopsis gene
      function. In some cases, two or more T-DNA mutants are combined to study genetic
      interactions between homologous genes or genes hypothesized to act in the same
      pathway. We studied the significance of protein-protein interactions between
      CSN5A and ROP11 by crossing three independent rop11 T-DNA insertion mutants with
      csn5a-2, a partial loss-of-function intronic T-DNA insertion mutant. The csn5a-2
      single mutant is severely stunted, but double rop11 csn5a-2mutants were rescued
      and exhibited increased CSN5A transcript and protein levels. The rescued
      phenotype was maintained in non-Mendelian fashion when the csn5a-2 single mutant
      was re-isolated from the rop11-1 csn5a-2 double mutant, and was sensitive to two
      inhibitors of DNA methylation. Loss of kanamycin resistance was also observed in
      re-isolated csn5a-2. These findings indicate that the rescue of csn5a-2 resulted
      from a trans T-DNA-mediated epigenetic effect on the csn5a-2 intronic T-DNA,
      similar to recent reports involving the intronic T-DNA mutants ag-TD, ben1-1, and
      cob-6. Thus the work reported here provides further support for the
      recommendation that mutants created through novel combinations of T-DNA alleles
      should be carefully evaluated for evidence of epigenetic modification of T-DNA
      before final conclusions are drawn. 

PMID- 26259175
TI  - Phytochrome-interacting factors PIF4 and PIF5 negatively regulate anthocyanin
      biosynthesis under red light in Arabidopsis seedlings.
AB  - Light is an important environmental factor inducing anthocyanin accumulation in
      plants. Phytochrome-interacting factors (PIFs) have been shown to be a family of
      bHLH transcription factors involved in light signaling in Arabidopsis. Red light
      effectively increased anthocyanin accumulation in wild-type Col-0, whereas the
      effects were enhanced in pif4 and pif5 mutants but impaired in overexpression
      lines PIF4OX and PIF5OX, indicating that PIF4 and PIF5 are both negative
      regulators for red light-induced anthocyanin accumulation. Consistently,
      transcript levels of several genes involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis and
      regulatory pathway, including CHS, F3'H, DFR, LDOX, PAP1 and TT8, were
      significantly enhanced in mutants pif4 and pif5 but decreased in PIF4OX and
      PIF5OX compared to in Col-0, indicating that PIF4 and PIF5 are transcriptional
      repressor of these gene. Transient expression assays revealed that PIF4 and PIF5
      could repress red light-induced promoter activities of F3'H and DFR in
      Arabidopsis protoplasts. Furthermore, chromatin immunoprecipitation-quantitative
      PCR (ChIP-qPCR) test and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) showed that
      PIF5 could directly bind to G-box motifs present in the promoter of DFR. Taken
      together, these results suggest that PIF4 and PIF5 negatively regulate red light
      induced anthocyanin accumulation through transcriptional repression of the
      anthocyanin biosynthetic genes in Arabidopsis. 

PMID- 26259176
TI  - Inheritance and molecular mapping of Rf6 locus with pollen fertility restoration
      ability on A1 and A2 cytoplasms in sorghum.
AB  - Of the several male sterility cytoplasms available as an alternative to the
      widely exploited A1 (milo) cytoplasm in sorghum, A2 is more suitable for
      commercial exploitation. Diversification of genetic and cytoplasmic base of
      hybrids involving A2 cytoplasm necessitates mapping of fertility restorer (Rf)
      genes for use in marker-assisted restorer development. We mapped a major male
      fertility restoration locus on sorghum chromosome 4 tightly linked with SSR
      markers, SB2387 and SB2388. This new fertility locus, Rf6, was able to restore
      male fertility on both A1 and A2 cytoplasms. Analysis of the genomic region
      around the Rf6 locus identified six genes including a pentatricopeptide repeat
      (PPR) gene, Sobic.004G004100. With its similar restoration ability to Rf1, Rf2
      and Rf5 loci in sorghum, it is most likely that the Rf6 is a member of the PPR
      gene family, and the PPR gene Sobic.004G004100 could be a candidate for fertility
      restoration on A1 and A2 cytoplasms. 

PMID- 26259177
TI  - Dissecting the role of two cytokinin analogues (INCYDE and PI-55) on in vitro
      organogenesis, phytohormone accumulation, phytochemical content and antioxidant
      activity.
AB  - There is a continuous search for new chemical entities to expand the collection
      of suitable compounds to increase the efficiency of micropropagation protocols.
      Two cytokinin (CK) analogues, 2-chloro-6-(3-methoxyphenyl)aminopurine (INCYDE)
      and CK antagonist 6-(2-hydroxy-3-methylbenzylamino)purine (PI-55) were used as a
      tool to elucidate the auxin-CK crosstalk under in vitro conditions in the
      medicinally important plant, Eucomis autumnalis subspecies autumnalis. These
      compounds were tested at 0.01, 0.1 and 10 MUM alone as well as in combination
      with benzyladenine (BA) and naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). The organogenesis,
      phytohormone content, phytochemical and antioxidant response in 10 week-old-in
      vitro regenerated E. autumnalis subspecies autumnalis was evaluated. INCYDE
      generally favoured shoot regeneration while the effect of PI-55 was more evident
      in root proliferation. Overall, INCYDE promoted the accumulation of higher
      concentrations and varieties of endogenous CK relative to the PI-55 treatments.
      In contrast, higher concentration of indole-3-acetic acid and 2-oxindole-3-acetic
      acid were generally observed in PI-55-supplemented cultures when compared to
      plantlets derived from INCYDE. Both CK analogues (individually and in-conjunction
      with exogenously applied PGRs) significantly influenced the phytochemicals and
      consequently the antioxidant potential of the in vitro regenerants. These results
      provided insight on how to alleviate root inhibition, a problem which causes
      considerable loss of several elite species during micropropagation.

PMID- 26259178
TI  - The control of tomato fruit elongation orchestrated by sun, ovate and fs8.1 in a
      wild relative of tomato.
AB  - Within the cultivated tomato germplasm, sun, ovate and fs8.1 are the three
      predominant QTLs controlling fruit elongation. Although SUN and OVATE have been
      cloned, their role in plant growth and development are not well understood. To
      compare and contrast the effects of the three QTLs in a homogeneous background,
      we developed near isogenic lines (NILs) in the wild species Solanum
      pimpinellifolium LA1589 background. We carried out detailed morphological
      characterization of reproductive and vegetative organs in the single, double and
      triple NILs and determined the epistatic interactions of the three loci affecting
      fruit shape. The phenotypic evaluations demonstrated that the three loci regulate
      unique aspects of ovary and fruit elongation and in different temporal manners.
      The strongest effect on organ shape was caused by sun. In addition to fruit
      shape, sun also affected leaf and sepal elongation and stem thickness. The
      synergistic interaction between sun and ovate or fs8.1 suggested that the
      pathways involving SUN, OVATE and the gene(s) underlying fs8.1 may converge at a
      common node. The results of an extensive profiling analysis suggested that the
      degree of fruit elongation was not related to the accumulation of any of the
      classical hormones. 

PMID- 26259179
TI  - Genome-wide analysis of phylogeny, expression profile and sub-cellular
      localization of SKP1-Like genes in wild tomato.
AB  - SKP1 is a core component of SCF complex, a major type of E3 ubiquitin ligase
      catalyzing the last step in ubiquitin-mediated protein degradation pathway. In
      present study, SKP1 gene family in Solanum pimpinellifolium (SSK), a wild species
      of tomato, was investigated. A total of 19 SSK genes were identified through
      homologous search. Their chromosomal locations, gene structures, phylogeny,
      expression profiles, sub-cellular localizations and protein-protein interaction
      patterns with putative F-box proteins were analyzed in detail. The high homology
      and similar expression patterns among clustered SSK genes in chromosome suggested
      that they may have evolved from duplication events and are functionally
      redundant. Sub-cellular localization indicated that most of the SSK proteins are
      distributed in both cytosol and nucleus, except for SSK8, which is detected in
      cytosol only. Tissue-specific expression patterns suggested that many SSK genes
      may be involved in tomato fruit development. Furthermore, several SSK genes were
      found to be responsive to heat stress and salicylic acid treatment. Based on
      phylogenetic analysis, expression profiles and protein interaction property, we
      proposed that tomato SSK1 and SSK2 might have similar function to ASK1 and ASK2
      in Arabidopsis. 

PMID- 26259180
TI  - Identification of nuclear target proteins for S-nitrosylation in pathogen-treated
      Arabidopsis thaliana cell cultures.
AB  - Nitric oxide (NO) is a significant signalling molecule involved in the regulation
      of many different physiological processes in plants. One of the most imperative
      regulatory modes of action of NO is protein S-nitrosylation--the covalent
      attachment of an NO group to the sulfur atom of cysteine residues. In this study,
      we focus on S-nitrosylation of Arabidopsis nuclear proteins after pathogen
      infection. After treatment of Arabidopsis suspension cell cultures with
      pathogens, nuclear proteins were extracted and treated with the S-nitrosylating
      agent S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO). A biotin switch assay was performed and biotin
      labelled proteins were purified by neutravidin affinity chromatography and
      identified by mass spectrometry. A total of 135 proteins were identified, whereas
      nuclear localization has been described for 122 proteins of them. 117 of these
      proteins contain at least one cysteine residue. Most of the S-nitrosylated
      candidates were involved in protein and RNA metabolism, stress response, and cell
      organization and division. Interestingly, two plant-specific histone deacetylases
      were identified suggesting that nitric oxide regulated epigenetic processes in
      plants. In sum, this work provides a new collection of targets for protein S
      nitrosylation in Arabidopsis and gives insight into the regulatory function of NO
      in the nucleus during plant defense response. Moreover, our data extend the
      knowledge on the regulatory function of NO in events located in the nucleus.

PMID- 26259181
TI  - Mutation of FdC2 gene encoding a ferredoxin-like protein with C-terminal
      extension causes yellow-green leaf phenotype in rice.
AB  - Ferredoxins (Fds) are small iron-sulfur proteins that mediate electron transfer
      in a wide range of metabolic reactions. Besides Fds, there is a type of Fd-like
      proteins designated as FdC, which have conserved elements of Fds, but contain a
      significant C-terminal extension. So far, only two FdC genes of Arabidopsis
      (Arabidopsis thaliana) have been identified in higher plants and thus the
      functions of FdC proteins remain largely unknown. In this study, we isolated a
      yellow-green leaf mutant, 501ys, in rice (Oryza sativa). The mutant exhibited
      yellow-green leaf phenotype and reduced chlorophyll level. The phenotype of 501ys
      was caused by mutation of a gene on rice chromosome 3. Map-based cloning of this
      mutant resulted in identification of OsFdC2 gene (LOC_Os03g48040) showing high
      identity with Arabidopsis FdC2 gene (AT1G32550). OsFdC2 was expressed most
      abundantly in leaves and its encoded protein was targeted to the chloroplast. In
      501ys mutant, a missense mutation was detected in DNA sequence of the gene,
      resulting in an amino acid change in the encoded protein. The mutant phenotype
      was rescued by introduction of the wild-type gene. Therefore, we successfully
      identified FdC2 gene via map-based cloning approach, and demonstrated that
      mutation of this gene caused yellow-green leaf phenotype in rice. 

PMID- 26259182
TI  - Characterization of multiple SPS knockout mutants reveals redundant functions of
      the four Arabidopsis sucrose phosphate synthase isoforms in plant viability, and
      strongly indicates that enhanced respiration and accelerated starch turnover can
      alleviate the blockage of sucrose biosynthesis.
AB  - We characterized multiple knock-out mutants of the four Arabidopsis sucrose
      phosphate synthase (SPSA1, SPSA2, SPSB and SPSC) isoforms. Despite their reduced
      SPS activity, spsa1/spsa2, spsa1/spsb, spsa2/spsb, spsa2/spsc, spsb/spsc,
      spsa1/spsa2/spsb and spsa2/spsb/spsc mutants displayed wild type (WT) vegetative
      and reproductive morphology, and showed WT photosynthetic capacity and
      respiration. In contrast, growth of rosettes, flowers and siliques of the
      spsa1/spsc and spsa1/spsa2/spsc mutants was reduced compared with WT plants.
      Furthermore, these plants displayed a high dark respiration phenotype.
      spsa1/spsb/spsc and spsa1/spsa2/spsb/spsc seeds poorly germinated and produced
      aberrant and sterile plants. Leaves of all viable sps mutants, except spsa1/spsc
      and spsa1/spsa2/spsc, accumulated WT levels of nonstructural carbohydrates.
      spsa1/spsc leaves possessed high levels of metabolic intermediates and activities
      of enzymes of the glycolytic and tricarboxylic acid cycle pathways, and
      accumulated high levels of metabolic intermediates of the nocturnal starch-to
      sucrose conversion process, even under continuous light conditions. Results
      presented in this work show that SPS is essential for plant viability, reveal
      redundant functions of the four SPS isoforms in processes that are important for
      plant growth and nonstructural carbohydrate metabolism, and strongly indicate
      that accelerated starch turnover and enhanced respiration can alleviate the
      blockage of sucrose biosynthesis in spsa1/spsc leaves. 

PMID- 26259183
TI  - Early events induced by the toxin deoxynivalenol lead to programmed cell death in
      Nicotiana tabacum cells.
AB  - Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a mycotoxin affecting animals and plants. This toxin
      synthesized by Fusarium culmorum and Fusarium graminearum is currently believed
      to play a decisive role in the fungal phytopathogenesis as a virulence factor.
      Using cultured cells of Nicotiana tabacum BY2, we showed that DON-induced
      programmed cell death (PCD) could require transcription and translation
      processes, in contrast to what was observed in animal cells. DON could induce
      different cross-linked pathways involving (i) reactive oxygen species (ROS)
      generation linked, at least partly, to a mitochondrial dysfunction and a
      transcriptional down-regulation of the alternative oxidase (Aox1) gene and (ii)
      regulation of ion channel activities participating in cell shrinkage, to achieve
      PCD. 

PMID- 26259184
TI  - Occurrence, genetic control and evolution of non-target-site based resistance to
      herbicides inhibiting acetolactate synthase (ALS) in the dicot weed Papaver
      rhoeas.
AB  - Non-target-site resistance (NTSR) to herbicides is a major issue for the chemical
      control of weeds. Whilst predominant in grass weeds, NTSR remains largely
      uninvestigated in dicot weeds. We investigated the occurrence, inheritance and
      genetic control of NTSR to acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors in Papaver
      rhoeas (corn poppy) using progenies from plants with potential NTSR to the
      imidazolinone herbicide imazamox. NTSR to imazamox was inherited from parents
      over two successive generations. NTSR to tritosulfuron (a sulfonylurea) was
      observed in F1 generations and inherited in F2 generations. NTSR to florasulam (a
      triazolopyrimidine) emerged in F2 generations. Our findings suggest NTSR was
      polygenic and gradually built-up by accumulation over generations of loci with
      moderate individual effects in single plants. We also demonstrated that ALS
      alleles conferring herbicide resistance can co-exist with NTSR loci in P. rhoeas
      plants. Previous research focussed on TSR in P. rhoeas, which most likely caused
      underestimation of NTSR significance in this species. This may also apply to
      other dicot species. From our data, resistance to ALS inhibitors in P. rhoeas
      appears complex, and involves well-known mutant ALS alleles and a set of unknown
      NTSR loci that confer resistance to ALS inhibitors from different chemical
      families. 

PMID- 26259185
TI  - A decrease in phytic acid content substantially affects the distribution of
      mineral elements within rice seeds.
AB  - Phytic acid (myo-inositol hexakisphosphate; InsP6) is the storage compound of
      phosphorus and many mineral elements in seeds. To determine the role of InsP6 in
      the accumulation and distribution of mineral elements in seeds, we performed fine
      mappings of mineral elements through synchrotron-based X-ray microfluorescence
      analysis using developing seeds from two independent low phytic acid (lpa)
      mutants of rice (Oryza sativa L.). The reduced InsP6 in lpa seeds did not affect
      the translocation of mineral elements from vegetative organs into seeds, because
      the total amounts of phosphorus and the other mineral elements in lpa seeds were
      identical to those in the wild type (WT). However, the reduced InsP6 caused large
      changes in mineral localization within lpa seeds. Phosphorus and potassium in the
      aleurone layer of lpa greatly decreased and diffused into the endosperm. Zinc and
      copper, which were broadly distributed from the aleurone layer to the inner
      endosperm in the WT, were localized in the narrower space around the aleurone
      layer in lpa mutants. We also confirmed that similar distribution changes
      occurred in transgenic rice with the lpa phenotype. Using these results, we
      discussed the role of InsP6 in the dynamic accumulation and distribution patterns
      of mineral elements during seed development. 

PMID- 26259186
TI  - Cellular and molecular aspects of quinoa leaf senescence.
AB  - During leaf senescence, degradation of chloroplasts precede to changes in nuclei
      and other cytoplasmic organelles, RuBisCO stability is progressively lost, grana
      lose their structure, plastidial DNA becomes distorted and degraded, the number
      of plastoglobuli increases and abundant senescence-associated vesicles containing
      electronically dense particles emerge from chloroplasts pouring their content
      into the central vacuole. This study examines quinoa leaf tissues during
      development and senescence using a range of well-established markers of
      programmed cell death (PCD), including: morphological changes in nuclei and
      chloroplasts, degradation of RuBisCO, changes in chlorophyll content, DNA
      degradation, variations in ploidy levels, and changes in nuclease profiles. TUNEL
      reaction and DNA electrophoresis demonstrated that DNA fragmentation in nuclei
      occurs at early senescence, which correlates with induction of specific
      nucleases. During senescence, metabolic activity is high and nuclei
      endoreduplicate, peaking at 4C. At this time, TEM images showed some healthy
      nuclei with condensed chromatin and nucleoli. We have found that DNA
      fragmentation, induction of senescence-associated nucleases and endoreduplication
      take place during leaf senescence. This provides a starting point for further
      research aiming to identify key genes involved in the senescence of quinoa
      leaves. 

PMID- 26259187
TI  - Loss of function of OsMADS3 via the insertion of a novel retrotransposon leads to
      recessive male sterility in rice (Oryza sativa).
AB  - Natural mutation is the source of natural variation, which is the fundamental
      basis for the genetic improvement of crops. During the process of developing a
      recombinant inbred line (RI), a spontaneous mutagenesis in RI127 led to the
      production of the recessive male-sterile line RI127S. Via a map-based cloning
      approach, the gene controlling the male sterility was identified as OsMADS3,
      which was previously reported to be associated with floral organ development and
      male sterility. Thermal asymmetric interlaced PCR isolated one 1633-bp insertion
      in OsMADS3 in RI127S, which damaged its function due to failed transcription. The
      1633-bp insertion was derived from a fragment flanked by retrotransposon genes on
      chromosome 5. Seven haplotypes of OsMADS3 were observed among 529 cultivars and
      107 wild rice accessions, and 98% of the investigated genotypes carried the same
      H2 haplotype, indicating that OsMADS3 is highly conserved. RI127S has the
      combined genome constitution of its parents, indica rice Teqing and japonica
      02428, and carries the widely compatible S5 gene donated by 02428. RI127 exhibits
      good performance in regard to its agronomic traits and has a wide compatibility.
      Therefore, RI127S would be an elite mediator for recurrent breeding in cases
      requiring a tedious hand-crossing-based inter-crossing phase. RI127S can be
      crossed not only with indica rice but also with japonica rice, thus providing
      breeders with flexible arrangements in recurrent breeding programs. 

PMID- 26259189
TI  - Metalloido-porins: Essentiality of Nodulin 26-like intrinsic proteins in
      metalloid transport.
AB  - Metalloids are a group of physiologically important elements ranging from the
      essential to the highly toxic. Arsenic, antimony, germanium, and tellurium are
      highly toxic to plants themselves and to consumers of metalloid-contaminated
      plants. Boron, silicon, and selenium fulfill essential or beneficial functions in
      plants. However, when present at high concentrations, boron and selenium cause
      toxicity symptoms that are detrimental to plant fitness and yield. Consequently,
      all plants require efficient membrane transport systems to control the uptake and
      extrusion of metalloids into or out of the plant and their distribution within
      the plant body. Several Nodulin 26-like intrinsic proteins (NIPs) that belong to
      the aquaporin plant water channel protein family facilitate the diffusion of
      uncharged metalloid species. Genetic, physiological, and molecular evidence is
      that NIPs from primitive to higher plants not only transport all environmentally
      important metalloids, but that these proteins have a major role in the uptake,
      translocation, and extrusion of metalloids in plants. As most of the metalloid
      permeable NIP aquaporins are impermeable or are poorly permeable to water, these
      NIP channel proteins should be considered as physiologically essential metalloido
      porins. 

PMID- 26259188
TI  - Functional characterization of FaNIP1;1 gene, a ripening-related and receptacle
      specific aquaporin in strawberry fruit.
AB  - Strawberry fruit (Fragaria * ananassa) is a soft fruit with high water content at
      ripe stage (more than 90% of its fresh weight). Aquaporins play an important role
      in plant water homeostasis, through the facilitation of water transport and
      solutes. We report the role played by FaNIP1;1 in the receptacle ripening
      process. The analysis by qRT-PCR of FaNIP1;1 showed that this gene is mainly
      expressed in fruit receptacle and has a ripening-related expression pattern that
      was accompanied by an increase in both the abscisic acid and water content of the
      receptacle throughout fruit ripening. Moreover, FaNIP1;1 was induced in
      situations of water deficit. Additionally, we show that FaNIP1;1 expression was
      positively regulated by abscisic acid and negatively regulated by auxins. The
      water transport capacity of FaNIP1;1 was determined by a stopped-flow
      spectroscopy in yeast over-expressing FaNIP1;1. Glycerol, H2O2 and boron
      transport were also demonstrated in yeast. On the other hand, GFP-FaNIP1;1 fusion
      protein was located in plasma membrane. In conclusion, FaNIP1;1 seems to play an
      important role increasing the plasma membrane permeability, that allows the water
      accumulation in the strawberry fruit receptacle throughout the ripening process.

PMID- 26259190
TI  - Calcineurin B-like 3 calcium sensor associates with and inhibits 5'
      methylthioadenosine nucleosidase 2 in Arabidopsis.
AB  - Calcineurin B-like (CBL) proteins constitute a unique family of calcium sensor
      relays in plants. It is well known that CBLs detect the calcium signals elicited
      by a variety of abiotic stresses and relay the information to a group of
      serine/threonine protein kinases called CBL-interacting protein kinases (CIPKs).
      In this study, we found that a few CBL members can also target another group of
      enzymes 5'-methylthioadenosine nucleosidases (MTANs), which are encoded by two
      genes in Arabidopsis, AtMTAN1 and AtMTAN2. In the yeast two-hybrid system,
      AtMTAN1 interacted with multiple CBL members such as CBL2, CBL3 and CBL6, whereas
      AtMTAN2 associated exclusively with CBL3. We further demonstrated that the CBL3
      AtMTAN2 association occurs in a calcium-dependent manner, which results in a
      significant decrease in the enzyme activity of the AtMTAN2 protein. Taken
      together, these results clearly indicate that the CBL family can target at least
      two distinct groups of enzymes (CIPKs and MTANs), conferring an additional level
      of complexity on the CBL-mediated signaling networks. In addition, our finding
      also provides a novel molecular mechanism by which calcium signals are transduced
      to alter metabolite profiles in plants. 

PMID- 26259191
TI  - The mechanism underlying fast germination of tomato cultivar LA2711.
AB  - Seed germination is important for early plant morphogenesis as well as abiotic
      stress tolerance, and is mainly controlled by the phytohormones abscisic acid
      (ABA) and gibberellic acid (GA). Our previous studies identified a salt-tolerant
      tomato cultivar, LA2711, which is also a fast-germinating genotype, compared to
      its salt-sensitive counterpart, ZS-5. In an effort to further clarify the
      mechanism underlying this phenomenon, we compared the dynamic levels of ABA and
      GA4, the transcript abundance of genes involved in their biosynthesis and
      catabolism as well as signal transduction between the two cultivars. In addition,
      we tested seed germination sensitivity to ABA and GAs. Our results revealed that
      insensitivity of seed germination to exogenous ABA and low ABA content in seeds
      are the physiological mechanisms conferring faster germination rates of LA2711
      seeds. SlCYP707A2, which encodes an ABA catabolic enzyme, may play a decisive
      role in the fast germination rate of LA2711, as it showed a significantly higher
      level of expression in LA2711 than ZS-5 at most time points tested during
      germination. The current results will enable us to gain insight into the
      mechanism(s) regarding seed germination of tomato and the role of fast
      germination in stress tolerance. 

PMID- 26259192
TI  - Competency for shoot regeneration from Arabidopsis root explants is regulated by
      DNA methylation.
AB  - Plants exhibit high capacity to regenerate in three alternative pathways: tissue
      repair, somatic embryogenesis and de novo organogenesis. For most plants, de novo
      organ initiation can be easily achieved in tissue culture by exposing explants to
      auxin and/or cytokinin, yet the competence to regenerate varies among species and
      within tissues from the same plant. In Arabidopsis, root explants incubated
      directly on cytokinin-rich shoot inducing medium (SIM-direct), are incapable of
      regenerating shoots, and a pre-incubation step on auxin-rich callus inducing
      medium (CIM) is required to acquire competency to regenerate on the SIM. However
      the mechanism underlying competency acquisition still remains elusive. Here we
      show that the chromomethylase 3 (cmt3) mutant which exhibits significant
      reduction in CHG methylation, shows high capacity to regenerate on SIM-direct and
      that regeneration occurs via direct organogenesis. In WT, WUSCHEL (WUS) promoter,
      an essential gene for shoot formation, is highly methylated, and its expression
      on SIM requires pre-incubation on CIM. However, in cmt3, WUS expression induced
      by SIM-direct. We propose that pre-incubation on CIM is required for the re
      activation of cell division. Following the transfer of roots to SIM, the
      intensive cell division activity continues, and in the presence of cytokinin
      leads to a dilution in DNA methylation that allows certain genes required for
      shoot regeneration to respond to SIM, thereby advancing shoot formation. 

PMID- 26259193
TI  - Expression of peach sucrose transporters in heterologous systems points out their
      different physiological role.
AB  - Sucrose is the major phloem-translocated component in a number of economically
      important plant species. The comprehension of the mechanisms involved in sucrose
      transport in peach fruit appears particularly relevant, since the accumulation of
      this sugar, during ripening, is crucial for the growth and quality of the fruit.
      Here, we report the functional characterisation and subcellular localisation of
      three sucrose transporters (PpSUT1, PpSUT2, PpSUT4) in peach, and we formulate
      novel hypotheses about their role in accumulation of sugar. We provide evidence,
      about the capability of both PpSUT1 and PpSUT4, expressed in mutant yeast strains
      to transport sucrose. The functionality of PpSUT1 at the plasma membrane, and of
      PpSUT4 at the tonoplast, has been demonstrated. On the other hand, the
      functionality of PpSUT2 was not confirmed: this protein is unable to complement
      two sucrose uptake-deficient mutant yeast strains. Our results corroborate the
      hypotheses that PpSUT1 partakes in phloem loading in leaves, and PpSUT4 sustains
      cell metabolism by regulating sucrose efflux from the vacuole. 

PMID- 26259194
TI  - miRNA778 and SUVH6 are involved in phosphate homeostasis in Arabidopsis.
AB  - microRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in plant adaptation to phosphate (Pi)
      starvation. Histone methylation can remodel chromatin structure and mediate gene
      expression. This study identified Arabidopsis miR778, a Pi-responsive miRNA, and
      its target gene Su(var) 3-9 homologs 6 (SUVH6) encoding a histone H3 lysine 9
      (H3K9) methyltransferase. Overexpression of miR778 moderately enhanced primary
      and lateral root growth, free phosphate accumulation in shoots, and accumulation
      of anthocyanin under Pi deficient conditions. miR778 overexpression relieved the
      arrest of columella cell development under Pi starvation. Conversely, transgenic
      plants overexpressing a miR778-target mimic (35S::MIM778), that act as a sponge
      and sequesters miR778, showed opposite phenotypes of 35S::miR778 plants under Pi
      deficiency. Expression of several Pi deficiency-responsive genes such as miR399,
      Phosphate Transporter (PHT1;4), Low Phosphate-Resistant1 (LPR1) and Production of
      Anthocyanin Pigment 1 (PAP1) were elevated in the miR778 overexpressing plants,
      suggesting that both miR778 and SUVH6 are involved in phosphate homeostasis in
      plants. This study has provided a basis for further investigation on how SUVH6
      regulates its downstream genes through chromatin remodeling and DNA methylation
      in plants stressed by Pi deficiency. 

PMID- 26259195
TI  - K(+) accumulation in the cytoplasm and nucleus of the salt gland cells of
      Limonium bicolor accompanies increased rates of salt secretion under NaCl
      treatment using NanoSIMS.
AB  - Recretohalophytes with specialized salt-secreting structures (salt glands) can
      secrete excess salts from plant, while discriminating between Na(+) and K(+).
      K(+)/Na(+) ratio plays an important role in plant salt tolerance, but the
      distribution and role of K(+) in the salt gland cells is poorly understood. In
      this article, the in situ subcellular localization of K and Na in the salt gland
      of the recretohalophyte Limonium bicolor Kuntze is described. Samples were
      prepared by high-pressure freezing (HPF), freeze substitution (FS) and analyzed
      using NanoSIMS. The salt gland of L. bicolor consists of sixteen cells. Higher
      signal strength of Na(+) was located in the apoplast of salt gland cells.
      Compared with control, 200 mM NaCl treatment led to higher signal strength of
      K(+) and Na(+) in both cytoplasm and nucleus of salt gland cells although
      K(+)/Na(+) ratio in both cytoplasm and nucleus were slightly reduced by NaCl.
      Moreover, the rate of Na(+) secretion per salt gland of L. bicolor treated with
      200 mM NaCl was five times that of controls. These results suggest that K(+)
      accumulation both in the cytoplasm and nucleus of salt gland cells under salinity
      may play an important role in salt secretion, although the exact mechanism is
      unknown.

PMID- 26259196
TI  - Modelling the relationship between CO2 assimilation and leaf anatomical
      properties in tomato leaves.
AB  - The CO2 concentration near Rubisco and, therefore, the rate of CO2 assimilation,
      is influenced by both leaf anatomical factors and biochemical processes. Leaf
      anatomical structures act as physical barriers for CO2 transport. Biochemical
      processes add or remove CO2 along its diffusion pathway through mesophyll. We
      combined a model that quantifies the diffusive resistance for CO2 using
      anatomical properties, a model that partitions this resistance and an extended
      version of the Farquhar-von Caemmerer-Berry model. We parametrized the model by
      gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence and leaf anatomical measurements from
      three tomato cultivars. There was generally a good agreement between the
      predicted and measured light and CO2 response curves. We did a sensitivity
      analysis to assess how the rate of CO2 assimilation responds to changes in
      various leaf anatomical properties. Next, we conducted a similar analysis for
      assumed diffusive properties and curvature factors. Some variables (diffusion
      pathway length in stroma, diffusion coefficient of the stroma, curvature factors)
      substantially affected the predicted CO2 assimilation. We recommend more research
      on the measurements of these variables and on the development of 2-D and 3-D gas
      diffusion models, since these do not require the diffusion pathway length in the
      stroma as predefined parameter. 

PMID- 26259197
TI  - The Arabidopsis lectin EULS3 is involved in stomatal closure.
AB  - Plants synthesize carbohydrate binding proteins in response to adverse
      environmental conditions such as drought, heat, pathogen attack, etc. The
      Arabidopsis EULS3 lectin (referred to as ArathEULS3, encoded by At2g39050) has
      recently been linked to the drought stress response. In this study, endogenous
      binding partners for this protein have been investigated. Tandem affinity
      purifications and mass spectrometry analyses allowed the identification of two
      putative interacting proteins, Embryo-specific protein 3A (ATS3A, At2g41475) and
      Embryo-specific protein 3B (ATS3B, At5g62200). Bimolecular fluorescence
      complementation experiments confirmed the interaction between ArathEULS3 and
      ATS3B in closed stomata of Nicotiana benthamiana plants. Transgenic lines with
      reduced ArathEULS3 expression exhibited an aberrant ABA-induced stomatal closure
      compared to plants overexpressing ArathEULS3 and control plants suggesting a role
      for ArathEULS3 in ABA-induced stomatal closure. Stomata are known as the major
      route for Pseudomonas syringae entry into the plant tissues. Bacterial infection
      of wild type Arabidopsis thaliana plants was accompanied by a 6-fold increase of
      transcript levels for ArathEULS3. Furthermore, infection experiments with
      ArathEULS3 overexpression lines resulted in a clear reduction of P. syringae
      disease symptoms whereas plants with reduced ArathEULS3 expression showed the
      highest levels of leaf damage at 3 days post infection. These data point towards
      the physiological importance of ArathEULS3 for stomatal movement. 

PMID- 26259198
TI  - Novel proline-hydroxyproline glycopeptides from the dandelion (Taraxacum
      officinale Wigg.) flowers: de novo sequencing and biological activity.
AB  - Two novel homologous peptides named ToHyp1 and ToHyp2 that show no similarity to
      any known proteins were isolated from Taraxacum officinale Wigg. flowers by
      multidimensional liquid chromatography. Amino acid and mass spectrometry analyses
      demonstrated that the peptides have unusual structure: they are cysteine-free,
      proline-hydroxyproline-rich and post-translationally glycosylated by pentoses,
      with 5 carbohydrates in ToHyp2 and 10 in ToHyp1. The ToHyp2 peptide with a
      monoisotopic molecular mass of 4350.3Da was completely sequenced by a combination
      of Edman degradation and de novo sequencing via top down multistage collision
      induced dissociation (CID) and higher energy dissociation (HCD) tandem mass
      spectrometry (MS(n)). ToHyp2 consists of 35 amino acids, contains eighteen
      proline residues, of which 8 prolines are hydroxylated. The peptide displays
      antifungal activity and inhibits growth of Gram-positive and Gram-negative
      bacteria. We further showed that carbohydrate moieties have no significant impact
      on the peptide structure, but are important for antifungal activity although not
      absolutely necessary. The deglycosylated ToHyp2 peptide was less active against
      the susceptible fungus Bipolaris sorokiniana than the native peptide. Unique
      structural features of the ToHyp2 peptide place it into a new family of plant
      defense peptides. The discovery of ToHyp peptides in T. officinale flowers
      expands the repertoire of molecules of plant origin with practical applications. 

PMID- 26259200
TI  - Recovery Rates of Human Fetal Skeletal Remains Using Varying Mesh Sizes.
AB  - Human fetal skeletal elements of different gestational ages were screened with
      multiple mesh sizes (6.4 mm [1/4 inch], 3.2 mm [1/8 inch], 2.0 mm, and 1.0 mm) to
      determine their recovery rates. All remains were previously macerated, and no
      significantly damaged elements were used. The 6.4 mm mesh allowed a large loss of
      elements (63.2% overall), including diagnostic elements, while no diagnostic
      elements were lost when the 1 mm mesh (0.2%) was used. When using the 3.2 mm
      mesh, 16.2% of the bones were lost, including some diagnostic elements (primarily
      tooth crowns), while 7.5% were lost using the 2.0 mm mesh. The authors recommend
      that the potential loss of information incurred when utilizing larger mesh sizes
      be taken into consideration when planning recovery methods where fetal remains
      may be encountered and that a minimum of 1.0 mm mesh be utilized in recovery
      contexts known to include fetal remains. 

PMID- 26259199
TI  - HY5 regulates nitrite reductase 1 (NIR1) and ammonium transporter1;2 (AMT1;2) in
      Arabidopsis seedlings.
AB  - HY5 (Long Hypocotyles 5) is a key transcription factor in Arabidopsis thaliana
      that has a pivotal role in seedling development. Soil nitrogen is an essential
      macronutrient, and its uptake, assimilation and metabolism are influenced by
      nutrient availability and by lights. To understand the role of HY5 in nitrogen
      assimilation pathways, we examined the phenotype as well as the expression of
      selected nitrogen assimilation-related genes in hy5 mutant grown under various
      nitrogen limiting and nitrogen sufficient conditions, or different light
      conditions. We report that HY5 positively regulates nitrite reductase gene NIR1
      and negatively regulates the ammonium transporter gene AMT1;2 under all nitrogen
      and light conditions tested, while it affects several other genes in a nitrogen
      supply-dependent manner. HY5 is not required for light induction of NIR1, AMT1;2
      and NIA genes, but it is necessary for high level expression of NIR1 and NIA
      under optimal nutrient and light conditions. In addition, nitrogen deficiency
      exacerbates the abnormal root system of hy5. Together, our results suggest that
      HY5 exhibits the growth-promoting activity only when sufficient nutrients,
      including lights, are provided, and that HY5 has a complex involvement in
      nitrogen acquisition and metabolism in Arabidopsis seedlings. 

PMID- 26259201
TI  - Impact of an innovative inpatient patient navigator program on length of stay and
      30-day readmission.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The current climate of increasing patient complexity coupled with
      rising costs have prompted the need for adaptive innovation. There are limited
      data describing inpatient interventions targeting improvements in both
      communication and transitional care. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the patient navigator
      (PN) program, an innovative inpatient intervention intended to enhance navigation
      through the complexity of hospital admissions for patients and providers.
      INTERVENTION: PNs were dedicated patient-care facilitators without clinical
      responsibilities integrated as full members of the inpatient care team
      responsible for enhancing communication between and among patients and providers.
      DESIGN: Observational retrospective cohort study. PATIENTS: All patients admitted
      to the general medical service between July 2010 and March 2014. SETTING:
      Academic medical center. MEASUREMENTS: Primary outcomes were hospital length of
      stay (LOS) and 30-day readmission rate matched by case mix group, age category,
      and resource intensity weight. RESULTS: Our matched cohort included 5628
      admissions (4592 patients) exposed and 2213 admissions (1920 patients) not
      exposed to PNs. Admissions with PNs were 1.3 days (21%) shorter than admission
      without PNs (6.2 vs 7.5 days, P < 0.001). Thirty-day readmission rate was not
      different between the 2 groups (13.1 vs 13.8%, P = 0.48). CONCLUSION:
      Implementation of this intervention was associated with a reduction in LOS
      without an increase in 30-day readmission.

PMID- 26259202
TI  - An Advanced Bolus Calculator for Type 1 Diabetes: System Architecture and
      Usability Results.
AB  - This paper presents the architecture and initial usability results of an advanced
      insulin bolus calculator for diabetes (ABC4D), which provides personalized
      insulin recommendations for people with diabetes by differentiating between
      various diabetes scenarios and automatically adjusting its parameters over time.
      The proposed platform comprises two main components: a smartphone-based patient
      platform allowing manual input of glucose and variables affecting blood glucose
      levels (e.g., meal carbohydrate content and exercise) and providing real-time
      insulin bolus recommendations; and a clinical revision platform to supervise the
      automatic adaptations of the bolus calculator parameters. The system implements a
      previously in silico validated bolus calculator algorithm based on case-based
      reasoning, which uses information from similar past events (i.e., cases) to
      suggest improved personalized insulin bolus recommendations and automatically
      learns from new events. Usability of ABC4D was assessed by analyzing the system
      usage at the end of a six-week pilot study (n = 10). Further feedback on the use
      of ABC4D has been obtained from each participant at the end of the study from a
      usability questionnaire. On average, each participant requested 115 +/- 21
      insulin recommendations, of which 103 +/- 28 (90%) were accepted. The clinical
      revision software proposed a total of 754 case revisions, where 723 (96%)
      adaptations were approved by a clinical expert and updated in the patient
      platform. 

PMID- 26259203
TI  - Dynamic Threshold Analysis of Daily Oxygen Saturation for Improved Management of
      COPD Patients.
AB  - This study presents a novel dynamic threshold algorithm that is applied to daily
      self-measured SpO2 data for management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
      (COPD) patients in remote patient monitoring to improve accuracy of detection of
      exacerbation. Conventional approaches based on a fixed threshold applied to a
      single SpO 2 reading to detect deterioration in patient condition are known to
      have poor accuracy and result in high false alarm rates. This study develops and
      evaluates use of a dynamic threshold algorithm to reduce false alarm rates. Daily
      data from four COPD patients with a record of clinical interventions during the
      period were selected for analysis. We model the SpO2 time-series data as a
      combination of a trend and a stochastic component (residual). We estimate the
      long-term trend using a locally weighed least-squares (low-pass) filter over a
      long-term processing window. Results show that the time evolution of the long
      term trend indicated exacerbation with improved accuracy compared to a fixed
      threshold in our study population. Deterioration in the condition of a patient
      also resulted in an increase in the standard deviation of the residual (sigmares
      ), from 2% or less when the patient is in a healthy condition to 4% or more when
      condition deteriorates. Statistical analysis of the residuals showed they had a
      normal distribution when the condition of the patient was stable but had a long
      tail on the lower side during deterioration.

PMID- 26259204
TI  - eClims: An Extensible and Dynamic Integration Framework for Biomedical
      Information Systems.
AB  - Biomedical information systems (BIS) require consideration of three types of
      variability: data variability induced by new high throughput technologies, schema
      or model variability induced by large scale studies or new fields of research,
      and knowledge variability resulting from new discoveries. Beyond data
      heterogeneity, managing variabilities in the context of BIS requires extensible
      and dynamic integration process. In this paper, we focus on data and schema
      variabilities and we propose an integration framework based on ontologies, master
      data, and semantic annotations. The framework addresses issues related to: 1)
      collaborative work through a dynamic integration process; 2) variability among
      studies using an annotation mechanism; and 3) quality control over data and
      semantic annotations. Our approach relies on two levels of knowledge: BIS-related
      knowledge is modeled using an application ontology coupled with UML models that
      allow controlling data completeness and consistency, and domain knowledge is
      described by a domain ontology, which ensures data coherence. A system build with
      the eClims framework has been implemented and evaluated in the context of a
      proteomic platform.

PMID- 26259205
TI  - What Engineering Technology Could Do for Quality of Life in Parkinson's Disease:
      A Review of Current Needs and Opportunities.
AB  - Parkinson's disease (PD) involves well-known motor symptoms such as tremor,
      rigidity, bradykinesia, and altered gait, but there are also nonlocomotory motor
      symptoms (e.g., changes in handwriting and speech) and even nonmotor symptoms
      (e.g., disrupted sleep, depression) that can be measured, monitored, and possibly
      better managed through activity-based monitoring technologies. This will enhance
      quality of life (QoL) in PD through improved self-monitoring and also provide
      information that could be shared with a healthcare provider to help better manage
      treatment. Until recently, nonmotor symptoms ("soft signs") had been generally
      overlooked in clinical management, yet these are of primary importance to
      patients and their QoL. Day-to-day variability of the condition, the high
      variability in symptoms between patients, and the isolated snapshots of a patient
      in periodic clinic visits make better monitoring essential to the proper
      management of PD. Continuously monitored patterns of activity, social
      interactions, and daily activities could provide a rich source of information on
      status changes, guiding self-correction and clinical management. The same tools
      can be useful in earlier detection of PD and will improve clinical studies.
      Remote medical communications in the form of telemedicine, sophisticated tracking
      of medication use, and assistive technologies that directly compensate for
      disease-related challenges are examples of other near-term technology solutions
      to PD problems. Ultimately, a sensor technology is not good if it is not used.
      The Parkinson's community is a sophisticated early adopter of useful technologies
      and a group for which engineers can provide near-term gratifying benefits. 

PMID- 26259206
TI  - Prediction of Freezing of Gait in Parkinson's From Physiological Wearables: An
      Exploratory Study.
AB  - Freezing of gait (FoG) is a common gait impairment among patients with advanced
      Parkinson's disease. FoG is associated with falls and negatively impacts the
      patient's quality of life. Wearable systems that detect FoG in real time have
      been developed to help patients resume walking by means of rhythmic cueing.
      Current methods focus on detection, which require FoG events to happen first,
      while their prediction opens the road to preemptive cueing, which might help
      subjects to avoid freeze altogether. We analyzed electrocardiography (ECG) and
      skin-conductance (SC) data from 11 subjects who experience FoG in daily life, and
      found statistically significant changes in ECG and SC data just before the FoG
      episodes, compared to normal walking. Based on these findings, we developed an
      anomaly-based algorithm for predicting gait freeze from relevant SC features. We
      were able to predict 71.3% from 184 FoG with an average of 4.2 s before a freeze
      episode happened. Our findings enable the possibility of wearable systems, which
      predict with few seconds before an upcoming FoG from SC, and start external cues
      to help the user avoid the gait freeze. 

PMID- 26259207
TI  - A Computational Method to Determine Glucose Infusion Rates for Isoglycemic
      Intravenous Glucose Infusion Study.
AB  - The results of the isoglycemic intravenous glucose infusion (IIGI) study need to
      mimic the dynamic glucose profiles during the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)
      to accurately calculate the incretin effect. The glucose infusion rates during
      IIGI studies have historically been determined by experienced research personnel
      using the manual ad-hoc method. In this study, a computational method was
      developed to automatically determine the infusion rates for IIGI study based on a
      glucose-dynamics model. To evaluate the computational method, 18 subjects with
      normal glucose tolerance underwent a 75 g OGTT. One-week later, Group 1 (n = 9)
      and Group 2 (n = 9) underwent IIGI studies using the ad-hoc method and the
      computational method, respectively. Both methods were evaluated using correlation
      coefficient, mean absolute relative difference (MARD), and root mean square error
      (RMSE) between the glucose profiles from the OGTT and the IIGI study. The
      computational method exhibited significantly higher correlation (0.95 +/- 0.03
      versus 0.86 +/- 0.10, P = 0.019), lower MARD (8.72 +/- 1.83% versus 13.11 +/-
      3.66%, P = 0.002), and lower RMSE (10.33 +/- 1.99 mg/dL versus 16.84 +/- 4.43
      mg/dL, P = 0.002) than the ad-hoc method. The computational method can facilitate
      IIGI study, and enhance its accuracy and stability. Using this computational
      method, a high-quality IIGI study can be accomplished without the need for
      experienced personnel.

PMID- 26259208
TI  - Information Space Receding Horizon Control for Multisensor Tasking Problems.
AB  - In this paper, we present a receding horizon solution to the problem of optimal
      scheduling for multiple sensors monitoring a group of dynamical targets. The term
      target is used here in the classic sense of being the object that is being sensed
      or observed by the sensors. This problem is motivated by the space situational
      awareness (SSA) problem. The multisensor optimal scheduling problem can be posed
      as a multiagent Markov decision process on the information space which has a
      dynamic programming (DP) solution. We present a simulation-based stochastic
      optimization technique that exploits the structure inherent in the problem to
      obtain variance reduction along with a distributed solution. This stochastic
      optimization technique is combined with a receding horizon approach which uses
      online solution of the control problems to obviate the need to solve the
      computationally intractable multiagent information space DP problem and hence,
      makes the technique computationally tractable. The technique is tested on a
      moderate scale SSA example which is nonetheless computationally intractable for
      existing solution techniques.

PMID- 26259209
TI  - View Transformation Model Incorporating Quality Measures for Cross-View Gait
      Recognition.
AB  - Cross-view gait recognition authenticates a person using a pair of gait image
      sequences with different observation views. View difference causes degradation of
      gait recognition accuracy, and so several solutions have been proposed to
      suppress this degradation. One useful solution is to apply a view transformation
      model (VTM) that encodes a joint subspace of multiview gait features trained with
      auxiliary data from multiple training subjects, who are different from test
      subjects (recognition targets). In the VTM framework, a gait feature with a
      destination view is generated from that with a source view by estimating a vector
      on the trained joint subspace, and gait features with the same destination view
      are compared for recognition. Although this framework improves recognition
      accuracy as a whole, the fit of the VTM depends on a given gait feature pair, and
      causes an inhomogeneously biased dissimilarity score. Because it is well known
      that normalization of such inhomogeneously biased scores improves recognition
      accuracy in general, we therefore propose a VTM incorporating a score
      normalization framework with quality measures that encode the degree of the bias.
      From a pair of gait features, we calculate two quality measures, and use them to
      calculate the posterior probability that both gait features originate from the
      same subjects together with the biased dissimilarity score. The proposed method
      was evaluated against two gait datasets, a large population gait dataset of over
      ground walking (course dataset) and a treadmill gait dataset. The experimental
      results show that incorporating the quality measures contributes to accuracy
      improvement in many cross-view settings.

PMID- 26259210
TI  - Robust Semi-Supervised Subspace Clustering via Non-Negative Low-Rank
      Representation.
AB  - Low-rank representation (LRR) has been successfully applied in exploring the
      subspace structures of data. However, in previous LRR-based semi-supervised
      subspace clustering methods, the label information is not used to guide the
      affinity matrix construction so that the affinity matrix cannot deliver strong
      discriminant information. Moreover, these methods cannot guarantee an overall
      optimum since the affinity matrix construction and subspace clustering are often
      independent steps. In this paper, we propose a robust semi-supervised subspace
      clustering method based on non-negative LRR (NNLRR) to address these problems. By
      combining the LRR framework and the Gaussian fields and harmonic functions method
      in a single optimization problem, the supervision information is explicitly
      incorporated to guide the affinity matrix construction and the affinity matrix
      construction and subspace clustering are accomplished in one step to guarantee
      the overall optimum. The affinity matrix is obtained by seeking a non-negative
      low-rank matrix that represents each sample as a linear combination of others. We
      also explicitly impose the sparse constraint on the affinity matrix such that the
      affinity matrix obtained by NNLRR is non-negative low-rank and sparse. We
      introduce an efficient linearized alternating direction method with adaptive
      penalty to solve the corresponding optimization problem. Extensive experimental
      results demonstrate that NNLRR is effective in semi-supervised subspace
      clustering and robust to different types of noise than other state-of-the-art
      methods.

PMID- 26259211
TI  - Regularity Model for Noisy Multiobjective Optimization.
AB  - Regularity models have been used in dealing with noise-free multiobjective
      optimization problems. This paper studies the behavior of a regularity model in
      noisy environments and argues that it is very suitable for noisy multiobjective
      optimization. We propose to embed the regularity model in an existing
      multiobjective evolutionary algorithm for tackling noises. The proposed algorithm
      works well in terms of both convergence and diversity. In our experimental
      studies, we have compared several state-of-the-art of algorithms with our
      proposed algorithm on benchmark problems with different levels of noises. The
      experimental results showed the effectiveness of the regularity model on noisy
      problems, but a degenerated performance on some noisy-free problems. 

PMID- 26259212
TI  - Fast Rotation-Free Feature-Based Image Registration Using Improved N-SIFT and GMM
      Based Parallel Optimization.
AB  - Image registration is a key problem in a variety of applications, such as
      computer vision, medical image processing, pattern recognition, etc., while the
      application of registration is limited by time consumption and the accuracy in
      the case of large pose differences. Aimed at these two kinds of problems, we
      propose a fast rotation-free feature-based rigid registration method based on our
      proposed accelerated-NSIFT and GMM registration-based parallel optimization (PO
      GMMREG). Our method is accelerated by using the GPU/CUDA programming and
      preserving only the location information without constructing the descriptor of
      each interest point, while its robustness to missing correspondences and outliers
      is improved by converting the interest point matching to Gaussian mixture model
      alignment. The accuracy in the case of large pose differences is settled by our
      proposed PO-GMMREG algorithm by constructing a set of initial transformations.
      Experimental results demonstrate that our proposed algorithm can fast rigidly
      register 3-D medical images and is reliable for aligning 3-D scans even when they
      exhibit a poor initialization.

PMID- 26259213
TI  - Single Versus Multiple Events Error Potential Detection in a BCI-Controlled Car
      Game With Continuous and Discrete Feedback.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This work aimed to find and evaluate a new method for detecting errors
      in continuous brain-computer interface (BCI) applications. Instead of classifying
      errors on a single-trial basis, the new method was based on multiple events (MEs)
      analysis to increase the accuracy of error detection. METHODS: In a BCI-driven
      car game, based on motor imagery (MI), discrete events were triggered whenever
      subjects collided with coins and/or barriers. Coins counted as correct events,
      whereas barriers were errors. This new method, termed ME method, combined and
      averaged the classification results of single events (SEs) and determined the
      correctness of MI trials, which consisted of event sequences instead of SEs. The
      benefit of this method was evaluated in an offline simulation. In an online
      experiment, the new method was used to detect erroneous MI trials. Such MI trials
      were discarded and could be repeated by the users. RESULTS: We found that, even
      with low SE error potential (ErrP) detection rates, feasible accuracies can be
      achieved when combining MEs to distinguish erroneous from correct MI trials.
      Online, all subjects reached higher scores with error detection than without, at
      the cost of longer times needed for completing the game. CONCLUSION: Findings
      suggest that ErrP detection may become a reliable tool for monitoring continuous
      states in BCI applications when combining MEs. SIGNIFICANCE: This paper
      demonstrates a novel technique for detecting errors in online continuous BCI
      applications, which yields promising results even with low single-trial detection
      rates.

PMID- 26259214
TI  - An Early Clinical Study of Time-Domain Microwave Radar for Breast Health
      Monitoring.
AB  - This study reports on monthly scans of healthy patient volunteers with the
      clinical prototype of a microwave imaging system. The system uses time-domain
      measurements, and incorporates a multistatic radar approach to imaging. It
      operates in the 2-4 GHz range and contains 16 wideband sensors embedded in a
      hemispherical dielectric radome. The system has been previously tested on tissue
      phantoms in controlled experiments. With this system prototype, we scanned 13
      patients (26 breasts) over an eight-month period, collecting a total of 342
      breast scans. The goal of the study described in this paper was to investigate
      how the system measurements are impacted by multiple factors that are unavoidable
      in monthly monitoring of human subjects. These factors include both biological
      variability (e.g., tissue variations due to hormonal changes or weight gain) and
      measurement variability (e.g., inconsistencies in patient positioning, system
      noise). For each patient breast, we process the results of the monthly scans to
      assess the variability in both the raw measured signals and in the generated
      images. The significance of this study is that it quantifies how much variability
      should be anticipated when conducting microwave breast imaging of a healthy
      patient over a longer period. This is an important step toward establishing the
      feasibility of the microwave radar imaging system for frequent monitoring of
      breast health.

PMID- 26259215
TI  - Fully Textile, PEDOT:PSS Based Electrodes for Wearable ECG Monitoring Systems.
AB  - GOAL: To evaluate a novel kind of textile electrodes based on woven fabrics
      treated with PEDOT: PSS, through an easy fabrication process, testing these
      electrodes for biopotential recordings. METHODS: Fabrication is based on raw
      fabric soaking in PEDOT: PSS using a second dopant, squeezing and annealing. The
      electrodes have been tested on human volunteers, in terms of both skin contact
      impedance and quality of the ECG signals recorded at rest and during physical
      activity (power spectral density, baseline wandering, QRS detectability, and
      broadband noise). RESULTS: The electrodes are able to operate in both wet and dry
      conditions. Dry electrodes are more prone to noise artifacts, especially during
      physical exercise and mainly due to the unstable contact between the electrode
      and the skin. Wet (saline) electrodes present a stable and reproducible behavior,
      which is comparable or better than that of traditional disposable gelled Ag/AgCl
      electrodes. CONCLUSION: The achieved results reveal the capability of this kind
      of electrodes to work without the electrolyte, providing a valuable interface
      with the skin, due to mixed electronic and ionic conductivity of PEDOT: PSS.
      These electrodes can be effectively used for acquiring ECG signals. SIGNIFICANCE:
      Textile electrodes based on PEDOT: PSS represent an important milestone in
      wearable monitoring, as they present an easy and reproducible fabrication
      process, very good performance in wet and dry (at rest) conditions and a superior
      level of comfort with respect to textile electrodes proposed so far. This paves
      the way to their integration into smart garments.

PMID- 26259216
TI  - Automatic Dissection Position Selection for Cleavage-Stage Embryo Biopsy.
AB  - Embryo biopsies are routinely performed for preimplantation genetic diagnosis
      (PGD). In order to avoid blastomere membrane rupture and cell lysis, correct
      selection of a suitable dissection position on the zona pellucida (ZP) is
      necessary. Although, the technology for automated cell manipulation has advanced
      greatly over the past decade, fully automated embryo biopsy in PGD has not been
      realized yet. Automated PGD may ultimately set a new clinical standard that
      improves the consistency of outcomes, increases cell survival rates, flattens the
      learning curve of the manual procedure, and reduces the effects of human fatigue.
      In this paper, we present the first approach to automatically select a suitable
      ZP dissection position prior to embryo biopsy from a single focused embryo image
      based on edge detection. The proposed method consists of a technique that
      estimates the elliptical ZP boundaries and another two techniques that select the
      suitable position for ZP dissection. These techniques achieved success rates of
      96%, 94%, and 94% respectively. In addition, the proposed ZP boundary estimation
      technique has the potential to perform ZP thickness variation (ZPTV) test and
      other ZP morphology measurements with further improvement in the future. Our
      methods provide a starting point for fast position selection prior to automatic
      embryo biopsy. 

PMID- 26259217
TI  - Spline Driven: High Accuracy Projectors for Tomographic Reconstruction From Few
      Projections.
AB  - Tomographic iterative reconstruction methods need a very thorough modeling of
      data. This point becomes critical when the number of available projections is
      limited. At the core of this issue is the projector design, i.e., the numerical
      model relating the representation of the object of interest to the projections on
      the detector. Voxel driven and ray driven projection models are widely used for
      their short execution time in spite of their coarse approximations. Distance
      driven model has an improved accuracy but makes strong approximations to project
      voxel basis functions. Cubic voxel basis functions are anisotropic, accurately
      modeling their projection is, therefore, computationally expensive. Both smoother
      and more isotropic basis functions better represent the continuous functions and
      provide simpler projectors. These considerations have led to the development of
      spherically symmetric volume elements, called blobs. Set apart their isotropy,
      blobs are often considered too computationally expensive in practice. In this
      paper, we consider using separable B-splines as basis functions to represent the
      object, and we propose to approximate the projection of these basis functions by
      a 2D separable model. When the degree of the B-splines increases, their isotropy
      improves and projections can be computed regardless of their orientation. The
      degree and the sampling of the B-splines can be chosen according to a tradeoff
      between approximation quality and computational complexity. We quantitatively
      measure the good accuracy of our model and compare it with other projectors, such
      as the distance-driven and the model proposed by Long et al. From the numerical
      experiments, we demonstrate that our projector with an improved accuracy better
      preserves the quality of the reconstruction as the number of projections
      decreases. Our projector with cubic B-splines requires about twice as many
      operations as a model based on voxel basis functions. Higher accuracy projectors
      can be used to improve the resolution of the existing systems, or to reduce the
      number of projections required to reach a given resolution, potentially reducing
      the dose absorbed by the patient. 

PMID- 26259218
TI  - Cross-Modal Subspace Learning via Pairwise Constraints.
AB  - In multimedia applications, the text and image components in a web document form
      a pairwise constraint that potentially indicates the same semantic concept. This
      paper studies cross-modal learning via the pairwise constraint and aims to find
      the common structure hidden in different modalities. We first propose a compound
      regularization framework to address the pairwise constraint, which can be used as
      a general platform for developing cross-modal algorithms. For unsupervised
      learning, we propose a multi-modal subspace clustering method to learn a common
      structure for different modalities. For supervised learning, to reduce the
      semantic gap and the outliers in pairwise constraints, we propose a cross-modal
      matching method based on compound l21 regularization. Extensive experiments
      demonstrate the benefits of joint text and image modeling with semantically
      induced pairwise constraints, and they show that the proposed cross-modal methods
      can further reduce the semantic gap between different modalities and improve the
      clustering/matching accuracy. 

PMID- 26259219
TI  - An Iterative CT Reconstruction Algorithm for Fast Fluid Flow Imaging.
AB  - The study of fluid flow through solid matter by computed tomography (CT) imaging
      has many applications, ranging from petroleum and aquifer engineering to
      biomedical, manufacturing, and environmental research. To avoid motion artifacts,
      current experiments are often limited to slow fluid flow dynamics. This severely
      limits the applicability of the technique. In this paper, a new iterative CT
      reconstruction algorithm for improved a temporal/spatial resolution in the
      imaging of fluid flow through solid matter is introduced. The proposed algorithm
      exploits prior knowledge in two ways. First, the time-varying object is assumed
      to consist of stationary (the solid matter) and dynamic regions (the fluid flow).
      Second, the attenuation curve of a particular voxel in the dynamic region is
      modeled by a piecewise constant function over time, which is in accordance with
      the actual advancing fluid/air boundary. Quantitative and qualitative results on
      different simulation experiments and a real neutron tomography data set show
      that, in comparison with the state-of-the-art algorithms, the proposed algorithm
      allows reconstruction from substantially fewer projections per rotation without
      image quality loss. Therefore, the temporal resolution can be substantially
      increased, and thus fluid flow experiments with faster dynamics can be performed.

PMID- 26259220
TI  - Modeling, Prediction, and Reduction of 3D Crosstalk in Circular Polarized
      Stereoscopic LCDs.
AB  - Crosstalk, which is the incomplete separation between the left and right views in
      3D displays, induces ghosting and causes difficulty of the eyes to fuse the
      stereo image for depth perception. Circularly polarized (CP) liquid crystal
      display (LCD) is one of the main-stream consumer 3D displays with the prospering
      of 3D movies and gamings. The polarizing system including the patterned retarder
      is one of the major causes of crosstalk in CP LCD. The contributions of this
      paper are the modeling of the polarizing system of CP LCD, and a crosstalk
      reduction method that efficiently cancels crosstalk and preserves image contrast.
      For the modeling, the practical orientation of the polarized glasses (PG) is
      considered. In addition, this paper calculates the rotation of the light
      propagation coordinate for the Stokes vector as light propagates from LCD to PG,
      and this calculation is missing in the previous works when applying Mueller
      calculus. The proposed crosstalk reduction method is formulated as a linear
      programming problem, which can be easily solved. In addition, we propose
      excluding the highly textured areas in the input images to further preserve image
      contrast in crosstalk reduction. 

PMID- 26259221
TI  - Relevance Metric Learning for Person Re-Identification by Exploiting Listwise
      Similarities.
AB  - Person re-identification aims to match people across non-overlapping camera
      views, which is an important but challenging task in video surveillance. In order
      to obtain a robust metric for matching, metric learning has been introduced
      recently. Most existing works focus on seeking a Mahalanobis distance by
      employing sparse pairwise constraints, which utilize image pairs with the same
      person identity as positive samples, and select a small portion of those with
      different identities as negative samples. However, this training strategy has
      abandoned a large amount of discriminative information, and ignored the relative
      similarities. In this paper, we propose a novel relevance metric learning method
      with listwise constraints (RMLLCs) by adopting listwise similarities, which
      consist of the similarity list of each image with respect to all remaining
      images. By virtue of listwise similarities, RMLLC could capture all pairwise
      similarities, and consequently learn a more discriminative metric by enforcing
      the metric to conserve predefined similarity lists in a low-dimensional
      projection subspace. Despite the performance enhancement, RMLLC using predefined
      similarity lists fails to capture the relative relevance information, which is
      often unavailable in practice. To address this problem, we further introduce a
      rectification term to automatically exploit the relative similarities, and
      develop an efficient alternating iterative algorithm to jointly learn the optimal
      metric and the rectification term. Extensive experiments on four publicly
      available benchmarking data sets are carried out and demonstrate that the
      proposed method is significantly superior to the state-of-the-art approaches. The
      results also show that the introduction of the rectification term could further
      boost the performance of RMLLC. 

PMID- 26259222
TI  - Global neural dynamic surface tracking control of strict-feedback systems with
      application to hypersonic flight vehicle.
AB  - This paper studies both indirect and direct global neural control of strict
      feedback systems in the presence of unknown dynamics, using the dynamic surface
      control (DSC) technique in a novel manner. A new switching mechanism is designed
      to combine an adaptive neural controller in the neural approximation domain,
      together with the robust controller that pulls the transient states back into the
      neural approximation domain from the outside. In comparison with the conventional
      control techniques, which could only achieve semiglobally uniformly ultimately
      bounded stability, the proposed control scheme guarantees all the signals in the
      closed-loop system are globally uniformly ultimately bounded, such that the
      conventional constraints on initial conditions of the neural control system can
      be relaxed. The simulation studies of hypersonic flight vehicle (HFV) are
      performed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed global neural DSC
      design. 

PMID- 26259223
TI  - CPG Network Optimization for a Biomimetic Robotic Fish via PSO.
AB  - In this brief, we investigate the parameter optimization issue of a central
      pattern generator (CPG) network governed forward and backward swimming for a
      fully untethered, multijoint biomimetic robotic fish. Considering that the CPG
      parameters are tightly linked to the propulsive performance of the robotic fish,
      we propose a method for determination of relatively optimized control parameters.
      Within the framework of evolutionary computation, we use a combination of dynamic
      model and particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm to seek the CPG
      characteristic parameters for an enhanced performance. The PSO-based optimization
      scheme is validated with extensive experiments conducted on the actual robotic
      fish. Noticeably, the optimized results are shown to be superior to previously
      reported forward and backward swimming speeds.

PMID- 26259224
TI  - Dynamical Behavior of Delayed Reaction-Diffusion Hopfield Neural Networks Driven
      by Infinite Dimensional Wiener Processes.
AB  - In this paper, we focus on the long time behavior of the mild solution to delayed
      reaction-diffusion Hopfield neural networks (DRDHNNs) driven by infinite
      dimensional Wiener processes. We analyze the existence, uniqueness, and stability
      of this system under the local Lipschitz function by constructing an appropriate
      Lyapunov-Krasovskii function and utilizing the semigroup theory. Some easy-to
      test criteria affecting the well-posedness and stability of the networks, such as
      infinite dimensional noise and diffusion effect, are obtained. The criteria can
      be used as theoretic guidance to stabilize DRDHNNs in practical applications when
      infinite dimensional noise is taken into consideration. Meanwhile, considering
      the fact that the standard Brownian motion is a special case of infinite
      dimensional Wiener process, we undertake an analysis of the local Lipschitz
      condition, which has a wider range than the global Lipschitz condition. Two
      samples are given to examine the availability of the results in this paper.
      Simulations are also given using the MATLAB.

PMID- 26259225
TI  - Analyzing Activity Behavior and Movement in a Naturalistic Environment Using
      Smart Home Techniques.
AB  - One of the many services that intelligent systems can provide is the ability to
      analyze the impact of different medical conditions on daily behavior. In this
      study, we use smart home and wearable sensors to collect data, while ( n = 84)
      older adults perform complex activities of daily living. We analyze the data
      using machine learning techniques and reveal that differences between healthy
      older adults and adults with Parkinson disease not only exist in their activity
      patterns, but that these differences can be automatically recognized. Our machine
      learning classifiers reach an accuracy of 0.97 with an area under the ROC curve
      value of 0.97 in distinguishing these groups. Our permutation-based testing
      confirms that the sensor-based differences between these groups are statistically
      significant. 

PMID- 26259226
TI  - A Temperature-Based Bioimpedance Correction for Water Loss Estimation During
      Sports.
AB  - The amount of total body water (TBW) can be estimated based on bioimpedance
      measurements of the human body. In sports, TBW estimations are of importance
      because mild water losses can impair muscular strength and aerobic endurance.
      Severe water losses can even be life threatening. TBW estimations based on
      bioimpedance, however, fail during sports because the increased body temperature
      corrupts bioimpedance measurements. Therefore, this paper proposes a machine
      learning method that eliminates the effects of increased temperature on
      bioimpedance and, consequently, reveals the changes in bioimpedance that are due
      to TBW loss. This is facilitated by utilizing changes in skin and core
      temperature. The method was evaluated in a study in which bioimpedance,
      temperature, and TBW loss were recorded every 15 min during a 2-h running
      workout. The evaluation demonstrated that the proposed method is able to reduce
      the error of TBW loss estimation by up to 71%, compared to the state of art. In
      the future, the proposed method in combination with portable bioimpedance devices
      might facilitate the development of wearable systems for continuous and
      noninvasive TBW loss monitoring during sports.

PMID- 26259227
TI  - Synchronous Hybrid Event- and Time-Driven Consensus in Multiagent Networks With
      Time Delays.
AB  - This paper studies the delay robustness of a class of synchronous hybrid event-
      and time-driven consensus protocols in undirected networks. These protocols can
      ensure the system performance at reduced data-sampling rates. We consider three
      types of time delays in feedbacks, including one common time delay, multiple time
      invariant delays, and multiple time-varying delays; and by sampled-data control
      techniques, we characterize the maximum allowable time delay and the event
      detecting period for solving the average consensus problem in terms of the
      algebraic structure of interaction topologies. Simulations are given to show the
      effectiveness of theoretical results. 

PMID- 26259228
TI  - Learning Stationary Correlated Equilibria in Constrained General-Sum Stochastic
      Games.
AB  - We study constrained general-sum stochastic games with unknown Markovian
      dynamics. A distributed constrained no-regret Q -learning scheme (CNR Q ) is
      presented to guarantee convergence to the set of stationary correlated equilibria
      of the game. Prior art addresses the unconstrained case only, is structured with
      nested control loops, and has no convergence result. CNR Q is cast as a single
      loop three-timescale asynchronous stochastic approximation algorithm with set
      valued update increments. A rigorous convergence analysis with differential
      inclusion arguments is given which draws on recent extensions of the theory of
      stochastic approximation to the case of asynchronous recursive inclusions with
      set-valued mean fields. Numerical results are given for the exemplary application
      of CNR Q to decentralized resource control in heterogeneous wireless networks.

PMID- 26259229
TI  - Discriminative Hash Tracking With Group Sparsity.
AB  - In this paper, we propose a novel tracking framework based on discriminative
      supervised hashing algorithm. Different from previous methods, we treat tracking
      as a problem of object matching in a binary space. Using the hash functions, all
      target templates and candidates are mapped into compact binary codes, with which
      the target matching is conducted effectively. To be specific, we make full use of
      the label information to assign a compact and discriminative binary code for each
      sample. And to deal with out-of-sample case, multiple hash functions are trained
      to describe the learned binary codes, and group sparsity is introduced to the
      hash projection matrix to select the representative and discriminative features
      dynamically, which is crucial for the tracker to adapt to target appearance
      variations. The whole training problem is formulated as an optimization function
      where the hash codes and hash function are learned jointly. Extensive experiments
      on various challenging image sequences demonstrate the effectiveness and
      robustness of the proposed tracker.

PMID- 26259230
TI  - Excitatory and inhibitory conversive experiences: neurobiological features
      involving positive and negative conversion symptoms.
AB  - Previous reviews have focused on neurobiological and physiological mechanisms
      underlying conversion disorder, but they do not usually distinguish between
      negative and positive conversion symptoms. Some authors have proposed that
      different phenomena should underlie both situations and that diverse emotion
      regulation strategies (under- vs. overregulation of affect) should be related to
      different internal experiences (excitatory experiences with hyperarousal
      manifestations vs. inhibitory experiences coexisting with hypoarousal states,
      respectively). After a careful review of the literature, we conclude that there
      is not a unique theory comprising all findings. Nevertheless, we have also
      collected some replicated findings that should be salient. Patients manifesting
      positive conversion symptoms tended to present with limbic hyperfunction, not
      sufficiently counteracted by prefrontal control. This leads to underregulation of
      affect mechanisms, increased emotional reactivity and autonomic hyperarousal. The
      opposite pattern (with a prefrontal overfunction working as a cognitive brake
      over the limbic system) has been described during negative conversion
      manifestations. We also highlight the influence of fronto-limbic circuits over
      cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical circuits' regulation, whose horizontal and
      vertical synchronization has been at the spotlight of the genesis of conversion
      and dissociative disorders. 

PMID- 26259231
TI  - Possible anti-diarrhoeal potential of ethanol leaf extract of Chromolaena odorata
      in castor oil-induced rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chromolaena odorata is a plant commonly used traditionally to treat
      ailments including diarrhoea in Nigeria. METHODS: The ethanol leaf extract of C.
      odorata was studied for its anti-diarrhoeal activity using electrolyte test and
      castor oil-induced diarrhoea rats' models. Acute toxicity effect of the extract
      was also evaluated. RESULTS: The extract showed a dose-dependent protection
      against castor oil-induced diarrhoea at the tested doses (200 and 400 mg/kg body
      weights). The protection offered by pretreatment with 400 mg/kg body weight of
      the ethanol leaf extract of C. odorata with regards to reductions in the
      incidences of faecal wetness and rate of defaecations were statistically
      comparable to that achieved with Lomotil, a known anti-diarrhoeic drug. The
      result of the electrolyte test showed that the extract pretreated groups had
      significantly (p<0.05) lower potassium and sodium ions in their intestinal fluid
      when compared with the diarrhoeic untreated controls. This is well tolerated.
      CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that the ethanol leaf extract of C. odorata is
      safe and possesses anti-diarrhoeal activity with electrolyte reabsorption
      proposed as the possible mechanism of action.

PMID- 26259232
TI  - Dietary supplementation with green tea extract promotes enhanced human leukocyte
      activity.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Leukocytes play a vital role in the host defence and inflammatory
      systems, the latter being responsible for the pathogenesis of a wide spectrum of
      acute and chronic diseases. Green tea is a popular beverage, which is consumed
      worldwide and its active ingredients are epicatechin derivatives, which possess
      distinct anti-inflammatory properties. The purpose of this study was to
      investigate if a green tea extract could enhance leukocyte function in humans.
      METHODS: Volunteers were asked to take 300 mg of the green tea extract daily for
      14 days and the capacity of circulating leukocytes to release both
      myeloperoxidase and lactoferrin was assessed. Whole blood from volunteers was
      stimulated with the bacterial peptide Formyl-Methionine-Leucine-Phenylalanine
      (fMet-Leu-Phe). Myeloperoxidase an enzyme that converts hydrogen peroxide to
      hypochlorous acid and is stored and secreted from the granules of neutrophils and
      monocytes and was measured as well as lactoferrin which is an iron-binding
      protein stored and secreted from the neutrophils. In conjunction the antioxidant
      capacity of the blood of the volunteers was also determined using a
      chemiluminescence method that measures the capacity of plasma to scavenge
      superoxide. RESULTS: After 14 days of treatment there was a significant increase
      in the release of myeloperoxidase and lactoferrin when whole blood was stimulated
      with fMet-Leu-Phe (p<0.05), which activates a number of leukocytes including
      mature neutrophils and monocytes. This was mirrored by a significant increase in
      the total antioxidant status after 14 days of green tea ingestion (p0.05). After
      the "wash-out" period of 4 weeks, all parameters were consistent with those
      observed at the start of the trial (day 0). Treatment with the green tea extract
      also caused a slight but non-significant decrease in the number of circulating
      leukocytes, but the counts remained within published "normal" ranges for healthy
      human adults. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that a green tea extract when
      taken as a dietary supplement for 14 days can increase the leukocyte activity and
      the total plasma antioxidant status and may have role to play in the prevention
      of inflammatory disease.

PMID- 26259233
TI  - From the conventional to the alternative: exploring patients' pathways of cancer
      treatment and care.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use is widespread and on
      the increase among cancer patients. Most research to date has involved a cross
      sectional snapshot of CAM use rather than an exploration into the longitudinal,
      nonlinear treatment trajectories that cancer patients develop. Our aim is to
      explore and describe different treatment and decision-making pathways that
      individuals develop after receipt of a diagnosis of either breast, colorectal, or
      prostate cancer. METHODS: The study was part of a larger mixed-methods pilot
      project to explore the feasibility of conducting a five-year international study
      to assess cancer patients' treatment pathways, including health care use and the
      perceived impact of different patterns of use on health outcomes over the course
      of one year. The results presented in this paper are based on the analysis of
      personal interviews that were conducted over the course of 12 months with 30
      participants. RESULTS: Five pathways emerged from the data: passive conventional,
      self-directed conventional, cautious integrative, aggressive integrative, and
      aggressive alternative. Factors that shaped each pathway included health beliefs,
      decision-making role, illness characteristics, and the patient-practitioner
      relationship. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this examination of the longitudinal
      treatment and decision-making trajectory provide important information to support
      health care professionals in their quest for individualized, targeted support at
      each stage of the patient pathway.

PMID- 26259234
TI  - Mouse models of liver cancer: Progress and recommendations.
AB  - To clarify the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and investigate the
      effects of potential therapies, a number of mouse models have been developed.
      Subcutaneous xenograft models are widely used in the past decades. Yet, with the
      advent of in vivo imaging technology, investigators are more and more concerned
      with the orthotopic models nowadays. Genetically engineered mouse models (GEM)
      have greatly facilitated studies of gene function in HCC development. Recently,
      GEM of miR-122 and miR-221 provided new approaches for better understanding of
      the in vivo functions of microRNA in hepatocarcinogenesis. Chemically induced
      liver tumors in animals share many of the morphological, histogenic, and
      biochemical features of human HCC. Yet, the complicated and obscure genomic
      alternation restricts their applications. In this review, we highlight both the
      frequently used mouse models and some emerging ones with emphasis on their merits
      or defects, and give advises for investigators to chose a "best-fit" animal model
      in HCC research. 

PMID- 26259235
TI  - PERK/CHOP contributes to the CGK733-induced vesicular calcium sequestration which
      is accompanied by non-apoptotic cell death.
AB  - Calcium ions (Ca(2+)) are indispensable for the physiology of organisms and the
      molecular regulation of cells. We observed that CGK733, a synthetic chemical
      substance, induced non-apoptotic cell death and stimulated reversible calcium
      sequestration by vesicles in pancreatic cancer cells. The endoplasmic reticulum
      (ER) stress eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2-alpha kinase 3/C/EBP
      homologous protein (PERK/CHOP) signaling pathway was shown to be activated by
      treatment with CGK733. Ionomycin, an ER stress drug and calcium ionophore, can
      activate PERK/CHOP signaling and accelerate CGK733-induced calcium sequestration.
      Knockdown of CHOP diminished CGK733-induced vesicular calcium sequestration, but
      had no effects on the cell death. Proteomic analysis demonstrated that the ER
      located calcium-binding proteins, calumenin and protein S100-A11, were altered in
      CGK733-treated cells compared to non-treated controls. Our study reveals that
      CGK733-induced intracellular calcium sequestration is correlated with the
      PERK/CHOP signaling pathway and may also be involved in the dysregulations of
      calcium-binding proteins.

PMID- 26259236
TI  - Tumorigenesis by Meis1 overexpression is accompanied by a change of DNA target
      sequence specificity which allows binding to the AP-1 element.
AB  - Meis1 overexpression induces tumorigenicity but its activity is inhibited by
      Prep1 tumor suppressor. Why does overexpression of Meis1 cause cancer and how
      does Prep1 inhibit? Tumor profiling and ChIP-sequencing data in a genetically
      defined set of cell lines show that: 1) The number of Meis1 and Prep1 DNA binding
      sites increases linearly with their concentration resulting in a strong increase
      of "extra" target genes. 2) At high concentration, Meis1 DNA target specificity
      changes such that the most enriched consensus becomes that of the AP-1 regulatory
      element, whereas the specific OCTA consensus is not enriched because diluted
      within the many extra binding sites. 3) Prep1 inhibits Meis1 tumorigenesis
      preventing the binding to many of the "extra" genes containing AP-1 sites. 4) The
      overexpression of Prep1, but not of Meis1, changes the functional genomic
      distribution of the binding sites, increasing seven fold the number of its
      "enhancer" and decreasing its "promoter" targets. 5) A specific Meis1 "oncogenic"
      and Prep1 "tumor suppressing" signature has been identified selecting from the
      pool of genes bound by each protein those whose expression was modified uniquely
      by the "tumor-inducing" Meis1 or tumor-inhibiting Prep1 overexpression. In both
      signatures, the enriched gene categories are the same and are involved in signal
      transduction. However, Meis1 targets stimulatory genes while Prep1 targets genes
      that inhibit the tumorigenic signaling pathways. 

PMID- 26259237
TI  - Inverse expression of somatostatin and CXCR4 chemokine receptors in
      gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms of different malignancy.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Somatostatin receptors (SSTR) are widely distributed in well
      differentiated neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN) and serve as primary targets for
      diagnostics and treatment. An overexpression of the chemokine receptor CXCR4, in
      contrast, is considered to be present mainly in highly proliferative and advanced
      tumors. Comparative data are still lacking, however, for neuroendocrine
      carcinomas (NEC). METHODS: SSTR subtype (1, 2A, 3, 5) and CXCR4 expression was
      evaluated in G1 (n = 31), G2 (n = 47), and low (G3a; Ki-67: 21-49%; n = 21) and
      highly proliferative (G3b; Ki-67: >50%, n = 22) G3 (total n = 43)
      gastroenteropancreatic NEN samples by performing immunohistochemistry with
      monoclonal rabbit anti-human anti-SSTR and anti-CXCR4 antibodies, respectively,
      and was correlated with clinical data. RESULTS: Both CXCR4 and SSTR were widely
      expressed in all tumors investigated. CXCR4 expression differed significantly
      between the G1 and G3 specimens and within the G3 group (G3a to G3b), and was
      positively correlated with Ki-67 expression. SSTR2A, in contrast, exhibited an
      inverse association with Ki-67. SSTR2A was highly expressed in G1 and G2 tumors,
      but was significantly less abundant in G3 carcinomas. Additionally, SSTR1
      expression was higher in G3a than in G3b tumors. CONCLUSION: We observed an
      elevation in CXCR4 and a decrease in SSTR2A expression with increasing
      malignancy. Interestingly, 23% of the G3 specimens had strong SSTR2A expression.
      Because CXCR4 was strongly expressed in highly proliferative G3 carcinomas, it is
      an interesting new target and needs to be validated in larger studies.

PMID- 26259238
TI  - MicroRNA in pancreatic adenocarcinoma: predictive/prognostic biomarkers or
      therapeutic targets?
AB  - Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a tumor with a poor prognosis, short
      overall survival and few chemotherapeutic choices. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non
      coding, single-stranded RNAs of around 22 nucleotides involved in the pathogenic
      mechanisms of carcinogenesis and metastasis. They have been studied in many
      tumors in order to identify potential diagnostic, prognostic or therapeutic
      targets. In the current literature, many studies have analyzed the role of miRNAs
      in PDAC. In fact, the absence of appropriate biomarkers, the difficultly of early
      detection of this tumor, and the lack of effective chemotherapy in patients with
      unresectable disease have focused attention on miRNAs as new, interesting advance
      in this malignancy. In this review we analyzed the role of miRNAs in PDAC in
      order to understand the mechanisms of action and the difference between the onco
      miRNA and the tumor suppressor miRNA. We also reviewed all the data related to
      the use of these molecules as predictive as well as prognostic biomarkers in the
      course of the disease. Finally, the possible therapeutic use of miRNAs or anti
      miRNAs in PDAC is also discussed. In conclusion, although there is still no
      clinical application for these molecules in PDAC, it is our opinion that the
      preclinical evidence of the role of specific miRNAs in carcinogenesis, the
      possibility of using miRNAs as diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers, and their
      potential therapeutic role, warrant future studies in PDAC. 

PMID- 26259241
TI  - DALSA: Domain Adaptation for Supervised Learning From Sparsely Annotated MR
      Images.
AB  - We propose a new method that employs transfer learning techniques to effectively
      correct sampling selection errors introduced by sparse annotations during
      supervised learning for automated tumor segmentation. The practicality of current
      learning-based automated tissue classification approaches is severely impeded by
      their dependency on manually segmented training databases that need to be
      recreated for each scenario of application, site, or acquisition setup. The
      comprehensive annotation of reference datasets can be highly labor-intensive,
      complex, and error-prone. The proposed method derives high-quality classifiers
      for the different tissue classes from sparse and unambiguous annotations and
      employs domain adaptation techniques for effectively correcting sampling
      selection errors introduced by the sparse sampling. The new approach is validated
      on labeled, multi-modal MR images of 19 patients with malignant gliomas and by
      comparative analysis on the BraTS 2013 challenge data sets. Compared to training
      on fully labeled data, we reduced the time for labeling and training by a factor
      greater than 70 and 180 respectively without sacrificing accuracy. This
      dramatically eases the establishment and constant extension of large annotated
      databases in various scenarios and imaging setups and thus represents an
      important step towards practical applicability of learning-based approaches in
      tissue classification. 

PMID- 26259242
TI  - Robust Visual Tracking via Sparsity-Induced Subspace Learning.
AB  - Target representation is a necessary component for a robust tracker. However,
      during tracking, many complicated factors may make the accumulated errors in the
      representation significantly large, leading to tracking drift. This paper aims to
      improve the robustness of target representation to avoid the influence of the
      accumulated errors, such that the tracker only acquires the information that
      facilitates tracking and ignores the distractions. We observe that the locally
      mutual relations between the feature observations of temporally obtained targets
      are beneficial to the subspace representation in visual tracking. Thus, we
      propose a novel subspace learning algorithm for visual tracking, which imposes
      joint row-wise sparsity structure on the target subspace to adaptively exclude
      distractive information. The sparsity is induced by exploiting the locally mutual
      relations between the feature observations during learning. To this end, we
      formulate tracking as a subspace sparsity inducing problem. A large number of
      experiments on various challenging video sequences demonstrate that our tracker
      outperforms many other state-of-the-art trackers. 

PMID- 26259243
TI  - Resampling Images to a Regular Grid From a Non-Regular Subset of Pixel Positions
      Using Frequency Selective Reconstruction.
AB  - Even though image signals are typically defined on a regular 2D grid, there also
      exist many scenarios where this is not the case and the amplitude of the image
      signal only is available for a non-regular subset of pixel positions. In such a
      case, a resampling of the image to a regular grid has to be carried out. This is
      necessary since almost all algorithms and technologies for processing,
      transmitting or displaying image signals rely on the samples being available on a
      regular grid. Thus, it is of great importance to reconstruct the image on this
      regular grid, so that the reconstruction comes closest to the case that the
      signal has been originally acquired on the regular grid. In this paper, Frequency
      Selective Reconstruction is introduced for solving this challenging task. This
      algorithm reconstructs image signals by exploiting the property that small areas
      of images can be represented sparsely in the Fourier domain. By further
      considering the basic properties of the optical transfer function of imaging
      systems, a sparse model of the signal is iteratively generated. In doing so, the
      proposed algorithm is able to achieve a very high reconstruction quality, in
      terms of peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) and structural similarity measure as
      well as in terms of visual quality. The simulation results show that the proposed
      algorithm is able to outperform state-of-the-art reconstruction algorithms and
      gains of more than 1 dB PSNR are possible. 

PMID- 26259240
TI  - A comparative analysis of inhibitors of the glycolysis pathway in breast and
      ovarian cancer cell line models.
AB  - Many cancer cells rely on aerobic glycolysis for energy production and targeting
      of this pathway is a potential strategy to inhibit cancer cell growth. In this
      study, inhibition of five glycolysis pathway molecules (GLUT1, HKII, PFKFB3,
      PDHK1 and LDH) using 9 inhibitors (Phloretin, Quercetin, STF31, WZB117, 3PO, 3
      bromopyruvate, Dichloroacetate, Oxamic acid, NHI-1) was investigated in panels of
      breast and ovarian cancer cell line models. All compounds tested blocked
      glycolysis as indicated by increased extracellular glucose and decreased lactate
      production and also increased apoptosis. Sensitivity to several inhibitors
      correlated with the proliferation rate of the cell lines. Seven compounds had
      IC50 values that were associated with each other consistent with a shared
      mechanism of action. A synergistic interaction was revealed between STF31 and
      Oxamic acid when combined with the antidiabetic drug metformin. Sensitivity to
      glycolysis inhibition was also examined under a range of O2 levels (21% O2, 7%
      O2, 2% O2 and 0.5% O2) and greater resistance to the inhibitors was found at low
      oxygen conditions (7% O2, 2% O2 and 0.5% O2) relative to 21% O2 conditions. These
      results indicate growth of breast and ovarian cancer cell lines is dependent on
      all the targets examined in the glycolytic pathway with increased sensitivity to
      the inhibitors under normoxic conditions. 

PMID- 26259239
TI  - Evaluation of carbonic anhydrase IX as a therapeutic target for inhibition of
      breast cancer invasion and metastasis using a series of in vitro breast cancer
      models.
AB  - Triple negative, resistant or metastatic disease are major factors in breast
      cancer mortality, warranting novel approaches. Carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX) is
      implicated in survival, migration and invasion of breast cancer cells and
      inhibition provides an innovative therapeutic strategy. The efficacy of 5 novel
      ureido-substituted sulfamate CAIX inhibitors were assessed in increasingly
      complex breast cancer models, including cell lines in normoxia and hypoxia, 3D
      spheroids and an ex-vivo explant model utilizing fresh biopsy tissue from
      different breast cancer subtypes. CAIX expression was evaluated in a tissue
      microarray (TMA) of 92 paired lymph node and primary breast cancers and 2
      inhibitors were appraised in vivo using MDA-MB-231 xenografts. FC11409B, FC9398A,
      FC9403, FC9396A and S4 decreased cell proliferation and migration and inhibited
      3D spheroid invasion. S4, FC9398A and FC9403A inhibited or prevented invasion
      into collagen. FC9403A significantly reversed established invasion whilst FC9398A
      and DTP348 reduced xenograft growth. TMA analysis showed increased CAIX
      expression in triple negative cancers. These data establish CAIX inhibition as a
      relevant therapeutic goal in breast cancer, targeting the migratory, invasive,
      and metastatic potential of this disease. The use of biopsy tissue suggests
      efficacy against breast cancer subtypes, and should provide a useful tool in drug
      testing against invasive cancers. 

PMID- 26259244
TI  - Bayesian Inference for Neighborhood Filters With Application in Denoising.
AB  - Range-weighted neighborhood filters are useful and popular for their edge
      preserving property and simplicity, but they are originally proposed as intuitive
      tools. Previous works needed to connect them to other tools or models for
      indirect property reasoning or parameter estimation. In this paper, we introduce
      a unified empirical Bayesian framework to do both directly. A neighborhood noise
      model is proposed to reason and infer the Yaroslavsky, bilateral, and modified
      non-local means filters by joint maximum a posteriori and maximum likelihood
      estimation. Then, the essential parameter, range variance, can be estimated via
      model fitting to the empirical distribution of an observable chi scale mixture
      variable. An algorithm based on expectation-maximization and quasi-Newton
      optimization is devised to perform the model fitting efficiently. Finally, we
      apply this framework to the problem of color-image denoising. A recursive fitting
      and filtering scheme is proposed to improve the image quality. Extensive
      experiments are performed for a variety of configurations, including different
      kernel functions, filter types and support sizes, color channel numbers, and
      noise types. The results show that the proposed framework can fit noisy images
      well and the range variance can be estimated successfully and efficiently. 

PMID- 26259245
TI  - Constrained Multi-View Video Face Clustering.
AB  - In this paper, we focus on face clustering in videos. To promote the performance
      of video clustering by multiple intrinsic cues, i.e., pairwise constraints and
      multiple views, we propose a constrained multi-view video face clustering method
      under a unified graph-based model. First, unlike most existing video face
      clustering methods which only employ these constraints in the clustering step, we
      strengthen the pairwise constraints through the whole video face clustering
      framework, both in sparse subspace representation and spectral clustering. In the
      constrained sparse subspace representation, the sparse representation is forced
      to explore unknown relationships. In the constrained spectral clustering, the
      constraints are used to guide for learning more reasonable new representations.
      Second, our method considers both the video face pairwise constraints as well as
      the multi-view consistence simultaneously. In particular, the graph
      regularization enforces the pairwise constraints to be respected and the co
      regularization penalizes the disagreement among different graphs of multiple
      views. Experiments on three real-world video benchmark data sets demonstrate the
      significant improvements of our method over the state-of-the-art methods. 

PMID- 26259246
TI  - A Mobile Kalman-Filter Based Solution for the Real-Time Estimation of Spatio
      Temporal Gait Parameters.
AB  - Gait impairments are among the most disabling symptoms in several musculoskeletal
      and neurological conditions, severely limiting personal autonomy. Wearable gait
      sensors have been attracting attention as diagnostic tool for gait and are
      emerging as promising tool for tutoring and guiding gait execution. If their
      popularity is continuously growing, still there is room for improvement,
      especially towards more accurate solutions for spatio-temporal gait parameters
      estimation. We present an implementation of a zero-velocity-update gait analysis
      system based on a Kalman filter and off-the-shelf shoe-worn inertial sensors. The
      algorithms for gait events and step length estimation were specifically designed
      to comply with pathological gait patterns. More so, an Android app was deployed
      to support fully wearable and stand-alone real-time gait analysis. Twelve healthy
      subjects were enrolled to preliminarily tune the algorithms; afterwards sixteen
      persons with Parkinson's disease were enrolled for a validation study. Over the
      1314 strides collected on patients at three different speeds, the total root mean
      square difference on step length estimation between this system and a gold
      standard was 2.9%. This shows that the proposed method allows for an accurate
      gait analysis and paves the way to a new generation of mobile devices usable
      anywhere for monitoring and intervention.

PMID- 26259247
TI  - Prior-to- and Post-Impact Fall Detection Using Inertial and Barometric Altimeter
      Measurements.
AB  - This paper investigates a fall detection system based on the integration of an
      inertial measurement unit with a barometric altimeter (BIMU). The vertical motion
      of the body part the BIMU was attached to was monitored on-line using a method
      that delivered drift-free estimates of the vertical velocity and estimates of the
      height change from the floor. The experimental study included activities of daily
      living of seven types and falls of five types, simulated by a cohort of 25 young
      healthy adults. The downward vertical velocity was thresholded at 1.38 m/s,
      yielding 80% sensitivity (SE), 100% specificity (SP) and a mean prior-to-impact
      time of 157 ms (range 40-300 ms). The soft falls, i.e., those with downward
      vertical velocity above 0.55 m/s and below 1.38 m/s were analyzed post-impact.
      Six fall detection methods, tuned to achieve 100% SE, were considered to include
      features of impact, change of posture and height, singularly or in association
      with one another. No single feature allowed for 100% SP. The detection accuracy
      marginally improved when the height change was considered in association with
      either the impact or the change of posture; the post-impact fall detection method
      that analyzed the impact and the change of posture together achieved 100% SP.

PMID- 26259248
TI  - Spatial Memory for Patterns of Taps on the Fingers.
AB  - Ongoing development of haptic technology has the potential to provide significant
      improvement in safety and performance in demanding environments where vision and
      hearing are compromised. Research regarding the cognitive psychology of touch is
      lacking and could be beneficial in the development of expectations about human
      performance for the refinement and implementation of haptic technology. This
      study examines haptic-spatial memory using a novel assessment method based on
      finger anatomy. In addition, evidence is presented for a serial-position effect
      for haptic-spatial memory that is analogous to the classic serial-position effect
      demonstrated in the verbal recall of word lists. Finally, haptic-spatial memory
      is compared with short- and long-term memory for visual-spatial tasks.

PMID- 26259249
TI  - Control of Large-Scale Boolean Networks via Network Aggregation.
AB  - A major challenge to solve problems in control of Boolean networks is that the
      computational cost increases exponentially when the number of nodes in the
      network increases. We consider the problem of controllability and stabilizability
      of Boolean control networks, address the increasing cost problem by partitioning
      the network graph into several subnetworks, and analyze the subnetworks
      separately. Easily verifiable necessary conditions for controllability and
      stabilizability are proposed for a general aggregation structure. For acyclic
      aggregation, we develop a sufficient condition for stabilizability. It
      dramatically reduces the computational complexity if the number of nodes in each
      block of the acyclic aggregation is small enough compared with the number of
      nodes in the entire Boolean network.

PMID- 26259250
TI  - Tivantinib (ARQ 197) affects the apoptotic and proliferative machinery downstream
      of c-MET: role of Mcl-1, Bcl-xl and Cyclin B1.
AB  - Tivantinib, a c-MET inhibitor, is investigated as a second-line treatment of HCC.
      It was shown that c-MET overexpression predicts its efficacy. Therefore, a phase
      3 trial of tivantinib has been initiated to recruit "c-MET-high" patients only.
      However, recent evidence indicates that the anticancer activity of tivantinib is
      not due to c-MET inhibition, suggesting that c-MET is a predictor of response to
      this compound rather than its actual target. By assessing the mechanisms
      underlying the anticancer properties of tivantinib we showed that this agent
      causes apoptosis and cell cycle arrest by inhibiting the anti-apoptotic molecules
      Mcl-1 and Bcl-xl, and by increasing Cyclin B1 expression regardless of c-MET
      status. However, we found that tivantinib might antagonize the antiapoptotic
      effects of c-MET activation since HGF enhanced the expression of Mcl-1 and Bcl
      xl. In summary, we show that the activity of tivantinib is independent of c-MET
      and describe Mcl-1, Bcl-xl and Cyclin B1 as effectors of its antineoplastic
      effects in HCC cells. We suggest that the predictive effect of c-MET expression
      in part reflects the c-MET-driven overexpression of Mcl-1 and Bcl-xl in c-MET
      high patients and that these molecules are considered as possible response
      predictors. 

PMID- 26259251
TI  - beta-catenin stabilization enhances SS18-SSX2-driven synovial sarcomagenesis and
      blocks the mesenchymal to epithelial transition.
AB  - beta-catenin is a master regulator in the cellular biology of development and
      neoplasia. Its dysregulation is implicated as a driver of colorectal
      carcinogenesis and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition in other cancers.
      Nuclear beta-catenin staining is a poor prognostic sign in synovial sarcoma, the
      most common soft-tissue sarcoma in adolescents and young adults. We show through
      genetic experiments in a mouse model that expression of a stabilized form of beta
      catenin greatly enhances synovial sarcomagenesis. Stabilization of beta-catenin
      enables a stem-cell phenotype in synovial sarcoma cells, specifically blocking
      epithelial differentiation and driving invasion. beta-catenin achieves its
      reprogramming in part by upregulating transcription of TCF/LEF target genes. Even
      though synovial sarcoma is primarily a mesenchymal neoplasm, its progression
      towards a more aggressive and invasive phenotype parallels the epithelial
      mesenchymal transition observed in epithelial cancers, where beta-catenin's
      transcriptional contribution includes blocking epithelial differentiation. 

PMID- 26259253
TI  - Fuzzy Petri nets Using Intuitionistic Fuzzy Sets and Ordered Weighted Averaging
      Operators.
AB  - Fuzzy Petri nets (FPNs) are an important modeling tool for knowledge
      representation and reasoning, which have been extensively used in a lot of
      fields. However, the conventional FPN models have been criticized as having many
      shortcomings in the literature. Many different models have been suggested to
      enhance the performance of FPNs, but deficiencies still exist in these models.
      First, various types of uncertain knowledge information provided by domain
      experts are very hard to be modeled by the existing FPN models. Second, the
      traditional FPNs determine the results of knowledge reasoning using the min, max,
      and product operators, which may not work well in many practical applications. In
      this paper, we propose a new type of FPN model based on intuitionistic fuzzy sets
      and ordered weighted averaging operators to deal with the problems and improve
      the effectiveness of the conventional FPNs. Moreover, a max-algebra-based
      reasoning algorithm is developed in order to implement the intuitionistic fuzzy
      reasoning formally and automatically. Finally, a case study concerning fault
      diagnosis of aircraft generator is presented to demonstrate the proposed
      intuitionistic FPN model. Numerical experiments show that the new FPN model is
      feasible and quite effective for knowledge representation and reasoning of
      intuitionistic fuzzy expert systems.

PMID- 26259254
TI  - An Efficient Leave-One-Out Cross-Validation-Based Extreme Learning Machine (ELOO
      ELM) With Minimal User Intervention.
AB  - It is well known that the architecture of the extreme learning machine (ELM)
      significantly affects its performance and how to determine a suitable set of
      hidden neurons is recognized as a key issue to some extent. The leave-one-out
      cross-validation (LOO-CV) is usually used to select a model with good
      generalization performance among potential candidates. The primary reason for
      using the LOO-CV is that it is unbiased and reliable as long as similar
      distribution exists in the training and testing data. However, the LOO-CV has
      rarely been implemented in practice because of its notorious slow execution
      speed. In this paper, an efficient LOO-CV formula and an efficient LOO-CV-based
      ELM (ELOO-ELM) algorithm are proposed. The proposed ELOO-ELM algorithm can
      achieve fast learning speed similar to the original ELM without compromising the
      reliability feature of the LOO-CV. Furthermore, minimal user intervention is
      required for the ELOO-ELM, thus it can be easily adopted by nonexperts and
      implemented in automation processes. Experimentation studies on benchmark
      datasets demonstrate that the proposed ELOO-ELM algorithm can achieve good
      generalization with limited user intervention while retaining the efficiency
      feature.

PMID- 26259252
TI  - miRNA-99b-5p suppresses liver metastasis of colorectal cancer by down-regulating
      mTOR.
AB  - Liver metastasis is common in patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC),
      and is also correlated with poor outcome. In this study we screened the different
      expression profiles of microRNAs (miRNAs) on the development of liver metastasis
      in CRC patients. miR-99b-5p was found to be more than 6-fold higher in primary
      tumors than in matched liver metastases (P = 0.007). Expression of miR-99b-5p in
      primary tumors of patients with stage III CRC without liver metastases was higher
      than in CRC patients with liver metastases (P = 0.028). Up-regulated miR-99b-5p
      was associated with longer overall survival (P = 0.01). Besides, miR-99b-5p
      silencing in miR-99b-5p-positive CRC cell lines promoted cell migration and up
      regulated mTOR, and vice versa. In addition, luciferase assays demonstrated that
      miR-99b-5p functioned as a tumor suppressor by targeting mTOR. Taken together,
      our results demonstrate thatmiR-99b-5p is differently expressed in primary CRC
      and liver metastasis and functions as a tumor-suppressive microRNA in metastatic
      CRC. The miR-99b-5p-mTOR axis may serve as a prognostic factor and therapeutic
      target for anti-metastatic therapy in CRC patients. 

PMID- 26259255
TI  - [Effect of lumbar (perirenal) procaine blockade on microcirculation and exchange
      proteoglycans with experimental gonarthrosis].
AB  - Experimental studies on guinea pigs of both sexes (n = 30). Experimental animals
      are awicea into equal groups oJ 10 animals: 1--the control group (intact
      animals), 2--the comparison group (modelling of gonarthrosis by crossing his own
      patellar ligament has been made, exposure 6 months), 3--the main group (animals
      with gonarthrosis treatment was carried out by performing lumbar procaine
      blockade (LPB) with an interval of 3-5 days three times). We establish that after
      a course of LPB in gonarthrosis marked increase in the density of the injected
      channel in the articular and periarticular structures, which reflects a growth in
      the microcirculation, and more intense accumulation in the basic substance of
      epiphyseal cartilage PAS (+) indicates the material to increase the level of
      proteoglycan in articular cartilage.

PMID- 26259256
TI  - Jure Piskur (1960 - 2014).

PMID- 26259257
TI  - Implementing the Affordable Care Act: Revisiting the ACA's Essential Health
      Benefits Requirements.
AB  - The Affordable Care Act broadens and strengthens the health insurance benefits
      available to consumers by requiring insurers to provide coverage of a minimum set
      of medical services known as "essential health benefits." Federal officials
      implemented this reform using transitional policies that left many important
      decisions to the states, while pledging to reassess that approach in time for the
      2016 coverage year. This issue brief examines how states have exercised their
      options under the initial federal essential health benefits framework. We find
      significant variation in how states have developed their essential health
      benefits packages, including their approaches to benefit substitution and
      coverage of habilitative services. Federal regulators should use insurance
      company data describing enrollees' experiences with their coverage--information
      called for under the law's delayed transparency requirements--to determine
      whether states' differing strategies are producing the coverage improvements
      promised by reform.

PMID- 26259258
TI  - Implementing the Affordable Care Act: State Action to Establish SHOP
      Marketplaces.
AB  - The Affordable Care Act seeks to help small employers offer coverage by reforming
      the small-group market and establishing Small Business Health Options Program
      (SHOP) marketplaces. Seventeen states and the District of Columbia chose to
      operate their own SHOP marketplaces in 2014, with the federal government
      operating the SHOP marketplace in 33 states. This brief examines state decisions
      to enhance the value of SHOP marketplaces for small employers and finds that most
      have set predictable participation and eligibility requirements and will offer a
      competitive choice of insurers and plans. States also are seeking to facilitate
      small employers' shopping experience through online tools and access to
      personalized assistance. While not all SHOP marketplaces are yet functioning as
      intended, their establishment offers an opportunity to identify successful
      strategies for improving the affordability and accessibility of coverage for
      small employers.

PMID- 26259259
TI  - Managing Skin Tears With MEDIHONEY(r).

PMID- 26259260
TI  - Proactive, Not Reactive.

PMID- 26259261
TI  - Patient communication: ensuring compliance with governments regulations.

PMID- 26259262
TI  - Why ergonomics should be emphasized in dental school curricula.

PMID- 26259263
TI  - [ISOLATION OF ANTIBIOTICS RESISTANCE GENES IN VIBRIO CHOLERAE O1 AND O139
      SEROGROUP STRAINS].
AB  - AIM: Determination of sensitivity of V. cholerae O1 serogroup El Tor biovar and
      O139 serogroup strains to antibiotics and determination of the presence of
      antibiotics resistance genes in their genome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The studies
      were carried out in 75 V. cholerae O1 and O139 serogroup strains. Sensitivity of
      cultures to antibiotics was determined by disc-diffusion method. DNA isolation
      was carried out in the presence of 6M guanidine thiocyanate. PCR was carried out
      in multi-channel amplificator Tercyc. RESULTS: A multiplex PCR was constructed,
      that includes 5 primer pairs for the detection of O1 and O139 serogroup
      resistance genes of vibrios to sulfame- thoxazolum, streptomycin B, trimethoprim,
      the presence of SXT element, an amplification program was developed. Using the
      developed PCR, V. cholerae O1 serogroup El Tor biovar strains with multiple drug
      resistance were established to be imported into Russia in 1993. The presence of
      SXT elements with genes of resistance to 4 antibiotics simultaneously was
      detected precisely in these strains, that belong to toxigenic genovariants of V.
      cholerae El Tor biovar. All the El Tor vibrio strains imported in the subsequent
      years were shown to stably preserve SXT element, this indicates its important
      role in biology of cholera vibrios. O139 serogroup strains with intact SXT
      element and having a deletion of the gene coding trimethoprim resistance were
      isolated. CONCLUSION: The data obtained may be used to establish molecular
      genetic mechanisms of emergence of antibiotics resistant strains of cholera
      vibrio, construction of novel gene diagnostic test-systems and carrying out
      passportization of strains that are stored in the State collection of pathogenic
      bacteria.

PMID- 26259264
TI  - [EVALUATION OF FUNCTIONAL FEATURES AND STRESS RESISTANCE OF ISOGENIC TOXIGENIC
      AND NON-TOXIGENIC BIOVAR EL TOR VIBRIO CHOLERAE STRAINS].
AB  - AIM: Comparative evaluation of functional features of toxigenic biovar El Tor
      Vibrio cholerae strains and their spontaneous non-toxigenic mutants and study of
      their resistance to saline and oxidative stress. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 8 biovar
      El Tor V. cholerae strains were studied: 4 clinical strains isolated in 1970 from
      patients in Astrakhan and 4 spontaneous non-toxigenic mutants of these strains
      that have lost cholera toxin genes as a result of residence in river water at the
      temperature of 25 degrees C. Protein composition was determined in polyacrylamide
      gel electrophoresis by Laemmli U.K. Stress resistance of the strains was studied
      by adding H2O2 to 20 mM concentration and NaCl to 3 mM concentration to the
      cultural suspension. RESULTS: Loss of cholera toxin genes was shown to be
      accompanied by changes in the level of expression of 17 proteins including those
      that take part in energy metabolism, glucose transport, chemotaxis and purine
      bases. Moreover, non-toxigenic strains were established to be 5-15 times more
      resistant to saline and oxidative stress compared with toxigenic strains.
      CONCLUSION: Non-toxigenic V. cholerae mutants adopt better to stress factors,
      therefore the loss of cholera toxin gene in water environment could be one of the
      methods of adaptation of pathogenic bacteria to changes in the environment.

PMID- 26259265
TI  - [EXPERIENCE OF USING IMMUNE CHROMATOGRAPHY TEST FOR DIAGNOSTICS OF PNEUMOCOCCAL
      PNEUMONIA].
AB  - AIM: Justification of the use of immune chromatographic analysis for diagnostic
      of pneumococcal pneumonia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sensitivity and specificity of
      an immune chromatographic method (Binax Now test system) was studied for
      verification of pneumococcal pneumonia. Approbation of this method for etiologic
      deciphering of pneumonia in 260 patients hospitalized in infectious hospital was
      carried out. RESULTS: A high sensitivity (84.8%) and specificity (90.5%) of the
      chromatography test was established. Streptococcus pneumoniae antigen in urine of
      patients with community acquired pneumonia was determined 3.6 times more
      frequently when immune chromatographic test was used compared with
      bacteriological study of nasopharyngeal swab and 1.8 times more frequently
      compared with sputum bacteriological study. CONCLUSION: Application of immune
      chromatographic express test Binax Now could be recommended for timely
      verification of pneumococcal pneumonia along with bacteriological methods of
      study.

PMID- 26259266
TI  - [POSSIBILITY OF USING NESTED POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION FOR DIAGNOS- TICS OF
      DISEASES CAUSED BY VARICELLA ZOSTER VIRUS].
AB  - AIM: Demonstrate the possibility of using nested PCR method for determination of
      Varicella Zoster virus (VZV) in clinical samples of peripheral blood of patients.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Material from 35 patients with clinical manifestations of
      herpes zoster and control group of 20 healthy donors was used in the study.
      Monocyte fraction of venous blood cells, pretreated with heparin, was isolated by
      centrifugation in ficoll-verografin density gradient, total DNA was then isolated
      from cells by phenol-chloroform extraction with subsequent precipitation with
      alcohol. Polymerase chain reaction was carried out in thermocyclers Tercyc and
      TProfessional Gradient (Biometra), amplified DNA was analyzed by electrophoresis
      on 1.6% agarose gel in the presence of ethidium bromide. RESULTS: Data on
      detection of viral DNA in blood monocytes in 17 (49%) of ill patients, as well as
      in 1 (out of 20 in control group) practically healthy donor were obtained. A
      possibility of a subclinical reactivation of the virus is discussed in the latter
      case. CONCLUSION: A possibility of viral DNA determination in monocytes of
      patient blood without using expensive equipment is shown, that could find
      application in clinical practice, especially for diagnostics of patients with non
      characteristic clinical manifestations, as well as patients with subclinical
      forms of the disease.

PMID- 26259267
TI  - [EFFECTIVENESS OF POLYCATIONIC NANOPARTICLES OF POLYETHYLENEIMINE-POLYHYDROZIDE
      CHITOSAN (PEI-PG-OCHG) AS A VECTOR FOR SMALL INTER- FERING RNA, DIRECTED TO
      SUPPRESS HERPES SIMPLEX TYPE 2 VIRUS REPLICATION].
AB  - AIM: Evaluation of an antiviral effect of miRNA in the nanoparticles of a
      polycationic compound against mRNA of vp16 protein (UL48 gene) of herpes simplex
      virus type 2 (HSV-2) in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS. 50% aqueous solution of
      polyethyleneimine (BDH, Great Britain), chitosan, containing approximately 15% of
      N-acetylated glucosamine chains (Sonat, Russia), hydrazine-hydrate and other
      chemical reagents (Chimmed, Russia); Vero continuous cell line, MS HSV-2 virus
      were used. Vero cells were cultivated in DMEM medium supplemented by 10% fetal
      bovine serum at 37 degrees C in the atmosphere of 5% CO2. Cell viability was
      evaluated by using Neutral Red vital stain and MTT-test. Primers and probes for
      RT-PCR were modeled in Vector NTI 8.0 computer program according to the mRNA
      sequences of the studied genes (the sequences were obtained from GenBank) and
      synthesized in Sintol (Russia). RT-PCR tests were set using a standard procedure.
      Synthesis of PEI-PG-chitosan was carried out by Krivtsov G.G. et al. (2010).
      RESULTS: A design and synthesis of nucleotide sequences, that have interfering
      activity against this virus, was carried out to study the effect of siRNA on HSV
      2 virus replication. During simultaneous addition of HSV-2 and specific siRNA to
      Vero cells in cell culture, a significant (by 4 lg) reduction of virus yield was
      observed. A level of UL48 mRNA expression level was determined after the
      influence of various siRNA variants. A S2 siRNA variant was shown to cause the
      most pronounced virus-inhibiting effect, aiming for the center of RNA-target (the
      level of expression of the studied gene decreased by 0.5 lg). CONCLUSION: siRNA
      in the PEI-PG-chitosan complexes were established to possess in vitro pronounced
      suppressive HSV-2 replication activity. The results obtained could be used in
      creation of new therapeutic preparation against herpes viruses.

PMID- 26259268
TI  - [COMPARATIVE STUDY OF IMMUNOGENICITY AND PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF LIVE COLD-ADAPTED
      AND INACTIVATED VACCINES AGAINST TYPE A INFLUENZA].
AB  - AIM: Direct comparative studies of immunogenicity and protective effect of live
      cold-adapted (ca) and inactivated vaccines against type A influenza. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: Groups of mice were immunized intramuscularly (i/m) or intranasally
      (i/n) twice with inactivated or live ca vaccines based on wild-type parent strain
      A/Krasnodar/101/59 (H2N2) and the corresponding ca donor strain
      A/Krasnodar/101/59/30CE/5MDCK/l/7/4 (H2N2), respectively. Immunogenicity was
      determined by HAI antibodies in sera and lungs (extracts) against both vaccine
      strains. Protective effect--by the level of wild-type strain in lungs of
      immunized mice after the infection. RESULTS: Live ca and inactivated vaccines
      based on similar strains increase immunogenicity and protective effect when
      administered via different routes in varying patterns. A significant increase of
      immunogenicity was only observed for i/m (sera antibodies) and i/n (lung
      antibodies) administration of the live ca vaccine, and could be determined by
      antigenic features of the vaccine strains. At the same time, all the vaccine
      variants and administration routes induced at least partial protection from
      infection compared with unimmunized control. However, complete protection from
      infection was only noted for the i/m administered live ca vaccine. CONCLUSION: A
      combination of immunization variant and vaccine type determines immunogenicity
      and protective effect, and their interconnection requires further studies using
      all the possible combinations of preparations and administration routes as well
      as determination of induction of various components of the immune system.

PMID- 26259269
TI  - [EPITOPIC SPECIFICITY OF A SYNTHETIC DISACCHARIDE, RECURRING LINK OF CAPSULE
      POLYSACCHARIDE CHAIN OF SEROTYPE 3 STREPTOCCUS PNEUMONIAE].
AB  - AIM: Study epitopic specificity of synthetic disaccharide, recurring link of
      serotype 3 S. pneumoniae, conjugated with bovine serum albumin (BSA). MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: Conjugate of the synthetic disaccharide with BSA was obtained by
      squarate method. Antigenic activity of the conjugate was studied in competitive
      EIA. Titers of IgG against capsule polysaccharide of serotype 3 S. pneumoniae
      were determined in EIA by using sera of mice immunized twice with disaccharide
      conjugate sorbed onto aluminum hydroxide. RESULTS: Disaccharide conjugate used as
      a well-covering antigen (4 ug/well) in EIA was characterized by a high degree of
      specificity and interacted only with IgG against serotype 3 S. pneumoniae in
      antimicrobial sera of animals without reacting with antibodies (ABs) against
      other pneumococcus serotypes (6B, 10A, 19A, 19F, 23F). Disaccharide conjugated
      with BSA was determined in competitive EIA to inhibit bonding of ABs to
      disaccharide by 78.8%, bacterial capsule polysaccharide by 56.9%, BSA did not
      inhibit the sera activity. The study of sera of mice immunized by serotype 3 S.
      pneumoniae disaccharide conjugate in EIA, where capsule polysaccharide was used
      as a plate-sorbed antigen, has established the presence of IgG against capsule
      polysaccharide at a titer of 1:1600. CONCLUSION: The disaccharide that is a
      single recurring link of serotype 3 S. pneumoniae contains a key epitope of
      capsule polysaccharide. The synthetic disaccharide could be used as a component
      of multivalent conjugated pneumococcal vaccines and for development of diagnostic
      test-systems.

PMID- 26259270
TI  - [INTESTINE MICROBIOTA IN CHILDREN WITH OBESITY AND ALLERGIC DISEASES].
AB  - AIM: Study intestine microflora in children with obesity and evaluate its
      association with allergic diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS. 66 children with
      various body weight aged 3 to 17 years were included into the study. Intestine
      microflora study in children was carried out according to the order of the
      Ministry of Health of Russian Federation No. 231 of 09.06.2003 "Regarding
      approval of sectoral standard "Patient management protocol. Intestine
      dysbacteriosis" (SST 91500.11.0004-2003). RESULTS: In healthy children depending
      on body weight an increase of the number of Firmicutes type microorganisms and a
      decrease of the number of microbes, belonging to Bacteroidetes type, was
      detected. The presence of allergic pathology was accompanied by a decrease of the
      number of Bacteroidetes and the presence of Bacillus and Staphylococcus aureus
      regardless of the body weight. At the same time, in all the children an increase
      of the content of Clostridium with the increase of body mass was noted.
      CONCLUSION. The data obtained have revealed an association of changes in
      intestine microbiota with the development of obesity and allergopathology.

PMID- 26259271
TI  - [REAL TIME POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION IN TULAREMIA LABORATORY DIAGNOSTICS].
AB  - AIM: Enhancement of tularemia laboratory diagnostics by F. tularensis DNA
      determination in blood sera of patients using real time polymerase chain reaction
      (RT-PCR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 39 blood sera of patients obtained during
      transmissive epidemic outbreak of tularemia in Khanty-Mansiysk in 2013 were
      studied in agglutination reaction, passive hemagglutination, RT-PCR. Specific
      primers and fluorescent probes were used: ISFTu2F/R+ISFTu2P, Tu14GF/R+tul4-PR2.
      RESULTS: Advantages of using RT-PCR for early diagnostics of tularemia, when
      specific antibodies are not detected using traditional immunologic methods, were
      established. Use of a combination of primers and ISFTu2F/R+ISFTu2P probe allowed
      to detect F. tularensis DNA in 100% of sera, whereas Tul4G F/R+tul4-PR2
      combination--92% of sera. The data were obtained when DNA was isolated from sera
      using "Proba Rapid" express method. Clinical-epidemiologic diagnosis oftularemia
      was confirmed by both immune-serologic and RT-PCR methods when sera were studied
      3-4 weeks after the onset of the disease. CONCLUSION: RT-PCR with ISFTu2F/R
      primers and fluorescent probe ISFTu2P, having high sensitivity and specificity,
      allows to determine F. tularensis DNA in blood sera of patients at both the early
      stage and 3-4 weeks after the onset of the disease.

PMID- 26259272
TI  - [DETERMINATION OF CRITICAL CONCENTRATION OF CHEMOTHERAPY DRUGS FOR MYCOBACTERIUM
      TUBERCULOSIS SENSITIVITY EVALUATION USING Sensititre MyCoTB TEST SYSTEM].
AB  - AIM: Determination of critical concentration for chemotherapy drugs, widely used
      for tuberculosis treatment, for use in Mycobacterium tuberculosis drug
      sensitivity results evaluation by Sensititre MycoTB test-system. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Minimal inhibiting concentration (MIC) of isoniazid, rifampicin,
      streptomycin, ethambutol, amikacin, kanamycin, ofloxacin and moxifloxacin against
      conditionally sensitive and conditionally resistant strains of tuberculosis
      mycobacteria (TBM), isolated from various diagnostic material, obtained from
      patients with various forms of lung tuberculosis being treated in MCSPCTC
      hospital and dispensaries for tuberculosis control of Moscow, were studied in
      Sensititre MycoTB test system. RESULTS: Critical concentration of chemotherapy
      drugs for MycoTB test system was determined as a result of the obtained MIC
      values analysis as the minimal concentration that suppressed growth of 95% of
      sensitive strains and does not obstruct growth of 95% of resistant. The following
      MIC values were established: streptomycin--1.0, isoniazid--0.25, rifampicin--1.0,
      ethambutol--4.0, ofloxacin--2.0, moxifloxacin--0.25, kanamycin--2.5 and amikacin-
      1.0 ug/ml. CONCLUSION: The developed critical concentration of the mentioned
      preparations is currently used for evaluation of sensitivity/ resistance of TBM
      clinical isolates from MCSPCTC.

PMID- 26259273
TI  - [CRITERIA OF DIFFERENCE EVALUATION FOR VARIOUS TYPES OF HEMORRHAGIC FEVER WITH
      RENAL SYNDROME FOCI. HFRS FOCI IN VARIOUS BIOTOPES OF TYPICAL BARRENS].
AB  - AIM: Examine features of natural, natural-anthropourgic and anthropourgic foci of
      hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in various, mostly forest, biotopes
      of typical barrens due to differences of non-specific HFRS prophylaxis in foci of
      various types. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Epizootological and epidemiologic data from
      1998 to 2012 were analyzed, gathered in HFRS foci of all types in Saratov area of
      Saratov Region (typical barrens). 14,606 trap-nights were worked off and 2669
      small mammals were procured. The most significant population-ecologic and
      ecologic-epizootological methods and criteria were used for comparative analysis
      of differences for 3 types of foci. RESULTS: Based on analysis of multi-year data
      seasonal differences for HFRS foci of various types were shown by 10 population
      ecologic and ecologic-epizootologic criteria. CONCLUSION: The results obtained
      allow to state that modern means and methods of non-specific prophylaxis of HFRS
      and other zoonoses in foci of various types different significantly. This allows
      the most rational use of material and financial resources.

PMID- 26259274
TI  - [CHARACTERISTICS OF FORMATION, INHIBITION AND DESTRUCTION OF YERSINIA
      PSEUDOTUBERCULOSIS BIOFILMS FORMING ON ABIOTIC SURFACES].
AB  - AIM: Detection of conditions of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis biofilm formation,
      their quantitative testing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Y. pseudotuberculosis strains,
      nutrient media, standard 96-well polystyrene plates, crystal violet dye as well
      as bacteriologic, spectrophotometric, statistical methods were used. RESULTS: All
      the studied Y pseudotuberculosis strains formed a well expressed biofilm on
      abiotic surface during cultivation of bacteria in 200 ul of a plate well at a
      temperature of 20-22 degrees C for 4-7 days. Bacteria CFU number in biofilm
      reduced by day 10 of incubation. DNAse I was found to inhibit biofilm formation,
      and also partially destroyed mature Y. pseudotuberculosis biofilm. The presence
      of DNA in extra-cellular matrix of biofilm was shown. CONCLUSION: An ability of
      Y. pseudotuberculosis to form biofilm on abiotic surface was established. The
      conditions of biofilm formation were determined. Inhibiting effect of DNAse I on
      Y. pseudotuberculosis was shown.

PMID- 26259275
TI  - [EFFECTIVENESS OF PREVENTIVE VACCINE PROPHYLAXIS OF CHICKEN POX IN MILITARY
      COLLECTIVES].
AB  - AIM: Study the effectiveness of preventive vaccine prophylaxis of chicken pox in
      military collectives. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the focus of chicken pox, 200
      servicemen of the new addition by conscription were immunized once against
      chicken pox; 97 servicemen by conscription of the new addition (comparison group)
      were not vaccinated. Epidemiologic and immunologic effectiveness of conduction of
      preventive vaccine prophylaxis in chicken pox focus were studied. RESULTS: In the
      group of 200 soldiers, that were present in the focus of infection and were
      immunized once against chicken pox, only 2 cases of this disease were registered
      (10 per thousand). In the comparison group, that consisted of 97 unvaccinated
      servicemen, chicken pox disease was registered in 7 individuals (72 per
      thousand). Epidemiologic effectiveness of preventive vaccine prophylaxis of
      chicken pox amounted to 86%. Immunologic effectiveness of vaccination 2-3 weeks
      after the immunization was 42%, and 2 months after--44%. Local reactions in the
      form of hyperemia (up to 1.5 cm) and edema were noted in 10% of the vaccinated at
      the location of preparation administration; in 1.7%--general reaction in the form
      of temperature increase to 37.8 degrees C was observed. Post-vaccinal
      complications in the immunized group were not detected. CONCLUSION: Preventive
      vaccination of servicemen allows to minimize the spread of chicken pox, however
      can not serve as means of complete elimination of the infection from military
      collectives.

PMID- 26259276
TI  - [PROTEOMIC MASS-SPECTROMETRIC ANALYSIS OF FRESHLY ISOLATED ESCHERICHIA COLI
      STRAINS].
AB  - AIM: Time-of-flight mass-spectrometric analysis of colon bacilli populations
      freshly isolated from humans for identification of proteome markers, that are
      characteristic for hemolytic and non-hemolytic strains, E.coli--associants of
      opportunistic bacteria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 20 strains of monopopulation of
      hemolytic E.coli; 100 strains of monopopulation of non-hemolytic E. coli; 15 non
      hemolytic strain, isolated from association with opportunistic bacteria. Protein
      profiling on MALDI-TOF MS Autoflex "Bruker Daltonik" mass-spectrometer. RESULTS:
      Value within species for mass-charge peak with 100% intensity of 9000 Da could be
      a differential sign for isolation of hemolytic E.coli during mass-spectrometric
      biotyping. CONCLUSION: Proteomic characteristics of strains from various
      populations within E.coli are given. Taxon-specific markers for proteomic
      differentiation of E.coli populations are established.

PMID- 26259278
TI  - [ORNITHOSIS OUTBREAKS AMONG POPULATION OF ORENBURG AND KURGAN RE- GIONS IN 2008
      2009].
AB  - There have been presented analysis of ornithosis outbreaks among population of
      Orenburg and Kurgan regions in 2008-2009. Find out factors and conditions that
      promote conducive of epidemic foci. Have been presented a list of the main
      preventive measures.

PMID- 26259277
TI  - [ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF POLYAZOLIDINAMMONIUM, MODIFIED WITH HYDRATE-IONS OF
      IODINE].
AB  - AIM: Study of antimicrobial activity of a polymer compound--polyazolidinammonium,
      modified with hydrate-ions of iodine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Antimicrobial
      activity of polyazolidinammonium, modified with hydrate-ions of iodine, against
      reference strains and clinical isolates of Gram positive and negative bacteria,
      microscopical fungi, as well as RNA viruses was studied. RESULTS: High
      antibacterial activity of the studied compound was established, especially
      against Gram positive bacteria. A higher concentration of the preparation (125
      250 ug/ml) was characterized by anti-fungal effect. A high sensitivity to polymer
      of swine transmissible gastroenteritis virus was noted. CONCLUSION: The polymer
      compound, based on the results of the studies, is a perspective antiseptic and
      etiotropic means for control of infectious disease causative agents.

PMID- 26259279
TI  - [CONTEMPORARY CONCEPTION OF IMMUNE RESPONSE ACTIVATION MECHA- NISM BY CONJUGATED
      POLYSACCHARIDE VACCINES].
AB  - Vaccination remains the most effective method of control of spread of a whole
      range of infections of both viral and bacterial nature. Many bacterial pathogens
      (Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis and Haemophilus influenzae)
      carry polysaccharide capsule on the surface, that is one of the elements of
      protection from host organism immune system. At the same time, vaccination with
      bacteria exopolysaccharides (EPS) ensures infection neutralization. Effectiveness
      of such vaccine prophylaxis is limited by age of the vaccinated, intensity and
      duration of the immunity, development of secondary immune response. EPS
      conjugation with protein antigens was known for a long time to ensure activation
      of T-cell immunity against EPS and formation of secondary immune response.
      However, detailed studies of mechanism of immunity modulation by a protein
      partner as part of a glycoconjugate has not been carried out. T-lymphocyte
      activation was traditionally thought to occur exclusively due to peptide
      presentation, that are products of processing of protein component of the
      conjugate. Recently, information, accumulated in the field of natural
      carbohydrate, glycolipid and glycoprotein antigen presentation to T-cells, has
      generated interest in studying mechanisms of cell immunity activation by
      conjugated vaccines. Progress in this field, as well as development of novel
      chemical and biochemical, including combinative technologies of synthesis and
      study of these molecules, opens new opportunities for detailed understanding of
      mechanism of action for conjugated vaccines and creation of glycoconjugates with
      increased effectiveness of protective action.

PMID- 26259280
TI  - [VARICELLA ZOSTER VIRUS AND DISEASES OF CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM VESSELS].
AB  - Systemized data on epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestation,
      diagnostics and therapy of VZV-vasculopathy--a disease, occurring due to damage
      of arteries of the central nervous system by Varicella Zoster virus, are
      presented in the review. A special attention in the paper is given to the effect
      of vaccine prophylaxis of chicken pox and herpes zoster on the frequency of
      development and course of VZV-vasculopathy.

PMID- 26259281
TI  - [CONTEMPORARY TENDENCIES IN CONSTRUCTING RECOMBINANT VACCINES FOR SPECIFIC
      PROPHYLAXIS OF PLAGUE].
AB  - An importance place in the system of prophylaxis measures against plague is
      allotted to vaccination of population contingents, that belong to risk groups for
      infection. The whole arsenal of accumulated knowledge on structure, properties,
      molecular nature, genetic determination, synthesis pathways, regulation and
      mechanisms of interaction with macroorganism of pathogenicity factors and
      immunogenicity of the infectious disease causative agent is used in the creation
      of new generation of vaccines. Contemporary technologies--genomics, proteomics,
      reverse vaccinology facilitate detection of protective antigens and help
      determine rational design of the vaccines. Main tendencies in development of
      recombinant live and chemical vaccines for specific prophylaxis of plague are
      presented in the review. Constructive approaches, that allow to produce highly
      effective and safe preparations are isolated.

PMID- 26259282
TI  - [Orientation of the immune response of the epithelium: epithelial cells,
      dendritic cells and lymphocytes].

PMID- 26259283
TI  - [Psoriasis: how the epithelium influences the immune response: keratinocytes,
      dendritic cells and T lymphocytes].
AB  - Psoriasis is an autoinflammatory skin disease mediated by interactions between
      keratinocytes, dendritic cells and T lymphocytes, which create a vicious circle
      of cell activation and lead to the development and persistence of skin lesions.
      Inflammatory cytokines produced by these three cell types, especially TNFalpha,
      IL-23 and IL-17, are central to the disease and are the targets of new, highly
      effective immunobiological therapies. Advances in the pathophysiology and
      treatment of psoriasis have applications far beyond the skin disease itself
      Indeed, psoriasis serves as a model for studies of the mechanisms of chronic
      inflammation such as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, atherosclerosis and
      type 2 diabetes, and for developing new targeted therapies for autoinflammatory
      diseases.

PMID- 26259284
TI  - [Cross-talk between differentiated cells in different tissues: the example of
      asthma].
AB  - Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disorder that leads to symptoms such as
      coughing, wheezing and chest tightness. Typical features of asthma are chronic
      airway inflammation and remodeling, leading to airway obstruction. The airway
      epithelium is considered as an essential controller of inflammatory,
      immunological and regenerative responses to allergens. Abnormal molecular
      crosstalk between bronchial epithelial and immune cells plays an important role
      in driving chronic inflammation and airway remodeling. Drugs that selectively
      inhibit crucial aspects of epithelial-immune or epithelial-mesenchymal
      interactions could potentially prevent these processes.

PMID- 26259285
TI  - [Biopersistence and systemic distribution of intramuscularly injected particles:
      what impact on long-term tolerability of alum adjuvants?].
AB  - Aluminium oxyhydroxide (alum), a nanocrystalline compound that forms
      agglomerates, has been widely used as a vaccine adjuvant since 1927, but the
      mechanisms by which it stimulates immune responses remain poorly understood.
      Although generally well tolerated, alum may occasionally cause chronic health
      problems in presumably susceptible individuals. Some individuals may rarely
      develop delayed-onset diffuse myalgia, chronic exhaustion and cognitive
      dysfunction, associated with long-term persistence (up to 12 years) of alum
      loaded macrophages at site of i.m. immunization, defining so-called macrophagic
      myofasciitis (MMF). Symptoms are consistent with the chronic fatigue/myalgic
      encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) syndrome, and have been used as a paradigm of the
      "autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants" (ASIA). Cognitive
      dysfunction is reminiscent of that described in workers exposed to inhaled Al
      particles. Individual susceptibility may influence both alum biopersistence and
      difusion away from injection sites. Biopersistent particles such as fluorescent
      alum-coated nanohybrids, when injected into mouse muscle, are captured by
      monocyte-lineage cells and then carried to distant organs, draining lymph nodes
      and blood, probably via the thoracic duct, with delayed and accumulative
      translocation to the brain (microglial cells). Brain penetration occurs at
      extremely low levels in normal conditions, possibly explaining the good tolerance
      of alum despite its high neurotoxic potential. However, systemic diffusion is
      considerably enhanced by the potentiating effect of MCP-1, the main monocyte
      chemoattractant factor, the production of which is subject to marked variations
      linked to age and to genetic and environmental factors. Selective MCP-1 elevation
      is the only known circulating biomarker of MMF.

PMID- 26259286
TI  - [Masked hypertension].
AB  - "Masked hypertension" is defined as high blood pressure outside the medical
      setting (ambulatory or self-measurement at home) and normal BP in the medical
      setting Masked hypertension is frequent, particularly in patients receiving
      antihypertensive treatment. It is often associated with other cardiovascular risk
      factors. The cardiovascular prognosis in terms of target organ damage and
      complications is poorer than that of subjects considered normotensive by all
      measurement methods, and similar to that of subjects considered hypertensive by
      all measurement methods. Its pathophysiological mechanism is unknown. No
      controlled trials have yet been conducted to determine the possible benefits of
      treatment.

PMID- 26259287
TI  - [Obesity and the prognosis of heart failure: the obesity paradox, myth or
      reality?].
AB  - Obesity has now reached epidemic proportions worldwide. Obesity is associated
      with numerous comorbidities, including hypertension, lipid disorders and type II
      diabetes, and is also a major cause of cardiovascular disease, coronary disease,
      heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and sudden death. Obesity is the main cause
      of heart failure in respectively 11% and 14% of cases in men and women. The
      Framingham study showed that, after correction for other risk factors, each point
      increase in the body mass index raises the risk of heart failure by 5% in men and
      7% in women. Obesity increases the heart workload, causes left ventricular
      hypertrophy, and impairs both diastolic and systolic function. The most common
      form of heart failure is diastolic dysfunction, and heart failure in obese
      individuals is associated with preserved systolic function. Despite these
      comorbidities and the severity of heart failure, numerous studies have revealed
      an "obesity paradox" in which overweight and obese individuals with heart failure
      appear to have a better prognosis than non overweight subjects. This review
      summarizes the adverse cardiac effects of this nutritional disease, the results
      of some studies supporting the obesity paradox, the better survival rate of obese
      patients with heart failure. Potential explanations for these surprising data
      include the possibility that a number of obese patients may simply not have heart
      failure, as well as methodological bias, and protective effects of adipose
      tissue. Further studies of large populations are needed to determine how obesity
      may improve the prognosis of heart failure.

PMID- 26259288
TI  - [Stem cell therapy and heart failure: hopes and disappointments].
AB  - Despite therapeutic advances, heart failure remains a common and serious event
      characterized by initial and progressive loss of cardiac myocytes, a loss that is
      currently untreatable. Cell therapy has emerged as a promising new approach to
      the treatment of heart failure, with very encouraging experimental results. Since
      2000, when human stem cell therapy was first attempted in France, clinical trials
      with adult stem cells (myoblasts, bone-marrow derived cells, mesenchymal stem
      cells) have given variable results. The inconsistent and modest therapeutic
      benefit observed in these studies is due more to paracrine effects than to the
      hoped-for cell replacement, as adult stem cells do not turn into cardiomyocytes
      and their survival rate after transplantation is very low. In order to be
      effective, cell therapy should use heart muscle cells derived from pluri- or
      multipotent cells (human embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells,
      resident cardiac cells), which are likely to have a higher survival rate in a
      hostile biological environment and deteriorated tissue scaffold. Cardiac tissue
      engineering assisted by nanotechnologies may eventually help to meet this
      challenge.

PMID- 26259289
TI  - [Acute myocardial infarction in metropolitan France from 1995 to 2010: evolution
      of patient characteristics, management and outcomes].
AB  - Cardiovascular disease is still one of the main causes of death in France, and
      acute myocardial infarction is one of its most severe complications. Data from
      four nationwide surveys conducted from 1995 to 2010 show that ST-elevation
      myocardial infarction (STEMI) has tended to affect younger subjects in recent
      years, while age of onset of non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) has
      remained relatively stable. Both the organization and the modalities of patient
      management have undergone profound modifications, with an increase in the use of
      invasive strategies and secondary medical prevention. Early mortality has fallen
      from 13.7% to 4.4% in STEMI patients, and from 10.9% to 3.0% in NSTEMI patients.

PMID- 26259291
TI  - [Ethical and legal aspects of telemedicine].
AB  - The recent development of telemedicine, i.e. the use of communication
      technologies to transfer medical information, raises special ethical and legal
      issues. The HPST law regulates the delivery of remote healthcare in France. The
      ethical aspects of telemedicine are similar in many respects to those of
      conventional medicine, but the involvement of non clinical personnel and the use
      of technologies raise special issues such as confidentiality. Patients must be
      informed of these issues and their consent must be sought before employing
      telemedicine procedures. Finally, in case of malpractice complaints, the
      respective liabilities of the different disciplines involved in telemedicine must
      be determined

PMID- 26259290
TI  - [Genome sequencing and personalized medicine: perspectives and limitations].
AB  - DNA sequencing technologies have advanced at an exponential rate in recent years:
      the first human genome was sequenced in 2001 after many years of effort by dozens
      of international laboratories at a cost of tens of millions of dollars, while in
      2013 a genome can be sequenced within 24 hours for a few hundred dollars (exome
      sequencing takes only a few hours). More and more hospital laboratories are
      acquiring new high-throughput sequencing devices ("next-generation sequencers",
      NGS), allowing them to analyze tens or hundreds of genes, or even the entire
      exome. This is having a major impact on medical concepts and practices,
      especially with respect to genetics and oncology. This ability to search for
      mutations simultaneously in a large number of genes is finding applications in
      the diagnosis of Mendelian diseases (including at birth), routine screening for
      heterozygotes, and pre-conception diagnosis. NGS is now sufficiently sensitive to
      analyze circulating fetal DNA in maternal blood (cell-free fetal DNA, cffDNA),
      enabling applications such as non invasive diagnosis of fetal sex (and X-linked
      diseases), fetal rhesus among rhesus-negative women, trisomy and, in the near
      future, Mendelian mutations. Data on multifactorial diseases are still
      preliminary, but it should soon be possible to identify "strong" factors of
      genetic predisposition that have so far been beyond the scope of genome-wide
      association studies (GWAS). In the field of constitutional oncogenetics, NGS can
      also be used for simultaneous analysis of genes involved in " hereditary "
      cancers (21 breast cancer genes, 6 colon cancer genes, etc.). More generally, NGS
      can identify all genomic abnormalities (deletions, translocations, mutations) in
      a given malignant tissue (hemopathy or solid tumor), and has the potential to
      distinguish between important mutations (those that drive tumor progression) from
      " bystander " or accessory mutations, and also to identify "druggable" mutations
      amenable to targeted therapies (e.g. imatinib and Bcr/Abl rearrangement;
      verumafemib and the BRAF V600E mutation). Systematic sequencing of all the genes
      involved in drug metabolism and responsiveness will lead to individualized
      pharmacogenetics. Finally, sequencing of the tumoral and constitutional genomes,
      identfication of somatic mutations, and detection of pharmacogenetic variants
      will open up the era of personalized medicine. The first results of these
      targeted therapeutic indications show a gain in the duration of remission and
      survival, although the cost-effectiveness of these approaches remains to be
      determined. Finally, this huge capacity for genome sequencing raises a number of
      regulatory and ethical issues.

PMID- 26259292
TI  - [Informatics and health, from digitization to information and communication
      technologies (TIC)].
AB  - Integrating the progress that has been made on a daily basis since it was jointly
      commissioned in 2013 by the French National Academy of Medicine (Biotechnology
      Committee XX, Prof Emmanuel-Alain Cabanis) and the Technologies Academy (Pr Jean
      de Kervasdoue), this report, covering such a vast subject, can only represent one
      step in a long process. Summarized here in a volume compatible with the Bulletin,
      it makes reference to the full report (52 pages ; 22 pages of text, 4 pages of
      references, a 20-page glossary for physicians, plus 522 figures spanning 6
      pages), which is available on the Academy's website. The six chapters first
      define "health" (WHO) and "informatics" and provide a brief history. The first
      chapter, on technologies, is divided into "bad" news (cybercrime, ecological
      risks) and advances relevant to health. The next four chapters describe the
      contribution of digitization to patient management, ranging from "fragile"
      individuals (from the gamete to old age and dependency) to healthy subjects
      trained to work in hostile situations (scuba diving to space exploration), and
      finally research. The last chapter proposes 7 areas for progress: expansion of
      the national imaging and communications platforms, stimulation of the medical
      robotics industry, extension of telemedicine to all medical and surgical
      specialties, support for drug dispensing and therapeutic education, and
      foundation of a European portal for m-health certification, research
      prioritization according to multiyear health plans, and reinforcement of
      mathematic education, starting in primary school (see: "La main a la pate"
      ("Going hands-on").

PMID- 26259293
TI  - [The National Academy of Medicine calls for postmortem brain donation for
      neurodegenerative research].

PMID- 26259294
TI  - [Exposure to electromagnetic waves. Public health should not be a political
      issue].

PMID- 26259295
TI  - Prevalence and Pattern of Autoimmune Conditions in Patients with Marginal Zone
      Lymphoma: A Single Institution Experience.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Increased risk of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in patients with
      autoimmune diseases is a known fact. An association may exist between marginal
      zone lymphoma (MZL) and certain autoimmune conditions and vice-versa. METHODS:
      Herein, we present the analysis of a series of consecutive patients (n = 24)
      diagnosed with MZL at our institution between 2008-2014. Our series, analyzed
      both retrospectively and prospectively, consisted of a blend of nodal, extranodal
      and splenic MZL. The median age was 71.8 years; M/F ratio was 2:1. The presence
      of autoimmune conditions was compared to their documented prevalence in the
      general population and tested for statistical significance using both chi-square
      test (chi2) and Fisher test for small number of observations (95% confidence). A
      P-value < 0.05 was considered significant. FINDINGS: A total of 50% of MZL
      patients had documented autoimmune conditions. In addition, 3 of 24 patients
      presented with more than one autoimmune disease. Statistically significant
      differences in our MZL patients were recorded for immune thrombocytopenia [ITP]
      (P < 0.01), autoimmune hemolytic anemia [AIHA] (P < 0.01), Hashimoto thyroiditis
      (P = 0.037) and rheumatoid arthritis [RA] (P = 0.021). The difference did not
      reach statistical significance for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and
      psoriasis. ITP and AIHA in our cohort were synchronous with MZL diagnosis in all
      patients, while all non-hematologic autoimmune conditions were metachronous and
      diagnosed prior to MZL. CONCLUSIONS: In the course of caring for patients with
      MZL, a number of associated autoimmune disorders are recognized. Knowing these
      entities is important not only for making a correct diagnosis, but also for being
      able to recognize certain clinical events occurring during the course of the
      disease. A catalogue of autoimmune disorders associated with this type of NHL is
      important as they can pose formidable clinical problems for the MZL patients and
      their physicians.

PMID- 26259296
TI  - An Unusual Cause of Acute-Onset Chest Pain: Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum.
AB  - Spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM) is the presence of air in the mediastinum
      without any precipitating factor or predisposing disease. It is an uncommon,
      usually benign condition predominantly seen in young males. It typically presents
      with chest pain or dyspnea. It occurs after intrathoracic pressure changes leads
      to alveolar rupture and dissection of air along the tracheobronchial tree. It is
      reported to occur in 1/30,000 to 1/40,000 hospital admissions. Despite its low
      incidence, SPM should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute chest
      pain or dyspnea in young patients. Diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion,
      as evidence of its occurrence may not be present on examination or chest X-ray.
      Patients with SPM respond well to medical treatment, with no recurrence in the
      majority of cases. We report a case of a young healthy male who developed a
      spontaneous pneumomediastinum and pneumopericardium while playing volleyball and
      did well with conservative management.

PMID- 26259297
TI  - Genetic Anticipation in Familial Neuromyelitis Optica: Case and Literature
      Review.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To describe genetic anticipation in a mother and daughter with
      antiaquaporin 4 (AQP4) antibody-positive neuromyelitisoptica (NMO). METHODS:
      Retrospective case review. RESULTS: A woman with onset of transverse myelitis at
      age 38 was found to have a positive AQP4 antibody during work-up of recurrent
      symptoms. Subsequently, she developed intermittent episodes of monocular vision
      loss with optic nerve involvement that were treated with intravenous
      methylprednisolone and chronic rituximab. Eighteen years after initial
      presentation, her 78-year-old mother, with a history of recurrent urinary tract
      infections, also developed monocular vision loss and her anti-AQP4 antibody was
      positive. Previous reports of genetic anticipation in familial NMO are identified
      and discussed. CONCLUSIONS: These cases highlight genetic anticipation in
      familial NMO. Disease onset can occur with a chronological age difference of as
      much as 40 years between parent and child. Patients with NMO should be counseled
      regarding the possibility of subsequent disease onset in family members,
      particularly parents, with significant differences in calendar or chronological
      year of onset.

PMID- 26259298
TI  - A Large-Sized Left Main Coronary Artery with Quadfurcation: A Rare Anatomy.
AB  - A 63-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with chest pain. She
      subsequently underwent an evaluation with a diagnostic coronary angiogram that
      demonstrated a rare coronary anatomy. Instead of its usual bifurcation into two
      main branches--a left anterior descending and a left circumflex artery--her left
      main coronary artery quadfurcated into four branches: a left anterior descending
      artery, a left circumflex artery, and two ramus intermedii arteries. Possible
      implications of this unusual finding are discussed.

PMID- 26259299
TI  - Azithromycin-Induced Cholestatic Hepatitis.

PMID- 26259300
TI  - Solitary Neurofibroma with Malignant Transformation: Case Report and Review Of
      Literature.
AB  - Solitary neurofibromas are rare tumors associated mainly with neurofibromatosis
      and widely described in the literature as benign. We report a case of a 55-year
      old female with no history of neurofibromatosis who presented with a slow
      growing, painless lump on her torso. Pathologic evaluation of the lesion after
      excisional biopsy revealed high mitotic activity and increased cellularity within
      the lesion as well as positive S-100 stain. She was diagnosed with solitary
      subcutaneous neurofibroma with features of malignant peripheral nerve sheath
      tumor transformation. To our knowledge, no other case of a solitary neurofibroma
      that transformed into a malignant tumor in this location was described in the
      literature.

PMID- 26259301
TI  - Perinephric Abscess with Fistula Formation to Descending Colon: A Case Report and
      a Review of the Literature.
AB  - A perinephric abscess (PA) is an uncommon clinical entity. We present a case of a
      patient with aknown chronic perinephric hematoma, complicated by infection,
      subsequently developing a fistula to the adjacent descending colon. To the
      knowledge of these authors, there are no reported cases of perinephric abscess
      fistula formation with the descending colon. CASE REPORT: A 50-year old woman
      with multiple medical comorbidities presented with gram negative sepsis and was
      subsequently found to have a cyst on her left kidney. Following CT-guided biopsy,
      an iatrogenic hematoma was formed and subsequently became infected. Radiographic
      evaluation revealed fistula formation between the abscess and the adjacent
      descending colon. Conservative management resulted in closure of the fistula
      without the need for further surgical management. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION:
      Perinephric abscess (PA) formation can result in significant morbidity and
      mortalitywith complications including sepsis, renal failure and fistula
      formation. We present a first case report in which a PA fistualized with the
      descending colon following percutaneous drainage.

PMID- 26259302
TI  - Tackling Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities in Hospital Readmissions.

PMID- 26259303
TI  - Updates on Clostridium Difficile Infection.

PMID- 26259304
TI  - 50 Years Ago. From Connecticut Medicine. April 1965. Surgical Treatment Of
      Coronary Arterial Occlusive Disease. 1965.

PMID- 26259306
TI  - You, Your Health, and HAVEN.

PMID- 26259307
TI  - Uncomfortable Knowledge: Healthcare Disparities in Connecticut.

PMID- 26259308
TI  - CSMS: Tackling Healthcare Disparities With You.

PMID- 26259309
TI  - Accountability: Physicians Must Lead the Way.

PMID- 26259311
TI  - Rheumatic Musculoskeletal Complaints in Diabetes--Adding Another Dimension to a
      Multidimensional Disease!

PMID- 26259312
TI  - Ebola Virus Disease: Are We Prepared?

PMID- 26259313
TI  - Prevalence of Rheumatological Manifestations in Diabetic Population from North
      West India.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: An increased prevalence of rheumatological manifestations is
      recognised in diabetes and is a common source of disability. The relationship
      with other risk factors and glycaemic control is uncertain. We designed this
      study to find out the prevalence of rheumatological manifestations, association
      with various risk factors and to assess differences between type 1 and type 2
      diabetes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted from Jan 2010 to Dec 2011
      at tertiary care hospital. We recorded type of diabetes, various risk factors viz
      age, duration of diabetes, glycaemic control (HbA1C) and BMI and noted prevalence
      of various rheumatological manifestations by clinical examination, X-ray and if
      needed CT scan/MRI. We explored correlation between rheumatological
      manifestations and these variables using logistic regression. RESULTS: The
      prevalence of rheumatological manifestations was estimated at 570 per 1000
      population. The manifestations were more common in type 1 diabetes (62.7%). The
      various complications observed in the present study were DISH (13%), Frozen
      Shoulder (20%), Dupuytren's Contracture (7.2%), Osteoarthritis (36.1%),
      Neuroarthropathy (2.9%), Chieroarthropathy (22.6%) and Flexor Tenosynovitis
      (8.1%). Among various risk factors, duration of diabetes (odd ratio: 5.127), BMI
      (odd ratio: 7.429) and age (odd ratio: 4.731) were common risk factors. Poor
      glycaemic control was also associated with increased prevalence of
      rheumatological manifestations. CONCLUSION: Rheumatologic manifestations are very
      common in diabetics and are associated with poor glycaemic control, BMI, duration
      of diabetes and age of the patients.

PMID- 26259314
TI  - Incidental Gall Bladder Carcinoma in Patients Undergoing Cholecystectomy: A
      Report of 7 Cases.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Carcinoma gall bladder accounts for 98% of all the gall bladder
      malignancies and is the sixth most common malignancy of the gastrointestinal
      tract worldwide. Incidental gall bladder carcinoma (IGBC) is an incidental
      finding of carcinoma diagnosed during a laparoscopic cholecystectomy or on
      histopathological examination of gall bladder specimen removed for benign gall
      bladder diseases. The incidence of IGBC is around 0.19 - 3.3% in the literature.
      OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to report our experience with gall
      bladder cancers which were incidentally diagnosed during histopathological
      examination of cholecystectomy specimens done for benign gall bladder disease and
      follow up of the cases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study includes 270
      cholecystectomy specimens which were removed, during June 2010 to July 2011 in a
      tertiary care hospital. The clinicopathological findings of cases with
      incidentally detected gall bladder cancers were recorded; age, sex, presenting
      symptoms, presence of gall stones and histologic grade and staging of tumours
      were included. Exclusion criteria included preoperative suspicion of malignancy
      before cholecystectomy. American joint committee on cancer (AJCC) staging system
      was used for staging incidental gall bladder carcinoma. RESULTS: In our study
      laparoscopy or open cholecystectomy was attempted in 270 cases during the one
      year period. Incidental gall bladder carcinomas were diagnosed in 7 cases
      (2.59%), with mean age of 50 years. Pain, vomiting, and dysphagia were the
      presenting complaints. USG revealed thickened gall bladder in 6 cases, and polyp
      in one case. Gall stones were seen in 6 cases. Histopathology showed moderately
      differentiated adenocarcinoma in all the cases. AJCC staging of gall bladder
      carcinoma revealed 6 cases in pT2 stage and pT1 a stage in one case. On follow up
      at 22 months, 6 cases were alive while one expired due to tumour metastasis.
      CONCLUSION: Prognosis of incidental gall bladder carcinoma is better, if
      diagnosed in early stages.

PMID- 26259315
TI  - Interpreting the Laboratory Reports for Vit D.
AB  - Importance for Vit D estimation has increased in the recent years due to its link
      to various diseases. Measurements of Vit D by different diagnostic laboratories
      is however not uniform. There is variation pertaining to assay methodology and
      also variation in the measurement of different metabolites of Vit D. There are
      also various confounders which influence Vit D assays and which in most instances
      are overlooked. Also a matter of concern regarding Vit D assays is the lack of
      assay standardisation. These factors contribute to the variation in the reports
      generated by the diagnostic laboratories. Therefore interpretation of Vit D
      reports needs proper understanding of these interfering factors and further
      reports need to be correlated substantially with the clinical findings.

PMID- 26259316
TI  - Tc 99m Sestamibi Scanning in Multiple Myeloma--a New look with SPECT-CT.
AB  - A variety of diagnostic tools including biochemistry, radiological imaging bone
      marrow studies and recently metabolic imaging with FDG PET are used for
      assessment of disease extent in myeloma. AIM: To evaluate the role of metabolic
      imaging with Tc99m Sestamibi (Mibi) SPECT-CT in Multiple myeloma. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Patients in various stages of Myeloma were scanned after 20mCi Tc99m
      Sestamibi was injected i/v. Whole body planar scans were obtained with a dual
      head gamma camera and SPECT-CT imaging was done. Images were analyzed for degree
      and extent of abnormal Mibi uptake, extent of lesions seen on low-dose CT and
      fusion of these images. RESULTS: 112 Whole body Sestamibi Scans were performed in
      84 patients (46 Males; 38 Females). Out of these 24 (28.5%) were recently
      diagnosed cases (Pre-therapy); 35 (41.7 %) were follow-up cases who had received
      Chemotherapy in the past (Post-therapy), there were 2 cases (2.3%) of Smouldering
      Myeloma, 4 cases (4.7%) of Plasmacytoma, 13 cases (15.5%) of MGUS (Monoclonal
      gammopathy of Unknown Significance) and 3 cases (3.6%) of suspected Myeloma (not
      biopsy confirmed). Myeloma lesions showed good concentration of Mibi.
      Additionally, the CT scan component of SP.ECT-CT allowed visualization of
      osteolytic lesions of myeloma. Mibi uptake becomes positive on scan earlier than
      radiological changes and in follow-up cases, the presence or absence of Mibi
      uptake could differentiate active from old burnt-out lesions. Whole body scan
      could detect additional lesions in Plasmacytoma patients. Patients of MGUS showed
      poor concentration of Sestamibi. CONCLUSION: Whole body Sestamibi Imaging (WBSI)
      is very useful for evaluating the extent of disease in multiple myeloma. Being a
      metabolic imaging modality it is superior to radiological (X-ray or CT)
      assessment alone, and where FDG PET scan is not available, it is a valuable tool
      for myeloma assessment at a much lower cost.

PMID- 26259317
TI  - A Case of Chronic Back Pain.

PMID- 26259318
TI  - Ebola Virus: Another Challenge from the Deadly Viral Brigade.
AB  - Ebola viruses are the causative agents of a severe form of viral haemorrhagic
      fever in man, designated Ebola haemorrhagic fever, and are endemic in regions of
      central Africa. The recent west African outbreak of Ebolavirus has brought this
      filoviral infection again in limelight, Indian government has issued guidelines
      to various airports to screen travelers coming from Africa and middle east Haj
      pilgrims to keep a check on this highly virulent infection. This viral
      hemorrhagic disease has remained confined majorly to Africa but its high outbreak
      potential makes it essential for all infectious disease clinicians and people
      dealing with travel medicine to be cautious. Management of these patients with
      symptomatic therapy is the current strategy which is followed. There is absence
      of any effective vaccine so further research is warranted in this direction.

PMID- 26259319
TI  - Depressive Disorders in Indian Context : A Review and Clinical Update for
      Physicians.
AB  - Depression is a common, treatable disorder which continues to remain under
      detected in the primary care settings. With an average national deficit of 77%
      for psychiatrists in India, there is a need to mobilise more resources to deal
      with depressive disorders. Therefore, it is pertinent that the physicians are
      sensitised and trained for recognition and treatment of depressive disorders.
      Patients with mild to moderate depression, non-psychotic or somatised depression
      can be managed in primary care settings by general physicians. Unless
      specifically screened, depression may remain under-recognised and untreated in
      primary care/medical settings. The article reviews the available Indian research
      on depression and provide a clinical update to screen, diagnose and manage
      depression, especially aimed at physicians.

PMID- 26259320
TI  - Isolated Sixth Cranial Nerve Palsy--An Uncommon Presenting Feature of Multiple
      Sclerosis.

PMID- 26259321
TI  - An Unusual Site of Renal Artery Stenosis.

PMID- 26259322
TI  - Roth Spots in Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia.

PMID- 26259323
TI  - Pulmonary Infiltrates with Eosinophilia-Allergic Granulomatosis of Churg and
      Strauss.

PMID- 26259324
TI  - A Tale of Deviation.
AB  - Unilateral isolated Hypoglossal nerve palsy may result due to neoplasia, trauma,
      infections, autoimmune or vascular causes. We report a 52 year old male who
      presented with right hypoglossal nerve palsy and on evaluation was diagnosed to
      have prostatic malignancy with metastasis to the base of skull. Unilateral
      hypoglossal nerve palsy as the presenting feature of carcinoma prostate is rarely
      described.To the best of our knowledge, this is the third case report of
      unilateral hypoglossal palsy as a manifestation of prostatic carcinoma.

PMID- 26259325
TI  - Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia.
AB  - Iron deficiency anaemia secondary to gastrointestinal bleeding is very common in
      the elderly. Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) syndrome, also known as
      watermelon stomach is an uncommon but significant cause of acute or chronic
      gastrointestinal blood loss in the elderly. It is characterised endoscopically by
      "watermelon stripes." It is more common in females than males, and manifests
      mostly as iron deficiency anaemia due to the gradual blood loss. Pathogenesis is
      unknown though several humoral factors have been proposed. Diagnosis is based on
      the clinical history and endoscopic appearance and histological changes. We
      describe elderly patient who presented with haematemesis and iron deficiency
      anaemia and was diagnosed to have GAVE and was treated successfully with
      endoscopic band ligation.

PMID- 26259326
TI  - Apert Syndrome.
AB  - Apert syndrome is one of the craniosynostosis syndromes which, due to its
      association with other skeletal anomalies, is also known as
      acrocephalosyndactyly. It is a rare congenital anomaly which stands out from
      other craniosynostosis due to its characteristic skeletal presentations.

PMID- 26259328
TI  - Prof. Sir Ravindra N Maini.

PMID- 26259327
TI  - Diagnostic Tests in Neoplastic Meningitis: Lessons Learnt from Three Patients.
AB  - Neoplastic meningitis (NM) poses diagnostic challenges and investigations need to
      be chosen carefully. We present three cases of NM with distinct learning points.
      In case 1, MRI was diagnostic of melanosis; in case 2, ventricular CSF showed
      malignant cells when lumbar CSF repeatedly failed to show them; and in the third,
      whole body PET scan diagnosed the tumour when other tests were negative. A
      comparative evaluation of various diagnostic modalities used in suspected NM is
      provided.

PMID- 26259329
TI  - Hakaru Hashimoto.

PMID- 26259330
TI  - Rabies--"Milwaukie Protocol".

PMID- 26259331
TI  - A Case of Complicated Falciparum Malaria with Treatment Failure to Artemisinin
      Combination Therapy.

PMID- 26259332
TI  - A Girl with Recurrent Pleural Effusion: Immunological Rebound or Isoniazid
      Induced Lupus?

PMID- 26259333
TI  - Rhabdomyolysis Induced Acute Renal Failure: A Rare Complication of Falciparum
      Malaria.

PMID- 26259334
TI  - Guillain Barre Syndrome and Malaria.

PMID- 26259335
TI  - Ethics, Evidence-Based Practice, and Economics: The Metrics of Quality.

PMID- 26259336
TI  - An Incentive Pay Plan for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses: Impact On Provider
      and Organizational Outcomes.
AB  - Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) are integral to the provision of
      quality, cost-effective health care throughout the continuum of care. To promote
      job satisfaction and ultimately decrease turnover, an APRN incentive plan based
      on productivity and quality was formulated. Clinical productivity in the
      incentive plan was measured by national benchmarks for work relative value units
      for nonphysician providers. After the first year of implementation, APRNs were
      paid more for additional productivity and quality and the institution had an
      increase in patient visits and charges. The incentive plan is a win-win for
      hospitals that employ APRNs.

PMID- 26259337
TI  - A Self-Efficacy Scale for Clinical Nurse Leaders: Results of a Pilot Study.
AB  - Introduced in 2003, the Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) role is the first new nursing
      role introduced in more than 30 years. The hallmark of CNL practice is the
      management of client-centered care and clinical excellence at the point of care.
      As part of multifaceted efforts to implement the CNL role, understanding how an
      individual's self-efficacy with the identified role competencies changes over
      time has important implications for individuals, educational programs preparing
      CNLs, and health care organizations employing CNLs. In this study, preliminary
      psychometric analyses assessing the construct validity, reliability, and
      discriminant validity for a new state-specific scale (CNL Self-Efficacy Scale)
      that assesses nurses' perceptions of their ability to function effectively as a
      CNL are reported. Because self-confidence is a key predictor of successful role
      transition, job satisfaction, and job performance, measuring individuals' self
      confidence with the core competencies associated with the CNL role over time will
      be important to gain the full benefit of this innovative, unit-based advanced
      generalist role.

PMID- 26259338
TI  - A Descriptive Analysis of Implicit Rationing of Nursing Care: Frequency and
      Patterns in Texas.
AB  - The frequency and patterns of implicit rationing of nursing care in the United
      States are not known. The purpose of this study was to examine the phenomenon of
      implicit rationing among nurses in Texas. Implicit rationing was measured using a
      31-item survey instrument adapted from the parent instrument originating in
      Switzerland. Some degree of rationing on at least one of the nursing care
      activities was reported by almost all of the respondents and most rationed
      multiple activities. Rationing preference patterns favor completion of activities
      directed to meet immediate physiological needs over other activities. If the
      relationships documented in other countries between implicit rationing and
      adverse patient outcomes are also present in the United States, then implicit
      rationing may serve as an important quality indicator.

PMID- 26259339
TI  - Understanding Health and Payment Reform--Essential for the New World of Nursing:
      An Interview with Betty Rambur.

PMID- 26259340
TI  - Meeting The Future of Nursing Report Recommendations: A Successful Practice
      Academic Partnership.
AB  - In collaboration with the University of Texas at El Paso, nurse leadership at Del
      Sol Medical Center implemented an internship program for nursing students in the
      final semester of a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program. The medical
      center experienced an increase in the proportion of BSN-prepared nurses,
      decreased orientation full-time equivalents (FTE), and lowered operating costs.
      The university experienced highly satisfied and competent new graduate nurses.
      The nurse interns averaged a 91.9% in-hospital registered nurse (RN) competency
      completion rate during the internship. All interns accepted a RN position at the
      medical center. Total savings for salaries, benefits, and recruitment fees at the
      medical center were $599,040 with a total FTE savings of 23.4 FTEs per week, over
      10 weeks.

PMID- 26259341
TI  - Health Care in the Community: Developing Academic/Practice Partnerships for Care
      Coordination and Managing Transitions.
AB  - The delivery of health care is quickly changing from an acute care to a community
      based setting. Faculty development and mastery in the use of new technologies,
      such as high-definition simulation and virtual communities are crucial for
      effective student learning outcomes. Students' benefits include opportunities for
      hands-on experience in various patient care scenarios, realtime faculty feedback
      regarding their critical reasoning and clinical performance, interdisciplinary
      collaboration, and access to a nonthreatening learning environment. The results
      of this study provide some evidence of the benefits of developing faculty and
      nursing curricula that addresses the shift from an ilness-based, acute hospital
      model, to a community and population health-based preventive model.

PMID- 26259342
TI  - Too Many, Too Few, or Just Right? Making Sense Of Conflicting RN Supply and
      Demand Forecasts.
AB  - Forecasts of future supply and demand of health professionals are tools to guide
      policy, not a final statement about how the world will be in the future. Recent
      forecasts of RN supply and demand vary widely and are incredibly confusing for
      nurse leaders, nurse educators, and policymakers. To effectively incorporate
      forecasts into policy and planning, one must understand the structure of the
      forecasts and underlying assumptions. One should treat all forecasts cautiously,
      and use them as guides to policy rather than definitive future outcomes.

PMID- 26259343
TI  - Reframing Political Differences: One Conversation at a Time.
AB  - The profession of nursing, by it's very nature, is wrought with significantly
      complex moral and political disagreements. These issues cannot simply be avoided
      by being relegated to private discussions because their resolution is crucial to
      the common good. It is important for nurses to develop skills in public discourse
      if we are to bridge the political divide and influence local, state, and national
      policy. Failure to do so will leave us with ineffective and dismissed voices.

PMID- 26259344
TI  - Improving Pneumococcal Immunization Rates Among Hospitalized Adults.
AB  - The morbidity and mortality associated with pneumococcal pneumonia can be
      prevented with access to vaccines and treatment. The purpose of this quality
      improvement project was to examine how the utilization of the discharge computer
      entry order set with an electronic pneumococcal vaccine screening tool, pharmacy
      notifications, and nursing tasks increased the vaccination rates among discharged
      patient population sufficiently. Changing the process of when the patient is
      screened for the pneumococcal vaccine and utilizing functions of the electronic
      medical record greatly improved the immunization rate of discharged patients. Due
      to the success of this process improvement project, other immunizations given
      during hospitalization are being screened and administered at discharge.

PMID- 26259345
TI  - Why Nurse Staffing Matters: A Moral Imperative.
AB  - Safe nurse staffing is undeniably linked to patient safety and satisfaction,
      workforce satisfaction and safety, and cost savings. A nationwide mandate must be
      driven toward the use of electronic staffing and scheduling systems that take
      into consideration the patient's real-time specific needs This system must be
      matched to the most appropriate nurse with the ability to provide care safely for
      all the patients in his or her total assignments. These patient care assignments
      should be designed in partnership with managers and staff RNs. Only then will we
      reverse the trend of staffing-related patient deaths and injury in U.S.
      hospitals.

PMID- 26259351
TI  - Legislative Update.

PMID- 26259358
TI  - I received a copy of my employee handbook ... now what?

PMID- 26259360
TI  - Bullying in Healthcare. A call to action to stop lateral violence.

PMID- 26259361
TI  - Residency Programs Aren't Just for New Graduates.

PMID- 26259362
TI  - ARNP Full Practice Authority: What's it all About?

PMID- 26259363
TI  - Tallahassee 2015: A Call to Action for Nursing.

PMID- 26259364
TI  - A Tribute and a Call to Action to our New Graduates.

PMID- 26259367
TI  - Considering Mindfulness Practice as a Primary Intervention for Bullying and
      Burnout of Nurses.

PMID- 26259377
TI  - Dealing with Mean Girls in Your Office? You're Not Alone.

PMID- 26259379
TI  - Ethics and Nursing.

PMID- 26259378
TI  - Statewide Task Force on Prescription Drug Abuse and Newborns Update: Neonatal
      Abstinence Syndrome Data Summary.

PMID- 26259380
TI  - Where are the Florida Clinical Nurse Specialists?

PMID- 26259381
TI  - Another One of Our Own is Gone Too Soon.

PMID- 26259382
TI  - Penetrance and phenotypic effects of C/T polymorphism at 1595 position in exon 5
      of the TRAIL gene among prostate cancer patients in Pakistani population.
AB  - It is becoming progressively more understandable that variations within the
      sequence of tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes may contribute to cancer
      progression. Increasingly it is being realized that cancer cells get resistant to
      pro-apoptotic signals and evidence has started to shed light on the fact that
      nucleotide polymorphisms may lead to suboptimal apoptotic capacity and therefore
      increased cancer risk. It has previously been shown that there is a relationship
      between C/T polymorphism at 1595 position in exon 5 of the TRAIL gene and cancer
      however rapidly accumulating data cannot be extrapolated to other populations due
      to intra- and inter-ethnic variability. The study is focused on the C/T
      polymorphism at 1595 position in exon 5 of the TRAIL gene in prostate cancer
      patients diagnosed in local population in Pakistan. 126 prostate cancer patients
      and 91 control subjects participated in this study. 5ml venous blood was taken
      from participants with informed consent. DNA was extracted using standard organic
      methods. PCR-RFLP analysis was done for C/T polymorphism at 1595 position in exon
      5 of the TRAIL gene using site specific primers and restriction enzyme. The
      results were statistically evaluated in SPSS14. In this particular study it was
      found that there was no significant difference in major allele C genotype between
      patients and controls, p value > 0.05. Similar statistically non-significant
      difference was observed for T allele genotype in the patient and control groups.
      However the heterozygous genotype CT was significantly higher, p value 0.053 (
      0.05), in prostate cancer patients as compared to controls. This is the first
      study providing a clue of relationship of C/T polymorphism role in prostate
      cancer development and progression in our population.

PMID- 26259383
TI  - Primary yolk sac tumor of endometrium: report of two cases and review of
      literature.
AB  - Primary YST of the endometrium is very rare, therefore there is no guideline for
      treatment. We report two cases of endometrial YSTs presenting different symptoms
      and showing different prognoses and discuss the clinical management of these
      tumors. The present report shows first time that bone and lung metastasis in
      primary YSTs of endometrium. As the number of reported cases with endometrial
      YSTs, more information about the prognosis of the disease may be obtained.

PMID- 26259384
TI  - Malignant transformation of mature cystic teratoma of the ovary: a case series.
AB  - The aim of this study was to analyze the patients with malignant transformation
      (MT) arising in mature cystic teratoma of the ovary (MCTO) and evaluate the
      clinicopathologic features, managements, and prognosis of these cases. The
      records of the patients with MT arising in MCTO who were treated at our hospital
      were reviewed retrospectively. The demographic features, presenting symptoms,
      preoperative ultrasonographic evaluations, surgical treatments, pathological
      findings, adjuvant therapies, follow-up outcomes, and survival time were
      examined. Eighteen patients with MT arising in MCTO were detected during the
      study period. The incidence rate of MT was 0.404% of all MCTO and squamous cell
      carcinoma was the most common histologic type (66.7%). The median age of the
      patients was 48 (range, 28-79) and the mean tumor size was 12 cm. Eleven patients
      (61.1%) were classified as stage IA, 1 (5.6%) as stage IC, 1 (5.6%) as stage IIC,
      4 (22.2%) as stage IIIC, and the remaining 1 (5.6%) as stage IV. The overall 5
      year survival rate was 66.7%. MT of MCTO is a rare occurrence entity and early
      detection and complete surgical staging are cardinal for survival. Additionally,
      this malignancy usually occurs in postmenopausal women and the high tumor
      diameter may be associated with MT.

PMID- 26259385
TI  - Peripheral odontogenic fibroma: a rare gingival neoplasm with clinico
      pathological differential diagnosis.
AB  - The peripheral odontogenic fibroma (POdF) is a rare gingival neoplasm,
      characterised by relatively mature collagenous fibrous tissue and varying amounts
      of odontogenic epithelium. It can be described as a slow growing, firmly
      attached, solid and smooth gingival mass which may be present asymptomatically
      for years, which may cause displacement of adjacent teeth. The purpose of this
      article is to discuss a case of POdF, occurring in the maxillary anterior region,
      with detailed clinico-pathological differential diagnosis to clarify
      characteristic features of various gingival overgrowths to enhance easy
      identification.

PMID- 26259386
TI  - Krukenberg carcinoma metastasized from stomach resembling mucinous
      cystadenocarcinoma of the ovary.
AB  - The ovaries are common site of metastasis in a variety of primary neoplasms.
      Multiple tumors such as breast, lung, and pancreas have been reported to
      metastasize to the ovary, however; the colon and stomach are the most common
      primary cancer sites that of ovarian metastasis. An ovarian mass mostly
      originates from its self-tissue, but sometimes it can be a metastasis of a
      gastrointestinal system tumor. Such cases are often misdiagnosed as primary
      ovarian cancers. A 42-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with pelvic
      pain. She had a history of her complaints for two months. Bilateral large ovarian
      mass was detected in transvaginal ultrasound. Laparotomy was performed, the
      pathologist suggested inspection of the stomach after the frozen section
      analysis; therefore, an irregular mass on the stomach was detected. The general
      surgeon was attended to the operation, and an inoperative stomach tumor was
      reported by the general surgeon. After that due to the partial obstruction of
      jejunum, a gastrojejunostomy was performed. It is in fact difficult to
      distinguish between metastatic mucinous carcinomas and primary mucinous
      carcinomas of the ovary, due to the similar appearance of as cystic tumors on
      gross examination. The clinicians should be aware of the likely concomitant
      gastrointestinal system tumor when a large and bilaterally mass was detected on
      physical examination. This case also reminds that a systemic examination is
      necessary even if the large ovarian tumors suspicious of primary malignancy were
      noticed.

PMID- 26259387
TI  - Tumor molecular profiling in the treatment of refractory cancers.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Molecular profiling (MP) has been used as a technique to identify
      treatment regimens for individual patient's cancer. The results of MP has been
      used to guide targeted therapy specific to each patient's tumor that resulted in
      a longer progression free survival (PFS) compared to the last conventional
      treatment. This study aims to provide further data to delineate the PFS of
      patients who get treated with targeted therapy based on MP. METHODS: A
      retrospective chart review was performed. The patients were greater than 18 years
      of age refractory to at least one standard treatment and enrolled in the study:
      "A Clinical Data Registry Study of Patients with Advanced Refractory Cancers
      Electing OncInsights as a Method to Support Physician Choice of Drug Therapy".
      The location is a West Michigan Hematology-Oncology private practice during the
      period of 07/2010-02/2013. We considered the molecular profiled treatment regimen
      a success if the PFS ratio was >= 1.3. RESULTS: 18 patients were included in the
      study. 55% were male and 45% were female with median age of 57.67 +/- 12.02 at
      the time of diagnosis. 4/18 (22%) patients achieved a PFS ratio >1.3. The
      patients with a PFS ratio >= 1.3 included GIST (imatinib- > sunitinib);
      angiosarcoma (docetaxel- > sorafenib, pravastatin); thymoma (paclitaxel- >
      desatinib); and angiosarcoma (gemcitabine- > sunitinib). CONCLUSION: This study
      demonstrates the potential value of molecular profiling in patients refractory to
      prior chemotherapeutic agents in a community setting. Continued work on rapid
      implementation of molecular profiling earlier in the care of oncology patients
      continues to be a future goal.

PMID- 26259388
TI  - Strategies used in the clinical trials of gene therapy for cancer.
AB  - Advances in understanding and manipulating genes have set the stage for
      scientists to alter a person's genetic material to prevent or treat diseases.
      Over the past decade, somatic gene therapy has been increasingly applied in
      clinical trials where the genetic material (DNA and RNA) introduced into a
      person's cell. Mutation and inactivation of the tumor suppressor genes are the
      unified concept of the development of tumor in humans. Therefore, researchers
      have discovered potential of gene therapies in the treatment of cancer. Among the
      clinical trials of gene therapy conducted so far, approximately 66% were for the
      treatment of cancer which includes cancer of prostate, head and neck, kidneys,
      lungs, breast and skin. Introducing a wild type p53 gene, enhancing the immune
      system to protect against the cancer cells, enhancing the apoptosis of cancer
      cells and inhibiting the process of angiogenesis in the tumor are some of the
      clinical trials that are achieved through the gene therapy. Broad spectrum of
      delivery constructs, including viral vectors, liposomes, cationic polymers and
      dendrimers, cell-penetrating peptides, semiconductor quantum dots, and gold and
      magnetic nanoparticles have been investigated. A well designed vector is the most
      forward approach to increase the safety of gene therapy. Though, Gendicine and
      Oncorine have been marketed, gene therapy is still in its infancy stages in
      cancer research. More experimental and clinical trials using well-designed and
      effective doses of vectors are needed to ensure the therapeutic efficacy of gene
      therapy for its clinical use against a wide variety of cancers. This review
      article discuses about the various strategies used in clinical trials of gene
      therapy for cancer.

PMID- 26259389
TI  - Role of telomerase in anticancer activity of pristimerin in prostate cancer
      cells.
AB  - Pristimerin (PM) is a quinonemethide triterpenoid present in various plant
      species with strong antiprolifertive and proapoptotic activities in cancer cells.
      The effect of PM on telomerase which is reactivated in most cancers including
      carcinoma of the prostate (CaP) has not been studied. We investigated the effect
      of PM on the expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) gene
      that codes for the catalytic subunit of the telomerase holoenzyme complex in
      prostate cancer cell lines LNCaP and PC-3 cells. The inhibition of cell
      proliferation and induction of apoptosis by PM in both cell lines was associated
      with the inhibition of hTERT mRNA expression, suppression of native and
      phosphorylated hTERT protein and hTERT telomerase activity. The ablation of hTERT
      expression increased the sensitivity of cancer cells to PM. In addition, results
      also revealed that the inhibition of hTERT expression is attributed to the
      inhibition of transcription factors SP1, c-Myc and STAT3 and protein kinase B/Akt
      which regulate hTERT transcriptionally and post-translationally, respectively.
      These data provide evidence that telomerase is a potential target of PM in
      prostate cancer.

PMID- 26259390
TI  - Immunostimulant and chemoprotective effect of vivartana, a polyherbal formulation
      against cyclophosphamide induced toxicity in Swiss albino mice.
AB  - The aim of the study is to develop a technology for cost effective
      immunomodulator from natural products to combat adverse effects during cancer
      chemotherapy. In the present study, the immunomodulatory efficacy of Vivartana, a
      poly herbal formulation in immunosuppressed animal model induced by
      cyclophosphamide (CTX) and its comparison with standard herbal immunostimulators
      Chyawanprash and Brahma Rasayana was investigated. The effect of Vivartana (500
      mg/kg x bw) (p.o.), Chyawanprash (20 mg/kg.bw) (p.o.) and Brahma Rasayana (20
      mg/kg x bw) (p.o.) on hematological parameters, relative organ weight, Bone
      marrow cellularity and alpha-esterase activity were determined in Swiss albino
      mice by using the standard methods. Among the herbal formulations Vivartana
      showed the maximum number of leukocytes (13150 cells/mm3) on the 15th day. The
      leukocyte count in Vivartana treated CTX induced group shows significant increase
      (5375 cells/mm3) when compared with CTX alone induced group (3358 cells/mm3) on
      the same day. The Vivartana treated CTX induced group shows increase in the
      hemoglobin level compared with the CTX induced group. Moreover, Vivartana
      treatment prevented the loss of organ weight in the CTX induced group by the
      enhancement of spleenocytes on the 7th day and thymocytes on the 11th day.
      Similarly the lowered bone marrow cellularity and number of alpha-esterase
      positive cells in CTX induced group were restored in the Vivartana treatment.
      Treatment with vivartana also exhibits hepatoprotective activity by regulating
      the SGOT and SGPT levels in CTX induced group. The study indicates that Vivartana
      has the considerable potential as an immunostimulant and chemoprotectant against
      CTX induced immunosuppression in Swiss albino mice.

PMID- 26259391
TI  - Prevalence of quid-induced lichenoid reactions among western Indian population.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Betel quid and areca nut chewing is widely prevalent in many parts of
      Asia and Asian migrant communities in the world. Due to the carcinogenicity
      associated with quid and areca nut we developed an interest to study the
      prevalence of quid induced oral lichenoid reactions in the population of western
      India. METHODS: A total population of 4981 males and females was screened for
      tobacco use and the prevalence of lesion in 86 quid users was seen. The lesions
      which met the selection criteria of oral lichenoid reaction were identified.
      RESULTS: Prevalence of 10.4% oral lichenoid reaction was seen in all quid users
      and 28.12% in subjects who used tobacco with quid. Statistical analysis yielded a
      high degree of correlation between occurrence of lesion and quid habit.
      CONCLUSIONS: The clinician should be aware of the occurrence of such lesions and
      their associated clinical behaviour and malignant potential, if any. A close
      monitoring/ follow-up should be done.

PMID- 26259392
TI  - In human alleles specific variation of MTHFR C677T and A1298C associated "risk
      factor" for the development of ovarian cancer.
AB  - Etiopathology of tumor biology is highly complex and ovarian cancer is one of the
      important gynaecological neoplasia associated with high risk of mortality rate.
      Methlenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) mutation are commonly linked to folate
      metabolism with increased risk factor for the development of neural tube defects,
      recurrent pregnancy loss and development of several type of cancer but genetic
      interaction between two alleles of MTHFR has been poorly defined in ovarian
      cancer in India. Hence, present study becomes imperative with the aim to assess
      the alleles frequency of MTHFR (C677T & A1298C) gene polymorphism using PCR based
      RFLP analysis. The O.R at 95% confidence interval (C.I.) was computed between
      cases and their respective controls to determine "risk factor". Interestingly,
      our findings reveals highly significant (p < 0.001) difference in heterozygous
      (CT) condition of C677T allele by computing odd ratio (0.12 at 95% C.I, 0.021
      0.0428; P for trend = 0.001) in controls and (0.34 at 95% C.I, 0.074-1.530; P for
      trend = 0.198) cases, suggesting that three time increase the "risk factor" for
      genetic susceptibility of MTHFR "T" allele for the development of ovarian
      carcinoma.

PMID- 26259393
TI  - Unilateral angiokeratoma of vulva: a rare clinic entity.
AB  - The aim of this study is to present a very rare dermatologic condition of the
      vulva. Angiokeratoma is a benign dilation of ectatic thin-walled blood vessels
      and congested capillaries in the superficial dermal layer of skin. It occurs
      predominantly in men and extremely rare in women. Angiokeratoma presents as
      single or multiple papular lesions on the vulva with smooth or verrucous surface.
      These lesions are easily confused with infectious disease, inflammatory lesions,
      and epithelial tumors. In this report, we presented a 42 year old unmarried woman
      who was admitted to our clinic with complaints of two papuler lesions of the
      right labium majus with vaginal discharge, vulvar pruritis, and vulvar edema. She
      had been previously treated with different local or systemic antiinfectious
      agents and her screening tests for sexually transmitted disease were negative.
      The genital examination showed a very thinned, hyperemic and edematous vulvar
      skin with two lesions measured 0,5-1 cm in diameter on the right labium majus.
      The surface of the lesions was partly uneven and partly veined. A local excision
      was performed. Histological examination showed hyperkeratosis, papillomatosis and
      acanthosis with dilated vascular areas in the dermis and the specimen revealed
      angiokeratoma. In conclusion, we should be aware of this clinical entity to make
      the differential diagnosis of a lesion on the vulva.

PMID- 26259394
TI  - Dr. Samokhotskiy's method of healing inflammation by the analysis and regulation
      of blood electrolyte balance.
AB  - An overview of a little-known method, which was discovered by Dr. Alexander S.
      Samokhotskiy, for treatment of gangrenous, traumatic, and postoperative
      inflammation, sepsis and some other diseases, was represented. Dr. A. S.
      Samokhotskiy carried out numerous animal experiments and clinical trials and
      found that application of wet bandages and/or intravenous injection of solution
      containing trivalent chromium ions (Cr3+), alum, resorcinol, sodium salicylate,
      lactate buffer, colloidal sulphur, thioglycolic acid and glutathione with adding
      KCl, MgCI2, CaCl2 or NaCl solutions can heal inflammation of various etiology.
      Intravenous injections of particular therapeutic solution containing Na+, K+,
      Ca2+ or Mg2+ ions were administered in dependence on concentration of these ions
      in patient's blood plasma. Thousands of patients, many of them with fatal
      afflictions, where other methods were helpless, were healed by Dr. A. S.
      Samokhotskiy with the help of his method. Purpose of this publication is to
      inform the international medical community with the Dr. A. S. Samokhotskiy's
      discovery and initiate further research in this area.

PMID- 26259395
TI  - Versatility of Radial Forearm Free Flap for Intraoral Reconstruction.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The radial forearm free flap has an important role in
      reconstruction of the oncologic defects in the region of head and neck.
      OBJECTIVE: The aim was to present and evaluate clinical experience and results in
      the radial forearm free transfer for intraoral reconstructions after resections
      due to malignancies. METHODS: This article illustrates the versatility and
      reliability of forearm single donor site in 21 patients with a variety of
      intraoral oncologic defects who underwent immediate (19 patients, 90.5%) or
      delayed (2 patients, 9.5%) reconstruction using free flaps from the radial
      forearm. Fascio-cutaneous flaps were used in patients with floor of the mouth (6
      cases), buccal mucosa (5 cases), lip (1 case) and a retromolar triangle (2 cases)
      defects, or after hemiglossectomy (7 cases). In addition, the palmaris longus
      tendon was included with the flap in 2 patients that required oral sphincter
      reconstruction. RESULTS: An overall success rate was 90.5%. Flap failures were
      detected in two (9.5%) patients, in one patient due to late ischemic necrosis,
      which appeared one week after the surgery, and in another patient due to venous
      congestion, which could not be salvaged after immediate re-exploration. Two
      patients required re-exploration due to vein thrombosis.The donor site healed
      uneventfully in all patients, except one, who had partial loss of skin graft.
      CONCLUSION: The radial forearm free flap is, due to multiple advantages, an
      acceptable method for reconstructions after resection of intraoral malignancies.

PMID- 26259396
TI  - The Influence of Liners on the Pulp Inflammation.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The study included application of liners and dental composites in
      to cavities of six experimental animals-rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus).
      OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to investigate rabbit dental pulp response to
      different liners. Methods Cavity preparation for class V were made on the
      maxillary central incisors and one lower incisor, while the second lower incisor
      served as a control tooth. These teeth were restored with the use of one of the
      following liners--Calcimol LC, ANA Liner and Fuji II LC Improved, and Ceram-X
      mono dental composite. After an observation period of five days animals were
      sacrificed and prepared for histological analysis.The existence and degree of the
      pulp inflammation was determined by using a light microscope. RESULTS: Results
      showed that the used liners do not cause distortion of the structure and
      continuity of the odontoblastic layer. Inflammation was not registered in the
      control group, while in each group of tested materials one tooth with mild signs
      of hyperemia was registered. Results showed that all three tested liners
      demonstrated favorable effects on the pulp of the tooth and did not lead to
      inflammatory reactions. CONCLUSION: Histological analysis of the dental pulp of
      experimental animals suggests that the liners used in this study do not
      compromise the integrity of the odontoblastic layer, if it is applied over a thin
      layer of dentin. In each group of tested materials one tooth with mild signs of
      hyperemia and vasodilation was registered.

PMID- 26259397
TI  - Pharyngeal Airway Changes after Bimaxillary Orthognathic Surgery--Preliminary
      Results.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Dentofacial deformity, a deviation from normal facial proportions
      and dental relationships, is corrected by jaw repositioning in all three spatial
      planes, which changes the position and tension of the surrounding tissues, bones
      and muscles. These changes may also affect the dimensions of the pharyngeal
      airways (PA). OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare three
      dimensional PA changes in patients treated by a combination mandibular set
      back/maxillary advancement versus patients that had bimaxillary advancement with
      genioplasty. METHODS: The sample consisted of 7 patients treated by combined
      mandibular set-back/maxillary advancement and 7 patients treated with bimaxillary
      advancement surgery. Nasopharyngeal (NP) volume, oropharyngeal (OP) volume and
      the area of maximum constriction (AMC) in the OP were measured on CBCT scans (2
      mA/120 kV/12" FOV) taken before (T1) and 3 months after surgery (T2). Paired
      samples t-test was used for analyzing statistical significance of changes (p <=
      0.05). RESULTS: OP volume and AMC increase after bimaxillary advancement was
      statistically significant, while for the mandibular set-back group the increase
      was non-significant. NP volume was not reduced in any of the two groups. No
      significant differences in PA dimensions were found between groups at neither T1
      nor T2 time points. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that the combination of
      mandibular set-back/maxillary advancement did not reduce airway dimensions, while
      bimaxillary advancement surgery led to a statistically significant increase in
      the OP dimensions.

PMID- 26259398
TI  - Legionella pneumophila in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Samples of Patients Suffering
      from Severe Respiratory Infections: Role of Age, Sex and History of Smoking in
      the Prevalence of Bacterium.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Legionellapneumophila is the most commonly detected cause of
      legionellosis, which is an acute respiratory tract infection with high morbidity
      and mortality rates. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the
      prevalence rate of L. pneumophila in bronchoalveolar lavages and study the role
      of sex, age and history of smoking as risk factors or susceptibility to the
      bacterium. METHODS: One hundred bronchoalveolar lavage samples were collected
      from the Iranian health centers and immediately transferred to laboratory. The
      samples were cultured and those that were L. pneumophila positive were subjected
      to PCR method with respect to the 16S rRNA gene. RESULTS: Twelve out of 100
      samples were positive for L. pneumophila (12%). Patients older than 70 years had
      the highest incidence of L. pneumophila (17.77%). Prevalence of L. pneumophila in
      male and female patients was 14.81% and 8.69%, respectively. Total incidence of L
      pneumophila in patients with and without history of smoking was 18% and 6%,
      respectively. There were significant differences in the incidence of bacterium
      between groups of our study. CONCLUSION: Sex, age and history of smoking are
      predominant risk factors for the occurrence of L. pneumophila. However, more
      studies should be undertaken to confirm these results.

PMID- 26259399
TI  - Splenomegaly in Sarcoidosis: Frequency, Treatment, Prognosis and Long-term Follow
      up.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The splenic involvement is common in sarcoidosis, but its real
      frequency is still obscure depending doubtless on the method of splenomegaly
      detection. Splenomegaly may be accompanied with pain or anemia, leucopenia and
      thrombocytopenia. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the
      frequency of splenomegaly related to clinical characteristics of sarcoidosis and
      to solve the dilemma--whether to introduce medicaments, and when to perform
      splenectomy. METHODS: The method of the study is a retrospective and prospective
      analysis of the patients'material. RESULTS: The study included 540 patients with
      sarcoidosis in a 20-year period. Of them, 26% had splenomegaly detected by
      computerized tomography screening. Splenomegaly was more frequently registered in
      the patients with a longer history of sarcoidosis (38%), as compared to those
      with a shorter history of the disease (23%) (p < 0.05). Splenomegaly was more
      frequently registered in the patients with other extrapulmonary lesions detected
      (33%) than in those who had no extrapulmonary manifestations of sarcoidosis (17%)
      (p < 0.01). Indications, possible benefits and complications of splenectomy were
      analysed in 11 sarcoidosis patients undergoing this intervention for various
      reasons, of which the follow-up period ranged from one to 20 years. CONCLUSION:
      Splenomegaly was more frequent in chronic cases or in the patients with
      established sarcoid lesions of other extrapulmonary organs.The primary treatment
      of uncomplicated symptomatic splenic sarcoidosis includes medicamentous therapy.
      Occasionally, splenectomy is required. Prognostically, splenomegaly indicates an
      unfavorable course of the disease.

PMID- 26259400
TI  - Adverse Effects of Pharmacological Therapy of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia on
      Sexual Function in Men.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The development of effective medications makes pharmacological
      therapy of BPH the dominant mode of treatment today. It improves urinary symptoms
      and prevents disease progression while producing side effects on male sexual
      function. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to present the effects of BPH
      pharmacological treatment on the occurrence of sexually adverse effects in men:
      changes in sexual desire, erectile, ejaculatory and the orgasmic function.
      METHODS: A prospective study involving 156 BPH patients.The average age was 61.16
      +/- 2.97. Four groups of 39 patients each were formed.The 4 groups were
      administered tamsulosin (alpha-blocker), finasteride (5-alpha reductase
      inhibitor), combination therapy (tamsulosin and finasteride) respectively, while
      the control group received no treatment. PSS-QoL, IIEF and MSHQ-EjD
      questionnaires were used to evaluate the symptoms of voiding and sexual function.
      Follow-up examinations were performed 3 and 6 months into treatment. RESULTS:
      Voiding symptoms improved in all groups receiving therapy. The side effects on
      the sexual function in all these groups include significant disorders of
      ejaculation and the orgasmic function. Ejaculation disorders: tamsulosin (-4.38
      +/- 2.55; p < 0.001), combined therapy (-3.89+/- 2.84) and finasteride (-1.49 +/-
      2.52). Orgasmic function disorders: tamsulosin (-1.03 +/- 1.94), combined therapy
      (-0.76 +/- 2.07) and finasteride (-0.54 +/- 1.68). Complete absence of
      ejaculation was experienced by 23% of patients on combined therapy, 15% on
      tamsulosin and 5% on finasteride. CONCLUSION: Pharmacological therapy of BPH
      improved voiding symptoms producing different effects on male sexual function.
      The main adverse effect on sexual function in men is the deterioration in
      ejaculation or the absence thereof. Clinical consideration of BPH should include
      the elements of male sexual function, patients' age, the characteristics and
      effects of each group of drugs.

PMID- 26259401
TI  - Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer in the Population of the City of Belgrade in the Period
      1999-2011.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Nonmelanoma skin cancers in the literature are mainly related to
      basal cell and squamous cell skin carcinoma. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was
      to determine the trend in the incidence of histological types of nonmelanoma skin
      cancers in the population of the city of Belgrade from 1999 to 2011. METHODS:
      From the Serbian National Cancer Registry we extracted all recorded cases of skin
      cancer in Belgrade from January 1st 1999 to December 31st 2011. Incidence rates
      were standardized by the method of direct standardization with the world
      population as the standard population. Trends and annual percentage change (APC)
      of incidence rate were calculated by performing joinpoint regression analyses.
      RESULTS: Incidence rate of nonmelanoma skin cancer showed significantly
      increasing trend between 1999 and 2006 with APC of 8.6% (95% Cl: 5.6-11.7), basal
      cell carcinoma increased with APC of 8.4% (95% Cl: 5.2-11.6) and squamous cell
      skin carcinoma with APC of 9.33% (95% Cl: 5.7-13.1). The incidence increased with
      age for both men and women, especially after the age of 60. CONCLUSION: Our
      results showed a continuously increasing incidence trend of both basal cell and
      squamous cell skin carcinomas in the population of the city of Belgrade between
      1999 and 2011. Adequate primary and secondary prevention would certainly be
      successful in reducing this type of cancer in the future.

PMID- 26259402
TI  - The Presence of Some Humoral Immunologic Indicators and Clinical Manifestations
      in Cryoglobulin Positive Heroin Addicts without Evidence of Hepatitis Virus
      Infection.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Cryoglobulins are single or mixed immunoglobulins that are subject
      to reversible precipitation at low temperatures. OBJECTIVE: The aims of this
      paper were: 1. Comparison of cryoglobulin positive (CP), cryoglobulin negative
      (CN) heroin addicts and the control group (CG) in terms of serum immunoglobulins
      IgG, IgA and IgM and complement components C3 and C4; 2. Comparison of CP and CN
      heroin addicts in terms of rheumatoid factor (RF) and circulating immune
      complexes (CIC); 3. Assessment of clinical manifestations in CP heroin addicts.
      METHODS: This is a comparative study of cases (outpatients) treated at the
      University Clinic of Toxicology in Skopje over 3.5 years, from January 2009 to
      June 2012. In this study 140 heroin addicts without HbsAg were examined,
      seronegative for HCV and HIV infections.They were divided into 2 groups: 70 CP
      and 70 CN heroin addicts. A previously designed self-administered questionnaire
      was used as a data source on participants. All heroin addicts underwent the
      following analyses: urea and creatinine in serum; creatinine in urine;
      proteinuria; 24-hour proteinuria; IgM, IgG, IgA, C3, C4; RF; CIC; creatinine
      clearance; ECG; toxicological analyses for opioids in a urine sample;
      cryoglobulins. In addition to these 2 groups, IgG, IgA, IgM, C3 and C4 were also
      examined in 70 healthy subjects (CG). RESULTS: The study showed that there was no
      statistically significant difference between CP, CN heroin addicts and CG
      regarding the concentration of IgA, IgG, IgM, C3 and C4, and between CP and CN
      regarding the concentration of CIC. There was significant difference between CP
      and CN regarding the concentration of RF. The following conditions were
      significantly more frequently manifested in CP than in CN heroin addicts:
      arthralgia, Raynaud's phenomenon, respiratory difficulties, neurological
      disorders, manifested skin changes, hematuria, 24-hour proteinuria levels, and
      decreased renal clearance. CONCLUSION: There were no differences in
      concentrations of IgG, IgA, IgM, C3, C4 and CIC, while there was a difference in
      concentration of RF between CP and CN heroin addicts. Clinical manifestations
      (arthralgias, Raynaud's phenomenon, respiratory, neurologic, renal disorders and
      skin changes) were more common in CP heroin addicts.

PMID- 26259403
TI  - Alcohol Consumption among Students--A Cross-Sectional Study at Three Largest
      Universities in Serbia.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of unhealthy alcohol use among university students
      is increasing in many countries. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to
      investigate alcohol consumption and alcohol-related knowledge, attitudes and
      risky behaviors among Serbian university students. METHODS: The cross-sectional
      study was carried out at the three state universities from January to June in the
      academic year 2009/2010 and included 2,285 students of both genders. The students
      filled out a questionnaire consisting of 70 questions with respect to demographic
      and socioeconomic characteristics, their lifestyle habits, styles and attitudes,
      health assessment, as well as exposure to different risk factors. RESULTS: It was
      found that 77.7% of students drank alcohol occasionally, 4.6% of them consumed it
      on a daily basis. Friedman's test (p < 0.001) showed that students prefer
      drinking beer to all other alcoholic beverages. Students in Belgrade and students
      of Technical faculties are undisputed champions when it comes to how often they
      drink six or more drinks on a single occasion. Older students in Serbia drink
      more and get drunk more frequently. CONCLUSION: A high percentage of Serbian
      students consume alcohol, and even though they have their first drink at an early
      age, they generally drink less than students in many other countries.

PMID- 26259404
TI  - Primary Merkel Cell Carcinoma of the Eyelid-- Clinical, Histopathological,
      Immunohistochemical and Electron Microscopical Features: A Case Report.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare eyelid neoplasm which can
      cause significant diag- nostic and especially therapeutic challenges. CASE
      OUTLINE: This is the first documented report of the case of primary MCC of the
      eyelid in Serbia. CONCLUSION: The optimal therapy must be individualized in any
      given patient and, early diagnosis and meticulous follow-up are mandatory to
      achieve a long-term cure.

PMID- 26259405
TI  - Colorectal Adenocarcinoma Metastasizing to the Oral Mucosa of the Upper Jaw.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Metastases to the oral cavity are uncommon, accounting for only 1%
      of all oral malignant tumors. When they occur they mostly originate from primary
      tumors of the lungs, kidney, breast and prostate. Oral metastases from the
      primary colorectal carcinoma are much more infrequent. CASE OUTLINE: We present
      an unusual case of a 78-year-old man with a soft tissue oral metastasis
      originating from the primary colorectal carcinoma.The patient was referred to the
      Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery with an intraoral mass
      on the right side of the maxilla. The diagnosis was confirmed by histopathologic
      examination and immunohistochemical analysis. CONCLUSION: Oral metastases occur
      rarely and often can mimic much more common benign lesions, therefore they should
      be considered as a possibility in a differential diagnosis.

PMID- 26259406
TI  - Congenital Cervical Bronchogenic Cyst: A Case Report.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Bronchogenic cysts are rare congenital anomalies of the embryonic
      foregut. They are caused by abnormal budding of diverticulum of the embryonic
      foregut between the 26th and 40th day of gestation. Bronchogenic cysts can appear
      in the mediastinum and pulmonary parenchyma, or at ectopic sites (neck,
      subcutaneous tissue or abdomen). So far, 70 cases of cervical localization of
      bronchogenic cysts have been reported. Majority of bronchogenic cysts have been
      diagnosed in the pediatric population. Bronchogenic cysts of the cervical area
      are generally asymptomatic and symptoms may occur if cysts become large or in
      case of infection of the cyst. The diagnosis is made based on clinical findings,
      radiological examination, but histopathologic findings are essential for
      establishing the final diagnosis. Treatment of cervical bronchogenic cyst
      involves surgical excision. CASE OUTLINE: Authors present a case of a 6-year-old
      female patient sent by a pediatrician to a maxillofacial surgeon due to
      asymptomatic lump on the left side of the neck. The patient had frequent
      respiratory infections and respiratory obstructions. Magnetic resonance imaging
      (MRI) of the neck was performed and a well-circumscribed cystic formation on the
      left side of the neck was observed, with paratracheal location. The complete
      excision of the cyst was made transcervically. Histopathological findings pointed
      to bronchogenic cyst. CONCLUSION: Cervical bronchogenic cysts are rare congenital
      malformations. Considering the location, clinical findings and the radiological
      features, these cysts resemble other cervical lesions. Surgical treatment is
      important because it is both therapeutic and diagnostic. Reliable diagnosis of
      bronchogenic cysts is based on histopathological examination.

PMID- 26259407
TI  - Hand-held Echo is Not So Handy in Everyone's Hands: Misdiagnosing Congenital
      Septal Defects in Patients with Heart Murmurs.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Echocardiography is a highly operator-dependant technique which
      requires adequate training and skills that are frequently not present,
      considering the widespread use of cardiovascular ultrasound. This could
      particularly be true for hand-held echo devices which made echocardiography more
      accessible but are frequently used by non-cardiologists and non-experts. OUTLINE
      OF CASES: We present a 45-year-old female and a 37-year-old male with heart
      murmurs due to atrial and ventricular septal defect, respectively. Congenital
      septal defects were undiagnosed in both patients during several outpatient
      examinations due to challenging image acquisition. C reful re-evaluation revealed
      that, depending on the scanning technique, it was possible to detect or overlook
      the real cause of the murmur using either hand-held or high-end echo device.
      CONCLUSION: Our report underlines the need of adequate knowledge and training of
      medical professionals performing pocket-size hand-held echocardiography, since
      potential misdiagnoses may not be related to limited imaging capabilities of
      pocket-sized echo devices only, but also to inability of insufficiently trained
      users to obtain good quality images and interpret them adequately.

PMID- 26259408
TI  - Splenic Artery Aneurysms: Two Cases of Varied Etiology, Clinical Presentation and
      Treatment Outcome.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Splenic artery aneurysms are potentially lethal lesions. We report
      two illustrative cases and discuss etiology, diagnosis and treatment of these
      aneurysms. OUTLINE OF CASES: Both patients, age 31 and 80 years, were biparous
      women.The younger woman, otherwise healthy, was referred from a local hospital 3
      weeks after she underwent a left subcostal laparotomy and exploration for
      symptomatic abdominal mass diagnosed by CT. Angiography established the diagnosis
      of a large, non-ruptured splenic artery aneurysm. Elective aneurysmectomy with
      splenectomy was performed using the approach through the upper median laparotomy
      and bursa omentalis. Postoperative course was uneventful. Histopathology
      demonstrated cystic medial necrosis with chronic dissection. The other patient,
      elderly woman, presented urgently with acute abdominal pain and syncope and was
      diagnosed by computed tomography with a huge, ruptured splenic artery aneurysm.
      She underwent immediate aneurysmectomy with splenectomy using the same, above
      mentioned approach. External pancreatic fistula and pancreatic pseudocyst
      complicated the postoperative course, requiring open pseudocyst drainage and
      cystojejunostomy. After a protracted hospitalization patient eventually
      recovered. The pathological diagnosis was atherosclerotic aneurysm. CONCLUSION:
      Splenic artery aneurysms are infrequent lesions, with varied etiology and
      clinical presentation. Timely diagnosis and adequate treatment prevent life
      threatening rupture and lessen the risk of operative morbidity and mortality.

PMID- 26259409
TI  - [The Laparoscopic Enucleation for Branch Duct Type Intraductal Papillary Mucinous
      Neoplasms Located at the Body of Pancreas: A Case Report].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN) are among the most
      common cystic neoplasms of the pancreas, but they represent only 1-3% of all
      exocrine pancreas tumors. With the development of diagnostic possibilities the
      number of patients with IPMN is constantly increasing and represents
      approximately 20% of all surgically treated pancreatic tumors.The development of
      laparoscopic surgery has led to advances in the treatment of cystic tumors of the
      pancreas with the emergence of new surgical dilemma in the choice of surgical
      techniques in patients with IPMN. CASE OUTLINE: A 23-year-old patient was
      admitted to the hospital with non-specific symptoms of upper abdomen. Performed
      diagnostics indicated the existence of a tumor formation at the periphery of the
      pancreas, in the region of the proximal corpus, 8x5 cm in diameter. The cystic
      formation, wall thickness 3 mm, was filled with dense contents and injected into
      the tissue of the pancreas, but did not lead to an extension of the pancreatic
      duct. After adequate preoperative preparation the patient was operated on, when a
      laparoscopic enucleation of cystic tumor with coagulation and cutting off
      communication between the peripheral pancreatic duct and pancreatic tumors was
      performed by using ultrasound scissors. Histopathological analysis of the
      specimen indicated an IPMN of the branch duct type (BD-IPMN) with a low grade
      dysplasia. The line of resection was without cellular atypia. Immunohistochemical
      analysis showed positivity on tumor mucins (MUC-5 and MUC-2), which is typical
      for gastric type of BD-IPMN. Six months postoperatively the patient showed no
      signs of recurrence of the disease. CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment is the
      dominant choice for the treatment for IPMN. Although minimally invasive,
      laparoscopic enucleation of BD-IPMN is able to achieve an adequate level of
      radicality without the accompanying complications and with short postoperative
      recovery period.

PMID- 26259410
TI  - A Case of Autoimmune Cholangitis Misdiagnosed for Cholangiocarcinoma: How to
      Avoid Unnecessary Surgical Intervention?
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Autoimmune cholangitis or immunoglobulin G4-associated cholangitis
      (IAC) has been recently regarded as a new clinical and histopathological entity
      and is a part of a complex autoimmune disorder--IgG4-related systemic disease
      (ISD). ISD is an autoimmune disease with multi-organic involvement, characterized
      with IgG4-positive plasmocytic infiltration of various tissues and organs with a
      consequent sclerosis, which responds well to steroid therapy. Most commonly
      affected organs are the pancreas (autoimmune pancreatitis, [AIP]) and the common
      bile duct (IAC). IAC and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) share many clinical, laboratory
      and imaging findings. CASE OUTLINE: We present a case of a 60-year-old male with
      a biliary stricture of a common bile duct, which was clinically considered as a
      bile duct carcinoma and treated surgically. Definite histopathological findings
      and immunohistochemistry revealed profound chronic inflammation, showing
      lymphoplasmacytic IgG-positive infiltration of a resected part of a common bile
      duct, highly suggestive for the diagnosis of IAC. In addition, postoperative IgG4
      serum levels were also increased. CONCLUSION: It is of primary clinical
      importance to make a difference between IAC and CCA, in order to avoid
      unnecessary surgical intervention. Therefore, IAC should be considered in
      differential diagnosis in similar cases.

PMID- 26259411
TI  - [Favorable Outcome of Hepatosplenic Candidiasis in a Patient with Acute
      Leukemia].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Acute leukemias treatment requires strong chemotherapy. Patients
      that develop bone marrow aplasia become immunocompromised, thus becoming liable
      to bacterial and fungal infections. Fungal infections caused by Candida are
      frequent. Hepatosplenic candidiasis (HSC) is a frequent consequence of invasive
      candidiasis which is clinically presented with prolonged febrility unresponsive
      to antibiotics. CASE OUTLINE: A 53-year-old patient with acute myeloid leukemia
      was submitted to standard chemotherapy "3+7" regimen (daunoblastine 80 mg i.v. on
      days 1 to 3, cytarabine 2 x 170 mg i.v. during 7 days) and achieved complete
      remission. However, during remission he developed febrility unresponsive to
      antibiotics. Computerised tomography (CT) of the abdomen showed multiple
      hypodense lesions within the liver and spleen. Haemocultures on fungi were
      negative. However, seroconversion of biomarkers for invasive fungal infection
      (FI) (Candida and Aspergillus antigen/Ag and antibody/Ab) indicated possible HSC.
      Only high positivity of anti-Candida IgG antibodies, positivity of mannan and CT
      finding we regarded sufficient for the diagnosis and antimycotic therapy.Three
      months of treatment with different antimycotics were necessary for complete
      disappearance of both clinical symptoms and CT findings. CONCLUSION: In patients
      with prolonged febrile neutropenia IFI has to be strongly suspected. If imaging
      techniques show multiple hypodense lesions within liver and spleen, HSC has to be
      taken seriously into consideration. We believe that, along with CT finding,
      positive laboratory Candida biomarkers (mannan and IgG antibodies) should be
      considered sufficient for"probable HSC" and commencement of antifungal therapy,
      which must be long enough, i.e. until complete disappearance of clinical symptoms
      and CT findings are achieved.

PMID- 26259412
TI  - [Cardiac Manifestations in Antiphospholipid Syndrome--A Brief Review of the
      Literature].
AB  - Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) or Hughes syndrome represents a systemic
      autoimmune disorder characterized by arterial and/or venous thrombosis, multiple
      and recurrent fetal losses, accompanied by persistently elevated levels of
      antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). This syndrome is considered primary if
      unassociated with any other connective tissue disease, or secondary if it appears
      in association with other autoimmune disorders, mainly systemic lupus
      erythematosus. Cardiac manifestations in APS are integral part of the syndrome.
      aPL are involved in the pathogenesis of pseudoinfective endocarditis (Libman
      Sacks) and other valvular manifestations presented as their thickening and
      dysfunction. Intracardiac thrombi and myxomas, pulmonary hypertension and left
      ventricular dysfunction are also distinguishing features of APS. On the other
      hand, accelerated atherosclerosis, proven in APS and also aPL mediated, is
      accountable for the development of coronary and peripheral artery disease. This
      leads to higher cardiovascular mortality rate in the population of patients with
      low incidence of the traditional atherosclerosis risk factors. Furthermore,
      recent studies implied that presence of certain aPL could be a risk factor for a
      specific cardiac manifestation. Bearing all this in mind, early diagnosis of
      cardiac manifestations, control and abolition of traditional risk factors, as
      well as close cardiac follow-up of APS patients, are crucial in reducing their
      cardiovascular mortality.

PMID- 26259413
TI  - [Poor Ovarian Response to Stimulation for In Vitro Fertilization].
AB  - The term "poor respond (POR) patients" is used for the group of women who respond
      badly to usual doses of gonadotropins in in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments;
      the consequence is low pregnancy rate. A consensus was reached on the minimal
      criteria needed to define POR. At least two of the following three features must
      be present: 1. advanced maternal age (40 years or more) 2. previous POR (3 or
      less oocytes with a conventional stimulation protocol) 3. abnormal ovarian
      reserve (AMH 0.5-1.1 ng/ml or AFC 5-7).The aim is to find better therapeutic
      options for these patients. Increased levels of day 3 follicle stimulating
      hormone (FSH) and estradiol (E2), as well as decreased levels of anti-Mullerian
      hormone (AMH) and antral follicle count (AFC), can be used to assess ovarian
      reserve, as indirect predictive tests. A larger number of well designed, large
      scale, randomized, controlled trials are needed to assess the efficacy of
      different management strategies for poor responders: flare up gonadotropin
      releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist protocols, modified long GnRH agonist mini-dose
      protocols, luteal initiation GnRH agonist stop protocol, pretreatment with
      estradiol--GnRH antagonist in luteal phase, natural cycle aspiration or natural
      cycle aspiration GnRH antagonist controlled, adjuvant therapy with growth hormone
      or dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). The results of up to now used protocols are
      unsatisfactory and stimulation of the ovulation in poor responders remains a
      challenge, especially when bearing in mind that in the majority of cases the
      patients will be menopausal in relatively short period of time.

PMID- 26259414
TI  - Salt Content in Ready-to-Eat Food and Bottled Spring and Mineral Water Retailed
      in Novi Sad.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Salt intake above 5 g/person/day is a strong independent risk
      factor for hypertension, stroke and cardiovascular diseases. Published studies
      indicate that the main source of salt in human diet is processed ready-to-eat
      food, contributing with 65-85% to daily salt intake. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this
      paper was to present data on salt content of ready-to-eat food retailed in Novi
      Sad, Serbia, and contribution of the salt contained in 100 g of food to the
      recommended daily intake of salt for healthy and persons with cardiovascular
      disease (CVD) risk. METHODS: In 1,069 samples of ready-to-eat food, salt (sodium
      chloride) content was calculated based on chloride ion determined by titrimetric
      method, while in 54 samples of bottled water sodium content was determined using
      flame-photometry. Food items in each food group were categorized as low, medium
      or high salt. Average salt content of each food group was expressed as a
      percentage of recommended daily intake for healthy and for persons with CVD risk.
      RESULTS: Average salt content (g/100 g) ranged from 0.36 +/- 0.48 (breakfast
      cereals) to 2.32 +/- 1.02 (grilled meat). The vast majority of the samples of
      sandwiches (91.7%), pizza (80.7%), salami (73.9%), sausages (72.9%), grilled meat
      (70.0%) and hard cheese (69.6%) had a high salt profile. Average amount of salt
      contained in 100 g of food participated with levels ranging from 7.2% (breakfast
      cereals) to 46.4% (grilled meat) and from 9.6% to 61.8% in the recommended daily
      intake for healthy adult and person with CVD risk, respectively. Average sodium
      content in 100 ml of bottled spring and mineral water was 0.33 +/- 0.30 mg and 33
      +/- 44 mg, respectively. CONCLUSION: Ready-to-eat food retailed in Novi Sad has
      high hidden salt content, which could be considered as an important contributor
      to relatively high salt consumption of its inhabitants.

PMID- 26259415
TI  - Changes Needed in the Classification of Anxiety Disorders in Childhood: Options
      for ICD-11.
AB  - Considering the intensive preparation of the 11th revision of the International
      Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), we discussed the justification of the
      existing classification of emotional disorders with onset specific to childhood.
      This paper presents the citations from the ICD-10 (F93 block) and the authors'
      comments as a critical review of the justification of further existence of
      emotional disorders with onset specific to childhood as a separate block in ICD
      11 classification. We concluded that the block F93 is insufficiently defined and
      should be completely changed or removed from the ICD-11 classification.
      Additionally, the specificities of the clinical picture of anxiety disorders in
      children should be adequately described within the future category of anxiety and
      phobic disorders by giving an explicit set of instructions for identifying
      clinical manifestations which vary by age.

PMID- 26259416
TI  - Rickettsial Diseases in India: Not as Uncommon as Believed.

PMID- 26259417
TI  - Stroke-Transient Cerebral Ischaemic Attacks (TIAs) A Medical Emergency
      Preventable and Treatable.
AB  - TIA is a serious condition and a medical emergency requiring immediate evaluation
      and treatment to prevent a stroke. Confirmation of diagnosis is vital. Medical
      conditions like hypoglycaemia, migraine etc which mimic TIA should be identified.
      TIA syndrome in carotid territory needs special evaluation by Duplex sonography
      to detect significant stenosis (>70%) near bifurcation. Recurrent TIA in the same
      territory leaves neuro deficit and this needs prevention by appropriate therapy
      (platelet antiaggregants, anticoagulants, surgical intervention). An algorithm
      listing initial workup for TIA is shown in Figure 1. Associated risk factors
      (e.g. high blood pressure, tobacco use, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, high
      cholesterol level and obesity etc) need special emphasis. Lifestyle modification
      and lack of physical exercise cannot be ignored. In high risk group where TIA
      lasts longer than 10 minutes with significant neuro deficit in elderly subjects
      having diabetes or hypertension will need special attention and treatment.
      Diagnostic tests should include cardiovascular evaluation and ultrasound scanning
      of carotid arteries. Special neuroimaging tests like CT/MRI and CTA/MRA to
      visualize cerebral vasculature and detect asymptomatic lesions are helpful in
      planning long term management and prevention of stroke.

PMID- 26259418
TI  - Clinical Manifestations and Complications of Scrub Typhus : A Hospital Based
      Study from North Eastern India.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To study the different clinical manifestations and complications
      associated with scrub typhus. METHODS: A hospital based prospective observational
      study of patients of acute febrile illness above 18 years age. Diagnosis was
      based on clinical and serological data. RESULTS: A total of 61 patients were
      diagnosed with scrub typhus, with males more than females. Most (42.37%) belonged
      to 18 to 30 years age group. Fever with headache was the commonest presentation
      (94.91%). Multiorgan dysfunction syndrome was the most common complication
      (16.94%). The mortality rate was 8.47%. CONCLUSION: The study reveals the
      clinical manifestations and complications of a well known mite borne disease in
      the state of Meghalaya. The varied presentations and high mortality requires a
      high index of suspicion. The study highlights the clustering of cases during the
      months of September to November.

PMID- 26259419
TI  - Analysis of Two Outbreaks of Scrub Typhus in Rajasthan: A Clinico-epidemiological
      Study.
AB  - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To describe the diversity of clinical manifestations,
      laboratory findings and outcome of scrub typhus in hospitalised patients of SMS
      Hospital, Jaipur during 2012 and 2013. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All the cases of
      febrile illness with thrombocytopenia diagnosed as scrub typhus were analysed.
      Diagnosis was made by ELISA based IgM serology. OBSERVATIONS AND RESULTS: A total
      of 125 patients were studied. All of them presented with fever; the other major
      symptoms were headache, cough, dyspnoea and myalgias. On examination, patients
      had hepatosplenomegaly, lymphadenopathy and eschar. On investigation elevated
      SGOT, SGPT with normal or elevated bilirubin levels were the most common
      findings. Other laboratory findings were thrombocytopenia and deranged renal
      function tests. Most common X-ray finding observed in these patients was
      bilateral lung infiltrates. Other complications were MODS, ARDS, hypotension and
      meningoencephalitis. Majority responded to doxycycline. CONCLUSION: Scrub typhus
      though prevalent is under-reported in our country. It should be considered as an
      important differential diagnosis in a febrile patient with thrombocytopenia,
      deranged liver or renal functions, and B/L chest opacities. Early diagnosis and
      appropriate treatment is rewarding and prevents morbidity and mortality.

PMID- 26259420
TI  - Therapeutic Effects of Oral Nutritional Supplements during Haemodialysis:
      Physician's Experience.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of predialytic oral nutritional
      supplementation in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients on maintenance
      haemodialysis (MHD). METHODS: NEPRO HP was provided to 77 CKD patients on
      maintenance haemodialysis (MHD) over 3 months. Efficacy parameters were
      improvement in albumin levels, weight and haemoglobin levels; safety parameters
      were serum potassium and phosphorus values; other parameters were SGA and MIS
      scores. RESULTS: Mean serum albumin values showed a statistically significant
      increase. There was a statistically significant improvement in the mean body
      weight and haemoglobin of the patients in the second and third months of
      treatment. Serum phosphorus and potassium levels did not change in a
      statistically significant manner. There was improvement in nourishment status as
      detected by MIS and SGA scores. Two patients expired during the course of the
      study. CONCLUSION: Predialytic oral supplementation with NEPRO HP improves
      nutritional status of CKD patients on MHD.

PMID- 26259421
TI  - Sudden Cardiac Death in India: A Growing Concern.
AB  - The incidence of sudden cardiac death (SCD) is based on studies from North
      America and Western Europe with very few countries in Asia having conducted
      robust studies evaluating the occurrence of SCD. This paper reviewed published
      data on SCD, with a focus on India. In recent years, varying methods of
      assessment such as verbal autopsies, questionnaires, and quantification of
      surrogate endpoints such as cardiovascular disease profiles have been used to
      estimate the incidence of SCD. These studies have shown that the incidence of SCD
      is on the rise, especially in the urban regions, which may be largely attributed
      to the increase in prevalence of coronary artery disease, diabetes and
      hypertension in India. These studies have shown that the risk stratification and
      management approach for SCD are conspicuously varied and there is a need for
      establishing a systematic approach for estimating the incidence and risk factors
      of SCD in India.

PMID- 26259422
TI  - A Case of Achalasia Cardia.

PMID- 26259423
TI  - Hereditary HaemorrhagicTelangiectasia--A Rare Cause of Severe Anaemia.
AB  - Hereditary Haemorrhagic Telangiectasia also known as Osler-Rendu-Weber disease is
      a rare autosomal dominant disorder affecting small vessels of skin and mucosa,
      usually misdiagnosed because of its non specific symptomatology. This disease
      usually presents as epistaxis, gastrointestinal bleeding and visceral
      arteriovenous malformations. Although the epistaxis and gastrointestinal blood
      loss can result in anaemia, patients with hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia
      rarely presents as severe anaemia. Herein, we report a case of a 60 year-old man
      with severe anaemia resulting in congestive cardiac failure who ultimately was
      diagnosed as hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia with recurrent epistaxis as a
      cause of his severe anaemia.

PMID- 26259424
TI  - A Rare Case of Vanishing Lung Syndrome.
AB  - Vanishing lung syndrome (VLS) is a rare radiological syndrome in which the lungs
      appear to be disappearing on X-ray. It is a chronic, progressive condition
      usually affecting young male smokers and is characterised by giant emphysematous
      bullae, which commonly develop in the upper lobes. We describe here a rare case
      of 60-year-old male patient who had a history of chronic smoking for 30 years. He
      had been admitted in the hospital multiple times due to spontaneous pneumothorax,
      type 2 respiratory failure and infective exacerbations. He was earlier diagnosed
      having chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with predominant emphysema on
      the basis of his history and chest X-ray findings. Eventually, his CT chest
      revealed the diagnosis of giant bullous disease/vanishing lung syndrome. He had
      been surviving with his little lung tissue for about 10 years. No such case has
      been reported in the literature so far. He was attended last on 12th October,
      2009 in medical outdoor of Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana by
      the first three authors. Thereafter, the patient was not traceable.

PMID- 26259425
TI  - Systemic Sclerosis Sine Scleroderma.
AB  - Systemic sclerosis sine scleroderma is a rare form of limited systemic sclerosis.
      These patients are without skin involvement, but do not differ in its clinical or
      laboratory features and prognosis from classical systemic sclerosis. In the
      absence of cutaneous signs/symptoms, its diagnosis is delayed leading to
      significant morbidity and mortality. We report a case of sixty year old female
      who presented to us with dyspnoea on exertion and Raynaud's phenomenon. She was
      investigated and was found to have this disorder with pulmonary artery
      hypertension.

PMID- 26259426
TI  - Hepatopulmonary Syndrome, Severe Cyanosis and Marfanoid Habitus.
AB  - We report the case of a 17-year-old male with Marfanoid habitus who presented
      with deep cyanosis, haematemesis, dyspnoea and platypnoea. He had oesophageal
      varices, indicating portal hypertension, with mildly deranged liver function. His
      arterial blood gas (ABG) revealed hypoxia and orthodeoxia. Contrast-enhanced
      echocardiography with agitated saline and a 99m Technetium macro-aggregated
      albumin perfusion lung scan confirmed intrapulmonary shunting. Pulmonary
      angiogram showed multiple, small diffuse pulmonary arteriovenous fistulae
      scattered all over the lungs and predominantly in the bases of the lungs. Based
      on these results and the clinical background a diagnosis of hepatopulmonary
      syndrome with Marfanoid habitus was made. Patient was treated conservatively as
      he was not prepared for liver transplantation.

PMID- 26259427
TI  - A Case Report of Tuberous Sclerosis in Two Generations.
AB  - Tuberous sclerosis complex [TSC] is a genetic multisystem disorder characterised
      by the growth of numerous hamartomas in several organs including the brain,
      heart, skin, eyes, kidney, lung and liver. The affected genes are TSC1 and TSC2
      encoding hamartin and tuberin respectively. TSC has a wide range of severity and
      some people with this condition will only be mildly affected. At present it is
      impossible to accurately predict who will remain only mildly affected and who
      will be more severely affected by TSC. Even members of the same family can be
      affected differently. Many family members show signs of being carriers of the
      genes for the disease when carefully examined. This article reports a family with
      documented Tuberous sclerosis in two generations involving three members which is
      a rare entity.

PMID- 26259428
TI  - Friedrich Wegener.

PMID- 26259429
TI  - Dr. N Kochupillai.

PMID- 26259430
TI  - Shibasaburo Kitasato--Samurai Bacteriologist.

PMID- 26259431
TI  - Science of Exercise: Ancient Indian Origin.

PMID- 26259432
TI  - Reply from Author.

PMID- 26259433
TI  - The Patient's Alarm Clock in STEMI.

PMID- 26259434
TI  - Scrub Typhus--A Re-Emerging Infection.

PMID- 26259435
TI  - [Profile distribution and storage of soil organic carbon in a black soil as
      affected by land use types].
AB  - Taking soils in a long-term experimental field over 29 years with different land
      uses types, including arable land, bare land, grassland and larch forest land as
      test materials, the distribution and storage of soil organic carbon (SOC) in the
      profile (0-200 cm) in typical black soil (Mollisol) region of China were
      investigated. The results showed that the most significant differences in SOC
      content occurred in the 0-10 cm surface soil layer among all soils with the order
      of grassland > arable land > larch forest land > bare land. SOC contents at 10
      120 cm depth were lower in arable land as compared with the other land use types.
      Compared with arable land, grassland could improve SOC content obviously. SOC
      content down to a depth of 60 cm in grassland was significantly higher than that
      in arable land. The content of SOC at 0-10 cm in bare land was significantly
      lower than that in arable land. Although there were no significant differences in
      SOC content at 0-20 cm depth between larch forestland and arable land, the SOC
      contents at 20-140 cm depth were generally higher in larch forestland than that
      in arable land. In general, SOC content showed a significantly negative
      relationship with soil pH, bulk density, silt and clay content and an even
      stronger significantly positive relationship with soil total N content and sand
      content. The SOC storage in arable land at 0-200 cm depth was significantly lower
      than that in the other three land use types, which was 13.6%, 11.4% and 10.9%
      lower than in grassland, bare land and larch forest land, respectively.
      Therefore, the arable land of black soil has a great potential for sequestering C
      in soil and improving environmental quality.

PMID- 26259436
TI  - [Spatiotemporal pattern of carbon sources and sinks in Yangtze River Delta
      region, China].
AB  - Yangtze River Delta region is the world's sixth and China's largest urban
      agglomeration. Its rapid and massive urbanization has also caused a series of
      ecological and environmental impacts. This paper accounted the inventory of
      carbon sources and sinks in Yangtze River Delta region during 1995-2010 and
      analyzed their spatiotemporal patterns. It was found that the carbon sinks
      increased by 9.43 million tons from 1995 to 2010, in which forest ecosystem net
      production in Zhejiang Province was the largest contributor. The "grain for
      green" policy implemented since 2003 in China played a significant role in
      increasing the forest area and the carbon sinks. The carbon sources increased by
      327 million tons, and energy consumption and industrial processes based emissions
      accounted for 96% of total carbon sources in 2010. Due to the large share of
      manufacturing and heavy industries in economy and their dependence on the high
      carbon intensity energy, either the amount or the growth speed of carbon
      emissions in Jiangsu Province was the top one in the whole region. Moreover,
      because the growth speed of net carbon emissions that occurred upon the built-up
      land was much faster than the sprawl speed of urban built-up land, the net carbon
      emission intensity kept increasing in the whole region, in which Jiangsu Province
      demonstrated the fastest increase.

PMID- 26259437
TI  - [Effects of different land-use types on soil organic carbon and its prediction in
      the mountainous areas in the middle reaches of Lancang River].
AB  - Based on the analysis of 210 surface soil samples (0-20 cm) according to field
      investigation in 2011, soil organic carbon (SOC) content and its distribution
      under four different land-use types in the middle reaches of Lancang River were
      studied. Combining with the correlation analysis, relationships among SOC
      content, land-use type, topographical factors and NDVI were revealed.
      Furthermore, multiple linear regression and Kriging method were used to predict
      the SOC contents distribution in the mountainous areas in the middle reaches of
      Lancang River. The results exhibited that the rank order of SOC content under the
      four land-use types was forestland > scrubland > grassland > farmland. The
      important factors influencing the SOC content were land-use type, aspect, slope
      and curvature. Comparing the accuracy of these two models, we found that the
      multiple regression model performed better than geo-statistics in prediction of
      the SOC content in the mountainous region.

PMID- 26259438
TI  - [Impact of changes in land use and climate on the runoff in Liuxihe Watershed
      based on SWAT model].
AB  - SWAT model, an extensively used distributed hydrological model, was used to
      quantitatively analyze the influences of changes in land use and climate on the
      runoff at watershed scale. Liuxihe Watershed' s SWAT model was established and
      three scenarios were set. The calibration and validation at three hydrological
      stations of Wenquan, Taipingchang and Nangang showed that the three factors of
      Wenquan station just only reached the standard in validated period, and the other
      two stations had relative error (RE) < 15%, correlation coefficient (R2) > 0.8
      and Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency valve (Ens) > 0.75, suggesting that SWAT model was
      appropriate for simulating runoff response to land use change and climate
      variability in Liuxihe watershed. According to the integrated scenario
      simulation, the annual runoff increased by 11.23 m3 x s(-1) from 2001 to 2010
      compared with the baseline period from 1991 to 2000, among which, the land use
      change caused an annual runoff reduction of 0.62 m3 x s(-1), whereas climate
      variability caused an annual runoff increase of 11.85 m3 x s(-1). Apparently, the
      impact of climate variability was stronger than that of land use change. On the
      other hand, the scenario simulation of extreme land use showed that compared with
      the land use in 2000, the annual runoff of the farmland scenario and the
      grassland scenario increased by 2.7% and 0.5% respectively, while that of the
      forest land scenario were reduced by 0.7%, which suggested that forest land had
      an ability of diversion closure. Furthermore, the scenario simulation of climatic
      variability indicated that the change of river runoff correlated positively with
      precipitation change (increase of 11.6% in annual runoff with increase of 10% in
      annual precipitation) , but negatively with air temperature change (reduction of
      0.8% in annual runoff with increase of 1 degrees C in annual mean air
      temperature), which showed that the impact of precipitation variability was
      stronger than that of air temperature change. Therefore, in face of climate
      variability, we need to pay attention to strong rainfall forecasts, optimization
      of land use structure and spatial distribution, which could reduce the negative
      hydrological effects (such as floods) induced by climate change.

PMID- 26259439
TI  - [Comparison on the methods for spatial interpolation of the annual average
      precipitation in the Loess Plateau region].
AB  - Based on 57 years (1957-2013) daily precipitation datasets of the 85
      meteorological stations in the Loess Plateau region, different spatial
      interpolation methods, including ordinary kriging (OK), inverse distance
      weighting (IDW) and radial-based function (RBF), were conducted to analyze the
      spatial variation of annual average precipitation regionally. Meanwhile, the mean
      absolute error (MAE), the root mean square error (RMSE), the accuracy (AC) and
      the Pearson correlation coefficient (R) were compared among the interpolation
      results in order to quantify the effects of different interpolation methods on
      spatial variation of the annual average precipitation. The results showed that
      the Moran's I index was 0.67 for the 57 years annual average precipitation in the
      Loess Plateau region. Meteorological stations exhibited strong spatial
      correlation. The validation results of the 63 training stations and 22 test
      stations indicated that there were significant correlations between the training
      and test values among different interpolation methods. However, the RMSE (IDW =
      51.49, RBF = 43.79) and MAE (IDW = 38.98, RBF = 34.61) of the IDW and the RBF
      showed higher values than the OK. In addition, the comparison of the four semi
      variagram models (Circular, Spherical, Exponential and Gaussian) for the OK
      indicated that the circular model had the lowest MAE (32.34) and the highest
      accuracy (0.976), while the MAE of the exponential model was the highest (33.24).
      In conclusion, comparing the validation between the training data and test
      results of the different spatial interpolation methods, the circular model of the
      OK method was the best one for obtaining accurate spatial interpolation of annual
      average precipitation in the Loess Plateau region.

PMID- 26259440
TI  - [Soil infiltration of snowmelt water in the southern Gurbantunggut Desert,
      Xinjiang, China].
AB  - Soil infiltration of snow-melt water is an important income item of water balance
      in arid desert. The soil water content in west slope, east slope and interdune of
      sand dune in the southern Gurbantunggut Desert was monitored before snowfall and
      after snow melting during the winters of 2012-2013 and 2013-2014. According to
      the principle of water balance, soil infiltration of snow-melt in the west slope,
      east slope, interdune and landscape scale was calculated, and compared with the
      results measured by cylinder method. The results showed that the soil moisture
      recharge from unfrozen layer of unsaturated soil to surface frozen soil was
      negligible because the soil moisture content before snowfall was lower, soil
      infiltration of snow-melt water was the main source of soil water of shallow
      soil, phreatic water did not evaporate during freezing period, and did not get
      recharge after the snow melting. Snowmelt water in the west slope, east slope,
      interdune and landscape scale were 20-43, 27-43, 32-45, 26-45 mm, respectively.

PMID- 26259441
TI  - [Using a modified remote sensing imagery for interpreting changes in cultivated
      saline-alkali land].
AB  - This paper developed a new interpretation symbol system for grading and
      classifying saline-alkali land, using Huanghua, a cosatal city in Hebei Province
      as a case. The system was developed by inverting remote sensing images from 1992
      to 2011 based on site investigation, plant cover characteristics and features of
      remote sensing images. Combining this interpretation symbol system with
      supervising classification method, the information on arable land was obtained
      for the coastal saline-alkali ecosystem of Huanghua City, and the saline-alkali
      land area, changes in intensity of salinity-alkalinity and spatial distribution
      from 1992 to 2011 were analyzed. The results showed that salinization of arable
      land in Huanghua City alleviated from 1992 to 2011. The severely and moderately
      saline-alkali land area decreased in 2011 compared with 1992, while the
      non/slightly saline land area increased. The moderately saline-alkali land in
      southeast transformed to non/slightly saline-alkaline, while the severely saline
      alkali land in west of the city far from the coastal zone became moderately
      saline-alkaline. The center of gravity (CG) of severely and non/slightly saline
      alkali land moved closer the coastline, while that of the moderately saline
      alkali land moved from southwest coastal line to northwest. Factors influencing
      changes in arable land within the saline-alkali ecosystem of Huanghua City were
      climate, hydrology and human activities.

PMID- 26259442
TI  - [Urban ecosystem services: A review].
AB  - Maintaining and improving ecosystem services in urban areas and human well-being
      are essential for sustainable development and therefore constitute an important
      topic in urban ecology. Here we reviewed studies on ecosystem services in urban
      areas. Based on the concept and classification of urban ecosystem services, we
      summarized characteristics of urban ecosystem services, including the human
      domination, high demand of ecosystem services in urban areas, spatial
      heterogeneity and temporal dynamics of ecosystem services supply and demand in
      urban areas, multi-services of urban green infrastructures, the socio-economic
      dimension of ecosystem services supply and ecosystem disservices in urban areas.
      Among different urban ecosystem services, the regulating service and cultural
      service are particularly indispensable to benefit human health. We pointed out
      that tradeoffs among different types of ecosystem services mostly occur between
      supportive service and cultural service, as well as regulating service and
      cultural service. In particular, we emphasized the relationship between landscape
      design (i.e. green infrastructure) and ecosystem services supply. Finally, we
      discussed current gaps to link urban ecosystem services studies to landscape
      design and management and pointed out several directions for future research in
      urban ecosystem services.

PMID- 26259443
TI  - [Vegetation landscape health assessment in Changshan Archipelago, North Yellow
      Sea].
AB  - Island vegetation is an important component of island ecosystem. Multi-targets of
      island ecosystem health integrated with landscape ecology theory were employed to
      construct the index system for island vegetation health assessment in terms of
      landscape vigor, landscape stressing intensity and landscape stability. The
      Changshan Archipelago in the North Yellow Sea was chosen as a case to apply the
      island vegetation health assessment index system. The results showed that the
      overall vegetation health status in Changshan Archipelago was good and had a big
      island variation. The vegetation health index for Haiyang Island and Zhangzi
      Island was above 0.80, belonging to first eco-health level area, whereas that for
      Dachangshan Island, Xiaochangshan Island and Dawangjia Island ranged from 0.70 to
      0.80, which could be categorized as the second eco-health level area. Guanglu
      Island and Shichen Island could be termed as the third eco-health level area with
      the vegetation health index below 0.70. The distance of island to mainland, area
      of island together with industrial structure were the main driving forces for the
      variation of vegetation landscape heath between different islands.

PMID- 26259444
TI  - [Measuring water ecological carrying capacity with the ecosystem-service-based
      ecological footprint (ESEF) method: Theory, models and application].
AB  - Integrated watershed management based on aquatic ecosystems has been increasingly
      acknowledged. Such a change in the philosophy of water environment management
      requires recognizing the carrying capacity of aquatic ecosystems for human
      society from a more general perspective. The concept of the water ecological
      carrying capacity is therefore put forward, which considers both water resources
      and water environment, connects socio-economic development to aquatic ecosystems
      and provides strong support for integrated watershed management. In this paper,
      the authors proposed an ESEF-based measure of water ecological carrying capacity
      and constructed ESEF-based models of water ecological footprint and capacity,
      aiming to evaluate water ecological carrying capacity with footprint methods. A
      regional model of Taihu Lake Basin was constructed and applied to evaluate the
      water ecological carrying capacity in Changzhou City which located in the upper
      reaches of the basin. Results showed that human demand for water ecosystem
      services in this city had exceeded the supply capacity of local aquatic
      ecosystems and the significant gap between demand and supply had jeopardized the
      sustainability of local aquatic ecosystems. Considering aqua-product provision,
      water supply and pollutant absorption in an integrated way, the scale of
      population and economy aquatic ecosystems in Changzhou could bear only 54% of the
      current status.

PMID- 26259445
TI  - [Ecological footprint of farmers and herdsmen in Tibet Autonomous Region, China].
AB  - Based on relevant statistical yearbook and with an integrated method, the
      ecological footprint and ecological carrying capacity of farmers and herdsmen
      during the period from 2000 to 2012 in Tibet Autonomous Region, China were
      studied. The results showed that the ecological status of farmers and herdsmen
      were in a surplus state during the study period, but the surplus amount exhibited
      a decreasing tendency. The ecological capacity decreased from 7.49 hm2 in 2000 to
      6.35 hm2 in 2012, with a decrease of 15.3%, while the ecological footprint
      increased gradually from 1.03 hm2 in 2000 to 1.26 hm2 in 2012.

PMID- 26259446
TI  - [Socio-hydrology: A review].
AB  - Socio-hydrology is an interdiscipline of hydrology, nature, society and humanity.
      It mainly explores the two-way feedbacks of coupled human-water system and its
      dynamic mechanism of co-evolution, and makes efforts to solve the issues that
      human faces today such as sustainable utilization of water resources. Starting
      from the background, formation process, and fundamental concept of socio
      hydrology, this paper summarized the features of socio-hydrology. The main
      research content of socio-hydrology was reduced to three aspects: The tradeoff in
      coupled human-water system, interests in water resources management and virtual
      water research in coupled human-water system. And its differences as well as
      relations with traditional hydrology, eco-hydrology and hydro-sociology were
      dwelled on. Finally, with hope to promote the development of socio-hydrology
      researches in China, the paper made prospects for the development of the subject
      from following aspects: Completing academic content and deepening quantitative
      research, focusing on scale studies of socio-hydrology, fusing socio-hydrology
      and eco-hydrology.

PMID- 26259447
TI  - [Influence of mulching management on the relationships between foliar non
      structural carbohydrates and N, P concentrations in Phyllostachys violascens
      stand].
AB  - To understand the physiological adaptive mechanism of Phyllostachys violascens to
      intensive mulching management, the effect of mulching management (CK, 1, 3 and 6
      years) on the concentrations and ratios of non-structural carbohydrates (NSC),
      nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in bamboo foliage, and their stoichiometry was
      investigated. The results showed the concentrations of NSC and soluble sugar
      increased, while the starch content and N/P decreased markedly in bamboo stand
      with 1-year mulching, compared to CK stand, which suggested the N limitation to
      bamboo growth was strengthened. Foliar soluble sugar content decreased
      significantly, while the starch content increased dramatically, and the NSC
      content by per unit mass of N and P reached the maximum in the bamboo stand with
      3-year mulching, compared to all other treatments. Foliar NSC and soluble sugar
      contents decreased significantly, while foliar starch content and N/P increased
      dramatically in the stand with 6-year mulching, which suggested the P limitation
      to bamboo growth was strengthened. Foliar NSC content was positively correlated
      with N and P concentrations in a short-term mulching management stand (<= 3
      years), while showed negative relationship with N/P. The foliar starch content in
      the stand with 6-year mulching was negatively correlated with N and P contents,
      while was positively correlated with N/P. The results indicated that short-term
      mulching management accelerated the accumulation of soluble sugar and
      decomposition of starch in foliage, thus the growth and activity of Ph.
      violascens was enhanced greatly. Long-term mulching management promoted the
      starch accumulation, which led to the transition from N limitation to P
      limitation for bamboo growth. In summary, long-term (6 years) mulching management
      caused the decrease of growth and activity of Ph. violascens dramatically, thus
      enhancing the bamboo stand degradation. The utilization efficiency of N and P
      reached the highest in the stand with 3-year mulching, which implied 3-year was
      the best suitable period for intensive mulching management for maintaining bamboo
      stand quality.

PMID- 26259448
TI  - [Relationships between understory vegetation coverage and environmental factors
      in Pinus massoniana plantations from aerial seeding].
AB  - The relationships between understory vegetation coverage and environmental
      factors in Pinus massoniana plantations from aerial seeding were studied by using
      principal component analysis, redundancy analysis and variation partitioning. The
      selected environmental factors in total explained 74.2% variation of the
      understory vegetation coverage. At low altitude, stand characteristics were the
      key factor to influence the understory vegetation coverage. Stand
      characteristics, soil property and topographic factor were respectively explained
      55.0% (including 29.1% for separateness and 25.9% for interaction with other
      factors), 38. 9% (including 12.1% for separateness and 26.8% for interaction with
      other factors) and 9.0% (including 5.6% for separateness and 3.4% for interaction
      with other factors) of the total variation. Average diameter at breast height and
      canopy density affected mostly and positively correlated with the coverage of
      bryophyta, graminoid and shurb groups at significant level. Noncapillary porosity
      and soil water content showed a highly significant positive correlation to
      dicranopteris coverage, whereas average diameter at breast height, canopy
      density, soil nutrients and enzyme activity significantly negatively correlated
      with it. The coverage of graminoid, bryophyta and shurb groups showed the
      positive correlations, which indicated the three groups could promote each other,
      while the dicranopteris coverage had significant negative correlation with the
      three groups mentioned above.

PMID- 26259450
TI  - [Light response characteristics of photosynthesis and model comparison of
      Distylium chinense in different flooding durations].
AB  - The light responses of photosynthesis of two-year-old Distytum chinense seedlings
      subjected to a simulated reservoir flooding environment in autumn and winter
      seasons were measured by using a Li-6400 XT portable photosynthesis system, and
      the light response curves were fitted and analyzed by three models of the
      rectangular hyperbola, non-rectangular hyperbola and modified rectangular
      hyperbola to investigate the applicability of different light response models for
      the D. chinense in different flooding durations and the adaption regulation of
      light response parameters to flooding stress. The results showed that the fitting
      effect of the non-rectangular hyperbola model for light response process of D.
      chinense under normal growth condition and under short-term flooding (15 days of
      flooding) was better than that of the other two models, while the fitting effect
      of the modified rectangular hyperbola model for light response process of D.
      chinense under longer-term flooding (30, 45 and 60 days of flooding) was better
      than that of the other two models. The modified rectangular hyperbola model gave
      the best fitted results of light compensation point (LCP) , maximum net
      photosynthetic rate (P(n max)) and light saturation point (LSP), and the non
      rectangular hyperbola model gave the best fitted result of dark respiration rate
      (R(d)). The apparent quantum yield (Phi), P(n max) and LSP of D. chinense
      gradually decreased, and the LCP and R(d) of D. chinense gradually increased in
      early flooding (30 days), but D. chinense gradually produced adaptability for
      flooding as the flooding duration continued to increase, and various
      physiological indexes were gradually stabilized. Thus, this species has
      adaptability to some degree to the flooding environment.

PMID- 26259449
TI  - [Decomposition dynamics of leaf litter in logging residue of a secondary
      Castanopsis carlesii plantation and its chemical composition changes].
AB  - A field experiment was conducted to understand the decomposition rates and
      chemical composition changes of leaf litter in logging residues of a 35-year-old
      secondary Castanopsis carlesii plantation over a period of one year. Mass loss
      rate of leaf litter showed an exponential decrease with time from May 2012 to
      April 2013, with a total 80% loss of initial dry mass. Net potassium (K) release
      was observed during this period, with only 5% of initial K remained. Nitrogen (
      N) featured a pattern of accumulation at the early stage and release later, while
      phosphorus (P) exhibited a sequence of release, accumulation, and release. The
      remaining of N and P were 19% and 16% of their initial mass, respectively. The
      release rate was highest for K and the lowest for N. Decomposition of lignin
      indicated a trend of release-accumulation-release from May 2012 to October 2012,
      with no further significant change from November 2012 to the end of the
      experiment. The concentration of cellulose nearly unchanged during the
      experiment. The N/P rate increased with decomposition, ranging from 18.6 to 21.1.
      The lignin/N rate fluctuated greatly at the early stage and then almost
      stabilized thereafter.

PMID- 26259451
TI  - [Demography and spectrum analysis of Juglans cathayensis populations at different
      altitudes in the west Tianshan valley in Xinjiang, China].
AB  - Juglans cathayensis is an endangered plant species and listed as a class II
      protected species of the national government of China. In order to grasp the
      current state of J. cathayensis populations and predict the population dynamics
      in the future, a large-sample investigation was conducted in the sample plots
      along different altitude gradients in four valleys in J. cathayensis conservation
      area. According to the diameter at breast height (DBH) class of the trees, the
      age class structures of the populations were analyzed, and static life tables for
      J. cathayensis populations in different habitats along the altitude gradient was
      constructed by smoothing out technique, and comparative fluctuations cycles of
      the populations in different habitats were carried out by spectral analysis. The
      results showed that DBH decreased gradually with the increasing altitude. The
      population was composed of 19 age classes in the low-altitude habitat (1241 -
      1380 m) with the maximum DBH of 91.7 cm, 18 age classes in the middle-altitude
      habitat (1381 - 1490 m) with the maximum DBH of 82.8 cm, and 13 age classes in
      the high-altitude habitat (1491 - 1670 m) with the maximum DBH of 58.9 cm. Life
      expectancies of J. cathayensis populations were fluctuant for the same age class
      at different altitudes and for different age classes at the same altitude. In the
      three altitude-different habitats, the survival curves of the populations trended
      toward Deevey- II type and the age structures of the populations were expanding.
      The curves of mortality showed three peaks, and the mortality rates of 9 age
      classes at 1241 - 1380 m and 1491 - 1670 m above sea levels were the highest,
      being 55.9% and 89.8%, respectively, and the mortality rate of 12 age classes at
      1381 - 1490 m above sea level was the highest (79.4%). The population dynamics
      was significantly affected by the fundamental wave of biological characteristic
      throughout the life cycle of J. cathayensis population, and small cycles of multi
      harmonic superposition with large cycles were presented. J. cathayensis is a long
      lifespan tree and a major dominant species in this conservation area. The natural
      regeneration of its current populations is good. If not strong anthropogenic
      disturbances or severe natural disasters, J. cathayensis would maintain the
      dominant position in the community.

PMID- 26259452
TI  - [Dynamics of carbon and nitrogen storage of Cupressus chengiana plantations in
      the arid valley of Minjiang River, Southwest China].
AB  - The carbon and nitrogen storage and distribution patterns of Cupressus chengiana
      plantation ecosystems with different stand ages in the arid valley of Minjiang
      River were studied. The results showed that carbon contents in different organs
      of C. chengiana were relatively stable, while nitrogen contents were closely
      related to different organs, and soil organic carbon and nitrogen contents
      increased with the stand age. Carbon and nitrogen storage in vegetation layer,
      soil layer, and the whole ecosystem of the plantation increased with the stand
      age. The values of total carbon storage in the 13-, 11-, 8-, 6- and 4-year-old C.
      chengiana plantation ecosystems were 190.90, 165.91, 144.57, 119.44, and 113.49 t
      x hm(-2), and the values of total nitrogen storage were 19.09, 17.97, 13.82,
      13.42, and 12.26 t x hm(-2), respectively. Most of carbon and nitrogen were
      stored in the 0-60 cm soil layer in the plantation ecosystems and occupied 92.8%
      and 98.8%, respectively, and the amounts of carbon and nitrogen stored in the top
      0-20 cm soil layer, accounted for 54.4% and 48.9% of those in the 0-60 cm soil
      layer, respectively. Difference in distribution of carbon and nitrogen storage
      was observed in the vegetation layer. The percentage of carbon storage in tree
      layer (3.7%) were higher than that in understory vegetation (3.5%), while the
      percentage of nitrogen storage in tree layer (0.5%) was lower than that in
      understory (0.7%). The carbon and nitrogen storage and distribution patterns in
      the plantations varied obviously with the stand age, and the plantation
      ecosystems at these age stages could accumulate organic carbon and nitrogen
      continuously.

PMID- 26259453
TI  - [Seasonal dynamics of soil net nitrogen mineralization under moss crust in
      Shapotou region, northern China].
AB  - Seasonal variations of soil inorganic nitrogen (N) pool and net N transformation
      rate in moss-covered soil and in the bare soil were comparatively observed by
      incubating intact soil columns with parafilm capping in the field in a natural
      vegetation area of Shapotou, southeastern fringe of the Tengger Desert. We found
      pronounced seasonal variations in soil available N content and net N
      transformation rate in both moss-covered soil and bare soil, with significant
      differences among different months. In non-growing season, soil available N
      content and net N transformation rate were significantly higher in March and
      October than in other months. Furthermore, immobilization was the dominant form
      of N mineralization, and no significant difference in net soil N mineralization
      rate was found between the two sampling soils. In growing season, soil available
      N content and net N transformation rate markedly increased and reached their peak
      values during June to August (17.18 mg x kg(-1) and 0.11 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1),
      respectively). Both soil net nitrification and N mineralization rates in moss
      covered soil were significantly higher than in bare soil. Soil ammonium and
      nitrate N content in April and May were higher in moss-covered soil (2.66 and
      3.16 mg x kg(-1), respectively) than in bare soil (1.02 and 2.37 mg x kg(-1),
      respectively); while the tendency was the converse in June and September, with
      7.01 mg x kg(-1) for soil ammonium content and 7.40 mg x kg(-1) for nitrate N
      content in bare soil, and they were 6.39 and 6.36 mg x kg(-1) in moss-covered
      soil, respectively. Therefore, the existence and succession of moss crusts could
      be considered as one of the important biological factors affecting soil N cycling
      through regulating soil available N content and promoting soil N mineralization
      process.

PMID- 26259454
TI  - [Phylogenetic diversity of airborne microbes in Qingdao downtown in autumn].
AB  - To determine the community structure of airborne microbes in Qingdao downtown in
      autumn, the airborne bacteria and fungi were collected by the KC-6120 air sampler
      and analyzed using the 16S/18S rDNA gene clone library method. Phylogenetic
      analysis of airborne bacteria showed that they belonged to six major phylogenetic
      groups: Proteobacteria (78. 8%), Firmicutes (14.6%), Actinobacteria (4.0%),
      Planctomycetes (1.3%), Cyanobacteria (0.7%), and Deinococcus-Thermus (0.7%). The
      dominant genera of airborne bacteria included Acinetobacter (39.7%),
      Staphylococcus (11.3%), Sphingomonas (8.6%), Paracoccus (6.0%) and Massilia
      (5.3%). The main types of airborne fungi were Ascomycota (97.5%) and
      Basidiomycota (2.5%). Dominant genera of airborne fungi included Pyrenophora
      (76.5%), Xylaria (13.6%) and Exophiala (2.5%). The pathogens or conditioned
      pathogens, such as Acinetobacter, Staphylococcus, or Sphingomonas were detected
      in the airborne bacteria, whereas certain kinds of fungi, such as P. graminea, X.
      hypoxylon and Zasmidium angulare that could cause a variety of crop diseases were
      also detected.

PMID- 26259455
TI  - [Influence of different types of surface on the diversity of soil fauna in
      Beijing Olympic Park].
AB  - Soil fauna are impacted by urbanization. In order to explore the stress of
      different surface covers on diversity and community structure of soil fauna, we
      conducted this experiment in Beijing Olympic Park. In autumn of 2013, we used
      Baermann and Tullgren methods to study the diversity of soil fauna in the depth
      of 0-5 cm, 5-10 cm, 10-15 cm under four different land covers i.e. bared field
      (BF), totally impervious surface (TIS), partly impervious surface (PIS) and
      grassland (GL). The results showed that the total number of soil fauna in 100 cm3
      was in order of GL (210) > PIS (193) > TIS (183) > BF (90), and the number of
      nematodes accounted for 72.0%-92.8% of the total number. On the vertical level,
      except for the TIS, the other three types of surface soil fauna had the surface
      gathered phenomenon. The Shannon diversity index and the Pielou evenness index of
      BF were lower, but the Simpson dominance index was higher than in the other land
      covers. The Shannon index and Margalef richness indes of GL were higher than
      those of the other land covers. The Shannon indexes of TIS and PIS were between
      the BF and GL. Except for the TIS and GL, the similarity indexes were between 0.4
      0.5, indicating moderate non-similar characteristics. The diversity of soil fauna
      was significantly correlated with temperature, pH and available potassium.

PMID- 26259456
TI  - [Impacts of landscape patterns on heavy metal contamination of agricultural top
      soils in the Pearl River Delta, South China].
AB  - Landscape patterns are known to influence many ecological processes, but the
      relationship between landscape patterns and soil pollution processes is not well
      understood. Based on 300 top soil samples, land use and cover map for the Pearl
      River Delta (PRD) of 2005, this study explored the characteristics and spatial
      pattern of heavy metal contamination of agricultural top soils and examined the
      impacts of landscape patterns on the heavy metal contamination in the buffers of
      soil samples. Research methods included geostatistical analysis, landscape
      pattern analysis, single-factor pollution indices, and Pearson correlation
      analysis. We found that: 1) out of the 235 agricultural soil samples, 3.8%, 0.4%,
      17.0% and 9.4% samples exceeded the Grade II national standard for As, Pb, Cd and
      Ni concentrations respectively. High pollution levels were found in three cities,
      Guangzhou, Foshan and Zhongshan; 2) soils in the farmland were more polluted than
      those in the forest and orchard land, and there were no differences among
      different agricultural land use types in contamination level of each heavy metal
      (except Cd); and 3) the proportion, mean patch area as well as the degree of
      landscape fragmentation, landscape-level structural complexity and
      aggregation/connectivity of water at the buffer zone were significantly
      positively correlated with the contamination level of each of the four heavy
      metals in agricultural top soils. Part of the landscape pattern of urban land in
      the buffer zone also positively correlated with Pb and Cd levels (P < 0.05). On
      the contrary, the proportion, mean patch area and aggregation degree of forest
      land negatively correlated with soil Pb and Ni levels (P < 0.05); and 4) the
      closer to the industry land were the soil samples, the more polluted the soils
      were for Pb, Cd and Ni. Only landscape diversity was found to be positively
      correlated with soil Cd contamination. The study results provide new information
      and scientific basis for heavy metal pollution control and remediation,
      especially for agricultural soils in the PRD.

PMID- 26259457
TI  - [Effects of methyl jasmonate treatments and endophyte infection on growth of
      Achnatherum sibiricum].
AB  - We used Achnatherum sibiricum, a native grass as test material and application of
      methyl jasmonate (MJ) to simulate herbivory, and compared the growth and
      physiological characters of endophyte-infected (EI) and endophyte-free (EF)
      plants. The results showed that MJ treatment significantly decreased the shoot
      growth, but significantly increased the concentrations of defensive substances
      such as total phenolic and lignin, and decreased the size of aphid population.
      Endophyte infection significantly increased the tiller number, total phenolic and
      lignin contents in the shoot. As for shoot biomass and total phenolic in the
      root, they were affected by MJ treatment. Without MJ treatment, no significant
      differences were found in shoot biomass or root phenolic content whether the
      plants were infected by endophyte or not. With MJ treatment, the shoot biomass
      was significantly lower and the shoot phenolic content was significantly higher
      in EI plants than in EF plants. Endophyte infection significantly increased
      resistance of the host plant to aphids, and the beneficial effect was enhanced by
      MJ treatments, after three applications with MJ, there were no aphids on EI
      plants. Overall, endophyte infection could alter the allocation pattern of the
      host plant between growth and defense, and MJ treatments further strengthened the
      defensive ability of the host plant at the cost of growth.

PMID- 26259458
TI  - [Evaluating the response of yield and evapotranspiration of winter wheat and the
      adaptation by adjusting crop variety to climate change in Huang-Huai-Hai Plain].
AB  - Based on the multi-model datasets of three representative concentration pathway
      (RCP) emission scenarios from IPCC5, the response of yield and accumulative
      evapotranspiration (ET) of winter wheat to climate change in the future were
      assessed by VIP model. The results showed that if effects of CO2 enrichment were
      excluded, temperature rise would lead to a reduction in the length of the growing
      period for wheat under the three climate change scenarios, and the wheat yield
      and ET presented a decrease tendency. The positive effect of atmospheric CO2
      enrichment could offset most negative effect introduced by temperature rising,
      indicating that atmospheric CO2 enrichment would be the prime reason of the wheat
      yield rising in future. In 2050s, wheat yield would increase 14.8% (decrease 2.5%
      without CO2 fertilization) , and ET would decrease 2.1% under RCP4.5. By adoption
      of new crop variety with enhanced requirement on accumulative temperature, the
      wheat yield would increase more significantly with CO2 fertilization, but the
      water consumption would also increase. Therefore, cultivar breeding new
      irrigation techniques and agronomical management should be explored under the
      challenges of climate change in the future.

PMID- 26259459
TI  - [Effect of waterlogging on physical traits and yield of wheat in Sichuan, China].
AB  - Following a two-factor split plot design, two popular varieties ( Neimai836 and
      Chuanmail04) were used to study the effects of waterlogging at four growth stages
      (seedling, jointing, booting and anthesis) on wheat growth and yield formation
      during two growing seasons (2011-2012 and 2012-2013). The resulted showed that
      the greatest yield penalty occurred when waterlogging happened at the seedling
      stage (10% - 15% decrease), and it was alleviated when waterlogging happened at
      the other stages. Waterlogging during the seedling stage significantly reduced
      SPAD of 2nd-6th leaves, tillers and spike number per plant, productive ears, dry
      matter accumulation after flowering and dry matter at maturity. Waterlogging
      during the jointing stage decreased SPAD of 4th-7th leaves, and waterlogging
      during the booting stage reduced the SPAD of top 2nd, 3rd, 4th leaves.
      Waterlogging during the jointing and booting stages reduced the SPAD of flag
      leaf, the rate of grain filling during the gradual increase stage, the average
      filling rate and the 1000-grain mass. Waterlogging during the flowering stage
      produced limited change in yield. Therefore, waterlogging during the seedling
      stage was identified to have the most critical influence on wheat production
      under wheat/rice cropping rotations in Sichuan Province.

PMID- 26259460
TI  - [Physiological responses of different cucumber cultivars seedlings to iso-osmotic
      Mg (NO3) 2 and NaCl stress].
AB  - In this study, the effects of iso-osmotic solution of Mg (NO3) 2 and NaCl on
      seedling growth, leaf lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzyme activities, and
      osmotic adjustment substance accumulation were investigated using three cucumber
      cultivars with different ecotypes. Then salt tolerance was evaluated by
      membership function method. The results revealed that under the stress of 60 and
      80 mmol x L(-1) Mg(NO3) 2 solution and its isotonic 90 and 120 mmol x L(-1) NaCl
      solution, the seedling traits such as height, stem diameter, leaf area, fresh and
      dry mass of aerial part and underground parts, and antioxidant enzymes activity
      were obviously decreased with the increasing concentration of Mg( NO3)2 and its
      isotonic NaCl in the three cucumber cultivars. Moreover, the inhibitory effects
      became more obvious with the increasing concentration of either Mg(NO3)2 or NaCl
      solution. MDA content and membrane lipid peroxidation were enhanced in cucumber
      seedlings. Among the three cultivars, SJ31-1 changed less than the other two
      cultivars regarding the reduced amplitudes of biomass, and activity of superoxide
      dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT), and the increased amplitude
      of MDA. In addition, Mg (NO3)2 solution inhibited seedling growth more strongly
      than isotonic NaCl solution did, such difference was relatively significant with
      increasing the concentration of solution. The contents of proline, soluble amino
      acids, and soluble sugars varied depending on the cucumber genotype and salt
      type. The increased amplitude of proline content was the largest in SJ31-1, and
      that of soluble sugars was the largest in Lubai 19 when growing under salt
      treatment. The change of these parameters in Xintaimici was in between. Soluble
      sugars and soluble proteins were predominant osmolytes unde NaCl stress, whereas
      proline and soluble proteins were main osmolytes under Mg (NO3) 2 stress.
      Comprehensive evaluation showed that salt tolerance of the three cucumber
      cultivars was in order of SJ31-1 > Xintaimici > Lubai 19.

PMID- 26259461
TI  - [Effects of different potassium fertilizer application periods on the yield and
      quality of Fuji apple].
AB  - In order to ascertain the effects of potassium fertilizer application periods on
      apple production, we conducted a field experiment and analyzed the differences in
      apple yield, fruit quality, potassium fertilizer use efficiency, and nutrient
      concentrations in leaves and fruits among treatments with differences in timing
      of potassium application. The results indicated that, compared with no potassium
      applied treatment (CK), all potassium fertilizer application treatments
      significantly increased the apple yield by 4.3%-33.2%, meanwhile, it also
      obviously improved the fruit quality. In comparison with the application of 100%
      potassium fertilizer as a base, the application of 50% or 100% of potassium
      fertilizer at the fruit enlargement stage (the remaining 50% applied as a base or
      after flowering) significantly increased the apple yield by 20.5% - 27.7% and
      improved the fruit quality. Compared with the application 100% potassium
      fertilizer at the stage of fruit enlargement, the evenly split application as
      base flowering stage and at the fruit enlargement: stage not only contributed to
      a higher yield, better quality and higher potassium use efficiency, but also
      maintained a relatively stable potassium concentration level in leaves. However,
      the split potassium fertilizer application at the flowering and fruit enlargement
      stages resulted in the significant decrease in concentration of calcium in fruit,
      which would be negative to fruit quality. In conclusion, our research suggested
      that evenly split application of potassium fertilizer as a base and at the fruit
      enlargement stage was the suitable period for apple production in Fuji apple
      orchards in this region.

PMID- 26259462
TI  - [Influences of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus and phosphorus level on the lateral
      root formation of tomato seedlings].
AB  - To explore the influences of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and P level on
      plant root system architecture, tomato seedlings were inoculated with AMF strain
      Rhizophagus irregularis BGC JX04B under two P levels, and the influences of AMF
      and P level on lateral root (LR) formation of tomato seedlings were studied.
      Results indicated that the promoting effect of AMF on plant biomass was not
      evident, but significantly decreased the root to shoot ratio of plants. AMF
      significantly increased the primary root length but decreased the 1st order LR
      length and interacted with the mycorrhizal colonization period. AMF significantly
      lowered the 2nd-3rd order LR number and the ratio of 2nd order LR number to 1st
      order LR number, but did not significantly affect the 1st-2nd order LR density.
      High P level (50 mg x kg(-1) P) significantly promoted the plant growth and
      decreased the root to shoot ratio of plants. It had no significant effect on the
      primary root length and the 1st order root length, but significantly enhanced the
      1st-3rd order LR number and the ratio of 2nd order LR number to P order LR
      number, increased the 1st-2nd order LR density. It suggested that AMF and P level
      did not share a common mechanism to influence the LR formation of tomato plants.
      The influence of high P level may depend on its promoting effects on nutrient
      uptake and plant growth, while the influence of AMF is more complex. Furthermore,
      the interaction between AMF and mycorrhizal colonization period implies the
      possible involvement of carbohydrate distribution (sugar signaling) in the
      regulation of root system architecture by AMF.

PMID- 26259463
TI  - [Effect of cadmium stress on physiological characteristics of garlic seedlings
      and the alleviation effects of exogenous calcium].
AB  - In the experiment, the effects of exogenous cadmium (Cd2+) and calcium (Ca2+) in
      nutrient solution on growth, photosynthetic characteristics, enzymes activities,
      main mineral elements absorption of garlic seedlings were studied. The results
      showed that cadmium could obviously inhibit the growth of garlic seedlings,
      decrease the pigment contents and photosynthetic parameters (P(n), E, g(s)) of
      leaves, reduced the enzymes (SOD, POD, CAT) activities and increase the MDA
      content of leaves, and also could reduce the N, P, K, Ca, Mg contents and
      increase the Cd content of roots. The growth was promoted after adding exogenous
      calcium to garlic seedlings under cadmium stress, which reflected that the
      morphological indexes were increased at first and then decreased with the
      increase of exogenous calcium concentrations, and were maximized when the
      exogenous calcium was 2 or 3 mmol x L(-1). At the same time, the pigment contents
      and photosynthetic parameters (P(n), E, g(s)) of leaves showed a similar tendency
      with the morphological indexes, and they were the highest when the exogenous
      calcium was 2 or 3 mmol x L(-1). In addition, adding exogenous calcium to garlic
      seedlings under cadmium stress enhanced the enzymes (SOD, POD, CAT) activities
      and decreased the MDA content of leaves, also added the N, P, K, Ca, Mg contents
      and reduced the Cd content of roots, and the effect was best when the exogenous
      calcium concentration was 2 or 3 mmol x L(-1).

PMID- 26259464
TI  - [Soil moisture dynamics of apple orchard in Loess Plateau dryland].
AB  - The soil moisture of 0-500 cm soil layer in a dryland orchard at its full fruit
      period was measured from 2009 to 2013 to explore the soil moisture dynamics.
      Results indicated that soil water consumption mainly occurred in the soil layer
      of 0-300 cm in normal rainfall year and below the 300 cm soil layer when the
      annual rainfall was less than 400 mm. The soil moisture in the 200-300 cm soil
      layer fluctuated most and was affected by rainfall and apple consumption.
      Seasonal drought usually happened between April and late June, while the
      accumulation of soil moisture mainly occurred in the rainy season from July to
      mid-October to alleviate the drought effectively in next spring.

PMID- 26259465
TI  - [Control of continuous potato monoculture barrier via biological soil
      disinfestation method in Yellow River irrigation areas of central Gansu Province,
      Northwest China].
AB  - The potential of biological soil disinfestation (BSD) in control of continuous
      potato monoculture barrier was investigated in present study. BSD involves the
      induction of soil reduction conditions through incorporation of easily decomposed
      organic materials into soil, flooding the soil by irrigation, and covering the
      soil surface with plastic film. Control (CK) was left without cover and organic
      amendment as well as flooding. Field experiment was conducted for testing the
      effect of BSD approach on the control of continuous potato monoculture barrier,
      especially on tube yield, plant growth and development, suppression of soil-borne
      pathogen, and soil microbial community and enzyme activities. Compared with CK,
      BSD treatment significantly increased tuber yield by 16.1% and plant biomass by
      30.8%, respectively. Meanwhile, the incidence of diseased plant and the ratio of
      diseased tuber in BSD treatment also significantly decreased by 68.0% and 46.7%
      as compared to those in CK, respectively. BSD treatment significantly increased
      the content of chlorophyll and branch numbers per main stem of potato plants,
      improved the morphological characteristics of potato root system. In the course
      of BSD before potato sowing, soil pH value and bacteria/fungi significantly
      increased, but populations of fungi and Fusarium sp. significantly decreased
      compared with CK. There were no significant changes in populations of bacteria
      and actinomycetes between CK and BSD treatments. During potato growing stage, the
      populations of both soil fungi and Fusarium sp. were lower in BSD treatment than
      those of CK. With the advance of potato growth, the population of Fusarium sp. in
      BSD treatment gradually increased compared with CK. There were no significant
      changes in soil enzyme activities in the course of BSD before potato sowing and
      the whole of potato growing stage. It was concluded that BSD has the potential to
      control continuous potato monoculture barrier and may be an important element in
      a sustainable and effective management strategy for potato soil-borne diseases.

PMID- 26259466
TI  - [Effects of different straw-returning regimes on soil organic carbon and carbon
      pool management index in Guanzhong Plain, Northwest China].
AB  - A four-year (2008-2012) field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects
      of different straw-returning regimes on soil total organic carbon (TOC), labile
      organic carbon (LOC) and the ratio of LOC to TOC (LOC/TOC) as well as TOC stock
      (SCS) and soil carbon pool management index (CPMI) in a farmland with maize-wheat
      double cropping system in Guanzhong Plain area, Shaanxi Province, China. The
      results indicated that soil TOC and LOC contents and SCS were significantly
      increased when wheat or maize straw was returned to field, and the increasing
      extent showed the rising order as follows: double straw-returning > single straw
      returning > no straw-returning. Compared to no straw returning, a significant
      increase of TOC and LOC contents and SCS was found in the treatment of wheat
      straw chopping retention combined with maize straw chopping subsoiling retention
      (WC-MM), and CPMI of WC-MM was significantly higher than in the other treatments
      in 0-20 cm soil layer. Compared to no wheat straw returning, soil CPMIs in 0-10
      cm and 10-20 cm soil layer increased by 19.1% and 67.9% for the wheat straw
      chopping returning treatment, and by 22.6% and 32.4% for the maize straw chopping
      subsoiling treatment, respectively. Correlation analysis showed that soil CPMI
      was a more effective index reflecting the sequestration of soil organic carbon in
      0-30 cm soil layer than the ratio of LOC to TOC. This study thus suggested that
      WC-MM regime is the best straw-returning regime for soil organic carbon
      sequestration.

PMID- 26259467
TI  - [Effect of conservation tillage on weeds in a rotation system on the Loess
      Plateau of eastern Gansu, Northwest China].
AB  - A field study was conducted to investigate the influences of no-tillage, stubble
      retention and crop type on weed density, species composition and community
      feature in a rotation system (winter wheat-common vetch-maize) established 12
      years ago on the Loess Plateau of eastern Gansu. This study showed that the weed
      species composition, density and community feature varied with the change of crop
      phases. No-tillage practice increased the weed density at maize phase, while
      rotation with common vetch decreased the density in the no-tillage field. Stubble
      retention reduced the weed density under maize phase and the lowest density was
      observed in the no-tillage plus stubble retention field. No-tillage practice
      significantly increased the weed species diversity under winter wheat phase and
      decreased the diversity under common vetch phase. At maize phase, a greater
      species diversity index was observed in the no-tillage field. These results
      suggested that no-tillage practice and stubble retention possibly suppress
      specific weeds with the presence of some crops and crop rotation is a vital way
      to controlling weeds in a farming system.

PMID- 26259468
TI  - [Effects of bio-organic fertilizer and fungicide application on continuous
      cropping obstacles of cut chrysanthemum].
AB  - Abstract: Fusarium wilt is a soil borne disease caused by plant continuous
      cropping in monoculture Chrysanthemum morifolium 'Youxiang' monoculture not only
      declines plant quality and yield but also decreases soil enzymes and soil
      microbial diversity over successive cultivation. In this article, the effects of
      fungicide (Carbendazim MBC), antifungal enhanced bio-organic fertilizer (BOF),
      and their combined application on the quality and soil enzymes activities of
      Chrysanthemum morifolium 'Youxiang' in continuous cropping systems were
      investigated. The results showed that both bioorganic fertilizer (BOF) and
      fungicide (MBC) single application could effectively prevent the occurrence of
      Fusarium wilt disease of cut chrysanthemum. Bio-organic fertilizer application
      was more effective on root activity, soil enzymes activities and quality (shoot
      height, stem diameter, leaf SPAD value, ray floret number, shoot fresh mass)
      improvement of cut chrysanthemum, while fungicide single application was
      responsible for soil enzymatic activities suppression to some extent. The
      combined application treatment (MBC+BOF) showed the best effects on quality
      improvement and soil enzyme activities promotion.

PMID- 26259469
TI  - [Adaptability of APSIM model in Southwestern China: A case study of winter wheat
      in Chongqing City].
AB  - Field experimental data of winter wheat and parallel daily meteorological data at
      four typical stations in Chongqing City were used to calibrate and validate APSIM
      wheat model and determine the genetic parameters for 12 varieties of winter
      wheat. The results showed that there was a good agreement between the simulated
      and observed growth periods from sowing to emergence, flowering and maturity of
      wheat. Root mean squared errors (RMSEs) between simulated and observed emergence,
      flowering and maturity were 0-3, 1-8, and 0-8 d, respectively. Normalized root
      mean squared errors (NRMSEs) between simulated and observed above-ground biomass
      for 12 study varieties were less than 30%. NRMSE between simulated and observed
      yields for 10 varieties out of 12 study varieties were less than 30%. APSIM-wheat
      model performed well in simulating phenology, aboveground biomass and yield of
      winter wheat in Chongqing City, which could provide a foundational support for
      assessing the impact of climate change on wheat production in the study area
      based on the model.

PMID- 26259470
TI  - [Carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus budgets of bottom-cultured clam Ruditapes
      philippinarum].
AB  - In order to elucidate the role of bottom-cultured clams in the coastal nutrient
      cycle, the seasonal filtration, ingestion and biodeposition rates were in situ
      measured and carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) budgets of Ruditapes
      philippinarum among four seasons were modeled. The results showed that the scope
      for growth of R. philippinarum in carbon (SFG(C)), nitrogen (SFG(N)), and
      phosphorus (SFG(P)) all varied significantly among seasons, with the highest
      values in spring. Meanwhile, SFG(C) was negative in summer, SFG(N) and SFG(P)
      were always positive throughout the year. The seasonal variations of SFG(C),
      SFG(N) and SFG(P) were -3.94-49.82 mg C x ind(-1) x d(-1), 0.72-9.49 mg N x ind(
      1) x d(-1), and 0.15-3.06 mg P x ind(-1) x d(-1), respectively. The net growth
      efficiencies in carbon (K(C2)), nitrogen (K(N2)), and phosphorus (K(P2)) also
      showed a distinct seasonal pattern among seasons, and ranked as K(P2) > K(N2) >
      K(C2). The C, N, and P budgets illustrated that the R. philippinarum population
      relatively used more N and P than C for growth and efficiently transferred the
      pelagic primary production to a higher trophic level. The current study suggested
      that R. philippinarum bottom-cultured at large scale might play a dominant role
      in the nutrient cycle of the coastal ecosystem and should be considered as an
      important ecological component in coastal areas.

PMID- 26259471
TI  - [Ecosystem service and economic valuation in the upper reaches of Xin' an River,
      Anhui, China for mitigating phosphorus nonpoint source pollution].
AB  - A model of phosphorus purification in a watershed was established based on the
      export coefficient and purification index of phosphorus in different types of
      land cover. The model was employed to simulate the economic value of the
      ecosystem service with the expected water quality standard and marginal cost of
      pollutant purification of the upper reaches of Xin' an River of Anhui, China. The
      results revealed that from 2000 to 2010, some farmland outside the Tunxi, Jixi,
      Shexian, Yixian and Xiuning was converted to built-up land. The total amount of
      phosphorus exported to the upper Xin' an River decreased a little, and the main
      source of phosphorus pollution was farmland and built-up land. More than half of
      the exported phosphorus was efficiently purified by different types of land cover
      via flow accumulation. The pattern of purification and export of highly
      concentrated phosphorus showed the same trend which occurred in the northern part
      of the watershed including the Yangzhi River, Fengle River and Hengjiang River.
      Forestland and grassland did not efficiently purify phosphorus in the watershed
      owing to the irrational distribution of existing land cover. The total service
      value was 3.80 and 3.31 million Yuan in 2000 and 2010, respectively.

PMID- 26259472
TI  - [Research advances in iron and zinc transfer from soil to plant in intercropping
      systems].
AB  - Intercropping facilitates the efficient utilization of land, light, water and
      nutrients. It is, therefore, important to increase the biodiversity of farmland
      and to develop sustainable ecological agriculture in both theory and practice.
      Intercropping helps improve the mobilization and uptake of soil iron (Fe) and
      zinc (Zn) and corresponding nutritional status in the plants, thus achieving
      grain micronutrient biofortification. In this review, phenomena of the
      improvement of Fe and Zn nutrition in dicotyledonous plants as affected by
      intercropping with gramineous plants (e.g. maize/peanut intercropping) were
      summarized. Moreover, the possible mechanisms in relation to interspecific
      rhizosphere molecular and physiological processes, as well as the changes in
      interspecific root morphology and distribution and microorganisms in the
      rhizosphere were elucidated. The accumulation, transfer and distribution of Fe
      and Zn in the plants in intercropping systems were also reviewed. The possible
      affecting factors on nutrients of Fe and Zn were analyzed. Based on the present
      advances in the mobilization and acquisition of soil Fe and Zn, and their
      accumulation and distribution in plants as well as the related management and
      environment influence factors, some new research questions were pointed out.
      Quantitative analysis, dynamic and systemic researches and field studies on Fe
      and Zn transfer from soil to plant in intercropping systems should be
      strengthened in the future.

PMID- 26259473
TI  - [Factors affecting activation and transference of soil colloidal phosphorus and
      related analysis technologies].
AB  - Colloids play a key role in the transference process of phosphorus (P) in soil.
      Activation and transference of soil colloidal phosphorus have great effect on
      soil P pool and the surrounding water quality. This paper summarized the current
      studies on soil colloidal P, discussing the effects of the various factors (e.
      g., soil physical and chemical properties, fertilization, rainfall and soil
      amendments) on the transference of soil colloidal P. Some advanced analysis
      technologies (e.g., flow field-flow fractionation, transmission electron
      microscope-energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer, X-ray absorption near-edge
      structure and nuclear magnetic resonance) and methods of reducing soil colloidal
      P were also involved. This review would provide important information on the
      mechanism of soil colloidal P transference.

PMID- 26259474
TI  - [Tobacco cadmium health risk assessment and reduction techniques: A review].
AB  - Tobacco is one of the cadmium accumulation and tolerance plants. Decreasing
      cadmium content of tobacco contributes to environmental safety and human health.
      Three aspects on tobacco cadmium research were reviewed in this paper, i.e.
      uptake and distribution of cadmium in tobacco, and health risk assessment of
      cadmium in tobacco and reduction measures. The current situations and existing
      challenges in the research field were discussed. The cadmium tolerance mechanisms
      of tobacco were reviewed, the factors on cadmium uptake were analyzed, and the
      general distribution of cadmium in tobacco was summarized. From the point of
      health risk assessment, the lack of cadmium limits in tobacco was identified, the
      recommended formula to calculate cadmium limits of tobacco based on atmosphere
      cadmium limits and digestion cadmium limits was provided and the cadmium limits
      of tobacco were estimated using each formula, and suggestions on cadmium limits
      in tobacco were presented. At last, we put forward several effective reduction
      measures to lower cadmium level in tobacco leaves.

PMID- 26259475
TI  - [Proteolysis in bacteria--a review].
AB  - To adapt quickly to the environmental change, bacteria have evolved a protein
      quality control (PQC) network to remove unwanted proteins. AAA + ( ATPases
      associated with diverse cellular activities) proteases form a major part of this
      PQC network, and the discovery of Pup ( prokaryotic ubiquitin-like protein ) 
      proteasome system revealed a novel mechanism of prokaryotic protein degradation.
      Proteolytic machines only degrade substrates bearing a degradation tag or degron
      to insure the proteolysis specificity. In addition, bacteria adopt different
      strategies to regulate the protein degradation. With the discovery of Ubiquitin
      mediated protein degradation in eukaryotes, it has become evident that regulated
      protein degradation plays a crucial role in the cell response to environment
      change among eukaryotes and prokaryotes. Regulation by proteolysis has been shown
      to be involved in diverse bacterial cellular processes including growth,
      division, differentiation, pathogenesis and stress response. This review will
      focus on the structure, degradation process, and the function of AAA +
      proteolytic machines in bacteria.

PMID- 26259476
TI  - [Structural features and functional mechanism of TonB in some Gram-negative
      bacteria-A review].
AB  - TonB systems of gram-negative bacteria play an important role in transportation
      of nutriment from outside environments. TonB systems consist of plasma membrane
      proteins ExbB-ExbD and periplasmic protein TonB, which provide the energy to TonB
      dependent receptors to transport substrates. These substrates include iron,
      hemin, vitamin B12, carbohydrate and some transition metal elements. The energy
      supporting function of TonB relies on its special structure which contains N
      terminal domain for fixation, flexible periplasmic linker Pro-rich domain and C
      terminal domain for contacting receptors. The precise mechanism of TonB system is
      not fully understood though its structural was studied a lot. To provide insights
      into direction for further research of TonB, we reviewed the TonB-dependent
      substrates uptake, structural features, functional mechanism and expression
      regulation of TonB.

PMID- 26259477
TI  - [Research progress on baculovirus encoded inner nuclear membrane sorting motif--a
      review].
AB  - Baculoviruses are a family of arthropod-specific viruses that mainly affect
      insects of the orders Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera, and Diptera. During baculovirus
      infection, an amplified pulse of integral membrane proteins was synthesized. The
      proteins use continuous membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum, outer nuclear
      membrane and inner nuclear membrane during their transport to the viral envelope
      of the occlusion-derived virus. The baculovirus encoded inner nuclear membrane
      sorting motif (INM-SM) functions as a sorting signal and plays pivotal roles in
      these processes. This review focuses on recent advances in understanding of
      baculovirus encoded INM-SM, including the molecular mechanisms underlining
      protein sorting and trafficking by INM-SM, the possible model of INM-SM
      involvement in integral membrane proteins trafficking and the role of INM-SM in
      baculovirus per os infection. These achievements and advances should help to
      expand the molecular understanding of protein trafficking, baculovirus molecular
      biology and its application in the future.

PMID- 26259478
TI  - [Advances in immunomodulation of microbial unmethylated CpG DNA on animal
      intestinal tract--a review].
AB  - Unmethylated cytosine-guanine (CpG) dinucleotides motifs in bacterial DNA can be
      recognized by specific Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) in intestinal cells. As one of
      the intestinal immunostimulatory factors, unmethylated CpG DNA can modulate
      intestinal innate immune responses directly and adaptive immune responses
      indirectly. There is a great prospect for unmethylated CpG DNA as an
      immunomodulator in the rapy of intestinal diseases. This article illustrated the
      basic concepts of unmethylated CpG DNA, the characteristics of TLR9. We also
      reviewed specific applications of unmethylated CpG DNA as adjuvants in modulating
      intestinal immune responses. At last, we elaborated the research and application
      prospects of CpG DNA in the future.

PMID- 26259479
TI  - [Diversity of Bacillus species inhabiting on the surface and endophyte of lichens
      collected from Wuyi Mountain].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The present work reported the isolation, identification and diversity
      of Bacillus species colonizing on the surface and endophyte in lichens collected
      from Wuyi Mountain. METHODS: Nine lichen samples of Evernia, Stereocaulon,
      Menegazzia and other 6 genera belonging to 7 families were collected from Wuyi
      mountain nature reserve. The bacillus-like species colonizing on the surface and
      endophyte in these lichens were isolated and identified by 16S rRNA gene sequence
      analysis. RESULTS: There was no bacillus-like species isolated from Evernia,
      Ramalina and Lecarona. A total of 34 bacillus-like bacteria were isolated from
      another 6 lichen samples. These bacteria were identified as 24 species and were
      classified into Bacillus, Paenibacillus, Brevibacillus, Lysinibacillus and
      Viridiibacillus. Paenibacillus and Bacillus are the dominant genera, and
      accounting for 41. 2% and 35. 3% of all isolated bacteria respectively.
      Brevibacillus, Lysinibacillus and Viridiibacillu were first reported being
      isolated from lichens. There were different species and quantity of bacillus
      colonizing on the surface and endophyte in different lichens. The quantity of
      bacillus colonizing on the surface of Physcia was more than 3.85 x 10(6) cfu/g
      and was the largest in the isolated bacteria, while the species of bacillus
      colonizing on the surface and endophyte in Stereocaulon was the most abundant.
      Most of the isolated bacteria were colonizing on (in) one lichen genera, but
      Paenibacillus taichungensis, Paenibacillus odorifer, Brevibacillus agri,
      Lysinibacillus xylanilyticus was respectively colonizing on (in) 2-3 lichen
      genera and Bacillus mycoides was colonizing on (in) Menegazzia, Cladonia Physcia,
      and Stereocaulon. CONCLUSION: There are species and quantity diversity of
      bacillus colonizing on (in) lichens.

PMID- 26259480
TI  - [Interfering effect of an intergenic-derived sRNA of Cryptococcus neoformans].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We demonstrated the interfering effect of a new intergenic-derived
      sRNA of Cryptococcus neoformans. METHODS: We constructed a library of sRNAs from
      20 to 25 nt, and used a reporter gene CLC1 that was fused to the testing sRNAs to
      show the interference effect, i. e. the degradation of the CLC1 would gene rate
      an albino phenotype of the transformants. RESULTS: Through the CLC-sRNA reporter
      system, we acquired one sRNA, sRNA-1, located to an intergenic region of the
      genome of C. neoformans, that displayed interfering effect on CLCl. CONCLUSIONS:
      In C. neoformans, the origination of sRNA may be diverse. The endogenous sRNA
      should play interfering function via the canonical RNAi pathway.

PMID- 26259481
TI  - [Effects of transporter Agp1p ubiquitination on nitrogen utilization in
      Saccharomyces cerevisiae].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this work is to studythe effects of ubiquitination of
      key nitrogen transporter Agp1p on nitrogen utilization in Saccharomyces
      cerevisiae. METHODS: The ubiquitination detection vector to examine the
      ubiquitination process of Agp1p was constructed based on the bimolecular
      fluorescence complementation technology. The site-directed mutagenesis on the
      potential ubiquitination sites were performed to verify the effect on its
      ubiquitination regulation and nitrogen utilization. RESULTS: Agp1p can be
      ubiquitinated on the medium with glutamine, arginine, proline or ammonium. The
      fluorescence levels of mutant strains were down-regulated compared to the wild
      type strain. The quadruple mutant Agp1pK11-14-98-112R achieved the lowest level
      among all strains. The ubiuitination process could be significantly repressed by
      removing the potential ubiquitination residues. Furthermore, flask-shaking
      experiments with nineamino acids or urea as sole nitrogen source showed that the
      effect of nitrogen utilization efficiencyinthe quadruple mutant was the highest.
      CONCLUSION: Ubiquitination was involved in the regulation of Agp1p. Site-directed
      mutagenesis of potential ubiquitination sites of the transporter could
      significantly affect the nitrogen utilization process by altering the
      ubiquitination process.

PMID- 26259482
TI  - [Regulation of cell growth and filamentation in Candida albicans by high-affinity
      iron permeases Ftr1 and Ftr2].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the function of high-affinity iron permeases, Ftr1 and
      Ftr2, we studied cell growth and filamentation ability of the ftr1/ftr1,
      ftr2/ftr2, and ftr1/ftr1 ftr2/ftr2 mutants under different culture conditions.
      METHODS: Cells of the wild type and mutants were cultured on different solid
      media at different temperatures. Cell growth and filamentation were observed.
      RESULTS: Deletion of either one of the FTR genes had no effect on the growth
      under all conditions tested. Deletion of both FTR1 and FTR2 led to obvious growth
      defect on Spider media, although addition of FeCl3 restored their growth. The
      double mutant also grew much more slowly on nutrients-limited synthetic media
      such as Lee's glucose and Lee's GlcNAc (N-acetylglucosamine). Moreover, deletion
      of FTR1 enhanced filamentation, whereas deletion of FTR2 weakened this ability.
      Deletion of both FTR1 and FTR2 recovered the ability of filamentation.
      CONCLUSION: Ftr1 and Ftr2 are very important for C. albicans growth under iron
      limited condition and may participate in the utilization of some carbon sources
      including GlcNAc, ethnol, and glycerol. Ftr1 plays a negative, whereas Ftr2 plays
      a positive role in the regulation of filamentation in C. albicans.

PMID- 26259483
TI  - [Effects of selective methanogenic inhibitors on methanogenesis and methanogenic
      communities in acetate degrading cultures].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the role of syntrophic acetate oxidation coupled with
      hydrogenotrophic methanogens in three different methanogenic consortia. METHODS:
      Three methanogenic hexadecane degrading consortia named Y15, M82 and SK were
      taken from the same oily sludge of Shengli oil-field and enriched. They were
      incubated at 15, 35 and 55  degrees C, respectively. The consortia amended with
      acetate and inhibitors of NH4Cl or CH3F were further transferred and incubated at
      corresponding temperatures. The cultures atlate logarithmic phase were collected
      for terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) combined with
      cloning and phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene fragments. RESULTS: Gas
      chromatograph analysis showed that all of the consortia could grow and produce
      methane, but the lag phase was delayed and the growth rate was retarded in the
      cultures amended with inhibitor. Combination analysis of T-RFLP and clone library
      revealed the predominance of obligate aceticlastic Methanosaeta in the acetate
      cultures of Y15, M82 and SK. Under the mesophilic and thermophilic conditions,
      after add inginhibitor the relative abundance of aceticlastic methanogen
      decreased but hydrogenotrophic methanogen increased. CONCLUSION: Syntrophic
      acetate oxidation during methanogenic degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons
      occurs under mesophilic and thermophilic conditions, although the situation at
      low temperature seems uncertain.

PMID- 26259484
TI  - [High-throughput analysis of bacterial community of transition zone in littoral
      wetland of Wuliangsuhai eutrophic lake].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We studied soil bacterial community composition, abundance and
      diversity of transition zone along eutrophic lakeside wetland sediments and
      soils. METHODS: The total DNA was extracted according to the sediment DNA
      extraction. Then high-throughput pyrosequencing was used to detect soil bacterial
      community composition,abundance and diversity based-on 16S rRNA gene. Soil
      physicochemical properties were tested to analyze its effects on bacterial
      community according to standard methods. RESULTS: The soil bacterial community
      composition and relative abundance were very different across transition zone in
      littoral wetland. Bacteria groups mainly include Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes,
      Chloroflexi, Actinobacteria, Planctomycetes and Gemmatimonadetes at phylum level.
      The diversity index of bacterial communities gradually increased according the
      land distribution, especially the phylum Proteobacteria and the genus
      Sulfurimonas. Correlation analysis indicated that the combination of total
      phosphorus, total water soluble salt and ammonium has the most significant
      effects on the whole bacterial community structure, and Mantel Test results
      indicated that the correlation was statistically significant (R = 0.8857, P =
      0.037). CONCLUSION: The bacterial community structure of transition zone is quite
      different in littoral wetland of Wuliangsuhai eutrophic lake, where Sulfurimonas
      play potential important roles in biogeochemical cycles of sediments in
      Wuliangsuhai Lake.

PMID- 26259485
TI  - [Formation of huntite by Lysinibacillus sp. GW-2 strain].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We studied the formation of carbonate minerals induced by
      microorganism to explore the possibility of mineral capture. METHODS: Culture
      experiments of carbonate precipitation were done using B4 medium with 6:1 molar
      ration of Mg/Ca for 50 days. The same medium without inoculation was used as the
      control. During the cultivation, bacterial density, precipitate quantities, pH
      and conductivity of the medium, calciumand magnesium concentration were
      determined. The morphologies of precipitated carbonates were observed using
      scanning electron microscopy, and mineral species of carbonate were determined by
      X-ray diffraction. RESULTS: The main results were: (1) In the inoculation process
      of the Lysinibacillus sp. (GW-2 strain), we found that precipitate quantities
      were gradually increased with time, while precipitate was not collected in the
      aseptic experiments; (2) There were significant positive correlations between
      bacterial density and average precipitation rate (r = 0. 67, P < 0.05),
      precipitate quantities and pH value (r = 0.79, P < 0.05); (3) Precipitate
      quantities negatively correlated with conductivity, Ca2+ and Mg2+ concentration
      with correlation coefficients r of 0.89, 0.93, 0.98 (P < 0.001), respectively;
      (4) The three carbonate minerals by Lysinibacillus sp. formed according to
      following trend: amorphous calcium carbonate --> Huntite --> High-Mg calcite.
      CONCLUSIONS: The main conclusions were: (1) Lysinibacillus sp. (GW-2 strain)
      might induce the formation of carbonate minerals precipitation; (2) The bacterial
      density directly affected the precipitation of carbonate minerals, whereas pH
      value indirectly controlled the precipitation of carbonate minerals; (3)
      Decreased of conductivity, calcium and magnesium concentration of the medium
      could indirectly indicate the occurrence of carbonate precipitate; (4) Huntite
      might be formed through ageing of amorphous calcium carbonate, whereas high-Mg
      calcite might be formed through demagnesium of the huntite.

PMID- 26259486
TI  - [Actinobacterial diversity in Xinghu Wetland].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the
      microbial community structure of soil actinomycetes and geochemical
      characteristics in Xinghu wetland sediments. METHODS: The diversity and
      composition of the actiniobacterial community in sediments collected from 10
      locations were studied using PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis.
      Canonical correspondence analysis was carried out to examine the relationship
      between environmental variables and actinobacterial community composition.
      RESULT: There were significant differences among the Shannon-wiener index,
      Richness and Evenness. Similarity analysis of actinobacteria communities in
      different station showed certain trends in similarity coefficients, and
      actinobacteria community structure similarity of the same transect was much
      higher than others. According to the results of sequence analysis of DGGE
      dominant bands belonged to the orders Nocardioidaceae, Streptomycetaceae,
      Micromonosporaceae, Micrococaceae, Cellulomonadaceae and Promicromonosporaceae.
      Canonical correspondence analysis showed that sediment water-soluble organic
      carbon and available phosphorus were identified as the key factor in regulating
      the variations of actinobacterial community composition. CONCLUSION: Xinghu
      Wetland is the potential place for actinobacteria diversity. This study provides
      fundamental data for further studies of the underline mechanisms of structure
      microbial groups and the isolation of actinobacteria strains of interest.

PMID- 26259487
TI  - [Environmental fitness of metalaxyl-resistant isolate of Phytophthora capsici].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The environmental fitness of metalaxyl-resistant isolate of
      Phytophthora capsici was studied for assessing the risk of metalaxyl-resistant P.
      capsici. METHODS: We studied the main biological characteristics, competitive
      ability on plate, pathogenicity on pepper plant and adaptability in soil of the
      laboratory-induced metalaxyl-resistant isolate of P. capsici (Pc2-3 strain), with
      the metalaxyl-sensitive isolate (Pc2 strain, the wild-type) as the control.
      RESULTS: The zoosporangia production, releasing rate of zoosporangia and
      germination rate of zoospores of Pc2-3 were less than that of Pc2. The
      temperature range, optimum temperature range and initial pH range for mycelia
      growth of Pc2-3 were consistent with that of Pc2, but mycelia growth rate of Pc2
      3 was lower than that of Pc2. Pc2-3 exhibited significantly weak competitive
      ability compared with Pc2 on carrots plate. Disease incidence of pepper
      inoculated with Pc2-3 (14.3%) was significantly lower than that of Pc2 (88. 6% ).
      When pepper plant was inoculated by mixtures of zoospore suspension of Pc2-3 and
      Pc2 at same ratio, the disease incidence, closing to that by Pc2 strain, was
      75.7% . And all the strains isolated from diseased plants in the treatment were
      metalaxyl-sensitive. The density of P. capsis Pc2-3 was 0.28 times of Pc2 after
      the soil inoculated with Pc2-3 and Pc2 respectively at same zoospores density was
      incubated for 20 days. Otherwise, the ratio of Pc2-3 to Pc2 was 0.42 if the
      metalaxyl concentration in the soil was 300 mg/kg dry soil. No matter the soil
      temperature and humidity were beneficial to survival of P. capsici or not, Pc2-3
      showed lower soil adaptability than Pc2. CONCLUSION: The environmental fitness of
      metalaxyl-resistant P. capsis Pc2-3 was weaker than the metalaxyl- sensitive
      strain Pc2 (the wild-type).

PMID- 26259488
TI  - [Isolation, screening and identification of yeast for aquaculture water
      purification].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: In order to get excellent yeast strains for aquiculture water
      purification, we isolated, screened and identified yeasts from the aquacultural
      environment and intestinal tract of shrimp. METHODS: The potential water
      purification ability of yeasts, isolated from the activated sludge of
      aquacultural environment and intestinal tract of white shrimp and mantis shrimp
      under normal and low temperature, was evaluated in the simulated wastewater.
      Morphological physio-biochemical characteristics, 5.8S rDNA ITS gene sequence
      analysis were used to identify the strains. RESULTS: Thirty-seven yeast strains
      were isolated from 3 samples, among them 16 strains were isolated under normal
      temperature (25  degrees C) while 21 strains were isolated under low temperature
      (15 degrees  C). Water purification test suggested 5 strains isolated under 25 
      degrees C and 6 strains isolated under 15  degrees C had higher removal ability
      of nitrite and ammonia from water. After 48 hours treatment with DN9 and CN6,
      10.64 mg/L nitrite in the water was completely removed. After 96 hours treatment,
      CODcr degradation rates of the 2 strains were 52% and 67%, respectively.
      According to morphological, physio-biochemical characteristics and 5.8S rDNA ITS
      gene sequence analysis, the strain DN9 was identified as Rhodotorula mucilaginosa
      and CN6 as Rhodosporidium paludigenum. CONCLUSION: Strains DN9 and CN6 would be
      promising for water purification in aquiculture.

PMID- 26259489
TI  - [Correlation between Type IV secretion system component VirD4 and virulence for
      Streptococcus suis 2].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: In order to study the role of SS2 Type IV Secretion System VirD4 in
      evasion of the host innate immune killing, we constructed a knockout mutant
      AVirD4. Then we studied its biological activity and virulence. METHODS: The two
      VirD4 flanking DNA sequences were amplified using genome of 05ZYH33 as template.
      We also amplified the Cm sequence of shuttle vector pSET1, and through overlap
      extension PCR we connected the three fragments together. Using suicide vector
      pSET4s, we constructed the recombinant gene knockout vector pSET4s::VirD4. The
      mutant AVirD4 was successfully constructed by allelic replacement. Virulence of
      mutant strain was compared with wild type strain 05ZYH33 through in vitro
      bactericidal assays, competitive infection and challenge experiment of CD1 mice.
      RESULTS: Mutant strain AVirD4 was constructed successfully, its virulence
      attenuated compared to the wild type strain. CONCLUSION: These findings indicated
      that Type IV Secretion System component VirD4 contributed to the virulence of S.
      suis with important functions in evading innate immunocyte killing.

PMID- 26259490
TI  - [TLR-4 involvement in pyroptosis of mice with pulmonary inflammation infected by
      Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Pyroptosis is a caspase-1 dependent programmed cell death and involves
      pathogenesis of infectious diseases by releasing many pro-inflammatory cytokines
      to induced inflammation. TLR-4 plays an important role in mediating pathogenesis
      of some infectious diseases. In this study, we detected the expression of TLR-4
      and some molecules (e. g caspase-1, TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-18 ) related
      with pyroptosis to determine its involvement and mechanisms of pulmonary
      inflammation in mice infected by A. pleuropneumoniae. METHODS: Mice were
      intranasally infected by A. pleuropneumoniae and killed 48 hours post infection.
      Pulmonary gross lesion and histological pathology by H-E were observed.
      Expression levels of caspase-1 , caspase-3, TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-18, and
      TLR-4 in lung of mice were detected by RT-PCR and qPCR. RESULTS: Serious
      pulmonary hemorrhage and inflammation in infected mice were observed. Expression
      levels of caspase-1, caspase-3, TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-18 and TLR-4
      increased, and expression levels of caspase-3 were not changed in lung of
      infected mice. CONCLUSION: TLR-4 might be involved in pulmonary inflammation of
      mice infected by A. pleuropneumoniae. After induced by activated TLR-4 some cells
      in this lesion expressed pro-inflammatory cytokines. These cytokines would induce
      pulmonary inflammation. This lesion might involve pyroptosis with caspase-1
      expression.

PMID- 26259492
TI  - Comparison of cap lamp and laser illumination for detecting visual escape cues in
      smoke.
AB  - The Illuminating Engineering Society of North America reports that an underground
      mine is the most difficult environment to illuminate (Rea, 2000). Researchers at
      the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Office of
      Mine Safety and Health Research (OMSHR) are conducting ongoing studies designed
      to explore different lighting technologies for improving mine safety. Underground
      miners use different visual cues to escape from a smoke-filled environment.
      Primary and secondary escapeways are marked with reflective ceiling tags of
      various colors. Miners also look for mine rail tracks. The main objective of this
      paper is to compare different lighting types and ceiling tag colors to
      differentiate what works best in a smoke-filled environment. Various cap lamps
      (LED and incandescent) and lasers (red, blue, green) were compared to see which
      options resulted in the longest detection distances for red, green and blue
      reflective markers and a section of mine rail track. All targets advanced toward
      the human subject inside of a smoke-filled room to simulate the subject walking
      in a mine environment. Detection distances were recorded and analyzed to find the
      best cap lamp, laser color and target color in a smoke environment. Results show
      that cap lamp, laser color and target color do make a difference in detection
      distances and are perceived differently based on subject age. Cap lamps were
      superior to lasers in all circumstances of ceiling tag detection, with the
      exception of the green laser. The incandescent cap lamp worked best in the
      simulated smoke compared to the LED cap lamps. The green laser was the best color
      for detecting the tags and track compared to the red and blue lasers. The green
      tags were the easiest color to detect on the ceiling. On average, the track was
      easier for the subjects to detect than the ceiling tags.

PMID- 26259493
TI  - The role of censoring on progression free survival: oncologist discretion
      advised.
AB  - Censoring is increasingly appreciated as a potential bias affecting estimates of
      progression free survival (PFS) in randomised trials. In this commentary, we
      explore the central assumption of censoring. Censored patients are considered no
      more or less likely to undergo the event of interest than those who remain in the
      analysis. Instead however, if one makes alternate assumptions, that censored
      patients are different than those who remain on the trial, estimates of PFS
      change. Using the example of the recent BOLERO-2 trial of exemestane and
      everolimus, we show that by altering the assumptions for censoring, the major
      conclusions of clinical trials may change. As such, the number of censored
      patients at each time interval should be routinely reported in randomised trials
      to better understand the implications of censoring.

PMID- 26259494
TI  - Thymoma and thymic carcinoma in children and adolescents: a report from the
      European Cooperative Study Group for Pediatric Rare Tumors (EXPeRT).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Thymomas and thymic carcinomas belong to a group of thymic epithelial
      tumours arising from the anterior mediastinum and, are extremely rare in children
      in which no therapeutic guidelines have been established. The aim is to describe
      paediatric characteristics of these tumours and give some therapeutic
      indications. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of clinical data and therapeutic
      characteristics of paediatric patients less than 18years with thymic tumours
      treated between 2000 and 2012 registered in the European Cooperative Study Group
      for Pediatric Rare Tumors (EXPeRT) database of the cooperating national rare
      paediatric tumour working groups from France, Italy, Germany and Poland. RESULTS:
      Sixteen children with thymoma, median age 11years and 20 patients with thymic
      carcinoma, median age 14years were enrolled into study. At diagnosis complete
      primary resection was possible in 11 patients with thymoma and one with thymic
      carcinoma; resection with microscopic residue was performed in three cases and
      incomplete resection with macroscopic residue in four patients. Chemotherapy with
      various regimens was administered to 22 children; 17 of them as neoadjuvant
      chemotherapy. Eight patients with thymic carcinoma received additional
      radiotherapy. Seventeen children died (15 thymic carcinoma, two thymoma). Five
      year overall survival for patients with thymic carcinoma is 21.0+/-10.0%.
      CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the possibility to perform European
      retrospective analysis even in very rare paediatric tumours. Thymic carcinoma is
      associated with paediatric patients to give a very poor prognosis independently
      despite multimodal management. Multidisciplinary, multicenter approach and
      collaboration with adults' physician are necessary in order to propose homogenous
      guidelines.

PMID- 26259495
TI  - Investigation of Oxytocin Secretion in Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa:
      Relationships to Temperament Personality Dimensions.
AB  - Published studies suggested an implication of oxytocin in some temperament
      characteristics of personality. Therefore, we measured oxytocin secretion in 23
      women with anorexia nervosa (AN), 27 with bulimia nervosa (BN) and 19 healthy
      controls and explored the relationships between circulating oxytocin and
      patients' personality traits. Plasma oxytocin levels were significantly reduced
      in AN women but not in BN ones. In healthy women, the attachment subscale scores
      of the reward dependence temperament and the harm avoidance (HA) scores explained
      82% of the variability in circulating oxytocin. In BN patients, plasma oxytocin
      resulted to be negatively correlated with HA, whereas no significant correlations
      emerged in AN patients. These findings confirm a dysregulation of oxytocin
      production in AN but not in BN and show, for the first time, a disruption of the
      associations between hormone levels and patients' temperament traits, which may
      have a role in certain deranged behaviours of eating disorder patients.

PMID- 26259496
TI  - Early second-trimester plasma protein profiling using multiplexed isobaric tandem
      mass tag (TMT) labeling predicts gestational diabetes mellitus.
AB  - AIMS: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with an increased risk of
      serious complications for mother and child during pregnancy. The main option for
      diagnosis of GDM is 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) at 24-28 gestation
      weeks, when harms to both mother and child have already potentially occurred. The
      aim of this study was to investigate new biomarkers for earlier detection and
      assessment of GDM at early second trimester (16-18 gestation weeks). METHODS: We
      systematically used multiplexed isobaric tandem mass tag labeling combined with
      liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to screen differentially
      expressed proteins in plasma collected at 16-18 gestational weeks between
      pregnant women with and without GDM outcome. RESULTS: A total of 828 proteins
      were identified, of which 36 proteins implicated in immune response,
      inflammation, transport, platelet aggregation, catalyze and defense response were
      identified as differentially regulated proteins in GDM. To assess the validity of
      the results, four selected proteins including C-reactive protein, sex hormone
      binding globulin, Ficolin 3 and pregnancy-specific beta-1-glycoprotein 4 were
      selected for subsequent Western blot analysis. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first
      comprehensive study that integrates multiple state-of-the-art proteomic
      technologies to discover the earlier potential plasma biomarkers for GDM.

PMID- 26259497
TI  - The author's reply: Pancreatic fat and hepato-metabolic features in obese
      children with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

PMID- 26259498
TI  - Levels and limits in artificial selection of communities.
AB  - Artificial selection of individuals has been determinant in the elaboration of
      the Darwinian theory of natural selection. Nowadays, artificial selection of
      ecosystems has proven its efficiency and could contribute to a theory of natural
      selection at several organisation levels. Here, we were not interested in
      identifying mechanisms of adaptation to selection, but in establishing the proof
      of principle that a specific structure of interaction network emerges under
      ecosystem artificial selection. We also investigated the limits in ecosystem
      artificial selection to evaluate its potential in terms of managing ecosystem
      function. By artificially selecting microbial communities for low CO2 emissions
      over 21 generations (n = 7560), we found a very high heritability of community
      phenotype (52%). Artificial selection was responsible for simpler interaction
      networks with lower interaction richness. Phenotype variance and heritability
      both decreased across generations, suggesting that selection was more likely
      limited by sampling effects than by stochastic ecosystem dynamics. 

PMID- 26259499
TI  - National decline in invasive prenatal diagnostic procedures in association with
      uptake of combined first trimester and cell-free DNA aneuploidy screening.
AB  - In late 2012, a new screening test for fetal aneuploidy based on circulating cell
      free DNA (cfDNA) became available to Australian women. The introduction of this
      technology in the United States has led to a reduction in invasive diagnostic
      procedures. Analysis of the number of amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling
      (CVS) procedures performed in Australia from 1994 to 2014 shows that the
      introduction of cfDNA testing has been associated with the most rapid decline in
      invasive procedures in the last 20 years. This change has important implications
      for training in, and maintenance of, the procedural skills of amniocentesis and
      CVS.

PMID- 26259500
TI  - Biomechanical evaluation of a new treatment method for distal tibia fractures.

PMID- 26259501
TI  - Birth outcomes of patients with isolated anorectal malformations: A population
      based case-control study.
AB  - In most patients affected by isolated anorectal malformation (IARM) the etiology
      is largely unknown. Thus, the aim of our project was to analyze possible risk
      factors for IARM. In the first step, birth outcomes of cases with IARM were
      analyzed on the basis of maternal socio-demographic variables, and these data are
      presented in this paper. Gestational age at delivery, birthweight, preterm birth,
      low birthweight and small for gestational age of cases with IARM were evaluated
      in the function of maternal age, birth/pregnancy order, marital and employment
      status of mothers in the population-based large dataset of the Hungarian Case
      Control Surveillance of Congenital Abnormalities, 1980-1996. The study samples
      included 231 live-born cases with IARM, 361 matched and 38 151 population
      controls without any defect. IARMs are more frequent in males, twins and newborn
      infants with low birthweight and small-for-gestational-age, the latter being the
      consequence of intrauterine growth restriction. In addition, mothers of cases
      were younger but with higher birth order, and had lower socio-economic status.
      These maternal variables are characteristic for the gypsy population in Hungary.
      The higher proportion of gypsy women among the mothers of cases with IARM was
      confirmed during the home visits of the study. Male sex and intrauterine growth
      restriction of cases, in addition to low socioeconomic status and gypsy origin of
      mothers may have a role in the risk of IARMs. 

PMID- 26259502
TI  - Nonmyeloablative allogeneic stem cell transplantation for chronic lymphocytic
      leukaemia offers the possibility of disease control with minimal morbidity and
      mortality--a single institution experience.
AB  - Allogeneic stem cell transplantation is a treatment option for patients with poor
      risk CLL. We conducted a retrospective analysis of all CLL patients allografted
      at our institution, the University Hospital of Cologne, Germany. Data was
      collected on 40 patients from 2004 to 2012. The mean age was 54, and the majority
      were male (75 %). On average, the patients were diagnosed 6 years (range 2-12)
      prior to transplant with an average of 4 years (range 1-8) from time of first
      line therapy to transplant. The remission states at the time of transplant were
      complete remission (CR) (n = 4), stable disease (n = 10), partial remission (n =
      20) and progressive disease (n = 6). Only reduced intensity conditioning regimens
      were employed. The average CD34(+) cell dose was 4.16 * 10(6)/kg. Neutrophil
      engraftment was seen by day +17 (range 10-23) post-transplant, and 88 % achieved
      95-100 % donor chimerism by day 100. Overall survival, progression-free survival
      and non-relapse mortality at 2 years post-transplant were 65, 52.5 and 27.5 %,
      respectively. A total of 51 % of patients were found to be minimal residual
      disease (MRD)-negative at 1 year post-transplant. Our single-centre experience
      confirms the valuable role of allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) in
      the treatment of poor risk CLL patients with promising long-term survival and
      acceptable transplant-related mortality. The advent of newer therapeutic agents
      should not hinder the consideration of allo-SCT for this patient cohort as it
      remains the only curative option for these patients. 

PMID- 26259504
TI  - Detection of red blood cell antibodies in mitogen-stimulated cultures from
      patients with hereditary spherocytosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hereditary spherocytosis (HS) is a congenital hemolytic anemia caused
      by defects in red blood cell (RBC) membrane proteins leading to premature RBC
      clearance in the spleen. The presence of RBC autoantibodies has never been
      extensively investigated in HS. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: RBC antibody-bound
      immunoglobulin (Ig)G was investigated in 91 consecutive HS patients by mitogen
      stimulated direct antiglobulin test (MS-DAT), a sensitive method able to magnify
      latent RBC antibody autoimmunity and related with hemolytic variables, previous
      splenectomy, and type of membrane defect. RESULTS: A total of 61% of HS cases had
      RBC antibodies by MS-DAT (29 Band 3, 17 spectrin deficiency, and nine no defined
      defect). The amount of RBC-bound IgG was greater in HS compared with controls
      (236 +/- 192 ng/mL vs. 52 +/- 29 ng/mL, p < 0.0001), although lower than that
      observed in autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA; 634 +/- 371 ng/mL vs. 236 +/- 192
      ng/mL, p < 0.0001). Western blot experiments showed that purified IgG fraction
      from MS-DAT-positive patients bind to alpha- and beta-spectrin, Band 3, and Band
      4.9. Positive cases displayed increased reticulocytosis and slightly reduced
      hemoglobin (Hb) values compared to negative ones. Patients displaying RBC-bound
      IgG of more than 250 ng/mL (the positive threshold of AIHA) showed increased
      number of spherocytes and mainly had spectrin deficiency. RBC-bound IgG and free
      Hb increased over time after storage at 4 degrees C, a surrogate of ex vivo
      aging, more evidently in HS than controls, and particularly in Band 3 deficiency.
      CONCLUSION: RBC autoantibodies were detected by MS-DAT in more than a half of HS
      patients. Positive cases showed a more evident hemolytic pattern suggesting a
      pathogenic role of these autoantibodies in RBC opsonization and splenic removal.

PMID- 26259505
TI  - The Role of Eating Habits on the Iron Status of Pregnant Women.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study highlights the relationship between some eating habits and
      iron status during pregnancy. SUBJECTS: The study included 219 healthy pregnant
      women aged 27.6 +/- 5.7 years from southern Bulgaria. METHODS: Subjects' iron
      status was assessed on the basis of the following iron indicators: hemoglobin
      (Hb), serum ferritin (SF), serum transferrin receptor (sTfR), and body iron index
      (mg/kg). RESULTS: Severe anemia among the women from southern Bulgaria was not
      observed. Advanced pregnancy and some eating habits are factors that deteriorate
      iron status. Women who had consumed fish at least 3 times a week had lower levels
      of sTfR (r = 0.008), higher levels of SF (r = 0.05), and lower levels of body
      iron (r = 0.018). Frequent legume consumption was related to increased levels of
      sTfR (r = 0.036). Pregnant women with a high frequency of coffee consumption had
      lower values of body iron (r < 0.0001). Women who had consumed cow's milk at
      least 3 times a week had lower levels of SF (r = 0.026) and body iron (r =
      0.042). CONCLUSIONS: Regular consumption of fish and legumes, rarely drinking
      coffee, and milk consumption during the intervals between food intake are
      conditions for optimization of iron status during pregnancy.

PMID- 26259506
TI  - Dietary intake of calcium and magnesium and the metabolic syndrome in the
      National Health and Nutrition Examination (NHANES) 2001-2010 data.
AB  - Higher dietary intakes of Mg and Ca, individually, have been associated with a
      decreased risk for the metabolic syndrome (MetSyn). Experimental studies suggest
      that a higher intra-cellular ratio of Ca:Mg, which may be induced by a diet high
      in Ca and low in Mg, may lead to hypertension and insulin resistance. However, no
      previous epidemiological studies have examined the effects of the combined intake
      of Mg and Ca on MetSyn. Thus, we evaluated the association between dietary
      intakes of Ca and Mg (using 24-h recalls), independently and in combination, and
      MetSyn in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Study 2001-2010 data,
      which included 9148 adults (4549 men and 4599 women), with complete information
      on relevant nutrient, demographic, anthropometric and biomarker variables. We
      found an inverse association between the highest (>355 mg/d) v. the lowest (<197
      mg/d) quartile of Mg and MetSyn (OR 0.70; 95% CI 0.57, 0.86). Women who met the
      RDA for both Mg (310-320 mg/d) and Ca (1000-1200 mg/d) had the greatest reduced
      odds of MetSyn (OR 0.59; 95% CI 0.45, 0.76). In men, meeting the RDA for Mg (400
      420 mg/d) and Ca (1000-1200 mg/d), individually or in combination, was not
      associated with MetSyn; however, men with intakes in the highest quartile for Mg
      (>= 386 mg/d) and Ca (>= 1224 mg/d) had a lower odds of MetSyn (OR 0.74; 95% CI
      0.59, 0.93). Our results suggest that women who meet the RDA for Mg and Ca have a
      reduced odds of MetSyn but men may require Ca levels higher than the RDA to be
      protected against MetSyn.

PMID- 26259507
TI  - Reconstituted AIM2 inflammasome in cell-free system.
AB  - Absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) is an intracellular pattern-recognition receptor,
      which is a member of the PYHIN protein family, consisting of a PYD domain and an
      IFN-inducible nuclear localization (HIN) domain. AIM2 is reported to oligomerize
      with adaptor protein ASC upon sensing bacterial and viral cytosolic DNA in order
      to form the AIM2 inflammasome, which activates caspase-1 leading to IL-1beta
      secretion. Dysregulation of AIM2 inflammasome is supposed to result in
      autoinflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Thus, the development of new targeted
      drugs against AIM2 inflammasome would be important for the treatment of these
      diseases. However, since AIM2 inflammasome is an intracellular receptor, enforced
      internalization of both ligands and candidate molecules is necessary for the
      screening of AIM2-inflammasome-targeted molecules. We developed a reconstituted
      AIM2 inflammasome in a cell-free system with amplified luminescent proximity
      homogeneous assay (Alpha). Strong Alpha signal was detected upon incubation with
      poly-deoxyadenylic-deoxythymidylic acid, poly(dA:dT), whereas no Alpha signal was
      detected upon incubation with muramyl dipeptide, one of the NLR ligands of Nod2
      ligand. The interaction between AIM2 and ASC was disrupted by an anti-human ASC
      monoclonal antibody, CRID3, a class of diarylsulfonylurea-containing compounds,
      and glycyrrhizin, a substance found in liquorice root. Thus, the reconstituted
      AIM2 inflammasome in a cell-free system is useful for screening AIM2-inflammasome
      targeted therapeutic molecules. 

PMID- 26259508
TI  - Temporal and spatial influences incur reconfiguration of Arctic heathland soil
      bacterial community structure.
AB  - Microbial responses to Arctic climate change could radically alter the stability
      of major stores of soil carbon. However, the sensitivity of plot-scale
      experiments simulating climate change effects on Arctic heathland soils to
      potential confounding effects of spatial and temporal changes in soil microbial
      communities is unknown. Here, the variation in heathland soil bacterial
      communities at two survey sites in Sweden between spring and summer 2013 and at
      scales between 0-1 m and, 1-100 m and between sites (> 100 m) were investigated
      in parallel using 16S rRNA gene T-RFLP and amplicon sequencing. T-RFLP did not
      reveal spatial structuring of communities at scales < 100 m in any site or
      season. However, temporal changes were striking. Amplicon sequencing corroborated
      shifts from r- to K-selected taxon-dominated communities, influencing in silico
      predictions of functional potential. Network analyses reveal temporal keystone
      taxa, with a spring betaproteobacterial sub-network centred upon a Burkholderia
      operational taxonomic unit (OTU) and a reconfiguration to a summer sub-network
      centred upon an alphaproteobacterial OTU. Although spatial structuring effects
      may not confound comparison between plot-scale treatments, temporal change is a
      significant influence. Moreover, the prominence of two temporally exclusive
      keystone taxa suggests that the stability of Arctic heathland soil bacterial
      communities could be disproportionally influenced by seasonal perturbations
      affecting individual taxa.

PMID- 26259509
TI  - Water impacting on superhydrophobic macrotextures.
AB  - It has been recently shown that the presence of macrotextures on superhydrophobic
      materials can markedly modify the dynamics of water impacting them, and in
      particular significantly reduce the contact time of bouncing drops, compared with
      what is observed on a flat surface. This finding constitutes a significant step
      in the maximization of water repellency, since it enables to minimize even
      further the contact between solid and liquid. It also opens a new axis of
      research on the design of super-structures to induce specific functions such as
      anti-freezing, liquid fragmentation and/or recomposition, guiding, trapping and
      so on. Here we show that the contact time of drops bouncing on a repellent
      macrotexture takes discrete values when varying the impact speed. This allows us
      to propose a quantitative analysis of the reduction of contact time and thus to
      understand how and why macrotextures can control the dynamical properties of
      bouncing drops. 

PMID- 26259510
TI  - The Association of Fibrinous Pleural Effusion with Survival and Complications in
      Horses with Pleuropneumonia (2002-2012): 74 Cases.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Fibrinous parapneumonic pleural effusions are associated with
      decreased efficacy of pleural fluid drainage and increased risk of medical
      treatment failure in people, but similar associations have not been established
      in horses. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: We hypothesized that fibrin deposition in the
      pleural cavity of horses with parapneumonic effusions increases the risk of poor
      outcome. ANIMALS: Seventy four horses with bacterial pleuropneumonia diagnosed by
      culture and cytology of tracheal aspirates, pleural fluid, or both, and pleural
      effusion diagnosed by ultrasonographic examination. METHODS: Retrospective study
      of cases was from 2002 to 2012. Information obtained from the medical records
      included signalment, history, sonographic findings, treatments, and outcome. The
      primary outcome investigated was survival and secondary outcomes were development
      of complications and surgical intervention. Fisher's exact test and logistic
      regression were applied for categorical variables. A t-test was used to find
      differences in continuous variables between groups. RESULTS: Seventy four horses
      met study criteria and 50 (68%) survived. Fibrinous pleural effusion was
      associated with higher respiratory rate and pleural fluid height at admission,
      necrotizing pneumonia, increased number of indwelling thoracic drains required
      for treatment, and decreased survival. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE:
      Fibrin accumulation in parapneumonic effusions is associated with increased
      mortality. Direct fibrinolytic treatment might be indicated in affected horses.

PMID- 26259511
TI  - Three-dimensional refractive index tomograms and deformability of individual
      human red blood cells from cord blood of newborn infants and maternal blood.
AB  - Red blood cells (RBCs) from the cord blood of newborn infants have distinctive
      functions in fetal and infant development. To systematically investigate the
      biophysical characteristics of individual cord RBCs in newborn infants, a
      comparative study was performed on RBCs from the cord blood of newborn infants
      and from adult mothers or nonpregnant women using optical holographic
      microtomography. Optical measurements of the distributions of the three
      dimensional refractive indices and the dynamic membrane fluctuations of
      individual RBCs were used to investigate the morphological, biochemical, and
      mechanical properties of cord, maternal, and adult RBCs at the individual cell
      level. The volume and surface area of the cord RBCs were significantly larger
      than those of the RBCs from nonpregnant women, and the cord RBCs had more
      flattened shapes than that of the RBCs in adults. In addition, the hemoglobin
      (Hb) content in the cord RBCs from newborns was significantly higher. The Hb
      concentration in the cord RBCs was higher than that in the nonpregnant women or
      maternal RBCs, but they were within the physiological range of adults.
      Interestingly, the amplitudes of the dynamic membrane fluctuations in cord RBCs
      were comparable to those in nonpregnant women and maternal RBCs, suggesting that
      the deformability of cord RBCs is similar to that of healthy RBCs in adults.

PMID- 26259512
TI  - Matrine derivative WM130 inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma by suppressing
      EGFR/ERK/MMP-2 and PTEN/AKT signaling pathways.
AB  - Matrine, a sophora alkaloid, has been demonstrated to exert antitumor effects on
      many types of cancer. However, its bioactivity is weak and its potential
      druggability is low. We modified the structure of matrine and obtained a new
      matrine derivative, WM130 (C30N4H40SO5F), which exhibited better pharmacological
      activities than matrine. In this study, we investigated the antitumor activity
      and the underlying mechanisms of WM130 on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells in
      vitro and in vivo, and found that WM130 inhibited the proliferation, invasion,
      migration and induced apoptosis of HCC cells in a dose-dependent manner.
      Furthermore, after treatment with WM130, the expressions of p-EGFR, p-ERK, p-AKT,
      MMP-2 and the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax were significantly down-regulated, whereas the
      expression of PTEN was increased in HCC cells. Moreover, WM130 inhibited Huh-7
      xenograft tumor growth in a dose-dependent manner after intravenous
      administration. Immunohistochemistry results demonstrated that WM130 treatment
      resulted in down-regulation of p-EGFR, MMP-2, and Ki67 and up-regulation of PTEN.
      The findings indicated that WM130 could inhibit cell proliferation, invasion,
      migration and induced apoptosis in HCC cells by suppressing EGFR/ERK/MMP-2 and
      PTEN/AKT signaling pathways and may be a novel effective candidate for HCC
      treatment. 

PMID- 26259513
TI  - IFITM1 promotes the metastasis of human colorectal cancer via CAV-1.
AB  - Interferon-induced transmembrane protein 1 (IFITM1) is one of the interferon
      induced transmembrane protein family members. In this study, we reported that the
      elevated IFITM1 expression in human colorectal cancer (CRC) significantly
      correlated with CRC lymph node and distance metastasis as well as a more advanced
      clinical stage. Importantly, elevated IFITM1 expression is an independent
      prognostic factor for poor survival. To investigate the molecular mechanisms, we
      showed that over-expression of IFITM1 in CRC cells promoted, whereas knockdown of
      IFITM1 expression inhibited, cell migration/invasion and tumorigenicity in vitro.
      Furthermore, we identified Caveolin-1 (CAV1) as a downstream target of IFITM1
      induced cell invasion, as knockdown of CAV1 abrogated siIFITM1 mediated
      inhibition of cell invasion in CRC cells. In addition, in a CRC cohort of 229
      patients, the expression of IFITM1 inversely correlated with the expression of
      CAV1. These results suggested that IFITM1 promotes the aggressiveness of CRC
      cells, and it is a potential prognostic marker and therapeutic target for CRC. 

PMID- 26259515
TI  - Multifunctional luminescent nanomaterials from NaLa(MoO4)2:Eu(3+)/Tb(3+) with
      tunable decay lifetimes, emission colors, and enhanced cell viability.
AB  - A facile, but effective, method has been developed for large-scale preparation of
      NaLa(MoO4)2 nanorods and microflowers co-doped with Eu(3+) and Tb(3+) ions
      (abbreviated as: NLM:Ln(3+)). The as-synthesized nanomaterials possess a pure
      tetragonal phase with variable morphologies from shuttle-like nanorods to
      microflowers by controlling the reaction temperature and the amount of ethylene
      glycol used. Consequently, the resulting nanomaterials exhibit superb luminescent
      emissions over the visible region from red through yellow to green by simply
      changing the relative doping ratios of Eu(3+) to Tb(3+) ions. Biocompatibility
      study indicates that the addition of NLM:Ln(3+) nanomaterials can stimulate the
      growth of normal human retinal pigment epithelium (ARPE-19) cells. Therefore, the
      newly-developed NaLa(MoO4)2 nanomaterials hold potentials for a wide range of
      multifunctional applications, including bioimaging, security protection, optical
      display, optoelectronics for information storage, and cell stimulation. 

PMID- 26259517
TI  - Effectiveness of a brief theory-based health promotion intervention among adults
      at high risk of type 2 diabetes: One-year results from a randomised trial in a
      community setting.
AB  - AIM: To examine the effect of a brief theory-based health promotion intervention
      delivered in the community on health behaviour and diabetes-related risk factors
      among Danish adults at high risk of diabetes. METHODS: A randomised trial was
      conducted among 127 individuals aged 28 to 70 with fasting plasma glucose: 6.1
      6.9 mmol/l and/or HbA1c: 6.0-<6.5% (42-<48 mmol/mol) recruited from general
      practice in Holstebro, Denmark. Participants were randomised to a control group
      or to receive the intervention delivered over four 2h group sessions during five
      weeks, and two further sessions after one and six months. Questionnaire data and
      clinical measures were collected at baseline, three months and one year after
      intervention. Primary outcomes; total-fat intake <30% of energy intake; saturated
      fat intake <10% of energy intake; fibre-intake >=15 g/1000 kcal; weight reduction
      >5%; changes in physical activity. RESULTS: 85% attended one-year follow-up.
      After adjusting for gender, age and education, Odds ratio (OR) (95% CI)
      intervention vs control: total-fat intake <30% energy intake: 0.52 (0.22;1.20),
      saturated-fat intake <10% energy intake: 1.22 (0.52;2.87), fibre intake >= 15
      g/1000 kcal: 1.18 (0.48;2.92), weight reduction >5%: 2.47 (0.95; 6.39). beta (95%
      CI) between intervention vs control in changes from baseline: IPAQ, MET min/week:
      -236 (-2760; 2288), waist circumference,cm: -2.5 (-4.5; -0.5); systolic blood
      pressure, mmHg: -4.6 (-8.8; -0.3). CONCLUSION: A brief theory-based health
      promotion intervention delivered in the community indicated effect on weight,
      waist circumference and systolic blood pressure at one year among Danish adults
      at high risk of diabetes. No effect was shown on diets or physical activity.

PMID- 26259516
TI  - Neural crest specification by Prohibitin1 depends on transcriptional regulation
      of prl3 and vangl1.
AB  - A complex network of transcription factors regulates specification of neural
      crest cells at early neurula stage by stabilizing neural crest identity and
      activating neural crest effector genes so that distinct subpopulations evolve. In
      this network, c-myc acts on top of the gene hierarchy controlling snail2, AP2 and
      prohibitin1 (phb1) expression. While snail2 and AP2 are well studied neural crest
      specifier genes little is known about the role of phb1 in this process. To
      identify phb1 regulated genes we analyzed the transcriptome of neural crest
      explants of phb1 morphant Xenopus embryos. Among 147 phb1 regulated genes we
      identified the membrane-associated protein-tyrosine phosphatase PRP4A3 (prl3) and
      the atypical cadherin and Wnt-PCP component van gogh like1 (vangl1). Gain of
      function, loss of function and epistasis experiments allowed us to allocate both
      genes in the neural crest specification network between phb1 and twist.
      Interestingly, both, vangl1 and prl3 regulate only a small subset of neural crest
      marker genes. The identification of two membrane-associated proteins as novel
      neural crest specifiers indicates that in addition to gene regulation by
      combinatory effects of transcription factors also post-translational
      modifications (prl3) and cell-cell adhesion and/or regulation of cell-polarity
      (vangl1) specify the identity of neural crest cell populations. genesis 53:627
      639, 2015. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. 

PMID- 26259514
TI  - Initiation of mRNA translation in bacteria: structural and dynamic aspects.
AB  - Initiation of mRNA translation is a major checkpoint for regulating level and
      fidelity of protein synthesis. Being rate limiting in protein synthesis,
      translation initiation also represents the target of many post-transcriptional
      mechanisms regulating gene expression. The process begins with the formation of
      an unstable 30S pre-initiation complex (30S pre-IC) containing initiation factors
      (IFs) IF1, IF2 and IF3, the translation initiation region of an mRNA and
      initiator fMet-tRNA whose codon and anticodon pair in the P-site following a
      first-order rearrangement of the 30S pre-IC produces a locked 30S initiation
      complex (30SIC); this is docked by the 50S subunit to form a 70S complex that,
      following several conformational changes, positional readjustments of its ligands
      and ejection of the IFs, becomes a 70S initiation complex productive in
      initiation dipeptide formation. The first EF-G-dependent translocation marks the
      beginning of the elongation phase of translation. Here, we review structural,
      mechanistic and dynamical aspects of this process. 

PMID- 26259518
TI  - Impairment of autophagosome-lysosome fusion in the buff mutant mice with the
      VPS33A(D251E) mutation.
AB  - The HOPS (homotypic fusion and protein sorting) complex functions in endocytic
      and autophagic pathways in both lower eukaryotes and mammalian cells through its
      involvement in fusion events between endosomes and lysosomes or autophagosomes
      and lysosomes. However, the differential molecular mechanisms underlying these
      fusion processes are largely unknown. Buff (bf) is a mouse mutant that carries an
      Asp251-to-Glu point mutation (D251E) in the VPS33A protein, a tethering protein
      and a core subunit of the HOPS complex. Bf mice showed impaired spontaneous
      locomotor activity, motor learning, and autophagic activity. Although the gross
      anatomy of the brain was apparently normal, the number of Purkinje cells was
      significantly reduced. Furthermore, we found that fusion between autophagosomes
      and lysosomes was defective in bf cells without compromising the endocytic
      pathway. The direct association of mutant VPS33A(D251E) with the autophagic SNARE
      complex, STX17 (syntaxin 17)-VAMP8-SNAP29, was enhanced. In addition, the
      VPS33A(D251E) mutation enhanced interactions with other HOPS subunits, namely
      VPS41, VPS39, VPS18, and VPS11, except for VPS16. Reduction of the interactions
      between VPS33A(Y440D) and several other HOPS subunits led to decreased
      association with STX17. These results suggest that the VPS33A(D251E) mutation
      plays dual roles by increasing the HOPS complex assembly and its association with
      the autophagic SNARE complex, which selectively affects the autophagosome
      lysosome fusion that impairs basal autophagic activity and induces Purkinje cell
      loss. 

PMID- 26259519
TI  - A Quantitative Framework to Evaluate Proarrhythmic Risk in a First-in-Human Study
      to Support Waiver of a Thorough QT Study.
AB  - The effects of GS-4997 (apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 inhibitor) on
      cardiac repolarization were evaluated using a systematic modeling approach in a
      first-in-human (FIH) study. High quality, intensive, time-matched 12-lead
      electrocardiograms (ECGs) were obtained in this placebo-controlled, single and
      multiple-ascending dose study in healthy subjects. Model development entailed
      linearity and hysteresis assessments; GS-4997/metabolite concentration vs.
      baseline-adjusted QTcF (DeltaQTcF) relationships were determined using linear
      mixed effects models. Bootstrapping was used to obtain 90% confidence intervals
      (CIs) of predicted placebo-corrected DeltaQTcF (DeltaDeltaQTcF). The upper bound
      of 90% CI for predicted DeltaDeltaQTcF was <10 msec at therapeutic and
      supratherapeutic GS-4997/metabolite levels, indicating the absence of a QT
      prolongation effect. Model performance/suitability was assessed using
      sensitivity/specificity analyses and diagnostic evaluations. This comprehensive
      methodology, supported by clinical pharmacology characteristics, was deemed
      adequate to assess the proarrhythmic risk of GS-4997/metabolite by the US Food
      and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency resulting in a successful
      waiver from a dedicated thorough QT (TQT) study. 

PMID- 26259520
TI  - Endowing a Content-Based Medical Image Retrieval System with Perceptual
      Similarity Using Ensemble Strategy.
AB  - Content-based medical image retrieval (CBMIR) is a powerful resource to improve
      differential computer-aided diagnosis. The major problem with CBMIR applications
      is the semantic gap, a situation in which the system does not follow the users'
      sense of similarity. This gap can be bridged by the adequate modeling of
      similarity queries, which ultimately depends on the combination of feature
      extractor methods and distance functions. In this study, such combinations are
      referred to as perceptual parameters, as they impact on how images are compared.
      In a CBMIR, the perceptual parameters must be manually set by the users, which
      imposes a heavy burden on the specialists; otherwise, the system will follow a
      predefined sense of similarity. This paper presents a novel approach to endow a
      CBMIR with a proper sense of similarity, in which the system defines the
      perceptual parameter depending on the query element. The method employs ensemble
      strategy, where an extreme learning machine acts as a meta-learner and identifies
      the most suitable perceptual parameter according to a given query image. This
      parameter defines the search space for the similarity query that retrieves the
      most similar images. An instance-based learning classifier labels the query image
      following the query result set. As the concept implementation, we integrated the
      approach into a mammogram CBMIR. For each query image, the resulting tool
      provided a complete second opinion, including lesion class, system certainty
      degree, and set of most similar images. Extensive experiments on a large
      mammogram dataset showed that our proposal achieved a hit ratio up to 10% higher
      than the traditional CBMIR approach without requiring external parameters from
      the users. Our database-driven solution was also up to 25% faster than content
      retrieval traditional approaches. 

PMID- 26259521
TI  - Robust Automatic Pectoral Muscle Segmentation from Mammograms Using Texture
      Gradient and Euclidean Distance Regression.
AB  - In computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) of mediolateral oblique (MLO) view of
      mammogram, the accuracy of tissue segmentation highly depends on the exclusion of
      pectoral muscle. Robust methods for such exclusions are essential as the normal
      presence of pectoral muscle can bias the decision of CAD. In this paper, a novel
      texture gradient-based approach for automatic segmentation of pectoral muscle is
      proposed. The pectoral edge is initially approximated to a straight line by
      applying Hough transform on Probable Texture Gradient (PTG) map of the mammogram
      followed by block averaging with the aid of approximated line. Furthermore, a
      smooth pectoral muscle curve is achieved with proposed Euclidean Distance
      Regression (EDR) technique and polynomial modeling. The algorithm is robust to
      texture and overlapping fibro glandular tissues. The method is validated with 340
      MLO views from three databases-including 200 randomly selected scanned film
      images from miniMIAS, 100 computed radiography images and 40 full-field digital
      mammogram images. Qualitatively, 96.75 % of the pectoral muscles are segmented
      with an acceptable pectoral score index. The proposed method not only outperforms
      state-of-the-art approaches but also accurately quantifies the pectoral edge.
      Thus, its high accuracy and relatively quick processing time clearly justify its
      suitability for CAD. 

PMID- 26259522
TI  - An Investigation into the Consistency in Mammographic Density Identification by
      Radiologists: Effect of Radiologist Expertise and Mammographic Appearance.
AB  - The aim of this work is to investigate how radiologist expertise and image
      appearance may have an impact on inter-reader variability of mammographic density
      (MD) identification. Seventeen radiologists, divided into three expertise groups,
      were asked to manually segment the areas they consider to be MD in 40 clinical
      images. The variation in identification of MD for each image was quantified by
      finding the range of segmentation areas. The impact of radiologist expertise and
      image appearance on this variation was explored. The range of areas chosen by
      participating radiologists varied from 7 to 73% across the 40 images, with a mean
      range of 35 +/- 13%. Participants with high expertise were more likely to choose
      similar areas to one another, compared to participants with medium and low
      expertise levels (mean range were 19 +/- 10%, 29 +/- 13% and 25 +/- 14 %,
      respectively, p < 0.0001). There was a significantly higher average grey level
      for the area segmented by all radiologists as MD compared to the area of
      variation, with mean grey level value for 8-bit images being 146 +/- 19 vs. 99 +/
      14, respectively. MD segmentation borders were consistent in areas where there
      was a sharp intensity change within a short distance. In conclusion, radiologists
      with high expertise tend to have a higher agreement when identifying MD. Tissues
      which have a lower contrast and a less visually sharp gradient change at the
      interface between high density tissue and adipose background lead to inter-reader
      variation in choosing mammographic density.

PMID- 26259523
TI  - A multimodal disease modifying approach to treat neuropathic pain--inhibition of
      soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH).
AB  - Both neuronal and non-neuronal mechanisms have been proposed to contribute to
      neuropathic pain (NP). All currently approved treatments for NP modulate neuronal
      targets and provide only symptomatic relief. Here we review evidence that
      inhibition of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH), the enzyme that degrades
      epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), has potential to be a multimodal, disease
      modifying approach to treat NP: (1) EET actions involve both endogenous opioid
      system and the GABAergic systems thus provide superior pain relief compared to
      morphine or gabapentin, (2) EETs are directly anti-inflammatory and inhibit
      expression of inflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules thus can prevent
      continued nerve damage; and (3) EETs promote nerve regeneration in cultured
      neurons. Thus, an sEH inhibitor will not only provide effective pain relief, but
      would also block further nerve damage and promote healing. 

PMID- 26259524
TI  - Birth order and risk of childhood cancer in the Danish birth cohort of 1973-2010.
AB  - PURPOSE: Many studies have investigated the possible association between birth
      order and risk of childhood cancer, although the evidence to date has been
      inconsistent. Birth order has been used as a marker for various in utero or
      childhood exposures and is relatively straightforward to assess. METHODS: Data
      were obtained on all children born in Denmark between 1973 and 2010, involving
      almost 2.5 million births and about 5,700 newly diagnosed childhood cancers
      before the age of 20 years. Data were analyzed using Poisson regression models.
      RESULTS: We failed to observe associations between birth order and risk of any
      childhood cancer subtype, including acute lymphoblastic leukemia; all rate ratios
      were close to one. Further analyses stratified by birth cohort (those born
      between 1973 and 1990, and those born between 1991 and 2010) also failed to show
      any associations. Considering stillbirths and/or controlling for birth weight and
      parental age in the analyses had no effect on the results. Analyses by years of
      birth (those born between 1973 and 1990, and those born between 1991 and 2010)
      did not show any changes in the overall pattern of no association. CONCLUSIONS:
      In this large cohort of all children born in Denmark over an almost 40-year
      period, we did not observe an association between birth order and the risk of
      childhood cancer.

PMID- 26259528
TI  - Relationships between immunoglobulin M and immunoglobulin G or A in colostrum of
      Japanese black multiparous cows.
AB  - This study was conducted to clarify the relationships among immunoglobulin (Ig)M,
      IgG, IgA, beta-carotene, vitamin A and alpha-tocopherol contents in colostrum of
      24 Japanese Black multiparous cows in order to evaluate the role of IgM on
      colostral IgG and IgA production. Compared with colostral IgG, colostral IgM and
      IgA were very low but varied widely. There was positive correlation between
      colostral IgM and IgG, but colostral IgM was not related with colostral IgA.
      There was no relationship between colostral IgM and age of cows, although
      colostral IgG was increased with aging. There were positive correlations among
      colostral beta-carotene, vitamin A and alpha-tocopherol and these vitamins were
      positively correlated with colostral IgM and IgG. These results indicate that fat
      soluble vitamins may affect colostral IgG and IgM in cows and colostral IgG
      increases with the increase of colostral IgM. 

PMID- 26259529
TI  - Acceptability of, and Information Needs Regarding, Next-Generation Sequencing in
      People Tested for Hereditary Cancer: A Qualitative Study.
AB  - Next generation sequencing (NGS) for patients at risk of hereditary cancer
      syndromes can also identify non-cancer related mutations, as well as variants of
      unknown significance. This study aimed to determine what benefits and
      shortcomings patients perceive in relation to NGS, as well as their interest and
      information preferences in regards to such testing. Eligible patients had
      previously received inconclusive results from clinical mutation testing for
      cancer susceptibility. Semi-structured telephone interviews were subjected to
      qualitative analysis guided by the approach developed by Miles and Huberman. The
      majority of the 19 participants reported they would be interested in
      panel/genomic testing. Advantages identified included that it would enable better
      preparation and allow implementation of individualized preventative strategies,
      with few disadvantages mentioned. Almost all participants said they would want
      all results, not just those related to their previous diagnosis. Participants
      felt that a face-to-face discussion supplemented by an information booklet would
      be the best way to convey information and achieve informed consent. All
      participants wanted their information stored and reviewed in accordance with new
      developments. Although the findings indicate strong interest among these
      individuals, it seems that the consent process, and the interpretation and
      communication of results will be areas that will require revision to meet the
      needs of patients. 

PMID- 26259530
TI  - Parents' Experience with Pediatric Microarray: Transferrable Lessons in the Era
      of Genomic Counseling.
AB  - Advances in genome-based microarray and sequencing technologies hold tremendous
      promise for understanding, better-managing and/or preventing disease and disease
      related risk. Chromosome microarray technology (array based comparative genomic
      hybridization [aCGH]) is widely utilized in pediatric care to inform diagnostic
      etiology and medical management. Less clear is how parents experience and
      perceive the value of this technology. This study explored parents' experiences
      with aCGH in the pediatric setting, focusing on how they make meaning of various
      types of test results. We conducted in-person or telephone-based semi-structured
      interviews with parents of 21 children who underwent aCGH testing in 2010.
      Transcripts were coded and analyzed thematically according to the principles of
      interpretive description. We learned that parents expect genomic tests to be of
      personal use; their experiences with aCGH results characterize this use as
      intrinsic in the test's ability to provide a much sought-after answer for their
      child's condition, and instrumental in its ability to guide care, access to
      services, and family planning. In addition, parents experience uncertainty
      regardless of whether aCGH results are of pathogenic, uncertain, or benign
      significance; this triggers frustration, fear, and hope. Findings reported herein
      better characterize the notion of personal utility and highlight the pervasive
      nature of uncertainty in the context of genomic testing. Empiric research that
      links pre-test counseling content and psychosocial outcomes is warranted to
      optimize patient care.

PMID- 26259531
TI  - Leukemia Relapse-Associated Mutation of NT5C2 Gene is Rare in de Novo Acute
      Leukemias and Solid Tumors.

PMID- 26259532
TI  - Genetic Alterations in Hungarian Patients with Papillary Thyroid Cancer.
AB  - The incidence of thyroid cancers is increasing worldwide. Some somatic oncogene
      mutations (BRAF, NRAS, HRAS, KRAS) as well as gene translocations (RET/PTC,
      PAX8/PPAR-gamma) have been associated with the development of thyroid cancer. In
      our study, we analyzed these genetic alterations in 394 thyroid tissue samples
      (197 papillary carcinomas and 197 healthy). The somatic mutations and
      translocations were detected by Light Cycler melting method and Real-Time
      Polymerase Chain Reaction techniques, respectively. In tumorous samples, 86 BRAF
      (44.2%), 5 NRAS (3.1%), 2 HRAS (1.0%) and 1 KRAS (0.5%) mutations were found, as
      well as 9 RET/PTC1 (4.6%) and 1 RET/PTC3 (0.5%) translocations. No genetic
      alteration was seen in the non tumorous control thyroid tissues. No correlation
      was detected between the genetic variants and the pathological subtypes of
      papillary cancer as well as the severity of the disease. Our results are only
      partly concordant with the data found in the literature.

PMID- 26259533
TI  - SINEUPs: A new class of natural and synthetic antisense long non-coding RNAs that
      activate translation.
AB  - Over the past 10 years, it has emerged that pervasive transcription in mammalian
      genomes has a tremendous impact on several biological functions. Most of
      transcribed RNAs are lncRNAs and repetitive elements. In this review, we will
      detail the discovery of a new functional class of natural and synthetic antisense
      lncRNAs that stimulate translation of sense mRNAs. These molecules have been
      named SINEUPs since their function requires the activity of an embedded inverted
      SINEB2 sequence to UP-regulate translation. Natural SINEUPs suggest that embedded
      Transposable Elements may represent functional domains in long non-coding RNAs.
      Synthetic SINEUPs may be designed by targeting the antisense sequence to the mRNA
      of choice representing the first scalable tool to increase protein synthesis of
      potentially any gene of interest. We will discuss potential applications of
      SINEUP technology in the field of molecular biology experiments, in protein
      manufacturing as well as in therapy of haploinsufficiencies.

PMID- 26259534
TI  - Premature termination of GAT1 transcription explains paradoxical negative
      correlation between nitrogen-responsive mRNA, but constitutive low-level protein
      production.
AB  - The first step in executing the genetic program of a cell is production of mRNA.
      In yeast, almost every gene is transcribed as multiple distinct isoforms,
      differing at their 5' and/or 3' termini. However, the implications and functional
      significance of the transcriptome-wide diversity of mRNA termini remains largely
      unexplored. In this paper, we show that the GAT1 gene, encoding a transcriptional
      activator of nitrogen-responsive catabolic genes, produces a variety of mRNAs
      differing in their 5' and 3' termini. Alternative transcription initiation leads
      to the constitutive, low level production of 2 full length proteins differing in
      their N-termini, whereas premature transcriptional termination generates a short,
      highly nitrogen catabolite repression- (NCR-) sensitive transcript that, as far
      as we can determine, is not translated under the growth conditions we used, but
      rather likely protects the cell from excess Gat1. 

PMID- 26259535
TI  - Altering histone acetylation status in donor cells with suberoylanilide
      hydroxamic acid does not affect dog cloning efficiency.
AB  - Although dog cloning technology has been applied to conservation of endangered
      canids, propagation of elite dogs, and production of transgenic dogs, the
      efficiency of cloning is still very low. To help overcome this problem, we
      evaluated the effect of treating donor cells with suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid
      (SAHA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, on dog cloning efficiency. Relative
      messenger RNA expressions of the bax1/bcl2 ratio and Dnmt1 in fibroblasts treated
      with different concentrations (0, 1, 10, 50 MUM) of SAHA and durations (0, 20, 44
      hours) were compared. Treatment with 1 MUM for 20 hours showed significantly
      lower bax1/bcl2 and Dnmt1 transcript abundance. Acetylation of H3K9 was
      significantly increased after SAHA treatment, but H4K5, H4K8 and H4K16 were not
      changed. After SCNT using control or donor cells treated with SAHA, a total of 76
      and 64 cloned embryos were transferred to seven and five recipients,
      respectively. Three fetuses were diagnosed in both control and SAHA-treated
      groups by ultrasonography 29 days after the embryo transfer, but there was no
      significant difference in the pregnancy rate (4.2% vs. 4.3%). In conclusion,
      although SAHA treatment as used in this study significantly decreased bax1/bcl2
      and Dnmt1 transcripts of donor nuclei, as well as increased H3 acetylation, it
      was not enough to increase in vivo developmental competence of cloned dog
      embryos.

PMID- 26259536
TI  - The role of diet and housing-temperature in the production of genetically
      modified mouse embryos and their developmental capacity after cryopreservation.
AB  - Mutant mouse lines are unique models with an enormous scientific potential.
      Cryopreservation of preimplantation embryos or of spermatozoa is a common
      approach to save those lines. The breeding of a line can be discontinued if
      sufficient specimens have been cryopreserved. Prerequisites to economically
      cryopreserve embryos are high yields of embryos prepared from donors and a high
      recovery rate after revitalization. Diets for laboratory animals are often
      produced from phytoestrogen-containing soy; the present study shows that feeding
      the donor animals with a phytoestrogen-poor diet is more efficient compared to a
      phytoestrogen-containing, soy-based diet. Additionally, a uterotrophic bioassay
      indicating the estrogenic role of compounds showed a significant increase of the
      relative uterus size of females fed with a phytoestrogen-rich diet. The role of
      the housing-temperature was investigated, too, showing that a housing-temperature
      of 24  degrees C results in the best embryo yields. The production of two-cell
      embryos is more economic than the production of eight-cell embryos. Investigating
      the recovery rate of frozen/thawed embryos, a very high recovery rate was
      determined when both, two- and eight-cell embryos were thawed. However, the
      capacity to develop to the next embryonic stage in vitro was dramatically reduced
      when two-cell embryos were compared to eight-cell embryos. After embryo transfer,
      the sex ratio became uneven and more males were delivered. This effect might be
      due to the procedures to which animals and embryos were subjected. These data
      show that many parameters can influence the production of animals when using
      (frozen/thawed) embryos. These parameters need continuous surveillance. 

PMID- 26259537
TI  - Is miR-34a a Well-equipped Swordsman to Conquer Temple of Molecular Oncology?
AB  - Overwhelmingly increasing advancements in miRNA biology have opened new avenues
      for pharmaceutical companies to initiate studies on designing effective, safe,
      and therapeutically active candidates using miRNA mimetics and miRNA inhibitors.
      In accordance with this approach, development of miravirsen and SPC3649, an LNA
      based (locked nucleic acid) antisense molecule against miR-122, to treat
      hepatitis C has sparked interest in identifying most efficient microRNAs for
      journey from bench-top toward pharmaceutical industry and breakthroughs in
      delivery technology will pave the way to 'final frontier'. MRX34, a liposome
      formulated mimic of miR-34 for treatment of metastatic cancer with liver
      involvement and unresectable primary liver cancer, has also entered in clinical
      trial. There is a successive increase in the research work related to miR-34
      biology and miRNA regulation of modulators of intracellular signaling cascades.
      We partition this review into how miR-34a is regulated by different proteins and
      how Wnt- and TGF-induced intracellular signaling cascades are modulated by miR
      34a. In this review, we bring to limelight how miR-34a regulates its target genes
      to induce apoptosis and inhibit cell proliferation as evidenced by in vitro and
      in vivo analysis. We also discuss miR-34 regulation of PDGFR and c-MET and recent
      advancements in nanotechnologically delivered miR-34a. Spotlight is also set on
      modulation of chemotherapeutic sensitivity by miR-34a in cancer cells using
      reconstruction studies. Clinical trial of miR-34 is indicative of its tremendous
      potential, and continuous cutting research will prove to be effective in
      efficiently translating laboratory findings into clinically effective
      therapeutics. 

PMID- 26259538
TI  - Puberty onset is delayed following uteroplacental insufficiency and occurs
      earlier with improved lactation and growth for pups born small.
AB  - Being born small programs adult diseases later in life, with the early postnatal
      growth rate in growth-restricted offspring playing a role in the reduction of the
      risk of disease in adulthood. In addition, early postnatal growth is critical for
      puberty onset (PO). Using cross-fostering, we determined the effects of growth
      restriction and prenatal and postnatal environments on PO and sex steroids.
      Bilateral uterine vessel ligation (Restricted) or sham surgery (Control),
      performed on Gestational Day 18 in Wistar-Kyoto rats induced fetal growth
      restriction. Control, Reduced (Control litter size reduced to five pups) and
      Restricted pups were cross-fostered onto different Control (normal lactation) or
      Restricted (impaired lactation) mothers on Day 1. The day of vaginal opening
      (females) and balanopreputial separation (males) characterised PO. Blood was
      sampled for sex steroid and leptin analysis. Restricted pups were born lighter
      than Controls (P<0.05). PO was delayed by 3.4-4 days in Restricted-on-Restricted
      males and females (P<0.05). Plasma leptin concentrations at PO were lower in both
      sexes in all groups compared with Restricted-on-Control and Control-on-Control
      (P<0.05). PO occurred earlier in Restricted-on-Control (~2 days) with normal
      leptin concentrations and accelerated growth compared with Restricted-on
      Restricted (P<0.05). Testosterone concentrations were lower in male Restricted-on
      Restricted than Control-on-Control at 6 months (P<0.05). Restricted-on-Restricted
      females had lower progesterone at PO compared with Control-on-Control (P<0.05).
      Female Restricted-on-Restricted had lower oestradiol, with Restricted-on-Control
      having higher testosterone concentrations at 6 months than Control-on-Control
      (P<0.05). Growth restriction reduced postnatal growth and leptin concentrations,
      delaying PO in both sexes and programming altered sex steroids. This highlights
      the importance of the interaction between prenatal and postnatal growth in the
      programming of adult reproductive status.

PMID- 26259539
TI  - Mesoscale Characterization of Nanoparticles Distribution Using X-ray Scattering.
AB  - The properties of many functional materials depend critically on the spatial
      distribution of an active phase within a support. In the case of solid catalysts,
      controlling the spatial distribution of metal (oxide) nanoparticles at the
      mesoscopic scale offers new strategies to tune their performance and enhance
      their lifetimes. However, such advanced control requires suitable
      characterization methods, which are currently scarce. Here, we show how the
      background in small-angle X-ray scattering patterns can be analyzed to
      quantitatively access the mesoscale distribution of nanoparticles within supports
      displaying hierarchical porosity. This is illustrated for copper catalysts
      supported on meso- and microporous silica displaying distinctly different metal
      distributions. Results derived from X-ray scattering are in excellent agreement
      with electron tomography. Our strategy opens unprecedented prospects for
      understanding the properties and to guide the synthesis of a wide array of
      functional nanomaterials. 

PMID- 26259540
TI  - Heart mitochondria and calpain 1: Location, function, and targets.
AB  - Calpain 1 is an ubiquitous Ca(2+)-dependent cysteine protease. Although calpain 1
      has been found in cardiac mitochondria, the exact location within mitochondrial
      compartments and its function remain unclear. The aim of the current review is to
      discuss the localization of calpain 1 in different mitochondrial compartments in
      relationship to its function, especially in pathophysiological conditions.
      Briefly, mitochondrial calpain 1 (mit-CPN1) is located within the intermembrane
      space and mitochondrial matrix. Activation of the mit-CPN1 within intermembrane
      space cleaves apoptosis inducing factor (AIF), whereas the activated mit-CPN1
      within matrix cleaves complex I subunits and metabolic enzymes. Inhibition of the
      mit-CPN1 could be a potential strategy to decrease cardiac injury during ischemia
      reperfusion. 

PMID- 26259541
TI  - Initiation & completion rates of hepatitis A vaccination among US pediatric
      populations born between 2005 and 2009.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To estimate hepatitis A vaccine series initiation and completion
      rates, assess time to vaccination, identify missed opportunities for the
      hepatitis A vaccine series, and examine factors associated with hepatitis A
      vaccine series initiation and completion. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective,
      observational study using three healthcare claims databases separately. The study
      population was comprised of children born between years 2005 and 2009 that were
      continuously enrolled for at least three and a half years from the date of birth.
      Every child was followed from date of birth for three and a half years for
      hepatitis A vaccination. RESULTS: There were 93,735 eligible children from
      Clinformatics Data Mart, 202,513 from MarketScan Commercial, and 207,545 from
      MarketScan Medicaid. The overall hepatitis A vaccine series initiation rate was
      63.8-79.4% and completion rate was 45.1-66.8% across the three databases. About
      62.8-90.1% of the children who never initiated hepatitis A vaccine had at least
      one well visit from 1 year to three and a half years old. Children were more
      likely to initiate and complete the hepatitis A vaccine series if they were from
      more recent birth cohorts, from states with a hepatitis A vaccination
      recommendation prior to the ACIP universal recommendation, from states with
      daycare/school entry requirements, were enrolled in an HMO health plan, had
      pediatricians as primary providers, had more doctor's office/well visits and
      received MMR/Varicella vaccines. CONCLUSION: In this study, approximately one in
      every three to five children remained unvaccinated against hepatitis A. Although
      the hepatitis A vaccine series initiation and completion improved from 2005 to
      2009, vaccine coverage has stabilized in recent years. It is important for
      providers to identify every opportunity for hepatitis A vaccination and to assure
      that children get protection from this vaccine-preventable disease.

PMID- 26259542
TI  - Delayed BCG vaccination results in minimal alterations in T cell immunogenicity
      of acellular pertussis and tetanus immunizations in HIV-exposed infants.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is effective in preventing disseminated
      tuberculosis (TB) in children but may also have non-specific benefits, and is
      thought to improve immunity to unrelated antigens through trained innate
      immunity. In HIV-infected infants, there is a risk of BCG-associated adverse
      events. We aimed to explore whether delaying BCG vaccination by 8 weeks, in utero
      or perinatal HIV infection is excluded, affected T-cell responses to B. pertussis
      (BP) and tetanus toxoid (TT), in HIV-exposed, uninfected infants. METHODS:
      Infants were randomized to receive BCG vaccination at birth or 8 weeks of age. At
      8 and 14 weeks, T cell proliferation and intracellular cytokine (IL-2, IL-13, IL
      17, and IFN-gamma) expression was analyzed in response to BP, TT and
      Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) antigens. RESULTS: Delaying BCG vaccination
      did not alter T-cell proliferation to BP or TT antigens. Infants immunized with
      BCG at birth had higher CD4+ T cell proliferation to SEB at 14 weeks of age
      (p=0.018). Birth-vaccinated infants had increased CD8+ IL-2 expression in
      response to BP, but not TT or SEB, at 8 weeks. Infants vaccinated with BCG at 8
      weeks had significantly lower IL-13 expression by BP-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T
      cells at 14 weeks (p=0.032 and p=0.0035, respectively). There were no observed
      differences in multifunctional cytokine response to TT, BP or SEB between infants
      vaccinated with BCG at birth versus 8 weeks of age. CONCLUSION: Delaying BCG
      vaccination until 8 weeks of age results in robust T-cellular responses to BP and
      TT in HIV-exposed infants. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY: NCT02062580.

PMID- 26259543
TI  - Expression of enhancing-activity-free neutralizing antibody against dengue type 1
      virus in plasmid-inoculated mice.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Most candidate dengue vaccines currently under development induce
      neutralizing antibodies, which are considered important for immunoprotection.
      However, the concomitant induction of infection-enhancing antibodies is an
      unavoidable concern. In contrast, a neutralizing antibody developed for passive
      immunotherapy has been engineered to eliminate its enhancing activity. Therefore,
      a strategy for the long-term expression of enhancing-activity-free neutralizing
      antibodies may resolve this concern. METHODS: A mouse monoclonal antibody, 7F4,
      of the IgG3 subclass and with no detectable enhancing activity, was selected as
      the model neutralizing antibody to evaluate the potential of this strategy. Equal
      amounts of commercial vector (pFUSE)-based plasmids containing 7F4 heavy (H)- or
      light (L)-chain variable region genes were mixed and used for the cotransfection
      of 293T cells and co-delivery into ICR and BALB/c mice. The recombinant plasmids
      were designed to express IgG2b or IgG3 subclass antibodies (p7F4G2b or p7F4G3,
      respectively). RESULTS: 293T cells transfected with 2 MUg of p7F4G2b or p7F4G3
      produced approximately 15,000 or 800 ng/ml IgG in the culture fluids,
      respectively. The dose is expressed as the total amount of H- and L-chain
      plasmids. Neutralizing antibody was detected dose-dependently in ICR mice
      inoculated with 50-200 MUg of p7F4G2b. A 1:2 dilution of sera from ICR and BALB/c
      mice inoculated with 100 MUg of p7F4G3 showed average plaque reduction levels of
      >70% on day 3 and >90% on days 5-9. BALB/c mice maintained detectable
      neutralizing antibody for at least 3 months. The neutralizing antibody expressed
      by p7F4G3 in mice showed no enhancing activity. DISCUSSION: Although the
      expression of neutralizing antibodies from immunoglobulin genes is a type of
      passive immunization, its durability can be utilized as a dengue vaccine
      strategy. This "proof-of-concept" study using a mouse model demonstrates that the
      enhancing-activity-free characteristic of this strategy augurs well for dengue
      vaccine development, although further improvement is required.

PMID- 26259544
TI  - Mapping Mechanical Force Propagation through Biomolecular Complexes.
AB  - Here we employ single-molecule force spectroscopy with an atomic force microscope
      (AFM) and steered molecular dynamics (SMD) simulations to reveal force
      propagation pathways through a mechanically ultrastable multidomain cellulosome
      protein complex. We demonstrate a new combination of network-based correlation
      analysis supported by AFM directional pulling experiments, which allowed us to
      visualize stiff paths through the protein complex along which force is
      transmitted. The results implicate specific force-propagation routes nonparallel
      to the pulling axis that are advantageous for achieving high dissociation forces.

PMID- 26259545
TI  - Description of Dichelacera (Dichelacera) walteri n. sp. (Diptera: Tabanidae) with
      a Key to Related Species in the Subgenus Dichelacera Macquart.
AB  - Dichelacera (Dichelacera) walteri Guimaraes, Gorayeb & Rodrigues-Guimaraes n. sp.
      is described from female specimens collected in Marambaia Island, located in
      Mangaratiba County, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The characterization of the
      species was based in the following characters: a medium-sized species, more
      sclerotized than others in the subgenus Dichelacera Macquart, the second segment
      of palp with dark setae and longer than the third antennal segment, a brown
      scutum with pruinescence on the anterior half and posterior edges with white
      tonality, yellow dorsum of abdomen with the last three segments brown, white
      yellowish venter with yellow setae, narrow frons with dark brown callus,
      extending just beyond a ridge in the middle of the frons, vertex with ocelli,
      hyaline wings with three large black bands, and tricolored legs. 

PMID- 26259546
TI  - Muscle Metabolic Responses During Dynamic In-Magnet Exercise Testing: A Pilot
      Study in Children with an Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathy.
AB  - RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The clinical utility of supine in-magnet bicycling in
      combination with phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((31)P MRS) to
      evaluate quadriceps muscle metabolism was examined in four children with juvenile
      dermatomyositis (JDM) in remission and healthy age- and gender-matched controls.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two identical maximal supine bicycling tests were
      performed using a magnetic resonance-compatible ergometer. During the first test,
      cardiopulmonary performance was established in the exercise laboratory. During
      the second test, quadriceps energy balance and acid/base balance during
      incremental exercise and phosphocreatine recovery were determined using (31)P
      MRS. RESULTS: During the first test, no significant differences were found
      between patients with JDM and their healthy peers regarding cardiopulmonary
      performance. The outcomes of the first test indicate that both groups attained
      maximal performance. During the second test, quadriceps phosphocreatine and pH
      time courses were similar in all but one patient experiencing idiopathic
      postexercise pain. This patient demonstrated faster phosphocreatine depletion and
      acidification during exercise, yet postexercise mitochondrial adenosine
      triphosphate synthesis rate measured by phosphocreatine recovery kinetics was
      approximately twofold faster than control (time constant 23 seconds vs 43 +/- 7
      seconds, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: These results highlight the utility of in
      magnet cycle ergometry in combination with (31)P MRS to assess and monitor muscle
      energetic patterns in pediatric patients with inflammatory myopathies.

PMID- 26259547
TI  - Capricorn-A Web-Based Automatic Case Log and Volume Analytics for Diagnostic
      Radiology Residents.
AB  - RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: On-service clinical learning is a mainstay of radiology
      education. However, an accurate and timely case log is difficult to keep,
      especially in the absence of software tools tailored to resident education.
      Furthermore, volume-related feedback from the residency program sometimes occurs
      months after a rotation ends, limiting the opportunity for meaningful
      intervention. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We surveyed the residents of a single
      academic institution to evaluate the current state of and the existing need for
      tracking interpretation volume. Using the results of the survey, we created an
      open-source automated case log software. Finally, we evaluated the effect of the
      software tool on the residency in a 1-month, postimplementation survey. RESULTS:
      Before implementation of the system, 89% of respondents stated that volume is an
      important component of training, but 71% stated that volume data was inconvenient
      to obtain. Although the residency program provides semiannual reviews, 90%
      preferred reviewing interpretation volumes at least once monthly. After
      implementation, 95% of the respondents stated that the software is convenient to
      access, 75% found it useful, and 88% stated they would use the software at least
      once a month. The included analytics module, which benchmarks the user using
      historical aggregate average volumes, is the most often used feature of the
      software. Server log demonstrates that, on average, residents use the system
      approximately twice a week. CONCLUSIONS: An automated case log software system
      may fulfill a previously unmet need in diagnostic radiology training, making
      accurate and timely review of volume-related performance analytics a convenient
      process.

PMID- 26259548
TI  - Needs Assessment for Standardized Medical Student Imaging Education: Review of
      the Literature and a Survey of Deans and Chairs.
AB  - RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Medical imaging education often has limited
      representation in formal medical student curricula. Although the need for greater
      inclusion of radiology material is generally agreed on, the exact skillset that
      should be taught is less clear. The purpose of our study was to perform a needs
      assessment for a national radiology curriculum for medical students. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: We analyzed data from previous unpublished portions of the American
      College of Radiology/Alliance of Medical Student Educators in Radiology survey of
      Deans and Radiology Chairs regarding prevalence of radiology curricular
      revisions, assessment tools, use of the American College of Radiology
      Appropriateness Criteria, and resources used in curriculum revision. We also
      performed a literature search through both PubMED and a general search engine
      (Google) to identify available resources for designing and implementing imaging
      curricula and curricular revisions. RESULTS: Medical school deans and chairs
      reported a need for more overall radiology content; one of every six programs
      (15%) reported they had no recognized imaging curriculum. Of schools currently
      with imaging curricula, 82% have undergone revision in the last 10 years using a
      variety of different resources, but there is no universally agreed on guide or
      standard curriculum. The PubMED and Google searches identified only 23 and eight
      resources, respectively, suggesting a sizable deficit in available guidance;
      however, a single published medical student radiology curriculum is available
      through the Alliance of Medical Student Educators in Radiology. CONCLUSIONS:
      There is a need, but few available resources, to guide educators in adding
      imaging content to medical school curricula. We postulate that a standardized
      national curriculum directed by a focused skillset may be useful to educators and
      could result in greater uniformity of imaging skills among graduating US medical
      students. A proposed skillset to guide a national curriculum in radiology is
      described.

PMID- 26259549
TI  - Twelve-Hour Hypothermic Machine Perfusion for Donor Heart Preservation Leads to
      Improved Ultrastructural Characteristics Compared to Conventional Cold Storage.
AB  - BACKGROUND Hypothermic machine perfusion of donor hearts has the theoretical
      advantage of continuous aerobic metabolism and washes out toxic metabolic
      byproducts. Here, we studied the effect of hypothermic machine perfusion on
      cardiac myocyte integrity when hearts are preserved for longer ischemic times (12
      hours). MATERIAL AND METHODS Pig hearts were harvested and stored in Celsior(r)
      solution for 12 hours using either conventional cold storage on ice (12 h CS,
      n=3) or pulsatile perfusion with the Paragonix Sherpa PerfusionTM Cardiac
      Transport System at different flow rates (12 h PP, n=3 or 12 h PP low flow, n=2).
      After cold preservation, hearts were reperfused using an LV isovolumic
      Langendorff system. Controls (n=3) were reperfused immediately after organ
      harvest. Biopsies were taken from the apex of the left ventricle before storage,
      after storage and after reperfusion to measure ATP and endothelin-1 content in
      the tissue. TUNEL staining for signs of apoptosis and electron microscopy of the
      donor hearts were performed. RESULTS 12 h PP hearts showed significantly more
      weight gain than 12 h CS and controls after preservation. Pulsatile perfused
      hearts showed less ATP depletion, lower endothelin-1 levels and less apoptosis
      after preservation compared to CS. Electron microscopy showed damaged muscle
      fibers, endothelial cell rupture, and injury of mitochondria in the 12 h CS
      group, while machine perfusion could preserve the cell structures. CONCLUSIONS
      Hypothermic machine perfusion of donor hearts can preserve the cell structures
      better than conventional cold storage in prolonged ischemic times. Hypothermic
      pulsatile perfusion may therefore enable longer preservation times of donor
      hearts. Whether this method is able to avoid primary graft failure after
      orthotopic heart transplantation remains to be evaluated in further studies. 

PMID- 26259550
TI  - Environmental attributable fractions in remote Australia: the potential of a new
      approach for local public health action.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To determine local values for environmental attributable fractions
      and explore their applicability and potential for public health advocacy.
      METHODS: Using World Health Organization (WHO) values for environmental
      attributable fractions, responses from a practitioner survey (73% response rate)
      were considered by a smaller skills-based panel to determine consensus values for
      Kimberley environmental attributable fractions (KEAFs). Applied to de-identified
      data from 17 remote primary healthcare facilities over two years, numbers and
      proportions of reasons for attendance directly attributable to the environment
      were calculated for all ages and children aged 0-4 years, including those for
      Aboriginal patients. RESULTS: Of 150,357 reasons for attendance for patients of
      all ages, 31,775 (21.1%) were directly attributable to the environment. The
      proportion of these directly due to the environment was significantly higher for
      Aboriginal patients than others (23.1% v 14.6%; p<0.001). Of 29,706 reasons for
      attendance by Aboriginal children aged 0-4 years, 7,599 (25.6%) were directly
      attributable to the environment, significantly higher than for non-Aboriginal
      children aged 0-4 years (25.6% v 18.6%; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: By addressing
      environmental factors, 20% of total primary healthcare demand could be prevented
      and, importantly, some 25% of presentations by Aboriginal children. IMPLICATIONS:
      KEAFs have potential to monitor impact of local environmental investments.

PMID- 26259551
TI  - Motor learning strategies in basketball players and its implications for ACL
      injury prevention: a randomized controlled trial.
AB  - PURPOSE: Adding external focus of attention (EF, focus on the movement effect)
      may optimize current anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury prevention
      programmes. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the effects of an
      EF, by a visual stimulus and an internal focus, by a verbal stimulus during
      unexpected sidestep cutting in female and male athletes and how these effects
      remained over time. METHODS: Ninety experienced basketball athletes performed
      sidestep cutting manoeuvres in three sessions (S1, S2 and S3). In this randomized
      controlled trial, athletes were allocated to three groups: visual (VIS), verbal
      (VER) and control (CTRL). Kinematics and kinetics were collected at the time of
      peak knee frontal plane moment. RESULTS: Males in the VIS group showed a larger
      vertical ground reaction force (S1: 25.4 +/- 3.1 N/kg, S2: 25.8 +/- 2.9 N/kg, S3:
      25.2 +/- 3.2 N/kg) and knee flexion moments (S1: -3.8 +/- 0.9 Nm/kg, S2: -4.0 +/-
      1.2 Nm/kg, S3: -3.9 +/- 1.3 Nm/kg) compared to the males in the VER and CTRL
      groups and to the females in the VIS group (p < 0.05). Additionally, the males in
      the VIS group reduced knee valgus moment and the females in the VER group reduced
      knee varus moment over time (n.s.). CONCLUSION: Male subjects clearly benefit
      from visual feedback. Females may need different feedback modes to learn a
      correct movement pattern. Sex-specific learning preferences may have to be
      acknowledged in day by day practice. Adding video instruction or feedback to
      regular training regimens when teaching athletes safe movement patterns and
      providing individual feedback might target suboptimal long-term results and
      optimize ACL injury prevention programmes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: I.

PMID- 26259552
TI  - Reliability of Assessing Hand Osteoarthritis on Digital Photographs and
      Associations With Radiographic and Clinical Findings.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the reliability and construct validity of an atlas for
      grading hand osteoarthritis (OA) on photographs in a separate younger community
      dwelling population than the development cohort. METHODS: Participants were
      community-dwelling adults (ages >=50 years) in North Staffordshire, UK with hand
      pain or hand problems in the last year who attended a research clinic. High
      quality photographs were taken in a standardized position. A photographic atlas
      was used to score hand joints (second and third distal interphalangeal [DIP],
      second and third proximal interphalangeal [PIP], and first carpometacarpal [CMC]
      joints) and joint groups (DIP, PIP, and CMC joints) for OA on a 0-3 scale. Hand
      radiographs were graded for OA using the Kellgren/Lawrence (K/L) grading system.
      Clinical features (nodes, bony enlargement, and deformity) were determined by
      physical examination. Associations of photographic hand OA grades with
      radiographic OA and clinical features were determined to assess construct
      validity. RESULTS: In total, 558 participants (mean age 64 years, 62% women) were
      included in the analyses. Reliability for scoring OA on the photographs was good
      (mean intrarater intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] 0.77 and mean
      interrater ICC 0.71). At the joint level, photographic hand OA grade was
      positively associated with radiographic OA grade (Spearman's rho = 0.19-0.57, P <
      0.001) and the number of clinical features (Spearman's rho = 0.36-0.59, P <
      0.001). At the person level, individuals with higher global photographic OA
      scores had higher summed K/L scores and higher percentages meeting the American
      College of Rheumatology clinical hand OA criteria. CONCLUSION: This photographic
      scoring system was reliable and a good indicator of hand OA in a separate younger
      community-dwelling population than the development cohort. This method of data
      collection offers researchers a feasible alternative to physical examination and
      radiography.

PMID- 26259553
TI  - Chemical chaperone treatment for galactosialidosis: Effect of NOEV on beta
      galactosidase activities in fibroblasts.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Galactosialidosis is a rare lysosomal storage disease caused by a
      combined deficiency of GM1 beta-galactosidase (beta-gal) and neuraminidase
      secondary to a defect of a lysosomal enzyme protective protein/cathepsin A (PPCA)
      and mutation in CTSA gene. Three subtypes are recognized: early infantile, late
      infantile, and juvenile/adult. There is no specific therapy for patients with
      galactosialidosis at this time. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to
      determine the chaperone effect of N-octyl-4-epi-beta-valienamine (NOEV) on beta
      gal proteins in skin fibroblasts of PPCA-deficit patients. METHODS: beta-Gal and
      neuraminidase activities were measured for the diagnosis of the patients with
      galactosialidosis. Western blotting for PPCA protein and direct sequencing for
      CTSA gene were performed. Cultured skin fibroblast were treated with NOEV.
      RESULTS: We report four novel patients with galactosialidosis: one had the early
      infantile form and the other three had the juvenile/adult form. We found that
      NOEV stabilized beta-gal activity in lysate from cultured skin fibroblasts from
      these patients. Treatment with NOEV significantly enhanced beta-gal activity in
      cultured skin fibroblasts in the absence of PPCA. CONCLUSIONS: Our results
      indicate the possibility that NOEV chaperone therapy might have a beneficial
      effect, at least in part, for patients with galactosialidosis.

PMID- 26259555
TI  - Scale-dependency of the global mean surface temperature trend and its implication
      for the recent hiatus of global warming.
AB  - Studies of the global mean surface temperature trend are typically conducted at a
      single (usually annual or decadal) time scale. The used scale does not
      necessarily correspond to the intrinsic scales of the natural temperature
      variability. This scale mismatch complicates the separation of externally forced
      temperature trends from natural temperature fluctuations. The hiatus of global
      warming since 1999 has been claimed to show that human activities play only a
      minor role in global warming. Most likely this claim is wrong due to the
      inadequate consideration of the scale-dependency in the global surface
      temperature (GST) evolution. Here we show that the variability and trend of the
      global mean surface temperature anomalies (GSTA) from January 1850 to December
      2013, which incorporate both land and sea surface data, is scale-dependent and
      that the recent hiatus of global warming is mainly related to natural long-term
      oscillations. These results provide a possible explanation of the recent hiatus
      of global warming and suggest that the hiatus is only temporary. 

PMID- 26259554
TI  - A fluoroscopy-based planning and guidance software tool for minimally invasive
      hip refixation by cement injection.
AB  - PURPOSE: In orthopaedics, minimally invasive injection of bone cement is an
      established technique. We present HipRFX, a software tool for planning and
      guiding a cement injection procedure for stabilizing a loosening hip prosthesis.
      HipRFX works by analysing a pre-operative CT and intraoperative C-arm
      fluoroscopic images. METHODS: HipRFX simulates the intraoperative fluoroscopic
      views that a surgeon would see on a display panel. Structures are rendered by
      modelling their X-ray attenuation. These are then compared to actual fluoroscopic
      images which allow cement volumes to be estimated. Five human cadaver legs were
      used to validate the software in conjunction with real percutaneous cement
      injection into artificially created periprothetic lesions. RESULTS: Based on
      intraoperatively obtained fluoroscopic images, our software was able to estimate
      the cement volume that reached the pre-operatively planned targets. The actual
      median target lesion volume was 3.58 ml (range 3.17-4.64 ml). The median error in
      computed cement filling, as a percentage of target volume, was 5.3% (range 2.2
      14.8%). Cement filling was between 17.6 and 55.4% (median 51.8%). CONCLUSIONS: As
      a proof of concept, HipRFX was capable of simulating intraoperative fluoroscopic
      C-arm images. Furthermore, it provided estimates of the fraction of injected
      cement deposited at its intended target location, as opposed to cement that
      leaked away. This level of knowledge is usually unavailable to the surgeon
      viewing a fluoroscopic image and may aid in evaluating the success of a
      percutaneous cement injection intervention.

PMID- 26259556
TI  - Long-term outcomes of operative versus nonoperative treatment for uncomplicated
      appendicitis.
AB  - PURPOSE: Although nonoperative treatment for uncomplicated appendicitis is now an
      accepted approach, there are few reports in children. The aim of this study was
      to compare long-term outcomes between operative and nonoperative treatment in
      children. METHODS: Between April 2007 and December 2013, all uncomplicated
      appendicitis patients were asked to select either operative (laparoscopic
      surgery) or nonoperative treatment on admission. For nonoperative treatment,
      intravenous injection of antibiotics was continued until serum C-reactive protein
      concentration decreased to below 0.5mg/dL. A questionnaire survey on satisfaction
      with treatment was added afterwards and performed more than 1year after
      treatment. RESULTS: Eighty-six patients chose operative treatment, and 78 chose
      nonoperative treatment. The success rate of nonoperative treatment was 98.7%.
      There was no difference in the length of hospital stay between the two groups.
      Ileus occurred in two operatively-treated patients, while recurrence of
      appendicitis occurred in 22 nonoperatively-treated patients (28.6 %) after an
      average of 4.3years of follow-up. The overall nonoperative treatment failure
      including both early failure and recurrence occurred more frequently among those
      with appendicoliths than without appendicoliths. Satisfaction levels were higher
      for operative treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Although the success rate of nonoperative
      treatment was very high, a considerable number of patients experienced
      recurrence.

PMID- 26259557
TI  - Carcinoid tumours of the appendix in children having appendicectomies at Princess
      Margaret Hospital since 1995.
AB  - AIM: The diagnosis of carcinoid tumour is a relatively rare one. Our surgical
      approach has changed over the last two decades from predominantly open to
      predominately laparoscopic with a tendency to leave the mesoappendix in situ. The
      aim of this audit was to identify how many cases we had at PMH and to see whether
      the shift in surgical approach allowed us to make prognostic decisions in keeping
      with current best practice and whether this made any difference in further
      surgery requirements or outcome for patients. METHODS: A retrospective review of
      all cases of carcinoid identified in our search of all appendicectomy
      histopathology results was conducted. Results were compared to those found in
      other studies. Duration of follow up and further investigations was reviewed, as
      was whether or not there was any recurrence. RESULTS: Our incidence of carcinoid
      tumours in patients undergoing appendicectomy since 1995 was 0.35%, similar to
      that in other centres. None of our patients had surgery beyond an appendicectomy
      and our active follow up varied from none to 6 months. There were no recurrences
      in this time. CONCLUSIONS: The literature review carried out suggests further
      meta-analysis is needed including data on long term follow up before definitive
      guidelines regarding extent of surgical treatment and follow up based on
      histopathology are created. The condition is rare and the studies small,
      resulting in no clear consensus on the best practice for tumours measuring
      between 1 and 1.5 cm in diameter. Our surgical approach to appendicectomies has
      changed; it is unclear whether this has resulted in a change in outcome.

PMID- 26259558
TI  - Malformations associated with congenital diaphragmatic hernia: Impact on
      survival.
AB  - BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is associated with high
      mortality. Survival is influenced by the extent of pulmonary hypoplasia and
      additional congenital defects. The purpose of this study was to assess the
      association of congenital anomalies and admission capillary carbon dioxide levels
      (PcCO2), as a measure of extent of pulmonary hypoplasia, on survival in neonates
      with CDH. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of neonates with CDH admitted
      to a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit between 1990 and 2014. Logistic
      regression was used to assess whether hospital survival was associated with
      admission PcCO2 or associated anomalies (isolated CDH, CDH with cardiovascular
      anomalies, and CDH with noncardiac anomalies). The probabilities of survival
      (POS) score, based on birth weight and 5-min Apgar as defined by the Congenital
      Diaphragmatic Hernia Study Group were included as a covariate. RESULTS: Of 97
      patients, 55 had additional malformations (cardiovascular n=12, noncardiac
      anomalies n=43). POS was lower in CDH with other anomalies compared to isolated
      CDH. Survival rate was 61.9%, 53.5% and 41.7% in isolated CDH, CDH with
      noncardiac anomalies and CDH with cardiovascular anomalies, respectively. After
      adjusting for POS score the likelihood of survival in CDH groups with additional
      anomalies was similar to isolated CDH (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.22-4.15, and 1.10, 0.39
      3.08, for CDH with and without cardiovascular anomalies, respectively). After
      adjusting for POS score, lower PcCO2 levels (OR=1.25 per 5mmHg decrease, P=0.003)
      were associated with better survival. CONCLUSIONS: Neonates with CDH have a high
      prevalence of congenital malformations. However, after adjusting for POS score
      the presence of additional anomalies was not associated with survival. The POS
      score and admission PcCO2 were important prognosticating factors for survival.

PMID- 26259559
TI  - Bloodstream infections during the onset of necrotizing enterocolitis and their
      relation with the pro-inflammatory response, gut wall integrity and severity of
      disease in NEC.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Bacterial involvement is believed to play a pivotal role in the
      development and disease outcome of NEC. However, whether a bloodstream infection
      (BSI) predisposes to NEC (e.g. by activating the pro-inflammatory response) or
      result from the loss of gut wall integrity during NEC development is a
      longstanding question. OBJECTIVE: We hypothesize that the occurrence of a BSI
      plays a complementary role in the pathogenesis of NEC. The first aim of the study
      was to correlate the occurrence of a BSI during the early phase of NEC with
      intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP) levels, as a marker for loss of
      gut wall integrity owing to mucosal damage, and Interleukin (IL)-8 levels, as a
      biomarker for the pro-inflammatory cascade in NEC. The second aim of the study
      was to investigate the relation between the occurrence of a BSI and disease
      outcome. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We combined data from prospective trials from two
      large academic pediatric surgical centers. Thirty-eight neonates with NEC, 5
      neonates with bacterial sepsis, and 14 controls were included. RESULTS: BSIs
      occurred in 10/38 (26%) neonates at NEC onset. No association between the
      occurrence of BSIs and I-FABP levels in plasma (cohort 1: median 11ng/mL (range
      0.8-298), cohort 2: median 6.8ng/mL (range 1.3-15)) was found in NEC patients
      (cohort 1: p=0.41; cohort 2: p=0.90). In addition, the occurrence of BSIs did not
      correlate with IL-8 (median 1562pg/mL (range 150-7,500); p=0.99). While the
      occurrence of a BSI was not correlated with Bell's stage (p=0.85), mortality was
      higher in patients with a BSI (p=0.005). CONCLUSION: The low incidence of BSIs
      and the absent association of both the markers for loss of gut wall integrity and
      the pro-inflammatory response during the early phase of NEC, support the
      hypothesis that the presence of a BSI does not precede NEC.

PMID- 26259561
TI  - And Pavlov still rings a bell: summarising the evidence for the use of a bell in
      Pavlov's iconic experiments on classical conditioning.

PMID- 26259560
TI  - Is the tide turning again for cephalosporin resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae
      in Europe? Results from the 2013 European surveillance.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The emerging resistance to the extended-spectrum cephalosporins
      (ESCs) in Neisseria gonorrhoeae together with increasing incidence of gonorrhoea
      cases in many countries have been global public health concerns. However, in
      recent years the levels of ESC resistance have decreased in several regions
      worldwide. We describe the European Gonococcal Antimicrobial Surveillance
      Programme (Euro-GASP) data from 2013, and compare them to corresponding data from
      2009-2012. METHODS: During 2013, N. gonorrhoeae isolates from 21 participating
      countries were examined. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (Etest or agar
      dilution) was performed for cefixime, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, azithromycin,
      spectinomycin and gentamicin. Statistical analyses were performed to identify
      significant changes in resistance between years and to investigate associations
      between patients with resistant gonococcal isolates and collected epidemiological
      variables. RESULTS: In total, 93 (4.7 %) of 1994 isolates displayed resistance to
      cefixime, representing an increase compared to the 3.9 % detected in 2012 (p =
      0.23). Cefixime resistance was detected in 13 (61.9 %) of the 21 countries.
      Cefixime resistance among men who have sex with men was only 1.2 %, compared to
      5.6 % and 6.1 % in females and male heterosexuals, respectively. The univariate
      analysis confirmed that isolates resistant to cefixime were more likely to be
      from females (OR 4.87, p < 0.01) or male heterosexuals (OR 5.32, p < 0.01). Seven
      (0.4 %) isolates displayed ceftriaxone resistance (in addition to cefixime
      resistance) compared to three and 10 isolates in 2012 and 2011, respectively. All
      93 isolates with cefixime resistance were additionally resistant to ciprofloxacin
      and 16 (17.2 %) were also resistant to azithromycin. Among all tested isolates (n
      = 1994), the ciprofloxacin resistance level (52.9 %) was higher than in 2012
      (50.1 %; p = 0.08), and azithromycin resistance (5.4 %) increased since 2012 (4.5
      %; p = 0.16). CONCLUSIONS: In 2013, the ESC resistance was again slightly
      increasing in Europe. This emphasises the importance of implementing the actions
      outlined in the European and additional response plans, particularly activities
      strengthening the surveillance of antimicrobial resistance. Ceftriaxone combined
      with azithromycin remains a satisfactory option for the first-line treatment of
      gonorrhoea. However novel antimicrobials (new derivatives of previously developed
      antimicrobials or newly developed antimicrobials) for effective monotherapy or at
      least inclusion in new dual antimicrobial therapy regimens (combined with
      previously developed antimicrobials or novel antimicrobials) will likely be
      required.

PMID- 26259562
TI  - Late-life memory trajectories in relation to incident dementia and regional brain
      atrophy.
AB  - The trajectory, or slope, of cognitive decline may provide differentiation of
      older adults with and without incipient neurodegenerative disease. Cognitive
      aging phenotypes based on memory trajectories could be used as outcome measures
      for clinical trials or observational studies of risk and protective factors for
      dementia. This study used growth mixture modeling (GMM) to identify trajectory
      groups based on age- and education-corrected composite memory scores derived from
      immediate, delayed and recognition trials of the Selective Reminding Test.
      Participants included 2593 participants initially without dementia (mean age at
      entry = 76) in a community-based study of aging and dementia in northern
      Manhattan. Trajectory groups were compared on consensus diagnoses of dementia and
      structural MRI measures of hippocampal volume and entorhinal cortical thickness.
      Heterogeneity in memory trajectories allowed us to identify four groups: Stable
      High (43.5 %), Stable-Low (17.1 %), Decliner (26.8 %), and Rapid Decliner (12.5
      %). Decliners had more brain atrophy and higher rates of conversion to dementia.
      This study highlights the heterogeneity in cognitive aging and provides evidence
      that most elderly maintain memory function as they age. Associations with
      dementia and imaging measures validate subgroups of older adults identified with
      GMM based on their memory trajectories. Future research should use these memory
      trajectory phenotypes to determine whether dementia risk and protective factors
      differ for individuals following different memory trajectories.

PMID- 26259563
TI  - Color vision impairment in multiple sclerosis points to retinal ganglion cell
      damage.
AB  - Multiple Sclerosis (MS) results in color vision impairment regardless of optic
      neuritis (ON). The exact location of injury remains undefined. The objective of
      this study is to identify the region leading to dyschromatopsia in MS patients'
      NON-eyes. We evaluated Spearman correlations between color vision and measures of
      different regions in the afferent visual pathway in 106 MS patients. Regions with
      significant correlations were included in logistic regression models to assess
      their independent role in dyschromatopsia. We evaluated color vision with Hardy
      Rand-Rittler plates and retinal damage using Optical Coherence Tomography. We ran
      SIENAX to measure Normalized Brain Parenchymal Volume (NBPV), FIRST for thalamus
      volume and Freesurfer for visual cortex areas. We found moderate, significant
      correlations between color vision and macular retinal nerve fiber layer (rho =
      0.289, p = 0.003), ganglion cell complex (GCC = GCIP) (rho = 0.353, p < 0.001),
      thalamus (rho = 0.361, p < 0.001), and lesion volume within the optic radiations
      (rho = -0.230, p = 0.030). Only GCC thickness remained significant (p = 0.023) in
      the logistic regression model. In the final model including lesion load and NBPV
      as markers of diffuse neuroaxonal damage, GCC remained associated with
      dyschromatopsia [OR = 0.88 95 % CI (0.80-0.97) p = 0.016]. This association
      remained significant when we also added sex, age, and disease duration as
      covariates in the regression model. Dyschromatopsia in NON-eyes is due to damage
      of retinal ganglion cells (RGC) in MS. Color vision can serve as a marker of RGC
      damage in MS.

PMID- 26259565
TI  - Broadband excitation pulses with variable RF amplitude-dependent flip angle
      (RADFA).
AB  - Pulse sequences in NMR spectroscopy sometimes require the adjustment of effective
      flip angles with respect to experiment-specific or sample-specific parameters.
      Here, we present a quality factor for efficient optimization of offset
      compensated broadband excitation pulses with RF amplitude-dependent effective
      flip angles (RADFA). After proof of principle, physical limits of RF amplitude
      restricted and RF power-restricted broadband RADFA pulses are explored and
      corresponding pulse shapes and performances characterized in detail.

PMID- 26259564
TI  - Essential oil of Artemisia vestita exhibits potent in vitro and in vivo
      antibacterial activity: Investigation of the effect of oil on biofilm formation,
      leakage of potassium ions and survival curve measurement.
AB  - The aim of the present study was to investigate the chemical composition of the
      essential oil of Artemisia vestita and to determine the antibacterial activity of
      the essential oil and its two major components, grandisol and 1,8-cineole,
      against certain respiratory infection-causing bacterial strains, in vitro and in
      vivo. The chemical composition of the essential oil was analyzed using gas
      chromatography-mass spectrometry. A micro-well dilution method was used to
      determine the minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) values of the essential oil
      and its major constituents. A model of Streptococcus pyogenes infection in mice
      was used to determine its in vivo activities. Lung and blood samples were
      obtained to assess bacterial cell counts. Toxicity evaluation of the essential
      oil and its components was completed by performing biochemical analysis of the
      serum, particularly monitoring aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, urea
      and creatinine. The essential oil exhibited potent antibacterial activity,
      whereas the two major constituents were less potent. The essential oil exhibited
      MIC values between 20 and 80 ug/ml, while the values of the two constituents were
      between 130 and 200 ug/ml. Scanning electron microscopy results demonstrated that
      the essential oil inhibited biofilm formation and altered its architecture.
      Survival curves indicated that the essential oil led to a reduction in the
      viability of different bacteria. The essential oil also induced significant
      leakage of potassium ions from S. pyogenes. The essential oil (100 ug/mouse) and
      grandisol (135 ug/mouse) significantly reduced the number of viable bacterial
      cells in the lungs (P<0.01). However, intake of 100 ug/mouse of essential oil or
      grandisol 135 ug/mouse once or twice each day for 9 days did not produce any
      toxic effects in the mice. In conclusion, the in vitro and in vivo results
      suggested that the essential oil of A. vestita and one of its major constituents,
      grandisol, can significantly inhibit the growth of different bacterial strains.

PMID- 26259566
TI  - A transferable plasticity region in Campylobacter coli allows isolates of an
      otherwise non-glycolytic food-borne pathogen to catabolize glucose.
AB  - Thermophilic Campylobacter species colonize the intestine of agricultural and
      domestic animals commensally but cause severe gastroenteritis in humans. In
      contrast to other enteropathogenic bacteria, Campylobacter has been considered to
      be non-glycolytic, a metabolic property originally used for their taxonomic
      classification. Contrary to this dogma, we demonstrate that several Campylobacter
      coli strains are able to utilize glucose as a growth substrate. Isotopologue
      profiling experiments with (13) C-labeled glucose suggested that these strains
      catabolize glucose via the pentose phosphate and Entner-Doudoroff (ED) pathways
      and use glucose efficiently for de novo synthesis of amino acids and cell surface
      carbohydrates. Whole genome sequencing of glycolytic C. coli isolates identified
      a genomic island located within a ribosomal RNA gene cluster that encodes for all
      ED pathway enzymes and a glucose permease. We could show in vitro that a non
      glycolytic C. coli strain could acquire glycolytic activity through natural
      transformation with chromosomal DNA of C. coli and C. jejuni subsp. doylei
      strains possessing the ED pathway encoding plasticity region. These results
      reveal for the first time the ability of a Campylobacter species to catabolize
      glucose and provide new insights into how genetic macrodiversity through intra-
      and interspecies gene transfer expand the metabolic capacity of this food-borne
      pathogen.

PMID- 26259567
TI  - Stochastic simulation of Boolean rxncon models: towards quantitative analysis of
      large signaling networks.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cellular decision-making is governed by molecular networks that are
      highly complex. An integrative understanding of these networks on a genome wide
      level is essential to understand cellular health and disease. In most cases
      however, such an understanding is beyond human comprehension and requires
      computational modeling. Mathematical modeling of biological networks at the level
      of biochemical details has hitherto relied on state transition models. These are
      typically based on enumeration of all relevant model states, and hence become
      very complex unless severely--and often arbitrarily--reduced. Furthermore, the
      parameters required for genome wide networks will remain underdetermined for the
      conceivable future. Alternatively, networks can be simulated by Boolean models,
      although these typically sacrifice molecular detail as well as distinction
      between different levels or modes of activity. However, the modeling community
      still lacks methods that can simulate genome scale networks on the level of
      biochemical reaction detail in a quantitative or semi quantitative manner.
      RESULTS: Here, we present a probabilistic bipartite Boolean modeling method that
      addresses these issues. The method is based on the reaction-contingency
      formalism, and enables fast simulation of large networks. We demonstrate its
      scalability by applying it to the yeast mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)
      network consisting of 140 proteins and 608 nodes. CONCLUSION: The probabilistic
      Boolean model can be generated and parameterized automatically from a rxncon
      network description, using only two global parameters, and its qualitative
      behavior is robust against order of magnitude variation in these parameters. Our
      method can hence be used to simulate the outcome of large signal transduction
      network reconstruction, with little or no overhead in model creation or
      parameterization.

PMID- 26259568
TI  - First outline and baseline data of a randomized, controlled multicenter trial to
      evaluate the health economic impact of home telemonitoring in chronic heart
      failure - CardioBBEAT.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Evidence that home telemonitoring for patients with chronic heart
      failure (CHF) offers clinical benefit over usual care is controversial as is
      evidence of a health economic advantage. METHODS: Between January 2010 and June
      2013, patients with a confirmed diagnosis of CHF were enrolled and randomly
      assigned to 2 study groups comprising usual care with and without an interactive
      bi-directional remote monitoring system (Motiva(r)). The primary endpoint in
      CardioBBEAT is the Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratio (ICER) established by the
      groups' difference in total cost and in the combined clinical endpoint "days
      alive and not in hospital nor inpatient care per potential days in study" within
      the follow-up of 12 months. RESULTS: A total of 621 predominantly male patients
      were enrolled, whereof 302 patients were assigned to the intervention group and
      319 to the control group. Ischemic cardiomyopathy was the leading cause of heart
      failure. Despite randomization, subjects of the control group were more often in
      NYHA functional class III-IV, and exhibited peripheral edema and renal
      dysfunction more often. Additionally, the control and intervention groups
      differed in heart rhythm disorders. No differences existed regarding risk factor
      profile, comorbidities, echocardiographic parameters, especially left ventricular
      and diastolic diameter and ejection fraction, as well as functional test results,
      medication and quality of life. While the observed baseline differences may well
      be a play of chance, they are of clinical relevance. Therefore, the statistical
      analysis plan was extended to include adjusted analyses with respect to the
      baseline imbalances. CONCLUSIONS: CardioBBEAT provides prospective outcome data
      on both, clinical and health economic impact of home telemonitoring in CHF. The
      study differs by the use of a high evidence level randomized controlled trial
      (RCT) design along with actual cost data obtained from health insurance
      companies. Its results are conducive to informed political and economic decision
      making with regard to home telemonitoring solutions as an option for health care.
      Overall, it contributes to developing advanced health economic evaluation
      instruments to be deployed within the specific context of the German Health Care
      System. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02293252 ; date of
      registration: 10 November 2014.

PMID- 26259569
TI  - Implementation of clinical guidelines on diabetes and hypertension in urban
      Mongolia: a qualitative study of primary care providers' perspectives and
      experiences.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hypertension and diabetes, key risk factors for cardiovascular
      disease, are significant health problems globally. As cardiovascular disease is
      one of the leading causes of mortality in Mongolia since 2000, clinical
      guidelines on arterial hypertension and diabetes were developed and implemented
      in 2011. This paper explores the barriers and enablers influencing the
      implementation of these guidelines in the primary care setting. METHODS: A
      phenomenological qualitative study with semi-structured interviews was conducted
      to explore the implementation of the diabetes and hypertension guidelines at the
      primary care level, as well as to gain insight into how practitioners view the
      usability and practicality of the guidelines. Ten family health centres were
      randomly chosen from a list of all the family health centres (n = 136) located in
      Ulaanbaatar City. In each centre, a focus group discussion with nurses (n = 20)
      and individual interviews with practice doctors (n = 10) and practice managers (n
      = 10) were conducted. Data was analysed using a thematic approach utilising the
      Theoretical Domains Framework. RESULTS: The majority of the study participants
      reported being aware of the guidelines and that they had incorporated them into
      their daily practice. They also reported having attended guideline training
      sessions which were focused on practice skill development. The majority of
      participants expressed satisfaction with the wide range of resources that had
      been supplied to them by the Mongolian Government to assist with the
      implementation of the guidelines. The resources, supplied from 2011 onwards,
      included screening devices, equipment for blood tests, medications and
      educational materials. Other enablers were the participants' commitment and
      passion for guideline implementation and their belief in the simplicity and
      practicality of the guidelines. Primary care providers reported a number of
      challenges in implementing the guidelines, including frustration caused by
      increased workload and long waiting times, time constraints, difficulties with
      conflicting tasks and low patient health literacy. CONCLUSIONS: This study
      provides evidence that comprehensive and rigorous dissemination and
      implementation strategies increase the likelihood of successful implementation of
      new guidelines in low resource primary care settings. It also offers some key
      lessons that might be carefully considered when other evidence-based clinical
      guidelines are to be put into effect in low resource settings and elsewhere.

PMID- 26259570
TI  - Integrated analysis of miRNA, gene, and pathway regulatory networks in hepatic
      cancer stem cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies
      worldwide. HCC has a poor prognosis associated with tumor recurrence and drug
      resistance, which has been attributed to the existence of hepatic cancer stem
      cells (HCSCs). However, the characteristics and regulatory mechanisms of HCSCs
      remain unclear. We therefore established a novel system to enrich HCSCs and we
      demonstrate that these HCSCs exhibit cancer stem cell properties. METHODS: We
      used miRNA and mRNA high-throughput sequencing data sets to determine molecular
      signatures and regulatory mechanisms in HCSCs. Paired miRNA and gene deep
      sequencing data in HCSCs versus HCC cells were used to identify candidate
      biomarkers of HCSCs. Using network analysis, we studied the relationship between
      miRNA and gene biomarkers, and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis was performed to
      study the function of candidate biomarkers. RESULTS: We identified 9 up- and 9
      down-regulated miRNAs and 115 up- and 402 down-regulated genes in HCSCs compared
      with HCC cells. A miRNA-gene network was constructed using 651 miRNA-gene
      interactions (between 7 up-regulated miRNAs and 274 down-regulated genes), and
      103 miRNA-gene interactions (between 9 down-regulated miRNAs and 62 up-regulated
      genes). Pathway enrichment analysis identified five tumor invasion- and
      metastasis-related pathways and MAPK signaling associated with HCSCs. We further
      discovered two novel pathways that likely play a role in the regulation of HCSCs.
      CONCLUSIONS: We identified a molecular expression signature and pathway
      regulatory mechanisms in HCSCs with potential diagnostic and therapeutic value.

PMID- 26259571
TI  - Developing treatment for adrenocortical carcinoma.
AB  - Cancer of the adrenal cortex (ACC) is a rare endocrine malignancy with limited
      treatment options. Patients typically present with autonomous hormonal
      overproduction and/or a large abdominal mass. Hormonal assays and medical imaging
      can be diagnostic, but urinary steroid profiling might be a more sensitive
      technique to assess malignancy in adrenal tumours. The stage of the disease at
      diagnosis is the most important prognostic factor. The current staging system
      needs refinement, especially to separate aggressive from indolent disease in
      stage IV patients and to select patients who need adjuvant treatment after
      complete surgical resection. Regarding the latter, assessing the proliferation
      index Ki-67 seems the best tool currently available. Genomic profiling is
      expected to become of clinical relevance in the future. Medical therapy is
      centred on the adrenolytic drug mitotane, which carries considerable toxicity and
      is not easy to manage. Its tolerability and long plasma level build-up phase may
      be improved by therapeutic drug monitoring based on pharmacokinetic modelling and
      intensive counselling of patients. Current chemotherapy regimens can offer
      disease stabilization in about 50% of patients, but an objective response should
      be expected in <25%. Research on targeted therapy and immunotherapy is difficult
      in this rare disease with often heavily pre-treated patients and has not yet been
      successful. Quality of care should be ensured by treating patients in centres
      with established experience in multidisciplinary oncologic care, who adhere to
      prevailing guidelines and state-of-the-art in diagnostic and treatment concepts.
      International collaboration in fundamental research and clinical trials is the
      key to further elucidate the pathogenesis and to improve patient care. 

PMID- 26259573
TI  - Correction.

PMID- 26259572
TI  - Primary giant cell carcinomas of the lung: a clinicopathological and
      immunohistochemical analysis of seven cases.
AB  - AIMS: Seven cases of primary giant cell carcinomas of the lung are presented.
      METHODS AND RESULTS: The patients were five women and two men between the ages of
      48 and 72 years (average: 63 years). Clinically, the patients presented with
      symptoms of cough, chest pain, dyspnoea and general malaise. Diagnostic imaging
      revealed the presence of intrapulmonary masses; five tumours were located in the
      right lung and two in the left, with a general predilection for the upper lobes.
      All patients underwent surgical resection and staging of their tumours. Five
      patients were staged as T2 and T3 with nodal metastasis, while two patients in
      stages T1 and T3, respectively, had no nodal disease. Histologically, the giant
      cells were typed as syncytiotrophoblast-like or 'null type', according to the
      expression of beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin or expression of cytokeratin
      alone. Follow-up information revealed that five patients died within a period of
      1-3 years, while two patients remain alive between 1 and 3 years. CONCLUSIONS:
      The cases presented herein highlight the importance of separating these tumours
      from the group of sarcomatoid carcinomas and analysing them carefully by
      immumohistochemical means, as we believe that these neoplasms represent a
      specific tumour entity.

PMID- 26259574
TI  - Biomek Cell Workstation: A Variable System for Automated Cell Cultivation.
AB  - Automated cell cultivation is an important tool for simplifying routine
      laboratory work. Automated methods are independent of skill levels and daily
      constitution of laboratory staff in combination with a constant quality and
      performance of the methods. The Biomek Cell Workstation was configured as a
      flexible and compatible system. The modified Biomek Cell Workstation enables the
      cultivation of adherent and suspension cells. Until now, no commercially
      available systems enabled the automated handling of both types of cells in one
      system. In particular, the automated cultivation of suspension cells in this form
      has not been published. The cell counts and viabilities were nonsignificantly
      decreased for cells cultivated in AutoFlasks in automated handling. The
      proliferation of manual and automated bioscreening by the WST-1 assay showed a
      nonsignificant lower proliferation of automatically disseminated cells associated
      with a mostly lower standard error. The disseminated suspension cell lines showed
      different pronounced proliferations in descending order, starting with Jurkat
      cells followed by SEM, Molt4, and RS4 cells having the lowest proliferation. In
      this respect, we successfully disseminated and screened suspension cells in an
      automated way. The automated cultivation and dissemination of a variety of
      suspension cells can replace the manual method. 

PMID- 26259575
TI  - A qualitative study exploring perceived barriers to infant feeding and caregiving
      among adolescent girls and young women in rural Bangladesh.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Infant feeding and caregiving by adolescent girls and young women in
      rural Bangladesh remains relatively understudied despite high potential
      vulnerability of younger mothers and their children due to poverty and high rates
      of early marriage and childbearing. This key knowledge gap may hamper the
      effectiveness of maternal, infant and child health interventions not specifically
      tailored to teenage mothers. This study aimed to narrow this gap by documenting
      key barriers to optimal infant and young child feeding and caregiving perceived
      by adolescent girls and young women in rural Bangladesh. METHODS: Focus group
      discussions and in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 70
      adolescent girls and young women participating in a community-based adolescent
      empowerment program in two rural regions of northwestern Bangladesh. Participants
      were stratified into three groups: unmarried, married without child, and married
      with child(ren). Thematic analysis was performed to elucidate dominant ideas
      regarding challenges with child feeding and caregiving across participant strata.
      RESULTS: Participants in all three strata and in both geographical regions
      attributed actual and anticipated caregiving difficulties to five major
      contextual factors: early marriage, maternal time allocation conflicts, rural
      life, short birth intervals, and poverty. Indications are that many girls and
      young women anticipate difficulties in feeding and caring for their future
      children from an early age, and often prior to motherhood. Participants
      articulated both perceived need and unmet demand for additional education in
      infant and young child feeding, childcare, and family planning techniques.
      CONCLUSIONS: Provision during adolescence of appropriate education, services and
      financial aid to support best practices for infant feeding and childcare could
      significantly improve maternal self-efficacy, mental health, nutrition security
      and young childcare, nutrition and health in rural Bangladesh. Lessons learned
      can be applied in future programs aimed at supporting adolescent women along a
      continuum of care.

PMID- 26259576
TI  - Erotomania and psychotic depression.

PMID- 26259577
TI  - Nidotherapy: The expansion of environmental treatment.

PMID- 26259578
TI  - Commentary on Autism Spectrum Disorder: Presentation and prevalence in a
      nationally representative Australian sample--service implications.

PMID- 26259579
TI  - 18F-Florbetapir Binds Specifically to Myocardial Light Chain and Transthyretin
      Amyloid Deposits: Autoradiography Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: (18)F-florbetapir is a promising imaging biomarker for cardiac light
      chain amyloidosis (AL) and transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR). Our aim, using human
      autopsy myocardial specimens, was to test the hypothesis that (18)F-florbetapir
      binds specifically to myocardial AL and ATTR amyloid deposits. METHODS AND
      RESULTS: We studied myocardial sections from 30 subjects with autopsy-documented
      AL (n=10), ATTR (n=10), and nonamyloid controls (n=10) using (18)F-florbetapir
      and cold florbetapir compound and digital autoradiography. Total and nonspecific
      binding of (18)F-florbetapir was determined using the maximum signal intensity
      values. Specific binding of (18)F-florbetapir was calculated by subtracting
      nonspecific from total binding measurements (in decays per minute/mm(2), DPM
      mm(2)) and was compared with cardiac structure and function on echocardiography
      and the histological extent of amyloid deposits. Diffuse or focally increased
      (18)F-florbetapir uptake was noted in all AL and ATTR samples and in none of the
      control samples. Compared with control samples, mean (18)F-florbetapir-specific
      uptake was significantly higher in the amyloid samples (0.94+/-0.43 versus 2.00+/
      0.58 DPM/mm(2); P<0.001), and in the AL compared with the ATTR samples (2.48+/
      0.40 versus 1.52+/-0.22 DPM/mm(2); P<0.001). The samples from subjects with
      atypical echocardiographic features of amyloidosis showed quantitatively more
      intense (18)F-florbetapir-specific uptake compared with control samples (1.50+/
      0.17 versus 0.94+/-0.43 DPM/mm(2); P=0.004), despite smaller amyloid extent than
      in subjects with typical echocardiograms. CONCLUSIONS: (18)F-florbetapir
      specifically binds to myocardial AL and ATTR deposits in humans and offers the
      potential to screen for the 2 most common types of myocardial amyloid.

PMID- 26259580
TI  - Left Ventricular Myocardial Function in Children With Pulmonary Hypertension:
      Relation to Right Ventricular Performance and Hemodynamics.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Through ventricular interdependence, pulmonary hypertension (PH)
      induces left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. We hypothesized that LV strain/strain
      rate, surrogate measures of myocardial contractility, are reduced in pediatric PH
      and relate to invasive hemodynamics, right ventricular strain, and functional
      measures of PH. METHODS AND RESULTS: At 2 institutions, echocardiography was
      prospectively performed in 54 pediatric PH patients during cardiac
      catheterization, and in 54 matched controls. Patients with PH had reduced LV
      global longitudinal strain (LS; -18.8 [-17.3 to -20.4]% versus -20.2 [-19.0 to 
      20.9]%; P=0.0046) predominantly because of reduced basal (-12.9 [-10.8 to -16.3]%
      versus -17.9 [-14.5 to -20.7]%; P<0.0001) and mid (-17.5 [-15.5 to -19.0]% versus
      -21.1 [-19.1 to -23.0]%; P<0.0001) septal strain. Basal global circumferential
      strain was reduced (-18.7 [-15.7 to -22.1]% versus -20.6 [-19.0 to -22.5]%;
      P=0.0098), as were septal and free-wall segments. Mid circumferential strain was
      reduced within the free-wall. Strain rates were reduced in similar patterns.
      Basal septum LS, the combined average LS of basal and mid interventricular septal
      segments, correlated strongly with degree of PH (r=0.66; P<0.0001), pulmonary
      vascular resistance (r=0.60; P<0.0001), and right ventricular free-wall LS
      (r=0.64; P<0.0001). Brain natriuretic peptide levels correlated moderately with
      septal LS (r=0.48; P=0.0038). PH functional class correlated moderately with LV
      free-wall LS (r=-0.48; P=0.0051). The septum, shared between ventricles and
      affected by septal shift, was the most affected LV region in PH. CONCLUSIONS:
      Pediatric PH patients demonstrate reduced LV strain/strain rate, predominantly
      within the septum, with relationships to invasive hemodynamics, right ventricular
      strain, and functional PH measures.

PMID- 26259581
TI  - Iron-Sensitive Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Prediction of Ventricular
      Arrhythmia Risk in Patients With Chronic Myocardial Infarction: Early Evidence.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recent canines studies have shown that iron deposition within chronic
      myocardial infarction (CMI) influences the electric behavior of the heart. To
      date, the link between the iron deposition and malignant ventricular arrhythmias
      in humans with CMI is unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients with CMI (n=94) who
      underwent late-gadolinium-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance imaging before
      implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation for primary and secondary
      preventions were retrospectively analyzed. The predictive values of hypointense
      cores (HIC) in balanced steady-state free precession images and conventional
      cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and ECG malignant ventricular arrhythmia
      parameters for the prediction of primary combined outcome (appropriate
      implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy, survived cardiac arrest, or
      sudden cardiac death) were studied. The use of HIC within CMI on balanced steady
      state free precession as a marker of iron deposition was validated in a canine MI
      model (n=18). Nineteen patients met the study criteria with events occurring at a
      median of 249 (interquartile range of 540) days after implantable cardioverter
      defibrillator placement. Of the 19 patients meeting the primary end point, 18
      were classified as HIC+, whereas only 1 was HIC-. Among the cohort in whom the
      primary end point was not met, there were 28 HIC+ and 47 HIC- patients. Receiver
      operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated an additive predictive value
      of HIC for malignant ventricular arrhythmias with an increased area under the
      curve of 0.87 when added to left ventricular ejection fraction (left ventricular
      ejection fraction alone, 0.68). Both cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and
      histological validation studies performed in canines demonstrated that HIC
      regions in balanced steady-state free precession images within CMI likely result
      from iron depositions. CONCLUSIONS: Hypointense cores within CMI on balanced
      steady-state free precession cardiac magnetic resonance imaging can be used as a
      marker of iron deposition and yields incremental information toward improved
      prediction of malignant ventricular arrhythmias.

PMID- 26259582
TI  - Myocardial Iron and Arrhythmia Risk: Magnetic "Shades of Gray"?

PMID- 26259583
TI  - Crystal Structure of Insulin-Regulated Aminopeptidase with Bound Substrate
      Analogue Provides Insight on Antigenic Epitope Precursor Recognition and
      Processing.
AB  - Aminopeptidases that generate antigenic peptides influence immunodominance and
      adaptive cytotoxic immune responses. The mechanisms that allow these enzymes to
      efficiently process a vast number of different long peptide substrates are poorly
      understood. In this work, we report the structure of insulin-regulated
      aminopeptidase, an enzyme that prepares antigenic epitopes for cross-presentation
      in dendritic cells, in complex with an antigenic peptide precursor analog.
      Insulin-regulated aminopeptidase is found in a semiclosed conformation with an
      extended internal cavity with limited access to the solvent. The N-terminal
      moiety of the peptide is located at the active site, positioned optimally for
      catalysis, whereas the C-terminal moiety of the peptide is stabilized along the
      extended internal cavity lodged between domains II and IV. Hydrophobic
      interactions and shape complementarity enhance peptide affinity beyond the
      catalytic site and support a limited selectivity model for antigenic peptide
      selection that may underlie the generation of complex immunopeptidomes. 

PMID- 26259584
TI  - Endothelial Cell Sensitization by Death Receptor Fractions of an Anti-Dengue
      Nonstructural Protein 1 Antibody Induced Plasma Leakage, Coagulopathy, and
      Mortality in Mice.
AB  - The mechanisms leading to the life-threatening dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF)
      remain elusive. DHF preferentially occurs during secondary dengue infections,
      suggesting that aberrant immune responses are involved in its development. We
      previously demonstrated that the autoantibodies elicited by dengue virus (DENV)
      nonstructural protein 1 (NS1; anti-NS1 Igs) induce plasma leakage and mortality
      in mice with warfarinized anticoagulant suppression. However, the involved
      pathogenic Ig fractions of anti-NS1 Igs remain unclear. In this study, the
      autoreactive Igs in patients with DHF and in NS1-immunized rabbits crossreacted
      with TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand receptor 1 (death receptor [DR]4).
      Challenges with the DENV in a subcytotoxic dose sensitized endothelial cells to
      apoptosis. Treatments with the autoantibodies induced proapoptotic activities and
      suppressed the surface expression of endothelial anticoagulant thrombomodulin.
      Combined treatments comprising the DENV and DR4 affinity-purified fractions of
      anti-NS1 IgGs (anti-NS1-DR4 Ig), but not preimmune control IgGs, in subcytotoxic
      doses led to apoptosis in endothelial cells. Treatments with the anti-NS1-DR4 Ig
      led to plasma leakage, coagulopathy, and morality in mice with warfarinized
      anticoagulant suppression. These results suggest that DR4-induced endothelial
      cell sensitization through NS1-elicited autoantibodies exacerbates anticoagulant
      suppression, vascular injury, and plasma leakage. Detecting and blocking anti-DR
      Igs in patients may be novel strategies for managing severe DENV infection. 

PMID- 26259585
TI  - IL-17A Contributes to the Pathogenesis of Endometriosis by Triggering
      Proinflammatory Cytokines and Angiogenic Growth Factors.
AB  - Endometriosis is a chronic, inflammatory disease characterized by the growth of
      endometrial tissue in aberrant locations outside the uterus. Neoangiogenesis or
      establishment of new blood supply is one of the fundamental requirements of
      endometriotic lesion survival in the peritoneal cavity. IL-17A is emerging as a
      potent angiogenic and proinflammatory cytokine involved in the pathophysiology of
      several chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis.
      However, sparse information is available in the context of endometriosis. In this
      study, we demonstrate the potential importance of IL-17A in the pathogenesis and
      pathophysiology of endometriosis. The data show a differential expression of IL
      17A in human ectopic endometriotic lesions and matched eutopic endometrium from
      women with endometriosis. Importantly, surgical removal of lesions resulted in
      significantly reduced plasma IL-17A concentrations. Immunohistochemistry revealed
      localization of IL-17A primarily in the stroma of matched ectopic and eutopic
      tissue samples. In vitro stimulation of endometrial epithelial carcinoma cells,
      Ishikawa cells, and HUVECs with IL-17A revealed significant increase in
      angiogenic (vascular endothelial growth factor and IL-8), proinflammatory (IL-6
      and IL-1beta), and chemotactic cytokines (G-CSF, CXCL12, CXCL1, and CX3CL1).
      Furthermore, IL-17A promoted tubulogenesis of HUVECs plated on Matrigel in a dose
      dependent manner. Thus, we provide the first evidence, to our knowledge, that
      endometriotic lesions produce IL-17A and that the removal of the lesion via
      laparoscopic surgery leads to the significant reduction in the systemic levels of
      IL-17A. Taken together, our data show a likely important role of IL-17A in
      promoting angiogenesis and proinflammatory environment in the peritoneal cavity
      for the establishment and maintenance of endometriosis lesions. 

PMID- 26259586
TI  - MyD88 Signaling Regulates Steady-State Migration of Intestinal CD103+ Dendritic
      Cells Independently of TNF-alpha and the Gut Microbiota.
AB  - Intestinal homeostasis and induction of systemic tolerance to fed Ags (i.e., oral
      tolerance) rely on the steady-state migration of small intestinal lamina propria
      dendritic cells (DCs) into draining mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN). The majority of
      these migratory DCs express the alpha integrin chain CD103, and in this study we
      demonstrate that the steady-state mobilization of CD103(+) DCs into the MLN is in
      part governed by the IL-1R family/TLR signaling adaptor molecule MyD88. Similar
      to mice with complete MyD88 deficiency, specific deletion of MyD88 in DCs
      resulted in a 50-60% reduction in short-term accumulation of both
      CD103(+)CD11b(+) and CD103(+)CD11b(-) DCs in the MLN. DC migration was
      independent of caspase-1, which is responsible for the inflammasome-dependent
      proteolytic activation of IL-1 cytokine family members, and was not affected by
      treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics. Consistent with the latter finding,
      the proportion and phenotypic composition of DCs were similar in mesenteric lymph
      from germ-free and conventionally housed mice. Although TNF-alpha was required
      for CD103(+) DC migration to the MLN after oral administration of the TLR7
      agonist R848, it was not required for the steady-state migration of these cells.
      Similarly, TLR signaling through the adaptor molecule Toll/IL-1R domain
      containing adapter inducing IFN-beta and downstream production of type I IFN were
      not required for steady-state CD103(+) DC migration. Taken together, our results
      demonstrate that MyD88 signaling in DCs, independently of the microbiota and TNF
      alpha, is required for optimal steady-state migration of small intestinal lamina
      propria CD103(+) DCs into the MLN. 

PMID- 26259588
TI  - Shiga toxin-producing escherichia coli infections in Norway, 1992-2012:
      characterization of isolates and identification of risk factors for haemolytic
      uremic syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infection is associated with
      haemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Therefore Norway has implemented strict
      guidelines for prevention and control of STEC infection. However, only a subgroup
      of STEC leads to HUS. Thus, identification of determinants differentiating high
      risk STEC (HUS STEC) from low risk STEC (non-HUS STEC) is needed to enable
      implementation of graded infectious disease response. METHODS: A national study
      of 333 STEC infections in Norway, including one STEC from each patient or
      outbreak over two decades (1992-2012), was conducted. Serotype, virulence
      profile, and genotype of each STEC were determined by phenotypic or PCR based
      methods. The association between microbiological properties and demographic and
      clinical data was assessed by univariable analyses and multiple logistic
      regression models. RESULTS: From 1992 through 2012, an increased number of STEC
      cases including more domestically acquired infections were notified in Norway.
      O157 was the most frequent serogroup (33.6 %), although a decrease of this
      serogroup was seen over the last decade. All 25 HUS patients yielded STEC with
      stx2, eae, and ehxA. In a multiple logistic regression model, age <=5 years (OR =
      16.7) and stx2a (OR = 30.1) were independently related to increased risk of HUS.
      eae and hospitalization could not be modelled since all HUS patients showed these
      traits. The combination of low age (<=5 years) and the presence of stx2a, and eae
      gave a positive predictive value (PPV) for HUS of 67.5 % and a negative
      predictive value (NPV) of 99.0 %. SF O157:[H7] and O145:H?, although associated
      with HUS in the univariable analyses, were not independent risk factors. stx1 (OR
      = 0.1) was the sole factor independently associated with a reduced risk of HUS
      (NPV: 79.7 %); stx2c was not so. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that virulence
      gene profile and patients' age are the major determinants of HUS development.

PMID- 26259589
TI  - Engaging scientists: An online survey exploring the experience of innovative
      biotechnological approaches to controlling vector-borne diseases.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pioneering technologies (e.g., nanotechnology, synthetic biology or
      climate engineering) are often associated with potential new risks and
      uncertainties that can become sources of controversy. The communication of
      information during their development and open exchanges between stakeholders is
      generally considered a key issue in their acceptance. While the attitudes of the
      public to novel technologies have been widely considered there has been
      relatively little investigation of the perceptions and awareness of scientists
      working on human or animal diseases transmitted by arthropods. METHODS:
      Consequently, we conducted a global survey on 1889 scientists working on aspects
      of vector-borne diseases, exploring, under the light of a variety of demographic
      and professional factors, their knowledge and awareness of an emerging
      biotechnology that has the potential to revolutionize the control of pest insect
      populations. RESULTS: Despite extensive media coverage of key developments
      (including releases of manipulated mosquitoes into human communities) this has in
      only one instance resulted in scientist awareness exceeding 50% on a national or
      regional scale. We document that awareness of pioneering releases significantly
      relied on private communication sources that were not equally accessible to
      scientists from countries with endemic vector-borne diseases (dengue and
      malaria). In addition, we provide quantitative analysis of the perceptions and
      knowledge of specific biotechnological approaches to controlling vector-borne
      disease, which are likely to impact the way in which scientists around the world
      engage in the debate about their value. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that
      there is scope to strengthen already effective methods of communication, in
      addition to a strong demand by scientists (expressed by 79.9% of respondents) to
      develop new, creative modes of public engagement.

PMID- 26259590
TI  - AT2R autoantibodies block angiotensin II and AT1R autoantibody-induced
      vasoconstriction.
AB  - Activating autoantibodies to the angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1R) are
      associated with hypertensive disorders. The angiotensin type 2 receptor (AT2R) is
      known to counter-regulate the actions of AT1R. We investigated whether AT2R
      autoantibodies produced in immunized rabbits will activate AT2R and suppress the
      vasopressor responses to angiotensin II and AT1R-activating autoantibodies. Five
      rabbits immunized with a peptide corresponding to the second extracellular loop
      of AT2R developed high AT2R antibody titers. Rabbit anti-AT2R sera failed to
      directly dilate isolated rat cremaster arterioles; however, when co-perfused with
      angiotensin II or AT1R-activating autoantibodies, the anti-AT2R sera
      significantly inhibited their contractile effects. Rabbit anti-AT2R sera
      recognized a predominant sequence near the N-terminus of the AT2R second
      extracellular loop. A decoy peptide based on this sequence effectively reversed
      the opposing effect of the anti-AT2R sera on angiotensin II-induced contraction
      of rat cremaster arterioles. A similar blockade of the anti-AT2R sera effect was
      observed with the AT2R antagonist PD 123319 and the guanylyl cyclase inhibitor 1H
      [1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one. Rabbit anti-AT2R sera reacted
      specifically with AT2R. No cross-reactivity with AT1R was observed. Blood
      pressure did not change in immunized animals. However, the pressor responses to
      incremental angiotensin II infusions were blunted in immunized animals. Thirteen
      subjects with primary aldosteronism demonstrated increased AT2R autoantibody
      levels compared with normal controls. In conclusion, AT2R autoantibodies produced
      in immunized rabbits have the ability to activate AT2R and counteract the AT1R
      mediated vasoconstriction. These autoantibodies provide useful and selective
      tools for the study of their roles in blood pressure regulation and possible
      therapeutic intervention. 

PMID- 26259591
TI  - Let-7i: lethal weapon against angiotensin ii-induced cardiac injury.

PMID- 26259592
TI  - Decreased arterial elasticity in children with nondialysis chronic kidney disease
      is related to blood pressure and not to glomerular filtration rate.
AB  - We compared large artery mechanical properties in children with nondialysis
      stages of chronic kidney disease with those in children with normal renal
      function, examining the potential effect of blood pressure (BP) components and
      level of renal dysfunction. Common carotid artery mechanical properties, carotid
      femoral pulse wave velocity, and carotid and peripheral BP were measured in
      children (n=226) with nondialysis chronic kidney disease (n=188; 11.9+/-3.7
      years; 26%, 25%, 30%, 16%, and 3% in stages 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, respectively) and
      healthy controls (n=38; 11.5+/-3.3 years). In children with nondialysis chronic
      kidney disease when compared with healthy controls, at similar levels of
      peripheral and carotid BP, carotid artery diastolic diameter and wall thickness
      were similar. In those with suboptimal BP (>=75th percentile), indices of
      arterial elasticity indicated greater stiffness than in healthy normotensive
      controls (distensibility: 92+/-31 versus 114+/-33 kPa(-1)*10(-3), P=0.03;
      compliance: 2.1+/-0.7 versus 2.6+/-0.7 m(2) kPa(-1)*10(-6), P=0.02; Young elastic
      modulus: 0.151+/-0.068 versus 0.109+/-0.049 kPa*10(3), P=0.02; and wall stress:
      83.6+/-23.5 versus 68.7+/-14.9 kPa, P=0.02). In all children, mechanical
      properties were independently related to carotid and peripheral BP components but
      not to estimated glomerular filtration rate. In children with nondialysis chronic
      kidney disease, changes in elastic properties of the carotid artery are primarily
      related to BP and not to glomerular renal function. 

PMID- 26259593
TI  - Regulation of sympathetic nerve activity during the cold pressor test in
      normotensive pregnant and nonpregnant women.
AB  - Baseline neurovascular transduction is reduced in normotensive pregnancy;
      however, little is known about changes to neurovascular transduction during
      periods of heightened sympathetic activation. We tested the hypothesis that,
      despite an exacerbated muscle sympathetic nerve activity (microneurography)
      response to cold pressor stimulation, the blunting of neurovascular transduction
      in normotensive pregnant women would result in similar changes in vascular
      resistance and mean arterial pressure (Finometer) relative to nonpregnant
      controls. Baseline neurovascular transduction was reduced in pregnant women
      relative to controls when expressed as the quotient of both total resistance and
      mean arterial pressure and sympathetic burst frequency (0.32+/-0.07 versus 0.58+/
      0.16 mm Hg/L/min/bursts/min, P<0.001 and 2.4+/-0.7 versus 3.6+/-0.8 mm
      Hg/bursts/min, P=0.001). Sympathetic activation was greater across all 3 minutes
      of cold pressor stimulation in the pregnant women relative to the nonpregnant
      controls. Peak sympathoexcitation was also greater in pregnant than in
      nonpregnant women, whether expressed as sympathetic burst frequency (+17+/-13
      versus +7+/-8 bursts/min, P=0.049), burst incidence (+17+/-9 versus +6+/-11
      bursts/100 hb, P=0.03), or total activity (+950+/-660 versus +363+/-414 arbitrary
      units, P=0.04). However, neurovascular transduction during peak cold pressor
      induced sympathoexcitation remained blunted in pregnant women (0.25+/-0.11 versus
      0.45+/-0.08 mm Hg/L/min/bursts/min, P<0.001 and 1.9+/-1.0 versus 3.2+/-0.9 mm
      Hg/bursts/min, P=0.006). Therefore, mean arterial pressure (93+/-21 versus 99+/-6
      mm Hg, P=0.4) and total peripheral resistance (12+/-3 versus 14+/-3 mm Hg/L/min)
      were not different between pregnant and nonpregnant women during peak
      sympathoexcitation. These data indicate that the third trimester of normotensive
      pregnancy is associated with reductions in neurovascular transduction, which
      result in the dissociation of sympathetic outflow from hemodynamic outcomes, even
      during cold pressor-induced sympathoexcitation. 

PMID- 26259594
TI  - Pathological effects of obstructive apneas during the sleep cycle in an animal
      model of cerebral small vessel disease.
AB  - We tested the hypothesis that apneas during the sleep cycle exacerbate
      hypertension and accelerate changes that occur with cerebral small vessel
      disease. Obstructive sleep apnea was modeled by intermittent inflations of a
      chronically implanted tracheal balloon to occlude the airway during the sleep
      cycle (termed OSA) in spontaneously hypertensive stroke-prone (SHRSP) rats, a
      model of cerebral small vessel disease. SHRSP rats and their parent strain,
      Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats, were exposed to OSA for 2 weeks (from 9 to 11 or from 18
      to 20 weeks). At 9 weeks, hypertension was developing in the SHRSP rats and was
      firmly established by 18 weeks. OSA exposure increased systolic blood pressure in
      SHRSP rats by ~30 mm Hg in both age groups compared with shams that were
      surgically prepared but not exposed to OSA (P<0.05). OSA exposure also increased
      systolic blood pressure in WKY rats by 20 and 37 mm Hg at 11 and 20 weeks,
      respectively (P<0.05). OSA exposure in SHRSP rats compromised blood-brain barrier
      integrity in white matter at both 11 and 20 weeks of age when compared with SHRSP
      sham rats (P<0.05). Microglia were activated in SHRSP rats exposed to OSA but not
      in sham rats at 11 weeks (P<0.05). At 20 weeks, microglia were activated in sham
      SHRSP rats (P<0.05) compared with WKY sham rats and were not further activated by
      OSA. Neither was blood-brain barrier integrity altered nor microglia activated in
      any of the WKY groups. We conclude that OSA accelerates the onset of the cerebral
      pathologies associated with cerebral small vessel disease in SHRSP, but not WKY,
      rats. 

PMID- 26259595
TI  - MicroRNA Let-7i negatively regulates cardiac inflammation and fibrosis.
AB  - Angiotensin II stimulates fibroblast proliferation and substantially alters gene
      expression patterns leading to cardiac remodeling, but the mechanisms for such
      differences are unknown. MicroRNAs are a novel mechanism for gene expression
      regulation. Herein, we tested the miRNA and mRNA expression patterns in mouse
      heart using microarray assay and investigated their role in angiotensin II
      induced cardiac remodeling. We found that let-7i was dynamically downregulated in
      angiotensin II-infused heart at day 3 and 7 and had the most targets that were
      mainly associated with cardiac inflammation and fibrosis. Overexpression or
      knockdown of let-7i in cultured cardiac fibroblasts demonstrated that let-7i
      played an inhibitory effect on the expression of its targets interleukin-6 and
      collagens. Furthermore, delivery of let-7i to mouse significantly inhibited
      angiotensin II-induced cardiac inflammation and fibrosis in a dose-dependent
      manner. Conversely, knockdown of let-7i aggravated this effect. Together, our
      results clearly demonstrate that let-7i acts as a novel negative regulator of
      angiotensin II-induced cardiac inflammation and fibrosis by suppressing the
      expression of interleukin-6 and multiple collagens in the heart and may represent
      a new potential therapeutic target for treating hypertensive cardiac fibrosis. 

PMID- 26259596
TI  - Agreement between 24-hour salt ingestion and sodium excretion in a controlled
      environment.
AB  - Accurately collected 24-hour urine collections are presumed to be valid for
      estimating salt intake in individuals. We performed 2 independent ultralong-term
      salt balance studies lasting 105 (4 men) and 205 (6 men) days in 10 men
      simulating a flight to Mars. We controlled dietary intake of all constituents for
      months at salt intakes of 12, 9, and 6 g/d and collected all urine. The subjects'
      daily menus consisted of 27 279 individual servings, of which 83.0% were
      completely consumed, 16.5% completely rejected, and 0.5% incompletely consumed.
      Urinary recovery of dietary salt was 92% of recorded intake, indicating long-term
      steady-state sodium balance in both studies. Even at fixed salt intake, 24-hour
      urine collection for sodium excretion (UNaV) showed infradian rhythmicity. We
      defined a +/-25 mmol deviation from the average difference between recorded
      sodium intake and UNaV as the prediction interval to accurately classify a 3-g
      difference in salt intake. Because of the biological variability in UNaV, only
      every other daily urine sample correctly classified a 3-g difference in salt
      intake (49%). By increasing the observations to 3 consecutive 24-hour collections
      and sodium intakes, classification accuracy improved to 75%. Collecting seven 24
      hour urines and sodium intake samples improved classification accuracy to 92%. We
      conclude that single 24-hour urine collections at intakes ranging from 6 to 12 g
      salt per day were not suitable to detect a 3-g difference in individual salt
      intake. Repeated measurements of 24-hour UNaV improve precision. This knowledge
      could be relevant to patient care and the conduct of intervention trials. 

PMID- 26259597
TI  - Influence of hypoxia and irradiation on osteopontin expression in head and neck
      cancer and glioblastoma cell lines.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tumor hypoxia is a known risk factor for reduced response to
      radiotherapy. The evaluation of noninvasive methods for the detection of hypoxia
      is therefore of interest. Osteopontin (OPN) has been discussed as an endogenous
      hypoxia biomarker. It is overexpressed in many cancers and is involved in tumor
      progression and metastasis. METHODS: To examine the influence of hypoxia and
      irradiation on osteopontin expression we used different cell lines (head and neck
      cancer (Cal27 and FaDu) and glioblastoma multiforme (U251 and U87)). Cells were
      treated with hypoxia for 24 h and were then irradiated with doses of 2 and 8 Gy.
      Osteopontin expression was analyzed on mRNA level by quantitative real-time RT
      PCR (qPCR) and on protein level by western blot. Cell culture supernatants were
      evaluated for secreted OPN by ELISA. RESULTS: Hypoxia caused an increase in
      osteopontin protein expression in all cell lines. In Cal27 a corresponding
      increase in OPN mRNA expression was observed. In contrast the other cell lines
      showed a reduced mRNA expression under hypoxic conditions. After irradiation OPN
      mRNA expression raised slightly in FaDu and U87 cells while it was reduced in
      U251 and stable in Cal27 cells under normoxia. The combined treatment (hypoxia
      and irradiation) led to a slight increase of OPN mRNA after 2 Gy in U251 (24 h)
      and in U87 (24 and 48 h) cell lines falling back to base line after 8 Gy. This
      effect was not seen in Cal27 or in FaDu cells. Secreted OPN was detected only in
      the two glioblastoma cell lines with reduced protein levels under hypoxic
      conditions. Again the combined treatment resulted in a minor increase in OPN
      secretion 48 hours after irradiation with 8 Gy. CONCLUSION: Osteopontin
      expression is strongly modulated by hypoxia and only to a minor extent by
      irradiation. Intracellular OPN homeostasis seems to vary considerably between
      cell lines. This may explain the partly conflicting results concerning response
      prediction and prognosis in the clinical setting.

PMID- 26259599
TI  - Completeness and Reliability of the Republic of South Africa National
      Tuberculosis (TB) Surveillance System.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Accurate surveillance data are paramount to effective TB control. The
      Republic of South Africa's National TB Control Program (NTP) has conducted TB
      surveillance since 1995 and adopted the Electronic TB Register (ETR) in 2005.
      This evaluation aimed to determine the completeness and reliability of data in
      the Republic of South Africa's TB Surveillance System. METHODS: Three of nine
      provinces, three subdistricts per province, and 54 health facilities were
      selected by stratified random sampling. At each facility, 30 (or all if <30)
      patients diagnosed in Quarter 1 2009 were randomly selected for review. Patient
      information was evaluated across two paper and four electronic sources.
      Completeness of program indicators between paper and electronic sources was
      compared with chi-square tests. The kappa statistic was used to evaluate
      agreement of values. RESULTS: Over one-third (33.7 %) of all persons with
      presumptive TB recorded as smear positive in the TB Suspect Register did not have
      any records documenting notification, treatment, or management for TB disease. Of
      1339 persons with a record as a TB patient at the facility, 1077 (80 %) were
      recorded in all data sources. Over 98 % of records contained complete age and sex
      data. Completeness varied for HIV status (53-86 %; p < 0.001) and DOT during the
      intensive phase of treatment (17-54 %; p < 0.001). Agreement for sex was
      excellent across sources (kappa 0.94); moderate for patient type (0.78),
      treatment regimen (0.79), treatment outcome (0.71); and poor for HIV status
      (0.33). CONCLUSIONS: The current evaluation revealed that one-third of persons
      diagnosed with TB disease may not have been notified of their disease or
      initiated on treatment ('initial defaulters'). The ETR is not capturing all TB
      patients. Further, among patients with a TB record, completeness and reliability
      of information in the TB Surveillance System is inconsistent across data sources.
      Actions are urgently needed to ensure that all diagnosed patients are treated and
      managed and improve the integrity of surveillance information.

PMID- 26259598
TI  - eNOS polymorphisms as predictors of efficacy of bevacizumab-based chemotherapy in
      metastatic colorectal cancer: data from a randomized clinical trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Bevacizumab plus chemotherapy is a widely used therapeutic option for
      first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). However, molecular
      predictors of bevacizumab efficacy have not yet been identified. We analyzed
      vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase
      (eNOS) polymorphisms in relation to response to bevacizumab. METHODS: Two hundred
      and thirty-seven patients with mCRC enrolled onto the phase III prospective
      multicentre randomized "Italian Trial in Advanced Colorectal Cancer (ITACa)"
      trial were evaluated. One hundred fourteen patients received chemotherapy plus
      bevacizumab (CT + B) and 123 received chemotherapy (CT) alone. Five single
      nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (-2578, -1498, -1154, -634 and +936) for VEGF and
      2 SNPs (-786, +894) and one variable number tandem repeat in intron 4 for eNOS
      were analyzed for each patient. The polymorphisms were assessed in relation to
      progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR) and overall
      survival (OS). RESULTS: VEGF 936C/T, eNOS +894 G/T and VNTR were significantly
      correlated with outcome in CT + B patients, but not in CT-only patients. In
      particular, patients with a specific haplotype combination of the 2 eNOS
      polymorphisms (defined eNOS Haplo1/Haplo1 and eNOS Haplo 2/Haplo2) showed
      significantly longer PFS (15.0 vs 9.1 months, P = 0.001) and OS (34.5 vs 20.5
      months P = 0.002), and a higher ORR (71 vs 45.9%, P = 0.013) than those with the
      other genotypes, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Specific eNOS polymorphisms may be
      capable of identifying a subset of mCRC patients who are more responsive to
      bevacizumab-based chemotherapy. If confirmed, these results would permit
      individually tailored treatment with bevacizumab.

PMID- 26259600
TI  - The intracellular domain of cell adhesion molecule 1 is present in emphysematous
      lungs and induces lung epithelial cell apoptosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pulmonary emphysema is characterized histologically by destruction of
      alveolar walls and enlargement of air spaces due to lung epithelial cell
      apoptosis. Cell adhesion molecule 1 (CADM1) is an immunoglobulin superfamily
      member expressed in lung epithelial cells. CADM1 generates a membrane-associated
      C-terminal fragment, alphaCTF, through A disintegrin- and metalloprotease-10
      mediated ectodomain shedding, subsequently releasing the intracellular domain
      (ICD) through gamma-secretase-mediated intramembrane shedding of alphaCTF.
      alphaCTF localizes to mitochondria and induces apoptosis in lung epithelial
      cells. alphaCTF contributes to the development and progression of emphysema as a
      consequence of increased CADM1 ectodomain shedding. The purpose of this study was
      to examine whether the ICD makes a similar contribution. RESULTS: The ICD was
      synthesized as a 51-amino acid peptide, and its mutant was synthesized by
      substituting seven amino acids and deleting two amino acids. These peptides were
      labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate and were introduced into various cell
      lines. ICD peptide-derived fluorescence was well visualized in lung epithelial
      cells at the site of Mitotracker mitochondrial labeling, but was detected in
      locations other than mitochondria in other cell types. Mutant peptide-derived
      fluorescence was detected in locations other than mitochondria, even in lung
      epithelial cells. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end
      labeling assays revealed that transduction of the ICD peptide increased the
      proportion of apoptotic cells 2- to 5-fold in the lung epithelial cell lines,
      whereas the mutant peptide did not. Abundance of the ICD was below the Western
      blot detection limit in emphysematous (n = 4) and control (n = 4) human lungs.
      However, the ICD was detected only in emphysematous lungs when it was
      immunoprecipitated with anti-CADM1 antibody (4/4 vs. 0/4, P = 0.029).
      CONCLUSIONS: As the abundance of ICD molecules was sparse but present, increased
      CADM1 shedding appeared to contribute to the development of emphysema by
      generating alphaCTF and the ICD in lung epithelial cells.

PMID- 26259602
TI  - 'Multiple-test' approach to the laboratory diagnosis of tuberculosis -perception
      of medical doctors from Ujjain, India.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Delay in diagnosis is one of the most important factors for the
      control of tuberculosis (TB) in endemic countries like India. As laboratory
      diagnosis is the mainstay for identification of active disease, we aim to explore
      and understand the opinions of medical doctors about the laboratory diagnosis of
      TB in Ujjain, India. METHODS: Sixteen qualified specialist medical doctors from
      Ujjain were purposefully selected for the study. Individual interviews with the
      doctors (13 men and 3 women), were conducted. As one interview could not be
      completed, data from 15 interviews were analyzed using manifest and latent
      content analysis. RESULTS: Based on perception of the doctors, the theme;
      'challenges and need for the laboratory diagnosis of TB' emerged from the
      following subthemes: (i) Relationship between basic element of the TB diseases
      process such as 'Symptoms prior to diagnoses' and 'Clinical characteristics of
      TB', which were not specific enough to diagnose TB (ii) The prevailing conditions
      such as lack of explicit diagnostic tools, lead to the doctors using the
      'multiple tests' or 'empiric treatment' approach (iii) The doctors proposed that
      there is a need for access to a rapid, single and simple diagnostic test, and a
      need for awareness and knowledge of the practitioners regarding specific TB
      investigations, and early referral to improve the situation at resource-limited
      settings. CONCLUSION: The medical specialists use a 'multiple test' or 'empiric
      treatment' approach to diagnose TB. According to the participants, there is a low
      dependence and uptake of the available laboratory TB investigations by medical
      practitioners. There is an urgent need to have a specific, simple and reliable
      test, and a protocol, to improve diagnosis of TB and to prevent development of
      resistant TB.

PMID- 26259604
TI  - Aniline Is Rapidly Converted Into Paracetamol Impairing Male Reproductive
      Development.
AB  - Industrial use of aniline is increasing worldwide with production estimated to
      surpass 5.6 million metric tons in 2016. Exposure to aniline occurs via air,
      diet, and water augmenting the risk of exposing a large number of individuals.
      Early observations suggest that aniline is metabolized to
      paracetamol/acetaminophen, likely explaining the omnipresence of low
      concentrations of paracetamol in European populations. This is of concern as
      recent studies implicate paracetamol as a disrupter of reproduction. Here, we
      show through steroidogenic profiling that exposure to aniline led to increased
      levels of the Delta4 steroids, suggesting that the activity of CYP21 was
      decreased. By contrast, paracetamol decreased levels of androgens likely through
      inhibition of CYP17A1 activity. We confirm that aniline in vivo is rapidly
      converted to paracetamol by the liver. Intrauterine exposure to aniline and
      paracetamol in environmental and pharmaceutical relevant doses resulted in
      shortening of the anogenital distance in mice, a sensitive marker of fetal
      androgen levels that in humans is associated with reproductive malformations and
      later life reproductive disorders. In conclusion, our results provide evidence
      for a scenario where aniline, through its conversion into antiandrogenic
      paracetamol, impairs male reproductive development.

PMID- 26259605
TI  - Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Activation Synergistically Induces Lipopolysaccharide
      Mediated Expression of Proinflammatory Chemokine (c-c motif) Ligand 20.
AB  - The Ah receptor (AHR) is directly involved in the regulation of both innate and
      adaptive immunity. However, these activities are poorly understood at the level
      of gene regulation. The chemokine (c-c motif) ligand 20 (CCL20) plays a
      nonredundant role in the chemoattraction of C-C motif receptor 6 expressing cells
      (eg, T cells and others). A survey of promoter regions of chemokine genes
      revealed that there are several putative dioxin responsive elements in the mouse
      Ccl20 promoter. The addition of an AHR agonist along with lipopolysaccharide
      (LPS) to cultured primary peritoneal macrophages results in synergistic induction
      of both Ccl20 mRNA and protein, compared with each compound alone. Through the
      use of macrophage cultures derived from Ahr(-) (/) (-) and Ahr(nls/nls) mice, it
      was established that expression of the AHR and its ability to translocate into
      the nucleus are necessary for AHR ligand-mediated synergistic induction of Ccl20.
      Gel shift analysis determined that a potent tandem AHR binding site ~3.1 kb
      upstream from the transcriptional start site can efficiently bind the AHR/ARNT
      (aryl hydrocarbon receptor/AHR nuclear translocator) heterodimer upon activation
      with a number of AHR agonists. Furthermore, studies reveal that LPS increases AHR
      levels on the Ccl20 promoter while decreasing HDAC1 occupancy. The level of Ccl20
      constitutive expression in the colon is greatly attenuated in Ahr(-) (/) (-)
      mice. These studies suggest that the presence of AHR ligands during localized
      inflammation may augment chemokine expression, thus participating in the overall
      response to pathogens.

PMID- 26259606
TI  - Analysis of Glycogen Synthase Kinase Inhibitors That Regulate Cytochrome P450
      Expression in Primary Human Hepatocytes by Activation of beta-Catenin, Aryl
      Hydrocarbon Receptor and Pregnane X Receptor Signaling.
AB  - Cytochrome P450 (CYP) expression and activity are not homogeneous in the liver
      lobules. Indeed, CYPs are mainly expressed and induced in centrilobular
      hepatocytes. The wingless-type MMTV integration site family (WNT)/beta-catenin
      pathway was identified as a major regulator of this zonal organization. We have
      recently demonstrated that in primary human hepatocytes (PHHs), the expression of
      CYP2E1, CYP1A2, and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), but not of CYP3A4, is
      regulated by the WNT/beta-catenin pathway in response to WNT3a, its canonical
      activator. Here, we investigated whether glycogen synthase kinase 3beta
      (GSK3beta) inhibitors, which mimic the action of WNT molecules, could be used in
      PHHs to activate the beta-catenin pathway to study CYP expression. We assessed
      the activity of 6BIO (6-bromoindirubin-3'-oxime), CHIR99021 (6-((2-((4-(2,4
      dichlorophenyl)-5-(4methyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)pyrimidin-2-yl)amino)ethyl)amino)
      nicotinonitrile), and GSK3iXV (Pyridocarbazolo-cyclopentadienyl Ruthenium complex
      GSK3 inhibitor XV) that belong to structurally different families of GSK3beta
      inhibitors. Using small interfering RNAs, reporter gene assays, and molecular
      docking predictions, we demonstrated that GSK3beta inhibitors can activate the
      WNT/beta-catenin pathway in PHHs to regulate CYP2E1 expression. We also found
      that 6BIO and GSK3iXV are AhR full agonists that participate, through AhR
      signaling, to CYP1A2 induction. Conversely, CHIR99021 is an AhR partial agonist,
      and a pregnane X receptor ligand and partial agonist, thus regulating CYP1A2 and
      CYP3A4 gene expression in a beta-catenin-independent manner. In conclusion,
      GSK3beta inhibitors can activate the WNT/beta-catenin pathway in PHHs.
      Nevertheless, their role in CYP regulation should be analyzed with caution as
      these molecules can interact with xenosensors. 

PMID- 26259607
TI  - Noninvasive Biomarker Candidates for Cadmium-Induced Nephrotoxicity by 2DE/MALDI
      TOF-MS and SILAC/LC-MS Proteomic Analyses.
AB  - Cadmium (Cd(2+)) is a major environmental pollutant that induces cytotoxicity by
      heavy-metal accumulation. Prolonged Cd(2+) exposure leads to cell damage by
      oxidative stress mainly in the kidneys, a critical organ for detoxification. To
      identify reliable on invasive protein biomarkers for Cd(2+)-induced
      nephrotoxicity, we performed 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis/matrix-assisted
      laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectra and stable isotope
      labeling by amino acids in cell culture/liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry
      analyses using conditioned media (CM) of HK-2 human kidney epithelial cells
      treated with CdCl2. Here, we identified heat shock cognate 71 kDa protein
      isoform1 (HSPA8) and alpha-enolase (ENO1) as potential biomarker candidates for
      the evaluation of Cd(2+)-induced nephrotoxicity. Treatment with CdCl2 increased
      the protein level of HSPA8 in CM and lysates of HK-2 cells. The mRNA level of
      HSPA8 was also increased by CdCl2 treatment, indicating transcriptional
      regulation. The level of ENO1 was increased in CM, but not in lysates of CdCl2
      treated HK-2 cells. CdCl2 did not affect the mRNA level of ENO1. We provide
      evidence that the increases of HSPA8 and ENO1 in CM were due to Cd(2+)-induced
      cell death through oxidative stress. The increases of HSPA8 and ENO1 levels were
      also detected in CM of HK-2 cells treated with other nephrotoxic agents, such as
      HgCl2, NaAsO2, cisplatin, amphotericin B, and cyclosporine A. Urine and kidney
      tissues of CdCl2-treated rats showed increased levels of HSPA8. Taken together,
      this study identified HSPA8 and ENO1 as noninvasive biomarker candidates by 2
      comparative proteomic analyses. These new biomarker candidates may have potential
      as alternatives to traditional biomarkers for the efficient and sensitive
      assessment of nephrotoxicity.

PMID- 26259608
TI  - Bridging Functional and Structural Cardiotoxicity Assays Using Human Embryonic
      Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes for a More Comprehensive Risk Assessment.
AB  - More relevant and reliable preclinical cardiotoxicity tests are required to
      improve drug safety and reduce the cost of drug development. Current in vitro
      testing strategies predominantly take the form of functional assays to predict
      the potential for drug-induced ECG abnormalities in vivo. Cardiotoxicity can also
      be structural in nature, so a full and efficient assessment of cardiac
      liabilities for new chemical entities should account for both these phenomena. As
      well as providing a more appropriate nonclinical model for in vitro
      cardiotoxicity testing, human stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes offer an
      integrated system to study drug impact on cardiomyocyte structure as well as
      function. Employing human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiacmyocytes (hESC-CMs)
      on 3 assay platforms with complementary insights into cardiac biology
      (multielectrode array assay, electrophysiology; impedance assay, cell
      movement/beating; and high content analysis assay, subcellular structure) we
      profiled a panel of 13 drugs with well characterized cardiac liabilities
      (Amiodarone, Aspirin, Astemizole, Axitinib, AZT, Bepridil, Doxorubicin, E-4031,
      Mexiletine, Rosiglitazone, Sunitinib, Sibutramine, and Verapamil). Our data show
      good correlations with previous studies and reported clinical observations. Using
      multiparameter phenotypic profiling techniques we demonstrate the dynamic
      relationship that exists between functional and structural toxicity, and the
      benefits of this more holistic approach to risk assessment. We conclude by
      showing for the first time how the advent of transparent MEA plate technology
      enables functional and structural cardiotoxic responses to be recorded from the
      same cell population. This approach more directly links changes in morphology of
      the hESC-CMs with recorded electrophysiology signatures, offering even greater
      insight into the wide range of potential drug impacts on cardiac physiology, with
      a throughput that is more amenable to early drug discovery.

PMID- 26259609
TI  - Etoposide Induces Necrosis Through p53-Mediated Antiapoptosis in Human Kidney
      Proximal Tubule Cells.
AB  - The p53 protein is an important transcription factor that modulates signaling
      pathways for both cell death and survival. Its antiapoptotic mechanisms that
      correlate with necrotic and apoptotic cell death are not well understood. Here,
      we report that etoposide promotes progression of the DNA damage response as well
      as necrotic morphological changes including plasma membrane rupture using carbon
      nanotube-tipped/atomic force microscopy (CNT/AFM) probes in human kidney proximal
      tubule (HK-2) cells. Inhibition of p53 abrogated cell cycle arrest and led to a
      decrease in the expression levels of repair proteins that were induced by DNA
      damage. Mitochondrial biogenesis and cytosolic production of reactive oxygen
      species were also reduced after p53 inhibition; the latter change induced
      mitochondrial superoxide accumulation and mitochondrial damage, which triggered
      the activation of caspase 3. Inhibition of p53 also led to a loss of cell
      adhesion and converted necrotic cell death to apoptotic cell death, with
      appreciable cell shrinkage and appearance of apoptotic bodies that were observed
      using CNT/AFM probes. Thus, our study demonstrated that p53 protects against
      apoptosis, and leads to etoposide-induced necrosis. These results are expected to
      aid in the understanding of mechanism of antiapoptosis and its relationship to
      cell death. 

PMID- 26259610
TI  - Rapamycin and its analogues (rapalogs) for Tuberous Sclerosis Complex-associated
      tumors: a systematic review on non-randomized studies using meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Rapamycin has gained significant attention for its potential activity
      in reducing the size of TSC-associated tumors, thus providing alternative to
      surgery. This study aimed at determining the efficacy of rapamycin and rapalogs
      for reducing the size of TSC-associated solid tumors in patients with Tuberous
      Sclerosis Complex (TSC). METHODS: Our data sources included electronic searches
      of the PubMed. We included into our meta-analysis any type of non-randomized
      study that reported the use of rapamycin and rapalogs for reducing the size of
      TSC-associated solid tumors in patients with TSC. Data was entered into Cochrane
      Review Manager Version 5.3 and analyzed. RESULTS: Four case reports and 4
      clinical trials were included. Five patients from the case reports (all with
      SEGA) and 91 patients from the clinical trials (41 with SEGA, 63 with kidney
      angiomyolipoma and 5 with liver angiomyolipoma) were included into the analysis.
      Volume and diameter of SEGAs were significantly reduced by mean difference of
      1.23 cc (95 % CI -2.32 to -0.13; p = 0.03) and 7.91 mm (95 % CI -11.82 to -4.01;
      p < 0.0001), respectively. Volume and mean of sum of longest diameter of kidney
      angiomyolipomas were significantly reduced by mean difference of 39.5 cc (95 % CI
      -48.85 to -30.15; p <0.00001) and 69.03 mm (95 % CI -158.05 to 12.65; p = 0.008),
      respectively. In liver angiomyolipomas, however, reduction in tumor size was not
      evident. Sum of longest diameter of liver angiomyolipomas in 4 patients were
      enlarged by 2.7 mm (95 % CI 28.42 to -23.02) by the end of treatment, though not
      significant (p = 0.84). CONCLUSIONS: Rapamycin and rapalogs showed efficacy
      towards reducing the size of SEGA and kidney angiomyolipoma but not liver
      angiomyolipomas. This finding is strengthening the conclusion of our Cochrane
      systematic review on the randomized trials.

PMID- 26259612
TI  - Using prediction markets of market scoring rule to forecast infectious diseases:
      a case study in Taiwan.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Taiwan CDC relied on the historical average number of disease
      cases or rate (AVG) to depict the trend of epidemic diseases in Taiwan. By
      comparing the historical average data with prediction markets, we show that the
      latter have a better prediction capability than the former. Given the volatility
      of the infectious diseases in Taiwan, historical average is unlikely to be an
      effective prediction mechanism. METHODS: We designed and built the Epidemic
      Prediction Markets (EPM) system based upon the trading mechanism of market
      scoring rule. By using this system, we aggregated dispersed information from
      various medical professionals to predict influenza, enterovirus, and dengue fever
      in Taiwan. RESULTS: EPM was more accurate in 701 out of 1,085 prediction events
      than the traditional baseline of historical average and the winning ratio of EPM
      versus AVG was 64.6 % for the target week. For the absolute prediction error of
      five diseases indicators of three infectious diseases, EPM was more accurate for
      the target week than AVG except for dengue fever confirmed cases. The winning
      ratios of EPM versus AVG for the confirmed cases of severe complicated influenza
      case, the rate of enterovirus infection, and the rate of influenza-like illness
      in the target week were 69.6 %, 83.9 and 76.0 %, respectively; instead, for the
      prediction of the confirmed cases of dengue fever and the confirmed cases of
      severe complicated enterovirus infection, the winning ratios of EPM were all
      below 50 %. CONCLUSIONS: Except confirmed cases of dengue fever, EPM provided
      accurate, continuous and real-time predictions of four indicators of three
      infectious diseases for the target week in Taiwan and outperformed the historical
      average data of infectious diseases.

PMID- 26259611
TI  - CD300f immunoreceptor contributes to peripheral nerve regeneration by the
      modulation of macrophage inflammatory phenotype.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It has recently become evident that activating/inhibitory cell
      surface immune receptors play a critical role in regulating immune and
      inflammatory processes in the central nervous system (CNS). The immunoreceptor
      CD300f expressed on monocytes, neutrophils, and mast cells modulates
      inflammation, phagocytosis, and outcome in models of autoimmune demyelination,
      allergy, and systemic lupus erythematosus. On the other hand, a finely regulated
      inflammatory response is essential to induce regeneration after injury to
      peripheral nerves since hematogenous macrophages, together with resident
      macrophages and de-differentiated Schwann cells, phagocyte distal axonal and
      myelin debris in a well-orchestrated inflammatory response. The possible roles
      and expression of CD300f and its ligands have not been reported under these
      conditions. METHODS: By using quantitative PCR (QPCR) and CD300f-IgG2a fusion
      protein, we show the expression of CD300f and its ligands in the normal and crush
      injured sciatic nerve. The putative role of CD300f in peripheral nerve
      regeneration was analyzed by blocking receptor-ligand interaction with the same
      CD300f-IgG2a soluble receptor fusion protein in sciatic nerves of Thy1-YFP-H mice
      injected at the time of injury. Macrophage M1/M2 polarization phenotype was also
      analyzed by CD206 and iNOS expression. RESULTS: We found an upregulation of
      CD300f mRNA and protein expression after injury. Moreover, the ligands are
      present in restricted membrane patches of Schwann cells, which remain stable
      after the lesion. The lesioned sciatic nerves of Thy1-YFP-H mice injected with a
      single dose of CD300f-IgG2a show long lasting effects on nerve regeneration
      characterized by a lower number of YFP-positive fibres growing into the tibial
      nerve after 10 days post lesion (dpl) and a delayed functional recovery when
      compared to PBS- or IgG2a-administered control groups. Animals treated with
      CD300f-IgG2a show at 10 dpl higher numbers of macrophages and CD206-positive
      cells and lower levels of iNOS expression than both control groups. At later time
      points (28 dpl), increased numbers of macrophages and iNOS expression occur.
      CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, these results show that the pair CD300f ligand is
      implicated in Wallerian degeneration and nerve regeneration by modulating both
      the influx and phenotype of macrophages.

PMID- 26259613
TI  - Traumatic intracranial hypotension due to a Tarlov cyst tear.

PMID- 26259614
TI  - A research update on the potential roles of aquaporin 4 in neuroinflammation.
AB  - The presence of aquaporins (AQPs) in the brain has led to intense research on the
      underlying roles of this family of proteins under both normal and pathological
      conditions. Aquaporin 4 (AQP4) is the major water-channel membrane protein
      expressed in the central nervous system (CNS), primarily in astrocytes. Emerging
      evidence suggests that AQP4 could play an important role in water and ion
      homeostasis in the brain, and it has been studied in various brain pathological
      conditions. However, far less is known about the potential for AQP4 to influence
      neuroinflammation and, furthermore, its potential role in neurodegenerative
      disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). It has been suggested that the
      pathogenesis of many clinical diseases, such as neuromyelitis optica (NMO),
      multiple sclerosis (MS) and brain injuries, is related to the regulation of AQP4
      expression. Investigating the effects of AQP4 on microglia and astrocytes could
      be important to understand its role in the pathogenesis of neuroinflammation.
      Although the exact roles of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in
      protection against the detrimental effects of neuroinflammation remain unclear,
      research into the possible neuroprotective effects of AQP4 against
      neuroinflammation regulation seems to be important for future investigations. 

PMID- 26259615
TI  - Hydrogenative Kinetic Resolution of Vinyl Sulfoxides.
AB  - Enantiopure sulfoxides are valuable precursors of organosulfur compounds with
      broad application in organic and pharmaceutical chemistry. An unprecedented
      strategy for obtaining highly enantioenriched sulfoxides based on a hydrogenative
      kinetic resolution using Rh-complexes of phosphine-phosphite ligands as catalysts
      is reported. After optimization, highly efficient conditions for the kinetic
      resolution of racemic sulfoxides have been identified. This methodology has been
      applied to a set of racemic aralkyl or aryl vinyl sulfoxides and allowed the
      isolation of both recovered and reduced products in excellent yields and
      enantioselectivities (up to 99% and 97% ee, respectively; 16 examples). 

PMID- 26259616
TI  - Parasitological, serological and molecular survey of Trypanosoma evansi infection
      in dromedary camels from Cholistan Desert, Pakistan.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Surra, a vector borne disease caused by Trypanosoma (T.) evansi,
      affects the health, productivity and working capacity of camels. Since clinical
      signs are not pathognomonic, diagnosis must be confirmed by laboratory methods.
      This is a first study on the prevalence of surra in Cholistan Desert, Pakistan
      using a broad variety of diagnostic tests thereby emphasizing it as a risk for
      the dromedaries of Pakistan. METHODS: In a cross sectional study, 1005 dromedary
      camels from three districts in the Cholistan Desert were sampled to assess the
      prevalence of trypanosomosis due to T. evansi by means of parasitological (Giemsa
      stained thin smear), serological (formol gel test, CATT/T. evansi, ELISA/VSG
      RoTat 1.2, immune trypanolysis) and molecular tests (TBR1/2 PCR and RoTat 1.2
      PCR). Kappa was calculated to assess the degree of agreement between different
      tests whereas chi-square test along with odds ratios and their 95% confidence
      intervals were used to study influence of breed, gender, age and locality on
      disease prevalence. RESULTS: Overall prevalence was 0.7% with Giemsa stained thin
      smears (GST), 40.1% with formol gel test (FGT), 47.7% with CATT/T. evansi, 44.2%
      with ELISA/VSG RoTat 1.2, 39.9 % with immune trypanolysis (TL), 31.9 % with
      TBR1/2 PCR and 30.5% with RoTat1.2 PCR. Based on these results, the Cholistan
      Desert appears to be a high risk area for surra. According to TL and TBR1/2 PCR,
      camels at Bahawalpur are approximately two times more likely to be infected than
      those in Bahawalnagar (OR = 1.8; 95% CI: 1.38-2.42) and Rahim Yar Khan (OR = 1.9;
      95% CI: 1.30-2.75). Test agreement of TL was moderate with CATT/T. evansi (k =
      0.43; 95% CI: 0.378-0.489) and ELISA/VSG RoTat 1.2 (k = 0.54; 95% CI: 0.489
      0.594) and poor with the other tests. Test agreement between TBR1/2 PCR and
      RoTat1.2 PCR was almost perfect (k = 0.96; 95% CI: 0.950-0.984). We didn't find
      evidence for the presence of T. evansi type B in the studied population.
      CONCLUSION: Our study supports using antibody detection tests, rather than
      parasitological and molecular examination, to assess surra prevalence in camels.
      It also calls for implementation of measures to control surra in the Cholistan
      Desert.

PMID- 26259618
TI  - Evaluating the use of key performance indicators to evidence the patient
      experience.
AB  - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To test eight person-centred key performance indicators and
      the feasibility of an appropriate measurement framework as an approach to
      evidencing the patient experience. BACKGROUND: The value of measuring the quality
      of patient care is undisputed in the international literature, however, the type
      of measures that can be used to generate data that is meaningful for practice
      continues to be debated. This paper offers a different perspective to the
      'measurement' of the nursing and midwifery contribution to the patient
      experience. DESIGN: Fourth generation evaluation was the methodological approach
      used to evaluate the implementation of the key performance indicators and
      measurement framework across three participating organisations involving nine
      practice settings. METHODS: Data were collected by repeated use of claims,
      concerns and issues with staff working across nine participating sites (n = 18)
      and the senior executives from the three partner organisations (n = 12). Data
      were collected during the facilitated sessions with stakeholders and analysed in
      conjunction with the data generated from the measurement framework. RESULTS: The
      data reveal the inherent value placed on the evidence generated from the
      implementation of the key performance indicators as reflected in the following
      themes: measuring what matters; evidencing the patient experience; engaging
      staff; a focus for improving practice; and articulating and demonstrating the
      positive contribution of nursing and midwifery. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation
      of the key performance indicators and the measurement framework has been
      effective in generating evidence that demonstrates the patient experience. The
      nature of the data generated not only privileges the patient voice but also
      offers feedback to nurses and midwives that can inform the development of person
      centred cultures. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The use of these indicators
      will produce evidence of patient experience that can be used by nurse and
      midwives to celebrate and further inform person-centred practice.

PMID- 26259617
TI  - Efficacy and safety results from a Phase 3, randomized, placebo-controlled trial
      of subcutaneous golimumab in Chinese patients with active rheumatoid arthritis
      despite methotrexate therapy.
AB  - AIM: The efficacy and safety of golimumab + methotrexate (MTX) were evaluated in
      Chinese patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) despite MTX therapy.
      METHODS: Chinese patients (n = 264) were randomly assigned (1 : 1) to receive
      subcutaneous injections of placebo + MTX with crossover to golimumab 50 mg + MTX
      at week 24 (Group 1) or to golimumab 50 mg + MTX (Group 2) every 4 weeks. Group 1
      patients with inadequate response entered blinded early escape to golimumab 50 mg
      + MTX at week 16. At least a 20% improvement in the American College of
      Rheumatology (ACR20) criteria at week 14 was the primary endpoint. Other
      assessments included the 28-joint count Disease Activity Score using C-reactive
      protein (DAS28-CRP) and Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI)
      through week 52. Adverse events (AEs) were monitored through week 56. RESULTS:
      ACR20 response at week 14 was significantly higher in Group 2 (40.9% [54/132])
      compared with Group 1 (15.9% [21/132]; P < 0.001). Greater proportions of
      patients in Group 2 compared with Group 1 had a DAS28-CRP response at week 14
      (65.2% vs. 30.3%, P < 0.001) or ACR20 response at week 24 (42.4% vs. 15.9%, P <
      0.001), and Group 2 had a significantly greater change in HAQ-DI at week 24 (
      0.26 vs. 0.15, P < 0.001). After week 24, the proportion of patients achieving
      ACR20 in Group 1 approached that in Group 2. Through week 16, 23.5% of Group 1
      and 26.7% of Group 2 patients reported AEs. Among golimumab + MTX-treated
      patients, 50.2% and 4.2% had >= 1 AE or serious AE, respectively, through week
      56. No unexpected safety signals were observed. CONCLUSION: Among MTX-experienced
      Chinese patients with active RA, a significantly greater proportion of patients
      receiving golimumab + MTX had improvements in the signs and symptoms of RA
      compared with MTX monotherapy. Safety findings were consistent with previous
      studies of golimumab in patients with RA.

PMID- 26259619
TI  - Analysis of Enoyl-Acyl Carrier Protein Reductase Structure and Interactions
      Yields an Efficient Virtual Screening Approach and Suggests a Potential
      Allosteric Site.
AB  - Enoyl-acyl carrier protein reductases have an important role in fatty acid
      biosynthesis and are considered essential for bacterial and protozoal survival.
      Here, we perform a computational assessment of enoyl-acyl carrier protein
      reductase structures, providing insights for inhibitor design that we incorporate
      into a virtual screening approach. Firstly, we analyse 80 crystal structures of
      16 different enoyl-acyl carrier protein reductases for their active site
      characteristics and druggability, finding these sites contain a readily druggable
      pocket, of varying size and shape. Interestingly, a high affinity, potentially
      allosteric site was identified for pfFabl. Analysis of the ligand-protein
      interactions of four enoyl-acyl carrier protein reductases from different micro
      organisms (InhA, pfFabl, saFabl and ecFabl), involving 59 available crystal
      structures, found three commonly shared interactions; constraining these
      interactions in docking improved enrichment of enoyl-acyl carrier protein
      reductase virtual screens, by up to 60% in the top 3% of the ranked library. This
      docking protocol also improved pose prediction, decreasing the root-mean-square
      deviation to crystallographic pose by up to 75% on average. The binding site
      analysis and knowledge-based docking protocol presented here can potentially
      assist in the structure-based design of new enoyl-acyl carrier protein reductase
      inhibitors.

PMID- 26259620
TI  - Nutritional properties of dried salmon silage for broiler feeding.
AB  - The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition, energy and amino
      acid profile of dried salmon silage (DSS) for broilers. The DSS was obtained by
      acid digestion of salmon mortalities and subsequently co-dried with wheat bran in
      a 70:30 ratio (70 parts silage and 30 parts wheat bran). Samples of DSS were
      evaluated for chemical composition, gross energy, nitrogen-corrected true
      metabolizable energy (TMEn ), mineral content, total and digestible amino acids
      for broilers, and amino acid score. The chemical composition of DSS was (mean +/-
      SD): moisture (12.3 +/- 0.8%), crude protein (44.0 +/- 1.1%), ether extract (5.0
      +/- 2.4%), crude fiber (3.3 +/- 0.4%) and ash (9.4 +/- 0.6%). The gross energy
      and TMEn for broilers were 4 069 kcal/kg and 2 613 kcal/kg, respectively. The DSS
      mineral composition showed a high content of calcium (1.01%) and phosphorus
      (1.08%). The DSS had high levels of digestible methionine (0.74%), lysine
      (2.27%), and threonine (1.16%), and did not present limiting amino acids for
      broilers. Nutritional composition of DSS showed high protein content with an
      amino acid profile considered to be suitable as a protein source for broiler
      feeding. 

PMID- 26259621
TI  - Treatment strategies for dissecting aneurysms of the posterior cerebral artery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Dissecting aneurysms of the posterior cerebral artery (PCA) are rare
      and difficult to treat because of their deep and unfamiliar locations and unusual
      shapes. Although several treatment modalities have been proposed, none have
      generated satisfying results. Our experiences with PCA-dissecting aneurysms are
      reviewed and the treatment strategies discussed. METHODS: All consecutive
      patients with PCA-dissecting aneurysm who were treated in a tertiary referral
      hospital between January 1998 and March 2014 were identified by retrospective
      review. Their clinical characteristics, radiological findings, treatment
      modalities and outcomes were documented. RESULTS: Of the 21 patients with 21 PCA
      dissecting aneurysms, 9 had subarachnoid hemorrhage and 3 had acute infarction of
      the thalamus at presentation. The aneurysms involved P1 (n = 4), the P1-2
      junction (n = 3), mid-P2 (n = 6), P2A (n = 3), P2P (n = 1) and the P2-3 junction
      (n = 4). The aneurysm shapes were as follows: fusiform (n = 12), partially
      thrombosed (n = 8) and blood blister-like aneurysms (n = 1). The mean size was
      16.6 +/- 9.7 mm. Parent artery occlusion (PAO) without bypass (n = 15), PAO with
      bypass (n = 2), stent-assisted endosaccular coiling (n = 3) and stent placement
      only (n = 1) were performed. All three patients who underwent stent-assisted
      endosaccular coiling and the single patient who underwent PAO without bypass
      developed aneurysm recurrence. Six of the ten patients who received a PAO without
      a balloon test occlusion (BTO) experienced PCA territory infarction, whereas only
      one of the five patients who received a PAO after passing the BTO experienced an
      infarction. CONCLUSIONS: PAO for PCA-dissecting aneurysm was effective in
      preventing recurrence. In addition, BTO before PAO was helpful in identifying
      candidates who truly needed surgical revascularization.

PMID- 26259622
TI  - Molecular characterisation of plasma membrane-derived vesicles.
AB  - Plasma membrane-derived vesicles (PMVs) are released into circulation in response
      to normal and stress/pathogenic conditions. They are of tremendous significance
      for the prediction, diagnosis, and observation of the therapeutic success of many
      diseases. Knowledge of their molecular characteristics and therefore functional
      properties would contribute to a better understanding of the pathological
      mechanisms leading to various diseases in which their levels are raised. The
      review aims at outlining and discussing the molecular characteristics of PMVs in
      order to bring to the fore some aspects/characteristics of PMVs that will assist
      the scientific community to properly understand the role of PMVs in various
      physiological and pathological processes. The review covers PMVs characterisation
      and discusses how distinct they are from exosomes and endosomes. Also, methods of
      PMVs analysis, importance of proper PMV level estimation/characterisation, PMVs
      and their constituents as well as their therapeutic significance are discussed.
      The review concludes by drawing attention to the importance of further study into
      the functions of the characteristics discussed which will lead to understanding
      the general role of PMVs both in health and in disease states. 

PMID- 26259623
TI  - Determinants of Change in Air-Bone Gap and Bone Conduction in Patients Operated
      on for Chronic Otitis Media.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Middle ear surgery aims to eliminate pathology from the middle ear,
      improve drainage and ventilation of the postoperative cavity, and reconstruct the
      tympanic membrane and ossicles. The aim of this work is to define the factors
      that affect ABG (air-bone gap) and bone conduction in the patients operated on
      due to chronic otitis media. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective analysis of
      patients operated on due to diseases of the middle ear during 2009-2012 was
      carried out. The cases of patients operated on for the first time due to chronic
      otitis media were analyzed. The analysis encompassed patients who had undergone
      middle ear surgery. The patients were divided into several groups taking into
      account the abnormalities of the middle ear mucous and damage of the ossicular
      chain observed during otosurgery. RESULTS: A significant hearing improvement was
      observed in patients with type 2 tympanoplasty in the course of chronic
      cholesteatoma otitis media and in patients with simple chronic inflammatory
      process in whom a PORP was used in the reconstruction. Granulation tissue was an
      unfavorable factor of hearing improvement following tympanoplasty. A significant
      improvement of bone conduction was observed in the patients with dry perforation
      without other lesions in the middle ear. The elimination of granulation lesions
      was a positive factor for the future improvement of the function of the inner
      ear. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of granuloma-related lesions in the middle ear
      spaces is likely to impede hearing improvement. Damage to the ossicular chain
      rules out the possibility of bone conduction improvement after surgery. The
      prognosis on tube-related simple chronic otitis media after myringoplasty, with
      the preserved continuity of the ossicular chain, consists of closing the ABG and
      leads to significant improvement of bone conduction.

PMID- 26259624
TI  - Activation Effect of Fullerene C60 on the Carbon Dioxide Absorption Performance
      of Amine-Rich Polypropylenimine Dendrimers.
AB  - Invited for this month's cover are Dr. Enrico Andreoli and Prof. Andrew R. Barron
      from the Energy Safety Research Institute (ESRI) of Swansea University. The image
      shows how fullerene C60 can activate amine-rich polymers toward CO2 capture for
      clean energy production. The Full Paper itself is available at
      10.1002/cssc.201500605. 

PMID- 26259625
TI  - Asymmetric AB3 Miktoarm Star Polymers: Synthesis, Self-Assembly, and Study of
      Micelle Stability Using AF4 for Efficient Drug Delivery.
AB  - A simple and versatile methodology, which employs a combination of ring-opening
      polymerization and alkyne-azide click chemistry to synthesize amphiphilic AB3
      miktoarm stars, is reported. Their aqueous self-assembly behavior was studied
      using dynamic light scattering, fluorescence, and asymmetrical flow field-flow
      fractionation (AF4). AB3 miktoarm stars form micelles which incorporate curcumin
      with high efficiency, and significantly reduce the viability of glioblastoma
      cells in spheroids. We demonstrate that AF4 is an effective technique to
      determine the size distribution of self-assembled structures exposed to a
      biological medium. The ease, with which asymmetric AB3 miktoarm polymers are
      constructed, provides a platform that can be widely employed to deliver a variety
      of lipophilic drugs.

PMID- 26259626
TI  - Characteristics of neonates with culture-proven bloodstream infection who have
      low levels of C-reactive protein (?10 mg/L).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) level is widely used in clinical
      practice as a marker to distinguish between neonates with or without sepsis.
      However, some neonates with bacteremia have a CRP level within the normal range
      and they are not well characterized. METHODS: All episodes of neonatal culture
      proven bloodstream infections (BSIs) between July 2004 and June 2012 were
      enrolled. Patients characteristics were compared for three CRP groups (low, <= 10
      mg/L; intermediate, 11-100 mg/L; and high, > 100 mg/L) using the Chi-square test
      and one-way ANOVA. The sepsis-attributable mortality rates were compared using
      logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Of 986 episodes of neonatal BSI, 247 (25.1
      %) had CRP <=10 mg/L at the onset of clinical sepsis. In the low CRP group,
      patients had lower gestational age and birth weight, and an earlier occurrence of
      BSI. Patients with underlying gastrointestinal pathology, renal disorders,
      cholestasis, and pulmonary hypertension had a non-significant elevated CRP level
      at the onset of sepsis. In the blood culture of the low CRP group, coagulase
      negative staphylococci (CoNS) were relatively more common (55.9 %, p < 0.001)
      than the other two groups, although one-fourth were infected with gram-negative
      bacilli (19.0 %), fungi (2.8 %), or polymicrobial pathogens (3.6 %). Of the BSIs
      with initial low CRP, 29.1 % were treated with inadequate antibiotics, 13.0 %
      progressed to septic shock, and 5.3 % had infectious complications. The sepsis
      attributable mortality rate was lower in the low CRP group (4.9 %) than in the
      high CRP group (13.6 %). CONCLUSIONS: A considerable proportion of neonatal BSIs
      had a normal or low initial CRP level (<=10 mg/L), which was more likely to occur
      in low birth weight or extremely preterm infants, those with earlier onset of
      sepsis, and those infected with CoNS. Plasma CRP level should not be used to rule
      out severe culture-proven sepsis or guide the empirical choice of antibiotics.

PMID- 26259627
TI  - Late sodium current block for drug-induced long QT syndrome: Results from a
      prospective clinical trial.
AB  - Drug-induced long QT syndrome has resulted in many drugs being withdrawn from the
      market. At the same time, the current regulatory paradigm for screening new drugs
      causing long QT syndrome is preventing drugs from reaching the market, sometimes
      inappropriately. In this study, we report the results of a first-of-a-kind
      clinical trial studying late sodium (mexiletine and lidocaine) and calcium
      (diltiazem) current blocking drugs to counteract the effects of hERG potassium
      channel blocking drugs (dofetilide and moxifloxacin). We demonstrate that both
      mexiletine and lidocaine substantially reduce heart-rate corrected QT (QTc)
      prolongation from dofetilide by 20 ms. Furthermore, all QTc shortening occurs in
      the heart-rate corrected J-Tpeak (J-Tpeak c) interval, the biomarker we
      identified as a sign of late sodium current block. This clinical trial
      demonstrates that late sodium blocking drugs can substantially reduce QTc
      prolongation from hERG potassium channel block and assessment of J-Tpeak c may
      add value beyond only assessing QTc. 

PMID- 26259628
TI  - Coronary CT angiography findings based on smoking status: Do ex-smokers and never
      smokers share a low probability of developing coronary atherosclerosis?
AB  - The relationship of coronary artery disease (CAD) in ex-smokers has not been
      elucidated, although smoking is considered to be one of the major risk factors of
      CAD. We investigate subclinical coronary atherosclerosis (SCA) in asymptomatic
      subjects with coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), according to
      smoking status, and determine whether ex-smokers share a low probability of
      developing CAD with never-smokers. We retrospectively enrolled 6930 self-referred
      asymptomatic adults who underwent both coronary artery calcium score (CACS) and
      CCTA. The prevalence and characteristics of SCA were assessed according to
      smoking status (never-, ex- and current smokers). After adjusting for variable
      risk factors, we used multivariate logistic regression for adjusted odds ratios
      (AOR) of high CACS (>100), SCA (any plaque), significant stenosis (>50 % in
      luminal stenosis) and each plaque type (non-calcified, mixed and calcified
      plaque) among the three groups. The prevalence of SCA was highest in the ex
      smokers (35.4 %) and the prevalence of significant stenosis in ex-smokers (6.9 %)
      was as high as in current smokers (6.4 %). However, after adjusting for variable
      risk factors, SCA was significantly correlated with both ex-smokers (AOR; 1.21)
      and current smokers (AOR; 1.25), whereas significant stenosis was correlated only
      with current smokers (AOR; 1.91). The association between SCA and ex-smokers is
      as strong as with current smokers, although significant stenosis is only
      correlated with current smokers; thus, not only quitting smoking but also never
      initiating smoking would be helpful to reduce the progression of the SCA. 

PMID- 26259629
TI  - Integrated in-line coagulation-aerated ultrafiltration for drinking-water
      production: A case study from laboratory to pilot plant.
AB  - A pilot-scale study was made for drinking-water production from low-quality
      influents with in-line coagulation as pre-treatment of aerated ultrafiltration.
      Optimum flocculation parameters were previously determined in the laboratory,
      searching for large and strong flocs that could resist aeration without
      increasing the membrane fouling. Nevertheless, the comparison of the jar tests
      and the pilot-scale results showed that the former could help pre-dimensioning
      the flocculation facilities but could not precisely reproduce the behavior of the
      flocs in the membrane tank. The optimum coagulant dosage enabled the highest
      dissolved organic carbon (DOC) removal without affecting membrane fouling.
      Additionally, as opposed to the jar-test results, long retention times led to the
      lowest fouling rates while the velocity gradient affected neither the effluent
      quality nor the membrane fouling. These findings suggested that the influence of
      the flocculation parameters was masked by aeration inside the membrane tank but,
      even so, 43% and 82% DOC and UVA254 removals, respectively, were reached.
      Furthermore, the growth of the total membrane resistance with time was
      logarithmic instead of linear, confirming the suitability of the pre-treatment
      for low-quality influents. 

PMID- 26259631
TI  - Three cadinane derivatives from the marine brown alga Dictyopteris divaricata.

PMID- 26259632
TI  - Increased gut hormones and insulin sensitivity index following a 3-d intervention
      with a barley kernel-based product: a randomised cross-over study in healthy
      middle-aged subjects.
AB  - Certain purified indigestible carbohydrates such as inulin have been shown to
      stimulate gut-derived hormones involved in glycaemic regulation and appetite
      regulation, and to counteract systemic inflammation through a gut microbiota
      mediated mechanism. Less is known about the properties of indigestible
      carbohydrates intrinsic to food. The aim of this study was to investigate the
      possibility to affect release of endogenous gut hormones and ameliorate appetite
      control and glycaemic control by ingestion of a whole-grain cereal food product
      rich in NSP and resistant starch in healthy humans. In all, twenty middle-aged
      subjects were provided with a barley kernel-based bread (BB) or a reference white
      wheat bread during 3 consecutive days, respectively, in a randomised cross-over
      design study. At a standardised breakfast the following day (day 4), blood was
      collected for the analysis of blood (b) glucose regulation, gastrointestinal
      hormones, markers of inflammation and markers of colonic fermentation; 3 d of
      intervention with BB increased gut hormones in plasma (p) the next morning at
      fasting (p-glucagon-like peptide-1; 56%) and postprandially (p-glucagon-like
      peptide-2; 13% and p-peptide YY; 18%). Breath H2 excretion and fasting serum (s)
      SCFA concentrations were increased (363 and 18%, respectively), and b-glucose
      (22%) and s-insulin responses (17%) were decreased after BB intervention. Insulin
      sensitivity index (ISI(composite)) was also improved (25%) after BB. In
      conclusion, 3 d of intervention with BB increased systemic levels of gut hormones
      involved in appetite regulation, metabolic control and maintenance of gut barrier
      function, as well as improved markers of glucose homoeostasis in middle-aged
      subjects, altogether relevant for the prevention of obesity and the metabolic
      syndrome.

PMID- 26259630
TI  - Next-generation antimicrobials: from chemical biology to first-in-class drugs.
AB  - The global emergence of multi-drug resistant bacteria invokes an urgent and
      imperative necessity for the identification of novel antimicrobials. The general
      lack of success in progressing novel chemical entities from target-based drug
      screens have prompted calls for radical and innovative approaches for drug
      discovery. Recent developments in chemical biology and target deconvolution
      strategies have revived interests in the utilization of whole-cell phenotypic
      screens and resulted in several success stories for the discovery and development
      novel drug candidates and target pathways. In this review, we present and discuss
      recent chemical biology approaches focusing on the discovery of novel targets and
      new lead molecules for the treatment of human bacterial and protozoan infections.

PMID- 26259633
TI  - An Optimal Mobile Service for Telecare Data Synchronization using a Role-based
      Access Control Model and Mobile Peer-to-Peer Technology.
AB  - The progress of information and communication technologies (ICT) has promoted the
      development of healthcare which has enabled the exchange of resources and
      services between organizations. Organizations want to integrate mobile devices
      into their hospital information systems (HIS) due to the convenience to employees
      who are then able to perform specific healthcare processes from any location. The
      collection and merage of healthcare data from discrete mobile devices are worth
      exploring possible ways for further use, especially in remote districts without
      public data network (PDN) to connect the HIS. In this study, we propose an
      optimal mobile service which automatically synchronizes the telecare file
      resources among discrete mobile devices. The proposed service enforces some
      technical methods. The role-based access control model defines the telecare file
      resources accessing mechanism; the symmetric data encryption method protects
      telecare file resources transmitted over a mobile peer-to-peer network. The multi
      criteria decision analysis method, ELECTRE (Elimination Et Choice Translating
      Reality), evaluates multiple criteria of the candidates' mobile devices to
      determine a ranking order. This optimizes the synchronization of telecare file
      resources among discrete mobile devices. A prototype system is implemented to
      examine the proposed mobile service. The results of the experiment show that the
      proposed mobile service can automatically and effectively synchronize telecare
      file resources among discrete mobile devices. The contribution of this experiment
      is to provide an optimal mobile service that enhances the security of telecare
      file resource synchronization and strengthens an organization's mobility. 

PMID- 26259634
TI  - Temperature Measurement Inside Protective Headgear: Comparison With Core
      Temperatures and Indicators of Physiological Strain During Exercise in a Hot
      Environment.
AB  - Non-invasive temperature monitoring with a sensor inside protective headgear may
      be effective in detecting temperatures that are associated with heat illness. The
      purpose was to establish the relationship between in-hardhat temperatures (Tih)
      and core temperature (Tc) as measured by rectal (Tre) and esophageal (Tes)
      probes. Thirty males (age 24.57 +/- 4.32 yrs.) completed two trials: continuous
      submaximal exercise (CSE) and a series of high intensity 30-s sprints (HIE) with
      a one-minute rest between each. Exercise in both conditions was in a 36( degrees
      )C environment (40% RH) while wearing a standard hardhat with sensors mounted on
      the forehead that were monitored remotely. Exercise continued until voluntary
      termination or until Tc reached 39.5( degrees )C. Temperatures, heart rate,
      cardiorespiratory, and perceptual responses were monitored throughout. A
      physiological strain index (PSI) was calculated from Tc and HR. The final
      temperatures in the CSE condition were 38.77 +/- 0.41, 38.90 +/- 0.49 and 39.29
      +/- 0.58( degrees )C and in the HIE condition, final temperatures were 38.76 +/-
      0.37, 38.91 +/- 0.47, and 39.19 +/- 0.57 f (o)C for Tih, Tre, and Tes,
      respectively. The PSI in CSE was 9.62 +/- 062, 9.18 +/- 1.11, and 10.04 +/- 1.05,
      and in the HIE condition 9.67 +/- 068, 9.29 +/- 0.99. and 9.86 +/- 1.02 based on
      Tih, Tre and Tes, respectively. The general agreement between the Tih and other
      temperature measures along with the consistency as indicated by a low coefficient
      of variation (approx. 1%) in the recordings of the Tih sensors at the point of
      termination suggest that this device, or similar devices, may have application as
      a warning system for impending heat-related problems. 

PMID- 26259636
TI  - Shell Cleavable Dendritic Polyglycerol Sulfates Show High Anti-Inflammatory
      Properties by Inhibiting L-Selectin Binding and Complement Activation.
AB  - A new class of fully synthetic shell cleavable multivalent polysulfates is
      prepared by introducing degradable linkers into a stable biocompatible dendritic
      polyglycerol scaffold and subsequent sulfation. The sulfated polymers show
      different degradation profiles, low anticoagulant and high anti-inflammatory
      properties, are able to efficiently bind to L-selectin and inhibit the complement
      activation at very low concentrations in vitro.

PMID- 26259637
TI  - Lesion Evaluation, Screening and Identification of Oral Neoplasia Study: an
      assessment of high-risk Australian populations.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Population-based screening programmes which promote early detection
      are effective in reducing the burden of disease associated with chronic illness.
      The efficacy of screening for oral cancer and its preceding lesions appears
      promising in high-risk groups. The objective of this study is to report on the
      recruitment experiences and outcomes of the 'Lesion Evaluation, Screening and
      Identification of Oral Neoplasia Study' programme, a multicentre oral mucosal
      screening programme developed in South East Queensland, Australia. METHODS: Ten
      screening sites were established within public and private dental clinics,
      indigenous health clinics and a community pharmacy. Risk assessment was
      undertaken through a semi-structured interview and self-directed questionnaires.
      Oral mucosal examination was completed by one of 11 trained and calibrated
      dentists or oral health therapists, under conventional operatory parameters.
      RESULTS: The study ran for 24 months from April 2012 to April 2014. A total of
      1498 participants consented to oral mucosal screening, with complete data
      available for 1252 (83.6%). Almost half (n = 561; 44.8%) were from an area of
      high disadvantage, and 59.9% reported annual household incomes below $40K (n =
      750). Participants from backgrounds experiencing the highest level of
      disadvantage were more likely to have a history of tobacco use (P = 0.04). Those
      participants with low income had significantly higher prevalence ratios (PRs) of
      having suspicious oral mucosal lesions (PR: 3.13 and 5.85, respectively) than the
      most advantageous. Examiners reported difficulties in recruitment, which stemmed
      mainly from patient refusal due to time constraints, disinterest or embarrassment
      relating to their oral condition. Clinician outreach also proved inefficient in
      participant recruitment. CONCLUSIONS: Population-based screening for oral cancer
      in the Australian context was effective in identifying people at risk of
      developing oral lesions, but participant recruitment appears to be a significant
      barrier to implementation. Further strategies are required to improve the success
      of such a programme, as we advocate for screening in high-risk populations.

PMID- 26259635
TI  - Structural and functional changes in corneal innervation after laser in situ
      keratomileusis and their relationship with dry eye.
AB  - PURPOSE: The most likely etiology of post-LASIK dry eye is corneal nerve damage;
      however, no direct relationship between post-LASIK dry eye symptoms and nerve
      damage has been established, and limited information is available about the
      relationship between dry eye signs and corneal reinnervation after LASIK. Tear
      neuropeptides (SP and CGRP) are important in the maintenance of corneal nerve
      health, but the impact of LASIK has not yet been studied. This study evaluated
      changes in nerve morphology, tear neuropeptide, and dry eye, so as to establish
      the relationship between reinnervation and dry eye and to assess the role of tear
      neuropeptides in reinnervation post-LASIK. METHODS: Twenty non-dry eye volunteers
      who had undergone bilateral myopic-LASIK completed this study. Corneal nerve
      morphology (density, width, interconnections, and tortuosity), SP and CGRP
      concentration, and dry eye were monitored over time prior to, 1 day, 1 week, 1,
      3, and 6 months post-LASIK. RESULTS: Dry eye symptoms and tear function, except
      for osmolarity (P = 0.003), remained unchanged post-LASIK. Corneal nerve
      morphology decreased immediately, and did not return to preoperative levels by 6
      months post-LASIK (P < 0.001). Increased tear SP concentration was observed 3
      months post-LASIK (P < 0.001). Associations between reinnervation as measured by
      increased density and lower tear SP (P = 0.03), and between increased density and
      decreased dry eye symptoms (P = 0.01) were found post-LASIK. CONCLUSION: An
      inverse relationship between reinnervation post-LASIK and dry eye symptoms was
      found, confirming that post-LASIK dry eye is a neuropathic disease. This study is
      the first to demonstrate an association between tear SP and post-LASIK
      reinnervation, suggesting that strategies for manipulating neuropeptide
      concentration to improve reinnervation may improve ocular comfort post-LASIK.

PMID- 26259638
TI  - A prospective study of the use of the Myosure resectoscope to manage endometrial
      polyps in an outpatient setting.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Myosure resectoscope has been in use since 2009. Our unit is the
      first in Australia to describe the use of the Myosure device in the outpatient
      setting to resect endometrial polyps. AIM: To compare patient satisfaction and
      pain scores of pre- and postmenopausal women undergoing outpatient removal of
      endometrial polyps using the Myosure device. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Public
      hospital based prospective study. Patients (n=42) who opted to have resection of
      endometrial polyps under local anaethesia were recruited. Procedures were
      performed using a 6.25-mm hysteroscope with a MyoSure Lite device. Patient
      experiences were collected using a questionnaire immediately postprocedure. Pain
      level was assessed using 100-mm visual analogue score (VAS). Resection times and
      untoward events were recorded. RESULTS: Mean endometrial polyp size was 13 mm and
      the mean resection time was 39.4s. Complete resection was achieved in 95.2% of
      cases. The median VAS was 2.7 (range 0.7-7.5). The pain scores did not differ
      significantly between nulliparous or parous women who only had a caesarean
      section delivery and those who have delivered vaginally. However, VAS was
      statistically less in postmenopausal women in comparison with premenopausal women
      (2.5 vs 3.2, respectively; (P = 0.047)). Overall, women were very satisfied;
      97.6% would recommend the procedure to a friend and 95.2% happy to consider a
      repeat procedure in the future if required. The complication rate was 4.8%, and
      all were minor in nature. CONCLUSION: Operative hysteroscopic procedures can be
      performed successfully in the outpatient setting using the Myosure Lite device
      with a high level of patient satisfaction.

PMID- 26259640
TI  - Homogeneous and heterogeneous finite element models to predict radius bone
      strength in forward fall configuration.

PMID- 26259639
TI  - Pharmacological inhibition of lysosomes activates the MTORC1 signaling pathway in
      chondrocytes in an autophagy-independent manner.
AB  - Mechanistic target of rapamycin (serine/threonine kinase) complex 1 (MTORC1) is a
      protein-signaling complex at the fulcrum of anabolic and catabolic processes,
      which acts depending on wide-ranging environmental cues. It is generally accepted
      that lysosomes facilitate MTORC1 activation by generating an internal pool of
      amino acids. Amino acids activate MTORC1 by stimulating its translocation to the
      lysosomal membrane where it forms a super-complex involving the lysosomal
      membrane-bound vacuolar-type H(+)-ATPase (v-ATPase) proton pump. This
      translocation and MTORC1 activation require functional lysosomes. Here we found
      that, in contrast to this well-accepted concept, in epiphyseal chondrocytes
      inhibition of lysosomal activity by v-ATPase inhibitors bafilomycin A1 or
      concanamycin A potently activated MTORC1 signaling. The activity of MTORC1 was
      visualized by phosphorylated forms of RPS6 (ribosomal protein S6) and EIF4EBP1, 2
      well-known downstream targets of MTORC1. Maximal RPS6 phosphorylation was
      observed at 48-h treatment and reached as high as a 12-fold increase (p < 0.018).
      This activation of MTORC1 was further confirmed in bone organ culture and
      promoted potent stimulation of longitudinal growth (p < 0.001). Importantly, the
      same effect was observed in ATG5 (autophagy-related 5)-deficient bones suggesting
      a macroautophagy-independent mechanism of MTORC1 inhibition by lysosomes. Thus,
      our data show that in epiphyseal chondrocytes lysosomes inhibit MTORC1 in a
      macroautophagy-independent manner and this inhibition likely depends on v-ATPase
      activity. 

PMID- 26259641
TI  - Prognostic factors in non-small cell lung cancer patients who are recommended to
      receive single-agent chemotherapy (docetaxel or pemetrexed) as a second- or third
      line chemotherapy: in the era of oncogenic drivers and molecular-targeted agents.
AB  - PURPOSE: Docetaxel or pemetrexed monotherapy is recommended either as a second
      line treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients without EGFR
      mutation or ALK fusion genes or as a third-line treatment for patients with EGFR
      mutation or ALK fusion. However, efficacy and survival for these two settings
      have not been compared, leaving it unclear whether these two populations can be
      included in the same clinical trials. Moreover, prognostic factors for patients
      who are recommended to receive docetaxel/pemetrexed monotherapy are largely
      unknown. METHODS: Docetaxel or pemetrexed was administered to 67 EGFR wild-type
      patients as a second-line treatment following one platinum-based combination
      chemotherapy and to 17 EGFR mutant patients as a third-line treatment following
      EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors and one platinum-based combination chemotherapy.
      Docetaxel and pemetrexed were administered at 60 and 500 mg/m(2), respectively,
      every 3 weeks until disease progression, intolerable toxicity, or patient
      refusal. Overall survivals (OSs) between the two groups were compared using the
      log-rank test, and prognostic factors were evaluated via Cox's proportional
      hazards models. RESULTS: The median OS was 345.5 days in the EGFR wild-type
      second-line group and 616 days in the EGFR mutant third-line group. Multivariate
      analyses revealed that the stage before first-line treatment, performance status,
      and EGFR status were significant prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS: When planning
      clinical studies of NSCLC patients recommended to receive docetaxel or pemetrexed
      as single-agent chemotherapy, the EGFR status and stage before first-line
      treatment should be considered as stratification factors of randomized clinical
      studies.

PMID- 26259642
TI  - Time within reproductive season, but not age or inbreeding coefficient, affects
      seminal and sperm quality in the whooping crane (Grus americana).
AB  - All living whooping cranes (Grus americana) are descended from 16 or fewer birds
      that remained alive in the early 1940s, a bottleneck that puts the species at
      potential risk for inbreeding depression. Although AI is commonly used in the
      management of the captive population of this species, little is known about
      seminal traits or factors affecting sperm quality in the whooping crane. In the
      present study, semen samples were collected from 29 adult males (age 3-27 years)
      during the early (March), mid (April) and late (May) breeding season over 2
      consecutive years. The effects of donor age, time within reproductive season and
      level of inbreeding on seminal characteristics were analysed using regression and
      information-theoretic model selection. Only time within reproductive season
      significantly affected seminal traits, with total numbers of spermatozoa and
      proportions of pleiomorphisms increasing across the season. We conclude that,
      even with a highly restricted number of founders, there is no discernible
      influence of inbreeding (at the levels described) on sperm output or quality.
      Furthermore, although there is variance in seminal quality, the whooping crane
      produces significant numbers of motile spermatozoa throughout the breeding
      season, similar to values reported for the greater sandhill crane (Grus
      canadensis tabida).

PMID- 26259643
TI  - Influence of echinocandin administration on hemodynamic parameters in medical
      intensive care unit patients: a single center prospective study.
AB  - PURPOSE: Fungal infections present a constant risk to critically ill and
      immunocompromised patients. Therefore, treatment guidelines recommend
      echinocandins as first-line antifungals in critically ill patients to improve
      patient outcomes. Echinocandins are usually well tolerated; nevertheless, rare
      adverse events can occur. There are reports of temporary deterioration of
      hemodynamic parameters during loading doses, especially in critically ill
      patients. The objective of this study is to analyze the hemodynamic changes
      during administration of the echinocandin antifungals, caspofungin and
      anidulafungin, in medical intensive care unit patients. METHODS: A prospective
      study in medical ICU patients receiving echinocandins was monitored using single
      indicator transpulmonary thermodilution (TPTD). TPTD measurements were performed
      immediately before, directly after, and 4 h after echinocandins on two following
      days. RESULTS: Mean arterial pressure and also diastolic blood pressure showed
      significant changes (p < 0.042 and p < 0.007) after echinocandin application in
      the measurement immediately after application, but not after 4 h. Basic
      hemodynamic parameters as well as the TPTD-derived cardiac function parameters
      did not significantly change after echinocandin application at all. In patients
      with the need for norepinephrine therapy, the vasopressor dose was not
      statistically significantly altered. CONCLUSION: To conclude, administration of
      echinocandins in this observed study population is safe, even in severely
      critically ill patients if application rules of these agents are followed.
      However, adverse effects could be observed and practitioners should be cognizant
      of these effects. These observations can be optimized by high-level assessments,
      such as the pulse contour cardiac output monitoring, and clinicians should
      continue to be vigilant with cardiac monitoring of patients receiving
      echinocandin antifungals.

PMID- 26259645
TI  - Low birthweight increases risk for cardiovascular disease hospitalisations in a
      remote Indigenous Australian community--a prospective cohort study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between low birthweight (LBW; <2,500
      grams) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) hospitalisations in adult life in a
      remote Indigenous Australian community. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort of
      852 participants with recorded birthweight using community-wide health screening
      examinations conducted between 1992 and 1999 and hospitalisation records up to
      2012. Cox proportional hazard models assessed the association between LBW and
      hypertension, major CVD (heart failure, myocardial infarction and stroke) and any
      CVD hospitalisations. RESULTS: There were 236 participants (28%) who had a low
      birthweight. The LBW group had a higher risk of developing any CVD (HR = 1.43,
      95%CI 1.01-2.03), major CVD (HR = 1.51, 95%CI 0.93-2.47) and hypertension (HR =
      1.83, 95%CI 1.09-2.96) than the normal birthweight (NBW) group (>=2,500 g). Women
      with LBW had more than 2.6 times the risk of a hospitalisation associated with
      hypertension compared to their NBW counterparts (HR = 2.61, 95%CI 1.38-4.93), but
      this relationship was not seen in men. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: LBW
      increased the risk of cardiovascular disease hospitalisations in adult life in
      this group. Further CVD prevention initiatives should continue to include LBW as
      a key predictor of CVD in this community. The mechanisms of gender influence on
      the hypertension relationship are unknown and require further investigation in
      indigenous populations worldwide.

PMID- 26259646
TI  - Histologic Outcomes of Uninfected Human Immature Teeth Treated with Regenerative
      Endodontics: 2 Case Reports.
AB  - A growing body of evidence exists showing the possibility of growing vital
      tissues in the root canal spaces of teeth with necrotic pulps and open apices.
      However, there is very limited histologic information regarding characteristics
      of tissues formed in the root canal space of human teeth after regenerative
      endodontics. The aim of this study was to examine clinically and histologically
      the outcomes of human immature teeth treated with regenerative endodontics. Two
      healthy birooted human maxillary first premolar teeth scheduled for extraction
      were included. Preoperative radiographs confirmed that these teeth had immature
      apices. Vitality tests showed the presence of vital pulps in these teeth. After
      receiving consent forms, the teeth were isolated with a rubber dam, and the pulps
      were completely removed. After the formation of blood clots in the canals, the
      teeth were covered with mineral trioxide aggregate. Four months later, the teeth
      were clinically and radiographically evaluated, extracted, and examined
      histologically. Both patients remained asymptomatic after treatment. Radiographic
      examination of the teeth showed signs of root development after treatment.
      Histologic examination of tissues growing into the root canal space of these
      teeth shows the presence of connective tissue, bone and cementum formation, and
      thickening of roots. Based on our findings, it appears that when canals of teeth
      with open apices are treated with regenerative endodontics, tissues of the
      periodontium grow into the root canals of these teeth. 

PMID- 26259647
TI  - Bond Strength between Fiber Posts and Root Dentin Treated with Natural Cross
      linkers.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a
      proanthocyanidin-rich extract (grape seed extract [GSE]) on the bond strength and
      stability of the adhesion of fiber posts to the root dentine using 2 adhesive
      systems: a total-etch and a self-etch adhesive system. METHODS: Single-rooted
      human teeth were randomly divided into 6 groups: G1 (control), untreated + total
      etch adhesive Adper Scotchbond Multi-Purpose (3M ESPE, St Paul, MN); G2, 6.5% GSE
      for 5 minutes + SB; G3, 10% GSE for 5 minutes + SB; and G4 to G6 groups were
      similar to previous ones; however, the self-etch adhesive system Clearfil SE Bond
      (Kuraray, Kurashiki, Japan) was used. Fiber posts were cemented with RelyX ARC
      (3M ESPE), and the specimens were immediately tested for push out or stored for
      12 months. The bond strength means were analyzed by analysis of variance and
      Games-Howell post hoc tests (alpha = 0.05). Additionally, matrix
      metalloproteinase inhibition by 0.65%, 0.065%, and 0.0065% GSE was examined with
      gelatin zymography. RESULTS: The use of GSE did not affect immediate bond
      strength to dentin and contributed to preserve the bond strength after 12 months
      (P < .05) for both adhesives. The bond strength of SB was significantly higher
      than Clearfil SE Bond (P < .05). Gelatin zymography showed reduced matrix
      metalloproteinase activity when recombinant enzymes were incubated with both
      0.65% and 0.065% GSE, with complete inhibition at the highest concentration.
      CONCLUSIONS: The pretreatment with GSE can be used as a natural alternative to
      improve bond strength stability of dentin-adhesive interfaces in root canals.

PMID- 26259648
TI  - Hepatothorax caused by a late post-traumatic diaphragmatic rupture.

PMID- 26259649
TI  - The effects of muscle contraction and recombinant osteocalcin on insulin
      sensitivity ex vivo.
AB  - We tested whether GPRC6A, the putative receptor of undercarboxylated osteocalcin
      (ucOC), is present in mouse muscle and whether ucOC increases insulin sensitivity
      following ex vivo muscle contraction. GPPRC6A is expressed in mouse muscle and in
      the mouse myotubes from a cell line. ucOC potentiated the effect of ex vivo
      contraction on insulin sensitivity. INTRODUCTION: Acute exercise increases
      skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity. In humans, exercise increases circulating
      ucOC, a hormone that increases insulin sensitivity in rodents. We tested whether
      GPRC6A, the putative receptor of ucOC, is present in mouse muscle and whether
      recombinant ucOC increases insulin sensitivity in both C2C12 myotubes and whole
      mouse muscle following ex vivo muscle contraction. METHODS: Glucose uptake was
      examined in C2C12 myotubes that express GPRC6A following treatment with insulin
      alone or with insulin and increasing ucOC concentrations (0.3, 3, 10 and 30
      ng/ml). In addition, glucose uptake, phosphorylated (p-)AKT and p-AS160 were
      examined ex vivo in extensor digitorum longus (EDL) dissected from C57BL/6J wild
      type mice, at rest, following insulin alone, after muscle contraction followed by
      insulin and after muscle contraction followed by recombinant ucOC then insulin
      exposure. RESULTS: We observed protein expression of the likely receptor for
      ucOC, GPRC6A, in whole muscle sections and differentiated mouse myotubes. We
      observed reduced GPRC6A expression following siRNA transfection. ucOC
      significantly increased insulin-stimulated glucose uptake dose-dependently up to
      10 ng/ml, in differentiated mouse C2C12 myotubes. Insulin increased EDL glucose
      uptake (~30 %, p < 0.05) and p-AKT and p-AKT/AKT compared with rest (all p <
      0.05). Contraction prior to insulin increased muscle glucose uptake (~25 %, p <
      0.05), p-AKT, p-AKT/AKT, p-AS160 and p-AS160/AS160 compared with contraction
      alone (all p < 0.05). ucOC after contraction increased insulin-stimulated muscle
      glucose uptake (~12 % p < 0.05) and p-AS160 (<0.05) more than contraction plus
      insulin alone but without effect on p-AKT. In the absence of insulin and/or of
      contraction, ucOC had no significant effect on muscle glucose uptake.
      CONCLUSIONS: GPRC6A, the likely receptor of osteocalcin (OC), is expressed in
      mouse muscle. ucOC treatment augments insulin-stimulated skeletal muscle glucose
      uptake in C2C12 myotubes and following ex vivo muscle contraction. ucOC may
      partly account for the insulin sensitizing effect of exercise.

PMID- 26259650
TI  - Tracking down the path of memory: eye scanpaths facilitate retrieval of
      visuospatial information.
AB  - Recent research points to a crucial role of eye fixations on the same spatial
      locations where an item appeared when learned, for the successful retrieval of
      stored information (e.g., Laeng et al. in Cognition 131:263-283, 2014. doi:
      10.1016/j.cognition.2014.01.003 ). However, evidence about whether the specific
      temporal sequence (i.e., scanpath) of these eye fixations is also relevant for
      the accuracy of memory remains unclear. In the current study, eye fixations were
      recorded while looking at a checkerboard-like pattern. In a recognition session
      (48 h later), animations were shown where each square that formed the pattern was
      presented one by one, either according to the same, idiosyncratic, temporal
      sequence in which they were originally viewed by each participant or in a
      shuffled sequence although the squares were, in both conditions, always in their
      correct positions. Afterward, participants judged whether they had seen the same
      pattern before or not. Showing the elements serially according to the original
      scanpath's sequence yielded a significantly better recognition performance than
      the shuffled condition. In a forced fixation condition, where the gaze was
      maintained on the center of the screen, the advantage of memory accuracy for same
      versus shuffled scanpaths disappeared. Concluding, gaze scanpaths (i.e., the
      order of fixations and not simply their positions) are functional to visual
      memory and physical reenacting of the original, embodied, perception can
      facilitate retrieval. 

PMID- 26259652
TI  - How to construct a linguistic landmark: language cues in the formation of
      hierarchical representations of space.
AB  - The formation of a hierarchical representation of space can be induced by the
      spatial adjacency of places marked by landmark objects from the same semantic
      category, as was demonstrated by a route-planning experiment (Wiener and Mallot
      in Spat Cogn Comput 3(4):331-358, 2003). Using the same paradigm, we tested the
      efficiency of linguistic cues with various hierarchical categorization principles
      in regional structuring. In five different conditions, places of the experimental
      environment were characterized (1) by landmark objects, (2) by arbitrary proper
      names on region level, (3) by prototypical names on region level, (4) by nouns
      from different semantic categories, and (5) by groups of nouns with intrinsic
      whole-part relation. A region effect comparable to the landmark object condition
      was found only for the whole-part relations, which combine spatial proximity with
      a shared context. A linguistic analysis revealed a correspondence to the intended
      regional subdivision only for the cues of this condition. 

PMID- 26259651
TI  - Numbers in the eye of the beholder: What do eye movements reveal about numerical
      cognition?
AB  - The eyes, often called the window to our minds, reveal the focus of spatial
      attention and are therefore a powerful research tool for the study of spatial
      processing and spatially related higher cognitive functions. The aim of this
      paper is to highlight the potential of eye movement analysis in the domain of
      numerical cognition, to review several relevant findings, and to provide an
      outlook for future research. 

PMID- 26259653
TI  - MicroRNA-124 suppresses the migration and invasion of osteosarcoma cells via
      targeting ROR2-mediated non-canonical Wnt signaling.
AB  - MicroRNAs (miRs) have been implicated in tumorigenesis through inhibition of the
      expression of their target genes at post-transcriptional levels. miR-124 has been
      found to be downregulated in many malignant tumors including osteosarcoma (OS).
      However, the detailed mechanism of miR-124 in the regulation of OS malignant
      phenotypes remains largely unclear. Here we aimed to explore the role of miR-124
      in mediating OS cell migration and invasion, as well as the underlying regulatory
      mechanisms. Real-time RT-PCR data showed that miR-124 was frequently
      downregulated in OS cell lines compared to normal human osteoblast cells. We
      further conducted bioinformatic analysis and a luciferase reporter assay, and
      identified receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 2 (ROR2) as a novel
      target of miR-124. Furthermore, we found that ROR2 was significantly upregulated
      in OS cell lines compared to normal human osteoblast cells, and miR-124
      negatively mediated the protein level of ROR2 in U-2OS and Saos-2 cells.
      Moreover, transfection with miR-124 mimics significantly suppressed migration and
      invasion in the U-2OS and Saos-2 cells, while overexpression of ROR2 in the miR
      124-transfected OS cells reversed the inhibitory effect of miR-124 upregulation
      on OS cell migration and invasion. In addition, we found that overexpression of
      miR-124 significantly suppressed the activity of non-canonical Wnt signaling,
      downstream of ROR2. Based on these findings, we suggest that miR-124 may inhibit
      OS metastasis, partly at least, via targeting ROR2 and thus suppressing the
      activity of ROR2-mediated non-canonical Wnt signaling. 

PMID- 26259655
TI  - HPLC-ESI-MS/MS of brain neurotransmitter modulator lobeline and related
      piperidine alkaloids in Lobelia inflata L.
AB  - There is a renewed interest in lobelia alkaloids because of their activity on the
      central nervous system. Lobeline, the most active of them, a nicotinic receptor
      ligand and neurotransmitter transporter inhibitor, is a candidate pharmacotherapy
      for metamphetamine abuse. In the present work, high-performance liquid
      chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry in
      positive ion mode was used for investigating the alkaloid profile in Lobelia
      inflata L. Chromatographic separations were achieved on a Gemini C6-phenyl
      reversed-phase column providing good peak shape and improved selectivity. Being
      mostly 2,6-disubstituted piperidines, lobelia alkaloids presented abundant [M +
      H](+) ions with typical fragmentation. Identification was possible from a few
      specific ions, especially those resulting from excision of one of the
      substituents. Based on fragmentation pattern of lobeline as reference compound,
      52 alkaloids were identified in the aqueous methanolic extract of L. inflata in
      contrast to the previously known some 20. Structural variability of these
      alkaloids identified arises basically from their substituents which can be phenyl
      2-ketoethyl- or phenyl-2-hydroxyethyl units as well as their methyl-, ethyl- or
      propyl- homologues attached in different combinations. Several propyl homologue
      lobelia alkaloids and five hydroxypiperidine derivatives were found in the plant
      at the first time. In addition to 8-O-esters of 2-monosubstituted piperidine
      alkaloids previously reported by us in L. inflata, a 3-hydroxy-3-phenylpropanoic
      acid ester of hydroxyallosedamine ring-substituted was also identified as a new
      natural product. High-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization
      tandem mass spectrometry can be successfully applied to Lobeliacae plant samples
      in the routine screening for new and known bioactive constituents, quality
      control of the crude drug, lobelia herba, alkaloid production studies, breeding
      and chemotaxonomy.

PMID- 26259654
TI  - Linking molecular models with ion mobility experiments. Illustration with a rigid
      nucleic acid structure.
AB  - Ion mobility spectrometry experiments allow the mass spectrometrist to determine
      an ion's rotationally averaged collision cross section Omega(EXP). Molecular
      modelling is used to visualize what ion three-dimensional structure(s) is(are)
      compatible with the experiment. The collision cross sections of candidate
      molecular models have to be calculated, and the resulting Omega(CALC) are
      compared with the experimental data. Researchers who want to apply this strategy
      to a new type of molecule face many questions: (1) What experimental error is
      associated with Omega(EXP) determination, and how to estimate it (in particular
      when using a calibration for traveling wave ion guides)? (2) How to generate
      plausible 3D models in the gas phase? (3) Different collision cross section
      calculation models exist, which have been developed for other analytes than mine.
      Which one(s) can I apply to my systems? To apply ion mobility spectrometry to
      nucleic acid structural characterization, we explored each of these questions
      using a rigid structure which we know is preserved in the gas phase: the
      tetramolecular G-quadruplex [dTGGGGT]4, and we will present these detailed
      investigation in this tutorial.

PMID- 26259656
TI  - Laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry of dye-sensitized solar cells:
      identification of the dye-electrolyte interaction.
AB  - Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) have great potential to provide sustainable
      electricity from sunlight. The photoanode in DSCs consists of a dye-sensitized
      metal oxide film deposited on a conductive substrate. This configuration makes
      the photoanode a perfect sample for laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry
      (LDI-MS). We applied LDI-MS for the study of molecular interactions between a dye
      and electrolyte on the surface of a TiO2 photoanode. We found that a dye
      containing polyoxyethylene groups forms complexes with alkali metal cations from
      the electrolyte, while a dye substituted with alkoxy groups does not. Guanidinium
      ion forms adducts with neither of the two dyes.

PMID- 26259657
TI  - Comparison of sulfo-conjugated and gluco-conjugated urinary metabolites for
      detection of methenolone misuse in doping control by LC-HRMS, GC-MS and GC-HRMS.
AB  - Methenolone (17beta-hydroxy-1-methyl-5alpha-androst-1-en-3-one) misuse in doping
      control is commonly detected by monitoring the parent molecule and its metabolite
      (1-methylene-5alpha-androstan-3alpha-ol-17-one) excreted conjugated with
      glucuronic acid using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid
      chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) for the parent molecule, after
      hydrolysis with beta-glucuronidase. The aim of the present study was the
      evaluation of the sulfate fraction of methenolone metabolism by LC-high
      resolution (HR)MS and the estimation of the long-term detectability of its
      sulfate metabolites analyzed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry
      (LC-HRMSMS) compared with the current practice for the detection of methenolone
      misuse used by the anti-doping laboratories. Methenolone was administered to two
      healthy male volunteers, and urine samples were collected up to 12 and 26 days,
      respectively. Ethyl acetate extraction at weak alkaline pH was performed and then
      the sulfate conjugates were analyzed by LC-HRMS using electrospray ionization in
      negative mode searching for [M-H](-) ions corresponding to potential sulfate
      structures (comprising structure alterations such as hydroxylations, oxidations,
      reductions and combinations of them). Eight sulfate metabolites were finally
      detected, but four of them were considered important as the most abundant and
      long term detectable. LC clean up followed by solvolysis and GC/MS analysis of
      trimethylsilylated (TMS) derivatives reveal that the sulfate analogs of
      methenolone as well as of 1-methylene-5alpha-androstan-3alpha-ol-17-one, 3z
      hydroxy-1beta-methyl-5alpha-androstan-17-one and 16beta-hydroxy-1-methyl-5alpha
      androst-1-ene-3,17-dione were the major metabolites in the sulfate fraction. The
      results of the present study also document for the first time the methenolone
      sulfate as well as the 3z-hydroxy-1beta-methyl-5alpha-androstan-17-one sulfate as
      metabolites of methenolone in human urine. The time window for the detectability
      of methenolone sulfate metabolites by LC-HRMS is comparable with that of their
      hydrolyzed glucuronide analogs analyzed by GC-MS. The results of the study
      demonstrate the importance of sulfation as a phase II metabolic pathway for
      methenolone metabolism, proposing four metabolites as significant components of
      the sulfate fraction.

PMID- 26259658
TI  - Analysis of sexual assault evidence: statistical classification of condoms by
      ambient mass spectrometry.
AB  - Desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (DESI-MS) and easy ambient
      sonic-spray ionization mass spectrometry (EASI-MS) are employed here in the
      forensic analysis of chemical compounds found in condoms and relative traces, and
      their analytical performances are compared. Statistical analysis of data obtained
      from mass spectra only was applied in order to obtain classification rules for
      distinguishing ten types of condoms. In particular, two supervised chemometric
      techniques [linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and soft independent modeling of
      class analogy (SIMCA)] were carried out on absolute and relative intensity values
      to test the performances of statistical models in terms of predictive capacity.
      The achieved classification of samples was excellent because of the high
      prediction percentages of the method used both for DESI and EASI mass
      spectrometry analyses, confirming these two as potential ambient ionization
      techniques for forensic analyses in case of sexual assault crimes. EASI-MS showed
      99% prediction ability for LDA using relative data and 100% prediction ability
      for SIMCA using both absolute and relative ones, while DESI showed 94% prediction
      ability for both LDA and SIMCA. The absence of any sample preparation technique
      gives advantages in terms of sample preservation and reduced contamination,
      allowing successive analyses to be performed on the same sample by other
      techniques.

PMID- 26259659
TI  - Identification of two arginine kinase forms of endoparasitoid Leptomastix
      dactylopii venom by bottom up-sequence tag approach.
AB  - Leptomastix dactylopii (Howard) is an endoparasitoid wasp, natural enemy of
      mealybug Planococcus citri (Risso). Despite the acquired knowledge regarding this
      host-parasitoid interaction, only little information is available on the factors
      of parasitoid origin able to modulate the mealybug physiology. The major
      alteration observed in P. citri is a strong reduction in fecundity, which is
      evident soon after parasitization by L. dactylopii or venom injection in
      unparasitized hosts indicating that this proteinaceus secretion injected at the
      oviposition plays a key-role in host regulation. Protein identification of L.
      dactilopii venom has been limited by the lack of literature sources and public
      protein databases. Here, we identified two venom proteins by an integrated
      trascriptomic and proteomic approach. A custom-made transcriptomic database from
      the L. dactylopii venom glands was created by applying the high-throughput RNA
      sequencing approach. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) trypsinized
      protein spots were analyzed by high-resolution mass spectrometry (FTICRMS-12 T).
      The most abundant peptide ions were fragmented by collision induced dissociation
      and the obtained sequence tags were subjected to custom-made protein database
      searching. Two putative arginine kinases (full-length and truncated form) were
      identified. This is the first case in which both, truncated and full length
      arginine kinases, are identified in an endoparasitoid non-paralyzing venom.

PMID- 26259660
TI  - A sample preparation method for recovering suppressed analyte ions in MALDI TOF
      MS.
AB  - In matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry
      (MALDI TOF MS), analyte signals can be substantially suppressed by other
      compounds in the sample. In this technical note, we describe a modified thin
      layer sample preparation method that significantly reduces the analyte
      suppression effect (ASE). In our method, analytes are deposited on top of the
      surface of matrix preloaded on the MALDI plate. To prevent embedding of analyte
      into the matrix crystals, the sample solution were prepared without matrix and
      efforts were taken not to re-dissolve the preloaded matrix. The results with
      model mixtures of peptides, synthetic polymers and lipids show that detection of
      analyte ions, which were completely suppressed using the conventional dried
      droplet method, could be effectively recovered by using our method. Our findings
      suggest that the incorporation of analytes in the matrix crystals has an
      important contributory effect on ASE. By reducing ASE, our method should be
      useful for the direct MALDI MS analysis of multicomponent mixtures.

PMID- 26259661
TI  - Characterization of N,N-dimethyl amino acids by electrospray ionization-tandem
      mass spectrometry.
AB  - Methylation is an essential metabolic process for a number of critical reactions
      in the body. Methyl groups are involved in the healthy function of the body life
      processes, by conducting methylation process involving specific enzymes. In these
      processes, various amino acids are methylated, and the occurrence of methylated
      amino acids in nature is diverse. Nowadays, mass-spectrometric-based
      identification of small molecules as biomarkers for diseases is a growing
      research. Although all dimethyl amino acids are metabolically important
      molecules, mass spectral data are available only for a few of them in the
      literature. In this study, we report synthesis and characterization of all
      dimethyl amino acids, by electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS)
      experiments on protonated molecules. The MS/MS spectra of all the studied
      dimethyl amino acids showed preliminary loss of H2O + CO to form corresponding
      immonium ions. The other product ions in the spectra are highly characteristic of
      the methyl groups on the nitrogen and side chain of the amino acids. The amino
      acids, which are isomeric and isobaric with the studied dimethyl amino acids,
      gave distinctive MS/MS spectra. The study also included MS/MS analysis of
      immonium ions of dimethyl amino acids that provide information on side chain
      structure, and it is further tested to determine the N-terminal amino acid of the
      peptides.

PMID- 26259664
TI  - Prognostic Factors and Clinical Characteristics for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
      Patients with Benign Enlarged Perihepatic Lymph Nodes: a Single-Center Experience
      from China.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The clinical and prognostic significance of benign perihepatic lymph
      nodes enlargement (PLNE) from patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
      remains unclear. The objective of this study is to evaluate the relative
      frequency, incidence and locations of benign PLNE, and the impact on long-term
      survival of the patients. METHODS: A total of 219 consecutive patients who
      underwent curative resection of HCC between July 2006 and March 2012 in our
      single institution were divided into two groups according to the presence of
      PLNE: PLNE group (n = 76), and control group (n = 143). The long-term outcomes
      were evaluated and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The 1-, 3-, and 5
      year recurrence-free survival rates were 77.2, 60.0, and 38.1 % in the PLNE group
      and 71.3, 42.5, and 25.0 % in the control group (p = 0.080). Corresponding
      overall survival rates were 96.0, 84.8, 67.1 % and 93.5, 72.4, 46.9 %
      respectively (p = 0.041). Patients with benign PLNE were associated with a higher
      rate of centrally located HCCs or tumors adjacent to the major branch of vascular
      vessels. Multivariate analysis revealed that benign PLNE was an independent
      positive prognostic factor affecting the overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: According
      to our analysis, patients of HCC with benign PLNE after curative resection can be
      expected to have better long-term survival. It is also associated with a lower
      risk of tumor recurrence, but not significant. This finding may provide new
      insights into daily clinical practice and the pathophysiological characteristics
      of HCC development.

PMID- 26259665
TI  - Close surgical margins after radical prostatectomy mimic biochemical recurrence
      rates of positive margins.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The significance of a "close" but negative surgical margin after
      radical prostatectomy (RP) is controversial. We evaluated the effect of a close
      surgical margin (CSM) on biochemical recurrence (BCR) compared to a negative
      margin after RP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pathologic records of men who underwent
      RP from 2005-2011 were retrospectively reviewed. Margin status was classified as
      "positive" (PSM), "negative" (NSM), or "close" (<1mm from margin). BCR was
      defined as 2 consecutive postoperative prostate specific antigen measurements
      >0.2ng/ml. Probability of BCR was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and
      stratified by margin status. Univariable and multivariable Cox proportional
      hazards models were used to determine whether close margin status was associated
      with an increased rate of BCR. RESULTS: A total of 609 consecutive patients
      underwent RP (93% robotic) and had complete pathologic data. A total of 126
      (20.7%) had PSM, 453 (74.4%) had NSM, and 30 (4.9%) had CSM (mean<0.44mm). The 3
      year BCR-free survival for patients with CSM was similar to those with PSM (70.4%
      vs. 74.5%, log rank P = 0.66) and significantly worse than those with NSM (90%,
      log rank P<0.001). On multivariable regression, positive margin status (HR =
      3.26, P<0.001) was significantly associated with a higher risk of BCR, along with
      close margins (HR = 2.7, P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: BCR for patients with CSM at RP
      is tantamount to PSM patients. CSM <1mm should be explicitly noted on pathology
      reports. Patients with this finding should be followed up closely and offered
      adjuvant therapy.

PMID- 26259666
TI  - Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging-transrectal ultrasound fusion-assisted
      biopsy for the diagnosis of local recurrence after radical prostatectomy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Approximately 15% of patients who undergo radical prostatectomy (RP)
      for prostate cancer develop local recurrence, which is heralded by a rise in
      serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. Early detection and treatment of
      recurrence improves the outcome of salvage treatment. We investigated the ability
      of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI)-transrectal ultrasound
      (TRUS) fusion-guided biopsy (FGB) combined with "cognitive biopsy" to confirm
      local recurrence of prostate cancer after RP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this
      retrospective study conducted between January 2010 and December 2014, patients
      with rising PSA levels after RP who had no known evidence of distant metastases
      underwent mpMRI including T2-weighted (T2W) imaging, diffusion-weighted imaging,
      dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI at 3 Tesla, and subsequent MRI-ultrasound
      fusion biopsy with cognitive assistance. The detection rate of locally recurrent
      disease was determined. RESULTS: A total of 10 patients (mean age = 67y, mean PSA
      level = 3.44ng/ml) met the inclusion criteria. Of the 10 patients, all had
      positive findings suspicious for local recurrence on mpMRI per entrance
      criterion. The most important features on mpMRI were early enhancement on DCE MR
      images and hypointensity on T2W images. The average lesion diameter on mpMRI was
      1.12cm (range: 0.40-2.20cm). All suspicious lesions (16/16, 100%) were positive
      on T2W MR images, 14 (89%) showed positive features on apparent diffusion
      coefficient maps of diffusion-weighted images, and 16 (100%) were positive on DCE
      MR images. MRI-TRUS FGBs were positive in 10/16 lesions (62.5%) and 8/10 (80%)
      patients. CONCLUSION: MRI-TRUS FGB with cognitive assistance is able to detect
      and diagnose locally recurrent lesions after RP, even at low PSA levels. This may
      facilitate early detection of recurrent disease and improve salvage treatment
      outcomes.

PMID- 26259667
TI  - Expression of the Helicobacter pylori virulence factor vacuolating cytotoxin A
      (vacA) is influenced by a potential stem-loop structure in the 5' untranslated
      region of the transcript.
AB  - The vacuolating cytotoxin, VacA, is an important virulence factor secreted by the
      gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori. Certain vacA genotypes are strongly
      associated with disease risk, but the association is not absolute. The factors
      determining vacA gene expression are not fully understood, and the mechanisms of
      its regulation are elusive. We have identified a potential mRNA stem-loop forming
      structure in the 5' untranslated region (UTR) of the vacA transcript. Using site
      directed mutagenesis, we found that disruption of the stem-loop structure reduced
      steady-state mRNA levels between two- and sixfold (P = 0.0005) and decreased mRNA
      half-life compared with wild type (P = 0.03). This led to a marked reduction in
      VacA protein levels and overall toxin activity. Additionally, during stressful
      environmental conditions of acid pH or high environmental salt concentrations,
      when general transcription of vacA was decreased or increased respectively, the
      stabilising effects of the stem-loop were even more pronounced. Our results
      suggest that the stem-loop structure in the vacA 5' UTR is an important
      determinant of vacA expression through stabilisation of the vacA mRNA transcript
      and that the stabilising effect is of particular importance during conditions of
      environmental stress.

PMID- 26259668
TI  - Chronic low back pain and disability in Brazilian jiu-jitsu athletes.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To identify the prevalence of chronic low back pain (CLBP) and
      functional disability in Brazilian jiu-jitsu athletes. STUDY DESIGN: Cross
      sectional, observational. SETTINGS: The study was conducted at jiu-jitsu training
      sites in the State of Rio de Janeiro. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Presence of Chronic
      low back pain and Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale. RESULTS: The sample was
      composed of 72 athletes (mean age of 26.7), being 36 recreational and 36
      professional. Chronic low back pain was present in 80.6% of athletes. Pain was
      present in 88.9% of professional and 72.2% of recreational athletes. In the
      professional jiu-jitsu group, the median of the Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale
      (QBPDS) was 10 (IQR = 16), and in the recreational group the QBPDS result was 6.0
      (IQR = 12) (p = .001). Professional athletes had a marginally significant
      increased risk of developing CLBP [OR = 3.0; CI(95%) 0.8-10.9)]. CONCLUSION: The
      prevalence of low back pain in jiu-jitsu practice was high and professional
      athletes seem to have a high risk of developing CLBP.

PMID- 26259669
TI  - The genomics of organismal diversification illuminated by adaptive radiations.
AB  - Adaptive radiation is the rapid and extensive ecological diversification of an
      organismal lineage to generate both phenotypic disparity (divergence) and
      similarity (convergence). Demonstrating particularly clear evidence of the power
      of natural selection, adaptive radiations serve as outstanding systems for
      studying the mechanisms of evolution. We review how the first wave of genomic
      investigation across major archetypal adaptive radiations has started to shed
      light on the molecular basis of adaptive diversification. Notably, these efforts
      have not yet identified consistent features of genomic architecture that promote
      diversification. However, access to a pool of ancient adaptive variation via
      genetic exchange emerges as an important driver of adaptive radiation. We
      conclude by highlighting avenues for future research on adaptive radiations,
      including the discovery of 'adaptation genes' based on genome scans using
      replicate convergent populations. 

PMID- 26259670
TI  - Why the activity of a gene depends on its neighbors.
AB  - Sixty years ago, the position of a gene on a chromosome was seen to be a major
      determinant of gene activity; however, position effects are rarely central to
      current discussions of gene expression. We describe a comprehensive and
      simplifying view of how position in 1D sequence and 3D nuclear space underlies
      expression. We suggest that apparently-different regulatory motifs including
      enhancers, silencers, insulators, barriers, and boundaries act similarly - they
      are active promoters that tether target genes close to, or distant from,
      appropriate transcription sites or 'factories'. We also suggest that any active
      transcription unit regulates the firing of its neighbors - and thus can be
      categorized as one or other type of motif; this is consistent with expression
      quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) being widely dispersed. 

PMID- 26259671
TI  - Blocking of the PD-1/PD-L1 Interaction by a D-Peptide Antagonist for Cancer
      Immunotherapy.
AB  - Blockade of the protein-protein interaction between the transmembrane protein
      programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and its ligand PD-L1 has emerged as a
      promising immunotherapy for treating cancers. Using the technology of mirror
      image phage display, we developed the first hydrolysis-resistant D-peptide
      antagonists to target the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway. The optimized compound (D) PPA-1
      could bind PD-L1 at an affinity of 0.51 MUM in vitro. A blockade assay at the
      cellular level and tumor-bearing mice experiments indicated that (D) PPA-1 could
      also effectively disrupt the PD-1/PD-L1 interaction in vivo. Thus D-peptide
      antagonists may provide novel low-molecular-weight drug candidates for cancer
      immunotherapy.

PMID- 26259672
TI  - Thermodynamic constraints on the utility of ecological stoichiometry for
      explaining global biogeochemical patterns.
AB  - Carbon and nitrogen cycles are coupled through both stoichiometric requirements
      for microbial biomass and dissimilatory metabolic processes in which microbes
      catalyse reduction-oxidation reactions. Here, we integrate stoichiometric theory
      and thermodynamic principles to explain the commonly observed trade-off between
      high nitrate and high organic carbon concentrations, and the even stronger trade
      off between high nitrate and high ammonium concentrations, across a wide range of
      aquatic ecosystems. Our results suggest these relationships are the emergent
      properties of both microbial biomass stoichiometry and the availability of
      terminal electron acceptors. Because elements with multiple oxidation states
      (i.e. nitrogen, manganese, iron and sulphur) serve as both nutrients and sources
      of chemical energy in reduced environments, both assimilative demand and
      dissimilatory uses determine their concentrations across broad spatial gradients.
      Conceptual and quantitative models that integrate rather than independently
      examine thermodynamic, stoichiometric and evolutionary controls on biogeochemical
      cycling are essential for understanding local to global biogeochemical patterns. 

PMID- 26259673
TI  - Natalizumab treatment reduces L-selectin (CD62L) in CD4+ T cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The purpose of this research was to validate the low expression of L
      selectin (CD62L) in natalizumab (NTZ)-treated patients. CD62L is involved in
      rolling and transmigration of leukocyte cells. A correlation between CD62LCD4+ T
      cells low expression and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML)
      development has been suggested in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients treated with
      NTZ. METHODS: We performed a flow cytometric analysis on peripheral blood
      mononuclear cells (PBMC); we collected from 23 healthy donors and 225 MS
      patients: untreated (n = 19) or treated with NTZ (n = 113), interferon-beta (n =
      26), glatiramer acetate (n = 26), fingolimod (n = 23) and rituximab (n = 18). We
      have also analysed two PML/IRIS (immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome)
      patients and four longitudinal samples of a NTZ-treated patients before and
      during the development of a clinical asymptomatic magnetic resonance imaging
      (MRI) lesion confirmed as PML by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination. Thirty
      five NTZ-treated patients were studied longitudinally with three samples taken 4
      months apart. RESULTS: The NTZ-treated patients showed a lower percentage of
      CD62L (33.68%, n = 113) than first-line treated patients (44.24%, n = 52, p =
      0.0004). NTZ effect was already clear during the first year of treatment (34.68 ;
      p = 0.0184); it persisted in the following years and disappeared after drug
      withdrawal (44.08%). Three percent of longitudinally analysed patients showed a
      percentage of CD62LCD4+ T cells under a hypothetical threshold and one patient
      with asymptomatic PML belongs to a group which expressed low percentage of
      CD62LCD4+ T cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our research confirms that NTZ has a specific
      effect on CD62LCD4+ T cells consisting in decreasing of the number of positive
      cells. The low level of CD62L found in a clinically asymptomatic PML patient
      strengthens its potential usefulness as a biomarker of high PML risk in NTZ
      treated patients. A larger study is required to better confirm the data.

PMID- 26259674
TI  - Electrocardiograms during Preparticipation Athletic Evaluations: Is the Selective
      Use a Compromise to Mass Screening?

PMID- 26259675
TI  - Acceptability of Uncoated Mini-Tablets in Neonates--A Randomized Controlled
      Trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the suitability of drug-free solid dosage forms (2 mm mini
      tablets) as an alternative administration modality in neonates in comparison with
      syrup. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 151 neonates (inpatients; aged 2-28 days; median
      4 days) were recruited. An open, randomized, prospective cross-over study was
      conducted to compare the acceptability and swallowability of 2 mm uncoated mini
      tablets compared with .5 mL syrup. RESULTS: All neonates (N = 151) accepted the
      uncoated mini-tablet as well as the syrup (both formulations 100%; 95% CI 97.6%
      100.0%; primary objective). The level of swallowability of uncoated mini-tablets
      was not inferior (P < .0001), in fact even higher (difference in proportions
      10.0%; 95% CI 1.37%-19.34%; P = .0315) compared with syrup. Both pharmaceutical
      formulations were well tolerated, and in none of the 151 neonates, serious
      adverse events occurred; particularly none of the neonates inhaled or coughed in
      either of the formulations. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of uncoated mini
      tablets proved to be a valuable alternative to syrup for term neonates. Our data
      on neonates close the age gap of prior findings in toddlers and infants: uncoated
      mini-tablets offer the potential of a single formulation for all age groups.
      These findings further shift the paradigm from liquid toward small-sized solid
      drug formulations for children of all age groups, as the World Health
      Organization proposes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: German Clinical Trials Register
      (Deutsches Register Klinischer Studien [DRKS; germanctr.de]): DRKS00005609.

PMID- 26259676
TI  - Effect of ultraviolet-A radiation on the production of Leptolegnia chapmanii
      (Saprolegniales: Saprolegniaceae) zoospores on dead Aedes aegypti (Diptera:
      Culicidae) larvae and their larvicidal activity.
AB  - Impact of UV-radiation in entomopathogens in aquatic environments remains little
      investigated. The present study reports on the effect of UV-A on the larvicidal
      activity of Leptolegnia chapmanii zoospores in Aedes aegypti; on the production
      of zoospores in larvae killed by the pathogen and then exposed to UV-A; and on
      the activity of these zoospores against healthy larvae. Whereas the virulence of
      free zoospores in A. aegypti larvae was affected by a UV-A exposure time longer
      than 10min, production of zoospores in larvae and their virulence were not
      hampered at a maximal 8h exposure of dead larvae to UV-A. Findings suggest that
      dead larvae and zoosporangia provide a certain protection to zoospores against UV
      A and emphasize the susceptibility of free encysted zoospores to such radiation. 

PMID- 26259677
TI  - FGFR1 and FGFR2 in fibrolamellar carcinoma.
AB  - AIMS: Fibrolamellar carcinoma is characterized by a recurrent DNAJB1-PRKACA
      chimeric transcript. The functional properties of the fusion are unknown, but are
      believed to include PRKACA up-regulation. PRKCA is a subunit of protein kinase A.
      The downstream targets of protein kinase A are unknown, but may include
      interactions with fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) pathways. In addition,
      inhibitors for FGFR proteins have been developed recently. METHODS AND RESULTS:
      Nineteen histologically confirmed fibrolamellar carcinomas were studied. All
      showed the characteristic DNAJB1-PRKACA transcript by reverse transcription
      polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Immunohistochemistry for FGFR1 was negative
      in 19 of 19 cases using a monoclonal antibody, while a polyclonal antibody showed
      no expression (n = 11) or weak and focal expression (n = 8). RNAin-situ
      hybridization was 2+ in two cases, 1+ in four cases and negative in four cases.
      FGFR1 fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) revealed polysomy of chromosome 8
      in 17 of 19 cases. Break-apart FISH for FGFR2 was negative for rearrangements in
      12 of 12 informative cases. CONCLUSIONS: Fibrolamellar carcinomas show polysomy
      of chromosome 8 and the FGFR1 locus, and only modest mRNA expression and weak or
      absent expression at the protein level. FGFR2 rearrangement was not detected.
      These data reduce the likelihood that FGFR inhibitors will be effective in the
      treatment of most fibrolamellar carcinomas.

PMID- 26259678
TI  - Comparative thorax morphology of death-feigning flightless cryptorhynchine
      weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) based on 3D reconstructions.
AB  - The thorax morphology, especially the muscles and the tracheal system of three
      flightless species of Cryptorhynchinae is examined by digital 3D reconstructions
      based on synchrotron X-ray microtomography and compared to other Curculionidae.
      Wings, metanepisternites, and muscles functional in flight are fully reduced in
      the species examined: Kyklioacalles roboris (Curtis), Trigonopterus scharfi
      Riedel and Trigonopterus vandekampi Riedel. All three share the same set of
      thoracic muscles, but differences exist in the shape and size of muscles. Both
      Trigonopterus species examined have a conspicuous fan-shaped branch of Musculus
      mesosterni primus contracting pro- and mesothorax, interpreted as an adaption to
      their thanatosis defense strategy. Trigonopterus vandekampi furthermore shows a
      marked increase in the size of two metacoxal muscles, which may be functional in
      this species' thanatosis blocking mechanisms. The metathoracic spiracle of all
      Trigonopterus species is located at the side of the metaventrite externally and
      not in the subelytral space as in other beetles. It is hypothesized that this
      translocation was triggered by the need to improve oxygen supply during
      thanatosis, when both the mesothoracic spiracle and the subelytral cavity are
      tightly sealed from the outside. 

PMID- 26259679
TI  - The elimination of an adult segment by the Hox gene Abdominal-B.
AB  - Hox gene activity leads to morphological diversity of organs or structures in
      different species. One special case of Hox function is the elimination of a
      particular structure. The Abdominal-B Hox gene of Drosophila melanogaster
      provides an example of such activity, as this gene suppresses the formation of
      the seventh abdominal segment in the adult. This elimination occurs only in
      males, and is characteristic of more advanced Diptera. The elimination requires
      the differential expression or activity of genes that are downstream Abdominal-B,
      or that work together with it, and which regulate cell proliferation or cell
      extrusion. Here, we review the mechanisms responsible for such elimination and
      provide some new data on processes taking place within this segment. 

PMID- 26259680
TI  - Expansion of the polycomb system and evolution of complexity.
AB  - Polycomb group (PcG) proteins regulate and maintain expression pattern of genes
      set early during development. Although originally isolated as regulators of
      homeotic genes, PcG members play a key role in epigenetic mechanisms that
      maintain the expression state of a large number of genes. All members of the two
      polycomb repressive complexes (PRC1 and PRC2) are conserved during evolution and
      while invertebrates generally have one gene for each of these, vertebrates have
      multiple homologues of them. It remains unclear, however, if different vertebrate
      PcG homologues have distinct or overlapping functions. We have identified and
      compared the sequence of PcG homologues in various organisms to analyze
      similarities and differences that shaped the evolutionary history of these
      proteins. Comparative analysis of the sequences led to the identification of
      several novel and signature motifs in the vertebrate homologues of these
      proteins, which can be directly used to pick respective homologues. Our analysis
      shows that PcG is an ancient gene group dating back to pre-bilaterian origin that
      has not only been conserved but also expanded during the evolution of complexity.
      The presence of unique motifs in each paralogue and its conservation for more
      than 500 Ma indicates their functional relevance and probable unique role.
      Although this does not rule out completely any overlapping function, our finding
      that these homologues only minimally overlap in their nuclear localization
      suggests that each PcG homologue has distinct function. We further propose
      distinct complex formation by the PcG members. Taken together, our studies
      suggest non-redundant and specific role of multiple homologues of PcG proteins in
      vertebrates and indicate major expansion event preceded by emergence of
      vertebrates that contributed as enhanced epigenetic resource to the evolution of
      complexity.

PMID- 26259681
TI  - Antimicrobial resistance genes in marine bacteria and human uropathogenic
      Escherichia coli from a region of intensive aquaculture.
AB  - Antimicrobials are heavily used in Chilean salmon aquaculture. We previously
      found significant differences in antimicrobial-resistant bacteria between
      sediments from an aquaculture and a non-aquaculture site. We now show that levels
      of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARG) are significantly higher in antimicrobial
      selected marine bacteria than in unselected bacteria from these sites. While ARG
      in tetracycline- and florfenicol-selected bacteria from aquaculture and non
      aquaculture sites were equally frequent, there were significantly more plasmid
      mediated quinolone resistance genes per bacterium and significantly higher
      numbers of qnrB genes in quinolone-selected bacteria from the aquaculture site.
      Quinolone-resistant urinary Escherichia coli from patients in the Chilean
      aquacultural region were significantly enriched for qnrB (including a novel qnrB
      gene), qnrS, qnrA and aac(6')-1b, compared with isolates from New York City.
      Sequences of qnrA1, qnrB1 and qnrS1 in quinolone-resistant Chilean E. coli and
      Chilean marine bacteria were identical, suggesting horizontal gene transfer
      between antimicrobial-resistant marine bacteria and human pathogens.

PMID- 26259683
TI  - Two Pairs of Enantiomeric Alkaloid Dimers from Macleaya cordata.
AB  - Two pairs of enantiomeric alkaloid dimers, (+/-)-macleayins A (1) and B (2),
      representing a novel dimerization pattern of two different types of alkaloids via
      a C-C sigma-bond, were isolated from the aerial parts of Macleaya cordata. The
      enantiomeric separation was achieved by chiral chromatography. Their structures
      and stereochemistry were determined by the analysis of extensive spectroscopic
      data, electronic circular dichroism calculation, and single-crystal X-ray
      diffraction data. (-)-Macleayin A exhibits modest cytotoxic activity against HL
      60 cell line with the IC50 value of 3.51 MUM. 

PMID- 26259684
TI  - Integration of public health and primary care: A systematic review of the current
      literature in primary care physician mediated childhood obesity interventions.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Childhood obesity, with its growing prevalence, detrimental effects
      on population health and economic burden, is an important public health issue in
      the United States and worldwide. There is need for expansion of the role of
      primary care physicians in obesity interventions. The primary aim of this review
      is to explore primary care physician (PCP) mediated interventions targeting
      childhood obesity and assess the roles played by physicians in the interventions.
      METHODS: A systematic review of the literature published between January 2007 and
      October 2014 was conducted using a combination of keywords like "childhood
      obesity", "paediatric obesity", "childhood overweight", "paediatric overweight",
      "primary care physician", "primary care settings", "healthcare teams", and
      "community resources" from MEDLINE and CINAHL during November 2014. Author
      name(s), publication year, sample size, patient's age, study and follow-up
      duration, intervention components, role of PCP, members of the healthcare team,
      and outcomes were extracted for this review. RESULTS: Nine studies were included
      in the review. PCP-mediated interventions were composed of behavioural, education
      and technological interventions or a combination of these. Most interventions led
      to positive changes in Body Mass Index (BMI), healthier lifestyles and increased
      satisfaction among parents. PCPs participated in screening and diagnosing, making
      referrals for intervention, providing nutrition counselling, and promoting
      physical activity. PCPs, Dietitians and nurses were often part of the healthcare
      team. CONCLUSION: PCP-mediated interventions have the potential to effectively
      curb childhood obesity. However, there is a further need for training of PCPs,
      and explain new types of interventions such as the use of technology.

PMID- 26259685
TI  - Fat may affect magnetic resonance signal intensity and brain tissue volumes.
AB  - Obesity/overweight is reported to affect MR-measured brain tissue volume and
      white matter (WM) signal intensity. This study investigated possible effects of
      fat on these measures, using pig fat on three participants at a 4T magnet. Grey
      matter volumes in the presence of fat were lower than baseline measures. Total WM
      volumes in the presence of fat were higher than baseline measures. WM hypo
      intensities on T1-weighted images were higher in the presence of fat than
      baseline measures. Therefore physical effects of head fat of obese/overweight
      individual may at least, partly contribute to the association of
      obesity/overweight with MR structural measures.

PMID- 26259686
TI  - Bioflocculant from pre-treated sludge and its applications in sludge dewatering
      and swine wastewater pretreatment.
AB  - Potentials of alkaline-thermal (ALT) pre-treated sludge as a bioflocculant were
      studied in sludge dewatering and swine wastewater pretreatment. When incubated
      with this ALT pre-treated sludge, dry solids (DS) and specific resistance to
      filtration (SRF) of typical wastewater activated sludge reached 22.5% and
      3.4*10(12)m/kg, respectively, which were much better than that obtained with
      conventional chemical flocculants. Sludge dewatering was further improved when
      both the bioflocculant and conventional polyaluminum chloride (PAC) were used
      simultaneously. Charge neutralization and inter-particle bridging were proposed
      as the reasons for the enhanced performance in the case of the combined use. With
      swine wastewater, the bioflocculant could remove COD, ammonium and turbidity by
      45.2%, 41.8% and 74.6% when incubated with 20mg/L at pH 8.0. This study suggested
      that the ALT pre-treated sludge has a great potential as an alternative
      bioflocculant to conventional flocculants in sludge dewatering and swine
      wastewater pretreatment.

PMID- 26259687
TI  - Cu(II)-Mediated C(sp(2))-H Hydroxylation.
AB  - A Cu(II)-mediated ortho-C-H hydroxylation using a removable directing group has
      been developed. The reaction exhibits considerable functional group tolerance.
      The use of O2 as an oxidant is crucial for the reactivity. Water is also found to
      significantly improve this reaction. 

PMID- 26259688
TI  - MicroRNA-9 induces defective trafficking of Nav1.1 and Nav1.2 by targeting
      Navbeta2 protein coding region in rat with chronic brain hypoperfusion.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previous studies have demonstrated that the trafficking defects of
      Nav1.1/Nav1.2 are involved in the dementia pathophysiology. However, the detailed
      mechanisms are not fully understood. Moreover, whether the impaired miRNAs
      regulation linked to dementia is a key player in sodium channel trafficking
      disturbance remains unclear. The cognitive impairment induced by chronic cerebral
      ischemia through chronic brain hypoperfusion (CBH) is likely reason to precede
      dementia. Therefore, our goal in the present study was to examine the role of
      microRNA-9 (miR-9) in regulating Nav1.1/Nav1.2 trafficking under CBH generated by
      bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (2VO). RESULTS: The impairment of
      Nav1.1/Nav1.2 trafficking and decreased expression of Navbeta2 were found in the
      hippocampi and cortices of rats following CBH generated by bilateral 2VO. MiR-9
      was increased in both the hippocampi and cortices of rats following CBH by qRT
      PCR. Intriguingly, miR-9 suppressed, while AMO-miR-9 enhanced, the trafficking of
      Nav1.1/Nav1.2 from cytoplasm to cell membrane. Further study showed that
      overexpression of miR-9 inhibited the Navbeta2 expression by targeting on its
      coding sequence (CDS) domain by dual luciferase assay. However, binding-site
      mutation or miR-masks failed to influence Navbeta2 expression as well as
      Nav1.1/Nav1.2 trafficking process, indicating that Navbeta2 is a potential target
      for miR-9. Lentivirus-mediated miR-9 overexpression also inhibited Navbeta2
      expression and elicited translocation deficits to cell membrane of Nav1.1/Nav1.2
      in rats, whereas injection of lentivirus-mediated miR-9 knockdown could reverse
      the impaired trafficking of Nav1.1/Nav1.2 triggered by 2VO. CONCLUSIONS: We
      conclude that miR-9 may play a key role in regulating the process of
      Nav1.1/Nav1.2 trafficking via targeting on Navbeta2 protein in 2VO rats at post
      transcriptional level, and inhibition of miR-9 may be a potentially valuable
      approach to prevent Nav1.1/Nav1.2 trafficking disturbance induced by CBH.

PMID- 26259690
TI  - Simultaneous detection of eight swine reproductive and respiratory pathogens
      using a novel GeXP analyser-based multiplex PCR assay.
AB  - A new high-throughput GenomeLab Gene Expression Profiler (GeXP) analyser-based
      multiplex PCR assay was developed for the detection of eight reproductive and
      respiratory pathogens in swine. The reproductive and respiratory pathogens
      include North American porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV
      NA), classical swine fever virus (CSFV), porcine circovirus 2 (PCV-2), swine
      influenza virus (SIV) (including H1 and H3 subtypes), porcine parvovirus (PPV),
      pseudorabies virus (PRV) and Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV). Nine pairs of
      specific chimeric primers were designed and used to initiate PCRs, and one pair
      of universal primers was used for subsequent PCR cycles. The specificity of the
      GeXP assay was examined using positive controls for each virus. The sensitivity
      was evaluated using serial ten-fold dilutions of in vitro-transcribed RNA from
      all of the RNA viruses and plasmids from DNA viruses. The GeXP assay was further
      evaluated using 114 clinical specimens and was compared with real-time PCR/single
      RT-PCR methods. The specificity of the GeXP assay for each pathogen was examined
      using single cDNA/DNA template. Specific amplification peaks of the reproductive
      and respiratory pathogens were observed on the GeXP analyser. The minimum copies
      per reaction detected for each virus by the GeXP assay were as follows: 1000
      copies/MUl for PRV; 100 copies/MUl for CSFV, JEV, PCV-2 and PPV; and 10
      copies/MUl for SIV-H1, SIV-H3 and PRRSV-NA. Analysis of 114 clinical samples
      using the GeXP assay demonstrated that the GeXP assay had comparable detection to
      real-time PCR/single RT-PCR. This study demonstrated that the GeXP assay is a new
      method with high sensitivity and specificity for the identification of these
      swine reproductive and respiratory pathogens. The GeXP assay may be adopted for
      molecular epidemiological surveys of these reproductive and respiratory pathogens
      in swine populations. 

PMID- 26259691
TI  - Stability of Pre-Orthodontic Orthognathic Surgery Using Intraoral Vertical Ramus
      Osteotomy Versus Conventional Treatment.
AB  - PURPOSE: Postoperative skeletal and dental changes were evaluated in patients
      with mandibular prognathism who underwent mandibular setback surgery using an
      intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy (IVRO) with and without presurgical
      orthodontic treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study
      included consecutive patients with skeletal Class III malocclusions who underwent
      IVRO. Patients treated with pre-orthodontic orthognathic surgery (POGS) were
      compared with patients treated with conventional surgery (CS) with presurgical
      orthodontics (control) using lateral cephalograms (taken preoperatively, 7 days
      postoperatively, and 12 months postoperatively). Predictor (group and timing),
      outcome (cephalometric measurements over time), and other (ie, baseline
      characteristics) variables were evaluated to determine the differences in
      postoperative horizontal and vertical positional changes of the mandible, such as
      point B. Baseline demographics were similar between the groups (N = 37; CS group,
      n = 17; POGS group, n = 20). The data were analyzed with an independent t test,
      the Mann-Whitney U test, the Fisher exact t test, Pearson correlation analysis,
      and simple linear regression analysis. RESULTS: The mean setback of the mandible
      at point B was similar, but the mandible of the POGS group, particularly the
      distal segment, moved superiorly during the postoperative period in conjunction
      with the removal of premature occlusal contacts (P < .001). In the CS group, the
      mandible had significantly more backward movement 12 months after surgery
      compared with the POGS group (P < .01). In the POGS group, horizontal and
      vertical postsurgical changes were linearly correlated with the amount of setback
      and vertical movement of the mandible. CONCLUSIONS: Mandibular setback surgery
      using IVRO without presurgical orthodontics leads to considerably different
      postoperative skeletal and dental changes compared with conventional treatment,
      with more superior movement being observed at point B during the 1-year
      postoperative period.

PMID- 26259689
TI  - A global reference for caesarean section rates (C-Model): a multicountry cross
      sectional study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To generate a global reference for caesarean section (CS) rates at
      health facilities. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Health facilities from
      43 countries. POPULATION/SAMPLE: Thirty eight thousand three hundred and twenty
      four women giving birth from 22 countries for model building and 10,045,875 women
      giving birth from 43 countries for model testing. METHODS: We hypothesised that
      mathematical models could determine the relationship between clinical-obstetric
      characteristics and CS. These models generated probabilities of CS that could be
      compared with the observed CS rates. We devised a three-step approach to generate
      the global benchmark of CS rates at health facilities: creation of a multi
      country reference population, building mathematical models, and testing these
      models. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Area under the ROC curves, diagnostic odds ratio,
      expected CS rate, observed CS rate. RESULTS: According to the different versions
      of the model, areas under the ROC curves suggested a good discriminatory capacity
      of C-Model, with summary estimates ranging from 0.832 to 0.844. The C-Model was
      able to generate expected CS rates adjusted for the case-mix of the obstetric
      population. We have also prepared an e-calculator to facilitate use of C-Model
      (www.who.int/reproductivehealth/publications/maternal_perinatal_health/c
      model/en/). CONCLUSIONS: This article describes the development of a global
      reference for CS rates. Based on maternal characteristics, this tool was able to
      generate an individualised expected CS rate for health facilities or groups of
      health facilities. With C-Model, obstetric teams, health system managers, health
      facilities, health insurance companies, and governments can produce a customised
      reference CS rate for assessing use (and overuse) of CS. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: The
      C-Model provides a customized benchmark for caesarean section rates in health
      facilities and systems.

PMID- 26259692
TI  - Are There Clinical or Pathological Parameters of Maxillary Oral Squamous Cell
      Carcinoma With an Influence on the Occurrence of Neck Node Metastasis? An
      Appraisal of 92 Patients.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine the proportion of patients with cervical metastases caused
      by maxillary oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and to identify any clinical or
      pathologic parameters that might be associated with the occurrence of metastatic
      neck disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of all patients
      managed with primary surgical resection of maxillary OSCC at the authors'
      institution from 2006 through 2013 was performed. Cervical lymph node dissection
      and adjuvant therapy were performed as warranted by preoperative staging
      examinations or histopathologic evaluation or as recommended after
      multidisciplinary consultation, and regular follow-up protocols were followed. In
      this analysis, each maxillary OSCC was assigned to an anterior or a posterior
      anatomic group based on the location of the primary lesion, with the anatomic
      tumor location serving as the predictor variable and the occurrence of cervical
      lymph node metastases as the outcome variable. Descriptive and inferential
      statistics were calculated with a significance level set at a P value less than
      .05 and post hoc power analyses were performed. RESULTS: The study sample was
      composed of 92 patients (38 women, 54 men; average age, 60.9 yr). Overall, 27
      patients developed cervical metastases (29.3%). Neck disease was present in 15
      patients (16.3%) at initial presentation. Delayed cervical metastases were
      diagnosed in 12 patients (13%) and manifested after an average period of 11.17
      months. The anatomic location of the OSCC within the maxillary structures
      (anterior vs posterior) and the histologic grade greatly influenced the
      occurrence of metastatic neck disease. No associations were found for the
      variables tumor size and resection status. CONCLUSION: In this series, cervical
      lymph node metastases were frequent and to some degree predictable based on
      anatomic location and tumor grade.

PMID- 26259693
TI  - Hand to Hand and Word of Mouth.

PMID- 26259694
TI  - Acute nicotine treatment attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced cognitive
      dysfunction by increasing BDNF expression and inhibiting neuroinflammation in the
      rat hippocampus.
AB  - Although nicotine has been shown to improve cognitive function in various
      studies, the mechanisms underlying acute nicotine treatment-induced
      neuroprotection remain incompletely understood. In this study, we evaluated the
      effect of acute nicotine treatment on the cognitive impairment induced by
      lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and explored the underlying mechanism. We found that
      acute nicotine injection markedly attenuated LPS-elicited cognitive deficits and
      suppressed the strong LPS-induced release of IL-1beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha into
      serum and the dorsal hippocampus at 4 and 24h after LPS injection. Western blot
      analysis indicated a clear increase in the levels of cleaved caspase-3 in LPS
      treated animals but not in nicotine- or saline-treated animals. Furthermore,
      nicotine administration led to a significant increase in BDNF mRNA expression at
      4 and 24h and in BDNF protein expression at 24h after LPS injection in the dorsal
      hippocampus. Taken together, acute nicotine administration attenuated LPS-induced
      cognitive dysfunction, and this neuroprotective effect may be related to the up
      regulation of BDNF and the inhibition of neuroinflammation and apoptosis-related
      proteins in the dorsal hippocampus. 

PMID- 26259695
TI  - Expression regulation and targeting of the peroxisome proliferator-activated
      receptor gamma following electrically-induced status epilepticus.
AB  - The neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects of the peroxisome proliferator
      activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) agonist rosiglitazone are of particular
      interest for disease-modifying and antiepileptogenic approaches. We studied the
      expression of PPARgamma and the impact of rosiglitazone on the consequences of
      status epilepticus (SE) in a rat post-SE model. Immunohistochemical analysis
      revealed a selective overexpression of PPARgamma in the piriform cortex of rats
      with spontaneous seizures. Rosiglitazone administration initiated following SE
      failed to exert relevant effects on the development of spontaneous seizures and
      neuronal cell loss. Whereas spatial learning in the Morris water maze was delayed
      in SE animals with vehicle administration, the learning curve of rosiglitazone
      treated SE rats showed no significant difference to that of controls. The study
      provides first evidence arguing against a robust antiepileptogenic effect.
      However, the findings in the spatial learning paradigm indicate disease-modifying
      effects. 

PMID- 26259696
TI  - A population management system for improving colorectal cancer screening in a
      primary care setting.
AB  - RATIONALE: Provision of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening in primary care is
      suboptimal; failure to observe screening guidelines poses unnecessary risks to
      patients and doctors. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Implement a population management
      system for CRC screening; evaluate impact on compliance with evidence-based
      guidelines. METHODS:  DESIGN: A quasi-experimental, prospective quality
      improvement study design using pre-post-analyses with concurrent controls.
      SETTING: Six suites within an academic primary care practice. PARTICIPANTS: 5320
      adults eligible for CRC screening treated by 70 doctors. INTERVENTION: In three
      intervention suites, doctors reviewed real-time rosters of patients due for CRC
      screening and chose practice delegate outreach or default reminder letter.
      Delegates tracked overdue patients, made outreach calls, facilitated test
      ordering, obtained records and documented patient deferral, exclusion or decline.
      In three control suites, doctors followed usual preventive care practices. MAIN
      OUTCOME MEASURES: CRC screening compliance (including documented decline,
      deferral or exclusion) and CRC screening completion rates over 5 months. RESULTS:
      At baseline, there was no significant difference in CRC screening compliance (I:
      80.4% and C: 79.6%, P = 0.439) and CRC screening completion rates (I: 78.3% and
      C: 77.3%, P = 0.398) between intervention and control groups. Post-intervention,
      compliance rates (I: 88.1% and C: 80.5%, P < 0.01) and completion rates (I: 81.0%
      and C: 78.1%, P < 0.05) were significantly higher in the intervention group.
      CONCLUSIONS: A population management system using closed-loop communication may
      improve CRC screening compliance and completion rates within academic primary
      care practices. Team-based care using well-designed IT systems can enable sharing
      of patient care responsibilities and improve patient outcomes.

PMID- 26259697
TI  - HU-446 and HU-465, Derivatives of the Non-psychoactive Cannabinoid Cannabidiol,
      Decrease the Activation of Encephalitogenic T Cells.
AB  - Cannabidiol (CBD), the non-psychoactive cannabinoid, has been previously shown by
      us to decrease peripheral inflammation and neuroinflammation in mouse
      experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model of multiple sclerosis (MS).
      Here we have studied the anti-inflammatory effects of newly synthesized
      derivatives of natural (-)-CBD ((-)-8,9-dihydro-7-hydroxy-CBD; HU-446) and of
      synthetic (+)-CBD ((+)-8,9-dihydro-7-hydroxy-CBD; HU-465) on activated myelin
      oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)35-55-specific mouse encephalitogenic T cells
      (T(MOG) ) driving EAE/MS-like pathologies. Binding assays followed by molecular
      modeling revealed that HU-446 has negligible affinity toward the cannabinoid CB1
      and CB2 receptors while HU-465 binds to both CB1 and CB2 receptors at the high
      nanomolar concentrations (Ki = 76.7 +/- 5.8 nm and 12.1 +/- 2.3 nm,
      respectively). Both, HU-446 and HU-465, at 5 and 10 MUm (but not at 0.1 and 1
      MUm), inhibited the MOG35-55-induced proliferation of autoreactive T(MOG) cells
      via CB1/CB2 receptor independent mechanisms. Moreover, both HU-446 and HU-465, at
      5 and 10 MUm, inhibited the release of IL-17, a key autoimmune cytokine, from
      MOG35-55-stimulated T(MOG) cells. These results suggest that HU-446 and HU-465
      have anti-inflammatory potential in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

PMID- 26259699
TI  - Zipf's law holds for phrases, not words.
AB  - With Zipf's law being originally and most famously observed for word frequency,
      it is surprisingly limited in its applicability to human language, holding over
      no more than three to four orders of magnitude before hitting a clear break in
      scaling. Here, building on the simple observation that phrases of one or more
      words comprise the most coherent units of meaning in language, we show
      empirically that Zipf's law for phrases extends over as many as nine orders of
      rank magnitude. In doing so, we develop a principled and scalable statistical
      mechanical method of random text partitioning, which opens up a rich frontier of
      rigorous text analysis via a rank ordering of mixed length phrases. 

PMID- 26259698
TI  - Next-generation analysis of gene expression regulation--comparing the roles of
      synthesis and degradation.
AB  - Technological advances now enable routine measurement of mRNA and protein
      abundances, and estimates of their rates of synthesis and degradation that inform
      on their values and the degree of change in response to stimuli. Importantly,
      more and more data on time-series experiments are emerging, e.g. of cells
      responding to stress, enabling first insights into a new dimension of gene
      expression regulation - its dynamics and how it allows for very different
      response signals across genes. This review discusses recently published methods
      and datasets, their impact on what we now know about the relationships between
      concentrations and synthesis rates of mRNAs and proteins in yeast and mammalian
      cells, their evolution, and new hypotheses on translation regulatory mechanisms
      generated by approaches that involve ribosome footprinting. 

PMID- 26259700
TI  - The relation between CT findings and sputum microbiology studies in active
      pulmonary tuberculosis.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate whether CT findings suggesting active pulmonary tuberculosis
      correlate with sputum microbiological studies, and to determine whether CT could
      predict infectivity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Total 108 patients with active
      pulmonary tuberculosis were enrolled. We reviewed CT findings and sputum
      microbiological studies. Then, we analyzed the statistical difference in CT
      findings between the positive and negative groups of each sputum microbiological
      study (AFB smear, PCR, and culture). Also, we divided the patients into five
      groups according to sputum AFB smear grade and analyzed linear trends of CT
      findings between the five groups. RESULTS: Both frequencies and extents of
      centrilobular micronodules (63% vs 38%, p=0.011 for frequency; 1.6 +/- 1.6 vs 0.6
      +/- 1.1, p=0.001 for extent), tree-in-bud opacities (63% vs 33%, p=0.002; 1.6 +/-
      1.6 vs 0.5 +/- 0.9, p<0.001, respectively), consolidation (98% vs 81%, p=0.003;
      2.7 +/- 1.5 vs 1.3 +/- 1.1, p<0.001, respectively), and cavitation (86% vs 33%,
      p<0.001; 1.5 +/- 1.2 vs 0.4 +/- 0.7, p<0.001, respectively), were significantly
      increased in the sputum AFB-positive group than in the negative group. These four
      CT findings were increase in frequency and extent in the sputum PCR-positive
      group with or without statistical significance. They did not show significant
      differences between the sputum culture-positive and negative groups. As the AFB
      smear grade increased, frequencies and extents of centrilobular micronodules,
      tree-in-bud, consolidation, and cavitation also increased. CONCLUSION: CT
      features representing active tuberculosis-centrilobular nodules, tree-in-bud,
      consolidation, and, cavitation-strongly correlate with the positivity and grading
      of AFB smear.

PMID- 26259701
TI  - Acoustic radiation force impulse imaging (ARFI) for differentiation of benign and
      malignant thyroid nodules--A meta-analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Work-up of thyroid nodules remains challenging. Acoustic radiation
      force impulse imaging (ARFI)-generated shear wave elastography, which can measure
      quantitatively tissue stiffness (virtual touch tissue quantification) is used as
      a complement to conventional sonography for improving the diagnosis of thyroid
      nodules. This meta-analysis was performed to expand on a previous meta-analysis
      to assess the diagnostic power of ARFI in differentiating benign and malignant
      thyroid nodules. METHODS: The MEDLINE, PubMed, SpringerLink databases up to
      December 31, 2014, were searched. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, and
      summary receiver operating characteristic curve were obtained from individual
      studies with a random effects model. RESULTS: Sixteen studies that included a
      total of 2436 nodules in 2147 patients for ARFI studies were analyzed. The
      overall mean sensitivity and specificity of ARFI for differentiation of thyroid
      nodules were 0.80 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.73-0.87) and 0.85 (95% CI,
      0.80-0.90), respectively. A significant heterogeneity was found for both
      sensitivity and specificity of the different studies (P<0.001). The area under
      the curve for the ARFI was 0.91. CONCLUSIONS: ARFI has high sensitivity and
      specificity for identification of thyroid. This technique might be useful to
      select patients with thyroid nodules for surgery.

PMID- 26259702
TI  - Mitotic redistribution of the mitochondrial network by Miro and Cenp-F.
AB  - Although chromosome partitioning during mitosis is well studied, the molecular
      mechanisms that allow proper segregation of cytoplasmic organelles in human cells
      are poorly understood. Here we show that mitochondria interact with growing
      microtubule tips and are transported towards the daughter cell periphery at the
      end of mitosis. This phenomenon is promoted by the direct and cell cycle
      dependent interaction of the mitochondrial protein Miro and the cytoskeletal
      associated protein Cenp-F. Cenp-F is recruited to mitochondria by Miro at the
      time of cytokinesis and associates with microtubule growing tips. Cells devoid of
      Cenp-F or Miro show decreased spreading of the mitochondrial network as well as
      cytokinesis-specific defects in mitochondrial transport towards the cell
      periphery. Thus, Miro and Cenp-F promote anterograde mitochondrial movement and
      proper mitochondrial distribution in daughter cells. 

PMID- 26259703
TI  - Caught in suffering bodies: a qualitative study of immigrant women on long-term
      sick leave in Norway.
AB  - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This article explores the issues faced by immigrant women on
      long-term sick leave due to chronic pain, focusing on their personal perspectives
      on their daily lives, their bodies and their pain. BACKGROUND: An increasing
      number of immigrants in Norway present a challenge to the public health service,
      above all in relation to the health needs of immigrant women, many of whom risk
      having to take long-term sick leave due to chronic pain. DESIGN: This study has a
      qualitative design, with participant observation and in-depth interviews.
      METHODS: Participant observations were carried out from a sample of fourteen
      immigrant women in an outpatient clinic at a rehabilitation hospital. In
      addition, qualitative interviews were conducted after the rehabilitation period.
      A hermeneutic approach was used to understand the meaning of the narrated text.
      RESULTS: The analysis revealed one main theme, 'Bodies marked by onerous
      experiences', as well as two subthemes: 'It is in my body' and 'Invisible pain'.
      The immigrant women struggled with invisible, chronic pain, which they blamed on
      physically tiring workdays and stressful life situations. Furthermore, they felt
      that their experiences of discriminative attitudes at the workplace worsened
      their suffering. CONCLUSIONS: The chronic pain made the immigrant women suffer,
      because they experienced it as a threatening, incomprehensible and unreal force,
      without meaning or the ability to be controlled. Their own psychological distress
      exacerbated their pain. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Immigrant women on long
      term sick leave are likely to need special approaches that are closely adapted to
      their different backgrounds and their unique personal experiences. We recommend
      culturally appropriate family counselling and collaboration with employers at the
      women's workplaces.

PMID- 26259705
TI  - Ripened Semihard Cheese Covered with Lard and Dehydrated Rosemary (Rosmarinus
      officinalis L.) Leaves: Processing, Characterization, and Quality Traits.
AB  - This study aimed to establish a manufacturing protocol and to characterize
      semihard cheese covered with lard and rosemary during ripening. After the
      manufacturing protocol was defined, the cheeses were produced with pasteurized
      and raw milk from Holstein cows, with and without (control) coating, and then
      ripened for 60 d. During this period the physicochemical properties, color,
      proteolysis, texture profile, and sensory acceptance were performed. The early
      ripening cheeses differed from the others in terms of color and moisture content.
      Multivariate statistical analysis separated chesses in groups differentiated by
      the effects of heat treatment of milk and ripening period. The ripened cheeses
      obtained from raw milk were sensorially more preferred. The coating gave the
      final products higher moisture content and favored color and texture
      characteristics. Consumer testing showed that the cheese obtained from raw milk
      and coated with lard and rosemary was the most preferred (acceptance of 82%) due
      to the specific coating of rosemary (aroma and flavor). This product has
      potential to add value and to diversify the production of semihard cheeses. 

PMID- 26259704
TI  - Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus Struck Migratory Birds in China
      in 2015.
AB  - Approximately 100 migratory birds, including whooper swans and pochards, were
      found dead in the Sanmenxia Reservoir Area of China during January 2015. The
      causative agent behind this outbreak was identified as H5N1 highly pathogenic
      avian influenza virus (HPAIV). Genetic and phylogenetic analyses revealed that
      this Sanmenxia H5N1 virus was a novel reassortant, possessing a Clade 2.3.2.1c HA
      gene and a H9N2-derived PB2 gene. Sanmenxia Clade 2.3.2.1c-like H5N1 viruses
      possess the closest genetic identity to A/Alberta/01/2014 (H5N1), which recently
      caused a fatal respiratory infection in Canada with signs of meningoencephalitis,
      a highly unusual symptom with influenza infections in humans. Furthermore, this
      virus was shown to be highly pathogenic to both birds and mammals, and
      demonstrate tropism for the nervous system. Due to the geographical location of
      Sanmenxia, these novel H5N1 viruses also have the potential to be imported to
      other regions through the migration of wild birds, similar to the H5N1 outbreak
      amongst migratory birds in Qinghai Lake during 2005. Therefore, further
      investigation and monitoring is required to prevent this novel reassortant virus
      from becoming a new threat to public health. 

PMID- 26259706
TI  - Noncontact diffuse correlation tomography of human breast tumor.
AB  - Our first step to adapt our recently developed noncontact diffuse correlation
      tomography (ncDCT) system for three-dimensional (3-D) imaging of blood flow
      distribution in human breast tumors is reported. A commercial 3-D camera was used
      to obtain breast surface geometry, which was then converted to a solid volume
      mesh. An ncDCT probe scanned over a region of interest on the mesh surface and
      the measured boundary data were combined with a finite element framework for 3-D
      image reconstruction of blood flow distribution. This technique was tested in
      computer simulations and in vivo human breasts with low-grade carcinoma. Results
      from computer simulations suggest that relatively high accuracy can be achieved
      when the entire tumor is within the sensitive region of diffuse light. Image
      reconstruction with a priori knowledge of the tumor volume and location can
      significantly improve the accuracy in recovery of tumor blood flow contrasts. In
      vivo imaging results from two breast carcinomas show higher average blood flow
      contrasts (5.9- and 10.9-fold) in the tumor regions compared to the surrounding
      tissues, which are comparable with previous findings using diffuse correlation
      spectroscopy. The ncDCT system has the potential to image blood flow
      distributions in soft and vulnerable tissues without distorting tissue
      hemodynamics

PMID- 26259707
TI  - Concurrent photoacoustic-ultrasound imaging using single-laser pulses.
AB  - Conventional ultrasound (US) and photoacoustic (PA) multimodality imaging require
      the use of a US pulse for US data acquisition and a laser pulse for PA data
      acquisition. We propose a method for concurrent US and PA data acquisition with a
      single-laser pulse. A light-absorbing multilayer film that can generate a US
      pulse based on the thermoelastic effect is used. The selection of appropriate
      layer thickness, interlayer spacing, and absorption coefficient allows the
      spectral characteristics of the generated US signal to be adjusted so that it
      does not overlap with the spectrum of the PA signal generated by the light
      transmitting through the layer. Thus, the US signal and the PA signal can be
      generated, received, and separated by using a single-laser pulse combined with
      spectral filtering. This method is demonstrated using a multilayer film that
      generates US signals with a center frequency of 24.2 MHz and fractional bandwidth
      of 26.8%. The synthetic-aperture focusing technique is applied to improve the
      lateral resolution and the signal-to-noise ratio. A cyst-like phantom and a film
      phantom were used to demonstrate the feasibility of this method of concurrent PA
      US imaging using single-laser pulses.

PMID- 26259708
TI  - The decline in mortality due to acute complications of diabetes mellitus in
      Brazil, 1991-2010.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mortality from acute complications of diabetes, a predominantly
      preventable condition, although controlled in high income countries, remains a
      major challenge for low/middle income countries. The aim of this study is to
      describe trends in mortality from acute complications of diabetes between 1991
      and 2010 in Brazil, a period during which a national health system was
      implemented offering broad access to diabetes treatment. METHODS: We obtained the
      number of deaths listed in the Brazilian Mortality Information System between
      1991 and 2010 as due to acute complications of diabetes (ICD-9 250.1, .2, or .3
      and ICD-10 E10-14.0 or 1), corrected this number for ill-defined causes of death
      and incompleteness in mortality reporting, and calculated mortality rates
      standardized to the world's population. We describe mortality trends with
      Joinpoint regressions. RESULTS: Over this 20 year period, mortality due to the
      acute complications of diabetes fell 70.9 % (95 % CI 67.2 to 74.5 %), from 8.42
      (95 % CI 8.27 to 8.57) deaths per 100000 inhabitants in 1991 to 2.45 (95 % CI
      2.38 to 2.52) per 100000 in 2010. The reduction occurred in men and women, in all
      age groups, and in all regions of Brazil. CONCLUSIONS: Mortality from acute
      complications of diabetes in Brazil has declined markedly in parallel with the
      implementation of a national health system providing access to insulin and
      organization of health care. Further decline is possible and necessary.

PMID- 26259709
TI  - Erratum to: Association study of H2AFZ with schizophrenia in a Japanese case
      control sample.
AB  - Table 1 contains several errors as originally published. Table 1 should read as
      follows; the corrected values are shown in italics.

PMID- 26259710
TI  - Gluten Introduction, Breastfeeding, and Celiac Disease: Back to the Drawing
      Board.
AB  - This commentary by the leadership of the North American Society for the Study of
      Celiac Disease (NASSCD) concerns recent research findings regarding infant
      feeding practices. Celiac disease has increased markedly in recent decades, and
      seroprevalence studies indicate that this is a true rise, rather than one due to
      increased awareness and testing. Prior studies have suggested that infant feeding
      practices and timing of initial gluten exposure are central to the development of
      celiac disease. Two recent multicenter randomized trials tested strategies of
      early or delayed gluten introduction in infants, and neither strategy appeared to
      influence celiac disease risk. These studies also found that breastfeeding did
      not protect against the development of celiac disease. While disappointing, these
      results should spur the study of wider environmental risk factors beyond infant
      feeding, such as intrauterine and perinatal exposures as well as environmental
      influences later in life, including drug exposure, microbial infections, and the
      microbiome. Given that celiac disease can develop at any age, it is imperative to
      study these proposed triggers so as to elucidate the loss of tolerance to gluten
      and to develop future intervention strategies. 

PMID- 26259712
TI  - Biodegradable Polymer Nanogels for Drug/Nucleic Acid Delivery.

PMID- 26259711
TI  - Long-Term Controlled Protein Release from Poly(Ethylene Glycol) Hydrogels by
      Modulating Mesh Size and Degradation.
AB  - Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-based hydrogels are popular biomaterials for protein
      delivery to guide desirable cellular fates and tissue repair. However, long-term
      protein release from PEG-based hydrogels remains challenging. Here, we report a
      PEG-based hydrogel platform for long term protein release, which allows efficient
      loading of proteins via physical entrapment. Tuning hydrogel degradation led to
      increase in hydrogel mesh size and gradual release of protein over 60 days of
      with retained bioactivity. Importantly, this platform does not require the
      chemical modification of loaded proteins, and may serve as a versatile tool for
      long-term delivery of a wide range of proteins for drug-delivery and tissue
      engineering applications. 

PMID- 26259713
TI  - Efficacy assessment of biocides or repellents for the control of Sarcoptes
      scabiei in the environment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sarcoptes scabiei infection is a contagious disease affecting both
      humans and animals. The transmission occurs either by direct contact or from the
      environment where mites could survive several days remaining infective. The
      number of products available for environmental control of S. scabiei is very
      limited. The objective of the present study was to assess the efficacy of
      biocides or repellents against S. scabiei var suis. METHODS: Tested products
      included pyrethroids: permethrin, esdepallethrin and bioresmethrin, bifenthrin,
      cypermethrin and imiprothrin, cyfluthrin, tetramethrin and sumithrin. We also
      tested repellents: DEET, icaridin and IR3535. Sarcoptes scabiei var suis mites
      were collected from experimentally-infected pigs. For each test, 20 live mites of
      all motile stages were placed in a plastic Petri dish and sprayed uniformly by
      each product. Control mites were sprayed by distilled water. The study was
      performed in triplicate under room conditions and the mites were inspected under
      a stereomicroscope at intervals (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60 min, 2, 3, 4,
      5 and 24 h) after exposure to the products. RESULTS: All the products, except the
      combination of tetramethrin and sumithrin (A-PAR), were able to kill all mites
      within 24 h. The median survival time was 50 +/- 30.4 min, 120 +/- 309 min, 10 +/
      5.9 min, 40 +/- 36.8 min, 15 +/- 7.3 min, 180 +/- 417 min and 1440 +/- 600 min
      when mites were exposed to permethrin 4 %, permethrin 0.6%, esdepallethrin and
      bioresmethrin, bifenthrin, cypermethrin and imiprothrin, cyfluthrin, tetramethrin
      and sumithrin, respectively. The median survival time was 20 +/- 6.5 min, 15 +/-
      4.3 min, 30 +/- 42.1 min and 15 +/- 4.9 min for DEET 25, DEET 50, icaridin 20 and
      IR3535 20%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study could
      support evidence-based use of biocides and repellents in households, hospitals
      and farms.

PMID- 26259715
TI  - Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in herbaceous Centaurium erythraea
      affected by various sources of environmental pollution.
AB  - Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are persistent xenobiotics with harmful
      effects on humans and wildlife. Their levels in the environment and accumulation
      in biota must be carefully controlled especially in species harvested from wild
      populations and commonly used as medicines. Our objective has been to determine
      PBDE concentrations (BDEs 28, 47, 66, 85, 99, 100, 153, 154, 183 and 209) in
      Centaurium erythraea collected at sites with various levels of environmental
      pollution. PBDE congener profiles in C. erythraea were dominated by BDE209, which
      accounted for 47-89% of the total PBDE burden in the plants. Principal Component
      and Classification Analysis, which classifies the concentration of PBDEs in C.
      erythraea, allowed us to distinguish the pattern of these compounds
      characteristic for the origin of pollution: BDEs 28, 47, 66, 85, 99, 100 for
      lignite and general chemical industry and the vicinity of an expressway and BDEs
      183 and 209 for a thermal power plant and ferrochrome smelting industry. Careful
      selection of sites with C. erythraea for medicinal purposes is necessary as this
      herb can accumulate PBDEs while growing at polluted sites. 

PMID- 26259714
TI  - Inhibition of DPP-4 reduces acute mortality after myocardial infarction with
      restoration of autophagic response in type 2 diabetic rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) worsens the outcome after myocardial
      infarction (MI). Here, we hypothesized that inhibition of dipeptidyl peptidase-4
      (DPP-4) improves survival after MI in T2DM by modifying autophagy in the non
      infarcted region of the heart. METHODS AND RESULTS: Under baseline conditions,
      there was no significant difference between levels of myocardial autophagy marker
      proteins in OLETF, a rat model of T2DM, and in LETO, a non-diabetic control.
      However, in contrast to the response in LETO, LC3-II protein and LC3-positive
      autophagosomes in the non-infarcted region of the myocardium were not increased
      after MI in OLETF. The altered autophagic response in OLETF was associated with
      lack of AMPK/ULK-1 activation, attenuated response of Akt/mTOR/S6 signaling and
      increased Beclin-1-Bcl-2 interaction after MI. Treatment with vildagliptin (10
      mg/kg/day s.c.), a DPP-4 inhibitor, suppressed Beclin-1-Bcl-2 interaction and
      increased both LC3-II protein level and autophagosomes in the non-infarcted
      region in OLETF, though it did not normalize AMPK/ULK-1 or mTOR/S6 signaling.
      Plasma insulin level, but not glucose level, was significantly reduced by
      vildagliptin at the dose used in this study. Survival rate at 48 h after MI was
      significantly lower in OLETF than in LETO (32 vs. 82%), despite similar infarct
      sizes. Vildagliptin improved the survival rate in OLETF to 80%, the benefit of
      which was abrogated by chloroquine, an autophagy inhibitor. CONCLUSIONS: The
      results indicate that vildagliptin reduces T2DM-induced increase in post-MI acute
      mortality possibly by restoring the autophagic response through attenuation of
      Bcl-2-Beclin-1 interaction.

PMID- 26259716
TI  - Mechanistic understanding of the nonlinear pharmacokinetics and intersubject
      variability of simeprevir: A PBPK-guided drug development approach.
AB  - Simeprevir, a hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3/4A protease inhibitor, displays
      nonlinear pharmacokinetics (PK) at therapeutic doses. Using physiologically based
      PK modeling, various drug-drug interactions were simulated with simeprevir as
      victim drug to identify whether saturation of the predominant metabolic enzyme
      (CYP3A4) or the active hepatic transporters (organic anion-transporting
      polypeptide (OATP)1B1/3) could account for the nonlinear PK. Interactions with
      ritonavir, a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor that does not affect OATP (at 100 mg dose),
      erythromycin, a moderate CYP3A4 inhibitor, and efavirenz, a moderate CYP3A
      inducer that does not affect OATP, demonstrated the involvement of CYP3A4.
      Interaction studies with low-dose cyclosporine confirmed the role of OATP. The
      interplay between hepatic uptake and CYP3A4 metabolism was verified by
      simulations with rifampicin, a potent CYP3A4 inducer and OATP1B1/3 inhibitor, and
      maintenance doses of cyclosporine. Saturation of gut and liver metabolism by
      CYP3A4, and saturation of hepatic uptake by OATP1B1/3, seem to account for the
      observed nonlinear PK of simeprevir. 

PMID- 26259717
TI  - Separation of Mycobacterium abscessus into subspecies or genotype level by direct
      application of peptide nucleic acid multi-probe- real-time PCR method into sputa
      samples.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recently, we introduced a novel peptide nucleic acid (PNA) multi
      probe real time PCR method targeting the hsp65 gene (hsp65 PNA RT-PCR) to
      distinguish Mycobacterium abscessus groups. METHODS: Here, we evaluated the
      usefulness of the hsp65 PNA RT-PCR for the direct identification of the M.
      abscessus group at the subspecies and genotype levels from sputa samples. The
      method was applied to total sputa DNA from 60 different patients who were
      identified as having mycobacterial infections via rpoB PCR restriction analysis
      of the same cultures. RESULTS: The hsp65 PNA RT-PCR method had higher sensitivity
      than the multi-probe real-time PCR assay targeting hsp65 (HMPRT-PCR) for the
      detection of M. abscessus from sputum [96.7 % (29/30 samples) vs. 70 % (21/30
      samples); 100 % specificity]. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the PNA
      based method is feasible for the detection of M. abscessus members not only from
      cultures but also directly from sputa.

PMID- 26259718
TI  - The Edible Red Alga Porphyra yezoensis Promotes Neuronal Survival and
      Cytoarchitecture in Primary Hippocampal Neurons.
AB  - The edible red alga Porphyra yezoensis is among the most popular marine algae and
      is of economic and medicinal importance. In the present study, the neurotrophic
      and neuroprotective activities of the ethanol extract of P. yezoensis (PYE) were
      investigated in primary cultures of hippocampal neurons. Results revealed that
      PYE significantly increased neurite outgrowth at an optimal concentration of 15
      ug/mL. PYE dose-dependently increased viable cells, significantly accelerated the
      rate of neuronal differentiation in cultures, promoted axodendritic arborization,
      and eventually induced synaptogenesis. In addition to morphological development,
      PYE also promoted functional maturation as indicated by the staining of live
      cultures with FM 1-43. Moreover, PYE increased neuronal survivability, which was
      attributed to reduced apoptosis and its ROS scavenging activity. Taurine, a major
      organic acid in PYE (2.584/100 mg of dry PYE) promoted neurite outgrowth in a
      dose-dependent manner, and this promotion was suppressed by the taurine
      antagonist isethionic acid. The study indicates that PYE and its active
      component, taurine, facilitate neuronal development and maturation and have a
      neuroprotective effect. 

PMID- 26259719
TI  - Betaine alleviates hepatic lipid accumulation via enhancing hepatic lipid export
      and fatty acid oxidation in rats fed with a high-fat diet--CORRIGENDUM.
AB  - In the abstract, these sentences (page 1, line 5) should be: 'Additionally,
      hepatic betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase concentration as well as its mRNA
      abundance and lecithin level were found increased (P < 0. 05) by betaine
      supplementation in both basal diet-fed rats and high-fat diet-fed rats. Betaine
      administration in high-fat diet-fed rats exhibited a higher (P < 0.05)
      concentration of hepatic carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1) compared with
      high-fat diet-fed rats.'

PMID- 26259720
TI  - Bioengineering for Organ Transplantation: Progress and Challenges.
AB  - Organ transplantation can offer a curative option for patients with end stage
      organ failure. Unfortunately the treatment is severely limited by the
      availability of donor organs. Organ bioengineering could provide a solution to
      the worldwide critical organ shortage. The majority of protocols to date have
      employed the use of decellularization-recellularization technology of naturally
      occurring tissues and organs with promising results in heart, lung, liver,
      pancreas, intestine and kidney engineering. Successful decellularization has
      provided researchers with suitable scaffolds to attempt cell reseeding. Future
      work will need to focus on the optimization of organ specific recellularization
      techniques before organ bioengineering can become clinically translatable. This
      review will examine the current progress in organ bioengineering and highlight
      future challenges in the field. 

PMID- 26259722
TI  - Application of Foam-gel Technique to Control CO Exposure Generated During
      Spontaneous Combustion of Coal in Coal Mines.
AB  - In China, 47.3% of state-owned coal mines are located in coal seams that are
      prone to spontaneous combustion. The spontaneous combustion of coal is the main
      cause of the generation of a large amount of carbon monoxide, which can cause
      serious health issues to miners. A new technique using foam-gel formation was
      developed to effectively control the spontaneous combustion of coal. The gel can
      capture more than 90% of the water in the grout and at the same time the foam can
      cover dangerous areas in the goaf by stacking and cooling of foam in all
      directions. In this study, a mechanism of foam-gel formation was introduced and
      the optimal proportions of additives were defined based on experiments of
      different foaming properties, gelling time and water loss rate as the main index
      parameters. The results of a field application in a coal mine promise that this
      new technique would effectively prevent coal oxidation in the goaf and reduce the
      generation of carbon monoxide. 

PMID- 26259721
TI  - Modelling of drug-induced QT-interval prolongation: estimation approaches and
      translational opportunities.
AB  - Safety pharmacology studies are performed to assess whether compounds may provoke
      severe arrhythmias (e.g. Torsades de Pointes, TdP) and sudden death in man.
      Although there is strong evidence that drugs inducing TdP in man prolong the QT
      interval in vivo and block the human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) ion
      channel in vitro, not all drugs affecting the QT interval or the hERG will induce
      TdP. Nevertheless, QT-interval prolongation and hERG blockade currently represent
      the most accepted early risk biomarkers to deselect drugs. An extensive
      pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) analysis is developed to understand
      moxifloxacin's-induced effects on the QT interval by comparing the relationship
      between results of an in vitro patch-clamp model to in vivo models. The
      frequentist and the fully Bayesian estimation procedures were compared and
      provided similar performances when the best model selected in NONMEM is
      subsequently implemented in WinBUGS, which guarantees a straightforward
      calculation of the probability of QT-interval prolongation greater than 2.5 % (10
      ms). The use of the percent threshold to account for the intrinsic differences
      between species and a new calculation of the probability curve are introduced.
      The concentration providing the 50 % probability indicates that dogs are more
      sensitive than humans to QT-interval prolongation. However, based on the drug
      effect, a clear distinction between species cannot be made. An operational PK/PD
      model of agonism was used to investigate the relationship between effects on the
      hERG and QT-interval prolongation in dogs. The proposed analysis contributes to
      establish a translational relationship that could potentially reduce the need for
      thorough QT studies.

PMID- 26259724
TI  - Anakoinosis: Communicative Reprogramming of Tumor Systems - for Rescuing from
      Chemorefractory Neoplasia.
AB  - Disruptive technologies, such as communicative reprogramming (anakoinosis) with
      cellular therapies in situ for treating refractory metastatic cancer allow
      patient care to accelerate along a totally new trajectory and highlight what may
      well become the next sea change in the care of patients with many types of
      advanced neoplasia. Cellular therapy in situ consisted of repurposed drugs,
      pioglitazone plus all-trans retinoic acid or dexamethasone or interferon-alpha
      (dual transcriptional modulation) combined with metronomic low-dose chemotherapy
      or low-dose 5-azacytidine, plus/minus classic targeted therapy. The novel
      therapeutic tools for specifically designing communication processes within tumor
      diseases focus on redirecting (1) rationalizations of cancer hallmarks
      (constitution of single cancer hallmarks), (2) modular events, (3) the
      'metabolism' of evolutionary processes (the sum of therapeutically and
      intrinsically inducible evolutionary processes) and (4) the holistic
      communicative context, which determines validity and denotation of tumor
      promoting communication lines. Published data on cellular therapies in situ (6
      histologic tumor types, 144 patients, age 0.9-83 years) in castration-resistant
      prostate cancer, pretreated renal clear cell carcinoma, chemorefractory acute
      myelocytic leukemia, multiple myeloma > second-line, chemorefractory Hodgkin
      lymphoma or multivisceral Langerhans cell histiocytosis, outline the possibility
      for treating refractory metastatic cancer with the hope that this type of
      reprogrammed communication will be scalable with minimal toxicity. Accessibility
      to anakoinosis is a tumor inherent feature, and cellular therapy in situ
      addresses extrinsic and intrinsic drug resistance, by redirecting convergent
      organized communication tools, while been supported by quite different pattern of
      (molecular-)genetic aberrations. 

PMID- 26259725
TI  - Effect of levofloxacin treatment on semen hyperviscosity in chronic bacterial
      prostatitis patients.
AB  - Changes in seminal fluid viscosity (SFV), reactive oxygen species (ROS)
      production, cytokines and seminal leucocyte concentration related to
      microbiological outcome in patients with chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP) were
      studied. One hundred and ten infertile patients with CBP (positive sperm culture
      >=10(5) colony-forming units [CFU] ml(-1), pathogens or Chlamydia in expressed
      prostatic secretions) were treated with levofloxacin 500 mg daily for 14
      consecutive days per month for 3 months. In case of bacterial prostatitis, two
      conditions were examined: responders, eradication of 0 to <10(3) CFU ml(-1) (n =
      78) and poor responders, >10(3) to <10(5) CFU ml(-1) (n = 32). Compared with poor
      responders, responders showed a significant increase of sperm progressive
      motility and a significant decrease in seminal leucocyte count, SFV, liquefaction
      time, ROS production (in all fractions and conditions), seminal tumour necrosis
      factor-alpha and interleukin 6. None of these variables showed significant
      differences compared with a control group of 37 fertile men. On the other hand,
      the poor responders showed significant changes in these variables compared with
      matched pretreatment values. In patients with CBP, antibiotic therapy alone leads
      to eradication in ~71%, with improvement of sperm progressive motility, SFV and
      the framework of prooxidative factors. However, in the remaining ~29% with poor
      antibiotic responsiveness, a deterioration of all variables is observed.

PMID- 26259726
TI  - Influence of healing time on the mechanical properties of an implanted mesh.

PMID- 26259727
TI  - The effects of acoustical refurbishment of classrooms on teachers' perceived
      noise exposure and noise-related health symptoms.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether acoustical refurbishment of classrooms for
      elementary and lower secondary grade pupils affected teachers' perceived noise
      exposure during teaching and noise-related health symptoms. METHODS: Two schools
      (A and B) with a total of 102 teachers were subjected to an acoustical
      intervention. Accordingly, 36 classrooms (20 and 16 in school A and school B,
      respectively) were acoustically refurbished and 31 classrooms (16 and 15 in
      school A and school B, respectively) were not changed. Thirteen classrooms in
      school A were interim "sham" refurbished. Control measurements of RT and activity
      sound levels were measured before and after refurbishment. Data on perceived
      noise exposure, disturbance attributed to different noise sources, voice
      symptoms, and fatigue after work were collected over a year in a total of six
      consecutive questionnaires. RESULTS: Refurbished classrooms were associated with
      lower perceived noise exposure and lower ratings of disturbance attributed to
      noise from equipment in the class compared with unrefurbished classrooms. No
      associations between the classroom refurbishment and health symptoms were
      observed. Before acoustical refurbishment, the mean classroom reverberation time
      was 0.68 (school A) and 0.57 (school B) and 0.55 s in sham refurbished
      classrooms. After refurbishment, the RT was approximately 0.4 s in both schools.
      Activity sound level measurements confirmed that the intervention had reduced the
      equivalent sound levels during lessons with circa 2 dB(A) in both schools.
      CONCLUSION: The acoustical refurbishment was associated with a reduction in
      classroom reverberation time and activity sound levels in both schools. The
      acoustical refurbishment was associated with a reduction in the teachers'
      perceived noise exposure, and reports of disturbance from equipment in the
      classroom decreased. There was no significant effect of the refurbishment on the
      teachers' voice symptoms or fatigue after work.

PMID- 26259728
TI  - General practitioners' and occupational health physicians' views on their
      cooperation: a cross-sectional postal survey.
AB  - PURPOSE: Prevention, rehabilitation and reintegration into the workplace are
      examples of overlapping work fields of general practitioners (GPs) and
      occupational health physicians (OPs). In Germany, however, cooperation between
      GPs and OPs is often lacking or suboptimal. In this article, we present GPs' and
      OPs' views on a variety of aspects of their cooperation and differences between
      them. METHODS: Survey questionnaire was developed on the basis of literature
      research and results of focus group interviews. Cross-sectional postal survey
      among GPs (n = 1000) and OPs (n = 383) was performed in the federal state of
      Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany. Explorative descriptive and logistic regression
      analyses were carried out (controlling for potential confounders). RESULTS:
      Response rates were 31 and 48 %, respectively. Mutual telephone calls were the
      most frequent contact medium (49 and 91 %, respectively). Both groups considered
      themselves to have clearly separate areas of responsibility (median = 4, rating
      scale from 1 "agree not at all" to 5 "agree definitely"). Necessity to cooperate
      and need to improve cooperation were both rated as 4 (by GPs) and 5 (by OPs),
      respectively (p < 0.001, Wilcoxon test). Several variables were found to be
      different by logistic regression analysis of answers from the two groups (e.g. in
      regard to importance of rehabilitation, primary prevention services, caring for
      chronically ill workers or changing of workplace conditions). Sensitive topics
      (e.g. concerning mutual rivalry, remuneration or adherence to medical
      confidentiality) were also found to be rated differently. CONCLUSION: The data
      show potential interest of both physicians groups to develop cooperation. As the
      ratings often differed significantly, particularly in regard to statements
      presented, answers influenced by social desirability are generally unlikely.

PMID- 26259730
TI  - Effect of M-phase kinase phosphorylations on type 1 inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate
      receptor-mediated Ca2+ responses in mouse eggs.
AB  - The type 1 inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R1) mediates increases in
      the intracellular concentration of Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)]i) during fertilization in
      mammalian eggs. The activity of IP3R1 is enhanced during oocyte maturation, and
      phosphorylations by M-phase kinases are thought to positively regulate the
      activity of IP3R1. Accordingly, we and others have found that IP3R1 is
      phosphorylated at S(421), T(799) (by Cdk1) and at S(436) (by ERK). Nevertheless,
      the effects of these phosphorylations on the function of the receptor and their
      impact on [Ca(2+)]i oscillations in eggs have not been clearly examined. To
      address this, we expressed in mouse oocytes an IP3R1 variant with the three
      indicated phosphorylation sites replaced by acidic residues, IIIE-IP3R1, such
      that it would act like a constitutively phosphorylated IP3R1, and examined
      [Ca(2+)]i parameters in response to stimuli. We found that overexpression of wild
      type (wt-IP3R1) or IIIE-IP3R1 in oocytes containing endogenous receptors caused
      dominant negative-like effects on Ca(2+) release and oscillations. Therefore, we
      first selectively removed the endogenous IP3R1, and subsequently expressed the
      exogenous receptors. We found that in response to injection of PLCzeta cRNA, eggs
      without endogenous IP3R1 failed to mount persistent Ca(2+) oscillations, although
      expression of wt-IP3R1 restored their [Ca(2+)]i oscillatory activity. We also
      observed that the Ca(2+) oscillatory ability and the sensitivity to IP3 in eggs
      expressing IIIE-IP3R1 were greater than in those expressing wt-IP3R1. Lastly, we
      found that exogenous IP3R1s are resistant to downregulation and support longer
      oscillations and of higher amplitude. Altogether, our results show that
      phosphorylations by Cdk1 and MAPK enhance the activity of IP3R1, which is
      consistent with its maximal activity observed at the time of fertilization and
      the role of Ca(2+) release in egg activation.

PMID- 26259731
TI  - Progression of coronary artery calcification by cardiac computed tomography.
AB  - The presence and extent of coronary artery calcification (CAC) is established in
      primary prevention since the CAC score is the single best predictor of future
      cardiovascular events. While CAC progresses with increasing age, individual CAC
      progression can be estimated based on the subject's age, gender, and CAC
      percentile at first examination. To date, several algorithms and methods for the
      definition of CAC progression are available in the literature. Increased CAC
      progression is associated with traditional cardiovascular risk factors including
      hypertension, diabetes, and smoking status. Also, lipid-lowering therapy may
      influence the progression of CAC. Epicardial adipose tissue is a further
      cardiovascular risk marker that may lead to intensified CAC progression if its
      volume increases. In terms of clinical implications, initial data suggest that
      extensive CAC progression is linked to worse outcome; however, further studies
      are needed to establish this relationship and to define appropriate time
      intervals between repetitive examinations. This review article gives an overview
      of the existing literature with an emphasis on various definitions of CAC
      progression, predictors of increased CAC progression, as well as clinical
      implications. 

PMID- 26259732
TI  - OCT demonstrating neoatherosclerosis as part of the continuous process of
      coronary artery disease.
AB  - Although the advent of drug-eluting stents has reduced the rates of target vessel
      revascularization, there are observations of ongoing stent failure occurring very
      late after stent implantation and presenting as very late restenosis or as very
      late stent thrombosis. The de novo development of atherosclerosis within the
      neointimal region, called neoatherosclerosis, has been identified as one of the
      pathomechanisms of these observed late stent failures. The mechanisms of
      neoatherosclerosis development and its association with stent failure are
      currently the subject of intensive research. Optical coherence tomography (OCT)
      is an invasive imaging modality that allows us to visualize the micromorphology
      of coronary arteries with near-histological resolution, thus providing detailed
      assessment of the morphological characteristics of the neointima after stent
      implantation, including neoatherosclerosis. Several OCT studies have tried to
      provide in vivo insights in the mechanisms of neoatherosclerosis development and
      its association with late stent failure. This review summarizes the current
      insights into neoatherosclerosis obtained with OCT and discusses the association
      of neoatherosclerosis with late stent failure. 

PMID- 26259733
TI  - Progression of coronary artery disease. Experience with computed tomography.
AB  - Coronary artery disease (CAD) begins with asymptomatic atherosclerotic changes in
      the vessel wall. Gradual or abrupt progression of some of these early lesions
      eventually leads to symptomatic luminal narrowing. Coronary computed tomography
      angiography (CTA) allows for a minimally invasive assessment of these wall
      changes and of the severity of luminal narrowing, and is thus an attractive
      method for assessing progression/regression. However, because of the associated
      radiation exposure and concern about false-positive findings, CTA is not
      recommended as a clinical screening test. Owing to the significantly lower
      spatial resolution compared with invasive modalities, its application as a tool
      for clinical progression/regression trials is limited. Therefore, while there are
      extensive data from both CT coronary artery calcium scoring and CTA studies
      demonstrating the prognostic value of luminal stenosis as well as the extent and
      characteristics of plaque, data describing progression/regression are limited. 

PMID- 26259735
TI  - Methods of a national survey of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
      people regarding sexually transmissible infections and bloodborne viruses.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe the methods and basic demographics of participants in a
      national survey of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Aboriginal) people
      specific to sexually transmissible infections and bloodborne viruses. METHODS: A
      national cross-sectional survey of Aboriginal people aged 16-29 years in all
      Australian jurisdictions between 2011 and 2013 conducted at Aboriginal community
      events. Questions comprised demographic information, knowledge, risk behaviours
      and health service utilisation. Questionnaires were completed on personal digital
      assistants (PDAs). RESULTS: A total of 2,877 people at 21 unique community events
      completed the questionnaire. A total of 59% of participants were female, median
      age was 21 years and more than 60% were single at the time of the survey. Just
      over half the participants were resident in an urban area (53%) and 38% were from
      a regional area. Aboriginal health organisations played an important role in
      implementing the research. PDAs were found to be an acceptable method for
      collecting health information. CONCLUSION: This survey has recruited a large
      representative sample of Aboriginal people aged 16-29 years using a methodology
      that is feasible, acceptable and repeatable. IMPLICATIONS: The methodology
      provides a model for ongoing monitoring of this population as programs and
      policies are implemented to address young Aboriginal people's STI and BBV risks.

PMID- 26259736
TI  - Exploring vaginal ring acceptability for contraception and sexually transmissible
      infection protection in India: a qualitative research study.
AB  - Background New vaginal rings are being developed as single and multipurpose
      prevention technologies to protect women from pregnancy and/or sexually
      transmissible infections, such as HIV. Data on ring acceptability in low-resource
      settings is critical for new technologies to meet user needs. METHODS: Women from
      slum and lower-income areas around Delhi, India, participated in focus group
      discussions on vaginal ring product perceptions and preferences. Participants
      were recruited based on following eligibility categories: age, marital status,
      contraceptive use, and number of children. The translated transcriptions of the
      qualitative data were analysed using a coding scheme generated from the areas of
      inquiry and relevant literature. RESULTS: A total of 103 women from lower-middle
      class or slum areas in Delhi participated in 13 focus group discussions between
      December 2012 and January 2013. Participants shared perceptions of vaginal ring
      product attributes, including size, colour, intended use (single indication or
      dual purpose), duration of use, side effects, biodegradability, and various
      preferences regarding product use, including access, use during sex, wear
      patterns, cleaning, and disposal. Participants also reflected on willingness to
      pay and male partner acceptability. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this hypothetical
      acceptability study indicate that these low-income women in Delhi are: willing to
      try vaginal rings; unconcerned about wearing them during sex; very interested in
      protection from infections and unintended pregnancy; indifferent about colour of
      new rings; emphatic about being told that rings may change colour from menstrual
      blood staining; comfortable with thinner rings; willing to try thicker rings once
      familiar with thinner rings; in favour of starting with 1-month rings and then
      transitioning to longer-term rings; and in favour of first accessing rings at a
      facility and then managing resupply independently.

PMID- 26259734
TI  - Regulation of human glia by multiple sclerosis disease modifying therapies.
AB  - This review focuses on the effects of the agents currently approved (or in late
      clinical trials) as therapies for multiple sclerosis (MS) on the glial cell
      populations of the central nervous system (CNS). These are comprised of
      astrocytes, microglia, and oligodendrocytes (OLs), and their progenitors (OPCs).
      Although the efficacy of these agents is to date established only for the
      relapsing component of the disease and linked to effects on the systemic immune
      system, each has been examined with regard to effects on the CNS compartment. The
      impact of therapies on glia would include modulating these cells immune
      reactivity, which is considered to underlie the tissue injury process in MS and
      to any subsequent repair process. As reviewed, these agents can exert their
      effects either indirectly by modulating the constituents of the systemic immune
      system or directly depending on their capacity to traverse the blood brain
      barrier (BBB). Most available data has been derived from administration of these
      agents in animal models or application to glial cells in vitro. The challenge
      remains of translating these observations into effective means to impact on the
      progressive course of disease and reverse existent disabilities. 

PMID- 26259737
TI  - [Routine hormonal therapy in the heart transplant donor].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Successful heart transplantation depends largely on donor heart
      function. During brain death many hormonal changes occur. These events lead to
      the deterioration of the donor hearts. The 2002 Crystal Consensus advises the use
      of a triple hormonal scheme to rescue marginal cardiac organs. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: A prospective, longitudinal study was conducted on potential donor
      hearts during the period 1 July 2011 to 31 May 2013. All donor hearts received a
      dual hormonal rescue scheme, with methylprednisolone 15mg/kg IV and 200mcg
      levothyroxine by the enteral route. There was at least a 4 hour wait prior to the
      harvesting. The preload and afterload was optimised. The variables measured were:
      left ventricular ejection fraction cardiac graft recipient; immediate and delayed
      mortality. RESULTS: A total of 30 orthotopic heart transplants were performed, 11
      female and 19 male patients, with age range between 19 and 63 years-old (Mean:
      44.3, SD 12.92 years). The donor hearts were 7 female and 23 male, with age range
      between 15 and 45 years-old (mean 22.5, SD 7.3 years). Immediate mortality was
      3.3%, 3.3% intermediate, and delayed 3.3%, with total 30 day-mortality of 10%.
      Month survival was 90%. The immediate graft left ventricular ejection fraction
      was 45%, 60% intermediate, and 68% delayed. The causes of death were: 1 primary
      graft dysfunction, one massive pulmonary embolism, and one due to nosocomial
      pneumonia. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the use of double rescue scheme
      hormonal therapy is useful for the recovery and preservation of the donor hearts.
      This scheme improves survival within the first 30 days after transplantation.

PMID- 26259738
TI  - [Marjolin's ulcer. A 10 year experience in a diabetic foot unit].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Marjolin's ulcer is defined as the appearance of a neoplasm within a
      chronic wound. The most common histological type is squamous. A total of 2 cases
      treated in our hospital are presented. CLINICAL CASE: Case 1. A 71 year old man
      who presented with redness and suppuration from the wounds he had in his right
      foot after an electric shock 40 years earlier. The radiology showed involvement
      of the 4 degrees  and 5 degrees  metatarsal. Supracondylar amputation was
      performed, showing a well-differentiated invasive squamous cell carcinoma. CASE
      2: A 56 year old male, paraplegic for 20 years. He was treated due to an infected
      right heel ulcer, with partial improvement, but the ulcers persisted. Biopsy was
      performed, reporting as epidermoid carcinoma. Infracondylar amputation was
      performed. The diagnosis was a well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma
      infiltrating the dermis. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of Marjolin's ulcer is 1.3
      2.2% of all ulcers. Diagnosis is difficult, so biopsy is recommended on any
      suspicious lesion or ulcer that has received conservative treatment for one month
      without improvement, although this time limit is not clear. The treatment is the
      surgery. Local excision with a margin of an inch is enough. If the ulcer is
      extensive, amputation is required. Survival is estimated between 66 and 80% at 2
      years, with recurrence rates of 23%. Unfavourable factors are poor tumour
      differentiation and metastasis, appearing in 20% of cases.

PMID- 26259739
TI  - [Skills comparison using a 2D vs. 3D laparoscopic simulator].
AB  - BACKGROUND: The development and application of 3D images in laparoscopic surgery
      has brought the benefit of in-depth perception that traditional laparoscopic
      surgery lacked. Previous studies in surgical populations have demonstrated the
      advantages of 3D technology. To limit bias of the previous experiences of
      participants, this study was performed in a population without any experience in
      this area. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An experimental, open, cross-sectional,
      comparative study between surgical skills achievements using 2D and a 3D
      laparoscopy equipment, using each subject as their own control. Six skills were
      evaluated in 2D and 3D modalities. RESULTS: Of the 40 participants included, 20
      began the skills in the 2D modality and then performed them in 3D, and the other
      20 began in 3D. Of the 118 skills evaluated there was a time improvement in 72%
      in the 3D group compared to 37% in the 2D modality (P=.000). The accomplishment
      percentage using the 3D laparoscopy was greater for both groups. There was a
      statistically significant difference in the better time for the 3D performed
      tasks. Just over half (52.5%) of participants preferred 3D laparoscopy, 15%
      preferred 2D, and 32.5% had no preferences. DISCUSSION: As other studies have
      demonstrated, there was improvement in the overall performance using the 3D
      laparoscope. Bias was limited by using a population without surgical experience.
      CONCLUSIONS: 3D laparoscopic surgical skills showed superior to 2D, with higher
      percentages of tasks completion, less time in performing them, and a shorter
      learning curve.

PMID- 26259740
TI  - [Ventriculo-gallbladder shunt: An alternative for the treatment of
      hydrocephalus].
AB  - BACKGROUND: In the management of hydrocephalus, the ventriculo-gallbladder shunt
      is justified in situations where the ventriculo-peritoneal shunt is not useful
      due to peritoneal involvement and/or when the ventriculo-auricular and ventriculo
      pleural shunts are contraindicated. CLINICAL CASE: A 27 year-old female with
      hydrocephalus at birth, managed with ventricle-peritoneal shunt, modified 3 times
      throughout her life due to repeated infections and other different reasons. She
      was admitted due to colitis caused by Clostridium difficile, presenting
      concomitant signs of intracranial hypertension and neurological impairment. This
      led to a review and change of the ventriculo-peritoneal shunt system, with distal
      dysfunction due to peritoneal thickening. Atrial and pleural shunts were not
      indicated because the risk of infection. As an alternative, it was decided to
      place the distal end of the catheter in the gallbladder. The patient recovered
      her neurological functions after the surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Drainage alternatives
      may be needed in 5% of patients with valvular shunt dysfunction. The ventriculo
      gallbladder is a good and viable option because it has an absorptive capacity of
      1500cc liquid daily, besides being an excellent drainage through the bile duct.
      The abdominal surgery is easy to perform, and it is an alternative option in the
      failure of the ventriculo-peritoneal shunt.

PMID- 26259741
TI  - [Skin and tissue bank: Operational model for the recovery and preservation of
      tissues and skin allografts].
AB  - Tissue storage is a medical process that is in the regulation and homogenisation
      phase in the scientific world. The international standards require the need to
      ensure safety and efficacy of human allografts such as skin and other tissues.
      The activities of skin and tissues banks currently involve their recovery,
      processing, storage and distribution, which are positively correlated with
      technological and scientific advances present in current biomedical sciences. A
      description is presented of the operational model of Skin and Tissue Bank at INR
      as successful case for procurement, recovery and preservation of skin and tissues
      for therapeutic uses, with high safety and biological quality. The essential and
      standard guidelines are presented as keystones for a tissue recovery program
      based on scientific evidence, and within an ethical and legal framework, as well
      as to propose a model for complete overview of the donation of tissues and organ
      programs in Mexico. Finally, it concludes with essential proposals for improving
      the efficacy of transplantation of organs and tissue programs. 

PMID- 26259742
TI  - [Risk factors for nosocomial pneumonia in patients with abdominal surgery].
AB  - BACKGROUND: The risk of post-operative pneumonia is a latent complication. A
      study was conducted to determine its risk factors in abdominal surgery. MATERIAL
      AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed that included analysing the
      variables of age and gender, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and smoking,
      serum albumin, type of surgery and anaesthesia, emergency or elective surgery,
      incision site, duration of surgery, length of hospital stay, length of stay in
      the intensive care unit, and time on mechanical ventilation. The adjusted odds
      ratio for risk factors was obtained using multivariate logistic regression.
      RESULTS: The study included 91 (9.6%) patients with pneumonia and 851 (90.4%)
      without pneumonia. Age 60 years or over (OR=2.34), smoking (OR=9.48), chronic
      obstructive pulmonary disease (OR=3.52), emergency surgery (OR=2.48), general
      anaesthesia (OR=3.18), surgical time 120 minutes or over (OR=5.79), time in
      intensive care unit 7 days or over (OR=1.23), time on mechanical ventilation
      greater than or equal to 4 days (OR=5.93) and length of post-operative hospital
      stay of 15 days or over (OR=1.20), were observed as independent predictors for
      the development of postoperative pneumonia. CONCLUSIONS: Identifying risk factors
      for post-operative pneumonia may prevent their occurrence. The length in the
      intensive care unit of greater than or equal to 7 days (OR=1.23; 95% CI 1.07 -
      1.42) and a length postoperative hospital stay of 15 days or more (OR=1.20; 95%
      CI 1.07 - 1.34) were the predictive factors most strongly associated with lung
      infection in this study.

PMID- 26259743
TI  - [Cervical lymphangioma in the adult. A report of 2 cases].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cervical lymphangiomas are uncommon benign congenital malformations
      usually present in children, and are rare in adults. Currently, complete
      resection is still the standard care. Two cases are presented of a cervical
      lymphangioma in an adult. The diagnosis and surgical approach is also discussed.
      CLINICAL CASE: Case 1. The first case is a 23 year old male with chief complaint
      of a tumour in the posterior triangle of the neck, which showed a substantial
      increase in size in the last 9 months. No associated signs or symptoms, or any
      trauma history was reported. CT scan of the neck showed images suggestive of a
      posterior cervical lymphangioma. Exploratory cervical surgery was performed, with
      complete resection of a cystic tumour located in the posterior triangle of the
      neck. Surgery was performed without complications and postoperative care was
      unremarkable. CASE 2: The second case is a 28 woman with a cystic tumour in
      submandibular space. She had history of a previous incomplete operation in
      another institution 2 years ago, with recurrence of the tumour. A second surgery
      was performed with complete resection without complications, and with a good
      outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Cervical lymphangioma is a very rare benign disease,
      surgical treatment is preferred, but sclerotherapy can be used as alternative
      treatment.

PMID- 26259744
TI  - [Clinical features of strabismus in psychomotor retardation].
AB  - BACKGROUND: In psychomotor retardation there is an abnormal development of
      mental, sensory and motor skills associated with ocular manifestations. There are
      biological and psychosocial risk factors that predispose an individual to
      neurological damage. From 50% to 80% of patients with strabismus retardation have
      special features that differentiate it from the rest of strabismus in healthy
      patients. OBJECTIVE: To determine the most common type of strabismus in patients
      with psychomotor retardation and their clinical features. MATERIAL AND METHODS:
      Patients with psychomotor retardation and strabismus were included. An
      ophthalmological examination was performed, as well as an evaluation of the
      characteristics of strabismus, including perinatal and post-natal history.
      RESULTS: Esotropia was the most frequent squint with 65.3%, followed by exotropia
      with 32.7%. The variability in the squint magnitude was 60% in both types, and 6
      patients had dissociated vertical deviation. Most of the patients started to
      present strabismus since they were born. The most frequent perinatal risk factors
      were threatened miscarriage, pre-eclampsia, foetal distress, and hypoxia.
      CONCLUSIONS: Esotropia is the most common type of strabismus in psychomotor
      retardation. The variability of squint magnitude is a characteristic in these
      patients. The moderate variability is the most frequent in both esotropia and
      exotropia. The most common refractive error is hyperopic astigmatism in esotropia
      and the myopic kind in exotropia.

PMID- 26259745
TI  - [High frequency of ancestral allele of the TJP1 polymorphism rs2291166 in Mexican
      population, conformational effect and applications in surgery and medicine].
AB  - BACKGROUND: TJP1 gene encodes a ZO-1 protein that is required for the recruitment
      of occludins and claudins in tight junction, and is involved in cell
      polarisation. It has different variations, the frequency of which has been
      studied in different populations. In Mexico there are no studies of this gene.
      These are required because their polymorphisms can be used in studies associated
      with medicine and surgery. Therefore, the aim of this study was to estimate the
      frequency of alleles and genotypes of rs2291166 gene polymorphism TJP1 in Mexico
      Mestizos population, and to estimate the conformational effect of an amino acid
      change. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 473 individuals were included. The
      rs2291166 polymorphism was identified PASA PCR-7% PAGE, and stained with silver
      nitrate. The conformational effect of amino acid change was performed in silico,
      and was carried out with servers ProtPraram Tool and Search Database with Fasta.
      RESULTS: The most frequent allele in the two populations is the ancestral allele
      (T). A genotype distribution similar to other populations was found. The
      polymorphism is in Hardy-Weinberg, p>0.05. Changing aspartate to alanine produced
      a conformational change. CONCLUSIONS: The study reveals a high frequency of the
      ancestral allele at rs2291166 polymorphism in the Mexican population.

PMID- 26259746
TI  - [Axillary hidrosadenitis due to Leishmania: Case report and literature review].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hidradenitis is a disorder where abscesses appear after the infection
      of the apocrine sweat glands. It is located normally in the axillae, groin,
      perineal region, and the scalp. CLINICAL CASE: A 37 year old male was referred by
      his GP to the General Surgery Department with axillary hidradenitis which had
      evolved over the years. The physical examination shows signs of hidradenitis in
      both axillae, with a noticeable suppurative hidradenitis in the right armpit. En
      bloc extirpation was performed to remove the whole affected area. The
      pathological examination revealed a cutaneous leishmaniasis. Subsequently,
      fucidin was administered topically, as well as local infiltrations of one
      millilitre of GlucantimeTM. DISCUSSION: Hidradenitis normally appears in
      intertriginous areas and its manifestation is accompanied by recurrent
      subcutaneous nodules. The incidence rate in females is three times higher than in
      males. The isolated Hidradenitis caused by Leishmania is a rare condition
      presented only in endemic areas or in immunocompromised patients, such as HIV
      infected patients. Clinical manifestations can be different and the diagnosis can
      be confirmed through haematoxylin-eosin. The main pattern displays a disorganised
      granuloma without necrosis. Systemic or topical treatment can be applied.
      Immunotherapy treatment is the most common. CONCLUSIONS: Hidradenitis caused by
      Leishmania in HIV-negative patients is a rare condition. Therefore it is
      important to perform a good histological diagnosis and to administer the right
      treatment.

PMID- 26259747
TI  - Spatial interactions between consecutive manual responses.
AB  - We have shown that the latency to initiate a reaching movement is increased if
      its direction is the same as a previous movement compared to movements that
      differ by 90 degrees  or 180 degrees  (Cowper-Smith and Westwood in Atten Percept
      Psychophys 75:1914-1922, 2013). An influential study (Taylor and Klein in J Exp
      Psychol Hum Percept Perform 26:1639-1656, 2000), however, reported the opposite
      spatial pattern for manual keypress responses: repeated responses on the same
      side had reduced reaction time compared to responses on opposite sides. In order
      to determine whether there are fundamental differences in the patterns of spatial
      interactions between button-pressing responses and reaching movements, we
      compared both types of manual responses using common methods. Reaching movements
      and manual keypress responses were performed in separate blocks of trials using
      consecutive central arrow stimuli that directed participants to respond to left
      or right targets. Reaction times were greater for manual responses made to the
      same target as a previous response (M = 390 ms) as compared to the opposite
      target (M = 365 ms; similarity main effect: p < 0.001) regardless of whether the
      response was a reaching movement or a keypress response. This finding is broadly
      consistent with an inhibitory mechanism operating at the level of motor output
      that discourages movements that achieve the same spatial goal as a recent action.

PMID- 26259748
TI  - Trigeminal nerve stimulation modulates brainstem more than cortical excitability
      in healthy humans.
AB  - Multiple sites in the central nervous system (CNS) have been hypothesized to
      explain the beneficial effects of transcutaneous trigeminal nerve stimulation
      (TNS) on several disorders. This work investigated the acute effects of TNS on
      the excitability of brainstem and intracortical circuits, as well as on
      sensorimotor integration processes at cortical level in physiological conditions.
      Brainstem excitability was evaluated in seventeen healthy subjects measuring the
      R1 and R2 areas of the blink reflex (BR) and its recovery cycle, with cortical
      excitability and sensorimotor integration assessed by probing short-interval
      (SICI) and long-interval (LICI) intracortical inhibition, with short-interval
      (SICF), intracortical facilitation (ICF), short-latency (SAI) and long-latency
      (LAI) inhibition measuring motor potentials evoked in the first dorsal
      interosseous muscle by TMS of the contralateral motor cortex. Neurophysiological
      parameters were assessed, in seventeen healthy subjects, before and after cyclic
      20-min TNS delivered bilaterally to the infraorbital nerve. After TNS, the area
      of the R2 was significantly reduced (p = 0.018). By contrast, R1 area and R2
      recovery cycle were unaffected. Similarly, SICI, ICF, LICI, SICF, SAI and LAI
      appeared unaltered after TNS. These data suggest that, in normal subjects, TNS
      mainly acts on brainstem polysynaptic circuits mediating the R2 component of the
      BR and plays a minor role in modifying the activity of higher-level structures
      involved in the R2 recovery cycle and in modulation of cortical excitability. A
      further investigation of a chronic TNS-induced effect may disclose a higher
      potential for TNS in producing measurable after effects on its CNS targets. 

PMID- 26259749
TI  - Quick foot placement adjustments during gait: direction matters.
AB  - To prevent falls, adjustment of foot placement is a frequently used strategy to
      regulate and restore gait stability. While foot trajectory adjustments have been
      studied during discrete stepping, online corrections during walking are more
      common in daily life. Here, we studied quick foot placement adjustments during
      gait, using an instrumented treadmill equipped with a projector, which allowed us
      to project virtual stepping stones. This allowed us to shift some of the
      approaching stepping stones in a chosen direction at a given moment, such that
      participants were forced to adapt their step in that specific direction and had
      varying time available to do so. Thirteen healthy participants performed six
      experimental trials all consisting of 580 stepping stones, and 96 of those stones
      were shifted anterior, posterior or lateral at one out of four distances from the
      participant. Overall, long-step gait adjustments were performed more successfully
      than short-step and side-step gait adjustments. We showed that the ability to
      execute movement adjustments depends on the direction of the trajectory
      adjustment. Our findings suggest that choosing different leg movement adjustments
      for obstacle avoidance comes with different risks and that strategy choice does
      not depend exclusively on environmental constraints. The used obstacle avoidance
      strategy choice might be a trade-off between the environmental factors (i.e., the
      cost of a specific adjustment) and individuals' ability to execute a specific
      adjustment with success (i.e., the associated execution risk). 

PMID- 26259750
TI  - Never in mitosis gene A-related kinase 6 and aurora kinase A: New gene biomarkers
      in the conversion from ulcerative colitis to colorectal cancer.
AB  - Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an important risk factor for colorectal cancer (CRC).
      Histone modifications are one of the epigenetic mechanisms that may have key
      roles in the carcinogenesis of CRC. At present, there are no studies comparing
      histone modification patterns of UC and CRC in the literature. Therefore the aim
      of the present study was to investigate whether genes, particularly those
      involved in histone modification, have value in patient monitoring with regards
      to CRC development in UC. Key gene expressions of the histone modification enzyme
      were assessed and compared in CRC, UC and control groups using the RT-PCR array
      technique. Patients were divided into subgroups based on the extent and duration
      of the disease and inflammatory burden, which are considered risk factors for CRC
      development in UC patients. In UC and CRC groups, a significantly higher
      overexpression of the NEK6 and AURKA genes compared to the control group was
      identified. In addition, there was a significantly higher overexpression of HDAC1
      and PAK1 genes in the UC group, and of HDAC1, HDAC7, PAK1 and AURKB genes in the
      CRC group. NEK6, AURKA, HDAC1 and PAK1 were significantly overexpressed in
      patients with a longer UC duration. Overexpression of AURKA and NEK6 genes was
      significantly more pronounced in UC patients with more extensive colon
      involvement. HDAC1, HDAC7, PAK1, NEK6, AURKA and AURKB are important diagnostic
      and prognostic markers involved in the carcinogenesis of CRC. HDAC1, PAK1, NEK6
      and AURKA may be considered as diagnostic markers to be used in CRC screening for
      UC patients.

PMID- 26259751
TI  - Treatment and Prognosis of Rare Breast Cancers.
AB  - Management algorithms for invasive and non-invasive ductal and lobular breast
      carcinomas are well-established. Because of their very nature, rare histologic
      types of primary breast cancers are not represented in practice guidelines and
      thus present a challenge to the practicing clinician who must make
      recommendations for surgical treatment, axillary staging, and adjuvant therapy,
      as well as counsel patients as to their expected disease course and prognosis.
      Herein, case reports and published series of rare types of primary breast cancer
      including adenoid cystic, mucoepidermoid, metaplastic, squamous, neuroendocrine,
      encysted papillary, and micropapillary types will be reviewed to provide a basis
      for treatment planning for patients presenting with these rare primary breast
      malignancies. 

PMID- 26259752
TI  - Contralateral Prophylactic Mastectomy: Challenging Considerations for the
      Surgeon.
AB  - The use of both bilateral prophylactic mastectomy and contralateral prophylactic
      mastectomy (CPM) has increased significantly during the last decade. Various risk
      models have been developed to identify patients at increased risk for breast
      cancer. The indications for bilateral prophylactic mastectomy for patients
      without a diagnosis of breast cancer include high risk from mutation in BRCA or
      other breast cancer predisposition gene, very strong family history with no
      identifiable mutation, and high risk based on breast histology. Additionally, the
      use of CPM has more than doubled in the last decade, and this increase is noted
      among all stages of breast cancer, even in patients with ductal carcinoma in situ
      (stage 0). The risk of contralateral breast cancer often is overestimated by both
      patients and physicians. Nevertheless, specific risk factors are associated with
      an increased risk of contralateral breast cancer, including BRCA or other genetic
      mutation, young age at diagnosis, lobular histology, family history, and prior
      chest wall irradiation. Although CPM reduces the incidence of contralateral
      breast cancer, the effect on disease-free survival and, more importantly, overall
      survival is questionable and underscored by the fact that the reason most
      patients choose CPM is to achieve "peace of mind." Newer and effective
      reconstructive options have made the procedure more attractive. This panel
      addresses the indications and rationale for bilateral prophylactic mastectomy and
      CPM, the decision-making process by patients, and ethical considerations. Changes
      in the physician-patient relationship during the past few decades have altered
      the approach, and ethical considerations are paramount in addressing these
      issues. 

PMID- 26259754
TI  - Improving the Success Rate of Repeat Sentinel Node Biopsy in Recurrent Breast
      Cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: Repeat sentinel node biopsy (SNB) is an alternative to axillary lymph
      node dissection (ALND) for axillary staging in recurrent breast cancer. This
      study was conducted to determine factors associated with technical success of
      repeat SNB. METHODS: A total of 536 patients with locally recurrent nonmetastatic
      breast cancer underwent lymphatic mapping (LM) and repeat SNB in 29 Dutch
      hospitals. RESULTS: A total of 179 patients previously underwent breast
      conserving surgery (BCS) with SNB, 262 patients BCS with ALND and 61 patients
      mastectomy, 35 with SNB and 26 with ALND. Another 34 patients underwent breast
      surgery without axillary interventions. A repeat sentinel node (SN) was
      identified in 333 patients (62.1 %) and was successfully removed in 235 (53.5 %).
      The overall repeat SN identification rate was 62.1 %, varying from 35 to 100 % in
      the participating hospitals. Previous radiotherapy of the breast [odds ratio (OR)
      0.16; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.03-0.84], subareolar tracer injection (OR
      0.34; 95 % CI 0.16-0.73), and a 2-day LM protocol (OR 0.57; 95 % CI 0.33-0.97)
      after previous BCS were independently associated with failure of SN
      identification. Injection of a larger amount of tracer (>180 MBq) led to a higher
      identification rate (OR 4.40; 95 % CI 1.45-13.32). CONCLUSIONS: Repeat SNB is a
      technically feasible procedure for axillary staging in recurrent breast cancer
      patients. Previous radiotherapy appears to be associated with failure of SN
      identification. Injection with a larger amount of tracer (>180 MBq) leads to a
      higher identification rate; subareolar injection and a 2-day LM protocol after
      previous BCS appear to be less adequate.

PMID- 26259753
TI  - Repeat Hepatectomy for Breast Cancer Liver Metastases.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Resection of breast cancer liver metastases (BCLM) combined with
      systemic treatment is increasingly accepted as a therapeutic option; however, the
      potential benefit of repeat hepatectomy for recurrent BCLM is unknown. METHODS:
      All consecutive female patients who underwent liver resection for BCLM at our
      center between January 1985 and December 2012 were included. Patients who had a
      single hepatectomy (N = 120) were compared with those who also underwent repeat
      hepatectomy (N = 19). Patients were selected for repeat hepatectomy based on
      operability and disease control. Prognostic factors of survival after repeat
      hepatectomy were determined. RESULTS: Median overall survival since first
      hepatectomy was 35 months, with a 3- and 5-year survival rate of 50 and 38 %,
      respectively. Overall survival following repeat hepatectomy was 64 and 46 % at 3
      and 5 years, respectively. From the time of first hepatectomy, patients who
      underwent repeat hepatectomy had a better survival than those who had only one
      hepatectomy (95 and 84 vs. 50 and 38 % at 3 and 5 years, respectively) (p =
      0.002). Median survival was 35 and 100 months, respectively, and median survival
      since the diagnosis of BCLM was 51 and 112 months in the single and repeat
      hepatectomy groups, respectively. Since the time of diagnosis, overall 3-, 5-,
      and 7-year survival rates were 75, 57, and 44 %, respectively, for all 139
      patients. Improved overall survival after repeat hepatectomy was related to a
      time interval between breast cancer diagnosis and first hepatectomy of >2 years,
      a limited hepatectomy, solitary liver metastasis, positive progesterone receptor
      status, and chemotherapy following repeat hepatectomy. Patients with single BCLM
      at first hepatectomy had a 3- and 5-year overall survival rate of 76 and 76 %
      compared with 51 and 17 % in patients with multiple metastases (p = 0.023).
      CONCLUSION: In selected patients with BCLM, repeat hepatectomy for liver
      recurrence combined with systemic treatment provided survival rates comparable to
      those after first hepatectomy.

PMID- 26259755
TI  - Serum VEGF-A and Tumor Vessel VEGFR-2 Levels Predict Survival in Caucasian but
      Not Asian Patients Undergoing Resection for Gastric Adenocarcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Clinical trials of agents targeting the vascular endothelial growth
      factor A (VEGF-A) pathway in gastric adenocarcinoma (GA) suggest that these
      therapies may have varying efficacy in different races. METHODS: VEGF-A in serum
      and/or VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) in CD31-positive tumor vessels (VEGFR-2/CD31)
      were measured in 118 Caucasians and 263 Asians who underwent gastric resection at
      two institutions and correlated with overall survival (OS). Blood was drawn
      before any treatment. Patients receiving neoadjuvant treatment were excluded from
      VEGFR-2 analysis. RESULTS: Compared with Asians, Caucasians were older (mean age
      66-73 vs 59-62 years), had more proximal tumors, and had more advanced TNM stage.
      In the VEGF-A cohort, Caucasians had a median VEGF-A level that was 95 % higher
      than that of Asians and a much higher standard deviation (88 +/- 6.206 vs 45 +/-
      76 pg/ml, p < 0.001). The 5-year OS for patients with low versus high VEGF-A
      levels was 72 versus 43 % in Caucasians (p = 0.001) and 86 versus 77 % in Asians
      (p = 0.236). In the VEGFR-2 cohort, OS was worse in Caucasians with high VEGFR
      2/CD31 levels (49 vs 73 %, p = 0.038), while there was no significant difference
      in OS in Asians (80 vs 90 %, p = 0.119). On multivariate analyses of significant
      prognostic factors (excluding treatment factors and margin status), serum VEGF-A
      and tumor VEGFR-2/CD31 levels were independent predictors of OS only in
      Caucasians. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with resectable GA, VEGF-A and VEGFR-2/CD31
      levels are independent predictors of OS in Caucasians but not in Asians,
      suggesting varying importance of this pathway in GA progression among different
      races.

PMID- 26259756
TI  - A Study Comparing Free-Flap Reconstruction via the Retroauricular Approach and
      the Traditional Transcervical Approach for Head and Neck Cancer: A Matched Case
      Control Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Free-flap reconstruction via a retroauricular approach (RRA) after
      robot-assisted neck dissection (RAND) could have cosmetic benefits. This study
      aimed to compare the surgical outcomes of free-flap reconstruction via a RRA and
      via a transcervical approach in head and neck cancer. METHODS: For this matched
      case-control study, 50 patients with head and neck cancer requiring free-flap
      reconstruction were divided into two groups: those reconstructed via a RRA group
      and those reconstructed via a transcervical approach (RTA group). The total
      operation time for free-flap reconstruction, the flap survival rate, the length
      of the hospital stay, the complications, and the scar satisfaction scores were
      compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The RRA group comprised 25 patients,
      and the RTA group had 25 patients. The mean operation time for reconstruction was
      288 +/- 77 min in the RRA group and 250 +/- 98 min in the RTA group (p = 0.132).
      Flap failure occurred for two patients in the RRA group (8 %) and for one patient
      in the RTA group (4 %) (p = 1.000). The mean hospital stay was 21 +/- 18 days in
      the RRA group and 23 +/- 14 days in the RTA group (p = 0.669). The complications
      were comparable between the two groups. However, the overall scar satisfaction
      was significantly higher in the RRA group (p = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: For patients
      with head and neck cancer, RRA has better cosmetic outcomes than RTA. The RRA
      approach could be used for select patients who undergo RAND and prefer to avoid a
      visible anterior neck scar.

PMID- 26259757
TI  - Factors Predictive of Emergency Department Visits and Hospitalization Following
      Thyroidectomy and Parathyroidectomy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine the incidence and risk factors for
      emergency department (ED) visits and unplanned hospitalization after thyroid and
      parathyroid surgery. METHODS: A retrospective study of all patients who underwent
      thyroidectomy or parathyroidectomy from 2007 to 2014 was conducted to assess for
      ED visits or unplanned hospitalization within 30 days after surgery. Uni- and
      multivariate analyses were used to identify risk factors for ED visits and
      hospitalization. RESULTS: Of 864 patients who underwent thyroidectomy (n = 673)
      or parathyroidectomy (n = 191), 96 (11.1 %) had an ED visit and 41 (4.7 %) were
      hospitalized within 30 days after surgery. Univariate analysis showed
      hypocalcemia (p = 0.001), younger age (p = 0.02), total thyroidectomy (p = 0.01),
      and lack of private health insurance (p = 0.005) to be predictive of an ED visit
      and hypocalcemia (p = 0.0001), Hashimoto's thyroiditis (p = 0.049), total
      thyroidectomy (p = 0.005), and African American race (p = 0.03) were predictive
      of hospitalization after thyroidectomy. Multivariate analysis showed younger age
      (odds ratio [OR] 1.5 per 10-year decrease in age; p = 0.002; 95 % confidence
      interval [CI] 1.1-1.8) and Medicare insurance (OR 2.7; p = 0.01; 95 % CI 1.3-5.7)
      to be independently associated with an ED visit, and hypocalcemia (OR 4.7; p <
      0.001; 95 % CI 2.2-11.0) was the only independent factor associated with
      hospitalization after thyroidectomy. Univariate analysis showed hypocalcemia,
      renal hyperparathyroidism, and multiglandular disease to be predictive of an ED
      visit and hospitalization after parathyroidectomy. The sample size for
      parathyroidectomy was too small for multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Targeted
      strategies for transitions of care for patients with postoperative hypocalcemia
      may help to reduce ED visits and hospitalization after thyroidectomy and
      parathyroidectomy.

PMID- 26259758
TI  - Indocyanine Green Fluorescence for Sentinel Lymph Node Detection in Early Breast
      Cancer.

PMID- 26259759
TI  - Tackling social factors is key in reducing cardiovascular disease, say US heart
      doctors.

PMID- 26259760
TI  - Therapy-related B-lymphoblastic leukemia associated with Philadelphia chromosome
      and MLL rearrangement: Single institution experience and the review of the
      literature.
AB  - Therapy related acute lymphoblastic leukemia (t-ALL) of B cell origin is rare and
      constitutes approximately 2% of all ALL. Previously compiled data on the complete
      cytogenetic analysis of 48 t-B-ALL cases suggested that MLL rearrangement at
      11q23 gene locus is the most common abnormality. Philadelphia chromosome (Ph) and
      a normal karyotype were reported as the second and third most common karyotypes,
      respectively. We investigated cytogenetic karyotypes of six t-B-ALL cases with a
      pre-B cell immunophenotype. Ph + t-B-ALL was noted in four of six patients
      previously treated with radiation and/or chemotherapy. In addition, one case
      demonstrated MLL rearrangement at 11q23 locus while one case demonstrated normal
      cytogenetic karyotype. Five of the six t-B-ALL patients had persistent leukemia
      following initiation of chemotherapy for secondary leukemia with survival ranging
      from 10 to 21 months. To our knowledge, only fourteen patients with Ph + t-B-ALL
      have been described in the literature. In the current study, three of four cases
      with Ph + t-B-ALL were associated with treated breast carcinoma while one patient
      was treated for Hodgkin lymphoma. All four patients had undergone radiation
      therapy. The results may indicate a plausible association between Ph+t-B-ALL and
      prior radiation exposure. 

PMID- 26259761
TI  - The Complexity of Complex Patients.

PMID- 26259763
TI  - Capsule Commentary on Haas et al., Provider Attitudes and Screening Practices
      Following Changes in Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines.

PMID- 26259764
TI  - Farming, Ranching, Research: Patient Engagement on the High Plains.

PMID- 26259762
TI  - Effect of Patient Navigation on Breast Cancer Screening Among African American
      Medicare Beneficiaries: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is growing evidence that patient navigation improves breast
      cancer screening rates; however, there are limited efficacy studies of its effect
      among African American older adult women. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of
      patient navigation on screening mammography among African American female
      Medicare beneficiaries in Baltimore, MD. DESIGN: The Cancer Prevention and
      Treatment Demonstration (CPTD), a multi-site study, was a randomized controlled
      trial conducted from April 2006 through December 2010. SETTING: Community-based
      and clinical setting. PARTICIPANTS: The CPTD Screening Trial enrolled 1905
      community-dwelling African American female Medicare beneficiaries who were >=65
      years of age and resided in Baltimore, MD. Participants were recruited from
      health clinics, community centers, health fairs, mailings using Medicare rosters,
      and phone calls. INTERVENTIONS: Participants were randomized to either: printed
      educational materials on cancer screening (control group) or printed educational
      materials + patient navigation services designed to help participants overcome
      barriers to cancer screening (intervention group). MAIN MEASURE: Self-reported
      receipt of mammography screening within 2 years of the end of the study. KEY
      RESULTS: The median follow-up period for participants in this analysis was 17.8
      months. In weighted multivariable logistic regression analyses, women in the
      intervention group had significantly higher odds of being up to date on
      mammography screening at the end of the follow-up period compared to women in the
      control group (odds ratio [OR] 2.26, 95 % confidence interval [CI]1.59-3.22). The
      effect of the intervention was stronger among women who were not up to date with
      mammography screening at enrollment (OR 3.63, 95 % CI 2.09-6.38). CONCLUSION:
      Patient navigation among urban African American Medicare beneficiaries increased
      self-reported mammography utilization. The results suggest that patient
      navigation for mammography screening should focus on women who are not up to date
      on their screening.

PMID- 26259765
TI  - Effect of dietary vanadium and vitamin C on egg quality and antioxidant status in
      laying hens.
AB  - This study assessed the effect of dietary vanadium (V) and vitamin C (VC) on
      production performance, egg quality and antioxidant status in laying hens. A
      total of 360 laying hens (31-week-old) were randomly allotted into a 3 * 3
      factorial arrangement treatments (four replicates and 10 chicks per replicate)
      with three levels of dietary V (0, 5 and 10 mg/kg) and three levels of vitamin C
      (0, 50 and 100 mg/kg) for 12 weeks. The effect of V and VC did not alter egg
      production, egg weight, average daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio
      during 1-12 week. Albumen height and Haugh unit value were linearly decreased (p
      < 0.001) by addition of V, whereas the effect of 100 mg/kg VC was observed to
      counteract (p < 0.05) this effect in V-containing treatments during 1-12 week.
      Hens fed V-containing diet laid lighter (linear effect, p < 0.05) coloured eggs
      (higher lightness value, lower redness and yellowness value), and the VC exerted
      no influence on it during 1-12 week. The serum superoxide dismutase (SOD),
      catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities, ability to inhibit
      hydroxyl radical, were significantly decreased, and the malondialdehyde (MDA) and
      V contents were increased (p < 0.05) by effect of V during 4, 8 and 12 week. The
      effect of VC alone and the interactive effect between VC and V were shown to
      increase serum (p < 0.05) SOD activity in 4 week and decrease MAD levels in 12
      week. The result indicate that V decreased the egg quality and caused the
      oxidative stress at level of 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg, and the addition of 100 mg/kg
      vitamin C can alleviate its egg quality reduction effect and can mitigate the
      oxidative stress to some extent. 

PMID- 26259766
TI  - Early Results of Physician Modified Fenestrated Stent Grafts for the Treatment of
      Thoraco-abdominal Aortic Aneurysms.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim was to determine whether physician modified stent grafts
      (PMSGs) are safe and effective for the treatment of high risk patients with
      thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAAs). DESIGN: This was a retrospective
      single institution study. MATERIAL: Consecutive patients with TAAA undergoing
      endovascular repair using a PMSG between January 2012 and June 2014 were
      evaluated. METHODS: Fenestrations to preserve branch vessels were created in TX2
      thoracic (Cook Medical) stent grafts. Pre- intra- and post-operative data were
      recorded by means of a prospectively maintained database. RESULTS: Eleven high
      risk patients with TAAA (type I, n = 4; type III, n = 3; type IV, n = 3; type V,
      n = 1) underwent fenestrated endovascular repair using PMSGs. Indications were
      painful aneurysm (n = 5), >70 mm rapidly enlarging aneurysm (n = 4), saccular
      aneurysm (n = 1), and visceral patch false aneurysm after open repair of a type
      IV TAAA (n = 1). In four asymptomatic patients, an additional fenestration was
      created for temporary selective sac perfusion and occluded 2-4 weeks later.
      Median duration for stent graft modifications was 2 hours (range 1-3 hours). The
      median number of fenestrations was three (range 2-4). One patient died during the
      post-operative period from colonic ischemia, giving a 9% in hospital mortality
      rate. Four (36%) patients presented with moderate to severe complications. One
      (9%) patient presented with a paraparesis that resolved completely after spinal
      fluid drainage. Among surviving patients, four required early endovascular re
      intervention for type III endoleak (n = 2), type Ia endoleak (n = 1), or target
      vessel cannulation failure (n = 1). The median follow up time was 6 months (range
      3-20 months). During follow up, no other complications occurred and all target
      vessels remained patent. One patient presented with a persistent type II
      endoleak. CONCLUSION: PMSGs provided acceptable short-term results and may be a
      management option for the treatment of TAAA in selected high risk patients.
      Durability concerns need to be assessed in additional studies with long-term
      follow up.

PMID- 26259767
TI  - Renal Outcome After Open Surgery and Fenestrated Endovascular Aneurysm Repair of
      Juxta-renal Aneurysms.

PMID- 26259768
TI  - Are campylobacters now capable of carbo-loading?
AB  - Campylobacters are a leading cause of gastrointestinal morbidity worldwide and
      the majority of human infections are triggered by eating foods contaminated with
      Campylobacter jejuni or Campylobacter coli. Campylobacters are equally notorious
      for their ability to mimic human glycoconjugate structures and for their capacity
      to synthesize both N- and O-linked glycoproteins. These species were once
      considered to be asaccharolytic, but it was recently shown that several strains
      possess a pathway for fucose uptake and metabolism, providing those isolates with
      a competitive advantage in vivo. Vorwerk et al. have now demonstrated through
      isotopologue profiling that certain strains of C. coli and C. jejuni are capable
      of glucose catabolism through the Entner-Doudoroff and pentose phosphate
      pathways. However, unlike the fate of fucose that has only been shown to be used
      for nutrition, glucose can be metabolized or incorporated into select amino acids
      and glycoconjugates. This discovery now provides researchers with the opportunity
      to introduce metabolically labeled sugars into campylobacters to study
      glycoconjugate biosynthesis within the cell. In addition, Vorwerk et al. add to
      the metabolic arsenal of campylobacters further highlighting the nutritional
      diversity among strains, even within the same species.

PMID- 26259769
TI  - RNA rewriting, recoding, and rewiring in human disease.
AB  - ADAR (adenosine deAminase acting on RNA) editases catalyze the deamination of
      adenosine to inosine (A-to-I), a post-transcriptional modification that alters
      coding and non-coding RNA stability and function. ADAR editases such as ADAR1
      have recently been shown to play a key role in normal stem cell maintenance.
      While ADAR mutations are associated with hereditary autoimmune diseases such as
      Aicardi-Goutieres syndrome, ADAR copy-number alterations and editase activation
      have been associated with progression of a broad array of malignancies. In this
      review we discuss evidence linking aberrant A-to-I editing to cancer and other
      degenerative diseases, and the mechanisms that may be targeted by novel
      therapeutic strategies. 

PMID- 26259770
TI  - Repeated Intramyocardial Bone Marrow Cell Injection in Previously Responding
      Patients With Refractory Angina Again Improves Myocardial Perfusion, Anginal
      Complaints, and Quality of Life.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Intramyocardial bone marrow cell injection is associated with
      improvements in myocardial perfusion and anginal symptoms in patients with
      refractory angina pectoris. This study evaluates the effect of repeated
      intramyocardial bone marrow cell injection in patients with residual or recurrent
      myocardial ischemia. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty-three patients (17 men; 69+/-9
      years) who had improved myocardial perfusion after the first injection but had
      residual or recurrent angina and ischemia on single-photon emission computed
      tomographic myocardial perfusion imaging were included. Patients again received
      intramyocardial injection of 100*10(6) autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells,
      4.6+/-2.5 years after their first injection. No periprocedural complications
      occurred. Myocardial perfusion assessed using single-photon emission computed
      tomographic myocardial perfusion imaging improved from a summed stress score of
      27.3+/-5.8 at baseline to 24.5+/-4.4 at 3 months (P=0.002) and 25.4+/-4.9 at 12
      months of follow-up (P=0.002). Perfusion improvement after 3 months was
      comparable with the effect of the first injection (P=0.379). Anginal complaints
      improved <=12 months after cell injection in Canadian Cardiovascular Society
      score (mean change at 3, 6, and 12 months: 0.6+/-0.9%, 0.5+/-0.9%, and 0.6+/
      0.9%, respectively; Pslope=0.007, first versus repeated; P=0.188) and in quality
      of life score as measured by Seattle Angina Questionnaire (mean change at 3, 6,
      and 12 months: 7+/-14%, 8+/-14%, and 7+/-15%, respectively; Pslope=0.020, first
      versus repeated; P=0.126). CONCLUSIONS: Repeated bone marrow cell injection in
      previously responding patients with refractory angina is associated with
      improvements in myocardial perfusion, anginal complaints, and quality of life
      score <=12 months of follow-up. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL:
      http://www.trialregister.nl. Unique identifier: NTR2664.

PMID- 26259771
TI  - Repeat Cell Therapy for Refractory Angina: Deja vu All Over Again?

PMID- 26259772
TI  - Efficacy and safety of pregabalin in generalised anxiety disorder: A critical
      review of the literature.
AB  - The aim of this review is to summarise the literature on the efficacy and safety
      of pregabalin for the treatment of generalised anxiety disorder (GAD). Of 241
      literature citations, 13 clinical trials were identified that were specifically
      designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pregabalin in GAD, including 11
      randomised double-blind trials and two open-label studies. Pregabalin efficacy
      has been consistently demonstrated across the licensed dose range of 150-600
      mg/day. Efficacy has been reported for pregabalin monotherapy in elderly patients
      with GAD, patients with severe anxiety, and for adjunctive therapy when added to
      a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake
      inhibitor in patients who have failed to respond to an initial course of
      antidepressant therapy. The two most common adverse events with pregabalin are
      somnolence and dizziness, both of which appear to be dose-related. Pregabalin
      appears to have a low potential for causing withdrawal symptoms when long-term
      therapy is discontinued; however, tapering over the course of at least one week
      is recommended. A review of available evidence indicates that pregabalin is a
      well-tolerated and consistently effective treatment for GAD, with a unique
      mechanism of action that makes it a useful addition to the therapeutic
      armamentarium. 

PMID- 26259773
TI  - The effects of galantamine and buspirone on sleep structure: Implications for
      understanding sleep abnormalities in major depression.
AB  - RATIONALE: The serotonergic and cholinergic systems are jointly involved in
      regulating sleep, but this balance is theorized to be disturbed in depressed
      individuals. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to use biological probes in
      healthy participants, to model the serotonergic/cholinergic imbalance of
      depression and its associated abnormalities in sleep structure. METHODS: We
      tested 20 healthy female participants 18-30 years of age on four non-consecutive
      nights. Participants were given galantamine (a cholinergic agent), buspirone (a
      serotonergic agonist), both drugs together, or placebo before sleeping. RESULTS:
      Buspirone suppressed tonic rapid eye movement (REM): There was a significant
      increase in REM latency (p < 0.001). Galantamine increased tonic REM sleep,
      leading to more time spent in REM (p < 0.001) and shorter REM latency (p < 0.01).
      Galantamine and buspirone given together were not significantly different from
      the placebo night by REM sleep measures, but disrupted sleep more than either
      drug alone. CONCLUSIONS: These findings are partially consistent with the
      cholinergic literature about sleep in depression, notably short REM latency,
      higher percentage of total sleep time spent in REM and increased sleep
      fragmentation. The prolonged REM latency and reduced percentage of REM with
      buspirone resembled the effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
      antidepressants on REM sleep.

PMID- 26259774
TI  - Impact of a Multidisciplinary Heart Failure Post-hospitalization Program on Heart
      Failure Readmission Rates.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Specialized chronic heart failure (HF) clinics have demonstrated
      significant reductions in readmissions. Limited evidence is available regarding
      HF clinics in the immediate post-discharge period. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the
      effect of a multidisciplinary HF clinic on 90-day readmission rates and all-cause
      mortality in those recently discharged from a HF hospitalization. METHODS: In
      this retrospective cohort study, patients discharged with a primary HF diagnosis
      who attended the HF postdischarge clinic in 2010-2012 were compared with controls
      from 2009. During 6 clinic visits, patients were seen by a physician assistant,
      clinical pharmacist specialist, and case manager, with care overseen by a
      cardiologist. The program focused on optimizing therapy, identifying HF
      etiology/precipitating factors, medication titration, education, and medication
      adherence. The primary outcome was 90-day HF readmission. A multivariate Cox
      proportional hazards model was used to compare outcomes. RESULTS: Among the 277
      patients (144 clinic, 133 control) in the study, 7.6% of patients in the clinic
      and 23.3% of patients in the control group were readmitted for HF within 90 days
      (aHR (adjusted hazard ratio) = 0.17; 95% CI = 0.07-0.41; P < 0.001; ARR (absolute
      risk reduction) = 15.7%; NNT (number needed to treat) = 7). Clinic patients had
      lower 90-day time-to-first HF readmission or all-cause mortality (9.0% vs 28.6%;
      aHR = 0.28; 95% CI = 0.06-0.31; P < 0.001; ARR = 19.6%; NNT = 6). CONCLUSIONS:
      The multidisciplinary HF posthospitalization outpatient program was associated
      with a significant reduction in 90-day HF readmissions in patients who were
      recently discharged from a HF hospitalization.

PMID- 26259775
TI  - Reply: Pulmonary Embolism After Early Change From Rivaroxaban to Aspirin
      Following Total Knee Replacement in an Obese Patient.

PMID- 26259776
TI  - A fluorescent sensor with a detection level of pM for Cd(2+) and nM for Cu(2+)
      based on different mechanisms.
AB  - A fluorescent sensor L, which showed turn-on response towards Cd(2+) with a
      detection limit of 1.9 * 10(-12) mol L(-1) in acetonitrile-H2O buffer solution
      based on the PET process and turn-off response toward Cu(2+) with a detection
      limit of 4.9 * 10(-9) mol L(-1) in pure water at pH 3.5 based on electrostatic
      effects, was developed. 

PMID- 26259777
TI  - Application of data screening to drug exposure in large risk factor studies of
      birth defects.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Birth defects are the leading cause of infant death. While causes of
      most are unknown, those that might be due to medication use are among the most
      preventable. This study describes an approach to identifying those medications
      that most warrant attention by using a "screen" program that calculates odds
      ratios for pairs of exposures and specific birth defects. METHODS: We discuss the
      development of this tool and illustrate its application to two large risk factor
      studies, the Slone Epidemiology Center's Birth Defects Study and the Centers for
      Disease Control and Prevention's National Birth Defects Prevention Study, ideal
      settings for the systematic study of risks and relative safety of drugs in
      relation to birth defects while recognizing the inherent limitations of such an
      approach. RESULTS: Suggestions for establishing criteria for exposures and
      outcomes that balance the need for specific details with the practical
      considerations of sample size and volume of output are presented. Selection of
      appropriate exposure reference categories and control groups is also discussed,
      as well as the need to address potential confounding. An example that motivated a
      detailed investigation of possible associations between a medication (butalbital)
      and selected specific birth defects is provided. CONCLUSION: While screening
      programs such as the one described can be a valuable tool for exploring potential
      associations in large data bases, they must be applied with caution. The issue of
      multiple testing and chance findings is a major concern. While statistics are a
      necessary component, human judgment must be an integral part of the process.

PMID- 26259778
TI  - Microvascular invasion patterns affect survival in hepatocellular carcinoma
      patients after second hepatectomy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Microvascular invasion (MVI) is an important risk factor for survival
      of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after hepatectomy. However, its
      impact on patients with recurrent HCC who receive a second hepatectomy is
      unknown. METHODS: We enrolled 167 patients with HCC who underwent a second
      hepatectomy because of intrahepatic recurrences. We compared the patients'
      demographic, tumor, and pathologic characteristics with 766 cases of original
      hepatectomy. We analyzed the possible risk factors for survival after the first
      and second hepatectomies and the influence of different MVI patterns on patients'
      survival after the second hepatectomy. RESULTS: The median overall survival was
      comparable between the first and second hepatectomy groups, 34 (3-84) mo versus
      27 (3-57) mo, P = 0.09. For patients who underwent a first hepatectomy, the
      presence of macro-VI or MVI, an early recurrence pattern, and a total tumor
      diameter >5 cm were independent risk factors. For survival after the second
      hepatectomy, MVI patterns that were positive-positive or negative-positive and a
      total recurrent tumor diameter >5 cm were significant risk factors for survival.
      CONCLUSIONS: A second hepatectomy provides satisfying survival for patients with
      intrahepatic recurrence of HCC after the initial operation. Different MVI
      patterns affect survival after the second hepatectomy. Because MVI represents the
      biological behavior of HCC, we place a high premium on the clinical value of MVI
      after each hepatectomy.

PMID- 26259779
TI  - Uniaxial cyclic stretch stimulates TRPV4 to induce realignment of human embryonic
      stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes.
AB  - Human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hPSC-CMs) in culture are
      randomly organized and do not typically show directional alignment. In the
      present study, we used uniaxial cyclic stretch to facilitate the alignment of
      cultured human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hESC-CMs), so that
      these cells can be more adult-like for potential future application in drug
      screening and in vitro studies of cardiac function. We then explored the
      functional role of mechanosensitive TRPV4 channels in cyclic stretch-induced
      realignment of hESC-CMs. RT-PCR, immunoblots and immunostaining detected TRPV4
      expression in these cells. 4alpha-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate (4alpha-PDD), a TRPV4
      agonist, elicited a cytosolic Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)]i) rise, the effect of which was
      abolished by TRPV4 inhibitors RN1734 and HC067047, and a TRPV4 dominant negative
      construct. These results confirmed the functional presence of TRPV4 in these
      cells. Importantly, longitudinal stretch was found to induce a [Ca(2+)]i rise,
      the effect of which was inhibited by TRPV4 antagonists. Furthermore, uniaxial
      cyclic stretch for 2h induced realignment of hESC-CMs in the direction transverse
      to the direction of stretch, the effect of which was also abolished by TRPV4
      antagonists. Akt phosphorylation was found to be a downstream signal of TRPV4.
      Taken together, these data strongly suggest endogenous TRPV4 channels as a
      mechanosensor, mediating cyclic stretch-induced realignment of hESC-CMs. 

PMID- 26259780
TI  - Increased ID4 expression, accompanied by mutant p53 accumulation and loss of
      BRCA1/2 proteins in triple-negative breast cancer, adversely affects survival.
AB  - AIMS: Breast cancer 1 (BRCA1) expression is down-regulated in a significant
      proportion of non-hereditary breast cancers, in the absence of any mutation. This
      phenomenon is more pronounced in oestrogen (ER)-negative tumours. Recent studies
      have suggested that inhibitor of DNA binding 4 (ID4), as well as p53, participate
      in the transcriptional regulation of BRCA1. METHODS: Immunohistochemical
      expression of ID4, BRCA1, BRCA2 and p53 in 699 women with triple-negative breast
      cancer was investigated using tissue microarrays. The prognostic role of these
      biomarkers was also evaluated. Survival outcomes were estimated with the Kaplan
      Meier method and compared between groups with log-rank statistics. RESULTS: Loss
      of BRCA1 and BRCA2 expression and overexpression of ID4 and p53 was observed in
      75%, 90%, 95% and 66% of tumours, respectively. ID4 expression was increased in
      higher tumour grade (P < 0.001) and was associated significantly with basal-like
      subtype (P < 0.001), BRCA2 down-regulation (P = 0.037) and p53 accumulation (P <
      0.001). Patients with strong ID4 expression displayed worse disease-free survival
      in both triple-negative breast cancers (P = 0.041) and basal-like triple-negative
      breast cancers (P = 0.026). CONCLUSION: There is frequent ID4 expression and
      concomitant loss of BRCA proteins in triple-negative breast cancer. We
      hypothesize that strong ID4 expression could be useful as a prognostic marker in
      triple-negative breast cancer, predicting early tumour recurrence.

PMID- 26259781
TI  - Distinguishing Feigned From Sincere Performance in Psychophysical Pain Testing.
AB  - Self-report, the most widely used, gold standard measurement of pain, is crucial
      for pain research, diagnosis, and management. However, there are no accurate,
      reliable methods for detecting dishonesty in self-reports when there is incentive
      for pain deception. We introduce a novel approach to detecting pain deception by
      analyzing performance patterns of honest and dishonest psychophysical pain
      testing. Warmth sensation threshold (WST) and heat pain threshold (HPT) were
      measured in healthy individuals (N = 37) under 2 conditions: standard instruction
      (ie, provide sincere reports) and instructions to simulate intense pain (i.e.,
      provide feigned reports) with the intention of deceiving. In the feigned compared
      with sincere condition, participants had significantly increased WST and
      decreased HPT. Repeatability and variability indices were indistinguishable
      between conditions. In a second, separate cohort (N = 24), measurements were
      repeated with the addition of a sensory interference to influence task
      performance. When sensory interference during HPT measurement was introduced,
      feigned pain reports had significantly higher variability and poorer
      repeatability compared with sincere reports and were distinguishable from sincere
      reports, with high sensitivity (83%) and specificity (84%). The statistical
      properties of psychophysical performance under sensory interference provide a
      method for identifying feigned performance and could be applied to evaluations of
      pain malingering. PERSPECTIVE: This article introduces a method to detect whether
      individuals are being dishonest in psychophysical pain testing. The method could
      help clinicians to detect chronic pain malingering in contexts in which there is
      incentive to deceive.

PMID- 26259783
TI  - Biological barriers--Advanced drug delivery, in vitro modelling, and their
      implications for infection research.

PMID- 26259782
TI  - The second virial coefficient as a predictor of protein aggregation propensity: A
      self-interaction chromatography study.
AB  - The second osmotic virial coefficients (b2) of four proteins - lysozyme,
      recombinant human lactoferrin, concanavalin A and catalase were measured by self
      interaction chromatography (SIC) in solutions of varying salt type, concentration
      and pH. Protein aggregate sizes based on the initial hydrodynamic radius of the
      protein solution species present were measured using dynamic light scattering,
      and the relationship between b2 and protein aggregate size was studied. A linear
      correlation was established between b2 values and protein aggregate hydrodynamic
      size for all proteins, and for almost all solution conditions. Aggregate sizes of
      <~10nm, indicative of non-aggregated protein systems, were consistently observed
      to have b2 values >0. The observed b2 trends as a function of solution conditions
      were very much protein dependent, with notable trends including the existence of
      attractive interactions (negative b2 values) at low ionic strengths for catalase
      and concanavalin A, and the highly positive b2 values observed for lactoferrin
      over a wide range of solution conditions, reflecting lactoferrin's innately high
      stability. It is concluded that the quantification of protein-protein
      interactions using SIC based b2 data is a potentially valuable screening tool for
      predicting protein aggregation propensity. 

PMID- 26259784
TI  - The biophysics of piezo1 and piezo2 mechanosensitive channels.
AB  - The ability to sense mechanical stimuli and elaborate a response to them is a
      fundamental process in all organisms, driving crucial mechanisms ranging from
      cell volume regulation up to organ development or regeneration. Nevertheless,
      only in few cases the underlying molecular players are known. In particular,
      mammals possess a large variety of mechanoreceptors, providing highly specialized
      functions in sensory cells, but also several housekeeping molecular systems are
      involved in the complex mechanism of mechanotransduction. Recently, a new class
      of almost ubiquitous membrane channels has been identified in mammalians, namely
      piezo1 and piezo2, that is thought to play a crucial role in the mechanobiology
      of mammals. This review focuses on recent findings on these novel channels, and
      highlights open biophysical questions that largely remain to be addressed. 

PMID- 26259785
TI  - Amyloid beta-peptide insertion in liposomes containing GM1-cholesterol domains.
AB  - Neuronal membrane damage is related to the early impairments appearing in
      Alzheimer's disease due to the interaction of the amyloid beta-peptide (Abeta)
      with the phospholipid bilayer. In particular, the ganglioside GM1, present with
      cholesterol in lipid rafts, seems to be able to initiate Abeta aggregation on
      membrane. We studied the thermodynamic and structural effects of the presence of
      GM1 on the interaction between Abeta and liposomes, a good membrane model system.
      Isothermal Titration Calorimetry highlighted the importance of the presence of
      GM1 in recruiting monomeric Abeta toward the lipid bilayer. Light and Small Angle
      X-ray Scattering revealed a different pattern for GM1 containing liposomes, both
      before and after interaction with Abeta. The results suggest that the interaction
      with GM1 brings to insertion of Abeta in the bilayer, producing a structural
      perturbation down to the internal layers of the liposome, as demonstrated by the
      obtained electron density profiles. 

PMID- 26259786
TI  - Stability and disassembly properties of human naive Hsp60 and bacterial GroEL
      chaperonins.
AB  - Human Hsp60 chaperonin and its bacterial homolog GroEL, in association with the
      corresponding co-chaperonins Hsp10 and GroES, constitute important chaperone
      systems promoting the proper folding of several mitochondrial proteins. Hsp60 is
      also currently described as a ubiquitous molecule with multiple roles both in
      health conditions and in several diseases. Naive Hsp60 bearing the mitochondrial
      import signal has been recently demonstrated to present different oligomeric
      organizations with respect to GroEL, suggesting new possible physiological
      functions. Here we present a combined investigation with circular dichroism and
      small-angle X-ray scattering of structure, self-organization, and stability of
      naive Hsp60 in solution in comparison with bacterial GroEL. Experiments have been
      performed in different concentrations of guanidine hydrochloride, monitoring the
      dissociation of tetradecamers into heptamers and monomers, until unfolding. GroEL
      is proved to be more stable with respect to Hsp60, and the unfolding free energy
      as well as its dependence on denaturant concentration is obtained. 

PMID- 26259787
TI  - 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 attenuates endotoxin-induced production of inflammatory
      mediators by inhibiting MAPK activation in primary cortical neuron-glia cultures.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Neuroinflammation occurs in insulted regions of the brain and may be
      due to reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), cytokines, and
      chemokines produced by activated glia. Excessive production of neurotoxic
      molecules causes further neuronal damage. Low levels of vitamin D3 are a risk
      factor for various brain diseases. METHODS: Using the bacterial endotoxin,
      lipopolysaccharide (LPS), to induce neuroinflammation in primary cortical neuron
      glia cultures, we investigated how 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3)
      affected neuroinflammation. RESULTS: LPS (100 ng/ml) induced the accumulation of
      nitrite and the production of ROS, interleukin (IL)-6, and macrophage
      inflammatory protein (MIP)-2 in time-dependent manners. Inhibition of p38 and
      extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) but not c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)
      mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) by 20 MUM of SB203580, PD98059, and
      SP600125, significantly reduced LPS-induced ROS production, NO accumulation, and
      inducible NO synthase (iNOS) expression, respectively. LPS-induced IL-6 and MIP-2
      were significantly attenuated by inhibition of p38, ERK, and JNK MAPK.
      Cotreatment with 1,25(OH)2D3 attenuated LPS-induced ROS production, NO
      accumulation, and iNOS expression in concentration-dependent manners. 1,25(OH)2D3
      also reduced LPS-induced production of IL-6 and MIP-2. Similarly, iNOS, IL-6, and
      MIP-2 mRNA expression in cells treated with LPS significantly increased, whereas
      this effect was attenuated by 1,25(OH)2D3. Moreover, LPS-induced phosphorylation
      of p38, ERK, and JNK MAPK was significantly inhibited by 1,25(OH)2D3.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that 1,25(OH)2D3 reduced the LPS-stimulated
      production of inflammatory molecules in neuron-glia cultures by inhibiting MAPK
      pathways and the production of downstream inflammatory molecules. We suggest that
      1,25(OH)2D3 can be used to alleviate neuroinflammation in various brain injuries.

PMID- 26259788
TI  - The Human Gut Microbiome as a Transporter of Antibiotic Resistance Genes between
      Continents.
AB  - Previous studies of antibiotic resistance dissemination by travel have, by
      targeting only a select number of cultivable bacterial species, omitted most of
      the human microbiome. Here, we used explorative shotgun metagenomic sequencing to
      address the abundance of >300 antibiotic resistance genes in fecal specimens from
      35 Swedish students taken before and after exchange programs on the Indian
      peninsula or in Central Africa. All specimens were additionally cultured for
      extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing enterobacteria, and the
      isolates obtained were genome sequenced. The overall taxonomic diversity and
      composition of the gut microbiome remained stable before and after travel, but
      there was an increasing abundance of Proteobacteria in 25/35 students. The
      relative abundance of antibiotic resistance genes increased, most prominently for
      genes encoding resistance to sulfonamide (2.6-fold increase), trimethoprim (7.7
      fold), and beta-lactams (2.6-fold). Importantly, the increase observed occurred
      without any antibiotic intake. Of 18 students visiting the Indian peninsula, 12
      acquired ESBL-producing Escherichia coli, while none returning from Africa were
      positive. Despite deep sequencing efforts, the sensitivity of metagenomics was
      not sufficient to detect acquisition of the low-abundant genes responsible for
      the observed ESBL phenotype. In conclusion, metagenomic sequencing of the
      intestinal microbiome of Swedish students returning from exchange programs in
      Central Africa or the Indian peninsula showed increased abundance of genes
      encoding resistance to widely used antibiotics. 

PMID- 26259789
TI  - In Vivo Pharmacodynamic Evaluation of an FtsZ Inhibitor, TXA-709, and Its Active
      Metabolite, TXA-707, in a Murine Neutropenic Thigh Infection Model.
AB  - Antibiotics with novel mechanisms of action are urgently needed. Processes of
      cellular division are attractive targets for new drug development. FtsZ, an
      integral protein involved in cell cytokinesis, is a representative example. In
      the present study, the pharmacodynamic (PD) activity of an FtsZ inhibitor, TXA
      709, and its active metabolite, TXA-707, was evaluated in the neutropenic murine
      thigh infection model against 5 Staphylococcus aureus isolates, including both
      methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant isolates. The pharmacokinetics
      (PK) of the TXA-707 active metabolite were examined after oral administration of
      the TXA-709 prodrug at 10, 40, and 160 mg/kg of body weight. The half-life ranged
      from 3.2 to 4.4 h, and the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) and
      maximum concentration of drug in serum (Cmax) were relatively linear over the
      doses studied. All organisms exhibited an MIC of 1 mg/liter. Dose fractionation
      demonstrated the area under the concentration-time curve over 24 h in the steady
      state divided by the MIC (AUC/MIC ratio) to be the PD index most closely linked
      to efficacy (R(2) = 0.72). Dose-dependent activity was demonstrated against all 5
      isolates, and the methicillin-resistance phenotype did not alter the
      pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) targets. Net stasis was achieved against
      all isolates and a 1-log10 kill level against 4 isolates. PD targets included
      total drug 24-h AUC/MIC values of 122 for net stasis and 243 for 1-log10 killing.
      TXA-709 and TXA-707 are a promising novel antibacterial class and compound for S.
      aureus infections. These results should prove useful for design of clinical
      dosing regimen trials. 

PMID- 26259790
TI  - Evaluation of Sulfobutylether-beta-Cyclodextrin Exposure in a Critically Ill
      Patient Receiving Intravenous Posaconazole While Undergoing Continuous Venovenous
      Hemofiltration.
AB  - We present a 31-year-old female who had undergone an allogeneic bone marrow
      transplantation and who was started on intravenous posaconazole for pulmonary
      mycosis while undergoing continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH). We
      performed steady-state pharmacokinetic evaluations for both posaconazole and
      sulfobutylether-beta-cyclodextrin (SBECD). SBECD was effectively removed by CVVH,
      with observed exposure similar to that for patients with moderate renal
      impairment. Intravenous posaconazole at standard doses may be utilized in
      critically ill patients undergoing CVVH without significant risk of SBECD
      accumulation. 

PMID- 26259791
TI  - Rapid In Vitro Evolution of Human Cytomegalovirus UL56 Mutations That Confer
      Letermovir Resistance.
AB  - Letermovir (LMV) is an experimental cytomegalovirus terminase inhibitor
      undergoing phase 3 clinical trials. Viral mutations have been described at UL56
      codons 231 to 369 that confer widely variable levels of LMV resistance. In this
      study, 15 independent experiments propagating an exonuclease mutant viral strain
      in escalating LMV concentrations replicated 6 of the 7 published UL56 mutations
      and commonly elicited additional resistance-conferring mutations at UL56 codons
      231, 236, 237, 244, 257, 261, 325, and 329. Mutations were first detected earlier
      in LMV (median, 3 passages) than in 8 parallel experiments with foscarnet
      (median, 15 passages). As LMV concentrations increased, the typical initial UL56
      change F261L, which confers low-grade resistance, combined or was replaced with
      mutations conferring higher-grade resistance, eventually enabling normal viral
      growth in 30 MUM LMV (>5,000-fold the 50% effective concentration [EC50] for the
      wild type). At high LMV concentrations, the UL56 changes C325F/R were commonly
      detected, as well as a combination of changes at codons 236, 257, 329, and/or
      369. Recombinant viruses containing individual UL56 mutations and combinations
      were constructed to confirm their resistance phenotypes and normal growth in cell
      culture. Several double and triple mutants showed much higher LMV resistance than
      the respective single mutants, particularly those including changes at both
      codons 236 and 257. The multiplicity of pathways to high-grade LMV resistance
      with minimal viral growth impact suggests a low viral genetic barrier and the
      need for close monitoring during treatment of active infection. 

PMID- 26259792
TI  - Carbapenems and Rifampin Exhibit Synergy against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and
      Mycobacterium abscessus.
AB  - An effective regimen for treatment of tuberculosis (TB) is comprised of multiple
      drugs that inhibit a range of essential cellular activities in Mycobacterium
      tuberculosis. The effectiveness of a regimen is further enhanced if constituent
      drugs act with synergy. Here, we report that faropenem (a penem) or biapenem,
      doripenem, or meropenem (carbapenems), which belong to the beta-lactam class of
      antibiotics, and rifampin, one of the drugs that forms the backbone of TB
      treatment, act with synergy when combined. One of the reasons (carba)penems are
      seldom used for treatment of TB is the high dosage levels required, often at the
      therapeutic limits. The synergistic combination of rifampin and these
      (carba)penems indicates that (carba)penems can be administered at dosages that
      are therapeutically relevant. The combination of faropenem and rifampin also
      limits the frequency of resistant mutants, as we were unable to obtain
      spontaneous mutants in the presence of these two drugs. The combinations of
      rifampin and (carba)penems were effective not only against drug-sensitive
      Mycobacterium tuberculosis but also against drug-resistant clinical isolates that
      are otherwise resistant to rifampin. A combination of doripenem or biapenem and
      rifampin also exhibited synergistic activity against Mycobacterium abscessus.
      Although the MICs of these three drugs alone against M. abscessus are too high to
      be of clinical relevance, their concentrations in combinations are
      therapeutically relevant; therefore, they warrant further evaluation for clinical
      utility to treat Mycobacterium abscessus infection, especially in cystic fibrosis
      patients. 

PMID- 26259793
TI  - Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of
      antibiotics and antiseptics for preventing infection in people receiving primary
      total hip and knee prostheses.
AB  - Infection rates in primary (first-time) major joint arthroplasty continue to be a
      significant issue. The effect of antibiotic and antiseptic prophylaxis on
      outcomes for this type of surgery has not been adequately reviewed. A systematic
      search of the main databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating
      antibiotics and antiseptics was conducted to evaluate the predetermined endpoints
      of infection, adverse events, costs, quality of life, and concentration levels of
      antibiotics. A meta-analysis using pooled effect estimates and fixed-effect and
      random-effect models of risk ratios (RR), calculated with 95% confidence
      intervals (CI), was utilized. Thirty (30) RCTs examined the effects of antibiotic
      and antiseptic prophylaxis on infections after primary total hip arthroplasty
      (THA) (total of 11,597 participants) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) (total of
      6,141 participants). For THA, preoperative systemic intravenous (i.v.) antibiotic
      prophylaxis may be effective in reducing the incidence of infection after THA
      from 6 months to >=5 years. For TKA, there is no RCT evidence that antibiotics
      and/or antiseptics have any effect on infection rate. Preoperative systemic
      antibiotic prophylaxis in primary THA may be effective at reducing infection
      rate. There is no evidence that timing, route of administration, or concentration
      levels have an effect on reducing infections, adverse events, or costs in THA or
      TKA. Many of the trials included in this study were published in the 1980s and
      1990s. Thus, it would be important to replicate a number of them based on current
      patient demographics and incidence of bacterial resistance. 

PMID- 26259795
TI  - Candida parapsilosis Resistance to Fluconazole: Molecular Mechanisms and In Vivo
      Impact in Infected Galleria mellonella Larvae.
AB  - Candida parapsilosis is the main non-albicans Candida species isolated from
      patients in Latin America. Mutations in the ERG11 gene and overexpression of
      membrane transporter proteins have been linked to fluconazole resistance. The aim
      of this study was to evaluate the molecular mechanisms in fluconazole-resistant
      strains of C. parapsilosis isolated from critically ill patients. The identities
      of the nine collected C. parapsilosis isolates at the species level were
      confirmed through molecular identification with a TaqMan qPCR assay. The clonal
      origin of the strains was checked by microsatellite typing. The Galleria
      mellonella infection model was used to confirm in vitro resistance. We assessed
      the presence of ERG11 mutations, as well as the expression of ERG11 and two
      additional genes that contribute to antifungal resistance (CDR1 and MDR1), by
      using real-time quantitative PCR. All of the C. parapsilosis (sensu stricto)
      isolates tested exhibited fluconazole MICs between 8 and 16 MUg/ml. The in vitro
      data were confirmed by the failure of fluconazole in the treatment of G.
      mellonella infected with fluconazole-resistant strains of C. parapsilosis.
      Sequencing of the ERG11 gene revealed a common mutation leading to a Y132F amino
      acid substitution in all of the isolates, a finding consistent with their clonal
      origin. After fluconazole exposure, overexpression was noted for ERG11, CDR1, and
      MDR1 in 9/9, 9/9, and 2/9 strains, respectively. We demonstrated that a
      combination of molecular mechanisms, including the presence of point mutations in
      the ERG11 gene, overexpression of ERG11, and genes encoding efflux pumps, are
      involved in fluconazole resistance in C. parapsilosis. 

PMID- 26259796
TI  - Identification of NDM-1 in a Putatively Novel Acinetobacter Species ("NB14")
      Closely Related to Acinetobacter pittii.
AB  - In this study, we describe the molecular characterization of a plasmid-located
      blaNDM-1 harbored by an Acinetobacter clinical isolate recovered from a patient
      in Turkey that putatively constitutes a novel Acinetobacter species, as shown by
      its distinct ARDRA (amplified 16S ribosomal DNA restriction analysis) profile and
      molecular sequencing techniques. blaNDM-1 was carried by a conjugative plasmid
      widespread among non-baumannii Acinetobacter isolates, suggesting its potential
      for dissemination before reaching more clinically relevant Acinetobacter species.

PMID- 26259797
TI  - Naegleria fowleri: pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment options.
AB  - Naegleria fowleri has generated tremendous media attention over the last 5 years
      due to several high-profile cases. Several of these cases were followed very
      closely by the general public. N. fowleri is a eukaryotic, free-living amoeba
      belonging to the phylum Percolozoa. Naegleria amoebae are ubiquitous in the
      environment, being found in soil and bodies of freshwater, and feed on bacteria
      found in those locations. While N. fowleri infection appears to be quite rare
      compared to other diseases, the clinical manifestations of primary amoebic
      meningoencephalitis are devastating and nearly always fatal. Due to the rarity of
      N. fowleri infections in humans, there are no clinical trials to date that assess
      the efficacy of one treatment regimen over another. Most of the information
      regarding medication efficacy is based on either case reports or in vitro
      studies. This review will discuss the pathogenesis, diagnosis, pharmacotherapy,
      and prevention of N. fowleri infections in humans, including a brief review of
      all survivor cases in North America. 

PMID- 26259798
TI  - Preclinical Characterization and In Vivo Efficacy of GSK8853, a Small-Molecule
      Inhibitor of the Hepatitis C Virus NS4B Protein.
AB  - The hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS4B protein is an antiviral therapeutic target for
      which small-molecule inhibitors have not been shown to exhibit in vivo efficacy.
      We describe here the in vitro and in vivo antiviral activity of GSK8853, an
      imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidine inhibitor that binds NS4B protein. GSK8853 was active
      against multiple HCV genotypes and developed in vitro resistance mutations in
      both genotype 1a and genotype 1b replicons localized to the region of NS4B
      encoding amino acids 94 to 105. A 20-day in vitro treatment of replicons with
      GSK8853 resulted in a 2-log drop in replicon RNA levels, with no resistance
      mutation breakthrough. Chimeric replicons containing NS4B sequences matching
      known virus isolates showed similar responses to a compound with genotype 1a
      sequences but altered efficacy with genotype 1b sequences, likely corresponding
      to the presence of known resistance polymorphs in those isolates. In vivo
      efficacy was tested in a humanized-mouse model of HCV infection, and the results
      showed a 3-log drop in viral RNA loads over a 7-day period. Analysis of the virus
      remaining at the end of in vivo treatment revealed resistance mutations encoding
      amino acid changes that had not been identified by in vitro studies, including
      NS4B N56I and N99H. Our findings provide an in vivo proof of concept for HCV
      inhibitors targeting NS4B and demonstrate both the promise and potential pitfalls
      of developing NS4B inhibitors. 

PMID- 26259799
TI  - Polymyxin B in Combination with Antimicrobials Lacking In Vitro Activity versus
      Polymyxin B in Monotherapy in Critically Ill Patients with Acinetobacter
      baumannii or Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infections.
AB  - There is no clinical evidence supporting the use of polymyxin B in combination
      with another antimicrobial for infections caused by extensively drug-resistant
      Acinetobacter baumannii or Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates. We developed a cohort
      study of patients in two intensive care units from teaching hospitals to evaluate
      treatment with intravenous polymyxin B for >=48 h for severe A. baumannii or P.
      aeruginosa infections. Covariates potentially associated with 30-day mortality
      were evaluated in a Cox proportional hazards model. A total of 101 patients were
      included; 33 (32.7%) were treated with polymyxin B in combination with an
      antimicrobial lacking in vitro activity and 68 (67.3%) with polymyxin B in
      monotherapy. The overall 30-day mortality was 59.4% (60 patients), comprising
      42.4% (14 of 33) and 67.6% (46 of 68) in combination and monotherapy groups,
      respectively (P = 0.03). The mortality rates were 18.5/1,000 patient days and
      36.4/1,000 patient days in the combination and monotherapy groups, respectively
      (P = 0.02). Combination therapy was independently associated with lower 30-day
      mortality (hazard ratio, 0.33; 95% confidence interval, 0.17 to 0.64; P = 0.001).
      Creatinine clearance of >=60 ml/min was also a protective factor, while a higher
      acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE II) score and
      polymicrobial infection were associated with increased mortality. The results did
      not change after adding a propensity score for prescribing combination therapy
      into the model. The protective effect remained when only combination with beta
      lactam or carbapenem was considered and in both subgroups of patients: those with
      A. baumannii infection and those with lower respiratory tract infections. To our
      knowledge, this is the first clinical study to show a benefit of combination over
      monotherapy with polymyxin B for severe extensively drug-resistant A. baumannii
      or P. aeruginosa infections. 

PMID- 26259800
TI  - Constitutive and Inducible Expression of the rRNA Methylase Gene erm(B) in
      Campylobacter.
AB  - Macrolides are the antimicrobials of choice for treating human
      campylobacteriosis. The recent emergence of erm(B) in Campylobacter bacteria
      threatens the utility of this class of antibiotics. Here we report the
      constitutive and inducible expression of erm(B) in Campylobacter isolates derived
      from diarrheal patients and food-producing animals. Constitutive expression of
      erm(B) was associated with insertion and deletion in the regulatory region of the
      gene, providing the first documentation of the differential expression of erm(B)
      in Campylobacter bacteria. 

PMID- 26259802
TI  - Cytotoxic triterpenoid glycosides (saikosaponins) from the roots of Bupleurum
      chinense.
AB  - As a part of our ongoing studies on cytotoxic triterpenoid saponins from herbal
      medicines, phytochemical investigation of the roots of Bupleurum chinense DC.
      afforded four new saikosaponins (1-4), along with 16 known ones (5-20). Their
      structures were established by direct interpretation of their spectral data,
      mainly HR-ESI-MS, 1D NMR and 2D NMR, and by comparison with literature data.
      Among them, compound 20 was isolated from the natural product for the first time.
      The cytotoxicities of all compounds against five selected human cancer cell lines
      (A549, HepG2, Hep3B, Bcap-37 and MCF-7) were assayed. In general, a number of the
      isolated compounds exhibited potent cytotoxic activities against the five
      selected human cancer cell lines. In particular, compounds 3, 8-9, 11-13, 16 and
      20 showed more potent cytotoxic activities against the HepG2 and A549 cell lines
      than the positive control 5-fluorouracil. Based on the primary screening results,
      the preliminary structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies were also
      discussed. The SAR results suggest that the 13,28-epoxy bridge, the orientation
      of the hydroxyl group and the type of the sugar units are important requirements
      for cytotoxicity and selectivity. 

PMID- 26259804
TI  - Tetrahydropyrrolo-diazepenones as inhibitors of ERK2 kinase.
AB  - A series of structure based drug design hypotheses and focused screening efforts
      led to the identification of tetrahydropyrrolo-diazepenones with striking potency
      against ERK2 kinase. The role of fluorination in mitigating microsomal clearance
      was systematically explored. Ultimately, it was found that fluorination of a
      cyclopentanol substructure provided significant improvement in both potency and
      human metabolic stability. 

PMID- 26259803
TI  - Synthesis of oxygenated oleanolic and ursolic acid derivatives with anti
      inflammatory properties.
AB  - The scalable syntheses of four oxygenated triterpenes have been implemented to
      access substantial quantities of maslinic acid, 3-epi-maslinic acid, corosolic
      acid, and 3-epi-corosolic acid. Semi-syntheses proceed starting from the natural
      products oleanolic acid and ursolic acid. Proceeding over five steps, each of the
      four compounds can be synthesized on the gram scale. Divergent diastereoselective
      reductions of alpha-hydroxy ketones provided access to the four targeted diol
      containing compounds from two precursors of the oleanane or ursane lineage. These
      compounds were subsequently evaluated for their ability to inhibit inflammatory
      gene expression in a mouse model of chemically induced skin inflammation. All
      compounds possessed the ability to inhibit the expression of one or more
      inflammatory genes induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13 acetate in mouse skin,
      however, three of the compounds, corosolic acid, 3-epi-corosolic acid and
      maslinic acid were more effective than the others. The availability of gram
      quantities will allow further testing of these compounds for potential anti
      inflammatory activities as well as cancer chemopreventive activity.

PMID- 26259805
TI  - Multivalent LKgamma-PNA oligomers bind to a human telomere DNA G-rich sequence to
      form quadruplexes.
AB  - We report G-quadruplex formation between peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) composed of
      (L)Kgamma-PNA-G monomers and a known portion of human telomeric DNA that adopts
      three G3 tracts via intramolecular hydrogen bonding. The resulting complex is a
      bimolecular PNA-DNA heteroquadruplex. In this Letter, we show that introduction
      of a gamma-modification and addition of a peptide ligand does not disrupt the
      heteroquadruplex. Although the unmodified PNA1 forms a quadruplex with itself,
      the gamma-substituted PNAs (PNA2-PNA6) do not form G-quadruplexes on their own,
      at even high concentrations. The selectivity of these PNAs could influence the
      design of new quadruplex-targeting molecules or allow the quadruplex structure to
      be used as a scaffold for multivalent display of protein binding ligands. 

PMID- 26259806
TI  - 2,4-Diarylamino-pyrimidines as kinase inhibitors co-targeting IGF1R and
      EGFR(L858R/T790M).
AB  - IGF1R amplification was recently implied to be related to the secondary acquired
      resistance against the 2nd or 3rd generation EGFR inhibitor therapies. We have
      successfully identified a series of 2,4-diarylamino-pyrimidines as new
      IGF1R/EGFR(L858R/T790M) co-targeting agents. One of the most promising compounds
      8g potently inhibits both kinases with low nanomolar IC50 values, but is
      significantly less potent in inhibiting the wild type EGFR. The compound also
      displays a good kinase selectivity profile against a panel of 468 kinases.
      Moreover, 8g strongly suppresses the proliferation of CO-1686-resistant H1975
      IGF1R cancer cells, suggesting its promising potential as a new lead compound for
      future anticancer drug discovery. 

PMID- 26259807
TI  - Structure-based de novo design and synthesis of aminothiazole-based p38 MAP
      kinase inhibitors.
AB  - p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) is a promising target for the
      development of therapeutics for various immunological diseases. We designed and
      synthesized aminothiazole-based p38 MAPK inhibitors of with IC50 values ranging
      from 0.1 to 2 MUM by means of the structure-based de novo design of phenyl-(2
      phenylamino-thiazol-5-yl)-methanone scaffold. Because these newly identified
      inhibitors were also screened for having desirable physicochemical properties as
      a drug candidate, they deserve consideration for further investigation as anti
      inflammatory drugs. Structural features relevant to the stabilization of the
      newly identified inhibitors in the ATP-binding site of p38 MAPK are discussed in
      detail.

PMID- 26259808
TI  - Control of Hypertension In Pregnancy Study randomised controlled trial-are the
      results dependent on the choice of labetalol or methyldopa?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the difference in outcomes between 'less tight'
      (target diastolic blood pressure [dBP] of 100 mmHg) versus 'tight' control
      (target dBP of 85 mmHg) in the CHIPS Trial (ISRCTN 71416914, http://pre
      empt.cfri.ca/;CHIPS) depended on the choice of labetalol or methyldopa, the two
      most commonly used antihypertensive agents in CHIPS. DESIGN: Secondary analysis
      of CHIPS Trial data. SETTING: International multicentre randomised controlled
      trial (94 sites, 15 countries). POPULATION OR SAMPLE: A total of 987 women with
      non-severe non-proteinuric pregnancy hypertension. METHODS: Logistic regression
      was used for comparisons of 'less tight' versus 'tight' control among women
      treated with labetalol (but not methydopa) versus methyldopa (but not labetalol).
      Analyses were adjusted for the influence of baseline factors, including use of
      any antihypertensive therapy at randomisation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Main CHIPS
      Trial outcomes: primary (perinatal loss or high-level neonatal care for > 48
      hours), secondary (serious maternal complications), birthweight < 10th centile,
      severe maternal hypertension, pre-eclampsia, and delivery at < 34 or < 37 weeks.
      RESULTS: Of 987 women in CHIPS, antihypertensive therapy was taken by 566 women
      at randomisation (labetalol 111 ['less tight'] versus 127 ['tight'] or methyldopa
      126 ['less tight'] versus 117 ['tight']) and 815 women after randomisation
      (labetalol 186 ['less tight'] versus 247 ['tight'] and methyldopa by 98 ['less
      tight'] versus 126 ['tight']). Following adjustment, odds ratios for outcomes in
      'less tight' versus 'tight' control were similar between antihypertensive groups
      according to 'at randomisation' and 'after randomisation' therapy. CONCLUSION:
      Outcomes for 'less tight' versus 'tight' control were not dependent on use of
      methyldopa or labetalol. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: In the CHIPS Trial, maternal and
      infant outcomes were not dependent on use of labetalol or methyldopa.

PMID- 26259809
TI  - A Randomized, Blinded, Controlled, Dose-Ranging Study of a Respiratory Syncytial
      Virus Recombinant Fusion (F) Nanoparticle Vaccine in Healthy Women of
      Childbearing Age.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of infant
      morbidity and mortality. A recombinant RSV fusion protein nanoparticle vaccine
      (RSV F vaccine) candidate for maternal immunization was tested for safety and
      immunogenicity in women of childbearing age. METHODS: Three hundred thirty women
      (18-35 years) were randomized to receive 1 or 2 doses of RSV F vaccine (60 or 90
      ug) with or without aluminum phosphate adjuvant, or placebo at days 0 and 28.
      Safety was evaluated over 180 days; immunogenicity and RSV infection rates were
      evaluated over 112 days. RESULTS: All vaccine formulations were well tolerated,
      without vaccine-related serious adverse events. Anti-F immunoglobulin G
      antibodies rose 6.5-15.6-fold, with significantly higher levels in 2-dose,
      adjuvanted regimens at day 56. Palivizumab-competitive antibody levels were
      undetectable at day 0 but increased up to 325 ug/mL at day 56. A 2.7- and 3.5
      fold rise in RSV/A and RSV/B microneutralization antibodies were noted at day 56.
      Between days 56 and 112, 21% (12/56) of placebo recipients and 11% of vaccinees
      (26/244) showed evidence of a recent RSV infection (P = .04). CONCLUSIONS: The
      vaccine appeared safe, immunogenic, and reduced RSV infections. Further
      development as a vaccine for use in maternal immunization is warranted. CLINICAL
      TRIALS REGISTRATION: NCT01704365.

PMID- 26259810
TI  - In silico structure-based design and synthesis of novel anti-RSV compounds.
AB  - Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the major cause for respiratory tract
      disease in infants and young children. Currently, no licensed vaccine or a
      selective antiviral drug against RSV infections are available. Here, we describe
      a structure-based drug design approach that led to the synthesis of a novel
      series of zinc-ejecting compounds active against RSV replication. 30 compounds,
      sharing a common dithiocarbamate moiety, were designed and prepared to target the
      zinc finger motif of the M2-1 protein. A library of ~ 12,000 small fragments was
      docked to explore the area surrounding the zinc ion. Among these, seven ligands
      were selected and used for the preparation of the new derivatives. The results
      reported here may help the development of a lead compound for the treatment of
      RSV infections.

PMID- 26259811
TI  - Molecular insights into the inhibition of HIV-1 infection using a CD4 domain-1
      specific monoclonal antibody.
AB  - An HIV-1 infection in a host cell occurs through an ordered process that involves
      HIV-1 attachment to the host's cellular CD4 receptor, co-receptor binding to CCR5
      or CXCR4, and the subsequent fusion with the cellular membrane. The natural viral
      entry pathway into a host cell provides an opportunity to develop agents for the
      treatment of HIV-1 infections. Several engineered monoclonal antibodies
      specifically targeting CD4 have shown antiviral activities in clinical trials.
      Here, we report on an anti-CD4 mAb (15A7) that displays a unique binding
      specificity for domain 1 of CD4, whose epitope partially overlaps with the gp120
      binding region. Moreover, 15A7 displays a much stronger binding affinity to
      CD4(+) cell lines after HIV infection. 15A7 is able to block and neutralize a
      broad range of primary HIV-1 isolates and T cell-line passage strains. Notably,
      the bivalent F(ab')2 form of 15A7 is more effective than the Fab form in blocking
      HIV-1 infection, which is further supported by molecular docking analyses.
      Together, these results suggest that this novel antibody may exert its antiviral
      activity by blocking gp120 targeting to the CD4 receptor or competing with gp120
      for CD4 receptor binding and might present post-attachment neutralization
      activity. This antibody could provide a new candidate to efficiently block HIV-1
      infection or provide new starting materials for HIV treatment, especially when
      HIV-1-resistant strains against the current CD4 mAb treatments have already been
      identified. 

PMID- 26259812
TI  - Synthetic pregnenolone derivatives as antiviral agents against acyclovir
      resistant isolates of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1.
AB  - The conventional therapy for the management of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV
      1) infections mainly comprises acyclovir (ACV) and other nucleoside analogues. A
      common outcome of this treatment is the emergence of resistant viral strains,
      principally when immunosuppressed patients are involved. Thus, the development of
      new antiherpetic compounds remains as a central challenge. In this work we
      describe the synthesis and the in vitro antiherpetic activity of a new family of
      steroidal compounds derived from the endogenous hormone pregnenolone. Some of
      these derivatives showed a remarkable inhibitory effect on HSV-1 spread both on
      wild type and ACV-resistant strains. The results also show that these compounds
      seem to interfere with the late steps of the viral cycle. 

PMID- 26259813
TI  - Comparative Genomic Analysis of Meningitis- and Bacteremia-Causing Pneumococci
      Identifies a Common Core Genome.
AB  - Streptococcus pneumoniae is a nasopharyngeal commensal that occasionally invades
      normally sterile sites to cause bloodstream infection and meningitis. Although
      the pneumococcal population structure and evolutionary genetics are well defined,
      it is not clear whether pneumococci that cause meningitis are genetically
      distinct from those that do not. Here, we used whole-genome sequencing of 140
      isolates of S. pneumoniae recovered from bloodstream infection (n = 70) and
      meningitis (n = 70) to compare their genetic contents. By fitting a double
      exponential decaying-function model, we show that these isolates share a core of
      1,427 genes (95% confidence interval [CI], 1,425 to 1,435 genes) and that there
      is no difference in the core genome or accessory gene content from these disease
      manifestations. Gene presence/absence alone therefore does not explain the
      virulence behavior of pneumococci that reach the meninges. Our analysis, however,
      supports the requirement of a range of previously described virulence factors and
      vaccine candidates for both meningitis- and bacteremia-causing pneumococci. This
      high-resolution view suggests that, despite considerable competency for genetic
      exchange, all pneumococci are under considerable pressure to retain key
      components advantageous for colonization and transmission and that these
      components are essential for access to and survival in sterile sites. 

PMID- 26259814
TI  - Primary Structural Variation in Anaplasma marginale Msp2 Efficiently Generates
      Immune Escape Variants.
AB  - Antigenic variation allows microbial pathogens to evade immune clearance and
      establish persistent infection. Anaplasma marginale utilizes gene conversion of a
      repertoire of silent msp2 alleles into a single active expression site to encode
      unique Msp2 variants. As the genomic complement of msp2 alleles alone is
      insufficient to generate the number of variants required for persistence, A.
      marginale uses segmental gene conversion, in which oligonucleotide segments from
      multiple alleles are recombined into the expression site to generate a novel msp2
      mosaic not represented elsewhere in the genome. Whether these segmental changes
      are sufficient to evade a broad antibody response is unknown. We addressed this
      question by identifying Msp2 variants that differed in primary structure within
      the immunogenic hypervariable region microdomains and tested whether they
      represented true antigenic variants. The minimal primary structural difference
      between variants was a single amino acid resulting from a codon insertion, and
      overall, the amino acid identity among paired microdomains ranged from 18 to 92%.
      Collectively, 89% of the expressed structural variants were also antigenic
      variants across all biological replicates, independent of a specific host major
      histocompatibility complex haplotype. Biological relevance is supported by the
      following: (i) all structural variants were expressed during infection of a
      natural host, (ii) the structural variation observed in the microdomains
      corresponded to the mean length of variants generated by segmental gene
      conversion, and (iii) antigenic variants were identified using a broad antibody
      response that developed during infection of a natural host. The findings
      demonstrate that segmental gene conversion efficiently generates Msp2 antigenic
      variants. 

PMID- 26259816
TI  - Effects of fish cues on mosquito larvae development.
AB  - We investigated the effects of predator-released kairomones on life history
      traits of larval Culex pipiens (Linnaeus). We compared the development time and
      survival of sibling larvae, reared in either water conditioned by the presence of
      Gambusia affinis (Baird and Girard) or fishless control-water. Our results
      indicate that larvae developing in fish-conditioned water (FCW) pupated faster
      than larvae in fishless-control water. The effect of FCW on larval survival was
      evident only in females. Surprisingly, FCW increased female survival. In both
      development-time and survival, boiling the water eliminated the FCW effect,
      supporting our hypothesis that fish conditioning is based on kairomones.
      Accelerated metamorphosis in response to predator released kairomones, evident in
      our results, is a rarely described phenomenon. Intuitively, when exposed to
      predator associated signals, aquatic larvae should metamorphose earlier to escape
      the higher risk of predation. However, theoretical models predict this outcome
      only under specific conditions. Indeed, longer - rather than shorter - time to
      metamorphosis is usually observed in response to predation risk. We argue that
      the response of larval mosquitoes to predation risk is context-dependent.
      Shortening larval development time may not be an exceptional response, but rather
      represents a part of a response spectrum that depends on the level of predation
      risk and resource abundance.

PMID- 26259815
TI  - Coculture of Escherichia coli O157:H7 with a Nonpathogenic E. coli Strain
      Increases Toxin Production and Virulence in a Germfree Mouse Model.
AB  - Escherichia coli O157:H7 is a notorious foodborne pathogen due to its low
      infectious dose and the disease symptoms it causes, which include bloody diarrhea
      and severe abdominal cramps. In some cases, the disease progresses to hemorrhagic
      colitis (HC) and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), due to the expression of one or
      more Shiga toxins (Stx). Isoforms of Stx, including Stx2a, are encoded within
      temperate prophages. In the presence of certain antibiotics, phage induction
      occurs, which also increases the expression of toxin genes. Additionally,
      increased Stx2 accumulation has been reported when O157:H7 was cocultured with
      phage-susceptible nonpathogenic E. coli. This study characterized an E. coli
      O157:H7 strain, designated PA2, that belongs to the hypervirulent clade 8
      cluster. Stx2a levels after ciprofloxacin induction were lower for PA2 than for
      the prototypical outbreak strains Sakai and EDL933. However, during coculture
      with the nonpathogenic strain E. coli C600, PA2 produced Stx2a levels that were 2
      to 12-fold higher than those observed during coculture with EDL933 and Sakai,
      respectively. Germfree mice cocolonized by PA2 and C600 showed greater kidney
      damage, increased Stx2a accumulation in feces, and more visible signs of disease
      than mice given PA2 or C600 alone. These data suggest one mechanism by which
      microorganisms associated with the colonic microbiota could enhance the virulence
      of E. coli O157:H7, particularly a subset of clade 8 strains. 

PMID- 26259817
TI  - Diversity and abundance of mosquitoes (Diptera:Culicidae) in an urban park:
      larval habitats and temporal variation.
AB  - Urban parks are areas designated for human recreation but also serve as shelter
      and refuge for populations of several species of native fauna, both migratory and
      introduced. In Brazil, the effect of annual climate variations on Aedes aegypti
      and dengue epidemics in large cities like Sao Paulo is well known, but little is
      known about how such variations can affect the diversity of mosquito vectors in
      urban parks and the risk of disease transmission by these vectors. This study
      investigates the influence of larval habitats and seasonal factors on the
      diversity and abundance of Culicidae fauna in Anhanguera Park, one of the largest
      remaining green areas in the city of Sao Paulo. Species composition and richness
      and larval habitats were identified. Seasonality (cold-dry and hot-rainy periods)
      and year were considered as explanatory variables and the models selection
      approach was developed to investigate the relationship of these variables with
      mosquito diversity and abundance. A total of 11,036 specimens from 57 taxa
      distributed in 13 genera were collected. Culex nigripalpus, Cx. quinquefasciatus
      and Aedes albopictus were the most abundant species. Bamboo internodes and
      artificial breeding sites showed higher abundance, while ponds and puddles showed
      greater richness. Significant relationships were observed between abundance and
      seasonality, with a notable increase in the mosquitos abundance in the warm-rainy
      periods. The Shannon and Berger-Parker indices were related with interaction
      between seasonality and year, however separately these predictors showed no
      relationship with ones. The increased abundance of mosquitoes in warm-rainy
      months and the fact that some of the species are epidemiologically important
      increase not only the risk of pathogen transmission to people who frequent urban
      parks but also the nuisance represented by insect bites. The findings of this
      study highlight the importance of knowledge of culicid ecology in green areas in
      urban environments.

PMID- 26259818
TI  - Caregivers' treatment-seeking behaviors and practices in Uganda-A systematic
      review (Part II).
AB  - Prompt treatment with artemisinin combination therapies (ACTs) remains the
      cornerstone for managing uncomplicated malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum.
      In accordance with global initiatives to curb malaria, the Ugandan government
      pledged to increase the proportion of children under five to receive the first
      line antimalarial treatment to 85% by 2010. To achieve this, Uganda has
      implemented several initiatives to improve prompt access to ACTs. While several
      studies have evaluated various aspects of caregivers' treatment-seeking and its
      impact on malaria management in children since the advent of ACT, this is the
      first systematic review to synthesize the Uganda literature since 2004. A
      comprehensive search employed key web search engines databases. A total of 19
      studies met the inclusion criteria. This review found that although most Ugandans
      associate mosquitoes with malaria, misconceptions about the cause of malaria is
      common. Home management continues to be a common first response, with most
      caregivers seeking subsequent treatment if the child does not improve. A major
      concern arising from this review was that an increase in ACT knowledge does not
      always translate into a child receiving an ACT. While 84% of caregivers in a
      recent national study spontaneously named ACT as the antimalarial of choice, only
      half of the children were reported to have received an antimalarial and only 44%
      received an ACT. As with ACT usage, prompt use of ACT fell significantly short of
      the 2010 target. Given the on-going popularity of home management, future
      research is needed to examine the diversity and adequacy of home management for
      malaria and the sequence of care provided from the moment of recognition of
      initial symptoms. Considering the pervasive use of polypharmacy to manage
      malaria, further research is needed to quantify the proportion of children who
      receive an appropriate antimalarial - defined as receiving only the first-line
      treatment. Finally, given children's reliance on caregivers to seek out
      appropriate care on their behalf, future studies need to examine specific assets
      and challenges influencing caregivers' treatment-seeking behaviors in order to
      positively influence decision-making at the household level. 

PMID- 26259821
TI  - Comparison of bacterial community structure and dynamics during the thermophilic
      composting of different types of solid wastes: anaerobic digestion residue, pig
      manure and chicken manure.

PMID- 26259819
TI  - Fluorescent ratiometric pH indicator SypHer2: Applications in neuroscience and
      regenerative biology.
AB  - BACKGROUND: SypHer is a genetically encoded fluorescent pH-indicator with a
      ratiometric readout, suitable for measuring fast intracellular pH shifts.
      However, the relatively low brightness of the indicator limits its use. METHODS:
      Here we designed a new version of pH-sensor called SypHer-2, which has up to
      three times brighter fluorescence in cultured mammalian cells compared to the
      SypHer. RESULTS: Using the new indicator we registered activity-associated pH
      oscillations in neuronal cell culture. We observed prominent transient neuronal
      cytoplasm acidification that occurs in parallel with calcium entry. Furthermore,
      we monitored pH in presynaptic and postsynaptic termini by targeting SypHer-2
      directly to these compartments and revealed marked differences in pH dynamics
      between synaptic boutons and dendritic spines. Finally, we were able to reveal
      for the first time the intracellular pH drop that occurs within an extended
      region of the amputated tail of the Xenopus laevis tadpole before it begins to
      regenerate. CONCLUSIONS: SypHer2 is suitable for quantitative monitoring of pH in
      biological systems of different scales, from small cellular subcompartments to
      animal tissues in vivo. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: The new pH-sensor will help to
      investigate pH-dependent processes in both in vitro and in vivo studies.

PMID- 26259820
TI  - Identification of an RNA element for specific coordination of A-to-I RNA editing
      on HTR2C pre-mRNA.
AB  - Adenosine-to-Inosine (A-to-I) RNA editing is an intracellular mechanism in which
      inosine is specifically substituted against adenosine by the action of adenosine
      deaminases acting on RNA (ADARs). Serotonin 2C receptor (HTR2C) is encoded
      through combinatorial A-to-I RNA editing at recoding sites (A - E site) on its
      pre-mRNA. Although the efficiency of RNA editing at particular sites is known to
      be critical for modulating the serotonin signaling, the mechanistic details of
      site-specific editing on HTR2C pre-mRNA are not fully understood. Toward complete
      understanding of this mechanism, we discovered an RNA element, which coordinates
      site-specific RNA editing on HTR2C pre-mRNA by an in vitro editing assay and
      secondary structural analysis of mutant HTR2C RNA fragments. Our results showed
      that HTR2C pre-mRNA forms a characteristic structure, which was restricted by the
      internal loop and Watson-Crick base-pair interaction on site E, for intrinsic
      editing. We suggest that the internal loop would contribute toward adjusting the
      relative distance and/or geometry between the editing sites and the scaffold for
      ADAR. 

PMID- 26259822
TI  - Controlled intracellular generation of reactive oxygen species in human
      mesenchymal stem cells using porphyrin conjugated nanoparticles.
AB  - Nanoparticles capable of generating controlled amounts of intracellular reactive
      oxygen species (ROS), that advance the study of oxidative stress and cellular
      communication, were synthesized by functionalizing polyacrylamide nanoparticles
      with zinc(II) porphyrin photosensitisers. Controlled ROS production was
      demonstrated in human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) through (1) production of
      nanoparticles functionalized with varying percentages of Zn(II) porphyrin and (2)
      modulating the number of doses of excitation light to internalized nanoparticles.
      hMSCs challenged with nanoparticles functionalized with increasing percentages of
      Zn(II) porphyrin and high numbers of irradiations of excitation light were found
      to generate greater amounts of ROS. A novel dye, which is transformed into
      fluorescent 7-hydroxy-4-trifluoromethyl-coumarin in the presence of hydrogen
      peroxide, provided an indirect indicator for cumulative ROS production. The
      mitochondrial membrane potential was monitored to investigate the destructive
      effect of increased intracellular ROS production. Flow cytometric analysis of
      nanoparticle treated hMSCs suggested irradiation with excitation light signalled
      controlled apoptotic cell death, rather than uncontrolled necrotic cell death.
      Increased intracellular ROS production did not induce phenotypic changes in hMSC
      subcultures.

PMID- 26259823
TI  - Whole-genome analysis of Azoarcus sp. strain CIB provides genetic insights to its
      different lifestyles and predicts novel metabolic features.
AB  - The genomic features of Azoarcus sp. CIB reflect its most distinguishing
      phenotypes as a diazotroph, facultative anaerobe, capable of degrading either
      aerobically and/or anaerobically a wide range of aromatic compounds, including
      some toxic hydrocarbons such as toluene and m-xylene, as well as its endophytic
      lifestyle. The analyses of its genome have expanded the catabolic potential of
      strain CIB toward common natural compounds, such as certain diterpenes, that were
      not anticipated as carbon sources. The high number of predicted solvent efflux
      pumps and heavy metal resistance gene clusters has provided the first evidence
      for two environmentally relevant features of this bacterium that remained
      unknown. Genome mining has revealed several gene clusters likely involved in the
      endophytic lifestyle of strain CIB, opening the door to the molecular
      characterization of some plant growth promoting traits. Horizontal gene transfer
      and mobile genetic elements appear to have played a major role as a mechanism of
      adaptation of this bacterium to different lifestyles. This work paves the way for
      a systems biology-based understanding of the abilities of Azoarcus sp. CIB to
      integrate aerobic and anaerobic metabolism of aromatic compounds, tolerate stress
      conditions, and interact with plants as an endophyte of great potential for
      phytostimulation and phytoremediation strategies. Comparative genomics provides
      an Azoarcus pan genome that confirms the global metabolic flexibility of this
      genus, and suggests that its phylogeny should be revisited. 

PMID- 26259824
TI  - Allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells inhibited T follicular helper cell generation
      in rheumatoid arthritis.
AB  - T follicular helper (Tfh) cells provide help for antigen-specific B cells. We
      have previously shown that Tfh cell frequency was increased and associated with
      auto-antibodies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), suggesting a possible
      involvement of Tfh cells in its pathogenesis. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)
      represent a promising alternative cell therapy for RA by modulating T and B cell
      activation and proliferation. However, it remains unknown whether MSCs have
      immunoregulation on Tfh cells. In this paper, we have demonstrated that
      allogeneic MSCs could suppress Tfh cell differentiation in RA patients partly via
      the production of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO). IFNgamma generated from Tfh
      cell differentiation system induced IDO expression on MSCs. MSCs transplantation
      (MSCT) into collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice prevented arthritis progression
      by inhibiting both the number and function of Tfh cells in vivo. These findings
      reveal a novel suppressive function of MSCs in Tfh cells, which has implication
      in understanding the underlying mechanisms of the immunotherapeutic effects of
      MSCs on RA patients. 

PMID- 26259825
TI  - Refining the pathway of carbide insertion into the nitrogenase M-cluster.
AB  - Carbide insertion plays a pivotal role in the biosynthesis of M-cluster, the
      cofactor of nitrogenase. Previously, we proposed a carbide insertion pathway
      involving methyltransfer from SAM to a FeS precursor and hydrogen abstraction
      from this methyl group that initiates the radical-based precursor maturation.
      Here we demonstrate that the methyl group is transferred to a precursor
      associated sulfur before hydrogen abstraction, thereby refining the initial steps
      of the carbide insertion pathway. 

PMID- 26259826
TI  - The reliability, validity, sensitivity, specificity and predictive values of the
      Chinese version of the Rowland Universal Dementia Assessment Scale.
AB  - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to translate the Rowland
      Universal Dementia Assessment Scale into Chinese and to evaluate the psychometric
      properties (reliability and validity) and the diagnostic properties (sensitivity,
      specificity and predictive values) of the Chinese version of the Rowland
      Universal Dementia Assessment Scale. BACKGROUND: The accurate detection of early
      dementia requires screening tools with favourable cross-cultural linguistic and
      appropriate sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values, particularly for
      Chinese-speaking populations. DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive
      study. METHODS: Overall, 130 participants suspected to have cognitive impairment
      were enrolled in the study. A test-retest for determining reliability was
      scheduled four weeks after the initial test. Content validity was determined by
      five experts, whereas construct validity was established by using contrasted
      group technique. The participants' clinical diagnoses were used as the standard
      in calculating the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and
      negative predictive value. RESULTS: The study revealed that the Chinese version
      of the Rowland Universal Dementia Assessment Scale exhibited a test-retest
      reliability of 0.90, an internal consistency reliability of 0.71, an inter-rater
      reliability (kappa value) of 0.88 and a content validity index of 0.97. Both the
      patients and healthy contrast group exhibited significant differences in their
      cognitive ability. The optimal cut-off points for the Chinese version of the
      Rowland Universal Dementia Assessment Scale in the test for mild cognitive
      impairment and dementia were 24 and 22, respectively; moreover, for these two
      conditions, the sensitivities of the scale were 0.79 and 0.76, the specificities
      were 0.91 and 0.81, the areas under the curve were 0.85 and 0.78, the positive
      predictive values were 0.99 and 0.83 and the negative predictive values were 0.96
      and 0.91 respectively. CONCLUSION: The Chinese version of the Rowland Universal
      Dementia Assessment Scale exhibited sound reliability, validity, sensitivity,
      specificity and predictive values. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This scale can
      help clinical staff members to quickly and accurately diagnose cognitive
      impairment and provide appropriate treatment as early as possible.

PMID- 26259827
TI  - Tph2 gene deletion enhances amphetamine-induced hypermotility: effect of 5-HT
      restoration and role of striatal noradrenaline release.
AB  - Variants of tryptophan hydroxylase-2 (Tph2), the gene encoding enzyme responsible
      for the synthesis of brain serotonin (5-HT), have been associated with
      neuropsychiatric disorders, substance abuse and addiction. This study assessed
      the effect of Tph2 gene deletion on motor behavior and found that motor activity
      induced by 2.5 and 5 mg/kg amphetamine was enhanced in Tph2(-/-) mice. Using the
      in vivo microdialysis technique we found that the ability of amphetamine to
      stimulate noradrenaline (NA) release in the striatum was reduced by about 50% in
      Tph2(-/-) mice while the release of dopamine (DA) was not affected. Tph2 deletion
      did not affect the release of NA and DA in the prefrontal cortex. The role of
      endogenous 5-HT in enhancing the effect of amphetamine was confirmed showing that
      treatment with the 5-HT precursor 5-hydroxytryptophan (10 mg/kg) restored tissue
      and extracellular levels of brain 5-HT and the effects of amphetamine on striatal
      NA release and motor activity in Tph2(-/-) mice. Treatment with the NA precursor
      dihydroxyphenylserine (400 mg/kg) was sufficient to restore the effect of
      amphetamine on striatal NA release and motor activity in Tph2(-/-) mice. These
      findings indicate that amphetamine-induced hyperactivity is attenuated by
      endogenous 5-HT through the inhibition of striatal NA release. Tph2(-/-) mice may
      be a useful preclinical model to assess the role of 5-HT-dependent mechanisms in
      the action of psychostimulants. Acute sensitivity to the motor effects of
      amphetamine has been associated to increased risk of psychostimulant abuse. Here,
      we show that deletion of Tph2, the gene responsible for brain 5-HT synthesis,
      enhances the motor effect of amphetamine in mice through the inhibition of
      striatal NA release. This suggests that Tph2(-/-) mice is a useful preclinical
      model to assess the role of 5-HT-dependent mechanisms in psychostimulants action.
      Tph2, tryptophan hydroxylase-2.

PMID- 26259829
TI  - Detection of Traces of Ovalbumin and Casein in White and Red Wines by
      Quantitative Western Blotting.
AB  - Fining of wine with agents containing cow's milk or hen's egg white is a common
      and traditional procedure. In light of increasing food allergies all over the
      world, the presence of fining residues has been subject of intense debate.
      Switzerland does not make exception, and since 2009 the Federal Department of
      Home Affairs has modified its food regulations stating that the labels must show
      if traces of fining agents are present. Nevertheless, the application of this
      regulation is not based on an official analytical method. In this study we show
      that immunoblotting is an efficient technique to detect and quantify ovalbumin
      and casein residues in bottled wine. We showed that final filtration is an
      essential step to remove finings in red wine, and that overfining of white wine
      may result in fining residues in finished products. Finally, for the first time
      in Switzerland, 22 samples were taken by food safety inspectors and officially
      analyzed for the regional food control authority of the Canton of Vaud. These
      samples were allergen free, but a larger study is currently planned in
      collaboration with other regional authorities of Switzerland to complete these
      results and make a complete picture of the Swiss wine production. 

PMID- 26259828
TI  - miR-744 enhances type I interferon signaling pathway by targeting PTP1B in
      primary human renal mesangial cells.
AB  - Renal mesangial cells (RMCs) constitute a population of cells in glomerular
      mesangium. Inflammatory cytokines produced by RMCs play a vital role in renal
      inflammation. miRNAs are key regulators of inflammatory cytokine expression. The
      abnormal expression of renal miRNAs and the consequent changes in inflammatory
      signal transduction are closely associated with renal inflammation. However, our
      knowledge of the functions of renal miRNAs is still limited. In this study, we
      investigated the role of miR-744 in type I interferon (IFN) signaling pathway in
      primary human RMCs. We show that overexpression of miR-744 enhances IFN-induced
      CCL2, CCL5, CXCL10, and IL6 expression specifically in RMCs. We found that the
      activation of TYK2, STAT1 and STAT3 was significantly enhanced by miR-744. miR
      744 also enhanced the activation of non-classical signal components, such as ERK
      and p38. We then identified PTP1B, a ubiquitously expressed phosphatase, as the
      target of miR-744 that is responsible for enhancing type I IFN response. Finally,
      miR-744 expression was induced by type I IFN in RMCs. Collectively, our data
      indicate that by targeting PTP1B, miR-744 plays a feed-forward role in regulating
      type I IFN signaling pathway. These findings give us new insights into the
      functions of renal miRNAs in regulating important signaling pathways. 

PMID- 26259830
TI  - Monosialoteterahexosyl ganglioside induces the differentiation of human umbilical
      cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells into neuron-like cells.
AB  - In the present study, human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells
      (hUMSCs) were investigated for their potential to be induced to differentiate in
      vitro into neuron-like cells by monosialoteterahexosyl ganglioside (GM1).
      Mononuclear cells obtained from umbilical cords from women with full-term
      pregnancies whose babies were delivered by cesarean section were cultivated in
      vitro and their surface antigen expression profiles were monitored. Following
      amplification, the cells were divided into 5 groups, of which 4 (groups A-D) were
      treated with GM1 at doses of 50, 100, 150 and 200 ug/ml, respectively. The
      control (group E) was treated with the vehicle only. The ability of GM1 to induce
      the differentiation of the hUMSCs into neuron-like cells was monitored for 6 h.
      The expression levels of microtubule-associated protein-2 (MAP-2), neurofilament
      protein (NF-H) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were measured by
      immunohistochemistry. Following exposure to GM1, the hUMSCs first appeared to
      have a diamond or polygonal shape and gradually grew into long spindle-shaped
      cells, finally exhibiting a radiating or swirling pattern. The cells maintained a
      strong proliferative capacity after continuous passage. Flow cytometry revealed
      that the hUMSCs expressed CD73, CD90 and CD105 up to passage 10, but not CD11b,
      CD19, CD34, CD45 or HLA-DR. Treatment with GM1 for 6 h led to the appearance of
      neuron-like cells with oval-shaped cell bodies and protruding neurites. These
      neuron-like cells were positive for MAP-2 and NF-H, but negative for GFAP
      expression. No changes in the expression of these markers were observed in the
      control group. Thus, the findings of the present study demonstrate that GM1
      effectively induces hUMSCs to differentiate into neuron-like cells. 

PMID- 26259831
TI  - The complete nucleotide sequence and genome organization of lychnis mottle virus.
AB  - The complete genomic sequence of lychnis mottle virus (LycMoV) from a Lychnis
      cognata plant was determined. LycMoV has a bipartite genome consisting of RNA1
      (7,428 nt) and RNA2 (3,734 nt). Species in the family Secoviridae are demarcated
      based on their amino acid similarities in the protease-polymerase and coat
      protein. In LycMoV, these proteins share 90% and 63% sequence similarity,
      respectively, with the most closely related virus, strawberry latent ringspot
      virus, which is a member of the family Secoviridae but has not been assigned to a
      genus. Therefore, LycMoV is a tentative new virus of the family Secoviridae.

PMID- 26259832
TI  - How phosphoubiquitin activates Parkin.
AB  - A recent report, solving the structure of a Parkin-phosphoubiquitin complex,
      greatly advances the understanding of the Parkin activation mechanism. 

PMID- 26259833
TI  - Factors associated with breast milk intake among 9-10-month-old Malawian infants.
AB  - Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended during the first 6 months of life;
      thereafter, continued breastfeeding along with nutritious complementary foods is
      recommended. Continued breastfeeding contributes a substantial proportion of
      nutrient needs and promotes healthy growth and development, but the quantity of
      breast milk consumed may be highly variable and little is known about the factors
      associated with breast milk intake after 6 months of age. The present study was
      conducted to assess factors associated with breast milk intake of Malawian
      infants at 9-10 months of age. Breast milk intake was measured using the dose-to
      mother deuterium oxide dilution method in a subsample of 358 Malawian infants who
      were participating in a randomized controlled trial of lipid-based nutrient
      supplements. Regression analysis was used to assess associations between breast
      milk intake and several maternal and infant variables. Mean (standard deviation)
      breast milk intake was 752 (244) g day(-1) . In multiple regression, breast milk
      intake was positively associated with infant weight (+62 g per kg body weight, P
      < 0.01) and maternal height (P < 0.01) and negatively associated with maternal
      education and age (P < 0.01). There was a non-significant (P = 0.063) inverse
      association between energy from non-breast milk sources and breast milk intake.
      In this rural Malawian population, infant weight is the main predictor of breast
      milk intake, even after the first 6 months of life.

PMID- 26259834
TI  - Determination of iron in drinking water after its flotation concentration by two
      new dithiocarbamate collectors.
AB  - Two new methods for the determination of iron by atomic absorption spectrometry
      (AAS) are proposed for drinking water. The determination was made after flotation
      concentration of Fe by using of two new flotation collectors: lead(II)
      heptyldithiocarbamate, Pb(HpDTC)2 and cobalt(III) heptyldithiocarbamate
      Co(HpDTC)3. All important parameters for the two proposed procedures were
      optimised (pH, mass of Pb, mass of Co, amount of HpDTC(-), type of surfactant,
      induction time, etc.). Flotation recovery (R) of Fe was very high (from 94.4 to
      104.4%) for the two proposed procedures. The detection limit of the methods was
      2.17 MUg L(-1) for Pb(HpDTC)2 and 2.39 MUg L(-1) for Co(HpDTC)3, respectively.
      The proposed methods have been applied for the analysis of five samples of
      drinking water. The acquired AAS results for Fe by both new methods were compared
      with those obtained by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry
      (AES-ICP). It is shown that they are in good agreement. The results are also
      confirmed by the method of standard additions.

PMID- 26259835
TI  - Classifying communication ability in cerebral palsy.

PMID- 26259836
TI  - An in-depth assessment of India's Mother and Child Tracking System (MCTS) in
      Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
AB  - BACKGROUND: India's Mother and Child Tracking System (MCTS)(1) is an information
      system for tracking maternal and child health beneficiaries in India's public
      health system, and improving service delivery planning and outcomes. This
      ambitious project was launched in 2009 and currently covers all states in India,
      but no in-depth assessment of the system has been conducted. This study by the
      Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) evaluated the performance of MCTS and
      identified implementation challenges in areas in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh (UP)
      in December 2012. METHODS: Two assessment methods were employed: a Data Quality
      Assessment (DQA) to evaluate data quality and an assessment survey to identify
      implementation challenges. The survey comprised semi-structured questionnaires
      for health staff in the sampled districts, observation checklists and survey
      investigator notes. Purposive sampling was used for selecting two districts in
      each state and two blocks in each district. For the DQA, 45 mothers who became
      pregnant and 84 children born within the stipulated timeframes were randomly
      sampled. RESULTS: DQA overall performance numbers were 34% for pregnant women and
      33% for children in the Rajasthan study areas, while UP's performance numbers
      were 18% for pregnant women and 25% for children. Weaknesses in the MCTS' data
      completeness accounted for much of this performance shortfall. The beneficiary
      profiles for Rajasthan were largely incomplete, and the MCTS in UP struggled to
      register beneficiaries. Shared challenges in both states were the absence of
      clear processes and guidelines governing data processes, and the lack of
      systematic monitoring and supervision frameworks for MCTS implementation. As a
      result, Front Line Health Workers (FHWs) were overburdened with data
      documentation work, and there were long delays in data capturing. FHWs and block
      level health officials were not adequately trained in using the MCTS. UP staff
      reported unreliable internet and electricity availability, lack of dedicated data
      entry personnel, and a shortage of consumables such as MCTS registers.
      CONCLUSIONS: There is an urgent need to create data processes and supervision
      guidelines that complement existing workflows and service delivery priorities.
      Health staff should be trained to implement these guidelines. MCTS outputs, such
      as service delivery planning tools, should replace existing tools once data
      quality improves.

PMID- 26259837
TI  - Monomeric and dimeric 9-O anthraquinone and phenanthryl derivatives of cinchona
      alkaloids as chiral solvating agents for the NMR enantiodiscrimination of chiral
      hemiesters.
AB  - Mono- and bis-alkaloid chiral auxiliaries with anthraquinone or phenanthryl cores
      were probed as chiral solvating agents (CSAs) for the enantiodiscrimination of
      chiral cyclic hemiesters. The dimeric anthraquinone derivative and the monomeric
      phenanthryl one showed remarkable efficiency in the nuclear magnetic resonance
      (NMR) differentiation of enantiomeric mixtures of hemiesters. An anthraquinone
      analogous with a single alkaloid unit was remarkably less effective. The
      conformational prevalence of the chiral auxiliaries were ascertained by NMR.

PMID- 26259838
TI  - Physical function continues to improve when clinical remission is sustained in
      rheumatoid arthritis patients.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: To investigate the course of functional status assessed by health
      assessment questionnaire (HAQ) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with
      sustained clinical remission (REM). METHODS: In recent RA clinical trials, we
      identified patients with subsequent visits of >=24 weeks in clinical REM
      according to the disease activity score using 28-joint counts including C
      reactive protein (DAS28) (<=2.6), or simplified disease activity index (SDAI)
      (<=3.3). Area under the curve (AUC) and mean HAQ scores throughout the time in
      sustained REM were compared using t test, analyses of variance (ANOVA) and
      adjusted general linear modeling (GLM) with repeated measures. In Cox regression
      analyses, the time to regain full physical function was modeled. Sensitivity
      analyses were performed in patients of sustained SDAI low disease activity (LDA;
      SDAI <=11). RESULTS: A total of 610 out of 4364 patients achieved sustained DAS28
      REM (14%) and 252 SDAI REM (5.8%). ANOVA testing for linear trend showed
      significant decrease of mean HAQ from week 0 (start of REM) to week 24,
      regardless of REM criteria used. AUC of HAQ throughout 24 weeks of REM was higher
      in DAS28 compared to SDAI REM (p <=0.01). GLM adjusting for covariates showed
      significant decrease of monthly HAQ scores from week 0 to 24 (DAS28: 0.276,
      0.243, 0.229, 0.222, 0.219, 0.209 to 0.199; p = 0.0001; SDAI: 0.147, 0.142,
      0.149, 0.129, 0.123, 0.117 to 0.114; p = 0.029). Similarly, a decrease of HAQ
      over time was found in patients of sustained SDAI LDA. In DAS28 REM, the chance
      of regaining full physical function was higher for female (hazard ratio HR [95%
      confidence interval]: 1.41 [1.13-1.76]) and early RA patients (disease duration
      <=2 years: HR 1.29 [1.01-1.65]); in SDAI REM no significant differences were
      found. CONCLUSIONS: Physical function continues to improve if the target of REM
      or LDA is sustained. The stringency of the remission criteria determines
      achievement of the best possible functional improvement.

PMID- 26259839
TI  - Therapeutic assessment of chloroquine-primaquine combined regimen in adult cohort
      of Plasmodium vivax malaria from a tertiary care hospital in southwestern India.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Of late there have been accounts of therapeutic failure and
      chloroquine resistance in Plasmodium vivax malaria especially from Southeast
      Asian regions. The present study was conducted to assess the therapeutic efficacy
      of chloroquine-primaquine (CQ-PQ) combined regimen in a cohort of uncomplicated
      P. vivax mono-infection. METHODS: A tertiary care hospital-based prospective
      study was conducted among adult cohort with mono-infection P. vivax malaria as
      per the World Health Organization's protocol of in vivo assessment of anti
      malarial therapeutic efficacy. Participants were treated with CQ 25 mg/kg body
      weight divided over 3 days and PQ 0.25 mg/kg body weight daily for 2 weeks.
      RESULTS: Of a total of 125 participants recruited, 122 (97.6%) completed day 28
      follow up, three (2.4%) participants were lost to follow-up. Eight patients
      (6.4%) were ascertained to have mixed P. vivax and Plasmodium falciparum
      infection by nested polymerase chain reaction test. The majority of subjects
      (56.8%, 71/125) became aparasitaemic on day 2 followed by 35.2% (44/125) on day
      3, and 8% (10/125) on day 7, and remained so thereafter. Overall only one
      therapeutic failure (0.8%, 1/125) occurred on day 3 due to persistence of fever
      and parasitaemia. CONCLUSIONS: CQ-PQ combined regimen remains outstandingly
      effective for uncomplicated P. vivax malaria and should be retained as treatment
      of choice in the study region. One case of treatment failure indicates possible
      resistance which warrants constant vigilance and periodic surveillance.

PMID- 26259840
TI  - Multicentre prospective clinical application of the T14 paediatric outcome tool.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to measure changes in disease-specific quality of
      life in children following tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy. METHODS: A
      multicentre prospective cohort study was performed involving seven ENT
      departments in England. A total of 276 children entered the study over a 2-month
      period: 107 underwent tonsillectomy and 128 adenotonsillectomy. Forty-one
      children referred with throat problems initially managed by watchful waiting were
      also recruited. The follow-up period was 12 months. Outcome measures were the
      T14, parental impressions of their child's quality of life and the number of days
      absent from school. RESULTS: One-year follow-up data were obtained from 150
      patients (52 per cent). The mean baseline T14 score in the non-surgical group was
      significantly lower (T14 = 23) than in the tonsillectomy group (T14 = 31) or the
      adenotonsillectomy group (T14 = 35; p < 0.001). There was a significant
      improvement in the T14 scores of responders in all groups at follow up. The
      effect size was 1.3 standard deviations (SD) for the non-surgical group, 2.1 SD
      for the tonsillectomy group and 1.9 SD for the adenotonsillectomy group. Between
      group differences did not reach statistical significance. A third of children in
      the non-surgical group underwent surgery during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION:
      Children who underwent surgical intervention achieved a significant improvement
      in disease-specific quality of life. Less severely affected children were managed
      conservatively and also improved over 12 months, but 1 in 3 crossed over to
      surgical intervention.

PMID- 26259841
TI  - rApi m 3 and rApi m 10 improve detection of honey bee sensitization in
      Hymenoptera venom-allergic patients with double sensitization to honey bee and
      yellow jacket venom.
AB  - Recombinant allergens improve the diagnostic precision in Hymenoptera venom
      allergy (HVA), in particular in patients with double sensitization to both honey
      bee (HBV) and yellow jacket venom (YJV). While currently available vespid
      allergens allow the detection of >95% of YJV-allergic patients, the sensitization
      frequency to the only available HBV marker allergen rApi m 1 in HBV-allergic
      patients is lower. Here, we demonstrate that sIgE to additional HBV marker
      allergens rApi m 3 and rApi m 10 allows the detection of genuine HBV
      sensitization in 46-65% of Api m 1 negative sera. This is of particular relevance
      in patients with double sensitization to HBV and YJV that did not identify the
      culprit insect. Addition of sIgE to rApi m 3 and rApi m 10 provides evidence of
      HBV sensitization in a large proportion of rApi m 1-negative patients and thus
      provides a diagnostic marker and rationale for VIT treatment with HBV, which
      otherwise would have been missing. 

PMID- 26259842
TI  - New Highly Active Antiretroviral drugs and generic drugs for the treatment of HIV
      infection: a budget impact analysis on the Italian National Health Service
      (Lombardy Region, Northern Italy).
AB  - BACKGROUND: In the healthcare sector, it is crucial to identify sustainable
      strategies in order to allow the introduction and use of innovative technologies.
      Now, and over the next few years, the expiry of patents for different
      antiretroviral drugs offers an opportunity to increase the efficiency of
      resources allocation. The aim of the present study was to assess the impact, on
      the budget of the Italian National Healthcare Service, of generic antiretroviral
      drugs and of new antiretroviral drugs entering the market from 2015 to 2019.
      METHODS: A budget impact model was developed in order to forecast the rate of use
      of ARTs, based on trends observed within the Lombardy Region (Italy), on clinical
      experts' opinion, and the consequent impact on the Italian NHS budget in a five
      year time horizon. Different scenarios were developed, considering the sole
      introduction of generic drugs, of new drugs, and their cumulative effects. A
      multivariate sensitivity analysis was also performed. RESULTS: The cumulative use
      of generic drugs and new drugs would lead to annual savings of 4.6 million ? (
      0.6 %) in 2015; 16.9 million ? (-2.1 %) in 2016; 19.4 million ? (-2.4 %) in 2017;
      51.1 million ? (-6.1 %) in 2018 and -110.3 million ? (-12.8 %) in 2019. The
      impact of new drugs in percentage terms is +2.0 % in 2015, +3.4 % in 2016, +3.9 %
      in 2017, +5.7 % in 2018 and +7.7 % in 2019. The impact of generic drugs would
      lead to savings of 4.9 million ? in 2015, 18.6 million ? in 2016, 22.8 million ?
      in 2017, 76.5 million ? in 2018 and 187.4 million ? in 2019. The sensitivity
      analysis showed annual mean savings for the Italian NHS ranging from 12.6 million
      ?, -1.5 % compared to the base case scenario (decreasing all the rates of
      transition used in the simulation, and increasing the cost of generic drugs) to
      76.0 million ?, -9.1 % (increasing all the rates of transition used in the
      simulation, and decreasing the cost of generic and new drugs). CONCLUSIONS: The
      use of antiretroviral generic drugs may lead to savings that would compensate the
      expenditure increase due to new, innovative drugs available on the market.

PMID- 26259844
TI  - A Review of Supportive Interventions Targeting Individuals or Couples Undergoing
      Infertility Treatment: Directions for the Development of Interventions.
AB  - The purpose of this systematic review is to explore the types, content, and
      outcomes of different psychosocial approaches used in existing interventions for
      infertile individuals or couples. Relevant intervention studies published in
      English between 2000 and 2014 were searched using the electronic databases
      MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and CINHAL Plus. A total of 23 articles were identified and
      included in this review. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and
      commitment therapy (ACT), and counseling were the most commonly adopted
      psychosocial interventions for infertile individuals or couples. After reviewing
      the various approaches, directions are given on the development of interventions
      for couples suffering from infertility. 

PMID- 26259843
TI  - Promoting Educational Resiliency in Youth with Incarcerated Parents: The Impact
      of Parental Incarceration, School Characteristics, and Connectedness on School
      Outcomes.
AB  - The United States has the highest incarceration rate in the world, and as a
      result, one of the largest populations of incarcerated parents. Growing evidence
      suggests that the incarceration of a parent may be associated with a number of
      risk factors in adolescence, including school drop out. Taking a developmental
      ecological approach, this study used multilevel modeling to examine the
      association of parental incarceration on truancy, academic achievement, and
      lifetime educational attainment using the National Longitudinal Survey of
      Adolescent Health (48.3 % female; 46 % minority status). Individual
      characteristics, such as school and family connectedness, and school
      characteristics, such as school size and mental health services, were examined to
      determine whether they significantly reduced the risk associated with parental
      incarceration. Our results revealed small but significant risks associated with
      parental incarceration for all outcomes, above and beyond individual and school
      level characteristics. Family and school connectedness were identified as
      potential compensatory factors, regardless of parental incarceration history, for
      academic achievement and truancy. School connectedness did not reduce the risk
      associated with parental incarceration when examining highest level of education.
      This study describes the school related risks associated with parental
      incarceration, while revealing potential areas for school-based prevention and
      intervention for adolescents. 

PMID- 26259845
TI  - Pathway analysis for RNA-Seq data using a score-based approach.
AB  - A variety of pathway/gene-set approaches have been proposed to provide evidence
      of higher-level biological phenomena in the association of expression with
      experimental condition or clinical outcome. Among these approaches, it has been
      repeatedly shown that resampling methods are far preferable to approaches that
      implicitly assume independence of genes. However, few approaches have been
      optimized for the specific characteristics of RNA-Seq transcription data, in
      which mapped tags produce discrete counts with varying library sizes, and with
      potential outliers or skewness patterns that violate parametric assumptions. We
      describe transformations to RNA-Seq data to improve power for linear associations
      with outcome and flexibly handle normalization factors. Using these
      transformations or alternate transformations, we apply recently developed null
      approximations to quadratic form statistics for both self-contained and
      competitive pathway testing. The approach provides a convenient integrated
      platform for RNA-Seq pathway testing. We demonstrate that the approach provides
      appropriate type I error control without actual permutation and is powerful under
      many settings in comparison to competing approaches. Pathway analysis of data
      from a study of F344 vs. HIV1Tg rats, and of sex differences in lymphoblastoid
      cell lines from humans, strongly supports the biological interpretability of the
      findings. 

PMID- 26259846
TI  - Selecting polymers for two-phase partitioning bioreactors (TPPBs): Consideration
      of thermodynamic affinity, crystallinity, and glass transition temperature.
AB  - Two-phase partitioning bioreactor technology involves the use of a secondary
      immiscible phase to lower the concentration of cytotoxic solutes in the
      fermentation broth to subinhibitory levels. Although polymeric absorbents have
      attracted recent interest due to their low cost and biocompatibility, material
      selection requires the consideration of properties beyond those of small molecule
      absorbents (i.e., immiscible organic solvents). These include a polymer's (1)
      thermodynamic affinity for the target compound, (2) degree of crystallinity (wc
      ), and (3) glass transition temperature (Tg ). We have examined the capability of
      three thermodynamic models to predict the partition coefficient (PC) for n
      butyric acid, a fermentation product, in 15 polymers. Whereas PC predictions for
      amorphous materials had an average absolute deviation (AAD) of >=16%, predictions
      for semicrystalline polymers were less accurate (AAD >= 30%). Prediction errors
      were associated with uncertainties in determining the degree of crystallinity
      within a polymer and the effect of absorbed water on n-butyric acid partitioning.
      Further complications were found to arise for semicrystalline polymers, wherein
      strongly interacting solutes increased the polymer's absorptive capacity by
      actually dissolving the crystalline fraction. Finally, we determined that
      diffusion limitations may occur for polymers operating near their Tg , and that
      the Tg can be reduced by plasticization by water and/or solute. This study has
      demonstrated the impact of basic material properties that affects the performance
      of polymers as sequestering phases in TPPBs, and reflects the additional
      complexity of polymers that must be taken into account in material selection.

PMID- 26259847
TI  - Action induction by visual perception of rotational motion.
AB  - A basic process in the planning of everyday actions involves the integration of
      visually perceived movement characteristics. Such processes of information
      integration often occur automatically. The aim of the present study was to
      examine whether the visual perception of spatial characteristics of a rotational
      motion (rotation direction) can induce a spatially compatible action. Four
      reaction time experiments were conducted to analyze the effect of perceiving task
      irrelevant rotational motions of simple geometric figures as well as of gymnasts
      on a horizontal bar while responding to color changes in these objects. The
      results show that the participants react faster when the directional information
      of a rotational motion is compatible with the spatial characteristics of an
      intended action. The degree of complexity of the perceived event does not play a
      role in this effect. The spatial features of the used biological motion were
      salient enough to elicit a motion based Simon effect. However, in the cognitive
      processing of the visual stimulus, the critical criterion is not the direction of
      rotation, but rather the relative direction of motion (direction of motion above
      or below the center of rotation). Nevertheless, this conclusion is tainted with
      reservations since it is only fully supported by the response behavior of female
      participants. 

PMID- 26259848
TI  - Pharmacological and psychosomatic treatments for an elderly patient with severe
      nausea and vomiting in reaction to postoperative stress.
AB  - Here we present a case of successful treatment employing a mixed approach
      including pharmacological and psychosomatic treatments for a 72-year-old woman
      who experienced severe nausea and vomiting in reaction to postoperative stress
      from gastric cancer surgery. This case demonstrates that appropriate provision of
      psychosomatic treatments, including a psychotherapeutic session and autogenic
      training, enhances the efficacy of pharmacotherapy.

PMID- 26259849
TI  - Patient Preferences for Injectable Treatments for Multiple Sclerosis in the
      United States: A Discrete-Choice Experiment.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Patients' perceptions and experiences of medication
      efficacy, medication adverse events, dosing frequency, and dosing complexity have
      been found to influence adherence to injectable disease-modifying treatments
      (DMTs) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of this study was to
      quantify patient preferences for features of injectable DMTs for MS. METHODS:
      Adult patients in the United States (US) with a self-reported diagnosis of MS
      completed an online discrete-choice experiment survey to assess preference for a
      number of features of a hypothetical injectable DMT. Patients chose hypothetical
      treatments in paired comparisons, where each treatment was described by features
      or attributes, including the number of years until disability progression, the
      number of relapses in the next 4 years, injection time, the frequency of
      injections, the occurrence of flu-like symptoms (FLS), and severity of injection
      site reactions. Random-parameters logit regression parameters were used to
      calculate preference weights of attribute levels and the relative importance of
      changes in treatment features. RESULTS: Of the 205 patients who completed the
      survey, 192 provided sufficient data for analysis. The results indicated a broad
      range of tradeoffs that patients would be willing to make. With regard to this,
      the relative importance of an improvement in the number of years until disability
      progression from 1 to 2 (i.e., vertical distance between preference weights for
      these attribute levels) was 0.9 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.5-1.2], the
      relative importance of this change was approximately equivalent to that of an
      improvement from 12 injections per month to two (mean 0.8, 95% CI 0.4-1.2), or
      approximately equivalent to a decrease from four to one relapses in the next 4
      years (mean 0.8, 95% CI 0.5-1.2), or FLS 3 days after every injection to 3 days
      after some injections (mean 1.0, 95% CI 0.6-1.4). CONCLUSIONS: These results
      suggest that an improvement in treatment efficacy may be as important as a
      reduction in injection frequency or a reduction in some adverse events for
      patients who self-administer injectable DMTs for MS. Understanding the
      preferences of patients who use injectable treatments will inform the development
      of such treatments, which may in turn improve patient medication adherence and
      well-being.

PMID- 26259850
TI  - Behavioural characteristics of the Prader-Willi syndrome related biallelic
      Snord116 mouse model.
AB  - Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is the predominant genetic cause of obesity in humans
      and is associated with several behavioural phenotypes such as altered motoric
      function, reduced activity, and learning disabilities. It can include mood
      instability and, in some cases, psychotic episodes. Recently, the Snord116 gene
      has been associated with the development of PWS, however, it's contribution to
      the behavioural aspects of the disease are unknown. Here we show that male and
      female mice lacking Snord116 on both alleles exhibit normal motor behaviours and
      exploration but do display task-dependent alterations to locomotion and anxiety
      related behaviours. Sociability is well developed in Snord116 deficient mice as
      are social recognition memory, spatial working memory, and fear-associated
      behaviours. No sex-specific effects were found. In conclusion, the biallelic
      Snord116 deficiency mouse model exhibits particular endophenotypes with some
      relevance to PWS, suggesting partial face validity for the syndrome. 

PMID- 26259851
TI  - Role of cerebellar adrenomedullin in blood pressure regulation.
AB  - Adrenomedullin (AM) and their receptor components, calcitonin-receptor-like
      receptor (CRLR) and receptor activity-modifying protein (RAMP1, RMP2 and RAMP3)
      are widely expressed in the central nervous system, including cerebellum. We have
      shown that AM binding sites are altered in cerebellum during hypertension,
      suggesting a role for cerebellar adrenomedullinergic system in blood pressure
      regulation. To further evaluate the role of AM in cerebellum, we assessed the
      expression of AM, RAMP1, RAMP2, RAMP3 and CRLR in the cerebellar vermis of 8 and
      16week old spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and normotensive Wistar Kyoto (WKY)
      rats. In addition, the effect of microinjection of AM into rat cerebellar vermis
      on arterial blood pressure (BP) was determined. Animals were sacrificed by
      decapitation and cerebellar vermis was dissected for quantification of AM, CRLR,
      RAMP1, RAMP2 and RAMP3 expression using western blot analysis. Another group of
      male, 16week old SHR and WKY rats was anesthetized, and a cannula was implanted
      in the cerebellar vermis. Following recovery AM (0.02 to 200pmol/5MUL) or vehicle
      was injected into cerebellar vermis. BP was determined, before and after
      treatments, by non-invasive plethysmography. In addition, to establish the
      receptor subtype involved in AM action in vivo, animals received microinjections
      of AM22-52 (200pmol/5MUL), an AM1 receptor antagonist, or the CGRP1 receptor
      antagonist, CGRP8-37 (200pmol/5MUL) into the cerebellar vermis, administered
      simultaneously with AM or vehicle microinjection. Cannulation was verified post
      mortem with the in situ injection of a dye solution. Our findings demonstrated
      that the expression of CRLR, RAMP1 and RAMP3 was higher in cerebellum of SHR
      rats, while AM and RAMP2 expression was lower than those of WKY rats, both in 8
      and 16week old rats. In vivo microinjection of AM into the cerebellar vermis
      caused a profound, dose dependent, hypotensive effect in SHR but not in
      normotensive WKY rats. Coinjections of a putative AM receptor antagonist, AM22-52
      abolished the decreases in mean arterial pressure (MAP) evoked by AM, showing
      that AM acts through its AM1 receptor in the vermis to reduce MAP. These findings
      demonstrate a dysregulation of cerebellar AM-system during hypertension, and
      suggest that cerebellar AM plays an important role in the regulation of BP.
      Likewise; they constitute a novel mechanism of BP control which has not been
      described so far. 

PMID- 26259852
TI  - Effects of amlodipine on ischaemia/reperfusion injury in the rat testis.
AB  - The aim of this study was to examine the effects of amlodipine (AML) in rat
      testicular torsion/detorsion damage. In this study, rats were divided into eight
      groups: (i) sham; (ii) testicular ischaemia, 2 h of ischaemia; (iii) testicular
      ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R), 2 h of ischaemia followed by 2 h of reperfusion;
      (iv) ischaemia + AML (5 mg kg(-1)) administered 30 min before ischaemia; (v)
      ischaemia + AML (10 mg kg(-1)) administered 30 min before ischaemia; (vi) and
      (vii) I/R + AML (5 mg kg(-1)) and I/R + AML (10 mg kg(-1)) administered 1.5 h
      after the induction of ischaemia, respectively, and at the end of a 2-h ischaemia
      period and a 2-h reperfusion period applied; and (viii) sham + AML (10 mg kg(
      1)). Significant decreases in levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione were
      observed in ischaemia and reperfusion groups when compared with healthy controls.
      These antioxidant levels increased in AML groups while malondialdehyde levels
      significantly decreased. While increases in tumour necrosis factor-alpha and
      transforming growth factor-beta levels were found in the torsion and detorsion
      groups, significant decreases in the levels of these inflammatory cytokines were
      observed in the treatment groups. These results demonstrate that AML
      significantly produced protective effects on testis tissue damage that occurs in
      the torsion/detorsion model via biochemical, histopathological and molecular
      pathways.

PMID- 26259853
TI  - A mechanical model to investigate the role of the nucleus during confined cell
      migration.

PMID- 26259854
TI  - Intraoperative MR Imaging in Neurosurgery.
AB  - Intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI) has dramatically expanded and
      nowadays presents state-of-the-art technique for image-guided neurosurgery,
      facilitating critical precision and effective surgical treatment of various brain
      pathologies. Imaging hardware providing basic imaging sequences as well as
      advanced MRI can be seamlessly integrated into routine surgical environments,
      which continuously leads to emerging indications for iMRI-assisted surgery.
      Besides the obvious intraoperative diagnostic yield, the initial clinical
      benefits have to be confirmed by future-controlled long-term studies.

PMID- 26259855
TI  - The availability and accessibility of nutrition information in fast food outlets
      in five states post-menu labelling legislation in New South Wales.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: 1) Explore the availability and accessibility of fast food energy and
      nutrient information post-NSW menu labelling legislation in states with and
      without menu labelling legislation. 2) Determine whether availability and
      accessibility differed compared with pre-menu labelling legislation in NSW.
      METHODS: We visited 210 outlets of the five largest fast food chains in five
      Australian states to observe the availability and accessibility of energy and
      nutrient information. Results were compared with 197 outlets surveyed pre-menu
      labelling. RESULTS: Most outlets (95%) provided energy values, half provided
      nutrient values and 3% provided information for all menu items. The total amount
      of information available increased post-NSW menu labelling implementation (473
      versus 178 pre-implementation, p<0.001); however, fewer outlets provided nutrient
      values (26% versus 97% pre-implementation, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Fast food
      chains surveyed had voluntarily introduced menu labelling nationally. However,
      more nutrient information was available in-store in 2010, showing that fast food
      chains are able to provide comprehensive nutrition information, yet they have
      stopped doing so. IMPLICATIONS: Menu labelling legislation should compel fast
      food chains to provide accessible nutrition information including nutrient values
      in addition to energy for all menu items in-store. Additionally, public education
      campaigns are needed to ensure customers can use menu labelling.

PMID- 26259856
TI  - Cerebellar meningeal melanocytoma associated with nevus of Ota: An extremely rare
      case.

PMID- 26259857
TI  - Low-frequency stimulation of STN-DBS reduces aspiration and freezing of gait in
      patients with PD.

PMID- 26259858
TI  - Optimal achieved blood pressure in acute intracerebral hemorrhage: INTERACT2.

PMID- 26259859
TI  - Teaching NeuroImages: NMDA encephalomyelitis with MRI abnormalities isolated to
      ventral spinal cord gray matter.

PMID- 26259861
TI  - Acquirement of DNA copy number variations in non-small cell lung cancer
      metastasis to the brain.
AB  - Brain metastasis is a major complication of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
      and leads to most of the mortality of this disease. However, the biological
      mechanisms and molecular features in brain metastasis of NSCLC are poorly
      understood. In the present study, we compared whole-genome copy number variations
      (CNVs) between a primary lung adenocarcinoma and secondary metastatic brain
      lesion from the same patient using array comparative genomic hybridization
      (aCGH). The number of CNV regions was markedly higher in the secondary metastatic
      tumor than the primary tumor in the lung. In detail, the common CNVs in both
      tumors included gains of 7p22, 7p12-p11, 7q11, 7q22, 21q22, and 19q13; gains of
      1p33-p34, 1q22, 5p13 and 14q11 whereas losses of 3p, 4q31, 5q, 11p15, Xp21-p22
      and Xq21 were identified only in the secondary lesion. Gene Ontology enrichment
      analysis revealed that the genes with amplified copy numbers in both tumors were
      related to such processes as DNA replication and mismatch repair. Genes only
      amplified in the metastatic tumor were enriched in processes that include
      leukocyte migration and organ development, and genes with a lower copy number in
      the secondary tumor included the processes of proteolysis regulation, negative
      regulation of cell proliferation and cell adhesion. These findings provided new
      insight into the genomic mechanism of the spread of lung adenocarcinoma to the
      brain, and the candidate genes identified serve as novel indicators or putative
      targets in NSCLC brain metastasis. 

PMID- 26259862
TI  - US psychologists banned from participating in national security interrogations.

PMID- 26259863
TI  - Calcified central venous catheter fibrin sheath: case report and review of the
      literature.
AB  - We present a 6-year-old girl with acute lymphoblastic leukemia who demonstrated
      on chest X-ray a radiopacity in the superior vena cava after removal of an
      implanted venous access device. This radiopacity was initially thought to be a
      retained catheter fragment. On review of previous imaging, we were able to
      document the temporal development of a calcified catheter cast as distinct from
      the catheter. This case represents a rare consequence of central venous
      catheterization in children. Knowledge of this finding as a possible complication
      may help avoid performance of unnecessary follow-up imaging or invasive
      procedures. 

PMID- 26259864
TI  - The use of 18F-FDG PET ratios in the differential diagnosis of common malignant
      brain tumors.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study examined the use of positron emission tomography (PET)
      ratios to improve the diagnostic ability of 18F-FDG PET/computed tomography (CT)
      in the differentiation of enhancing brain metastases, central nervous system
      lymphomas, and gliomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-six patients with
      malignant brain tumors and available magnetic resonance imaging and PET/CT
      examinations were included. RESULTS: Among standardized uptake value (SUV)
      related parameters tested, tumor maximum SUV to ipsilateral cortex maximum SUV
      ratio (Tmax:WMimax) and maximum SUV (SUVmax) proved to be the two most valuable
      parameters for differential diagnosis. CONCLUSION: In addition to SUVmax,
      Tmax:WMimax also seems to provide helpful information for the differential
      diagnosis of lymphomas from other malignant brain tumors.

PMID- 26259865
TI  - Correlation of clot distribution with morphometric measurements and
      pleuroparenchymal findings in acute pulmonary embolism: experience with 692
      cases.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of the study is to determine if clot distribution in acute
      pulmonary embolism (PE) correlates with morphometric measurements of right heart
      function, reflux in inferior vena cava (IVC), and pleuroparenchymal findings.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 692 computed tomography pulmonary angiographies
      with PE were enrolled, and patients were grouped according to clot localization.
      Parenchymal findings, morphometric measurements of right heart function, and
      contrast reflux in IVC were noted. RESULTS: Differences were found between groups
      for most measurements, and central PE was associated with significantly higher
      right ventricle (RV) and pulmonary artery diameters, ratio of RV diameter to left
      ventricle (LV) diameter (RV/LV) >= 1, and IVC reflux. CONCLUSIONS: Significant
      association was present among clot distribution in PE, morphometrics, IVC reflux,
      and pleuroparenchymal findings.

PMID- 26259866
TI  - Screening mammography-detected ductal carcinoma in situ: mammographic features
      based on breast cancer subtypes.
AB  - We evaluated the mammographic and histopathologic features of screening
      mammography-detected ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) based on the breast cancer
      subtypes determined by immunohistochemistry. A total of 94 patients with 94
      screening mammography-detected DCIS were included in this study.
      Mammographically, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive DCIS
      was more commonly associated with calcifications than estrogen receptor (ER)
      positive and triple-negative DCIS (P=.003). Histopathologically, HER2-positive
      DCIS and triple-negative DCIS were associated with high nuclear grade (P <= .001)
      and comedo necrosis (P <= .001) than ER-positive DCIS.

PMID- 26259867
TI  - Swedish osteoporosis care.
AB  - The objective of this study was to review and describe the current state of
      Swedish osteoporosis care and to highlight ongoing challenges. This report
      encompasses quantitative health outcomes based on Swedish registry data as well
      as organizational and management aspects. Swedish osteoporosis care is
      characterized by a significant burden of disease, difficulties in identifying
      high-risk patients, and fragmented pathways for patients in need of secondary
      fracture prevention. This report aimed to describe the current state, gaps, and
      challenges in Swedish osteoporosis care, using Swedish national databases,
      questionnaires, and interviews with healthcare representatives. A secondary aim
      was to develop quality and process measures to compare differences between
      counties and to use those measures to describe the interaction between
      quantitative health outcomes and aspects of care organization and management. In
      conjunction with fractures, a considerably smaller proportion of men are treated
      than women, and a smaller proportion of older women are treated compared to
      younger groups. Between 3 and 16 % of patients receive treatment after a
      fracture, and the treatment rate in this patient group can likely increase. In
      addition to an unsatisfactory treatment rate, a limited number of those treated
      continue treatment throughout the recommended treatment durations, leading to
      increased risk of fracture. With a substantial variation between counties, there
      is a clear difficulty to identify non-persistent patients and switch to an
      alternative treatment. Collaboration around the patient across specialties has
      been lacking, and systems for secondary prevention have been concentrated to a
      few counties. However, when this study was conducted, there was a general trend
      towards implementing regional care programs. This report suggests possible
      strategies for improving quality of care and, hopefully, it can provide a basis
      for future evaluations and regional improvement of osteoporosis care in Sweden
      and other countries. 

PMID- 26259868
TI  - Community water fluoridation: attitudes and opinions from the New Zealand Oral
      Health Survey.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To report the responses of adult participants in the 2009 New Zealand
      Oral Health Survey (NZOHS) to questions about community water fluoridation (CWF).
      METHODS: The study used quantitative data from the NZOHS. All adult participants
      aged 18 years and over in the nationally representative NZOHS sample were
      included in the study (n=3475). Univariate analysis and multinominal logistic
      regression models were used to examine the associations between variables.
      RESULTS: Overall, 57.7% of respondents thought that there were dental benefits to
      adding fluoride to drinking water and 31.7% responded that they did not know.
      More than 45% of respondents did not know whether there were health risks from
      adding fluoride to drinking water. Overall, 42.0% of respondents were strongly or
      somewhat in favour of CWF. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: People in the Maori,
      Pacific and Asian ethnic groups, from the two most deprived quintiles, with no
      education after high school and who brushed their teeth less than twice a day
      expressed significantly greater uncertainty about CWF than other population
      groups. This study suggests further research is required to gain a greater
      understanding of health literacy about CWF and the cultural appropriateness of
      CWF in NZ.

PMID- 26259869
TI  - Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein Analogs as Osteoporosis Therapies.
AB  - The only bone anabolic agent currently available for osteoporosis treatment is
      parathyroid hormone (PTH)-either its N-terminal 1-34 fragment or the whole
      molecule of 1-84 aminoacids-whose intermittent administration stimulates new bone
      formation by targeting osteoblastogenesis and osteoblast survival. PTH-related
      protein (PTHrP) is an abundant factor in bone which shows N-terminal homology
      with PTH and thus exhibits high affinity for the same PTH type 1 receptor in
      osteoblasts. Therefore, it is not surprising that intermittently administered N
      terminal PTHrP peptides induce bone anabolism in animals and humans. Furthermore,
      the C-terminal region of PTHrP also elicits osteogenic features in vitro in
      osteoblastic cells and in various animal models of osteoporosis. In this review,
      we discuss the current concepts about the cellular and molecular mechanisms
      whereby PTHrP may induce anabolic actions in bone. Pre-clinical studies and
      clinical data using N-terminal PTHrP analogs are also summarized, pointing to
      PTHrP as a promising alternative to current bone anabolic therapies. 

PMID- 26259871
TI  - How to get the best deal.
AB  - Floral scents and nectar attract both pollinators and other animals that may
      reduce the plant's fitness, and therefore put flowering plants in a challenging
      situation. 

PMID- 26259870
TI  - Physiological roles of bacillithiol in intracellular metal processing.
AB  - Glutathione (GSH) is an abundantly produced low-molecular-weight (LMW) thiol in
      many organisms. However, a number of Gram-positive bacteria do not produce GSH,
      but instead produce bacillithiol (BSH) as one of the major LMW thiols. Similar to
      GSH, studies have found that BSH has various roles in the cell, including
      protection against hydrogen peroxide, hypochlorite and disulfide stress. BSH also
      participates in the detoxification of thiol-reactive antibiotics and the
      electrophilic metabolite methylglyoxal. Recently, a number of studies have
      highlighted additional roles for BSH in the processing of intracellular metals.
      Herein, we examine the potential functions of BSH in the biogenesis of Fe-S
      clusters, cytosolic metal buffering and the prevention of metal intoxication. 

PMID- 26259872
TI  - ISG15 counteracts Listeria monocytogenes infection.
AB  - ISG15 is an interferon-stimulated, linear di-ubiquitin-like protein, with anti
      viral activity. The role of ISG15 during bacterial infection remains elusive. We
      show that ISG15 expression in nonphagocytic cells is dramatically induced upon
      Listeria infection. Surprisingly this induction can be type I interferon
      independent and depends on the cytosolic surveillance pathway, which senses
      bacterial DNA and signals through STING, TBK1, IRF3 and IRF7. Most importantly,
      we observed that ISG15 expression restricts Listeria infection in vitro and in
      vivo. We made use of stable isotope labeling in tissue culture (SILAC) to
      identify ISGylated proteins that could be responsible for the protective effect.
      Strikingly, infection or overexpression of ISG15 leads to ISGylation of ER and
      Golgi proteins, which correlates with increased secretion of cytokines known to
      counteract infection. Together, our data reveal a previously uncharacterized
      ISG15-dependent restriction of Listeria infection, reinforcing the view that
      ISG15 is a key component of the innate immune response. 

PMID- 26259873
TI  - Ultrastructural analysis of adult mouse neocortex comparing aldehyde perfusion
      with cryo fixation.
AB  - Analysis of brain ultrastructure using electron microscopy typically relies on
      chemical fixation. However, this is known to cause significant tissue distortion
      including a reduction in the extracellular space. Cryo fixation is thought to
      give a truer representation of biological structures, and here we use rapid, high
      pressure freezing on adult mouse neocortex to quantify the extent to which these
      two fixation methods differ in terms of their preservation of the different
      cellular compartments, and the arrangement of membranes at the synapse and around
      blood vessels. As well as preserving a physiological extracellular space, cryo
      fixation reveals larger numbers of docked synaptic vesicles, a smaller glial
      volume, and a less intimate glial coverage of synapses and blood vessels compared
      to chemical fixation. The ultrastructure of mouse neocortex therefore differs
      significantly comparing cryo and chemical fixation conditions. 

PMID- 26259874
TI  - Integrating between-host transmission and within-host immunity to analyze the
      impact of varicella vaccination on zoster.
AB  - Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) causes chickenpox and reactivation of latent VZV
      causes herpes zoster (HZ). VZV reactivation is subject to the opposing mechanisms
      of declining and boosted VZV-specific cellular mediated immunity (CMI). A
      reduction in exogenous re-exposure 'opportunities' through universal chickenpox
      vaccination could therefore lead to an increase in HZ incidence. We present the
      first individual-based model that integrates within-host data on VZV-CMI and
      between-host transmission data to simulate HZ incidence. This model allows
      estimating currently unknown pivotal biomedical parameters, including the
      duration of exogenous boosting at 2 years, with a peak threefold to fourfold
      increase of VZV-CMI; the VZV weekly reactivation probability at 5% and VZV
      subclinical reactivation having no effect on VZV-CMI. A 100% effective chickenpox
      vaccine given to 1 year olds would cause a 1.75 times peak increase in HZ 31
      years after implementation. This increase is predicted to occur mainly in younger
      age groups than is currently assumed. 

PMID- 26259875
TI  - Association between high-resolution computed tomography findings and the
      IASLC/ATS/ERS classification of small lung adenocarcinomas in Japanese patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The detection rate of small pulmonary nodules has recently increased
      and new techniques have been developed to improve diagnostic yield. The
      IASLC/ATS/ERS classification demonstrated a difference in prognosis depending on
      the histological subtypes of lung adenocarcinoma. We evaluated the association
      between high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings and the
      classification of these tumors. METHODS: We reviewed the data of 220 lung
      adenocarcinoma (<=3 cm) patients who received complete resection with lymph node
      dissection in our hospital. From the HRCT findings, the tumors were classified
      into the following 3 categories: pure-solid nodules, part-solid nodules, or pure
      ground-glass opacity (GGO) nodules. Pathological invasion factor (PIF) was
      evaluated by the degree of blood vessel invasion, lymphatic permeation, and
      visceral pleural invasion. RESULTS: The tumors were classified as pure GGO
      nodules in 16 patients, part-solid nodules in 91, and pure-solid nodules in 113
      from the HRCT findings. Tumors were diagnosed as noninvasive or minimally
      invasive adenocarcinomas (NMIADs) in 44 patients, and invasive adenocarcinomas
      (IADs) in 176. Lymph node metastasis was present in 31 patients (14.1%) and PIF
      in 101 (45.9%). All pure-solid nodules were IADs with a high PIF frequency
      (75.2%) or with lymph node metastasis (26.5%). All pure GGO nodules were NMIADs
      or lepidic-predominant adenocarcinomas. Among the part-solid nodules, IAD was
      detected in 67.0% of the patients and PIF in 16.5%. The consolidation/tumor (C/T)
      ratio and consolidation size were associated with IAD (optimal cut-off values:
      0.4 and 8mm, respectively) and PIF (0.8 and 15 mm, respectively). CONCLUSIONS:
      The HRCT findings correlated with the IASLC/ATS/ERS classification and were
      useful for evaluating the histological nature of the tumors. Most pure-solid
      tumors had the potential for high-grade malignancy, including PIF and lymph node
      metastasis. For part-solid tumors, the C/T ratio and consolidation size were
      important for predicting PIF and for diagnosing IAD according to this
      classification.

PMID- 26259876
TI  - Cost-effectiveness analysis of EGFR mutation testing and gefitinib as first-line
      therapy for non-small cell lung cancer.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The combination use of gefitinib and epidermal growth factor receptor
      (EGFR) testing is a standard first-line therapy for patients with non-small cell
      lung cancer (NSCLC). Here, we examined the cost-effectiveness of this approach in
      Japan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our analysis compared the 'EGFR testing strategy',
      in which EGFR mutation testing was performed before treatment and patients with
      EGFR mutations received gefitinib while those without mutations received standard
      chemotherapy, to the 'no-testing strategy,' in which genetic testing was not
      conducted and all patients were treated with standard chemotherapy. A three-state
      Markov model was constructed to predict expected costs and outcomes for each
      strategy. We included only direct medical costs from the healthcare payer's
      perspective. Outcomes in the model were based on those reported in the Iressa Pan
      Asia Study (IPASS). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was
      calculated using quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) gained. Sensitivity and
      scenario analyses were conducted. RESULTS: The incremental cost and effectiveness
      per patient of the 'EGFR testing strategy' compared to the 'no-testing strategy'
      was estimated to be approximately JPY122,000 (US$1180; US$1=JPY104 as of February
      2014) and 0.036 QALYs. The ICER was then calculated to be around JPY3.38 million
      (US$32,500) per QALY gained. These results suggest that the 'EGFR testing
      strategy' is cost-effective compared with the 'no-testing strategy' when JPY5.0
      million to 6.0 million per QALY gained is considered an acceptable threshold.
      These results were supported by the sensitivity and scenario analyses.
      CONCLUSION: The combination use of gefitinib and EGFR testing can be considered a
      cost-effective first-line therapy compared to chemotherapy such as carboplatin
      paclitaxel for the treatment for NSCLC in Japan.

PMID- 26259877
TI  - Prognostic significance of the lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio in patients with
      malignant pleural mesothelioma.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Chronic inflammation plays a key role in the pathogenesis of
      malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) as a result of asbestos exposure. Several
      inflammation-based prognostic scores including the lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio
      (LMR), Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and
      platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) reportedly predict survival in many
      malignancies, while the role of LMR in MPM remains unclear. The aim of this study
      was to evaluate the clinical value of LMR and to compare the prognostic value of
      these inflammation-based scores in predicting overall survival (OS) in MPM.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and fifty patients with histologically proven
      MPM were included in this retrospective study. Kaplan-Meier curves and
      multivariate Cox-regression analyses were calculated for OS. The area under the
      receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC) was calculated to compare the
      discriminatory ability of each scoring system. RESULTS: An elevated LMR was
      significantly associated with prolonged OS. Patients with LMR <2.74 had
      significantly poor survival compared with LMR >=2.74 (median, 5.0 versus 14.0
      months; p=0.000). The LMR consistently had a higher AUC value at 6 months
      (0.722), 12 months (0.712), and 24 months (0.670), compared with other scores.
      Multivariate analysis showed that the LMR was independently associated with OS.
      CONCLUSIONS: The LMR is an independent prognostic marker for OS in patients with
      MPM and is superior to other inflammation-based prognostic scores with respect to
      prognostic ability.

PMID- 26259878
TI  - Characterization of hypoxia in malignant pleural mesothelioma with FMISO PET-CT.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a chemotherapy resistant
      tumor with a poor prognosis. Hypoxia is increasingly recognized as an important
      factor in tumor aggressiveness and cellular resistance to chemotherapy and
      radiation treatment. This prospective pilot study was performed with [F-18]
      fluoromisonidazole (FMISO) PET-CT to characterize hypoxia in patients with MPM.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty prospectively recruited patients with
      histologically or cytologically confirmed MPM not currently receiving systemic or
      local treatment underwent both FMISO and fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET-CT scans
      within 2 weeks. FMISO and FDG PET-CT scans were independently analyzed visually
      and semi-quantitatively using SUVmax and tumor to background ratio (TBR) in order
      to assess tumor hypoxia and metabolic activity. Lesion by lesion analysis was
      performed in sites of measurable pleural masses. RESULTS: Visual analysis
      demonstrated tumor FMISO activity in 17 of 20 patients, and tumor FDG activity in
      19 of 20 patients. Focal areas of bulky tumor were most likely to demonstrate
      hypoxia. In 19 patients suitable for semi-quantitative analysis the median FDG
      SUVmax was 6.4 (range 1.9-19.1), median FMISO SUVmax was 2.5 (range 1.4-3.7) and
      median FMISO TBR was 1.8 (1.1-2.5). There was a positive correlation between
      intensity of metabolic activity and hypoxia (r=0.72, p=0.001). Lesion by lesion
      analysis demonstrated a positive correlation between tumor thickness and FMISO
      activity (r=0.77, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: This pilot study confirms that MPM is a
      tumor with significant areas of hypoxia, particularly in dominant tumor masses.
      The relationship of tumor hypoxia to effectiveness of chemotherapy and/or
      radiation therapy warrants prospective assessment.

PMID- 26259879
TI  - Decision framework for platform decommissioning in California.
AB  - This article describes the overall decision framework for eventual decisions
      about decommissioning the 27 operating oil and gas platforms offshore southern
      California. These platforms will eventually reach the end of their useful
      lifetimes (estimated between 2015 and 2030, although specific dates have not been
      determined). Current law and regulations allow for alternative uses in lieu of
      the complete removal required in existing leases. To prepare for eventual
      decommissioning, the California Natural Resources Agency initiated an in-depth
      process to identify and investigate issues surrounding possible decommissioning
      alternatives. The detailed evaluation of alternatives focused on 2-complete
      removal and artificial reefing that included partial removal to 85 feet below the
      waterline. These were selected after a comparison of the technical and economic
      feasibility of several potential alternatives, availability of a legal framework
      for implementation, degree of interest from proponents, and relative acceptance
      by state and federal decision makers. Despite California's history of offshore
      oil and gas production, only 7 decommissioning projects have been completed and
      these were all relatively small and close to shore. In contrast, nearly 30% of
      the California platforms are in water depths (as much as 1200 feet) that exceed
      any decommissioning project anywhere in the world. Most earlier projects
      considered an artificial reefing alternative but none were implemented and all
      platforms were completely removed. Future decisions about decommissioning must
      grapple with a more complex decision context involving greater technological and
      logistical challenges and cost, a wider range of viable options, tradeoffs among
      environmental impacts and benefits, and an intricate maze of laws, regulations,
      and authorities. The specific engineering differences between complete and
      partial removal provide an explicit basis for a thorough evaluation of their
      respective impacts.

PMID- 26259880
TI  - The LcrG Tip Chaperone Protein of the Yersinia pestis Type III Secretion System
      Is Partially Folded.
AB  - The type III secretion system (T3SS) is essential in the pathogenesis of Yersinia
      pestis, the causative agent of plague. A small protein, LcrG, functions as a
      chaperone to the tip protein LcrV, and the LcrG-LcrV interaction is important in
      regulating protein secretion through the T3SS. The atomic structure of the LcrG
      family is currently unknown. However, because of its predicted helical
      propensity, many have suggested that the LcrG family forms a coiled-coil
      structure. Here, we show by NMR and CD spectroscopy that LcrG lacks a tertiary
      structure and it consists of three partially folded alpha-helices spanning
      residues 7-38, 41-46, and 58-73. NMR titrations of LcrG with LcrV show that the
      entire length of a truncated LcrG (residues 7-73) is involved in binding to LcrV.
      However, there is regional variation in how LcrG binds to LcrV. The C-terminal
      region of a truncated LcrG (residues 52-73) shows tight binding interaction with
      LcrV while the N-terminal region (residues 7-51) shows weaker interaction with
      LcrV. This suggests that there are at least two binding events when LcrG binds to
      LcrV. Biological assays and mutagenesis indicate that the C-terminal region of
      LcrG (residues 52-73) is important in blocking protein secretion through the
      T3SS. Our results reveal structural and mechanistic insights into the atomic
      conformation of LcrG and how it binds to LcrV. 

PMID- 26259881
TI  - S-Nitrosylation of Calcium-Handling Proteins in Cardiac Adrenergic Signaling and
      Hypertrophy.
AB  - RATIONALE: The regulation of calcium (Ca(2+)) homeostasis by beta-adrenergic
      receptor (betaAR) activation provides the essential underpinnings of sympathetic
      regulation of myocardial function, as well as a basis for understanding molecular
      events that result in hypertrophic signaling and heart failure. Sympathetic
      stimulation of the betaAR not only induces protein phosphorylation but also
      activates nitric oxide-dependent signaling, which modulates cardiac
      contractility. Nonetheless, the role of nitric oxide in betaAR-dependent
      regulation of Ca(2+) handling has not yet been explicated fully. OBJECTIVE: To
      elucidate the role of protein S-nitrosylation, a major transducer of nitric oxide
      bioactivity, on betaAR-dependent alterations in cardiomyocyte Ca(2+) handling and
      hypertrophy. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using transgenic mice to titrate the levels of
      protein S-nitrosylation, we uncovered major roles for protein S-nitrosylation, in
      general, and for phospholamban and cardiac troponin C S-nitrosylation, in
      particular, in betaAR-dependent regulation of Ca(2+) homeostasis. Notably, S
      nitrosylation of phospholamban consequent upon betaAR stimulation is necessary
      for the inhibitory pentamerization of phospholamban, which activates sarcoplasmic
      reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase and increases cytosolic Ca(2+) transients. Coincident S
      nitrosylation of cardiac troponin C decreases myocardial sensitivity to Ca(2+).
      During chronic adrenergic stimulation, global reductions in cellular S
      nitrosylation mitigate hypertrophic signaling resulting from Ca(2+) overload.
      CONCLUSIONS: S-Nitrosylation operates in concert with phosphorylation to regulate
      many cardiac Ca(2+)-handling proteins, including phospholamban and cardiac
      troponin C, thereby playing an essential and previously unrecognized role in
      cardiac Ca(2+) homeostasis. Manipulation of the S-nitrosylation level may prove
      therapeutic in heart failure.

PMID- 26259882
TI  - Specific Physician Orders Improve Pain Detection and Pain Reports in Nursing Home
      Residents: Preliminary Data.
AB  - Despite evidence that many nursing home residents' pain is poorly managed,
      reasons for this poor management remain unanswered. The aim of this study was to
      determine if specific order sets related to pain assessment would improve pain
      management in nursing home (NH) residents. Outcomes included observed nurse pain
      assessment queries and resident reports of pain. The pretest/post-test study was
      performed in a 240-bed for-profit nursing home in the mid-southern region of the
      United States and participants were 43 nursing home residents capable of self
      consent. Medical chart abstraction was performed during a 2-week (14-day) period
      before the implementation of specific order sets for pain assessment
      (intervention) and a 2-week (14-day) period after the intervention. Trained
      research assistants observed medication administration passes and performed
      participant interviews after each medication pass. One month after intervention
      implementation, 1 additional day of observations was conducted to determine data
      reliability. Nurses were observed to ask residents about pain more frequently,
      and nurses continued to ask about pain at higher rates 1 month after the
      intervention was discontinued. The proportion of residents who reported pain also
      significantly increased in response to increased nurse queries (e.g., "Do you
      have any pain right now?"), which underscores the importance of nurses directly
      asking residents about pain. Notably 70% of this long-stay NH population only
      told the nurses about their pain symptoms when asked directly. Findings uncover
      that using specific pain order sets seems to improve the detection of pain, which
      should be a routine part of nursing assessment. 

PMID- 26259883
TI  - Pelvic Floor and Urinary Distress in Women with Fibromyalgia.
AB  - Fibromyalgia (FM) patients were recently found to have more symptom burden from
      bothersome pelvic pain syndromes that women seeking care for pelvic floor disease
      at a urogynecology clinic. We sought to further characterize pelvic floor
      symptoms in a larger sample of FM patients using of validated questionnaires.
      Female listserv members of the Fibromyalgia Information Foundation completed an
      online survey of three validated questionnaires: the Pelvic Floor Distress
      Inventory 20 (PFDI-20), the Pelvic Pain, Urgency and Frequency Questionnaire
      (PUF), and the Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQR). Scores were
      characterized using descriptive statistics. Patients (n = 204 with complete data
      on 177) were on average 52.3 +/- 11.4 years with a mean parity of 2.5 +/- 1.9. FM
      severity based on FIQR score (57.2 +/- 14.9) positively correlated with PFDI-20
      total 159.08 +/- 55.2 (r = .34, p < .001) and PUF total 16.54 +/- 7 (r = .36, p <
      .001). Women with FM report significantly bothersome pelvic floor and urinary
      symptoms. Fibromyalgia management should include evaluation and treatment of
      pelvic floor disorders recognizing that pelvic distress and urinary symptoms are
      associated with more severe FM symptoms. Validated questionnaires, like the ones
      used in this study, are easily incorporated into clinical practice.

PMID- 26259884
TI  - Recurrent, alternating orbital inflammation.

PMID- 26259885
TI  - Neuroactive steroids and stress axis regulation: Pregnancy and beyond.
AB  - The hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis plays a critical role in regulating
      responses to stress and long term dysregulation of the HPA axis is associated
      with higher rates of mood disorders. There are circumstances where the HPA axis
      is more or less responsive to stress. For example, during late pregnancy ACTH and
      corticosterone responses to stress are markedly suppressed, whereas in offspring
      born to mothers that experienced repeated stress during pregnancy, the HPA axis
      is hyper-responsive to stress. Neuroactive steroids such as allopregnanolone,
      tetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone (THDOC) and androstanediol can modulate HPA axis
      activity and concentrations of some neuroactive steroids in the brain are altered
      during pregnancy and following stress. Thus, here altered neurosteroidogenesis is
      proposed as a mechanism that could underpin the dynamic changes in HPA axis
      regulation typically observed in late pregnant and in prenatally stressed
      individuals. In support of this hypothesis, evidence in rats demonstrates that
      elevated levels of allopregnanolone in pregnancy induce a central inhibitory
      opioid mechanism that serves to minimize stress-induced HPA axis activity.
      Conversely, in prenatally stressed rodents, where HPA axis stress responses are
      enhanced, evidence indicates the capacity of the brain for neurosteroidogenesis
      is reduced. Understanding the mechanisms involved in adaptations in HPA axis
      regulation may provide insights for manipulating stress sensitivity and for
      developing therapies for stress-related disorders in humans.

PMID- 26259886
TI  - A rare case of Klippel-Feil syndrome associated with atlantoaxial rotatory
      subluxation, atlanto-occipital fusion, and spina bifida.

PMID- 26259887
TI  - Beyond Cervical Length: A Pilot Study of Ultrasonic Attenuation for Early
      Detection of Preterm Birth Risk.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to determine whether cervical ultrasonic
      attenuation could identify women at risk of spontaneous preterm birth. During
      pregnancy, women (n = 67) underwent from one to five transvaginal ultrasonic
      examinations to estimate cervical ultrasonic attenuation and cervical length.
      Ultrasonic data were obtained with a Zonare ultrasound system with a 5- to 9-MHz
      endovaginal transducer and processed offline. Cervical ultrasonic attenuation was
      lower at 17-21 wk of gestation in the SPTB group (1.02 dB/cm-MHz) than in the
      full-term birth groups (1.34 dB/cm-MHz) (p = 0.04). Cervical length was shorter
      (3.16 cm) at 22-26 wk in the SPTB group than in the women delivering full term
      (3.68 cm) (p = 0.004); cervical attenuation was not significantly different at
      this time point. These findings suggest that low attenuation may be an additional
      early cervical marker to identify women at risk for SPTB.

PMID- 26259888
TI  - Preliminary Results on the Feasibility of Using ARFI/SWEI to Assess Cutaneous
      Sclerotic Diseases.
AB  - In this study, acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) and shear wave elasticity
      imaging (SWEI) were applied to the skin to investigate the feasibility of their
      use in assessing sclerotic skin diseases. Our motivation was to develop a non
      invasive imaging technology with real-time feedback of sclerotic skin disease
      diagnosis. This paper shows representative results from an ongoing study,
      recruiting patients with and without sclerosis. The stiffness of the imaged site
      was evaluated using two metrics: mean ARFI displacement magnitude and bulk shear
      wave speed inside the region of interest (ROI). In a subject with localized graft
      versus host disease (GVHD), the mean ARFI displacement inside sclerotic skin was
      61% lower (p < 0.01) and shear wave speed 128% higher (p < 0.005) compared to
      those in normal skin-indicating stiffer mechanical properties in the sclerotic
      skin. This trend persisted through disease types. We conclude ARFI and SWEI can
      successfully differentiate sclerotic lesions from normal dermis. 

PMID- 26259889
TI  - Pre-operative Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Axillary Lymph Nodes in Breast
      Cancer Patients: For Which Group Still of Additional Value and in Which Group
      Cause for Special Attention?
AB  - A non-invasive and widely available method for pre-operative evaluation of the
      axilla is axillary ultrasonography (US). The purpose of this study was to
      evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of axillary US and fine-needle aspiration
      cytology in a large cohort of breast cancer patients. The sensitivity and
      specificity of US and fine-needle aspiration cytology in our cohort of 1124
      patients were 42.2% and 97.1%, respectively. As the number of axillary nodes
      increased, sensitivity increased. The percentage of false-negative US results was
      18.9%; patients in this subgroup were significantly younger, had larger tumors,
      more often had lymph vascular invasion and were more likely to have estrogen
      receptor-positive tumors. Ultrasonography in combination with fine-needle
      aspiration cytology is useful in the pre-operative workup of breast cancer
      patients, especially patients with three or more nodal metastases. Special
      attention should be paid to younger women with larger tumors in whom a larger
      percentage of false-negative results are obtained. 

PMID- 26259890
TI  - The serotonin receptor mediates changes in autonomic neurotransmission and
      gastrointestinal transit induced by heat-killed Lactobacillus brevis SBC8803.
AB  - Lactobacilli exhibit several health benefits in mammals, including humans. Our
      previous reports established that heat-killed Lactobacillus brevis SBC8803
      (SBC8803) increased both efferent gastric vagal nerve activity and afferent
      intestinal vagal nerve activity in rats. We speculated that this strain could be
      useful for the treatment of gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. In this study, we
      examined the effects of SBC8803 on peristalsis and the activity of the efferent
      celiac vagal nerve innervating the intestine in rats. First, we examined the
      effects of intraduodenal (ID) administration of SBC8803 on efferent celiac vagal
      nerve activity (efferent CVNA) in urethane-anesthetised rats using
      electrophysiological studies. The effects of intravenous injection of the
      serotonin 5-HT3 receptor antagonist granisetron on changes in efferent CVNA due
      to ID administration of SBC8803 were also investigated. Finally, the effects of
      oral gavage of SBC8803 on GI transit were analysed using the charcoal propulsion
      method in conscious rats treated with or without granisetron. ID administration
      of SBC8803 increased efferent CVNA. Pretreatment with granisetron eliminated
      SBC8803-dependent changes in efferent CVNA. Furthermore, oral gavage of SBC8803
      significantly accelerated GI transit, while pretreatment with granisetron
      inhibited GI transit. Our findings suggested that SBC8803 increased efferent CVNA
      and GI transit of charcoal meal via 5-HT3 receptors. Moreover, SBC8803 enhanced
      the activity of efferent vagal nerve innervating the intestine and promoted
      peristalsis via 5-HT3 receptors. 

PMID- 26259891
TI  - Mixed culture models for predicting intestinal microbial interactions between
      Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus in the presence of probiotic Bacillus
      subtilis.
AB  - Bacillus has been proposed as a probiotic due to its in vivo effectiveness in the
      gastrointestinal tract through antimicrobial activities. The present study
      investigates the effects of Lactobacillus alone or in the presence of Bacillus
      subtilis MA139 on the inhibition of pathogenic Escherichia coli K88. Mixed
      cultures were used to predict the possible interactions among these bacteria
      within the intestinal tract of animals. B. subtilis MA139 was first assayed for
      its inhibition against E. coli K88 both under shaking and static culture
      conditions. A co-culture assay was employed under static conditions to test the
      inhibitory effects of Lactobacillus reuteri on E. coli K88, with or without
      addition of B. subtilis MA139. The results showed that B. subtilis MA139 had
      marked inhibition against E. coli K88 under shaking conditions and weak
      inhibition under static conditions. Lactobacillus alone as well as in combination
      with B. subtilis MA139 spores exerted strong inhibition against E. coli K88 under
      static conditions. However, the inhibition by Lactobacillus in combination with
      B. subilis spores was much higher than that by Lactobacillus alone (P<0.01). B.
      subtilis MA139 significantly decreased the pH and oxidation-reduction potential
      values of the co-culture broth compared to that of Lactobacillus alone (P<0.05).
      The viability of Lactobacillus increased when co-cultured with B. subtilis MA139
      because of significantly higher Lactobacillus counts and lower pH values in the
      broth (P<0.05). The role of Bacillus in the mixed culture models suggests that
      Bacillus may produce beneficial effects by increasing the viability of
      lactobacilli and subsequently inhibiting the growth of pathogenic E. coli.
      Therefore, the combination of Bacillus and Lactobacillus species as a probiotic
      is recommended. 

PMID- 26259892
TI  - Effects of synbiotic on anthropometry, lipid profile and oxidative stress in
      obese children.
AB  - Recent studies have suggested some beneficial effects of probiotics and/or
      prebiotics on obesity in adults; such experience is limited in children and
      adolescents. This study was an open-label, randomised, controlled study including
      children with primary obesity. The first group was treated with a standard method
      with a reduced calorie intake and increased physical activity. The second group
      received add-on daily synbiotic supplementation during one month. The aim of this
      study was to evaluate potential effects of a synbiotic on anthropometric
      measurements, lipid profile and oxidative stress parameters. One month of
      supplementation of the synbiotic resulted in a significant reduction of weight
      (P<0.001) and body mass index (P<0.01). Changes (% reduction comparing to
      baseline) in anthropometric measurements, were significantly higher in the
      children receiving the additional synbiotic supplement (P<0.05). The percentage
      of children with weight loss was higher in the synbiotic group, but not
      statistically significant (71.4 vs 64.2%, P>0.05). At the 30(th) day of synbiotic
      intervention, serum total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and
      total oxidative stress levels significantly declined (P<0.05). Changes in serum
      lipid levels were significantly higher in the synbiotic group (P<0.05). Changes
      in serum total oxidative stress levels before and after the intervention period,
      were significant in synbiotic group (P<0.01). In our study, changes in weight,
      body mass index, and triceps skinfold thickness were higher in the group
      receiving the one month synbiotic supplement thin in the standard method group.
      The supplement tested also had a beneficial effect on lipid profile and total
      oxidative stress. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study showing
      the effects of synbiotics on oxidative stress in obese patients with an
      additional effect on weight loss regarding to previous studies. 

PMID- 26259893
TI  - Prevalence of depression and its associated factors in patients with type 2
      diabetes: A cross-sectional study in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
AB  - Depression is a common feature in patients with type 2 diabetes and often remains
      undetected and untreated, causing increased morbidity and mortality. We explored
      the prevalence of co-morbid depression and its associated factors, including
      major life-events among patients with type 2 diabetes in Bangladesh. We conducted
      a cross-sectional study among 515 patients with type 2 diabetes between September
      2013 and July 2014 in a tertiary hospital in Dhaka city. We assessed depression
      using Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) with predefined cut-off scores of 5,
      10, 15 and 20 to indicate minimal, mild, moderate, moderately-severe, and severe
      depression. Associations between depression and its associated factors were
      explored using univariate and multivariate regression. Overall, 61.9%
      participants had depressive symptoms, and the prevalence was higher among females
      (70.9%) compared to males (50.6%). One-third (35.7%) of participants had mild
      depression and 36.2% had moderate to severe depression. In the multivariate
      analysis, factors significantly associated with depression were: age<=60 years
      (OR: 2.1, 95% CI=1.2-3.6; p<=0.006), female gender (OR=1.9, 95% CI=1.3-3.0;
      p<=0.002), those having 1-3 complications (OR=2.3, 95% CI=1.2-4.3; p=0.010),
      experienced loss of business or crop failure (OR=2.1, 95% CI=1.2-3.6; p=0.006),
      major family conflicts (OR=2.2, 95% CI=1.4-3.5; p<=0.001), separation or deaths
      of family members or divorce (OR=2.2, 95% CI=1.4-3.5; p<=0.001), and those who
      experienced unavailability of food or medicines (OR=2.2, 95% CI=1.0-4.5;
      p=0.038). Patients with diabetes, especially females, those having other
      complications, and major life-events should routinely be screened for symptoms of
      depression with adequate management of these conditions. 

PMID- 26259894
TI  - Comorbidity, knowledge and attitude towards sex among patients with Dhat
      syndrome: A retrospective study.
AB  - This study aimed to assess the knowledge about sex, attitude towards sex,
      prevalence of psychiatric comorbidity and relationship of the comorbidity with
      onset of symptoms of Dhat syndrome. Treatment records of 264 patients diagnosed
      with Dhat syndrome were reviewed for clinical profile including psychiatric
      comorbidity and sexual dysfunction and information on sexual knowledge and
      attitude using Sex Knowledge and Attitude Questionnaire (SKAQ-II). None of the
      patients gave all the correct responses on the SKAQ-II. Poor knowledge about
      sexual matters was not limited to the semen formation only, but also involved
      other aspects of sexuality, like masturbation, relationship of pregnancy with
      orgasm in women, breast feeding and pregnancy, relationship of sexual desire with
      addictive drugs and sexually transmitted diseases can be cured by having sex with
      a virgin girl. Higher level of education showed significant association with
      better sexual knowledge and liberal attitude. There was significant positive
      correlation between sexual knowledge and attitude. About half (51.9%) of patients
      had at least one comorbid psychiatric disorder and/or sexual dysfunction. Among
      the psychiatric disorders, depressive disorders were the most common and
      premature ejaculation was the most common comorbid sexual dysfunction. Among
      those with comorbidity, symptoms of Dhat syndrome preceded the onset of other
      disorders. Patients with Dhat syndrome have high rates of comorbidity and poor
      sexual knowledge and less liberal attitude, which was not only limited to loss of
      semen but also involves other spheres of sexuality. Accordingly psychoeducation
      in patients of Dhat syndrome should not be limited to addressing the myths and
      lack of knowledge about semen formation, but also should address poor sexual
      knowledge on all the aspects related to sexuality and the negative attitude
      towards sex. 

PMID- 26259895
TI  - Contraception use and impact on pregnancy prevention in women participating in an
      HIV prevention trial in South Africa.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Unplanned pregnancy rates in South Africa are high. Effective use of
      contraception is therefore an essential public health intervention to prevent
      unplanned pregnancies. This study describes contraception use and its impact on
      pregnancy in women participating in HIV prevention research and its implications
      for public health practice. METHOD: A secondary analysis of sociodemographic,
      behavioural, contraception use, and pregnancy incidence data was conducted
      amongst women participating in the Microbicides Development Programme (MDP) 301
      trial conducted in Durban, South Africa. Log-rank tests were carried out to
      compare the pregnancy incidence between women who reported use of injectable
      contraceptive methods compared to women using oral contraceptive pills, using
      condoms and other methods (intrauterine device, traditional methods and natural
      methods). The effect of types of contraceptives on pregnancy incidence was
      assessed using Cox proportional hazards regression models. RESULTS: Of the 2018
      women enrolled, injectable contraception was the most commonly used method (52%)
      compared to pills, condoms for pregnancy prevention and other methods. Injectable
      contraception use was associated with lower crude pregnancy incidence of 4.4 per
      100 woman-years [95% confidence interval (95% CI 3.3-5.9)] compared to women
      using pills [19.3 per 100 woman-years (95% CI 13.3-28.0)], condoms [19.7 per 100
      woman-years (95% CI 16.3-23.6)] and other methods [11.5 per 100 woman-years (95%
      CI 7.5-17.6)]. This effect remained significant when adjusted for age, level of
      education, condom use at last sex act [hazard ratio 0.27, (95% CI 0.16-0.47,
      p<0.001)]. CONCLUSION: Injectable contraception offered a high level of
      protection against pregnancies among women in Durban. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER:
      ISRCTN64716212.

PMID- 26259896
TI  - Assessing feasibility and acceptability of a brief intervention for risky alcohol
      consumption in sexual health clinic attendees: a randomised controlled trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To assess the feasibility and acceptability of screening attendees at
      a sexual health clinic (SHC) for alcohol misuse, and delivering a brief
      intervention (BI). To explore the effect of this BI on drinking and sexual
      behaviour. METHODS: A consecutive sample of consenting SHC attendees aged >=16
      years were screened using Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test Consumption
      (AUDIT-C). Men scoring >=5 and women scoring >=4 were invited to complete the
      full AUDIT, alcohol diary and baseline questionnaire. INTERVENTIONS: Participants
      were randomised to receive BI by a trained sexual health professional or a
      standard alcohol leaflet (usual care, UC). All were followed up for changes in
      alcohol and sexual behaviour at 6 weeks and 6 months. A fidelity check and staff
      focus group were undertaken. RESULTS: Of 664 participants screened, 215 (32%)
      were eligible for randomisation and 207 were included in the final analysis: 103
      (BI) and 104 (UC). Follow-up rates were 54% and 47% at 6 weeks and 6 months,
      respectively. Both groups reduced alcohol consumption though the degree of change
      did not differ between them. There was some evidence of positive changes in
      sexual health risk in both groups. BI was delivered as intended, adding 5 minutes
      to the consultation, and staff feedback was positive. CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol misuse
      was common in SHC attendees. Systematic assessment and BI for alcohol misuse was
      feasible and acceptable to staff and patients. Identification and provision of
      standard information alone appeared to influence drinking and sexual behaviour.
      TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN19452424.

PMID- 26259898
TI  - Band Propagation, Scaling Laws, and Phase Transition in a Precipitate System. 2.
      Computational Study.
AB  - In this second paper, we introduce a chemical kinetic model that investigates the
      dynamics of the experimental Ni(2+)/NH3-OH(-) Liesegang system characterized by a
      pattern of beta-nickel hydroxide bands led by a growing pulse of alpha-nickel
      hydroxide. The model is based on a system of reaction-diffusion equations
      describing the precipitation reaction and dissolution of the nickel hydroxide
      polymorphs by ammonia. The hydroxide ions are assumed to be static whereas
      ammonia serves as a diffusing "vehicle" that supplies the hydroxide ions along
      the precipitation zone, and these ions in turn react with the static Ni(2+) ions.
      The precipitation-diffusion equations are coupled to nucleation, polymorphic
      transition, and growth rate equations, each of which is characterized by a
      critical constant specific to the solid phase dynamics. In the proposed model,
      priority is given to polymorphic transition rather than nucleation. This implies
      that the critical constants must be subject to a constraint different than that
      derived for the Lifshitz-Slyozov instability encountered in classical Liesegang
      patterns. Numerical simulations confirm the validity of our model and the derived
      constraint. The pulse position and width are found to scale in time as t(alpha)
      with alpha ? 0.5, in agreement with the experimental results. Finally, the mass
      of the bands is shown to oscillate in time, suggesting competition between growth
      and polymorphic transition on one side and dissolution on the other. 

PMID- 26259899
TI  - dUTPase: the frequently overlooked enzyme encoded by many retroviruses.
AB  - Retroviruses are among the best studied viruses in last decades due to their
      pivotal involvement in cellular processes and, most importantly, in causing human
      diseases, most notably-acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) that is
      triggered by human immunodeficiency viruses types 1 and 2 (HIV-1 and HIV-2,
      respectively). Numerous studied were conducted to understand the involvement of
      the three cardinal retroviral enzymes, reverse transcriptase, integrase and
      protease, in the life cycle of the viruses. These studies have led to the
      development of many inhibitors of these enzymes as anti-retroviral specific drugs
      that are used for routine treatments of HIV/AIDS patients. Interestingly, a
      fourth virus-encoded enzyme, the deoxyuridine 5'-triphosphate nucleotidohydrolase
      (dUTPase) is also found in several major retroviral groups. The presence and the
      importance of this enzyme to the life cycle of retroviruses were usually
      overlooked by most retrovirologists, although the occurrence of dUTPases,
      particularly in beta-retroviruses and in non-primate retroviruses, is known for
      more than 20 years. Only more recently, retroviral dUTPases were brought into the
      limelight and were shown in several cases to be essential for viral replication.
      Therefore, it is likely that future studies on this enzyme will advance our
      knowledge to a level that will allow designing novel, specific and potent anti
      dUTPase drugs that are effective in combating retroviral diseases. The aim of
      this review is to give concise background information on dUTPases in general and
      to summarize the most relevant data on retroviral dUTPases and their involvement
      in the replication processes and pathogenicity of the viruses, as well as in
      possibly-associated human diseases. 

PMID- 26259900
TI  - Functional role of lysine 12 in Leishmania major AQP1.
AB  - Leishmania major aquaglyceroporin (AQP1) is an adventitious metalloid channel
      that allows the bidirectional movement of arsenite and antimonite. Here we
      demonstrate that AQP1 is subjected to proteasome-dependent degradation. Treatment
      of Leishmania promastigotes with the proteasome inhibitor MG132 resulted in
      increased AQP1 accumulation. Site-directed mutagenesis in AQP1 revealed that
      alteration of lysine 12 to either alanine or arginine improves protein stability.
      AQP1 expression is stabilized by mitogen-activated protein kinase 2 (MPK2). Cells
      expressing a dominant-negative MPK2 mutant exhibited severely reduced AQP1
      expression, which could be reversed upon addition of MG132. Interestingly, the
      dominant-negative MPK2 mutant could not destabilize either AQP1K12A or AQP1K12R.
      While stabilization of AQP1 by MPK2 leads to its relocalization from flagellum to
      the entire surface of the parasite, altered AQP1K12A or AQP1K12R was restricted
      to flagellum only. Our data demonstrate that lysine 12 is targeted for
      proteasomal degradation of AQP1 and plays an integral role in subcellular
      localization of AQP1 as well as its interaction with MPK2. This work also raises
      the possibility that a strategy combining antimonial with a proteasome inhibitor
      may be an effective combination regimen against diverse forms of leishmaniasis. 

PMID- 26259901
TI  - Motor cortex excitability is not differentially modulated following skill and
      strength training.
AB  - AIM: A single session of skill or strength training can modulate the primary
      motor cortex (M1), which manifests as increased corticospinal excitability (CSE)
      and decreased short-latency intra-cortical inhibition (SICI). We tested the
      hypothesis that both skill and strength training can propagate the neural
      mechanisms mediating cross-transfer and modulate the ipsilateral M1 (iM1).
      METHODS: Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) measured baseline CSE and SICI
      in the contralateral motor cortex (cM1) and iM1. Participants completed 4 sets of
      unilateral training with their dominant arm, either visuomotor tracking,
      metronome-paced strength training (MPST), self-paced strength training (SPST) or
      control. Immediately post training, TMS was repeated in both M1s. RESULTS: Motor
      evoked potentials (MEPs) increased and inhibition was reduced for skill and MPST
      training from baseline in both M1s. Self-paced strength training and control did
      not produce changes in CSE and SICI when compared to baseline in both M1s. After
      training, skill and MPST increased CSE and decreased SICI in cM1 compared to SPST
      and control. Skill and MPST training decreased SICI in iM1 compared to SPST and
      control post intervention; however, CSE in iM1 was not different across groups
      post training. CONCLUSION: Both skill training and MPST facilitated an increase
      in CSE and released SICI in iM1 and cM1 compared to baseline. Our results suggest
      that synchronizing to an auditory or a visual cue promotes neural adaptations
      within the iM1, which is thought to mediate cross transfer.

PMID- 26259902
TI  - Hyperthermia aggravates status epilepticus-induced epileptogenesis and neuronal
      loss in immature rats.
AB  - This study tightly controlled seizure duration and severity during status
      epilepticus (SE) in postnatal day 10 (P10) rats, in order to isolate hyperthermia
      as the main variable and to study its consequences. Body temperature was
      maintained at 39 +/- 1  degrees C in hyperthermic SE rats (HT+SE) or at 35 +/- 1 
      degrees C in normothermic SE animals (NT+SE) during 30 min of SE, which was
      induced by lithium-pilocarpine (3 mEq/kg, 60 mg/kg) and terminated by diazepam
      and cooling to NT. All video/EEG measures of SE severity were similar between
      HT+SE and NT+SE pups. At 24h, neuronal injury was present in the amygdala in the
      HT+SE group only, and was far more severe in the hippocampus in HT+SE than NT+SE
      pups. Separate groups of animals were monitored four months later for spontaneous
      recurrent seizures (SRS). Only HT+SE animals developed convulsive SRS. Both HT+SE
      and NT+SE animals developed electrographic SRS (83% vs. 55%), but SRS frequency
      and severity were higher in hyperthermic animals (12.5 +/- 3.5 vs. 4.2 +/- 2.0
      SRS/day). The density of hilar neurons was lower, thickness of the amygdala and
      perirhinal cortex was reduced, and lateral ventricles were enlarged in HT+SE over
      NT+SE littermates and HT/NT controls. In this model, hyperthermia greatly
      increased the epileptogenicity of SE and its neuropathological sequelae.

PMID- 26259903
TI  - Orexin-A potentiates L-type calcium/barium currents in rat retinal ganglion
      cells.
AB  - Two neuropeptides, orexin-A and orexin-B (also called hypocretin-1 and -2), have
      been implicated in sleep/wake regulation, feeding behaviors via the activation of
      two subtypes of G-protein-coupled receptors: orexin 1 and orexin 2 receptors
      (OX1R and OX2R). While the expression of orexins and orexin receptors is
      immunohistochemically revealed in retinal neurons, the function of these peptides
      in the retina is largely unknown. Using whole-cell patch-clamp recordings in rat
      retinal slices, we demonstrated that orexin-A increased L-type-like barium
      currents (IBa,L) in ganglion cells (GCs), and the effect was blocked by the
      selective OX1R antagonist SB334867, but not by the OX2R antagonist TCS OX2 29.
      The orexin-A effect was abolished by intracellular dialysis of GDP-beta-S/GPAnt
      2A, a Gq protein inhibitor, suggesting the mediation of Gq. Additionally, during
      internal dialysis of the phosphatidylinositol (PI)-phospholipase C (PLC)
      inhibitor U73122, orexin-A did not change the IBa,L of GCs, whereas the orexin-A
      effect persisted in the presence of the phosphatidylcholine (PC)-PLC inhibitor
      D609. The orexin-A-induced potentiation was not seen with internal infusion of
      Ca(2+)-free solution or when inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3)-sensitive Ca(2+)
      release from intracellular stores was blocked by heparin/xestospongins-C.
      Moreover, the orexin-A effect was mimicked by the protein kinase C (PKC)
      activator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, but was eliminated when PKC was
      inhibited by bisindolylmaleimide IV (Bis-IV)/Go6976. Neither adenosine 3',5'
      cyclic monophosphate (cAMP)-protein kinase A (PKA) nor guanosine 3',5'-cyclic
      monophosphate (cGMP)-protein kinase G (PKG) signaling pathway was likely
      involved, as orexin-A persisted to potentiate the IBa,L of GCs no matter these
      two pathways were activated or inhibited. These results suggest that, by
      activating OX1R, orexin-A potentiates the IBa,L of rat GCs through a distinct
      Gq/PI-PLC/IP3/Ca(2+)/PKC signaling pathway. 

PMID- 26259904
TI  - Placenta accreta: we can do better!

PMID- 26259905
TI  - Three-year continuation of reversible contraception.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of this analysis was to estimate the 3-year continuation
      rates of long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) methods and to compare these
      rates to non-LARC methods. STUDY DESIGN: The Contraceptive CHOICE Project
      (CHOICE) was a prospective cohort study that followed 9256 participants with
      telephone surveys at 3 and 6 months, then every 6 months for 2-3 years. We
      estimated 3-year continuation rates of baseline methods that were chosen at
      enrollment. The LARC methods include the 52-mg levonorgestrel intrauterine
      device; the copper intrauterine device, and the subdermal implant). These were
      then compared to rates to non-LARC hormonal methods (depot medroxyprogesterone
      acetate, oral contraceptive pills, contraceptive patch, and vaginal ring).
      Eligibility criteria for this analysis included participants who started their
      baseline chosen method by the 3-month survey. Participants who discontinued their
      method to attempt conception were censored. We used a Cox proportional hazard
      model to adjust for confounding and to estimate the hazard ratio for risk of
      discontinuation. RESULTS: Our analytic sample consisted of 4708 CHOICE
      participants who met inclusion criteria. Three-year continuation rates were 69.8%
      for users of the levonorgestrel intrauterine device, 69.7% for copper
      intrauterine device users, and 56.2% for implant users. At 3 years, continuation
      was 67.2% among LARC users and 31.0% among non-LARC users (P < .001). After
      adjustment for age, race, education, socioeconomic status, parity, and history of
      sexually transmitted infection, the hazard ratio for risk of discontinuation was
      3-fold higher among non-LARC method users than LARC users (adjusted hazard ratio,
      3.08; 95% confidence interval, 2.80-3.39). CONCLUSION: Three-year continuation of
      the 2 intrauterine devices approached 70%. Continuation of LARC methods was
      significantly higher than non-LARC methods.

PMID- 26259906
TI  - Characterization of the host inflammatory response following implantation of
      prolapse mesh in rhesus macaque.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the predominant cell type (macrophage, T
      lymphocyte, B lymphocyte, mast cell) within the area of implantation of the
      prototypical polypropylene mesh, Gynemesh PS (Ethicon, Somerville, NJ); and to
      determine the phenotypic profile (M1 proinflammatory, M2 antiinflammatory) of the
      macrophage response to 3 different polypropylene meshes: Gynemesh PS (Ethicon),
      and 2 lower-weight, higher-porosity meshes, UltraPro (Ethicon) and Restorelle
      (Coloplast, Humblebaek, Denmark). STUDY DESIGN: Sacrocolpopexy was performed
      following hysterectomy in rhesus macaques. Sham-operated animals served as
      controls. At 12 weeks postsurgery, the vagina-mesh complex was excised and the
      host inflammatory response was evaluated. Hematoxylin and eosin was used to
      perform routine histomorphologic evaluation. Identification of leukocyte
      (CD45(+)) subsets was performed by immunolabeling for CD68 (macrophage), CD3 (T
      lymphocyte), CD20 (B lymphocyte), and CD117 (mast cell). M1 and M2 macrophage
      subsets were identified using immunolabeling (CD86(+) and CD206(+),
      respectively), and further evaluation was performed using enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay for 2 M1 (tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin [IL]
      12) and 2 M2 (IL-4 and IL-10) cytokines. RESULTS: Histomorphologic evaluation
      showed a dense cellular response surrounding each mesh fiber. CD45(+) leukocytes
      accounted for 21.4 +/- 5.4% of total cells within the perimesh area captured in a
      *20 field, with macrophages as the predominant leukocyte subset (10.5 +/- 3.9% of
      total cells) followed by T lymphocytes (7.3 +/- 1.7%), B lymphocytes (3.0 +/-
      1.2%), and mast cells (0.2 +/- 0.2%). The response was observed to be more
      diffuse with increasing distance from the fiber surface. Few leukocytes of any
      type were observed in sham-operated animals. Immunolabeling revealed polarization
      of the macrophage response toward the M1 phenotype in all mesh groups. However,
      the ratio of M2:M1 macrophages was increased in the fiber area in UltraPro (P =
      .033) and Restorelle (P = .016) compared to Gynemesh PS. In addition, a shift
      toward increased expression of the antiinflammatory cytokine IL-10 was observed
      in Restorelle as compared to Gynemesh PS (P = .011). CONCLUSION: The host
      response to mesh consists predominantly of activated, proinflammatory M1
      macrophages at 12 weeks postsurgery. However, this response is attenuated with
      implantation of lighter-weight, higher-porosity mesh. While additional work is
      required to establish causal relationships, these results suggest a link among
      the host inflammatory response, mesh textile properties, and clinical outcomes in
      the repair of pelvic organ prolapse.

PMID- 26259907
TI  - Reply: To PMID 25499262.

PMID- 26259908
TI  - Minimal stimulation IVF vs conventional IVF: a randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Minimal stimulation in vitro fertilization (mini-in vitro
      fertilization) is an alternative in vitro fertilization treatment protocol that
      may reduce ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, multiple pregnancy rates, and cost
      while retaining high live birth rates. OBJECTIVE: We performed a randomized
      noninferiority controlled trial with a prespecified border of 10% that compared 1
      cycle of mini-in vitro fertilization with single embryo transfer with 1 cycle of
      conventional in vitro fertilization with double embryo transfer. STUDY DESIGN:
      Five hundred sixty-four infertile women (<39 years old) who were undergoing their
      first in vitro fertilization cycle were allocated randomly to either mini-in
      vitro fertilization or conventional in vitro fertilization. The primary outcome
      was cumulative live birth rate per woman over a 6-month period. Secondary
      outcomes included ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, multiple pregnancy rates,
      and gonadotropin use. The primary outcome was cumulative live birth per
      randomized woman within a time horizon of 6 months. RESULTS: Five hundred sixty
      four couples were assigned randomly between February 2009 and August 2013 with
      285 couples allocated to mini-in vitro fertilization and 279 couples allocated to
      conventional in vitro fertilization. The cumulative live birth rate was 49%
      (140/285) for mini-in vitro fertilization and 63% (176/279) for conventional in
      vitro fertilization (relative risk, 0.76; 95% confidence interval, 0.64-0.89).
      There were no cases of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome after mini-in vitro
      fertilization compared with 16 moderate/severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
      cases (5.7%) after conventional in vitro fertilization. The multiple pregnancy
      rates were 6.4% in mini-in vitro fertilization compared with 32% in conventional
      in vitro fertilization (relative risk, 0.25; 95% confidence interval, 0.14-0.46).
      Gonadotropin consumption was significantly lower with mini-in vitro fertilization
      compared with conventional in vitro fertilization (459 +/- 131 vs 2079 +/- 389
      IU; P < .0001). CONCLUSION: Compared with conventional in vitro fertilization
      with double embryo transfer, mini-in vitro fertilization with single embryo
      transfer lowers live birth rates, completely eliminates ovarian hyperstimulation
      syndrome, reduces multiple pregnancy rates, and reduces gonadotropin consumption.

PMID- 26259909
TI  - Dichorionic twin ultrasound surveillance: sonography every 4 weeks significantly
      underperforms sonography every 2 weeks: results of the Prospective Multicenter
      ESPRiT Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: A 2-week ultrasound scanning schedule for monochorionic twins is
      endorsed widely. There is a lack of robust data to inform a schedule for the
      surveillance of dichorionic gestations. We aimed to determine how ultrasound
      scanning that is performed at 2- or 4-week intervals (or every 4 weeks before 32
      weeks' gestation and every 2 weeks thereafter) may impact the prenatal detection
      of fetal growth restriction (FGR) and ultimately influence timing of delivery.
      STUDY DESIGN: In a consecutive cohort of 789 dichorionic twin pregnancies that
      were recruited prospectively for the multicenter Evaluation of Sonographic
      Predictors of Restricted Growth in Twins study, ultrasound determination of fetal
      growth and interrogation of umbilical and middle cerebral artery Doppler scans
      were performed every 2 weeks from 24 weeks' gestation until delivery. Complete
      delivery and perinatal outcome data were recorded for all pregnancies. Where
      delivery was prompted by FGR, abnormal umbilical artery Doppler examination or
      poor biophysical profile and in the absence of ruptured membranes, onset of
      labor, preeclampsia, or antepartum hemorrhage, the delivery was considered
      "ultrasound-indicated." For ultrasound-indicated deliveries, detection
      probabilities for FGR/abnormal umbilical artery Doppler scans/poor biophysical
      were determined according to the interval between examinations, by the
      suppression if alternate examination data. RESULTS: Among 789 dichorionic twin
      pregnancies, 66 pairs (8%) had an "ultrasound indicated" delivery. Detection of
      FGR was reduced from 88-69%, and detection of abnormal umbilical artery Doppler
      was reduced from 82-62% when a 4-week ultrasound schedule was simulated. Both of
      these reductions reached statistical significance. There was a nonsignificant
      trend toward a reduction in the recording of oligohydramnios with a 4-week
      interval between examinations. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the
      ultrasound surveillance program of every 2 weeks that is recommended currently
      for monochorionic twins should be extended to dichorionic gestations.

PMID- 26259910
TI  - Laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy: demonstration of a nerve-sparing technique.

PMID- 26259911
TI  - Increased Activation Amplitude Levels of Gluteus Medius in Women During Isometric
      and Dynamic Conditions Following a 4-week Protocol of Low-load Eccentric
      Exercises.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The dysfunction of gluteus medius (GMed) has been implicated in other
      musculoskeletal disorders including low back pain and lower limb injuries. The
      purpose of this study was to use a protocol involving low-load eccentric
      exercises to observe the effects on the three subdivisions of GMed activation
      through surface electromyography (sEMG) and digital dynamometry. METHODS: Eleven
      female subjects having femoral instability participated in a 4-week protocol
      (three sessions per week/non-consecutive days). At each session, two low-load
      eccentric exercises (12% of maximal isometric voluntary contraction [MVIC]) in
      abduction, extension and external rotation were applied to the hip joint. The
      sEMG of the GMed subdivisions (anterior, mid and posterior) during a squat and
      MVIC were assessed. The digital dynamometry was also assessed during MVIC.
      Parametric paired t-test was used to compare the results before and after
      treatment with alpha = 0.05. RESULTS: The results showed an increased sEMG
      activity of GMed (middle and posterior portions) during isometric voluntary
      contraction and squat after the protocol. No difference was noted to the anterior
      subdivision of GMed. Another finding was the significant difference to the
      dynamometry results, showing improvements to generate strength to the GMed as a
      whole muscle in abduction. CONCLUSION: The 4-week exercise protocol was effective
      to increase the activation of the GMed middle and posterior subdivisions,
      improving also the capacity to generate strength as a whole muscle during the
      proposed tasks. Copyright (c) 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 26259912
TI  - Eculizumab in Transplant-Associated Thrombotic Microangiopathy.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA-TMA) is a rare
      entity with no standard of care and high mortality, despite the use of plasma
      exchange. METHODS: Using specific search terms, all cases having TA-TMA treated
      with eculizumab and indexed in MEDLINE (English language only) by November 2014
      were reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 26 cases, 53% men, had a median age of 33
      years (range 2-61). Transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy occurred
      after stem-cell transplant (35%) or solid-organ transplant (65%), frequently
      associated with the use of cyclosporine or tacrolimus (96%). A disintegrin and
      metalloproteinase with a thrombospondin type 1 motif, member 13 (ADAMTS 13) level
      was always >10%. After TA-TMA diagnosis, the following drug adjustments were
      made: discontinuation of cyclosporine or tacrolimus in 45%, dose reduction in
      another 27%, continuation of the drugs in 23%, and switch from cyclosporine to
      tacrolimus in remaining 5%. Plasma exchange was performed in ~43%. The median
      interval between transplant and initiation of eculizumab was 63 days (range 11
      512). A median of 5.5 doses (range 2-21) of eculizumab was utilized with 92%
      response occurring after a median of 2 doses (range 1-18). At a median follow-up
      of 52 weeks (range 3-113), the survivors (92%) were doing well. CONCLUSION:
      Within the limits of this retrospective analysis, our study demonstrates that
      eculizumab use may result in high response rate and 1-year survival in patients
      with TA-TMA refractory to discontinuation of calcineurin inhibitor and plasma
      exchange.

PMID- 26259913
TI  - Thrombin Generation Assay in Hospitalized Nonsurgical Patients: A New Tool to
      Assess Venous Thromboembolism Risk?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Assessment of venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk is important to
      determine optimal primary prophylaxis in hospitalized patients. The Padua score
      helps to recognize patients with high VTE risk, but quantifying a VTE risk is
      often challenging in medical patients. Thrombin generation assay (TGA) reflects
      the pro-/anticoagulant balance and thus could help to better quantify VTE risk in
      medical hospitalized patients. AIM: To analyze the relation between TGA and VTE
      risk according to Padua score in medical hospitalized patients. METHODS: Between
      May and October 2013, 105 patients were included in an unselected cohort group of
      patients admitted to an internal medicine department in a large, university
      hospital. Within the 36 hours after admission and before any anticoagulant
      therapy, Padua score was calculated and sample for TGA was collected for each
      patient. Thrombin generation assay (velocity, peak, and endogenous thrombin
      potential [ETP]) was performed with 1 and 5 picomol/l (pM) tissue factor (TF)
      reagent. RESULTS: In patients with high Padua score (n = 29), velocity, peak, and
      ETP differed from patients with low Padua score. This difference was present at 1
      and 5 pM TF, in ETP (P < .0001 and P = .003 respectively), in peak (P < .0001 in
      both conditions), and in velocity (P < .0001). According to multivariate
      analysis, myeloid disorders, older age, higher body mass index, myocardial
      infarction, C-reactive protein >5 mg/L, reduced mobility with bed rest
      significantly increased velocity 1 pM TF value. CONCLUSION: Single thrombin
      generation measurement could help to identify patients at risk of VTE in medical
      hospitalized patients.

PMID- 26259914
TI  - NFI-A disrupts myeloid cell differentiation and maturation in septic mice.
AB  - Mounting evidence supports that sepsis-associated immunosuppression increases
      mortality. As potential contributors to poor sepsis outcomes, myeloid-derived
      suppressor cells, which are Gr1(+) CD11b(+) innate-immune cell progenitors unable
      to differentiate and possess suppressive activities, expand dramatically in
      septic mice by a process requiring increased microRNA-21 and microRNA-181b
      expression. The inhibition of these microRNAs in vivo in septic mice restores
      Gr1(+) CD11b(+) cell differentiation and maturation and improves survival. Here,
      we show that during sepsis-induced generation of myeloid-derived suppressor
      cells, transcription factor nuclear factor 1 A type represses cyclin-dependent
      kinase inhibitor p21 to arrest differentiation of Gr1(+) CD11b(+) cells. Our
      findings include the following: 1) Gr1(+) CD11b(+) myeloid cells from late septic
      mice genetically lacking nuclear factor 1 A type cannot suppress CD4(+) T cell
      proliferation and activation; 2) the reconstitution of nuclear factor 1 A type in
      microRNA-21 and microRNA-181b-depleted Gr1(+) CD11b(+) myeloid-derived suppressor
      cells inhibits cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21 and restores the immune
      suppressor phenotype; 3) ex vivo nuclear factor 1 A type knockdown in Gr1(+)
      CD11b(+) myeloid-derived suppressor cells from late septic mice restores cyclin
      dependent kinase inhibitor p21 expression and promotes monocyte and dendritic
      cell differentiation; and 4) ectopic nuclear factor 1 A type expression in normal
      Gr1(+) CD11b(+) cells generates an immunosuppressive phenotype. We suggest that
      therapeutically targeting nuclear factor 1 A type during late sepsis might
      improve survival. 

PMID- 26259916
TI  - Erratum to: Regulation of density of functional presynaptic terminals by local
      energy supply.

PMID- 26259915
TI  - Use of endobronchial valve insertion to treat relapsing pneumothorax: a case
      report and literature review.
AB  - : Backgorund and Aims: Unidirectional endobronchial valves have recently been
      shown to be beneficial as treatment for persistent air leaks. This report
      presents a first case of endobronchial valve implantation to treat relapsing
      pneumothorax in a Chinese patient, and also presents a review of the literature
      on the use of one-way valve insertion for the treatment of persistent air leaks.
      METHODS: The patient did undergo a recent but failed chest tube intervention. By
      bronchoscopy and using Chartis(r) system measurements, the upper left lobe
      (including the left apical bronchus) was closed using a catheter. RESULTS: After
      the expected decrease in airflow following bronchial occlusion, increased air
      pressure and decreased spilled air were noted; it was concluded that the
      pneumothorax was located in the left upper lobe. A Zephyr(r) endobronchial valve
      was placed in the left upper apical bronchus. The health benefits of the
      procedure were noticed in the following days. CONCLUSION: Our review suggests
      that the use of endobronchial valves could be used as an effective, minimally
      invasive, low-risk intervention for patients with pneumothorax that cannot be
      treated surgically.

PMID- 26259917
TI  - In situ synthesis of porous array films on a filament induced micro-gap electrode
      pair and their use as resistance-type gas sensors with enhanced performances.
AB  - Resistance-type metal-oxide semiconductor gas sensors with high sensitivity and
      low detection limit have been explored for practical applications. They require
      both sensing films with high sensitivity to target gases and an appropriate
      structure of the electrode-equipped substrate to support the sensing films, which
      is still challenging. In this paper, a new gas sensor of metal-oxide porous array
      films on a micro-gap electrode pair is designed and implemented by taking ZnO as
      a model material. First, a micro-gap electrode pair was constructed by sputtering
      deposition on a filament template, which was used as the sensor's supporting
      substrate. Then, the sensing film, made up of ZnO porous periodic arrays, was in
      situ synthesized onto the supporting substrate by a solution-dipping colloidal
      lithography strategy. The results demonstrated the validity of the strategy, and
      the as-designed sensor shows a small device-resistance, an enhanced sensing
      performance with high resolution and an ultralow detection limit. This work
      provides an alternative method to promote the practical application of resistance
      type gas sensors. 

PMID- 26259918
TI  - High ROR2 expression in tumor cells and stroma is correlated with poor prognosis
      in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
AB  - RTK-like orphan receptor 2 (ROR2) is overexpressed in several cancers and has
      tumorigenic activity. However, the expression of ROR2 and its functional and
      prognostic significance have yet to be evaluated in pancreatic ductal
      adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used
      to characterize the expression of ROR2 mRNA in PDAC, corresponding peritumoral
      tissues, and PDAC cell lines. Immunohistochemical analysis with tissue
      microarrays was used to evaluate ROR2 expression in PDAC and to investigate the
      relationship of this expression to clinicopathological factors and prognosis. The
      expression of ROR2 mRNA and protein was significantly higher in PDAC than in
      normal pancreatic tissues. High cytoplasmic ROR2 expression in cancer cells was
      significantly associated with a primary tumor, distant metastasis, and TNM stage,
      and high stromal ROR2 expression was significantly associated with regional lymph
      node metastasis and TNM stage. The Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression
      analyses showed that high ROR2 expression in tumor cytoplasm or stromal cells was
      significantly associated with malignant attributes and reduced survival in PDAC.
      We present strong evidence that ROR2 could be used as an indicator of poor
      prognosis and could represent a novel therapeutic target for PDAC. 

PMID- 26259920
TI  - A case of severe rhabdomyolysis with minor trauma: Is sickle cell trait to blame?

PMID- 26259919
TI  - Fluid role boundaries: exploring the contribution of the advanced nurse
      practitioner to multi-professional palliative care.
AB  - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the introduction of Advanced Nurse Practitioners
      in a specialist, multi-professional palliative care context. The objective is to
      explore the core domains and competencies of the advanced nurse practitioner role
      in a multi-professional palliative care context. BACKGROUND: New models of health
      care and service delivery are emerging alongside expanded levels of autonomy,
      skills and decision-making for nurses and midwives. This has resulted in some
      confusion in the health service community internationally about the professional
      role and scope of the advanced nurse practitioner. DESIGN: A qualitative
      evaluation study (n = 21). METHODS: Three phases of data collection were
      conducted over 10 months. Twenty-one participants took part from a specialist
      palliative care unit in one health board in a U.K. region spanning ANPs (n = 2)
      multi-professional staff (n = 14) and patients/carers (n = 5). Data collection
      methods included individual and focus group interviews with key stakeholders and
      observation of the advanced nurse practitioners at work and their reflexive
      diaries. RESULTS: The findings of this evaluation demonstrate that if the
      advanced nurse practitioner role can flourish it has the potential to shape 'new
      identities', re-construct the boundaries of nursing roles and emphasise the
      relationship based elements of excellent nursing work. CONCLUSIONS: The advanced
      nurse practitioner has the potential to enhance specialist palliative care
      service delivery through fluid role boundaries. The context in which advanced
      nurse practitioner roles are developed is important as acceptance of the role is
      linked to the co-construction of a different nursing identity. Our findings
      support the need to define, defend and name the work of advanced nursing roles.
      RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The advanced nurse practitioner roles were
      regarded as providing a unique contribution to service delivery and were
      characterised by fluid role boundaries which crossed the traditional disciplinary
      boundaries between nursing and medicine.

PMID- 26259921
TI  - Streptococcus gallolyticus (bovis): a rare presentation of meningitis in the ED.
AB  - Bacterial meningitis is a fairly common and often deadly manifestation of altered
      mental status in the elderly, carrying a mortality rate of greater than 20%
      despite antibiotic therapy. Most commonly caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae,
      Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. We present a
      case of meningitis caused by Streptococcus gallolyticus in an elderly, otherwise
      healthy woman. There have been no reports in the emergency medicine literature
      and only a few reports in the literature of S gallolyticus as a cause of altered
      mental status and meningitis, specifically of immunocompetent patients.

PMID- 26259922
TI  - Reduction in mRNA and protein expression of a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor
      alpha8 subunit is associated with resistance to imidacloprid in the brown
      planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens.
AB  - Target-site resistance is commonly caused by qualitative changes in insecticide
      target-receptors and few studies have implicated quantitative changes in
      insecticide targets in resistance. Here we show that resistance to imidacloprid
      in a selected strain of Nilaparvata lugens is associated with a reduction in
      expression levels of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subunit
      Nlalpha8. Synergism bioassays of the selected strain suggested resistance was
      conferred, in part, by a target-site mechanism. Sequencing of N. lugens nAChR
      subunit genes identified no mutations associated with resistance, however, a
      decrease in mRNA and protein levels of Nlalpha8 was observed during selection.
      RNA interference knockdown of Nlalpha8 decreased the sensitivity of N. lugens to
      imidacloprid, demonstrating that a decrease in Nlalpha8 expression is sufficient
      to confer resistance in vivo. Radioligand binding assays revealed that the
      affinity of the high-affinity imidacloprid-binding site of native nAChRs was
      reduced by selection, and reducing the amount of Nlalpha8 cRNA injected into
      Xenopus oocytes significantly decreased imidacloprid potency on recombinant
      receptors. Taken together, these results provide strong evidence that a decrease
      in Nlalpha8 levels confers resistance to imidacloprid in N. lugens, and thus
      provides a rare example of target-site resistance associated with a quantitative
      rather than qualitative change. In insects, target-site mutations often cause
      high resistance to insecticides, such as neonicotinoids acting on nicotinic
      acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). Here we found that a quantitative change in
      target-protein level, decrease in mRNA and protein levels of Nlalpha8,
      contributed importantly to imidacloprid resistance in Nilaparvata lugens. This
      finding provides a new target-site mechanism of insecticide resistance.

PMID- 26259923
TI  - Physical Properties, Volatiles Compositions and Sensory Descriptions of the
      Aromatized Hazelnut Oil-Wax Organogels.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to determine the physicochemical, thermal and
      sensorial features of vitamin enriched and aromatized hazelnut oil-beeswax and
      sunflower wax organogels. Another objective was to monitor the influence of
      storage on textural and oxidative stability and volatile composition of the
      organogels. The results show that organogels with beeswax had lower levels of
      solid fat content, melting point and firmness than sunflower wax counterparts.
      The microphotographs revealed that beeswax organogels had spherical crystals
      while sunflower wax organogels continued need-like crystals, but both organogels
      continued crystallized beta' polymorph. All organogels maintained their oxidative
      stability during storage. Quantitative descriptive analysis results were
      consistent with these findings that the organogel structure and properties were
      similar to breakfast margarine. The main volatile components of the organogels
      with added strawberry aroma were ethyl acetate, ethyl butanoate, ethyl-2-methyl
      butanoate, D-limonene, ethyl caproate; banana-aroma were isoamyl acetate, isoamyl
      valerianate, ethyl acetate; and butter-aroma were 2,3-butanedione, 3-hydroxy-2
      butanone. These volatile components were not only detected in the fresh samples
      but also at the end of the storage period. Sensory definition terms were matched
      with the sensory descriptors of the detected volatiles. In conclusion, the new
      organogels were shown to be suitable for food product applications. 

PMID- 26259924
TI  - An advanced draft genome assembly of a desi type chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.).
AB  - Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is an important pulse legume crop. We previously
      reported a draft genome assembly of the desi chickpea cultivar ICC 4958. Here we
      report an advanced version of the ICC 4958 genome assembly (version 2.0)
      generated using additional sequence data and an improved genetic map. This
      resulted in 2.7-fold increase in the length of the pseudomolecules and
      substantial reduction of sequence gaps. The genome assembly covered more than 94%
      of the estimated gene space and predicted the presence of 30,257 protein-coding
      genes including 2230 and 133 genes encoding potential transcription factors (TF)
      and resistance gene homologs, respectively. Gene expression analysis identified
      several TF and chickpea-specific genes with tissue-specific expression and
      displayed functional diversification of the paralogous genes. Pairwise comparison
      of pseudomolecules in the desi (ICC 4958) and the earlier reported kabuli (CDC
      Frontier) chickpea assemblies showed an extensive local collinearity with
      incongruity in the placement of large sequence blocks along the linkage groups,
      apparently due to use of different genetic maps. Single nucleotide polymorphism
      (SNP)-based mining of intra-specific polymorphism identified more than four
      thousand SNPs differentiating a desi group and a kabuli group of chickpea
      genotypes. 

PMID- 26259926
TI  - Relationship between vapor intrusion and human exposure to trichloroethylene.
AB  - Trichloroethylene (TCE) in groundwater has the potential to volatilize through
      soil into indoor air where it can be inhaled. The purpose of this study was to
      determine whether individuals living above TCE-contaminated groundwater are
      exposed to TCE through vapor intrusion. We examined associations between TCE
      concentrations in various environmental media and TCE concentrations in
      residents. For this assessment, indoor air, outdoor air, soil gas, and tap water
      samples were collected in and around 36 randomly selected homes; blood samples
      were collected from 63 residents of these homes. Additionally, a completed
      exposure survey was collected from each participant. Environmental and blood
      samples were analyzed for TCE. Mixed model multiple linear regression analyses
      were performed to determine associations between TCE in residents' blood and TCE
      in indoor air, outdoor air, and soil gas. Blood TCE concentrations were above the
      limit of quantitation (LOQ; >= 0.012 ug L(-1)) in 17.5% of the blood samples. Of
      the 36 homes, 54.3%, 47.2%, and >84% had detectable concentrations of TCE in
      indoor air, outdoor air, and soil gas, respectively. Both indoor air and soil gas
      concentrations were statistically significantly positively associated with
      participants' blood concentrations (P = 0.0002 and P = 0.04, respectively).
      Geometric mean blood concentrations of residents from homes with indoor air
      concentrations of >1.6 ug m(-3) were approximately 50 times higher than geometric
      mean blood TCE concentrations in participants from homes with no detectable TCE
      in indoor air (P < .0001; 95% CI 10.4-236.4). This study confirms the occurrence
      of vapor intrusion and demonstrates the magnitude of exposure from vapor
      intrusion of TCE in a residential setting.

PMID- 26259925
TI  - The DTI Challenge: Toward Standardized Evaluation of Diffusion Tensor Imaging
      Tractography for Neurosurgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) tractography
      reconstruction of white matter pathways can help guide brain tumor resection.
      However, DTI tracts are complex mathematical objects and the validity of
      tractography-derived information in clinical settings has yet to be fully
      established. To address this issue, we initiated the DTI Challenge, an
      international working group of clinicians and scientists whose goal was to
      provide standardized evaluation of tractography methods for neurosurgery. The
      purpose of this empirical study was to evaluate different tractography techniques
      in the first DTI Challenge workshop. METHODS: Eight international teams from
      leading institutions reconstructed the pyramidal tract in four neurosurgical
      cases presenting with a glioma near the motor cortex. Tractography methods
      included deterministic, probabilistic, filtered, and global approaches.
      Standardized evaluation of the tracts consisted in the qualitative review of the
      pyramidal pathways by a panel of neurosurgeons and DTI experts and the
      quantitative evaluation of the degree of agreement among methods. RESULTS: The
      evaluation of tractography reconstructions showed a great interalgorithm
      variability. Although most methods found projections of the pyramidal tract from
      the medial portion of the motor strip, only a few algorithms could trace the
      lateral projections from the hand, face, and tongue area. In addition, the
      structure of disagreement among methods was similar across hemispheres despite
      the anatomical distortions caused by pathological tissues. CONCLUSIONS: The DTI
      Challenge provides a benchmark for the standardized evaluation of tractography
      methods on neurosurgical data. This study suggests that there are still
      limitations to the clinical use of tractography for neurosurgical decision
      making.

PMID- 26259927
TI  - Impact of adherence to WHO infant feeding recommendations on later risk of
      obesity and non-communicable diseases: systematic review.
AB  - Adherence to WHO infant feeding recommendations has short-term benefits and may
      also help in the prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This study
      reviewed the evidence on whether adherence to all elements of the WHO infant
      feeding recommendations (comparison group those exclusively breastfed to 6
      months, introduced to appropriate complementary feeding from 6 months, with
      continued breastfeeding to at least 24 months; exposure group characterised by
      non-adherence to any of the three recommendations) is associated with reduced
      risk of later obesity or cardiometabolic disease. The population of interest was
      children not classified as very low weight (weight-for-age z-score >-3.0).
      MEDLINE, EMBASE, Global Health, CINAHL plus, ProQuest Dissertations and Thesis
      were systematically searched from 2001 to July 2014, manual reference searching
      of a birth cohort register (http://www.birthcohorts.net/) as well as papers
      identified in the search and selected journals was carried out. The database
      search yielded 9050 records, 275 English-language full-text articles were
      screened, but no studies were eligible, failing to meet the following criteria:
      comparison (213); exposure (14); population (3); relevant outcome (5); outcome
      before 24 months (9); insufficient information provided (30); plus one study was
      qualitative. Eight studies met the inclusion criterion of exclusive breastfeeding
      to 6 months, but did not meet the other inclusion criteria. The present study has
      revealed an important gap in the evidence on NCD prevention, and suggestions for
      addressing this evidence gap are provided.

PMID- 26259928
TI  - Activin suppresses LPS-induced Toll-like receptor, cytokine and inducible nitric
      oxide synthase expression in normal human melanocytes by inhibiting NF-kappaB and
      MAPK pathway activation.
AB  - Activins are dimeric growth and differentiation factors that belong to the
      transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta superfamily of structurally related
      signaling proteins. In the present study, we examined the mechanisms through
      which activin regulates the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced transcription of
      Toll-like receptors (TLRs), cytokines and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)
      in human melanocytes, as well as the involvement of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB
      and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling. Cell proliferation was
      analyzed by cell viability assay, mRNA expression was detected by RT-qPCR, and
      protein expression was measured by western blot analysis. LPS increased the mRNA
      expression of TLRs (TLR1-10) and cytokines [interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, IL-8
      and TNF-alpha], as well as the mRNA and protein expression of iNOS. Activin
      decreased the LPS-induced TLR and cytokine mRNA expression, as well as the LPS
      induced iNOS mRNA and protein expression. In addition, activin suppressed NF
      kappaB p65 activation and blocked inhibitor of NF-kappaB (IkappaBalpha)
      degradation in LPS-stimulated melanocytes, and reduced LPS-induced p38 MAPK and
      MEK/ERK activation. On the whole, our results demonstrated that activin inhibited
      TLR and cytokine expression in LPS-activated normal human melanocytes and
      suppressed LPS-induced iNOS gene expression. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory
      effects of activin were shown to be mediated through the suppression of NF-kappaB
      and MAPK signaling, resulting in reduced TLR and iNOS expression, and in the
      inhibition of inflammatory cytokine expression. 

PMID- 26259929
TI  - Battling the spread: Herpes simplex virus and encephalitis.

PMID- 26259930
TI  - omega-Amidase: an underappreciated, but important enzyme in L-glutamine and L
      asparagine metabolism; relevance to sulfur and nitrogen metabolism, tumor biology
      and hyperammonemic diseases.
AB  - In mammals, two major routes exist for the metabolic conversion of L-glutamine to
      alpha-ketoglutarate. The most widely studied pathway involves the hydrolysis of L
      glutamine to L-glutamate catalyzed by glutaminases, followed by the conversion of
      L-glutamate to alpha-ketoglutarate by the action of an L-glutamate-linked
      aminotransferase or via the glutamate dehydrogenase reaction. However, another
      major pathway exists in mammals for the conversion of L-glutamine to alpha
      ketoglutarate (the glutaminase II pathway) in which L-glutamine is first
      transaminated to alpha-ketoglutaramate (KGM) followed by hydrolysis of KGM to
      alpha-ketoglutarate and ammonia catalyzed by an amidase known as omega-amidase.
      In mammals, the glutaminase II pathway is present in both cytosolic and
      mitochondrial compartments and is most prominent in liver and kidney. Similarly,
      two routes exist for the conversion of L-asparagine to oxaloacetate. In the most
      extensively studied pathway, L-asparagine is hydrolyzed to L-aspartate by the
      action of asparaginase, followed by transamination of L-aspartate to
      oxaloacetate. However, another pathway also exists for the conversion of L
      asparagine to oxaloacetate (the asparaginase II pathway). In this pathway, L
      asparagine is first transaminated to alpha-ketosuccinamate (KSM), followed by
      hydrolysis of KSM to oxaloacetate by the action of omega-amidase. One advantage
      of both the glutaminase II and the asparaginase II pathways is that they are
      irreversible, and thus are important in anaplerosis by shuttling 5-C (alpha
      ketoglutarate) and 4-C (oxaloacetate) units into the TCA cycle. In this review,
      we briefly mention the importance of the glutaminase II and asparaginase II
      pathways in microorganisms and plants. However, the major emphasis of the review
      is related to the importance of these pathways (especially the common enzyme
      component of both pathways--omega-amidase) in nitrogen and sulfur metabolism in
      mammals and as a source of anaplerotic carbon moieties in rapidly dividing cells.
      The review also discusses a potential dichotomous function of omega-amidase as
      having a role in tumor progression. Finally, the possible role of KGM as a
      biomarker for hyperammonemic diseases is discussed.

PMID- 26259931
TI  - Detection and Genetic Characterization of Lineage IV Peste Des Petits Ruminant
      Virus in Kazakhstan.
AB  - Peste des petits ruminant (PPR) is endemic in many Asian countries with expansion
      of the range in recent years including across China during 2013-2014 (OIE, 2014).
      Till the end of 2014, no cases of PPR virus (PPRV) were officially reported to
      the Office Internationale des Epizooties (OIE) from Kazakhstan. This study
      describes for the first time clinicopathological, epidemiological and genetic
      characterization of PPRV in 3 farm level outbreaks reported for the first time in
      Zhambyl region (oblast), southern Kazakhstan. Phylogenetic analysis based on
      partial N gene sequence data confirms the lineage IV PPRV circulation, similar to
      the virus that recently circulated in China. The isolated viruses are 99.5-99.7%
      identical to the PPRV isolated in 2014 from Heilongjiang Province in China and
      therefore providing evidence of transboundary spread of PPRV. There is a risk of
      further maintenance of virus in young stock despite vaccination of adult sheep
      and goats, along livestock trade and pastoral routes, threatening both small
      livestock and endangered susceptible wildlife populations throughout Kazakhstan.

PMID- 26259932
TI  - How we define hyponatraemia?

PMID- 26259933
TI  - Atrial fibrillation. Adenosine testing during catheter ablation of AF reduces
      recurrent atrial tachyarrhythmia.

PMID- 26259934
TI  - Recurrent pericarditis: new and emerging therapeutic options.
AB  - Recurrent pericarditis is one of the most common and troublesome complications
      after an episode of pericarditis, and affects 20-50% of patients treated for
      pericarditis. In most of these patients, the pericarditis remains idiopathic,
      although an immune-mediated (either autoimmune or autoinflammatory) pathogenesis
      is often presumed. The mainstay of therapy for recurrences is aspirin or NSAIDs,
      with the adjunct of colchicine. Corticosteroids are a second-line option to be
      considered for specific indications, such as connective tissue disease or
      pregnancy; contraindications or intolerance to aspirin, NSAIDs, and/or
      colchicine; or insufficient response to these medications. Furthermore,
      corticosteroids can be added to NSAIDs and colchicine in patients with persistent
      symptoms. In patients who do not respond adequately to any of these conventional
      therapies, alternative treatment options include azathioprine, intravenous human
      immunoglobulins, and anakinra. An improved understanding of how recurrent
      pericarditis develops after an initiating event is critical to prevent this
      complication, and further research is needed into the pathogenesis of
      recurrences. We discuss the aetiology and diagnosis of recurrent pericarditis,
      and extensively review the treatment options for this condition. 

PMID- 26259936
TI  - Aortic disease: Endovascular vs. open AAA repair.

PMID- 26259935
TI  - Mast cells in human and experimental cardiometabolic diseases.
AB  - Mast cells, like many other types of inflammatory cell, perform pleiotropic roles
      in cardiometabolic diseases such as atherosclerosis, abdominal aortic aneurysms,
      obesity, and diabetes mellitus, as well as complications associated with these
      diseases. Low numbers of mast cells are present in the heart, aorta, and adipose
      tissue of healthy humans, but patients with cardiometabolic diseases and animals
      with experimentally-induced cardiometabolic pathologies have high numbers of mast
      cells with increased activity in the affected tissues. Mediators released by the
      activated mast cells, such as chemokines, cytokines, growth factors, heparin,
      histamine, and proteases, not only function as biomarkers of cardiometabolic
      diseases, but might also directly contribute to the pathogenesis of such
      diseases. Mast-cell mediators impede the functions of vascular cells, the
      integrity of the extracellular matrix, and the activity of other inflammatory
      cells, thereby contributing to the pathobiology of the conditions at multiple
      levels. In mouse models, mast-cell activation aggravates the progression of
      various cardiometabolic pathologies, whereas a genetic deficiency or
      pharmacological stabilization of mast cells, or depletion or inhibition of
      specific mast-cell mediators, tends to delay the progression of such conditions.
      Pharmacological inhibition of mast-cell activation or their targeted effector
      functions offers potential novel therapeutic strategies for patients with
      cardiometabolic disorders. 

PMID- 26259937
TI  - Malaria Diagnosis Across the International Centers of Excellence for Malaria
      Research: Platforms, Performance, and Standardization.
AB  - Diagnosis is "the act of identifying a disease, illness, or problem by examining
      someone or something." When an individual with acute fever presents for clinical
      attention, accurate diagnosis leading to specific, prompt treatment often saves
      lives. As applied to malaria, not only individual patient diagnosis is important
      but also assessing population-level malaria prevalence using appropriate
      diagnostic methods is essential for public health purposes. Similarly,
      identifying (diagnosing) fake antimalarial medications prevents the use of
      counterfeit drugs that can have disastrous effects. Therefore, accurate diagnosis
      in broad areas related to malaria is fundamental to improving health-care
      delivery, informing funding agencies of current malaria situations, and aiding in
      the prioritization of regional and national control efforts. The International
      Centers of Excellence for Malaria Research (ICEMR), supported by the U.S.
      National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has collaborated on global
      efforts to improve malaria diagnostics by working to harmonize and systematize
      procedures across different regions where endemicity and financial resources
      vary. In this article, the different diagnostic methods used across each ICEMR
      are reviewed and challenges are discussed. 

PMID- 26259938
TI  - Biosignatures of Exposure/Transmission and Immunity.
AB  - A blood test that captures cumulative exposure over time and assesses levels of
      naturally acquired immunity (NAI) would provide a critical tool to monitor the
      impact of interventions to reduce malaria transmission and broaden our
      understanding of how NAI develops around the world as a function of age and
      exposure. This article describes a collaborative effort in multiple International
      Centers of Excellence in Malaria Research (ICEMRs) to develop such tests using
      malaria-specific antibody responses as biosignatures of transmission and
      immunity. The focus is on the use of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax
      protein microarrays to identify a panel of the most informative antibody
      responses in diverse malaria-endemic settings representing an unparalleled
      spectrum of malaria transmission and malaria species mixes before and after
      interventions to reduce malaria transmission. 

PMID- 26259939
TI  - Investigating the Pathogenesis of Severe Malaria: A Multidisciplinary and Cross
      Geographical Approach.
AB  - More than a century after the discovery of Plasmodium spp. parasites, the
      pathogenesis of severe malaria is still not well understood. The majority of
      malaria cases are caused by Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax, which
      differ in virulence, red blood cell tropism, cytoadhesion of infected
      erythrocytes, and dormant liver hypnozoite stages. Cerebral malaria coma is one
      of the most severe manifestations of P. falciparum infection. Insights into its
      complex pathophysiology are emerging through a combination of autopsy,
      neuroimaging, parasite binding, and endothelial characterizations. Nevertheless,
      important questions remain regarding why some patients develop life-threatening
      conditions while the majority of P. falciparum-infected individuals do not, and
      why clinical presentations differ between children and adults. For P. vivax,
      there is renewed recognition of severe malaria, but an understanding of the
      factors influencing disease severity is limited and remains an important research
      topic. Shedding light on the underlying disease mechanisms will be necessary to
      implement effective diagnostic tools for identifying and classifying severe
      malaria syndromes and developing new therapeutic approaches for severe disease.
      This review highlights progress and outstanding questions in severe malaria
      pathophysiology and summarizes key areas of pathogenesis research within the
      International Centers of Excellence for Malaria Research program. 

PMID- 26259940
TI  - Population Genetics, Evolutionary Genomics, and Genome-Wide Studies of Malaria: A
      View Across the International Centers of Excellence for Malaria Research.
AB  - The study of the three protagonists in malaria-the Plasmodium parasite, the
      Anopheles mosquito, and the human host-is key to developing methods to control
      and eventually eliminate the disease. Genomic technologies, including the recent
      development of next-generation sequencing, enable interrogation of this triangle
      to an unprecedented level of scrutiny, and promise exciting progress toward real
      time epidemiology studies and the study of evolutionary adaptation. We discuss
      the use of genomics by the International Centers of Excellence for Malaria
      Research, a network of field sites and laboratories in malaria-endemic countries
      that undertake cutting-edge research, training, and technology transfer in
      malarious countries of the world. 

PMID- 26259941
TI  - Urban Malaria: Understanding its Epidemiology, Ecology, and Transmission Across
      Seven Diverse ICEMR Network Sites.
AB  - A major public health question is whether urbanization will transform malaria
      from a rural to an urban disease. However, differences about definitions of urban
      settings, urban malaria, and whether malaria control should differ between rural
      and urban areas complicate both the analysis of available data and the
      development of intervention strategies. This report examines the approach of the
      International Centers of Excellence for Malaria Research (ICEMR) to urban malaria
      in Brazil, Colombia, India (Chennai and Goa), Malawi, Senegal, and Uganda. Its
      major theme is the need to determine whether cases diagnosed in urban areas were
      imported from surrounding rural areas or resulted from transmission within the
      urban area. If infections are being acquired within urban areas, malaria control
      measures must be targeted within those urban areas to be effective. Conversely,
      if malaria cases are being imported from rural areas, control measures must be
      directed at vectors, breeding sites, and infected humans in those rural areas.
      Similar interventions must be directed differently if infections were acquired
      within urban areas. The hypothesis underlying the ICEMR approach to urban malaria
      is that optimal control of urban malaria depends on accurate epidemiologic and
      entomologic information about transmission. 

PMID- 26259942
TI  - Entomological Monitoring and Evaluation: Diverse Transmission Settings of ICEMR
      Projects Will Require Local and Regional Malaria Elimination Strategies.
AB  - The unprecedented global efforts for malaria elimination in the past decade have
      resulted in altered vectorial systems, vector behaviors, and bionomics. These
      changes combined with increasingly evident heterogeneities in malaria
      transmission require innovative vector control strategies in addition to the
      established practices of long-lasting insecticidal nets and indoor residual
      spraying. Integrated vector management will require focal and tailored vector
      control to achieve malaria elimination. This switch of emphasis from universal
      coverage to universal coverage plus additional interventions will be reliant on
      improved entomological monitoring and evaluation. In 2010, the National
      Institutes for Allergies and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) established a network of
      malaria research centers termed ICEMRs (International Centers for Excellence in
      Malaria Research) expressly to develop this evidence base in diverse malaria
      endemic settings. In this article, we contrast the differing ecology and
      transmission settings across the ICEMR study locations. In South America, Africa,
      and Asia, vector biologists are already dealing with many of the issues of
      pushing to elimination such as highly focal transmission, proportionate increase
      in the importance of outdoor and crepuscular biting, vector species complexity,
      and "sub patent" vector transmission. 

PMID- 26259944
TI  - A Framework for Global Collaborative Data Management for Malaria Research.
AB  - Data generated during the course of research activities carried out by the
      International Centers of Excellence for Malaria Research (ICEMR) is
      heterogeneous, large, and multi-scaled. The complexity of federated and global
      data operations and the diverse uses planned for the data pose tremendous
      challenges and opportunities for collaborative research. In this article, we
      present the foundational principles for data management across the ICEMR Program,
      the logistics associated with multiple aspects of the data life cycle, and
      describe a pilot centralized web information system created in PlasmoDB to query
      a subset of this data. The paradigm proposed as a solution for the data
      operations in the ICEMR Program is widely applicable to large, multifaceted
      research projects, and could be reproduced in other contexts that require
      sophisticated data management. 

PMID- 26259945
TI  - Malaria Molecular Epidemiology: Lessons from the International Centers of
      Excellence for Malaria Research Network.
AB  - Molecular epidemiology leverages genetic information to study the risk factors
      that affect the frequency and distribution of malaria cases. This article
      describes molecular epidemiologic investigations currently being carried out by
      the International Centers of Excellence for Malaria Research (ICEMR) network in a
      variety of malaria-endemic settings. First, we discuss various novel approaches
      to understand malaria incidence and gametocytemia, focusing on Plasmodium
      falciparum and Plasmodium vivax. Second, we describe and compare different
      parasite genotyping methods commonly used in malaria epidemiology and population
      genetics. Finally, we discuss potential applications of molecular epidemiological
      tools and methods toward malaria control and elimination efforts. 

PMID- 26259943
TI  - Antimalarial Drug Resistance: Literature Review and Activities and Findings of
      the ICEMR Network.
AB  - Antimalarial drugs are key tools for the control and elimination of malaria.
      Recent decreases in the global malaria burden are likely due, in part, to the
      deployment of artemisinin-based combination therapies. Therefore, the emergence
      and potential spread of artemisinin-resistant parasites in southeast Asia and
      changes in sensitivities to artemisinin partner drugs have raised concerns. In
      recognition of this urgent threat, the International Centers of Excellence for
      Malaria Research (ICEMRs) are closely monitoring antimalarial drug efficacy and
      studying the mechanisms underlying drug resistance. At multiple sentinel sites of
      the global ICEMR network, research activities include clinical studies to track
      the efficacies of antimalarial drugs, ex vivo/in vitro assays to measure drug
      susceptibilities of parasite isolates, and characterization of resistance
      mediating parasite polymorphisms. Taken together, these efforts offer an
      increasingly comprehensive assessment of the efficacies of antimalarial
      therapies, and enable us to predict the emergence of drug resistance and to guide
      local antimalarial drug policies. Here we briefly review worldwide antimalarial
      drug resistance concerns, summarize research activities of the ICEMRs related to
      drug resistance, and assess the global impacts of the ICEMR programs. 

PMID- 26259946
TI  - Malaria Epidemiology and Control Within the International Centers of Excellence
      for Malaria Research.
AB  - Understanding the epidemiological features and metrics of malaria in endemic
      populations is a key component to monitoring and quantifying the impact of
      current and past control efforts to inform future ones. The International Centers
      of Excellence for Malaria Research (ICEMR) has the opportunity to evaluate the
      impact of malaria control interventions across endemic regions that differ in the
      dominant Plasmodium species, mosquito vector species, resistance to antimalarial
      drugs and human genetic variants thought to confer protection from infection and
      clinical manifestations of plasmodia infection. ICEMR programs are conducting
      field studies at multiple sites with the aim of generating standardized
      surveillance data to improve the understanding of malaria transmission and to
      monitor and evaluate the impact of interventions to inform malaria control and
      elimination programs. In addition, these epidemiological studies provide a vast
      source of biological samples linked to clinical and environmental "meta-data" to
      support translational studies of interactions between the parasite, human host,
      and mosquito vector. Importantly, epidemiological studies at the ICEMR field
      sites are integrated with entomological studies, including the measurement of the
      entomological inoculation rate, human biting index, and insecticide resistance,
      as well as studies of parasite genetic diversity and antimalarial drug
      resistance. 

PMID- 26259948
TI  - The hour-to-hour influence of weather conditions on walking and cycling among
      Dutch older adults.
AB  - BACKGROUND: physical activity (PA) is an important factor to promote healthy
      ageing. However, older adults are not physically active enough. Socio-ecological
      models suggest that weather conditions are determinants of PA and may bias
      relations between other environmental factors and PA. This may especially be the
      case for the most vulnerable and inactive older persons. Understanding the role
      of weather conditions is based on daily or seasonal variation in weather, but it
      can be improved by using hour-to-hour measured weather conditions. PURPOSE: to
      study the hour-to-hour relationships between weather factors and objectively
      measured walking and cycling in a sample of Dutch older adults. METHODS: baseline
      data (2013) of a sub-sample of older adults (3,248 observations clustered in 43
      adults) participating in The Neighborhood Walking in Rotterdam Older ADultS
      (NEW.ROADS) trial were used. Participants wore a GPS logger for 7 consecutive
      days. Hour-to-hour weather data (temperature, wind speed, rain and sun time) for
      the city of Rotterdam were retrieved from the Royal Netherlands Meteorological
      Institute. Multilevel linear regression models were fitted with minutes walked
      and minutes cycled as dependent variables and the weather variables as
      independent variables. RESULTS: the time older adults walked increased with
      higher temperature, higher wind speed and the absence of rain. The time cycled
      increased with higher temperature. CONCLUSIONS: this study improves the evidence
      of weather factors as a determinant for walking and cycling in older adults.
      Studies on the relation between environmental factors and PA should consider
      adjustment for weather factors.

PMID- 26259947
TI  - Insecticide Resistance in Areas Under Investigation by the International Centers
      of Excellence for Malaria Research: A Challenge for Malaria Control and
      Elimination.
AB  - Scale-up of the main vector control interventions, residual insecticides sprayed
      on walls or structures and/or impregnated in bed nets, together with prompt
      diagnosis and effective treatment, have led to a global reduction in malaria
      transmission. However, resistance in vectors to almost all classes of
      insecticides, particularly to the synthetic pyrethroids, is posing a challenge to
      the recent trend of declining malaria. Ten International Centers of Excellence
      for Malaria Research (ICEMR) located in the most malaria-endemic regions of the
      world are currently addressing insecticide resistance in the main vector
      populations, which not only threaten hope for elimination in malaria-endemic
      countries but also may lead to reversal where notable reductions in malaria have
      been documented. This communication illustrates the current status of insecticide
      resistance with a focus on the countries where activities are ongoing for 9 out
      of the 10 ICEMRs. Most of the primary malaria vectors in the ICEMR countries
      exhibit insecticide resistance, albeit of varying magnitude, and spanning all
      mechanisms of resistance. New alternatives to the insecticides currently
      available are still to be fully developed for deployment. Integrated vector
      management principles need to be better understood and encouraged, and viable
      insecticide resistance management strategies need to be developed and
      implemented. 

PMID- 26259949
TI  - Depression: to screen or not to screen?

PMID- 26259950
TI  - Epidural abscess after dental extraction.

PMID- 26259951
TI  - Can metabotyping help deliver the promise of personalised nutrition?
AB  - Over a decade since the completion of the human genome sequence, the promise of
      personalised nutrition available to all has yet to become a reality. While the
      definition was originally very gene-focused, in recent years, a model of
      personalised nutrition has emerged with the incorporation of dietary, phenotypic
      and genotypic information at various levels. Developing on from the idea of
      personalised nutrition, the concept of targeted nutrition has evolved which
      refers to the delivery of tailored dietary advice at a group level rather than at
      an individual level. Central to this concept is metabotyping or metabolic
      phenotyping, which is the ability to group similar individuals together based on
      their metabolic or phenotypic profiles. Applications of the metabotyping concept
      extend from the nutrition to the medical literature. While there are many
      examples of the metabotype approach, there is a dearth in the literature with
      regard to the development of tailored interventions for groups of individuals.
      This review will first explore the effectiveness of personalised nutrition in
      motivating behaviour change and secondly, examine potential novel ways for the
      delivery of personalised advice at a population level through a metabotyping
      approach. Based on recent findings from our work, we will demonstrate a novel
      strategy for the delivery of tailored dietary advice at a group level using this
      concept. In general, there is a strong emerging evidence to support the
      effectiveness of personalised nutrition; future work should ascertain if targeted
      nutrition can motivate behaviour change in a similar manner.

PMID- 26259953
TI  - Outcome of a reproductive health advocacy mentoring intervention for staff of
      selected non-governmental organisations in Nigeria.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are expected to be in the
      vanguard, repositioning reproductive health as a central issue in population and
      development in Nigeria. However, most of them have insufficient knowledge or
      access to policy and planning processes necessary at engaging effectively with
      the government. This article highlights the processes and outcome of an
      intervention aimed at strengthening the capacity of 12 non-governmental
      organisations on advocacy and policy related activities with emphasis on
      reproductive health issues. METHODS: The study employed a one group, pre and post
      test study design. Thirty six (36) staff from 12 NGOs was purposively selected
      and interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire at baseline to assess their
      knowledge and level of involvement in reproductive health, advocacy and policy
      issues. In-depth interviews were conducted with 6 officials of the ministries of
      health and women affairs to document previous reproductive health and policy
      related collaborative efforts with the NGOs. Baseline findings were used in
      developing and implementing a capacity building intervention. A post intervention
      evaluation was conducted to assess the outcomes. RESULTS: All respondents (100%)
      had tertiary level education and were from a multidisciplinary background such as
      nursing (41.7%) medicine (25%) and administration (13.9%). The mean knowledge
      score on advocacy and policy issues at pre-test and post test was 39.1 +/- 17.6
      and 76.2 +/- 14.2 respectively (p = 0.00). Participants reported making use of
      advocacy methods and the three most utilized were Phone calls (28.1%), Face to
      Face meetings (26%) and networking with other organisations for stronger impact
      (17.1%). The outcome of their advocacy efforts include the provision of free air
      time by a television station to educate the populace on maternal health issues,
      donation of landed property to build a youth friendly centre, donation of a blog
      site for disseminating information on Reproductive health issues and training of
      other staff of their organisations on advocacy activities. The major challenges
      experienced by staff of the NGOs were financial (89%) and time constraints (11%).
      CONCLUSION: Empowered non-governmental organisations can effectively advocate for
      the implementation of reproductive health policies and programmes.

PMID- 26259952
TI  - The suitability of laboratory-bred Anopheles cracens for the production of
      Plasmodium vivax sporozoites.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A stenogamous colony of Anopheles cracens (A. dirus B) established 20
      years ago in a Thai insectary proved susceptible to Plasmodium vivax. However,
      routine sporozoite production by feeding on field-collected blood samples has not
      been described. The setting-up of an A. cracens colony in an insectary on the
      Thai-Myanmar border and the process of using P. vivax field samples for the
      production of infectious sporozoites are described. METHODS: The colony was
      started in 2012 from egg batches that were sent from the Department of
      Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chiang Mai, to the Shoklo
      Malaria Research Unit (SMRU), on wet filter paper in sealed Petri dishes. From
      May 2013 to December 2014, P. vivax-infected blood samples collected from
      patients seeking care at SMRU clinics were used for membrane feeding assays and
      sporozoite production. RESULTS: Mosquitoes were fed on blood samples from 55
      patients, and for 38 (69 %) this led to the production sporozoites. The average
      number of sporozoites obtained per mosquito was 26,112 (range 328-79,310).
      Gametocytaemia was not correlated with mosquito infectiousness (p = 0.82), or
      with the number of the sporozoites produced (Spearman's rho = -0.016, p = 0.905).
      Infectiousness did not vary with the date of collection or the age of the
      patient. Mosquito survival was not correlated with sporozoite load (Spearman's
      rho = 0.179, p = 0.282). CONCLUSION: Consistent and routine P. vivax sporozoites
      production confirms that A. cracens is highly susceptible to P. vivax infection.
      Laboratory-bred colonies of this vector are suitable for experimental
      transmission protocols and thus constitute a valuable resource.

PMID- 26259954
TI  - Diagnostic TCD for intracranial stenosis in acute stroke patients: experience
      from a tertiary care stroke center in Karachi, Pakistan.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Stroke is a common cause of morbidity and mortality around the world.
      Intracranial large artery atherosclerosis (ICAD) is a frequent etiology of stroke
      in the South Asian population. There is a need for widely available screening
      tools to identify patients that are at high risk of stroke due to ICAD for
      aggressive risk management. This study describes the experience of using the
      transcranial Doppler (TCD) as a screening tool for this purpose at a tertiary
      care hospital in a developing country. METHODS: 86 Patients admitted with stroke
      due to ICAD underwent TCD for six arteries (Right and left middle cerebral
      arteries, right and left anterior cerebral arteries, right and left posterior
      cerebral arteries) in addition to the magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) that
      is done routinely at the stroke center. Arteries were labeled with either <50 or
      >50% stenosis by TCD using two separate criteria. These findings were compared
      with those from the MRA which was used as the gold standard. The proportion of
      patients that had complete exams (all six arteries insonated by TCD) was
      reported. The success rate of each TCD criteria in detecting arteries with >50%
      stenosis was also calculated. RESULTS: There was an attempt to visualize 516
      arteries (86 patients with 6 arteries each) of which 375 (72.7%) were
      successfully insonated. 38 of the 86 (55.8%) patients had complete examinations.
      MRA reported 43 (8.3%) arteries as stenosed >50%. The TCD did not categorize any
      artery as stenosed using either criterion and hence failed to classify any
      stenosed artery correctly. The positive predictive and sensitivity was 0 for this
      study and the negative predictive value was 93.3%. CONCLUSIONS: This study
      indicates the poor sensitivity of TCD to be a reliable screening tool for the
      presence of ICAD in the South Asian population in a real life clinical setting.

PMID- 26259956
TI  - Impact of Alternative Maternal Demand-Side Financial Support Programs in India on
      the Caesarean Section Rates: Indications of Supplier-Induced Demand.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This paper examines two state-led public-private demand-side
      financial support programs aiming to raise hospital delivery rates in two
      neighbouring Indian states-Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. The national Janani
      Suraksha Yojana (JSY) was complemented with a public-private partnership program
      Janani Sahayogi Yojana (JSaY) in Madhya Pradesh in which private obstetricians
      were paid to deliver poor women. A higher amount was paid for caesarean sections
      (CS) than for vaginal deliveries (VD). In Gujarat state, the state program
      Chiranjeevi Yojana (CY) paid private obstetricians a fixed amount for a block 100
      deliveries irrespective of delivery mode. The two systems thus offered an
      opportunity to observe the influence of supplier-induced demand (SID) from
      opposite incentives related to delivery mode. METHODS: The data from the two
      programs was sourced from the Departments of Health and Family Welfare,
      Governments of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, India. RESULTS: In JSaY program the CS
      rate increased from 26.6% (2007-2008) to 40.7% (2010-2011), against the
      background rate for CS in Madhya Pradesh, of only 4.9% (2004-2006). Meanwhile in
      CY program in Gujarat, the CS rate decreased to 4.3% (2010-2011) against a
      background CS rate of 8.1% (2004-2006). CONCLUSIONS: The findings from India are
      unique in that they not only point to a significant impact from the introduction
      of the financial incentives but also how disincentives have an inverse impact on
      the choice of delivery method.

PMID- 26259955
TI  - A phase I/Ib study of trametinib (GSK1120212) alone and in combination with
      gemcitabine in Japanese patients with advanced solid tumors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Trametinib is an inhibitor of MEK1/MEK2 activation and kinase
      activity. In order to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and
      preliminary efficacy of single-agent trametinib (part 1) and trametinib in
      combination with gemcitabine (part 2), we undertook the first clinical study of
      this combination in Japanese patients with cancer and herein report our results.
      METHODS: In part 1, 13 patients with advanced solid tumors were enrolled into 3
      dose cohorts, receiving trametinib once daily at a dose of 1.0, 2.0, or 3.0 mg.
      In part 2, 5 patients with pancreatic cancer received trametinib (2.0 mg once
      daily) in combination with gemcitabine (1000 mg/m(2)). RESULTS: In part 1, a dose
      limiting toxicity was observed in a patient in the 2.0-mg dose cohort, but the
      maximum tolerated dose was not reached at doses up to 3.0 mg daily. The best
      overall response was a PR in 1 patient, and 6 patients had SD. In part 2, the
      combination of trametinib and gemcitabine was tolerated for a short period of
      time. However, serious interstitial lung disease (ILD) was observed in 3 of 5
      patients 4 weeks or more after the start of the treatment, including 1 fatal
      case. Three patients achieved a PR, and 2 patients had SD. The most common
      adverse event was rash (85 % in part 1 and 100 % in part 2). CONCLUSIONS:
      Trametinib monotherapy was tolerable in Japanese patients with cancer. However,
      the combination of trametinib plus gemcitabine carried a higher risk as compared
      with monotherapy, during which no ILD was observed. (ClinicalTrials.gov number,
      NCT01324258.).

PMID- 26259957
TI  - Evaluation of two immunodiagnostic tests for early rapid diagnosis of
      leptospirosis in Sri Lanka: a preliminary study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Leptospirosis is often treated based on clinical diagnosis. There is
      a need for rapid laboratory diagnosis for this condition. The aim of this study
      was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of two rapid IgM based immunodiagnostic
      assays with the microscopic agglutination test (MAT), in acute leptospirosis
      infection. METHODS: MAT, IgM based immunochromatographic test (Leptocheck-WB) and
      IgM ELISA were performed using acute sera of patients clinically suspected to
      have leptospirosis (n = 83). Bayesian latent class modeling was used to compare
      the accuracy of these tests. RESULTS: Percentage positivity for MAT, Leptocheck
      WB, and IgM ELISA were 48.1, 55.3, and 45.7 % respectively. Bayesian latent class
      modeling showed a combined positivity rate of leptospirosis of 44.7 %. The
      sensitivity of MAT, Leptocheck-WB and IgM ELISA were 91.4, 95 and 81.1 %, and
      specificity were 86.7, 76.4 and 83.1 %, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Leptocheck-WB
      has high sensitivity, and, because it is quick and easy to perform, would be a
      good screening test for acute leptospirosis infection. IgM ELISA has good
      specificity, and is comparable with MAT; given that it is easier to perform and
      more widely available than MAT, it would be a more appropriate confirmatory test
      for use in hospitals with limited access to a specialized laboratory.

PMID- 26259958
TI  - Guidelines for the Reporting of Treatment Trials for Alcohol Use Disorders.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The primary goals in conducting clinical trials of treatments for
      alcohol use disorders (AUDs) are to identify efficacious treatments and determine
      which treatments are most efficacious for which patients. Accurate reporting of
      study design features and results is imperative to enable readers of research
      reports to evaluate to what extent a study has achieved these goals. Guidance on
      quality of clinical trial reporting has evolved substantially over the past 2
      decades, primarily through the publication and widespread adoption of the
      Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials statement. However, there is room to
      improve the adoption of those standards in reporting the design and findings of
      treatment trials for AUD. METHODS: This paper provides a narrative review of
      guidance on reporting quality in AUD treatment trials. RESULTS: Despite
      improvements in the reporting of results of treatment trials for AUD over the
      past 2 decades, many published reports provide insufficient information on design
      or methods. CONCLUSIONS: The reporting of alcohol treatment trial design,
      analysis, and results requires improvement in 4 primary areas: (i) trial
      registration, (ii) procedures for recruitment and retention, (iii) procedures for
      randomization and intervention design considerations, and (iv) statistical
      methods used to assess treatment efficacy. Improvements in these areas and the
      adoption of reporting standards by authors, reviewers, and editors are critical
      to an accurate assessment of the reliability and validity of treatment effects.
      Continued developments in this area are needed to move AUD treatment research
      forward via systematic reviews and meta-analyses that maximize the utility of
      completed studies.

PMID- 26259960
TI  - Magnetoencephalographic Correlates of Emotional Processing in Major Depression
      Before and After Pharmacological Treatment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In major depressive disorder (MDD), electrophysiological and imaging
      studies suggest reduced neural activity in the parietal and dorsolateral
      prefrontal cortex regions. In the present study, neural correlates of emotional
      processing in MDD were analyzed for the first time in a pre-/post-treatment
      design by means of magnetoencephalography (MEG), allowing for detecting temporal
      dynamics of brain activation. METHODS: Twenty-five medication-free Caucasian in
      patients with MDD and 25 matched controls underwent a baseline MEG session with
      passive viewing of pleasant, unpleasant, and neutral pictures. Fifteen patients
      were followed-up with a second MEG session after 4 weeks of antidepressant
      monopharmacotherapy with mirtazapine. The corresponding controls received no
      intervention between the measurements. The clinical course of depression was
      assessed using the Hamilton Depression scale. RESULTS: Prior to treatment, an
      overall neocortical hypoactivation during emotional processing, particularly at
      the parietal regions and areas at the right temporoparietal junction, as well as
      abnormal valence-specific reactions at the right parietal and bilateral
      dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) regions were observed in patients compared
      to controls. These effects occurred <150 ms, suggesting dysfunctional processing
      of emotional stimuli at a preconscious level. Successful antidepressant treatment
      resulted in a normalization of the hypoactivation at the right parietal and right
      temporoparietal regions. Accordingly, both dlPFC regions revealed an increase of
      activity after therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides
      neurophysiological evidence for dysfunctional emotional processing in a fronto
      parieto-temporal network, possibly contributing to the pathogenesis of MDD. These
      activation patterns might have the potential to serve as biomarkers of treatment
      success.

PMID- 26259961
TI  - Trace levels of the CHO host cell protease cathepsin D caused particle formation
      in a monoclonal antibody product.
AB  - Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells are often used to produce therapeutic
      monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). CHO cells express many host cell proteins (HCPs)
      required for their growth. Interactions of HCPs with mAbs can sometimes result in
      co-purification of trace levels of 'hitchhiker' HCPs during the manufacturing
      process. Purified mAb-1 product produced in early stages of process optimization
      had high HCP levels. In addition, these lots formed delayed-onset particles
      containing mAb-1 and its heavy chain C-terminal fragments. Studies were performed
      to determine the cause of the observed particle formation and to optimize the
      purification for improved HCP clearance. Protease activity and inhibitor
      stability studies confirmed that an aspartyl protease was responsible for
      fragmentation of mAb-1 resulting in particle formation. An affinity resin was
      used to selectively capture aspartyl proteases from the mAb-1 product. Mass
      spectrometry identified the captured aspartyl protease as CHO cathepsin D. A wash
      step at high pH with salt and caprylate was implemented during the protein A
      affinity step to disrupt the HCP-mAb interactions and improve HCP clearance. The
      product at the end of purification using the optimized process had very low HCP
      levels, did not contain detectable protease activity, and did not form particles.
      Spiking of CHO cathepsin D back into mAb-1 product from the optimized process
      confirmed that it was the cause of the particle formation. This work demonstrated
      that process optimization focused on removal of HCPs was successful in
      eliminating particle formation in the final mAb-1 product.

PMID- 26259962
TI  - Cancer-associated fibroblasts as target and tool in cancer therapeutics and
      diagnostics.
AB  - Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are drivers of tumour progression and are
      considered as a target and a tool in cancer diagnostic and therapeutic
      applications. An increased abundance of CAFs or CAF signatures are recognized as
      a bad prognostic marker in several cancer types. Tumour-environment biomimetics
      strongly improve our understanding of the communication between CAFs, cancer
      cells and other host cells. Several experimental drugs targeting CAFs are in
      clinical trials for multiple tumour entities; alternatively, CAFs can be
      exploited as a tool to characterize the functionality of circulating tumour cells
      or to capture them as a tool to prevent metastasis. The continuous interaction
      between tissue engineers, biomaterial experts and cancer researchers creates the
      possibility to biomimic the tumour-environment and provides new opportunities in
      cancer diagnostics and management.

PMID- 26259963
TI  - In recurrent primary biliary cirrhosis after liver transplantation, biliary
      epithelial cells show increased expression of mitochondrial proteins.
AB  - In biliary epithelial lesions in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), mitochondrial
      proteins associated with deregulated autophagy are abnormally expressed. We
      examined whether this could be used as a diagnostic marker for end-stage PBC and
      recurrent PBC after liver transplantation. We examined the expression of the
      mitochondrial protein pyruvate dehydrogenase complex-E2 component and cytochrome
      c oxidase, subunit I (CCO), the autophagy-related marker microtubule-associated
      protein-light chain 3 (LC3), and p62/sequestosome-1 and the senescence markers
      p16(Ink4a) and p21(WAF1/Cip1) in small bile ducts and bile ductules in explanted
      livers from patients with PBC (n = 20) in comparison with liver tissue from
      control patients (n = 21) and post-transplant samples including recurrent PBC and
      cellular rejection (n = 28). Intense granular expression of mitochondrial
      proteins was significantly more frequent in small bile ducts in explanted livers
      with PBC than in control livers (p < 0.05). Post-transplant samples comprised of
      three groups: group A (positive for mitochondrial proteins, n = 7), group B
      (positive for either autophagy-related or senescence markers but negative for
      mitochondrial proteins, n = 7), and group C (all negative, n = 14). All but one
      case of group A were clinically and histologically diagnosed as recurrent PBC. In
      contrast, all cases of group B were diagnosed as cellular rejection. This study
      suggests that the expression of mitochondrial proteins in small bile ducts may be
      a useful diagnostic marker for end-stage PBC and recurrent PBC after liver
      transplantation.

PMID- 26259964
TI  - Target of rapamycin activation predicts lifespan in fruit flies.
AB  - Aging and age-related diseases are one of the most important health issues that
      the world will confront during the 21(st) century. Only by understanding the
      proximal causes will we be able to find treatments to reduce or delay the onset
      of degenerative diseases associated with aging. Currently, the prevalent paradigm
      in the field is the accumulation of damage. However, a new theory that proposes
      an alternative explanation is gaining momentum. The hyperfunction theory proposes
      that aging is not a consequence of a wear and tear process, but a result of the
      continuation of developmental programs during adulthood. Here we use Drosophila
      melanogaster, where evidence supporting both paradigms has been reported, to
      identify which parameters that have been previously related with lifespan best
      predict the rate of aging in wild type flies cultured at different temperatures.
      We find that mitochondrial function and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species
      (mtROS) generation correlates with metabolic rate, but not with the rate of
      aging. Importantly, we find that activation of nutrient sensing pathways (i.e.
      insulin-PI3K/Target of rapamycin (Tor) pathway) correlates with lifespan, but not
      with metabolic rate. Our results, dissociate metabolic rate and lifespan in wild
      type flies and instead link nutrient sensing signaling with longevity as
      predicted by the hyperfunction theory. 

PMID- 26259965
TI  - Management of Functional Constipation in Children: Therapy in Practice.
AB  - Functional constipation is a common healthcare problem among children worldwide
      and accounts for high healthcare usage and costs. Functional constipation is a
      clinical diagnosis; the evaluation primarily consists of a thorough medical
      history and a complete physical examination. Additional investigations are not
      necessary in most cases. Treatment consists of non-pharmacological and
      pharmacological interventions. Non-pharmacological interventions involve
      education and demystification, toilet training (with a reward system), and a
      defecation diary. Pharmacological treatment comprises three steps: disimpaction,
      maintenance treatment, and weaning. The treatment of first choice is oral
      laxatives, preferably polyethylene glycol. When this is insufficient, other
      therapeutic agents are available. This review discusses the evaluation and
      management of functional constipation in the pediatric population and provides a
      summary of drug treatment options.

PMID- 26259967
TI  - Long-term ischaemic and bleeding outcomes after primary percutaneous coronary
      intervention for ST-elevation myocardial infarction in the elderly.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The population is ageing rapidly and the proportion of patients aged
      >= 80 years undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is
      rising, but clinical trials have primarily been performed in younger patients.
      METHODS: Patients undergoing primary PCI between 2003 and 2008 were subdivided
      into 3 groups: < 60, 60-79, and >= 80 years. Endpoints at 3-year follow-up
      included all-cause mortality, recurrent myocardial infarction (reMI), stent
      thrombosis, target lesion revascularisation (TLR), bleeding (BARC bleeding >= 3),
      stroke, and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE, a composite of cardiac
      mortality, reMI, stroke and TLR). RESULTS: 2002 patients with ST-segment
      elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) were included, 885 (44.2 %) aged < 60,
      921 (46.0 %) 60-79, and 196 (9.7 %) >= 80 years. Comorbidities such as diabetes
      mellitus, prior stroke, malignant disease, anaemia, and chronic kidney disease
      were more prevalent in patients >= 80 years. The incidence of both ischaemic and
      bleeding events strongly increased with age. Age >= 80 years was an independent
      predictor of mortality (HR 2.56, 95 % CI1.69-3.87, p < 0.001), a borderline non
      significant predictor of overall bleeding (HR 1.38, 95 %CI 0.95-2.00, p = 0.088),
      and a significant predictor of non-access site bleeding (HR 2.26, 95 %CI 1.46
      3.51, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Patients >= 80 years experienced high rates of
      ischaemic and bleeding complications; especially in this high-risk patient group
      individualised therapy is needed to optimise clinical outcomes.

PMID- 26259968
TI  - Cadmium inhibits motility, activities of plasma membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase and
      axonemal dynein-ATPase of human spermatozoa.
AB  - Cd(2+) has been associated with decreased sperm motility in individuals exposed
      to this element, such as smokers. Among other factors, this lowered motility
      could be the result of inhibition exerted by Cd(2+) on the activity of the sperm
      ATPases associated with sperm motility. In this study, we evaluated the plasma
      membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase and the axonemal dynein-ATPase activities as well as sperm
      motility, in the presence of different free Cd(2+) concentrations in the assay
      media. It was found that spermatozoa incubated for 5 h in a medium containing 25
      nm free Cd(2+) showed a significant inhibition of progressive motility, reaching
      values even lower at higher Cd(2+) concentrations. In addition, it was found that
      the activity of the plasma membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase reached maximal inhibition at
      50 nm free Cd(2+), with a K50% inhibition of 18.3 nm free Cd(2+). The dynein
      ATPase activity was maximally inhibited by 25 nm free Cd(2+) in the assay medium,
      with a K50% inhibition of 11.3 nm Cd(2+). Our results indicate that the decreased
      activity of the sperm ATPases might have a critical importance in the biochemical
      mechanisms underlying the decreased sperm motility of individuals exposed to
      Cd(2+).

PMID- 26259966
TI  - Impact of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder on School Performance: What
      are the Effects of Medication?
AB  - Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects an estimated 5-7 % of
      schoolchildren worldwide. School functioning and academic achievement are
      frequently impaired by ADHD and represent one of the main reasons children start
      ADHD medication. Multiple potential causal pathways exist between ADHD and
      impaired school performance. In this review, we decompose school performance into
      three components and assess the impact of ADHD and its treatments on academic
      performance (assessed by grade point average [GPA], time on-task, percentage of
      work completed as well as percent completed correctly), academic skills (as
      measured by achievement tests and cognitive measures), and academic enablers
      (such as study skills, motivation, engagement, classroom behavior and
      interpersonal skills). Most studies examined only the short-term effects of
      medication on school performance. In these, ADHD medications have been observed
      to improve some aspects of school performance, with the largest impact on
      measures of academic performance such as seatwork productivity and on-task
      performance. In a subset of children, these benefits may translate into
      detectable improvements in GPA and achievement testing. However, limited data
      exists to support whether these changes are sustained over years. Optimizing
      medication effects requires periodic reassessment of school performance,
      necessitating a collaborative effort involving patients, parents, school staff
      and prescribers. Even with systematic reassessment, behavioral-based treatments
      and additional school-based services may be needed to maximize academic
      performance for the many youth with ADHD and prominent impairments in school
      performance.

PMID- 26259969
TI  - [Erratum to: Mild therapeutic hypothermia].

PMID- 26259970
TI  - Effect of strain rate on the toughness of human tibial cortical bone.

PMID- 26259971
TI  - A revised inventory of Adverse Childhood Experiences.
AB  - This study examines whether the items from the original Adverse Childhood
      Experiences (ACE) scale can be improved in their prediction of health outcomes by
      adding some additional widely recognized childhood adversities. The analyses come
      from the National Survey of Children's Exposure to Violence 2014, a telephone
      survey conducted from August 2013 through April 2014 with a nationally
      representative sample of 1,949 children and adolescents aged 10-17 and their
      caregivers who were asked about adversities, physical health conditions and
      mental health symptoms. The addition of measures of peer victimization, peer
      isolation/rejection, and community violence exposure added significantly to the
      prediction of mental health symptoms, and the addition of a measure of low
      socioeconomic status (SES) added significantly to the prediction of physical
      health problems. A revised version of the ACES scale is proposed. 

PMID- 26259972
TI  - Corporate Social Responsibility programs of Big Food in Australia: a content
      analysis of industry documents.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) tactics by
      identifying the key characteristics of CSR strategies as described in the
      corporate documents of selected 'Big Food' companies. METHODS: A mixed methods
      content analysis was used to analyse the information contained on Australian Big
      Food company websites. Data sources included company CSR reports and web-based
      content that related to CSR initiatives employed in Australia. RESULTS: A total
      of 256 CSR activities were identified across six organisations. Of these, the
      majority related to the categories of environment (30.5%), responsibility to
      consumers (25.0%) or community (19.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Big Food companies appear to
      be using CSR activities to: 1) build brand image through initiatives associated
      with the environment and responsibility to consumers; 2) target parents and
      children through community activities; and 3) align themselves with respected
      organisations and events in an effort to transfer their positive image attributes
      to their own brands. IMPLICATIONS: Results highlight the type of CSR strategies
      Big Food companies are employing. These findings serve as a guide to mapping and
      monitoring CSR as a specific form of marketing.

PMID- 26259973
TI  - The role of synergic interaction in transition state formation for the aldol
      reaction on a metal oxide catalyst: a DFT investigation.
AB  - This contribution highlights an eight-membered ring transition state for the
      aldol reaction of propanal on O-terminated ZrO2(111) and CeO2(111) surfaces. The
      relative heights of activation barriers for alpha-H abstraction and nucleophilic
      addition are controlled by surface acid-base pair strength. We report the first
      theoretical evidence of an alternative to the Zimmerman-Traxler model. 

PMID- 26259974
TI  - Role of Animal Models in Coronary Stenting.
AB  - Coronary angioplasty initially employed balloon dilatation only. This technique
      revolutionized the treatment of coronary artery disease, although outcomes were
      compromised by acute vessel closure, late constrictive remodeling, and restenosis
      due to neointimal proliferation. These processes were studied in animal models,
      which contributed to understanding the biology of endovascular arterial injury.
      Coronary stents overcome acute recoil, with improvements in the design and
      metallurgy since then, leading to the development of drug-eluting stents and
      bioresorbable scaffolds. These devices now undergo computer modeling and benchtop
      and animal testing before evaluation in clinical trials. Animal models, including
      rabbit, sheep, dog and pig are available, all with individual benefits and
      limitations. In smaller mammals, such as mouse and rabbit, the target for
      stenting is generally the aorta; whereas in larger animals, such as the pig, it
      is generally the coronary artery. The pig coronary stenting model is a gold
      standard for evaluating safety; but insights into biomechanical properties, the
      biology of stenting, and efficacy in controlling neointimal proliferation can
      also be gained. Intra-coronary imaging modalities such as intravascular
      ultrasound and optical coherence tomography allow precise serial evaluation in
      vivo, and recent developments in genetically modified animal models of
      atherosclerosis provide realistic test beds for future stents and scaffolds. 

PMID- 26259975
TI  - Soft Poly(dimethylsiloxane) Elastomers from Architecture-Driven Entanglement Free
      Design.
AB  - Soft, solvent-free poly(dimethylsiloxane) elastomers are fabricated by a one-step
      process via crosslinking bottlebrush polymers. The bottlebrush architecture
      prevents the formation of entanglements, resulting in elastomers with precisely
      controllable low moduli from 1 to 100 kPa, below the lower limit of traditional
      elastomers; moreover, the solvent-free nature enables their negligible
      adhesiveness compared to commercially available silicone products of similar
      stiffness. 

PMID- 26259976
TI  - Comparison of transarterial chemoembolization with radiofrequency ablation for
      unresectable Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage 0/A hepatocellular carcinoma: a
      propensity score matching.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is recommended as one of the
      standard treatments for early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Because of high
      risk tumor locations unfit for RFA, transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is
      served as an alternative option in these settings. To define the role of TACE on
      early HCC, we retrospectively compared the efficacies of TACE with RFA in
      patients with unresectable Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage 0/A HCC.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Treatment-naive patients with unresectable BCLC stage 0/A
      HCC who underwent TACE or RFA were recruited from 2007 to 2011. In all, 208
      patients who underwent TACE and 235 patients who underwent RFA were included in
      the final analysis. Using the propensity model to correct selection bias, 103
      patients were selected from each treatment arm. Cumulative overall survival (OS)
      as the primary end point was compared after adjustment with propensity score
      matching. RESULTS: In all patients, the OS rate was significantly higher in
      patients treated with RFA than that in those who received TACE (1-, 3-, and 5
      year OS rates, 93.7%, 72.6%, and 58.1% vs 88.1%, 50.3%, and 30.4%, respectively;
      P < 0.001). However, adjustment with propensity score matching yielded comparable
      OS between the two groups (P = 0.207). Subgroup analysis showed that RFA provided
      better OS than TACE in patients with serum gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase < 75 IU/L
      (P = 0.035). Univariate and subsequent multivariate analyses revealed that Child
      Pugh class B (hazard ratio = 1.805; 95% confidence interval, 1.805-3.003; P =
      0.023) and hepatitis C virus positivity (hazard ratio = 2.478; 95% confidence
      interval, 1.136-5.404; P = 0.023) were independent predictors of poor prognosis.
      CONCLUSION: Transarterial chemoembolization is an effective alternative treatment
      for unresectable BCLC stage 0/A HCC when RFA is not feasible.

PMID- 26259977
TI  - HGF mediated upregulation of lipocalin 2 regulates MMP9 through nuclear factor
      kappaB activation.
AB  - Lipocalin 2 (LCN2) is a member of lipocalin family that binds and transports a
      small lipophilic ligand, sharing a highly conserved tertiary structure and can be
      found as a monomer, homodimer, heterodimer with matrix metalloproteinase 9
      (MMP9). The high molecule LCN2/MMP9 complex was found in several cancer types.
      Yet, the mechanisms of regulation between LCN2 with MMP9 in tumorigenesis is
      unclear. The aims of the present study were to identify the function of LCN2
      associated with MMP9 in gastric cancer growth and metastasis. First, we confirmed
      that the expression level of LCN2 and MMP9 was upregulated by hepatocyte growth
      factor (HGF). To identify the association pathway of HGF-induced LCN2, the cells
      were treated with PI3-kinase inhibitor (LY294002), or MEK inhibitor (PD098059),
      or p38 inhibitor (SB203580) and then analyzed using western blotting. The HGF
      mediated LCN2 protein level was decreased with LY294002. Also, the HGF-mediated
      MMP9 was decreased with LY294002. The role for LCN2 with HGF mediated MMP9 was
      determined by knockdown of LCN2. LCN2-sh RNA cells showed a decreased level of
      HGF-mediated MMP9. The HGF-mediated LCN2 protein level was decreased with
      treatment of the NFkappaB inhibitor. We confirmed the role of HGF-mediated LCN2.
      HGF-mediated cell proliferation and in vitro invasion was decreased in LCN2
      knockdown cell. In conclusion, the present study showed that LCN2 upregulated
      MMP9 through PI3K/AKT/NFkappaB pathway in gastric cancer. LCN2 has a role in cell
      proliferation and cell invasion in gastric cancer, which may be a possible target
      for developing gastric cancer therapy.

PMID- 26259978
TI  - Insulin administered by needle-free jet injection corrects marked hyperglycaemia
      faster in overweight or obese patients with diabetes.
AB  - AIMS: To test whether jet injection of insulin resulted in faster correction of
      marked hyperglycaemia than when insulin is injected by a conventional pen in
      patients with diabetes. METHODS: Adult, overweight or obese (BMI >=25 and <=40
      kg/m(2)) patients with type 1 diabetes (n = 10) or insulin-treated type 2
      diabetes (n = 10) were enrolled in a randomized, controlled, crossover study. On
      two separate occasions, patients were instructed to reduce insulin dose(s) to
      achieve marked hyperglycaemia (18-23 mmol/l). Subsequently, insulin aspart was
      administered either by jet injection or by conventional pen, in a dose based on
      estimated individual insulin sensitivity. Pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic
      profiles were derived from plasma glucose and insulin levels, measured for 6 h
      after injection. RESULTS: After conventional injection, plasma glucose
      concentration dropped by >=10 mmol/l after 192.5 +/- 13.6 min. The jet injector
      advanced this time to 147.9 +/- 14.4 min [difference 44.6 (95% confidence
      interval 4.3, 84.8); P = 0.03], except in 3 patients who failed to reach this
      endpoint. The time advantage exceeded 1.5 h in patients with a BMI above the
      median. Jet injection also reduced the hyperglycaemic burden during the first 2 h
      (2042 +/- 37.2 vs 2168 +/- 26.1 mmol/min; P = 0.01) and the time to peak insulin
      levels (40.5 +/- 3.2 vs 76.8 +/- 7.7 min; P < 0.001), but did not increase the
      risk for hypoglycaemia. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of rapid-acting insulin by
      jet injection results in faster correction of marked hyperglycaemia in overweight
      or obese patients with insulin-requiring diabetes.

PMID- 26259979
TI  - Despite higher body fat content, Ecuadorian subjects with Laron syndrome have
      less insulin resistance and lower incidence of diabetes than their relatives.
AB  - In the present pandemics of obesity and insulin resistant diabetes mellitus (DM),
      the specific contribution of etiological factors such as shifts in nutritional
      and exercise patterns, genetic and hormonal, is subject of ongoing research.
      Among the hormonal factors implicated, we selected obesity-driven insulin
      resistance for further evaluation. It is known that growth hormone (GH) has
      profound effects on carbohydrate metabolism. In consequence, we compared the
      effects of the lack of the counter-regulatory effects of GH, in a group of
      subjects with GH receptor deficiency (GHRD) due to a mutated GH receptor vs. that
      of their normal relatives. It was found that, despite their obesity, subjects
      with GHRD, have diminished incidence of diabetes, lower glucose and insulin
      concentrations, and lower values of indexes indicative of insulin resistance such
      as HOMA-IR. The GHRD subjects were also capable of appropriately handling glucose
      or mixed meal loads despite diminished insulin secretion. These observations
      allow us to suggest that the association of obesity with increased risk for
      diabetes appears to be dependent on intact growth hormone signaling.

PMID- 26259980
TI  - Immediate versus conventional loaded single implants in the posterior mandible: a
      meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
AB  - The purpose of this meta-analysis was to compare implant survival, marginal bone
      loss, and complications between immediate and conventional loading of single
      implants installed in the posterior mandible. An extensive electronic search was
      performed of PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register of
      Controlled Trials to identify relevant articles published up to January 2015.
      After the selection process, five studies met the eligibility criteria and were
      included. The results of the meta-analysis were expressed in terms of the odds
      ratio (OR) or standardized mean difference (SMD), with a confidence interval (CI)
      of 95%. Results were pooled according to heterogeneity using the fixed- or random
      effects model. There was no statistically significant difference between the two
      techniques (immediate loading vs. conventional loading) with regard to implant
      survival (OR 1.71, 95% CI 0.40 to 7.36; P=0.47). There was no statistically
      significant difference in marginal bone loss (SMD -0.58, 95% CI -1.55 to 0.38;
      P=0.24). The reported mechanical and biological complications were common to both
      types of intervention, with the exception of probing depth, which was greater
      following the immediate loading technique (SMD 0.13, 95% CI -0.19 to 0.44),
      although this was not statistically significant (P=0.43). 

PMID- 26259982
TI  - Effects of Age, Colony, and Sex on Mercury Concentrations in California Sea
      Lions.
AB  - We measured total mercury (THg) concentrations in California sea lions (Zalophus
      californianus) and examined how concentrations varied with age class, colony, and
      sex. Because Hg exposure is primarily via diet, we used nitrogen (delta (15)N)
      and carbon (delta (13)C) stable isotopes to determine if intraspecific
      differences in THg concentrations could be explained by feeding ecology. Blood
      and hair were collected from 21 adult females and 57 juveniles from three
      colonies in central and southern California (San Nicolas, San Miguel, and Ano
      Nuevo Islands). Total Hg concentrations ranged from 0.01 to 0.31 MUg g(-1) wet
      weight (ww) in blood and 0.74 to 21.00 MUg g(-1) dry weight (dw) in hair. Adult
      females had greater mean THg concentrations than juveniles in blood (0.15 vs.
      0.03 MUg(-1) ww) and hair (10.10 vs. 3.25 MUg(-1) dw). Age class differences in
      THg concentrations did not appear to be driven by trophic level or habitat type
      because there were no differences in delta (15)N or delta (13)C values between
      adults and juveniles. Total Hg concentrations in adult females were 54 % (blood)
      and 24 % (hair) greater in females from San Miguel than females from San Nicolas
      Island, which may have been because sea lions from the two islands foraged in
      different areas. For juveniles, we detected some differences in THg
      concentrations with colony and sex, although these were likely due to sampling
      effects and not ecological differences. Overall, THg concentrations in California
      sea lions were within the range documented for other marine mammals and were
      generally below toxicity benchmarks for fish-eating wildlife.

PMID- 26259981
TI  - FGF 19 and Bile Acids Increase Following Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass but Not After
      Medical Management in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study aims to quantify changes in fibroblast growth factor 19
      (FGF19) and bile acids (BAs) in patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes
      randomized to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) vs intensive medical management
      (IMM) and matched for similar reduction in HbA1c after 1 year of treatment.
      METHODS: Blood samples were drawn from patients who underwent a test meal
      challenge before and 1 year after IMM (n = 15) or RYGB (n = 15). RESULTS: Mean
      HbA1c decreased from 9.7 to 6.4% after RYGB and from 9.1 to 6.1% in the IMM
      group. At 12 months, the number of diabetes medications used per subject in the
      RYGB group (2.5 +/- 0.5) was less than in the IMM group (4.6 +/- 0.3). After
      RYGB, FGF19 increased in the fasted (93 +/- 15 to 152 +/- 19 pg/ml; P = 0.008)
      and postprandial states (area under the curve (AUC), 10.8 +/- 1.9 to 23.4 +/- 4.1
      pg * h/ml * 10(3); P = 0.006) but remained unchanged following IMM. BAs increased
      after RYGB (AUC *10(3), 6.63 +/- 1.3 to 15.16 +/- 2.56 MUM * h; P = 0.003) and
      decreased after IMM (AUC *10(3), 8.22 +/- 1.24 to 5.70 +/- 0.70; P = 0.01). No
      changes were observed in the ratio of 12alpha-hydroxylated/non-12alpha
      hyroxylated BAs. Following RYGB, FGF19 AUC correlated with BAs (r = 0.54, P =
      0.04) and trended negatively with HbA1c (r = -0.44; P = 0.09); these associations
      were not observed after IMM. CONCLUSIONS: BA and FGF19 levels increased after
      RYGB but not after IMM in subjects who achieved similar improvement in glycemic
      control. Further studies are necessary to determine whether these hormonal
      changes facilitate improved glucose homeostasis.

PMID- 26259983
TI  - Vitamin D testing patterns among general practitioners in a major Victorian
      primary health care service.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine 25(OH)D testing patterns and frequency among general
      practitioners in a major community health service. METHOD: A clinical audit of
      patient records at a community health centre in Melbourne was undertaken.
      Patients aged 18 years and above were included. Univariate and multivariate
      logistic regression was used to examine the association between vitamin D testing
      and socio-demographic characteristics while Poisson regression was used for the
      frequency of testing. RESULTS: There were 1,217 patients tested for serum
      25(OH)D. The community health centre was served by 12 general practitioners and
      an infectious disease specialist. The odds of vitamin D testing showed a
      positive, albeit weak, association with age (OR 1.01, 95%CI 1.00-1.02, p<0.05),
      were higher among females than males (OR 1.42, 95%CI 1.18-1.70, p<0.05) and
      higher among migrants compared to non-migrants (OR 2.57, 95%CI 2.14-3.09,
      p<0.05). The frequency of testing was also higher among females than males (IRR
      1.17, 95%CI 1.07-1.28, p<0.05) and higher among migrants than non-migrants (IRR
      1.19, 95%CI 1.08-1.31, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Advancing age, being female and being
      a migrant were associated with an increased likelihood of vitamin D testing.
      IMPLICATIONS: Development of evidence-based policies and guidelines are needed to
      manage over-testing of vitamin D in Australia. Studies that include health
      services from different areas are required to understand vitamin D testing
      patterns among the general practitioners.

PMID- 26259984
TI  - Thousands of Ebola survivors experience serious medical complications.

PMID- 26259985
TI  - Epidemiology of musculoskeletal pain in a pediatric emergency department.
AB  - The objectives of this study were (1) to determine the percentage of emergency
      department (ED) visits due to musculoskeletal pain (MSP) by children 3-14 years
      of age during a period of 1 year; (2) to determine the most frequent presenting
      complaints; and (3) to characterize their etiology. A cross-sectional study was
      performed on children aged 3-14(11/12) years attended at the ED of a tertiary
      hospital due to MSP. The demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients
      were reviewed 5 days each month for 12 consecutive months. Study days were
      selected by computer-generated simple random sampling. Out of 4,531 visits to the
      ED, 826 were due to MSP (18.2 %; 95 % CI 17.1-19.4 %). When compared with
      children with no skeletal complaints, children with MSP had a similar sex
      distribution but were older (mean +/- SD 7 +/- 3.5 years vs 9.9 +/- 3.1 years; p
      < 0.0001). The most common complaints were pain at the wrist (19 %), ankle (19 %)
      and finger (15 %). The most common etiology was trauma (88.4 %), including
      contusions (38 %), fractures (21 %) and sprains (18 %). Children with hip (6.7 +/
      3 years; p < 0.0001) and elbow (7.8 +/- 3.5 years; p < 0.0001) complaints were
      younger than children with pain in other locations, whereas children with wrist
      pain (10.5 +/- 2.6 years; p < 0.002) and joint sprains (10.7 +/- 2.7 years; p <
      0.0001) were older. Fractures were more frequent in boys (64 vs 36 %, p = 0.008;
      OR 1.6; CI 1.1-2.2). Visits to the ED due to MSP increased with age. Pain at
      three locations represented 50 % of the presenting complaints. Trauma was the
      principal etiology, but fractures only represented one-fifth of the total.

PMID- 26259987
TI  - The Impact of Asking About Interest in Free Nicotine Patches on Smoker's Stated
      Intent to Change: Real Effect or Artefact of Question Ordering?
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Stage of change questions are often included on general population
      surveys to assess the proportion of current smokers intending to quit. The
      current study reported on a methodological experiment to establish whether
      participant's self-reported stage of change can be influenced by asking about
      interest in free nicotine patches immediately prior to asking about intent to
      change. METHODS: As part of an ongoing random digit dialing survey, a randomized
      half of participants were asked if they would be interested in receiving nicotine
      patches to help them quit smoking prior to being asked whether they intended to
      quit smoking in the next 6 months and 30 days. RESULTS: Participants who were
      first asked about interest in free nicotine patches were more likely to rate
      themselves as in preparation for change (asked first = 33%; not asked first =
      19%), and less likely to rate themselves as in the precontemplation stage of
      change (asked first = 34%; not asked first = 47%), compared with participants who
      were not asked about their interest in free nicotine patches prior to being asked
      about their stage of change (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: There are several possible
      explanations of the results. It is possible that offers of free nicotine patches
      increases smokers intentions to quit, at least temporarily. Alternatively,
      smokers being asked about interest in free nicotine patches may expect that the
      researchers would like to hear about people intending to quit, and respond
      accordingly.

PMID- 26259986
TI  - Hookah Tobacco Smoking During the Transition to College: Prevalence of Other
      Substance Use and Predictors of Initiation.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of hookah tobacco smoking is increasing, and the
      transition to college is a vulnerable time for initiation. Hookah use is
      associated with other forms of substance use, but most research has been cross
      sectional, thus limiting our understanding of temporal patterns of use. The goals
      of this longitudinal study were to assess the prevalence of hookah use and
      initiation, as well as other forms of substance use among hookah users, and
      identify which forms of substance use predicted hookah initiation during the
      first 30 days of college. METHODS: Incoming students (N = 936, 50% female)
      reported on past 30-day substance use prior to the start of the Fall 2011
      semester and again 30 days later (n = 817). Substances included hookah,
      cigarettes, other forms of tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, and other illegal drugs.
      RESULTS: Current prevalence of hookah use increased from 9.0% before college to
      13.1% during the first month of college. At baseline and follow-up, current
      hookah users were more likely than nonusers to report current use of cigarettes,
      cigars/little cigars/clove cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, marijuana, and alcohol.
      Among pre-college hookah never users, 13.8% initiated hookah use in the first
      month of college. Alcohol (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.11, 95% confidence
      interval [CI] 1.05, 1.17) and marijuana (AOR 1.30, 95% CI 1.03, 1.65) were the
      only substances predictive of hookah initiation. CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicate
      that hookah prevention and intervention is needed during the transition to
      college, and interventions may need to address comorbid alcohol, marijuana, and
      hookah use. IMPLICATIONS: To our knowledge this is the first longitudinal study
      examining predictors of hookah initiation among male and female incoming first
      year college students. While hookah users were more likely than nonusers to use
      all other substances before and during the first month of college, pre-college
      marijuana and alcohol use were the only two predictors of hookah initiation
      during the first 30 days of college. Collectively, these findings provide
      additional support for the need for efficacious hookah prevention and
      intervention programs. The transition to college appears to be an ideal time to
      deliver prevention programs given the increased prevalence of hookah use during
      the first 30 days of college. In addition to prevention, former users may benefit
      from targeted relapse prevention as one-fifth of former hookah smokers resumed
      use during the first 30 days of college.

PMID- 26259988
TI  - Menthol Content in US Marketed Cigarettes.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: In 2011 menthol cigarettes accounted for 32 percent of the market
      in the United States, but there are few literature reports that provide measured
      menthol data for commercial cigarettes. To assess current menthol application
      levels in the US cigarette market, menthol levels in cigarettes labeled or not
      labeled to contain menthol was determined for a variety of contemporary domestic
      cigarette products. METHOD: We measured the menthol content of 45 whole
      cigarettes using a validated gas chromatography/mass spectrometry method.
      RESULTS: In 23 cigarette brands labeled as menthol products, the menthol levels
      of the whole cigarette ranged from 2.9 to 19.6mg/cigarette, with three products
      having higher levels of menthol relative to the other menthol products. The
      menthol levels for 22 cigarette products not labeled to contain menthol ranged
      from 0.002 to 0.07mg/cigarette. The type of packaging (soft vs. hard pack) for a
      given cigarette product does not appear to affect menthol levels based on the
      current limited data. CONCLUSIONS: Menthol levels in cigarette products labeled
      as containing menthol are approximately 50- to 5000-fold higher than those in
      cigarette products not labeled as containing menthol. In general, menthol content
      appears to occur within discrete ranges for both mentholated and nonmentholated
      cigarettes. IMPLICATIONS: This study shows that menthol may be present in non
      mentholated cigarettes and adds to the understanding of how menthol may be used
      in cigarette products. It is the first systematic study from the same laboratory
      which will readily enable comparison among menthol and non-menthol cigarettes.

PMID- 26259989
TI  - Ustekinumab in adolescent patients age 12 to 17 years with moderate-to-severe
      plaque psoriasis: results of the randomized phase 3 CADMUS study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Safe and effective therapies are needed for pediatric patients with
      psoriasis. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate ustekinumab in
      patients age 12 to 17 years who had moderate-to-severe psoriasis. METHODS:
      Patients (n = 110) were randomly assigned to ustekinumab standard dosing (SD;
      0.75 mg/kg [<=60 kg], 45 mg [>60-<=100 kg], and 90 mg [>100 kg]) or half-standard
      dosing (HSD; 0.375 mg/kg [<=60 kg], 22.5 mg [>60-<=100 kg], and 45 mg [>100 kg])
      at weeks 0 and 4 and every 12 weeks or placebo at weeks 0 and 4 with crossover to
      ustekinumab SD or HSD at week 12. Clinical assessments included the proportion of
      patients achieving a Physician's Global Assessment of cleared/minimal (PGA 0/1),
      at least 75% improvement in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI 75), and at
      least 90% in PASI (PASI 90). Adverse events (AEs) were monitored through week 60.
      RESULTS: At week 12, 67.6% and 69.4% of patients receiving ustekinumab HSD and
      SD, respectively, achieved PGA 0/1 versus 5.4% for placebo (P < .001).
      Significantly greater proportions receiving ustekinumab achieved PASI 75 (HSD,
      78.4%; SD, 80.6%; placebo, 10.8%) or PASI 90 (HSD, 54.1%; SD, 61.1%; placebo,
      5.4%) at week 12 (P < .001). Through week 12, 56.8% of placebo patients, 51.4% of
      HSD patients, and 44.4% of SD patients reported at least one AE; through week 60,
      81.8% reported AEs. LIMITATIONS: The study was small relative to adult trials.
      CONCLUSIONS: In this patient population (12-17 years), the standard ustekinumab
      dose provided response comparable to that in adults with no unexpected AEs
      through 1 year.

PMID- 26259991
TI  - Bladder Neck Muscle Degeneration in Patients with Prostatic Hyperplasia.
AB  - PURPOSE: To improve understanding of the variations of bladder neck musculature
      we investigated histological changes of the bladder neck associated with
      prostatic hyperplasia in adult male cadavers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined
      histological sections from 24 donated male cadavers with a mean age of 74 years.
      Sections were subjected to Azan and immunohistochemical staining using desmin and
      S-100 antibodies. The collagen content per cross-sectional area was calculated
      and statistically compared. RESULTS: The existence of 3 muscle layers (submucosal
      longitudinal muscles, circular bladder neck muscles and external longitudinal
      muscles) was confirmed at the anterior and posterior regions of the bladder neck.
      Increased prostate volume significantly correlated with an increase in collagen
      fibers and thinning of muscle bundles in the anterior bladder neck. An increase
      in prostate volume and increasing age significantly correlated with degeneration
      of the posterior bladder neck muscles. As prostatic hyperplasia advanced the
      bladder neck muscles were progressively affected by fibrosis with the circular
      muscle fibers becoming thin and fragmented. In addition the severity of fibrosis
      associated with prostatic hyperplasia showed interindividual variation. We also
      devised a schematic classification of bladder neck morphology in men.
      CONCLUSIONS: Degeneration of muscle bundles in the bladder neck of men with
      prostatic hyperplasia was confirmed. It was found that the bundles became thinner
      along with an increase in collagenous tissue. Our schematic classification of
      bladder neck morphology in men may be useful for further investigations.

PMID- 26259990
TI  - 100% Complete response rate in patients with cutaneous metastatic melanoma
      treated with intralesional interleukin (IL)-2, imiquimod, and topical retinoid
      combination therapy: results of a case series.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients with cutaneous melanoma metastases have experienced
      excellent responses to intralesional interleukin (IL)-2. This has led to its
      recent inclusion into the US National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines for
      management of cutaneous melanoma metastases. Despite this, intralesional IL-2 has
      not been highlighted in the US literature nor have US physicians adopted it.
      OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate the effectiveness of intralesional IL-2 combined
      with topical imiquimod and retinoid for treatment of cutaneous metastatic
      melanoma. METHODS: A retrospective case series of 11 patients with cutaneous
      metastatic melanoma were treated with intralesional IL-2 combined with topical
      imiquimod and retinoid. RESULTS: A 100% complete local response rate with long
      term follow-up (average of 24 months) was seen in all 11 patients treated with
      this proposed regimen. Biopsy specimens of treated sites confirmed absence of
      malignant cells. The most common treatment-related adverse event was rigors.
      LIMITATIONS: Small number of patients, retrospective review of charts, and lack
      of a comparison group were limitations. CONCLUSION: Intralesional IL-2
      administered concomitantly with topical imiquimod and a retinoid cream is a
      promising therapeutic option for managing cutaneous melanoma metastases. The
      regimen was well tolerated and should be considered as a reasonable alternative
      to surgical excision.

PMID- 26259992
TI  - One Question, Multiple Answers: Biochemical and Biophysical Screening Methods
      Retrieve Deviating Fragment Hit Lists.
AB  - Fragment-based lead discovery is gaining momentum in drug development. Typically,
      a hierarchical cascade of several screening techniques is consulted to identify
      fragment hits which are then analyzed by crystallography. Because crystal
      structures with bound fragments are essential for the subsequent hit-to-lead-to
      drug optimization, the screening process should distinguish reliably between
      binders and non-binders. We therefore investigated whether different screening
      methods would reveal similar collections of putative binders. First we used a
      biochemical assay to identify fragments that bind to endothiapepsin, a surrogate
      for disease-relevant aspartic proteases. In a comprehensive screening approach,
      we then evaluated our 361-entry library by using a reporter-displacement assay,
      saturation-transfer difference NMR, native mass spectrometry, thermophoresis, and
      a thermal shift assay. While the combined results of these screening methods
      retrieve 10 of the 11 crystal structures originally predicted by the biochemical
      assay, the mutual overlap of individual hit lists is surprisingly low,
      highlighting that each technique operates on different biophysical principles and
      conditions. 

PMID- 26259993
TI  - Lobectomy versus stereotactic body radiotherapy for stage I non-small cell lung
      cancer: Post hoc analysis dressed up as level-1 evidence?

PMID- 26259994
TI  - Adding radiation to induction chemotherapy does not improve survival of patients
      with operable clinical N2 non-small cell lung cancer.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Radiotherapy is commonly used in induction regimens for patients with
      non-small cell lung cancer with operable mediastinal nodal disease, although
      evidence has not shown a benefit over induction chemotherapy alone. We compared
      outcomes between induction chemotherapy and induction chemoradiation using the
      National Cancer Data Base. METHODS: Induction radiation use and survival of
      patients who underwent lobectomy or pneumonectomy after induction chemotherapy
      for clinical T1-3N2M0 non-small cell lung cancer in the National Cancer Data Base
      from 2003 to 2006 were assessed using logistic regression, general linear
      regression, Kaplan-Meier, and Cox proportional hazard analysis. RESULTS: Of 1362
      patients who met study criteria, 834 (61%) underwent induction chemoradiation and
      528 (39%) underwent induction chemotherapy. Lobectomy was performed in 82% of
      patients (n = 1111), and pneumonectomy was performed in 18% of patients (n =
      251). Pneumonectomy was performed more often after induction chemoradiation than
      after induction chemotherapy (20% vs 16%, P = .04). Downstaging from N2 to N0/N1
      was more common with induction chemoradiation compared with induction
      chemotherapy (58% vs 46%, P < .01), but 5-year survival of patients receiving
      induction chemoradiation and patients receiving induction chemotherapy was
      similar in unadjusted analysis (41% vs 41%, P = .41). In multivariable analysis,
      the addition of radiation to induction chemotherapy also was not associated with
      a survival benefit (hazard ratio, 1.03; 95% confidence interval, 0.89-1.18; P =
      .73). CONCLUSIONS: Induction chemoradiation is used in the majority of patients
      with non-small cell lung cancer with N2 disease who undergo induction therapy
      before surgical resection, but it is not associated with improved survival
      compared with induction chemotherapy.

PMID- 26259996
TI  - Predictive Bayesian inference and dynamic treatment regimes.
AB  - While optimal dynamic treatment regimes (DTRs) can be estimated without
      specification of a predictive model, a model-based approach, combined with
      dynamic programming and Monte Carlo integration, enables direct probabilistic
      comparisons between the outcomes under the optimal DTR and alternative (dynamic
      or static) treatment regimes. The Bayesian predictive approach also circumvents
      problems related to frequentist estimators under the nonregular estimation
      problem. However, the model-based approach is susceptible to misspecification, in
      particular of the "null-paradox" type, which is due to the model parameters not
      having a direct causal interpretation in the presence of latent individual-level
      characteristics. Because it is reasonable to insist on correct inferences under
      the null of no difference between the alternative treatment regimes, we discuss
      how to achieve this through a "null-robust" reparametrization of the problem in a
      longitudinal setting. Since we argue that causal inference can be entirely
      understood as posterior predictive inference in a hypothetical population without
      covariate imbalances, we also discuss how controlling for confounding through
      inverse probability of treatment weighting can be justified and incorporated in
      the Bayesian setting. 

PMID- 26259997
TI  - Re: Guido Barbagli, Massimo Lazzeri. Clinical Experience with Urethral
      Reconstruction Using Tissue-engineered Oral Mucosa: A Quiet Revolution. Eur Urol.
      In press. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eururo.2015.05.043.

PMID- 26259998
TI  - Prevalence of Female Urinary Incontinence in the General Population According to
      Different Definitions and Study Designs.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Estimates of the prevalence of female urinary incontinence (UI) vary
      widely. OBJECTIVE: To estimate UI prevalence among women in France using data
      from five national surveys and analyse prevalence differences among the surveys
      according to their design (representative sample or not, survey focused on UI or
      not) and UI definition (based on symptoms or disease perception). DESIGN,
      SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Data came from two representative telephone surveys,
      Fecond (5017 women aged 15-49 yr) and Barometer (3089 women aged 40-85 yr),
      general and urinary postal surveys of the GAZEL cohort (3098 women aged 54-69
      yr), and the web-based NutriNet survey (85,037 women aged 18-87 yr). OUTCOME
      MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Definitions of UI based on the
      International Conference on Incontinence Questionnaire UI short form (ICIQ-UI-SF)
      and on a list of health problems were considered. We compared age-adjusted
      prevalence rates among studies via logistic regression and generalised linear
      models. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Overall, 13% of the women in Fecond, 24% in
      Barometer, 15% in the GAZEL general survey, 39% in the GAZEL urinary survey, and
      1.5% in the NutriNet survey reported any UI. Prevalence rates in representative
      samples with the same UI definition (ICIQ-UI-SF) were concordant. UI prevalence
      in the representative samples was 17%. The estimated number of women in France
      with UI was 5.35 million (95% confidence interval [CI] 5.34-5.36 million) for any
      UI and 1.54 million (95% CI 1.53-1.55 million) for daily UI. For the GAZEL
      sample, UI prevalence was lower but UI severity was greater for responses to a
      questionnaire with the list-based UI definition rather than to a questionnaire
      with the ICIQ-UI-SF-based definition. In all surveys, information about UI was
      self-reported and was not validated by objective measurements. CONCLUSIONS: UI
      definitions and sampling strategies influence estimates of UI prevalence among
      women. Precise estimates of UI prevalence should be based on non-UI-focused
      surveys among representative samples and using a validated standardised symptom
      based questionnaire. PATIENT SUMMARY: We looked at estimates of urinary
      incontinence (UI) prevalence in studies with different designs and different UI
      definitions in a large population of French women. We found that estimates varied
      with the definition and the design. We conclude that the most precise estimates
      of UI prevalence are obtained in studies of representative populations that are
      not focused on UI and use a validated international standard questionnaire with
      sufficient details to allow grading of UI severity. Most women reported rare
      urine leakages involving small amounts of urine with little impact on their
      quality of life.

PMID- 26259999
TI  - Application and Integration of Live Streaming from Leading Robotic Centres Can
      Enhance Surgical Education.
AB  - Internet-based video-streaming enables us to share surgical knowledge and to
      study leading surgeons while they operate in their home institutions, and is
      widely accessible to trainees. Planned developments include enriched learning
      experiences with improved user friendliness, interactivity, and real-time
      feedback. 

PMID- 26260000
TI  - Finding Minimal Extraprostatic Disease: Who Cares?

PMID- 26260001
TI  - Reply from Authors re: Tahlita C.M. Zuiverloon, Ellen C. Zwarthoff. Predicting
      Response to Intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guerin Immunotherapy: Are We Moving
      Forward? Eur Urol 2016;69:201-2: The Goal: Individualized Bacillus Calmette
      Guerin Therapy.

PMID- 26260002
TI  - Reply to Nadir I. Osman, Christopher R. Chapple, Sheila MacNeil's Letter to the
      Editor re: Guido Barbagli, Massimo Lazzeri. Clinical Experience with Urethral
      Reconstruction Using Tissue-engineered Oral Mucosa: A Quiet Revolution. Eur Urol.
      In press. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eururo.2015.05.043.

PMID- 26260003
TI  - Structural measures to track the evolution of SNOMED CT hierarchies.
AB  - The Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine Clinical Terms (SNOMED CT) is an
      extensive reference terminology with an attendant amount of complexity. It has
      been updated continuously and revisions have been released semi-annually to meet
      users' needs and to reflect the results of quality assurance (QA) activities. Two
      measures based on structural features are proposed to track the effects of both
      natural terminology growth and QA activities based on aspects of the complexity
      of SNOMED CT. These two measures, called the structural density measure and
      accumulated structural measure, are derived based on two abstraction networks,
      the area taxonomy and the partial-area taxonomy. The measures derive from
      attribute relationship distributions and various concept groupings that are
      associated with the abstraction networks. They are used to track the trends in
      the complexity of structures as SNOMED CT changes over time. The measures were
      calculated for consecutive releases of five SNOMED CT hierarchies, including the
      Specimen hierarchy. The structural density measure shows that natural growth
      tends to move a hierarchy's structure toward a more complex state, whereas the
      accumulated structural measure shows that QA processes tend to move a hierarchy's
      structure toward a less complex state. It is also observed that both the
      structural density and accumulated structural measures are useful tools to track
      the evolution of an entire SNOMED CT hierarchy and reveal internal concept
      migration within it. 

PMID- 26260004
TI  - A broad-spectrum integrative design for cancer prevention and therapy: The
      challenge ahead.
AB  - Despite exciting advances in targeted therapies, high drug costs, marginal
      therapeutic benefits and notable toxicities are concerning aspects of today's
      cancer treatments. This special issue of Seminars in Cancer Biology proposes a
      broad-spectrum, integrative therapeutic model to complement targeted therapies.
      Based on extensive reviews of the cancer hallmarks, this model selects multiple
      high-priority targets for each hallmark, to be approached with combinations of
      low-toxicity, low-cost therapeutics, including phytochemicals, adapted to the
      well-known complexity and heterogeneity of malignancy. A global consortium of
      researchers has been assembled to advance this concept, which is especially
      relevant in an era of rapidly expanding capacity for genomic tumor analyses,
      alongside alarming growth in cancer morbidity and mortality in low- and middle
      income nations. 

PMID- 26260005
TI  - Microbial production of lactic acid: the latest development.
AB  - Lactic acid is an important platform chemical for producing polylactic acid (PLA)
      and other value-added products. It is naturally produced by a wide spectrum of
      microbes including bacteria, yeast and filamentous fungi. In general, bacteria
      ferment C5 and C6 sugars to lactic acid by either homo- or hetero-fermentative
      mode. Xylose isomerase, phosphoketolase, transaldolase, l- and d-lactate
      dehydrogenases are the key enzymes that affect the ways of lactic acid
      production. Metabolic engineering of microbial strains are usually needed to
      produce lactic acid from unconventional carbon sources. Production of d-LA has
      attracted much attention due to the demand for producing thermostable PLA, but
      large scale production of d-LA has not yet been commercialized. Thermophilic
      Bacillus coagulans strains are able to produce l-lactic acid from lignocellulose
      sugars homo-fermentatively under non-sterilized conditions, but the lack of
      genetic tools for metabolically engineering them severely affects their
      development for industrial applications. Pre-treatment of agriculture biomass to
      obtain fermentable sugars is a pre-requisite for utilization of the huge amounts
      of agricultural biomass to produce lactic acid. The major challenge is to obtain
      quality sugars of high concentrations in a cost effective-way. To avoid or
      minimize the use of neutralizing agents during fermentation, genetically
      engineering the strains to make them resist acidic environment and produce lactic
      acid at low pH would be very helpful for reducing the production cost of lactic
      acid.

PMID- 26260006
TI  - Respiratory neuromodulation in patients with neurological pathologies: for whom
      and how?
AB  - Implanted phrenic nerve stimulation is a technique restoring spontaneous
      breathing in patients with respiratory control failure, leading to being
      dependent on mechanical ventilation. This is the case for quadriplegic patients
      with a high spinal cord injury level and for patients with congenital central
      hypoventilation syndrome. The electrophysiological diaphragm explorations permits
      better patient selection, confirming on the one hand a definite issue with
      central respiratory command and on the other hand the integrity of diaphragmatic
      phrenic nerves. Today there are two different phrenic stimulation techniques: the
      quadripolar intrathoracic stimulation and the bipolar intradiaphragmatic
      stimulation. Both techniques allow patients to be weaned off their mechanical
      ventilator, improving dramatically their quality of life. In fact, one of the
      systems (phrenic intradiaphragmatic stimulation) was granted social security
      reimbursement in 2009, and now both are reimbursed. In the future, phrenic
      intradiaphragmatic stimulation may find its place in the intensive care unit, for
      patients needing it temporarily, for example, after certain surgeries with
      respiratory complications as well as diaphragmatic atrophies induced by prolonged
      mechanical ventilation. 

PMID- 26260007
TI  - Balance characteristics in patients with major depression after a two-month
      walking exercise program: A pilot study.
AB  - Recent studies have demonstrated impaired balance performance in patients with
      major depressive disorder (MDD) in comparison to healthy controls (HC), which is
      likely to be related to deficits in integration of visual and proprioceptive
      inputs necessary for efficient postural control. In parallel, considerable
      literature supports the positive effects of a walking program on depressive
      symptoms. Thus this study aimed to determine the effects of a two-month walking
      program on implicit postural control strategies in MDD. Compared with twelve age-
      and body mass index-matched non-psychiatric HC (mean age 50.41 +/- 6.93 years;
      five women), nine MDD (mean age 51.88 +/- 10.01 years; five women) performed two
      sessions of standing postural control assessment, separated by eight weeks of the
      walking program, while the HC were only assessed at t0. The walking program
      included one-hour supervised walking sessions, three times a week over a two
      month period. Postural performance was assessed by various center of pressure
      (COP) parameters, in particular those that bound the COP velocity of postural
      sway. The primary findings were that MDD patients exhibited positive physical
      activity-related changes in postural performance, with a decrease in body sway in
      the most difficult condition (with a foam surface). The real impact of the
      walking program on COP velocity-based variables suggests that MDD patients
      improved their ability to make more efficient postural corrections, which is
      useful for daily activities and autonomy. A balance assessment in the clinical
      screening routine might be used as a new index of the effectiveness of walking
      programs recommended for people with depression. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study
      is registered at http://clinicaltrials.gov/: NCT01995422.

PMID- 26260008
TI  - Differences in trunk control between early and late pregnancy during gait.
AB  - The aim of this study was to compare gait characteristics, including the
      functional ability of the trunk, between women before and during the third
      trimester of pregnancy. Gait measurements were performed on 27 pregnant women,
      who were divided into two groups using the threshold of 28 gestational weeks. The
      subjects were instructed to walk at their preferred speed. In addition to stride
      time coefficient of variation, root mean square (RMS) and autocorrelation
      coefficient, coefficient of attenuation (CoA) of acceleration was computed as an
      index to assess the functional ability of the trunk. Differences of gait
      characteristics between the groups were determined by the Mann-Whitney U test.
      Gait characteristics that showed a significant difference between the groups were
      further analyzed with adjustment by age, height, weight and gait velocity by
      using multiple regression analysis. Women during the third trimester of pregnancy
      showed significantly smaller RMS in the anteroposterior direction at the lower
      trunk than those before the third trimester of pregnancy, even after adjusting
      for age, height, weight and gait velocity [beta=0.47; 95% confidence interval
      (CI) 0.07-0.25]. CoA in the anteroposterior direction was also significantly
      lower in women during the third trimester of pregnancy than in those before the
      third trimester of pregnancy after adjustment by age, height, weight and gait
      velocity (beta=0.44; 95% CI 0.39-18.52). The present cross-sectional study
      suggests the possibility that the functional ability of the trunk during gait
      declines in late pregnancy. 

PMID- 26260009
TI  - Long-term outcomes after multilevel surgery including rectus femoris, hamstring
      and gastrocnemius procedures in children with cerebral palsy.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Multilevel surgical intervention is a common approach for the
      correction of gait abnormalities in children with cerebral palsy (CP). The short
      term outcomes for the combination of rectus femoris transfer, hamstring
      lengthening and gastrocnemius lengthening have been well documented using three
      dimensional motion analysis. However, the impact of time, growth, and puberty on
      these short-term outcomes of this combination of procedures is not well
      understood. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term outcomes of
      these procedures on gait in patients with CP. METHODS: Twenty-two patients
      underwent rectus femoris transfers, medial hamstring lengthenings and
      gastrocnemius lengthenings in combination with a selection of other soft tissue
      and/or bony procedures of the lower limb. All patients had a pre-operative motion
      analysis and post-operative analysis one and 11 years following surgery. RESULTS:
      Significant changes in both clinical and gait variables from pre to 1 year post
      surgery confirmed the short-term gait benefits of this combination of surgical
      procedures. Long-term follow-up data indicated that the passive range of motion
      gains noted 1 year after surgery were lost at the knee and ankle. However, the
      improvements in ankle dorsiflexion and knee extension at initial contact were
      maintained over 11 years. As well, peak ankle dorsiflexion in stance was
      maintained and peak ankle plantar flexor moments and powers did not show declines
      long-term. Peak knee flexion showed a decline over the long-term, however, the
      timing of peak knee flexion in swing was maintained. CONCLUSION: When compared to
      declines in gait kinematics in persons with CP without surgery, these results
      demonstrate the possible long-term benefits of surgical intervention.

PMID- 26260010
TI  - Obese older adults suffer foot pain and foot-related functional limitation.
AB  - There is evidence to suggest being overweight or obese places adults at greater
      risk of developing foot complications such as osteoarthritis, tendonitis and
      plantar fasciitis. However, no research has comprehensively examined the effects
      of overweight or obesity on the feet of individuals older than 60 years of age.
      Therefore we investigated whether foot pain, foot structure, and/or foot function
      is affected by obesity in older adults. Three hundred and twelve Australian men
      and women, aged over 60 years, completed validated questionnaires to establish
      the presence of foot pain and health related quality of life. Foot structure
      (anthropometrics and soft tissue thickness) and foot function (ankle dorsiflexion
      strength and flexibility, toe flexor strength, plantar pressures and
      spatiotemporal gait parameters) were also measured. Obese participants (BMI >30)
      were compared to those who were overweight (BMI=25-30) and not overweight (BMI
      <25). Obese participants were found to have a significantly higher prevalence of
      foot pain and scored significantly lower on the SF-36. Obesity was also
      associated with foot-related functional limitation whereby ankle dorsiflexion
      strength, hallux and lesser toe strength, stride/step length and walking speed
      were significantly reduced in obese participants compared to their leaner
      counterparts. Therefore, disabling foot pain and altered foot structure and foot
      function are consequences of obesity for older adults, and impact upon their
      quality of life. Interventions designed to reduce excess fat mass may relieve
      loading of the foot structures and, in turn, improve foot pain and quality of
      life for older obese individuals. 

PMID- 26260011
TI  - Interaction of Virus-Like Particles with Vesicles Containing Glycolipids:
      Kinetics of Detachment.
AB  - Many viruses interact with their host cells via glycosphingolipids (GSLs) and/or
      glycoproteins present on the outer cell membrane. This highly specific
      interaction includes virion attachment and detachment. The residence time
      determined by the detachment is particularly interesting, since it is directly
      related to internalization and infection as well as to virion egress and
      spreading. In an attempt to deepen the understanding of virion detachment
      kinetics, we have used total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy
      to probe the interaction between individual fluorescently labeled GSL-containing
      lipid vesicles and surface-bound virus-like particles (VLPs) of a norovirus
      genotype II.4 strain. The distribution of the VLP-vesicle residence time was
      investigated for seven naturally occurring GSLs, all of which are candidates for
      the not yet identified receptor(s) mediating norovirus entry into host cells. As
      expected for interactions involving multiple GSL binding sites at a viral capsid,
      the detachment kinetics displayed features typical for a broad activation-energy
      distribution for all GSLs. Detailed inspection of these distributions revealed
      significant differences among the different GSLs. The results are discussed in
      terms of strength of the interaction, vesicle size, as well as spatial
      distribution and clustering of GSLs in the vesicle membrane. 

PMID- 26260013
TI  - Pitfalls of the MTT assay: Direct and off-target effects of inhibitors can result
      in over/underestimation of cell viability.
AB  - The MTT assay (to a less degree MTS, XTT or WST) is a widely exploited approach
      for measuring cell viability/drug cytotoxicity. MTT reduction occurs throughout a
      cell and can be significantly affected by a number of factors, including
      metabolic and energy perturbations, changes in the activity of oxidoreductases,
      endo-/exocytosis and intracellular trafficking. Over/underestimation of cell
      viability by the MTT assay may be due to both adaptive metabolic and
      mitochondrial reprogramming of cells subjected to drug treatment-mediated stress
      and inhibitor off-target effects. Previously, imatinib, rottlerin, ursolic acid,
      verapamil, resveratrol, genistein nanoparticles and some polypeptides were shown
      to interfere with MTT reduction rate resulting in inconsistent results between
      the MTT assay and alternative assays. Here, to test the under/overestimation of
      viability by the MTT assay, we compared results derived from the MTT assay with
      the trypan blue exclusion assay after treatment of glioblastoma U251, T98G and C6
      cells with three widely used inhibitors with the known direct and side effects on
      energy and metabolic homeostasis - temozolomide (TMZ), a DNA-methylating agent,
      temsirolimus (TEM), an inhibitor of mTOR kinase, and U0126, an inhibitor of
      MEK1/2 kinases. Inhibitors were applied shortly as in IC50 evaluating studies or
      long as in studies focusing on drug resistance acquisition. We showed that
      over/underestimation of cell viability by the MTT assay and its significance
      depends on a cell line, a time point of viability measurement and other
      experimental parameters. Furthermore, we provided a comprehensive survey of
      factors that should be accounted in the MTT assay. To avoid result
      misinterpretation, supplementation of the tetrazolium salt-based assays with
      other non-metabolic assays is recommended.

PMID- 26260012
TI  - Dominant negative Ras attenuates pathological ventricular remodeling in pressure
      overload cardiac hypertrophy.
AB  - The importance of the oncogene Ras in cardiac hypertrophy is well appreciated.
      The hypertrophic effects of the constitutively active mutant Ras-Val12 are
      revealed by clinical syndromes due to the Ras mutations and experimental studies.
      We examined the possible anti-hypertrophic effect of Ras inhibition in vitro
      using rat neonatal cardiomyocytes (NRCM) and in vivo in the setting of pressure
      overload left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy (POH) in rats. Ras functions were
      modulated via adenovirus directed gene transfer of active mutant Ras-Val12 or
      dominant negative mutant N17-DN-Ras (DN-Ras). Ras-Val12 expression in vitro
      activates NFAT resulting in pro-hypertrophic and cardio-toxic effects on NRCM
      beating and Z-line organization. In contrast, the DN-Ras was antihypertrophic on
      NRCM, inhibited NFAT and exerted cardio-protective effects attested by preserved
      NRCM beating and Z line structure. Additional experiments with silencing H-Ras
      gene strategy corroborated the antihypertrophic effects of siRNA-H-Ras on NRCM.
      In vivo, with the POH model, both Ras mutants were associated with similar
      hypertrophy two weeks after simultaneous induction of POH and Ras-mutant gene
      transfer. However, LV diameters were higher and LV fractional shortening lower in
      the Ras-Val12 group compared to control and DN-Ras. Moreover, DN-Ras reduced the
      cross-sectional area of cardiomyocytes in vivo, and decreased the expression of
      markers of pathologic cardiac hypertrophy. In isolated adult cardiomyocytes after
      2 weeks of POH and Ras-mutant gene transfer, DN-Ras improved sarcomere shortening
      and calcium transients compared to Ras-Val12. Overall, DN-Ras promotes a more
      physiological form of hypertrophy, suggesting an interesting therapeutic target
      for pathological cardiac hypertrophy.

PMID- 26260014
TI  - Identification of genes associated with male sterility in a mutant of white birch
      (Betula platyphylla Suk.).
AB  - White birch (Betula platyphylla Suk.) is a monoecious tree species with unisexual
      flowers. In this study, we used a spontaneous mutant genotype that produced
      normal-like male (NLM) inflorescences and mutant male (MM) inflorescences at
      different locations within the tree to investigate the genes necessary for pollen
      development. A cDNA-amplified fragment length polymorphism (cDNA-AFLP) analysis
      was used to identify genes differentially expressed between the two types of
      inflorescences. Of approximately 5000 transcript-derived fragments (TDFs)
      obtained, 323 were significantly differentially expressed, of which 141 were
      successfully sequenced. BLAST analyses revealed 51.8% of the sequenced TDFs
      showed significant homology with proteins of known or predicted functions, 10.6%
      showed significant homology with putative proteins without any known or predicted
      function, and the remaining 37.6% had no hits in the NCBI database. Further, in a
      functional categorization based on the BLAST analyses, the protein fate,
      metabolism, energy categories had in order the highest percentages of the
      proteins. A Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis
      showed that the known TDFs were mainly involved in metabolic (28.4%), signal
      transduction (23.5%) and folding, sorting and degradation (13.6%) pathways. Ten
      genes from the NLM and MM development stages in the mutant were analyzed by
      quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).
      The information generated in this study can provide some useful clues to help
      understand male sterility in B. platyphylla. 

PMID- 26260015
TI  - Identification of hub glycogenes and their nsSNP analysis from mouse RNA-Seq
      data.
AB  - Glycogenes regulate a large number of biological processes such as cancer and
      development. In this work, we created an interaction network of 923 glycogenes to
      detect potential hubs from different mouse tissues using RNA-Seq data. DAVID
      functional cluster analysis revealed enrichment of immune response, glycoprotein
      and cholesterol metabolic processes. We also explored nsSNPs that may modify the
      expression and function of identified hubs using computational methods. We
      observe that the number of nsSNPs predicted by any two methods to affect protein
      function is 4, 7 and 2 for FLT1, NID2 and TNFRSF1B. Residues in the native and
      mutant proteins were analyzed for solvent accessibility and secondary structure
      change. Analysis of hubs can help in determining their degree of conservation and
      understanding their functions in biological processes. The nsSNPs proposed in
      this work may be further targeted through experimental methods for understanding
      structural and functional relationships of hub mutants.

PMID- 26260016
TI  - First proteome study of sporadic flowering in bamboo species (Bambusa vulgaris
      and Dendrocalamus manipureanus) reveal the boom is associated with stress and
      mobile genetic elements.
AB  - Bamboo species are the fastest-growing plants having a long vegetative cycle.
      Abrupt switching from the vegetative phase to the reproductive phase via sporadic
      flowering boom, occasionally leads to death of bamboo clumps, and threatens the
      existence of many bamboo species. To apprehend the molecular mechanism driving
      sporadic flowering, proteome changes in the initial and advanced floral buds of
      two edible bamboo species (Bambusa vulgaris and Dendrocalamus manipureanus) was
      dissected by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). A total of 39
      differentially expressed peptide spots were identified by matrix-assisted laser
      desorption ionization time-of-flight/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF
      TOF/MS). In both B. vulgaris and D. manipureanus, identified proteins were
      categorized as transposon-related, defence and stress-related, cell cycle
      related, metabolism related, signal transduction related, and some lacked known
      putative domains. Proteins such as SEPALLATA3, ubiquitin, histone 3, thaumatin
      like protein, putative tethering factor, SF-assemblin, polyubiquitin,
      mitochondrial carrier-like protein and RPT2-like protein were significantly
      expressed. Differences in D. manipureanus and B. vulgaris suggested that bamboo
      species have diverse 'drivers' or 'passengers' genes that govern natural sporadic
      flowering boom. This first floral proteomics analysis of bamboos revealed that
      sporadic boom is a highly energetic process, associated with stress elements,
      mobile genetic elements and signal transduction cross-talk elements. 

PMID- 26260017
TI  - Identification, molecular characterization and gene expression analysis of sox1a
      and sox1b genes in Japanese flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus.
AB  - The transcription factor, Sox1 has been implicated in neural determination and
      differentiation as well as in the maintenance of neural progenitor cell status in
      mammals. However, the molecular cloning and expression of sox1 gene in marine
      fish have not been reported yet. In this study, we first cloned and characterized
      the full-length cDNAs and the partial 5'-flanking regions of Paralichthys
      olivaceus sox1a (Posox1a) and sox1b (Posox1b). Phylogenetic, gene structure, and
      chromosome synteny analyses revealed that Posox1a and Posox1b were co-orthologs
      and homologous to mammalian Sox1. The promoter regions of Posox1a and Posox1b
      were also analyzed and several potential transcription factor (TF) binding sites
      were identified which might modulate gene expression. Quantitative real-time RT
      PCR (qRT-PCR) results showed that Posox1a and Posox1b were consistently expressed
      during embryogenesis, with the highest level at the neurula stage. Tissue
      distribution analyses revealed that Posox1a and Posox1b were abundant in the
      adult brain. Moreover, Posox1a had a faster evolution rate and much higher
      expression levels than Posox1b. These results provide a foundation for further
      surveying the function of PoSox1 genes during Japanese flounder development and
      neurogenesis.

PMID- 26260018
TI  - Ablative CO2 fractional resurfacing in treatment of thermal burn scars: an open
      label controlled clinical and histopathological study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Burn scars can cause permanent disfiguring problems with limited
      treatments available. OBJECTIVES: To assess and correlate the clinical and
      histopathological effects of fractional CO2 laser on thermal burns in a
      controlled study. METHODS: Fifteen patients 11 with hypertrophic and four with
      keloidal scars received three CO2 fractional laser sessions every 4-6 weeks. Half
      of the scar was untreated as a control. Clinical evaluation by Vancouver, PSOAS
      scores, and photography before, monthly, and 3 months after the last laser
      session was performed. Ten patients were evaluated histopathologically by
      standard H&E, Masson trichrome, and Elastica von Gieson special stains. RESULTS:
      Hypertrophic scars (HTSs) showed textural improvement and a significant decrease
      of Vancouver, POSAS observer, and patient scores by the end of follow-up period
      in the laser-treated area (P = 0.011, 0.017 and 0.018, respectively) unlike
      keloidal scars. Histopathology revealed significant decrease in scar thickness in
      HTSs only (P < 0.001) as well as a significant decrease in collagen bundle
      thickness and density in the upper dermis in both types of scars. CONCLUSIONS:
      Fractional CO2 laser is a possible safe and effective modality for the treatment
      of hypertrophic burn scars with improvement achieved both clinically and
      histopathologically.

PMID- 26260019
TI  - Proximal Fugl-Meyer Assessment Scores Predict Clinically Important Upper Limb
      Improvement After 3 Stroke Rehabilitative Interventions.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To identify the baseline motor characteristics of the patients who
      responded to 3 prominent intervention programs. DESIGN: Observational cohort
      study. SETTING: Outpatient rehabilitation clinics. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals with
      chronic stroke (N=174). INTERVENTIONS: Participants received 30 hours of
      constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT), robot-assisted therapy, or mirror
      therapy (MT). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measure was the change
      score of the Upper Extremity Fugl-Meyer Assessment (UE-FMA). The potential
      predicting variables were baseline proximal, distal, and total UE-FMA and Action
      Research Arm Test scores. We combined polynomial regression analyses and the
      minimal clinically important difference to stratify the patients as responders
      and nonresponders for each intervention approach. RESULTS: Baseline proximal UE
      FMA scores significantly predicted clinically important improvement on the
      primary outcome measure after all 3 interventions. Participants with baseline
      proximal UE-FMA scores of approximately <30 benefited significantly from CIMT and
      robot-assisted therapy, whereas participants with scores between 21 and 35
      demonstrated significant improvement after MT. Baseline distal and total UE-FMA
      and Action Research Arm Test scores could also predict upper limb improvement
      after CIMT and MT, but not after robot-assisted therapy. CONCLUSIONS: This study
      could inform clinicians about the selection of suitable rehabilitation approaches
      to help patients achieve clinically meaningful improvement in upper extremity
      function.

PMID- 26260020
TI  - The Way Forward: Key Areas for Physiotherapy Research International.

PMID- 26260021
TI  - Fertility desire and associated factors among clients on highly active
      antiretroviral treatment at finoteselam hospital Northwest Ethiopia: a cross
      sectional study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The accessibility of antiretroviral treatment changed the lives of
      persons living with HIV from hopelessness to hopefulness. Thus, many of them
      decided to have children. In Ethiopia, where there is high prevalence of HIV,
      level of fertility desire among persons living with HIV could have significant
      part in safe motherhood and child health. The aim of this study was to assess the
      level of fertility desire and identify factors associated with it among clients
      on highly active antiretroviral treatment at Finoteselam Hospital, Northwest
      Ethiopia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study design supplemented by in-depth
      interview was conducted on 422 clients on Highly Active Antiretroviral Treatment
      from July 1 to August 12, 2013. Structured questionnaire was used to collect the
      data. Data were entered in to EPi Info version 3.5.1 and exported to SPSS
      software version 16 for further analysis. Descriptive and summary statistics were
      computed. Proportions were calculated to estimate fertility desire level. Binary
      logistic regression model was fitted to identify factors associated with
      fertility desire. RESULTS: A total of 422 clients were included in the study of
      which 217 (51.4%) were males. The median age was 33 (IQR = 12) years. A total of
      141(33.4%) of clients had desire for having children. Male clients desire
      children than their female counterparts [AOR = 3.19, 95 % CI: (1.56, 6.51)].
      Clients who had no child had more desire for having children than those who had
      three or more children [AOR = 6.78, 95 % CI: (2.38, 19.27)] and those who had <=2
      years duration on ART had more desire than those with >2 years duration on ART
      [AOR = 3.64, 95 % CI: (1.74, 7.64)]. Clients who had discussion with ART service
      provider about sexuality, Fertility desire and family planning had more child
      desire [AOR = 3.12, 95 % CI: (1.54, 6.32)]. CONCLUSIONS: One third of clients
      have desire to have a child/children in the future. Male clients and clients who
      have less than or equal to 2 years ART follow up, with no child and having
      discussion with ART service provider were associated with increased fertility
      desire. Guidelines formulated and counseling protocols developed shall consider
      this desire to achieve their reproductive goals in the healthiest and safest
      possible manner.

PMID- 26260022
TI  - Multinodule abnormalities of the tracheobronchus: bronchoscopy findings and
      clinical diagnosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Bronchoscopy is an important method for diagnosing
      respiratory disease. Multiple tracheobronchial nodules are rarely reported and
      their causes remain unclear. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to describe
      the clinical characteristics of multiple nodule tracheobronchial abnormalities
      found under bronchoscopy caused by different diseases. METHODS: Eighty-seven
      patients with multiple tracheobronchial nodules were enrolled in this study. The
      characteristics of the multinodule lesions and the patient were diagnosed based
      on the pathology findings in our hospital. Chest computed tomography images were
      retrospectively reviewed by pulmonologists and radiologist. RESULTS: In 55
      patients with definite pathological diagnosis, 16 (29%) patients were diagnosed
      as tuberculosis (TB) granuloma; 23 (41.8%) cases were diagnosed as malignant
      disease; 12 (21.8%) cases were diagnosed as tracheobronchopathia
      osteochondroplastica; 2 (3.6%) cases were diagnosed as sarcoidosis; and one case
      (1.8%) was diagnosed as lymphoma and one case (1.8%) as fungal infection. There
      were 32 cases of chronic inflammation. There was no relationship between nodule
      distribution and the pathological diagnosis. Malignant nodules usually smaller
      with a pale outlook, while nodules with larger size and smooth and intact mucosa
      usually turn out to be granuloma of unknown reason. CONCLUSION: The major causes
      of mutinodule lesions observed using bronchoscopy are tumor and TB. The presence
      of multiple endotracheobronchial nodules suggest that pulmonary lesion is
      present, and biopsy should be performed. Malignant nodules can be diagnosed by
      appearance and biopsy. Pathology results of TB, sarcoidosis and fungal infection
      can turn out to be granuloma of unknown reason. Further diagnosis needs other
      clinical materials.

PMID- 26260023
TI  - Improvement of Stability for Small Molecule Organic Solar Cells by Suppressing
      the Trap Mediated Recombination.
AB  - To understand the degradation mechanism of organic solar cells (OSCs), the charge
      dynamics of conventional and inverted planar heterojunction OSCs based on boron
      subthalocyanine chloride (SubPc) and fullerene (C60) with identical buffers
      during the air exposure were investigated. The results of light intensity
      dependent open circuit voltage show that the bimolecular recombination is
      dominated in the fresh devices, regardless of the device structure. The
      appearance of transient peak in photocurrent after turn-on and the light
      intensity independent turn-off traces in transient photocurrent suggest that the
      rapid degradation of conventional device is due to the energy loss originated
      from the aggravated trap mediated recombination. In contrast, the half-lifetime
      of inverted device is ~25 times longer than the conventional one. The improvement
      of stability is ascribed to the decrease of the trap generation possibility and
      the suppression of trap mediated recombination in the case of inverted structure,
      where the penetration of oxygen and water through buffer layer is avoided. 

PMID- 26260025
TI  - Depletion force induced collective motion of microtubules driven by kinesin.
AB  - Collective motion is a fascinating example of coordinated behavior of self
      propelled objects, which is often associated with the formation of large scale
      patterns. Nowadays, the in vitro gliding assay is being considered a model system
      to experimentally investigate various aspects of group behavior and pattern
      formation by self-propelled objects. In the in vitro gliding assay, cytoskeletal
      filaments F-actin or microtubules are driven by the surface immobilized
      associated biomolecular motors myosin or dynein respectively. Although the F
      actin/myosin or microtubule/dynein system was found to be promising in
      understanding the collective motion and pattern formation by self-propelled
      objects, the most widely used biomolecular motor system microtubule/kinesin could
      not be successfully employed so far in this regard. Failure in exhibiting
      collective motion by kinesin driven microtubules is attributed to the intrinsic
      properties of kinesin, which was speculated to affect the behavior of individual
      gliding microtubules and mutual interactions among them. In this work, for the
      first time, we have demonstrated the collective motion of kinesin driven
      microtubules by regulating the mutual interaction among the gliding microtubules,
      by employing a depletion force among them. Proper regulation of the mutual
      interaction among the gliding microtubules through the employment of the
      depletion force was found to allow the exhibition of collective motion and stream
      pattern formation by the microtubules. This work offers a universal means for
      demonstrating the collective motion using the in vitro gliding assay of
      biomolecular motor systems and will help obtain a meticulous understanding of the
      fascinating coordinated behavior and pattern formation by self-propelled objects.

PMID- 26260024
TI  - The antioxidant compound tert-butylhydroquinone activates Akt in myocardium,
      suppresses apoptosis and ameliorates pressure overload-induced cardiac
      dysfunction.
AB  - Tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) is an antioxidant compound which shows multiple
      cytoprotective actions. We evaluated the effects of TBHQ on pathological cardiac
      remodeling and dysfunction induced by chronic overload. Pressure overload was
      created by transverse aortic constriction (TAC) in male C57BL/6 mice. TBHQ was
      incorporated in the diet and administered for 4 weeks. TBHQ treatment prevented
      left ventricular dilatation and cardiac dysfunction induced by TAC, and decreased
      the prevalence of myocardial apoptosis. The beneficial effects of TBHQ were
      associated with an increase in Akt activation, but not related to activations of
      Nrf2 or AMP-activated protein kinase. TBHQ-induced Akt activation was accompanied
      by increased phosphorylation of Bad, glycogen synthase kinase-3beta (GSK-3beta)
      and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Mechanistically, we showed that in
      cultured H9c2 cells and primary cardiac myocytes, TBHQ stimulated Akt
      phosphorylation and suppressed oxidant-induced apoptosis; this effect was
      abolished by wortmannin or an Akt inhibitor. Blockade of the Akt pathway in vivo
      accelerated cardiac dysfunction, and abrogated the protective effects of TBHQ.
      TBHQ also reduced the reactive aldehyde production and protein carbonylation in
      stressed myocardium. We suggest that TBHQ treatment may represent a novel
      strategy for timely activation of the cytoprotective Akt pathway in stressed
      myocardium. 

PMID- 26260026
TI  - Perceived discrimination and youths' adjustment: sleep as a moderator.
AB  - Adolescents' sleep duration was examined as a moderator of the association
      between perceived discrimination and internalizing (anxiety, depression) and
      externalizing symptoms. Participants were 252 adolescents (mean: 15.79 years; 66%
      European American, 34% African American) who reported on their perceived
      discrimination (racial and general) and adjustment. Sleep duration was measured
      using actigraphy. Moderation effects were evident. The lowest levels of
      internalizing symptoms were observed for adolescents with longer sleep duration
      in conjunction with lower levels of perceived racial discrimination. Further,
      general perceived discrimination was associated more strongly with externalizing
      behaviours for youth with shorter versus longer sleep. Findings highlight the
      importance of sleep as a bioregulatory system that can ameliorate or exacerbate
      the effects of discrimination on youths' adjustment.

PMID- 26260028
TI  - Ancestry and BMI Influences on Facial Soft Tissue Depths for A Cohort of Chinese
      and Caucasoid Women in Dunedin, New Zealand.
AB  - This study measured and assessed facial soft tissue depths (FSTDs) in adult
      female Chinese and New Zealand (NZ) Europeans (Caucasoids). Ultrasound was used
      to obtain depths at nine landmarks on 108 healthy subjects (51 Chinese, 57 NZ
      European), erect positioned, of same age group (18-29 years). Height and weight
      were also recorded. Statistical analysis focused on comparison of tissue depth
      between the two ancestry groups and the influence of Body Mass Index (BMI)
      (kg/m2). Results showed mean depth differences at Supra M2 and Infra M2 landmarks
      significantly greater for Chinese than Caucasoid women for all three BMI Classes
      (BMI<20, 20<=BMI<25, 25<=BMI<30), even BMI<20. For both groups BMI positively
      correlated with FSTD values at all landmarks except Labrale superius. This study
      enabled ancestry and BMI influence on FSTDs to be observed and compared for two
      distinct groups. Results add to knowledge about facial tissue depth variation.

PMID- 26260027
TI  - Palmitoylethanolamide reduces pain-related behaviors and restores glutamatergic
      synapses homeostasis in the medial prefrontal cortex of neuropathic mice.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Enhanced supraspinal glutamate levels following nerve injury are
      associated with pathophysiological mechanisms responsible for neuropathic pain.
      Chronic pain can interfere with specific brain areas involved in glutamate
      dependent neuropsychological processes, such as cognition, memory, and decision
      making. The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is thought to play a critical role in
      pain-related depression and anxiety, which are frequent co-morbidities of chronic
      pain. Using an animal model of spared nerve injury (SNI) of the sciatic nerve, we
      assess bio-molecular modifications in glutamatergic synapses in the mPFC that
      underlie neuropathic pain-induced plastic changes at 30 days post-surgery.
      Moreover, we examine the effects of palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) administration on
      pain-related behaviours, as well as the cortical biochemical and morphological
      changes that occur in SNI animals. RESULTS: At 1 month, SNI was associated with
      mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity, as well as depression-like behaviour,
      cognitive impairments, and obsessive-compulsive activities. Moreover, we observed
      an overall glutamate synapse modification in the mPFC, characterized by changes
      in synaptic density proteins and amino acid levels. Finally, with regard to the
      resolution of pain and depressive-like syndrome in SNI mice, PEA restored the
      glutamatergic synapse proteins and changes in amino acid release. CONCLUSIONS:
      Given the potential role of the mPFC in pain mechanisms, our findings may provide
      novel insights into neuropathic pain forebrain processes and indicate PEA as a
      new pharmacological tool to treat neuropathic pain and the related negative
      affective states. Graphical Abstract Palmitoylethanolamide: a new pharmacological
      tool to treat neuropathic pain and the related negative affective states.

PMID- 26260029
TI  - Nucleoporin 35 regulates cardiomyocyte pH homeostasis by controlling Na+-H+
      exchanger-1 expression.
AB  - The mammalian nuclear pore complex is comprised of ~ 30 different nucleoporins
      (Nups). It governs the nuclear import of gene expression modulators and the
      export of mRNAs. In cardiomyocytes, Na(+)-H(+) exchanger-1 (NHE1) is an integral
      membrane protein that exclusively regulates intracellular pH (pHi) by exchanging
      one intracellular H(+) for one extracellular Na(+). However, the role of Nups in
      cardiac NHE1 expression remains unknown. We herein report that Nup35 regulates
      cardiomyocyte NHE1 expression by controlling the nucleo-cytoplasmic trafficking
      of nhe1 mRNA. The N-terminal domain of Nup35 determines nhe1 mRNA nuclear export
      by targeting the 5'-UTR (-412 to -213 nt) of nhe1 mRNA. Nup35 ablation weakens
      the resistance of cardiomyocytes to an acid challenge by depressing NHE1
      expression. Moreover, we identify that Nup35 and NHE1 are simultaneously
      downregulated in ischemic cardiomyocytes both in vivo and in vitro. Enforced
      expression of Nup35 effectively counteracts the anoxia-induced intracellular
      acidification. We conclude that Nup35 selectively regulates cardiomyocyte pHi
      homeostasis by posttranscriptionally controlling NHE1 expression. This finding
      reveals a novel regulatory mechanism of cardiomyocyte pHi, and may provide
      insight into the therapeutic strategy for ischemic cardiac diseases.

PMID- 26260030
TI  - Dynamic markers based on blood perfusion fluctuations for selecting skin
      melanocytic lesions for biopsy.
AB  - Skin malignant melanoma is a highly angiogenic cancer, necessitating early
      diagnosis for positive prognosis. The current diagnostic standard of biopsy and
      histological examination inevitably leads to many unnecessary invasive excisions.
      Here, we propose a non-invasive method of identification of melanoma based on
      blood flow dynamics. We consider a wide frequency range from 0.005-2 Hz
      associated with both local vascular regulation and effects of cardiac pulsation.
      Combining uniquely the power of oscillations associated with individual
      physiological processes we obtain a marker which distinguishes between melanoma
      and atypical nevi with sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 90.9%. The method
      reveals valuable functional information about the melanoma microenvironment. It
      also provides the means for simple, accurate, in vivo distinction between
      malignant melanoma and atypical nevi, and may lead to a substantial reduction in
      the number of biopsies currently undertaken. 

PMID- 26260031
TI  - Siblings' experiences of their brother's or sister's cancer death: a nationwide
      follow-up 2-9 years later.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine siblings' experiences of their
      brother's or sister's cancer death and if these experiences influenced levels of
      anxiety 2-9 years later. METHODS: This nationwide survey was conducted in Sweden
      in 2009. All siblings who had a brother/sister who was diagnosed with cancer
      before the age of 17 years and who died before the age of 25 years during 2000
      2007 were invited. Of those, 174 siblings participated (participation rate: 73%).
      Mixed data from the survey about the siblings' experiences of death were included
      as well as data from the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. To examine the
      experiences, descriptive statistics and content analysis were used. Mann-Whitney
      U-test was conducted to investigate if the experiences influenced anxiety 2-9
      years later. RESULTS: The siblings reported poor knowledge and experienced a lack
      of communication about their brother's/sister's death, for example, about the
      time frame, bodily changes near death, and about their own experiences. Siblings
      who reported that no one talked with them about what to expect when their
      brother/sister was going to die reported higher levels of anxiety 2-9 years after
      the loss. Seventy percent reported that they witnessed their brother/sister
      suffering in the last hours in life. Many of those who were not present during
      the illness period and at the time of death expressed regret. CONCLUSION: It is
      important to prepare siblings for their brother's/sister's illness and death as
      it may decrease anxiety and regrets later on.

PMID- 26260032
TI  - Genetically engineered fusion of MAP-1 and factor H domains 1-5 generates a
      potent dual upstream inhibitor of both the lectin and alternative complement
      pathways.
AB  - Inhibition of the complement cascade has emerged as an option for treatment of a
      range of diseases. Mannose-binding lectin/ficolin/collectin-associated protein
      (MAP-1) is a pattern recognition molecule (PRM)-associated inhibitor of the
      lectin pathway. The central regulator of the alternative pathway (AP) is
      complement factor H (FH). Our aim was to design a dual upstream inhibitor of both
      human lectin and APs by fusing MAP-1 with a part of FH. There were 2 different
      recombinant chimeric proteins comprising full-length human MAP-1 and the first 5
      N-terminal domains of human FH designed. The FH domains were orientated either in
      the N- or C-terminal part of MAP-1. The complement inhibition potential in human
      serum was assessed. Both chimeric constructs displayed the characteristics of the
      native molecules and bound to the PRMs with an EC50 of ~ 2 nM. However, when
      added to serum diluted 1:4 in a solid-phase functional assay, only the first 5 N
      terminal domains of complement FH fused to the C-terminal part of full-length MAP
      1 chimeric construct were able to combine inhibition of lectin and AP activation
      with an half maximal inhibitory concentration of ~ 100 and 20 nM, respectively.
      No effect was seen on the classical pathway. Fusion of MAP-1 with FH domains
      represents a novel therapeutic approach for selective targeting upstream and
      central complement activation at sites of inflammation.

PMID- 26260033
TI  - Circadian desynchronization triggers premature cellular aging in a diurnal
      rodent.
AB  - Chronic jet lag or shift work is deleterious to human metabolic health, in that
      such circadian desynchronization is associated with being overweight and the
      prevalence of altered glucose metabolism. Similar metabolic changes are observed
      with age, suggesting that chronic jet lag and accelerated cell aging are
      intimately related, but the association remains to be determined. We addressed
      whether jet lag induces metabolic and cell aging impairments in young grass rats
      (2-3 mo old), using control old grass rats (12-18 mo old) as an aging reference.
      Desynchronized young and control old subjects had impaired glucose tolerance (+60
      and +280%) when compared with control young animals. Despite no significant
      variation in liver DNA damage, shorter telomeres were characterized, not only in
      old animal liver cells (-18%), but also at an intermediate level in
      desynchronized young rats (-9%). The same pattern was found for deacetylase
      sirtuin (SIRT)-1 (-57 and -29%), confirming that jet-lagged young rats have an
      intermediate aging profile. Our data indicate that an experimental circadian
      desynchronization in young animals is associated with a precocious aging profile
      based on 3 well-known markers, as well as a prediabetic phenotype. Such chronic
      jet lag-induced alterations observed in a diurnal species constitute proof of
      principle of the need to develop preventive treatments in jet-lagged persons and
      shift workers.

PMID- 26260034
TI  - HSF2 autoregulates its own transcription.
AB  - Heat shock factor 2 (HSF2) is one of the most important regulators affecting
      stress mechanisms, and is frequently amplified in the ubiquitin proteasome
      pathway. Despite its significance, the mechanisms which regulate HSF2 expression
      remain unclear. In the present study, we describe the existence of a negative
      autoregulatory mechanism of HSF2. Transfection assays demonstrated that HSF2
      decreased endogenous HSF2 mRNA expression in human K562 erythroleukemia cells.
      Luciferase reporter assays revealed that HSF2 inhibited the activity of its own
      promoter in a dose-dependent manner and that the downstream region (-1.5 kb)
      relative to the transcription start site was responsible for this inhibitory
      effect. Furthermore, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assat indicated that
      HSF2 is directly recruited onto its own promoter, which contains a putative heat
      shock element (HSE). Collectively, the findings of our studys suggest that HSF2
      contributes to its own expression by forming a negative autoregulatory loop. 

PMID- 26260035
TI  - Relationships between paranoid thinking, self-esteem and the menstrual cycle.
AB  - This study aimed to investigate whether paranoid experiences and levels of self
      esteem fluctuate over the menstrual cycle and whether levels of self-esteem are
      lower when perceived persecution is felt to be deserved. Measures of anxiety,
      depression, persecution, deservedness and self-esteem were completed on-line by
      278 women over their menstrual cycle. Responses were compared at the
      paramenstrual (3 days before and after menses onset) and mid-cycle phase. At the
      paramenstrual phase persecution, negative self-esteem, anxiety and depression
      were higher and positive self-esteem was lower than at mid-cycle. A greater
      proportion of women experienced persecution as deserved at the paramenstrual
      phase. This was associated with higher depression and negative self-esteem
      scores. Increased levels of deservedness significantly strengthened the
      relationship between persecution and negative, but not positive, self-esteem.
      These findings suggest that the paramenstrual phase is a time of vulnerability to
      increased paranoid experiences, an increased likelihood that feelings of
      persecution will feel deserved and lowered self-esteem. The findings support the
      view that interpersonal sensitivities may be key to menstrual cycle symptoms and
      have an impact on relationships. Further, the study illustrated that ideas
      developed for psychosis could make a valuable contribution to understanding and
      managing this aspect of menstruation-related distress.

PMID- 26260036
TI  - Perinatal psychosis in mothers with a history of major depressive disorder.
AB  - While women with a history of major depressive disorder (MDD) have higher chances
      for postpartum depressive and manic episodes, little is known about their chance
      for postpartum psychosis (PPP). We prospectively assessed the frequency of
      perinatal psychotic symptoms among primiparous women with a history of MDD only
      (structured clinical interview was used to exclude women with pre-existing
      histories of mania or psychosis) and explored whether sex of the baby influenced
      these symptoms.The presence of symptoms of psychosis was defined using previously
      established cutoff scores on five key items from the Positive and Negative
      Syndrome Scale (PANSS), which was administered during pregnancy, at 1 week, 1
      month, and 3 months postpartum.Fourteen of 60 women (23%) scored above threshold
      for psychosis at one or more time points, with 6 experiencing postpartum onset.
      There was a non-significant trend (p = 0.073) towards higher frequency of these
      symptoms among mothers of girls.If controlled studies using diagnostic interviews
      confirm that psychotic symptoms are relatively common among women with MDD,
      monitoring for psychosis during the perinatal period may be indicated in this
      population. The potential effect of sex of the baby on mothers' chance for PPP
      requires further study.

PMID- 26260037
TI  - The comparative effects of group prenatal care on psychosocial outcomes.
AB  - To compare the psychosocial outcomes of the CenteringPregnancy (CP) model of
      group prenatal care to individual prenatal care, we conducted a prospective
      cohort study of women who chose CP group (N = 124) or individual prenatal care (N
      = 124). Study participants completed the first survey at study recruitment (mean
      gestational age 12.5 weeks), with 89% completing the second survey (mean
      gestational age 32.7 weeks) and 84% completing the third survey (6 weeks'
      postpartum). Multiple linear regression models compared changes by prenatal care
      model in pregnancy-specific distress, prenatal planning-preparation and avoidance
      coping, perceived stress, affect and depressive symptoms, pregnancy-related
      empowerment, and postpartum maternal-infant attachment and maternal functioning.
      Using intention-to-treat models, group prenatal care participants demonstrated a
      3.2 point greater increase (p < 0.05) in their use of prenatal planning
      preparation coping strategies. While group participants did not demonstrate
      significantly greater positive outcomes in other measures, women who were at
      greater psychosocial risk benefitted from participation in group prenatal care.
      Among women reporting inadequate social support in early pregnancy, group
      participants demonstrated a 2.9 point greater decrease (p = 0.03) in pregnancy
      specific distress in late pregnancy and 5.6 point higher mean maternal
      functioning scores postpartum (p = 0.03). Among women with high pregnancy
      specific distress in early pregnancy, group participants had an 8.3 point greater
      increase (p < 0.01) in prenatal planning-preparation coping strategies in late
      pregnancy and a 4.9 point greater decrease (p = 0.02) in postpartum depressive
      symptom scores. This study provides further evidence that group prenatal care
      positively impacts the psychosocial well-being of women with greater stress or
      lower personal coping resources. Large randomized studies are needed to establish
      conclusively the biological and psychosocial benefits of group prenatal care for
      all women.

PMID- 26260038
TI  - Changing mothers' perception of infant emotion: a pilot study.
AB  - Cognitive bias modification (CBM) techniques, which experimentally retrain
      abnormal processing of affective stimuli, are becoming established for various
      psychiatric disorders. Such techniques have not yet been applied to maternal
      processing of infant emotion, which is affected by various psychiatric disorders.
      In a pilot study, mothers of children under 3 years old (n =  2) were recruited
      and randomly allocated to one of three training exercises, aiming either to
      increase or decrease their threshold of perceiving distress in a morphed
      continuum of 15 infant facial images. Differences between pre- and post-training
      threshold were analysed between and within subjects. Compared to baseline
      thresholds, the threshold for perceiving infant distress decreased in the lowered
      threshold group (mean difference -1.7 frames, 95 % confidence intervals (CI) -3.1
      to -0.3, p = 0.02), increased in the raised threshold group (1.3 frames, 95 % CI
      0.6 to 2.1, p < 0.01) and was unchanged in the control group (0.1 frames, 95 % CI
      -0.8 to 1.1, p = 0.80). Between-group differences were similarly robust in
      regression models and were not attenuated by potential confounders. The findings
      suggest that it is possible to change the threshold at which mothers perceive
      ambiguous infant faces as distressed, either to increase or decrease sensitivity
      to distress. This small study was intended to provide proof of concept (i.e. that
      it is possible to alter a mother's perception of infant distress). Questions
      remain as to whether the effects persist beyond the immediate experimental
      session, have an impact on maternal behaviour and could be used in clinical
      samples to improve maternal sensitivity and child outcomes.

PMID- 26260039
TI  - Does surgery have a role in managing incurable gastric cancer?
AB  - Although the incidence of gastric cancer is decreasing, the outcomes of this
      disease are among the poorest of all solid-organ tumours, predominantly due to
      the frequent presence of stage IV metastatic disease at primary presentation.
      Stage IV gastric cancer is incurable and carries a very poor prognosis (5-year
      survival rate of ~4%); palliative chemotherapy remains the standard of care, but
      increasing evidence indicates that palliative surgery can provide a prognostic
      and symptomatic benefit, particularly in combination with chemotherapy and/or
      radiotherapy. Ongoing prospective trials should further clarify the efficacy of
      palliative surgery in comparison with other treatment modalities. Until such data
      are available, surgery should not be offered as a standard first-line treatment,
      but can be considered in selected cases after thorough multidisciplinary
      discussions involving the patient. Patient selection for both gastrectomy and
      nonresectional surgery must include consideration of various factors that predict
      quality of life after surgery. This Perspectives summarizes the available
      evidence and discusses the utility of palliative surgery in relation to other
      therapeutic modalities in the management of incurable gastric cancer. 

PMID- 26260040
TI  - Breast cancer: weekly paclitaxel--still preferred first-line taxane for mBC.

PMID- 26260041
TI  - Imaging: improving detection of bone metastases in renal cell carcinoma.

PMID- 26260042
TI  - Haematological cancer: promising results of BCL2 inhibition.

PMID- 26260043
TI  - Improving diabetes outcomes through lifestyle change--A randomized controlled
      trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare a diabetes group lifestyle intervention (GLI) with
      dietitian referral for medical nutrition therapy (RD) for weight loss in the
      usual care setting. METHODS: Randomized clinical trial was conducted with 57
      primary care patients with type 2 diabetes and body mass index (BMI) >25 kg/m(2)
      who received either a dietitian-led 19-week GLI adapted from the Look AHEAD study
      or RD. Outcome measures include 6-month and 1-year weight loss, changes in
      medications, glycemic control, cardiac risk factors, and cost analysis. RESULTS:
      Patients were mean age 61, 59% male, and 32% non-white, and they weighed 97 kg
      with mean HbA1c 8.2%. At 6 months, 46% of GLI vs. 21% of RD lost >=5% body weight
      (P = 0.04), with mean weight loss 6.6 (SD 7.0) kg with GLI and 2.1 (3.5) kg in RD
      (P = 0.004). HbA1c improved by 0.70 (1.13) vs. 0.39 (1.51) in GLI vs. RD (P =
      0.4), respectively, and 82% vs. 38% stopped or reduced diabetes medications (P <
      0.001). Weight loss remained significantly greater in GLI compared to RD at 1
      year. GLI program cost was $578 per participant. CONCLUSIONS: An affordable GLI
      achieved significantly more weight loss and medication reduction than RD in
      primary care patients with type 2 diabetes.

PMID- 26260044
TI  - IL-Y, a synthetic member of the IL-12 cytokine family, suppresses the development
      of type 1 diabetes in NOD mice.
AB  - The IL-12 family of heterodimeric cytokines, consisting of IL-12, IL-23, IL-27,
      and IL-35, has important roles in regulating the immune response. IL-12 family
      members are comprised of a heterodimer consisting of alpha and beta chains: IL-12
      (p40 and p35), IL-23 (p40 and p19), IL-27 (Ebi3 and p28), and IL-35 (Ebi3 and
      p35). Given the combinatorial nature of the IL-12 family, we generated adenoviral
      vectors expressing two putative IL-12 family members not yet found naturally,
      termed IL-X (Ebi3 and p19) and IL-Y (p40 and p28), as single-chain molecules.
      Single chain IL-Y (scIL-Y), but not scIL-X, was able to stimulate significantly a
      unique cytokine/chemokine expression profile as well as activate STAT3 in mice,
      in part, through a pathway involving IL-27Ralpha in splenocytes. Adenoviral
      mediated, intratumoral delivery of scIL-Y increased tumor growth in contrast to
      the anti-tumor effects of scIL-12 and scIL-23. Similarly, treatment of
      prediabetic NOD mice by intravenous injection of Ad.scIL-Y prevented the onset of
      hyperglycemia. Analysis of cells from Ad.scIL-Y-treated NOD mice demonstrated
      that scIL-Y reduced expression of inflammatory mediators such as IFN-gamma. Our
      data demonstrate that a novel, synthetic member of the IL-12 family, termed IL-Y,
      confers unique immunosuppressive effects in two different disease models and thus
      could have therapeutic applications. 

PMID- 26260046
TI  - The Evaluation of Curative Effect of Acupuncture: A Review of Systematic and Meta
      Analysis Studies.
AB  - The present study attempts to critically evaluate previously published research
      articles on the efficiency of acupuncture in the treatment of diseases. First, 35
      systematic reviews or meta-analysis were found in the Cochrane database. Second,
      54 related articles were selected by searching important scientific databases.
      Based on the results obtained regarding the efficacy of acupuncture for the
      treatment of various diseases, the articles were divided into 3 groups. The first
      group of articles confirmed the efficacy of treatment by acupuncture. In the
      second group of articles, the therapeutic effect of acupuncture was shown;
      however, further research is required to verify the results. In the third group
      of articles there is no evidence regarding the therapeutic effect of acupuncture
      till now. There is an urgent need to design and conduct double-blinded randomized
      clinical trials with high-quality methodologies. This provides a more careful
      evaluation of acupuncture efficiency in relation to the treatment of a vast array
      of diseases, based on scientific evidence. 

PMID- 26260045
TI  - Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis From the Perspective of Traditional Persian
      Medicine: Presentation of a Novel Therapeutic Approach.
AB  - There is a strong current trend for using complementary and alternative
      medications to treat atopic dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis is a common, chronic,
      pruritic, and inflammatory skin disease. It can have a profound, negative effect
      on patients' quality of life. Mild cases of atopic dermatitis can be controlled
      by the application of moisturizers and topical corticosteroids. However, in
      severe cases, application of immunosuppressive medication is unavoidable but it
      can have adverse effects. In traditional Persian medicine, diseases similar to
      resistant atopic dermatitis are treated with whey in combination with decoction
      of field dodder. Both whey and field dodder have anti-inflammatory properties.
      Consumption of whey can also aid skin repair, mitigate pruritus, and help combat
      the high level of stress experienced by patients. Therefore, it is hypothesized
      that consumption of traditional medicinal treatment of whey with decoction of
      field dodder can be applied as a complementary treatment for atopic dermatitis.

PMID- 26260047
TI  - Influence of Coprecipitated Organic Matter on Fe2+(aq)-Catalyzed Transformation
      of Ferrihydrite: Implications for Carbon Dynamics.
AB  - Aqueous Fe(II) is known to catalyze the abiotic transformation of ferrihydrite to
      more stable Fe minerals. However, little is known about the impacts of
      coprecipitated OM on Fe(II)-catalyzed ferrihydrite transformation and its
      consequences for C dynamics. Accordingly, we investigated the extent and pathway
      of Fe(II)-induced transformation of OM-ferrihydrite coprecipitates as a function
      of C/Fe ratios and aqueous Fe(II) concentrations, and its implications for
      subsequent C dynamics. The coprecipitated OM resulted in a linear decrease in
      ferrihydrite transformation with increasing C/Fe ratios. The secondary mineral
      profiles upon Fe(II) reaction with OM-ferrihydrite coprecipitates depend on
      Fe(II) concentrations At 0.2 mM Fe(II), OM completely inhibited goethite
      formation and stimulated lepidocrocite formation. At 2 mM Fe(II), whereas
      goethite was formed in the presence of OM, OM reduced the amount of goethite and
      magnetite formation and increased the formation of lepidocrocite. The solid-phase
      C content remained unchanged after reaction, suggesting that OM remains
      associated with Fe minerals following ferrihydrite transformation to more stable
      Fe minerals. However, C desorbability by H2PO4(-) from the resulting Fe minerals
      following reaction was enhanced. The study indicates a "lepidocrocite favoring
      effect" by OM and suggests that Fe(II)-catalyzed transformation of ferrihydrite
      may decrease OM stability in natural environments under moderately reducing
      conditions. 

PMID- 26260048
TI  - Applying the food multimix concept for sustainable and nutritious diets.
AB  - Despite a rich and diverse ecosystem, and biodiversity, worldwide, more than 2
      billion people suffer from micronutrient malnutrition or hidden hunger. Of major
      concern are a degradation of our ecosystems and agricultural systems which are
      thought to be unsustainable thereby posing a challenge for the future food and
      nutrition security. Despite these challenges, nutrition security and ensuring
      well balanced diets depend on sound knowledge and appropriate food choices in a
      complex world of plenty and want. We have previously reported on how the food
      multimix (FMM) concept, a food-based and dietary diversification approach can be
      applied to meet energy and micronutrient needs of vulnerable groups through an
      empirical process. Our objective in this paper is to examine how the concept can
      be applied to improve nutrition in a sustainable way in otherwise poor and hard
      to-reach communities. We have reviewed over 100 FMM food recipes formulated from
      combinations of commonly consumed traditional candidate food ingredients; on
      average five per recipe, and packaged as per 100 g powders from different
      countries including Ghana, Kenya, Botswana, Zimbabawe and Southern Africa, India,
      Mexico, Malaysia and the UK; and for different age groups and conditions such as
      older infants and young children, pregnant women, HIV patients, diabetes and for
      nutrition rehabilitation. Candidate foods were examined for their nutrient
      strengths and nutrient content and nutrient density of recipes per 100 g were
      compared with reference nutrient intakes for the different population groups. We
      report on the nutrient profiles from our analysis of the pooled and age-matched
      data as well as sensory analysis and conclude that locally produced FMM foods can
      complement local diets and contribute significantly to meet nutrient needs among
      vulnerable groups in food-insecure environments. 

PMID- 26260049
TI  - Pollution distribution and health risk assessment of heavy metals in indoor dust
      in Anhui rural, China.
AB  - Zn, Pb, Cu, Cr, V, Ni, Co, and As concentrations of indoor dust in Anhui rural
      were determined by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP
      OES). The degrees of metal pollution in indoor dust ranked as follows: Zn > Pb >
      Cr > Cu > V > Ni > Co > As, on average. The arithmetic means of Zn, Pb, Cu, Cr,
      V, Ni, Co, and As were 427.17, 348.73, 107.05, 113.68, 52.64, 38.93, 10.29, and
      4.46 mg/kg, respectively. These were higher than background values of Anhui soil
      for Zn, Pb, Cu, Cr, and Ni, especially for Pb with the mean value of 13.21 times
      the background value. Heavy metal concentrations of indoor dust were different
      from different rural areas. House type (bungalows or storied house), sweeping
      frequency, and external environment around the house (such as the road grade)
      affected heavy metal concentrations in indoor dust. The results of factor
      analysis and correlation analysis indicated that Cu, Cr, Ni, Zn, and Co
      concentrations were mainly due to interior paint, metal objects, and building
      materials. Pb and As concentrations were due to vehicle emissions. V
      concentration was mainly of natural source. Average daily doses for the exposure
      pathway of the studied heavy metals decreased in children in the following order:
      hand-to-mouth ingestion > dermal contact > inhalation. The non-carcinogenic risks
      of heavy metals ranked as Pb > V > Cr > Cu > Zn > As > Co > Ni, and the
      carcinogenic risks of metals decreased in the order of Cr > Co > As > Ni. The non
      carcinogenic hazard indexes and carcinogenic risks of metals in indoor dust were
      both lower than the safe values.

PMID- 26260050
TI  - Direct localisation of molecules in tissue sections of growing antler tips using
      MALDI imaging.
AB  - The astonishing growth rate of deer antlers offers a valuable model for the
      discovery of novel factors and regulatory systems controlling rapid tissue
      growth. Numerous molecules have been identified in growing antlers using a
      variety of techniques. However, little is known about the spatial distribution of
      these molecules in situ. A technique that has the potential to help in this
      regard is direct proteomic analysis of tissue sections by matrix-assisted laser
      desorption/ionization imaging mass spectrometry (MALDI-IMS). The present study
      applied this technique to spatially map molecules in antler tissue sections. Two
      protonated molecular ions were selected: m/z 6679 and m/z 6200 corresponding to
      VEGF and thymosin beta-10, respectively. Superimposition of the respective ion
      images on to histologically stained samples showed distinct spatial distribution
      across the antler tissue sections which were consistent with the previous reports
      using in situ hybridization. Two other molecular ions specifically m/z 8100 and
      m/z 11,800 were also selected, corresponding to reported masses of urocortin
      precursor and thioredoxin, respectively. As the spatial distribution of these
      proteins is not specifically known, MALDI-IMS was used as a potential technique
      to obtain information on their distribution on antler tips. The presence of all
      these molecules in deer antlers were further confirmed using LC-MS/MS data. The
      present study also demonstrated that MALDI-IMS could be further used to image
      antler sections with an extended ion mass range of up to m/z 45,000, thus
      potentially increasing the ability to discover the distribution of a larger set
      of molecules that may play an important role in antler growth. We have thus
      demonstrated that MALDI-IMS is a promising technique for generating molecular
      maps with high spatial resolution which can aid in evaluating the function of
      novel molecules during antler growth. 

PMID- 26260051
TI  - Leukocyte integrin alpha4beta7 associates with heat shock protein 70.
AB  - The leukocyte integrin cell adhesion molecules alpha4beta7 and alphaEbeta7
      mediate the homing and retention of lymphocytes to the gut, and sites of
      inflammation. Here we have identified heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) as a major
      protein that associates with the cytoplasmic domain of the integrin beta7
      subunit. HSPs are molecular chaperones that protect cells from stress but more
      recently have been reported to also regulate cell adhesion and invasion via
      modulation of beta1, beta2, and beta3 integrins and integrin-associated
      signalling molecules. Several HSP70 isoforms including HSP70-3, HSP70-1L, HSP70
      8, and HSP70-9 were specifically precipitated from T cells by a bead-conjugated
      beta7 subunit cytoplasmic domain peptide and subsequently identified by high
      resolution liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. In confirmation, the
      beta7 subunit was co-immunoprecipitated from a T cell lysate by an anti-HSP70
      antibody. Further, recombinant human HSP70-1a was precipitated by beta7
      cytoplasmic domain-coupled beads. The HSP70 inhibitor KNK437 decreased the
      expression of HSP70 without affecting the expression of the beta7 integrin. It
      significantly inhibited alpha4beta7-mediated adhesion of T cells to mucosal
      addressin cell adhesion molecule 1 (MAdCAM-1), suggesting HSP70 is critical for
      maintaining beta7 integrin signalling function. The functional implications of
      the association of beta7 integrins with the different isoforms of HSP70 warrants
      further investigation. 

PMID- 26260052
TI  - Overexpression of SYF2 correlates with enhanced cell growth and poor prognosis in
      human hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - SYF2, also known as p29/NTC31/CBPIN, encodes a nuclear protein that interacts
      with Cyclin D-type binding-protein 1. SYF2 has been reported to be involved in
      pre-mRNA splicing and cell cycle regulation. In the present study, we observed
      that SYF2 was obviously upregulated in HCC tumor tissues and cell lines, and its
      level was positively correlated with the tumor grade and Ki-67 expression, as
      well as poor prognosis of HCC. In vitro, using serum starvation-refeeding
      experiment, our results suggested that SYF2 was upregulated in proliferating HCC
      cells, and was positive correlated with the expression of PCNA and Cyclin D1. In
      addition, depletion of SYF2 decreased PCNA and Cyclin D1 levels. Accordingly,
      interference of SYF2 resulted in cells cycle arrest at G1/S phase in Huh7 HCC
      cells. Furthermore, we found that SYF2 might interact with Cyclin D1 and could
      confer doxorubicin resistance in HCC cells. These findings revealed that SYF2
      might play a regulatory role in the proliferation of HCC cells. In summary, SYF2
      may be a novel prognostic marker and serve as a potential therapeutic target in
      HCC.

PMID- 26260053
TI  - Sulfuretin induces osteoblast differentiation through activation of TGF-beta
      signaling.
AB  - The identification and examination of potential determinants controlling the
      progression of cell fate toward osteoblasts can be intriguing subjects. In this
      study, the effects of sulfuretin, a major compound isolated from Rhus verniciflua
      Stokes, on osteoblast differentiation were investigated. Treatments of sulfuretin
      induced alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in mesenchymal C3H10T1/2 cells and
      mineralization in preosteoblast MC3T3-E1 cells. Pro-osteogenic effects of
      sulfuretin were consistently observed in freshly isolated primary bone marrow
      cells. In mechanical studies, sulfuretin specifically induced expression of TGF
      beta target genes, such as SMAD7 and PAI-1, but not other signaling pathway
      related genes. Similar to the results of gene expression analysis, reporter
      assays further demonstrated TGF-beta-specific induction by sulfuretin.
      Furthermore, disruption of TGF-beta signaling using treatment with TGF-beta
      specific inhibitor, SB-431542, and introduction of SMAD2/3 small interfering RNA
      impaired the effects of sulfuretin in inducing ALP activity and expression of ALP
      mRNA. Together, these data indicate that the pro-osteogenic effects of sulfuretin
      are mediated through activation of TGF-beta signaling, further supporting the
      potential of sulfuretin in the prevention of bone-related diseases such as bone
      fracture and osteoporosis.

PMID- 26260054
TI  - Impaired Myocardial Oxygenation Response to Stress in Patients With Chronic
      Kidney Disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Coronary artery disease and left ventricular hypertrophy are
      prevalent in the chronic kidney disease (CKD) and renal transplant (RT)
      population. Advances in cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) with blood oxygen
      level-dependent (BOLD) technique provides capability to assess myocardial
      oxygenation as a measure of ischemia. We hypothesized that the myocardial
      oxygenation response to stress would be impaired in CKD and RT patients. METHODS
      AND RESULTS: Fifty-three subjects (23 subjects with CKD, 10 RT recipients, 10
      hypertensive (HT) controls, and 10 normal controls without known coronary artery
      disease) underwent CMR scanning. All groups had cine and BOLD CMR at 3 T. The RT
      and HT groups also had late gadolinium CMR to assess infarction/replacement
      fibrosis. The CKD group underwent 2-dimensional echocardiography strain to assess
      fibrosis. Myocardial oxygenation was measured at rest and under stress with
      adenosine (140 MUg/kg per minute) using BOLD signal intensity. A total of 2898
      myocardial segments (1200 segments in CKD patients, 552 segments in RT, 480
      segments in HT, and 666 segments in normal controls) were compared using linear
      mixed modeling. Diabetes mellitus (P=0.47) and hypertension (P=0.57) were similar
      between CKD, RT, and HT groups. The mean BOLD signal intensity change was
      significantly lower in the CKD and RT groups compared to HT controls and normal
      controls (-0.89+/-10.63% in CKD versus 5.66+/-7.87% in RT versus 15.54+/-9.58% in
      HT controls versus 16.19+/-11.11% in normal controls, P<0.0001). BOLD signal
      intensity change was associated with estimated glomerular filtration rate
      (beta=0.16, 95% CI=0.10 to 0.22, P<0.0001). Left ventricular mass index and left
      ventricular septal wall diameter were similar between the CKD predialysis, RT,
      and HT groups. None of the CKD patients had impaired global longitudinal strain
      and none of the RT group had late gadolinium hyperenhancement. CONCLUSIONS:
      Myocardial oxygenation response to stress is impaired in CKD patients and RT
      recipients without known coronary artery disease, and unlikely to be solely
      accounted for by the presence of diabetes mellitus, left ventricular hypertrophy,
      or myocardial scarring. The impaired myocardial oxygenation in CKD patients may
      be associated with declining renal function. Noncontrast BOLD CMR is a promising
      tool for detecting myocardial ischemia in the CKD population.

PMID- 26260056
TI  - Erratum to: Benefits of applying a proxy eligibility period when using electronic
      health records for outcomes research: a simulation study.

PMID- 26260055
TI  - Effect of mushroom Agaricus blazei on immune response and development of
      experimental cerebral malaria.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cerebral malaria (CM) is debilitating and sometimes fatal. Disease
      severity has been associated with poor treatment access, therapeutic complexity
      and drug resistance and, thus, alternative therapies are increasingly necessary.
      In this study, the effect of the administration of Agaricus blazei, a mushroom of
      Brazilian origin in a model of CM caused by Plasmodium berghei, strain ANKA, was
      investigated in mice. METHODS: C57BL/6 mice were pre-treated with aqueous extract
      or fractions of A. blazei, or chloroquine, infected with P. berghei ANKA and then
      followed by daily administration of A. blazei or chloroquine. Parasitaemia, body
      weight, survival and clinical signs of the disease were evaluated periodically.
      The concentration of pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines, histopathology and in
      vitro analyses were performed. RESULTS: Mice treated with A. blazei aqueous
      extract or fraction C, that shows antioxidant activity, displayed lower
      parasitaemia, increased survival, reduced weight loss and protection against the
      development of CM. The administration of A. blazei resulted in reduced levels of
      TNF, IL-1beta and IL-6 production when compared to untreated P. berghei-infected
      mice. Agaricus blazei (aqueous extract or fraction C) treated infected mice
      displayed reduction of brain lesions. Although chloroquine treatment reduced
      parasitaemia, there was increased production of proinflammatory cytokines and
      damage in the CNS not observed with A. blazei treatment. Moreover, the in vitro
      pretreatment of infected erythrocytes followed by in vivo infection resulted in
      lower parasitaemia, increased survival, and little evidence of clinical signs of
      disease. CONCLUSIONS: This study strongly suggests that the administration of A.
      blazei (aqueous extract or fraction C) was effective in improving the
      consequences of CM in mice and may provide novel therapeutic strategies.

PMID- 26260057
TI  - A mixed methods study of collaboration between perinatal and infant mental health
      clinicians and other service providers: Do they sit in silos?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Women at risk of poor perinatal mental health benefit from
      coordinated approaches to care. Perinatal and infant mental health (PIMH)
      services have been established to support women with social and emotional needs.
      This paper examines the nature and extent of collaboration within two PIMH
      services in Australia. METHODS: A convergent, embedded, mixed methods design was
      used. Two hundred and forty four medical records were reviewed, 13 professionals
      (six PIMH clinicians, two PIMH service managers, and five key stakeholders) and
      11 women service-users participated in semi-structured interviews. RESULTS: Three
      broad themes were drawn from the data, Theme 1: We don't sit in silos ... but
      they do, Theme 2: We need to enhance communication, and Theme 3: Collaboration is
      hard work. Perinatal and infant mental health clinicians believe they work
      collaboratively with other service providers. Key stakeholders and documentation
      in the medical records reveal that collaboration is nominal. CONCLUSIONS:
      Professionals believe that collaboration is essential for women with complex
      needs. Perinatal and infant mental health clinicians are skilled at building
      relationships with women, however further support is needed to build trusting
      relationships with other service providers. Women service-users also need to be
      involved in the collaborative process to become equal partners in their care.

PMID- 26260058
TI  - Two novel genetic variants in the mineralocorticoid receptor gene associated with
      spontaneous preterm birth.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Preterm birth is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in
      newborn infants. Its etiology is multifactorial with genes and environmental
      factors, including chronic maternal stress, contributing to its risk. Our
      objective was to investigate whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in
      genes involved in the stress response are associated with spontaneous preterm
      birth using a candidate gene approach. METHODS: A total of 210 cases (singleton
      spontaneous preterm birth at <37 weeks) and 412 controls (singleton term birth at
      38-42 weeks without a history of preterm birth) were studied. High quality
      maternal DNA was available from saliva samples of 190 cases and 369 controls and
      compared. Sociodemographic and medical data were collected. Sixteen SNPs, either
      tag SNPs located in key genes involved in the stress response identified in the
      Preterm Birth Genome Project database or SNPs found to be associated with adverse
      mental health outcomes in the published literature, were selected for genotyping
      and sequencing. SNPs were genotyped using Taqman SNP genotyping assays.
      Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were performed. RESULTS:
      Multivariate analysis showed that two SNPs located in the mineralocorticoid
      receptor gene were significantly associated with spontaneous preterm birth:
      rs17484063 (OR 0.50, p = 0.038) and rs2883929 (OR 0.49, p = 0.017), regardless of
      maternal age, smoking, alcohol use, educational status, and history of
      spontaneous miscarriage. CONCLUSION: This report demonstrates an association
      between mineralocorticoid receptor gene polymorphisms, rs17484063 and rs2883929,
      and preterm birth, supporting a role for genetics in the association between
      chronic maternal stress and preterm birth. Potentially, this information may be
      used to predicting the risk of having a preterm delivery.

PMID- 26260059
TI  - Nuclear organization of the rock hyrax (Procavia capensis) amygdaloid complex.
AB  - The current study details the nuclear organization of the rock hyrax amygdaloid
      complex using both Nissl and myelin stains, along with a range of
      immunohistochemical stains. The rock hyrax appears to be the least derived of the
      Afrotherians, a group with a huge range of body phenotypes, life histories and
      specialized behaviours, brain sizes, and ecological niches. In this sense, the
      rock hyrax represents a species where the organization of the amygdaloid complex
      may be reflective of that in stem Eutherian mammals. Our analysis indicates that
      the nuclear organization of the rock hyrax amygdaloid complex is indeed very
      similar to that in other mammals studied, with four major nuclear groupings (the
      deep or basolateral group; the superficial or cortical-like or corticomedial
      group; the centromedial group; and the other amygdaloid nuclei) being observed,
      which is typical of Eutherian mammals. Moreover, each of these groupings is
      composed of several nuclei, the vast majority of which were readily identified in
      the rock hyrax. Small nuclei identified in rodents and primates were absent in
      the superficial and centromedial groups, seemingly involved with olfaction. A
      novel shell-like nucleus of the accessory basal nuclear cluster was observed in
      the rock hyrax, again, likely to be involved in olfaction. The current study
      underlines the conserved nature of nuclear parcellation in the Eutherian mammal
      amygdaloid complex and indicates that across most species, the flow of
      information processing related to species-specific affective-laden stimuli and
      the resultant physiological and behavioural outcomes are likely to be similar
      across species.

PMID- 26260060
TI  - Comparison of bacterial diversity in full scale anammox bioreactors operated
      under different conditions.
AB  - Bacterial community structure of full-scale anammox bioreactor is still mainly
      unknown. It has never been analyzed whether different anammox bioreactor
      configurations might result in the development of different bacterial community
      structures among these systems. In this work, the bacterial community structure
      of six full-scale autotrophic nitrogen removal bioreactors located in The
      Netherlands and China operating under three different technologies and with
      different influent wastewater characteristics was studied by the means of pyrotag
      sequencing evaluation of the bacterial assemblage yielded a great diversity in
      all systems. The most represented phyla were the Bacteroidetes and the
      Proteobacteria, followed by the Planctomycetes. 14 OTUs were shared by all
      bioreactors, but none of them belonged to the Brocadiales order. Statistical
      analysis at OTU level showed that differences in the microbial communities were
      high, and that the main driver of the bacterial assemblage composition was
      different for the distinct phyla identified in the six bioreactors, depending on
      bioreactor technology or influent wastewater characteristics.

PMID- 26260062
TI  - Bub1/BubR1: swiss army knives at kinetochores.

PMID- 26260061
TI  - Prazosin + Naltrexone Decreases Alcohol Drinking More Effectively Than Does
      Either Drug Alone in P Rats with a Protracted History of Extensive Voluntary
      Alcohol Drinking, Dependence, and Multiple Withdrawals.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Prazosin (PRZ; an alpha1 -adrenergic receptor antagonist) and
      naltrexone (NTX; a nonspecific opioid receptor antagonist) each decrease alcohol
      drinking when administered to rats selectively bred for high voluntary alcohol
      drinking (alcohol-preferring or "P"), and the combination of PRZ + NTX decreases
      alcohol drinking more effectively than does either drug alone. As drug
      responsiveness can depend on history of alcohol drinking and dependence, we
      investigated whether various schedules of PRZ and NTX administration, alone or in
      combination, are effective in decreasing alcohol drinking in male P rats with a
      history of protracted voluntary alcohol drinking, dependence, and repeated
      withdrawals closely resembling human alcoholism. METHODS: Male P rats became
      alcohol-dependent during 1 year of ad libitum 24 h/d access to food, water, and
      20% alcohol with repetitive temporary alcohol withdrawals. Four sequential
      studies then addressed effects of oral PRZ (2 mg/kg) and NTX (10 mg/kg), alone or
      together, on alcohol drinking during: (i) daily alcohol access with daily drug
      treatment, (ii) intermittent alcohol access with daily drug treatment, (iii)
      intermittent alcohol access with occasional drug treatment, and (iv)
      postdeprivation reinstatement of alcohol access. RESULTS: The combination of PRZ
      + NTX consistently suppressed alcohol drinking during daily or intermittent
      alcohol access conditions and when drug treatment was either daily or occasional.
      PRZ + NTX was consistently more effective than either drug alone. The reduction
      in alcohol drinking was not due to sedation, motor effects, or malaise.
      CONCLUSIONS: Both daily and "as-needed" treatment with PRZ + NTX are highly
      effective in suppressing daily, intermittent, and postdeprivation alcohol
      drinking in male P rats with a protracted history of alcohol dependence and
      repeated withdrawals. This drug combination may be especially effective for
      treating individuals with long histories of heavy alcohol abuse, dependence, and
      repeated relapse, as commonly encountered in clinical practice.

PMID- 26260063
TI  - Immunohistochemical localisation and effect of matrix metalloproteinases and
      their inhibitors on canine spontaneous periodontitis.
AB  - Periodontitis is commonly observed in dogs. In human medicine, it is well
      documented that matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are involved in the destruction
      of the periodontium. Therefore, the aim of this prospective study was to
      investigate the impact of MMPs and their inhibitors, the TIMPs (tissue inhibitors
      of metalloproteinases), on canine periodontitis. The oral cavities of 57 dogs
      were examined clinically and radiologically. Gingival biopsies were obtained from
      the examined dogs and histologically analysed via haematoxylin and eosin stained
      sections. Immunohistological detection of MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-8 and MMP-9 as well
      as TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 was performed by the avidin-biotin peroxidase complex
      technique. All sections were evaluated by light microscopy. Statistically
      significant positive correlations were detected between the histologically
      verified degree of inflammation and the expression of MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-8 and MMP
      9 as well as between changes in collagen fibre content and the occurrence of MMP
      2, MMP-8 and MMP-9. Concerning TIMP-1 and TIMP-2, non-significant, generally
      negative correlations were observed. In summary, in canine periodontitis, an
      increased expression of the above mentioned MMPs and a tendentially decreased
      expression of TIMPs are present. In conclusion, in canine periodontitis, a MMP
      TIMP imbalance is suggestive of contributing to the destruction of the
      periodontium.

PMID- 26260064
TI  - Prevalence of equine coronavirus in nasal secretions from horses with fever and
      upper respiratory tract infection.

PMID- 26260065
TI  - Reflections on different governance styles in regulating science: a contribution
      to 'Responsible Research and Innovation'.
AB  - In European science and technology policy, various styles have been developed and
      institutionalised to govern the ethical challenges of science and technology
      innovations. In this paper, we give an account of the most dominant styles of the
      past 30 years, particularly in Europe, seeking to show their specific merits and
      problems. We focus on three styles of governance: a technocratic style, an
      applied ethics style, and a public participation style. We discuss their merits
      and deficits, and use this analysis to assess the potential of the recently
      established governance approach of 'Responsible Research and Innovation' (RRI).
      Based on this analysis, we reflect on the current shaping of RRI in terms of
      'doing governance'.

PMID- 26260066
TI  - ConnectViz: Accelerated Approach for Brain Structural Connectivity Using Delaunay
      Triangulation.
AB  - Stroke is a cardiovascular disease with high mortality and long-term disability
      in the world. Normal functioning of the brain is dependent on the adequate supply
      of oxygen and nutrients to the brain complex network through the blood vessels.
      Stroke, occasionally a hemorrhagic stroke, ischemia or other blood vessel
      dysfunctions can affect patients during a cerebrovascular incident. Structurally,
      the left and the right carotid arteries, and the right and the left vertebral
      arteries are responsible for supplying blood to the brain, scalp and the face.
      However, a number of impairment in the function of the frontal lobes may occur as
      a result of any decrease in the flow of the blood through one of the internal
      carotid arteries. Such impairment commonly results in numbness, weakness or
      paralysis. Recently, the concepts of brain's wiring representation, the
      connectome, was introduced. However, construction and visualization of such brain
      network requires tremendous computation. Consequently, previously proposed
      approaches have been identified with common problems of high memory consumption
      and slow execution. Furthermore, interactivity in the previously proposed
      frameworks for brain network is also an outstanding issue. This study proposes an
      accelerated approach for brain connectomic visualization based on graph theory
      paradigm using compute unified device architecture, extending the previously
      proposed SurLens Visualization and computer aided hepatocellular carcinoma
      frameworks. The accelerated brain structural connectivity framework was evaluated
      with stripped brain datasets from the Department of Surgery, University of North
      Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA. Significantly, our proposed framework is able to
      generate and extract points and edges of datasets, displays nodes and edges in
      the datasets in form of a network and clearly maps data volume to the
      corresponding brain surface. Moreover, with the framework, surfaces of the
      dataset were simultaneously displayed with the nodes and the edges. The framework
      is very efficient in providing greater interactivity as a way of representing the
      nodes and the edges intuitively, all achieved at a considerably interactive speed
      for instantaneous mapping of the datasets' features. Uniquely, the connectomic
      algorithm performed remarkably fast with normal hardware requirement
      specifications. 

PMID- 26260067
TI  - A Quantitative Measure of Conformational Changes in Apo, Holo and Ligand-Bound
      Forms of Enzymes.
AB  - Determination of the native geometry of the enzymes and ligand complexes is a key
      step in the process of structure-based drug designing. Enzymes and ligands show
      flexibility in structural behavior as they come in contact with each other. When
      ligand binds with active site of the enzyme, in the presence of cofactor some
      structural changes are expected to occur in the active site. Motivation behind
      this study is to determine the nature of conformational changes as well as
      regions where such changes are more pronounced. To measure the structural changes
      due to cofactor and ligand complex, enzyme in apo, holo and ligand-bound forms is
      selected. Enzyme data set was retrieved from protein data bank. Fifteen triplet
      groups were selected for the analysis of structural changes based on selection
      criteria. Structural features for selected enzymes were compared at the global as
      well as local region. Accessible surface area for the enzymes in entire triplet
      set was calculated, which describes the change in accessible surface area upon
      binding of cofactor and ligand with the enzyme. It was observed that some
      structural changes take place during binding of ligand in the presence of
      cofactor. This study will helps in understanding the level of flexibility in
      protein-ligand interaction for computer-aided drug designing. 

PMID- 26260068
TI  - Predictors for 1-year mortality following hip fracture: a retrospective review of
      465 consecutive patients.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: In Europe, trauma admissions and in particular hip fractures are on
      the rise. In recent years, health care systems have placed particular emphasis,
      including financial incentives, on delivering patients quickly and safely to
      surgery. At our unit, we have observed that hip fracture patients appear to be at
      significant risk of mortality even up to a year following injury. This study
      reviews a consecutive population of hip fracture patients to identify predictors
      of excess risk. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four hundred and sixty-five consecutive
      patients were treated over a 2-year period at our district general hospital with
      no ward-based orthogeriatricians. Follow-up was for 1 year following hip fracture
      admission. Statistical analysis of variables and their influence on 1-year
      mortality were performed by calculating odd's ratio (OR) using a logistic
      regression model and a p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
      RESULTS: Four patients were lost to follow-up, 18 patients (4.1 %) were managed
      conservatively, 16 were too unwell for surgery and their mortality rate at 1 year
      was 50 %. Following hip fracture, we found an overall 1-year mortality rate of
      15.1 %. Patients with a time to surgery >=36 h were at significantly increased
      risk of mortality even up to 1 year. We did not identify a further reduction in
      mortality in those operated on within 24 h. Raised ORs (p > 0.05) were found with
      increasing comorbidity, surgery type, independence on discharge, alcohol
      ingestion, history of smoking, readmission and several biochemical markers.
      CONCLUSION: Minimising mortality risk, even over the longer term, should begin on
      admission with prompt optimisation of any acute medical or biochemical
      abnormalities, followed by early surgery and intensive rehabilitation to maintain
      patients' functional independence.

PMID- 26260069
TI  - Health status and return to work in trauma patients at 3 and 6 months post
      discharge: an Australian major trauma centre study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to describe post-discharge outcomes, and
      determine predictors of 3 and 6 months health status outcomes in a population of
      trauma patients at an inner city major trauma centre. METHODS: This was a
      prospective cohort study of adult trauma patients admitted to this hospital with
      3 and 6 months post-discharge outcomes assessment. Outcome measures were the
      Physical Component Scores (PCS) and Mental Component Scores (MCS) of the Short
      Form 12, EQ-5D, and return to work (in any capacity) if working prior to injury.
      Repeated measures mixed models and generalised estimating equation models were
      used to determine predictors of outcomes at 3 and 6 months. RESULTS: One hundred
      and seventy-nine patients were followed up. Patients with lower limb injuries
      reported lower mean PCS scores between 3 and 6 months (coefficient -4.21, 95 % CI
      -7.58, -0.85) than those without lower limb injuries. Patients involved in
      pedestrian incidents or assaults and those with pre-existing mental health
      diagnoses reported lower mean MCS scores. In adjusted models upper limb injuries
      were associated with reduced odds of return to work at 3 and 6 months (OR 0.20,
      95 % CI 0.07, 0.57) compared to those without upper limb injuries. DISCUSSION:
      Predictors of poorer physical health status were lower limb injuries and
      predictors of mental health were related to the mechanism of injury and past
      mental health. Increasing injury severity score and upper limb injuries were the
      only predictors of reduced return to work. The results provide insights into the
      feasibility of routine post-discharge follow-up at a trauma service level.

PMID- 26260070
TI  - Enhancement of electroactive beta phase crystallization and dielectric constant
      of PVDF by incorporating GeO2 and SiO2 nanoparticles.
AB  - Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) nanocomposites are recently gaining importance
      due to their unique dielectric and electroactive responses. In this study, GeO2
      nanoparticles/PVDF and SiO2 nanoparticles/PVDF nanocomposite films were prepared
      by a simple solution casting technique. The surface morphology and structural
      properties of the as-prepared films were studied by X-ray diffraction, scanning
      electron microscopy, and FT-IR spectroscopy techniques. The studies reveal that
      the incorporation of GeO2 or SiO2 nanoparticles leads to an enhancement in the
      electroactive beta phase fraction of PVDF due to the strong interactions between
      the negatively charged nanoparticle surface and polymer. Analysis of the thermal
      properties of the as-prepared samples also supports the increment of the beta
      phase fraction in PVDF. Variation of dielectric constant, dielectric loss, and ac
      conductivity with frequency and loading fraction of the nanoparticles were also
      studied for all the as-prepared films. Dielectric constant of the nanocomposite
      films increases with increasing nanofiller concentration in PVDF. 15 mass% SiO2
      loaded PVDF film shows the highest dielectric constant, which can be attributed
      to the smaller size of SiO2 nanoparticles and the homogeneous and discrete
      dispersion of SiO2 nanoparticles in PVDF matrix. 

PMID- 26260071
TI  - Might your respiratory patient have alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency?

PMID- 26260072
TI  - Thymoquinone ameliorates testicular tissue inflammation induced by chronic
      administration of oral sodium nitrite.
AB  - Although sodium nitrite has been widely used as food preservative, building bases
      of scientific evidence about nitrite continues to oppose the general safety in
      human health. Moreover, thymoquinone (TQ) has therapeutic potential as
      antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and anticancer. Therefore, we
      investigated the effects of both sodium nitrite and TQ on testicular tissues of
      rats. Forty adult male Sprague Dawley rats were used. They received either 80 mg
      kg(-1) sodium nitrite or 50 mg kg(-1) TQ daily for twelve weeks. Serum
      testosterone was measured. Testis were weighed and the testicular tissue
      homogenates were used for measurements of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha,
      interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-4, IL-6, IL10, caspase-3, caspase-8 and caspase-9.
      Sodium nitrite resulted in significant reduction in serum testosterone
      concentration and elevation in testis weight and Gonado-Somatic Index. We found
      significant reduction in testicular tissues levels of IL-4 and IL-10 associated
      with elevated levels of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, caspase-3, caspase-8 and
      caspase-9. In conclusion, chronic oral sodium nitrite induced changes in the
      weight of rat testis accompanied by elevation in the testicular tissue level of
      oxidative stress markers and inflammatory cytokines. TQ attenuated sodium nitrite
      induced testicular tissue damage through blocking oxidative stress, restoration
      of normal inflammatory cytokines balance and blocking of apoptosis. 

PMID- 26260073
TI  - Energy-dense fast food products cost less: an observational study of the energy
      density and energy cost of Australian fast foods.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between energy cost and energy density of
      fast food products. METHODS: Twenty Sydney outlets of the five largest fast food
      chains were surveyed four times. Price and kilojoule data were collected for all
      limited-time-only menu items (n=54) and a sample of standard items (n=67). Energy
      cost ($/kilojoule) and energy density (kilojoules/gram) of menu items were
      calculated. RESULTS: There was a significant inverse relationship between menu
      item energy density and energy cost (p<0.001). Salads had the highest energy
      cost, while value items, meals that included a dessert and family meals had the
      lowest. CONCLUSIONS: Fast food chains could provide a wider range of affordable,
      lower-energy foods, use proportional pricing of larger serve sizes, or change
      defaults in meals to healthier options. More research is required to determine
      the most effective strategy to reduce the negative impact of fast food on the
      population's diet. IMPLICATIONS: Current pricing in the fast food environment may
      encourage unhealthier purchases.

PMID- 26260074
TI  - Regulation of the Ca(2+)-ATPase by cholesterol: a specific or non-specific
      effect?
AB  - Like other integral membrane proteins, the activity of the Sarco/Endoplasmic
      Reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA) is regulated by the membrane environment.
      Cholesterol is present in the endoplasmic reticulum membrane at low levels, and
      it has the potential to affect SERCA activity both through direct, specific
      interaction with the protein or through indirect interaction through changes of
      the overall membrane properties. There are experimental data arguing for both
      modes of action for a cholesterol-mediated regulation of SERCA. In the current
      study, coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations are used to address how a
      mixed lipid-cholesterol membrane interacts with SERCA. Candidates for direct
      regulatory sites with specific cholesterol binding modes are extracted from the
      simulations. The binding pocket for thapsigargin, a nanomolar inhibitor of SERCA,
      has been suggested as a cholesterol binding site. However, the thapsigargin
      binding pocket displayed very little cholesterol occupation in the simulations.
      Neither did atomistic simulations of cholesterol in the thapsigargin binding
      pocket support any specific interaction. The current study points to a non
      specific effect of cholesterol on SERCA activity, and offers an alternative
      interpretation of the experimental results used to argue for a specific effect.

PMID- 26260075
TI  - On the influence of marrow on the mechanical behavior of porcine trabecular bone
      under dynamic loading: a numerical investigation.

PMID- 26260076
TI  - Key features and clinical variability of COG6-CDG.
AB  - The conserved oligomeric Golgi (COG) complex consists of eight subunits and plays
      a crucial role in Golgi trafficking and positioning of glycosylation enzymes.
      Mutations in all COG subunits, except subunit 3, have been detected in patients
      with congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG) of variable severity. So far, 3
      families with a total of 10 individuals with biallelic COG6 mutations have been
      described, showing a broad clinical spectrum. Here we present 7 additional
      patients with 4 novel COG6 mutations. In spite of clinical variability, we
      delineate the core features of COG6-CDG i.e. liver involvement (9/10),
      microcephaly (8/10), developmental disability (8/10), recurrent infections
      (7/10), early lethality (6/10), and hypohidrosis predisposing for hyperthermia
      (6/10) and hyperkeratosis (4/10) as ectodermal signs. Regarding all COG6-related
      disorders a genotype-phenotype correlation can be discerned ranging from deep
      intronic mutations found in Shaheen syndrome as the mildest form to loss-of
      function mutations leading to early lethal CDG phenotypes. A comparison with
      other COG deficiencies suggests ectodermal changes to be a hallmark of COG6
      related disorders. Our findings aid clinical differentiation of this complex
      group of disorders and imply subtle functional differences between the COG
      complex subunits. 

PMID- 26260077
TI  - Safety of laronidase delivered into the spinal canal for treatment of cervical
      stenosis in mucopolysaccharidosis I.
AB  - Enzyme replacement therapy with laronidase (recombinant human alpha-l
      iduronidase) is successfully used to treat patients with mucopolysaccharidosis
      type I (MPS I). However, the intravenously-administered enzyme is not expected to
      treat or prevent neurological deterioration. As MPS I patients suffer from spinal
      cord compression due in part to thickened spinal meninges, we undertook a phase I
      clinical trial of lumbar intrathecal laronidase in MPS I subjects age 8 years and
      older with symptomatic (primarily cervical) spinal cord compression. The study
      faced significant challenges, including a heterogeneous patient population,
      difficulty recruiting subjects despite an international collaborative effort, and
      an inability to include a placebo-controlled design due to ethical concerns. Nine
      serious adverse events occurred in the subjects. All subjects reported
      improvement in symptomatology and showed improved neurological examinations, but
      objective outcome measures did not demonstrate change. Despite limitations, we
      demonstrated the safety of this approach to treating neurological disease due to
      MPS I.

PMID- 26260079
TI  - Breakdown of the striatal-default mode network loop in schizophrenia.
AB  - The striatum has been shown to be a core region in schizophrenia with functional
      and structural deficits. Previous studies have confirmed the schizophrenia
      related functional connectivity between the striatal and cortical regions.
      However, among these, few studies have attempted to determine the directional
      flow of the influence. In the present study, we used resting-state fMRI to
      explore the directed connectivity between the striatum and the cortical regions
      in schizophrenia. Employing a Granger causality analysis, we observed a
      significant failure of the directed inhibitory influence of the striatum on the
      default mode network (DMN) in schizophrenia. Furthermore, the reciprocal
      influence of the DMN on the striatum was also significantly reduced. These
      findings provide compelling evidence for a breakdown of the striatum-DMN loop in
      schizophrenia. This abnormal connectivity could be related to clinical variables.
      In conclusion, our study suggests that abnormally directed influences between the
      striatum and the DMN might be a biomarker of schizophrenia and also reveals a
      potential target for treatment. 

PMID- 26260078
TI  - Molecular evidence for decreased synaptic efficacy in the postmortem olfactory
      bulb of individuals with schizophrenia.
AB  - Multiple lines of evidence suggest altered synaptic plasticity/connectivity as a
      pathophysiologic mechanism for various symptom domains of schizophrenia.
      Olfactory dysfunction, an endophenotype of schizophrenia, reflects altered
      activity of the olfactory circuitry, which conveys signals from olfactory
      receptor neurons to the olfactory cortex via synaptic connections in the
      glomeruli of the olfactory bulb. The olfactory system begins with intranasal
      olfactory receptor neuron axons synapsing with mitral and tufted cells in the
      glomeruli of the olfactory bulb, which then convey signals directly to the
      olfactory cortex. We hypothesized that olfactory dysfunction in schizophrenia is
      associated with dysregulation of synaptic efficacy in the glomeruli of the
      olfactory bulb. To test this, we employed semi-quantitative immunohistochemistry
      to examine the olfactory bulbs of 13 postmortem samples from schizophrenia and
      their matched control pairs for glomerular expression of 5 pre- and postsynaptic
      proteins that are involved in the integrity and function of synapses. In the
      glomeruli of schizophrenia cases compared to their matched controls, we found
      significant decreases in three presynaptic proteins which play crucial roles in
      vesicular glutamate transport - synapsin IIa (-18.05%, p=0.019), synaptophysin (
      24.08% p=0.0016) and SNAP-25 (-23.9%, p=0.046). Two postsynaptic proteins
      important for spine formation and glutamatergic signaling were also decreased
      spinophilin (-17.40%, p=0.042) and PSD-95 (-34.06%, p=0.015). These findings
      provide molecular evidence for decreased efficacy of synapses within the
      olfactory bulb, which may represent a synaptic mechanism underlying olfactory
      dysfunction in schizophrenia. 

PMID- 26260080
TI  - The factor structure and clinical utility of formal thought disorder in first
      episode psychosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Formal thought disorder (FTD) is a core feature of psychosis, however
      there are gaps in our knowledge about its prevalence and factor structure. We had
      two aims: first, to establish the factor structure of FTD; second, to explore the
      clinical utility of dimensions of FTD in order to further the understanding of
      its nosology. METHODS: A cross-validation study was undertaken to establish the
      factor structure of FTD in first episode psychosis (FEP). The relative utility of
      FTD categories vs. dimensions across diagnostic categories was investigated.
      RESULTS: The prevalence of clinically significant FTD in this FEP sample was 21%,
      although 41% showed evidence of disorganised speech, 20% displayed verbosity and
      24% displayed impoverished speech. A 3-factor model was identified as the best
      fit for FTD, with disorganisation, poverty and verbosity dimensions (GFI=0.99,
      RMR=0.07). These dimensions of FTD accurately distinguished affective from non
      affective diagnostic categories. A categorical approach to FTD assessment was
      useful in identifying markers of clinical acuteness, as identified by short
      duration of untreated psychosis (OR=2.94, P<0.01) and inpatient treatment status
      (OR=3.98, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: FTD is moderately prevalent and multi-dimensional
      in FEP. Employing both a dimensional and categorical assessment of FTD gives
      valuable clinical information, however there may be a need to revise our
      conceptualisation of the nosology of FTD. The prognostic value of FTD, as well as
      its neural basis, requires elucidation.

PMID- 26260081
TI  - Neurocognitive and social cognitive predictors of cannabis use in first-episode
      psychosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Findings are unclear as to whether cannabis use is associated with
      better cognitive functioning in individuals with psychosis. OBJECTIVES: To
      elucidate the association between cannabis use, neurocognition and social
      cognition in first-episode psychosis (FEP). METHODS: Secondary data analysis was
      conducted on data from 133 FEP participants who had enrolled in a randomized
      controlled trial of a vocational intervention. Participants completed a
      neurocognitive and social cognitive battery and characteristics of cannabis use
      were documented (disorder, recency, frequency and dose). Principal axis factor
      analysis was used to determine the underlying structure of the cognitive
      batteries. Regression techniques were used to examine cognitive predictors of
      current cannabis use disorder (CUD), and recency and frequency of cannabis use.
      Bivariate correlations were used to examine associations between cognition and
      dose of cannabis consumption. RESULTS: Male gender (p=.037) was the only
      significant predictor of having a current CUD. Better processing speed (p=.022)
      and social cognition (p=.039), male gender (p<.001), and fewer negative symptoms
      (p=.036) predicted recency of cannabis use. Faster processing speed (p=.007) and
      male gender (p=.006) also predicted frequency of cannabis use. No variables were
      significantly associated with dose of cannabis consumption. CONCLUSIONS: Better
      social cognition and processing speed abilities predicting recency and frequency
      of cannabis use are consistent with cannabis users having higher cognitive
      abilities. A positive relationship between cannabis use and cognition may be the
      result of more drug taking opportunities in less cognitively impaired individuals
      with psychosis.

PMID- 26260083
TI  - SUPPORTING MORE RELIABLE RESULTS.
AB  - Studies are finding that many groundbreaking published results with implications
      for human health and disease cannot be replicated. Sarah Webb explores how
      reproducibility issues in basic science are creating bumps on the road to the
      clinic. 

PMID- 26260082
TI  - Bioavailability of insulin detemir and human insulin at the level of peripheral
      interstitial fluid in humans, assessed by open-flow microperfusion.
AB  - AIMS: To find an explanation for the lower potency of insulin detemir observed in
      humans compared with unmodified human insulin by investigating insulin detemir
      and human insulin concentrations directly at the level of peripheral insulin
      sensitive tissues in humans in vivo. METHODS: Euglycaemic-hyperinsulinaemic clamp
      experiments were performed in healthy volunteers. Human insulin was administered
      i.v. at 6 pmol/kg/min and insulin detemir at 60 pmol/kg/min, achieving a
      comparable steady-state pharmacodynamic action. In addition, insulin detemir was
      doubled to 120 pmol/kg/min. Minimally invasive open-flow microperfusion (OFM)
      sampling methodology was combined with inulin calibration to quantify human
      insulin and insulin detemir in the interstitial fluid (ISF) of subcutaneous
      adipose and skeletal muscle tissue. RESULTS: The human insulin concentration in
      the ISF was ~115 pmol/l or ~30% of the serum concentration, whereas the insulin
      detemir concentration in the ISF was ~680 pmol/l or ~2% of the serum
      concentration. The molar insulin detemir interstitial concentration was five to
      six times higher than the human insulin interstitial concentration and metabolic
      clearance of insulin detemir from serum was substantially reduced compared with
      human insulin. CONCLUSIONS: OFM proved useful for target tissue measurements of
      human insulin and the analogue insulin detemir. Our tissue data confirm a highly
      effective retention of insulin detemir in the vascular compartment. The higher
      insulin detemir relative to human insulin tissue concentrations at comparable
      pharmacodynamics, however, indicate that the lower potency of insulin detemir in
      humans is attributable to a reduced effect in peripheral insulin-sensitive
      tissues and is consistent with the reduced in vitro receptor affinity.

PMID- 26260084
TI  - Improved split-ubiquitin screening technique to identify surface membrane protein
      protein interactions.
AB  - Yeast-based methods are still the workhorse for the detection of protein-protein
      interactions (PPIs) in vivo. Yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) systems, however, are limited
      to screening for a specific group of molecules that interact in a particular cell
      compartment. For this reason, the split-ubiquitin system (SUS) was developed to
      allow screening of cDNA libraries of full-length membrane proteins for protein
      protein interactions in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Here we demonstrate that a
      modification of the widely used membrane SUS involving the transmembrane (TM)
      domain of the yeast receptor Wsc1 increases the stringency of screening and
      improves the selectivity for proteins localized in the plasma membrane (PM). 

PMID- 26260085
TI  - A novel tool for stable genomic reporter gene integration to analyze
      heterogeneity in Photorhabdus luminescens at the single-cell level.
AB  - Determination of reporter gene activity at the single-cell level is a
      prerequisite for analyzing heterogeneous gene expression in bacteria. The insect
      pathogenic enteric bacterium Photorhabdus luminescens is an excellent organism in
      which to study heterogeneity since it exists in two phenotypically different
      forms, called the primary and secondary variant. A tool for generating stable
      genomic integrations of reporter genes has been lacking for these bacteria, and
      this has hampered the acquisition of reliable data sets for promoter activities
      at the single-cell level. We therefore generated a plasmid tool named pPINT
      mCherry for the easy and stable introduction of gene fragments upstream of an
      mCherry reporter gene followed by stable integration of the plasmid into the P.
      luminescens genome at the rpmE/glmS intergenic region. We demonstrate that the
      genomic integration of reporter genes for single-cell analysis is necessary in P.
      luminescens since plasmid-borne reporter genes mimic heterogeneity and are
      therefore not applicable in these bacteria, in contrast to their use in single
      cell analysis in other bacteria like Escherichia coli. 

PMID- 26260086
TI  - Traxtile: Interactive editing of cell tracks in time-lapse images.
AB  - Time-lapse imaging can be used to quantify how cells move, divide, and die over
      time and under defined culture conditions. Open source software packages such as
      CellProfiler, Icy, and Fiji provide robust and convenient interfaces for
      performing such analyses. However, object tracking algorithms are imperfect, and
      validation of significant events is often required. This is challenging, as
      CellProfiler produces only tabular data for object tracking, and the graphical
      tools in Icy and Fiji are not optimal for manual review of these events. Here we
      describe Traxtile, a program that allows interactive graphical review and
      revision of object tracking assignments. Traxtile imports initial assignments and
      automatically identifies events needing review (i.e., apparent creation of new
      objects, splits, merges, and losses). For each such event, the object track is
      displayed on a montage of images centered on the event and spanning the preceding
      and subsequent frames. Links between cells in successive frames can be reviewed
      and edited, yielding validated tracks for the image series. Reports summarize
      events from the validated tracks. Traxtile is implemented in Python version 2.7
      using standard distribution libraries (available at www.python.org) and is freely
      available at https://github.com/braunb/traxtile-public. 

PMID- 26260087
TI  - Reducing microbial and human contamination in DNA extractions from ancient bones
      and teeth.
AB  - Although great progress has been made in improving methods for generating DNA
      sequences from ancient biological samples, many, if not most, samples are still
      not amenable for analyses due to overwhelming contamination with microbial or
      modern human DNA. Here we explore different DNA decontamination procedures for
      ancient bones and teeth for use prior to DNA library preparation and high
      throughput sequencing. Two procedures showed promising results: (i) the release
      of surface-bound DNA by phosphate buffer and (ii) the removal of DNA
      contamination by sodium hypochlorite treatment. Exposure to phosphate removes on
      average 64% of the microbial DNA from bone powder but only 37% of the endogenous
      DNA (from the organism under study), increasing the percentage of informative
      sequences by a factor of two on average. An average 4.6-fold increase, in one
      case reaching 24-fold, is achieved by sodium hypochlorite treatment, albeit at
      the expense of destroying 63% of the endogenous DNA preserved in the bone. While
      both pretreatment methods described here greatly reduce the cost of genome
      sequencing from ancient material due to efficient depletion of microbial DNA, we
      find that the removal of human DNA contamination remains a challenging problem. 

PMID- 26260088
TI  - Isolation of segmented filamentous bacteria from complex gut microbiota.
AB  - Segmented filamentous bacteria (SFB) modulate the ontogeny of the immune system,
      and their presence can significantly affect mouse models of disease. Until
      recently, the inability to successfully culture SFB has made controlled studies
      on the mechanisms by which these bacteria exert their influence problematic.
      Here, we report a new method for selecting SFB from complex microbial mixtures,
      providing researchers a simple and cost-effective means to prepare pure infective
      inocula for prospective studies and also to compare individual SFB isolates. 

PMID- 26260089
TI  - Automated measurement of ommatidia in the compound eyes of beetles.
AB  - The size of the ommatidia that compose the insect compound eye is linked to
      visual capacity, physiological performance, and cell size. Therefore, rapid and
      reliable methods for measuring ommatidia can advance research on insect ecology
      and evolution. We developed an automated method to measure ommatidia in nail
      polish imprints of the eyes of three Carabidae beetle species using the widely
      available, free software ImageJ. Our automated method was equivalent to a
      traditional manual method in terms of accuracy but had the advantage of being 70
      times faster. We provide access to our algorithm, which can be used to
      investigate biological phenomena ranging from the functional architecture of the
      compound eye to the cellular basis of the evolution of body size and metabolic
      rates. 

PMID- 26260090
TI  - Gentian violet inhibits MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cell proliferation, and
      reverses the stimulation of osteoclastogenesis and suppression of osteoblast
      activity induced by cancer cells.
AB  - Gentian violet (GV) is a cationic triphenylmethane dye, with potent antifungal
      and antibacterial activity. We recently reported that in vitro GV suppresses the
      differentiation of bone resorbing osteoclasts while stimulating the
      differentiation and activity of bone forming osteoblasts. Breast cancer is highly
      metastatic to bone and drives bone turnover that further promotes cancer
      engraftment and expansion, the so-called vicious cycle. In humans, breast cancer
      metastases cause osteolytic lesions and skeletal damage that leads to bone
      fractures, an additional source of patient morbidity. The MDA-MB-231 human breast
      cancer cell line is a commonly used model of human breast cancer that when
      injected into mice metastasizes to bone causing osteolytic lesions by promoting
      osteoclastic bone resorption and/or suppressing osteoblastic bone formation. In
      the present study, we investigated the direct action of GV on MDA-MB-231
      proliferation, and the capacity of GV to reverse the negative impact of MDA-MB
      231 cells on osteoclast and osteoblast differentiation. Our data reveal for the
      first time that GV suppresses proliferation, and induces apoptosis, of MDA-MB-231
      cells. We further demonstrated the capacity of GV to reverse the pro
      osteoclastogenic and anti-osteoblastic activities of MDA-MB-231 cells in vitro.
      These data suggest that GV has important applications in the treatment of breast
      cancer through multiple actions including direct suppression of cancer cell
      proliferation, breaking the vicious cycle between cancer and bone, and
      alleviating the skeletal defects induced by bone metastasis.

PMID- 26260091
TI  - Characterization of acute-on-chronic liver failure and prediction of mortality in
      Asian patients with active alcoholism.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Alcoholic liver diseases often evolve to acute-on-chronic
      liver failure (ACLF), which increases the risk of (multi-)organ failure and
      death. We investigated the development and characteristics of alcohol-related
      ACLF and evaluated prognostic scores for prediction of mortality in Asian
      patients with active alcoholism. METHODS: A total of 205 patients who were
      hospitalized with severe alcoholic liver disease were included in this
      retrospective cohort study, after excluding those with serious cardiovascular
      diseases, malignancy, or co-existing viral hepatitis. The Chronic Liver Failure
      (CLIF) Consortium Organ Failure score was used in the diagnosis and grading of
      ACLF, and the CLIF Consortium ACLF score (CLIF-C ACLFs) was used to predict
      mortality. RESULTS: Patients with ACLF had higher Maddrey discriminant function,
      model for end-stage liver disease (MELD), and MELD-sodium scores than those
      without ACLF. Infections were more frequently documented in patients with ACLF
      (33.3% vs 53.0%; P = 0.004). Predictive factors for ACLF development were
      systemic inflammatory response syndrome (odds ratio [OR], 2.239; P < 0.001),
      serum sodium level (OR, 0.939; P = 0.029), and neutrophil count (OR, 1.000; P =
      0.021). For prediction of mortality at predefined time points (28-day and 90-day)
      in patients with ACLF, areas under the receiver-operating characteristic were
      significantly greater for the CLIF-C ACLFs than for Child-Pugh, MELD, and MELD
      sodium scores. CONCLUSIONS: Infection and systemic inflammatory response syndrome
      play an important role in the development of alcohol-related ACLF in Asian
      patients with active alcoholism. The CLIF-C ACLFs may be more useful for
      predicting mortality in ACLF cases than liver-specific scoring systems.

PMID- 26260092
TI  - Safety of Magnetic Resonance Imaging After Implantation of Stainless Steel
      Embolization Coils.
AB  - Stainless steel embolization coils (SSEC) have been used for over four decades
      for vascular occlusion. Recently, the safety of these coils in a magnetic
      resonance environment has been called into question, with important ramifications
      for thousands of patients with existing coils in place. We performed a
      retrospective chart review at five tertiary care pediatric centers evaluating all
      children and young adults with implanted SSEC who underwent magnetic resonance
      imaging (MRI). Data reviewed included demographics, coil implantation, MRI
      studies, and follow-up evaluations. Complications such as heating, discomfort, or
      device migration were specifically sought. Two hundred and ninety-seven patients
      with implanted SSEC underwent 539 MRI examinations. The median age at SSEC
      implantation was 2.3 years (1 week-23.2 years). The MRI studies were performed a
      median of 7.4 years (4 days-23.1 years) after implantation. No patients
      experienced any reported complications associated with their MRI examinations
      during the study or at median follow-up post-MRI of 4.8 years (1 day-23 years).
      In this large, retrospective review of patients with implanted SSEC undergoing
      MRI, there were no reported adverse events. These findings support the recent
      change by Cook Medical Inc. of their standard embolization coils from a
      designation of magnetic resonance unsafe to conditional.

PMID- 26260093
TI  - Risk Factors for Interstage Mortality Following the Norwood Procedure: Impact of
      Sociodemographic Factors.
AB  - Interstage mortality remains significant for patients undergoing staged
      palliation for hypoplastic left heart syndrome and other related single right
      ventricle malformations (HLV). The purpose of this study was to identify factors
      related to demographics, socioeconomic position, and perioperative course
      associated with post-Norwood hospital discharge, pre-stage 2, interstage
      mortality (ISM). Medical record review was conducted for patients with HLV, born
      from 1/2000 to 7/2009 and discharged alive following the Norwood procedure.
      Sociodemographic and perioperative factors were reviewed. Patients were
      determined to have ISM if they died between Norwood procedure hospital discharge
      and stage 2 palliation. Univariable and multivariable logistic regressions were
      performed to identify risk factors associated with ISM. A total of 273 patients
      were included in the analysis; ISM occurred in 32 patients (12%). Multivariable
      analysis demonstrated that independent risk factors for interstage mortality
      included teen mothers [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 6.6, 95% confidence interval
      (CI) 1.9-22.5], single adult caregivers (AOR 4.1, 95% CI 1.2-14.4), postoperative
      dysrhythmia (AOR 2.7, 95% CI 1.1-6.4), and longer ICU stay (AOR 2.7, 95% CI 1.2
      6.1). Anatomic and surgical course variables were not associated with ISM in
      multivariable analysis. Patients with HLV are at increased risk of ISM if born to
      a teen mother, if they lived in a home with only one adult caregiver, suffered a
      postoperative dysrhythmia, or experienced a prolonged ICU stay. These risk
      factors are identifiable, and thus these infants may be targeted for
      interventions to reduce ISM.

PMID- 26260094
TI  - Left Ventricular Mechanical Property Changes During Acute AV Synchronous Right
      Ventricular Pacing in Children.
AB  - Prolonged RV pacing is recognized as a cause of LV dysfunction due to
      dyssynchronous activation. There are no specific longitudinal parameters known to
      help predict RV pacing-induced LV dysfunction. The aim of the study was to assess
      the acute effects of AV synchronous RV pacing on LV mechanics using
      echocardiographic speckle tracking. Nineteen children, aged 6-23 years, underwent
      echocardiographic evaluation prior to and following elective electrophysiology
      and ablation studies. The subjects were evaluated in sinus rhythm and later with
      AV synchronous RV pacing at a cycle length of 550 ms with a short AV delay of 80
      ms. The echocardiographic clips were analyzed using speckle tracking methods to
      calculate LV circumferential and longitudinal strain, rotation and twist in all
      conditions. Acute RV apical pacing decreased LV longitudinal strain from 16.1 +/-
      3.7% in sinus rhythm to 14.4 +/- 3.3% (p = 0.03) and LV base rotation from -8.4
      degrees  +/- 3.6 degrees  to -6.4 degrees  +/- 4.0 degrees  (p = 0.04). The
      circumferential strain, apical rotation and LV twist were not affected. Separate
      analysis of subjects with no prior preexcitation showed that acute RV pacing
      caused significant twist reduction, from 15.9 degrees  +/- 7.6 degrees  to 12.1
      degrees  +/- 7.0 degrees  (p = 0.02), and decreased longitudinal strain and base
      rotation. Patients with preexcitation had abnormalities that persisted acutely
      after ablation. Acute RV apical pacing causes reductions in LV base rotation,
      longitudinal strain and twist. The recognition of abnormal LV activation patterns
      may provide longitudinal clues to LV dysfunction in chronically paced patients
      and potential novel indices of effective CRT interventions to reverse these
      abnormalities.

PMID- 26260095
TI  - Long-Term Prostaglandin E1 Infusion for Newborns with Critical Congenital Heart
      Disease.
AB  - Prostaglandin E1 is crucial for keeping the patent ductus arteriosus in critical
      congenital heart disease for the survival and palliation of particularly
      prematurely born babies until a cardiosurgical intervention is available. In this
      study, the side effects of prostaglandin E1 in newborns with critical congenital
      heart disease and clinical outcomes were evaluated. Thirty-five newborns
      diagnosed with critical congenital heart disease were treated with prostaglandin
      E1 between January 2012 and September 2014 at our hospital. Patient charts were
      examined for prostaglandin E1 side effects (metabolic, gastric outlet
      obstruction, apnea), clinical status, and prognosis. Acquired data were analyzed
      in the SPSS 20.0 program. Patients with birth weight under 2500 g needed more
      days of prostaglandin E1 infusion than ones with birthweight over 2500 g (P =
      0.016). The ratio of patients with birth weight under 2500 g who received
      prostaglandin E1 longer than 7 days was higher than the patients with birth
      weight over 2500 g (P = 0.02). Eighteen side effects were encountered in 11 of 35
      patients (31%). Of these side effects, 1 patient had 4, 4 patients had 2, and 6
      patients had only 1 side effect. Discontinuation of the therapy was never needed.
      Prostaglandin E1 is an accepted therapy modality for survival and outcome in
      critical congenital heart disease in particularly low-birth-weight babies until a
      surgical intervention is available. Side effects are not less encountered but are
      almost always manageable, and discontinuation is not needed.

PMID- 26260096
TI  - Metamorphosis of human lumbar vertebrae induced by VEPTR growth modulation and
      stress shielding.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Distraction-based spinal growth modulation by growing rods or
      vertical expandable prosthetic titanium ribs (VEPTRs) is the mainstay of
      instrumented operative strategies to correct early onset spinal deformities. In
      order to objectify the benefits, it has become common sense to measure the gain
      in spine height by assessing T1-S1 distance on anteroposterior (AP) radiographs.
      However, by ignoring growth changes on vertebral levels and by limiting
      measurement to one plane, valuable data is missed regarding the three-dimensional
      (3D) effects of growth modulation. This information might be interesting when it
      comes to final fusion or, even more so, when the protective growing implants are
      removed and the spine re-exposed to physiologic forces at the end of growth.
      METHODS: The goal of this retrospective radiographic study was to assess the
      growth modulating impact of year-long, distraction-based VEPTR treatment on the
      morphology of single vertebral bodies. We digitally measured lumbar vertebral
      body height (VBH) and upper endplate depth (VBD) at the time of the index
      procedure and at follow-up in nine patients with rib-to-ileum constructs (G1)
      spanning an anatomically normal lumbar spine. Nine patients with congenital
      thoracic scoliosis and VEPTR rib-to-rib constructs, but uninstrumented lumbar
      spines, served as controls (G2). All had undergone more than eight half-yearly
      VEPTR expansions. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for statistical comparison
      of initial and follow-up VBH, VBD and height/depth (H/D) ratio (significance
      level 0.05). RESULTS: The average age was 7.1 years (G1) and 5.2 year (G2, p >
      0.05) at initial surgery; the average overall follow-up time was 5.5 years (p =
      1). In both groups, VBH increased significantly without a significant intergroup
      difference. Group 1 did not show significant growth in depth, whereas VBD
      increased significantly in the control group. As a consequence, the H/D ratio
      increased significantly in group 1 whereas it remained unchanged in group 2. The
      growth rate for height in mm/year was 1.4 (group 1) and 1.1 (group 2, p = 0.45),
      and for depth, it was -0.3 and 1.1 (p < 0.05), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: VEPTR
      growth modulating treatment alters the geometry of vertebral bodies by increasing
      the H/D ratio. We hypothesize that the implant-related deprivation from axial
      loads (stress-shielding) impairs anteroposterior growth. The biomechanical
      consequence of such slender vertebrae when exposed to unprotected loads in case
      of definitive VEPTR removal at the end of growth is uncertain.

PMID- 26260098
TI  - Gambling advocacy: lessons from tobacco, alcohol and junk food.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the attitudes and opinions of public health experts in
      gambling and related unhealthy commodity industries towards the tactics used by
      the gambling industry to prevent reform and the advocacy responses to these
      tactics. METHODS: In-depth interviews (30-60 minutes) with a convenience sample
      of 15 public health experts and stakeholders with a public health approach to
      gambling (n=10), or other unhealthy commodity industries (food, alcohol, tobacco,
      n=5). RESULTS: Participants described the influences of political lobbying and
      donations on public policy, and industry framing of problem gambling as an issue
      of personal responsibility. Industry funding of, and influence over, academic
      research was considered to be one of the most effective industry tactics to
      resist reform. Participants felt there was a need to build stronger coalitions
      and collaborations between independent academics, and to improve the utilisation
      of media to more effectively shift perceptions of gambling harm away from the
      individual and towards the product. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Gambling
      industry tactics are similar to the tactics of other unhealthy commodity
      industries. However, advocacy initiatives to counter these tactics in gambling
      are less developed than in other areas. The formation of national public health
      coalitions, as well as a strong evidence base regarding industry tactics, will
      help to strengthen advocacy initiatives.

PMID- 26260097
TI  - From genotypes to phenotypes: expression levels of genes encompassing adaptive
      SNPs in black spruce.
AB  - KEY MESSAGE: Measuring transcript levels for adaptive genes revealed
      polymorphisms having cis -effect upon gene expression levels related to phenotype
      variation in a black spruce natural population. Trees growing in temperate and
      boreal regions must acclimate to changes in climatic factors such as low winter
      temperatures to survive to seasonal variations. Common garden studies have shown
      that genetic variation in quantitative traits helps species to survive and adapt
      to environmental changes and local conditions. Twenty-four genes carrying SNPs
      were previously associated with genetic adaptation in black spruce (Picea mariana
      [Mill.] BSP). The objectives of this study were to investigate the potential role
      of these genes in regulation of winter acclimation and adaptation by studying
      their patterns of expression as a function of the physiological stage during the
      annual growth cycle, tissue type, and their SNP genotypic class. Considerable
      variability in gene expression was observed between different vegetative tissues
      or organs, and between physiological stages. The genes were expressed
      predominantly in tissues that could be linked more directly to winter acclimation
      and adaptation. The expression levels of several of the genes were significantly
      related to variation in tree height growth or budset timing and expression level
      variation related to SNP genotypic classes was observed in four of the genes. An
      interaction between genotypic classes and physiological stages was also observed
      for some genes, indicating genotypes with different reaction norms in terms of
      gene expression.

PMID- 26260099
TI  - Role of the Chemical Environment beyond the Coordination Site: Structural Insight
      into Fe(III) Protoporphyrin Binding to Cysteine-Based Heme-Regulatory Protein
      Motifs.
AB  - The importance of heme as a transient regulatory molecule has become a major
      focus in biochemical research. However, detailed information about the molecular
      basis of transient heme-protein interactions is still missing. We report an in
      depth structural analysis of Fe(III) heme-peptide complexes by a combination of
      UV/Vis, resonance Raman, and 2D-NMR spectroscopic methods. The experiments reveal
      insights both into the coordination to the central iron ion and into the spatial
      arrangement of the amino acid sequences interacting with protoporphyrin IX.
      Cysteine-based peptides display different heme-binding behavior as a result of
      the existence of ordered, partially ordered, and disordered conformations in the
      heme-unbound state. Thus, the heme-binding mode is clearly the consequence of the
      nature and flexibility of the residues surrounding the iron ion coordinating
      cysteine. Our analysis reveals scenarios for transient binding of heme to heme
      regulatory motifs in proteins and demonstrates that a thorough structural
      analysis is required to unravel how heme alters the structure and function of a
      particular protein.

PMID- 26260100
TI  - Identifying Patients Suitable for Discharge After a Single-Presentation High
      Sensitivity Troponin Result: A Comparison of Five Established Risk Scores and Two
      High-Sensitivity Assays.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVE: We compare the ability of 5 established risk scores to identify
      patients with suspected acute coronary syndromes who are suitable for discharge
      after a modified single-presentation high-sensitivity troponin result. METHODS:
      This was a prospective observational study conducted in a UK district general
      hospital emergency department. Consecutive adults recruited with suspected acute
      coronary syndrome for whom attending physicians determined evaluation with serial
      troponin testing was required. Index tests were definitions of low risk applied
      to modified Goldman, Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI), Global
      Registry of Acute Cardiac Events (GRACE), History, ECG, Age, Risk Factors,
      Troponin (HEART), and Vancouver Chest Pain Rule risk scores, incorporating either
      high-sensitivity troponin T or I results. The endpoint was acute myocardial
      infarction within 30 days. A test sensitivity threshold for acute myocardial
      infarction of 98% was chosen. Clinical utility was defined as a negative
      predictive value greater than or equal to 99.5% and identification of greater
      than 30% suitable for discharge. RESULTS: Nine hundred fifty-nine patients
      underwent high-sensitivity troponin T analysis and 867 underwent high-sensitivity
      troponin I analysis. In the high-sensitivity troponin T group, 79 of 959 (8.2%)
      had an acute myocardial infarction and 66 of 867 (7.6%) in the high-sensitivity
      troponin I group. Two risk scores (GRACE <80 and HEART <=3) did not have the
      potential to achieve a sensitivity of 98% with high-sensitivity troponin T, and 3
      scores (Goldman <=1, TIMI <=1, and GRACE <80) with high-sensitivity troponin I. A
      TIMI score of 0 or less than or equal to 1 and modified Goldman score less than
      or equal to 1 with high-sensitivity troponin T, and TIMI score of 0 and HEART
      score of less than or equal to 3 with high-sensitivity troponin I had the
      potential to achieve a negative predictive value greater than or equal to 99.5%
      while identifying greater than 30% of patients as suitable for immediate
      discharge. CONCLUSION: With established risk scores, it may be possible to
      identify greater than 30% of patients suitable for discharge, with a negative
      predictive value greater than or equal to 99.5% for the diagnosis of acute
      myocardial infarction, using a single high-sensitivity troponin test result at
      presentation. There is variation in high-sensitivity troponin assays, which may
      have implications in introducing rapid rule-out protocols.

PMID- 26260102
TI  - Limits for density dependent time inhomogeneous Markov processes.
AB  - A new functional law of large numbers to approximate a time inhomogeneous Markov
      process that is only density dependent in the limit as an index parameter goes to
      infinity is developed. This extends previous results by other authors to a
      broader class of Markov processes while relaxing some of the conditions required
      for those results to hold. This result is applied to a stochastic metapopulation
      model that accounts for spatial structure as well as within patch dynamics with
      the novel addition of time dependent dynamics. The resulting nonautonomous
      differential equation is analysed to provide conditions for extinction and
      persistence for a number of examples. This condition shows that the migration of
      a species will positively impact the reproduction in less populated areas while
      negatively impacting densely populated areas. 

PMID- 26260101
TI  - Multicenter Analysis of Immune Biomarkers and Heart Transplant Outcomes: Results
      of the Clinical Trials in Organ Transplantation-05 Study.
AB  - Identification of biomarkers that assess posttransplant risk is needed to improve
      long-term outcomes following heart transplantation. The Clinical Trials in Organ
      Transplantation (CTOT)-05 protocol was an observational, multicenter, cohort
      study of 200 heart transplant recipients followed for the first posttransplant
      year. The primary endpoint was a composite of death, graft
      loss/retransplantation, biopsy-proven acute rejection (BPAR), and cardiac
      allograft vasculopathy (CAV) as defined by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). We
      serially measured anti-HLA- and auto-antibodies, angiogenic proteins, peripheral
      blood allo-reactivity, and peripheral blood gene expression patterns. We
      correlated assay results and clinical characteristics with the composite endpoint
      and its components. The composite endpoint was associated with older donor
      allografts (p < 0.03) and with recipient anti-HLA antibody (p < 0.04). Recipient
      CMV-negativity (regardless of donor status) was associated with BPAR (p < 0.001),
      and increases in plasma vascular endothelial growth factor-C (OR 20; 95%CI:1.9
      218) combined with decreases in endothelin-1 (OR 0.14; 95%CI:0.02-0.97)
      associated with CAV. The remaining biomarkers showed no relationships with the
      study endpoints. While suboptimal endpoint definitions and lower than anticipated
      event rates were identified as potential study limitations, the results of this
      multicenter study do not yet support routine use of the selected assays as
      noninvasive approaches to detect BPAR and/or CAV following heart transplantation.

PMID- 26260104
TI  - Application of a new integrated sediment quality assessment method to Huelva
      estuary and its littoral of influence (Southwestern Spain).
AB  - A new integrated sediment quality assessment method composed of several assays
      (particle size profile, total metal content, protease K extraction, total organic
      carbon, toxicity bioassay with Photobacterium phosphoreum and macrobenthic
      community alteration) that provides a single result, the environmental
      degradation index (EDI), has been developed. The new method was tested on the
      Huelva estuary (southwest of Spain), a highly polluted area where metals
      dissolved in the water of the Tinto and Odiel rivers precipitate after flowing
      through the Iberian Pyrite Belt, one of the largest metallogenic areas of massive
      sulphide deposits in the world. The proposed method satisfactorily was able to
      reflect different degrees of pollution on the environmental degradation index.
      Thus, EDI categorized littoral samples as slightly degraded and all the Tinto and
      some of the Odiel as very highly degraded, emphasizing the lower zone of the
      Tinto estuary as the most deeply degraded of the entire study area. 

PMID- 26260103
TI  - Functional and homeostatic defects of regulatory T cells in patients with
      coronary artery disease.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are considered atheroprotective, and low
      levels have been associated with the acute coronary syndrome (ACS), particularly
      non-ST elevation (NSTE)-ACS. However, the functional properties as well as
      homeostasis of Tregs are mainly unknown in coronary artery disease (CAD). Here,
      we investigated the composition and functional properties of naive (n) and memory
      (m)Tregs in patients with NSTE-ACS and in patients 6-12 months post-ACS. METHODS:
      Based on the expression of CD25, FOXP3, CD127, CD45RA, CD39 and CTLA-4, Treg
      subsets were defined by flow cytometry in whole blood or isolated CD4(+) T cells.
      The functional properties of nTregs and mTregs were examined in terms of
      proliferative capacity and modulation of cytokine secretion. To understand the
      potential consequences of Treg defects, we also investigated correlations with
      lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cytokine secretion and ultrasound-defined
      carotid atherosclerosis. RESULTS: Both NSTE-ACS and post-ACS patients exhibited
      reduced levels of nTregs (P < 0.001) compared with healthy control subjects, but
      without compensatory increases in mTregs. Both nTregs and mTregs from patients
      showed significantly lower replicative rates and impaired capacity to modulate T
      cell proliferation and secretion of interferon-gamma and IL-10. The Treg defect
      was also associated with LPS-induced cytokine secretion and increased burden of
      carotid atherosclerosis. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate a functional and
      homeostatic Treg defect in patients with NSTE-ACS and also in stabilized patients
      6-12 months after ACS. Moreover, this defect was associated with a subclinical
      proinflammatory and atherogenic state. We believe that the failure to preserve
      Treg function and homeostasis reflects a need for immune-restoring strategies in
      CAD.

PMID- 26260106
TI  - Blindness to institutional betrayal by the APA.

PMID- 26260105
TI  - Prospective study of circulating factor XI and incident venous thromboembolism:
      The Longitudinal Investigation of Thromboembolism Etiology (LITE).
AB  - Elevated plasma concentrations of coagulation factor XI may increase risk of
      venous thromboembolism (VTE), but prospective data are limited. We studied
      prospectively the associations of plasma factor XI and a key F11 genetic variant
      with incident VTE in whites and African-Americans. We measured factor XI in
      16,299 participants, initially free of VTE, in two prospective population
      cohorts. We also measured the F11 single nucleotide polymorphism rs4241824, which
      a genome-wide association study had linked to factor XI concentration. During
      follow-up, we identified 606 VTEs. The age, race, sex, and study-adjusted hazard
      ratio of VTE increased across factor XI quintiles (P < 0.001 for trend), and the
      hazard ratio was 1.51 (95% CI 1.16, 1.97) for the highest versus lowest quintile
      overall, and was 1.42 (95% CI 1.03, 1.95) in whites and 1.72 (95% CI 1.08, 2.73)
      in African-Americans. In whites, the F11 variant was associated with both factor
      XI concentration and VTE incidence (1.15-fold greater incidence of VTE per risk
      allele). In African-Americans, these associations were absent. In conclusion,
      this cohort study documented that an elevated plasma factor XI concentration is a
      risk factor for VTE over extended follow-up, not only in whites but also in
      African-Americans. In whites, the association of the F11 genetic variant with VTE
      suggests a causal relation, but we did not observe this genetic relation in
      African-Americans.

PMID- 26260108
TI  - A Rare Cause of Chronic Diarrhea Diagnosed by Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine
      Needle Aspiration.

PMID- 26260107
TI  - Prevalence of Barrett's Esophagus in Asian Countries: A Systematic Review and
      Meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: The prevalence and risk factors of Barrett's esophagus (BE) in
      Asian countries are unclear. Studies report a wide range of BE prevalence in
      Asian countries. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine
      the prevalence of BE and its temporal changes and risk factors in Asian
      countries. METHODS: Two investigators performed independent literature searches
      by using PubMed and EMBASE databases, and subsequent data abstraction for studies
      had to meet several set inclusion and exclusion criteria. Pooled BE prevalence
      was calculated by using a random-effect model. Estimates of relative risk for
      possible risk or protective factors were also calculated. RESULTS: A total of 51
      studies (N = 453,147), mainly from Eastern Asia, were included. The pooled
      prevalence of endoscopic BE was 7.8% (95% confidence interval, 5.0-12.1; 23
      studies) and of histologically confirmed BE was 1.3% (95% confidence interval,
      0.7-2.2; 28 studies). Most of histologic BE (82.1%) was short-segment BE (<3 cm).
      There was a trend toward an increase in prevalence of BE over time from 1991 to
      2014, especially in Eastern Asian countries. Within BE cohorts, pooled prevalence
      of low-grade dysplasia, high-grade dysplasia, and esophageal adenocarcinoma was
      6.9%, 3.0%, and 2.0%, respectively. Reflux symptoms, male sex, hiatus hernia, and
      smoking were associated with a significantly increased risk of histologic BE in
      patients with BE compared with patients without BE. However, half of the patients
      with histologic BE did not have reflux symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: BE is not uncommon
      in Asian countries and seems to share similar risk factors and potential for
      neoplastic progression to those seen in Western countries.

PMID- 26260109
TI  - Improved Detection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Using a Longitudinal Alpha
      Fetoprotein Screening Algorithm.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has limited treatment options
      when diagnosed at advanced stages; therefore, early detection is critical to
      reduce mortality. There is disagreement about the value of alpha-fetoprotein
      (AFP) in HCC surveillance. We aim to improve the sensitivity of AFP in HCC
      surveillance by using an algorithm that incorporates screening history to define
      patient-specific thresholds for positive a screen. METHODS: De-identified data
      from the Hepatitis C Antiviral Long-term Treatment against Cirrhosis (HALT-C)
      trial, which enrolled 1050 patients with hepatitis C and advanced fibrosis or
      cirrhosis who were prospectively followed every 3-6 months, were analyzed. AFP
      was assayed at each visit, and ultrasonography was performed every 6-12 months. A
      panel adjudicated the diagnosis of HCC. A parametric empirical Bayes (PEB)
      screening algorithm, which incorporates screening history, was compared with a
      single threshold approach for interpreting AFP results. RESULTS: During a median
      follow-up of 80 months, 88 patients (48 of 427 with cirrhosis and 40 of 621 with
      advanced fibrosis) were diagnosed with HCC. PEB improved the sensitivity of AFP
      for detecting all HCC from 60.4% to 77.1% (P < .0005) in patients with cirrhosis
      and from 72.5% to 87.5% (P = .0015) in patients with advanced fibrosis, when the
      false-positive rate among all screenings was set at 10%. PEB algorithm detected
      HCC 1.7-1.9 years earlier in the cirrhosis group and 1.4-1.7 years earlier in the
      advanced fibrosis group, compared with single threshold approach. CONCLUSIONS:
      PEB increases the sensitivity of AFP testing and detects HCC earlier among
      hepatitis C patients with advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis. These data should
      prompt a reevaluation of how AFP is used in combination with ultrasound in HCC
      surveillance.

PMID- 26260110
TI  - Eye drop delivery of pigment epithelium-derived factor-34 promotes retinal
      ganglion cell neuroprotection and axon regeneration.
AB  - Axotomised retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) die rapidly by apoptosis and fail to
      regenerate because of the limited availability of neurotrophic factors and a lack
      of axogenic stimuli. However, we have recently showed that pigment epithelium
      derived factor (PEDF) promotes RGC survival and axon regeneration after optic
      nerve crush injury. PEDF has multiple fragments of the native peptide that are
      neuroprotective, anti-angiogenic and anti-inflammatory. Here we investigated the
      neuroprotective and axogenic properties of a fragment of PEDF, PEDF-34, in
      retinal neurons in vitro and when delivered by intravitreal injection and eye
      drops in vivo. We found that PEDF-34 was 43% more neuroprotective and 52% more
      neuritogenic than PEDF-44 in vitro. Moreover, in vivo, intravitreal delivery of
      1.88nM PEDF-34 was 71% RGC neuroprotective at 21days after optic nerve crush
      compared to intact controls, whilst daily eye drops containing 1.88nM PEDF-34
      promoted 87% RGC survival. After topical eye drop delivery, PEDF-34 was detected
      in the vitreous body within 30min and attained physiologically relevant
      concentrations in the retina by 4h peaking at 1.4+/-0.05nM by 14days. In eye drop
      compared to intravitreal-treated PEDF-34 animals, 55% more RGC axons regenerated
      250MUm beyond the optic nerve lesion. We conclude that daily topical eye drop
      application of PEDF-34 is superior to weekly intravitreal injections in promoting
      RGC survival and axon regeneration through both direct effects on retinal neurons
      and indirect effects on other retinal cells. 

PMID- 26260111
TI  - Amyloid-beta induced astrocytosis and astrocyte death: Implication of FoxO3a-Bim
      caspase3 death signaling.
AB  - Astrocytes, the main element of the homeostatic system in the brain, are affected
      in various neurological conditions including Alzheimer's disease (AD). A common
      astrocytic reaction in pathological state is known as astrocytosis which is
      characterized by a specific change in astrocyte shape due to cytoskeletal
      remodeling, cytokine secretion and cellular proliferation. Astrocytes also
      undergo apoptosis in various neurological conditions or in response to toxic
      insults. AD is pathologically characterized by progressive deposition of amyloid
      beta (Abeta) in senile plaques, intraneuronal neurofibrillary tangles, synaptic
      dysfunction and neuron death. Astrocytosis and astrocyte death have been reported
      in AD brain as well as in response to Abeta in vitro. However, how astrocytes
      undergo both proliferation and death in response to Abeta remains elusive. In
      this study, we used primary cultures of cortical astrocytes and exposed them to
      various doses of oligomeric Abeta. We found that cultured astrocytes proliferate
      and manifest all signs of astrocytosis at a low dose of Abeta. However, at high
      dose of Abeta the activated astrocytes undergo apoptosis. Astrocytosis was also
      noticed in vivo in response to Abeta in the rat brain. Next, we investigated the
      mechanism of astrocyte apoptosis in response to a high dose of Abeta. We found
      that death of astrocyte induced by Abeta requires a set of molecules that are
      instrumental for neuron death in response to Abeta. It involves activation of
      Forkhead transcription factor Foxo3a, induction of its pro-apoptotic target Bim
      and activation of its downstream molecule, caspase3. Hence, this study
      demonstrates that the concentration of Abeta decides whether astrocytes do
      proliferate or undergo apoptosis via a mechanism that is required for neuron
      death. 

PMID- 26260112
TI  - Prepared to care: adult attachment and filial obligation.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Past work found that close adult attachment dimension scores predict
      caregiver preparedness. Theory and past research suggests filial obligation (FO)
      may mediate the relationship between attachment and caregiver preparedness. The
      goal of this study was to test that hypothesis. METHOD: The sample, collected
      using Mechanical Turk, included 165 women between the ages of 45 and 65 years who
      were not providing care to an aging parent.  Participants were reimbursed $0.75
      for completing an online survey assessing response validity, dimensions of adult
      attachment, depressive symptomatology, FO, and caregiver preparedness, among
      other variables. The mean participant age was 52.2 years (SD = 5.5). RESULTS: The
      sample was predominantly White/Caucasian (82.6%), and Black/African American
      (7.3%).  With respect to education, 14.5% completed high school or general
      education development (GED), 32.7% completed some college, 36.4% completed a
      Bachelor's degree, and 15.7% completed graduate degrees. The three attachment
      dimensions (close, dependent, and anxious) and FO were all significantly inner
      correlated.  Stepwise multiple regression analyses found that FO fully mediates
      the relationship between close attachment and caregiver preparedness, even after
      controlling for age, education, income, depression, and birth order. CONCLUSION:
      The primary finding is that FO mediates the relationship between close attachment
      style and caregiver preparedness among prospective caregivers. This suggests that
      individual differences in attachment style among prospective caregivers
      indirectly predict preparedness for future caregiving through FO, suggesting a
      mechanism relating attachment style and preparation for future care.

PMID- 26260113
TI  - The timed up and go test for lumbar degenerative disc disease.
AB  - We report on the use and performance of an objective measure of functional
      impairment, the timed up and go (TUG) test, in clinical practice for patients
      with lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD). We illustrate nine representative
      patients with lumbar DDD, who were selected from an ongoing prospective study, to
      report our clinical experience with the TUG test. In addition, a preliminary
      sample of 30 non-selected consecutive patients is presented. The following
      parameters were assessed preoperatively, and 3 days and 6 weeks postoperatively:
      back and leg pain using the visual analogue scale (VAS); functional impairment
      using the Oswestry disability index (ODI) and Roland-Morris disability index
      (RMDI); health-related quality of life using the EuroQol 5D (EQ5D) and Short-Form
      12 (SF-12). The TUG test results improved by 2.6 and 5.4s after 3 days and 6
      weeks compared to the baseline assessment. The mean VAS for back and leg pain
      decreased by 2.3 and 5.3, respectively, after 3 days, and by 2.7 and 4.6 after 6
      weeks. The mean RMDI and ODI decreased by 3.4 and 23.3, respectively, after 3
      days, and by 7.0 and 28.0 after 6 weeks. The mean EQ5D increased by 0.38 after 3
      days and 0.358 after 6 weeks. The mean SF-12 mental component scale decreased by
      0.2 after 3 days and increased by 5.6 after 6 weeks, whereas the mean SF-12
      physical component scale increased by 6.4 after 3 days and by 9.8 after 6 weeks.
      The TUG test proved to be a useful, easy to use tool that could add a new,
      objective dimension to the armamentarium of clinical tests for the diagnosis and
      management of DDD. From our preliminary experience, we conclude that the TUG test
      accurately reflects a patient's objective functional impairment before and after
      surgery.

PMID- 26260114
TI  - Predictors of functional outcomes and recurrence of chronic subdural hematomas.
AB  - We aimed to evaluate the functional outcome and risk factors of recurrence in
      patients operated on for a chronic subdural hematoma (CSH), and discuss
      systematic early postoperative CT scans. CSH is a very common disease in
      neurosurgical practice, especially in elderly patients who are treated with
      anticoagulation. The challenge is to rapidly restore the independence of these
      patients. We retrospectively analyzed data from 164 consecutive surgical
      procedures performed on 140 CSH patients, including recurrent surgery, at our
      institution from June 2011 to June 2012. Pre- and postoperative CT scans, and
      medical records, were systematically reviewed using the institutional computing
      database. A poor functional outcome was defined by a modified Rankin scale (mRS)
      score>2 at 3 months. Among the 140 patients (mean age 76 years; 64% men), a
      single burr hole craniostomy was performed in 122 patients, and a craniotomy in
      18. A poor functional outcome was recorded in 39 patients (28%; 95% confidence
      interval [CI] 20-35%). In multivariate analyses, an increased risk of poor
      functional outcome was associated with age >75 years (odds ratio [OR] 5.88; 95%
      CI 1.96-17.63), residual hematoma thickness >14 mm (OR 3.79; 95% CI 1.47-9.77),
      and GCS<15 (OR, 2.96; 95% CI, 1.18-7.40). Recurrences occurred in 24 patients
      (17%; 95% CI 11-23%), with a median delay to reintervention of 13 days. The
      independent predictors of CSH recurrence were preoperative anticoagulant therapy
      (OR 3.68; 95% CI 1.13-12.00), and persistence of mass effect on the postoperative
      CT scan (OR 5.61; 95% CI 1.52-20.66). Three months after surgical treatment, more
      than one quarter of the CSH patients had a mRS?3. The loss of independence was
      associated with older age, initial GCS<15, and residual hematoma thickness
      postoperatively. Anticoagulant therapy and persistence of postoperative mass
      effect heightened the risk of recurrence.

PMID- 26260115
TI  - SLC44A1-PRKCA fusion in papillary and rosette-forming glioneuronal tumors.
AB  - We investigated the fused protein of solute carrier family 44 choline transporter
      member 1 (SLC44A1) and protein kinase C alpha (PRKCA) in three patients with
      papillary glioneuronal tumors (PGNT). PGNT and rosette-forming glioneuronal
      tumors (RGNT) are recently identified, unusual glioneuronal tumor variants which
      were categorized as novel tumor entities in the 2007 World Health Organization
      classification system. The molecular background of these tumors remains poorly
      understood due to the paucity of studies. The SLC44A1-PRKCA fusion was recently
      detected in three cases of PGNT. We invesitgated for the SLC44A1-PRKCA fusion
      protein in the three PGNT patients and a further two with RGNT using fluorescence
      in situ hybridization. Two out of the three PGNT patients had a fused signal
      (paired red-green signal) representing a rearrangement on chromosomes 9 and 17. A
      normal signal pattern was observed in the third PGNT patient. Neither of the two
      RGNT patients demonstrated a fused signal. This suggests that the SLC44A1-PRKCA
      fusion is a characteristic alteration in PGNT but not RGNT. Therefore, it is a
      potential biomarker of PGNT. The paired red-green signal that was observed in the
      PGNT patients implies the presence of a different breakpoint than that previously
      reported in the 9q31 and 17q24 genes. 

PMID- 26260116
TI  - Intramedullary spinal metastasis of a carcinoid tumor.
AB  - We report an intramedullary spinal cord metastasis from a bronchial carcinoid,
      and discuss its mechanisms and management. Intramedullary spinal cord metastases
      from any cancer are rare, and bronchial carcinoids account for only a small
      fraction of lung cancers. To our knowledge, an intramedullary spinal cord
      metastasis from a bronchial carcinoid has been described only once previously. 

PMID- 26260117
TI  - Can the KG1 cell line be used as a model of dendritic cells and discriminate the
      sensitising potential of chemicals?
AB  - The KG1 myeloid leukaemia was used as source of dendritic cells (DC) to
      discriminate between respiratory and contact sensitising chemicals. A cocktail of
      cytokines was used to differentiate KG1 to dendritic like cells (termed dKG1) and
      the effects of nine chemicals (respiratory and contact sensitisers) and an
      irritant control on surface marker expression, 'antigen presenting' function and
      cytokine expression investigated. The stability of these chemicals when dissolved
      was characterised using MALDI ToF MS. A Hill plot model was used with the
      cellular viability data to quantify the lethal dose 50% (LD50) and a maximum sub
      toxic concentration of each chemical defined. Cytokine expression by the treated
      dKG1 was quantified using multiplex immunobead analysis. Whilst dKG1 cells were
      morphologically similar to DCs, expression of specific surface markers was not
      typical for DCs derived from healthy precursor cells. When the chemicals were
      applied at defined sub toxic doses no effects on dKG1 phenotype, function, or
      cytokine expression, attributable to the sensitisation properties were
      discriminated. However, dKG1 cells were much more sensitive to the toxic effects
      of these chemicals compared to the parent KG1 cells. Only 4 of the 9 chemicals
      tested were stable when dissolved indicating that the effect of sensitising
      chemicals on antigen presenting cells may be related to species other than the
      parent compound. 

PMID- 26260118
TI  - Botulinum toxin B increases intrinsic muscle activity in organotypic spinal cord
      skeletal muscle co-cultures.
AB  - In organotypic spinal cord-skeletal muscle co-cultures, motoneurons are driven by
      locomotor commands and induce contractions in surrounding muscle fibres. Using
      these co-cultures, it has been shown that effects of organophosphorus compounds
      on neuromuscular synapses can be determined in vitro. In the present study we
      aimed to extend this in vitro tool for pharmacologic testing of botulinum toxin
      B. This neurotoxin is widely used for the treatment of dystonia. Besides its
      effects on the neuromuscular junction, botulinum toxins may also act at centrally
      located synapses. Incubation with botulinum toxin B (Neurobloc((r))) induced a
      significant increase in muscular activity after 24, 48 and 72h. Application of
      the NMDA- and AMPA-receptor antagonists AP5 (20MUM) and CNQX (15MUM) induced a
      similar augmentation of muscle activity after 48 and 72h, respectively.
      Administration of the glycine- and GABA(A)-receptor antagonists strychnine (1MUM)
      and bicuculline (100MUM) did not alter intrinsic muscle activity. In contrast,
      application of a non-depolarizing muscle relaxant rocuronium bromide reduced the
      muscle activity in a dose-dependent manner. Our findings suggest that
      glutamatergic synapses in the spinal cord are more sensitive to botulinum toxin B
      than synaptic contacts between spinal motoneurons and muscle fibres. 

PMID- 26260119
TI  - A new dry-surface biofilm model: An essential tool for efficacy testing of
      hospital surface decontamination procedures.
AB  - The environment has been shown to be a source of pathogens causing infections in
      hospitalised patients. Incorporation of pathogens into biofilms, contaminating
      dry hospital surfaces, prolongs their survival and renders them tolerant to
      normal hospital cleaning and disinfection procedures. Currently there is no
      standard method for testing efficacy of detergents and disinfectants against
      biofilm formed on dry surfaces. AIM: The aim of this study was to develop a
      reproducible method of producing Staphylococcus aureus biofilm with properties
      similar to those of biofilm obtained from dry hospital clinical surfaces, for use
      in efficacy testing of decontamination products. The properties (composition,
      architecture) of model biofilm and biofilm obtained from clinical dry surfaces
      within an intensive care unit were compared. METHODS: The CDC Biofilm Reactor was
      adapted to create a dry surface biofilm model. S. aureus ATCC 25923 was grown on
      polycarbonate coupons. Alternating cycles of dehydration and hydration in
      tryptone soy broth (TSB) were performed over 12 days. Number of biofilm bacteria
      attached to individual coupons was determined by plate culture and the
      coefficient of variation (CV%) calculated. The DNA, glycoconjugates and protein
      content of the biofilm were determined by analysing biofilm stained with SYTO 60,
      Alexa-488-labelled Aleuria aurantia lectin and SyproOrange respectively using
      Image J and Imaris software. Biofilm architecture was analysed using live/dead
      staining and confocal microscopy (CM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
      Model biofilm was compared to naturally formed biofilm containing S. aureus on
      dry clinical surfaces. RESULTS: The CDC Biofilm reactor reproducibly formed a
      multi-layered, biofilm containing about 10(7) CFU/coupon embedded in thick
      extracellular polymeric substances. Within run CV was 9.5% and the between run CV
      was 10.1%. Protein was the principal component of both the in vitro model biofilm
      and the biofilms found on clinical surfaces. Continued dehydration and ageing of
      the model biofilm for 30 days increased the % of protein, marginally decreased
      gylcoconjugate % but reduced extracellular DNA by 2/3. The surface of both model
      and clinical biofilms was rough reflecting the heterogeneous nature of biofilm
      formation. The average maximum thickness was 30.74+/-2.1 MUm for the in vitro
      biofilm model and between 24 and 47 MUm for the clinical biofilms examined.
      CONCLUSION: The laboratory developed biofilm was similar to clinical biofilms in
      architecture and composition. We propose that this method is suitable for
      evaluating the efficacy of surface cleaners and disinfectants in removing biofilm
      formed on dry clinical surfaces as both within run and between run variation was
      low, and the required equipment is easy to use, cheap and readily available.

PMID- 26260120
TI  - Sunscreen remanence on the skin: a noninvasive real time in vivo spectral
      analysis assessing the quenching of specular ultraviolet A light reflectance.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Under specific light illumination, particularly ultraviolet radiation
      (UVR), the skin produces both specular light reflectance and, possibly, specific
      fluorescent emission. A quenching effect of fluorescence is observed following
      the application of sunscreens active against UVA radiations. AIMS: To assess
      noninvasively in a real-time process, the potential sunscreen
      remanence/substantivity after application on the skin. METHODS: The Visiopor(r)
      device was used in a real-time procedure after application of sunscreens to the
      skin. A quenching effect of follicular fluorescence due to bacterial porphyrins
      was evaluated at 30-min intervals. The Visioscan((r)) device was used as a
      distinct UVA emitter in a control procedure of spectral analysis of specular UVR
      emission and reflectance by dermal fibers. RESULTS: Under UVA-1 irradiations,
      facial skin produced different patterns of specular UVR reflectance and
      fluorescent emission as well. The porphyrin-related follicular fluorescence was
      instantly abated by UVA blockers present in suncare products. The potential
      sunscreen remanence/substantivity was assessed by the follicular and
      interfollicular fluorescence recurrence all along the next hours. CONCLUSIONS:
      All UVA blocker-containing suncare products exhibited a similar overall quenching
      effect on porphyrin-enriched facial hair follicles and dermal fibers. This effect
      lasted for a few hours. Differences in the fluorescence recovery were likely
      related to the amount in suncare application and the nature of the formulation
      components.

PMID- 26260121
TI  - A new group of eubacterial light-driven retinal-binding proton pumps with an
      unusual cytoplasmic proton donor.
AB  - One of the main functions of microbial rhodopsins is outward-directed light
      driven proton transport across the plasma membrane, which can provide sources of
      energy alternative to respiration and chlorophyll photosynthesis. Proton-pumping
      rhodopsins are found in Archaea (Halobacteria), multiple groups of Bacteria,
      numerous fungi, and some microscopic algae. An overwhelming majority of these
      proton pumps share the common transport mechanism, in which a proton from the
      retinal Schiff base is first transferred to the primary proton acceptor (normally
      an Asp) on the extracellular side of retinal. Next, reprotonation of the Schiff
      base from the cytoplasmic side is mediated by a carboxylic proton donor (Asp or
      Glu), which is located on helix C and is usually hydrogen-bonded to Thr or Ser on
      helix B. The only notable exception from this trend was recently found in
      Exiguobacterium, where the carboxylic proton donor is replaced by Lys. Here we
      describe a new group of efficient proteobacterial retinal-binding light-driven
      proton pumps which lack the carboxylic proton donor on helix C (most often
      replaced by Gly) but possess a unique His residue on helix B. We characterize the
      group spectroscopically and propose that this histidine forms a proton-donating
      complex compensating for the loss of the carboxylic proton donor. 

PMID- 26260122
TI  - Risks and benefits in treatment of mediastinal abscess by endobronchial
      ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Mediastinal abscess is a fatal condition, treatment of mediastinal
      abscess is with antibiotics and sometimes surgery for debridement and drainage.
      Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is a
      safe assessment and candidate treatment method of mediastinal lesions.
      OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to HYPERLINK "javascript:void(0);" discuss risks and
      benefits in treatment of mediastinal abscess by EBUS-TBNA. METHODS: We noticed a
      56-year-old man with developed bilateral pneumonia and sepsis after puncture of
      mediastinal abscess by EBUS-TBNA. The patient was successfully treated with a
      combination of systemic anti-infection treatment and intracavitary administration
      of antibiotics, antifungal and repeated drainage and lavage via EBUS-TBNA, in 1
      year follow-up without recurrence. RESULTS: This study indicated infection spread
      risk of mediastinal abscess after EBUS-TBNA, and mediastinal abscess was
      successfully cured by combination of systemic anti-infection and local
      intervention through EBUS-TBNA. CONCLUSION: EBUS-TBNA is a potential effective
      minimally invasive treatment for mediastinal abscess, and it is necessary to be
      aware of clinical complications after puncture of mediastinal infectious lesions
      by EBUS-TBNA.

PMID- 26260123
TI  - Modeling nanoparticle wrapping or translocation in bilayer membranes.
AB  - The spontaneous wrapping of nanoparticles by membranes is of increasing interest
      as nanoparticles become more prevalent in consumer products and hence more likely
      to enter the human body. We introduce a simulations-based tool that can be used
      to visualize the molecular level interaction between nanoparticles and bilayer
      membranes. By combining LIME, an intermediate resolution, implicit solvent model
      for phospholipids, with discontinuous molecular dynamics (DMD), we are able to
      simulate the wrapping or embedding of nanoparticles by 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero
      3-phosphocholine (DPPC) bilayer membranes. Simulations of hydrophilic
      nanoparticles with diameters from 10 A to 250 A show that hydrophilic
      nanoparticles with diameters greater than 20 A become wrapped while the
      nanoparticle with a diameter of 10 A does not. Instead this smaller particle
      became embedded in the bilayer surface where it can interact with the hydrophilic
      head groups of the lipid molecules. We also investigate the interaction between a
      DPPC bilayer and hydrophobic nanoparticles with diameters 10 A to 40 A. These
      nanoparticles do not undergo the wrapping process; instead they directly
      penetrate the membrane and embed themselves within the inner hydrophobic core of
      the bilayers. 

PMID- 26260124
TI  - The Association between Pre-existing Diabetes Mellitus and Pressure Ulcers in
      Patients Following Surgery: A Meta-analysis.
AB  - Uncertainty exists about the role of diabetes in the development of surgery
      related pressure ulcers. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to explore the
      association between pre-existing diabetes mellitus and pressure ulcers among
      patients after surgery. Summary odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals
      (CIs) were calculated using random effects models. Thirteen eligible studies of
      2367 patients in total and 12,053 controls were included in the final analysis.
      Compared with patients without diabetes, the pooled odds ratio (OR) of the
      incidence of pressure ulcers in diabetic patients was 1.74 [95% confidence
      interval (CI) = 1.40-2.15, I(2 )= 51.1%]. Estimates by type of surgery suggested
      similar results in cardiac surgery [OR = 2.00, 95% CI = 1.42-2.82, I(2 )= 0%], in
      general surgery [OR = 1.75, 95% CI = 1.42-2.15, I(2 )= 0%], and in major lower
      limb amputations [OR = 1.65, 95% CI = 1.01-2.68, I(2 )= 0%] for diabetic patients
      versus non-diabetic controls. We did not find an increased incidence of pressure
      ulcers in diabetic patients undergoing hip surgery compared with non-diabetic
      controls [OR = 1.46, 95% CI = 0.62-3.47, I(2 )= 93.1%]. The excess risk of
      pressure ulcers associated with pre-existing diabetes was significantly higher in
      patients undergoing surgery, specifically in patients receiving cardiac surgery.
      Further studies should be conducted to examine these associations in other types
      of surgery.

PMID- 26260125
TI  - Factors that affect the job satisfaction of Saudi Arabian nurses.
AB  - AIM: To determine factors that influence the job satisfaction of Saudi nurses.
      BACKGROUND: Saudi Arabia has a chronic shortage of Saudi national nurses. This
      research contributes to a greater understanding of how job satisfaction
      influences the recruitment and retention of Saudi nationals within the nursing
      profession. METHODS: Qualitative data were gathered from Saudi nurses and content
      analysis was used to identify themes in the written responses. RESULTS: Four main
      themes emerged from the data: lack of educational opportunities and support and
      the poor image of the nursing profession, perceptions of favouritism, high
      workloads and stressful work environment and the effect of religion on job
      satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Saudi nurses would be more satisfied with their jobs
      if they had greater access to educational opportunities and if there was a
      reduction in workload and the perceived favouritism in the workplace was
      addressed. Religion was also found to play a significant role in supporting job
      satisfaction. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: These findings suggest the
      development of educational scholarships, as well as policies that better support
      equity in the workplace, to address Saudi nurses' level of job satisfaction. The
      generally positive impact of cultural and religious beliefs is also highlighted
      in this study.

PMID- 26260126
TI  - Membrane potential governs calcium influx into microvascular endothelium:
      integral role for muscarinic receptor activation.
AB  - In resistance arteries, coupling a rise of intracellular calcium concentration
      ([Ca(2+)]i) to endothelial cell hyperpolarization underlies smooth muscle cell
      relaxation and vasodilatation, thereby increasing tissue blood flow and oxygen
      delivery. A controversy persists as to whether changes in membrane potential
      (V(m)) alter endothelial cell [Ca(2+)]i. We tested the hypothesis that V(m)
      governs [Ca(2+)]i in endothelium of resistance arteries by performing Fura-2
      photometry while recording and controlling V(m) of intact endothelial tubes
      freshly isolated from superior epigastric arteries of C57BL/6 mice. Under resting
      conditions, [Ca(2+)]i did not change when V(m) shifted from baseline (~-40 mV)
      via exposure to 10 MUM NS309 (hyperpolarization to ~-80 mV), via equilibration
      with 145 mm [K(+)]o (depolarization to ~-5 mV), or during intracellular current
      injection (+/-0.5 to 5 nA, 20 s pulses) while V(m) changed linearly between ~-80
      mV and +10 mV. In contrast, during the plateau (i.e. Ca(2+) influx) phase of the
      [Ca(2+)]i response to approximately half-maximal stimulation with 100 nm ACh
      (~EC50), [Ca(2+)]i increased as V(m) hyperpolarized below -40 mV and decreased as
      V(m) depolarized above -40 mV. The magnitude of [Ca(2+)]i reduction during
      depolarizing current injections correlated with the amplitude of the plateau
      [Ca(2+)]i response to ACh. The effect of hyperpolarization on [Ca(2+)]i was
      abolished following removal of extracellular Ca(2+), was enhanced subtly by
      raising extracellular [Ca(2+)] from 2 mm to 10 mm and was reduced by half in
      endothelium of TRPV4(-/-) mice. Thus, during submaximal activation of muscarinic
      receptors, V(m) can modulate Ca(2+) entry through the plasma membrane in accord
      with the electrochemical driving force.

PMID- 26260127
TI  - Phylogenetic analysis of eight sudanese camel contagious ecthyma viruses based on
      B2L gene sequence.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Camel contagious ecthyma (CCE) is an important viral disease of
      camelids caused by a poxvirus of the genus parapoxvirus (PPV) of the family
      Poxviridae. The disease has been reported in west and east of the Sudan causing
      economical losses. However, the PPVs that cause the disease in camels of the
      Sudan have not yet subjected to genetic characterization. At present, the PPV
      that cause CCE cannot be properly classified because only few isolates that have
      been genetically analyzed. METHODS AND RESULTS: PCR was used to amplify the B2L
      gene of the PPV directly from clinical specimens collected from dromedary camels
      affected with contagious ecthyma in the Sudan between 1993 and 2013. PCR products
      were sequenced and subjected to genetic analysis. The results provided evidence
      for close relationships and genetic variation of the camel PPV (CPPV) represented
      by the circulation of both Pseudocowpox virus (PCPV) and Orf virus (ORFV) strains
      among dromedary camels in the Sudan. Based on the B2L gene sequence the available
      CPPV isolates can be divided into two genetic clades or lineages; the Asian
      lineage represented by isolates from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and India and the
      African lineage comprising isolates from the Sudan. CONCLUSION: The camel
      parapoxvirus is genetically diverse involving predominantly viruses close to PCPV
      in addition to ORFVs, and can be divided into two genetically distant lineages.
      Based on sequences of the B2L gene it is not possible to suggest that the viruses
      that cause CCE form a monophylogenetic group or species within the PPV phylogeny.

PMID- 26260128
TI  - Living conditions are associated with increased antibiotic resistance in
      community isolates of Escherichia coli.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to measure the associations between
      domains of deprivation and antibiotic resistance of Escherichia coli. METHODS:
      Routine surveillance data for antibiotic susceptibility of E. coli isolates were
      obtained from urine specimens taken from patients presenting with suspected
      urinary tract infection in 2010-12 to healthcare practitioners based in the
      community in Leeds and Bradford. Eight antibiotics were included in the analyses.
      Postcodes were linked to lower super output areas (average populations of 1500).
      The 2010 Indices of Deprivation were used as neighbourhood characteristics for
      each lower super output area. Multilevel logistic regression models were used to
      estimate the independent effect of structural components on the odds of
      resistance to each antibiotic. RESULTS: With respect to living conditions,
      residence in the most-deprived areas compared with the least-deprived areas was
      associated with increased odds of antibiotic resistance for all eight antibiotics
      analysed. The magnitude of these associations included an OR of 2.04 (95% CI 1.03
      3.07) for cefalexin, 2.16 (95% CI 1.16-4.05) for ciprofloxacin, 2.47 (95% CI 1.08
      5.66) for nitrofurantoin and 1.33 (95% CI 1.07-1.75) for trimethoprim.
      CONCLUSIONS: Social deprivation in the form of living conditions is associated
      with increased antibiotic resistance for E. coli. This evidence suggests there is
      a need for further individual-level studies to explore the potential mechanism
      for these associations.

PMID- 26260129
TI  - Coexistence of a novel KPC-2-encoding MDR plasmid and an NDM-1-encoding pNDM
      HN380-like plasmid in a clinical isolate of Citrobacter freundii.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to characterize the molecular
      mechanism of coproduction of KPC-2 and NDM-1 in Citrobacter freundii. METHODS: C.
      freundii strain 112298 was isolated from a human case of septic shock in a
      Chinese teaching hospital. The major carbapenemase and ESBL genes were detected
      by PCR. The MIC values were determined by using VITEK 2 and antimicrobial
      susceptibility was judged by CLSI standards. The resistance plasmid was
      transferred into Escherichia coli by electroporation, followed by plasmid DNA
      isolation from the electroporant, and then fully sequenced and compared with
      closely related plasmids. RESULTS: Strain 112298 produces KPC-2 and NDM-1,
      encoded by the novel non-typeable plasmid p112298-KPC and an IncX3-type plasmid
      p112298-NDM, respectively. In p112298-KPC, a Tn1722-based blaKPC-2-carrying
      transposon is associated with several additional resistance modules, constituting
      a single MDR region. Assembly of these resistance modules is likely mediated by
      homologous recombination between five copies of IS26 elements at different sites
      within the MDR region. p112298-NDM is a very close relation of pNDM-HN380. blaNDM
      1 in p112298-NDM is carried by a Tn125 variant, which differs from the prototype
      Tn125 as observed in pNDM-BJ01 by disruption of an upstream copy of ISAba125 by
      IS5 and absence of a downstream copy of ISAba125. CONCLUSIONS: Production of KPC
      2 and NDM-1 by p112298-KPC and p112298-NDM, respectively, makes C. freundii
      112298 highly resistant to carbapenems and, moreover, these two plasmids still
      harbour genes for resistance to cephalosporins, chloramphenicol, chromate,
      fosfomycin, quaternary ammonium, rifampicin and sulphonamides.

PMID- 26260130
TI  - In vivo evolution of resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains isolated from
      patients admitted to an intensive care unit: mechanisms of resistance and
      antimicrobial exposure.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The main objective of this study was to investigate the relationship
      among the in vivo acquisition of antimicrobial resistance in Pseudomonas
      aeruginosa clinical isolates, the underlying molecular mechanisms and previous
      exposure to antipseudomonal agents. METHODS: PFGE was used to study the molecular
      relatedness of the strains. The MICs of ceftazidime, cefepime,
      piperacillin/tazobactam, imipenem, meropenem, ciprofloxacin and amikacin were
      determined. Outer membrane protein profiles were assessed to study OprD
      expression. RT-PCR was performed to analyse ampC, mexB, mexD, mexF and mexY
      expression. The presence of mutations was analysed through DNA sequencing.
      RESULTS: We collected 17 clonally related paired isolates [including first
      positive samples (A) and those with MICs increased >=4-fold (B)]. Most B isolates
      with increased MICs of imipenem, meropenem and ceftazidime became resistant to
      these drugs. The most prevalent resistance mechanisms detected were OprD loss
      (65%), mexB overexpression (53%), ampC derepression (29%), quinolone target gene
      mutations (24%) and increased mexY expression (24%). Five (29%) B isolates
      developed multidrug resistance. Meropenem was the most frequently (71%) received
      treatment, explaining the high prevalence of oprD mutations and likely mexB
      overexpression. Previous exposure to ceftazidime showed a higher impact on
      selection of increased MICs than previous exposure to piperacillin/tazobactam.
      CONCLUSIONS: Stepwise acquisition of resistance has a critical impact on the
      resistance phenotypes of P. aeruginosa, leading to a complex scenario for finding
      effective antimicrobial regimens. In the clinical setting, meropenem seems to be
      the most frequent driver of multidrug resistance development, while
      piperacillin/tazobactam, in contrast to ceftazidime, seems to be the beta-lactam
      least associated with the selection of resistance mechanisms.

PMID- 26260131
TI  - Evaluation of the RAPIDEC(r) CARBA NP, the Rapid CARB Screen(r) and the Carba NP
      test for biochemical detection of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was the evaluation of the performance of
      two commercially available biochemical tests for the rapid detection of
      carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae compared with a home-made technique.
      METHODS: A collection of 150 enterobacterial isolates, including 132 isolates
      with decreased susceptibility to at least one carbapenem molecule, were tested
      for carbapenemase activity using the RAPIDEC((r)) CARBA NP (bioMerieux), the
      Rapid CARB Screen((r)) (Rosco Diagnostica) and the home-made Carba NP test. This
      strain collection included 55 non-carbapenemase producers, 21 KPC producers, 21
      NDM producers, 17 VIM producers, 11 IMP producers, 16 OXA-48 producers and 9 OXA
      48-like producers (OXA-162, OXA-181, OXA-204, OXA-232 and OXA-244). RESULTS: The
      RAPIDEC((r)) CARBA NP detected all carbapenemase producers except a single OXA
      244 producer. Using the Rapid CARB Screen((r)), one KPC-2, two NDM-1, one OXA-48
      and five OXA-48 variant producers gave equivocal results and one OXA-244 producer
      was not detected. Using the Carba NP test, the same OXA-244 producer was not
      detected and one OXA-181 producer and one OXA-244 producer gave equivocal
      results. Sensitivity and specificity were 99% (95% CI 94.3%-99.8%) and 100% (95%
      CI 93.5%-100%), respectively, for the RAPIDEC((r)) CARBA NP test, 89.5% (95% CI
      81.7%-94.2%) and 70.9% (95% CI 57.9%-81.2%) for the Rapid CARB Screen((r)) and
      96.8% (95% CI 91.1%-98.9%) and 100% (95% CI 93.5%-100%) for the Carba NP test.
      The impact of the use of an adequate bacterial inoculum for obtaining the optimal
      performance with the RAPIDEC((r)) CARBA NP was noted. CONCLUSIONS: The
      RAPIDEC((r)) CARBA NP possesses the best performance for rapid and efficient
      detection of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae.

PMID- 26260132
TI  - Use of fluoroquinolones for the treatment of TB: 8 years of experience.

PMID- 26260134
TI  - Variations in Cannabis Use Level and Correlates in Opiate-Users on Methadone
      Maintenance Treatment: A French Prospective Study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Concurrent cannabis use is very frequent among opioid users on
      methadone maintenance treatment (MMT), which could reflect a coping strategy
      during MMT. The aims of this study were to describe variations in cannabis use
      and to explore whether MMT could modify the patterns of cannabis use correlates.
      METHODS: The sample included 188 opioid-dependent individuals who initiated MMT
      and were prospectively followed for 12 months. Cannabis use was monitored at
      enrollment and at months 3, 6 and 12. The relationships between cannabis use
      level (non-daily use and daily use vs. no use in the previous month) and its
      determinants (socioeconomic factors, substance use characteristics and mental
      health) were explored using mixed multinomial logistic regressions. RESULTS: No
      significant variation trend in cannabis use levels was observed during the follow
      up period among the 188 subjects analyzed (p=0.85). After adjustment for socio
      demographic factors, opioid use was associated with both non-daily (OR=3.11,
      p=0.01) and daily cannabis use (OR=2.58, p=0.04). Moreover the number of health
      problems reported was associated with daily cannabis use (OR=1.12 per 1-problem
      increase, p=0.004). The factors associated with cannabis use appeared similar
      before and after starting treatment (no significant interaction observed between
      MMT and any factor). CONCLUSIONS: Cannabis use during MMT more likely reflects
      pre-existing common liability to substance use or self-medication practices
      towards health problems than a behavior aimed at managing problems with MMT. With
      recent research suggesting an interaction between cannabinoid and opioid systems,
      the benefit of cannabis-based pharmacotherapies during MMT should be further
      explored in addiction research.

PMID- 26260133
TI  - Persistent pain alters AMPA receptor subunit levels in the nucleus accumbens.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A variety of pain conditions have been found to be associated with
      depressed mood in clinical studies. Depression-like behaviors have also been
      described in animal models of persistent or chronic pain. In rodent chronic
      neuropathic pain models, elevated levels of GluA1 subunits of alpha-amino-3
      hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors in the nucleus
      accumbens (NAc) have been found to inhibit depressive symptoms. However, the
      effect of reversible post-surgical pain or inflammatory pain on affective
      behaviors such as depression has not been well characterized in animal models.
      Neither is it known what time frame is required to elicit AMPA receptor subunit
      changes in the NAc in various pain conditions. RESULTS: In this study, we
      compared behavioral and biochemical changes in three pain models: the paw
      incision (PI) model for post-incisional pain, the Complete Freund's Adjuvant
      (CFA) model for persistent but reversible inflammatory pain, and the spared nerve
      injury (SNI) model for chronic postoperative neuropathic pain. In all three
      models, rats developed depressive symptoms that were concurrent with the
      presentation of sensory allodynia. GluA1 levels at the synapses of the NAc,
      however, differed in these three models. The level of GluA1 subunits of AMPA-type
      receptors at NAc synapses was not altered in the PI model. GluA1 levels were
      elevated in the CFA model after a period (7 d) of persistent pain, leading to the
      formation of GluA2-lacking AMPA receptors. As pain symptoms began to resolve,
      however, GluA1 levels returned to baseline. Meanwhile, in the SNI model, in which
      pain persisted beyond 14 days, GluA1 levels began to rise after pain became
      persistent and remained elevated. In addition, we found that blocking GluA2
      lacking AMPA receptors in the NAc further decreased the depressive symptoms only
      in persistent pain models. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that while both short-term
      and persistent pain can trigger depression-like behaviors, GluA1 upregulation in
      the NAc likely represents a unique adaptive response to minimize depressive
      symptoms in persistent pain states.

PMID- 26260135
TI  - Examining the Preliminary Efficacy of a Dating Violence Prevention Program for
      Hispanic Adolescents.
AB  - The purpose of this study is to evaluate the preliminary efficacy of a dating
      violence (DV) prevention program for Cuban American adolescents (JOVEN/YOUTH:
      Juntos Opuestos a la Violence Entre Novios/Together Against Dating Violence). A
      randomized-controlled experimental design with a delayed condition was used to
      evaluate the effects on DV victimization and perpetration (N = 82). Self
      administrated assessments were completed at baseline, 1 week, 3 months, and 12
      months after the intervention to assess for psychological victimization and
      perpetration and physical and sexual victimization and perpetration. Effect sizes
      were estimated, and generalized estimating equations were generated to test
      intervention effects over time and potential gender interactions. The
      intervention had medium to strong effects on DV victimization and perpetration
      for male participants but not for females. However, intervention effects were not
      statistically significant over time. More research is needed to enhance
      intervention effects of JOVEN on DV outcomes and to evaluate these effects among
      a larger and more diverse sample. 

PMID- 26260136
TI  - Off-Label Prescribing by Psychiatrists: What is the Practitioner's Liability?
AB  - In psychiatry, the molecules available and the dosages recommended when a drug
      receives marketing authorization are not always adequate to treat patients with
      major behavioral disturbances. Off-label prescribing is frequent in this context,
      with regard to the indications and the dosages given as well as to the drug
      combinations used. However, if complications or death occur, the practitioner's
      liability may be engaged. The authors report three deaths attributed to off-label
      prescribing in psychiatry and which led to charges against the physicians. They
      review the precautions to be taken when prescribing in such conditions (no other
      possible treatment, existence of sound scientific evidence, consent obtained from
      the patient, or their legal representatives except in cases of force majeure) and
      the physician's liability if adverse events occur that could be attributed to off
      label prescribing.

PMID- 26260137
TI  - Identification of immediate early response protein 2 as a regulator of
      angiogenesis through the modulation of endothelial cell motility and adhesion.
AB  - Human immediate early response 2 (IER2) has been characterized as a putative
      nuclear protein that functions as a transcription factor or transcriptional co
      activator in the regulation of cellular responses, and may be involved in the
      regulation of tumor progression and metastasis. Data from our previous gene
      expression profile of the human microvascular endothelial cells during capillary
      morphogenesis showed a significant alteration of IER2 expression, suggesting that
      IER2 may participate in the regulation of the endothelial cell morphogenesis and
      angiogenesis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of IER2 in
      cell motility, cell-matrix adhesion and in vitro capillary-like structures
      formation of the human umbilical vein endothelium cells (HUVECs). IER2 was
      constitutively expressed in HUVECs, and lentiviral-mediated depletion of IER2
      significantly reduced the cell motility, cell-matrix adhesion and capillary-like
      structures formation of HUVECs. Results also showed that depletion and
      overexpression of IER2 altered the actin cytoskeleton rearrangement in HUVECs.
      Furthermore, results from western blot analysis showed that the activity of the
      focal adhesion kinase (FAK) can be regulated by IER2. These results indicated
      that IER2 regulates endothelial cell motility, adhesion on collagen type I matrix
      and the capillary tube formation, as the result of the regulation of the actin
      cytoskeleton rearrangement presumably via a FAK-dependent mechanism. 

PMID- 26260138
TI  - Real-time histological imaging of kidneys stained with food dyes using
      multiphoton microscopy.
AB  - We have developed a real-time imaging technique for diagnosis of kidney diseases
      which is composed of two steps, staining renal cells safely with food dyes and
      optical sectioning of living renal tissue to obtain histological images by
      multiphoton microscopy (MPM). Here, we demonstrated that the MPM imaging with
      food dyes, including erythrosine and indigo carmine, could be used as fluorescent
      agents to visualize renal functions and structures such as glomerular
      bloodstreams, glomerular filtration, and morphology of glomeruli and renal
      tubules. We also showed that the kidneys of IgA nephropathy model-mice stained
      with the food dyes presented histopathological characteristics different from
      those observed in normal kidneys. The use of the food dyes enhances the quality
      of tissue images obtained by MPM and offers the potential to contribute to a
      clinical real-time diagnosis of kidney diseases.

PMID- 26260139
TI  - Food insecurity reported by children, but not by mothers, is associated with
      lower quality of diet and shifts in foods consumed.
AB  - Household food security shows little indication of nutrient inadequacy among
      children, according to reports made by parents. We examined the associations of
      food insecurity as reported by children and mothers with children's consumption
      of energy, macronutrients such as vitamin A, calcium, iron and zinc, and selected
      foods, and whether these associations differed by child's gender. This cross
      sectional study had non-probabilistic 128 Venezuelan mother-child pairs. We
      assessed food insecurity and management strategies in children using 10- and nine
      item instruments, respectively. Mothers' report of food insecurity came from a
      previously validated 12-item instrument. Nutrient intake of children was assessed
      with a 67-item food frequency questionnaire. Comparisons were made using chi
      square test for contingency tables and t-tests for trends (P < 0.05). Linear
      regression models were used for intakes of nutrients and selected foods. We
      tested for interactions with gender. Prevalence of child- and mother-reported
      food insecurity was 83.6 and 61.7%, respectively (P < 0.01). Greater food
      insecurity or management strategies reported by boys was associated with lower
      calcium, iron and zinc intake (P < 0.05), but reported intakes were low in girls
      who are even food secure. Rice and corn flour consumption was higher with higher
      food insecurity in children. Papaya and banana were less consumed by food
      insecure children. We found shifts in 13 of 67 foods consumed, with less quality
      in those food insecure, as reported by children. Mother-reported food insecurity
      was associated only with rice intake of children. In contrast to mothers'
      reports, food insecurity reported by children was associated with children's
      lower quality of diet and shifts in foods consumed.

PMID- 26260140
TI  - High rate of hematological responses to sorafenib in FLT3-ITD acute myeloid
      leukemia relapsed after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
AB  - Relapse represents the most significant cause of failure of allogeneic
      hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for FLT3-ITD-positive acute
      myeloid leukemia (AML), and available therapies are largely unsatisfactory. In
      this study, we retrospectively collected data on the off-label use of the
      tyrosine kinase inhibitor sorafenib, either alone or in association with
      hypomethylating agents and adoptive immunotherapy, in 13 patients with post
      transplantation FLT3-ITD-positive AML relapses. Hematological response was
      documented in 12 of 13 patients (92%), and five of 13 (38%) achieved complete
      bone marrow remission. Treatment was overall manageable in the outpatient
      setting, although all patients experienced significant adverse events, especially
      severe cytopenias (requiring a donor stem cell boost in five patients) and
      typical hand-foot syndrome. None of the patients developed graft-vs.-host disease
      following sorafenib alone, whereas this was frequently observed when this was
      given in association with donor T-cell infusions. Six patients are alive and in
      remission at the last follow-up, and four could be bridged to a second allogeneic
      HSCT, configuring a 65 +/- 14% overall survival at 100 d from relapse. Taken
      together, our data suggest that sorafenib might represent a valid treatment
      option for patients with FLT3-ITD-positive post-transplantation relapses,
      manageable also in combination with other therapeutic strategies. 

PMID- 26260142
TI  - Obesity: Liraglutide--another weapon in the war against obesity?

PMID- 26260143
TI  - Pancreas: Fatty pancreas linked to increased BMI and insulin resistance in
      children.

PMID- 26260141
TI  - Short-chain fatty acids in control of body weight and insulin sensitivity.
AB  - The connection between the gut microbiota and the aetiology of obesity and
      cardiometabolic disorders is increasingly being recognized by clinicians. Our gut
      microbiota might affect the cardiometabolic phenotype by fermenting indigestible
      dietary components and thereby producing short-chain fatty acids (SCFA). These
      SCFA are not only of importance in gut health and as signalling molecules, but
      might also enter the systemic circulation and directly affect metabolism or the
      function of peripheral tissues. In this Review, we discuss the effects of three
      SCFA (acetate, propionate and butyrate) on energy homeostasis and metabolism, as
      well as how these SCFA can beneficially modulate adipose tissue, skeletal muscle
      and liver tissue function. As a result, these SCFA contribute to improved glucose
      homeostasis and insulin sensitivity. Furthermore, we also summarize the
      increasing evidence for a potential role of SCFA as metabolic targets to prevent
      and counteract obesity and its associated disorders in glucose metabolism and
      insulin resistance. However, most data are derived from animal and in vitro
      studies, and consequently the importance of SCFA and differential SCFA
      availability in human energy and substrate metabolism remains to be fully
      established. Well-controlled human intervention studies investigating the role of
      SCFA on cardiometabolic health are, therefore, eagerly awaited.

PMID- 26260144
TI  - Bone: Sequential osteoporosis treatment--the order of things.

PMID- 26260147
TI  - Food and nutrition security: challenges of post-harvest handling in Kenya.
AB  - Presently, close to 1 billion people suffer from hunger and food insecurity.
      Statistics in Kenya indicates that over 10 million people suffer from chronic
      food insecurity and poor nutrition, 2-4 million people require emergency food
      assistance at any given time with nearly 30 % of Kenya's children being
      undernourished, 35 % stunted while micro-nutrient deficiency is wide spread. Key
      among the challenges contributing to inadequate foods include lack of certified
      seeds, seasonal production (rain-fed), high post-harvest losses and wastages,
      poor transportation, low value additions which reduce their market
      competitiveness. The present paper examines some of the underlying causes for
      high food wastage experience in Kenya and the associated challenges in addressing
      these problems. The paper also provides an overview of some of the basic
      solutions that have been recommended by various stakeholders. However, in spite
      of the recent efforts made to mitigate food wastage, there is still an urgent
      need to address these gaps through participatory, innovative community based
      interventions that will create resilience to climate change and enhance
      livelihoods of smallholder farmers in diverse ecosystems. 

PMID- 26260148
TI  - Photoinduced Reactivity of the Soft Hydrotris(6-tert-butyl-3
      thiopyridazinyl)borate Scorpionate Ligand in Sodium, Potassium, and Thallium
      Salts.
AB  - The soft scorpionate ligand hydrotris(6-tert-butyl-3-thiopyridazinyl)borate (Tn)
      was found to exhibit pronounced photoreactivity. Full elucidation of this process
      revealed the formation of 6-tert-butylpyridazine-3-thione (PnH) and 4,5-dihydro-6
      tert-butylpyridazine-3-thione (H2PnH). Under exclusion of light, no solvolytic
      reactions occur, allowing the development of high-yield preparation protocols for
      the sodium, potassium, and thallium salts and improving the yield for their
      derived copper boratrane complex. The photoreactivity is relevant for all future
      studies with electron-deficient scorpionate ligands. 

PMID- 26260146
TI  - From Childhood Maltreatment to Allostatic Load in Adulthood: The Role of Social
      Support.
AB  - Although previous research has documented that social support acts as a
      protective factor for individuals exposed to trauma, most research relies on
      assessments of social support at one point in time. The present study used data
      from a prospective cohort design study to examine the stability of social support
      from childhood through middle adulthood in individuals with documented histories
      of childhood abuse and neglect and matched controls (aged 0-11) and assessed the
      impact of social support on allostatic load, a composite measure of physiological
      stress response assessed through blood tests and physical measurements, in middle
      adulthood. Maltreated children are more likely to have unstable social support
      across the life span, compared to matched controls. Social support across the
      life span partially mediated the relationship between child maltreatment and
      allostatic load in adulthood, although there were differences by race and sex.
      These findings have implications for interventions to prevent the negative
      consequences of child maltreatment. 

PMID- 26260145
TI  - Metabolic functions of FABPs--mechanisms and therapeutic implications.
AB  - Intracellular and extracellular interactions with proteins enables the functional
      and mechanistic diversity of lipids. Fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs) were
      originally described as intracellular proteins that can affect lipid fluxes,
      metabolism and signalling within cells. As the functions of this protein family
      have been further elucidated, it has become evident that they are critical
      mediators of metabolism and inflammatory processes, both locally and
      systemically, and therefore are potential therapeutic targets for immunometabolic
      diseases. In particular, genetic deficiency and small molecule-mediated
      inhibition of FABP4 (also known as aP2) and FABP5 can potently improve glucose
      homeostasis and reduce atherosclerosis in mouse models. Further research has
      shown that in addition to their intracellular roles, some FABPs are found outside
      the cells, and FABP4 undergoes regulated, vesicular secretion. The circulating
      form of FABP4 has crucial hormonal functions in systemic metabolism. In this
      Review we discuss the roles and regulation of both intracellular and
      extracellular FABP actions, highlighting new insights that might direct drug
      discovery efforts and opportunities for management of chronic metabolic diseases.

PMID- 26260149
TI  - Adult Binge Drinking: Childhood Sexual Abuse, Gender and the Role of Adolescent
      Alcohol-Related Experiences.
AB  - AIMS: This study examines gender differences in the pathway from childhood sexual
      abuse (CSA) to adult binge drinking. METHODS: Using longitudinal data on 313
      males and females (31-41 years old, mean = 36.21) in the Lehigh Longitudinal
      Study, we test for gender differences in the pathway from CSA to adolescent
      drinking, norms and pro-alcohol peers, to adult binge drinking. RESULTS:
      Controlling for family history of alcohol problems, socioeconomic status (SES)
      and ethnicity, we found that for females there was a significant direct effect of
      CSA on adult binge drinking. For males there was no significant direct or
      indirect effect. Significant effects of family alcohol problems and SES were also
      moderated by gender. CONCLUSION: There are gender differences in the impact of
      CSA on adult binge drinking. Service providers and program developers should pay
      special attention to the possibility that their female clients may have a history
      of sexual abuse which could have implications for the course of prevention and
      treatment services related to binge drinking. Early intervention could prevent
      alcohol-related risk in adolescence which in turn could reduce, but not
      eliminate, the binge drinking consequences of CSA for females.

PMID- 26260150
TI  - Comparing measures of overall and central obesity in relation to cardiometabolic
      risk factors among US Hispanic/Latino adults.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: US Hispanics/Latinos have high prevalence of obesity and related
      comorbidities. We compared overall and central obesity measures in associations
      with cardiometabolic outcomes among US Hispanics/Latinos. METHODS: Multivariable
      regression assessed cross-sectional relationships of six obesity measures with
      cardiometabolic outcomes among 16,415 Hispanics/Latinos aged 18-74 years.
      RESULTS: BMI was moderately correlated with waist-to-hip ratio (WHR; women, r =
      0.37; men, r = 0.58) and highly correlated with other obesity measures (r >=
      0.87) (P < 0.0001). All measures of obesity were correlated with unfavorable
      levels of glycemic traits, blood pressure, and lipids, with similar r-estimates
      for each obesity measure (P < 0.05). Multivariable-adjusted prevalence ratios
      (PRs) for diabetes (women, 6.7 [3.9, 11.5]; men, 3.9 [2.2, 6.9]), hypertension
      (women, 2.4 [1.9, 3.1]; men, 2.5 [1.9, 3.4]), and dyslipidemia (women, 2.1 [1.8,
      2.4]; men, 2.2 [1.9, 2.6]) were highest for individuals characterized as
      overweight/obese (BMI >= 25 kg/m(2)) and with abnormal WHR (women >=0.85; men,
      >=0.90), compared with those with normal BMI and WHR (P < 0.0001). Among normal
      weight individuals, abnormal WHR was associated with increased cardiometabolic
      condition prevalence (P < 0.05), particularly diabetes (women, PR = 4.0 [2.2,
      7.1]; men, PR = 3.0 [1.6, 5.7]). CONCLUSIONS: Obesity measures were associated
      with cardiometabolic risk factors to a similar degree in US Hispanics/Latinos.
      WHR is useful to identify individuals with normal BMI at increased
      cardiometabolic risk.

PMID- 26260151
TI  - Association between vitamin D status and serum parathyroid hormone concentration
      and calcaneal stiffness in Japanese adolescents: sex differences in
      susceptibility to vitamin D deficiency.
AB  - There is currently insufficient information on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD)
      and parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations, and bone mineral status in healthy
      adolescents to allow reference values to be set. This study aimed to provide
      comparable data on vitamin D status in Japanese adolescents and to assess sex
      differences in susceptibility to vitamin D insufficiency. Serum 25OHD and PTH
      concentrations were measured in 1,380 healthy adolescents (aged 12-18 years).
      Subjects completed a questionnaire on exercise history, diet, and lifestyle
      factors. Calcaneal stiffness was evaluated by quantitative ultrasound. Serum
      25OHD concentrations in boys and girls were 60.8 +/- 18.3 and 52.8 +/- 17.0
      nmol/L, respectively. Approximately 30 % of boys and 47 % of girls had suboptimal
      25OHD concentrations (<50 nmol/L). Serum PTH concentration was negatively
      correlated with serum 25OHD concentration in boys, but negatively correlated with
      calcium intake rather than serum 25OHD in girls. In contrast, the increment in
      calcaneal stiffness as a result of elevation of serum 25OHD was higher in girls
      than in boys. As vitamin D deficiency is common in Japanese adolescents, it was
      estimated that intakes of >=12 and >=14 MUg/day vitamin D would be required to
      reach 25OHD concentrations of 50 nmol/L in boys and girls, respectively.
      Moreover, the results of the present study indicate that vitamin D deficiency has
      a greater association with calcaneal stiffness in girls than in boys. 

PMID- 26260152
TI  - Lattice Distortion in In3SbTe2 Phase Change Material with Substitutional Bi.
AB  - Sb atoms in In3SbTe2 (IST) are partially substituted by 3.2-5.5 at.% of Bi atoms.
      As a result, the NaCl crystal structure of IST is slightly distorted. The
      distorted inter-planar angles observed with fast Fourier transformation of the
      lattice images are within the maximum range of interplanar angles calculated by
      density functional theory. When the Bi content is increased, the crystallization
      temperature becomes relatively lower than that of IST, the activation energy
      decreases from 5.29 to 2.61 eV, and the specific heat and melting point are
      obviously reduced. Consequently, phase change random access memory (PRAM)
      fabricated with Bi-doped IST (Bi-IST) can operate with lower power consumption
      than pure IST PRAM. The set and reset speeds of PRAM cells fabricated with Bi-IST
      are both 100 ns with 5.5 at.% Bi, which are obviously faster than the switching
      speeds of PRAM cells fabricated with IST and Ge2Sb2Te5 (GST). These experimental
      results reveal that the switching speed is closely related with the thermal
      properties of the distorted lattice structure. 

PMID- 26260154
TI  - Screening of young competitive athletes for the prevention of sudden cardiac
      death with a wireless electrocardiographic transmission device: a pilot study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The 12-lead electrocardiographic screening for the prevention of
      sudden cardiac death in young competitive athletes is not cost-effective and thus
      not routinely recommended. We investigate whether a less expensive wireless
      electrocardiographic transmission device can be used to screen for the prevention
      of sudden cardiac death in this population. METHODS: During pre-participation
      screening, twenty college football players underwent two electrocardiograms: a
      conventional 12-lead electrocardiogram and a wireless 9-lead electrocardiogram.
      We compared several electrocardiographic parameters (QRS duration, left
      ventricular hypertrophy using the Cornell voltage criteria and the Sokolow-Lyon
      criteria, ST deviation and corrected QT interval) to determine the correlation.
      RESULTS: The QRS duration, left ventricular hypertrophy using the Cornell voltage
      criteria and the Sokolow-Lyon criteria and corrected QT interval exhibited
      significant correlation between the two types of electrocardiograms (correlation
      coefficient 0.878, 0.630, 0.770 and 0.847, respectively with P values of 0.01,
      0.003, 0.01 and 0.01, respectively). ST deviation in V1 was weakly correlated
      between the two types of electrocardiograms without statistical significance
      (correlation coefficient 0.360 with a P value of 0.119). CONCLUSIONS: Our newly
      developed wireless 9-lead electrocardiogram demonstrated significant correlations
      with a conventional 12-lead electrocardiogram in terms of QRS duration, left
      ventricular hypertrophy and corrected QT interval.

PMID- 26260153
TI  - The relationship between socioeconomic indicators during pregnancy and
      gynecological appointment at any time after childbirth.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The rates of receipt of postnatal care vary widely between high and
      low-middle income countries. This study aimed to examine the association between
      indicators of socioeconomic status during pregnancy and gynecological appointment
      at any time after childbirth (GA). METHODS: a prospective cohort study with
      pregnant women recruited from 10 primary care clinics of the public sector in the
      city of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Socioeconomic characteristics and obstetric
      information were obtained through a questionnaire administered during pregnancy
      and in the postpartum period. Adjusted risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence
      intervals (CI) were calculated using Poisson regression. RESULTS: Eight hundred
      and thirty one pregnant women were included in the study during the antenatal
      period and 701 were re-assessed during the postnatal period. Among them, 283
      (59.6) attended a gynecological consultation. After adjusting for covariates,
      higher socioeconomic status during pregnancy was associated with greater risk of
      having a GA (RR:1.23, CI 95%:1.05:1.45 for family per capita monthly income;
      RR:1.19, CI 95 % 1.01:1.40 for asset score). CONCLUSION: In this sample, the
      attendance for GA was above average and women with higher socio-economic status
      were more likely to have receipt of such care. Special efforts should be made to
      improve the attendance and frequency of gynecological consultations after
      childbirth among poorer women.

PMID- 26260155
TI  - Considering the changing face of social media in higher education.
AB  - There is currently much ongoing consideration as to how educators can make use of
      new technologies to engage students. The prevalence of social media use within
      both private and professional circles has made these technologies increasingly
      important for educators. This commentary briefly outlines some of the ways social
      media has been used in higher education and also some of the primary concerns.
      Current and future trends are also addressed. 

PMID- 26260156
TI  - Promoting microbiology education through the iGEM synthetic biology competition.
AB  - Synthetic biology has developed rapidly in the 21st century. It covers a range of
      scientific disciplines that incorporate principles from engineering to take
      advantage of and improve biological systems, often applied to specific problems.
      Methods important in this subject area include the systematic design and testing
      of biological systems and, here, we describe how synthetic biology projects
      frequently develop microbiology skills and education. Synthetic biology research
      has huge potential in biotechnology and medicine, which brings important ethical
      and moral issues to address, offering learning opportunities about the wider
      impact of microbiological research. Synthetic biology projects have developed
      into wide-ranging training and educational experiences through iGEM, the
      International Genetically Engineered Machines competition. Elements of the
      competition are judged against specific criteria and teams can win medals and
      prizes across several categories. Collaboration is an important element of iGEM,
      and all DNA constructs synthesized by iGEM teams are made available to all
      researchers through the Registry for Standard Biological Parts. An overview of
      microbiological developments in the iGEM competition is provided. This review is
      targeted at educators that focus on microbiology and synthetic biology, but will
      also be of value to undergraduate and postgraduate students with an interest in
      this exciting subject area. 

PMID- 26260157
TI  - Clinical, biochemical, neuroimaging and molecular findings of X-linked
      Adrenoleukodystrophy patients in South China.
AB  - X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy is a common X-linked recessive peroxisomal disorder
      caused by the mutations in the ABCD1 gene. In this study, we analyzed 19 male
      patients and 9 female carriers with X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy in South China.
      By sequencing the ABCD1 gene, 13 different mutations were identified, including 7
      novel mutations, and 6 known mutations, and 1 reported polymorphism. Mutation
      c.1180delG was demonstrated to be de novo mutation. 26.3 % (5/19) patients
      carried the deletion c.1415_16delAG, which may be the mutational hot spot in
      South China population. In addition, 73.7 % (14/19) patients were type of
      childhood cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy, 26.3 %(5/19) were in Addison only. Half
      of the childhood cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy patients had the adrenocortical
      insufficiency preceded the onset of neurological symptoms. Furthermore, 5 of 19
      cases underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Our data showed that
      hematopoietic stem cell transplantation performed at an advanced stage of the
      cerebral X- linked adrenoleukodystrophy would accelerate the progression of the
      disease. Good clinical outcome achieved when hematopoietic stem cell
      transplantation performed at the very early stage of the disease.

PMID- 26260158
TI  - A qualitative study on barriers to evidence-based practice in patient counseling
      and advocacy in Germany.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite the attempt to integrate evidence-based practice (EBP) in
      patient counseling and advocacy, there is limited knowledge on the status quo of
      this process in the German health care system. Our objective was to identify
      important determinants influencing the application of EBP in the counseling and
      advocacy setting in Germany. METHODS: We carried out a qualitative study
      performing semi-structured expert interviews and one group discussion among n = 9
      patient counselors (PCs) and patient advocates (PAs) identified via expert
      recommendations and by contacting relevant institutions. The interview manual was
      developed on the basis of a literature review on barriers/facilitators of EBP in
      health care delivery and a preamble oriented pyramid discussion with a
      multidisciplinary team. Interviews were analyzed using the Grounded Theory
      method. A paradigm was developed to present the interrelations between hindering
      and facilitating factors for EBP and the attitude towards the utilization of EBP
      among PAs and PCs. RESULTS: Findings from nine face-to-face interviews and one
      group discussion demonstrate that by now PCs and PAs do not recognize EBP as a
      tool to facilitate the professionalization of patient counselors and advocates.
      This result is due to individual and institutional barriers such as cognitive
      behavioral, professional, attitude related as well as resource and system
      barriers. PCs and PAs have predominantly critical attitudes towards EBP caused by
      a lack of trust in its reliability and by concerns regarding unfavorable effects
      EBP may have on the relationship with the patient and on the cooperation with
      physicians. A missing infrastructure of needs-based EBP training programs also
      discourages PCs and PAs from engaging in EBP. Despite the numerous hindering
      factors, there is also a growing awareness that EBP could help to improve patient
      counseling and advocacy. To facilitate EBP in future, needs-based training
      programs and health policy interventions that support interdisciplinary
      collaboration are required. CONCLUSION: Although EBP among PCs and PAs is gaining
      importance, it is still less likely to be recognized as helpful and its
      application faces various barriers. More needs-based EBP training programs and
      health policy interventions to decrease barriers and foster interdisciplinary
      collaboration are necessary.

PMID- 26260159
TI  - Moxifloxacin and ciprofloxacin induces S-phase arrest and augments apoptotic
      effects of cisplatin in human pancreatic cancer cells via ERK activation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pancreatic cancer, one of the most dreadful gastrointestinal tract
      malignancies, with the current chemotherapeutic drugs has posed a major
      impediment owing to poor prognosis and chemo-resistance thereby suggesting
      critical need for additional drugs as therapeutics in combating the situation.
      Fluoroquinolones have shown promising and significant anti-tumor effects on
      several carcinoma cell lines. METHODS: Previously, we reported growth inhibitory
      effects of fourth generation fluoroquinolone Gatifloxacin, while in the current
      study we have investigated the anti-proliferative and apoptosis-inducing
      mechanism of older generation fluoroquinolones Moxifloxacin and Ciprofloxacin on
      the pancreatic cancer cell-lines MIA PaCa-2 and Panc-1. Cytotoxicity was measured
      by MTT assay. Apoptosis induction was evaluated using annexin assay, cell cycle
      assay and activation of caspase-3, 8, 9 were measured by western blotting and
      enzyme activity assay. RESULTS: Herein, we found that both the fluoroquinolones
      suppressed the proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells by causing S-phase arrest
      and apoptosis. Blockade in S-phase of cell cycle was associated with decrease in
      the levels of p27, p21, CDK2, cyclin-A and cyclin-E. Herein we also observed
      triggering of extrinsic as well as intrinsic mitochondrial apoptotic pathway as
      suggested by the activation of caspase-8, 9, 3, and Bid respectively. All this
      was accompanied by downregulation of antiapoptotic protein Bcl-xL and
      upregulation of proapoptotic protein Bak. Our results strongly suggest the role
      of extracellular-signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2), but not p53, p38 and c-JUN N
      terminal kinase (JNK) in fluoroquinolone induced growth inhibitory effects in
      both the cell lines. Additionally, we also found both the fluoroquinolones to
      augment the apoptotic effects of broad spectrum anticancer drug Cisplatin via
      ERK. CONCLUSION: The fact that these fluoroquinolones synergize the effect of
      cisplatin opens new insight into therapeutic index in treatment of pancreatic
      cancer.

PMID- 26260160
TI  - The Prognostic Value of Early Repolarization with ST-Segment Elevation by Age and
      Gender in the Hispanic Population.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Early repolarization (ER), once thought to be a benign finding on
      electrocardiograph (ECG), has recently been associated with an increased risk of
      sudden cardiac death. As there are limited data in the Hispanic population, we
      investigated possible associations between automated ECG ER readings and overall
      mortality, using the classic definition involving J-point elevation with ST
      segment elevation. METHODS: An ECG and electronic medical record (EMR) database
      from a regional medical center was interrogated. Inclusion criteria included
      Hispanic ethnicity and age over 18 from 2000 to 2011. A Cox model assessed the
      outcome of death. Varying morphological characteristics of ER were analyzed for
      high-risk features. RESULTS: There were n = 33,944 Hispanics of who n = 532
      (1.6%) had ER with a mean follow-up period of 5.29 years. After adjustment for
      demographic, clinical, lifestyle, and laboratory variables, ER was not
      significantly related to all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.18, 95%
      confidence interval [CI]: 0.90-1.54, P = 0.23). However, mortality risk of ER
      varied by gender and age (P interaction = 0.007). The risk of ER for mortality
      was highest for females (HR: 2.01, CI: 1.39-3.10, P = 0.001), with the highest
      overall risk for women over the age of 75 (HR: 2.09, CI: 1.12-3.92, P = 0.021)
      compared to women under age 75 (HR: 1.72, CI: 0.95-3.11, P = 0.075). CONCLUSIONS:
      ER is not associated with an increased risk of death in the overall Hispanic
      population. However, our analysis suggests a higher risk of overall mortality in
      the elderly Hispanic female population with ER.

PMID- 26260161
TI  - Two novel mutations in the NR5A1 gene as a cause of disorders of sex development
      in a Pakistani cohort of 46,XY patients.
AB  - NR5A1 plays a central role in gonadal development and regulation by
      transcriptional regulation of key modulators involved in steroidogenesis.
      Mutations in human NR5A1 are frequently associated with 46,XY disorders of sex
      development (DSD). We analysed a Pakistani cohort of patients with 46,XY DSD,
      presenting with variable degrees of gonadal dysgenesis, for NR5A1 mutations. The
      study identified three mutations (p.Tyr03X, p.Glu07X and p.Gln299HisfsX386), of
      which two are novel, in these patients with 46,XY DSD. The mutations, p.Tyr03X
      and novel p.Glu07X, are located in the coding region of the gene, corresponding
      to DNA-binding domain of the predicted protein. In silico analysis for the novel
      homozygous p.Gln299HisfsX386 mutation in ligand-binding domain of NR5A1 revealed
      subtle changes in overall tertiary conformation which is predicted to affect the
      normal physiology of this mutant protein. This study reveals two novel mutations
      with altered NR5A1 protein in twenty patients with 46,XY DSD, highlighting the
      critical role of NR5A1 protein in gonadal development and differentiation. In
      conclusion, the current and previous studies suggest that the NR5A1 mutations are
      present in around 8-15% of patients with 46,XY DSD presenting with gonadal
      dysgenesis. For the clinical utility of NR5A1 gene mutations, more comprehensive
      studies with large 46,XY DSD patient series in different populations are
      suggested. 

PMID- 26260162
TI  - Breaking the computational barriers of pairwise genome comparison.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Conventional pairwise sequence comparison software algorithms are
      being used to process much larger datasets than they were originally designed
      for. This can result in processing bottlenecks that limit software capabilities
      or prevent full use of the available hardware resources. Overcoming the barriers
      that limit the efficient computational analysis of large biological sequence
      datasets by retrofitting existing algorithms or by creating new applications
      represents a major challenge for the bioinformatics community. RESULTS: We have
      developed C libraries for pairwise sequence comparison within diverse
      architectures, ranging from commodity systems to high performance and cloud
      computing environments. Exhaustive tests were performed using different datasets
      of closely- and distantly-related sequences that span from small viral genomes to
      large mammalian chromosomes. The tests demonstrated that our solution is capable
      of generating high quality results with a linear-time response and controlled
      memory consumption, being comparable or faster than the current state-of-the-art
      methods. CONCLUSIONS: We have addressed the problem of pairwise and all-versus
      all comparison of large sequences in general, greatly increasing the limits on
      input data size. The approach described here is based on a modular out-of-core
      strategy that uses secondary storage to avoid reaching memory limits during the
      identification of High-scoring Segment Pairs (HSPs) between the sequences under
      comparison. Software engineering concepts were applied to avoid intermediate
      result re-calculation, to minimise the performance impact of input/output (I/O)
      operations and to modularise the process, thus enhancing application flexibility
      and extendibility. Our computationally-efficient approach allows tasks such as
      the massive comparison of complete genomes, evolutionary event detection, the
      identification of conserved synteny blocks and inter-genome distance calculations
      to be performed more effectively.

PMID- 26260163
TI  - HANAC Syndrome Col4a1 Mutation Causes Neonate Glomerular Hyperpermeability and
      Adult Glomerulocystic Kidney Disease.
AB  - Hereditary angiopathy, nephropathy, aneurysms, and muscle cramps (HANAC) syndrome
      is an autosomal dominant syndrome caused by mutations in COL4A1 that encodes the
      alpha1 chain of collagen IV, a major component of basement membranes. Patients
      present with cerebral small vessel disease, retinal tortuosity, muscle cramps,
      and kidney disease consisting of multiple renal cysts, chronic kidney failure,
      and sometimes hematuria. Mutations producing HANAC syndrome localize within the
      integrin binding site containing CB3[IV] fragment of the COL4A1 protein. To
      investigate the pathophysiology of HANAC syndrome, we generated mice harboring
      the Col4a1 p.Gly498Val mutation identified in a family with the syndrome. Col4a1
      G498V mutation resulted in delayed glomerulogenesis and podocyte differentiation
      without reduction of nephron number, causing albuminuria and hematuria in
      newborns. The glomerular defects resolved within the first month, but glomerular
      cysts developed in 3-month-old mutant mice. Abnormal structure of Bowman's
      capsule was associated with metalloproteinase induction and activation of the
      glomerular parietal epithelial cells that abnormally expressed CD44,alpha-SMA,
      ILK, and DDR1. Inflammatory infiltrates were observed around glomeruli and
      arterioles. Homozygous Col4a1 G498V mutant mice additionally showed dysmorphic
      papillae and urinary concentration defects. These results reveal a developmental
      role for the alpha1alpha1alpha2 collagen IV molecule in the embryonic glomerular
      basement membrane, affecting podocyte differentiation. The observed association
      between molecular alteration of the collagenous network in Bowman's capsule of
      the mature kidney and activation of parietal epithelial cells, matrix remodeling,
      and inflammation may account for glomerular cyst development and CKD in patients
      with COL4A1-related disorders.

PMID- 26260164
TI  - A Quantitative Approach to Screen for Nephrotoxic Compounds In Vitro.
AB  - Nephrotoxicity due to drugs and environmental chemicals accounts for significant
      patient mortality and morbidity, but there is no high throughput in vitro method
      for predictive nephrotoxicity assessment. We show that primary human proximal
      tubular epithelial cells (HPTECs) possess characteristics of differentiated
      epithelial cells rendering them desirable to use in such in vitro systems. To
      identify a reliable biomarker of nephrotoxicity, we conducted multiplexed gene
      expression profiling of HPTECs after exposure to six different concentrations of
      nine human nephrotoxicants. Only overexpression of the gene encoding heme
      oxygenase-1 (HO-1) significantly correlated with increasing dose for six of the
      compounds, and significant HO-1 protein deregulation was confirmed with each of
      the nine nephrotoxicants. Translatability of HO-1 increase across species and
      platforms was demonstrated by computationally mining two large rat toxicogenomic
      databases for kidney tubular toxicity and by observing a significant increase in
      HO-1 after toxicity using an ex vivo three-dimensional microphysiologic system
      (kidney-on-a-chip). The predictive potential of HO-1 was tested using an
      additional panel of 39 mechanistically distinct nephrotoxic compounds. Although
      HO-1 performed better (area under the curve receiver-operator characteristic
      curve [AUC-ROC]=0.89) than traditional endpoints of cell viability (AUC-ROC for
      ATP=0.78; AUC-ROC for cell count=0.88), the combination of HO-1 and cell count
      further improved the predictive ability (AUC-ROC=0.92). We also developed and
      optimized a homogenous time-resolved fluorescence assay to allow high throughput
      quantitative screening of nephrotoxic compounds using HO-1 as a sensitive
      biomarker. This cell-based approach may facilitate rapid assessment of potential
      nephrotoxic therapeutics and environmental chemicals.

PMID- 26260166
TI  - Socio-ecological features other than sex affect habitat selection in the socially
      obligate monogamous Eurasian beaver.
AB  - Habitat selection is a context-dependent mechanism, in which both the internal
      state as well as external factors affect the behavior and decisions of an
      individual. This is well known for polygamous mammals, which are typically
      sexually dimorphic, and often express great variability in behavior and habitat
      selection between individuals as well between the sexes. Among monogamous
      mammals, however, variability in habitat selection should be explained by group
      characteristics and the presence of offspring rather than by sex. We evaluated
      this hypothesis in a socially monogamous rodent, the Eurasian beaver (Castor
      fiber), in a saturated Norwegian population. For the first time in this species
      we applied GPS tracking devices (N = 22 adult beavers, in 15 territories, 2009
      2013), and used resource selection functions (i) to document population-wide
      habitat selection and the importance of 'territory' therein, and (ii) to evaluate
      which socio-ecological factors explained potential individual differences in
      habitat selection. We found that variation in habitat selection was stronger
      between territories than between years or individuals nested by territory. We
      identified that family size and the presence of kits, but not sex, explained
      individual variation in habitat selection. Adults with kits and/or larger
      families tended to exhibit low risk-taking behavior (avoiding human-related
      variables such as roads, buildings, and agricultural land), and stayed close to
      their main lodge (parental care). Our results show that habitat selection is a
      context-dependent mechanism even in a species which expresses very little
      behavioral and morphological dimorphism.

PMID- 26260167
TI  - A quantitative analysis of phenotypic variations of Metrosideros polymorpha
      within and across populations along environmental gradients on Mauna Loa, Hawaii.
AB  - Metrosideros polymorpha, a dominant tree species in the Hawaiian Islands, shows
      an extreme phenotypic polymorphism both across gradients of climatic/edaphic
      conditions and within populations, making it a potentially useful model species
      for evolutionary study. In order to understand how the phenotypic diversity is
      maintained within populations as well as across populations, we examined the
      diversities of several leaf and stem functional traits across five elevations and
      two soil substrates on the volcanic mountain of Mauna Loa, on the island of
      Hawaii. Leaf dry mass per area (LMA), a key leaf functional trait, was
      particularly focused on and analyzed in relation to its underlying components
      namely, tissue LMA and trichome LMA (LMA = tissue LMA + trichome LMA). Across
      populations, tissue LMA increased linearly with elevation while trichome LMA
      showed unimodal patterns with elevation, which were better correlated with
      temperature and rainfall, respectively. Substantial phenotypic variations were
      also found within populations. Interestingly, the variations of tissue LMA were
      often negatively correlated to trichome LMA within populations, which contrasts
      with the cross-populations pattern, where a strong positive correlation between
      tissue LMA and trichome LMA was found. This suggests that phenotypic variations
      within populations were substantially influenced by local ecological processes.
      Soil depth (an indicator of local water availability) and tree size (an indicator
      of colonized timing) modestly explained the within-population variations,
      implying other local environmental factors and/or random processes are also
      important in local phenotypic diversity. This study provides an insight about how
      phenotypic diversity of plant species is maintained from local to landscape
      levels.

PMID- 26260168
TI  - Clinical and genetic features of human metapneumovirus infection in children.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is one of the main pathogens responsible
      for respiratory tract infection in children. METHODS: From 2011 to 2013,
      nasopharyngeal aspirates were obtained from Korean children and tested for hMPV
      on reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The genotype of hMPV
      in each sample was identified on PCR-restriction length polymorphism analysis of
      the fusion gene. We divided patients into three groups according to degree of
      fever. Patients with fever peaking at >39.5 degrees C or lasting >7 days were
      classified as the high fever (HF) group; those with fevers peaking at <38.5
      degrees C and lasting <72 h were classified as the low fever (LF) group; and the
      other subjects were classified as the moderate fever group. RESULTS: Among 457
      samples positive for hMPV, hMPV genotype was able to be identified in 399
      (87.3%); of these, A2a was found in 97 (24.3%), B1 in 186 (46.6%), and B2 in 116
      (29.1%). Clinical features of hMPV infection were compared between the HF and LF
      groups. We classified 80 subjects into the HF group and 84 subjects into the LF
      group. Mean absolute neutrophil count (5625 +/- 4418 vs 4072 +/- 3076/MUL, P =
      0.010) and C-reactive protein (2.39 +/- 3.39 vs 0.96 +/- 1.77 mg/dL, P = 0.001)
      were higher in the HF group. Wheezing (5.0% vs 32.1%, P < 0.001) and dyspnea
      (2.5% vs 15.5%, P = 0.010) were more frequently seen in the LF group. Genotype
      distribution was similar in the two groups. CONCLUSION: Two distinct clinical
      presentations of hMPV infection were identified in this study.

PMID- 26260169
TI  - Basal autophagy is negatively regulated by RIP1.

PMID- 26260165
TI  - Spectrum and Prognosis of Noninfectious Renal Mixed Cryoglobulinemic GN.
AB  - Noninfectious mixed cryoglobulinemic GN (MCGN) has been poorly investigated. We
      analyzed presentation and outcome of 80 patients with biopsy-proven MCGN, which
      were identified in the retrospective French CryoVas survey. MCGN was related to
      primary Sjogren's syndrome in 22.5% of patients and to lymphoproliferative
      disorders in 28.7% of patients, and was defined as essential in 48.8% of
      patients. At presentation, hematuria, proteinuria >=1 g/d, hypertension, and
      renal failure were observed in 97.4%, 84.8%, 85.3%, and 82.3% of cases,
      respectively. Mean+/-eGFR was 39.5+/-20.4 ml/min per 1.73 m(2)
      Membranoproliferative GN was the predominant histologic pattern, observed in
      89.6% of cases. Renal interstitium inflammatory infiltrates were observed in 50%
      of cases. First-line treatment consisted of steroids alone (27.6%) or in
      association with rituximab (21.1%), alkylating agents (36.8%) or a combination of
      cyclophosphamide and rituximab (10.5%). After a mean follow-up of 49.9+/-45.5
      months, 42.7% of patients relapsed with a renal flare in 75% of cases. At last
      follow-up, mean eGFR was 50.2+/-26.1 ml/min per 1.73 m(2)with 9% of patients
      having reached ESRD; 59% and 50% of patients achieved complete clinical and renal
      remission, respectively. A rituximab+steroids regimen prevented relapses more
      effectively than steroids alone or a cyclophosphamide+steroids combination did,
      but was associated with a higher rate of early death when used as first-line
      therapy. Severe infections and new-onset B-cell lymphoma occurred in 29.1% and
      8.9% of cases, respectively; 24% of patients died. In conclusion, noninfectious
      MCGN has a poor long-term outcome with severe infections as the main cause of
      death.

PMID- 26260170
TI  - Complete mitochondrial genome of the American flamingo, Phoenicopterus ruber
      (Phoenicopteriformes, Phoenicopteridae).
AB  - The American flamingo, Phoenicopterus ruber (P. ruber), is a large species of
      flamingo closely related to the greater flamingo and Chilean flamingo. In this
      paper, the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of P. ruber has been assembled
      for the first time. It was 17 476 bp in length and consisted of 13 typical
      vertebrate protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes and 2 control
      regions. COI and ND3 genes used GTG and ATC as start codons respectively, but the
      remaining protein-coding genes were encoded beginning with orthodox ATG codon.
      Two triplet codons (TAA, AGG) and one single T base were employed as stop codons.
      The arrangement of the overall genes and noncoding regions was identical to the
      same genus flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus. The AT content (54.27%) was higher
      than the GC content. Phylogenetic analysis was performed using 12 protein-coding
      genes, combined with other 11 species from the same Neognathae, which validated
      the responsibility and utility of this new mitochondrial genome.

PMID- 26260171
TI  - The phylogenetic position of the giant devil ray Mobula mobular (Bonnaterre,
      1788) (Myliobatiformes, Myliobatidae) inferred from the mitochondrial genome.
AB  - The giant devil ray, Mobula mobular, is a member of one of the most distinct
      groups of cartilaginous fishes, the Mobulidae (manta and devil rays), and is the
      only mobulid assessed as Endangered due its restricted distribution, high bycatch
      mortality and suspected population decline. The complete mitochondrial genome is
      18 913 base pairs in length and comprises 2 rRNAs, 13 protein-coding genes, 22
      tRNAs and 2 non-coding regions. Comparison with the partial mitogenome of M.
      japanica suggests a sister-cryptic species complex and two different taxonomic
      units. However, the limited divergence within the species (>99.9% genetic
      identity) may be the result of a geographically and numerically restricted
      population of M. mobular within the Mediterranean Sea.

PMID- 26260172
TI  - Complete mitochondrial genome of the Korean endemic species Microphysogobio
      yaluensis (Teleostei, Cypriniformes, Cyprinidae).
AB  - In this study, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome of the Korean
      endemic species Microphysogobio yaluensis (Teleostei, Cypriniformes, Cyprinidae).
      The mitogenome, consisted of 16 601 base pairs (bp), encoding 13 protein-coding
      genes (PCGs), 2 ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), 22 transfer RNAs (tRNAs) and 2 non-coding
      regions. The overall base composition of M. yaluensis was G + C: 43.8%, A + T:
      56.2%, apparently with a slight AT bias. Phylogenetic analysis showed that M.
      yaluensis was close to Hemibarbus mylodon.

PMID- 26260173
TI  - The complete mitochondrial genome of Chinese land snail Aegista aubryana
      (Gastropoda: Pulmonata: Bradybaenidae).
AB  - Aegista aubryana is an endemic land snail in China. The complete mitochondrial
      genome of A. aubryana was first determined using long PCR reactions and primer
      walking method (accession number KT192071). The genome has a length of 14 238 bp,
      containing 37 typical mitochondrial genes (13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes
      and 2 rRNA genes). The base composition of the whole heavy strand is A 31.32%, T
      37.86%, C 14.46% and G 16.36%. The results of phylogenetic analyses showed that
      the A. aubryana is most closely related to Mastigeulota kiangsinensis. This new
      complete mitochondrial genome can be the basic data for further studies on
      mitogenome comparison, molecular taxonomy and phylogenetic analyses in
      bradybaenid snails and Molluscs at large.

PMID- 26260174
TI  - Intraspecific mitochondrial variations between Rhinogobio typus from the Yellow
      River and Yangtze River.
AB  - The complete mitochondrial genome of the first individual Rhinogobio typus
      collected from the Yellow River were sequenced and compared with the previously
      reported complete mitochondrial sequence of Rhinogobio typus from the Yangtze
      River. The length of their circular mitochondrial genome was determined to be 16
      599 and 16 608 bp respectively. The comparison of two mitochondrial genomes
      revealed 237 base pair substitutions and 17 insertions or deletions (indels),
      including 182 base pair substitutions and 2 indels in protein-coding region.
      Phylogenetic tree was constructed based on complete mitogenomes of the two
      populations and closely related 13 teleost species to assess their phylogenic
      relationship and evolution.

PMID- 26260175
TI  - Complete mitochondrial genome of the soft-shell clam Mya arenaria.
AB  - We have sequenced and characterized the complete mitochondrial genome of the soft
      shell clam, Mya arenaria, an important organism for environmental toxicology and
      aquaculture. Mya arenaria is located in the taxonomic order Myoida, which lacks
      any member with a completely annotated mitogenome. The M. arenaria mitochondrial
      genome is 17 947 bp in length. Like most marine bivalves, the circular mitogenome
      codes entirely on the heavy strand, with no introns. As with other bivalves, the
      gene order of the mitochondrion is highly rearranged. The mitogenome contains 12
      protein-coding genes but ATP8 is missing, consistent with about half of all
      bivalve genera. Twenty-three tRNAs were identified. Phylogenetic analysis shows
      that M. arenaria is related most closely with the bivalves Sinonovacula
      constricta, and Moerella iridescens, of the infraclass Euheterodonta
      (unassigned). This, along with the close grouping of the phylogenetic trees,
      confirms a close tie between Myoida and Euheterodonta (unassigned).

PMID- 26260176
TI  - Complete mitochondrial genome of Parastichopus californicus (Aspidochirotida:
      Stichopodidae).
AB  - In this study, we first determined and described the complete mitogenome sequence
      of Parastichopus californicus, which was 16 727 bp in length. The mitochondrial
      genome had the canonical mitochondrial gene content, including 13 protein-coding
      genes, 2 rRNA genes and 22 tRNA genes. The overall base composition of the heavy
      strand was 31.5% A, 18 % G, 20.6% C and 29.9% T, with a high A + T content of
      61.4%. ML phylogenetic tree indicated that P. californicus and P. nigripunctatus
      were clustered in one branch belonging to the genus Parastichopus. This
      conclusion was identical to the former result by the methods of morphological
      taxonomy.

PMID- 26260177
TI  - The complete mitochondrial genome and phylogenic analysis of Pseudobagrus
      vachelli.
AB  - The complete mitochondrial genome of Pseudobagrus vachelli has been sequenced.
      The mitochondrial genome is 16 529 bp in length, with the base composition of
      31.61% A, 26.88% T, 26.55% C, and 14.96% G, containing 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 13
      protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes and a major non-coding control region
      (D-loop region). The gene order and orientation are similar with some typical
      fish species. The data will provide useful molecular information for phylogenetic
      studies concerning P. vachelli and its related species.

PMID- 26260178
TI  - The complete mitochondrial genome of the Pundamilia nyererei (Perciformes,
      Cichlidae).
AB  - Pundamilia nyererei (Perciformes, Cichlidae) is a member of Cichlid fishes that
      lives in the Great Lakes of East Africa. Fishes of the Cichlidae family can adapt
      spectacular trophic radiations and provide good potential examples of vertebrate
      adaptive radiations. Here, we firstly assembled the complete mitochondrial genome
      (mitogenome) of Pundamilia nyererei. The mitgenome was 16 761 bp in length,
      including 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes
      and 1 putative control region. Most of these protein-coding genes started with a
      traditional ATG codon except for COX1, which initiated with an infrequent start
      codon GTG instead, and terminated with the mitochondrial stop codon (TAA/AGG/AGA)
      or a single T base. The mitogenome structural organization is identical to other
      Cichlid fish. The overall GC content is 45.25%, which is lower than the AT
      content. According to these new determined mitogenome sequences and 10 other
      species under the same family or order, we have constructed the species
      phylogenetic tree to verify the accuracy of newly assembled mitogenome sequences.
      We accept that by taking the advantage of full mitogenome, we can address
      taxonomic issue and study the related evolutionary events. Our current data are
      going to provide important resources for the research of Cichlid fishes
      mitochondrial evolution and energy metabolism.

PMID- 26260179
TI  - Complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Chestnut-flanked white-eye (Zosterops
      erythropleurus).
AB  - The Chestnut-flanked white-eye (Zosterops erythropleurus) is a species of family
      Zosteropidae, which is distributed widely in the world. In the present study, the
      complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Chestnut-flanked white-eye was
      determined. It has a total length of 17 811 bp, and contains 13 protein-coding
      genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 ribosome RNA genes and 2 control regions. The total base
      composition was 30.2% for A, 31.0% for C, 14.2% for G and 24.6% for T. The
      phylogenetic tree of Chestnut-flanked white-eye and 13 other species belonging to
      the order Passeriformes was built. The molecular data presented here will be
      useful to study the evolutionary relationships and genetic diversity of Chestnut
      flanked white-eye.

PMID- 26260180
TI  - The complete plastid genome of Piper kadsura (Piperaceae), an East Asian woody
      vine.
AB  - We sequenced the complete plastid genome (plastome) for Piper kadsura, a woody
      vine endemic to East Asia. This species is part of the largest genus within
      Piperaceae and its genome is almost identical to its congener P. cenocladum. The
      plastome for P. kadsura comprises 131 genes, including four unique rRNAs, 30
      tRNAs, and 79 protein-coding genes. It retains ycf1 as an intact open reading
      frame. Our phylogenetic analysis demonstrated the monophyly of the Piper genus.
      The additional plastome sequence found in this evolutionarily and economically
      important genus will be a valuable, fundamental tool for future studies of
      phylogenetic relationships among basal angiosperms, and will provide a useful
      resource for molecular breeding programs.

PMID- 26260181
TI  - The complete chloroplast genome of Schrenkiella parvula (Brassicaceae).
AB  - Schrenkiella parvula is an Arabidopsis-related model species used here for
      studying plant stress tolerance. In this study, the complete chloroplast genome
      sequence of S. parvula has been reported for the first time. The total length of
      the chloroplast genome was 153 979 bp, which had a typical quadripartite
      structure. The annotated plastid genome includes 87 protein-coding genes, 39 tRNA
      genes and 8 ribosomal RNA genes. The evolutionary relationships revealed by our
      phylogenetic analysis indicated that S. parvula is closer to the Brassiceae
      species when compared with Eutrema salsugineum.

PMID- 26260182
TI  - Genetic diversity and relationship of Mauremys mutica and M. annamensis assessed
      by DNA barcoding sequences.
AB  - The mitochondrial DNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COI) has been used as
      an efficient barcoding tool for species identification of animals. In this study,
      the barcoding sequences were used to assess the genetic diversity and
      relationship of Mauremy mutica and M. annamensis. Four currently recognized
      groups of M. mutica were classified into two groups in this study, with 6%
      intergroup distances, the S group and the N group, consistent to the calling of
      "southern turtle" and "northern turtle" in folk of China. The north population
      and Taiwan population formed the N group, and further, the Taiwan population was
      differentiated as a monophyly originated from the north population, consistent to
      the calling of "big green head" for the Taiwan population and "small green head"
      for the north population. The Vietnam, Hainan population, and M. annamensis
      formed the S group, and the barcoding sequences could not distinguish them from
      each other. Based on the molecular data and phenotypes of existing hybrids,
      hybrid origin of M. annamensis may be another possibility.

PMID- 26260183
TI  - The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Zanthoxylum piperitum.
AB  - The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Zanthoxylum piperitum, a plant
      species with useful aromatic oils in family Rutaceae, was generated in this study
      by de novo assembly with whole-genome sequence data. The chloroplast genome was
      158 154 bp in length with a typical quadripartite structure containing a pair of
      inverted repeats of 27 644 bp, separated by large single copy and small single
      copy of 85 340 bp and 17 526 bp, respectively. The chloroplast genome harbored
      112 genes consisting of 78 protein-coding genes 30 tRNA genes and 4 rRNA genes.
      Phylogenetic analysis of the complete chloroplast genome sequences with those of
      known relatives revealed that Z. piperitum is most closely related to the Citrus
      species.

PMID- 26260184
TI  - Low-depth shotgun sequencing resolves complete mitochondrial genome sequence of
      Labeo rohita.
AB  - Labeo rohita, popularly known as rohu, is a widely cultured species in whole
      Indian subcontinent. In the present study, we used in-silico approach to resolve
      complete mitochondrial genome of rohu. Low-depth shotgun sequencing using Roche
      454 GS FLX (Branford, Connecticut, USA) followed by de novo assembly in CLC
      Genomics Workbench version 7.0.4 (Aarhus, Denmark) revealed the complete
      mitogenome of L. rohita to be 16 606 bp long (accession No. KR185963). It
      comprised of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNAs, 2 rRNAs and 1 putative control
      region. The gene order and organization are similar to most vertebrates. The
      mitogenome in the present investigation has 99% similarity with that of
      previously reported mitogenomes of rohu and this is also evident from the
      phylogenetic study using maximum-likelihood (ML) tree method. This study was done
      to determine the feasibility, accuracy and reliability of low-depth sequence data
      obtained from NGS platform as compared to the Sanger sequencing. Thus, NGS
      technology has proven to be competent and a rapid in-silico alternative to
      resolve the complete mitochondrial genome sequence, thereby reducing labors and
      time.

PMID- 26260185
TI  - The complete mitochondrial genome of the Poecilia formosa (Amazon molly).
AB  - The Amazon molly, Poecilia formosa, a member of the Poeciliidae family, is a
      freshwater fish reproducing through gynogenesis. The complete mitochondrial
      genome of the P. formosa is determined for the first time in this study. It is a
      circular molecule of 16 542 bp in length, including 13 protein-coding genes, 22
      transfer RNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes and 1 putative control region. The
      overall base composition of the genome is A (29.59%), T (27.57%), C (28.27%), and
      G (14.57%) with 42.84% GC content, which is lower than the content of AT. Most
      protein-coding genes started with a traditional ATG codon except for COX2, ND5
      and ND6, which initiated with ATA, GTG and TTA, respectively. The stop codon was
      a single T- - base in most of the protein-coding genes, but COX2 and ATP8 both
      employed TAA and ND2 terminated with AGG codon. Phylogenetic tree was constructed
      based on the complete mitogenome of P. formosa and closely related 11
      chondrichthian species to assess their phylogenic relationship and evolution. The
      complete mitochondrial genome of the amazon molly would help to study the
      evolution of Poeciliidae family.

PMID- 26260187
TI  - Intramolecular Cyclization of Carbonate and Thiocarbonate Derivatives of myo
      Inositol in the Solid State: Implications for Acyl Group Transfer Reactions in
      Molecular Crystals.
AB  - Racemic 4-O-phenoxycarbonyl and 4-O-phenoxythiocarbonyl derivatives of myo
      inositol orthoformate undergo thermal intramolecular cyclization in the solid
      state to yield the corresponding 4,6-bridged carbonates and thiocarbonates,
      respectively. The thermal cyclization also occurs in the solution and molten
      states, but less efficiently, suggesting that these cyclization reactions are
      aided by molecular pre-organization, although not strictly topochemically
      controlled. Crystal structures of two carbonates and a thiocarbonate clearly
      revealed that the relative orientation of the electrophile and the nucleophile in
      the crystal lattice facilitates the intramolecular cyclization reaction and
      forbids the intermolecular reaction. The correlation observed between the
      chemical reactivity and the non-covalent interactions in the crystal of the
      reactants provides a way to estimate the chemical stability of analogous
      molecules in the solid state. 

PMID- 26260186
TI  - Complete mitochondrial genome of Schizothorax nukiangensis Tsao (Cyprinidae:
      Schizothorax).
AB  - In this work, we reported the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the
      Schizothorax nukiangensis Tsao for the first time. The complete mtDNA genome
      sequence of S. nukiangensis Tsao was 16 585 bp in length, which contains 22
      transfer RNA genes, 2 rRNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes, an origin of light
      strand replication (OL) and a control region (D-Loop). The overall base
      composition of the mitogenome was calculated to be 29.6% for A, 27.0% for C,
      17.9% for G and 25.5% for T. The complete mitogenome of the S. nukiangensis Tsao
      can provide an important data set for further studies on population history,
      molecular systematics, phylogeography and stock assessment.

PMID- 26260188
TI  - Assessment of personal occupational radiation exposures received by nuclear
      medicine and oncology staff in Punjab (2003-2012).
AB  - The impact of occupational radiation exposures on oncology staff working in the
      disciplines of Nuclear Medicine (NM), Radiotherapy (RT), and Diagnostic Radiology
      (DR) is of significance to ensure a health risk free environment. In this study,
      occupationally received radiation doses amongst Pakistani oncology staff in NM,
      RT and DR during the period (2003-2012) were assessed. The Film Badge Dosimetry
      (FBD) technique has been utilized to process over 81,000 films (13,237 workers)
      concerning the occupationally exposed workers data (2003-2012) at a national
      scale. The annual effective doses were found to range between 0.30-0.97 mSv for
      NM, 0.44-1.02 mSv for RT and 0.31-1.09 mSv for DR. The annual effective doses
      averaged over a period of 10 years were assessed to be 0.63, 0.70 and 0.68 mSv
      for NM, RT and DR respectively. The exposure data were categorized into three
      exposure levels (<=0.99, 1-4.99 and 5-9.99 mSv) to establish the staff
      distribution in these categories. It was found that 89.8-96% in NM, 82-94.5% in
      RT and 76-96.8% staff workers in DR have received doses within the range from the
      Minimum Detectable Limit (MDL)--0.99 mSv. The annual effective doses, in all
      categories, were measured to be less than the recommended annual limit of 20 mSv.

PMID- 26260189
TI  - Decline of lymphatic vessel density and function in murine skin during aging.
AB  - Lymphatic vessels play important roles in the pathogenesis of many conditions
      that have an increased prevalence in the elderly population. However, the effects
      of the aging process on the lymphatic system are still relatively unknown. We
      have applied non-invasive imaging and whole-mount staining techniques to assess
      the lymphatic vessel function and morphology in three different age groups of
      mice: 2 months (young), 7 months (middle-aged), and 18 months (aged). We first
      developed and validated a new method to quantify lymphatic clearance from mouse
      ear skin, using a lymphatic-specific near-infrared tracer. Using this method, we
      found that there is a prominent decrease in lymphatic vessel function during
      aging since the lymphatic clearance was significantly delayed in aged mice. This
      loss of function correlated with a decreased lymphatic vessel density and a
      reduced lymphatic network complexity in the skin of aged mice as compared to
      younger controls. The blood vascular leakage in the skin was slightly increased
      in the aged mice, indicating that the decreased lymphatic function was not caused
      by a reduced capillary filtration in aged skin. The decreased function of
      lymphatic vessels with aging might have implications for the pathogenesis of a
      number of aging-related diseases. 

PMID- 26260190
TI  - An intravascular coronary plaque elasticity reconstruction method using limited
      depth penetration ultrasound signals.

PMID- 26260191
TI  - Biofilm formation ability of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium acrAB
      mutants.
AB  - Recent studies offer contradictory findings about the role of multidrug efflux
      pumps in bacterial biofilm development. Thus, the aim of this study was to
      investigate the involvement of the AcrAB efflux pump in biofilm formation by
      investigating the ability of AcrB and AcrAB null mutants of Salmonella enterica
      serovar Typhimurium to produce biofilms. Three models were used to compare the
      ability of S. Typhimurium wild-type and its mutants to form biofilms: formation
      of biofilm on polystyrene surfaces; production of biofilm (mat model) on the
      air/liquid interface; and expression of curli and cellulose on Congo red
      supplemented agar plates. All three investigated genotypes formed biofilms with
      similar characteristics. However, upon exposure to chloramphenicol, formation of
      biofilms on solid surfaces as well as the production of curli were either reduced
      or were delayed more significantly in both mutants, whilst there was no visible
      effect on pellicle formation. It can be concluded that when no selective pressure
      is applied, S. Typhimurium is able to produce biofilms even when the AcrAB efflux
      pumps are inactivated, implying that the use of efflux pump inhibitors to prevent
      biofilm formation is not a general solution and that combined treatments might be
      more efficient. Other factors that affect the ability to produce biofilms
      depending on efflux pump activity are yet to be identified. 

PMID- 26260192
TI  - Single-dose pharmacokinetics of vancomycin in porcine cancellous and cortical
      bone determined by microdialysis.
AB  - High treatment failure rates and the need for prolonged antimicrobial therapy for
      osteomyelitis and implant-associated infections suggest that antimicrobial bone
      penetration may be incomplete. Assessment of the bone pharmacokinetics of
      antimicrobials is challenged by a lack of validated methods. In this study, 1000
      mg of vancomycin was administered as a single dose over 100 min to eight female
      pigs. Plasma, subcutaneous adipose tissue (SCAT) and bone pharmacokinetics were
      investigated over 12 h. Microdialysis was applied for collection of samples in
      bone and SCAT. The vancomycin concentration in microdialysates was determined
      using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography, whilst the free plasma
      concentration was determined using Cobas c501. The mean (95% CI) area under the
      concentration-time curve (AUC(0-last); minMUg/mL) was 9375 (7445-11304), 9304
      (7374-11233), 5998 (3955-8040) and 3451 (1522-5381) for plasma, SCAT, and
      cancellous and cortical bone, respectively (ANOVA P-value < 0.001). Both cortical
      and cancellous bone AUC0-last were lower than that of free plasma (P < 0.01).
      Peak drug concentrations (C(max)) in cortical and cancellous bone were also
      significantly lower than that of free plasma (P < 0.001). Moreover, both AUC(0
      last) and C(max) were significantly lower in cortical bone than in cancellous
      bone (P < 0.025). Bone penetration of vancomycin was found to be incomplete and
      delayed. Significant differences in pharmacokinetics between cancellous and
      cortical bone suggest that bone may not be considered as one compartment. Future
      studies should focus on validating the applicability of microdialysis for
      assessment of antimicrobial bone pharmacokinetics.

PMID- 26260193
TI  - Prognostic value of computed tomography before radical cystectomy in patients
      with invasive bladder cancer: imaging predicts survival.
AB  - PURPOSE: Computed tomography (CT) is current standard-of-care for preoperative
      staging in patients with invasive bladder cancer before radical cystectomy (RC).
      There are only sparse data on the association between preoperative CT findings
      and postoperative survival of patients. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated
      preoperative CTs of 206 patients with invasive bladder cancer undergoing RC in an
      academic tertiary referral center. CTs were analyzed retrospectively for relative
      bladder wall thickness (BWT) and size of lymph nodes (LN). Associations between
      CT findings and risk of death from any cause (AC) as well as risk of death from
      bladder cancer (BC) were assessed by Kaplan-Meier estimates, cumulative incidence
      curves and multivariable Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: The median follow-up
      was 40 months. Increased BWT was significantly correlated with higher risk of
      death (AC: HR 1.68; p = 0.043; BC: HR 2.00; p = 0.027), as well as LN with a size
      of 6-10 mm (AC: HR 2.13; p = 0.002; BC: HR 2.77; p = 0.002) and >10 mm (AC: HR
      2.47; p = 0.018; BC: HR 3.66; p = 0.007) when compared to LN <= 5 mm. CONCLUSION:
      Our data showed a significant correlation of bladder wall thickness and LN size
      with the risk of death. Also lymph nodes >5 mm but <= 10 mm (resp. <= 8 mm)
      usually considered non-pathologic-were associated with a significantly worse
      prognosis. This information can be used to counsel patients preoperatively. It
      might also be useful for a risk-adapted approach in regard to neoadjuvant
      chemotherapy.

PMID- 26260194
TI  - High-risk human papillomavirus and cervical lesions among women living with
      HIV/AIDS in Brazilian Amazon, Brazil.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of human
      papillomavirus infection infection and cervical lesions and its associated
      factors among HIV infected women attending an AIDS clinic in Amazonas state,
      Brazil. METHODS: Cross-sectional study. Women attending an AIDS clinic in the
      city of Manaus between March and December 2011 for gynecological examination were
      invited to participate. Enrolled patients answered a standardized interview
      including demographical, behavioral, and clinical data. Additionally, patients
      underwent a gynecological evaluation with collection of cervical samples for
      cytological analysis and high-risk human papillomavirus infection hybrid capture.
      A blood sample was also obtained to determine CD4 and viral load levels. RESULTS:
      A total of 310 (82.9%) women participated in the study. High-risk human
      papillomavirus infection was detected in 191 (61.6%) cases; 24 (13.5%) had low
      grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) and 4 (2.2%) high-grade SIL. No
      invasive cervical cancer was diagnosed. Median age was 32 (interquartile range
      (IQR): 27-38) years and median of education was 8.5 (IQR 4-11) years of schooling
      and 56.1% had a monthly income up to US$180. In multivariate analysis, being less
      than 30 years old [OR=1.7 (95% CI: 1.2-2.4, p=0.005)], high-grade SIL [OR=6.5
      (95% CI: 1.6-23.0, p=0.009)], and CD4 counts <200cells/mm(3) [OR=1.6 (95% CI: 1.2
      2.0, p<0.001)] were associated with high risk human papillomavirus infection
      infection. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study high-risk human papillomavirus
      infection was frequent and it was associated to high-SIL. These results show the
      importance of gynecologic examinations in routine care and follow-up required by
      those who present with cervical lesions.

PMID- 26260195
TI  - Enhanced plasmid DNA utilization in transiently transfected CHO-DG44 cells in the
      presence of polar solvents.
AB  - Although the protein yields from transient gene expression (TGE) with Chinese
      hamster ovary (CHO) cells have recently improved, the amount of plasmid DNA
      (pDNA) needed for transfection remains relatively high. We describe a strategy to
      reduce the pDNA amount by transfecting CHO-DG44 cells with 0.06 MUg pDNA/10(6)
      cells (10% of the optimal amount) in the presence of nonspecific (filler) DNA and
      various polar solvents including dimethylsufoxide, dimethyl formamide,
      acetonitrile, dimethyl acetamide (DMA), and hexamethyl phosphoramide (HMP). All
      of the polar solvents with the exception of HMP increased the production of a
      recombinant antibody in comparison to the untreated control transfection. In the
      presence of 0.25% DMA, the antibody yield in a 7-day batch culture was 500 mg/L.
      This was fourfold higher than the yield from the untreated control transfection.
      Mechanistic studies revealed that the polar solvents did not affect
      polyethylenimine-mediated pDNA delivery into cells or nuclei. The steady-state
      transgene mRNA level was elevated in the presence of each of the polar solvents
      tested, while the transgene mRNA half-life remained the same. These results
      indicated that the polar solvents enhanced transgene transcription. When
      screening a panel of recombinant antibodies and Fc-fusion proteins for production
      in the presence of the polar solvents, the highest increase in yield was observed
      following DMA addition for 11 of the 12 proteins. These results are expected to
      enhance the applicability of high-yielding TGE processes with CHO-DG44 cells by
      decreasing the amount of pDNA required for transfection.

PMID- 26260196
TI  - [Short version S2e guidelines: "Positioning therapy and early mobilization for
      prophylaxis or therapy of pulmonary function disorders"].
AB  - The German Society of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine (DGAI)
      commissioned a revision of the S2 guidelines on "positioning therapy for
      prophylaxis or therapy of pulmonary function disorders" from 2008. Because of the
      increasing clinical and scientific relevance the guidelines were extended to
      include the issue of "early mobilization" and the following main topics are
      therefore included: use of positioning therapy and early mobilization for
      prophylaxis and therapy of pulmonary function disorders, undesired effects and
      complications of positioning therapy and early mobilization as well as practical
      aspects of the use of positioning therapy and early mobilization. These
      guidelines are the result of a systematic literature search and the subsequent
      critical evaluation of the evidence with scientific methods. The methodological
      approach for the process of development of the guidelines followed the
      requirements of evidence-based medicine, as defined as the standard by the
      Association of the Scientific Medical Societies in Germany. Recently published
      articles after 2005 were examined with respect to positioning therapy and the
      recently accepted aspect of early mobilization incorporates all literature
      published up to June 2014. 

PMID- 26260197
TI  - [Perioperative treatment of patients with long QT syndrome].
AB  - Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is caused by a change in cardiac repolarization due to
      functional ion channel dysfunction which is associated with an elongation of the
      QT interval (hence the name) in the electrocardiogram and a predisposition to
      cardiac rhythm disorders (e.g. torsade de pointes, TdP) as well as cardiac events
      up to sudden cardiac death. There is a congenital (cLQTS) and an acquired (aLQTS)
      form of the disease. The prevalence of cLQTS is 1 in 2000 but aLQTS is much more
      common and includes a grey area due to many asymptomatic patients. The LQTS is,
      therefore, more common than malignant hyperthermia which is much discussed in
      anesthesiology and has a reported prevalence in the population of 1:3000.
      Considering the prevalence of both aLQTS as well as cLQTS the importance of the
      LQTS seems to be underestimated in current perioperative care. Potential
      perioperative risks of such patients can be significantly reduced by appropriate
      patient management. This includes adequate preoperative preparation, the correct
      choice of anesthetic medication as well as adequate perioperative monitoring and
      preparedness for immediate pharmaceutical and electrical intervention in case of
      typical cardiac rhythm disturbances, such as TdP arrhythmia. 

PMID- 26260198
TI  - Pluripotent Stem Cells and Skeletal Regeneration--Promise and Potential.
AB  - The bone is a regenerative tissue, capable of healing itself after fractures.
      However, some circumstances such as critical-size defects, malformations, and
      tumor destruction may exceed the skeleton's capacity for self-repair. In
      addition, bone mass and strength decline with age, leading to an increase in
      fragility fractures. Therefore, the ability to generate large numbers of patient
      specific osteoblasts would have enormous clinical implications for the treatment
      of skeletal defects and diseases. This review will highlight recent advances in
      the derivation of pluripotent stem cells, and in their directed differentiation
      towards bone-forming osteoblasts.

PMID- 26260199
TI  - Cryopreservation of testicular tissue before long-term testicular cell culture
      does not alter in vitro cell dynamics.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess whether testicular cell dynamics are altered during long
      term culture after testicular tissue cryopreservation. DESIGN: Experimental basic
      science study. SETTING: Reproductive biology laboratory. PATIENT(S): Testicular
      tissue with normal spermatogenesis was obtained from six donors. INTERVENTION(S):
      None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Detection and comparison of testicular cells from
      fresh and frozen tissues during long-term culture. RESULT(S): Human testicular
      cells derived from fresh (n = 3) and cryopreserved (n = 3) tissues were cultured
      for 2 months and analyzed with quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase
      chain reaction and immunofluorescence. Spermatogonia including spermatogonial
      stem cells (SSCs) were reliably detected by combining VASA, a germ cell marker,
      with UCHL1, a marker expressed by spermatogonia. The established markers STAR,
      ACTA2, and SOX9 were used to analyze the presence of Leydig cells, peritubular
      myoid cells, and Sertoli cells, respectively. No obvious differences were found
      between the cultures initiated from fresh or cryopreserved tissues. Single or
      small groups of SSCs (VASA(+)/UCHL1(+)) were detected in considerable amounts up
      to 1 month of culture, but infrequently after 2 months. SSCs were found attached
      to the feeder monolayer, which expressed markers for Sertoli cells, Leydig cells,
      and peritubular myoid cells. In addition, VASA(-)/UCHL1(+) cells, most likely
      originating from the interstitium, also contributed to this monolayer. Apart from
      Sertoli cells, all somatic cell types could be detected throughout the culture
      period. CONCLUSION(S): Testicular tissue can be cryopreserved before long-term
      culture without modifying its outcome, which encourages implementation of
      testicular tissue banking for fertility preservation. However, because of the
      limited numbers of SSCs available after 2 months, further exploration and
      optimization of the culture system is needed.

PMID- 26260200
TI  - Laparoscopic anatomy of the autonomic nerves of the pelvis and the concept of
      nerve-sparing surgery by direct visualization of autonomic nerve bundles.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the laparoscopic neuroanatomy of the autonomic nerves
      of the pelvis using the laparoscopic neuronavigation technique, as well as the
      technique for a nerve-sparing radical endometriosis surgery. DESIGN: Step-by-step
      explanation of the technique using videos and pictures (educational video) to
      demonstrate the anatomy of the intrapelvic bundles of the autonomic nerve system
      innervating the bladder, rectum, and pelvic floor. SETTING: Tertiary referral
      center. PATIENT(S): One 37-year-old woman with an infiltrative endometriotic
      nodule on the anterior third of the left uterosacral ligament and one 34-year-old
      woman with rectovaginal endometriosis. INTERVENTION(S): Exposure and preservation
      by direct visualization of the hypogastric nerve and the inferior hypogastric
      plexus. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Visual control and identification of the
      autonomic nerve branches of the posterior pelvis. RESULT(S): Exposure and
      preservation of the hypogastric nerve and the superficial part of the left
      hypogastric nerve were achieved on the first patient. Nerve roots S2, S3, and S4
      were identified on the second patient, allowing for the exposure and preservation
      of the pelvic splanchnic nerves and the deep portion inferior hypogastric plexus.
      DISCUSSION(S): Radical surgery for endometriosis can induce urinary dysfunction
      in 2.4%-17.5% of patients owing to lesion of the autonomic nerves. The surgeon's
      knowledge of the anatomy of these nerves is the main factor for preserving
      postoperative urinary function. The following nerves are the intrapelvic part of
      the autonomic nervous system: the hypogastric nerves, which derive from the
      superior hypogastric plexus and carry the sympathetic signals to the internal
      urethral and anal sphincters as well as to the pelvic visceral proprioception;
      and the pelvic splanchnic nerves, which arise from S2 to S4 and carry nociceptive
      and parasympathetic signals to the bladder, rectum, and the sigmoid and left
      colons. The hypogastric and pelvic splanchnic nerves merge into the pararectal
      fossae to form the inferior hypogastric plexus. Most of the nerve-sparing
      techniques involve the dissection and exposure of the pelvic splanchnic nerves
      and the inferior hypogastric plexus. However, knowledge of the topographic
      anatomy and awareness of the landmarks for avoiding intraoperative nerve injuries
      seem to be the most important factors in avoiding postoperative bladder and bowel
      dysfunction, although this latter nerve-sparing technique seems to be associated
      with reduced radicality and symptom persistence. CONCLUSION(S): This video
      demonstrates a technique to expose the sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves of
      the pelvis to preserve them in radical pelvic surgery, by means of direct
      visualization, in a similar fashion to the technique used to preserve the
      ureters. An alternative to this technique is to use landmarks for limiting
      dissection and avoiding intraoperative nerve injury. Despite being safe and more
      easily reproducible, this latter technique is associated with a higher rate of
      symptom persistence.

PMID- 26260201
TI  - Successful treatment algorithm for evaluation of early pregnancy after in vitro
      fertilization.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a prospectively implemented clinical algorithm for early
      identification of ectopic pregnancy (EP) and heterotopic pregnancy (HP) after
      assisted reproductive technology (ART). DESIGN: Analysis of prospectively
      collected data. SETTING: Academic medical center. PATIENT(S): All ART-conceived
      pregnancies between January 1995 and June 2013. INTERVENTION(S): Early pregnancy
      monitoring via clinical algorithm with all pregnancies screened using human
      chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels and reported symptoms, with subsequent early
      ultrasound evaluation if hCG levels were abnormal or if the patient reported pain
      or vaginal bleeding. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Algorithmic efficiency for
      diagnosis of EP and HP and their subsequent clinical outcomes using a binary
      forward stepwise logistic regression model built to determine predictors of early
      pregnancy failure. RESULT(S): Of the 3,904 pregnancies included, the incidence of
      EP and HP was 0.77% and 0.46%, respectively. The algorithm selected 96.7% and
      83.3% of pregnancies diagnosed with EP and HP, respectively, for early ultrasound
      evaluation, leading to earlier treatment and resolution. Logistic regression
      revealed that first hCG, second hCG, hCG slope, age, pain, and vaginal bleeding
      were all independent predictors of early pregnancy failure after ART.
      CONCLUSION(S): Our clinical algorithm for early pregnancy evaluation after ART is
      effective for identification and prompt intervention of EP and HP without
      significant over- or misdiagnosis, and avoids the potential catastrophic
      morbidity associated with delayed diagnosis.

PMID- 26260202
TI  - Useful signs for the assessment of vascular rings on cross-sectional imaging.
AB  - Vascular rings can be challenging to diagnose because they can contain atretic
      portions not detectable with current imaging modalities. In these cases, where
      the compressed airway and esophagus are not encircled by patent, opacified
      vessels, there are useful secondary signs that should be considered and should
      raise suspicion for the presence of a vascular ring. These signs include a double
      aortic arch, the four-vessel sign, the distorted subclavian artery sign, a
      diverticulum of Kommerell, a ductal diverticulum contralateral to the aortic
      arch, and a descending aorta contralateral to the arch or circumflex aorta. If
      none of these findings is present, a ring can be excluded with confidence. 

PMID- 26260203
TI  - Prenatal evaluation of atelencephaly.
AB  - Atelencephaly is a rare lethal congenital brain malformation characterized by
      underdevelopment of the prosencephalon and is often accompanied by the facial
      features seen in some cases of holoprosencephaly, such as cyclopia. We report a
      case of atelencephaly in the fetus with characteristic ultrasound findings. In
      addition, we report the findings on fetal MRI, which have not been previously
      described in the literature. 

PMID- 26260204
TI  - [Re-bleeding predictors in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage and
      delayed neurosurgical treatment].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the re-bleeding predictors in patients with delayed
      treatment of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A
      prospective cohort study enrolled 261 patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid
      hemorrhage, attending in Hermanos Ameijeiras Hospital from October 2005, and June
      2014. RESULTS: An increased re-bleeding risk in the multivariate analysis was
      associated with grade III (OR 2.01; 95% CI; 1.06-3.84) and grade IV (OR 3.84; 95%
      CI; 2.06-7.31) on World Federation Neurological Surgeon (WFNS) scale; grade III
      (OR 2.04; 95% CI; 1.01-4.13) and grade IV (OR 2.12, 95% CI; 1.05-4.28) on the
      Fischer scale, aneurism location in posterior circulation (OR 2.45, 95% CI; 1.33
      4.44), and anterior communicant artery (OR 1.57, 95% CI;1.00-2.46). Hypertension
      history was present in 60.9% (159 patients) and was also associated with risk of
      re-bleeding (OR 2.70, 95% CI; 1.00-7.30). Blood pressure, haematocrit, glycemic,
      aneurysm size, multiple aneurysms, and location in the middle cerebral artery, do
      not show any relationship. CONCLUSION: Hypertension history, poor grade (III and
      IV) on WFNS and Fisher scale and aneurysm location were independent risks factors
      of re-bleeding in patients with delayed aneurysmal treatment.

PMID- 26260205
TI  - [Incidence and causes of early end in awake surgery for language mapping not
      directly related to eloquence].
AB  - The incidence and causes that may lead to an early end (unfinished
      cortical/subcortical mapping) of awake surgery for language mapping are little
      known. A study was conducted on 41 patients with brain glioma located in the
      language area that had awake surgery under conscious sedation. Surgery was ended
      early in 6 patients. The causes were: tonic-clonic seizure (1), lack of
      cooperation due to fatigue/sleep (4), whether or not word articulation was
      involved, a decreased level of consciousness for ammonia encephalopathy that
      required endotracheal intubation (1). There are causes that could be expected and
      in some cases avoided. Tumour size, preoperative aphasia, valproate treatment,
      and type of anaesthesia used are variables to consider to avoid failure in awake
      surgery for language mapping. With these results, the following measures are
      proposed: l) If the tumour is large, perform surgery in two times to avoid
      fatigue, 2) if patient has a preoperative aphasia, do not use sedation during
      surgery to ensure that sleepiness does not cause worse word articulation, 3) if
      the patient is on valproate treatment, it is necessary to rule out the pre
      operative symptoms that are not due to ammonia encephalopathy. 

PMID- 26260206
TI  - [Neuronavigation in the surgical planning of callosotomy].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe the usefulness of 3D computer-assisted preoperative
      neuronavigation for stereoscopic location of the venous sinuses, arterial
      branches, and corpus callosum, to extrapolate anatomical landmarks on the
      surgical field and make decisions before the intervention. METHODS: A prospective
      analysis was performed on patients with refractory epilepsy who underwent
      neuronavigation-assisted callosotomy (BRAIN LAB Dual). RESULTS: A total of 10
      neuronavigation-assisted callosotomies were performed in the year 2014. The ages
      of the patients (4 males and 6 females) were between 4 and 13 years (mean 7; SD
      3.02). The most common indication for callosotomy in our sample was Lennox
      Gastoux (5 patients). A right parasagittal craniotomy was performed in 8
      patients. An anterior two-thirds callosotomy was performed in 8 patients and
      anterior three-quarters in 2 patients. The mean accuracy of the neuronavigation
      procedure was less than 2mm. In no cases were there significant intraoperative
      surgical complications. CONCLUSION: Callosotomy using frameless guided
      neuronavigation is an accurate and safe technique in patients with epilepsy
      refractory to surgical resection.

PMID- 26260207
TI  - [Comment on the study "Re-bleeding predictors in patients with aneurysmal
      subarachnoid haemorrhage and delayed neurosurgical treatment", by Rivero
      Rodriguez et al].

PMID- 26260208
TI  - Clinical encounters of Australian general practice registrars with Aboriginal and
      Torres Strait Islander patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: General practice is central to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
      health care, and this area is a core element of Australian general practice (GP)
      training. We aimed to describe the prevalence, nature and associations of GP
      registrar encounters with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients.
      METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis from a cohort study of GP registrars'
      clinical consultations 2010-2013. Registrars record demographic, clinical and
      educational details of consecutive patient encounters. Multivariable associations
      were tested with logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 592 registrars
      contributed data from 69,188 consultations. Encounters with Aboriginal and Torres
      Strait Islander patients comprised 1.0% of consultations. Significant positive
      associations included younger patient age; new patient to the registrar; lower
      socioeconomic status of practice location; non-urban practice setting; more
      problems managed; and follow-up arranged. A greater proportion of Aboriginal and
      Torres Strait Islander patients' problems were psychological/social and a lesser
      proportion were cardiovascular. Consultation duration did not differ between the
      two groups Conclusions: GP registrars encounter Aboriginal and Torres Strait
      Islander patients less than do established GPs. Our results suggest possible
      variability in registrar experience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
      health. IMPLICATIONS: Our findings will inform training of a culturally and
      clinically competent workforce in this area.

PMID- 26260209
TI  - Role of complement receptor 1 (CR1; CD35) on epithelial cells: A model for
      understanding complement-mediated damage in the kidney.
AB  - The regulators of complement activation gene cluster encodes a group of proteins
      that have evolved to control the amplification of complement at the critical step
      of C3 activation. Complement receptor 1 (CR1) is the most versatile of these
      inhibitors with both receptor and regulatory functions. While expressed on most
      peripheral blood cells, the only epithelial site of expression in the kidney is
      by the podocyte. Its expression by this cell population has aroused considerable
      speculation as to its biologic function in view of many complement-mediated renal
      diseases. The goal of this investigation was to assess the role of CR1 on
      epithelial cells. To this end, we utilized a Chinese hamster ovary cell model
      system. Among our findings, CR1 reduced C3b deposition by ~ 80% during classical
      pathway activation; however, it was an even more potent regulator (>95% reduction
      in C3b deposition) of the alternative pathway. This inhibition was primarily
      mediated by decay accelerating activity. The deposited C4b and C3b were
      progressively cleaved with a t1/2 of ~ 30 min to C4d and C3d, respectively, by
      CR1-dependent cofactor activity. CR1 functioned intrinsically (i.e, worked only
      on the cell on which it was expressed). Moreover, CR1 efficiently and stably
      bound but didn't internalize C4b/C3b opsonized immune complexes. Our studies
      underscore the potential importance of CR1 on an epithelial cell population as
      both an intrinsic complement regulator and an immune adherence receptor. These
      results provide a framework for understanding how loss of CR1 expression on
      podocytes may contribute to complement-mediated damage in the kidney.

PMID- 26260211
TI  - Glucose, glycolysis and lymphocyte responses.
AB  - Activated lymphocytes engage in robust growth and rapid proliferation. To achieve
      this, they tend to adopt a form of glucose metabolism termed aerobic glycolysis.
      This type of metabolism allows for the use of large amounts of glucose to
      generate energy, but also to support biosynthetic processes. This review article
      will discuss how aerobic glycolysis supports the biosynthetic demands of
      activated T cells, B cells and Natural Killer cells, and the emerging concept
      that glycolysis is integrally linked to the differentiation and function of these
      lymphocyte populations. 

PMID- 26260212
TI  - The role of dendritic cell alterations in susceptibility to hospital-acquired
      infections during critical-illness related immunosuppression.
AB  - Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) is a common condition in
      critically ill patients. SIRS is characterized by alteration of both innate and
      adaptive immunity and causes protracted immunosupression, exposing the patients
      to severe secondary infections. Dendritic cells (DCs), which play a pivotal role
      bridging innate and T cell-dependent immunity, exhibit prolonged alterations
      after SIRS. In an early phase, SIRS causes depletion or systemic activation of
      immature DCs in parenchymal tissues and lymphoid organs, leading to impaired
      pathogen detection and presentation. Later on, newly formed DCs acquire a poorly
      immunogenic phenotype, with poor capacity to capture, process and/or present
      antigens and to stimulate T cells. Here, we review the studies that describe
      alterations in DC function post-SIRS. Knowledge about the molecular mechanisms
      involved are still scarce but their understanding might open new therapeutic
      avenues to prevent or reduce protracted immunosuppression in critically-ill
      patients. 

PMID- 26260213
TI  - Assessing pathological complete response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in
      locally advanced rectal cancer: a systematic review.
AB  - AIM: Pathological complete response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy is found in
      20% of patients with rectal cancer undergoing long-course chemoradiotherapy. Some
      authors have suggested that these patients do not need to undergo surgery and can
      be managed with careful follow-up, with surgery only used in the event of
      clinical failure. Widespread adoption of this regimen is limited by the accuracy
      of methods to confirm a pathological complete response (pCR). METHOD: A
      systematic search of PubMed, Medline and Cochrane databases was conducted to
      identify clinical, histological and radiological features in those patients with
      rectal cancer who achieved a pCR following chemoradiotherapy. Searches were
      conducted with the following keywords and MeSH search terms: 'rectal neoplasm',
      'response', 'neoadjuvant', 'preoperative chemoradiation' and 'tumour response'.
      After review of title and abstracts, 89 articles addressing the assessment of pCR
      were identified. RESULTS: Histology and clinical assessment are the most
      effective methods of assessment of pCR, with histology considered the gold
      standard. Clinical assessment is limited to low rectal tumours and is open to
      significant inter-rater variability, while histological examination requires a
      surgical specimen. Diffusion-weighted MRI and (18) F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron
      emission tomography/CT demonstrate the greatest potential for the assessment of
      pCR, but both modalities have limited accuracy. CONCLUSION: Determination of a
      pCR is crucial if a nonoperative approach is to be undertaken proactively.
      Various methods are available, but currently they lack sufficient sensitivity and
      specificity to define management. This is likely to be an area of further
      research in the future.

PMID- 26260210
TI  - TCR signaling to NF-kappaB and mTORC1: Expanding roles of the CARMA1 complex.
AB  - Naive T-cell activation requires signals from both the T-cell receptor (TCR) and
      the costimulatory molecule CD28. A central mediator of the TCR and CD28 signals
      is the scaffold protein CARMA1, which functions by forming a complex with partner
      proteins, Bcl10 and MALT1. A well-known function of the CARMA1 signaling complex
      is to mediate activation of IkappaB kinase (IKK) and its target transcription
      factor NF-kappaB, thereby promoting T-cell activation and survival. Recent
      evidence suggests that CARMA1 also mediates TCR/CD28-stimulated activation of the
      IKK-related kinase TBK1, which plays a role in regulating the homeostasis and
      migration of T cells. Moreover, the CARMA1 complex connects the TCR/CD28 signals
      to the activation of mTORC1, a metabolic kinase regulating various aspects of T
      cell functions. This review will discuss the mechanism underlying the activation
      of the CARMA1-dependent signaling pathways and their roles in regulating T-cell
      functions. 

PMID- 26260214
TI  - Variation in PARK10 is not associated with risk and age at onset of Parkinson's
      disease in large clinical cohorts.
AB  - A recent study in autopsy-confirmed Parkinson's disease (PD) patients and
      controls revived the debate about the role of PARK10 in this disorder. In an
      attempt to replicate these results and further understand the role of this locus
      in the risk and age at onset of PD, we decided to explore NeuroX genotyping and
      whole exome sequencing data from 2 large independent cohorts of clinical patients
      and controls from the International Parkinson's Disease Genomic Consortium. A
      series of single-variant and gene-based aggregation (sequence kernel association
      test and combined multivariate and collapsing test) statistical tests suggested
      that common and rare genetic variation in this locus do not influence the risk or
      age at onset of clinical PD. 

PMID- 26260215
TI  - Adoptive Transfer of Renal Allograft Tolerance in a Large Animal Model.
AB  - Our recent studies in an inbred swine model demonstrated that both peripheral and
      intra-graft regulatory cells were required for the adoptive transfer of tolerance
      to a second, naive donor-matched kidney. Here, we have asked whether both
      peripheral and intra-graft regulatory elements are required for adoptive transfer
      of tolerance when only a long-term tolerant (LTT) kidney is transplanted. Nine
      highly-inbred swine underwent a tolerance-inducing regimen to prepare LTT kidney
      grafts which were then transplanted to histocompatible recipients, with or
      without the peripheral cell populations required for adoptive transfer of
      tolerance to a naive kidney. In contrast to our previous studies, tolerance of
      the LTT kidney transplants alone was achieved without transfer of additional
      peripheral cells and without strategies to increase the number/potency of
      regulatory T cells in the donor. This tolerance was systemic, since most
      subsequent, donor-matched challenge kidney grafts were accepted. These results
      confirm the presence of a potent tolerance-inducing and/or tolerance-maintaining
      cell population within LTT renal allografts. They suggest further that additional
      peripheral tolerance mechanisms, required for adoptive transfer of tolerance to a
      naive donor-matched kidney, depend on peripheral cells that, if not transferred
      with the LTT kidney, require time to develop in the adoptive host. 

PMID- 26260216
TI  - Effects of a Specialist-Led, School Physical Education Program on Bone Mass,
      Structure, and Strength in Primary School Children: A 4-Year Cluster Randomized
      Controlled Trial.
AB  - This 4-year cluster randomized controlled trial of 365 boys and 362 girls (mean
      age 8.1 +/- 0.3 years) from grade 2 in 29 primary schools investigated the
      effects of a specialist-taught physical education (PE) program on bone strength
      and body composition. All children received 150 min/week of common practice (CP)
      PE from general classroom teachers but in 13 schools 100 min/week of CP PE was
      replaced by specialized-led PE (SPE) by teachers who emphasized more vigorous
      exercise/games combined with static and dynamic postural activities involving
      muscle strength. Outcome measures assessed in grades 2, 4, and 6 included: total
      body bone mineral content (BMC), lean mass (LM), and fat mass (FM) by DXA, and
      radius and tibia (4% and 66% sites) bone structure, volumetric density and
      strength, and muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) by pQCT. After 4-years, gains in
      total body BMC, FM, and muscle CSA were similar between the groups in both sexes,
      but girls in the SPE group experienced a greater gain in total body LM (mean 1.0
      kg; 95% CI, 0.2 to 1.9 kg). Compared to CP, girls in the SPE group also had
      greater gains in cortical area (CoA) and cortical thickness (CoTh) at the mid
      tibia (CoA, 5.0% [95% CI, 0.2% to 1.9%]; CoTh, 7.5% [95% CI, 2.4% to 12.6%]) and
      mid-radius (CoA, 9.3% [95% CI, 3.5% to 15.1%]; CoTh, 14.4% [95% CI, 6.1% to
      22.7%]), whereas SPE boys had a 5.2% (95% CI, 0.4% to 10.0%) greater gain in mid
      tibia CoTh. These benefits were due to reduced endocortical expansion. There were
      no significant benefits of SPE on total bone area, cortical density or bone
      strength at the mid-shaft sites, nor any appreciable effects at the distal
      skeletal sites. This study indicates that a specialist-led school-based PE
      program improves cortical bone structure, due to reduced endocortical expansion.
      This finding challenges the notion that periosteal apposition is the predominant
      response of bone to loading during the prepubertal and early-pubertal period.

PMID- 26260217
TI  - Antonello da Messina: Virgin Annunciate.

PMID- 26260218
TI  - A novel SLC12A3 gene homozygous mutation of Gitelman syndrome in an Asian
      pedigree and literature review.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Gitelman syndrome (GS) is an autosomal recessive disease
      characterized by hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis in combination with significant
      hypomagnesemia and hypocalciuria which is caused by mutations in the SLC12A3
      gene. In this study, we reported a case of GS pedigree and reviewed pertinent
      literature so as to explore the relationship between clinical characteristics and
      genotype meanwhile provide recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of GS.
      DESIGN AND METHODS: This is a pedigree-based genetic study of GS and 11 members
      from one family were included. We summarized their clinical features, analyzed
      laboratory parameters related to GS and SLC12A3 gene. RESULTS: The proband
      experienced intermittent severe symptoms of weakness accompanied by significant
      hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia and hypocalciuria in laboratory test with poor
      treatments. His mother had more slight symptoms of weakness than him with mild
      hypokalemia and hypocalciuria. Mild hypomagnesemia was also observed in his
      sister with occasional weakness. All other pedigree members had normal laboratory
      test with no GS-related symptoms. A homozygous mutation of SLC12A3 gene (c.488C >
      T) was detected by genetic testing in three members, and six were carriers of
      this mutation. CONCLUSIONS: Genotype and phenotype vary significantly among GS
      patients. Male patients tend to experience more severe symptoms and poor
      treatment effect. Further large-scale population, animal, and molecular biology
      experiments are required to investigate the complexity of GS and to find a better
      treatment regimen for this disease.

PMID- 26260219
TI  - Clinicopathological significance of N-cadherin and VEGF in advanced gastric
      cancer brain metastasis and the effects of metformin in preclinical models.
AB  - Gastric cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide.
      Although brain metastasis is a rare complication of gastric cancer, no standard
      therapy for gastric cancer brain metastasis has been established. We attempted to
      identify biological markers that predict brain metastasis, and investigated how
      to modulate such markers. A case-control study of patients newly diagnosed with
      gastric cancer who had developed brain metastasis during follow-up, was
      conducted. These patients were compared with patients who had advanced gastric
      cancer but no evidence of brain metastasis. Immunohistochemistry was used to
      analyze the expression of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, MSS1, claudin-3, claudin-4,
      Glut1, clusterin, ITGB4, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), epidermal
      growth factor receptor (EGFR) and p53. The expression of VEGF tended to be higher
      in the case group (33.3 vs. 0%, p=0.055). Median survival was significantly
      correlated with vascular invasion (12 vs. 33 months, p=0.008) and N-cadherin
      expression (36 vs. 12 months, p=0.027). We also investigated the effects of
      metformin in tumor-bearing mouse models. VEGF expression was decreased and E
      cadherin increased in the metformin-treated group when compared with the control
      group. The expression of the mesenchymal marker MMP9 was decreased in the
      metformin-treated group. Brain metastasis of advanced gastric cancer was
      associated with the expression of VEGF. Metformin treatment may be useful for
      modulating the metastatic capacity by reducing VEGF expression and blocking
      epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition.

PMID- 26260221
TI  - Reply to the Editor--A novel method to predict the proportional risk from sudden
      cardiac death in heart failure: Derivation of the Seattle Proportional Risk
      Model.

PMID- 26260220
TI  - Uric Acid: A Missing Link Between Hypertensive Pregnancy Disorders and Future
      Cardiovascular Disease?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine whether women who had a hypertensive pregnancy disorder
      (HPD) have elevated uric acid concentrations decades after pregnancy as compared
      with women who had normotensive pregnancies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The Genetic
      Epidemiology Network of Arteriopathy study measured uric acid concentrations in
      Hispanic (30%), non-Hispanic white (28%), and non-Hispanic black (42%) women
      (mean age, 60 +/- 10 years). This cross-sectional study was conducted between
      July 1, 2000, and December 31, 2004. Hispanic participants were recruited from
      families with high rates of diabetes, whereas non-Hispanic participants were
      recruited from families with high rates of hypertension. This analysis compared
      uric acid concentrations in women with a history of normotensive (n = 1846) or
      hypertensive (n = 408) pregnancies by logistic regression. RESULTS: Women who had
      an HPD had higher uric acid concentrations (median, 5.7 mg/dL vs 5.3 mg/dL; P <
      .001) and were more likely to have uric acid concentrations above 5.5 mg/dL
      (54.4% vs 42.4%; P = .001) than were women who had normotensive pregnancies.
      These differences persisted after adjusting for traditional cardiovascular risk
      factors, comorbidities, and other factors that affect uric acid concentrations. A
      family-based subgroup analysis comparing uric acid concentrations in women who
      had an HPD (n = 308) and their parous sisters who had normotensive pregnancies (n
      = 250) gave similar results (median uric acid concentrations, 5.7 mg/dL vs 5.2
      mg/dL, P = 0.02; proportion of women with uric acid concentrations > 5.5 mg/dL,
      54.0% vs 40.3%, P < .001). CONCLUSION: Decades after pregnancy, women who had an
      HPD have higher uric acid concentrations. This effect does not appear to be
      explained by a familial predisposition to elevated uric acid concentrations.

PMID- 26260222
TI  - Pyrazolopyrimidines: Potent Inhibitors Targeting the Capsid of Rhino- and
      Enteroviruses.
AB  - There are currently no drugs available for the treatment of enterovirus (EV)
      induced acute and chronic diseases such as the common cold, meningitis,
      encephalitis, pneumonia, and myocarditis with or without consecutive dilated
      cardiomyopathy. Here, we report the discovery and characterization of
      pyrazolopyrimidines, a well-tolerated and potent class of novel EV inhibitors.
      The compounds inhibit the replication of a broad spectrum of EV in vitro with
      IC50 values between 0.04 and 0.64 MUM for viruses resistant to pleconaril, a
      known capsid-binding inhibitor, without affecting cytochrome P450 enzyme
      activity. Using virological and genetics methods, the viral capsid was identified
      as the target of the most promising, orally bioavailable compound 3-(4
      trifluoromethylphenyl)amino-6-phenylpyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine-4-amine (OBR-5
      340). Its prophylactic as well as therapeutic application was proved for
      coxsackievirus B3-induced chronic myocarditis in mice. The favorable
      pharmacokinetic, toxicological, and pharmacodynamics profile in mice renders OBR
      5-340 a highly promising drug candidate, and the regulatory nonclinical program
      is ongoing. 

PMID- 26260223
TI  - Circular Dichroism of Amino Acids: Following the Structural Formation of
      Phenylalanine.
AB  - Circular dichroism (CD) is frequently used to assess the secondary structure of
      peptides and proteins, whereas less attention has been given to their building
      blocks, that is, single amino acids, as they do not possess a secondary
      structure. Here, we follow the CD signal of amino acids and reveal that several
      acids exhibit a unique CD pattern as a function of their concentration.
      Accordingly, we propose an eight-level classification of the CD signal of the
      various amino acids. Special focus is given to the CD pattern of phenylalanine
      (Phe), for which we observe the formation of an ultra-narrow CD peak (full width
      at high maximum of only 5 nm). This CD peak can be attributed to the formation of
      Phe-based chiral structural features. Further support for the formation of an
      ordered structure is given by using NMR, and the additional self-assembly process
      of Phe to tubular structures.

PMID- 26260224
TI  - Outcome prediction by extranodal involvement, IPI, R-IPI, and NCCN-IPI in the
      PET/CT and rituximab era: A Danish-Canadian study of 443 patients with diffuse
      large B-cell lymphoma.
AB  - 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT (PET/CT) is the current state-of-the-art in the
      staging of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and has a high sensitivity for
      extranodal involvement. Therefore, reassessment of extranodal involvement and the
      current prognostic indices in the PET/CT era is warranted. We screened patients
      with newly diagnosed DLBCL seen at the academic centers of Aalborg, Copenhagen,
      and British Columbia for eligibility. Patients that had been staged with PET/CT
      and treated with R-CHOP(-like) 1(st) line treatment were retrospectively
      included. In total 443 patients met the inclusion criteria. With a median follow
      up of 2.4 years, the 3-year overall (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were
      73% and 69%, respectively. The Ann Arbor classification had no prognostic impact
      in itself with the exception of stage IV disease (HR 2.14 for PFS, P<0.01).
      Extranodal involvement was associated with a worse outcome in general, and in
      particular for patients with involvement of >2 extranodal sites, including HR
      7.81 (P < 0.001) for PFS for >3 sites. Bone/bone marrow involvement was the most
      commonly involved extranodal site identified by PET/CT (29%) and was associated
      with an inferior PFS and OS. The IPI, R-IPI, and NCCN-IPI were predictive of PFS
      and OS, and the two latter could identify a very good prognostic subgroup with 3
      year PFS and OS of 100%. PET/CT-ascertained extranodal involvement in DLBCL is
      common and involvement of >2 extranodal sites is associated with a dismal
      outcome. The IPI, R-IPI, and NCCN-IPI predict outcome with high accuracy.

PMID- 26260225
TI  - Statins and new-onset diabetes mellitus - a risk lacking in familial
      hypercholesterolaemia.

PMID- 26260227
TI  - Editorial overview: Oncolytic viruses--replicating virus therapeutics for the
      treatment of cancer.

PMID- 26260226
TI  - 2D and 3D crystallization of the wild-type IIC domain of the glucose PTS
      transporter from Escherichia coli.
AB  - The bacterial phosphoenolpyruvate: sugar phosphotransferase system serves the
      combined uptake and phosphorylation of carbohydrates. This structurally and
      functionally complex system is composed of several conserved functional units
      that, through a cascade of phosphorylated intermediates, catalyze the transfer of
      the phosphate moiety from phosphoenolpyruvate to the substrate, which is bound to
      the integral membrane domain IIC. The wild-type glucose-specific IIC domain (wt
      IIC(glc)) of Escherichia coli was cloned, overexpressed and purified for
      biochemical and functional characterization. Size-exclusion chromatography and
      scintillation-proximity binding assays showed that purified wt-IIC(glc) was
      homogenous and able to bind glucose. Crystallization was pursued following two
      different approaches: (i) reconstitution of wt-IIC(glc) into a lipid bilayer by
      detergent removal through dialysis, which yielded tubular 2D crystals, and (ii)
      vapor-diffusion crystallization of detergent-solubilized wt-IIC(glc), which
      yielded rhombohedral 3D crystals. Analysis of the 2D crystals by cryo-electron
      microscopy and the 3D crystals by X-ray diffraction indicated resolutions of
      better than 6A and 4A, respectively. Furthermore, a complete X-ray diffraction
      data set could be collected and processed to 3.93A resolution. These 2D and 3D
      crystals of wt-IIC(glc) lay the foundation for the determination of the first
      structure of a bacterial glucose-specific IIC domain. 

PMID- 26260228
TI  - "Micro to macro (M2M)"--A novel approach for intravenous delivery of propofol.
AB  - PURPOSE: Propofol emulsions have limited shelf life and safety concerns for
      injection. Microemulsions of propofol are thermodynamically stable and simpler to
      manufacture, but cause additional pain on injection. We propose a novel micro to
      macro (M2M) approach of destabilizing a microemulsion immediately prior to
      injection. METHODS: Microemulsions of propofol were prepared at two to three
      times the drug loadings of commercial formulations. We determined suitable
      microemulsion compositions which destabilize into macroemulsions after two or
      three fold dilutions with water. Droplet growth after dilution was measured with
      dynamic light scattering. Increasing solution turbidity after dilution was also
      measured optically with millisecond resolution. Experimental data was analyzed in
      the context of a coalescence model. RESULTS: Microemulsions rapidly coalesce into
      larger droplet size macroemulsions after dilution according to the phase diagram
      shift. The resulting macroemulsions are metastable retaining their droplet size
      for several hours. Droplet growth occurs on the order of seconds and a metastable
      size of about 1 micron is reached in minutes. Rates of droplet growth and
      metastable droplet sizes depend on the surfactant composition. The coalescence
      model predicts droplet growth with good agreement but only after accounting for
      the finite probability of coalescence from each collision. CONCLUSIONS: The M2M
      concept has been demonstrated for the anesthetic drug propofol which may improve
      stability and manufacturability in addition to reducing pain on injection. This
      approach could be adapted to other hydrophobic vesicant drugs as well.

PMID- 26260229
TI  - Markedly lowering the viscosity of aqueous solutions of DNA by additives.
AB  - Aqueous solutions of DNAs, while relevant in drug delivery and as a target of
      therapies, are often very viscous making them difficult to use. Since less
      viscous solutions could enable targeted drug delivery and/or therapies, the
      purpose of the present work was to explore compounds capable of "thinning" such
      DNA solutions under pharmaceutically relevant conditions. To this end,
      viscosities of aqueous solutions of DNAs and model polyanions were examined at 25
      degrees C in the absence and presence of a number of bulky organic salts (and
      related compounds) previously found to substantially lower the viscosities of
      concentrated protein solutions. Out of two dozen compounds tested, only three
      were found to be effective; the FDA-approved local anesthetics lidocaine,
      mepivacaine, and prilocaine at near-isotonic concentrations and pH 6.4 lowered
      solution viscosity of three different DNAs up to about 20 fold. The observed
      multi-fold viscosity reductions appear to be due to these bulky organic salts'
      structure-specific non-covalent binding to nucleotide bases resulting in
      denaturation (unwinding) to, and stabilization of, single-stranded DNA.

PMID- 26260230
TI  - Recent advances in local drug delivery to the inner ear.
AB  - Inner ear diseases are not adequately treated by systemic drug administration
      mainly because of the blood-perilymph barrier that reduces exchanges between
      plasma and inner ear fluids. Local drug delivery methods including intratympanic
      and intracochlear administrations are currently developed to treat inner ear
      disorders more efficiently. Intratympanic administration is minimally invasive
      but relies on diffusion through middle ear barriers for drug entry into the
      cochlea, whereas intracochlear administration offers direct access to the
      colchlea but is rather invasive. A wide range of drug delivery systems or devices
      were evaluated in research and clinic over the last decade for inner ear
      applications. In this review, different strategies including medical devices,
      hydrogels and nanoparticulate systems for intratympanic administration, and
      cochlear implant coating or advanced medical devices for intracoclear
      administration were explored with special attention to in vivo studies. This
      review highlights the promising systems for future clinical applications as well
      as the current hurdles that remain to be overcome for efficient inner ear
      therapy. 

PMID- 26260231
TI  - An optimized gastroretentive nanosystem for the delivery of levodopa.
AB  - Characterization of the physicochemical and physicomechanical properties as well
      as biopharmaceutical suitability of a drug delivery system is needful in
      optimization of the formulation and manufacturing processes in order to achieve
      the desired responses. Interpolymeric blend (IPB) nano-enabled gastroretentive
      levodopa-loaded drug delivery systems were formulated, optimized and
      characterized using techniques such as spectroscopy, calorimetry, density,
      textural analysis, morphological analysis, porosity analysis and magnetic
      resonance imaging. The in vitro drug release of the delivery systems was compared
      to those of the conventional dosage forms and in vivo absorption was predicted.
      The average densities were 1.41 mg/mm(3) and 1.56 mg/mm(3) for the two
      formulations; rigidities were 75.05 N/mm and 84.93 N/mm; and 92% of the pores of
      the IPB drug delivery system were mesoporous. MR imaging displayed the swollen
      front at pH 1.5 and the eroded front at pH 4.5. In comparisons to the
      conventional dosage forms, the IPB nano-enabled gastroretentive levodopa-loaded
      drug delivery systems exhibited drug release over a prolonged period of time and
      levodopa-loaded IPB matrices were the best fit for zero-order release. Indeed the
      analyses of IPB nano-enabled gastroretentive levodopa-loaded drug delivery
      systems indicate that they hold promise as sustained delivery system for
      management of Parkinson's disease.

PMID- 26260232
TI  - Calcium-permeable AMPA receptors trigger vesicular glutamate release from
      Bergmann gliosomes.
AB  - The Bergmann glia is equipped with Ca2+-permeable AMPA receptors for glutamate,
      indispensable for structural and functional relations between the Bergmann glia
      and parallel/climbing fibers-Purkinje cell synapses. To better understand roles
      for the Bergmann AMPA receptors, herein we investigate on gliotransmitter release
      and Ca2+ signals in isolated Bergmann glia processes obtained from adult rat
      cerebellum. We found that: 1) the rat cerebellar purified astrocyte processes
      (gliosomes) expressed astrocytic and Bergmann markers and exhibited negligible
      contamination by nerve terminals, microglia, or oligodendrocytes; 2) activation
      of Ca2+-permeable AMPA receptors caused Ca2+ signals in the processes, and the
      release of glutamate from the processes; 3) effectiveness of rose bengal, trypan
      blue or bafilomycin A1, indicated that activation of the AMPA receptors evoked
      vesicular glutamate release. Cerebellar purified nerve terminals appeared devoid
      of glutamate-releasing Ca2+-permeable AMPA receptors, indicating that neuronal
      contamination may not be the source of the signals detected. Ultrastructural
      analysis indicated the presence of vesicles in the cytoplasm of the processes;
      confocal imaging confirmed the presence of vesicular glutamate transporters in
      Bergmann glia processes. We conclude that: a vesicular mechanism for release of
      the gliotransmitter glutamate is present in mature Bergmann processes; entry of
      Ca2+ through the AMPA receptors located on Bergmann processes is coupled with
      vesicular glutamate release. The findings would add a new role for a well-known
      Bergmann target for glutamate (the Ca2+-permeable AMPA receptors) and a new actor
      (the gliotransmitter glutamate) at the cerebellar excitatory synapses onto
      Purkinje cells.

PMID- 26260233
TI  - Diagnosis of dementia by medical practitioners: a national study among older
      adults in Singapore.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Dementia is inevitably associated with an ageing population which has
      tremendous public health, social and economic implications. Yet the extant
      evidence suggests that the diagnosis of dementia in general is neither timely nor
      accurate. The aim of this present study was to establish the prevalence of
      dementia as diagnosed by medical practitioners in Singapore and its associated
      factors. METHOD: The analysis is based on a national epidemiological study of
      older adults in Singapore which had established the prevalence of dementia using
      the 10/66 protocol. It was a community based survey, and face-to-face interviews
      were conducted with 2565 respondents (a response rate of 66%) and 2421
      informants. RESULTS: In all, 3% of the respondents were diagnosed by a medical
      practitioner to have dementia of which 11.5% were diagnosed by general
      practitioners. Only 30.3% were prescribed medications specifically for dementia.
      Those with comorbid depression were more likely to be diagnosed to have dementia.
      CONCLUSION: The apparent low rate of diagnosis by medical practitioners is in
      line with studies done in the West. There is a need to elucidate the reasons
      underlying this under-diagnosis in order to better address this gap.

PMID- 26260234
TI  - Analysis of TTSuV1b antibody in porcine serum and its correlation with four
      antibodies against common viral infectious diseases.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the correlation
      between Torque teno sus virus 1b (TTSuV1b) infection and other viral infections
      or vaccine immunization in conventional pigs. METHODS: With overexpressed and
      purified viral protein TTSuV1b as antigen, an indirect enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method for detecting TTSuV1b antibody was
      established, which demonstrated great specificity and reproducibility. Porcine
      serum samples (n = 212) were tested using ELISA. Meanwhile, the antibodies
      against Classical Swine Fever Virus (CSFV), Pseudorabies Virus (PRV), Porcine
      Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV), and Porcine Circovirus 2
      (PCV2) were also examined using the commercial kits. RESULTS: Statistical
      analysis indicated that the level of anti-TTSuV1b antibody was positively
      correlated with the level of anti-PCV2 antibody in a lesser extent; the level of
      antibodies against TTSuV1b or PCV2 were significantly lower in porcine serum with
      low level of TTSuV1b virus, implicating the potential consistency and
      synchronization in the mechanism of TTSuV1b and PCV2 infection. Whereas,
      antibodies against PRRSV or CSFV showed no statistical significance on comparison
      with anti-TTSuV1b antibody, implicating that in conventional pigs, the antibody
      level for PRRSV and CSFV were not significantly influenced by TTSuV1b infection.
      CONCLUSION: In conclusion, examination of anti-TTSuV1b antibody in porcine serum
      with the presently established ELISA method would serve as a supplementary
      approach for etiological investigation, and the combined statistical analysis of
      the antibodies against four other viruses might help to further understand the
      TTSuV1b infection as well as its pathogenicity.

PMID- 26260235
TI  - Integrative Leadership: An Embodied Practice.

PMID- 26260236
TI  - Dancing Mindfulness: A Phenomenological Investigation of the Emerging Practice.
AB  - An extensive review of both quantitative and qualitative literature reveals
      numerous connections between mindfulness practice and psychological well-being.
      Dancing Mindfulness, as a holistic wellness practice, is a creative approach to
      mindfulness meditation that draws on dance as the vehicle for engaging in the
      ancient practice characterized by non-judgment, loving kindness, and present
      centered awareness. Of the first participants who learned the Dancing Mindfulness
      practice in a community-based setting, 10 shared their lived experience with the
      practice, and these experiences were analyzed using A.P. Giorgi's descriptive
      phenomenological psychological method. As a collective sample, the women
      described positive experiences with the Dancing Mindfulness practice. Specific
      themes indicated improvements in emotional and spiritual well-being, increased
      acceptance, positive changes to the self, and increased application of
      mindfulness techniques and strategies to real-world living. Another thematic area
      suggested that dancing and music are the two major components of action within
      Dancing Mindfulness leading to these benefits. 

PMID- 26260238
TI  - Binding interaction of SGLT with sugar and thiosugar by the molecular dynamics
      simulation.
AB  - The human sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (hSGLT2) is a transporter responsible
      for reabsorption of glucose in the proximal convoluted tubule of the kidney.
      hSGLT2 inhibitors, including luseogliflozin, have been developed as drugs for
      type 2 diabetes mellitus. Only luseogliflozin contains a thiosugar ring in its
      chemical structure, while other hSGLT2 inhibitors contain glucose rings.
      Consequently, we focused on the binding interactions of hSGLT2 with sugars and
      thiosugars. We first revealed that the binding affinities of thiosugars are
      stronger than those of sugars through molecular dynamics simulations of Vibrio
      parahaemolyticus, sodium-galactose co-transporter, and human hSGLT2. We then
      demonstrated that Na(+) dissociates from the protein to the cytoplasmic solution
      more slowly in the thiosugar system than in the sugar system. These differences
      between sugars and thiosugars are discussed on the basis of the different binding
      modes due to the atom at the 5-position of the sugar and thiosugar rings.
      Finally, as a result of Na(+) dissociation, we suggest that the dissociation of
      thiosugars is slower than that of sugars. 

PMID- 26260237
TI  - A fresh look at zebrafish from the perspective of cancer research.
AB  - Zebrafish represent a vertebrate model organism that has been widely, and
      increasingly, employed over the last decade in the study of developmental
      processes, wound healing, microbe-host interactions, and drug screening. With the
      increase in the laboratory use of zebrafish, several advantages, such as a high
      genetic homology to humans and transparent embryos, which allow clear disease
      evaluation, have greatly widened its use as a model for studying tumor
      development in vivo. The use of zebrafish has been applied in several areas of
      cancer research, mainly in the following domains: (1) establishing cancer models
      by carcinogenic chemical, genetic technology, and xenotransplantation; (2)
      evaluating tumor angiogenesis; (3) studying tumor metastasis; and (4) anti-tumor
      drug screening and drug toxicity evaluation. In this study, we provide a
      comprehensive overview of the role of zebrafish in order to underline the
      advantages of using them as a model organism in cancer research. Several related
      successful events are also reviewed. 

PMID- 26260239
TI  - Monocyte nadir is a possible indicator for neutrophil nadir during lung cancer
      chemotherapy.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: No previous study clearly demonstrated the association between the
      absolute neutrophil count (ANC) nadir and the absolute monocyte count (AMC) nadir
      among patients undergoing chemotherapy. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed
      patients with an incurable lung cancer in two university hospital who were
      treated with platinum doublet or triplet. In this study, the nadir was defined as
      the lowest value during days 1-22. RESULTS: We observed 75 patients: 61 men (81%)
      and 14 women (19%), median age of 69 years. The number of days that elapsed
      between the first day of chemotherapy and the median ANC nadir of 12 days was
      longer than that for AMC nadir of 6 (Wilcoxon signed rank test: P < 0.001). The
      number of days that elapsed between the first day of chemotherapy and the AMC
      nadir was the only factor that had a significant correlation with that for ANC
      nadir (Spearman's rank correlation: r = 0.34, P = 0.003). Among 75 patients, 23
      (31%) had an ANC at nadir <1000/MUL. AMC at nadir of 100/MUL predicted an ANC at
      nadir <1000/MUL with a sensitivity of 83% and a specificity of 56%. CONCLUSION:
      Both neutrophils and monocytes are differentiated from a common progenitor, a
      granulocyte macrophage colony forming cell, which can provide good explanation
      for the association between ANC and AMC nadirs. We would like to recommend
      physicians to observe the AMC nadir to predict the timing and severity of the ANC
      nadir.

PMID- 26260240
TI  - The Effects of Combined Treatment with Naringin and Treadmill Exercise on
      Osteoporosis in Ovariectomized Rats.
AB  - Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mass and progressive
      destruction of bone microstructure, resulting in increased the risk of fracture.
      Previous studies have demonstrated the effect of naringin (NG) or treadmill
      exercise (EX) on osteoporosis, however, reports about effects of NG plus EX on
      osteoporosis are limited. This study was designed to investigate the impact of
      combined treatment with naringin and treadmill exercise on osteoporosis in
      ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Three months after bilateral ovariectomy, Seventy-five
      rats were randomly assigned to the following treatment groups: OVX, sham-operated
      (SHAM), NG, EX, or NG plus EX treatment. Treatments were administered for 60
      days. Bone metabolism, bone mineral density, trabecular bone parameters,
      immunohistochemistry, and the bone strength were evaluated. Compared to the OVX
      groups, all treatments increased bone volume (BV/TV), trabecula number (Tb.N),
      trabecula thickness (Tb.Th), bone mineral density (BMD), and mechanical strength.
      NG + EX showed the strongest effects on BV/TV, Tb.Th, and biomechanical strength.
      Additionally, decreased C-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen (CTX-1) and
      enhanced osteocalcin (OCN) expression were observed in the NG + EX group. The
      present study demonstrates that the NG + EX may have a therapeutic advantage over
      each monotherapy for the treatment of osteoporosis. 

PMID- 26260241
TI  - Proteome Analysis Unravels Mechanism Underling the Embryogenesis of the Honeybee
      Drone and Its Divergence with the Worker (Apis mellifera lingustica).
AB  - The worker and drone bees each contain a separate diploid and haploid genetic
      makeup, respectively. Mechanisms regulating the embryogenesis of the drone and
      its mechanistic difference with the worker are still poorly understood. The
      proteomes of the two embryos at three time-points throughout development were
      analyzed by applying mass spectrometry-based proteomics. We identified 2788 and
      2840 proteins in the worker and drone embryos, respectively. The age-dependent
      proteome driving the drone embryogenesis generally follows the worker's. The two
      embryos however evolve a distinct proteome setting to prime their respective
      embryogenesis. The strongly expressed proteins and pathways related to
      transcriptional-translational machinery and morphogenesis at 24 h drone embryo
      relative to the worker, illustrating the earlier occurrence of morphogenesis in
      the drone than worker. These morphogenesis differences remain through to the
      middle-late stage in the two embryos. The two embryos employ distinct antioxidant
      mechanisms coinciding with the temporal-difference organogenesis. The drone
      embryo's strongly expressed cytoskeletal proteins signify key roles to match its
      large body size. The RNAi induced knockdown of the ribosomal protein offers
      evidence for the functional investigation of gene regulating of honeybee
      embryogenesis. The data significantly expand novel regulatory mechanisms
      governing the embryogenesis, which is potentially important for honeybee and
      other insects. 

PMID- 26260242
TI  - Technique of anatomical single bundle ACL reconstruction with rounded rectangle
      femoral dilator.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study aimed to present a new technique for anatomical single
      bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. We developed an original
      rounded rectangular dilator set to create rounded rectangular femoral tunnels.
      This technique can increase the femoral tunnel size without roof impingement, and
      has the potential to reduce the graft failure rate. We investigated the tunnel
      position and the incidence of intraoperative complications. METHOD: The presented
      technique is anatomical single bundle ACL reconstruction using a semitendinosus
      graft (with or without the gracilis tendon). The tunnel was drilled via an
      additional medial portal. Rounded rectangular tunnels were created using a
      special dilator. Tibial tunnels were created using conventional rounded tunnels.
      Fixation was achieved using a suspensory device on the femoral side and a plate
      and screw on the tibial side. PATIENTS: Fifty patients underwent this surgery,
      and intraoperative complications were investigated. The femoral tunnel positions
      were documented postoperatively from computed tomography scans using the quadrant
      method. The tibial tunnel positions (anterior-to-posterior, medial-to-lateral)
      were documented using intraoperative X-ray scans. RESULTS: Only one patient had a
      partial posterior tunnel wall blowout. The femoral tunnel length varied between
      30 and 40mm (mean, 34.9+/-3.3mm). All femoral and tibial tunnels were located
      within the area of the anatomical ACL insertions. CONCLUSION: We did not
      experience any serious intraoperative complications during anatomical single
      bundle ACL reconstruction using a rounded rectangle dilator, and the resulting
      locations of the femoral and tibial tunnels were within the anatomical ACL
      footprint. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

PMID- 26260243
TI  - Factors associated with a more rapid recovery after anterior cruciate ligament
      reconstruction using multivariate analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In the past, several studies investigated factors that are prognostic
      or associated with outcome after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.
      A recent review showed that only limited evidence is available for most studied
      factors, and that insufficient analysis methods were used commonly. Therefore,
      the aim of this study was to add more weight to the existing evidence, about
      factors that are associated with a more rapid outcome after ACL reconstruction.
      The second aim was to use multivariate analysis to study the possible factors
      independently. METHODS: A cohort study was conducted with a follow-up of six
      months. Before surgery, patient variables were scored. Surgical variables were
      scored during arthroscopic ACL reconstructions with a single-bundle technique and
      hamstring autograft. The Lysholm score and subscales of the Knee Injury
      Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) were assessed six months post surgery. A
      multiple analysis of variance (ANOVA) model was used to identify prognostic
      factors for outcome. RESULTS: In total, 118 patients were included. Patients,
      aged <=30years, with a subjective knee score >= six, with normal flexion range of
      motion (ROM) of the knee, with flexion and extension strength deficit of <=20%,
      and those with no previous knee surgery in the same knee at baseline scored
      significantly higher on outcome after multivariate analysis. No significant
      effect of surgical factors could be found. CONCLUSION: Younger age, higher
      subjective knee score, normal knee flexion, normal knee flexion and extension
      strength, and no previous knee surgery in the patients' history at baseline are
      associated with a more rapid recovery after ACL reconstruction. LEVEL OF
      EVIDENCE: Level III, prognostic study.

PMID- 26260245
TI  - Smart multifunctional drug delivery towards anticancer therapy harmonized in
      mesoporous nanoparticles.
AB  - Nanomedicine seeks to apply nanoscale materials for the therapy and diagnosis of
      diseased and damaged tissues. Recent advances in nanotechnology have made a major
      contribution to the development of multifunctional nanomaterials, which
      represents a paradigm shift from single purpose to multipurpose materials.
      Multifunctional nanomaterials have been proposed to enable simultaneous target
      imaging and on-demand delivery of therapeutic agents only to the specific site.
      Most advanced systems are also responsive to internal or external stimuli. This
      approach is particularly important for highly potent drugs (e.g.
      chemotherapeutics), which should be delivered in a discreet manner and interact
      with cells/tissues only locally. Both advances in imaging and precisely
      controlled and localized delivery are critically important in cancer treatment,
      and the use of such systems - theranostics - holds great promise to minimise side
      effects and boost therapeutic effectiveness of the treatment. Among others,
      mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNPs) are considered one of the most promising
      nanomaterials for drug delivery. Due to their unique intrinsic features,
      including tunable porosity and size, large surface area, structural diversity,
      easily modifiable chemistry and suitability for functionalization, and
      biocompatibility, MSNPs have been extensively utilized as multifunctional
      nanocarrier systems. The combination or hybridization with biomolecules, drugs,
      and other nanoparticles potentiated the ability of MSNPs towards
      multifunctionality, and even smart actions stimulated by specified signals,
      including pH, optical signal, redox reaction, electricity and magnetism. This
      paper provides a comprehensive review of the state-of-the-art of multifunctional,
      smart drug delivery systems centered on advanced MSNPs, with special emphasis on
      cancer related applications. 

PMID- 26260244
TI  - Enhanced conversion of induced neuronal cells (iN cells) from human fibroblasts:
      Utility in uncovering cellular deficits in mental illness-associated chromosomal
      abnormalities.
AB  - The novel technology of induced neuronal cells (iN cells) is promising for
      translational neuroscience, as it allows the conversion of human fibroblasts into
      cells with postmitotic neuronal traits. However, a major technical barrier is the
      low conversion rate. To overcome this problem, we optimized the conversion media.
      Using our improved formulation, we studied how major mental illness-associated
      chromosomal abnormalities may impact the characteristics of iN cells. We
      demonstrated that our new iN cell culture protocol enabled us to obtain more
      precise measurement of neuronal cellular phenotypes than previous iN cell
      methods. Thus, this iN cell culture provides a platform to efficiently obtain
      possible cellular phenotypes caused by genetic differences, which can be more
      thoroughly studied in research using other human cell models such as induced
      pluripotent stem cells. 

PMID- 26260246
TI  - Assessing the impact of a primary care electronic medical record system in three
      Kenyan rural health centers.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Efficient, effective health care requires rapid availability of
      patient information. We designed, implemented, and assessed the impact of a
      primary care electronic medical record (EMR) in three rural Kenyan health
      centers. METHOD: Local clinicians identified data required for primary care and
      public health reporting. We designed paper encounter forms to capture these data
      in adult medicine, pediatric, and antenatal clinics. Encounter form data were
      hand-entered into a new primary care module in an existing EMR serving onsite
      clinics serving patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
      Before subsequent visits, Summary Reports were printed containing selected
      patient data with reminders for needed HIV care. We assessed effects on patient
      flow and provider work with time-motion studies before implementation and two
      years later, and we surveyed providers' satisfaction with the EMR. RESULTS:
      Between September 2008 and December 2011, 72 635 primary care patients were
      registered and 114 480 encounter forms were completed. During 2011, 32 193 unique
      patients visited primary care clinics, and encounter forms were completed for all
      visits. Of 1031 (3.2%) who were HIV-infected, 85% received HIV care. Patient
      clinic time increased from 37 to 81 min/visit after EMR implementation in one
      health center and 56 to 106 min/visit in the other. However, outpatient visits to
      both health centers increased by 85%. Three-quarters of increased time was spent
      waiting. Despite nearly doubling visits, there was no change in clinical
      officers' work patterns, but the nurses' and the clerks' patient care time
      decreased after EMR implementation. Providers were generally satisfied with the
      EMR but desired additional training. CONCLUSIONS: We successfully implemented a
      primary care EMR in three rural Kenyan health centers. Patient waiting time was
      dramatically lengthened while the nurses' and the clerks' patient care time
      decreased. Long-term use of EMRs in such settings will require changes in culture
      and workflow.

PMID- 26260247
TI  - Design and feasibility of integrating personalized PRO dashboards into prostate
      cancer care.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are a valued source of health
      information, but prior work focuses largely on data capture without guidance on
      visual displays that promote effective PRO use in patient-centered care. We
      engaged patients, providers, and design experts in human-centered design of "PRO
      dashboards" that illustrate trends in health-related quality of life (HRQOL)
      reported by patients following prostate cancer treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      We designed and assessed the feasibility of integrating dashboards into care in 3
      steps: (1) capture PRO needs of patients and providers through focus groups and
      interviews; (2) iteratively build and refine a prototype dashboard; and (3) pilot
      test dashboards with patients and their provider during follow-up care. RESULTS:
      Focus groups (n = 60 patients) prioritized needs for dashboards that compared
      longitudinal trends in patients' HRQOL with "men like me." Of the candidate
      dashboard designs, 50 patients and 50 providers rated pictographs less helpful
      than bar charts, line graphs, or tables (P < .001) and preferred bar charts and
      line graphs most. Given these needs and the design recommendations from our
      Patient Advisory Board (n = 7) and design experts (n = 7), we built and refined a
      prototype that charts patients' HRQOL compared with age- and treatment-matched
      patients in personalized dashboards. Pilot testing dashboard use (n = 12
      patients) improved compliance with quality indicators for prostate cancer care (P
      < .01). CONCLUSION: PRO dashboards are a promising approach for integrating
      patient-generated data into prostate cancer care. Informed by human-centered
      design principles, this work establishes guidance on dashboard content,
      tailoring, and clinical use that patients and providers find meaningful.

PMID- 26260248
TI  - A three-dimensional large deformation model for soft tissue using meshless
      method.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recently, a great number of studies have been carried out to model
      soft tissue deformation in contact with surgical instruments to aid the
      development of surgical simulators. Precise methods to model the soft tissue such
      as the Finite Element Method (FEM) lack accuracy in large deformations. METHODS:
      An innovative meshless method is used, which has high precision and is applicable
      to large deformations. The meshless simulation method is implemented for a 2D
      beam and a 3D cube. Experiments are conducted for two silicone-gel samples to
      verify the correctness of the method. RESULTS: The meshless results in 2D and 3D
      show better accuracy for large deformations in comparison with the FEM. This
      method is used to model human organs such as liver and gallbladder. CONCLUSION:
      It is concluded that the proposed model exhibits good accuracy as well as speed.
      Thus, it seems promising to be employed in surgical simulators. Copyright (c)
      2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 26260250
TI  - The development of implicit gender attitudes.
AB  - The development course of implicit and explicit gender attitudes between the ages
      of 5 and adulthood is investigated. Findings demonstrate that implicit and
      explicit own-gender preferences emerge early in both boys and girls, but implicit
      own-gender preferences are stronger in young girls than boys. In addition, female
      participants' attitudes remain largely stable over development, whereas male
      participants' implicit and explicit attitudes show an age-related shift towards
      increasing female positivity. Gender attitudes are an anomaly in that social
      evaluations dissociate from social status, with both male and female participants
      tending to evaluate female more positively than male.

PMID- 26260249
TI  - Caveolae regulate vasoconstriction of conduit arteries to angiotensin II in
      hindlimb unweighted rats.
AB  - Weightlessness induces the functional remodelling of arteries, but the changes to
      angiotensin II (Ang II)-elicited vasoconstriction and the underlying mechanism
      have never been reported. Caveolae are invaginations of the cell membrane crucial
      for the contraction of vascular smooth muscle cells, so we investigated the
      adaptation of Ang II-elicited vasoconstriction to simulated weightlessness and
      the role of caveolae in it. The 4 week hindlimb unweighted (HU) rat was used to
      simulate the effects of weightlessness. Ang II-elicited vasoconstriction was
      measured by isometric force recording. The morphology of caveolae was examined by
      transmission electron microscope. The binding of the angiotensin II type 1
      receptor (AT1 ) and caveolin-1 (cav-1) was examined by coimmunoprecipitation and
      Western blot. We found that the maximal developing force (E(max)) of Ang II
      elicited vasoconstriction was decreased in abdominal aorta by 30.6%, unchanged in
      thoracic aorta and increased in carotid artery by 17.9% after HU, while EC50 of
      the response was increased in all three arteries (P < 0.05). AT1 desensitization
      upon activation was significantly reduced by HU in all three arteries, as was the
      number of caveolae (P < 0.05). Furthermore, Ang II promoted the binding of AT1
      and cav-1 significantly in control but not HU arteries. Both the number of
      caveolae and the binding of AT1 and cav-1 in HU arteries were restored by
      cholesterol pretreatment which also reinstated the change in EC50 as well as the
      level of AT1 desensitization. These results indicate that modified caveolae in
      vascular smooth muscle cells could interfere with the binding of AT1 and cav-1
      mediating the adaptation of Ang II-elicited vasoconstriction to HU.

PMID- 26260251
TI  - [Bi12Ni7(CO)4](4-): Aggregation of Intermetalloid Clusters by Their Thermal
      Deligation and Oxidation.
AB  - Reported are the synthesis and structure of the anionic intermetalloid cluster
      [Bi12Ni7(CO)4](4-). It was synthesized from the known smaller clusters
      Bi3Ni4(CO)6(3-), Bi3Ni6(CO)9(3-), and Ni@Bi6Ni6(CO)8(4-) by their aggregation as
      a result of thermal deligation and oxidation. The new cluster is structurally
      characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction in the compound
      (K[crypt])4[Bi12Ni7(CO)4] (1), and its presence in solution is confirmed by
      electrospray mass spectrometry. It can be viewed as composed of a Ni-centered
      icosahedral core of Bi6Ni6(CO)4 where two diametrically opposed Ni atoms are
      capped by Bi3 triangles. However, its electron count is rationalized based on a
      structure made of fused tetrahedra. 

PMID- 26260253
TI  - Estimation of Age Using Alveolar Bone Loss: Forensic and Anthropological
      Applications.
AB  - The objective of this study was to utilize a new odontological methodological
      approach based on radiographic for age estimation. The study was comprised of 397
      participants aged between 9 and 87 years. A clinical examination and a
      radiographic assessment of alveolar bone loss were performed. Direct measures of
      alveolar bone level were recorded using CT scans. A medical examination report
      was attached to the investigation file. Because of the link between alveolar bone
      loss and age, a model was proposed to enable simple, reliable, and quick age
      estimation. This work added new arguments for age estimation. This study aimed to
      develop a simple, standardized, and reproducible technique for age estimation of
      adults of actual populations in forensic medicine and ancient populations in
      funeral anthropology. 

PMID- 26260252
TI  - Ethylglucuronide in maternal hair as a biomarker of prenatal alcohol exposure.
AB  - While direct ethanol metabolites, including ethylglucuronide (EtG), play an
      important role for the confirmation of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE), their
      utility is often limited by their short half-lives in blood and urine. Maternal
      hair allows for a retrospective measure of PAE for up to several months. This
      study examined the validity of hair EtG (hEtG) relative to self-reporting and
      five other biomarkers in 85 pregnant women. Patients were recruited from a UNM
      prenatal clinic, which provides care to women with substance abuse and addiction
      disorders. The composite index, which was based on self-reported measures of
      alcohol use and allowed us to classify subjects into PAE (n = 42) and control (n
      = 43) groups, was the criterion measure used to estimate the sensitivity and
      specificity of hEtG. Proximal segments of hair were collected at enrollment
      (average 22.0 gestational weeks) and analyzed by LC-MS/MS. At the same visit,
      maternal blood and urine specimens were collected for analysis of GGT, %dCDT,
      PEth, uEtG, and uEtS. The study population included mostly opioid-dependent (80%)
      patients, a large proportion of ethnic minorities (75.3% Hispanic/Latina, 8.2%
      American Indian, 4.7% African-American), and patients with low education (48.2% <
      high school). The mean maternal age at enrollment was 26.7 +/- 4.8 years. Hair
      EtG demonstrated 19% sensitivity and 86% specificity. The sensitivities of other
      biomarkers were comparable (5-20%) to hEtG but specificities were higher (98
      100%). Hair EtG sensitivity improved when combined with other biomarkers,
      especially with GGT (32.5%) and PEth (27.5%). In addition, validity of hEtG
      improved in patients with less frequent shampooing and those who did not use hair
      dyes/chemical treatments. These data suggest that hEtG alone is not a
      sufficiently sensitive or specific biomarker to be used separately for the
      identification of PAE, but might be useful in a battery along with other maternal
      biomarkers. 

PMID- 26260254
TI  - Myotonia congenita: novel mutations in CLCN1 gene.
AB  - Myotonia congenita belongs to the group of non-dystrophic myotonia caused by
      mutations of CLCN1gene, which encodes human skeletal muscle chloride channel 1.
      It can be inherited either in autosomal dominant (Thomsen disease) or recessive
      (Becker disease) forms. Here we have sequenced all 23 exons and exon-intron
      boundaries of the CLCN1 gene, in a panel of 5 unrelated Chinese patients with
      myotonia congenita (2 with dominant and 3 with recessive form). In addition,
      detailed clinical analysis was performed in these patients to summarize their
      clinical characteristics in relation to their genotypes. Mutational analyses
      revealed 7 different point mutations. Of these, we have found 3 novel mutations
      including 2 missense (R47W, V229M), one splicing (IVS19+2T>C), and 4 known
      mutations (Y261C,G523D, M560T, G859D). Our data expand the spectrum of CLCN1
      mutations and provide insights for genotype-phenotype correlations of myotonia
      congenita in the Chinese population. 

PMID- 26260255
TI  - Sustained Reduction of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Rates Using Real-Time
      Course Correction With a Ventilator Bundle Compliance Dashboard.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of practice bundles on reducing ventilator
      associated pneumonia (VAP) has been questioned. OBJECTIVE: To implement a
      comprehensive program that included a real-time bundle compliance dashboard to
      improve compliance and reduce ventilator-associated complications. DESIGN Before
      and-after quasi-experimental study with interrupted time-series analysis. SETTING
      Academic medical center. METHODS: In 2007 a comprehensive institutional
      ventilator bundle program was developed. To assess bundle compliance and
      stimulate instant course correction of noncompliant parameters, a real-time
      computerized dashboard was developed. Program impact in 6 adult intensive care
      units (ICUs) was assessed. Bundle compliance was noted as an overall cumulative
      bundle adherence assessment, reflecting the percentage of time all elements were
      concurrently in compliance for all patients. RESULTS: The VAP rate in all ICUs
      combined decreased from 19.5 to 9.2 VAPs per 1,000 ventilator-days following
      program implementation (P<.001). Bundle compliance significantly increased (Z100
      score of 23% in August 2007 to 83% in June 2011 [P<.001]). The implementation
      resulted in a significant monthly decrease in the overall ICU VAP rate of
      3.28/1,000 ventilator-days (95% CI, 2.64-3.92/1,000 ventilator-days). Following
      the intervention, the VAP rate decreased significantly at a rate of 0.20/1,000
      ventilator-days per month (95% CI, 0.14-0.30/1,000 ventilator-days per month).
      Among all adult ICUs combined, improved bundle compliance was moderately
      correlated with monthly VAP rate reductions (Pearson correlation coefficient, 
      0.32). CONCLUSION: A prevention program using a real-time bundle adherence
      dashboard was associated with significant sustained decreases in VAP rates and an
      increase in bundle compliance among adult ICU patients.

PMID- 26260256
TI  - Burdensome problems of chronic musculoskeletal pain and future prospects.
AB  - According to a recent survey, about 15 % of the Japanese population suffers from
      moderate-severe chronic musculoskeletal pain persisting for at least 6 months.
      Social factors and related psychological factors (including depression) thus
      appear to greatly affect chronic musculoskeletal pain. This suggests the need for
      measures that take these factors into account. Treatment for musculoskeletal pain
      at present is generally based on a biomedical model that has been used for many
      years in this field, and modern medical imaging technologies have been a high
      priority to support this model and treatment strategy. Under the concept of the
      biomedical model, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, channel blockers and
      opioid analgesics are generally used as pharmacotherapy to alleviate chronic
      pain. However, these drugs are commonly associated with problems such as adverse
      effects, drug dependency and drug abuse, and they must be used with care. Surgery
      may also be effective in treating certain diseases, but studies have shown that
      many patients suffer residual chronic pain even after such treatment. Besides,
      exercise therapy has been found to be effective in treating many different types
      of chronic pain. Lately, various countries have been launching interdisciplinary
      pain centers that use a multidisciplinary approach to treat chronic
      musculoskeletal pain. Treatment in these centers is provided by a team of
      specialists in anesthesiology, psychiatry and orthopedics as well as the relevant
      paramedical professionals. The therapeutic strategy is based on a cognitive
      behavioral approach, and patients are taught about methods for restoring physical
      function and coping with pain, mostly with drugs and exercise therapy, so that
      any pain present does not impair function and the patient can reintegrate into
      society.

PMID- 26260257
TI  - Effect of simultaneous stretching of the wrist and finger extensors for lateral
      epicondylitis: a gross anatomical study of the tendinous origins of the extensor
      carpi radialis brevis and extensor digitorum communis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pulling the wrist into flexion with the elbow in extension and
      forearm in pronation has been used as the stretching technique of wrist extensors
      for lateral epicondylitis. Simultaneous stretching of the fingers in addition to
      the wrist flexion has also been applied. However, the mechanism of this
      simultaneous stretching has not been clarified. This study is designed to clarify
      the mechanism underlying this simultaneous stretching technique based on the
      anatomical features of the origins of the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB)
      and extensor digitorum communis (EDC). METHODS: Thirty-nine arms from formalin
      embalmed Japanese human specimens were dissected. The features of the origins of
      the ECRB and EDC were macroscopically observed, and the locations of each origin
      on the lateral epicondyle were measured. RESULTS: The ECRB had a long and wide,
      purely tendinous origin which originated from the anterior slope of the lateral
      epicondyle. The tendinous origin of the index finger of the EDC (EDC-IF) arose
      from the posterior aspect of the ECRB tendinous origin, with a coexisting
      muscular portion observed at the level of the proximal forearm. The middle finger
      of the EDC (EDC-MF) had a short tendinous origin with an associated muscular
      portion and originated proximo-laterally to the origin of the ECRB on the lateral
      epicondyle. In addition, the muscular origin of the EDC-MF arose on the
      superficial and posterior aspect of the ECRB tendinous origin. In contrast, the
      ring and little fingers of the EDC originated from the tendinous septum of the
      extensor digiti minimi and extensor carpi ulnaris, and had no connection with the
      ECRB tendinous origin. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of our anatomical findings,
      simultaneous stretching of the wrist extensors by wrist, index and middle fingers
      flexion could provide stretching force to both the tendinous origins of the ECRB
      and EDC through the EDC-IF and EDC-MF.

PMID- 26260258
TI  - Guggulsterone Attenuated Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammatory Responses in
      Mouse Inner Medullary Collecting Duct-3 Cells.
AB  - Guggulsterone (GS) is a phytosterol that has been used to treat inflammatory
      diseases such as colitis, obesity, and thrombosis. Although many previous studies
      have examined activities of GS, the effect of GS on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)
      induced inflammatory responses in mouse inner medullary collecting duct-3 (mIMCD
      3) cells have not been examined. Therefore, here, we investigated the anti
      inflammatory action of GS on mIMCD-3 cells exposed to LPS. LPS treatment on mIMCD
      3 cells produced pro-inflammatory molecules such as inducible nitric oxide
      synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor
      necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) significantly; however, GS treatment
      significantly inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory molecules. In
      addition, GS inhibited the degradation of Ikappa-Balpha and translocation of NF
      kappaB on mIMCD-3 cells. These results suggest that GS could inhibit inflammatory
      responses in collecting duct cells which could contribute to kidney injury during
      systemic infection. 

PMID- 26260260
TI  - Synthetic biology: UBER - a portable system for cross-species genetic
      engineering.

PMID- 26260259
TI  - Differential antitumor effects of vitamin D analogues on colorectal carcinoma in
      culture.
AB  - Colorectal cancer (CRC) is an emerging global problem with the rapid increase in
      its incidence being associated with an unhealthy lifestyle. Epidemiological
      studies have shown that decreased levels of vitamin D3 significantly increases
      the risk of CRC. Furthermore, negative effects of vitamin D3 deficiency can be
      compensated by appropriate supplementation. Vitamin D3 was shown to inhibit
      growth and induce differentiation of cancer cells, however, excessive vitamin D3
      intake leads to hypercalcemia. Thus, development of efficient vitamin D3
      analogues with limited impact on calcium homeostasis is an important scientific
      and clinically relevant task. The aims of the present study were to compare the
      antiproliferative potential of classic vitamin D3 metabolites (1alpha,25(OH)2D3
      and 25(OH)D3) with selected low calcemic analogues (calcipotriol and 20(OH)D3) on
      CRC cell lines and to investigate the expression of vitamin D-related genes in
      CRC cell lines and clinical samples. Vitamin D3 analogues exerted anti
      proliferative effects on all CRC cell lines tested. Calcipotriol proved to be as
      potent as 1alpha,25(OH)2D3 and had more efficacy than 20-hydroxyvitamin D3. In
      addition, the analogs tested effectively inhibited the formation of colonies in
      Matrigel. The expression of genes involved in 1alpha,25(OH)2D3 signaling and
      metabolism varied in cell lines analysed, which explains in part their different
      sensitivities to the various analogues. In CRC biopsies, there was decreased VDR
      expression in tumor samples in comparison to the surgical margin and healthy
      colon samples (p<0.01). The present study indicates that vitamin D3 analogues
      which have low calcemic activity, such as calcipotriol or 20(OH)D3, are very
      promising candidates for CRC therapy. Moreover, expression profiling of vitamin D
      related genes is likely to be a powerful tool in the planning of anticancer
      therapy. Decreased levels of VDR and increased CYP24A1 expression in clinical
      samples underline the importance of deregulation of vitamin D pathways in the
      development of CRC. 

PMID- 26260263
TI  - Adaptive quantum computation in changing environments using projective
      simulation.
AB  - Quantum information processing devices need to be robust and stable against
      external noise and internal imperfections to ensure correct operation. In a
      setting of measurement-based quantum computation, we explore how an intelligent
      agent endowed with a projective simulator can act as controller to adapt
      measurement directions to an external stray field of unknown magnitude in a fixed
      direction. We assess the agent's learning behavior in static and time-varying
      fields and explore composition strategies in the projective simulator to improve
      the agent's performance. We demonstrate the applicability by correcting for stray
      fields in a measurement-based algorithm for Grover's search. Thereby, we lay out
      a path for adaptive controllers based on intelligent agents for quantum
      information tasks. 

PMID- 26260261
TI  - Augmented genetic decoding: global, local and temporal alterations of decoding
      processes and codon meaning.
AB  - The non-universality of the genetic code is now widely appreciated. Codes differ
      between organisms, and certain genes are known to alter the decoding rules in a
      site-specific manner. Recently discovered examples of decoding plasticity are
      particularly spectacular. These examples include organisms and organelles with
      disruptions of triplet continuity during the translation of many genes, viruses
      that alter the entire genetic code of their hosts and organisms that adjust their
      genetic code in response to changing environments. In this Review, we outline
      various modes of alternative genetic decoding and expand existing terminology to
      accommodate recently discovered manifestations of this seemingly sophisticated
      phenomenon. 

PMID- 26260262
TI  - Genomes by design.
AB  - Next-generation DNA sequencing has revealed the complete genome sequences of
      numerous organisms, establishing a fundamental and growing understanding of
      genetic variation and phenotypic diversity. Engineering at the gene, network and
      whole-genome scale aims to introduce targeted genetic changes both to explore
      emergent phenotypes and to introduce new functionalities. Expansion of these
      approaches into massively parallel platforms establishes the ability to generate
      targeted genome modifications, elucidating causal links between genotype and
      phenotype, as well as the ability to design and reprogramme organisms. In this
      Review, we explore techniques and applications in genome engineering, outlining
      key advances and defining challenges. 

PMID- 26260264
TI  - Non-suicidal self-injury among Dutch and Belgian adolescents: Personality, stress
      and coping.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study examines: (1) the prevalence of Non-Suicidal Self-Injury
      (NSSI) among Dutch and Belgian adolescents, (2) the associations between Big Five
      personality traits and NSSI engagement/versatility (i.e., number of NSSI
      methods), and (3) whether these associations are mediated by perceived stress and
      coping. METHODS: A total of 946 Flemish (46%) and Dutch (54%) non
      institutionalized adolescents (Mean age=15.52; SD=1.34, 44% females) were
      surveyed. Measures included the NSSI subscale of the Self-Harm-Inventory, the
      Dutch Quick Big Five Personality questionnaire, the Perceived Stress Scale and
      the Utrecht Coping List for Adolescents. Examination of zero-order correlations
      was used to reveal associations, and hierarchical regression analysis was used to
      reveal potential mediators which were further examined within parallel mediation
      models by using a bootstrapping-corrected procedure. RESULTS: Lifetime prevalence
      of NSSI was 24.31%. Neuroticism; perceived stress; and distractive, avoidant,
      depressive, and emotional coping were positively associated with NSSI engagement,
      whereas Agreeableness, Conscientiousness; and active, social, and optimistic
      coping were negatively associated with NSSI engagement. Observed relationships
      between personality traits and NSSI engagement were consistently explained by
      perceived stress and depressive coping. A higher versatility of NSSI was not
      associated with any Big Five personality trait, but was associated with higher
      scores on perceived stress and depressive coping and with lower scores on active
      and optimistic coping. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that a specific personality
      constellation is associated with NSSI engagement via high stress levels and a
      typical depressive reaction pattern to handle stressful life events.

PMID- 26260265
TI  - [Consensus on competencies for advanced nursing practice in Spain].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: There is a lack of international consensus on the exact definition
      and core competencies of advanced practice nursing (APN) roles, a problem
      particularly acute in our national context due to the lack of APN role
      development, which has a significantly short history in our country. The main
      objective of this paper was the delineation of the competence framework for
      Advanced Practice Nurses in our national context based on expert consensus
      through the Delphi method METHOD: Based on a preliminary literature review
      process, a conglomerate of 17 domains of competence (clusters of related
      competencies) were identified. This initial set was revised, refined and
      validated by a group of expert panellists on the subject (clinicians,
      researchers, managers, and teachers) through successive rounds in search of a
      suitable consensus on each of the various proposed items RESULTS: The results
      helped to establish a solid foundation in the form of a skills map that could
      identify those sets of more specific competencies for advanced practice roles,
      regardless of regulatory and professional practice context, identifying domains
      such as Research and Evidence Based Practice, Clinical and Professional
      Leadership, or Care Management DISCUSSION: This set of skills related to advanced
      practice roles in our environment can delineate competency standards common to
      this level of nursing practice, and serve as a reference for policy development,
      a review of roles, or the establishment of academic profiles.

PMID- 26260266
TI  - General synthesis of 2,1-benzisoxazoles (anthranils) from nitroarenes and
      benzylic C-H acids in aprotic media promoted by combination of strong bases and
      silylating agents.
AB  - Carbanions of phenylacetonitriles, benzyl sulfones, and dialkyl
      benzylphosphonates add nitroarenes at the ortho-position to the nitro group to
      form [Formula: see text]-adducts that, upon treatment with trialkylchlorosilane
      and additional base (t-BuOK or DBU), transform into 3-aryl-2,1-benzisoxazoles in
      moderate-to-good yields. 

PMID- 26260268
TI  - Finite element modelling approaches for well-ordered porous metallic materials
      for orthopaedic applications: cost effectiveness and geometrical considerations.
AB  - The mechanical properties of well-ordered porous materials are related to their
      geometrical parameters at the mesoscale. Finite element (FE) analysis is a
      powerful tool to design well-ordered porous materials by analysing the mechanical
      behaviour. However, FE models are often computationally expensive. This article
      aims to develop a cost-effective FE model to simulate well-ordered porous
      metallic materials for orthopaedic applications. Solid and beam FE modelling
      approaches are compared, using finite size and infinite media models considering
      cubic unit cell geometry. The model is then applied to compare two unit cell
      geometries: cubic and diamond. Models having finite size provide similar results
      than the infinite media model approach for large sample sizes. In addition, these
      finite size models also capture the influence of the boundary conditions on the
      mechanical response for small sample sizes. The beam FE modelling approach showed
      little computational cost and similar results to the solid FE modelling approach.
      Diamond unit cell geometry appeared to be more suitable for orthopaedic
      applications than the cubic unit cell geometry. 

PMID- 26260267
TI  - Re2O7-catalyzed formal [3 + 2] cycloaddition for diverse naphtho[1,2-b]furan-3
      carboxamides and their biological evaluation.
AB  - Diverse naphtho[1,2-b]furan-3-carboxamide derivatives 12a-12q were synthesized in
      high yield via the novel Re2O7-catalyzed formal [3 + 2] cycloaddition of 1,4
      naphthoquinones with beta-ketoamides as the key step. This methodology offers
      several advantages, such as environmentally benign character, the use of a mild
      catalyst, high yields, and ease of handling. The synthesized compounds were
      screened for their tyrosinase inhibitory, antioxidant, and antibacterial
      activities. The results showed that compound 12c exhibited excellent tyrosinase
      inhibitory activity with an IC50 of 13.48 MUg/mL, which is comparable to that of
      kojic acid (IC50 = 19.45 MUg/mL). Compounds 12a, 12b, and 12i displayed moderate
      antioxidant activities in a DPPH assay. Compound 12m showed good activity against
      S. aureus (MIC = 16 MUg/mL), and compound 12p was found to be active against E.
      coli (MIC = 16 MUg/mL).

PMID- 26260269
TI  - Comparative study of multi-enzyme production from typical agro-industrial
      residues and ultrasound-assisted extraction of crude enzyme in fermentation with
      Aspergillus japonicus PJ01.
AB  - Submerged fermentation (SmF) and solid-state fermentation (SSF) of Aspergillus
      japonicus PJ01 for multi-enzyme complexes (MEC) production were comparatively
      studied. The results showed that orange peel and wheat bran were the best
      substrates for MEC production in SmF and SSF, respectively. After 72 h of
      cultivation under SmF, the maximal pectinase, CMCase, and xylanase activities
      reached 2610, 85, and 335 U/gds (units/gram dry substrate), respectively; while
      after 72 h of cultivation under SSF, these three enzymes' activities reached 966,
      58, and 1004 U/gds, respectively. Effects of ultrasound on extraction of crude
      enzymes from SSF medium were determined, the maximal activities of pectinase,
      CMCase, and xylanase increased to 1.20, 1.48, and 1.30-fold, respectively.
      Apparent different mycelia growths of SSF and SmF were observed by scanning
      electron microscopy; and different isoforms of the crude enzyme extracts from SSF
      and SmF were presented by zymogram analysis. 

PMID- 26260270
TI  - Chimpanzee susceptibility to hepatitis C virus infection correlates with presence
      of Pt-KIR3DS2 and Pt-KIR2DL9: paired activating and inhibitory natural killer
      cell receptors.
AB  - Infection of humans and chimpanzees with Hepatitis C virus (HCV) results in
      either the resolution of the acute infection or its progression to a persistent
      infection associated with chronic liver disease. In cohorts of human patients,
      resolution of HCV infection has been associated with homozygosity for both
      C1(+)HLA-C and its cognate inhibitory receptor, KIR2DL3. Compared here are the
      killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) and major histocompatibility
      complex (MHC) class I factors of chimpanzees who resolve, or resist, HCV
      infection with those chimpanzees who progress to chronic infection. Analysis of
      Pt-KIR gene content diversity associated two of the 12 Pt-KIR with clinical
      outcome. Activating Pt-KIR3DS2 and inhibitory Pt-KIR2DL9 are strong receptors
      specific for the C2 epitope. They are encoded by neighboring genes within the Pt
      KIR locus that are in strong linkage disequilibrium. HCV-infected chimpanzees
      with KIR genotypes containing Pt-KIR3DS2 and KIR2DL9 are significantly more
      likely to progress to chronic infection than infected chimpanzees lacking the
      genes (p = 0.0123 and p = 0.0045, respectively), whereas human HLA-B allotypes
      having the C1 epitope are unusual, such allotypes comprise about one quarter of
      the chimpanzee Patr-B allotypes. Homozygous C1 (+) Patr-B are enriched in
      chimpanzees with chronic HCV infection, and the compound genotype of homozygous
      C1 (+) Patr-B combined with either Pt-KIR3DS2 or Pt-KIR2DL9 is more strongly
      associated with disease progression than either factor alone (p = 0.0031 and p =
      0.0013, respectively). Thus, despite similarities suggesting a common basis in
      disease resistance, there are substantial differences in the KIR and MHC class I
      correlations observed for HCV-infected humans and chimpanzees, consistent with
      the divergence of their KIR and MHC class I systems.

PMID- 26260271
TI  - Phenylbutyrate-a pan-HDAC inhibitor-suppresses proliferation of glioblastoma LN
      229 cell line.
AB  - Phenylbutyrate (PBA) is a histone deacetylase inhibitor known for inducing
      differentiation, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis in various cancer cells.
      However, the effects of PBA seem to be very cell-type-specific and sometimes
      limited exclusively to a particular cell line. Here, we provided novel
      information concerning cellular effects of PBA in LN-229 and LN-18 glioblastoma
      cell lines which have not been previously evaluated in context of PBA exposure.
      We found that LN-18 cells were PBA-insensitive even at high concentrations of
      PBA. In contrary, in LN-229 cells, 5 and 15 mmol/L PBA inhibited cell growth and
      proliferation mainly by causing prominent changes in cell morphology and
      promoting S- and G2/M-dependent cell cycle arrest. Moreover, we observed nearly a
      3-fold increase in apoptosis of LN-229 cells treated with 15 mmol/L PBA, in
      comparison to control. Furthermore, PBA was found to up-regulate the expression
      of p21 whereas p53 expression level remained unchanged. We also showed that PBA
      down-regulated the expression of the anti-apoptotic genes Bcl-2/Bcl-X L , however
      without affecting the expression of pro-apoptotic Bax and Bim. Taken together,
      our results suggest that PBA might potentially be considered as an agent slowing
      down the progress of glioblastoma; however, further analyses are still needed to
      comprehensively resolve the nature of its activity in this type of cancer. 

PMID- 26260272
TI  - Glutathione S-transferase P1 gene rs4147581 polymorphism predicts overall
      survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: evidence from an enlarged
      study.
AB  - As the most important detoxifying enzymes in liver, glutathione S-transferases
      (GSTs) can protect hepatocytes against carcinogens. We conducted a large cohort
      study to investigate the prognostic value of single nucleotide polymorphisms
      (SNPs) in seven encoding genes of GSTs for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Twelve
      SNPs were genotyped and correlated with overall survival in 469 HCC patients. The
      median follow-up time of all patients was 21 (range 3-60) months, and the median
      survival time was 22 months. By the end of the study, 135 (28.8 %) patients were
      alive. Only rs4147581 in GSTP1 gene exhibited a significant association with
      survival of HCC patients (P = 0.006), with its mutant allele bearing a
      significantly lower risk of death (hazard ratio, 0.71; 95 % confidence interval
      0.53-0.90), compared with the homozygous wide-type. A longer median survival time
      in patients with rs4147581 mutant allele was noticed than those homozygous wide
      type (P = 0.03), and there was a marked adverse effect on survival conferred by
      smoking exposure in these patients. Conclusively, our findings provide supporting
      evidence for a contributory role of GSTP1 rs4147581 polymorphism in predicting
      the prognosis of HCC. 

PMID- 26260273
TI  - The critical role of quercetin in autophagy and apoptosis in HeLa cells.
AB  - In recent years, the effects of quercetin on autophagy and apoptosis of cancer
      cells have been widely reported, while effects on HeLa cells are still unclear.
      Here, HeLa cells were subjected to quercetin treatment, and then proliferation,
      apoptosis, and autophagy were evaluated using MTT, flow cytometry, and MDC
      staining, respectively. The LC3-I/II, Beclin 1, active caspase-3, and S6K1
      phosphorylation were detected using Western blot assay. The ultrastructure of
      HeLa was observed via transmission electron microscope (TEM). Our findings showed
      that quercetin can dose-dependently inhibit the growth of HeLa cells. The MDC
      fluorescence was enhanced with increased concentration of quercetin and hit a
      plateau at 50 MUmol/l. Western blot assay revealed that LC3-I/II ratio, Beclin 1,
      and active caspase-3 protein were enforced in a dose-dependent method. However,
      the phosphorylation of S6K1 gradually decreased, concomitant with an increase of
      autophagy. In addition, TEM revealed that the number of autophagic vacuoles was
      peaked at 50 MUmol/l of quercetin. Besides, interference of autophagy with 3-MA
      led to proliferation inhibition and increased apoptosis in HeLa cells,
      accompanied by the decreased LC3-I/II conversion and the increased active caspase
      3. In conclusion, quercetin can inhibit HeLa cell proliferation and induce
      protective autophagy at low concentrations; thus, 3-MA plus quercetin would
      suppress autophagy and effectively increased apoptosis. 

PMID- 26260274
TI  - Probe current determination in analytical TEM/STEM and its application to the
      characterization of large area EDS detectors.
AB  - A simple procedure, which enables accurate measurement of transmission electron
      microscopy (TEM)/STEM probe currents using an energy loss spectrometer drift tube
      is described. The currents obtained are compared with those measured on the
      fluorescent screen to enable the losses due to secondary and backscattered
      electrons to be determined. The current values obtained from the drift tube allow
      the correction of fluorescent screen current densities to yield true current.
      They also enable CCD conversion efficiencies to be obtained, which in turn allows
      images to be calibrated in terms of electron fluence. Using probes of known
      current in conjunction with a NiO reference specimen enables the X-ray detector
      solid angle to be determined. The NiO specimen also allows a wide range of other
      EDS detector parameters to be obtained, including the presence of ice and carbon
      contamination. A range of performance characteristics are reported for two large
      area EDS detector systems. Many of the measurements reported herein have been
      automated via the use of freely available scripts for DigitalMicrograph.

PMID- 26260275
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 26260276
TI  - Polymeric stabilizers for protection of soil and ground against wind and water
      erosion.
AB  - The article is devoted to the design, development and application of a new
      generation of binders for various dispersed systems, including soil, ground,
      sand, waste rock and others. The binders are formed by interaction of oppositely
      charged polyelectrolytes, both chemically stable and (bio)degradable. The
      fundamental aspects of interpolyelectrolyte reactions are discussed; the IPC
      structure and properties of the resulting interpolyelectrolyte complexes (IPCs)
      allow considering them as unique and universal binders. Numerous results of
      laboratory experiments and field trials of the IPC formulations are presented. In
      particular, large-scale tests have been done in the Chernobyl accident zone where
      the IPC binders were shown to be effective means to suppress water and wind
      erosion thereby preventing a spread of radioactive particles (radionuclides) from
      contaminated sites. Ecologically friendly IPC compositions are described,
      including those based on commercially available polymers; prospects for improving
      their efficiency and extending the range of their possible use are discussed. 

PMID- 26260277
TI  - Concussion in Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy.
AB  - Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease
      that occurs in association with repetitive mild traumatic brain injury. It is
      associated with a variety of clinical symptoms in multiple domains, and there is
      a distinct pattern of pathological changes. The abnormal tau pathology in CTE
      occurs uniquely in those regions of the brain that are likely most susceptible to
      stress concentration during trauma. CTE has been associated with a variety of
      types of repetitive head trauma, most frequently contact sports. In cases
      published to date, the mean length of exposure to repetitive head trauma was 15.4
      years. The clinical symptoms of the disease began after a mean latency of 14.5
      years with a mean age of death of 59.3 years. Most subjects had a reported
      history of concussions with a mean of 20.3. However, 16 % of published CTE
      subjects did not have a history of concussion suggesting that subconcussive hits
      are sufficient to lead to the development of CTE. Overall, the number of years of
      exposure, not the number of concussions, was significantly associated with worse
      tau pathology in CTE. This suggests that it is the chronic and repetitive nature
      of head trauma, irrespective of concussive symptoms, that is the most important
      driver of disease. CTE and exposure to repetitive head trauma is also associated
      with a variety of other neurodegenerations, including Alzheimer disease. In fact,
      amyloid beta peptide deposition is altered and accelerated in CTE and is
      associated with worse disease. Here, we review the current exposure, clinical,
      and pathological associations of CTE.

PMID- 26260278
TI  - Risk-Benefit Profile of Gastric vs Transpyloric Feeding in Mechanically
      Ventilated Patients: A Meta-Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The risk-benefit profile of transpyloric vs gastric feeding in
      mechanically ventilated (MV) patients has not been definitively established.
      OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the risks and benefits of transpyloric feeding compared
      with gastric feeding in mechanically ventilated patients. DESIGN: We
      systematically searched MEDLINE, Google Scholar, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central
      Register of Controlled Trials databases for eligible articles through June 21,
      2013. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that reported a comparison between
      gastric and transpyloric feeding in MV patients were selected. Two reviewers
      independently extracted data on populations, methods, outcomes, and risk of bias.
      Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) was considered the primary outcome.
      RESULTS: A total of 8 RCTs, including 835 MV patients, were identified and
      analyzed. Our pooled findings indicated that there was a significant reduction in
      VAP through transpyloric feeding compared with gastric feeding (relative risk
      [RR], 0.67; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.53 to 0.85; P = .001) but not in
      mortality (RR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.86 to 1.36; P = .49), length of mechanical
      ventilation (mean difference [MD], -0.16; 95% CI, -0.75 to 0.43; P = .59), length
      of stay in the intensive care unit (MD, -0.91; 95% CI, -2.75 to 0.94; P = .34),
      incidence of diarrhea (RR, 0.9; 95% CI, 0.66 to 1.23; P = .50), and incidence of
      vomiting (RR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.25 to 2.72; P = .75). CONCLUSIONS: Transpyloric
      feeding in MV adults was associated with significantly less incidence of VAP
      compared with gastric feeding. No differences were observed in other outcomes,
      suggesting that the difference observed in the incidence of VAP may be spurious
      and needs confirmation.

PMID- 26260279
TI  - Correlates of weight stigma in adults with overweight and obesity: A systematic
      literature review.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: While evidence regarding associations between weight stigma and
      biopsychosocial outcomes is accumulating, outcomes are considered in isolation.
      Thus, little is known about their complex relationships. This article extends
      existing work by systematically reviewing the biopsychosocial consequences of
      stigma in adults with overweight/obesity. METHODS: Articles were identified
      through Medline, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane
      databases. Independent extraction of articles was conducted using predefined data
      fields, including data on biopsychosocial correlates in each study. RESULTS:
      Twenty-three studies published from 2001 and addressing correlates of stigma in
      adults with overweight/obesity (body mass index >=25 kg m(-2); 18-65 years) were
      identified. Numerous biopsychosocial correlates of weight stigma were studied,
      particularly in treatment-seeking individuals. Available research shows that
      weight stigma is consistently associated with medication non-adherence, mental
      health, anxiety, perceived stress, antisocial behavior, substance use, coping
      strategies, and social support. Biopsychosocial correlates were not considered in
      combination in research. Psychological correlates were well documented in
      comparison to biological and social correlates for each weight stigma type. There
      were some indications that associations are stronger once stigma is internalized.
      CONCLUSIONS: While there is evidence for biopsychosocial correlates of weight
      stigma, these are not considered in combination in research; thus their inter
      relationships are unknown. Conclusions from the review are limited by this and
      the small number of studies, types of designs, and variables considered.

PMID- 26260280
TI  - Ability of Bottle Cap Color to Facilitate Accurate Patient-Physician
      Communication Regarding Medication Identity in Patients with Glaucoma.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine the accuracy of patient-physician communication regarding
      topical ophthalmic medication use based on bottle cap color, particularly among
      individuals who may have acquired color vision deficiency from glaucoma. DESIGN:
      Cross-sectional, clinical study. PARTICIPANTS: Patients aged >=18 years with
      primary open-angle, primary angle-closure, pseudoexfoliation, or pigment
      dispersion glaucoma, bilateral visual acuity of >=20/400, and no concurrent
      conditions that may affect color vision. METHODS: A total of 100 patients
      provided color descriptions of 11 distinct medication bottle caps. Color
      descriptors were then presented to 3 physicians. Physicians matched each color
      descriptor to the medication they thought the descriptor was describing. MAIN
      OUTCOME MEASURES: Frequency of patient-physician agreement, occurring when all 3
      physicians accurately matched the color descriptor to the correct medication.
      Multivariate regression models evaluated whether patient-physician agreement
      decreased with degree of better-eye visual field (VF) damage, color descriptor
      heterogeneity, or color vision deficiency, as determined by the Hardy-Rand
      Rittler (HRR) score and Lanthony D15 color confusion index (D15 CCI). RESULTS:
      Subjects had a mean age of 69 (+/-11) years, with VF mean deviation of -4.7 (+/
      6.0) and -10.9 (+/-8.4) decibels (dB) in the better- and worse-seeing eyes,
      respectively. Patients produced 102 unique color descriptors to describe the
      colors of the 11 bottle caps. Among individual patients, the mean number of
      medications demonstrating agreement was 6.1/11 (55.5%). Agreement was less than
      15% for 4 medications (prednisolone acetate [generic], betaxolol HCl [Betoptic;
      Alcon Laboratories Inc., Fort Worth, TX], brinzolamide/brimonidine [Simbrinza;
      Alcon Laboratories Inc.], and latanoprost [Xalatan; Pfizer, Inc., New York, NY]).
      Lower HRR scores and higher D15 CCI (both indicating worse color vision) were
      associated with greater VF damage (P < 0.001). Extent of color vision deficiency
      and color descriptor heterogeneity significantly predicted agreement in
      multivariate models (odds of agreement = 0.90 per 1 point decrement in HRR score,
      P < 0.001; odds of agreement = 0.30 for medications exhibiting high heterogeneity
      [>=11 descriptors], P = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Physician understanding of patient
      medication use based solely on bottle cap color is frequently incorrect,
      particularly in patients with glaucoma who may have color vision deficiency.
      Errors based on communication using bottle cap color alone may be common and
      could lead to confusion and harm.

PMID- 26260281
TI  - The Association of Refractive Error with Glaucoma in a Multiethnic Population.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the association between refractive error and the prevalence
      of glaucoma by race or ethnicity. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS:
      Kaiser Permanente Northern California Health Plan members with refractive error
      measured at 35 years of age or older between 2008 and 2014 and with no history of
      cataract surgery, refractive surgery, or a corneal disorder. METHODS: We
      identified 34 040 members with glaucoma or ocular hypertension (OHTN; cases) and
      403 398 members without glaucoma (controls). Glaucoma cases were classified as
      primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG); 1 of the 4 forms of open-angle glaucoma:
      primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), normal-tension glaucoma (NTG), pigmentary
      glaucoma (PIGM), and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEX); or OHTN. Refractive error,
      expressed as spherical equivalent (SE), was coded as a continuous trait and also
      as categories. Logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the association
      between refractive error and the prevalence of glaucoma overall and in specific
      racial or ethnic groups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The association between
      refractive error and glaucoma subtypes evaluated as odds ratios (ORs) with 95%
      confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: In controls, the mean SE was -0.59 diopters
      (D) (standard deviation, 2.62 D). Each 1-D reduction in SE was associated with a
      22% decrease in the odds of PACG (OR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.77-0.80) and with increases
      in the odds of open-angle glaucoma ranging from 1.23 (95% CI, 1.20-1.26) for
      PIGM, to 1.07 (95% CI, 1.03-1.11) for PEX, and to 1.05 (95% CI, 1.04-1.06) for
      OHTN. In addition, we observed a stronger association between myopia and POAG
      among non-Hispanic whites (OR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.11-1.13) and NTG among Asians (OR,
      1.17; 95% CI, 1.15-1.20) and non-Hispanic whites (OR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.15-1.22).
      CONCLUSIONS: Myopia was associated with an increased prevalence of all forms of
      open-angle glaucoma and OHTN, whereas hyperopia was associated with a
      substantially increased prevalence of PACG. Although high myopia is a strong risk
      factor for glaucoma subtypes, low and moderate myopia also have a significant
      effect on glaucoma risk. Additionally, there were moderate racial differences in
      the association of myopia with the risk of POAG and NTG.

PMID- 26260282
TI  - Tumor-related markers in histologically normal margins correlate with locally
      recurrent oral squamous cell carcinoma: a retrospective study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is characterized by a high rate
      of local recurrence (LR) even when the surgical margins are considered
      histopathologically 'normal'. The aim of our study was to determine the
      relationship between early tumor-related markers detected in histologically
      normal margins (HNM) and LR as well as disease-free survival in OSCC. METHODS:
      The loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of markers on 9p21 (D9s1747, RPS6, D9s162) and
      17p13 (TP53) and the immunostaining results of the corresponding mutant P53, P14,
      P15, and P16 proteins were assessed and correlated with LR and disease-free
      survival in 71 OSCC patients who had HNM. RESULTS: Fifteen of 71 patients with
      HNM developed LR. The presence of the following molecular markers in surgical
      margins was significantly correlated with the development of LR: LOH on
      chromosome 9p21 (D9s1747 + RPS6 + D9s162), any LOH, P16, and P53 (chi-square
      test, P < 0.05). The presence of TP53 LOH, 9p21 LOH, any LOH, P15, P16, P53, P16
      + D9s1747, and P53 + TP53 had a significant effect on LR (Kaplan-Meier analysis,
      P < 0.05). P16 + D9s1747 was the most predictive factor using multivariate Cox
      analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Detection of tumor-related markers in histologically
      'normal' resection margins may be a useful method for assessing LR in OSCC
      patients.

PMID- 26260284
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 26260283
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 26260285
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 26260286
TI  - Bioprosthetic mesh reinforcement during temporary stoma closure decreases the
      rate of incisional hernia: A blinded, case-matched study in 94 patients with
      rectal cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This case-matched study aimed to assess the feasibility and the
      potential benefits of placement of a prophylactic bioprosthetic collagen porcine
      mesh during closure of the temporary ileostomy after total mesorectal excision
      (TME) for rectal cancer. METHODS: From September 2012 to March 2013, 30
      consecutive patients underwent placement of a retromuscular bioprosthetic mesh in
      the abdominal wall during closure of a diverting ileostomy after sphincter-saving
      laparoscopic TME for rectal cancer (mesh group). These 30 patients were matched
      individually to all identical patients who underwent a closure of the ileostomy
      without mesh after laparoscopic TME extracted from our prospective database
      (control group). The matching process was performed according to sex, age, body
      mass index, medically treated diabetes mellitus, neoadjuvant radiotherapy, and
      the delay between TME and closure of the ileostomy. The primary endpoint was
      stoma site incisional hernia, assessed in a blinded fashion by CT 1 year later.
      RESULTS: Mesh placement was feasible in all mesh group patients. There was no
      postoperative mortality. Overall postoperative morbidity rates were similar
      between mesh and control groups (n = 5 [17%] vs n = 7 [11%], respectively; P =
      .512). On the 1-year CT, incisional hernia at the site of stomal closure was less
      in the mesh group (n = 1) compared with the control group (n = 12; P = .043).
      Reoperation for incisional hernia at the site of stomal closure was performed in
      8 patients (13%) in the control group, whereas no patient from the mesh group
      required repair of the hernia (P = .052). CONCLUSION: Placement of a
      bioprosthetic collagen porcine mesh during closure of the temporary ileostomy
      after laparoscopic TME for rectal cancer seems to decrease the chance of hernia
      formation at the stoma site, at least at the 1-year follow-up.

PMID- 26260287
TI  - Father's involvement and its effect on early breastfeeding practices in Viet Nam.
AB  - Fathers have an important but often neglected role in the promotion of healthy
      breastfeeding practices in developing countries. A community-based education
      intervention was designed to mobilize fathers' support for early breastfeeding.
      This study aimed to evaluate an education intervention targeting fathers to
      increase the proportion of early breastfeeding initiation and to reduce
      prelacteal feeding. Quasi-experimental study design was used to compare
      intervention and control areas located in two non-adjacent rural districts that
      shared similar demographic and health service characteristics in northern Viet
      Nam. Fathers and expectant fathers with pregnant wives from 7 to 30 weeks
      gestational age were recruited. Fathers in the intervention area received
      breastfeeding education materials, counselling services at a commune health
      centre and household visits. They were also invited to participate in a
      breastfeeding promotion social event. After intervention, early breastfeeding
      initiation rate was 81.2% in the intervention area and 39.6% in the control area
      (P < 0.001). Babies in the intervention area were more likely to be breastfed
      within the first hour after birth [odds ratio (OR) 7.64, 95% confidence interval
      (CI) 4.81-12.12] and not to receive any prelacteal feeding (OR 4.43, 95% CI 2.88
      6.82) compared with those in the control area. Fathers may positively influence
      the breastfeeding practices of mothers, and as a resource for early childcare,
      they can be mobilized in programmes aimed at improving the early initiation of
      breastfeeding.

PMID- 26260288
TI  - STAT3 promotes CD1d-mediated lipid antigen presentation by regulating a critical
      gene in glycosphingolipid biosynthesis.
AB  - Cytokines that regulate the immune response signal through the Janus kinase /
      signal transducer and activation of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway, but whether
      this pathway can regulate CD1d-mediated lipid antigen presentation to natural
      killer T (NKT) cells is unknown. Here, we found that STAT3 promotes antigen
      presentation by CD1d. Antigen-presenting cells (APCs) in which STAT3 expression
      was inhibited exhibited markedly reduced endogenous lipid antigen presentation to
      NKT cells without an impact on exogenous lipid antigen presentation by CD1d.
      Consistent with this observation, in APCs where STAT3 was knocked down,
      dramatically decreased levels of UDP glucose ceramide glucosyltransferase (UGCG),
      an enzyme involved in the first step of glycosphingolipid biosynthesis, were
      observed. Impaired lipid antigen presentation was reversed by ectopic expression
      of UGCG in STAT3-silenced CD1d(+) APCs. Hence, by controlling a fundamental step
      in CD1d-mediated lipid antigen presentation, STAT3 signalling promotes innate
      immune responses driven by CD1d. 

PMID- 26260290
TI  - Simvastatin protects Sertoli cells against cisplatin cytotoxicity through
      enhanced gap junction intercellular communication.
AB  - Cisplatin, an important chemotherapeutic agent against testicular germ cell
      cancer, induces testicular toxicity on Leydig and Sertoli cells, leading to
      serious side-effects such as azoospermia and infertility. In a previous study, it
      was found that simvastatin enhanced the sensitivity of Leydig tumor cells to
      chemotherapeutic toxicity through the enhancement of gap junction functions. In
      the present study, the effect of simvastatin on the sensitivity of normal Sertoli
      cells to cisplatin and the role of gap junctions in such effects was
      investigated. The results showed that, simvastatin attenuated cisplatin toxicity
      only when cells exhibited high-density culture where gap junctional formation was
      possible. When gap junction function was decreased by the gap junction inhibitor
      or by siRNA targeting connexin 43, the protective effect of simvastatin to
      cisplatin toxicity was substantially attenuated. Simvastatin also enhanced gap
      junction functions between Sertoli cells. This effect was mediated by the
      reduction of PKC-mediated connexin phosphorylation, thereby increasing connexin
      43 membrane localization. Thus, simvastatin-induced enhancement of gap junction
      mediated intercellular communication attenuated cisplatin toxicity on Sertoli
      cells. This result indicated that enhancement of gap junction function by
      simvastatin may have bilateral beneficial effects on cisplatin-based
      chemotherapy, enhancing cisplatin killing on cancer while ameliorating the
      reproduction toxicity.

PMID- 26260289
TI  - A critical role of Oct4A in mediating metastasis and disease-free survival in a
      mouse model of ovarian cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: High grade epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is commonly characterised
      by widespread peritoneal dissemination and ascites. Metastatic EOC tumour cells
      can attach directly to neighbouring organs or alternatively, maintain long term
      tumourigenicity and chemoresistance by forming cellular aggregates (spheroids).
      Cancer stem-like cells are proposed to facilitate this mechanism. This study
      aimed to investigate the role of Oct4A, an embryonic stem cell factor and known
      master regulator of pluripotency in EOC progression, metastasis and
      chemoresistance. METHODS: To investigate the expression of Oct4A in primary EOC
      tumours, IHC and qRT-PCR analyses were used. The expression of Oct4A in
      chemonaive and recurrent EOC patient ascites-derived tumour cells samples was
      investigated by qRT-PCR. The functional role of Oct4A in EOC was evaluated by
      generating stable knockdown Oct4A clones in the established EOC cell line HEY
      using shRNA-mediated silencing technology. Cellular proliferation, spheroid
      forming ability, migration and chemosensitivty following loss of Oct4A in HEY
      cells was measured by in vitro functional assays. These observations were further
      validated in an in vivo mouse model using intraperitoneal (IP) injection of
      established Oct4A KD clones into Balb/c nu/nu mice. RESULTS: We demonstrate that,
      compared to normal ovaries Oct4A expression significantly increases with tumour
      dedifferentiation. Oct4A expression was also significantly high in the ascites
      derived tumour cells of recurrent EOC patients compared to chemonaive patients.
      Silencing of Oct4A in HEY cells resulted in decreased cellular proliferation,
      migration, spheroid formation and increased chemosensitivity to cisplatin in
      vitro. IP injection of Oct4A knockdown cells in vivo produced significantly
      reduced tumour burden, tumour size and invasiveness in mice, which overall
      resulted in significantly increased mouse survival rates compared to mice
      injected with control cells. CONCLUSIONS: This data highlights a crucial role for
      Oct4A in the progression and metastasis of EOC. Targeting Oct4A may prove to be
      an effective strategy in the treatment and management of epithelial ovarian
      tumours.

PMID- 26260292
TI  - Spatial and temporal variation in the association between temperature and
      salmonellosis in NZ.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Modelling the relationship between weather, climate and infectious
      diseases can help identify high-risk periods and provide understanding of the
      determinants of longer-term trends. We provide a detailed examination of the non
      linear and delayed association between temperature and salmonellosis in three New
      Zealand cities (Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch). METHODS: Salmonella
      notifications were geocoded to the city of residence for the reported case. City
      specific associations between weekly maximum temperature and the onset date for
      reported salmonella infections (1997-2007) were modelled using non-linear
      distributed lag models, while controlling for season and long-term trends.
      RESULTS: Relatively high temperatures were positively associated with infection
      risk in Auckland (n=3,073) and Christchurch (n=880), although the former showed
      evidence of a more immediate relationship with exposure to high temperatures.
      There was no significant association between temperature and salmonellosis risk
      in Wellington. CONCLUSIONS: Projected increases in temperature with climate
      change may have localised health impacts, suggesting that preventative measures
      will need to be region-specific. This evidence contributes to the increasing
      concern over the public health impacts of climate change.

PMID- 26260291
TI  - Inhibitory effects and actions of pentacyclic triterpenes upon glycation.
AB  - Pentacyclic triterpenic compounds including asiatic, betulinic, maslinic,
      oleanolic and ursolic acid occur naturally in many herbs and plant foods. It is
      well known that these triterpenoids possess anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory
      activities. Furthermore, recent in vitro and in vivo researches indicated that
      these compounds could inhibit the production of advanced glycation end-products
      (AGEs). The impact of these triterpenes upon the activity and protein expression
      of enzymes involved in polyol pathway including aldose reductase and sorbitol
      dehydrogenase has been examined, and positive results are reported. These studies
      suggest that certain triterpenes are potent anti-glycative agents, and may
      benefit the prevention and/or therapy of glycation-related diseases such as
      diabetes mellitus and Alzheimer's disease. In this review article, the anti
      glycative activity and action mode of certain triterpenes are highlighted. These
      information may promote the anti-glycative application of these natural
      compounds. 

PMID- 26260293
TI  - Twenty-year follow-up of newborn screening for patients with muscular dystrophy.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: An opt-out newborn screening (NBS) program for Duchenne muscular
      dystrophy (DMD) and Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) was implemented at 2
      hospitals in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, between 1987 and 1995. METHODS: For
      patients and their parents in families who received a diagnosis of DMD or BMD,
      either by NBS or by traditional diagnostics after symptom onset, attitudes toward
      NBS for DMD and BMD were assessed. RESULTS: All patients and most parents
      supported NBS for DMD and BMD. In contrast to the NBS parent cohort, the non-NBS
      cohort felt that diagnosis by NBS would cause anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: There was
      strong support of NBS for DMD and BMD in both patients and their parents in
      families who received a diagnosis through NBS or through traditional diagnostics.
      No negative psychosocial impacts of NBS were identified among those families who
      received a diagnosis through NBS.

PMID- 26260294
TI  - An EBV-based plasmid can replicate and maintain in stem cells.
AB  - Viral vectors have a wide range of applications in biology, particularly in gene
      therapy. Based on their integration capacity, viral vectors are classified as
      either integrating or non-integrating vectors. Although integrating vectors, such
      as lentivectors, have the ability to direct prolonged expression of exogenous
      genes, manipulation of the host genome is an inappropriate feature of these gene
      delivery tools. Non-integrating vectors, such as episomal replicating plasmids,
      can replicate and persist in host cells for long periods without any chromosomal
      interruption. These advantages made them good tools for gene induction purposes
      in gene therapy and basic studies. Due to the necessity of gene induction in stem
      cells for study of mammalian development and targeted differentiation, the use of
      integrating vectors for prolonged expression of genes of interest has been
      developed. Application of replicating plasmids can overcome some drawbacks
      associated with integrating vectors, although replication and maintenance of
      these plasmids can differ between cell types. Previously, it has been shown that
      such plasmids can be maintained in human embryonic stem cells for more than one
      month, but the rate of the plasmid replication during the host cell cycle has not
      been elucidated. In the present study, we showed that an EBV-based plasmid can
      replicate simultaneously with host in pluripotent and multipotent human and mouse
      stem cells and can be sustained for long time periods in dividing cells.

PMID- 26260296
TI  - Intravenous tryptophan administration attenuates cortisol secretion induced by
      intracerebroventricular injection of noradrenaline.
AB  - This study was conducted to investigate the possibility of suppression of stress
      induced cortisol (CORT) secretion by tryptophan (TRP) administration and to
      better understand its regulatory mechanisms by using a noradrenaline (NA)
      injection into the third ventricle (3V) as a stress model in cattle. A total of
      25 Holstein steers with a cannula in the 3V were used. First, the increase in
      CORT secretion was observed following a NA injection into the 3V in a dose
      dependent manner, verifying the appropriateness of this treatment as a stress
      model of CORT secretion (Experiment 1). The effect of prior-administration of TRP
      into peripheral blood with a dose that has been demonstrated to increase brain 5
      hydroxytryptamine levels on the elevation of plasma CORT induced by NA or
      corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) was then examined (Experiment 2). The prior
      administration of TRP suppressed NA-induced, but not CRH-induced, CORT elevation.
      These results suggest that an increase in TRP absorption into peripheral blood
      could suppress the stress-induced CORT secretion in cattle via the attenuation of
      the stimulatory effect of NA on the hypothalamic CRH release. 

PMID- 26260297
TI  - Symptomatic Lymphocele Formation After Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy for Early Stage
      Cervical Cancer.
AB  - In early stage cervical cancer, nodal status is the most important prognostic
      factor, and execution of retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy is currently an integral
      part of surgical therapy. Sentinel lymph node biopsy has been progressively
      incorporated with surgical therapy and could reduce morbidity. However, the
      current incidence of complications exclusively related to the procedure is
      unknown. We report on a 29-year-old woman affected by cervical cancer (Federation
      Internationale de Gynecologie et d'Obstetrique Stage 1b1), who underwent sentinel
      lymph node biopsy in combination with radical vaginal trachelectomy, and who
      later developed a symptomatic pelvic lymphocele that required surgical therapy.
      Conservative procedures in the pelvic lymph nodes are not free of complications,
      especially with regard to the formation of symptomatic lymphoceles. This report
      brings to light an important discussion about the exact magnitude of the
      complications associated with the procedure. 

PMID- 26260298
TI  - Robotic Single-Site Endometriosis Resection Using Firefly Technology.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the feasibility of robotic single-site resection
      of advanced endometriosis using new technology. DESIGN: We show a video that
      demonstrates our technique for accomplishing single-site laparoscopic resection
      of advanced endometriosis. The video is a step-by-step explanation of robotic
      single-site resection of endometriosis nodules overlying the ureter and rectum.
      BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic surgery has been shown to effectively improve pain and
      fertility in women with endometriosis [1]. Compared with traditional multiport
      laparoscopy, single-incision laparoscopy is associated with similar incidence
      rates of blood loss, conversion to open laparotomy, and wound complications, but
      it has superior cosmetic outcomes and high patient satisfaction [2-5].
      Furthermore, robotic single-incision laparoscopy combined with robotic Firefly
      technology potentially increases the removal of invisible endometriosis. Without
      complete resection of endometriosis, patients are less likely to achieve full
      pain relief postoperatively. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENT: A 36 year old
      G1P1 female was referred for chronic pelvic pain. She described her pain as hip
      pain, pain with walking, dyspareunia, dyschezia and right anterior abdominal wall
      pain. INTERVENTION: To improve detection of endometriosis, we injected the
      patient with indocyanine green (ICG), a fluorescent dye with widespread medical
      applications in identifying increased vascularity of tissues. We then visualized
      the tissues with robotic Firefly technology, a fluorescence-detection tool built
      into the da Vinci SI Surgical Systems (Intuitive Surgical, Inc, Sunnyvale, CA).
      MAIN RESULTS: Because endometriosis lesions are associated with a high degree of
      neovascularization, the ICG turned the endometriosis tissues dark green, thereby
      enabling us to detect endometriosis that would not have been seen as readily with
      conventional single-site laparoscopy. This video demonstrates our technique for
      successfully accomplishing a single-site laparoscopic resection of advanced
      endometriosis, including ureterolysis, adhesiolysis, peritoneal stripping, and a
      rectal nodule excision. CONCLUSIONS: We found that Firefly technology and ICG
      facilitated identification of endometriosis in single-site robotic surgery. We
      were able to successfully perform single-site laparoscopic resection of advanced
      endometriosis nodules overlying the ureter and rectum with complete resolution of
      pelvic pain symptoms and excellent cosmetic results.

PMID- 26260299
TI  - Hysteroscopic Endometrial Resection Versus Laparoscopic Supracervical
      Hysterectomy for Abnormal Uterine Bleeding: Long-Term Follow-Up of a Randomized
      Trial.

PMID- 26260300
TI  - Providing Re-Essure-ance to the Nickel-Allergic Patient Considering Hysteroscopic
      Sterilization.
AB  - Essure is a popular method of permanent sterilization that offers a minimally
      invasive approach that avoids the risks of traditional sterilization procedures
      in the operating room. Despite the rarity of complications, there has been
      concern in the popular media over the safety of Essure. We describe the third
      reported case of systemic contact dermatitis due to the nickel component of the
      device, with a resolution of symptoms following surgical removal of the inserts.
      Despite these cases, we believe that extremely rare complications such as this
      should not dissuade patients from choosing this safe, effective method of
      sterilization. 

PMID- 26260301
TI  - Hysteroscopic Essure Inserts for Permanent Contraception: Extended Follow-Up
      Results of a Phase III Multicenter International Study.

PMID- 26260302
TI  - Contained Morcellation for Laparoscopic Myomectomy Within a Specially Designed
      Bag.
AB  - A technique of contained morcellation of uterine myomas within a bag specially
      designed for 2-port morcellation during laparoscopic myomectomy is described. Ten
      patients underwent in-bag morcellation of myomas with a tissue isolation bag
      (MorSafe) between November 2014 and January 2015. The MorSafe tissue isolation
      bag is a retort-shaped bag made of medical-grade flexible plastic material with
      the wider opening of 134 mm in diameter and the tail end measuring 4 mm in
      diameter, allowing easy accomodation of specimens up to 12 cm in diameter. This
      technique involves placing the myomas into the isolation bag within the abdomen,
      exteriorizing the tail end of the bag, insufflating the bag within the peritoneal
      cavity, and morcellating the myomas under vision. Demographic and perioperative
      characteristics were studied. The mean operative time was 117 minutes (range, 75
      195 minutes), the mean time for specimen introduction into the bag was 12.5
      minutes (range, 7-22 minutes), and the mean time for morcellation and bag removal
      was 24.8 minutes (range, 10-50 minutes). There were no complications related to
      the in-bag morcellation technique, and there was no visual evidence of damage to
      the isolation bag. In-bag morcellation using this new bag is a feasible technique
      for morcellating uterine myomas in a contained manner and may provide an option
      to minimize the risks of open power morcellation while preserving the benefits of
      minimally invasive surgery.

PMID- 26260303
TI  - Hysteroscopic Myomectomy of FIGO Type 2 Leiomyomas Under Local Anesthesia:
      Bipolar Radiofrequency Needle-Based Release Followed By Electromechanical
      Morcellation.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate a technique designed to expand the capabilities of
      hysteroscopic intrauterine morcellators to deep type 1 and type 2 lesions. The
      technique comprises "release" of the tumor using a bipolar radiofrequency needle,
      followed by dissection and extraction with an electromechanical morcellator, all
      under local anesthesia. DESIGN: Description of technique using images and video
      (Canadian Task Force classification Class III). SETTING: Office uterine procedure
      and imaging center; academic medical center. INTERVENTION: Following the
      administration of local anesthesia and access to the endometrial cavity with a
      5.5-mm-o.d. hysteroscopic sheath with a 5 Fr operative channel, a 5 Fr bipolar
      needle electrode system is used to circumscribe the leiomyoma and enter the
      pseudocapsule, thereby "releasing" the lesion. Blunt dissection is performed as
      appropriate and then the system is switched to a hysteroscopic morcellating
      system (MyoSure; Hologic, Bedford, MA), which is then used to further dissect and
      remove the target lesion with electromechanical morcellation. CONCLUSION: The
      development of intrauterine morcellators has facilitated the performance of
      hysteroscopic myomectomy, especially under local anesthesia, but the side
      aperture-based design of the systems limits their use in International Federation
      of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) type 1 and 2 tumors, particularly those
      located at the uterine fundus. This technique, based in part on a previously
      published technique of leiomyoma release, improves access of the
      electromechanical morcellator to leiomyomas that previously were inaccessible,
      and minimizes myometrial trauma by dissecting the tumor via the relatively
      avascular pseudocapsule.

PMID- 26260304
TI  - Laparoscopic and open right-sided colonic resection in daily routine practice. A
      prospective multicentre study within an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS)
      protocol.
AB  - AIM: The study compared the outcome of laparoscopic and open surgery in daily
      practice when performed in a strict Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS)
      environment. METHOD: Two-hundred and ninety-two consecutive patients who received
      elective surgery, in three Swedish ERAS centres, for cancer or adenoma in the
      right colon in the period 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2012, were prospectively
      registered in a Web-based ERAS database. Peri-operative data were collected from
      the database and patient charts. The primary end-points included postoperative
      recovery and morbidity. The secondary objective was to identify preoperative
      variables that influenced the selection of patients for laparoscopic or open
      surgery. RESULTS: One-hundred and twenty-three (42%) patients were selected for
      laparoscopic surgery. The overall preoperative ERAS-compliance rate was 87% and
      no significant difference was seen between the surgical techniques. In
      multivariate analysis, patients treated with laparoscopy had significantly
      earlier pain control (2.4 +/- 3.2 days vs 4.2 +/- 5.9 days; P = 0.016) and a
      shorter length of hospital stay (LOS) (4 days vs 6 days; P = 0.002) compared with
      open surgery. There was no significant difference in the complication rate [18.7%
      vs 21.3%; OR = 1.0 (95% CI: 0.5-2.0)], the number of lymph nodes removed or the
      rate of R0 resection between laparoscopic and open surgery. Tumours selected for
      laparoscopy were generally smaller, had a lower T-stage and were predominantly
      situated in the caecum and the ascending colon compared with those of patients
      selected for open surgery. CONCLUSION: The use of laparoscopy in routine right
      sided colectomy in an ERAS environment, with data on outcome corrected for
      selection bias, may result in faster recovery compared with open surgery.

PMID- 26260305
TI  - Detecting patterns of species diversification in the presence of both rate shifts
      and mass extinctions.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recent methodological advances allow better examination of speciation
      and extinction processes and patterns. A major open question is the origin of
      large discrepancies in species number between groups of the same age. Existing
      frameworks to model this diversity either focus on changes between lineages,
      neglecting global effects such as mass extinctions, or focus on changes over time
      which would affect all lineages. Yet it seems probable that both lineages
      differences and mass extinctions affect the same groups. RESULTS: Here we used
      simulations to test the performance of two widely used methods under complex
      scenarios of diversification. We report good performances, although with a
      tendency to over-predict events with increasing complexity of the scenario.
      CONCLUSION: Overall, we find that lineage shifts are better detected than mass
      extinctions. This work has significance to assess the methods currently used to
      estimate changes in diversification using phylogenetic trees. Our results also
      point toward the need to develop new models of diversification to expand our
      capabilities to analyse realistic and complex evolutionary scenarios.

PMID- 26260306
TI  - Phase II study of HCVIDD/MA in patients with newly diagnosed peripheral T-cell
      lymphoma.
AB  - A phase II study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of hyper-fractionated
      cyclophosphamide, vincristine, pegylated liposomal doxorubicin and dexamethasone
      alternating with methotrexate/cytarabine (HCVIDD/MA) in patients with newly
      diagnosed peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL), excluding ALK-positive anaplastic
      large cell lymphoma. Fifty-three patients were enrolled. Treatment was planned
      for up to 8 cycles but only 9% of patients received more than 6 cycles due
      primarily to disease progression (n = 13) or prolonged thrombocytopenia (n = 12).
      The overall response rate was 66% with a complete response rate of 57%. Median
      progression-free survival (PFS) was 7.5 months. With a median follow-up of 7.6
      years, 5-year PFS and overall survival (OS) were 21% and 48%, respectively. The
      patients with extranodal Natural Killer-cell lymphoma had a shorter PFS (median,
      2.4 months) than other subtypes. Grade 3/4 anaemia, neutropenia and
      thrombocytopenia were observed in 66%, 74% and 79% of patients, respectively. Of
      note, 23% of patients discontinued therapy due to prolonged thrombocytopenia. In
      conclusion, HCVIDD/MA for the first-line treatment of PTCL patients is associated
      with significant myelosuppression leading to poor treatment adherence, and the
      response and survival outcomes with this regimen are similar to standard CHOP.
      This study was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00290433. 

PMID- 26260308
TI  - Use of Antihypertensive Drugs in Spain: National Trends From 2000 to 2012.

PMID- 26260309
TI  - Brief bursts of infrasound may improve cognitive function--an fMRI study.
AB  - At present, infrasound (sound frequency < 20 Hz; IS) is being controversially
      discussed as a potential mediator of several adverse bodily as well as
      psychological effects. However, it remains unclear, if and in what way IS
      influences cognition. Here, we conducted an fMRI experiment, in which 13 healthy
      participants were exposed to IS, while cognitive performance was assessed in an n
      back working memory paradigm. During the task, short sinusoidal tone bursts of 12
      Hz were administered monaurally with sound pressure levels that had been
      determined individually in a categorical loudness scaling session prior to the
      fMRI experiment. We found that task execution was associated with a significant
      activation of the prefrontal and the parietal cortex, as well as the striatum and
      the cerebellum, indicating the recruitment of a cognitive control network.
      Reverse contrast analysis (n-back with tone vs. n-back without tone) revealed a
      significant activation of the bilateral primary auditory cortex (Brodmann areas
      41, 42). Surprisingly, we also found a strong, yet non-significant trend for an
      improvement of task performance during IS exposure. There was no correlation
      between performance and brain activity measures in tone and no-tone condition
      with sum scores of depression-, anxiety-, and personality factor assessment
      scales (BDI, STAIX1/X2, BFI-S). Although exerting a pronounced effect on cortical
      brain activity, we obtained no evidence for an impairment of cognition due to
      brief bursts of IS. On the contrary, potential improvement of working memory
      function introduces an entirely new aspect to the debate on IS-related effects. 

PMID- 26260307
TI  - Inflammation and plaque vulnerability.
AB  - Atherosclerosis is a maladaptive, nonresolving chronic inflammatory disease that
      occurs at sites of blood flow disturbance. The disease usually remains silent
      until a breakdown of integrity at the arterial surface triggers the formation of
      a thrombus. By occluding the lumen, the thrombus or emboli detaching from it
      elicits ischaemic symptoms that may be life-threatening. Two types of surface
      damage can cause atherothrombosis: plaque rupture and endothelial erosion. Plaque
      rupture is thought to be caused by loss of mechanical stability, often due to
      reduced tensile strength of the collagen cap surrounding the plaque. Therefore,
      plaques with reduced collagen content are thought to be more vulnerable than
      those with a thick collagen cap. Endothelial erosion, on the other hand, may
      occur after injurious insults to the endothelium instigated by metabolic
      disturbance or immune insults. This review discusses the molecular mechanisms
      involved in plaque vulnerability and the development of atherothrombosis. 

PMID- 26260310
TI  - Medical liability, defensive medicine and professional insurance in
      otolaryngology.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study aims at verifying relationships between the perception of
      medico-legal risks involved in the professional activity of Italian
      otolaryngologists, defensive medical behaviour and their understanding of
      professional liability insurance in matters of civil liability. One hundred
      specialists replied to a questionnaire pertaining to the psychological impact of
      medico-legal issues and to specific queries regarding insurance coverage, either
      privately stipulated or provided by the employer. Statistic analysis was carried
      out by chi(2) test and ANOVA multiple variance regression test, assuming P = 0.05
      as the value of minimum statistical significance. RESULTS: It was found that in
      50% of cases the behaviour of the doctor towards the patient had been decidedly
      influenced by concerns over medico-legal implications. In 29% of the sample these
      concerns had "often to always" influenced the choice of diagnostic procedures or
      treatment options, in order to safeguard themselves in case of legal dispute. The
      data obtained showed a statistically significant correlation between the level of
      concern (regarding potential medico-legal disputes) experienced by specialists on
      the one hand and variations in the doctor/patient relationship (P < 0.05) and the
      choice of defensive medical procedures (P < 0.05) on the other. Furthermore, the
      perception of the medico-legal problem was statistically related to the absence
      or poor knowledge of some insurance clauses, regarding posthumous coverage (72%),
      informed written consent (89%), and the coverage provided by the healthcare
      centre where the specialist is employed (32%) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The
      results of this study indicate the necessity for a greater awareness of the
      actual guarantees provided by the insurance policy stipulated by specialists, to
      avoid inadequate coverage in the case of medico-legal disputes.

PMID- 26260311
TI  - Sensations of skin infestation linked to abnormal frontolimbic brain reactivity
      and differences in self-representation.
AB  - Some patients experience skin sensations of infestation and contamination that
      are elusive to proximate dermatological explanation. We undertook a functional
      magnetic resonance imaging study of the brain to demonstrate, for the first time,
      that central processing of infestation-relevant stimuli is altered in patients
      with such abnormal skin sensations. We show differences in neural activity within
      amygdala, insula, middle temporal lobe and frontal cortices. Patients also
      demonstrated altered measures of self-representation, with poorer sensitivity to
      internal bodily (interoceptive) signals and greater susceptibility to take on an
      illusion of body ownership: the rubber hand illusion. Together, these findings
      highlight a potential model for the maintenance of abnormal skin sensations,
      encompassing heightened threat processing within amygdala, increased salience of
      skin representations within insula and compromised prefrontal capacity for self
      regulation and appraisal. 

PMID- 26260313
TI  - Assessment of the immune-modulatory and antimicrobial effects of dietary chitosan
      on Nile tilapia (Oreochrmis niloticus) with special emphasis to its bio
      remediating impacts.
AB  - Fish, pathogen and environment are three counterparts who are sharing the same
      circle of life. To keep fish up to their optimal health, environment should be
      competently improved and pathogen count/virulence should be seized. Using of
      bioactive immunostimulants to achieve these objectives is the hypothesis under
      assessment. Thus, the present study was performed to evaluate the use of shrimp
      shells derived chitosan as an immunostimulant as well as preventive regime
      against Aeromonas hydrophila infection of Nile tilapia and to assess its
      antibacterial/aquatic bio-remediating effects. Results achieved by feeding 1%
      chitosan as preventive/therapeutic regimes have revealed a remarkably enhanced
      several innate immunological parameters (e.g., Phagocytic activity/index, NBT,
      Lysozyme activity and ACH50), increased resistance against A. hydrophila and
      strikingly improved water quality compared to the 0.5 and 2% chitosan containing
      diets. Conclusively, experimental results suggest the commercial usage of
      chitosan as an efficient immunostimulant and bio-remediating agent in
      aquaculture.

PMID- 26260312
TI  - IGF-1 Regulates Vertebral Bone Aging Through Sex-Specific and Time-Dependent
      Mechanisms.
AB  - Advanced aging is associated with increased risk of bone fracture, especially
      within the vertebrae, which exhibit significant reductions in trabecular bone
      structure. Aging is also associated with a reduction in circulating levels of
      insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1). Studies have suggested that the reduction in
      IGF-1 compromises healthspan, whereas others report that loss of IGF-1 is
      beneficial because it increases healthspan and lifespan. To date, the effect of
      decreases in circulating IGF-1 on vertebral bone aging has not been thoroughly
      investigated. Here, we delineate the consequences of a loss of circulating IGF-1
      on vertebral bone aging in male and female Igf(f/f) mice. IGF-1 was reduced at
      multiple specific time points during the mouse lifespan: early in postnatal
      development (crossing albumin-cyclic recombinase [Cre] mice with Igf(f/f) mice);
      and in early adulthood and in late adulthood using hepatic-specific viral vectors
      (AAV8-TBG-Cre). Vertebrae bone structure was analyzed at 27 months of age using
      micro-computed tomography (MUCT) and quantitative bone histomorphometry.
      Consistent with previous studies, both male and female mice exhibited age-related
      reductions in vertebral bone structure. In male mice, reduction of circulating
      IGF-1 induced at any age did not diminish vertebral bone loss. Interestingly,
      early-life loss of IGF-1 in females resulted in a 67% increase in vertebral bone
      volume fraction, as well as increased connectivity density and increased
      trabecular number. The maintenance of bone structure in the early-life IGF-1
      deficient females was associated with increased osteoblast surface and an
      increased ratio of osteoprotegerin/receptor-activator of NF-kappaB-ligand (RANKL)
      levels in circulation. Within 3 months of a loss of IGF-1, there was a 2.2-fold
      increase in insulin receptor expression within the vertebral bones of our female
      mice, suggesting that local signaling may compensate for the loss of circulating
      IGF-1. Together, these data suggest the age-related loss of vertebral bone
      density in females can be reduced by modifying circulating IGF-1 levels early in
      life.

PMID- 26260314
TI  - Interferon regulatory factor 10 (IRF10): Cloning in orange spotted grouper,
      Epinephelus coioides, and evolutionary analysis in vertebrates.
AB  - IRF10 gene was cloned in orange spotted grouper, Epinephelus coioides, and its
      expression was examined following poly(I:C) stimulation and bacterial infection.
      The cDNA sequence of grouper IRF10 contains an open reading frame of 1197 bp,
      flanked by 99 bp 5'-untranslated region and 480 bp 3'- untranslated region.
      Multiple alignments showed that the grouper IRF10 has a highly conserved DNA
      binding domain in the N terminus with characteristic motif containing five
      tryptophan residues. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis revealed that the
      expression of IRF10 was responsive to both poly(I:C) stimulation and Vibrio
      parahemolyticus infection, with a higher increase to poly(I:C), indicating an
      important role of IRF10 in host immune response during infection. A phyletic
      distribution of IRF members was also examined in vertebrates, and IRF10 was found
      in most lineages of vertebrates, not in modern primates and rodents. It is
      suggested that the first divergence of IRF members might have occurred before the
      evolutionary split of vertebrate and cephalochordates, producing ancestors of IRF
      (1/2/11) and IRF (4/8/9/10)[(3/7) (5/6)], and that the second and/or third
      divergence of IRF members occurred following the split, thus leading to the
      subsets of the IRF family in vertebrates.

PMID- 26260315
TI  - Functions of MDA5 and its domains in response to GCRV or bacterial PAMPs.
AB  - Melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) is a member of retinoic acid
      inducible gene I (RIG-I)-like receptor (RLR) family which can initiate type I IFN
      expression in response to RNA virus infection. In this study, we constructed six
      mutants of Ctenopharyngodon idella MDA5 (CiMAD5) overexpression plasmids and
      generated stable transfected C. idella kidney (CIK) cell lines to study the
      function of different domains of CiMAD5. After ploy(I:C) stimulation, the
      downstream genes of CiMDA5 in transfected cells was repressed. Overexpression of
      CiMDA5 or its variant repressed the replication of grass carp reovirus (GCRV) in
      CIK cells and decreased the viral titer of GCRV more or less compared to that in
      control cells. After GCRV or bacterial pathogen-associated molecular patterns
      (PAMPs) stimulation, overexpression of CiMDA5 or CARD domain significantly
      induced the expression of CiIFN-I, CiIL-1beta and CiMx1. The deletion of Helicase
      or RD domain reduced the inductive effect of CiMDA5 on CiIFN-I, CiIL-1beta and
      CiMx1 expression. RD overexpression resulted in an enhanced expression of CiIFN
      I, CiIL-1beta and CiMx1. These observations collectively demonstrate that, in CIK
      cells, after GCRV or bacterial PAMPs stimulation, CARD domain alone can mediate
      signaling; Helicase or RD domain alone negatively regulates CARD function by
      intramolecular interaction with CARD. However, RD domain acts as an enhancer by
      intermolecular interaction. These results enlarge the response spectrum of MDA5
      and contribute to a further understanding of the functions of MDA5 and its
      domains in evolution.

PMID- 26260316
TI  - CgIkappaB3, the third novel inhibitor of NF-kappa B (IkappaB) protein, is
      involved in the immune defense of the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas.
AB  - Inhibitor of NF-kappaB (IkappaB), the important regulator of NF-kappaB/Rel
      signaling pathway, plays the crucial role in immune response of both vertebrates
      and invertebrates. Here, a novel homologue of IkappaB was cloned from Crassostrea
      gigas, and designated as CgIkappaB3. The complete CgIkappaB3 cDNA was 1282 bp in
      length, including a 942 bp open reading frame (ORF), a 51 bp 5' UTR and a 289 bp
      3' UTR. The ORF encodes a putative protein of 313 amino acids with a predicted
      molecular weight of approximately 34.7 kDa. Sequence analysis reveals that
      CgIkappaB3 contains a conserved degradation motif but with only five ankyrin
      repeats. Neither a PEST domain nor a C-terminal casein kinase II phosphorylation
      site was identified through either alignment or bioinformatic prediction.
      Phylogenetic analysis suggested that CgIkappaB3 shares common ancestor with
      CgIkappaB1 rather CgIkappaB2, and theoretically it may originate from one
      duplication event prior to divergence of CgIkappaB1 and CgIkappaB2. Tissue
      expression analyses demonstrated that CgIkappaB3 mRNA is the most abundant in
      gills and heart. The expression following PAMP infection showed that CgIkappaB3
      was significantly up-regulated in a similar pattern when challenged with LPS,
      HKLM or HKVA, respectively. Moreover, similar to CgIkappaB1 and CgIkappaB2,
      CgIkappaB3 can also inhibit Rel dependent NF-kappaB activation in HEK293 cells in
      a dose-dependent manner. In summary, these findings suggest that CgIkappaB3 can
      be as the functional inhibitor of NF-kappaB/Rel and involved in the host defense
      of C. gigas. The discovery of the third IkappaB emphasizes the complexity and
      importance of the regulation on NF-kappaB activation.

PMID- 26260317
TI  - Does social desirability influence psychological well-being: perceived physical
      health and religiosity of Italian elders? A developmental approach.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study was mainly aimed at exploring the relationship between
      psychological well-being and lifestyle, religion, perceived physical health and
      social desirability of Italian elders. METHODS: Four hundred and six cognitively
      healthy 65-99 years old participants were recruited from the Italian isle of
      Sardinia, where a high prevalence of centenarians is registered. Participants
      were presented with several tools assessing psychological well-being, lifestyle,
      social desirability, religiosity and subjective physical health. RESULTS: A
      hierarchical regression analysis revealed that the social desirability measure is
      the best predictor of general subjective well-being, whereas further predictors
      are age, perceived physical health and gardening. A significant but moderate
      relationship was also found between psychological well-being, subjective physical
      health and religiosity, while controlling for social desirability. CONCLUSIONS:
      Social desirability seems to contaminate the self-rating of psychological well
      being in late adulthood. Moreover, from a developmental perspective, age-related
      factors, life style and perceived physical health are strictly related to and
      therefore influence the perception of life quality in the third and fourth age.

PMID- 26260318
TI  - The Kanker Nazorg Wijzer (Cancer Aftercare Guide) protocol: the systematic
      development of a web-based computer tailored intervention providing psychosocial
      and lifestyle support for cancer survivors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: After primary treatment, many cancer survivors experience
      psychosocial, physical, and lifestyle problems. To address these issues, we
      developed a web-based computer tailored intervention, the Kanker Nazorg Wijzer
      (Cancer Aftercare Guide), aimed at providing psychosocial and lifestyle support
      for cancer survivors. The purpose of this article is to describe the systematic
      development and the study design for evaluation of this theory and empirical
      based intervention. METHODS/DESIGN: For the development of the intervention, the
      steps of the Intervention Mapping protocol were followed. A needs assessment was
      performed consisting of a literature study, focus group interviews, and a survey
      study to get more insight into cancer survivors' health issues. This resulted in
      seven problem areas that were addressed in the intervention: cancer-related
      fatigue, return to work, anxiety and depression, social relationships and
      intimacy, physical activity, diet, and smoking. To address these problem areas,
      the principles of problem-solving therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy are
      used. At the start of the intervention, participants have to fill in a screening
      questionnaire. Based on their answers, participants receive tailored advice about
      which problem areas deserve their attention. Participants were recruited from
      November 2013 through June 2014 by hospital staff from 21 hospitals in the
      Netherlands. Patients were selected either during follow-up visits to the
      hospital or from reviews of the patients' files. The effectiveness of the
      intervention is being tested in a randomized controlled trial consisting of an
      intervention group (n = 231) and waiting list control group (n = 231) with a
      baseline measurement and follow-up measurements at 3, 6, and 12 months.
      DISCUSSION: Using the Intervention Mapping protocol resulted in a theory and
      evidence-based intervention providing tailored advice to cancer survivors on how
      to cope with psychosocial and lifestyle issues after primary treatment. TRIAL
      REGISTRATION: Dutch Trial Register NTR3375.

PMID- 26260320
TI  - Transgene integration into the human AAVS1 locus enhances myosin II-dependent
      contractile force by reducing expression of myosin binding subunit 85.
AB  - The adeno-associated virus site 1 (AAVS1) locus in the human genome is a strong
      candidate for gene therapy by insertion of an exogenous gene into the locus. The
      AAVS1 locus includes the coding region for myosin binding subunit 85 (MBS85).
      Although the function of MBS85 is not well understood, myosin II-dependent
      contractile force may be affected by altered expression of MBS85. The effect of
      altered expression of MBS85 on cellular contractile force should be examined
      prior to the application of gene therapy. In this study, we show that transgene
      integration into AAVS1 and consequent reduction of MBS85 expression changes
      myosin II-dependent cellular contractile force. We established a human fibroblast
      cell line with exogenous DNA knocked-in to AAVS1 (KI cells) using the CRISPR/Cas9
      genome editing system. Western blotting analysis showed that KI cells had
      significantly reduced MBS85 expression. KI cells also showed greater cellular
      contractile force than control cells. The increased contractile force was
      associated with phosphorylation of the myosin II regulatory light chain (MRLC).
      Transfection of KI cells with an MBS85 expression plasmid restored cellular
      contractile force and phosphorylation of MRLC to the levels in control cells.
      These data suggest that transgene integration into the human AAVS1 locus induces
      an increase in cellular contractile force and thus should be considered as a gene
      therapy to effect changes in cellular contractile force. 

PMID- 26260319
TI  - Identification of novel regulatory NFAT and TFII-I binding elements in the
      calbindin-D28k promoter in response to serum deprivation.
AB  - Calbindin-D28k, a key regulator of calcium homeostasis plays a cytoprotective
      role in various tissues. We used serum free (SFM) and charcoal stripped serum
      (csFBS) culture media as models of cellular stress to modulate calbindin D28k
      expression and identify regulatory cis-elements and trans-acting factors in
      kidney and beta cells. The murine calbindin-D28k promoter activity was
      significantly upregulated under SFM or csFBS condition. Promoter analysis
      revealed evolutionary conserved regulatory cis-elements and deletion of 23 nt
      from +117/+139 as critical for basal transcription. Bioinformatics analysis of
      the promoter revealed conserved NFAT and TFII regulators elements. Forced
      expression of NFAT stimulated promoter activity. Inhibition of NFAT
      transcriptional activity by FK506 attenuated calbindin-D28k expression. TFII-I
      was shown to be necessary for basal promoter activity and to act cooperatively
      with NFAT. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays, NFAT was shown to
      bind to both proximal and distal promoter regions. ChIP assays also revealed
      recruitment of TFII to the -36/+139 region. Knockdown of TFII-I decreased
      promoter activity. In summary, calbindin-D28k expression during serum deprivation
      is partly regulated by NFAT and TF-II. This regulation may be important in vivo
      during ischemia and growth factor withdrawal to regulate cellular function and
      maintenance. 

PMID- 26260321
TI  - XEDAR activates the non-canonical NF-kappaB pathway.
AB  - Members of the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) superfamily are involved in
      a number of physiological and pathological responses by activating a wide variety
      of intracellular signaling pathways. The X-linked ectodermal dysplasia receptor
      (XEDAR; also known as EDA2R or TNFRSF27) is a member of the TNFR superfamily that
      is highly expressed in ectodermal derivatives during embryonic development and
      binds to ectodysplasin-A2 (EDA-A2), a member of the TNF family that is encoded by
      the anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (EDA) gene. Although XEDAR was first
      described in the year 2000, its function and molecular mechanism of action is
      still largely unclear. XEDAR has been reported to activate canonical nuclear
      factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) signaling and mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases.
      Here we report that XEDAR is also able to trigger the non-canonical NF-kappaB
      pathway, characterized by the processing of p100 (NF-kappaB2) into p52, followed
      by nuclear translocation of p52 and RelB. We provide evidence that XEDAR-induced
      p100 processing relies on the binding of XEDAR to TRAF3 and TRAF6, and requires
      the kinase activity of NIK and IKKalpha. We also show that XEDAR stimulation
      results in NIK accumulation and that p100 processing is negatively regulated by
      TRAF3, cIAP1 and A20. 

PMID- 26260322
TI  - Mechano-regulation of gap junction communications between tendon cells is
      dependent on the magnitude of tensile strain.
AB  - Large magnitudes of mechanical strain applied to tendon cells induce catabolic
      and inflammatory responses, whereas a moderate level of strain promotes
      anabolism. Gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) plays an essential
      role in these responses, however direct regulation of GJIC by mechanical loading
      has not been characterised in detail. Here, we show that the GJIC between
      tenocytes are enhanced or inhibited depending on the magnitude of the tensile
      strain. The GJIC was analysed using fluorescence loss in photobleaching (FLIP),
      combined with a molecular diffusion model. Intercellular and intracellular
      transport of fluorescence tracer molecules, calcein, across multiple cells
      through the gap junctions was evaluated by determining the intercellular and
      intracellular diffusion coefficients of calcein. It was demonstrated that the
      intercellular diffusion coefficient was significantly higher when the cells were
      subjected to a physiological static tensile strain (4%) for 1 h, but
      significantly lower when subjected to a strain with non-physiological amplitude
      (8%). The intracellular diffusion coefficient was not altered by the application
      of static strain at any level. Connexin 43 proteins were localised within
      cytoplasm and at cell-cell boundaries in no strained state and were also
      localised near cell nuclei by the 4% strain, but the localisation was reduced by
      the 8% strain. The findings suggest that the increase in GJIC in response to 4%
      strain involves opening of gap junction pores via mechanotransduction events of
      tenocytes, whereas the inhibition in response to 8% strain involves mechanical
      disruption of the junctions. 

PMID- 26260323
TI  - Regulatory aspects on nanomedicines.
AB  - Nanomedicines have been in the forefront of pharmaceutical research in the last
      decades, creating new challenges for research community, industry, and
      regulators. There is a strong demand for the fast development of scientific and
      technological tools to address unmet medical needs, thus improving human health
      care and life quality. Tremendous advances in the biomaterials and nanotechnology
      fields have prompted their use as promising tools to overcome important
      drawbacks, mostly associated to the non-specific effects of conventional
      therapeutic approaches. However, the wide range of application of nanomedicines
      demands a profound knowledge and characterization of these complex products.
      Their properties need to be extensively understood to avoid unpredicted effects
      on patients, such as potential immune reactivity. Research policy and alliances
      have been bringing together scientists, regulators, industry, and, more
      frequently in recent years, patient representatives and patient advocacy
      institutions. In order to successfully enhance the development of new
      technologies, improved strategies for research-based corporate organizations,
      more integrated research tools dealing with appropriate translational
      requirements aiming at clinical development, and proactive regulatory policies
      are essential in the near future. This review focuses on the most important
      aspects currently recognized as key factors for the regulation of nanomedicines,
      discussing the efforts under development by industry and regulatory agencies to
      promote their translation into the market. Regulatory Science aspects driving a
      faster and safer development of nanomedicines will be a central issue for the
      next years. 

PMID- 26260324
TI  - Barriers to universal health coverage in Republic of Moldova: a policy analysis
      of formal and informal out-of-pocket payments.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Universal Health Coverage seeks to assure that everyone can obtain
      the health services they need without financial hardship. Countries which rely
      heavily on out-of-pocket (OOP) payments, including informal payments (IP), to
      finance total health expenditures are not likely to achieve universal coverage.
      The Republic of Moldova is committed to promoting universal coverage, reducing
      inequities, and expanding financial protection. To achieve these goals, the
      country must reduce the proportion of total health expenditures paid by
      households. This study documents the extent of OOP payments and IP in Moldova,
      analyses trends over time, and identifies factors which may be driving these
      payments. METHODS: The study includes analysis of household budget survey data
      and previous research and policy documents. The team also conducted a review of
      administrative law intended to control OOP payments and IPs. Focus groups,
      interviews, and a policy dialogue with key stakeholders were held to validate and
      discuss findings. RESULTS: OOP payments account for 45% of total health
      expenditures. Sixteen percent of outpatients and 30% of inpatients reporting that
      they made OOP payments when seeking care at a health facility in 2012, more than
      two-thirds of whom also reported paying for medicines at a pharmacy. Among those
      who paid anything, 36% of outpatients and 82% of inpatients reported paying
      informally, with the proportion increasing over time for inpatient care. Although
      many patients consider these payments to be gifts, around one-third of IPs appear
      to be forced, posing a threat to health care access. Patients perceive that
      payments are driven by the limited list of reimbursable medicines, a desire to
      receive better treatment, and fear or extortion. Providers suggested irrational
      prescribing and ordering of tests as drivers. Providers may believe that IPs are
      gifts and do not cause harm for patients and the health system in general.
      CONCLUSIONS: Efforts to expand financial protection should focus on reducing
      household spending on medicines and hospital-based IPs. Reforms should consider
      ways to reduce medicine prices and promote rational use, strengthen
      administrative controls, and increase incentives for quality health care
      provision.

PMID- 26260325
TI  - A RCT of telehealth for COPD patient's quality of life: the whole system
      demonstrator evaluation.
AB  - INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVES: Despite some concerns that the introduction of
      telehealth (TH) may lead to reductions in quality of life (QoL), lower mood and
      increased anxiety in response to using assistive technologies to reduce health
      care utilisation and manage long term conditions, this research focuses on the
      extent to which providing people with tools to monitor their condition can
      improve QoL. METHODS: The Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) cohort of
      the Whole Systems Demonstrator Trial is a pragmatic General Practitioner (GP)
      clustered randomised controlled trial (RCT) evaluating TH in the UK from three
      regions in England. All patients at a participating GP practice were deemed
      eligible for inclusion in the study if they were diagnosed with COPD. RESULTS:
      447 participants completed baseline and either a short (4 months) or long term
      (12 months) follow-up. There was a trend of improved QoL and mood in the TH group
      at longer-term follow-up, but not short term follow-up. Emotional functioning (g
      = 0.280 95%CI, 0.051-0.510) and mastery reached (g = 2.979 95%CI, 0-0.46)
      significance at P < 0.05 (all Hedges g <0.3). CONCLUSIONS: TH showed minimal
      benefit to QoL in COPD patients who were not preselected to be at increased risk
      of acute exacerbations. Benefits were more likely in disease specific measures at
      longer term follow-up. TH is a complex intervention and should be embedded in a
      service that is evidenced based. Outcome measures must be sensitive enough to
      detect changes in the target population for the specific intervention.

PMID- 26260326
TI  - Cleaning of Oil Fouling with Water Enabled by Zwitterionic Polyelectrolyte
      Coatings: Overcoming the Imperative Challenge of Oil-Water Separation Membranes.
AB  - Herein we report a self-cleaning coating derived from zwitterionic poly(2
      methacryloyloxylethyl phosphorylcholine) (PMPC) brushes grafted on a solid
      substrate. The PMPC surface not only exhibits complete oil repellency in a water
      wetted state (i.e., underwater superoleophobicity), but also allows effective
      cleaning of oil fouled on dry surfaces by water alone. The PMPC surface was
      compared with typical underwater superoleophobic surfaces realized with the aid
      of surface roughening by applying hydrophilic nanostructures and those realized
      by applying smooth hydrophilic polyelectrolyte multilayers. We show that
      underwater superoleophobicity of a surface is not sufficient to enable water to
      clean up oil fouling on a dry surface, because the latter circumstance demands
      the surface to be able to strongly bond water not only in its pristine state but
      also in an oil-wetted state. The PMPC surface is unique with its described self
      cleaning performance because the zwitterionic phosphorylcholine groups exhibit
      exceptional binding affinity to water even when they are already wetted by oil.
      Further, we show that applying this PMPC coating onto steel meshes produces oil
      water separation membranes that are resilient to oil contamination with simply
      water rinsing. Consequently, we provide an effective solution to the oil
      contamination issue on the oil-water separation membranes, which is an imperative
      challenge in this field. Thanks to the self-cleaning effect of the PMPC surface,
      PMPC-coated steel meshes can not only separate oil from oil-water mixtures in a
      water-wetted state, but also can lift oil out from oil-water mixtures even in a
      dry state, which is a very promising technology for practical oil-spill
      remediation. In contrast, we show that oil contamination on conventional
      hydrophilic oil-water separation membranes would permanently induce the loss of
      oil-water separation function, and thus they have to be always used in a
      completely water-wetted state, which significantly restricts their application in
      practice. 

PMID- 26260327
TI  - Higher Prevalence of TDP-43 Proteinopathy in Cognitively Normal Asians: A
      Clinicopathological Study on a Multiethnic Sample.
AB  - Transactive response DNA binding protein 43 (TDP-43) proteinopathy is the major
      hallmark of frontotemporal lobar degeneration and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
      It is also present in a subset of Alzheimer's disease cases. Recently, few
      reports showed TDP-43 changes in cognitively normal elderly. In Caucasians, TDP
      43 proteinopathy independently correlate with cognitive decline. However, it is
      challenging to establish direct links between cognitive and/or neuropsychiatric
      symptoms and protein inclusions in neurodegenerative diseases because individual
      cognitive reserves modify the threshold for clinical disease expression.
      Cognitive reserve is influenced by demographic, environmental and genetic
      factors. We investigated the relationships between demographic, clinical and
      neuropathological variables and TDP-43 proteinopathy in a large multiethnic
      sample of cognitively normal elderly. TDP-43 proteinopathy was identified in
      10.5%, independently associated with older age (P = 0.03) and Asian ethnicity (P
      = 0.002). Asians showed a higher prevalence of TDP-43 proteinopathy than
      Caucasians, even after adjustment for sex, age, Braak stage and schooling (odds
      ratio = 3.50, confidence interval 1.41-8.69, P = 0.007). These findings suggested
      that Asian older adults may be protected from the clinical manifestation of brain
      TDP-43 proteinopathy. Future studies are needed to identify possible race-related
      protective factors against clinical expression of TDP-43 proteinopathies. 

PMID- 26260328
TI  - Strategies and new developments to control pertussis, an actual health problem.
AB  - The aim of this article is to describe the current epidemiological situation of
      pertussis, as well as different short-term strategies that have been implemented
      to alleviate this threat. The state of the art of the development of new vaccines
      that are expected to provide long-lasting immunity against pertussis was also
      included. 

PMID- 26260329
TI  - A time-course study of long term over-expression of ARR19 in mice.
AB  - A leucine-rich protein, ARR19 (androgen receptor corepressor-19 kDa), is highly
      expressed in male reproductive organs and moderately in others. Previously, we
      have reported that ARR19 is differentially expressed in adult Leydig cells during
      the testis development and inhibits steroidogenesis by reducing the expression of
      steroidogenic enzymes. Whereas in prostate, ARR19 represses the transcriptional
      activity of AR (androgen receptor), it is important for male sexual
      differentiation and maturation in prostate and epididymis, through the
      recruitment of HDAC4. In this study we show that long term adenovirus mediated
      overexpression of ARR19 in mice testis has the potential of inhibiting the
      differentiation of testicular and prostatic cells by reducing the size of testis
      and prostate but has no effect on the growth of seminal vesicles. Further, it
      reduces the level of progesterone and testosterone by reducing the steroidogenic
      enzymes such as 3HSD, P450c17 and StAR. This is the first study reporting a time
      course analysis of the implications of long term overexpression of ARR19 in mice
      testis and its effect on other organs such as prostate and seminal vesicles.
      Taken together, these results suggest that ARR19 may play an important role in
      the differentiation of male reproductive organs such as testis and prostate. 

PMID- 26260330
TI  - Global Metabonomic and Proteomic Analysis of Human Conjunctival Epithelial Cells
      (IOBA-NHC) in Response to Hyperosmotic Stress.
AB  - "Dry eye" is a multifactorial inflammatory disease affecting the ocular surface.
      Tear hyperosmolarity in dry eye contributes to inflammation and cell damage.
      Recent research efforts on dry eye have been directed toward biomarker discovery
      for diagnosis, response to treatment, and disease mechanisms. This study employed
      a spontaneously immortalized normal human conjunctival cell line, IOBA-NHC, as a
      model to investigate hyperosmotic stress-induced changes of metabolites and
      proteins. Global and targeted metabonomic analyses as well as proteomic analysis
      were performed on IOBA-NHC cells incubated in serum-free media at 280 (control),
      380, and 480 mOsm for 24 h. Twenty-one metabolites and seventy-six iTRAQ
      identified proteins showed significant changes under at least one hyperosmotic
      stress treatment as compared with controls. SWATH-based proteomic analysis
      further confirmed the involvement of inflammatory pathways such as prostaglandin
      2 synthesis in IOBA-NHC cells under hyperosmotic stress. This study is the first
      to identify glycerophosphocholine synthesis and O-linked beta-N-acetylglucosamine
      glycosylation as key activated pathways in ocular surface cells under
      hyperosmotic stress. These findings extend the current knowledge in metabolite
      markers of dry eye and provide potential therapeutic targets for its treatment. 

PMID- 26260331
TI  - HBsAg sT123N mutation induces stronger antibody responses to HBsAg and HBcAg and
      accelerates in vivo HBsAg clearance.
AB  - Immune escape mutants with mutations in the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)
      major hydrophilic region (MHR) often emerge in association with diagnostic
      failure or breakthrough of HBV infection in patients with anti-HBs antibodies.
      Some mutants harboring substitutions to Asn in HBsAg MHR may have an additional
      potential N-glycosylation site. We have previously showed that sT123N
      substitution could generate additional N-glycosylated forms of HBsAg. In the
      present study, 1.3-fold-overlength HBV genomes containing the sT123N substitution
      were digested from the pHBV1.3-sT123N construct and subcloned into the pAAV
      vector to generate pAAV1.3-sT123N for hydrodynamic injection (HI) in mice. Viral
      expression and replication were phenotypically characterized by transient
      transfection. The results demonstrated that sT123N substitution impaired virion
      secretion, resulting in intracellular retention of HBcAg. Using the HBV HI mouse
      model, we found that mice mounted significantly stronger antibody responses to
      HBsAg and HBcAg, which accelerated HBsAg clearance. Thus, additional N
      glycosylation generated by amino acid substitutions in HBsAg MHR may
      significantly modulate specific host immune responses and influence HBV infection
      in vivo. Our results help further the understanding of the role of immune escape
      mutants with N-linked glycosylation in the biology of HBV infection. 

PMID- 26260332
TI  - Enterovirus strain and type-specific differences in growth kinetics and virus
      induced cell destruction in human pancreatic duct epithelial HPDE cells.
AB  - Enterovirus infections have been suspected to be involved in the development of
      type 1 diabetes. However, the pathogenetic mechanism of enterovirus-induced type
      1 diabetes is not known. Pancreatic ductal cells are closely associated with
      pancreatic islets. Therefore, enterovirus infections in ductal cells may also
      affect beta-cells and be involved in the induction of type 1 diabetes. The aim of
      this study was to assess the ability of different enterovirus strains to infect,
      replicate and produce cytopathic effect in human pancreatic ductal cells.
      Furthermore, the viral factors that affect these capabilities were studied. The
      pancreatic ductal cells were highly susceptible to enterovirus infections. Both
      viral growth and cytolysis were detected for several enterovirus serotypes.
      However, the viral growth and capability to induce cytopathic effect (cpe) did
      not correlate completely. Some of the virus strains replicated in ductal cells
      without apparent cpe. Furthermore, there were strain-specific differences in the
      growth kinetics and the ability to cause cpe within some serotypes. Viral
      adaptation experiments were carried out to study the potential genetic
      determinants behind these phenotypic differences. The blind-passage of non-lytic
      CV-B6-Schmitt strain in HPDE-cells resulted in lytic phenotype and increased
      progeny production. This was associated with the substitution of a single amino
      acid (K257E) in the virus capsid protein VP1 and the viral ability to use decay
      accelerating factor (DAF) as a receptor. This study demonstrates considerable
      plasticity in the cell tropism, receptor usage and cytolytic properties of
      enteroviruses and underlines the strong effect of single or few amino acid
      substitutions in cell tropism and lytic capabilities of a given enterovirus.
      Since ductal cells are anatomically close to pancreatic islets, the capability of
      enteroviruses to infect and destroy pancreatic ductal cells may also implicate in
      respect to enterovirus induced type 1 diabetes. In addition, the capability for
      rapid adaptation to different cell types suggests that, on occasion, enterovirus
      strains with different pathogenetic properties may arise from less pathogenic
      ancestors. 

PMID- 26260333
TI  - Identification and complete genome analysis of a novel bovine picornavirus in
      Japan.
AB  - We identified novel viruses in feces from cattle with diarrhea collected in 2009
      in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan, by using a metagenomics approach and determined
      the (near) complete sequences of the virus. Sequence analyses revealed that they
      had a standard picornavirus genome organization, i.e. 5' untranslated region
      (UTR) - L- P1 (VP4- VP3- VP2- VP1) - P2 (2A- 2B- 2C) - P3 (3A- 3B- 3C-3D) - 3'UTR
      poly(A). They are closely related to other unclassified Chinese picornaviruses;
      bat picornaviruses group 1-3, feline picornavirus, and canine picornavirus,
      sharing 45.4-51.4% (P1), 38.0-44.9% (P2), and 49.6-53.3% (P3) amino acid
      identities, respectively. The phylogenetic analyses and detailed genome
      characterization showed that they, together with the unclassified Chinese
      picornaviruses, grouped as a cluster for the P1, 2C, 3CD and VP1 coding regions.
      These viruses had conserved features (e.g. predicted protein cleavage sites,
      presence of a leader protein, 2A, 2C, 3C, and 3D functional domains), suggesting
      they have a common ancestor. Reverse-transcription-PCR assays, using specific
      primers designed from the 5'UTR sequence of these viruses, showed that 23.0%
      (20/87) of fecal samples from cattle with diarrhea were positive, indicating the
      prevalence of these picornavirus in the Japanese cattle population in Hokkaido
      Prefecture. However, further studies are needed to investigate the pathogenic
      potential and etiological role of these viruses in cattle. 

PMID- 26260334
TI  - Galantamine derivatives with indole moiety: Docking, design, synthesis and
      acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity.
AB  - The inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase are the main therapy against Alzheimer's
      disease. Among them, galantamine is the best tolerated and the most prescribed
      drug. In the present study, 41 galantamine derivatives with known
      acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities expressed as IC50 were selected from
      the literature and docked into a recombinant human acetylcholinesterase by GOLD.
      A linear relationship between GoldScores and pIC50 values was found and used to
      design and predict novel galantamine derivatives with indole moiety in the side
      chain. The four best predicted compounds were synthesized and tested for
      inhibitory activity. All of them were between 11 and 95 times more active than
      galantamine. The novel galantamine derivatives with indole moiety have dual site
      binding to the enzyme--the galantamine moiety binds to the catalytic anionic site
      and the indole moiety binds to peripheral anionic site. Additionally, the indole
      moiety of one of the novel inhibitors binds in a region, close to the peripheral
      anionic site of the enzyme, where the Omega-loop of amyloid beta peptide adheres
      to acetylcholinesterase. This compound emerges as a promising lead compound for
      multi-target anti-Alzheimer therapy not only because of the strong inhibitory
      activity, but also because it is able to block the amyloid beta deposition on
      acetylcholinesterase.

PMID- 26260336
TI  - 2- and 3-Fluoro-3-deazaneplanocins, 2-fluoro-3-deazaaristeromycins, and 3-methyl
      3-deazaneplanocin: Synthesis and antiviral properties.
AB  - The 3-deaza analogs of the naturally occurring adenine-based carbocyclic
      nucleosides aristeromycin and neplanocin possess biological properties that have
      not been optimized. In that direction, this paper reports the strategic placement
      of a fluorine atom at the C-2 and C-3 positions and a methyl at the C-3 site of
      the 3-deazaadenine ring of the aforementioned compounds. The synthesis and S
      adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase inhibitory and antiviral properties of these
      targets are described. Some, but not all, compounds in this series showed
      significant activity toward herpes, arena, bunya, flavi, and orthomyxoviruses. 

PMID- 26260335
TI  - Tight binding enantiomers of pre-clinical drug candidates.
AB  - MTDIA is a picomolar transition state analogue inhibitor of human
      methylthioadenosine phosphorylase and a femtomolar inhibitor of Escherichia coli
      methylthioadenosine nucleosidase. MTDIA has proven to be a non-toxic, orally
      available pre-clinical drug candidate with remarkable anti-tumour activity
      against a variety of human cancers in mouse xenografts. The structurally similar
      compound MTDIH is a potent inhibitor of human and malarial purine nucleoside
      phosphorylase (PNP) as well as the newly discovered enzyme, methylthioinosine
      phosphorylase, isolated from Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Since the enantiomers of
      some pharmaceuticals have revealed surprising biological activities, the
      enantiomers of MTDIH and MTDIA, compounds 1 and 2, respectively, were prepared
      and their enzyme binding properties studied. Despite binding less tightly to
      their target enzymes than their enantiomers compounds 1 and 2 are nanomolar
      inhibitors. 

PMID- 26260337
TI  - Sulfation modulates the cell uptake, antiradical activity and biological effects
      of flavonoids in vitro: An examination of quercetin, isoquercitrin and taxifolin.
AB  - Quercetin 3'-O-sulfate is one of the main metabolites of the natural flavonoid
      quercetin in humans. This study was designed to prepare quercetin 3'-O-sulfate
      (1), isoquercitrin 4'-O-sulfate (2) and taxifolin 4'-O-sulfate (3) by the
      sulfation of quercetin, isoquercitrin (quercetin 3-O-glucoside) and taxifolin
      (2,3-dihydroquercetin) using the arylsulfate sulfotransferase from
      Desulfitobacterium hafniense, and to examine the effect of sulfation on selected
      biological properties of the flavonoids tested. We found that flavonoid sulfates
      1-3 were weaker DPPH radical scavengers than the corresponding nonsulfated
      flavonoids, and that 1-3, unlike quercetin, did not induce the expression of
      either heme oxygenase-1 in RAW264.7 cells or cytochrome P450 1A1 in HepG2 cells.
      In both cell types, the cell uptake of compounds 1-3 was much lower than that of
      quercetin, but comparable to that of the glycoside isoquercitrin. Moreover,
      HPLC/MS metabolic profiling in HepG2 cells showed that flavonoid sulfates 1-3
      were metabolized to a limited extent compared to the nonsulfated compounds. We
      conclude that sulfation of the tested flavonoids reduces their antiradical
      activity, and affects their cell uptake and biological activity in vitro. 

PMID- 26260338
TI  - Novel metal chelating molecules with anticancer activity. Striking effect of the
      imidazole substitution of the histidine-pyridine-histidine system.
AB  - Previously we have reported a metal chelating histidine-pyridine-histidine system
      possessing a trityl group on the histidine imidazole, namely HPH-2Trt, which
      induces apoptosis in human pancreatic adenocarcinoma AsPC-1 cells. Herein the
      influence of the imidazole substitution of HPH-2Trt was examined. Five related
      compounds, HPH-1Trt, HPH-2Bzl, HPH-1Bzl, HPH-2Me, and HPH-1Me were newly
      synthesized and screened for their activity against AsPC-1 and brain tumor cells
      U87 and U251. HPH-1Trt and HPH-2Trt were highly active among the tested HPH
      compounds. In vitro DNA cleavage assay showed both HPH-1Trt and HPH-2Trt
      completely disintegrate pUC19 DNA. The introduction of trityl group decisively
      potentiated the activity. 

PMID- 26260339
TI  - Highly potent artemisinin-derived dimers and trimers: Synthesis and evaluation of
      their antimalarial, antileukemia and antiviral activities.
AB  - New pharmaceutically active compounds can be obtained by modification of existing
      drugs to access more effective agents in the wake of drug resistance amongst
      others. To achieve this goal the concept of hybridization was established during
      the last decade. We employed this concept by coupling two artemisinin-derived
      precursors to obtain dimers or trimers with increased in vitro activity against
      Plasmodiumfalciparum 3D7 strain, leukemia cells (CCRF-CEM and multidrug-resistant
      subline CEM/ADR5000) and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). Dimer 4 (IC50 of 2.6 nM)
      possess superior antimalarial activity compared with its parent compound
      artesunic acid(3) (IC50 of 9.0 nM). Dimer5 and trimers6 and 7 display superior
      potency against both leukemia cell lines (IC50 up to 0.002 MUM for CCRF-CEM and
      IC50 up to 0.20 MUM for CEM/ADR5000) and are even more active than clinically
      used doxorubicin (IC50 1.61 MUM for CEM/ADR5000). With respect to anti-HCMV
      activity, trimer6 is the most efficient hybrid (IC50 0.04 MUM) outperforming
      ganciclovir (IC50 2.6 MUM), dihydroartemisinin(IC50 >10 MUM) and artesunic acid
      (IC50 3.8 MUM).

PMID- 26260340
TI  - Synthesis, binding, nuclease resistance and cellular uptake properties of 2'-O
      acetalester-modified oligonucleotides containing cationic groups.
AB  - We report on the synthesis and properties of oligonucleotides (ONs) with 2'-O
      acetalester modifications containing cationic side chains in a prodrug-like
      approach. In the aim to improve cell penetration and nuclease resistance, various
      different amino- or guanidino-acetalester were grafted to 2'-OH of uridine and
      the corresponding phosphoramidites were incorporated into ONs. Introduction of 2'
      O-(2-aminomethyl-2-ethyl)butyryloxymethyl (AMEBuOM) modification into 2'-OMe ONs
      leads to high resistance towards enzymatic degradation and to destabilization of
      duplexes with complementary RNA strand. Spontaneous uptake experiments of a
      twelve-mer containing ten 2'-O-AMEBuOM-U units into A673 cells showed moderate
      internalization of ON within the cells whereas substantial internalization of the
      corresponding lipophilic 2'-O-pivaloyloxymethyl ON was observed for the first
      time. 

PMID- 26260341
TI  - Carbon nanotubes supported tyrosinase in the synthesis of lipophilic
      hydroxytyrosol and dihydrocaffeoyl catechols with antiviral activity against DNA
      and RNA viruses.
AB  - Hydroxytyrosol and dihydrocaffeoyl catechols with lipophilic properties have been
      synthesized in high yield using tyrosinase immobilized on multi-walled carbon
      nanotubes by the Layer-by-Layer technique. All synthesized catechols were
      evaluated against a large panel of DNA and RNA viruses, including Poliovirus type
      1, Echovirus type 9, Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), Herpes simplex virus
      type 2 (HSV-2), Coxsackievirus type B3 (Cox B3), Adenovirus type 2 and type 5 and
      Cytomegalovirus (CMV). A significant antiviral activity was observed in the
      inhibition of HSV-1, HSV-2, Cox B3 and CMV. The mechanism of action of the most
      active dihydrocaffeoyl derivative was investigated against a model of HSV-1
      infection. 

PMID- 26260342
TI  - The gold/ampicillin interface at the atomic scale.
AB  - In the fight against antibiotic resistance, gold nanoparticles (AuNP) with
      antibiotics grafted on their surfaces have been found to be potent agents.
      Ampicillin-conjugated AuNPs have been thus reported to overcome highly ampicillin
      resistant bacteria. However, the structure at the atomic scale of these hybrid
      systems remains misunderstood. In this paper, the structure of the interface
      between an ampicillin molecule AMP and three flat gold facets Au(111), Au(110)
      and Au(100) has been investigated with numerical simulations (dispersion
      corrected DFT). Adsorption energies, bond distances and electron densities
      indicate that the adsorption of AMP on these facets goes through multiple
      partially covalent bonding. The stability of the AuNP/AMP nanoconjugates is
      explained by large adsorption energies and their potential antibacterial activity
      is discussed on the basis of the constrained spatial orientation of the grafted
      antibiotic. 

PMID- 26260343
TI  - Function and diversity of P0 proteins among cotton leafroll dwarf virus isolates.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The RNA silencing pathway is an important anti-viral defense
      mechanism in plants. As a counter defense, some members of the viral family
      Luteoviridae are able to evade host immunity by encoding the P0 RNA silencing
      suppressor protein. Here we explored the functional diversity of P0 proteins
      among eight cotton leafroll dwarf virus (CLRDV) isolates, a virus associated with
      a worldwide cotton disease known as cotton blue disease (CBD). METHODS: CLRDV
      infected cotton plants of different varieties were collected from five growing
      fields in Brazil and their P0 sequences compared to three previously obtained
      isolates. P0's silencing suppression activities were scored based on transient
      expression experiments in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. RESULTS: High sequence
      diversity was observed among CLRDV P0 proteins, indicating that some isolates
      found in cotton varieties formerly resistant to CLRDV should be regarded as new
      genotypes within the species. All tested proteins were able to suppress local and
      systemic silencing, but with significantly variable degrees. All P0 proteins were
      able to mediate the decay of ARGONAUTE proteins, a key component of the RNA
      silencing machinery. CONCLUSIONS: The sequence diversity observed in CLRDV P0s is
      also reflected in their silencing suppression capabilities. However, the strength
      of local and systemic silencing suppression was not correlated for some proteins.

PMID- 26260344
TI  - Therapeutic potential of antiviral drugs targeting chemorefractory colorectal
      adenocarcinoma cells overexpressing endogenous retroviral elements.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Endoretroviruses account for circa 8 % of all transposable elements
      found in the genome of humans and other animals. They represent a genetic
      footprint of ancestral germ-cell infections of exoviruses that is transmittable
      to the progeny by Mendelian segregation. Traces of human endogenous retroviruses
      are physiologically expressed in ovarial, testicular and placental tissues as
      well as in stem cells. In addition, a number of these fossil viral elements have
      also been related to carcinogenesis. However, a relation between endoretroviruses
      expression and chemoresistance has not been reported yet. METHODS: Twenty
      colorectal carcinoma patient samples were scrutinized for HERV-WE1 and HERV-FRD1
      endoretroviruses using immunohistochemical approaches. In order to search for
      differential expression of these elements in chemotherapy refractory cells, a
      resistant HCT8 colon carcinoma subline was developed by serial etoposide
      exposure. Endoretroviral elements were detected by immunocytochemical staining,
      qPCR and ELISA. IC50-values of antiviral and cytostatic drugs in HCT8 cells were
      determined by MTT proliferation assay. The antivirals-cytostatics interaction was
      evaluated by the isobologram method. RESULTS: In this work, we show for the first
      time that HERV-WE1, HERV-FRD1, HERV-31, and HERV-V1 are a) simultaneously
      expressed in treatment-naive colon carcinoma cells and b) upregulated after
      cytostatic exposure, suggesting that these retroviral elements are intimately
      related to chemotherapy resistance. We found a number of antiviral drugs to have
      cytotoxic activity and the ability to force the downregulation of HERV proteins
      in vitro. We also demonstrate that the use of different antiviral compounds alone
      or in combination with anticancer agents results in a synergistic
      antiproliferative effect and downregulation of different endoretroviral elements
      in highly chemotherapy-resistant colorectal tumor cells. CONCLUSIONS: Enhanced
      HERV-expression is associated with chemoresistance in colon carcinomas which can
      be overcome by antiviral drugs alone or in combination with anticancer drugs.
      Therefore, the introduction of antiviral compounds to the current chemotherapy
      regimens potentially improves patient outcomes.

PMID- 26260345
TI  - Current pain education within undergraduate medical studies across Europe:
      Advancing the Provision of Pain Education and Learning (APPEAL) study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Unrelieved pain is a substantial public health concern necessitating
      improvements in medical education. The Advancing the Provision of Pain Education
      and Learning (APPEAL) study aimed to determine current levels and methods of
      undergraduate pain medicine education in Europe. DESIGN AND METHODS: Using a
      cross-sectional design, publicly available curriculum information was sought from
      all medical schools in 15 representative European countries in 2012-2013.
      Descriptive analyses were performed on: the provision of pain teaching in
      dedicated pain modules, other modules or within the broader curriculum; whether
      pain teaching was compulsory or elective; the number of hours/credits spent
      teaching pain; pain topics; and teaching and assessment methods. RESULTS:
      Curriculum elements were publicly available from 242 of 249 identified schools
      (97%). In 55% (133/242) of schools, pain was taught only within compulsory non
      pain-specific modules. The next most common approaches were for pain teaching to
      be provided wholly or in part via a dedicated pain module (74/242; 31%) or via a
      vertical or integrated approach to teaching through the broader curriculum,
      rather than within any specific module (17/242; 7%). The curricula of 17/242
      schools (7%) showed no evidence of any pain teaching. Dedicated pain modules were
      most common in France (27/31 schools; 87%). Excluding France, only 22% (47/211
      schools) provided a dedicated pain module and in only 9% (18/211) was this
      compulsory. Overall, the median number of hours spent teaching pain was 12.0
      (range 4-56.0 h; IQR: 12.0) for compulsory dedicated pain modules and 9.0 (range
      1.0-60.0 h; IQR: 10.5) for other compulsory (non-pain specific) modules. Pain
      medicine was principally taught in classrooms and assessed by conventional
      examinations. There was substantial international variation throughout.
      CONCLUSIONS: Documented pain teaching in many European medical schools falls far
      short of what might be expected given the prevalence and public health burden of
      pain.

PMID- 26260346
TI  - Temporal trends in cardiovascular disease risk factors among white, South Asian,
      Chinese and black groups in Ontario, Canada, 2001 to 2012: a population-based
      study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To determine ethnic-specific temporal trends in cardiovascular risk
      factors in Ontario between 2001 and 2012. DESIGN: A population-based repeated
      cross-sectional study. SETTING: Ontario, Canada. PARTICIPANTS: 219,276
      participants of the Canadian Community Health Survey (205,326 white, 5620 South
      Asian, 4368 Chinese and 3962 black) during the period 2001 to 2012. MAIN OUTCOME
      MEASURES: Age-standardised ethnic-sex-specific prevalence of cardiovascular risk
      factors for three time periods: 2001-2004, 2005-2008 and 2009-2012 among Canada's
      four major ethnic groups: white, South Asian, Chinese and black. RESULTS: During
      the study period, the prevalence of diabetes increased 2.3-fold (p = 0.0001)
      among South Asian males and 1.9-fold (p = 0.02) among black females. The
      prevalence of obesity (body mass index >= 30 kg/m(2)) increased over time across
      all ethnic groups, with the largest relative increases observed among males of
      Chinese (2.1-fold increase, p = 0.04) and black (1.7-fold increase, p = 0.06)
      descent. The prevalence of hypertension increased the most among black females.
      Smoking prevalence decreased by more than 20% among South Asian, Chinese and
      white females. Overall, South Asian males and black males and females showed the
      greatest declines in cardiovascular health over the study period. CONCLUSIONS: We
      observed important ethnic differences in the temporal trends in cardiovascular
      risk factor profiles in Ontario. Awareness of the direction and magnitude of
      these risk factor trends may be useful in informing targeted strategies for
      preventing cardiovascular diseases in multiethnic populations.

PMID- 26260347
TI  - Identification and prevalence of adverse drug events caused by potentially
      inappropriate medication in homebound elderly patients: a retrospective study
      using a nationwide survey in Japan.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: A nationwide large-scale survey was conducted to identify the
      prevalence and causal medications of adverse drug events (ADEs) that are caused
      by potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) given to homebound elderly
      patients, factors associated with ADEs, and measures taken by pharmacists to
      manage ADEs and their effects on ADEs. SETTINGS: A questionnaire was mailed to
      3321 pharmacies nationwide. It asked about the details of PIMs and ADEs of up to
      5 patients for whom home visits were provided by a pharmacist. Questionnaire
      forms were filled in by pharmacists who visited the patients. DESIGN AND
      PARTICIPANTS: Between 23 January and 13 February 2013, comprehensive assessment
      forms were sent to 3321 pharmacies. Data collected from 1890 pharmacies including
      data of 4815 patients were analysed and 28 patients of unknown sex were excluded.
      Their average age was 82.7 years. PIMs were identified based on the 2003 Beers
      Criteria Japan. RESULTS: There were 600 patients who did not provide valid
      answers regarding the medications. In the remaining 4243 patients, one or more
      medications that were considered to be PIMs had been prescribed to 48.4% of
      patients. PIM-induced ADEs were found in 8% of these patients by pharmacists
      during home visits. The top ADE-inducing medications were strong anticholinergic
      antihistamines, benzodiazepines, sulpiride and digoxin. The most common ADEs
      associated with benzodiazepines were frequent lightheadedness, somnolence and
      sleepiness, which increase the risk of falls and subsequent fractures in elderly
      patients. The following factors associated with ADEs were identified: sex,
      pharmacist awareness of prescription issues, frequency of visits and time spent
      at patients' homes, and the frequency of detailed checks for patient adverse
      reactions by pharmacists. CONCLUSIONS: The PIM prevalence associated with home
      healthcare in Japan was relatively high, as reported in previous studies. The
      present study suggests that pharmacists could reduce the incidence of PIMs and
      consequent ADEs.

PMID- 26260348
TI  - Behavioural physical activity interventions in participants with lower-limb
      osteoarthritis: a systematic review with meta-analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess effectiveness of osteoarthritis interventions to promote
      long-term physical activity behaviour change. DESIGN: A systematic review and
      meta-analysis. Protocol registration PROSPERO CRD4201300444 5
      (http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/). STUDY SELECTION: Randomised controlled
      trials (RCTs) comparing physical activity interventions with placebo, no/or
      minimal intervention in community-dwelling adults with symptomatic knee or hip
      osteoarthritis. Primary outcomes were change in physical activity or
      cardiopulmonary fitness after a minimum follow-up of 6 months. DATA EXTRACTION:
      Outcomes were measures of physical activity (self-reported and objectively
      measured) and cardiovascular fitness. Standard mean differences between
      postintervention values were used to describe the effect sizes. RESULTS: 27,984
      titles were screened and 180 papers reviewed in full. Eleven RCTs satisfied
      inclusion criteria, total study population of 2741 participants, mean age 62.2.
      The commonest reasons for study exclusion were follow-up less than 6 months and
      no physical activity measures. The majority of included interventions implement
      an arthritis self-management programme targeting coping skills and self-efficacy.
      Seven studies used self-report measures, the pooled effect of these studies was
      small with significant heterogeneity between studies (SMD 0.22 with 95% CI -0.11
      to 0.56, z=1.30 (p=0.19) I(2) statistic of 85%). Subgroup analysis of 6-12 month
      outcome reduced heterogeneity and increased intervention effect compared to
      control (SMD 0.53, 95% CI 0.41 to 0.65, z=8.84 (p<0.00001) I(2) of 66%).
      CONCLUSIONS: Arthritis self-management programmes achieve a small but significant
      improvement in physical activity in the short term. Effectiveness of intervention
      declines with extended follow-up beyond 12 months with no significant benefit
      compared to control. The small number of studies (11 RCTs) limited ability to
      define effective delivery methods. Investigation of behavioural lifestyle
      interventions for lower limb osteoarthritis populations would benefit from
      consensus on methodology and outcome reporting. This includes use of validated
      physical activity reporting tools and planning for long-term follow-up.

PMID- 26260349
TI  - A journey into a Mediterranean diet and type 2 diabetes: a systematic review with
      meta-analyses.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To summarise the evidence about the efficacy of a Mediterranean diet
      on the management of type 2 diabetes and prediabetic states. DESIGN: A systematic
      review of all meta-analyses and randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared
      the Mediterranean diet with a control diet on the treatment of type 2 diabetes
      and prediabetic states was conducted. Electronic searches were carried out up to
      January 2015. Trials were included for meta-analyses if they had a control group
      treated with another diet, if they were of sufficient duration (at least 6
      months), and if they had at least 30 participants in each arm. A random-effect
      model was used to pool data. PARTICIPANTS: Adults with or at risk for type 2
      diabetes. INTERVENTIONS: Dietary patterns that described themselves as using a
      'Mediterranean' dietary pattern. OUTCOME MEASURES: The outcomes were glycaemic
      control, cardiovascular risk factors and remission from the metabolic syndrome.
      RESULTS: From 2824 studies, 8 meta-analyses and 5 RCTs were eligible. A 'de novo'
      meta-analysis of 3 long-term (>6 months) RCTs of the Mediterranean diet and
      glycaemic control of diabetes favoured the Mediterranean diet as compared with
      lower fat diets. Another 'de novo' meta-analysis of two long-term RCTs showed a
      49% increased probability of remission from the metabolic syndrome. 5 meta
      analyses showed a favourable effect of the Mediterranean diet, as compared with
      other diets, on body weight, total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein
      cholesterol. 2 meta-analyses demonstrated that higher adherence to the
      Mediterranean diet reduced the risk of future diabetes by 19-23%. CONCLUSIONS:
      The Mediterranean diet was associated with better glycaemic control and
      cardiovascular risk factors than control diets, including a lower fat diet,
      suggesting that it is suitable for the overall management of type 2 diabetes.

PMID- 26260352
TI  - Cerebrovascular injury as a risk factor for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To use an unbiased method to test a previously reported association
      between cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM) embolisation and the subsequent
      development of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). METHODS: A hospital record
      linkage database was used to create cohorts of individuals coded as having
      cerebral and peripheral vessel AVMs, stroke (separately for haemorrhagic and
      ischaemic), transient ischaemic attack (TIA) and subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH).
      The rate ratio for subsequent ALS was compared to a reference cohort. RESULTS: An
      increased rate ratio for ALS was found in relation to prior AVM (2.69; p=0.005),
      all strokes (1.38; p<0.001), and TIA (1.47; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS:
      Cerebrovascular injury from a variety of causes, rather than the presence of AVM
      or the associated embolisation procedure per se, may be a risk factor for ALS
      within the context of a more complex multiple-hit model of pathogenesis.

PMID- 26260350
TI  - A police education programme to integrate occupational safety and HIV prevention:
      protocol for a modified stepped-wedge study design with parallel prospective
      cohorts to assess behavioural outcomes.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Policing practices are key drivers of HIV among people who inject
      drugs (PWID). This paper describes the protocol for the first study to
      prospectively examine the impact of a police education programme (PEP) to align
      law enforcement and HIV prevention. PEPs incorporating HIV prevention (including
      harm reduction programmes like syringe exchange) have been successfully piloted
      in several countries but were limited to brief pre-post assessments; the impact
      of PEPs on policing behaviours and occupational safety is unknown. OBJECTIVES:
      Proyecto ESCUDO (SHIELD) aims to evaluate the efficacy of the PEP on uptake of
      occupational safety procedures, as assessed through the incidence of needle stick
      injuries (NSIs) (primary outcome) and changes in knowledge of transmission,
      prevention and treatment of HIV and viral hepatitis; attitudes towards PWID,
      adverse behaviours that interfere with HIV prevention and protective behaviours
      (secondary outcomes). METHODS/ANALYSIS: ESCUDO is a hybrid type I design that
      simultaneously tests an intervention and an implementation strategy. Using a
      modified stepped-wedge design involving all active duty street-level police
      officers in Tijuana (N = ~ 1200), we will administer one 3 h PEP course to groups
      of 20-50 officers until the entire force is trained. NSI incidence and geocoded
      arrest data will be assessed from department-wide de-identified data. Of the
      consenting police officers, a subcohort (N=500) will be randomly sampled from
      each class to undergo pre-PEP and post-PEP surveys with a semiannual follow-up
      for 2 years to assess self-reported NSIs, attitudes and behaviour changes. The
      impact on PWIDs will be externally validated through a parallel cohort of Tijuana
      PWIDs. ETHICS/DISSEMINATION: Research ethics approval was obtained from the USA
      and Mexico. Findings will be disseminated through open access to protocol
      materials through the Law Enforcement and HIV Network. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER:
      NCT02444403.

PMID- 26260353
TI  - Unpacking the associations between heterogeneous externalising symptom
      development and academic attainment in middle childhood.
AB  - This study explores children's externalising symptom development pathways between
      8 and 11 years of age (three time points across 2 years) and examines their
      sociodemographic correlates and associations with change in academic attainment.
      Externalising symptoms were assessed for 5485 children across three consecutive
      years (M age = 8.7 years, SD = 0.30 at time 1). National standardised test scores
      served as an index of academic attainment. Using latent class growth analysis,
      six distinct trajectories of externalising symptom development were identified.
      Children who showed increasing externalising symptomatology across the three time
      points were more likely to be male or have special educational needs. These
      derived trajectories differentially predicted children's subsequent academic
      attainment (controlling for earlier attainment). Children with increasing
      externalising symptomatology were significantly more likely to demonstrate
      negative change in academic achievement compared with children with consistently
      low externalising problems. The study helps to clarify the longitudinal
      association between externalising symptom development and academic attainment,
      and highlights the importance of early intervention for children with increasing
      externalising symptoms across middle childhood. 

PMID- 26260354
TI  - Saccharomyces boulardii and bismuth subsalicylate as low-cost interventions to
      reduce the duration and severity of cholera.
AB  - We conducted a randomised single-blinded clinical trial of 100 cholera patients
      in Port-au-Prince, Haiti to determine if the probiotic Saccharomyces cerevisiae
      var. boulardii and the anti-diarrhoeal drug bismuth subsalicylate (BS) were able
      to reduce the duration and severity of cholera. Subjects received either: S.
      boulardii 250 mg, S. boulardii 250 mg capsule plus BS 524 mg tablet, BS 524 mg,
      or two placebo capsules every 6 hours alongside standard treatment for cholera.
      The length of hospitalisation plus the number and volume of emesis, stool and
      urine were recorded every 6 hours until the study subject was discharged (n =
      83), left against medical advice (n = 11), or requested removal from the study (n
      = 6). There were no reported deaths or adverse study-related events. There were
      no statistically significant differences between the study arms and the outcomes
      of interest.

PMID- 26260355
TI  - Epidemiology and risk factors for faecal extended-spectrum beta-lactamase
      producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) carriage derived from residents of seven
      nursing homes in western Shanghai, China.
AB  - Nursing homes (NHs) have been implicated as significant reservoirs of antibiotic
      resistant organisms causing severe infectious disease. We investigated the
      prevalence and molecular epidemiology of, and risk factors for, faecal carriage
      of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E). A
      multicentre cross-sectional study was conducted in seven NHs in Shanghai between
      March 2014 and May 2014. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing and polymerase
      chain reaction were used to detect genes coding for ESBLs and carbapenemases. NH
      records at individual-resident level and facility level were examined for
      potential risk factors. Four hundred and fifty-seven Enterobacteriaceae isolates
      were collected of which 183 (46.92%) were colonized by ESBL-E. CTX-M enzymes
      (198/200, 99%) predominated, with CTX-M-14 (84/200, 42%) the most common types.
      Two carbapenemase producers harboured blaKPC-2. Resistance rates to carbapenems,
      TZP, AK, FOS, CL and TGC were low. History of invasive procedures [odds ratio
      (OR) 2.384, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.318-4.310, P = 0.004], narrow-spectrum
      cephalosporins (OR 1.635, 95% CI 1.045-2.558, P = 0.031) and broad-spectrum
      cephalosporins (OR 3.276, 95% CI 1.278-8.398, P = 0.014) were independently
      associated with ESBL-E carriage. In conclusion, NH residents have a very high
      prevalence of faecal carriage of ESBL-E. Continuous and active surveillance is
      important, as are prudent infection control measures and antibiotic use to
      prevent and control the spread of these antibiotic-resistant strains. 

PMID- 26260356
TI  - Retrospective evaluation of the effect of antivenom administration on
      hospitalization duration and treatment cost for dogs envenomated by Crotalus
      viridis: 113 dogs (2004-2012).
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of antivenom administration on mortality,
      hospitalization duration, and cost of hospitalization for dogs envenomated by
      Crotalus viridis. DESIGN: Retrospective study (January 2004-December 2012).
      SETTING: Private veterinary emergency and referral center. ANIMALS: One hundred
      thirteen dogs with confirmed C. viridis envenomation. INTERVENTIONS: None.
      MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Dogs were divided into groups treated with either
      supportive care only (group 1) or supportive care plus antivenin crotalidae
      polyvalent (group 2). A modified snakebite severity score was used to compare
      patients from group 1 and group 2. Patients in group 2 received one 10 mL vial of
      antivenin crotalidae polyvalent over 4-6 hours. The mortality rate was 1.8%
      (2/113).  Group 1 had a median duration of hospitalization of 20 hours (range, 8
      50 hours), while group 2 had a median duration of hospitalization of 24 hours
      (range, 1.5-74 hours). Group 1 had a median cost of hospitalization of 1050.00
      USD (range, 423.52-2266.09 USD) while group 2 had a median cost of
      hospitalization of 2002.19 USD (range, 1139.91-6908.01 USD). Both the duration of
      hospitalization (P < 0.01) and the cost of hospitalization (P < 0.01) were
      significantly greater in the group of dogs receiving antivenom. CONCLUSIONS: Both
      the cost and the duration of hospitalization were significantly greater in the
      group of dogs that received antivenom. The difference in cost between the groups
      was approximately the cost of the antivenom vial and administration. Amongst the
      parameters evaluated, no significant benefit was associated with antivenom
      administered to dogs envenomated by C. viridis.

PMID- 26260357
TI  - Combined pars plana vitrectomy-scleral buckle versus pars plana vitrectomy for
      proliferative vitreoretinopathy.
AB  - The purpose of the study is to evaluate the surgical outcomes of combined pars
      plana vitrectomy-scleral buckle (PPV-SB) versus pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for
      rhegmatogenous retinal detachment complicated with proliferative
      vitreoretinopathy (PVR). One thousand one hundred and seventy four patients with
      rhegmatogenous retinal detachment surgery between January 2002 and December 2013
      were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with grade C PVR treated with either
      combined PPV-SB or PPV alone were included in the study. Study outcomes included
      single surgery anatomic success rate and postoperative visual outcome at 12
      months postoperatively. Seventy-seven patients with grade C PVR were identified
      for analysis. At the end of 12-month follow-up, 80.5 % eyes (33/41) in the PPV-SB
      group and 58.3 % eyes (21/36) in the PPV group achieved single surgery anatomical
      success. In a multiple logistic regression model, none of the baseline variables
      (age, gender, macula status, grade of PVR, extent of detachment, presence of
      vitreous hemorrhage, lens status, status of high myopia) nor types of retinal
      detachment surgery (use of scleral buckle, barrier endolaser, 360 degree
      endolaser, cryopexy, retinectomy, tamponade agent, phacoemulsification) had
      significant effect on single surgery anatomical success. The post-treatment mean
      logMAR visual acuity of the PPV-SB group was 1.58 +/- 0.58 and the PPV group was
      1.57 +/- 0.61. There was no significant difference in the postoperative visual
      acuity between the two groups (P = 0.849). For patients with grade C PVR, PPV-SB
      did not demonstrate a superiority over PPV alone in achieving single surgery
      anatomical success. 

PMID- 26260358
TI  - In vitro study of cyclosporine A 0.05 % on primary and recurrent pterygium
      fibroblasts.
AB  - To compare the cyclosporine 0.05 % exposure effect on fibroblasts from primary
      and recurrent pterygium. Primary culture of fibroblasts from primary and
      recurrent pterygium was performed until the third passage, which was exposed to
      cyclosporine 0.05 % in a group and the other remaining unexposed (control group),
      in triplicates. After 3, 6, 12, and 17 days of exposure the viable cell counting
      was performed by hemocytometer. The results were statistically analyzed using the
      technique of analysis of non-parametric variance model for repeated measures with
      three factors. There was a significant reduction in both fibroblast
      proliferation, in primary as in the recurrent pterygium cultures exposed to
      cyclosporine when compared not exposed cultures, with statistical significance (P
      < 0.05). Comparing primary and recurrent pterygium that received the drug, there
      was no significant difference in cell proliferation in relation to primary or
      recurrent pterygium. Cyclosporine 0.05 % is effective in inhibiting fibroblast
      proliferation in culture, both in primary and as in recurrent pterygium. 

PMID- 26260359
TI  - Nanoemulsion-templated polylelectrolyte multifunctional nanocapsules for DNA
      entrapment and bioimaging.
AB  - The emerging field of bionanotechnology aims at advancing colloidal and
      biomedical research via introduction of multifunctional nanoparticle-based
      containers intended for both gene therapy and bioimaging. In the present
      contribution we entrapped the model genetic material (herring testes DNA) in the
      newly-designed non-viral vectors, i.e., multifunctional nanocapsules obtained by
      layer-by-layer (LbL) adsorption of DNA and oppositely charged polysaccharide
      based chitosan (CHIT) on the nanoemulsion core, loaded by IR-780 indocyanine
      (used as the fluorescent marker) and stabilized by gemini-type ammonium salts:
      N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-N,N'-di(dodecyl)-ethylenediammonium bromide, d(DDA)PBr and
      N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-N,N'-di(dodecyl)-butylenediammonium d(DDA)BBr. Ternary
      phase diagrams of the surfactant-oil-water systems were determined by titration
      method. Then, the stability of the nanoemulsions obtained with IR-780 solubilized
      in the oleic acid (OA) or isopropyl myristate (IPM) phase was evaluated by
      backscattering (BS) profiles and zeta-potential measurements. In the next step,
      CHIT and DNA layers were subsequently deposited on the kinetically stable
      nanoemulsion cores. The IR-780-loaded nanocarriers covered by (DNA/CHIT)4
      bilayers shown the high zeta-potential value (about +43mV provided by Doppler
      electrophoresis), the size <120nm and the spherical shape as analyzed by dynamic
      light scattering (DLS), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron
      microscopy (SEM). Finally, the long-lasting nanosystems were subjected to in
      vitro biological studies on human cancer cell lines - doxorubicin-sensitive
      breast (MCF-7/WT), epithelial lung adenocarcinoma (A549) and skin melanoma
      (MEWO). Biological response of the cell culture was expressed as cytotoxic
      activity evaluated by MTT-based proliferation assay as well as bioimaging of
      intracellular localization of IR-780 molecules loaded in the multilayer DNA
      deposited nanocontainers - provided by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM)
      and total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM). Our results
      demonstrate that the fabricated oil-core CHIT-coated nanocapsules stabilized by
      both d(DDA)PBr and d(DDA)BBr surfactants are promising as multifunctional
      nanocarriers for DNA delivery and cancer diagnostics. 

PMID- 26260360
TI  - Human GPR42 is a transcribed multisite variant that exhibits copy number
      polymorphism and is functional when heterologously expressed.
AB  - FFAR3 (GPR41) is a G-protein coupled receptor for which short-chain fatty acids
      serve as endogenous ligands. The receptor is found on gut enteroendocrine L
      cells, pancreatic beta-cells, and sympathetic neurons, and is implicated in
      obesity, diabetes, allergic airway disease, and altered immune function. In
      primates, FFAR3 is segmentally duplicated resulting in GPR42, a gene currently
      classified as a suspected pseudogene. In this study, we sequenced FFAR3 and GPR42
      open reading frames from 56 individuals and found an unexpectedly high frequency
      of polymorphisms contributing to several complex haplotypes. We also identified a
      frequent (18.8%) structural variation that results in GPR42 copy number
      polymorphism. Finally, sequencing revealed that 50.6% of GPR42 haplotypes
      differed from FFAR3 by only a single non-synonymous substitution and that the
      GPR42 reference sequence matched only 4.4% of the alleles. Sequencing of cDNA
      from human sympathetic ganglia and colon revealed processed transcripts matching
      the GPR42 genotype. Expression of several GPR42 haplotypes in rat sympathetic
      neurons revealed diverse pharmacological phenotypes that differed in potency and
      efficacy. Our data suggest that GPR42 be reclassified as a functioning gene and
      that recognition of sequence and copy number polymorphism of the FFAR3/GPR42
      complex be considered during genetic and pharmacological investigation of these
      receptors. 

PMID- 26260361
TI  - Shared decision making for psychiatric medication management: beyond the micro
      social.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mental health care has lagged behind other health-care domains in
      developing and applying shared decision making (SDM) for treatment decisions.
      This is despite compatibilities with ideals of modern mental health care such as
      self-management and recovery-oriented practice, and growing policy-level
      interest. Psychiatric medication is a mainstay of mental health treatment, but
      there are known problems with prescribing practices, and service users report
      feeling uninvolved in medication decisions and concerned about adverse effects.
      SDM has potential to produce better tailoring of psychiatric medication to
      individuals' needs. OBJECTIVES: This conceptual review argues that several
      aspects of mental health care that differ from other health-care contexts (e.g.
      forms of coercion, questions about service users' insight and disempowerment) may
      impact on processes and possibilities for SDM. It is therefore problematic to
      uncritically import models of SDM developed in other health-care contexts. We
      argue that decision making for psychiatric medication is better understood in a
      broader way that moves beyond the micro-social focus of a medical consultation.
      Contextualizing specific medication-related consultations within longer term
      relationships, and broader service systems enables recognition of the multiple
      processes, actors and agendas that shape how psychiatric medication is
      prescribed, managed and used, and which may facilitate or impede SDM. CONCLUSION:
      A broad conceptualization of decision making for psychiatric medication that
      moves beyond the micro-social can account for why SDM in this domain remains a
      rarity. It has both conceptual and practical utility for evaluating research
      evidence, identifying future research priorities and highlighting fruitful ways
      of developing and implementing SDM in mental health care.

PMID- 26260362
TI  - Formation and elimination of pyrraline in the Maillard reaction in a saccharide
      lysine model system.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pyrraline, a causative factor for various kinds of disease, is also
      used as a food contaminant to evaluate the formation of advanced glycation end
      products (AGEs) in diet foods. In this study, model systems consisting of lysine
      and different saccharides were heated at different times, temperatures and
      initial molar ratios of saccharide to lysine under microwave heating conditions
      in order to investigate the formation of pyrraline. RESULTS: Increase in initial
      molar ratio of saccharide to lysine could significantly promote the formation of
      pyrraline. Specifically, the pyrraline formation rate was influenced by the
      structure of saccharides involved in the reaction, and decreased in the following
      order: lactose > fructose > glucose > sucrose; the highest pyrraline was
      generated in lactose-lysine models. The maximum pyrraline was formed at 140 
      degrees C. Moreover, saccharides and lysine had different effects on the
      stability of pyrraline. Among the reactants, lysine was the major factor for the
      instability of pyrraline; a dipyrraline and a crosslink by pyrraline reacting
      with lysine could be formed. CONCLUSION: Pyrraline formation by the saccharide
      lysine model system was a dynamic reaction, consisting not only of the pyrraline
      formation, but also pyrraline elimination with some formation of crosslinks. (c)
      2015 Society of Chemical Industry.

PMID- 26260363
TI  - A duplication upstream of SOX9 was not positively correlated with the SRY
      negative 46,XX testicular disorder of sex development: A case report and
      literature review.
AB  - The 46,XX male disorder of sex development (DSD) is rarely observed in humans.
      Patients with DSD are all male with testicular tissue differentiation. The
      mechanism of sex determination and differentiation remains to be elucidated. In
      the present case report, an 46,XX inv (9) infertile male negative for the sex
      determining region of the Y chromosome (SRY) gene was examined. This infertile
      male was systemically assessed by semen analysis, serum hormone testing and
      gonadal biopsy. Formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded gonad tissues were assessed
      histochemically. The SRY gene was analyzed by fluorescence in situ hybridization
      (FISH) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The other 23 specific loci, including
      the azoospermia factor region on the Y chromosome and the sequence-targeted sites
      of the SRY-box 9 (SOX9) gene were analyzed by PCR. The genes RSPO1, DAX1, SOX3,
      ROCK, DMRT1, SPRY2 and FGF9 were also assessed using sequencing analysis.
      Affymetrix Cytogenetics Whole Genome 2.7 M Arrays were used for detecting the
      genomic DNA from the patient and the parents. The patient with the 46,XX inv (9)
      (p11q13) karyotype exhibited male primary, however, not secondary sexual
      characteristics. However, the patient's mother with the 46, XX inv (9) karyotype
      was unaffected. The testicular tissue dysplasia of the patient was confirmed by
      tissue biopsy and absence of the SRY gene, and the other 23 loci on the Y
      chromosome were confirmed by FISH and/or PCR. The RSPO1, DAX1, SOX3, ROCK, DMRT1,
      SPRY2 and FGF9 genes were sequenced and no mutations were detected. A duplication
      on the 3 M site in the upstream region of SOX9 was identified in the patient as
      well as in the mother. The patient with the 46,XX testicular DSD and SRY-negative
      status was found to be infertile. The duplication on the 3 M site in the upstream
      region of SOX9 was a polymorphism, which indicated that the change was not a
      cause of 46,XX male SDS. These clinical, molecular and cytogenetic findings
      suggested that other unidentified genetic or environmental factors are
      significant in the regulation of SDS.

PMID- 26260364
TI  - Facial Soft Tissue Thickness Among Three Skeletal Classes in Adult Pakistani
      Subjects.
AB  - Different facial reconstruction methods rely on the average facial soft tissue
      thickness values provided in previous studies. Facial soft tissue thickness is
      influenced by the age, sex, and ethnicity of the individual. The aim of the
      present study was to determine facial soft tissue thickness of adult Pakistani
      subjects with different facial morphology. A total of 166 subjects were
      categorized into three skeletal classes (based on convex, straight, or concave
      facial profile) employing the classification system used in orthodontics. Facial
      soft tissue thickness was determined at ten midline points on lateral
      cephalograms. Significant differences in facial soft tissue thickness were
      present at glabella, labrale superius, stomion, and labiomentale in males and at
      labrale superius, labrale inferius, labiomentale, and pogonion in females among
      different skeletal classes. The current study suggests that the skull morphology
      related variations in facial soft tissue thickness should be considered during
      facial reconstruction to achieve accurate results.

PMID- 26260365
TI  - Enhanced astroglial GABA uptake in heart failure.

PMID- 26260368
TI  - Pancreas: Fatty pancreas linked to increased BMI and insulin resistance in
      children.

PMID- 26260366
TI  - Extraintestinal manifestations of coeliac disease.
AB  - Coeliac disease is a common disorder that can arise at any age and typically
      presents with a broad spectrum of symptoms. The disease is thought to be
      underdiagnosed, in part owing to the fact that coeliac disease is often
      characterized by associated conditions and extraintestinal manifestations that
      can misdirect and impede diagnosis. Some of these manifestations are direct
      consequences of autoimmunity, such as dermatitis herpetiformis or gluten ataxia,
      whereas others are indirectly related to inflammation and/or malabsorption
      including anaemia, osteoporosis, short stature and delayed puberty. Any organ
      from the central nervous system to joints, liver or teeth can be affected. In
      some cases, extraintestinal symptoms are the only clinical manifestations of
      coeliac disease or occur in conjunction with diarrhoea and malabsorptive
      symptoms. An increased awareness among medical practitioners of the variety of
      extraintestinal manifestations of coeliac disease is essential to improve
      diagnosis and treatment. 

PMID- 26260371
TI  - Barrett oesophagus: Tracing the genetic pathway to oesophageal cancer.

PMID- 26260369
TI  - Optimizing early upper gastrointestinal cancer detection at endoscopy.
AB  - Survival rates for upper gastrointestinal cancers are poor and oesophageal cancer
      incidence is increasing. Upper gastrointestinal cancer is also often missed
      during examinations; a predicament that has not yet been sufficiently addressed.
      Improvements in the detection of premalignant lesions, early oesophageal and
      gastric cancers will enable organ-preserving endoscopic therapy, potentially
      reducing the number of advanced upper gastrointestinal cancers and resulting in
      improved prognosis. Japan is a world leader in high-quality diagnostic upper
      gastrointestinal endoscopy and the clinical routine in this country differs
      substantially from Western practice. In this Perspectives article, we review
      lessons learnt from Japanese gastroscopy technique, training and screening for
      risk stratification. We suggest a key performance indicator for upper
      gastrointestinal endoscopy with a minimum total procedure time of 8 min, and
      examine how quality assurance concepts in bowel cancer screening in the UK could
      be applied to upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and improve clinical practice. 

PMID- 26260373
TI  - Liver: A new copper cut-off value for diagnosis of Wilson disease?

PMID- 26260375
TI  - The influence of simultaneous integrated boost, hypofractionation and oncoplastic
      surgery on cosmetic outcome and PROMs after breast conserving therapy.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: We retrospectively investigated the possible influence of a
      simultaneous integrated boost (SIB), hypofractionation and oncoplastic surgery on
      cosmetic outcome in 125 patients with stage I-II breast cancer treated with
      breast conserving therapy (BCT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The boost was given
      sequentially (55%) or by SIB (45%); fractionation was conventional (83%) or
      hypofractionated (17%); the surgical technique was a conventional lumpectomy
      (74%) or an oncoplastic technique (26%). We compared cosmetic results
      subjectively using a questionnaire independently completed by the patient and by
      the physician and objectively with the BCCT.core software. Independent-samples T
      tests were used to compare outcome in different groups. Patients also completed
      the EORTC QLQ C30 and BR23. RESULTS: Univariate analyses indicated no significant
      differences of the cosmetic results (P <= 0.05) for the type of boost or
      fractionation. However, the conventional lumpectomy group scored significantly
      better than the oncoplastic group in the BCCT.core evaluation, without a
      significant difference in the subjective cosmetic evaluation. Quality of life
      outcome was in favour of SIB, hypofractionation and conventional surgery.
      CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that the current RT techniques seem to be safe
      for cosmetic outcome and quality of life. Further investigation is needed to
      verify the possible negative influence of oncoplastic surgery on the cosmetic
      outcome and the quality of life as this technique is especially indicated for
      patients with an unfavourable tumour/breast volume ratio.

PMID- 26260376
TI  - Numerical simulations of a bypass repair of an iliac artery obliteration.

PMID- 26260377
TI  - Tert-butylhydroquinone Ameliorates Early Brain Injury After Experimental
      Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Mice by Enhancing Nrf2-Independent Autophagy.
AB  - Evidence has shown that the activation of the autophagy pathway after
      experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) protects against neuronal damage. Tert
      butylhydroquinone (tBHQ), a commonly used nuclear factor erythroid 2-related
      factor 2 (Nrf2) activator, was found to significantly enhance autophagy
      activation. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of tBHQ treatment on
      early stage brain injury at 24 h after SAH. The results showed that tBHQ
      treatment failed to stimulate an effective anti-oxidative effect at 24 h after
      the SAH operation, but succeeded in ameliorating early brain injury, including
      alleviated brain edema, BBB disruption, neuronal degeneration and neurological
      deficits. Further exploration found that tBHQ treatment significantly increased
      the expression of Beclin-1 and the ratio of microtubule-associated protein 1
      light chain 3 (LC3)-II to LC3-I, suggesting that autophagy was enhanced after
      tBHQ treatment. Moreover, tBHQ treatment restored Bcl-2 and Bax expression and
      reduced caspase-3 cleavage, suggesting the protective effect of tBHQ treatment in
      ameliorating brain injury after SAH. Furthermore, tBHQ enhanced autophagy
      activation, decreased neuronal degeneration and improved the neurological score
      after SAH in Nrf2-deficient mice. Taken together, these findings suggest that
      tBHQ treatment exerts neuro-protective effects against EBI following SAH by
      enhancing Nrf2-independent autophagy. Therefore, tBHQ is a promising therapeutic
      agent against EBI following SAH. 

PMID- 26260378
TI  - [Factors determining patient satisfaction with the pre-anaesthesia consultation].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analyse patient satisfaction with care provided in the pre
      anaesthetic consultation and its determining factors. MATERIAL AND METHOD: An
      anonymous questionnaire was randomly distributed to patients attending a pre
      anaesthesia clinic, which included 4 questions with 5 possible answers on a (very
      dissatisfied, dissatisfied, fairly satisfied, satisfied and very satisfied)
      categorical graduated scale related to punctuality, understanding of the
      information received, respectful treatment, and overall satisfaction. The fifth
      question was about the knowledge or the name of the anaesthesiologist who
      attended them. A binary logistic regression model was used, which identified the
      predictors of satisfaction, calculated the odds ratios, and their respective 95%
      confidence intervals. RESULTS: A total of 4006 questionnaires were analysed, in
      which 99.2% (3966) of users rated as satisfied/very satisfied the question about
      the respectful treatment, 98.4% (3937) of the information received and
      understanding, 77.4% (3096) punctuality in attending, and 97, 6% (3909) overall
      satisfaction. Almost three-quarters (71%, 2844) did not know the name of the
      anaesthesiologist. Regression analysis associated the more satisfied with their
      treatment (OR 17.44; P<.0005) and the information received (OR 14.94, P<.0005),
      while punctuality (OR 5 40; P<.0005) was the factor that contributed less to the
      result. CONCLUSION: In our population satisfaction in pre-anaesthesia
      consultation is due mainly to the communication skills of the anaesthesiologist.

PMID- 26260379
TI  - Drugs as risk factors of acute kidney injury in critically ill children.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a serious condition in critically ill
      children. Nephrotoxic medication exposure is a common contributing factor to AKI,
      but little literature is available in pediatrics. The aim of the present study
      was to assess potential associations between drugs and the risk of developing
      AKI. METHODS: We performed a retrospective case-control study in a pediatric
      intensive care unit (PICU). Cases were patients who developed AKI during PICU
      stay. Patients without AKI served as controls and were matched to cases by age
      and gender in a one-to-one ratio. RESULTS: One hundred case-control pairs were
      included. Cases were not statistically different from controls with regard to
      median weight and main diagnoses, but differed with regard to the need for
      mechanical ventilation, severity of illness, and median length of PICU stay.
      Multivariate models revealed a statistically significant higher risk of
      developing AKI for patients treated with metamizole, morphine, paracetamol, and
      tropisetron. A similar risk could be shown for medication groups, namely
      glucocorticoids, betalactam antibiotics, opioids, and non-steroidal anti
      inflammatory drugs. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that drugs are associated
      with acute renal dysfunction in critically ill children, but the multifactorial
      causes of AKI should be kept in mind.

PMID- 26260380
TI  - Refractory arterial hypertension and renal failure combined with cerebral
      seizures and pancytopenia in a 5-year-old girl with bilateral nephromegaly:
      Questions.

PMID- 26260381
TI  - Refractory arterial hypertension and renal failure combined with cerebral
      seizures and pancytopenia in a 5-year-old girl with bilateral nephromegaly:
      Answers.

PMID- 26260383
TI  - Commonality of rituximab pharmacokinetic disposition in nephrotic syndrome and
      autoimmune cytopenias in chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients.

PMID- 26260382
TI  - Hepatorenal fibrocystic diseases in children.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hepatorenal fibrocystic diseases (HRFCDs) are a group of monogenic
      disorders characterized by developmental abnormalities involving the liver and
      kidney. In this study, we performed genotype and phenotype analyses of children
      with HRFCDs to determine the distribution of underlying diseases. METHODS: A
      total of 36 children with HRFCDs were recruited, with genetic tests being
      performed in 22 patients and 14 patients diagnosed clinically as having autosomal
      recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD). RESULTS: In children with HRFCDs,
      ARPKD was the most common disease, found in 16/36 (44.4 %), followed by
      nephronophthisis 13 (NPHP13) in 11/36 (30.6 %) and Meckel-Gruber syndrome type 3
      (MKS3) in 4/36 (11.1 %). Renal function deteriorated faster in children with
      NPHP13. The main hepatic pathology was Caroli disease in the NPHP13 patients,
      while most other patients had Caroli syndrome or congenital hepatic fibrosis. Of
      note, three of four MKS3 patients had an accompanying choledochal cyst. No ARPKD
      patient had other organ involvement, while several NPHP13 patients had ocular
      and/or neurodevelopmental involvement. In contrast, all MKS3 patients had severe
      ocular and neurodevelopmental involvement. CONCLUSIONS: NPHP13 is a major disease
      in the HRFCD category, and thorough evaluation of its clinical features,
      including kidney, liver and other organ involvement, may aid in the differential
      diagnosis of HRFCD.

PMID- 26260384
TI  - Race and ethnicity considerations in GI endoscopy.

PMID- 26260385
TI  - The role of endoscopy in ampullary and duodenal adenomas.

PMID- 26260386
TI  - Illness and artistic creativity (on the 70th anniversary of the death of Bela
      Bartok, composer, ethnomusicologist and leukemia patient).

PMID- 26260387
TI  - The novel function of CD82 and its impact on BCL2L12 via AKT/STAT5 signal pathway
      in acute myelogenous leukemia cells.
AB  - The aim of this study was to explore the biological functions of a tetraspanin
      family protein CD82 expressed aberrantly in chemotherapy-resistant CD34(+)/CD38(
      ) acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) cells. Microarray analysis of patient-isolated
      CD34(+)/CD38(-) AML cells revealed that the levels of anti-apoptotic protein
      BCL2L12 were downregulated after CD82 depletion by specific short hairpin RNA
      (shRNA). Western blot analysis indicated that BCL2L12 was aberrantly expressed in
      patient-isolated AML cells and AML cell lines. Furthermore, CD82 blockade by a
      specific antibody downregulated BCL2L12 in parallel with dephosphorylation of
      signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5) and AKT, whereas
      pharmacological inhibition of STAT5 and AKT activation decreased BCL2L12
      expression in leukemia cells. In addition, shRNA-mediated downregulation of
      BCL2L12 increased the levels of cleaved caspase-3 and suppressed proliferation of
      leukemia cells, impairing their engraftment in immunodeficient mice. Taken
      together, our results indicate that CD82 regulated BCL2L12 expression via STAT5A
      and AKT signaling and stimulated proliferation and engrafting of leukemia cells,
      suggesting that CD82 and BCL2L12 may be promising therapeutic targets in AML. 

PMID- 26260388
TI  - Characterization of the chromosomal integration of Saccharopolyspora plasmid
      pCM32 and its application to improve production of spinosyn in Saccharopolyspora
      spinosa.
AB  - Saccharopolyspora spinosa produces tetra-cyclic macrolide spinosyns, a group of
      highly efficient pesticidal agents. However, this species lacks efficient vectors
      for genetic manipulation. In this study, the circular plasmid pCM32 was newly
      isolated from Saccharopolyspora endophytica YIM 61095. The complete nucleotide
      sequence of pCM32 consists of 14,611 bp and is predicted to encode 17 open
      reading frames (ORFs). Interestingly, a putative int gene in pCM32 was predicted
      by homologous alignment to encode an integrase belonging to the tyrosine family
      of integrases/recombinases. Plasmid pCM238 containing this int locus derived from
      pCM32 could be transferred by conjugation from Escherichia coli into Sa. spinosa
      at a high frequency. Integration of pCM238 in the host chromosome was
      demonstrated as site-specific recombination (at the tRNA (Ser) gene) via a 56-bp
      core sequence within the attP/attB sites. Plasmid pCM265, a shuttle vector
      containing the int and attP sequences of pCM32, was constructed to introduce
      foreign genes into Sa. spinosa. The production of spinosad approximately doubled
      in Sa. spinosa NRRL18395 after introducing pCM265-derived plasmids carrying the
      genes for phosphofructokinase (PFK) or anthranilate synthase. These results
      indicate that plasmid pCM32 is an actinomycete integrative and conjugative
      element (AICE) and that its derived integrative vectors are useful for
      efficiently introducing foreign DNA into Sa. spinosa. 

PMID- 26260389
TI  - Enduring Elevations of Hippocampal Amyloid Precursor Protein and Iron Are
      Features of beta-Amyloid Toxicity and Are Mediated by Tau.
AB  - The amyloid cascade hypothesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) positions tau protein
      as a downstream mediator of beta-amyloid (Abeta) toxicity This is largely based
      on genetic cross breeding, which showed that tau ablation in young (3-7-month
      old) transgenic mice overexpressing mutant amyloid precursor protein (APP)
      abolished the phenotype of the APP AD model. This evidence is complicated by the
      uncertain impact of overexpressing mutant APP, rather than Abeta alone, and for
      potential interactions between tau and overexpressed APP. Cortical iron elevation
      is also implicated in AD, and tau promotes iron export by trafficking APP to the
      neuronal surface. Here, we utilized an alternative model of Abeta toxicity by
      directly injecting Abeta oligomers into the hippocampus of young and old wild
      type and tau knockout mice. We found that ablation of tau protected against Abeta
      induced cognitive impairment, hippocampal neuron loss, and iron accumulation.
      Despite injected human Abeta being eliminated after 5 weeks, enduring changes,
      including increased APP levels, tau reduction, tau phosphorylation, and iron
      accumulation, were observed. While the results from our study support the amyloid
      cascade hypothesis, they also suggest that downstream effectors of Abeta, which
      propagate toxicity after Abeta has been cleared, may be tractable therapeutic
      targets. 

PMID- 26260391
TI  - Dentures are a Reservoir for Respiratory Pathogens.
AB  - PURPOSE: Recent studies have established a relationship between dental plaque and
      pulmonary infection, particularly in elderly individuals. Given that
      approximately one in five adults in the UK currently wears a denture, there
      remains a gap in our understanding of the direct implications of denture plaque
      on systemic health. The aim of this study was to undertake a comprehensive
      evaluation of putative respiratory pathogens residing upon dentures using a
      targeted quantitative molecular approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and
      thirty patients' dentures were sonicated to remove denture plaque biofilm from
      the surface. DNA was extracted from the samples and was assessed for the presence
      of respiratory pathogens by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Ct
      values were then used to approximate the number of corresponding colony forming
      equivalents (CFEs) based on standard curves. RESULTS: Of the dentures, 64.6% were
      colonized by known respiratory pathogens. Six species were identified:
      Streptococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa,
      Haemophilus influenzae B, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Moraxella catarrhalis. P.
      aeruginosa was the most abundant species followed by S. pneumoniae and S. aureus
      in terms of average CFE and overall proportion of denture plaque. Of the
      participants, 37% suffered from denture stomatitis; however, there were no
      significant differences in the prevalence of respiratory pathogens on dentures
      between healthy and inflamed mouths. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that
      dentures can act as a reservoir for potential respiratory pathogens in the oral
      cavity, thus increasing the theoretical risk of developing aspiration pneumonia.
      Implementation of routine denture hygiene practices could help to reduce the risk
      of respiratory infection among the elderly population.

PMID- 26260392
TI  - Little effect of natural noise on high-frequency hearing in frogs, Odorrana
      tormota.
AB  - Ambient noise influences acoustic communication in animals. The concave-eared
      frogs (Odorrana tormota) produce high-frequency sound signals to avoid potential
      masking from noise. However, whether environmental noise has effect on the high
      frequency hearing of frogs is largely unclear. By measuring the auditory evoked
      near-field potentials (AENFPs) from the torus semicircularis of the midbrain at
      frequencies 1-23 kHz in the presence of three noise levels, we found no
      significant difference in the peak-to-peak amplitude, threshold and latency of
      AENFP between low-level (35 dB SPL) background noise and mid-level (65 dB SPL)
      broadcast natural noise. For a natural noise level of 85 dB SPL, AENFP amplitude
      decreased and threshold and latency increased at frequencies 3-13 kHz. Spike
      counts evoked by stimuli at the best excitatory frequency under 85 dB SPL natural
      noise exposure were lower in 7-kHz CF neurons than in exposures to 35 and 65 dB
      SPL noise. However spike counts were similar for 14- and 20-kHz CF neurons at the
      three exposure levels. These findings indicate that environmental noise does not
      mask the responses of high-frequency tuned auditory neurons, and suggest that the
      acoustic communication system of O. tormota is efficiently adapted to noisy
      habitats. 

PMID- 26260390
TI  - Cannabinoids in Neurodegenerative Disorders and Stroke/Brain Trauma: From
      Preclinical Models to Clinical Applications.
AB  - Cannabinoids form a singular family of plant-derived compounds
      (phytocannabinoids), endogenous signaling lipids (endocannabinoids), and
      synthetic derivatives with multiple biological effects and therapeutic
      applications in the central and peripheral nervous systems. One of these
      properties is the regulation of neuronal homeostasis and survival, which is the
      result of the combination of a myriad of effects addressed to preserve, rescue,
      repair, and/or replace neurons, and also glial cells against multiple insults
      that may potentially damage these cells. These effects are facilitated by the
      location of specific targets for the action of these compounds (e.g., cannabinoid
      type 1 and 2 receptors, endocannabinoid inactivating enzymes, and
      nonendocannabinoid targets) in key cellular substrates (e.g., neurons, glial
      cells, and neural progenitor cells). This potential is promising for acute and
      chronic neurodegenerative pathological conditions. In this review, we will
      collect all experimental evidence, mainly obtained at the preclinical level,
      supporting that different cannabinoid compounds may be neuroprotective in adult
      and neonatal ischemia, brain trauma, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease,
      Huntington's chorea, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. This increasing
      experimental evidence demands a prompt clinical validation of cannabinoid-based
      medicines for the treatment of all these disorders, which, at present, lack
      efficacious treatments for delaying/arresting disease progression, despite the
      fact that the few clinical trials conducted so far with these medicines have
      failed to demonstrate beneficial effects.

PMID- 26260393
TI  - Dedicated Perioperative Hip Fracture Comanagement Programs are Cost-effective in
      High-volume Centers: An Economic Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Osteoporotic hip fractures are common injuries typically occurring in
      patients who are older and medically frail. Studies have suggested that creation
      of a multidisciplinary team including orthopaedic surgeons, internal medicine
      physicians, social workers, and specialized physical therapists, to comanage
      these patients can decrease complication rates, improve time to surgery, and
      reduce hospital length of stay; however, they have yet to achieve widespread
      implementation, partly owing to concerns regarding resource requirements
      necessary for a comanagement program. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We performed an
      economic analysis to determine whether implementation of a comanagement model of
      care for geriatric patients with osteoporotic hip fractures would be a cost
      effective intervention at hospitals with moderate volume. We also calculated what
      annual volume of cases would be needed for a comanagement program to "break
      even", and finally we evaluated whether universal or risk-stratified comanagement
      was more cost effective. METHODS: Decision analysis techniques were used to model
      the effect of implementing a systems-based strategy to improve inpatient
      perioperative care. Costs were obtained from best-available literature and
      included salary to support personnel and resources to expedite time to the
      operating room. The major economic benefit was decreased initial hospital length
      of stay, which was determined via literature review and meta-analysis, and a
      health benefit was improvement in perioperative mortality owing to expedited
      preoperative evaluation based on previously conducted meta-analyses. A break-even
      analysis was conducted to determine the annual case volume necessary for
      comanagement to be either (1) cost effective (improve health-related quality of
      life enough to be worth additional expenses) or (2) result in cost savings
      (actually result in decreased total expenses). This calculation assumed the
      scenario in which a hospital could hire only one hospitalist (and therapist and
      social worker) on a full-time basis. Additionally, we evaluated the scenario
      where the necessary staff was already employed at the hospital and could be
      dedicated to a comanagement service on a part-time basis, and explored the effect
      of triaging only patients considered high risk to a comanagement service versus
      comanaging all geriatric patients. Finally, probabilistic sensitivity analysis
      was conducted on all critical variables, with broad ranges used for values around
      which there was higher uncertainty. RESULTS: For the base case, universal
      comanagement was more cost effective than traditional care and risk-stratified
      comanagement (incremental cost effectiveness ratios of USD 41,100 per quality
      adjusted life-year and USD 81,900 per quality-adjusted life-year, respectively).
      Comanagement was more cost effective than traditional management as long as the
      case volume was more than 54 patients annually (range, 41-68 patients based on
      sensitivity analysis) and resulted in cost savings when there were more than 318
      patients annually (range, 238-397 patients). In a scenario where staff could be
      partially dedicated to a comanagement service, universal comanagement was more
      cost effective than risk-stratified comanagement (incremental cost effectiveness
      of USD 2300 per quality-adjusted life-year), and both comanagement programs had
      lower costs and better outcomes compared with traditional management. Sensitivity
      analysis was conducted and showed that the level of uncertainty in key variables
      was not high enough to change the core conclusions of the model. CONCLUSIONS:
      Implementation of a systems-based comanagement strategy using a dedicated team to
      improve perioperative medical care and expedite preoperative evaluation is cost
      effective in hospitals with moderate volume and can result in cost savings at
      higher-volume centers. The optimum patient population for a comanagement strategy
      is still being defined. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 1, Economic and Decision
      Analysis.

PMID- 26260394
TI  - A Porcine Knee Model Is Valid for Use in the Evaluation of Arthroscopic Skills: A
      Pilot Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previously validated knee arthroscopy evaluation tools have used
      human cadaveric knees. This is unsustainable because of the cost and scarcity of
      these specimens. Porcine (pig) knees are anatomically similar, affordable, and
      easily obtainable; however, whether porcine knees represent a suitable
      alternative to human specimens has not been evaluated. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: The
      purpose of this study was to determine whether porcine knees are similar to human
      cadaveric knees for the assessment of knee arthroscopy skills by evaluating (1)
      the validity of the porcine model (whether trainees of the same level of ability
      scored similarly when using the two models) and (2) the reliability of the
      porcine model (whether surgeons with experience achieved higher scores than
      surgeons with less experience in the porcine model). METHODS: Eleven orthopaedic
      surgery residents (five junior residents and six senior residents), one
      orthopaedic sports medicine fellow, and three attending orthopaedic surgeons were
      enrolled. Participants were provided instructions for a proper arthroscopic
      examination of the knee and asked to identify, and then probe, the listed
      anatomic structures on both the human and porcine knee specimens. Each
      participant was asked to demonstrate the following skills: joint manipulation,
      instrument control and triangulation, fluid management, maintenance of field of
      view, economy of movement, and efficiency. The Objective Assessment of
      Arthroscopic Skills (OAAS) and checklist for diagnostic arthroscopy of the knee
      were used for skills assessment by one observer. Internal consistency, a measure
      of how well the assessment tool measures the skills being studied, was determined
      by Cronbach's alpha and group differences investigated by paired t-test and
      Wilcoxon signed-rank tests where appropriate. Based on a sample size calculation,
      a total of 37 subjects would be required for the full-scale research study to
      achieve a power of 0.80, with alpha set at 0.05, to detect a difference in OAAS
      score of 4.73 (25%). This value is outside of the 95% confidence intervals for
      the human knee. RESULTS: We found the porcine model to have a high level of face
      validity. There was no difference with the numbers available in total OAAS scores
      (mean +/- SD; 95% confidence interval [CI]) within subjects between the human
      (18.93 +/- 7.54; 14.76-23.11) and porcine (17.87 +/- 6.36; 14.34-21.39) knees (p
      = 0.433). There was also no difference (p = 0.234) with the numbers available in
      overall OAAS score among participants working on either human (2.60 +/- 1.35;
      1.85-3.35) or porcine (2.33 +/- 0.90; 1.84-2.83) specimens. Internal consistency
      of the simulation for both the human and porcine knees was high and did not
      differ between groups (Cronbach's alpha was 0.919 in the human knee and 0.954 in
      the porcine knee), suggesting the OAAS outcome score specifically assesses
      arthroscopic skill of participants in both the human and porcine models. More
      experienced arthroscopists scored higher than did less experienced trainees;
      there was high correlation (Pearson's correlation coefficient r, 95% CI) between
      years of experience and total OAAS scores in human (0.78; 0.46-0.92) and porcine
      (0.80; 0.49-0.93) diagnostic arthroscopy models. CONCLUSIONS: The porcine
      cadaveric knee model was a valid surrogate for the human knee in arthroscopic
      skills assessment. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Trainees can be objectively evaluated
      using an affordable model that allows summative and formative feedback in the
      laboratory at a fraction of the cost of previously validated methods.

PMID- 26260395
TI  - CORR Insights((r)): Backside Wear Is Not Dependent on the Acetabular Socket
      Design in Crosslinked Polyethylene Liners.

PMID- 26260396
TI  - Development and Validation of a Distal Embolization Risk Score During Primary
      Angioplasty in ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction.
AB  - This study aims to develop and validate a new angiographic risk score to predict
      the risk of distal embolization (DE) during primary percutaneous coronary
      intervention (p-PCI) for ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Study included data
      from 1,200 patients who underwent p-PCI. The cohort was randomly split into a
      derivation cohort (n = 814) and a validation cohort (n = 386). Logistic
      regression was used to examine the relation between risk factors and the
      occurrence of DE. To each covariate in the model was assigned an integer score
      based on the regression coefficients. Variables included in the risk score,
      according to multivariable analysis, were occlusion pattern of infarct-related
      artery, Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction Thrombus Score 2 to 4, reference
      vessel diameter >=3.5 mm, and lesion length >20 mm. To each variable was assigned
      a 0- to +2-point score according to the strength of the statistical association.
      Rates of DE in low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups were 5.6%, 15.8%, and
      40% in the derivation cohort (p for trend <0.0001; C-statistic 0.70) and 7.5%,
      12.1%, and 37.9% in the validation cohort (p for trend <0.0001; C-statistic
      0.62), respectively. In conclusion, the individual risk of DE in patients who
      underwent p-PCI can be predicted using a simple 4-variables model based on
      angiographic features. 

PMID- 26260397
TI  - Six-Year Prognostic Value of Microvascular Obstruction After Reperfused ST
      Elevation Myocardial Infarction as Assessed by Contrast-Enhanced Cardiovascular
      Magnetic Resonance.
AB  - Although recent studies showed the prognostic value of cardiac magnetic resonance
      (CMR) parameters especially microvascular obstruction (MO) after reperfused ST
      elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), a study assessing their prognostic
      significance for long-term follow-up is missing so far. The objective of this
      study was to determine the prognostic impact of MO on long-term prognosis after
      reperfused first STEMI in a setting allocating CMR-assessed parameters to hard
      clinical events only. In 249 patients, CMR was performed after reperfused STEMI,
      and hereby, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), infarct size (IS), and the
      amount of MO were quantified. Follow-up (median 6.0 years) was obtained regarding
      occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE). MACE occurred more often in
      patients showing presence of MO (MO vs no MO: n = 61 [54%] vs n = 12 [9%], p
      <0.0001). By multivariate analysis, the extent of MO remained the strongest
      predictor (p <0.001) for occurrence of MACE and provided incremental prognostic
      value over clinical variables and LVEF (p = 0.028, c-index increase from 0.723 to
      0.817). In conclusion, CMR-assessed MO proves predictive for assessment of 6-year
      prognosis in patients after reperfused first STEMI and provides incremental
      prognostic information over clinical variables and LVEF in a setting based on
      hard end points. 

PMID- 26260399
TI  - Promoting Fruit and Vegetables in Young Children: What Advice Can Pediatricians
      Give to Parents?

PMID- 26260398
TI  - Association of Chronic Kidney Disease With Chronotropic Incompetence in Heart
      Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction.
AB  - Chronotropic incompetence (CI) is common in heart failure with preserved ejection
      fraction (HFpEF) and may be a key reason underlying exercise intolerance in these
      patients. However, the determinants of CI in HFpEF are unknown. We prospectively
      studied 157 patients with consecutive HFpEF who underwent cardiopulmonary
      exercise testing and defined CI according to specific thresholds of the percent
      heart rate reserve (%HRR). CI was diagnosed as present if %HRR <80 if not taking
      a beta blocker and <62 if taking beta blockers. Participants who achieved
      inadequate exercise effort (respiratory exchange ratio <=1.05) on cardiopulmonary
      exercise testing were excluded. Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression was
      used to determine the factors associated with CI. Of the 157 participants, 108
      (69%) achieved a respiratory exchange ratio >1.05 and were included in the final
      analysis. Of these 108 participants, 70% were women, 62% were taking beta
      blockers, and 38% had chronic kidney disease. Most patients with HFpEF met
      criteria for CI (81 of 108; 75%). Lower estimated glomerular filtration rate
      (GFR), higher B-type natriuretic peptide, and higher pulmonary artery systolic
      pressure were each associated with CI. A 1-SD decrease in GFR was independently
      associated with CI after multivariable adjustment (adjusted odds ratio 2.2, 95%
      confidence interval 1.1 to 4.4, p = 0.02). The association between reduced GFR
      and CI persisted when considering a variety of measures of chronotropic response.
      In conclusion, reduced GFR is the major clinical correlate of CI in patients with
      HFpEF, and further study of the relation between chronic kidney disease and CI
      may provide insight into the pathophysiology of CI in HFpEF. 

PMID- 26260400
TI  - Major Themes in the Personal Statements of Pediatric Resident Applicants.

PMID- 26260401
TI  - Facial Pain in a Child With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

PMID- 26260402
TI  - The Risk of Musculoskeletal Adverse Events With Fluoroquinolones in Children:
      What Is the Verdict Now?

PMID- 26260403
TI  - TLR9 regulates adipose tissue inflammation and obesity-related metabolic
      disorders.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Recent studies have revealed a link between Toll-like receptor (TLR)
      signaling and the adipose tissue inflammation associated with obesity. Although
      TLR9 is known to play an important role in inflammation and innate immunity, its
      role in mediating adipose tissue inflammation has not yet been investigated.
      Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the role of TLR9 in regulating
      immune cells in visceral adipose tissue and maintaining the metabolic
      homeostasis. METHODS: Wild-type and TLR9-deficient mice were fed with a high-fat
      diet, and the body weight gain, glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, and
      adipose tissue inflammation were examined. RESULTS: TLR9-deficient mice gained
      significantly more weight and body fat under a high-fat diet than wild-type mice
      and exhibited more severe glucose intolerance and insulin resistance. We also
      found a dramatic increase of M1 macrophages as well as TH 1 cells in the adipose
      tissue of TLR9-deficient mice compared to wild-type mice. Furthermore, the levels
      of various proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines were higher in TLR9-deficient
      mice. CONCLUSIONS: TLR9 signaling is involved in regulating adipose tissue
      inflammation and controlling obesity and the metabolic syndrome.

PMID- 26260404
TI  - Improving mental and physical health outcomes in general healthcare settings: a
      Gedenkschrift in honor of Wayne Katon, MD (1950-2015).
AB  - This special article pays tribute to Wayne Katon, MD (1950-2015) with a
      Gedenkschrift, or review, of his prolific academic career. Abstracts of all of
      Dr. Katon's Medline citations were reviewed to develop a narrative of his seminal
      epidemiological and interventional research findings. Specifically, we describe:
      (a) how Dr. Katon's clinical work and observational epidemiology and health
      services research informed and guided interventional studies; (b) the evolution
      of multidisciplinary interventional trials from primary care-based psychiatric
      consultation to primary care-based collaborative care for depression to
      multicondition collaborative care; and (c) how Dr. Katon's research has informed
      the work of other leading researchers in the field of psychosomatic medicine and
      helped develop a new generation of researchers at the interface of psychiatry and
      primary care. For more than three decades, Dr. Katon led a multidisciplinary
      research team that conducted seminal epidemiological studies and randomized
      trials and that influenced the thinking and research in the field of psychiatry
      in a number of areas: (a) the importance and impact of mental disorders
      presenting in primary care settings and (b) the organization of effective
      multidisciplinary care for primary care patients with common mental disorders and
      comorbid medical conditions. Dr. Katon's work revolutionized the care of
      psychiatric illnesses in primary care and other medical care settings to the
      benefit of countless patients worldwide. 

PMID- 26260405
TI  - Continuous flow synthesis of a carbon-based molecular cage macrocycle via a three
      fold homocoupling reaction.
AB  - The facile synthesis of the cage molecule (C110H56Br2) via a remarkable three
      fold homo-coupling macrocyclization reaction using continuous flow methodology is
      reported. Synthesis via continuous flow chemistry improves the residence time,
      safety, and environmental profile of this synthetically challenging reaction.
      Further, the new cage possesses halogen atoms at its apex that serve to expand
      the potential reaction space of these intrinsically porous, all carbon-carbon
      bonded molecular cage molecules. 

PMID- 26260406
TI  - Periconceptional folic acid fortification for the risk of gestational
      hypertension and pre-eclampsia: a meta-analysis of prospective studies.
AB  - Published literatures report controversial results about the association of folic
      acid-containing multivitamins with gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia. A
      comprehensive search was performed to identify related prospective studies to
      assess the effect of folic acid fortification on gestational hypertension and pre
      eclampsia. The Q test and I(2) statistic were used to examine between-study
      heterogeneity. Fixed or random effects models were selected based on study
      heterogeneity. A funnel plot and modified Egger linear regression test were used
      to estimate publication bias. Eleven studies conformed to the criteria. Pooled
      results indicated that folic acid fortification alone was not associated with the
      occurrence of gestational hypertension [relative risk (RR) = 1.03, 95% confidence
      interval (CI): 0.98-1.09, P = 0.267] and pre-eclampsia (RR = 0.99, 95% CI: 0.90
      1.08, P = 0.738). However, supplementation of multivitamins containing folic acid
      could prevent gestational hypertension (RR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.43-0.76, P < 0.001)
      and pre-eclampsia (RR = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.48-0.84, P = 0.001). The difference
      between folic acid fortification alone and multivitamins containing folic acid
      was significant. This meta-analysis suggests that periconceptional multivitamin
      supplementation with appropriate dose, not folic acid alone, is an appropriate
      recommendation for pregnant women. The effect should be further confirmed by
      conducting large-scale randomised controlled trials.

PMID- 26260407
TI  - Susceptibility versus resistance in alveolar echinococcosis (larval infection
      with Echinococcus multilocularis).
AB  - Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that the majority of human individuals
      exposed to infection with Echinococcus spp. eggs exhibit resistance to disease as
      shown by either seroconversion to parasite--specific antigens, and/or the
      presence of 'dying out' or 'aborted' metacestodes, not including hereby those
      individuals who putatively got infected but did not seroconvert and who
      subsequently allowed no development of the pathogen. For those individuals where
      infection leads to disease, the developing parasite is partially controlled by
      host immunity. In infected humans, the type of immune response developed by the
      host accounts for the subsequent trichotomy concerning the parasite development:
      (i) seroconversion proving infection, but lack of any hepatic lesion indicating
      the failure of the parasite to establish and further develop within the liver; or
      resistance as shown by the presence of fully calcified lesions; (ii) controlled
      susceptibility as found in the "conventional" alveolar echinococcosis (AE)
      patients who experience clinical signs and symptoms approximately 5-15 years
      after infection, and (iii) uncontrolled hyperproliferation of the metacestode due
      to an impaired immune response (AIDS or other immunodeficiencies).
      Immunomodulation of host immunity toward anergy seems to be triggered by parasite
      metabolites. Beside immunomodulating IL-10, TGFbeta-driven regulatory T cells
      have been shown to play a crucial role in the parasite-modulated progressive
      course of AE. A novel CD4+CD25+ Treg effector molecule FGL2 recently yielded new
      insight into the tolerance process in Echinococcus multilocularis infection.

PMID- 26260408
TI  - Taxonomy, phylogeny and molecular epidemiology of Echinococcus multilocularis:
      From fundamental knowledge to health ecology.
AB  - Alveolar echinococcosis, caused by the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis, is
      one of the most severe parasitic diseases in humans and represents one of the 17
      neglected diseases prioritised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2012.
      Considering the major medical and veterinary importance of this parasite, the
      phylogeny of the genus Echinococcus is of considerable importance; yet, despite
      numerous efforts with both mitochondrial and nuclear data, it has remained
      unresolved. The genus is clearly complex, and this is one of the reasons for the
      incomplete understanding of its taxonomy. Although taxonomic studies have
      recognised E. multilocularis as a separate entity from the Echinococcus
      granulosus complex and other members of the genus, it would be premature to draw
      firm conclusions about the taxonomy of the genus before the phylogeny of the
      whole genus is fully resolved. The recent sequencing of E. multilocularis and E.
      granulosus genomes opens new possibilities for performing in-depth phylogenetic
      analyses. In addition, whole genome data provide the possibility of inferring
      phylogenies based on a large number of functional genes, i.e. genes that trace
      the evolutionary history of adaptation in E. multilocularis and other members of
      the genus. Moreover, genomic data open new avenues for studying the molecular
      epidemiology of E. multilocularis: genotyping studies with larger panels of
      genetic markers allow the genetic diversity and spatial dynamics of parasites to
      be evaluated with greater precision. There is an urgent need for international
      coordination of genotyping of E. multilocularis isolates from animals and human
      patients. This could be fundamental for a better understanding of the
      transmission of alveolar echinococcosis and for designing efficient healthcare
      strategies. 

PMID- 26260409
TI  - A large-scale study of the Trichinella genus in the golden jackal (Canis aureus)
      population in Serbia.
AB  - Over the last decades the golden jackal (Canis aureus) has significantly expanded
      its range throughout Southeast and Central Europe, and the Balkan Peninsula is
      considered to be a core area of the species distribution in this part of the
      range. Due to its increasing number, ability of long distance movement through a
      wide range of landscapes and opportunistic feeding habits, the golden jackal may
      represent an important reservoir and transmitter of a variety of zoonotic agents,
      including parasites. The Balkans, Serbia included, remain an endemic area for
      various zoonotic parasites including Trichinella spp. Trichinella has recently
      been recorded in jackals in Serbia, which prompted us to carry out a large-scale
      survey of its prevalence, distribution and species identification in this host.
      In cooperation with local hunters, carcasses of a total of 738 legally hunted
      golden jackals were collected at 24 localities over an 11-year period (2003
      2013). Analysis of tongue base tissue revealed Trichinella larvae in 122,
      indicating a prevalence of infection of 16.5%. No difference in the prevalence of
      infection was found between genders [16.2% in males and 16.9% in females
      (chi(2)=0.05, p=0.821)], or among the study years (G=7.22, p=0.705). Trichinella
      larvae were found in 13 out of the 24 examined localities. Molecular
      identification was performed for 90 isolates, and 64 (71.1%) larvae were
      identified as Trichinella spiralis and 25 (27.9%) as Trichinella britovi. Mixed
      infection (T. spiralis and T. britovi) was recorded in a single case. Although T.
      spiralis was more prevalent, T. britovi had a wider distribution, and was the
      only recorded species in jackal populations from the mountainous region of
      eastern Serbia. On the other hand, T. spiralis was dominant in jackals in the
      lowlands of central and northern Serbia, where domestic pigs are mostly reared.
      These results show that the golden jackal is involved in both the domestic and
      sylvatic cycle, and that it has emerged as a major host species in the sylvatic
      cycle of the Trichinella genus. Therefore, continued monitoring of Trichinella
      infection in golden jackals in Serbia and the whole of the Balkans is recommended
      in order to control transmission of this parasite to humans and domestic animals.

PMID- 26260410
TI  - The reviewers of Actas Urologicas Espanolas. A privilege for our Urology.

PMID- 26260411
TI  - Alcohol- and drug-related absenteeism: a costly problem.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Absenteeism related to alcohol and other drug (AOD) use can place a
      substantial burden on businesses and society. This study estimated the cost of
      AOD-related absenteeism in Australia using a nationally representative dataset.
      METHODS: A secondary analysis of the 2013 National Drug Strategy Household Survey
      (n=12,196) was undertaken. Two measures of AOD-related absenteeism were used:
      participants' self-reported absence due to AOD use (M1); and the mean difference
      in absence due to any illness/injury for AOD users compared to abstainers (M2).
      Both figures were multiplied by $267.70 (average day's wage in 2013 plus 20% on
      costs) to estimate associated costs. RESULTS: M1 resulted in an estimation of 2.5
      million days lost annually due to AOD use, at a cost of more than $680 million.
      M2 resulted in an estimation of almost 11.5 million days lost, at a cost of $3
      billion. CONCLUSIONS: AOD-related absenteeism represents a significant and
      preventable impost upon Australian businesses. IMPLICATIONS: Workplaces should
      implement evidence-based interventions to promote healthy employee behaviour and
      reduce AOD-related absenteeism.

PMID- 26260412
TI  - Mechanisms and in vitro effects of cepharanthine hydrochloride: Classification
      analysis of the drug-induced differentially-expressed genes of human
      nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells.
AB  - Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is the most commonly diagnosed head and neck
      malignancy and is prevalent worldwide. Previous studies have demonstrated the
      antitumor properties of cepharanthine hydrochloride (CH) in several human cancer
      cells. However, the action of CH in NPC cells has yet to be determined. In the
      present study, we investigated the effects of CH in human NPC cell lines
      including CNE-1 and CNE-2 on cell growth and apoptosis in vitro. Using MTT and
      ATP-tumor chemosensitivity assays it was found that CH inhibited cell viability.
      Additionally, flow cytometric and analysis electron microscopy revealed the
      inhibition of cell cycle progression and reduction of apoptosis, respectively, in
      human NPC cell lines including CNE-1 and CNE-2 in vitro. To identify the
      potential action mechanisms of CH, the cDNA microarray analysis results were
      confirmed by quantitative PCR analysis using a number of genes, including
      CDKN1A/P21, NR4A1/TR3 and DAXX. In total, 138 upregulated and 63 downregulated
      genes in CNE-2 cells were treated with CH. According to their biological
      function, the genes were classified as: i) cell cycle-related genes; ii) DNA
      repair-related genes; iii) apoptosis-related genes and iv) nuclear factor-kappaB
      (NF-kappaB) transcription factors signal pathways. The results of the present
      study showed that CH is a potential therapeutic agent against human NPC, and
      provide rational explanations and a scientific basis for the study of the
      development of CH in the treatment of NPC.

PMID- 26260413
TI  - Fish oil and krill oil differentially modify the liver and brain lipidome when
      fed to mice.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Marine food is an important source of omega-3 fatty acids with
      beneficial health effects. Oils from marine organisms have different fatty acid
      composition and differ in their molecular composition. Fish oil (FO) has a high
      content of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids mainly esterified to
      triacylglycerols, while in krill oil (KO) these fatty acids are mainly esterified
      to phospholipids. The aim was to study the effects of these oils on the lipid
      content and fatty acid distribution in the various lipid classes in liver and
      brain of mice. METHODS: Mice were fed either a high-fat diet (HF), a HF diet
      supplemented with FO or with KO (n = 6). After six weeks of feeding, liver and
      brain lipid extracts were analysed using a shotgun and TAG lipidomics approach.
      Student t-test was performed after log-transformation to compare differences
      between study groups. RESULTS: Six weeks of feeding resulted in significant
      changes in the relative abundance of many lipid classes compared to control mice.
      In both FO and KO fed mice, the triacylglycerol content in the liver was more
      than doubled. The fatty acid distribution was affected by the oils in both liver
      and brain with a decrease in the abundance of 18:2 and 20:4, and an increase in
      20:5 and 22:6 in both study groups. 18:2 decreased in all lipid classes in the FO
      group but with only minor changes in the KO group. Differences between the
      feeding groups were particularly evident in some of the minor lipid classes that
      are associated with inflammation and insulin resistance. Ceramides and
      diacylglycerols were decreased and cholesteryl esters increased in the liver of
      the KO group, while plasmalogens were decreased in the FO group. In the brain,
      diacylglycerols were decreased, more by KO than FO, while ceramides and
      lactosylceramides were increased, more by FO than KO. CONCLUSION: The changes in
      the hepatic sphingolipids and 20:4 fatty acid levels were greater in the KO
      compared to the FO fed mice, and are consistent with a hypothesis that krill oil
      will have a stronger anti-inflammatory action and enhances insulin sensitivity
      more potently than fish oil.

PMID- 26260414
TI  - Synthesis, Biological, and Computational Evaluation of Novel 1,3,5-Substituted
      Indolin-2-one Derivatives as Inhibitors of Src Tyrosine Kinase.
AB  - Several substituted indolin-2-one derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for
      their activities against Src kinase. Several compounds showed activity against
      Src, with IC50 values in the low micromolar range. Among them, compound 2f showed
      the most significant activity with an IC50 value of 1.02 MUM. Molecular docking
      studies have been performed for evaluation of the binding modes of compound 2f
      into the Src active site. The docking structure of compound 2f disclosed that the
      indole NH forms a hydrogen bond with the carbonyl of Met341. These results
      suggest that our novel compound 2f is a promising compound for the further
      development of indole-based drugs targeting Src kinase.

PMID- 26260415
TI  - Copper-catalyzed aerobic autoxidation of N-hydroxycarbamates probed by mass
      spectrometry.
AB  - We present herein a mechanistic investigation by nanoelectrospray ionization mass
      spectrometry of copper-catalyzed aerobic oxidative processes involved in the N
      nitrosocarbonyl aldol reaction of N-hydroxycarbamates. Protonated amine and
      copper as charge-tags aided the detection of reaction intermediates, which
      verified the enamine mechanism together with a competing enol process. Our
      experimental results reveal that the copper-catalyzed aerobic oxidation of N
      hydroxycarbamates may proceed through an autoxidation catalytic mechanism in
      which a CbzNHO(.) radical abstracts a hydrogen from the bound N-hydroxycarbamate
      to release the nitroso intermediate through a bimolecular hydrogen-atom transfer.
      In this process, the chiral diamine also works as a ligand for copper to
      facilitate the aerobic oxidative step. The dual role of the chiral vicinal
      diamine as both an aminocatalyst and a bidentate ligand was finally uncovered. 

PMID- 26260416
TI  - Genetic structure and relationships of 16 Asian and European cattle populations
      using DigiTag2 assay.
AB  - In this study, we genotyped 117 autosomal single nucleotide polymorphisms using a
      DigiTag2 assay to assess the genetic diversity, structure and relationships of 16
      Eurasian cattle populations, including nine cattle breeds and seven native
      cattle. Phylogenetic and principal component analyses showed that Bos taurus and
      Bos indicus populations were clearly distinguished, whereas Japanese Shorthorn
      and Japanese Polled clustered with European populations. Furthermore, STRUCTURE
      analysis demonstrated the distinct separation between Bos taurus and Bos indicus
      (K=2), and between European and Asian populations (K=3). In addition, Japanese
      Holstein exhibited an admixture pattern with Asian and European cattle (K=3-5).
      Mongolian (K=13-16) and Japanese Black (K=14-16) populations exhibited admixture
      patterns with different ancestries. Bos indicus populations exhibited a uniform
      genetic structure at K=2-11, thereby suggesting that there are close genetic
      relationships among Bos indicus populations. However, the Bhutan and Bangladesh
      populations formed a cluster distinct from the other Bos indicus populations at
      K=12-16. In conclusion, our study could sufficiently explain the genetic
      construction of Asian cattle populations, including: (i) the close genetic
      relationships among Bos indicus populations; (ii) the genetic influences of
      European breeds on Japanese breeds; (iii) the genetic admixture in Japanese
      Holstein, Mongolian and Japanese Black cattle; and (iv) the genetic
      subpopulations in Southeast Asia. 

PMID- 26260418
TI  - Clever surgeons and challenging study endpoints.

PMID- 26260417
TI  - Electrospun PLA/MWCNTs composite nanofibers for combined chemo- and photothermal
      therapy.
AB  - Carbon nanotubes are effective thermal generators by absorbing near-infrared
      radiation (NIR). In this study, multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and
      doxorubicin (DOX) were successfully electrospun into the poly-l-lactic acid
      (PLLA) nanofibers. It is confirmed that NIR radiation could not only initiate
      burst release of DOX from the fibers due to the relatively low glass transition
      temperature (Tg) of PLLA, but also significantly increase the temperature of
      fibers-covering tumor site. The multifunctional fibers showed increased
      cytotoxicity both in vitro and in vivo by the combination of photothermal induced
      hyperthermia and chemotherapy with DOX. This drug delivery system could be very
      useful and convenient in future clinical applications for localized cancer
      therapy. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Combination of chemo- and photothermal
      therapy has been widely researched owing to its enhanced cancer treatment
      efficacy. In this study, chemotherapy and photothermal therapy were integrated
      into one single system using electrospun DOX/MWCNTs loaded PLLA nanofiber mats
      and the anti-cancer efficacy of the fibers was studied in vivo for the first
      time. The effective NIR irradiation control showed a typical switch on/off effect
      on the release behavior of drug. As local delivery system, the fibers maximize
      the drug concentration in tumor and keep the MWCNTs in the surroundings of tumor,
      thus allowing a repeated localized heating. The high porosity of nanofibers is
      easy for cell binding, which may present an attractive alternative for local
      hyperthermia treatment of easily metastasizing tumors.

PMID- 26260419
TI  - Hot topic of cancer survivorship and the 'seven deadly sins'.

PMID- 26260420
TI  - Robotic partial nephrectomy: the treatment of choice for minimally invasive
      nephron-sparing surgery.

PMID- 26260421
TI  - Do 'whale noises' help in the diagnosis of Fowler's syndrome?

PMID- 26260422
TI  - Changes in temporomandibular joint morphology in class II patients treated with
      fixed mandibular repositioning and evaluated through 3D imaging: a systematic
      review.
AB  - To estimate the effects of skeletal class II malocclusion treatment using fixed
      mandibular repositioning appliances on the position and morphology of the
      temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Two independent reviewers performed comprehensive
      electronic searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE, EBM reviews and Scopus (until May 5,
      2015). The references of the identified articles were also manually searched. All
      studies investigating morphological changes of the TMJ articular disc, condyle
      and glenoid fossa with 3D imaging following non-surgical fixed mandibular
      repositioning appliances in growing individuals with class II malocclusions were
      included in the analysis. Of the 269 articles initially reviewed, only 12
      articles used magnetic resonance imaging and two articles used computed
      tomography (CT) or cone-beam CT images. Treatment effect on condyle and glenoid
      fossa was discussed in eight articles. Treatment effect on TMJ articular disc
      position and morphology was discussed in seven articles. All articles showed a
      high risk of bias due to deficient methodology: inadequate consideration of
      confounding variables, blinding of image assessment, selection or absence of
      control group and outcome measurement. Reported changes in osseous remodelling,
      condylar and disc position were contradictory. The selected articles failed to
      establish conclusive evidence of the exact nature of TMJ tissue response to fixed
      mandibular repositioning appliances. 

PMID- 26260423
TI  - Antecedent blood pressure as a predictor of cardiovascular disease.
AB  - Elevated blood pressure (BP) is associated with greater risk of cardiovascular
      disease (CVD), and evidence suggests that prior BP levels may be at least as
      important as current BP in prediction models. We analyzed the determinants of CVD
      risk in Offspring Framingham Heart Study participants (n = 3344). The baseline
      Cox model included the traditional risk factors and current systolic BP to
      predict 20-year risk of CVD (643 events). Current systolic BP was significant,
      and the associated hazard ratio was 1.09 for 10 mm Hg (confidence interval [CI]
      95%: 1.04-1.15). A second model used the traditional risk factors plus antecedent
      BP (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.19; CI 95%: 1.10-1.24). In a third model that included
      traditional risk factors and both current and antecedent BP, the antecedent BP
      was significant (HR = 1.18; CI 95%: 1.08-1.23), but the current BP was not
      statistically significant (HR = 1.01; CI 95%: 0.97-1.09). Antecedent BP showed a
      significantly stronger effect on risk of CVD than current BP. 

PMID- 26260424
TI  - Ambulatory Arterial Stiffness Index and circadian blood pressure variability.
AB  - The manner in which the circulation accommodates each heartbeat may underlie
      blood pressure (BP) variability. We used the Ambulatory Arterial Stiffness Index
      (AASI), which reflects this ventricular-vascular interaction, in untreated
      individuals with prehypertension and Stage 1 hypertension to evaluate two
      different measures of BP variability using the brachial pulse pressure (PP)
      obtained over 24 hours. We enrolled 64 untreated adults with systolic BP between
      130-159 mm Hg and diastolic values of <100 mm Hg who underwent 24-hour ambulatory
      BP monitoring with calculation of 24-hour AASIs. Variability in brachial PP was
      determined using the standard deviation of the measurements over 24 hours and the
      average real variability. The 24-hour AASI correlated with both measures of 24
      hour PP variability (P < .001 for both). Subdividing the 24-hour stiffness index
      into daytime and nighttime components showed modest differences in their
      relationship to PP variability, with the daytime being significantly different
      from 24-hour AASI and the standard deviation of the brachial PP consistently
      having a higher correlation to the AASI when compared with the average real
      variability. These observations may be useful to understand differences in
      variability measures of BP measurements, such as PP, to measures like the AASI as
      reported in longitudinal studies. 

PMID- 26260425
TI  - Is there a bend in the upward trend of high blood pressure in childhood?: A
      commentary on prevalence of and trends in dyslipidemia and blood pressure among
      US children and adolescents, 1999-2012.

PMID- 26260428
TI  - High resolution whole brain diffusion imaging at 7T for the Human Connectome
      Project.
AB  - Mapping structural connectivity in healthy adults for the Human Connectome
      Project (HCP) benefits from high quality, high resolution, multiband (MB)
      accelerated whole brain diffusion MRI (dMRI). Acquiring such data at ultrahigh
      fields (7T and above) can improve intrinsic signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), but
      suffers from shorter T2 and T2(*) relaxation times, increased B1(+) inhomogeneity
      (resulting in signal loss in cerebellar and temporal lobe regions), and increased
      power deposition (i.e. specific absorption rate (SAR)), thereby limiting our
      ability to reduce the repetition time (TR). Here, we present recent developments
      and optimizations in 7T image acquisitions for the HCP that allow us to
      efficiently obtain high quality, high resolution whole brain in-vivo dMRI data at
      7T. These data show spatial details typically seen only in ex-vivo studies and
      complement already very high quality 3T HCP data in the same subjects. The
      advances are the result of intensive pilot studies aimed at mitigating the
      limitations of dMRI at 7T. The data quality and methods described here are
      representative of the datasets that will be made freely available to the
      community in 2015. 

PMID- 26260430
TI  - Neuroplasticity and MRI: A perfect match.
AB  - Numerous studies have illustrated the benefits of physical workout and cognitive
      exercise on brain function and structure and, more importantly, on decelerating
      cognitive decline in old age and promoting functional rehabilitation following
      injury. Despite these behavioral observations, the exact mechanisms underlying
      these neuroplastic phenomena remain obscure. This gap illustrates the need for
      carefully designed in-depth studies using valid models and translational tools
      which allow to uncover the observed events up to the molecular level. We promote
      the use of in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) because it is a powerful
      translational imaging technique able to extract functional, structural, and
      biochemical information from the entire brain. Advanced processing techniques
      allow performing voxel-based analyses which are capable of detecting novel loci
      implicated in specific neuroplastic events beyond traditional regions-of-interest
      analyses. In addition, its non-invasive character sets it as currently the best
      global imaging tool for performing dynamic longitudinal studies on the same
      living subject, allowing thus exploring the effects of experience, training,
      treatment etc. in parallel to additional measures such as age, cognitive
      performance scores, hormone levels, and many others. The aim of this review is
      (i) to introduce how different animal models contributed to extend the knowledge
      on neuroplasticity in both health and disease, over different life stages and
      upon various experiences, and (ii) to illustrate how specific MRI techniques can
      be applied successfully to inform on the fundamental mechanisms underlying
      experience-dependent or activity-induced neuroplasticity including cognitive
      processes.

PMID- 26260429
TI  - Brain extraction in pediatric ADC maps, toward characterizing neuro-development
      in multi-platform and multi-institution clinical images.
AB  - Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) maps can be used to characterize myelination
      and to detect abnormalities in the developing brain. However, given the normal
      variation in regional ADC with myelination, detection of abnormalities is
      difficult when based on visual assessment. Quantitative and automated analysis of
      pediatric ADC maps is thus desired but requires accurate brain extraction as the
      first step. Currently, most existing brain extraction methods are optimized for
      structural T1-weighted MR images of fully myelinated brains. Due to differences
      in age and image contrast, these approaches do not translate well to pediatric
      ADC maps. To address this problem, we present a multi-atlas brain extraction
      framework that has 1) specificity: designed and optimized specifically for
      pediatric ADC maps; 2) generality: applicable to multi-platform and multi
      institution data, and to subjects at various neuro-developmental stages across
      the first 6 years of life; 3) accuracy: highly accurate compared to expert
      annotations; and 4) consistency: consistently accurate regardless of sources of
      data and ages of subjects. We show how we achieve these goals, via optimizing
      major components in a multi-atlas brain extraction framework, and via developing
      and evaluating new criteria for its atlas ranking component. Moreover, we
      demonstrate that these goals can be achieved with a fixed set of atlases and a
      fixed set of parameters, which opens doors for our optimized framework to be used
      in large-scale and multi-institution neuro-developmental and clinical studies. In
      a pilot study, we use this framework in a dataset containing scanner-generated
      ADC maps from 308 pediatric patients collected during the course of routine
      clinical care. Our framework leads to successful quantifications of the changes
      in whole-brain volumes and mean ADC values across the first 6 years of life.

PMID- 26260431
TI  - Aberrant mesolimbic dopamine-opiate interaction in obesity.
AB  - Dopamine and opioid neurotransmitter systems share many functions such as
      regulation of reward and pleasure. MU-Opioid receptors (MOR) modulate the
      mesolimbic dopamine system in ventral tegmental area and striatum, key areas
      implicated in reward. We hypothesized that dopamine and opioid receptor
      availabilities correlate in vivo and that this correlation is altered in obesity,
      a disease with altered reward processing. Twenty lean females (mean BMI 22) and
      25 non-binge eating morbidly obese females (mean BMI 41) underwent two positron
      emission tomography scans with [(11)C]carfentanil and [(11)C]raclopride to
      measure the MOR and dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) availability, respectively. In
      lean subjects, the MOR and DRD2 availabilities were positively associated in the
      ventral striatum (r=0.62, p=0.003) and dorsal caudate nucleus (r=0.62, p=0.004).
      Moreover, DRD2 availability in the ventral striatum was associated with MOR
      availability in other regions of the reward circuitry, particularly in the
      ventral tegmental area. In morbidly obese subjects, this receptor interaction was
      significantly weaker in ventral striatum but unaltered in the caudate nucleus.
      Finally, the association between DRD2 availability in the ventral striatum and
      MOR availability in the ventral tegmental area was abolished in the morbidly
      obese. The study demonstrates a link between DRD2 and MOR availabilities in
      living human brain. This interaction is selectively disrupted in mesolimbic
      dopamine system in morbid obesity. We propose that interaction between the
      dopamine and opioid systems is a prerequisite for normal reward processing and
      that disrupted cross-talk may underlie altered reward processing in obesity. 

PMID- 26260432
TI  - Changes to food intake and nutrition of female red-tailed phascogales (Phascogale
      calura) during late lactation.
AB  - Reproduction and especially lactation are nutritionally costly for mammals.
      Maternal access to adequate and optimal nutrients is essential for fecundity,
      survival of offspring, and offspring growth rates. In eutherian species energy
      requirements during lactation can be heavily dependent on litter size and the
      body mass of the female. In marsupials litter size does not appear to affect
      nutritional requirements during lactation; however, studies of marsupial
      nutritional requirements during lactation are rare. Marsupials are distinct from
      eutherians as they give birth to young at a much more underdeveloped state and
      the majority of their investment into the growth of their offspring occurs
      postnatally. Nutritional requirements of adult female red-tailed phascogales
      (Phascogale calura) were measured to determine the differences between those
      lactating and not lactating. On average females that were lactating had
      maintenance energy requirements of 1728 +/- 195 kJ kg(-0.75) d(-1), double that
      of non-lactating animals. There was no significant correlation between energy
      requirements and litter size among lactating female phascogales. Apparent
      absorption of macronutrients did not differ between lactating and non-lactating
      individuals. The study has shown that food needs to be increased by at least
      double during late lactation. Litter size appears to have no influence on
      maternal nutrient requirements when food is available ad libitum and offspring in
      smaller litters grow faster than those in larger litters.

PMID- 26260433
TI  - Climbing experience in glass eels: A cognitive task or a matter of physical
      capacities?
AB  - The European eel is a panmictic species, whose decline has been recorded since
      the last 30 years. Among human-induced environmental factors of decline, the
      impact of water dams during species migration is questioned. Indeed, water
      impoundments can be a severe obstacle for young eels trying to reach the upstream
      freshwater zones, even if they are equipped with fish-friendly passes. The
      passage by such devices could be an important event shaping the outcome of the
      future life and life history traits of eels. We studied what phenotypic traits
      were associated with the event of experience of passage by water obstacles. We
      analyzed specific enzyme activities and/or gene transcription levels in the
      muscle and brain to test whether the obstacle passage is rather a physical or
      cognitive task. We found that after a long period of maintenance under homogenous
      conditions, transcription levels of several genes linked to synaptic plasticity,
      neurogenesis and thyroid activity differed among the field-experience groups. In
      contrast, muscle gene transcription levels or enzymatic activities did not show
      any differences among fish groups. We suggest that cognitive processes such as
      learning and memory acquisition rather than swimming-related metabolic capacities
      are involved in passage of water obstacles by young eels.

PMID- 26260434
TI  - Sex differences in body fluid homeostasis: Sex chromosome complement influences
      on bradycardic baroreflex response and sodium depletion induced neural activity.
AB  - Clinical and basic findings indicate that angiotensin II (ANG II) differentially
      modulates hydroelectrolyte and cardiovascular responses in male and female. But
      are only the activational and organizational hormonal effects to blame for such
      differences? Males and females not only differ in their sex (males are born with
      testes and females with ovaries) but also carry different sex chromosome
      complements and are thus influenced throughout life by different genomes. In this
      review, we discuss our recent studies in order to evaluate whether sex chromosome
      complement is in part responsible for gender differences previously observed in
      ANG II bradycardic-baroreflex response and sodium depletion-induced sodium
      appetite and neural activity. To test the hypothesis that XX or XY contributes to
      the dimorphic ANG II bradycardic-baroreflex response, we used the four core
      genotype mouse model, in which the effects of gonadal sex (testes or ovaries) and
      sex chromosome complement (XX or XY) are dissociated. The results indicate that
      ANG II bradycardic-baroreflex sexual dimorphic response may be ascribed to
      differences in sex chromosomes, indicating an XX-sex chromosome complement
      facilitatory bradycardic-baroreflex control of heart rate. Furthermore, we
      evaluated whether genetic differences within the sex chromosome complement may
      differentially modulate the known sexually dimorphic sodium appetite as well as
      basal or induced brain activity due to physiological stimulation of the renin
      angiotensin system by furosemide and low-sodium treatment. Our studies
      demonstrate an organizational hormonal effect on sexually dimorphic induced
      sodium intake in mice, while at the brain level (subfornical organ and area
      postrema) we showed a sex chromosome complement effect in sodium-depleted mice,
      suggesting a sex chromosome gene participation in the modulation of neural
      pathways underlying regulatory response to renin-angiotensin stimulation. 

PMID- 26260435
TI  - Impact of obesity on autonomic modulation, heart rate and blood pressure in obese
      young people.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Obesity can be understood as a comorbidity of increasing systemic
      impact, including a deficit in the autonomic nervous system. OBJECTIVE: To
      analyze cardiac autonomic behavior and hemodynamic parameters in obese young
      people. METHODS: 92 individuals (20.58+/-1.48 years) were evaluated, divided into
      two groups: obese and eutrophic. Heart rate (HR) was captured for 30 min in the
      supine position whilst breathing spontaneously. Blood pressure (BP) values were
      obtained prior to performance of the protocol. For the autonomic analysis, 1000
      beats were used for the calculation of heart rate variability indices in the time
      (Mean RR, SDNN and RMSSD) and frequency (LF, HF and LF/HF) domains, in addition
      to the Poincare plot (SD1, SD2, SD1/SD2 and qualitative visual analysis).
      RESULTS: The obese group presented higher baseline BP and HR values compared to
      the eutrophic. Regarding autonomic modulation a significant decrease was observed
      in the RMSSD; SD1, HFms and HFnu indices in the obese group, indicating a
      decrease in vagal activity and reduced SDNN and SD2 rates, with statistical
      significance for the former, suggesting a reduction in overall variability. The
      high value of the LFnu index and decrease in Mean RR in the obese group pointed
      to relative sympathetic predominance in these individuals. The visual analysis of
      the Poincare plot showed less dispersion of the points in the obese group.
      CONCLUSION: The obese group presented higher BP and HR values at rest and
      autonomic impairment, characterized by a reduction in parasympathetic activity
      and relative predominance of sympathetic activity.

PMID- 26260436
TI  - In vitro opioid receptor affinity and in vivo behavioral studies of Nelumbo
      nucifera flower.
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Nelumbo nucifera Geartn., known as sacred lotus,
      has been used traditionally in South East Asia as a traditional medicine for
      various CNS disorders including stress, fever, depression, insomnia, and
      cognitive conditions. AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the in vitro cannabinoid
      and opioid receptor binding affinities, and in vivo behavioral actions of Nelumbo
      flower extracts and to isolate the potential compounds to treat CNS associated
      disorders. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The white and pink flowers of N. nucifera were
      extracted with 95% EtOH, followed by acid-base partitioning using CHCl3 to give
      acidic and basic partitions. These partitions were subjected to Centrifugal
      Preparative TLC (CPTLC) to yield benzyltetrahydroisoquinoline (BTIQ) alkaloids
      and long chain fatty acids, identified by physical and spectroscopic methods. In
      addition, EtOH extracts and partitions were analyzed for chemical markers by
      UHPLC/MS and GC/MS. In vitro neuropharmacological effects were evaluated by
      cannabinoid (CB1 and CB2) and opioid [delta (delta), kappa (K), and mu (u)]
      competitive radioligand binding and GTPgammaS functional assays. The in vivo
      behavioral effect was studied through the use of the mouse tetrad assay at 10,
      30, 75 and 100mg/kg/ip doses that revealed the effect on locomotion, catalepsy,
      body temperature, and nociception of acidic and basic CHCl3 partitions,
      fractions, and compounds. RESULTS: Three aporphines, nuciferine (1), N-nor
      nuciferine (2), asimilobine (3), and five BTIQs, armepavine (4), O
      methylcoclaurine (5), N-methylcoclaurine (6), coclaurine (7), neferine (10), and
      a mixture of linoleic and palmitic acids (LA and PA), were identified and
      evaluated for cannabinoid and opioid receptor displacement activities. Compounds
      5-7 showed binding affinities for the K opioid receptor with equilibrium
      dissociation constant (Ki) values of 3.5 +/- 0.3, 0.9 +/- 0.1, 2.2 +/- 0.2 MUM,
      respectively. Compound 10 displayed affinities for delta-and u- opioid receptors
      with Ki values of 0.7 +/- 0.1 and 1.8 +/- 0.2 MUM, respectively, and was
      determined to be a weak delta agonist by GTPgammaS functional assay. The mixture
      of LA and PA (1:1) showed an affinity for delta opioid receptor with a Ki value
      of 9.2 +/- 1.1 MUM. The acidic and basic CHCl3 partitions, compounds 1 and 7, and
      5-7 mixture were subjected to the tetrad assay, of which the acidic partition
      displayed decreased locomotion and increased catalepsy, antinociception, and
      hypothermia in animal at doses of 75-100 mg/kg/ip, and also showed clonic-tonic
      seizures upon touch at 100mg/kg. CONCLUSION: Bioassay-guided isolation revealed
      compounds 5-7, 10, and the mixture of LA and PA displayed various degrees of
      opioid receptor radioligand displacement affinities. The in vivo tetrad assay of
      acidic CHCl3 partition, enriched with aporphines 1 and 2, displayed actions on
      all four points of behavioral parameters. It can be concluded that the in vivo
      mild canabimimetic-type effect observed for the CHCl3 partition is likely
      mediated through other CNS mechanisms since the extracts, partitions, and
      isolated compounds had no affinity for the in vitro CB1 and CB2 receptors. This
      work, along with traditional use and the reported bioactivities of the BTIQ
      alkaloids, suggested further studies on N. nucifera are needed to understand the
      roles that the extracts and/or individual compounds might contribute to the
      behavioral effects.

PMID- 26260437
TI  - Diffusion imaging of nigral alterations in early Parkinson's disease with
      dopaminergic deficits.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study reports the baseline characteristics of diffusion tensor
      imaging data in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients and healthy control subjects
      from the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative. The main goals were to
      replicate previous findings of abnormal diffusion imaging values from the
      substantia nigra. in a large multicenter cohort and determine whether nigral
      diffusion alterations are associated with dopamine deficits. METHODS: Two hundred
      twenty subjects (PD = 153; control = 67) from 10 imaging sites were included. All
      subjects had a full neurological exam, a ((123) I)ioflupane dopamine transporter
      (DAT) single-photon emission computer tomography scan, and diffusion tensor
      imaging. Fractional anisotropy as well as radial and axial diffusivity was
      computed within multiple regions across the substantia nigra. RESULTS: A repeated
      measures analysis of variance found a marginally nonsignificant interaction
      between regional fractional anisotropy of the substantia nigra and disease status
      (P = 0.08), conflicting with an earlier study. However, a linear mixed model that
      included control regions in addition to the nigral regions revealed a significant
      interaction between regions and disease status (P = 0.002), implying a
      characteristic distribution of reduced fractional anisotropy across the
      substantia nigra in PD. Reduced fractional anisotropy in PD was also associated
      with diminished DAT binding ratios. Both axial and radial diffusivity were also
      abnormal in PD. CONCLUSIONS: Although routine nigral measurements of fractional
      anisotropy are clinically not helpful, the findings in this study suggest that
      more-sophisticated diffusion imaging protocols should be used when exploring the
      clinical utility of this imaging modality.

PMID- 26260438
TI  - GluN2B-containing NMDA receptors are upregulated in plasma membranes by the
      sphingosine-1-phosphate analog FTY720P.
AB  - Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a ceramide derivative serving not only as a
      regulator of immune properties but also as a modulator of brain functions. To
      better understand the mechanism underlying the effects of S1P on brain functions,
      we investigated the potential impact of S1P receptor (S1PR) activation on NMDA
      receptor subunits. We used acute rat hippocampal slices as a model system, and
      determined the effects of the active phosphorylated S1P analog, fingolimod
      (FTY720P) on various NMDA receptors. Treatment with FTY720P significantly
      increased phosphorylation of GluN2B-containing NMDA receptors at Tyr1472. This
      effect appears rather specific, as treatment with FTY720P did not modify GluN2B
      Tyr1336, GluN2B-Ser1480, GluN2A-Tyr1325 or GluN1-Ser897 phosphorylation. Pre
      treatment of hippocampal slices with the compounds W146 and PP1 indicated that
      FTY720P-induced GluN2B phosphorylation at Tyr1472 epitopes was dependent on
      activation of S1PR subunit 1 (S1PR1) and Src/Fyn kinase, respectively. Cell
      surface biotinylation experiments indicated that FTY720P-induced GluN2B
      phosphorylation at Tyr1472 was also associated with increased levels of GluN1 and
      GluN2B subunits on membrane surface, whereas no change was observed for GluN2A
      subunits. We finally demonstrate that FTY720P is inclined to favor Tau and Fyn
      accumulation on plasma membranes. These results suggest that activation of S1PR1
      by FTY720P enhances GluN2B receptor phosphorylation in rat hippocampal slices,
      resulting in increased levels of GluN1 and GluN2B receptor subunits in neuronal
      membranes through a mechanism probably involving Fyn and Tau.

PMID- 26260440
TI  - Relationship between ethical work climate and nurses' perception of
      organizational support, commitment, job satisfaction and turnover intent.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Healthcare organizations are now challenged to retain nurses'
      generation and understand why they are leaving their nursing career prematurely.
      Acquiring knowledge about the effect of ethical work climate and level of
      perceived organizational support can help organizational leaders to deal
      effectively with dysfunctional behaviors and make a difference in enhancing
      nurses' dedication, commitment, satisfaction, and loyalty to their organization.
      PURPOSE: This study aims to determine the relationship between ethical work
      climate, and perceived organizational support and nurses' organizational
      commitment, job satisfaction, and turnover intention. METHODS: A descriptive
      correlational research design was conducted in all inpatient care units at three
      major hospitals affiliated to different health sectors at Alexandria governorate.
      All nurses working in these previous hospitals were included in the study (N =
      500). Ethical Climate Questionnaire, Survey of Perceived Organizational Support,
      Organizational Commitment Questionnaire, Index of Job Satisfaction, and Intention
      to Turnover scale were used to measure study variables. Ethical considerations:
      Approval was obtained from Ethics Committee at Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria
      University. Privacy and confidentiality of data were maintained and assured by
      obtaining subjects' informed consent to participate in the research before data
      collection. FINDINGS: The result revealed positive significant correlations
      between nurses' perception of overall ethical work climate and each of perceived
      organizational support, commitment, as well as their job satisfaction. However,
      negative significant correlations were found between nurses' turnover intention
      and each of these variables. Also, approximately 33% of the explained variance of
      turnover intention is accounted by ethical work climate, organizational support,
      organizational commitment, and job satisfaction, and these variables
      independently contributed significantly in the prediction of turnover intention.
      RECOMMENDATION: Strategies to foster and enhance ethical and supportive work
      climates as well as job-related benefits are considered significant factors in
      increasing nurses' commitment and satisfaction and decreasing their turnover
      intention.

PMID- 26260439
TI  - Evolution, ecology and systematics of Soldanella (Primulaceae) in the southern
      Apennines (Italy).
AB  - BACKGROUND: The populations of Soldanella (Primulaceae) of the southern Apennines
      (Italy) are unique within the genus for their distribution and ecology. Their
      highly fragmented distribution range, with three main metapopulations on some of
      the highest mountains (Gelbison, Sila and Aspromonte massifs) of the area, poses
      intriguing questions about their evolutionary history and biogeography, and about
      the possibility of local endemisms. AIMS AND METHODS: In order to clarify the
      phylogeny and biogeography of the three metapopulations of Soldanella in the
      southern Apennines, attributed to S. calabrella to date, and to identify possible
      local endemisms, a comparative approach based on the study of molecular,
      morphological and ecological characteristics of the populations was employed.
      Specifically, one nuclear (total ITS) and two plastid (rbcL and trnL) markers
      were used for the phylogenetic analyses, performed through both maximum
      likelihood and Bayesian techniques. Among the morphological features, the
      glandular hair and leaf biometric traits were analysed, and the environment in
      which the populations grew was characterised for altitude, forest canopy
      composition and soil pH, C, N and organic matter. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Our
      findings demonstrate that the lineage of Soldanella of southern Italy diverged
      from the Carpathians lineage during the Middle Pleistocene, and underwent an
      evolutionary radiation during the Late Pleistocene. The populations of the Sila
      and Aspromonte massifs diverged from the populations of the Gelbison massif
      around 380000 years ago and are probably undergoing a progressive differentiation
      due to their isolation. The populations on the Gelbison massif, moreover, have
      different morphological features from those of the Sila and Aspromonte massifs
      and a different ecological niche. The molecular, morphological and ecological
      data clearly demonstrate that the metapopulation of Soldanella on the Gelbison
      massif belongs to a new taxonomic unit at the species level, which we name
      Soldanella sacra A. & L. Bellino from the name of the massif on which it was
      discovered, the "Holy Mountain".

PMID- 26260441
TI  - What is dignity in prehospital emergency care?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ethics and dignity in prehospital emergency care are important due to
      vulnerability and suffering. Patients can lose control of their body and
      encounter unfamiliar faces in an emergency situation. OBJECTIVE: To describe what
      specialist ambulance nurse students experienced as preserved and humiliated
      dignity in prehospital emergency care. RESEARCH DESIGN: The study had a
      qualitative approach. METHOD: Data were collected by Flanagan's critical incident
      technique. The participants were 26 specialist ambulance nurse students who
      described two critical incidents of preserved and humiliated dignity, from
      prehospital emergency care. Data consist of 52 critical incidents and were
      analyzed with interpretive content analysis. Ethical considerations: The study
      followed the ethical principles in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.
      FINDINGS: The result showed how human dignity in prehospital emergency care can
      be preserved by the ambulance nurse being there for the patient. The ambulance
      nurses meet the patient in the patient's world and make professional decisions.
      The ambulance nurse respects the patient's will and protects the patient's body
      from the gaze of others. Humiliated dignity was described through the ambulance
      nurse abandoning the patient and by healthcare professionals failing,
      disrespecting, and ignoring the patient. DISCUSSION: It is a unique situation
      when a nurse meets a patient face to face in a critical life or death moment. The
      discussion describes courage and the ethical vision to see another human.
      CONCLUSION: Dignity was preserved when the ambulance nurse showed respect and
      protected the patient in prehospital emergency care. The ambulance nurse
      students' ethical obligation results in the courage to see when a patient's
      dignity is in jeopardy of being humiliated. Humiliated dignity occurs when
      patients are ignored and left unprotected. This ethical dilemma affects the
      ambulance nurse students badly due to the fact that the morals and attitudes of
      ambulance nurses are reflected in their actions toward the patient.

PMID- 26260442
TI  - Attributes of a good nurse.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The opinions of students regarding the attributes of a good nurse can
      make a major contribution to the planning and the conducting of professional
      education. There are few studies which aim at identifying the qualifications of a
      good nurse from the perspectives of nursing students. OBJECTIVES: To determine
      the opinions of first- and fourth-year nursing students concerning the
      'attributes of a good nurse', and whether and how their views change depending on
      their year of study. RESEARCH DESIGN: Descriptive research. Participants and
      research context: This study was conducted in the nursing department of a
      vocational school of health in the 2010/2011 academic year. The study
      participants consisted of first-year and intern students. A survey form was used
      to identify characteristics of participants, and students were asked the
      following open-ended question about their opinions related to the attributes of a
      good nurse. Ethical considerations: The permission was taken from the school
      administration. Informed consent was obtained, and anonymity was ensured for
      participating students. FINDINGS: A total of 120 students participated in this
      study. Most frequently expressed attributes were 'professional competence' in
      first-year and 'responsibility' in fourth-year students. While first-year
      students placed a greater emphasis on the attributes of 'geniality', 'patience',
      'calmness', 'love of nursing', 'loyalty to nursing' and 'not attaching importance
      to material values', fourth-year students emphasized the attributes of 'empathy',
      'honesty', 'responsibility' and 'scientific curiosity' significantly more.
      DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Fourth-year students placed a greater emphasis on the
      attributes which the students are expected to acquire through a nursing program
      and clinical experience. However, they mentioned the attributes related to a good
      nurse-patient relationship and communication significantly less. Appropriate
      ethical training methods and good role models can help students acquire
      attributes that are important for the nursing profession and combine them with
      the attributes they already have.

PMID- 26260443
TI  - Coagulation of beta-conglycinin, glycinin and isoflavones induced by calcium
      chloride in soymilk.
AB  - The coagulation of beta-conglycinin (7S), glycinin (11S) and isoflavones induced
      by calcium chloride was investigated. Approximately 92.6% of the soymilk proteins
      were coagulated into the soymilk pellet fraction (SPF) after the addition of 5 mM
      calcium chloride. SDS-PAGE and two-dimensional electrophoresis analysis indicated
      that most of the 7S (alpha', alpha and beta), 11S acidic (A1a, A1b, A2, A3 and
      A4) and 11S basic (B1a) proteins in the SSF were coagulated into the SPF after
      treatment with 5 mM calcium chloride. Isoflavones, including daidzein and
      genistein, were also coagulated into the SPF after the addition of 5 mM calcium
      chloride. The amounts of daidzein and genistein in the SSF decreased to 39.4 +/-
      1.6 and 11.8 +/- 7.0%, respectively. HPLC analysis suggested that daidzein and
      genistein were bound with 7S and 11S proteins and then were coprecipitated into
      the SPF by 5 mM calcium chloride. 

PMID- 26260444
TI  - Urinothorax: a rare finding after urinary intervention.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: We report a case in our center of unilateral urinothorax that
      occurred post percutaneous nephrolithotomy as a rare cause of pleural effusion
      and acute dyspnea. METHODS: Report of a case. RESULTS: Initial chest CT showed
      massive left sided pleural effusion from which biochemical investigations
      revealed exudative effusion and urinothorax. The effusion was drained by central
      venous pressure catheter and urologic problem was resolved. CONCLUSIONS:
      urinothorax should be suspected as a cause of pleural effusion in obstructive
      uropathy and post renal and ureteric maneuvers.

PMID- 26260445
TI  - Knowledge of and preferences for health insurance among formal sector employees
      in Addis Ababa: a qualitative study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Ethiopian health system has been undergoing through reforms. One
      of the reforms stipulated in policy documents is the introduction of health
      insurance at national level. Having the majority of the population without any
      experience of health insurance, investigating preferences and knowledge of the
      essence of health insurance among potential enrolees will provide vital
      information for policy makers. This formative study seeks to explore the
      knowledge and the preference for health insurance among formal sector employees
      in Addis Ababa. METHODS: Six focus group discussions with formal sector employees
      and five key informant interviews were conducted in Addis Ababa. A thematic
      analysis is used to analyse the results. RESULTS: The findings suggest that there
      is little knowledge about the concept and elements of health insurance. Some
      concepts such as, risk pooling and sharing are not well understood. The
      participants of the study considered health insurance as only a prepayment
      mechanism without risk sharing among members of the scheme. Regarding preference
      for health insurance, they have revealed quality of care as the most important
      factor. Comprehensiveness of benefit packages and the amount of premium level are
      also found to be concerns related to health insurance. However, a trade-off is
      also observed among premium level, comprehensive benefit packages, and healthcare
      facilities. CONCLUSIONS: Improvements on availability and quality of services
      need to precede the introduction of social health insurance. There is also a need
      to work on awareness creation regarding concepts of health insurance. Further
      studies may explore if the knowledge gap is real or appeared due to reservations
      of the participants on the introduction of health insurance.

PMID- 26260446
TI  - Amelioration of the reduced antinociceptive effect of morphine in the
      unpredictable chronic mild stress model mice by noradrenalin but not serotonin
      reuptake inhibitors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although alterations in not only the pain sensitivity but also the
      analgesic effects of opioids have been reported under conditions of stress, the
      influence of unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) on the antinociceptive
      effects of opioid analgesics remains to be fully investigated. The present study
      examined the influence of UCMS on the thermal pain sensitivity and
      antinociceptive effects of two opioid analgesics, morphine (an agonist of opioid
      receptors) and tramadol (an agonist of MU-opioid receptor and an inhibitor of
      both noradrenaline and serotonin transporters). We also examined the effects of
      pretreatment with maprotiline (a noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor) and
      escitalopram (a serotonin reuptake inhibitor) on the antinociceptive action of
      morphine in mice under an UCMS condition. RESULTS: Unpredictable chronic mild
      stress did not affect the basal thermal pain sensitivity in a mouse hot-plate
      test. Although morphine dose-dependently induced thermal antinociceptive effects
      under both the UCMS and non-stress conditions, the thermal antinociceptive effect
      of 3 mg/kg morphine under the UCMS condition was significantly lower than under
      the non-stressed condition. Unlike the case with morphine, we observed no
      significant difference in the thermal antinociceptive effect of tramadol between
      the UCMS and non-stress conditions. Furthermore, the reduced thermal
      antinociceptive effect of 3 mg/kg morphine under the UCMS condition was
      significantly ameliorated by pretreatment with 10 mg/kg maprotiline but not 3
      mg/kg escitalopram. Pretreatment with neither maprotiline nor escitalopram alone
      was associated with an antinociceptive effect under either condition.
      CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that the antinociceptive effect of morphine but not
      tramadol was reduced in mice that had experienced UCMS. The reduced
      antinociceptive effect of morphine under the UCMS condition was ameliorated by
      pretreatment with maprotiline but not escitalopram. These results suggest that
      the reduced antinociceptive effects of morphine under conditions of chronic
      stress may be ameliorated by activation of the noradrenergic but not the
      serotonergic system.

PMID- 26260447
TI  - Antitumor efficacy of extracellular complexes with gadolinium in Binary
      Radiotherapy.
AB  - In this report the efficacy of extracellular pharmaceutical Gd-DTPA in Binary
      Radiotherapy was studied. The study was carried out in mice bearing
      transplantable adenocarcinoma Ca755 using X-ray based contrast enhanced
      radiotherapy as a practical implementation of Binary Radiotherapy. It was shown
      that intravenous administration of 0.3 ml of 0.5 M water solution of Gd-DTPA
      followed by X-irradiation at a dose of 10 Gy provides T/C%=10+/-3% and leads to
      complete tumor regression in 25% of mice.

PMID- 26260448
TI  - Development of beryllium-based neutron target system with three-layer structure
      for accelerator-based neutron source for boron neutron capture therapy.
AB  - The iBNCT project team with University of Tsukuba is developing an accelerator
      based neutron source. Regarding neutron target material, our project has applied
      beryllium. To deal with large heat load and blistering of the target system, we
      developed a three-layer structure for the target system that includes a
      blistering mitigation material between the beryllium used as the neutron
      generator and the copper heat sink. The three materials were bonded through
      diffusion bonding using a hot isostatic pressing method. Based on several
      verifications, our project chose palladium as the intermediate layer. A prototype
      of the neutron target system was produced. We will verify that sufficient
      neutrons for BNCT treatment are generated by the device in the near future. 

PMID- 26260449
TI  - Localized radiation necrosis model in mouse brain using proton ion beams.
AB  - Brain radiation necrosis is the most serious late adverse event that occurs after
      6 months following radiation therapy. Effective treatment for this irreversible
      brain necrosis has not been established yet. This study tries to establish brain
      radiation necrosis mouse model using proton or helium beam. The right cerebral
      hemispheres of C57BL/6J mouse brains were irradiated at doses of 40, 50, 60 Gy
      with charged particles. In 60 Gy group, brain necrosis that recapitulates human
      disease was detected after 8 months.

PMID- 26260450
TI  - Alteration of Upstream Autophagy-Related Proteins (ULK1, ULK2, Beclin1, VPS34 and
      AMBRA1) in Lewy Body Disease.
AB  - Autophagy is associated with the pathogenesis of Lewy body disease, including
      Parkinson's disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). It is known that
      several downstream autophagosomal proteins are incorporated into Lewy bodies
      (LBs). We performed immunostaining and Western blot analysis using a cellular
      model of PD and human brain samples to investigate the involvement of upstream
      autophagosomal proteins (ULK1, ULK2, Beclin1, VPS34 and AMBRA1), which initiate
      autophagy and form autophagosomes. Time course analysis of cultured cells
      transfected with flag-alpha-synuclein and synphilin-1 revealed upregulation of
      these upstream proteins with accumulation of LB-like inclusions. In human
      specimens, only mature LBs were positive for upstream autophagosomal proteins.
      Western blotting of fractionated brain lysates showed that upstream
      autophagosomal proteins were detected in the soluble and insoluble fraction in
      DLB, corresponding to the bands of phosphorylated alpha-synuclein. However,
      Western blot analysis of total brain lysates in PD and DLB showed that the
      increase of upstream autophagosomal proteins was only partial. The quantitative,
      qualitative and locational alteration of upstream autophagosomal proteins in the
      present study indicates their involvement in the pathogenesis of LB disease. Our
      data also suggest that misinduction or impairment of upstream autophagy might
      occur in the disease process of LB disease.

PMID- 26260451
TI  - Immunoglobulin Fc-fused, neuropilin-1-specific peptide shows efficient tumor
      tissue penetration and inhibits tumor growth via anti-angiogenesis.
AB  - Neuropilin-1 (NRP1) receptor, involved in vascular endothelial growth factor
      (VEGF)-mediated vascular permeability and tumor angiogenesis, is targeted by
      peptides that bind to its VEGF-binding site. However, these peptides also cross
      react with the structurally related receptor, NRP2. Here, we describe an
      immunoglobulin Fc-fused peptide, Fc-TPP11, which specifically binds to the VEGF
      binding site of NRP1 with approximately 2nM affinity, but negligibly to that of
      NRP2. Fc-TPP11 triggered NRP1-dependent signaling, enhanced vascular permeability
      via vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin downregulation, and increased paracellular
      permeability via E-cadherin downregulation in tumor tissues. Fc-TPP11 also
      significantly enhanced the tumor penetration of co-injected anti-cancer drug,
      doxorubicin, leading to the improved in vivo anti-tumor efficacy. Fc-TPP11 was
      easily adapted to the full-length anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)
      monoclonal antibody (mAb) cetuximab (Erbitux), cetuximab-TPP11, exhibiting more
      than 2-fold improved tumor penetration than the parent cetuximab. Fc-TPP11
      exhibited a similar whole-body half-life to that of intact Fc in tumor bearing
      mice. In addition to the tumor-penetrating activity, Fc-TPP11 suppressed VEGF
      dependent angiogenesis by blocking VEGF binding to NRP1, thereby inhibiting tumor
      growth without promoting metastasis in the mouse model. Our results show that
      NRP1-specific, high-affinity binding of Fc-TPP11, is useful to validate NRP1
      signaling, independent of NRP2. Thus, Fc-TPP11 can be used as a tumor penetration
      promoting agent with anti-angiogenic activity or directly adapted to mAb-TPP11
      format for more potent anti-cancer antibody therapy. 

PMID- 26260452
TI  - Hyaluronidase-incorporated hyaluronic acid-tyramine hydrogels for the sustained
      release of trastuzumab.
AB  - We developed an injectable hydrogel system for the sustained release of protein
      drugs that incorporated both protein drugs and hyaluronidase. Trastuzumab and
      hyaluronidase were incorporated in hydrogels composed of hyaluronic acid-tyramine
      (HA-Tyr) conjugates through the enzymatic crosslinking utilizing hydrogen
      peroxide (H2O2) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Through electrostatic
      interactions with the HA, trastuzumab was retained in the hydrogel to minimize
      its burst release. Hyaluronidase was incorporated in the hydrogel to release
      trastuzumab from the hydrogels. The hydrogels were degraded and showed sustained
      release of trastuzumab in phosphate buffer over four weeks in vitro. Both the
      rates of drug release and gel degradation were controlled by the concentration of
      hyaluronidase. Trastuzumab released from the hydrogels inhibited the
      proliferation of BT-474 cells in vitro. In an animal model, the single
      subcutaneous injection of a mixture solution of HA-Tyr conjugates, H2O2, HRP,
      trastuzumab and hyaluronidase inhibited tumor growth significantly, whereas
      injection of trastuzumab alone at the same dose failed to do so. Compared to
      trastuzumab alone, the hyaluronidase-incorporated HA-Tyr hydrogels improved the
      pharmacokinetic profile of trastuzumab in the plasma of mice. Furthermore, they
      were fully degraded over two weeks, and the formation of fibrous capsules was not
      observed in mice. 

PMID- 26260453
TI  - Divergent responses of inflammatory mediators within the amygdala and medial
      prefrontal cortex to acute psychological stress.
AB  - There is now a growing body of literature that indicates that stress can initiate
      inflammatory processes, both in the periphery and brain; however, the
      spatiotemporal nature of this response is not well characterized. The aim of this
      study was to examine the effects of an acute psychological stress on changes in
      mRNA and protein levels of a wide range of inflammatory mediators across a broad
      temporal range, in key corticolimbic brain regions involved in the regulation of
      the stress response (amygdala, hippocampus, hypothalamus, medial prefrontal
      cortex). mRNA levels of inflammatory mediators were analyzed immediately
      following 30min or 120min of acute restraint stress and protein levels were
      examined 0h through 24h post-termination of 120min of acute restraint stress
      using both multiplex and ELISA methods. Our data demonstrate, for the first time,
      that exposure to acute psychological stress results in an increase in the protein
      level of several inflammatory mediators in the amygdala while concomitantly
      producing a decrease in the protein level of multiple inflammatory mediators
      within the medial prefrontal cortex. This pattern of changes seemed largely
      restricted to the amygdala and medial prefrontal cortex, with stress producing
      few changes in the mRNA or protein levels of inflammatory mediators within the
      hippocampus or hypothalamus. Consistent with previous research, stress resulted
      in a general elevation in multiple inflammatory mediators within the circulation.
      These data indicate that neuroinflammatory responses to stress do not appear to
      be generalized across brain structures and exhibit a high degree of
      spatiotemporal specificity. Given the impact of inflammatory signaling on neural
      excitability and emotional behavior, these data may provide a platform with which
      to explore the importance of inflammatory signaling within the prefrontocortical
      amygdala circuit in the regulation of the neurobehavioral responses to stress. 

PMID- 26260454
TI  - MicroRNA-200c and microRNA-31 regulate proliferation, colony formation, migration
      and invasion in serous ovarian cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Serous epithelial ovarian cancer (SEOC) is a highly metastatic
      disease and its progression has been implicated with microRNAs. This study aimed
      to identify the differentially expressed microRNAs in Malaysian patients with
      SEOC and examine the microRNAs functional roles in SEOC cells. METHODS: Twenty
      two SEOC and twenty-two normal samples were subjected to miRNA expression
      profiling using the locked nucleic acid (LNA) quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR).
      The localization of miR-200c was determined via LNA in situ hybridization (ISH).
      Functional analysis of miR-200c and miR-31 on cell proliferation, migration and
      invasion and clonogenic cell survival were assessed in vitro. The putative target
      genes of the two miRNAs were predicted by miRWalk program and expression of the
      target genes in SEOC cell lines was validated. RESULTS: The miRNA expression
      profiling revealed thirty-eight significantly dysregulated miRNAs in SEOC
      compared to normal ovarian tissues. Of these, eighteen were up-regulated whilst
      twenty miRNAs were down-regulated. We observed chromogenic miR-200c-ISH signal
      predominantly in the cytoplasmic compartment of both epithelial and inflammatory
      cancer cells. Re-expression of miR-200c significantly increased the cell
      proliferation and colony formation but reduced the migration and invasion of SEOC
      cells. In addition, miR-200c expression was inversely proportionate with the
      expression of deleted in liver cancer-1 (DLC-1) gene. Over-expression of miR-31
      in SEOC cells resulted in decreased cell proliferation, clonogenic potential,
      cell migration and invasion. Meanwhile, miR-31 gain-of-function led to the down
      regulation of AF4/FMR2 family member 1 (AFF1) gene. CONCLUSIONS: These data
      suggested that miR-200c and miR-31 may play roles in the SEOC metastasis biology
      and could be considered as promising targets for therapeutic purposes.

PMID- 26260455
TI  - Origin and Impact of Nitric Oxide in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilms.
AB  - The formation of the organized bacterial community called biofilm is a crucial
      event in bacterial physiology. Given that biofilms are often refractory to
      antibiotics and disinfectants to which planktonic bacteria are susceptible, their
      formation is also an industrially and medically relevant issue. Pseudomonas
      aeruginosa, a well-known human pathogen causing acute and chronic infections, is
      considered a model organism to study biofilms. A large number of environmental
      cues control biofilm dynamics in bacterial cells. In particular, the dispersal of
      individual cells from the biofilm requires metabolic and morphological
      reprogramming in which the second messenger bis-(3'-5')-cyclic dimeric GMP (c-di
      GMP) plays a central role. The diatomic gas nitric oxide (NO), a well-known
      signaling molecule in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes, is able to induce the
      dispersal of P. aeruginosa and other bacterial biofilms by lowering c-di-GMP
      levels. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the molecular
      mechanisms connecting NO sensing to the activation of c-di-GMP-specific
      phosphodiesterases in P. aeruginosa, ultimately leading to c-di-GMP decrease and
      biofilm dispersal.

PMID- 26260456
TI  - Loss of Antibiotic Tolerance in Sod-Deficient Mutants Is Dependent on the Energy
      Source and Arginine Catabolism in Enterococci.
AB  - Enterococci are naturally tolerant to typically bactericidal cell wall-active
      antibiotics, meaning that their growth is inhibited but they are not killed even
      when exposed to a high concentration of the drug. The molecular reasons for this
      extraordinary tolerance are still incompletely understood. Previous work showed
      that resistance to killing collapsed specifically in mutants affected in
      superoxide dismutase (Sod) activity, arguing that bactericidal antibiotic
      treatment led to induction of a superoxide burst. In the present work, we show
      that loss of antibiotic tolerance in DeltasodA mutants of pathogenic enterococci
      is dependent on the energy source present during antibiotic treatment. Hexoses
      induce greater killing than the pentose ribose, and no killing was observed with
      glycerol as the energy source. These results point to glycolytic reactions as
      crucial for antibiotic-mediated killing of DeltasodA mutants. A transposon mutant
      library was constructed in Enterococcus faecalis DeltasodA mutants and screened
      for restored tolerance of vancomycin. Partially restored tolerance was observed
      in mutants with transposon integrations into intergenic regions upstream of
      regulators implicated in arginine catabolism. In these mutants, the arginine
      deiminase operon was highly upregulated. A model for the action of cell wall
      active antibiotics in tolerant and nontolerant bacteria is proposed. IMPORTANCE:
      Antibiotic tolerance is a serious clinical concern, since tolerant bacteria have
      considerably increased abilities to resist killing by bactericidal drugs. Using
      enterococci as models for highly antibiotic-tolerant pathogens, we showed that
      tolerance of these bacteria is linked to their superoxide dismutase (Sod),
      arguing that bactericidal antibiotics induce generation of reactive oxygen
      species inside cells. Wild-type strains are tolerant because they detoxify these
      deleterious molecules by the activity of Sod, whereas Sod-deficient strains are
      killed. This study showed that killing depends on the energy source present
      during treatment and that an increase in arginine catabolism partially restored
      tolerance of the Sod mutants. These results are used to propose a mode-of-action
      model of cell wall-active antibiotics in tolerant and nontolerant bacteria.

PMID- 26260457
TI  - Cross Talk Inhibition Nullified by a Receiver Domain Missense Substitution.
AB  - In two-component signal transduction, a sensor protein transmitter module
      controls cognate receiver domain phosphorylation. Most receiver domain sequences
      contain a small residue (Gly or Ala) at position T + 1 just distal to the
      essential Thr or Ser residue that forms part of the active site. However, some
      members of the NarL receiver subfamily have a large hydrophobic residue at
      position T + 1. Our laboratory previously isolated a NarL mutant in which the T +
      1 residue Val-88 was replaced with an orthodox small Ala. This NarL V88A mutant
      confers a striking phenotype in which high-level target operon expression is both
      signal (nitrate) and sensor (NarX and NarQ) independent. This suggests that the
      NarL V88A protein is phosphorylated by cross talk from noncognate sources.
      Although cross talk was enhanced in ackA null strains that accumulate acetyl
      phosphate, it persisted in pta ackA double null strains that cannot synthesize
      this compound and was observed also in narL(+) strains. This indicates that
      acetate metabolism has complex roles in mediating NarL cross talk. Contrariwise,
      cross talk was sharply diminished in an arcB barA double null strain, suggesting
      that the encoded sensors contribute substantially to NarL V88A cross talk.
      Separately, the V88A substitution altered the in vitro rates of NarL
      autodephosphorylation and transmitter-stimulated dephosphorylation and decreased
      affinity for the cognate sensor, NarX. Together, these experiments show that the
      residue at position T + 1 can strongly influence two distinct aspects of receiver
      domain function, the autodephosphorylation rate and cross talk inhibition.
      IMPORTANCE: Many bacterial species contain a dozen or more discrete sensor
      response regulator two-component systems that convert a specific input into a
      distinct output pattern. Cross talk, the unwanted transfer of signals between
      circuits, occurs when a response regulator is phosphorylated inappropriately from
      a noncognate source. Cross talk is inhibited in part by the high interaction
      specificity between cognate sensor-response regulator pairs. This study shows
      that a relatively subtle missense change from Val to Ala nullifies cross talk
      inhibition, enabling at least two noncognate sensors to enforce an inappropriate
      output independently of the relevant input.

PMID- 26260458
TI  - Regulation of the Expression of De Novo Pyrimidine Biosynthesis Genes in
      Corynebacterium glutamicum.
AB  - Expression of pyrimidine de novo biosynthesis is downregulated by an exogenous
      uracil in many bacteria. In this study, we show that a putative binding motif
      sequence of PyrR is required for uracil-mediated repression of pyrR-lacZ
      translational fusion. However, the uracil response was still observed in the
      strain with the pyrR gene deleted, implying the existence of a uracil response
      factor other than PyrR which also acts through the PyrR binding loop region.
      Deletion of rho, encoding the transcription termination factor Rho, resulted in
      an increase in the expression of pyrR-lacZ. Moreover, the strain with a double
      deletion of pyrR and rho showed elimination of the uracil-responsive
      downregulation of the pyrR-lacZ. Therefore, expression of the pyrimidine
      biosynthetic gene cluster in Corynebacterium glutamicum is controlled by two
      different mechanisms mediated by PyrR and Rho. IMPORTANCE: The pyr genes of C.
      glutamicum are downregulated in the presence of uracil in culture medium. The
      mRNA binding regulator PyrR represses the expression of pyr genes, as reported
      previously. However, the uracil response was still observed in the pyrR deletion
      strain. Deletion of rho in addition to pyrR deletion results in the elimination
      of the uracil response. Therefore, we identified the factors that are involved in
      the uracil response. Involvement of Rho in the regulation of pyrimidine de novo
      biosynthesis genes has not been reported.

PMID- 26260459
TI  - Dps and DpsL Mediate Survival In Vitro and In Vivo during the Prolonged Oxidative
      Stress Response in Bacteroides fragilis.
AB  - Bacteroides fragilis is a Gram-negative anaerobe and member of the human
      intestinal tract microbiome, where it plays many beneficial roles. However,
      translocation of the organism to the peritoneal cavity can lead to peritonitis,
      intra-abdominal abscess formation, bacteremia, and sepsis. During translocation,
      B. fragilis is exposed to increased oxidative stress from the oxygenated tissues
      of the peritoneal cavity and the immune response. In order to survive, B.
      fragilis mounts a robust oxidative stress response consisting of an acute and a
      prolonged oxidative stress (POST) response. This report demonstrates that the
      ability to induce high levels of resistance to tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBOOH)
      after extended exposure to air can be linked to the POST response. Disk diffusion
      assays comparing the wild type to a Deltadps mutant and a Deltadps Deltabfr
      mutant showed greater sensitivity of the mutants to tBOOH after exposure to air,
      suggesting that Dps and DpsL play a role in the resistance phenotype.
      Complementation studies with dps or bfr (encoding DpsL) restored tBOOH
      resistance, suggesting a role for both of these ferritin-family proteins in the
      response. Additionally, cultures treated with the iron chelator dipyridyl were
      not killed by tBOOH, indicating Dps and DpsL function by sequestering iron to
      prevent cellular damage. An in vivo animal model showed that the Deltadps
      Deltabfr mutant was attenuated, indicating that management of iron is important
      for survival within the abscess. Together, these data demonstrate a role for Dps
      and DpsL in the POST response which mediates survival in vitro and in vivo.
      IMPORTANCE: B. fragilis is the anaerobe most frequently isolated from
      extraintestinal opportunistic infections, but there is a paucity of information
      about the factors that allow this organism to survive outside its normal
      intestinal environment. This report demonstrates that the iron storage proteins
      Dps and DpsL protect against oxidative stress and that they contribute to
      survival both in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, this work demonstrates an
      important role for the POST response in B. fragilis survival and provides insight
      into the complex regulation of this response.

PMID- 26260460
TI  - NanI Sialidase, CcpA, and CodY Work Together To Regulate Epsilon Toxin Production
      by Clostridium perfringens Type D Strain CN3718.
AB  - Clostridium perfringens type D strains are usually associated with diseases of
      livestock, and their virulence requires the production of epsilon toxin (ETX). We
      previously showed (J. Li, S. Sayeed, S. Robertson, J. Chen, and B. A. McClane,
      PLoS Pathog 7:e1002429, 2011, http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1002429)
      that BMC202, a nanI null mutant of type D strain CN3718, produces less ETX than
      wild-type CN3718 does. The current study proved that the lower ETX production by
      strain BMC202 is due to nanI gene disruption, since both genetic and physical
      (NanI or sialic acid) complementation increased ETX production by BMC202.
      Furthermore, a sialidase inhibitor that interfered with NanI activity also
      reduced ETX production by wild-type CN3718. The NanI effect on ETX production was
      shown to involve reductions in codY and ccpA gene transcription levels in BMC202
      versus wild-type CN3718. Similar to CodY, CcpA was found to positively control
      ETX production. A double codY ccpA null mutant produced even less ETX than a codY
      or ccpA single null mutant. CcpA bound directly to sequences upstream of the etx
      or codY start codon, and bioinformatics identified putative CcpA-binding cre
      sites immediately upstream of both the codY and etx start codons, suggesting
      possible direct CcpA regulatory effects. A ccpA mutation also decreased codY
      transcription, suggesting that CcpA effects on ETX production can be both direct
      and indirect, including effects on codY transcription. Collectively, these
      results suggest that NanI, CcpA, and CodY work together to regulate ETX
      production, with NanI-generated sialic acid from the intestines possibly
      signaling type D strains to upregulate their ETX production and induce disease.
      IMPORTANCE: Clostridium perfringens NanI was previously shown to increase ETX
      binding to, and cytotoxicity for, MDCK host cells. The current study demonstrates
      that NanI also regulates ETX production via increased transcription of genes
      encoding the CodY and CcpA global regulators. Results obtained using single ccpA
      or codY null mutants and a ccpA codY double null mutant showed that codY and ccpA
      regulate ETX production independently of one another but that ccpA also affects
      codY transcription. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays and bioinformatic
      analyses suggest that both CodY and CcpA may directly regulate etx transcription.
      Collectively, results of this study suggest that sialic acid generated by NanI
      from intestinal sources signals ETX-producing C. perfringens strains, via CcpA
      and CodY, to upregulate ETX production and cause disease.

PMID- 26260462
TI  - The Impact of Spironolactone on the Severity of Portal-Systemic Collaterals and
      Hepatic Encephalopathy in Cirrhotic Rats.
AB  - Liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension are accompanied by portal-systemic
      collaterals formation and lethal complications. Angiogenesis participates in the
      development of collaterals. Spironolactone is an aldosterone receptor antagonist
      used to control fluid overload in cirrhotic patients although recent studies
      suggest that it also inhibits angiogenesis. This study investigated the effect of
      spironolactone on abnormal angiogenesis and portal-systemic collaterals in
      cirrhosis. Liver cirrhosis was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by common bile duct
      ligation (BDL), and sham-operated rats were the controls. The BDL and sham rats
      received spironolactone (20 mg/kg/d, oral gavage) or vehicle from day 15 to 28
      after the operations. Spironolactone did not influence the portal and systemic
      hemodynamic, and the renal and hepatic biochemistry data, but it significantly
      ameliorated hepatic fibrosis, portal-systemic shunting, and mesenteric
      angiogenesis. Plasma vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels and the
      mesenteric protein expression of VEGF and phosphor-vascular endothelial growth
      factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) decreased in the spironolactone group. Spironolactone
      did not affect motor activity or plasma ammonia levels. The down-regulation of
      VEGF pathway participates, albeit partly, in the antiangiogenic effect of
      spironolactone. Thus, spironolactone treatment in patients with liver cirrhosis
      may provide additional benefits aside from ascites control. 

PMID- 26260461
TI  - Positive Effect of Carbon Sources on Natural Transformation in Escherichia coli:
      Role of Low-Level Cyclic AMP (cAMP)-cAMP Receptor Protein in the Derepression of
      rpoS.
AB  - Natural plasmid transformation of Escherichia coli is a complex process that
      occurs strictly on agar plates and requires the global stress response factor
      sigma(S). Here, we showed that additional carbon sources could significantly
      enhance the transformability of E. coli. Inactivation of phosphotransferase
      system genes (ptsH, ptsG, and crr) caused an increase in the transformation
      frequency, and the addition of cyclic AMP (cAMP) neutralized the promotional
      effect of carbon sources. This implies a negative role of cAMP in natural
      transformation. Further study showed that crp and cyaA mutations conferred a
      higher transformation frequency, suggesting that the cAMP-cAMP receptor protein
      (CRP) complex has an inhibitory effect on transformation. Moreover, we observed
      that rpoS is negatively regulated by cAMP-CRP in early log phase and that both
      crp and cyaA mutants show no transformation superiority when rpoS is knocked out.
      Therefore, it can be concluded that both the crp and cyaA mutations derepress
      rpoS expression in early log phase, whereby they aid in the promotion of natural
      transformation ability. We also showed that the accumulation of RpoS during early
      log phase can account for the enhanced transformation aroused by additional
      carbon sources. Our results thus demonstrated that the presence of additional
      carbon sources promotes competence development and natural transformation by
      reducing cAMP-CRP and, thus, derepressing rpoS expression during log phase. This
      finding could contribute to a better understanding of the relationship between
      nutrition state and competence, as well as the mechanism of natural plasmid
      transformation in E. coli. IMPORTANCE: Escherichia coli, which is not usually
      considered to be naturally transformable, was found to spontaneously take up
      plasmid DNA on agar plates. Researching the mechanism of natural transformation
      is important for understanding the role of transformation in evolution, as well
      as in the transfer of pathogenicity and antibiotic resistance genes. In this
      work, we found that carbon sources significantly improve transformation by
      decreasing cAMP. Then, the low level of cAMP-CRP derepresses the general stress
      response regulator RpoS via a biphasic regulatory pattern, thereby contributing
      to transformation. Thus, we demonstrate the mechanism by which carbon sources
      affect natural transformation, which is important for revealing information about
      the interplay between nutrition state and competence development in E. coli.

PMID- 26260463
TI  - A Systematic Review of the Outcomes of Posterolateral Corner Knee Injuries, Part
      2: Surgical Treatment of Chronic Injuries.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There are a variety of reported surgical techniques outcomes of
      chronic grade III posterolateral corner (PLC) knee injuries. It is unknown if
      outcomes differ among the various surgical treatments. PURPOSE: To systematically
      review the literature and report subjective and objective outcomes for surgical
      treatment strategies for chronic grade III PLC injuries to determine the optimal
      surgical technique. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4.
      METHODS: A systematic review of the literature including Cochrane, PubMed,
      Medline, and Embase was performed. The following search terms were used:
      posterolateral corner knee, posterolateral knee, posterolateral instability,
      multiligament knee, and knee dislocation. Inclusion criteria were outcome studies
      of surgical treatment for chronic PLC knee injuries with a minimum 2-year follow
      up, subjective outcomes, objective outcomes including varus stability, and
      subgroup data on PLC injuries. Two investigators independently reviewed all
      abstracts. Accepted definitions of varus stability on examination or stress
      radiographs, and the need for revision surgery, were used to categorically define
      success and failure. RESULTS: Fifteen studies with a total of 456 patients were
      included in this study. The 15 studies included 5 with level 3 evidence and 10
      with level 4 evidence. The mean age of the patients in each study ranged from
      25.2 to 40 years, the reported mean time to surgery ranged from 5.5 to 52.8
      months, and the mean follow-up duration ranged from 2 to 16.3 years. Mean
      postoperative Lysholm scores ranged from 65.5 to 91.8; mean postoperative
      International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores ranged from 62.6 to
      86.0. Based on objective stability, there was an overall success rate of 90% and
      a 10% failure rate of PLC reconstruction. A variety of surgical techniques were
      reported. CONCLUSION: Chronic PLC injuries were reconstructed in all studies, and
      while techniques varied, the surgical management of chronic PLC injuries had a
      90% success rate and a 10% failure rate according to the individual
      investigators' examination or stress radiographic assessment of objective
      outcomes. More than half of the 456 patients had a combined posterior cruciate
      ligament-PLC injury. Surgical techniques included variations of fibular slings,
      capsular shifts, and anatomic-based techniques (fibular tunnel and tibial
      tunnel). Further research is needed to determine the optimal surgical technique
      for treating chronic grade III PLC injuries.

PMID- 26260464
TI  - A Systematic Review of the Outcomes of Posterolateral Corner Knee Injuries, Part
      1: Surgical Treatment of Acute Injuries.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of outcome data to guide the surgical treatment of
      acute grade III posterolateral corner (PLC) knee injuries. PURPOSE: To
      systematically review the literature to compare clinical outcomes of the
      treatment for acute grade III PLC injuries. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review;
      Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature including
      Cochrane, PubMed, Medline, and Embase was performed. The following search terms
      were used: posterolateral corner knee, posterolateral knee, posterolateral
      instability, multiligament knee, and knee dislocation. Inclusion criteria were
      outcome studies of surgically treated acute PLC injuries with a minimum 2-year
      follow-up, subjective outcomes, objective outcomes including varus stability, and
      subgroup data on PLC injuries. Two investigators independently reviewed all
      abstracts. Accepted definitions of varus stability on examination or stress
      radiographs and the need for revision surgery were used to categorically define
      success and failure. RESULTS: Eight studies with a total of 134 patients were
      included. The mean patient age was reported in 7 studies (range, 21-31.5 years).
      The mean time to surgery was reported in 5 studies (range, 15-24.3 days); surgery
      was performed within 3 weeks in the other 3 studies. Four studies reported
      International Knee Documentation Committee scores (range, 78.1-91.3); 5 studies
      reported Lysholm scores (range, 87.5-90.3). Only 3 studies obtained bilateral
      varus stress radiographs. Based on an objective evaluation with varus stress
      examinations or radiographs, there was an overall success rate of 81% and failure
      rate of 19%. In 2 studies, the fibular collateral ligament and popliteus tendon
      were repaired and staged cruciate reconstruction performed in most patients;
      there were 17 failures of 45 patients (38%). In the remainder of the studies,
      patients were treated with local tissue transfer, hybrid repair for amenable
      structures or reconstruction for midsubstance tears, or reconstruction of all
      torn structures; the failure rate was 9%. CONCLUSION: The repair of acute grade
      III PLC injuries and staged treatment of combined cruciate injuries were
      associated with a substantially higher postoperative PLC failure rate. Further
      research is required to identify the reconstruction technique that provides
      optimal subjective and objective outcomes.

PMID- 26260465
TI  - Chondroinduction Is the Main Cartilage Repair Response to Microfracture and
      Microfracture With BST-CarGel: Results as Shown by ICRS-II Histological Scoring
      and a Novel Zonal Collagen Type Scoring Method of Human Clinical Biopsy
      Specimens.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Current cartilage repair histological scoring systems are unable to
      explain the relationship between collagen type II deposition and overall repair
      quality. PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of this study was to develop a novel
      zonal collagen type (ZCT) 5-point scoring system to measure chondroinduction in
      human clinical biopsy specimens collected after marrow stimulation. The
      hypothesis was that the ZCT scores would correlate with the International
      Cartilage Repair Society-II (ICRS-II) overall histological repair assessment
      score and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive laboratory
      study. METHODS: After optimizing safranin O staining for GAG and immunostaining
      for human collagen type II and type I (Col2 and Col1, respectively), serial
      sections from clinical osteochondral repair biopsy specimens (13 months after
      microfracture or microfracture with BST-CarGel; n = 39 patients) were stained and
      3 blinded readers performed histomorphometry for percentage of staining, ICRS-II
      histological scoring, polarized light microscopy (PLM) scoring, and 5-point ZCT
      scoring based on tidemark morphology, zonal distribution of Col2 and Col1, and
      Col1 percentage stain. Because 1 biopsy specimen was missing bone, 38 biopsy
      specimens were evaluated for ICRS-II, PLM, and ZCT scores. RESULTS:
      Chondroinduction was identified in 21 biopsy specimens as a Col2 matrix fused to
      bone that spanned the deep-middle-superficial zones ("full-thickness hyaline
      repair"), deep-middle zones, or deep zone ("stalled hyaline") that was covered
      with a variable-thickness Col1-positive matrix, and was scored, respectively, as
      ZCT = 1 (n = 4 biopsy specimens), ZCT = 2 (n = 6) and ZCT = 3 (n = 11). Other
      biopsy specimens (n = 17) were fibrocartilage (n = 9; ZCT = 4), fibrous tissue (n
      = 4, ZCT = 5), or non-marrow derived (n = 4; ZCT = 0). Non-marrow derived tissue
      had a mean mature tidemark score of 84 out of 100 versus a regenerating tidemark
      score of 24 for all other biopsy specimens (P = .005). Both "stalled hyaline"
      repair and fibrocartilage had the same mean Col2 percentage stain; however,
      fibrocartilage was distinguished by heavy Col1 deposits in the deep zone, a 2
      fold higher mean Col1 percentage stain (P = .001), and lower surface integrity (P
      = .03). ZCT scores correlated with GAG content and the ICRS-II overall assessment
      score, especially when combined with the PLM score for collagen organization (R =
      0.82). Histological scores of the deep zone strongly predicted the ICRS-II
      overall assessment score (R = 0.99). CONCLUSION: The ICRS-II overall repair
      assessment score and GAG content correlated with the extent of Col2 deposition
      free of fibrosis in the deep/middle zone rather than bulk accumulation of Col2.
      CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Biopsy tissue from the BST-CarGel randomized clinical trial
      (microfracture without and with BST-CarGel, as treatment groups were not
      unblinded) showed regenerated tissue consistent with a chondroinduction mechanism
      in at least half of the treated lesions.

PMID- 26260466
TI  - Continuous Loop Double Endobutton Reconstruction for Acromioclavicular Joint
      Dislocation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Current anatomic methods for reconstruction of the dislocated
      acromioclavicular (AC) joint show improved clinical results but continue to be
      associated with significant rates of fixation loss and complications, limiting
      more widespread use. PURPOSE: To determine the long-term clinical and radiologic
      outcomes of a novel surgical technique using a closed-loop double Endobutton
      device to reconstruct both acute and chronic dislocations. STUDY DESIGN: Case
      series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: Between 2003 and 2012, a total of 35
      patients (31 men, 4 women) at a mean age of 42 years (range, 25-70 years) were
      surgically treated for a Rockwood type III or greater AC joint dislocation with
      the described technique (26 chronic, 9 acute). Imbrication of the AC joint
      capsule and deltotrapezial fascia was performed in all patients. Biological
      bridging across the coracoclavicular (CC) interval was performed in all patients
      by use of coracoacromial (CA) ligament transfer in 28 patients and primary repair
      of the CC ligament in 7 patients. Complete follow-up information was obtained for
      31 of 35 patients. RESULTS: At a mean follow-up of 5.2 years (range, 27-144
      months), the construct remained stable in all but 1 patient. The mean CC interval
      difference was 1.1 mm (range, -2.5 to 4.0 mm) and was <2 mm in 87% of patients.
      The mean Constant score was 98; the mean University of California, Los Angeles
      Shoulder Rating Scale score was 34; and the mean American Shoulder and Elbow
      Surgeons Shoulder Score was 98. Follow-up MRI evaluation in 10 patients
      consistently demonstrated a wide band of dense scar tissue between the coracoid
      and clavicle. No infections, fractures, or perioperative complications occurred.
      CONCLUSION: Excellent results were obtained and maintained over long-term follow
      up. The continuous loop device eliminated the possibility of knot slippage or
      breakage. MRI confirmed a robust healing response. The described technique
      resulted in outcomes that were significantly superior to historical reports of
      nonsurgical outcomes, and the technique can be recommended both for acute and
      chronic dislocations.

PMID- 26260468
TI  - In situ degradation studies of two-dimensional WSe2-graphene heterostructures.
AB  - Heterostructures of two-dimensional materials can be vulnerable to thermal
      degradation due to structural and interfacial defects as well as thermal
      expansion mismatch, yet a systematic study does not exist in the literature. In
      this study, we investigate the degradation of freestanding WSe2-graphene
      heterostructures due to heat and charge flow by performing in situ experiments
      inside a transmission electron microscope. Experimental results show that purely
      thermal loading requires higher temperatures (>850  degrees C), about 150 
      degrees C higher than that under combined electrical and thermal loading. In both
      cases, selenium is the first element to decompose and migration of silicon atoms
      from the test structure to the freestanding specimen initiates rapid degradation
      through the formation of tungsten disilicide and silicon carbide. The role of the
      current flow is to enhance the migration of silicon from the sample holder and to
      knock-out the selenium atoms. The findings of this study provide fundamental
      insights into the degradation of WSe2-graphene heterostructures and inspire their
      application in electronics for use in harsh environments. 

PMID- 26260469
TI  - Effects of Dangkwisoo-san, a traditional herbal medicine for treating pain and
      blood stagnation, on the pacemaker activities of cultured interstitial cells of
      Cajal.
AB  - The interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) are the pacemaker cells in the
      gastrointestinal (GI) tract. In the present study, the effects of Dangkwisoo-san
      (DS) on pacemaker potentials in cultured ICCs from the small intestine of the
      mouse were investigated. The whole-cell patch-clamp configuration was used to
      record pacemaker potentials from cultured ICCs and the increase in intracellular
      Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+i) was analyzed in cultured ICCs using fura-2
      acetoxymethyl ester. The generation of pacemaker potentials in the ICCs was
      observed. DS produced pacemaker depolarizations in a concentration dependent
      manner in current clamp mode. The 4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methyl-piperidine
      methiodide muscarinic M3 receptor antagonist inhibited DS-induced pacemaker
      depolarizations, whereas methoctramine, a muscarinic M2 receptor antagonist, did
      not. When guanosine 5'-[beta-thio] diphosphate (GDP-beta-S; 1 mM) was in the
      pipette solution, DS marginally induced pacemaker depolarizations, whereas low
      Na+ solution externally eliminated the generation of pacemaker potentials and
      inhibited the DS-induced pacemaker depolarizations. Additionally, the
      nonselective cation channel blocker, flufenamic acid, inhibited the DS-induced
      pacemaker depolarizations. Pretreatment with Ca2+-free solution and thapsigargin,
      a Ca2+-ATPase inhibitor in the endoplasmic reticulum, also eliminated the
      generation of pacemaker currents and suppressed the DS-induced pacemaker
      depolarizations. In addition, [Ca2+]i analysis revealed that DS increased
      [Ca2+]i. These results suggested that DS modulates pacemaker potentials through
      muscarinic M3 receptor activation in ICCs by G protein-dependent external and
      internal Ca2+ regulation and external Na+. Therefore, DS were observed to affect
      intestinal motility through ICCs.

PMID- 26260470
TI  - UV-responsive nano-sponge for oil absorption and desorption.
AB  - Controlled surface wettability for oil has been intensively studied to remove
      industrial oil waste or oil spill pollution from seas or rivers. In particular,
      external stimuli-induced special wetting materials, such as photo-responsive
      TiO2, have attracted considerable attention for oil-water separation. In this
      study, a novel method is reported to fabricate a nano-sponge which is composed of
      hydrophobic hydrocarbon and hydrophilic TiO2 nanoparticles for oil absorption or
      desorption that are responsive to UV irradiation. The hydrocarbon in the nano
      sponge could selectively absorb oil from water, whereas the absorbed oil is
      released into the water by TiO2 in response to UV irradiation. The nano-sponge
      functionalized porous polydimethylsiloxane released more than 98% of the absorbed
      crude oil with UV irradiation and air-bubbling. It could be continuously reused
      while maintaining a high absorption capacity and desorption efficiency without
      incurring secondary air or water pollution. This smart oil absorption/desorption
      methodology with excellent selectivity and recyclability with almost perfect
      removal of absorbed oil can be applied for oil-water separation, oil spill
      cleanup and reuse of spilled oil.

PMID- 26260471
TI  - Methodological approach and tools for systems thinking in health systems
      research: technical assistants' support of health administration reform in the
      Democratic Republic of Congo as an application.
AB  - In the field of development cooperation, interest in systems thinking and complex
      systems theories as a methodological approach is increasingly recognised. And so
      it is in health systems research, which informs health development aid
      interventions. However, practical applications remain scarce to date. The
      objective of this article is to contribute to the body of knowledge by presenting
      the tools inspired by systems thinking and complexity theories and methodological
      lessons learned from their application. These tools were used in a case study.
      Detailed results of this study are in process for publication in additional
      articles. Applying a complexity 'lens', the subject of the case study is the role
      of long-term international technical assistance in supporting health
      administration reform at the provincial level in the Democratic Republic of
      Congo. The Methods section presents the guiding principles of systems thinking
      and complex systems, their relevance and implication for the subject under study,
      and the existing tools associated with those theories which inspired us in the
      design of the data collection and analysis process. The tools and their
      application processes are presented in the results section, and followed in the
      discussion section by the critical analysis of their innovative potential and
      emergent challenges. The overall methodology provides a coherent whole, each tool
      bringing a different and complementary perspective on the system.

PMID- 26260472
TI  - Cooking, storage, and reheating effect on the formation of cholesterol oxidation
      products in processed meat products.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cholesterol is an important biological compound; however, its
      oxidation products have been proven to be harmful to human health. Cooking,
      storage, and reheating methods significantly affect the safety of meat products,
      as they contribute to the production of cholesterol oxidation products (COPs).
      METHODS: Three cooking methods were used to cook sausages, loin ham, bacon,
      luncheon meat, and pressed ham, in order to investigate the effect of cooking,
      storage, and reheating on total cholesterol and on the formation of COPs. Cooked
      samples were stored at 4  degrees C and reheated after 3 and 6 storage days by
      the same cooking method or by microwaving. The samples were assessed for total
      lipids, cholesterol, and cholesterol oxides. RESULTS: The average cholesterol
      content in the processed meat varied from 76.0 mg/100 g to 201.70 mg/100 g.
      Microwaved ham showed the lowest cholesterol content compared to that of other
      processed meat products. Significant differences were found in cholesterol
      content and cholesterol oxidation products depending on cooking, storage, and
      reheating methods. Six cholesterol oxides were found in processed meat, of which
      7beta-hydroxycholesterol and alpha-epoxides were detected as the major oxidation
      products. CONCLUSIONS: Microwaving and oven grilling resulted in higher
      production of COPs in processed meat as compared with other cooking methods.
      Refrigerated storage tended to significantly increase the COPs content.

PMID- 26260473
TI  - A 72-hour high fat diet increases transcript levels of the neuropeptide galanin
      in the dorsal hippocampus of the rat.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recent evidence identifies the hippocampus, a brain structure
      commonly associated with learning and memory, as key to the regulation of food
      intake and the development and consequences of obesity. Intake of a high fat diet
      (HFD) results in altered consumptive behavior, hippocampal damage, and cognitive
      deficits. While many studies report the effects of HFD after chronic consumption
      and in the instance of obesity, few examine the events that occur following acute
      HFD consumption. In this study, male rats were fed either a control diet (10% fat
      by kcal) or HFD (45% fat by kcal) for 72 h. At the end of the 72-h period, serum
      and tissues were collected and weighed. Brains were rapidly frozen or formalin
      fixed in preparation for qRT-PCR or immunohistochemistry, respectively. RESULTS:
      Acute intake of HFD resulted in higher serum levels of leptin and cholesterol,
      with no significant changes in final body weight or adipose tissue mass. In the
      dorsal hippocampus, transcription of the neuroprotective peptide galanin was
      significantly upregulated along with a trend for an increase in brain-derived
      neurotrophic factor and histone deacetylase 2 in the rats fed HFD. In the ventral
      hippocampus, there was a significant increase in histone deacetylase 4 and a
      decrease in galanin receptor 1 in this group. Results from immunohistochemistry
      validate strong presence of the galanin peptide in the CA1/CA2 region of the
      dorsal hippocampus. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide evidence for a distinct
      response in specific functional regions of the hippocampus following acute HFD
      intake.

PMID- 26260475
TI  - Erratum to: Nutritional vitamin D supplementation and health-related outcomes in
      hemodialysis patients: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PMID- 26260474
TI  - Associations between neighbourhood walkability and daily steps in adults: a
      systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Higher street connectivity, land use mix and residential density
      (collectively referred to as neighbourhood walkability) have been linked to
      higher levels of walking. The objective of our study was to summarize the current
      body of knowledge on the association between neighbourhood walkability and
      biosensor-assessed daily steps in adults. METHODS: We conducted a systematic
      search of PubMed, SCOPUS, and Embase (Ovid) for articles published prior to May
      2014 on the association between walkability (based on Geographic Information
      Systems-derived street connectivity, land use mix, and/or residential density)
      and daily steps (pedometer or accelerometer-assessed) in adults. The mean
      differences in daily steps between adults living in high versus low walkable
      neighbourhoods were pooled across studies using a Bayesian hierarchical model.
      RESULTS: The search strategy yielded 8,744 unique abstracts. Thirty of these
      underwent full article review of which six met the inclusion criteria. Four of
      these studies were conducted in Europe and two were conducted in Asia. A meta
      analysis of four of these six studies indicates that participants living in high
      compared to low walkable neighbourhoods accumulate 766 more steps per day (95 %
      credible interval 250, 1271). This accounts for approximately 8 % of recommended
      daily steps. CONCLUSIONS: The results of European and Asian studies support the
      hypothesis that higher neighbourhood walkability is associated with higher levels
      of biosensor-assessed walking in adults. More studies on this association are
      needed in North America.

PMID- 26260477
TI  - Post-traumatic pancreatic pseudocyst managed by Roux-en-Y drainage.
AB  - A pancreatic pseudocyst is a collection of serous fluid in relation to the
      pancreas following acute pancreatitis. If pancreatography is performed, most
      pseudocysts will be found to have a connection with the pancreatic ductal system.
      Most will resolve spontaneously but clinically significant pseudocysts (~5%) may
      require surgical intervention. Surgical (laparoscopic or open) direct drainage of
      pancreatic pseudocysts into the upper gastrointestinal tract is the mainstay of
      treatment with the possibility of pancreatic resection if malignancy is
      suspected. We report a persistent post-traumatic pancreatic pseudocyst of 8-year
      duration, despite recurrent percutaneous aspiration that was finally managed by a
      Roux-en-Y drainage. 

PMID- 26260476
TI  - Development and evaluation of a SYBR Green real-time RT-PCR assay for detection
      of avian hepatitis E virus.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Avian hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the main causative agent of big
      liver and spleen disease, as well as hepatitis-splenomegaly syndrome in chickens.
      To date, conventional reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)
      and nested RT-PCR methods have been used for the diagnosis of avian HEV infection
      in chickens. However, these assays are time consuming, inconvenient, and cannot
      detect the virus quantitatively. In this study, a rapid and sensitive SYBR Green
      real-time RT-PCR assay was developed to detect avian HEV RNA quantitatively in
      serum, liver, spleen, and fecal samples from chickens. RESULTS: Based on the
      sequence of the most conserved HEV gene, ORF3, the primers for the assay were
      designed, and the standard plasmid was constructed. The detection limit of the
      assay was shown to be 10 copies/MUl of standard plasmid/reaction, with a
      corresponding cycle-threshold value of 29.3. The standard curve exhibited a
      dynamic linear range across at least 7 log units of DNA copy number. The
      specificity and reproducibility of this assay was high, showing that the assay
      detected avian HEV RNA specifically and with little variability. Compared to
      conventional RT-PCR, the current assay is more sensitive for detecting avian HEV
      in serum, liver, spleen, and fecal samples from chickens. CONCLUSIONS: A rapid,
      specific, and reproducible SYBR Green real-time RT-PCR assay was developed for
      the diagnosis of avian HEV infection in chickens. This assay can accurately
      detect avian HEV RNA in serum, liver, spleen, and fecal samples with more
      sensitivity than conventional RT-PCR.

PMID- 26260478
TI  - Clinical relevance of morphologic MRI criteria for the assessment of lymph nodes
      in patients with rectal cancer.
AB  - AIM: The aim of this study is the evaluation of lymph node staging by magnetic
      resonance imaging (MRI) within clinical routine in patients with rectal cancer.
      METHOD: Routine MRI reports (3 T) of 65 consecutive patients with rectal cancer
      were retrospectively categorized in lymph node tumor positive or negative (mriN+;
      mriN0) and compared to the final histopathological results (pN+; pN0).
      Sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV), positive predictive
      value (PPV), and accuracy were calculated. The original MRI readings were then
      reanalyzed in order to identify the longest short-axis lymph node diameter for
      each patient. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to
      calculate a possible cutoff value for the short-axis lymph node diameter.
      RESULTS: Overall sensitivity was 94 %, specificity 13 %, NPV 86 %, PPV 28 %, and
      accuracy 34 %. The best accuracy could be calculated for a short-diameter cutoff
      of <=5 mm (83 %); pN+ and pN0 groups were then significantly different (p <
      0.0001). CONCLUSION: In clinical routine, lymph node assessment in patients with
      rectal cancer through MRI tends to overstage malignant lymphadenopathy. A <=5-mm
      cutoff value for the short-axis lymph node diameter of benign nodes is able to
      improve the accuracy and has potential to lower the risk of overstaging.

PMID- 26260479
TI  - Perianal Paget's disease: three decades experience of a single institution.
AB  - PURPOSE: Perianal Paget's disease is a rare intraepithelial adenocarcinoma of the
      perianal skin and the second most common localization of extramammary Paget's
      disease. This study was designed to evaluate long-term outcomes in patients with
      perianal Paget's disease. METHODS: We identified patients who were treated for
      perianal Paget's disease between 1981 and 2013. Patient demographics, family
      history, associated malignancies, treatments, histopathological features, need
      for re-operations, and long-term outcomes were documented. RESULTS: Our study
      cohort consisted of 15 male and 10 female patients with a median age of 67 (40
      83) years. Four patients had concurrent anorectal adenocarcinoma (two anal canal,
      two rectal) when perianal Paget's disease was diagnosed. Index operations
      performed were wide local excision (14 patients), local excision (five patients),
      abdominoperineal resection (four patients), and radiotherapy (two patients). Five
      patients developed invasive carcinoma (three anal canal, one vulvar, one perianal
      squamous cell carcinoma) during a median follow-up time of 60 (3-299) months.
      Thirteen patients were re-operated. Fifteen patients had a reconstructive
      procedure following excision. Overall survival was similar between the patients
      who were treated with wide local excision and local excision regardless of
      surgical margin status at index excision (P = 0.75). CONCLUSIONS: Since there is
      a risk for developing invasive carcinoma in the anal canal and perineum in
      patients with perianal Paget's disease, close follow-up is needed after R0 or R1
      excision. Physicians should be aware of the risk of cancers associated with
      perianal Paget's disease and should rule out them during management.

PMID- 26260480
TI  - Influence of gentamicin-coded PVDF suture material on the healing of intestinal
      anastomosis in a rat model.
AB  - PURPOSE: Intestinal anastomosis is a fundamental procedure in general surgery and
      required to restore intestinal continuity following resection. The aim of this
      study was to evaluate whether a gentamicin-coated polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)
      suture material has beneficial effect on anastomotic healing. METHODS: Ninety
      Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups: a PVDF-suture group, a
      gentamicin-coated PVDF (GPVDF)-suture group and a control group using Maxon(r)
      (polyglycolid-co-trimethylene carbonate). For each animal, a colonic anastomosis
      was performed. Ten animals from each group were sacrificed on postoperative days
      3, 5, and 14. Measurements of anastomotic bursting pressure were performed on
      days 3 and 5. At each time, collagen type I/III ratio, MMP 2 and MMP-9 expression
      and the proliferation index (Ki67) were analyzed. RESULTS: In total, 90 animals
      underwent surgery without postoperative complications. Bursting strength in the
      GPVDF group was significantly elevated on day 5. Immunohistochemistry showed
      significant increase of the collagen type I/III ratio for PVDF and GPVDF on days
      3 and 5. MMP2 was significantly increased for PVDF on days 3 and 5 and for GPVDF
      on day 5. The analysis of MMP9 revealed significant increase compared to control
      on day 3 and 5 (GPVDF) as well as on day 5 (PVDF). Staining for Ki67 revealed a
      significant elevation on postoperative day 3 for the PVDF and the GPVDF group.
      CONCLUSIONS: The present data shows the feasibility of PVDF as suture material
      for colonic anastomosis and confirms the ability of gentamicin to increase the
      stability of colonic anastomosis when used as coating material.

PMID- 26260481
TI  - The size of retrieved lymph nodes correlates with the number of retrieved lymph
      nodes and is an independent prognostic factor in patients with stage II colon
      cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: In stage II colon cancer, patients with many retrieved lymph nodes (LNs)
      have been reported to have better oncological outcomes. We tested the hypothesis
      that the greater number of retrieved LNs is related to a larger LN size. METHODS:
      The subjects comprised 320 patients with stage II colon cancer who underwent
      curative resection. All operations were elective and were performed by the same
      surgeons. The maximum long axis and short axis diameters of LNs were measured on
      hematoxylin-eosin-stained specimens. RESULTS: A total of 4,744 LNs were
      evaluated. The number of retrieved LNs was 14.8 +/- 10.1 (mean +/- SD). The long
      axis diameter was 4.8 +/- 2.6 mm, with a median value of 4.3 mm, a maximum value
      of 20.4 mm, and a minimum value of 0.6 mm. The corresponding short axis diameters
      were 3.4 +/- 1.7, 3.0, 15.1, and 0.5 mm, respectively. The highest correlation
      coefficient for the association with the number of LNs was obtained for the
      maximum value of the long axis diameter (0.59). Multivariate analysis revealed
      that age, tumor location, pathological T stage, and the maximum long axis
      diameter were independent prognostic factors. The number of LNs was not a
      significant factor. Patients with less than 12 LNs and a maximum long axis
      diameter of less than 10 mm had significantly poorer outcomes (p < 0.001).
      CONCLUSION: In patients with stage II colon cancer, the maximum long axis
      diameter of LNs correlated with the number of LNs and was an independent
      prognostic factor.

PMID- 26260482
TI  - The types of anastomotic leakage that develop following anterior resection for
      rectal cancer demonstrate distinct characteristics and oncologic outcomes.
AB  - PURPOSE: The types of anastomotic leakage that develop following rectal cancer
      surgery and their impact on long-term outcomes are not well documented. This
      study aimed to compare the clinical characteristics of various types of
      anastomotic leakage after anterior resection in rectal cancer patients and
      evaluate their impact on the long-term oncologic outcomes. METHODS: This study
      analyzed data obtained from 2510 consecutive patients who underwent anterior
      resection for rectal cancers. Of these patients, 141 (5.6 %) developed
      anastomotic leakage. Three types of leakage were categorized according to
      presentation: generalized peritonitis (type I), localized peritonitis (type II),
      and fistula or chronic sinus (type III). The clinical characteristics and
      oncologic outcomes were compared. RESULTS: Type I leakage was the most common (I
      44.7 %, n = 63; II 30.5 %, n = 43; III 24.8 %, n = 35). Type III occurred more
      frequently in women (p = 0.001) and patients with low rectal cancer (p < 0.001).
      Patients with type II or III leakage more frequently underwent radiation therapy
      (p < 0.001) and diverting ostomy (p < 0.001). Leakage management differed
      according to the type of leakage (p < 0.001). The local recurrence-free survival
      rate was significantly lower in patients with type II and III leakage (p =
      0.014). CONCLUSIONS: The clinical characteristics and oncologic results are
      distinct for each type of anastomotic leakage. Only a type II or III leakage
      increases the risk of local recurrence. Each type of leakage should thus be
      considered a different disease entity.

PMID- 26260483
TI  - Comorbidities and colorectal surgery.

PMID- 26260484
TI  - p38 phosphorylation in medullary microglia mediates ectopic orofacial
      inflammatory pain in rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Orofacial inflammatory pain is likely to accompany referred pain in
      uninflamed orofacial structures. The ectopic pain precludes precise diagnosis and
      makes treatment problematic, because the underlying mechanism is not well
      understood. Using the established ectopic orofacial pain model induced by
      complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) injection into trapezius muscle, we analyzed the
      possible role of p38 phosphorylation in activated microglia in ectopic orofacial
      pain. RESULTS: Mechanical allodynia in the lateral facial skin was induced
      following trapezius muscle inflammation, which accompanied microglial activation
      with p38 phosphorylation and hyperexcitability of wide dynamic range (WDR)
      neurons in the trigeminal spinal subnucleus caudalis (Vc). Intra-cisterna
      successive administration of a p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase selective
      inhibitor, SB203580, suppressed microglial activation and its phosphorylation of
      p38. Moreover, SB203580 administration completely suppressed mechanical allodynia
      in the lateral facial skin and enhanced WDR neuronal excitability in Vc.
      Microglial interleukin-1beta over-expression in Vc was induced by trapezius
      muscle inflammation, which was significantly suppressed by SB203580
      administration. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that microglia, activated
      via p38 phosphorylation, play a pivotal role in WDR neuronal hyperexcitability,
      which accounts for the mechanical hypersensitivity in the lateral facial skin
      associated with trapezius muscle inflammation.

PMID- 26260485
TI  - Identification of Differentially Expressed Genes in Chilling-Induced Potato
      (Solanum tuberosum L.); a Data Analysis Study.
AB  - Cold stress, as chilling (<20  degrees C) or freezing (<0  degrees C), is one of
      the frequently exposed stresses in cultivated plants like potato. Under cold
      stress, plants differentially modulate their gene expression to develop a cold
      tolerance/acclimation. In the present study, we aimed to identify the overall
      gene expression profile of chilling-stressed (+4  degrees C) potato at four time
      points (4, 8, 12, and 48 h), with a particular emphasis on the genes related with
      transcription factors (TFs), phytohormones, lipid metabolism, signaling pathway,
      and photosynthesis. A total of 3504 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were
      identified at four time points of chilling-induced potato, of which 1397 were
      found to be up-regulated while 2107 were down-regulated. Heatmap showed that
      genes were mainly up-regulated at 4-, 8-, and 12-h time points; however, at 48-h
      time point, they inclined to down-regulate. Seventy five up-regulated TF genes
      were identified from 37 different families/groups, including mainly from bHLH,
      WRKY, CCAAT-binding, HAP3, and bZIP families. Protein kinases and calcium were
      major signaling molecules in cold-induced signaling pathway. A collaborated
      regulation of phytohormones was observed in chilling-stressed potato. Lipid
      metabolisms were regulated in a way, highly probably, to change membrane
      composition to avoid cold damage and render in signaling. A down-regulated gene
      expression profile was observed in photosynthesis pathway, probably resulting
      from chilling-induced reduced enzyme activity or light-triggered ROSs damage. The
      findings of this study will be a valuable theoretical knowledge in terms of
      understanding the chilling-induced tolerance mechanisms in cultivated potato
      plants as well as in other Solanum species.

PMID- 26260486
TI  - Verbal and nonverbal indicators of quality of communication between care staff
      and residents in ethnoculturally and linguistically diverse long-term care
      settings.
AB  - Linguistic and ethnocultural diversity in long-term residential care is a growing
      trend in many urban settings. When long-term care staff and residents do not
      share the same language or ethnocultural background, the quality of their
      communication and care are jeopardized. There is very little research addressing
      how staff and residents communicate when they experience a mismatch in their
      language and ethnocultural backgrounds. Thus, the goals of the present study were
      to 1) document the verbal and nonverbal behaviours used by staff and residents in
      diverse interactions, and 2) identify and account for behaviours that either
      promoted or detracted from positive communication by drawing on principles from
      'Communication Accommodation Theory'. Two long-term care facilities in British
      Columbia Canada were selected due to the diverse linguistic and ethnocultural
      backgrounds of their staff and residents. Twenty-seven staff and 27 residents
      consented to being video-recorded during routine activities (e.g., mealtimes,
      recreational activities). The recorded observations were transcribed, translated,
      and coded using qualitative descriptive and interpretive analyses. A number of
      verbal and nonverbal behaviours were identified and interpreted in relation to
      whether they promoted or detracted from positive communication. The findings
      point to considering a variety of proactive strategies that staff and
      administrators could employ to effectively accommodate to language and
      ethnocultural diversity in long-term care practice. 

PMID- 26260487
TI  - Point of care coagulometry in prehospital emergency care: an observational study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Haemostatic impairment can have a crucial impact on the outcome of
      emergency patients, especially in cases of concomitant antithrombotic drug
      treatment. In this prospective observational study we used a point of care (POC)
      coagulometer in a prehospital physician-based emergency medical system in order
      to test its validity and potential value in the treatment of emergency patients.
      METHODS: During a study period of 12 months, patients could be included if venous
      access was mandatory for further treatment. The POC device CoaguChek(r) was used
      to assess international normalized ratio (INR) after ambulance arrival at the
      scene. Results were compared with in-hospital central laboratory assessment of
      INR. The gain of time was analysed as well as the potential value of POC testing
      through a questionnaire completed by the responsible prehospital emergency
      physician. RESULTS: A total of 103 patients were included in this study. POC INR
      results were highly correlated with results of conventional assessment of INR
      (Bland-Altman-bias: 0.014). Using a cutoff value of INR >1.3, the device's
      sensitivity to detect coagulopathy was 100 % with a specificity of 98.7 %. The
      median gain of time was 69 min. Treating emergency physicians considered the
      value of prehospital POC INR testing 'high' in 9 % and 'medium' in 21 % of all
      patients. In patients with tracer diagnosis 'neurology', the value of prehospital
      INR assessment was considered 'high' or 'medium' (63 %) significantly more often
      than in patients with non-neurological tracer diagnoses (24 %). CONCLUSIONS:
      Assessment of INR through a POC coagulometer is feasible in prehospital emergency
      care and provides valuable information on haemostatic parameters in patients.
      Questionnaire results suggest that POC INR testing may present a valuable
      technique in selected patients. Whether this information translates into an
      improved management of respective patients has to be evaluated in further
      studies.

PMID- 26260488
TI  - Heart rate variability in horses with acute gastrointestinal disease requiring
      exploratory laparotomy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe heart rate variability (HRV) in horses with acute
      gastrointestinal disease that undergo exploratory laparotomy. We hypothesized
      that horses with ischemic gastrointestinal disease will have reduced HRV compared
      to horses with nonischemic lesions. We further hypothesized that a reduction in
      HRV will be associated with nonsurvival. DESIGN: Prospective, clinical,
      observational study. SETTING: University veterinary teaching hospital. ANIMALS:
      Horses presented for acute colic (n = 57) or elective surgical procedures (n =
      10) were enrolled. INTERVENTIONS: Admission heart rate (HR) was recorded and
      within 2 hours of recovery from general anesthesia continuous telemetry was
      placed, monitored and recorded for 48-52 hours postoperatively. Stored
      electrocardiograms were manually inspected and R-to-R intervals were extracted
      and uploaded into HRV software for analysis. Time domain and frequency spectral
      analysis were investigated at Times 1 (2-10 h), 2 (16-24 h), 3 (30-38 h), and 4
      (44-52 h) postoperatively. A two-way ANOVA for repeated measures was used for
      group comparisons. Logistic regression analysis was used to detect potential
      associations between admission HR, time and frequency domain variables, and
      nonsurvival. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Horses diagnosed with an ischemic
      gastrointestinal lesion (n = 22) at the time of surgery had significantly higher
      postoperative heart rates and reduced time domain-derived measures of HRV than
      horses with nonischemic gastrointestinal lesions (n = 35) or control horses (n =
      10). Horses that survived to discharge had significantly lower postoperative HRs,
      higher time domain, and lower low frequency spectral measures of HRV compared to
      nonsurvivors. The multivariable logistic regression model had a receiver
      operating characteristic area under the curve (AUC) of 0.95 and was significantly
      better at predicting nonsurvival than admission HR (P = 0.0124). CONCLUSIONS:
      Reduced HRV was strongly associated with ischemic gastrointestinal disease and
      nonsurvival. HRV analysis is a noninvasive technique that may provide diagnostic
      and prognostic information pertinent to the management of postoperative horses
      with severe gastrointestinal disease.

PMID- 26260489
TI  - Surgery for chronic inguinodynia following routine herniorrhaphy: beneficial
      effects on dysejaculation.
AB  - PURPOSE: Pain during sexual activities and ejaculation is reported by 3-4% of men
      after routine inguinal herniorrhaphy. The potential beneficial effects of surgery
      for chronic groin pain on dysejaculation are unknown. The objective of this study
      was to determine dysejaculation rates in a series of patients reporting chronic
      postherniorrhaphy pain and evaluate the effects of tailored neurectomy on
      dysejaculation. METHODS: We evaluated male patients (>18 years) operated for
      chronic groin pain after inguinal herniorrhaphy during a 6-year time period (2004
      2010). Dysejaculation was defined as a burning or searing sensation associated
      with ejaculation. Men reporting symptoms possibly associated with dysejaculation
      were sent a questionnaire investigating pain characteristics (VAS, 0-100),
      influence on sex life and effects of the tailored neurectomy. A Post
      Herniorrhaphy Dysejaculation Score (PHDS, 0-12 points) was introduced to quantify
      the severity of the dysejaculation syndrome. RESULTS: A series of 100 males
      operated for chronic inguinal pain after standard herniorrhaphy were studied.
      Thirty-four men reported symptoms of dysejaculation prior to the tailored
      neurectomy. Sex life was negatively influenced in 20 of these, and 5 completely
      abstained from any sexual activity. Following surgery including tailored
      neurectomy, funicular release and/or mesh removal, VAS for dysejaculation pain
      was significantly reduced [n = 20, 55 (95% CI 47-63) versus 21 (95% CI 13-29), p
      < 0.001]. PHDS scores were also significantly attenuated [n = 20, 10 (3-12)
      versus 2 (0-10), p < 0.001]. Sex life normalized in two-thirds of these men
      (13/20). CONCLUSION: Dysejaculation in men suffering from chronic pain after
      routine inguinal herniorrhaphy is not uncommon. A tailored neurectomy, funicular
      release and/or mesh removal offer relief in the majority of these patients.

PMID- 26260490
TI  - Abdominal wall dysfunction in adult bladder exstrophy: a treatable but under
      recognized problem.
AB  - PURPOSE: Bladder exstrophy is defined by urogenital and skeletal abnormalities
      with cosmetic and functional deformity of the lower anterior abdominal wall. The
      primary management objectives have historically been establishment of urinary
      continence with renal function preservation, reconstruction of functional and
      cosmetically acceptable external genitalia, and abdominal wall closure of some
      variety. The literature has focused on the challenges of neonatal approaches to
      abdominal wall closure; however, there has been a paucity of long-term followup
      to identify the presence and severity of abdominal wall defects in adulthood. Our
      goal was to characterize the adult disease and determine effective therapy.
      METHODS: A retrospective review of a consecutive series of six patients was
      performed. RESULTS: We report and characterize the presence of severe abdominal
      wall dysfunction in these adult exstrophy patients treated as children. We
      tailored an abdominal wall and pelvic floor reconstruction with long-term success
      to highlight a need for awareness of the magnitude of the problem and its
      solvability. CONCLUSIONS: The natural history of abdominal wall laxity and the
      long-term consequences of cloacal exstrophy closure have gone unexplored and
      unreported. Evaluation of our series facilitates understanding in this complex
      area and may be valuable for patients who are living limited lives thinking that
      no solution is available.

PMID- 26260491
TI  - The PROMIS of QALYs.
AB  - Measuring health and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is important for
      tracking the health of individuals and populations over time. Generic HRQoL
      measures allow for comparison across health conditions. One form of generic HRQoL
      measures are profile measures, which provide a description of health across
      several different domains (such as physical functioning, depression, and pain).
      Recent advances in health profile measurement include the development of measures
      based on item response theory. The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement
      Information System (PROMIS(r)) has been constructed using this theory. Another
      form of generic HRQoL measures are utility measures, which assess the value of
      health states. Multi-attribute utility theory provides a framework for valuing
      disparate domains of health and aggregating them into a single preference-based
      score. Such a score provides an overall measure of health outcomes as well as a
      quality of life weight for use in decision analyses and cost-effectiveness
      analyses. Developing a utility score for PROMIS(r) would allow simultaneous
      estimation of both health profile and utility scores using a single measure. The
      purpose of this paper is to provide a roadmap of the methodological steps
      necessary to create such a scoring system. 

PMID- 26260492
TI  - Total Worker Health Intervention Increases Activity of Sedentary Workers.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Office employees are exposed to hazardous levels of sedentary work.
      Interventions that integrate health promotion and health protection elements are
      needed to advance the health of sedentary workers. This study tested an
      integrated intervention on occupational sedentary/physical activity behaviors,
      cardiometabolic disease biomarkers, musculoskeletal discomfort, and work
      productivity. DESIGN: Two-group, RCT. Data were collected between January and
      August 2014. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: Overweight/obese adults working in sedentary
      desk jobs were randomized to: (1) a health protection-only group (HPO, n=27); or
      (2) an integrated health protection/health promotion group (HP/HP, n=27).
      INTERVENTION: HPO participants received an ergonomic workstation optimization
      intervention and three e-mails/week promoting rest breaks and posture variation.
      HP/HP participants received the HPO intervention plus access to a seated activity
      permissive workstation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Occupational sedentary and
      physical activity behaviors (primary outcomes), cardiometabolic health outcomes,
      musculoskeletal discomfort, and work productivity (secondary outcomes) were
      measured at baseline and post-intervention (16 weeks). RESULTS: The HP/HP group
      increased occupational light intensity physical activity over the HPO group and
      used the activity permissive workstations 50 minutes/work day. Significant
      associations were observed between activity permissive workstation adherence and
      improvements in several cardiometabolic biomarkers (weight, total fat mass,
      resting heart rate, body fat percentage) and work productivity outcomes
      (concentration at work, days missed because of health problems). CONCLUSIONS: The
      HP/HP group increased occupational physical activity and greater activity
      permissive workstation adherence was associated with improved health and work
      productivity outcomes. These findings are important for employers interested in
      advancing the well-being of sedentary office workers. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This
      study is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT02071420.

PMID- 26260493
TI  - Brain connectomics predict response to treatment in social anxiety disorder.
AB  - We asked whether brain connectomics can predict response to treatment for a
      neuropsychiatric disorder better than conventional clinical measures. Pre
      treatment resting-state brain functional connectivity and diffusion-weighted
      structural connectivity were measured in 38 patients with social anxiety disorder
      (SAD) to predict subsequent treatment response to cognitive behavioral therapy
      (CBT). We used a priori bilateral anatomical amygdala seed-driven resting
      connectivity and probabilistic tractography of the right inferior longitudinal
      fasciculus together with a data-driven multivoxel pattern analysis of whole-brain
      resting-state connectivity before treatment to predict improvement in social
      anxiety after CBT. Each connectomic measure improved the prediction of
      individuals' treatment outcomes significantly better than a clinical measure of
      initial severity, and combining the multimodal connectomics yielded a fivefold
      improvement in predicting treatment response. Generalization of the findings was
      supported by leave-one-out cross-validation. After dividing patients into better
      or worse responders, logistic regression of connectomic predictors and initial
      severity combined with leave-one-out cross-validation yielded a categorical
      prediction of clinical improvement with 81% accuracy, 84% sensitivity and 78%
      specificity. Connectomics of the human brain, measured by widely available
      imaging methods, may provide brain-based biomarkers (neuromarkers) supporting
      precision medicine that better guide patients with neuropsychiatric diseases to
      optimal available treatments, and thus translate basic neuroimaging into medical
      practice. 

PMID- 26260494
TI  - Disruption of mGluR5 in parvalbumin-positive interneurons induces core features
      of neurodevelopmental disorders.
AB  - Alterations in glutamatergic transmission onto developing GABAergic systems, in
      particular onto parvalbumin-positive (Pv(+)) fast-spiking interneurons, have been
      proposed as underlying causes of several neurodevelopmental disorders, including
      schizophrenia and autism. Excitatory glutamatergic transmission, through
      ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors, is necessary for the correct
      postnatal development of the Pv(+) GABAergic network. We generated mutant mice in
      which the metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) was specifically ablated
      from Pv(+) interneurons postnatally, and investigated the consequences of such a
      manipulation at the cellular, network and systems levels. Deletion of mGluR5 from
      Pv(+) interneurons resulted in reduced numbers of Pv(+) neurons and decreased
      inhibitory currents, as well as alterations in event-related potentials and brain
      oscillatory activity. These cellular and sensory changes translated into domain
      specific memory deficits and increased compulsive-like behaviors, abnormal
      sensorimotor gating and altered responsiveness to stimulant agents. Our findings
      suggest a fundamental role for mGluR5 in the development of Pv(+) neurons and
      show that alterations in this system can produce broad-spectrum alterations in
      brain network activity and behavior that are relevant to neurodevelopmental
      disorders. 

PMID- 26260495
TI  - Infant mortality and causes of infant deaths in rural Ethiopia: a population
      based cohort of 3684 births.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ethiopia has made large-scale healthcare investments to improve child
      health and survival. However, there is insufficient population level data on the
      current estimates of infant mortality rate (IMR) in the country. The aim of this
      study was to measure infant mortality rate, investigate risk factors for infant
      deaths and identify causes of death in a rural population of northern Ethiopia.
      METHODS: Live births to a cohort of mothers under the Kilite Awlaelo Health and
      Demographic Surveillance System were followed up to their first birthday or
      death, between September 11, 2009 and September 10, 2013. Maternal and infant
      characteristics were collected at baseline and during the regular follow-up
      visit. Multiple-Cox regression was used to investigate risk factors for infant
      death. Causes of infant death were identified using physician review verbal
      autopsy method. RESULTS: Of the total 3684 infants followed, 174 of them died
      before their first birthday, yielding an IMR of 47 per 1000 live births (95 % CI:
      41, 54) over the four years of follow-up. About 96 % of infants survived up to
      their first birthday, and 56 % of infant deaths occurred during the neonatal
      period. Infants born to mothers aged 15-19 years old had higher risk of death (HR
      = 2.68, 95 % CI: 1. 74, 4.87) than those born to 25-29 years old. Infants of
      mothers who attained a secondary school and above had 56 % lower risk of death
      (HR = 0.44, 95 % CI: 0.24, 0.81) compared to those whose mothers did not attend
      formal education. Sepsis, prematurity and asphyxia and acute lower respiratory
      tract infections were the commonest causes of death. CONCLUSION: The IMR for the
      four-year period was lower than the national and regional estimates. Our findings
      suggest the need to improve the newborn care, and empower teenagers to delay
      teenage pregnancy and attain higher levels of education.

PMID- 26260496
TI  - The immune response in the CNS in Theiler's virus induced demyelinating disease
      switches from an early adaptive response to a chronic innate-like response.
AB  - Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus-induced demyelinating disease (TMEV-IDD)
      is an important model of the progressive disability caused by irreversible CNS
      tissue injury, and provides an example of how a CNS pathogen can cause
      inflammation, demyelination, and neuronal damage. We were interested in which
      molecules, especially inflammatory mediators, might be upregulated in the CNS
      throughout TMEV-IDD. We quantitated by a real-time RT-PCR multi-gene system the
      expression of a pathway-focused panel of genes at 30 and 165 days post infection,
      characterizing both the early inflammatory and the late neurodegenerative stages
      of TMEV-IDD. Also, we measured 32 cytokines/chemokines by multiplex Luminex
      analysis in CSF specimens from early and late TMEV-IDD as well as sham-treated
      mice. Results indicate that, in the later stage of TMEV-IDD, activation of the
      innate immune response is most prominent: TLRs, type I IFN response genes, and
      innate immunity-associated cytokines were highly expressed in late TMEV-IDD
      compared to sham (p <= 0.0001) and early TMEV-IDD (p < 0.05). Conversely, several
      molecular mediators of adaptive immune response were highly expressed in early
      TMEV-IDD (all p <= 0.001). Protein detection in the CSF was broadly concordant
      with mRNA abundance of the corresponding gene measured by real-time RT-PCR in the
      spinal cord, since several cytokines/chemokines were increased in the CSF of TMEV
      IDD mice. Results show a clear shift from adaptive to innate immunity from early
      to late TMEV-IDD, indicating that adaptive and innate immune pathways are likely
      involved in the development and progression of the disease to different extents.
      CSF provides an optimal source of biomarkers of CNS neuroinflammation. 

PMID- 26260497
TI  - Association of Interstage Home Monitoring With Mortality, Readmissions, and
      Weight Gain: A Multicenter Study from the National Pediatric Cardiology Quality
      Improvement Collaborative.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Daily home monitoring of oxygen saturation and weight has been
      reported to improve outcomes for patients with single-ventricle heart disease
      during the period between stage I palliation and stage II palliation. However,
      these studies have been limited to single institutions and used historical
      control subjects. Our objective was to determine the association of various
      interstage home monitoring strategies with outcomes using a multicenter cohort
      with contemporary control subjects. METHODS AND RESULTS: We performed a
      retrospective cohort study using prospectively collected data from the National
      Pediatric Cardiology Quality Improvement Collaborative from 2008 to 2012. We
      compared interstage mortality, unscheduled readmissions, and change in weight-for
      age Z score for various home monitoring strategies of oxygen saturation (n=494)
      or weight (n=472), adjusting for sex, syndrome, tricuspid regurgitation, arch
      obstruction, and shunt type. Overall interstage mortality was 8.1%, and 47% had
      >=1 unscheduled readmission. We did not find any associations of home oxygen
      saturation or weight monitoring with mortality or readmission. Although there was
      no difference in weight-for-age Z score for daily (0.33+/-0.12) versus weekly
      (0.34+/-0.18, P=0.98) weight monitoring, daily home weight monitoring was
      superior to no home weight monitoring (-0.15+/-0.18; P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Home
      weight monitoring is associated with improved weight gain during the interstage
      period, but we did not find any benefits in other clinical outcomes for either
      home oxygen saturation monitoring or home weight monitoring.

PMID- 26260498
TI  - Mechanical Support for the Failing Right Ventricle in Patients With Precapillary
      Pulmonary Hypertension.

PMID- 26260499
TI  - Common Cause of Mortality in Trauma but Manageable Nonetheless.

PMID- 26260501
TI  - A Heart With Quadruple Atria: Does it Exist?

PMID- 26260502
TI  - Cardiology Patient Page. Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

PMID- 26260503
TI  - Letter by Frigerio et al Regarding Article, "Long-Term Outcomes of Inoperable
      Patients With Aortic Stenosis Randomly Assigned to Transcatheter Aortic Valve
      Replacement or Standard Therapy".

PMID- 26260504
TI  - Response to Letter Regarding Article, "Long-Term Outcomes of Inoperable Patients
      With Aortic Stenosis Randomly Assigned to Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement
      or Standard Therapy".

PMID- 26260505
TI  - Letter by Muskiet et al Regarding Article, "Heart Failure, Saxagliptin, and
      Diabetes Mellitus: Observations From the SAVOR-TIMI 53 Randomized Trial".

PMID- 26260506
TI  - Response to Letter Regarding Article, "Heart Failure, Saxagliptin and Diabetes
      Mellitus: Observations From the SAVOR-TIMI 53 Randomized Trial".

PMID- 26260507
TI  - Arrhythmogenic Left Ventricular Cardiomyopathy: Suspected by Cardiac Magnetic
      Resonance Imaging, Confirmed by Identification of a Novel Plakophilin-2 Variant.

PMID- 26260509
TI  - Current progress in the biology of members of the Sporothrix schenckii complex
      following the genomic era.
AB  - Sporotrichosis has been attributed for more than a century to one single
      etiological agent, Sporothrix schencki. Only eight years ago, it was described
      that, in fact, the disease is caused by several pathogenic cryptic species. The
      present review will focus on recent advances to understand the biology and
      virulence of epidemiologically relevant pathogenic species of the S. schenckii
      complex. The main subjects covered are the new clinical and epidemiological
      aspects including diagnostic and therapeutic challenges, the development of
      molecular tools, the genome database and the perspectives for study of virulence
      of emerging Sporothrix species.

PMID- 26260508
TI  - Canine atopic dermatitis: detailed guidelines for diagnosis and allergen
      identification.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Canine atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common, genetically predisposed,
      inflammatory and pruritic skin disease. The variation in clinical presentations,
      due to genetic factors, extent of the lesions, stage of the disease, secondary
      infections, as well as resemblance to other non-atopic related skin diseases, can
      complicate a diagnosis of canine AD. A sub-group of the International Committee
      for Allergic Diseases in Animals (ICADA) was tasked with the development of a set
      of practical guidelines that can be used to assist practitioners and researchers
      in the diagnosis of canine AD. Online citation databases and abstracts from
      international meetings were searched for publications related to the topic, and
      combined with expert opinion where necessary. The final set of guidelines was
      approved by the entire ICADA committee. RESULTS: A total of 81 publications
      relevant for this review were identified. The guidelines generated focus on three
      aspects of the diagnostic approach: 1. Ruling out of other skin conditions with
      clinical signs resembling, or overlapping with canine AD. 2. Detailed
      interpretation of the historical and clinical features of patients affected by
      canine AD. 3. Allergy testing by intradermal versus allergen-specific IgE serum
      testing. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of canine AD is based on meeting clinical
      criteria and ruling out other possible causes with similar clinical signs. Flea
      combing, skin scraping and cytology should be performed, where necessary, as part
      of a thorough work-up. Elimination diet trials are required for patients with
      perennial pruritus and/or concurrent gastrointestinal signs. Once a clinical
      diagnosis of canine AD is made, allergy testing can be performed to identify
      potential causative allergens for allergen-specific immunotherapy.

PMID- 26260510
TI  - A link between Sas2-mediated H4 K16 acetylation, chromatin assembly in S-phase by
      CAF-I and Asf1, and nucleosome assembly by Spt6 during transcription.
AB  - The histone acetyltransferase Sas2 is part of the SAS-I complex and acetylates
      lysine 16 of histone H4 (H4 K16Ac) in the genome of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
      Sas2-mediated H4 K16Ac is strongest over the coding region of genes with low
      expression. However, it is unclear how Sas2-mediated acetylation is incorporated
      into chromatin. Our previous work has shown physical interactions of SAS-I with
      the histone chaperones CAF-I and Asf1, suggesting a link between SAS-I-mediated
      acetylation and chromatin assembly. Here, we find that Sas2-dependent H4 K16Ac in
      bulk histones requires passage of the cells through the S-phase of the cell
      cycle, and the rate of increase in H4 K16Ac depends on both CAF-I and Asf1,
      whereas steady-state levels and genome-wide distribution of H4 K16Ac show only
      mild changes in their absence. Furthermore, H4 K16Ac is deposited in chromatin at
      genes upon repression, and this deposition requires the histone chaperone Spt6,
      but not CAF-I, Asf1, HIR or Rtt106. Altogether, our data indicate that Spt6
      controls H4 K16Ac levels by incorporating K16-unacetylated H4 in strongly
      transcribed genes. Upon repression, Spt6 association is decreased, resulting in
      less deposition of K16-unacetylated H4 and therefore in a concomitant increase of
      H4 K16Ac that is recycled during transcription. 

PMID- 26260511
TI  - An ethnomedicinal study of the Seri people; a group of hunter-gatherers and
      fishers native to the Sonoran Desert.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Worldwide, coastal communities' ethnomedicinal knowledge has been
      sporadically recorded and poorly understood. Based on the ethnomedicinal
      knowledge of the Seri people; a hunting-gathering and fishing society of
      Northwestern Mexico, this study assesses a) the biological richness of Seri
      ethnomedicinal knowledge, b) the fidelity level of Seri remedies, and c) the
      association between gender, age, years of formal schooling and Seri
      ethnomedicinal knowledge. METHODS: To assess the degree of ethnomedicinal
      knowledge proficiency, we conducted 75 open-ended semi-structured interviews
      collecting information on ethnomedicinal knowledge of marine and terrestrial
      organisms and the socio-demographic profile of each collaborator. With the
      support of primary collaborators, we collected the materials to be used as
      stimuli along our interviews. A correlation analysis was used to determine the
      relationship between gender, literacy and age with the ethnomedicinal knowledge
      proficiency. A paired t-test was used to determine differences in the number of
      remedies known by gender among members of the Seri community. RESULTS: A total of
      28 medicinal specimens were presented as stimuli material. Marine remedies (12
      species), were represented by 4 algae, 3 mollusks, 3 echinoderms, on reptile, and
      one annelid. Terrestrial plants (13 species) were distributed in 12 families.
      About 40 % of marine preparations used the organism in whole. In contrast, 29 %
      of of the remedies involving plants made use of leafy branches. Stimuli materials
      are used against 17 ailments mainly, being diarrhea, colds, menstrual problems,
      and swelling the ailments against most organisms (44 %) are used for. Marine
      organisms presented higher fidelity level values overall, suggesting that lower
      fidelity levels in terrestrial plants reflect a process of continuous and ongoing
      experimentation with easily accessible biological materials. Highest fidelity
      level values were recorded for Atriplex barclayana (93.87 %) Batis maritima
      (84.37 %), and Turbo fluctuosus (84.21 %). Age moderately correlates to
      ethnomedicinal knowledge proficiency (r = 0.41). Conversely, years of formal
      schooling show a negative correlation with ethnomedicinal knowledge proficiency
      (r = -0.49). Significant differences (p <0.05) were observed on ethnomedicinal
      knowledge proficiency when gender groups were compared under a paired t-test.
      CONCLUSIONS: This research contributes to describing the complex biodiversity
      present in the ethnomedicinal systems of coastal non-agricultural societies. In
      addition, our research improves our understanding of the role that gender plays
      in the intra-cultural distribution of ethnomedicinal knowledge among Seri. Our
      results broaden our understanding of human adaptations to coastal and xeric
      environments. This research can potentially benefit the development of proposals
      to improve coastal and marine resource management and conservation while
      strengthening ethnomedicinal knowledge systems in populations, such as the Seri,
      limited by precarious socio-economic conditions and inadequate health services.

PMID- 26260512
TI  - Interstitial Outburst of Angiogenic Factors During Skeletal Muscle Regeneration
      After Acute Mechanical Trauma.
AB  - Angiogenesis is a key event during tissue regeneration, but the intimate
      mechanisms controlling this process are still largely unclear. Therefore, the
      cellular and molecular interplay along normal tissue regeneration should be
      carefully unveiled. To this matter, we investigated by xMAP assay the dynamics of
      some angiogenic factors known to be involved in tissue repair, such as
      follistatin (FST), Placental Growth Factor-2 (PLGF-2), epidermal growth factor
      (EGF), betacellulin (BTC), and amphiregulin (AREG) using an animal model that
      mimics acute muscle contusion injuries. In situ immunofluorescence was used for
      the evaluation and tissue distribution of their cellular sources. Tissue levels
      of explored factors increased significantly during degeneration and inflammatory
      stage of regeneration, peaking first week postinjury. However, except for PLGF-2
      and EGF, their levels remained significantly elevated after the inflammatory
      process started to fade. Serum levels were significantly increased only after 24
      h for AREG and EGF. Though, for all factors except FST, the levels in injured
      samples did not correlate with serum or contralateral tissue levels, excluding
      the systemic influence. We found significant correlations between the levels of
      EGF and AREG, BTC, FST and FST and AREG in injured samples. Interstitial cells
      expressing these factors were highlighted by in situ immunolabeling and their
      number correlated with measured levels dynamics. Our study provides evidence of a
      dynamic level variation along the regeneration process and a potential interplay
      between selected angiogenic factors. They are synthesized, at least partially, by
      cell populations residing in skeletal muscle interstitium during regeneration
      after acute muscle trauma.

PMID- 26260513
TI  - Critical Roles of the LIM Domains of Lhx3 in Recruiting Coactivators to the Motor
      Neuron-Specifying Isl1-Lhx3 Complex.
AB  - During spinal cord development, the LIM domains of the LIM homeodomain factor
      Lhx3 bind to either the LIM cofactor nuclear LIM interactor (NLI) or another LIM
      homeodomain factor, Isl1, assembling the tetrameric V2 interneuron-specifying
      Lhx3 complex (2NLI:2Lhx3) or the hexameric motor neuron-specifying Isl1-Lhx3
      complex (2NLI:2Isl1:2Lhx3). However, the detailed molecular basis by which the
      Lhx3-LIM domains contribute to motor neuron specification still remains poorly
      understood. Here, we show that the Lhx3-LIM domains are essential for recruiting
      transcriptional coactivators to the Isl1-Lhx3 complex. Using a yeast genetic
      screening system, we identify Lhx3 point mutants that bind to NLI but not Isl1.
      Accordingly, these mutants fail to assemble the Isl1-Lhx3 complex. However, their
      interaction with coactivators is relatively intact, and they are fully functional
      in the Lhx3 complex and V2 interneuron specification. Interestingly, when these
      Lhx3 mutants are directly fused to Isl1, their transcriptional activity in the
      Isl1-Lhx3 complex is restored. We further show that this restoration reflects an
      unexpected role of the Lhx3-LIM domains, likely together with Isl1, to form an
      interaction interface for coactivators. Our results suggest that the Lhx3-LIM
      domains play critical roles in transactivation of the Isl1-Lhx3 complex by not
      only directing the assembly of the Isl1-Lhx3 complex but also recruiting
      coactivators to the complex. 

PMID- 26260514
TI  - Standardized multilevel transition program: Does it affect renal transplant
      outcome?
AB  - The transfer of renal transplant patients from pediatric to adult care is a
      crucial step with a high risk of subsequent graft loss. Therefore, the transition
      should be a thoroughly planned, well-designed and multidisciplinary process
      focused on the individual patient. Our pediatric nephrology department introduced
      a structured step-by-step transition program supported by a multidisciplinary
      team of health professionals. The purpose of our study was to determine the
      effects of the transition program on eGFR and number of ARs in comparison to a
      group without a transition program at one and three yr after transfer. We
      conducted a single-center retrospective cohort study of renal transplant patients
      prior to and after the introduction of the transition program. Multiple
      regression analysis revealed a significantly lower decline of eGFR in the group
      with transition program (-11.3 +/- 44 mL/min/1.73 m(2) ) compared to the group
      without transition program (-28.4 +/- 33 mL/min/1.73 m(2) ) at three yr after
      transfer. The number of AR episodes significantly decreased from 34.6% in the
      group without transition program to 9.1% in the group with transition program.
      The standardized multilevel transition program seems to have significant positive
      effects on eGFR and number of AR episodes in renal transplant patients.

PMID- 26260517
TI  - In vitro study of valve-in-valve performance with the CoreValve self-expandable
      prosthesis implanted in different positions and sizes within the Trifecta
      surgical heart valve.

PMID- 26260516
TI  - The crystal structure of the thiocyanate-forming protein from Thlaspi arvense, a
      kelch protein involved in glucosinolate breakdown.
AB  - Kelch repeat-containing proteins are involved in diverse cellular processes, but
      only a small subset of plant kelch proteins has been functionally characterized.
      Thiocyanate-forming protein (TFP) from field-penny cress, Thlaspi arvense
      (Brassicaceae), is a representative of specifier proteins, a group of kelch
      proteins involved in plant specialized metabolism. As components of the
      glucosinolate-myrosinase system of the Brassicaceae, specifier proteins determine
      the profile of bioactive products formed when plant tissue is disrupted and
      glucosinolates are hydrolyzed by myrosinases. Here, we describe the crystal
      structure of TaTFP at a resolution of 1.4 A. TaTFP crystallized as homodimer.
      Each monomer forms a six-blade beta-propeller with a wide "top" and a narrower
      "bottom" opening with distinct strand-connecting loops protruding far beyond the
      lower propeller surface. Molecular modeling and mutational analysis identified
      residues for glucosinolate aglucone and Fe(2+) cofactor binding within these
      loops. As the first experimentally determined structure of a plant kelch protein,
      the crystal structure of TaTFP not only enables more detailed mechanistic studies
      on glucosinolate breakdown product formation, but also provides a new basis for
      research on the diverse roles and mechanisms of other kelch proteins in plants.

PMID- 26260518
TI  - Determining the number of stimuli required to reliably assess corticomotor
      excitability and primary motor cortical representations using transcranial
      magnetic stimulation (TMS): a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a technique that can be
      used to assess corticospinal plasticity. Current TMS practices involve the
      administration of multiple stimuli over target areas of the participant's scalp.
      However, these procedures require 1 to 2 h per assessment. Decreasing the number
      of stimuli delivered during TMS assessments would improve time efficiency and
      decrease participant demand. Thus, the aim of this review is to determine the
      number of TMS stimuli required to reliably measure (1) corticomotor excitability
      to a target muscle at a single cranial site and (2) the topography of the primary
      motor cortical representation for a target muscle across multiple cranial sites
      (termed 'mapping'). METHODS/DESIGN: A systematic review and meta-analysis will be
      conducted. Electronic databases will be searched using pre-determined search
      terms to identify relevant studies and evaluate the studies for inclusion and
      risks of bias. Two independent reviewers will extract the data. Any disagreements
      will be resolved by a third reviewer. Studies employing single-pulse TMS to
      measure (1) corticomotor excitability at a single cranial site or (2) the
      topographic cortical organisation of a target muscle across a number of cranial
      sites, published before May 2015, will be included if they meet the eligibility
      criteria. Outcomes will include motor-evoked potential amplitude, map volume,
      number of active map sites, location of the map centre of gravity, and distance
      between the centres of gravity of the target muscle and one or more neighbouring
      muscles. DISCUSSION: To our knowledge, this review will be the first to
      systematically explore the number of TMS stimuli required to reliably measure
      both corticomotor excitability and the topography of primary motor cortical
      representations. This research has the capacity to improve the efficiency of TMS,
      decrease participant demand, and facilitate the use of TMS as an outcome
      measurement tool in clinical populations. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION:
      PROSPERO CRD42015024579.

PMID- 26260519
TI  - Effect of protein supplementation on ruminal parameters and microbial community
      fingerprint of Nellore steers fed tropical forages.
AB  - In tropical regions, protein supplementation is a common practice in dairy and
      beef farming. However, the effect of highly degradable protein in ruminal
      fermentation and microbial community composition has not yet been investigated in
      a systematic manner. In this work, we aimed to investigate the impact of casein
      supplementation on volatile fatty acids (VFA) production, specific activity of
      deamination (SAD), ammonia concentration and bacterial and archaeal community
      composition. The experimental design was a 4*4 Latin square balanced for residual
      effects, with four animals (average initial weight of 280+/-10 kg) and four
      experimental periods, each with duration of 29 days. The diet comprised Tifton 85
      (Cynodon sp.) hay with an average CP content of 9.8%, on a dry matter basis.
      Animals received basal forage (control) or infusions of pure casein (230 g)
      administered direct into the rumen, abomasum or divided (50 : 50 ratio) in the
      rumen/abomasum. There was no differences (P>0.05) in ruminal pH and microbial
      protein concentration between supplemented v. non-supplemented animals. However,
      in steers receiving ruminal infusion of casein the SAD and ruminal ammonia
      concentration increased 33% and 76%, respectively, compared with the control. The
      total concentration of VFA increased (P0.05) in species richness and diversity of
      gamma-proteobacteria, firmicutes and archaea between non-supplemented Nellore
      steers and steers receiving casein supplementation in the rumen. However, species
      richness and the Shannon-Wiener index were lower (P<0.05) for the phylum
      bacteroidetes in steers supplemented with casein in the rumen compared with non
      supplemented animals. Venn diagrams indicated that the number of unique bands
      varied considerably among individual animals and was usually higher in number for
      non-supplemented steers compared with supplemented animals. These results add new
      knowledge about the effects of ruminal and postruminal protein supplementation on
      metabolic activities of rumen microbes and the composition of bacterial and
      archaeal communities in the rumen of steers. 

PMID- 26260520
TI  - Lipid binding protein response to a bile acid library: a combined NMR and
      statistical approach.
AB  - Primary bile acids, differing in hydroxylation pattern, are synthesized from
      cholesterol in the liver and, once formed, can undergo extensive enzyme-catalysed
      glycine/taurine conjugation, giving rise to a complex mixture, the bile acid
      pool. Composition and concentration of the bile acid pool may be altered in
      diseases, posing a general question on the response of the carrier (bile acid
      binding protein) to the binding of ligands with different hydrophobic and steric
      profiles. A collection of NMR experiments (H/D exchange, HET-SOFAST, ePHOGSY
      NOESY/ROESY and (15) N relaxation measurements) was thus performed on apo and
      five different holo proteins, to monitor the binding pocket accessibility and
      dynamics. The ensemble of obtained data could be rationalized by a statistical
      approach, based on chemical shift covariance analysis, in terms of residue
      specific correlations and collective protein response to ligand binding. The
      results indicate that the same residues are influenced by diverse chemical
      stresses: ligand binding always induces silencing of motions at the protein
      portal with a concomitant conformational rearrangement of a network of residues,
      located at the protein anti-portal region. This network of amino acids, which do
      not belong to the binding site, forms a contiguous surface, sensing the presence
      of the bound lipids, with a signalling role in switching protein-membrane
      interactions on and off. 

PMID- 26260521
TI  - Contrasting effects of chloride on growth, reproduction, and toxicant sensitivity
      in two genetically distinct strains of Hyalella azteca.
AB  - The strain of Hyalella azteca (Saussure: Amphipoda) commonly used for aquatic
      toxicity testing in the United States has been shown to perform poorly in some
      standardized reconstituted waters frequently used for other test species. In 10-d
      and 42-d experiments, the growth and reproduction of the US laboratory strain of
      H. azteca was shown to vary strongly with chloride concentration in the test
      water, with declining performance observed below 15 mg/L to 20 mg/L. In contrast
      to the chloride-dependent performance of the US laboratory strain of H. azteca,
      growth of a genetically distinct strain of H. azteca obtained from an Environment
      Canada laboratory in Burlington, Ontario, Canada, was not influenced by chloride
      concentration. In acute toxicity tests with the US laboratory strain of H.
      azteca, the acute toxicity of sodium nitrate increased with decreasing chloride
      in a pattern similar not only to that observed for control growth, but also to
      previous acute toxicity testing with sodium sulfate. Subsequent testing with the
      Burlington strain showed no significant relationship between chloride
      concentration and the acute toxicity of sodium nitrate or sodium sulfate. These
      findings suggest that the chloride-dependent toxicity shown for the US laboratory
      strain may be an unusual feature of that strain and perhaps not broadly
      representative of aquatic organisms as a whole.

PMID- 26260522
TI  - Perceived benefits and challenges of repeated exposure to high fidelity
      simulation experiences of first degree accelerated bachelor nursing students.
AB  - This study explored perceptions of first-degree entry-level accelerated bachelor
      nursing students regarding benefits and challenges of exposure to multiple high
      fidelity simulation (HFS) scenarios, which has not been studied to date. These
      perceptions conformed to some research findings among Associate Degree,
      traditional non-accelerated, and second-degree accelerated Bachelor of Science in
      Nursing (BSN) students faced with one to two simulations. However, first-degree
      accelerated BSN students faced with multiple complex simulations perceived
      improvements on all outcomes, including critical thinking, confidence,
      competence, and theory-practice integration. On the negative side, some reported
      feeling overwhelmed by the multiple HFS scenarios. Evidence from this study
      supports HFS as an effective teaching and learning method for nursing students,
      along with valuable implications for many other fields. 

PMID- 26260523
TI  - The influences of nursing education on the socialization and professional working
      relationships of Canadian practical and degree nursing students: A critical
      analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Little evidence exists about how education influences the ways that
      registered nurses (RN) and registered practical nurses (RPN) negotiate their
      professional work relationships. DESIGN: This qualitative study used interviews
      and reflective writing from 250 Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) and
      Practical Nursing (PN) students to explore how education constructs
      intraprofessional relations. The data were collected after two joint BScN/PN
      education events - one held in the first semester and one in the fourth semester.
      RESULTS: The findings reveal how education conveys and establishes dominant
      discourses about the tiers in nursing and the boundary work and professional
      closure strategies used by the two groups. In addition, although the two
      education programs are largely segregated and education about how to work with
      each other is rarely discussed, PN and BScN students strive to understand the
      differences and perceived inequities between the two designations of nurse. The
      data show how students attempt to reconcile the tensions and disjunctures they
      experience from the power relations by activating socially constructed and
      hegemonic positions that have been problematic for nursing. CONCLUSION: Findings
      will assist nurse educators to understand how education can be used to negotiate
      professional boundaries and working relationships that foster equity and social
      inclusion.

PMID- 26260524
TI  - High fidelity patient simulation as an educational tool in paediatric intensive
      care: A systematic review.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the use of high fidelity patient
      simulation (HFPS) in paediatric intensive care nursing education through the use
      of a systematic literature review. METHOD: A systematic search was undertaken in
      the electronic databases CINAHL (via EBSCOhost), Medline and Pubmed, ClinicalKey,
      Science Direct and OVID. Electronic searches were supplemented by hand searches
      of journals, individual article reference lists and the World Wide Web. Main
      outcome measures were learner outcomes. The search was limited to papers
      published in English between 2000 and 2015. RESULTS: Eight papers satisfied the
      inclusion criteria of the review. Studies included in the review ranged from
      moderate to low on the quality assessment scale. HFPS training was associated
      with improved short-term learner outcomes of various measures, however this
      should be considered with the small number of studies examining this topic and
      the scarcity of high quality randomised studies. CONCLUSIONS: The evidence of
      improved learner outcomes following HFPS training in paediatric intensive care
      (PICU) nursing education should be considered together with the quality and
      methodological limitations of existing research. There was no evidence of
      negative effects. The direction of research suggests that HFPS is a useful tool
      in the education of PICU nurses.

PMID- 26260525
TI  - Recurrent CD4-/CD8- peripheral T-cell lymphoma with change in cytoarchitectural
      features and immunophenotype over the course of disease.

PMID- 26260526
TI  - 151 years Berliner Klinische Wochenschrift and the 20th anniversary of the
      Journal of Molecular Medicine.

PMID- 26260527
TI  - Genome-Wide Identification and Characterization of Novel Factors Conferring
      Resistance to Topoisomerase II Poisons in Cancer.
AB  - The topoisomerase II poisons doxorubicin and etoposide constitute longstanding
      cornerstones of chemotherapy. Despite their extensive clinical use, many patients
      do not respond to these drugs. Using a genome-wide gene knockout approach, we
      identified Keap1, the SWI/SNF complex, and C9orf82 (CAAP1) as independent factors
      capable of driving drug resistance through diverse molecular mechanisms, all
      converging on the DNA double-strand break (DSB) and repair pathway. Loss of Keap1
      or the SWI/SNF complex inhibits generation of DSB by attenuating expression and
      activity of topoisomerase IIalpha, respectively, whereas deletion of C9orf82
      augments subsequent DSB repair. Their corresponding genes, frequently mutated or
      deleted in human tumors, may impact drug sensitivity, as exemplified by triple
      negative breast cancer patients with diminished SWI/SNF core member expression
      who exhibit reduced responsiveness to chemotherapy regimens containing
      doxorubicin. Collectively, our work identifies genes that may predict the
      response of cancer patients to the broadly used topoisomerase II poisons and
      defines alternative pathways that could be therapeutically exploited in treatment
      resistant patients.

PMID- 26260528
TI  - Inferring the Origin of Metastases from Cancer Phylogenies.
AB  - Determining the evolutionary history of metastases is a key problem in cancer
      biology. Several recent studies have presented inferences regarding the origin of
      metastases based on phylogenies of cancer lineages. Many of these studies have
      concluded that the observed monophyly of metastatic subclones favored metastasis
      to-metastasis spread ("a metastatic cascade" rather than parallel metastases from
      the primary tumor). In this article, we argue that identifying a monophyletic
      clade of metastatic subclones does not provide sufficient evidence to
      unequivocally establish a history of metastatic cascades. In the absence of a
      complete phylogeny of the subclones within the primary tumor, a scenario of
      parallel metastatic events from the primary tumor is an equally plausible
      interpretation. Future phylogenetic studies on the origin of metastases should
      obtain a complete phylogeny of subclones within the primary tumor. This complete
      phylogeny may be obtainable by ultra-deep sequencing and phasing of large
      sections or by targeted sequencing of many small, spatially heterogeneous
      sections, followed by phylogenetic reconstruction using well-established
      molecular evolutionary models. In addition to resolving the evolutionary history
      of metastases, a complete phylogeny of subclones within the primary tumor
      facilitates the identification of driver mutations by application of phylogeny
      based tests of natural selection.

PMID- 26260529
TI  - Indication, organization, practical implementation and interpretation guidelines
      for retrospective CGM recording: A French position statement.
AB  - AIM: The benefits of retrospective continuous glucose monitoring (retroCGM)
      recording have been widely explored in clinical studies, and many diabetes
      physicians routinely use this examination. However, the method of interpretation
      of CGM recordings has never been precisely described. METHOD: An expert French
      panel of physicians met for two days to discuss several aspects of retroCGM use
      and to produce a position statement. RESULTS: The guidelines cover the
      indications for retroCGM, the general organization and practical implementation
      of CGM recordings, a description of the different devices available and
      guidelines for the interpretation of retroCGM recordings. CONCLUSION: This
      consensus document should help clinicians in the proper use of retroCGM.

PMID- 26260530
TI  - Dissecting the cannabinergic control of behavior: The where matters.
AB  - The endocannabinoid system is the target of the main psychoactive component of
      the plant Cannabis sativa, the Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This system
      is composed by the cannabinoid receptors, the endogenous ligands, and the enzymes
      involved in their metabolic processes, which works both centrally and
      peripherally to regulate a plethora of physiological functions. This review aims
      at explaining how the site-specific actions of the endocannabinoid system impact
      on memory and feeding behavior through the cannabinoid receptors 1 (CB1 R).
      Centrally, CB1 R is widely distributed in many brain regions, different cell
      types (e.g. neuronal or glial cells) and intracellular compartments (e.g.
      mitochondria). Interestingly, cellular and molecular effects are differentially
      mediated by CB1 R according to their cell-type localization (e.g. glutamatergic
      or GABAergic neurons). Thus, understanding the cellular and subcellular function
      of CB1 R will provide new insights and aid the design of new compounds in
      cannabinoid-based medicine. Also watch the Video Abstract.

PMID- 26260531
TI  - Is transperineal prostate biopsy more accurate than transrectal biopsy in
      determining final Gleason score and clinical risk category? A comparative
      analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To assess the degree of upgrading and increase in clinical risk
      category of transperineal template biopsy (TTB) compared with transrectal
      ultrasonography-guided prostate biopsy (TRUSB). Upgrading of TRUSB Gleason grade
      and sum after radical prostatectomy (RP) is well recognised. TTB may offer a more
      thorough mapping of the prostate than TRUSB, as well as a more accurate
      assessment of the tumour. In this retrospective cohort study of prospectively
      collected data, we compare the initial TRUSB and TTB Gleason grade and sum with
      the final assessment at RP. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Following Ethics Committee
      approval, 431 laparoscopic and robotic RP specimens of two urologists, fellowship
      trained in minimally invasive RP, were examined in the private sector between
      April 2009 and October 2013. Final RP Gleason grade and sum were compared with
      the initial prostate biopsy. All pathological assessments were performed by a
      dedicated uropathology unit, experienced in prostate pathology. Upgrading was
      defined either as an increase in the primary Gleason grade, or as identification
      of a higher grade tertiary pattern at final RP analysis. Increase in clinical
      risk category was defined as an increase from low- (Gleason <=6), to either
      intermediate- (Gleason 7) or high-risk disease (Gleason 8-10); or as an increase
      from intermediate- to high-risk disease. The chi-squared test was used to compare
      categorical variables, while the Wilcoxon rank sum was used for continuous
      quantitative variables. RESULTS: The 431 RP specimens comprised 283 in which the
      prostate cancer was diagnosed at TRUSB and 148 diagnosed at TTB. There was no
      difference between TRUSB and TTB in mean prostate weight (46.4 vs 44.2 g), final
      RP pathological stage (pT2: 187 vs 102; pT3 97 vs 48; P = 0.65) or mean tumour
      volume (2.15 vs 2.14 mL). Overall, 33.22% of TRUSB and 30.41% of TTB were
      upgraded, which was not significantly different (P = 0.55). Similarly there was
      no difference in whether there was an increase to a higher Gleason sum (TRUSB
      23.3% vs TTB 20.9%; P = 0.57). TTB was more reflective of the actual clinical
      risk category, with TRUSB more likely to show an increase in clinical risk (TRUSB
      22.3% vs TTB 14.2%; P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: In this series, TTB more accurately
      predicted clinical risk category than TRUSB. TTB should be considered before
      active surveillance, to ensure that occult higher risk disease has not been under
      diagnosed. Upgrading and increase in clinical risk category was relatively common
      in each group highlighting the need for improved pretreatment staging accuracy.

PMID- 26260532
TI  - Effects of length dispersity and film fabrication on the sheet resistance of
      copper nanowire transparent conductors.
AB  - Development of thin-film transparent conductors (TC) based on percolating
      networks of metal nanowires has leaped forward in recent years, owing to the
      improvement of nanowire synthetic methods and modeling efforts by several
      research groups. While silver nanowires are the first commercially viable
      iteration of this technology, systems based on copper nanowires are not far
      behind. Here we present an analysis of TCs composed of copper nanowire networks
      on sheets of polyethylene terephthalate that have been treated with various oxide
      removing post treatments to improve conductivity. A pseudo-2D rod network
      modeling approach has been modified to include lognormal distributions in length
      that more closely reflect experimental data collected from the nanowire TCs. In
      our analysis, we find that the copper nanowire TCs are capable of achieving
      comparable electrical performance to silver nanowire TCs with similar dimensions.
      Lastly, we present a method for more accurately determining the nanowire area
      coverage in a TC over a large area using Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry
      (RBS) to directly measure the metal content in the TCs. These developments will
      aid research and industry groups alike in the characterization of nanowire based
      TCs. 

PMID- 26260533
TI  - Molecular screening of the LPCAT1 gene in patients with retinitis pigmentosa
      without defined mutations in known retinitis pigmentosa genes.
AB  - Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is an inherited retinopathy, which affects the
      photoreceptors in the retina. Lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase (LPCAT) is
      a critical phospholipid biosynthesis enzyme, which promotes the conversion of
      lysophosphatidylcholine into phosphatidylcholine in the remodeling pathway of PC
      biosynthesis. A previous study reported a homozygous insertion in the LPCAT1 gene
      in mice exhibiting retinal degeneration (rd11). However, whether genetic
      mutations in LPCAT1 predispose individuals to RP remains to be elucidated.
      Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate whether LPCAT1
      mutations exist in patients with RP. A total of 50 unrelated patients diagnosed
      with either a sporadic or recessive inheritance pattern of RP were recruited in
      the present study. All of the patients were comprehensively screened for genes
      associated with the predisposition of RP, and no pathogenic mutations were
      identified. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Sanger sequencing
      were performed to investigate the coding regions and exon-intron boundaries of
      the LPCAT1 gene in the recruited patients. In total, three genetic variations in
      the coding regions, which lead to amino acid changes, were identified. Although
      two of these mutations were predicted to be pathogenic, co-segregation analysis
      in the pedigrees excluded these as disease-causing mutations. In addition, the
      LPCAT1 gene was screen in a panel of RP patients who exhibited no identifiable
      mutations in any of the known RP-associated genes. No disease-causing mutations
      in the LPCAT1 gene were identified, indicating that LPCAT1 either does not confer
      a genetic predisposition to RP, or that the incidence of mutations in LPCAT1 is
      particularly rare in patients with RP.

PMID- 26260534
TI  - Lithium-Salt-Containing High-Molecular-Weight Polystyrene-block-Polyethylene
      Oxide Block Copolymer Films.
AB  - Ionic conductivity in relation to the morphology of lithium-doped high-molecular
      weight polystyrene-block-polyethylene oxide (PS-b-PEO) diblock copolymer films
      was investigated as solid-state membranes for lithium-ion batteries. The tendency
      of the polyethylene (PEO) block to crystallize was highly suppressed by
      increasing both the salt-doping level and the temperature. The PEO crystallites
      completely vanished at a salt-doping ratio of Li/EO>0.08, at which the PEO
      segments were hindered from entering the crystalline unit of the PEO chain. A
      kinetically trapped lamella morphology of PS-b-PEO was observed, due to PEO
      crystallization. The increase in the lamella spacing with increasing salt
      concentration was attributed to the conformation of the PEO chain rather than the
      volume contribution of the salt or the previously reported increase in the
      effective interaction parameter. Upon loading the salt, the PEO chains changed
      from a compact/highly folded conformation to an amorphous/expanded-like
      conformation. The ionic conductivity was enhanced by amorphization of PEO and
      thereby the mobility of the PEO blocks increased upon increasing the salt-doping
      level.

PMID- 26260535
TI  - Prevalence and pattern of gluteus medius and minimus tendon pathology and muscle
      atrophy in older individuals using MRI.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate gluteus medius and minimus tendon pathology and muscle
      atrophy in older individuals using MRI. METHODS: A retrospective MRI study of 185
      individuals was performed. The inclusion criterion was age >=50. Exclusion
      criteria were hip surgery, fracture, infection, tumor, or inadequate image
      quality. Greater trochanteric bursitis was graded none, mild, moderate, or
      severe. Gluteus medius, gluteus minimus, and iliopsoas tendinopathy was graded
      normal, tendinosis, low-grade partial tear, high-grade partial tear, or full
      thickness tear. Gluteus medius, gluteus minimus, tensor fascia lata, and
      iliopsoas muscle atrophy was scored using a standard scale. Insertion site of
      tendinopathy and location of muscle atrophy were assessed. Descriptive and
      statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: There was increasing greater
      trochanteric bursitis and gluteus medius and minimus tendinopathy and atrophy
      with advancing age with moderate to strong positive associations (p < 0.0001) for
      age and tendinopathy, age and atrophy, bursitis and tendinopathy, and
      tendinopathy and atrophy for the gluteus medius and minimus. There is a weak
      positive association (p < 0.0001) for age and tensor fascia lata atrophy, and no
      statistically significant association between age and tendinopathy or between age
      and atrophy for the iliopsoas. Fisher's exact tests were statistically
      significant (p < 0.0001) for insertion site of tendon pathology and location of
      muscle atrophy for the gluteus medius. CONCLUSIONS: Gluteus medius and minimus
      tendon pathology and muscle atrophy increase with advancing age with progression
      of tendinosis to low-grade tendon tears to high-grade tendon tears. There is an
      associated progression in atrophy of these muscles, which may be important in
      fall-related hip fractures.

PMID- 26260536
TI  - Rotator cuff tears noncontrast MRI compared to MR arthrography.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To compare the accuracy of indirect magnetic resonance arthrography
      and noncontrast magnetic resonance imaging for diagnosing rotator cuff tears.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 333 patients who underwent noncontrast magnetic
      resonance imaging or indirect magnetic resonance arthrography were included
      retrospectively. Two musculoskeletal radiologists evaluated the images for the
      presence of supraspinatus-infraspinatus and subscapularis tendon tears. The
      overall diagnostic performance was calculated using the arthroscopic findings as
      the reference standard. Statistical differences between the diagnostic
      performances of the two methods were analyzed. RESULTS: Ninety-six and 237
      patients who underwent noncontrast magnetic resonance imaging and indirect
      magnetic resonance arthrography were assigned into groups A and B, respectively.
      Sensitivity for diagnosing articular-surface partial-thickness supraspinatus
      infraspinatus tendon tear was slightly higher in group B than in group A.
      Statistical significance was confirmed by multivariate analysis using the
      generalized estimating equation (p = 0.046). The specificity for diagnosing
      subscapularis tendon tear (85% vs. 68%, p = 0.012) and grading accuracy (57% vs.
      40%, p = 0.005) was higher in group B than in group A; the differences were
      statistically significant for one out of two readers. Univariate analysis using
      the generalized estimating equation showed that the accuracy for diagnosing
      subscapularis tendon tear in group B was higher than in group A (p = 0.042).
      There were no statistically significant differences between the diagnostic
      performances of both methods for any other parameters. CONCLUSION: Indirect
      magnetic resonance arthrography may facilitate more accurate diagnosis and
      grading of subscapularis tendon tears compared with noncontrast magnetic
      resonance imaging.

PMID- 26260537
TI  - Assessment of total hip arthroplasty as a predisposing factor for ischiofemoral
      impingement.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of total hip arthroplasty (THA) on ischiofemoral
      (IF) and quadratus femoris (QF) spaces with the hypothesis that THA does not
      affect ischiofemoral relationships. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was IRB
      approved and complied with HIPAA guidelines. We identified consecutive MR
      examinations (pelvis and/or hip) obtained at our institution in adults (>=18
      years old) screened for THA-related complications. Native hips from the same
      individuals served as controls. We collected medical record data including age,
      gender, surgical history, and THA designs. Two radiologists independently
      measured the IF-RAD and IF-MRI (IF space on radiographs and MR imaging,
      respectively) and QF space (on MR imaging). Groups were compared using ANCOVA
      controlled for gender. RESULTS: The study group comprised 250 hips (132 subjects;
      162 post-THA and 88 native hips). Subjects were aged 59 +/- 10 years, with 66
      males and 66 females. Comparison of IF-MRI and QF spaces between native and post
      THA hips showed no differences (P > 0.12) and IF-RAD was higher in post-THA
      subjects (P = 0.01). No differences in the IF-MRI and QF spaces were present
      between native hips and different THA designs (P > 0.4). IF-RAD of metal-on-metal
      THA was higher than that of native hips (P = 0.01) and trended higher than
      ceramic-on-polyethylene THA (P = 0.08), with the remaining comparisons showing no
      significant differences (P > 0.4). CONCLUSIONS: Radiographic- and MRI-based
      measures in patients with standard THA do not show narrowing of IF and QF spaces.

PMID- 26260538
TI  - Effects of omega-3 PUFA on the vitamin E and glutathione antioxidant defense
      system in individuals at ultra-high risk of psychosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress and impaired antioxidant defenses are reported in
      schizophrenia and are associated with disturbed neurodevelopment, brain
      structural alterations, glutamatergic imbalance, increased negative symptoms, and
      cognitive impairment. There is evidence that oxidative stress predates the onset
      of acute psychotic illness. Here, we investigate the effects of omega-3 PUFA on
      the vitamin E and glutathione antioxidant defense system (AODS). METHOD: In 64
      help-seeking UHR-individuals (13-25 years of age), vitamin E levels and
      glutathione were investigated before and after 12 weeks of treatment with either
      1.2g/d omega-3 (PUFA-E) or saturated fatty acids (SFA-E), with each condition
      also containing 30.4mg/d alpha-tocopherol to ensure absorption without additional
      oxidative risk. RESULTS: In multivariate tests, the effects on the AODS (alpha
      tocopherol, total glutathione) were not significantly different (p=0.13, p=0.11,
      respectively) between treatment conditions. According to univariate findings,
      only PUFA-E caused a significant alpha-tocopherol increase, while PUFA-E and SFA
      E caused a significant gamma- and delta-tocopherol decrease. Total glutathione
      (GSHt) was decreased by PUFA-E supplementation. CONCLUSION: Effects of the PUFA-E
      condition on the vitamin E and glutathione AODS could be mechanisms underlying
      its clinical effectiveness. In terms of the vitamin E protection system, PUFA-E
      seems to directly support the antioxidative defense at membrane level. The effect
      of PUFA-E on GSHt is not yet fully understood, but could reflect antioxidative
      effects, resulting in decreased demand for glutathione. It is still necessary to
      further clarify which type of PUFA/antioxidant combination, and in which dose, is
      effective at each stage of psychotic illness.

PMID- 26260539
TI  - High-rate activated sludge system for carbon management--Evaluation of crucial
      process mechanisms and design parameters.
AB  - The high-rate activated sludge (HRAS) process is a technology suitable for the
      removal and redirection of organics from wastewater to energy generating
      processes in an efficient manner. A HRAS pilot plant was operated under
      controlled conditions resulting in concentrating the influent particulate,
      colloidal, and soluble COD to a waste solids stream with minimal energy input by
      maximizing sludge production, bacterial storage, and bioflocculation. The impact
      of important process parameters such as solids retention time (SRT), hydraulic
      residence time (HRT) and dissolved oxygen (DO) levels on the performance of a
      HRAS system was demonstrated in a pilot study. The results showed that maximum
      removal efficiencies of soluble COD were reached at a DO > 0.3 mg O2/L, SRT > 0.5
      days and HRT > 15 min which indicates that minimizing the oxidation of the
      soluble COD in the high-rate activated sludge process is difficult. The study of
      DO, SRT and HRT exhibited high degree of impact on the colloidal and particulate
      COD removal. Thus, more attention should be focused on controlling the removal of
      these COD fractions. Colloidal COD removal plateaued at a DO > 0.7 mg O2/L, SRT >
      1.5 days and HRT > 30 min, similar to particulate COD removal. Concurrent
      increase in extracellular polymers (EPS) production in the reactor and the
      association of particulate and colloidal material into sludge flocs
      (bioflocculation) indicated carbon capture by biomass. The SRT impacted the
      overall mass and energy balance of the high-rate process indicating that at low
      SRT conditions, lower COD mineralization or loss of COD content occurred. In
      addition, the lower SRT conditions resulted in higher sludge yields and higher
      COD content in the WAS.

PMID- 26260540
TI  - CO2-neutral wastewater treatment plants or robust, climate-friendly wastewater
      management? A systems perspective.
AB  - CO2-neutral wastewater treatment plants can be obtained by improving the recovery
      of internal wastewater energy resources (COD, nutrients, energy) and reducing
      energy demand as well as direct emissions of the greenhouse gases N2O and CH4.
      Climate-friendly wastewater management also includes the management of the heat
      resource, which is most efficiently recovered at the household level, and robust
      wastewater management must be able to cope with a possible resulting temperature
      decrease. At the treatment plant there is a substantial energy optimization
      potential, both from improving electromechanical devices and sludge treatment as
      well as through the implementation of more energy-efficient processes like the
      mainstream anammox process or nutrient recovery from urine. Whether CO2
      neutrality can be achieved depends not only on the actual net electricity
      production, but also on the type of electricity replaced: the cleaner the
      marginal electricity the more difficult to compensate for the direct emissions,
      which can be substantial, depending on the stability of the biological processes.
      It is possible to combine heat recovery at the household scale and nutrient
      recovery from urine, which both have a large potential to improve the climate
      friendliness of wastewater management. 

PMID- 26260541
TI  - Synergistic co-digestion of solid-organic-waste and municipal-sewage-sludge: 1
      plus 1 equals more than 2 in terms of biogas production and solids reduction.
AB  - Making good use of existing water infrastructure by adding organic wastes to
      anaerobic digesters improves the energy balance of a wastewater treatment plant
      (WWTP) substantially. This paper explores co-digestion load limits targeting a
      good trade-off for boosting methane production, and limiting process-drawbacks on
      nitrogen-return loads, cake-production, solids-viscosity and polymer demand. Bio
      methane potential tests using whey as a model co-substrate showed diversification
      and intensification of the anaerobic digestion process resulting in a
      synergistical enhancement in sewage sludge methanization. Full-scale case-studies
      demonstrate organic co-substrate addition of up to 94% of the organic sludge load
      resulted in tripling of the biogas production. At organic co-substrate addition
      of up to 25% no significant increase in cake production and only a minor increase
      in ammonia release of ca. 20% have been observed. Similar impacts were measured
      at a high-solids digester pilot with up-stream thermal hydrolyses where the
      organic loading rate was increased by 25% using co-substrate. Dynamic simulations
      were used to validate the synergistic impact of co-substrate addition on sludge
      methanization, and an increase in hydrolysis rate from 1.5 d(-1) to 2.5 d(-1) was
      identified for simulating measured gas production rate. This study demonstrates
      co-digestion for maximizing synergy as a step towards energy efficiency and
      ultimately towards carbon neutrality. 

PMID- 26260543
TI  - Transplantation: Mild hypothermia improves transplantation outcomes.

PMID- 26260542
TI  - Vascular complications in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.
AB  - Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common
      hereditary kidney disease. Relentless cyst growth substantially enlarges both
      kidneys and culminates in renal failure. Patients with ADPKD also have vascular
      abnormalities; intracranial aneurysms (IAs) are found in ~10% of asymptomatic
      patients during screening and in up to 25% of those with a family history of IA
      or subarachnoid haemorrhage. As the genes responsible for ADPKD-PKD1 and PKD2
      have complex integrative roles in mechanotransduction and intracellular calcium
      signalling, the molecular basis of IA formation might involve focal haemodynamic
      conditions exacerbated by hypertension and altered flow sensing. IA rupture
      results in substantial mortality, morbidity and poor long-term outcomes. In this
      Review, we focus mainly on strategies for screening, diagnosis and treatment of
      IAs in patients with ADPKD. Other vascular aneurysms and anomalies-including
      aneurysms of the aorta and coronary arteries, cervicocephalic and thoracic aortic
      dissections, aortic root dilatation and cerebral dolichoectasia-are less common
      in this population, and the available data are insufficient to recommend
      screening strategies. Treatment decisions should be made with expert consultation
      and be based on a risk-benefit analysis that takes into account aneurysm location
      and morphology as well as patient age and comorbidities.

PMID- 26260544
TI  - Clinical trial: Lack of benefit of MMF in IgAN.

PMID- 26260545
TI  - Evaluation of cerebral blood flow using multi-phase pseudo continuous arterial
      spin labeling at 3-tesla.
AB  - PURPOSE: Arterial spin labeling (ASL) methods have been widely used for
      evaluation of cerebral blood flow (CBF) by magnetic resonance imaging. However,
      ASL methods require setting of the post labeling delay (PLD) time for obtaining
      images. As the hemodynamic status cannot be estimated in each patient, the
      resultant quantitative values of blood flow may not be accurate. The multi-phase
      pseudo continuous arterial spin labeling (pCASL) method can be used to obtain
      images at various time-points. The purpose of this study was to create the
      transit-time maps for correcting the delayed blood flow and evaluate CBF using
      the transit-time maps obtained by the multi-phase pCASL method. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Twelve patients who underwent both 3.0-tesla magnetic resonance imaging
      (MRI) and single photon emission computed tomography with iodine-123-N-isopropyl
      p-iodoamphetamine (123I-IMP) were investigated. This study was approved by the
      institutional review board of our institution. MRI acquisitions included PLD time
      fixed (1525ms) and multi-phase pCASL sequences. The transit-time maps were
      calculated from multi-phase pCASL images by software. The transit-time maps were
      applied to PLD-fixed pCASL images pixel by pixel, for calculating the CBF value
      corrected for peak blood transit time. Regions of interest were drawn on the
      brain. IMP-CBF, ASL-CBF (default and corrected) and transit time were measured
      for each segment. RESULTS: Twelve patients and 264 segments were investigated.
      The mean IMP-CBF, ASL-CBF (default, corrected) and transit time were 28.4, 23.0,
      29.6, [ml/min/100g] and 1977.5 [ms], respectively. There were no significant
      differences between IMP-CBF and ASL-CBF (corrected). CONCLUSION: CBF values can
      be corrected by using the transit-time maps obtained using the multi-phase pCASL
      method.

PMID- 26260546
TI  - The mechanisms of action of flavonoids in the brain: Direct versus indirect
      effects.
AB  - The projected increase in the incidence of dementia in the population highlights
      the urgent need for a more comprehensive understanding of how different aspects
      of lifestyle, in particular exercise and diet, may affect neural function and
      consequent cognitive performance throughout the life course. In this regard,
      flavonoids, found in a variety of fruits, vegetables and derived beverages, have
      been identified as a group of promising bioactive compounds capable of
      influencing different aspects of brain function, including cerebrovascular blood
      flow and synaptic plasticity, both resulting in improvements in learning and
      memory in mammalian species. However, the precise mechanisms by which flavonoids
      exert these actions are yet to be fully established, although accumulating data
      indicate an ability to interact with neuronal receptors and kinase signaling
      pathways which are key to neuronal activation and communication and synaptic
      strengthening. Alternatively or concurrently, there is also compelling evidence
      derived from human clinical studies suggesting that flavonoids can positively
      affect peripheral and cerebrovascular blood flow, which may be an indirect
      effective mechanism by which dietary flavonoids can impact on brain health and
      cognition. The current review examines the beneficial effects of flavonoids on
      both human and animal brain function and attempts to address and link direct and
      indirect actions of flavonoids and their derivatives within the central nervous
      system (CNS). 

PMID- 26260547
TI  - Neuroinflammatory processes in cognitive disorders: Is there a role for
      flavonoids and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in counteracting their detrimental
      effects?
AB  - Neuroinflammatory processes are known to contribute to the cascade of events
      culminating in the neuronal damage that underpins neurodegenerative disorders
      such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. With the ageing population and
      increased cases of neurodegenerative diseases, there is a crucial need for the
      development of new strategies capable to prevent, delay the onset or treat brain
      dysfunction and associated cognitive decline. Growing evidence sheds light on the
      use of dietary polyphenols and n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids to
      improve cognitive performance and reduce the neuroinflammatory and oxidative
      stress responses occurring with age and neurodegenerative pathologies. This
      review will summarise the most recent information related to the impact and
      mechanisms underlying the neuroinflammatory processes in neurodegenerative
      disorders. We will also detail the current evidence indicating that flavonoids
      and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are strong candidates in preventing
      neuroinflammation and modulating age-related memory decline, and we will describe
      the potential mechanisms of action underlying their neuroprotective effects. As
      such, these dietary bioactives represent important precursor molecules in the
      quest to develop a new generation of drugs capable of counteracting
      neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative diseases. 

PMID- 26260548
TI  - New fluorescein precursors for live bacteria detection.
AB  - Swiftness, reliability, and sensitivity of live bacteria detection in drinking
      water are key issues for human safety. The most widespread used indicator of live
      bacteria is a caged form of carboxyfluorescein in which 3' and 6' hydroxyl groups
      are masked as acetate esters (CFDA). This derivatization altogether abolishes
      fluorescein fluorescence and renders the molecule prone to passive diffusion
      through bacterial membranes. Once in the cytoplasm, acetate groups from CFDA are
      removed by bacterial hydrolases and fluorescence develops, rendering live but not
      dead cells detectable. Yet the reagent, carboxyfluorescein diacetate, still
      possesses a free carboxyl group whose ionization constant is such that the
      majority of the probe is charged at physiological pH. This unfavors probe
      permeation through membranes. Here, we prepare several chemical modifications of
      the carboxyl moiety of CFDA, in order to neutralize its charge and improve its
      passive diffusion through membranes. We show that the ethylamido derivative of
      the 5-carboxyl group from 5-carboxy-fluorescein diacetate or from Oregon green
      diacetate or from Oregon green diacetoxymethylester are stable molecules in
      biological media, penetrate into bacterial cells and are metabolized into
      fluorescent species. Only live bacteria are revealed since bleached samples are
      not labeled. Other derivatives with modification of the 5-carboxyl group with an
      ester group or with a thiourea-based moiety were almost inefficient probes. The
      most interesting probe, triembarine (5-ethylaminocarboxy-oregon green,
      3',6'diacetoxymethyl ester) leads to 6-10 times more sensitive detection of
      bacteria as compared to CFDA. Addition of contrast agents (trypan blue or
      brilliant blue R) improve the signal-to-noise ratio by quenching extracellular
      fluorescence while bromophenol blue quenches both intracellular and extracellular
      fluorescence, allowing standardization of detections. 

PMID- 26260549
TI  - Aspirin resistance and its importance.

PMID- 26260550
TI  - Evaluating resistance to acetyl salicylic acid using platelet function test in
      patients with ischemic stroke at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital.
AB  - AIM: to identify the prevalence of laboratoric ASA resistance using platelet
      function tests in patients with ischemic stroke at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital
      and its associated factors. METHODS: this study was a cross-sectional study
      involving 50 patients with ischemic stroke who only received ASA treatment.
      Evaluation of resistance to ASA was performed using Verifynow(r) platelet
      function test. ASA resistance was defined as ASA reaction unit (ARU) 550.
      RESULTS: there were 7 patients with ASA resistance. The mean age of subjects in
      ASA resistance group was 51.3+/-9.2 years; while in ASA responsive group was
      57.8+/-9.7 years. In ASA resistance group, there were 85.7% male patients, 57.1%
      active smoker and 100% subjects with hypertension. CONCLUSION: the prevalence of
      laboratoric ASA resistance in patients with ischemic stroke evaluated using
      platelet function test at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital is 14%. The prevalence is
      more likely to occur in male patients who were active smoker, at younger age and
      with comorbidity of hypertension.

PMID- 26260552
TI  - Safety and efficacy in early insulin initiation as comprehensive therapy for
      patients with type 2 diabetes in primary health care centers.
AB  - AIM: to analyze the safety and efficacy of early insulin initiation therapy for
      patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in primary health care provided by
      general practitioners (GPs) in Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia. METHODS: pre-post
      study of ninety nine diabetic patients without previous insulin treatment with
      HbA1c levels >8% were involved in this study. The study was conducted in 10
      primary health care centers in Surabaya between October 2011 to June 2012. Each
      patient received insulin therapy for 12 weeks. Laboratory examination was
      performed for each patient including fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2 hours post
      prandial plasma glucose (2hPPG) and HbA1c examination before and after the study.
      Self monitoring blood glucose (SMBG) examination was conducted in order to adjust
      the insulin dose and prevent the incidence of hypoglycemia. Data was
      statistically analyzed using paired-T test. RESULTS: FPG level was decreased from
      baseline data (209 mg/dL) to 152.07 mg/dL at the end of the study (56.93 mg/dl;
      p=0.0001). The average of 2hPPG level was also decreased from 313.00 mg/dl to
      220.72 mg/dL ( 92.28 mg/dL; p=0.0001). HbA1c was reduced from 11.60% at baseline
      to 8.95% at the end of study ( 2.65%; p=0.0001). Hypoglycemia was found in 6
      patients (6.06%) in this study, but all events were mild and did not need to be
      admitted to hospital. CONCLUSION: the safety of insulin therapy iniatiation might
      be provided by GPs at primary health centers with significant efficacy and
      minimal side effects.

PMID- 26260551
TI  - Indonesian prostate cancer risk calculator (IPCRC): an application for predicting
      prostate cancer risk (a multicenter study).
AB  - AIM: to develop a prediction risk model of prostate cancer based on Indonesia
      population. METHODS: we included all benign prostate hyperthrophy (BPH) and PCa
      patients who had prostate biopsy and prostatectomy between January 2009 and
      December 2013 from 5 urology centers in Indonesia. The relationship between the
      possibility of PCa with the following variables including: age; PSA level,
      prostate volume (by transabdominal ultrasound or transrectal ultrasound) and
      digital rectal examination (DRE) finding. We calculated a predictive scoring
      equation to predict the possibility of PCa using chi-square analysis, Kolmogorov
      Smirnov test, multiple logistic regression and ROC curve. Then, we designed an
      application for predicting prostate cancer risk called Indonesian Prostate Cancer
      Risk Calculator (IPCRC). RESULTS: there were 784 PCa and 1173 BPH patients were
      used for developing the risk calculator in our study. The mean ages, PSA and
      prostate volume are 66.9+/-8.1 years old; 72.4+/-248.9 ng/ml and 49.6+/-28.2 ml,
      respectively. Abnormal DRE was found in 637 PCa and 56 BPH. We included age, PSA
      level, abnormal DRE finding (all showed significant p<0.05 in univariate model).
      Additionally, although not significant, we included prostate volume (p=0.157) due
      to its clinical importance. The corrected ROC analysis showed AUC 0.935,
      sensitivity of 90.1% and specificity 80% in predicting the prostate cancer in our
      population. CONCLUSION: we have developed the Indonesian Prostate Cancer Risk
      Calculator which includes age, PSA, DRE, and prostate volume as its variables.
      Future prospective study to validate the risk calculator is needed.

PMID- 26260553
TI  - REM desensitization as a new therapeutic method for post-traumatic stress
      disorder: a randomized controlled trial.
AB  - AIM: to evaluate potential efficacy of a new therapeutic approach in
      posttraumatic stress disorder in comparison with eye movement desensitization and
      reprocessing (EMDR), a standard treatment approach and controls. METHODS: the
      study was designed using a randomized controlled trial methodology. Participants
      were recruited from military servicemen aged between 25 to 50 years who were
      admitting hospitals of Bushehr, Iran, with the final diagnosis of PTSD. Finally
      33 male patients were devided into three subgroups: G1: EMDR; G2: REM
      Desensitization; and group 3: controls who received no therapy. Mississippi Scale
      for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and a 37
      item death anxiety questionnaire were used for measures. RESULTS: multiple
      comparisons showed that intrusive thoughts were significantly more likely to
      improve with REM Desensitization versus EMDR (P=0.03), while depression was more
      responsive to EMDR (p=0.03). Among the Pittsburgh scale for the quality of sleep
      items, sleep quality (p=0.02), sleep duration (p=0.001), and total sleep quality
      score (p=0.002) were significantly more likely to improve in the REM
      Desensitization group. Change in the absolute death anxiety scores was not
      different between subgroups excepting EMDR versus control group (p=0.05).
      CONCLUSION: REM, desensitization, the new therapeutic approach to PTSD is a
      highly effective strategy, even more than EMDR, the standard treatment, in most
      of the evaluated subjects, with special emphasis on sleep symptoms, and also in
      the management of intrusive thoughts. Depression is the only factor in which, REM
      Desensitization was significantly less likely to represent a superior therapeutic
      effect than EMDR.

PMID- 26260554
TI  - Serum TNF-a, IL-8, VEGF levels in Helicobacter pylori infection and their
      association with degree of gastritis.
AB  - AIM: to investigate the serum levels of TNF-a, IL-8, VEGF in Helicobacter pylori
      infection, and their association with the degrees of gastritis histopathology.
      METHODS: a cross-sectional study was done on 80 consecutive gastritis patients
      admitted to endoscopy units at Adam Malik General Hospital and Permata Bunda
      Hospital, Medan, Indonesia from July-December 2014. The Rapid Urease test was
      used for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection. The severity of chronic
      inflammation, neutrophil infiltration, atrophy, and intestinal metaplasia were
      assessed. Serum samples were obtained to determine circulating TNF-a, IL-8, and
      VEGF. Univariate and bivariate analysis (chi square, fisher's exact, and mann
      whitney test) were done using SPSS version-22. RESULTS: there were 41.25% of 80
      patients infected with Helicobacter pylori. Serum TNF-a and VEGF levels in the
      infected group were significantly higher compared to H. pylori negative, but
      there were no significant differences between serum levels of IL-8 in H. pylori
      positive and negative. There were significant associations between serum level of
      TNF-a and IL-8 with degree of chronic inflammation, and also between serum level
      of IL-8 and degree of neutrophil infiltration. There were significant
      associations between serum level of VEGF and degree of atrophy, and also between
      serum level of VEGF and degree of intestinal metaplasia. CONCLUSION: High levels
      of TNF-a were associated with severe degree of chronic inflammation, high levels
      of IL-8 associated with severe degree of chronic inflammation and neutrophil
      infiltration, and high levels of VEGF associated with severe degree of
      premalignant gastric lesion.

PMID- 26260555
TI  - Model and effectiveness of endurance exercise to increase physical fitness in
      intellectual disability subjects with obesity: a randomized controlled trial.
AB  - AIM: to design a model and assess the effectiveness of endurance exercise to
      increase physical fitness in intelectual disability (ID) patients with obesity.
      METHODS: a randomized-controlled clinical trial was performed in ID patients with
      obesity aged 10-30 years old from all Special School in DKI Jakarta, which were
      randomly allocated into 3 groups and then given 3 different type of exercises:
      lower extremity muscles endurance exercise for 20 RM followed by
      cardiorespiratory endurance exercise for 24-25 minutes (type I), lower extremity
      muscles endurance exercises for 10 RM followed by cardiorespiratory endurance
      exercises for 26-27 minutes (type II), and threw a tennis ball with 10 m distance
      for 10 minutes as control (type III). These program was performed 3 times a week
      for 4 months. Assesment of the exercise effectiveness was done by measuring
      maximum load that can be lifted and six-minutes walking test on rectangular track
      which was converted with the VO2 max prediction formula. Analysis was perfomed
      with Kruskal Wallis test. RESULTS: two hundred and twelve (212) subjects were
      included in the study, randomly allocated into three types (I, II, and III) of
      exercises groups. The type II of endurance exercise model was proved to be more
      effective in increasing lower extremity muscles endurance level compared to type
      I and III for ID patients with obesity (p<0.05). Meanwhile, type I of endurance
      exercise model was proved to be more effective in increasing cardiorespiratory
      endurance level compared to type II and III for ID patients with obesity
      (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: lower extremity muscles endurance exercise followed by a
      cardiorespiratory endurance exercise can be used to increase physical fitness in
      ID patients with obesity.

PMID- 26260556
TI  - Underutilization of anticoagulant for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in three
      hospitals in Jakarta.
AB  - AIM: to assess the current use of anticoagulants and implementation of
      International Guidelines in venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis in
      hospitalized patients with acute medical illnesses in Jakarta, Indonesia.
      METHODS: a multicenter, prospective, disease registry, recruiting patients
      diagnosed as acutely ill medical diseases and other medical conditions at risk of
      VTE, with in-hospital immobilization for at least 3 days. RESULTS: of 401
      patients, 46.9% received anticoagulants which included unfractionated heparin
      (64.4%), fondaparinux (11.7%), enoxaparin (9.6%), warfarin (3.7%), and
      combination of anticoagulants (10.6%). VTE prophylaxis using physical and
      mechanical method was used in 81.3% of patients, either as a single modality or
      in combination with anticoagulants. During hospitalization, VTE were found in
      3.2% patients; 10 patients (2.5%) had lower limb events and 3 patients (0.75%)
      had a suspected pulmonary embolism. The main reference international guidelines
      used were AHA/ASA 2007 (47.4%), followed by ACCP 2008 (21.7%). CONCLUSION: the
      study showed underutilization of prophylaxis anticoagulants in which mechanical
      thromboprophylaxis either alone or combination with anticoagulants was the most
      commonly used. Unfractionated heparin was the preferable choice. The most
      commonly used guideline was AHA/ASA 2007. VTE thromboprophylaxis in medically ill
      patients needs to be encouraged.

PMID- 26260557
TI  - A patient with plaque type morphea mimicking systemic lupus erythematosus.
AB  - Morphea is an uncommon connective tissue disease with the most prominent feature
      being thickening or fibrosis of the dermal without internal organ involvement. It
      is also known as a part of localized scleroderma. Based on clinical presentation
      and depth of tissue involvement, morphea is classified into several forms, and
      about two thirds of adults with morphea have plaque type. Overproduction of
      collagen production by fibroblast is the cause of abnormality in morphea, and the
      hyperactivity mechanism of fibroblast is still unknown, although there are
      several mechanisms already proposed. Plaque type morphea is actually a benign and
      self limited. Plaque type morphea that mimicking systemic lupus erythematosus in
      clinical appearance, such as alopecia and oral mucosal ulcers, is uncommon. A
      case of plaque type morphea mimicking systemic lupus erythematosus in a 20 year
      old woman was discussed. The patient was treated with local and systemic
      immunosuppressant and antioxydant. The patient's condition is improved without
      any significant side effects. 

PMID- 26260558
TI  - Malignant pleural effusion in acute myeloid leukemia with hepatitis B virus
      infection.
AB  - Pleural effusions can be the first presentation of a hematologic malignancy. The
      most common disorders with pleural effusion are Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma
      with a frequency of 20 to 30%, especially if mediastinal involvement. Acute and
      chronic leukemia are rarely accompanied by pleural involvement. We describe a 46
      year-old female with history of progressive dyspnoea. Physical examination was
      revealed massive left pleural effusion. Complete blood count revealed anemia,
      trombositopenia and normal leucocyte count. Viral serology test shown positive of
      HBsAg and total antiHBc. Chest X-ray revealed left pleural effusion. Pleural
      fluid cytology was myeloblast consistent with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Bone
      marrow aspiration smear, bone marrow biopsy smear, and flow cytometry analysis
      were consistent with acute myeloid leukemia without maturation (AML M0-FAB
      classification). 

PMID- 26260559
TI  - Colistin: an antibiotic and its role in multiresistant Gram-negative infections.
AB  - Increasing number of infection cases caused by multiresistant Gram-negative
      bacteria or multidrug resistant organism (MDRO) has become a major problem
      worldwide since there have been a lot of resistance to many classes of
      antibiotics. Mutant isolates such as fluoroquinolone-resistant and -lactamase
      resistant bacteria have been commonly found, particularly in intensive care unit
      (ICU). During the last two decades, there has been no study of developing
      antibiotics in search of discovering new type of antibiotics; meanwhile, the
      resistance of Gram-negative bacteria or MDRO to antibiotics is increasing.
      Colistin or polymyxin E is an old antibiotic, which has been used since 1959 for
      treating infection caused by Gram-negative MDRO. It was revealed that colistin
      has side effects of nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity; therefore, the use of this
      antibiotic was stopped and it was replaced by other antibiotics which were
      effective and were considered safer at that time. There is an increasing number
      of infections with multi-resistant Gram-negative (MDRO) against the available
      antibiotics and the availability of alternative antibiotics has not been
      satisfying; therefore, microbiologists are searching back to the old option,
      which has been proven to be effective against multi-resistant Gram-negative
      bacteria, the old antibiotic that has been long forgotten, i.e. colistin, as an
      alternative treatment against Gram-negative MDRO. It is expected that colistin
      may have essential and reliable role as future antibiotics for treatment of multi
      resistant Gram-negative infections and as an alternative of antibiotics that have
      been available so far. 

PMID- 26260560
TI  - The role of per oral cholangiopancreatoscopy (POCPS) in complicated
      pancreaticobiliary disease.
AB  - A fifty-five year old female patient presented with jaundice, subfebrile fever
      and dark yellow urine since one month before admission. She lost weight 10
      kilograms during one month. One day before admission to Ciptomangunkusumo General
      Hospital, she complained of worsened abdominal pain at right upper quadrant
      urging her to come to the emergency room. An abdominal examination revealed
      Murphy sign, mild hepatomegaly and deeply icteric sclera. Serum bilirubin was
      21.8 mg/dl, alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyltransferase levels were
      significantly elevated (1090 IU/L and 560 IU/L consecutively) while the
      transaminases were moderately high (ALT 80 U/L). The C-reactive protein was 555
      mg/L. An abdominal ultrasound examination revealed dilatation of right and left
      intrahepatic bile duct and presence of common hepatic duct stone. Subsequent
      magnetic resonance imaging/magnetic cholangiopancreatography (MRI/MRCP) revealed
      intrahepatic bile duct dilatation, multiple CBD stone and benign stricture at
      common hepatic duct causing right and left intrahepatic bile duct obstruction.We
      assessed the patient as acute cholangitis and obstructive jaundice suspected to
      be caused by biliary duct stone then we performed endoscopic retrograde
      cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), we revealing stenosis at distal CBD, multiple
      CBD stone, giant stone in CHD and dilatation of bilateral IHBD. We performed CBD
      stone extraction then inserted biliary stent for drainage. Then we planned to do
      second ERCP with SpyGlassTM for giant stone extraction. After the first ERCP, the
      clinical condition of the patient improved and the bilirubin decreased to 10
      mg/dL. In the next two weeks we performed a second ERCP to extract the giant
      stone with SpyGlass TM. However, after we inserted SpyGlassTM into the biliary
      duct, what we found were not as we expected before. We revealed that there was a
      mass in biliary duct and there was no CBD stone. We did the biopsy and inserted a
      new plastic stent (after removed the older one) to the common biliary duct.
      Surprisingly, the result of histopathology also supports our findings, which was
      the adenocarcinoma at common bile duct. 

PMID- 26260561
TI  - Tranexamic acid in the management of upper gastrointestinal bleeding: an evidence
      based case report.
AB  - AIM: to review the effectiveness of tranexamic acid therapy which has been
      proposed to reduce bleeding and in turn lower mortality rate. METHODS: following
      literature searching based on our clinical question on Cochrane Library, PubMed,
      Clinical Key, EBSCO, Science Direct and Proquest, one systematic review that
      includes seven randomized controlled trials is obtained. The article meets
      validity and relevance criteria. RESULTS: the systematic review found that there
      is no any clear evidence between intervention and control groups in term of
      mortality. CONCLUSION: the use of tranexamic acid to reduce mortality in patients
      with upper gastrointestinal bleeding is not recommended.

PMID- 26260562
TI  - Controversy: hirudotherapy (leech therapy) as an alternative treatment for
      osteoarthritis.
AB  - Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common degenerative joint disease found in the
      elderly. Drug options that are recommended by the American Academy of Orthopaedic
      Surgeon (AAOS) are acetaminophen, NSAIDs, tramadol, capscaicin and intraarticular
      corticosteroids. However, there is concern for the possible side effects
      resulting from long term use of those medications. Researchers are searching for
      a safer treatment modality for OA. Leech therapy (hirudotheraphy) is one of the
      therapies under investigation, given its purported analgesic and antiinflammatory
      properties. 

PMID- 26260563
TI  - Productive and reproductive performances of dairy cattle herds in Treviso
      province, Italy (2009-2012): an assessment of the potential impact of
      Schmallenberg virus epidemic.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Schmallenberg virus (SBV) has spread across Europe since mid-2011,
      causing unspecific and transitory symptoms in ruminants and congenital
      malformations in their offspring. Evidence for the impact of SBV on cattle
      (re)productive performance is limited. Using a comprehensive data set from a SBV
      affected province in North-East Italy, this study aimed at assessing the
      potential impact of SBV emergence on 11 productive and reproductive performance
      indicators of dairy cattle herds, accounting for weather conditions and other
      herd-level factors that could also influence these indicators. RESULTS: A total
      of 127 farms with an average of 71 cows per farm (range 29-496) were monitored
      monthly from January 2009 to June 2012. Mixed-effects linear models for
      longitudinal data were used to assess the average variation in herds' performance
      indicators over semesters (Jan-Jun 2009, Jul-Dec 2009, Jan-Jun 2010, Jul-Dec
      2010, Jan-Jun 2011, Jul-Dec 2011, Jan-Jun 2012) and trimesters therein. Taking
      the second semester of 2011 as reference, significant decreases in the average
      lactation length (-6 days, on average) and calving-to-conception interval (-4
      days, on average) were observed relative to the same semesters of the years 2010
      and 2009, respectively. Similarly, during the last trimester of 2011, which is
      most likely to cover the SBV infection period in the study area, there was an
      average decrease of -4 days (lactation length) and -7 days (calving-to-conception
      interval) compared to the same trimesters of the years 2010 and 2009,
      respectively. However, the observed decreases actually represent a positive
      outcome that is not as such imputable to SBV emergence, but rather reflects other
      beneficial changes in farm management. None of the other indicators showed
      significant variations, confirming the relatively mild expression of SBV
      infection in cattle. CONCLUSIONS: Although the emergence of SBV might have
      significantly affected the (re)productive performance of some individual farms,
      we concluded that overall at the province level there were no significant
      variations attributable to SBV, at least not in a way that would lead to negative
      effects on farm profitability.

PMID- 26260564
TI  - Catatonia in inpatients with psychiatric disorders: A comparison of schizophrenia
      and mood disorders.
AB  - This study aimed to evaluate the symptom threshold for making the diagnosis of
      catatonia. Further the objectives were to (1) to study the factor solution of
      Bush Francis Catatonia Rating Scale (BFCRS); (2) To compare the prevalence and
      symptom profile of catatonia in patients with psychotic and mood disorders among
      patients admitted to the psychiatry inpatient of a general hospital psychiatric
      unit. 201 patients were screened for presence of catatonia by using BFCRS. By
      using cluster analysis, discriminant analysis, ROC curve, sensitivity and
      specificity analysis, data suggested that a threshold of 3 symptoms was able to
      correctly categorize 89.4% of patients with catatonia and 100% of patients
      without catatonia. Prevalence of catatonia was 9.45%. There was no difference in
      the prevalence rate and symptom profile of catatonia between those with
      schizophrenia and mood disorders (i.e., unipolar depression and bipolar affective
      disorder). Factor analysis of the data yielded 2 factor solutions, i.e., retarded
      and excited catatonia. To conclude this study suggests that presence of 3
      symptoms for making the diagnosis of catatonia can correctly distinguish patients
      with and without catatonia. This is compatible with the recommendations of DSM-5.
      Prevalence of catatonia is almost equal in patients with schizophrenia and mood
      disorders. 

PMID- 26260565
TI  - The relationship between chronotype and mood fluctuation in the general
      population.
AB  - There is a lack of evidence for the relationship between chronotype and
      subthreshold mood fluctuation. The present study aims to investigate the
      relationship between chronotypes and mood fluctuation in the general population.
      Participants (n=302) who have had no experience of major mood episodes were
      included. The Korean version of the Composite Scale of Morningness (CSM) was used
      to classify participants according to three chronotypes. Mood fluctuation was
      measured using the Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) and the Bipolar Spectrum
      Diagnostic Scale (BSDS). Mean scores achieved by the three chronotype groups on
      the MDQ and the BSDS were compared. There were no significant differences in the
      frequency of positive responses on the MDQ for the three chronotype groups.
      However, there was a significant group difference in total BSDS scores. The
      eveningness group had significantly higher BSDS-D scores than did either the
      morningness or the intermediate group have. In addition, the eveningness group
      had significantly higher BSDS-M scores than the morningness group. After
      adjusting for age by the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), there were still
      significant group differences in total BSDS scores. The present results suggest
      that eveningness may be more related to mood fluctuation than morningness. The
      eveningness may be an important factor related to soft bipolarity or mood
      fluctuation. 

PMID- 26260566
TI  - The outcomes of psychiatric inpatients by proportion of experienced psychiatrists
      and nurse staffing in hospital: New findings on improving the quality of mental
      health care in South Korea.
AB  - Readmission rates for mental health care are higher in South Korea than other
      Organization for Economic Development (OECD) countries. Therefore, it is
      worthwhile to continue investigating how to reduce readmissions. Taking a novel
      approach, we determined the relationship between psychiatrist experience and
      mental health care readmission rates. We used National Health Insurance claim
      data (N=21,315) from 81 hospitals to analyze readmissions within 30 days of
      discharge for "mood disorders" or "schizophrenia, schizotypal and delusional
      disorders" during 2010-2013. In this study, multilevel models that included both
      patient and hospital-level variables were analyzed to examine associations with
      readmission. Readmissions within 30 days of discharge accounted for 1079 (5.1%)
      claims. Multilevel analysis demonstrated that the proportion of experienced
      psychiatrists at a hospital was inversely associated with risk of readmission
      (OR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.74-0.84 per 10% increase in experienced psychiatrists).
      Readmission rates for psychiatric disorders within 30 days of discharge were
      lower in hospitals with a higher number of nurses (OR: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.94-0.96
      per 10 nurses). In conclusion, health policymakers and hospital managers should
      make an effort to reduce readmissions for psychiatric disorders and other
      diseases by considering the role that physician experience plays and nurse
      staffing. 

PMID- 26260567
TI  - Suicidality in clozapine-treated patients with schizophrenia: role of obsessive
      compulsive symptoms.
AB  - Patients with schizophrenia have an increased lifetime risk of comorbid obsessive
      compulsive symptoms. Up to 30% of these patients experience such symptoms and 12%
      may be diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder. The presence of these
      symptoms in schizophrenia seems to be associated with poor outcomes including a
      greater suicidal risk. A subgroup of patients develops this symptomatology after
      the initiation with Second Generation Antipsychotics (SGA). Also, there is
      evidence of a causal relationship for this association, particularly for
      clozapine. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the association of
      this comorbidity with suicidality in a population of clozapine-medicated
      schizophrenic and schizoaffective patients (N=65). The prevalence of obsessive
      compulsive symptoms in our sample was 29.2% (N=19) and the prevalence of
      obsessive-compulsive disorder was 13.8% (N=9). Significant positive correlations
      between suicidality and total Y-BOCS score and between Y- BOCS score and
      depressive symptoms were found. Further analysis indicated that a Y-BOCS score
      greater or equal than 8 was an independent predictor of suicide attempt during
      clozapine treatment. Routine screening for this adverse event should be warranted
      for this population. 

PMID- 26260568
TI  - Erythrocyte fatty acid profiles and plasma homocysteine, folate and vitamin B6
      and B12 in recurrent depression: Implications for co-morbidity with
      cardiovascular disease.
AB  - Oxidative stress induced interactions between fatty acid (FA) and one-carbon
      metabolism may be involved in co-occurrence of major depressive disorder (MDD)
      and cardiovascular disease (CVD), which have been scarcely studied together. In
      137 recurrent MDD-patients vs. 73 age- and sex-matched healthy controls, we
      simultaneously measured key components of one-carbon metabolism in plasma
      (homocysteine, folate, vitamins B6 and B12), and of FA-metabolism in red blood
      cell membranes [main polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) eicosapentaenoic acid
      (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and arachidonic acid (AA) and structural FA
      indices (chain length, unsaturation, peroxidation)]. Results show significant
      positive associations of folate with EPA, DHA, and the peroxidation index, which
      were similar in patients and controls. After correction for confounders, these
      associations were lost except for EPA. Associations between B-vitamins and FA
      parameters were non-significant, but also similar in patients and controls.
      Homocysteine and DHA were significantly less negatively associated in patients
      than in controls. In conclusion, these data indicate similarities but also
      differences in associations between parameters of one-carbon and FA-metabolism in
      recurrent MDD patients vs. controls, which may reflect differences in handling of
      oxidative stress. Further research should test the consequences of these
      differences, particularly the premature development of CVD in MDD. 

PMID- 26260569
TI  - The roles of social stress and decision-making in non-suicidal self-injury.
AB  - Research suggests that individuals with a history of non-suicidal self-injury
      (NSSI) do not have difficulty generating alternatives to social problems but
      choose more negative solutions, suggesting a deficit in decision-making. However,
      studies report no significant differences in risky decision-making on a
      performance-based task among individuals with and without NSSI histories. A
      limitation of these studies is that decision-making was only assessed at
      baseline. As individuals with a history of NSSI typically self-injure when
      experiencing negative emotions, decision-making ability may become impaired
      specifically in the presence of these emotions. The aim of the current study was
      to investigate decision-making ability among individuals with and without NSSI
      histories both at baseline and following a distressing social exclusion task. We
      compared individuals with (n=48) and without (n=72) NSSI histories on the Iowa
      Gambling Task, a behavioral measure of risky decision-making, before and after
      exclusion or inclusion on the Cyberball task. Results indicated no significant
      group differences in performance regardless of condition. When participants were
      grouped by racial/ethnic minority status, results indicated that non-Hispanic
      White individuals with a history of NSSI exhibited deterioration in risky
      decision-making ability following social exclusion. Potential explanations for
      these findings and clinical implications are discussed. 

PMID- 26260570
TI  - Bright versus dim ambient light affects subjective well-being but not serotonin
      related biological factors.
AB  - Light falling on the retina is converted into an electrical signal which
      stimulates serotonin synthesis. Previous studies described an increase of plasma
      and CNS serotonin levels after bright light exposure. Ghrelin and leptin are
      peptide hormones which are involved in the regulation of hunger/satiety and are
      related to serotonin. Neopterin and kynurenine are immunological markers which
      are also linked to serotonin biosynthesis. In this study, 29 healthy male
      volunteers were exposed to bright (5000lx) and dim (50lx) light conditions for
      120min in a cross-over manner. Subjective well-being and hunger as well as
      various serotonin associated plasma factors were assessed before and after light
      exposure. Subjective well-being showed a small increase under bright light and a
      small decrease under dim light, resulting in a significant interaction between
      light condition and time. Ghrelin concentrations increased significantly under
      both light conditions, but there was no interaction between light and time.
      Correspondingly, leptin decreased significantly under both light conditions.
      Hunger increased significantly with no light-time interaction. We also found a
      significant decrease of neopterin, tryptophan and tyrosine levels, but no
      interaction between light and time. In conclusion, ambient light was affecting
      subjective well-being rather than serotonin associated biological factors. 

PMID- 26260571
TI  - The influence of self-relevant materials on working memory in dysphoric
      undergraduates.
AB  - Difficulties in updating working memory (WM) may underlie problems with
      regulating emotions that contribute to depression. To examine the ability of
      updating affective materials in WM, 33 dysphoric and 34 non-dysphoric
      participants were asked to evaluate the self-descriptiveness of emotional
      adjectives and provide answers to self-relevant questions. Within 3-7 days, they
      completed a two-back task with a series of self-irrelevant or self-relevant
      emotional words (they had generated previously) and four conditions (match-set,
      break-set, perseveration-set, and no-set). After the WM task, an unexpected
      recall task was administered; controls recalled more positive self-relevant words
      and intrusions while dysphoric participants recalled more negative self-relevant
      words and intrusions. In break-set trials of the two-back task, dysphoric
      individuals showed slower response to self-relevant words regardless of valence.
      In the match-set and perseveration-set trials, dysphoric participants showed
      delayed response to self-related negative words. Moreover, longer reaction times
      for self-relevant negative words were correlated with higher rumination and worse
      depression. The results suggest that dysphoric undergraduates are interfered more
      by and have a better memory of self-relevant negative stimuli in WM, which is
      closely correlated with rumination. This study is among the first to confirm the
      potential mechanism that could underwrite the involvement of self-schema in
      effectively regulating negative affect. 

PMID- 26260572
TI  - The Canadian Assessment of Physical Literacy: methods for children in grades 4 to
      6 (8 to 12 years).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Physical literacy is described as the motivation, confidence,
      physical competence, knowledge and understanding to value and engage in a
      physically active lifestyle. As such, it is expected that those who have greater
      physical literacy would be more likely to obtain the health benefits offered by
      habitual physical activity. A theoretical model and assessment battery, the
      Canadian Assessment of Physical Literacy (CAPL), for the assessment of childhood
      physical literacy had been proposed in theory but validity data were lacking. The
      purpose of this study was to explore validity evidence for the CAPL among
      children in grades 4 to 6. METHODS: CAPL validity was evaluated through three
      analyses that utilized cross-sectional data obtained through local schools in
      Eastern Ontario, Canada. A confirmatory factor analysis compared the data to the
      theoretical model. Patterns of association between self-reported age and gender
      and the CAPL total and domain scores were examined using regression models.
      Teacher ratings of participants' knowledge, attitude and physical activity
      competence were compared to assessment results. RESULTS: The CAPL was completed
      by 963 children (55 % female) in grades 4, 5 and 6. Children were 8 to 12 years
      of age (mean 10.1 years), with 85 % of children approached agreeing to
      participate. A confirmatory factor analysis using data from 489 children with
      complete raw scores supported a model with four domains: engagement in physical
      activity (active and sedentary), physical competence (fitness and motor skill),
      motivation and confidence, and knowledge and understanding. Raw domain scores
      followed expected patterns for age and gender, providing evidence for their
      validity. Interpretive categories, developed from age and gender adjusted
      normative data, were not associated with age indicating that the CAPL is suitable
      for use across this age range. Children's gender was associated with the physical
      competence, motivation and engagement in physical activity domain scores,
      indicating that further research is required regarding the gender adjustment of
      the raw CAPL scores. CAPL domain and total scores were statistically
      significantly associated with teacher ratings of the child's motivation,
      attitudes, fitness, skill and overall physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: CAPL offers
      a comprehensive assessment of engagement in physical activity, physical
      competence, motivation and confidence, and knowledge and understanding as
      components of childhood (grades 4 to 6, 8 to 12 years) physical literacy.
      Monitoring of these measures enhances our understanding of children's physical
      literacy, and assists with the identification of areas where additional supports
      are required.

PMID- 26260573
TI  - Near Infrared Spectroscopy Detection and Quantification of Herbal Medicines
      Adulterated with Sibutramine.
AB  - There is an increasing demand for herbal medicines in weight loss treatment. Some
      synthetic chemicals, such as sibutramine (SB), have been detected as adulterants
      in herbal formulations. In this study, two strategies using near infrared (NIR)
      spectroscopy have been developed to evaluate potential adulteration of herbal
      medicines with SB: a qualitative screening approach and a quantitative
      methodology based on multivariate calibration. Samples were composed by products
      commercialized as herbal medicines, as well as by laboratory adulterated samples.
      Spectra were obtained in the range of 14,000-4000 per cm. Using PLS-DA, a correct
      classification of 100% was achieved for the external validation set. In the
      quantitative approach, the root mean squares error of prediction (RMSEP), for
      both PLS and MLR models, was 0.2% w/w. The results prove the potential of NIR
      spectroscopy and multivariate calibration in quantifying sibutramine in
      adulterated herbal medicines samples.

PMID- 26260574
TI  - Supply of benzathine penicillin G: the 20-year experience in Australia.

PMID- 26260575
TI  - The social context of wild leafy vegetables uses in Shiri, Daghestan.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Shiri is a small mountainous village in the Republic of Daghestan, in
      the North Caucasus. Daghestan is Russia's southernmost and most ethnically and
      linguistically diverse republic, a considerable part of which belongs to the
      Caucasus Biodiversity Hotspot. Various species of wild leafy vegetables are
      collected in Shiri and there are still many social and cultural practices
      connected with plant collection in the village. Yet due to migration processes,
      local knowledge about wild greens and their uses is being slowly forgotten or not
      passed on. The Shiri language is highly endangered and so are the local plant
      terminologies and classifications. The unstable political situation hinders local
      and international research, therefore we find it highly important to explore both
      what wild leafy vegetables are collected in this mountainous part of Daghestan
      and how the relation between plants and people is shaped in this linguistically
      and culturally diverse context. We answer the following questions: what wild
      leafy vegetables are collected in Shiri? Why are they important to the local
      people? What is the social aspect of wild leafy vegetable uses? METHODS: The
      methods applied were as follows: forest walks and semi-structured interviews with
      adult inhabitants of Shiri village, participant and non-participant observation.
      During the walks herbarium specimens were collected, and visual recording of
      plant collecting process was conducted. This article is based on fieldwork done
      in Shiri, Daghestan, between 2012 and 2014, over the course of 3 field trips that
      took place in 3 seasons. RESULTS: We collected and identified twenty-two local
      (24 botanical) species of wild leafy vegetables. Fourteen local species were used
      as snacks, eight for cooked dishes and three of them were also dried in order to
      be transported to kin living in the lowlands. It is significant that 70 % of taxa
      collected in Shiri are used as snacks. While snacks were collected by both sexes,
      greens for cooking and drying were part of the women's knowledge. The analysis of
      people-plant relations showed that care practices constitute an important part of
      these relations. Through the giving of wild greens, Shiri people express care for
      co-villagers and migrants and show their respect for elders. In the narratives
      about wild greens, their nutritional and taste value as well as perceived
      exceptionality were emphasized. CONCLUSIONS: 1) Wild leafy vegetables are a
      significant element of everyday social life in Shiri in regard to mutual care,
      respect for elders and local identity. 2) Gender has a greater influence on
      practical skills than on declarative plant knowledge. 3) Names of plants are
      publicly discussed with elders and are not always fixed. 4) The moral value
      ascribed to giving in the local culture is expressed through wild leafy
      vegetables. 5) Care expressed through sending wild leafy vegetables helps to
      sustain social ties between migrants and Shiri inhabitants. 6) Identity, health
      and naturalness discourses are adding value to the local knowledge about wild
      leafy vegetables.

PMID- 26260576
TI  - Thermoresponsive Random Poly(ether urethanes) with Tailorable LCSTs for
      Anticancer Drug Delivery.
AB  - A new class of thermoresponsive random polyurethanes is successfully synthesized
      and characterized. Poly(ethylene glycol) diol (Mn = 1500 Da) and 2,2
      dimethylolpropionic acid are reacted with isophorone diisocyanate in the presence
      of methane sulfonic acid catalyst. It is found that these polyurethanes are
      thermoresponsive in aqueous media and manifest a lower critical solution
      temperature (LCST) that can be easily tuned from 30  degrees C to 70  degrees C
      by increasing the poly(ethylene glycol) content. Their sharp LCST transitions
      make these random polyurethanes ideal candidates for stimuli-responsive drug
      delivery applications. To that end, the ability of these systems to efficiently
      sequester doxorubicin (up to 36 wt%) by means of a sonication/dialysis method is
      successfully demonstrated. Additionally, it is also demonstrated that accelerated
      doxorubicin release kinetics from the nanoparticles can be attained above the
      LCST. 

PMID- 26260577
TI  - The microstructure of coaching practice: behaviours and activities of an elite
      rugby union head coach during preparation and competition.
AB  - The activities and behaviours of a female head coach of a national rugby union
      team were recorded in both training and competition, across a whole rugby season,
      using the newly developed Rugby Coach Activities and Behaviours Instrument
      (RCABI). The instrument incorporates 24 categories of behaviour, embedded within
      three forms of activity (training form (TF), playing form (PF) and competitive
      match) and seven sub-activity types. In contrast to traditional drill-based
      coaching, 58.5% of the training time was found to have been spent in PF
      activities. Moreover, the proportion of PF activities increased to a peak average
      of 83.8% in proximity to the team's annual international championship. Uniquely,
      one of the coach's most prolific behaviours was conferring with associates
      (23.3%), highlighting the importance of interactions with assistant coaches,
      medical staff and others in shaping the coaching process. Additionally, the
      frequencies of key behaviours such as questioning and praise were found to vary
      between the different activity forms and types, raising questions about previous
      conceptions of effective coaching practice. The findings are discussed in the
      light of the Game Sense philosophy and the role of the head coach. 

PMID- 26260578
TI  - A label-free electrochemical affisensor for cancer marker detection: The case of
      HER2.
AB  - In this paper, we report the development of a sensitive label-free impedimetric
      biosensor based on the use of affibody as bioreceptor and gold nanostructured
      screen-printed graphite as a sensor platform for the detection of human epidermal
      growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). The affisensor is realized by immobilizing a
      terminal cysteine-modified affibody on gold nanoparticles. The sensor was
      characterized by electrochemical techniques and scanning electron microscopy
      (SEM). Furthermore, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technology was also applied
      to explore the potential of affibodies as small-molecule discriminating tools.
      Using optimized experimental conditions, a single-use affisensor showed a good
      analytical performance for HER2 detection from 0 to 40 MUg/L. The estimated limit
      of detection was 6.0 MUg/L. Finally, the realized affisensor was applied to human
      serum samples.

PMID- 26260579
TI  - Bioelectrical impedance vector analysis in critically ill patients: a
      prospective, clinician-blinded investigation.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Assessment of fluid status in critically ill patients is
      challenging. We aimed to assess the feasibility and validity of bioelectrical
      impedance vector analysis (BIVA) as a measure of hydration in critically ill
      patients. METHODS: We performed twice-daily BIVA measurements and fluid balance
      calculations and recorded physiological variables in mechanically ventilated
      patients within 24 h of intensive care unit (ICU) admission for up to 5 days.
      Treating clinicians were blinded to BIVA results. RESULTS: We performed 344 BIVA
      measurements in 61 patients. According to BIVA, 14 patients (23%) were
      dehydrated, 22 (36%) were normally hydrated and 25 (41%) were overhydrated upon
      ICU admission. Patients with normal BIVA hydration were less sick, had fewer
      comorbidities and had less deranged physiology than patients found to be
      dehydrated or overhydrated with BIVA. Cumulative fluid balance increased in
      patients found to be dehydrated with BIVA by a mean of 3.4+/-2.2 L, whereas in
      patients found to be overhydrated with BIVA, it decreased by a mean of 4.5+/-6.9
      L. In patients found to be normally hydrated with BIVA, fluid balance remained
      unchanged. BIVA-defined hydration increased with 1 L (median change 1.5%, P
      =0.09) or 2 L (median change 0.7%, P =0.09) of calculated fluid gains. BIVA
      defined hydration decreased (median change -0.8%, P =0.02) with a negative
      cumulative fluid balance of >2 L. BIVA-defined hydration between first and last
      measurement correlated with the corresponding change in fluid balance (rho =0.25,
      P =0.05). CONCLUSIONS: BIVA is feasible in critically ill patients. Its validity
      is supported by the observed characteristics of patients with different degrees
      of BIVA hydration upon admission and by different fluid management of such
      patients by blinded clinicians. The sensitivity of repeated BIVA hydration
      measurements to detect fluid accumulation or fluid balance changes <2 L was low,
      however. These contradictory findings provide the rational basis for studies of
      BIVA-assisted fluid management in ICU patients.

PMID- 26260581
TI  - Defining the Path Between Social and Economic Factors, Clinical and Lifestyle
      Determinants, and Cardiovascular Disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Low socioeconomic status is associated with poorer cardiovascular
      health. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present work was to evaluate how social and
      economic factors influence modifiable cardiovascular disease risk factors and
      thus, acute coronary syndrome or ischemic stroke presence. METHODS: One thousand
      participants were enrolled; 250 consecutive patients with a first acute coronary
      syndrome (83% were male, 60 +/- 12 years old) and 250 control subjects, as well
      as 250 consecutive patients with a first ischemic stroke (56% were male, 77 +/- 9
      years old) and 250 control subjects. The control subjects were population-based
      and age-sex matched with the patients. Detailed information regarding their
      medical records, lifestyle characteristics, education level, financial status
      satisfaction, and type of occupation were recorded. RESULTS: After controlling
      for potential confounding factors, significant inverse associations were observed
      regarding financial status satisfaction and sedentary/mental type occupation with
      acute coronary syndrome or stroke presence, but not with the educational level.
      Nevertheless, further evaluation using path analysis, revealed quite different
      results, indicating that the education level influenced the type of occupation
      and financial satisfaction, hence affecting indirectly the likelihood of
      developing a cardiovascular disease event. CONCLUSIONS: Social and economic
      parameters interact with modifiable cardiovascular disease risk factors through
      multiple pathways.

PMID- 26260580
TI  - Adverse childhood experiences and health-related quality of life in adulthood:
      revelations from a community needs assessment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Adverse childhood experiences (ACE) have been previously linked to
      quality of life, health conditions, and life expectancy in adulthood. Less is
      known about the potential mechanisms which mediate these associations. This study
      examined how ACE influences adult health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in a low
      income community in Florida. METHODS: A community-based participatory needs
      assessment was conducted from November 2013 to March 2014 with 201 residents of
      Tampa, Florida, USA. HRQoL was measured by an excessive number of unhealthy days
      experienced during the previous 30-day window. Mediation analyses for dichotomous
      outcomes were conducted with logistic regression. Bootstrapped confidence
      intervals were generated for both total and specific indirect effects. RESULTS:
      Most participants reported 'good to excellent health' (76%) and about a fourth
      reported 'fair to poor health' (24%). The mean of total unhealthy days was 9 days
      per month (SD +/- 10.5). Controlling for demographic and neighborhood covariates,
      excessive unhealthy days was associated with ACE (AOR = 1.23; 95% CI: 1.06,
      1.43), perceived stress (AOR = 1.07; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.10), and sleep disturbance
      (AOR = 8.86; 3.61, 21.77). Mediated effects were significant for stress (beta =
      0.08) and sleep disturbances (beta = 0.11) as they related to the relationship
      between ACE and excessive unhealthy days. CONCLUSION: ACE is linked to adult
      HRQoL. Stress and sleep disturbances may represent later consequences of
      childhood adversity that modulate adult quality of life.

PMID- 26260582
TI  - Synergistic induction of apoptosis by a polo-like kinase 1 inhibitor and
      microtubule-interfering drugs in Ewing sarcoma cells.
AB  - Since polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) is highly expressed in Ewing sarcoma (ES), we
      evaluated the therapeutic potential of the PLK1 inhibitor BI 6727. Here, we
      identify a synergistic induction of apoptosis by BI 6727 and several microtubule
      interfering drugs in ES cells, including vincristine (VCR), vinblastine (VBL),
      vinorelbine (VNR) and eribulin. Synergistic drug interaction is confirmed by
      calculation of combination index (CI). Also, BI 6727 and VCR act in concert to
      reduce long-term clonogenic survival. Mechanistically, BI 6727/VCR co-treatment
      cooperates to trigger mitotic arrest, phosphorylation of BCL-2 and BCL-XL and
      downregulation of MCL-1. This inactivation of anti-apoptotic BCL-2 family
      proteins in turn promotes activation of BAX and BAK, activation of caspase-9 and 
      3 and caspase-dependent apoptosis. Overexpression of BCL-2 or simultaneous
      knockdown of BAX and BAK significantly rescue BI 6727/VCR-induced apoptosis,
      indicating that engagement of the mitochondrial pathway is critical for BI
      6727/VCR-mediated apoptosis. The clinical relevance of PLK1 inhibitor-based
      combination therapies is underscored by the fact that BI 6727 is currently
      evaluated in phase I clinical trials in childhood cancer. In conclusion, PLK1
      inhibitors such as BI 6727 may provide a new strategy to chemosensitize ES. 

PMID- 26260583
TI  - S1 nerve is the most efficient nerve rootlet innervating the anal canal and
      rectum in rats.
AB  - Autonomic and somatic components participate in the defecation process in
      mammals, combining signals from the brainstem and forebrain. The innervation
      pattern involved in micturition in rats has been well studied, while defecation
      has been less studied. The aim of the present study was to identify the most
      important sensory and motor nerves of the anal canal and rectum involved in
      defecation. The amplitudes of evoked potential of the anal canal and rectum were
      higher when L6 and S1 ventral rootlets were stimulated, compared with the other
      segments (ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc test, all P < 0.05). The S1 segment was more
      strongly cholera toxin subunit B conjugated to horseradish peroxidase (CB-HRP)
      positive compared with the other segments (ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc test, P <
      0.05). Ventral spinal rootlets of L6 and S1 mainly contributed to the pressure
      change in the anal canal and rectum when the ventral spinal rootlets from L5 to
      S3 were stimulated electrically. In conclusion, many afferent and efferent nerves
      innervate the anal canal and rectum and are involved in defecation, but the S1
      nerve rootlet could be the most efficient one. These results could provide a
      basis for defecation reconstruction, especially for patients with spinal cord
      injuries. 

PMID- 26260585
TI  - Differential attentional responding in caesarean versus vaginally delivered
      infants.
AB  - Little is known about the role that the birth experience plays in brain and
      cognitive development. Recent research has suggested that birth experience
      influences the development of the somatosensory cortex, an area involved in
      spatial attention to sensory information. In this study, we explored whether
      differences in spatial attention would occur in infants who had different birth
      experiences, as occurs for caesarean versus vaginal delivery. Three-month-old
      infants performed either a spatial cueing task or a visual expectation task. We
      showed that caesarean-delivered infants' stimulus-driven, reflexive attention was
      slowed relative to vaginally delivered infants', whereas their cognitively
      driven, voluntary attention was unaffected. Thus, types of birth experience
      influence at least one form of infants' attention, and possibly any cognitive
      process that relies on spatial attention. This study also suggests that birth
      experience influences the initial state of brain functioning and, consequently,
      should be considered in our understanding of brain development. 

PMID- 26260584
TI  - PLAG1 and NCAPG-LCORL in livestock.
AB  - A recent progress on stature genetics has revealed simple genetic architecture in
      livestock animals in contrast to that in humans. PLAG1 and/or NCAPG-LCORL, both
      of which are known as a locus for adult human height, have been detected for
      association with body weight/height in cattle and horses, and for selective sweep
      in dogs and pigs. The findings indicate a significant impact of these loci on
      mammalian growth or body size and usefulness of the natural variants for
      selective breeding. However, association with an unfavorable trait, such as late
      puberty or risk for a neuropathic disease, was also reported for the respective
      loci, indicating an importance to discriminate between causality and association.
      Here I review the recent findings on quantitative trait loci (QTL) for stature in
      livestock animals, mainly focusing on the PLAG1 and NCAPG-LCORL loci. I also
      describe our recent efforts to identify the causative variation for the third
      major locus for carcass weight in Japanese Black cattle. 

PMID- 26260586
TI  - Pelvic Inflammatory Disease in Virgin Women With Tubo-ovarian Abscess: A Single
      Center Experience and Literature Review.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the incidence of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
      in virgin women and investigate the clinical characteristics of the patients.
      DESIGN: Retrospective chart review and literature review. SETTING: Tertiary
      academic center. PARTICIPANTS: Virgin women who were confirmed to have PID via
      surgery from 2002 to 2014. INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The
      evaluation of medicosurgical history, clinical progress, surgical record, and
      pathologic reports. RESULTS: Of 122 patients diagnosed with PID via surgery, 5
      women were virgins (4.1%). The median age was 21 years (range, 14-24 years), and
      all patients presented with abdominal pain. The median diameter of the pelvic
      abscess pocket on preoperative imaging was 4.5 cm (range, 2.6-15 cm). Only 1 case
      was preoperatively diagnosed as a tubo-ovarian abscess; the others were expected
      to be benign ovarian tumors, such as endometrioma and dermoid cysts. No possible
      source of infection was identified for any patient, except 1 who had a history of
      an appendectomy because of a ruptured appendix. The results of the
      histopathological analysis of the excisional biopsy performed during surgery in 4
      cases were consistent with acute suppurative inflammation. After postoperative
      antibiotic use, the conditions of all patients stabilized, and they were
      discharged from the hospital on median postoperative day 9. CONCLUSION: PID in
      virgin women is rare, but it should be considered in all women with abdominal
      pain, regardless of sexual history.

PMID- 26260588
TI  - Job strain and coping among ageing baby boomers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Research indicates that the so-called baby boomer generation (the
      population born after World War II) exhibits worrying health trends. Taking age
      cohort effects into account, it is still unclear how the mechanisms concerning
      stress and health function and how the distribution of stressors, stress
      mediators and stress effects on health differ between generations. OBJECTIVES:
      The article approaches stress from a generational perspective asking: which are
      the stressors the baby boomer generation is facing? Under which conditions and
      with which resources is exposure to stressors harmful to health? Is there an
      accumulation of stress in later working life? MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the course
      of the project "Wellbeing", a quantitative online survey was carried out in
      selected commercial enterprises and public institutions in four project partner
      countries. The results for Austrian participants are presented in this article.
      RESULTS: Employees of the baby boomer generation are exposed to both time-related
      and social stressors at the workplace and a high percentage of respondents
      expressed symptoms of physical and psychological stress. Stress mediators, such
      as agency-based coping strategies and social resources at the workplace could
      buffer these stressors; however, stressors and stress mediators are significantly
      correlated creating a "triple whammy" effect (i.e. exposure to stressors, lack of
      social resources and restricted coping), which particularly affects older male
      baby boomers. CONCLUSION: Social support buffers the negative effects of a
      limited health and lower education for female baby boomers, which supports the
      buffering hypothesis of social convoy theory, whereas male baby boomers lack the
      resources to effectively cope with work stress.

PMID- 26260589
TI  - [Burdens and coping strategies of informal caregivers. The perspective of
      informal caregivers].
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: Taking care of a person at the end of life at home is
      difficult and challenging. In a qualitative study, the burdens experienced by
      informal caregivers as well as their coping strategies to face these burdens were
      investigated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Narrative interviews with 25 informal
      caregivers were conducted. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed
      using a constant comparative approach. RESULTS: Informal caregivers feel tired
      and overburdened, alone and abandoned, experience grief and fear, feel helpless
      and experience a feeling of having lost control over their own life. To cope with
      these stressful emotions, they actively seek help and support, inform themselves
      and acquire skills and competencies, talk to others, allow themselves time off
      and emphasize the positive and meaningful aspects of caring for someone at home.
      CONCLUSION: The burdens experienced by informal caregivers are highly subjective
      and depend on the coping strategies and the available resources. A main resource
      is the help and support provided by the informal social network.

PMID- 26260590
TI  - Purification of Stabilized GPCRs for Structural and Biophysical Analyses.
AB  - G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are of particular importance for drug
      discovery, being the targets of many existing drugs, and being linked to many
      diseases where new therapies are required. However, as integral membrane
      proteins, they are generally unstable when removed from their membrane
      environment, precluding them from the wide range of structural and biophysical
      techniques which can be applied to soluble proteins such as kinases. Through the
      use of protein engineering methods, mutations can be identified which both
      increase the thermostability of GPCRs when purified in detergent, as well as
      biasing the receptor toward a specific physiologically relevant conformational
      state. The resultant stabilized receptor (known as a StaR) can be purified in
      multiple-milligram quantities, whilst retaining correct folding, thus enabling
      the generation of reagents suitable for a broad range of structural and
      biophysical studies. Example protocols for the purification of StaR proteins for
      analysis, ligand screening with the thiol-specific fluorochrome N-[4-(7
      diethylamino-4-methyl-3-coumarinyl)phenyl]maleimide (CPM), surface plasmon
      resonance (SPR), and crystallization for structural studies are presented. 

PMID- 26260587
TI  - IL10-driven STAT3 signalling in senescent macrophages promotes pathological eye
      angiogenesis.
AB  - Macrophage dysfunction plays a pivotal role during neovascular proliferation in
      diseases of ageing including cancers, atherosclerosis and blinding eye disease.
      In the eye, choroidal neovascularization (CNV) causes blindness in patients with
      age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Here we report that increased IL10, not
      IL4 or IL13, in senescent eyes activates STAT3 signalling that induces the
      alternative activation of macrophages and vascular proliferation. Targeted
      inhibition of both IL10 receptor-mediated signalling and STAT3 activation in
      macrophages reverses the ageing phenotype. In addition, adoptive transfer of
      STAT3-deficient macrophages into eyes of old mice significantly reduces the
      amount of CNV. Systemic and CD163(+) eye macrophages obtained from AMD patients
      also demonstrate STAT3 activation. Our studies demonstrate that impaired SOCS3
      feedback leads to permissive IL10/STAT3 signalling that promotes alternative
      macrophage activation and pathological neovascularization. These findings have
      significant implications for our understanding of the pathobiology of age
      associated diseases and may guide targeted immunotherapy. 

PMID- 26260591
TI  - Purification and Crystallization of a Thermostabilized Agonist-Bound Conformation
      of the Human Adenosine A(2A) Receptor.
AB  - Crystallization of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) is successful due to the
      development of generic protein engineering strategies, which has resulted in the
      structure determination of more than 25 GPCRs, including representatives from
      class A, B, C, and F. Most of the X-ray structures available correspond to an
      inactive conformation of the receptor bound to an antagonist. Only a few high
      resolution structures of agonist-bound conformations of GPCRs have been
      determined over the last 6 years. Here, we describe the purification and
      crystallization protocols of a thermostabilized agonist-bound conformation of the
      human adenosine A2A receptor. 

PMID- 26260592
TI  - 2D Projection Analysis of GPCR Complexes by Negative Stain Electron Microscopy.
AB  - While electron cryo-microscopy (cryo-EM) of biological specimens is the preferred
      single particle EM method for structure determination, its application is very
      challenging for the typically small (<150 kDa) complexes between GPCRs and their
      partner proteins. Negative stain EM, whereby the biological samples are embedded
      in a thin layer of heavy metal solution, is a well-established alternative
      technique that provides the enhanced contrast needed to visualize small
      macromolecular complexes. This methodology can offer a simple and powerful tool
      for the rapid evaluation of sample characteristics, such as homogeneity or
      oligomeric state. When coupled to single particle classification and averaging,
      negative stain EM can provide valuable information on the overall architecture
      and dynamics of protein complexes. Here we provide a concise protocol for
      negative stain imaging and two-dimensional (2D) projection analysis of GPCR
      complexes, including notes for the intricacies of the application in these
      biological systems. 

PMID- 26260593
TI  - Nuts and Bolts of CF3 and CH 3 NMR Toward the Understanding of Conformational
      Exchange of GPCRs.
AB  - With the advent of efficient protein expression and functional purification
      protocols, it is now possible to reconstitute many G protein-coupled receptors
      (GPCRs) in detergent micelles at concentrations of 25 MUM or more. Such
      concentrations are sufficient for studies of conformational states and dynamics
      relating to function and the mechanism of activation of GPCRs, using solution
      state NMR. In particular, methyl spectroscopy, in the form of one-dimensional
      (19)F NMR or two-dimensional ((1)H,(13)C) NMR, provides high fidelity spectra
      which reveal detailed features associated with conformational states and their
      lifetimes, as a function of ligand. While X-ray crystallography provides
      exquisitely detailed structures of lowest energy states associated with ligands,
      G proteins, and other proteins, NMR is able to validate such states, while
      providing insight into higher energy states that form part of the conformational
      landscape and are involved in activation. Through relaxation experiments spanning
      microseconds to seconds, lifetimes of these functional states can often be
      measured. By determining the effect of ligands on both equilibrium populations
      and rates of interconversion between states, it becomes possible to understand
      activation in terms of an ensemble description and in turn relate the ensemble to
      pharmaceutical phenomena. 

PMID- 26260594
TI  - Single-Molecule Fluorescence Microscopy for the Analysis of Fast Receptor
      Dynamics.
AB  - Assessing the dynamics of individual membrane proteins in living cells is a
      powerful approach to investigate their assembly, mobility, and function. Here, we
      describe how to image single G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), both in the
      active and inactive state. This is achieved by combining labeling of GPCRs with
      bright organic fluorophores and fluorescent imaging by total internal reflection
      fluorescence microscopy. Using this method, individual tracks of single molecules
      can be analyzed in parallel with high spatial precision and with frame rates up
      to 50/s. 

PMID- 26260595
TI  - Quantitative Multi-color Detection Strategies for Bioorthogonally Labeled GPCRs.
AB  - We describe multiple bioorthogonal approaches to label G protein-coupled
      receptors (GPCRs) heterologously expressed in mammalian cells. The use of
      genetically encoded unnatural amino acids as bioorthogonal tags results in
      receptors that are expressed at lower levels than even their low abundance wild
      type counterparts. Therefore, reproducible and sensitive quantification of the
      labeled GPCRs is extremely important and conventional methods are simply not
      sufficiently accurate and precise. Silver stains lack reproducibility,
      spectroscopic methods using fluorescent ligands are limited to quantifying only
      functional receptor molecules, and immunoassays using epitope tags derived from
      rhodopsin are particularly variable for low-abundance GPCRs. To avoid these
      shortcomings, we employ near infrared (NIR) imaging-based methods that enable
      simultaneous multi-color detection of two different antigens, thus facilitating
      the ratiometric analysis of bioorthogonally modified GPCRs. We anticipate that
      these multi-color detection strategies will provide new tools for quantitatively
      assessing stoichiometrically labeled GPCRs for studies of signalosomes and for
      structure-function relationships at a single molecule level. 

PMID- 26260596
TI  - Approaches to Characterize and Quantify Oligomerization of GPCRs.
AB  - Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) is an approach widely used to
      detect protein-protein interactions in live cells. This approach is based on the
      sensitization of an "acceptor" molecule by the energy transfer from a "donor"
      when there is an overlap between the emission spectrum of the "donor" and the
      excitation spectrum of the "acceptor" and close proximity between the two
      fluorophore species (in the region of 8 nm). Various methods exist to quantify
      FRET signals: here, we describe the application of homogeneous time-resolved FRET
      (htrFRET) combined with Tag-liteTM technology and its application to determine
      not only protein-protein interactions but also the capability of GPCR mutant
      variants to form homomers compared to the wild type GPCR within the plasma
      membrane of transfected cells. 

PMID- 26260597
TI  - Monitoring G Protein Activation in Cells with BRET.
AB  - Live-cell assays based on fluorescence and luminescence are now indispensable
      tools for the study of G protein signaling. Assays based on fluorescence and
      bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (FRET and BRET) have been particularly
      valuable for monitoring changes in second messengers, protein-protein
      interactions, and protein conformation. Here, we describe a BRET assay that
      monitors the release of free Gbetagamma dimers after activation of heterotrimers
      containing Galpha subunits from all four G protein subfamilies. This assay
      provides useful kinetic and pharmacological information with reasonably high
      throughput using a standard laboratory equipment. 

PMID- 26260598
TI  - Use of Fluorescence Indicators in Receptor Ligands.
AB  - Fluorescence techniques can provide insights into the environment of fluorescence
      indicators incorporated within a ligand as it is bound to its receptor.
      Fluorescence indicators of different sizes and chemical characteristics can
      provide insights into the nature of the binding environment, the surrounding
      structures, and even into conformational changes associated with receptor
      activation. Methods for determining fluorescence spectral analysis, fluorescence
      quenching, fluorescence anisotropy, fluorescence lifetimes, and red edge
      excitation shifts of the ligand probes are described. The applications of these
      techniques to the CCK1 receptor occupied by alexa(488)-CCK and aladan-CCK, as
      examples of probes developed (1) by derivatization of an existing peptide and (2)
      by incorporation during peptide synthesis, are utilized as examples. These
      methods represent powerful tools to expand our understanding of the structure and
      molecular basis of ligand activation of G protein-coupled receptors. 

PMID- 26260599
TI  - Detection and Quantification of Intracellular Signaling Using FRET-Based
      Biosensors and High Content Imaging.
AB  - Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) biosensors represent invaluable tools to
      detect the spatiotemporal context of second messenger production and
      intracellular signaling that cannot be attained using traditional methods. Here,
      we describe a detailed protocol for the use of high content imaging in
      combination with FRET biosensors to assess second messenger production and
      intracellular signaling in a time-effective manner. We use four different FRET
      biosensors to measure cAMP levels, kinase (ERK and PKC), and GTPase activity.
      Importantly, we provide the protocols to express and measure these sensors in a
      variety of model cell lines and primary dorsal root ganglia neurons. 

PMID- 26260600
TI  - The Measurement of Receptor Signaling Bias.
AB  - This chapter describes a method to quantify biased signaling effects of agonists;
      this approach can furnish a scale for medicinal chemists to optimize biased
      profiles. Biased ligands have different pharmacological properties on a molecular
      level (stabilization of different receptor active states) and thus can have
      different pharmacological profiles therapeutically. The calculation of
      transduction ratios (DeltaDeltalog(tau/K A)) values (where tau is efficacy and K
      A a measure of affinity) allows the identification of agonists that demonstrate
      unique signaling either for different signaling pathways linked to the receptor,
      differences in cellular host, effects of receptor mutation, or receptor
      selectivity profiles. The procedure includes statistical methods to assess the
      significance of these effects. 

PMID- 26260601
TI  - Approaches to Assess Functional Selectivity in GPCRs: Evaluating G Protein
      Signaling in an Endogenous Environment.
AB  - Ligand-directed signaling, biased agonism, and functional selectivity are terms
      that describe the propensity of a ligand to drive signaling toward one GPCR
      pathway over another. Most of the early examples demonstrated to date examine the
      divergence between GPCR signaling to G protein coupling and betaarrestin2
      recruitment. As biased agonists begin to become available based on cell-based
      screening criteria, a need arises to determine if G protein signaling biases will
      be maintained in the endogenous setting, wherein receptors are functioning to
      control relevant biological responses. This report presents our method and offers
      tips for evaluating G protein signaling in endogenous tissues. Predominately,
      brain tissues are discussed here; optimization points that can be applied to any
      tissues are highlighted. 

PMID- 26260602
TI  - Bioluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer Approaches to Discover Bias in GPCR
      Signaling.
AB  - Bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) is a well-established technique
      for investigating G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) pharmacology. BRET enables
      the monitoring of molecular proximity through the use of heterologously expressed
      proteins of interest and/or fluorophore-labeled ligands. Fusion to a donor
      luciferase enzyme or an acceptor fluorophore and subsequent detection of
      resonance energy transfer indicate the close proximity of the molecules of
      interest. As BRET is readily applied to the study of numerous GPCR signaling and
      regulatory paths, it is an ideal technique for investigating the pharmacology of
      biased ligands and receptors. 

PMID- 26260603
TI  - Virus-Mediated Expression of DREADDs for In Vivo Metabolic Studies.
AB  - During the past few years, CNO-sensitive designer G protein-coupled receptors
      (GPCRs) known as DREADDs (designer receptors exclusively activated by designer
      drugs) have emerged as powerful new tools for the study of GPCR physiology. In
      this chapter, we present protocols employing adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) to
      express a Gq-coupled DREADD (Dq) in two metabolically important cell types, AgRP
      neurons of the hypothalamus and hepatocytes of the liver. We also provide
      examples dealing with the metabolic analysis of the Dq mutant mice after
      administration of CNO in vivo. The approaches described in this chapter can be
      applied to other members of the DREADD family and, of course, different cell
      types. It is likely that the use of DREADD technology will identify
      physiologically important signaling pathways that can be targeted for therapeutic
      purposes. 

PMID- 26260604
TI  - High-Throughput Screening for Allosteric Modulators of GPCRs.
AB  - The continued evolution of our understanding of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)
      signaling has revealed new opportunities for drug discovery. Specifically, biased
      agonism at GPCRs and allosteric modulation of GPCRs both represent emerging areas
      of GPCR biology that hold promise for the development of novel GPCR-targeted
      therapeutics that may provide greater therapeutic efficacy and/or improved side
      effect profiles. To obtain initial chemical leads, high-throughput screening
      (HTS) of a large compound library for the desired activity is often deployed
      during the early stages of a discovery program. The identification of allosteric
      modulators, in particular, poses significant challenges for HTS. We describe
      several HTS protocols designed for the identification of GPCR ligands, with a
      particular focus on the identification of allosteric modulators. 

PMID- 26260605
TI  - Radioligand Binding Assay for an Exon 11-Associated Mu Opioid Receptor Target.
AB  - Receptor binding provides a valuable approach for characterization of drugs and
      their receptors. There are three major families of opioid receptors: mu, delta,
      and kappa. Highly selective radioligands are available for all three classes of
      traditional receptors. Of the three, the mu receptor undergoes extensive
      alternative splicing, generating a number of traditional mu receptor subtypes as
      well as a nontraditional, truncated set of variants associated with exon 11.
      These exon 11-associated truncated variants are not readily labeled with current
      radioligands. Here we describe the synthesis of a radioiodinated ligand suitable
      for carrying out binding studies for this target. 

PMID- 26260606
TI  - Docking and Virtual Screening Strategies for GPCR Drug Discovery.
AB  - Progress in structure determination of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) has
      made it possible to apply structure-based drug design (SBDD) methods to this
      pharmaceutically important target class. The quality of GPCR structures available
      for SBDD projects fall on a spectrum ranging from high resolution crystal
      structures (<2 A), where all water molecules in the binding pocket are resolved,
      to lower resolution (>3 A) where some protein residues are not resolved, and
      finally to homology models that are built using distantly related templates. Each
      GPCR project involves a distinct set of opportunities and challenges, and
      requires different approaches to model the interaction between the receptor and
      the ligands. In this review we will discuss docking and virtual screening to
      GPCRs, and highlight several refinement and post-processing steps that can be
      used to improve the accuracy of these calculations. Several examples are
      discussed that illustrate specific steps that can be taken to improve upon the
      docking and virtual screening accuracy. While GPCRs are a unique target class,
      many of the methods and strategies outlined in this review are general and
      therefore applicable to other protein families. 

PMID- 26260607
TI  - The Dynamic Process of Drug-GPCR Binding at Either Orthosteric or Allosteric
      Sites Evaluated by Metadynamics.
AB  - Major advances in G Protein-Coupled Receptor (GPCR) structural biology over the
      past few years have yielded a significant number of high-resolution crystal
      structures for several different receptor subtypes. This dramatic increase in
      GPCR structural information has underscored the use of automated docking
      algorithms for the discovery of novel ligands that can eventually be developed
      into improved therapeutics. However, these algorithms are often unable to
      discriminate between different, yet energetically similar, poses because of their
      relatively simple scoring functions. Here, we describe a metadynamics-based
      approach to study the dynamic process of ligand binding to/unbinding from GPCRs
      with a higher level of accuracy and yet satisfying efficiency. 

PMID- 26260608
TI  - Experiment-Guided Molecular Modeling of Protein-Protein Complexes Involving
      GPCRs.
AB  - Experimental structure determination for G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and
      especially their complexes with protein and peptide ligands is at its infancy. In
      the absence of complex structures, molecular modeling and docking play a large
      role not only by providing a proper 3D context for interpretation of biochemical
      and biophysical data, but also by prospectively guiding experiments.
      Experimentally confirmed restraints may help improve the accuracy and information
      content of the computational models. Here we present a hybrid molecular modeling
      protocol that integrates heterogeneous experimental data with force field-based
      calculations in the stochastic global optimization of the conformations and
      relative orientations of binding partners. Some experimental data, such as
      pharmacophore-like chemical fields or disulfide-trapping restraints, can be
      seamlessly incorporated in the protocol, while other types of data are more
      useful at the stage of solution filtering. The protocol was successfully applied
      to modeling and design of a stable construct that resulted in crystallization of
      the first complex between a chemokine and its receptor. Examples from this work
      are used to illustrate the steps of the protocol. The utility of different types
      of experimental data for modeling and docking is discussed and caveats associated
      with data misinterpretation are highlighted. 

PMID- 26260609
TI  - Interaction Fingerprints and Their Applications to Identify Hot Spots.
AB  - Binding recognition is in the core of how nature controls processes in living
      cells, how enzyme-substrate binding leads to catalysis and how drugs modulate
      enzymes and receptors to convey a desirable physiological response. Thus,
      understanding binding recognition in a systematic manner is paramount, not only
      to understand biological processes but also to be able to design and discover new
      bioactive compounds. One such way to analyze binding interactions is through the
      development of binding interaction fingerprints. Here, we present the methodology
      to develop interaction fingerprints with three different software platforms along
      with two representative examples. 

PMID- 26260610
TI  - The Ideal Anticoagulation Strategy in ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction.
AB  - Heparin has been the principal anticoagulant in the management of ST-elevation
      myocardial infarction (STEMI) but has several limitations. Although glycoprotein
      IIb/IIIa inhibitors have been major adjuncts in previous years, in the era of
      novel P2Y12 receptor inhibitors they may have a greater role in bailout. Low
      molecular weight heparins have been extensively studied in fibrinolysis trials
      but data in primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are scarce. The
      direct thrombin inhibitor bivalirudin overcomes several shortcomings of heparins
      and has demonstrated a significant reduction in bleeding outcomes and net adverse
      cardiac events at the cost of increased acute stent thrombosis. This review
      discusses the pharmacology and clinical trial evidence for different
      anticoagulant treatment options in STEMI with a proposed selection strategy in
      contemporary primary PCI. 

PMID- 26260611
TI  - Rate control versus rhythm control in atrial fibrillation: lessons learned from
      clinical trials of atrial fibrillation.
AB  - Ample evidence supports the statement that in patients with atrial fibrillation
      in whom treatment is warranted, either rhythm control or rate control are
      acceptable primary therapeutic options. If a rhythm control strategy is chosen,
      it is important to consider that recurrence of atrial fibrillation is not
      treatment failure per se. Occasional recurrence, with cardioversion if necessary,
      may be quite acceptable. The latter will depend on the frequency, duration and
      symptoms associated with recurrence, and may require a change in the rhythm
      control therapy, e.g., change the antiarrhythmic drug, or initiate or redo atrial
      fibrillation ablation. And a rhythm control strategy should include careful
      attention to and treatment of comorbidities (hypertension, heart failure,
      diabetes, etc.). If a rate control strategy is chosen, treatment with a beta
      blocker or nondihydropyridine calcium channel blocker is almost always required
      to achieve adequate rate control. Digoxin is often useful to obtain satisfactory
      rate control in combination with a beta blocker or nondihydropyridine calcium
      channel blocker. Digoxin may be useful as primary therapy in the presence of
      hypotension or heart failure. Satisfactory ventricular rate control is usually a
      resting rate less than 110 beats per minute, although resting rates below 90
      beats per minute are probably wiser. Finally, when pursuing a rhythm control
      strategy, because recurrence of atrial fibrillation is common, rate control
      therapy should be a part of the treatment regimen. 

PMID- 26260612
TI  - Platelet Reactivity: Is There a Role to Switch?
AB  - Antiplatelet agents are essential to prevent thrombotic events in patients with
      coronary artery disease, especially in those with acute coronary syndrome or
      undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, the benefits of
      antiplatelet therapy always come at a price of increased risk for bleeding, and
      the clinical values of antiplatelet strategies depend on this characteristic
      benefit/risk ratio. Platelet function testing aiming at determining an
      individual's response to the administered agent was hoped to help balance
      bleeding and thrombosis in order to maximize benefit/risk ratio. However,
      randomized trials failed to demonstrate an improved clinical outcome of a
      platelet function-based treatment selection and consequently platelet function
      testing has not become a routine part of the management of antiplatelet
      therapies. This review aims to discuss results and shortcomings of available
      trials and registries regarding the potential role of platelet reactivity testing
      in guiding antiplatelet treatment selection in patients undergoing PCI. 

PMID- 26260613
TI  - HOXD10 acts as a tumor-suppressive factor via inhibition of the RHOC/AKT/MAPK
      pathway in human cholangiocellular carcinoma.
AB  - HOXD10, a key regulator of cell-differentiated phenotype maintainence, has been
      demonstrated to be involved in the tumorigenesis of many human malignacies.
      However, the status of HOXD10 expression and its biological function in
      cholangiocellular carcinoma (CCC) remain to be clarified. In the present study,
      we investigated the clinical significance and biological functions of HOXD10 in
      CCC and found that the expression of HOXD10 and its downstream effector RHOC was
      significantly different in well-differentiated CCC tissues compared with poorly
      differentiated lesions. We also observed a significant correlation between low
      HOXD10 and high RHOC expression levels and worse prognosis. The stable
      overexpression of HOXD10 by lentivirus vector significantly inhibited cell
      invasion partly by downregulating the expression of MMP2 and MMP9, and
      significantly increased early apoptosis in CCC cell lines and induced G1 phase
      cell cycle arrest, contributing to the inhibition of cell proliferation in vitro.
      Additionally, we demonstrated that the inactivation of the RHOC/AKT/MAPK pathway
      was involved in the tumor-suppressive functions of HOXD10 in CCC. These results
      suggested that HOXD10 may be a putative suppressor gene and can act as a
      prognostic marker and potentially a novel therapeutic target for CCC.

PMID- 26260614
TI  - Integrated miRNA-mRNA analysis in the habenula nuclei of mice intravenously self
      administering nicotine.
AB  - A considerable amount of evidence suggests that microRNAs (miRNAs) play crucial
      roles in the neuroadaptation of drug addiction. Habenula (Hb), one of the
      critical brain regions involved in reward and addiction, can be divided into two
      anatomically and transcriptionally distinct regions: medial habenula (MHb) and
      lateral habenula (LHb) nuclei. However, very few studies have compared the
      functional roles of these regions. Here, by using mirConnX integrator and KEGG
      pathway mapping, we simultaneously analysed the differential expression patterns
      of miRNAs and messenger RNA (mRNA) within MHb and LHb under nicotine addiction.
      Significantly altered miRNAs and mRNAs were found in the Hb of mice intravenously
      self-administering nicotine. Interestingly, some miRNAs were oppositely regulated
      between the MHb and the LHb, and their potential targets included various genes
      of cell signalling pathways related to the degeneration of fasciculus retroflexus
      (FR). This study provides an improved insight into the differential regulation of
      habenular transcripts in nicotine addiction, as well as the potential functions
      of miRNAs in several biological pathways involved in the nicotine addiction. 

PMID- 26260616
TI  - Probing the importance of lipid diversity in cell membranes via molecular
      simulation.
AB  - Lipid membranes in prokaryotes and eukaryotes have a wide array of lipids that
      are necessary for proper membrane structure and function. In this paper, an
      introduction to lipid diversity in biology and a mini-review on how molecular
      simulations have been used to model biological membranes (primarily limited to
      one to three lipid types in most simulation-based models) is provided, which
      motivates the use of all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to study the
      effect of lipid diversity on properties of realistic membrane models of
      prokaryotes and eukaryotes. As an example, cytoplasmic membrane models of
      Escherichia coli were developed at different stages of the colony growth cycle
      (early-log, mid-log, stationary and overnight). The main difference between lipid
      compositions at each stage was the concentration of a cyclopropane-containing
      moiety on the sn-2 lipid acyl chain (cyC17:0). Triplicate MD simulations for each
      stage were run for 300 ns to study the influence of lipid diversity on the
      surface area per lipid, area compressibility modulus, deuterium order parameters,
      and electron density profiles. The overnight stage (also known as the death
      stage) had the highest average surface area per lipid, highest rigidity, and
      lowest bilayer thickness compare to other stages of E. coli cytoplasmic membrane.
      Although bilayer thickness did depend on the growth stage, the changes between
      these were small suggesting that the hydrophobic core of transmembrane proteins
      fit well with the membrane in all growth stages. Although it is still common
      practise in MD simulations of membrane proteins to use simple one- or two
      component membranes, it can be important to use diverse lipid model membranes
      when membrane protein structure and function are influenced by changes in lipid
      membrane composition.

PMID- 26260615
TI  - Telomerase activity promotes osteoblast differentiation by modulating IGF
      signaling pathway.
AB  - The contribution of deficient telomerase activity to age-related decline in
      osteoblast functions and bone formation is poorly studied. We have previously
      demonstrated that telomerase over-expression led to enhanced osteoblast
      differentiation of human bone marrow skeletal (stromal) stem cells (hMSC) in
      vitro and in vivo. Here, we investigated the signaling pathways underlying the
      regulatory functions of telomerase in osteoblastic cells. Comparative microarray
      analysis and Western blot analysis of telomerase-over expressing hMSC (hMSC-TERT)
      versus primary hMSC revealed significant up-regulation of several components of
      insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling. Specifically, a significant increase
      in IGF-induced AKT phosphorylation and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity were
      observed in hMSC-TERT. Enhanced ALP activity was reduced in presence of IGF1
      receptor inhibitor: picropodophyllin. In addition, telomerase deficiency caused
      significant reduction in IGF signaling proteins in osteoblastic cells cultured
      from telomerase deficient mice (Terc(-/-)). The low bone mass exhibited by Terc(
      /-) mice was associated with significant reduction in serum levels of IGF1 and
      IGFBP3 as well as reduced skeletal mRNA expression of Igf1, Igf2, Igf2r, Igfbp5
      and Igfbp6. IGF1-induced osteoblast differentiation was also impaired in Terc(-/
      ) MSC. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that impaired IGF/AKT signaling
      contributes to the observed decreased bone mass and bone formation exhibited by
      telomerase deficient osteoblastic cells.

PMID- 26260619
TI  - Transdermal delivery of tadalafil using a novel formulation.
AB  - The aim of this work was to investigate the transdermal gel loaded with
      tadalafil, a practically insoluble selective phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor (PDE5)
      in order to improve the solubility and bioavailability. The solubility of
      tadalafil in mixed solution of hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HPCD),
      polyethylene glycol (PEG) 400 and tween 80 (T2 solution) was 260.8 +/- 4.3 ug/mL
      and that of tadalafil in modified T2 (M-T2) solution, which tadalafil was
      dissolved in 20% (w/v) HPCD at first and then mixture solutions of PEG 400 and
      tween 80 were added, was increased to 344.9 +/- 30.6 ug/mL. Four gel formulae
      were prepared, subsequently in vitro and in vivo skin permeation studies were
      carried out. Interestingly, tadalafil gel in M-T2 and oleic acid (OA) (F3) could
      promote the percutaneous absorption of tadalafil by 179.4% in vitro and increase
      AUC by 223% in vivo compared with tadalafil gel in the absence of M-T2 and OA
      (F1). Also, there was a finding that tadalafil gel in M-T2 and OA did not cause
      dermal irritations in an experimental animal.

PMID- 26260617
TI  - Usefulness of a crista catheter for 3-dimensional electroanatomical mapping of
      complex right atrial tachyarrhythmias.
AB  - PURPOSE: Right atrial (RA) tachyarrhythmias are not rare in patients with
      congenital heart disease and a history of cardiac surgery. This study
      investigated the usefulness of a crista catheter for 3-dimensional
      electroanatomical mapping of RA tachyarrhythmias. METHODS: We consecutively
      included 35 patients (age, 43.2 +/- 15.6 years; 15 men) who underwent an
      electrophysiological study with 3-dimensional electroanatomical mapping for RA
      tachycardia or flutter. In 13 patients with atrial flutter, we recorded and
      compared the electrical sequence in the anterior and posterior portions of the RA
      lateral wall. We used a crista catheter as a mapping catheter for 3-dimensional
      mapping in 12 patients (crista group), a lasso catheter in 12 patients (lasso
      group), and an ablation catheter in 11 patients (ablation group). We compared the
      3-dimensional mapping points, time, and speed (mapping points per minute) among
      the groups. RESULTS: Atrial flutter was confirmed as cavotricuspid isthmus
      dependent in all patients whose two atrial electrical sequences were the same
      direction and as atypical (including scar-related and dual-loop) in all patients
      whose sequences were in the opposite direction. Mapping speed in the crista group
      was significantly faster than in the lasso and ablation groups: median
      (interquartile range) 44.0 (35.5-69.4) points/min, 23.7 (17.8-29.8) points/min,
      and 8.2 (4.8-11.0) points/min, respectively (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A crista
      catheter is useful for high-density 3-dimensional electroanatomical mapping of
      complex RA tachyarrhythmias. Comparison of the electrical sequences in the
      anterior and posterior portions of the RA lateral wall is helpful for
      differentiating between cavotricuspid isthmus-dependent and atypical atrial
      flutter.

PMID- 26260620
TI  - Advances in nanotechnology-based carrier systems for targeted delivery of
      bioactive drug molecules with special emphasis on immunotherapy in drug resistant
      tuberculosis - a critical review.
AB  - From the early sixteenth and seventeenth centuries to the present day of life,
      tuberculosis (TB) still is a global health threat with some new emergence of
      resistance. This type of emergence poses a vital challenge to control TB cases
      across the world. Mortality and morbidity rates are high due to this new face of
      TB. The newer nanotechnology-based drug-delivery approaches involving micro
      metric and nano-metric carriers are much needed at this stage. These delivery
      systems would provide more advantages over conventional systems of treatment by
      producing enhanced therapeutic efficacy, uniform distribution of drug molecule to
      the target site, sustained and controlled release of drug molecules and lesser
      side effects. The main aim to develop these novel drug-delivery systems is to
      improve the patient compliance and reduce therapy time. This article reviews and
      elaborates the new concepts and drug-delivery approaches for the treatment of TB
      involving solid-lipid particulate drug-delivery systems (solid-lipid micro- and
      nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers), vesicular drug-delivery systems
      (liposomes, niosomes and liposphere), emulsion-based drug-delivery systems (micro
      and nanoemulsion) and some other novel drug-delivery systems for the effective
      treatment of tuberculosis and role of immunomodulators as an adjuvant therapy for
      management of MDR-TB and XDR-TB.

PMID- 26260621
TI  - The diagnostic value of tumor markers in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid for the
      peripheral pulmonary carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To investigate the value of Ubiquitin specific peptidase 8 (USP8),
      Chitinase 3-like 1 (YKL40), Heat shock protein 90a (HSP90alpha), glutathione S
      transferase P1 (GSTP1), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), neuron specific enolase
      (NSE) and cytokeratin fragment antiogen 21-1 (CYFRA21-1) in bronchoalveolar
      lavage fluid (BALF) and serum for diagnosis in patients with peripheral lung
      cancer. METHODS: The concentration of these markers were measured in 50 patients
      with peripheral lung cancer and 50 patients with benign lung diseases by using
      enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay methods. RESULTS: There were significant
      differences between the peripheral lung cancer group and the benign lung disease
      group (P < 0.05) in the BALF of USP8, YKL40, HSP90alpha, CEA, NSE and CYFRA21-1.
      There were significant differences between the peripheral lung cancer group and
      the benign lung disease group (P < 0.05) in the serum of HSP90alpha and CEA.
      There were no differences in others. There were no correlation between the
      concentration of all markers and age, histological type, TNM stage (I-IV). There
      was a weak correlation between the primary foci diameters and the concentration
      of YKL40 in BALF. (Pearson's correlation: 0.203, P = 0.048) The diagnostic
      efficiencies of USP8, YKL40, HSP90alpha were superior to CYFRA21-1 and NSE, being
      lower CEA. CONCLUSION: Detection of tumor markers in BALF was superior to serum
      specimens. The measurement of USP8, HSP90alpha and YKL40 in BALF had more
      clinical value for the diagnosis of peripheral pulmonary carcinoma.

PMID- 26260622
TI  - Routine systemic antibiotic prophylaxis for burn injuries in developing
      countries: A best evidence topic (BET).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Burns are common in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and
      complicated by unhygienic conditions, malnutrition, use of high-risk homemade
      dressings and delayed presentation. Resultantly, use of routine systemic
      antibiotic prophylaxis (SAP) to prevent wound infection is common practice
      despite this intervention being abandoned in high-income countries due to
      increased antimicrobial resistance and non-bacterial suprainfection. METHODS: A
      best evidence topic (BET) was constructed using a structured protocol. The
      question addressed was: In LMICs, does routine use of SAP reduce burn wound
      infection, morbidity or mortality? RESULTS: From 704 retrieved records, 48
      reports met criteria to be examined. Of those, 3 studies represented the best
      available evidence. Together, two randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and a
      retrospective cohort study reported no difference in the proportion of wound
      infection, any infection or length of hospital stay between SAP groups and
      controls. One RCT described a greater proportion of wounds infected with P.
      aeruginosa among SAP arms compared to controls. The studies had few participants
      and significant methodological weaknesses. CONCLUSION: On the basis of limited,
      currently available evidence, the use of SAP cannot be recommended for patients
      in LMICs that present soon after burn injury.

PMID- 26260623
TI  - Characteristics associated with alcohol consumption among emergency department
      patients presenting with road traffic injuries in Hyderabad, India.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Each year in India, road traffic crashes lead to more than 200,000
      deaths and the country has seen an unprecedented rate of roadway fatalities in
      recent years. At the same time, alcohol consumption per capita among Indians is
      rising. Despite these increasing trends of road traffic injuries (RTIs) and
      alcohol use, alcohol is not routinely assessed as a risk factor for RTIs. This
      study aims to examine the involvement of alcohol among emergency department
      patients presenting with RTIs in the Indian city of Hyderabad. PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: As part of a prospective study, data were collected from 3366 patients
      (88.0% male) presenting with RTIs at an emergency department in Hyderabad, India,
      from September 2013 to February 2014. Logistic regression models were used to
      assess individual-level and road traffic crash characteristics associated with
      suspected or reported alcohol consumption six hours prior to the RTI. RESULTS:
      Alcohol was suspected or reported among 17.9% of the patients with RTIs.
      Adjusting for confounders, males experienced 9.8 times greater odds of alcohol
      related RTIs than females. Compared to 15-24 year-olds, the odds of alcohol
      consumption was 1.4 times greater among 25-34 year-olds and 1.7 times greater
      among 35-44 year-olds, adjusting for confounding factors. Patients who were
      passengers in vehicles other than motorized two-wheelers had 90% reduced odds of
      an alcohol-related RTI than motorized two-wheeler drivers. Drivers of non-two
      wheelers, passengers on two-wheelers, and pedestrians did not have significantly
      different odds of an alcohol-related RTI compared to two-wheeler drivers.
      Nighttime crashes were associated with nearly a threefold increase in the odds of
      alcohol consumption. CONCLUSIONS: Given that alcohol was suspected or reported in
      more than one in six injured ED patients with RTIs, it is clear that alcohol is a
      serious risk factor for RTIs; this evidence can guide prevention efforts. These
      findings suggest that evidence-based interventions to reduce drink-driving, such
      as random breath testing (where law enforcement officials stop drivers on the
      road to test them for alcohol use), could be more widespread in India. Future
      studies should assess the effectiveness of greater implementation and enforcement
      of policies to decrease alcohol's availability to reduce RTIs.

PMID- 26260624
TI  - Enhancement, ethics and society: towards an empirical research agenda for the
      medical humanities and social sciences.
AB  - For some time now, bioethicists have paid close attention to issues associated
      with 'enhancement'; specifically, the appropriate use and regulation of
      substances and artefacts understood by some to improve the functioning of human
      bodies beyond that associated with 'normal' function. Medical humanities scholars
      (aside from philosophers and lawyers) and social scientists have not been
      frequent participants in debates around enhancement, but could shine a bright
      light on the range of dilemmas and opportunities techniques of enhancement are
      purported to introduce. In this paper, we argue that empirical research into the
      notion and practice of enhancement is necessary and timely. Such work could
      fruitfully engage with-and further develop-existing conceptual repertoires within
      the medical humanities and social sciences in ways that would afford benefit to
      scholars in those disciplines. We maintain that empirical engagements could also
      provide important resources to bioethicists seeking to regulate new enhancements
      in ways that are sensitive to societal context and cultural difference. To this
      end, we outline an empirical agenda for the medical humanities and social
      sciences around enhancement, emphasising especially how science and technology
      studies could bring benefits to-and be benefitted by-research in this area. We
      also use the example of (pharmaceutical) cognitive enhancement to show how
      empirical studies of actual and likely enhancement practices can nuance resonant
      bioethical debates. 

PMID- 26260625
TI  - Preferences for anticoagulation therapy in atrial fibrillation: the patients'
      view.
AB  - Since the introduction of new oral anticoagulants (NOACs), besides vitamin-K
      antagonists, an additional option for stroke prevention of patients with atrial
      fibrillation (AF) is available. The objective of this study was to assess AF
      patients' preferences with regard to the attributes of these different treatment
      options. We conducted a multicenter study among randomly selected physicians.
      Preferences were assessed by computer-assisted telephone interviews. We used a
      discrete-choice-experiment (DCE) with four convenience-related treatment
      dependent attributes (need of bridging: yes/no, interactions with food/nutrition:
      yes/no, need of INR controls/dose adjustment: yes/no; frequency of intake:
      once/twice daily) and one comparator attribute (distance to practitioner: <1
      km/>15 km). Preferences measured in the interviews were analyzed descriptively
      and based on a conditional logit regression model. A total of 486 AF patients
      (age: 73.9 +/- 8.2 years; 43.2 % female; mean CHA2DS2-VASc: 3.7 +/- 1.6; current
      medication: 48.1 % rivaroxaban, 51.9 % VKA) could be interviewed. Regardless of
      type of medication, patients significantly preferred the attribute levels (in
      order of patients' importance) "once daily intake" (Level: once = 1 vs. twice =
      0; Coefficient = 0.615; p < 0.001), "bridging necessary" (yes = 1 vs. no = 0; 
      0.558; p < 0.001), "distance to practitioner of <=1 km (>15 km = 0 vs. <=1 km =
      1; 0.494; p < 0.001), "interactions with food/nutrition" (yes = 1 vs. no = 0; 
      0.332; p < 0.001) and "need of INR controls/dose adjustment" (yes = 1 vs. no = 0;
      -0.127; p < 0.001). In our analyses, "once daily frequency of intake" was the
      most important OAC-attribute for patients' choice followed by "no bridging
      necessary" and "no interactions with food/nutrition". Thus, patients with AF seem
      to prefer treatment options which are easier to administer. 

PMID- 26260626
TI  - Sexually transmitted infection screening and reproductive health counseling in
      adolescent renal transplant recipients: Perceptions and practice patterns. A
      study from the Midwest Pediatric Nephrology Consortium.
AB  - We wanted to identify practice patterns and perceived barriers among pediatric
      nephrologists regarding STI screening and reproductive health counseling in
      adolescent renal transplant recipients. We created an online Likert-scaled
      survey. Response rate was 54%. The majority (83%) believed STI risk in their
      patients was similar to or higher than healthy teens. Interestingly, while 67%
      felt moderately or very confident in asking about sexual activity and counseling
      about safer sex, only 43% routinely or always inquired about sexual activity, and
      only 42% routinely or always counseled about safer sex. Fifty-four percent
      routinely or always discussed contraceptive options and implications of
      unintentional pregnancy. Fifty-one percent routinely or always referred patients
      to a gynecologist or adolescent provider for contraception prescription. The most
      common counseling mechanism was informal discussions in clinic (87%). Ten percent
      had no mechanism in place. Major barriers included time limitations, adolescents'
      fear regarding confidentiality, and lack of professional training. This is the
      first report of perceptions and practice patterns of pediatric nephrologists
      regarding STI screening and reproductive health counseling. Providers seem to
      recognize the importance of counseling; however, translation into practice
      remains low. Professional training in this area and increased encounter time
      could improve counseling delivery and thereby reduce risk in this population. 

PMID- 26260627
TI  - Region-Specific Alterations of Matrix Metalloproteinase Activity in Multiple
      System Atrophy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: MSA is a sporadic progressive neurodegenerative disorder
      characterized by a variable combination of parkinsonism, cerebellar ataxia, and
      autonomic dysfunction. The pathological hallmark of MSA is the accumulation of
      alpha-synuclein aggregates in the cytoplasm of oligodendrocytes along with
      neuronal loss and neuroinflammation, as well as blood-brain barrier dysfunction
      and myelin deterioration. Matrix metalloproteinases are zinc-dependent
      endopeptidases involved in the remodeling of the extracellular matrix,
      demyelination, and blood-brain barrier permeability. Several lines of evidence
      indicate a role for these enzymes in various pathological processes, including
      stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's disease. METHODS: This
      study aimed to assess potential alterations of matrix metalloproteinase-1, -2, 
      3, and -9 expression or activity in MSA postmortem brain tissue. RESULTS: Gelatin
      zymography revealed increased matrix metalloproteinase-2 activity in the putamen,
      but not in the frontal cortex, of MSA patients relative to controls.
      Immunohistochemistry revealed increased number of glial cells positive for matrix
      metalloproteinase-1, -2, and -3 in the putamen and frontal cortex of MSA
      patients. Double immunofluorescence revealed that matrix metalloproteinase-2 and 
      3 were expressed in astrocytes and microglia. Only matrix metalloproteinase-2
      colocalized with alpha-synuclein in oligodendroglial cytoplasmic inclusions.
      CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate widespread alterations of matrix
      metalloproteinase expression in MSA and a pattern of increased matrix
      metalloproteinase-2 expression and activity affecting preferentially a brain
      region severely affected (putamen) over a relatively spared region (frontal
      cortex). Elevated matrix metalloproteinase expression may thus contribute to the
      disease process in MSA by promoting blood-brain barrier dysfunction and/or myelin
      degradation.

PMID- 26260628
TI  - BAM! Utilizing the frequency of Benign, Atypical and Malignant diagnoses for
      quality improvement in the histopathologic diagnosis of melanocytic neoplasms.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Healthcare quality measures are metrics that quantify medical
      outcomes. There is a need for performance indicators in the diagnosis of
      melanocytic neoplasms. We sought to determine whether the atypical to malignant
      diagnosis ratio (AMR) and benign to malignant diagnosis ratio (BMR) could
      identify differences between practitioners within a group as well as individual
      diagnostic drift. METHODS: Diagnoses of melanocytic neoplasms from 2013 and 2014
      by two dermatopathologists were prospectively subclassified as benign, atypical
      or malignant and reported on a monthly basis to the pathologists. Case diagnoses
      of melanocytic neoplasms from 2012 and 2009 were retrospectively subclassified as
      benign, atypical or malignant for comparison. RESULTS: A total of 33,169 cases
      were used in this study. Interpathologist AMR and BMR were significantly
      different. One pathologist demonstrated a significant increase in AMR over time.
      CONCLUSION: AMR and BMR metrics are potential performance indicators that can
      measure pathologist uncertainty, identify diagnostic drift and provide a
      surrogate measure of the relative risk level of laboratory patient populations.
      If applied to multiple laboratories, AMR and BMR metrics could help inform
      physicians' choice of dermatopathology laboratory and provide a method for
      comparative analysis between laboratories.

PMID- 26260629
TI  - Carers' experiences, needs and preferences during inpatient stroke
      rehabilitation: a protocol for a systematic review of qualitative studies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Large numbers of people provide carer roles for survivors of stroke.
      Person-centred stroke rehabilitation must consider the perspectives of carers, as
      stroke affects not only the stroke survivor but also the quality of life and
      health of the carers. There is little collective knowledge about stroke carers'
      experiences, needs and preferences during the inpatient stroke rehabilitation
      process to then inform person-centred service improvements. Our objective is to
      report and synthesise experiences, needs and preferences of the carers of stroke
      survivors undergoing rehabilitation in inpatient settings. METHODS/DESIGN: We
      will conduct a systematic review of qualitative studies using a thematic
      synthesis methodology. We will follow the Enhancing Transparency in Reporting the
      Synthesis of Qualitative Research Guidelines (ENTREQ) and search the following
      databases for relevant articles: MEDLINE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied
      Health Literature (CINAHL), PsycINFO, Embase, and Web of Science. No language or
      publication date constraints will be applied. Eligible studies will have to use
      qualitative methods of data collection and analysis and reported data from the
      carers of stroke survivors who underwent inpatient stroke rehabilitation. Studies
      will be eligible for inclusion if they report the experiences, needs and
      preferences of carers regarding inpatient rehabilitation environments,
      organisation, care systems, therapeutic interventions, information exchange,
      carer training, discharge and community service planning and other issues of
      relevance to their roles as carers. Study selection and assessment of quality
      will be performed independently by two reviewers. Any disagreement will be
      resolved by a third reviewer. Data will be extracted by one reviewer, tabled, and
      checked for accuracy by another reviewer. All text reported in studies' results,
      discussion and conclusion sections will be entered into the NVivo software for
      analysis. Extracted texts will be inductively coded independently by two
      reviewers and analysed in three phases using thematic synthesis. Descriptive and
      analytical themes will be developed. DISCUSSION: This study is expected to
      provide new insights into the perspectives of stroke survivors' carers. Increased
      knowledge about carer perspectives and preferences will inform person-centred
      improvements in stroke rehabilitation. STUDY REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registration
      number: CRD42015017315 .

PMID- 26260630
TI  - Estimating the onset of spring from a complex phenology database: trade-offs
      across geographic scales.
AB  - Phenology is an important indicator of ecological response to climate change.
      Yet, phenological responses are highly variable among species and biogeographic
      regions. Recent monitoring initiatives have generated large phenological datasets
      comprised of observations from both professionals and volunteers. Because the
      observation frequency is often variable, there is uncertainty associated with
      estimating the timing of phenological activity. "Status monitoring" is an
      approach that focuses on recording observations throughout the full development
      of life cycle stages rather than only first dates in order to quantify
      uncertainty in generating phenological metrics, such as onset dates or duration.
      However, methods for using status data and calculating phenological metrics are
      not standardized. To understand how data selection criteria affect onset
      estimates of springtime leaf-out, we used status-based monitoring data curated by
      the USA National Phenology Network for 11 deciduous tree species in the eastern
      USA between 2009 and 2013. We asked, (1) How are estimates of the date of leaf
      out onset, at the site and regional levels, influenced by different data
      selection criteria and methods for calculating onset, and (2) at the regional
      level, how does the timing of leaf-out relate to springtime minimum temperatures
      across latitudes and species? Results indicate that, to answer research questions
      at site to landscape levels, data users may need to apply more restrictive data
      selection criteria to increase confidence in calculating phenological metrics.
      However, when answering questions at the regional level, such as when
      investigating spatiotemporal patterns across a latitudinal gradient, there is low
      risk of acquiring erroneous results by maximizing sample size when using status
      derived phenological data. 

PMID- 26260631
TI  - dsRNA silencing of an R2R3-MYB transcription factor affects flower cell shape in
      a Dendrobium hybrid.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The R2R3-MYB genes regulate pigmentation and morphogenesis of
      flowers, including flower and cell shape, and therefore have importance in the
      development of new varieties of orchids. However, new variety development is
      limited by the long breeding time required in orchids. In this study, we
      identified a cDNA, DhMYB1, that is expressed during flower development in a
      hybrid orchid, Dendrobium hybrida (Dendrobium bobby messina X Dendrobium chao
      phraya) then used the direct application of dsRNA to observe the effect of gene
      silencing on flower phenotype and floral epidermal cell shape. RESULTS: Flower
      bud development in the Dendrobium hybrid was characterised into seven stages and
      the time of meiosis was determined as between stages 3 to 5 when the bud is
      approximately half of the mature size. Scanning electron microscopy
      characterisation of adaxial epidermal cells of the flower perianth, showed that
      the petals and sepals each are divided into two distinct domains based on cell
      shape and size, while the labellum comprises seven domains. Thirty-two partial
      cDNA fragments representing R2R3-MYB gene sequences were isolated from D.
      hybrida. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that nine of the translated sequences
      were clustered with MYB sequences that are known to be involved in cell shape
      development and from these, DhMYB1 was selected for full length cDNA cloning and
      functional study. Direct application of a 430 bp dsRNA from the 3' region of
      DhMYB1 to emerging orchid flower buds reduced expression of DhMYB1 RNA compared
      with untreated control. Scanning electron microscopy of adaxial epidermal cells
      within domain one of the labellum of flowers treated with DhMYB1 dsRNA showed
      flattened epidermal cells whilst those of control flowers were conical.
      CONCLUSIONS: DhMYB1 is expressed throughout flower bud development and is
      involved in the development of the conical cell shape of the epidermal cells of
      the Dendrobium hybrida flower labellum. The direct application of dsRNA changed
      the phenotype of floral cells, thus, this technique may have application in
      floriculture biotechnology.

PMID- 26260632
TI  - Mechano growth factor E peptide promotes rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem
      cell migration through CXCR4-ERK1/2.
AB  - Mechano growth factor (MGF) is a splicing variant of insulin-like growth factor 1
      (IGF-1). The unique C-terminal E domain of MGF (MGF-E) makes it distinct from the
      other variants of IGF-1. Our previous work demonstrated that MGF-25E induces the
      migration of rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (rMSCs) by altering
      their mechanical properties, which is accompanied by the activation of the
      extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) pathway. However, the
      relationship between ERK1/2 activation and the change in mechanical properties
      has not been illustrated. In the present study, we determined that MGF-25E
      induced the migration of rMSCs by modulating CXCR4 to activate the ERK1/2
      pathway. The analysis of the Young's modulus and F-actin remodeling indicated
      that MGF-25E increased the stiffness and the F-actin polymerization of rMSCs
      through the activation of the CXCR4-ERK1/2 pathway. For the first time, this
      study clarified the signaling pathway that regulates the mechanical properties of
      rMSCs and is responsible for MGF-25E-promoted migration. 

PMID- 26260633
TI  - Author-suggested reviewers - Or the helper's dilemma.

PMID- 26260634
TI  - Trends in adult exposure to secondhand smoke in vehicles: Findings from the 2009
      2012 Canadian Tobacco Use Monitoring Survey.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: A growing number of jurisdictions have implemented smoke-free
      vehicles when children are present due to the substantial health effects of
      secondhand smoke (SHS). Prior studies on the prevalence of SHS exposure in
      vehicles have mainly focused on adolescents. This study examined the prevalence
      and socio-demographic correlates of SHS exposure in vehicles among Canadian
      adults. METHODS: A repeated cross-sectional data on youth and adult data were
      drawn from the 2009-2012 Canadian Tobacco Use Monitoring Survey (n=58, 195).
      Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to examine the socio
      demographic correlates of exposure to SHS in vehicles. RESULTS: Overall, 19% in
      2009 and 18% in 2012 of adults reported SHS exposure in vehicles in the past
      month. Disparities in the SHS exposure prevalence were observed, with a higher
      SHS exposure among current smokers, former smokers, males, younger adults, living
      in a household with smoking-related exposure, and those with less education. The
      multivariable analyses showed significant associations between socio-demographic
      characteristics and SHS exposure. Higher odds SHS exposure was found for those
      younger (aged 20-24, OR=16.27, CI=11.09-23.88; 25-44, OR=6.12, CI=4.14-9.06; 45
      64, OR=2.79, CI=1.95-4.02) compared to those aged 65 and over. Likewise, those
      with less education had greater odds of SHS exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Findings
      suggest that adults SHS exposure is high, especially for young adults and those
      with less education. Adult passengers may need protection from SHS given that no
      level of SHS exposure is safe.

PMID- 26260635
TI  - Using species sensitivity distribution approach to assess the risks of commonly
      detected agricultural pesticides to Australia's tropical freshwater ecosystems.
AB  - To assess the potential impacts of agricultural pesticides on tropical freshwater
      ecosystems, the present study developed temperature-specific, freshwater species
      protection concentrations (i.e., ecotoxicity threshold values) for 8 pesticides
      commonly detected in Australia's tropical freshwaters. Because relevant toxicity
      data for native tropical freshwater species to assess the ecological risks were
      mostly absent, scientifically robust toxicity data obtained at >=20  degrees C
      were used for ecologically relevant taxonomic groups representing primary
      producers and consumers. Species sensitivity distribution (SSD) curves were
      subsequently generated for predicted chronic exposure using Burrlioz 2.0 software
      with mixed chronic and converted acute data relevant to exposure conditions at
      >=20  degrees C. Ecotoxicity threshold values for tropical freshwater ecosystem
      protection were generated for ametryn, atrazine, diuron, metolachlor, and
      imidacloprid (all moderate reliability), as well as simazine, hexazinone, and
      tebuthiuron (all low reliability). Using these SSD curves, the retrospective risk
      assessments for recently reported pesticide concentrations highlight that the
      herbicides ametryn, atrazine, and diuron are of major concern for ecological
      health in Australia's tropical freshwater ecosystems. The insecticide
      imidacloprid also appears to pose an emerging threat to the most sensitive
      species in tropical freshwater ecosystems. The exposed temperature-specific
      approach may be applied to develop water quality guideline values for other
      environmental contaminants detected in tropical freshwater ecosystems until
      reliable and relevant toxicity data are generated using representative native
      species.

PMID- 26260636
TI  - Two distinct conformational states of Mycobacterium tuberculosis virulent factor
      early secreted antigenic target 6 kDa are behind the discrepancy around its
      biological functions.
AB  - Early secreted antigenic target 6 kDa (ESAT-6) and culture filtrate protein 10
      kDa (CFP-10) are complex proteins secreted by Mycobacterium tuberculosis that
      play a major role in the pathogenesis of tuberculosis. However, studies focusing
      on the biological functions of ESAT-6 led to discordant results and the role of
      ESAT-6 remains controversial. In the present study, we aim to address a potential
      explanation for this discrepancy and to highlight the physiological impact of two
      conformational states of ESAT-6. Analysis of a recombinant form of ESAT-6 by
      native gel electrophoresis, size exclusion chromatography and CD spectroscopy
      revealed that ESAT-6 forms dimers/multimers with higher molecular weight, which
      disappeared under the action of the detergent amidosulfobetaine-14 (ASB), giving
      rise to another conformational state of the protein. NMR has further indicated
      that ASB-treated versus nontreated ESAT-6 adopted distinct structural forms but
      with no well defined tertiary structure. However, protein-protein docking
      analysis favored a dimeric state of ESAT-6. Interestingly, the two preparations
      presented opposing effects on mycobacterial infectivity, as well as macrophage
      survival, interferon-gamma secretion and membrane pore formation. Thereafter, we
      generated a recombinant form of the physiological heterodimer ESAT-6/CFP-10 that
      ASB was also able to dissociate and which showed functions similar to those of
      ESAT-6 dimers/multimers. Our data suggest that, in the absence of CFP-10, the
      hydrophobic regions of the ESAT-6 can form dimers/multimers, mimicking the ESAT
      6/CFP-10 heterodimer, whereas their dissociation generates a protein presenting
      entirely different activities. Overall, the present study clarifies the
      intriguing divergences between reports that could be attributed to the ESAT-6
      oligomeric state and sheds light on its importance for a better comprehension of
      the physiopathology of tuberculosis. 

PMID- 26260638
TI  - Demanding New Solutions.

PMID- 26260637
TI  - Physiological and biochemical plasticity of Lepidium latifolium as 'sleeper weed'
      in Western Himalayas.
AB  - To understand the spread of native populations of Lepidium latifolium growing in
      different altitudes in Ladakh region of Western Himalayas, photosynthetic and
      fluorescence characteristics were evaluated in relation to their micro
      environment. Three sites representing sparsely populated (SPS), moderately
      populated (MPS) and densely populated site (DPS) were selected. Results showed
      that the DPS had higher photosynthetic accumulation than MPS and SPS. The higher
      transpiration rate at DPS despite lower vapor pressure deficit and higher
      relative humidity suggest the regulation of its leaf temperature by evaporative
      cooling. Intrinsic soil parameters such as water holding capacity and nutrient
      availability also play crucial role in higher biomass here. The quantum
      efficiency of PSII photochemistry (Fv/Fm, non-photochemical quenching (NPQ),
      PhiPSII) and light curve at various PPFDs suggests better light harvesting
      potential and light compensation point at DPS than the other two sites.
      Concomitantly, plants at SPS had significantly higher lipid peroxidation,
      suggesting a stressful environment, and higher induction of antioxidative
      enzymes. Metabolic content of reduced glutathione also suggests an efficient
      mechanism in DPS and MPS than SPS. High light intensities at MPS are managed by
      specialized contrive of carotenoid pigments and PsbS gene product. Large pool of
      violaxanthin and lutein plays an important role in this response. It is suggested
      that L. latifolium is present as 'sleeper weed' that has inherent biochemical
      plasticity involving multiple processes in Western Himalayas. Its potential
      spread is linked to site-specific micro-environment, whereby, it prefers flat
      valley bottoms with alluvial fills having high water availability, and has little
      or no altitudinal effect.

PMID- 26260639
TI  - Niche Markets: Filling Gaps with Expertise, Ingenuity.
AB  - Niche markets present opportunities for pharmacists to expand their presence and
      increase the demand for their services. These practitioners have clinical skills
      that they can use to improve medication management, reduce medication-related
      problems and hospitalizations, and enhance the quality of life for patients in
      specialty areas such as menopause management and women's health, hospice and
      palliative care, and pediatric long-term care. 

PMID- 26260640
TI  - Identification, Treatment, and Prevention of Calcium-Alkali Syndrome in Elderly
      Patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To guide pharmacists in identifying geriatric patients at risk, and
      providing education on the prevention and monitoring of calcium-alkali syndrome.
      DATA SOURCES: Searches of MEDLINE and Google Scholar (1990-February 2014). Search
      terms included milk-alkali syndrome, calcium-alkali syndrome, hypercalcemia,
      calcium carbonate, geriatric patients, and elderly patients. STUDY SELECTION:
      Published articles and case reports were chosen for inclusion to provide evidence
      based treatment and management of calcium-alkali syndrome in elderly patients.
      DATA SYNTHESIS: There are not many observational, prospective, and randomized
      studies focusing on treating calcium-alkali syndrome in geriatric patients.
      Information was extrapolated from four case-based studies focusing on geriatric
      individuals affected by calcium-alkali syndrome. CONCLUSION: Conventional
      treatments used in the case studies were shown to be effective in treating
      geriatric patients affected by calcium-alkali syndrome. Use of case studies
      affects generalization and specific treatment and prevention strategies in the
      geriatric patient population. While more robust studies are still required to
      display definite treatments for geriatric patients, the case studies demonstrated
      resolution in health outcomes with conventional treatments. The use of optimized
      adult treatments and prevention strategies effectively improves health conditions
      in geriatric patients affected or susceptible to calcium-alkali syndrome.

PMID- 26260641
TI  - A Case of an Older Adult Patient and Drugs Associated with Serotonin Syndrome.
AB  - Older adults have increased risk for depression, and the use of selective
      serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) is common. Serotonin syndrome is a
      potential adverse event associated with the use of SSRIs, the combination of
      SSRIs and trazodone, and the combination of SSRIs and linezolid. Pharmacists are
      ideal for assessing older adult drug regimens and recognizing potential drug
      interactions associated with proserotonergic drugs and alleviating adverse events
      for patients. 

PMID- 26260642
TI  - The Impact of Pharmacist Interventions on Herpes Zoster Vaccination Rates.
AB  - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that in 2010 only 14.4% of
      people in the United States who are appropriate candidates received the herpes
      zoster (shingles) vaccine. This manuscript highlights recent studies that
      investigate how pharmacists can help improve vaccination rates of herpes zoster
      in the geriatric population. Research has demonstrated that face-to-face
      interaction, education, and outreach by pharmacists in the community can help
      improve rates of herpes zoster vaccination. Having pharmacists take time to talk
      with patients about the vaccine was shown to have a positive impact on vaccine
      rates. When face-to-face interactions are not feasible, promotional materials
      such as newspaper advertisements, flyers, and personalized letters were also
      found to have a beneficial impact. Pharmacists should consider ways to increase
      awareness of vaccinations and directly encourage their patients to be vaccinated.

PMID- 26260643
TI  - Changes in Mood in New Enrollees at a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the
      Elderly.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To examine changes in mood after nine months of enrollment in a
      Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). DESIGN: Cohort study.
      SETTING: Alexian Brothers PACE, St. Louis, Missouri. PARTICIPANTS: Newly enrolled
      patients 55 years of age and older, living in the PACE service area, eligible for
      nursing facility care and able to live safely in the community, with continuous
      care, for at least nine months (N = 182). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Geriatric
      Depression Scale (GDS)-15 score at the pre-admission evaluation (PAE) and the
      nine-month evaluation (9ME). RESULTS: Of the 182 patients evaluated, 27% (n = 49)
      met the definition of depression as defined by the GDS-15 score of >= 6 at the
      PAE. At the 9ME, only 11% of patients met the depression criteria (P < 0.001). Of
      the patients who met the criteria for depression at the PAE, 80% of patients (n =
      39) no longer met these criteria at the 9ME (P = 0.029). Similar findings were
      observed by age, gender, and race. Greater improvement was observed among those
      who were depressed at the PAE; the depressed cohort improved by 5.0 points (P <
      0.001) on the GDS-15 scale from the PAE to the 9ME, whereas the nondepressed
      cohort improved by 0.6 points (P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: The use of PACE as an
      alternative intervention may be a good option to improve mood in older adults.

PMID- 26260644
TI  - What Does Provider Status Mean for Pharmacists?

PMID- 26260645
TI  - Implementation and validation of a risk stratification method at The Ottawa
      Hospital to guide thromboprophylaxis in ambulatory cancer patients at
      intermediate-high risk for venous thrombosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cancer patients have a significantly higher risk of developing a
      venous thromboembolism (VTE) compared to non-cancer patients and yet studies
      suggest VTE risk among ambulatory cancer patients varies widely. Recently,
      predictive models capable of risk-stratifying a broad range of ambulatory cancer
      outpatients have been developed. Using the Khorana model a score of 2 was
      intermediate-high risk for VTE as reported by Ay and colleagues. However,
      validation in a broader population and methods to implement this model seamlessly
      into clinical practice are lacking. OBJECTIVE: To create and assess the
      feasibility of an innovative computerized Care Process Management System (CPMS)
      that would automatically access electronic medical records to calculate in real
      time the risk of VTE in patients with active cancer using an established VTE risk
      scoring system. METHODS: A prospective observational study of all newly referred
      cancer patients at the Ottawa Regional Cancer Center, the sole cancer care
      provider for 1.2 million inhabitants, was conducted. RESULTS: 699 new referrals
      were determined to have a cancer diagnosis for the first time as identified by
      the computer software and qualified for our study and 580 were eligible. In total
      25% had intermediate-high risk for VTE and during the 3-month follow up period,
      16 of the 143 (11%) developed a VTE which further validates the Khorana model for
      identifying intermediate-high risk patients. Of the 437 patients in the low risk
      group 19 (4%) developed a VTE. CONCLUSION: Newly diagnosed cancer patients can be
      readily stratified into intermediate-high and low risk of VTE using our novel
      CPMS system. This innovative tool can be used to facilitate customized management
      decisions regarding VTE prophylaxis for intermediate-high risk patients based
      their individual risk factors.

PMID- 26260646
TI  - Factors related to accidental dural puncture in epidural anesthesia patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Accidental dural puncture (ADP) is known as a complication of
      epidural anesthesia. Although puncture site and advanced age have been reported
      to increase the risk of ADP, all related factors have not been fully
      investigated. We retrospectively investigated factors related to ADP in patients
      undergoing surgery. METHODS: We reviewed the records of 4107 patients who
      received epidural anesthesia or combined spinal-epidural anesthesia from April
      2010 to March 2013 at our institution. We defined ADP as cases in which
      cerebrospinal fluid was obviously discharged during puncture and excluded cases
      in which the epidural catheter was suspected to be inserted into subarachnoid
      space. We investigated patient background including age, sex, height, body
      weight, body mass index, vertebral level of puncture site, and presence of ADP,
      with Student t test, a chi(2) test, and multivariable logistic regression
      analysis used for statistical tests and significance set at P < .05. RESULTS:
      Twenty (0.49%) of our patients had ADP. Factors significantly associated were
      punctures in the 10th-12th thoracic intervertebral (P = .01; odds ratio [OR],
      5.19; 95% confidential interval [95% CI], 1.41-19.14) and first to third lumbar
      intervertebral (P = .03; OR, 5.45; 95% CI, 1.23-24.12) spaces and age (per 1-year
      increase, P < .01; OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.01-1.07). DISCUSSION: Accidental dural
      puncture occurred in 0.49% of all surgical patients undergoing epidural
      anesthesia and was significantly related to those who received a puncture in
      lower thoracic and lumbar intervertebral spaces, whereas age was also an
      independent factor.

PMID- 26260647
TI  - Drug-induced immune-mediated thrombocytopenia in the intensive care unit.
AB  - A 62-year-old woman with prosthetic mitral valve was admitted for explant of an
      infected prosthetic knee. Perioperatively, she was bridged with heparin and
      started on empiric vancomycin and piperacillin-tazobactam. Platelet counts
      dropped precipitously within 2 days reaching a nadir of 6000/MUL, without any
      bleeding. Decline persisted despite substituting heparin with bivalirudin.
      Antiplatelet factor 4 and anti-PLA1 antigen were negative. Schistocytes were
      absent. Antibiotics were substituted with daptomycin for suspected drug-induced
      thrombocytopenia. Pulse dose of intravenous immunoglobulin was initiated with
      rapid normalization of platelet count. She tested positive for IgG antiplatelet
      antibodies to vancomycin and piperacillin-tazobactam thereby confirming the
      diagnosis. Drug-induced immune-mediated thrombocytopenia is an underrecognized
      cause of thrombocytopenia in the intensive care units. Clinicians should be
      cognizant of this entity, and a definitive diagnosis should be sought if
      feasible. 

PMID- 26260648
TI  - Anesthesia in a patient with dyskeratosis congenita presenting for urgent
      subtotal gastrectomy.
AB  - Dyskeratosis congenita is a rare and complex congenital disease that may
      complicate surgical treatment and impact anesthetic care. We present the
      perioperative management of a patient with severe pancytopenia, respiratory
      dysfunction, and oral leukoplakia who presented for urgent surgery for removal of
      a gastric hemorrhagic malignant tumor. Important issues in the management of this
      patient include choice of anesthetic technique, correction of pancytopenia
      (thrombocytopenia in particular), judicious perioperative fluid management to
      avoid dilutional coagulopathy, antibiotic prophylaxis, and strict aseptic
      technique. Careful management of a potentially difficult airway and a higher
      likelihood of respiratory insufficiency further complicate patient care.
      Knowledge of this rare disease process and its potential impact on anesthetic
      management is paramount for safe perioperative patient care. 

PMID- 26260649
TI  - Imaging malignant melanoma with (18)F-5-FPN.
AB  - PURPOSE: Radiolabelled benzamides are attractive candidates for targeting
      melanoma because they bind to melanin and exhibit high tumour uptake and
      retention. (18)F-5-Fluoro-N-(2-[diethylamino]ethyl)picolinamide ((18)F-5-FPN), a
      benzamide analogue, was prepared and its pharmacokinetics and binding affinity
      evaluated both in vitro and in vivo to assess its clinical potential in the
      diagnosis and staging of melanoma. METHODS: (18)F-5-FPN was prepared and
      purified. Its binding specificity was measured in vitro in two different melanoma
      cell lines, one pigmented (B16F10 cells) and one nonpigmented (A375m cells), and
      in vivo in mice xenografted with the same cell lines. Dynamic and static PET
      images using (18)F-5-FPN were obtained in the tumour-bearing mice, and the static
      images were also compared with those acquired with (18)F-FDG. PET imaging with
      (18)F-5-FPN was also performed in B16F10 tumour-bearing mice with lung
      metastases. RESULTS: (18)F-5-FPN was successfully prepared with radiochemical
      yields of 5 - 10 %. Binding of (18)F-5-FPN to B16F10 cells was much higher than
      to A375m cells. On dynamic PET imaging B16F10 tumours were visible about 1 min
      after injection of the tracer, and the uptake gradually increased over time.
      (18)F-5-FPN was rapidly excreted via the kidneys. B16F10 tumours were clearly
      visible on static images acquired 1 and 2 h after injection, with high uptake
      values of 24.34 +/- 6.32 %ID/g and 16.63 +/- 5.41 %ID/g, respectively, in the
      biodistribution study (five mice). However, there was no visible uptake by A375m
      tumours. (18)F-5-FPN and (18)F-FDG PET imaging were compared in B16F10 tumour
      xenografts, and the tumour-to-background ratio of (18)F-5-FPN was ten times
      higher than that of (18)F-FDG (35.22 +/- 7.02 vs. 3.29 +/- 0.53, five mice).
      (18)F-5-FPN PET imaging also detected simulated lung metastases measuring 1 - 2
      mm. CONCLUSION: (18)F-5-FPN specifically targeted melanin in vitro and in vivo
      with high retention and affinity and favourable pharmacokinetics. (18)F-5-FPN may
      be an ideal molecular probe for melanoma diagnosis and staging.

PMID- 26260651
TI  - Molecular imaging of glutamate-carboxypeptidase II (prostate-specific membrane
      antigen) in malignant epithelioid hemangioendothelioma.

PMID- 26260650
TI  - Amyloid imaging in cognitively normal older adults: comparison between (18)F
      flutemetamol and (11)C-Pittsburgh compound B.
AB  - PURPOSE: Preclinical, or asymptomatic, Alzheimer's disease (AD) refers to the
      presence of positive AD biomarkers in the absence of cognitive deficits. This
      research concept is being applied to define target populations for clinical drug
      development. In a prospective community-recruited cohort of cognitively intact
      older adults, we compared two amyloid imaging markers within subjects: (18)F
      flutemetamol and (11)C-Pittsburgh compound B (PIB). METHODS: In 32 community
      recruited cognitively intact older adults aged between 65 and 80 years, we
      determined the concordance between binary classification based on (18)F
      flutemetamol versus (11)C-PIB according to semiquantitative assessment
      (standardized uptake value ratio in composite cortical volume, SUVRcomp) and,
      alternatively, according to visual reads. We also determined the correlation
      between (18)F-flutemetamol and (11)C-PIB SUVR and evaluated how this was affected
      by the reference region chosen (cerebellar grey matter versus pons) and the use
      of partial volume correction (PVC) in this population. RESULTS: Binary
      classification based on semiquantitative assessment was concordant between (18)F
      flutemetamol and (11)C-PIB in 94 % of cases. Concordance of blinded binary visual
      reads between tracers was 84 %. The Spearman correlation between (18)F
      flutemetamol and (11)C-PIB SUVRcomp with cerebellar grey matter as reference
      region was 0.84, with a slope of 0.98. Correlations in neocortical regions were
      significantly lower with the pons as reference region. PVC improved the
      correlation in striatum and medial temporal cortex. CONCLUSION: For the
      definition of preclinical AD based on (18)F-flutemetamol, concordance with (11)C
      PIB was highest using semiquantitative assessment with cerebellar grey matter as
      reference region.

PMID- 26260652
TI  - Lineage-Specific Patterns of Genome Deterioration in Obligate Symbionts of
      Sharpshooter Leafhoppers.
AB  - Plant sap-feeding insects (Hemiptera) rely on obligate bacterial symbionts that
      provision nutrients. Some of these symbionts are ancient and have evolved tiny
      genomes, whereas others are younger and retain larger, dynamic genomes. Baumannia
      cicadellinicola, an obligate symbiont of sharpshooter leafhoppers, is derived
      from a relatively recent symbiont replacement. To better understand evolutionary
      decay of genomes, we compared Baumannia from three host species. A newly
      sequenced genome for Baumannia from the green sharpshooter (B-GSS) was compared
      with genomes of Baumannia from the blue-green sharpshooter (B-BGSS, 759 kilobases
      [kb]) and from the glassy-winged sharpshooter (B-GWSS, 680 kb). B-GSS has the
      smallest Baumannia genome sequenced to date (633 kb), with only three unique
      genes, all involved in membrane function. It has lost nearly all pathways
      involved in vitamin and cofactor synthesis, as well as amino acid biosynthetic
      pathways that are redundant with pathways of the host or the symbiotic partner,
      Sulcia muelleri. The entire biosynthetic pathway for methionine is eliminated,
      suggesting that methionine has become a dietary requirement for hosts. B-GSS and
      B-BGSS share 33 genes involved in bacterial functions (e.g., cell division,
      membrane synthesis, metabolite transport, etc.) that are lost from the more
      distantly related B-GWSS and most other tiny genome symbionts. Finally, pairwise
      divergence estimates indicate that B-GSS has experienced a lineage-specific
      increase in substitution rates. This increase correlates with accelerated protein
      level changes and widespread gene loss. Thus, the mode and tempo of genome
      reduction vary widely among symbiont lineages and result in wide variation in
      metabolic capabilities across hosts. 

PMID- 26260653
TI  - Impact of Parental Bos taurus and Bos indicus Origins on Copy Number Variation in
      Traditional Chinese Cattle Breeds.
AB  - Copy number variation (CNV) is an important component of genomic structural
      variation and plays a role not only in evolutionary diversification but also in
      domestication. Chinese cattle were derived from Bos taurus and Bos indicus, and
      several breeds presumably are of hybrid origin, but the evolution of CNV regions
      (CNVRs) has not yet been examined in this context. Here, we of CNVRs, mtDNA D
      loop sequence variation, and Y-chromosomal single nucleotide polymorphisms to
      assess the impact of maternal and paternal B. taurus and B. indicus origins on
      the distribution of CNVRs in 24 Chinese domesticated bulls. We discovered 470
      genome-wide CNVRs, only 72 of which were shared by all three Y-lineages (B.
      taurus: Y1, Y2; B. indicus: Y3), whereas 265 were shared by inferred taurine or
      indicine paternal lineages, and 228 when considering their maternal taurine or
      indicine origins. Phylogenetic analysis uncovered eight taurine/indicine hybrids,
      and principal component analysis on CNVs corroborated genomic exchange during
      hybridization. The distribution patterns of CNVRs tended to be lineage-specific,
      and correlation analysis revealed significant positive or negative co-occurrences
      of CNVRs across lineages. Our study suggests that CNVs in Chinese cattle partly
      result from selective breeding during domestication, but also from hybridization
      and introgression. 

PMID- 26260654
TI  - Novel SIL1 mutations cause cerebellar ataxia and atrophy in a French-Canadian
      family.
AB  - Two French-Canadian sibs with cerebellar ataxia and dysarthria were seen in our
      neurogenetics clinic. The older brother had global developmental delay and
      spastic paraplegia. Brain MRIs from these two affected individuals showed
      moderate to severe cerebellar atrophy. To identify the genetic basis for their
      disease, we conducted a whole exome sequencing (WES) investigation using genomic
      DNA prepared from the affected sibs and their healthy father. We identified two
      mutations in the SIL1 gene, which is reported to cause Marinesco-Sjogren
      syndrome. This study emphasizes how the diagnosis of patients with ataxic gait
      and cerebellar atrophy may benefit from WES to identify the genetic cause of
      their condition. 

PMID- 26260655
TI  - Levels and potential health risks of mercury in prescription, non-prescription
      medicines and dietary supplements in Poland.
AB  - Determination of mercury is important in the case of pharmaceuticals for which
      the European Union regulations have not defined the maximum permissible
      concentration of this metal. The aim of the study was to determine the levels of
      mercury in the following groups of drugs (n = 119): analgesics, diuretics,
      cardiacs, antihypertensives, anti-influenza, antibiotics, anti-allergics,
      tranquilizers, antibacterials and in dietary supplements (n = 33) available on
      the Polish market. Mercury was analyzed using cold vapor atomic fluorescence
      spectrometry CV-AFS. Its content in the samples varied in the range of 0.9-476.1
      ng g(-1). Higher mercury concentrations were reported for prescription drugs
      (Rx): 0.9-476.1 ng g(-1) (median: 7.4 ng g(-1)), lower--for non-prescription
      medicines (OTC): 1.2-45.8 ng g(-1) (median: 6.0 ng g(-1)). In the analyzed
      dietary supplements the concentrations were: 0.9-16.7 ng g(-1) (median: 5.9 ng g(
      1)). On the basis of the information contained in the leaflet accompanying the
      medicine, a daily dose of mercury taken into the body with an analyzed medicament
      was estimated and the health risk posed by using such medicines was assessed. The
      study indicates that it is justified to carry out measurements of mercury in
      pharmaceuticals due to its high, potentially harmful.

PMID- 26260656
TI  - Health Canada's use of priority review status for drugs for unmet needs.
AB  - The processes for granting priority review status to new drug submissions in
      Canada and the United States are not exactly the same, but reasonable concordance
      should be expected since the selection criteria are similar in the two countries.
      This study compared new therapeutic drugs approved by both Health Canada and the
      Food and Drug Administration (FDA) between 2000 and 2014 to evaluate concordance
      on priority review status. New therapeutic drugs approved in both countries
      totalled 301; 86 (28.6%) and 136 (45.2%) were given priority review status in
      Canada and the United States, respectively, with 73 (24.3%) in both. Sensitivity
      and specificity were 53.7% and 92.1%. Overall concordance on review type was
      74.8%. kappa was 0.47 indicating moderate agreement. Agreement on review type was
      >70% for all drugs, except oncology therapies. Broad agreement exists between
      Health Canada and the FDA on drugs that should not have priority review status.
      Concordance on drugs that should have this status was generally satisfactory and,
      for critical drugs, was high. Agreement would improve if more oncology drugs
      received priority review status in Canada. Despite a higher number of drugs
      receiving priority review status in the United States, there is reasonable
      concordance between the two countries. 

PMID- 26260657
TI  - Neurodegenerative disease: Changes in brain phosphodiesterase 10A levels in
      neurodegenerative basal ganglia disorders.

PMID- 26260658
TI  - Alzheimer disease: Insulin resistance could be linked to risk of AD via reduced
      glucose uptake.

PMID- 26260660
TI  - Bilateral spontaneous salivary otorrhoea: Case report and a review of the
      literature.
AB  - Spontaneous salivary otorrhoea is an extremely rare clinical entity. Most of the
      times, salivary otorrhoea results from various forms of trauma. It has also been
      attributed to the patent foramen of Huschke, and fissures of Santorini. Here, we
      present a rare case of an 8 year old child presenting with salivary discharge
      from both the ears. The diagnosis was established on the basis of biochemical and
      radiological investigations. The patient was managed by surgical exploration and
      ligation of the fistulous tract. 

PMID- 26260659
TI  - Prospects of immune checkpoint modulators in the treatment of glioblastoma.
AB  - Glioblastoma is the most common primary brain tumour in adults. Prognosis is
      poor: even with the current gold-standard first-line treatment-maximal safe
      resection and combination of radiotherapy with temozolomide chemotherapy-the
      median overall survival time is only approximately 15-17 months, because the
      tumour recurs in virtually all patients, and no commonly accepted standard
      treatment for recurrent disease exists. Several targeted agents have failed to
      improve patient outcomes in glioblastoma. Immunotherapy with immune checkpoint
      inhibitors such as ipilimumab, nivolumab, and pembrolizumab has provided relevant
      clinical improvements in other advanced tumours for which conventional therapies
      have had limited success, making immunotherapy an appealing strategy in
      glioblastoma. This Review summarizes current knowledge on immune checkpoint
      modulators and evaluates their potential role in glioblastoma on the basis of
      preclinical studies and emerging clinical data. Furthermore, we discuss
      challenges that need to be considered in the clinical development of drugs that
      target immune checkpoint pathways in glioblastoma, such as specific properties of
      the immune system in the CNS, issues with radiological response assessment, and
      potential interactions with established and emerging treatment strategies.

PMID- 26260661
TI  - A speech reception in noise test for preschool children (the Galker-test):
      Validity, reliability and acceptance.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study evaluates initial validity and reliability of the "Galker
      test of speech reception in noise" developed for Danish preschool children
      suspected to have problems with hearing or understanding speech against strict
      psychometric standards and assesses acceptance by the children. METHODS: The
      Galker test is an audio-visual, computerised, word discrimination test in
      background noise, originally comprised of 50 word pairs. Three hundred and eighty
      eight children attending ordinary day care centres and aged 3-5 years were
      included. With multiple regression and the Rasch item response model it was
      examined whether the total score of the Galker test validly reflected item
      responses across subgroups defined by sex, age, bilingualism, tympanometry,
      audiometry and verbal comprehension. RESULTS: A total of 370 children (95%)
      accepted testing and 339 (87%) completed all 50 items. The analysis showed that
      35 items fitted the Rasch model. Reliability was 0.75 before and after exclusion
      of the 15 non-fitting items. In the stepwise linear regression model age group of
      children could explain 20% of the variation in Galker-35-score, sex 1%, second
      language at home 4%, tympanometry in best ear 2%, and parental education another
      2%. Other variable did not reach significance. CONCLUSION: The Galker-35 was well
      accepted by children down to the age of 3 years and results indicate that the
      scale represents construct valid and reliable measurement.

PMID- 26260663
TI  - Challenges to addressing obesity for Maori in Aotearoa/New Zealand.

PMID- 26260662
TI  - Heteropentanuclear Oxalato-Bridged nd-4f (n=4, 5) Metal Complexes with NO Ligand:
      Synthesis, Crystal Structures, Aqueous Stability and Antiproliferative Activity.
AB  - A series of heteropentanuclear oxalate-bridged Ru(NO)-Ln (4d-4f) metal complexes
      of the general formula (nBu4N)5[Ln{RuCl3(MU-ox)(NO)}4], where Ln=Y (2), Gd (3),
      Tb (4), Dy (5) and ox=oxalate anion, were obtained by treatment of
      (nBu4N)2[RuCl3(ox)(NO)] (1) with the respective lanthanide salt in 4:1 molar
      ratio. The compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy,
      electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry, while 1, 2, and 5 were in
      addition analyzed by X-ray crystallography, 1 by Ru K-edge XAS and 1 and 2 by
      (13)C NMR spectroscopy. X-ray diffraction showed that in 2 and 5 four complex
      anions [RuCl3(ox)(NO)](2-) are coordinated to Y(III) and Dy(III), respectively,
      with formation of [Ln{RuCl3(MU-ox)(NO)}4](5-) (Ln=Y, Dy). While Y(III) is eight
      coordinate in 2, Dy(III) is nine-coordinate in 5, with an additional coordination
      of an EtOH molecule. The negative charge is counterbalanced by five nBu4N(+) ions
      present in the crystal structure. The stability of complexes 2 and 5 in aqueous
      medium was monitored by UV/Vis spectroscopy. The antiproliferative activity of
      ruthenium-lanthanide complexes 2-5 were assayed in two human cancer cell lines
      (HeLa and A549) and in a noncancerous cell line (MRC-5) and compared with those
      obtained for the previously reported Os(NO)-Ln (5d-4f) analogues
      (nBu4N)5[Ln{OsCl3(ox)(NO)}4] (Ln=Y (6), Gd (7), Tb (8), Dy (9)). Complexes 2-5
      were found to be slightly more active than 1 in inhibiting the proliferation of
      HeLa and A549 cells, and significantly more cytotoxic than 5d-4f metal complexes
      6-9 in terms of IC50 values. The highest antiproliferative activity with IC50
      values of 20.0 and 22.4 MUM was found for 4 in HeLa and A549 cell lines,
      respectively. These cytotoxicity results are in accord with the presented ICP-MS
      data, indicating five- to eightfold greater accumulation of ruthenium versus
      osmium in human A549 cancer cells.

PMID- 26260664
TI  - Adaptive emotional memory: the key hippocampal-amygdalar interaction.
AB  - For centuries philosophical and clinical studies have emphasized a fundamental
      dichotomy between emotion and cognition, as, for instance, between
      behavioral/emotional memory and explicit/representative memory. However, the last
      few decades cognitive neuroscience have highlighted data indicating that emotion
      and cognition, as well as their underlying neural networks, are in fact in close
      interaction. First, it turns out that emotion can serve cognition, as exemplified
      by its critical contribution to decision-making or to the enhancement of episodic
      memory. Second, it is also observed that reciprocally cognitive processes as
      reasoning, conscious appraisal or explicit representation of events can modulate
      emotional responses, like promoting or reducing fear. Third, neurobiological data
      indicate that reciprocal amygdalar-hippocampal influences underlie such mutual
      regulation of emotion and cognition. While supporting this view, the present
      review discusses experimental data, obtained in rodents, indicating that the
      hippocampal and amygdalar systems not only regulate each other and their
      functional outcomes, but also qualify specific emotional memory representations
      through specific activations and interactions. Specifically, we review consistent
      behavioral, electrophysiological, pharmacological, biochemical and imaging data
      unveiling a direct contribution of both the amygdala and hippocampal-septal
      system to the identification of the predictor of a threat in different situations
      of fear conditioning. Our suggestion is that these two brain systems and their
      interplay determine the selection of relevant emotional stimuli, thereby
      contributing to the adaptive value of emotional memory. Hence, beyond the mutual
      quantitative regulation of these two brain systems described so far, we develop
      the idea that different activations of the hippocampus and amygdala, leading to
      specific configurations of neural activity, qualitatively impact the formation of
      emotional memory representations, thereby producing either adaptive or
      maladaptive fear memories. 

PMID- 26260665
TI  - Early-life adversity programs emotional functions and the neuroendocrine stress
      system: the contribution of nutrition, metabolic hormones and epigenetic
      mechanisms.
AB  - Clinical and pre-clinical studies have shown that early-life adversities, such as
      abuse or neglect, can increase the vulnerability to develop psychopathologies and
      cognitive decline later in life. Remarkably, the lasting consequences of stress
      during this sensitive period on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and
      emotional function closely resemble the long-term effects of early malnutrition
      and suggest a possible common pathway mediating these effects. During early-life,
      brain development is affected by both exogenous factors, like nutrition and
      maternal care as well as by endogenous modulators including stress hormones.
      These elements, while mostly considered for their independent actions, clearly do
      not act alone but rather in a synergistic manner. In order to better understand
      how the programming by early-life stress takes place, it is important to gain
      further insight into the exact interplay of these key elements, the possible
      common pathways as well as the underlying molecular mechanisms that mediate their
      effects. We here review evidence that exposure to both early-life stress and
      early-life under-/malnutrition similarly lead to life-long alterations on the
      neuroendocrine stress system and modify emotional functions. We further discuss
      how the different key elements of the early-life environment interact and affect
      one another and next suggest a possible role for the early-life adversity induced
      alterations in metabolic hormones and nutrient availability in shaping later
      stress responses and emotional function throughout life, possibly via epigenetic
      mechanisms. Such knowledge will help to develop intervention strategies, which
      gives the advantage of viewing the synergistic action of a more complete set of
      changes induced by early-life adversity. 

PMID- 26260666
TI  - Magnetic resonance imaging study in a normal Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris)
      stifle joint.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to describe the normal appearance of
      the bony and soft tissue structures of the stifle joint of a Bengal tiger
      (Panthera tigris) by low-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and the use of
      gross anatomical dissections performed as anatomical reference. A cadaver of a
      mature female was imaged by MRI using specific sequences as the Spin-echo (SE) T1
      weighting and Gradient-echo (GE) STIR T2-weighting sequences in sagittal, dorsal
      and transverse planes, with a magnet of 0.2 Tesla. The bony and articular
      structures were identified and labelled on anatomical dissections, as well as on
      the magnetic resonance (MR) images. RESULTS: MR images showed the bone, articular
      cartilage, menisci and ligaments of the normal tiger stifle. SE T1-weighted
      sequence provided excellent resolution of the subchondral bones of the femur,
      tibia and patella compared with the GE STIR T2-weighted MR images. Articular
      cartilage and synovial fluid were visualised with high signal intensity in GE
      STIR T2-weighted sequence, compared with SE T1-weighted sequence where they
      appeared with intermediate intensity signal. Menisci and ligaments of the stifle
      joint were visible with low signal intensity in both sequences. The infrapatellar
      fat pad was hyperintense on SE T1-weighted images and showed low signal intensity
      on GE STIR T2-weighted images. CONCLUSIONS: MRI provided adequate information of
      the bony and soft tissues structures of Bengal tiger stifle joints. This
      information can be used as initial anatomic reference for interpretation of MR
      stifle images and to assist in the diagnosis of diseases of this region.

PMID- 26260667
TI  - Bias in estimates of alcohol use among older people: selection effects due to
      design, health, and cohort replacement.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is a growing awareness of the need to include the oldest age
      groups in the epidemiological monitoring of alcohol consumption. This poses a
      number of challenges and this study sets out to examine the possible selection
      effects due to survey design, health status, and cohort replacement on estimates
      of alcohol use among the oldest old. METHODS: Analyses were based on three
      repeated cross-sectional interview surveys from 1992, 2002 and 2011, with
      relatively high response rates (86 %). The samples were nationally representative
      of the Swedish population aged 77+ (total n = 2022). Current alcohol use was
      assessed by the question "How often do you drink alcoholic beverages, such as
      wine, beer or spirits?" Alcohol use was examined in relation to survey design
      (response rate, use of proxy interviews and telephone interviews), health
      (institutional living, limitations with Activities of Daily Living and mobility
      problems) and birth cohort (in relation to age and period). Two outcomes were
      studied using binary and ordered logistic regression; use of alcohol and
      frequency of use among alcohol users. RESULTS: Higher estimates of alcohol use,
      as well as more frequent use, were associated with lower response rates, not
      using proxy interviews and exclusion of institutionalized respondents. When
      adjusted for health, none of these factors related to the survey design were
      significant. Moreover, the increase in alcohol use during the period was fully
      explained by cohort replacement. This cohort effect was also at least partially
      confounded by survey design and health effects. Results were similar for both
      outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Survey non-participation in old age is likely to be
      associated with poor health and low alcohol consumption. Failure to include
      institutionalized respondents or those who are difficult to recruit is likely to
      lead to an overestimation of alcohol consumption, whereas basing prevalence on
      older data, at least in Sweden, is likely to underestimate the alcohol use of the
      oldest old. Trends in alcohol consumption in old age are highly sensitive for
      cohort effects. When analysing age-period-cohort effects, it is important to be
      aware of these health and design issues as they may lead to incorrect
      conclusions.

PMID- 26260668
TI  - Synthesis of Photodegradable Polystyrene with Trithiocarbonate as Linkages.
AB  - Multiblock polystyrenes (PS) with trithiocarbonate groups as linkages are
      prepared via reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer polymerization
      using polytrithiocarbonate as a chain transfer agent. The photodegradability of
      the multiblock PS in the solid state is investigated under UV irradiation at room
      temperature in an air atmosphere. The experimental results demonstrate that the
      trithiocarbonate linkages in the multiblock PS can be broken under UV light
      irradiation at room temperature and the multiblock PS is degraded into separate
      PS blocks. Gel permeation chromatography measurement reveals that the molecular
      weight of multiblock PS is reduced from 27 900 to 7900 g mol(-1) after UV light
      irradiation for 745 h. Moreover, the thermal stability of the multiblock PS is
      examined and the results indicate that the incorporation of trithiocarbonate
      shows little influence on the thermal stability of multiblock PS. 

PMID- 26260669
TI  - HTLV-1-associated adult T cell leukemia is highly susceptible to Navitoclax due
      to enhanced Bax expression.
AB  - Over-expression of Bcl-2, Bcl-xL and Bcl-w is frequently associated with cancer
      resistance to chemotherapy. Navitoclax (ABT-263), an orally bio-available small
      molecule mimetic of the Bcl-2 homology domain 3, specifically inhibits Bcl-2, Bcl
      xL and Bcl-w. Despite promising results obtained from the clinical trials, the
      use of Navitoclax in patients is dose-limited due to induction of death of
      platelets via inhibition of Bcl-xL and subsequent thrombocytopenia. This side
      effect limits the use of Navitoclax in low doses and to very sensitive tumors. In
      this study, we show that HTLV-1-associated adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL)
      cells, which over-express Bcl-2, Bcl-xL and Bcl-w, show a 10- to 20-fold higher
      sensitivity (EC50 = ~ 25-50 nM) to Navitoclax compared to non-HTLV-1-associated
      leukemic cells (EC50 = ~ 1 MUM). Investigation of the molecular mechanisms
      revealed that the HTLV-1 oncogenic protein Tax up-regulates expression of the pro
      apoptotic protein Bax which enhances the therapeutic efficacy of Navitoclax. In
      addition, we show that agents that inhibit the transcription elongation or
      translation initiation such as Wogonin and Roc-A can further decrease the
      effective dose of Navitoclax. Our study suggests that HTLV-1 ATL may be a good
      candidate disease for low dose Navitoclax therapy and probably with less risk of
      thrombocytopenia.

PMID- 26260670
TI  - Overweight Perception: Associations with Weight Control Goals, Attempts, and
      Practices among Chinese Female College Students.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Concurrent with the dramatic cultural and economic shifts occurring
      as mainland China becomes increasingly "Westernized," the weight perceptions,
      ideal body weight, and weight management goals and practices of Chinese females
      have also undergone significant changes. OBJECTIVE: To investigate relationships
      between overweight status, weight perception patterns, and weight management
      goals and practices in Chinese female college students.
      DESIGN/PARTICIPANTS/SETTING: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted with data
      from 902 female subjects aged 18 to 25 years participating in the China Seven
      Cities Study, a health promotion and smoking prevention study conducted in
      mainland China in 2003. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES/STATISTICAL ANALYSES: Logistic
      regression models were used to explore associations between overweight status,
      weight perception, specific weight management goals and practices, and current
      levels of vigorous-intensity physical activity and food consumption. RESULTS:
      Based on World Health Organization standards for Asian adults, 16.7% of college
      females were overweight or obese, although 50.8% considered themselves to be "too
      heavy." Among participants perceiving themselves as overweight (n=458), 69.2%
      (n=371) were inaccurate and did not meet criteria for overweight or obese. The
      percentage of participants attempting weight loss was 48.2%, and 33.1% wanted to
      maintain their current weight. Attempts to lose or maintain weight were related
      to actual and perceived weight status, but not to increased vigorous-intensity
      physical activity or fruit and vegetable intake, nor to decreased consumption of
      sweets, soda, Western fast foods, and fried foods. Only 21.5% of participants
      desiring weight loss or maintenance reported using a combination of vigorous
      intensity physical activity and a reduced-fat and -calorie diet, whereas 20.2%
      tried extreme methods such as fasting, using diet pills, vomiting, or smoking.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our findings underscore the need to promote healthy weight
      management practices among Chinese female college students, with an emphasis on
      diet and physical activity strategies that encourage balance rather than
      extremes.

PMID- 26260671
TI  - "I Don't Want Them to Feel Different": A Mixed Methods Study of Parents' Beliefs
      and Dietary Management Strategies for Their Young Children with Type 1 Diabetes
      Mellitus.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Many young children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) do not
      consume a healthful diet; exactly why this occurs despite T1DM education remains
      poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: This study describes parents' perceptions of
      healthful eating for T1DM in young children and identifies factors related to
      parents' dietary management. DESIGN: A cross-sectional, mixed-methods study was
      performed. Parents completed a questionnaire, 3-day weighed diet record, and a
      semi-structured interview regarding their perceptions of healthful eating for
      T1DM and their dietary management practices. PARTICIPANTS/SETTING: Twenty-three
      families, recruited from a pediatric diabetes clinic in the midwestern United
      States between February 2012 and April 2013, participated. Eligible families had
      a child with T1DM who was 1 to 6 years old, at least 6 months from diagnosis, and
      was following an intensive insulin regimen. STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: Mean
      scores and percentages were calculated from the diet diaries and parent
      questionnaires, and parents' interviews were coded to identify common themes.
      RESULTS: Results showed that while parents may believe they know what constitutes
      a healthful diet for T1DM, they do not always feed their child a healthful diet.
      Parent-identified barriers to healthful eating included limited time to prepare
      homemade meals, perceived higher costs of healthier foods, the influence of peers
      on children's food preferences, and picky eating. Parents also discussed a desire
      not to limit their child's diet or make their child "feel different," which many
      parents said often led them to give into their child's requests for less
      healthful food options. CONCLUSIONS: Parents of young children with T1DM
      identified several barriers to healthful eating that are common for all parents,
      such as time constraints, expense, and child food preferences. However, unique
      themes emerged, including parents' desire not to limit their child's diet or make
      their child "feel different." Nutrition components of T1DM education should
      include psychological and behavioral strategies to help parents manage these
      unique concerns.

PMID- 26260672
TI  - Using the Hospital Nutrition Environment Scan to Evaluate Health Initiative in
      Hospital Cafeterias.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Health-promoting environments advance health and prevent chronic
      disease. Hospitals have been charged to promote health and wellness to patients,
      communities, and 5.3 million adults employed in United States health care
      environments. METHODS: In this cross-sectional observational study, the Hospital
      Nutrition Environment Scan (HNES) was used to measure the nutrition environment
      of hospital cafeterias and evaluate the influence of the LiVe Well Plate health
      initiative. Twenty-one hospitals in the Intermountain West region were surveyed
      between October 2013 and May 2014. Six hospitals participated in the LiVe Well
      Plate health initiative and were compared with 15 hospitals not participating.
      The LiVe Well Plate health initiative identified and promoted a healthy meal
      defined as <600 kcal, <700 mg sodium, and <30% fat. Signage with nutrition
      information and health initiative branding were also posted at point of purchase.
      Hospital cafeterias were scored on four subcategories: facilitators and barriers,
      grab-and-go items, menu offerings, and selection options at point of purchase.
      RESULTS: Overall, hospitals scored 35.3+/-13.7 (range=7 to 63) points of 86 total
      possible points. Cafeterias in health initiative hospitals had significantly
      higher mean nutrition composite scores compared with non-health initiative
      hospitals (49.2 vs 29.7; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Promoting healthy entrees with
      nutrition information and branding has a positive influence on the nutrition
      environment of hospital cafeterias. Additional research is needed to quantify and
      strategize ways to improve nutrition environments within hospital cafeterias and
      assess the influence on healthy lifestyle behaviors.

PMID- 26260673
TI  - Enhanced Peptide Stability Against Protease Digestion Induced by Intrinsic Factor
      Binding of a Vitamin B12 Conjugate of Exendin-4.
AB  - Peptide digestion from proteases is a significant limitation in peptide
      therapeutic development. It has been hypothesized that the dietary pathway of
      vitamin B12 (B12) may be exploited in this area, but an open question is whether
      B12-peptide conjugates bound to the B12 gastric uptake protein intrinsic factor
      (IF) can provide any stability against proteases. Herein, we describe a new
      conjugate of B12 with the incretin peptide exendin 4 that demonstrates picomolar
      agonism of the glugacon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP1-R). Stability studies
      reveal that Ex-4 is digested by pancreatic proteases trypsin and chymotrypsin and
      by the kidney endopeptidase meprin beta. Prebinding the B12 conjugate to IF,
      however, resulted in up to a 4-fold greater activity of the B12-Ex-4 conjugate
      relative to Ex-4, when the IF-B12-Ex-4 complex was exposed to 22 MUg/mL of
      trypsin, 2.3-fold greater activity when exposed to 1.25 MUg/mL of chymotrypsin,
      and there was no decrease in function at up to 5 MUg/mL of meprin beta. 

PMID- 26260674
TI  - Nanocontact Disorder in Nanoelectronics for Modulation of Light and Gas
      Sensitivities.
AB  - To fabricate reliable nanoelectronics, whether by top-down or bottom-up
      processes, it is necessary to study the electrical properties of nanocontacts.
      The effect of nanocontact disorder on device properties has been discussed but
      not quantitatively studied. Here, by carefully analyzing the temperature
      dependence of device electrical characteristics and by inspecting them with a
      microscope, we investigated the Schottky contact and Mott's variable-range
      hopping resistances connected in parallel in the nanocontact. To interpret these
      parallel resistances, we proposed a model of Ti/TiOx in the interface between the
      metal electrodes and nanowires. The hopping resistance as well as the nanocontact
      disorder dominated the total device resistance for high-resistance devices,
      especially at low temperatures. Furthermore, we introduced nanocontact disorder
      to modulate the light and gas responsivities of the device; unexpectedly, it
      multiplied the sensitivities compared with the intrinsic sensitivity of the
      nanowires. Our results improve the collective understanding of electrical
      contacts to low-dimensional semiconductor devices and will aid performance
      optimization in future nanoelectronics. 

PMID- 26260675
TI  - Secretory pattern and regulatory mechanism of growth hormone in cattle.
AB  - The ultradian rhythm of growth hormone (GH) secretion has been known in several
      animal species for years and has recently been observed in cattle. Although the
      physiological significance of the rhythm is not yet fully understood, it appears
      essential for normal growth. In this review, previous studies concerning the GH
      secretory pattern in cattle, including its ultradian rhythm, are introduced and
      the regulatory mechanism is discussed on the basis of recent findings. 

PMID- 26260676
TI  - Informativity renders a referent more accessible: Evidence from eyetracking.
AB  - The amount of information attached to a noun phrase (henceforth, NP) has been
      shown to enhance accessibility and increase pronominal reference in language
      production. However, both the effect of information quantity on the comprehension
      of ambiguous pronouns and the time course of any informativity effect have been
      left unexplored. In two eyetracking experiments, we investigated how additional
      information on the part of NP referents influenced the resolution of following
      ambiguous pronouns. The results of the first experiment revealed an informativity
      effect, with more looks to the informationally richer referent than to the
      competitor. However, the effect of additional information emerged late in time
      when the referent was the object of the verb. The second experiment replicated
      the results of the first and also showed that, consistent with the online
      results, an ambiguous pronoun is interpreted as referring to the informationally
      richer NP in an offline, explicit pronoun resolution task. The results lend
      support to theories of language processing that assume that explicit information
      increases the accessibility of the associated concept, in contrast to approaches
      that assume that accessibility is associated with givenness.

PMID- 26260677
TI  - Whole-genome sequencing provides insight into the genetics of major depressive
      disorder.

PMID- 26260678
TI  - Reconstitution of Human Cytomegalovirus-Specific CD4+ T Cells is Critical for
      Control of Virus Reactivation in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients
      but Does Not Prevent Organ Infection.
AB  - The relative contribution of human cytomegalovirus (HMCV)-specific CD4(+) and
      CD8(+) T cells to the control of HCMV infection in hematopoietic stem cell
      transplant (HSCT) recipients is still controversial. HCMV reactivation and HCMV
      specific CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cell reconstitution were monitored for 1 year in 63
      HCMV-seropositive patients receiving HSCT. HCMV reactivation was detected in all
      but 2 patients. In 20 of 63 (31.7%) patients (group 1) HCMV infection resolved
      spontaneously, whereas 32 of 63 (50.8%) patients (group 2) controlled the
      infection after a single short-course of pre-emptive therapy and the remaining 9
      (14.3%) patients (group 3) suffered from relapsing episodes of HCMV infection,
      requiring multiple courses of antiviral therapy. The kinetics and magnitude of
      HCMV-specific CD8(+) T cell reconstitution were comparable among the 3 groups,
      but HCMV-specific CD4(+) T cells were lower in number in patients requiring
      antiviral treatment. HCMV-seronegative donors, as well as unrelated donors
      (receiving antithymocyte globulin) and acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)
      were associated with both delayed HCMV-specific CD4(+) T cell reconstitution and
      severity of infection. Conversely, these risk factors had no impact on HCMV
      specific CD8(+) T cells. Eight patients with previous GVHD suffered from HCMV
      gastrointestinal disease, although in the presence of HCMV-specific CD4(+) and
      CD8(+) systemic immunity and undetectable HCMV DNA in blood. Reconstitution of
      systemic HCMV-specific CD4(+) T cell immunity is required for control of HCMV
      reactivation in adult HSCT recipients, but it may not be sufficient to prevent
      late-onset organ localization in patients with GVHD. HCMV-specific CD8(+) T cells
      contribute to control of HCMV infection, but only after HCMV-specific CD4(+) T
      cell reconstitution.

PMID- 26260679
TI  - Phase II Trial of Reduced-Intensity Busulfan/Clofarabine Conditioning with
      Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Patients with Acute
      Myeloid Leukemia, Myelodysplastic Syndromes, and Acute Lymphoid Leukemia.
AB  - Clofarabine has potent antileukemia activity and its inclusion in reduced
      intensity conditioning (RIC) allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
      (HSCT) for acute leukemia could potentially improve outcomes. We conducted a
      phase II study of busulfan (.8 mg/kg i.v. twice daily on days -5, -4, -3, and -2)
      with clofarabine (40 mg/m(2) i.v. daily on days -5, -4, -3, and -2) conditioning
      before allogeneic 8/8 HLA-matched related or unrelated HSCT. The primary endpoint
      was donor neutrophil engraftment by day +40. Secondary endpoints included
      nonrelapse mortality (NRM), acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD),
      progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). Thirty-four patients
      (acute myeloid leukemia [AML], n = 25; myelodysplastic syndromes, n = 5; and
      acute lymphoid leukemia, n = 4) were enrolled. Day 40+ engraftment with donor
      chimerism was achieved in 33 of 34 patients with 1 patient dying before count
      recovery. Day 100 and 1-year NRM were 5.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0 to
      17.4) and 24% (95% CI, 11 to 39), respectively. The 2-year relapse rate was 26%
      (95% CI, 13 to 42). Cumulative incidences of acute and chronic GVHD were 21% and
      44%, respectively. The 2-year PFS was 50% (95% CI, 32 to 65) and OS was 56% (95%
      CI, 38 to 71). For patients with AML in first complete remission, 2-year PFS and
      OS were both 82% (95% CI, 55 to 94). RIC with busulfan and clofarabine leads to
      successful engraftment with acceptable rates of NRM and GVHD. 

PMID- 26260680
TI  - Role of ADAM17 in the non-cell autonomous effects of oncogene-induced senescence.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Cellular senescence is a terminal cell proliferation arrest that
      can be triggered by oncogenes. One of the traits of oncogene-induced senescence
      (OIS) is the so-called senescence-associated secretory phenotype or senescence
      secretome. Depending on the context, the non-cell autonomous effects of OIS may
      vary from tumor suppression to promotion of metastasis. Despite being such a
      physiological and pathologically relevant effector, the mechanisms of generation
      of the senescence secretome are largely unknown. METHODS: We analyzed by label
      free proteomics the secretome of p95HER2-induced senescent cells and compared the
      levels of the membrane-anchored proteins with their transcript levels. Then,
      protein and RNA levels of ADAM17 were evaluated by using Western blot and reverse
      transcription-polymerase chain reaction, its localization by using biotin
      labeling and immunofluorescence, and its activity by using alkaline phosphatase
      tagged substrates. The p95HER2-expressing cell lines, senescent MCF7 and
      proliferating MCF10A, were analyzed to study ADAM17 regulation. Finally, we
      knocked down ADAM17 to determine its contribution to the senescence-associated
      secretome. The effect of this secretome was evaluated in migration assays in
      vitro and in nude mice by assessing the metastatic ability of orthotopically co
      injected non-senescent cells. RESULTS: Using breast cancer cells expressing
      p95HER2, a constitutively active fragment of the proto-oncogene HER2 that induces
      OIS, we show that the extracellular domains of a variety of membrane-bound
      proteins form part of the senescence secretome. We determine that these proteins
      are regulated transcriptionally and, in addition, that their shedding is limited
      by the protease ADAM17. The activity of the sheddase is constrained, at least in
      part, by the accumulation of cellular cholesterol. The blockade of ADAM17
      abrogates several prometastatic effects of the p95HER2-induced senescence
      secretome, both in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: Considering these findings, we
      conclude that ectodomain shedding is tightly regulated in oncogene-induced
      senescent cells by integrating transcription of the shedding substrates with
      limiting ADAM17 activity. The remaining activity of ADAM17 contributes to the non
      cell autonomous protumorigenic effects of p95HER2-induced senescent cells.
      Because ADAM17 is druggable, these results represent an approximation to the
      pharmacological regulation of the senescence secretome.

PMID- 26260681
TI  - [Surface ECG characteristics of right and left atrial flutter].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Atrial tachycardia in virtually all areas of both atria has become
      more important in the clinical management of patients with previous complex
      atrial fibrillation ablation. Accurate interpretation of surface
      electrocardiogram (ECG) characteristics is of paramount importance to localize
      the origin of atrial tachycardia, particularly for planning interventional
      treatment. This article highlights the ECG features of different types of right
      and left atrial tachycardia. DEFINITION: Typical right atrial flutter through the
      cavotricuspid isthmus conducts septally in a cranial direction and demonstrates
      sawtooth-like flutter waves which start negative in II, III and aVF and then show
      a steep slope upwards to the isoelectric line. The flutter rate typically ranges
      between 240-250 beats/min. In contrast, right atrial flutter in a clockwise
      rotation, flutter around the vena cava inferior or superior and around a scar
      (e.g. after cardiac surgery) show positive or biphasic flutter waves (lower or
      upper loop reentry). Left atrial flutter waves (e.g. around the mitral valve or
      around the pulmonary veins) are very heterogeneous and are typically positive in
      V1 as the left atrium is located in the posterior mediastinum. CONCLUSION:
      Specific knowledge of flutter wave morphology in surface ECG facilitates planning
      and performance of the ablation strategy.

PMID- 26260682
TI  - [The ECG of athletes].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: There has been a long standing controversy on the role of a resting
      electrocardiogram (ECG) in the preparticipation examination of athletes, as well
      as in children and adolescents, in leisure time and competitive athletes. Besides
      other arguments, this was due to the limited validity, which led to false
      positive and false negative findings. METHODS: Recent studies from different
      research groups yielded a significant improvement in establishing ECG criteria in
      athletes to discriminate normal from abnormal or pathological findings in
      athletes. This is additionally supported and improved by a software-based ECG
      device considering the new Seattle criteria. These new criteria from the Seattle
      conference reliably discriminate normal from abnormal findings. Frequent ECG
      findings in athletes, especially in those engaged in endurance sports are sinus
      bradycardia, atrioventricular (AV) block and signs of left ventricular
      hypertrophy. RESULTS: Abnormal findings are related to structural left
      ventricular alterations due to cardiomyopathy, mainly hypertrophic with or
      without outflow tract obstruction, arrhythmogenic right ventricular
      cardiomyopathy (ARVC) and dilated cardiomyopathy. The ECG findings suggestive of
      electrical conductance disorders are observed in channelopathies, Wolff-Parkinson
      White (WPW) syndrome supraventricular arrhythmias or disturbances of cardiac
      conduction. The main diseases are long or short QT syndrome, Brugada syndrome and
      catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. Atrial fibrillation,
      mostly paroxysmal, is also now more frequently observed especially in middle aged
      endurance athletes. CONCLUSION: Interpretation of ECG in young and older athletes
      requires in-depth knowledge in cardiology and sports medicine. The interpretation
      can only be carried out by considering medical history, clinical examination and
      ethnicity. Profound and long-term experience of athlete's ECG interpretation is
      required to protect athletes and to prevent cardiac emergencies.

PMID- 26260683
TI  - HA14-1 potentiates apoptosis in B-cell cancer cells sensitive to a peptide
      disrupting IP 3 receptor / Bcl-2 complexes.
AB  - Anti-apoptotic B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) is commonly upregulated in hematological
      cancers, including B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) and diffuse large
      B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), thereby protecting neoplastic cells from oncogenic
      stress-induced apoptosis. Bcl-2 executes its anti-apoptotic function at two
      different sites in the cell. At the mitochondria, Bcl-2 via its hydrophobic cleft
      interacts with pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family members to inhibit apoptosis. At the
      endoplasmic reticulum (ER), Bcl-2 via its Bcl-2 homology (BH)4 domain, prevents
      excessive Ca(2+) signals by interacting with the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate
      receptor (IP3R), an intracellular Ca(2+)-release channel. A peptide tool (BIRD-2)
      that targets the BH4 domain of Bcl-2 reverses Bcl-2's inhibitory action on IP3Rs
      and can trigger pro-apoptotic Ca(2+)signals in B-cell cancer cells. Here, we
      explored whether HA14-1, a Bcl-2 inhibitor that also inhibits sarco/endoplasmic
      reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPases (SERCA), could potentiate BIRD-2-induced cell death. We
      measured apoptosis in Annexin V/7-AAD stained cells using flow cytometry and
      intracellular Ca(2+) signals in Fura2-AM-loaded cells using an automated
      fluorescent plate reader. HA14-1 potentiated BIRD-2-induced Ca(2+) release from
      the ER and apoptosis in both BIRD-2-sensitive DLBCL cell lines (SU-DHL-4) and in
      primary B-CLL cells. BIRD-2-resistant DLBCL cells (OCI-LY-1) were already very
      sensitive to HA14-1. Yet, although BIRD-2 moderately increased Ca(2+) levels in
      HA14-1-treated cells, apoptosis was not potentiated by BIRD-2 in these cells.
      These results further underpin the relevance of IP3R-mediated Ca(2+) signaling as
      a therapeutic target in the treatment of Bcl-2-dependent B-cell malignancies and
      the advantage of combination regimens with HA14-1 to enhance BIRD-2-induced cell
      death.

PMID- 26260684
TI  - The significance of Hox gene collinearity.
AB  - Arthropods and vertebrates inherited their Hox clusters from an ancestral cluster
      of at least six genes already present in their last common ancestor, Urbilateria.
      Clustering and a common transcriptional direction are both likely features of the
      way that the gene complex first arose in a process of tandem gene duplication.
      Spatial collinearity (correspondence between ordering of Hox genes along the
      chromosome and their expression patterns along the head-tail axis) has been
      conserved in many animal groups and is likely to have been already present in
      Urbilateria. It is not known why the Hox cluster evolved with spatial
      collinearity. Four models are discussed. These vary in the significance they
      place upon Hox chromatin structure, and also on whether they propose that
      collinearity is primarily concerned with establishment or maintenance of Hox
      expression. Published proposals to explain spatial collinearity, which invoke
      enhancer sharing, chromatin closing or chromatin opening, are either problematic
      or can offer only partial explanations. In an alternative proposal it is
      suggested here that spatial collinearity evolved principally to maximise physical
      segregation, and thereby minimise incidence of boundaries, between active and
      inactive genes within the Hox cluster. This is to minimise erroneous transfer of
      transcriptional activity, or inactivity, between adjacent Hox genes. 

PMID- 26260685
TI  - Expression patterns of CREB binding protein (CREBBP) and its methylated species
      during zebrafish development.
AB  - Proper embryonic development requires a fine-tuned control of gene expression,
      which is achieved in part through the activity of transcription coactivators or
      corepressors. The nuclear coactivator cAMP-response element-binding protein
      (CREB) binding protein (CREBBP or CBP) interacts with numerous transcription
      factors and thereby plays a key role in various signaling pathways.
      Interestingly, in cell-based studies CREBBP activity is modulated by post
      translational modifications such as methylation on arginine residues which is
      catalyzed by coactivator-associated arginine methyltransferase 1 (CARM1).
      However, whether and where CREBBP, and in particular its methylated forms, are
      expressed during development in vertebrates has not been addressed so far. Here,
      we analyzed the expression of the two crebbp genes (crebbpa & crebbpb) during
      zebrafish development using both RT-qPCR and in situ hybridization. We found that
      while crebbpa expression is higher in posterior, caudal nascent somites during
      somitogenesis, crebbpb accumulates in anterior, rostral, and more mature somites.
      In addition, crebbpa mRNA is enriched in the central myotome at 24 hpf indicating
      that its expression is spatially and temporally controlled. We next characterized
      the expression of CREBBP protein from blastula to gastrula stages by
      immunohistochemistry. We found that while CREBBP is clearly cytoplasmic in the
      early blastula, it becomes both cytoplasmic and nuclear at 30% epiboly before
      turning mainly nuclear during gastrulation. Of interest, CREBBP methylated
      species appear to be mainly nuclear from 30% epiboly to 6-somite stage. This
      suggests that methylation may regulate CREBBP import to the nucleus during
      zebrafish development and could therefore participate in the control of early
      developmental processes. 

PMID- 26260687
TI  - Toll free but not judgment free: evaluating postabortion support services in
      Ontario.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) account for the majority of
      advertised postabortion support providers in Ontario, Canada's largest and most
      populous province. Although the deceptive tactics used by CPCs to dissuade women
      from seeking abortion care are well documented, their provision of postabortion
      support has not been previously explored. Our study aimed to fill this gap.
      METHODS: In 2014-2015, we conducted a mystery client study with 17 postabortion
      support providing organizations in Ontario. We used a predetermined character
      profile and set of prompts to seek phone-based services. Each interaction began
      with "I'm looking to talk to someone about my abortion." The interactions
      developed organically and mimicked the experience of a woman seeking postabortion
      support. We audio recorded and transcribed all interactions and used both
      inductive and deductive analytic techniques in our evaluation. RESULTS: We spoke
      with three secular and three religiously affiliated talklines, one sexual health
      center and 10 CPCs offering phone-based support. Although all counselors
      effectively used active listening techniques such as supportive utterances and
      attentive silences, the interactions with lay counselors from religious talklines
      and CPCs contained shaming and stigmatizing language and medically inaccurate
      information. These interactions appear to be premised on the counselors' belief
      that abortion is traumatic and always requires a grieving process, regardless of
      the client's expressed feelings and needs. CONCLUSIONS: The expanded provision of
      postabortion support by CPCs in Ontario represents a new method for these
      organizations to pathologize abortion. Our findings suggest that their services
      are judgmental and shaming, thereby contributing to abortion stigma.
      IMPLICATIONS: Postabortion support services appear to be a new frontier by which
      CPCs are able to stigmatize and pathologize abortion. Increasing awareness of and
      access to existing nonjudgmental, nondirective postabortion services appears
      warranted.

PMID- 26260686
TI  - Improved binding site assignment by high-resolution mapping of RNA-protein
      interactions using iCLIP.
AB  - Individual-nucleotide resolution crosslinking and immunoprecipitation (iCLIP)
      allows the determination of crosslinking sites of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) on
      RNAs. iCLIP is based on ultraviolet light crosslinking of RBPs to RNA, reverse
      transcription and high-throughput sequencing of fragments terminating at the site
      of crosslinking. As a result, start sites of iCLIP fragments are expected to
      cluster with a narrow distribution, typically representing the site of direct
      interaction between the RBP and the RNA. Here we show that for several RBPs
      (eIF4A3, PTB, SRSF3, SRSF4 and hnRNP L), the start sites of iCLIP fragments show
      a fragment length-dependent broader distribution that can be shifted to positions
      upstream of the known RNA-binding site. We developed an analysis tool that
      identifies these shifts and can improve the positioning of RBP binding sites. 

PMID- 26260688
TI  - MicroRNA-338 inhibits migration and proliferation by targeting hypoxia-induced
      factor 1alpha in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
AB  - Nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) is an endemic type of head and neck cancer with a
      high rate of cervical lymph node metastasis. An increasing number of studies have
      shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) play a key role in the development and progression
      of NPC. miR-338-3p has been demonstrated as an anti-oncogene in different solid
      tumors. The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential role of miR
      338-3p in the development and progression of NPC. Compared with normal samples,
      our data showed that miR-338-3p were downregulated in NPC tissues and cells. The
      luciferase assay demonstrated that HIF-1alpha was a direct target of miR-338-3p.
      We also found that miR-338-3p regulated the expression levels of HIF-1alpha,
      respectively. Overexpression of miR-338-3p in NPC cells significantly inhibited
      cell proliferation, and migration. Conversely, miR-338-3p knockdown in cells with
      lower endogenous expression levels significantly reduced antitumor behavior.
      Furthermore, enforced expression of miR-338-3p led to a decline in ERK
      phosphorylation as well as inhibited the hypoxia induced epithelial to
      mesenchymal transition. Cells pre-transfected with miR-338-3p can overcome
      hypoxia-mediated cisplatin resistance. Taken together, we found that miR-338-3p
      directly targeted HIF-1alpha, and we provide insight into NPC initiation and
      progression, possibly representing a novel therapeutic target.

PMID- 26260689
TI  - Marker vaccine potential of foot-and-mouth disease virus with large deletion in
      the non-structural proteins 3A and 3B.
AB  - Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious, economically important
      disease of transboundary importance. Regular vaccination with chemically
      inactivated FMD vaccine is the major means of controlling the disease in endemic
      countries like India. However, the traditional inactivated vaccines may sometimes
      contain traces of FMD viral (FMDV) non-structural protein (NSP), therefore,
      interfering with the NSP-based serological discrimination between infected and
      vaccinated animals. The availability of marker vaccine for differentiating FMD
      infected from vaccinated animals (DIVA) would be crucial for the control and
      subsequent eradication of FMD in India. In this study, we constructed a negative
      marker FMDV serotype O virus (vaccine strain O IND R2/1975), containing dual
      deletions of amino acid residues 93-143 and 10-37 in the non-structural proteins
      3A and 3B, respectively through reverse genetics approach. The negative marker
      virus exhibited similar growth kinetics and plaque morphology in cell culture as
      compared to the wild type virus. In addition, we also developed and evaluated an
      indirect ELISA (I-ELISA) targeted to the deleted 3AB NSP region (truncated 3AB)
      which could be used as a companion differential diagnostic assay. The diagnostic
      sensitivity and specificity of the truncated 3AB I-ELISA were found to be 95.5%
      and 96%, respectively. The results from this study suggest that the availability
      negative marker virus and companion diagnostic assay could open a promising new
      avenue for the application of DIVA compatible marker vaccine for the control of
      FMD in India. 

PMID- 26260691
TI  - Clinical differences between botulinum neurotoxin type A and B.
AB  - In humans, the therapeutic use of botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT/A) is well
      recognized and continuously expanding. Four BoNTs are widely available for
      clinical practice: three are serotype A and one is serotype B: onabotulinumtoxinA
      (A/Ona), abobotulinumtoxinA (A/Abo) and incobotulinumtoxinA (A/Inco),
      rimabotulinumtoxinB (B/Rima). A/Abo, A/Inco, A/Ona and B/Rima are all licensed
      worldwide for cervical dystonia. In addition, the three BoNT/A products are
      approved for blepharospasm and focal dystonias, spasticity, hemifacial spasm,
      hyperhidrosis and facial lines, with remarkable regional differences. These toxin
      brands differ for specific activity, packaging, constituents, excipient, and
      storage. Comparative literature assessing the relative safety and efficacy of
      different BoNT products is limited, most data come from reports on small samples,
      and only a few studies meet criteria of evidence-based medicine. One study
      compared the effects of BoNT/A and BoNT/B on muscle activity of healthy
      volunteers, showing similar neurophysiological effects with a dose ratio of
      1:100. In cervical dystonia, when comparing the effects of BoNT/A and BoNT/B,
      results are more variable, some studies reporting roughly similar peak effect and
      overall duration (at a ratio of 1:66, others reporting substantially shorter
      duration of BoNT/B than BoNT/A (at a ratio 1/24). Although the results of
      clinical studies are difficult to compare for methodological differences (dose
      ratio, study design, outcome measures), it is widely accepted that: BoNT/B is
      clinically effective using appropriate doses as BoNT/A (1:40-50), injections are
      generally more painful, in most of the studies on muscular conditions, efficacy
      is shorter, and immunogenicity higher. Since the earliest clinical trials, it has
      been reported that autonomic side effects are more frequent after BoNT/B
      injections, and this observation encouraged the use of BoNT/B for sialorrhea,
      hyperhidrosis and other non-motor symptoms. In these indications the efficacy of
      toxins A and B are comparable and dose ratio is 1:25-30.

PMID- 26260690
TI  - Measuring the effectiveness of gaseous virus disinfectants.
AB  - The efficacy of gaseous disinfection is critical for prevention and treatment of
      microbial contamination in biotechnological facilities. For an evaluation of
      gaseous disinfection efficacy, a down-scaled laboratory model was established,
      using currently available carrier tests and a custom-made dry fog box. A mixture
      of peroxyacetic acid and hydrogen peroxide (PAA/HP) was investigated as example,
      at concentrations between 0.4 and 2.9 mL/m(3) for up to 3 h for inactivation of a
      panel of lipid-enveloped and non-lipid-enveloped viruses. The influenza viruses
      were most sensitive to PAA/HP treatment and minute virus of mice was most
      resistant. Bovine viral diarrhea virus and reovirus III showed intermediate
      stability and similar inactivation kinetics. Use of the dry fog box circumvents
      dedicating an entire lab for the investigation, which renders the generation of
      data more cost-effective and allows for production of highly reproducible kinetic
      data. 

PMID- 26260692
TI  - Structure of the BoNT/A1--receptor complex.
AB  - Botulinum neurotoxin A causes botulism but is also used for medical and cosmetic
      applications. A detailed molecular understanding of BoNT/A--host receptor
      interactions is therefore fundamental for improving current clinical applications
      and for developing new medical strategies targeting human disorders. Towards this
      end, we recently solved an X-ray crystal structure of BoNT/A1 in complex with its
      neuronal protein receptor SV2C. Based on our findings, we discuss the potential
      implications for BoNT/A function.

PMID- 26260693
TI  - Static self-directed sample dispensing into a series of reaction wells on a
      microfluidic card for parallel genetic detection of microbial pathogens.
AB  - A microfluidic card is described for simultaneous and rapid genetic detection of
      multiple microbial pathogens. The hydrophobic surface of native acrylic and a
      novel microfluidic mechanism termed "airlock" were used to dispense sample into a
      series of 64 reaction wells without the use of valves, external pumping
      peripherals, multiple layers, or vacuum assistance. This airlock mechanism was
      tested with dilutions of whole human blood, saliva, and urine, along with mock
      samples of varying viscosities and surface tensions. Samples spiked with genomic
      DNA (gDNA) or crude lysates from clinical bacterial isolates were tested with
      loop mediated isothermal amplification assays (LAMP) designed to target virulence
      and antibiotic resistance genes. Reactions were monitored in real time using the
      Gene-Z, which is a portable smartphone-driven system. Samples loaded correctly
      into the microfluidic card in 99.3% of instances. Amplification results confirmed
      no carryover of pre-dispensed primer between wells during sample loading, and no
      observable diffusion between adjacent wells during the 60 to 90 min isothermal
      reaction. Sensitivity was comparable between LAMP reactions tested within the
      microfluidic card and in conventional vials. Tests demonstrate that the airlock
      card works with various sample types, manufacturing techniques, and can
      potentially be used in many point-of-care diagnostics applications.

PMID- 26260695
TI  - Tackling inadequate vitamin D intakes within the population: fortification of
      dairy products with vitamin D may not be enough.
AB  - Dietary recommendations for vitamin D are designed by authoritative agencies to
      prevent vitamin D deficiency in the population, and while individual target
      intakes around the globe vary, they are generally between 10 and 20 MUg/day [400
      800 IU/day], depending on age, assuming little or no sunshine exposure. National
      dietary surveys report usual intakes of vitamin D that are much lower than these
      targets, at about 3-7 MUg/day [120-280 IU/day], depending on usual diet, age,
      sex, and mandatory or voluntary fortification practices, and there is widespread
      dietary inadequacy around the globe. While acknowledging the valuable
      contribution fortified milk makes to vitamin D intakes among consumers,
      particularly in children, and the continued need for fortification of milk and
      other dairy products, additional strategic approaches to fortification, including
      biofortification, of a wider range of foods, have the potential to increase
      vitamin D intakes in the population and minimize the prevalence of low serum
      25(OH)D without increasing the risk of excessive dosing. Careful consideration
      must be given to the range of products used for fortification and the amount of
      vitamin D used in each; there is a need for well-designed and sustainable
      fortification, and biofortification strategies for vitamin D, which use a range
      of foods to accommodate dietary diversity. Clinical patients may require
      additional consideration in terms of addressing low vitamin D status.

PMID- 26260694
TI  - PTHrP attenuates osteoblast cell death and apoptosis induced by a novel class of
      anti-cancer agents.
AB  - The effectiveness of chemotherapeutic agents often limits their use due to their
      negative effects on normal cells. Apoptosis regulatory protein (CARP)-1
      functional mimetics (CFMs) belong to a novel class of compounds that possess anti
      cancer properties with potential utility in breast and other cancers. In this
      study, we investigated the growth inhibitory action of CFM-4 and -5 in bone
      forming osteoblasts and role of a skeletal regulator, parathyroid hormone (PTH)
      related peptide (PTHrP), which is frequently associated with oncologic
      pathologies. MC3T3E1-clone4 (MC-4) or primary osteoblasts were treated with CFMs.
      Western blots were performed to determine specific protein expressions. MTT,
      TUNEL assay, ethidium bromide/acridine orange staining, and ApoAlert caspase
      profiling were used to investigate cell viability and apoptosis of osteoblasts.
      Immunofluorescence staining was performed to observe intracellular localization
      of CARP-1. Our studies revealed that CFM-4 and -5 suppressed growths of mature
      differentiated, but not proliferating, MC-4 cells and PTHrP attenuated this
      effect. Mechanistically, induction of CARP-1 protein by CFM-4 and -5 was
      partially decreased by PTHrP. While CARP-1 increased by CFM-4 or -5 correlated
      with activated caspase-3, PTHrP remarkably blocked caspase-3 activation. PTHrP
      also influenced translocation of CFM-induced CARP-1 from the nucleus to the
      cytoplasm. Our data identify a new function of PTHrP in maintaining osteoblast
      homeostasis in chemotherapy and define a role of CARP-1 in this process. The
      crosstalk of PTHrP and CFM-4 and -5 signaling highlights the importance of CFMs
      as potential anti-cancer therapeutics in breast and other cancers which adversely
      affect bone. 

PMID- 26260696
TI  - Transition from Pediatric to Adult Specialty Care for Adolescents and Young
      Adults with Refractory Epilepsy: A Quality Improvement Approach.
AB  - Adolescents and young adults with refractory epilepsy are particularly vulnerable
      to serious medical and psychosocial challenges during transition from pediatric
      to adult care. Quality improvement methods were used to address the transition
      process on an academic medical campus. Outcomes achieved were decreased time from
      referral to first appointment in the adult clinic, H=8.2, p=0.004, r=0.43; and
      increased social work referrals using decision support, z=10.0, p=0.0006,
      OR=6.13. As measured by the 13-item Patient Activation Measure, pre-post change
      in patient activation as an outcome of self-management education was not
      statistically significant. 

PMID- 26260697
TI  - Spark anodization of titanium-zirconium alloy: surface characterization and
      bioactivity assessment.
AB  - Titanium (Ti) and its alloys have been popularly used as implant biomaterial for
      decades. Recently, titanium-zirconium (TiZr) alloy has been developed as an
      alternative implant material with improved strength in load bearing areas.
      Surface modification is one of the key factors to alter the surface properties to
      hasten osseointegration. Spark anodic oxidation (anodization) is one such method
      that is reported to enhance the bone formation around implants. This study aims
      to anodize TiZr and study its surface characteristics and cytocompatibility by
      cell culture experiments using osteoblast-like cells. Titanium (Ti) and TiZr
      discs were anodized in an electrolyte containing DL-alpha-glycerophosphate and
      calcium acetate (CA) at 300 V. The surface characteristics were analyzed by
      scanning electron microscopy, electron dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction
      (XRD), atomic force microscopy and goniometry. Using osteoblast-like cells
      viability, proliferation, differentiation and mineralization was assessed. The
      anodized surfaces demonstrated increased oxygen, entrapped calcium and
      phosphorous from the electrolyte used. XRD analysis confirmed the presence of
      anatase in the oxide layer. Average roughness increased and there was a
      significant decrease in contact angle (P < 0.01) following anodization. The
      anodized TiZr (aTiZr) surfaces were more nano-porous compared to anodized Ti
      (aTi). No significant difference was found in the viability of cells, but after
      24 h the total number of cells was significantly higher (P < 0.01).
      Proliferation, alkaline phosphatase activity and calcium deposits were
      significantly higher on anodized surfaces compared to machined surfaces (P <
      0.05, ANOVA). Anodization of TiZr resulted in a more nanoporous and hydrophilic
      surface than aTi, and osteoblast biocompatibility appeared comparable to aTi.

PMID- 26260698
TI  - Splenic red pulp macrophages are intrinsically superparamagnetic and contaminate
      magnetic cell isolates.
AB  - A main function of splenic red pulp macrophages is the degradation of damaged or
      aged erythrocytes. Here we show that these macrophages accumulate ferrimagnetic
      iron oxides that render them intrinsically superparamagnetic. Consequently, these
      cells routinely contaminate splenic cell isolates obtained with the use of MCS, a
      technique that has been widely used in immunological research for decades. These
      contaminations can profoundly alter experimental results. In mice deficient for
      the transcription factor SpiC, which lack red pulp macrophages, liver Kupffer
      cells take over the task of erythrocyte degradation and become superparamagnetic.
      We describe a simple additional magnetic separation step that avoids this problem
      and substantially improves purity of magnetic cell isolates from the spleen. 

PMID- 26260700
TI  - The rat placental renin-angiotensin system - a gestational gene expression study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The placenta is an essential organ that provides nutrients and oxygen
      to the developing fetus and removes toxic waste products from the fetal
      circulation. Maintaining placental blood osmotic pressure and blood flow is
      crucial for viable offspring. The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in the placenta
      is a key player in the regulation of maternal-fetal blood flow during pregnancy.
      Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine if RAS genes are differentially
      expressed in mid to late gestation in rat placenta. METHODS: Whole placental
      tissue samples from pregnant Sprague Dawley rats at embryonic (E) days 14.25,
      15.25, 17.25 and 20 (n = 6 for each gestational age) were used for genome-wide
      gene expression by microarray. RAS genes with expression differences of >2 fold
      were further analyzed. Quantitative Real-Time PCR (qPCR) was performed on
      independent samples to confirm and validate microarray data. Immunohistochemisty
      and Western blotting were performed on a differentially expressed novel RAS
      pathway gene (ANPEP). RESULTS: Six out of 17 genes of the RAS pathway were
      differentially expressed at different gestational ages. Gene expression of four
      genes (Angiotensin converting enzyme (Ace), angiotensin converting enzyme 2
      (Ace2), membrane metalloendopeptidase (Mme) and angiotensin II receptor 1A
      (Agtr1a)) were significantly upregulated at E20 whereas two others (Thimet
      oligopeptidase 1 (Thop1) and Alanyl aminopeptidase (Anpep)) were downregulated at
      E20 prior to the onset of labour. These changes were confirmed by qPCR. Western
      blots revealed no overall differences in ANPEP protein expression in the
      placentae. Immunohistochemical studies, however, indicated that the localization
      of ANPEP differed at E17.25 and E20 as ANPEP localization in the giant
      trophoblast cell of the junctional zone was no longer detectable at E20.
      CONCLUSIONS: The current study investigated the expression of members of the RAS
      pathway in rat placentae and observed significantly altered expression of 6 RAS
      genes at 4 gestational ages. These findings present the need for further
      comprehensive investigation of RAS genes in normal and complicated pregnancies.

PMID- 26260701
TI  - Brachytherapy: state-of-the-art radiotherapy in prostate cancer.

PMID- 26260702
TI  - Structural Elucidation and Structure-Anti-inflammatory Activity Relationships of
      Cembranoids from Cultured Soft Corals Sinularia sandensis and Sinularia
      flexibilis.
AB  - New cembranoids 4-carbomethoxyl-10-epigyrosanoldie E (1), 7-acetylsinumaximol B
      (2), diepoxycembrene B (6), dihydromanaarenolide I (8), and isosinulaflexiolide K
      (9), along with 11 known related metabolites, were isolated from cultured soft
      corals Sinularia sandensis and Sinularia flexibilis. The structures were
      elucidated by means of infrared, mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic
      resonance techniques, and the absolute configurations of 1, 4, 9, and 15 were
      further confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The absolute
      configurations of these coral metabolites and comparison with known analogues
      showed that one hypothesis (that cembrane diterpenes possessing an absolute
      configuration of an isopropyl group at C1 obtained from Alcyonacean soft corals
      belong to the alpha series, whereas analogues isolated from Gorgonacean corals
      belong to the beta series) is not applicable for a small number of cembranoids.
      An in vitro anti-inflammatory study using LPS-stimulated macrophage-like cell
      line RAW 264.7 revealed that compounds 9-14 significantly suppressed the
      accumulation of pro-inflammatory proteins, iNOS and COX-2. Structure-activity
      relationship analysis indicated that cembrane-type compounds with one seven
      membered lactone moiety at C-1 are potential anti-inflammatory agents. This is
      the first culture system in the world that has successfully been used to farm S.
      sandensis. 

PMID- 26260703
TI  - RGD-functionalized ultrasmall iron oxide nanoparticles for targeted T1-weighted
      MR imaging of gliomas.
AB  - We report a convenient approach to prepare ultrasmall Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs)
      functionalized with an arginylglycylaspartic acid (RGD) peptide for in vitro and
      in vivo magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of gliomas. In our work, stable sodium
      citrate-stabilized Fe3O4 NPs were prepared by a solvothermal route. Then, the
      carboxylated Fe3O4 NPs stabilized with sodium citrate were conjugated with
      polyethylene glycol (PEG)-linked RGD. The formed ultrasmall RGD-functionalized
      nanoprobe (Fe3O4-PEG-RGD) was fully characterized using different techniques. We
      show that these Fe3O4-PEG-RGD particles with a size of 2.7 nm are water
      dispersible, stable, cytocompatible and hemocompatible in a given concentration
      range, and display targeting specificity to glioma cells overexpressing
      alphavbeta3 integrin in vitro. With the relatively high r1 relaxivity (r1 = 1.4
      mM(-1) s(-1)), the Fe3O4-PEG-RGD particles can be used as an efficient nanoprobe
      for targeted T1-weighted positive MR imaging of glioma cells in vitro and the
      xenografted tumor model in vivo via an active RGD-mediated targeting pathway. The
      developed RGD-functionalized Fe3O4 NPs may hold great promise to be used as a
      nanoprobe for targeted T1-weighted MR imaging of different alphavbeta3 integrin
      overexpressing cancer cells or biological systems. 

PMID- 26260704
TI  - Expression of protein kinase C isoforms in cultured human Tenon's capsule
      fibroblast cells.
AB  - Members of the protein kinase C (PKC) family are involved in physiological and
      pathophysiological processes, and exert an important role in signal transduction.
      The aim of the present study was to determine which of the 12 protein kinase C
      (PKC) isoforms (PKCalpha, PKCbetaI, PKCbetaII, PKCgamma, PKCdelta, PKCepsilon,
      PKCeta, PKCtheta, PKCu, PKCzeta, PKClambda and PKCiota) were expressed in vitro
      in cultured human Tenon's capsule fibroblasts (HTFs). HTFs from cell passages
      three to five were investigated for the presence of the 12 PKC isoforms at the
      cellular, mRNA and protein levels using laser scanning confocal microscopy
      (LSCM), reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot
      analysis, respectively. These analyses yielded similar results for several of the
      PKC isoforms (PKCalpha, PKCdelta, PKCepsilon, PKCeta, PKCu, PKCzeta, PKClambda
      and PKCiota); however, PKCbetaI, PKCbetaII, PKCgamma and PKCtheta were not
      expressed in the cultured HTFs. LSCM revealed that eight PKC isoforms, PKCalpha,
      PKCdelta, PKCepsilon, PKCeta, PKCu, PKCzeta, PKClambda and PKCiota, appeared
      almost exclusively in the cytoplasm of the cells. Notably, PKCdelta was expressed
      particularly well in the cytoskeleton. The present study revealed that all 12 PKC
      isoforms were expressed and that eight of the isoforms were present in cultured
      HTFs. These results will be of value when determining specific roles for the PKC
      isoforms in HTF proliferation, which may provide a novel therapeutic target for
      bleb scarring in glaucoma filtering surgery.

PMID- 26260705
TI  - Randomized, dose-finding trial of ghrelin treatment for chronic respiratory
      failure.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Ghrelin, a growth hormone-releasing peptide, has shown efficacy in
      chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients in previous trials. This
      study was designed to evaluate the effective dose of ghrelin in chronic
      respiratory failure patients. METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind, dose
      finding, single-center study, 18 patients, including 16 with COPD, were randomly
      assigned to receive pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) with intravenous ghrelin at 1
      MUg/kg or 2 MUg/kg, twice daily for 3 weeks. The primary outcome was the change
      in peak oxygen uptake ( Vo2). Secondary outcomes included changes in plasma
      vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A levels, and exertional cardio
      respiratory functions with blood gas analysis. RESULTS: With incremental
      exercise, there was no significant differences in the mean difference (high-dose
      ghrelin minus low-dose ghrelin) of peak Vo2 (1.0 mL/kg/min, 95% CI: -0.6 to 2.6
      mL/kg/min, between-group, P = 0.193). However, there were significant differences
      in the mean difference of (i) O2 -pulse (0.6 mL/beats, 95% CI: 0.0 to 1.1
      mL/beats, between-group, P = 0.035) at iso-time; and ii) PaO2 (4.2 mmHg, 95% CI:
      0.2 to 8.2 mmHg, between-group, P = 0.041) and PaCO2 (-3.1 mmHg, 95% CI: -6.0 to 
      0.3 mmHg, between-group, P = 0.034) at peak exercise. The mean difference in the
      plasma VEGF-A level was significantly inhibited by high dose-ghrelin with PR (
      125.4 pg/mL, 95% CI: -235.2 to -15.5 pg/mL, between-group, P = 0.028).
      CONCLUSION: Although the primary outcome of the study was not met, high-dose
      ghrelin with PR improved exertional cardiac function and blood gas values, and
      inhibited circulating VEGF-A levels.

PMID- 26260706
TI  - Intranasal vaccination of recombinant H5N1 HA1 proteins fused with foldon and Fc
      induces strong mucosal immune responses with neutralizing activity: Implication
      for developing novel mucosal influenza vaccines.
AB  - The highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus remains a threat to
      public health because of its continued spread in poultry in some countries and
      its ability to infect humans with high mortality rate, calling for the
      development of effective and safe vaccines against H5N1 infection. Here, we
      constructed 4 candidate vaccines by fusing H5N1 hemagglutinin 1 (HA1) with foldon
      (HA1-Fd), human IgG Fc (HA1-Fc), foldon and Fc (HA1-FdFc) or His-tag (HA1-His).
      We then compared their ability to induce mucosal immune responses and
      neutralizing antibodies in the presence or absence of Poly(I:C) and CpG adjuvants
      via the intranasal route. Without an adjuvant, HA1-FdFc could elicit appreciable
      humoral immune responses and local mucosal IgA antibodies in immunized mice,
      while other vaccine candidates only induced background immune responses. In the
      presence of Poly(I:C) and CpG, both HA1-Fd and HA1-Fc elicited much higher levels
      of serum IgG and local mucosal IgA antibodies than HA1-His. Poly(I:C) and CpG
      could also augment the neutralizing antibody responses induced by these 4 vaccine
      candidates in the order of HA1-FdFc > HA1-Fc > HA1-Fd > HA1-His. These results
      suggest that both Fd and Fc potentiate the immunogenicity of the recombinant HA1
      protein and that Poly(I:C) and CpG serve as efficient mucosal adjuvants in
      promoting efficacy of these vaccine candidates to induce strong systemic and
      local antibody responses and potent neutralizing antibodies, providing a useful
      strategy to develop effective and safe mucosal H5N1 vaccines. 

PMID- 26260707
TI  - Identification of a novel homozygous SPG7 mutation by whole exome sequencing in a
      Greek family with a complicated form of hereditary spastic paraplegia.
AB  - We report the clinical description and genetic analyses of a Greek family with
      four individuals affected with a complicated form of hereditary spastic
      paraplegia (HSP) and a recessive pattern of inheritance. Exome sequencing of all
      affected individuals led to the identification of a homozygous 25 bp deletion
      predicted to lead to a frameshift and premature stop codon in the SPG7 gene,
      encoding paraplegin. This deletion, which is located in the first exon of the
      SPG7 gene, has not been previously reported and likely lead to the complete
      absence of the SPG7 protein. Interestingly, this family shows significant
      phenotypic heterogeneity further highlighting the clinical variability associated
      with SPG7 mutations. Our findings emphasize the clinical utility of whole exome
      sequencing for the molecular diagnosis of HSPs. 

PMID- 26260708
TI  - Response to the Letter by Ozturk and Colleagues Entitled: "Inter-Arm Blood
      Pressure Differences May Be Important in Predicting Mortality".

PMID- 26260709
TI  - The effects of the Green House nursing home model on ADL function trajectory: A
      retrospective longitudinal study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Growing attention in the past few decades has focused on improving
      care quality and quality of life for nursing home residents. Many traditional
      nursing homes have attempted to transform themselves to become more homelike
      emphasizing individualized care. This trend is referred to as nursing home
      culture change in the U.S. A promising culture change nursing home model, the
      Green House nursing home model, has shown positive psychological outcomes.
      However, little is known about whether the Green House nursing home model has
      positive effects on physical function compared to traditional nursing homes.
      OBJECTIVES: To examine the longitudinal effects of the Green House nursing home
      model by comparing change patterns of activities of daily living function over
      time between Green House home residents and traditional nursing home residents.
      DESIGN: A retrospective longitudinal study. SETTINGS: Four Green House
      organizations (nine Green House units and four traditional units). PARTICIPANTS:
      A total of 242 residents (93 Green House residents and 149 traditional home
      residents) who had stayed in the nursing home at least 6 months from admission.
      METHODS: The outcome was activities of daily living function, and the main
      independent variable was the facility type in which the resident stayed: a Green
      House or traditional unit. Age, gender, comorbidity score, cognitive function,
      and depressive symptoms at baseline were controlled. All of these measures were
      from a minimum dataset. Growth curve modeling and growth mixture modeling were
      employed in this study for longitudinal analyses. RESULTS: The mean activities of
      daily living function showed deterioration over time, and the rates of
      deterioration between Green House and traditional home residents were not
      different over time. Four different activities of daily living function
      trajectories were identified for 18 months, but there was no statistical
      difference in the likelihood of being in one of the four trajectory classes
      between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although Green House nursing homes are
      considered to represent an innovative model changing the nursing home environment
      into more person-centered, this study did not demonstrate significant differences
      in activities of daily living function changes for residents in the Green House
      nursing homes compared to traditional nursing homes. Given that the Green House
      model continues to evolve as it is being implemented and variations within and
      across Green House homes are identified, large-scale longitudinal studies are
      needed to provide further relevant information on the effects of the Green House
      model.

PMID- 26260711
TI  - Cardiovascular medication use and cardiovascular disease in children and
      adolescents with type 1 diabetes: a population-based cohort study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To investigate the 5-yr prevalence and incidence rates of
      cardiovascular medication and cardiovascular disease before and after onset of
      type 1 diabetes (T1D) in children and adolescents. METHODS: Children and
      adolescents (<19 yr) with T1D (n = 925), defined as those who received at least
      two insulin prescriptions, and a four times larger reference cohort (n = 3591)
      with the same age and gender in the Dutch PHARMO Record Linkage System (RLS) were
      studied in a retrospective cohort study between 1999 and 2009. The date of first
      insulin dispensing was selected as the index date. RESULTS: The overall
      prevalence rate of cardiovascular medication use was substantially higher in the
      T1D cohort before (2.2 vs. 1.0%, p < 0.001) and after (9.2 vs. 3.2%, p < 0.001)
      the index date. After the index date angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors
      (2.0%) and statins (1.5%) were the most prevalent cardiovascular medications in
      the T1D cohort. The highest incidence rate of cardiovascular medication use was
      observed in the first year after the index date [28.1 per 1000 person years
      (PY)]. Furthermore, three type 1 diabetic patients were hospitalized due to
      cardiomyopathy (n = 2) and heart failure (n = 1) and one child from the reference
      group was hospitalized due to cardiomyopathy in the 5 yr after the index date.
      CONCLUSIONS: Children with T1D were more likely to use cardiovascular medications
      in the years before and after the onset of diabetes. Our study emphasizes the
      importance of routine screening tests and timely treatment of CVD risk factors in
      the pediatric population with diabetes.

PMID- 26260712
TI  - Costs of Venous Thromboembolism, Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection, and
      Pressure Ulcer.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To estimate differences in the length of stay (LOS) and costs for
      comparable pediatric patients with and without venous thromboembolism (VTE),
      catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI), and pressure ulcer (PU).
      METHODS: We identified at-risk children 1 to 17 years old with inpatient
      discharges in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample. We used a high dimensional
      propensity score matching method to adjust for case-mix at the patient level then
      estimated differences in the LOS and costs for comparable pediatric patients with
      and without VTE, CAUTI, and PU. RESULTS: Incidence rates were 32 (VTE), 130
      (CAUTI), and 3 (PU) per 10 000 at-risk patient discharges. Patients with VTE had
      an increased 8.1 inpatient days (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.9 to 12.3) and
      excess average costs of $27 686 (95% CI: $11 137 to $44 235) compared with
      matched controls. Patients with CAUTI had an increased 2.4 inpatient days (95%
      CI: 1.2 to 3.6) and excess average costs of $7200 (95% CI: $2224 to $12 176). No
      statistical differences were found between patients with and without PU.
      CONCLUSIONS: The significantly extended LOS highlights the substantial morbidity
      associated with these potentially preventable events. Hospitals seeking to
      develop programs targeting VTE and CAUTI should consider the improved turnover of
      beds made available by each event prevented.

PMID- 26260713
TI  - Global Health Education in US Pediatric Residency Programs.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Despite the growing importance of global health (GH)
      training for pediatric residents, few mechanisms have cataloged GH educational
      opportunities offered by US pediatric residency programs. We sought to
      characterize GH education opportunities across pediatric residency programs and
      identify program characteristics associated with key GH education elements.
      METHODS: Data on program and GH training characteristics were sought from program
      directors or their delegates of all US pediatric residency programs during 2013
      to 2014. These data were used to compare programs with and without a GH track as
      well as across small, medium, and large programs. Program characteristics
      associated with the presence of key educational elements were identified by using
      bivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Data were collected from 198 of 199
      active US pediatric residency programs (99.5%). Seven percent of pediatric
      trainees went abroad during 2013 to 2014. Forty-nine programs (24.7%) reported
      having a GH track, 66.1% had a faculty lead, 58.1% offered international field
      experiences, and 48.5% offered domestic field experiences. Forty-two percent of
      programs reported international partnerships across 153 countries. Larger
      programs, those with lead faculty, GH tracks, or partnerships had significantly
      increased odds of having each GH educational element, including pretravel
      preparation. CONCLUSIONS: The number of pediatric residency programs offering GH
      training opportunities continues to rise. However, smaller programs and those
      without tracks, lead faculty, or formal partnerships lag behind with organized GH
      curricula. As GH becomes an integral component of pediatric training, a
      heightened commitment is needed to ensure consistency of training experiences
      that encompass best practices in all programs.

PMID- 26260714
TI  - Preterm Cognitive Function Into Adulthood.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Very preterm (VP; gestational age <32 weeks) and very low birth
      weight (VLBW; <1500 g) births are related to impaired cognitive function across
      the life span. It is not known how stable cognitive functions are from childhood
      to adulthood for VP/VLBW compared with term-born individuals and how early adult
      cognitive function can be predicted. METHODS: The Bavarian Longitudinal Study is
      a prospective geographically defined cohort study that followed 260 VP/VLBW and
      229 term-born individuals from birth to adulthood. Data on cognitive function
      were assessed with developmental and IQ tests at 5 and 20 months and at 4, 6, 8,
      and 26 years of age. RESULTS: Across all assessments, VP/VLBW individuals had
      significantly lower IQ scores than term-born controls, even when individuals with
      severe cognitive impairment (n = 69) were excluded. IQ scores were found to be
      more stable over time for VP/VLBW than term-born individuals, yet differences in
      stability disappeared when individuals with cognitive impairment were excluded.
      Adult IQ could be predicted with fair certainty (r > 0.50) from age 20 months
      onward for the whole VP/VLBW sample (n = 260) and from 6 years onward for term
      born individuals (n = 229). CONCLUSIONS: VP/VLBW individuals more often suffer
      from cognitive problems across childhood into adulthood and these problems are
      relatively stable from early childhood onward. VP/VLBW children's risk for
      cognitive problems can be reliably diagnosed at the age of 20 months. These
      findings provide strong support for the timing of cognitive follow-up at age 2
      years to plan special support services for children with cognitive problems.

PMID- 26260715
TI  - Presumed Arterial Gas Embolism After Breath-Hold Diving in Shallow Water.
AB  - Dive-related injuries are relatively common, but almost exclusively occur in
      recreational or scuba diving. We report 2 children with acute central nervous
      system complications after breath-hold diving. A 12-year-old boy presented with
      unilateral leg weakness and paresthesia after diving beneath the water surface
      for a distance of ~25 m. After ascent, he suddenly felt extreme thoracic pain
      that resolved spontaneously. Neurologic examination revealed right leg weakness
      and sensory deficits with a sensory level at T5. Spinal MRI revealed a
      nonenhancing T2-hyperintense lesion in the central cord at the level of T1/T2
      suggesting a spinal cord edema. A few weeks later, a 13-year-old girl was
      admitted with acute dizziness, personality changes, confusion, and headache.
      Thirty minutes before, she had practiced diving beneath the water surface for a
      distance of ~25 m. After stepping out, she felt sudden severe thoracic pain and
      lost consciousness. Shortly later she reported headache and vertigo, and numbness
      of the complete left side of her body. Neurologic examination revealed reduced
      sensibility to all modalities, a positive Romberg test, and vertigo. Cerebral MRI
      revealed no pathologic findings. Both children experienced a strikingly similar
      clinical course. The chronology of events strongly suggests that both patients
      were suffering from arterial gas embolism. This condition has been reported for
      the first time to occur in children after breath-hold diving beneath the water
      surface without glossopharyngeal insufflation. 

PMID- 26260717
TI  - Remission From Behavioral Dysregulation in a Child With PTSD After Receiving
      Procedural Ketamine.
AB  - Ketamine, an N-methyl-D-aspartate-type glutamate receptor antagonist, has long
      been used for anesthesia and has recently been investigated for its rapid
      antidepressant effects in adults with treatment-resistant depression and
      posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We report a case of a child with PTSD and
      episodes of severe aggression and emotional dysregulation that were refractory to
      multiple medical and behavioral interventions. This child demonstrated sustained
      (8-13 days) remission from these symptoms when exposed to ketamine in the context
      of 2 procedures. We review the sparse literature on the uses of ketamine for
      behavioral purposes in children. This case suggests that ketamine should be
      further explored as a potential treatment option for children with severe
      refractory behavioral aggression. 

PMID- 26260716
TI  - Home Reading Environment and Brain Activation in Preschool Children Listening to
      Stories.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Parent-child reading is widely advocated to promote
      cognitive development, including in recommendations from the American Academy of
      Pediatrics to begin this practice at birth. Although parent-child reading has
      been shown in behavioral studies to improve oral language and print concepts,
      quantifiable effects on the brain have not been previously studied. Our study
      used blood oxygen level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging to
      examine the relationship between home reading environment and brain activity
      during a story listening task in a sample of preschool-age children. We
      hypothesized that while listening to stories, children with greater home reading
      exposure would exhibit higher activation of left-sided brain regions involved
      with semantic processing (extraction of meaning). METHODS: Nineteen 3- to 5-year
      old children were selected from a longitudinal study of normal brain development.
      All completed blood oxygen level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging
      using an age-appropriate story listening task, where narrative alternated with
      tones. We performed a series of whole-brain regression analyses applying
      composite, subscale, and individual reading-related items from the validated
      StimQ-P measure of home cognitive environment as explanatory variables for neural
      activation. RESULTS: Higher reading exposure (StimQ-P Reading subscale score) was
      positively correlated (P < .05, corrected) with neural activation in the left
      sided parietal-temporal-occipital association cortex, a "hub" region supporting
      semantic language processing, controlling for household income. CONCLUSIONS: In
      preschool children listening to stories, greater home reading exposure is
      positively associated with activation of brain areas supporting mental imagery
      and narrative comprehension, controlling for household income. These neural
      biomarkers may help inform eco-bio-developmental models of emergent literacy.

PMID- 26260710
TI  - Blood cells: an historical account of the roles of purinergic signalling.
AB  - The involvement of purinergic signalling in the physiology of erythrocytes,
      platelets and leukocytes was recognised early. The release of ATP and the
      expression of purinoceptors and ectonucleotidases on erythrocytes in health and
      disease are reviewed. The release of ATP and ADP from platelets and the
      expression and roles of P1, P2Y(1), P2Y(12) and P2X1 receptors on platelets are
      described. P2Y(1) and P2X(1) receptors mediate changes in platelet shape, while
      P2Y(12) receptors mediate platelet aggregation. The changes in the role of
      purinergic signalling in a variety of disease conditions are considered. The
      successful use of P2Y(12) receptor antagonists, such as clopidogrel and
      ticagrelor, for the treatment of thrombosis, myocardial infarction and stroke is
      discussed.

PMID- 26260718
TI  - The Impact of Rudeness on Medical Team Performance: A Randomized Trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Iatrogenesis often results from performance
      deficiencies among medical team members. Team-targeted rudeness may underlie such
      performance deficiencies, with individuals exposed to rude behavior being less
      helpful and cooperative. Our objective was to explore the impact of rudeness on
      the performance of medical teams. METHODS: Twenty-four NICU teams participated in
      a training simulation involving a preterm infant whose condition acutely
      deteriorated due to necrotizing enterocolitis. Participants were informed that a
      foreign expert on team reflexivity in medicine would observe them. Teams were
      randomly assigned to either exposure to rudeness (in which the expert's comments
      included mildly rude statements completely unrelated to the teams' performance)
      or control (neutral comments). The videotaped simulation sessions were evaluated
      by 3 independent judges (blinded to team exposure) who used structured
      questionnaires to assess team performance, information-sharing, and help-seeking.
      RESULTS: The composite diagnostic and procedural performance scores were lower
      for members of teams exposed to rudeness than to members of the control teams
      (2.6 vs 3.2 [P = .005] and 2.8 vs 3.3 [P = .008], respectively). Rudeness alone
      explained nearly 12% of the variance in diagnostic and procedural performance. A
      model specifying information-sharing and help-seeking as mediators linking
      rudeness to team performance explained an even greater portion of the variance in
      diagnostic and procedural performance (R(2) = 52.3 and 42.7, respectively).
      CONCLUSIONS: Rudeness had adverse consequences on the diagnostic and procedural
      performance of the NICU team members. Information-sharing mediated the adverse
      effect of rudeness on diagnostic performance, and help-seeking mediated the
      effect of rudeness on procedural performance.

PMID- 26260720
TI  - The Way Forward for Global Health Training Programs.

PMID- 26260719
TI  - Inappropriate Use of Ultrasound in Management of Pediatric Cryptorchidism.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There is a limited role for ultrasound in the
      management of an undescended testicle (UDT). We hypothesized that ultrasound
      remains overused by referring physicians. Our goal was to characterize the
      trends, patterns, and impact of ultrasound use for UDT and to reaffirm its
      limited diagnostic value for this indication. METHODS: The records of boys aged 0
      to 18 years with UDT in Ontario, Canada, between 2000 and 2011 were reviewed by
      using health administrative data housed at the Institute for Clinical and
      Evaluative Sciences (ICES). A second review of boys referred to our institution
      with UDT between 2007 and 2011 was conducted to complement the health
      administrative data. Trends in frequency, distribution, and costs of ultrasound
      use were assessed. Time delays between diagnosis and definitive management were
      compared between the ultrasound and non-ultrasound groups. Using our
      institutional data, we analyzed demographic patterns of ultrasound use and
      compared its diagnostic accuracy by using surgical findings as the gold standard.
      RESULTS: Ultrasound was used in 33.5% of provincial referrals and 50% of
      institutional referrals. Children who underwent ultrasound experienced an
      approximate 3-month delay in definitive surgical management. Ultrasound correctly
      predicted physical examination findings in only 54% of patients. Physicians in
      community practice, and those with fewer years in practice, were more likely to
      order ultrasound. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound has limited value for the management of
      UDT but remains widely overused, with an increasing trend over time. This
      practice has negative implications for access to care and cost-containment.
      Widespread educational efforts should be undertaken, targeting current and future
      referring physicians.

PMID- 26260721
TI  - Exercise and Vascular Function in Child Obesity: A Meta-Analysis.
AB  - CONTEXT: Conduit artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) is a noninvasive index of
      preclinical atherosclerosis in humans. Exercise interventions can improve FMD in
      both healthy and clinical populations. OBJECTIVE: This systematic review and meta
      analysis aimed to summarize the effect of exercise training on FMD in overweight
      and obese children and adolescents as well as investigate the role of
      cardiorespiratory fitness (peak oxygen consumption [Vo2peak]) on effects
      observed. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Medline, Embase, and Cinahl databases were
      searched from the earliest available date to February 2015. STUDY SELECTION:
      Studies of children and/or adolescents who were overweight or obese were
      included. DATA EXTRACTION: Standardized data extraction forms were used for
      patient and intervention characteristics, control/comparator groups, and key
      outcomes. Procedural quality of the studies was assessed using a modified version
      of the Physiotherapy Evidence Base Database scale. RESULTS: A meta-analysis
      involving 219 participants compared the mean difference of pre- versus
      postintervention vascular function (FMD) and Vo2peak between an exercise training
      intervention and a control condition. There was a significantly greater
      improvement in FMD (mean difference 1.54%, P < .05) and Vo2peak (mean difference
      3.64 mL/kg/min, P < .05) after exercise training compared with controls.
      LIMITATIONS: Given the diversity of exercise prescriptions, participant
      characteristics, and FMD measurement protocols, varying FMD effect size was noted
      between trials. CONCLUSIONS: Exercise training improves vascular function in
      overweight and obese children, as indicated by enhanced FMD. Further research is
      required to establish the optimum exercise program for maintenance of healthy
      vascular function in this at-risk pediatric population.

PMID- 26260722
TI  - Impact of Physician Scorecards on Emergency Department Resource Use, Quality, and
      Efficiency.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Variability in practice patterns and resource use in
      the emergency department (ED) can affect costs without affecting outcomes. ED
      quality measures have not included resource use in relation to ED outcomes and
      efficiency. Our objectives were to develop a tool for comprehensive physician
      feedback on practice patterns relative to peers and to study its impact on
      resource use, quality, and efficiency. METHODS: We evaluated condition-specific
      resource use (laboratory tests; imaging; antibiotics, intravenous fluids, and
      ondansetron; admission) by physicians at 2 tertiary pediatric EDs for 4 common
      conditions (fever, head injury, respiratory illness, gastroenteritis). Resources
      used, ED length of stay (efficiency measure), and 72-hour return to ED (return
      rate [RR]) (balancing measure) were reported on scorecards with boxplots showing
      physicians their practice relative to peers. Quarterly scorecards were
      distributed for baseline (preintervention, July 2009-August 2010) and
      postintervention (September 2010-December 2011). Preintervention,
      postintervention, and trend analyses were performed. RESULTS: In 51 450 patient
      visits (24 834 preintervention, 26 616 postintervention) seen by 96 physicians,
      we observed reduced postintervention use of abdominal and pelvic and head
      computed tomography scans, chest radiographs, intravenous antibiotics, and
      ondansetron (P < .01 for all). Hospital admissions decreased from 7.4% to 6.7% (P
      = .002), length of stay from 112 to 108 minutes (P < .001), and RR from 2.2% to
      2.0%. Trends for use of laboratory tests and intravenous antibiotics showed
      significant reduction (P < .001 and P < .05, respectively); admission trends
      increased, and trends for use of computed tomography scans and plain abdominal
      radiographs showed no change. CONCLUSIONS: Physician feedback on practice
      patterns relative to peers results in reduction in resource use for several
      common ED conditions without adversely affecting ED efficiency or quality of
      care.

PMID- 26260723
TI  - Late Preterm Infants and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes at Kindergarten.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Late preterm infants (LPIs) (gestation 34 weeks and 0
      days to 36 weeks and 6 days) compared with full-term infants (FTIs) are at
      increased risk for mortality and short- and long-term morbidity. The objective of
      this study was to assess the neurodevelopmental outcomes in a longitudinal cohort
      study of LPIs from infancy to school age and determine predictive values of
      earlier developmental testing compared with school-age testing. METHODS: We used
      general estimating equations to calculate the odds of school readiness in a
      nationally representative cohort of 4900 full-term and 950 late preterm infants.
      We generated positive and negative predictive values of the ability of the 24
      month Mental Developmental Index (MDI) scores of the Bayley Short Form, Research
      Edition, to predict Total School Readiness Score (TSRS) at kindergarten age.
      RESULTS: In multivariable analysis, late preterm infants had higher odds of worse
      TSRSs (adjusted odds ratio 1.52 [95% confidence interval 1.06-2.18], P = .0215).
      The positive predictive value of a child having an MDI of <70 at 24 months and a
      TSRS <5% at kindergarten was 10.4%. The negative predictive value of having an
      MDI of >70 at 24 months and a TSRS >5% was 96.8%. Most infants improved score
      ranking over the study interval. CONCLUSIONS: LPIs continue to be delayed at
      kindergarten compared with FTIs. The predictive validity of having a TSRS in the
      bottom 5% given a MDI <70 at 24 months was poor. A child who tested within the
      normal range (>85) at 24 months had an excellent chance of testing in the normal
      range at kindergarten.

PMID- 26260724
TI  - Hot topic: Recessive mutations in the a3(VI) collagen gene COL6A3 cause early
      onset isolated dystonia.

PMID- 26260725
TI  - Melanoma arising in a nevus of Ito: novel genetic mutations and a review of the
      literature on cutaneous malignant transformation of dermal melanocytosis.
AB  - Dermal melanocytosis refers to a spectrum of benign melanocytic proliferations
      that includes Mongolian spot, nevus of Ota and nevus of Ito. These lesions most
      commonly occur in persons of Asian or African descent and are often present at
      birth or develop during childhood. Very rarely, dermal melanocytoses undergo
      malignant transformation. There have been only 13 reports in the literature of
      primary cutaneous melanoma arising in dermal melanocytoses. We report a case of a
      Chinese woman with melanoma arising in a congenital nevus of Ito. We performed
      targeted next-generation sequencing of the tumor which revealed mutations of GNAQ
      and BAP1, suggesting that alterations in these two genes led to malignant
      transformation of the nevus of Ito. We also provide a summary of reports in the
      literature regarding primary cutaneous melanoma arising in the context of dermal
      melanocytosis. 

PMID- 26260726
TI  - The effect of melatonin on sleep and quality of life in patients with advanced
      breast cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Fatigue and sleep problems are prevalent in cancer patients and can
      be associated with disruption of circadian rhythmicity. In this prospective phase
      II trial, we sought to assess the effect of melatonin on circadian biomarkers,
      sleep, and quality of life in breast cancer patients. METHODS: Thirty-two
      patients with metastatic breast cancer, receiving hormonal or trastuzumab
      therapy, took 5 mg of melatonin at bedtime for 2 months. Before starting and
      after 2 months on melatonin therapy, sleep and circadian rhythmicity were
      assessed by actigraphy, diurnal patterns of serum cortisol, and the expression of
      the core clock genes PER2 and BMAL1 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The
      European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30
      questionnaire was completed for subjective parameters. RESULTS: Bedtime melatonin
      was associated with a significant improvement in a marker of objective sleep
      quality, sleep fragmentation and quantity, subjective sleep, fatigue severity,
      global quality of life, and social and cognitive functioning scales. Morning
      clock gene expression was increased following bedtime melatonin intake. Melatonin
      did not affect actigraphy measure of circadian rhythmicity, or the diurnal
      cortisol pattern. CONCLUSION: These results invite further investigation of
      melatonin as a potentially useful therapeutic agent for improving sleep and
      quality of life in cancer patients.

PMID- 26260727
TI  - Leveraging iPads to introduce meditation and reduce distress among cancer
      patients undergoing chemotherapy: a promising approach.
AB  - PURPOSE: Distress is common among cancer patients. Regular meditation practice
      has the potential to mitigate this distress and improve quality of life for this
      population. Introducing meditation to cancer patients can be particularly
      challenging given the demands on patients' time from treatment and normal life
      events. This internal process improvement study examined the potential benefit of
      utilizing iPads during chemotherapy sessions to introduce meditation and reduce
      distress. METHODS: Patients undergoing chemotherapy infusion were offered iPads
      with various meditation videos and audio files during the session. Levels of
      distress were measured using the distress thermometer at the beginning of
      chemotherapy and at the conclusion of chemotherapy. RESULTS: Seventy-three
      patients accepted the meditation iPads during the chemotherapy session. Among
      those who accepted the iPads, average distress dropped 46% by the end of the
      session (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The use of iPads during chemotherapy is a
      potentially effective way to introduce meditation as a stress management tool for
      people with cancer.

PMID- 26260728
TI  - It's all in the timing: the importance of concurrency and short gap length in the
      control of genital Chlamydia trachomatis infections.

PMID- 26260729
TI  - Endocarditis due to gram-negative bacilli at a French teaching hospital over a 6
      year period: clinical characteristics and outcome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Infective endocarditis (IE) due to gram-negative bacilli (GNB) is
      rare. However, several studies described a change in the epidemiological profile
      of patients within the past few years. METHODS: We reviewed all cases diagnosed
      and followed in the infectious diseases ward of a French teaching hospital in
      Paris between 2009 and 2014, inclusive. RESULTS: Among the 17 patients with
      definite GNB-IE (11 male, mean age 54 years), 12 (70%) were due to non-HACEK GNB
      and 5 (30%) to HACEK group GNB. A prosthetic valve was involved in 10 cases (8 in
      non-HACEK and 2 in HACEK group). Escherichia coli (4/12 patients) and Pseudomonas
      aeruginosa (3/12 patients) were the most common pathogens in the first group; all
      the pathogens in the second group were Haemophilus spp. One-third of the patients
      with non-HACEK GNB had nosocomial IE, whereas injection drug use-related
      infections were rare (2/12). All patients with HACEK infection had at least one
      complication (intracardiac abscess, stroke or other systemic embolization). All
      patients were treated by antibiotic combination therapy during a median time of
      42 days (interquartile range (IQR) = 42-42) and 10 (59%) underwent cardiac
      surgery. One death at 9 months was observed in the non-HACEK group. CONCLUSIONS:
      Regarding HACEK IE, this report supports the frequent association with vascular
      complications. Regarding non-HACEK GNB IE, this report supports the increasing
      proportion of nosocomial infections. We reported a high proportion of surgery in
      the therapeutic management of both HACEK and non-HACEK groups associated with no
      in-hospital mortality.

PMID- 26260730
TI  - Sterically geared tris-thioureas; transmembrane chloride transporters with
      unusual activity and accessibility.
AB  - Tris-N-arylthioureas derived in one step from 1,3,5-tris(aminomethyl)-2,4,6
      triethylbenzene are remarkably effective anion carriers. With optimised aryl
      substituents their activities come close to the best currently known, suggesting
      that they might find use as readily available standards in anion transport
      research. 

PMID- 26260731
TI  - Management of patient with acrometageria for routine dental treatment: A case
      report.
AB  - The population of special needs patients in dental offices is growing. Therefore,
      the demand for well-trained, educated practitioners must increase to fit the
      need. Conditions such as intellectual developmental disorder, Down syndrome, and
      autism spectrum disorder are more readily encountered in dental settings.
      However, it is equally appropriate to identify management techniques for patients
      with less common conditions. A case is reported in which a 38-year-old Caucasian
      male with a history significant for acrometageria and associated signs of
      Mallampati Class IV, micrognathia, decreased mouth opening, decreased thyromental
      distance, and decreased cervical range of motion presented for routine dental
      treatment under intravenous sedation. Providers should recognize appropriate
      management techniques to safely and effectively care for a wide patient
      demographic.

PMID- 26260732
TI  - Southern Dietary Pattern is Associated With Hazard of Acute Coronary Heart
      Disease in the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS)
      Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The association of overall diet, as characterized by dietary
      patterns, with risk of incident acute coronary heart disease (CHD) has not been
      studied extensively in samples including sociodemographic and regional diversity.
      METHODS AND RESULTS: We used data from 17 418 participants in Reasons for
      Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS), a national, population
      based, longitudinal study of white and black adults aged >=45 years, enrolled
      from 2003 to 2007. We derived dietary patterns with factor analysis and used Cox
      proportional hazards regression to examine hazard of incident acute CHD events -
      nonfatal myocardial infarction and acute CHD death - associated with quartiles of
      consumption of each pattern, adjusted for various levels of covariates. Five
      primary dietary patterns emerged: Convenience, Plant-based, Sweets, Southern, and
      Alcohol and Salad. A total of 536 acute CHD events occurred over a median
      (interquartile range) 5.8 (2.1) years of follow-up. After adjustment for
      sociodemographics, lifestyle factors, and energy intake, highest consumers of the
      Southern pattern (characterized by added fats, fried food, eggs, organ and
      processed meats, and sugar-sweetened beverages) experienced a 56% higher hazard
      of acute CHD (comparing quartile 4 with quartile 1: hazard ratio, 1.56; 95%
      confidence interval, 1.17-2.08; P for trend across quartiles=0.003). Adding
      anthropometric and medical history variables to the model attenuated the
      association somewhat (hazard ratio, 1.37; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.85;
      P=0.036). CONCLUSIONS: A dietary pattern characteristic of the southern United
      States was associated with greater hazard of CHD in this sample of white and
      black adults in diverse regions of the United States.

PMID- 26260733
TI  - Randomized, Controlled Trial of the Safety and Effectiveness of a Contact Force
      Sensing Irrigated Catheter for Ablation of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation:
      Results of the TactiCath Contact Force Ablation Catheter Study for Atrial
      Fibrillation (TOCCASTAR) Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Contact force (CF) is a major determinant of lesion size and
      transmurality and has the potential to improve efficacy of atrial fibrillation
      ablation. This study sought to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a novel
      irrigated radiofrequency ablation catheter that measures real-time CF in the
      treatment of patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. METHODS AND RESULTS: A
      total of 300 patients with symptomatic, drug-refractory, paroxysmal atrial
      fibrillation were enrolled in a prospective, multicenter, randomized, controlled
      trial and randomized to radiofrequency ablation with either a novel CF-sensing
      catheter or a non-CF catheter (control). The primary effectiveness end point
      consisted of acute electrical isolation of all pulmonary veins and freedom from
      recurrent symptomatic atrial arrhythmia off all antiarrhythmic drugs at 12
      months. The primary safety end point included device-related serious adverse
      events. End points were powered to show noninferiority. All pulmonary veins were
      isolated in both groups. Effectiveness was achieved in 67.8% and 69.4% of
      subjects in the CF and control arms, respectively (absolute difference, -1.6%;
      lower limit of 1-sided 95% confidence interval, -10.7%; P=0.0073 for
      noninferiority). When the CF arm was stratified into optimal CF (>=90% ablations
      with >=10 g) and nonoptimal CF groups, effectiveness was achieved in 75.9% versus
      58.1%, respectively (P=0.018). The primary safety end point occurred in 1.97% and
      1.40% of CF patients and control subjects, respectively (absolute difference,
      0.57%; upper limit of 1-sided 95% confidence interval, 3.61%; P=0.0004 for
      noninferiority). CONCLUSIONS: The CF ablation catheter met the primary safety and
      effectiveness end points. Additionally, optimal CF was associated with improved
      effectiveness. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique
      identifier: NCT01278953.

PMID- 26260734
TI  - Examining Dietary Patterns in Relation to Chronic Disease: Matching Measures and
      Methods to Questions of Interest.

PMID- 26260735
TI  - Demonstrating the Value of Contact Force Sensing: More Difficult Than Meets the
      Eye.

PMID- 26260736
TI  - Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Disorder Predispose Youth to Accelerated
      Atherosclerosis and Early Cardiovascular Disease: A Scientific Statement From the
      American Heart Association.
AB  - In the 2011 "Expert Panel on Integrated Guidelines for Cardiovascular Health and
      Risk Reduction in Children and Adolescents," several medical conditions among
      youth were identified that predispose to accelerated atherosclerosis and early
      cardiovascular disease (CVD), and risk stratification and management strategies
      for youth with these conditions were elaborated. Major depressive disorder (MDD)
      and bipolar disorder (BD) among youth satisfy the criteria set for, and therefore
      merit inclusion among, Expert Panel tier II moderate-risk conditions. The
      combined prevalence of MDD and BD among adolescents in the United States is ~10%,
      at least 10 times greater than the prevalence of the existing moderate-risk
      conditions combined. The high prevalence of MDD and BD underscores the importance
      of positioning these diseases alongside other pediatric diseases previously
      identified as moderate risk for CVD. The overall objective of this statement is
      to increase awareness and recognition of MDD and BD among youth as moderate-risk
      conditions for early CVD. To achieve this objective, the primary specific aims of
      this statement are to (1) summarize evidence that MDD and BD are tier II moderate
      risk conditions associated with accelerated atherosclerosis and early CVD and (2)
      position MDD and BD as tier II moderate-risk conditions that require the
      application of risk stratification and management strategies in accordance with
      Expert Panel recommendations. In this scientific statement, there is an
      integration of the various factors that putatively underlie the association of
      MDD and BD with CVD, including pathophysiological mechanisms, traditional CVD
      risk factors, behavioral and environmental factors, and psychiatric medications. 

PMID- 26260737
TI  - Post-operative monitoring of free muscle transfers by Laser Doppler Imaging: A
      prospective study.
AB  - PURPOSE: Despite different existing methods, monitoring of free muscle transfer
      is still challenging. In the current study we evaluated our clinical setting
      regarding monitoring of such tissues, using a recent microcirculation-imaging
      camera (EasyLDI) as an additional tool for detection of perfusion incompetency.
      PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study was performed on seven patients with soft tissue
      defect, who underwent reconstruction with free gracilis muscle. Beside standard
      monitoring protocol (clinical assessment, temperature strips, and surface
      Doppler), hourly EasyLDI monitoring was performed for 48 hours. Thereby a
      baseline value (raised flap but connected to its vascular bundle) and an
      ischaemia perfusion value (completely resected flap) were measured at the same
      point. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients, mean baseline value, ischaemia
      value perfusion were 48.00 +/- 13.42 years, 49.31 +/- 17.33 arbitrary perfusion
      units (APU), 9.87 +/- 4.22 APU, respectively. The LDI measured values in six free
      muscle transfers were compatible with hourly standard monitoring protocol, and
      normalized LDI values significantly increased during time (P < 0.001, r = 0.412).
      One of the flaps required a return to theatre 17 hours after the operation, where
      an unsalvageable flap loss was detected. All normalized LDI values of this flap
      were under the ischaemia perfusion level and the trend was significantly
      descending during time (P < 0.001, r = -0.870). CONCLUSION: Due to the capability
      of early detection of perfusion incompetency, LDI may be recommended as an
      additional post-operative monitoring device for free muscle flaps, for early
      detection of suspected failing flaps and for validation of other methods.

PMID- 26260738
TI  - Benign orbital angiomatous tumors with intracranial extension.
AB  - Orbital neoplasms with associated bone erosions and intracranial extension are
      generally considered suspicious for malignancies. Here, we describe the clinical
      and radiological findings, as well as the surgical management of two
      extraordinary cases, in which such bony perforations with subsequent intracranial
      tumor growth resulted from benign angiomatous orbital neoplasms. Two female
      patients, 69 years old (case 1) and 51 years old (case 2), had both developed
      visual symptoms (visual field restrictions and/or visual acuity loss) over
      several months. Computed tomography revealed an orbital tumor of the
      anterosuperior orbit with painless swelling of the medial upper eyelid of the
      right eye in case 1, and a posterior intraconal tumor close to the orbital apex
      of the left eye in case 2, respectively. In both cases, the tumor was associated
      with a perforation of the orbital roof connecting the orbit with the anterior
      cranial fossa. An interdisciplinary ophthalmologic and neurosurgical approach
      allowed for complete tumor removal, in both patients with no signs for local
      recurrence during the subsequent follow-up of 15 and 18 months, respectively, as
      well as for a satisfactory visual rehabilitation. 

PMID- 26260739
TI  - Speeding up the product release: a second-sphere contribution from Tyr191 to the
      reactivity of L-lactate oxidase revealed in crystallographic and kinetic studies
      of site-directed variants.
AB  - Among alpha-hydroxy acid-oxidizing flavoenzymes l-lactate oxidase (LOX) is unique
      in featuring a second-sphere tyrosine (Tyr191 in Aerococcus viridans LOX; avLOX)
      at the binding site for the substrate's carboxylate group. Y191F, Y191L and Y191A
      variants of avLOX were constructed to affect a hydrogen-bond network connecting
      Tyr191 to the carboxylate of the bound ligand via the conserved Tyr40 and to
      examine consequent effects on enzymatic reactivity. Kinetic studies at 20 
      degrees C and pH 6.5 revealed that release of pyruvate product was decreased 4.7
      fold (Y191F), 19-fold (Y191L) and 28-fold (Y191A) compared with wild-type enzyme
      (~ 141 s(-1)) and thus became mainly rate limiting for l-lactate oxidation by the
      variants at a steady-state under air-saturated conditions. In the Y191L and the
      Y191A variants, but not in the Y191F variant, l-lactate binding was also affected
      strongly by the site-directed substitution. Reduction of the flavin cofactor by l
      lactate and its reoxidation by molecular oxygen were, however, comparatively
      weakly affected by the replacements of Tyr191. Unlike the related lactate
      monooxygenase, which prevents the fast dissociation of pyruvate to promote its
      oxidative decarboxylation by H2 O2 into acetate, CO2 and water as final reaction
      products, all avLOX variants retained their native oxidase activity where
      catalytic turnover results in the equivalent formation of H2O2. The 1.9 A crystal
      structure of the Y191F variant bound with FMN and pyruvate revealed a strictly
      locally disruptive effect of the site-directed substitution. Product off-rates
      appear to be dictated by partitioning of residues including Tyr191 from an active
      site lid loop into bulk solvent and modulation of the hydrogen bond strength that
      links Tyr40 with the pyruvate's carboxylate group. Overall, this study emphasizes
      the possibly high importance of contributions from second-sphere substrate
      binding residues to the fine-tuning of reactivity in alpha-hydroxy acid-oxidizing
      flavoenzymes, requiring that the catalytic steps of flavin reduction and
      oxidation are properly timed with the physical step of alpha-keto acid product
      release.

PMID- 26260740
TI  - Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura during pregnancy versus imitator of
      preeclampsia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a severe disorder
      affecting the microcirculation of multiple organs due to a systemic endothelial
      cell injury secondary to a deficiency in ADAMTS13 (a disintegrin and
      metalloprotease with thrombospondin type 1 motif, member 13) activity. TTP is a
      rare complication of pregnancy with a poor prognosis and high fetal mortality,
      especially when it occurs during the first trimester. Recent data have supported
      that effective treatment of TTP is plasma therapy. Unfortunately a major problem
      remains in the delay in diagnosis due to confounding factors between other
      "imitators of preeclampsia." Rapid and readily available laboratory testing to
      quickly diagnose TTP is desperately needed to improve care and to save mother and
      future child life. CASE REPORT: We describe a rare case of successful pregnancy
      after TTP manifestations occurring in the first trimester; most importantly, our
      experience represents the first case of atypical manifestation due to neurologic
      and kidney manifestations preceding laboratory assay alterations. RESULTS: We
      treated a patient with plasma replacement of 30 mL/kg/day and daily
      plasmapheresis in combination with continuous infusion of fresh-frozen plasma 10
      mL/kg/day. The response of clinical manifestation immediately improved. At 30
      weeks, the patient had multiple episodes of high blood pressure and concomitant
      decrease of hemoglobin and platelet count, so a cesarean section was immediately
      performed. She delivered a healthy female baby. CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis by
      ADAMTS13 activity, occasionally occurring before clinical manifestations, aided
      us in promptly administering commended and life-saving treatments.

PMID- 26260742
TI  - Editorial Comment.

PMID- 26260741
TI  - Differential tissue accumulation of 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin in
      Arabidopsis thaliana affects plant chronology, lipid metabolism and seed yield.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Dioxins are one of the most toxic groups of persistent organic
      pollutants. Their biotransmission through the food chain constitutes a potential
      risk for human health. Plants as principal actors in the food chain can play a
      determinant role in removing dioxins from the environment. Due to the lack of
      data on dioxin/plant research, this study sets out to determine few responsive
      reactions adopted by Arabidopsis plant towards 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p
      dioxin (TCDD), the most toxic congener of dioxins. RESULTS: Using a high
      resolution gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, we demonstrated that Arabidopsis
      plant uptakes TCDD by the roots and accumulates it in the vegetative parts in a
      tissue-specific manner. TCDD mainly accumulated in rosette leaves and mature
      seeds and less in stem, flowers and immature siliques. Moreover, we observed that
      plants exposed to high doses of TCDD exhibited a delay in flowering and yielded
      fewer seeds of a reduced oil content with a low vitality. A particular focus on
      the plant fatty acid metabolism showed that TCDD caused a significant reduction
      in C18-unsaturated fatty acid level in plant tissues. Simultaneously, TCDD
      induced the expression of 9-LOX and 13-LOX genes and the formation of their
      corresponding hydroperoxides, 9- and 13-HPOD as well as 9- or 13-HPOT, derived
      from linoleic and linolenic acids, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The current work
      highlights a side of toxicological effects resulting in the administration of
      2,3,7,8-TCDD on the Arabidopsis plant. Similarly to animals, it seems that plants
      may accumulate TCDD in their lipids by involving few of the FA-metabolizing
      enzymes for sculpting a specific oxylipins "signature" typified to plant TCDD
      tolerance. Together, our results uncover novel responses of Arabidopsis to
      dioxin, possibly emerging to overcome its toxicity.

PMID- 26260743
TI  - Reply: To PMID 26142714.

PMID- 26260744
TI  - Thyroid disorders and gastrointestinal and liver dysfunction: A state of the art
      review.
AB  - Thyroid disorders commonly impact on the gastrointestinal system and may even
      present with gastrointestinal symptoms in isolation; for example, metastatic
      medullary thyroid carcinoma typically presents with diarrhoea. Delays in
      identifying and treating the underlying thyroid dysfunction may lead to
      unnecessary investigations and treatment, with ongoing morbidity, and can
      potentially be life-threatening. Similarly, gastrointestinal diseases can impact
      on thyroid function tests, and an awareness of the concept and management of non
      thyroidal illness is necessary to avoid giving unnecessary thyroid therapies that
      could potentially exacerbate the underlying gastrointestinal disease. Dual
      thyroid and gastrointestinal pathologies are also common, with presentations
      occurring concurrently or sequentially, the latter after a variable time lag that
      can even extend over decades. Such an association aetiologically relates to the
      autoimmune background of many thyroid disorders (e.g. Graves' disease and
      Hashimoto's thyroiditis) and gastrointestinal disorders (e.g. coeliac disease and
      inflammatory bowel disease); such autoimmune conditions can sometimes occur in
      the context of autoimmune polyglandular syndrome. Emphasis should also be given
      to the gastrointestinal side effects of some of the medications used for thyroid
      disease (e.g. anti-thyroid drugs causing hepatotoxicity) and vice versa (e.g.
      interferon therapy causing autoimmune thyroid dysfunction). In this review, we
      discuss disorders of the thyroid-gut axis and identify the evidence base behind
      the management of such disorders. 

PMID- 26260745
TI  - Epidemiological changes in tinea capitis over the sixty years of economic growth
      in China.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tinea capitis is a fungal infection of the scalp occurring commonly
      in children. Historical data indicate that clinical manifestations and the
      spectrum of etiologic agents vary greatly with geography, as well as
      socioeconomic affected populations. OBJECTIVE: To study the possible connection
      between socioeconomic status, the disease patterns and the variability of
      etiological agents. METHODS: We reviewed tinea capitis in China through
      literature since 1956. The disease pattern was correlated with economic and
      public health management protocols. Historical data on fungal identification were
      mostly obtained by morphology. The accuracy of these historical results was
      further confirmed by use of both morphological and ITS identification on a
      control set of 90 isolates collected recently from local hospital. RESULTS: Full
      agreement of the two identification methods implies that data from the literature
      were sufficiently reliable to allow comparison across reported cases. In sum, 88
      papers involving 25 administrative provinces and municipalities with 38,962
      clinical strains met the inclusion criteria of this review. Zoophilic species
      Microsporum canis is the most prevalent agent within large, modernized cities in
      China today accounting for over 80% of infections. In contrast, anthropophilic
      dermatophytes, particularly Trichophyton violaceum, are geographically endemic
      only in some southeastern and northwestern regions. CONCLUSION: Economic
      development and urbanization of cities favor a shift of etiological agents from
      anthroponoses to zoonoses in contemporary China. Pets are becoming the most
      likely sources of infection in modern lifestyles, replacing the earlier human-to
      human transmission mode. However, the latter transmission mode is still prevalent
      in less developed areas lacking adequate social and public health facilities.

PMID- 26260746
TI  - In vitro antifungal synergy between amphiphilic aminoglycoside K20 and azoles
      against Candida species and Cryptococcus neoformans.
AB  - Several azoles are widely used to treat human fungal infections. Increasing
      resistance to these azoles has prompted exploration of their synergistic
      antifungal activities when combined with other agents. The amphiphilic
      aminoglycoside, K20, was recently shown to inhibit filamentous fungi, yeasts and
      heterokonts, but not bacteria. In this study, in vitro synergistic growth
      inhibition by combinations of K20 and azoles (fluconazole, itraconazole,
      voriconazole, clotrimazole, or posaconazole) were examined against Candida
      species and Cryptococcus neoformans. Checkerboard microbroth dilution, time-kill
      curve, and disk diffusion assays revealed that K20 has synergistic inhibitory
      activities with all five azoles against C. albicans including azole-resistant C.
      albicans strains ATCC 64124 and ATCC 10231. Four (fluconazole, itraconazole,
      clotrimazole, posaconazole) and three (fluconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole)
      azoles were synergistically inhibitory with K20 against C. lusitaniae and C.
      tropicalis, respectively. Only posaconazole showed synergy with K20 against two
      Cryptococcus neoformans strains (90-26 and VR-54). Time-kill curves with azole
      resistant C. albicans 64124 and azole-sensitive C. albicans MYA-2876 confirmed
      the K20-azole synergistic interactions with a >= 2 log10 decrease in colony
      forming units (CFU)/ml compared with the corresponding azoles alone. These
      results suggest that combinations of K20 and azoles offer a possible strategy for
      developing therapies against candidiasis. 

PMID- 26260747
TI  - 3,4,5-Trimethoxycinnamic acid, one of the constituents of Polygalae Radix exerts
      anti-seizure effects by modulating GABAAergic systems in mice.
AB  - Polygalae Radix is an important medicinal plant that is widely used in most of
      Africa. 3,4,5-Trimethoxycinnamic acid (TMCA) is one of the constituents of
      Polygalae Radix. Until now, the mechanisms involved in the anti-seizure property
      of TMCA are still unclear. We examined the anti-seizure effect of TMCA. TMCA
      administered at doses of 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg and evaluated anti-seizure effects by
      maximal electroshock (MES) and pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) models in mice. TMCA
      administered at doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg significantly reduced the incidence of
      MES-induced tonic hindlimb extension (THE). TMCA significantly delayed the onset
      of myoclonic jerks (MJ), and decreased the seizure severity and mortality
      compared with the vehicle-treated animals in PTZ seizure model. TMCA 10 and 20
      mg/kg treated groups also did not determined generalized clonic seizures (GCS).
      Pretreatment with a GABAA/benzodiazepine (BZ) receptor antagonist flumazenil
      blocked the anti-seizure effects of TMCA. These data support the further
      investigation of TMCA as a GABAA/BZ receptor agonist for anti-seizure therapy. 

PMID- 26260748
TI  - Genistein reduces the noxious effects of in utero bisphenol A exposure on the rat
      prostate gland at weaning and in adulthood.
AB  - Bisphenol A (BPA) is one hormonally active chemical with potential deleterious
      effects on reproductive organs, including breast and prostate. In contrast,
      genistein (GEN) is the major phytoestrogen of soy that presents potential
      protective effects against hormone-dependent cancers, including that of the
      prostate. Thus, pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with BPA at 25 or 250
      MUg/kg/day by gavage from gestational day (GD) 10-21 with or without dietary GEN
      at 250 mg/kg/chow (~5.5 mg/kg/day). Then, male offspring from different litters
      were euthanized on post-natal day (PND) 21 and 180. At PND21, BPA 25 exposure
      induced early prostatic changes while dietary GEN attenuated some deleterious
      actions this xenoestrogen on epithelial cell proliferation levels, androgen
      receptor expression and prostatic architecture in male offspring. At PND180, a
      significant increase in incidence of prostatic multifocal inflammation/reactive
      hyperplasia and atypical hyperplasia were observed in male offspring from dams
      that received BPA 25. On the other hand, maternal GEN feeding attenuated some the
      adverse effects of BPA 25 on prostate disease at late-in-life. This way, the
      present findings point to preventive action of dietary GEN on deleterious effects
      of gestational BPA exposure in both early and late prostate development in
      offspring F1.

PMID- 26260749
TI  - Morphological and release characterization of nanoparticles formulated with poly
      (dl-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) and lupeol: In vitro permeability and modulator
      effect on NF-kappaB in Caco-2 cell system stimulated with TNF-alpha.
AB  - Lupeol exhibits anti-inflammatory effects; unfortunately it shows low water
      solubility. An alternative to overcome this is the development of nanomaterials.
      Several methods for nanomaterial production are available. One of them is
      emulsification/solvent-evaporation. The objective of the present work was to
      evaluate physical properties, transport and in vitro modulator effects on NF
      kappaB of poly (lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles loaded with lupeol.
      Nanonutraceuticals were prepared with 16% (w/v) of lupeol. Size distribution and
      morphology were measured by particle size analyzer and TEM. In vitro release of
      lupeol was studied by three different models: Higuchi, Siepmann & Peppas, and
      Power law. Transport of nanonutraceutical was studied in a Caco-2 cell model and
      by GC-MS. Modulator effect on NK-kappaB was studied by western blot analysis.
      Nanonutraceuticals were 10% larger than the nanoparticles without lupeol (372 vs
      337 nm) and presented a broader size distribution (0.28 vs 0.22). TEM results
      displayed spherical structures with a broader size distribution. Entrapment
      efficiency of lupeol was 64.54% and it in vitro release data fitted well to the
      Power law and Higuchi equation (R > 0.84-0.84). Strong regulation of NF-kappaB of
      nanonutraceutical was observed. It was not observed any transport across the Caco
      2 cell model at the different experimental conditions. 

PMID- 26260750
TI  - Acute and subacute pulmonary toxicity and mortality in mice after intratracheal
      instillation of ZnO nanoparticles in three laboratories.
AB  - Inhalation is the main pathway of ZnO exposure in the occupational environment
      but only few studies have addressed toxic effects after pulmonary exposure to ZnO
      nanoparticles (NP). Here we present results from three studies of pulmonary
      exposure and toxicity of ZnO NP in mice. The studies were prematurely terminated
      because interim results unexpectedly showed severe pulmonary toxicity. High bolus
      doses of ZnO NP (25 up to 100 MUg; >=1.4 mg/kg) were clearly associated with a
      dose dependent mortality in the mice. Lower doses (>=6 MUg; >=0.3 mg/kg) elicited
      acute toxicity in terms of reduced weight gain, desquamation of epithelial cells
      with concomitantly increased barrier permeability of the alveolar/blood as well
      as DNA damage. Oxidative stress was shown via a strong increase in lipid
      peroxidation and reduced glutathione in the pulmonary tissue. Two months post
      exposure revealed no obvious toxicity for 12.5 and 25 MUg on a range of
      parameters. However, mice that survived a high dose (50 MUg; 2.7 mg/kg) had an
      increased pulmonary collagen accumulation (fibrosis) at a similar level as a high
      bolus dose of crystalline silica. The recovery from these toxicological effects
      appeared dose-dependent. The results indicate that alveolar deposition of ZnO NP
      may cause significant adverse health effects. 

PMID- 26260751
TI  - Inverse relationship between elemental selenium nanoparticle size and inhibition
      of cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo.
AB  - Elemental selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) have been demonstrated to be equivalent
      to selenomethionine and methylselenocysteine in upregulating selenoenzymes;
      however, the toxicity of SeNPs is markedly lower than these two organic selenium
      compounds. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of SeNP size
      on cancer cell growth and ascertain whether production of reactive oxygen species
      (ROS) is implicated as a candidate mechanism of action. Two types of SeNPs
      (averaging 35 nm and 91 nm) were investigated. Cell accumulation was inhibited in
      vitro and in vivo in a manner inversely proportional to particle size. In vitro
      modeling experiments showed the reduction of SeNPs to be glutathione
      concentration dependent and to result in ROS formation. Both SeNP
      biotransformation and ROS production were size dependent, with the smaller SeNPs
      being more active, thereby suggesting that small-sized SeNPs are more effective
      in inhibiting cancer cell proliferation through an ROS mediated mechanism. 

PMID- 26260752
TI  - Risk Factors for Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infection in Areas with a High
      Prevalence of HCV in the Republic of Korea in 2013.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Busan,
      Gyeongnam, and Jeonnam Provinces in Korea is more than twice the national
      average. This study aimed to examine whether demographic and lifestyle
      characteristics are associated with HCV infection in these areas. METHODS: A case
      control study was performed at three study hospitals. HCV cases were matched with
      two controls for sex and age. Patient controls were selected from non-HCV
      patients at the same hospital. Healthy controls were subjects participating in
      medical checkups. Conditional logistic regression models were used. RESULTS: A
      total of 234 matched-case and patient- and healthy-control pairs were analyzed.
      The significant risk factors for both controls were sharing razors (adjusted odds
      ratio [aOR], 2.39 and 3.29, respectively) and having more than four lifetime
      sexual partners (aOR, 2.15 and 6.89, respectively). Contact dockworkers (aOR,
      1.91) and tattoos (aOR, 2.20) were significant risk factors for the patient
      controls. Transfusion (aOR, 5.38), a bloody operation (aOR, 5.02), acupuncture
      (aOR, 2.08), and piercing (aOR, 5.95) were significant risk factors for the
      healthy controls. Needle stick injuries and intravenous drug abuse were
      significant in the univariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: More education concerning
      the dangers of sharing razors, tattoos and piercings is required to prevent HCV
      infection. More attention should be paid to needle stick injuries in hospitals
      and the community.

PMID- 26260753
TI  - Incidence and Clinical Outcomes of Clostridium difficile Infection after
      Treatment with Tuberculosis Medication.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: To determine the incidence and clinical characteristics of
      tuberculosis (TB) medication-associated Clostridium difficile infection. METHODS:
      This multicenter study included patients from eight tertiary hospitals enrolled
      from 2008 to 2013. A retrospective analysis was conducted to identify the
      clinical features of C. difficile infection in patients who received TB
      medication. RESULTS: C. difficile infection developed in 54 of the 19,080
      patients prescribed TB medication, representing a total incidence of infection of
      2.83 cases per 1,000 adults. Fifty-one of the 54 patients (94.4%) were treated
      with rifampin. The patients were usually treated with oral metronidazole, which
      produced improvement in 47 of the 54 patients (87%). Twenty-three patients
      clinically improved with continuous rifampin therapy for C. difficile infection.
      There were no significant differences in improvement between patients treated
      continuously (n=21) and patients in whom treatment was discontinued (n=26).
      CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of C. difficile infection after TB medication was not
      low considering the relatively low TB medication dosage compared to other
      antibiotics. It may not be always necessary to discontinue TB medication.
      Instead, decisions concerning discontinuation of TB medication should be based on
      TB status.

PMID- 26260754
TI  - Does Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Plus Ascorbic Acid Induce More Mucosal Injuries
      than Split-Dose 4-L PEG during Bowel Preparation?
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aims of this study were to compare the bowel-cleansing
      efficacy, patient affinity for the preparation solution, and mucosal injury
      between a split dose of polyethylene glycol (SD-PEG) and low-volume PEG plus
      ascorbic acid (LV-PEG+Asc) in outpatient scheduled colonoscopies. METHODS: Of the
      319 patients, 160 were enrolled for SDPEG, and 159 for LV-PEG+Asc. The bowel
      cleansing efficacy was rated according to the Ottawa bowel preparation scale.
      Patient affinity for the preparation solution was assessed using a questionnaire.
      All mucosal injuries observed during colonoscopy were biopsied and
      histopathologically reviewed. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in
      bowel cleansing between the groups. The LV-PEG+Asc group reported better patient
      acceptance and preference. There were no significant differences in the incidence
      or characteristics of the mucosal injuries between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS:
      Compared with SD-PEG, LV-PEG+Asc exhibited equivalent bowel-cleansing efficacy
      and resulted in improved patient acceptance and preference. There was no
      significant difference in mucosal injury between SD-PEG and LV-PEG+Asc. Thus, the
      LV-PEG+Asc preparation could be used more effectively and easily for routine
      colonoscopies without risking significant mucosal injury.

PMID- 26260755
TI  - Prevalence and Factors Associated with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in a
      Nonobese Korean Population.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an emerging problem
      in Asia, but little is known about the disease in the nonobese population. The
      aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence of NAFLD and the factors
      associated with it in a nonobese Korean population and to compare the clinical
      characteristics of nonobese and obese subjects with NAFLD. METHODS: This cross
      sectional study used data from 2,058 subjects who participated in a medical
      checkup program. RESULTS: The prevalence of NAFLD was 12.4% (213/1,711) in the
      nonobese population. A higher body mass index (BMI), higher homeostasis model
      assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) values, higher alanine
      aminotransferase (ALT) levels, triglyceride concentrations >=150 mg/dL, and
      hyperuricemia were independently associated with the presence of NAFLD in the
      nonobese subjects. Compared with the obese subjects with NAFLD, the nonobese
      subjects with NAFLD were composed of a higher proportion of females and had lower
      BMIs, smaller waist circumferences, lower HOMA-IR values, and fewer metabolic
      irregularities. CONCLUSIONS: Higher BMIs, HOMA-IR values, ALT levels,
      hypertriglyceridemia, and hyperuricemia were associated with NAFLD in the
      nonobese subjects. Clinicians should be particularly aware of the possibility of
      NAFLD in nonobese Asian people.

PMID- 26260756
TI  - Visceral Obesity Is Associated with Gallbladder Polyps.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Gallbladder polyps (GBP) are a common clinical finding and may
      possess malignant potential. We conducted this study to determine whether
      visceral obesity is a risk factor for GBP. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed
      records of subjects who received both ultrasonography and computed tomography
      with measurements of the areas of visceral adipose tissue and total adipose
      tissue (TAT) on the same day as health checkups. RESULTS: Ninety-three of 1,615
      subjects (5.8%) had GBP and were compared with 186 age- and sex-matched controls.
      VAT (odds ratio [OR], 2.941; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.325 to 6.529;
      p=0.008 for the highest quartile vs. the lowest quartile) and TAT (OR, 3.568; 95%
      CI, 1.625 to 7.833; p=0.002 for the highest quartile vs. the lowest quartile)
      were independent risk factors together with hypertension (OR, 2.512; 95% CI,
      1.381 to 4.569; p=0.003), diabetes mellitus (OR, 2.942; 95% CI, 1.061 to 8.158;
      p=0.038), hepatitis B virus positivity (OR, 3.548; 95% CI, 1.295 to 9.716;
      p=0.014), and a higher level of total cholesterol (OR, 2.232; 95% CI, 1.043 to
      4.778; p=0.039 for. CONCLUSIONS: Visceral obesity measured by VAT and TAT was
      associated with GBP irrespective of body mass index or waist circumference.

PMID- 26260757
TI  - Endoscopic Findings of Enteropathy-Associated T-Cell Lymphoma Type II: A Case
      Series.
AB  - Enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma (EATL) is a rare extranodal T-cell
      lymphoma arising from the intestine. Two types of EATL have been reported. In
      contrast to the classic EATL type I, EATL type II occurs sporadically, is
      unrelated to celiac disease, and comprises 10% to 20% of all EATL cases. A total
      of five cases of EATL type II were diagnosed at our clinic from January 2009 to
      September 2012. Four of the five patients were diagnosed with the help of
      endoscopy. Among the four patients, two of the cases involved both the small and
      large intestines, whereas in the other two patients, EATL was limited to the
      small intestine. Common endoscopic findings included innumerable fine
      granularities (also called mosaic mucosal patterns) and diffuse thickening of the
      mucosa with a semicircular shallow ulceration in the lesions of the small bowel.
      In contrast, the endoscopic findings of the colon were nonspecific and could not
      distinguish EATL type II from other diseases. There are only few published
      reports regarding the representative endoscopic findings of EATL. Here, we
      present the clinical and endoscopic findings of four cases of EATL type II
      diagnosed by endoscopy.

PMID- 26260758
TI  - Hydroxychloroquine neuromyotoxicity: a case with rapid course and complete
      recovery.

PMID- 26260759
TI  - Endovascular treatment of cerebellar arteriovenous malformations: management of
      associated aneurysms first or later.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to determine the safety and effectiveness of
      cerebellar arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) embolization and find out the
      suitable methods to manage associated aneurysms. Medical records of all patients
      between 1997 and 2014 with a diagnosis of cerebellar AVMs were retrospectively
      reviewed. Univariable and multivariable logistic analysis were used to assess
      AVMs characteristics to calculate for the risk of hemorrhage. Endovascular
      treatment was the main treatment measure to manage the AVMs and associated
      aneurysms. Of 142 patients, 115 (81.0 %) presented with hemorrhage and 42 (29.6
      %) with associated aneurysms. A significant association with cerebellar AVMs
      hemorrhage was found for small size, prenidal aneurysms, and deep venous drainage
      in the univariable and multivariable analysis. Associated aneurysms were treated
      firstly in 41 patients except for 1 patient with 2 prenidal and 2 intranidal
      aneurysms. The special case was dealt with AVMs and 2 intranidal aneurysms first
      and angiography showed that the 2 prenidal associated aneurysms disappeared with
      time. Hemorrhage appeared in 13/142 patients (9.2 %) during the follow-up period,
      none of which was with associated aneurysms. Endovascular treatment can be a
      feasible way for treating cerebellar AVMs. Intranidal associated aneurysms should
      be treated first. Prenidal associated aneurysms can be treated later depending on
      the angioarchitecture of AVMs.

PMID- 26260760
TI  - The organization of domains in proteins obeys Menzerath-Altmann's law of
      language.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The combination of domains in multidomain proteins enhances their
      function and structure but lengthens the molecules and increases their cost at
      cellular level. METHODS: The dependence of domain length on the number of domains
      a protein holds was surveyed for a set of 60 proteomes representing free-living
      organisms from all kingdoms of life. Distributions were fitted using non-linear
      functions and fitted parameters interpreted with a formulation of decreasing
      returns. RESULTS: We find that domain length decreases with increasing number of
      domains in proteins, following the Menzerath-Altmann (MA) law of language. Highly
      significant negative correlations exist for the set of proteomes examined.
      Mathematically, the MA law expresses as a power law relationship that unfolds
      when molecular persistence P is a function of domain accretion. P holds two
      terms, one reflecting the matter-energy cost of adding domains and extending
      their length, the other reflecting how domain length and number impinges on
      information and biophysics. The pattern of diminishing returns can therefore be
      explained as a frustrated interplay between the strategies of economy,
      flexibility and robustness, matching previously observed trade-offs in the domain
      makeup of proteomes. Proteomes of Archaea, Fungi and to a lesser degree Plants
      show the largest push towards molecular economy, each at their own economic
      stratum. Fungi increase domain size in single domain proteins while reinforcing
      the pattern of diminishing returns. In contrast, Metazoa, and to lesser degrees
      Protista and Bacteria, relax economy. Metazoa achieves maximum flexibility and
      robustness by harboring compact molecules and complex domain organization,
      offering a new functional vocabulary for molecular biology. CONCLUSIONS: The
      tendency of parts to decrease their size when systems enlarge is universal for
      language and music, and now for parts of macromolecules, extending the MA law to
      natural systems.

PMID- 26260761
TI  - Nutrition in remote Aboriginal communities: lessons from Mai Wiru and the Anangu
      Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of efforts to improve nutrition on the Anangu
      Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands from 1986, especially in Mai Wiru
      (good food) stores. METHODS: Multiple methods were employed. Literature was
      searched systematically. In 2012, the store-turnover method quantified dietary
      intake of the five APY communities that have a Mai Wiru store. The price of a
      standard market basket of basic foods, implementation of store nutrition policy
      requirements and healthy food checklists were also assessed in all seven APY
      community stores at intervals from 2012. Results were compared with available
      data from 1986. RESULTS: Despite concerted efforts and marked achievements,
      including decreased intake of sugar, increased availability and affordability of
      healthy foods (particularly fruit and vegetables) and consequent improvement in
      some nutrient intakes, the overall effect has been a decrease in total diet
      quality since 1986. This is characterised by increased supply and intake of
      discretionary foods high in saturated fat, added sugar and salt, particularly
      sugar sweetened beverages, convenience meals and take-away foods. CONCLUSIONS:
      The documented improvements confirm that residing in these communities can help
      Aboriginal residents exert control over key aspects of their food supply.
      However, the overall findings reflect broader changes to the general Australian
      food supply, and reinforce the notion that, in the absence of supportive
      regulation and market intervention, adequate and sustained resources are required
      to improve nutrition and prevent diet-related chronic disease on the APY Lands.
      IMPLICATIONS: This study also provides insights into food supply/security issues
      affecting other remote communities and wider Australia.

PMID- 26260762
TI  - Bone: Targeting myostatin could prevent bone destruction in inflammatory
      arthritis.

PMID- 26260763
TI  - Therapy. Optimized treatment algorithms for digital vasculopathy in SSc.
AB  - Early identification of secondary Raynaud phenomenon is essential to treat the
      underlying disease-most frequently systemic sclerosis (SSc). Integrated
      therapeutic approaches and monitoring systems that offer improved modalities of
      care feature in the new best practice recommendations for the treatment of
      digital vasculopathy in SSc.

PMID- 26260764
TI  - Calcifying ghost cell odontogenic tumor (CGCOT) with predominance of clear cells:
      a case report with important diagnostic considerations.
AB  - An 18-year-old female reported painful swelling in the left maxillary region 4
      months after the extraction of tooth #15. Because incisional biopsy suggested
      ameloblastoma with clear-cell changes, segmental resection was performed. The
      microscopic examination of the excised tissue revealed histomorphologic
      diversity, with features of typical calcifying ghost cell odontogenic tumor
      (CGCOT) and a significant clear-cell component constituting more than 50% of the
      tumor mass without any features of malignancy. Clear cells were periodic acid
      Schiff (PAS) positive and mucicarmine negative. CK19 was strongly positive in the
      solid tumor islands and variably positive in clear cells. A definitive diagnosis
      of CGCOT with predominance of clear cells was confirmed. Because both squamous
      metaplasia and clear-cell components were present in the ameloblastic follicles
      independent of each other, the presence of abundant calcifications favored the
      diagnosis of CGCOT with a clear-cell component over that of an ameloblastoma with
      clear-cell changes. The importance of identifying the histomorphologic features
      of the 2 entities, ameloblastoma and CGCOT, is highlighted. This appears to be
      the second case reported in the literature, to the best of our knowledge.

PMID- 26260765
TI  - Mucosal melanoma of the head and neck: recurrence characteristics and survival
      outcomes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to review oncologic outcomes and recurrence
      characteristics of head and neck mucosal melanomas (HNMMs) managed at a tertiary
      referral center. STUDY DESIGN: Clinical records of 10 patients who were managed
      for HNMMs between 2001 and 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The
      median age was 66 years (range 28-76 years) and male/female (M/F) ratio was 1:5.
      The 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) rates and overall survival (OS) rates were
      11.7% and 35%, respectively; and the 5-year DFS rates and OS rates 11.7% and
      23.3%, respectively. The median DFS and OS periods were 12 months (range 2-36
      months) and 17 months (range 7-96 months), respectively. The rates of development
      of local, regional, and systemic recurrences were 20%, 50%, and 80%,
      respectively. Lungs were involved in all patients who had distant metastasis.
      CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that HNMMs has a very aggressive course and that
      distant metastases are common. For this reason, systemic control of the disease
      is an important aim of treatment.

PMID- 26260766
TI  - Carotid calcifications on panoramic radiographs: a 5-year follow-up study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine whether people with
      calcifications in the area of the carotid arteries on panoramic radiographs
      (CALPANs) have an increased prevalence of vascular risk factors or an increased
      risk of future vascular events. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included 113
      consecutive patients with CALPANs and 116 gender- and age-matched controls
      without CALPANs. Vascular risk factors were generally known in the study
      population, since it was recorded in a population-based community-screening
      program. RESULTS: Patients with CALPANs had a higher prevalence of vascular risk
      factors than controls independent of previous vascular events. During the 5.4
      year follow-up, patients with CALPANs had a higher risk of a combined endpoint of
      vascular events (5.6%/yr) compared with the controls (2.4%/yr) (P = .004 by log
      rank test; unadjusted hazard ratio (HR) 2.4; 95% CI 1.3-4.3). This difference was
      not significant when previous vascular events and risk factors were taken into
      account (adjusted HR; 1.2; 95% CI 0.6-2.3; P = .62; Cox regression). CONCLUSIONS:
      People with CALPANs are very likely to have vascular risk factors, but these
      factors might be unknown when CALPANs are detected. Accordingly, patients with
      CALPANs should be advised to have their vascular risk factors regularly checked
      in order to receive advice on preventive lifestyle modifications and medical
      treatment when indicated. However, it remains unknown whether CALPANs add
      information about the independent risk of future vascular events. Therefore,
      further studies are warranted to investigate whether the detection of CALPANs
      indicates a need for additional or more intense vascular treatment.

PMID- 26260767
TI  - A quick eye to anger: An investigation of a differential effect of facial
      features in detecting angry and happy expressions.
AB  - Detection of angry and happy faces is generally found to be easier and faster
      than that of faces expressing emotions other than anger or happiness. This can be
      explained by the threatening account and the feature account. Few empirical
      studies have explored the interaction between these two accounts which are
      seemingly, but not necessarily, mutually exclusive. The present studies
      hypothesised that prominent facial features are important in facilitating the
      detection process of both angry and happy expressions; yet the detection of happy
      faces was more facilitated by the prominent features than angry faces. Results
      confirmed the hypotheses and indicated that participants reacted faster to the
      emotional expressions with prominent features (in Study 1) and the detection of
      happy faces was more facilitated by the prominent feature than angry faces (in
      Study 2). The findings are compatible with evolutionary speculation which
      suggests that the angry expression is an alarming signal of potential threats to
      survival. Compared to the angry faces, the happy faces need more salient physical
      features to obtain a similar level of processing efficiency.

PMID- 26260768
TI  - Metabolic engineering of Escherichia coli for the production of 1,3
      diaminopropane, a three carbon diamine.
AB  - Bio-based production of chemicals from renewable resources is becoming
      increasingly important for sustainable chemical industry. In this study,
      Escherichia coli was metabolically engineered to produce 1,3-diaminopropane (1,3
      DAP), a monomer for engineering plastics. Comparing heterologous C4 and C5
      pathways for 1,3-DAP production by genome-scale in silico flux analysis revealed
      that the C4 pathway employing Acinetobacter baumannii dat and ddc genes, encoding
      2-ketoglutarate 4-aminotransferase and L-2,4-diaminobutanoate decarboxylase,
      respectively, was the more efficient pathway. In a strain that has feedback
      resistant aspartokinases, the ppc and aspC genes were overexpressed to increase
      flux towards 1,3-DAP synthesis. Also, studies on 128 synthetic small RNAs applied
      in gene knock-down revealed that knocking out pfkA increases 1,3-DAP production.
      Overexpression of ppc and aspC genes in the pfkA deleted strain resulted in
      production titers of 1.39 and 1.35 g l(-1) of 1,3-DAP, respectively. Fed-batch
      fermentation of the final engineered E. coli strain allowed production of 13 g l(
      1) of 1,3-DAP in a glucose minimal medium. 

PMID- 26260769
TI  - Effects of pre-slaughter showering and ventilation on stress, meat quality and
      metabolite concentrations of broilers in summer.
AB  - Effects of pre-slaughter showering and ventilation on stress, meat quality and
      energy metabolism of broilers in summer were investigated. After transport, 84
      Arbor Acres broilers were randomly divided into four treatment groups: (i)
      control group without ventilation and showering (C); (ii) 10 min ventilation
      without showering (VWS); (iii) 10 min showering without ventilation (SWV); (iv) 5
      min showering and then 5 min ventilation (SV). Compared with the control group,
      plasma lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase activities in the other three
      treatment groups were (P < 0.05) lower; however, the plasma glucose level did not
      show any significant changes among all the groups. The breast meat in the SV
      group had significantly (P < 0.05) higher pHu , glycogen content, lower L*,
      DeltapH, drip loss, cook loss, R-value and lactate content than the control
      group; however, there was no significant difference in shear force values among
      all the groups. In conclusion, this study indicated broilers in the SV group
      showed a lower stress level and greater meat quality, which suggest that
      showering and ventilation after transportation may be a good measure to relieve
      stress caused by transport under high temperature and improve the meat quality of
      broilers.

PMID- 26260770
TI  - Genomic study of congenital insensitivity to pain provides new avenues for the
      development of analgesics.

PMID- 26260772
TI  - The effect of surgical timing on the outcome of patients with neck of femur
      fracture.
AB  - AIMS: To investigate the effect of surgical timing (in hours versus after hours
      and weekdays versus weekends) on the outcome of patients with neck of femur
      fracture. METHODS: Patients who were admitted to a single tertiary referral
      hospital for surgical management of femoral neck fractures over a continuous
      period from 1/11/2002 to 12/7/2012 were identified from medical records and the
      operating theatre database. RESULTS: A consecutive series of 2334 patients were
      included in the study. Of the patients who underwent surgery during the weekday
      and during usual hours, 18% (207/1135) experienced an adverse event, compared to
      16% (193/1199) outside of these times. The difference between the two groups was
      not significant (p = 0.17). The same conclusion was made for the comparison
      between those who had surgery during the week with those who had surgery on the
      weekend (17%, 267/1546 and 17%, 133/788, respectively, p > 0.05). The proportion
      of patients who underwent surgery during hours that experienced an adverse event
      was significantly higher than those undergoing surgery out of hours (18%,
      327/1789 and 13%, 73/545, respectively, p = 0.0081). When adjusted for age, ASA
      score and pre-operative stay, there was no statistical difference between those
      different sub-groups. CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference in the rates of
      adverse events between patients who had surgery during hours and weekdays with
      those who had surgery after hours or weekends. The careful selection of patients
      with appropriate hospital staff, resources and adequate theatre access, surgery
      during after hours and weekends may be safely considered to prevent a delay in
      surgical treatment for patient with neck of femur fracture.

PMID- 26260773
TI  - Resolving bundled microtubules using anti-tubulin nanobodies.
AB  - Microtubules are hollow biopolymers of 25-nm diameter and are key constituents of
      the cytoskeleton. In neurons, microtubules are organized differently between
      axons and dendrites, but their precise organization in different compartments is
      not completely understood. Super-resolution microscopy techniques can detect
      specific structures at an increased resolution, but the narrow spacing between
      neuronal microtubules poses challenges because most existing labelling strategies
      increase the effective microtubule diameter by 20-40 nm and will thereby blend
      neighbouring microtubules into one structure. Here we develop single-chain
      antibody fragments (nanobodies) against tubulin to achieve super-resolution
      imaging of microtubules with a decreased apparent diameter. To test the resolving
      power of these novel probes, we generate microtubule bundles with a known spacing
      of 50-70 nm and successfully resolve individual microtubules. Individual bundled
      microtubules can also be resolved in different mammalian cells, including
      hippocampal neurons, allowing novel insights into fundamental mechanisms of
      microtubule organization in cell- and neurobiology. 

PMID- 26260774
TI  - The effects of laser repetition rate on femtosecond laser ablation of dry bone: a
      thermal and LIBS study.
AB  - The aim of this study is to understand the effect of varying laser repetition
      rate on thermal energy accumulation and dissipation as well as femtosecond Laser
      Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (fsLIBS) signals, which may help create the
      framework for clinical translation of femtosecond lasers for surgical procedures.
      We study the effect of repetition rates on ablation widths, sample temperature,
      and LIBS signal of bone. SEM images were acquired to quantify the morphology of
      the ablated volume and fsLIBS was performed to characterize changes in signal
      intensity and background. We also report for the first time experimentally
      measured temperature distributions of bone irradiated with femtosecond lasers at
      repetition rates below and above carbonization conditions. While high repetition
      rates would allow for faster cutting, heat accumulation exceeds heat dissipation
      and results in carbonization of the sample. At repetition rates where
      carbonization occurs, the sample temperature increases to a level that is well
      above the threshold for irreversible cellular damage. These results highlight the
      importance of the need for careful selection of the repetition rate for a
      femtosecond laser surgery procedure to minimize the extent of thermal damage to
      surrounding tissues and prevent misclassification of tissue by fsLIBS analysis. 

PMID- 26260775
TI  - The Brakeless co-regulator can directly activate and repress transcription in
      early Drosophila embryos.
AB  - The Brakeless protein performs many important functions during Drosophila
      development, but how it controls gene expression is poorly understood. We
      previously showed that Brakeless can function as a transcriptional co-repressor.
      In this work, we perform transcriptional profiling of brakeless mutant embryos.
      Unexpectedly, the majority of affected genes are down-regulated in brakeless
      mutants. We demonstrate that genomic regions in close proximity to some of these
      genes are occupied by Brakeless, that over-expression of Brakeless causes a
      reciprocal effect on expression of these genes, and that Brakeless remains an
      activator of the genes upon fusion to an activation domain. Together, our results
      show that Brakeless can both repress and activate gene expression. A yeast two
      hybrid screen identified the Mediator complex subunit Med19 as interacting with
      an evolutionarily conserved part of Brakeless. Both down- and up-regulated
      Brakeless target genes are also affected in Med19-depleted embryos, but only down
      regulated targets are influenced in embryos depleted of both Brakeless and Med19.
      Our data provide support for a Brakeless activator function that regulates
      transcription by interacting with Med19. We conclude that the transcriptional co
      regulator Brakeless can either activate or repress transcription depending on
      context.

PMID- 26260776
TI  - Prediction of response to preoperative chemoradiotherapy and establishment of
      individualized therapy in advanced rectal cancer.
AB  - Preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) has become the standard treatment for
      patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. However, no specific biomarker has
      been identified to predict a response to preoperative CRT. The aim of the present
      study was to assess the gene expression patterns of patients with advanced rectal
      cancer to predict their responses to preoperative CRT. Fifty-nine rectal cancer
      patients were subjected to preoperative CRT. Patients were randomly assigned to
      receive CRT with tegafur/gimeracil/oteracil (S-1 group, n=30) or tegafur-uracil
      (UFT group, n=29). Gene expression changes were studied with cDNA and miRNA
      microarray. The association between gene expression and response to CRT was
      evaluated. cDNA microarray showed that 184 genes were significantly
      differentially expressed between the responders and the non-responders in the S-1
      group. Comparatively, 193 genes were significantly differentially expressed in
      the responders in the UFT group. TBX18 upregulation was common to both groups
      whereas BTNL8, LOC375010, ADH1B, HRASLS2, LOC284232, GCNT3 and ALDH1A2 were
      significantly differentially lower in both groups when compared with the non
      responders. Using miRNA microarray, we found that 7 and 16 genes were
      significantly differentially expressed between the responders and non-responders
      in the S-1 and UFT groups, respectively. miR-223 was significantly higher in the
      responders in the S-1 group and tended to be higher in the responders in the UFT
      group. The present study identified several genes likely to be useful for
      establishing individualized therapies for patients with rectal cancer.

PMID- 26260778
TI  - Can biosemiotics be a "science" if its purpose is to be a bridge between the
      natural, social and human sciences?
AB  - Central to the attempt to develop a biosemiotics has been the discussion of what
      it means to be scientific. In Marcello Barbieri's latest argument for leaving
      Peircean biosemiotics and creating an alternative code-biology the definition of
      what it means to be scientific plays a major role. For Barbieri "scientific
      knowledge is obtained by building machine-like models of what we observe in
      nature". Barbieri interestingly claims that - in combination with the empirical
      and experimental basis - mechanism is virtually equivalent to the scientific
      method. The consequences of this statement seem to be that the optimal type of
      knowledge science can produce about living system is to model them as machines.
      But the explicit goal of a Peircean semiotically based biosemiotics is (also) to
      model living systems as cognitive and communicative systems working on the basis
      of meaning and signification. These two concepts are not part of the mechanistic
      models of natural science today, not even of cognitive science. Barbieri tries to
      solve this problem by introducing a new concept of biological meaning that is
      separate from the Peircean biosemiotics and then add Peirce's semiotics on top.
      This article argues why this view is inconsistent on the grounds that Peirce's
      semiotic paradigm only gives meaning in its pragmaticist conception of a
      fallibilist view of science, which again is intrinsic connected to its non
      mechanistic metaphysics of Tychism, Synechism and Agapism. The core of the
      biosemiotic enterprise is to establish another type of trans- and
      interdisciplinary wissenschaft than the received view of "science". 

PMID- 26260777
TI  - A prospective analysis of diet quality and endometrial cancer among 84,415
      postmenopausal women in the Women's Health Initiative.
AB  - PURPOSE: Endometrial cancer is the most commonly diagnosed gynecologic cancer,
      but no convincing dietary risk factors for this cancer have been identified.
      Among postmenopausal women, we examined how four key a priori diet quality
      indices--the Healthy Eating Index-2010, Alternative Healthy Eating Index-2010,
      alternate Mediterranean Diet, and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension are
      related to the risk of endometrial cancer in the Women's Health Initiative
      Clinical Trials and Observational Study. METHODS: Our prospective cohort study
      included 84,415 postmenopausal women with a uterus who completed a food frequency
      questionnaire at enrollment. Cox proportional hazards models were used to
      estimate multivariate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for
      endometrial cancer associated with increasing quintiles of diet quality index
      scores. RESULTS: During 13.3 years of follow-up, 1392 endometrial cancer cases
      occurred. After adjustment for known risk factors, having better diet quality (Q5
      vs. Q1) was not associated with the risk of endometrial cancer, as evidenced
      using Healthy Eating Index-2010 (HR: 1.11, 95% CI: 0.93-1.33), Alternative
      Healthy Eating Index-2010 (HR: 0.98, 95% CI: 0.82-1.17), alternate Mediterranean
      Diet (HR: 0.98, 95% CI: 0.82-1.17), or Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension
      (HR: 1.00, 95% CI: 0.84-1.19). CONCLUSIONS: Diet quality was not associated with
      endometrial cancer risk in this large cohort of postmenopausal women.

PMID- 26260779
TI  - Semiosis stems from logical incompatibility in organic nature: Why biophysics
      does not see meaning, while biosemiotics does.
AB  - We suggest here a model of the origin of the phenomenal world via the
      naturalization of logical conflict or incompatibility (which is broader than, but
      includes logical contradiction). Physics rules out the reality of meaning because
      of the method of formalization, which requires that logical conflicts cannot be
      part of the model. We argue that (a) meaning-making requires a logical conflict;
      (b) logical conflict assumes a phenomenal present; (c) phenomenological specious
      present occurs in living systems as widely as meaning-making; (d) it is possible
      to provide a physiological description of a system in which the phenomenal
      present appears and choices are made; (e) logical conflict, or incompatibility
      itself, is the mechanism of intentionality; (f) meaning-making is assured by
      scaffolding, which is a product of earlier choices, or decision-making, or
      interpretation. This model can be seen as a model of semiosis. It also allows
      putting physiology and phenomenology (or physics and semiotics) into a natural
      connection. 

PMID- 26260780
TI  - Rumination-focused cognitive behaviour therapy vs. cognitive behaviour therapy
      for depression: study protocol for a randomised controlled superiority trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cognitive behavioural therapy is an effective treatment for
      depression. However, one third of the patients do not respond satisfactorily, and
      relapse rates of around 30 % within the first post-treatment year were reported
      in a recent meta-analysis. In total, 30-50 % of remitted patients present with
      residual symptoms by the end of treatment. A common residual symptom is
      rumination, a process of recurrent negative thinking and dwelling on negative
      affect. Rumination has been demonstrated as a major factor in vulnerability to
      depression, predicting the onset, severity, and duration of future depression.
      Rumination-focused cognitive behavioural therapy is a psychotherapeutic treatment
      targeting rumination. Because rumination plays a major role in the initiation and
      maintenance of depression, targeting rumination with rumination-focused cognitive
      behavioural therapy may be more effective in treating depression and reducing
      relapse than standard cognitive behavioural therapy. METHOD/DESIGN: This study is
      a two-arm pragmatic randomised controlled superiority trial comparing the
      effectiveness of group-based rumination-focused cognitive behaviour therapy with
      the effectiveness of group-based cognitive behavioural therapy for treatment of
      depression. One hundred twenty-eight patients with depression will be recruited
      from and given treatment in an outpatient service at a psychiatric hospital in
      Denmark. Our primary outcome will be severity of depressive symptoms (Hamilton
      Rating Scale for Depression) at completion of treatment. Secondary outcomes will
      be level of rumination, worry, anxiety, quality of life, behavioural activation,
      experimental measures of cognitive flexibility, and emotional attentional bias. A
      6-month follow-up is planned and will include the primary outcome measure and
      assessment of relapse. DISCUSSION: The clinical outcome of this trial may guide
      clinicians to decide on the merits of including rumination-focused cognitive
      behavioural therapy in the treatment of depression in outpatient services. TRIAL
      REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02278224 , registered 28 Oct.
      2014.

PMID- 26260781
TI  - Mutations of TSHR and TP53 Genes in an Aggressive Clear Cell Follicular Carcinoma
      of the Thyroid.
AB  - Clear cell follicular carcinoma is a rare type of thyroid cancer and some with
      aggressive biological behavior. The cytoplasmic clearing of the neoplastic cells
      has been attributed to the accumulation of various substances, such as glycogen,
      lipid, mucin, and thyroglobulin, or distension of mitochondria or endoplasmic
      reticulum. However, the molecular mechanisms responsible for the characteristic
      appearance of the cell cytoplasm and the biological behavior remain unknown. We
      report here a case of aggressive clear cell follicular carcinoma of the thyroid
      with molecular profile using targeted next generation sequencing (NGS) that
      presented as a metastatic tumor in a woman with a history of breast carcinoma.
      The NGS data revealed the coexisting of a well-characterized loss-of-function
      TP53 R248Q mutation and a putative gain-of-function mutation of TSHR L272V, which
      was suggested by the overexpression of thyroglobulin and SLC5A5 (NIS) genes in
      this tumor. TP53 mutations are usually related with dedifferentiation,
      progression, and metastasis of thyroid carcinomas. Identification of TP53 R248Q
      in this tumor correlated with its aggressive clinical behavior. Gain-of-function
      mutation of TSHR can overstimulate the thyroid follicular cells as the elevated
      level of TSH does and might have contributed to the development of clear cell
      morphology in this tumor. This report represents the first case of clear cell
      follicular carcinoma of the thyroid with NGS analysis and more molecular
      characterization is needed to elucidate the pathogenesis and provide more
      prognosis-relevant information for this uncommon variant of thyroid carcinomas. 

PMID- 26260782
TI  - Computational modeling to predict nitrogen balance during acute metabolic
      decompensation in patients with urea cycle disorders.
AB  - Nutritional management of acute metabolic decompensation in amino acid inborn
      errors of metabolism (AA IEM) aims to restore nitrogen balance. While nutritional
      recommendations have been published, they have never been rigorously evaluated.
      Furthermore, despite these recommendations, there is a wide variation in the
      nutritional strategies employed amongst providers, particularly regarding the
      inclusion of parenteral lipids for protein-free caloric support. Since randomized
      clinical trials during acute metabolic decompensation are difficult and
      potentially dangerous, mathematical modeling of metabolism can serve as a
      surrogate for the preclinical evaluation of nutritional interventions aimed at
      restoring nitrogen balance during acute decompensation in AA IEM. A validated
      computational model of human macronutrient metabolism was adapted to predict
      nitrogen balance in response to various nutritional interventions in a simulated
      patient with a urea cycle disorder (UCD) during acute metabolic decompensation
      due to dietary non-adherence or infection. The nutritional interventions were
      constructed from published recommendations as well as clinical anecdotes.
      Overall, dextrose alone (DEX) was predicted to be better at restoring nitrogen
      balance and limiting nitrogen excretion during dietary non-adherence and
      infection scenarios, suggesting that the published recommended nutritional
      strategy involving dextrose and parenteral lipids (ISO) may be suboptimal. The
      implications for patients with AA IEM are that the medical course during acute
      metabolic decompensation may be influenced by the choice of protein-free caloric
      support. These results are also applicable to intensive care patients undergoing
      catabolism (postoperative phase or sepsis), where parenteral nutritional support
      aimed at restoring nitrogen balance may be more tailored regarding metabolic fuel
      selection. 

PMID- 26260783
TI  - Stability of Uncemented Cups - Long-Term Effect of Screws, Pegs and HA Coating: A
      14-Year RSA Follow-Up of Total Hip Arthroplasty.
AB  - Screws, pegs and hydroxyapatite-coating are used to enhance the primary stability
      of uncemented cups. We present a 14-year follow-up of 48 hips randomized to four
      groups: press-fit only, press-fit plus screws, press-fit plus pegs and
      hydroxyapatite-coated cups. Radiostereometric migration measurements showed
      equally good stability regardless cup augmentation. The mean wear rate was high,
      0.21 mm/year, with no differences between the groups. Seven hips had
      radiographical osteolysis but only in hips with augmented cups. Cups without
      screw-holes compared with cups with screw-holes resulted in better clinical
      outcome at the 14-year follow-up. Thus, augmentation of uncemented cups with
      screws, pegs, or hydroxyapatite did not appear to improve the long-term stability
      compared with press-fit only.

PMID- 26260784
TI  - Teriparatide Versus Alendronate for the Preservation of Bone Mineral Density
      After Total Hip Arthroplasty - A randomized Controlled Trial.
AB  - In this study, the effect of teriparatide for the prevention of bone mineral
      density (BMD) loss after THA was compared with alendronate in a randomized
      controlled trial. Forty-eight patients were assigned to three groups, namely, the
      teriparatide, alendronate, and no medication groups. Dual-energy x-ray
      absorptiometry (DEXA) was performed at 1 week post-surgery as a baseline
      reference, followed by subsequent measurements at 12, 24, and 48 weeks
      postoperatively. For periprosthetic BMD loss, a significant effect of
      teriparatide was demonstrated, though its effect was similar to alendronate. On
      the other hand, higher lumbar BMD was observed in the teriparatide group than in
      the alendronate group at 48 weeks post-surgery. Teriparatide administration may
      be one reasonable option for osteoporotic patient to preserve the periprosthetic
      BMD after THA.

PMID- 26260786
TI  - Illness representations and psychological adjustment of Greek couples dealing
      with a recently-diagnosed cancer: dyadic, interaction and perception
      dissimilarity effects.
AB  - The aim was to examine the impact of the dyadic, interaction and dissimilarity
      effects of the illness representations on the psychological health of recently
      diagnosed cancer patients and spouses in Greece. The sample consisted of 298
      individuals nested in 149 couples. Effects were examined with the Actor-Partner
      Interdependence Model. Both actor (i.e., within person) and partner (i.e.,
      between partners) effects were detected for both patients' and spouses'
      psychological symptoms. The negative association of patients' psychological
      symptoms with their representations of illness coherence was weak at the higher
      and medium levels, and stronger at the lower levels of spouse corresponding
      representations. Patient-partner discrepancy in perceived illness consequences
      was associated with more psychological symptoms in patients. Adaptation to cancer
      is a dyadic process within the context of which patient and partner psychological
      well-being is affected by each other's understanding of illness. Thus, the
      parallel examination of the illness representations of both partners is needed
      from the early phases of the illness trajectory. 

PMID- 26260785
TI  - Long-Term Results of Total Hip Arthroplasty with 28-Millimeter Cobalt-Chromium
      Femoral Heads on Highly Cross-Linked Polyethylene in Patients 50 Years and Less.
AB  - Highly cross-linked polyethylene (HXLPE) is the most commonly used bearing
      surface in total hip arthroplasty (THA) because of its superior wear properties,
      but long-term results in young patients are limited. We report on the clinical
      outcome, radiographic wear patterns and survivorship of 72 patients <=50 years
      old who had a 28-millimeter cobalt-chromium femoral head on HXLPE acetabular
      liner. Mean and median true linear wear rates at average ten-year follow-up were
      0.0104 and 0.01 mm per year +/- 0.07 mm. Mean and median two-dimensional
      volumetric wear rates were 12.79 mm(3) and 5.834 mm(3) per year +/- 26.1mm(3) as
      determined by Martell analysis. As a result of the minimal wear profile, there
      was no evidence of radiographic osteolysis and no wear-related revisions.

PMID- 26260787
TI  - Coq6 is responsible for the C4-deamination reaction in coenzyme Q biosynthesis in
      Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
AB  - The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is able to use para-aminobenzoic acid (pABA)
      in addition to 4-hydroxybenzoic acid as a precursor of coenzyme Q, a redox lipid
      essential to the function of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. The
      biosynthesis of coenzyme Q from pABA requires a deamination reaction at position
      C4 of the benzene ring to substitute the amino group with an hydroxyl group. We
      show here that the FAD-dependent monooxygenase Coq6, which is known to
      hydroxylate position C5, also deaminates position C4 in a reaction implicating
      molecular oxygen, as demonstrated with labeling experiments. We identify
      mutations in Coq6 that abrogate the C4-deamination activity, whereas preserving
      the C5-hydroxylation activity. Several results support that the deletion of Coq9
      impacts Coq6, thus explaining the C4-deamination defect observed in Deltacoq9
      cells. The vast majority of flavin monooxygenases catalyze hydroxylation
      reactions on a single position of their substrate. Coq6 is thus a rare example of
      a flavin monooxygenase that is able to act on two different carbon atoms of its
      C4-aminated substrate, allowing its deamination and ultimately its conversion
      into coenzyme Q by the other proteins constituting the coenzyme Q biosynthetic
      pathway. 

PMID- 26260788
TI  - Heterologous expression of moss light-harvesting complex stress-related 1
      (LHCSR1), the chlorophyll a-xanthophyll pigment-protein complex catalyzing non
      photochemical quenching, in Nicotiana sp.
AB  - Oxygenic photosynthetic organisms evolved mechanisms for thermal dissipation of
      energy absorbed in excess to prevent formation of reactive oxygen species. The
      major and fastest component, called non-photochemical quenching, occurs within
      the photosystem II antenna system by the action of two essential light-harvesting
      complex (LHC)-like proteins, photosystem II subunit S (PSBS) in plants and light
      harvesting complex stress-related (LHCSR) in green algae and diatoms. In the
      evolutionary intermediate Physcomitrella patens, a moss, both gene products are
      active. These proteins, which are present in low amounts, are difficult to
      purify, preventing structural and functional analysis. Here, we report on the
      overexpression of the LHCSR1 protein from P. patens in the heterologous systems
      Nicotiana benthamiana and Nicotiana tabacum using transient and stable nuclear
      transformation. We show that the protein accumulated in both heterologous systems
      is in its mature form, localizes in the chloroplast thylakoid membranes, and is
      correctly folded with chlorophyll a and xanthophylls but without chlorophyll b,
      an essential chromophore for plants and algal LHC proteins. Finally, we show that
      recombinant LHCSR1 is active in quenching in vivo, implying that the recombinant
      protein obtained is a good material for future structural and functional studies.

PMID- 26260789
TI  - Impact of Cell-surface Antigen Expression on Target Engagement and Function of an
      Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor * c-MET Bispecific Antibody.
AB  - The efficacy of engaging multiple drug targets using bispecific antibodies
      (BsAbs) is affected by the relative cell-surface protein levels of the respective
      targets. In this work, the receptor density values were correlated to the in
      vitro activity of a BsAb (JNJ-61186372) targeting epidermal growth factor
      receptor (EGFR) and hepatocyte growth factor receptor (c-MET). Simultaneous
      binding of the BsAb to both receptors was confirmed in vitro. By using controlled
      Fab-arm exchange, a set of BsAbs targeting EGFR and c-MET was generated to
      establish an accurate receptor quantitation of a panel of lung and gastric cancer
      cell lines expressing heterogeneous levels of EGFR and c-MET. EGFR and c-MET
      receptor density levels were correlated to the respective gene expression levels
      as well as to the respective receptor phosphorylation inhibition values. We
      observed a bias in BsAb binding toward the more highly expressed of the two
      receptors, EGFR or c-MET, which resulted in the enhanced in vitro potency of JNJ
      61186372 against the less highly expressed target. On the basis of these
      observations, we propose an avidity model of how JNJ-61186372 engages EGFR and c
      MET with potentially broad implications for bispecific drug efficacy and design.

PMID- 26260790
TI  - Adipose Tissue Lipolysis Promotes Exercise-induced Cardiac Hypertrophy Involving
      the Lipokine C16:1n7-Palmitoleate.
AB  - Endurance exercise training induces substantial adaptive cardiac modifications
      such as left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). Simultaneously to the development of
      LVH, adipose tissue (AT) lipolysis becomes elevated upon endurance training to
      cope with enhanced energy demands. In this study, we investigated the impact of
      adipose tissue lipolysis on the development of exercise-induced cardiac
      hypertrophy. Mice deficient for adipose triglyceride lipase (Atgl) in AT (atATGL
      KO) were challenged with chronic treadmill running. Exercise-induced AT lipolytic
      activity was significantly reduced in atATGL-KO mice accompanied by the absence
      of a plasma fatty acid (FA) increase. These processes were directly associated
      with a prominent attenuation of myocardial FA uptake in atATGL-KO and a
      significant reduction of the cardiac hypertrophic response to exercise. FA serum
      profiling revealed palmitoleic acid (C16:1n7) as a new molecular co-mediator of
      exercise-induced cardiac hypertrophy by inducing nonproliferative cardiomyocyte
      growth. In parallel, serum FA analysis and echocardiography were performed in 25
      endurance athletes. In consonance, the serum C16:1n7 palmitoleate level exhibited
      a significantly positive correlation with diastolic interventricular septum
      thickness in those athletes. No correlation existed between linoleic acid
      (18:2n6) and diastolic interventricular septum thickness. Collectively, our data
      provide the first evidence that adipose tissue lipolysis directly promotes the
      development of exercise-induced cardiac hypertrophy involving the lipokine
      C16:1n7 palmitoleate as a molecular co-mediator. The identification of a lipokine
      involved in physiological cardiac growth may help to develop future lipid-based
      therapies for pathological LVH or heart failure. 

PMID- 26260791
TI  - ATP-binding cassette transporter A7 (ABCA7) loss of function alters Alzheimer
      amyloid processing.
AB  - The ATP-binding cassette transporter A7 (ABCA7) has been identified as a
      susceptibility factor of late onset Alzheimer disease in genome-wide association
      studies. ABCA7 has been shown to mediate phagocytosis and affect membrane
      trafficking. The current study examined the impact of ABCA7 loss of function on
      amyloid precursor protein (APP) processing and generation of amyloid-beta
      (Abeta). Suppression of endogenous ABCA7 in several different cell lines resulted
      in increased beta-secretase cleavage and elevated Abeta. ABCA7 knock-out mice
      displayed an increased production of endogenous murine amyloid Abeta42 species.
      Crossing ABCA7-deficient animals to an APP transgenic model resulted in
      significant increases in the soluble Abeta as compared with mice expressing
      normal levels of ABCA7. Only modest changes in the amount of insoluble Abeta and
      amyloid plaque densities were observed once the amyloid pathology was well
      developed, whereas Abeta deposition was enhanced in younger animals. In vitro
      studies indicated a more rapid endocytosis of APP in ABCA7 knock-out cells that
      is mechanistically consistent with the increased Abeta production. These in vitro
      and in vivo findings indicate a direct role of ABCA7 in amyloid processing that
      may be associated with its primary biological function to regulate endocytic
      pathways. Several potential loss-of-function ABCA7 mutations and deletions linked
      to Alzheimer disease that in some instances have a greater impact than apoE
      allelic variants have recently been identified. A reduction in ABCA7 expression
      or loss of function would be predicted to increase amyloid production and that
      may be a contributing factor in the associated Alzheimer disease susceptibility. 

PMID- 26260792
TI  - Characterization of the Catalytic and Nucleotide Binding Properties of the alpha
      Kinase Domain of Dictyostelium Myosin-II Heavy Chain Kinase A.
AB  - The alpha-kinases are a widely expressed family of serine/threonine protein
      kinases that exhibit no sequence identity with conventional eukaryotic protein
      kinases. In this report, we provide new information on the catalytic properties
      of the alpha-kinase domain of Dictyostelium myosin-II heavy chain kinase-A
      (termed A-CAT). Crystallization of A-CAT in the presence of MgATP yielded
      structures with AMP or adenosine in the catalytic cleft together with a
      phosphorylated Asp-766 residue. The results show that the beta- and alpha
      phosphoryl groups are transferred either directly or indirectly to the
      catalytically essential Asp-766. Biochemical assays confirmed that A-CAT
      hydrolyzed ATP, ADP, and AMP with kcat values of 1.9, 0.6, and 0.32 min(-1),
      respectively, and showed that A-CAT can use ADP to phosphorylate peptides and
      proteins. Binding assays using fluorescent 2'/3'-O-(N-methylanthraniloyl) analogs
      of ATP and ADP yielded Kd values for ATP, ADP, AMP, and adenosine of 20 +/- 3, 60
      +/- 20, 160 +/- 60, and 45 +/- 15 MUM, respectively. Site-directed mutagenesis
      showed that Glu-713, Leu-716, and Lys-645, all of which interact with the adenine
      base, were critical for nucleotide binding. Mutation of the highly conserved Gln
      758, which chelates a nucleotide-associated Mg(2+) ion, eliminated catalytic
      activity, whereas loss of the highly conserved Lys-722 and Arg-592 decreased kcat
      values for kinase and ATPase activities by 3-6-fold. Mutation of Asp-663 impaired
      kinase activity to a much greater extent than ATPase, indicating a specific role
      in peptide substrate binding, whereas mutation of Gln-768 doubled ATPase
      activity, suggesting that it may act to exclude water from the active site.

PMID- 26260793
TI  - NEDD8 Ultimate Buster 1 Long (NUB1L) Protein Suppresses Atypical Neddylation and
      Promotes the Proteasomal Degradation of Misfolded Proteins.
AB  - Neddylation is a posttranslational modification that controls diverse biological
      processes by covalently conjugating the ubiquitin-like protein NEDD8 to specific
      targets. Neddylation is commonly mediated by NEDD8-specific enzymes (typical
      neddylation) and, sometimes, by ubiquitin enzymes (atypical neddylation).
      Although typical neddylation is known to regulate protein function in many ways,
      the regulatory mechanisms and biological consequence of atypical neddylation
      remain largely unexplored. Here we report that NEDD8 conjugates were accumulated
      in the diseased hearts from mouse models and human patients. Proteotoxic stresses
      induced typical and atypical neddylation in cardiomyocytes. Loss of NUB1L
      exaggerated atypical neddylation, whereas NUB1L overexpression repressed atypical
      neddylation through promoting the degradation of NEDD8. Activation of atypical
      neddylation accumulated a surrogate misfolded protein, GFPu. In contrast,
      suppression of atypical neddylation by NUB1L overexpression enhanced GFPu
      degradation. Moreover, NUB1L depletion accumulated a cardiomyopathy-linked
      misfolded protein, CryAB(R120G), whereas NUB1L overexpression promoted its
      degradation through suppressing neddylation of ubiquitinated proteins in
      cardiomyocytes. Consequently, NUB1L protected cells from proteotoxic stress
      induced cell injury. In summary, these data indicate that NUB1L suppresses
      atypical neddylation and promotes the degradation of misfolded proteins by the
      proteasome. Our findings also suggest that induction of NUB1L could potentially
      become a novel therapeutic strategy for diseases with increased proteotoxic
      stress. 

PMID- 26260794
TI  - Site-specific Interaction Mapping of Phosphorylated Ubiquitin to Uncover Parkin
      Activation.
AB  - Damaged mitochondria are eliminated through autophagy machinery. A cytosolic E3
      ubiquitin ligase Parkin, a gene product mutated in familial Parkinsonism, is
      essential for this pathway. Recent progress has revealed that phosphorylation of
      both Parkin and ubiquitin at Ser(65) by PINK1 are crucial for activation and
      recruitment of Parkin to the damaged mitochondria. However, the mechanism by
      which phosphorylated ubiquitin associates with and activates phosphorylated
      Parkin E3 ligase activity remains largely unknown. Here, we analyze interactions
      between phosphorylated forms of both Parkin and ubiquitin at a spatial resolution
      of the amino acid residue by site-specific photo-crosslinking. We reveal that the
      in-between-RING (IBR) domain along with RING1 domain of Parkin preferentially
      binds to ubiquitin in a phosphorylation-dependent manner. Furthermore, another
      approach, the Fluoppi (fluorescent-based technology detecting protein-protein
      interaction) assay, also showed that pathogenic mutations in these domains
      blocked interactions with phosphomimetic ubiquitin in mammalian cells. Molecular
      modeling based on the site-specific photo-crosslinking interaction map combined
      with mass spectrometry strongly suggests that a novel binding mechanism between
      Parkin and ubiquitin leads to a Parkin conformational change with subsequent
      activation of Parkin E3 ligase activity. 

PMID- 26260795
TI  - Critical Role of the Neonatal Fc Receptor (FcRn) in the Pathogenic Action of
      Antimitochondrial Autoantibodies Synergizing with Anti-desmoglein Autoantibodies
      in Pemphigus Vulgaris.
AB  - Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a life-long, potentially fatal IgG autoantibody
      mediated blistering disease targeting mucocutaneous keratinocytes (KCs). PV
      patients develop pathogenic anti-desmoglein (Dsg) 3 +/- 1 and antimitochondrial
      antibodies (AMA), but it remained unknown whether and how AMA enter KCs and why
      other cell types are not affected in PV. Therefore, we sought to elucidate
      mechanisms of cell entry, trafficking, and pathogenic action of AMA in PV. We
      found that PVIgGs associated with neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) on the cell
      membrane, and the PVIgG-FcRn complexes entered KCs and reached mitochondria where
      they dissociated. The liberated AMA altered mitochondrial membrane potential,
      respiration, and ATP production and induced cytochrome c release, although the
      lack or inactivation of FcRn abolished the ability of PVIgG to reach and damage
      mitochondria and to cause detachment of KCs. The assays of mitochondrial
      functions and keratinocyte adhesion demonstrated that although the
      pathobiological effects of AMA on KCs are reversible, they become irreversible,
      leading to epidermal blistering (acantholysis), when AMA synergize with anti-Dsg
      antibodies. Thus, it appears that AMA enter a keratinocyte in a complex with
      FcRn, become liberated from the endosome in the cytosol, and are trafficked to
      the mitochondria, wherein they trigger pro-apoptotic events leading to shrinkage
      of basal KCs uniquely expressing FcRn in epidermis. During recovery, KCs extend
      their cytoplasmic aprons toward neighboring cells, but anti-Dsg antibodies
      prevent assembly of nascent desmosomes due to steric hindrance, thus rendering
      acantholysis irreversible. In conclusion, FcRn is a common acceptor protein for
      internalization of AMA and, perhaps, for PV autoantibodies to other intracellular
      antigens, and PV is a novel disease paradigm for investigating and elucidating
      the role of FcRn in this autoimmune disease and possibly other autoimmune
      diseases. 

PMID- 26260796
TI  - The role of high cholesterol-high fructose diet on coronary arteriosclerosis.
AB  - The effect of fructose in conjunction with high cholesterol diet in the
      development of atherosclerotic lesions in coronary arteries is not well
      established. Microswine were fed high cholesterol (HC) or a high cholesterol-high
      fructose (HCHF) diet containing 18-20% calories from fructose. All swine had high
      levels of serum cholesterol and non-HDL, thickened intima and accumulation of
      collagen in the coronaries. Swine fed with HC diet had less stenosis in coronary
      arteries, lower serum levels of non-HDL, triglycerides, cholesterol, and blood
      glucose than HCHF group. Coronary lesions in the HC swine were not as progressed
      as in HCHF and showed low LDL-expressed lipid-laden foam cells. The M1/M2
      macrophage phenotype in the HCHF swine differed with the progression of
      atherosclerosis, with higher density of M1-phenotype in HCHF swine. There was
      high expression of CCR7 (M1-phenotype) in more advanced lesions in the fibrous
      cap-like areas, whereas M2-macrophages were abundant in the foam-cell cores.
      These findings suggest that the addition of a fructose to high cholesterol diet
      accelerates atherosclerotic lesions in coronary arteries with an increase in M1
      macrophages and the propensity to develop features of metabolic syndrome. 

PMID- 26260797
TI  - Superradiant Quantum Heat Engine.
AB  - Quantum physics revolutionized classical disciplines of mechanics, statistical
      physics, and electrodynamics. One branch of scientific knowledge however seems
      untouched: thermodynamics. Major motivation behind thermodynamics is to develop
      efficient heat engines. Technology has a trend to miniaturize engines, reaching
      to quantum regimes. Development of quantum heat engines (QHEs) requires emerging
      field of quantum thermodynamics. Studies of QHEs debate whether quantum coherence
      can be used as a resource. We explore an alternative where it can function as an
      effective catalyst. We propose a QHE which consists of a photon gas inside an
      optical cavity as the working fluid and quantum coherent atomic clusters as the
      fuel. Utilizing the superradiance, where a cluster can radiate quadratically
      faster than a single atom, we show that the work output becomes proportional to
      the square of the number of the atoms. In addition to practical value of cranking
      up QHE, our result is a fundamental difference of a quantum fuel from its
      classical counterpart. 

PMID- 26260798
TI  - Matrix cross-linking lysyl oxidases are induced in response to myocardial
      infarction and promote cardiac dysfunction.
AB  - AIMS: After myocardial infarction (MI), extensive remodelling of the
      extracellular matrix contributes to scar formation. While aiming to preserve
      tissue integrity, this fibrotic response is also associated with adverse events,
      including a markedly increased risk of heart failure, ventricular arrhythmias,
      and sudden cardiac death. Cardiac fibrosis is characterized by extensive
      deposition of collagen and also by increased stiffness as a consequence of
      enhanced collagen cross-linking. Members of the lysyl oxidase (LOX) family of
      enzymes are responsible for the formation of collagen cross-links. This study
      investigates the contribution of LOX family members to the heart response to MI.
      METHODS AND RESULTS: Experimental MI was induced in C57BL/6 mice by permanent
      ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. The expression of LOX
      isoforms (LOX and LOXL1-4) was strongly increased upon MI, and this response was
      accompanied by a significant accumulation of mature collagen fibres in the
      infarcted area. LOX expression was observed in areas of extensive remodelling,
      partially overlapping with alpha-smooth muscle actin-expressing myofibroblasts.
      Tumour growth factor-beta as well as hypoxia-activated pathways contributed to
      the induction of LOX expression in cardiac fibroblasts. Finally, in vivo post
      infarction treatment with the broadband LOX inhibitor beta-aminopropionitrile or,
      selectively, with a neutralizing antibody against the canonical LOX isoform
      attenuated collagen accumulation and maturation and also resulted in reduced
      ventricular dilatation and improved cardiac function. CONCLUSION: LOX family
      members contribute significantly to the detrimental effects of cardiac
      remodelling, highlighting LOX inhibition as a potential therapeutic strategy for
      post-infarction recovery.

PMID- 26260799
TI  - Cardiac protein kinases: the cardiomyocyte kinome and differential kinase
      expression in human failing hearts.
AB  - AIMS: Protein kinases are potential therapeutic targets for heart failure, but
      most studies of cardiac protein kinases derive from other systems, an approach
      that fails to account for specific kinases expressed in the heart and the
      contractile cardiomyocytes. We aimed to define the cardiomyocyte kinome (i.e. the
      protein kinases expressed in cardiomyocytes) and identify kinases with altered
      expression in human failing hearts. METHODS AND RESULTS: Expression profiling
      (Affymetrix microarrays) detected >400 protein kinase mRNAs in rat neonatal
      ventricular myocytes (NVMs) and/or adult ventricular myocytes (AVMs), 32 and 93
      of which were significantly up-regulated or down-regulated (greater than two
      fold), respectively, in AVMs. Data for AGC family members were validated by qPCR.
      Proteomics analysis identified >180 cardiomyocyte protein kinases, with high
      relative expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase cascades and other known
      cardiomyocyte kinases (e.g. CAMKs, cAMP-dependent protein kinase). Other kinases
      are poorly investigated (e.g. Slk, Stk24, Oxsr1). Expression of Akt1/2/3, BRaf,
      ERK1/2, Map2k1, Map3k8, Map4k4, MST1/3, p38-MAPK, PKCdelta, Pkn2, Ripk1/2,
      Tnni3k, and Zak was confirmed by immunoblotting. Relative to total protein,
      Map3k8 and Tnni3k were up-regulated in AVMs vs. NVMs. Microarray data for human
      hearts demonstrated variation in kinome expression that may influence responses
      to kinase inhibitor therapies. Furthermore, some kinases were up-regulated (e.g.
      NRK, JAK2, STK38L) or down-regulated (e.g. MAP2K1, IRAK1, STK40) in human failing
      hearts. CONCLUSION: This characterization of the spectrum of kinases expressed in
      cardiomyocytes and the heart (cardiomyocyte and cardiac kinomes) identified novel
      kinases, some of which are differentially expressed in failing human hearts and
      could serve as potential therapeutic targets.

PMID- 26260801
TI  - Treating operable patients with gastric cancer: Macdonald's protocol versus
      adjuvant chemotherapy.

PMID- 26260800
TI  - Discordant circulating fetal DNA and subsequent cytogenetics reveal false
      negative, placental mosaic, and fetal mosaic cfDNA genotypes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) and Maternal
      Fetal Medicine (MFM) Societies recommended that abnormal cfDNA fetal results
      should be confirmed by amniocentesis and karyotyping. Our results demonstrate
      that normal cfDNA results inconsistent with high-resolution abnormal ultrasounds
      should be confirmed by karyotyping following a substantial frequency of incorrect
      cfDNA results. METHODS: Historical review of our ~4,000 signed prenatal
      karyotypes found ~24% of reported abnormalities would not have been detected by
      cfDNA. Akron Children's Hospital Cytogenetics Laboratory has completed 28
      abnormal cfDNA cases among the 112 amniocenteses karyotyped. RESULTS: Following
      abnormal cfDNA results our karyotypes confirmed only 60% of the cfDNA results
      were consistent. Our cases found a normal cfDNA test result followed by a 20
      weeks anatomical ultrasound detected a false negative trisomy 18 cfDNA result.
      One cfDNA result that reported trisomy 21 in the fetus was confirmed by
      karyotyping which also added an originally undetected balanced reciprocal
      translocation. Another reported karyotyped case followed by a repeated microarray
      of pure fetal DNA, together revealed one phenotypically normal newborn with a
      complex mosaic karyotype substantially decreasing the newborn's eventual
      reproductive fitness. This second case establishes the importance of karyotyping
      the placenta and cord or peripheral blood when inconsistent or mosaic results are
      identified following an abnormal cfDNA result with a normal newborn phenotype
      without a prenatal karyotype. CONCLUSIONS: These Maternal Fetal Medicine
      referrals demonstrate that positive NIPT results identify an increased abnormal
      karyotypic frequency as well as a substantial proportion of discordant fetal
      results. Our results found: (1) a normal NIPT test result followed by a 20 week
      anatomical ultrasound detected a false negative trisomy 18 NIPT result, (2) a
      substantial proportion of abnormal NIPT tests identify chromosomal mosaicism that
      may or may not be confined to the placenta, (3) follow up karyotyping should be
      completed on the newborn placenta and peripheral blood when the amniocyte
      karyotype does not confirm the NIPT reported abnormality in order to identify
      ongoing risk of developing mosaic symptoms, and (4) karyotyping all high risk
      fetuses tested by amniocentesis defines the 24% of chromosome abnormalities not
      currently screened by NIPT.

PMID- 26260802
TI  - Everolimus-based therapy in patients with hormone receptor-positive, HER2(-)
      advanced breast cancer: management considerations.

PMID- 26260803
TI  - Present status and future perspectives of ALPPS (associating liver partition and
      portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy).
AB  - First International Consensus Meeting, Hamburg, Germany, 27-28 February 2015 More
      than 160 participants took part in the conference for 2 days. A total of 58 world
      renown experts on ALPPS (associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for
      staged hepatectomy) were invited from all over the world. The faculty was divided
      into many different subgroups that were in contact during the 2-3 months before
      the conference analyzing all the most important aspects of this technique and
      summarizing it in a common structured work to be presented during the congress,
      giving final recommendations in the form of bulleted point statements. The aim
      was to gain a solid basis of preliminary agreement on many controversial aspects
      of ALPPS. A poster area was also organized with 35 posters reporting mostly mono
      institutional experiences on single aspects of the technique from all five
      continents. 

PMID- 26260804
TI  - Can cardio-oncology deliver better care internationally?

PMID- 26260805
TI  - Sorafenib: the gold standard therapy in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma and
      beyond.

PMID- 26260806
TI  - Feasibility, efficacy and safety of tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment in
      hemodialyzed patients with renal cell cancer: 10 years of experience.
AB  - AIMS: Sine efficiency of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy in dialyzed
      patients is still unclear we aim to analyze the outcome of treatment in such
      cohort. PATIENTS & METHODS: We analyzed treatment outcomes of patients with clear
      cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) with special focus on those who were also
      treated with hemodialysis and described treatment safety and progression-free
      survival of eight patients treated with TKIs and hemodialysis. DISCUSSION &
      CONCLUSION: Our report supports statement that TKI treatment of dialyzed patients
      is safe and effective. ccRCC increases risk of developing renal insufficiency as
      well as end-stage renal disease that require dialysis. Introduction of
      multitargeted receptor kinase inhibitors (TKIs), including sunitinib, sorafenib
      and pazopanib significantly expanded life time expectancy of metastatic renal
      clear cell carcinoma. The advance also applies to patients with ccRCC and end
      stage renal disease who undergo dialyses.

PMID- 26260807
TI  - Coexpression of androgen receptor and FOXA1 in nonmetastatic triple-negative
      breast cancer: ancillary study from PACS08 trial.
AB  - AIM: Microarray studies identified a subgroup of molecular apocrine tumors
      (estrogen receptor [ER] negative/androgen receptor [AR] positive) that express
      luminal genes including FOXA1. FOXA1 may direct AR to sites normally occupied by
      ER in luminal tumors, inducing an estrogen-like gene program that stimulated
      proliferation. MATERIALS & METHODS: Expression of AR and FOXA1 was evaluated by
      immunohistochemistry in 592 patients with nonmetastatic triple-negative breast
      cancer (TNBC). RESULTS: Coexpression of AR and FOXA1 was found in 15.2% of
      patients. These tumors were more frequently lobular, found in older patients and
      exhibited a lower nuclear grade and a greater degree of node involvement. They
      less often exhibited lymphocytic infiltrate, pushing margins, syncytial
      architecture, central fibrosis or necrosis. CONCLUSION: TNBC with coexpression of
      AR and FOXA1 seems to behave like luminal tumors with a morphological profile
      distinct from other TNBC. These biomarkers could be useful to identify a subgroup
      of TNBC and could have future therapeutic implications.

PMID- 26260808
TI  - Anti-PD-1 and PD-L1 therapy for bladder cancer: what is on the horizon?
AB  - Oncologic therapeutics has evolved enormously as we entered the 21st century.
      Unfortunately, the treatment of advanced urothelial cancer has remained unchanged
      over the last two decades despite a better understanding of the genetic
      alterations in bladder cancer. Pathways such as the PI3K/AKT3/mTOR and FGFR have
      been implicated in urothelial bladder cancer. However, targeted therapies have
      not shown proven benefit yet and are still considered investigational. Recently,
      researchers have been successful in manipulating the systemic immune response to
      mount antitumor effects in melanoma, lung cancer and lymphoma. Historically,
      intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guerin immunotherapy has been highly active in
      nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer. Early data suggest that immune checkpoint
      inhibitors will soon prove to be another cornerstone in the treatment
      armamentarium of advanced bladder cancer. 

PMID- 26260809
TI  - Are predictions of cancer response to targeted drugs, based on effects in
      unrelated tissues, the 'Black Swan' events?
AB  - Adverse effects of targeted drugs on normal tissues can predict the cancer
      response. Rash correlates with efficacy of erlotinib, cetuximab and gefitinib and
      onset of arterial hypertension with response to bevacizumab, sunitinib, axitinib
      and sorafenib, possible examples of 'Black Swan' events, unexpected scientific
      observations, as described by Karl Popper in 1935. The proposition is that our
      patients have individual intrinsic variants of cell growth control, important for
      tumor response and adverse effects on tumor-unrelated tissue. This means that the
      lack of predictive side effects in healthy tissue is linked with poor results of
      tumor therapy when tumor resistance is caused by mechanisms that protect all
      cells of that patient from the targeted drug effects. 

PMID- 26260810
TI  - The future of targeted therapies for brain metastases.
AB  - Brain metastases (BM) are an increasing challenge in the management of patients
      with advanced cancer. Treatment options for BM are limited and mainly focus on
      the application of local therapies. Systemic therapies including targeted
      therapies are only poorly investigated, as patients with BM were frequently
      excluded from clinical trials. Several targeted therapies have shown promising
      activity in patients with BM. In the present review we discuss existing and
      emerging targeted therapies for the most frequent BM primary tumor types. We
      focus on challenges in the conduction of clinical trials on targeted therapies in
      BM patients such as patient selection, combination with radiotherapy, the
      obstacles of the blood-brain barrier and the definition of study end points. 

PMID- 26260811
TI  - Radiotherapy of non-small-cell lung cancer in the era of EGFR gene mutations and
      EGF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
AB  - Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) occurs, approximately, in 80-85% of all cases
      of lung cancer. The majority of patients present locally advanced or metastatic
      disease when diagnosed, with poor prognosis. The discovery of activating
      mutations in the EGFR gene has started a new era of personalized treatment for
      NSCLC patients. To improve the treatment outcome in patients with unresectable
      NSCLC and, in particular, EGFR mutated, a combined strategy of radiotherapy and
      medical treatment can be undertaken. In this review we will discuss preclinical
      data regarding EGF receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and
      radiotherapy, available clinical trials investigating efficacy and toxicity of
      combined treatment (thoracic or whole brain radiotherapy and EGFR-TKIs) and,
      also, the role of local radiation in mutated EGFR patients who developed EGFR-TKI
      resistance. 

PMID- 26260812
TI  - The utility of molecular markers in pre-operative assessment of thyroid nodules.
AB  - The pre-operative diagnosis of thyroid tumors is determined by gold standard fine
      needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy. This has been widely accepted and offers the most
      cost-effective approach for evaluation of thyroid nodules. However, its
      diagnostic accuracy can pose a challenging scenario to surgeons. These diagnostic
      difficulties may subject patients to unnecessary thyroidectomies for benign
      thyroid nodules. Thus, additional molecular tests are needed to improve the
      sensitivity and specificity of FNA. The role of molecular markers is being
      proposed to predict the type and risk of malignancy to abate the need for
      diagnostic thyroidectomies. This review discusses their utility and validity in
      pre-operative diagnosis of thyroid nodules and how these markers can enhance the
      accuracy of FNA cytology. 

PMID- 26260813
TI  - miRNA-15a/16: as tumor suppressors and more.
AB  - Since their first discovery in chronic lymphocytic leukemia, miR-15a and miR-16
      have been reported to act as tumor suppressors or potential oncomiRs in different
      types of cancer. This review summarizes the history, biological properties and
      the important functions of these two miRNAs in cancer. It also introduces their
      roles as regulators of immune responses and angiogenesis, endogenous controls as
      well as potential targets and hallmarks of cancer. 

PMID- 26260814
TI  - Lung function impairment in the never-smoker: the search for answers continues.

PMID- 26260815
TI  - Tuberculosis preventive chemotherapy: the times they are a-changin'.

PMID- 26260816
TI  - Clearing the smoke around the TB-HIV syndemic: smoking as a critical issue for TB
      and HIV treatment and care.
AB  - The collision of the tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
      epidemics has been described as a 'syndemic' due to the synergistic impact on the
      burden of both diseases. This paper explains the urgent need for practitioners
      and policy makers to address a third epidemic that exacerbates TB, HIV and TB
      HIV. Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death worldwide. Smoking is
      more prevalent among persons diagnosed with TB or HIV. Smoking is associated with
      tuberculous infection, TB disease and poorer anti-tuberculosis treatment
      outcomes. It is also associated with an increased risk of smoking-related
      diseases among people living with HIV, and smoking may also inhibit the
      effectiveness of life-saving ART. In this paper, we propose integrating into TB
      and HIV programmes evidence-based strategies from the 'MPOWER' package
      recommended by the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco
      Control. Specific actions that can be readily incorporated into current practice
      are recommended to improve TB and HIV outcomes and care, and reduce the
      unnecessary burden of death and disease due to smoking. 

PMID- 26260817
TI  - Population-wide preventive interventions for reducing the burden of chronic
      respiratory disease.
AB  - Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma impose a substantial burden of
      disease. This narrative review focuses on potential population-wide interventions
      that are likely to have an impact on these diseases. The developmental origins of
      adult disease commence in utero, with maternal nutrition being of particular
      interest. However, to date, trials of maternal allergen avoidance, dietary
      supplementation or probiotics have not shown consistent protective effects
      against asthma. Poor indoor air quality, especially from biomass fuels as well as
      second-hand tobacco smoke, is a well-recognised risk factor for chronic
      respiratory diseases. This can be modified by cleaner fuels, cooking stoves or
      heaters, and improved ventilation. Although allergens are a risk factor for
      childhood asthma, the results of interventions to reduce exposures have been
      disappointing. Traffic-related air pollution is associated with an increased
      incidence of asthma in children. Primary prevention of the adverse effects of air
      pollution has focused on the development of ambient air quality guidelines, but
      enforcement remains a challenge in many countries. Occupational asthma may be
      induced by sensitisers or irritants in the workplace. Prevention involves
      eliminating the agent or reducing exposure as far as possible, which is more
      effective than respiratory protective equipment. Smoking cessation remains a key
      proven preventive strategy for chronic respiratory diseases. There is now an
      international framework for tobacco control, and recent innovations include plain
      packaging of tobacco. Chronic respiratory diseases can be substantially prevented
      by the above population-wide interventions. 

PMID- 26260818
TI  - Risk factors for lung function impairment among the general non-smoking Korean
      population.
AB  - SETTING: Nationwide general population in South Korea. OBJECTIVE: Except for
      tobacco smoking, risk factors for the impairment of lung function have not been
      widely evaluated. We evaluated the risk factors for lung function impairment
      among the general non-smoking Korean population. DESIGN: A total of 8164 non
      smokers from the spirometry data set of the Korean National Health and Nutrition
      Examination Surveys IV and V (2008-2010) were included in the study. After sex
      stratification, multiple survey logistic regression analyses were performed to
      estimate the association between potential risk factors and impaired lung
      function in this nationwide cross-sectional study. RESULTS: The proportion of non
      smokers among the general Korean population with forced expiratory volume in 1 s
      (FEV1) < 80% of predicted, forced vital capacity (FVC) < 80% of predicted and
      FEV1/FVC ratio < 0.7 were respectively 46.2%, 50.3% and 30.2%. In multiple survey
      logistic regression analyses, lung function impairment was associated with
      tuberculosis (TB) and asthma in female non-smokers and asthma in male non
      smokers. CONCLUSIONS: TB and asthma are risk factors for lung function impairment
      among Korean non-smokers. To prevent further lung function impairment, a careful
      control system for these factors should be considered when setting health policy
      priorities.

PMID- 26260819
TI  - Concomitant tuberculosis and lung cancer diagnosed by bronchoscopy.
AB  - SETTING: South Granada Health Area (SGHA), Spain. OBJECTIVE: To describe the
      characteristics of concomitant tuberculosis (TB) and lung cancer cases. DESIGN: A
      total of 319 TB cases diagnosed between January 2003 and December 2010 were
      evaluated and identified using a prospective database. During this period,
      samples of bronchial secretions were obtained from all patients who underwent
      fibreoptic bronchoscopy (FBS) as part of a TB screening programme. A descriptive
      study was conducted. RESULTS: Concomitant TB and lung cancer were diagnosed in 15
      cases (4.7% of total TB cases). The most common radiographic finding was
      atelectasis (53.3%), and the most common histological type was epidermoid
      carcinoma (60%). Lung cancer stage was advanced (III-IV) in 60% of the cases.
      CONCLUSION: The association between TB and lung cancer found in the SGHA after
      implementing a TB screening programme was higher than in other studies. This
      suggests that it would be advisable to perform acid-fast bacilli smear and
      mycobacterial culture of bronchial aspirates in all patients with presumed lung
      cancer, particularly in high TB prevalence areas.

PMID- 26260820
TI  - Spatio-temporal analysis of tuberculous infection risk among clients of a
      homeless shelter during an outbreak.
AB  - SETTING: British Columbia (BC) has a low incidence of tuberculosis (TB), with the
      burden of endogenously acquired disease concentrated among vulnerable
      populations, including the homeless. In May 2008, a TB outbreak began in a BC
      homeless shelter, with a single index case seeding multiple secondary cases
      within the shelter. OBJECTIVE: To use nightly shelter records to quantify the
      risk of latent tuberculous infection (LTBI) among shelter clients as a function
      of their sleeping distance from and duration of exposure to the index case.
      DESIGN: Distance and duration of exposure were visualised and assessed using
      logistic regression with LTBI status as outcome. We used a novel machine learning
      approach to establish exposure thresholds that optimally separated infected and
      non-infected individuals. RESULTS: Of 161 exposed shelter clients, 58 had a
      recorded outcome of infected (n = 39) or non-infected (n = 19). Only duration of
      exposure to the index was associated with increased odds of infection (OR 1.26);
      stays of ? 5 nights put shelter clients at higher odds of infection (OR 4.97).
      CONCLUSION: The unique data set and analytical approach suggested that, in a
      shelter environment, long-term clients are at highest risk of LTBI and should be
      prioritised for screening during an outbreak investigation.

PMID- 26260822
TI  - Evaluation of the national tuberculosis surveillance program in Haiti.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the quality of tuberculosis (TB) surveillance in Haiti,
      including whether underreporting from facilities to the national level
      contributes to low national case registration. METHODS: We collected 2010 and
      2012 TB case totals, reviewed laboratory registries, and abstracted individual TB
      case reports from 32 of 263 anti-tuberculosis treatment facilities randomly
      selected after stratification/weighting toward higher-volume facilities. We
      compared site results to national databases maintained by a non-governmental
      organization partner (International Child Care [ICC]) for 2010 and 2012, and the
      National TB Program (Programme National de Lutte contre la Tuberculose, PNLT) for
      2012 only. RESULTS: Case registries were available at 30/32 facilities for 2010
      and all 32 for 2012. Totals of 3711 (2010) and 4143 (2012) cases were reported at
      the facilities. Case totals per site were higher in site registries than in the
      national databases by 361 (9.7%) (ICC 2010), 28 (0.8%) (ICC 2012), and 31 (0.8%)
      cases (PNLT 2012). Of abstracted individual cases, respectively 11.8% and 6.8%
      were not recorded in national databases for 2010 (n = 323) and 2012 (n = 351).
      CONCLUSIONS: The evaluation demonstrated an improvement in reporting registered
      TB cases to the PNLT in Haiti between 2010 and 2012. Further improvement in case
      notification will require enhanced case detection and diagnosis.

PMID- 26260823
TI  - Correlates of default from anti-tuberculosis treatment: a case study using
      Kenya's electronic data system.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In 2012, the World Health Organization estimated that there were
      120,000 new cases and 9500 deaths due to tuberculosis (TB) in Kenya. Almost a
      quarter of the cases were not detected, and the treatment of 4% of notified cases
      ended in default. OBJECTIVE: To identify the determinants of anti-tuberculosis
      treatment default. DESIGN: Data from 2012 and 2013 were retrieved from a national
      case-based electronic data recording system. A comparison was made between new
      pulmonary TB patients for whom treatment was interrupted vs. those who
      successfully completed treatment. RESULTS: A total of 106,824 cases were
      assessed. Human immunodeficiency virus infection was the single most influential
      risk factor for default (aOR 2.7). More than 94% of patients received family
      based directly observed treatment (DOT) and were more likely to default than
      patients who received DOT from health care workers (aOR 2.0). Caloric nutritional
      support was associated with lower default rates (aOR 0.89). Males were more
      likely to default than females (aOR 1.6). Patients cared for in the private
      sector were less likely to default than those in the public sector (aOR 0.86).
      CONCLUSION: Understanding the factors contributing to default can guide future
      program improvements and serve as a proxy to understanding the factors that
      constrain access to care among undetected cases.

PMID- 26260825
TI  - Investigating the quality of expectorated sputum for tuberculosis diagnosis in
      Bolivia.
AB  - A low-power microscope-based cytological system to assess the quality of
      expectorated sputum provided for tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis was piloted in
      Bolivia. A total of 3688 samples were subjected to visual and cytological
      examination in nine laboratories: of these, 591 (16%) were misclassified by
      visual examination and 294 (8%) were found to be degraded. The degree of
      discordance varied between locations, and laboratories received a higher number
      of degraded specimens from isolated health clinics. Cytological assessment of
      sputum was found to be feasible and identified areas for improvement in the
      Bolivian diagnostic system for TB. 

PMID- 26260824
TI  - Feasibility of tuberculosis treatment monitoring by video directly observed
      therapy: a binational pilot study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although directly observed therapy (DOT) is recommended worldwide for
      monitoring anti-tuberculosis treatment, transportation and personnel requirements
      limit its use. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of 'video
      DOT' (VDOT), which allows patients to record and transmit medication ingestion
      via videos watched remotely by health care providers to document adherence.
      METHODS: We conducted a single-arm trial among tuberculosis (TB) patients in San
      Diego, California, USA, (n = 43) and Tijuana, Mexico (n = 9) to represent high-
      and low-resource settings. Pre-/post-treatment interviews assessed participant
      characteristics and experiences. Adherence was defined as the proportion of
      observed doses to expected doses. RESULTS: The mean age was 37 years (range 18
      86), 50% were male, and 88% were non-Caucasian. The mean duration of VDOT use was
      5.5 months (range 1-11). Adherence was similar in San Diego (93%) and Tijuana
      (96%). Compared to time on in-person DOT, 92% preferred VDOT, 81% thought VDOT
      was more confidential, 89% never/rarely had problems recording videos, and 100%
      would recommend VDOT to others. Seven (13%) participants were returned to in
      person DOT and six (12%) additional participants had their phones lost, broken or
      stolen. CONCLUSIONS: VDOT was feasible and acceptable, with high adherence in
      both high- and low-resource settings. Efficacy and cost-effectiveness studies are
      needed.

PMID- 26260826
TI  - Evaluation of mobile digital light-emitting diode fluorescence microscopy in
      Hanoi, Viet Nam.
AB  - SETTING: Hanoi Lung Hospital, Hanoi, Viet Nam. OBJECTIVE: To compare the accuracy
      of CellScopeTB, a manually operated mobile digital fluorescence microscope, with
      conventional microscopy techniques. DESIGN: Patients referred for sputum smear
      microscopy to the Hanoi Lung Hospital from May to September 2013 were included.
      Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) smear microscopy, conventional light-emitting diode (LED)
      fluorescence microscopy (FM), CellScopeTB-based LED FM and Xpert((r)) MTB/RIF
      were performed on sputum samples. The sensitivity and specificity of microscopy
      techniques were determined in reference to Xpert results, and differences were
      compared using McNemar's paired test of proportions. RESULTS: Of 326 patients
      enrolled, 93 (28.5%) were Xpert-positive for TB. The sensitivity of ZN
      microscopy, conventional LED FM, and CellScopeTB-based LED FM was respectively
      37.6% (95%CI 27.8-48.3), 41.9% (95%CI 31.8-52.6), and 35.5% (95%CI 25.8-46.1).
      The sensitivity of CellScopeTB was similar to that of conventional LED FM
      (difference -6.5%, 95%CI -18.2 to 5.3, P = 0.33) and ZN microscopy (difference 
      2.2%, 95%CI -9.2 to 4.9, P = 0.73). The specificity was >99% for all three
      techniques. DISCUSSION: CellScopeTB performed similarly to conventional
      microscopy techniques in the hands of experienced TB microscopists. However, the
      sensitivity of all sputum microscopy techniques was low. Options enabled by
      digital microscopy, such as automated imaging with real-time computerized
      analysis, should be explored to increase sensitivity.

PMID- 26260821
TI  - Three months of weekly rifapentine plus isoniazid is less hepatotoxic than nine
      months of daily isoniazid for LTBI.
AB  - SETTING: Nine months of daily isoniazid (9H) and 3 months of once-weekly
      rifapentine plus isoniazid (3HP) are recommended treatments for latent
      tuberculous infection (LTBI). The risk profile for 3HP and the contribution of
      hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection to hepatotoxicity are unclear. OBJECTIVES: To
      evaluate the hepatotoxicity risk associated with 3HP compared to 9H, and factors
      associated with hepatotoxicity. DESIGN: Hepatotoxicity was defined as aspartate
      aminotransferase (AST) >3 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) with symptoms
      (nausea, vomiting, jaundice, or fatigue), or AST >5 x ULN. We analyzed risk
      factors among adults who took at least 1 dose of their assigned treatment. A
      nested case-control study assessed the role of HCV. RESULTS: Of 6862
      participants, 77 (1.1%) developed hepatotoxicity; 52 (0.8%) were symptomatic;
      1.8% (61/3317) were on 9H and 0.4% (15/3545) were on 3HP (P < 0.0001). Risk
      factors for hepatotoxicity were age, female sex, white race, non-Hispanic
      ethnicity, decreased body mass index, elevated baseline AST, and 9H. In the case
      control study, HCV infection was associated with hepatotoxicity when controlling
      for other factors. CONCLUSION: The risk of hepatotoxicity during LTBI treatment
      with 3HP was lower than the risk with 9H. HCV and elevated baseline AST were risk
      factors for hepatotoxicity. For persons with these risk factors, 3HP may be
      preferred.

PMID- 26260827
TI  - False-negative BD MGITTM TBc Identification Test results in routine tuberculosis
      diagnosis: a New Zealand perspective.
AB  - >We previously reported on a comparison of the AccuProbe((r)) Gen-Probe((r)) MTBC
      assay (AccuProbe) (BioMerieux, Marcy L'Etoile, France) with the Becton Dickinson
      (BD) MGITTM TBc Identification (TBc) Test (BD, Franklin Lakes, NJ, USA) in our
      laboratory. In the period following the shift from the AccuProbe assay to the TBc
      test, we obtained six false-negative results. On sequencing the mpt64 gene, we
      found that these false-negative cases had mutations in the mpt64 gene due to
      deletion, insertion or substitution. Despite the occurrence of false-negative
      results, we found that the reduced cost and minimal technical expertise, combined
      with a new testing algorithm, still make this test the preferred option for
      rapidly identifying Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in MGIT cultures in a low
      TB burden country such as New Zealand. 

PMID- 26260828
TI  - Auditing smear microscopy results according to time to detection using the
      BACTECTM MGITTM TB system.
AB  - Smear microscopy is a rapid method for the identification of the most infectious
      patients with mycobacterial infection. Suboptimal smear microscopy may
      significantly compromise or delay patient isolation and contact tracing. A
      stringent method for auditing mycobacterial smear results is thus needed. This
      article proposes an auditing tool based on time to detection (TTD) of culture
      positive samples using the automated BACTECTM MGITTM 960 TB system. In our study,
      sputum samples subjected to liquefaction and concentration before staining with a
      TTD of <= 13 days using the BACTEC system should be positive on smear microscopy.

PMID- 26260829
TI  - Routine use of Xpert(r) MTB/RIF in areas with different prevalences of HIV and
      drug-resistant tuberculosis.
AB  - SETTING: Despite the widespread introduction of Xpert((r)) MTB/RIF in developing
      countries, reports of its use and value in routine conditions remain limited.
      OBJECTIVE: To describe Xpert results in relation to microscopy, treatment
      initiation, cost and workload under routine conditions at four sites in Cambodia,
      Georgia, Kenya and Swaziland. DESIGN: Laboratory and clinical information on
      presumed TB patients were obtained from routine registers over a period of at
      least 6 months between March and November 2012. RESULTS: Among the 6086 presumed
      TB patients included in the analysis, Xpert testing increased the number of
      biologically confirmed cases by 15% to 67% compared to microscopy. Up to 12% of
      the initial Xpert results were inconclusive. Between 56% and 83% of patients were
      started on treatment based on microscopy and/or Xpert results, with median delays
      of 1-16 days. Rifampicin resistance was detected in 3-19% of Xpert-positive
      patients. CONCLUSION: Despite the additional numbers of cases detected by Xpert
      compared to microscopy, large proportions of patients are still started on
      treatment empirically in routine practice. Patient and specimen flow should be
      optimised to reduce delays in treatment initiation. Simple, non-sputum-based
      point-of-care tests with high sensitivity are needed to improve TB diagnosis and
      management.

PMID- 26260830
TI  - Impact of point-of-care implementation of Xpert(r) MTB/RIF: product vs. process
      innovation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Both product innovation (e.g., more sensitive tests) and process
      innovation (e.g., a point-of-care [POC] testing programme) could improve patient
      outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To study the respective contributions of product and process
      innovation in improving patient outcomes. DESIGN: We implemented a POC programme
      using Xpert((r)) MTB/RIF in an out-patient clinic of a tertiary care hospital in
      India. We measured the impact of process innovation by comparing time to
      diagnosis with routine testing vs. POC testing. We measured the impact of product
      innovation by comparing accuracy and time to diagnosis using smear microscopy vs.
      POC Xpert. RESULTS: We enrolled 1012 patients over a 15-month period. Xpert had
      high accuracy, but the incremental value of one Xpert over two smears was only 6%
      (95%CI 3-12). Implementing Xpert as a routine laboratory test did not reduce the
      time to diagnosis compared to smear-based diagnosis. In contrast, the POC
      programme reduced the time to diagnosis by 5.5 days (95%CI 4.3-6.7), but required
      dedicated staff and substantial adaptation of clinic workflow. CONCLUSION:
      Process innovation by way of a POC Xpert programme had a greater impact on time
      to diagnosis than the product per se, and can yield important improvements in
      patient care that are complementary to those achieved by introducing innovative
      technologies.

PMID- 26260831
TI  - Contribution of Xpert(r) MTB/RIF to the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis among
      TB-exposed children in The Gambia.
AB  - SETTING: Greater Banjul Area, The Gambia. OBJECTIVE: To conduct a pragmatic
      evaluation of the Xpert((r)) MTB/RIF assay in the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB)
      among child contacts. DESIGN: In this prospective study, one induced sputum
      sample was obtained from TB contacts aged <15 years and tested using fluorescent
      microscopy, culture and Xpert. The diagnostic accuracy of the microbiological
      tests was evaluated against culture and 'all TB diagnosis and treatment' as
      separate reference standards. RESULTS: Using culture as a reference standard,
      Xpert was positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis in 6/14 culture-positive and
      6/473 culture-negative children, giving a sensitivity and specificity of
      respectively 42.9% (95%CI 17.7-71.1) and 98.7% (95%CI 97.2-99.5). With 'all TB
      diagnosis and treatment' as a composite reference standard, combined Xpert and
      culture tests were positive for M. tuberculosis in 20/62 children with TB disease
      (32.3%, 95%CI 20.9-45.3), which was comparable to the yield from microscopy,
      culture and Xpert combined (33.9%, 95%CI 22.3-47.0), but significantly higher
      than individual yields from each test. CONCLUSION: The sensitivity of Xpert is
      low in actively traced child contacts, but a combination of Xpert and
      mycobacterial culture has incremental benefits for the bacteriological
      confirmation of TB disease.

PMID- 26260832
TI  - Tuberculosis is frequently diagnosed within 12 months of diabetes mellitus.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Evidence regarding the effects of tuberculosis (TB) screening among
      patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) in intermediate TB burden countries is
      insufficient, and the most appropriate time point for TB screening is unclear.
      OBJECTIVE: To investigate trends in TB incidence among newly diagnosed DM
      patients. DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study of the claims database of the
      Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service in Korea was performed.
      Participants were newly diagnosed with type 2 DM in 2009. The study outcome was
      TB incidence between 2009 and 2011 among participants according to duration of
      type 2 DM. RESULTS: A cohort of 331,601 patients with newly diagnosed type 2 DM
      in 2009 was identified. During the 3-year follow-up period, 1533 patients were
      diagnosed with TB. The estimated incidence of TB among newly diagnosed type 2 DM
      patients was 18/10,000 patient-years (py) (95%CI 17.5-19.4). TB incidence was
      33/10,000 py (95%CI 30.0-35.6) in the first 6 months, and 19/10,000 py (95%CI
      16.5-20.6) in the following 6-month period. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of developing
      TB was increased among DM patients, particularly during the first 12 months after
      DM diagnosis.

PMID- 26260833
TI  - Conventional and real-time PCR targeting 16S ribosomal RNA for the detection of
      Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex.
AB  - SETTING: Conventional diagnostic methods for tuberculosis (TB) have limited
      sensitivity and specificity or are time-consuming. OBJECTIVE: 16S rDNA and 16S
      rRNA of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) were used as targets to develop
      sensitive and specific polymerase chain reactions (PCRs) to improve the diagnosis
      of MTC. DESIGN: We developed conventional and real-time PCRs targeting 16S rDNA
      and rRNA of MTC. RESULTS: PCRs targeting 16S rRNA had a 10-100 times lower limit
      of detection for M. tuberculosis than PCRs targeting 16S rDNA. The sensitivities
      of the 16S rDNA PCR, 16S rRNA reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR), 16S rDNA real
      time PCR and 16S rRNA real-time RT-PCR for sputum specimens were respectively
      92%, 94.6%, 96% and 100%. Real-time PCR showed no cross-reactivity, but
      conventional PCR had cross-reactivity to M. avium, M. gastri and M.
      nonchromogenicum. CONCLUSION: PCRs targeting the 16S rRNA of MTC were more
      sensitive than those targeting 16S rDNA; 16S rRNA real-time RT-PCR showed the
      highest sensitivity and specificity for MTC.

PMID- 26260834
TI  - Management and treatment outcomes of MDR-TB: results from a setting with high
      rates of drug resistance.
AB  - SETTINGS: Although Pakistan has a high burden of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis
      (MDR-TB), little is known about the management and treatment outcomes of MDR-TB
      patients in Pakistan. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate management and predictors of
      unsuccessful treatment outcomes among MDR-TB patients. METHODS: In this
      observational cohort study, 196 MDR-TB patients enrolled at the Programmatic
      Management Unit for drug-resistant TB of Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar,
      Pakistan, between 1 January 2012 and 28 February 2013 were included. Patients
      were followed until an outcome was recorded or 31 January 2015. RESULTS:
      Extensive concurrent resistance to ofloxacin (OFX) and pyrazinamide (54.6%) was
      observed. Among 181 patients for whom treatment outcome was available, 135
      (74.6%) were cured, 1 (0.6%) completed treatment, 35 (19.3%) died, 8 (4.4%)
      failed treatment and 2 (1.1%) defaulted. In multivariate analysis, predictors of
      unsuccessful treatment outcome (death, failure and default) were age >40 years
      (OR 3.412, P = 0.009), baseline body weight <40 kg (OR 2.966, P = 0.020),
      concurrent comorbidity (OR 3.785, P = 0.023), resistance to OFX (OR 2.777, P =
      0.023), lung cavitations at baseline chest X-ray (OR 5.253, P < 0.001) and
      regimen modification due to adverse events (OR 3.492, P = 0.037). CONCLUSION: The
      treatment outcome results were encouraging. Patients with identifiable predictors
      of poor treatment outcome should receive enhanced clinical management. Early
      detection and management of mild adverse effects can help prevent regimen
      modification and may improve treatment outcomes.

PMID- 26260835
TI  - Cost-effectiveness of improvements in diagnosis and treatment accessibility for
      tuberculosis control in India.
AB  - SETTING: Inaccurate diagnosis and inaccessibility of care undercut the
      effectiveness of high-quality anti-tuberculosis treatment and select for
      resistance. Rapid diagnostic systems, such as Xpert((r)) MTB/RIF for tuberculosis
      (TB) diagnosis and drug susceptibility testing (DST), and programs that provide
      high-quality DOTS anti-tuberculosis treatment to patients in the unregulated
      private sector (public-private mix [PPM]), may help address these challenges,
      albeit at increased cost. OBJECTIVE/DESIGN: We extended a microsimulation model
      of TB in India calibrated to demographic, epidemiologic, and care trends to
      evaluate 1) replacing DST with Xpert; 2) replacing microscopy and culture with
      Xpert to diagnose multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) and non-MDR-TB; 3) implementing
      nationwide PPM; and combinations of (3) with (1) or (2). RESULTS: PPM (assuming
      costs of $38/person) and Xpert improved health and increase costs relative to the
      status quo. PPM alone or with Xpert cost <1 gross domestic product/capita per
      quality-adjusted life-year gained relative to the next best intervention, and
      dominated Xpert interventions excluding PPM. CONCLUSIONS: While both PPM and
      Xpert are promising tools for combatting TB in India, PPM should be prioritized
      over Xpert, as private sector engagement is more cost-effective than Xpert alone
      and, if sufficient resources are available, would substantially increase the
      value of Xpert if both interventions are implemented together.

PMID- 26260836
TI  - Pott's disease in twenty-first century London: spinal tuberculosis as a
      continuing cause of morbidity and mortality.

PMID- 26260837
TI  - Notification of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis cases and treatment outcomes in
      the private sector.

PMID- 26260838
TI  - Bulk intermixing-type perovskite CH3NH3PbI3/TiO2 nanorod hybrid solar cells.
AB  - To replace high-temperature sintered scaffold materials in conventional
      CH3NH3PbI3-based solar cells, this study demonstrates a new device structure of a
      bulk intermixing (BI)-type CH3NH3PbI3/TiO2 nanorod (NR) hybrid solar cell, where
      dispersed TiO2 NRs from chemical synthesis are intermixed with the perovskite
      absorbing layer to form a BI-type perovskite/TiO2 NR hybrid for device
      fabrication. Through interface engineering between the TiO2 NR surface and the
      photoactive perovskite material of CH3NH3PbI3 by ligand exchange treatment, a
      remarkable power conversion efficiency (PCE) of over 12% was achieved based on
      the simple BI-type CH3NH3PbI3/TiO2 NR hybrid device structure. The proposed
      hybrids not only provide great flexibility for deposition on various substrates
      through spin coating at low temperatures but also enable layer-by-layer
      deposition for the future development of perovskite-based multi-junction solar
      cells. 

PMID- 26260839
TI  - Isolation of a diphenylamine-degrading bacterium and characterization of its
      metabolic capacities, bioremediation and bioaugmentation potential.
AB  - The antioxidant diphenylamine (DPA) is used in fruit-packaging plants for the
      control of the physiological disorder apple scald. Its use results in the
      production of DPA-contaminated wastewater which should be treated before finally
      discharged. Biological treatment systems using tailored-made microbial inocula
      with specific catabolic activities comprise an appealing and sustainable
      solution. This study aimed to isolate DPA-degrading bacteria, identify the
      metabolic pathway of DPA and evaluate their potential for future implementation
      in bioremediation and biodepuration applications. A Pseudomonas putida strain
      named DPA1 able to rapidly degrade and utilize DPA as the sole C and N source was
      enriched from a DPA-contaminated soil. The isolated strain degraded spillage
      level concentrations of DPA in liquid culture (2000 mg L(-1)) and in contaminated
      soil (1000 mg kg(-1)) and metabolized DPA via the transient formation of aniline
      and catechol. Further evidence for the bioremediation and biodepuration potential
      of the P. putida strain DPA1 was provided by its capacity to degrade the post
      harvest fungicide ortho-phenylphenol (OPP), concurrently used by the fruit
      packaging plants, although at slower rates and DPA in a wide range of pH (4.5-9)
      and temperatures (15-37  degrees C). These findings revealed the high potential
      of the P. putida strain DPA1 for use in future soil bioremediation strategies
      and/or as start-up inocula in wastewater biodepuration systems.

PMID- 26260840
TI  - Do soil Fe transformation and secretion of low-molecular-weight organic acids
      affect the availability of Cd to rice?
AB  - The bioavailability of cadmium (Cd) to rice may be complicated by chemical and
      biological factors in the rhizosphere. The aim of this work is to investigate how
      soil iron (Fe) redox transformations and low-molecular-weight organic acid
      (LMWOA) exudation from root affect Cd accumulation in rice. Two soils (a paddy
      soil and a saline soil) with different physicochemical properties were used in
      this study. Soil redox conditions were changed by flooding and addition of
      organic matter (OM). Two days after the soil treatments, rice seedlings were
      transplanted in a vermiculite-soil system and grown for 10 days. We measured pH
      and Eh, LMWOA, Fe and Cd contents in rice, and their fractions in the soils and
      vermiculite. Cadmium accumulation in rice declined in both soils upon the
      flooding and OM treatment. Iron dissolution in the paddy soil and its deposition
      in the rhizosphere significantly increased upon the OM addition, but the
      concentration of Fe plaque on the rice root significantly declined. Conversely,
      although Fe transformed into less active fractions in the saline soil, Fe
      accumulation on the surface and in the tissue of root was considerably enhanced.
      The secretion of LMWOA was remarkably induced when the OM was amended in the
      saline soil, but the same effect was not observed in the paddy soil. Reduction of
      Cd uptake by rice could be attributed to different factors in the two soils. For
      the paddy soil, the lowered Cd bioavailability was likely due to the competition
      of Fe and Cd for the binding sites on the vermiculite surface. For the saline
      soil, however, rice responded to the low Fe mobility through more LMWOA exudation
      and Fe plaque formation, and their increases could explain the decrease of rice
      Cd.

PMID- 26260841
TI  - Magnetic nanoparticles with hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity for solid-phase
      extraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from environmental water samples.
AB  - Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) featured with divinylbenzene (DVB) and sulfonate
      functionalities (Fe3O4-DVB-SO3(-)) were prepared via "thiol-ene" click chemistry.
      The hydrophobic DVB moieties were dedicated for extraction while the hydrophilic
      sulfonate groups were designed for dispersing the MNPs in aqueous sample
      solution. Thus, the specially designed material could ensure operational
      convenience and improve reproducibility during extraction. The application of the
      material was demonstrated by the extraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
      (PAHs) from environmental water samples followed by gas chromatography-mass
      spectrometric analysis. The main factors influencing the extraction, including
      the type of the desorption solvent, the agitation mode, the amount of MNPs,
      extraction and desorption time and salt addition in sample solution, were
      investigated in detail. Under the optimized conditions, the proposed method
      showed satisfactory reproducibility with intra-day and inter-day relative
      standard deviations less than 16.5% and 21.2%, and low limits of detection of
      1.1pgmL(-1), 0.8pgmL(-1), 1.1pgmL(-1), 1.4pgmL(-1), 0.6pgmL(-1), 2.1pgmL(-1) and
      0.7pgmL(-1) for naphthalene, acenaphthene, fluorine, phenanthrene, anthracene,
      fluoranthene and pyrene, respectively. The developed method was also successfully
      used for determination of the PAHs in genuine lake and river environmental water
      samples by standard addition method. All the studied PAHs were detected in these
      waters with comparable results by the standard liquid-liquid extraction method.
      The developed MNPs with dual property of hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity were
      suitable for the treatment of water samples. The magnetic solid phase extraction
      based on this material was reliable and convenient. It has great potential in the
      preconcentration of trace analytes in complex matrix. 

PMID- 26260842
TI  - Instrument platforms for thin-layer chromatography.
AB  - High performance column and thin-layer chromatography are both instrumental
      techniques but differ in that column chromatography requires a fully integrated
      instrument platform with high pressure capability while for thin-layer
      chromatography separate devices are used for each unit operation, usually at or
      close to atmospheric pressure, and afford higher flexibility supporting on-line
      or off-line operation. The unit operations of thin-layer chromatography are
      defined as sample application, development and evaluation with derivatization as
      an optional step. The diversity of equipment for each operation contributes to
      the flexibility of analysis by thin-layer chromatography and supports manual,
      semi-automated or full-automation of the separation process. Instrument platforms
      are more than a convenience as they affect performance, repeatability, sample
      detectability, and time management. The current trend in thin-layer
      chromatography is to make the unit operations independent of the user so that
      analysts can perform other tasks while each step is performed. In addition, in
      thin-layer chromatography it is general practice to separate several samples
      simultaneously, and instrument platforms are required to accommodate this
      feature. In this article, we review contemporary instrumentation employed in thin
      layer chromatography for sample application, development, derivatization,
      photodocumentation, densitometric evaluation, and hyphenation with spectroscopic
      detectors with an emphasis on the variety and performance of commercially
      available systems. Some suggestions for best practices and avoidance of common
      mistakes are included. 

PMID- 26260843
TI  - Multigene synergism increases the isoflavone and proanthocyanidin contents of
      Medicago truncatula.
AB  - Isoflavones and proanthocyanidins (PAs), which are flavonoid derivatives, possess
      many health benefits and play important roles in forage-based livestock
      production. However, the foliage of Medicago species accumulates limited levels
      of both isoflavones and PAs. In this study, biosynthesis of isoflavone and PA in
      Medicago truncatula was enhanced via synergy between soya bean isoflavone
      synthase (IFS1); two upstream enzymes, chalcone synthase (CHS) and chalcone
      isomerase (CHI); and the endogenous flavanone 3-hydroxylase (F3H). Constitutive
      expression of GmIFS1 alone resulted in ectopic accumulation of the isoflavone
      daidzein and large increases in the levels of the isoflavones formononetin,
      genistein and biochanin A in the leaves. Furthermore, coexpression of GmIFS1 with
      GmCHS7 and GmCHI1A generally increased the available flux to flavonoid
      biosynthesis and resulted in elevated isoflavone, flavone and PA contents. In
      addition, down-regulation of MtF3H combined with coexpression of GmIFS1, GmCHS7
      and GmCHI1A led to the highest isoflavone levels (up to 2 MUmol/g fresh weight in
      total). Taken together, our results demonstrate that multigene synergism is a
      powerful means to enhance the biosynthesis of particular flavonoids and can be
      more broadly applied to the metabolic engineering of forage species.

PMID- 26260845
TI  - NFkappaB- and AP-1-mediated DNA looping regulates matrix metalloproteinase-9
      transcription in TNF-alpha-treated human leukemia U937 cells.
AB  - The aim of this study is to explore the spatial association of critical genomic
      elements in the effect of TNF-alpha on matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9)
      expression in human leukemia U937 cells. TNF-alpha up-regulated MMP-9 protein
      expression and mRNA level in U937 cells, and Akt-mediated-NFkappaB/p65 activation
      and JNK-mediated c-Jun activation were proven to be involved in TNF-alpha-induced
      MMP-9 up-regulation. Promoter luciferase activity assay revealed that NFkappaB
      (nt-600) and AP-1 (nt-79) binding sites were crucial for TNF-alpha-induced
      transcription of MMP-9 gene. The results of a chromatin immunoprecipitation assay
      indicated that TNF-alpha reduced histone deacetylase-1 (HDAC-1) recruitment but
      increased p300 (a histone acetyltransferase) recruitment to MMP-9 promoter
      regions surrounding NFkappaB and AP-1 binding sites. Consistently, TNF-alpha
      increased enrichment of the acetylated histone H3 mark on MMP-9 promoter regions.
      DNA affinity purification assay revealed that p300 and HDAC1 could bind
      oligonucleotides containing AP-1/c-Jun and NFkappaB/p65 binding sites. Chromosome
      conformation capture assay showed that TNF-alpha stimulated chromosomal loops in
      the MMP-9 promoter via NFkappaB/p65 and AP-1/c-Jun. The p300-associated
      acetyltransferase activity was crucial for p65/c-Jun-mediated DNA looping, and
      inhibition of HDAC activity increased the level of DNA looping. Reduction in the
      level of DNA looping eliminated all TNF-alpha-stimulated MMP-9 up-regulation.
      Taken together, our data suggest that p65/c-Jun-mediated DNA looping is involved
      in TNF-alpha-induced MMP-9 up-regulation and that the recruitment of p300 or
      HDAC1 to NFkappaB and AP-1 binding sites modifies the level of DNA looping. 

PMID- 26260844
TI  - Dynamic interplay and function of multiple noncoding genes governing X chromosome
      inactivation.
AB  - There is increasing evidence for the emergence of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs)
      as important components, especially in the regulation of gene expression. In the
      event of X chromosome inactivation, robust epigenetic marks are established in a
      long noncoding Xist RNA-dependent manner, giving rise to a distinct epigenetic
      landscape on the inactive X chromosome (Xi). The X inactivation center (Xic) is
      essential for induction of X chromosome inactivation and harbors two
      topologically associated domains (TADs) to regulate monoallelic Xist expression:
      one at the noncoding Xist gene and its upstream region, and the other at the
      antisense Tsix and its upstream region. The monoallelic expression of Xist is
      tightly regulated by these two functionally distinct TADs as well as their
      constituting lncRNAs and proteins. In this review, we summarize recent updates in
      our knowledge of lncRNAs found at the Xic and discuss their overall mechanisms of
      action. We also discuss our current understanding of the molecular mechanism
      behind Xist RNA-mediated induction of the repressive epigenetic landscape at the
      Xi. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Clues to long noncoding RNA
      taxonomy1, edited by Dr. Tetsuro Hirose and Dr. Shinichi Nakagawa. 

PMID- 26260846
TI  - 14-3-3beta and gamma differentially regulate peroxisome proliferator activated
      receptor gamma2 transactivation and hepatic lipid metabolism.
AB  - Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR) gamma2 plays important roles in
      glucose and lipid metabolism in hepatocytes. PPARgamma2 is involved in metabolic
      disorders, including obesity, diabetes, and fatty liver disease. Although the 14
      3-3 proteins participate in a variety of cell signal pathways, the roles of the
      14-3-3 proteins in regulating PPARgamma2 transactivation and hepatic lipid
      metabolism are unknown. We identified 14-3-3beta and gamma as PPARgamma2
      transcriptional regulators. We found that 14-3-3beta and gamma competitively
      interacted with the phosphorylated Ser273 of PPARgamma2, which is important for
      regulating glucose and lipid metabolism. 14-3-3beta increased the transcriptional
      activity of PPARgamma2 and enhanced the expression levels of PPARgamma2 target
      genes involved in lipogenesis and lipid transport. In contrast, 14-3-3gamma
      decreased PPARgamma2 transactivation and reduced the expression levels of
      PPARgamma2 target genes. A high concentration of free fatty acids increased
      PPARgamma2 expression and lipid accumulation. 14-3-3beta enhanced hepatic
      lipogenesis, which is a major symptom of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
      However, 14-3-3gamma suppressed hepatic lipid accumulation in the presence of
      high free fatty acids. These findings indicate that 14-3-3beta and gamma are
      novel PPARgamma2 regulators and are involved in hepatic lipid metabolism. 14-3
      3beta and gamma can be therapeutic target molecules to treat non-alcoholic fatty
      liver disease. 

PMID- 26260847
TI  - Self-Assembled Fluorodendrimers Combine the Features of Lipid and Polymeric
      Vectors in Gene Delivery.
AB  - An ideal vector in gene therapy should exhibit high serum stability, excellent
      biocompatibility, a desired transfection efficacy and permeability into targeted
      tissues. Here, we describe a class of low-molecular-weight fluorodendrimers for
      efficient gene delivery. These materials self-assemble into uniform nanospheres
      and allow for efficient transfection at low charge ratios and very low DNA doses
      with minimal cytotoxicity. Our results demonstrate that these vectors combine the
      features of synthetic gene vectors such as liposomes and cationic polymers and
      present promising potential for clinical gene therapy. 

PMID- 26260848
TI  - The effect of CPAP therapy on insulin-like growth factor and cognitive functions
      in obstructive sleep apnea patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Cognitive impairment is common among patients with obstructive sleep
      apnea syndrome (OSAS). In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of
      continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy on serum insulin-like growth
      factor-1 (IGF-1) levels and cognitive functions in patients with OSAS.
      PATIENT/METHODS: Thirty-three patients with newly diagnosed OSAS and 17 healthy
      control subjects enrolled in the study. All individuals completed the mini-mental
      state examination (MMSE) to evaluate cognitive function. Blood samples were taken
      at the end of the polysomnography in the morning and the same procedures were
      repeated 3 months after starting CPAP treatment. RESULTS: In the OSAS group, the
      baseline MMSE score was 23.5 +/- 3.6, and serum IGF-1 level was 79.1 +/- 36.1
      ng/mL. Both values were significantly lower compared with the control group (mean
      MMSE score = 28.1 +/- 1.4, P = 0.0001; mean serum IGF-1 level = 147.1 +/- 49.1
      ng/mL, P < 0.0001). Three months after CPAP treatment, OSAS patients showed a
      significant improvement in MMSE scores (26.5 +/- 2.8, P = 0.0001) and serum IGF-1
      level (129.1 +/- 58.2, P = 0.0001). In contrast, baseline and third-month
      measurements for IGF-1 levels and MMSE scores were not significantly different in
      the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that effective CPAP therapy
      in OSAS patients leads to significant improvement in cognitive functions and IGF
      1 even in a short-term follow-up. Cognitive function assessment might be a part
      of evaluation in OSAS patients.

PMID- 26260849
TI  - Metformin suppresses intrahepatic coagulation activation in mice with
      lipopolysaccharide/D-galactosamine-induced fulminant hepatitis.
AB  - Metformin is a widely-used antidiabetic drug with hypoglycemic activity and
      previously described anti-inflammatory properties. Previous studies have
      demonstrated that metformin attenuates endotoxic hepatitis, however the
      mechanisms remain unclear. Inflammation and coagulation are closely associated
      pathological processes, therefore the potential effects of metformin on key steps
      in activation of the coagulation system were further investigated in endotoxic
      hepatitis induced by lipopolysaccharide/D-galactosamine (LPS/D-Gal). The current
      study demonstrated that treatment with metformin significantly suppressed the
      upregulation of tissue factor and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 in LPS/D-Gal
      exposed mice. In addition, a reduction in the expression of interleukin 6 and
      inhibition of nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kappaB were observed. These
      data indicate that the LPS/D-Gal-induced elevation of the stable protein level of
      hypoxia inducible factor 1alpha, the mRNA level of erythropoietin, vascular
      endothelial growth factor and matrix metalloproteinase-3, and the hepatic level
      of lactic acid were also suppressed by metformin. The current study indicates
      that the suppressive effects of metformin on inflammation-induced coagulation may
      be an additional mechanism underlying the hepatoprotective effects of metformin
      in mice with LPS/D-Gal-induced fulminant hepatitis.

PMID- 26260850
TI  - Development of a diagnostic co-dominant marker for stem rust resistance gene Sr47
      introgressed from Aegilops speltoides into durum wheat.
AB  - KEY MESSAGE: A robust and diagnostic STS marker for stem rust resistance gene
      Sr47 was developed and validated for marker-assisted selection. Stem rust (caused
      by Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici, Pgt) resistance gene Sr47, originally
      transferred from Aegilops speltoides to durum wheat (Triticum turgidum subsp.
      durum) line DAS15, confers a high level of resistance to Pgt race TTKSK (Ug99).
      Recently, the durum Rusty 5D(5B) substitution line was used to reduce the Ae.
      speltoides segment, and the resulting lines had Sr47 on small Ae. speltoides
      segments on wheat chromosome arm 2BL. The objective of this study was to develop
      a robust marker for marker-assisted selection of Sr47. A 200-kb segment of the
      Brachypodium distachyon genome syntenic with the Sr47 region was used to identify
      wheat expressed sequence tags (ESTs) homologous to the B. distachyon genes. The
      wheat EST sequences were then used to develop sequence-tagged site (STS) markers.
      By analyzing the markers for polymorphism between Rusty and DAS15, we identified
      a co-dominant STS marker, designated as Xrwgs38, which amplified 175 and 187 bp
      fragments from wheat chromosome 2B and Ae. speltoides chromosome 2S segments,
      respectively. The marker co-segregated with the Ae. speltoides segments carrying
      Sr47 in the families from four BC2F1 plants, including the parent plants for
      durum lines RWG35 and RWG36 with the pedigree of Rusty/3/Rusty 5D(5B)/DAS15//47-1
      5D(5B). Analysis of 62 durum and common wheat cultivars/lines lacking the Sr47
      segment indicated that they all possessed the 175-bp allele of Xrwgs38,
      indicating that it was diagnostic for the small Ae. speltoides segment carrying
      Sr47. This study demonstrated that Xrwgs38 will facilitate the selection of Sr47
      in durum and common wheat breeding.

PMID- 26260851
TI  - Inter-Arm Blood Pressure Differences May Be Important for Predicting Mortality.

PMID- 26260852
TI  - Fibroelastolytic papulosis: histopathologic confirmation of disease spectrum
      variants in a single case.
AB  - Fibroelastolytic papulosis is a rare, acquired fibroelastolytic disorder that
      presents clinically as white-to-yellow papules and plaques most commonly
      occurring on the neck of elderly patients. The term fibroelastolytic papulosis
      encompasses two closely related conditions previously described as pseudoxanthoma
      elasticum-like papillary dermal elastolysis (PDE) and white fibrous papulosis of
      the neck (WFPN). Here we present a case of a 78-year-old white female with a
      several-year history of numerous, asymptomatic 2-3 mm yellowish, non-follicular
      papules distributed symmetrically over the posterior neck, axillae, arm and
      antecubital fossae. Histopathologic examination revealed thickened and clumped
      elastotic fibers admixed with thick, sclerotic appearing collagen bundles in the
      mid and deep reticular dermis. Rare melanophages, loss of vertically oriented
      elastic fibers and scattered elastotic globes were noted in the papillary dermis.
      Based on the shared clinicopathologic features showed in this case, strong
      consideration should be made for the additional inclusion of papillary dermal
      elastosis as existing along the disease continuum of fibroelastolytic papulosis.
      This occurrence of fibroelastolytic papulosis shows unique histopathologic
      findings of pseudoxanthoma elasticum-like PDE, papillary dermal elastosis and
      WFPN, further supporting the theory that these entities exist as variants along
      the fibroelastolytic papulosis spectrum.

PMID- 26260853
TI  - Active immunization therapies for Parkinson's disease and multiple system
      atrophy.
AB  - Vaccination is increasingly being investigated as a potential treatment for
      synucleinopathies, a group of neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson's
      disease, multiple system atrophy, and dementia with Lewy bodies associated with
      alpha-synuclein pathology. All lack a causal therapy. Development of novel,
      disease-altering treatment strategies is urgently needed. Vaccination has
      positioned itself as a prime strategy for addressing these diseases because it is
      broadly applicable, requires infrequent administration, and maintains low
      production costs for treating a large population or as a preventive measure.
      Current evidence points to a causal role of misfolded alpha-synuclein in the
      development and progression of synucleinopathies. In the past decade, significant
      progress in active immunization against alpha-synuclein has been shown both in
      preclinical animal models and in early clinical development. In this review, we
      describe the state-of-the-art in active immunization approaches to
      synucleinopathies, with a focus on advances in Parkinson's disease (PD) and
      multiple-system atrophy (MSA). We first review preclinical animal models,
      highlighting their progress in translation to the clinical setting. We then
      discuss current clinical applications, stressing different approaches taken to
      address alpha-synuclein pathology. Finally, we address challenges, trends, and
      future perspectives of current vaccination programs.

PMID- 26260854
TI  - Automating unambiguous NOE data usage in NVR for NMR protein structure-based
      assignments.
AB  - Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy is an important technique that
      allows determining protein structure in solution. An important problem in protein
      structure determination using NMR spectroscopy is the mapping of peaks to
      corresponding amino acids, also known as the assignment problem. Structure-Based
      Assignment (SBA) is an approach to solve this problem using a template structure
      that is homologous to the target. Our previously developed approach Nuclear
      Vector Replacement-Binary Integer Programming (NVR-BIP) computed the optimal
      solution for small proteins, but was unable to solve the assignments of large
      proteins. NVR-Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) extended the applicability of the NVR
      approach for such proteins. One of the input data utilized in these approaches is
      the Nuclear Overhauser Effect (NOE) data. NOE is an interaction observed between
      two protons if the protons are located close in space. These protons could be
      amide protons, protons attached to the alpha-carbon atom in the backbone of the
      protein, or side chain protons. NVR only uses backbone protons. In this paper, we
      reformulate the NVR-BIP model to distinguish the type of proton in NOE data and
      use the corresponding proton coordinates in the extended formulation. In
      addition, the threshold value over interproton distances is set in a standard
      manner for all proteins by extracting the NOE upper bound distance information
      from the data. We also convert NOE intensities into distance thresholds. Our new
      approach thus handles the NOE data correctly and without manually determined
      parameters. We accordingly adapt NVR-ACO solution methodology to these changes.
      Computational results show that our approaches obtain optimal solutions for small
      proteins. For the large proteins our ant colony optimization-based approach
      obtains promising results. 

PMID- 26260855
TI  - A comment on two-locus epistatic interaction models for genome-wide association
      studies.
AB  - Detection of epistatic interactions in genome-wide association studies is a
      computationally hard problem. Many detection algorithms have been proposed and
      will continue to be. Most of those algorithms measure their predictive power by
      running on simulated data many times under various disease models. However, we
      find that there have been subtle differences in interpreting the meaning of
      existing disease models among the previous studies on detection of epistatic
      interactions. We elucidate those differences and suggest that future studies on
      epistatic interactions in GWAS state explicitly which versions/interpretations
      are employed. We also provide a way to facilitate setting parameters of disease
      models. 

PMID- 26260857
TI  - Modeling the impact of rubella vaccination in Vietnam.
AB  - Supported by GAVI Alliance, measles-rubella vaccination was introduced in Vietnam
      in 2014, involving a mass campaign among 1-14 year olds and routine immunization
      of children aged 9 months. We explore the impact on the incidence of Congenital
      Rubella Syndrome (CRS) during 2013-2050 of this strategy and variants involving
      women aged 15-35 years. We use an age and sex-structured dynamic transmission
      model, set up using recently-collected seroprevalence data from Central Vietnam,
      and also consider different levels of transmission and contact patterns. If the
      serological profile resembles that in Central Vietnam, the planned vaccination
      strategy could potentially prevent 125,000 CRS cases by 2050 in Vietnam, despite
      outbreaks predicted in the meantime. Targeting the initial campaign at 15-35 year
      old women with or without children aged 9 months-14 years led to sustained
      reductions in incidence, unless levels of ongoing transmission were medium-high
      before vaccination started. Assumptions about contact greatly influenced
      predictions if the initial campaign just targeted 15-35 year old women and/or
      levels of ongoing transmission were medium-high. Given increased interest in
      rubella vaccination, resulting from GAVI Alliance funding, the findings are
      relevant for many countries. 

PMID- 26260856
TI  - Atrophy patterns in early clinical stages across distinct phenotypes of
      Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - Alzheimer's disease (AD) can present with distinct clinical variants. Identifying
      the earliest neurodegenerative changes associated with each variant has
      implications for early diagnosis, and for understanding the mechanisms that
      underlie regional vulnerability and disease progression in AD. We performed voxel
      based morphometry to detect atrophy patterns in early clinical stages of four AD
      phenotypes: Posterior cortical atrophy (PCA, "visual variant," n=93), logopenic
      variant primary progressive aphasia (lvPPA, "language variant," n=74), and memory
      predominant AD categorized as early age-of-onset (EOAD, <65 years, n=114) and
      late age-of-onset (LOAD, >65 years, n=114). Patients with each syndrome were
      stratified based on: (1) degree of functional impairment, as measured by the
      clinical dementia rating (CDR) scale, and (2) overall extent of brain atrophy, as
      measured by a neuroimaging approach that sums the number of brain voxels showing
      significantly lower gray matter volume than cognitively normal controls (n=80).
      Even at the earliest clinical stage (CDR=0.5 or bottom quartile of overall
      atrophy), patients with each syndrome showed both common and variant-specific
      atrophy. Common atrophy across variants was found in temporoparietal regions that
      comprise the posterior default mode network (DMN). Early syndrome-specific
      atrophy mirrored functional brain networks underlying functions that are uniquely
      affected in each variant: Language network in lvPPA, posterior cingulate cortex
      hippocampal circuit in amnestic EOAD and LOAD, and visual networks in PCA. At
      more advanced stages, atrophy patterns largely converged across AD variants.
      These findings support a model in which neurodegeneration selectively targets
      both the DMN and syndrome-specific vulnerable networks at the earliest clinical
      stages of AD.

PMID- 26260858
TI  - Inactivated Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium monophasic variant (S.
      Typhimurium 1,4,[5],12:i-) in sows is effective to control infection in piglets
      under field condition.
AB  - The monophasic variant of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, namely
      Salmonella 1,4,[5],12:i-, has been increasingly responsible for foodborne human
      cases of disease and is most frequently detected in pork, since the variant is
      widely spread in pig farms. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of
      an autologous vaccine in decreasing the prevalence of Salmonella 1,4,[5],12:i-,
      in pigs. The trial was performed in a multisite pig production system of Northern
      Italy. The autogenous vaccine was prepared from the Salmonella 1,4,[5],12:i-
      strain isolated from the clinical case occurring in the Farm. Different
      immunization protocols were applied, ranging from interventions only in sows or
      piglets, or both. Microbiological analysis was performed to assess faecal
      shedding in sows and their offspring from birth till end of the production cycle
      and organ colonization of slaughtered pigs. Body weight of pigs was recorded at
      different time-points. Humoral immune response was evaluated in serum samples of
      sows and piglets. S. Typhimurium 1,4,[5],12:i- determines reduction of animal
      growth and farm production, furthermore, contamination of carcasses at the
      slaughterhouse. The load of bacteria entering into the food processing chain is
      differently influenced by the regimen of administration of inactivated vaccine.
      In particular, a combined vaccination of sows and their offspring was able to
      improve the weight gain of growing pigs, to limit Salmonella colonization of
      organs and to reduce the number of carrier pigs, and hence lowering the risk of
      introducing Salmonella organisms in the slaughter process. 

PMID- 26260859
TI  - Genetic resistance to infections in sheep.
AB  - This paper considers genetic resistance to infectious disease in sheep, with
      appropriate comparison with goats, and explores how such variation may be used to
      assist in disease control. Many studies have attempted to quantify the extent to
      which host animals differ genetically in their resistance to infection or in the
      disease side-effects of infection, using either recorded animal pedigrees or
      information from genetic markers to quantify the genetic variation. Across all
      livestock species, whenever studies are sufficiently well powered, then genetic
      variation in disease resistance is usually seen and such evidence is presented
      here for three infections or diseases of importance to sheep, namely mastitis,
      foot rot and scrapie. A further class of diseases of importance in most small
      ruminant production systems, gastrointestinal nematode infections, is outside the
      scope of this review. Existence of genetic variation implies the opportunity, at
      least in principle, to select animals for increased resistance, with such
      selection ideally used as part of an integrated control strategy. For each of the
      diseases under consideration, evidence for genetic variation is presented, the
      role of selection as an aid to disease control is outlined and possible side
      effects of selection in terms of effects in performance, effects on resistance to
      other diseases and potential parasite/pathogen coevolution risks are considered.
      In all cases, the conclusion is drawn that selection should work and it should be
      beneficial, with the main challenge being to define cost effective selection
      protocols that are attractive to sheep farmers. 

PMID- 26260860
TI  - Polyketide synthases from poison hemlock (Conium maculatum L.).
AB  - Coniine is a toxic alkaloid, the biosynthesis of which is not well understood. A
      possible route, supported by evidence from labelling experiments, involves a
      polyketide formed by the condensation of one acetyl-CoA and three malonyl-CoAs
      catalysed by a polyketide synthase (PKS). We isolated PKS genes or their
      fragments from poison hemlock (Conium maculatum L.) by using random amplification
      of cDNA ends (RACE) and transcriptome analysis, and characterized three full
      length enzymes by feeding different starter-CoAs in vitro. On the basis of our in
      vitro experiments, two of the three characterized PKS genes in poison hemlock
      encode chalcone synthases (CPKS1 and CPKS2), and one encodes a novel type of PKS
      (CPKS5). We show that CPKS5 kinetically favours butyryl-CoA as a starter-CoA in
      vitro. Our results suggest that CPKS5 is responsible for the initiation of
      coniine biosynthesis by catalysing the synthesis of the carbon backbone from one
      butyryl-CoA and two malonyl-CoAs.

PMID- 26260862
TI  - Concordance between nurses' perception of their ability to provide spiritual care
      and the identified spiritual needs of hospitalized patients: A cross-sectional
      observational study.
AB  - Spiritual care is essential to the well-being of patients, and nurses provide
      spiritual care as a fundamental part of nursing practice. In this study, we
      investigated the spiritual care needs of hospitalized patients to determine
      whether the perceived knowledge of nurses corresponded with these spiritual care
      needs. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 1351 hospitalized patients and
      200 registered nurses recruited from a medical center in central Taiwan. A
      questionnaire, including the 21-item Spiritual Care Needs Inventory (patient and
      nurse version) and basic demographic information, was distributed to eligible
      participants. The top three items of the spiritual care needs expressed by the
      hospitalized patients were respect for privacy and dignity, showing concern, and
      guidance in gaining a sense of hope in life; the percentages of nurses not
      knowing how to provide these spiritual care needs were 0%, 1%, and 15%,
      respectively. The spiritual care needs of patients showed a significant
      relationship with the knowledge of nurses, suggesting that the perceived
      knowledge of the nurses generally corresponded with the spiritual care items that
      the patients required most. 

PMID- 26260863
TI  - Improving dengue viral antigens detection in dengue patient serum specimens using
      a low pH glycine buffer treatment.
AB  - BACKGROUND/PURPOSES: Early diagnosis of dengue virus (DENV) infection to monitor
      the potential progression to hemorrhagic fever can influence the timely
      management of dengue-associated severe illness. Nonstructural protein 1 (NS1)
      antigen detection in acute serum specimens has been widely accepted as an early
      diagnostic assay for dengue infection; however, lower sensitivity of the NS1
      antigen-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Ag-ELISA) in secondary dengue
      viral infection has been reported. METHODS: In this study, we developed two forms
      of Ag-ELISA capable of detecting E-Ag containing virion and virus-like particles,
      and secreted NS1 (sNS1) antigens, respectively. The temporal kinetics of viral
      RNA, sNS1, and E-Ag were evaluated based on the in vitro infection experiment.
      Meanwhile, a panel of 62 DENV-2 infected patients' sera was tested. RESULTS: The
      sensitivity was 3.042 ng/mL and 3.840 ng/mL for sNS1 and E, respectively. The
      temporal kinetics of the appearance of viral RNA, E, NS1, and infectious virus in
      virus-infected tissue culture media suggested that viral RNAs and NS1 antigens
      could be detected earlier than E-Ag and infectious virus. Furthermore, a panel of
      62 sera from patients infected by DENV Serotype 2 was tested. Treating clinical
      specimens with the dissociation buffer increased the detectable level of E from
      13% to 92% and NS1 antigens from 40% to 85%. CONCLUSION: Inclusion of a low-pH
      glycine buffer treatment step in the commercially available Ag-ELISA is crucial
      for clinical diagnosis and E-containing viral particles could be a valuable
      target for acute DENV diagnosis, similar to NS1 detection.

PMID- 26260861
TI  - 2015 proceedings of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's State of the
      Science in Transfusion Medicine symposium.
AB  - On March 25 and 26, 2015, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute sponsored
      a meeting on the State of the Science in Transfusion Medicine on the National
      Institutes of Health (NIH) campus in Bethesda, Maryland, which was attended by a
      diverse group of 330 registrants. The meeting's goal was to identify important
      research questions that could be answered in the next 5 to 10 years and which
      would have the potential to transform the clinical practice of transfusion
      medicine. These questions could be addressed by basic, translational, and/or
      clinical research studies and were focused on four areas: the three "classical"
      transfusion products (i.e., red blood cells, platelets, and plasma) and blood
      donor issues. Before the meeting, four working groups, one for each area,
      prepared five major questions for discussion along with a list of five to 10
      additional questions for consideration. At the meeting itself, all of these
      questions, and others, were discussed in keynote lectures, small-group breakout
      sessions, and large-group sessions with open discourse involving all meeting
      attendees. In addition to the final lists of questions, provided herein, the
      meeting attendees identified multiple overarching, cross-cutting themes that
      addressed issues common to all four areas; the latter are also provided. It is
      anticipated that addressing these scientific priorities, with careful attention
      to the overarching themes, will inform funding priorities developed by the NIH
      and provide a solid research platform for transforming the future practice of
      transfusion medicine. 

PMID- 26260865
TI  - Taphonomic Patterning of Cemetery Remains Received at the Office of the Chief
      Medical Examiner, Boston, Massachusetts.
AB  - A sample of 49 cases of cemetery remains received at the Office of the Chief
      Medical Examiner, Massachusetts (OCME-MA), in Boston was compared with published
      taphonomic profiles of cemetery remains. The present sample is composed of a
      cross section of typical cases in this region that ultimately are derived from
      modern to historical coffin burials and get turned over to or seized by law
      enforcement. The present sample was composed of a large portion of isolated
      remains, and most were completely skeletonized. The most prevalent taphonomic
      characteristics included uniform staining (77.6%), coffin wear (46.9%), and
      cortical Exfoliation (49.0%). Other taphonomic changes occurring due to later
      surface exposure of cemetery remains included subaerial weathering, animal
      gnawing, algae formation, and excavation marks. A case of one set of skeletal
      remains associated with coffin artifacts and cemetery offerings that was
      recovered from transported cemetery fill is also presented. 

PMID- 26260864
TI  - Endoplasmic reticulum stress in diabetic mouse or glycated LDL-treated
      endothelial cells: protective effect of Saskatoon berry powder and cyanidin
      glycans.
AB  - Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is associated with insulin resistance and
      diabetic cardiovascular complications, and mechanism or remedy for ER stress
      remains to be determined. The results of the present study demonstrated that the
      levels of ER stress or unfolded protein response (UPR) markers, the intensity of
      thioflavin T (ThT) fluorescence and the abundances of GRP78/94, XBP-1 and CHOP
      proteins were elevated in cardiovascular tissue of diabetic leptin receptor
      deficient (db/db) mice. Cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G) and cyanidin-3-galactoside
      (C3Ga) are major anthocyanins in Saskatoon berry (SB) powder. The administration
      of 5% SB powder for 4 weeks attenuated ThT fluorescence and the UPR markers in
      hearts and aortae of wild-type and db/db mice. Treatment with glycated low
      density lipoprotein (gLDL) increased ThT intensity in human umbilical vein
      endothelial cells (ECs). Elevated UPR markers were detected in gLDL-treated EC
      compared to control cultures. The involvement of ER stress in gLDL-treated EC was
      supported by that the addition of 4-phenyl butyrate acid (a known ER stress
      antagonist) inhibited gLDL-induced increases in ER stress or UPR markers. C3G at
      30 MUM or C3Ga at 100 MUM reached their maximal inhibition on gLDL-induced
      increases in ThT, GRP78/94, XBP-1 and CHOP in EC. The results demonstrated that
      ER stress was enhanced in cardiovascular tissue of db/db mice or gLDL-treated EC.
      SB powder or cyanidin glycans prevented the abnormal increases in ER stress and
      UPR markers in cardiovascular tissue of diabetic db/db mice or gLDL-treated EC.

PMID- 26260866
TI  - Tuberculosis (HIV-negative people): improving adherence.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: About one third of the world's population has immunological
      evidence of previous exposure to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In 2013, an
      estimated 9.0 million people developed tuberculosis (TB) and 1.5 million died
      from the disease. METHODS AND OUTCOMES: We conducted a systematic overview,
      aiming to answer the following clinical questions: What are the effects of
      directly observed treatment (DOT) versus self-administered treatment (SAT) in
      people with tuberculosis without HIV infection? What are the effects of support
      mechanisms for DOT in people with tuberculosis without HIV infection? We
      searched: Medline, Embase, The Cochrane Library, and other important databases up
      to June 2014 (Clinical Evidence overviews are updated periodically; please check
      our website for the most up-to-date version of this overview). RESULTS: At this
      update, searching of electronic databases retrieved 189 studies. After
      deduplication and removal of conference abstracts, 104 records were screened for
      inclusion in the overview. Appraisal of titles and abstracts led to the exclusion
      of 86 studies and the further review of 18 full publications. Of the 18 full
      articles evaluated, three systematic reviews and one RCT were added at this
      update. We performed a GRADE evaluation for 12 PICO combinations. CONCLUSIONS: In
      this systematic overview, we categorised the efficacy for 13 interventions based
      on information relating to the effectiveness and safety of directly observed
      treatment and support mechanisms for directly observed treatment.

PMID- 26260867
TI  - Assessment of pelvic injuries treated with ilio-sacral screws: injury severity
      and accuracy of screw positioning.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to analyse possible indicative parameters for
      percutaneous ilio-sacral stabilisation and to identify parameters associated with
      screw misplacement. METHODS: Cohort study, level I trauma centre. INCLUSION
      CRITERIA: (1) unstable pelvic injury, (2) percutaneous ilio-sacral screws
      placement. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: (1) sacral dysmorphy, (2) failed closed reduction,
      (3) navigated techniques. Indicative parameters were age, gender, body mass
      index, number of screws, screw angulation, fracture type and injury severity. End
      points were ilio-sacral screw position and associated complications. Screw
      placement accuracy was graded as follows: grade 0, no perforation; grade 1,
      perforation <2 mm; grade 2, perforation from 2 to 4 mm; grade 3, >=4 mm
      perforation. RESULTS: Between March 2008 and March 2013, 102 (53 women) patients
      were included (mean age, 48.5 +/- 21.4 years). The Injury Severity Score (ISS)
      and New Injury Severity Score (NISS) were 18.9 +/- 9.9 and 22.3 +/- 22.3,
      respectively. The positions of 137 ilio-sacral screws were analysed. Of all
      screws, 87.6 % (120) were placed satisfactory (<2 mm perforation). The incidence
      of screw misplacement was significantly higher in the case of two unilateral S1
      screws compared with a single screw (failure rate: two unilateral screws 23.1 %
      vs single screw 7.0 %; p < 0.05). Screw perforation anterior to the lateral mass
      (in-out-in) represented the most frequent malposition. Revision was necessary in
      three cases due to malpositioning. Furthermore, no major complication occurred.
      CONCLUSIONS: We conclude, that twofold ilio-sacral screw positioning from one
      side increases the risk for screw misplacement. In this case, alternative
      techniques like navigation should be considered. Anterior screw perforation
      represents a common problem with a high incidence and warrants particular
      attention.

PMID- 26260868
TI  - Inappropriate interpretations of prenatal drug use data can be worse than the
      drugs themselves.

PMID- 26260869
TI  - Association of plasma osteoprotegerin levels with the severity of lower extremity
      arterial disease in patients with type 2 diabetes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a member of the tumor necrosis factor
      receptor superfamily and suggested as a marker of atherosclerosis. However,
      little is known about the association between plasma OPG levels and lower
      extremity arterial disease. We investigated whether plasma OPG levels were
      associated with the presence and severity of lower extremity arterial disease in
      patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: This was a study of 712 patients with
      type 2 diabetes aged 40 years or older. Plasma OPG was measured using ELISA. The
      lower extremity arterial disease was diagnosed by high-frequency color Doppler
      ultrasonic. RESULTS: Of 712 patients, 505 (70.9 %) had lower extremity arterial
      stenosis. OPG levels were significantly increased in patients with lower
      extremity arterial stenosis [1.89 (1.48-2.41) vs. 2.39 (1.82-3.33) ng/mL, p <
      0.001]. Plasma OPG levels increased gradually with increasing severity of lower
      extremity arterial stenosis (p < 0.001 for trend), after adjustment for
      traditional cardiovascular risk factors such as age, gender, smoking, total
      cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, C-reactive protein
      (CRP), body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure(SBP). The risk of lower
      extremity arterial disease was increased (OR = 1.17, 95 % CI 1.09 -1.28, p <
      0.001) with each standard deviation (SD) higher level of OPG in patients with
      type 2 diabetes after adjustment for traditional CVD risk factors. CONCLUSIONS:
      Plasma OPG levels were significantly associated with the presence and severity of
      lower extremity arterial disease. Our results suggest that OPG is an important
      plasma biomarker of lower extremity arterial disease in type 2 diabetes.

PMID- 26260870
TI  - Developmental exposure of aflatoxin B1 reversibly affects hippocampal
      neurogenesis targeting late-stage neural progenitor cells through suppression of
      cholinergic signaling in rats.
AB  - To elucidate the maternal exposure effects of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and its
      metabolite aflatoxin M1, which is transferred into milk, on postnatal hippocampal
      neurogenesis, pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were provided a diet containing AFB1
      at 0, 0.1, 0.3, or 1.0 ppm from gestational day 6 to day 21 after delivery on
      weaning. Offspring were maintained through postnatal day (PND) 77 without AFB1
      exposure. Following exposure to 1.0 ppm AFB1, offspring showed no apparent
      systemic toxicity at weaning, whereas dams showed increased liver weight and DNA
      repair gene upregulation in the liver. In the hippocampal dentate gyrus of male
      PND 21 offspring, the number of doublecortin(+) progenitor cells were decreased,
      which was associated with decreased proliferative cell population in the
      subgranular zone at >= 0.3 ppm, although T-box brain 2(+) cells, tubulin beta
      III(+) cells, gamma-H2A histone family, member X(+) cells, and cyclin-dependent
      kinase inhibitor 1A(+) cells did not fluctuate in number. AFB1 exposure examined
      at 1.0 ppm also resulted in transcript downregulation of the cholinergic receptor
      subunit Chrna7 and dopaminergic receptor Drd2 in the dentate gyrus, although
      there was no change in transcript levels of DNA repair genes. In the hippocampal
      dentate hilus, interneurons expressing CHRNA7 or phosphorylated tropomyosin
      receptor kinase B (TRKB) decreased at >= 0.3 ppm. On PND 77, there were no
      changes in neurogenesis-related parameters. These results suggested that maternal
      AFB1 exposure reversibly affects hippocampal neurogenesis targeting type-3
      progenitor cells. This mechanism likely involves suppression of cholinergic
      signals on hilar GABAergic interneurons and brain-derived neurotrophic factor
      TRKB signaling from granule cells. The no-observed-adverse-effect level for
      offspring neurogenesis was determined to be 0.1 ppm (7.1-13.6 mg/kg body
      weight/day).

PMID- 26260871
TI  - 4,5-Dihydro-1,2,3-oxadiazole: A Very Elusive Key Intermediate in Various
      Important Chemical Transformations.
AB  - 4,5-Dihydro-1,2,3-oxadiazoles are postulated to be key intermediates in the
      industrial synthesis of ketones from alkenes, in the alkylation of DNA in vivo,
      and in the decomposition of N-nitrosoureas; they are also a subject of great
      interest for theoretical chemists. In the presented report, the formation of 4,5
      dihydro-1,2,3-oxadiazole and the subsequent decay into secondary products have
      been studied by NMR monitoring analysis. The elusive properties evading
      characterization have now been confirmed by (1) H, (13) C, and (15) N NMR
      spectroscopy, and relevant 2D experiments at very low temperatures. Our
      experiments with suitably substituted N-nitrosoureas using thallium(I) alkoxides
      as bases under apolar conditions answer important questions on the existence and
      the secondary products of 4,5-dihydro-1,2,3-oxadiazole. 

PMID- 26260872
TI  - Nanostructured Pluronic hydrogels as bioinks for 3D bioprinting.
AB  - Bioprinting is an emerging technology in the field of tissue engineering as it
      allows the precise positioning of biologically relevant materials in 3D, which
      more resembles the native tissue in our body than current homogenous, bulk
      approaches. There is however a lack of materials to be used with this technology
      and materials such as the block copolymer Pluronic have good printing properties
      but do not allow long-term cell culture. Here we present an approach called
      nanostructuring to increase the biocompatibility of Pluronic gels at printable
      concentrations. By mixing acrylated with unmodified Pluronic F127 it was possible
      to maintain the excellent printing properties of Pluronic and to create stable
      gels via UV crosslinking. By subsequent elution of the unmodified Pluronic from
      the crosslinked network we were able to increase the cell viability of
      encapsulated chondrocytes at day 14 from 62% for a pure acrylated Pluronic
      hydrogel to 86% for a nanostructured hydrogel. The mixed Pluronic gels also
      showed good printability when cells where included in the bioink. The
      nanostructured gels were, with a compressive modulus of 1.42 kPa, mechanically
      weak, but we were able to increase the mechanical properties by the addition of
      methacrylated hyaluronic acid. Our nanostructuring approach enables Pluronic
      hydrogels to have the desired set of properties in all stages of the bioprinting
      process. 

PMID- 26260873
TI  - Chemotherapy is effective for stage I gastric cancer in patients with synchronous
      esophageal cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Diagnostic endoscopy occasionally shows synchronous early gastric
      cancer (EGC) and esophageal cancer (EC) in the same patient. The treatment plan
      for these comorbid cancers is unclear because, as EGC is commonly treated
      surgically, information on post-chemotherapy outcomes for EGC are lacking,
      although chemotherapy and chemoradiotherapy are important in treating EC. Here,
      we evaluated whether unresected EGC could be safely observed while synchronous EC
      is treated with chemotherapy in patients with both cancers. METHODS: We enrolled
      30 patients with both EGC and EC who were treated with 5-FU plus cisplatin (FP)
      from January 2006 to September 2013, and who were evaluated with endoscopy before
      chemotherapy, and approximately every 3 months afterwards. RESULTS: The response
      rate to FP for EGC was 46.8 %. Notably, five cases (16.7 %) had clinically
      complete responses with no progressive disease. Progression-free survival was 100
      % at 6 months and 96.2 % at 1 year. In univariate analysis, FP was significantly
      more effective for mixed-type and undifferentiated adenocarcinoma than for
      differentiated adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: FP was effective for EGC. EGC was
      stable without progression for more than 6 months while patients underwent FP
      treatment for EC. We consider observing EGC with no treatment during chemotherapy
      for EC to be appropriate disease management.

PMID- 26260874
TI  - Outcome of gastric cancer in the elderly: a population-based evaluation of the
      Munich Cancer Registry.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer accounts for 5 % of cancer deaths. Proportions of
      older stomach cancer patients are increasing. Despite the still poor prognosis,
      standardised treatment has achieved improvements; nonetheless it is questionable
      whether all age groups have benefitted. Age and outcome need to be examined in a
      population-based setting. METHODS: Analyses included Munich Cancer Registry (MCR)
      data from 8601 invasive gastric cancer patients, diagnosed between 1998 and 2012.
      Tumour and therapy characteristics and outcome were analysed by two age groups
      (<70 vs. >=70 years). Survival was analysed using the Kaplan-Meier method and
      relative survival was computed as an estimation for cancer-specific survival.
      Additional landmark analyses were conducted by calculating conditional survival
      of patients who survived more than 6 months. RESULTS: Fifty-nine per cent of the
      cohort were >=70 years old. These patients had tumours with a slightly better
      prognosis and were treated with less radical surgery and adjuvant therapy than
      younger patients. The 5-year relative survival was 40 % for the youngest (<50
      years) and 23 % for the oldest patients (>=80 years). Survival differences were
      diminished or eliminated after landmark analyses: The 5-year relative survival in
      age groups 50-59, 60-69 and 70-79 years was comparable (between 48 and 49.6 %)
      and slightly worse in the youngest and oldest (45 %), which may be explained by
      more aggressive tumours and effects of cellular senescence, respectively.
      CONCLUSION: The treatment and care of elderly gastric cancer patients in the MCR
      catchment area seems appropriate: if a patient's general condition allows
      oncologic resection and chemotherapy, it is conducted and the result is
      comparable between age groups.

PMID- 26260875
TI  - A phase II study of an enhanced recovery after surgery protocol in gastric cancer
      surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol integrates a
      number of perioperative interventions and techniques, aiming at decreasing the
      morbidity rate and the length of postoperative hospital stay after surgery.
      Although it has become a standard perioperative management for colorectal
      surgery, the feasibility of the ERAS protocol for gastric surgery remains
      unclear. METHODS: This single-center, prospective phase II study included
      patients with gastric cancer undergoing curative gastrectomy. The primary end
      point was the incidence of Clavien-Dindo grade II or higher postoperative
      complications. The secondary end points were the incidence of anastomotic
      leakage, the incidence of pneumonia, the proportion of patients starting oral
      feeding at postoperative day 2, the completion rate of the ERAS protocol, the
      length of postoperative hospital stay, the readmission rate within 30 days after
      discharge, and the mortality rate. RESULTS: From September 2013 to September
      2014, 121 eligible patients were enrolled in this study. The incidence of
      postoperative complications was 10.7 % (90 % confidence interval, 6.47-16.54 %).
      Anastomotic leakage and pneumonia was observed in one and zero patients,
      respectively. The median length of postoperative hospital stay was 8 days, and
      the completion rate of the ERAS protocol was 85.1 %. The readmission rate and the
      mortality rate were 0 %. CONCLUSIONS: The ERAS protocol can be safely used in
      patients undergoing gastric cancer surgery. The superiority of the ERAS protocol
      over non-ERAS perioperative management should be clarified.

PMID- 26260877
TI  - Responding to heatwave intensity: Excess Heat Factor is a superior predictor of
      health service utilisation and a trigger for heatwave plans.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine which measures of heatwave have the greatest predictive
      power for increases in health service utilisation in Perth, Western Australia.
      METHODS: Three heatwave formulas were compared, using Poisson or zero-inflated
      Poisson regression, against the number of presentations to emergency departments
      from all causes, and the number of inpatient admissions from heat-related causes.
      The period from July 2006 to June 2013 was included. A series of standardised
      thresholds were calculated to allow comparison between formulas, in the absence
      of a gold standard definition of heatwaves. RESULTS: Of the three heatwave
      formulas, Excess Heat Factor (EHF) produced the most clear dose-response
      relationship with Emergency Department presentations. The EHF generally predicted
      periods that resulted in a similar or higher rate of health service utilisation,
      as compared to the two other formulas, for the thresholds examined. CONCLUSIONS:
      The EHF formula, which considers a period of acclimatisation as well as the
      maximum and minimum temperature, best predicted periods of greatest health
      service demand. The strength of the dose-response relationship reinforces the
      validity of the measure as a predictor of hazardous heatwave intensity.
      IMPLICATIONS: The findings suggest that the EHF formula is well suited for use as
      a means of activating heatwave plans and identifies the required level of
      response to extreme heatwave events as well as moderate heatwave events that
      produce excess health service demand.

PMID- 26260876
TI  - Surgical treatment of liver metastasis of gastric cancer: a retrospective
      multicenter cohort study (KSCC1302).
AB  - BACKGROUND: The necessity of surgical treatment of liver metastases of gastric
      cancer is still controversial. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a multicenter
      retrospective cohort study of liver-limited metastasis of gastric cancer treated
      surgically between 2000 and 2010. In this study, 103 patients were registered,
      with nine patients excluded from the analysis as they did not meet the
      eligibility criteria. RESULTS: Of the 94 patients, 69 underwent surgical
      resection, 11 underwent surgical resection combined with radiofrequency ablation
      or microwave coagulation therapy for small or deep tumors, and 14 underwent
      radiofrequency ablation or microwave coagulation therapy only. Synchronous and
      metachronous metastases were found in 37 and 57 patients, respectively. The 3-
      and 5-year overall survival rates of all the patients were 51.4 and 42.3 %,
      respectively. The 3- and 5-year relapse-free survival rates were 29.2 and 27.7 %,
      respectively. No significant difference in prognosis was observed between the
      patients who underwent surgical resection and those who underwent ablation
      therapy. The patients with hepatic solitary lesions and low-grade lymph node
      metastases of primary gastric cancer had significantly better overall survival
      and relapse-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this study is the
      largest series and first multicenter cohort study of liver-limited metastasis of
      gastric cancer. The study indicated that patients with a single liver metastasis
      with a grade lower than N2 lymph node metastasis of the primary lesion are the
      best candidates for liver resection.

PMID- 26260878
TI  - The effects of Bobath-based trunk exercises on trunk control, functional
      capacity, balance, and gait: a pilot randomized controlled trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Bobath-based
      individually designed trunk exercises on trunk control, upper and lower extremity
      function, and walking and balance in stroke patients. The main aim of treatment
      was to eliminate individual trunk impairments during various patient functions.
      METHODS: The study was planned as an assessor-blinded, randomized controlled
      trial. A total of 22 patients volunteered to participate in the study. Trunk
      function, functional capacity, and gait were assessed with the Trunk Impairment
      Scale (TIS), stroke rehabilitation assessment of movement (STREAM), and a 10-m
      walking test, respectively. The Berg Balance Test (BBT), functional reach (FR),
      and timed up-and-go (TUG) tests were used to evaluate balance. After the initial
      assessment, the patients were divided randomly into two groups, the study group
      (12 patients) and the control group (10 patients). The mean age of the patients
      in the study group was 55.91 years (duration of stroke 58.66 months) and that of
      the control group was 54.00 years (duration of stroke 67.20 months). Individual
      training programs were determined for the patients in the study group, taking
      into consideration their evaluation results; and strengthening, stretching, range
      of motion, and mat exercises were determined for the control group according to
      their functional level. The participants in both groups were taken into the
      physiotherapy program for 12 weeks, 3 days a week for 1 hour a day. RESULTS: In
      group analyses, both groups showed improvement in STREAM, TIS, and TUG tests.
      Only the study group produced significant gains in the BBT, FR, and 10 m walking
      tests (P < 0.05). According to the pre- and post-treatment results, no
      significant difference was observed in any of the evaluated parameters between
      the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Individually developed exercise programs in
      the Bobath concept improve trunk performance, balance, and walking ability in
      stroke patients more than do conventional exercises.

PMID- 26260880
TI  - Infectious disease: The natural history of HPV infection in men.

PMID- 26260883
TI  - Prostate cancer: On the right path--Stat3 signalling controls the ARF-Mdm2-p53
      tumour-suppressor pathway.

PMID- 26260879
TI  - Current and potential urological applications of botulinum toxin A.
AB  - Botulinum toxin subtype A (BoNT-A) is a potent neurotoxin that can selectively
      modulate neurotransmitter release from nerve endings, resulting in muscular
      paralysis. BoNT-A might also act on sensory nerves, and have an anti-inflammatory
      effect. In the first urological use of BoNT-A, injection into the urethral
      sphincters of patients with detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia resulted in a
      reduction of urethral resistance and improved voiding efficiency. Subsequently,
      intravesical BoNT-A injections have received regulatory approval for treatment of
      neurogenic detrusor overactivity owing to spinal cord lesions or multiple
      sclerosis, and idiopathic overactive bladder in adults. BoNT-A has also been
      widely used to treat patients with the off-label indications of neurogenic or non
      neurogenic voiding dysfunction and male lower urinary tract symptoms owing to BPH
      and bladder-neck dysfunction. Other indications for which urologists have applied
      BoNT-A injections include interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome, bladder
      oversensitivity and chronic pelvic pain syndrome. BoNT-A is currently delivered
      as an intravesical injection; however, use of liposome encapsulated formulations
      is also beginning to show some therapeutic potential. 

PMID- 26260887
TI  - Diagnostic Implementation of Fast and Selective Integrin-Mediated Adhesion of
      Cancer Cells on Functionalized Zeolite L Monolayers.
AB  - The rapid and exact identification and quantification of specific biomarkers is a
      key technology for always achieving more efficient diagnostic methodologies. We
      present the first application of a nanostructured device constituted of patterned
      self-assembled monolayers of disk-shaped zeolite L coated with the cyclic
      integrin ligand c[RGDfK] via isocyanate linker, to the rapid detection of cancer
      cells. With its high specificity toward HeLa and Glioma cells and fast adhesion
      ability, this biocompatible monolayer is a promising platform for implementation
      in diagnostics and personalized therapy formulation devices. 

PMID- 26260888
TI  - Decoupled association between (18)F-FDG and (18)F-FDOPA uptake in a carcinoid of
      the thymus.

PMID- 26260884
TI  - Initial prostate cancer diagnosis and disease staging--the role of choline-PET
      CT.
AB  - An early and correct diagnosis together with accurate staging of prostate cancer
      is necessary in order to plan the most appropriate treatment strategy.
      Morphological imaging modalities such as transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS), CT,
      and MRI can have some limitations regarding their accuracy for primary diagnosis
      and staging of prostate cancer; for instance, they have limited specificity in
      differentiating cancer from benign prostatic conditions and, by using size as the
      only criterion to characterize lymph node metastases, they might not be accurate
      enough for tumour characterization. In this scenario, PET-CT with (11)C-labelled
      or (18)F-labelled choline derivatives provides morphological and functional
      characterization and could overcome the limitations of the conventional imaging
      techniques. PET-CT is one of the most investigated molecular imaging modalities
      for prostate cancer diagnosis and staging. Currently, the main investigations on
      the role of PET-CT in the diagnosis and staging of prostate cancer have been
      performed on a retrospective basis and this type of analysis might be one of the
      main reasons why different results regarding its diagnostic accuracy have been
      reported. 

PMID- 26260889
TI  - Accuracy of FDG-PET/CT and paraneoplastic antibodies in diagnosing cancer in
      paraneoplastic neurological syndromes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: There is still no consensus about whether to perform PET/CT to detect
      carcinoma in paraneoplastic neurological syndromes (PNS) in patients with or
      without antibodies. The aim of this study is to determine the diagnostic accuracy
      of PET/CT and antibodies in patients with PNS. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A
      retrospective study was conducted on patients with clinically suspected PNS
      between 2008 and 2013. The association between histopathological findings,
      paraneoplastic antibodies, and PET/CT findings were evaluated. Sensitivity and
      specificity for the detection of underlying malignancy were calculated for PET/CT
      and paraneoplastic antibodies. RESULTS: A total of 42 patients were analyzed. Of
      these 42 patients, 32 (75%) had a classical PNS, 6 (14%) had positive PET/CT
      findings, and 34 were tested for the presence of antibodies (anti-Hu Ab, anti-Yo
      Ab, and anti-Ri Ab). Twenty one of 34 patients had positive antibodies. Of the 6
      patients with positive PET/CT findings, 6 had positive histopathological results.
      Among 21 patients with positive biomarkers, carcinoma was confirmed only in 5
      patients. One patient with negative antibodies, but positive PET/CT findings, was
      diagnosed with a tumor. Gastric carcinoma was detected in 1 patient with negative
      PET/CT findings and antibodies during follow-up. Based on the results, PET/CT was
      found to have 85.71% sensitivity, 100% specificity, 100% positive and 97.22%
      negative predictive values in the detection of tumors. CONCLUSION: PET/CT has a
      certain diagnostic accuracy for detecting underlying malignancy in patients with
      PNS, regardless of the presence of paraneoplastic antibodies.

PMID- 26260890
TI  - Uncommon isolated distant subcutaneous tissue and skeletal muscle metastasis from
      oesophageal cancer diagnosed by PET/CT (18)F-FDG.
AB  - Distant soft-tissue metastases (subcutaneous tissues and skeletal muscle) are
      extremely rare, particularly in oesophageal carcinoma. The case is described of a
      patient who was treated for oesophageal adenocarcinoma 2.5 years previously. A
      PET/CT was performed showing metastatic spread due to a solitary focus of
      increased tracer uptake corresponding to one subcutaneous node in the upper
      abdomen. An excisional biopsy showed a metastasis from the carcinoma. Restaging
      PET/CT (18)F-FDG study was performed 2 year later, demonstrating foci of
      increased uptake within several muscles as isolated distant haematogenous spread
      of metastases, histopathologically confirmed. As most of soft-tissue metastases
      are asymptomatic, the physicians should recommend a histopathological study of
      focal FDG uptake at subcutaneous tissues and/or skeletal muscles, because they
      may be the first sign of disease spread, so therapeutic management of these
      patients could be changed. 

PMID- 26260891
TI  - Exaggerated pulmonary vascular response to acute hypoxia in older men.
AB  - NEW FINDINGS: What is the central question of this study? Pulmonary arterial
      pressure is higher in older than younger humans and predicts mortality. It is
      also increased by acute hypoxia, which causes constriction of the pulmonary
      vasculature. We asked whether this pulmonary vascular response to hypoxia is
      greater in older humans. What is the main finding and its importance? Using
      Doppler echocardiography in 12 younger (~ 20 years old) and nine older men (~ 55
      years old) exposed to 20 min of moderate isocapnic hypoxia, we demonstrated that
      older men showed a significantly greater rise in pulmonary arterial pressure
      during alveolar hypoxia than younger men. Future studies should examine the
      pathophysiological importance of increased hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction
      with age. Resting pulmonary arterial pressure increases with age in humans. In
      the general population, higher values are associated with increased mortality,
      and in common cardiopulmonary diseases, such as congestive heart failure and
      chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the presence of pulmonary arterial
      hypertension portends a worse outcome. Pulmonary arterial pressure increases
      during alveolar hypoxia, as a consequence of constriction in the pulmonary
      vasculature. We hypothesized that older men have more vigorous hypoxic pulmonary
      vasoconstriction than younger men. Twelve younger (20.5 +/- 0.5 years old) and
      nine older men (55.8 +/- 2.1 years old) were exposed for 20 min on different days
      to isocapnic hypoxia (end-tidal PO2 = 50 mmHg) and isocapnic euoxia (end-tidal
      PO2 = 100 mmHg); each was preceded (baseline) and followed by 5 min of isocapnic
      euoxia. Systolic pulmonary arterial pressure and cardiac output were measured
      continuously using Doppler echocardiography. Systolic pulmonary arterial pressure
      was greater during baseline euoxic measurements in older participants (27.8 +/-
      0.8 versus 24.1 +/- 0.7 mmHg, P = 0.001) and also increased more during hypoxia
      in older participants (15.2 +/- 1.3 versus 9.6 +/- 0.9 mmHg, P = 0.011). Cardiac
      output did not differ between the two groups during baseline measurements (P =
      0.60) or hypoxia (P = 0.49). All data are means +/- SEM. The increased magnitude
      of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction demonstrated with age has implications for
      individuals wishing to ascend to high altitude or travel by air, for those
      suffering from conditions in which global alveolar hypoxia is a feature and for
      patients requiring general anaesthesia.

PMID- 26260892
TI  - Glutathione Decrement Drives Thermogenic Program In Adipose Cells.
AB  - Adipose tissue metabolically adapts to external stimuli. We demonstrate that the
      induction of the thermogenic program in white adipocytes, through cold exposure
      in mice or in vitro adrenergic stimulation, is accompanied by a decrease in the
      intracellular content of glutathione (GSH). Moreover, the treatment with a GSH
      depleting agent, buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), recapitulates the effect of cold
      exposure resulting in the induction of thermogenic program. In particular, BSO
      treatment leads to enhanced uncoupling respiration as demonstrated by increased
      expression of thermogenic genes (e.g. Ucp1, Ppargc1a), augmented oxygen
      consumption and decreased mitochondrial transmembrane potential. Buffering GSH
      decrement by pre-treatment with GSH ester prevents the up-regulation of typical
      markers of uncoupling respiration. We demonstrate that FoxO1 activation is
      responsible for the conversion of white adipocytes into a brown phenotype as the
      "browning" effects of BSO are completely abrogated in cells down-regulating
      FoxO1. In mice, the BSO-mediated up-regulation of uncoupling genes results in
      weight loss that is at least in part ascribed to adipose tissue mass reduction.
      The induction of thermogenic program has been largely proposed to counteract
      obesity-related diseases. Based on these findings, we propose GSH as a novel
      therapeutic target to increase energy expenditure in adipocytes. 

PMID- 26260893
TI  - Immunogenic properties of Landrace pigs selected for resistance to mycoplasma
      pneumonia of swine.
AB  - Mycoplasma pneumonia of swine (MPS) lung lesions and immunogenic properties were
      compared between a Landrace line that was genetically selected for reduced
      incidence of pulmonary MPS lesions, and a non-selected Landrace line. The MPS
      selected Landrace line showed significantly lower degrees of pulmonary MPS
      lesions compared with the non-selected Landrace line. When changes in immunity
      before and after vaccination were compared, the percentage of B cells in the
      peripheral blood of the MPS-selected Landrace line was significantly lower than
      that of the non-selected line. Furthermore, the concentration of growth hormone
      and the mitogen activity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in the MPS
      selected Landrace line showed significantly (P < 0.05) lower increases after
      vaccination than the non-selected line. Conversely, the concentration of
      peripheral blood interferon (IFN)-gamma and salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA) after
      Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae vaccination was significantly higher in the MPS-selected
      Landrace line than in the non-selected line. Gene expression of toll-like
      receptor (TLR)2 and TLR4 was significantly higher in the MPS-selected Landrace
      line in immune tissues, with the exception of the hilar lymph nodes. The present
      results suggest that peripheral blood IFN-gamma, salivary IgA TLR2, and TLR4 are
      important immunological factors influencing the development of MPS lesions.

PMID- 26260894
TI  - Evaluation of clinical trial of atopic dermatitis by a topical cream containing
      the extracts from photosynthetic bacteria, Rhodobacter sphaeroides.
AB  - The photosynthetic bacteria Rhodobacter sphaeroides has been studied as a
      functional food source; however, in this clinical study, we report for the first
      time its use as a treatment for atopic dermatitis. Topical cream containing 10%
      (v/v) extract was demonstrated to have the ability to reduce skin moisture
      content loss and pruritus by 27.82% in clinical trials for atopic dermatitis
      compared with controls. In particular, there were statistically significant
      differences in the pH and temperature changes of the skin, skin firmness and
      general skin appearance. Changes in the skin pH were measured as 4.83, and there
      was a 3.37% change in temperature after 4 weeks of treatment. It was also found
      that there were great differences in wrinkle states according to the grading
      scale of patients before and after treatment with topical cream. Therefore, these
      results strongly suggest that extracts from photosynthetic bacteria can be
      employed to soothe atopic irritation as a new cosmetic bioresource. 

PMID- 26260895
TI  - A qPCR and multiplex pyrosequencing assay combined with automated data processing
      for rapid and unambiguous detection of ESBL-producers Enterobacteriaceae.
AB  - Rapid and specific detection of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing (ESBL)
      bacteria is crucial both for timely antibiotic therapy when treating infected
      patients as well as for appropriate infection control measures aimed at curbing
      the spread of ESBL-producing isolates. Whereas a variety of phenotypic methods
      are currently available for ESBL detection, they remain time consuming and
      sometimes difficult to interpret while being also affected by a lack of
      sensitivity and specificity. Considering the longer turnaround time (TAT) of
      susceptibility testing and culture results, DNA-based ESBL identification would
      be a valuable surrogate for phenotypic-based methods. Putative ESBL-positive
      Enterobacteriaceae isolates (n = 330) from clinical specimen were prospectively
      collected in Bulgaria, Romania and Democratic Republic of Congo and tested in
      this study. All isolates were assessed for ESBL-production by the E-test method
      and those giving undetermined ESBL status were re-tested using the combination
      disk test. A genotypic assay successively combining qPCR detection of blaCTX-M,
      blaTEM and blaSHV genes with a multiplex pyrosequencing of blaTEM and blaSHV
      genes was developed in order to detect the most common ESBL-associated TEM and
      SHV single nucleotides polymorphisms, irrespective of their plasmid and/or
      chromosomal location. This assay was applied on all Enterobacteriaceae isolates
      (n = 330). Phenotypic and genotypic results matched in 324/330 (98.2%).
      Accordingly, real-time PCR combined with multiplex pyrosequencing appears to be a
      reliable and easy-to-perform assay with high-throughput identification and fast
      TAT (~5 h). 

PMID- 26260896
TI  - Schizophrenia and the influence of male gender.
AB  - Adolescent boys are the demographic group most likely to receive a diagnosis of
      schizophrenia. Before adulthood, boys accumulate more potential brain hazards
      than girls, and this may predispose them to disordered neurodevelopment during
      adolescence. Hormonal and immune gender differences that emerge at this time
      likely play an additional and significant role. Very recently, gender differences
      can be examined even before the onset of full-blown illness, in individuals at
      "clinically high risk." 

PMID- 26260897
TI  - The small heat shock protein, HSP30, is associated with aggresome-like inclusion
      bodies in proteasomal inhibitor-, arsenite-, and cadmium-treated Xenopus kidney
      cells.
AB  - In the present study, treatment of Xenopus laevis A6 kidney epithelial cells with
      the proteasomal inhibitor, MG132, or the environmental toxicants, sodium arsenite
      or cadmium chloride, induced the accumulation of the small heat shock protein,
      HSP30, in total and in both soluble and insoluble protein fractions.
      Immunocytochemical analysis revealed the presence of relatively large HSP30
      structures primarily in the perinuclear region of the cytoplasm. All three of the
      stressors promoted the formation of aggresome-like inclusion bodies as determined
      by immunocytochemistry and laser scanning confocal microscopy using a ProteoStat
      aggresome dye and additional aggresomal markers, namely, anti-gamma-tubulin and
      anti-vimentin antibodies. Further analysis revealed that HSP30 co-localized with
      these aggresome-like inclusion bodies. In most cells, HSP30 was found to envelope
      or occur within these structures. Finally, we show that treatment of cells with
      withaferin A, a steroidal lactone with anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and
      proteasomal inhibitor properties, also induced HSP30 accumulation that co
      localized with aggresome-like inclusion bodies. It is possible that proteasomal
      inhibitor or metal/metalloid-induced formation of aggresome-like inclusion bodies
      may sequester toxic protein aggregates until they can be degraded. While the role
      of HSP30 in these aggresome-like structures is not known, it is possible that
      they may be involved in various aspects of aggresome-like inclusion body
      formation or transport. 

PMID- 26260898
TI  - Delayed access of low body weight-selected chicks to food at hatch is associated
      with up-regulated pancreatic glucagon and glucose transporter gene expression.
AB  - Chickens selected for low (LWS) and high (HWS) juvenile body weight (BW) for 55
      generations differ in BW by 10-fold at selection age. High (HWR) and low (LWR)
      body weight-relaxed lines have been random-bred since the 46th generation. Our
      objective was to evaluate the developmental and nutritional regulation of
      pancreatic mRNA abundance of pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1 (PDX1),
      preproinsulin (PPI), preproglucagon (PPG), and glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2). At
      day of hatch (DOH) and days 1, 3, 7, and 15 (D1, 3, 7 and 15, respectively),
      pancreas was collected and real time PCR was performed in Experiment 1. In
      Experiment 2, HWS and LWS were fed or delayed access to food for 72 h post-hatch,
      and pancreas collected at D15. There was an interaction of line and age for GLUT2
      (P=0.001), PPI (P<0.0001), PPG (P=0.034), and PDX1 (P<0.0001). Expression was
      greater in chicks from LWR and LWS than HWR and HWS. There was an interaction of
      line and nutrition on PPG (P<0.0001) and GLUT2 (P=0.001) mRNA, where expression
      was similar among chicks that were fed but greater in LWS than HWS when chicks
      were delayed access to food. Thus, the first two weeks is important for
      maturation of pancreatic endocrine function. Long-term selection for BW is
      associated with differences in pancreas development, and delaying access to food
      at hatch may have persisting effects on glucose regulatory function.

PMID- 26260899
TI  - Neurocognitive impairment in the deficit subtype of schizophrenia.
AB  - Schizophrenia is a heterogeneous disorder characterized by numerous diverse signs
      and symptoms. Individuals with prominent, persistent, and idiopathic negative
      symptoms are thought to encompass a distinct subtype of schizophrenia. Previous
      work, including studies involving neuropsychological evaluations, has supported
      this position. The present study sought to further examine whether deficit
      patients are cognitively distinct from non-deficit patients with schizophrenia. A
      comprehensive neurocognitive battery including tests of verbal memory, vigilance,
      processing speed, reasoning, and working memory was administered to 657 patients
      with schizophrenia. Of these, 144 (22 %) patients were classified as deficit
      patients using a proxy identification method based on severity, persistence over
      time, and possible secondary sources (e.g., depression) of negative symptoms.
      Deficit patients with schizophrenia performed worse on all tests of cognition
      relative to non-deficit patients. These patients were characterized by a
      generalized cognitive impairment on the order of about 0.4 standard deviations
      below that of non-deficit patients. However, when comparing deficit patients to
      non-deficit patients who also present with negative symptoms, albeit not enduring
      or primary, no group differences in cognitive performance were found.
      Furthermore, a discriminant function analysis classifying patients into
      deficit/non-deficit groups based on cognitive scores demonstrated only 62.3 %
      accuracy, meaning over one-third of individuals were misclassified. The deficit
      subtype of schizophrenia is not markedly distinct from non-deficit schizophrenia
      in terms of neurocognitive performance. While deficit patients tend to have
      poorer performance on cognitive tests, the magnitude of this effect is relatively
      modest, translating to over 70 % overlap in scores between groups. 

PMID- 26260900
TI  - Altered intrinsic organisation of brain networks implicated in attentional
      processes in adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a resting-state
      study of attention, default mode and salience network connectivity.
AB  - Deficits in task-related attentional engagement in attention
      deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have been hypothesised to be due to altered
      interrelationships between attention, default mode and salience networks. We
      examined the intrinsic connectivity during rest within and between these
      networks. Six-minute resting-state scans were obtained. Using a network-based
      approach, connectivity within and between the dorsal and ventral attention, the
      default mode and the salience networks was compared between the ADHD and control
      group. The ADHD group displayed hyperconnectivity between the two attention
      networks and within the default mode and ventral attention network. The salience
      network was hypoconnected to the dorsal attention network. There were trends
      towards hyperconnectivity within the dorsal attention network and between the
      salience and ventral attention network in ADHD. Connectivity within and between
      other networks was unrelated to ADHD. Our findings highlight the altered
      connectivity within and between attention networks, and between them and the
      salience network in ADHD. One hypothesis to be tested in future studies is that
      individuals with ADHD are affected by an imbalance between ventral and dorsal
      attention systems with the former playing a dominant role during task engagement,
      making individuals with ADHD highly susceptible to distraction by salient task
      irrelevant stimuli. 

PMID- 26260902
TI  - Genome wide DNA copy number analysis in cholangiocarcinoma using high resolution
      molecular inversion probe single nucleotide polymorphism assay.
AB  - In order to study molecular similarities and differences of intrahepatic (IH-CCA)
      and extrahepatic (EH-CCA) cholangiocarcinoma, 24 FFPE tumor samples (13 IH-CCA,
      11 EH-CCA) were analyzed for whole genome copy number variations (CNVs) using a
      new high-density Molecular Inversion Probe Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (MIP
      SNP) assay. Common in both tumor subtypes the most frequent losses were detected
      on chromosome 1p, 3p, 6q and 9 while gains were mostly seen in 1q, 8q as well as
      complete chromosome 17 and 20. Applying the statistical GISTIC (Genomic
      Identification of Significant Targets in Cancer) tool we identified potential
      novel candidate tumor suppressor- (DBC1, FHIT, PPP2R2A) and oncogenes (LYN,
      FGF19, GRB7, PTPN1) within these regions of chromosomal instability. Next to
      common aberrations in IH-CCA and EH-CCA, we additionally found significant
      differences in copy number variations on chromosome 3 and 14. Moreover, due to
      the fact that mutations in the Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH-1 and IDH-2) genes
      are more frequent in our IH-CCA than in our EH-CCA samples, we suggest that the
      tumor subtypes have a different molecular profile. In conclusion, new possible
      target genes within regions of high significant copy number aberrations were
      detected using a high-density Molecular Inversion Probe Single Nucleotide
      Polymorphism (MIP SNP) assay, which opens a future perspective of fast routine
      copy number and marker gene identification for gene targeted therapy. 

PMID- 26260901
TI  - Are morphological changes necessary to mediate the therapeutic effects of
      electroconvulsive therapy?
AB  - The neurotrophic hypothesis has become the favorite model to explain the
      antidepressant properties of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). It is based on the
      assumption that a restoration of previously defective neural networks drives
      therapeutic effects. Recent data in rather young patients suggest that
      neurotrophic effects of ECT might be detectable by diffusion tensor imaging. We
      here aimed to investigate whether the therapeutic response to ECT necessarily
      goes along with mesoscopic effects in gray matter (GM) or white matter (WM) in
      our patients in advanced age. Patients (n = 21, 15 males and 7 females) suffering
      from major depressive disorder were treated with ECT. Before the start of
      treatment and after the completion of the index series, they underwent magnetic
      resonance imaging, including a diffusion-weighed sequence. We used voxel-based
      morphometry to assess GM changes and tract-based spatial statistics and an SPM
      based whole-brain analysis to detect WM changes in the course of treatment.
      Patients significantly improved clinically during the course of ECT. This was,
      however, not accompanied by GM or WM changes. This result challenges the notion
      that mesoscopic brain structure changes are an obligatory prerequisite for the
      antidepressant effects of ECT. 

PMID- 26260903
TI  - Increased DNA methylation in the livers of patients with alcoholic hepatitis.
AB  - Epigenetic regulation of gene expression has been suggested to play a critical
      role in the development of alcoholic hepatitis (AH). Although it has been shown
      that ethanol-induced damage in hepatocytes resulted from a change in methionine
      metabolism causes global gene expression changes in hepatocytes, the role of the
      epigenetic machinery in such processes has, however, been barely investigated. 5
      Methylcytosine (5mC) and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) are major molecules of
      epigenetic DNA modification that play an important role in the control of gene
      expression. Using antibodies against 5mC and 5hmC, the DNA methylation in
      patients with AH was examined by immunohistochemistry and quantified by
      morphometric image analysis. The immunoreactivity intensity of 5mC in patients
      with AH was significantly higher than that seen in normal controls. While there
      was a trend of decreased 5-hmC in patients with AH, the difference between
      patients with AH and normal control was not significant. Our study suggests that
      aberrant DNA-methylation is associated with pathogenesis of AH. 

PMID- 26260905
TI  - Metaproteomic evidence of changes in protein expression following a change in
      electrode potential in a robust biocathode microbiome.
AB  - Microorganisms that respire electrodes may be exploited for biotechnology
      applications if key pathways for extracellular electron transfer can be
      identified and manipulated through bioengineering. To determine whether
      expression of proposed Biocathode-MCL extracellular electron transfer proteins
      are changed by modulating electrode potential without disrupting the relative
      distribution of microbial constituents, metaproteomic and 16S rRNA gene
      expression analyses were performed after switching from an optimal to suboptimal
      potential based on an expected decrease in electrode respiration. Five hundred
      and seventy-nine unique proteins were identified across both potentials, the
      majority of which were assigned to three previously defined Biocathode-MCL
      metagenomic clusters: a Marinobacter sp., a member of the family Chromatiaceae,
      and a Labrenzia sp (abbreviated as MCL). Statistical analysis of spectral counts
      using the Fisher's exact test identified 16 proteins associated with the optimal
      potential, five of which are predicted electron transfer proteins. The majority
      of proteins associated with the suboptimal potential were involved in protein
      turnover/synthesis, motility, and membrane transport. Unipept and 16S rRNA gene
      expression analyses indicated that the taxonomic profile of the microbiome did
      not change after 52 h at the suboptimal potential. These findings show that
      protein expression is sensitive to the electrode potential without inducing
      shifts in community composition, a feature that may be exploited for engineering
      Biocathode-MCL. All MS data have been deposited in the ProteomeXchange with
      identifier PXD001590
      (http://proteomecentral.proteomexchange.org/dataset/PXD001590). 

PMID- 26260904
TI  - IL-8 signaling is up-regulated in alcoholic hepatitis and DDC fed mice with
      Mallory Denk Bodies (MDBs) present.
AB  - Chemokines and their receptors are involved in oncogenesis and in tumor
      progression, invasion, and metastasis. Various chemokines also promote cell
      proliferation and resistance to apoptosis of stressed cells. The chemokine CXCL8,
      also known as interleukin-8 (IL-8), is a proinflammatory molecule that has
      functions within the tumor microenvironment. Deregulation of IL-8 signaling is
      shown to play pivotal roles in tumorigenesis and progression. Mallory-Denk Bodies
      (MDBs) are prevalent in various liver diseases including alcoholic hepatitis (AH)
      and are formed in mice livers by feeding DDC. By comparing AH livers where MDBs
      had formed with normal livers, there were significant changes of IL-8 signaling
      by RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) analyses. Real-time PCR analysis of CXCR2 further
      shows a 6-fold up-regulation in AH livers and a 26-fold up-regulation in the
      livers of DDC re-fed mice. IL-8 mRNA was also significantly up-regulated in AH
      livers and DDC re-fed mice livers. This indicates that CXCR2 and IL-8 may be
      crucial for liver MDB formation. MDB containing balloon hepatocytes in AH livers
      had increased intensity of staining of the cytoplasm for both CXCR2 and IL-8.
      Overexpression of IL-8 leads to an increase of the mitogen activated protein
      kinase (MAPK) cascade and exacerbates the inflammatory cycle. These observations
      constitute a demonstration of the altered regulation of IL-8 signaling in the
      livers of AH and mice fed DDC where MDBs formed, providing further insight into
      the mechanism of MDB formation mediated by IL-8 signaling in AH. 

PMID- 26260906
TI  - Galectin-9 suppresses cholangiocarcinoma cell proliferation by inducing apoptosis
      but not cell cycle arrest.
AB  - Cholangiocarcinoma is the most common biliary malignancy and the second most
      common hepatic malignancy after hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Galectin-9 (Gal
      9) is a tandem-repeat-type galectin that has recently been shown to exert
      antiproliferative effects on cancer cells. Therefore, the present study evaluated
      the effects of Gal-9 on the proliferation of human cholangiocarcinoma cells in
      vitro as well as the microRNAs (miRNAs) associated with the antitumor effects of
      Gal-9. Gal-9 suppressed the proliferation of cholangiocarcinoma cell lines in
      vitro and the growth of human cholangiocarcinoma cell xenografts in nude mice.
      Our data further revealed that Gal-9 increased caspase-cleaved keratin 18 (CCK18)
      levels, and the expression of cytochrome c increased in Gal-9-treated
      cholangiocarcinoma cell lines. These data suggested that Gal-9 induced
      cholangiocarcinoma cell apoptosis via the intrinsic apoptosis pathway mediated by
      caspase-dependent or -independent pathways. In addition, Gal-9 reduced the
      phosphorylation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), insulin-like
      growth factor and insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R), hepatocyte
      growth factor receptor and fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3). These
      findings suggest that Gal-9 can be a candidate of therapeutic target in the
      treatment of cholangiocarcinoma.

PMID- 26260907
TI  - The Use of Intraoperative Dexmedetomidine Is Not Associated With a Reduction in
      Acute Kidney Injury After Lung Cancer Surgery.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether the use of intraoperative dexmedetomidine (DEX)
      during lung cancer surgery may reduce the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI).
      DESIGN: A retrospective study. SETTING: An academic hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Data
      were collected from 1,207 adult patients who underwent resection for non-small
      cell lung cancer between January 2004 and December 2012. INTERVENTIONS: None.
      MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: All patients had a general balanced anesthetic
      technique, and dexmedetomidine use was at the discretion of the anesthesiologist.
      Data analysis was done utilizing the Wilcoxon rank sum tests and Chi-square tests
      to compare continuous variables and categoric variables between the 2 groups,
      respectively. Multivariate logistic analysis with backward selection was fitted
      to find out factors for AKI incidence. Overall, 8.1% of the patients developed
      AKI during their hospital stay. There were no statistically significant
      differences in demographic, perioperative variables, and the incidence of AKI
      between patients who did and did not receive DEX. A logistic regression model was
      fitted to determine factors independently associated with AKI. Factors that were
      independently associated with AKI included body mass index, American Society of
      Anesthesiologists 3-4, hypertension, smoking status, and thoracotomy procedure.
      DISCUSSION: The authors hypothesized that DEX use would be associated with a
      decreased incidence of AKI in thoracic surgery; however, they were unable to
      prove this hypothesis. Their results did demonstrate that there are 5 factors
      independently associated with AKI.

PMID- 26260908
TI  - Reply to van Oosten et al: "P-Wave Characteristics on Routine Preoperative
      Electrocardiogram Improve Prediction of New-Onset Postoperative Atrial
      Fibrillation in Cardiac Surgery".

PMID- 26260909
TI  - Neratinib shows efficacy in the treatment of HER2 amplified carcinosarcoma in
      vitro and in vivo.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Carcinosarcoma is a deadly gynecologic malignancy with few effective
      treatment options. The study of new therapies is difficult because of its rarity.
      The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of neratinib in the
      treatment of HER2 amplified carcinosarcoma. METHODS: The efficacy of neratinib in
      the treatment of HER2 amplified carcinosarcoma was determined in vitro using
      seven primary carcinosarcoma cell lines with differential expression of HER2/neu.
      Data regarding IC50, cell cycle distribution, and cell signaling changes were
      assessed by flow cytometry. The efficacy of neratinib was determined in treating
      mice harboring HER2 amplified carcinosarcoma xenografts. RESULTS: Two of seven
      (28.5%) carcinosarcoma cell lines were HER2/neu amplified. HER2/neu amplified
      cell lines SARARK6 and SARARK9 were significantly more sensitive to neratinib
      than the five non-HER2/neu amplified carcinosarcoma cell lines (mean+/-SEM
      IC50:0.014MUM+/-0.004vs.0.164MUM+/-0.019 p=0.0003). Neratinib treatment caused a
      significant build up in G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle, arrest auto
      phosphorylation of HER2/neu and activation of S6. Neratinib inhibited tumor
      growth (p=0.012) and prolonged survival in mice harboring HER2 amplified
      carcinosarcoma xenografts (p=0.0039). CONCLUSIONS: Neratinib inhibits HER2
      amplified carcinosarcoma proliferation, signaling, cell cycle progression and
      tumor growth in vitro. Neratinib inhibits HER2/neu amplified xenograft growth and
      improves overall survival. Clinical trials are warranted.

PMID- 26260910
TI  - Prognostic significance of differential expression of angiogenic genes in women
      with high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To identify angiogenic biomarkers associated with tumor angiogenesis
      and clinical outcome in high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSC). METHODS: 51 HGSC
      samples were analyzed using Affymetrix HG-U133A microarray. Microvessel density
      (MVD) counts were determined using CD31 and CD105. Associations between mRNA
      expression levels and overall survival were assessed using rank score statistic.
      Effect size was estimated as a hazard ratio (HR) under a proportional hazard
      model. The Storey q-value method was used to account for multiple testing within
      the false-discovery rate (FDR) framework. Publicly available databases including
      TCGA and GSE were used for external confirmation. RESULTS: Thirty-one angiogenic
      related genes were significantly associated with survival (q<=0.05). Of these 31
      genes, 4 were also associated with outcome in the TCGA data: AKT1 (q=0.02; TCGA
      p=0.01, HR=0.8), CD44 (q=0.003; TCGA p=0.05, HR=0.9), EPHB2 (q=0.01; TCGA p=0.05,
      HR=1.2), and ERBB2 (q=0.02; TCGA p=0.05, HR=1.2). While 5 were associated with
      outcome in the GSE database: FLT1 (q=0.03; GSE26712 p=0.01, HR=3.1); PF4 (q=0.02;
      GSE26712 p=0.01, HR=3.0); NRP1 (q=0.02; GSE26712 p<0.04, HR>1.4); COL4A3 (q=0.04;
      GSE26712 p=0.03, HR=1.3); and ANGPTL3 (q=0.02; GSE14764 p=0.02, HR=1.5). High
      AKT1 and CD44 were associated with longer survival. In contrast, high expression
      of EPHB2, ERBB2, FLT1; PF4, NRP1, COL4A3, and ANGPTL3 were associated with
      shorter survival. CD105-MVD and CD31-MVD were not significantly associated with
      angiogenic gene expression. CONCLUSIONS: Thirty-one angiogenic-related genes were
      associated with survival in advanced HGSC and nine of these genes were confirmed
      in independent publicly available databases.

PMID- 26260911
TI  - Metabolic syndrome is an independent prognostic factor for endometrial
      adenocarcinoma.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the association between metabolic syndrome (MS) and the
      prognosis of patients with endometrial adenocarcinoma. METHODS: A total of 385
      patients with endometrial adenocarcinoma in the Department of Gynecologic
      Oncology, at the Zhejiang Cancer Hospital in China, between January 2001 and
      December 2008 were chosen. The deadline for the completion of follow-up was
      December 2013. The overall survival (OS) of the patients with MS was analyzed by
      the Kaplan-Meier method. Various clinical characteristics (e.g., clinical and
      surgical stage, vascular invasion, histological grade, tumor size, age at start
      of the first treatment, and lymphatic metastasis) related to the prognosis of
      endometrial adenocarcinoma were also evaluated. RESULTS: A univariate analysis
      demonstrated that the OS rate of the patients with endometrial adenocarcinoma
      with MS was significantly worse than that of the patients without MS for all 385
      patients (P = 0.001). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analyses
      showed that stage (P = 0.001), lymphatic metastasis (P = 0.021), and MS (P =
      0.049) were independent prognostic factors for endometrial adenocarcinoma.
      Furthermore, statistical analyses demonstrated that MS was closely related to
      stage (P = 0.021), grade (P = 0.022), vascular invasion (P = 0.044), tumor size
      (P = 0.035), and lymphatic metastasis (P = 0.014) but not with age at start of
      the first treatment (P = 0.188). Finally, according to the univariate analysis of
      the OS rate of 129 cases of endometrial adenocarcinoma with MS, stage (P =
      0.001), vascular invasion (P = 0.049), tumor size >2 cm (P = 0.028), lymphatic
      metastasis (P = 0.002), and CA19-9 value >37 U/m (P = 0.002) all showed
      significantly low P values for OS. CONCLUSION: Metabolic syndrome is an
      independent prognostic factor for endometrial adenocarcinoma.

PMID- 26260912
TI  - Colorectal cancer metastatic to the brain: analysis of prognostic factors and
      impact of KRAS mutations on presentation and outcome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Treatment concepts for metastatic colorectal cancer continue to
      evolve. While the presence of RAS mutations impacts systemic therapy, little is
      known about the influence of such mutations in patients with brain metastases.
      PATIENTS AND METHODS: Pooled retrospective analysis was conducted of 57 patients
      with brain metastases from colorectal cancer treated in two different
      institutions (2005-2013). RESULTS: The only mutations analyzed in a relatively
      large subgroup were KRAS mutations (14 wild type, 12 mutated). Mutation status
      was not associated with baseline characteristics such as number or location of
      metastases, and did not impact prognosis. Three factors were significantly
      associated with survival in multivariate analysis: Karnofsky Performance Status
      (KPS), management strategy, and systemic treatment. Median survival was 0.6
      months with best supportive care, 3.0 months with initial whole-brain
      radiotherapy (WBRT), and 12.7 months if initial treatment included surgery or
      stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), p = 0.0001. The survival difference between the
      WBRT and surgery/SRS groups was largest in patients with KPS 80-100. CONCLUSION:
      Effective local treatment was a prerequisite for improved survival. The only
      significant prognostic baseline factor was KPS, which forms the basis of the
      diagnosis-specific graded prognostic assessment (DS-GPA) score. Thus, our results
      validate the DS-GPA in this patient population. So far, neither this nor other
      studies suggest a clinically important impact of KRAS mutations beyond their
      previously reported association with development of brain metastases. Studies
      focusing on patients who develop brain metastases early during the course of
      metastatic disease might be warranted, because the influence of different
      systemic therapies might be larger in this subgroup.

PMID- 26260913
TI  - Epstein-Barr virus-encoded small RNA 1 (EBER-1) could predict good prognosis in
      nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
AB  - PURPOSE: EBER-1 (a non-coding RNA transcribed by EBV) expression was detected in
      most of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC)
      patients. However, the relevance between EBER-1 expression and NPC clinical
      outcome has not been reported. This study aims to assess the possible
      correlations of EBER-1 expression and clinical parameters and its potential
      prognostic predictive ability in NPC patient's outcomes. METHODS: We examined
      EBER-1 mRNA expression in 301 NPC and 130 non-NPC tissues using in situ
      hybridization and did statistics. RESULTS: EBER-1 expression was up-regulated in
      NPC tissues when compared to non-NPC tissues. A receiver operating characteristic
      analysis revealed that EBER-1 expression could distinguish non-cancerous patients
      from NPC patients (p < 0.001, sensitivity: 72.5 %, specificity: 83.5 %, AUC =
      0.815). A survival analysis revealed that patients with high levels of EBER-1
      expression had a significantly good prognosis (Disease-free survival: p = 0.019,
      overall survival: p = 0.006). CONCLUSION: These results indicated that EBER-1
      expression is a potential prognosis factor of NPC and highly negative correlated
      with the progress of NPC.

PMID- 26260914
TI  - Methylation of ASC/TMS1 promoter is associated with poor prognosis of patients
      with gastric cancer.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to explore the prognostic value of the
      methylation status of the ASC/TMS1 (apoptosis-associated speck-like protein
      containing a CARD/the target of methylation-induced silencing-1) promoter in
      gastric cancer (GC). METHODS: ASC/TMS1 expression was detected in GC tissues and
      normal gastric mucosal tissues by real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot
      analysis. Methylation-specific PCR (MSP) analysis was performed to detect the
      methylated degrees of the DNA of the ASC/TMS1 promoter of 200 GC patients.
      Associations between molecular, clinicopathological characteristics and survival
      data were analyzed. RESULTS: The mRNA and protein expression levels of ASC/TMS1
      in GC tissues were lower than those in normal gastric mucosal tissues. With the
      MSP detection, ASC/TMS1 promoter methylation was found in 68 (34 %) in 200 GC
      tissues, while none of 40 normal gastric mucosal tissues were found to be
      methylated. The size of primary tumor and lymph node metastasis were identified
      as independent relative factors of methylation status of the ASC/TMS1 promoter in
      GC tissues. Multivariate analysis results demonstrated that the degree of
      differentiation, serosal invasion, lymph node metastasis and methylated status of
      ASC/TMS1 promoter were independent prognostic indicators of GC. Lymph node
      metastasis and methylated status of ASC/TMS1 promoter were optimal prognostic
      predictors of GC patients, as identified by Cox regression with Akaike
      information criterion value calculation. CONCLUSIONS: The methylated status of
      ASC/TMS1 promoter had the potential applicability for clinical evaluation the
      prognosis of GC.

PMID- 26260915
TI  - Prognostic value of circulating tumor cells in metastatic breast cancer: a
      systemic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Metastatic breast cancer (MBC) remains the main cause of cancer
      related death, and the clinical significance and prognostic role of circulating
      tumor cells (CTCs) in metastatic breast cancer are still controversial. Here, we
      conducted a meta-analysis to clarify the correlation between CTCs and the
      clinicopathological features and prognosis of MBC. METHODS: We performed a
      comprehensive search of Pubmed and the ISI Web of Science through December 2014.
      Only articles that focused on MBC patients and detected CTCs using the CellSearch
      system were included. The associations between CTCs and survival rate and
      clinicopathological parameters, including molecular pattern, metastatic region
      and treatment response, were evaluated. RESULTS: This meta-analysis included 24
      studies (3701 MBC patients), 13 prospective studies and 11 retrospective studies.
      We found that CTCs were more frequently detected with HER2 + primary tumors
      (pooled RR = 0.73, 95 % CI = 0.63-0.84). Additionally, higher CTC numbers
      indicated a worse treatment response (RR = 0.56, 95 % CI = 0.40-0.79), poorer PFS
      (RR = 0.64, 95 % CI = 0.56-0.73) and poorer OS (RR = 0.69, 95 % CI = 0.64-0.75)
      in MBC patients. CONCLUSION: Based on these results, we propose that HER2
      positivity could be a significant risk factor for the presence of CTCs.
      Additionally, CTCs have a significant prognostic value for MBC patients.
      Therefore, CTCs should be continually monitored to guide the treatment of MBC
      patients, especially those with HER2 + primary tumors.

PMID- 26260916
TI  - Effect of critical care pharmacist's intervention on medication errors: A
      systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.
AB  - Pharmacists are integral members of the multidisciplinary team for critically ill
      patients. Multiple nonrandomized controlled studies have evaluated the outcomes
      of pharmacist interventions in the intensive care unit (ICU). This systematic
      review focuses on controlled clinical trials evaluating the effect of pharmacist
      intervention on medication errors (MEs) in ICU settings. Two independent
      reviewers searched Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases. The inclusion
      criteria were nonrandomized controlled studies that evaluated the effect of
      pharmacist services vs no intervention on ME rates in ICU settings. Four studies
      were included in the meta-analysis. Results suggest that pharmacist intervention
      has no significant contribution to reducing general MEs, although pharmacist
      intervention may significantly reduce preventable adverse drug events and
      prescribing errors. This meta-analysis highlights the need for high-quality
      studies to examine the effect of the critical care pharmacist. 

PMID- 26260917
TI  - Team-Based Biopsychosocial Care in Solid Organ Transplantation.

PMID- 26260918
TI  - Optical coherence tomography for longitudinal monitoring of vasculature in scars
      treated with laser fractionation.
AB  - This study presents the first in vivo longitudinal assessment of scar vasculature
      in ablative fractional laser treatment using optical coherence tomography (OCT).
      A method based on OCT speckle decorrelation was developed to visualize and
      quantify the scar vasculature over the treatment period. Through reliable co
      location of the imaging field of view across multiple imaging sessions, and
      compensation for motion artifact, the study was able to track the same scar
      tissue over a period of several months, and quantify changes in the vasculature
      area density. The results show incidences of occlusion of individual vessels 3
      days after the first treatment. The subsequent responses ~20 weeks after the
      initial treatment show differences between immature and mature scars. Image
      analysis showed a distinct decrease (25 +/- 13%, mean +/- standard deviation) and
      increase (19 +/- 5%) of vasculature area density for the immature and mature
      scars, respectively. This study establishes the feasibility of OCT imaging for
      quantitative longitudinal monitoring of vasculature in scar treatment. En face
      optical coherence tomography vasculature images pre-treatment (top) and ~20 weeks
      after the first laser treatment (bottom) of a mature burn scar. Arrows mark the
      same vessel pattern.

PMID- 26260919
TI  - Erratum: Macholdt, E, Slatkin, M, Pakendorf, B, Stoneking, M. (2015), New
      insights into the history of the C-14010 lactase persistence variant in Eastern
      and Southern Africa. Am J Phys Anthropol. 156:661-4. DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.22675.

PMID- 26260920
TI  - Erratum.

PMID- 26260922
TI  - Origins of observed reactivity and specificity in the addition of B2Cl4 and
      analogues to unsaturated compounds.
AB  - In 1954 Schlesinger and co-workers observed the direct reaction of diboron
      tetrachloride with simple organic compounds under mild conditions, the 1,2
      addition product being formed with either ethylene or acetylene. In the following
      25 years a series of addition reactions to simple alkenes, alkynes and dienes was
      demonstrated. B2F4 was shown to react in similar manner, albeit under more
      forcing conditions. Crucially, it was demonstrated that the addition to (E)- or
      (Z)-but-2-ene occurred with cis-stereospecificity. Only sporadic interest was
      shown in this field thereafter until catalysed addition reactions of diboron
      reagents were realized. Encouraged by this revival of interest through the
      discovery of transition-metal and nucleophilic catalysis of diboryl additions,
      DFT analysis of uncatalysed additions of B2X4 has been carried out and
      interpreted. This includes the relative reactivity of several B-B reagents with
      ethene, and that of B2Cl4vs. B2F4 additions, including benzene, naphthalene and
      C60 as reactants. This allows the analysis of relative reactivity vis-a-vis
      substitution on boron, and also direct comparison with hydroboration by HBCl2. [4
      + 2] Addition of diboron reagents to dienes with B-B cleavage competes with
      direct [2 + 2] addition, favourably so for B2F4. The computational results
      demonstrate that the stereospecific addition to isomeric but-2-enes is a rare
      concerted [2sigmas + 2pis] process. 

PMID- 26260921
TI  - Automated biphasic morphological assessment of hepatitis B-related liver fibrosis
      using second harmonic generation microscopy.
AB  - Liver fibrosis assessment by biopsy and conventional staining scores is based on
      histopathological criteria. Variations in sample preparation and the use of semi
      quantitative histopathological methods commonly result in discrepancies between
      medical centers. Thus, minor changes in liver fibrosis might be overlooked in
      multi-center clinical trials, leading to statistically non-significant data.
      Here, we developed a computer-assisted, fully automated, staining-free method for
      hepatitis B-related liver fibrosis assessment. In total, 175 liver biopsies were
      divided into training (n = 105) and verification (n = 70) cohorts. Collagen was
      observed using second harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy without prior
      staining, and hepatocyte morphology was recorded using two-photon excitation
      fluorescence (TPEF) microscopy. The training cohort was utilized to establish a
      quantification algorithm. Eleven of 19 computer-recognizable SHG/TPEF microscopic
      morphological features were significantly correlated with the ISHAK fibrosis
      stages (P < 0.001). A biphasic scoring method was applied, combining support
      vector machine and multivariate generalized linear models to assess the early and
      late stages of fibrosis, respectively, based on these parameters. The
      verification cohort was used to verify the scoring method, and the area under the
      receiver operating characteristic curve was >0.82 for liver cirrhosis detection.
      Since no subjective gradings are needed, interobserver discrepancies could be
      avoided using this fully automated method. 

PMID- 26260923
TI  - Validation of Flow Cytometry and Magnetic Bead-Based Methods to Enrich CNS Single
      Cell Suspensions for Quiescent Microglia.
AB  - Microglia are resident mononuclear phagocytes within the CNS parenchyma that
      intimately interact with neurons and astrocytes to remodel synapses and
      extracellular matrix. We briefly review studies elucidating the molecular
      pathways that underlie microglial surveillance, activation, chemotaxis, and
      phagocytosis; we additionally place these studies in a clinical context. We
      describe and validate an inexpensive and simple approach to obtain enriched
      single cell suspensions of quiescent parenchymal and perivascular microglia from
      the mouse cerebellum and hypothalamus. Following preparation of regional CNS
      single cell suspensions, we remove myelin debris, and then perform two serial
      enrichment steps for cells expressing surface CD11b. Myelin depletion and CD11b
      enrichment are both accomplished using antigen-specific magnetic beads in an
      automated cell separation system. Flow cytometry of the resultant suspensions
      shows a significant enrichment for CD11b(+)/CD45(+) cells (perivascular
      microglia) and CD11b(+)/CD45(-) cells (parenchymal microglia) compared to
      starting suspensions. Of note, cells from these enriched suspensions minimally
      express Aif1 (aka Iba1), suggesting that the enrichment process does not evoke
      significant microglial activation. However, these cells readily respond to a
      functional challenge (LPS) with significant changes in the expression of
      molecules specifically associated with microglia. We conclude that methods
      employing a combination of magnetic-bead based sorting and flow cytometry produce
      suspensions highly enriched for microglia that are appropriate for a variety of
      molecular and cellular assays. 

PMID- 26260924
TI  - Blockade of CD127 Exerts a Dichotomous Clinical Effect in Marmoset Experimental
      Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis.
AB  - Non-human primate models of human disease have an important role in the
      translation of a new scientific finding in lower species into an effective
      treatment. In this study, we tested a new therapeutic antibody against the IL-7
      receptor alpha chain (CD127), which in a C57BL/6 mouse model of experimental
      autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) ameliorates disease, demonstrating an
      important pathogenic function of IL-7. We observed that while the treatment was
      effective in 100 % of the mice, it was only partially effective in the EAE model
      in common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus), a small-bodied Neotropical primate. EAE
      was induced in seven female marmoset twins and treatment with the anti-CD127 mAb
      or PBS as control was started 21 days after immunization followed by weekly
      intravenous administration. The anti-CD127 mAb caused functional blockade of IL-7
      signaling through its receptor as shown by reduced phosphorylation of STAT5 in
      lymphocytes upon stimulation with IL-7. Group-wise analysis showed no significant
      effects on the clinical course and neuropathology. However, paired twin analysis
      revealed a delayed disease onset in three twins, which were high responders to
      the immunization. In addition, we observed markedly opposite effects of the
      antibody on pathological changes in the spinal cord in high versus low responder
      twins. In conclusion, promising clinical effect of CD127 blockade observed in a
      standard inbred/SPF mouse EAE model could only be partially replicated in an
      outbred/non-SPF non-human primate EAE model. Only in high responders to the
      immunization we found a positive response to the treatment. The mechanism
      underpinning this dichotomous response will be discussed.

PMID- 26260926
TI  - The effects of ageing on self-reported aggression measures are partly explained
      by response bias.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recent studies have suggested that the age-personality relationship
      may be partly explained by age-related changes in response bias. In the present
      study, we analysed how age affected social desirability and acquiescence, and how
      this effect impacted the age-aggression relationship. METHOD: We used the
      Indirect-Direct Aggression Questionnaire, which provides response bias and
      physical, verbal and indirect aggression scores independently of each other. We
      applied this test to a sample of 616 individuals aged between 18 and 96 (M =
      49.24, SD = 24.81) and analysed the relationships between age and aggression
      measures with and without response bias. RESULTS: We found that social
      desirability and acquiescence increased by between one and two standard
      deviations between adulthood and old age. This affected the age-aggression
      relationship for all aggression scales and, especially for verbal and indirect
      aggression, whose relationships with age decreased from r = -.192 and r = -.309
      to r = .012 and r = -.159, respectively, when response biases were controlled.
      CONCLUSIONS: When response bias and, in particular social desirability, are not
      controlled, elderly people tend to show aggression scores that are considerably
      lower than their true aggression levels.

PMID- 26260925
TI  - Enhanced molecular mobility of ordinarily structured regions drives polyglutamine
      disease.
AB  - Polyglutamine expansion is a hallmark of nine neurodegenerative diseases, with
      protein aggregation intrinsically linked to disease progression. Although
      polyglutamine expansion accelerates protein aggregation, the misfolding process
      is frequently instigated by flanking domains. For example, polyglutamine
      expansion in ataxin-3 allosterically triggers the aggregation of the catalytic
      Josephin domain. The molecular mechanism that underpins this allosteric
      aggregation trigger remains to be determined. Here, we establish that
      polyglutamine expansion increases the molecular mobility of two juxtaposed
      helices critical to ataxin-3 deubiquitinase activity. Within one of these
      helices, we identified a highly amyloidogenic sequence motif that instigates
      aggregation and forms the core of the growing fibril. Critically, by mutating
      residues within this key region, we decrease local structural fluctuations to
      slow ataxin-3 aggregation. This provides significant insight, down to the
      molecular level, into how polyglutamine expansion drives aggregation and explains
      the positive correlation between polyglutamine tract length, protein aggregation,
      and disease severity. 

PMID- 26260927
TI  - Cognitive decline before the age of 50 can be detected with sensitive cognitive
      measures.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To define the profile of age-related differences in cognition in
      healthy middle-aged adults in order to identify the most sensitive measures of
      early cognitive decline. To study whether these differences precede cognitive
      decline in the elderly. METHOD: 141 cognitively normal participants (101 middle
      aged adults with age 40-50&plusmn;2; and 40 elderly individuals with age
      65&plusmn;2) were assessed with a comprehensive neuropsychological protocol
      covering processing speed, attention, executive functions, verbal and visual
      episodic memory, procedural memory, visuoconstructive, visuoperceptive and
      visuospatial functions, and language. RESULTS: Age-related differences were
      detected before the age of 50 in cognitive reaction time, executive control,
      initial learning in verbal episodic memory, complex visuoconstructive and
      visuospatial functions, and lexical access. These differences preceded more
      extensive cognitive decline present at the age of 65. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings
      suggest subtle executive dysfunction before the age of 50, together with slowing
      in processing speed later on in the transition to old age. This profile could be
      explained by changes in the frontal lobe and its connections, starting at middle
      age. These findings, together with future research, may be important for the
      diagnosis, prognosis, and prevention of pathological aging at a very early level.

PMID- 26260928
TI  - Prevalence and functions of non-suicidal self-injury in Spanish adolescents.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study examined the prevalence, characteristics and functions of
      Non-suicidal Self-injury (NSSI) among Spanish adolescents. METHOD: The sample
      consisted of 1,864 adolescents aged between 12 and 19 years (Mean Age = 15.32, SD
      = 1.97, 51.45% girls). The participants completed a modified version of the self
      report scale Functional Assessment of Self-Mutilation (FASM; Lloyd, Kelley, &
      Hope, 1997) to assess rates and methods of NSSI used during the last 12 months.
      They also indicated the functions of NSSI. RESULTS: NSSI behaviors are common
      among Spanish adolescents. More than half of the sample showed such behavior in
      the past year, and 32.2% had carried out severe NSSI behaviors. The functions of
      NSSI were examined by using confirmatory factor analyses. Results supported a
      hierarchical model consisting of two second-order factors: automatic
      reinforcement, which explained both positive and negative automatic
      reinforcement, and social reinforcement, which explained both positive and
      negative social reinforcement. CONCLUSIONS: These dimensions are critical to
      understand the factors that maintain NSSI behavior and have implications for
      treatments.

PMID- 26260929
TI  - The influence of cochlear implants on behaviour problems in deaf children.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study seeks to analyse the relationship between behaviour
      problems in deaf children and their auditory and communication development
      subsequent to cochlear implantation and to examine the incidence of these
      problems in comparison to their hearing peers. METHOD: This study uses an ex post
      facto prospective design with a sample of 208 Spanish children, of whom 104 were
      deaf subjects with cochlear implants. The first objective assesses the
      relationships between behaviour problems, auditory integration, and social and
      communication skills in the group of deaf children. The second compares the
      frequency and intensity of behaviour problems of the group of deaf children with
      their hearing peers. RESULTS: The correlation analysis showed a significant
      association between the internal index of behaviour problems and auditory
      integration and communication skills, such that deaf children with greater
      auditory and communication development had no behaviour problems. When comparing
      behaviour problems in deaf children versus their hearing peers, behavioural
      disturbances are significantly more frequent in the former. CONCLUSIONS:
      According to these findings, cochlear implants may not guarantee adequate
      auditory and communicative development that would normalise the behaviour of deaf
      children.

PMID- 26260930
TI  - Neurophysiological indicators of emotional processing in youth psychopathy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Research with psychopathic samples using the technique of evoked
      potentials is rather limited and almost exclusively concerned with the study of
      the P300 component; no studies have been found (to date) that assess shorter wave
      latencies. This research focuses on the emotional and attentional processes in
      young people with psychopathic characteristics, using the evoked potential
      technique in short-wave latency (N100). METHOD: The experimental group consisted
      of 22 subjects; all of them met the psychopathic criteria of the Antisocial
      Process Screening Device (APSD) and the Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version
      (PCL: YV). The control sample consisted of 25 subjects, all of them scoring less
      than 15 points in APSD. RESULTS: In the experimental group, the mechanisms
      responsible for processing the pleasant stimulation responded earlier and with
      more intensity (on the N100); premium positivity bias on negativity. CONCLUSIONS:
      This emotional deficit found in the literature on psychopathy in adults is also
      found in young people.

PMID- 26260931
TI  - Feelings of ease and attitudes toward healthy foods.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The successful impact of health campaigns often depends on the extent
      to which interventions are effective in changing attitudes. The goal of the
      present research was to examine to what extent the ease adolescents experience in
      generating thoughts can influence persuasion in the domain of a health-relevant
      topic. METHOD: Participants were asked to generate either positive or negative
      thoughts about the Mediterranean diet. The spontaneous feeling of ease with which
      participants generated those thoughts was assessed for each participant. The
      impact of these two independent variables on attitudes toward the Mediterranean
      diet was examined. RESULTS: Participants who reported relatively higher (vs.
      lower) subjective ease experiences in the thought-listing task showed a greater
      effect of thought direction on attitudes toward the diet. CONCLUSION: This study
      demonstrates the importance of considering not only the thoughts people have with
      regard to health but also the subjective experiences and metacognitive feelings
      associated with those thoughts.

PMID- 26260932
TI  - The eudaimonic component of satisfaction with life and psychological well-being
      in Spanish cultures.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In the study of well-being there are two partially overlapping
      traditions that have been developed in parallel. Subjective well-being (SWB) has
      been associated with the hedonistic approach of well-being, and psychological
      well-being (PWB) with the eudaimonistic one. However, satisfaction with life, the
      most common SWB indicator, is not strictly a hedonic concept and contains many
      eudaimonic components. The objective of this research is to examine whether a
      Eudaimonic Well-being G-Factor of Satisfaction with Life (SWLS) and Psychological
      Well-being Scales (PWBS) emerges. METHOD: 400 people from the general population
      of Colombia (Study 1) and 401 from Spain (Study 2), recruited via advertisement,
      voluntarily participated and filled in a booklet containing, in order of
      appearance, the PWBS and the SWLS. RESULTS: According to our hypothesis, parallel
      analysis, eigenvalues, scree plot graphs and exploratory factor analysis (Study
      1) suggested the existence of a one-factor structure. Confirmatory factor
      analysis (Study 2) indicated that this one-factor model provided excellent data
      fit. Results of a multi-group confirmatory factor analysis confirmed cross
      cultural factor invariance. CONCLUSIONS: These results question the view that the
      satisfaction with life indicator is uniquely hedonic and point to the need for a
      greater integration between hedonic and eudaimonic traditions.

PMID- 26260933
TI  - Obsessive-compulsive disorder and its relationship with disgust vulnerability and
      conscientiousness.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between
      Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) symptoms, disgust vulnerability, and the Five
      Factor Model (FFM) of personality. METHOD: The sample consisted of 100 adult
      patients with OCD as a primary diagnosis and 246 with other anxiety disorders
      (OADs), who responded to OCD, disgust vulnerability, anxiety, depression and
      personality questionnaires. To perform parametric statistical calculations, all
      questionnaire scores were transformed from raw ordinal-scale scores to Rasch
      measures, with interval properties. RESULTS: OCD patients scored significantly
      higher than OAD patients on DPSS-R Disgust Sensitivity and DPSS-R Disgust
      Propensity, with a large effect size observed on Disgust Propensity. Furthermore,
      strong correlations were observed between DPSS-R Propensity to Disgust model
      scores and DOCS Contamination model scores. Finally, NEO FFI Conscientiousness
      trait was significantly higher in OCD patients.

PMID- 26260934
TI  - Adaptation and validation in Spanish of the Group Environment Questionnaire (GEQ)
      with professional football players.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This investigation presents two studies with the goal of adapting and
      validating a short version of the Group Environment Questionnaire in the Spanish
      sport context with professional players. METHOD: Study 1 used a sample of 377
      male soccer players aged between 18 and 39 years ( M = 24.51, SD = 3.73), in a
      preliminary study using exploratory factor analysis. Study 2 used a sample of 604
      professional male and female athletes, ages between 15 and 38 years ( M = 24.34,
      SD = 4.03). The data analyzed were collected at three moments of the season. For
      each measurement, we developed seven first- and second-order structures that were
      analyzed with confirmatory factor analysis. RESULTS: Study 1 indicated
      appropriate factorial validity (> .60) and internal consistency (> .70), with
      only Item 3 presenting a low factor loading (.11), so its drafting was modified
      in the next study. Study 2 revealed that the Spanish version of the GEQ has high
      levels of internal consistency (> .70) and acceptable fit index values in its
      original four first-order factor structure in all three measurements ( chi2/df =
      4.39, CFI = .95, IFI = .95, RMSEA = .07, SRMR = .04, AIC = 271.09). Discriminant
      validity (from r = .45 to r = .72) and concurrent validity (from r = .21 to r =
      .60) also presented appropriate values. Lastly, we conducted analysis of
      invariance, confirming that the models established in the different measurements
      were invariant. CONCLUSIONS: The short 12-item adaptation of the GEQ to Spanish
      is a valid and reliable instrument to measure team cohesion in professional male
      and female soccer players.

PMID- 26260935
TI  - Psychometric properties of the Somatic Complaints Scale in Spanish children and
      adults.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to analyse the psychometric properties of
      the Somatic Complaints List (SCL) in Spanish child and adult populations. This
      instrument assesses the frequency with which people experience and feel pain such
      as stomach ache and headache, among others. It has been validated in different
      countries and languages (Dutch, English, and Persian), showing adequate
      psychometric properties. Nevertheless, it has never been validated in a Spanish
      context. METHOD: For the adaptation and validation, we used two different
      samples: 1423 children, age ranging from 8 to 12 years old, selected from 12
      primary and secondary schools at 7 locations in the Valencian Community, Spain
      (age = 9.11 years, SD = 1.27; 52.4% female); and 940 adults, age ranging from 18
      to 56 years old (age = 32.3 years, SD = 11.62; 64% female). RESULTS: The Spanish
      adaptation of the SLC showed adequate levels of reliability and validity.
      CONCLUSIONS: The empirical evidence seems sufficient to justify using this
      diagnostic tool with Spanish children and adults.

PMID- 26260936
TI  - Associative learning with and without perceptual awareness.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The relationship between awareness and associative learning is a key
      controversial issue that remains to be elucidated. An experiment was designed to
      assess associative learning with and without perceptual awareness. METHOD:
      Participants received repeated trials of two compatible stimuli sequences (S1A ->
      S2A and S1B -> S2B ), where S1 was a masked stimulus, and S2 an imperative
      stimulus for a reaction time (RT) task. After the acquisition phase, some probe
      trials of incompatible stimuli sequences (S1A -> S2B and S1B -> S2A ) were
      inserted among the compatible sequence trials during two testing sessions.
      Subsequently, subjects were classified as perceptually aware or perceptually
      unaware by means of a forced-choice identification task that was administered at
      the beginning and end of the experiment. RESULTS: The results showed perceptually
      unaware participants responded faster to compatible than to incompatible stimuli
      sequences. However, no priming effect was observed in aware participants.
      CONCLUSIONS: These results are discussed in terms of an S-R associative mechanism
      and provide strong evidence of unconscious associative learning.

PMID- 26260937
TI  - Guidelines for reporting evaluations based on observational methodology.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Observational methodology is one of the most suitable research
      designs for evaluating fidelity of implementation, especially in complex
      interventions. However, the conduct and reporting of observational studies is
      hampered by the absence of specific guidelines, such as those that exist for
      other evaluation designs. This lack of specific guidance poses a threat to the
      quality and transparency of these studies and also constitutes a considerable
      publication hurdle. The aim of this study thus was to draw up a set of proposed
      guidelines for reporting evaluations based on observational methodology. METHOD:
      The guidelines were developed by triangulating three sources of information:
      observational studies performed in different fields by experts in observational
      methodology, reporting guidelines for general studies and studies with similar
      designs to observational studies, and proposals from experts in observational
      methodology at scientific meetings. RESULTS: We produced a list of guidelines
      grouped into three domains: intervention and expected outcomes, methods, and
      results. CONCLUSIONS: The result is a useful, carefully crafted set of simple
      guidelines for conducting and reporting observational studies in the field of
      program evaluation.

PMID- 26260938
TI  - Interpretation of the p value: A national survey study in academic psychologists
      from Spain.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Incorrect interpretations of p values affect professionals&rsquo;
      decisions and jeopardize the quality of psychological interventions and the
      accumulation of valid scientific knowledge. This study analyzes the errors made
      by Spanish academic psychologists in interpreting p values. METHOD: We surveyed
      academic psychologists about their interpretations of p values. The sample is
      composed of 418 academic psychologists from Spanish public universities. The mean
      number of years working as a university professor is 14.16 (SD = 9.39). RESULTS:
      Our findings suggest that many academic psychologists do not know how to
      correctly interpret p values. The inverse probability fallacy presents the
      greatest comprehension problems. Methodology instructors also interpret the
      significance of the p value erroneously. CONCLUSIONS: These results highlight the
      importance of the statistical re-education of professors.

PMID- 26260939
TI  - Partial scalar invariance and observed differences across gender in a reasoning
      test battery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The substantive basis of the Reasoning Test Battery (BPR) is the
      theory of the hierarchical organization of cognitive abilities and therefore, it
      combines a general cognitive factor and specific factors associated with
      abstract, numerical, verbal, practical, spatial and mechanical reasoning. The
      battery has three forms, covering an age range from 9 to 22 years. METHOD: The
      present study analyzes the internal structure of the Basque version of the
      battery using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Factorial invariance
      studies across gender were performed and partial differences observed were
      analyzed in a sample of 1,923 students. RESULT: The results concluded: (a) the
      presence of one general reasoning factor in each of the forms, (b) partial scalar
      invariance across gender affecting mechanical reasoning and numerical reasoning,
      (c) no differences in the general reasoning factor, and (d) negligible observed
      differences in partial scales. CONCLUSIONS: Tests for measurement invariance
      indicate differences in factor intercepts, cautioning that comparisons of
      observed g scores across gender are not appropriate.

PMID- 26260941
TI  - Intracranial Aneurysm Pathophysiology: To Bleed, or not To Bleed, That Is the
      Question.

PMID- 26260940
TI  - Influence of Hormone Receptor Status on Spinal Metastatic Lesions in Patients
      with Breast Cancer.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Bony metastasis predominantly affects the spinal column and has been
      commonly associated in patients with breast cancer. There are two types of
      lesions that can occur with spine cancer-osteolytic or osteoblastic. Some
      patients may have mixed lesions, which include lytic and blastic in one vertebra
      or lytic and blastic in different vertebrae. Previous studies have shown that
      patients with breast cancer have an increased likelihood for development of lytic
      spinal metastases. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted to more
      closely examine the association between hormone receptor status and spinal lesion
      type. A total of 195 patients were initially identified through the City of Hope
      Cancer Registry. Of the 195, only 153 patients had hormone receptor marker status
      available. Associations between spinal lesion and hormone receptor status were
      evaluated using chi(2) tests with alpha = 0.05 significance level. In a secondary
      analysis, the Oncomine Platform was used, which integrated The Cancer Genome
      Atlas (TCGA) datasets, to identify osteogenic genes that may be relevant to
      invasive breast cancers. RESULTS: Contrary to previous studies, our findings
      revealed progesterone receptor positive (PR+) patients were significantly more
      likely to present with blastic than lytic or mixed lesions. Furthermore, using
      TCGA analysis, COL1A1 and COL1A2 were found to be up-regulated, which could
      provide a molecular explanation for the development of blastic metastases.
      CONCLUSIONS: By integrating clinical and bioinformatic techniques, this study
      provides a novel discovery of the relationship between blastic and PR + breast
      cancers, which may have important implications for diagnostic strategies
      concerning vertebral metastases.

PMID- 26260942
TI  - Phospholipase Depsilon enhances Braasca napus growth and seed production in
      response to nitrogen availability.
AB  - Phospholipase D (PLD), which hydrolyses phospholipids to produce phosphatidic
      acid, has been implicated in plant response to macronutrient availability in
      Arabidopsis. This study investigated the effect of increased PLDepsilon
      expression on nitrogen utilization in Brassica napus to explore the application
      of PLDepsilon manipulation to crop improvement. In addition, changes in membrane
      lipid species in response to nitrogen availability were determined in the oil
      seed crop. Multiple PLDepsilon over expression (PLDepsilon-OE) lines displayed
      enhanced biomass accumulation under nitrogen-deficient and nitrogen-replete
      conditions. PLDepsilon-OE plants in the field produced more seeds than wild-type
      plants but have no impact on seed oil content. Compared with wild-type plants,
      PLDepsilon-OE plants were enhanced in nitrate transporter expression, uptake and
      reduction, whereas the activity of nitrite reductase was higher under nitrogen
      depleted, but not at nitrogen-replete conditions. The level of nitrogen altered
      membrane glycerolipid metabolism, with greater impacts on young than mature
      leaves. The data indicate increased expression of PLDepsilon has the potential to
      improve crop plant growth and production under nitrogen-depleted and nitrogen
      replete conditions. 

PMID- 26260943
TI  - Leaves of Persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) Ameliorate N-Methyl-N-nitrosourea
      (MNU)-Induced Retinal Degeneration in Mice.
AB  - The purpose of the study was to investigate the protective effects of the ethanol
      extract of Diospyros kaki (EEDK) persimmon leaves to study N-methyl-N-nitrosourea
      (MNU)-induced retinal degeneration in mice. EEDK was orally administered after
      MNU injection. Retinal layer thicknesses were significantly increased in the EEDK
      treated group compared with the MNU-treated group. The outer nuclear layer was
      preserved in the retinas of EEDK-treated mice. Moreover, EEDK treatment reduced
      the MNU-dependent up-regulation of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and
      nestin expression in Muller and astrocyte cells. EEDK treatment also inhibited
      MNU-dependent down-regulation of rhodopsin expression. Quercetin exposure
      significantly attenuated the negative effects of H2O2 in R28 cells, suggesting
      that quercetin can act in an antioxidative capacity. Thus, EEDK may be considered
      as an agent for treating or preventing degenerative retinal diseases, such as
      retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration. 

PMID- 26260945
TI  - Phylogenetically diverse AM fungi from Ecuador strongly improve seedling growth
      of native potential crop trees.
AB  - In many deforested regions of the tropics, afforestation with native tree species
      could valorize a growing reservoir of degraded, previously overused and abandoned
      land. The inoculation of tropical tree seedlings with arbuscular mycorrhizal
      fungi (AM fungi) can improve tree growth and viability, but efficiency may depend
      on plant and AM fungal genotype. To study such effects, seven phylogenetically
      diverse AM fungi, native to Ecuador, from seven genera and a non-native AM fungus
      (Rhizophagus irregularis DAOM197198) were used to inoculate the tropical
      potential crop tree (PCT) species Handroanthus chrysanthus (synonym Tabebuia
      chrysantha), Cedrela montana, and Heliocarpus americanus. Twenty-four plant
      fungus combinations were studied in five different fertilization and AMF
      inoculation treatments. Numerous plant growth parameters and mycorrhizal root
      colonization were assessed. The inoculation with any of the tested AM fungi
      improved seedling growth significantly and in most cases reduced plant mortality.
      Plants produced up to threefold higher biomass, when compared to the standard
      nursery practice. AM fungal inoculation alone or in combination with low
      fertilization both outperformed full fertilization in terms of plant growth
      promotion. Interestingly, root colonization levels for individual fungi strongly
      depended on the host tree species, but surprisingly the colonization strength did
      not correlate with plant growth promotion. The combination of AM fungal
      inoculation with a low dosage of slow release fertilizer improved PCT seedling
      performance strongest, but also AM fungal treatments without any fertilization
      were highly efficient. The AM fungi tested are promising candidates to improve
      management practices in tropical tree seedling production.

PMID- 26260946
TI  - Mean platelet volume evaluation in patients with sarcoidosis: methodological
      drawbacks.

PMID- 26260947
TI  - Gua Lou Gui Zhi decoction attenuates post-stroke spasticity via the modulation of
      GABAB receptors.
AB  - The aim of the present study was to investigate the mechanisms underlying the
      neuroprotective and antispastic effects of Gua Lou Gui Zhi decoction (GLGZD) in a
      rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). The MCAO rats were treated
      with GLGZD (14.3 g/kg body weight) once a day for a period of seven days.
      Neurological deficit scores and screen tests were analyzed every other day.
      Following treatment with GLGZD for 7 days, the ischemic infarct volume of the rat
      brains was measured using 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride staining. Reverse
      transcription-polymerase chain reaction was performed in order to determine the
      mRNA expression levels of gamma-amino butyric acid B (gamma-GABAB) receptor (R)
      in the cortical infarct region. Furthermore, the protein expression levels of
      GABAB R were detected in the cortical infarct region by western blot analysis.
      Following 7 days, treatment with GLGZD significantly ameliorated the neurological
      defects and cerebral infarction in the MCAO rats. In addition, treatment with
      GLGZD ameliorated motor performance in the MCAO rats, as determined by screen
      tests. Furthermore, GLGZD was able to upregulate the mRNA and protein expression
      levels of GABAB1 R and GABAB2 R in the ischemic cerebral cortex. The results of
      the present study suggested that GLGZD may exert neuroprotective and antispastic
      effects in a cerebral ischemia model, through upregulating the expression of
      GABAB R.

PMID- 26260948
TI  - Mental health and alcohol problems among Estonian cleanup workers 24 years after
      the Chernobyl accident.
AB  - PURPOSE: To study the long-term mental health consequences of the 1986 Chernobyl
      nuclear accident among cleanup workers from Estonia. METHODS: In 2010, 614
      Estonian Chernobyl cleanup workers and 706 geographically and age-matched
      population-based controls completed a mail survey that included self-rated
      health, the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL), alcohol symptoms
      (AUDIT), and scales measuring depressive, anxiety, agoraphobia, fatigue,
      insomnia, and somatization symptoms. Respondents were dichotomized into high (top
      quartile) and low symptom groups on each measure. RESULTS: Logistic regression
      analysis detected significant differences between cleanup workers and controls on
      all measures even after adjustment for ethnicity, education, marital status, and
      employment status. The strongest difference was found for somatization, with
      cleanup workers being three times more likely than controls to score in the top
      quartile (OR = 3.28, 95% CI 2.39-4.52), whereas for alcohol problems the
      difference was half as large (OR = 1.52, 95% CI 1.16-1.99). Among cleanup
      workers, arrival at Chernobyl in 1986 (vs. later) was associated with sleep
      problems, somatization, and symptoms of agoraphobia. CONCLUSION: The toll of
      cleanup work was evident 24 years after the Chernobyl accident among Estonian
      cleanup workers indicating the need for focused mental health interventions.

PMID- 26260949
TI  - Mediated moderation of the relation between maternal and adolescent depressive
      symptoms: role of adolescent physical health.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To examine the mediating effect of family functioning on the relation
      between maternal and adolescent depressive symptoms and determine whether the
      magnitude of the mediating effect is different for adolescents with and without
      chronic physical health conditions. METHODS: Data come from the National
      Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth. A representative survey of 11,813
      adolescents and their mothers was included. Maternal and adolescent depressive
      symptoms were measured using the 12-item Center for Epidemiological Studies
      Depression Scale. Family functioning was measured using the McMaster Family
      Assessment Device. Multilevel multiple-group path analysis was used to examine
      potential mediating and moderating effects. RESULTS: Family functioning measured
      when adolescents were 14-15 years mediated the relation between maternal
      depressive symptoms (measured at 10-13 years) and adolescent depressive symptoms
      (measured at 16-19 years) for both adolescents with [alphabeta = 0.02 (0.02,
      0.03)] and without chronic health conditions [alphabeta = 0.01 (0.00, 0.01)].
      These findings provided evidence to suggest mediated moderation, Deltaalphabeta =
      0.02 (0.01, 0.03), that is, the mediating effect of family functioning was
      significantly larger for adolescents with chronic health conditions. CONCLUSIONS:
      The mediating effect of family functioning in the relation between maternal and
      adolescent depressive symptoms is larger for adolescents with chronic health
      conditions. Within the framework of family-centered care, maternal depressive
      symptoms and family functioning are suitable targets for preventive intervention
      for adolescents with chronic health conditions.

PMID- 26260950
TI  - Prevalence of substance use disorders in psychiatric patients: a nationwide
      Danish population-based study.
AB  - PURPOSE: The present study established the national prevalence of substance use
      disorders (SUDs) among Danish psychiatric patients. Furthermore, patients with
      SUDs and those without SUDs were compared on a range of socio-demographic,
      clinical, and treatment characteristics. METHODS: Data were obtained from several
      Danish population-based registers. The study population was defined as all
      individuals with incidents of schizophrenia, schizotypal disorder, other
      psychoses, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder
      (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and personality disorders since
      1969. The prevalence of SUDs was examined for the following psychoactive
      substances: alcohol, opioids, cannabis, sedatives, cocaine, psycho-stimulants and
      hallucinogens. RESULTS: A total of 463,003 patients were included in the
      analysis. The prevalence of any lifetime SUD was: 37 % for schizophrenia, 35 %
      for schizotypal disorder, 28 % for other psychoses, 32 % for bipolar disorder, 25
      % for depression, 25 % for anxiety, 11 % for OCD, 17% for PTSD, and 46 % for
      personality disorders. Alcohol use disorder was the most dominating SUD in every
      psychiatric category (25 % of all included patients). Patients with SUDs were
      more often men, had fewer years of formal education, more often received
      disability pension and died due to unnatural causes. CONCLUSIONS: The study was
      the most comprehensive of its kind so far to estimate the prevalence of SUDs in
      an unselected population-based cohort, and it revealed remarkably high prevalence
      among the psychiatric patients. The results should encourage continuous focus on
      possible comorbidity of psychiatric patients, as well as specialised and
      integrated treatment along with increased support of patients with comorbid
      disorders.

PMID- 26260952
TI  - Perineural growth of benign cutaneous sweat gland tumors: a hitherto unrecognized
      phenomenon unassociated with malignancy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cutaneous intraneural reactive epithelial proliferations mimicking
      malignancy include epithelial sheath neuroma, re-excision perineural invasion and
      reactive neuroepithelial aggregates. Nevertheless, intraneural growth of benign
      sweat gland tumors has not been reported before. AIMS: To report a predominantly
      intraneural proliferation of morphologically bland sweat gland tumors, describe
      their clinicopathological features and correlate them with survival. RESULTS: We
      analyzed a spiradenoma and a hidradenoma with a prominent intraneural growth,
      occurring on the back of the 19-year-old woman and on the arm of the 53-year-old
      woman. Both lesions presented as a painful and slightly raised papule. After
      complete excision, an uneventful clinical course was observed during the follow
      up period of 52 and 54 months. Pathologically, the most striking feature was an
      almost exclusive intraneural growth within the peripheral nerves of the deep
      dermis and subcutis. CONCLUSION: We report for the first time the predominantly
      intraneural growth of benign sweat gland tumors. Although their histogenesis is
      unknown, perineural displacement due to previous surgery or trauma, as well as
      development from intraneural embryological epithelial remnants remains
      possibilities. Long-term follow-up of our patients suggests that intraneural
      growth of otherwise bland sweat gland tumors does not signify malignancy.
      Complete excision appears to be sufficient treatment procedure.

PMID- 26260951
TI  - Drug use and service utilization among Hispanics in the United States.
AB  - PURPOSE: To examine illicit drug use and service utilization patterns of US-born
      and foreign-born Hispanics in the United States. METHODS: Hispanic respondents 18
      years and older in the NESARC were categorized as being of Mexican (n = 3,556),
      Puerto Rican (n = 785), Cuban (n = 346), Central American (n = 513), or South
      American (n = 381) origin. We examined lifetime prevalence of drug use and
      substance abuse treatment utilization patterns for US-born and Hispanic
      immigrants across subgroups. RESULTS: Lifetime prevalence of drug use was greater
      among US-born Hispanics than Hispanic immigrants after controlling for age,
      gender, income, education, urbanicity, parental history of drug use problems and
      lifetime DSM-IV mood/anxiety disorders. Both US-born and immigrant Hispanic drug
      users were less likely than non-Hispanic white drug users to have utilized any
      form of substance abuse treatment (US-born AOR = 0.89, immigrant AOR = 0.64) and
      more likely to have utilized family or social services (US-born AOR = 1.17,
      immigrant AOR = 1.19). Compared to US-born Hispanic drug users, Hispanic
      immigrant drug users were less likely to have used any form of substance abuse
      treatment (AOR = 0.81) and were more likely to have utilized family or social
      services (AOR = 1.22). CONCLUSION: Strategies to increase engagement and
      retention of Hispanic drug users in substance abuse treatment include increasing
      access to linguistically and culturally competent programs that address unmet
      family and social needs. Further studies examining differences in drug use and
      service utilization patterns within Hispanic subgroups are needed.

PMID- 26260953
TI  - Targeting glucocerebrosidase: Reduced enzymatic activity and Parkinson's disease.

PMID- 26260954
TI  - Bone repair of critical size defects treated with autogenic, allogenic, or
      xenogenic bone grafts alone or in combination with rhBMP-2.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the bone repair of critical size defects treated with
      autogenic, allogenic, or xenogenic bone grafts alone or in combination with rhBMP
      2. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In 112 rats, a critical bone defect of 5 mm bilaterally
      in the calvaria was made and filled with different bone grafts alone or combined
      with rhBMP-2: group autograft (AuG); group allograft (AlG); group xenograft
      (XeG); group AuG/BMP-2 (autograft and 5 MUg rhBMP-2); group AlG/BMP-2 (allograft
      and 5 MUg rhBMP-2); group XeG/BMP-2 (xenograft and 5 MUg rhBMP-2); group BMP-2 (5
      MUg rhBMP-2); and control group, filled only with blood coagulum. After a period
      of 4 or 6 weeks, the animals were euthanized. Histological and histometric
      analyses were performed for new bone formation (NB), as well as the
      immunohistochemical detection of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), and
      zymographic analysis (MMP) of type 2 and 9. RESULTS: Histological analysis showed
      the bone healing process was faster and favorable in AuG and AuG/BMP-2. In both
      periods, the grafted groups (AuG, XeG and AlG) had a greater volume of NB than
      the control group, which was even greater when combined with rhBMP-2. The XeG
      group showed a higher number of TRAP-positive multinucleated osteoclasts, and
      enzymatic activity revealed different levels of proMMP-2, MMP-2, and MMP-9 (6
      weeks). CONCLUSION: The different types of grafts increased bone formation,
      mainly associated with rhBMP-2, enhancing and accelerating the repair process.
      These groups had higher enzymatic indices than the control group especially with
      XeG, which also showed higher TRAP-positive multinucleated cells similar to
      osteoclasts, suggesting a remodeling process.

PMID- 26260955
TI  - High spectral purity Kerr frequency comb radio frequency photonic oscillator.
AB  - Femtosecond laser-based generation of radio frequency signals has produced
      astonishing improvements in achievable spectral purity, one of the basic features
      characterizing the performance of an radio frequency oscillator. Kerr frequency
      combs hold promise for transforming these lab-scale oscillators to chip-scale
      level. In this work we demonstrate a miniature 10 GHz radio frequency photonic
      oscillator characterized with phase noise better than -60 dBc Hz(-1) at 10 Hz, 
      90 dBc Hz(-1) at 100 Hz and -170 dBc Hz(-1) at 10 MHz. The frequency stability of
      this device, as represented by Allan deviation measurements, is at the level of
      10(-10) at 1-100 s integration time-orders of magnitude better than existing
      radio frequency photonic devices of similar size, weight and power consumption. 

PMID- 26260956
TI  - Proximal femur giant solitary plasmacytoma of bone: lessons learnt.

PMID- 26260957
TI  - Carcinoma in accessory axillary breast.
AB  - We present a rare case of carcinoma developing in an accessory breast. The
      patient presented with a progressive lump in her right axilla for 1 year. On
      examination, there was a well-developed nipple areola complex in the right axilla
      overlying a hard, fixed 5 * 3 cm lump. On investigation, core biopsy revealed
      poorly differentiated carcinoma of the breast. Mammography also revealed features
      of a malignant lesion with skin and muscle infiltration. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy
      was administered followed by modified radical mastectomy after three cycles.
      Immunohistochemistry study showed positive status of oestrogen and progesterone
      receptors, and negative HER-2 neu. Three more cycles of chemotherapy along with
      50 Gy radiotherapy were given in an adjuvant setting followed by hormone therapy.

PMID- 26260959
TI  - Benign thyroid nodules with RAS mutation grow faster.
AB  - CONTEXT: The management of a benign thyroid nodule includes follow-up until its
      size requires a surgical or alternative treatment. To date, it is difficult or
      impossible to predict the size changes of a benign nodule in a given patient
      because no specific growth parameters exist. RAS mutations have been described in
      thyroid adenomas and hyperplastic benign nodules. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this
      study was to establish whether the volume changes of benign nodules are
      associated with the presence of RAS mutation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Genomic DNA
      obtained by fine-needle aspiration of 78 thyroid nodules with benign cytology was
      analysed by pyrosequencing for the presence of NRAS(61) and KRAS(13) mutations.
      Ultrasonographic features were obtained. The volume of nodules at baseline and
      their changes after a mean follow-up of 25 months were evaluated according to the
      presence of RAS mutation. RESULTS: A RAS mutation was found in 24 thyroid
      aspirates (30.8%, 8 NRAS(61) and 16 KRAS(13) ). RAS mutation was not associated
      with ultrasonographic features, but was significantly associated with a larger
      size at baseline (P = 0.017). After a 25-month mean follow-up, RAS mutation
      positive nodules displayed faster growth (RAS mutation-positive vs RAS mutation
      negative % annual growth 27.6% +/-32.2% vs 1.0% +/-17.0%, P < 0.001).
      CONCLUSIONS: Benign thyroid nodules bearing RAS mutation grow more rapidly than
      those with wild-type RAS. Searching for RAS mutations in thyroid nodules with
      benign cytology might be useful to the clinician in choosing a more appropriate
      and timely surgical management.

PMID- 26260958
TI  - Neural Stem Cells Secreting Anti-HER2 Antibody Improve Survival in a Preclinical
      Model of HER2 Overexpressing Breast Cancer Brain Metastases.
AB  - The treatment of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-overexpressing
      breast cancer has been revolutionized by trastuzumab. However, longer survival of
      these patients now predisposes them to forming HER2 positive brain metastases, as
      the therapeutic antibodies cannot cross the blood brain barrier. The current
      oncologic repertoire does not offer a rational, nontoxic targeted therapy for
      brain metastases. In this study, we used an established human neural stem cell
      line, HB1.F3 NSCs and generated a stable pool of cells secreting a high amount of
      functional full-length anti-HER2 antibody, equivalent to trastuzumab. Anti-HER2Ab
      secreted by the NSCs (HER2Ab-NSCs) specifically binds to HER2 overexpressing
      human breast cancer cells and inhibits PI3K-Akt signaling. This translates to
      HER2Ab-NSC inhibition of breast cancer cell growth in vitro. Preclinical in vivo
      experiments using HER2Ab overexpressing NSCs in a breast cancer brain metastases
      (BCBM) mouse model demonstrate that intracranial injection of HER2Ab-NSCs
      significantly improves survival. In effect, these NSCs provide tumor localized
      production of HER2Ab, minimizing any potential off-target side effects. Our
      results establish HER2Ab-NSCs as a novel, nontoxic, and rational therapeutic
      approach for the successful treatment of HER2 overexpressing BCBM, which now
      warrants further preclinical and clinical investigation.

PMID- 26260960
TI  - Letter from the Editor.

PMID- 26260963
TI  - Oxidative inactivation of NiFeSe hydrogenase.
AB  - We propose a resolution to the paradox that spectroscopic studies of NiFeSe
      hydrogenase have not revealed any major signal attributable to Ni(III) states
      formed upon reaction with O2, despite the fact that two inactive states are
      formed upon either aerobic or anaerobic oxidation. 

PMID- 26260962
TI  - Epilepsy and innate immune system: A possible immunogenic predisposition and
      related therapeutic implications.
AB  - Recent experimental studies and pathological analyses of patient brain tissue
      samples with refractory epilepsy suggest that inflammatory processes and
      neuroinflammation plays a key-role in the etiopathology of epilepsy and
      convulsive disorders. These inflammatory processes lead to the secretion of pro
      inflammatory cytokines responsible for blood-brain-barrier disruption and
      involvement of resident immune cells in the inflammation pathway, occurring
      within the Central Nervous System (CNS). These elements are produced through
      activation of Toll-Like Receptors (TLRs) by exogenous and endogenous ligands
      thereby increasing expression of cytokines and co-stimulatory molecules through
      the activation of TLRs 2, 3, 4, and 9 as reported in murine studies.It has been
      demonstrated that IL-1beta intracellular signaling and cascade is able to alter
      the neuronal excitability without cell loss. The activation of the IL-1beta/ IL
      1beta R axis is strictly linked to the secretion of the intracellular protein
      MyD88, which interacts with other cell surface receptors, such as TLR4 during
      pathogenic recognition. Furthermore, TLR-signaling pathways are able to recognize
      molecules released from damaged tissues, such as damage-associated molecular
      patterns/proteins (DAMPs). Among these molecules, High-mobility group box-1
      (HMGB1) is a component of chromatin that is passively released from necrotic
      cells and actively released by cells that are subject to profound stress.
      Moreover, recent studies have described models of epilepsy induced by the
      administration of bicuculline and kainic acid that highlight the nature of HMGB1
      TLR4 interactions, their intracellular signaling pathway as well as their role in
      ictiogenesis and epileptic recurrence.The aim of our review is to focus on
      different branches of innate immunity and their role in epilepsy, emphasizing the
      role of immune related molecules in epileptogenesis and highlighting the research
      implications for novel therapeutic strategies. 

PMID- 26260964
TI  - Effects of metal salt addition on odor and process stability during the anaerobic
      digestion of municipal waste sludge.
AB  - Anaerobic digestion (AD) is an effective way to recover energy and nutrients from
      organic waste; however, several issues including the solubilization of bound
      nutrients and the production of corrosive, highly odorous and toxic volatile
      sulfur compounds (VSCs) in AD biogas can limit its wider adoption. This study
      explored the effects of adding two different doses of ferric chloride, aluminum
      sulfate and magnesium hydroxide directly to the feed of complete mix semi
      continuously fed mesophilic ADs on eight of the most odorous VSCs in AD biogas at
      three different organic loading rates (OLR). Ferric chloride was shown to be
      extremely effective in reducing VSCs by up to 87%, aluminum sulfate had the
      opposite effect and increased VSC levels by up to 920%, while magnesium hydroxide
      was not shown to have any significant impact. Ferric chloride, aluminum sulfate
      and magnesium hydroxide were effective in reducing the concentration of
      orthophosphate in AD effluent although both levels of alum addition caused
      digester failure at elevated OLRs. Extensive foaming was observed within the
      magnesium hydroxide dosed digesters, particularly at higher doses and high OLRs.
      Certain metal salt additions may be a valuable tool in overcoming barriers to AD
      and to meet regulatory targets. 

PMID- 26260965
TI  - Source segregation of food waste in office areas: Factors affecting waste
      generation rates and quality.
AB  - Existing legislation mandates that the amount of waste being recycled should be
      increased. Among others, in its Resource Strategy Plan, the Danish Government
      decided that at least 60% of food waste generated by the service sector,
      including in office areas, should be source-sorted and collected separately by
      2018. To assess the achievability of these targets, source-sorted food waste and
      residual waste from office areas was collected and weighed on a daily basis
      during 133 working days. Waste composition analyses were conducted every week to
      investigate the efficiency of the source-sorting campaign and the purity of the
      source-sorted food waste. The moisture content of source-sorted food waste and
      residual waste fractions, and potential methane production from source-sorted
      food waste, was also investigated. Food waste generation equated to 23 +/- 5
      kg/employee/year, of which 20 +/- 5 kg/employee/year was source-sorted, with a
      considerably high purity of 99%. Residual waste amounted to 10 +/- 5
      kg/employee/year and consisted mainly of paper (29 +/- 13%), plastic (23 +/- 9%)
      and missorted food waste (24 +/- 16%). The moisture content of source-sorted food
      waste was significantly higher (8%) than missorted food waste, and the methane
      potential of source-sorted food waste was 463 +/- 42 mL CH4/g VS. These results
      show that food waste in office areas offers promising potential for relatively
      easily collectable and pure source-sorted food waste, suggesting that recycling
      targets for food waste could be achieved with reasonable logistical ease in
      office areas.

PMID- 26260966
TI  - Corrigendum to Van de Waal et al. 2014: stoichiometric regulation of
      phytoplankton toxins.

PMID- 26260967
TI  - This meta-analysis does not reflect current practice and overestimates SAEs.

PMID- 26260968
TI  - [Reply to: BCG vaccination recommendation in children with latent tuberculosis
      infection].

PMID- 26260969
TI  - Polymorphisms affecting vitamin D-binding protein modify the relationship between
      serum vitamin D (25[OH]D3) and food allergy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is evolving evidence that vitamin D insufficiency may
      contribute to food allergy, but findings vary between populations. Lower vitamin
      D-binding protein (DBP) levels increase the biological availability of serum
      vitamin D. Genetic polymorphisms explain almost 80% of the variation in binding
      protein levels. OBJECTIVE: We sought to investigate whether polymorphisms that
      lower the DBP could compensate for adverse effects of low serum vitamin D on food
      allergy risk. METHODS: From a population-based cohort study (n = 5276) we
      investigated the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25[OH]D3) levels
      and food allergy at age 1 year (338 challenge-proven food-allergic and 269
      control participants) and age 2 years (55 participants with persistent and 50
      participants with resolved food allergy). 25(OH)D3 levels were measured using
      liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and adjusted for season of blood
      draw. Analyses were stratified by genotype at rs7041 as a proxy marker of DBP
      levels (low, the GT/TT genotype; high, the GG genotype). RESULTS: Low serum
      25(OH)D3 level (<=50 nM/L) at age 1 years was associated with food allergy,
      particularly among infants with the GG genotype (odds ratio [OR], 6.0; 95% CI,
      0.9-38.9) but not in those with GT/TT genotypes (OR, 0.7; 95% CI, 0.2-2.0; P
      interaction = .014). Maternal antenatal vitamin D supplementation was associated
      with less food allergy, particularly in infants with the GT/TT genotype (OR,
      0.10; 95% CI, 0.03-0.41). Persistent vitamin D insufficiency increased the
      likelihood of persistent food allergy (OR, 12.6; 95% CI, 1.5-106.6), particularly
      in those with the GG genotype. CONCLUSIONS: Polymorphisms associated with lower
      DBP level attenuated the association between low serum 25(OH)D3 level and food
      allergy, consistent with greater vitamin D bioavailability in those with a lower
      DBP level. This increases the biological plausibility of a role for vitamin D in
      the development of food allergy.

PMID- 26260970
TI  - Widespread somatic L1 retrotransposition occurs early during gastrointestinal
      cancer evolution.
AB  - Somatic L1 retrotransposition events have been shown to occur in epithelial
      cancers. Here, we attempted to determine how early somatic L1 insertions occurred
      during the development of gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. Using L1-targeted
      resequencing (L1-seq), we studied different stages of four colorectal cancers
      arising from colonic polyps, seven pancreatic carcinomas, as well as seven
      gastric cancers. Surprisingly, we found somatic L1 insertions not only in all
      cancer types and metastases but also in colonic adenomas, well-known cancer
      precursors. Some insertions were also present in low quantities in normal GI
      tissues, occasionally caught in the act of being clonally fixed in the adjacent
      tumors. Insertions in adenomas and cancers numbered in the hundreds, and many
      were present in multiple tumor sections, implying clonal distribution. Our
      results demonstrate that extensive somatic insertional mutagenesis occurs very
      early during the development of GI tumors, probably before dysplastic growth. 

PMID- 26260971
TI  - Extensive de novo mutation rate variation between individuals and across the
      genome of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.
AB  - Describing the process of spontaneous mutation is fundamental for understanding
      the genetic basis of disease, the threat posed by declining population size in
      conservation biology, and much of evolutionary biology. Directly studying
      spontaneous mutation has been difficult, however, because new mutations are rare.
      Mutation accumulation (MA) experiments overcome this by allowing mutations to
      build up over many generations in the near absence of natural selection. Here, we
      sequenced the genomes of 85 MA lines derived from six genetically diverse strains
      of the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. We identified 6843 new mutations,
      more than any other study of spontaneous mutation. We observed sevenfold
      variation in the mutation rate among strains and that mutator genotypes arose,
      increasing the mutation rate approximately eightfold in some replicates. We also
      found evidence for fine-scale heterogeneity in the mutation rate, with certain
      sequence motifs mutating at much higher rates, and clusters of multiple mutations
      occurring at closely linked sites. There was little evidence, however, for
      mutation rate heterogeneity between chromosomes or over large genomic regions of
      200 kbp. We generated a predictive model of the mutability of sites based on
      their genomic properties, including local GC content, gene expression level, and
      local sequence context. Our model accurately predicted the average mutation rate
      and natural levels of genetic diversity of sites across the genome. Notably,
      trinucleotides vary 17-fold in rate between the most and least mutable sites. Our
      results uncover a rich heterogeneity in the process of spontaneous mutation both
      among individuals and across the genome. 

PMID- 26260972
TI  - Genetic and environmental control of host-gut microbiota interactions.
AB  - Genetics provides a potentially powerful approach to dissect host-gut microbiota
      interactions. Toward this end, we profiled gut microbiota using 16s rRNA gene
      sequencing in a panel of 110 diverse inbred strains of mice. This panel has
      previously been studied for a wide range of metabolic traits and can be used for
      high-resolution association mapping. Using a SNP-based approach with a linear
      mixed model, we estimated the heritability of microbiota composition. We conclude
      that, in a controlled environment, the genetic background accounts for a
      substantial fraction of abundance of most common microbiota. The mice were
      previously studied for response to a high-fat, high-sucrose diet, and we
      hypothesized that the dietary response was determined in part by gut microbiota
      composition. We tested this using a cross-fostering strategy in which a strain
      showing a modest response, SWR, was seeded with microbiota from a strain showing
      a strong response, A*B19. Consistent with a role of microbiota in dietary
      response, the cross-fostered SWR pups exhibited a significantly increased
      response in weight gain. To examine specific microbiota contributing to the
      response, we identified various genera whose abundance correlated with dietary
      response. Among these, we chose Akkermansia muciniphila, a common anaerobe
      previously associated with metabolic effects. When administered to strain A*B19
      by gavage, the dietary response was significantly blunted for obesity, plasma
      lipids, and insulin resistance. In an effort to further understand host
      microbiota interactions, we mapped loci controlling microbiota composition and
      prioritized candidate genes. Our publicly available data provide a resource for
      future studies. 

PMID- 26260973
TI  - Validation of the VEINES-QOL quality of life instrument in venous leg ulcers:
      repeatability and validity study embedded in a randomised clinical trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: VEINES-QOL/Sym is a disease-specific quality of life instrument for
      use in venous diseases of the leg. Its relative scoring system precludes
      comparisons between studies. There were very few venous leg ulcer patients in the
      validation samples. We report a validation study for venous leg ulcers and
      develop a scoring system which enables comparison between studies. METHODS: Four
      hundred fifty-one participants in the VenUS IV trial of the management of venous
      leg ulcers were asked to complete a VEINES-QOL questionnaire at recruitment,
      along with SF-12, pain, and other aspects of quality of life. VEINES-QOL was
      repeated after two weeks and after 4 months. Healing of ulcers was confirmed by
      blind assessment of digital photographs. Three scoring systems for VEINES-QOL
      were compared. RESULTS: No floor or ceiling effects were observed for VEINES-QOL
      items, item-item correlations were weak to moderate, item-score correlations were
      moderate. Internal reliability was good. The VEINES-Sym subscale was confirmed by
      factor analysis. Test-retest reliability was satisfactory for the scale scores;
      individual items showed moderate to good agreement. Relationships with SF-12,
      pain, and the quality items confirmed construct validity. Participants whose
      ulcers had healed showed greater mean increase in scores than did those yet to
      heal, though they continued to report leg problems. An intrinsic scoring method
      appeared superior to the original relative method. CONCLUSIONS: VEINES-QOL was
      suitable for use in the study of venous leg ulcers. The intrinsic scoring method
      should be adopted, to facilitate comparisons between studies. TRIAL REGISTRATION:
      VenUS IV is registered with the ISRCTN register, number ISRCTN49373072 .

PMID- 26260974
TI  - [Hypoglossofacial anastomosis for facial palsy treatment: Indications and
      results].
AB  - Hypoglossofacial anastomosis is a classical surgical procedure for the treatment
      of facial paralysis when the trunk of the facial nerve cannot be repaired and its
      peripheral branches are normal. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 2004 and 2015, 77
      patients were able to benefit from an hypoglossofacial anastomosis. The etiology
      of the paralysis was mainly the surgery of vestibular schwannoma, tumors of the
      facial nerve and diseases of the brainstem. A specific and premature speech
      therapy remediation was realized for all patients in order to preserve the tongue
      function and to upgrade the facial motricity. RESULTS: Sixty-nine patients could
      be studied. The House Brackmann grading scale was used to appreciate the result.
      Thirty-one patients are grade III, 34 grade IV and in only one case the result is
      a grade V despite the anastomosis works. The main predictive factor for a good
      result is a small delay between the onset of the paralysis and the surgery for
      the rehabilitation. The specific physiotherapy upgrades the result with less side
      effects of the anastomosis. CONCLUSION: Hypoglossofacial anastomosis is a simple
      and reliable surgical procedure for rehabilitation of paralysed face. The quality
      of the result is linked with an early surgery and a specific physiotherapy.

PMID- 26260975
TI  - The deposition and imaging of silica sub-micron particles in dentine.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Sub-micron particles may assist in the delivery of compounds into
      dentine tubules. The surface interactions of the particles with dentine may
      prevent them from entering the tubules. The aim of this study is to investigate
      whether silica particles, treated with surfactants improves dentine tubules
      occlusion using both artificial and human tooth models METHODS: Spherical silica
      particles (size 130-810nm) bearing an encapsulated ruthenium luminescent complex
      were coated with the following surfactants: Zonyl((r)) FSA, Triton((r)) X-100 and
      Tween20((r)). The particles were prepared as 0.004% w/v and 0.04% w/v solutions
      with deionized water and were applied to the surface of; (1) in vitro model of
      PET ThinCertTM cell culture inserts; (2) 0.1mm thick sections of human molar
      teeth. RESULTS: Scanning electron and confocal fluorescence microscopy images
      show that particles without any coating and with TritonX-100 coating had the
      highest aggregation. Particles with Tween-20 are less aggregated on the surface
      and show inclusion in the tubules. Particles coated with fluorosurfactant Zonyl
      show a preference for aggregation at the tubule. With the ThinCertTM membranes
      high aggregation within the artificial tubules was increased by particle
      concentration. CONCLUSIONS: The use of silica sub-micron particles on hard dental
      tissues is dependent on the modification of the surface chemistry of both the
      particle and the dentine and the employment of the fluoromicronsurfactant may
      improve tubule occlusion. The use of ThinCertsTM membrane is useful in vitro
      model to mimic dentinal tubules and observe the ability of particles to occlude
      small channels. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The use of silica sub-micron particles on
      hard dentine tissues is dependent on the modification of the surface coating of
      the particles. This may influence how particles are incorporated in potential
      delivery vehicles applied to the dentine surface with the employment of a
      fluorosurfactant showing promise.

PMID- 26260976
TI  - Synergy of brushing mode and antibacterial use on in vivo biofilm formation.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Orthodontic, multi-strand retention-wires are used as a generalized
      model for oral retention sites to investigate whether biofilm left-behind after
      powered toothbrushing in-vivo enabled better penetration of antibacterials as
      compared with manual brushing. METHODS: 2-cm multi-strand, stainless-steel
      retention-wires were placed in brackets bonded bilaterally in the upper arches of
      10-volunteers. Volunteers used NaF-sodium-lauryl-sulphate-containing toothpaste
      and antibacterial, triclosan-containing toothpaste supplemented or not with an
      essential-oils containing mouthrinse. Opposite sides of the dentition including
      the retention-wires, were brushed manually or with a powered toothbrush. Health
      care-regimens were maintained for 1-week, after which wires were removed and oral
      biofilm was collected. RESULTS: When powered toothbrushing was applied, slightly
      less bacteria were collected than after manual brushing, regardless whether an
      antibacterial-regimen was used or not. Powered-toothbrushing combined with
      antibacterial-regimens yielded lower biofilm viability than manual brushing,
      indicating better antibacterial penetration into biofilm left-behind after
      powered brushing. Major shifts in biofilm composition, with a decrease in
      prevalence of both cariogenic species and periodontopathogens, were induced after
      powered brushing using an antibacterial-regimen. CONCLUSION: Oral biofilm left
      behind after powered brushing in-vivo enabled better penetration of
      antibacterials than after manual brushing. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Mechanical
      removal of oral biofilm is important for prevention of dental pathologies, but
      biofilm is always left-behind, such as in fissures, buccal pits, interproximal
      areas and gingival margins and around orthodontic appliances. Use of
      antibacterial toothpastes or mouthrinses can contribute to removal or killing of
      biofilm bacteria, but biofilm structure hampers antibacterial penetration. A
      synergy between brushing mode and antibacterial-regimen applied exists with
      clinically demonstrable effects.

PMID- 26260977
TI  - Protection of farmed camels (Camelus Dromedarius): Welfare problems and
      legislative perspective.
AB  - In the last years animal welfare has assumed an increasing interest in our
      society, influencing legislation to enact many provisions aimed at the protection
      of animals. Along with increased consumer awareness of the need to maintain
      ethically acceptable conditions of raised animals, scientists too have begun to
      investigate the conditions of animal welfare, the tools for its evaluation and
      for its improvement. Although there are many advances in knowledge, much remains
      to be investigated concerning many species considered "minor", that is, camels
      and dromedaries. Dromedaries, recently, have attracted the interest of some
      breeders following the results of studies concerning the nutritional and
      therapeutic properties of their products - milk in particular - that make them
      ideal for some particular categories of consumers, such as diabetics, obesity
      sufferers, lactose-intolerant subjects, menopausal women and so on. Considering
      their use in dairy husbandry, dromedaries are reared under intensive and/or semi
      intensive systems with the resulting emergence of specific needs, which should be
      fulfilled in order to have appropriate welfare. This paper's purpose is to give
      practical elements in order to find out dromedary welfare standards, promoting a
      comprehensive set of regulations on welfare, care and protection of this animal. 

PMID- 26260978
TI  - Consistent quality control in ECG compression by means of direct metrics.
AB  - The aim of electrocardiogram (ECG) compression is to reduce the amount of data as
      much as possible while preserving the significant information for diagnosis.
      Objective metrics that are derived directly from the signal are suitable for
      controlling the quality of the compressed ECGs in practical applications. Many
      approaches have employed figures of merit based on the percentage root mean
      square difference (PRD) for this purpose. The benefits and drawbacks of the PRD
      measures, along with other metrics for quality assessment in ECG compression, are
      analysed in this work. We propose the use of the root mean square error (RMSE)
      for quality control because it provides a clearer and more stable idea about how
      much the retrieved ECG waveform, which is the reference signal for establishing
      diagnosis, separates from the original. For this reason, the RMSE is applied here
      as the target metric in a thresholding algorithm that relies on the retained
      energy. A state of the art compressor based on this approach, and its PRD-based
      counterpart, are implemented to test the actual capabilities of the proposed
      technique. Both compression schemes are employed in several experiments with the
      whole MIT-BIH Arrhythmia Database to assess both global and local signal
      distortion. The results show that, using the RMSE for quality control, the
      distortion of the reconstructed signal is better controlled without reducing the
      compression ratio. 

PMID- 26260979
TI  - Exhaled Breath Condensate pH in Lung Cancer, the Impact of Clinical Factors.
AB  - PURPOSE: Lung cancer may be associated with airway acidification due to enhanced
      airway inflammation and oxidative stress. Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) pH is a
      non-invasive indicator of airway acidity; however, it is still unclear how EBC pH
      changes in lung cancer. The aim of the study was to investigate EBC pH in lung
      cancer together with clinical variables. METHODS: Thirty-five patients with lung
      cancer and 37 control subjects (21 patients with stable COPD and 16 non-COPD
      smokers) were enrolled. EBC was collected for pH, which was determined with the
      argon-purging method, compared among the groups and correlated with clinical
      variables of patients with lung cancer. RESULTS: No difference was found in EBC
      pH between patients with lung cancer and control subjects. However, endobronchial
      tumour localisation, squamous-cell carcinoma subtype and gastro-oesophageal
      reflux were associated with low EBC pH values. No relationship was observed
      between EBC pH and the presence of COPD, lung function variables or smoking
      history. CONCLUSIONS: Although, EBC pH is unchanged in lung cancer, lower EBC pH
      values are associated with distinct phenotypes. Our findings could facilitate
      further research on airway acidity in lung cancer.

PMID- 26260980
TI  - Structural Basis of Substrate Recognition by Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 7A1.
AB  - Aldehyde dehydrogenase 7A1 (ALDH7A1) is part of lysine catabolism and catalyzes
      the NAD(+)-dependent oxidation of alpha-aminoadipate semialdehyde to alpha
      aminoadipate. Herein, we describe a structural study of human ALDH7A1 focused on
      substrate recognition. Five crystal structures and small-angle X-ray scattering
      data are reported, including the first crystal structure of any ALDH7 family
      member complexed with alpha-aminoadipate. The product binds with the epsilon
      carboxylate in the oxyanion hole, the aliphatic chain packed into an aromatic
      box, and the distal end of the product anchored by electrostatic interactions
      with five conserved residues. This binding mode resembles that of glutamate bound
      to the proline catabolic enzyme ALDH4A1. Analysis of ALDH7A1 and ALDH4A1
      structures suggests key interactions that underlie substrate discrimination.
      Structures of apo ALDH7A1 reveal dramatic conformational differences from the
      product complex. Product binding is associated with a 16 A movement of the C
      terminus into the active site, which stabilizes the active conformation of the
      aldehyde substrate anchor loop. The fact that the C-terminus is part of the
      active site was hitherto unknown. Interestingly, the C-terminus and aldehyde
      anchor loop are disordered in a new tetragonal crystal form of the apoenzyme,
      implying that these parts of the enzyme are highly flexible. Our results suggest
      that the active site of ALDH7A1 is disassembled when the aldehyde site is vacant,
      and the C-terminus is a mobile element that forms quaternary structural
      interactions that aid aldehyde binding. These results are relevant to the
      c.1512delG genetic deletion associated with pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy, which
      alters the C-terminus of ALDH7A1. 

PMID- 26260981
TI  - Purifying Cytokinetic Cells from an Asynchronous Population.
AB  - Cytokinesis is an intensively studied process by which the cell cytoplasm divides
      to produce two daughter cells. Like any other aspect of cell cycle research, the
      study of cytokinesis relies heavily on cell synchronization. However, the
      synchronization of cells during cytokinesis is challenging due to the rapid
      nature of this process and the shortage of cell cycle blocking agents
      specifically targeting this phase. Here, we demonstrate the use of standard flow
      cytometry for directly isolating cytokinetic cells from an asynchronous
      population of normally proliferating cells. This approach is based on a cell
      cycle marker whose temporal proteolysis, in combination with DNA quantification
      or cell size approximation, distinguishes cells undergoing cytokinesis.
      Furthermore, by avoiding doublet discrimination, typically used in flow cytometry
      analyses, we were able to further increase selectivity, specifically purifying
      cells at late cytokinesis. Our method circumvents checkpoint activation, cell
      cycle arrest, and any other means of pre-synchronization. These qualities, as
      demonstrated for both unattached and adherent cells, enable high selectivity for
      cytokinetic cells despite their overall low abundance in an asynchronous
      population. The sorted cells can then be readily used for cell biological,
      biochemical, and genomic applications to facilitate cytokinesis and cell cycle
      research. 

PMID- 26260982
TI  - "It puts a human face on the researched"--A qualitative evaluation of an
      Indigenous health research governance model.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe the Inala Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community
      Jury for Health Research, and evaluate its usefulness as a model of Indigenous
      research governance within an urban Indigenous primary health care service from
      the perspectives of jury members and researchers. METHODS: Informed by a
      phenomenological approach and using narrative inquiry, a focus group was
      conducted with jury members and key informant interviews were undertaken with
      researchers who had presented to the Community Jury in its first year of
      operation. RESULTS: The jury was a site of identity work for researchers and jury
      members, providing an opportunity to observe and affirm community cultural
      protocols. Although researchers and jury members had differing levels of research
      literacy, the jury processes enabled respectful communication and relationships
      to form, which positively influenced research practice, community aspirations and
      clinical care. DISCUSSION: The jury processes facilitated transformative research
      practice among researchers and resulted in transference of power from researchers
      to the jury members, to the mutual benefit of both. CONCLUSION: Ethical
      Indigenous health research practice requires an engagement with Indigenous
      peoples and knowledge at the research governance level, not simply as subjects or
      objects of research.

PMID- 26260983
TI  - Pediatric tuberculous meningitis: Model-based approach to determining optimal
      doses of the anti-tuberculosis drugs rifampin and levofloxacin for children.
AB  - Pediatric tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is a highly morbid, often fatal disease.
      Standard treatment includes isoniazid, rifampin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol.
      Current rifampin dosing achieves low cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations,
      and CSF penetration of ethambutol is poor. In adult trials, higher-dose rifampin
      and/or a fluoroquinolone reduced mortality and disability. To estimate optimal
      dosing of rifampin and levofloxacin for children, we compiled plasma and CSF
      pharmacokinetic (PK) and outcomes data from adult TBM trials plus plasma PK data
      from children. A population PK/pharmacodynamic (PD) model using adult data
      defined rifampin target exposures (plasma area under the curve (AUC)0-24 = 92
      mg*h/L). Levofloxacin targets and rifampin pediatric drug disposition information
      were literature-derived. To attain target rifampin exposures, children require
      daily doses of at least 30 mg/kg orally or 15 mg/kg intravenously (i.v.). From
      our pediatric population PK model, oral levofloxacin doses needed to attain
      exposure targets were 19-33 mg/kg. Our results provide data-driven guidance to
      maximize pediatric TBM treatment while we await definitive trial results. 

PMID- 26260984
TI  - Sex-Specific Association between Longitudinal Changes in Adiposity, FTO rs9939609
      Polymorphism, and Leukocyte Telomere Length.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: A longitudinal study was conducted to examine sex-specific
      associations between changes in adiposity over a 10-year period, the FTO
      rs9939609 polymorphism, and leukocyte telomere length (LTL). METHODS: A
      population-based cohort including 2128 middle-aged and older Korean men (n =
      1087) and women (n = 1041) participated in a prospective study. Anthropometric
      measurements of weight, height, and waist and hip circumference were taken at
      baseline (from 2001 to 2003) and at the 10-year follow-up period (from 2011 to
      2012). The FTO rs9939609 polymorphism was genotyped using DNA samples collected
      at baseline and LTL was assessed at the 10-year follow-up period. Multiple linear
      regression analysis was used with adjustments for age, baseline body mass index,
      and other potential confounders. RESULTS: Presence of the FTO rs9939609
      polymorphism risk allele was inversely associated with LTL (p < 0.01) in all
      participants, with a significant association seen only in women when the genders
      were modeled separately. Conversely, a significant inverse association between
      changes in waist circumference and LTL was found in men (p < 0.001) but not in
      women. No significant interaction between adiposity measures and the FTO
      polymorphism in association with LTL was identified for either sex. CONCLUSIONS:
      These data suggest that biological aging in men may be accelerated by increasing
      waist circumference, whereas in women, aging may be affected by genetic
      variations in FTO regardless of adiposity changes over time.

PMID- 26260985
TI  - The Changing Role of ENGOs in Water Governance: Institutional Entrepreneurs?
AB  - The changing role of the state in the last quarter century has been an important
      contemporary concern for policy makers, scholars, and the public. Equally, there
      is increasing recognition among governance scholars that nongovernment actors are
      exerting new kinds of influence over governance systems and contributing in novel
      ways to governance processes. The role of environmental nongovernmental
      organizations (ENGOs) is particularly pertinent given the continued involvement
      of ENGOs within collaborative, adaptive, and co-management governance, across
      several contexts and regions. This paper uses an analytical framework derived
      from recent studies on institutional entrepreneurs, to examine the skills ENGOs
      are applying in order to orchestrate change. An empirical case of governance for
      water in Canada's Lake Simcoe region provides the foundation for the research.
      Drawing on a mixed methods approach, the research finds that ENGOs in Lake Simcoe
      have taken on a role as an institutional entrepreneur, and thereby have altered
      the relationship between governance actors in this setting. A key outcome of
      their actions is a more dominant, engaged, and influential role for ENGOs in a
      critical, regional governance system. 

PMID- 26260987
TI  - A recent epidemiological cluster of acute hepatitis B genotype F1b infection in a
      restricted geographical area of Italy.
AB  - In this study, by phylogenetic analysis, we identified an epidemiological cluster
      involving eight individuals diagnosed with acute hepatitis B virus (HBV)
      infection related to unprotected sexual intercourse in a restricted area of
      central Italy (time period: 2011-2014). Notably, these patients (six of eight
      Italians) were infected by subgenotype F1b, which is not commonly found in
      western countries. Ultra-deep pyrosequencing confirmed a superimposable
      composition of HBV quasi-species in these patients. Despite the availability of
      effective vaccination, this study highlights the importance of not
      underestimating the risk of HBV infection, of continuing to set up surveillance
      programmes for HBV infection, and of investigating the pathogenetic potential of
      these atypical genotypes. 

PMID- 26260986
TI  - Differential Gene Expression in Liver, Gill, and Olfactory Rosettes of Coho
      Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) After Acclimation to Salinity.
AB  - Most Pacific salmonids undergo smoltification and transition from freshwater to
      saltwater, making various adjustments in metabolism, catabolism, osmotic, and ion
      regulation. The molecular mechanisms underlying this transition are largely
      unknown. In the present study, we acclimated coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch)
      to four different salinities and assessed gene expression through microarray
      analysis of gills, liver, and olfactory rosettes. Gills are involved in osmotic
      regulation, liver plays a role in energetics, and olfactory rosettes are involved
      in behavior. Between all salinity treatments, liver had the highest number of
      differentially expressed genes at 1616, gills had 1074, and olfactory rosettes
      had 924, using a 1.5-fold cutoff and a false discovery rate of 0.5. Higher
      responsiveness of liver to metabolic changes after salinity acclimation to
      provide energy for other osmoregulatory tissues such as the gills may explain the
      differences in number of differentially expressed genes. Differentially expressed
      genes were tissue- and salinity-dependent. There were no known genes
      differentially expressed that were common to all salinity treatments and all
      tissues. Gene ontology term analysis revealed biological processes, molecular
      functions, and cellular components that were significantly affected by salinity,
      a majority of which were tissue-dependent. For liver, oxygen binding and
      transport terms were highlighted. For gills, muscle, and cytoskeleton-related
      terms predominated and for olfactory rosettes, immune response-related genes were
      accentuated. Interaction networks were examined in combination with GO terms and
      determined similarities between tissues for potential osmosensors, signal
      transduction cascades, and transcription factors.

PMID- 26260988
TI  - Antigen-Induced Activation of Antibody Measured by Fluorescence Enhancement of
      FITC Label at Fc.
AB  - Three anti-carbohydrate antibodies of defined specificity isolated from plasma
      were used to demonstrate that macromolecular antigen binding caused considerable
      enhancement of fluorescence of FITC-labeled antibody. Mono and disaccharide
      antigens which could compete with the large antigens in antibody binding could
      not however produce any increase in fluorescence. Fluorescence enhancement in a
      given antibody sample increased with the size of the occupying macromolecular
      antigen. Conversely in antibody samples of same ligand specificity isolated from
      plasma of different individuals, fluorescence enhancement produced by the same
      antigen correlated with specific activity of the antibody sample. Removal of Fc
      part of antibody, confirmed by electrophoresis and Fc-specific antibody binding,
      caused abolition of most of the antigen-driven fluorescence increase. Since
      antigen binding sites of antibodies were protected during FITC labeling, the
      above results suggest that conformational shift in Fc produced by occupation of
      binding sites by large antigens resulted in the enhancement of fluorescence of
      FITC tags on Fc. Data provides a tool for detection and measurement of specific
      ligands using fluorolabeled whole antibodies. 

PMID- 26260989
TI  - White Light Emission Through Downconversion of Terbium and Europium Doped CeF3
      Nanophosphors.
AB  - CeF3 nanophosphors have been extensively investigated in recent years for
      lighting and numerous bio-applications. Downconversion emissions in
      CeF3:Eu(3+)/Tb(3+) phosphors were studied with the objective of attaining a white
      light emitting composition, by means of a simple co-precipitation method. The
      material was characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Transmission Electron
      Microscopy (TEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and
      Photoluminescence (PL). Uniformly distributed nanoparticles were obtained with an
      average particle size range of 8-10 nm. Various studies were undertook utilizing
      different doping concentrations and respective fluorescence studies were carried
      out to optimize dopant concentrations while achieving maximum luminescence
      intensity. From PL results, it was observed that the efficient energy transfers
      from the donor to the acceptor ions. Different concentrations of Tb(3+), Eu(3+)
      were doped in order to achieve a white light emitting phosphor for UV-based Light
      Emitting Diodes (LEDs). The nanoparticles showed characteristic emission of
      respective dopants (Eu(3+), Tb(3+)) when excited at the 4f -> 5d transition of
      Ce(3+). The chromaticity coordinates for CeF3 doped with Eu(3+) and Tb(3+) were
      calculated and an emission very close to white light was observed.

PMID- 26260990
TI  - The chloride-bicarbonate exchanger pendrin is increased in the kidney of the
      pregnant rat.
AB  - NEW FINDINGS: What is the central question of this study? Pregnancy requires a
      robust plasma volume expansion driven by renal sodium retention. In the late
      pregnant kidney, the aldosterone-responsive epithelial Na(+) channel is
      increased, whereas the sodium-chloride cotransporter is decreased. Pendrin has
      been shown to support sodium reabsorption in the distal nephron and compensate
      for loss of the sodium-chloride cotransporter. We investigated the expression and
      abundance of pendrin in the pregnant kidney. What is the main finding and its
      importance? Pendrin protein, apical localization and thiazide sensitivity are
      increased in pregnancy. This implicates a possible role for pendrin in supporting
      the renal sodium chloride reabsorption and plasma volume expansion of pregnancy.
      Pregnancy is characterized by cumulative plasma volume expansion as a result of
      renal sodium retention, driven by activation of aldosterone. We previously
      reported that the abundance and activity of the aldosterone-responsive epithelial
      Na(+) channel is increased, whereas the sodium-chloride cotransporter (NCC) is
      decreased in the kidney of the late-pregnant rat. The chloride-bicarbonate
      exchanger pendrin is also aldosterone responsive and has been shown to support
      activity of the aldosterone-responsive epithelial Na(+) channel and compensate
      for the loss of NCC. Additionally, pendrin coupled to the sodium-dependent
      chloride-bicarbonate exchanger (NDCBE) mediates thiazide-sensitive sodium
      reabsorption in the cortical collecting duct. In this study, we investigated
      pendrin and NDCBE transcript expression, pendrin protein abundance, pendrin
      cellular localization and thiazide sensitivity in virgin, mid-pregnant and late
      pregnant rats to test the hypothesis that increased pendrin activity might occur
      in pregnancy. By RT-PCR, NDCBE and pendrin mRNA expression was unchanged from
      virgins, whereas pendrin protein abundance determined by Western blotting was
      increased in both mid- and late-pregnant rats. The apical localization of pendrin
      was also increased in late-pregnant rats compared with virgins by
      immunohistochemistry. Pregnant rats displayed an increased natriuretic response
      to hydrochlorothiazide compared with virgins. Given that NCC expression is
      decreased in late pregnancy, an increased thiazide sensitivity may be due to
      inhibition of upregulated pendrin-NDCBE-coupled sodium reabsorption. Thus,
      increased pendrin in pregnant rats may compensate for the decreased NCC and aid
      in the renal sodium chloride reabsorption of pregnancy.

PMID- 26260991
TI  - Social and Structural Factors Shaping High Rates of Incarceration among Sex
      Workers in a Canadian Setting.
AB  - In light of the emphasis on enforcement-based approaches towards sex work, and
      the well-known negative impacts of these approaches on women's health, safety and
      well-being, we conducted a study to investigate the prevalence and correlates of
      recent incarceration among a cohort of women sex workers in Vancouver, Canada.
      Data were obtained from an open prospective community cohort of female and
      transgender women sex workers, known as An Evaluation of Sex Workers' Health
      Access (AESHA). Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses, using
      generalized estimating equations (GEE), were used to model the effect of social
      and structural factors on the likelihood of incarceration over the 44-month
      follow-up period (January 2010-August 2013). Among 720 sex workers, 62.5 % (n =
      450) reported being incarcerated in their lifetime and 23.9 % (n = 172) being
      incarcerated at least once during the study period. Of the 172 participants,
      about one third (36.6 %) reported multiple episodes of incarceration. In
      multivariable GEE analyses, younger age (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.04 per
      year younger, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.02-1.06), being of a sexual/gender
      minority (AOR = 1.62, 95 % CI 1.13-2.34), heavy drinking (AOR = 1.99, 95 % CI
      1.20-3.29), being born in Canada (AOR = 3.28, 95 % CI 1.26-8.53), living in
      unstable housing conditions (AOR = 4.32, 95 % CI 2.17-8.62), servicing clients in
      public spaces (versus formal sex work establishments) (AOR = 2.33, 95 % CI 1.05
      5.17) and experiencing police harassment without arrest (AOR = 1.82, 95 % CI 1.35
      2.45) remain independently correlated with incarceration. This prospective study
      found a very high prevalence and frequency of incarceration among women sex
      workers in Vancouver, Canada, with the most vulnerable and marginalized women at
      increased risk of incarceration. Given the well-known social and health harms
      associated with incarceration, and associations between police harassment and
      incarceration in this study, our findings further add to growing calls to move
      away from criminalized and enforcement-based approaches to sex work in Canada and
      globally.

PMID- 26260992
TI  - Differential crosstalk between the AMPK and PI3K/Akt pathways in breast cancer
      cells of differing genotypes: Leptin inhibits the effectiveness of AMPK
      activation.
AB  - AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a sensor of cellular energy, is widely
      reported as a potential therapeutic target in treatment of breast and other
      cancers. The activated enzyme has been shown to be a promising anti-proliferative
      agent in breast cancer cell lines. However, little data exist on crosstalk
      between AMPK and the cellular survival axis of PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway and the
      impact of microenvironment on cellular responses to AMPK activation. We present
      results which show differential crosstalk between AMPK and Akt, dependent on the
      cellular genetics of each breast cancer cell type. We also show that leptin
      blocks activation of AMPK and partially or completely attenuates the anti
      proliferative effect of AMPK activation depending on the cell type. This suggests
      that leptin within the local environment might impose limitations on therapeutic
      usage of AMPK activators in cancer, thereby attenuating their effective use in
      many obese subjects. 

PMID- 26260993
TI  - Delay in Diagnosis of Spinal Muscular Atrophy: A Systematic Literature Review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Spinal muscular atrophy is a rare genetic disease with devastating
      neurodegenerative consequences. Timing of diagnosis is crucial for spinal
      muscular atrophy because early diagnosis may lead to early supportive care and
      reduction in patient and caregiver stress. The purpose of this study was to
      examine the published literature for diagnostic delay in spinal muscular atrophy.
      METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted in the PubMed and Web of
      Science databases for studies published between 2000 and 2014 that listed any
      type of spinal muscular atrophy and without molecular, mouse, or pathology in the
      keywords. Mean and/or median age of onset and diagnosis and delay in diagnosis
      was extracted or calculated. All estimates were weighted by the number of
      patients and descriptive statistics are reported. RESULTS: A total of 21 studies
      were included in the final analysis. The weighted mean (standard deviation) ages
      of onset were 2.5 (0.6), 8.3 (1.6), and 39.0 (32.6) months for spinal muscular
      atrophy types I, II, and III, respectively, and the weighted mean (standard
      deviation) ages of confirmed spinal muscular atrophy genetic diagnosis were 6.3
      (2.2), 20.7 (2.6), and 50.3 (12.9) months, respectively, for types I, II, and
      III. For studies reporting both age of onset and diagnosis, the weighted
      diagnostic delay was 3.6, 14.3, and 43.6 months for types I, II, and III,
      respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnostic delay is common in spinal muscular atrophy.
      The length of delay varied by severity (type) of spinal muscular atrophy. Further
      studies evaluating this delay and tools such as newborn screening are warranted
      to end the diagnostic delay in spinal muscular atrophy.

PMID- 26260994
TI  - Bilateral Paramedian Thalamic Syndrome After Infection.

PMID- 26260995
TI  - Reply to Huo et al.

PMID- 26260996
TI  - Paucity of PD-L1 expression in prostate cancer: innate and adaptive immune
      resistance.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Primary prostate cancers are infiltrated with programmed death-1 (PD
      1) expressing CD8+ T-cells. However, in early clinical trials, men with
      metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer did not respond to PD-1 blockade as
      a monotherapy. One explanation for this unresponsiveness could be that prostate
      tumors generally do not express programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1), the primary
      ligand for PD-1. However, lack of PD-L1 expression in prostate cancer would be
      surprising, given that phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) loss is relatively
      common in prostate cancer and several studies have shown that PTEN loss
      correlates with PD-L1 upregulation--constituting a mechanism of innate immune
      resistance. This study tested whether prostate cancer cells were capable of
      expressing PD-L1, and whether the rare PD-L1 expression that occurs in human
      specimens correlates with PTEN loss. METHODS: Human prostate cancer cell lines
      were evaluated for PD-L1 expression and loss of PTEN by flow cytometry and
      western blotting, respectively. Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for PTEN was
      correlated with PD-L1 IHC using a series of resected human prostate cancer
      samples. RESULTS: In vitro, many prostate cancer cell lines upregulated PD-L1
      expression in response to inflammatory cytokines, consistent with adaptive immune
      resistance. In these cell lines, no association between PTEN loss and PD-L1
      expression was apparent. In primary prostate tumors, PD-L1 expression was rare,
      and was not associated with PTEN loss. CONCLUSIONS: These studies show that some
      prostate cancer cell lines are capable of expressing PD-L1. However, in human
      prostate cancer, PTEN loss is not associated with PD-L1 expression, arguing
      against innate immune resistance as a mechanism that mitigates antitumor immune
      responses in this disease.

PMID- 26260997
TI  - Rectal swab testing before prostate biopsy: experience in a VA Medical Center
      urology practice.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Infectious complications following transrectal ultrasound prostate
      biopsy (TRUSBx) have been increasing. Pre-biopsy prophylaxis with fluoroquinolone
      (FQL) antibiotics is a recommended and accepted practice. Increasing emergence of
      FQL-resistant bacteria is believed to be related to the increase in infectious
      complications. We sought to determine the effect of targeted antibiotic
      prophylaxis (TAP) before TRUSBx on infectious complications in our practice.
      METHODS: TAP was introduced in our practice in 2012. A retrospective analysis was
      performed analyzing infectious complications from TRUSBx before and after TAP was
      introduced. Two hundred forty-four patients underwent TRUSBx with TAP directed by
      bacterial antibiotic sensitivity identified on rectal swab. A group of two
      hundred sixty-four consecutive patients who underwent TRUSBx in our practice
      before introduction of TAP were chosen for comparison. Infectious complications
      were recorded and compared between groups. Prostate volume, PSA, number of biopsy
      cores, finding of prostate cancer, presence of diabetes, race and age were also
      compared. RESULTS: The infectious complication rate after TRUSBx in the pre-TAP
      group was 7/264 (2.65%), the rate in the TAP group was 1/244 (0.41%), a
      statistically significant difference (P=<0.05). There were no differences between
      groups in regards to prostate volume, number of prostate biopsy cores, race and
      presence of diabetes. The rectal swab group was younger (65.4 +/- 6.0) than the
      non-swab group (67.9 +/- 6.2), had higher PSA values, and a higher chance of
      prostate cancer on biopsy. CONCLUSIONS: The use of TAP based on rectal swab
      testing significantly lowered our infectious complication rate for TRUSBx. TAP is
      now adopted as standard practice before TRUSBx in our center. The younger age and
      higher chance of prostate cancer on biopsy in the rectal swab group, we believe,
      is due to implementation of recent guidelines directing urologists be more
      selective in recommending prostate biopsy to older men.

PMID- 26260998
TI  - Shotgun metaproteomic profiling of biomimetic anaerobic digestion processes
      treating sewage sludge.
AB  - Two parallel anaerobic digestion lines were designed to match a "bovid-like"
      digestive structure. Each of the lines consisted of two continuous stirred tank
      reactors placed in series and separated by an acidic treatment step. The first
      line was inoculated with industrial inocula whereas the second was seeded with
      cow digestive tract contents. After 3 months of continuous sewage sludge feeding,
      samples were recovered for shotgun metaproteomic and DNA-based analysis.
      Strikingly, protein-inferred and 16S ribosomal DNA tags based taxonomic community
      profiles were not consistent. PCA however revealed a similar clustering pattern
      of the samples, suggesting that reproducible methodological and/or biological
      factors underlie this observation. The performances of the two digestion lines
      did not differ significantly and the cow-derived inocula did not establish in the
      reactors. A low throughput metagenomic dataset (3.4 * 10(6) reads, 1.1 Gb) was
      also generated for one of the samples. It allowed a substantial increase of the
      analysis depth (11 vs. 4% of spectral identification rate for the combined
      samples). Surprisingly, a high proportion of proteins from members of the
      "Candidatus Competibacter" group, a key microbial player usually found in
      activated sludge plants, was retrieved in our anaerobic digester samples. Data
      are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD002420
      (http://proteomecentral.proteomexchange.org/dataset/PXD002420). 

PMID- 26260999
TI  - Preparation, quality control and biodistribution assessment of 153Sm-BPAMD as a
      novel agent for bone pain palliation therapy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Various phosphonate ligands labeled with beta(-)-emitting
      radionuclides have shown good efficacy for bone pain palliation. In this study, a
      new agent for bone pain palliation has been developed. METHODS: 153Sm-(4
      {[(bis(phosphonomethyl))carbamoyl]methyl}-7,10-bis(carboxymethyl)-1,4,7,10
      tetraazacyclododec-1-yl) acetic acid (153Sm-BPAMD) complex was prepared using
      BPAMD ligand and 153SmCl3. The effect of various parameters on the labeling yield
      of 153Sm-BPAMD including ligand concentration, pH, temperature and reaction time
      were studied. Radiochemical purity of the radiolabeled complex was checked by
      instant thin layer chromatography (ITLC). Stability studies of the complex in the
      final preparation and in the presence of human serum were performed up to 48 h.
      Partition coefficient and hydroxyapatite (HA) binding of the complex were
      investigated and biodistribution studies (SPECT imaging and scarification) were
      performed after injection of the complex to Syrian mice up to 48 h post
      injection. The biodistribution of the complex was compared with the
      biodistribution of the 153Sm cation in the same type mice. RESULTS: 153Sm-BPAMD
      was prepared in high radiochemical purity >98% and specific activity of 267
      GBq/mmol at the optimal conditions. The complex demonstrated significant
      stability at room temperature and in human serum at least for 48 h. HA binding
      assay demonstrated that at the amount of more than 5 mg, approximately, all
      radiolabeled complex was bound to HA. At the pH 7.4, LogP o/w was -1.86 +/- 0.02.
      Both SPECT and scarification showed major accumulation of the labeled compound in
      the bone tissue. CONCLUSION: The results show that 153Sm-BPAMD has interesting
      characteristics as an agent for bone pain palliation; however, further biological
      studies in other mammals are still needed.

PMID- 26261000
TI  - Detection of local recurrence of prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy: Is
      there a role for early 18F-FCH PET/CT?
AB  - AIM: To investigate the diagnostic performance of early acquisition compared to
      late imaging for the detection of local recurrence of prostate cancer by means of
      18F-FCH PET/CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 99 patients with radical prostatectomy
      (mean PSA 3.9 +/- 5.03) were subjected to early dynamic PET/CT acquisition of the
      pelvis and a whole body PET/CT in the same exam session. None of the patients
      examined was subjected to radiotherapy for local or distant recurrence. All the
      subjects were taken off hormonal therapy. RESULTS: 58 subjects did not show local
      recurrence in both early and late acquisition, 22 were positive in both
      modalities, 10 showed a positive early and a negative late acquisition while 9
      showed a negative early and a positive late acquisition (Cohen's k = 0.558). When
      the results of imaging modalities were considered separately, sensitivity,
      specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value resulted:
      78.9, 96.7, 93.8 and 88.1 % for early acquisition and 73.7, 95.1, 90.3 and 85.3 %
      for late acquisition, respectively. When the results of early and late
      acquisition were considered together, results were 97.4, 93.4, 90.2 and 98.3 %,
      respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of early acquisition with late
      acquisition lead to an increase of the diagnostic accuracy of 18F-FCH PET/CT for
      the diagnosis of local recurrence in prostate cancer.

PMID- 26261002
TI  - Brief screening of patients with distressing fear of recurrence in breast cancer
      survivors.

PMID- 26261003
TI  - 3D motion reliability of occipital condylar glide testing: From concept to
      kinematics evidence.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To date, segmental data analyzing kinematics of occipital condylar
      testing or mobilization is lacking. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was
      to assess occipitoatlantal 3D motion components and to analyze inter- and intra
      rater reliability during in vitro condylar glide test. METHODS: To conduct this
      study, four fresh cadavers were included. Dissection was carried out to ensure
      technical clusters placement to skull, C1 and C2. During condylar glide test,
      bone motion data was computed using an optoelectronic system. The reliability of
      motion kinematics was assessed for three skilled practitioners performing two
      sessions of 3 trials on two days interval. FINDINGS: During testing, average
      absolute motion ROM (+/-SD) were up to 4.1 +/- 2.1 degrees , 0.7 +/- 1.3 degrees 
      and 10.3 +/- 2.5 degrees  for occipitoatlantal lateral bending, axial rotation
      and flexion-extension, respectively. For position variation, magnitudes were 2.3
      +/- 1.8 mm, 1.1 +/- 1.3 mm and 2.6 +/- 0.8 mm for anteroposterior, cephalocaudal
      and mediolateral displacements. Concerning motion reliability, variation ranged
      from 0.6 degrees  to 3.4 degrees  and from 0.3 mm to 1.6 mm for angular
      displacement and condyle position variation, respectively. In general, good to
      excellent agreement was observed (ICC ranging from 0.728 to 0.978) for the same
      operator, while consistency was limited to lateral/side bending and lateral
      condyle displacement between operators, with respective ICCs of 0.800 and 0.955.
      CONCLUSIONS: This study shows specific motion patterns involving extension and
      lateral bending of the occipitoatlantal level for anterior condylar glide test.
      In addition, condyle position variation demonstrated coupled components in
      forward and heterolateral directions. However, task seems not to be side
      specific. In general, reliability of 3D motion components showed good intra
      operator agreement and limited inter-operator agreement.

PMID- 26261001
TI  - Mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance in Gram-negative bacilli.
AB  - The burden of multidrug resistance in Gram-negative bacilli (GNB) now represents
      a daily issue for the management of antimicrobial therapy in intensive care unit
      (ICU) patients. In Enterobacteriaceae, the dramatic increase in the rates of
      resistance to third-generation cephalosporins mainly results from the spread of
      plasmid-borne extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL), especially those belonging
      to the CTX-M family. The efficacy of beta-lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitor
      associations for severe infections due to ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae has
      not been adequately evaluated in critically ill patients, and carbapenems still
      stands as the first-line choice in this situation. However, carbapenemase
      producing strains have emerged worldwide over the past decade. VIM- and NDM-type
      metallo-beta-lactamases, OXA-48 and KPC appear as the most successful enzymes and
      may threaten the efficacy of carbapenems in the near future. ESBL- and
      carbapenemase-encoding plasmids frequently bear resistance determinants for other
      antimicrobial classes, including aminoglycosides (aminoglycoside-modifying
      enzymes or 16S rRNA methylases) and fluoroquinolones (Qnr, AAC(6')-Ib-cr or
      efflux pumps), a key feature that fosters the spread of multidrug resistance in
      Enterobacteriaceae. In non-fermenting GNB such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa,
      Acinetobacter baumannii and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, multidrug resistance
      may emerge following the sole occurrence of sequential chromosomal mutations,
      which may lead to the overproduction of intrinsic beta-lactamases, hyper
      expression of efflux pumps, target modifications and permeability alterations. P.
      aeruginosa and A. baumannii also have the ability to acquire mobile genetic
      elements encoding resistance determinants, including carbapenemases. Available
      options for the treatment of ICU-acquired infections due to carbapenem-resistant
      GNB are currently scarce, and recent reports emphasizing the spread of colistin
      resistance in environments with high volume of polymyxins use elicit major
      concern. 

PMID- 26261004
TI  - Twelve recommendations for integrating existing systematic reviews into new
      reviews: EPC guidance.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: As time and cost constraints in the conduct of systematic reviews
      increase, the need to consider the use of existing systematic reviews also
      increases. We developed guidance on the integration of systematic reviews into
      new reviews. METHODS: A workgroup of methodologists from Evidence-based Practice
      Centers developed consensus-based recommendations. Discussions were informed by a
      literature scan and by interviews with organizations that conduct systematic
      reviews. RESULTS: Twelve recommendations were developed addressing selecting
      reviews, assessing risk of bias, qualitative and quantitative synthesis, and
      summarizing and assessing body of evidence. CONCLUSIONS: We provide preliminary
      guidance for an efficient and unbiased approach to integrating existing
      systematic reviews with primary studies in a new review.

PMID- 26261005
TI  - Increased Expression of DUOX2 Is an Epithelial Response to Mucosal Dysbiosis
      Required for Immune Homeostasis in Mouse Intestine.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Dual oxidase 2 (DUOX2), a hydrogen-peroxide generator at the
      apical membrane of gastrointestinal epithelia, is up-regulated in patients with
      inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) before the onset of inflammation, but little is
      known about its effects. We investigated the role of DUOX2 in maintaining mucosal
      immune homeostasis in mice. METHODS: We analyzed the regulation of DUOX2 in
      intestinal tissues of germ-free vs conventional mice, mice given antibiotics or
      colonized with only segmented filamentous bacteria, mice associated with human
      microbiota, and mice with deficiencies in interleukin (IL) 23 and IL22 signaling.
      We performed 16S ribosomal RNA gene quantitative polymerase chain reaction of
      intestinal mucosa and mesenteric lymph nodes of Duoxa(-/-) mice that lack
      functional DUOX enzymes. Genes differentially expressed in Duoxa(-/-) mice
      compared with co-housed wild-type littermates were correlated with gene
      expression changes in early-stage IBD using gene set enrichment analysis.
      RESULTS: Colonization of mice with segmented filamentous bacteria up-regulated
      intestinal expression of DUOX2. DUOX2 regulated redox signaling within mucosa
      associated microbes and restricted bacterial access to lymphatic tissues of the
      mice, thereby reducing microbiota-induced immune responses. Induction of Duox2
      transcription by microbial colonization did not require the mucosal cytokines
      IL17 or IL22, although IL22 increased expression of Duox2. Dysbiotic, but not
      healthy human microbiota, activated a DUOX2 response in recipient germ-free mice
      that corresponded to abnormal colonization of the mucosa with distinct
      populations of microbes. In Duoxa(-/-) mice, abnormalities in ileal mucosal gene
      expression at homeostasis recapitulated those in patients with mucosal dysbiosis.
      CONCLUSIONS: DUOX2 regulates interactions between the intestinal microbiota and
      the mucosa to maintain immune homeostasis in mice. Mucosal dysbiosis leads to
      increased expression of DUOX2, which might be a marker of perturbed mucosal
      homeostasis in patients with early-stage IBD.

PMID- 26261006
TI  - Identification of GLI Mutations in Patients With Hirschsprung Disease That
      Disrupt Enteric Nervous System Development in Mice.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Hirschsprung disease is characterized by a deficit in enteric
      neurons, which are derived from neural crest cells (NCCs). Aberrant hedgehog
      signaling disrupts NCC differentiation and might cause Hirschsprung disease. We
      performed genetic analyses to determine whether hedgehog signaling is involved in
      pathogenesis. METHODS: We performed deep-target sequencing of DNA from 20
      patients with Hirschsprung disease (16 men, 4 women), and 20 individuals without
      (controls), and searched for mutation(s) in GLI1, GLI2, GLI3, SUFU, and SOX10.
      Biological effects of GLI mutations were tested in luciferase reporter assays
      using HeLa or neuroblastoma cell lines. Development of the enteric nervous system
      was studied in Sufu(f/f), Gli3(Delta699), Wnt1-Cre, and Sox10(NGFP) mice using
      immunohistochemical and whole-mount staining procedures to quantify enteric
      neurons and glia and analyze axon fasciculation, respectively. NCC migration was
      studied using time-lapse imaging. RESULTS: We identified 3 mutations in GLI in 5
      patients with Hirschsprung disease but no controls; all lead to increased
      transcription of SOX10 in cell lines. SUFU, GLI, and SOX10 form a regulatory loop
      that controls the neuronal vs glial lineages and migration of NCCs. Sufu mutants
      mice had high Gli activity, due to loss of Sufu, disrupting the regulatory loop
      and migration of enteric NCCs, leading to defective axonal fasciculation, delayed
      gut colonization, or intestinal hypoganglionosis. The ratio of enteric neurons to
      glia correlated inversely with Gli activity. CONCLUSIONS: We identified mutations
      that increase GLI activity in patients with Hirschsprung disease. Disruption of
      the SUFU-GLI-SOX10 regulatory loop disrupts migration of NCCs and development of
      the enteric nervous system in mice.

PMID- 26261007
TI  - Efficacy of ledipasvir and sofosbuvir, with or without ribavirin, for 12 weeks in
      patients with HCV genotype 3 or 6 infection.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: We performed a phase 2 clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy
      and safety of ledipasvir and sofosbuvir, with or without ribavirin, in patients
      infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 3 or 6. METHODS: We performed an
      open-label study of 126 patients with HCV genotype 3 or 6 infections at 2 centers
      in New Zealand from April 2013 through October 2014. Subjects were assigned 1 of
      4 groups that received 12 weeks of treatment. Previously untreated patients with
      HCV genotype 3 were randomly assigned to groups given fixed-dose combination
      tablet of ledipasvir and sofosbuvir (n = 25) or ledipasvir and sofosbuvir along
      with ribavirin (n = 26). Treatment-experienced patients with HCV genotype 3 (n =
      50) received ledipasvir and sofosbuvir and ribavirin. Treatment-naive or
      treatment-experienced patients with HCV genotype 6 (n = 25) received ledipasvir
      and sofosbuvir. The primary end point was the percentage of patients with HCV RNA
      <=15 IU/mL 12 weeks after stopping therapy (sustained virologic response at 12
      weeks [SVR12]). RESULTS: Among treatment-naive genotype 3 patients, 16 of 25
      (64%) receiving ledipasvir and sofosbuvir alone achieved SVR12 compared with all
      26 patients (100%) receiving ledipasvir and sofosbuvir and ribavirin. Among
      treatment-experienced patients with HCV genotype 3, forty-one of fifty achieved
      an SVR12 (82%). Among patients with HCV genotype 6, the rate of SVR12 was 96% (24
      of 25 patients). The most common adverse events were headache, upper respiratory
      infection, and fatigue. One patient with HCV genotype 3 discontinued ledipasvir
      and sofosbuvir because of an adverse event (diverticular perforation), which was
      not considered treatment related. CONCLUSIONS: In an uncontrolled, open-label
      trial, high rates of SVR12 were achieved by patients with HCV genotype 3
      infection who received 12 weeks of ledipasvir and sofosbuvir plus ribavirin, and
      by patients with HCV genotype 6 infection who received 12 weeks of sofosbuvir and
      ledipasvir without ribavirin. Current guidelines do not recommend the use of
      ledipasvir and sofosbuvir, with or without ribavirin, in patients with HCV
      genotype 3 infection. ClinicalTrials.gov Number: NCT01826981.

PMID- 26261010
TI  - Designing Photocatalysts for Hydrogen Evolution: Are Complex Preparation
      Strategies Necessary to Produce Active Catalysts?
AB  - A facile synthetic route for the preparation of highly active photocatalysts was
      developed. The protocol involves the preparation of a photocatalyst through the
      direct injection of metal alkoxide precursors into solutions in a photoreactor.
      As a proof of concept, a tantalum oxide based photocatalyst was chosen as a model
      system. Tantalum ethoxide [Ta(OEt)5 ] was injected rapidly into a photoreactor
      filled with a water/methanol mixture, and a TaOx (OH)y composite formed and was
      able to produce hydrogen under light illumination. Compared to commercial and
      mesostructured Ta2 O5 and NaTaO3 materials, TaOx (OH)y produced by direct
      injection shows superior hydrogen production activity. Notably, the samples
      prepared by direct injection are amorphous; however, their photocatalytic
      performance is much higher than those of their crystalline equivalents. If
      Ta(OEt)5 was dispersed in methanol before injection, an amorphous framework with
      higher surface area and larger pore volume was formed, and the hydrogen
      production rate increased further. The addition of a sodium precursor during the
      injection further boosted the photocatalytic activity. Furthermore, this concept
      has also been applied to a titanium-based photocatalyst, and a much better
      hydrogen production rate has been obtained in comparison with that of commercial
      TiO2 (P25-Degussa); therefore, the direct-injection synthesis is a flexible
      method that opens the door to the facile preparation of highly active
      nanostructured photocatalysts for hydrogen production. 

PMID- 26261011
TI  - A molecular dynamics test of the Hertz-Knudsen equation for evaporating liquids.
AB  - The precise determination of evaporation flux from liquid surfaces gives control
      over evaporation-driven self-assembly in soft matter systems. The Hertz-Knudsen
      (HK) equation is commonly used to predict evaporation flux. This equation states
      that the flux is proportional to the difference between the pressure in the
      system and the equilibrium pressure for liquid/vapor coexistence. We applied
      molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of one component Lennard-Jones (LJ) fluid to
      test the HK equation for a wide range of thermodynamic parameters covering more
      than one order of magnitude in the values of flux. The flux determined in the
      simulations was 3.6 times larger than that computed from the HK equation.
      However, the flux was constant over time while the pressures in the HK equation
      exhibited strong fluctuations during simulations. This observation suggests that
      the HK equation may not appropriately grasp the physical mechanism of
      evaporation. We discuss this issue in the context of momentum flux during
      evaporation and mechanical equilibrium in this process. Most probably the process
      of evaporation is driven by a tiny difference between the liquid pressure and the
      gas pressure. This difference is equal to the momentum flux i.e. momentum carried
      by the molecules leaving the surface of the liquid during evaporation. The
      average velocity in the evaporation flux is very small (two to three orders of
      magnitude smaller than the typical velocity of LJ atoms). Therefore the
      distribution of velocities of LJ atoms does not deviate from the Maxwell
      Boltzmann distribution, even in the interfacial region. 

PMID- 26261008
TI  - Prostaglandin E2 Promotes Colorectal Cancer Stem Cell Expansion and Metastasis in
      Mice.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Inflammation may contribute to the formation, maintenance, and
      expansion of cancer stem cells (CSCs), which have the capacity for self-renewal,
      differentiation, and resistance to cytotoxic agents. We investigated the effects
      of the inflammatory mediator prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) on colorectal CSC
      development and metastasis in mice and the correlation between levels of PGE2 and
      CSC markers in human colorectal cancer (CRC) specimens. METHODS: Colorectal
      carcinoma specimens and matched normal tissues were collected from patients at
      the Mayo Clinic (Scottsdale, AZ) and analyzed by mass spectrometry and
      quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Human primary CRC cells and mouse tumor
      cells were isolated using microbeads or flow cytometry and analyzed for sphere
      formation and by flow cytometry assays. LS-174T cells were sorted by flow
      cytometry (for CD133(+)CD44(+) and CD133(-)CD44(-) cells) and also used in these
      assays. NOD-scidIL-2Rgamma(-/-) (NSG) mice were given cecal or subcutaneous
      injections of LS-174T or human primary CRC cells. Apc(Min/+) mice and NSG mice
      with orthotopic cecal tumors were given vehicle (controls), PGE2, celecoxib,
      and/or Ono-AE3-208. PGE2 downstream signaling pathways were knocked down with
      small hairpin RNAs, expressed from lentiviral vectors in LS-174T cells, or
      blocked with inhibitors in human primary CRC cells. RESULTS: Levels of PGE2
      correlated with colonic CSC markers (CD133, CD44, LRG5, and SOX2 messenger RNAs)
      in human colorectal carcinoma samples. Administration of PGE2 to Apc(Min/+) mice
      increased tumor stem cells and tumor burden, compared with controls. NSG mice
      given PGE2 had increased numbers of cecal CSCs and liver metastases compared with
      controls after intracecal injection of LS-174T or human primary CRC cells.
      Alternatively, celecoxib, an inhibitor of prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2,
      reduced polyp numbers in Apc(Min/+) mice, liver metastasis in NSG mice with
      orthotopic tumors, and numbers of CSCs in Apc(Min/+) and NSG mice. Inhibitors or
      knockdown of PGE2 receptor 4 (EP4), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) p85alpha,
      extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 (ERK1), or nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB
      reduced PGE2-induced sphere formation and expansion of LS-174T and/or human
      primary CRC cells. Knockdown of ERK1 or PI3K p85alpha also attenuated PGE2
      induced activation of NF-kappaB in LS-174T cells. An EP4 antagonist reduced the
      ability of PGE2 to induce CSC expansion in orthotopic tumors and to accelerate
      the formation of liver metastases. Knockdown experiments showed that NF-kappaB
      was required for PGE2 induction of CSCs and metastasis in mice. CONCLUSIONS: PGE2
      induces CSC expansion by activating NF-kappaB, via EP4-PI3K and EP4-mitogen
      activated protein kinase signaling, and promotes the formation of liver
      metastases in mice. The PGE2 signaling pathway therefore might be targeted
      therapeutically to slow CSC expansion and colorectal cancer progression.

PMID- 26261009
TI  - Development and Validation of a Scoring System to Predict Outcomes of Patients
      With Primary Biliary Cirrhosis Receiving Ursodeoxycholic Acid Therapy.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Approaches to risk stratification for patients with primary
      biliary cirrhosis (PBC) are limited, single-center based, and often dichotomous.
      We aimed to develop and validate a better model for determining prognoses of
      patients with PBC. METHODS: We performed an international, multicenter meta
      analysis of 4119 patients with PBC treated with ursodeoxycholic acid at liver
      centers in 8 European and North American countries. Patients were randomly
      assigned to derivation (n = 2488 [60%]) and validation cohorts (n = 1631 [40%]).
      A risk score (GLOBE score) to predict transplantation-free survival was developed
      and validated with univariate and multivariable Cox regression analyses using
      clinical and biochemical variables obtained after 1 year of ursodeoxycholic acid
      therapy. Risk score outcomes were compared with the survival of age-, sex-, and
      calendar time-matched members of the general population. The prognostic ability
      of the GLOBE score was evaluated alongside those of the Barcelona, Paris-1,
      Rotterdam, Toronto, and Paris-2 criteria. RESULTS: Age (hazard ratio = 1.05; 95%
      confidence interval [CI]: 1.04-1.06; P < .0001); levels of bilirubin (hazard
      ratio = 2.56; 95% CI: 2.22-2.95; P < .0001), albumin (hazard ratio = 0.10; 95%
      CI: 0.05-0.24; P < .0001), and alkaline phosphatase (hazard ratio = 1.40; 95% CI:
      1.18-1.67; P = .0002); and platelet count (hazard ratio/10 units decrease = 0.97;
      95% CI: 0.96-0.99; P < .0001) were all independently associated with death or
      liver transplantation (C-statistic derivation, 0.81; 95% CI: 0.79-0.83, and
      validation cohort, 0.82; 95% CI: 0.79-0.84). Patients with risk scores >0.30 had
      significantly shorter times of transplant-free survival than matched healthy
      individuals (P < .0001). The GLOBE score identified patients who would survive
      for 5 years and 10 years (responders) with positive predictive values of 98% and
      88%, respectively. Up to 22% and 21% of events and nonevents, respectively, 10
      years after initiation of treatment were correctly reclassified in comparison
      with earlier proposed criteria. In subgroups of patients aged <45, 45-52, 52-58,
      58-66, and >=66 years, age-specific GLOBE-score thresholds beyond which survival
      significantly deviated from matched healthy individuals were -0.52, 0.01, 0.60,
      1.01 and 1.69, respectively. Transplant-free survival could still be accurately
      calculated by the GLOBE score with laboratory values collected at 2-5 years after
      treatment. CONCLUSIONS: We developed and validated scoring system (the GLOBE
      score) to predict transplant-free survival of ursodeoxycholic acid-treated
      patients with PBC. This score might be used to select strategies for treatment
      and care.

PMID- 26261012
TI  - Screw augmentation for spinopelvic fixation in neuromuscular spine deformities:
      technical note.
AB  - PURPOSE: The primary goal of curve correction in neuromuscular patients is to
      restore coronal and sagittal trunk balance, including the pelvis, to maximize
      sitting balance. For several years, it has been a common practice to inject
      polymeric cement into osteoporotic bone through specially designed, perforated
      pedicle screws in an effort to enhance screw stability. Therefore, we started
      using the association of a spinopelvic fixation with S1 pedicle screw
      augmentation, using bisphenol-a-glycidyl dimethacrylate composite resin in
      neuromuscular patients with pelvic obliquity, technique in neuromuscular patients
      to improve pedicle screw stability of our pelvic construct. METHODS: Ten patients
      undergoing spinopelvic fixation for a neuromuscular spinal deformity were
      enrolled in the study. Clinical and radiographic data were analyzed and
      presented. Minimal follow-up took place at 6 months to assess early
      complications. RESULTS: Five patients were diagnosed with spastic quadriplegia
      secondary to cerebral palsy, four had Duchenne's muscular dystrophy, and one had
      a T5-level traumatic flaccid paraplegia. Preoperative PO ranged from 8 degrees 
      to 34 degrees  (mean 19.16 degrees ). Postoperative PO ranged from 0 degrees  to
      6.3 degrees  (mean 1.6 degrees ). After surgery, all patients returned to a full
      time sitting position between days 5 and 12 without the need for additional
      bracing. No mechanical failure of the construct was noted during follow-up.
      CONCLUSIONS: We used sacral pedicle screw augmentation as a reliable tool to
      strengthen spinopelvic fixation in neuromuscular scoliosis without increasing the
      intraoperative morbidity. In our practice, sacral screw augmentation can
      definitely enhance PO correction obtained by a posterior procedure.

PMID- 26261014
TI  - Letter to the Editor concerning "The validity and reliability of "Spinal Mouse"
      assessment of spinal curvatures in the frontal plane in pediatric adolescent
      idiopathic thoraco-lumbar curves" by Livanelioglu A, Kaya F, Nabiyev V,
      Demirkiran G, Firat T (2015) Eur Spine J Apr 22 [Epub ahead of print].

PMID- 26261013
TI  - Interplay between low plasma RANKL and VDR-FokI polymorphism in lumbar disc
      herniation independently from age, body mass, and environmental factors: a case
      control study in the Italian population.
AB  - PURPOSE: Aim of this study was to investigate RANKL and osteoprotegerin plasma
      concentrations in patients affected by disc herniation, the most common
      epiphenomenon of disc degenerative diseases, and in a matched cohort of healthy
      subjects and whether the expression of these markers was associated to a
      polymorphism of the vitamin D receptor gene. METHODS: For this case-control
      study, 110 consecutive cases affected by lumbar disc herniation (confirmed by
      MRI) and 110 healthy age- and sex-matched controls were enrolled. Subjects
      affected by any other pathology were excluded. RANKL and osteoprotegerin were
      measured in plasma by immunoassays. The difference in these markers between cases
      and controls was assessed by t test. The correlation between osteoimmunological
      markers concentrations, anthropometrical variables, and the expression of the
      pathology was statistically assessed (Pearson's test) along with the association
      (Fisher's exact test) with the vitamin D receptor gene genotype, determined
      elsewhere. RESULTS: Despite comparable osteoprotegerin concentrations, cases,
      altogether or grouped for gender, express lower RANKL and, consequently, RANKL-to
      osteoprotegerin ratio. While in cases RANKL and osteoprotegerin concentrations
      were independent from age and BMI, in controls they increased with age. Disc
      herniation was strongly associated with RANKL and the presence of the F allele of
      the VDR gene. CONCLUSIONS: Whether vertebral bone changes precede or follow
      cartilage deterioration in intervertebral disc degeneration is not known. Our
      results suggest a reduced bone turnover rate, associated to a specific genetic
      background, in patients affected by lumbar disc herniation which could be one of
      the favoring factors for disc degeneration.

PMID- 26261015
TI  - Clinical findings of conservative cases with a coronally oriented vertical
      fracture of the posterior region of the C2 vertebral body.
AB  - PURPOSE: This report describes the characteristics of conservative cases with a
      coronally oriented vertical fracture of the posterior region of the C2 vertebral
      body. METHODS: Eight consecutive patients with a coronally oriented vertical
      fracture of the posterior region of the axis body who received conservative
      treatment were retrospectively reviewed. All the patients were male. The average
      patient age at injury was 71.4 years. The medical records of the patients were
      reviewed, and we identified the fractures associated with the cervical spine,
      other associated spinal fractures and the details of conservative treatment.
      RESULTS: Six patients had associated cervical spinal fractures, such as Jefferson
      fractures in four cases, spinous process fractures of the lower cervical spine in
      two cases, a teardrop fracture in one case and a unilateral spinous process
      fracture of C2 in one case. Two patients had associated spinal fractures in the
      thoracic spine. All the patients acquire solid bony fusion, including fusion of
      the associated cervical spinal fractures. CONCLUSIONS: The patients with a
      coronally oriented vertical fracture of the posterior region of the C2 vertebral
      body consisted were all elderly males in our study. Six of the eight patients
      demonstrated associated cervical spinal fractures; however, all patients acquired
      solid bony union, including fusion of the associated cervical spinal fractures.
      We suggest that a Philadelphia collar may be sufficient for conservatively
      treating coronally oriented vertical C2 body fractures, including associated
      cervical spinal fractures.

PMID- 26261016
TI  - Consumer opinion on social policy approaches to promoting positive body image:
      Airbrushed media images and disclaimer labels.
AB  - Disclaimer labels on airbrushed media images have generated political attention
      and advocacy as a social policy approach to promoting positive body image.
      Experimental research suggests that labelling is ineffective and consumers'
      viewpoints have been overlooked. A mixed-method study explored British consumers'
      ( N = 1555, aged 11-78 years) opinions on body image and social policy
      approaches. Thematic analysis indicated scepticism about the effectiveness of
      labelling images. Quantitatively, adults, although not adolescents, reported that
      labelling was unlikely to improve body image. Appearance diversity in media and
      reorienting social norms from appearance to function and health were perceived as
      effective strategies. Social policy and research implications are discussed.

PMID- 26261017
TI  - Television advertising, not viewing, is associated with negative dietary patterns
      in children.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Children's exposure to unhealthy food marketing is a contributor to
      poor diets and weight gain. Television food advertising, in particular, has been
      the focus of research and policy discussions. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to quantify
      the specific impact of television advertising, as distinct from television
      viewing generally, on children's usual diet. Methods Four hundred seventeen
      Australian children aged 10-16 participated in an online survey, which assessed
      television viewing habits and consumption of 12 frequently advertised unhealthy
      foods/drinks. Consumption of these foods/drinks was dichotomized (less weekly,
      weekly or more) and summed (1 point for each item consumed weekly or more) to
      give cumulative consumption scores. RESULTS: After adjusting for age and
      socioeconomic status, there was strong evidence of an increase in unhealthy food
      score (P < 0.001), drink score (P = 0.002) and food/drink combined score (P <
      0.001), with increasing commercial television viewing. CONCLUSIONS: The link
      between television viewing and poor diet was strongest for children who watched
      the most commercial television, and those who were actually exposed to
      advertisements embedded within programs. This association between advertisement
      exposure and poor diet emphasizes the need for public policy intervention to
      reduce children's food advertising exposures.

PMID- 26261018
TI  - Disruption of glucocorticoid receptors in the noradrenergic system leads to BDNF
      up-regulation and altered serotonergic transmission associated with a depressive
      like phenotype in female GR(DBHCre) mice.
AB  - Recently, we have demonstrated that conditional inactivation of glucocorticoid
      receptors (GRs) in the noradrenergic system, may evoke depressive-like behavior
      in female but not male mutant mice (GR(DBHCre) mice). The aim of the current
      study was to dissect how selective ablation of glucocorticoid signaling in the
      noradrenergic system influences the previously reported depressive-like phenotype
      and whether it might be linked to neurotrophic alterations or secondary changes
      in the serotonergic system. We demonstrated that selective depletion of GRs
      enhances brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in female but not
      male GR(DBHCre) mice on both the mRNA and protein levels. The possible impact of
      the mutation on brain noradrenergic and serotonergic systems was addressed by
      investigating the tissue neurotransmitter levels under basal conditions and after
      acute restraint stress. The findings indicated a stress-provoked differential
      response in tissue noradrenaline content in the GR(DBHCre) female but not male
      mutant mice. An analogous gender-specific effect was identified in the diminished
      content of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, the main metabolite of serotonin, in the
      prefrontal cortex, which suggests down-regulation of this monoamine system in
      female GR(DBHCre) mice. The lack of GR also resulted in an up-regulation of
      alpha2-adrenergic receptor (alpha2-AR) density in the female but not male mutants
      in the locus coeruleus. We have also confirmed the utility of the investigated
      model in pharmacological studies, which demonstrates that the depressive-like
      phenotype of GR(DBHCre) female mice can be reversed by antidepressant treatment
      with desipramine or fluoxetine, with the latter drug evoking more pronounced
      effects. Overall, our study validates the use of female GR(DBHCre) mice as an
      interesting and novel genetic tool for the investigation of the cross-connected
      mechanisms of depression that is not only based on behavioral phenotypes. 

PMID- 26261019
TI  - N-acetylcysteine prevents stress-induced anxiety behavior in zebrafish.
AB  - Despite the recent advances in understanding the pathophysiology of anxiety
      disorders, the pharmacological treatments currently available are limited in
      efficacy and induce serious side effects. A possible strategy to achieve clinical
      benefits is drug repurposing, i.e., discovery of novel applications for old
      drugs, bringing new treatment options to the market and to the patients who need
      them. N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a commonly used mucolytic and paracetamol antidote,
      has emerged as a promising molecule for the treatment of several neuropsychiatric
      disorders. The mechanism of action of this drug is complex, and involves
      modulation of antioxidant, inflammatory, neurotrophic and glutamate pathways.
      Here we evaluated the effects of NAC on behavioral parameters relevant to anxiety
      in zebrafish. NAC did not alter behavioral parameters in the novel tank test,
      prevented the anxiety-like behaviors induced by an acute stressor (net chasing),
      and increased the time zebrafish spent in the lit side in the light/dark test.
      These data may indicate that NAC presents an anti-stress effect, with the
      potential to prevent stress-induced psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and
      depression. The considerable homology between mammalian and zebrafish genomes
      invests the current data with translational validity for the further clinical
      trials needed to substantiate the use of NAC in anxiety disorders. 

PMID- 26261020
TI  - Small nuclear ribonucleoprotein associated polypeptide N accelerates cell
      proliferation in pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
AB  - The spliceosome, the large RNA-protein molecular complex, is crucial for pre-mRNA
      splicing. Several antitumor drugs have been found to tightly bind to the
      components of the spliceosome and mutations in the spliceosome have been reported
      in several types of cancer. However, the involvement of the spliceosome in
      pancreatic adenocarcinoma remains unclear. In the present study, small nuclear
      ribonucleoprotein associated polypeptide N (SNRPN), a key constituent of
      spliceosomes, was disrupted in BxPC-3 pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells using
      lentivirus-mediated RNA interference (RNAi). It was found that knockdown of SNRPN
      reduced the proliferation ability of BxPC-3 cells, as determined by an MTT assay.
      Furthermore, cell colony formation was impaired in SNRPN depleted adenocarcinoma
      cells and cell cycle analysis showed that depletion of SNRPN led to S phase cell
      cycle arrest and apoptosis. These results suggest that SNRPN is a key player in
      pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell growth, and targeted loss of SNRPN may be a
      potential therapeutic method for pancreatic cancer.

PMID- 26261022
TI  - The Effects of Limb Elevation on Muscle Oxygen Saturation: A Near-Infrared
      Spectroscopy Study in Humans.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Orthopaedic and rehabilitation physicians often instruct patients to
      elevate a traumatized or postoperative lower extremity. Elevation is thought to
      improve patient comfort, as well as decrease swelling, wound complications, and
      the risk of compartment syndrome. Elevating a limb with increased compartment
      pressures, however, has been shown to reduce perfusion pressure and contribute to
      tissue ischemia. This investigation aims to advance our understanding of the
      tissue effects of limb elevation using a healthy patient model. OBJECTIVE: To
      quantify the effects of elevation, experimentally induced ischemia, and
      immobilization on muscle oxygen saturation in the human leg using near-infrared
      spectroscopy (NIRS). DESIGN: Experimental crossover study. SETTING: Orthopaedic
      Surgery research laboratory, Stanford Hospitals & Clinics. PATIENTS FOR
      PARTICIPATION: Twenty-six healthy volunteers. METHODS: Using transcutaneous
      sensors, we measured muscle oxygen saturation of the anterior compartment of the
      left (control) leg at 0, 15, and 30 cm of elevation relative to the heart using
      NIRS. A standardized short leg splint and a thigh tourniquet inflated to 50 mmHg
      were then applied to the right (experimental) leg to simulate a traumatized
      state. NIRS measurements were then repeated, again at 0, 15, and 30 cm of
      elevation. Muscle oxygen saturation values at various degrees of elevation of the
      control and experimental limb were then compared and analyzed by the use of a
      crossover study design and mixed-effects regression. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS:
      Muscle oxygen saturation at varying levels of elevation in both the (1) control
      leg and (2) experimental leg in a simulated traumatic state. RESULTS: Male (18)
      males and female (8) patients between 22 and 62 years of age (mean 29.8 years)
      were enrolled. Mean regional muscle oxygen saturation (rSO2) of the control limbs
      at 0, 15 and, 30 cm of elevation were 74.2%, 72.5%, and 70.6%, respectively,
      whereas mean rSO2 of the experimental limbs were 66.3%, 65.0%, and 63.3%. A
      statistically significant decrease of rSO2 was observed (mean 7.65%) in the
      experimental limbs compared with the control limbs. As elevation increased, there
      was a statistically significant decrease in rSO2 of 0.12% per centimeter of
      elevation. Elevation did not decrease the rSO2 in the experimental limb to a
      greater degree than in the control limb. CONCLUSION: Increasing levels of
      elevation in a human limb results in progressively compromised muscle oxygen
      saturation as measured by NIR.

PMID- 26261021
TI  - PfeT, a P1B4 -type ATPase, effluxes ferrous iron and protects Bacillus subtilis
      against iron intoxication.
AB  - Iron is an essential element for nearly all cells and limited iron availability
      often restricts growth. However, excess iron can also be deleterious,
      particularly when cells expressing high affinity iron uptake systems transition
      to iron rich environments. Bacillus subtilis expresses numerous iron importers,
      but iron efflux has not been reported. Here, we describe the B. subtilis PfeT
      protein (formerly YkvW/ZosA) as a P1B4 -type ATPase in the PerR regulon that
      serves as an Fe(II) efflux pump and protects cells against iron intoxication.
      Iron and manganese homeostasis in B. subtilis are closely intertwined: a pfeT
      mutant is iron sensitive, and this sensitivity can be suppressed by low levels of
      Mn(II). Conversely, a pfeT mutant is more resistant to Mn(II) overload. In vitro,
      the PfeT ATPase is activated by both Fe(II) and Co(II), although only Fe(II)
      efflux is physiologically relevant in wild-type cells, and null mutants
      accumulate elevated levels of intracellular iron. Genetic studies indicate that
      PfeT together with the ferric uptake repressor (Fur) cooperate to prevent iron
      intoxication, with iron sequestration by the MrgA mini-ferritin playing a
      secondary role. Protection against iron toxicity may also be a key role for
      related P1B4 -type ATPases previously implicated in bacterial pathogenesis. 

PMID- 26261023
TI  - A Clinical Comparative Study of Ultrasound-Normal Versus Ultrasound-Abnormal
      Congenital Muscular Torticollis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical features and outcome of outpatient-based
      physiotherapy (manual stretch) of congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) with
      passive neck motion limitation (>= 10 degrees ) according to whether the finding
      on ultrasonography (US) is normal or abnormal. DESIGN: Case-control study.
      SETTING: Institutional practice. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 149 patients with CMT
      who met eligibility criteria were included: age at presentation <= 6 months,
      limitation of passive neck rotation (DeltaROT) or lateral flexion (DeltaLAT) >=
      10 degrees , and completion of our outpatient-based physiotherapy program.
      INTERVENTIONS: Patients were allocated to the US-normal or US-abnormal group.
      Patients underwent physiotherapy and were followed-up monthly until DeltaROT and
      DeltaLAT were <= 5 degrees  or did not respond to treatment. MAIN OUTCOME
      MEASUREMENTS: Baseline characteristics, initial DeltaROT and DeltaLAT, age at
      presentation, treatment durations, and success rates of physiotherapy were
      compared between 2 groups. Treatment duration was adjusted for initial DeltaROT,
      DeltaLAT, and age at presentation using analysis of covariance. RESULTS: Mean
      initial DeltaROT and DeltaLAT in US-abnormal (28.5 degrees ; 17.0 degrees ) were
      greater than in US-normal (7.9 degrees , P < .001; 12.3 degrees , P = .001,
      respectively). Mean age at presentation was older in US-normal (3.8 months) than
      in US-abnormal (1.8 months, P < .001). Treatment duration was shorter in the US
      normal (5.1 weeks) than US-abnormal (14.9 weeks, P < .001). Adjusted treatment
      duration was also shorter in US-normal (9.7 weeks) than US-abnormal (13.8 weeks,
      P < .05). The success rates of physiotherapy were 95% in US-abnormal and 100% in
      US-normal. Two of 6 treatment failures in the US-abnormal group underwent
      surgery. CONCLUSIONS: In CMT with passive neck motion limitation (>= 10 degrees
      ), patients in the US-normal group demonstrated lesser passive neck motion
      limitation and older age at presentation than US-abnormal. It seems that US
      normal showed shorter treatment duration irrespective of severity of neck motion
      limitation and age at presentation. Additionally, manual stretching applied
      before 6 months of age appears to show generally good outcome regardless of US
      findings.

PMID- 26261024
TI  - Sonoelastographic Assessment of the Median Nerve in the Longitudinal Plane for
      Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

PMID- 26261025
TI  - Vertebral Benign Notochordal Cell Tumor (BNCT) as an Incidental Finding in
      Cervical Radiculitis.

PMID- 26261026
TI  - An RNA-Seq-based reference transcriptome for Citrus.
AB  - Previous RNA-Seq studies in citrus have been focused on physiological processes
      relevant to fruit quality and productivity of the major species, especially sweet
      orange. Less attention has been paid to vegetative or reproductive tissues, while
      most Citrus species have never been analysed. In this work, we characterized the
      transcriptome of vegetative and reproductive tissues from 12 Citrus species from
      all main phylogenetic groups. Our aims were to acquire a complete view of the
      citrus transcriptome landscape, to improve previous functional annotations and to
      obtain genetic markers associated with genes of agronomic interest. 28 samples
      were used for RNA-Seq analysis, obtained from 12 Citrus species: C. medica, C.
      aurantifolia, C. limon, C. bergamia, C. clementina, C. deliciosa, C. reshni, C.
      maxima, C. paradisi, C. aurantium, C. sinensis and Poncirus trifoliata. Four
      different organs were analysed: root, phloem, leaf and flower. A total of 3421
      million Illumina reads were produced and mapped against the reference C.
      clementina genome sequence. Transcript discovery pipeline revealed 3326 new
      genes, the number of genes with alternative splicing was increased to 19,739, and
      a total of 73,797 transcripts were identified. Differential expression studies
      between the four tissues showed that gene expression is overall related to the
      physiological function of the specific organs above any other variable. Variants
      discovery analysis revealed the presence of indels and SNPs in genes associated
      with fruit quality and productivity. Pivotal pathways in citrus such as those of
      flavonoids, flavonols, ethylene and auxin were also analysed in detail.

PMID- 26261027
TI  - Premolar root and canal variation in extant non-human hominoidea.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The premolar sub-cervical region in four non-human extant ape genera
      are examined to: 1) define a classification scheme for the premolar root system
      in order to rigorously characterize, quantify and document variation in root and
      canal, form, number and configuration; 2) compare this variation within and
      between genera; and 3) test the hypotheses that sex and size (i.e., the
      "size/number continuum," Shields, ) of the premolar are determinants of
      root/canal form and/or number. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Microtomography and 3D
      visualization software are utilized to examine a large sample of Hylobates, Pan,
      Gorilla, and Pongo (n = 951 teeth). Each premolar root system is examined to
      ascertain the expected level of variability for each taxon. Cervical surface area
      (mm2 ) serves as a metric proxy for tooth size. A Chi-square test of independence
      is used to assess for variability differences between and within each taxon, and
      Mann-Whitney U tests are employed to assess the predicted relationship between
      tooth size and variation within each taxon. RESULTS: Our findings indicate that
      root and canal configurations, non-metric root traits and tooth size can
      distinguish between extant ape genera. Within the four ape taxa, premolar size
      variation is generally, but not always, correlated with canal/root number. Our
      results indicate that males and females within genera differ in tooth size but
      not in canal/root form and number. DISCUSSION: We report previously undocumented
      variation in the study taxa. Our results are discussed within the context of
      Miocene Apes as well as the developmental and systematic implications. Am J Phys
      Anthropol 158:209-226, 2015. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 26261028
TI  - Costal cartilage elasticity can be estimated non-destructively using speed of
      sound.

PMID- 26261029
TI  - N-Heterocyclic Carbene Catalyzed Synthesis of delta-Sultones via alpha,beta
      Unsaturated Sulfonyl Azolium Intermediates.
AB  - A limited array of reactive intermediates have enabled a wealth of discoveries in
      N-heterocyclic carbene organocatalysis. In this study, the viability of
      alpha,beta-unsaturated sulfonyl azoliums as double electrophiles in new reactions
      is examined. Specifically, the (3+3) annulation of such species with the
      trimethylsilyl enol ethers of various 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds has been
      developed. This reaction provides access to a range of novel unsaturated delta
      sultones (18 examples) in good yields (40-88 %) under mild reaction conditions.
      Mechanistic studies and the development of an enantioselective variant (55 %
      yield, 73:27 e.r.) support the intermediacy of an alpha,beta-unsaturated sulfonyl
      azolium species.

PMID- 26261030
TI  - Left ventricular free wall perforation and left atrial dissection: unusual
      complication of radiofrequency catheter ablation for Wolf-Parkinson-White
      syndrome.
AB  - A 70-year-old woman with Wolf-Parkinson-White syndrome developed cardiac
      tamponade while undergoing radiofrequency catheter ablation for left
      posterolateral accessory pathway from the ventricular side below the mitral
      valve, requiring emergency surgery. During surgery, the patient was found to have
      perforation of the left posterior free wall as well as left atrial dissection.
      The patient died despite emergency measures. This case was remarkable because
      radiofrequency catheter ablation resulted in two very rare complications
      occurring at the same time in a patient. 

PMID- 26261031
TI  - Analysis of the core genome and pangenome of Pseudomonas putida.
AB  - Pseudomonas putida are strict aerobes that proliferate in a range of temperate
      niches and are of interest for environmental applications due to their capacity
      to degrade pollutants and ability to promote plant growth. Furthermore solvent
      tolerant strains are useful for biosynthesis of added-value chemicals. We present
      a comprehensive comparative analysis of nine strains and the first
      characterization of the Pseudomonas putida pangenome. The core genome of P.
      putida comprises approximately 3386 genes. The most abundant genes within the
      core genome are those that encode nutrient transporters. Other conserved genes
      include those for central carbon metabolism through the Entner-Doudoroff pathway,
      the pentose phosphate cycle, arginine and proline metabolism, and pathways for
      degradation of aromatic chemicals. Genes that encode transporters, enzymes and
      regulators for amino acid metabolism (synthesis and degradation) are all part of
      the core genome, as well as various electron transporters, which enable aerobic
      metabolism under different oxygen regimes. Within the core genome are 30 genes
      for flagella biosynthesis and 12 key genes for biofilm formation. Pseudomonas
      putida strains share 85% of the coding regions with Pseudomonas aeruginosa;
      however, in P. putida, virulence factors such as exotoxins and type III secretion
      systems are absent.

PMID- 26261034
TI  - Association between thyroid-stimulating hormone and blood pressure in adults: an
      11-year longitudinal study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The results of longitudinal studies on the association between
      thyroid function and blood pressure (BP) are divided. This study aimed to
      investigate this association in cross-sectional and longitudinal settings in a
      nationwide, random sample representative of the Finnish adult population aged 30
      and over. METHODS: The study sample was randomly drawn from the population
      register. A total of 5655 participants were included in the baseline analyses and
      3453 in the 11-year prospective analyses. The associations between baseline TSH
      and (i) BP and BP change over time; and (ii) prevalent and incident hypertension
      were assessed using linear and logistic models, adjusted for age, gender, smoking
      and body mass index. RESULTS: A positive association (beta +/- standard error)
      was observed between TSH and diastolic (0.36 +/- 0.12, P = 0.003) but not
      systolic BP (0.16 +/- 0.21, P = 0.45) at baseline. TSH was negatively associated
      with 11-year BP change in men (systolic: -0.92 +/- 0.41, P = 0.03; diastolic: 
      0.66 +/- 0.26, P = 0.01) but not in women (P >= 0.09 for systolic and diastolic
      BP change). Participants in the highest TSH tertile within the TSH reference
      interval (0.4-3.4 mU/L), as compared with the lowest, had increased odds of
      prevalent (odds ratio 1.22, 95% confidence interval 1.05-1.43, P = 0.01) but not
      incident hypertension (odds ratio 0.93, 95% confidence interval 0.73-1.19, P =
      0.58). CONCLUSIONS: A modest association was found between increasing TSH and
      prevalent but not incident hypertension. TSH was inversely associated with BP
      change in men in our study. These findings contest an independent role of thyroid
      function at normal to near-normal levels in the pathogenesis of hypertension.

PMID- 26261033
TI  - Antisense-mediated reduction of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9
      (PCSK9): a first-in-human randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
AB  - AIMS: LDL-receptor expression is inhibited by the protease proprotein convertase
      subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), which is considered a pharmacological target to
      reduce LDL-C concentrations in hypercholesterolaemic patients. We performed a
      first-in-human trial with SPC5001, a locked nucleic acid antisense inhibitor of
      PCSK9. METHODS: In this randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 24 healthy
      volunteers received three weekly subcutaneous administrations of SPC5001 (0.5,
      1.5 or 5 mg kg(-1)) or placebo (SPC5001 : placebo ratio 6 : 2). End points were
      safety/tolerability, pharmacokinetics and efficacy of SPC5001. RESULTS: SPC5001
      plasma exposure (AUC(0,24 h)) increased more than dose-proportionally. At 5 mg
      kg(-1), SPC5001 decreased target protein PCSK9 (day 15 to day 35: -49% vs.
      placebo, P < 0.0001), resulting in a reduction in LDL-C concentrations (maximal
      estimated difference at day 28 compared with placebo -0.72 mmol l(-1), 95%
      confidence interval - 1.24, -0.16 mmol l(-1); P < 0.01). SPC5001 treatment (5 mg
      kg(-1)) also decreased ApoB (P = 0.04) and increased ApoA1 (P = 0.05). SPC5001
      administration dose-dependently induced mild to moderate injection site reactions
      in 44% of the subjects, and transient increases in serum creatinine of >=20 MUmol
      l(-1) (15%) over baseline with signs of renal tubular toxicity in four out of six
      subjects at the highest dose level. One subject developed biopsy-proven acute
      tubular necrosis. CONCLUSIONS: SPC5001 treatment dose-dependently inhibited PCSK9
      and decreased LDL-C concentrations, demonstrating human proof-of-pharmacology.
      However, SPC5001 caused mild to moderate injection site reactions and renal
      tubular toxicity, and clinical development of SPC5001 was terminated. Our
      findings underline the need for better understanding of the molecular mechanisms
      behind the side effects of compounds such as SPC5001, and for sensitive and
      relevant renal toxicity monitoring in future oligonucleotide studies.

PMID- 26261035
TI  - Update on management of genitourinary syndrome of menopause: A practical guide.
AB  - The term genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) emerged following a consensus
      conference held in May 2013. GSM is a more descriptive term than vulvovaginal
      atrophy (VVA) and does not imply pathology. However there are concerns that GSM
      is all encompassing and includes not only symptoms resulting from estrogen
      deficiency, but also those arising from the effects of ageing and other processes
      on the bladder and pelvic floor. Focusing on symptoms related to estrogen
      deficiency, the update provides a practical guide for health and allied health
      professionals on the impact of GSM on women and their partners, assessment,
      management and areas for future research. As GSM is a chronic condition, long
      term therapy is required. Hormonal, nonhormonal, laser and alternative and
      complementary therapies are described. 

PMID- 26261036
TI  - From the Women's Health Initiative to the combination of estrogen and selective
      estrogen receptor modulators to avoid progestin addition.
AB  - The female life expectancy rose from an average of 48 years to over 80 years in a
      century. The decline in the endogenous production of estrogen (especially the
      main circulating physiological hormone, 17beta-estradiol, E2) at menopause (51
      years on average) often leads to functional disorders affecting the quality of
      life. Estrogen deficiency impacts different tissues and results in an increase of
      various diseases, such as osteoporosis or cardiovascular diseases. Hormone
      therapy (HT) for menopause is a rather new challenge which experienced vagaries
      following the women's health initiative (WHI) study conducted in largely post
      menopausal women. In the first part of this review, we will try to summarize the
      main conclusions of the WHI trials, in particular the timing effect as well as
      the deleterious impact of the associated progestin, medroxyprogesterone acetate
      (MPA). Hormone therapy, particularly the conjugated equine estrogen (CEE)
      combined with the MPA favor the occurrence of breast cancer, whereas conversely
      selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs, such as tamoxifen or raloxifene)
      that block the activity of estrogen receptor alpha (ERa) prevent the risk of
      recurrence of ERa-positive breast cancers. A new strategy of ERa modulation
      called tissue selective estrogen complex (TSEC), combines (1) CEE to maintain the
      benefits of estrogen (climacteric symptoms and prevention of osteoporosis) and
      (2) bazedoxifene, which is not only a SERM, but which also induces a rapid
      degradation of ERa in the uterus and in the breast, thereby prevents the
      stimulatory effects of estrogens on epithelial proliferation of these two sex
      targets. In the second part of this review, we will summarize the recognized
      benefits of the TSEC approach, and our current knowledge of its potential
      benefits and risks. 

PMID- 26261037
TI  - Eating disorders in older women.
AB  - Eating disorders (EDs) are disturbances that seriously endanger the physical
      health and often the lives of sufferers and affect their psychosocial
      functioning. EDs are usually thought of as problems afflicting teenagers.
      However, the incidence in older women has increased in recent decades. These
      cases may represent either late-onset disease or, more likely, a continuation of
      a lifelong disorder. The DSM-5 classification differentiates 4 categories of
      eating disorder: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorders and
      other specified feeding and eating disorders. The weight loss and malnutrition
      resulting from EDs have widespread negative consequences for physical, mental and
      social health. The main risk factors for developing long-term consequences are
      the degree of weight loss and the chronicity of the illness. Most of the cardiac,
      neurological, pulmonary, gastric, haematological and dermatological complications
      of EDs are reversible with weight restoration. EDs are serious illnesses and they
      should never be neglected or treated only as a manifestation of the fashion for
      dieting or a woman's wish to achieve an imposed standard feminine figure.
      Additionally, EDs are associated with high risk of morbidity and mortality. The
      literature concerning EDs in older, postmenopausal women is very limited. The
      main aim of this paper is to ascertain the epidemiology and prognosis of EDs in
      older women, and to review their diagnosis and management. 

PMID- 26261038
TI  - Associations between obesity, physical fitness, and urinary incontinence in non
      institutionalized postmenopausal women: The elderly EXERNET multi-center study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To investigate the associations between body composition, fitness
      level, and urinary incontinence (UI) in 471 non-institutionalized women >= 65
      years of age. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHOD: UI was assessed using
      the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short-Form and a
      specific severity UI item. Anthropometric measurements were obtained using
      standardized techniques and equipment. Body fat percentage (BF%) was measured by
      bioelectrical impedance. Physical fitness (PF) was evaluated by a set of 8 tests
      and a fitness index (FI) was calculated. Active and sedentary behaviors were
      recorded by standardized questionnaires. RESULTS: UI was reported in 28.5% of the
      participants. Women with UI showed higher values of body mass index (BMI), BF%
      and waist circumference (WC) (all p<0.05) compared to urinary continent women,
      whereas there was a lower fitness index (FI) level in women with UI (p=0.08).
      Among all fitness capacities, upper body flexibility showed the closest
      relationship with UI. UI risk increased by 87.0% [95% confidence intervals (1.01
      3.17)] in obese women compared to the normal group, according to the BF% while no
      significant results were found when PF, WC and BMI were included in the model.
      Mean sitting and walking time per day were 4.3+/-1.4 and 1.8+/-0.9 h/d,
      respectively. CONCLUSION: UI was associated with an excess of fat mass and poor
      PF, especially upper-body flexibility.

PMID- 26261040
TI  - Exploring linkage disequilibrium.
AB  - Linkage disequilibrium (LD, association of allelic states across loci) is poorly
      understood by many evolutionary biologists, but as technology for multilocus
      sampling improves, we ignore LD at our peril. If we sample variation at 10 loci
      in an organism with 20 chromosomes, we can reasonably treat them as 10
      'independent witnesses' of the evolutionary process. If instead, we sample
      variation at 1000 loci, many are bound to be close together on a chromosome. With
      only one or two crossovers per meiosis, associations between close neighbours
      decay so slowly that even LD created far in the past will not have dissipated, so
      we cannot treat the 1000 loci as independent witnesses (Barton ). This means that
      as marker density on genomes increases classic analyses assuming independent loci
      become mired in the problem of overconfidence: if 1000 independent witnesses are
      assumed, and that number should be much lower, any conclusion will be
      overconfident. This is of special concern because our literature suffers from a
      strong publication bias towards confident answers, even when they turn out to be
      wrong (Knowles ). In contrast, analyses that take into account associations
      across loci both control for overconfidence and can inform us about LD generating
      events far in the past, for example human/Neanderthal admixture (Fu et al. ).
      With increased marker density, biologists must increase their awareness of LD
      and, in this issue of Molecular Ecology Resources, Kemppainen et al. () make
      software available that can only help in this process: LDna allows patterns of LD
      in a data set to be explored using tools borrowed from network analysis. This has
      great potential, but realizing that potential requires understanding LD. 

PMID- 26261039
TI  - Comparison of the gut microbiota composition between obese and non-obese
      individuals in a Japanese population, as analyzed by terminal restriction
      fragment length polymorphism and next-generation sequencing.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Obesity has become one of the most serious social problems in
      developed countries, including Japan. The relationship between the gut microbiota
      and obesity has recently attracted the attention of many researchers. Although
      the gut microbiota was long thought to contribute to obesity, the exact
      association remains largely unknown. We examined the human gut microbiota
      composition in a Japanese population in order to determine its relationship to
      obesity. METHODS: Stool samples from 23 non-obese subjects (body mass index [BMI]
      <20 kg/m(2)) and 33 obese subjects (BMI >=25 kg/m(2)) were collected and DNA was
      extracted prior to colonoscopy. After terminal restriction fragment length
      polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis, samples from 10 subjects (4 non-obese and 6
      obese) were selected and subjected to next-generation sequencing for species
      level analysis. RESULTS: T-RFLP analysis showed significantly reduced numbers of
      Bacteroidetes and a higher Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio in obese subjects
      compared with non-obese subjects. Bacterial diversity was significantly greater
      in obese subjects compared with non-obese subjects. Next-generation sequencing
      revealed that obese and non-obese subjects had different gut microbiota
      compositions and that certain bacterial species were significantly associated
      with each group (obese: Blautia hydrogenotorophica, Coprococcus catus,
      Eubacterium ventriosum, Ruminococcus bromii, Ruminococcus obeum; non-obese:
      Bacteroides faecichinchillae, Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, Blautia wexlerae,
      Clostridium bolteae, Flavonifractor plautii). CONCLUSION: Gut microbial
      properties differ between obese and non-obese subjects in Japan, suggesting that
      gut microbiota composition is related to obesity.

PMID- 26261041
TI  - Genomic Resources Notes accepted 1 April 2015 - 31 May 2015.
AB  - This article documents the public availability of transcriptomic resources for
      (i) the stellate sturgeon Acipenser stellatus, (ii) the flowering plant Campanula
      gentilis and (iii) two endemic Iberian fish, Squalius carolitertii and Squalius
      torgalensis. 

PMID- 26261042
TI  - Analysis of the association between IL-23R rs11209026 polymorphism and incidence
      of atherosclerosis.
AB  - Th17/IL-23 axis is an important pro-inflammatory pathway in atherosclerosis. IL
      23 receptor (IL-23R) pathway has an important role in T-helper cells 17 (Th17)
      differentiation and survival. We compared normal subjects and patients with
      atherosclerosis in terms of the R381Q variant of the IL-23R gene as a functional
      single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). This case-control study recruited 200
      patients who presented with cardiovascular symptoms to Afshar Hospital, Yazd,
      Iran. The participants were allocated to five groups based on angiographic
      results. The severity of the disease was determined according to the numbers of
      involved vessels. Patients with normal coronary arteries, minimal coronary artery
      involvement, one involved vessel, two involved vessels and three-vessel disease
      were allocated to groups I-V, respectively. DNA was extracted from whole blood
      samples by the salting-out method. Genotyping was performed by polymerase chain
      reaction followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism assay and
      multinomial logistic regression for analyses The presence of SNP A>G rs11209026
      of IL-23 receptor gene was significantly associated with disease severity (P =
      0.008). The frequencies of the heterozygous (AG) genotype in the control group
      and subjects with minimal involvement, and patients with one-, two-, and three
      vessel disease were 22.5%, 12.5%, 10%, 10.24% and 4.8%, respectively. Our results
      indicated an association between the rs11209026 G>A polymorphism of the IL-23
      receptor gene and the risk of atherosclerosis. This genetic variant may in fact
      cause protection against atherosclerosis progression. However, further studies on
      gene polymorphism and cell expression are required to clarify the mechanisms
      involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. 

PMID- 26261043
TI  - Subcellular and Dynamic Coordination between Src Activity and Cell Protrusion in
      Microenvironment.
AB  - Migration of endothelial cells is essential for wound healing and angiogenesis.
      Src kinase activity plays important roles at the protrusions of migrating
      endothelial cells. However, the spatiotemporal coordination between Src kinase
      activity and the protrusion of cell edge remains unclear. Therefore, we
      investigate these coordinated molecular events at the initiation of cell
      migration, by integrating microfabrication, fluorescence resonance energy
      transfer (FRET)-based biosensors, and automated computational image analysis. We
      demonstrate that the physical release of restrictive micropattern triggered a
      significant decrease of Src activity at the protrusive edge of endothelial cells.
      Computational cross-correlation analysis reveals that the decrease of Src
      activity occurred earlier in time, and was well-coordinated with the protrusion
      of cell edge in polarized cells, but not in non-polarized cells. These results
      suggest that the spatiotemporal control of Src kinase activity is well
      coordinated with cell polarization and protrusion in endothelial cells upon the
      release of physical constraint, as that experienced by endothelial cells
      sprouting from stiff tumor micro-environment during angiogenesis. Therefore, our
      integrative approach enabled the discovery of a new model where Src is de
      activated in coordination with membrane protrusion, providing important insights
      into the regulation of endothelial migration and angiogenesis. 

PMID- 26261044
TI  - Assessing Walking Activity in Older Adults: Development and Validation of a Novel
      Computer-Animated Assessment Tool.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Assessing volume of physical activity (PA) in older adults is
      critical to understanding the role that PA has on health outcomes and the
      effectiveness of treatment interventions to increase PA. The purpose of this
      study was to investigate the psychometric properties of a novel computer-animated
      self-report questionnaire designed to assess walking activity of older adults:
      the Mobility Assessment Tool for Walking--the MAT-W. METHODS: We recruited 249
      older adults (66.9+/-4.7 years, 71% female, 32% black) with cardiovascular
      disease and/or metabolic syndrome as part of the Cooperative Lifestyle
      Intervention Program-II study. Participants completed the MAT-W at baseline and
      after 6 months of a walking and weight loss (n = 78) or weight loss only (n = 69)
      intervention. Test-retest reliability was assessed in 31 participants. Walking
      speed at usual and fast pace was measured using a GAITRite mat, and 7-day
      accelerometry data were collected at baseline and 6 months. The mCHAMPS5, a
      modified version of a widely used self-report PA questionnaire, was completed at
      baseline. RESULTS: The test-retest reliability of MAT-W was excellent (intraclass
      correlation coefficient > .85). The MAT-W was correlated with mCHAMPS5 (Spearman
      r = .66, p < .001) and moderate/vigorous levels of PA as assessed by
      accelerometry (Spearman r = .65, p < .001) and was responsive to an intervention
      induced change in PA at 6 months when comparing the Cooperative Lifestyle
      Intervention Program-II walking and weight loss group with the weight loss only
      group (p < .001). CONCLUSION: The MAT-W is a brief, reliable, and valid tool to
      assess PA and has promise for the assessment of walking behavior in older adults
      under free-living conditions.

PMID- 26261045
TI  - Twin Cavities: An Unusual Radiological Finding in Pulmonary Tuberculosis.

PMID- 26261046
TI  - Benefits of Mitral Valve Repair in Moderate Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation.

PMID- 26261047
TI  - Degradation of Kresoxim-Methyl in Water: Impact of Varying pH, Temperature, Light
      and Atmospheric CO2 Level.
AB  - In the present investigation, persistence of kresoxim-methyl (a broad spectrum
      strobilurin fungicide) was studied in water. Results revealed that kresoxim
      methyl readily form acid metabolite. Therefore, residues of kresoxim-methyl were
      quantified on the basis of parent molecule alone and sum total of kresoxim-methyl
      and its acid metabolite. In water, influence of various abiotic factors like pH,
      temperature, light and atmospheric carbon dioxide level on dissipation of
      kresoxim-methyl was studied. The half life value for kresoxim-methyl and total
      residue varied from 1 to 26.1 and 6.1 to 94.0 days under different conditions.
      Statistical analysis revealed the significant effect of abiotic factors on the
      dissipation of kresoxim-methyl from water. 

PMID- 26261048
TI  - The dissipation of fipronil, chlorpyrifos, fosthiazate and ethoprophos in soils
      from potato monoculture areas: first evidence for the enhanced biodegradation of
      fosthiazate.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A limited number of pesticides are available for the control of soil
      pests in potato. This, together with the monoculture nature of potato
      cultivation, does not favour chemical rotation, increasing the risk of reduced
      biological efficacy due to microbial adaptation. The dissipation of three major
      organophosphates (chlorpyrifos, ethoprophos and fosthiazate) was studied in
      comparison with fipronil, an insecticide recently introduced in potato
      cultivation, in 17 soils from potato monoculture areas in Greece to explore the
      extent of enhanced biodegradation development. RESULTS: The dissipation time of
      the four pesticides varied in the different soils, with DT50 values of 1.7-30.8
      days, 2.7-56 days, 7.0-31.0 days and 24.5-116.5 days for fosthiazate,
      chlorpyrifos, ethoprophos and fipronil, respectively. A rapid dissipation of
      ethoprophos and fosthiazate in two soils with previous exposure to these
      nematicides provided first evidence for the development of enhanced
      biodegradation. Sterilisation of the given soils inhibited the dissipation of
      fosthiazate. Additionally, fosthiazate dissipation in the soils increased upon
      repeated applications. CONCLUSION: The development of enhanced biodegradation of
      fosthiazate in soils from potato monoculture regions was verified. This is the
      first report of enhanced biodegradation for this chemical. Further studies will
      focus on the isolation of microorganisms responsible for the dissipation of
      fosthiazate.

PMID- 26261050
TI  - Molecular architectures and functions of radical enzymes and their (re)activating
      proteins.
AB  - Certain proteins utilize the high reactivity of radicals for catalysing
      chemically challenging reactions. These proteins contain or form a radical and
      therefore named 'radical enzymes'. Radicals are introduced by enzymes themselves
      or by (re)activating proteins called (re)activases. The X-ray structures of
      radical enzymes and their (re)activases revealed some structural features of
      these molecular apparatuses which solved common enigmas of radical enzymes-i.e.
      how the enzymes form or introduce radicals at the active sites, how they use the
      high reactivity of radicals for catalysis, how they suppress undesired side
      reactions of highly reactive radicals and how they are (re)activated when
      inactivated by extinction of radicals. This review highlights molecular
      architectures of radical B12 enzymes, radical SAM enzymes, tyrosyl radical
      enzymes, glycyl radical enzymes and their (re)activating proteins that support
      their functions. For generalization, comparisons of the recently reported
      structures of radical enzymes with those of canonical radical enzymes are
      summarized here.

PMID- 26261049
TI  - Frontiers in research on biodiversity and disease.
AB  - Global losses of biodiversity have galvanised efforts to understand how changes
      to communities affect ecological processes, including transmission of infectious
      pathogens. Here, we review recent research on diversity-disease relationships and
      identify future priorities. Growing evidence from experimental, observational and
      modelling studies indicates that biodiversity changes alter infection for a range
      of pathogens and through diverse mechanisms. Drawing upon lessons from the
      community ecology of free-living organisms, we illustrate how recent advances
      from biodiversity research generally can provide necessary theoretical
      foundations, inform experimental designs, and guide future research at the
      interface between infectious disease risk and changing ecological communities.
      Dilution effects are expected when ecological communities are nested and
      interactions between the pathogen and the most competent host group(s) persist or
      increase as biodiversity declines. To move beyond polarising debates about the
      generality of diversity effects and develop a predictive framework, we emphasise
      the need to identify how the effects of diversity vary with temporal and spatial
      scale, to explore how realistic patterns of community assembly affect
      transmission, and to use experimental studies to consider mechanisms beyond
      simple changes in host richness, including shifts in trophic structure,
      functional diversity and symbiont composition. 

PMID- 26261051
TI  - Non-canonical WNT signalling in the lung.
AB  - The role of WNT signalling in metazoan organogenesis has been a topic of
      widespread interest. In the lung, while the role of canonical WNT signalling has
      been examined in some detail by multiple studies, the non-canonical WNT
      signalling has received limited attention. Reliable evidence shows that this
      important signalling mechanism constitutes a major regulatory pathway in lung
      development. In addition, accumulating evidence has also shown that the non
      canonical WNT pathway is critical for maintaining lung homeostasis and that
      aberrant activation of this pathway may underlie several debilitating lung
      diseases. Functional analyses have further revealed that the non-canonical WNT
      pathway regulates multiple cellular activities in the lung that are dependent on
      the specific cellular context. In most cell types, non-canonical WNT signalling
      regulates canonical WNT activity, which is also critical for many aspects of lung
      biology. This review will summarize what is currently known about the role of non
      canonical WNT signalling in lung development, homeostasis and pathogenesis of
      disease. 

PMID- 26261052
TI  - Dental floss as a possible risk for the development of peri-implant disease: an
      observational study of 10 cases.
AB  - AIM: To report on a possible relationship between the use of dental floss or
      superfloss and the development of peri-implantitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten
      patients with progressive peri-implantitis with an intensive oral hygiene
      protocol, which consisted of extensive professional supra- and submucosal
      cleaning, and not responding to this therapy were scheduled for examination.
      Plaque and bleeding indices and probing depth measurements were assessed, and
      radiographic examination was performed every two years. RESULTS: In all ten
      cases, remnants of dental floss were found around the neck and coronal part of a
      dental implant. After careful removal of these floss remnants and implant
      cleansing, a significant improvement in the peri-implant conditions in nine of
      ten cases was noted. In one case, peri-implant probing depth decreased
      substantially. However, bleeding on probing was still present. In vitro testing
      yielded that the application of various types of dental floss on the exposed
      rough implant surfaces may easily lead to tearing of floss fibers. This may
      result in the deposition of floss remnants on rough implant surfaces, which, in
      turn, may lead to the development of plaque-related peri-implant inflammation
      and, subsequently, bone loss. CONCLUSION: In case of exposed rough surfaces of
      the dental implant, the peri-implant conditions may be jeopardized by the
      application of dental floss, and hence, the utilization of interproximal brushes
      or toothpicks may be preferred for daily home care practices.

PMID- 26261053
TI  - Geographic range did not confer resilience to extinction in terrestrial
      vertebrates at the end-Triassic crisis.
AB  - Rates of extinction vary greatly through geological time, with losses
      particularly concentrated in mass extinctions. Species duration at other times
      varies greatly, but the reasons for this are unclear. Geographical range
      correlates with lineage duration amongst marine invertebrates, but it is less
      clear how far this generality extends to other groups in other habitats. It is
      also unclear whether a wide geographical distribution makes groups more likely to
      survive mass extinctions. Here we test for extinction selectivity amongst
      terrestrial vertebrates across the end-Triassic event. We demonstrate that
      terrestrial vertebrate clades with larger geographical ranges were more resilient
      to extinction than those with smaller ranges throughout the Triassic and
      Jurassic. However, this relationship weakened with increasing proximity to the
      end-Triassic mass extinction, breaking down altogether across the event itself.
      We demonstrate that these findings are not a function of sampling biases; a
      perennial issue in studies of this kind. 

PMID- 26261054
TI  - Hypothalamic carnitine metabolism integrates nutrient and hormonal feedback to
      regulate energy homeostasis.
AB  - The maintenance of energy homeostasis requires the hypothalamic integration of
      nutrient feedback cues, such as glucose, fatty acids, amino acids, and metabolic
      hormones such as insulin, leptin and ghrelin. Although hypothalamic neurons are
      critical to maintain energy homeostasis research efforts have focused on feedback
      mechanisms in isolation, such as glucose alone, fatty acids alone or single
      hormones. However this seems rather too simplistic considering the range of
      nutrient and endocrine changes associated with different metabolic states, such
      as starvation (negative energy balance) or diet-induced obesity (positive energy
      balance). In order to understand how neurons integrate multiple nutrient or
      hormonal signals, we need to identify and examine potential intracellular
      convergence points or common molecular targets that have the ability to sense
      glucose, fatty acids, amino acids and hormones. In this review, we focus on the
      role of carnitine metabolism in neurons regulating energy homeostasis.
      Hypothalamic carnitine metabolism represents a novel means for neurons to
      facilitate and control both nutrient and hormonal feedback. In terms of nutrient
      regulation, carnitine metabolism regulates hypothalamic fatty acid sensing
      through the actions of CPT1 and has an underappreciated role in glucose sensing
      since carnitine metabolism also buffers mitochondrial matrix levels of acetyl
      CoA, an allosteric inhibitor of pyruvate dehydrogenase and hence glucose
      metabolism. Studies also show that hypothalamic CPT1 activity also controls
      hormonal feedback. We hypothesis that hypothalamic carnitine metabolism
      represents a key molecular target that can concurrently integrate nutrient and
      hormonal information, which is critical to maintain energy homeostasis. We also
      suggest this is relevant to broader neuroendocrine research as it predicts that
      hormonal signaling in the brain varies depending on current nutrient status.
      Indeed, the metabolic action of ghrelin, leptin or insulin at POMC or NPY neurons
      may depend on appropriate nutrient-sensing in these neurons and we hypothesize
      carnitine metabolism is critical in the integrative processing. Future research
      is required to examine the neuron-specific effects of carnitine metabolism on
      concurrent nutrient- and hormonal-sensing in AgRP and POMC neurons. 

PMID- 26261055
TI  - Animal models of spontaneous pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.
AB  - Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) are usually low-grade neoplasms derived
      from the endocrine pancreas. PNETs can be functioning and cause well-described
      hormonal hypersecretion syndromes or non-functioning and cause only tumor mass
      effect. PNETs appear to be more common recently likely due to incidental
      detection by imaging. Although the diagnosis and management of PNETs have been
      evolving rapidly, much remains to be studied in the areas of molecular
      pathogenesis, molecular markers of tumor behavior, early detection, and targeted
      drug therapy. Unique challenges facing PNETs studies are long disease course, the
      deep location of pancreas and difficult access to pancreatic tissue, and the
      variety of tumors, which make animal models valuable tools for PNETs studies.
      Existing animal models of PNETs have provided insights into the pathogenesis and
      natural history of human PNETs. Future studies on animal models of PNETs should
      address early tumor detection, molecular markers of tumor behavior, and novel
      targeted therapies. 

PMID- 26261056
TI  - Pioglitazone treatment and cardiovascular event and death in subjects with type 2
      diabetes without established cardiovascular disease (JDDM 36).
AB  - AIMS: The protective association of pioglitazone with cardiovascular events and
      death was investigated over 6-years in large-scale type 2 diabetic subjects
      without established cardiovascular disease in a primary care setting. METHODS: A
      six-year observational cohort study including 2864 subjects with type 2 diabetes
      without established cardiovascular disease was performed. The primary endpoint
      was a composite of first occurrence of cardiovascular disease or death. The
      effect of pioglitazone use at a baseline year with a Cox proportional hazard
      model and the time-dependent use in each one-year examination interval with a
      pooled logistic regression model were analyzed. RESULTS: Baseline use of
      pioglitazone (n=493) did not show a statistically protective effect on the
      primary endpoint (n=175), although it tended to reduce the risk (adjusted hazard
      ratio 0.67 [95% CI: 0.43-1.05]). However, pooled logistic regression analysis
      indicated a significant protective association of pioglitazone with the primary
      endpoint (0.58 [0.38 to 0.87] and cardiovascular disease (0.54 [0.33-0.88]),
      independent of concurrent levels of blood glucose, blood pressure, lipids,
      albuminuria, and renal function. In particular, this protective association was
      observed in those with diabetic nephropathy regardless of the daily dose of
      pioglitazone. Among a total of 898 subjects who took pioglitazone during the
      period, 43% experienced a discontinuation at least once; however, serious adverse
      effects were rare. CONCLUSIONS: This observational study indicated a protective
      association of pioglitazone with cardiovascular disease and death in type 2
      diabetic subjects without established vascular disease, particularly those with
      nephropathy.

PMID- 26261058
TI  - Footwear in rock climbing: Current practice.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Many rock climbers wear ill-fitting and excessively tight footwear
      during activity. However, there is insufficient evidence of the extent or harms
      of this practice. OBJECTIVES: To investigate footwear use in rock climbers with a
      focus on issues surrounding fit. METHODS: A cross-sectional study with active
      rock climbers of over one year of experience completing a survey on their
      activity and footwear. Additionally, the authors quantified foot and shoe lengths
      and sizes alongside demographic data. RESULTS: Ill-fitting and excessively tight
      footwear was found in 55 out of 56 rock climbers. Foot pain during activity was
      also commonplace in 91% of the climbers. A mean size reduction of almost 4 UK
      shoe sizes was found between the climbers' street shoe size and that of their
      climbing footwear using a calibrated foot/shoe ruler. There is an unfortunate
      association of climbers of higher abilities seeking a tighter shoe fit (p<0.001).
      CONCLUSION: With the elucidation of footwear use amongst rock climbers, further
      investigation may aim to quantify its impact and seek a solution balancing
      climbing performance while mitigating foot injury.

PMID- 26261057
TI  - Characterization of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody produced by transgenic
      silkworms (Bombyx mori).
AB  - In response to the successful use of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) in the
      treatment of various diseases, systems for expressing recombinant mAbs using
      transgenic animals or plants have been widely developed. The silkworm (Bombyx
      mori) is a highly domesticated insect that has recently been used for the
      production of recombinant proteins. Because of their cost-effective breeding and
      relatively easy production scale-up, transgenic silkworms show great promise as a
      novel production system for mAbs. In this study, we established a transgenic
      silkworm stably expressing a human-mouse chimeric anti-CD20 mAb having the same
      amino acid sequence as rituximab, and compared its characteristics with rituximab
      produced by Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells (MabThera(r)). The anti-CD20 mAb
      produced in the transgenic silkworm showed a similar antigen-binding property,
      but stronger antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) and weaker
      complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) compared to MabThera. Post-translational
      modification analysis was performed by peptide mapping using liquid
      chromatography/mass spectrometry. There was a significant difference in the N
      glycosylation profile between the CHO- and the silkworm-derived mAbs, but not in
      other post-translational modifications including oxidation and deamidation. The
      mass spectra of the N-glycosylated peptide revealed that the observed biological
      properties were attributable to the characteristic N-glycan structures of the
      anti-CD20 mAbs produced in the transgenic silkworms, i.e., the lack of the core
      fucose and galactose at the non-reducing terminal. These results suggest that the
      transgenic silkworm may be a promising expression system for the tumor-targeting
      mAbs with higher ADCC activity.

PMID- 26261059
TI  - Two cases of erythema induratum of Bazin--a rare cutaneous manifestation of
      tuberculosis.
AB  - Tuberculosis remains a global disease burden, counting more than 9 million new
      cases per year. Tuberculosis is caused by infection with Mycobacterium
      tuberculosis-complex. Though most commonly affecting the lungs, any organ can
      become a site of tuberculous infection. Cutaneous tuberculosis is rare,
      representing 1-2% of all cases of tuberculosis. There are numerous different
      cutaneous manifestations of tuberculosis. We describe two cases of erythema
      induratum of Bazin, a so-called tuberculid manifestation of cutaneous TB. Both
      cases are patients from endemic areas. In the cases presented, there were no
      signs of other organs affected, and cutaneous lesions disappeared during anti
      tuberculous treatment.

PMID- 26261060
TI  - An association study of NRAMP1, VDR, MBL and their interaction with the
      susceptibility to tuberculosis in a Chinese population.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To investigate natural-resistance-associated macrophage protein 1
      (NRAMP1), mannose-binding lectin (MBL), vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene
      polymorphisms and their interaction with susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis
      (PTB) in a Chinese population. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted in PTB
      (n=151), age- and sex- matched healthy controls (HCs) (n=453). Genetic
      polymorphisms of NRAMP1 (INT4, D543NA and 3'UTR), MBL (HL, PQ, XY and AB) and VDR
      (FokI and Taq) were analyzed by using PCR-restriction fragment length
      polymorphism (RFLP) and PCR- single- strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP)
      techniques. Multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) analysis was carried out
      to assess the effects of the interaction between SNPs. RESULTS: The distribution
      of NRAMP1- 3'UTR (TGTG/del), MBL- HL (H/L) and FokI (F/f) were significantly
      different between PTB patients and HCs (p<0.05). HPYA (OR: 1.88; 95% CI: 1.22
      2.91), LPXA (OR: 3.17; 95% CI: 1.69- 5.96), LQYA (OR: 3.52; 95%CI: 1.50-8.23) and
      LPYB (OR: 12.37; 95%CI: 3.75- 40.85) of MBL were risk haplotypes for PTB. The
      TGTG- H- f (OR: 1.70; 95%CI: 1.10-2.62) and del- H-f (OR: 3.48; 95% CI: 1.45
      8.37) of 3'UTR- HL- FokI were also high-risk haplotypes associated with
      tuberculosis. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that genotypes of many polymorphic
      genes are associated with TB, it is necessary to further explore the mechanism of
      genotypes and gene-gene interaction in susceptibility to tuberculosis.

PMID- 26261061
TI  - AGXT and ERCC2 polymorphisms are associated with clinical outcome in metastatic
      colorectal cancer patients treated with 5-FU/oxaliplatin.
AB  - The objective of the study was to investigate whether specific single nucleotide
      polymorphisms (SNPs) with influence on drug transport, biotransformation and
      repair mechanisms are associated with treatment outcome and toxicity in
      metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). We genotyped blood samples from 519 mCRC
      patients treated with first-line 5-fluorouracil and oxaliplatin +/- cetuximab for
      17 SNPs in 10 genes involved in membrane transport (ABCC1 and ABCC2), drug
      biotransformation (GSTP1 and AGXT) and DNA repair (ERCC1, ERCC2, XRCC1, XRCC3,
      XPG and MSH6). The AGXT-rs34116584 and the ERCC2-rs238406 polymorphisms were
      significantly associated with progression-free survival (P=0.002 and P=0.001,
      respectively). Associations between 18 toxicity variables and SNPs were
      identified, although none were significant after Bonferroni correction for
      multiple comparisons. The study identified SNPs of potential use as markers of
      clinical outcome in oxaliplatin-treated mCRC patients. If validated in other
      studies, they could improve the selection of therapy in mCRC.

PMID- 26261063
TI  - Design of tri-level excitation signals for broadband bioimpedance spectroscopy.
AB  - Bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) measurement methods have been evolving from the
      traditional frequency-sweep approach to the multi-frequency simultaneous
      measurement technique which can drastically reduce measuring time and will be
      increasingly attractive for time-varying biological applications. Multi-frequency
      mixed (MFM) signals with sparsely distributed spectra are desirable for broadband
      BIS measurement. This paper proposes a synthesis method to design a series of tri
      level MFM signals which contain only three values (+1, 0, -1), and has majority
      energy distributed on its (2(n))th primary harmonics. Tri-level MFM signals have
      both high energy efficiency and a low crest factor. An impedance measurement
      experiment excited by an 8th-order tri-level MFM signal on a RC three-element
      equivalent model has been performed, and the results on 8 primary harmonic
      frequencies ranging from 8 to 1024 kHz show a high accuracy with the mean
      amplitude relative error of 0.41% and mean phase absolute error of 0.18 degrees ,
      which has validated the feasibility of the tri-level MFM signals for broadband
      BIS measurement. 

PMID- 26261062
TI  - Attitudes of clinicians following large-scale pharmacogenomics implementation.
AB  - Clinician attitudes toward multiplexed genomic testing may be vital to the
      success of translational programs. We surveyed clinicians at an academic medical
      center about their views on a large pharmacogenomics implementation, the PREDICT
      (Pharmacogenomic Resource for Enhanced Decisions in Care and Treatment) program.
      Participants were asked about test ordering, major factors influencing use of
      results, expectations of efficacy and responsibility for applying results to
      patient care. Virtually all respondents (99%) agreed that pharmacogenomics
      variants influence patients' response to drug therapy. The majority (92%) favored
      immediate, active notification when a clinically significant drug-genome
      interaction was present. However, clinicians were divided on which providers were
      responsible for acting on a result when a prescription change was indicated and
      whether patients should be directly notified of a significant result. We
      concluded genotype results were valued for tailoring prescriptions, but
      clinicians do not agree on how to appropriately assign clinical responsibility
      for actionable results from a multiplexed panel.The Pharmacogenomics Journal
      advance online publication, 11 August 2015; doi:10.1038/tpj.2015.57.

PMID- 26261064
TI  - Structured Frameworks to Increase the Transparency of the Assessment of Benefits
      and Risks of Medicines: Current Status and Possible Future Directions.
AB  - Structured frameworks for benefit-risk analysis in drug licensing decisions are
      being implemented across a number of regulatory agencies worldwide. The aim of
      these frameworks is to aid the analysis and communication of the benefit-risk
      assessment throughout the development, evaluation, and supervision of medicines.
      In this review, authors from regulatory agencies, pharmaceutical companies, and
      academia share their views on the different frameworks and discuss future
      directions. 

PMID- 26261065
TI  - Effects of exposure to artificial long days on milk yield, maternal insulin-like
      growth factor 1 levels and kid growth rate in subtropical goats.
AB  - This study was designed to determine whether any relationship exists between
      exposure to artificial long days, milk yield, maternal plasma insulin-like growth
      factor 1 (IGF-1) levels, and kid growth rate in goats. One group of lactating
      goats was maintained under naturally decreasing day length (control group; n =
      19), while in another one, they were kept under artificial long days (LD group; n
      = 19). Milk yield was higher in goats from the LD group than that in the control
      group (P < 0.05). Maternal IGF-1 levels at day 57 of lactation were higher (P <
      0.05) in goats from the LD group than the levels in the control group and were
      positively correlated with the total milk yields per goat at days 43 and 57 of
      lactation (r = 0.77 and r = 0.84, respectively; P < 0.01). Daily weight gain at
      week 4 was higher (P < 0.01) in kids from the LD group than that in kids from the
      control group and was correlated with total and average IGF-1 maternal levels (r
      = 0.60 and r = 0.60, P < 0.05). It was concluded that submitting lactating goats
      to artificial long days increases milk yield, plasma IGF-1 maternal levels and
      the growth rate of the kids.

PMID- 26261066
TI  - The Use of Entheseal Changes in the Femur and Os Coxa for Age Assessment.
AB  - This study examined the relationship between age and entheseal modifications in
      the femur and os coxa for estimating age at death. Five areas on the os coxa and
      four on the femur were scored in 200 white individuals over 40 years of age.
      Statistical analyses assessed the relationship between age and entheseal
      modification using both raw scores and scores adjusted for body size, for each
      sex, and for sexes combined. Results indicate that significant relationships
      exist between age and entheseal modification at three sites on the femur and four
      on the os coxae, but the relationships are not strong enough to generate age
      predictions. Conversely, the most severe entheseal modifications show promise as
      an indicator of age in older adults. Although further research is needed using
      larger samples for robust statistical analyses, current data indicate these
      modifications can suggest an age >60, or in some cases 70, years.

PMID- 26261068
TI  - Influenza and pneumococcal vaccination: do older people know if they have been
      vaccinated?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To estimate influenza and pneumococcal immunisation rates by self
      report and validate this with immunisation providers. METHOD: A random population
      telephone survey. This was followed by contacting immunisation providers of those
      reporting having an influenza vaccination (2009 or 2010 only) and/or pneumococcal
      vaccination to confirm vaccination or not. RESULTS: A total of 680 people aged 65
      and older responded to the telephone survey. Seventy-five per cent of respondents
      self-reported influenza vaccination in 2010 and 26% self-reported having ever had
      the pneumococcal vaccination. Following up with immunisation providers, we found
      recall for influenza vaccination was confirmed in 96% of cases. For the
      pneumococcal vaccination, recall for vaccination was confirmed in 87% of cases.
      People saying they were not vaccinated for pneumococcal were subsequently
      confirmed as vaccinated in 77% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, self
      reported influenza vaccination was reliable. The term 'pneumococcal vaccination
      or Pneumovax' was poorly recognised by our telephone survey respondents as
      evident by the low rate of self-reported pneumococcal vaccination compared to a
      much higher rate of pneumococcal vaccinations recorded by GPs. IMPLICATIONS:
      While pneumococcal vaccination is an accurate term, researchers should be aware
      of the terminology used in general practice and the community when designing
      their survey.

PMID- 26261067
TI  - Activation of CYCD7;1 in the central cell and early endosperm overcomes cell
      cycle arrest in the Arabidopsis female gametophyte, and promotes early endosperm
      and embryo development.
AB  - In angiosperms, double fertilization of the egg and central cell of the
      megagametophyte leads to the development of the embryo and endosperm,
      respectively. Control of cell cycle progression in the megagametophyte is
      essential for successful fertilization and development. Central cell-targeted
      expression of the D-type cyclin CYCD7;1 (end CYCD7;1) using the imprinted FWA
      promoter overcomes cycle arrest of the central cell in the Arabidopsis female
      gametophyte in the unfertilized ovule, leading to multinucleate central cells at
      high frequency. Unlike FERTILIZATION-INDEPENDENT SEED (fis) mutants, but similar
      to lethal RETINOBLASTOMA-RELATED (rbr) mutants, no seed coat development is
      triggered. Unlike the case with loss of rbr, post-fertilization end CYCD7;1 in
      the endosperm enhances the number of nuclei during syncytial endosperm
      development and induces the partial abortion of developing seeds, associated with
      the enhanced size of the surviving seeds. The frequency of lethality was less
      than the frequency of multinucleate central cells, indicating that these aspects
      are not causally linked. These larger seeds contain larger embryos composed of
      more cells of wild-type size, surrounded by a seed coat composed of more cells.
      Seedlings arising from these larger seeds displayed faster seedling establishment
      and early growth. Similarly, two different embryo-lethal mutants also conferred
      enlarged seed size in surviving siblings, consistent with seed size increase
      being a general response to sibling lethality, although the cellular mechanisms
      were found to be distinct. Our data suggest that tight control of CYCD activity
      in the central cell and in the developing endosperm is required for optimal seed
      formation. 

PMID- 26261069
TI  - A Simple Alternative Treatment for Syndactyly of the Toe.
AB  - Toe syndactyly is a common congenital malformation affecting approximately 1 in
      2000 people and can cause significant emotional and psychological distress for
      the patient. We report a case of a 41-year-old female who was concerned about the
      aesthetic appearance of her bilateral second and third toe with incomplete,
      simple syndactyly and had requested surgical correction. A number of operative
      techniques have been described in the orthopedic and plastic surgery data, with
      no one technique proving superior. We used medical tattooing to create the
      appearance of a complete interdigital cleft. This low-risk, and low-cost
      procedure resulted in a satisfactory outcome for the patient. To the best of our
      knowledge, this is the first reported case using this technique, which we propose
      as a simple alternative to surgical correction of toe syndactyly. 

PMID- 26261070
TI  - The kinetic fragility of liquids as manifestation of the elastic softening.
AB  - We show that the fragility m , the steepness of the viscosity and relaxation time
      close to the vitrification, increases with the degree of elastic softening, i.e.
      the decrease of the elastic modulus with increasing temperature, in a universal
      way. This provides a novel connection between the thermodynamics, via the
      modulus, and the kinetics. The finding is evidenced by numerical simulations and
      comparison with the experimental data of glassformers with widely different
      fragilities (33 <= m <= 115), leading to a fragility-independent elastic master
      curve extending over eighteen decades in viscosity and relaxation time. The
      master curve is accounted for by a cavity model pointing out the roles of both
      the available free volume and the cage softness. A major implication of our
      findings is that ultraslow relaxations, hardly characterised experimentally,
      become predictable by linear elasticity. As an example, the viscosity of
      supercooled silica is derived over about fifteen decades with no adjustable
      parameters. 

PMID- 26261071
TI  - High-order power series expansion of the elastic interaction between conical
      membrane inclusions.
AB  - We revisit the problem of the long-range interaction between two conical proteins
      inserted into a lipid membrane and interacting via the induced deformation of the
      membrane, first considered by Goulian et al. (M. Goulian, R. Bruinsma, P. Pincus,
      Europhys. Lett. 22, 145 (1993); Europhys. Lett. 23, 155 (1993)). By means of a
      complex variables formulation and an iterative solution, we determine
      analytically an arbitrary high-order expansion of the interaction energy in
      powers of the inverse distance between two inclusions of different sizes. At
      leading order and for inclusions of equal sizes, we recover the result obtained
      by Goulian et al.. We generalize the development to inclusions of different sizes
      and give explicit formulas that increase the precision by ten orders in the
      inverse distance. 

PMID- 26261072
TI  - Oncogenic microRNA-155 and its target PU.1: an integrative gene expression study
      in six of the most prevalent lymphomas.
AB  - The transcription factor PU.1 and its inhibitory microRNA-155 (miR-155) are
      important regulators of B-cell differentiation. PU.1 downregulation coupled with
      oncogenic miR-155 upregulation has been reported in lymphoid malignancies;
      however, these data have not been studied across different subtypes in relation
      to clinical outcomes. We studied expression of miR-155 and PU.1 in the six most
      prevalent human B-cell lymphomas (n = 131) including aggressive (DLBCL, HL, MCL)
      and indolent (B-CLL/SLL, MZL, FL) types. Levels of miR-155 and PU.1 inversely
      correlated in DLBCL, B-CLL/SLL, and FL tumor tissues. In HL tissues, an
      exceptionally high level of miR-155 was found in patients with unfavorable
      responses to first-line therapy and those who had shorter survival times. PU.1
      downregulation was noted in B-CLL/SLL samples positive for the adverse prognostic
      markers CD38 and ZAP-70. Upregulation of miR-155 and downregulation of PU.1
      expression are integral aspects of lymphoma biology that could mark aggressive
      behavior of some, but not all, lymphoma types.

PMID- 26261073
TI  - Characterization of unexpected postural changes during robot-assisted gait
      training in paraplegic patients.
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this
      study were to categorize unexpected postural changes (UPCs) during gait training
      in paraplegic patients with wearable gait-assist robots, to reveal the incidence
      of the UPC and its time-dependent changes during initial gait training period and
      to investigate neurological level-specific differences. SETTING: This study was
      conducted in Fujita Health University, Aichi, Japan. METHODS: We investigated
      five patients (46.2+/-14.6 years; lesion level: T6:3, T12:2). All patients had
      previously achieved gait with wearable robot and walker at supervision level. The
      UPCs were counted for 2 years and classified according to their type. The time
      course data were calculated from the incidence of UPCs for 10 days from initial
      gait training with the walker. The neurological level-specific differences were
      investigated between T6 and T12 injuries. RESULTS: Eighty-five UPCs were observed
      and classified into three categories: anterior breakdown, posterior breakdown
      (PBD) and mal-timing. The average rate over the entire period was 0.96+/-0.62
      (incidents/h/subject). PBD, which was defined as hyperflexion of both hip joints,
      occurred with the highest frequency (0.64+/-0.64 incidents/h/subject). During
      initial gait training, there was a gradual decrease in the occurrence of UPC. For
      neurological level-specific differences, UPCs were observed more frequently in T6
      injuries (1.36+/-0.35 incidents/h/subject) compared with T12 injuries (0.36+/
      0.31 incidents/h/subject). CONCLUSION: PBDs might be the result of near
      collisions between the trunk of the user and the walker, which make it difficult
      for the users to move their trunk over an anterior stance limb. Training that is
      focused upon well-timed forward movements of the walker might be required to
      avoid the occurrence of this common UPC.

PMID- 26261074
TI  - Combined detrusor-trigone BTX-A injections for urinary incontinence secondary to
      neurogenic detrusor overactivity.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect and safety of
      trigonal injection of botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) for patients with neurological
      detrusor overactivity (NDO) with incontinence. METHODS: A prospective,
      multicenter, single-blind and randomized controlled trial was conducted between
      June 2011 and June 2014. Spinal cord injury patients with urinary incontinence
      secondary to NDO overactivity were recruited. At a 1:1 ratio, patients randomly
      received 200 U BTX-A intradetrusor injections excluding the trigone (the control
      group) or 160 U intradetrusor and 40 U intratrigonal injections (the experimental
      group). Patients were evaluated at baseline and at 4 and 12 weeks after
      injection. The efficacy and safety outcomes included Incontinence-Specific
      Quality-of-Life Instrument (I-QoL), voiding volume, urinary incontinence
      episodes, complete dryness, maximum detrusor pressure (P(detmax)) and volume at
      first involuntary detrusor contraction (V(FIDC)). Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) and
      other adverse events were recorded. RESULTS: Ninety-six patients were recruited
      and 91 of them completed the trial. Among the 91 patients, 47 were randomized to
      the experimental group and 44 to the control group. There were no significant
      differences in baseline evaluation items (gender, age, duration of spinal cord
      injury, level of neurological injury, AIS (the American Social Injury
      Association) scores) between the two groups. At 12 weeks, the improvement was
      significantly better in the experimental group compared with that in the control
      group for I-QoL (26.01 vs 18.75, P=0.01), mean urinary incontinence episodes (
      5.22 vs -4.68 per day, P=0.01), complete dryness (13 vs 5, P=0.03), mean voiding
      volume (159.72 vs 139.07 ml, P=0.02), P(detmax) (-33.34 vs -28.02 cmH(2)O,
      P=0.04) and VFIDC (106.81 vs 97.86 ml, P=0.02), duration of first detrusor
      contraction (-41.54 vs -18.65 s, P=0.03) and the number of patients with detrusor
      contraction (-20 vs -9, P=0.02). In both the groups, no patients developed VUR.
      CONCLUSIONS: BTX-A intradetrusor and intratrigonal injections are more effective
      compared with those excluding the trigone for patients with NDO with
      incontinence. Intratrigonal injections do not induce VUR.

PMID- 26261075
TI  - Concerns about falling in wheelchair users with spinal cord injury--validation of
      the Swedish version of the spinal cord injury falls concern scale.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Translation of the Spinal Cord Injury Falls Concern Scale (SCI-FCS);
      validation and investigation of psychometric properties. DESIGN: Translation,
      adaptation and validation study. SUBJECTS/PATIENTS: Eighty-seven wheelchair users
      with chronic SCI attending follow-up at Rehab Station Stockholm/Spinalis, Sweden.
      METHODS: The SCI-FCS was translated to Swedish and culturally adapted according
      to guidelines. Construct validity was examined with the Mann-Whitney U-test, and
      psychometric properties with factor and Rasch analysis. RESULTS: Participants
      generally reported low levels of concerns about falling. Participants with higher
      SCI-FCS scores also reported fear of falling, had been injured for a shorter
      time, reported symptoms of depression, anxiety and fatigue, and were unable to
      get up from the ground independently. Falls with or without injury the previous
      year, age, level of injury, sex and sitting balance did not differentiate the
      level of SCI-FCS score. The median SCI-FCS score was 21 (range 16-64). Cronbachs
      alpha (0.95), factor and Rasch analysis showed similar results of the Swedish as
      of the original version. CONCLUSION: The Swedish SCI-FCS showed high internal
      consistency and similar measurement properties and structure as the original
      version. It showed discriminant ability for fear of falling, time since injury,
      symptoms of depression or anxiety, fatigue and ability to get up from the ground
      but not for age, gender or falls. Persons with shorter time since injury,
      psychological concerns, fatigue and decreased mobility were more concerned about
      falling. In a clinical setting, the SCI-FCS might help identifying issues to
      address to reduce the concerns about falling.

PMID- 26261076
TI  - Role of inflammation in the process of clinical Kashin-Beck disease: latest
      findings and interpretations.
AB  - Kashin-Beck disease (KBD), a particular type of osteoarthritis (OA), and an
      endemic disease with articular cartilage damage and chondrocytes apoptosis, can
      affect many joints, and the most commonly affected joints are the knee, ankle,
      and hand. KBD has traditionally been classified as a non-inflammatory OA.
      However, recent studies have shown that inflammation has played an important role
      in the development of KBD. Nowadays, clinical KBD is not only an endemic disease,
      but also a combined result of many other non-endemic factors, which contains age,
      altered biomechanics, joint trauma and secondary OA. The characteristics of the
      developmental joint failure of advanced KBD, because of the biochemical and
      mechanical processes, are tightly linked with the interaction of joint damage and
      its immune response, as well as the subsequent state of chronic inflammation
      leading to KBD progression. In this review, we focus on the epidemiology,
      pathology, imaging, cytokines and transduction pathways investigating the
      association of inflammation with KBD; meanwhile, a wide range of data will be
      discussed to elicit our current hypotheses considering the role of inflammation
      and immune activation in KBD development. 

PMID- 26261077
TI  - The impact of donor characteristics on the immune cell composition of mixture
      allografts of granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor-mobilized marrow harvests and
      peripheral blood harvests.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The association of donor characteristics with immune cell composition
      in allografts remains poorly understood. In this retrospective study, the effects
      of donor characteristics on immune cell composition in allografts were
      investigated. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The correlations of donor characteristics
      with the immune cell composition in mixture allografts of granulocyte-colony
      stimulating factor-mobilized marrow harvests and peripheral blood harvests of 390
      healthy donors (male, 240; female, 150; median age, 40 years old) were analyzed.
      RESULTS: The median doses of CD3+ T cells, CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, CD3+CD4
      CD8- T cells, and monocytes in mixture allografts were 160.57 * 10(6), 89.29 *
      10(6), 56.16 * 10(6), 10.87 * 10(6), and 137.94 * 10(6)/kg, respectively.
      Multivariate analysis showed that younger donor age was associated with a higher
      dose of CD3+ T cells (p = 0.006), CD3+CD8+ T cells (p < 0.001), CD3+CD4-CD8- T
      cells (p = 0.004), and monocytes (p = 0.014), as well as a higher ratio of
      CD3+CD4-CD8- T cells/CD3+ T cells (p < 0.001) in the mixture allografts. A
      negative association of donor weight with CD3+ T cells (p < 0.001), CD4+ T cells
      (p = 0.002), CD8+ T cells (p < 0.001), and CD3+CD4-CD8- T cells (p = 0.044) was
      observed. The count of peripheral blood lymphocyte pre-peripheral blood apheresis
      was correlated with the yield of CD3+ T cells (p < 0.001) and CD4+ T cells (p =
      0.001). The peripheral blood monocyte count before marrow harvest predicted the
      monocyte dose (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: The results suggested that older and
      overweight donors should not be chosen. The monocyte and lymphocyte counts before
      harvest could predict the yield of immune cells in allografts.

PMID- 26261078
TI  - STAT3 regulated ATR via microRNA-383 to control DNA damage to affect apoptosis in
      A431 cells.
AB  - Skin cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Mounting
      evidence shows that exposure of the skin to solar UV radiation results in
      inflammation, oxidative stress, DNA damage, dysregulation of cellular signaling
      pathways and immunosuppression thereby resulting in skin cancer. Signal
      transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is well known to function as
      an anti-apoptotic factor, especially in numerous malignancies, but the
      relationship between STAT3 activation and DNA damage response in skin cancer is
      still not fully understood. We now report that STAT3 inhibited DNA damage induced
      by UV and STAT3 mediated upregulation of GADD45gamma and MDC-1 and the
      phosphorylation of H2AX in UV induced DNA damage. Notably, STAT3 can increase the
      expression of ATR in A431 cells. Luciferase assay shows that STAT3 activates the
      transcription of ATR promoter. More importantly, microRNA-383 suppressed ATR
      expression by targeting 3' (untranslated regions)UTR of ATR in A431 cells, and
      STAT3 down-regulates the transcription of miR-383 promoter. Thus, these results
      reveal the new insight that ATR is down-regulated by STAT3-regulated microRNA-383
      in A431 cells. Moreover, overexpression of STAT3 enhanced expression of
      antiapoptosis genes BCL-1 and MCL-1, and depletion of STAT3 sensitized A431 cells
      to apoptotic cell death following UV. Collectively, these studies suggest that
      STAT3 may be a potential target for both the prevention and treatment of human
      skin cancer. 

PMID- 26261079
TI  - The yeast cell wall integrity pathway signals from recycling endosomes upon
      elimination of phosphatidylinositol (4,5)-bisphosphate by mammalian
      phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase.
AB  - Phosphatidylinositol (4,5)-bisphosphate [PtdIns(4,5)P(2)] is essential for
      recognition of the plasma membrane inner leaf by protein complexes. We expressed
      mammalian class I phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae to
      eliminate PtdIns(4,5)P(2) by its conversion into PtdIns(3,4,5)P(3), a lipid
      naturally missing in this yeast. This led to loss of actin function and
      endocytosis defects, causing a blockage in polarized secretion. Also, the cell
      wall integrity (CWI) mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway was
      activated, triggering a typical transcriptional response. In the absence of
      PtdIns(4,5)P(2) at the plasma membrane, the Pkc1 protein kinase upstream the CWI
      MAPK module localized to post-Golgi endosomes marked by SNARE Snc1 and Rab
      GTPases Ypt31 and Ypt32. Other components at the head of the pathway, like the
      mechanosensor Wsc1, the GTPase Rho1 and its activator the GDP/GTP exchange factor
      Rom2, co-localized with Pkc1 in these compartments. Chemical inhibition of PI3K
      proved that both CWI activation and Pkc1 relocation to endosomes are reversible.
      These results suggest that the CWI pathway is able to respond to loss of plasma
      membrane identity from recycling endosomes.

PMID- 26261080
TI  - Influence of tidal cycles on the endocrine control of reproductive activity in
      common snook (Centropomus undecimalis).
AB  - The aim of our study was to confirm the role of tidal pattern on the coordination
      of oocyte maturation and spawning in common snook Centropomus undecimalis. To do
      so, we studied oocyte maturation during the spawning season in relation to the
      tidal pattern in both males and females by means of histology and hormonal
      profiling along the pituitary-gonadal axis. Plasma LH levels, as well as
      transcript levels of gonadotropin genes (fshbeta and lhbeta) from the pituitaries
      of sexually mature male and female common snook were analyzed using a
      heterologous ELISA and quantitative RT-PCR, respectively. The fshbeta and lhbeta
      cDNAs were isolated and phylogenetic analysis of the deduced amino acid sequences
      revealed strong identity with other teleosts (75-90%). A strong link was found
      between tide and follicular development irrespective of the time of the day:
      female snook sampled on the rising tide were all found to have oocytes in the
      Secondary Growth Stage whereas females sampled at high tide or on the falling
      tide had oocytes in the later stages of maturation and ovulation. In addition, LH
      plasma and mRNA levels of fshbeta and lhbeta increased during the later stages of
      vitellogenesis peaking at ovulation in females. Plasma estradiol and testosterone
      significantly increased in late vitellogenesis (Secondary Growth Stage) and
      oocyte maturation (Eccentric Germinal Vesicle Step) respectively. Among male
      common snook sampled, no correlation was identified between tide and gonadal
      development. In addition, lhbeta mRNA expression in males peaked at the mid
      germinal epithelium stage as for testosterone and 11-KT in the blood while
      fshbeta expression and plasma LH levels peaked at late germinal epithelium stage.
      This study confirms the role played by tidal cycle on the entrainment of the
      later stages of oogenesis of common snook and provides a better understanding of
      the link between environmental and endocrine control of reproduction in this
      species. 

PMID- 26261081
TI  - Optimization of selenizing conditions for Seleno-Lentinan and its
      characteristics.
AB  - Lentinan was successfully modified with nitric acid-sodium selenite method based
      on L9(3(4)) orthogonal experiments. The optimum selenizing conditions were
      obtained according to selenium conversion rate as follows: Lentinan of 1.0g, pH
      of 4.5, temperature of 70 degrees C and sodium selenite of 1.50g. The antioxidant
      activity assays in vitro (DPPH, reducing power, superoxide radicals and hydroxyl
      radicals) proved that Lentinan had stronger antioxidant activity after
      selenizing. The elevations of serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate
      aminotransferase, as well as the abnormal hepatic architecture, verified that
      oral administration of Seleno-Lentinan (SL2-1) markedly alleviated oxidative
      damage in the liver of mice induced by D-gal. In addition, SL2-1 significantly
      increased total antioxidant capacity, activities and protein expressions of
      catalase and glutathione peroxidase and lowered malondialdehyde levels in serum
      and liver. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis indicated that
      selenium of SL2-1 was mostly existed as the formations of OSeO, SeO and SeOC.
      Scanning electron microscope coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy
      analysis revealed that the surface structure and elemental components of Lentinan
      significantly changed after selenizing. The results are instructive for the
      development of organic selenium-supplement resource. 

PMID- 26261082
TI  - Biochemical characterization of a detergent-stable serine alkaline protease from
      Caldicoprobacter guelmensis.
AB  - Caldicoprobacter guelmensis isolated from the hydrothermal hot spring of Guelma
      (Algeria) produced high amounts of extracellular thermostable serine alkaline
      protease (called SAPCG) (23,000U/mL). The latter was purified by ammonium
      sulphate precipitation, UNO Q-6 FPLC and Zorbex PSM 300 HPLC, and submitted to
      biochemical characterization assays. Matrix assisted laser desorption ionization
      time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/MS) analysis revealed that the
      purified enzyme was a monomer, with a molecular mass of 55,824.19Da. The 19 N
      terminal residue sequence of SAPCG showed high homology with those of microbial
      proteases. The enzyme was completely inhibited by phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride
      (PMSF) and diiodopropyl fluorophosphates (DFP), which suggested its belonging to
      the serine protease family. It showed optimum protease activity at pH 10 and 70
      degrees C with casein as a substrate. The thermoactivity and thermostability of
      SAPCG were enhanced in the presence of 2mM Ca(2+). Its half-life times at 80 and
      90 degrees C were 180 and 60min, respectively. Interestingly, the SAPCG protease
      exhibited significant compatibility with iSiS and Persil, and wash performance
      analysis revealed that it could remove blood-stains effectively. Overall, SAPCG
      displayed a number of attractive properties that make it a promising candidate
      for future applications as an additive in detergent formulations. 

PMID- 26261083
TI  - Expression pattern of aquaporins in patients with primary nephrotic syndrome with
      edema.
AB  - The association between the expression of aquaporins (AQPs) in kidney tissues and
      the occurrence of edema in nephrotic syndrome (NS) remains unclear. The current
      study aimed to investigate this association. A total of 54 patients with primary
      glomerular disease, diagnosed by renal biopsy, were divided into three groups:
      Control, NS without edema and NS with edema. The expression of AQP1, AQP2, AQP3
      and AQP4 in kidney tissues from these patients was assessed using
      immunohistochemistry, and urinary AQP concentrations were quantified by ELISA.
      Comparison of the three groups was conducted using one way analysis of variance,
      independent samples t-test or the Chi-square test. AQP1 was strongly expressed in
      the proximal tubules. The proportion of the AQP1-positive area in kidney tissues
      from patients with NS with edema was significantly reduced, in comparison with
      the other two groups. By contrast, the proportion of the AQP2-positive area in
      the NS with edema group was significantly higher than that of the other two
      groups; significant differences were also observed between the control and NS
      without edema groups for this parameter. Urinary AQP2 concentrations in patients
      with NS (with and without edema) were significantly higher than that of the
      control group, and exhibited a significant positive correlation with kidney
      tissue AQP2 concentrations. The present study demonstrated the abnormal
      expression pattern of AQP1-AQP4 in the kidney tissues of patients with NS,
      providing a basis for an improved understanding of the role of AQP in the
      pathogenesis of NS.

PMID- 26261084
TI  - Use of designer nucleases for targeted gene and genome editing in plants.
AB  - The ability to efficiently inactivate or replace genes in model organisms allowed
      a rapid expansion of our understanding of many of the genetic, biochemical,
      molecular and cellular mechanisms that support life. With the advent of new
      techniques for manipulating genes and genomes that are applicable not only to
      single-celled organisms, but also to more complex organisms such as animals and
      plants, the speed with which scientists and biotechnologists can expand
      fundamental knowledge and apply that knowledge to improvements in medicine,
      industry and agriculture is set to expand in an exponential fashion. At the heart
      of these advancements will be the use of gene editing tools such as zinc finger
      nucleases, modified meganucleases, hybrid DNA/RNA oligonucleotides, TAL effector
      nucleases and modified CRISPR/Cas9. Each of these tools has the ability to
      precisely target one specific DNA sequence within a genome and (except for
      DNA/RNA oligonucleotides) to create a double-stranded DNA break. DNA repair to
      such breaks sometimes leads to gene knockouts or gene replacement by homologous
      recombination if exogenously supplied homologous DNA fragments are made
      available. Genome rearrangements are also possible to engineer. Creation and use
      of such genome rearrangements, gene knockouts and gene replacements by the plant
      science community is gaining significant momentum. To document some of this
      progress and to explore the technology's longer term potential, this review
      highlights present and future uses of designer nucleases to greatly expedite
      research with model plant systems and to engineer genes and genomes in major and
      minor crop species for enhanced food production. 

PMID- 26261085
TI  - Altered cGMP dynamics at the plasma membrane contribute to diarrhea in ulcerative
      colitis.
AB  - Ulcerative colitis (UC) belongs to inflammatory bowel disorders, a group of
      gastrointestinal disorders that can produce serious recurring diarrhea in
      affected patients. The mechanism for UC- and inflammatory bowel disorder
      associated diarrhea is not well understood. The cystic fibrosis transmembrane
      conductance regulator (CFTR) chloride channel plays an important role in fluid
      and water transport across the intestinal mucosa. CFTR channel function is
      regulated in a compartmentalized manner through the formation of CFTR-containing
      macromolecular complexes at the plasma membrane. In this study, we demonstrate
      the involvement of a novel macromolecular signaling pathway that causes diarrhea
      in UC. We found that a nitric oxide-producing enzyme, inducible nitric oxide
      synthase (iNOS), is overexpressed under the plasma membrane and generates
      compartmentalized cGMP in gut epithelia in UC. The scaffolding protein Na(+)/H(+)
      exchanger regulatory factor 2 (NHERF2) bridges iNOS with CFTR, forming CFTR
      NHERF2-iNOS macromolecular complexes that potentiate CFTR channel function via
      the nitric oxide-cGMP pathway under inflammatory conditions both in vitro and in
      vivo. Potential disruption of these complexes in Nherf2(-/-) mice may render them
      more resistant to CFTR-mediated secretory diarrhea than Nherf2(+/+) mice in
      murine colitis models. Our study provides insight into the mechanism of
      pathophysiologic occurrence of diarrhea in UC and suggests that targeting CFTR
      and CFTR-containing macromolecular complexes will ameliorate diarrheal symptoms
      and improve conditions associated with inflammatory bowel disorders. 

PMID- 26261086
TI  - FIZZ1-induced myofibroblast transdifferentiation from adipocytes and its
      potential role in dermal fibrosis and lipoatrophy.
AB  - Subcutaneous lipoatrophy characteristically accompanies dermal fibrosis with de
      novo emergence of myofibroblasts such as in systemic sclerosis or scleroderma.
      Recently dermal adipocytes were shown to have the capacity to differentiate to
      myofibroblasts in an animal model. Transforming growth factor beta can induce
      this phenomenon in vitro; however its in vivo significance is unclear. Because
      found in inflammatory zone 1 (FIZZ1) is an inducer of myofibroblast
      differentiation but an inhibitor of adipocyte differentiation, we investigated
      its potential role in adipocyte transdifferentiation to myofibroblast in dermal
      fibrosis. FIZZ1 caused significant and rapid suppression of the expression of
      fatty acid binding protein 4 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma
      in adipocytes, consistent with dedifferentiation with loss of lipid and Oil Red O
      staining. The suppression was accompanied subsequently with stimulation of alpha
      smooth muscle actin and type I collagen expression, indicative of myofibroblast
      differentiation. In vivo FIZZ1 expression was significantly elevated in the
      murine bleomycin-induced dermal fibrosis model, which was associated with
      significant reduction in adipocyte marker gene expression and subcutaneous
      lipoatrophy. Finally, FIZZ1 knockout mice exhibited significantly reduced
      bleomycin-induced dermal fibrosis with greater preservation of the subcutaneous
      fat than wild-type mice. These findings suggested that the FIZZ1 induction of
      adipocyte transdifferentiation to myofibroblast might be a key pathogenic
      mechanism for the accumulation of myofibroblasts in dermal fibrosis. 

PMID- 26261087
TI  - Deep transcriptome profiling of clinical Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates reveals
      strain and sequence type-specific adaptation.
AB  - Health-care-associated infections by multi-drug-resistant bacteria constitute one
      of the greatest challenges to modern medicine. Bacterial pathogens devise various
      mechanisms to withstand the activity of a wide range of antimicrobial compounds,
      among which the acquisition of carbapenemases is one of the most concerning. In
      Klebsiella pneumoniae, the dissemination of the K. pneumoniae carbapenemase is
      tightly connected to the global spread of certain clonal lineages. Although
      antibiotic resistance is a key driver for the global distribution of epidemic
      high-risk clones, there seem to be other adaptive traits that may explain their
      success. Here, we exploited the power of deep transcriptome profiling (RNA-seq)
      to shed light on the transcriptomic landscape of 37 clinical K. pneumoniae
      isolates of diverse phylogenetic origins. We identified a large set of 3346 genes
      which was expressed in all isolates. While the core-transcriptome profiles varied
      substantially between groups of different sequence types, they were more
      homogenous among isolates of the same sequence type. We furthermore linked the
      detailed information on differentially expressed genes with the clinically
      relevant phenotypes of biofilm formation and bacterial virulence. This allowed
      for the identification of a diminished expression of biofilm-specific genes
      within the low biofilm producing ST258 isolates as a sequence type-specific
      trait. 

PMID- 26261088
TI  - MMP-9/RECK Imbalance: A Mechanism Associated with High-Grade Cervical Lesions and
      Genital Infection by Human Papillomavirus and Chlamydia trachomatis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) are important enzymes in the tumor
      microenvironment associated with progression of cervical intraepithelial
      neoplasia (CIN) toward squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the cervix. However, the
      role of MMPs in the inflammatory process associated with Chlamydia trachomatis
      infection concomitant with the carcinogenic process driven by HPV has not yet
      been addressed. In the present study, we analyzed the state of the MMP-9-RECK
      axis in cervical carcinogenesis. METHODS: The levels of MMP-9 and RECK expression
      were analyzed by immunocytochemistry in liquid-based cytology samples from 136
      women with high-grade cervical lesions (CIN2/CIN3) and cervical SCC diagnosed by
      LLETZ, and in 196 women without cervical neoplasia or CIN1. Real-time qPCR was
      performed to analyze expression of MMP-9 and RECK in 15 cervical samples. The
      presence of HPV-DNA and other genital pathogens was evaluated by PCR. RESULTS: We
      found a higher expression of MMP-9 [OR, 4.2; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.2
      7.8] and lower expression of RECK (OR, 0.4; 95% CI, 0.2-0.7) in women with
      CIN2/CIN3/SCC when compared with women from the control group (no
      neoplasia/CIN1). A statistically significant association was also found between
      MMP-9/RECK imbalance and infection by alpha-9 HPV and C. trachomatis. The
      prevalence of C. trachomatis infection was significantly higher in women with
      high-grade cervical disease (OR, 3.7; 95% CI, 1.3-11.3). CONCLUSIONS: MMP-9/RECK
      imbalance in cervical smears is significantly associated with high-grade cervical
      diseases and infection by alpha-9 HPV and C. trachomatis. IMPACT: MMP-9/RECK
      imbalance during cervical inflammation induced by C. trachomatis might play a
      role in HPV-mediated cervical carcinogenesis.

PMID- 26261089
TI  - Enhanced thermal properties of novel shape-stabilized PEG composite phase change
      materials with radial mesoporous silica sphere for thermal energy storage.
AB  - Radial mesoporous silica (RMS) sphere was tailor-made for further applications in
      producing shape-stabilized composite phase change materials (ss-CPCMs) through a
      facile self-assembly process using CTAB as the main template and TEOS as SiO2
      precursor. Novel ss-CPCMs composed of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and RMS were
      prepared through vacuum impregnating method. Various techniques were employed to
      characterize the structural and thermal properties of the ss-CPCMs. The DSC
      results indicated that the PEG/RMS ss-CPCM was a promising candidate for building
      thermal energy storage applications due to its large latent heat, suitable phase
      change temperature, good thermal reliability, as well as the excellent chemical
      compatibility and thermal stability. Importantly, the possible formation
      mechanisms of both RMS sphere and PEG/RMS composite have also been proposed. The
      results also indicated that the properties of the PEG/RMS ss-CPCMs are influenced
      by the adsorption limitation of the PEG molecule from RMS sphere with mesoporous
      structure and the effect of RMS, as the impurities, on the perfect
      crystallization of PEG. 

PMID- 26261091
TI  - Painful exostosis of the external occipital protuberance.

PMID- 26261090
TI  - A glycomic approach reveals a new mycobacterial polysaccharide.
AB  - Mycobacterium tuberculosis lipoarabinomannan (LAM) and biosynthetically related
      lipoglycans and glycans play an important role in host-pathogen interactions.
      Therefore, the elucidation of the complete biosynthetic pathways of these
      important molecules is expected to afford novel therapeutic targets. The
      characterization of biosynthetic enzymes and transporters involved in the
      formation and localization of these complex macromolecules in the bacterial cell
      envelope largely relies on genetic manipulation of mycobacteria and subsequent
      analyses of lipoglycan structural alterations. However, lipoglycans are present
      in relatively low amounts. Their purification to homogeneity remains tedious and
      time-consuming. To overcome these issues and to reduce the biomass and time
      required for lipoglycan purification, we report here the development of a
      methodology to efficiently purify lipoglycans by sodium deoxycholate
      polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. This faster purification method can be
      applied on a small amount of mycobacterial cells biomass (10-50 mg), resulting in
      tens of micrograms of purified lipoglycans. This amount of purified products was
      found to be sufficient to undertake structural analyses of lipoglycans and
      glycans carbohydrate domains by a combination of highly sensitive analytical
      procedures, involving cryoprobe NMR analysis of intact macromolecules and
      chemical degradations monitored by gas chromatography and capillary
      electrophoresis. This glycomic approach was successfully applied to the
      purification and structural characterization of a newly identified
      polysaccharide, structurally related to LAM, in the model fast-growing species
      Mycobacterium smegmatis. 

PMID- 26261092
TI  - Necessity of latency period in craniofacial distraction: Investigations with in
      vitro microdistractor and clinical outcomes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To determine the need for latency period in membranous bone
      distraction, we performed 1) in vitro comparison of preosteoblasts suspended in a
      3D microdistraction model and 2) a clinical study comparing mandibular
      distraction cases with/without latency. METHODS: In the In Vitro study,
      Preosteoblasts polymerized in 3D-collagen gel were placed in a microdistractor
      and separated into three groups: 1) distraction with latency, 2) distraction
      without latency, and 3) static. After 2, 4, 6, and 8 days, cell proliferation,
      total protein levels, alkaline phosphatase activity, and osteogenic gene
      expression were assessed through RT-PCR. In the clinical study, patients
      underwent mandibular distraction in two groups: 1) latency and 2) no latency (n =
      45). The rest of the distraction protocol was identical. Outcome was based on
      clinical examination, radiographs at six months, and 3D CT scans. RESULTS: In the
      In Vitro study, The distraction without latency group compared to the latency
      group had delays in: proliferation, total protein count, alkaline phosphatase
      activity, osteogenic gene expression in CBFA-1 (fourfold vs. eighteenfold), and
      in osteocalcin (twofold vs. sixfold). The distraction without latency group had
      higher apoptotic levels during the first four days compared to the latency group
      (68% vs. 14%). For the clinical study, similar perioperative complications (5%
      vs. 6%), X-ray mineralization (93% vs. 94%), bone volume, (8.6 vs. 9.1 cc) and
      bone density of central distraction zone (78% vs. 81%) were observed with or
      without latency. CONCLUSIONS: In vitro studies showed poorer results in cell
      survival, proliferation and osteogenic activity compared to distraction with
      latency; yet, clinically, there were no differences in distraction with latency
      versus without.

PMID- 26261093
TI  - The nomenclature of groin dissection for melanoma - Time to simplify.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: A wide variety of terms are used to describe different extents of
      groin dissection for stage 3 melanoma which may result in confusion and reduce
      effectiveness of research. We aim to evaluate the published terminology. METHODS:
      A PubMed review was conducted using the terms 'melanoma' plus 'inguinal';
      'groin'; 'pelvic'; 'ilioinguinal' dissection. 63 papers were included from 1956
      to March 2015. A review of anatomy and coding was also conducted. RESULTS:
      Inguinal dissection was described using 8 terms from 56 papers with 7 papers
      using multiple terms for the same procedure. 'Superficial dissection' was the
      most common term despite inguinal-nodal tissue being separated into superficial
      and deep layers anatomically. ICD10PCS and OPSC code for 'inguinal' with no
      anatomical definition, CPT codes for 'inguinofemoral/superficial'. Combination
      inguino-pelvic dissection was described using 11 terms from 51 papers with 15
      papers using multiple terms for the same procedure. 'Ilioinguinal' and 'Deep'
      were the most common despite most pelvic dissections including obturator nodes.
      ICD10PCS and OPSC code for 'pelvic' with no anatomical definition and CPT codes
      for 'superficial plus pelvic'. CONCLUSION: Many different terms are used to
      describe the same procedures, often within the same article. The lack of clarity
      can confuse readers, hinder comparative research and jeopardise patient care.
      Imprecise documentation of anatomical definition limits surgical outcome
      reporting and can impede planning for revision surgery. Standardisation is
      necessary and groin dissection should be defined by anatomical boundaries e.g.
      'superficial' and 'deep' inguinal; 'pelvic'; 'inguino-pelvic' with clear
      documentation of extent.

PMID- 26261094
TI  - Multiplane hyaluronic acid (EME) in female Chinese rhinoplasty using blunt and
      sharp needle technique.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hyaluronic acid has been widely used for nonsurgical rhinoplasty.
      Little literature focuses on Chinese women of the Han nationality, who have a
      characteristic flattened facial contour. Projection of the nose, including the
      nasal dorsum, nasal tip, and columella, plays an important role in achieving an
      attractive face. AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the application of
      multiplane hyaluronic acid in rhinoplasty using blunt and sharp needle technique.
      METHOD: From June 2011 to February 2014, 280 cases of nonsurgical rhinoplasty by
      hyaluronic acid were applied; 1-9 months follow-up showed satisfactory
      appearance. RESULT: Postoperative results showed no complications, such as
      infection or flap necrosis. CONCLUSION: For esthetic and safety considerations,
      we suggest multiple plane injections using blunt combined with sharp needle
      filling techniques.

PMID- 26261095
TI  - Performance of a Culturally Tailored Cognitive-Behavioral Intervention Integrated
      in a Public Health Setting to Reduce Risk of Antepartum Depression: A Randomized
      Controlled Trial.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Cognitive-behavioral group interventions have been shown to improve
      depressive symptoms in adult populations. This article details the feasibility
      and efficacy of a 6-week, culturally tailored, cognitive-behavioral intervention
      offered to rural, minority, low-income women at risk for antepartum depression.
      METHODS: A total of 146 pregnant women were stratified by high risk for
      antepartum depression (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale [EPDS] score of 10 or
      higher) or by low-moderate risk (EPDS score of 4-9) and randomized to a cognitive
      behavioral intervention or treatment as usual. Differences in mean change of EPDS
      and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)-II scores for low-moderate and high-risk
      women in the cognitive-behavioral intervention and treatment as usual for the
      full sample were assessed from baseline (T1), posttreatment (T2), and one-month
      follow-up (T3), and for African American women in the subsample. RESULTS: Both
      the cognitive-behavioral intervention and treatment-as-usual groups had
      significant reductions in the EPDS scores from T1 to T2 and T1 to T3. In women at
      high risk for depression (n = 62), there was no significant treatment effect from
      T1 to T2 or T3 for the EPDS. However, in low-moderate risk women, there was a
      significantly greater mean change in the BDI-II scores from significant decrease
      in the BDI-II scores from T1 to T2 (4.92 vs 0.59, P = .018) and T1 to T3 (5.67 vs
      1.51, P = .04). Also, the cognitive-behavioral intervention significantly reduced
      EPDS scores for African American women at high risk (n = 43) from T1 to T2 (5.59
      vs 2.18, P = .02) and from T1 to T3 (6.32 vs 3.14, P = .04). DISCUSSION: A
      cognitive-behavioral intervention integrated within prenatal clinics is feasible
      in this sample, although attrition rates were high. Compared to treatment as
      usual, the cognitive-behavioral intervention reduced depressive symptoms for
      African American women at high risk for antepartum depression and for the full
      sample of women at low-moderate risk for antepartum depression. These promising
      findings need to be replicated in a larger controlled clinical trial that
      incorporates methods to maintain greater participant engagement.

PMID- 26261096
TI  - Differential temporal effects of sclerostin antibody and parathyroid hormone on
      cancellous and cortical bone and quantitative differences in effects on the
      osteoblast lineage in young intact rats.
AB  - Sclerostin antibody (Scl-Ab) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) are bone-forming
      agents that have different modes of action on bone, although a study directly
      comparing their effects has not been conducted. The present study investigated
      the comparative quantitative effects of these two bone-forming agents over time
      on bone at the organ, tissue, and cellular level; specifically, at the level of
      the osteoblast (Ob) lineage in adolescent male and female rats. Briefly, eight
      week old male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were administered either vehicle,
      Scl-Ab (3 or 50mg/kg/week subcutaneously), or human PTH (1-34) (75 MUg/kg/day
      subcutaneously) for 4 or 26 weeks. The 50mg/kg Scl-Ab and the PTH dose were those
      used in the respective rat lifetime pharmacology studies. Using robust
      stereological methods, we compared the effects of these agents specifically at
      the level of the Ob lineage in vertebrae from female rats. Using RUNX2 or nestin
      immunostaining, location, and morphology, the total number of osteoprogenitor
      subpopulations, Ob, and lining cells were estimated using the fractionator or
      proportionator estimators. Density estimates were also calculated referent to
      total bone surface, total Ob surface, or total marrow volume. Scl-Ab generally
      effected greater increases in cancellous and cortical bone mass than PTH,
      correlating with higher bone formation rates (BFR) at 4 weeks in the spine and
      mid-femur without corresponding increases in bone resorption indices. The
      increases in vertebral BFR/BS at 4 weeks attenuated with continued treatment to a
      greater extent with Scl-Ab than with PTH. At 4 weeks, both Scl-Ab and PTH
      effected equivalent increases in total Ob number (Ob.N). Ob density on the
      formative surfaces (Ob.N/Ob.S) remained similar across groups while mineral
      apposition rate (MAR) was significantly higher with Scl-Ab at week 4, reflecting
      an increase in individual Ob vigor relative to vehicle and PTH. After 26 weeks,
      Scl-Ab maintained BFR/BS with fewer Ob and lower Ob.N/Ob.S by increasing the Ob
      footprint (bone surface area occupied by an Ob) and increasing MAR, compared with
      PTH. The lower Ob.N and Ob.N/Ob.S with Scl-Ab at 26 weeks were associated with
      decreased osteoprogenitor numbers compared with both vehicle and PTH, an effect
      not evident at week 4. Osteoprogenitor numbers were generally positively
      correlated with Ob.N across groups and timepoints, suggesting dynamic
      coordination between the progenitor and Ob populations. The time-dependent
      reductions in subpopulations of the Ob lineage with Scl-Ab may be integral to the
      greater attenuation or self-regulation of bone formation observed at the
      vertebra, as PTH required more Ob at the formative site with correlative
      increased numbers of progenitors compared with Scl-Ab indicating potentially
      greater stimulus for progenitor pool proliferation or differentiation.

PMID- 26261097
TI  - Automatic classification of apnea/hypopnea events through sleep/wake states and
      severity of SDB from a pulse oximeter.
AB  - This study proposes a method of automatically classifying sleep apnea/hypopnea
      events based on sleep states and the severity of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB)
      using photoplethysmogram (PPG) and oxygen saturation (SpO2) signals acquired from
      a pulse oximeter. The PPG was used to classify sleep state, while the severity of
      SDB was estimated by detecting events of SpO2 oxygen desaturation. Furthermore,
      we classified sleep apnea/hypopnea events by applying different categorisations
      according to the severity of SDB based on a support vector machine. The
      classification results showed sensitivity performances and positivity predictive
      values of 74.2% and 87.5% for apnea, 87.5% and 63.4% for hypopnea, and 92.4% and
      92.8% for apnea + hypopnea, respectively. These results represent better or
      comparable outcomes compared to those of previous studies. In addition, our
      classification method reliably detected sleep apnea/hypopnea events in all
      patient groups without bias in particular patient groups when our algorithm was
      applied to a variety of patient groups. Therefore, this method has the potential
      to diagnose SDB more reliably and conveniently using a pulse oximeter. 

PMID- 26261099
TI  - Does the technique employed for skin temperature assessment alter outcomes? A
      systematic review.
AB  - Skin temperature is an important physiological measure that can reflect the
      presence of illness and injury as well as provide insight into the localised
      interactions between the body and the environment. The aim of this systematic
      review was to analyse the agreement between conductive and infrared means of
      assessing skin temperature which are commonly employed in in clinical,
      occupational, sports medicine, public health and research settings.Full-text
      eligibility was determined independently by two reviewers. Studies meeting the
      following criteria were included in the review: (1) the literature was written in
      English, (2) participants were human (in vivo), (3) skin surface temperature was
      assessed at the same site, (4) with at least two commercially available devices
      employed-one conductive and one infrared-and (5) had skin temperature data
      reported in the study.A computerised search of four electronic databases, using a
      combination of 21 keywords, and citation tracking was performed in January 2015.
      A total of 8,602 were returned.Methodology quality was assessed by two authors
      independently, using the Cochrane risk of bias tool.A total of 16 articles (n =
      245) met the inclusion criteria.Devices are classified to be in agreement if they
      met the clinically meaningful recommendations of mean differences within  +/-0.5 
      degrees C and limits of agreement of  +/-1.0  degrees C.Twelve of the included
      studies found mean differences greater than  +/-0.5  degrees C between conductive
      and infrared devices. In the presence of external stimulus (e.g. exercise and/or
      heat) five studies found exacerbated measurement differences between conductive
      and infrared devices.This is the first review that has attempted to investigate
      presence of any systemic bias between infrared and conductive measures by
      collectively evaluating the current evidence base. There was also a consistently
      high risk of bias across the studies, in terms of sample size, random sequence
      generation, allocation concealment, blinding and incomplete outcome data.This
      systematic review questions the suitability of using infrared cameras in stable,
      resting, laboratory conditions. Furthermore, both infrared cameras and
      thermometers in the presence of sweat and environmental heat demonstrate poor
      agreement when compared to conductive devices. These findings have implications
      for clinical, occupational, public health, sports science and research fields. 

PMID- 26261098
TI  - Fluorogenic Assay for Inhibitors of HIV-1 Protease with Sub-picomolar Affinity.
AB  - A fluorogenic substrate for HIV-1 protease was designed and used as the basis for
      a hypersensitive assay. The substrate exhibits a kcat of 7.4 s(-1), KM of 15 MUM,
      and an increase in fluorescence intensity of 104-fold upon cleavage, thus
      providing sensitivity that is unmatched in a continuous assay of HIV-1 protease.
      These properties enabled the enzyme concentration in an activity assay to be
      reduced to 25 pM, which is close to the Kd value of the protease dimer. By
      fitting inhibition data to Morrison's equation, Ki values of amprenavir,
      darunavir, and tipranavir were determined to be 135, 10, and 82 pM, respectively.
      This assay, which is capable of measuring Ki values as low as 0.25 pM, is well
      suited for characterizing the next generation of HIV-1 protease inhibitors. 

PMID- 26261100
TI  - Low-Grade, Nonintestinal Nonsalivary Sinonasal Adenocarcinoma Associated With an
      Exophytic Schneiderian Papilloma: A Case Report.
AB  - Sinonasal adenocarcinoma is a rare tumor of the head and neck accounting for 10%
      to 20% of all primary malignancies of the nose and paranasal sinuses. There
      tumors are classified as salivary, intestinal and nonintestinal, nonsalivary. Low
      grade nonintestinal nonsalivary are rare tumors whose diagnosis is essentially
      that of exclusion. Here we present the first case of one such tumor associated
      with an exophyic Schneiderian papilloma. A 71-year-old retired aerospace engineer
      presented with a 1-year history of severe nasal obstruction. Endoscopy and
      compted tomography imaging demonstrated a polypoid lesion occupying his entire
      right nasal cavity extending into and filling the nasopharynx. Biopsy suggested
      adenocarcinoma, at least in situ and the patient subsequently underwent complete
      resection. Pathologic evaluation demonstrated polypoid tumor consistent with a
      low-grade papillary adenocarcinoma with micropapillary architecture associated
      with a small amount of residual exophytic Schneiderian papilloma.
      Immunohistochemistry revealed diffuse expression of CK7, CK 5/6, and S100 protein
      in tumor cells. Expression of p63 was seen in basal cells only. Tumor cells did
      not show expression of CK20, CDX2 (intestinal markers), mammaglobin, GATA3
      (salivary markers), PAX8, WT1, nor estrogen, progesterone, or androgen receptors
      confirming its nonintestinal nonsalivary differentiation. 

PMID- 26261101
TI  - Mucosal CD30-Positive T-Cell Lymphoproliferative Disorder Arising in the Oral
      Cavity Following Dental Implants: Report of the First Case.
AB  - Mucosal CD30-positive T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder (CD30+ T-cell LPD) is a
      novel entity with unique clinicopathological features and an indolent behavior.
      Here we report the first case of mucosal CD30+ T-cell LPD arising in the oral
      cavity following dental implant. A 70-year-old woman presented with swelling and
      redness of the oral mucosa of right maxilla and left mandible surrounding dental
      implants that had been placed 8 years previously. Radiological examination
      revealed enhancing oral lesions and multiple cervical lymph nodes. Microscopic
      examination showed diffuse infiltration of large anaplastic cells with
      characteristic morphology of hallmark cells described in anaplastic large cell
      lymphoma. These cells were diffusely positive for CD30, CD3, CD4, CD2, CD5, CD7,
      TIA-1, and TCRbetaF1, but negative for CD20, CD8, CD45, EMA, ALK, and Epstein
      Barr virus. T-cell monoclonality was detected in a TCRgamma gene rearrangement
      study. This a unique case of mucosal CD30+ T-cell LPD with unusual presentation
      following dental implant. 

PMID- 26261102
TI  - Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinomas of the Lower Extremities Show Distinct
      Clinical and Pathologic Features.
AB  - Cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas mainly affect older, predominantly male
      patients. Most are due to chronic ultraviolet exposure, and associated with
      actinic keratoses. On the lower extremities, they occur more commonly in women.
      However, data on these tumors as a distinct group are scarce. We evaluated 61
      squamous cell carcinomas of the lower extremities. Overall, 69% of patients were
      female. Mean age was 75 years. More than 90% of tumors were well differentiated,
      3% showed perineural invasion, and none lymphovascular invasion. In all, 63.9%
      showed evidence of severe chronic sun damage. Associated actinic keratoses were
      identified in only 13% of cases. By contrast, 80% were associated with
      distinctive basal epidermal proliferations with a retiform growth pattern. These
      proliferations were evaluated immunohistochemically for keratinocyte stem cell
      markers, p53 and Notch1 in 15 cases. All cases were positive for cytokeratin 14,
      p53, and Notch1 (with variable intensity in the latter 2), and predominantly
      negative for cytokeratin 19. Interestingly, basal retiform proliferations were
      positive for cytokeratin 15 in 66% of cases. Fifteen head and neck squamous cell
      carcinomas were evaluated in comparison. Those lacked associated basal retiform
      proliferations except in 1 case. In contrast, 87% were associated with actinic
      keratoses and 100% with severe chronic sun damage. Actinic keratoses associated
      with head and neck tumors showed cytokeratin 15 staining only in 7% of cases (P =
      .003 compared with cytokeratin 15 in basal retiform proliferations associated
      with leg carcinomas). These findings support the hypothesis that lower extremity
      squamous cell carcinomas are distinct and may exhibit a pathogenesis less reliant
      on actinic damage. 

PMID- 26261104
TI  - Efficacy and Biological Activity of Imatinib in Metastatic Dermatofibrosarcoma
      Protuberans (DFSP).
AB  - PURPOSE: To report on imatinib mesylate (IM) in patients with metastatic
      dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP)/fibrosarcomatous (FS)-DFSP and on the
      impact of the treatment on tumor biology. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Ten consecutive
      patients treated with IM from 2007 to 2015 for a metastatic relapse from DFSP/FS
      DFSP were identified. FISH analysis for COL1A1-PDGFB was performed. Two IM
      treated and 4 naive FS-DFSP were transcriptionally profiled by RNAseq on HiScanSQ
      platform. Differential gene expression was analyzed with edgeR (Bioconductor),
      followed by hierarchical clustering and Principal Component Analysis. RESULTS:
      All cases featured fibrosarcomatous in the metastasis and retained the COL1A1
      PDGFB. Best RECIST response was: 8 partial response, 1 stable disease, and 1
      progressive disease. Median progression-free survival was 11 months. Five
      patients received surgery after IM and all relapsed. IM was restored in 4
      patients with a new response. After IM, the most upregulated genes included those
      encoding for immunoglobulins and those affecting functions and differentiation of
      endothelial cells. Pathway enrichment analysis revealed upregulation in genes
      involved in antigen processing and presentation, natural killer-mediated
      cytotoxicity, and drug and xenobiotics metabolism. Conversely, a significant down
      regulation of kinase signaling pathways was detected. CONCLUSIONS: All metastatic
      cases were fibrosarcomatous. Most patients responded to IM, but PFS was shorter
      than reported in published series which included both DFSP and FS-DFSP. All
      patients operated after IM had a relapse, suggesting that IM cannot eradicate
      metastatic cases and that the role of surgery is limited. Transcriptional profile
      of naive and posttreatment samples pointed the contribution of immune infiltrates
      in sustaining the response to IM.

PMID- 26261103
TI  - ESR1 Mutations in Circulating Plasma Tumor DNA from Metastatic Breast Cancer
      Patients.
AB  - PURPOSE: Mutations in the estrogen receptor (ER)alpha gene, ESR1, have been
      identified in breast cancer metastases after progression on endocrine therapies.
      Because of limitations of metastatic biopsies, the reported frequency of ESR1
      mutations may be underestimated. Here, we show a high frequency of ESR1 mutations
      using circulating plasma tumor DNA (ptDNA) from patients with metastatic breast
      cancer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We retrospectively obtained plasma samples from
      eight patients with known ESR1 mutations and three patients with wild-type ESR1
      identified by next-generation sequencing (NGS) of biopsied metastatic tissues.
      Three common ESR1 mutations were queried for using droplet digital PCR (ddPCR).
      In a prospective cohort, metastatic tissue and plasma were collected
      contemporaneously from eight ER-positive and four ER-negative patients. Tissue
      biopsies were sequenced by NGS, and ptDNA ESR1 mutations were analyzed by ddPCR.
      RESULTS: In the retrospective cohort, all corresponding mutations were detected
      in ptDNA, with two patients harboring additional ESR1 mutations not present in
      their metastatic tissues. In the prospective cohort, three ER-positive patients
      did not have adequate tissue for NGS, and no ESR1 mutations were identified in
      tissue biopsies from the other nine patients. In contrast, ddPCR detected seven
      ptDNA ESR1 mutations in 6 of 12 patients (50%). CONCLUSIONS: We show that ESR1
      mutations can occur at a high frequency and suggest that blood can be used to
      identify additional mutations not found by sequencing of a single metastatic
      lesion.

PMID- 26261105
TI  - User experience with a health insurance coverage and benefit-package access:
      implications for policy implementation towards expansion in Nigeria.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Developing countries are devising strategies and mechanisms to expand
      coverage and benefit-package access for their citizens through national health
      insurance schemes (NHIS). In Nigeria, the scheme aims to provide affordable
      healthcare services to insured-persons and their dependants. However, inclusion
      of dependants is restricted to four biological children and a spouse per user.
      This study assesses the progress of implementation of the NHIS in Nigeria,
      relating to coverage and benefit-package access, and examines individual factors
      associated with the implementation, according to users' perspectives. METHODS: A
      retrospective, cross-sectional survey was done between October 2010 and March
      2011 in Kaduna state and 796 users were randomly interviewed. Questions regarding
      coverage of immediate-family members and access to benefit-package for treatment
      were analysed. Indicators of coverage and benefit-package access were each
      further aggregated and assessed by unit-weighted composite. The additive-ordinary
      least square regression model was used to identify user factors that may
      influence coverage and benefit-package access. RESULTS: With respect to coverage,
      immediate-dependants were included for 62.3% of the users, and 49.6 rated this
      inclusion 'good' (49.6%). In contrast, 60.2% supported the abolishment of the
      policy restriction for non-inclusion of enrolees' additional children and
      spouses. With respect to benefit-package access, 82.7% of users had received full
      treatments, and 77.6% of them rated this as 'good'. Also, 14.4% of users had been
      refused treatments because they could not afford them. The coverage of immediate
      dependants was associated with age, sex, educational status, children and
      enrolment duration. The benefit-package access was associated with types of
      providers, marital status and duration of enrolment. CONCLUSION: This study
      revealed that coverage of family members was relatively poor, while benefit
      package access was more adequate. Non-inclusion of family members could hinder
      effective coverage by the scheme. Potential policy implications towards effective
      coverage and benefit-package access are discussed.

PMID- 26261107
TI  - Expected surgical competencies of an Indian medical graduate: a gap analysis
      using a cross-sectional survey.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In 2010, the Medical Council of India published the Vision 2015
      document, which sought to create an 'Indian Medical Graduate' as a 'physician of
      first contact of the community while being globally relevant'. This vision for
      undergraduate medical education is proposed to be realised through a competency
      based curriculum. We conducted a gap analysis using a cross-sectional survey to
      document surgeons' perceptions regarding competencies identified in surgery.
      METHODS: Eight competencies specific to surgery are proposed, which formed the
      basis for the study. We defined sub-competencies for each of these and developed
      a questionnaire containing ratings of importance and ability for the sub
      competencies from low to very high on a 4-point Likert scale. The questionnaire
      was administered to 450 surgeons attending a state-level annual conference in
      surgery asking them to provide the importance ratings and their own ability on
      those (sub) competencies when they graduated. The importance and ability ratings
      were ranked and a gap analysis was done. RESULTS: The study response rate was
      69.8%. While most competencies were perceived by the surgeons as being highly
      important, their self-ratings revealed a statistically significant gap between
      importance and ability when they graduated. They also rated themselves as being
      more competent on some than on others. Some competencies were high on importance
      as well as on ability, while others were high on importance but low on ability,
      revealing a gap. A low importance-high ability relationship was seen for a few
      competencies. Competencies related to emergency and trauma care and communication
      had the largest gaps. DISCUSSION: The gaps identified in surgical competencies
      for graduating physicians are specific and have implications for the competency
      based curriculum and implementation in terms of teaching, assessment and faculty
      development. It also has implications for seamless transition between
      undergraduate and postgraduate competencies, as all of these are prerequisites at
      the start of a surgical residency.

PMID- 26261108
TI  - Research in surgery and anesthesia: challenges for post-graduate trainees in
      Uganda.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Research is critical to the training and practice of surgery and
      anesthesia in all settings, regardless of available resources. Unfortunately, the
      output of surgical and perioperative research from Africa is low. Makerere
      University College of Health Sciences' (MakCHS) surgical and anesthesia trainees
      are required to conduct research, though few publish findings or go on to pursue
      careers that incorporate research. We believe that early career experiences with
      research may greatly influence physicians' future conduct and utilization of
      research. We therefore sought to analyze trainee experiences and perceptions of
      research to identify interventions that could increase production of high
      quality, locally led, surgical disease research in our resource-constrained
      setting. METHODS: Following ethical approval, a descriptive, cross-sectional
      survey was conducted among anesthesia and surgery trainees using a pretested,
      self-administered questionnaire. Data were tabulated and frequency tables
      generated. RESULTS: Of the 43 eligible trainees, 33 (77%) responded. Ninety-four
      percent identify research as important to career development, and 85% intend to
      publish their dissertations. The research dissertation is considered a financial
      burden by 64%. Also, 49% reported that their departments place low value on their
      research, and few of the findings are utilized. Trainees report that lack of
      protected research time, difficulty in finding research topics, and inadequate
      mentorship are the main challenges to conducting research projects. DISCUSSION:
      Our anesthesia and surgery trainees spend considerable resources on research
      endeavors. Most have significant interest in incorporating research into their
      careers, and most intend to publish their work in peer-reviewed journals. Here we
      identify several challenges facing trainees including research project
      development, financing and mentorship. We hope to use these results to improve
      support in these areas for our trainees and those in other resource-limited
      areas.

PMID- 26261109
TI  - Small group learning: effect on item analysis and accuracy of self-assessment of
      medical students.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Small group sessions are regarded as a more active and student
      centered approach to learning. Item analysis provides objective evidence of
      whether such sessions improve comprehension and make the topic easier for
      students, in addition to assessing the relative benefit of the sessions to good
      versus poor performers. Self-assessment makes students aware of their
      deficiencies. Small group sessions can also help students develop the ability to
      self-assess. This study was carried out to assess the effect of small group
      sessions on item analysis and students' self-assessment. METHODS: A total of 21
      female and 29 male first year medical students participated in a small group
      session on topics covered by didactic lectures two weeks earlier. It was preceded
      and followed by two multiple choice question (MCQ) tests, in which students were
      asked to self-assess their likely score. The MCQs used were item analyzed in a
      previous group and were chosen of matching difficulty and discriminatory indices
      for the pre- and post-tests. RESULTS: The small group session improved the marks
      of both genders equally, but female performance was better. The session made the
      items easier; increasing the difficulty index significantly but there was no
      significant alteration in the discriminatory index. There was overestimation in
      the self-assessment of both genders, but male overestimation was greater. The
      session improved the self-assessment of students in terms of expected marks and
      expectation of passing. DISCUSSION: Small group session improved the ability of
      students to self-assess their knowledge and increased the difficulty index of
      items reflecting students' better performance.

PMID- 26261110
TI  - The operating theatre as classroom: a qualitative study of learning and teaching
      surgical competencies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There has been a worldwide movement toward competency-based medical
      education and training. However, this is the first qualitative study to analyze
      the perceptions of surgical trainees and surgeons toward competency-based
      education in the operating theatre. We aim to examine views toward the specific
      learning and teaching of the nine competencies of the Royal Australasian College
      of Surgeons (RACS) and to explore perceived ideal conditions and challenges for
      learning and teaching these competencies in the operating theatre. METHODS:
      Individual semi-structured interviews with surgical trainees and surgeons in the
      specialty of General Surgery. Ten surgical trainees and surgeons who worked
      together were purposively sampled, for maximum variation, from an outer
      metropolitan public hospital in Melbourne, Australia, to identify emergent themes
      relating to learning and teaching surgical competencies in the operating theatre.
      RESULTS: Five themes were identified as: (1) Learning and teaching specific
      surgical competencies is through relationship based mentoring and experiential
      learning; (2) Ideal conditions and challenges in the operating theatre are
      availability of time and personal attitude; (3) Level of pre-operative briefing
      was variable; (4) Intra-operative teaching is perceived as structured; and, (5)
      Post-operative debriefing is recognized as ideal but not consistently performed.
      DISCUSSION: Professional relationships are important to both surgical trainees
      and surgeons in the process of learning and teaching competencies. Ad hoc
      apprenticeship style learning is perceived to remain prominent in the operating
      theatre. Sufficient time for training is valued by both groups. The surgical
      competencies are inherently different to each other. Some appear more difficult
      to learn and teach in the operating theatre, with technical expertise most
      readily identified and health advocacy least so. Elements of guided discovery
      learning and other educational models are described. Further emphasis on
      structured competency-based teaching methods may be beneficial for surgical
      trainees, surgeons and other specialties, both in Australia and worldwide.

PMID- 26261111
TI  - Comparison of resident performance in interpreting mammography results using a
      probabilistic or a natural frequency presentation: a multi-institutional
      randomized experimental study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Residents are being increasingly challenged on how best to integrate
      diagnostic information in making decisions about patient care. The aim of this
      study is to assess the ability of residents to accurately integrate statistical
      data from a screening mammography test in order to estimate breast cancer
      probability and to investigate whether a simple alteration of the representation
      mode of probabilities into natural frequencies facilitates these computations.
      METHODS: A multi-institutional randomized controlled study of residents was
      performed in eight major hospitals in the city of Athens. Residents were asked to
      estimate the positive predictive value of the screening mammography test given
      its sensitivity and 1-specificity as well as the prevalence of breast cancer in
      the relevant population. One version of the scenario was presented in the single
      event probability format that is commonly used in the medical literature, while
      the other used the natural frequency representation. The two questionnaire
      versions were randomly assigned to the participants. RESULTS: Out of 200
      residents, 153 completed and returned the questionnaire (response rate 76.5%).
      Although more than one-third of the residents reported excellent or close to
      excellent familiarity with sensitivity and positive predictive value, the
      majority of responses (79.1%) were incorrect. However, a significantly higher
      proportion of residents in the natural frequency group (n = 88) selected the
      correct response compared with residents (n = 65) in the single-event probability
      group (28.4% vs 10.8%; 95% confidence intervals of the difference between the two
      proportions = 5.6-29.7%; P < 0.01). DISCUSSION: Residents more often correctly
      understand test performance accuracy when test characteristics are presented to
      them as natural frequency representations than the more common approach of
      presenting single event probabilities. Educators and journal editors should be
      aware of this facilitative effect.

PMID- 26261112
TI  - Translation and validation of patient-practitioner orientation scale in Sri
      Lanka.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Practice of family medicine and patient centeredness does not get the
      deserved attention in clinical practice and teaching in Sri Lanka. Non
      availability of tools for assessment of patient centeredness deters the process
      of curricular development and research. The Patient-Practitioner Orientation
      Scale (PPOS) is a self-administered tool that assesses patient-centeredness in
      both health care professionals and patients. This study has translated and
      validated the PPOS to Sinhala language. METHODS: Translation and cross-cultural
      adaptation were carried out using forward and backward translation method. The
      psychometric properties of a pretested new Sinhala version of PPOS (PPOS-Sinhala)
      was tested in a convenience sample of 1367 patients and health professionals.
      Temporal stability was tested in a sub-sample of 140 individuals. The
      comparability of the PPOS scores and association with sex and level of education
      with those reported for Western populations were examined to establish construct
      validity. RESULTS: The sample included 543 medical students, 67 doctors, 335
      allied health students and 422 patients. Cronbach's alpha for these groups ranged
      from 0.48 to 0.53 for sharing, 0.42 to 0.53 for caring, and 0.62 to 0.65 for
      total score. Intraclass correlation coefficients of 0.56, 0.6, and 0.4 were
      observed for the Total, Sharing, and Caring sub-scales, respectively. PPOS scores
      did not vary significantly for men and women. Health professionals exhibited
      higher scores than patients. Age was negatively associated and education level
      was positively associated with PPOS. DISCUSSION: PPOS-Sinhala is stable,
      sufficiently valid and reliable to evaluate patient centeredness among Sinhala
      speaking health care professionals and patients. Lower internal consistency is
      found for a few items in the instrument which requires further development. PPOS
      scores and their correlates for this Sri Lankan population were more similar to
      that found in other populations in this region than for scores and correlates
      found in the US.

PMID- 26261113
TI  - Effectiveness of team-based learning in microbiology: a non-randomized control
      study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: As per the present curriculum in India, pre- and paraclinical
      subjects are taught away from the clinical setting. Therefore, students fail to
      connect the subject taught through didactic lectures to the clinical setting.
      Team-based learning (TBL) can be used in conjunction with lectures to teach
      applied microbiology. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of TBL
      sessions in conjunction with lectures to enhance learning of applied
      microbiology, among Indian students. METHODS: All students enrolled in the study
      were taught systemic bacteriology through lectures. Of the 88 students, 49
      students (study group) attended TBL sessions on the topics of diarrhea, fever of
      unknown origin, urinary tract infection and 39 students (control group) preferred
      self-study on the topics without attending the TBL sessions. Students' feedback
      on their perception on TBL sessions was collected using a questionnaire of 10
      items. The performance of both the groups on the pre- and post-test were analyzed
      using unpaired t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Gender-wise performance
      within the teams was analyzed by paired t-test using SPSS version 12. RESULTS:
      The TBL group outperformed the self-study group on the post-test [F 1 = 5.521, P
      = 0.021]. Female students as a whole performed better than males on the pre-test,
      scoring higher within both the TBL and self-study groups. Male students in the
      TBL group performed significantly better on the post-test than female students
      who participated in TBL sessions (P = 0.013). Students generally enjoyed and
      appreciated the TBL sessions. DISCUSSION: TBL sessions can be used judiciously in
      combination with the lectures to enhance learning of applied microbiology in
      India. In this study, TBL improved the performance of male students over self
      study, but performance for female students following TBL was no better than when
      they simply studied by themselves.

PMID- 26261114
TI  - Development of active learning modules in pharmacology for small group teaching.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Current teaching in pharmacology in undergraduate medical curriculum
      in India is primarily drug centered and stresses imparting factual knowledge
      rather than on pharmacotherapeutic skills. These skills would be better developed
      through active learning by the students. Hence modules that will encourage active
      learning were developed and compared with traditional methods within the Seth GS
      Medical College, Mumbai. METHODS: After Institutional Review Board approval, 90
      second year undergraduate medical students who consented were randomized into six
      sub-groups, each with 15 students. Pre-test was administered. The three sub
      groups were taught a topic using active learning modules (active learning
      groups), which included problems on case scenarios, critical appraisal of
      prescriptions and drug identification. The remaining three sub-groups were taught
      the same topic in a conventional tutorial mode (tutorial learning groups). There
      was crossover for the second topic. Performance was assessed using post-test.
      Questionnaires with Likert-scaled items were used to assess feedback on teaching
      technique, student interaction and group dynamics. RESULTS: The active and
      tutorial learning groups differed significantly in their post-test scores (11.3
      +/- 1.9 and 15.9 +/- 2.7, respectively, P < 0.05). In students' feedback, 69/90
      students had perceived the active learning session as interactive (vs. 37/90
      students in tutorial group) and enhanced their understanding vs. 56/90 in
      tutorial group), aroused intellectual curiosity (47/90 students of active
      learning group vs. 30/90 in tutorial group) and provoked self-learning (41/90
      active learning group vs. 14/90 in tutorial group). Sixty-four students in the
      active learning group felt that questioning each other helped in understanding
      the topic, which was the experience of 25/90 students in tutorial group.
      Nevertheless, students (55/90) preferred tutorial mode of learning to help them
      score better in their examinations. DISCUSSION: In this study, students preferred
      an active learning environment, though to pass examinations, they preferred the
      tutorial mode of teaching. Further efforts are required to explore the effects on
      learning of introducing similar modules for other topics.

PMID- 26261115
TI  - Challenges of interprofessional team training: a qualitative analysis of
      residents' perceptions.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Simulation-based interprofessional team training is thought to
      improve patient care. Participating teams often consist of both experienced
      providers and trainees, which likely impacts team dynamics, particularly when a
      resident leads the team. Although similar team composition is found in real-life,
      debriefing after simulations puts a spotlight on team interactions and in
      particular on residents in the role of team leader. The goal of the current study
      was to explore residents' perceptions of simulation-based interprofessional team
      training. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of a study of residents in the
      pediatric residency training program at the University of California, San
      Francisco (United States) leading interprofessional teams in simulated
      resuscitations, followed by facilitated debriefing. Residents participated in
      individual, semi-structured, audio-recorded interviews within one month of the
      simulation. The original study aimed to examine residents' self-assessment of
      leadership skills, and during analysis we encountered numerous comments regarding
      the interprofessional nature of the simulation training. We therefore performed a
      secondary analysis of the interview transcripts. We followed an iterative process
      to create a coding scheme, and used interprofessional learning and practice as
      sensitizing concepts to extract relevant themes. RESULTS: 16 residents
      participated in the study. Residents felt that simulated resuscitations were
      helpful but anxiety provoking, largely due to interprofessional dynamics. They
      embraced the interprofessional training opportunity and appreciated hearing other
      healthcare providers' perspectives, but questioned the value of interprofessional
      debriefing. They identified the need to maintain positive relationships with
      colleagues in light of the teams' complex hierarchy as a barrier to candid
      feedback. DISCUSSION: Pediatric residents in our study appreciated the
      opportunity to participate in interprofessional team training but were conflicted
      about the value of feedback and debriefing in this setting. These data indicate
      that the optimal approach to such interprofessional education activities deserves
      further study.

PMID- 26261116
TI  - Building an interfaculty interprofessional education curriculum: what can we
      learn from the Universite Laval experience?
AB  - Interprofessional education (IPE) is increasingly recognized as a means to
      improve practice in health and social care. However, to secure interprofessional
      learning, it is important to create occasions in prelicensure health and social
      services curriculum so that students can learn with, from and about each other.
      This paper presents the process behind the development and implementation of an
      IPE curriculum in 10 health and social sciences programs by a team of professors
      from the faculties of medicine, nursing sciences and social sciences at
      Universite Laval in the province of Quebec, Canada. The pedagogical approach,
      description of primary objectives and issues related to its implementation in the
      curriculum programs are also described and discussed. 

PMID- 26261117
TI  - Telemedicine in education: bridging the gap.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The increasing cost and inequitable access to quality healthcare,
      coupled with the merger of the information technology and health service sectors,
      has given rise to the modern field of telemedicine. Telemedicine, meaning
      medicine at a distance, allows us to transcend geographic and socioeconomic
      boundaries to deliver high quality care to remote and/or in-need patients. As
      technology becomes more affordable and a physician shortage looms, telemedicine
      is gaining attention as a possible solution to healthcare delivery.
      Simultaneously, telemedicine holds great promise with regard to medical
      education. Several studies integrating telemedicine in medical education have
      shown positive outcomes, demonstrating similar or greater efficacy compared with
      traditional educational methods with high student-reported enthusiasm. Other
      domestic and international telemedicine projects, largely spearheaded by
      universities, have also achieved great success. DISCUSSION: In a novel approach,
      by pairing medical schools with in-need partner communities, utilizing similar
      faculty resources as traditional learning methods with standardized patients,
      students can gain valuable experience and skills while serving actual patients.
      This progressive approach to medical education fosters collaboration,
      communication, longitudinal care and teaches students needed skills for their
      future practices as 21 st Century healthcare providers.

PMID- 26261118
TI  - Instituting a radiology residency scholarly activity program.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The purpose of this manuscript is to present a newly instituted
      program for resident scholarly activity that includes a curriculum designed to
      enhance resident training with regard to research while meeting requirements
      established by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME),
      the governing body responsible for regulation of post-graduate medical education
      and training in the United States. METHODS: A scholarly activity program was
      designed with the following goals: (i) enhance the academic training environment
      for our residents; (ii) foster interests in research and academic career paths;
      (iii) provide basic education on research methodology and presentation skills. To
      guide program design, an electronic survey was created and distributed to the
      residents and faculty in the Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences at
      the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), a 750-bed public teaching
      hospital in the state of South Carolina in the United States. RESULTS: Survey
      respondents were in strong support of a required resident scholarly activity
      project (70% in favor), felt non-traditional projects were valuable (84.1% of
      respondents), and were proponents of required scholarly activity summary
      presentations (58%). This program requires that residents engage in a scholarly
      activity project under the guidance of a mentor. Resident success is maximized
      through in-house education initiatives focusing on presentation and research
      skills, protected time to work on the project, and oversight by a radiology
      research committee. All residents present a summary of their work near the end of
      their residency training. DISCUSSION: Changes to the radiology resident
      certification process create an opportunity for incorporating new policies aimed
      at enhancing resident education. The scholarly activity program outlined in this
      manuscript is one such initiative designed to meet ACGME requirements, provide an
      introduction to research, and establish a scholarly activity project requirement.

PMID- 26261119
TI  - Implementing the patient-centered medical home in residency education.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In recent years, physician groups, government agencies and third
      party payers in the United States of America have promoted a Patient-centered
      Medical Home (PCMH) model that fosters a team-based approach to primary care.
      Advocates highlight the model's collaborative approach where physicians, mid
      level providers, nurses and other health care personnel coordinate their efforts
      with an aim for high-quality, efficient care. Early studies show improvement in
      quality measures, reduction in emergency room visits and cost savings. However,
      implementing the PCMH presents particular challenges to physician training
      programs, including institutional commitment, infrastructure expenditures and
      faculty training. DISCUSSION: Teaching programs must consider how the objectives
      of the PCMH model align with recent innovations in resident evaluation now
      required by the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) in
      the US. This article addresses these challenges, assesses the preliminary success
      of a pilot project, and proposes a viable, realistic model for implementation at
      other institutions.

PMID- 26261120
TI  - Student participation: to the benefit of both the student and the faculty.
AB  - Students who actively participate in the evaluation of their undergraduate
      medical curriculum become important stakeholders in decisions related to the
      design of the school's curriculum. Research and reports on student participation
      in curriculum change are scarce, and not much is known about how students
      personally benefit. We describe the structure and activities of engaging students
      in designing and improving the curriculum at the Faculty of Medicine and Health
      Sciences of Ghent University (Belgium). We present an example of a major
      curriculum change led by students, and we assess the perceptions of the students
      on how engagement in student curriculum committees strengthened their leadership
      skills. We encourage students at other schools to become active participants in
      the curriculum design and improvement processes of their institutions as a way to
      improve medical education. 

PMID- 26261121
TI  - Let's 'play' with molecular pharmacology.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Understanding concepts of molecular mechanisms of drug action
      involves sequential visualization of physiological processes and drug effects, a
      task that can be difficult at an undergraduate level. Role-play is a teaching
      learning methodology whereby active participation of students as well as clear
      visualization of the phenomenon is used to convey complex physiological concepts.
      However, its use in teaching drug action, a process that demands understanding of
      a second level of complexity over the physiological process, has not been
      investigated. We hypothesized that role-play can be an effective and well
      accepted method for teaching molecular pharmacology. METHODS: In an observational
      study, students were guided to perform a role-play on a selected topic involving
      drug activity. Students' gain in knowledge was assessed comparing validated pre-
      and post-test questionnaires as well as class average normalized gain. The
      acceptance of role-play among undergraduate medical students was evaluated by
      Likert scale analysis and thematic analysis of their open-ended written
      responses. RESULTS: Significant improvement in knowledge (P < 0.001) was noted in
      the pre- to post-test knowledge scores, while a high gain in class average
      normalized score was evident. In Likert scale analysis, most students (93%)
      expressed that role-play was an acceptable way of teaching. In a thematic
      analysis, themes of both strengths and weaknesses of the session emerged.
      DISCUSSION: Role-play can be effectively utilized while teaching selected topics
      of molecular pharmacology in undergraduate medical curricula.

PMID- 26261122
TI  - Views of practitioners of alternative medicine toward psychiatric illness and
      psychiatric care: a study from Solapur, India.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It is common knowledge that patients seek treatment for psychiatric
      illnesses from various sources including the alternative medicine. Views and
      attitudes of clinicians often influence the provision of appropriate mental
      health care for these patients. In this context, it was intended to study the
      views of the practitioners of alternative medicine toward psychiatric disorders,
      patients and interventions. METHODS: The study was conducted as a questionnaire
      based survey among a sample of practitioners of alternative medicine specifically
      Ayurveda and Homeopathy, who were practicing in Solapur and adjoining areas of
      Maharashtra and Karnataka states in India. A semi-structured Attitudinal
      Inventory for Psychiatry questionnaire was used. Demographic and professional
      data were collected. RESULTS: Out of 62 practitioners approached, 50 responded
      (80.6%). There were no significant differences in the views of practitioners
      toward psychiatry and psychiatrists based on respondents' gender, place of
      residence, location of practice, type of alternative medicine, exposure to
      psychiatric patients, or if they knew someone with psychiatric illness. Attitudes
      were generally positive, but variable. Among negative observations were that
      approximately 60% of respondents felt that a patient can be disadvantaged by
      being given a psychiatric label and 58% believed that emotions are difficult to
      handle. A considerable proportion (40%) of the respondents felt doctors other
      than psychiatrists were unable to identify psychiatric disorders. DISCUSSION:
      This study's findings suggest that practitioners of alternative medicine have
      mixed views about mental illness, patients and treatment. Some of their negative
      views and perceived inability to identify psychiatric disorders may be addressed
      through further training, information sharing and collaborative work.

PMID- 26261123
TI  - Factors causing stress among students of a medical college in Kolkata, India.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Medical students feel a significant amount of stress due to a variety
      of factors. Few studies have explored the relative size of these various
      stressors to identify which are most important. This study was undertaken to
      quantify the magnitude of various sources of stress among students of a medical
      college at Kolkata, West Bengal, and also to assess the reliability of Medical
      Students' Stressor Questionnaire (MSSQ-40) in this context. METHODS: We evaluated
      the degree of stress along various dimensions using the MSSQ-40, a scale to
      measure stress among medical students that has been validated in other countries.
      Differences in stress and its causal factors were analyzed across demographic
      subgroups. The reliability of the MSSQ-40 was evaluated using Cronbach's alpha.
      RESULTS: The overall prevalence of stress was 91.1% and the vast majority of
      students (94.9%) were stressed due to academic reasons. Academic related stress
      was found to be higher among students who are not conversant with the local
      language, experienced a change in medium of teaching from secondary school to
      medical school, and resided in a hostel. The MSSQ-40 in general, and its academic
      related stress domain specifically, were found to be reliable in our setting.
      DISCUSSION: Early detection and remedying stressors will help to build physical
      and mental health in medical students. Language training early during the medical
      course might reduce academic stress among our students. Further studies should
      relate individuals' stress with their academic performance.

PMID- 26261124
TI  - Accuracy of body weight perceptions among students in a medical school in Central
      Delhi, India.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Body image is an important aspect of the complex creation of one's
      self-identity. The relationship between nutritional disorders, like obesity, and
      one's perception of her or his body is well documented. Obesity among medical
      students and health personnel is on the rise. Identifying and measuring the
      magnitude of distortion in body image self-perception among medical students is
      particularly relevant, as they are future healthcare providers. This paper
      assesses self-perceptions of body mass index (BMI) and physical activity among
      medical undergraduate students in an Indian medical school. METHODS: A cross
      sectional study was conducted among 161 sixth semester medical undergraduate
      students in a school in Delhi, India. A pretested questionnaire was used.
      Anthropometric measurements were taken. The participation rate was 93.6%.
      RESULTS: Out of the total 161 students, there were 60.9% males and 39.1% females.
      Most participants were classified as normal (55.9%) according to BMI. The
      proportions of actual obese, overweight and underweight students were 4.4%, 30.4%
      and 9.3%, respectively. However, the proportion of students perceiving themselves
      as obese or overweight was only 37.3%. A significantly higher proportion of
      females (57.2%) than males (20.4%) perceived themselves as overweight (P <
      0.001). The agreement between actual BMI and perceived weight was poor (kappa
      statistic: 0.33). Among actual overweight and obese students, only one-third were
      physically active. CONCLUSIONS: Students who were overweight or obese often
      failed to perceive themselves as such and, perhaps consequently, were not
      engaging in weight control practices. There is a need to develop health promotion
      interventions that help build healthy body habitus perceptions among this group
      of Indian medical students.

PMID- 26261125
TI  - Creating a blended learning module in an online master study programme in
      oncology.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The medical faculty of Ulm University has launched the postgraduate
      master online study programme Advanced Oncology (AO) in 2010. We describe the
      challenges in developing an e-learning module using the example of a medical
      biometry course, focusing the implementation of the course material and our
      single-loop learning experience after the first students have finished and
      evaluated the lecture. METHODS: Programme participants are qualified medical
      doctors and researchers in biomedical areas related to the field of oncology. The
      study programme provides the majority of lectures online via didactic videos
      accompanied by one-week attendance seminars. Supplementary learning materials
      include review articles, supportive reading material, multiple choice questions,
      and exercises for each unit. Lecture evaluations based on specific questions
      concerning learning environment and information learned, each measured on a five
      point Likert scale. RESULTS: Lecture videos were implemented following the
      classical triad of the didactic process, using oncological examples from practice
      to teach. The online tutorial support offered to students was hardly used, thus
      we enhanced faculty presence during the face-to-face seminars. Lecture
      evaluations improved after revising the learning material on the basis of the
      first AO student cohort's comments. DISCUSSION: Developing and implementing an
      online study programme is challenging with respect of maximizing the information
      students learn due to limited opportunities for personal contact between
      lecturers and students. A more direct interaction of lecturers and students in a
      blended learning setting outperforms a mere web-based contact in terms of
      learning advantage and students' satisfaction, especially for complex
      methodological content.

PMID- 26261126
TI  - Inclusion of basic vitreoretina training in Indian ophthalmology residency
      programmes - need of the hour!

PMID- 26261127
TI  - Who is holding us back from providing integrative and holistic health care?

PMID- 26261128
TI  - An online nutrition in medicine module: an important resource for medical
      students and physicians.

PMID- 26261129
TI  - Obstetricians' knowledge, attitudes and practices in oral health and pregnancy.

PMID- 26261130
TI  - Case-based, team-based learning: a novel method for teaching orofacial
      syndromology to dental undergraduate students.

PMID- 26261131
TI  - Peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified with prominent cutaneous
      involvement.

PMID- 26261132
TI  - Pemphigus vegetans localized to unusual sites.

PMID- 26261133
TI  - Unilateral cutaneous vasculitis: An uncommon presentation and a possible
      explanation.

PMID- 26261134
TI  - A human case of strangles (equine distemper) with skin lesions.

PMID- 26261135
TI  - Matchbox sign: Look before you label!

PMID- 26261138
TI  - Tuberous sclerosis presenting with late onset seizures and scrotal angiofibromas.

PMID- 26261139
TI  - Failure to detect Mycobacterium lepromatosis as a cause of leprosy in 85 Chinese
      patients.

PMID- 26261140
TI  - Recent advances in topical formulation carriers of antifungal agents.
AB  - Fungal infections are amongst the most commonly encountered diseases affecting
      the skin. Treatment approaches include both topical and oral antifungal agents.
      The topical route is generally preferred due to the possible side effects of oral
      medication. Advances in the field of formulation may soon render outdated
      conventional products such as creams, ointments and gels. Several carrier systems
      loaded with antifungal drugs have demonstrated promising results in the treatment
      of skin fungal infections. Examples of these newer carriers include micelles,
      lipidic systems such as solid lipid nanoparticles and nanostructured lipid
      carriers, microemulsions and vesicular systems such as liposomes, niosomes,
      transfersomes, ethosomes, and penetration enhancer vesicles. 

PMID- 26261141
TI  - Black grain eumycetoma of the breast misdiagnosed as fibroadenoma.

PMID- 26261142
TI  - Pemphigus foliaceus occurring with adenocarcinoma of prostate.

PMID- 26261143
TI  - Disseminated cutaneous phaeohyphomycosis due to Cladophialophora bantiana.
AB  - Cladophialophora bantiana is a neurotropic dematiaceous fungus which only rarely
      affects the skin. We report a case of disseminated cutaneous phaeohyphomycosis
      caused by Cladophialophora bantiana in an immunocompromised female who presented
      with multiple pyogenic granuloma-like nodules, dermatophytosis-like plaque, and
      subcutaneous cysts on the upper and lower extremities without systemic
      involvement. Biopsy revealed black yeasts resembling sclerotic bodies and culture
      yielded irregular, velvety, grey colonies with black reverse. Excision of the
      nodules and treatment with oral itraconazole 100 mg twice daily resulted in
      complete clinical resolution within two months, following which itraconazole was
      administered for another 4 months.

PMID- 26261144
TI  - Pseudo-lipomatosis cutis: A singular dermal artifact.

PMID- 26261145
TI  - Fingertip eczema to pooja flowers: Allergic contact dermatitis to Tabernaemontana
      divaricata and Tecoma stans.

PMID- 26261146
TI  - Cetirizine-induced urticaria masquerading as multiple drug intolerance syndrome.

PMID- 26261147
TI  - Papular elastorrhexis.

PMID- 26261148
TI  - Extrafacial rosacea with predominant scalp involvement.

PMID- 26261149
TI  - Role of dental restoration materials in oral mucosal lichenoid lesions.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Dental restorative materials containing silver-mercury compounds have
      been known to induce oral lichenoid lesions. OBJECTIVES: To determine the
      frequency of contact allergy to dental restoration materials in patients with
      oral lichenoid lesions and to study the effect of removal of the materials on the
      lesions. RESULTS: Forty-five patients were recruited in three groups of 15 each:
      Group A (lesions in close contact with dental materials), Group B (lesions
      extending 1 cm beyond the area of contact) and Group C (no topographic
      relationship). Thirty controls were recruited in two groups of 15 individuals
      each: Group D (oral lichenoid lesions but no dental material) and Group E (dental
      material but no oral lichenoid lesions). Patch tests were positive in 20 (44.5%)
      patients. Mercury was the most common allergen to elicit a positive reaction in
      eight patients, followed by nickel (7), palladium (5), potassium dichromate (3),
      balsam of Peru, gold sodium thiosulphate 2 and tinuvin (2) and eugenol (1),
      cobalt chloride (1) and carvone (1). Seven patients elicited positive response to
      more than one allergen. In 13 of 20 patients who consented to removal of the
      dental material, complete healing was observed in 6 (30%), marked improvement in
      7 (35%) and no improvement in 7 (35%) patients. Relief of symptoms was usually
      observed 3 months after removal. LIMITATIONS: Limited number of study subjects
      and short follow up after removal/replacement of dental restoration materials are
      the main limitations of this study. CONCLUSION: Contact allergy to amalgam is an
      important etiologic factor in oral lichenoid lesions and removal of restorative
      material should be offered to patients who have lesions in close proximity to the
      dental material.

PMID- 26261150
TI  - Palatal ecchymosis associated with irrumation.

PMID- 26261151
TI  - Dermato-neuro syndrome associated with scleromyxedema.

PMID- 26261154
TI  - Three cases of suspected chloracne in a family from Pune.

PMID- 26261155
TI  - Considerations when communicating with awake patients undergoing image-guided
      neuro-interventions.
AB  - The authors empirically evaluated the context of intra-procedural physician
      patient communication during imaging-guided procedures in a
      radiology/neuroradiology interventional clinical framework. Different intra
      procedural communicative scenarios are reported.They conclude that the quality of
      intra-procedural physician-patient communication should be considered an
      important element of individual and team ethical and professional behaviour, able
      to strongly influence the therapeutic alliance. As for the whole medical
      communication strategy, an approach which takes into account the psychological
      and cultural background of the individual patient is preferred. 

PMID- 26261157
TI  - Chronic pacing and adverse outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve
      implantation.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Many patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation
      (TAVI) have a pre-existing, permanent pacemaker (PPM) or receive one as a
      consequence of the procedure. We hypothesised that chronic pacing may have
      adverse effects on TAVI outcomes. METHODS AND RESULTS: Four groups of patients
      undergoing TAVI in the Placement of Aortic Transcatheter Valves (PARTNER) trial
      and registries were compared: prior PPM (n=586), new PPM (n=173), no PPM
      (n=1612), and left bundle branch block (LBBB)/no PPM (n=160). At 1 year, prior
      PPM, new PPM and LBBB/no PPM had higher all-cause mortality than no PPM (27.4%,
      26.3%, 27.7% and 20.0%, p<0.05), and prior PPM or new PPM had higher
      rehospitalisation or mortality/rehospitalisation (p<0.04). By Cox regression
      analysis, new PPM (HR 1.38, 1.00 to 1.89, p=0.05) and prior PPM (HR 1.31, 1.08 to
      1.60, p=0.006) were independently associated with 1-year mortality. Surviving
      prior PPM, new PPM and LBBB/no PPM patients had lower LVEF at 1 year relative to
      no PPM (50.5%, 55.4%, 48.9% and 57.6%, p<0.01). Prior PPM had worsened recovery
      of LVEF after TAVI (Delta=10.0 prior vs 19.7% no PPM for baseline LVEF <35%,
      p<0.0001; Delta=4.1 prior vs 7.4% no PPM for baseline LVEF 35-50%, p=0.006).
      Paced ECGs displayed a high prevalence of RV pacing (>88%). CONCLUSIONS: In the
      PARTNER trial, prior PPM, along with new PPM and chronic LBBB patients, had
      worsened clinical and echocardiographic outcomes relative to no PPM patients, and
      the presence of a PPM was independently associated with 1-year mortality.
      Ventricular dyssynchrony due to chronic RV pacing may be mechanistically
      responsible for these findings. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: (ClinicalTrials.gov
      NCT00530894).

PMID- 26261159
TI  - Child sexual abuse: Issues & concerns.

PMID- 26261158
TI  - Estimated 10-year cardiovascular mortality seriously underestimates overall
      cardiovascular risk.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The European Society of Cardiology's prevention guideline suggests
      that the risk of total (fatal plus non-fatal) cardiovascular disease (CVD) may be
      calculated from the risk of CVD mortality using a fixed multiplier (3*). However,
      the proposed multiplier has not been validated. We investigated the ratio of
      total CVD to CVD mortality in a large population-based cohort. METHODS: CVD
      mortality and total CVD (fatal plus non-fatal CVD requiring hospitalisation) were
      analysed using Kaplan-Meier estimates among 24 014 men and women aged 39-79 years
      without baseline CVD or diabetes mellitus in the prospective population-based
      European Prospective Investigation of Cancer and Nutrition-Norfolk cohort. CVD
      outcomes included death and hospitalisations for ischaemic heart disease, heart
      failure, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral artery disease or aortic aneurysm.
      The main study outcome was the ratio of 10-year total CVD to 10-year CVD
      mortality stratified by age and sex. RESULTS: Ten year CVD mortality was 3.9%
      (900 CVD deaths, 95% CI 3.6% to 4.1%); the rate of total CVD outcomes was 21.2%
      (4978 fatal or non-fatal CVD outcomes, 95% CI 20.7% to 21.8%). The overall ratio
      of total CVD to CVD mortality was 5.4. However, we found major differences in
      this ratio when stratified by gender and age. In young women (39-50 years), the
      ratio of total CVD to CVD mortality was 28.5, in young men (39-50 years) 11.7. In
      the oldest age group, these ratios were considerably lower (3.2 in women and 2.4
      in men aged 75-79 years). CONCLUSIONS: The relationship between 10-year total CVD
      and CVD mortality is dependent on age and sex, and cannot be estimated using a
      fixed multiplier. Using CVD mortality to estimate total CVD risk leads to serious
      underestimation of risk, particularly in younger age groups, and particularly in
      women.

PMID- 26261160
TI  - Inventory of a reservoir: friends & foes.

PMID- 26261161
TI  - Drug induced diseases (DID): Need for more awareness & research.

PMID- 26261162
TI  - Leptospirosis among the self-supporting convicts of Andaman Island during the
      1920s--the first report on pulmonary haemorrhage in leptospirosis?
AB  - Several researchers had carried out investigations on the possibility of
      existence of Weil's disease in Andaman Islands during early 20 th century. The
      first report of a series of confirmed cases of leptospirosis that occurred during
      1929 was published in 1931.There were several reports during 1995 to 2009 that
      described detailed account of leptospirosis including various clinical syndromes.
      The possibility of pulmonary involvement in leptospirosis being a manifestation
      historically overlooked rather than newly emerged during the past two decades is
      examined in this review in the context of Andaman Islands. Two case series of
      leptospirosis, one occurred in 1929 and the other in 1996-1997 were reviewed with
      special emphasis on pulmonary involvement and haemorrhagic manifestations. The
      similarities and differences in the clinical profile of patients of the two case
      series were analysed. The review shows that respiratory system involvement and
      pulmonary haemorrhage as evidenced by presence of haemoptysis as a complication
      of leptospirosis was occurring during 1920s in Andaman Islands. The incidence of
      pulmonary involvement, however, rose from 9.4 per cent during 1929 to 52 per cent
      in 1996-1997. The case fatality ratio in patients with pulmonary involvement,
      which was 50 per cent during 1929 and 42.9 per cent during 1996-1997, was higher
      than that in cases without pulmonary involvement.Fever, conjunctival congestion,
      jaundice, vomiting, diarrhoea, hepatomagaly, haemoptysis, haematemesis and
      subconjunctival haemorrhage were common in both series. The case series in
      Andaman Islands in 1929 was probably the first report of pulmonary haemorrhage as
      a manifestation of leptospirosis. The increase in the incidence of pulmonary
      involvement in leptospirosis in the recent past is probably due to the increase
      in the density and diversity of its animal vectors,the broadening of the range of
      circulating serovars and the interactions between the vector and the agent. An
      increased virulence of Leptospira through gene acquisition and loss on an
      evolutionary time scale and the resulting change in the gene content, gene order
      and gene expression cannot be ruled out.

PMID- 26261163
TI  - Alterations of mucosal microbiota in the colon of patients with inflammatory
      bowel disease revealed by real time polymerase chain reaction amplification of
      16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid.
AB  - BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Alterations in microbial communities closely associated
      with the intestinal mucosa are likely to be important in the pathogenesis of
      inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We examined the abundance of specific microbial
      populations in colonic mucosa of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), Crohn's
      disease (CD) and controls using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase
      chain reaction (RT-qPCR) amplification of 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (16S
      rRNA). METHODS: RNA was extracted from colonic mucosal biopsies of patients with
      UC (32), CD (28) and patients undergoing screening colonoscopy (controls), and
      subjected to RT-qPCR using primers targeted at 16S rRNA sequences specific to
      selected microbial populations. RESULTS: Bacteroides-Prevotella-Porphyromonas
      group and Enterobacteriaceae were the most abundant mucosal microbiota.
      Bacteroides and Lactobacillus abundance was greater in UC patients compared with
      controls or CD. Escherichia coli abundance was increased in UC compared with
      controls. Clostridium coccoides group and C. leptum group abundances were reduced
      in CD compared with controls. Microbial population did not differ between
      diseased and adjacent normal mucosa, or between untreated patients and those
      already on medical treatment. The Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio was
      significantly decreased in both UC and CD compared with controls, indicative of a
      dysbiosis in both conditions. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: Dysbiosis appears to
      be a primary feature in both CD and UC. Microbiome-directed interventions are
      likely to be appropriate in therapy of IBD.

PMID- 26261164
TI  - Drug-induced diseases (DIDs): An experience of a tertiary care teaching hospital
      from India.
AB  - BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Drug-induced diseases (DIDs) are well known but least
      studied. Data on DIDs from India are not available. Hence, this retrospective
      cross-sectional study was undertaken using suspected adverse drug reaction (ADR)
      data collected form Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI) to evaluate
      profile of DIDs over two years, in a tertiary care teaching hospital from north
      India. METHODS: The suspected ADRs in the form of DID were evaluated for drug and
      disease related variables and were classified in terms of causality. RESULTS: DID
      rate was 38.80 per cent. Mean duration of developing DIDs was 26.05 +/- 9.6 days;
      25.16 per cent had more than one co-morbid condition. Geriatric population
      (53.99%) accounted for maximum DIDs followed by adult (37.79%) and paediatric
      (8.21%). Maximum events were probable (93.98%) followed by possible (6.04%). All
      DIDs required intervention. Gastritis (7.43%), diarrhoea (5.92%), anaemia
      (4.79%), hypotension (2.77%), hepatic dysfunction (2.69%), hypertension (1.51%),
      myalgia (1.05%), and renal dysfunction (1.01%) were some of the DIDs. Anti
      tubercular treatment (ATT), anti retroviral treatment (ART), ceftriaxone
      injection, steroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antimicrobials and
      anticancer drugs were found as commonly offending drugs. INTERPRETATION &
      CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that DIDs are a significant health problem in our
      country, which need more attention.

PMID- 26261165
TI  - Association of serotonin transporter (SLC6A4) and receptor (5HTR1A, 5HTR2A)
      polymorphisms with response to treatment with escitalopram in patients with major
      depressive disorder: A preliminary study.
AB  - BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Genetic factors have potential of predicting response to
      antidepressants in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). In this study,
      an attempt was made to find an association between response to escitalopram in
      patients with MDD, and serotonin transporter (SLC6A4) and receptor (5HTR1A,
      5HTR2A) polymorphisms. METHODS: Fifty five patients diagnosed as suffering from
      MDD, were selected for the study. The patients were treated with escitalopram
      over a period of 6-8 wk. Severity of depression, response to treatment and side
      effects were assessed using standardised instruments. Genetic variations from
      HTR1A (rs6295), HTR2A (rs6311 and rs6313) and SLC6A4 (44 base-pair
      insertion/deletion at 5-HTTLPR) were genotyped. The genetic data of the
      responders and non-responders were compared to assess the role of genetic
      variants in therapeutic outcome. RESULTS: Thirty six (65.5%) patients responded
      to treatment, and 19 (34.5%) had complete remission. No association was observed
      for genotype and allelic frequencies of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)
      among remitter/non-remitter and responder/non-responder groups, and six most
      common side-effects, except memory loss which was significantly associated with
      rs6311 ( p0 =0.03). INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: No significant association was
      found between the SNPs analysed and response to escitalopram in patients with MDD
      though a significant association was seen between the side effect of memory loss
      and rs6311. Studies with larger sample are required to find out genetic basis of
      antidepressant response in Indian patients.

PMID- 26261166
TI  - A preliminary study of inherited thrombophilic risk factors in different clinical
      manifestations of venous thromboembolism in central Iran.
AB  - BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Inherited thrombophilia is known to be an important risk
      factor for developing venous thromboembolism. Whether such abnormalities may
      impact the development of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE)
      differently is not well defined. This preliminary study was undertaken to compare
      thrombophilic polymorphism in patients with DVT and PE. METHODS: A total of 35
      DVT, 23 DVT/PE, and 37 PE patients admitted to the Hajar Hospital, Shahrekord,
      Iran, between October 2009 and February 2011 were included in the study and 306
      healthy volunteers matched by age and sex from the same geographical area with no
      history of venous or arterial diseases were included as control group. Factor V
      Leiden (FV 1691G/A, rs6025), prothrombin (FII 20210G/A), methylene
      tetrahydrofulate reductase (MTHFR 677C/T, rs1801133), and PLA2 polymorphisms of
      platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (GpIIIa 1565T/C, rs5918) were investigated by
      polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. RESULTS: The
      number of patients with the investigated polymorphisms and homozygous carriers
      was significantly different among the groups (P<0.05). No significant difference
      was observed in the presence of FV 1691G/A and FII 20210G/A between any of the
      patients groups and the control group. GpIIIa 1565T/C and homozygous MTHFR 677C/T
      polymorphisms were higher in DVT patients compared with the control group
      (OR=6.65, 95% CI=3.09-14.30 and OR=4.08, 95% CI=1.35-12.38, respectively).
      INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: As none of the investigated polymorphisms were
      associated with PE, other thrombophilia polymorphisms may have a role in the
      pathogenesis of PE in these patients and should be investigated. Because of
      different prognostic risk factors among different types of patients, the
      treatment approach could be different.

PMID- 26261167
TI  - Immunological & metabolic responses to a therapeutic course of Basti in obesity.
AB  - BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Basti (medicated enema) is a popular Ayurvedic
      intervention recommended for obesity. However, there are no data to show whether
      any physiological or biochemical changes occur following this treatment. This
      study was conducted to identify the immunological and metabolic changes in obese
      individuals after a therapeutic course of Basti. METHODS: Thirty two obese
      individuals (18 and 60 yr) with a body mass index (BMI) >=30 kg/m [2] who
      received a therapeutic course of 16 enemas (Basti) followed by a specific diet
      and lifestyle regimen for a period of 32 days as their treatment for obesity,
      were enrolled in the study. Clinical examination, measurement of immune and
      metabolic markers were done before (S1), immediately after (S2) and 90 days after
      the completion of therapy (S3). RESULTS: A significant reduction ( P<0.001) in
      weight, BMI, upper arm and abdominal circumference was seen at S3, along with a
      decrease in serum interferon (IFN)-gamma (P<0.02), interleukin (IL)-6 ( P<0.02)
      and ferritin (P<0.05) and increase in IgM levels ( P<0.02). Peripheral blood
      lymphocytes (PBLs) stimulated with anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies showed
      significant increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and calcium flux
      after Basti. All organ function tests revealed no changes. INTERPRETATION &
      CONCLUSIONS: Our study documents that a therapeutic course of Basti modulates
      immune responses by regulating pro-inflammatory cytokines, immunoglobulins and
      functional properties of T-cells. These changes are associated with a reduction
      in the body weight which is maintained even after three months of treatment. The
      study also documents the safety of Basti procedure.

PMID- 26261168
TI  - Effect of mesenchymal stem cells transplantation on glycaemic profile & their
      localization in streptozotocin induced diabetic Wistar rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Bone marrow is a rich source of adult stem cells that
      can differentiate into various cell types. Administration of mesenchymal stem
      cells (MSCs) in irradiated diabetic rat model has transiently shown to decrease
      blood glucose level. This study examines the effect of high dose and multiple
      injections of MSCs on glycemic profile, their localization and regeneration of
      islet in diabetic Wistar rat. METHODS: The study was carried out in male Wistar
      rats categorized into three groups (n=6, in each group): Group 1 as control,
      group 2 streptozotocin (STZ) (50 mg/kg) induced diabetic group and group 3
      experimental group; 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU) labelled allogenic MSCs were
      injected in the non-irradiated diabetic rat of the experimental group through
      tail vein. The blood glucose profile was subsequently monitored at regular
      intervals. Rats were sacrificed on day 45 and pancreas was examined for
      localization of BrdU labelled stem cells by immunofluorescence and islet
      neogenesis by immunohistochemistry . RESULTS: There was a significant reduction
      in blood glucose level after administration of MSCs in the experimental group
      (P<0.001). The presence of BrdU labelled MSCs in islet suggested their
      localization in the pancreas. Co-expression of anti-BrdU and anti-insulin
      antibody indicated trans-differentiation / fusion into insulin producing cells
      evidenced by significant increase in total number of islet (P=0.004) and insulin
      positive cells ( P<0.0001) in experimental group. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS:
      Our results showed that the MSCs administration in non-irradiated diabetic Wistar
      rat reduced hyperglycaemia and was accompanied by increased islet-neogenesis,
      possibly through trans-differentiation/fusion.

PMID- 26261169
TI  - Complete genome sequence of two genotype III Japanese encephalitis virus isolates
      from West Bengal, India.
AB  - BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Japanese encephalitis (JE), caused by a mosquito-borne
      virus JE virus (JEV), is a serious health problem in West Bengal, India. In this
      study, we report the complete genome sequence of two JEV isolates from West
      Bengal. The amino acid and nucleotide sequence homology was compared with other
      Indian strains. METHODS: Two JEV isolates (IND-WB-JE1 and IND-WB-JE2) obtained in
      2008 and 2010, respectively, from two districts of the State of West Bengal,
      respectively were analyzed for genetic variations by sequencing the 10934 bp
      whole genome of the virus. Of these two districts, one was covered under JE
      vaccination programme in 2007. RESULTS: Phylogenetic analysis showed that both
      the isolates belonged to the genotype III. A total of 16 mutations were
      identified in the two isolates studied with respect to Vellore P20778 strain. One
      unique mutation A3215S was only found in IND-WB-JE2 isolate, but not in the
      isolate IND-WB-JE1. These two isolates showed maximum homology with P20778 strain
      of India. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: This study reports on complete gene based
      phylogenetic analysis of JEV isolates from the State of West Bengal. It was
      evident from the results that JEV was still under circulation in both vaccine
      covered and not covered districts of West Bengal.

PMID- 26261170
TI  - Evaluation of profertility effect of probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum 2621 in a
      murine model.
AB  - BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Urogenital infections of bacterial origin have a high
      incidence among the female population at reproductive age, affecting the
      fertility. Strains of Escherichia coli can colonize the vagina and replace
      natural microflora. Lactobacillus the predominant vaginal microorganism in
      healthy women, maintains the acidic vaginal pH which inhibits pathogenic
      microorganisms. Studies on Lactobacillus have shown that these can inhibit E.
      coli growth and vaginal colonization. An alternative therapeutic approach to
      antimicrobial therapy is to re-establish Lactobacillus in this microbiome through
      probiotic administration to resurge fertility. Therefore, the aim of the present
      study was to determine the capability of L. plantarum 2621 strain with probiotic
      properties, to prevent the vaginal colonization of E. coli causing agglutination
      of sperms and to evaluate its profertility effect in a murine model. METHODS:
      Screened mice were divided into five groups i.e. control group, E. coli group,
      Lactobacillus group, prophylactic and therapeutic groups. The control group was
      infused with 20 ul PBS, E.coli group was administered with 10 [6] cfu/20 ul E.
      coli, and probiotic group was administered with Lactobacillus (10 [8] cfu/20 ul)
      for 10 consecutive days. In prophylactic group, the vagina was colonized with 10
      consecutive doses of Lactobacillus (10 [8] cfu/20 ul). After 24 h, it was
      followed by 10 day intravaginal infection with E. coli (10 [6] cfu/20 ul) whereas
      for the therapeutic group vagina was colonized with (10 [6] cfu/20 ul) E. coli
      for 10 consecutive days, followed by 10 day intravaginal administration with
      Lactobacillus after 24 h. RESULTS: Upon mating and completion of gestation
      period, control, probiotic and the therapeutic groups had litters in contrast to
      the prophylactic group and the group administered with E. coli. INTERPRETATION &
      CONCLUSIONS: Results indicated that Lactobacillus intermitted colonization of
      pathogenic strains that resulted in reinforcement of natural microflora and
      resurge fertility.

PMID- 26261171
TI  - High heterozygosity frequency of three exonic SNPs of factor V gene (F5):
      implications for genetic diagnosis.

PMID- 26261172
TI  - Real time PCR reconfirmed three novel clinical associations of parvovirus B19:
      Non-occlusive bowel gangrene, amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia & myositis.

PMID- 26261173
TI  - Selective digestive decontamination saves lives whilst preventing resistance.

PMID- 26261174
TI  - Authors' response.

PMID- 26261175
TI  - Confounding in case control studies.

PMID- 26261176
TI  - Authors' response.

PMID- 26261177
TI  - An unusual foreign body.

PMID- 26261178
TI  - Multiple jejunal diverticula causing intestinal obstruction.

PMID- 26261179
TI  - MicroRNA-7/NF-kappaB signaling regulatory feedback circuit regulates gastric
      carcinogenesis.
AB  - MicroRNAs play essential roles in gene expression regulation during
      carcinogenesis. Here, we investigated the role of miR-7 and the mechanism by
      which it is dysregulated in gastric cancer (GC). We used genome-wide screenings
      and identified RELA and FOS as novel targets of miR-7. Overexpression of miR-7
      repressed RELA and FOS expression and prevented GC cell proliferation and
      tumorigenesis. These effects were clinically relevant, as low miR-7 expression
      was correlated with high RELA and FOS expression and poor survival in GC
      patients. Intriguingly, we found that miR-7 indirectly regulated RELA activation
      by targeting the IkappaB kinase IKKepsilon. Furthermore, IKKepsilon and RELA can
      repress miR-7 transcription, which forms a feedback circuit between miR-7 and
      nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) signaling. Additionally, we demonstrate that
      down-regulation of miR-7 may occur as a result of the aberrant activation of NF
      kappaB signaling by Helicobacter pylori infection. These findings suggest that
      miR-7 may serve as an important regulator in GC development and progression.

PMID- 26261180
TI  - Microtubule motors transport phagosomes in the RPE, and lack of KLC1 leads to AMD
      like pathogenesis.
AB  - The degradation of phagosomes, derived from the ingestion of photoreceptor outer
      segment (POS) disk membranes, is a major role of the retinal pigment epithelium
      (RPE). Here, POS phagosomes were observed to associate with myosin-7a, and then
      kinesin-1, as they moved from the apical region of the RPE. Live-cell imaging
      showed that the phagosomes moved bidirectionally along microtubules in RPE cells,
      with kinesin-1 light chain 1 (KLC1) remaining associated in both directions and
      during pauses. Lack of KLC1 did not inhibit phagosome speed, but run length was
      decreased, and phagosome localization and degradation were impaired. In old mice,
      lack of KLC1 resulted in RPE pathogenesis that was strikingly comparable to
      aspects of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), with an excessive accumulation
      of RPE and sub-RPE deposits, as well as oxidative and inflammatory stress
      responses. These results elucidate mechanisms of POS phagosome transport in
      relation to degradation, and demonstrate that defective microtubule motor
      transport in the RPE leads to phenotypes associated with AMD.

PMID- 26261181
TI  - alpha-Catenin-mediated cadherin clustering couples cadherin and actin dynamics.
AB  - The function of the actin-binding domain of alpha-catenin, alphaABD, including
      its possible role in the direct anchorage of the cadherin-catenin complex to the
      actin cytoskeleton, has remained uncertain. We identified two point mutations on
      the alphaABD surface that interfere with alphaABD binding to actin and used them
      to probe the role of alpha-catenin-actin interactions in adherens junctions. We
      found that the junctions directly bound to actin via alphaABD were more dynamic
      than the junctions bound to actin indirectly through vinculin and that
      recombinant alphaABD interacted with cortical actin but not with actin bundles.
      This interaction resulted in the formation of numerous short-lived cortex-bound
      alphaABD clusters. Our data suggest that alphaABD clustering drives the
      continuous assembly of transient, actin-associated cadherin-catenin clusters
      whose disassembly is maintained by actin depolymerization. It appears then that
      such actin-dependent alphaABD clustering is a unique molecular mechanism
      mediating both integrity and reassembly of the cell-cell adhesive interface
      formed through weak cis- and trans-intercadherin interactions.

PMID- 26261182
TI  - Non-muscle myosin IIB is critical for nuclear translocation during 3D invasion.
AB  - Non-muscle myosin II (NMII) is reported to play multiple roles during cell
      migration and invasion. However, the exact biophysical roles of different NMII
      isoforms during these processes remain poorly understood. We analyzed the
      contributions of NMIIA and NMIIB in three-dimensional (3D) migration and in
      generating the forces required for efficient invasion by mammary gland carcinoma
      cells. Using traction force microscopy and microfluidic invasion devices, we
      demonstrated that NMIIA is critical for generating force during active
      protrusion, and NMIIB plays a major role in applying force on the nucleus to
      facilitate nuclear translocation through tight spaces. We further demonstrate
      that the nuclear membrane protein nesprin-2 is a possible linker coupling NMIIB
      based force generation to nuclear translocation. Together, these data reveal a
      central biophysical role for NMIIB in nuclear translocation during 3D invasive
      migration, a result with relevance not only to cancer metastasis but for 3D
      migration in other settings such as embryonic cell migration and wound healing.

PMID- 26261184
TI  - Endocytosis-dependent coordination of multiple actin regulators is required for
      wound healing.

PMID- 26261183
TI  - Shootin1-cortactin interaction mediates signal-force transduction for axon
      outgrowth.
AB  - Motile cells transduce environmental chemical signals into mechanical forces to
      achieve properly controlled migration. This signal-force transduction is thought
      to require regulated mechanical coupling between actin filaments (F-actins),
      which undergo retrograde flow at the cellular leading edge, and cell adhesions
      via linker "clutch" molecules. However, the molecular machinery mediating this
      regulatory coupling remains unclear. Here we show that the F-actin binding
      molecule cortactin directly interacts with a clutch molecule, shootin1, in axonal
      growth cones, thereby mediating the linkage between F-actin retrograde flow and
      cell adhesions through L1-CAM. Shootin1-cortactin interaction was enhanced by
      shootin1 phosphorylation by Pak1, which is activated by the axonal
      chemoattractant netrin-1. We provide evidence that shootin1-cortactin interaction
      participates in netrin-1-induced F-actin adhesion coupling and in the promotion
      of traction forces for axon outgrowth. Under cell signaling, this regulatory F
      actin adhesion coupling in growth cones cooperates with actin polymerization for
      efficient cellular motility.

PMID- 26261185
TI  - The Confluence of Sugar, Dental Caries, and Health Policy.

PMID- 26261186
TI  - Diet and Dental Caries: The Pivotal Role of Free Sugars Reemphasized.
AB  - The importance of sugars as a cause of caries is underemphasized and not
      prominent in preventive strategies. This is despite overwhelming evidence of its
      unique role in causing a worldwide caries epidemic. Why this neglect? One reason
      is that researchers mistakenly consider caries to be a multifactorial disease;
      they also concentrate mainly on mitigating factors, particularly fluoride.
      However, this is to misunderstand that the only cause of caries is dietary
      sugars. These provide a substrate for cariogenic oral bacteria to flourish and to
      generate enamel-demineralizing acids. Modifying factors such as fluoride and
      dental hygiene would not be needed if we tackled the single cause--sugars. In
      this article, we demonstrate the sensitivity of cariogenesis to even very low
      sugars intakes. Quantitative analyses show a log-linear dose-response
      relationship between the sucrose or its monosaccharide intakes and the
      progressive lifelong development of caries. This results in a substantial dental
      health burden throughout life. Processed starches have cariogenic potential when
      accompanying sucrose, but human studies do not provide unequivocal data of their
      cariogenicity. The long-standing failure to identify the need for drastic
      national reductions in sugars intakes reflects scientific confusion partly
      induced by pressure from major industrial sugar interests.

PMID- 26261187
TI  - Computational analysis of protein interaction networks for infectious diseases.
AB  - Infectious diseases caused by pathogens, including viruses, bacteria and
      parasites, pose a serious threat to human health worldwide. Frequent changes in
      the pattern of infection mechanisms and the emergence of multidrug-resistant
      strains among pathogens have weakened the current treatment regimen. This
      necessitates the development of new therapeutic interventions to prevent and
      control such diseases. To cater to the need, analysis of protein interaction
      networks (PINs) has gained importance as one of the promising strategies. The
      present review aims to discuss various computational approaches to analyse the
      PINs in context to infectious diseases. Topology and modularity analysis of the
      network with their biological relevance, and the scenario till date about host
      pathogen and intra-pathogenic protein interaction studies were delineated. This
      would provide useful insights to the research community, thereby enabling them to
      design novel biomedicine against such infectious diseases.

PMID- 26261188
TI  - Anthropometric trends and the risk of cardiovascular disease mortality in a
      Lithuanian urban population aged 45-64 years.
AB  - AIMS: To estimate trends in anthropometric indexes from 1992 to 2008 and to
      evaluate the risk of cardiovascular disease mortality in relation to
      anthropometric indexes (body mass index, waist circumference, waist:hip ratio,
      waist:height ratio). METHODS: Data from the three surveys (1992-2008) are
      presented. A random sample of 5147 subjects aged 45-64 years was selected for
      statistical analysis. During follow-up there were 141 deaths from cardiovascular
      disease (excluding those with cardiovascular disease at entry). Cox's regression
      was used to estimate the associations between anthropometric indexes and
      cardiovascular disease mortality. RESULTS: During a 17-year period among men, the
      prevalence of obesity (body mass index ? 30 kg/m(2)) increased from 18.4% to
      32.1% (p < 0.001) and a high level of waist:hip ratio (> 0.9) from 59.3% to 72.9%
      (p < 0.001). The risk profile of obesity did not change in women, but prevalence
      of a high level of waist:hip ratio (> 0.85) increased from 25.9% to 41.5% (p <
      0.001). Multivariable-adjusted Cox's regression models showed that body mass
      index, waist circumference, waist:hip ratio, waist:height ratio were associated
      with cardiovascular disease mortality risk only in men (hazard ratios 1.40, 1.45,
      1.49, 1.46 respectively (p < 0.01)). CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that
      anthropometric measures such as body mass index, waist circumference, waist:hip
      ratio and waist:height ratio are good indicators of cardiovascular disease
      mortality risk only in men aged 45-64 years.

PMID- 26261189
TI  - Why did life expectancy in Central and Eastern Europe suddenly improve in the
      1990s? An analysis by cause of death.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The upturn of life expectancy in Central and Eastern Europe in the
      1990s, after a period of stagnation or even decline, is one of the main events in
      European population history of the late 20th century, but has not been
      satisfactorily explained. DATA AND METHODS: Turning points in total and cause
      specific mortality in the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and
      Slovakia were determined using joinpoint regression. Changes in life expectancy
      in the 10 years following country-specific turning points were decomposed by age
      and cause of death using Arriaga's method. RESULTS: Among men, the turning points
      for all-cause mortality coincided with those for ischaemic heart disease in all
      six countries, and sometimes also with those for liver cirrhosis, road traffic
      accidents and lung cancer. Among women, the pattern was more diffuse. In the 10
      years since the turning point for all-cause mortality, life expectancy increased
      by around four years for men and three years for women in most countries.
      Declines in mortality from cardiovascular disease explain between a third and a
      half of the increase in life expectancy in all countries, but beyond this the
      contributing causes of death often varied considerably. CONCLUSIONS: Although the
      upturn of life expectancy in Central and Eastern Europe started at different
      points in time, improvements in prevention and/or treatment of ischaemic heart
      disease appear to have played a role in all six countries. Other factors, such as
      changes in alcohol consumption and road traffic safety, have, however, also made
      important contributions in some countries.

PMID- 26261190
TI  - Effect of physical exercise on workplace social capital: Cluster randomized
      controlled trial.
AB  - AIMS: While workplace health promotion with group-based physical exercise can
      improve workers' physical health, less is known about potential carry-over
      effects to psychosocial factors. This study investigates the effect of physical
      exercise on social capital at work. METHODS: Altogether, 200 female healthcare
      workers (nurses and nurse's aides) from 18 departments at three hospitals were
      randomly allocated at the department level to 10 weeks of (1) group-based
      physical exercise at work during working hours or (2) physical exercise at home
      during leisure time. At baseline and follow-up, participants replied to a
      questionnaire concerning workplace social capital: (1) within teams (bonding);
      (2) between teams (bridging); (3) between teams and nearest leaders (linking A);
      (4) between teams and distant leaders (linking B). RESULTS: At baseline, bonding,
      bridging, linking A and linking B social capital were 74 (SD 17), 61 (SD 19), 72
      (SD 22) and 70 (SD 18), respectively, on a scale of 0-100 (where 100 is best). A
      group by time interaction was found for bonding social capital (P=0.02), where
      physical exercise at work compared with physical exercise during leisure time
      increased 5.3 (95% confidence interval 2.3- 8.2)(effect size, Cohen's d = 0.31)
      from baseline to follow-up. For physical exercise at home during leisure time and
      exercise at work combined, a time effect (P=0.001) was found for linking A social
      capital, with a decrease of 4.8 (95% confidence interval 1.9-7.6). CONCLUSIONS:
      Group-based physical exercise at work contributed to building social capital
      within teams at the workplace. However, the general decrease of social capital
      between teams and nearest leaders during the intervention period warrants further
      research.

PMID- 26261191
TI  - Variations in life expectancy in Organization for Economic Co-operation and
      Development countries--1985-2010.
AB  - AIM: We examined the impact of different behavioral factors of health on the
      variations in the levels and rate of increase in life expectancy in Organization
      for Economic Co-operation and Development countries between 1985 and 2010.
      METHODS: Using the World Health Organization's conceptual framework of socio
      economic determinants of health, we incorporated Organization for Economic Co
      operation and Development, World Bank and United Nations data to estimate the
      impact of these variables on life expectancy for 30 Organization for Economic Co
      operation and Development countries. We used a random effect model to control the
      fixed effect of year and each country. RESULTS: Results show that the level of
      health care spending is the most important factor predicting life expectancy.
      Other important factors are gross domestic product per capita, labor
      productivity, years of schooling and percentage of gross domestic product
      spending allocated for public services. Life expectancy was reduced by smoking
      and higher daily calorie consumption. Countries that were previously part of the
      Soviet Union had lower life expectancies. Political factors had only a minor
      impact on life expectancy. CONCLUSIONS: Life expectancy increased an average of
      5.1 years in Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development countries
      between 1985 and 2010, but there was wide variation. Health spending per capita,
      economic factors and two behavioral factors - smoking and caloric intake -
      explained most of the variation and suggest where increased policy attention
      could have the greatest impact on life expectancy. Policymakers who consider our
      estimates recognize that they may see greater or less impact depending on the
      characteristics of their nation.

PMID- 26261192
TI  - Lemierre syndrome: early recognition and management.

PMID- 26261193
TI  - Coronary computed tomography angiography.

PMID- 26261194
TI  - Hidradenitis suppurativa.

PMID- 26261195
TI  - The cannabis doctor is in.

PMID- 26261196
TI  - CIHR cutting MD/PhD training program.

PMID- 26261197
TI  - Central funding for Cochrane Canada must continue.

PMID- 26261198
TI  - Lessons from Ebola bring WHO reforms.

PMID- 26261199
TI  - Association between household food insecurity and annual health care costs.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Household food insecurity, a measure of income-related problems of
      food access, is growing in Canada and is tightly linked to poorer health status.
      We examined the association between household food insecurity status and annual
      health care costs. METHODS: We obtained data for 67 033 people aged 18-64 years
      in Ontario who participated in the Canadian Community Health Survey in 2005,
      2007/08 or 2009/10 to assess their household food insecurity status in the 12
      months before the survey interview. We linked these data with administrative
      health care data to determine individuals' direct health care costs during the
      same 12-month period. RESULTS: Total health care costs and mean costs for
      inpatient hospital care, emergency department visits, physician services, same
      day surgeries, home care services and prescription drugs covered by the Ontario
      Drug Benefit Program rose systematically with increasing severity of household
      food insecurity. Compared with total annual health care costs in food-secure
      households, adjusted annual costs were 16% ($235) higher in households with
      marginal food insecurity (95% confidence interval [CI] 10%-23% [$141-$334]), 32%
      ($455) higher in households with moderate food insecurity (95% CI 25%-39% [$361
      $553]) and 76% ($1092) higher in households with severe food insecurity (95% CI
      65%-88% [$934-$1260]). When costs of prescription drugs covered by the Ontario
      Drug Benefit Program were included, the adjusted annual costs were 23% higher in
      households with marginal food insecurity (95% CI 16%-31%), 49% higher in those
      with moderate food insecurity (95% CI 41%-57%) and 121% higher in those with
      severe food insecurity (95% CI 107%-136%). INTERPRETATION: Household food
      insecurity was a robust predictor of health care utilization and costs incurred
      by working-age adults, independent of other social determinants of health. Policy
      interventions at the provincial or federal level designed to reduce household
      food insecurity could offset considerable public expenditures in health care.

PMID- 26261200
TI  - The Multidisciplinary Team Conference's Decision on M-Staging in Patients with
      Gastric- and Gastroesophageal Cancer is not Accurate without Staging Laparoscopy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The implementation of the multidisciplinary team conference has been
      shown to improve treatment outcome for patients with gastric- and
      gastroesophageal cancer. Likewise, the staging laparoscopy has increased the
      detection of patients with disseminated disease, that is, patients who do not
      benefit from a surgical resection. The aim of this study was to compare the
      multidisciplinary team conference's decision in respect of M-staging with the
      findings of the following staging laparoscopy. METHODS: Patients considered
      operable and resectable within the multidisciplinary team conference in the
      period 2010-2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Patient data were retrieved by
      searching for specific diagnosis and operation codes in the in-house system. The
      inclusion criteria were as follows: biopsy-verified cancer of the esophagus,
      gastroesophageal junction or stomach, and no suspicion of peritoneal
      carcinomatosis or liver metastases on multidisciplinary team conference before
      staging laparoscopy. Furthermore, an evaluation with staging laparoscopy was
      required. RESULTS: In total, 222 patients met the inclusion criteria. Most
      cancers were located in the gastroesophageal junction, n = 171 (77.0%), and most
      common with adenocarcinoma histology, n = 196 (88.3%). The staging laparoscopy
      was M1-positive for peritoneal carcinomatosis in eight patients (16.7%) with
      gastric cancer versus nine patients (5.3%) with gastroesophageal junction cancer.
      Furthermore, liver metastases were evident in zero patients (0.0%) and four
      patients (2.3%) with gastric- and gastroesophageal junction cancer, respectively.
      The staging laparoscopy findings regarding peritoneal carcinomatosis were
      significantly different between gastric- and gastroesophageal junction cancers, p
      = 0.01. No significant differences were found regarding T-/N-stage or
      histological tumor characteristics between the positive- and negative-staging
      laparoscopy group. CONCLUSION: The M-staging of the multidisciplinary team
      conference without staging laparoscopy lacks accuracy concerning peritoneal
      carcinomatosis. Staging laparoscopy remains an essential part of the preoperative
      detection of disseminated disease in patients with gastric- and gastroesophageal
      cancer.

PMID- 26261201
TI  - PTX3-Based Genetic Testing for Risk of Aspergillosis After Lung Transplant.

PMID- 26261202
TI  - Reply to Messori.

PMID- 26261203
TI  - Brucellosis in Iran: Why Not Eradicated?

PMID- 26261204
TI  - Newest Treatments for Hepatitis C: How Can We Manage Sustainability?

PMID- 26261205
TI  - The Use of Ebola Convalescent Plasma to Treat Ebola Virus Disease in Resource
      Constrained Settings: A Perspective From the Field.
AB  - The clinical evaluation of convalescent plasma (CP) for the treatment of Ebola
      virus disease (EVD) in the current outbreak, predominantly affecting Guinea,
      Sierra Leone, and Liberia, was prioritized by the World Health Organization in
      September 2014. In each of these countries, nonrandomized comparative clinical
      trials were initiated. The Ebola-Tx trial in Conakry, Guinea, enrolled 102
      patients by 7 July 2015; no severe adverse reactions were noted. The Ebola-CP
      trial in Sierra Leone and the EVD001 trial in Liberia have included few patients.
      Although no efficacy data are available yet, current field experience supports
      the safety, acceptability, and feasibility of CP as EVD treatment. Longer-term
      follow-up as well as data from nontrial settings and evidence on the scalability
      of the intervention are required. CP sourced from within the outbreak is the most
      readily available source of anti-EVD antibodies. Until the advent of effective
      antivirals or monoclonal antibodies, CP merits further evaluation. 

PMID- 26261207
TI  - Antifungal Prophylaxis in Liver Transplant Recipients.

PMID- 26261206
TI  - Reply to Cunha et al.

PMID- 26261208
TI  - Reply to Winston et al.

PMID- 26261209
TI  - TDP-43 affects splicing profiles and isoform production of genes involved in the
      apoptotic and mitotic cellular pathways.
AB  - In recent times, high-throughput screening analyses have broadly defined the RNA
      cellular targets of TDP-43, a nuclear factor involved in neurodegeneration. A
      common outcome of all these studies is that changing the expression levels of
      this protein can alter the expression of several hundred RNAs within cells. What
      still remains to be clarified is which changes represent direct cellular targets
      of TDP-43 or just secondary variations due to the general role played by this
      protein in RNA metabolism. Using an HTS-based splicing junction analysis we
      identified at least six bona fide splicing events that are consistent with being
      controlled by TDP-43. Validation of the data, both in neuronal and non-neuronal
      cell lines demonstrated that TDP-43 substantially alters the levels of isoform
      expression in four genes potentially important for neuropathology: MADD/IG20,
      STAG2, FNIP1 and BRD8. For MADD/IG20 and STAG2, these changes could also be
      confirmed at the protein level. These alterations were also observed in a
      cellular model that successfully mimics TDP-43 loss of function effects following
      its aggregation. Most importantly, our study demonstrates that cell cycle
      alterations induced by TDP-43 knockdown can be recovered by restoring the STAG2,
      an important component of the cohesin complex, normal splicing profile. 

PMID- 26261210
TI  - TRAP150 interacts with the RNA-binding domain of PSF and antagonizes splicing of
      numerous PSF-target genes in T cells.
AB  - PSF (a.k.a. SFPQ) is a ubiquitously expressed, essential nuclear protein with
      important roles in DNA damage repair and RNA biogenesis. In stimulated T cells,
      PSF binds to and suppresses the inclusion of CD45 exon 4 in the final mRNA;
      however, in resting cells, TRAP150 binds PSF and prevents access to the CD45 RNA,
      though the mechanism for this inhibition has remained unclear. Here, we show that
      TRAP150 binds a region encompassing the RNA recognition motifs (RRMs) of PSF
      using a previously uncharacterized, 70 residue region we have termed the PSF
      interacting domain (PID). TRAP150's PID directly inhibits the interaction of PSF
      RRMs with RNA, which is mediated through RRM2. However, interaction of PSF with
      TRAP150 does not appear to inhibit the dimerization of PSF with other Drosophila
      Behavior, Human Splicing (DBHS) proteins, which is also dependent on RRM2.
      Finally, we use RASL-Seq to identify ~40 T cell splicing events sensitive to PSF
      knockdown, and show that for the majority of these, PSF's effect is antagonized
      by TRAP150. Together these data suggest a model in which TRAP150 interacts with
      dimeric PSF to block access of RNA to RRM2, thereby regulating the activity of
      PSF toward a broad set of splicing events in T cells. 

PMID- 26261211
TI  - Widespread alternative and aberrant splicing revealed by lariat sequencing.
AB  - Alternative splicing is an important and ancient feature of eukaryotic gene
      structure, the existence of which has likely facilitated eukaryotic proteome
      expansions. Here, we have used intron lariat sequencing to generate a
      comprehensive profile of splicing events in Schizosaccharomyces pombe, amongst
      the simplest organisms that possess mammalian-like splice site degeneracy. We
      reveal an unprecedented level of alternative splicing, including alternative
      splice site selection for over half of all annotated introns, hundreds of novel
      exon-skipping events, and thousands of novel introns. Moreover, the frequency of
      these events is far higher than previous estimates, with alternative splice sites
      on average activated at ~3% the rate of canonical sites. Although a subset of
      alternative sites are conserved in related species, implying functional
      potential, the majority are not detectably conserved. Interestingly, the rate of
      aberrant splicing is inversely related to expression level, with lowly expressed
      genes more prone to erroneous splicing. Although we validate many events with
      RNAseq, the proportion of alternative splicing discovered with lariat sequencing
      is far greater, a difference we attribute to preferential decay of aberrantly
      spliced transcripts. Together, these data suggest the spliceosome possesses far
      lower fidelity than previously appreciated, highlighting the potential
      contributions of alternative splicing in generating novel gene structures. 

PMID- 26261212
TI  - hSSB1 (NABP2/ OBFC2B) is required for the repair of 8-oxo-guanine by the hOGG1
      mediated base excision repair pathway.
AB  - The maintenance of genome stability is essential to prevent loss of genetic
      information and the development of diseases such as cancer. One of the most
      common forms of damage to the genetic code is the oxidation of DNA by reactive
      oxygen species (ROS), of which 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-guanine (8-oxoG) is the most
      frequent modification. Previous studies have established that human single
      stranded DNA-binding protein 1 (hSSB1) is essential for the repair of double
      stranded DNA breaks by the process of homologous recombination. Here we show that
      hSSB1 is also required following oxidative damage. Cells lacking hSSB1 are
      sensitive to oxidizing agents, have deficient ATM and p53 activation and cannot
      effectively repair 8-oxoGs. Furthermore, we demonstrate that hSSB1 forms a
      complex with the human oxo-guanine glycosylase 1 (hOGG1) and is important for
      hOGG1 localization to the damaged chromatin. In vitro, hSSB1 binds directly to
      DNA containing 8-oxoguanines and enhances hOGG1 activity. These results underpin
      the crucial role hSSB1 plays as a guardian of the genome. 

PMID- 26261213
TI  - Paradoxical suppression of small RNA activity at high Hfq concentrations due to
      random-order binding.
AB  - Small RNAs (sRNAs) are important regulators of gene expression during bacterial
      stress and pathogenesis. sRNAs act by forming duplexes with mRNAs to alter their
      translation and degradation. In some bacteria, duplex formation is mediated by
      the Hfq protein, which can bind the sRNA and mRNA in each pair in a random order.
      Here we investigate the consequences of this random-order binding and
      experimentally demonstrate that it can counterintuitively cause high Hfq
      concentrations to suppress rather than promote sRNA activity in Escherichia coli.
      As a result, maximum sRNA activity occurs when the Hfq concentration is neither
      too low nor too high relative to the sRNA and mRNA concentrations ('Hfq set
      point'). We further show with models and experiments that random-order binding
      combined with the formation of a dead-end mRNA-Hfq complex causes high
      concentrations of an mRNA to inhibit its own duplex formation by sequestering
      Hfq. In such cases, maximum sRNA activity requires an optimal mRNA concentration
      ('mRNA set-point') as well as an optimal Hfq concentration. The Hfq and mRNA set
      points generate novel regulatory properties that can be harnessed by native and
      synthetic gene circuits to provide greater control over sRNA activity, generate
      non-monotonic responses and enhance the robustness of expression. 

PMID- 26261214
TI  - Molecular basis of ribosome recognition and mRNA hydrolysis by the E. coli YafQ
      toxin.
AB  - Bacterial type II toxin-antitoxin modules are protein-protein complexes whose
      functions are finely tuned by rapidly changing environmental conditions. E. coli
      toxin YafQ is suppressed under steady state growth conditions by virtue of its
      interaction with its cognate antitoxin, DinJ. During stress, DinJ is
      proteolytically degraded and free YafQ halts translation by degrading ribosome
      bound mRNA to slow growth until the stress has passed. Although structures of the
      ribosome with toxins RelE and YoeB have been solved, it is unclear what residues
      among ribosome-dependent toxins are essential for mediating both recognition of
      the ribosome and the mRNA substrate given their low sequence identities. Here we
      show that YafQ coordinates binding to the 70S ribosome via three surface-exposed
      patches of basic residues that we propose directly interact with 16S rRNA. We
      demonstrate that YafQ residues H50, H63, D67 and H87 participate in acid-base
      catalysis during mRNA hydrolysis and further show that H50 and H63 functionally
      complement as general bases to initiate the phosphodiester cleavage reaction.
      Moreover YafQ residue F91 likely plays an important role in mRNA positioning. In
      summary, our findings demonstrate the plasticity of ribosome-dependent toxin
      active site residues and further our understanding of which toxin residues are
      important for function. 

PMID- 26261215
TI  - Integrated analysis of numerous heterogeneous gene expression profiles for
      detecting robust disease-specific biomarkers and proposing drug targets.
AB  - Genome-wide expression profiling has revolutionized biomedical research; vast
      amounts of expression data from numerous studies of many diseases are now
      available. Making the best use of this resource in order to better understand
      disease processes and treatment remains an open challenge. In particular, disease
      biomarkers detected in case-control studies suffer from low reliability and are
      only weakly reproducible. Here, we present a systematic integrative analysis
      methodology to overcome these shortcomings. We assembled and manually curated
      more than 14,000 expression profiles spanning 48 diseases and 18 expression
      platforms. We show that when studying a particular disease, judicious utilization
      of profiles from other diseases and information on disease hierarchy improves
      classification quality, avoids overoptimistic evaluation of that quality, and
      enhances disease-specific biomarker discovery. This approach yielded specific
      biomarkers for 24 of the analyzed diseases. We demonstrate how to combine these
      biomarkers with large-scale interaction, mutation and drug target data, forming a
      highly valuable disease summary that suggests novel directions in disease
      understanding and drug repurposing. Our analysis also estimates the number of
      samples required to reach a desired level of biomarker stability. This
      methodology can greatly improve the exploitation of the mountain of expression
      profiles for better disease analysis.

PMID- 26261217
TI  - How does joint procurement affect the design, customisation and usability of a
      hospital ePrescribing system?
AB  - The aim of this article is to explore the effect of the joint procurement model
      adopted during the English National Programme for Information Technology (NPfIT)
      on the customisation, design and usability of a hospital ePrescribing system.
      Drawing on qualitative data collected at two case study sites deploying an
      ePrescribing system jointly procured within one of the NPfIT's geographical
      clusters, we explain how procurement decisions, difficult relationships with the
      supplier and strict contractual arrangements contributed to usability issues and
      difficulties in the customisation process. While some limited change requests
      made by users were taken up by the developers, these were seen by users as
      insufficient to meet local clinical needs and practices. A joint procurement
      approach, such as the NPfIT, thus limited the opportunity and scope of the
      changes to the ePrescribing system, which impinged not only on the perceived
      success of the implementation but also on the system's usability.

PMID- 26261216
TI  - Towards a shared service centre for telemedicine: Telemedicine in Denmark, and a
      possible way forward.
AB  - : Although evidence of the effectiveness of telemedicine is accumulating,
      knowledge of how to make best use of telemedicine is limited. This article
      presents results from a multi-stakeholder project that developed a new concept, a
      'shared service centre' for telemedicine that is envisioned as working across
      different telemedical initiatives to support the implementation and wider
      adoption of telemedicine. One year of participatory design and analysis of the
      shared service centre concept involved stakeholders, such as clinicians,
      patients, technicians, policy makers, lawyers, economists and information
      technology architects. More than 100 people contributed to the findings. Most of
      the ideas generated for potential centre support for telemedicine could be
      categorised under four service categories. The need for such support services was
      verified in the cases investigated, and by agreement among stakeholders from
      regional health authorities, municipalities, and general practice. Therefore, it
      is probable that a shared service centre could help enable the wider deployment
      of telemedicine. DEFINITIONS: In this article, we use 'telemedicine' as an
      umbrella term for all the 'tele-' labels that are sometimes used rather
      indiscriminately to denote the use of information and technology to support
      healthcare services, including 'telehealth', 'telemonitoring', 'telehomecare', 'e
      health', and so on. As per our definition, telemedicine may be synchronous and/or
      asynchronous, and may apply to any information and technology-based means of
      connecting healthcare actors and the patient, such as video communication, e
      mail, electronic monitoring equipment, and Internet portals. Furthermore, the
      term 'telemedical initiative' covers projects in which telemedicine is conducted
      by a temporary project organisation, as well as self-contained telemedicine
      services used in daily, clinical practice in existing organisations.

PMID- 26261218
TI  - Predictors of online health information seeking behavior: Changes between 2002
      and 2012.
AB  - The Internet has become an important and preferred source of health information.
      Although the literature has highlighted several key predictors that influence an
      individual's online health information seeking behavior, insufficient attention
      has been paid to the changes in the predictors' roles and effects over time. This
      study explores and compares the effects that specific predictors had on online
      health information seeking behavior over a period of 10 years by integrating and
      analyzing two Pew datasets collected in 2002 and 2012. Hierarchical regression
      analyses indicate that socio-demographic factors and overall health condition are
      significant predictors that had an increasing impact on online health information
      seeking behavior. However, the impact of Internet usage decreased significantly
      from 2002 to 2012. A comparison across time contributes to a vertical
      understanding of the changes in online health information seeking behavior and
      its predictors and helps health professionals and researchers tailor their
      informational interventions to meet the up-to-date needs and preferences of
      users.

PMID- 26261219
TI  - Ethnic origin and access to electronic health services.
AB  - E-health holds the promise of changing the delivery of health care by extending
      and enhancing its reach, and democratizing and improving the access of
      disadvantaged groups to health care services. This study investigated ethnic
      inequalities in access to e-health information, communication and electronic
      services in Israel. Based on the diversification hypothesis, we expected that
      disadvantaged ethnic groups would be more likely to use e-health services to
      compensate for their lack of social capital. Data gathered from a representative
      sample of Internet users in Israel (n=1371) provided partial support for the
      hypothesis, indicating that in multicultural societies, disadvantaged groups are
      more motivated than the majority group to use the Internet to access medical
      information. However, despite expectations, minority groups were less likely to
      access e-health services. Implications of the findings are discussed.

PMID- 26261220
TI  - Supporting Active Patient and Health Care Collaboration: A Prototype for Future
      Health Care Information Systems.
AB  - This article presents and illustrates the main features of a proposed process
      oriented approach for patient information distribution in future health care
      information systems, by using a prototype of a process support system. The
      development of the prototype was based on the Visuera method, which includes five
      defined steps. The results indicate that a visualized prototype is a suitable
      tool for illustrating both the opportunities and constraints of future ideas and
      solutions in e-Health. The main challenges for developing and implementing a
      fully functional process support system concern both technical and
      organizational/management aspects.

PMID- 26261222
TI  - GMcloser: closing gaps in assemblies accurately with a likelihood-based selection
      of contig or long-read alignments.
AB  - MOTIVATION: Genome assemblies generated with next-generation sequencing (NGS)
      reads usually contain a number of gaps. Several tools have recently been
      developed to close the gaps in these assemblies with NGS reads. Although these
      gap-closing tools efficiently close the gaps, they entail a high rate of
      misassembly at gap-closing sites. RESULTS: We have found that the assembly error
      rates caused by these tools are 20-500-fold higher than the rate of errors
      introduced into contigs by de novo assemblers. We here describe GMcloser, a tool
      that accurately closes these gaps with a preassembled contig set or a long read
      set (i.e., error-corrected PacBio reads). GMcloser uses likelihood-based
      classifiers calculated from the alignment statistics between scaffolds, contigs
      and paired-end reads to correctly assign contigs or long reads to gap regions of
      scaffolds, thereby achieving accurate and efficient gap closure. We demonstrate
      with sequencing data from various organisms that the gap-closing accuracy of
      GMcloser is 3-100-fold higher than those of other available tools, with similar
      efficiency. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: GMcloser and an accompanying tool
      (GMvalue) for evaluating the assembly and correcting misassemblies except SNPs
      and short indels in the assembly are available at
      https://sourceforge.net/projects/gmcloser/. CONTACT: shunichi.kosugi@riken.jp.
      SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics
      online.

PMID- 26261221
TI  - Rates and risks for late referral to hospice in patients with primary malignant
      brain tumors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Primary malignant brain tumors (PMBTs) are devastating malignancies
      with poor prognosis. Optimizing psychosocial and supportive care is critical,
      especially in the later stages of disease. METHODS: This retrospective cohort
      study compared early versus late hospice enrollment of PMBT patients admitted to
      the home hospice program of a large urban, not-for-profit home health care agency
      between 2009 and 2013. RESULTS: Of 160 patients with PMBT followed to death in
      hospice care, 32 (22.5%) were enrolled within 7 days of death. When compared with
      patients referred to hospice more than 7 days before death, a greater proportion
      of those with late referral were bedbound at admission (97.2% vs 61.3%; OR=21.85;
      95% CI, 3.42-919.20; P < .001), aphasic (61.1% vs 20.2%; OR = 6.13; 95% CI, 2.59
      15.02; P < .001), unresponsive (38.9% vs 4%; OR = 14.76,;95% CI, 4.47-57.98; P <
      .001), or dyspneic (27.8% vs 9.7%; OR = 21.85; 95% CI, 3.42-10.12; P = .011). In
      multivariable analysis, male patients who were receiving Medicaid or charitable
      care and were without a health care proxy were more likely to enroll in hospice
      within 1 week of death. CONCLUSIONS: Late hospice referral in PMBT is common.
      PMBT patients enrolled late in hospice are severely neurologically debilitated at
      the time hospice is initiated and therefore may not derive optimal benefit from
      multidisciplinary hospice care. Men, patients with lower socioeconomic status,
      and those without a health care proxy may be at risk for late hospice care and
      may benefit from proactive discussion about end-of-life care in PMBT, but
      prospective studies are needed.

PMID- 26261223
TI  - Vizardous: interactive analysis of microbial populations with single cell
      resolution.
AB  - MOTIVATION: Single cell time-lapse microscopy is a powerful method for
      investigating heterogeneous cell behavior. Advances in microfluidic lab-on-a-chip
      technologies and live-cell imaging render the parallel observation of the
      development of individual cells in hundreds of populations possible. While image
      analysis tools are available for cell detection and tracking, biologists are
      still confronted with the challenge of exploring and evaluating this data.
      RESULTS: We present the software tool Vizardous that assists scientists with
      explorative analysis and interpretation tasks of single cell data in an
      interactive, configurable and visual way. With Vizardous, lineage tree drawings
      can be augmented with various, time-resolved cellular characteristics. Associated
      statistical moments bridge the gap between single cell and the population-average
      level. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: The software, including documentation and
      examples, is available as executable Java archive as well as in source form at
      https://github.com/modsim/vizardous. CONTACT: k.noeh@fz-juelich.de. SUPPLEMENTARY
      INFORMATION: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

PMID- 26261224
TI  - SuccFind: a novel succinylation sites online prediction tool via enhanced
      characteristic strategy.
AB  - Lysine succinylation orchestrates a variety of biological processes. Annotation
      of succinylation in proteomes is the first-crucial step to decipher physiological
      roles of succinylation implicated in the pathological processes. In this work, we
      developed a novel succinylation site online prediction tool, called SuccFind,
      which is constructed to predict the lysine succinylation sites based on two major
      categories of characteristics: sequence-derived features and evolutionary-derived
      information of sequence and via an enhanced feature strategy for further
      optimizations. The assessment results obtained from cross-validation suggest that
      SuccFind can provide more instructive guidance for further experimental
      investigation of protein succinylation. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: A user
      friendly server is freely available on the web at:
      http://bioinfo.ncu.edu.cn/SuccFind.aspx. CONTACT: jdqiu@ncu.edu.cn. SUPPLEMENTARY
      INFORMATION: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

PMID- 26261225
TI  - Streptococcal Diversity of Human Milk and Comparison of Different Methods for the
      Taxonomic Identification of Streptococci.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The genus Streptococcus is 1 of the dominant bacterial groups in
      human milk, but the taxonomic identification of some species remains difficult.
      OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the discriminatory
      ability of different methods to identify streptococcal species in order to
      perform an assessment of the streptococcal diversity of human milk microbiota as
      accurately as possible. METHODS: The identification of 105 streptococcal strains
      from human milk was performed by 16S rRNA, tuf, and sodA gene sequencing,
      phylogenetic analysis, and Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of
      Flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Streptococcus salivarius,
      Streptococcus mitis, and Streptococcus parasanguinis were the streptococcal
      dominant species in the human milk microbiota. Sequencing of housekeeping genes
      allowed the classification of 96.2% (16S rRNA), 84.8% ( sodA), and 88.6% ( tuf)
      of the isolates. Phylogenetic analysis showed 3 main streptococcal clusters
      corresponding with the mitis (73 isolates), salivarius (29), mutans (1)-pyogenic
      (2) groups, but many of the mitis group isolates (36) could not be assigned to
      any species. The application of the MALDI-TOF Bruker Biotyper system resulted in
      the identification of 56 isolates (53.33%) at the species level, but it could not
      discriminate between S pneumoniae and S mitis isolates, in contrast to the Vitek
      MS system. CONCLUSION: There was a good agreement among the different methods
      assessed in this study to identify those isolates of the salivarius, mutans, and
      pyogenic groups, whereas unambiguous discrimination could not be achieved
      concerning some species of the mitis group ( S mitis, S pneumoniae, S
      pseudopneumoniae, S oralis).

PMID- 26261226
TI  - An Evaluation of the CDC's Community-Based Breastfeeding Supplemental Cooperative
      Agreement: Reach, Strategies, Barriers, Facilitators, and Lessons Learned.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Community-based organizations (CBOs) have an important role to play
      in promoting breastfeeding continuation among mothers. The Centers for Disease
      Control and Prevention's Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity Program's
      Cooperative Agreement Breastfeeding Supplement funded 6 state health departments
      to support CBOs to implement community-based breastfeeding support activities.
      OBJECTIVES: Study objectives were to (1) describe the reach of the Cooperative
      Agreement, (2) describe breastfeeding support strategies implemented by state
      health departments and CBOs, and (3) understand the barriers and facilitators to
      implementing community-based breastfeeding support strategies. METHODS:
      Qualitative and quantitative data were abstracted from state health departments'
      final evaluation reports. Qualitative data were analyzed for common themes using
      deductive and inductive approaches. RESULTS: Within the 6 states funded by the
      Cooperative Agreement, 66 primary CBOs implemented breastfeeding support
      strategies and reported 59 256 contacts with mothers. Support strategies included
      incorporating lactation services into community-based programs, training staff,
      providing walk-in locations for lactation support, connecting breastfeeding
      mothers to resources, and providing services that reflect community-specific
      culture. Community partnerships, network building, stakeholders' commitment, and
      programmatic and policy environments were key facilitators of program success.
      CONCLUSION: Key lessons learned include the importance of time in creating
      lasting organizational change, use of data for program improvement, choosing the
      right partners, taking a collective approach, and leveraging resources.

PMID- 26261227
TI  - Ischaemia-reperfusion injury masquerading as an infected finger in a 12 month
      old.

PMID- 26261228
TI  - Change in the collateral and accessory collateral ligament lengths of the
      proximal interphalangeal joint using cadaveric model three-dimensional laser
      scanning.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to assess the lengths of the index and middle
      finger proximal interphalangeal joint ligaments and determine the relative
      changes in the collateral and accessory collateral ligament lengths at 0 degrees
      , 45 degrees  and 90 degrees  flexion. We generated three-dimensional scans of 16
      finger (eight index and eight middle) proximal interphalangeal joints to assess
      relative changes in ligament length. Significant changes were found between 45
      degrees -90 degrees  and 0 degrees -90 degrees  for the ulnar collateral ligament
      of the index finger and both collateral ligaments of the middle finger between 45
      degrees -90 degrees  and 0 degrees -90 degrees . No significant changes in length
      were found for the radial collateral ligament of the index finger or the
      accessory collateral ligaments of the index and middle fingers. Overall, it was
      found that the collateral ligament length changed significantly, but there was no
      significant change in the accessory collateral ligaments. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF
      EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.

PMID- 26261229
TI  - Prevalence of amblyopia and strabismus in Eastern China: results from screening
      of preschool children aged 36-72 months.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of amblyopia and strabismus in preschool
      children in Eastern China. METHODS: The Nanjing Pediatric Vision Project was a
      cross-sectional, population-based cohort study conducted in preschool children
      aged 36-72 months from 2011 to 2012 in Yuhua District, Nanjing, China, using an
      age-stratified random sampling procedure. A questionnaire totalling 117 items was
      sent to be completed by the corresponding parents or legal guardians of each
      eligible child. Comprehensive eye examinations, including visual acuity, anterior
      segment examination, autorefraction, cover test and ocular motility, were
      conducted. Postcycloplegic refraction and fundus examinations were performed if
      necessary. RESULTS: Amblyopia was present in 68 children (1.20%, 95% CI 0.92% to
      1.48%), with no statistical differences in gender (p=0.903) and age (p=0.835).
      Among these, 27 had bilateral amblyopia and 41 had unilateral amblyopia,
      including 26 anisometropic without strabismus, 26 binocular refractive, 7
      strabismic, 6 combined strabismic/anisometropic and 3 deprivation amblyopia.
      Strabismus was found in 320 children (5.65%, 95% CI 5.05% to 6.25%), including 43
      with concomitant esotropia, 259 with concomitant exotropia (1 esotropia at near
      but exotropia at distance), 8 with microtropia (3 esotropia and 5 exotropia), 10
      with pure vertical strabismus (3 dissociated vertical deviation and 7 oblique
      muscle dysfunction) and 1 with Type I Duane syndrome. The prevalence of
      strabismus had no statistical differences in gender (p=0.952), but had
      significant statistical differences between different age groups (p=0.021).
      CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of amblyopia and strabismus in preschool children in
      Eastern China were 1.20% and 5.65%, respectively. The refractive and strabismus
      are the main factors associated with amblyopia.

PMID- 26261230
TI  - Choroidal thickening prior to anterior recurrence in patients with Vogt-Koyanagi
      Harada disease.
AB  - AIM: To assess choroidal thickness changes associated with anterior segment
      recurrences in patients with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease using enhanced
      depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT). METHODS: EDI-OCT images
      were obtained periodically from 11 patients with VKH disease (22 eyes) who were
      followed-up due to anterior segment recurrences. Subfoveal choroidal thickness
      (SCT) values at the following stages were evaluated: (1) during the remission
      phase, (2) 1 month before detecting the anterior recurrence, (3) during the
      anterior recurrence and (4) after systemic prednisolone (PSL) treatment leading
      to remission. In comparison with SCT values in remission as baseline, the
      changing ratios of SCT were statistically analysed at subsequent three stages.
      RESULTS: The average of the SCT changing ratios compared with the remission phase
      significantly increased to 1.45+/-0.11 during anterior segment recurrences
      (p=0.00044) lacking any funduscopic signs of posterior involvement.
      Interestingly, the average SCT ratio 1 month before detecting the recurrence had
      already increased to 1.30+/-0.08 (p=0.002). After the PSL treatment, the ratio of
      SCT recovered to 0.95+/-0.03, which was equivalent to the remission level.
      However, in patients with their remission SCT values less than 240 um, the SCT
      ratio did not increase significantly at any time points evaluated. CONCLUSIONS:
      The choroid in eyes with VKH disease thickened in association with the anterior
      segment recurrence, and this thickening was observed prior to the recurrence. EDI
      OCT may be useful for detecting latent choroidal inflammation in VKH disease,
      whereas it may not for patients with the relatively thin choroid. TRIAL
      REGISTRATION NUMBER: The trial registration number of the internal review board
      of Hokkaido University Hospital is 014-0384.

PMID- 26261232
TI  - Radial versus raster spectral-domain optical coherence tomography scan patterns
      for detection of macular fluid in neovascular age-related macular degeneration.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: To compare the 12-line radial to the 25-line raster spectral
      domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) acquisition patterns at detecting
      intraretinal or subretinal fluid in eyes with neovascular age-related macular
      degeneration (AMD). METHODS: Retrospective cross-sectional analysis of 200 eyes
      with neovascular AMD. Sequential 12-line radial and 25-line raster scans were
      evaluated for the presence of intraretinal/subretinal fluid. RESULTS: A total of
      394 SD-OCT scans were interpreted (1.97 scans per eye). The 12-line radial
      detected intraretinal/subretinal fluid in all but 7 of 394 scans (1.7%; 95% CI
      0.7% to 3.6%), resulting in a sensitivity of 98.3%. The 25-line raster detected
      intraretinal/subretinal fluid in all but 10 of 394 scans (2.5%; 95% CI 1.2% to
      4.6%), resulting in a sensitivity of 97.5%. This small difference in fluid
      detection between the two acquisition patterns for neovascular AMD was not found
      to be statistically significant (p=0.6276). CONCLUSIONS: The 12-line radial scan
      is statistically comparable with the 25-line raster scan in detecting the
      presence of intraretinal/subretinal fluid in neovascular AMD. The 12-line radial
      SD-OCT pattern alone may be adequate to guide day-to-day clinical decisions in a
      more time-efficient manner.

PMID- 26261231
TI  - Analysis of human cytomegalovirus replication in primary cultured human corneal
      endothelial cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Since the first case of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV)-induced
      corneal endotheliitis in which HCMV DNA was detected from the patient's aqueous
      humour using PCR, the clinical evidence for HCMV endotheliitis has been
      accumulating. However, it remains to be confirmed whether HCMV can efficiently
      replicate in corneal endothelial cells. We, therefore, sought to determine
      whether primary cultured human corneal endothelial cells (HCECs) could support
      HCMV replication. METHODS: Human foreskin fibroblasts (HFFs) have been shown to
      be fully permissive for HCMV replication, and are commonly used as an in vitro
      model for HCMV lytic replication. Therefore, primary cultured HCECs or HFFs were
      infected with the vascular endotheliotropic HCMV strain TB40/E or laboratory
      strain Towne. We then compared viral mRNA and protein expression, genome
      replication and growth between the TB40/E-infected and Towne-infected HCECs and
      HFFs. RESULTS: When HCECs were infected with TB40/E or Towne, rounded cells
      resembling owl's eyes as well as viral antigens were detected. Viral mRNA
      synthesis and protein expression proceeded efficiently in the HCECs and HFFs
      infected with TB40/E or Towne at a high multiplicity of infection (MOI).
      Similarly, the viral genome was also effectively replicated, with UL44--a viral
      DNA polymerase processivity factor--foci observed in the nuclei of HCECs. HCECs
      produced a substantial number of infectious virions after infection with TB40/E
      at both a high and low MOI. CONCLUSIONS: Primary cultured HCECs could efficiently
      support HCMV replication after infection at both a high and low MOI.

PMID- 26261233
TI  - A Path Model of School Violence Perpetration: Introducing Online Game Addiction
      as a New Risk Factor.
AB  - Drawing on the cognitive information-processing model of aggression and the
      general aggression model, we explored why adolescents become addicted to online
      games and how their immersion in online games affects school violence
      perpetration (SVP). For this purpose, we conducted statistical analyses on 1,775
      elementary and middle school students who resided in northern districts of Seoul,
      South Korea. The results validated the proposed structural equation model and
      confirmed the statistical significance of the structural paths from the
      variables; that is, the paths from child abuse and self-esteem to SVP were
      significant. The levels of self-esteem and child abuse victimization affected
      SVP, and this effect was mediated by online game addiction (OGA). Furthermore, a
      multigroup path analysis showed significant gender differences in the path
      coefficients of the proposed model, indicating that gender exerted differential
      effects on adolescents' OGA and SVP. Based on these results, prevention and
      intervention methods to curb violence in schools have been proposed.

PMID- 26261234
TI  - Overcoming Abuse: A Phenomenological Investigation of the Journey to Recovery
      From Past Intimate Partner Violence.
AB  - To date, minimal research has focused on the recovery process for survivors of
      intimate partner violence (IPV). This study utilized a phenomenological
      methodology to understand the lived experiences of survivors of IPV ( N = 123)
      who had overcome abusive relationships and created violence-free and meaningful
      lives. The researchers aimed to understand key factors involved in their recovery
      processes. Results indicated two main processes in the IPV recovery process:
      intrapersonal processes and interpersonal processes. Intrapersonal processes
      included (a) regaining and recreating one's identity, (b) embracing the freedom
      and power to direct one's own life, (c) healing from the mental and physical
      health symptoms of the abuse, (d) fostering acceptance and forgiveness with self
      and abuser, (e) education and examination of abusive relationships, (f)
      determining whether and how to enter new intimate relationships, and (g)
      acknowledging the long-term process of overcoming abuse. Interpersonal processes
      included themes of (a) building positive social support and relationships and (b)
      using ones' experiences with abuse to help others. Results of the present study
      are presented, and implications for practitioners are discussed.

PMID- 26261235
TI  - Correction of coronal alignment correlates with reconstruction of joint height in
      unicompartmental knee arthroplasty.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Because there have been no standard methods to determine pre
      operatively the thickness of resection of the proximal tibia in unicompartmental
      knee arthroplasty (UKA), information about the relationship between the change of
      limb alignment and the joint line elevation would be useful for pre-operative
      planning. The purpose of this study was to clarify the correlation between the
      change of limb alignment and the change of joint line height at the medial
      compartment after UKA. METHODS: A consecutive series of 42 medial UKAs was
      reviewed retrospectively. These patients were assessed radiographically both pre-
      and post-operatively with standing anteroposterior radiographs. The thickness of
      bone resection at the proximal tibia and the distal femur was measured
      radiographically. The relationship between the change of femorotibial angle
      (deltaFTA) and the change of joint line height, was analysed. RESULTS: The mean
      pre- and post-operative FTA was 180.5 degrees  (172.2 degrees  to 184.8 degrees )
      and 175.0 degrees  (168.5 degrees  to 178.9 degrees ), respectively. The mean
      deltaFTA was 5.5 degrees  (2.3 degrees  to 10.1 degrees ). The joint line
      elevation of the tibia (JLET) was 4.4 mm (2.1 to 7.8). The deltaFTA was
      correlated with the JLET (correlation coefficient 0.494, p = 0.0009).
      CONCLUSIONS: This study indicated that there is a significant correlation between
      the change of limb alignment and joint line elevation. This observation suggests
      that it is possible to know the requirement of elevation of the joint line to
      obtain the desired correction of limb alignment, and to predict the requirement
      of bone resection of the proximal tibia pre-operatively. Cite this article: Bone
      Joint Res 2015;4:128-133.

PMID- 26261236
TI  - Options for reducing oil content of sludge from a petroleum wastewater treatment
      plant.
AB  - Wastewater treatment plants at petroleum refineries often produce substantial
      quantities of sludge with relatively high concentrations of oil. Disposal of this
      waste is costly, in part because the high oil content requires use of secure
      disposal methods akin to handling of hazardous wastes. This article examines the
      properties of oily sludge and evaluates optional methods for reducing the oil
      content of this sludge to enable use of lower cost disposal methods. To reduce
      the oil content or break the structure of oily sludge, preliminary lab-scale
      experiments involving mechanical treatment, surfactant extraction, and oxidation
      are conducted. By applying surfactants, approximately 36% to 45% of oils are
      extracted from oily sludge. Of this, about 33% of oils are rapidly oxidised via
      radiation by an electron beam within 10 s of exposure. The Fenton reaction is
      effective for destruction of oily sludge. It is also found that 56% of oils were
      removed by reacting oily sludge with water containing ozone of 0.5 mg l(-1) over
      a period of 24 h. Oxidation using ozone thus can also be effectively used as a
      pretreatment for oily sludge.

PMID- 26261237
TI  - E-cigarette use and willingness to smoke: a sample of adolescent non-smokers.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: There is little evidence on the consequences of using electronic
      cigarettes (e-cigarette) in adolescence. With a multiethnic sample of non
      smokers, we assessed the relation between e-cigarette use and social-cognitive
      factors that predict smoking of combustible cigarettes. METHODS: School-based
      cross-sectional survey of 2309 high school students (mean age 14.7 years).
      Participants reported on e-cigarette use and cigarette use; on smoking-related
      cognitions (smoking expectancies, prototypes of smokers) and peer smoker
      affiliations; and on willingness to smoke cigarettes. Regression analyses
      conducted for non-cigarette smokers tested the association between e-cigarette
      use and willingness to smoke cigarettes, controlling for demographics, parenting,
      academic and social competence, and personality variables. Structural equation
      modelling (SEM) analysis tested whether the relation between e-cigarette use and
      willingness to smoke was mediated through any of the three smoking-related
      variables. RESULTS: Non-smokers who had used e-cigarettes (18% of the total
      sample) showed more willingness to smoke cigarettes compared with those who had
      never used any tobacco product; the adjusted OR was 2.35 (95% CI 1.73 to 3.19).
      SEM showed that the relation between e-cigarette use and willingness to smoke was
      partly mediated through more positive expectancies about smoking, but there was
      also a direct path from e-cigarette use to willingness. CONCLUSIONS: Among
      adolescent non-smokers, e-cigarette use is associated with willingness to smoke,
      a predictor of future cigarette smoking. The results suggest that use of e
      cigarettes by adolescents is not without attitudinal risk for cigarette smoking.
      These findings have implications for formulation of policy about access to e
      cigarettes by adolescents.

PMID- 26261238
TI  - Ropeginterferon alfa-2b, a novel IFNalpha-2b, induces high response rates with
      low toxicity in patients with polycythemia vera.
AB  - In this prospective, open-label, multicenter phase 1/2 dose escalation study, we
      used a next-generation, mono-pegylated interferon (IFN) alpha-2b isoform,
      ropeginterferon alfa-2b. The unique feature of ropeginterferon alfa-2b is a
      longer elimination half-life, which allows administration every 2 weeks. We
      present data from 51 polycythemia vera patients. The main goal was to define the
      maximum tolerated dose and to assess safety and efficacy. A dose range of 50 to
      540 ug was tested without the appearance of dose-limiting toxicities. All drug
      related adverse events were known toxicities associated with IFN-alpha. The
      cumulative overall response rate was 90%, comprising complete response in 47% and
      partial response in 43% of patients; the best individual molecular response level
      was a complete response in 21% of patients and partial response in 47%. Notably,
      we did not observe any correlation between the dose level and the response rate
      or response duration, suggesting that already low levels of ropeginterferon alfa
      2b are sufficient to induce significant hematologic and molecular responses.
      These data suggest promising efficacy and safety of ropeginterferon alfa-2b and
      support the development of the drug in a randomized phase 3 clinical trial. The
      study was disclosed at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01193699 before including
      the first patient. 

PMID- 26261240
TI  - SUMOylation-disrupting WAS mutation converts WASp from a transcriptional
      activator to a repressor of NF-kappaB response genes in T cells.
AB  - In Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS), immunodeficiency and autoimmunity often
      comanifest, yet how WAS mutations misregulate chromatin-signaling in Thelper (TH)
      cells favoring development of auto-inflammation over protective immunity is
      unclear. Previously, we identified an essential promoter-specific, coactivator
      role of nuclear-WASp in TH1 gene transcription. Here we identify small ubiquitin
      related modifier (SUMO)ylation as a novel posttranslational modification of WASp,
      impairment of which converts nuclear-WASp from a transcriptional coactivator to a
      corepressor of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB response genes in human (TH)1
      differentiating cells. V75M, one of many disease-causing mutations occurring in
      SUMO*motif (72-psipsipsipsiKDxxxxSY-83) of WASp, compromises WASp-SUMOylation,
      associates with COMMD1 to attenuate NF-kappaB signaling, and recruits histone
      deacetylases-6 (HDAC6) to p300-marked promoters of NF-kappaB response genes that
      pattern immunity but not inflammation. Consequently, proteins mediating adaptive
      immunity (IFNG, STAT1, TLR1) are deficient, whereas those mediating auto
      inflammation (GM-CSF, TNFAIP2, IL-1beta) are paradoxically increased in TH1 cells
      expressing SUMOylation-deficient WASp. Moreover, SUMOylation-deficient WASp
      favors ectopic development of the TH17-like phenotype (?IL17A, IL21, IL22, IL23R,
      RORC, and CSF2) under TH1-skewing conditions, suggesting a role for WASp in
      modulating TH1/TH17 plasticity. Notably, pan-histone deacetylase inhibitors lift
      promoter-specific repression imposed by SUMOylation-deficient WASp and restore
      misregulated gene expression. Our findings uncovering a SUMOylation-based
      mechanism controlling WASp's dichotomous roles in transcription may have
      implications for personalized therapy for patients carrying mutations that
      perturb WASp-SUMOylation. 

PMID- 26261241
TI  - Low forced expiratory volume is associated with earlier death in sickle cell
      anemia.
AB  - Pulmonary complications result in mortality in adults with sickle cell anemia
      (SCA). We tested the hypothesis that abnormal pulmonary function was associated
      with earlier death. A prospective cohort of adults with SCA, followed in the
      Cooperative Study for Sickle Cell Disease, was constructed using the first
      pulmonary function test at >21 years of age. Spirometry measures: forced
      expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity, and total lung
      capacity were categorized based on age, gender, height, and race. Pulmonary
      function patterns were categorized based on the American Thoracic Society
      guidelines using both spirometry and lung volumes. A cohort of 430 adults with
      SCA, mean age 32.6 +/- 9.5 (range, 21.0-67.8) years at time of first pulmonary
      function test, and a median follow-up of 5.5 years, was evaluated. A total of 63
      deaths occurred. At baseline, 47% had normal, 29% restrictive, 8% obstructive, 2%
      mixed, and 14% nonspecific lung function patterns. In the final multivariable
      model, lower FEV1 percent predicted was associated with increased hazard ratio of
      death (HR per % predicted 1.02; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00-1.04; P =
      .037), as was older age (HR 1.07; 95% CI 1.04-1.10; P < .001), male sex (HR 2.09;
      95% CI 1.20-3.65; P = .010), higher lactate dehydrogenase levels (HR per mg/dL
      1.002; 95% CI 1.00-1.003; P = .015), and higher acute chest syndrome incidence
      rate (HR per event/year 10.4; 95% CI 3.11-34.8; P < .001). Presence of
      obstructive (HR 1.18; 95% CI: 0.44-3.20; P = .740) and restrictive (HR 1.31; 95%
      CI: 0.64-2.32; P = .557) pulmonary function patterns were not associated with
      earlier death. Understanding the pathophysiology of a low FEV1 percent predicted
      in individuals with SCA is warranted, enabling early intervention for those at
      risk. 

PMID- 26261242
TI  - Monitor to investigate CCGs' contract decision in test case.

PMID- 26261243
TI  - Transparency rules lead to large fall in positive trial results, analysis finds.

PMID- 26261244
TI  - Margaret McCartney: The power of patients' stories.

PMID- 26261245
TI  - A Drop of Blood.

PMID- 26261239
TI  - Severe chronic primary neutropenia in adults: report on a series of 108 patients.
AB  - Severe chronic primary neutropenia (CPN) is a rare entity, and long-term outcome
      and risk factors for infections in severe CPN adults have not been described to
      date. We report the characteristics and outcomes of 108 severe adult CPN patients
      enrolled in a multi-institutional observational study. Severe CPN adults were
      mostly female (78%), and median age at diagnosis was 28.3 years. Diagnosis was
      fortuitous in 62% of cases. The median absolute neutrophil count (ANC) at
      diagnosis was 0.4 * 10(9)/L, and median ANC without granulocyte colony
      stimulating factor (G-CSF) during follow-up was 0.5 * 10(9)/L. Twenty-three of 66
      (34.8%) evaluable patients had neutrophil autoantibodies, and 6 of 47 (12.8%) a T
      cell clone. The presence of neutrophil autoantibodies or T-cell clone was not
      associated with any specific clinical or biological characteristics. No death or
      hematologic malignancies occurred, and 44 severe bacterial infections were
      reported in 27 patients with a median follow-up of 8.3 years. Fifty patients
      received G-CSF either sporadically (n = 24) or continuously (n = 26) and
      responded (96%). Nineteen patients received immunosuppressive therapies: overall
      response (OR) was 41%, and median duration of response was 3 months. At
      diagnosis, the only predictive factor for the occurrence of severe bacterial
      infections was an ANC count below 0.2 * 10(9)/L (OR, 0.76). Severe CPN in adults
      is characterized by a female predominance and a benign outcome with a low rate of
      severe bacterial infections and no secondary malignancies. G-CSF is efficient and
      well tolerated but is not required in a majority of patients. 

PMID- 26261246
TI  - Key Opinion Leaders.

PMID- 26261248
TI  - Surveillance of Childhood Cancer Survivors: A Lifelong Affair.

PMID- 26261247
TI  - Results of a Phase II Trial of Brentuximab Vedotin for CD30+ Cutaneous T-Cell
      Lymphoma and Lymphomatoid Papulosis.
AB  - PURPOSE: Brentuximab vedotin, a monoclonal antibody (cAC10) conjugated to
      monomethyl auristatin E, targets CD30(+) receptors. This phase II open-label
      trial was conducted to evaluate safety and efficacy in CD30(+) cutaneous T-cell
      lymphomas. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-eight patients with CD30(+)
      lymphoproliferative disorders or mycosis fungoides (MF) received an infusion of
      1.8 mg/kg every 21 days. RESULTS: Forty-eight evaluable patients (22 women and 26
      men; median age, 59.5 years) had an overall response rate of 73% (95% CI, 60% to
      86%; 35 of 48 patients) and complete response rate of 35% (95% CI, 22% to 49%; 17
      of 48 patients). Fifteen (54%; 95% CI, 31% to 59%) of 28 patients with MF
      responded, independent of CD30 expression. In patients with MF/Sezary syndrome,
      the overall response rate was 50% (five of 10 patients) in patients with low CD30
      expression (< 10%), 58% (seven of 12 patients) in patients with medium expression
      (10% to 50%), and 50% (three of six patients) in patients with high expression
      (>= 50%). Time to response was 12 weeks (range, 3 to 39 weeks), and duration of
      response was 32 weeks (range, 3 to 93 weeks). All patients with lymphomatoid
      papulosis (n = 9) and primary cutaneous anaplastic T-cell lymphomas (n = 2)
      responded; time to response was 3 weeks (range, 3 to 9 weeks), and median
      duration of response was 26 weeks (range, 6 to 44 weeks). Soluble baseline CD30
      levels were lowest in complete responders (P = .036). Grade 1 to 2 peripheral
      neuropathy was observed in 65% of patients (95% CI, 52% to 79%; 31 of 48
      patients), is still ongoing in 55% of patients (95% CI, 41% to 69%; 17 of 31
      patients), and resolved in 45% of patients (95% CI, 31% to 59%; 14 of 31
      patients), with a median time to resolution of 41.5 weeks. Grade 3 to 4 events
      were neutropenia (n = 5), nausea (n = 2), chest pain (n = 2), deep vein
      thrombosis (n = 1), transaminitis (n = 1), and dehydration (n = 1). Dose
      reductions to 1.2 mg/kg were instituted as a result of grade 2 neuropathy (n =
      6), transaminitis (n = 1), and arthralgias and fatigue (n = 2). CONCLUSION:
      Brentuximab vedotin is both active and well tolerated in cutaneous T-cell
      lymphoma and lymphomatoid papulosis, with an overall response rate of 73% and
      complete response rate of 35%.

PMID- 26261249
TI  - Prognostic Significance of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Cell of Origin: Seeing
      the Forest and the Trees.

PMID- 26261250
TI  - A Selfless Act.

PMID- 26261252
TI  - What Do You Say When She Is No Longer Living With Cancer?

PMID- 26261253
TI  - Treatment Selection and Survival Outcomes in Early-Stage Diffuse Large B-Cell
      Lymphoma: Do We Still Need Consolidative Radiotherapy?
AB  - PURPOSE: The choice between chemotherapy alone and chemotherapy plus
      consolidative radiotherapy (RT) for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) remains
      controversial. We aimed to define factors affecting treatment selection and the
      resulting survival outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Using the National Cancer Data
      Base, we identified 59,255 patients with stages I and II DLBCL treated with
      multiagent chemotherapy alone or chemotherapy plus consolidative RT between 1998
      and 2012. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to identify
      sociodemographic, treatment, and tumor characteristics predictive of overall
      survival (OS) and treatment use. Propensity-adjusted Cox proportional hazard
      ratios for survival were used to account for indication bias. RESULTS: Of the
      59,255 patients with DLBCL enrolled onto the study, 46% had stage II disease, 42%
      had extranodal disease, and 58% were more than 60 years of age. Only 39% received
      combined-modality therapy, and this proportion significantly declined from 47% in
      2000 to 32% in 2012 (P < .001). Treatment selection was significantly influenced
      by race, comorbidity, insurance type, education quartile, facility type, age,
      stage, B symptoms, distance from treatment facility, and year of diagnosis. The
      median follow-up time was 60 months (interquartile range, 33 to 93). Estimated 5
      year and 10-year OS rates were, respectively, 79% and 59% for all patients, 75%
      and 55% for patients receiving chemotherapy alone, and 82% and 64% for patients
      receiving combined-modality therapy (P < .001). Even after adjusting for immortal
      times and indication bias, combined-modality therapy was associated with better
      OS (HR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.61 to 0.71; P < .001) than was chemotherapy alone.
      CONCLUSION: Use of consolidative RT after multiagent chemotherapy in DLBCL is
      decreasing in the modern era. Selection of treatment strategy is affected by both
      classical prognostic features and socioeconomic factors. Abandonment of combined
      modality therapy in favor of chemotherapy alone negatively affects patient
      survival.

PMID- 26261254
TI  - Caution in the Use of Immunohistochemistry for Determination of Cell of Origin in
      Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma.

PMID- 26261251
TI  - Contribution of Germline Mutations in the RAD51B, RAD51C, and RAD51D Genes to
      Ovarian Cancer in the Population.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to estimate the contribution of deleterious
      mutations in the RAD51B, RAD51C, and RAD51D genes to invasive epithelial ovarian
      cancer (EOC) in the population and in a screening trial of individuals at high
      risk of ovarian cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The coding sequence and splice site
      boundaries of the three RAD51 genes were sequenced and analyzed in germline DNA
      from a case-control study of 3,429 patients with invasive EOC and 2,772 controls
      as well as in 2,000 unaffected women who were BRCA1/BRCA2 negative from the
      United Kingdom Familial Ovarian Cancer Screening Study (UK_FOCSS) after quality
      control analysis. RESULTS: In the case-control study, we identified predicted
      deleterious mutations in 28 EOC cases (0.82%) compared with three controls
      (0.11%; P < .001). Mutations in EOC cases were more frequent in RAD51C (14
      occurrences, 0.41%) and RAD51D (12 occurrences, 0.35%) than in RAD51B (two
      occurrences, 0.06%). RAD51C mutations were associated with an odds ratio of 5.2
      (95% CI, 1.1 to 24; P = .035), and RAD51D mutations conferred an odds ratio of 12
      (95% CI, 1.5 to 90; P = .019). We identified 13 RAD51 mutations (0.65%) in
      unaffected UK_FOCSS participants (RAD51C, n = 7; RAD51D, n = 5; and RAD51B, n =
      1), which was a significantly greater rate than in controls (P < .001);
      furthermore, RAD51 mutation carriers were more likely than noncarriers to have a
      family history of ovarian cancer (P < .001). CONCLUSION: These results confirm
      that RAD51C and RAD51D are moderate ovarian cancer susceptibility genes and
      suggest that they confer levels of risk of EOC that may warrant their use
      alongside BRCA1 and BRCA2 in routine clinical genetic testing.

PMID- 26261255
TI  - Outcomes of Nonmyeloablative HLA-Haploidentical Blood or Marrow Transplantation
      With High-Dose Post-Transplantation Cyclophosphamide in Older Adults.
AB  - PURPOSE: Recent advances in nonmyeloablative (NMA), related HLA-haploidentical
      blood or marrow transplantation (haplo-BMT) have expanded the donor pool. This
      study evaluated the effect of age on NMA haplo-BMT outcomes in patients age 50 to
      75 years. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed of 271
      consecutive patients with hematologic malignancies, age 50 to 75 years, who
      received NMA, T-cell-replete haplo-BMT with high-dose post-transplantation
      cyclophosphamide. RESULTS: The median age was 61 years, with 115 patients (42%)
      age 50 to 59, 129 (48%) age 60 to 69, and 27 (10%) age 70 to 75 years. Overall,
      84% of patients had intermediate- or high-/very high-risk disease. The 6-month
      probabilities of grade 3 or 4 acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and
      nonrelapse mortality (NRM) were 3% and 8%, respectively. Patients in their 50s,
      60s, and 70s had 6-month NRM probabilities of 8%, 9%, and 7%, respectively
      (P=.20). With a median follow-up of 4 years, corresponding 3-year progression
      free survival probabilities were 39%, 35%, and 33% (P=.65), and corresponding 3
      year overall survival probabilities were 48%, 45%, and 44% (P=.66). Three-year
      progression-free survival probabilities were 40% in acute myeloid leukemia
      (n=65), 39% in aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma (n=83), and 37% in indolent or
      mantle-cell lymphoma (n=65). Older patient age was associated with a
      significantly higher risk of grade 2 to 4 acute GVHD but not grade 3 to 4 acute
      or chronic GVHD. No statistically significant associations were found between
      older age (relative to age 50 to 59 years or as a continuous variable) and NRM,
      relapse, or survival. CONCLUSION: NMA haplo-BMT with post-transplantation
      cyclophosphamide has encouraging safety and survival outcomes in patients age 50
      to 75 years. In patients otherwise fit for BMT, the results support consideration
      of this approach despite advanced age.

PMID- 26261256
TI  - Intestinal Obstruction in Survivors of Childhood Cancer: A Report From the
      Childhood Cancer Survivor Study.
AB  - PURPOSE: For adult survivors of childhood cancer, knowledge about the long-term
      risk of intestinal obstruction from surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy is
      limited. METHODS: Intestinal obstruction requiring surgery (IOS) occurring 5 or
      more years after cancer diagnosis was evaluated in 12,316 5-year survivors in the
      Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (2,002 with and 10,314 without abdominopelvic
      tumors) and 4,023 sibling participants. Cumulative incidence of IOS was
      calculated with second malignant neoplasm, late recurrence, and death as
      competing risks. Using piecewise exponential models, we assessed the associations
      of clinical and demographic factors with rate of IOS. RESULTS: Late IOS was
      reported by 165 survivors (median age at IOS, 19 years; range, 5 to 50 years;
      median time from diagnosis to IOS, 13 years) and 14 siblings. The cumulative
      incidence of late IOS at 35 years was 5.8% (95% CI, 4.4% to 7.3%) among survivors
      with abdominopelvic tumors, 1.0% (95% CI, 0.7% to 1.4%) among those without
      abdominopelvic tumors, and 0.3% (95% CI, 0.1% to 0.5%) among siblings. Among
      survivors, abdominopelvic tumor (adjusted rate ratio [ARR], 3.6; 95% CI, 1.9 to
      6.8; P < .001) and abdominal/pelvic radiotherapy within 5 years of cancer
      diagnosis (ARR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.6 to 3.7; P < .001) increased the rate of late
      IOS, adjusting for diagnosis year; sex; race/ethnicity; age at diagnosis; age
      during follow-up (as natural cubic spline); cancer type; and chemotherapy,
      radiotherapy, and surgery within 5 years of cancer diagnosis. Developing late IOS
      increased subsequent mortality among survivors (ARR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.1 to 2.9; P =
      .016), adjusting for the same factors. CONCLUSION: The long-term risk of IOS and
      its association with subsequent mortality underscore the need to promote
      awareness of this complication among patients and providers.

PMID- 26261257
TI  - Solid Predominant Histologic Subtype in Resected Stage I Lung Adenocarcinoma Is
      an Independent Predictor of Early, Extrathoracic, Multisite Recurrence and of
      Poor Postrecurrence Survival.
AB  - PURPOSE: To examine the significance of the proposed International Association
      for the Study of Lung Cancer, American Thoracic Society, and European Respiratory
      Society (IASLC/ATS/ERS) histologic subtypes of lung adenocarcinoma for patterns
      of recurrence and, among patients who recur following resection of stage I lung
      adenocarcinoma, for postrecurrence survival (PRS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We
      reviewed patients with stage I lung adenocarcinoma who had undergone complete
      surgical resection from 1999 to 2009 (N = 1,120). Tumors were subtyped by using
      the IASLC/ATS/ERS classification. The effects of the dominant subtype on
      recurrence and, among patients who recurred, on PRS were investigated. RESULTS:
      Of 1,120 patients identified, 188 had recurrent disease, 103 of whom died as a
      result of lung cancer. Among patients who recurred, 2-year PRS was 45%, and
      median PRS was 26.1 months. Compared with patients with nonsolid tumors, patients
      with solid predominant tumors had earlier (P = .007), more extrathoracic (P <
      .001), and more multisite (P = .011) recurrences. Multivariable analysis of
      primary tumor factors revealed that, among patients who recurred, solid
      predominant histologic pattern in the primary tumor (hazard ratio [HR], 1.76; P =
      .016), age older than 65 years (HR, 1.63; P = .01), and sublobar resection (HR,
      1.6; P = .01) were significantly associated with worse PRS. Presence of
      extrathoracic metastasis (HR, 1.76; P = .013) and age older than 65 years at the
      time of recurrence (HR, 1.7; P = .014) were also significantly associated with
      worse PRS. CONCLUSION: In patients with stage I primary lung adenocarcinoma,
      solid predominant subtype is an independent predictor of early recurrence and,
      among those patients who recur, of worse PRS. Our findings provide a rationale
      for investigating adjuvant therapy and identify novel therapeutic targets for
      patients with solid predominant lung adenocarcinoma.

PMID- 26261258
TI  - Reply to M. Gleeson et al.

PMID- 26261259
TI  - Impact of Subsequent Therapies on Outcome of the FIRE-3/AIO KRK0306 Trial: First
      Line Therapy With FOLFIRI Plus Cetuximab or Bevacizumab in Patients With KRAS
      Wild-Type Tumors in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: We investigated choice and efficacy of subsequent treatment, with
      special focus on second-line therapy, in the FIRE-3 trial (FOLFIRI plus cetuximab
      [arm A] or bevacizumab [arm B]) for patients with KRAS wild-type metastatic
      colorectal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Start of subsequent-line (second or
      third) therapy was defined as use of an antitumor drug that was not part of the
      previous regimen. We evaluated choice, duration, and efficacy of subsequent
      therapy and determined the impact of subsequent-line treatment on outcome of
      patients in FIRE-3. RESULTS: Of 592 patients in the intent-to-treat population,
      414 (69.9%) received second-line and 256 (43.2%) received third-line therapy. In
      subsequent treatment lines, 47.1% of patients originally assigned to arm A
      received bevacizumab, and 52.2% originally assigned to arm B received either
      cetuximab or panitumumab. Oxaliplatin was subsequently used in 55.9% (arm A) and
      53.2% (arm B) of patients. Second-line therapy was administered for a median
      duration of 5.0 versus 3.2 months (P < .001) in study arm A versus B. Progression
      free (6.5 v 4.7 months; hazard ratio, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.54 to 0.85; P < .001) and
      overall survival (16.3 v 13.2 months; hazard ratio, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.55 to 0.88; P
      = .0021) from start of second-line therapy were longer in patients in arm A
      compared with arm B. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the sequence of drug
      application might be more important than exposure to single agents. In patients
      with RAS wild-type tumors, first-line application of anti-epidermal growth factor
      receptor-directed therapy may represent a favorable condition for promoting
      effective subsequent therapy including antiangiogenic agents.

PMID- 26261260
TI  - Risk of Subsequent Neoplasms During the Fifth and Sixth Decades of Life in the
      Childhood Cancer Survivor Study Cohort.
AB  - PURPOSE: Survivors of childhood cancer have an increased risk for subsequent
      neoplasms (SNs), but the incidence beyond the age of 40 years and associations
      with therapeutic exposures have not been well described. PATIENTS AND METHODS:
      Among 14,364 survivors of childhood cancer diagnosed between 1970 and 1986, 3,171
      had an attained age of 40 years or older at the time of last contact. Cumulative
      incidence of SNs, standardized incidence ratios (SIRs), excess absolute risk of
      subsequent malignant neoplasms (SMNs), and relative risks (RRs) for SMNs and
      nonmelanoma skin cancers were calculated. RESULTS: In total, 679 SNs were
      diagnosed in patients age 40 years or older. These included 196 SMNs, 419
      nonmelanoma skin cancers, 21 nonmalignant meningiomas, and 43 other benign
      neoplasms. At age 55 years, the cumulative incidence of new SNs and SMNs
      occurring after age 40 years was 34.6% (95% CI, 28.7 to 40.6) and 16.3% (95% CI,
      11.7 to 20.9), respectively. Survivors were twice as likely as the general
      population to receive a diagnosis of SMN after age 40 years (SIR, 2.2; 95% CI,
      1.9 to 2.5). Among SMNs, risk was increased for breast cancer (SIR, 5.5; 95% CI,
      4.5 to 6.7), renal cancer (SIR, 3.9; 95% CI, 2.0 to 7.5), soft tissue sarcoma
      (SIR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.5 to 4.4), and thyroid cancer (SIR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.0 to
      3.5). Female sex (RR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.3 to 2.6; P < .001) and therapeutic
      radiation exposure (RR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.4 to 3.3; P < .001) were associated with
      an increased for risk for SMN in multivariable analysis. CONCLUSION: Even after
      age 40 years, survivors of childhood cancer remain at increased risk for
      treatment-related SNs. These data suggest the need for life-long monitoring and
      should inform anticipatory guidance provided to survivors of childhood cancer.

PMID- 26261261
TI  - Parsing Progress in Breast Cancer.

PMID- 26261262
TI  - Pseudoprogression and Immune-Related Response in Solid Tumors.

PMID- 26261263
TI  - Rational Clinical Experiment: Assessing Prior Probability and Its Impact on the
      Success of Phase II Clinical Trials.
AB  - PURPOSE: Despite a robust clinical trial enterprise and encouraging phase II
      results, the vast minority of oncologic drugs in development receive regulatory
      approval. In addition, clinicians occasionally make therapeutic decisions based
      on phase II data. Therefore, clinicians, investigators, and regulatory agencies
      require improved understanding of the implications of positive phase II studies.
      We hypothesized that prior probability of eventual drug approval was
      significantly different across GI cancers, with substantial ramifications for the
      predictive value of phase II studies. METHODS: We conducted a systematic search
      of phase II studies conducted between 1999 and 2004 and compared studies against
      US Food and Drug Administration and National Cancer Institute databases of
      approved indications for drugs tested in those studies. RESULTS: In all, 317
      phase II trials were identified and followed for a median of 12.5 years.
      Following completion of phase III studies, eventual new drug application approval
      rates varied from 0% (zero of 45) in pancreatic adenocarcinoma to 34.8% (24 of
      69) for colon adenocarcinoma. The proportion of drugs eventually approved was
      correlated with the disease under study (P < .001). The median type I error for
      all published trials was 0.05, and the median type II error was 0.1, with minimal
      variation. By using the observed median type I error for each disease, phase II
      studies have positive predictive values ranging from less than 1% to 90%,
      depending on primary site of the cancer. CONCLUSION: Phase II trials in different
      GI malignancies have distinct prior probabilities of drug approval, yielding
      quantitatively and qualitatively different predictive values with similar
      statistical designs. Incorporation of prior probability into trial design may
      allow for more effective design and interpretation of phase II studies.

PMID- 26261264
TI  - Inequity of access to ACE inhibitors in Swedish heart failure patients: a
      register-based study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Several international studies suggest inequity in access to evidence
      based heart failure (HF) care. Specifically, studies of ACE inhibitors (ACEIs)
      point to reduced ACEI access related to female sex, old age and socioeconomic
      position. Thus far, most studies have either been rather small, lacking
      diagnostic data, or lacking the possibility to account for several individual
      based sociodemographic factors. Our aim was to investigate differences, which
      could reflect inequity in access to ACEIs based on sex, age, socioeconomic status
      or immigration status in Swedish patients with HF. METHODS: Individually linked
      register data for all Swedish adults hospitalised for HF in 2005-2010 (n=93,258)
      were analysed by multivariate regression models to assess the independent risk of
      female sex, high age, low employment status, low income level, low educational
      level or foreign country of birth, associated with lack of an ACEI dispensation
      within 1 year of hospitalisation. Adjustment for possible confounding was made
      for age, comorbidity, Angiotensin receptor blocker therapy, period and follow-up
      time. RESULTS: Analysis revealed an adjusted OR for no ACEI dispensation for
      women of 1.31 (95% CI 1.27 to 1.35); for the oldest patients of 2.71 (95% CI 2.53
      to 2.91); and for unemployed patients of 1.59 (95% CI 1.46 to 1.73). CONCLUSIONS:
      Access to ACEI treatment was reduced in women, older patients and unemployed
      patients. We conclude that access to ACEIs is inequitable among Swedish patients
      with HF. Future studies should include clinical data, as well as mortality
      outcomes in different groups.

PMID- 26261265
TI  - FLT1 signaling in metastasis-associated macrophages activates an inflammatory
      signature that promotes breast cancer metastasis.
AB  - Although the link between inflammation and cancer initiation is well established,
      its role in metastatic diseases, the primary cause of cancer deaths, has been
      poorly explored. Our previous studies identified a population of metastasis
      associated macrophages (MAMs) recruited to the lung that promote tumor cell
      seeding and growth. Here we show that FMS-like tyrosine kinase 1 (Flt1, also
      known as VEGFR1) labels a subset of macrophages in human breast cancers that are
      significantly enriched in metastatic sites. In mouse models of breast cancer
      pulmonary metastasis, MAMs uniquely express FLT1. Using several genetic models,
      we show that macrophage FLT1 signaling is critical for metastasis. FLT1
      inhibition does not affect MAM recruitment to metastatic lesions but regulates a
      set of inflammatory response genes, including colony-stimulating factor 1 (CSF1),
      a central regulator of macrophage biology. Using a gain-of-function approach, we
      show that CSF1-mediated autocrine signaling in MAMs is downstream of FLT1 and can
      restore the tumor-promoting activity of FLT1-inhibited MAMs. Thus, CSF1 is
      epistatic to FLT1, establishing a link between FLT1 and inflammatory responses
      within breast tumor metastases. Importantly, FLT1 inhibition reduces tumor
      metastatic efficiency even after initial seeding, suggesting that these pathways
      represent therapeutic targets in metastatic disease. 

PMID- 26261267
TI  - A stress-responsive NAC transcription factor SNAC3 confers heat and drought
      tolerance through modulation of reactive oxygen species in rice.
AB  - Adverse environmental conditions such as high temperature and drought stress
      greatly limit the growth and production of crops worldwide. Several NAC (NAM,
      ATAF1/2, and CUC2) proteins have been documented as important regulators in
      stress responses, but the molecular mechanisms are largely unknown. Here, a
      stress-responsive NAC gene, SNAC3 (ONAC003, LOC_Os01g09550), conferring drought
      and heat tolerance in rice is reported. SNAC3 was ubiquitously expressed and its
      transcript level was induced by drought, high temperature, salinity stress, and
      abscisic acid (ABA) treatment. Overexpression (OE) of SNAC3 in rice resulted in
      enhanced tolerance to high temperature, drought, and oxidative stress caused by
      methyl viologen (MV), whereas suppression of SNAC3 by RNAi resulted in increased
      sensitivity to these stresses. The SNAC3-OE transgenic plants exhibited
      significantly lower levels of H2O2, malondiadehyde (MDA), and relative
      electrolyte leakage than the wild-type control under heat stress conditions,
      implying that SNAC3 may confer stress tolerance by modulating reactive oxygen
      species (ROS) homeostasis. Quantitative PCR experiments showed that the
      expression of a large number of ROS-scavenging genes was dramatically increased
      in the SNAC3-OE plants, but significantly decreased in the SNAC3-RNAi transgenic
      plants. Five ROS-associated genes which were up-regulated in SNAC3-OE plants
      showed co-expression patterns with SNAC3, and three of the co-expressed ROS
      associated enzyme genes were verified to be direct target genes of SNAC3. These
      results suggest that SNAC3 plays important roles in stress responses, and it is
      likely to be useful for engineering crops with improved tolerance to heat and
      drought stress. 

PMID- 26261268
TI  - Staying green postharvest: how three mutations in the Arabidopsis chlorophyll b
      reductase gene NYC1 delay degreening by distinct mechanisms.
AB  - Stresses such as energy deprivation, wounding and water-supply disruption often
      contribute to rapid deterioration of harvested tissues. To uncover the genetic
      regulation behind such stresses, a simple assessment system was used to detect
      senescence mutants in conjunction with two rapid mapping techniques to identify
      the causal mutations. To demonstrate the power of this approach, immature
      inflorescences of Arabidopsis plants that contained ethyl methanesulfonate
      induced lesions were detached and screened for altered timing of dark-induced
      senescence. Numerous mutant lines displaying accelerated or delayed timing of
      senescence relative to wild type were discovered. The underlying mutations in
      three of these were identified using High Resolution Melting analysis to map to a
      chromosomal arm followed by a whole-genome sequencing-based mapping method,
      termed 'Needle in the K-Stack', to identify the causal lesions. All three
      mutations were single base pair changes and occurred in the same gene, NON-YELLOW
      COLORING1 (NYC1), a chlorophyll b reductase of the short-chain
      dehydrogenase/reductase (SDR) superfamily. This was consistent with the mutants
      preferentially retaining chlorophyll b, although substantial amounts of
      chlorophyll b were still lost. The single base pair mutations disrupted NYC1
      function by three distinct mechanisms, one by producing a termination codon, the
      second by interfering with correct intron splicing and the third by replacing a
      highly conserved proline with a non-equivalent serine residue. This non
      synonymous amino acid change, which occurred in the NADPH binding domain of NYC1,
      is the first example of such a mutation in an SDR protein inhibiting a
      physiological response in plants. 

PMID- 26261270
TI  - Polypharmacy and clinical outcomes.

PMID- 26261266
TI  - T cell metabolism drives immunity.
AB  - Lymphocytes must adapt to a wide array of environmental stressors as part of
      their normal development, during which they undergo a dramatic metabolic
      remodeling process. Research in this area has yielded surprising findings on the
      roles of diverse metabolic pathways and metabolites, which have been found to
      regulate lymphocyte signaling and influence differentiation, function and fate.
      In this review, we integrate the latest findings in the field to provide an up-to
      date resource on lymphocyte metabolism. 

PMID- 26261271
TI  - Polypharmacy and clinical outcomes.

PMID- 26261272
TI  - Canadian Task Force obesity guidelines are unbalanced.

PMID- 26261273
TI  - Canadian Task Force obesity guidelines are unbalanced.

PMID- 26261274
TI  - Let's talk chronic heart failure.

PMID- 26261275
TI  - Time to rethink EMRs.

PMID- 26261276
TI  - Health Canada proposes nutrition label changes.

PMID- 26261277
TI  - Photo Quiz. A 57-Year-Old Mexican Woman With Epigastric Fullness, Weight Loss,
      and a Liver Mass.

PMID- 26261279
TI  - Mechanical Forces and Growth in Animal Tissues.
AB  - Mechanical forces shape biological tissues. They are the effectors of the
      developmental programs that orchestrate morphogenesis. A lot of effort has been
      devoted to understanding morphogenetic processes in mechanical terms. In this
      review, we focus on the interplay between tissue mechanics and growth. We first
      describe how tissue mechanics affects growth, by influencing the orientation of
      cell divisions and the signaling pathways that control the rate of volume
      increase and proliferation. We then address how the mechanical state of a tissue
      is affected by the patterns of growth. The forward and reverse interactions
      between growth and mechanics must be investigated in an integrative way if we
      want to understand how tissues grow and shape themselves. To illustrate this
      point, we describe examples in which growth homeostasis is achieved by feedback
      mechanisms that use mechanical forces. 

PMID- 26261280
TI  - Biological Scaling Problems and Solutions in Amphibians.
AB  - Size is a primary feature of biological systems that varies at many levels, from
      the organism to its constituent cells and subcellular structures. Amphibians
      populate some of the extremes in biological size and have provided insight into
      scaling mechanisms, upper and lower size limits, and their physiological
      significance. Body size variation is a widespread evolutionary tactic among
      amphibians, with miniaturization frequently correlating with direct development
      that occurs without a tadpole stage. The large genomes of salamanders lead to
      large cell sizes that necessitate developmental modification and morphological
      simplification. Amphibian extremes at the cellular level have provided insight
      into mechanisms that accommodate cell-size differences. Finally, how organelles
      scale to cell size between species and during development has been investigated
      at the molecular level, because subcellular scaling can be recapitulated using
      Xenopus in vitro systems. 

PMID- 26261281
TI  - The Influence of Genome and Cell Size on Brain Morphology in Amphibians.
AB  - In amphibians, nerve cell size is highly correlated with genome size, and
      increases in genome and cell size cause a retardation of the rate of development
      of nervous (as well as nonnervous) tissue leading to secondary simplification.
      This yields an inverse relationship between genome and cell size on the one hand
      and morphological complexity of the tectum mesencephali as the main visual
      center, the size of the torus semicircularis as the main auditory center, the
      size of the amphibian papilla as an important peripheral auditory structure, and
      the size of the cerebellum as a major sensorimotor center. Nervous structures
      developing later (e.g., torus and cerebellum) are more affected by secondary
      simplification than those that develop earlier (e.g., the tectum). This effect is
      more prominent in salamanders and caecilians than in frogs owing to larger genome
      and cells sizes in the former two taxa. We hypothesize that because of
      intragenomic evolutionary processes, important differences in brain morphology
      can arise independently of specific environmental selection. 

PMID- 26261283
TI  - Size Scaling of Microtubule Assemblies in Early Xenopus Embryos.
AB  - The first 12 cleavage divisions in Xenopus embryos provide a natural experiment
      in size scaling, as cell radius decreases ~16-fold with little change in
      biochemistry. Analyzing both natural cleavage and egg extract partitioned into
      droplets revealed that mitotic spindle size scales with cell size, with an upper
      limit in very large cells. We discuss spindle-size scaling in the small- and
      large-cell regimes with a focus on the "limiting-component" hypotheses. Zygotes
      and early blastomeres show a scaling mismatch between spindle and cell size. This
      problem is solved, we argue, by interphase asters that act to position the
      spindle and transport chromosomes to the center of daughter cells. These tasks
      are executed by the spindle in smaller cells. We end by discussing possible
      mechanisms that limit mitotic aster size and promote interphase aster growth to
      cell-spanning dimensions. 

PMID- 26261285
TI  - In Vitro and In Vivo Characterization of Reactive Intermediates of Corynoline.
AB  - Corynoline is a 1,3-benzodioxole-containing isoquinoline alkaloid isolated from
      Corydalis bugeana Turcz., a traditional herbal medicine. Corynoline has
      reportedly demonstrated multiple pharmacologic properties. Previous studies have
      also shown that corynoline induced cytotoxicity and inhibited cytochrome P450
      (CYP) enzymes, but the mechanisms of the adverse effects remain unknown. The
      major objective of the present study was to identify reactive metabolites of
      corynoline responsible for the cytotoxicity and enzyme inhibition. Three
      oxidative metabolites (M1-M3) were detected by liquid chromatography-tandem mass
      spectrometry in rat liver microsomal incubations after exposure to corynoline. M1
      and M2 were two isomers of catechol derivatives, and M3 was a di-catechol. The M1
      M3 metabolites were also observed in urine of rats given corynoline. A total of
      four N-acetylcysteine (NAC) conjugates (M4-M7) were detected in microsomes
      containing corynoline, NAC, and NADPH. Apparently, M4 and M5 were derived from
      M1, M6 resulted from M2, and M7 was a M3-derived NAC conjugate. This indicates
      that corynoline was bioactivated to ortho-quinone derivatives. No corynoline
      derived NAC conjugates (M4-M7) were detected in urine of rats given corynoline;
      however, three corresponding cysteinylglycine conjugates (M8-M10) were observed
      instead. Recombinant P450 enzyme incubations demonstrated that the CYPs 2C9, 3A4,
      and 2C19 were mainly involved in metabolic activation of corynoline. The
      metabolism study facilitates the understanding of corynoline-induced cytotoxicity
      and P450 enzyme inhibition.

PMID- 26261282
TI  - The Systemic Control of Growth.
AB  - Growth is a complex process that is intimately linked to the developmental
      program to form adults with proper size and proportions. Genetics is an important
      determinant of growth, as exemplified by the role of local diffusible molecules
      setting up organ proportions. In addition, organisms use adaptive responses
      allowing modulating the size of individuals according to environmental cues, for
      example, nutrition. Here, we describe some of the physiological principles
      participating in the determination of final individual size.

PMID- 26261284
TI  - Drug Metabolism by the Host and Gut Microbiota: A Partnership or Rivalry?
AB  - The importance of the gut microbiome in determining not only overall health, but
      also in the metabolism of drugs and xenobiotics, is rapidly emerging. It is
      becoming increasingly clear that the gut microbiota can act in concert with the
      host cells to maintain intestinal homeostasis, cometabolize drugs and
      xenobiotics, and alter the expression levels of drug-metabolizing enzymes and
      transporters and the expression and activity levels of nuclear receptors. In this
      myriad of activities, the impact of the microbiota may be beneficial or
      detrimental to the host. Given that the interplay between the gut microbiota and
      host cells is likely subject to high interindividual variability, this work has
      tremendous implications for our ability to predict accurately a particular drug's
      pharmacokinetics and a given patient population's response to drugs. In this
      issue of Drug Metabolism and Disposition, a series of articles is presented that
      illustrate the progress and challenges that lie ahead as we unravel the
      intricacies associated with drug and xenobiotic metabolism by the gut microbiota.
      These articles highlight the underlying mechanisms that are involved and the use
      of in vivo and in vitro approaches that are currently available for elucidating
      the role of the gut microbiota in drug and xenobiotic metabolism. These articles
      also shed light on exciting new avenues of research that may be pursued as we
      consider the role of the gut microbiota as an endocrine organ, a component of the
      brain-gut axis, and whether the gut microbiota is an appropriate and amenable
      target for new drugs.

PMID- 26261287
TI  - Ezetimibe provides incremental reduction in risk for cardiovascular events and
      need for revascularisation following an acute coronary syndrome.

PMID- 26261286
TI  - Review: Mechanisms of How the Intestinal Microbiota Alters the Effects of Drugs
      and Bile Acids.
AB  - Information on the intestinal microbiota has increased exponentially this century
      because of technical advancements in genomics and metabolomics. Although
      information on the synthesis of bile acids by the liver and their transformation
      to secondary bile acids by the intestinal microbiota was the first example of the
      importance of the intestinal microbiota in biotransforming chemicals, this review
      will discuss numerous examples of the mechanisms by which the intestinal
      microbiota alters the pharmacology and toxicology of drugs and other chemicals.
      More specifically, the altered pharmacology and toxicology of
      salicylazosulfapridine, digoxin, l-dopa, acetaminophen, caffeic acid,
      phosphatidyl choline, carnitine, sorivudine, irinotecan, nonsteroidal anti
      inflammatory drugs, heterocyclic amines, melamine, nitrazepam, and lovastatin
      will be reviewed. In addition, recent data that the intestinal microbiota alters
      drug metabolism of the host, especially Cyp3a, as well as the significance and
      potential mechanisms of this phenomenon are summarized. The review will conclude
      with an update of bile acid research, emphasizing the bile acid receptors (FXR
      and TGR5) that regulate not only bile acid synthesis and transport but also
      energy metabolism. Recent data indicate that by altering the intestinal
      microbiota, either by diet or drugs, one may be able to minimize the adverse
      effects of the Western diet by altering the composition of bile acids in the
      intestine that are agonists or antagonists of FXR and TGR5. Therefore, it may be
      possible to consider the intestinal microbiota as another drug target.

PMID- 26261288
TI  - Informed dissent: can we handle internet medicine?

PMID- 26261289
TI  - Severe secondary mitral regurgitation and left ventricular dysfunction: a 'deadly
      combination' against which the fight is not over!

PMID- 26261292
TI  - Much ado about nothing: a case of diffuse vasospam without demonstration of
      plaque at optical coherence tomography in a STEMI patient.

PMID- 26261291
TI  - Significance of electrocardiogram recording in high intercostal spaces in
      patients with early repolarization syndrome.
AB  - AIMS: Published reports regarding inferolateral early repolarization (ER)
      syndrome (ERS) before 2013 possibly included patients with Brugada-pattern
      electrocardiogram (BrP-ECG) recorded only in the high intercostal spaces (HICS).
      We investigated the significance of HICS ECG recording in ERS patients. METHODS
      AND RESULTS: Fifty-six patients showing inferolateral ER in the standard ECG and
      spontaneous ventricular fibrillation (VF) not linked to structural heart disease
      underwent drug provocation tests by sodium channel blockade with right precordial
      ECG (V1-V3) recording in the 2nd-4th intercostal spaces. The prevalence and long
      term outcome of ERS patients with and without BrP-ECG in HICS were investigated.
      After 18 patients showing type 1 BrP-ECG in the standard ECG were excluded, 38
      patients (34 males, mean age; 40.4 +/- 13.6 years) were classified into four
      groups [group A (n = 6;16%):patients with ER and type 1 BrP-ECG only in HICS,
      group B (n = 5;13%):ERS with non-type 1 BrP-ECG only in HICS, group C (n =
      8;21%):ERS with non-type 1 BrP-ECG in the standard ECG, and group D (n =
      19;50%):ERS only, spontaneously or after drug provocation test]. During follow-up
      of 110.0 +/- 55.4 months, the rate of VF recurrence including electrical storm
      was significantly higher in groups A (4/6:67%), B (4/5:80%), and C (4/8:50%)
      compared with D (2/19:11%) (A, B, and C vs. D, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS:
      Approximately 30% of the patients with ERS who had been diagnosed with the
      previous criteria showed BrP-ECG only in HICS. Ventricular fibrillation mostly
      recurred in patients showing BrP-ECG in any precordial lead including HICS; these
      comprised 50% of the ERS cohort.

PMID- 26261290
TI  - Prognostic significance of infarct core pathology revealed by quantitative non
      contrast in comparison with contrast cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in
      reperfused ST-elevation myocardial infarction survivors.
AB  - AIMS: To assess the prognostic significance of infarct core tissue
      characteristics using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging in survivors of
      acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). METHODS AND RESULTS: We
      performed an observational prospective single centre cohort study in 300
      reperfused STEMI patients (mean +/- SD age 59 +/- 12 years, 74% male) who
      underwent CMR 2 days and 6 months post-myocardial infarction (n = 267). Native T1
      was measured in myocardial regions of interest (n = 288). Adverse remodelling was
      defined as an increase in left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic volume >=20% at 6
      months. All-cause death or first heart failure hospitalization was a pre
      specified outcome that was assessed during follow-up (median duration 845 days).
      One hundred and sixty (56%) patients had a hypo-intense infarct core disclosed by
      native T1. In multivariable regression, infarct core native T1 was inversely
      associated with adverse remodelling [odds ratio (95% confidence interval (CI)]
      per 10 ms reduction in native T1: 0.91 (0.82, 0.00); P = 0.061). Thirty (10.4%)
      of 288 patients died or experienced a heart failure event and 13 of these events
      occurred post-discharge. Native T1 values (ms) within the hypo-intense infarct
      core (n = 160 STEMI patients) were inversely associated with the risk of all
      cause death or first hospitalization for heart failure post-discharge (for a 10
      ms increase in native T1: hazard ratio 0.730, 95% CI 0.617, 0.863; P < 0.001)
      including after adjustment for left ventricular ejection fraction, infarct core
      T2 and myocardial haemorrhage. The prognostic results for microvascular
      obstruction were similar. CONCLUSION: Infarct core native T1 represents a novel
      non-contrast CMR biomarker with potential for infarct characterization and
      prognostication in STEMI survivors. Confirmatory studies are warranted.
      CLINICALTRIALS. GOV IDENTIFIER: NCT02072850.

PMID- 26261293
TI  - Smoked out!

PMID- 26261294
TI  - A solid mass trapped in the right atrium.

PMID- 26261295
TI  - Successful transplantation of a donor heart with multiple traumatic defects.

PMID- 26261296
TI  - Resistant hypertension: what the cardiologist needs to know.
AB  - Treatment-resistant hypertension (TRH) affects between 3 and 30% of hypertensive
      patients, and its presence is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity
      and mortality. Until recently, the interest on these patients has been limited,
      because providing care for them is difficult and often frustrating. However, the
      arrival of new treatment options [i.e. catheter-based renal denervation (RDN) and
      baroreceptor stimulation] has revitalized the interest in this topic. The very
      promising results of the initial uncontrolled studies on the blood pressure (BP)
      lowering effect of RDN in TRH seemed to suggest that this intervention might
      represent an easy solution for a complex problem. However, subsequently, data
      from controlled studies have tempered the enthusiasm of the medical community
      (and the industry). Conversely, these new studies emphasized some seminal aspects
      on this topic: (i) the key role of 24 h ambulatory BP and arterial stiffness
      measurement to identify 'true' resistant patients; (ii) the high prevalence of
      secondary hypertension among this population; and (iii) the difficulty to
      identify those patients who may profit from device-based interventions.
      Accordingly, for those patients with documented TRH, the guidelines suggest to
      refer them to a hypertension specialist/centre in order to perform adequate work
      up and treatment strategies. The aim of this review is to provide guidance for
      the cardiologist on how to identify patients with TRH and elucidate the
      prevailing underlying pathophysiological mechanism(s), to define a strategy for
      the identification of patients with TRH who may benefit from device-based
      interventions and discuss results and limitations of these interventions, and
      finally to briefly summarize the different drug-based treatment strategies.

PMID- 26261297
TI  - Ultra-low-dose hybrid single photon emission computed tomography and coronary
      computed tomography angiography: a comprehensive and non-invasive diagnostic
      workup of suspected coronary artery disease.

PMID- 26261298
TI  - Magnetic resonance imaging at 1.5-T in a patient with implantable leadless
      pacemaker.

PMID- 26261299
TI  - Reciprocal regulation of two G protein-coupled receptors sensing extracellular
      concentrations of Ca2+ and H.
AB  - G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are cell surface receptors that detect a wide
      range of extracellular messengers and convey this information to the inside of
      cells. Extracellular calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) and ovarian cancer gene
      receptor 1 (OGR1) are two GPCRs that sense extracellular Ca(2+) and H(+),
      respectively. These two ions are key components of the interstitial fluid, and
      their concentrations change in an activity-dependent manner. Importantly, the
      interstitial fluid forms part of the microenvironment that influences cell
      function in health and disease; however, the exact mechanisms through which
      changes in the microenvironment influence cell function remain largely unknown.
      We show that CaSR and OGR1 reciprocally inhibit signaling through each other in
      central neurons, and that this is lost in their transformed counterparts.
      Furthermore, strong intracellular acidification impairs CaSR function, but
      potentiates OGR1 function. Thus, CaSR and OGR1 activities can be regulated in a
      seesaw manner, whereby conditions promoting signaling through one receptor
      simultaneously inhibit signaling through the other receptor, potentiating the
      difference in their relative signaling activity. Our results provide insight into
      how small but consistent changes in the ionic microenvironment of cells can
      significantly alter the balance between two signaling pathways, which may
      contribute to disease progression. 

PMID- 26261300
TI  - Continuous evolutionary change in Plio-Pleistocene mammals of eastern Africa.
AB  - Much debate has revolved around the question of whether the mode of evolutionary
      and ecological turnover in the fossil record of African mammals was continuous or
      pulsed, and the degree to which faunal turnover tracked changes in global
      climate. Here, we assembled and analyzed large specimen databases of the fossil
      record of eastern African Bovidae (antelopes) and Turkana Basin large mammals.
      Our results indicate that speciation and extinction proceeded continuously
      throughout the Pliocene and Pleistocene, as did increases in the relative
      abundance of arid-adapted bovids, and in bovid body mass. Species durations were
      similar among clades with different ecological attributes. Occupancy patterns
      were unimodal, with long and nearly symmetrical origination and extinction
      phases. A single origination pulse may be present at 2.0-1.75 Ma, but besides
      this, there is no evidence that evolutionary or ecological changes in the eastern
      African record tracked rapid, 100,000-y-scale changes in global climate. Rather,
      eastern African large mammal evolution tracked global or regional climatic trends
      at long (million year) time scales, while local, basin-scale changes (e.g.,
      tectonic or hydrographic) and biotic interactions ruled at shorter timescales. 

PMID- 26261301
TI  - Quantifying the impact of weak, strong, and super ties in scientific careers.
AB  - Scientists are frequently faced with the important decision to start or terminate
      a creative partnership. This process can be influenced by strategic motivations,
      as early career researchers are pursuers, whereas senior researchers are
      typically attractors, of new collaborative opportunities. Focusing on the
      longitudinal aspects of scientific collaboration, we analyzed 473 collaboration
      profiles using an egocentric perspective that accounts for researcher-specific
      characteristics and provides insight into a range of topics, from career
      achievement and sustainability to team dynamics and efficiency. From more than
      166,000 collaboration records, we quantify the frequency distributions of
      collaboration duration and tie strength, showing that collaboration networks are
      dominated by weak ties characterized by high turnover rates. We use analytic
      extreme value thresholds to identify a new class of indispensable super ties, the
      strongest of which commonly exhibit >50% publication overlap with the central
      scientist. The prevalence of super ties suggests that they arise from career
      strategies based upon cost, risk, and reward sharing and complementary skill
      matching. We then use a combination of descriptive and panel regression methods
      to compare the subset of publications coauthored with a super tie to the subset
      without one, controlling for pertinent features such as career age, prestige,
      team size, and prior group experience. We find that super ties contribute to
      above-average productivity and a 17% citation increase per publication, thus
      identifying these partnerships--the analog of life partners--as a major factor in
      science career development.

PMID- 26261302
TI  - Lexical shifts, substantive changes, and continuity in State of the Union
      discourse, 1790-2014.
AB  - This study reveals that the entry into World War I in 1917 indexed the decisive
      transition to the modern period in American political consciousness, ushering in
      new objects of political discourse, a more rapid pace of change of those objects,
      and a fundamental reframing of the main tasks of governance. We develop a
      strategy for identifying meaningful categories in textual corpora that span long
      historic durees, where terms, concepts, and language use changes. Our approach is
      able to account for the fluidity of discursive categories over time, and to
      analyze their continuity by identifying the discursive stream as the object of
      interest. 

PMID- 26261303
TI  - Loss of diphthamide pre-activates NF-kappaB and death receptor pathways and
      renders MCF7 cells hypersensitive to tumor necrosis factor.
AB  - The diphthamide on human eukaryotic translation elongation factor 2 (eEF2) is the
      target of ADP ribosylating diphtheria toxin (DT) and Pseudomonas exotoxin A (PE).
      This modification is synthesized by seven dipthamide biosynthesis proteins (DPH1
      DPH7) and is conserved among eukaryotes and archaea. We generated MCF7 breast
      cancer cell line-derived DPH gene knockout (ko) cells to assess the impact of
      complete or partial inactivation on diphthamide synthesis and toxin sensitivity,
      and to address the biological consequence of diphthamide deficiency. Cells with
      heterozygous gene inactivation still contained predominantly diphthamide-modified
      eEF2 and were as sensitive to PE and DT as parent cells. Thus, DPH gene copy
      number reduction does not affect overall diphthamide synthesis and toxin
      sensitivity. Complete inactivation of DPH1, DPH2, DPH4, and DPH5 generated viable
      cells without diphthamide. DPH1ko, DPH2ko, and DPH4ko harbored unmodified eEF2
      and DPH5ko ACP- (diphthine-precursor) modified eEF2. Loss of diphthamide
      prevented ADP ribosylation of eEF2, rendered cells resistant to PE and DT, but
      does not affect sensitivity toward other protein synthesis inhibitors, such as
      saporin or cycloheximide. Surprisingly, cells without diphthamide (independent of
      which the DPH gene compromised) were presensitized toward nuclear factor of kappa
      light polypeptide gene enhancer in B cells (NF-kappaB) and death-receptor
      pathways without crossing lethal thresholds. In consequence, loss of diphthamide
      rendered cells hypersensitive toward TNF-mediated apoptosis. This finding
      suggests a role of diphthamide in modulating NF-kappaB, death receptor, or
      apoptosis pathways. 

PMID- 26261304
TI  - Discovery and molecular and biocatalytic properties of hydroxynitrile lyase from
      an invasive millipede, Chamberlinius hualienensis.
AB  - Hydroxynitrile lyase (HNL) catalyzes the degradation of cyanohydrins and causes
      the release of hydrogen cyanide (cyanogenesis). HNL can enantioselectively
      produce cyanohydrins, which are valuable building blocks for the synthesis of
      fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals, and is used as an important biocatalyst in
      industrial biotechnology. Currently, HNLs are isolated from plants and bacteria.
      Because industrial biotechnology requires more efficient and stable enzymes for
      sustainable development, we must continuously explore other potential enzyme
      sources for the desired HNLs. Despite the abundance of cyanogenic millipedes in
      the world, there has been no precise study of the HNLs from these arthropods.
      Here we report the isolation of HNL from the cyanide-emitting invasive millipede
      Chamberlinius hualienensis, along with its molecular properties and application
      in biocatalysis. The purified enzyme displays a very high specific activity in
      the synthesis of mandelonitrile. It is a glycosylated homodimer protein and shows
      no apparent sequence identity or homology with proteins in the known databases.
      It shows biocatalytic activity for the condensation of various aromatic aldehydes
      with potassium cyanide to produce cyanohydrins and has high stability over a wide
      range of temperatures and pH values. It catalyzes the synthesis of (R)
      mandelonitrile from benzaldehyde with a 99% enantiomeric excess, without using
      any organic solvents. Arthropod fauna comprise 80% of terrestrial animals. We
      propose that these animals can be valuable resources for exploring not only HNLs
      but also diverse, efficient, and stable biocatalysts in industrial biotechnology.

PMID- 26261305
TI  - Experimental evidence that short-range intermolecular aggregation is sufficient
      for efficient charge transport in conjugated polymers.
AB  - Efficiency, current throughput, and speed of electronic devices are to a great
      extent dictated by charge carrier mobility. The classic approach to impart high
      carrier mobility to polymeric semiconductors has often relied on the assumption
      that extensive order and crystallinity are needed. Recently, however, this
      assumption has been challenged, because high mobility has been reported for
      semiconducting polymers that exhibit a surprisingly low degree of order. Here, we
      show that semiconducting polymers can be confined into weakly ordered fibers
      within an inert polymer matrix without affecting their charge transport
      properties. In these conditions, the semiconducting polymer chains are inhibited
      from attaining long-range order in the pi-stacking or alkyl-stacking directions,
      as demonstrated from the absence of significant X-ray diffraction intensity
      corresponding to these crystallographic directions, yet still remain extended
      along the backbone direction and aggregate on a local length scale. As a result,
      the polymer films maintain high mobility even at very low concentrations. Our
      findings provide a simple picture that clarifies the role of local order and
      connectivity of domains. 

PMID- 26261306
TI  - Dimerization of elongator protein 1 is essential for Elongator complex assembly.
AB  - The evolutionarily conserved Elongator complex, which is composed of six subunits
      elongator protein 1 (Elp1 to -6), plays vital roles in gene regulation. The
      molecular hallmark of familial dysautonomia (FD) is the splicing mutation of Elp1
      [also known as IkappaB kinase complex-associated protein (IKAP)] in the nervous
      system that is believed to be the primary cause of the devastating symptoms of
      this disease. Here, we demonstrate that disease-related mutations in Elp1 affect
      Elongator assembly, and we have determined the structure of the C-terminal
      portion of human Elp1 (Elp1-CT), which is sufficient for full-length Elp1
      dimerization, as well as the structure of the cognate dimerization domain of
      yeast Elp1 (yElp1-DD). Our study reveals that the formation of the Elp1 dimer
      contributes to its stability in vitro and in vivo and is required for the
      assembly of both the human and yeast Elongator complexes. Functional studies
      suggest that Elp1 dimerization is essential for yeast viability. Collectively,
      our results identify the evolutionarily conserved dimerization domain of Elp1 and
      suggest that the pathological mechanisms underlying the onset and progression of
      Elp1 mutation-related disease may result from impaired Elongator activities. 

PMID- 26261307
TI  - Key driving forces in the biosynthesis of autoinducing peptides required for
      staphylococcal virulence.
AB  - Staphylococci produce autoinducing peptides (AIPs) as quorum-sensing signals that
      regulate virulence. These AIPs feature a thiolactone macrocycle that connects the
      peptide C terminus to the side chain of an internal cysteine. AIPs are processed
      from ribosomally synthesized precursors [accessory gene regulator D (AgrD)]
      through two proteolytic events. Formation of the thiolactone is coupled to the
      first of these and involves the activity of the integral membrane protease AgrB.
      This step is expected to be thermodynamically unfavorable, and therefore, it is
      unclear how AIP-producing bacteria produce sufficient amounts of the thiolactone
      containing intermediate to drive quorum sensing. Herein, we present the in vitro
      reconstitution of the AgrB-dependent proteolysis of an AgrD precursor from
      Staphylococcus aureus. Our data show that efficient thiolactone production is
      driven by two unanticipated features of the system: (i) membrane association of
      the thiolactone-containing intermediate, which stabilizes the macrocycle, and
      (ii) rapid degradation of the C-terminal proteolysis fragment AgrD(C), which
      affects the reaction equilibrium position. Cell-based studies confirm the
      intimate link between AIP production and intracellular AgrD(C) levels. Thus, our
      studies explain the chemical principles that drive AIP production, including
      uncovering a hitherto unknown link between quorum sensing and peptide turnover. 

PMID- 26261308
TI  - CBP30, a selective CBP/p300 bromodomain inhibitor, suppresses human Th17
      responses.
AB  - Th17 responses are critical to a variety of human autoimmune diseases, and
      therapeutic targeting with monoclonal antibodies against IL-17 and IL-23 has
      shown considerable promise. Here, we report data to support selective bromodomain
      blockade of the transcriptional coactivators CBP (CREB binding protein) and p300
      as an alternative approach to inhibit human Th17 responses. We show that CBP30
      has marked molecular specificity for the bromodomains of CBP and p300, compared
      with 43 other bromodomains. In unbiased cellular testing on a diverse panel of
      cultured primary human cells, CBP30 reduced immune cell production of IL-17A and
      other proinflammatory cytokines. CBP30 also inhibited IL-17A secretion by Th17
      cells from healthy donors and patients with ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic
      arthritis. Transcriptional profiling of human T cells after CBP30 treatment
      showed a much more restricted effect on gene expression than that observed with
      the pan-BET (bromo and extraterminal domain protein family) bromodomain inhibitor
      JQ1. This selective targeting of the CBP/p300 bromodomain by CBP30 will
      potentially lead to fewer side effects than with the broadly acting epigenetic
      inhibitors currently in clinical trials. 

PMID- 26261309
TI  - Disease-associated mutation in SRSF2 misregulates splicing by altering RNA
      binding affinities.
AB  - Serine/arginine-rich splicing factor 2 (SRSF2) is an RNA-binding protein that
      plays important roles in splicing of mRNA precursors. SRSF2 mutations are
      frequently found in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes and certain
      leukemias, but how these mutations affect SRSF2 function has only begun to be
      examined. We used clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats
      (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein-9 nuclease to introduce the P95H mutation to
      SRSF2 in K562 leukemia cells, generating an isogenic model so that splicing
      alterations can be attributed solely to mutant SRSF2. We found that SRSF2 (P95H)
      misregulates 548 splicing events (<1% of total). Of these events, 374 involved
      the inclusion of cassette exons, and the inclusion was either increased (206) or
      decreased (168). We detected a specific motif (UCCA/UG) enriched in the more
      included exons and a distinct motif (UGGA/UG) in the more-excluded exons. RNA gel
      shift assays showed that a mutant SRSF2 derivative bound more tightly than its
      wild-type counterpart to RNA sites containing UCCAG but bound less tightly to
      UGGAG sites. Thus in most cases the pattern of exon inclusion or exclusion
      correlated with stronger or weaker RNA binding, respectively. We further show
      that the P95H mutation does not affect other functions of SRSF2, i.e., protein
      protein interactions with key splicing factors. Our results thus demonstrate that
      the P95H mutation positively or negatively alters the binding affinity of SRSF2
      for cognate RNA sites in target transcripts, leading to misregulation of exon
      inclusion. Our findings shed light on the mechanism of the disease-associated
      SRSF2 mutation in splicing regulation and also reveal a group of misspliced mRNA
      isoforms for potential therapeutic targeting. 

PMID- 26261310
TI  - Adaptive aneuploidy protects against thiol peroxidase deficiency by increasing
      respiration via key mitochondrial proteins.
AB  - Aerobic respiration is a fundamental energy-generating process; however, there is
      cost associated with living in an oxygen-rich environment, because partially
      reduced oxygen species can damage cellular components. Organisms evolved enzymes
      that alleviate this damage and protect the intracellular milieu, most notably
      thiol peroxidases, which are abundant and conserved enzymes that mediate hydrogen
      peroxide signaling and act as the first line of defense against oxidants in
      nearly all living organisms. Deletion of all eight thiol peroxidase genes in
      yeast (?8 strain) is not lethal, but results in slow growth and a high mutation
      rate. Here we characterized mechanisms that allow yeast cells to survive under
      conditions of thiol peroxidase deficiency. Two independent ?8 strains increased
      mitochondrial content, altered mitochondrial distribution, and became dependent
      on respiration for growth but they were not hypersensitive to H2O2. In addition,
      both strains independently acquired a second copy of chromosome XI and increased
      expression of genes encoded by it. Survival of ?8 cells was dependent on
      mitochondrial cytochrome-c peroxidase (CCP1) and UTH1, present on chromosome XI.
      Coexpression of these genes in ?8 cells led to the elimination of the extra copy
      of chromosome XI and improved cell growth, whereas deletion of either gene was
      lethal. Thus, thiol peroxidase deficiency requires dosage compensation of CCP1
      and UTH1 via chromosome XI aneuploidy, wherein these proteins support
      hydroperoxide removal with the reducing equivalents generated by the electron
      transport chain. To our knowledge, this is the first evidence of adaptive
      aneuploidy counteracting oxidative stress. 

PMID- 26261311
TI  - Chemical fingerprints encode mother-offspring similarity, colony membership,
      relatedness, and genetic quality in fur seals.
AB  - Chemical communication underpins virtually all aspects of vertebrate social life,
      yet remains poorly understood because of its highly complex mechanistic basis. We
      therefore used chemical fingerprinting of skin swabs and genetic analysis to
      explore the chemical cues that may underlie mother-offspring recognition in
      colonially breeding Antarctic fur seals. By sampling mother-offspring pairs from
      two different colonies, using a variety of statistical approaches and genotyping
      a large panel of microsatellite loci, we show that colony membership, mother
      offspring similarity, heterozygosity, and genetic relatedness are all chemically
      encoded. Moreover, chemical similarity between mothers and offspring reflects a
      combination of genetic and environmental influences, the former partly encoded by
      substances resembling known pheromones. Our findings reveal the diversity of
      information contained within chemical fingerprints and have implications for
      understanding mother-offspring communication, kin recognition, and mate choice. 

PMID- 26261313
TI  - Correlating steric hydration forces with water dynamics through surface force and
      diffusion NMR measurements in a lipid-DMSO-H2O system.
AB  - Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is a common solvent and biological additive possessing
      well-known utility in cellular cryoprotection and lipid membrane
      permeabilization, but the governing mechanisms at membrane interfaces remain
      poorly understood. Many studies have focused on DMSO-lipid interactions and the
      subsequent effects on membrane-phase behavior, but explanations often rely on
      qualitative notions of DMSO-induced dehydration of lipid head groups. In this
      work, surface forces measurements between gel-phase
      dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine membranes in DMSO-water mixtures quantify the
      hydration- and solvation-length scales with angstrom resolution as a function of
      DMSO concentration from 0 mol% to 20 mol%. DMSO causes a drastic decrease in the
      range of the steric hydration repulsion, leading to an increase in adhesion at a
      much-reduced intermembrane distance. Pulsed field gradient NMR of the
      phosphatidylcholine (PC) head group analogs, dimethyl phosphate and
      tetramethylammonium ions, shows that the ion hydrodynamic radius decreases with
      increasing DMSO concentration up to 10 mol% DMSO. The complementary measurements
      indicate that, at concentrations below 10 mol%, the primary effect of DMSO is to
      decrease the solvated volume of the PC head group and that, from 10 mol% to 20
      mol%, DMSO acts to gradually collapse head groups down onto the surface and
      suppress their thermal motion. This work shows a connection between surface
      forces, head group conformation and dynamics, and surface water diffusion, with
      important implications for soft matter and colloidal systems. 

PMID- 26261312
TI  - Breakthrough of SIV strain smE660 challenge in SIV strain mac239-vaccinated
      rhesus macaques despite potent autologous neutralizing antibody responses.
AB  - Although the correlates of immunological protection from human immunodeficiency
      virus or simian immunodeficiency virus infection remain incompletely understood,
      it is generally believed that medium to high titers of serum neutralizing
      antibodies (nAbs) against the challenge virus will prevent infection. This
      paradigm is based on a series of studies in which passive transfer of HIV
      specific nAbs protected rhesus macaques (RMs) from subsequent mucosal challenge
      with a chimeric human/simian immunodeficiency virus. However, it is unknown
      whether nAb titers define protection in the setting of active immunization. Here
      we determined serum nAb titers against breakthrough transmitted/founder (T/F)
      SIVsmE660-derived envelope glycoprotein (Env) variants from 14 RMs immunized with
      SIVmac239-based DNA-prime/modified vaccinia virus Ankara-boost vaccine regimens
      that included GM-CSF or CD40L adjuvants and conferred significant but incomplete
      protection against repeated low-dose intrarectal challenge. A single Env variant
      established infection in all RMs except one, with no identifiable genetic
      signature associated with vaccination breakthrough compared with T/F Envs from
      four unvaccinated monkeys. Breakthrough T/F Env pseudoviruses were potently
      neutralized in vitro by heterologous pooled serum from chronically SIVsmE660
      infected monkeys at IC50 titers exceeding 1:1,000,000. Remarkably, the T/F Env
      pseudoviruses from 13 of 14 monkeys were also susceptible to neutralization by
      autologous prechallenge serum at in vitro IC50 titers ranging from 1:742
      1:10,832. These titers were similar to those observed in vaccinated RMs that
      remained uninfected. These data suggest that the relationship between serum nAb
      titers and protection from mucosal SIV challenge in the setting of active
      immunization is more complex than previously recognized, warranting further
      studies into the balance between immune activation, target cell availability, and
      protective antibody responses. 

PMID- 26261314
TI  - Single-sensor multispeaker listening with acoustic metamaterials.
AB  - Designing a "cocktail party listener" that functionally mimics the selective
      perception of a human auditory system has been pursued over the past decades. By
      exploiting acoustic metamaterials and compressive sensing, we present here a
      single-sensor listening device that separates simultaneous overlapping sounds
      from different sources. The device with a compact array of resonant metamaterials
      is demonstrated to distinguish three overlapping and independent sources with
      96.67% correct audio recognition. Segregation of the audio signals is achieved
      using physical layer encoding without relying on source characteristics. This
      hardware approach to multichannel source separation can be applied to robust
      speech recognition and hearing aids and may be extended to other acoustic imaging
      and sensing applications. 

PMID- 26261315
TI  - Disadvantage, self-control, and health.

PMID- 26261316
TI  - Antibodies targeting human IL1RAP (IL1R3) show therapeutic effects in xenograft
      models of acute myeloid leukemia.
AB  - Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is associated with a poor survival rate, and there
      is an urgent need for novel and more efficient therapies, ideally targeting AML
      stem cells that are essential for maintaining the disease. The interleukin 1
      receptor accessory protein (IL1RAP; IL1R3) is expressed on candidate leukemic
      stem cells in the majority of AML patients, but not on normal hematopoietic stem
      cells. We show here that monoclonal antibodies targeting IL1RAP have strong
      antileukemic effects in xenograft models of human AML. We demonstrate that
      effector-cell-mediated killing is essential for the observed therapeutic effects
      and that natural killer cells constitute a critical human effector cell type.
      Because IL-1 signaling is important for the growth of AML cells, we generated an
      IL1RAP-targeting antibody capable of blocking IL-1 signaling and show that this
      antibody suppresses the proliferation of primary human AML cells. Hence, IL1RAP
      can be efficiently targeted with an anti-IL1RAP antibody capable of both
      achieving antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and blocking of IL-1 signaling
      as modes of action. Collectively, these results provide important evidence in
      support of IL1RAP as a target for antibody-based treatment of AML. 

PMID- 26261317
TI  - Computational dissection of human episodic memory reveals mental process-specific
      genetic profiles.
AB  - Episodic memory performance is the result of distinct mental processes, such as
      learning, memory maintenance, and emotional modulation of memory strength. Such
      processes can be effectively dissociated using computational models. Here we
      performed gene set enrichment analyses of model parameters estimated from the
      episodic memory performance of 1,765 healthy young adults. We report robust and
      replicated associations of the amine compound SLC (solute-carrier) transporters
      gene set with the learning rate, of the collagen formation and transmembrane
      receptor protein tyrosine kinase activity gene sets with the modulation of memory
      strength by negative emotional arousal, and of the L1 cell adhesion molecule
      (L1CAM) interactions gene set with the repetition-based memory improvement.
      Furthermore, in a large functional MRI sample of 795 subjects we found that the
      association between L1CAM interactions and memory maintenance revealed large
      clusters of differences in brain activity in frontal cortical areas. Our findings
      provide converging evidence that distinct genetic profiles underlie specific
      mental processes of human episodic memory. They also provide empirical support to
      previous theoretical and neurobiological studies linking specific neuromodulators
      to the learning rate and linking neural cell adhesion molecules to memory
      maintenance. Furthermore, our study suggests additional memory-related genetic
      pathways, which may contribute to a better understanding of the neurobiology of
      human memory. 

PMID- 26261318
TI  - A DEMETER-like DNA demethylase governs tomato fruit ripening.
AB  - In plants, genomic DNA methylation which contributes to development and stress
      responses can be actively removed by DEMETER-like DNA demethylases (DMLs).
      Indeed, in Arabidopsis DMLs are important for maternal imprinting and endosperm
      demethylation, but only a few studies demonstrate the developmental roles of
      active DNA demethylation conclusively in this plant. Here, we show a direct cause
      and effect relationship between active DNA demethylation mainly mediated by the
      tomato DML, SlDML2, and fruit ripening- an important developmental process unique
      to plants. RNAi SlDML2 knockdown results in ripening inhibition via
      hypermethylation and repression of the expression of genes encoding ripening
      transcription factors and rate-limiting enzymes of key biochemical processes such
      as carotenoid synthesis. Our data demonstrate that active DNA demethylation is
      central to the control of ripening in tomato. 

PMID- 26261319
TI  - Random bursts determine dynamics of active filaments.
AB  - Constituents of living or synthetic active matter have access to a local energy
      supply that serves to keep the system out of thermal equilibrium. The statistical
      properties of such fluctuating active systems differ from those of their
      equilibrium counterparts. Using the actin filament gliding assay as a model, we
      studied how nonthermal distributions emerge in active matter. We found that the
      basic mechanism involves the interplay between local and random injection of
      energy, acting as an analog of a thermal heat bath, and nonequilibrium energy
      dissipation processes associated with sudden jump-like changes in the system's
      dynamic variables. We show here how such a mechanism leads to a nonthermal
      distribution of filament curvatures with a non-Gaussian shape. The experimental
      curvature statistics and filament relaxation dynamics are reproduced
      quantitatively by stochastic computer simulations and a simple kinetic model. 

PMID- 26261320
TI  - Biologically active LIL proteins built with minimal chemical diversity.
AB  - We have constructed 26-amino acid transmembrane proteins that specifically
      transform cells but consist of only two different amino acids. Most proteins are
      long polymers of amino acids with 20 or more chemically distinct side-chains. The
      artificial transmembrane proteins reported here are the simplest known proteins
      with specific biological activity, consisting solely of an initiating methionine
      followed by specific sequences of leucines and isoleucines, two hydrophobic amino
      acids that differ only by the position of a methyl group. We designate these
      proteins containing leucine (L) and isoleucine (I) as LIL proteins. These
      proteins functionally interact with the transmembrane domain of the platelet
      derived growth factor beta-receptor and specifically activate the receptor to
      transform cells. Complete mutagenesis of these proteins identified individual
      amino acids required for activity, and a protein consisting solely of leucines,
      except for a single isoleucine at a particular position, transformed cells. These
      surprisingly simple proteins define the minimal chemical diversity sufficient to
      construct proteins with specific biological activity and change our view of what
      can constitute an active protein in a cellular context. 

PMID- 26261321
TI  - Microfluidic screening and whole-genome sequencing identifies mutations
      associated with improved protein secretion by yeast.
AB  - There is an increasing demand for biotech-based production of recombinant
      proteins for use as pharmaceuticals in the food and feed industry and in
      industrial applications. Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is among preferred cell
      factories for recombinant protein production, and there is increasing interest in
      improving its protein secretion capacity. Due to the complexity of the secretory
      machinery in eukaryotic cells, it is difficult to apply rational engineering for
      construction of improved strains. Here we used high-throughput microfluidics for
      the screening of yeast libraries, generated by UV mutagenesis. Several screening
      and sorting rounds resulted in the selection of eight yeast clones with
      significantly improved secretion of recombinant alpha-amylase. Efficient
      secretion was genetically stable in the selected clones. We performed whole
      genome sequencing of the eight clones and identified 330 mutations in total. Gene
      ontology analysis of mutated genes revealed many biological processes, including
      some that have not been identified before in the context of protein secretion.
      Mutated genes identified in this study can be potentially used for reverse
      metabolic engineering, with the objective to construct efficient cell factories
      for protein secretion. The combined use of microfluidics screening and whole
      genome sequencing to map the mutations associated with the improved phenotype can
      easily be adapted for other products and cell types to identify novel engineering
      targets, and this approach could broadly facilitate design of novel cell
      factories. 

PMID- 26261322
TI  - Interference effects of choice on confidence: Quantum characteristics of evidence
      accumulation.
AB  - Decision-making relies on a process of evidence accumulation which generates
      support for possible hypotheses. Models of this process derived from classical
      stochastic theories assume that information accumulates by moving across definite
      levels of evidence, carving out a single trajectory across these levels over
      time. In contrast, quantum decision models assume that evidence develops over
      time in a superposition state analogous to a wavelike pattern and that judgments
      and decisions are constructed by a measurement process by which a definite state
      of evidence is created from this indefinite state. This constructive process
      implies that interference effects should arise when multiple responses
      (measurements) are elicited over time. We report such an interference effect
      during a motion direction discrimination task. Decisions during the task
      interfered with subsequent confidence judgments, resulting in less extreme and
      more accurate judgments than when no decision was elicited. These results provide
      qualitative and quantitative support for a quantum random walk model of evidence
      accumulation over the popular Markov random walk model. We discuss the cognitive
      and neural implications of modeling evidence accumulation as a quantum dynamic
      system. 

PMID- 26261324
TI  - Early evolution of the angiosperm clade Asteraceae in the Cretaceous of
      Antarctica.
AB  - The Asteraceae (sunflowers and daisies) are the most diverse family of flowering
      plants. Despite their prominent role in extant terrestrial ecosystems, the early
      evolutionary history of this family remains poorly understood. Here we report the
      discovery of a number of fossil pollen grains preserved in dinosaur-bearing
      deposits from the Late Cretaceous of Antarctica that drastically pushes back the
      timing of assumed origin of the family. Reliably dated to ~76-66 Mya, these
      specimens are about 20 million years older than previously known records for the
      Asteraceae. Using a phylogenetic approach, we interpreted these fossil specimens
      as members of an extinct early diverging clade of the family, associated with
      subfamily Barnadesioideae. Based on a molecular phylogenetic tree calibrated
      using fossils, including the ones reported here, we estimated that the most
      recent common ancestor of the family lived at least 80 Mya in Gondwana, well
      before the thermal and biogeographical isolation of Antarctica. Most of the early
      diverging lineages of the family originated in a narrow time interval after the
      K/P boundary, 60-50 Mya, coinciding with a pronounced climatic warming during the
      Late Paleocene and Early Eocene, and the scene of a dramatic rise in flowering
      plant diversity. Our age estimates reduce earlier discrepancies between the age
      of the fossil record and previous molecular estimates for the origin of the
      family, bearing important implications in the evolution of flowering plants in
      general. 

PMID- 26261323
TI  - Structures of two bacterial resistance factors mediating tRNA-dependent
      aminoacylation of phosphatidylglycerol with lysine or alanine.
AB  - The cytoplasmic membrane is probably the most important physical barrier between
      microbes and the surrounding habitat. Aminoacylation of the polar head group of
      the phospholipid phosphatidylglycerol (PG) catalyzed by Ala-tRNA(Ala)-dependent
      alanyl-phosphatidylglycerol synthase (A-PGS) or by Lys-tRNA(Lys)-dependent lysyl
      phosphatidylglycerol synthase (L-PGS) enables bacteria to cope with cationic
      peptides that are harmful to the integrity of the cell membrane. Accordingly,
      these synthases also have been designated as multiple peptide resistance factors
      (MprF). They consist of a separable C-terminal catalytic domain and an N-terminal
      transmembrane flippase domain. Here we present the X-ray crystallographic
      structure of the catalytic domain of A-PGS from the opportunistic human pathogen
      Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In parallel, the structure of the related lysyl
      phosphatidylglycerol-specific L-PGS domain from Bacillus licheniformis in complex
      with the substrate analog L-lysine amide is presented. Both proteins reveal a
      continuous tunnel that allows the hydrophobic lipid substrate PG and the polar
      aminoacyl-tRNA substrate to access the catalytic site from opposite directions.
      Substrate recognition of A-PGS versus L-PGS was investigated using misacylated
      tRNA variants. The structural work presented here in combination with biochemical
      experiments using artificial tRNA or artificial lipid substrates reveals the tRNA
      acceptor stem, the aminoacyl moiety, and the polar head group of PG as the main
      determinants for substrate recognition. A mutagenesis approach yielded the
      complementary amino acid determinants of tRNA interaction. These results have
      broad implications for the design of L-PGS and A-PGS inhibitors that could render
      microbial pathogens more susceptible to antimicrobial compounds. 

PMID- 26261326
TI  - Results of a large-scale randomized behavior change intervention on road safety
      in Kenya.
AB  - Road accidents kill 1.3 million people each year, most in the developing world.
      We test the efficacy of evocative messages, delivered on stickers placed inside
      Kenyan matatus, or minibuses, in reducing road accidents. We randomize the
      intervention, which nudges passengers to complain to their drivers directly,
      across 12,000 vehicles and find that on average it reduces insurance claims rates
      of matatus by between one-quarter and one-third and is associated with 140 fewer
      road accidents per year than predicted. Messages promoting collective action are
      especially effective, and evocative images are an important motivator. Average
      maximum speeds and average moving speeds are 1-2 km/h lower in vehicles assigned
      to treatment. We cannot reject the null hypothesis of no placebo effect. We were
      unable to discern any impact of a complementary radio campaign on insurance
      claims. Finally, the sticker intervention is inexpensive: we estimate the cost
      effectiveness of the most impactful stickers to be between $10 and $45 per
      disability-adjusted life-year saved. 

PMID- 26261325
TI  - Mechanical coupling of the multiple structural elements of the large-conductance
      mechanosensitive channel during expansion.
AB  - The prokaryotic mechanosensitive channel of large conductance (MscL) is a
      pressure-relief valve protecting the cell from lysing during acute osmotic
      downshock. When the membrane is stretched, MscL responds to the increase of
      membrane tension and opens a nonselective pore to about 30 A wide, exhibiting a
      large unitary conductance of ~ 3 nS. A fundamental step toward understanding the
      gating mechanism of MscL is to decipher the molecular details of the
      conformational changes accompanying channel opening. By applying fusion-protein
      strategy and controlling detergent composition, we have solved the structures of
      an archaeal MscL homolog from Methanosarcina acetivorans trapped in the closed
      and expanded intermediate states. The comparative analysis of these two new
      structures reveals significant conformational rearrangements in the different
      domains of MscL. The large changes observed in the tilt angles of the two
      transmembrane helices (TM1 and TM2) fit well with the helix-pivoting model
      derived from the earlier geometric analyses based on the previous structures.
      Meanwhile, the periplasmic loop region transforms from a folded structure,
      containing an omega-shaped loop and a short beta-hairpin, to an extended and
      partly disordered conformation during channel expansion. Moreover, a significant
      rotating and sliding of the N-terminal helix (N-helix) is coupled to the tilting
      movements of TM1 and TM2. The dynamic relationships between the N-helix and
      TM1/TM2 suggest that the N-helix serves as a membrane-anchored stopper that
      limits the tilts of TM1 and TM2 in the gating process. These results provide
      direct mechanistic insights into the highly coordinated movement of the different
      domains of the MscL channel when it expands.

PMID- 26261327
TI  - Giving behavior of millionaires.
AB  - This paper studies conditions influencing the generosity of wealthy people. We
      conduct incentivized experiments with individuals who have at least ?1 million in
      their bank account. The results show that millionaires are more generous toward
      low-income individuals in a giving situation when the other participant has no
      power, than in a strategic setting, where the other participant can punish unfair
      behavior. Moreover, the level of giving by millionaires is higher than in any
      other previous study. Our findings have important implications for charities and
      financial institutions that deal with wealthy individuals. 

PMID- 26261328
TI  - STIM1 enhances SR Ca2+ content through binding phospholamban in rat ventricular
      myocytes.
AB  - In ventricular myocytes, the physiological function of stromal interaction
      molecule 1 (STIM1), an endo/sarcoplasmic reticulum (ER/SR) Ca(2+) sensor, is
      unclear with respect to its cellular localization, its Ca(2+)-dependent
      mobilization, and its action on Ca(2+) signaling. Confocal microscopy was used to
      measure Ca(2+) signaling and to track the cellular movement of STIM1 with mCherry
      and immunofluorescence in freshly isolated adult rat ventricular myocytes and
      those in short-term primary culture. We found that endogenous STIM1 was expressed
      at low but measureable levels along the Z-disk, in a pattern of puncta and linear
      segments consistent with the STIM1 localizing to the junctional SR (jSR).
      Depleting SR Ca(2+) using thapsigargin (2-10 uM) changed neither the STIM1
      distribution pattern nor its mobilization rate, evaluated by diffusion
      coefficient measurements using fluorescence recovery after photobleaching. Two
      dimensional blue native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and
      coimmunoprecipitation showed that STIM1 in the heart exists mainly as a large
      protein complex, possibly a multimer, which is not altered by SR Ca(2+)
      depletion. Additionally, we found no store-operated Ca(2+) entry in control or
      STIM1 overexpressing ventricular myocytes. Nevertheless, STIM1 overexpressing
      cells show increased SR Ca(2+) content and increased SR Ca(2+) leak. These
      changes in Ca(2+) signaling in the SR appear to be due to STIM1 binding to
      phospholamban and thereby indirectly activating SERCA2a (Sarco/endoplasmic
      reticulum Ca(2+) ATPase). We conclude that STIM1 binding to phospholamban
      contributes to the regulation of SERCA2a activity in the steady state and rate of
      SR Ca(2+) leak and that these actions are independent of store-operated Ca(2+)
      entry, a process that is absent in normal heart cells. 

PMID- 26261329
TI  - Genetic selection by high altitude: Beware of experiments at ambient conditions.

PMID- 26261330
TI  - Quantitative genomic analysis of RecA protein binding during DNA double-strand
      break repair reveals RecBCD action in vivo.
AB  - Understanding molecular mechanisms in the context of living cells requires the
      development of new methods of in vivo biochemical analysis to complement
      established in vitro biochemistry. A critically important molecular mechanism is
      genetic recombination, required for the beneficial reassortment of genetic
      information and for DNA double-strand break repair (DSBR). Central to
      recombination is the RecA (Rad51) protein that assembles into a spiral filament
      on DNA and mediates genetic exchange. Here we have developed a method that
      combines chromatin immunoprecipitation with next-generation sequencing (ChIP-Seq)
      and mathematical modeling to quantify RecA protein binding during the active
      repair of a single DSB in the chromosome of Escherichia coli. We have used
      quantitative genomic analysis to infer the key in vivo molecular parameters
      governing RecA loading by the helicase/nuclease RecBCD at recombination hot
      spots, known as Chi. Our genomic analysis has also revealed that DSBR at the lacZ
      locus causes a second RecBCD-mediated DSBR event to occur in the terminus region
      of the chromosome, over 1 Mb away. 

PMID- 26261331
TI  - Geometry and mechanics of two-dimensional defects in amorphous materials.
AB  - We study the geometry of defects in amorphous materials and their elastic
      interactions. Defects are defined and characterized by deviations of the
      material's intrinsic metric from a Euclidian metric. This characterization makes
      possible the identification of localized defects in amorphous materials, the
      formulation of a corresponding elastic problem, and its solution in various cases
      of physical interest. We present a multipole expansion that covers a large family
      of localized 2D defects. The dipole term, which represents a dislocation, is
      studied analytically and experimentally. Quadrupoles and higher multipoles
      correspond to fundamental strain-carrying entities. The interactions between
      those entities, as well as their interaction with external stress fields, are
      fundamental to the inelastic behavior of solids. We develop analytical tools to
      study those interactions. The model, methods, and results presented in this work
      are all relevant to the study of systems that involve a distribution of localized
      sources of strain. Examples are plasticity in amorphous materials and mechanical
      interactions between cells on a flexible substrate. 

PMID- 26261333
TI  - Reply to Nott: Assessing biases in speleothem records of flood events.

PMID- 26261332
TI  - Unbiased phosphoproteomic method identifies the initial effects of a methacrylic
      acid copolymer on macrophages.
AB  - An unbiased phosphoproteomic method was used to identify biomaterial-associated
      changes in the phosphorylation patterns of macrophage-like cells. The
      phosphorylation differences between differentiated THP1 (dTHP1) cells treated for
      10, 20, or 30 min with a vascular regenerative methacrylic acid (MAA) copolymer
      or a control methyl methacrylate (MM) copolymer were determined by MS. There were
      1,470 peptides (corresponding to 729 proteins) that were differentially
      phosphorylated in dTHP1 cells treated with the two materials with a greater
      cellular response to MAA treatment. In addition to identifying pathways (such as
      integrin signaling and cytoskeletal arrangement) that are well known to change
      with cell-material interaction, previously unidentified pathways, such as
      apoptosis and mRNA splicing, were also discovered. 

PMID- 26261334
TI  - Identification of mud flood layers within stalagmites.

PMID- 26261335
TI  - Concrete ensemble Kalman filters with rigorous catastrophic filter divergence.
AB  - The ensemble Kalman filter and ensemble square root filters are data assimilation
      methods used to combine high-dimensional, nonlinear dynamical models with
      observed data. Ensemble methods are indispensable tools in science and
      engineering and have enjoyed great success in geophysical sciences, because they
      allow for computationally cheap low-ensemble-state approximation for extremely
      high-dimensional turbulent forecast models. From a theoretical perspective, the
      dynamical properties of these methods are poorly understood. One of the central
      mysteries is the numerical phenomenon known as catastrophic filter divergence,
      whereby ensemble-state estimates explode to machine infinity, despite the true
      state remaining in a bounded region. In this article we provide a breakthrough
      insight into the phenomenon, by introducing a simple and natural forecast model
      that transparently exhibits catastrophic filter divergence under all ensemble
      methods and a large set of initializations. For this model, catastrophic filter
      divergence is not an artifact of numerical instability, but rather a true
      dynamical property of the filter. The divergence is not only validated
      numerically but also proven rigorously. The model cleanly illustrates mechanisms
      that give rise to catastrophic divergence and confirms intuitive accounts of the
      phenomena given in past literature. 

PMID- 26261336
TI  - Swift antibodies to counter emerging viruses.

PMID- 26261337
TI  - Cryptic infection of a broad taxonomic and geographic diversity of tadpoles by
      Perkinsea protists.
AB  - The decline of amphibian populations, particularly frogs, is often cited as an
      example in support of the claim that Earth is undergoing its sixth mass
      extinction event. Amphibians seem to be particularly sensitive to emerging
      diseases (e.g., fungal and viral pathogens), yet the diversity and geographic
      distribution of infectious agents are only starting to be investigated. Recent
      work has linked a previously undescribed protist with mass-mortality events in
      the United States, in which infected frog tadpoles have an abnormally enlarged
      yellowish liver filled with protist cells of a presumed parasite. Phylogenetic
      analyses revealed that this infectious agent was affiliated with the Perkinsea: a
      parasitic group within the alveolates exemplified by Perkinsus sp., a "marine"
      protist responsible for mass-mortality events in commercial shellfish
      populations. Using small subunit (SSU) ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequencing, we
      developed a targeted PCR protocol for preferentially sampling a clade of the
      Perkinsea. We tested this protocol on freshwater environmental DNA, revealing a
      wide diversity of Perkinsea lineages in these environments. Then, we used the
      same protocol to test for Perkinsea-like lineages in livers of 182 tadpoles from
      multiple families of frogs. We identified a distinct Perkinsea clade,
      encompassing a low level of SSU rDNA variation different from the lineage
      previously associated with tadpole mass-mortality events. Members of this clade
      were present in 38 tadpoles sampled from 14 distinct genera/phylogroups, from
      five countries across three continents. These data provide, to our knowledge, the
      first evidence that Perkinsea-like protists infect tadpoles across a wide
      taxonomic range of frogs in tropical and temperate environments, including
      oceanic islands. 

PMID- 26261338
TI  - Highly efficient nonprecious metal catalyst prepared with metal-organic framework
      in a continuous carbon nanofibrous network.
AB  - Fuel cell vehicles, the only all-electric technology with a demonstrated >300
      miles per fill travel range, use Pt as the electrode catalyst. The high price of
      Pt creates a major cost barrier for large-scale implementation of polymer
      electrolyte membrane fuel cells. Nonprecious metal catalysts (NPMCs) represent
      attractive low-cost alternatives. However, a significantly lower turnover
      frequency at the individual catalytic site renders the traditional carbon
      supported NPMCs inadequate in reaching the desired performance afforded by Pt.
      Unconventional catalyst design aiming at maximizing the active site density at
      much improved mass and charge transports is essential for the next-generation
      NPMC. We report here a method of preparing highly efficient, nanofibrous NPMC for
      cathodic oxygen reduction reaction by electrospinning a polymer solution
      containing ferrous organometallics and zeolitic imidazolate framework followed by
      thermal activation. The catalyst offers a carbon nanonetwork architecture made of
      microporous nanofibers decorated by uniformly distributed high-density active
      sites. In a single-cell test, the membrane electrode containing such a catalyst
      delivered unprecedented volumetric activities of 3.3 A ? cm(-3) at 0.9 V or 450 A
      ? cm(-3) extrapolated at 0.8 V, representing the highest reported value in the
      literature. Improved fuel cell durability was also observed.

PMID- 26261339
TI  - Genome-wide identification of CCA1 targets uncovers an expanded clock network in
      Arabidopsis.
AB  - The circadian clock in Arabidopsis exerts a critical role in timing multiple
      biological processes and stress responses through the regulation of up to 80% of
      the transcriptome. As a key component of the clock, the Myb-like transcription
      factor CIRCADIAN CLOCK ASSOCIATED1 (CCA1) is able to initiate and set the phase
      of clock-controlled rhythms and has been shown to regulate gene expression by
      binding directly to the evening element (EE) motif found in target gene
      promoters. However, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying clock regulation
      of the rhythmic transcriptome, specifically how clock components connect to clock
      output pathways, is poorly understood. In this study, using ChIP followed by deep
      sequencing of CCA1 in constant light (LL) and diel (LD) conditions, more than
      1,000 genomic regions occupied by CCA1 were identified. CCA1 targets are enriched
      for a myriad of biological processes and stress responses, providing direct links
      to clock-controlled pathways and suggesting that CCA1 plays an important role in
      regulating a large subset of the rhythmic transcriptome. Although many of these
      target genes are evening expressed and contain the EE motif, a significant subset
      is morning phased and enriched for previously unrecognized motifs associated with
      CCA1 function. Furthermore, this work revealed several CCA1 targets that do not
      cycle in either LL or LD conditions. Together, our results emphasize an expanded
      role for the clock in regulating a diverse category of genes and key pathways in
      Arabidopsis and provide a comprehensive resource for future functional studies. 

PMID- 26261340
TI  - The amino acid sensor GCN2 inhibits inflammatory responses to apoptotic cells
      promoting tolerance and suppressing systemic autoimmunity.
AB  - Efficient apoptotic cell clearance and induction of immunologic tolerance is a
      critical mechanism preventing autoimmunity and associated pathology. Our
      laboratory has reported that apoptotic cells induce tolerance by a mechanism
      dependent on the tryptophan catabolizing enzyme indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase 1
      (IDO1) in splenic macrophages (MPhi). The metabolic-stress sensing protein kinase
      GCN2 is a primary downstream effector of IDO1; thus, we tested its role in
      apoptotic cell-driven immune suppression. In vitro, expression of IDO1 in MPhis
      significantly enhanced apoptotic cell-driven IL-10 and suppressed IL-12
      production in a GCN2-dependent mechanism. Suppression of IL-12 protein production
      was due to attenuation of IL-12 mRNA association with polyribosomes inhibiting
      translation while IL-10 mRNA association with polyribosomes was not affected. In
      vivo, apoptotic cell challenge drove a rapid, GCN2-dependent stress response in
      splenic MPhis with increased IL-10 and TGF-beta production, whereas myeloid
      specific deletion of GCN2 abrogated regulatory cytokine production with
      provocation of inflammatory T-cell responses to apoptotic cell antigens and
      failure of long-tolerance induction. Consistent with a role in prevention of
      apoptotic cell driven autoreactivity, myeloid deletion of GCN2 in lupus-prone
      mice resulted in increased immune cell activation, humoral autoimmunity, renal
      pathology, and mortality. In contrast, activation of GCN2 with an agonist
      significantly reduced anti-DNA autoantibodies and protected mice from disease.
      Thus, this study implicates a key role for GCN2 signals in regulating the
      tolerogenic response to apoptotic cells and limiting autoimmunity. 

PMID- 26261341
TI  - The collaborative roots of corruption.
AB  - Cooperation is essential for completing tasks that individuals cannot accomplish
      alone. Whereas the benefits of cooperation are clear, little is known about its
      possible negative aspects. Introducing a novel sequential dyadic die-rolling
      paradigm, we show that collaborative settings provide fertile ground for the
      emergence of corruption. In the main experimental treatment the outcomes of the
      two players are perfectly aligned. Player A privately rolls a die, reports the
      result to player B, who then privately rolls and reports the result as well. Both
      players are paid the value of the reports if, and only if, they are identical
      (e.g., if both report 6, each earns ?6). Because rolls are truly private, players
      can inflate their profit by misreporting the actual outcomes. Indeed, the
      proportion of reported doubles was 489% higher than the expected proportion
      assuming honesty, 48% higher than when individuals rolled and reported alone, and
      96% higher than when lies only benefited the other player. Breaking the alignment
      in payoffs between player A and player B reduced the extent of brazen lying.
      Despite player B's central role in determining whether a double was reported,
      modifying the incentive structure of either player A or player B had nearly
      identical effects on the frequency of reported doubles. Our results highlight the
      role of collaboration-particularly on equal terms-in shaping corruption. These
      findings fit a functional perspective on morality. When facing opposing moral
      sentiments-to be honest vs. to join forces in collaboration-people often opt for
      engaging in corrupt collaboration. 

PMID- 26261342
TI  - Production diversity and dietary diversity in smallholder farm households.
AB  - Undernutrition and micronutrient malnutrition remain problems of significant
      magnitude in large parts of the developing world. Improved nutrition requires not
      only better access to food for poor population segments, but also higher dietary
      quality and diversity. Because many of the poor and undernourished people are
      smallholder farmers, diversifying production on these smallholder farms is widely
      perceived as a useful approach to improve dietary diversity. However, empirical
      evidence on the link between production and consumption diversity is scarce.
      Here, this issue is addressed with household-level data from Indonesia, Kenya,
      Ethiopia, and Malawi. Regression models show that on-farm production diversity is
      positively associated with dietary diversity in some situations, but not in all.
      When production diversity is already high, the association is not significant or
      even turns negative, because of foregone income benefits from specialization.
      Analysis of other factors reveals that market access has positive effects on
      dietary diversity, which are larger than those of increased production diversity.
      Market transactions also tend to reduce the role of farm diversity for household
      nutrition. These results suggest that increasing on-farm diversity is not always
      the most effective way to improve dietary diversity in smallholder households and
      should not be considered a goal in itself. Additional research is needed to
      better understand how agriculture and food systems can be made more nutrition
      sensitive in particular situations. 

PMID- 26261343
TI  - Comanaging fresh produce for nature conservation and food safety.
AB  - In 2006, a deadly Escherichia coli O157:H7 outbreak in bagged spinach was traced
      to California's Central Coast region, where >70% of the salad vegetables sold in
      the United States are produced. Although no definitive cause for the outbreak
      could be determined, wildlife was implicated as a disease vector. Growers were
      subsequently pressured to minimize the intrusion of wildlife onto their farm
      fields by removing surrounding noncrop vegetation. How vegetation removal
      actually affects foodborne pathogens remains unknown, however. We combined a fine
      scale land use map with three datasets comprising ~250,000 enterohemorrhagic E.
      coli (EHEC), generic E. coli, and Salmonella tests in produce, irrigation water,
      and rodents to quantify whether seminatural vegetation surrounding farmland is
      associated with foodborne pathogen prevalence in California's Central Coast
      region. We found that EHEC in fresh produce increased by more than an order of
      magnitude from 2007 to 2013, despite extensive vegetation clearing at farm field
      margins. Furthermore, although EHEC prevalence in produce was highest on farms
      near areas suitable for livestock grazing, we found no evidence of increased
      EHEC, generic E. coli, or Salmonella near nongrazed, seminatural areas. Rather,
      pathogen prevalence increased the most on farms where noncrop vegetation was
      removed, calling into question reforms that promote vegetation removal to improve
      food safety. These results suggest a path forward for comanaging fresh produce
      farms for food safety and environmental quality, as federal food safety reforms
      spread across ~4.5 M acres of US farmland. 

PMID- 26261344
TI  - Elasticity, friction, and pathway of gamma-subunit rotation in FoF1-ATP synthase.
AB  - We combine molecular simulations and mechanical modeling to explore the mechanism
      of energy conversion in the coupled rotary motors of FoF1-ATP synthase. A
      torsional viscoelastic model with frictional dissipation quantitatively
      reproduces the dynamics and energetics seen in atomistic molecular dynamics
      simulations of torque-driven gamma-subunit rotation in the F1-ATPase rotary
      motor. The torsional elastic coefficients determined from the simulations agree
      with results from independent single-molecule experiments probing different
      segments of the gamma-subunit, which resolves a long-lasting controversy. At
      steady rotational speeds of ~ 1 kHz corresponding to experimental turnover, the
      calculated frictional dissipation of less than k(B)T per rotation is consistent
      with the high thermodynamic efficiency of the fully reversible motor. Without
      load, the maximum rotational speed during transitions between dwells is reached
      at ~ 1 MHz. Energetic constraints dictate a unique pathway for the coupled
      rotations of the Fo and F1 rotary motors in ATP synthase, and explain the need
      for the finer stepping of the F1 motor in the mammalian system, as seen in recent
      experiments. Compensating for incommensurate eightfold and threefold rotational
      symmetries in Fo and F1, respectively, a significant fraction of the external
      mechanical work is transiently stored as elastic energy in the gamma-subunit. The
      general framework developed here should be applicable to other molecular
      machines.

PMID- 26261345
TI  - Adaptive evolution of malaria parasites in French Guiana: Reversal of chloroquine
      resistance by acquisition of a mutation in pfcrt.
AB  - In regions with high malaria endemicity, the withdrawal of chloroquine (CQ) as
      first-line treatment of Plasmodium falciparum infections has typically led to the
      restoration of CQ susceptibility through the reexpansion of the wild-type (WT)
      allele K76 of the chloroquine resistance transporter gene (pfcrt) at the expense
      of less fit mutant alleles carrying the CQ resistance (CQR) marker K76T. In low
      transmission settings, such as South America, drug resistance mutations can
      attain 100% prevalence, thereby precluding the return of WT parasites after the
      complete removal of drug pressure. In French Guiana, despite the fixation of the
      K76T allele, the prevalence of CQR isolates progressively dropped from >90% to
      <30% during 17 y after CQ withdrawal in 1995. Using a genome-wide association
      study with CQ-sensitive (CQS) and CQR isolates, we have identified a single
      mutation in pfcrt encoding a C350R substitution that is associated with the
      restoration of CQ susceptibility. Genome editing of the CQR reference strain 7G8
      to incorporate PfCRT C350R caused a complete loss of CQR. A retrospective
      molecular survey on 580 isolates collected from 1997 to 2012 identified all C350R
      mutant parasites as being CQS. This mutation emerged in 2002 and rapidly spread
      throughout the P. falciparum population. The C350R allele is also associated with
      a significant decrease in piperaquine susceptibility in vitro, suggesting that
      piperaquine pressure in addition to potential fitness costs associated with the
      7G8-type CQR pfcrt allele may have selected for this mutation. These findings
      have important implications for understanding the evolutionary dynamics of
      antimalarial drug resistance. 

PMID- 26261346
TI  - Glassin, a histidine-rich protein from the siliceous skeletal system of the
      marine sponge Euplectella, directs silica polycondensation.
AB  - The hexactinellids are a diverse group of predominantly deep sea sponges that
      synthesize elaborate fibrous skeletal systems of amorphous hydrated silica. As a
      representative example, members of the genus Euplectella have proved to be useful
      model systems for investigating structure-function relationships in these
      hierarchically ordered siliceous network-like composites. Despite recent advances
      in understanding the mechanistic origins of damage tolerance in these complex
      skeletal systems, the details of their synthesis have remained largely
      unexplored. Here, we describe a previously unidentified protein, named "glassin,"
      the main constituent in the water-soluble fraction of the demineralized skeletal
      elements of Euplectella. When combined with silicic acid solutions, glassin
      rapidly accelerates silica polycondensation over a pH range of 6-8. Glassin is
      characterized by high histidine content, and cDNA sequence analysis reveals that
      glassin shares no significant similarity with any other known proteins. The
      deduced amino acid sequence reveals that glassin consists of two similar
      histidine-rich domains and a connecting domain. Each of the histidine-rich
      domains is composed of three segments: an amino-terminal histidine and aspartic
      acid-rich sequence, a proline-rich sequence in the middle, and a histidine and
      threonine-rich sequence at the carboxyl terminus. Histidine always forms HX or
      HHX repeats, in which most of X positions are occupied by glycine, aspartic acid,
      or threonine. Recombinant glassin reproduces the silica precipitation activity
      observed in the native proteins. The highly modular composition of glassin,
      composed of imidazole, acidic, and hydroxyl residues, favors silica
      polycondensation and provides insights into the molecular mechanisms of skeletal
      formation in hexactinellid sponges. 

PMID- 26261347
TI  - MeCP2 regulates the timing of critical period plasticity that shapes functional
      connectivity in primary visual cortex.
AB  - Mutations in methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) cause Rett syndrome, an autism
      spectrum-associated disorder with a host of neurological and sensory symptoms,
      but the pathogenic mechanisms remain elusive. Neuronal circuits are shaped by
      experience during critical periods of heightened plasticity. The maturation of
      cortical GABA inhibitory circuitry, the parvalbumin(+) (PV(+)) fast-spiking
      interneurons in particular, is a key component that regulates the initiation and
      termination of the critical period. Using MeCP2-null mice, we examined experience
      dependent development of neural circuits in the primary visual cortex. The
      functional maturation of parvalbumin interneurons was accelerated upon vision
      onset, as indicated by elevated GABA synthetic enzymes, vesicular GABA
      transporter, perineuronal nets, and enhanced GABA transmission among PV
      interneurons. These changes correlated with a precocious onset and closure of
      critical period and deficient binocular visual function in mature animals.
      Reduction of GAD67 expression rescued the precocious opening of the critical
      period, suggesting its major role in MECP2-mediated regulation of experience
      driven circuit development. Our results identify molecular changes in a defined
      cortical cell type and link aberrant developmental trajectory to functional
      deficits in a model of neuropsychiatric disorder. 

PMID- 26261348
TI  - The opportunistic marine pathogen Vibrio parahaemolyticus becomes virulent by
      acquiring a plasmid that expresses a deadly toxin.
AB  - Acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) is a severe, newly emergent
      penaeid shrimp disease caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus that has already led to
      tremendous losses in the cultured shrimp industry. Until now, its disease-causing
      mechanism has remained unclear. Here we show that an AHPND-causing strain of V.
      parahaemolyticus contains a 70-kbp plasmid (pVA1) with a postsegregational
      killing system, and that the ability to cause disease is abolished by the natural
      absence or experimental deletion of the plasmid-encoded homologs of the
      Photorhabdus insect-related (Pir) toxins PirA and PirB. We determined the crystal
      structure of the V. parahaemolyticus PirA and PirB (PirA(vp) and PirB(vp))
      proteins and found that the overall structural topology of PirA(vp)/PirB(vp) is
      very similar to that of the Bacillus Cry insecticidal toxin-like proteins,
      despite the low sequence identity (<10%). This structural similarity suggests
      that the putative PirAB(vp) heterodimer might emulate the functional domains of
      the Cry protein, and in particular its pore-forming activity. The gene
      organization of pVA1 further suggested that pirAB(vp) may be lost or acquired by
      horizontal gene transfer via transposition or homologous recombination. 

PMID- 26261349
TI  - Single methylation of 23S rRNA triggers late steps of 50S ribosomal subunit
      assembly.
AB  - Ribosome biogenesis requires multiple assembly factors. In Escherichia coli,
      deletion of RlmE, the methyltransferase responsible for the 2'-O-methyluridine
      modification at position 2552 (Um2552) in helix 92 of the 23S rRNA, results in
      slow growth and accumulation of the 45S particle. We demonstrate that the 45S
      particle that accumulates in DeltarlmE is a genuine precursor that can be
      assembled into the 50S subunit. Indeed, 50S formation from the 45S precursor
      could be promoted by RlmE-mediated Um2552 formation in vitro. Ribosomal protein
      L36 (encoded by rpmJ) was completely absent from the 45S precursor in DeltarlmE,
      and we observed a strong genetic interaction between rlmE and rpmJ. Structural
      probing of 23S rRNA and high-salt stripping of 45S components revealed that RlmE
      mediated methylation promotes interdomain interactions via the association
      between helices 92 and 71, stabilized by the single 2'-O-methylation of Um2552,
      in concert with the incorporation of L36, triggering late steps of 50S subunit
      assembly. 

PMID- 26261350
TI  - Thermophilization of adult and juvenile tree communities in the northern tropical
      Andes.
AB  - Climate change is expected to cause shifts in the composition of tropical montane
      forests towards increased relative abundances of species whose ranges were
      previously centered at lower, hotter elevations. To investigate this process of
      "thermophilization," we analyzed patterns of compositional change over the last
      decade using recensus data from a network of 16 adult and juvenile tree plots in
      the tropical forests of northern Andes Mountains and adjacent lowlands in
      northwestern Colombia. Analyses show evidence that tree species composition is
      strongly linked to temperature and that composition is changing directionally
      through time, potentially in response to climate change and increasing
      temperatures. Mean rates of thermophilization [thermal migration rate (TMR), 
      degrees C ? y(-1)] across all censuses were 0.011  degrees C ? y(-1) (95%
      confidence interval = 0.002-0.022  degrees C ? y(-1)) for adult trees and 0.027 
      degrees C ? y(-1) (95% confidence interval = 0.009-0.050  degrees C ? y(-1)) for
      juvenile trees. The fact that thermophilization is occurring in both the adult
      and juvenile trees and at rates consistent with concurrent warming supports the
      hypothesis that the observed compositional changes are part of a long-term
      process, such as global warming, and are not a response to any single episodic
      event. The observed changes in composition were driven primarily by patterns of
      tree mortality, indicating that the changes in composition are mostly via range
      retractions, rather than range shifts or expansions. These results all indicate
      that tropical forests are being strongly affected by climate change and suggest
      that many species will be at elevated risk for extinction as warming continues.

PMID- 26261352
TI  - Results of the early stage PD MED study: revelation or recapitulation?

PMID- 26261351
TI  - Systems biology definition of the core proteome of metabolism and expression is
      consistent with high-throughput data.
AB  - Finding the minimal set of gene functions needed to sustain life is of both
      fundamental and practical importance. Minimal gene lists have been proposed by
      using comparative genomics-based core proteome definitions. A definition of a
      core proteome that is supported by empirical data, is understood at the systems
      level, and provides a basis for computing essential cell functions is lacking.
      Here, we use a systems biology-based genome-scale model of metabolism and
      expression to define a functional core proteome consisting of 356 gene products,
      accounting for 44% of the Escherichia coli proteome by mass based on proteomics
      data. This systems biology core proteome includes 212 genes not found in previous
      comparative genomics-based core proteome definitions, accounts for 65% of known
      essential genes in E. coli, and has 78% gene function overlap with minimal
      genomes (Buchnera aphidicola and Mycoplasma genitalium). Based on transcriptomics
      data across environmental and genetic backgrounds, the systems biology core
      proteome is significantly enriched in nondifferentially expressed genes and
      depleted in differentially expressed genes. Compared with the noncore, core gene
      expression levels are also similar across genetic backgrounds (two times higher
      Spearman rank correlation) and exhibit significantly more complex transcriptional
      and posttranscriptional regulatory features (40% more transcription start sites
      per gene, 22% longer 5'UTR). Thus, genome-scale systems biology approaches
      rigorously identify a functional core proteome needed to support growth. This
      framework, validated by using high-throughput datasets, facilitates a mechanistic
      understanding of systems-level core proteome function through in silico models;
      it de facto defines a paleome. 

PMID- 26261353
TI  - A new marketplace in Med Ed: innovation or just rebranding?

PMID- 26261354
TI  - The informant history: a neglected aspect of clinical education and practice.

PMID- 26261355
TI  - Osteitis fibrosa cystica in primary hyperparathyroidism.

PMID- 26261356
TI  - Intrathoracic extramedullary hematopoiesis related spontaneous hemothorax.

PMID- 26261358
TI  - Free boundary problems: the forefront of current and future developments.

PMID- 26261357
TI  - Reliability of patient-reported outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis patients: an
      observational prospective study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) such as pain, patient global
      assessment (PGA) and fatigue are regularly assessed in RA patients. In the
      present study, we aimed to explore the reliability and smallest detectable
      differences (SDDs) of these PROs, and whether the time between assessments has an
      impact on reliability. METHODS: Forty RA patients on stable treatment reported
      the three PROs daily over two subsequent months. We assessed the reliability of
      these measures by calculating intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and the
      SDDs for 1-, 7-, 14- and 28-day test-retest intervals. RESULTS: Overall, SDD and
      ICC were 25 mm and 0.67 for pain, 25 mm and 0.71 for PGA and 30 mm and 0.66 for
      fatigue, respectively. SDD was higher with longer time period between
      assessments, ranging from 19 mm (1-day intervals) to 30 mm (28-day intervals) for
      pain, 19 to 33 mm for PGA, and 26 to 34 mm for fatigue; correspondingly, ICC was
      smaller with longer intervals, and ranged between the 1- and the 28-day interval
      from 0.80 to 0.50 for pain, 0.83 to 0.57 for PGA and 0.76 to 0.58 for fatigue.
      The baseline simplified disease activity index did not have any influence on
      reliability. Lower baseline PRO scores led to smaller SDDs. CONCLUSION:
      Reliability of pain, PGA and fatigue measurements is dependent on the tested time
      interval and the baseline levels. The relatively high SDDs, even for patients in
      the lowest tertiles of their PROs, indicate potential issues for assessment of
      the presence of remission.

PMID- 26261359
TI  - Global stability of steady states in the classical Stefan problem for general
      boundary shapes.
AB  - The classical one-phase Stefan problem (without surface tension) allows for a
      continuum of steady-state solutions, given by an arbitrary (but sufficiently
      smooth) domain together with zero temperature. We prove global-in-time stability
      of such steady states, assuming a sufficient degree of smoothness on the initial
      domain, but without any a priori restriction on the convexity properties of the
      initial shape. This is an extension of our previous result (Hadzic & Shkoller
      2014 Commun. Pure Appl. Math. 68, 689-757 (doi:10.1002/cpa.21522)) in which we
      studied nearly spherical shapes. 

PMID- 26261360
TI  - Some free boundary problems involving non-local diffusion and aggregation.
AB  - We report on recent progress in the study of evolution processes involving
      degenerate parabolic equations which may exhibit free boundaries. The equations
      we have selected follow two recent trends in diffusion theory: considering
      anomalous diffusion with long-range effects, which leads to fractional operators
      or other operators involving kernels with large tails; and the combination of
      diffusion and aggregation effects, leading to delicate long-term equilibria whose
      description is still incipient. 

PMID- 26261361
TI  - Euler equation existence, non-uniqueness and mesh converged statistics.
AB  - We review existence and non-uniqueness results for the Euler equation of fluid
      flow. These results are placed in the context of physical models and their
      solutions. Non-uniqueness is in direct conflict with the purpose of practical
      simulations, so that a mitigating strategy, outlined here, is important. We
      illustrate these issues in an examination of mesh converged turbulent statistics,
      with comparison to laboratory experiments. 

PMID- 26261362
TI  - A free boundary approach to shape optimization problems.
AB  - The analysis of shape optimization problems involving the spectrum of the Laplace
      operator, such as isoperimetric inequalities, has known in recent years a series
      of interesting developments essentially as a consequence of the infusion of free
      boundary techniques. The main focus of this paper is to show how the analysis of
      a general shape optimization problem of spectral type can be reduced to the
      analysis of particular free boundary problems. In this survey article, we give an
      overview of some very recent technical tools, the so-called shape sub- and
      supersolutions, and show how to use them for the minimization of spectral
      functionals involving the eigenvalues of the Dirichlet Laplacian, under a volume
      constraint. 

PMID- 26261363
TI  - Free boundary problems in shock reflection/diffraction and related transonic flow
      problems.
AB  - Shock waves are steep wavefronts that are fundamental in nature, especially in
      high-speed fluid flows. When a shock hits an obstacle, or a flying body meets a
      shock, shock reflection/diffraction phenomena occur. In this paper, we show how
      several long-standing shock reflection/diffraction problems can be formulated as
      free boundary problems, discuss some recent progress in developing mathematical
      ideas, approaches and techniques for solving these problems, and present some
      further open problems in this direction. In particular, these shock problems
      include von Neumann's problem for shock reflection-diffraction by two-dimensional
      wedges with concave corner, Lighthill's problem for shock diffraction by two
      dimensional wedges with convex corner, and Prandtl-Meyer's problem for supersonic
      flow impinging onto solid wedges, which are also fundamental in the mathematical
      theory of multidimensional conservation laws. 

PMID- 26261364
TI  - A Stefan problem on an evolving surface.
AB  - We formulate a Stefan problem on an evolving hypersurface and study the well
      posedness of weak solutions given L(1) data. To do this, we first develop
      function spaces and results to handle equations on evolving surfaces in order to
      give a natural treatment of the problem. Then, we consider the existence of
      solutions for L(infinity) data; this is done by regularization of the
      nonlinearity. The regularized problem is solved by a fixed point theorem and then
      uniform estimates are obtained in order to pass to the limit. By using a duality
      method, we show continuous dependence, which allows us to extend the results to
      L(1) data.

PMID- 26261365
TI  - Far-field perturbations of vortex patches.
AB  - In this paper I investigate the dynamics of vortex patches in the Yudovitch phase
      space. I derive an approximation for the evolution of the vorticity in the case
      of nested vortex patches with distant boundaries, and study its long-time
      behaviour. 

PMID- 26261366
TI  - Incompressible limit of a mechanical model of tumour growth with viscosity.
AB  - Various models of tumour growth are available in the literature. The first type
      describe the evolution of the cell number density when considered as a continuous
      visco-elastic material with growth. The second type describe the tumour as a set,
      and rules for the free boundary are given related to the classical Hele-Shaw
      model of fluid dynamics. Following previous papers where the material is
      described by a purely elastic material, or when active cell motion is included,
      we make the link between the two types of description considering the 'stiff
      pressure law' limit. Even though viscosity is a regularizing effect, new
      mathematical difficulties arise in the visco-elastic case because estimates on
      the pressure field are weaker and do not immediately imply compactness. For
      instance, travelling wave solutions and numerical simulations show that the
      pressure is discontinuous in space, which is not the case for an elastic
      material. 

PMID- 26261367
TI  - An overview of unconstrained free boundary problems.
AB  - In this paper, we present a survey concerning unconstrained free boundary
      problems of type [Formula: see text] where B1 is the unit ball, Omega is an
      unknown open set, F(1) and F(2) are elliptic operators (admitting regular
      solutions), and [Formula: see text] is a functions space to be specified in each
      case. Our main objective is to discuss a unifying approach to the optimal
      regularity of solutions to the above matching problems, and list several open
      problems in this direction.

PMID- 26261368
TI  - Free boundaries in problems with hysteresis.
AB  - Here, we present a survey concerning parabolic free boundary problems involving a
      discontinuous hysteresis operator. Such problems describe biological and chemical
      processes 'with memory' in which various substances interact according to
      hysteresis law. Our main objective is to discuss the structure of the free
      boundaries and the properties of the so-called 'strong solutions' belonging to
      the anisotropic Sobolev class [Formula: see text] with sufficiently large q.
      Several open problems in this direction are proposed as well. 

PMID- 26261369
TI  - A note on stability shifting for the Muskat problem.
AB  - In this note, we show that there exist solutions of the Muskat problem that shift
      stability regimes: they start unstable, then become stable and finally return to
      the unstable regime. We also exhibit numerical evidence of solutions with medium
      sized L(infinity) norm of the derivative of the initial condition that develop a
      turning singularity.

PMID- 26261370
TI  - Free boundary problems in biology.
AB  - In this paper, I review several free boundary problems that arise in the
      mathematical modelling of biological processes. The biological topics are quite
      diverse: cancer, wound healing, biofilms, granulomas and atherosclerosis. For
      each of these topics, I describe the biological background and the mathematical
      model, and then proceed to state mathematical results, including existence and
      uniqueness theorems, stability and asymptotic limits, and the behaviour of the
      free boundary. I also suggest, for each of the topics, open mathematical
      problems. 

PMID- 26261371
TI  - Convergence rates for the classical, thin and fractional elliptic obstacle
      problems.
AB  - We review the finite-element approximation of the classical obstacle problem in
      energy and max-norms and derive error estimates for both the solution and the
      free boundary. On the basis of recent regularity results, we present an optimal
      error analysis for the thin obstacle problem. Finally, we discuss the
      localization of the obstacle problem for the fractional Laplacian and prove quasi
      optimal convergence rates. 

PMID- 26261372
TI  - Regularity of free boundaries a heuristic retro.
AB  - This survey concerns regularity theory of a few free boundary problems that have
      been developed in the past half a century. Our intention is to bring up different
      ideas and techniques that constitute the fundamentals of the theory. We shall
      discuss four different problems, where approaches are somewhat different in each
      case. Nevertheless, these problems can be divided into two groups: (i) obstacle
      and thin obstacle problem; (ii) minimal surfaces, and cavitation flow of a
      perfect fluid. In each case, we shall only discuss the methodology and
      approaches, giving basic ideas and tools that have been specifically designed and
      tailored for that particular problem. The survey is kept at a heuristic level
      with mainly geometric interpretation of the techniques and situations in hand. 

PMID- 26261373
TI  - Engaging Physician Learners Through a Web-Based Platform: Individualized End-of
      Life Education.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Web-based modules provide a convenient and low-cost education
      platform, yet should be carefully designed to ensure that learners are actively
      engaged. In order to improve attitudes and knowledge in end-of-life (EOL) care,
      we developed a web-based educational module that employed hyperlinks to allow
      users access to auxiliary resources: clinical guidelines and seminal research
      papers. METHODS: Participants took pre-test evaluations of attitudes and
      knowledge regarding EOL care prior to accessing the educational module, and a
      post-test evaluation following the module intervention. We recorded the type of
      hyperlinks (guideline or paper) accessed by learners, and stratified participants
      into groups based on link type accessed (none, either, or both). We used
      demographic and educational data to develop a multivariate mixed-effects
      regression analysis to develop adjusted predictions of attitudes and knowledge.
      RESULTS: 114 individuals participated. The majority had some professional
      exposure to EOL care (prior instruction 62%; EOL referral 53%; EOL discussion
      56%), though most had no family (68%) or personal experience (51%). On bivariate
      analysis, non-partnered (p = .04), medical student training level (p = .03),
      prior palliative care referral (p = .02), having a family member (p = .02) and
      personal experience of EOL care (p < .01) were all associated with linking to
      auxiliary resources via hyperlinks. When adjusting for confounders, beta
      coefficient estimates and least squares estimation demonstrated that participants
      clicking on both hyperlink types were more likely to score higher on all
      knowledge and attitude items, and demonstrate increased score improvements.
      CONCLUSION: Auxiliary resources accessible by hyperlink are an effective adjunct
      to web-based learning in end-of-life care.

PMID- 26261374
TI  - The Symptoms Prevalence, Medical Interventions, and Health Care Service Needs for
      Patients With End-Stage Renal Disease in a Renal Palliative Care Program.
AB  - A retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the symptoms prevalence and
      interventions initiated in the last 2 weeks of life, health care service
      utilization, and causes of death of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD
      under a renal palliative care (RPC) program. A total of 335 RPC patients were
      included, of which 226 patients died during the study period. The 5 most
      prevalent symptoms were dyspnea (63.7%), fatigue (51.8%), edema (48.2%), pain
      (44.2%), and anorexia (38.1%); and the 5 most prevalent interventions initiated
      were oxygen (69.5%), parenteral infusion (67.3%), antibiotics (53.5%), bladder
      catheterization (44.7%), and analgesic (39.8%) in the last 2 weeks of life. Each
      patient received 3.5 +/- 4.4 outpatient clinic visit, 3.4 +/- 10.3 home care
      visits, and 3.1 +/- 2.7 hospital admissions. Besides ESRD (51.8%), the most
      common causes of death were cardiovascular events (18.6%) and infection (17.2%).

PMID- 26261375
TI  - Commonly Prescribed Medications Among Patients in Hospice Care for Chronic
      Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
AB  - PURPOSE: End-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) presents health
      care providers with challenges of providing optimal palliative care for patients
      who follow a less predictable trajectory. The objectives of this study were to
      evaluate medications being prescribed to patients with end-stage COPD, compared
      to recommendations made by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung
      Disease (GOLD) guidelines, and to determine which medications were provided by
      the hospice organization. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed our database for
      medications pertaining to COPD management as stated in the GOLD criteria or those
      used for symptoms associated with end of life. RESULTS: A total of 745 patients
      met inclusion criteria, and approximately 63% were prescribed opioids.
      Prescribing rates for oxygen, short-acting beta2-agonists, and short-acting
      anticholinergics were 37%, 33%, and 31%, respectively. Systemic and inhaled
      corticosteroids were prescribed at higher rates of 20% and 18% compared to long
      acting bronchodilators. DISCUSSION: Medications used for COPD exacerbation
      management were prescribed at higher rate than those used for maintenance
      treatment.

PMID- 26261376
TI  - Ankle-Brachial Index and Cardiovascular Outcome.

PMID- 26261377
TI  - Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Diabetic Foot: New Responsibilities?

PMID- 26261378
TI  - Qualitative Evaluation of Cardiovascular Diseases Management in Family Medicine
      Team in One Year Level.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading death cause in modern
      world and are the most public health problem. WHO program for CVD contains:
      prevention, command and follow up of CVD in global level. AIM: Investigate CVD
      frequency in family medicine team in 2012.year (one year period of time) and
      qualitative management prevention and clinical services management quality of CVD
      together with recommended standards. PATIENTS AND METHODS: clinical revision of
      clinical standard practice patients with CVD was provided in Family medicine team
      in Public Health Centre Tuzla for the period of time from January 01 2012 -
      December 31 2012. For quality of realized services, AKAZ standards were based
      for: chapter 2. Health promotion and diseases prevention 2.5. preventive clinical
      services; chapter 3. Clinical services, standard 3.1. Coronary diseases and
      standard 3.2. TIA and Stroke. From CVD register next parameters had been used:
      age, gender, disease diagnose, therapy, blood pressure values, total cholesterol
      values, beta blockers therapy, anticoagulant therapy prescription, smoker status,
      stop smoking recommendation and influenza vaccination recommendation. STATISTICAL
      APPROACH: All results were taken in Excel program and statistically analyzed.
      Descriptive standard tests were taken with measurement of central tendency and
      dispersion. For significant differentials achieved with chi2 chances relation was
      taken (Odds Ratio-OR) with 95% relevant security. All tests were leveled in
      statistical significant from 95% (p<0,05). RESULTS: Considering total registered
      habitants number 1448 (males 624 females 824) total diseases of usually CVD in
      Team 1 family medicine 531 (36,67%). The most frequent disease was hypertension
      which was presented in 30,31% of registered patients but in total CVD illness was
      present in 82,67%. In relation with total patients number (531), female
      prevalence from CVD 345:186 males vs. 65%:35%; P=0,001 and was statistically
      significantly higher. Almost patients were in age from >=65 years. Nearly all the
      standards for chapter 2. Health promotion and diseases prevention and chapter 3.
      Clinical services, standard 3.1. Coronary diseases and standard 3.2. TIA and
      Stroke are met in larger percentages than the minimum, however, bad quality signs
      we have found in total cholesterol control were values of total cholesterol were
      <= 5mmol/l achieved only in 27.58% patients with CVD. Stop smoking recommendation
      in smokers with TIA and Stroke (total 10 smokers) was registered in 20,00%
      patients. Indicator was not achieved,(min level 25%). CONCLUSION: Role of family
      medicine team is extremely important in patient care who suffer from chronically
      noncontagious diseases such as CVD, as one of them. Considering that in our
      country preventive programs for CVD are at small level, results of this study are
      acceptable. Our plans for personal continuous educations and patient educations
      about healthy life style are pointed for higher or average of achieved standards
      and of course everything what have to be done should be written in personal dates
      of patients.

PMID- 26261379
TI  - Distribution of Risk Factors in Male and Female Primary Health Care Patients with
      Osteoarthritis in Albania.
AB  - AIM: We aimed to describe the distribution of the main risk factors among primary
      health care users diagnosed with osteoarthritis in Albania, a post-communist
      country in South Eastern Europe. METHODS: Our study involved all individuals who
      were diagnosed with osteoarthritis over a two-year period (January 2013 -
      December 2014) in several primary health care centers in Tirana, the Albanian
      capital. On the whole, during this two-year period, 1179 adult individuals were
      diagnosed with osteoarthritis (521 men aged 60.1+/-10.6 years and 658 women aged
      58.1+/-9.6 years). According to the criteria of the American College of
      Rheumatology, the diagnosis of osteoarthritis was based on the history of the
      disease, physical examination, laboratory findings and radiological findings.
      Binary logistic regression was used to assess the sex-differences regarding the
      major risk factors among individuals diagnosed with osteoarthritis. RESULTS: In
      multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models, female gender was inversely
      associated with smoking (OR=0.39, 95%CI=0.27-0.56), alcohol intake (OR=0.08,
      95%CI=0.06-0.10), overweight but not obesity (OR=0.65, 95%CI=0.46-0.91 and
      OR=0.74, 95%CI=0.46-1.18, respectively), weight lifting (OR=0.38, 95%CI=0.22
      0.66) and heavy physical exercise (OR=0.69, 95%CI=0.46-1.03). Conversely, female
      gender was positively related to genetic factors (OR=2.17, 95%CI=1.55-3.04) and
      preexisting inflammatory diseases (OR=1.53, 95%CI=0.93-2.53). CONCLUSION: This
      study offers useful evidence about the distribution of the main risk factors for
      osteoarthritis in adult individuals diagnosed with osteoarthritis in Albania.
      This information may support health professionals and decision-makers in Albania
      for evidence-based health planning and policy formulation in order to control the
      toll of osteoarthritis in this transitional society.

PMID- 26261380
TI  - One Year Outcome of Acute Stroke Patients with Sleep Apnea.
AB  - The aim of this study was to analyze one year outcome of the acute stroke
      patients with sleep apnea in order to gender and age. METHODS: It was analyzed
      110 patients with acute stroke and sleep apnea. Among them 65(59%) were men.
      Average age of all participant was 65.13+/-9.27 years. The same number and gender
      distribution of participants with stroke and without apnea were in control group.
      Evaluation of sleep apnea has been done with: "The Sleep Disorders
      Questionnaire", "Berlin Questionnaire to identify patients at risk for the sleep
      apnea syndrome" and "The Epworth Sleepiness Scale". RESULTS: One year after
      stroke onset survived 91 (82.7%) out of 110 patients with apnea. Average age of
      survived patients was 63.66+/-8.78 years. Among them 52(80%) were men. In control
      group, without apnea survived 104 (94.5%) patients with average age of 65.00+/
      8.62 years. Among them 62 (95.4%) were men. In men with apnea there is
      significantly lower survival range in order to patients without apnea (X(2)=8.22,
      p=0.004). In women there is no difference. Survival of both gender in patients
      with apnea (22; 64.7%) was the lowest in group older than 70 years of age. Sex
      ratio (men : women) was 15 (68.2%):7(58.3%). Survival in both gender in patients
      without apnea was the same in group older than 70 years of age: 27 (81.2%) out of
      33. Average age of patients who died with apnea was significantly higher in order
      to patients without (t=1.97, p=0.03). CONCLUSION: One year after stroke,
      significantly more patients survived without (94.5%) than with apnea (82.7%)
      (p=0.01). In order to sex survived range was significantly (p=0.004) lover in men
      with apnea than without but in women there is no difference. Survival range of
      both gender in patients with apnea was the lowest in group older than 70 years
      (p=0.03).

PMID- 26261381
TI  - Oral manifestations of Systemic Sclerosis and Correlation with anti-Topoisomerase
      I Antibodies (SCL-70).
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) is a chronic autoimmune
      illness. Clinical oral manifestations in Scleroderma are very frequent. AIM: To
      explore the oral manifestations, frequent and rare, to investigate whether there
      are differences between gender and the observed correlation of changes in
      relation to Antibodies Anti-Topoisomerase I. MATERIAL AND METHODS: in the study
      were included 75 patients (65 females and 10 males), their mean age was 45.2+/
      10, duration of illness was around 5.1+/-12 years diagnosed according to the ACR
      criteria and treated in the period 2010-2013. RESULTS: 98.7% of our patients were
      ANA positive, whereas 49.3% of them were Anti SCL-70 positive. Patients in 91% of
      cases had one or more oral manifestations of disease. The most frequent oral
      manifestations are: small mouth (n = 39), the lingua short frenulum (n = 21),
      Xerostomia (n = 24) and paradontopathia (n = 16), while more rare are:
      Telangiectasia (n = 14), decreased interincisal distance (n = 9), missing teeth
      (n = 9), absorption of dental alveoli (n = 5) and Neuralgia n. trigeminus (n =
      3). Oral symptoms have been frequent in patients with Scleroderma, SCL -70
      positive but not statistically significant difference. CONCLUSIONS: Oral changes
      have high frequency in patients with Scleroderma and these changes provide high
      discomfort of the mouth and lower quality of life. Oral health care to patients
      with Scleroderma is very important and it affects a lot in reducing the level of
      disease and increase the quality of life.

PMID- 26261382
TI  - Hyperglycemia in Critically Ill Patients: Management and Prognosis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Hyperglycemia is a common complication of critical illness.
      Patients in intensive care unit with stress hyperglycemia have significantly
      higher mortality (31%) compared to patients with previously confirmed diabetes
      (10%) or normoglycemia (11.3%). Stress hyperglycemia is associated with increased
      risk of critical illness polyneuropathy (CIP) and prolonged mechanical
      ventilation. Intensive monitoring and insulin therapy according to the protocol
      are an important part of the treatment of critically ill patients. OBJECTIVE: To
      evaluate the incidence of stress hyperglycemia, complications and outcome in
      critically ill patients in our Medical intensive care unit. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: This study included 100 patients hospitalized in Medical intensive care
      unit during the period January 2014-March 2015 which were divided into three
      groups: Diabetes mellitus, stress-hyperglycemia and normoglycemia. During the
      retrospective-prospective observational clinical investigation the following data
      was obtained: age, gender, SAPS, admission diagnosis, average daily blood
      glucose, highest blood glucose level, glycemic variability, vasopressor and
      corticosteroid therapy, days on mechanical ventilation, total days of
      hospitalization in Medical intensive care unit, and outcome. RESULTS: Patients
      with DM treated with a continuous insulin infusion did not have significantly
      more complications than patients with normoglycemia, unlike patients with stress
      hyperglycemia, which had more severe prognosis. There was a significant
      difference between the maximum level of blood glucose in recovered and patients
      with adverse outcome (p = 0.0277). Glycemic variability (difference between max.
      and min. blood glucose) was the strongest predictor of adverse outcome. The
      difference in glycemic variability between the stress-hyperglycemia and
      normoglycemic group was statistically significant (p = 0.0066). There was no
      statistically significant difference in duration of mechanical ventilation and
      total days of hospitalization in the intensive care unit between the groups.
      CONCLUSION: Understanding of the objectives of glucose regulation and effective
      glycemic control is essential for the proper optimization of patient outcomes.

PMID- 26261384
TI  - Recession Vs Myotomy-Comparative Analysis of Two Surgical Procedures of Weakening
      Inferior Oblique Muscle Overaction.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Inferior oblique overaction (IOOA) can be primary or secondary,
      isolated or combined to other types of horizontal deviation, mostly with
      esotropias. Surgical weakening of IOOA means several techniques like; recession,
      myotomy, myectomy, anteroposition etc. GOALS: we analyzed the effect of inferior
      oblique muscle surgical weakening comparing two groups of patients with primary
      hypertropia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In 5-years retrospective study, we observed 33
      patients on which we did the surgical procedure of weakening inferior muscle
      overaction by two methods; recession and myotomy. RESULTS: In total number of 33
      patients, there were 57,6% male and 42,4% female patients with average age of
      10,6+/-7,5 (in range of 4-36). There was 33,3% of isolated primary hypertropias,
      and 66,7% combined with esotropias. At 23 (69,9%) patients the recession surgical
      procedure was done, and with 10 (30,1%) myotomy. Better effect and binocularity
      was in 65,2% of patients in recession group which was statistically significant
      with significance level of p<0,0, chi2=5,705; p=0,021. CONCLUSION: Comparing of
      two surgical procedures of weakening inferior oblique muscles overaction,
      recession is better procedure than myotomy.

PMID- 26261383
TI  - The Accuracy of Pain Measurement in Diagnosis of Scaphoid Bone Fractures in
      Patients with Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Report of 175 Cases.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Scaphoid fracture is the most common fracture among the bones of
      the wrist. Plain radiography has a sensitivity of 59 to 79 percent for the
      diagnosis of scaphoid fracture after injury. Casting is done to avoid
      complications in patients with suspected fractures with normal radiography.
      Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of
      99%. To avoid unnecessary casting and high costs, we decided to offer a way more
      efficient than radiography and less costly than MRI. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the
      present study, 175 patients with suspected scaphoid fracture along with snuff box
      tenderness and normal radiography were enrolled in the study. On arrival,
      patients' pain score were determined using visual analog scale method with
      anatomical snuffbox tenderness and then MRI was performed on the patients' wrist
      and the results were recorded for patient in the check list. The data was then
      aggregated and analyzed. RESULTS: The result of MRI for fracture was negative for
      90.9% and positive for 9.1%. The mean pain score was 7.3 in negative MRI group
      and 8.75 in positive MRI group, considering a significant difference. ROC curve
      graph showed that the sensitivity and specificity will be 87% and 57%,
      respectively for scores 7.5 and higher and 75% and 72%, respectively for scores
      8.5 and higher. CONCLUSION: It seems that although this method, beside other
      criteria in the diagnosis of fractures, can be useful in future studies, it would
      not be helpful in fracture detection.

PMID- 26261385
TI  - The Infraorbital Artery in Fetuses: Clinical Relevance in Perforator Flap
      Surgery.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The reconstruction of soft tissue detects in mid facial region are
      highly demanding. Most challenging region are nasal alla. For full thickness
      nasal alla defects most authors use nasolabial flap based on facial/angular
      arcade, but for recidivans tumors the infraorbital perforator flap is a good
      solution. AIM: The aim of our research was to analyze the number and the course
      of the infraorbital artery terminal branches. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Material was
      60 fetal hemifacial specimens of different gestational ages. Fetuses were fixed
      in 10% formalin and arterial blood vessels were injected with Micropaque solution
      (barium sulfate). Samples were further processed by Spalteholz technique, their
      images captured with digital camera and analyzed. Infraorbital artery was
      constant artery and had 2 to 4 terminal branches supplying infraorbital region.
      The majority of its terminal branches were characterized with descending course.
      Reach anatomical network of infraorbital artery made anastomoses with facial
      artery. CONCLUSION: Perforator flap based on infraorbital artery had well defined
      vascular supply with numerous soft tissue branches, which qualify this flap as
      safe solution for nasal reconstruction.

PMID- 26261386
TI  - Treatment of Onychomycosis - a Clinical Study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nail unit. Anatomical
      and physiological characteristics of the nail apparatus impose the need for long
      term treatment to achieve complete cure. GOAL: The main goal of this project is
      to study the effectiveness of several treatment protocols for onychomycosis based
      on Scoring Clinical Index for Onychomycosis (SCIO). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The
      study included 133 patients with onychomycosis, diagnosed by KOH microscopy and
      culture. Based on disease severity, patients were grouped into groups with SCIO
      values: 6-9, and 12-16. These groups were randomly subdivided to 5 subgroups
      according to the given treatment protocols: fluconazole 150 mg 1x weekly,
      itraconazole continual therapy, itraconazole pulse therapy, terbinafine 250 mg/d,
      and terbinafine + ciclopirox 8% lacquer, respectively. The cure rate was
      evaluated at the end of 48 week. RESULTS: The obtained cure rates according to
      the above mentioned protocols were: 92.30%, 81.81%, 83.33%, 90.90%, and 100%,
      respectively for groups of patients with SCIO values 6 - 9. Within patients with
      SCIO values 12-16, were achieved cure rates as follows: 78.57%, 78.57%, 75%, 80%,
      and 86.66%. CONCLUSIONS: There was no statistically significant difference in
      cure rate between five treatment protocols applied in this study. In patients
      with high SCIO values is expected a decrease in cure rate.

PMID- 26261387
TI  - Representation of Streptococcus Pneumoniae in Outpatient Population of Sarajevo
      Canton.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Streptococcus pneumoniae in asymptomatic manner colonize the mucous
      membranes of the nasopharynx of children and adults, but can cause serious
      illness in the media which are naturally sterile. In 5-40% of healthy population
      this bacteria colonize the nasopharyngeal mucosa thanks to the surface adhesin
      protein, which allow the bacteria to attach to the epithelial cells. The normal
      nasopharyngeal microflora retains pneumococcus in a small number and does not
      allow it to express its pathogenic potential and cause disease. If this dominance
      of the normal microflora is violated, after adherence and local duplication,
      pneumococcus can spread to the middle ear, sinuses or lungs. Colonization is more
      common in children than in adults. GOAL: The goal of this study was to determine
      the prevalence of the carrier state and susceptibility of pneumococcal strains
      that circulate in the outpatient population of Sarajevo Canton as a potential
      source of infection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the microbiological laboratory of
      the Institute of Public Health of Canton Sarajevo in the period from July 1, 2013
      until April 15, 2014 were analyzed swabs of the nose and nasopharynx, eye and ear
      from a total of 4109 outpatients. Swabs were inoculated on blood agar nutrient
      medium. Then was performed catalase test, preparation by Gram and susceptibility
      test on Optochin. Isolates positive for S. pneumoniae were subjected to in vitro
      assays to investigate the antimicrobial susceptibility/resistance. RESULTS: Out
      of 4109 analyzed swabs the pneumococcus positive was 180 (4.38%). Of these, 137
      (76.11%) nasal and nasopharyngeal swabs, 33 (18.33%) of the eyes and 10 (5.56%)
      ear. The highest number of positive swabs were isolated in children aged 6 years
      and less, a total of 168 (93.33%), in children aged 7-13 years were positive 7
      (3.89%), while among respondents aged 14-20 years only 5 (2.78%). CONCLUSIONS:
      The most common site for isolation of pneumococci is the nose and throat, and the
      most common carriers of these bacteria are children under 6 years of age.
      Determining the prevalence of the carrier state contributes to the improvement of
      preventive measures to reduce the risk of infection and possible sequels.

PMID- 26261388
TI  - Hematological Changes in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: a
      Prospective Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Removal of pro inflammatory stimuli after CABG, wound closure and the
      regenerative ability of the bone marrow will ensure a gradual recovery of
      hematological parameters. The aim of this study was to assess the hematological
      changes after CABG. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective cohort study included
      164 consecutive patients undergoing on pump CABG surgery between January 2012 and
      January 2013. Patients with primary hematologic disease, emergent or urgent CABG
      and off-pump CABG were not included. A time line protocol was employed. RESULTS:
      All patients survived surgery. Average values of erythrocytes, hemoglobin and
      hematocrit declined, to reach lower values on day 3 after surgery (-33.6 %, -33.1
      %, -32.6 % versus preoperative value, p<0.001) and then gradually increased to
      reach normal values after one month and the preoperative values after three
      months. The average values of leukocytes and neutrophils increased rapidly to
      achieve the highest value on day 2, while the average value of lymphocytes
      decreased quickly to achieve lower value on day 1 after surgery (+74.7 %, +127.1
      %, -52.4 % respectively from the preoperative value, p<0.001). The average
      platelet count decreased to the lowest value on day 2 after surgery (-26.4 % from
      the preoperative value, p<0.001), after which gradually increased up to +100.8 %
      of preoperative value on day 14 (p<0.001) and then gradually decreased to reach
      normal values on day 21 and preoperative values after three months. CONCLUSIONS:
      Average values of the three peripheral blood cells parameters undergo important
      changes after CABG, but not life threatening, and regain normal and preoperative
      values after 1-3 months after surgery.

PMID- 26261389
TI  - Postoperative Outcome Comparison Between Pudendal Nerve Block and Caudal Block
      After Lateral Open Internal Sphincterotomy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the postoperative outcome between pudendal nerve block and
      caudal block after open lateral internal sphincterotomy for chronic anal fissure.
      METHODS: Our prospective, randomized and double blind investigation included 123
      patients, of both sexes, aged 25-56 years, classed I-II by the American society
      of anesthesiologists and scheduled for elective open internal lateral
      sphincterotomy for anal fissure at King Hussein hospital, KHMC, Amman, Jordan,
      during the period from Jan. 2013 to Feb. 2015. Patients were divided into two
      groups. Group I included 62 patients (GI, n=62) operated under pudendal nerve
      block with local infiltration anesthesia and group II included 61 patients (GII,
      n=61) operated under caudal block. Postoperative pain, surgical duration, period
      of hospital admission, back to regular working activity and 4 weeks evaluation
      were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Postoperative outcome was more
      enhanced in group II but not significant than in group I. Patients in G-I
      experienced moderate pain for a mean of 5. 3 days in comparison with 4. 3 days in
      G-II. P>0. 05. Three patients (4. 9%) in G-II in comparison with 5 patients (8.
      1%) in G-I had more hospital stay than 24 hours. Patients in G-II went back to
      normal activity after a mean of 7. 5 days in comparison with 8. 0 days in G-I.
      CONCLUSION: Undergoing open lateral internal sphincterotomy with the aid of
      Pudendal nerve block is an excellent, easy and safe alternative anesthesia to
      caudal anesthesia.

PMID- 26261391
TI  - The First Report from Bosnia and Herzegovina on Micro-tese Results in Azoospermic
      Patients.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: To present results of MicroTese procedure in treatment of male
      infertility in patients with azoospermia at Bahceci BIH IVF Center during two
      year period of 2013-2014. METHODS: In the stated time-period, 55 MicroTese
      surgeries were performed. In 52.7% of the cases, sperm cells were isolated after
      MicroTese surgery, and in 47.3% of the cases, there was a negative outcome of the
      procedure. Obtained sperm cells were subjected to cryopreservation. Furthermore,
      ICSI procedure was performed by use of the obtained sperm cells. RESULTS: Of 29
      positive MicroTese surgeries, 21 (72.4%) resulted in clinical pregnancies.
      Biggest percentage of negative MicroTese procedures happened in patients with
      cryptorchidism and orchidopexy. CONCLUSION: MicroTese is the most precise and
      successful method of retrieving sperm cells surgically in men with azoospermia.
      Our results are within scope of results in referent world centers.

PMID- 26261390
TI  - Fears and Health Needs of Patients with Diabetes: A Qualitative Research in Rural
      Population.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Insulin-dependent patients are individuals with chronic disease who
      are well adapted to living and dealing with any health needs and fears arising.
      An important aspect in the process of adaptation to chronic illness is the
      provision of nursing care in the early stages of the disease, because this
      contributes to its acceptance and the early identification and management of
      potential complications. PURPOSE: To investigate the health needs and self
      management problems faced by patients with diabetes daily, especially those who
      use insulin. Furthermore purpose of this study was to investigate the fears
      experienced by patients in the early stage of the disease, but also in its
      subsequent development and to study possible differences between sexes.
      METHODOLOGY: This is a qualitative study, using interpretative phenomenological
      approach. Fifteen (nine women and six men) insulin-dependent patients, recounted
      their personal fears and their needs, through semi-structured interviews, which
      took place in Central Greece. The method used for processing the results is the
      Mayering one. RESULTS: The analysis of the narratives showed that patients have a
      variety of fears and needs associated with the diagnosis, treatment, expected
      consequences, prognosis and everyday life in the management of the disease. Most
      patients express the concept of need as desire. Care needs, psychological support
      and education to recognize and prevent hypoglycemia. CONCLUSIONS: Insulin
      dependent patients express fears and needs in their daily lives. Nurses providing
      care aimed at enhancing the level of health, while putting self-care information
      and training them. Patients want the nurse next to them, so that information is
      continuous and permanent.

PMID- 26261392
TI  - Hidden Danger of Irrational Abusing Illegal Androgenic-anabolic Steroids in
      Recreational Athletes Age Under 35 in Bosnia & Herzegovina.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Androgenic-anabolic steroids are rarely used by sportsmen who want
      to improve physical performance in competition sport. Despite that they are well
      aware of the side effects of anabolic steroids, many young athletes in Bosnia and
      Herzegovina without competition motivation come in temptation, trying to achieve
      better muscle proportion and physical performance unknowing consequence of side
      effects and what is hiding behind. Risk factors such as increasing of lipid
      levels and arterial hypertension are major factors which have important role in
      the Pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and are responsible for occurrence of
      cardiovascular disease even causing a sudden death in young athletes. OBJECTIVE:
      The aim of the study was to estimate the frequency of misusing of androgenic
      anabolic steroid drugs in young recreational sportsmen without competition
      motivation. This study will try to estimate vascular and lipid status, analyzing
      the side effects of steroids in young recreational athletes under the age of 35,
      in Bosnia and Herzegovina. METHODS: The study included 70 individuals in period
      of 2010 till 2015 on recreational exercising program; 35 individuals misusing
      androgenic anabolic steroids during the period of 5 years were compared with 35
      individuals which do not use androgenic anabolic steroids. Non-invasive methods
      were used in all individual (clinical examination and vascular ultrasound
      examination of vein system). The routine of training units in both groups was
      approximately two hours 4-6 times per week. RESULTS: Final analysis has reveal
      that in androgenic anabolic steroids group in 18 individuals or 55.7% arterial
      hypertension with hyperlipidemia was more represented, compared with the group
      without using anabolic steroids, represented by 2 individuals or 5.7% and it was
      statistically considered significant by using p value less than 0.05. (p<0.05).
      Statistically dominant population using anabolic steroids drugs are males (100%)
      or 35 individuals; we did not find females using anabolic steroids and that is
      why our research was limited to male population. CONCLUSION: Recreational male
      sportsmen are dominant androgenic anabolic steroids misusers, trying to achieve
      better muscle proportion and physical performance, they neglect the anabolic
      steroids side effects which have devastating consequence on vascular system.
      Benefits of misusing drugs in recreational exercising program in young sportsmen
      are mostly connected with development of arterial hypertension and hyperlipidemia
      and the variety of serious health disorders, progressing the pathogenesis of
      cardiovascular disease.

PMID- 26261393
TI  - Laparoscopic Wedge Resection of Gastric Stromal Tumor (GIST).
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic treatment in general, in recent age has proven that it
      is well associated with low morbidity, mortality, fast recovery, less pain and
      sound oncologic outcomes. Recent reports from the National Comprehensive Cancer
      Network (NCCN) GIST Task Force and the GIST Consensus Conference under the
      auspices of The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) show that
      laparoscopic resection may be used for small gastric GISTs (< 2 cm in size). CASE
      REPORT: We report, all the benefits of laparoscopic approach which include short
      hospitalization, less pain, better cosmetic effect and good oncological outcome,
      in this case report of 60 year old female patient with gastric GIST larger than 2
      cm.

PMID- 26261394
TI  - Intramural Haemorrhage and Haematoma as the Cause of Ileus of the Small Intestine
      in a Haemophiliac.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The most frequent sites of bleeding in patients with haemophilia
      are the soft tissues, the joints, the urinary tract, but much more rarely the
      gastrointestinal tract. The complications of intramural bleeding are acute
      intestinal obstruction, but also rupture of the haematoma in the lumen or the
      peritoneal space. CASE REPORT: We present the case of a haemophiliac patient who
      was admitted as an emergency due to distended abdomen, nausea, vomiting and the
      clinical picture of ileus. The native abdomen in a standing position presented
      air fluid levels with moderate distension of the accompanying bowel loops. A
      nasal probe was inserted and the symptoms of ileus disappeared, but after taking
      food by mouth, the picture of ileus returned. CT of the abdomen and pelvis was
      performed, which showed circular, high density thickening of the walls in places
      in the area of the jejunum, indicating haemorrhage, but also the formation of
      haematoma in the wall structure. After administering factor VIII, the symptoms of
      ileus ceased, and the patient recovered completely. CONCLUSION: This unusual
      presentation of haemophilia with bleeding in the wall of the small intestine is
      very rare and has only been seen in a few cases in the world. CT diagnosis
      defined the cause of the obstruction and saved the patient from an unnecessary
      surgical procedure.

PMID- 26261395
TI  - Hsp transcript induction is correlated with physiological changes under drought
      stress in Indian mustard.
AB  - Brassica juncea is an important oilseed crop and drought stress is major abiotic
      stress that limits its growth and productivity. RH0116 (drought tolerant) and
      RH8812 (drought sensitive) genotypes were undertaken to study some of the
      physiological parameters and hsp gene expression related to stress tolerance
      under drought stress conditions. Differential response in terms of seed
      germination, electrolyte leakage, RWC, osmotic potential was observed in the
      selected genotypes. In vitro seed germination studies using PEG stress treatments
      indicated reduced seed germination with increasing levels of stress treatment.
      Electrolyte leakage increased, whereas, relative water content and osmotic
      potential decreased in stressed seedlings. Expression of hsp gene was found to be
      upregulated during drought stress as the transcripts were present only in the
      stressed plants and disappeared upon rehydration. The drought tolerant variety
      showed higher transcript accumulation as compared to the sensitive variety. The
      study showed that drought induced changes in gene expression in two contrasting
      genotypes were consistent with the physiological response. 

PMID- 26261396
TI  - Photosynthetic characteristics of peanut genotypes under excess and deficit
      irrigation during summer.
AB  - In a field experiment three irrigation treatments were given to twelve peanut
      genotypes through drip. At 80 days after sowing (DAS) the amount of irrigation
      applied was 20 % higher than the evaporative demand (ET) in T1, 25 % less than ET
      in T2 and 48 % less than ET in T3 against the cumulative evaporative demand of
      412 mm. The relative water content (RWC) of peanut leaves reduced by cutting
      irrigation from 93.5 % in T1 to 91.1 % in T2 and 77.2 % in T3 but, net
      photosynthetic rate (P N) was higher in T2 (29.6 MUmol m(-2) s(-1)) than T1 (28.6
      MUmol m(-2) s(-1)) and T3 (24.3 MUmol m(-2) s(-1)) at 75-80 DAS. Peanut genotype
      ICGV 91114 showed the highest P N (30.9 MUmol m(-2) s(-1)) which was
      statistically at par with GG 20, ICGV 86590, TAG 24, SB XI, TMV 2 and TPG 41. The
      non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) varied with different irrigation treatment with
      lowest in T2 and highest in T3. The de-epoxidation state (DeS) was 38 % in T1 and
      T2 but, increased to 47 % in T3 due to the sever water deficit stress. Applying
      20 % higher irrigation than the ET demand (T1) does not warrant any extra
      benefits in terms of higher photosynthesis in peanut at 75-80 DAS. Further, a
      reduction of 25 % of the ET (T2) in peanut seems to be the ideal condition for
      photosynthesis and desirable chlorophyll fluorescence parameters at 80 DAS.
      Girnar 3 and ICGV 91114 showed NPQ value above 2.2 and higher de-epoxidation
      state, maintained least deviation in Fv/Fm and Fv'/Fm' under severe water deficit
      condition are promising peanut genotypes. 

PMID- 26261398
TI  - Capsule formation and asymbiotic seed germination in some hybrids of
      Phalaenopsis, influenced by pollination season and capsule maturity.
AB  - We explored the influence of pollination season and maturity of capsule on post
      pollination capsule formation and in vitro asymbiotic seed germination,
      respectively. Three Phalaenopsis orchid hybrids, namely, 'Athens', 'Moscow' and
      'Lusaka' flowers were artificially self-pollinated during winter, spring, summer
      and fall seasons and the impact of the pollination seasons was evident during
      capsule formation. It was observed that winter was the most suitable season for
      pollination of all the three Phalanaeopsis hybrids resulting in 80-88 % capsule
      formation. During summer, the pollination success rate was 24-28 %, but resulted
      in successful capsule formation. Season of pollination further delimited the
      germination efficiency of seeds harvested from capsules of variable maturity
      levels. Invariably, seeds collected from winter-pollinated capsules performed
      best in germination compared to other seasons, for instance, 'Moscow' seeds took
      less than 14 days to germinate from capsules developed following winter
      pollination. Regarding the influence of capsule maturity on seed germination, we
      observed that seeds derived from 5-month mature capsules, invariably took least
      time to germinate than that of the 3-month or 7-month in all three hybrids, e.g.,
      for 'Moscow' it was 13.9 days with a maximum of 90.3 % germination. 

PMID- 26261397
TI  - Mining expressed sequence tags of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) to predict the
      drought responsive regulatory network.
AB  - It is of great significance to understand the regulatory mechanisms by which
      plants deal with drought stress. Two EST libraries derived from rapeseed
      (Brassica napus) leaves in non-stressed and drought stress conditions were
      analyzed in order to obtain the transcriptomic landscape of drought-exposed B.
      napus plants, and also to identify and characterize significant drought
      responsive regulatory genes and microRNAs. The functional ontology analysis
      revealed a substantial shift in the B. napus transcriptome to govern cellular
      drought responsiveness via different stress-activated mechanisms. The activity of
      transcription factor and protein kinase modules generally increased in response
      to drought stress. The 26 regulatory genes consisting of 17 transcription factor
      genes, eight protein kinase genes and one protein phosphatase gene were
      identified showing significant alterations in their expressions in response to
      drought stress. We also found the six microRNAs which were differentially
      expressed during drought stress supporting the involvement of a post
      transcriptional level of regulation for B. napus drought response. The drought
      responsive regulatory network shed light on the significance of some regulatory
      components involved in biosynthesis and signaling of various plant hormones
      (abscisic acid, auxin and brassinosteroids), ubiquitin proteasome system, and
      signaling through Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). Our findings suggested a complex
      and multi-level regulatory system modulating response to drought stress in B.
      napus. 

PMID- 26261399
TI  - Efficacy of RAPD, ISSR and DAMD markers in assessment of genetic variability and
      population structure of wild Musa acuminata colla.
AB  - North east India is considered as one of the major biodiversity hotspots
      worldwide and centre of origin of several plant species including Musa. Musa
      acuminata Colla is known to be one of the wild progenitors of cultivated bananas
      and plantains. Three single primer based DNA marker techniques viz., random
      amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) and
      directed amplification of minisatellites DNA (DAMD) were used for diversity
      diagnostics among 25 genotypes of wild M. acuminata collected from Meghalaya
      province of north east India. A total of 58 primers (26-RAPD, 21-ISSR, and11
      DAMD) yielded 451 DNA fragments, of which 395 (87.58 %) were found to be
      polymorphic in nature. The polymorphic information content (PIC) values were
      almost identical for each marker system. The resolving power of the marker system
      was found to be highest in RAPD (3.96) whereas ISSR resolved highest marker index
      (16.39) in the study. Selected amplicon data obtained through single primer
      amplification reactions were utilized for determination of diversity within and
      among the populations of M. acuminata. Nei's genetic differentiation (Gst) value
      (0.451) indicated higher proportion of the genetic variation within the
      populations which is supported by the AMOVA analysis (88 %). The study provides
      insight into the efficacy of RAPD, ISSR and DAMD to analyse the genetic variation
      existing in the wild Musa germplasm, which can further be exploited for quality
      trait improvement and domestication of such important horticultural crops. The
      genetic diversity based population structure may shed light on the genetic basis
      of speciation and evolution of various species within the genus Musa. 

PMID- 26261400
TI  - Genetic diversity revealed by morphological traits and ISSR markers in 48 Okras
      (Abelmoschus escullentus L.).
AB  - Okra is a widely distributed crop in the tropics, subtropics, and warmer areas of
      the temperate zones. Its major potential uses as a vegetable, oil and protein
      source, and source of paper pulp and fuel, or biomass are compatible. It is
      expected to have high value of exploitation and application. Due to the limited
      number of molecular studies focused on okras, the methods of morphological and
      ISSR markers were used to analysis the genetic diversity of 48 okras in the
      present study. The 22 primers were picked for ISSR-PCR, and a total of 154
      fragments were amplified with an overall average polymorphism of 54.55 %. We used
      the 154 markers to construct the dendrogram based on the unweighted pair group
      method with arithmetic means (UPGMA). A high level of genetic diversity was found
      among 48 individuals. The 48 Okras was divided into four clusters at Dice's
      coefficient of 0.19 with clustering analysis. Based on these data of the genetic
      diversity, it will be possible to exploit the available resources of okra in more
      valuable ways. 

PMID- 26261401
TI  - Characterization of genetic diversity in chickpea using SSR markers, Start Codon
      Targeted Polymorphism (SCoT) and Conserved DNA-Derived Polymorphism (CDDP).
AB  - To evaluate the genetic diversity among 48 genotypes of chickpea comprising
      cultivars, landraces and internationally developed improved lines genetic
      distances were evaluated using three different molecular marker techniques:
      Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR); Start Codon Targeted (SCoT) and Conserved DNA
      derived Polymorphism (CDDP). Average polymorphism information content (PIC) for
      SSR, SCoT and CDDP markers was 0.47, 0.45 and 0.45, respectively, and this
      revealed that three different marker types were equal for the assessment of
      diversity amongst genotypes. Cluster analysis for SSR and SCoT divided the
      genotypes in to three distinct clusters and using CDDP markers data, genotypes
      grouped in to five clusters. There were positive significant correlation (r =
      0.43, P < 0.01) between similarity matrix obtained by SCoT and CDDP. Three
      different marker techniques showed relatively same pattern of diversity across
      genotypes and using each marker technique it's obvious that diversity pattern and
      polymorphism for varieties were higher than that of genotypes, and CDDP had
      superiority over SCoT and SSR markers. These results suggest that efficiency of
      SSR, SCOT and CDDP markers was relatively the same in fingerprinting of chickpea
      genotypes. To our knowledge, this is the first detailed report of using targeted
      DNA region molecular marker (CDDP) for genetic diversity analysis in chickpea in
      comparison with SCoT and SSR markers. Overall, our results are able to prove the
      suitability of SCoT and CDDP markers for genetic diversity analysis in chickpea
      for their high rates of polymorphism and their potential for genome diversity and
      germplasm conservation. 

PMID- 26261402
TI  - RAPD and ISSR marker mediated genetic polymorphism of two mangroves Bruguiera
      gymnorrhiza and Heritiera fomes from Indian Sundarbans in relation to their
      sustainability.
AB  - Increased salinity distresses some key species severely in Indian Sundarbans.
      Geomorphic characteristics coupled with demographic obligations have proven to be
      pivotal factor towards the prevalence of elevated salinity in this zone. Better
      adaptation to rapid changes in microclimate demands wide range of genetic
      polymorphism as well. RAPD and ISSR molecular markers were used for this genetic
      diversity study. Degree of polymorphism was found relatively higher in Bruguiera
      gymnorrhiza (26.43 % in RAPD and 24.36 % in ISSR) than the other taxa, Heritiera
      fomes (14.43 and 12.76 % respectively) in case of RAPD and ISSR. Dendrogram
      constructed based on the similarity matrix showed that for H. fomes, least saline
      and highest saline zones are positioned in the same clade; whereas in B.
      gymnorrhiza the higher saline areas were clustered together. Nei's gene diversity
      (h) as revealed from RAPD and ISSR analysis were found to be 0.0821, 0.0785 and
      0.0647, 0.0592 in B. gymnorrhiza and H. fomes respectively. The higher degree of
      polymorphism as revealed from UPGMA Dendrogram and Nei's genetic diversity might
      be attributed towards the comfortable growth of B. gymnorrhiza all along the
      Indian Sundarbans. On the other hand the relatively lesser degree of genetic
      polymorphism of H. fomes might be attributed towards their precarious status in
      present days elevated salinity in Indian Sundarbans. 

PMID- 26261403
TI  - Bioaugmentation of Mesorhizobium cicer, Pseudomonas spp. and Piriformospora
      indica for Sustainable Chickpea Production.
AB  - Chickpea establishes symbiotic association with Mesorhizobium to fulfill its
      nitrogen (N) requirement. Integrating chickpea rhizosphere with potential native
      mesorhizobia and other plant growth promoting microorganisms can contribute
      multiple benefits to plants. The present investigation was undertaken to study
      interactions among Piriformospora indica (PI) with potential plant growth
      promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) viz. Pseudomonas argentinensis (LPGPR1),
      Pseudomonas sp. (LPGPR2) along with national check Pseudomons sp. (LK884) and
      Mesorhizobium cicer (LGR33, MR) to examine the synergistic effect of consortium
      for improving growth, symbiotic efficiency, nutrient acquisition and yield in two
      chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) varieties viz. desi PBG1 and kabuli BG1053. In
      vitro, seed germination with consortium MR + PI + LPGPR1 was the best compatible
      treatment followed by MR + PI + LK884 and MR + PI + LPGPR2. Significant
      improvement in the growth, symbiotic parameters and grain yield was observed with
      MR + PI + LPGPR1 and MR + PI + LK884 treatments. Significantly high chlorophyll
      and leghaemoglobin content was recorded with MR + PI + LPGPR1 (1.57 and 1.64 mg
      g(-1) fresh weight of leaves and 5.19 and 4.39 mg/g(-1) fresh weight of nodules)
      in desi PBG1 and kabuli BG1053 chickpea varieties, respectively. At 90 DAS, MR +
      PI + LPGPR1 treatment significantly improved nodule dry weight (ranged between
      84.0 and 141.7 mg plant(-1)) as compared to MR alone treatment (ranged between
      62.3 and 123.3 mg plant(-1)). Data revealed significant increase in total
      nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) content of shoot with MR + PI + LPGPR1 by 1.2 and
      1.5 fold, respectively over MR alone treatment. On the basis of overall mean, MR
      + PI + LPGPR1 significantly improved the yield by 8.2 % over Mesorhizobium alone
      application. It seems from foregoing study that tripartite combination of
      different micro-organisms can be explored as biofertilizer for improvement in
      chickpea productivity. 

PMID- 26261404
TI  - L-Dopa production and antioxidant activity in Hybanthus enneaspermus (L.) F.
      Muell regeneration.
AB  - Hybanthus enneaspermus is an ethanobotanical plant extensively used in Indian
      traditional medicine. Quick and efficient in vitro mass propagation of this plant
      species was established for commercial utilization from leaf and node explants
      using various concentrations and combinations of plant growth regulators and
      polyamines. The maximum number of multiple shoots per leaf explant (40 shoots)
      was achieved on MS medium supplemented with 20 mg/l spermidine in combination
      with 4 mg/l BA+1.5 mg/l IAA after 8 weeks of culture. The elongated shoots were
      rooted (16 roots/shoot) on MS medium with the best concentration of IBA (1.5
      mg/l) and in combination with 20 mg/l putrescine after 5 weeks of culture. The
      plants were successfully acclimatized (98 %) in the sand: soil: vermiculite
      mixture (1:1:1 v/v/v) in the greenhouse. An increased antioxidant activity was
      recorded in vitro regenerated shoots when compared to in vitro-induced roots. L
      Dopa content was recorded higher in leaves (8.31 mg/g DW) followed by stem (6.22
      mg/g DW) and root (3.22 mg/g DW) of leaf-derived plants than the field-grown
      parent plant after 5 weeks. By adopting this protocol, the regenerated-plants
      could be used for drug production and pharmacology work with as an alternative to
      field-grown plants. 

PMID- 26261405
TI  - A high-frequency in vitro multiplication, micromorphological studies and ex vitro
      rooting of Cadaba fruticosa (L.) Druce (Bahuguni): a multipurpose endangered
      medicinal shrub.
AB  - An efficient and reproducible in vitro propagation protocol has been established
      for Cadaba fruticosa (L.) Druce. Surface-sterilized nodal stem segments of mature
      plant were used as explants for culture establishment. Multiple shoots were
      optimally differentiated from the nodal stem explants through bud breaking on
      Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium containing 3.0 mg l(-1) benzyladenine (BA). The
      effect of different plant growth regulators and minerals were studied on
      different stages of micropropagation procedure (i.e., explant establishment,
      shoot multiplication/growth and ex vitro rooting). Additionally, for enhancing
      shoot multiplication during subculture, MS medium was modified (MMS) with higher
      levels of magnesium, potassium and sulphate ions. Out of these, MMS3 medium
      containing 0.25 mg l(-1) each of BA and Kin (N6-furfuryladenine), with 0.1 mg l(
      1) NAA (alpha-naphthalene acetic acid) was found the best for shoot
      multiplication (42.45 +/- 3.82 per culture vessel). The in vitro regenerated
      shoots were rooted under ex vitro conditions on treating the shoot base with 500
      mg l(-1) of IBA (indole-3 butyric acid) for 3 min on sterile Soilrite(r). The ex
      vitro rooted plants were hardened in the greenhouse and transferred to the field
      with ~85 % survival rate. There were not any visual differences between wild and
      micropropagated plants in the field, although the later underwent significant
      changes during acclimatization. Micromorphological changes on leaf surface
      characters from in vitro to acclimatized plantlets were studied in terms of
      development of glandular trichomes, changes in vein spacing and vein structure in
      order to understand the nature of plant responses towards environmental
      conditions. The method developed and defined can be applied for commercial
      cultivation, which may be important for extraction of bioactive compounds and may
      facilitate conservation of this multipurpose endangered medicinal shrub. 

PMID- 26261406
TI  - An efficient in vitro shoot regeneration from leaf petiolar explants and ex vitro
      rooting of Bixa orellana L.- A dye yielding plant.
AB  - Bixa orellana L. (Bixaceae) is a multipurpose tree grown for the production of
      commercially important dyes. In the present study, an efficient, reproducible
      protocol was developed for direct plant regeneration from in vitro derived
      petiole explants of Bixa orellana L. Murashige and Skoog medium (MS) supplemented
      with 2-isopentenyl adenine (9.8 MUM) and naphthalene acetic acid (10.7 MUM) was
      found to be optimum for production of high frequency of shoot organogenesis.
      Subculturing of the shoots onto the fresh MS medium containing similar
      concentrations of 2-iP (9.8 MUM) and NAA (10.7 MUM) produced elongated shoots.
      Elongated shoots when placed onto MS medium supplemented with 1.7 MUM indole-3
      acetic acid and 14.7 MUM 2-iP produced optimal rooting. Rooted plantlets were
      acclimatized and transplanted to the field successfully. Histological
      investigation revealed the origin of shoot primordia, from sub-epidermal cells of
      petiole explants. The regeneration protocol developed in this study can be useful
      for mass in vitro propagation and effective genetic transformation of
      commercially important edible dye yielding tree species. 

PMID- 26261407
TI  - Efficient micropropagation and assessment of genetic fidelity of Boerhaavia
      diffusa L- High trade medicinal plant.
AB  - Boerhaavia diffusa L is a medicinal herb with immense pharmaceutical
      significance. The plant is used by many herbalist, Ayurvedic and pharmaceutical
      industries for production biopharmaceuticals. It is among the 46 medicinal plant
      species in high trade sourced mainly from wastelands and generally found in
      temperate regions of the world. However, the commercial bulk of this plant shows
      genetic variations which are the main constraint to use this plant as medicinal
      ingredient and to obtain high value products of pharmaceutical interest from this
      plant. In this study, we have regenerated the plant of Boerhaavia diffusa L
      through nodal explants and evaluated genetic fidelity of the micropropagated
      plants of Boerhaavia diffusa L with the help of random amplified polymorphic DNA
      (RAPD) markers. The results obtained using RAPD showed monomorphic banding
      pattern revealing genetic stability among the mother plant and in vitro
      regenerated plants of Boerhaavia diffusa L. 

PMID- 26261408
TI  - In vitro propagation and conservation of Satureja avromanica Maroofi-an
      indigenous threatened medicinal plant of Iran.
AB  - An efficient and rapid in vitro propagation system for Satureja avromanica, a
      rare and endangered folk medicinal plant of Iran was developed through the shoot
      tip and leaf disc explants. Nodal and leaf explants from wild plants were
      established on MS and WPM media supplemented with BA, BAP and TDZ (0, 0.1, 0.5,
      1, 1.5, 2, 5 and 10 mgl(-1)) alone or by application of BA and TDZ (0, 2, 5 and
      10 mgl(-1)) in combination with IBA and 2,4-D (0, 0.1, 0.5 and 1 mgl(-1)),
      respectively. Based on results, the highest mean shoot number (6.21) was obtained
      on MS medium supplemented with 2 mgl(-1) BA. Regarding the shoot elongation, MS
      supplemented with 2 mgl(-1) TDZ and MS containing 5 mgl(-1) BA showed the longest
      shoots (4.82 and 4.39 cm, respectively) after 6 weeks of culture. As a matter of
      fact, increasing all three tested cytokinins levels led to enhancement of explant
      response frequency and regenerated shoot number. On the other side, WPM medium
      supplemented with 0.1 mgl(-1) IBA was found suitable for rooting of regenerated
      shoots. RAPD molecular analysis revealed genetic stability of in vitro raised
      plants. In conclusion, individual application of BA, BAP and TDZ were in favor of
      S. avromanica direct shoot regeneration while treatment media with a combination
      of IBA and BA as well as 2,4-D and TDZ resulted in callogenesis in most explants.
      Finally, the in vitro raised plantlets were acclimatized and successfully
      established in the greenhouse conditions. Our developed protocol can be employed
      for the large-scale micropropagation and conservation of S. avromanica as a
      threatened medicinal plant. 

PMID- 26261409
TI  - Micropropagation and assessment of genetic fidelity of Henckelia incana: an
      endemic and medicinal Gesneriad of South India.
AB  - Henckelia incana is an endemic medicinal plant used for the treatment of fever
      and skin allergy. In the present study shoot regeneration was evaluated on
      Murashige and Skoog's (MS) medium supplemented with auxins, Indole-3-acetic acid
      (IAA), Indole-3- butyric acid (IBA), 1-Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), 2, 4
      Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4-D) and cytokinins, 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP) and
      Kinetin (Kn) at concentrations of 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 and 5.0 mgl(-1). MS
      medium with IBA (18.08), NAA (17.83) and IAA (17.58) at 0.5 mgl(-1)
      concentrations showed efficient regeneration. Regenerated shoots were rooted on
      half-strength MS medium with and without 0.5 mgl(-1) IBA or NAA. The plantlets
      were successfully hardened in rooting trays (peat, vermiculite and sand) and
      transferred to field mileu. The genetic fidelity of in vitro raised plants was
      assessed by using three different single primer amplification reaction (SPAR)
      markers namely random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), inter-simple sequence
      repeat (ISSR) and direct amplification of mini-satellite DNA region (DAMD). The
      results consistently demonstrated true-to-true type propagation. This is the
      first report of in vitro propagation and establishment of true-to-true type
      genetic fidelity in H. incana. 

PMID- 26261410
TI  - Gluten characteristics imparting bread quality in wheats differing for high
      molecular weight glutenin subunits at Glu D1 locus.
AB  - High yielding genotypes differing for high molecular weight glutenin subunits at
      Glu D1 locus in national wheat programme of India were examined for bread loaf
      volume, gluten and protein contents, gluten strength, gluten index and protein
      gluten ratio. Number of superior bread quality genotypes in four agro
      climatically diverse zones of Indian plains was comparable in both categories of
      wheat i.e., 5 + 10 and 2 + 12. There wasn't any difference in average bread loaf
      volume and grain protein content either. 5 + 10 wheats showed better gluten
      strength and their gluten quality was also superior in the zones where protein
      content was high. 2 + 10 wheats exerted more gluten due to better protein-gluten
      ratio. Good bread making in 5 + 10 was derived by better gluten strength and also
      gluten quality in certain regions but bread quality in 2 + 12 wheats was
      channelized through higher gluten content as they were more efficient in
      extracting gluten from per unit protein. Difference in route to bread quality was
      apparent as gluten content and gluten strength were the key gluten attributes in
      5 + 10 whereas protein content and gluten index were prominent in 2 + 12 types.
      Unlike 2 + 12, there was a ceiling in gluten harvest of 5 + 10 wheats as higher
      protein failed to deliver more gluten after some limit. 

PMID- 26261411
TI  - Arsenite and arsenate impact the oxidative status and antioxidant responses in
      Ocimum tenuiflorum L.
AB  - Biochemical responses of Ocimum tenuiflorum plants were studied upon exposure to
      arsenite (AsIII) and arsenate (AsV) for 1 to 10 d. Plants accumulated significant
      amounts of As in leaves (662 MUg g(-1) dry weight; DW and 412 MUg g(-1) DW in
      response to 100 MUM AsIII and AsV exposure, respectively after 10 d).
      Consequently, fresh weight and growth of plants declined in a concentration
      dependent manner. Further, total chlorophyll and carotenoid contents also
      declined while oxidative stress markers increased, particularly on longer
      durations. Various antioxidant enzymes and thiols (cysteine and glutathione; GSH)
      showed significant and variable increases upon exposure to AsV and AsIII with the
      response being comparatively better in response to AsV. Proline increased
      significantly upon exposure to both AsIII and AsV. Plants thus tolerated high As
      concentrations through induced antioxidant machinery. 

PMID- 26261412
TI  - Comparative expression analysis of senescence gene CsNAP and B-class floral
      development gene CsAP3 during different stages of flower development in Saffron
      (Crocus sativus L.).
AB  - Crocus sativus, a monocot triploid species belonging to the Iridaceae family, is
      cultivated for its red stigmatic lobes of the carpel that constitute saffron.
      Flower development has been extensively studied in different plants. Different
      floral developmental pathways have been deciphered in many plants. In Crocus
      sativus, flower is the most important part and understanding the pathway
      underlying the flower development can pave the way for new avenues to improve its
      productivity and quality. The combination of class A genes (including APETALA1;
      CsAP1 and APETALA2; CsAP2), class B genes (including APETALA3; CsAP3 and
      PISTILLATA; CsPI) and class C genes (including AGAMOUS; CsAG) that are active in
      each whorl, determines the identity of the organs that will later develop in that
      whorl. CsAP3 is a class B homeotic gene which promotes petal and stamen formation
      and has a very important role in flower development. It also activates other
      genes playing pivotal role in flower development. It has been earlier reported
      that CsAP3 gene has direct role in activation of CsNAP gene which promotes
      senescence in plants. Present work was focused on study of relative gene
      expression changes of CsAP3 and CsNAP gene during different stages of flower
      development. CsAP3 gene expression was found maximum during late-preanthesis
      stages of stigma development. Expression increases from stage 5 to stage 6 of
      flower development and then reduces again from stage 6 to stage 7. CsNAP gene had
      moderate expression during stage 3 to stage 4 transition and its expression
      increased abruptly from stage 6 to stage 7 of flower development. There is no
      direct concordance in the expression of CsAP3 and CsNAP gene expression in
      saffron. We may conclude that some other factor(s) may be responsible for
      initiation of CsNAP expression and CsAP3 gene may directly/indirectly be involved
      in regulating the factors responsible for CsNAP activation. 

PMID- 26261413
TI  - Reduced macular function in ABCA4 carriers.
AB  - PURPOSE: To study retinal function and morphology in ABCA4 carriers to
      investigate if ABCA4 carriership is associated with any functional or
      morphological changes and, if so, to explore whether certain mutations may be
      associated with particularly severe alterations. METHODS: Eighteen subjects were
      recruited by means of being the parents of 10 teenagers/young adults with
      genetically confirmed ABCA4-associated retinal degenerations. The teenagers/young
      adults are well-known patients and have been followed in our clinic for many
      years. The eighteen subjects underwent careful ophthalmological examinations,
      including fundus photography and autofluorescence imaging, Goldmann perimetry,
      optical coherence tomography (OCT), full-field electroretinography (ffERG),
      multifocal electroretinography (mERG), and ABCA4 gene sequencing. The ffERG and
      mERG results were compared with those of healthy controls. RESULTS: All subjects
      carried at least one ABCA4 mutation. Two subjects were compound heterozygous and
      therefore were excluded from the group-wise statistical analysis. Thirteen
      different ABCA4 mutations were found. C.2894 A>G (5/18) and c.768 G>T (4/18) were
      most common. Fourteen of 16 ABCA4 carriers demonstrated significantly altered
      mERG parameters (reduced amplitudes and/or delayed implicit times (ITs)) compared
      to normal values. In addition, the two subjects with compound heterozygous ABCA4
      mutations had altered mERG parameters. A statistical comparison to the control
      group showed significantly reduced amplitudes and delayed ITs; p<=0.003 for all
      mERG parameters. FfERG parameters were altered in two ABCA4 carriers and one of
      the subjects with compound heterozygous ABCA4 mutations (reduced amplitude and
      delayed IT for the 30 Hz flicker ERG). No significant alterations were found for
      the whole group of ABCA4 carriers compared to the ffERG control group. Fundus
      photographs showed subtle to extensive pigmentary changes in several ABCA4
      carriers. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, ABCA4 carriers demonstrated reduced macular
      function measured by mERG along with none to subtle and even extensive
      morphological retinal changes. The c.768 G>T, c.5461-10T>C, and c.319 C>T
      mutations were associated with the most deviant ERGs, including both significant
      reduction of mERG amplitudes and prolongation of mERG ITs, as well as with
      reduced amplitude or delayed IT for the 30 Hz flicker ffERG in a few cases. They
      may therefore be considered serious mutations. The c.5917delG and c.4469 G>A
      mutations were associated with milder or no macular alteration. Long-term follow
      up of these and other ABCA4 carriers may be of importance to elucidate the role
      of ABCA4 mutations in age-related macular degeneration. Moreover, improved
      knowledge of separate ABCA4 mutations may help us to better understand their role
      in ABCA4-associated retinal degenerations.

PMID- 26261414
TI  - Nonsyndromic retinitis pigmentosa is highly prevalent in the Jerusalem region
      with a high frequency of founder mutations.
AB  - PURPOSE: Nonsyndromic retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is the most common inherited
      retinal degeneration, and prevalence of the disease has been reported in
      populations of American and European origin with a relatively low consanguinity
      rate. Our aim was to determine the prevalence of nonsyndromic RP in the Jerusalem
      region, which has a population of about 1 million individuals with a high rate of
      consanguinity. METHODS: The patients' clinical data included eye exam findings
      (visual acuity, anterior segment, and funduscopy) as well as electroretinographic
      (ERG) testing results under scotopic and photopic conditions. Mutation analysis
      on a subgroup of patients was performed mainly with candidate gene analysis and
      homozygosity mapping. RESULTS: We evaluated the medical records of patients with
      degenerative retinal diseases residing in the Jerusalem region who were examined
      over the past 20 years in a large tertiary medical center. A total of 453
      individuals affected with nonsyndromic RP were diagnosed at our center, according
      to funduscopic findings and ERG testing. Based on the estimated population size
      of 945,000 individuals who reside in the vicinity of Jerusalem, the prevalence of
      nonsyndromic RP in this region is 1:2,086. The prevalence of RP was higher among
      Arab Muslims (1:1,798) compared to Jews (1:2,230), mainly due to consanguineous
      marriages that are more common in the Arab Muslim population. To identify the
      genetic causes of RP in our cohort, we recruited 383 patients from 183 different
      families for genetic analysis: 70 with autosomal recessive (AR) inheritance, 15
      with autosomal dominant, 86 isolate cases, and 12 with an X-linked inheritance
      pattern. In 64 (35%) of the families, we identified the genetic cause of the
      disease, and we revised the inheritance pattern of 20 isolate cases to the AR
      pattern; 49% of the families in our cohort had AR inheritance. Interestingly, in
      42 (66%) of the genetically identified families, the cause of disease was a
      founder mutation. CONCLUSIONS: Previous studies showed an approximate prevalence
      of 1:5,260 on average for nonsyndromic RP in American and European populations.
      We show that the prevalence in the vicinity of Jerusalem is two-and-a-half times
      higher due to a high rate of consanguinity and highly prevalent founder mutations
      within the historically semi-isolated subpopulations we serve.

PMID- 26261415
TI  - Comparing consistency of clear corneal incisions using a traditional diamond
      keratome and a newly designed diamond keratome.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare the consistency of incision architecture utilizing a
      traditional diamond keratome and a newly designed diamond keratome. METHODS: We
      used a traditional diamond keratome and newly designed diamond keratome to create
      clear corneal incisions in human cadaveric donor eyes. Three surgeons with
      varying levels of experience made 30 incisions with each keratome; and the wound
      architecture was measured including incision lengths, epithelial and endothelial
      widths, and the central epithelial incision's deviation from a straight line
      entrance. RESULTS: The mean absolute difference in right and left incision
      lengths (traditional: 0.182 +/- 0.158 mm and new 0.088+/-0.077 mm [P<0.003]),
      mean absolute difference in epithelial and endothelial incision width
      (traditional: 0.181+/-0.144 mm and new 0.080+/-0.092 mm [P<0.002]), endothelial
      incision central deviation from a straight line (traditional: 0.128+/-0.242 mm
      and new -0.046+/-0.124 mm [P<0.001]) were all significantly more consistent with
      the newly designed diamond keratome than with the traditional diamond keratome.
      CONCLUSION: The newly designed diamond keratome creates a more consistent clear
      corneal incision than a traditional diamond keratome across a variety of surgical
      skill levels and does not require advanced levels of training to achieve this
      consistency.

PMID- 26261416
TI  - Small molecules against B-RAF (BRAF) Val600Glu (V600E) single mutation.

PMID- 26261417
TI  - Magnetic removal of Entamoeba cysts from water using chitosan oligosaccharide
      coated iron oxide nanoparticles.
AB  - Amebiasis, a major health problem in developing countries, is the second most
      common cause of death due to parasitic infection. Amebiasis is usually
      transmitted by the ingestion of Entamoeba histolytica cysts through oral-fecal
      route. Herein, we report on the use of chitosan oligosaccharide-functionalized
      iron oxide nanoparticles for efficient capture and removal of pathogenic
      protozoan cysts under the influence of an external magnetic field. These
      nanoparticles were synthesized through a chemical synthesis process. The
      synthesized particles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy,
      Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and zeta potential
      analysis. The particles were found to be well dispersed and uniform in size. The
      capture and removal of pathogenic cysts were demonstrated by fluorescent
      microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy
      (SEM). Three-dimensional modeling of various biochemical components of cyst
      walls, and thereafter, flexible docking studies demonstrate the probable
      interaction mechanism of nanoparticles with various components of E. histolytica
      cyst walls. Results of the present study suggest that E. histolytica cysts can be
      efficiently captured and removed from contaminated aqueous systems through the
      application of synthesized nanoparticles. 

PMID- 26261418
TI  - Nanoemulsions as novel oral carriers of stiripentol: insights into the protective
      effect and absorption enhancement.
AB  - Oral administration remains a significant challenge in regards to drugs with
      serious solubility and stability issues. This article aimed to investigate the
      suitability of nanoemulsions as oral carriers of stiripentol (STP), an acid
      labile drug, for enhancement of stability and bioavailability. STP-loaded
      nanoemulsions (STP-NEs) were prepared by using a solvent
      diffusion/ultrasonication technique. STP-NEs were characterized in a variety of
      ways such as by particle size, entrapment efficiency, in vitro drug release, and
      transmission electron microscopy. A bioavailability study was performed in rats
      after oral administration of either STP-NEs, or commercial formulation
      (Diacomit). The resultant nanoemulsions were 146.6 nm in particle size with an
      entrapment efficiency of 99.47%. It was demonstrated that nanoemulsions
      significantly improved the biochemical stability and bioavailability of STP. The
      bioavailability of STP-NEs was up to 206.2% relative to Diacomit. Nanoemulsions
      fabricated from poly(ethylene glycol) monooleate/medium-chain triglycerides
      exhibited excellent performance in drug stabilization and absorption enhancement.
      The results suggest that STP-NEs are a promising means to solve the problems
      associated with stability and solubility of STP.

PMID- 26261419
TI  - A family-oriented treatment program for youths with ketamine abuse and their
      caregivers: a pilot study in Taiwan.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The abuse of ketamine by youths has grown into a serious public health
      issue. However, a reliable and efficient treatment has still not been found for
      youths who abuse ketamine. This pilot study investigated the effects of a family
      oriented treatment program for ketamine-using youths and their caregivers.
      METHODS: To carry out this study, 42 youths with ketamine use (mean age 16.6+/
      1.1 years) who were referred to take part in a 10-week treatment program based on
      motivational enhancement principles were selected, as were their principal
      caregivers (mean age 46.4+/-7.1 years), who were similarly referred to take part
      in a 10-week training program for parenting skills. The study had the youths
      complete the Chinese Craving Beliefs Questionnaire, the Adolescents' Behavior
      problem Scale, and the Family APGAR both immediately before and after the
      program. Likewise, the youths' caregivers completed the Family APGAR, the 12-item
      version of the Chinese Health Questionnaire, and the Parenting Stress Index.
      RESULTS: Of the 42 youth-caregiver pairs that took part in this study, 37 (88%)
      completed the 10-week program and both sets of assessments. After the treatment,
      the participating youths' substance cravings declined (t=3.88, P<0.001), while
      family function, as perceived by the participating caregivers, significantly
      increased (t=2.22, P=0.033). The improvement in caregivers' perceptions of family
      function were positively related to the improvement of the caregivers' health
      status (r=-0.36, P=0.022). CONCLUSION: According to its results, this pilot study
      submits that family-oriented treatment programs may be considered a potentially
      effective treatment option for youths who abuse ketamine. Additional studies with
      larger sample sizes, as well as longer follow-up periods, are necessary to verify
      whether this type of treatment also prevents youths using ketamine from
      relapsing.

PMID- 26261420
TI  - Whole blood defensin mRNA expression is a predictive biomarker of docetaxel
      response in castration-resistant prostate cancer.
AB  - This study tested the potential of circulating RNA-based signals as predictive
      biomarkers for docetaxel response in patients with metastatic castration
      resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). RNA was analyzed in blood from six CRPC
      patients by whole-transcriptome sequencing (total RNA-sequencing) before and
      after docetaxel treatment using the Illumina's HiSeq platform. Targeted RNA
      capture and sequencing was performed in an independent cohort of ten patients
      with CRPC matching the discovery cohort to confirm differential expression of the
      genes. Response to docetaxel was defined on the basis of prostate-specific
      antigen levels and imaging criteria. Two-way analysis of variance was used to
      compare differential gene expression in patients classified as responders versus
      nonresponders before and after docetaxel treatment. Thirty-four genes with two
      fold differentially expressed transcripts in responders versus nonresponders were
      selected from total RNA-sequencing for further validation. Targeted RNA capture
      and sequencing showed that 13/34 genes were differentially expressed in
      responders. Alpha defensin genes DEFA1, DEFA1B, and DEFA3 exhibited significantly
      higher expression in responder patients compared with nonresponder patients
      before administration of chemotherapy (fold change >2.5). In addition, post
      docetaxel treatment significantly increased transcript levels of these defensin
      genes in responders (fold change >2.8). Our results reveal that patients with
      higher defensin RNA transcripts in blood respond well to docetaxel therapy. We
      suggest that monitoring DEFA1, DEFA1B, and DEFA3 RNA transcripts in blood prior
      to treatment will be helpful to determine which patients are better candidates to
      receive docetaxel chemotherapy. 

PMID- 26261421
TI  - Low claudin-6 expression correlates with poor prognosis in patients with non
      small cell lung cancer.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Claudins are found in junctional complexes mediating cell adhesion and
      are involved in the attachment of tight junctions to the underlying cytoskeleton.
      Abnormal claudin-6 expression has been observed for a variety of malignant solid
      tumors, but the expression of claudin-6 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has
      not yet been characterized. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry, reverse transcription
      polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and western blot analysis were used to
      quantify claudin-6 expression in 123 cases of NSCLC and non-cancerous adjacent
      tissue. We analyzed the relationship between claudin-6 expression and
      clinicopathological features of NSCLC. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to
      analyze postoperative survival rates, and the log-rank test was used to assess
      differences in survival rates. The Cox regression model was used to perform
      multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Claudin-6 expression was low for 61 of 123
      (49.6%) NSCLC tissue samples and for 33 of 123 (26.8%) normal adjacent tissue
      samples. RT-PCR and western blot analyses confirmed the immunohistochemistry
      results. Claudin-6 expression was associated with lymph node metastasis (P<0.001)
      and TNM stage (P=0.007). Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that patients with low
      claudin-6 expression had significantly lower survival rates than those with high
      claudin-6 expression. Multivariate analysis suggested that low claudin-6
      expression was an independent indicator of prognosis in NSCLC patients.
      CONCLUSION: Low claudin-6 expression is an independent prognostic biomarker that
      indicates a worse prognosis in patients with NSCLC.

PMID- 26261422
TI  - Prevalence and resistance pattern of Moraxella catarrhalis in community-acquired
      lower respiratory tract infections.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Moraxella catarrhalis previously considered as commensal of upper
      respiratory tract has gained importance as a pathogen responsible for respiratory
      tract infections. Its beta-lactamase-producing ability draws even more attention
      toward its varying patterns of resistance. METHODS: This was an observational
      study conducted to evaluate the prevalence and resistance pattern of M.
      catarrhalis. Patients aged 20-80 years admitted in the Department of Chest
      Medicine of Liaquat National Hospital from March 2012 to December 2012 were
      included in the study. Respiratory samples of sputum, tracheal secretions, and
      bronchoalveolar lavage were included, and their cultures were followed. RESULTS:
      Out of 110 respiratory samples, 22 showed positive cultures for M. catarrhalis in
      which 14 were males and eight were females. Ten samples out of 22 showed
      resistance to clarithromycin, and 13 samples out of 22 displayed resistance to
      erythromycin, whereas 13 showed resistance to levofloxacin. Hence, 45% of the
      cultures showed resistance to macrolides so far and 59% showed resistance to
      quinolones. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that in our environment, M. catarrhalis
      may be resistant to macrolides and quinolones; hence, these should not be
      recommended as an alternative treatment in community-acquired lower respiratory
      tract infections caused by M. catarrhalis. However, a study of larger sample size
      should be conducted to determine if the recommendations are required to be
      changed.

PMID- 26261423
TI  - Atrial fibrillation in Sub-Saharan Africa: epidemiology, unmet needs, and
      treatment options.
AB  - Health care in Sub-Saharan Africa is being challenged by a double burden of
      disease as lifestyle diseases common in the developed world, such as stroke and
      atrial fibrillation (AF), increase, while, simultaneously, health issues of the
      developing world in terms of communicable disease persist. The prevalence of AF
      is lower in Africa than in the developed world but is expected to increase
      significantly over the next few decades. Patients with AF in Africa tend to be
      younger and have a higher prevalence of rheumatic valvular heart disease than
      patients with AF in other regions. Permanent AF is the most prevalent type of AF
      in Africa, possibly due to the lower use of rhythm control strategies than in the
      developed world. Mortality rates of patients with AF in Africa are high, due
      largely to poor health care access and suboptimal therapy. The risk of stroke in
      AF, which is moderate to high in Africans as in the developed world, contributes
      to the high mortality rate. Patients with AF in Africa are often undertreated
      with antithrombotics, as cost and access to monitoring are major barriers.
      Vitamin K antagonists, including warfarin, are the most commonly available oral
      anticoagulants, but regular monitoring can be challenging, especially for
      patients in remote areas. Several non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants
      (NOACs) have been approved for use in countries across Sub-Saharan Africa and
      have the potential to reduce stroke burden. The higher cost of newer agents may
      be offset by the reduced need for regular monitoring, fixed dosing, and lower
      risk of intracranial bleeding; NOACs could provide a treatment option for
      patients in remote areas with limited access to regular monitoring. However,
      NOACs are not indicated in valvular AF. More work is needed to increase
      understanding of the epidemiology of AF and stroke, as well as to improve
      management strategies to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease predicted
      for Africa. 

PMID- 26261424
TI  - Anterior cruciate ligament tears treated with percutaneous injection of
      autologous bone marrow nucleated cells: a case series.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: This was a prospective case series designed to investigate
      treatment for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears using an injection of
      autologous bone marrow concentrate. METHODS: Consecutive adult patients
      presenting to a private outpatient interventional musculoskeletal and pain
      practice with knee pain, ACL laxity on exam, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
      evidence of a grade 1, 2, or 3 ACL tears with less than 1 cm retraction were
      eligible for this study. Eligible patients were treated with an intraligamentous
      injection of autologous bone marrow concentrate, using fluoroscopic guidance. Pre
      and postprocedural sagittal MRI images of the ACLs were analyzed using ImageJ
      software to objectively quantify changes between pre- and posttreatment scans.
      Five different types of measurement of ACL pixel intensity were examined as a
      proxy for ligament integrity. In addition pain visual analog scale (VAS) and
      Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) values were recorded at baseline and at 1
      month, 3 months, 6 months, and annually postinjection. Objective outcomes
      measured were pre- to post-MRI measurement changes, as analyzed by the ImageJ
      software. Subjective outcomes measured were changes in the VAS and LEFS, and a
      self-rated percentage improvement. RESULTS: Seven of ten patients showed
      improvement in at least four of five objective measures of ACL integrity in their
      postprocedure MRIs. In the entire study group, the mean gray value, median, raw
      integrated density, and modal gray value all decreased toward low-signal ACLs
      (P=0.01, P=0.02, P=0.002, and P=0.08), indications of improved ligament
      integrity. Seven of ten patients responded to the self-rated metrics follow up.
      The mean VAS change was a decrease of 1.7 (P=0.25), the mean LEFS change was an
      increase of 23.3 (P=0.03), and mean reported improvement was 86.7%. CONCLUSION:
      Based on this small case series, autologous bone marrow concentrate shows promise
      in the treatment of grade 1, 2, and possibly grade 3 ACL tears without
      retraction. Further investigation using a controlled study design is warranted.

PMID- 26261425
TI  - Relationships between craniocervical posture and pain-related disability in
      patients with cervico-craniofacial pain.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This cross-sectional correlation study explored the relationships
      between craniocervical posture and pain-related disability in patients with
      chronic cervico-craniofacial pain (CCFP). Moreover, we investigated the test
      retest intrarater reliability of two craniocervical posture measurements: head
      posture (HP) and the sternomental distance (SMD). METHODS: Fifty-three
      asymptomatic subjects and 60 CCFP patients were recruited. One rater measured HP
      and the SMD using a cervical range of motion device and a digital caliper,
      respectively. The Spanish versions of the neck disability index and the
      craniofacial pain and disability inventory were used to assess pain-related
      disability (neck disability and craniofacial disability, respectively). RESULTS:
      We found no statistically significant correlations between craniocervical posture
      and pain-related disability variables (HP and neck disability [r=0.105; P>0.05];
      HP and craniofacial disability [r=0.132; P>0.05]; SMD and neck disability
      [r=0.126; P>0.05]; SMD and craniofacial disability [r=0.195; P>0.05]). A moderate
      positive correlation was observed between HP and SMD for both groups
      (asymptomatic subjects, r=0.447; CCFP patients, r=0.52). Neck disability was
      strongly positively correlated with craniofacial disability (r=0.79; P<0.001).
      The test-retest intrarater reliability of the HP measurement was high for
      asymptomatic subjects and CCFP patients (intraclass correlation coefficients
      =0.93 and 0.81, respectively) and for SMD (intra-class correlation coefficient
      range between 0.76 and 0.99); the test-retest intrarater reliability remained
      high when evaluated 9 days later. The HP standard error of measurement range was
      0.54-0.75 cm, and the minimal detectable change was 1.27-1.74 cm. The SMD
      standard error of measurement was 2.75-6.24 mm, and the minimal detectable change
      was 6.42-14.55 mm. Independent t-tests showed statistically significant
      differences between the asymptomatic individuals and CCFP patients for measures
      of craniocervical posture, but these differences were very small (mean difference
      =1.44 cm for HP; 6.24 mm for SMD). The effect sizes reached by these values were
      estimated to be small for SMD (d=0.38) and medium for HP (d=0.76). CONCLUSION:
      The results showed no statistically significant correlations between
      craniocervical posture and variables of pain-related disability, but a strong
      correlation between the two variables of disability was found. Our findings
      suggest that small differences between CCFP patients and asymptomatic subjects
      exist with respect to the two measurements used to assess craniocervical posture
      (HP and SMD), and these measures demonstrated high test-retest intrarater
      reliability for both CCFP patients and asymptomatic subjects.

PMID- 26261427
TI  - Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding cervical cancer and screening among
      Ethiopian health care workers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Though cervical cancer incidence has dramatically decreased in
      resource rich regions due to the implementation of universal screening programs,
      it remains one of the most common cancers affecting women worldwide and has one
      of the highest mortality rates. The vast majority of cervical cancer-related
      deaths are among women that have never been screened. Prior to implementation of
      a screening program in Addis Ababa University-affiliated hospitals in Ethiopia, a
      survey was conducted to assess knowledge of cervical cancer etiology, risk
      factors, and screening, as well as attitudes and practices regarding cervical
      cancer screening among women's health care providers. METHODS: Between February
      and March 2012 an anonymous, self-administered survey to assess knowledge,
      attitudes, and practices related to cervical cancer and its prevention was
      distributed to 334 health care providers at three government hospitals in Addis
      Ababa, Ethiopia and three Family Guidance Association clinics in Awassa, Adama,
      and Bahir Dar. Data were analyzed using SPSS software and chi-square test was
      used to test differences in knowledge, attitudes, and practices across provider
      type. RESULTS: Overall knowledge surrounding cervical cancer was high, although
      awareness of etiology and risk factors was low among nurses and midwives.
      Providers had no experience performing cervical cancer screening on a routine
      basis with <40% having performed any type of cervical cancer screening. Reported
      barriers to performing screening were lack of training (52%) and resources (53%);
      however the majority (97%) of providers indicated cervical cancer screening is an
      essential part of women's health care. CONCLUSION: There is a clear need among
      women's health care providers for education regarding cervical cancer etiology,
      risk factors and for training in low-tech, low-cost screening methods. Meeting
      these needs and improving the infrastructure necessary to implement appropriate
      screening programs is essential to reduce the burden of cervical cancer in
      Ethiopia.

PMID- 26261428
TI  - Do physiological measures predict selected CrossFit((r)) benchmark performance?
AB  - PURPOSE: CrossFit((r)) is a new but extremely popular method of exercise training
      and competition that involves constantly varied functional movements performed at
      high intensity. Despite the popularity of this training method, the physiological
      determinants of CrossFit performance have not yet been reported. The purpose of
      this study was to determine whether physiological and/or muscle strength measures
      could predict performance on three common CrossFit "Workouts of the Day" (WODs).
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen CrossFit Open or Regional athletes completed, on
      separate days, the WODs "Grace" (30 clean and jerks for time), "Fran" (three
      rounds of thrusters and pull-ups for 21, 15, and nine repetitions), and "Cindy"
      (20 minutes of rounds of five pull-ups, ten push-ups, and 15 bodyweight squats),
      as well as the "CrossFit Total" (1 repetition max [1RM] back squat, overhead
      press, and deadlift), maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), and Wingate anaerobic
      power/capacity testing. RESULTS: Performance of Grace and Fran was related to
      whole-body strength (CrossFit Total) (r=-0.88 and -0.65, respectively) and
      anaerobic threshold (r=-0.61 and -0.53, respectively); however, whole-body
      strength was the only variable to survive the prediction regression for both of
      these WODs (R (2)=0.77 and 0.42, respectively). There were no significant
      associations or predictors for Cindy. CONCLUSION: CrossFit benchmark WOD
      performance cannot be predicted by VO2max, Wingate power/capacity, or either
      respiratory compensation or anaerobic thresholds. Of the data measured, only
      whole-body strength can partially explain performance on Grace and Fran, although
      anaerobic threshold also exhibited association with performance. Along with their
      typical training, CrossFit athletes should likely ensure an adequate level of
      strength and aerobic endurance to optimize performance on at least some benchmark
      WODs.

PMID- 26261429
TI  - Taxonomic status of the Columbia duskysnail (Truncatelloidea, Amnicolidae,
      Colligyrus).
AB  - Undescribed freshwater snails (Amnicolidae: Colligyrus) from the Mount Hood
      region (northwestern United States) identified as a new species (commonly known
      as the Columbia duskysnail) in grey literature have been provided federal
      protection under the "survey and manage" provisions of the Northwest Forest Plan
      and have been placed on conservation watch lists. However, there are no published
      studies of the identity of these snails aside from a molecular phylogenetic
      analysis which delineated a close relationship between the single sampled
      population and Colligyrusgreggi, which is distributed more than 750 km to the
      east of the Mount Hood area. Here we examine the taxonomic status of the Columbia
      duskysnail based on additional molecular sampling of mitochondrial DNA sequences
      (COI) and morphological evidence. We found that the Columbia duskysnail is not a
      monophyletic group and forms a strongly supported clade with Colligyrusgreggi.
      The COI divergence between these broadly disjunct groups (2.1%) was somewhat
      larger than that within Colligyrusgreggi (1.0%) but considerably less than that
      among the three currently recognized species of Colligyrus (8.7-12.1%).
      Additionally we found that the Columbia duskysnail and Colligyrusgreggi cannot be
      consistently differentiated by previously reported diagnostic characters (size
      and shape of shell spire, pigmentation of body and penis) and are closely similar
      in other aspects of morphology. Based on these results we conclude that the
      Columbia duskysnail is conspecific with Colligyrusgreggi. 

PMID- 26261426
TI  - Complications and challenges associated with polycystic ovary syndrome: current
      perspectives.
AB  - Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) represents the most common endocrine dysfunction
      in fertile women and it is considered a heterogeneous and multifaceted disorder,
      with multiple reproductive and metabolic phenotypes which differently affect the
      early- and long-term syndrome's risks. Women with PCOS present an adverse
      reproductive profile, including a high risk of pregnancy-induced hypertension,
      preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes mellitus. Patients with PCOS present not
      only a higher prevalence of classic cardiovascular risk factors, such as
      hypertension, dyslipidemia, and type-2 diabetes mellitus, but also of nonclassic
      cardiovascular risk factors, including mood disorders, such as depression and
      anxiety. Moreover, at the moment, clinical data on cardiovascular morbidity and
      mortality in women with PCOS are controversial. Finally, women with PCOS show an
      increased risk of endometrial cancer compared to non-PCOS healthy women,
      particularly during premenopausal period. Currently, we are unable to clarify if
      the increased PCOS early- and long-term risks are totally due to PCOS per se or
      mostly due to obesity, in particular visceral obesity, that characterized the
      majority of PCOS patients. In any case, the main endocrine and gynecological
      scientific societies agree to consider women with PCOS at increased risk of
      obstetric, cardiometabolic, oncology, and psychological complications throughout
      life, and it is recommended that these women be accurately assessed with periodic
      follow-up. 

PMID- 26261430
TI  - A new species of Zachaeus C.L. Koch from Turkey (Opiliones, Phalangiidae).
AB  - A new species of harvestmen, Zachaeusseyyari sp. n. (Opiliones, Phalangiidae), is
      described and illustrated on the basis of both sexes from Sirnak Province in
      Turkey. Differences between the new species and related species are indicated.
      Photographs of its characteristic structures are also provided. 

PMID- 26261431
TI  - Five new species of Phintella Strand, 1906 (Araneae, Salticidae) from the Wuling
      Mountains, China.
AB  - Five new species of Phintella are described from the Wuling Mountains, China:
      Phintellaarcuata sp. n. (male and female), Phintellalevii sp. n. (female),
      Phintellapanda sp. n. (female), Phintellapulcherrima sp. n. (male and female),
      and Phintellawulingensis sp. n. (female). Distribution data, detailed
      morphological characteristics, and illustrations of body and genital organs are
      presented. 

PMID- 26261432
TI  - Pushing the limits - two new species of Pteromalus (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea,
      Pteromalidae) from Central Europe with remarkable morphology.
AB  - Two new species, Pteromalusbriani sp. n. and Pteromalusjanstai sp. n., with
      unusual characters are described from the Central Plateau and the Alps in
      Switzerland, respectively. Pteromalusbriani sp. n. is remarkable in that it has
      the metatibia quite abruptly expanded before the middle. This type of
      modification of the hind tibia is unique within the Pteromalidae and probably
      also the entire Chalcidoidea. It is also very rare in other parasitic wasps,
      where it is suspected to be associated with pheromone glands. The species is a
      gregarious endoparasitoid of pupae of Vanessaatalanta (Linnaeus) and
      Aglaisurticae (Linnaeus), two common butterflies (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) in
      Europe. It is furthermore a koinobiont parasitoid ovipositing in an early larval
      stage of the host. The other species, Pteromalusjanstai sp. n., shows a flattened
      mesosoma. A dorsoventrally depressed body is a unique feature within the genus
      Pteromalus, but known from a number species in unrelated genera and subfamilies.
      The two records demonstrate that it is possible to discover entirely new species
      with extraordinary characters even in one of the taxonomically most thoroughly
      explored parts of the world. 

PMID- 26261433
TI  - A new species of nectar-feeding bat, genus Lonchophylla, from the Caatinga of
      Brazil (Chiroptera, Phyllostomidae).
AB  - We describe Lonchophyllainexpectata sp. n. from the Caatinga of Brazil. This new
      species can be distinguished from all known species of Lonchophylla that occur in
      Brazil by dental traits, cranial size, and fur colour. Specimens of
      Lonchophyllainexpectata have been misidentified as Lonchophyllamordax; but
      Lonchophyllainexpectata is a pale-venter species, similar in external appearance
      to Lonchophylladekeyseri. We have found Lonchophyllainexpectata in the Caatinga
      of North-eastern Brazil; Lonchophyllamordax along the eastern border of the
      Caatinga and in the Atlantic Forest-Caatinga ecotone in North-eastern Brazil; and
      Lonchophylladekeyseri in the Cerrado of Mid-western Brazil, in the Brazilian
      Cerrado-Caatinga ecotone, and as far west as the Cerrado of Bolivia. 

PMID- 26261434
TI  - Cytotaxonomy of unionid freshwater mussels (Unionoida, Unionidae) from
      northeastern Thailand with description of a new species.
AB  - Morphological and chromosomal characteristics of a number of unionid freshwater
      mussels were studied from northeastern Thailand. Karyotypes of eight species from
      seven genera (Chamberlainia, Ensidens, Hyriopsis, Physunio, Pseudodon, Scabies
      and Trapezoideus) were examined. Six species possess 2n = 38 karyotypes, whereas
      Scabiescrispata and an unidentified Scabies sp. lack three small chromosome
      pairs, giving a diploid number of 32. Moreover, the karyotypes of the
      unidentified Scabies differ from Scabiescrispata as it exhibits a telocentric
      chromosome pair (6m + 7sm + 2st + 1t). Most of the conchological characters also
      differ between the two species - adult size, colour pattern, muscle scars,
      pseudocardinal and lateral teeth. The name Scabiessongkramensis sp. n. is
      proposed for the unidentified species, and its description is included in this
      paper. Interestingly, seven species contain mostly bi-armed chromosomes, but only
      the mud-dweller in stagnant water, Ensidensingallsianus, contains predominantly
      five telocentric pairs. In addition, the marker chromosome characteristics of an
      unbalanced long arm, twisted centromere, a wider angle 180 degrees  arrangement,
      a twisted arm and telomeric end union reported in this study are described for
      the first time for unionid mussels. 

PMID- 26261435
TI  - Palaearctic species of Rhamphomyia (Pararhamphomyia) anfractuosa group (Diptera,
      Empididae).
AB  - Palaearctic species of the Rhamphomyia (Pararhamphomyia) anfractuosa group are
      revised. Rhamphomyia (Pararhamphomyia) biflexatasp. n., Rhamphomyia
      (Pararhamphomyia) lineodorsatasp. n., Rhamphomyia (Pararhamphomyia)
      nudiscutellatasp. n., and Rhamphomyia (Pararhamphomyia) shatalkinisp. n. (all
      from Russian Far East) are described and illustrated. A key to Palaearctic
      species of the Rhamphomyia (Pararhamphomyia) anfractuosa group is provided. 

PMID- 26261436
TI  - An Asiatic Chironomid in Brazil: morphology, DNA barcode and bionomics.
AB  - In most freshwater ecosystems, aquatic insects are dominant in terms of
      diversity; however, there is a disproportionately low number of records of alien
      species when compared to other freshwater organisms. The Chironomidae is one
      aquatic insect family that includes some examples of alien species around the
      world. During a study on aquatic insects in Amazonas state (Brazil), we collected
      specimens of Chironomidae that are similar, at the morphological level, to
      Chironomuskiiensis Tokunaga and Chironomusstriatipennis Kieffer, both with
      distributions restricted to Asia. The objectives of this study were to provide
      morphological information on this Chironomus population, to investigate its
      identity using DNA barcoding and, to provide bionomic information about this
      species. Chironomus DNA barcode data were obtained from GenBank and Barcode of
      Life Data Systems (BOLD) and, together with our data, were analyzed using the
      neighbor-joining method with 1000 bootstrap replicates and the genetic distances
      were estimated using the Kimura-2-parameter. At the morphological level, the
      Brazilian population cannot be distinguished either from Chironomusstriatipennis
      or Chironomuskiiensis, configuring a species complex but, at the molecular level
      our studied population is placed in a clade together with
      Chironomusstriatipennis, from South Korea. Bionomic characteristics of the
      Brazilian Chironomus population differ from the ones of Chironomuskiiensis from
      Japan, the only species in this species complex with bionomic information
      available. The Brazilian Chironomus population has a smaller size, the double of
      the number of eggs and inhabits oligotrophic water, in artificial container. In
      the molecular analysis, populations of Chironomusstriatipennis and
      Chironomuskiiensis are placed in a clade, formed by two groups: Group A (which
      includes populations from both named species, from different Asiatic regions and
      our Brazilian population) and Group B (with populations of Chironomuskiiensis
      from Japan and South Korea). Genetic distance between the Brazilian population
      and specimens in Group A suggests that it was recently introduced in Brazil, and
      that its country of origin is probably South Korea. 

PMID- 26261437
TI  - Patterns of taxonomic diversity among terrestrial isopods.
AB  - The publication of the world catalog of terrestrial isopods some ten years ago by
      Schmalfuss has facilitated research on isopod diversity patterns at a global
      scale. Furthermore, even though we still lack a comprehensive and robust
      phylogeny of Oniscidea, we do have some useful approaches to phylogenetic
      relationships among major clades which can offer additional insights into isopod
      evolutionary dynamics. Taxonomic diversity is one of many approaches to
      biodiversity and, despite its sensitiveness to biases in taxonomic practice, has
      proved useful in exploring diversification dynamics of various taxa. In the
      present work, we attempt an analysis of taxonomic diversity patterns among
      Oniscidea based on an updated world list of species containing 3,710 species
      belonging to 527 genera and 37 families (data till April 2014). The analysis
      explores species diversity at the genus and family level, as well as the
      relationships between species per genera, species per families, and genera per
      families. In addition, we consider the structure of isopod taxonomic system under
      the fractal perspective that has been proposed as a measure of a taxon's
      diversification. Finally, we check whether there is any phylogenetic signal
      behind taxonomic diversity patterns. The results can be useful in a more detailed
      elaboration of Oniscidea systematics. 

PMID- 26261438
TI  - The terrestrial Isopoda (Crustacea, Oniscidea) of Rapa Nui (Easter Island), with
      descriptions of two new species.
AB  - Nine species of terrestrial isopods are reported for the Polynesian island of
      Rapa Nui (Easter Island) based upon museum materials and recent collections from
      field sampling. Most of these animals are non-native species, but two are new to
      science: Styloniscusmanuvaka sp. n. and Hawaiiosciarapui sp. n. Of these, the
      former is believed to be a Polynesian endemic as it has been recorded from Rapa
      Iti, Austral Islands, while the latter is identified as a Rapa Nui island
      endemic. Both of these new species are considered 'disturbance relicts' and
      appear restricted to the cave environment on Rapa Nui. A short key to all the
      oniscidean species presently recorded from Rapa Nui is provided. We also offered
      conservation and management recommendations for the two new isopod species. 

PMID- 26261439
TI  - First record and redescription of the terrestrial isopod
      Hemilepistoidesmesserianus Borutzky, 1945 (Isopoda, Oniscidea) from Iran.
AB  - In the present study, Hemilepistoidesmesserianus Borutzky, 1945 is reported from
      Iran for the first time. This species is redescribed and diagnostic characters of
      both males and females are illustrated. This species is characterized by the
      tuberculation of all parts of the dorsal surface of the body and the male pleopod
      endopodite I with a triangular lobe at apex. A map with the distribution of
      species is presented. 

PMID- 26261440
TI  - The agnarid terrestrial isopods (Isopoda, Oniscidea, Agnaridae) of the province
      of Qazvin, Iran, with a description of a new species.
AB  - Six species of terrestrial isopods from the province of Qazvin, central Iran, are
      recorded. Three species, Hemilepistusklugii (Brandt, 1833),
      Protracheoniscusehsani Kashani, 2014 and Mongoloniscuspersicus Kashani, 2014,
      were previously reported from the province. Hemilepistuselongatus Budde-Lund,
      1885 and Protracheoniscusmajor (Dollfus, 1903) are recorded for the first time,
      and one species, Protracheoniscussarii sp. n., is described as new. The
      diagnostic characters of the new species are figured. 

PMID- 26261441
TI  - Does temperature and oxygen affect duration of intramarsupial development and
      juvenile growth in the terrestrial isopod Porcellioscaber (Crustacea,
      Malacostraca)?
AB  - According to the temperature-size rule (TSR), ectotherms developing under cold
      conditions experience slower growth as juveniles but reach a larger size at
      maturity. Whether temperature alone causes this phenomenon is unknown, but oxygen
      limitation can play a role in the temperature-size relationship. Oxygen may
      become limited under warm conditions when the resulting higher metabolism creates
      a greater demand for oxygen, especially in larger individuals. We examined the
      independent effects of oxygen concentration (10% and 22% O2) and temperature (15 
      degrees C and 22  degrees C) on duration of ontogenic development, which takes
      place within the maternal brood pouch (marsupium), and juvenile growth in the
      terrestrial isopod common rough woodlouse (Porcellioscaber). Individuals inside
      the marsupium undergo the change from the aqueous to the gaseous environment.
      Under hypoxia, woodlice hatched from the marsupium sooner, but their subsequent
      growth was not affected by the level of oxygen. Marsupial development and
      juvenile growth were almost three times slower at low temperature, and marsupial
      development was longer in larger females but only in the cold treatment. These
      results show that temperature and oxygen are important ecological factors
      affecting developmental time and that the strength of the effect likely depends
      on the availability of oxygen in the environment. 

PMID- 26261442
TI  - Histological studies on the marsupium of two terrestrial isopods (Crustacea,
      Isopoda, Oniscidea).
AB  - The marsupium, a brood pouch in peracarid crustaceans (Crustacea, Malacostraca)
      has evolved in terrestrial environment for providing nutrition and optimal
      conditions for embryogenesis. In the present study we give details on the
      histology and ultrastructure of its constituting elements such as oostegites and
      cotyledons. Marsupia of two different eco-morphological types of woodlice, namely
      the non-conglobating species Trachelipusrathkii Brandt, 1833 and the conglobating
      species Cylisticusconvexus De Geer, 1778 were investigated. Light microscopic
      (LM) studies showed some differences in the main structure of the two species'
      brood pouch: in Trachelipusrathkii, a 'clinger' type woodlice, the oostegites
      bend outwards during brood incubation as growing offspring require more space,
      while in Cylisticusconvexus, a 'roller' type isopod, the sternites arch into the
      body cavity to ensure space for developing offspring and still allowing
      conglobation of the gravid females. The quantitative analysis of the oostegites'
      cuticle proved that the outer part is about 2.5 - 3 times thicker compared to the
      inner part in both species. Electron microscopic (TEM) examinations show only
      small histological differences in the oostegites and cotyledon structure of the
      two species. Cellular elements and moderately electron dense fleecy precipitate
      are found in the hemolymph space between the two cuticles of oostegites. The
      cells contain PAS positive polysaccharide areas. TEM studies revealed some
      differences in the cotyledon ultrastructure of the two species. Cotyledons of
      Trachelipusrathkii consist of cells with cristate mitochondria and granular
      endoplasmic reticulum with cisterns. Cotyledons of Cylisticusconvexus consist of
      cells with densely cristate mitochondria and ribosomes attached to vesicular
      membrane structures. In both species cells with electron dense bodies were
      observed. We conclude that - besides the differences in marsupial shapes - the
      fine structure of the oostegites and cotyledons is hardly affected by the eco
      morphological type, specifically the conglobating or non-conglobating character
      of the studied species. 

PMID- 26261443
TI  - Formation of the hindgut cuticular lining during embryonic development of
      Porcellioscaber (Crustacea, Isopoda).
AB  - The hindgut and foregut in terrestrial isopod crustaceans are ectodermal parts of
      the digestive system and are lined by cuticle, an apical extracellular matrix
      secreted by epithelial cells. Morphogenesis of the digestive system was reported
      in previous studies, but differentiation of the gut cuticle was not followed in
      detail. This study is focused on ultrastructural analyses of hindgut apical
      matrices and cuticle in selected intramarsupial developmental stages of the
      terrestrial isopod Porcellioscaber in comparison to adult animals to obtain data
      on the hindgut cuticular lining differentiation. Our results show that in late
      embryos of stages 16 and 18 the apical matrix in the hindgut consists of loose
      material overlaid by a thin intensely ruffled electron dense lamina facing the
      lumen. The ultrastructural resemblance to the embryonic epidermal matrices
      described in several arthropods suggests a common principle in chitinous matrix
      differentiation. The hindgut matrix in the prehatching embryo of stage 19 shows
      characteristics of the hindgut cuticle, specifically alignment to the apical
      epithelial surface and a prominent electron dense layer of epicuticle. In the
      preceding embryonic stage - stage 18 - an electron dense lamina, closely apposed
      to the apical cell membrane, is evident and is considered as the first epicuticle
      formation. In marsupial mancae the advanced features of the hindgut cuticle and
      epithelium are evident: a more prominent epicuticular layer, formation of
      cuticular spines and an extensive apical labyrinth. In comparison to the hindgut
      cuticle of adults, the hindgut cuticle of marsupial manca and in particular the
      electron dense epicuticular layer are much thinner and the difference between
      cuticle architecture in the anterior chamber and in the papillate region is not
      yet distinguishable. Differences from the hindgut cuticle in adults imply not
      fully developed structure and function of the hindgut cuticle in marsupial manca,
      possibly related also to different environments, as mancae develop in marsupial
      fluid. Bacteria, evenly distributed within the homogenous electron dense material
      in the hindgut lumen, were observed only in one specimen of early marsupial
      manca. The morphological features of gut cuticle renewal are evident in the late
      marsupial mancae, and are similar to those observed in the exoskeleton. 

PMID- 26261444
TI  - Spectroscopic parameters of the cuticle and ethanol extracts of the fluorescent
      cave isopod Mesoniscusgraniger (Isopoda, Oniscidea).
AB  - The body surface of the terrestrial isopod Mesoniscusgraniger (Frivaldsky, 1863)
      showed blue autofluorescence under UV light (330-385 nm), using epifluorescence
      microscopy and also in living individuals under a UV lamp with excitation light
      of 365 nm. Some morphological cuticular structures expressed a more intense
      autofluorescence than other body parts. For this reason, only the cuticle was
      analyzed. The parameters of autofluorescence were investigated using
      spectroscopic methods (molecular spectroscopy in infrared, ultraviolet-visible,
      fluorescence, and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy) in samples of two subspecies
      of Mesoniscusgraniger preserved in ethanol. Samples excited by UV light (from 350
      to 380 nm) emitted blue light of wavelengths 419, 420, 441, 470 and 505 nm (solid
      phase) and 420, 435 and 463 (ethanol extract). The results showed that the
      autofluorescence observed from living individuals may be due to some beta
      carboline or coumarin derivatives, some crosslinking structures, dityrosine, or
      due to other compounds showing similar excitation-emission characteristics. 

PMID- 26261445
TI  - Demography of some non-native isopods (Crustacea, Isopoda, Oniscidea) in a Mid
      Atlantic forest, USA.
AB  - Introduced species dominate the terrestrial isopod fauna in most inland habitats
      of North America, including urban landscapes. These non-native species are often
      very abundant and thus potentially play a significant role in detritus
      processing. We monitored isopod assemblages in an urban forest for a year to
      examine the relationship between surface activity and abiotic environmental
      factors, and to analyze reproductive characteristics that might contribute to
      their successful establishment. Using pitfall trap samples we recorded five
      species, two of which, Trachelipusrathkii and Cylisticusconvexus, were highly
      abundant. We determined size, sex and reproductive state of each individual.
      Surface activity of both species reflected variability in abiotic stress factors
      for isopods, such as soil moisture and soil temperature. Early spring the main
      trigger was soil temperature while later in the season increasing temperature and
      decreasing soil moisture jointly affected population dynamics. Activity
      significantly correlated with soil moisture. The temporal pattern of sex ratios
      supported the secondary sex ratio hypothesis. Males dominated the samples on the
      onset of the mating season in search of females. The pattern was reversed as
      females searched for suitable microsites for their offspring. Size independent
      fecundity decreased as conditions became more stressful late in the season. 

PMID- 26261446
TI  - Effects of microclimate on behavioural and life history traits of terrestrial
      isopods: implications for responses to climate change.
AB  - The sensitivity of terrestrial isopods to changes in both temperature and
      moisture make them suitable models for examining possible responses of arthropod
      macro-decomposers to predicted climate change. Effects of changes in both
      temperature and relative humidity on aggregation, growth and survivorship of
      species of isopods contrasting in their morphological and physiological
      adaptations to moisture stress have been investigated in laboratory microcosms.
      All three traits were more sensitive to a reduction in relative humidity of 20
      25% than they were to an increase in temperature of 5-6  degrees C. These results
      suggest that predicted changes in climate in south east England may reduce the
      extent to which soil animals stimulate microbial activity and hence carbon
      dioxide (CO2) emissions from soils in the future. This may help to mitigate the
      potential for a positive feedback between increased CO2 emissions from soils, and
      increased greenhouse effects causing an increase in soil temperatures. 

PMID- 26261447
TI  - Personality affects defensive behaviour of Porcellioscaber (Isopoda, Oniscidea).
AB  - We evaluated individual behavioural patterns of isopods expressed as tonic
      immobility following some intrusive treatments. Common rough woodlice,
      Porcellioscaber, were kept individually in plastic boxes and tested for tonic
      immobility repeatedly. Reactivity, sensitivity (number of stimuli needed to
      respond), and endurance of tonic immobility (TI) according three types of
      treatments (touch, squeeze, drop) were evaluated. Touch was the weakest treatment
      and it was necessary to repeat it a number of times to obtain a response; while
      squeeze and drop induced TI more frequently. Nevertheless, duration of the
      response persisted for a longer time with the touch treatment. Within each set of
      the three treatment, the strongest response was the third one, regardless of
      treatment type. Duration of reaction was affected by the size of the woodlouse,
      the smallest individuals feigning death for the shortest time. Despite body size,
      we found a significant individual pattern of endurance of TI among tested
      woodlice, which was stable across treatments as well as across time (5
      repetitions during a 3 week period). Porcellioscaber is one of the first species
      of terrestrial isopods with documented personality traits. 

PMID- 26261448
TI  - NEIGHBOUR-IN: Image processing software for spatial analysis of animal grouping.
AB  - Animal grouping is a very complex process that occurs in many species, involving
      many individuals under the influence of different mechanisms. To investigate this
      process, we have created an image processing software, called NEIGHBOUR-IN,
      designed to analyse individuals' coordinates belonging to up to three different
      groups. The software also includes statistical analysis and indexes to
      discriminate aggregates based on spatial localisation of individuals and their
      neighbours. After the description of the software, the indexes computed by the
      software are illustrated using both artificial patterns and case studies using
      the spatial distribution of woodlice. The added strengths of this software and
      methods are also discussed. 

PMID- 26261449
TI  - A fast GNU method to draw accurate scientific illustrations for taxonomy.
AB  - Nowadays only digital figures are accepted by the most important journals of
      taxonomy. These may be produced by scanning conventional drawings, made with high
      precision technical ink-pens, which normally use capillary cartridge and various
      line widths. Digital drawing techniques that use vector graphics, have already
      been described in literature to support scientists in drawing figures and plates
      for scientific illustrations; these techniques use many different software and
      hardware devices. The present work gives step-by-step instructions on how to make
      accurate line drawings with a new procedure that uses bitmap graphics with the
      GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP). This method is noteworthy: it is very
      accurate, producing detailed lines at the highest resolution; the raster lines
      appear as realistic ink-made drawings; it is faster than the traditional way of
      making illustrations; everyone can use this simple technique; this method is
      completely free as it does not use expensive and licensed software and it can be
      used with different operating systems. The method has been developed drawing
      figures of terrestrial isopods and some examples are here given. 

PMID- 26261450
TI  - Predictors of smoking cessation behavior among Bangladeshi adults: findings from
      ITC Bangladesh survey.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Research findings on the predictors of smoking cessation behavior
      identified in Western countries may not be generalizable to smokers in the
      Southeast Asian countries (i.e., Bangladesh). This study examined the factors
      associated with smoking cessation behavior (quit attempts and smoking cessation)
      among a representative sample of Bangladeshi adults. METHODS: Data from Wave 1
      (2009) and Wave 2 (2010) of the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Survey in
      Bangladesh, a face-to-face survey of adult smokers, were analysed. Households
      were sampled using a stratified multistage design and interviewed using a
      structured questionnaire. Respondents included in the study are 1,861 adult daily
      smokers (cigarette only or dual use of cigarette and bidi) in the Wave 1 survey
      who completed the Wave 2 follow up. RESULTS: Of the smokers (N = 1,861), 98 %
      were male, 18 % illiterate, 78 % married and 42 % were aged 40 or above; 89 %
      were cigarette smokers and 11 % were dual users (cigarette & bidi). Overall, 21.8
      % of the baseline smokers made quit attempts (that is, making at least one quit
      attempt that lasted for at least 24 hours) during the 11- to 12-month interval
      between Waves 1 and 2 with only 4.1 % quitting successfully (that is, smokers who
      had stopped smoking for at least 6 months at the time of the Wave 2 survey).
      Significant predictors of attempts to quit included: residing areas outside Dhaka
      (OR = 3.41), being aged 40 or older (OR = 1.53), having a monthly income of above
      BDT10,000 (US$126) versus below BDT 5,000 (US$63) (OR = 1.57), intending to quit
      sometime in the future (OR = 1.73). Respondents not working indoors/outside the
      home were less likely to have made a quit attempt than those with no workplace
      restrictions on smoking (OR = 0.62). Predictors of successful smoking cessation
      included: being aged 40 or older (OR = 3.11), perceiving self-rated health as
      good or excellent (OR = 2.40), and an increased level of self-efficacy (OR =
      1.75). Smokers who made a quit attempt not so recently (6 months ago or earlier)
      were less likely to quit than those who made a more recent (in last 6 months)
      quit attempt (OR = 0.23). CONCLUSION: Among Bangladeshi smokers, different
      factors were associated with quit attempt or successful cessation. Population
      based smoking cessation programs should take these factors into consideration in
      the design of smoking cessation interventions. At the same time, measures are
      necessary to encourage more smokers to make quit attempts.

PMID- 26261451
TI  - Major dietary patterns in Iranian adolescents: Isfahan Healthy Heart Program,
      Iran.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Limited information exists from the dietary pattern of children and
      adolescents particularly in developing countries. We aimed to detect major
      dietary patterns and their association with socio-demographic characteristics of
      Iranian adolescents. METHODS: Healthy Heart Promotion from Childhood as one of
      the "Isfahan Healthy Heart Program", Iran, projects was conducted in adolescents
      aged 11-18 years in Isfahan, Najafabad, and Arak districts, Iran, selected
      randomly by multistage sampling. This survey was conducted on 1992 adolescents in
      2007. Dietary intake was assessed using a 50-item food frequency questionnaire in
      both communities. RESULTS: Four major dietary patterns labeled "prudent diet,"
      fast food diet," "animal fat diet," and "Mediterranean diet" were identified. We
      found a significant inverse relationship between prudent and animal fat dietary
      patterns with age, prudent and Mediterranean dietary patterns with being boy.
      However, a positive relationship between fast food dietary pattern and age; fast
      food and animal fat dietary patterns with being boy were detected (all P < 0.05).
      While urbanization and TV watching correlated positively with the fast food diet,
      an inverse relationship between urbanization and animal fat and Mediterranean
      dietary patterns were found (all P < 0.01). The animal fat and fast food dietary
      patterns inversely associated with nutrition knowledge; however, Mediterranean
      diet had a positive relationship with it (all P < 0.05). Membership in sport team
      was positively related to all dietary pattern and regular physical activity
      associated only with prudent diet (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The study suggests
      that socio-demographic characteristics and physical activity are related to
      dietary patterns in Iranian adolescents.

PMID- 26261452
TI  - Association between dietary salt intake and reservation of renal function in
      patients with mild hypertension.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It is now hypothesized whether restricted salt intake can be a
      potential precursor to renal dysfunction in mild hypertension state. We aimed to
      study the association between salt intake and renal function in patients with
      mild hypertension. METHODS: One hundred consecutive hypertensive Iranian patients
      (with systolic blood pressure 140-160 mmHg and/or diastolic 90-100 mmHg) who were
      referred to the hypertension research center, Isfahan, Iran, between 2011 and
      2014 for screening of hypertension were assessed. Renal function was assessed by
      measuring serum creatinine (Cr) and creatinine clearance (CrCl). Daily salt
      intake was assessed on the basis of 24 h urinary sodium excretion. RESULTS: There
      was no association between the amounts of sodium intake and serum Cr
      concentration (r = 0.138, P = 0.174), however, an association was revealed
      between sodium intake and value of CrCl (r = 0.303, P = 0.003). Multivariable
      linear regression model showed that sodium intake could effectively predict renal
      function assessed by CrCl (Beta = 0.070, P = 0.016). CONCLUSION: There is an
      association between sodium intake and reservation of renal function in mild
      hypertension state and thus by restriction of dietary salt intake, reserving
      renal function, and preventing appearance and progression of renal insufficiency
      in higher degrees of hypertension can be facilitated.

PMID- 26261453
TI  - The effect of probiotic soy milk and soy milk on anthropometric measures and
      blood pressure in patients with type II diabetes mellitus: A randomized double
      blind clinical trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The objective of this clinical trial was to assess the effects of
      probiotic soy milk and soy milk on anthropometric measures and blood pressure
      (BP) in type 2 diabetic (T2D) patients. METHODS: A total of 40 patients with T2D,
      35-68 years old, were assigned to two groups in this randomized, double-blind,
      controlled clinical trial. The patients in the intervention group consumed 200
      ml/day of probiotic soy milk containing Lactobacillus planetarium A7 and those in
      control group consumed 200 ml/day of soy milk for 8 weeks. Anthropometric and BP
      measurements were performed according to standard protocols. For detecting within
      group differences paired-sample t-tests was used and analysis of covariance was
      used for determining any differences between two groups. (The trial has been
      registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials, identifier: IRCT:
      IRCT201405265062N8). RESULTS: In this study, we failed to find any significant
      changes between probiotic soy milk and soy milk in term of body mass index (26.65
      +/- 0.68 vs. 26.33 +/- 0.74, P = 0.300) and waist to hip ratio (1.49 +/- 0.08 vs.
      1.54 +/- 0.1, P = 0.170). Although soy milk did not have any effect on BP,
      probiotic soymilk significantly decreased systolic (14.7 +/- 0.48 vs. 13.05 +/-
      0.16, P = 0.001) and diastolic BP (10 +/- 0.7 vs. 9.1 +/- 1, P = 0.031).
      CONCLUSION: In our study, probiotic soy milk in comparing with soy milk did not
      have any beneficial effects on anthropometric measures in these patients. We need
      more clinical trial for confirming the effect of probiotic foods on
      anthropometric measure in diabetic patients. However, probiotic soy milk
      decreased systolic and diastolic BP significantly.

PMID- 26261454
TI  - Potato consumption as high glycemic index food, blood pressure, and body mass
      index among Iranian adolescent girls.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Potato as a high glycemic index food has different effects on healthy
      nutritional status. In the current study, we investigated the association between
      potato consumption and obesity and blood pressure among adolescent girls.
      METHODS: This cross-sectional survey was conducted on 205 girls (11-13 years old)
      in 2013 who were selected by systematic cluster random sampling from schools of
      all regions of Isfahan, Iran. Dietary intakes were collected by 53-items food
      frequency questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements were done based on a
      standard protocol. RESULTS: Adolescents that consumed all kinds of potato more
      than once per week had significantly higher prevalence of overweight and obesity
      (prevalence of overweight and obesity was 86.7 and 13.3%; P < 0.0010 in more than
      once per week and less than once per week groups, respectively) as well as
      prevalence of abdominal obesity in more than once per week consumption group was
      higher than less than once per week consumption group (78.2 vs. 21.8%; P <
      0.001). Potato consumption (as independent variables) increased body mass index
      and waist circumference (as dependent variables) in crude and adjusted regression
      models (P < 0.050). Mean blood pressure was not significantly different among
      lower and higher potato consumers. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggested a positive
      association between potato consumption and obesity. We did not find any
      association between potato consumption and blood pressure in adolescents.

PMID- 26261455
TI  - Comparison of soymilk and probiotic soymilk effects on serum high-density
      lipoprotein cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in diabetic
      Wistar rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Soy milk (SM) and its fermented products are identified as rich
      sources of bioactive compounds helping to manage and to reduce the risk of
      chronic disease. This study aimed to compare the effects of SM and probiotic SM
      (PSM) consumption on serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high
      density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in diabetic Wistar rats. METHODS:
      Probiotic SM was prepared by fermentation of the plain SM with a native strain of
      Lactobacillus plantarum. 20 streptozotocin-nicotinamide-induced diabetic Wistar
      rats were divided into two groups based on the type of administered SM (SM group
      and PSM group). The animals were fed with 1 ml/day of either soy or PSM for 21
      days. The serum lipoprotein levels were analyzed at baseline and the end of the
      intervention period. RESULTS: HDL-C increased significantly in PSM group.
      Furthermore, this group showed more percent of change in increased HDL-C in
      compression with SM group (P < 0.050). Regarding LDL-C level, rats fed with SM
      was not significantly different from the PSM group (P < 0.050); though, this
      biomarker was reduced in both group. CONCLUSION: Probiotic SM could modulate
      blood lipoprotein levels. Thus, it may be considered in managing diabetes
      complications and atherosclerotic risks.

PMID- 26261456
TI  - Soy product consumption and association with health characteristics and dietary
      quality indices in Isfahan, Iran.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To determine the average intake of soy products and its association
      with socio-demographic, general and health characteristics, and dietary quality
      indices among the population of Isfahan, Iran. METHODS: In this descriptive cross
      sectional study conducted on 491 subjects in 2013-2014, grocery stores, nuts
      stores, chain stores, and supermarkets from different areas of Isfahan
      Municipality were visited. Shop owners were asked to report the amounts of soy
      products sales (soy nut, processed soy protein, soy milk and soy yogurt).
      Furthermore, a food frequency questionnaire was completed from 496 customers by
      an experienced nutritionist. Mean sales and intake of soy products and dietary
      intakes including dietary quality indices and mean adequacy ratio (MAR) as well
      as anthropometric and socio-demographic variables were assessed. RESULTS: Soy
      protein and soy yogurt are the highest [673 +/- 81 (g/month)] and lowest [420 +/-
      148 (g/month)] purchased soy products, respectively. While soy nut [63 +/- 10
      (g/month)] was consumed to the lowest amount, soy protein [236 +/- 39 (g/month)]
      was the most consumed soy product. Subjects with higher consumption of soy
      products were older and had higher intake of protein, vitamin C, zinc and iron,
      and lower intake of whole grains, legumes, and vegetables as well as greater
      values of MAR and dietary diversity score as well as nutrient adequacy ratio for
      vitamin C. CONCLUSION: Soy protein is the most purchased and consumed soy product
      among people living in Isfahan. More intakes of whole grains and vegetables among
      those with higher consumption of soy foods could define greater quantities of
      zinc, iron and vitamin C in the diet. Soy consumption had a reverse correlation
      with body mass index.

PMID- 26261457
TI  - Association of chemerin levels with anthropometric indexes and C-reactive protein
      in obese and non-obese adolescents.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Obesity is a low-grade chronic inflammation. This epidemic is growing
      in different age groups including adolescents. It is accompanied with a decrease
      in the age for incidence of obesity-related disorders. Chemerin, as a chemokine
      and stimulator of anti-inflammatory adiponectin, links immune system, adipose
      tissue and inflammation. It may be useful in predicting obesity in the hit phase
      of life. This study aims to assess serum chemerin and adiponectin in relation to
      the inflammation and obesity indices. METHODS: This case-control study was
      conducted on 82 adolescent girls, aged12-18 years. They were categorized based on
      the percentiles of the body mass index (BMI).Serum chemerin, adiponectin, high
      sensitive C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP), body fat mass and its percent, waist
      circumference (WC) ,hip circumference (HC) were measured; BMI and waist-to-hip
      ratio (WHR)were calculated. Data were analyzed by independent Student's t-test
      and Pearson correlation; path analysis was conducted, as well. RESULTS: We found
      a negative significant association between chemerin and adiponectin levels in
      both obese and non-obese groups(r =-0.387, P = 0.014 vs. r = 0.362, respectively,
      P = 0.018). Serum chemerin was higher in obese than in non-obese adolescents
      (441.83 +/- 47.79 vs. 409.30 +/- 66.12 ug /l, respectively, P = 0.012), whereas
      mean adiponectin level was lower in obese participants than in the other group
      (4.79 +/- 0.94 versus 5.2 +/- 0.53ug/ml, respectively, P = 0.016). Chemerin
      concentrations had significant positive correlation with Hs-CRP levels, BMI, WC,
      HC, WHR, body fat mass and its percent (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Chemerin
      concentrations were associated with and adiponectin levels in obese girl
      adolescents, negatively. Hs-CRP, BMI, WC, HC, WHR, body fat mass and its' percent
      were in positive relation with chemerin levels, and inverse association with
      serum adiponectin concentrations. Our findings suggest that chemerin can be
      considered as an early marker of the inflammatory process in obesity.

PMID- 26261458
TI  - Is there any association between rice consumption and some of the cardiovascular
      diseases risk factors? A systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: White rice is considered as a staple food in most population in the
      world, and there may be an association between rice intake and cardiovascular
      disease (CVD) risks. The present article was reviewed the correlation between
      rice intake and CVD and some of its risk factors. METHODS: We searched in PubMed,
      Google scholar, and SCOPUS to February 2015 by using several keywords such as low
      and high density lipoprotein, triglyceride, total cholesterol, fasting blood
      glucose, CVD or risks, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, obesity, lipid profile, and
      refined grains or rice and white rice. Finally, 14 studies were included in our
      systematic review. RESULTS: There was found a positive association between white
      rice intake and risk factors of CVD including metabolic syndrome and type 2
      diabetes. Furthermore, it seems that there is no any significant correlation
      between white rice consumption and incidence of CVD and its mortality.
      CONCLUSION: Finding from available data suggested the important roles of higher
      white rice consumption on CVD risk factors.

PMID- 26261459
TI  - The impact of HIV/AIDS on compliance with antidepressant treatment in major
      depressive disorder: A prospective study in a South African private healthcare
      cohort.
AB  - BACKGROUND: MDD and HIV/AIDS have a high prevalence worldwide with severe
      consequences for patients. In both conditions, compliance with treatment is key
      to successfully treat these disorders. In the current study, we examine the
      effect of MDD on the compliance with ADs in patients diagnosed with co-morbid
      HIV/AIDS and how different classes of ADs influence compliance in this group of
      patients. METHODS: A prospective, cohort study design was used to analyse
      nationally representative medicine claims data submitted to a privately-owned
      South African Pharmaceutical Benefit Management (PBM) company. Two groups were
      distinguished in the database, namely patients with only MDD and patients with
      both MDD and HIV/AIDS, over a six-year study period. The study population was
      determined by the following inclusion criteria: patients older than 18 years, MDD
      should be diagnosed by a psychiatrist supported by an appropriate ICD-10 code,
      and all patients have to be on combination antiretroviral treatment (cARV)
      treatment. The medicine possession ratio (MPR) was used as proxy to determine
      patient compliance with AD medication. RESULTS: 127 patients (i.e. 0.24%) met the
      criteria of co-morbid MDD and HIV/AIDS. Females have a significantly higher
      prevalence of MDD and HIV/AIDS when compared to males. Patients diagnosed with
      both HIV/AIDS and MDD (74.43. +/- 32.03, 95% Cl: 71.51-77.34) have a statistical
      significantly (p < 0.0001) lower compliance with AD treatment vs. MDD patients
      (80.94% +/- 29.44, 95% Cl: 80.56-81.33), but the practical significance thereof,
      is low (Cohen's d = 0.2255). In this group only 26.83% of TCA had acceptable
      compliance compared to the 58.57% of SNRIs. Noteworthy observations were that 75%
      (p < 0.0217; Cramer's V = 0.0388) of venlafaxine and 28.6% (p < 0.0197; Cramer's
      V = -0.0705) of the paroxetine items were compliant in patients diagnosed with
      both HIV/AIDS and MDD. CONCLUSIONS: AD compliance is statistical significantly
      lower in depressed HIV/AIDS vs. depressed non-HIV/AIDS patients. However, these
      differences is of low practical or clinical significance, meaning that depressed
      HIV/AIDS patients would have missed approximately two AD doses (6.5% of a 30-day
      treatment period) more than the non-HIV/AIDS depressed patient over the same
      treatment period.

PMID- 26261461
TI  - Spontaneous biloma: a case report.
AB  - A biloma is an encapsulated collection of bile located in the abdomen. It occurs
      spontaneously or secondary to traumatic or iatrogenic injury to the biliary
      system. The patient's medical history, symptoms and diagnostic imaging findings
      suggest the diagnosis, but a definitive diagnosis is provided by drainage and
      biochemical analysis of the fluid. We report a case of a patient admitted with
      acute abdominal pain in the right hypochondrium caused by a spontaneous biloma.
      This is a rare condition, and the reason for the onset was not identified. We
      discuss the role of the various diagnostic imaging techniques, particularly that
      of ultrasound. 

PMID- 26261460
TI  - Altered modulation of gamma oscillation frequency by speed of visual motion in
      children with autism spectrum disorders.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recent studies link autism spectrum disorders (ASD) with an altered
      balance between excitation and inhibition (E/I balance) in cortical networks. The
      brain oscillations in high gamma-band (50-120 Hz) are sensitive to the E/I
      balance and may appear useful biomarkers of certain ASD subtypes. The frequency
      of gamma oscillations is mediated by level of excitation of the fast-spiking
      inhibitory basket cells recruited by increasing strength of excitatory input.
      Therefore, the experimental manipulations affecting gamma frequency may throw
      light on inhibitory networks dysfunction in ASD. METHODS: Here, we used
      magnetoencephalography (MEG) to investigate modulation of visual gamma
      oscillation frequency by speed of drifting annular gratings (1.2, 3.6, 6.0 
      degrees /s) in 21 boys with ASD and 26 typically developing boys aged 7-15 years.
      Multitaper method was used for analysis of spectra of gamma power change upon
      stimulus presentation and permutation test was applied for statistical
      comparisons. We also assessed in our participants visual orientation
      discrimination thresholds, which are thought to depend on excitability of
      inhibitory networks in the visual cortex. RESULTS: Although frequency of the
      oscillatory gamma response increased with increasing velocity of visual motion in
      both groups of participants, the velocity effect was reduced in a substantial
      proportion of children with ASD. The range of velocity-related gamma frequency
      modulation correlated inversely with the ability to discriminate oblique line
      orientation in the ASD group, while no such correlation has been observed in the
      group of typically developing participants. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest
      that abnormal velocity-related gamma frequency modulation in ASD may constitute a
      potential biomarker for reduced excitability of fast-spiking inhibitory neurons
      in a subset of children with ASD.

PMID- 26261462
TI  - Intussusception in childhood: role of sonography on diagnosis and treatment.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the role of ultrasound in the
      diagnosis and treatment of pediatric patients with acute abdominal pain caused by
      intussusceptions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of
      all pediatric patients with acute abdominal pain caused by intussusceptions and
      that underwent ultrasound examination at the emergency service of the Radiology
      Department between November 2007 and June 2013. The role of ultrasonography in
      the diagnosis of intussusceptions has been assessed by comparing the echographic
      presumptive diagnosis with the final diagnosis of discharge. Its importance in
      the treatment has been assessed by determining the value of ultrasound findings
      in the choice of the best treatment. RESULTS: The ultrasound examination was
      positive in 16/18 patients with a final diagnosis of intussusception. Some
      sonographic findings seemed to be able to predict the opportunity to resort to
      non-surgical therapeutic options like hydrostatic or pneumatic reduction of the
      intestinal segments invaginated. In our casuistry, five children presented
      characteristics typical of this subgroup and underwent barium enema which
      provided the reduction of the intestinal segments involved. The future challenge
      will be to perform non-surgical ultrasound-guided reductions to avoid the
      exposure of the infants to ionizing radiations. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasonography is
      essential not only in the diagnosis, but also it adds important elements in the
      therapeutic choice and could play in the future an important role in non-surgical
      reduction of intestinal intussusceptions in pediatric patients.

PMID- 26261463
TI  - Endosonography of benign myometrium cysts and cyst-like lesions.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Many pathological causes are responsible for the sonographic
      presentation of myometrium cysts and cyst-like lesions, where the distinction
      between these etiologies is required. THE AIM OF THE WORK: The current work is
      aimed at discerning between different etiologies of myometrium cysts and cyst
      like lesions for an optimum management. METHODOLOGY: In the course of daily
      practice of gynecological transvaginal ultrasound, 66 cases of myometrium cysts
      and cyst-like lesions have been discerned, where all were examined with
      endovaginal ultrasound using a multifrequency endocavitary probe having color
      Doppler capability. RESULTS: Adenomyosis uteri detected in 15 cases, invasive
      mole in 4 cases, congested arcuate veins in 20 cases, incidental cysts in 4
      cases, cystic degeneration of myoma in 3 cases, C-section scar cysts and cyst
      like lesions in 13 cases, interstitial ectopic pregnancy in 2 cases, incomplete
      abortion with congested myometrium vessels in 4 cases, and arteriovenous
      malformation in 1 case. The number of cases with cervical nabothian cysts was not
      considered since they were too frequent. CONCLUSION: Endosonography is an
      important tool in differentiating between the various diseases that are
      responsible for benign myometrium cysts and cyst-like lesions, which are all
      important since some of them are visualized as serious clinical situations and
      others turn out to be of little clinical significance.

PMID- 26261464
TI  - Evaluation with contrast ultrasound of the prevalence of splenic infarction in
      left-sided infective endocarditis.
AB  - PURPOSE: To prospectively evaluate the prevalence of the embolization of the
      spleen in patients with definite left-sided infective endocarditis (IE) using a
      contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). METHODS: From March 2012 through September
      2013, 18 consecutive patients (9 females and 9 males, aged 21-83 years) evaluated
      at our hospital and with definite left-sided IE according to the revised Duke
      criteria were enrolled. All of the patients gave informed written consent and the
      study was performed in conformity with the ethical guidelines of the Declaration
      of Helsinki. All of the patients were submitted to a CEUS of the spleen within 10
      days after the definite diagnosis of IE. For the CEUS, a blood pool second
      generation contrast agent and an ultrasound machine with a contrast harmonic
      imaging technology were used. RESULTS: The splenic CEUS showed infarctions in 11
      patients (61 %) and resulted positive in the 2 patients with negative
      echocardiography. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, CEUS of the spleen, a repeatable
      and low-cost imaging technique, easily allowed the bedside detection of
      asymptomatic and even tiny infarctions and showed a high rate of embolization in
      patients with definite left-sided IE. Therefore, in the setting of IE (possible
      or definite), CEUS of the spleen has the potential to better define or accelerate
      the diagnosis itself.

PMID- 26261465
TI  - Characterization of a murine model of cardiorenal syndrome type 1 by high
      resolution Doppler sonography.
AB  - ABSTRACT: Cardiorenal syndrome type 1 (CRS-1) is the acute kidney disfunction
      caused by an acute worsening of cardiac function. CRS-1 is the consequence of
      renal vasoconstriction secondary to renin-angiotensin system (RAS) activation. No
      animal models of CRS-1 are described in literature. PURPOSE: To characterize a
      murine model of CRS-1 by using a high-resolution ultrasound echo-color Doppler
      system (VEVO2100). MATERIALS: Post-ischemic heart failure was induced by coronary
      artery ligation (LAD) in seven CD1 mice. Fifteen and thirty days after surgery,
      mice underwent cardiac and renal echo-color Doppler. Serum creatinine and plasma
      renin activity were measured after killing. Animals were compared to seven CD1
      control mice. RESULTS: Heart failure with left ventricle dilatation (end
      diastolic area, p < 0.05 vs. controls) and significantly reduced ejection
      fraction (EF; p < 0.01 vs. controls) was evident 15 days after LAD. We measured a
      significant renal vasoconstriction in infarcted mice characterized by increased
      renal pulsatility index (PI; p < 0.05 vs. controls) associated to increased
      creatinine and renin levels (p < 0.05 vs. controls). CONCLUSIONS: The mice model
      of LAD is a good model of CRS-1 evaluable by Doppler sonography and characterized
      by renal vasoconstriction due to the activation of the renin-angiotensin system
      secondary to heart failure.

PMID- 26261466
TI  - The role of ultrasonography in the assessment of peri-prosthetic hip
      complications.
AB  - PURPOSE: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a widespread option for treating hip
      osteoarthritis. Peri-prosthetic complications after THA represent a common event
      influencing patient outcome and costs. The purpose of this paper is to report the
      use of ultrasonography (US) to detect peri-prosthetic complications in
      symptomatic patients who underwent THA. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the
      records of patients with THA who underwent imaging evaluation between January
      2009 and December 2012 at two different institutions. We evaluated the
      presence/absence of superficial and/or deep peri-prosthetic collections as well
      as the presence/absence of a cutaneous sinus tract. For patients who underwent
      both MRI and US, a concordance correlation analysis between US and MR findings
      was performed. RESULTS: In the reference period, 532 symptomatic patients (mean
      age +/- standard deviation 74 +/- 12 years) underwent X-ray and MRI examinations
      for suspected peri-prosthetic complications. Among them, 111 (20.9 %) underwent
      also US. Overall, 108 patients underwent both US and MRI. US findings included 67
      superficial collections, 48 subcutaneous fistulas, 74 deep peri-prosthetic
      collections. Twenty-four patients had solid, mass-like peri-prosthetic
      collections. In 11 patients, no peri-prosthetic complications were seen. MRI
      findings included 68 superficial collections, 49 subcutaneous fistulas, 79 deep
      peri-prosthetic collections. Twenty-four patients had solid, mass-like peri
      prosthetic collections. In four patients, no peri-prosthetic complications were
      seen. Concordance analysis between US and MRI findings showed almost perfect
      agreement (k >= 0.89). CONCLUSION: US is an efficient and practical imaging
      modality to evaluate peri-prosthetic complications in patients with THA, being
      almost comparable to MRI in detecting and characterizing these complications.

PMID- 26261467
TI  - Role of B-scan ocular ultrasound as an adjuvant for the clinical assessment of
      eyeball diseases: a pictorial essay.
AB  - We report our experience in B-mode ocular ultrasonography, focusing on its
      contribution when the clinical examination proves to be difficult, mainly due to
      the existence of intraocular opacities of the ocular fundus or diagnostic doubts.
      We revise the ocular ultrasound technique, its indications and contraindications,
      comparing to the other imaging techniques. In our experience ultrasonography
      revealed pathological findings which confirmed the clinical suspicion in most of
      cases or provide additional information. With understanding of the indications
      for ultrasonography and proper examination technique, one can gather a vast
      amount of information not possible with clinical examination alone. 

PMID- 26261468
TI  - Dynamic ultrasound with postural change facilitated the detection of an
      incisional hernia in a case with negative MRI findings.
AB  - Incisional hernias commonly develop after abdominal surgeries with a lower
      incidence in patients receiving laparoscopy. Diagnosis through a non-surgical
      approach is usually made by computed tomography or magnetic resonance images
      (MRI) but both image modalities require patients to be examined in a supine
      position. We reported a case noticing a mass over her right lower abdomen after a
      laparoscopic liver segmentectomy with negative findings of hernia on MRI. A
      hernia sac was found by ultrasound with the patient being standing, highlighting
      the utility of dynamic ultrasound with postural change in investigation of
      incisional hernias. 

PMID- 26261469
TI  - Ultrasound-guided aspiration and steroid injection of a posterior cruciate
      ligament ganglion cyst: report of a case.
AB  - Ganglion cysts are benign masses that originate from mucinous degeneration of the
      connective tissues and are quite rare when arising from the knee joint. Symptoms
      are often represented by pain, joint tenderness, effusion and occasional swelling
      with a palpable mass in the popliteal region of the knee. Percutaneous aspiration
      followed by a corticosteroid injection of a ganglion cyst has either a diagnostic
      or therapeutic meaning and its guidance through ultrasound allows the operator to
      make more accurate the procedure, ensuring the correct placement of the needle
      inside the lesion. We report our experience in the treatment of a voluminous
      ganglion cyst of the posterior cruciate ligament performed through the ultrasound
      guidance in a symptomatic young patient. 

PMID- 26261470
TI  - Systemic mastocytosis presenting with gastrointestinal, bone and skin
      involvement.
AB  - Ultrasonography (US) is often the first imaging study performed in patient with
      abdominal pain or vague symptoms related to the gastrointestinal tract. To this
      end, it has been demonstrated that transabdominal sonography achieves good to
      excellent results in potential bowel disorders; especially, if ultrasonography
      findings are framed in the context of clinical information. Systemic mastocytosis
      is not a common disease and it usually involves skin, gastrointestinal tract and
      bone. It results from a clonal neoplastic proliferation of abnormal mast cells
      and clinically it can ranges from 'asymptomatic' with normal life expectancy to
      'highly aggressive'. Symptoms are caused by the release of mast cells mediators,
      such as histamine, and by the increase bulk of mast cells in the tissue. We
      present herein a case of systemic mastocytosis presenting with abdominal
      symptomatology due to thickened colonic involvement showed by US associated with
      bone and skin involvement. 

PMID- 26261471
TI  - Lymphangioma of the small bowel mesentery in a 7-year-old girl: a report of a
      case investigated with ultrasonography, elastosonography and computed tomography.
AB  - PURPOSE: To describe the characteristics of lymphangioma reporting a pediatric
      case of small bowel mesentery location, showing ultrasound-elastosonographic and
      computed tomography findings. METHODS: A 7-year-old girl suffering from vomiting
      and abdominal pain underwent chest-abdomen radiography and abdomen ultrasound
      examination at our institution. These exams were repeated for 5 days after
      medical therapy and a computed tomography investigation was also performed.
      RESULTS: Abdominal ultrasound and computed tomography examinations revealed the
      presence of a heterogeneous mesenteric mass occupying the right hemiabdomen
      displacing small bowel loops. Moreover, the mass had an irregular vascularisation
      pattern on color-Doppler study and appeared mostly green colored, like soft
      tissues, on elastosonographic colorimetric map. The little patient underwent
      surgery with removal of both the mass and the close adherent ileal loop. Finally,
      anatomopathologic diagnosis of mesenteric lymphangioma was made. CONCLUSIONS:
      Although mesenteric lymphangioma is a rare disease that presents neither clinical
      nor imaging typical features requiring invasive procedure to be diagnosed,
      ultrasound-elastosonographic findings can suggest a benign condition and computed
      tomography scan is useful in order to plan surgery.

PMID- 26261472
TI  - Sepsis due to pyonephrosis: an adult with pelvic-ureteric junction obstruction
      (PUJO) in a duplex kidney.
AB  - We present the case of a 75-year-old woman with sepsis. She was evaluated with
      bedside ultrasound with a diagnosis of pyonephrosis, and subsequently underwent a
      TC scan that showed a pelvic-ureteric junction obstruction (PUJO) in a duplicated
      renal system. PUJO associated with duplex kidney, while relatively frequent in
      children, is a rare condition in adults, and may lead to severe complications as
      in this case. 

PMID- 26261473
TI  - Contrast sonographic appearance of sclerosing angiomatoid nodular transformation
      of the spleen.

PMID- 26261474
TI  - The value of superficial parts and endoanal ultrasonography in evaluating
      pilonidal disease and exclusion of perianal sepsis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Pilonidal disease is a benign anorectal inflammatory disease that
      involves the subcutaneous adipose tissue overlying the sacrococcygeal region. THE
      AIM OF THE WORK: The current study aimed to assess the value of preoperative
      evaluation of pilonidal disease and the exclusion of perianal sepsis using
      superficial parts ultrasonography and endoanal ultrasound. METHODOLOGY: Referred
      30 patients were clinically diagnosed as pilonidal disease, all were examined
      with superficial parts ultrasonography and if the disease was extending to the
      perianal region further endoanal US was performed to exclude perianal sepsis.
      RESULTS: 7 patients showed subcutaneous abscesses and 23 patients showed
      pilonidal sinus tracts. Among patients with pilonidal sinus tracts, six tracts
      (26 %) seen as superficially situated, short narrow tracts with straight course,
      no side branches and with a blind end situated away from the anal canal wall. 2
      (9 %) tracts showed vertical orientation and three tracts (13 %) were wide and
      deeply situated reaching the presacral fascia. 7 cases (30 %) showed branching
      pilonidal sinus tracts, two cases of them showed more than one external opening.
      5 patients (22 %) showed abnormally long tracts seen reaching the perianal
      region. CONCLUSION: Ultrasonography is an available, inexpensive, safe imaging
      modality that yields a high degree of accuracy in evaluating pilonidal disease
      and in exclusion of perianal sepsis.

PMID- 26261475
TI  - Knee bursitis: a sonographic evaluation.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of ultrasound for the diagnosis of knee bursitis.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: One-hundred and fifty-eight patients who, from May 2013 to
      May 2014, had an ultrasound examination of the knee and magnetic resonance
      imaging (MRI) of the knee during the following month were eligible for the study.
      The exams were reviewed by two musculoskeletal radiologists with 20 years of
      experience. RESULTS: Of these patients, 15 (7 men, 8 women) had bursitis, while
      143 (76 men, 67 women) had no bursitis. In evaluating knee bursitis, US, when
      compared to MRI, correctly identified 13 out of 15 cases of bursitis, showing a
      sensitivity of 86.67 %, specificity 100 %, and K index of 0.92. Particularly in
      the suprapatellar bursa, ultrasound showed bursitis in 5 cases versus 7 by MRI
      (sensitivity of 71.4 %, specificity of 100 %, and K index of 0.82). CONCLUSION:
      Ultrasound can be used as a valuable tool for the evaluation of bursitis of the
      superficial bursae in patients who cannot undergo MRI.

PMID- 26261476
TI  - Migration of calcium deposits into subacromial-subdeltoid bursa and into humeral
      head as a rare complication of calcifying tendinitis: sonography and imaging.
AB  - Calcifying tendinitis of the shoulder is a common condition characterized by the
      deposition of calcium, predominantly hydroxyapatite crystals, in the rotator
      cuff. A rare complication of this condition is the migration of calcium deposits
      from tendons, usually the supraspinatus, into the subacromial-subdeltoid bursa or
      into the humeral greater tuberosity. These complications are responsible for
      intense acute shoulder pain and functional disability. Patient anamnesis and
      clinical symptoms must be considered to make the diagnosis, but imaging,
      particularly sonography, is often necessary, showing a typical presentation
      related to the locations of calcium deposits. We present sonographic and other
      imaging features of subacromial-subdeltoid bursitis and humeral osteitis related
      to the migration of calcium. 

PMID- 26261478
TI  - Association between HSD17B1 rs605059 polymorphisms and the risk of uterine
      diseases: a systemic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - The aim of this study was to evaluate the HSD17B1 gene polymorphisms in the risks
      of endometrial cancer, endometriosis and uterine leiomyoma by meta-analysis. A
      comprehensive electronic search was conducted in PubMed, Medline (Ovid), Embase,
      Weipu, Wanfang and CNKI. The pooled ORs were performed using the Revman 5.2
      softerware. 8 case-control studies were included: 3 were about endometrial
      cancer, 4 were about endometriosis and 1 was about uterine leiomyoma. The result
      showed no significant association between HSD17B1 rs605059 gene polymorphisms and
      risks of endometrial cancer (AA vs. AG+GG: OR = 1.11, 95% CI = 0.94-1.32; AA+AG
      vs. GG: OR = 1.79, 95% CI = 0.42-7.52; AG vs. AA+ GG: OR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.76
      1.00; AA vs. GG: OR = 1.43, 95% CI = 0.62-3.30; A vs. G: OR = 1.00, 95% CI = 0.91
      1.11) or endometriosis (AA vs. AG+GG: OR = 0.99, 95% CI = 0.75-1.32; AA+AG vs.
      GG: OR = 1.73, 95% CI = 0.92-3.25; AG vs. AA+ GG: OR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.00-1.53;
      AA vs. GG: OR = 1.54, 95% CI = 0.79-2.97; A vs. G: OR = 1.23, 95% CI = 0.90
      1.68). No association was found in a subgroup analysis based on Asian ethnicity
      for endometriosis. This meta-analysis suggested that HSD17B1 rs605059
      polymorphisms were not associated with the risks of endometrial cancer and
      endometriosis. Further studies are needed to validate the conclusion and clarify
      the relationship between HSD17B1 rs605059 polymorphisms and the risk of uterine
      leiomyoma.

PMID- 26261479
TI  - Protective effect of curcumin against experimentally induced aflatoxicosis on the
      renal cortex of adult male albino rats: a histological and immunohisochemical
      study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Aflatoxin contamination of foods is a worldwide problem. Chronic
      aflatoxin exposure is associated with kidney damage. Curcumin is a herbal agent,
      used in medicine with a wide range of beneficial therapeutic effects. OBJECTIVE:
      to evaluate the effect of curcumin against experimentally induced aflatoxicosis
      on the renal cortex of adult male albino rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty adult
      male rats were included and they were divided equally into 4 groups (10 rats
      each): Group I (control group), group II (Curcumin group): The rats received
      curcumin (200 mg/kg b.w.) orally by gastric tube for 5 days/week, group III
      (Aflatoxin B1 group): The rats received aflatoxin B1 (250 MUg/kg b.w./day) orally
      by gastric tube 5 days/week for 4 weeks, group IV (Aflatoxin B1 and Curcumin
      group): The rats received aflatoxin and curcumin orally by gastric tube 5
      days/week for 4 weeks. Kidney specimens were prepared and sections were stained
      with hematoxylin and eosin, Masson's trichrome, Periodic acid Schiff,
      immunohistochemical detection of desmin and Bcl2. RESULTS: The tubules of group
      III showed degenerative and necrotic changes with disruption of basal lamina.
      There was a significant decrease Bcl2 expression in the tubules, but the
      glomeruli showed an enlargement with dilation of their capillaries lumina in some
      areas, while the other areas showed glomerular atrophy with obliteration of their
      capillaries lumina. There was a significant increase in desmin expression in the
      glomerular cells. The interstitium showed hemorrhage and cellular infiltration.
      Group IV showed improvement of the histological and immunohistochemical changes
      described before. CONCLUSION: Aflatoxin B1 has deleterious effects of on the
      histological structure of the rat's renal cortex and curcumin minimized these
      effects as it has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic activities. We
      advise eating nutritious diets that contain sufficient amounts of curcumin and
      regulation must implement to avoid the presence of aflatoxins in high
      concentrations in human food.

PMID- 26261480
TI  - Immunohistochemical phenotype and molecular pathological characteristics of
      metanephric adenoma.
AB  - To assess the clinicopathological, immunohistochemical and molecular features of
      metanephric adenoma (MA). Clinicopathologic data were obtained for 5 cases of MA
      with follow-up information. Specimens from these patients were stained by HE and
      immunohistochemistry for the detection of WT1, vimentin, S-100 protein, CK7,
      P504s, CD10 and renal cell carcinoma marker (RCC). Fluorescence in situ
      hybridization (FISH) was performed on 4 tumors. The patients included 1 male and
      4 females, aged from 30 to 49 (mean=39) years. Tumor diameters ranged from 3 to
      5.5 cm. Histologically, the tumors had tubular, papillary, or glomeruloid
      architectures, and were composed of cells with uniform and round nuclei,
      inconspicuous nucleoli, and high ratio of nucleus to cytoplasm. Nuclear
      polymorphism and mitotic figures were not observed. Immunohistochemically, they
      expressed WT1 (5/5), vimentin (5/5), S-100 (4/5), CK7 (2/5), P504s (2/5), and
      CD10 (1/5) and not RCC. FISH study was carried out on 4 metanephric adenoma
      cases, and no abnormalities were observed in chromosomes 3, 7, 17, and P16 gene
      of chromosomes 9. MA is an uncommon renal tumor. Its diagnosis depends on
      morphological, immunohistochemical and molecular features. 

PMID- 26261482
TI  - delta-Cadinene inhibits the growth of ovarian cancer cells via caspase-dependent
      apoptosis and cell cycle arrest.
AB  - Ovarian cancer is one of the most common causes of mortality among all cancers in
      females and is the primary cause of mortality from gynecological malignancies.
      The objective of the current research work was to evaluate a naturally occurring
      sesquiterpene-delta-Cadinene for its antiproliferative and apoptotic effects on
      human ovary cancer (OVCAR-3) cells. We also demonstrated the effect of delta
      Cadinene on cell cycle phase distribution, intracellular damage and caspase
      activation. Sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay was used to evaluate the
      antiproliferative effect of delta-cadinene on OVCAR-3 cells. Cellular morphology
      after delta-cadinene treatment was demonstrated by inverted phase contrast
      microscopy, fluorescence microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Flow
      cytometry was used to analyze the effect of delta-cadinene on cell cycle phase
      distribution and apoptosis using propidium iodide and Annexin V-fluorescein
      isothiocyanate (FITC)/PI kit. The results revealed that delta-cadinene induced
      dose-dependent as well as time-dependent growth inhibitory effects on OVACR-3
      cell line. delta-cadinene also induced cell shrinkage, chromatin condensation and
      nuclear membrane rupture which are characteristic of apoptosis. Treatment with
      different doses of delta-cadinene also led to cell cycle arrest in sub-G1 phase
      which showed dose-dependence. Western blotting assay revealed that delta-cadinene
      led to activation of caspases in OVCAR-3 cancer cells. PARP cleavage was noticed
      at 50 uM dose of delta-cadinene with the advent of the cleaved 85-kDa fragment
      after exposure to delta-cadinene. At 100 uM, only the cleaved form of PARP was
      detectable. Pro-caspase-8 expression remained unaltered until 10 uM dose of delta
      cadinene. However, at 50 and 100 uM dose, pro-caspase-8 expression was no longer
      detectable. There was a significant increase in the caspase-9 expression levels
      after 50 and 100 uM delta-cadinene treatments.

PMID- 26261481
TI  - Curcumin inhibits cell proliferation and promotes apoptosis in human
      osteoclastoma cell through MMP-9, NF-kappaB and JNK signaling pathways.
AB  - Curcumin is a polyphenol compound extracted from ginger plant, turmeric, commonly
      used in a variety of food coloring and flavoring additives. Curcumin has many
      effects such as anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, antioxidant and anti-microbial
      effects. However, the mechanism underlying the anti-cancer effect of curcumin on
      human osteoclastoma (Giant cell tumor, GCT) cells remains unclear. The objectives
      of this study were to determine the efficacy of curcumin on proliferation and
      apoptosis of GCT cells and its related mechanisms. In our study, cell viability,
      cellular apoptosis and caspase-3 activity of GCT cells were analyzed using 3.3
      (4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, flow
      cytometry (FCM) assay and commercial kits, respectively. Next, MMP-9 gene
      expression quantity, NF-kappaB activity and JNK protein expression of GCT cells
      were tested with real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), commercial kits
      and western blotting assay, respectively. Firstly, MMP-9, NF-kappaB and JNK
      inhibitors were added into GCT cells and which was researched the mechanism of
      curcumin on human GCT cells. In this study, the efficacy of curcumin reduced cell
      viability, induced cellular apoptosis and increased caspase-3 activity of GCT
      cells. Furthermore, curcumin inhibited the MMP-9 gene expression quantity and NF
      kappaB activity, and activated JNK protein expression in GCT cells. Meanwhile,
      down-regulation of MMP-9 gene expression quantity and NF-kappaB activity could
      promote the anti-cancer effect of curcumin on cell viability of GCT cells.
      Interesting, down-regulation of JNK protein expression could also reversed the
      anti-cancer effect of curcumin on cell viability of GCT cells. Taken together,
      our results suggest that curcumin inhibits cell proliferation and promotes
      apoptosis in osteoclastoma cell through suppression of MMP-9 and NF-kappaB, and
      activation JNK signaling pathways. 

PMID- 26261483
TI  - Effect of antisense microRNA targeting survivin on rectal cancer HRC-9698 cells
      and its mechanism.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Rectal cancer seriously threats to human health. Traditional
      chemotherapy drugs might kill rectal cancer cells while easy cause side effects
      and clinical complications. Therefore, it is necessary to explore possible new
      methods for rectal cancer treatment. Survivin is an important tumor-specific
      protein. Previous researches showed it may be closely related to nasopharyngeal
      carcinoma. Its role in rectal cancer remains unclear. METHODS: Cultivate human
      rectal cancer HRC-9698 cells. Antisense microRNA targeting survivin and control
      miRNA were constructed and transfected to HRC-9698 cells. MTT assay was applied
      to detect cell growth. Flow cytometry was used to test cell apoptosis. Western
      blot was performed to detect Osteopontin expression level. Colony formation and
      transwell assay were used to test cell clone formation and invasion abilities.
      RESULTS: Antisense microRNA targeting survivin can inhibit HRC-9698 cell
      proliferation and induce its apoptosis. Antisense microRNA targeting survivin
      decreased osteopontin expression level. Overexpressed osteopontin inhibited
      antisense microRNA targeting survivin induced cell apoptosis. Antisense microRNA
      targeting survivin suppressed HRC-9698 cells' colony formation and invasion
      abilities. CONCLUSION: Antisense microRNA targeting survivin induced osteopontin
      participated HRC-9698 cell apoptosis. Antisense microRNA targeting survivin
      inhibited HRC-9698 cell colony formation and invasive abilities, indicating that
      survivin may play its anti-tumor effect through inducing cell apoptosis and
      inhibiting cell metastasis and invasion.

PMID- 26261484
TI  - Upregulated expression of CD30 protein in sclerosing angiomatoid nodular
      transformation (SANT): studies of additional 4 cases and analyses of 6 cases
      previously published cases.
AB  - Sclerosing angiomatoid nodular transformation (SANT) of spleen is a benign lesion
      with a distinct morphological and immunohisochemical characteristics. Only
      Weinred I et al (Virchow Arch 451: 73-9, 2007) reported 6 cases of SANT
      expressing CD30, of which positive for EBV by in situ hybridization (EBER). 4
      cases of SANT were added to investigate the clinicopathological features and
      focused on the expression of CD30 and EBER combined with the previously published
      literature. Histologically, individual angiomatoid nodules were sharply
      delineated by fibrocollagenous stroma with numerous vascular lumens and
      surrounded by a different population of spindle and ovoid cells. Angiomatoid
      nodules of all of the 4 cases heterogeneously expressed CD34, CD8, CD68 and
      diffusely demonstrated CD31 and CD30, but none were positive for EBER. We added
      these cases with reviewed literature to emphasize and verify the fact that
      upregulated expression of CD30 in SANT is quite common, which should be taken
      into consideration when making differential diagnosis.

PMID- 26261485
TI  - Expression of DNA damage checkpoint 53BP1 is correlated with prognosis, cell
      proliferation and apoptosis in colorectal cancer.
AB  - 53BP1, an important mediator of DNA damage checkpoint, plays an essential role in
      maintaining the cell genome stability, and the aberrant expression of 53BP1 was
      found to contribute to tumor occurrence and development. In this study, we
      explored the clinical significance of 53BP1 expression in colorectal cancer and
      investigated the effects of 53BP1 expression on tumor cell proliferation and
      apoptosis and its possible mechanisms. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed
      to detect the expression of 53BP1 in 95 cases of tumor tissues. After
      establishment of shRNA-mediated knockdown stable HCT-116 cell lines, cell
      proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle distribution were detected by MTT and
      flow cytometry, and expression of up-and down-steam related proteins as gamma
      H2AX, CHK2 and P53 were tested by Western blot. 53BP1 intensity was found to be
      associated with tumor location (P < 0.05), and the low expression of 53BP1
      revealed decreased survival time compared with high expression in subgroups as
      male, tumor size > 5 cm, tumor located at right side, T stage as T3-T4, N0,
      clinical stage as I-II (P < 0.05). In vitro, shRNA-mediated loss of 53BP1
      obviously inhibited HCT-116 tumor cell apoptosis, promoted cell proliferation and
      increased accumulation of cells in S phase. Meanwhile, the expression of gamma
      H2AX, CHK2 and P53 was significantly reduced (P < 0.05). Our findings suggest
      53BP1 may serve as a candidate biomarker for predicting prognosis and disease
      development in colorectal cancer.

PMID- 26261486
TI  - Astaxanthin improves cognitive deficits from oxidative stress, nitric oxide
      synthase and inflammation through upregulation of PI3K/Akt in diabetes rat.
AB  - Diabetes-induced cognitive deficit (DICD) is a prevalent disease with substantial
      morbidity and mortality and as a global health problem with serious economic
      burdens. Astaxanthin (AST) has a good prospect in production of nutritional,
      medical, and particularly functional health drug. The present study was aimed to
      study the effect of AST on DICD in diabetes mellitus (DM) rat through suppression
      of oxidative stress, nitric oxide synthase (NOS) pathway, inflammatory reaction
      and upregulation of PI3K/Akt. In the study, Morris water maze teat was used to
      detect the cognitive function of DM rat. Afterwards, we measured the body weight
      and blood glucose levels of DM rats. Then, oxidative stress, the activities of
      eNOS and iNOS, and inflammatory factors were analyzed using a commercial kit in
      cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Finally, the caspase-3/9 and phosphoinositide 3
      kinase (PI3K)/Akt expressions were also checkout with Real Time PCR and
      immunoblotting, respectively. In this experiment, AST could availably enhance the
      body weight and reduce blood glucose levels of DM rats. Moreover, AST could
      observably perfect cognitive function of DM rat. Next, the activities of
      oxidative stress, nitric oxide synthase and inflammation were distinctly
      diminution in DM rat, after the treatment of AST. Furthermore, our present
      results demonstrated that AST had the protective effect on the brain cell of DM
      rat, decreased the caspase-3/9 expression and promoted the expression of PI3K/Akt
      in cerebral cortex and hippocampus. 

PMID- 26261487
TI  - Overexpression of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) protein in astrocytic tumour
      and its correlation with O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT)
      expression.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The relationship between DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) and O6
      methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) in mediating tumorigenesis is still
      poorly understood. This study was carried out to investigate a correlation
      between DNMT1 and MGMT immunoexpression in astrocytic tumour samples. METHODS:
      Formalin-fixed paraffin embedded tissues of astrocytic tumour patients was
      obtained from an observational study conducted in Hospital Universiti Sains
      Malaysia (USM), which was performed from January 1997 until May 2012. Patient's
      histological information was retrieved from the accessible Pathology Registry.
      Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining was performed to assess DNMT1 and MGMT
      expressions in patients' tumours. RESULTS: Our data showed that DNMT1 was highly
      expressed in high grade astrocytic tumours. A multiple regression analysis
      demonstrated a significant association of DNMT1 overexpression with tumour grade
      III and IV (GIII: OR=5.802; 95% CI: 1.059, 31.785; p value=0.043; GIV: OR=40.663;
      95% CI=4.069, 406.347; p value=0.002). The MGMT protein was downregulated in
      tumours with higher grade as evident by a reduction mean H-score for MGMT
      expression from GI to GIV [28.36 +/- 43.88, 28.08 +/- 33.67, 26.00 +/- 48.70 and
      16.20 +/- 35.61]. However, a good negative correlation was observed between DNMT1
      and MGMT in high grade tumour [Spearman correlation test: r=-0.561, p value <=
      0.001 in percentage expression and r=-0.576, p value <= 0.001 in H score].
      CONCLUSION: DNMT1 overexpression was seen correlated with a reduction of MGMT
      protein expression in high grade astrocytic tumour. Understanding the role of
      these markers could be important to overcome astrocytic tumour aggresiveness.

PMID- 26261488
TI  - Knockdown of microRNA-127 reverses adriamycin resistance via cell cycle arrest
      and apoptosis sensitization in adriamycin-resistant human glioma cells.
AB  - The aim of this study was to investigate signaling pathways for reversal of
      microRNA-127-mediated multi-drug resistance (MDR) in gliomas cells. Adriamycin
      resistant glioma cell lines U251/adr and U87-MG/adr were established and we found
      that anti-microRNA-127 markedly reduced microRNA-127 expression levels in a time
      dependent manner, leading to distinct inhibition of cell proliferation and
      increased apoptosis and the content of intracellular Rh123. Silencing of microRNA
      127 significantly increased the sensitivity of U251/ADR and U87-MG/adr cells to
      adriamycin, compared to cells transfected with negative control siRNA. Silencing
      of microRNA-127 also significantly reduced the mRNA and protein expression levels
      of MDR1 and MRP1, which are major ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter linked
      to multi-drug resistance in cancer cells. And Runx2, p53, bcl-2 and survivin,
      which are important role in cell apoptosis, also markedly changed after microRNA
      127 silencing. In addition, down-regulating microRNA-127 decreased the level of
      phosphorylated-Akt. Our data indicate that down-regulation of micorRNA-127 can
      trigger apoptosis and overcome drug resistance of gliomas cells. Therefore, this
      resistance of adriamycin in gliomas can be cancelled by silencing expression of
      microRNA-127.

PMID- 26261489
TI  - Canine model of crush syndrome established by a digital crush injury device
      platform.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To establish a canine model of crush syndrome (CS). METHODS: A total
      of 16 healthy adult female Beagle dogs were randomly divided into the control
      group (n=8) and the experimental group (n=8). The crush injury was created in the
      left hind leg of each dog in the experimental group. RESULTS: The biochemical
      indexes in the experimental group changed significantly compared to the values
      before extrusion. And they were also significantly different from the values of
      the control group. The glomerular capillary dilation, renal tubular epithelial
      cell degeneration, and renal interstitial lymphocytic infiltration were found in
      the kidneys. CONCLUSION: The canine CS model established by the digital crush
      injury device platform was successful according with the diagnosis of CS. It is
      good for the investigation of the CS mechanism and treatment using this model.

PMID- 26261490
TI  - Effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on the increasing the incidence
      of colonic anastomosis in rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Anastomotic leakage is one of serious complications of colorectal
      surgery. Research is inconsistent about whether non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
      drugs influence the healing of colorectal anastomoses and increase the incidence
      of anastomotic leakage. OBJECTIVE: To study the influence of NSAIDs on the
      healing of rat colonic anastomoses. DESIGN: This was an animal randomized-control
      trial. This study was approved by the ethical committee of Yangpu Hospital,
      Tongji University. INTERVENTION: 90 healthy Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly
      divided into 6 groups of 15 rats/group. Trail was performed in C (cotrol group)
      with no drugs, group M with morphine for analgesia, group F with flurbiprofen
      axeil, group L with lornoxicam, and group P with parecoxib sodium. MAIN OUTCOME
      MEASURES: The main outcomes measures were serological indexes including vascular
      endothelial growth factor, prostaglandin E2, hydroxyproline, and C reactive
      protein; histological specimens from the anastomotic stoma tissue including the
      collagen proportion, and hydroxyproline, cycloxygenase-2, and vascular
      endothelial growth factor content; physical indicators, including stoma fracture
      pressure, fracture strength and anastomotic leakage. RESULTS: No significant
      difference was observed among the indices of each group (P > 0.05). A significant
      difference occurred after operation (P < 0.05), with the data for groups K and M
      being dramatically higher than those for group F. LIMITATION: The study was
      nonblinded. CONCLUSION: The postoperative usages of non-steroidal anti
      inflammatory drugs can decrease the strength of anastomotic tissue, and increase
      the incidence of anastomotic leakage.

PMID- 26261491
TI  - Identification and analysis of exosomes secreted from macrophages extracted by
      different methods.
AB  - Exosomes were small vesicles secreted by many cells, and they can play an
      important role in cell signal transductions. Because the diameter of exosomes is
      about 30-100 nm, it is so difficult to collection them. In this paper, three
      kinds of exosomes purifying methods (density gradient ultracentrifugation method,
      the ultracentrifugation and ultrafiltration method, ExoQuickTM Extraction kit
      method) were used to collected exosomes in culture supernatants of macrophages.
      The morphologies of three kinds of exosomes were analyzed by transmission
      electron microscopy (TEM), and the characteristic molecules such as CD86, LAMP-1,
      HSP-70 on exosomes were analyzed with Western blot. In addition, the biological
      activities of exosomes purified by three kinds of methods in vitro were analyzed
      by ELISA and flow cytometry methods. All experimental results show that the
      purity and quality of exosomes collected by ExoQuickTM extraction kit and
      ultracentrifugation and ultrafiltration method were better, and they could
      enhance the expression of MHC-I in macrophages and promote cells to secrete more
      TNF-alpha to cause inflammatory response of macrophages. The analysis pointed out
      that the advantages and disadvantages of the three methods by biological
      activities or components of exosomes. Therefore, the ultracentrifugation and
      ultrafiltration method or the ExoQuickTM Extraction kit method were more suitable
      to be applied in the scientific research. 

PMID- 26261492
TI  - Increased erbB3 promotes erbB2/neu-driven mammary tumor proliferation and co
      targeting of erbB2/erbB3 receptors exhibits potent inhibitory effects on breast
      cancer cells.
AB  - The kinase deficient erbB3 receptor frequently co-expresses and interacts with
      erbB2 in human breast cancer to activate the oncogenic signaling pathways, and
      thus promote breast cancer cell survival/proliferation. In the current study, we
      discovered that the expression of endogenous mouse erbB3 was increased in the
      mammary tumors-derived from wild type (wt) rat erbB2/neu-transgenic mice, and the
      co-expression of erbB2 and erbB3 significantly promoted mammary tumor
      proliferation in vivo. Co-immunoprecipitation assays detected a heterodimeric
      complex consisting of the transgene encoded protein rat erbB2 and the endogenous
      mouse erbB3 in the mammary tumors. Specific knockdown of mouse erbB3 dramatically
      inhibited proliferation of the mammary tumor cell lines-derived from the
      transgenic mice. Elevated expression of erbB3 protein, but not mRNA, was abserved
      in human breast cancer cells upon ectopic expression of erbB2. Additional studies
      revealed that overexpression of erbB2 downregulated three erbB3-targeting miRNAs,
      miR-125a, miR-125b, and miR-205, whereas the erbB2 kinase inhibitor (lapatinib)
      significantly enhanced expression of the three miRNAs in breast cancer cells,
      suggesting that erbB2 might regulate erbB3 expression through a miRNA-dependent
      mechanism. Furthermore, an anti-erbB3 monoclonal IgG1 antibody (Ab) in
      combination with Herceptin mainly inactivated Akt and significantly inhibited
      proliferation of erbB2-overexpressing breast cancer cells. Collectively, our data
      indicate that increased expression of erbB3 plays a pivotal role in activating
      downstream PI-3K/Akt pathway and promoting erbB2-driven mammary/breast
      tumorigenesis. Simultaneous targeting of erbB2 and erbB3 with two IgG1 Abs may be
      an effective strategy to treat breast cancer patients whose tumors overexpress
      both erbB2 and erbB3.

PMID- 26261493
TI  - Synergistic effects of snail and quercetin on renal cell carcinoma Caki-2 by
      altering AKT/mTOR/ERK1/2 signaling pathways.
AB  - Renal cell carcinoma has become the most common subtype of kidney cancer, and has
      the highest propensity to manifest as metastatic disease. Because of lack of
      knowledge in events that correlated with tumor cell migration and invasion, few
      therapeutic options are available. Therefore, in current study, we explore the
      anti-tumoral effect of a potential chemopreventive natural product, quercetin,
      combined with anti-sense oligo gene therapy (inhibiting Snail gene). We found
      that either one of them had the remarkable effects in suppressing cell
      proliferation and migration, inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in a ccRCC
      cell line, Caki-2 cells. The combination of both means provides even strong
      suppressive effects toward these ccRCC cells. Our study, for the first time,
      provides the possibility of using a novel treatment for renal cancer, by
      combining natural product and gene therapy.

PMID- 26261494
TI  - Effects of Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharide on the osteogenic differentiation
      of bone mesenchymal stem cells in mice.
AB  - Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharide (PSP) is a traditional Chinese medicine and
      is widely used to treat many diseases for hundreds of years conventionally. This
      study was to access the effects of PSP on the osteogenic differentiation of bone
      marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in the mice. Cells collected from BALB/C
      mice in the bone marrow were isolated and cultured with osteogenic medium (OM)
      with different concentrations of PSP. The proliferation and morphological changes
      of BMSCs were observed using an inverted microscope. Flow cytometric analysis was
      used to identify the BMSCs. MTT test was performed to analyze the proliferation
      and viability of the cells. ELISA was used to determine the expression levels of
      alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin (OC), N-terminal propeptide of type I
      procollagen (PINP) and bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2). Immunocytochemistry
      and western blot were respectively used to determine the expressions of bone
      sialoprotein (BSP) and SPARC/osteonectin (OSN). The growth curves of the
      proliferation and differentiation of the Control, OM, 17beta-E2 and PSP groups
      were increased. Compared to the Control and OM groups, the expression levels of
      ALP, OC, PINP and BMP-2 were significantly increased in the PSP induced group
      (P<0.05). Immunocytochemistry and western blot showed that BSP and SPARC were
      increased after induction of PSP compared to the OM group (P<0.05). The study
      demonstrates that PSP promotes the proliferation and enhances the viability of
      BMSCs during osteogenic differentiation. Therefore, PSP may be a potential
      treatment of osteoporosis in the clinic. 

PMID- 26261495
TI  - Alternative splicing of NUMB, APP and VEGFA as the features of pancreatic ductal
      carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most common form of
      malignancy in pancreatic carcinoma. Here we report our discovery on the
      correlations between transcriptional alternative splicing (AS) of NUMB, APP,
      VEGFA and PDAC in patients. METHODS: The expression of NUMB, APP, VEGFA from
      patient samples was determined by qRT-PCR. AS of these genes was examined through
      laser induced fluorescence capillary electrophoresis. Correlation between the AS
      of the genes and results from clinical laboratory examinations were analyzed.
      Expression of NOTHC1 and NOTCH4 as downstream target genes was examined by qRT
      PCR and Western blot. RESULTS: Quantitative results indicated that expression of
      NUMB was significantly lower in tumor tissues (TT) than in para-tumor tissues
      (TP) (P<0.05), while APP (P<0.01) and VEGFA (P<0.05) were significantly higher.
      AS transcript percentage of NUMB PRR(S) was lower in TT than TP (P<0.05). AS
      transcript percentage of VEGFA (105+185) was significantly lower in TT than TP
      (P<0.05) compared to higher expression of VEGFA (206+338) (P<0.05). Regression
      analysis indicated that AS transcript of NUMB PRR(L) correlated with tumor size
      (P<0.01), while AS transcripts of APP and VEGFA correlated with results of
      laboratory examinations. To reveal the correlation between AS and its downstream
      targets, NOTCH1 and NOTCH4 were selected as NUMB gene targets and detected to be
      significantly higher in TT than TP (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Alternative splicing of
      APP, VEGFA and NUMB may play an important role in pathogenesis of pancreatic
      ductal adenocarcinoma. Among the 3 genes, PRR(L) form of NUMB gene is highly
      expressed in TT and positively correlated with tumor size, while PRR(S) is
      lacking in TT and negatively correlated with NOTCH expression suggesting that
      PRR(S) might be protective in tumorogenesis and shows NOTCH pathway down
      regulation ability.

PMID- 26261496
TI  - Characterization of the B cell response to Leishmania infection after anti-CD20 B
      cell depletion.
AB  - Anti-CD20 depletion therapies targeting B cells are commonly used in malignant B
      cell disease and autoimmune diseases. There are concerns about the ability of B
      cells to respond to infectious diseases acquired either before or after B cell
      depletion. There is evidence that the B cell response to existing or acquired
      viral infections is compromised during treatment, as well as the antibody
      response to vaccination. Our laboratory has an experimental system using co
      infection of C3H mice with both Leishmania major and Leishmania amazonensis that
      suggests that the B cell response is important to healing infected mice. We
      tested if anti-CD20 treatment would completely restrict the B cell response to
      these intracellular pathogens. Infected mice that received anti-CD20 B cell
      depletion therapy had a significant decrease in CD19(+) cells within their lymph
      nodes and spleens. However, splenic B cells were detected in depleted mice and an
      antigen-specific antibody response was produced. These results indicate that an
      antigen-specific B cell response towards intracellular pathogens can be generated
      during anti-CD20 depletion therapy. 

PMID- 26261497
TI  - Piperine mediates LPS induced inflammatory and catabolic effects in rat
      intervertebral disc.
AB  - Piperine is an exact of the active phenolic component from Black pepper. It has
      been reported to have many biological activities including anti-oxidant, anti
      inflammatory and anti-tumor effects. Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a
      degenerative disease closely relate to inflammation of nucleus pulposus (NP)
      cells. This study aimed to assess the anti-inflammatory and anti-catabolic
      effects of piperine in rat intervertebral disc using in vitro and ex vivo
      analyzes. We demonstrated that piperine could inhibit LPS induced expression and
      production of inflammatory factors and catabolic proteases in NP cells culture
      model. It significantly inhibited multiple inflammatory factors and oxidative
      stress-associated genes (IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, IL-6, iNOS), MMPs (MMP-3, MMP-13),
      ADAMTS (ADAMTS-4, ADAMTS-5) mRNA expression and NO production in a concentration
      dependent manner. Moreover, piperine could reverse the LPS-induced inhibition of
      gene expression of aggrecan and collagen-II. Histologic and dimethylmethylene
      blue analysis indicated piperine could also against LPS induced proteoglycan (PG)
      depletion in a rat intervertebral disc culture model. Western blot results showed
      that piperine inhibited the LPS-mediated phosphorylation of JNK and activation of
      NF-kappaB. Finally, our results demonstrated the ability of piperine to
      antagonize LPS-mediated inflammation of NP cells and suppression of PG in rat
      intervertebral disc, suggesting a potential agent for treatment of IDD in future.

PMID- 26261498
TI  - Mannose prevents acute lung injury through mannose receptor pathway and
      contributes to regulate PPARgamma and TGF-beta1 level.
AB  - Mannose has been reported to prevent acute lung injury (ALI), and mannose
      receptor (MR) has been demonstrated to have a role. The rationale for this study
      is to characterize the mechanism by which mannose and MR prevent
      lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI. Male ICR mice were pretreated mannose by
      intravenous injection 5 min before and 3 h after intratracheal instillation of
      LPS. Pathological changes, proinflammatory mediator, peroxisome proliferator
      activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma), MR, and transforming growth factor beta1
      (TGF-beta1) levels were determined. The RAW264.7 cells were pretreated with
      mannose and stimulated with LPS for 3 h. Proinflammatory mediator and TGF-beta1
      in the culture media, PPARgamma, MR, and TGF-beta1 expression in RAW 264.7 cells
      were measured. Mannose markedly attenuated the LPS-induced histological
      alterations and inhibited the production of proinflammatory mediator in mice and
      in RAW 264.7 cells. Mannose increased PPARgamma and MR expression, and inhibited
      TGF-beta1 stimulated by LPS. Interestingly, competitive inhibition of MR with
      mannan was associated with elimination of the anti-inflammatory effects of
      mannose, and reversed effects of mannose of regulation to PPARgamma and TGF
      beta1. MR is important in increasing PPARgamma and decreasing TGF-beta1
      expression and plays a critical role in mannose's protection against ALI.

PMID- 26261499
TI  - Histological characteristics following a long-term nitrate-rich diet in miniature
      pigs with parotid atrophy.
AB  - The aim of this study was to investigate the histological characteristics
      following a 2-year nitrate-rich diet in miniature pigs with parotid atrophy.
      Using averages collected data from three time points at 6, 12, and 24 months
      following the induction of parotid gland atrophy, salivary nitrate levels of the
      nitrate-diet parotid-atrophied group (17.3 +/- 3.9 ng/ul) were close to those of
      the control group (19.6 +/- 5.1 ng/ul). Compared to the control group, the
      nitrate-diet group had significantly higher nitrate levels in blood (P < 0.05)
      and urine (P < 0.001). Histological and electron microscopy analyses showed no
      abnormalities in the organs of experimental or control animals. No significant
      differences on apoptosis rate were found in liver and kidney tissues between the
      standard- and nitrate-diet groups. Therefore, dietary nitrate supplementation
      could restore salivary nitrate levels. High-dose nitrate loading for 2 years had
      no observed systemic toxicity in miniature pigs with parotid atrophy.

PMID- 26261500
TI  - LncRNA-AP001631.9 promotes cell migration in gastric cancer.
AB  - Recently, an increasing number of reports have revealed that long non-coding RNAs
      (LncRNAs) play important roles in a variety of aspects of cell activity, and
      their aberrant expression is closely associated with multigenetic diseases,
      including carcinoma. In the present study, through microarray analysis, we
      screened out a new LncRNA (LncRNA-AP001631.9), which was regulated by FOXM1, a
      well-known carcinogenetic factor and aimed to reveal the functional roles of this
      novel LncRNA in gastric cancer development. The data from qRT-PCR confirmed that
      the expression level of LncRNA-AP001631.9 was positively correlated with that of
      FOXM1. The transwell and wound healing assays indicated that LncRNA-AP001631.9
      was required for the migration of gastric cancer cells. The downregulation of
      LncRNA-AP001631.9 by small interference RNA suppressed the migratory ability of
      MGC803 and AGS cells, while the overexpression of LncRNA-AP001631.9 promoted the
      movement of BGC823 and SGC7901 cells. Furthermore, a tail vein injection was
      administered, and the obtained results suggested that LncRNA-AP001631.9
      contributed to the distant metastasis of SGC7901 cells. Moreover, we also
      collected 36 paired samples of gastric cancer tissues to explore the expression
      levels of LncRNA-AP001631.9. The qRT-PCR data indicated that the LncRNA
      AP001631.9 expression was frequently increased in gastric cancer tissues. Taken
      together, our findings established that LncRNA-AP001631.9 plays critical roles in
      gastric cancer progression and can serve as a potential new target for the
      treatment of gastric cancer. 

PMID- 26261501
TI  - An exogenous hydrogen sulphide donor, NaHS, inhibits the apoptosis signaling
      pathway to exert cardio-protective effects in a rat hemorrhagic shock model.
AB  - Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has been reported to be interwined in multiple systems,
      specifically in the cardiovascular system. However, the mechanisms underlying
      remain controversial. In the present study, we assessed the cardio-protective
      effects of H2S in the rat hemorrhagic shock model. Hemorrhagic shock was induced
      in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats by drawing blood from the femoral artery to
      maintain the mean arterial pressure at 35-40 mmHg for 1.5 h. The rats were
      assigned to four groups and the H2S donor, NaHS (28 MUmol/kg, i.p.), was injected
      before the resuscitation in certain groups. After resuscitation the animals were
      observed and then killed to harvest the hearts. The morphological investigation
      and ultrastructural analyses were done and apoptotic cells were detected. The
      levels of relevant proteins were examined using Western blotting and
      immunohistochemical analyses. Resuscitated hemorrhagic shock induced heart injury
      and significantly increased the levels of serum myocardial enzymes, creatine
      kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels. Furthermore, it caused marked
      increase of apoptotic cells in heart tissue. Moreover, the expression of death
      receptor Fas and Fas-ligand, as well as the expression of apoptosis-relevant
      proteins active-caspase 3 and active-caspase 8 were markedly increased.
      Administration of NaHS significantly ameliorated hemorrhagic shock caused
      hemodynamic deterioration, decreased myocardial enzymes elevation, protected
      myocardial ultrastructure, and inhibited the expression of apoptosis-relevant
      proteins. It suggested that H2S might exert its cardio-protective roles via both
      the extrinsic Fas/FasL/caspase-8/caspase-3 pathway and the intrinsic mitochondria
      involved pathways. 

PMID- 26261502
TI  - CXCR4 silencing inhibits invasion and migration of human laryngeal cancer Hep-2
      cells.
AB  - CXCR4 has been reported in various types of human cancer, which is associated
      with cancer progression and metastasis. However, the investigation of CXCR4 in
      laryngeal cancer is extremely rare. In the present study, we used lentivirus
      mediated shRNA targeting CXCR4 to silenced CXCR4 expression in Hep-2 cells and
      evaluated the effect of long-term suppression of CXCR4 on Hep-2 growth and
      metastasis. The Cell proliferation was analyzed by MTS assay, and the invasion
      and metastasis potentials were analyzed using wound healing and transwell assays,
      respectively. Our results showed that lentivirus-mediated shRNA effectively
      infected Hep-2 cells and suppressed CXCR4 expression, and inhibited cell growth
      of Hep-2 cells. Cell invasion and apoptosis were decreased concomitantly with the
      reduction in CXCR4 protein expression. Further analysis revealed that CXCR4
      silencing caused the reducion of CXCR4, CXCL12, TIMP2, VEGF and MMP9, and the
      phosphorylation levels of IkappaB, AKT and MAPK, and also decreased the activity
      of NF-kappaB. These results suggested that knockdown of CXCR4 inhibits the
      invasion and metastasis of Hep-2 through PI3K/AKT and MAPK signaling pathways, by
      decreasing NF-kappaB activities to down-regulate VEGF, TIMP-2 and MMP-9
      expression. These data demonstrate that the inhibition of CXCR4 may be an
      effective interventional therapeutic strategy in laryngeal cancer.

PMID- 26261503
TI  - Expression of HMGB1/RAGE protein in renal carcinoma and its clinical
      significance.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of high mobility group protein B1
      (HMGB1) and its receptor, receptor for advanced glycation end-product (RAGE), in
      renal cancer tissue and surrounding normal tissue and to analyze the relationship
      between the expression level of the protein and receptor as well as the clinical
      pathological characteristics and prognosis in renal cancer patients. METHODS: A
      total of 80 renal carcinoma patients who were surgically treated in our hospital
      from February 2004 to December 2012 were included in this study. Normal
      paratumoral tissues were collected as a control. All diagnoses were confirmed
      with a postoperative pathological examination. All patients had complete
      pathological data. The expression of HMGB1/RAGE proteins in renal cancer tissue
      and paratumoral tissue was examined using immunohistochemical methods. RESULTS:
      The positive expression rate of HMGB1 was 71% in renal cancer tissue, which was
      significantly higher than that in the paratumoral normal tissue (25%). The
      positive expression rate of RAGE was 72% in renal cancer tissue, which was
      significantly higher than that in the paratumoral normal tissue (27%). Further
      analysis did not indicate a correlation between the positive expression of HMGB1
      and RAGE proteins and gender, age and tumor size (P > 0.05), whereas the
      expression patterns were shown to correlate with tumor differentiation, clinical
      stage and lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05). The expression of HMGB1 exhibited a
      significant positive correlation with RAGE level (P < 0.05), the expression of
      HMGB1/RAGE proteins exhibited a negative correlation with the prognosis of
      patients, and the five-year survival rate of patients with positive expression
      was significantly lower than that of patients with negative expression (P <
      0.05). CONCLUSION: HMGB1/RAGE exhibited significantly elevated expression in
      renal cancer tissues that was closely related to the clinical prognosis of
      patients; thus, the expression levels may become a new target in the treatment of
      renal carcinoma.

PMID- 26261504
TI  - Nigella sativa amliorates inflammation and demyelination in the experimental
      autoimmune encephalomyelitis-induced Wistar rats.
AB  - Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the major, immune-mediated, demyelinating
      neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Experimental
      autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a well-established animal model of MS. The
      aim of the present study was to investigate the protective and ameliorative
      effects of N. sativa seeds (2.8 g/kg body weight) in EAE-induced Wistar rats. EAE
      induced rats were divided into: 1- EAE-induced rats ("EAE" group). 2- "N. sativa
      + EAE" group received daily oral administration of N. sativa 2 weeks prior EAE
      induction until the end of the experiment. 3- "EAE + N. sativa" group received
      daily oral administration of N. sativa after the appearance of first clinical
      signs until the end of the experiment. All animals were decapitated at the 28th
      day post EAE-induction. EAE was investigated using histopathological,
      immunohistochemical and ultrastructural examinations in addition to determination
      of some oxidative stress parameters in the cerebellum and medulla. N. sativa
      suppressed inflammation observed in EAE-induced rats. In addition, N. sativa
      enhanced remyelination in the cerebellum. Moreover, N. sativa reduced the
      expression of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF beta1). N. sativa seeds
      could provide a promising agent effective in both the protection and treatment of
      EAE. 

PMID- 26261505
TI  - Enhanced expression of stem cell markers and drug resistance in sphere-forming
      non-small cell lung cancer cells.
AB  - There is growing evidence suggesting that cancer stem cells (CSCs) are playing
      critical roles in tumor progression, metastasis and drug resistance. However, the
      role of CSCs in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains elusive. In this
      study, we enriched for stem-like cells from tumor spheres derived from NSCLC cell
      line A549 cultured in serum-free medium. Our results showed that sphere-derived
      cells expressed various stem cell markers such as CD44, CD133, Sox2 and Oct4.
      Compared with the corresponding cells in monolayer cultures, sphere-derived cells
      showed marked morphologic changes and increased expression of the stem cell
      markers CD133. Furthermore, we found that sphere-derived cells exhibited
      increased proliferation, cell-cycle progression as well as drug-resistant
      properties as compared to A549 adherent cells. Consistently, expression of
      several drug resistance proteins, including lung resistance-related protein
      (LRP), glutathion-S-transferase-pi (GST-pi) and multidrug resistance proteins-1
      (MRP1) were all significantly enhanced in sphere-derived cells. These results
      indicate the enrichment of CSCs in sphere cultures and support their role in
      regulating drug resistance in NSCLC. 

PMID- 26261506
TI  - Inhibitory effects of oleoylethanolamide (OEA) on H2O2-induced human umbilical
      vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) injury and apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE-/-)
      atherosclerotic mice.
AB  - Atherosclerosis (AS) is initiated by vascular endothelial cell injury, which is
      induced by lipid and protein oxidation. Oleoylethanolamide (OEA), a dietary fat
      derived lipid, has shown atheroprotective effect. In vitro studies demonstrated
      that OEA showed cytoprotective effects on H2O2-induced primary cultured human
      umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) injury model. Further investigation of
      the cytoprotective effects of OEA demonstrated that OEA exerted its function by
      scavenging for reactive oxygen species, as well as increasing anti-oxidative
      enzymes, reducing lipid peroxidation, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase
      mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL)-positive cells and apoptosis-related
      proteins expression. The in vivo study using an ApoE-/- mouse model fed with high
      fat diet for 8 weeks showed that OEA (10 mg/kg/day, i.g.) administration reduced
      blood lipid levels, prevented endothelial cell damage and inhibited early AS
      plaque formation. In conclusion, our results suggested that OEA exerted a
      pharmacological effect on ameliorating atherosclerotic plaque formation through
      the inhibition of oxidative stress-induced endothelial cell injury and therefore
      OEA can be a potential candidate drug for anti-atherosclerosis. 

PMID- 26261507
TI  - MiR-34c-3p suppresses the proliferation and invasion of non-small cell lung
      cancer (NSCLC) by inhibiting PAC1/MAPK pathway.
AB  - MicroRNAs have become recognized as key players in the development of malignancy.
      They are a family of small non-coding RNAs (22 nt~30 nt) that can negatively
      regulate the expression of cancer-related genes by sequence selective targeting
      of mRNAs, leading to either mRNA translational repression or degradation. Lung
      cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide with a
      substantially low survival rate. In this study, we analyzed the expression
      profile of miR-34c-3p in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissues and cell
      lines, as its participation in some other types of cancer has been shown by
      previous reports. We found that miR-34c-3p was downregulated both in NSCLC
      tissues and cell lines. Overexpression of miR-34c-3p suppressed cell
      proliferation and colony formation and also limited migration and invasion in
      A549 cells. Furthermore, our results also shown miR-34c-3p reduction was
      associated with increased PAC1 expression levels in which miR-34c-3p
      downregulated PAC1 expression by recognizing and binding to specific binding
      sites in PAC1 3'-UTR. Taken together, our study implicates important roles of miR
      34c-3p in NSCLC pathogenesis and implicates its potential application in cancer
      therapy. 

PMID- 26261508
TI  - Chinese medicine Tongxinluo reduces atherosclerotic lesion by attenuating
      oxidative stress and inflammation in microvascular endothelial cells.
AB  - Oxidative stress and inflammation are the important pathological basis of
      atherogenesis. So, attenuating oxidative stress and inflammation has a very
      important significance in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis. The
      aim of present study was to investigate whether anti-atherosclerotic effect of
      Tongxinluo (TXL), a compound traditional Chinese medicine, is related to its anti
      oxidation and anti-inflammation in human cardiac microvascular endothelial cells
      (HCMEC). We found that TXL treatment significantly reduced serum lipid levels and
      atherosclerotic plaque formation of apoE-deficient mice, and improved endothelial
      cell function as evidenced by increased expression of CD31 and eNOS. TXL
      pretreatment could abrogate the up-regulation of ROS and MDA induced by C16.
      Further experiments showed that the anti-oxidative effect of TXL may be related
      to inhibiting the expression of p22(phox), p47(phox) and HO-1 in HCMECs. We also
      found that TXL could inhibit the release of IL-1beta and TNFalpha induced by C16,
      which is mediated by inhibiting the expression and activation of NF-kappaB. In
      conclusion, TXL decreases atherosclerotic plaque formation and improves
      endothelial cell function by inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammation in
      HCMECs. This finding provides a new molecular mechanism for the anti
      atherosclerotic effect of TXL.

PMID- 26261509
TI  - KDM6B induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition and enhances clear cell renal
      cell carcinoma metastasis through the activation of SLUG.
AB  - Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is one of the most common kidney cancers;
      epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is associated with carcinoma invasion and
      metastasis. There have been several studies about the molecular regulation of
      EMT, but the relationship between histone demethylase and EMT is little known.
      Here, we reported KDM6B has high expression level in ccRCC and is positively
      correlated with poor ccRCC prognosis. KDM6B, also known as JMJD3, is a histone
      demethylase, can remove repressive histone H3K27me3 marks from chromatin, thereby
      activating gene expression. We found that the knockdown of KDM6B could inhibit
      ccRCC tumorigenesis in vitro; furthermore, KDM6B could induce EMT in ccRCC cells
      by activating the expression of master transcription factor SLUG. ChIP assays
      revealed that KDM6B stimulated SLUG expression by demethylate histone H3K27me3.
      The knockdown of KDM6B strongly inhibited ccRCC cell invasion in vitro, while the
      overexpression of KDM6B shown the opposite trend. Meanwhile, our analysis of the
      ccRCC tissue found that KDM6B expression was significantly corresponded with
      lymph node metastasis. Together, our data provide a novel epigenetic mechanism
      regulating tumor cell invasion and EMT, and provide a biomolecule for ccRCC
      diagnosis and prognosis.

PMID- 26261510
TI  - Clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of alpha-fetoprotein positive
      gastric cancer in Chinese patients.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study aimed to review the clinicopathological, histochemical, and
      prognostic features of Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) positive gastric cancer. PATIENTS
      AND METHODS: Six hundred and fifty one patients with gastric cancer who underwent
      gastrectomy between January 2009 and December 2012 at The First Hospital of Jilin
      University were enrolled in the study. Among them, 45 patients were identified as
      AFP positive gastric cancer. The clinicopathologic characteristics and prognosis
      of the AFP positive gastric cancer patients were analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 45
      AFP positive patients, serum levels of AFP were < 100 ug/L in nine patients. The
      histological classification of 45 patients was as follows: hepatoid type, 25
      (55.6%) cases; fetal gastrointestinal type, 12 (26.7%) cases; yolk sac tumor
      type, 2 (4.4%) cases; and mixed type, 6 (13.3%) cases. Twenty nine (64.4%) cases
      were AFP positive by immunohistochemical analysis; we found no significant
      difference in AFP positivity and histologic type. However, the differences in the
      number of metastasis lymph nodes, the maximum tumor diameter, pathological stage,
      vascular invasion and liver metastasis between the AFP positive group and the
      negative group were significant. At the same T stage, the liver metastasis status
      of the AFP positive group was higher than that of the negative group. The AFP
      positive group had a much poorer prognosis than the negative group. CONCLUSION:
      AFP positive gastric cancer is associated with aggressive behavior and poorer
      prognosis compared to that of AFP negative gastric cancer.

PMID- 26261511
TI  - MiR-135 post-transcriptionally regulates FOXO1 expression and promotes cell
      proliferation in human malignant melanoma cells.
AB  - Malignant melanoma is the deadliest form of all skin cancers. Recently, microRNAs
      (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression by targeted
      repression of transcription and translation and play essential roles during
      cancer development. Our study showed that miR-135a is upregulated in malignant
      melanoma tissues and cell lines by using Real-time PCR assay. Enforced expression
      of miR-135a in malignant melanoma cells promotes cell proliferation,
      tumorigenicity, and cell cycle progression, whereas inhibition of miR-135a
      reverses the function. Additionally, we demonstrated FOXO1 is a direct target of
      miR-135a and transcriptionally down-regulated by miR-135a. Ectopic expression of
      miR-135a led to downregulation of the FOXO1 protein, resulting in upregulation of
      Cyclin D1, and downregulation of P21(Cip1) and P27(Kip1) through AKT pathway. Our
      findings suggested that miR-135a represents a potential onco-miRNA and plays an
      important role in malignant melanoma progression by suppressing FOXO1 expression.

PMID- 26261512
TI  - Comparison of systemic inflammation response and vital organ damage induced by
      severe burns in different area.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In this study, we will establish a stable and optimized rat model
      that can meet strictly diagnosed criteria and serve as a tool to investigate the
      potential of novel therapeutics in this preclinical model through comparative
      analysis of systemic alterations, levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in serum
      and infiltrated numbers of inflammatory cells in distant organ between 30% and
      50% TBSA with a full-thickness burn. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The adult male Wistar
      rats were randomly divided into the following groups: control group, 30% TBSA
      with a full-thickness burn group, and 50% TBSA with a full-thickness burn group.
      The blood and serum samples in the 3 groups were collected and detected by blood
      routine examination and biochemical detection at 6 h, 12 h, 24 h and 48 h post
      burn. The levels of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-6 in serum were detected by ELISA.
      The sections of lung, renal, liver and heart were analyzed by H&E and
      immunohistochemical staining detection. RESULTS: Our results showed that
      temperature in 50% TBSA with a full-thickness burn group was always hypothermia,
      and lower than 36 degrees C at defined timepoints post burn, that was in 30% TBSA
      with a full-thickness burn group was lower than 36 degrees C only at 48 h post
      burn. The levels of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-6 were significantly increased in
      30% and 50% groups at 6 h, 12 h, 24 h and 48 h post burn. The apoptosis in
      distant organs and the biochemical parameters such as ALT, AST, troponin, CK, CK
      MB, LDH, urea and creatinine in 30% and 50% groups were also increased at
      different degrees at defined timepoints after burn, but changes in 50% group were
      more obvious than that in 30% group. CONCLUSION: We choose 50% TBSA with a full
      thickness burn to establish a stable and optimized rat model that can meet
      strictly diagnosed criteria and serve as a tool to investigate the potential of
      novel therapeutics in this preclinical model.

PMID- 26261513
TI  - Knockdown of Nestin inhibits proliferation and migration of colorectal cancer
      cells.
AB  - Nestin, a member of type VI intermediate filament protein family, is widely
      expressed in mammalian nervous tissue and stem/precursor cells of non-neuronal
      normal tissues. Nestin has also been investigated to determine possible tumor
      promoting functions. However, whether Nestin is involved in colorectal cancer
      (CRC) cells remains unclear. In this report, Nestin expression was upregulated in
      stromal cells of human CRC tissues. Endogenous Nestin expression in CRC cell
      lines SW480 and HCT116 was knocked down by a lentivirus. MTT and colony formation
      assays revealed that Nestin deletion significantly inhibits the proliferation of
      CRC cell lines; flow cytometer analysis showed that Nestin deletion causes cell
      cycle arrest at S phase. Transwell chamber and wound healing scratch assays also
      revealed that Nestin deletion suppresses cell migration. Our findings indicated
      that Nestin plays an essential role in CRC progression; thus, Nestin can be
      applied as a therapeutic target of CRC. 

PMID- 26261514
TI  - Syndecan-4 shedding is involved in the oxidative stress and inflammatory
      responses in left atrial tissue with valvular atrial fibrillation.
AB  - Oxidative stress and inflammation play critical roles in the development and
      maintenance of atrial fibrillation (AF). In addition, syndecan-4 (Synd4) shedding
      induced by oxidative stress or inflammation plays a role in the migration of
      inflammatory cells. Therefore, we hypothesized that Synd4 shedding was also
      involved in the inflammatory response in atrial fibrillation patients with
      valvular heart disease. To confirm this suppose, left atrial appendages and
      clinical data were obtained from 65 patients with valvular disease undergoing
      valve surgery. Ten left atrial appendages obtained from healthy heart donors were
      used as controls. Analyses including histopathology, western blotting, and enzyme
      kinetics were performed to assess the oxidative injury, inflammation responses,
      and Synd4 shedding. The results showed that the inflammatory response and
      oxidative injury were increased significantly, whereas as levels of the Synd4
      ectodomain was decreased significantly in AF patients. Furthermore, Synd4
      ectodomain levels were correlated with atrial oxidative and inflammatory markers.
      The results showed that Synd4 shedding is a molecular pathological alteration in
      the development and maintenance of inflammation-associated AF. 

PMID- 26261515
TI  - MiR-218 inhibits multidrug resistance (MDR) of gastric cancer cells by targeting
      Hedgehog/smoothened.
AB  - Multidrug resistance (MDR) is the main obstacle to successful chemotherapy for
      patients with gastric cancer. The microRNA miR-218 influences various
      pathobiological processes in gastric cancer, and its down-regulation in this
      disease raises the question of whether it normally inhibits MDR. In this study we
      observed that two MDR gastric cancer cell lines showed lower expression of miR
      218 compared with their chemosensitive parental cell line. Overexpressing miR-218
      chemosensitizes gastric cancer cells, slowed efflux of adriamycin, and
      accelerated drug-induced apoptosis. We identified the smoothened (SMO) gene as a
      functional target of miR-218, and found that SMO overexpression counteracts the
      chemosensitizing effects of miR-218. These findings suggest that miR-218 inhibits
      MDR of gastric cancer cells by down-regulating SMO expression.

PMID- 26261516
TI  - Effects of rhBNP on myocardial fibrosis after myocardial infarction in rats.
AB  - PURPOSE: We aimed to observe the effects and mechanism of rhBNP treatment on
      myocardial fibrosis (MF) after myocardial infarction (MI). METHODS: SPF rats were
      separated into 3 groups: normal, MI (ligation of left coronary artery), and MI +
      rhBNP (recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide). Rats in MI + rhBNP group
      were given 30 MUg/kg for 2 days before modeling and for 4 weeks after modeling.
      mRNA levels and the expression levels of TGF-beta1 (transforming growth factor)
      and CTGF (connective tissue growth factor) in 3 groups were analyzed using the RT
      qPCR and western blotting analysis, respectively. Furthermore, myocardial volume
      fraction (CVF) was analyzed using the Sirius Red F3B (SR) while the percentage of
      type I and III collagen in 3 groups were analyzed using the immunohistochemical
      staining. RESULTS: Compared with the normal group, the levels of TGF-beta1, CTGF,
      CVF, type I and III collagen were higher in MI group. However, mRNA levels of TGF
      beta1 and CTGF were significantly decreased in MI + rhBNP compared to MI groups.
      Expression of TGF-beta1 was lower while that of CTGF was higher in MI + rhBNP
      group than that in MI group. Besides, CVF, and type I and III collagen were lower
      in MI + rhBNP group compared with MI group. CONCLUSION: rhBNP could significantly
      decrease the TGF-beta1 and CTGF levels in post-MI so as to inhibit the type I and
      III collagen deposition in MF of post-MI. rhBNP will be benefit for the
      improvement of MF.

PMID- 26261517
TI  - Retinoic acid aliphatic amide inhibits the AMPK-HIF-1alpha pathway in human
      ovarian cancer.
AB  - Ovarian carcinoma the commonly observed gynecological cancers has a high
      mortality rate. In the present study effect of retinoic acid aliphatic amide
      (RACA) in ovarian cancer cells was investigated using proliferation, migration
      and invasion assays. Western blot was used to examine the Bcl-2, cleaved caspase
      3, p-ERK, MMP-2, p-FAK, P-P38, p-AMPKalpha and HIF-1alpha protein expression.
      CoCl2 was used to induce HIF-1alpha expression in SKOV3ip. 1 and HEY-A8 cells.
      The results revealed that RACA treatment prompted cell proliferation, invasion
      and migration but inhibited apoptosis of SKOV3ip. 1 and HEY-A8 cells. RACA
      treatment also induced upregulation of Bcl-2 and MMP-2, activation of p-P38, p
      ERK and p-FAK, inhibition of cleaved caspase 3. RACA treatment also caused
      upregulatation of HIF-1alpha in ovarian cells with the activation of p-AMPKalpha.
      Upregulation of HIF-1alpha expression in CoCl2-treated cancer cells resulted in
      decrease in SDHB. Thus RACA plays a key role in cell proliferation, invasion,
      migration and apoptosis of human ovarian carcinoma through AMPK-HIF-1alpha
      pathway.

PMID- 26261518
TI  - Huperzine A protects neural stem cells against Abeta-induced apoptosis in a
      neural stem cells and microglia co-culture system.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study aims to explore whether Huperzine A (HupA) could protect
      neural stem cells against amyloid beta-peptide Abeta induced apoptosis in a
      neural stem cells (NSCs) and microglia co-culture system. METHODS: Rat NSCs and
      microglial cells were isolated, cultured and identified with immunofluorescence
      Assays (IFA). Co-culture systems of NSCs and microglial cells were employed using
      Transwell Permeable Supports. The effects of Abeta1-42 on NSCs were studied in 4
      groups using co-culture systems: NSCs, Abeta+NSCs, co-culture and Abeta+co
      culture groups. Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation and flow cytometry were
      utilized to assess the differences of proliferation, differentiation and
      apoptosis of NSCs between the groups. LQ test was performed to assess the amounts
      of IL-6, TNF-alpha and MIP-alpha secreted, and flow cytometry and Western
      blotting were used to assess apoptosis of NSCs and the expressions of Bcl-2 and
      Bax in each group. RESULTS: IFA results showed that isolated rat NSCs were nestin
      positive and microglial cells were CD11b/c-positive. Among all the groups, the
      Abeta+co-culture group has the lowest BrdU expression level, the lowest MAP2
      positive, ChAT-positive cell counts and the highest NSC apoptosis rate. Smaller
      amounts of IL-6, TNF-alpha and MIP-alpha were being secreted by microglial cells
      in the HupA+Abeta+co-culture group compared with those in the Abeta+ co-culture
      group. Also the Bcl-2: Bax ratio was much higher in the HupA+Abeta+co-culture
      group than in the Abeta+co-culture group. CONCLUSIONS: HupA inhibits cell
      apoptosis through restraining microglia's inflammatory response induced by Abeta1
      42.

PMID- 26261519
TI  - Formononetin sensitizes glioma cells to doxorubicin through preventing EMT via
      inhibition of histone deacetylase 5.
AB  - Chemoresistance is a major obstacle to successful chemotherapy for glioma.
      Formononetin is a novel herbal isoflavonoid isolated from Astragalus membranaceus
      and possesses antitumorigenic properties. In the present study, we investigated
      the anti-proliferative effects of formononetin on human glioma cells, and further
      elucidated the molecular mechanism underlying the anti-tumor property. We found
      that formononetin enhanced doxorubicin cytotoxicity in glioma cells. Combined
      treatment with formononetin reversed the doxorubicin-induced epithelial
      mesenchymal transition (EMT) in tumor cells. Moreover, we found that formononetin
      treatment significantly decreased the expression of HDAC5. Overexpression of
      HDAC5 diminished the suppressive effects of formononetin on glioma cell
      viability. Furthermore, knockdown of HDAC5 by siRNA inhibited the doxorubicin
      induced EMT in glioma cells. Taken together, these results demonstrated that
      formononetin-combined therapy may enhance the therapeutic efficacy of doxorubicin
      in glioma cells by preventing EMT through inhibition of HDAC5.

PMID- 26261520
TI  - MiRNA-15a inhibits proliferation, migration and invasion by targeting TNFAIP1 in
      human osteosarcoma cells.
AB  - Recent data strongly suggest the important role of miRNAs in various cancer
      related processes. Osteosarcoma is the most common type of primary malignant bone
      tumor and is characterized by complex genetic changes and resistance to
      conventional treatments. In this study, the role of miRNA-15a (miR-15a) in the
      progression and metastasis of osteosarcoma was investigated. The result
      demonstrated that the expression of miR-15a was down-regulated in osteosarcoma
      tissues and cell lines as compared with that in adjacent non-neoplastic bone
      tissues and the osteoblastic cell line. In functional assays, miR-15a inhibited
      cell proliferation, migration and invasion in U2OS and MG-63 cells. Meanwhile,
      bioinformatic analysis combined with experimental confirmation demonstrated that
      tumor necrosis factor; alpha-induced protein 1 (TNFAIP1) gene is a potential
      target of miR-15a and can be directly regulated by miR-15a. Down-regulation of
      TNFAIP1 induced effects on osteosarcoma cell lines similar to those induced by
      miR-15a. Taken together, these data suggest that miR-15a may act as a tumor
      suppressor, which is commonly down-regulated in both osteosarcoma tissues and
      cells. TNFAIP1 plays an important role in mediating miR-15a dependent biological
      functions in osteosarcoma. Reintroduction of miR-15a may be a novel therapeutic
      strategy by down-regulating TNFAIP1 expression.

PMID- 26261521
TI  - GPX3 promoter is methylated in chronic myeloid leukemia.
AB  - Hypermethylation of GPX3 (glutathione peroxidase 3) promoter has been identified
      in various cancers. However, the pattern of GPX3 promoter methylation in chronic
      myeloid leukemia (CML) remains unknown. Our study was aimed to investigate the
      methylation status of GPX3 promoter and its clinical relevance in CML. Real-time
      quantitative methylation-specific PCR and bisulfite sequencing PCR was performed
      to detect the level of GPX3 methylation in 80 CML patients and 44 controls. GPX3
      promoter in CML patients was significantly methylated compared with controls (P =
      0.007). GPX3 highly methylated patients showed significantly older age than GPX3
      lowly methylated patients (P = 0.037). However, patients with GPX3 methylation
      had significantly lower white blood cells than those with low GPX3 methylation (P
      = 0.006). BCR-ABL transcript in GPX3 highly methylated patients was a little
      lower than that in GPX3 lowly methylated patients (P = 0.161). No significant
      differences were observed in the frequency of GPX3 methylation in the different
      stages of CML (P = 1.000). Significantly negative correlation was observed
      between GPX3 expression and GPX3 methylation (R = -0.442, P = 0.004). GPX3 mRNA
      level in K562 cell line was significantly increased after 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine
      treatment, and GPX3 methylation level was decreased. GPX3 hypermethylation is
      frequent in CML and is negatively associated with its expression. 

PMID- 26261522
TI  - Association of ultrasonographic features with NGX6 expression and prognosis in
      invasive ductal breast carcinoma.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma-associated gene 6 (NGX6) is a newly
      discovered tumor suppressor gene. It contains one epidermal growth factor (EGF)
      like domain. Many studies have shown that proteins contain (EGF)-like domain
      structure affect a variety of biological actions. However, little is known about
      the relationships between NGX6 expression and biological behaviors in invasive
      ductal breast carcinoma (IDBC). The study discussed the association of
      ultrasonographic features with NGX6 expression and prognosis in IDBC. METHODS:
      Ultrasonographic feature and clinical data in 122 patients with IDBC were
      retrospectively analyzed. NGX6 expression of IDBC was measured using
      immunohistochemistry methods. RESULTS: The incidence of the burr sign, lymph node
      metastasis and abundance blood flow in NGX6 expression negative groups were
      higher than those in positive groups. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the
      association between NGX6 positive expression and higher disease-free survival
      (DFS) or higher overall survival (OS); Lymph node metastasis is associated with
      lower DFS or lower OS; Lower blood flow grade is associated with higher DFS. In
      univariate and multivariate survival analysis, NGX6 expression, lymph node
      metastasis, TNM and the blood flow grade were the independent prognostic factors
      for DFS and OS of IDBC. CONCLUSIONS: ultrasonographic features are associated
      with NGX6 expression in IDBC. NGX6 is involved in the invasion and metastasis
      activity of IDBC. Our results suggest that NGX6 may be employed as a promising
      prognostic factor and useful therapeutic target for IDBC. Combination of
      ultrasonic findings and NGX6 detection may yield clinically useful information
      for IDBC prognosis.

PMID- 26261523
TI  - Effects of dexmedetomidine on the protection of hyperoxia-induced lung injury in
      newborn rats.
AB  - Dexmedetomidine (Dex) is a specific agonist of alpha2-adrenoceptor and was
      reported to have protective effect on a variety of organs, however the effect of
      Dex on hyperoxia-induced lung injury remains unknown. In the present study, Dex
      was administrated to newborn rats and its effect against hyperoxia-induced lung
      injury was examined. The results showed that, Dex significantly attenuated the
      aberration, macrophage infiltration, inflammatory responses and pulmonary edema
      induced by hyperoxia. In addition, the down-regulation of AQP1 was also reversed
      by Dex. These data indicate that Dex may be a potential therapy in the prevention
      of hyperoxia-induced lung injury in infants. 

PMID- 26261524
TI  - Ischemic postconditioning provides protection against ischemia-reperfusion injury
      in intestines of rats.
AB  - In the present study, we investigated the protective role of ischemic
      postconditioning (IPOST) against intestine ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in
      rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into sham-operation group (S), I/R
      group (I/R), ischemic preconditioning group (IPC), ischemic postconditioning
      group (IPOST). After reperfusion, small intestines were resected for
      histopathologic evaluations. To evaluate DNA fragmentation, resolving agarose gel
      electrophoresis was performed. To measure cellular apoptotic rates in intestine
      tissues, we performed TUNEL staining. To examine lipid peroxidation, production
      of superoxide radicals and tissue neutrophil infiltration, we tested the content
      of malondialdehyde and activities of superoxidase dismutase and myeloperoxidase
      in intestine tissues, respectively. Under light microscope, intestinal mucosal
      impairment in IPOST and IPC groups was found milder than that in I/R group (P <
      0.05). The number of apoptosis cells in I/R group was significantly higher than
      that in IPOST and IPC groups (P < 0.05). The content of malondialdehyde and
      activity of myeloperoxidase were significantly reduced in IPOST group and IPC
      group compared with I/R group, but the activity of superoxidase dismutase in
      IPOST group and IPC group was enhanced compared with I/R group (P < 0.05). These
      results suggest that IPOST results in protection against intestine I/R injury,
      which may be related to reduced production of reactive oxygen species, enhanced
      activities of antioxidant systems and inhibited apoptosis of intestinal mucosal
      cells. 

PMID- 26261525
TI  - JMJD5 is a potential oncogene for colon carcinogenesis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of Jumonji C domain-containing (JMJD) 5
      depletion on colon cancer (CC). METHODS: A short-hairpin RNA targeting JMJD5 was
      transfected into a lentivirus to make Lv-shJMJD5 for infection into the Caco-2
      human cell. Besides, a negative control shRNA was constructed. The mRNA and
      protein levels of JMJD5 were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase
      chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blotting, respectively. Cell proliferation,
      migration, and invasion were assessed by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5
      diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), soft agar colony assay and transwell assay,
      respectively. In addition, immunohistochemical (IHC) staining was performed to
      investigate the expression of JMJD5 in adjacent normal tissues and tumor tissues
      from patients with CC. RESULTS: Compared with control group, mRNA and protein
      levels of JMJD5 was significantly reduced after infection with Lv-shJMJD5
      (P<0.05), and Caco-2 cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were all
      obviously inhibited (P<0.05). The results of IHC showed that JMJD5 was
      significantly up-regulated compared with normal tissues (P<0.01). Additionally,
      follow-up data demonstrated that the survival rate of patients with high
      expression of JMJD5 was obviously lower than that with low expression (P<0.01).
      CONCLUSIONS: JMJD5 depletion could significantly inhibit human CC cell
      proliferation, migration, and invasion, implying that JMJD5 might be a potential
      oncogene.

PMID- 26261526
TI  - Decreased irisin secretion contributes to muscle insulin resistance in high-fat
      diet mice.
AB  - AIMS: Recent studies have revealed the relationship between irisin and insulin
      signaling, while positive associations of muscle FNDC5 with insulin resistance is
      observed. However, the functional mechanism of irisin on muscle insulin
      resistance is still obscure. This study aims to investigate the effect of irisin
      on muscle insulin action. METHODS: Diabetic mouse model was established by high
      fat diet (HFD) induced obesity in C57BL/6 mice. Body indexes and serum levels of
      triglyceride (TG), blood glucose and insulin were record. Oral glucose tolerance
      test (OGTT) was performed before being killed. Circulating irisin level was also
      detected, while FNDC5/irisin expression was determined by RT-PCR and western blot
      analysis in both muscle and adipose tissues. Insulin action was further evaluated
      by the phosphorylation of AKT and Erk, and palmitic acid treated muscle cells
      were introduced for mimicking diabetic status in vitro. RESULTS: Obvious obese
      feathers associated with type 2 diabetes were observed in HFD feeding mice, with
      decreased circulating irisin level and FNDC5/irisin secretion in adipose tissues.
      Although FNDC5/irisin expression showed little change in skeletal muscle, the
      insulin action was inhibited significantly. Moreover, palmitic acid treated
      muscle cells showed similar inhibition of insulin action, and FNDC5/irisin
      expression change. Besides, insulin action could be reversed by irisin addition
      in muscle cells. CONCLUSION: HFD induced obese mice showed decreased irisin
      secretion from adipose tissues, which might contribute to muscle insulin
      resistance. Furthermore, irisin addition could recover insulin action in palmitic
      acid treated muscle cells, indicating the importance of irisin for preserving
      insulin signaling.

PMID- 26261527
TI  - Effects of GPNMB on proliferation and odontoblastic differentiation of human
      dental pulp cells.
AB  - Glycoprotein (transmembrane) nonmetastatic melanoma protein b (GPNMB) plays
      crucial roles in odontogenesis. However, the role of GPNMB in human dental pulp
      cells (hDPCs) is still unclear. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the
      expression and function of the GPNMB in odontoblastic differentiation of hDPCs.
      Cells were cultured in odontoblast differentiation-inducing medium; the
      expression of the GPNMB was assessed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain
      reaction and Western blot analysis. We performed gene knockdown of GPNMB in hDPCs
      using lentivirus-mediated small interfering RNA (siRNA)-GPNMB. The proliferation
      of cells was measured by the MTT assay, and the differentiation of cells was
      detected with alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assay, qRT-PCR and Western blot
      were used to determine the expression levels of dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP)
      and dentin matrix protein-1 (DMP-1). The expression level of GPNMB was
      significantly increased during odontoblastic differentiation of hDPCs.
      Suppression of GPNMB expression by siRNA-GPNMB obviously promoted the
      proliferation of hDPCs. Furthermore, siRNA-GPNMB significantly inhibited the
      activity of ALP and expression levels of DSPP and DMP-1 during odontoblastic
      differentiation of hDPCs. Our results show that GPNMB plays an important role in
      regulating the expression of key pluripotency genes in hDPCs and modifying
      odontogenic differentiation. 

PMID- 26261528
TI  - Unfolded protein response mediated JNK/AP-1 signal transduction, a target for
      ovarian cancer treatment.
AB  - Researches have revealed several stressors, which could activate unfolded protein
      response (UPR) in cells. However, the survival or death pathway was determined by
      the duration of UPR exposure. Based on the UPR mediated death pathway, our study
      was aimed to investigate role of UPR on c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)/activator
      protein-1 (Ap-1) signal transduction in diindolylmethane (DIM) treated ovarian
      cancer cell lines. Activation of UPR proteins, UPR mediated apoptotic signaling
      proteins and expression level of EpCAM, JNK, Ap-1, Caspase-3 and Bcl-2 were
      measured. Protein and gene expression, transcription factor activity, and protein
      phosphorylation were measured using standard molecular biology techniques. Our
      results demonstrated DIM treatment had significantly increased the expression of
      Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress regulators such as Bip, IRE1, CHOP and
      activation of UPR related apoptotic proteins in ovarian cancer cells. Decreased
      expression of EpCAM and activity of AP-1 transcription factor were observed in
      DIM treated cells. The pharmacologic inhibitors of the JNK signal transduction
      pathway, suggest that the impact of EpCAM expression on AP-1 transcription factor
      activity is mediated through the JNK pathway. Taken together, these results
      suggest that UPR mediated JNK/Ap-1 signal transduction has a significant role in
      the regulation of apoptosis in human ovarian cancer cells, and is a potential
      molecular target to enhance sensitivity of ovarian cancer to chemotherapy.

PMID- 26261529
TI  - Association between PD-1/PD-L1 and T regulate cells in early recurrent
      miscarriage.
AB  - In this study, we try to testify the relationship between the programmed cell
      death receptor-1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) passway and Treg
      cells in maternal-fetal immune regulation through PD-1 blockade on lymphocytes of
      normal early pregnancy in vitro and investigation of the PD-1 and PD-L1 changes
      in early recurrent miscarriage patients. CD4+ CD25+ Treg cells and PD-1 (CD279)
      positive cell were detected in deciduas in early recurrent miscarriage patients
      by flow cytometry. And the normal early pregnant women were as controls.
      Meanwhile the mRNA level of PD-1 and molecular expression of PD-L1 in deciduas of
      early recurrent miscarriage patients were detected by real time RT-PCR test and
      Immunohistochemical staining respectively. Also through antibody blocking assay
      to block PD-1 on lymphocytes of normal early pregnancy in vitro further testify
      the relationship between PD-1/PD-L1 and Treg cells, the results were analyzed by
      flow cytometry. CD4+ CD25+ Treg cells decreased both in deciduas in RM (P <
      0.05), and for all almost 100% Treg cells (CD4+ CD25+) expressed PD-1, but there
      was no difference between the PD-1 positive cells in decidual lymphocytes in RM
      and that in normal pregnancy women (P > 0.05). PD-L1 mRNA in deciduas decreased
      in RM (P < 0.001), but PD-1 mRNA no difference (P > 0.1). After PD-1 blockade
      there was no change in CD4+ CD25+ Treg cells percentage, while the CD4+ T cell
      percentage increased (P < 0.01), as well as the level of IFN-gamma in cells
      supernatant (P < 0.01). PD-1 blockade has a little influence on the number of
      Treg cells, and may lead to impaired Treg cells function, the decrease of PD-L1
      may closely relates to the occurrence of early recurrent miscarriage and implies
      that Treg cells may through PD-1/PD-L1 pathway play a role of immunosuppression
      regulation, and the impairment of Treg cells function in recurrent early abortion
      cases may be due to PD-L1 decrease in deciduas or trophoblast cells rather than
      PD-1 change.

PMID- 26261530
TI  - Protective effect of RIP and c-FLIP in preventing liver cancer cell apoptosis
      induced by TRAIL.
AB  - TRAIL (TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand) is a member of the tumor necrosis
      factor superfamily that can induce tumor selective death by up-regulating death
      receptor 4 (DR4) and DR5 expression. The study aimed to explore the role of RIP
      and c-FLIP genes in TRAIL induced liver cancer cell HepG2 and Hep3B apoptosis and
      related mechanism. RIP and c-FLIP silenced HepG2 and Hep3B cell model were
      established through siRNA. Western blot was applied to test c-FLIP, RIP, DR4,
      DR5, FADD, Caspase-3/8/9, ERK1/2, and DFF45 protein expression. Caspase-8 kit was
      used to detect Caspase-8 expression. Flow cytometry was performed to measure cell
      apoptosis rate. Acid phosphatase method was applied to determine cell cycle.
      TRAIL had no significant effect on Caspase-3/8/9, DR4, DR5, ERK1/2, and DFF45
      protein expression, but up-regulated c-FLIP and RIP protein expression and
      reduced FADD expression level. After treated by the chemotherapy drug mitomycin
      and adriamycin, c-FLIP and RIP expression decreased significantly, while FADD
      increased. After knockout c-FLIP and RIP gene, HepG2 and Hep3B cell apoptosis
      rate induced by TRAIL increased obviously. Meanwhile, cell subG1 percentage
      increased markedly and exhibited G1 phase growth retardation. In addition, after
      two kinds of gene knockout, Caspase-8 was activated and produce Caspase-3 P20 and
      P24, leading DFF45 appeared DNA fragment P17 and P25. c-FLIP and RIP can inhibit
      Caspase-8 activation and prompting HepG2 and Hep3B resistant to cell apoptosis
      induced by TRAIL. 

PMID- 26261531
TI  - Protective effects of LM22A-4 on injured spinal cord nerves.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to elucidate the protection by and
      potential mechanisms of LM22A-4, a specific agonist of tyrosine kinase receptor
      B, against spinal cord injury (SCI). METHODS: Spinal cord trauma was induced by
      the application of vascular clips to the dura of mice via a four-level T7-T11
      laminectomy. Thirty minutes after the injury, an abdominal injection of LM22A-4
      (at dosages of 10 mg/kg and 15 mg/kg) or an equal volume of solvent was provided.
      Twenty-four hours after SCI, a Western blot was performed to examine the
      expression of p-TrkB, p-Akt, p-ERK, cleaved-caspase-3, and Bcl-2; a TUNEL assay
      and Nissl staining were performed to study apoptosis and the survival of neurons.
      In addition, another batch of mice was allowed to live for 14 days after the SCI
      treatment, during which the LM22A-4 was provided at the same time each day and
      the neurological function was assessed. RESULTS: Spinal cord injury in mice
      resulted in severe trauma characterized by tissue damage and apoptosis. Treatment
      of the mice with LM22A-4 (10 mg/kg) significantly reduced the degree of tissue
      injury (histological score) and apoptosis (TUNEL staining and caspase-3 and Bcl-2
      expression) compared with vehicle treated group (P < 0.05). In a separate set of
      experiments, chronic treatment with LM22A-4 also significantly ameliorated the
      recovery of limb function (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study provides an
      experimental evidence that LM22A-4 reduces the development of tissue injury
      associated with spinal cord trauma, and activation of the activity of TrkB may
      represent a novel approach for the therapy of spinal cord trauma.

PMID- 26261532
TI  - MicroRNA-200c overexpression inhibits chemoresistance, invasion and colony
      formation of human pancreatic cancer stem cells.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are believed to be 'seed cell' in cancer
      recurrence and metastasis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as potential
      therapeutic candidates due to their ability to regulate multiple targets involved
      in tumor progression and chemoresistance. The goal of this study was to
      investigate the role of miRNA-200c (miR-200c) in regulating colony formation,
      invasion and chemoresistance of human pancreatic cancer stem cells (PCSCs).
      METHODS: PCSCs with CD24(+)CD44(+)ESA(+) as the marker was sorted from PANC-1
      cell line by fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS). Quantitative real-time
      PCR (qRT-PCR) assay was used to detect the expression of miR-200c in PCSCs and
      PANC-1 cells. Transfection of miR-200c mimic into PCSCs was performed to
      establish miR-200c over-expressed cells. The effects of overexpressing miR-200c
      on PCSCs were examined by cell colony forming, invasion and survival assays in
      vitro. RESULTS: Our data showed that CD24(+)CD44(+)ESA(+) PCSCs (0.5%) were
      isolated from PANC-1 cells. Expression of miR-200c was significantly reduced in
      PCSCs compared with PANC-1 cells. In addition, the capability of colony
      formation, invasion and chemoresistance were markedly increased in PCSCs than
      that in PANC-1 cells. Adverse results were obtained in miR-200c overexpressing
      PCSCs transfected with miR-200c mimic. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that
      miR-200c overexpression could decrease colony formation, invasion and
      chemoresistance of PCSCs. It may become a new therapeutic target for gene therapy
      in patients suffered from pancreatic cancer.

PMID- 26261533
TI  - Establishment and identification of human primary lung cancer cell culture in
      vitro.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore a simple and practical method for human primary lung cancer
      cells culture in vitro. METHODS: Tumor specimens from 6 lung cancer patients were
      isolated with collagenase digestion cultured in vitro. Then the characteristics
      of these cells were analyzed and identified by optical microscope observation,
      hematoxylin-eosin staining, immunocytochemistry, immunohistochemistry and tumor
      nude mice inoculation experiments, respectively. RESULTS: Except for the small
      cell lung cancer, the other 5 samples were successfully isolated and cultured.
      The cultured cells showed typical characteristics of malignant cells and positive
      for cytokeratin 7 and 19. Moreover, the cancer cells readily formed subcutaneous
      tumors in nude mice and the pathological images of the transplanted tumor were
      consistent with its tumor origin. CONCLUSION: The primary culture for human lung
      cancer cells can be successfully achieved with the method of collagenase
      digestion.

PMID- 26261534
TI  - MiR-126 regulated breast cancer cell invasion by targeting ADAM9.
AB  - Accumulating evidence has shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) deregulation is commonly
      observed in human malignancies and crucial to cancer metastasis. Herein, we
      demonstrated that miR-126 play a suppressor role in human breast cancer cells
      invasion through the direct repression of a disintegrin and metalloprotease 9
      (ADAM9). MiR-126 expression was investigated in forty cases of breast cancer
      specimens by real-time PCR. Transwell assay was conducted to explore the effects
      of miR-126 on the invasion of human breast cancer cell lines. The impact of miR
      126 overexpression on putative target ADAM9 was subsequently confirmed by Western
      blot analysis. Our results indicated that miR-126 expression was frequently down
      regulated in breast cancer specimens compared with adjacent normal tissues
      (P<0.05). Overexpression of miR-126 significantly reduced (P<0.05) the protein
      levels of ADAM9, further suppressed (P<0.05) breast cancer cell invasion in
      vitro. Meanwhile, knockdown of ADAM9 by small interfering RNA (siRNA) also
      inhibited (P<0.05) breast cancer cell invasion. Thus, our study revealed that miR
      126 may act as a tumor suppressor via inhibition of cell invasion by
      downregulating ADAM9 in breast cancer development. 

PMID- 26261535
TI  - Different doses of partial liver irradiation promotes hepatic regeneration in
      rat.
AB  - The aim of this study is to investigate whether partial liver irradiation
      promotes hepatic regeneration in rat. Left-half liver of rat was irradiated to 10
      Gy, and the Right-half to 0, 5, 10 and 15 Gy, respectively. Then, serum alanine
      aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase
      (ALP) levels were evaluated on 0 day, 15-day, 30-day, 45-day and 60-day after
      liver irradiation. Next, the serum HGF, NF-kappaB and TGF-beta1 levels were also
      analyzed on 60-day after liver irradiation. Lastly, the cyclinD1 protein
      expression was appraised by western blots on 60-day after liver irradiation. ALT,
      AST and ALP levels were reduced compared with that of controls. The serum HGF, NF
      kappaB and TGF-beta1 levels, and the cyclinD1 protein expression in liver
      irradiation group were increased compared with that of controls group. However,
      hepatic regeneration of higher dose-irradiated cirrhotic liver was triggered a
      more enhanced regeneration, compared with that of higher doses group. In summary,
      these results suggest that different doses of partial liver irradiation promotes
      hepatic regeneration in rat.

PMID- 26261536
TI  - Aberrant LRP16 protein expression in primary neuroendocrine lung tumors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Leukemia related protein 16 gene (LRP16) localized on chromosome
      11q12.1, is an important estrogen-responsive gene and a crucial regulator for NF
      kB activation. LRP16 is frequently expressed in human cancers; however, the LRP16
      gene remains unexplored in lung neuroendocrine tumors. The aim of this study was
      to investigate the role of LRP16 expression in primary lung neuroendocrine
      tumors. METHODS: lung neuroendocrine tumors were analyzed for LRP16 gene
      expression by two-step non-biotin immunohistochemical method. RESULTS: Fifty of
      ninety (55.6%) cases of neuroendocrine lung tumors tested were positive for LRP16
      protein by immunohistochemistry. The expression of LRP16 was mainly located in
      cytoplasm and nucleus of tumor cells. LRP16 protein was corresponding to tumor
      type and clinical stage, as well as survival time. CONCLUSIONS: The results
      indicate that abnormal LRP16 expression is noted in neuroendocrine lung tumors
      and the expression can give insight into the pathogenesis of the disease. The
      LRP16 protein may serve as a potential marker in predicting prognosis of
      neuroendocrine lung tumors.

PMID- 26261537
TI  - Splenosis in gastric fundus mimicking gastrointestinal stromal tumor: a report of
      two cases and review of the literature.
AB  - Splenosis refers to heterotopic autotransplantation and implantation of splenic
      tissue following splenic trauma or surgery. Splenosis in gastric fundus is rare
      and difficult to diagnose, since splenosis has similar manifestation with
      gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) under routine endoscopy examination. In
      this report, we present two quite rare case of splenosis. Both of their pre
      operative diagnose under endoscopic ultrasonography was considered as GIST.
      Finally, one in the abdominal cavity, adhering closely to the gastric fundus,
      measuring 20 mm * 15 mm, was resected by surgical operation, and one in the
      gastric fundus, measuring 20 mm * 20 mm, was resected by endoscopic surgery. The
      precise diagnosis of splenosis was distinct by post-operative histopathologic
      examination. In addition, we also made a mini review of previously published
      articles, in order to provide indication to solve future doubts in diagnosing and
      treating splenosis. 

PMID- 26261538
TI  - Impact of E6-associated protein on the proliferation and invasion of prostate
      cancer cells in bone metastasis.
AB  - PURPOSE: To understand E6 associated protein (E6-AP)'s influence on prostate
      cancer cell proliferation and infiltration, thus providing the theoretical basis
      for developing therapeutic drugs for prostate cancer metastasis to the bone.
      METHODS: Electroporation was performed to introduce linear regulatory plasmid
      PrevTet-off-in and conjugative plasmid PrevTRE2-flag-E6AP into prostate cancer
      cell line to establish wild-type E6-AP over-expressing transgenic LNCaP cell
      line; Western blot assay was adopted to examine expression levels of E6-AP,
      mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), protein kinase B (Akt), and
      phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K); PI3K inhibitor LY294002 was applied to all the
      cells and MTT assay was used to measure cell proliferation; Matrigel invasion
      chamber assay was adopted to detect cancer cell migration and invasion. RESULTS:
      Stably transfected LNCaP cells that over expressed E6-AP had higher expression
      levels of PI3K, Akt, and mTOR than control LNCaP cells; MTT assay showed that E6
      AP-LNCaP cells were more responsive to the inhibitory effect of LY294002;
      Matrigel invasion chamber assay revealed increased cell crawling and adhesiveness
      of E6-AP-LNCaP cells. CONCLUSION: Stable over-expression of E6-AP increases the
      proliferation and invasion of LNCaP cells.

PMID- 26261539
TI  - High miR-196a and low miR-367 cooperatively correlate with unfavorable prognosis
      of high-grade glioma.
AB  - Identification of microRNAs (miRNAs) could be beneficial for the diagnosis and
      prognosis of glioma. Therefore, we attempted to identify and develop specific
      miRNAs as prognostic and predictive markers for glioma patients. We compared the
      expression profiles of 365 miRNAs between 4 glioblastomas (GBMs, WHO grade IV)
      and 4 anaplastic astrocytomas (AAs, WHO grade III) using miRNA qPCR Array. MiR
      196a (P = 0.004, fold change = 289.86) and miR-367 (P = 0.044, fold change =
      0.03) were identified as the most up-regulated and down-regulated miRNAs in GBMs
      compared with AAs, respectively. We subsequently examined miR-196a and miR-367
      expression levels in an independent series of 63 gliomas including 50 GBMs and 13
      AAs, as well as 10 non-neoplastic brain tissues, and statistically analyzed the
      associations between miRNA expression and clinicopathological characteristics and
      survivals of these glioma patients. MiR-196a and miR-367 showed significant
      increased and decreased expression in high-grade gliomas relative to non
      neoplastic brains, as well as in GBMs versus AAs, respectively. Additionally,
      high-miR-196a and low-miR-367 expression, alone or in combination, statistically
      correlated with aggressive clinicopathological features of gliomas. Furthermore,
      overall survivals of glioma patients with high-miR-196a, low-miR-367 and high-miR
      196a/low-miR-367 expression tended to be shorter than the corresponding control
      groups (all P <= 0.001). Moreover, multivariate analysis indicated high-miR
      196a/low-miR-367 as an independent prognostic indicator for glioma patients (P =
      0.005, risk ratio = 1.8). Our results suggested that both high-miR-196a and low
      miR-367 expression may be associated with aggressive progression and unfavorable
      clinical outcome in glioma patients. And combination of high-miR-196a and low-miR
      367 expression may be a novel biomarker in identifying a poor prognosis group of
      high-grade glioma. 

PMID- 26261540
TI  - Overexpression of PROM1 (CD133) confers poor prognosis in non-small cell lung
      cancer.
AB  - The surface marker PROM1 is considered one of the most important marker of tumor
      initiating cells, and its high expression is believed to be an adverse prognostic
      factor in gliomas, medulloblastoma and in other malignancies. The aims of our
      research were to explore the expression profile of the PROM1 in non-small cell
      lung cancer (NSCLC) and to assess its possible role as a prognostic factor. The
      protein expression profiles were determined via immunohistochemical staining
      assay. The clinical prognostic values of protein expression were investigated
      with univariate and multivariate survival analysis. The quantitative variable
      PROM1 expression was dichotomized according to the best cutoff value obtained by
      the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis. The protein level of PROM1
      of NSCLC was higher compared with normal tissues, and the survival analysis
      demonstrated the positive membrane expression and combination of
      membrane/cytoplasm groups of PROM1 had worse prognosis than those negative
      expression groups. Also, multivariate Cox regression analysis showed membrane
      expression of PROM1 and lymph node invasion were the independent prognostic
      factors. The expression of PROM1 was significantly higher than normal tissue, and
      high levels of PROM1 membrane expression and combination of membrane/cytoplasm
      expression were associated with adverse prognosis. 

PMID- 26261541
TI  - Qiliqiangxin improves cardiac function and attenuates cardiac remodeling in rats
      with experimental myocardial infarction.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: It has been reported that Qiliqiangxin (QL), a traditional Chinese
      medicine compound, could inhibit cardiac hypertrophy and remodeling, and improve
      cardiac function. However, whether and how it reverses cardiac remodeling in rats
      post myocardial infarction (MI) remains unknown. This study aims to explore
      related mechanisms linked with cardiac function improvement and attenuation of
      cardiac remodeling by QL in rats with experimental MI. METHODS: MI was induced by
      ligation of left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) in male Sprague-Dawley
      rats. Rats with LVEF < 50% at four weeks after procedure were treated for another
      6 weeks with placebo, QL and captopril. Echocardiography and plasma NT-proBNP
      were measured at the end of study, and histological studies were performed.
      Protein expressions of Neuregulin-1 (NRG-1), total-Akt, phospho-Akt (Ser473),
      hydroxy-HIF-1alpha (Pro564), VEGF, Bax, Bcl-2 and Caspase 3 were examined by
      Western blot. mRNA expression of NRG-1 and p53 was detected by real-time PCR.
      RESULTS: Compared with the placebo group, QL improved cardiac function, reduced
      left ventricular dimension, inhibited interstitial inflammation and fibrosis,
      increased neovascularization, and attenuated cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Meanwhile
      QL significantly upregulated the expression of HIF-1alpha, VEGF, enhanced
      phosphorylation of Akt, decreased the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 and Caspase 3
      expression. Furthermore, we observed upregulation of NRG-1 and downregulation of
      p53 after QL treatment. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the beneficial effects
      of QL on improving cardiac function and attenuating cardiac remodeling post MI
      are associated with angiogenesis enhancement and apoptosis inhibition, which may
      be mediated via activation of NRG-1/Akt signaling and suppression of p53 pathway.

PMID- 26261542
TI  - Expression and function of microRNA-188-5p in activated rheumatoid arthritis
      synovial fibroblasts.
AB  - Activated synovial fibroblasts in rheumatoid arthritis (RASF) play a critical
      role in the pathology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Recent studies suggested that
      deregulation of microRNAs (miRs) affects the development and progression of RA.
      Therefore, we aimed to identify de-regulated miRs in RASF and to identify target
      genes that may contribute to the aggressive phenotype of RASF. Quantitative real
      time PCR revealed a marked downregulation of miR-188-5p in synovial tissue
      samples of RA patients as well as in RASF. Exposure to the cytokine interleukine
      1beta lead to a further downregulation of miR-188-5p expression levels compared
      to control cells. Re-expression of miR-188-5p in RASF by transient transfection
      significantly inhibited cell migration. However, miR-188-5p re-expression had no
      effects on glycosaminoglycan degradation or expression of repellent factors,
      which have been previously shown to affect the invasive behavior of RASF. In
      search for target genes of miR-188-5p in RASF we performed gene expression
      profiling in RASF and found a strong regulatory effect of miR-188-5p on the
      hyaluronan binding protein KIAA1199 as well as collagens COL1A1 and COL12A1,
      which was confirmed by qRT-PCR. In silico analysis revealed that KIAA1199 carries
      a 3'UTR binding site for miR-188-5p. COL1A1 and COL12A1 showed no binding site in
      the mRNA region, suggesting an indirect regulation of these two genes by miR-188
      5p. In summary, our study showed that miR-188-5p is down-regulated in RA in vitro
      and in vivo, most likely triggered by an inflammatory environment. MiR-188-5p
      expression is correlated to the activation state of RASF and inhibits migration
      of these cells. Furthermore, miR-188-5p is directly and indirectly regulating the
      expression of genes, which may play a role in extracellular matrix formation and
      destruction in RA. Herewith, this study identified potential novel therapeutic
      targets to inhibit the development and progression of RA.

PMID- 26261543
TI  - MiR-218 inhibits HMGB1-mediated autophagy in endometrial carcinoma cells during
      chemotherapy.
AB  - Endometrial carcinoma is the most common gynecological malignancy among women
      worldwide. Although treatment for EC has improved with the introduction of
      Paclitaxel (Tax) chemotherapy, the majority of patients will develop resistance
      to the treatment, leading to poor prognosis. One of the causes of chemoresistance
      is the increased ability to undergo autophagy. In this study, we identified that
      miR-218 was significantly down-regulated in Tax-resistant EC cells compared to
      the non-drug resistant cell lines, and overexpression of miR-218 sensitized
      paclitaxel resistant EC cells to paclitaxel. Moreover, we demonstrated that miR
      218 directly binds to the 3'-UTR of HMGB1 gene. HMGB1 was upregulated in
      paclitaxel resistant EC cells, it mediated autophagy and contributed to
      chemotherapy resistance in endometrial carcinoma in vitro. HMGB1-mediated
      autophagy could be suppressed by miR-218 overexpression in Tax resistant EC
      cells. In summary, we determined the targeting role of miR-218 to HMGB1 and the
      regulation of miR-218 on the HMGB1-mediated cell autophagy during chemotherapy
      resistance in endometrial carcinoma cells. These results reveal novel potential
      role of miR-218 against chemotherapy resistance during the treatment of
      endometrial carcinoma. 

PMID- 26261544
TI  - Peroxiredoxin 4 as an independent prognostic marker for survival in patients with
      early-stage lung squamous cell carcinoma.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Peroxiredoxin 4 (Prx 4) is a newly emerging antioxidant protein that
      has been studied in several human cancers. Recently, it was revealed that Prx 4
      is highly expressed in human lung cancer and is needed for the promotion of lung
      cancer progression in vitro. However, there are no clinical data regarding the
      association of Prx 4 and prognosis in lung cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Prx
      4 expression state as a prognostic indicator was assessed by immunohistochemical
      staining in 142 patients with stage II non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who had
      undergone curative surgery between 2006 and 2010. The association between the
      degree of Prx 4 expression and several clinicopathologic parameters was then
      evaluated by statistical analyses. RESULTS: The degree of Prx 4 expression was
      associated with histology and recurrence in the overall NSCLC patient group, with
      the proportion of patients with positive Prx 4 expression significantly higher
      for the adenocarcinoma subtype (39/70, 56%) than the squamous cell carcinoma
      subtype (23/72, 32%) (P = 0.004). However, when subgroup analyses according to
      histopathology were performed in terms of recurrence, positive Prx 4 expression
      was significantly correlated with higher recurrence rates (P = 0.003) and shorter
      disease-free survival (DFS) (P = 0.003, hazard ratio = 3.910) in patients with
      squamous cell carcinoma. In contrast, no meaningful relationship was observed
      between the level of Prx 4 expression and DFS in the adenocarcinoma subgroup.
      CONCLUSION: Positive Prx 4 expression is significantly correlated with recurrence
      and shorter DFS in patients with early-stage lung squamous cell carcinoma.

PMID- 26261545
TI  - Calcium alginate enhances wound healing by up-regulating the ratio of collagen
      types I/III in diabetic rats.
AB  - Calcium alginate has been proved to favor the skin ulcer healing and collagen
      synthesis was a critical factor for the wound closure. The present study was to
      elucidate the mechanism of calcium alginate on the diabetes skin ulceration.
      Calcium alginate dressing was applied daily on the full-thickness exercising
      wound created on the back of diabetic rat model as Alg-group (n=6), and the
      vaseline dressing was used as control (n=6). Rats were respectively sacrificed
      and the wound tissues were removed and used for the evaluation of various
      biochemical analysis contained collagen (type I and III) by Western blotting and
      hydroxyproline level changes by ELISA assay at 3 d, 7 d and 14 d after wounding.
      The expression of skin collagen I in Alg-group was enhanced from day 3 (0.66 +/-
      0.25 vs. 0.42 +/- 0.09, P<0.05) to day 14 (1.09 +/- 0.14 vs. 0.78 +/- 0.16,
      P<0.05). However, no significant difference of collagen III expression was found
      between two groups during wound healing (P>0.05). And the ratio of collagen I/III
      in Alg-group was greater than that of Vas-group at day 7 (1.07 +/- 0.31 vs. 0.77
      +/- 0.11, P<0.05) and 14 (1.18 +/- 0.30 vs. 0.83 +/- 0.14, P<0.05). The
      hydroxyproline level in skin homogenate of Alg-group was higher than that of Vas
      group from day 3 (30.29 +/- 0.92 ng/ml vs. 27.52 +/- 0.83 ng/ml, P<0.05) to day
      14 (89.58 +/- 4.97 ng/ml vs. 79.30 +/- 4.42 ng/ml, P<0.05). Calcium alginate
      accelerates the process of wound healing through improving type I collagen
      synthesis and increasing ratio of collagen I/III in diabetic rats.

PMID- 26261547
TI  - The role of tumor-associated macrophages in breast carcinoma invasion and
      metastasis.
AB  - The main purpose of this study was to investigate the infiltration of tumor
      associated macrophages (TAMs) in normal and malignant breast tissue and the
      draining lymph nodes, and to explore its effect on breast cancer invasion and
      metastasis. The infiltration densities of TAMs was observed using
      immunohistochemical staining of CD68 in 100 cases of breast cancer specimens and
      its paired adjacent non-cancer breast tissues and draining lymph modes, and then
      to evaluate the relation of TAMs to various clinicopathological features
      including patients prognosis in breast carcinoma. We observed the infiltration
      densities of TAMs were significantly higher in breast carcinoma tissue than in
      adjacent normal tissue and significantly higher in much larger size and higher
      stage cases. Furthermore, infiltration densities of TAMs have negative
      correlation with the 5-year survival rates of breast cancer patients. But in
      matched lymph-nodes, the infiltration densities of TAMs were significantly lower
      in cancerous metastatic lymph-node samples than in non-metastatic one. Therefore,
      our data suggests that TAMs infiltration in primary tumor promote invasion and
      lymphatic metastasis of breast cancer and have negative correlation with patients
      prognosis in breast cancer, but in lymph-node TAMs may play another role and need
      further study in the future. 

PMID- 26261546
TI  - MiR-1228 promotes breast cancer cell growth and metastasis through targeting SCAI
      protein.
AB  - Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women around the world. However, the
      molecular mechanisms underlying breast cancer pathogenesis are only partially
      understood. Here, in this study, we found that miR-1228 was up-regulated in
      breast cancer cell lines and tissues. Ectopic expression of miR-1228 mimics leads
      to promoted cell growth, invasion and migration. Using bioinfomatic analysis and
      3'UTR luciferase reporter assay, we determined SCAI can be directly targeted by
      miR-1228, which can down-regulate endogenous SCAI protein level. Furthermore, our
      findings demonstrate that SCAI was down-regulated in breast cancer cell lines and
      tissues. Rescue experiment demonstrated that miR-1228 promoted cell growth is
      attenuated by over-expression of MOAP1 and miR-1228 promoted cell invasion and
      migration can be attenuated by over-expression of SCAI. Taken together, this
      study provides evidences that miR-1228 serves as an oncogene to promote breast
      cancer proliferation, invasion and migration, which may become a critical
      therapeutic target for breast cancer treatment. 

PMID- 26261548
TI  - Suppressive effect of beta, beta-dimethylacryloyl alkannin on activated dendritic
      cells in an imiquimod-induced psoriasis mouse model.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of beta, beta-dimethylacryloyl alkannin, a
      main component of Lithospermum erythrorhizon, on activated dendritic cells (DCs)
      in a psoriasis mouse model. METHODS: BALB/c mice were used to establish the
      animal model for psoriasis-like skin lesion; alkannin at 10 mg/kg (high), 5 mg/kg
      (medium), 2.5 mg/kg (low), respectively, were intragastrically administered.
      Psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) was used to evaluate the skin lesions.
      Histological changes, the thickness of epidermis, and the quantity of interleukin
      (IL)-23 in skin lesion were measured. In in vitro experiments, mononuclear cells
      in peripheral blood from healthy people were isolated, and monocytes were
      obtained. DCs with a mature state in differentiation and function were obtained
      through in vitro induction with several cytokines, and identified by flow
      cytometry. The influence of DCs on proliferation of allogenic lymphocytes was
      analyzed. The influence of alkannin on messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA)
      expression of pro-inflammatory factors by mature DCs was evaluated using reverse
      transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Mice treated with alkannin at
      varying concentration showed obvious remission in psoriasis-like skin lesion
      compared to control group, with decreased PASI score, obviously reduced vertical
      thickness of epidermis. Besides, alkannin treatment decreased the expression of
      IL-23 in skin lesion. Alkannin (12.5 MUg/mL) suppressed the ability of DCs to
      stimulate the proliferation of allogenic lymphocytes, and suppressed the
      expression and secretion of IL-6, IL-12 p40, IL-23, IL-1beta, tumor necrosis
      factor-alpha mRNA and proteins, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: beta, beta
      dimethylacryloyl alkannin could suppress the function of activated DCs in
      imiquimod-induced psoriasis mouse model.

PMID- 26261549
TI  - Effects of targeted nano-delivery systems combined with hTERT-siRNA and Bmi-1
      siRNA on MCF-7 cells.
AB  - The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of a targeted siRNA nano
      delivery system to silence the expression of Bmi-1 and hTERT, and to verify the
      toxicity of this delivery system in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. The most effective
      Bmi-1 siRNA and hTERT siRNA sequences were selected using RT-PCR and Western
      blotting. The polyethyleneimine (PEI)/siRNA nano-condensate was synthesized using
      PEI and modified using an NGR peptide fragment for targeting to tumor cells. The
      vector morphology, particle size and zeta potential were observed using an atomic
      force microscope and a laser particle size analyzer. The MCF-7 breast cancer cell
      line was transfected with the vector, and cytotoxicity was tested by MTT assays.
      The transfection efficiency was evaluated by qRT-PCR and Western blotting.
      Changes in gene expression and apoptosis rate were measured by flow cytometry.
      The size of LPN carrier and the condensate particle was between 100 and 200 nm
      and the potentials were close to neutral. There was maximum transfection
      efficiency and no significant increase in toxicity at 15 pmol/L. Bmi-1 and hTERT
      expression decreased, but the inhibition rate increased in the hTERT siRNA group,
      the hTERT+Bmi-1 siRNA group and the hTERT+Bmi-1 siRNA group compared with the
      scrambled siRNA group and the control group. Moreover, the hTERT+Bmi-1 siRNA
      group had the highest level of gene silencing. The complex, composed of Lipo, PEI
      and siRNA, is low toxicity and efficient transfection vectors. The expression
      level of Bmi-1 and hTERT was decreased by the gene silencing of either Bmi-1 or
      hTERT, but the effects were more significant when both were silenced
      simultaneously.

PMID- 26261550
TI  - HMGB1 is activated in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and in mesangial cells in
      response to high glucose.
AB  - Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most devastating complications of
      diabetes, leading the cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). And investigations
      into mechanisms underlying renal inflammation may provide new insight into novel
      therapeutic targets for patients with DN. However, little is known about the
      promotion of inflammation in DN. In the present study, we examined the promotion
      by high glucose to High-mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) in patients with type 2
      diabetes mellitus or in renal mesangial SV40 MES 13 cells. Results demonstrated
      that high glucose promoted the pre-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-alpha, IL
      1beta and IL-6 in patients with T2DM or in SV40 MES 13 cells. And the serum HMGB1
      was also upregulated in T2DM patients, correlating with serum IL-6 and TNFalpha.
      The in vitro results indicated that HMGB1 mediated the D-glucose-induced pro
      inflammatory cytokines in mesangial cells. And the NF-kappaB signaling pathway
      involved in the promotion of pro-inflammatory cytokines by D-glucose. In summary,
      the present study indicated that HMGB1 was significantly promoted by the glucose
      in vivo or in vitro, in an association with an upregulation of pro-inflammatory
      cytokines, via activating NF-kappaB signaling pathway. And the strategy of HMGB1
      inhibition reduced the upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines in response to
      high glucose, via inhibiting the NF-kappaB signaling pathway. It implies the
      regulatory role of HMGB1 in the inflammatory responses in DN. 

PMID- 26261551
TI  - Local blockage of EMMPRIN impedes pressure ulcers healing in a rat model.
AB  - Excessive extracellular matrix degradation caused by the hyperfunction of matrix
      metalloproteinases (MMPs) has been implicated in the failure of pressure ulcers
      healing. EMMPRIN, as a widely expressed protein, has emerged as an important
      regulator of MMP activity. We hypothesize that EMMPRIN affects the process of
      pressure ulcer healing by modulating MMP activity. In the rat pressure ulcer
      model, the expression of EMMPRIN in ulcers detected by Western blot was elevated
      compared with that observed in normal tissue. To investigate the role of EMMPRIN
      in regulating ulcer healing, specific antibodies against EMMPRIN were used via
      direct administration on the pressure ulcer. Local blockage of EMMPRIN resulted
      in a poor ulcer healing process compared with control ulcers, which was the
      opposite of our expectation. Furthermore, inhibiting EMMPRIN minimally impacted
      MMP activity. However, the collagen content in the pressure ulcer was reduced in
      the EMMPRIN treated group. Angiogenesis and the expression of angiogenic factors
      in pressure ulcers were also reduced by EMMPRIN local blockage. The results in
      the present study indicate a novel effect of EMMPRIN in the regulation of
      pressure ulcer healing by controlling the collagen contents and angiogenesis
      rather than MMPs activity. 

PMID- 26261552
TI  - CXCR4 inhibitor attenuates allergen-induced lung inflammation by down-regulating
      MMP-9 and ERK1/2.
AB  - Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 12 (CXCL12) and its receptor chemokine receptor 4
      (CXCR4) have been recognized to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of
      bronchial asthma, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are yet to be fully
      addressed. In the present report we demonstrated that CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling
      mediates allergic airway inflammation through induction of matrix
      metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) in a murine asthmatic model. We noted that
      administration of AMD3100, a specific CXCR4 antagonist, significantly attenuated
      OVA-induced asthmatic responses along with reduced epithelial MMP-9 expression.
      Our studies in a bronchial epithelial cell line, 16HBE cells, further revealed
      that CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling synergizes with IL-13 to enhance epithelial MMP-9
      expression. Our mechanistic studies demonstrated that CXCL12/CXCR4 enhances
      epithelial MMP-9 expression by inducing ERK1/2 expression and activation.
      Together, these studies would bring novel insight into the understanding for the
      role of CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling in asthmatic responses during the course of
      bronchial asthma development.

PMID- 26261553
TI  - Lipoxin A4 promotes ABCA1 expression and cholesterol efflux through the LXRalpha
      signaling pathway in THP-1 macrophage-derived foam cells.
AB  - Adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) is a crucial
      cholesterol transporter and plays a central role in the high density lipoproteins
      (HDL) cholesterol metabolism and lipid clearance from the foam cell. Lipoxin A4
      (LXA4) is an endogenous lipid mediator that requires cell-cell interaction or
      cell-platelet interaction for its synthesis. The roles of LXA4 on inflammatory
      responses are well described, while its effects on mediating ABCA1 and underlying
      mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we showed that LXA4 significantly
      increases expression of ABCA1 and LXRalpha in a dose-dependent manner in THP-1
      macrophage-derived foam cells. Cellular cholesterol content was decreased while
      cholesterol efflux was increased by LXA4 treatment. However, after short
      interfering RNA of LXRalpha, the effects of LXA4 on ABCA1 expression and
      cholesterol metabolism were significantly abolished. These results provide
      evidence that LXA4 increases ABCA1 expression and promotes cholesterol efflux
      through LXRalpha pathway in THP-1 macrophage-derived foam cells. 

PMID- 26261554
TI  - Desmocollin 3 mediates follicle stimulating hormone-induced ovarian epithelial
      cancer cell proliferation by activating the EGFR/Akt signaling pathway.
AB  - Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is associated with the pathogenesis of ovarian
      cancer. We sought to explore whether desmocollin 3 (Dsc3) mediates FSH-induced
      ovarian epithelial cancer cell proliferation and whether the EGFR/Akt signaling
      pathway may be involved in this process. Dsc3 positivity in ovarian tissue
      specimens from 72 patients was assessed by immunohistochemistry. The positive
      expression rates of Dsc3 were similar in ovarian cancer tissues (24/31:77.4%) and
      borderline ovarian tumor tissues (18/22:81.8%) (P>0.05), but were significantly
      higher in these cancerous tissues than in benign ovarian cyst tissues
      (3/19:15.8%) (P<0.05). Consistently, the expression of Dsc3 in four out of five
      ovarian cancer cells (HO8910, Skov3ip, Skov and Hey cells, but not ES-2 and in
      borderline ovarian MCV152 tumor cells was higher than in the immortalized ovarian
      epithelial cell line, Moody. FSH up-regulated the expression of Dsc3 and EGFR in
      a dose- and time-dependent manner. Furthermore, a converse relationship between
      the expression of Dsc3, EFGR and PI3K/Akt signaling was elucidated using RNA
      interference and PI3K/Akt inhibitor in the absence and presence of FSH. A role
      for these proteins in FSH-induced cell proliferation was verified, highlighting
      their interdependence in mediating ovarian cancer cell function. These results
      suggest that Dsc3 can mediate FSH-induced ovarian cancer cell proliferation by
      activating the EGFR/Akt signaling pathway.

PMID- 26261555
TI  - Expression of CD44 in pancreatic cancer and its significance.
AB  - BACKGROUND: CD44 is a potentially interesting prognostic marker and therapeutic
      target in pancreatic cancer. The expression of CD44 has been reported to
      correlate with poor prognosis of pancreatic cancer in most literatures. The
      purpose of this study is to investigate the roles of CD44 in pancreatic caner,
      and their correlation with the prognosis of pancreatic cancer patients. METHODS:
      67 pancreatic cancer samples were collected in Xinhua hospital affiliated to
      Shanghai Jiaotong University dating from Jan 2010 to Dec 2012.
      Immunohistochemistry was applied to test the expression of CD44 in pancreatic
      cancer. The clinical data of the patients were collected including their gender,
      age, the histology and location, lymph node metastasis and so on. The correlation
      between the CD44 expression and the clinicopathological factors of patients with
      pancreatic cancer was analyzed by the software SPSS 13.0. We devise and synthesis
      of effectively interference of shRNA sequence of CD44, which was transefected to
      the pancreatic cancer cells PANC-1. Colony formation assay, cell migration assays
      and western blot were performed. RESULTS: The positive rates of CD44 expression
      in pancreatic samples were 73.1% (49/67). Univariate analysis showed that there
      were a significant differences between the CD44 expression and the pancreatic
      cancer' T staging, TNM staging, lymph node metastasis, the differentiation
      degree, tumor location (P < 0.05). The Cox proportional hazards model showed that
      differentiation, CD44 expression and nerve invasion were independent prognostic
      factors. Knockdown of CD44 expression in pancreatic cancer cells led to decreased
      cellular proliferation and migration ability, accompanied by downregulation of p
      ERK and p-AKT. CONCLUSION: CD44 were related to the distant metastasis and
      aggressive malignant behaviors of pancreatic cancer. CD44 may regulate
      tumorigenesis and cancer metastasis partially via PI3K/AKT or MAPK/ERK regulatory
      pathway.

PMID- 26261556
TI  - JAK2/STAT3 pathway mediating inflammatory responses in heatstroke-induced rats.
AB  - Heatstroke not only directly induces cell injury, but also causes large amounts
      of inflammatory mediators release and cells with extensive biological activities
      to induce a systemic inflammatory response and immune dysfunction. This study
      aimed to observe the effects of JAK2 inhibitor AG490 on the brain injury and
      inflammatory responses of rats with systemic heatstroke. Under the light
      microscope, the hippocampus tissues of rat with heatstroke were edema and
      apoptotic rate was increased. Up-regulation of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric
      oxide synthase (iNOS), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and down-regulation of
      superoxide dismutase (SOD) were also found after heatstroke in rats, which
      compared with that of the control group. Heatstroke induced inflammation factors
      secretions and up-regulated levels of matrix metallopeptidase 2 and 9 (MMP2 and
      MMP-9) and systemic inflammatory response molecules including intercellular
      adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), tumor necrosis factor-beta 1 (TNF-beta1) and
      cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). However, the JAK2 inhibitor AG490 was significantly
      attenuated the brain injury and inflammatory responses induced by heatstroke in
      rats. The survival time of heatstroke rats showed that AG490 notably lived longer
      than heatstroke rats without AG490 treatment. These findings suggest that AG490
      may prevent the occurrence of heatstroke via inhibiting the JAK2/STAT3 pathway
      and the systemic inflammatory responses. 

PMID- 26261557
TI  - Protective effects of luteolin against cognitive impairment induced by infusion
      of Abeta peptide in rats.
AB  - Luteolin can be found in many traditional Chinese medicines, it's a falconoid
      compound derived from Lonicera japonica Thunb. This study aims to investigate the
      neuroprotective effects of luteolin against cognitive impairment induced by
      amyloid-beta (Abeta) peptide and the underlying mechanisms in rats. The animal
      behavioral tests showed that luteolin could ameliorate Abeta-induced learning and
      memory impairment. In hippocampal tissue, the activity of choline acetyl
      transferase (ChAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH
      Px) increased after treated by luteolin. Luteolin also reversed the increased
      activity of acetylcholine esterase (AchE). In hippocampi homogenate, the content
      of acetylcholine (Ach) increased, but malondialdehyde (MDA) reduced. Moreover,
      luteolin can increase Bcl-2/Bax ratio. This study demonstrated that luteolin
      could protect Alzheimer's disease (AD) rats against Abeta-induced cognitive
      impairment through regulating the cholinergic system and inhibiting oxidative
      injuries. The results suggesting that luteolin may have potential as a therapy
      for AD.

PMID- 26261558
TI  - Effect of metformin on Schwann cells under hypoxia condition.
AB  - Metformin, which is the first-line drug for the treatment of diabetes mellitus
      type 2, has been proved to possess beneficial effects on nerve regeneration in
      many studies. However, the underlying mechanism is currently unclear. The present
      study was designed to investigate the potential beneficial effect of metformin on
      SCs under hypoxia condition, which is a biological process at the injury site.
      The cell number and cell viability of SCs were examined using fluorescence
      observation and MTT assay. The migration of SCs was evaluated using a Transwell
      chamber. The expression and secretion of nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived
      neurotrophic factor (BDNF), glial cell derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and
      neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM) in SCs were assayed by RT-PCR and ELISA
      method. The results showed that metformin could help SCs recover from hypoxia
      injury and inhibit hypoxia-induced apoptosis. In addition, metformin could
      partially reverse the detrimental effect of hypoxia on cell number, viability,
      migration and adhesion. Metformin is also capable of maintaining the biological
      activities of SCs after hypoxia injury, such as increasing the expression and
      secretion of BDNF, NGF, GDNF, and N-CAM. Further studies showed that pre
      incubation with AMPK (5'-AMP-activated protein kinase) inhibitor Compound C might
      partially inhibit the effect of metformin mentioned above, indicating the
      possible involvement of AMPK pathway in the beneficial effects of metformin on
      peripheral nervous system. In conclusion, metformin is capable of alleviating
      hypoxia-induced injury to SCs and AMPK pathway might be involved in this process.

PMID- 26261559
TI  - FOXM1-LDHA signaling promoted gastric cancer glycolytic phenotype and
      progression.
AB  - The oncogenic transcription factor forkhead box protein M1 (FOXM1) plays critical
      roles in gastric cancer (GC) development and progression. However, the underlying
      mechanisms has not fully demonstrated. Lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) is widely
      overexpressed in a series of cancers and is one of the two subunits of Lactate
      dehydrogenase (LDH), which is the key glycolytic enzyme and catalyzes the
      interconversion of pyruvate and lactate. In this study, we characterized the
      regulation of aerobic glycolysis by FOXM1 via transactivation of LDHA in GC. We
      found that LDHA was overexpressed GC cells, and the expression of LDHA was
      transcriptionally regulated by FOXM1. Furthermore, FOXM1 regulated GC cells
      glycolytic phenotype, proliferation, migration and invasion via LDHA. Thus, FOXM1
      LDHA signaling functioned as a stimulator of glycolysis and promoted GC
      progression.

PMID- 26261560
TI  - APPL1 acts as a protective factor against podocytes injury in high glucose
      environment.
AB  - APPL1, an intracellular adaptor protein, takes part in numerous metabolic
      reactions. Although APPL1 plays a key role in glucose metabolism via adiponectin
      pathway and has been proved associated with type 2 diabetes, little is known
      about its role in diabetic nephropathy. To explore the role of APPL1 in diabetic
      nephropathy, we upregulated the expression of APPL1 in cultured mouse podocytes
      by adenovirus infection and tested the effects of APPL1 overexpression in
      podocytes treated with high glucose. Here, a mouse podocyte cell line (generated
      from H-2Kb-tsA58 immortmouse) was cultured and divided into four groups: Group 1
      (normal glucose, NG), Group 2 (high glucose, HG), Group 3 (HG and infected with
      control adenovirus) and Group 4 (HG and infected with Ad-APPL1). Cell vitality of
      Group 4 is significantly higher than Group 2, but notably lower than Group 1
      (P<0.01). The apoptosis rate of Group 4 was much lower (P<0.01) than Group 2 and
      Group 3. A decrease in phase G0/G1 and an increase in phase S was observed in
      Group 4 compared with Group 2 (P<0.01). These data suggested the protective role
      of APPL1 overexpression in high glucose condition. Moreover, the levels of
      Nephrin, AMPK and p-AMPK were decreased by high-glucose treatment, but increased
      by APPL1 overexpression. In conclusion, in the experimental high glucose
      condition, APPL1 acts as a protective factor against podocytes injury through
      regulating AMPK signaling, and may be a new therapy target for diabetic
      nephropathy. 

PMID- 26261561
TI  - HAEC in the treatment of brain hemorrhage: a preliminary observation in rabbits.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of human
      amniotic epithelial cell (HAEC) transplantation in the management of brain
      hemorrhage in an animal model. METHODS: New Zealand white rabbits were induced to
      develop cerebral hemorrhage through autologous blood injection. Animals with
      confirmed brain hemorrhage were randomized to receive transplantation of,
      respectively, vehicle (n=15) and primary HAECs (n=15) that were expressing
      embryonic stem cell- and neuron-specific markers and were transfected with a
      retroviral vector carrying the green fluorescent protein (GFP). Behavioral and
      histological changes, survival of transplanted HAECs, and expression of glial
      fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and MAP-2 in transplanted perifocal tissue were
      assessed at various time points after transplantation. RESULTS: At 2-3 weeks
      after transplantation, walking, body weight-supporting and movement coordinating
      capacities of limbs were improved mostly level II-III hemorrhage lesion cases in
      HAEC transplantation group but mostly in level I-II hemorrhage lesion cases in
      the vehicle control group. The Tarlov scores were significantly difference
      between the two groups (P<0.05). GFAP- and MAP-2-positive cells were observed in
      the neural tissue in animals transplanted with hAECs but not in animals in the
      control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: These preliminary observations suggest that
      hAEC transplantation possess both embryonic stem cell features and a neuron
      differentiation potential and thus may offer a promising treatment for hemorrhage
      associated neurological damage.

PMID- 26261562
TI  - Angelica Sinensis attenuates inflammatory reaction in experimental rat models
      having spinal cord injury.
AB  - This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of Angelica Sinensis on experimental
      rat models in which spinal cord injury was induced by studying different factors.
      Different factors causing inflammation play a key role in pathophysiology of SCI.
      Here three groups of rats (n=15, each was used). These included a sham control
      group where only laminectomy was performed, SCI group where SCI was induced and
      AS/SCI group where although SCI was induced but Angelica Sinensis was also
      administered to study its effect and draw a comparison with control. The
      expression of I-kBalpha and NF-kB p65 was also studied using western blotting and
      after recording optical density (OD) values of western blots. MPO activity was
      used to measure the effect of 20 mg/kg Angelica Sinensis. The levels of
      proinflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-6 were also studied. As
      compared with SCI group and sham control it was observed that Angelica Sinensis
      significantly reduced the expression of I-kBalpha and NF-kB p65, (P<0.05), while
      MPO activity was also significantly reduced. Proinflammatory cytokine level was
      also reduced in treated group as compared to both other groups. On the basis of
      this study we concluded that the use of 20 mg/kg Angelica Sinensis in rat models
      can attenuate the secondary damage caused by SCI and thus help in controlling the
      pathology of SCI in rats. 

PMID- 26261563
TI  - N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide as a marker of blunt cardiac contusion
      in trauma.
AB  - Cardiac contusion is usually caused by blunt chest trauma and, although it is
      potentially a life-threatening condition, the diagnosis of a myocardial contusion
      is difficult because of non-specific symptoms and the lack of an ideal test to
      detect myocardial damage. Cardiac enzymes, such as creatine kinase (CK), creatine
      kinase MB fraction (CK-MB), cardiac troponin I (cTn-I), and cardiac troponin T
      (cTn-T) were used in previous studies to demonstrate the blunt cardiac contusion
      (BCC). Each of these diagnostic tests alone is not effective for diagnosis of
      BCC. The aim of this study was to investigate the serum heart-type fatty acid
      binding protein (h-FABP), N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP),
      CK, CK-MB, and cTn-I levels as a marker of BCC in blunt chest trauma in rats. The
      eighteen Wistar albino rats were randomly allocated to two groups; group I
      (control) (n=8) and group II (blunt chest trauma) (n=10). Isolated BCC was
      induced by the method described by Raghavendran et al. (2005). All rats were
      observed in their cages and blood samples were collected after five hours of
      trauma for the analysis of serum h-FABP, NT-pro BNP, CK, CK-MB, and cTn-I levels.
      The mean serum NT-pro BNP was significantly different between group I and II
      (10.3 +/- 2.10 ng/L versus 15.4 +/- 3.68 ng/L, respectively; P=0.0001). NT-pro
      BNP level >13 ng/ml had a sensitivity of 87.5%, a specificity of 70%, a positive
      predictive value of 70%, and a negative predictive value of 87.5% for predicting
      blunt chest trauma (area under curve was 0.794 and P=0.037). There was no
      significant difference between two groups in serum h-FABP, CK, CK-MB and c Tn-I
      levels. A relation between NT-Pro BNP and BCC was shown in this study. Serum NT
      proBNP levels significantly increased with BCC after 5 hours of the blunt chest
      trauma. The use of NT-proBNP as an adjunct to other diagnostic tests, such as
      troponins, electrocardiography (ECG), chest x-ray and echocardiogram may be
      beneficial for diagnosis of BCC.

PMID- 26261564
TI  - Mandible ameloblastoma with lung metastasis: a rare case report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The ameloblastoma is the most common odontogenic epithelial tumor,
      which belong to benign neoplasms that present a painless course, and usually
      occur in the oromaxillo-facial region. Although the histopathological
      manifestation of ameloblastoma is benign, it has unique biological behavior, for
      example local invasion and recurrence repeatedly. A few case of ameloblastoma was
      locally aggressive growth, and rarely metastasis to other tissue, for example the
      lungs, lymph nodes, and spine. CASE REPORT: A 64-year-old Chinese man, diagnosed
      with metastatic ameloblastoma, was treated with palliative chemotherapy
      consisting of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and cisplatin for six cycles, and
      radiotherapy for 50 Gy after the last cycle chemotherapy. During the surveillance
      CT scan after the therapy, the tissues of the tumor were nearly complete
      response. CONCLUSION: The purpose of this study was to report a case of a patient
      with a right mandible ameloblastoma that recurred repeatedly and metastasized
      into bilateral lung. After the chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the tissues of the
      tumor were nearly complete response. This case is interesting because it
      investigated the diagnosis and treatment of the malignancy ameloblastoma, as this
      may help diagnose and treatment for clinician to the metastatic ameloblastoma.

PMID- 26261565
TI  - Bacterial extract OM-85 BV protects mice against experimental chronic
      rhinosinusitis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To investigate the therapeutic effects of OM-85 BV as an adjunctive
      treatment on experimental chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) in mice. METHODOLOGY:
      Female BALB/c mice aged 8-12 weeks were sensitized and administrated by
      intranasal Aspergillus fumigatis (AF) three times per week for 1 week, 3 weeks, 2
      months and 3 months (n = 10 each time point). The mice were randomly and equally
      assigned to four groups: normal control group, model group, OM-85-BV plus
      amoxicillin group, and isolated amoxicillin group. Inflammatory changes were
      determined by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The expression levels of
      suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) 1, SOCS3, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)
      alpha, and interferon (IFN)-gamma in samples were assessed by using real-time PCR
      (RT-PCR) and Western blotting. RESULTS: There were significantly inflammatory and
      structural changes between the model and other groups. Compared to the model
      group, the mRNA expression levels of SOCS1, SOCS3, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma were
      significantly decreased in OM-85-BV plus amoxicillin group and isolated
      amoxicillin group, along with the protein levels. CONCLUSION: The bacterial
      extract OM-85 BV is a low-cost alternatively adjunctive drug to treat CRS with
      simple oral administration, good safety, and few side effects.

PMID- 26261566
TI  - The role of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB-1) in the diabetic retinopathy
      inflammation and apoptosis.
AB  - Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is one of the most common complications of the late
      phase diabetes, and also a common cause of blindness. High mobility group box 1
      (HMGB-1) is considered to be an inflammatory mediator in the late phase that
      promotes inflammation and neovascularization in diabetes. Therefore, this paper
      discussed the role of HMGB-1 in diabetic retinopathy inflammation and
      neovascularization. 96 adult SD rats were randomly divided into control and
      diabetes group. The diabetic rat model was established by intraperitoneal
      injection of streptomycin (0.1 mol/L). Western blot was applied to determine HMGB
      1 and its receptor RAGE and TLR2 protein expression in the serum. TUNEL was used
      to detect retinal apoptosis. Immunofluorescence was performed to test HMGB1
      protein expression in retina. HBGM-1 and RAGE expression in diabetic rat retina
      was significantly higher than the control (P < 0.05), while TLR2 expression was
      lower (P < 0.05). TUNEL detection showed that diabetic rat retinal cells
      presented obviously higher apoptosis rate (P < 0.05). Immunofluorescence test
      revealed that HMGB1 largely expressed in the diabetic rat retinal cells (P <
      0.05). HMGB1 may involve in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy by binding
      with RAGE receptor to accelerate rat retinal cells apoptosis.

PMID- 26261567
TI  - Effects of hydrogen sulfide on high glucose-induced glomerular podocyte injury in
      mice.
AB  - The aim of this study was to assess the effects of hydrogen sulfide on high
      glucose-induced mouse podocyte (MPC) injury and the underlying mechanisms. Mouse
      podocytes were randomly divided into 4 groups, including high glucose (HG),
      normal glucose (NG), normal glucose + DL-propargylglycine (PPG), and high glucose
      + NaHS (HG + NaHS) groups for treatment. Then, ZO-2, nephrin, beta-catenin, and
      cystathionine gamma-lyase (CSE) protein expression levels were determined by
      western blot. We found that high glucose significantly reduced nephrin, ZO-2, and
      CSE expression levels (P<0.05), and overtly elevated beta-catenin amounts
      (P<0.05), in a time-dependent manner. Likewise, PPG at different concentrations
      in normal glucose resulted in significantly lower CSE, ZO-2, and nephrin levels
      (P<0.05), and increased beta-catenin amounts (P<0.05). Interestingly,
      significantly increased ZO-2 and nephrin levels, and overtly reduced beta-catenin
      amounts were observed in the HG + NaHS group compared with HG treated cells
      (P<0.01). Compared with NG treated cells, decreased ZO-2 and nephrin levels and
      higher beta-catenin amounts were obtained in the HG + NaHS group. In
      conclusion,CSE downregulation contributes to hyperglycemia induced podocyte
      injury, which is alleviated by exogenous H2S possibly through ZO-2 upregulation
      and the subsequent suppression of Wnt/beta-catenin pathway.

PMID- 26261568
TI  - Expression of the EphA1 protein is associated with Fuhrman nuclear grade in clear
      cell renal cell carcinomas.
AB  - Aberrant expression of receptor tyrosine kinase EphA1 in malignant tissues has
      been reported. However, the expression profile of EphA1 in renal cell carcinoma
      (RCC) and its association with clinicopathological parameters remain unknown. The
      aim of this study was to determine the cancerous value of the EphA1 protein
      expression in patients with renal cell carcinomas. This study included 144
      patients with clear cell RCC (ccRCC), 18 patients with chromophobe RCC and 6
      patients with papillary RCC. The EphA1 protein was detected in RCC tissue samples
      by an immunohistochemical staining with a specific polycolonal antibody. The
      correlation of the expression of the EphA1 protein with clinicopathological
      parameters was evaluated. High level of the expression of EphA1 was observed in
      all normal renal tubes. The EphA1 protein was negatively or weakly expressed in
      93 out of 144 ccRCC (64.6%) and positively expressed in 51 out of 144 ccRCC
      (35.4%). The high level expression of the EphA1 protein was significantly
      associated with younger patients (P<0.001), sex (P=0.016) and lower nuclear grade
      (P<0.001). No significant relation between the expression of EphA1 and tumor
      diameter was found (P=0.316). Positive expression of EphA1 was observed in all
      samples of chromophobe RCC and papillary RCC. Our data indicated that the EphA1
      protein may be a new marker for the prognosis of ccRCC.

PMID- 26261569
TI  - Astragaloside effect on TGF-beta1, SMAD2/3, and alpha-SMA expression in the
      kidney tissues of diabetic KKAy mice.
AB  - Numerous cytokines participate in the occurrence and development of inflammation
      and renal interstitial fibrosis. Previous studies confirmed that TGF-beta1
      overexpressed in diabetic nephropathy. As a downstream signal protein of TGF
      beta1 family, SMAD has an important role in the process of alpha-SMA mediated
      renal interstitial fibrosis. This study aimed to study astragaloside effect on
      TGF-beta1, SMAD2/3, and alpha-SMA expression in the kidney tissue of diabetic
      KKAy mice, to reveal its potential impact on renal interstitial fibrosis. 20 type
      II diabetic KKAy mice were randomly equally divided into model group and
      astragaloside group, while 10 male C57BL/6J mice were selected as the control.
      Astragaloside at 40 mg/(kg*d) was given when the KKAy mice fed with high-fat diet
      to 14 weeks old. The mice were killed at 24 weeks old and the kidney tissue
      samples were collected. Pathology morphological changes were observed. TGF-beta1,
      SMAD2/3, and alpha-SMA expression levels were determined by immunohistochemistry.
      Compared with control, mice kidney in model group appeared obvious fibrosis and
      up-regulated blood glucose level, TGF-beta1, SMAD2/3, and alpha-SMA expression (P
      < 0.05). Mice in astragaloside group exhibited alleviated renal interstitial
      fibrosis compared with the model. Its blood glucose level, TGF-beta1, SMAD2/3,
      and alpha-SMA expression levels were significantly lower than the model group (P
      < 0.05). Astragaloside can delay the renal fibrosis process in diabetic mice by
      influencing the TGF-beta/SMADS signaling pathway and down-regulating TGF-beta1,
      SMAD2/3, and alpha-SMA expression.

PMID- 26261570
TI  - Tenosynovial giant cell tumor arising from the posterior cruciate ligament: a
      case report and literature review.
AB  - The localized form of tenosynovial giant cell tumor or pigmented villonodular
      synovitis is rarely intraarticular in the knee. We reported a 40-year-old woman
      with a tenosynovial giant cell tumor arising from posterior cruciate ligament
      (PCL). She suffered sudden knee pain and locking without any reason for two days.
      A mass with a size of 1.7 * 0.8 * 0.7 cm in the fossa intercondyloidea was
      detected on the MRI. After one time hyperextension physical examination the
      patients felt sudden pain relief. During the arthroscopy examination, a loose
      soft tissue mass was found under the lateral meniscus. Only the synovium tissue
      lesion on the proximal PCL was detected. The mass had a conceivable thin pedicel
      and the shape matched well with the tumor bed on the PCL. The histopathology of
      the mass demonstrated a tenosynovial giant cell tumor. At six weeks follow-up, no
      clinical evidence of recurrence was noted. A Literature Review of tenosynovial
      giant cell tumor or pigmented villonodular synovitis arising from the PCL is
      present.

PMID- 26261571
TI  - Impact of acute and chronic stress hormone on male albino rat brain.
AB  - The present investigation aimed to evaluate the acute and chronic effect of
      stress (stress hormone) in male albino rat brain. Nor-epinephrine was used for
      the treatment and saline used for the control. Nor-epinephrine was dissolved in
      the saline and administered orally to the rats. Following nor-epinephrine
      administration, the brain was removed surgically at 6 h, 12 h and 45 days.
      Alanine tansaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase
      (ALP) were significantly altered in the rats. Lipid peroxidation was measured as
      malondialdehyde (MDA), showed altered lipid peroxidation. Hematological markers
      such as packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cells (WBC), neutrophil,
      lymphocytes and hemoglobin were significantly altered compared to controls.
      Altered serum biochemical and hematological markers, lipid peroxidation and
      enzyme activities leads to adverse effect in the cellular metabolism and
      physiological activities of rats. 

PMID- 26261572
TI  - Analysis of microarray-identified genes and microRNAs associated with drug
      resistance in ovarian cancer.
AB  - The aim of this study was to identify potential microRNAs and genes associated
      with drug resistance in ovarian cancer through web-available microarrays. The
      drug resistant-related microRNA microarray dataset GS54665 and mRNA dataset
      GSE33482, GSE28646, and GSE15372 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus
      database. Dysregulated microRNAs/genes were screened with GEO2R and were further
      identified in SKOV3 (SKOV3/DDP) and A2780 (A2780/DDP) cells by real-time
      quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR), and then their associations with drug resistance was
      analyzed by comprehensive bioinformatic analyses. Nine microRNAs (microRNA-199a
      5p, microRNA-199a-3p, microRNA-199b-3p, microRNA-215, microRNA-335, microRNA-18b,
      microRNA-363, microRNA-645 and microRNA-141) and 38 genes were identified to be
      differentially expressed in drug-resistant ovarian cancer cells, with seven genes
      (NHSL1, EPHA3, USP51, ZSCAN4, EPHA7, SNCA and PI15) exhibited exactly the same
      expression trends in all three microarrays. Biological process annotation and
      pathway enrichment analysis of the 9 microRNAs and 38 genes identified several
      drug resistant-related signaling pathways, and the microRNA-mRNA interaction
      revealed the existence of a targeted regulatory relationship between the 9
      microRNAs and most of the 38 genes. The expression of 9 microRNAs and the 7 genes
      by qRT-PCR in SKOV3/DDP and A2780/DDP cells indicating a consistent expression
      profile with the microarrays. Among those, the expression of EPHA7 and PI15 were
      negatively correlated with that of microRNA-141, and they were also identified as
      potential targets of this microRNA via microRNA-mRNA interaction. We thus
      concluded that microRNA-141, EPHA7, and PI15 might jointly participate in the
      regulation of drug resistance in ovarian cancer and serve as potential targets in
      targeted therapies. 

PMID- 26261573
TI  - Possible involvement of TGF-beta/periostin in fibrosis of right atrial appendages
      in patients with atrial fibrillation.
AB  - Atrial fibrosis contributes to development and recurrence of atrial fibrillation
      (AF). TGF-beta and periostin have been reported to be involved in fibrogenesis.
      Here we investigated the role of TGF-beta and periostin in atrial fibrosis of AF
      and in the recurrence of AF after surgery ablation. Western blot, Masson
      staining, immunohistochemistry and colorimetry were performed to detect the
      degree of atrial fibrosis and the expression of TGF-beta, periostin and collagens
      in 70 biopsies of right atrial appendage (RAA) obtained in this study. Then the
      patients who received surgical ablation were followed up for about one year. The
      results showed an increasing gradient of atrial expression of TGF-beta, periostin
      and collagens paralleled by a higher level of atrial fibrosis in control, SR and
      AF groups. The expression of TGF-beta and periostin was significantly correlated
      with fibrotic markers. In addition, LAD and the expression of TGF-beta were
      larger or higher in recurrence group than that in nonrecurrence group after
      surgery ablation. The results suggest that upregulated expression of TGF-beta and
      periostin in RAAs is correlated with the degree of atrial fibrosis in patients
      with AF.

PMID- 26261574
TI  - rhEPO affects apoptosis in hippocampus of aging rats by upregulating SIRT1.
AB  - The aim of this study was to elucidate the signaling pathway involved in the anti
      aging effect of erythropoietin (EPO) and to clarify whether recombinant human EPO
      (rhEPO) affects apoptosis in the aging rat hippocampus by upregulating Sirtuin 1
      (SIRT1). In this study, a rat model of aging was established using D-galactose.
      Behavioral changes were monitored by the Morris water maze test. Using
      immunohistochemistry, we studied the expression of SIRT1, B-cell
      lymphoma/leukemia-2 gene (Bcl-2), and Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax)
      expression, and apoptotic cells in the hippocampus of a rat model of aging in
      which rhEPO was intraperitoneally injected. The escape latency in rats from the
      EPO group shortened significantly; however, the number of platform passes
      increased significantly from that in the D-gal group (P < 0.05). Compared to the
      D-gal group, in the EPO group, the number of SIRT1 and Bcl-2-positive cells
      increased (P < 0.05), but the number of Bax-positive cells and apoptotic cells
      decreased in the hippocampus of aging rats (P < 0.05). These results suggest that
      rhEPO regulates apoptosis-related genes and affects apoptosis in the hippocampus
      of aging rats by upregulating SIRT. This may be one of the important pathways
      underlying the anti-aging property of EPO. 

PMID- 26261575
TI  - The status of perineural invasion predicts the outcomes of postoperative
      radiotherapy in locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Prognosis of locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
      (ESCC) remains dismal even after curative resection and adjuvant radiotherapy.
      New biomarkers for predicting prognosis and treatment outcomes are needed for
      improved treatment stratification of patients with locally advanced ESCC. The
      prognostic and treatment predictive significance of perineural invasion (PNI) in
      the locally advanced ESCC remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the effect
      of PNI on the outcomes of locally advanced ESCC patients after curative resection
      with or without postoperative radiotherapy (PORT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We
      retrospectively reviewed 262 consecutive locally advanced ESCC patients who
      underwent curative resection. Tumors sections were re-evaluated for PNI by an
      independent pathologist blinded to the patients' outcomes. Overall survival (OS)
      and disease-free survival (DFS) were determined using the Kaplan-Meier method;
      univariate log-rank test and multivariate Cox proportional hazard model were used
      to evaluate the prognostic value of PNI. RESULTS: Finally, 243 patients were
      analyzed and enrolled into this study, of which 132 received PORT. PNI was
      identified in 22.2% (54/243) of the pathologic sections. The 5-year DFS was
      favorable for PNI-negative patients versus PNI-positive patients (21.3% vs.
      36.7%, respectively; P = 0.005). The 5-year OS was 40.3% for PNI-negative
      patients versus 21.7% for PNI-positive patients (P < 0.001). On multivariate
      analysis, PNI was an independent prognostic factor. In a subset analysis for
      patients received PORT, PNI was evaluated as a prognostic predictor as well (P <
      0.05). In contrast to patients without PORT, PORT couldn't improve the disease
      recurrence and survival in locally advanced ESCC patients with PNI-positive (P >
      0.05). CONCLUSIONS: PNI could serve as an independent prognostic factor and
      prognosticate treatment outcomes in locally advanced ESCC patients. The PNI
      status should be considered when stratifying high-risk locally advanced ESCC
      patients for adjuvant radiotherapy. Future prospective study is warranted to
      confirm our results.

PMID- 26261576
TI  - Conserved hypothetical protein Rv1977 in Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains
      contains sequence polymorphisms and might be involved in ongoing immune evasion.
AB  - Host immune pressure and associated parasite immune evasion are key features of
      host-pathogen co-evolution. A previous study showed that human T cell epitopes of
      Mycobacterium tuberculosis are evolutionarily hyperconserved and thus it was
      deduced that M. tuberculosis lacks antigenic variation and immune evasion. Here,
      we selected 151 clinical Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from China,
      amplified gene encoding Rv1977 and compared the sequences. The results showed
      that Rv1977, a conserved hypothetical protein, is not conserved in M.
      tuberculosis strains and there are polymorphisms existed in the protein. Some
      mutations, especially one frameshift mutation, occurred in the antigen Rv1977,
      which is uncommon in M.tb strains and may lead to the protein function altering.
      Mutations and deletion in the gene all affect one of three T cell epitopes and
      the changed T cell epitope contained more than one variable position, which may
      suggest ongoing immune evasion. 

PMID- 26261577
TI  - Aldosterone-to-renin ratio acts as the predictor distinguishing the primary
      aldosteronism from chronic kidney disease.
AB  - Aldosterone-to-renin ratio (ARR) is a screening test for primary aldosteronism,
      but it was impacted by a bunch of clinical covariates. The ARR is associated with
      chronic kidney disease (CKD), renal artery stenosis, renin adenoma. This study
      aims to investigate relationship between ARR and primary aldosteronism in CKD
      patients. A retrospective observational analysis involves 253 attendees from
      Urology Department of Chengdu Military General Hospital (China), comprising 146
      patients with confirmed primary aldosteronism, 56 patients with essential
      hypertension, and 55 patients with chronic kidney disease accounting for primary
      kidney disease. Blood samples were drawn from patients with particular
      restriction for measuring serum aldosteronism, plasma renin activity, and serum
      potassium. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of ARR was tested to
      establish cutoff values and to assess sensitivity and specificity. The results
      showed that LogARR values were significantly higher (P < 0.001), and PRA and
      serum potassium values were significantly lower (P < 0.001) in primary
      aldosteronism patients. By contrast, significantly higher serum aldosterone and
      plasma renin were observed in CKDs compared with the other two groups (P <
      0.001). There was a significantly positive correlation between LogARR and serum
      potassium (r = -0.0345, P < 0.001, R(2) = 0.093). The AUC for plasma renin
      activity, logARR, and serum aldosterone are 0.855, 0.84, and 0.501, respectively.
      ROC curve of logARR and plasma renin activity in detection of primary
      aldosteronism with higher sensitivity and specificity. In conclusion, this study
      indicated that the ARR act as the biomarker for the primary aldosteronism, and
      could distinguish from chronic kidney disease. 

PMID- 26261578
TI  - 15-PGDH expression as a predictive factor response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in
      advanced gastric cancer.
AB  - Given the various clinical and pathologic responses to neoadjuvant chemotherapy
      (NACT) in gastric cancer (GC), potential biomarkers that reflecting the efficacy
      of NACT on GC should be investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate
      the 15-PGDH expression response to NACT in GC patients and its relationship with
      prognosis of GC. Immunohistochemical method was used to assess the level of 15
      PGDH expression in 56 GC patients who received NACT before surgery and 46
      patients who underwent surgical treatment without NACT as well as their
      corresponding adjacent non-neoplastic tissues. We found that there was no
      correlation of 15-PGDH expression between non-cancerous gastric tissues and GC
      tissues (P=0.519), while 15-PGDH expression level in NACT group was higher than
      that in nNACT group (P=0.015). In patients with NACT, the higher level of 15-PGDH
      expression was significantly associated with well-moderately differentiated grade
      (P=0.023), I/II stage (P=0.014) and with no lymph node metastasis (P=0.016).
      Moreover, statistically significant differences in overall survival (OS) were
      found among 15-PGDH expression (log-rank test, P<0.001) and TNM stage (log-rank
      test, P=0.032). Most importantly, expression of 15-PGDH was found to be an
      independent predictive factor by multivariate analysis (Hazard ratio (HR) 0.315
      [0.120-0.827], P=0.019). These findings indicated that NACT could increase 15
      PGDH expression in advanced GC patients, and 15-PGDH may serve as a candidate
      prognostic biomarker of advanced GC response to NACT.

PMID- 26261580
TI  - Spatial and temporal differences of HMGB1 expression in the pancreas of rats with
      acute pancreatitis.
AB  - We aimed to investigate the spatial and temporal differences in expression
      between HMGB1 and early-stage inflammatory cytokines (IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-alpha)
      in pancreas tissue in rats with acute pancreatitis. SD rats (BW 350 +/- 30 g, n =
      48) were randomly divided into the experimental group (n = 36) which were
      injected with 5% sodium taurocholate into the bilipancreatic duct retrogradely to
      produce acute necrotic pancreatitis (ANP) rat models, and the sham-operated (SO)
      group (n = 12) injected with equal dose of saline. The rats were sacrificed at
      different time points at 0 h, 3 h, 6 h, 12 h, and 24 h post modeling,
      respectively. The peripheral blood amylase and different inflammatory factors in
      ANP rats at different time points were detected by ELISA, and the expression of
      HMGB1 in the pancreatic tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry, Western blot
      and Q-PCR methods. Results showed that the serum amylase in the ANP model rats
      was significantly higher than the sham-operated group (P < 0.05). The early
      inflammatory factors (IL-1, TNF-alpha and IL-6) increased quickly at 3 h after
      the model induction, reached the peak level at 6 h (higher than SO group, P <
      0.05), then decreased at 12 h, and at 24 h the levels were lower than those at 12
      h (P < 0.05). The HMGB1 level in the pancreatitis tissue did not change
      significantly at 3 h and 6 h (P > 0.05), however, it increased remarkably at 12
      h, and maintained up to 24 h (P > 0.05). As a late inflammatory factor, the
      expression of HMGB1 in acute pancreatitis was obviously later than the early
      inflammatory factors IL-1, TNF-alpha and IL-6. HMGB1 may play a key role in
      maintaining the development of the acute pancreatitis. 

PMID- 26261579
TI  - Overexpression of homeobox B-13 correlates with angiogenesis, aberrant expression
      of EMT markers, aggressive characteristics and poor prognosis in pancreatic
      carcinoma.
AB  - To investigate the expression of homeobox B (Hoxb)-13 and analyze its
      relationship with tumor angiogenesis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)
      associated markers (E-cadherin and vimentin), clinicopathologic data and
      prognosis in pancreatic carcinoma. Immunohistochemistry was applied to determine
      the level of Hoxb-13 expression in tumor tissues and surrounding non-tumor
      tissues from 85 subjects with pancreatic carcinoma. Besides, vascular endothelial
      growth factor (VEGF), CD31, E-cadherin and vimentin were also detected in tumor
      tissues by immunostaining. We found that the level of Hoxb-13 expression was
      significantly higher in pancreatic carcinoma tissues than in paracarcinomatous
      tissues (P < 0.05). Hoxb-13 staining was positively correlated with VEGF (r =
      0.429, P < 0.001) and microvessel density (MVD) (r = 0.454, P < 0.001). Likewise,
      Hoxb-13 staining was positively correlated with vimentin (r = 0.448, P < 0.001);
      while it was negatively correlated with E-cadherin (r = -0.405, P < 0.001). High
      Hoxb-13 expression was associated with aggressive clinicopathological
      characteristics, worse disease-free survival (DFS) (P < 0.001) and worse overall
      survival (OS) (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that Hoxb-13 was an
      independent predictor for poor DFS (P < 0.001) and OS (P = 0.002). In conclusion,
      our data show that overexpressed Hoxb-13 is correlated with tumor angiogenesis,
      aberrant expression of EMT-associated markers and aggressive clinicopathological
      characteristics, and serves as a promising marker for unfavourable prognosis in
      pancreatic carcinoma.

PMID- 26261581
TI  - Sp1 is over-expressed in nasopharyngeal cancer and is a poor prognostic indicator
      for patients receiving radiotherapy.
AB  - Nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) is a tumor of epithelial origin with complex
      etiology. Currently the standard treatment of NPC is radiotherapy, but therapy
      failure is quite common, making radioresistance an important issue. This study
      explores the association of specificity protein 1 (Sp1) protein expression with
      clinicopathological significance and disease prognosis in NPC patients receiving
      radiotherapy. A total of 82 NPC patients (55 males and 27 females, median age: 48
      years old) were enrolled and received radiotherapy between September 2011 and
      March 2014. Tumor tissue and grossly adjacent normal mucosa were obtained in each
      patient. Sp1 expression was detected by western blot and immunohistochemical
      analysis, and the associations with clinicopathological status and radiotherapy
      response were analyzed. Our Results showed Sp1 protein expression was higher in
      CNE-1 and CNE-2 nasopharyngeal cancer cells than in normal nasopharyngeal mucosal
      NP69 cells. All 82 patients' tissue sections were stained positive for the Sp1
      protein, and 39 (47.6%) patients showed higher level than adjacent normal mucosa.
      Sp1-overexpression in the tumor tissue was correlated with a higher tumor stage,
      nodal status, clinical stage and distant metastasis (P < 0.01). Patients with
      higher Sp1 expression in pretreatment biopsies had a lower radiotherapy response
      compared to those with lower expression. In conclusion, Sp1 may play roles in
      radioresistance of nasopharyngeal cancer which attributes to tumor invasiveness,
      and serve as a novel prognostic marker of NPC radiotherapy. However, further
      studies are required to validate our findings in larger samples and explore more
      detailed mechanisms underlying radioresistance of Sp1. 

PMID- 26261583
TI  - PinX1 is up-regulated and associated with poor patients' survival in gliomas.
AB  - PinX1, a conserved nuclear protein, could maintain telomere integrity and plays
      an important role in regulating telomerase activity. It has been reported that
      the expression of PinX1 is down-regulated in some cancer and associated with
      cancer prognosis. However, the value of PinX1 in gliomas has not been studied. In
      this study, two independent retrospective gliomas cohorts with the corresponding
      gliomas tissue microarrays (TMAs) were established to detect the expression level
      of PinX1 and the correlation of PinX1 expression with the clinicopathological
      features and the patients' survival. Compared with non-cancerous brain tissues,
      PinX1 protein levels were remarkably up-regulated in gliomas (P = 0.001), and
      further increased from benign gliomas tissues to malignant gliomas tissues (P =
      0.090). Moreover, high PinX1 expression was significantly positively associated
      with gliomas WHO grade in the training set (P = 0.019) and the validation set (P
      = 0.037). High PinX1 expression significantly correlated with a worse 5-year
      overall (P = 0.016) and disease-specific survival (P = 0.026). Simultaneously,
      the multivariate COX regression analysis showed that PinX1 was an independent
      unfavorable prognostic factor for 5-year overall survival (hazard ratio (HR) =
      2.078, P = 0.015) and disease-specific survival (HR = 2.429, P = 0.012) after
      adjusting with age, sex and WHO grade in gliomas. In conclusion, PinX1 expression
      may serve as a prognostic and predictive biomarker for gliomas.

PMID- 26261582
TI  - Role of DJ-1 siRNA in reverse sensitivity of breast cancer cells to chemotherapy
      and its possible mechanism.
AB  - Breast cancer which has a high incidence rate is the 2(nd) lethal diseases only
      followed by lung cancer in women. How to improve the recovery rate is the
      principal problem should be solved in clinical. Previous studies demonstrated the
      importance of DJ-1 in the existence of breast cancer for the secreted of protein
      into serum by breast cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. So the DJ-1 probably
      could be selected as the target in breast cancer treatment. Adriamycin resistance
      breast cancer cells MCF-7 and DJ-1 siRNA plasmid were employed to explore the
      potential clinical application of DJ-1 in this study. Our results showed that the
      sensitivity of cancer cells to chemotherapeutics was significantly improved with
      the transfection of DJ-1 siRNA. Further mechanism studies indicated the role of
      PI3K/AKT/MTOR pathway in the improvement of apoptosis after treatment with
      adriamycin in DJ-1 silence group.

PMID- 26261584
TI  - ER stress related factor ATF6 and caspase-12 trigger apoptosis in neonatal
      hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.
AB  - The specific and available markers proteins of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic
      encephalopathy (HIE) injury are correlated with disease severity and the
      disability in childhood. Exploring the mechanism of HIE is very helpful to the
      targeted therapeutic approach in clinical. This study aims to explore the cell
      death-related proteins or biomarkers that plays roles in the HIE injury. In this
      study, 15 patients were included the 487 autopsies patients performed at the
      Department of Pathology. The lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay was used to detect
      the cell viability of NGF-differentiated PC12 cell. TUNEL assay was employed to
      examine the apoptotic cells in embedded slides samples. Three ER stress-related
      protein, including ATF6, p-Perk and IRE-1 were investigated using Western blot
      assay for the ER stress examination. The apoptosis associated caspase-12 and CHOP
      protein were detected by Western blot. The results indicated that LDH activity of
      living cells during hypoxia was significantly enhanced to 45% and 64% after 8
      hours and 24 hours. The TUNEL results showed that plenty of the PC12 cells became
      the positive staining cells when treated with 0.1% O2 hypoxia. ER stress UPR
      pathway protein, cleaved ATF6, was increased significantly when treated with 0.1%
      O2 compared with the cells treated with 20% O2. Furthermore, the caspase 12
      activation was triggered when the cells treated with the 0.1% O2. In conclusion,
      apoptosis is served as an important factor that triggers the HIE brain injury
      through cleaving the ATF6 and caspase-12 ER stress-related protein. 

PMID- 26261585
TI  - Prognostic value of transformer 2beta expression in prostate cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Deregulation of transformer 2beta (Tra2beta) has been implicated in
      several cancers. However, the role of Tra2beta expression in prostate cancer
      (PCa) is unclear. Therefore, this study was to investigate the expression of
      Tra2beta in PCa and evaluated its association with clinicopathological variables
      and prognosis. METHODS: Thirty paired fresh PCa samples were analyzed for
      Tra2beta expression by Western blot analysis. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) assay
      was performed in 160 PCa samples after radical prostatectomy and adjacent non
      cancerous tissues. Tra2beta protein expression was divided into high expression
      group and low expression group by IHC. We also investigated the association of
      Tra2beta expression with clinical and pathologic parameters. Kaplan-Meier plots
      and Cox proportional hazards regression model were used to analyze the
      association between Tra2beta protein expression and prognosis of PCa patients.
      Our results showed that Tra2beta was significantly upregulated in PCa tissues by
      western blot and IHC. RESULTS: Our data indicated that high expression of
      Tra2beta was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis (P=0.002),
      clinical stage (P=0.015), preoperative prostate-specific antigen (P=0.003),
      Gleason score (P=0.001), and biochemical recurrence (P=0.021). High Tra2beta
      expression was a significant predictor of poor biochemical recurrence free
      survival and overall survival both in univariate and multivariate analysis.
      CONCLUSION: We show that Tra2beta was significantly upregulated in PCa patients
      after radical prostatectomy, and multivariate analysis confirmed Tra2beta as an
      independent prognostic factor.

PMID- 26261586
TI  - Increased expression of Rab5A predicts metastasis and poor prognosis in
      colorectal cancer patients.
AB  - Rab5A is reported to correlate with cancer development and progression. The
      purpose of this study is to explore the association between Rab5A expression and
      the clinical characteristics of colorectal cancer (CRC). Data containing three
      independent investigations from Oncomine database demonstrated that Rab5A is
      overexpression in CRC compared with normal tissue, similar result was also found
      in 32 matched CRC tissue samples by qPCR. The protein expression of Rab5A was
      examined in 390 CRC specimens and the results showed that high expression of
      Rab5A was significantly correlated with tumor size (P = 0.008), serum CEA (P =
      0.002), liver metastasis (P = 0.014) and clinical stage (P = 0.010). Kaplan-Meier
      method suggested that overexpression of Rab5A protein expression had shorter
      overall survival times in CRC patients (P < 0.001). Multivariate Cox regression
      analysis confirmed Rab5A expression, tumor size and clinical stage as independent
      prognostic factor in CRC. In conclusion, the data indicated that higher
      expression of Rab5A was observed in CRC tissues and Rab5A may be identified as a
      useful predictor of metastasis and prognosis for CRC.

PMID- 26261587
TI  - Anti-hypertensive effect of Lycium barbarum L. with down-regulated expression of
      renal endothelial lncRNA sONE in a rat model of salt-sensitive hypertension.
AB  - The present study aims to test whether Lycium barbarum L. has anti-hypertensive
      effect through regulating expression of lncRNA sONE in a rat model of salt
      sensitive hypertension. Nine weeks old borderline hypertensive rats (BHRs) were
      divided into 4 groups receiving high (8% NaCl), medium (0.25% NaCl, as control
      group), and low salt diet (0.015% NaCl) for 16 weeks, respectively, while the
      fourth group (high salt + L. barbarum group) fed with high salt diet for 12
      weeks, then followed by 8% NaCl and L. barbarum treatment for 4 weeks. Body
      weight and blood pressure were recorded biweekly. Salt-sensitive hypertension was
      successfully induced by 12-week high salt diet in BHR model. Blood pressure was
      significantly increased in the model (P < 0.05), and L. barbarum treatment
      reversed the elevated blood pressure to normal level. Expression of lncRNA sONE
      was significantly reduced and eNOS expression level was dramatically improved in
      the hypertension model rats with the L. barbarum compared with that receiving
      high salt diet. Our results indicated that L. barbarum L. had anti-hypertensive
      effect and might lower blood pressure by suppressing the expression of lncRNA
      sONE in BHR model.

PMID- 26261588
TI  - Up-regulated miR-155-5p promotes cell proliferation, invasion and metastasis in
      colorectal carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Emerging evidences indicate that miR-155-5p is
      associated with some cancer tumorigenesis, but their specific effects on
      proliferation, invasion and metastasis of colorectal carcinoma (CRC) are still
      poorly understood. The aim of the study is to investigate miR-155-5p effect on
      proliferation and invasion metastasis of CRC. METHODS: Retrospectively analyzed
      clinicopathological parameters and fresh tissue samples of 372 colon cancer
      patients receiving radical surgery. HT-29 cells were transfected with mimics and
      inhibitors of miR-155-5p, respectively. Real-time reverse transcription-PCR was
      performed to measure miR-155-5p relative levels of tissues and cells. RESULTS:
      miR-155-5p expression in cancer group was higher than that in normal group, with
      statistical differences (P<0.05). miR-155-5p expression was associated with tumor
      location, tumor grade, TNM staging and distant metastasis (P<0.05 for all
      parameters). Cell number of mimics group was higher than control group (P<0.01),
      and that of inhibitor group was lower than control group (P<0.05). Invasion and
      metastasis effect of mimics group were the highest and those of inhibitor group
      were the lowest. CONCLUSIONS: miR-155-5p expression is up-regulated in most CRC
      and promotes proliferation, invasion and metastasis of CRC cells. It may play an
      essential role in tumorigenesis and tumor progression of CRC.

PMID- 26261589
TI  - Relationship between the expression of MDR1 in hepatocellular cancer and its
      biological behaviors.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: By the detection of HBV infection, AFP and AST, the targets of
      biological behavior and the gene expression of multi-drug resistance gene 1
      (MDR1) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), we investigate characteristics of the
      expression of MDR1 in HCC and its relationship with HCC biological behavior.
      METHODS: Using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (FQ-PCR) to detect the
      expressions of MDR1 in 102 samples of HCC tissue and 20 samples of non-cancerous
      tissue, we analyze the relationship between expressions of MDR1 and biological
      characteristics of HCC. RESULTS: The expression of MDR1 in HCC is 0.55 +/- 0.27,
      and in normal liver tissues is 0.23 +/- 0.10, respectively. The expression in HCC
      is higher than it in normal liver tissue, the difference is statistically
      significant (P<0.05) and the difference between the expression and the HCC
      envelopes is statistically significant, and the expression increases along with
      the increase of Edmondson classification (P<0.05). HBV infection, AFP positive,
      the rise of AST, all these factors have positive correlations with the expression
      (r=0.463, 0.473, 0.299). In MDR1 expressions of HCC patients, the survival curve
      of the negative is higher than that of the positive, but the difference is not
      statistically significant. CONCLUSION: There are drug resistance phenomena in
      HCC, MDR1 expression may play an important role in primary HCC drug resistance.
      HBV infection can be detected as a reference indicator of HCC chemotherapy
      resistance, plasma levels of AFP, AST can be used as a reference index change
      dynamic monitoring of MDR1 expression.

PMID- 26261590
TI  - Increased chemokine receptor IL-17RA expression is associated with poor survival
      in gastric cancer patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previous researchers have identified that the chemokine interleukin
      17 (IL-17) was associated with survival time of patients with gastric cancer, but
      the roles of its receptors (IL-17R) in gastric cancer remain unknown. Our studies
      were designed to clarify the function of IL-17RA and to explore their potential
      role in gastric cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The expression of IL-17RA was
      determined in primary gastric cancer tissues (n=101) using Real-time RT-PCR,
      immunohistochemistry, and western blotting. To investigate the functional
      significance of IL-17RA expression, IL-17RA expression and clinical parameters,
      multivariate survival was analyzed in patients with gastric cancer. RESULTS: IL
      17RA was overexpression in gastric cancer tissues compared with adjacent normal
      tissues (P<0.05). The elevated expression level of IL-17RA was observed
      correlated significantly with tumor progression (P=0.003), Lymphatic invasion
      (P=0.019), lymphoid nodal status (P=0.001), distant metastasis (P<0.001) of
      gastric cancer patients, TNM stage (P=0.0013) and was one of the independent
      prognostic factors for patient's overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: These results
      demonstrated that the expression of IL-17RA plays an important role in gastric
      cancer progression, migration and prognosis of gastric cancer. The IL-17-IL-17RA
      signaling mechanism may be a potential novel target.

PMID- 26261591
TI  - Expression of phospho-mTOR kinase is abundant in colorectal cancer and associated
      with left-sided tumor localization.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the significance of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)
      in colorectal cancers. mTOR has recently been suggested as a prognostic biomarker
      and therapeutic target in an array of human cancers. FINDINGS: phospho-mTOR (p
      mTOR) expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) on a tissue
      microarray containing 1800 colorectal cancers (CRC). Clinical follow-up data were
      available from all cancer patients. Positive p-mTOR immunostaining was seen in
      83.5% of 1640 interpretable CRC and was considered weak in 862 (52.5%) and strong
      in 508 cases (31.0%). Matching clinico-pathological parameters were available in
      1580 cases. p-mTOR staining was more frequent in tubular adenocarcinomas than in
      the less common histological subtypes (mucinous, medullary, signet cell;
      P=0.0163) and significantly linked to carcinomas of the left-sided colon and
      rectum as compared to right-sided CRC (P=0.0066). There was no significant
      association between p-mTOR expression and patients' gender, tumor stage, tumor
      grade or nodal status. In a survival analysis, p-mTOR IHC status of all CRC was
      unrelated to patient survival (P=0.702). In a multivariate analysis including pT,
      pN, tumor grade, tumor localization and p-mTOR expression, only pT, pN (both
      P<0.0001) and grade (P=0.0001) showed prognostic impact, but not tumor
      localization (P=0.9472) or p-mTOR expression (P=0.8879). CONCLUSION: Our
      observations indicate that p-mTOR overexpression is abundant in CRC and linked to
      left-sided tumor localization. The high frequency and overexpression of p-mTOR is
      providing further rationale for targeting this pathway therapeutically in CRC
      patients. However, a prognostic role of p-mTOR overexpression in CRC could not be
      confirmed.

PMID- 26261592
TI  - Decreased expression of miR-378 correlates with tumor invasiveness and poor
      prognosis of patients with glioma.
AB  - microRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs that play important roles
      in a variety of biological process. It has been reported that dysregulation of
      miRNA is always associated with cancer progression and development, and miR-378
      aberrant expression has been found in some types of cancers. However, the
      association of miR-378 and glioma has not been evaluated. In this work, we
      measured the expression of miR-378 in glioma tissues and non-neoplastic brain
      tissues was measured using real-time PCR, and found that miRNA-378 expression
      level was significantly lower in glioma tissues compared with non-neoplastic
      brain tissues. Patients with lower miR-378 expression level had significantly
      poorer overall survival. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that miR-378
      expression was an independent prognostic factor for 5-year overall survival. Over
      expression of miR-378 inhibits glioma cell migration and invasion. In conclusion,
      our results indicated that miR-378 may serve as a tumor suppressor and play an
      important role in inhibiting tumor migration and invasion. Our work implicates
      the potential effect of miR-378 on the prognosis of glioma. 

PMID- 26261593
TI  - Mitochondrial genetic analysis in a Chinese family suffering from both
      mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes and
      diabetes.
AB  - To investigate the mitochondrial mutations in patients suffering from both
      mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes
      (MELAS) and maternally inherited diabetes. MELAS was confirmed by muscle biopsy
      performed from the biceps muscle of the proband. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) was
      isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The significant mtDNA loci of
      other 14 family members were further detected according to the sequencing results
      of the proband. Direct sequencing of PCR products was used to identify the
      mitochondrial mutations. The proband (III 1) and her brother (III 3) both
      harbored the tRNALeu (UUR) A3243G mutation, with heteroplasmic levels of 50% and
      33% respectively. Moreover, another two mitochondrial variants, A8860G and
      A15326G, were also detected in the samples of all the family members. MELAS and
      diabetes can coexist in one patient, and the main cause for these diseases is the
      tRNALeu (UUR) A3243G mutation. However, other gene variants may contribute to its
      pathogenesis. This case also supports the concept that both syndromes can be
      regarded as two phenotypes of the same disease.

PMID- 26261594
TI  - Expression of exogenetic enhanced green fluorescent protein in rat endocranium
      through lentivirus infection.
AB  - The study aims to investigate whether exogenetic green fluorescent protein is
      able to express in the endocranium of rats, and to establish a method for further
      study in exogenetic gene knock-in or gene overexpression. Forty female Sprague
      Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into 4 groups with 10 in each: low and
      high dose groups, treated with 10% and 100% EGFP-lentivirus, respectively;
      negative control group, treated with virus enhancer; sham group, treated with
      normal saline. Seven days later, half rats' brain tissues were perfusion fixed
      and fresh brain tissues were obtained from the rest after euthanasia in each
      group. Immunohistochemical analysis, Western blotting and RT-PCR were
      respectively performed to detect the site where EGFP expressed and its levels.
      Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that EGFP was successfully expressed in
      brain tissue of those rats infected with EGFP-lentivirus. Both Western blotting
      and RT-PCR showed that EGFP was expressed after treatment with EGFP-lentivirus,
      and the expression level increased with the dosage of the vector. Exogenetic EGFP
      gene can express in brain tissue of the rat, which laid a solid foundation for
      future studies in exogenetic gene knock in or gene overexpression. 

PMID- 26261595
TI  - Significance of TLR4/MyD88 expression in breast cancer.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of TLR4/MyD88 in breast cancer, and
      explore the relationship between their expression and breast cancer tumor growth
      and invasion. METHODS: We examined the protein expression of TLR4 and MyD88 in 60
      cases of histologically confirmed breast cancer. The relationship of their
      protein expressions with clinical features including age at diagnosis, tumor size
      and stage, lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis were analyzed. RESULTS:
      The IHC results showed that TLR4 and MyD88 were expressed in 63.3% (38/60) and
      58.3% (35/60) of malignant breast tumors respectively. TLR4 expression in breast
      cancer were significantly higher than in fibroadenoma (n = 4, 20.0%) and adjacent
      normal tissues (n = 2, 10.0%) (P < 0.001). MyD88 expression in breast cancer were
      also significantly higher than in fibroadenoma (n = 4, 20.0%) and adjacent normal
      tissue (n = 3, 15.0%) (P < 0.001). The gene expressions of TLR4 and MyD88 were
      significantly higher in breast cancer than in fibroadenoma and adjacent normal
      tissues (P < 0.05). The protein expressions of TLR4 and MyD88 were also
      significantly associated with poor clinical features (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: TLR4
      and MyD88 expression might be associated with breast cancer growth and regional
      and distant metastases.

PMID- 26261596
TI  - Effect of shRNA targeted against RhoA on proliferation and migration of human
      colonic cancer cells.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of RhoA siRNA on the malignant phenotypes of
      human colorectal cancer cell line LoVo. METHODS: The siRNA expression vector
      pGPU6/GFP/Neo-shRNA-RhoA targeting the mRNA of RhoA and vector pGPU6/GFP/Neo-NC
      (as a control) were constructed, and then transfected into LoVo cells. The
      expression of Survivin was detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative
      polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. The malignant phenotypes of
      transfected LoVo cells, including invasive activities and adhesive capabilities,
      were analyzed. RESULTS: RhoA mRNA and protein level were decreased after the
      pshRNA-RhoA transfection. The cell adhesion rates significantly decreased in the
      cells transfected with pshRNA-RhoA. The migrating number of LoVo cells (26.5 +/-
      0.9) transfected with pshRNA-RhoA was also significantly decreased as compared
      with the control group (53.7 +/- 1.4). CONCLUSIONS: The sequence specific shRNA
      against RhoA constructed in the study can block the expression of RhoA in LoVo
      cell effectively and specifically; Blocking the expression of RhoA in LoVo cells
      transfected with pshRNA-RhoA can reduce their invasive and adhesive capabilities.

PMID- 26261597
TI  - Primary renal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with central nervous system
      involvement: a rare case report and literature review.
AB  - Primary renal lymphoma is a rare entity. Of these, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
      is the most common pathological type and, R-CHOP regimen was the preferred
      chemotherapy for it. Here we present an adult case of primary renal diffuse large
      B-cell lymphoma. 

PMID- 26261598
TI  - Integrated analysis of transcription factor, microRNA and LncRNA in an animal
      model of obliterative bronchiolitis.
AB  - Obliterative bronchiolitis (OB) is characterized by sub-epithelial inflammatory
      and fibrotic narrowing of the bronchioles, and it is the predominant factor
      limiting long-term survival after lung transplantation. To explore molecular
      mechanism of OB, we investigated the interaction of transcription factor (TF),
      microRNA, long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), and gene expression in the mice model of
      OB by integrated analysis of TF array, miRNA microarray, and lncRNA and mRNA
      microarray. After 28 days of orthotopic tracheal transplantation in mice, 42 TFs
      were significantly up-regulated in allogeneic graft compared to syngeneic graft;
      62 miRNAs including miR-376-5p were up-regulated and 17 miRNAs including miR-338
      3p were down-regulated over 2-fold; 137 mRNAs were down-regulated and 129 mRNAs
      were up-regulated over 2-fold; 234 lncRNAs were up-regulated and 212 lncRNAs were
      down-regulated over 2-fold in the allogeneic model compared to that in the
      syngeneic control group. We further analyzed potential interaction between TFs,
      miRNAs, lncRNAs and target genes by different algorithms. Four differentially
      expressed TFs (Myc/Max, FOXO1, FOXM1, and SMAD) were predicted to regulate 3
      different miRNAs, 17 mRNAs, and 16 lncRNAs. These findings suggest that
      modulation of altered transcription factors such as Myc/Max and FOXO1, and miRNAs
      such as miR-376-5p and miR-338-3p may become a preventive or therapeutic targets
      in the chronic lung allograft dysfunction. 

PMID- 26261599
TI  - Polymorphisms in poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP1) promoter and 3'
      untranslated region and their association with PARP1 expression in breast cancer
      patients.
AB  - Within the past several years, inhibition of the PARP1 activity has been emerged
      as one of the most exciting and promising strategies for triple-negative breast
      cancer (TNBC) therapy. The purpose of this study is to assess PARP1 expression in
      TNBCs and to evaluate the association between polymorphisms in PARP1 promoter or
      3' untranslated region (3'UTR) and PARP1 expression. It was found that PARP1 was
      overexpressed in nuclear (nPARP1), cytoplasm (cPARP1) and nuclear-cytoplasmic
      coexisting (coPARP1) of 187 TNBCs in comparison to that of 115 non-TNBCs (nPARP1,
      p<0.001; cPARP1, p<0.001; coPARP1, p<0.001). High expression of nPARP1 and cPARP1
      in breast cancer was related to worse progression-free survival (nPARP1, p=0.007,
      cPARP1, p=0.003). Additionally, we identified seven published polymorphism sites
      in the promoter region and in 3'UTR of PARP1 by sequencing. rs7527192 and
      rs2077197 genotypes were found to be significantly associated with the cPARP1
      expression in TNBC patients (rs7527192 AA+GA versus GG, p=0.014; rs2077197 AA+GA
      versus GG, p=0.041). These findings were confirmed in an independent validation
      set of 88 TNBCs (rs7527192 GG versus GA+AA, p=0.030; rs2077197 GG versus GA+AA,
      p=0.030). The PARP1 over-expression including nuclear, cytoplasm and nuclear
      cytoplasmic coexisting is a feature of TNBCs and the assessment of its expression
      may help to predict the efficacy of chemotherapy with PARP1 inhibitor.

PMID- 26261600
TI  - SATB2 is a sensitive marker for lower gastrointestinal well-differentiated
      neuroendocrine tumors.
AB  - Special AT-rich sequence binding protein-2 (SATB2) is selectively expressed in
      the lower gastrointestinal tract mucosa and has been identified as a sensitive
      marker for colorectal adenocarcinomas. The goal of this study was to investigate
      the expression of SATB2 in well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors to explore
      its potential as a diagnostic marker for hindgut well-differentiated
      neuroendocrine tumors. Immunohistochemical staining with a monoclonal antibody to
      SATB2 was performed on full tissue blocks in 167 well-differentiated
      neuroendocrine tumors of various origins. The staining was semi-quantitatively
      scored as 0 (no tumor cell staining), 1+ (1-25%), 2+ (26-50%), 3+ (51-75%) and 4+
      (76-100%). Positive SATB2 staining was seen in 17% foregut (14/84, 12/66 primary
      and 2/18 metastatic), 12% midgut (3/22, 3/18 primary and 0/7 metastatic), and 90%
      hindgut (52/58, 44/49 primary and 8/9 metastatic) well differentiated
      neuroendocrine tumors. Most hindgut well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors
      (41/58) showed 4+ staining. The specificity of SATB2 for foregut, midgut and
      hindgut well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors was 34%, 54% and 84%,
      respectively. Our results indicate that SATB2 is a sensitive marker for hindgut
      well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors though it is not entirely specific.
      SATB2 should be included in the immunohistochemical panel in working out
      metastatic well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor of an unknown origin. 

PMID- 26261601
TI  - Polymorphisms and phenotypic analysis of cytochrome P450 3A4 in the Uygur
      population in northwest China.
AB  - PURPOSE: Genetic polymorphisms in CYP3A4 can change its activity to a certain
      degree, thus leading to differences among different populations in drug efficacy
      or adverse drug reactions. METHODS: The study was intended to validate the
      genetic polymorphisms in CYP3A4 in Uygur Chinese population, we sequenced and
      screened for genetic variants including 5'UTR, promoters, exons, introns, and
      3'UTR region of the whole CYP3A4 gene in 100 unrelated, healthy. RESULTS: Twenty
      one genetic polymorphisms in CYP3A4, and nine of them were novel. We detected
      CYP3A4*8, a putative poor-metabolizer allele, with the frequency of 0.5% in Uygur
      population. Tfsitescan revealed that the density of transcription factor varied
      in the different promoter regions, among which some were key regions for
      transcription factor binding. CONCLUSION: our results provide basic information
      about CPY3A4 alleles in Uygur and suggest that the enzymatic activities of CPY3A4
      may differ among the diverse ethnic populations of China.

PMID- 26261602
TI  - The potential of plasma miRNAs for diagnosis and risk estimation of colorectal
      cancer.
AB  - Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) were recognized to be potential non-invasive
      biomarkers for colorectal cancer (CRC) detection and prediction. Meanwhile, the
      association of the expression of plasma miRNAs with the risk of CRC patients has
      rarely been analyzed. Therefore, we conducted this study to evaluate the value of
      plasma miRNAs for CRC diagnosis and risk estimation. Fasting blood samples from
      100 CRC patients and 79 cancer-free controls were collected. Plasma miR-106a, miR
      20a, miR-27b, miR-92a and miR-29a levels were detected by RT-qPCR. Sensitivity
      and specificity were employed to evaluate the diagnostic value of miRNAs for CRC.
      Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were employed to analyze the
      association between miRNAs expression and CRC risk. As results, miR-106a and miR
      20a were elevated in the patients with CRC. The sensitivity of miR-106a was
      74.00% and the specificity was 44.40%, while the cutoff value was 2.03. As for
      miR-20a, the sensitivity was 46.00% and specificity was 73.42% when employed 2.44
      as cutoff value. High expression of plasma miR-106a increased CRC risk by 1.80 
      fold. Plasma miR-106a and miR-20a may as noninvasive biomarkers for detecting the
      CRC. High expression of miR-106a associated with CRC risk. 

PMID- 26261603
TI  - Involvement of bone marrow in lymphoma: pathological investigation in a single
      center from northern China.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate key features of bone marrow trephine
      biopsy (BMT) involvement of lymphoma in Northern China. METHODS: 950 cases were
      assessed for the occurrence of bone marrow involvement and architectural features
      including volume percentage, involvement pattern (diffuse, nodular, focal, para
      trabecular, or interstitial), and presence/absence of background changes
      (granuloma, stromal fibrosis or necrosis). Correlations with bone marrow aspirate
      (BMA) and flow cytometry (FCM) findings were made in a subset of paired cases
      (359 BMA and 364 FCM). RESULTS: 153 (16.1%) cases involved BMT. The most frequent
      type was mantle cell lymphoma (28/153, 18.3%). Architectural features were
      similar to previous studies except that diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)
      preferred focal pattern (16/22 cases, 72.7%) most of all. BMA and BMT agreed in
      84.1% of cases (302 of 359: 277 both negative, 25 both positive), while FCM and
      BMT agreed in 80.8% of cases (294 of 364: 242 both negative, 52 both positive).
      Both varied widely among different subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: Occurrence of BMT
      involvement by lymphoma in Northern China is relatively low. The volume
      percentage, distribution patterns and background changes may be useful pointers
      towards a particular lymphoma type in Chinese. FCM is more sensitive and reliable
      than BMA in China.

PMID- 26261604
TI  - High expression of COUP-TF II cooperated with negative Smad4 expression predicts
      poor prognosis in patients with colorectal cancer.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: In order to evaluate whether the role of chicken ovalbumin upstream
      promoter transcription factor II (COUP-TF II) could sever as a predictor to
      stratify risk of human colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, and to elucidate the
      preliminary molecular mechanisms of COUP-TF II involved in the development and
      advancement of CRC reflected by investigating the relationship of COUP-TF II with
      PTEN, Smad4. METHODS: 112 cases tissue microarray and immunohistochemical SP
      method were used to detect the expression of COUP-TF II, PTEN and Smad4 in CRC
      tissues and adjacent non-tumorous tissues. The clinical relevance and prognosis
      of COUP-TF II, PTEN, Smad4 in CRC patients were analyzed. Furthermore, Cox
      proportional hazards model was performed to indicate the independent prognostic
      factors for CRC patients using various clinicopathological parameters and COUP-TF
      II, PTEN and Smad4. RESULTS: COUP-TF II proteins were positively expressed in
      65.2% of CRC tissues and 15.5% paired non-CRC tissues, respectively. The
      expression of COUP-TF II was significantly correlated with TNM stage and lymph
      node metastasis and a negative correlation with Smad4 expression. Patients
      bearing higher levels of COUP-TF II expression showed lower DFS and OS. Most
      importantly, Cox proportional hazards regression analyses showed COUP-TF II
      positive/Smad4 negative status (DFS, P=0.001; OS, P=0.005) were independent
      prognostic factors for CRC patients. CONCLUSION: Positive COUP-TF II expression
      levels has significant value in determining CRC stage and metastasis and
      cooperates with negative Smad4 expression contributing to assess prognosis in
      patients with colorectal cancer, suggesting Smad4 may be involved in the above
      regulation progress probably.

PMID- 26261605
TI  - Expression of Wnt11 and Rock2 protein with clinical characteristics of esophageal
      squamous cell carcinoma in Kazakh and Han patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most
      malignancies with a very poor outcome in China. Wnt11 and Rock2, new identified
      proteins highly associated with metastasis of many cancers, which were never
      reported in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Here we measured the
      expression levels of Wnt11 and Rock2 in tissues from 265 patients with ESCC.
      Immunohistochemical staining was employed to detect the correlation of Wnt11 and
      Rock2 expression with clinicopathological features. METHODS: The expression of
      Wnt11 and Rock2 was detected by immunohistochemistry in esophageal squamous cell
      carcinomas and normal esophageal tissues. A chi-square test was used to assess
      the statistical significance of the correlations between Wnt11, Rock2 expression
      and different clinicopathological parameters, respectively. RESULTS: The high
      expression of Wnt11 and Rock2 was observed in ESCCs. Seventy-five cases of ESCC
      (51.7%) showed a positive expression of Wnt11, which indicated a significant
      association with the AJCC stage (P=0.007). Ninety-eight cases of ESCC (65.5%)
      showed a positive expression of Rock2, which indicated a significant association
      with ethnic background. There were no close correlations between Rock2 expression
      and gender, tumor location, AJCC stage, lymph node metastasis. Specifically, the
      expression of Rock2 was significantly different between Hans and Kazaks
      ethnicities (P=0.000). In Kaplan-Meier curve analysis, no significant correlation
      was observed between the expression of Wnt11, Rock-2 and the poor prognosis of
      ESCCs. CONCLUSION: Our finding suggests that the over-expression of Rock2 may
      play an important role in the carcinogenesis and progression, and may become a
      new underlying molecular marker in the diagnosis and treatment in ESCC.

PMID- 26261606
TI  - Dysregulation of miRNA-21 and their potential as biomarkers for the diagnosis of
      cervical cancer.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to characterize the miR-21 and evaluated its clinical
      significance. METHODS: Total RNA was extracted from 30 pairs of fresh specimens
      of cervical cancer and normal tissues. The expression levels of the miR-21-3p and
      miR-21-5p were detected by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain
      reaction, with U6 as the internal reference gene. We compared the expression of
      miR-21-3p and miR-21-5p between study group and control groups, the association
      between miRNA expression level and clinicopathological factors was investigated.
      RESULTS: The expression of miR-21-3p and miR-21-5p in HPV positive cervical
      cancer samples was significantly upregulated compared to that in the paired
      normal samples (P < 0.05); A multivariate analysis demonstrated that the
      expression of miR-21 was associated with clinicopathological parameters,
      including depth of invasion and lymph node metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: MiR-21
      upregulation is associated with aggressive progression and poor prognosis in
      cervical cancer, which suggests that miR-21 might be identified as an independent
      marker for predicting the clinical outcome of cervical cancer patients.

PMID- 26261607
TI  - Protein-DNA array-based identification of transcription factor activities
      differentially regulated in obliterative bronchiolitis.
AB  - Lung transplantation has already become the preferred treatment option for a
      variety of end-stage pulmonary failure. However the long-term results of lung
      transplantation are still not compelling and the major death reason is commonly
      due to obliterative bronchiolitis (OB) which is considered as chronic rejection
      presenting manifests physiologically as a progressive decline in FEV1.
      Transcription factors (TFs) play a key role in regulating gene expression and in
      providing an interconnecting regulatory between related pathway elements.
      Although the transcription factors are required for expression of the
      proinflammatory cytokines and immune proteins which are involved in obliterative
      bronchiolitis following lung transplantation, the alterations of the
      transcription factors in OB have not yet been revealed. Therefore, to investigate
      the alteration pattern of the transcription factors in OB, we used protein/DNA
      arrays. Mice orthotopic tracheal transplantation model was used in this studying.
      In this study, we explored the activity profiles of TFs in Protein/DNA array data
      of tracheal tissue in 14 and 28 day after transplanted. From a total of 345
      screened TFs, we identified 42 TFs that showed associated with OB progression.
      Our data indicate that TFs may be potentially involved in the pathogenesis of OB,
      and can prevent, diagnose and treat OB after lung transplantation. In development
      of OB, some of the TFs may have ability to modulate the transcription of
      inflammatory proteins such cytokines, inflammatory enzymes and so on. 

PMID- 26261608
TI  - Altered expression of estrogen receptor beta2 is associated with different
      biological markers and clinicopathological factors in papillary thyroid cancer.
AB  - Estrogen and estrogen receptor (ER)-alpha and -beta play a role in the
      development and progression of thyroid cancer. ERbeta2 is one major splicing
      variant of ERbeta. In this study, we investigated the clinical significance of
      ERbeta2 protein expression in the papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) lesion.
      ERbeta2 expression was immunohisto-chemically examined in formalin-fixed,
      paraffin-embedded thyroid tissues from 106 patients with PTC by ElivisionTM plus
      two-step system as previously described. The relationships between ERbeta2
      expression and clinicopathological/biological factors were then analyzed. ERbeta2
      protein was expressed in all the PTC patients studied. It was positively
      associated with Ki-67 expression in female PTC patients with advanced
      reproductive age (>45 years, in low-estrogen status) and with VEGF expression in
      male PTC patients with reproductive age (18~45 years, in low-estrogen status)
      (P=0.005 and P=0.044, respectively). There was no association between ERbeta2
      expression and tumor size, extrathyroidal extension and tumor-node-metastasis
      stage in PTC patients. In addition, ERbeta2 expression was lower in female
      patients of reproductive age (18~45 years, in relatively high-estrogen status)
      with lymph node metastasis than that in those patients without lymph node
      metastasis (P=0.035). The present results suggest that the expression of ERbeta2
      in PTC is associated with the progression of the disease. Its potential effect
      may vary with different estrogen status. Further study will assess the underlying
      molecular mechanisms of ERbeta2 in PTC.

PMID- 26261609
TI  - Galectin-1: a biomarker of surgical stress in murine model of cardiac surgery.
AB  - Galectin-1 (GAL-1) belongs to the family of beta-galactoside-binding lectins. It
      regulates cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions, the immune response, apoptosis,
      cell cycle, RNA splicing and neoplastic transformation. We investigate the effect
      of heart manipulation secondary to cardiac surgery on the level of GAL-1 in
      murine heart and plasma. Male C57B6/J mice were used for adopted model of cardiac
      surgery. Heart samples were processed for immunohistochemical and
      immunofluorescent labeling, Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and quantitative RT
      PCR to identify GAL-1 levels in the heart and plasma during the first 24 hours
      following cardiac surgery. There is significant increase of GAL-1 in the LV at 30
      minutes (P<0.000), 60 minutes (P<0.001), 4 hour (P<0.003), and 24 hour (P<0.003)
      time points of surgically operated groups compared to non-operated control group,
      while GAL-1 mRNA levels in any of the surgically operated groups are not
      significantly different from the non-operated group suggesting extracardiac
      origin of this raise of GAL-1. There is significant increase of GAL-1 in the
      plasma at 30 minutes (P<0.000), 60 minutes (P<0.009), 4 hour (P<0.043), and 24
      hour (P<0.000) time points of surgically operated groups compared to non-operated
      control group. In conclusion, GAL-1 is valuable biomarker of surgical stress. 

PMID- 26261610
TI  - Expression of poly(C)-binding protein 1 (PCBP1) in NSCLC as a negative regulator
      of EMT and its clinical value.
AB  - Poly (C)-binding Protein 1 (PCBP1) is a 35 kDa protein involved in a number of
      biological processes. Recently, the research found that PCBP1 might be involved
      in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). However, the role of PCBP1 in non
      small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) metastasis needs further elucidation. The purpose
      of this study was to determine whether PCBP1 could serve as a biomarker for
      stratification and prediction of prognosis in NSCLC as a regulator of EMT
      formation. In this study, PCBP1 expression was evaluated by Western blot in 8
      fresh lung cancer tissues and immunohistochemistry (IHC) on 145 paraffin-embedded
      slices. PCBP1 was highly expressed in non-metastatic NSCLC specimens and
      significantly correlated with lymph node status (P < 0.001), clinical stage (P =
      0.001), vimentin expression (P = 0.033) and E-cadherin expression (P = 0.042).
      Our study showed that the low expression of PCBP1 was correlated with decreased
      expression of E-cadherin and elevated expression of vimentin, which were the
      markers of EMT. Besides, high expression of PCBP1 was correlated with better
      prognosis. These findings suggested that PCBP1 might play an important role in
      preventing the process of EMT in NSCLC, thus be a promising therapeutic target to
      inhibit NSCLC metastasis. 

PMID- 26261611
TI  - Prognostic correlation between MTA2 expression level and colorectal cancer.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Association of MTA2 expression with presence, development, metastasis
      and prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) was investigated. METHODS: 90 CRC
      related cases with follow-up information were made into tissue microarrays
      according to the paired principle of cancer tissues and the adjacent tissues.
      Subsequently, the expression of MAT2 was detected with immunohistochemical
      analysis and SPSS software was finally utilized to analyze the relationships
      between experimental data and clinical indicatives. RESULTS: Expression of MTA2
      in CRC tissues were notably higher than their adjacent tissues (P < 0.001) and
      showed significant positive correlation with tumor grade (r(2) > 0, P < 0.01).
      Moreover, survival analysis indicated that MTA2 expression in cancer tissues,
      serving as an independent correlation factor, was significantly correlated with
      poor prognosis (P = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: MTA2 is a crucial biomarker that is
      closely related with prognosis of CRC and also a potential molecular target for
      evaluating the prognosis and treatment of CRC.

PMID- 26261613
TI  - P-selectin gene polymorphism associates with pulmonary hypertension in congenital
      heart disease.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between P-selectin gene polymorphism
      and congenital heart disease (CHD) with pulmonary hypertension (PAH). METHODS: 58
      CHD patients with PAH (PAH-CHD), 43 CHD patients without PAH and 205 healthy
      subjects were included in this study. The concentration of plasma P-selectin was
      determined by ELISA kits; the direct sequencing of PCR products was used to
      analyze the P-selectin genotypes. RESULTS: The concentration of plasma P-selectin
      was markedly higher in PAH-CHD patients than that in CHD subjects and controls,
      while no difference was observed between CHD group and control. A significant
      difference of P-selectin genotype -825T/C polymorphism was observed between
      patients with PAH-CHD and healthy subjects (P<0.05). Logistic analysis showed
      that the subjects with haplotypes A-G and G-G had lower risk of PAH-CHD compared
      with the ones with haplotype A-A (OR=0.47, 95% CI=0.24-0.92). In the subjects of
      PAH-CHD and control, plasma P-selectin concentration was higher in subjects with 
      825TT genotype than the ones with haplotypes T-C and C-C (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: P
      selectin probably involves in the development of PAH-CHD. The polymorphism of 
      825T/C is associated with the risk of PAH-CHD, and may be one of its risk
      factors.

PMID- 26261612
TI  - Effect of glycated hemoglobin on heart function of the patients with
      revascularization of coronary artery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients with diabetes after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) or
      percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) treatment for coronary artery disease
      (CAD) had higher mortality rates than those without diabetes. There were limited
      data comparing the cardiac and metabolic differences between diabetes and non
      diabetes for CABG and PCI and about impact of pre-procedure GHb level on systolic
      heart function in patients with diabetes. AIMS: To explore the cardio-metabolic
      differences and to evaluate their potential as significant risk factors. SUBJECTS
      AND METHOD: 124 patients with diabetes and 170 patients without diabetes were
      enrolled. Coronary lesions (>= 70% stenosis in at least one major coronary
      artery) were documented by angiography. Patients with diabetes were divided into
      different groups by GHb, Coronary lesions (>= 70% stenosis in at least one major
      coronary artery) were documented by angiography. CABG and PCI were performed for
      all the patients. Cardio-metabolic risk factors before revascularization were
      compared between them. RESULTS: Diabetics with GHb >= 8% had lower cardiac
      ejection fraction (EF) values than those with GHb<8% (P<0.05) or patients without
      diabetes (P<0.05). And count of vascular lesions between the groups was not
      statistically significant. Observed EF as a dependent variable negatively
      correlated to GHb levels (P<0.05). The levels of glycated hemoglobin A1c (GHbA1c)
      rose with increased fasted blood glucose (FBG) values (P<0.001). Even with
      treatment for hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia, overall levels of fasting blood
      sugar (FBG, P<0.001), GHbA1c (P<0.001), and triglycerides (TG, P<0.05) in
      patients with diabetes were still higher than those without diabetes
      respectively. CONCLUSION: Poorer glucose control with GHb >= 8% and decreased
      systolic heart function are significant risk factors that potentially contribute
      to worse prognosis for CABG or PCI treatment. Elevated levels of FBG, GHbA1c, and
      TG are evident for patients with diabetes compared to patients without diabetes
      prior to revascularization.

PMID- 26261614
TI  - Diagnostic value of progesterone receptor, p16, p53 and pHH3 expression in
      uterine atypical leiomyoma.
AB  - The differential diagnosis between atypical leiomyoma and leiomyosarcoma may be
      hard based on morphological criterion at times. It would be helpful to find out
      biomarkers that can be used to distinguish them. The aim of the study was to
      investigate the diagnostic value of progesterone receptor (PR), p16, p53 and pHH3
      expression in a series of uterine smooth muscle tumors. Immunohistochemical
      expression of PR, p16, p53 and pHH3 was investigated on 32 atypical leiomyomas,
      15 leiomyosarcomas and 15 usual leomyomas. The difference in expression was
      compared between atypical leiomyoma and other groups. The expression of PR, p16,
      and pHH3 was found significantly different between atypical leiomyomas and
      leiomyosarcomas, but lack of significant difference between atypical leiomyomas
      and usual leiomyomas. There was no significant difference with regard to p53
      distribution among these uterine smooth muscle tumors. High p16, pHH3 expression
      and low PR expression preferred the diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma. The panel of
      antibodies used in this study is a useful complementary analysis in the
      assessment of problematic uterine smooth muscle tumors. 

PMID- 26261615
TI  - Squamous differentiation and prognosis in upper urinary tract urothelial
      carcinoma.
AB  - Squamous differentiation is the most common histological variation in urothelial
      carcinoma (UC). However, the clinical significance of squamous differentiation in
      upper urinary tract UC is unclear. To investigate the significance of squamous
      differentiation, hematoxylin and eosin stained slides from 140 patients with
      upper urinary tract UC who underwent nephroureterectomy were reviewed by a single
      pathologist and the presence of squamous differentiation was recorded. Squamous
      differentiation was observed in 23 out of 140 studied cases (16%). Squamous
      differentiation significantly correlated with several adverse prognostic factors
      including histological grade 3 tumors, presence of lymphovascular invasion,
      concomitant carcinoma in situ, advanced tumor stage, and occurrence of lymph node
      metastasis. The Kaplan-Meier and univariate Cox regression analyses revealed that
      the presence of squamous differentiation was significantly associated with
      shorter metastasis-free survival [log-rank P = 0.030; univariate hazard ratio
      (HR), 2.30; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.06-4.99], cancer-specific survival
      (log-rank P = 0.0024; univariate HR 3.34; 95% CI, 1.47-7.85), and overall
      survival (log-rank P = 0.018; univariate HR 2.39; 95% CI, 1.13-5.06) after
      nephroureterectomy. However, in multivariate analyses, squamous differentiation
      was not significantly associated with patient outcomes. These findings suggest
      that squamous differentiation is associated with disease progression, but is not
      an independent predictor of a worse prognosis in patients with upper urinary
      tract UC. 

PMID- 26261616
TI  - In vivo and in vitro characteristic of HIF-1alpha and relative genes in ischemic
      femoral head necrosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease (Perthes' disease) is a childhood hip
      disorder initiated by ischemic necrosis of the growing femoral head. So far, the
      etiology and pathogenesis of Perthes' disease is poorly understood. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Avascular osteonecrosis rat model was established to mimic the
      pathophysiological changes of femoral head necrosis. The chondrocytes of newborn
      Sprague-Dawley rats were isolated and cultured in hypoxic and normoxic condition.
      The expression characteristic of the hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF
      1alpha) was evaluated both in vivo and in vitro models. Vascular endothelial
      growth factor (VEGF) and apoptotic genes in chondrocytes treated with normoxia
      and hypoxia were also studied. RESULTS: HIF-1alpha expression increased greatly
      after ischemic operation and kept at relative high level in the arthromeningitis
      stage and declined in the stages of osteonecrosis and reconstruction. The HIF
      1alpha mRNA levels of chondrocytes incubated at hypoxia were significantly higher
      than the cells treated with normoxia at 24 and 72 hours. Hypoxia inhibited VEGF
      expression; chondrocytes could oppose this inhibition manifested by the
      increasing of VEGF mRNA level after 72 hours hypoxia. The expression of apoptotic
      genes, Casp3, Casp8 and Casp9, elevated in chondrocytes after hypoxia with time
      differences. CONCLUSION: Hypoxia might be an etiological factor for femoral head
      necrosis, HIF-1alpha, VEGF as well as apoptotic genes participated the
      pathophysiological process of ischemic osteonecrosis.

PMID- 26261617
TI  - Diethylstilbestrol affects the expression of GPER in the gubernaculum testis.
AB  - Recent evidence suggested a positive correlation between environmental estrogens
      (EEs) and high incidence of abnormalities in male urogenital system. EEs are
      known to cause the abnormalities of testes development and testicular descent.
      Diethylstilbestrol (DES) is a nonsteroidal synthetic estrogen that disrupts the
      morphology and proliferation of gubernacular cells, and its nongenomic effects on
      gubernaculum testis cells may be mediated by G protein-coupled estrogen receptor
      (GPER). In this study, we detected the expression of GPER in mouse gubernacular
      testis and investigated the effects of DES on the expression of GPER in
      gubernaculum testis cells. RT-PCR analysis revealed that GPER mRNA was expressed
      in the gubernaculum. GPER protein was detected in the parenchymal cells of the
      gubernaculum early in development. Furthermore, we demonstrate that GPER
      inhibitor G15 relieved DES-induced inhibition of GPER expression in gubernaculum
      testis cell, but ER inhibitor ICI 182780 had the converse effects on DES-induced
      inhibition of GPER expression in these cells. These data suggest that the effects
      of DES on mouse gubernaculum testis cells are mediated at least partially by the
      regulation of GPER expression.

PMID- 26261618
TI  - HOTAIR is upregulated in acute myeloid leukemia and that indicates a poor
      prognosis.
AB  - Hox transcript antisense intergenic RNA (HOTAIR) is a long non-coding RNA, its
      overexpression has been documented in various human solid tumor and it can be
      considered as a potential cancer biomarker. However, little is known about the
      role of HOTAIR in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In this study, We evaluated
      HOTAIR expression in bone marrow of de novo AML patients, AML-CR patients and
      normal controls by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR),
      then we inhibited hotair expression of two cell lines by siRNA and evaluated
      their proliferation by CCK, finally we analyzed its relationship with the
      clinicopathological parameters of AML. We found that HOTAIR is significantly
      upregulated in de novo AML patients compared with those of AML-CR patients and
      normal controls; the reduction of HOTAIR by small interfering RNA (siRNA)
      repressed the proliferation of HL-60 and K562; the higher expression level of
      HOTAIR in AML patients was significantly correlated with NCCN high risk group. In
      conclusion, our study indicated that hotair is highly expressed in AML patients,
      and hotair expression significantly correlates with clinicopathological
      prognostic stratification in AML.

PMID- 26261619
TI  - Intra-thyroid thyroglossal duct cyst: a case report and review of literature.
AB  - Thyroglossal duct cyst is the most common congenital cyst in the head and neck,
      which is defined usually occurring in children. However, intra-thyroid
      thyroglossal duct cyst in an adult is unusually found. Here we describe a case of
      a 45-year-old woman who was found neck mass along the midline for 5 years. During
      the surgery we found a separated nodule in the left inferior pole of the thyroid.
      Surprisingly the diagnosis of the nodule was confirmed by pathology and
      histological examination demonstrating that it was the thyroglossal duct cyst.
      Intra-thyroid thyroglossal duct cyst in an adult is a rare finding, with few
      cases reported. For it is generally thought that any thyroid tissue found in the
      lateral aspect of the neck may indicate metastatic deposits from well
      differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Although pathogenesis of an alone thyroglossal
      duct cyst in the left inferior pole of the thyroid remains unknown, our case
      could suggest thyroglossal duct cyst should not be excluded in the differential
      diagnosis of lateral neck masses especially when it simulates nodules in the
      thyroid. 

PMID- 26261620
TI  - Increased expression of miR-21 predicts poor prognosis in patients with
      hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play critical roles in hepatocellular carcinoma
      (HCC) development and progression. Aberrant miR-21 expression has been reported
      in several cancers. However, the clinical significance of miR-21 in human HCC is
      still unclear. METHODS: A total of 112 patients with primary HCC who underwent a
      curative liver resection were included in this retrospective study. The
      differentially expressed amount of the miR-21 was validated by quantitative real
      time PCR (qRT-PCR). Survival rate was analyzed by log-rank test, and survival
      curves were plotted according to Kaplan-Meier. Multivariate analysis of the
      prognostic factors was performed with Cox regression model. RESULTS: As revealed
      by qRT-PCR analysis, miR-21 expression was significantly upregulated in HCC
      tissues when compared with adjacent non-tumor tissues (P<0.05). High miR-21
      expression level was observed to be closely correlated with tumor
      differentiation, TNM stage and vein invasion (P<0.05). Patients who had high miR
      21 expression had a shorter overall survival than patients who had low miR-21
      expression (P<0.05). Moreover, multivariate analysis of the prognosis factors
      with a Cox proportional hazards model showed that high miR-21 expression was a
      significant independent predictor of poor survival in HCC (P<0.05). CONCLUSION:
      Our results suggested that increased expression of miR-21 was significantly
      correlated with tumor progression and could be a novel potential biomarker for
      HCC prognosis.

PMID- 26261621
TI  - Combined evaluation of adenosine deaminase level and histopathological findings
      from pleural biopsy with Cope's needle for the diagnosis of tuberculous pleurisy.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Closed needle pleural biopsy (CNPB) has historically been the gold
      standard procedure for the diagnosis of pleural tuberculosis. Adenosine deaminase
      (ADA) is an efficient biomarker for tuberculosis that is measurable in pleural
      fluids. OBJECTIVE: We compared the diagnostic accuracy of the pleural ADA (P-ADA)
      level and histopathological findings of CNPB specimens in patients with pleural
      tuberculosis. METHODS: This prospective study consisted of two groups of
      examinations with a proven diagnosis of pleural effusion. The P-ADA level was
      measured in 218 patients with pleural effusion due to a number of causes, and 157
      CNPB specimens underwent histopathological analysis. RESULTS: CNPBs were
      performed in patients with tuberculosis (n=122) and other diseases:
      adenocarcinoma (n=23), lymphoma (n=5), systemic lupus erythematosus (n=4),
      squamous cell carcinoma (n=2), and small cell lung cancer (n=1). According to the
      ROC curve, the optimal cut-off value of the P-ADA level (Giusti and Galanti
      colorimetric method) was equal to or greater than 40.0 U/L. The diagnostic
      accuracy of the P-ADA test was 83.0%, and that of histopathological examination
      of the CNPB tissue, was 78.8% (AUC=0.293, P=0.7695). The association between the
      P-ADA assay and pleural histopathology was 24.41 (P<0.0001). The tetrachoric
      correlation coefficient was 0.563 (high correlation). CONCLUSION: In Brazil and
      other countries with a high incidence of tuberculosis, P-ADA activity is an
      accurate test for the diagnosis of tuberculous pleural effusions, and its use
      should be encouraged. The high diagnostic performance of the P-ADA test could to
      aid the diagnosis of pleural tuberculosis and render CNPB unnecessary.

PMID- 26261622
TI  - Effect of curcumin on permeability of coronary artery and expression of related
      proteins in rat coronary atherosclerosis heart disease model.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Our objective is to explore the effect of curcumin on permeability of
      coronary artery and expression of related proteins in rat coronary
      atherosclerosis heart disease model. METHODS: 45 healthy male Wistar rats of
      clean grade were selected and divided into treatment group, model control group
      and blank control group. The rats in the treatment group and model control group
      received high-fat diet for 12 weeks and intraperitoneal injection of VD3 to
      establish rat coronary atherosclerosis heart disease model. After modeling, the
      rats in the treatment group received gavage of 100 mg/(kg.d) curcimin, and the
      rats in the model control group and blank control group received gavage of 5
      ml/(kg.d) distilled water, the intervention time was 4 weeks. After intervention,
      the rats were killed, and the hearts were dissected to obtain the samples of
      coronary artery. After embedding and frozen section, immunofluorescence method
      was used to detect the change of endarterium permeability in 3 groups, Western
      blot was used to detect matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and CD40L in coronary
      artery tissue, and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect
      serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and C reaction protein (CRP).
      RESULTS: After modeling, compared with the blank control group, total cholesterol
      (TC), triglyceride (TG) and low density lipoprotein cholesterin (LDL-c) in the
      treatment group and model control group were significantly higher (P<0.05),
      however, high density lipoprotein cholesterin (HDL-c) was significantly lower.
      The pathological sections showed that there was lipidosis in rat coronary artery
      in treatment group and model control group, indicating that the modeling was
      successful. Immunofluorescence showed that there was only a little fluorochrome
      permeability in artery in blank control group, there was some fluorochrome
      permeability in artery in the treatment group and there was a lot of fluorochrome
      permeability in artery in the model control group. MMP-9 and CD40L in coronary
      artery tissue in the model control group were significantly higher than the
      treatment group (P<0.05), MMP-9 and CD40L in coronary artery tissue in the
      treatment group were significantly higher than the blank control group (P<0.05);
      serum TNF-alpha and CRP in the model control group were significantly higher than
      the treatment group (P<0.05), which were significantly higher in the treatment
      group than the blank control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Rat coronary
      atherosclerosis heart disease model can be successfully established by feeding
      with high-fat diet and intraperitoneal injection of VD3, the permeability of
      coronary artery in coronary heart disease rat model is significantly increased,
      which may be related to up-regulation of MMP-9, CD40L, TNF-alpha and CRP
      expression. Application of curcumin can inhibit expression of MMP-9, CD40L, TNF
      alpha and CRP to improve the permeability of coronary artery.

PMID- 26261623
TI  - Coexisting epithelioid trophoblastic tumor and placental site trophoblastic tumor
      of the uterus following a term pregnancy: report of a case and review of
      literature.
AB  - Gestational trophoblastic neoplasms are a group of fetal trophoblastic tumors
      including choriocarcinomas, epithelioid trophoblastic tumors (ETTs), and
      placental site trophoblastic tumors (PSTTs). Mixed gestational trophoblastic
      neoplasms are extremely rare. The existence of mixed gestational trophoblastic
      neoplasms that were composed of choriocarcinoma and/or PSTT and/or ETT was also
      reported. Herein, we present a case of uterine mixed gestational trophoblastic
      neoplasm which is ETT admixed with PSTT, and reviewed 9 cases of mixed
      gestational trophoblastic neoplasms reported in English literature available. The
      most common combination was a choriocarcinoma admixed with an ETT and/or PSTT.
      Mixed gestational trophoblastic neoplasms present in women of reproductive age
      and rare in postmenopausal, Abnormal vaginal bleeding is the most common
      presenting symptom, serum beta-HCG levels are elevated, mostly below 2500 mIU/ml,
      the tumor was limited to uterus in 7 cases, the rest of 3 with pulmonary
      metastases at the time of diagnosis. Mixed gestational trophoblastic neoplasms
      have more similar clinical features with intermediate trophoblastic tumors
      (ITTs). Total hysterectomy with lymph node dissection is recommended treatment
      for mixed gestational trophoblastic neoplasms, and chemotherapy should be used in
      patients with metastatic disease and with nonmetastatic disease who have adverse
      prognostic factors. 

PMID- 26261624
TI  - Apoptosis in chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus, discoid lupus, and lupus
      profundus.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Lupus erythematosus is a multisystemic disease that is
      characterized by autoantibody production and immune complex deposition in such
      tissues as the mucosa, joints, the central nervous system, and skin. Cutaneous
      lupus erythematosus is categorized as acute, subacute, and chronic. Chronic
      cutaneous lupus erythematosus comprises discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) and
      lupus profundus (LP). AIM: To analyze the expression of proapoptotic molecules in
      patients with lupus erythematosus discoid and lupus profundus. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: Descriptive study, the study groups comprised 10 cases of LP and 10
      cases of DLE, and a control. Skin samples of cases and controls were processed
      for immunohistochemistry and by TUNEL technique. The database and statistical
      analysis was performed (statistical test X(2)) SPSS (Chicago, IL, USA). RESULTS:
      Apoptotic features were broadly distributed along the skin biopsies in epidermal
      keratinocytes as well as at dermis. By immunohistochemistry the expression of Fas
      receptor and Fas-L was higher in the skin of lupus patients compared with
      controls. We also noted differences in Fas-L, -Fas, and -Bax proteins expression
      intensity in discoid lupus erythematosus patients in the epidermis, and hair
      follicles. CONCLUSIONS: Fas and Fas-L are expressed similarly in LP and DLE.

PMID- 26261625
TI  - Changes of monocyte subsets in patients with acute coronary syndrome and
      correlation with myocardial injury markers.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the changes of peripheral blood monocytes subsets in acute
      coronary syndrome (ACS) and its clinical significance. METHODS: A total of 68 ACS
      patients and 27 healthy subjects (HS) were enrolled. Monocyte subset analysis was
      performed using flow cytometry: CD14++CD16-(Mon1), CD14++CD16+ (Mon2), and
      CD14+CD16++ (Mon3). RESULTS: 1. The number of Mon1 and Mon3 were significantly
      increased in ACS patients compared with HS (P<0.05) and Mon2 decreased in ACS
      patients (P<0.05). 2. The number of Mon1, Mon2, Mon3 was positively correlated
      with WBC count (P<0.05). The Mon2% was negatively correlated with the serum
      levels of LDH, CK, CK-MB (P<0.05). The number of Mon1, Mon3 was positively
      correlated with the serum levels of LDH, CK, CK-MB (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The
      changes in different subsets of monocytes may be associated with pathogenesis of
      ACS and myocardial injury. The findings might be useful in the assessment of
      myocardial injury.

PMID- 26261626
TI  - Up-regulation of soluble P-selectin predicates its prognostic value in patients
      with ankylosing spondylitis.
AB  - Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease with a high rate of
      disability. To find a proper prognosis marker is helpful for the treatment of AS.
      The purpose of this study was to investigate whether soluble P selectin (SP
      selectin) exerted effects on the prognosis of AS patients. Firstly, we detected
      the expression level of SP selectin in 85 AS patients and 60 normal subjects
      using quantitative real-time-polymerase chain reaction (QRT-PCR) assay. The
      result demonstrated that SP-selectin was over expressed in AS patients compared
      with healthy controls and the difference was significant (P < 0.05). Chi-square
      test was used to estimate whether SP selectin was associated with
      clinicopathologic characteristics. The factors of stages (P = 0.002), HLA-B27 (P
      = 0.002), ESR (P = 0.001) and C-reactive protein (P = 0.000) were considered to
      be related to the expression of SP selectin, which indicated that SP-selectin
      might be involved in the development of AS. Besides, the prognosis of AS patients
      after treatment was explored and analyzed via Cox regression analysis. The
      analysis suggested that ESR and SP selectin both served as independent prognostic
      biomarkers for AS (HR = 2.069, 95% CI = 1.049-4.080; HR = 4.562, 95% CI = 1.766
      11.784). Taken together, our study revealed that not only the level of SP
      selectin was upregulated, but also SP selectin could predict the prognosis of AS
      patients.

PMID- 26261627
TI  - Relationship among maternal blood lead, ALAD gene polymorphism and neonatal
      neurobehavioral development.
AB  - Lead is a widely used heavy metal that can affect children's nervous system
      development. ALAD gene polymorphism is associated with lead neurotoxicity. This
      study aimed to clarify the relationship among maternal blood lead, ALAD gene
      polymorphism, and neonatal neurobehavioral development through detecting maternal
      blood lead and ALAD gene polymorphism. 198 maternal and neonatal were selected as
      the research object. Graphite furnace atomic absorption method was applied to
      detect the maternal blood lead concentration. PCR-RFLP was used to detect ALAD
      genotype distribution. Neonatal NANB score was treated as effect indicator. SPSS
      was used for statistical analysis. The ALAD genotype was 181 cases (91.4%) for
      ALAD11 and 17 cases (8.6%) for ALAD12. ALAD allele frequency distribution accords
      with genetics Hardy-Weinberg balance (P > 0.05). Blood lead level in maternal
      with ALAD12 genotype was significantly higher than with ALAD11 genotype (P <
      0.01). NANB score in high blood lead neonatal group was obviously lower than the
      low blood lead group (P < 0.05). Newborn's NANB score from the maternal with
      ALAD11 genotype was lower than from the maternal with ALAD12 genotype (P < 0.01).
      After ruling out the confounding factors influence by multiple linear
      regressions, ALAD gene polymorphisms had no significant correlation with neonatal
      NANB score (P > 0.05). ALAD gene polymorphism is associated with the blood lead
      level. Low level lead exposure in utero may cause newborn early neurobehavioral
      maldevelopment. Maternal ALAD gene polymorphism can affect early neonatal
      neurobehavioral development by influencing the blood lead level.

PMID- 26261628
TI  - Differential microRNA expression in the serum of patients with nephrotic syndrome
      and clinical correlation analysis.
AB  - Many different microRNAs existed in nephrotic syndrome patients, and they may be
      involved in nephrotic syndrome occurrence. In order to further clarify miRNAs
      expression changes in nephrotic syndrome patients and their correlation with
      clinical features, this study investigated differential microRNA expression in
      the peripheral serum of patients with nephrotic syndrome and analyzed the
      correlation between miRNA with largest overexpression level and clinical
      features. miRNAs microarray was applied to screen different expressed miRNAs in
      nephrotic syndrome patients. Real-time PCR was performed to verify miRNA
      expression level. SPSS software was used to analyze correlation between miRNA
      expression and clinical features. Compared with healthy subjects, 35 miRNAs
      overexpressed and 24 miRNAs down-regulated in patients. After real-time PCR
      verification, 6 miRNAs up-regulated in nephrotic syndrome patients, including hsa
      miR-181a, hsa-miR-210, hsa-miR-30a, hsa-miR-942, hsa-miR-192 and hsa-miR-586.
      miRNA-30a significantly overexpressed in nephrotic syndrome patients and with no
      difference between genders. miRNA-30a expression level in drug resistant
      nephrotic syndrome patients was obviously higher than the drug sensitive
      patients. miRNA-30a up-regulated most significantly in mesangial proliferative
      glomerulonephritis among different pathology types, while it decreased most
      obviously in glomerular lesions. miRNA differently expressed in the serum of
      nephrotic syndrome patients. miRNA-30a could be treated as the molecular marker
      in predict drug resistance and pathological type of nephrotic syndrome.

PMID- 26261629
TI  - Detecting of gastric cancer by Bcl-2 and Ki67.
AB  - Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors and the second leading
      cause of cancer-related deaths in China. Although there is some progress in
      diagnose and treatment, the incidence of gastric cancer still keeps up
      increasing. In this study 40 patients with gastric cancer who underwent surgical
      operation is detected by immunohistochemistry. The positive rates of Bcl-2 and
      Ki67 protein expression in gastric cancer tissues were significantly higher than
      normal gastric mucous tissues. Correlation analysis showed that the expression of
      Bcl-2 is not correlated with that of Ki67. Positive expression of Bcl-2 or Ki67
      did not correlate with age, gender, differentiation, stage and lymph node
      metastasis. These suggested that combination of Bcl-2 and Ki67 to detect gastric
      cancer is more effective. 

PMID- 26261630
TI  - Association of the Trp316Ser variant (rs1801690) near the apolipoprotein H (beta2
      glycoprotein-I) gene and serum lipid levels.
AB  - The objective of the present study was to detect the association of the Trp316Ser
      variant (rs1801690) near the apolipoprotein H (beta2-glycoprotein-I) gene and
      serum lipid levels in the Mulao and Han populations. A total of 879 subjects of
      Mulao and 844 subjects of Han Chinese were included. The levels of serum total
      cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and ApoA1 in Mulao,
      and triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), ApoA1 and
      the ratio of ApoA1/ApoB in Han were different among the three genotypes of the
      rs1801690 SNP (P < 0.05-0.01). Subgroup analyses showed that the levels of TC,
      TG, LDL-C, and ApoA1 in Mulao males; ApoA1 in Mulao females; TC, TG, HDL-C and
      ApoB and the ApoA1/ApoB ratio in Han males; and HDL-C, ApoA1 and the ApoA1/ApoB
      ratio in Han females were associated with the genotypes of rs1801690 (P < 0.05
      0.001). Serum lipid parameters were also associated with several environmental
      factors (P < 0.05-0.001). The Trp316Ser variant (rs1801690) near the
      apolipoprotein H (beta2-glycoprotein-I) gene was associated with some serum lipid
      parameters in the two ethnic groups, but the trends of association suggest that
      the Trp316Ser variant (rs1801690) near the apolipoprotein H (beta2-glycoprotein
      I) gene might have racial/ethnic-and/or gender-specificity.

PMID- 26261631
TI  - Suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 A+930-->G (rs4969168) polymorphism is
      associated with apolipoprotein A1 and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.
AB  - This study aimed to detect the association of the suppressor of cytokine
      signaling 3 gene (SOCS3) A+930-->G (rs4969168) single nucleotide polymorphism
      (SNP) and environmental factors with serum lipid levels in the Han and Mulao
      populations. Genotyping of the SOCS3 A+930-->G (rs4969168) SNP was performed in
      752 of Han and 690 of Mulao participants using polymerase chain reaction and
      restriction fragment length polymorphism. The genotype and allele frequencies
      were significantly different between the Han and Mulao populations (GG, 57.71%
      vs. 51.16%, GA, 36.97% vs. 41.16%, AA, 5.32% vs. 7.68%, P = 0.023; G, 76.20% vs.
      71.74%, A, 23.80% vs. 28.26%; P = 0.006; respectively). Serum apolipoprotein
      (Apo) A1 levels in Han were different among the genotypes (P < 0.05). Subgroup
      analyses showed that the levels of ApoA1 in Han females, and ApoA1 and low
      density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in Mulao males were different among the
      genotypes (P < 0.05). Serum lipid parameters were also associated with several
      environmental factors in both ethnic groups (P < 0.05-0.001). These findings
      suggest that there may be a racial/ethnic- and/or sex-specific association
      between the SOCS3 A+930-->G (rs4969168) SNP and serum lipid parameters in some
      populations. 

PMID- 26261632
TI  - Association of two polymorphisms in the FADS1/FADS2 gene cluster and the risk of
      coronary artery disease and ischemic stroke.
AB  - Little is known about the association of the FADS1/FADS2 SNPs and serum lipid
      levels and the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) and ischemic stroke (IS) in
      the Chinese southern population. The present study aimed to determine such
      association in the Chinese southern population. A total of 1,669 unrelated
      subjects (CAD, 534; IS, 553; and healthy controls, 582) were recruited in the
      study. Genotypes of the FADS1 rs174546 SNP and the FADS2 rs174601 SNP were
      determined by the SNaPshot Multiplex Kit. The T allele and TT genotype
      frequencies of the two SNPs were predominant in our study population. The T
      alleles were associated with increased risk of CAD and IS. Correspondingly, the C
      alleles were associated with reduced risk of CAD and IS. Haplotype analyses
      showed that the haplotype of T-T (rs174546-rs174601) was associated with an
      increased risk for IS, and the haplotype of C-C (rs174546-rs174601) was
      associated with a reduced risk for CAD and IS. The two SNPs were likely to
      influence serum lipid levels. The T allele carriers of the two SNPs and rs174601
      TT genotype were associated with decreased serum HDL-C and ApoAI levels in the
      patient groups and with an increased risk of CAD and IS. The present study
      suggests that the FADS1 rs174546 SNP and the FADS2 rs174601 SNP are associated
      with the risk of CAD and IS, and are likely to influence serum lipid levels.
      However, further functional studies are needed to clarify how the two SNPs
      actually affect serum lipid levels and the risk of CAD and IS. 

PMID- 26261633
TI  - Genetic variation in miR-100 rs1834306 is associated with decreased risk for
      esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in Kazakh patients in northwest China.
AB  - MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a family of small noncoding RNAs that act as oncogenes and
      tumor suppressors. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in miRNAs may be
      associated with changes in phenotype and function. The aim of this study was to
      verify whether genetic variations in candidate microRNA (miRNA or miR) genes
      could contribute to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) susceptibility. A
      case-control study in 248 Kazakh patients with ESCC and 300 frequency matched
      control subjects was carried out to examine the potential association of six
      miRNA (miR-100 rs1834306, miR-34b/c rs4938723, miR-375 rs6715345, miR-146a
      rs2910164, miR-423 rs6505162 and miR-373 rs12983273) polymorphisms with risk of
      ESCC. We found that miR-100 rs1834306 T>C polymorphism was associated with a
      significant decreased risk of ESCC. In the recessive model, when the miR-100
      rs1834306 TT/TC genotypes were used as the reference group, the CC homozygote
      genotype was associated with a significant decreased risk for ESCC (adjusted
      OR=0.495, 95% CI: 0.349-0.702, P=8.05*10(-5)). In the dominant model, when the
      miR-100 rs1834306 TT genotypes was used as the reference group, the TC/CC
      genotype were associated with a borderline statistically decreased risk for ESCC
      (adjusted OR=0.665, 95% CI: 0.430-1.031, P=0.067). In addition, the miR-100
      rs1834306 C allele in the Kazakh population was significantly associated with
      decreased risk of ESCC (OR=0.609, 95% CI: 0.48-0.78, P=8.37*10(-5)). These
      findings indicated that functional polymorphism miR-100 rs1834306 C>T might
      contribute to decreased ESCC risk. 

PMID- 26261634
TI  - Association of NCOA2 gene polymorphisms with obesity and dyslipidemia in the
      Chinese Han population.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nuclear receptor coactivator 2 (NCOA2) gene plays an important role
      in adipogenesis and lipid metabolism. NCOA2 gene null mice exhibited less fat
      accumulation and lower serum lipid levels, and were protected against obesity.
      Few studies are known to have analyzed the association of NCOA2 gene single
      nucleotide polymorphisms with obesity and serum lipid profile. Our study aimed to
      evaluate the association of NCOA2 gene polymorphisms with the risk of obesity and
      dyslipidemia in the Chinese Han population. METHODS: Two NCOA2 gene polymorphisms
      (rs41391448 and rs10504473) were selected and genotyped in a Chinese Han cohort
      with 529 participants. The effect of different genotypes on BMI and serum lipid
      levels (TG, TC, LDL-C and HDL-C) was performed by the analysis of covariance.
      Association of NCOA2 polymorphisms with obesity and dyslipidemia was assessed by
      odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) under the unconditional
      logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Significant association was observed
      between rs10504473 polymorphism and obesity under the recessive model (OR = 1.88,
      95% CI 1.02-3.45, P = 0.047; adjusted OR = 1.87, 95% CI 1.02-3.44, P = 0.048).
      However, no association remained significant after Bonferroni correction.
      CONCLUSION: Our study suggests a possible association between NCOA2 rs10504473
      polymorphism and obesity, and this SNP may influence the susceptibility of
      obesity in the Chinese Han population.

PMID- 26261635
TI  - Angiotensin type 1 receptor A1166C gene polymorphism is associated with
      endothelial dysfunction and in-stent restenosis after percutaneous coronary
      intervention.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has been
      commonly used in the treatment of ischemic cardiovascular diseases, but the
      postprocedural in-stent restenosis (ISR) associated with altered endothelial
      functions has limited the clinical application of it; preventive medication with
      aspirin and statins has underlying adverse effects despite lowered risk of ISR.
      The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of angiotensin type 1
      receptor (AT1R) A1166C gene polymorphisms in the development of endothelial
      dysfunction and ISR after PCI. METHODS: A total of 483 ST-segment elevation
      myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients undergoing PCI were prospectively
      genotyped using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length
      polymorphism assay. The demographic, clinical, laboratory and angiographic
      parameters were recorded peri-procedurally and the patients were followed within
      3 years. The flow-mediated dilation (FMD) was used to reflect the short-term
      changes in endothelial functions among different genotypes. The significance of
      AT1R gene polymorphisms in the development of ISR was analyzed using univariable
      and multivariable models. RESULTS: Amongst 483 patients, the distribution of the
      AT1R genotypes (AA, AC and CC) was associated with the levels of blood biomarkers
      of oxidative stress and deteriorated FMD after PCI (P<0.05). In univariable and
      multivariable logistic regression analysis, it was shown that AT1R CC genotype is
      strongly associated with the development of restenosis within 3 years after PCI
      (OR=3.736; P<0.001; calibrated OR=4.104; P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The CC AT1R
      genotype was associated with deteriorated endothelial functions in the target
      vessels of PCI and intermediate to long-term ISR. Our findings contribute to the
      foundation of genome-based prevention for high risk groups of cardiovascular
      diseases and pretreatment for the patients undergoing PCI.

PMID- 26261636
TI  - Associations of common SNPs in the SORT1, GCKR, LPL, APOA1, CETP, LDLR, APOE
      genes with lipid trait levels in an Algerian population sample.
AB  - Genome-wide association studies have identified many lipid-associated loci
      primarily in European and Asian populations. In view of the differences between
      ethnic groups in terms of the frequency and impact of these variants, our
      objective was to evaluate the relationships between eight lipid-associated
      variants (considered individually and in combination) and fasting serum
      triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL- and LDL-cholesterol levels in an Algerian
      population sample (ISOR study, n = 751). Three SNPs (in SORT1, CETP and GCKR)
      were individually associated with lipid level variations. Moreover, the risk
      allele scores for total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL-C levels (encompassing
      between three and six SNPs) were associated with their corresponding lipid
      traits. Our study is the first to show that some of the lipid-associated loci in
      European populations are associated with lipid traits in Algerians. Although our
      results will have to be confirmed in other North African populations, this study
      contributes to a better understanding of genetic susceptibility to lipid traits
      in Algeria. 

PMID- 26261637
TI  - Association between the interaction of SMAD3 polymorphisms with body mass index
      and osteoarthritis susceptibility.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the interaction
      of SMAD3 polymorphisms (rs12102171 and rs2289263) with body mass index (BMI) and
      osteoarthritis (OA) susceptibility. METHODS: This study involved 112 OA patients
      and 120 healthy people. The controls were frequency-matched with the cases by age
      and sex. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) was tested by chi(2) test in the
      control group. The rs12102171 and rs2289263 polymorphisms were genotyped by
      polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP)
      method. The relative risk of OA was represented by odds ratio (OR) with 95%
      confidence interval (CI) calculated by chi-squared test. Gene-environment
      interaction was analyzed by crossover analysis. RESULTS: The TT genotype and T
      allele of SMAD3 rs12102171 polymorphism were more frequent in case than control
      groups (P=0.04 in both of two polymorphisms), which increased the risk of OA
      (OR=3.39, 95% CI=1.03-11.11 and OR=1.64, 95% CI=1.03-2.59). GG genotype and G
      allele were also the risk factors for OA (OR=3.22, 95% CI=1.09-9.51 and OR=1.57,
      95% CI=1.02-2.42). The BMI had interactions with genotype CC and CT+TT of
      rs12102171 and TT and TG+GG of rs2289263 (rs12102171: OR=2.15, P=0.02 and
      OR=3.99, P=1.00*10(-3); rs2289263: OR=2.73, P=4.00*10(-3) and OR=4.67, P=0).
      CONCLUSIONS: CC and CT+TT and TT and TG+GG genotypes of SMAD3 rs12102171 and
      rs2289263 polymorphisms together with BMI may be susceptible factors to OA, and
      interactions there between can possibly confer risk to OA.

PMID- 26261638
TI  - Correlation between exon 3 polymorphism of growth hormone receptor gene and the
      responses to rhGH therapy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between the exon 3 polymorphism of
      growth hormone receptor (GHR) gene and the responses to the recombinant human
      growth hormone (rhGH) therapy in children with short stature. METHODS: Forty-five
      growth hormone deficiency (GHD) children (male: 30, female: 15, aged 10.39 +/-
      2.73 yrs) and twenty-five idiopathic short stature (ISS) children (male: 15,
      female: 10, aged 10.58 +/- 2.56 yrs) admitted to our hospital were included. The
      polymorphism of exon 3 of GHR gene was determined using multiple PCR
      amplification. Treatment duration for each subject was at least 12 months. On
      this basis, we evaluated the correlation between treatment efficiency of rhGH
      therapy and GHR exon 3 polymorphism, GHD, and treatment duration. RESULTS:
      Significant difference was noted in the growth velocity (GV) of GHD children with
      a genotype of GHRfl compared with those with a genotype of GHRd3 (9.44 +/- 2.35
      vs. 11.36 +/- 2.49, P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the GV of ISS patients with a genotype
      of GHRfl were remarkably decreased compared with those with a genotype of GHRd3
      (8.74 +/- 2.36 vs. 11.18 +/- 2.44, P < 0.05). For the children with peak GH
      response of less than 5 ng/ml, statistical difference was noted in the GV of
      children with a genotype of GHRfl compared with those with a genotype of GHRd3
      (9.55 +/- 2.76 vs. 10.84 +/- 1.53, P < 0.05). For the patients with peak GH
      response to clonidine or pyridostigmine bromide of > 5 ng/ml, a satisfactory
      response to rhGH therapy was noted in children with a genotype of GHRd3 compared
      with those of GHRfl (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: GHRd3 was correlated with the
      response to rhGH therapy in children with short stature. For the patients with
      the same genotype, GHD caused no obvious effects on the final height. However,
      for the patients with peak GH response of > 5 ng/ml, a satisfactory response to
      rhGH therapy was noted in children with a genotype of GHRd3 compared with those
      of GHRfl (P < 0.05). A higher treatment efficiency was obtained in those received
      rhGH at an early age.

PMID- 26261639
TI  - Interleukin-17A gene polymorphism is associated with susceptibility to gastric
      cancer.
AB  - We conducted a study to investigate the role of three common SNPs in the IL-17A
      and IL-17F genes (rs2275913G>A, rs3748067C>T and rs763780T>C) in the development
      of gastric cancer, and their interaction with H.pylori infection. A total of 326
      patients with gastric cancer and 326 control subjects were consecutively
      recruited between May 2012 and May 2014. Genotyping of IL-17A rs2275913G>A and
      rs3748067C>T and IL-17F rs763780T>C was performed in a 384-well plate format on
      the Sequenom MassARRAY platform. By logistic regression analysis, individuals
      carrying the GA and AA genotypes of IL-17 rs2275913G>A were significantly
      associated with an increased risk of gastric cancer when compared with GG
      genotype, and the adjusted Ors (95% CI) were 1.46 (1.03-2.06) for GA genotype and
      2.57 (1.51-4.43) for AA genotype. We observed that the GA+AA genotype of
      rs2275913 was associated with an increased risk of gastric cancer among H.pylori
      infection subjects (OR=2.21, 95% CI=1.29-3.79). In conclusion, we found that
      there was a significant association between L-17A rs2275913G>A polymorphism and
      increased gastric cancer risk, especially in H.pylori infection subjects.

PMID- 26261640
TI  - Total ginsenosides synergize with ulinastatin against septic acute lung injury
      and acute respiratory distress syndrome.
AB  - Total ginsenosides synergize with ulinastatin (UTI) against septic acute lung
      injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We randomly divided
      80 cases of severe sepsis-induced ALI and ARDS into a UTI group and a
      ginsenosides (GS)+UTI group. Continuous electrocardiac monitoring of pulse,
      respiratory rate, blood pressure, and heart rate; invasive hemodynamic
      monitoring; ventilator-assisted breathing and circulation support; and anti
      infection as well as UTI treatment were given in the UTI group with GS treatment
      added for 7 consecutive days in the GS+UTI group. The indicators of pulmonary
      vascular permeability, pulmonary circulation, blood gases, and hemodynamics as
      well as APACHE II and ALI scores were detected on days 1, 3, and 7. The ALI score
      in the GS+UTI group was significantly decreased (P < 0.05) compared with that of
      the UTI group, and the indicators of pulmonary capillary permeability such as
      pulmonary vascular permeability index, extravascular lung water index, and
      oxygenation index, in the GS+UTI group improved significantly more than that of
      the UTI group. The indicators of hemodynamics and pulmonary circulation such as
      cardiac index, intrathoracic blood volume index, and central venous pressure
      improved significantly (P < 0.05), and the APACHE II score in the GS+UTI group
      was lower than that of the UTI group. GS can effectively collaborate with UTI
      against ALI and/or ARDS. 

PMID- 26261641
TI  - Association between ACE polymorphisms and osteoarthritis susceptibility.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The present study was designed to investigate the association of
      angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) rs4343 and rs4362 polymorphisms with the
      susceptibility to osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: 109 knee OA patients and 114
      healthy people were enrolled in the study. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction
      fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used to perform the genotyping for
      two groups and the linkage disequilibrium and haplotype were analyzed using
      Haploview software. The differences of genotype and allele frequencies were
      analyzed by chi(2) test and Fisher's exact test. The relationship between ACE
      polymorphisms and OA susceptibility was represented by odds ratios (ORs) with 95%
      confidence intervals (95% CIs). RESULTS: The genotypes distributions of ACE
      rs4343 and rs4362 polymorphisms in control groups were accordance with HWE. ACE
      rs4343 polymorphism was associated with the significantly increased risk of OA
      (AG vs. AA: OR=2.41, P=0.003; GG vs. AA: OR=5.35, P=0.015; G vs. A: OR=2.27,
      P<0.001). Similarly, rs4362 polymorphisms was also a risk factor for OA (CT vs.
      CC: OR=2.60, P=0.005; TT vs. CC: OR=3.15, P=0.003; T vs. C: OR=1.88, P=0.001).
      The result of haplotype analysis showed complete linkage disequilibrium in rs
      4343 and rs 4362 polymorphisms. The G-T haplotype significantly increased OA
      susceptibility, but A-C is a protective factor for the occurrence of OA.
      CONCLUSION: Significant correlation exists between ACE rs4343 and rs4362
      polymorphisms and OA. In haplotype analysis, A-C haplotype may provide protection
      against OA, and G-T haplotype may be a risk factor for the development of OA.

PMID- 26261642
TI  - MTHFR genetic polymorphism increases the risk of preterm delivery.
AB  - AIMS: This study aimed to investigate the association between the methylene
      tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene C677T and A1298C polymorphisms and
      premature delivery susceptibility. METHODS: With matched age and gender, 108
      premature delivery pregnant women as cases and 108 healthy pregnant women as
      controls were recruited in this case-control study. The cases and controls had
      same gestational weeks. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length
      polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method was adopted to analyze C677T and A1298C
      polymorphisms of the participants. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) and haplotype
      analysis were conducted by Haploview software. The differences for frequencies of
      gene type, allele and haplotypes in cases and controls were tested by chi-square
      test. The relevant risk of premature delivery was represented by odds ratios
      (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). RESULTS: TT gene type frequency of
      C677T polymorphsim was higher in cases than the controls (P=0.004, OR=3.077, 95%
      CI=1.469-6.447), so was allele T (P=0.002, OR=1.853, 95% CI=1.265-2.716).
      Whereas, CC gene type of A1298C polymorphism had a lower distribution in cases
      than the controls (P=0.008, OR=0.095, 95% CI=0.012-0.775), so was allele C
      (P=0.047, OR=0.610, 95% CI=0.384-0.970). Haplotype analysis and linkage
      disequilibrium test conducted on the alleles of two polymorphisms in MTHFR gene,
      we discovered that haplotype T-A had a higher distribution in cases, which
      indicated that susceptible haplotype T-A was the candidate factor for premature
      delivery. CONCLUSIONS: Gene type TT of MTHFR C677T polymorphism might make
      premature delivery risk rise while gene type CC of A1298C polymorphism might have
      protective influence on premature delivery.

PMID- 26261643
TI  - Correlation between the interactions of ABCA4 polymorphisms and smoking with the
      susceptibility to age-related macular degeneration.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Our study was aimed to analyze the relationship between retina
      specific ATP-binding cassette, sub-family A, member 4 (ABCA4) gene polymorphisms
      and gene-environment interactions with age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
      susceptibility. METHODS: 98 AMD patients and 110 healthy controls, matched in age
      and sex, were enrolled in this study. ABCA4 polymorphisms (2633C>A, 5646G>A and
      6389T>A) were determined by direct sequencing. Differences of genotype and allele
      distributions were analyzed by chi(2) test. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence
      intervals (95% CIs) were adopted to represent the relative risk of AMD. Gene
      environment interactions were analyzed using crossover analysis. RESULTS: 2633C>A
      polymorphism had no obvious correlation with AMD risk. Genotype AA and allele A
      in 5646G>A polymorphism significantly increased the risk of AMD (OR=4.753, 95%
      CI=1.249-18.085; OR=1.944, 95% CI=1.209-3.126). 6389T>A polymorphism AA genotype
      had no significant correlation with AMD risk, but the A allele distinctly
      enhanced the AMD risk (OR=1.681, 95% CI=1.071-2.639). Afterwards, we analyzed the
      interactions between ABCA4 polymorphisms and smoking on AMD. Smoking had
      interactions with all of 2633C>A (CC+CA), 5646G>A and 6389T>A polymorphisms, and
      the interactions were significantly correlated with AMD. CONCLUSIONS: 2633C>A
      (CC+CA) genotype, 5646G>A and 6389T>A polymorphisms of ABCA4 gene and smoking are
      susceptible factors for AMD, and the interactions of ABCA4 polymorphisms with
      smoking increased the risk of AMD.

PMID- 26261644
TI  - Association between interferon gamma 13-CA-repeats polymorphism and metastasis of
      nasopharyngeal carcinoma in a population of Northern China.
AB  - Interferon Gamma gamma (IFN-gamma) 13-CA-repeats polymorphism is associated with
      a variety of diseases; here we report its association with nasopharyngeal
      carcinoma (NPC) metastasis in a retrospective analysis of a cohort of 220 NPC
      patients in the northern China. The results showed that the distributions of CA13
      /CA13-genotypes were significantly higher in the patients with lymph node
      metastasis (P<0.05) and distant metastasis (P<0.001); there was a significant
      difference between NPC patients with stage I+II and those with stage III+IV
      regarding CA13+/CA13-(P<0.001) and CA13-/CA13- genotypes (P<0.001); further
      analysis showed a more pronounced difference between NPC patients with stage
      I+II+III and those with stage IV for CA13-/CA13-genotype (P<0.001), whereas no
      difference was found for CA13+/CA13- genotype (P=0.790). Thus, we identify that
      IFN-gamma 13-CA-repeat polymorphism is significantly associated with the
      metastasis of NPC, which may provide insights into its prognosis and
      individualized treatment. 

PMID- 26261645
TI  - Association between TRAIL gene polymorphisms and the susceptibility and severity
      of lumbar disc degeneration.
AB  - AIM: The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between
      tumor necrosis factor related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) gene
      polymorphisms and the susceptibility and severity of lumbar disc degeneration
      (LDD) in the Chinese Han population. METHODS: A total of 153 patients with LDD
      and 131 healthy subjects were enrolled in the study. Four single-nucleotide
      polymorphisms (SNPs) in the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) of TRAIL gene,
      including 1289 C/A, 1525 G/A, 1588 G/A and 1595 C/T, were genotyped with
      polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP)
      analysis. RESULTS: The genotypes and alleles frequencies of TRAIL at 1525 and
      1595 positions in all subjects were the same. There was a significant association
      between TRAIL 1525/1595 polymorphisms and the susceptibility of LDD. The
      frequencies of 1525 GG /1595 CC genotype, and 1525 G/1595 C allele were higher in
      the patients group than that in the control group. In addition, we found patients
      with the 1525 AA /1595 TT genotype, as well as 1525 A/1595 T allele exhibit
      significantly low frequency of high grades of disc degeneration. However, there
      were no significant differences in the genotype or allele distribution of TRAIL
      1289 C/A or 1588 G/A between the patients and the control group. CONCLUSION:
      TRAIL 1525/1595 polymorphisms were associated with the susceptibility and
      severity of LDD in the Chinese Han population.

PMID- 26261646
TI  - Association between CTLA-4 gene polymorphism and ankylosing spondylitis: a case
      control study.
AB  - AIMS: The aim of our study was to evaluate the association between CTLA-4
      polymorphisms (+49A/G, -318C/T and CT60A/G) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS)
      susceptibility. METHODS: A total of 120 AS cases and healthy controls, matched on
      the age and gender, were enrolled in the study. Polymerase chain reaction
      restriction fragment length polymorphisms (PCR-RFLP) were used to determine the
      gentypes of +49A/G, -318C/T and CT60A/G polymorphisms. Genotype distribution in
      control group was assessed by Hardy Weinberg Equilibrium (HWE) test. Odds ratio
      (OR) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were adopted to evaluate the
      relationship of CTLA-4 polymorphisms and AS susceptibility. RESULTS: In our
      study, genotype distribution of the three polymorphisms in control group was
      consistent with the HWE (P > 0.05). The genotype analysis showed that AA genotype
      of + 49A/G polymorphism could increase the risk for AS (OR=2.357, 95% CI=1.127
      4.930). Moreover, the frequency of A allele was also presented as a risk factor
      for AS. Additionally, AA genotype and A allele of CT60A/G appeared to be related
      with AS susceptibility (OR=2.610, 95% CI=1.047-6.510; OR=1.751, 95% CI=1.160
      2.641). However, the T allele of -318C/T appeared to be a protective factor for
      AS (OR=0.383, 95% CI=0.228-0.643). CONCLUSION: In summary, there existed
      significant association between CTLA-4 gene polymorphisms and increased or
      decreased risk for AS.

PMID- 26261647
TI  - Correlation between survivin genetic polymorphisms and lung cancer
      susceptibility.
AB  - AIMS: The purpose of the study was to analyze the relationship of survivin
      polymorphisms including -31G/C, -625G/C, 9194A/G and 9809T/C with the
      susceptibility to lung cancer. METHODS: Polymerase chain reaction-restriction
      fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used to test the polymorphisms of 
      31G/C, -625G/C, 9194A/G and 9809T/C in 104 patients with lung cancer and 104
      healthy controls. Then, linkage disequilibrium and haplotypes were analyzed by
      HaploView software. The differences of genotype, allele and haplotype frequencies
      in case and control group were assessed via chi-square test. Odds ratio (OR) with
      95% CI were used to evaluate the correlation of survivin polymorphisms with lung
      cancer. RESULTS: Genotype distribution of each polymorphism site in control group
      was in agreement with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) (P>0.05). The frequency of
      -31G/C CC genotype and C allele in case group were much higher than that of
      controls, respectively (CC: 33.6% vs. 22.1%; C: 57.2% vs. 46.6%) and CC genotype
      as well as C allele were appeared to be risk factors for lung cancer. Meanwhile,
      9194A/G GG genotype could increase the risk for lung cancer (OR=2.86, 95% CI=1.14
      7.20). The risk of G allele carriers for lung caner was higher than that of A
      allele (OR=1.63, 95% CI=1.08-2.47). The haplotypes analysis indicated that CGGC
      and GCAT were associated with the susceptibility to lung cancer (OR=2.79, 95%
      CI=1.58-4.92; OR=2.36, 95% CI=1.29-4.30). CONCLUSIONS: Survivin -31G/C and
      9194A/G polymorphisms were associated with the risk of lung cancer. The CGGC and
      GCAT haplotypes carriers were more likely to develop lung cancer.

PMID- 26261648
TI  - Relevance between HLA-DP gene rs2281388 polymorphism and hepatocellular carcinoma
      risk.
AB  - PURPOSE: We carried out this study to find out the relevance between rs2281388
      T/C polymorphism of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) gene and hepatocellular
      carcinoma (HCC) risk in Chinese Han population. METHODS: The method of polymerase
      chain reaction (PCR) was applied to amplify the genomic DNA. Then the PCR
      products were sequenced to test the HLA-DP gene rs2281388T/C polymorphism of the
      case and control groups. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence interval (95% CIs)
      were utilized to evaluate the potential correlation between rs2281388 variants
      and HCC risk. RESULTS: We analyzed the rs2281388 polymorphism distribution among
      the clinical pathological features. The results showed that there existed a
      significant statistic correlation between rs2281388T/C polymorphism of HLA-DP
      gene and HBsAg feature, and no significant correlation was found between
      rs2281388 and other clinical features. Further analysis showed that the TT
      genotype of rs2281388 was significantly correlated with HCC risk, and the same to
      T allele, but there was no significant difference of CT genotype distribution in
      case and control groups. CONCLUSION: TT genotype and T allele of HLA-DP gene
      rs2281388 polymorphism may increase the risk of HCC.

PMID- 26261650
TI  - Association between 8473T>C polymorphism in the cyclooxygenase-2 gene and the
      risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: No studies have examined the relationship between COX-2 8473T>C
      polymorphism and the risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Chinese population.
      MATERIAL AND METHODS: 296 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma and 300 age and
      gender-matched healthy controls recruited were genotyped by polymerase chain
      reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Cancer risk
      associated with the genotypes was estimated as odds ratios (ORs) and 95%
      confidence intervals (95% CIs) using unconditioned logistic regression. RESULTS:
      There was significant difference in the distribution of COX-2 8473T>C
      polymorphism genotype between nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients and healthy
      controls (P=0.027). When the TT genotype was used as the reference group, the CC
      genotype was associated with significantly decreased risk for nasopharyngeal
      carcinoma (adjusted OR=0.67, 95% CI=0.33-0.83; P=0.01). Under the recessive model
      of inheritance, the CC genotype was associated with significantly decreased risk
      for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (adjusted OR=0.43, 95% CI=0.37-0.81; P=0.007).
      Furthermore, the C allele was associated with significantly decreased risk for
      nasopharyngeal carcinoma (adjusted OR=0.48, 95% CI=0.39-0.85; P=0.009).
      CONCLUSION: These data suggested that COX-2 8473T>C polymorphism was associated
      with reduced risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

PMID- 26261649
TI  - Association between MDM2 rs769412 and rs937283 polymorphisms with alcohol
      drinking and laryngeal carcinoma risk.
AB  - TARGET: To investigate the association between the interactions of murine double
      minute 2 (MDM2) polymorphisms (rs769412 and rs937283) with alcohol drinking and
      laryngeal carcinoma. METHODS: Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment
      length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used to detect the genotypes status of MDM2
      rs769412 and rs937283 polymorphisms among 126 cases and 120 controls. Odds ratios
      (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by the chi-squared test,
      which was adopted to analyze the association between MDM2 rs769412 and rs937283
      polymorphisms and the susceptibility to larynx carcinoma in the drinking
      population. RESULTS: Genotypes distributions of MDM2 rs769412 and rs937283
      polymorphisms in the control group were in accordance with Hardy-Weinberg
      equilibrium (HWE). MDM2 rs769412 GG genotype and G allele significantly increased
      laryngeal carcinoma risk (GG vs. AA: OR=3.17, 95% CI=1.25-8.04; G vs. A: OR=1.88,
      95% CI=1.24-2.84). Furthermore, the mutant genotypes of MDM2 rs937283and rs769412
      were remarkablely associated with the increased risk for laryngeal carcinoma in
      drinking population (rs937283: OR=2.67, 95% CI=1.40-5.07; rs769412: OR=3.76, 95%
      CI=1.62-8.75). CONCLUSION: MDM2 polymorphisms are correlated with the onset of
      laryngeal carcinoma. The relationship is strengthened by alcohol drinking.

PMID- 26261651
TI  - Klotho gene polymorphisms are related to colorectal cancer susceptibility.
AB  - AIM: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship of Klotho gene
      G-395A and C1818T polymorphisms with colorectal cancer (CRC) susceptibility.
      METHODS: 125 CRC patients and 125 controls were enrolled in the study. G-395A and
      C1818T polymorphisms were genotyped with polymerase chain reaction-restriction
      fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technology. Haploview software was
      utilized to conduct linkage disequilibrium and haplotype analysis. Odds ratio
      (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were used to analyze the correlation of
      genotypes and haplotypes with CRC susceptibility. RESULTS: AA and GA genotypes of
      G-395A polymorphisms were related with CRC risk (AA: OR = 4.161, 95% CI = 1.437
      12.053; GA: OR = 1.958, 95% CI = 1.133-3.385). The frequency of A allele was much
      higher in case group, compared with controls (31.2% vs.17.6%) and the value of OR
      AND 95% CI suggested that A allele served as a risk factor for CRC (OR = 2.123,
      95% CI = 1.393-3.236). Haplotypes analysis indicated that A-C and A-T haplotypes
      were significantly associated with risk of CRC (OR = 1.822, 95% CI = 1.124-2.954;
      OR = 2.877, 95% CI = 1.340-6.176). CONCLUSION: G-395A polymorphism of Klotho gene
      could increase the risk of CRC.

PMID- 26261652
TI  - Distant dissemination of mixed low-grade astroblastoma-arteriovenous malformation
      after initial operation: a case report.
AB  - We present a rare case of low-grade astroblastoma coexisting with an
      arteriovenous malformation (AVM) underwent surgery two times in a 38-year-old
      man. After the first surgery, this case was reported as a mixed low-grade
      astroblastoma and AVM. The lesion was completely resected surgically along with
      AVM. The patient underwent postoperative radiotherapy. Twenty months later, MRI
      showed enhanced lesions in suprasellar, pineal region and multiple small lesions
      in the spinal cord, whereas completely no recurrent lesion at the primary tumor
      site. So, the patient rationally underwent surgical removal in suprasellar and
      pineal region. After the second surgery, this case was diagnosed as a high-grade
      astroblastoma. Cells from the second surgical specimens showed high MIB-1 index
      and an increased olig-2 index. In addition, it is not common for low-grade
      astroblastoma metastasis to suprasellar, pineal region and spine with completely
      no recurrence at the original primary tumor site. Therefore it is difficult to
      predict tumor behavior and patient's clinical outcome merely based on histologic
      features. The important issue is whether the AVM was thought to be the cause of
      poor progress of this tumor. More cases are needed to confirm this.
      Classification and histogenesis of this tumor is still debated. Lack of
      clinicopathological correlation makes the prognosis of this tumor unpredictable.
      Anyway, we should be very discreet to treat the astroblastoma, even for low-grade
      astroblastoma.

PMID- 26261653
TI  - Atrophic dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans with the fusion gene COL1A1-PDGFB
      detected by RT-PCR using only a single primer pair.
AB  - Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSPs) is an uncommon dermal tumor of
      intermediate to low-grade malignancy. A few patients have clinically persistent
      plaques that might be atrophic, and they are difficult to be diagnosed
      clinically. With the development of cytogenetic and molecular biology techniques,
      the detection of fusion transcripts of the collagen type 1a1 (COL1A1) and
      platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGFB) genes has been recognized as a reliable
      and valuable molecular tool for the diagnosis of DFSPs. We reported a 24-year-old
      woman who had a 2 years history of atrophic DFSPs, and detected the gene fusion
      between COL1A1 to PDGFB by one-step method of RT-PCR using only a single primer
      pair. The gene fusion detected by this rapid and efficient one-step method in our
      patient appears to be the first report of atrophic DFSPs, and we detected a novel
      COL1A1 breakpoint between exon 2 and exon 3.

PMID- 26261654
TI  - Carcinosarcoma of the gallbladder: a case report and review of the literature.
AB  - Carcinosarcoma of the gallbladder is a rare malignancy characterized by malignant
      epithelial and mesenchymal components. The disease usually presents at an
      advanced stage, and as a result, curative resection is uncommon. This report
      describes a case that underwent curative resection. We herein declare the case of
      a patient in a 62-year-old male, with carcinosarcoma of the gallbladder with
      chondroid differentiation. The patient is treated by a simple cholecystectomy, a
      wedge resection of the underlying liver tissue and the pericholedochal lymph
      nodes for a tumor which occupied the entire gallbladder. Histologically, the
      epithelial component of the tumor was composed of adenocarcinoma and the
      mesenchymal component was composed of fibrosarcoma. The tumor was identified as
      extend to the serosa tissue and to have metastasized to no lymph node. The
      prognosis of carcinosarcoma of the gallbladder remains poor despite curative
      resection, and thus, the authors recommend that effort should be made to improve
      surgical outcomes. The patient survived 13 months and is still alive today.

PMID- 26261655
TI  - An unusual case of colonic adenocarcinoma development in the region of
      disseminating lobular breast carcinoma infiltration: diagnostic approach and
      review of the literature.
AB  - We present an unusual case of colon cancer development in bowel segment involved
      with lobular breast carcinoma infiltration. 80 year old Caucasian woman was
      diagnosed with right colon carcinoma due to rectal bleeding and obstructive
      symptoms. She had nine years clinical history of lobular, well differentiated
      breast cancer with five years of postoperative tamoxifen therapy, disseminating
      to bones and pleural cavities two years prior to hemicolectomy. On microscopic
      examination under the colonic adenocarcinoma and in the whole length of the
      resected bowel segment, massive infiltration of lobular carcinoma was discovered.
      She remains alive under the palliative hormone and chemotherapy. In our paper we
      discuss clinical and pathological issues concerning metastases of breast cancer
      into the gastrointestinal tract as well as rare colocalization of colonic and
      breast cancers within the same intestinal segment. Review of the literature is
      also presented accordingly. 

PMID- 26261656
TI  - Transition between morule-like and solid components may occur in solid
      predominant adenocarcinoma of the lung: report of 2 cases with EGFR and KRAS
      mutations.
AB  - A limited number of pulmonary adenocarcinoma cases with morule-like components
      have been described to date, and the most frequent histological subtype is
      papillary-predominant adenocarcinoma. Occasionally, this type of adenocarcinoma
      is associated with solid-predominant adenocarcinoma. EGFR mutations are
      predominant in adenocarcinoma with morule-like components, followed by ALK
      rearrangements. Herein, we present 2 cases of solid-predominant adenocarcinoma
      with morule-like components harboring either an EGFR or KRAS mutation. This KRAS
      mutant case is the first to be associated with morule-like components, to the
      best of our knowledge. Both cases showed transition between micropapillary and
      morule-like components. Transition between morule-like and solid components was
      also observed in both cases. Although a few cases of solid-predominant
      adenocarcinoma have been shown to harbor morule-like components, this type of
      transition has not been previously well described. We surmised that the solid
      components of some EGFR-mutant adenocarcinomas might be derived from morule-like
      components.

PMID- 26261657
TI  - Nodular pulmonary amyloidosis and obvious ossification due to primary pulmonary
      MALT lymphoma with extensive plasmacytic differentiation: Report of a rare case
      and review of the literature.
AB  - Localized (primary) pulmonary amyloidosis associated with pulmonary low-grade B
      cell lymphoma is rarely occurred. Here we report an unusual case of nodular
      pulmonary amyloidosis and obvious ossification due to primary pulmonary mucosa
      associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma with extensive plasmacytic
      differentiation in a 59-year-old man; moreover, two bronchial lymph nodes were
      involved histologically. The patient underwent a left lower lobectomy along with
      mediastinal lymphadenectomy. He received no adjuvant therapy and the
      postoperative course was uneventful within the 14 months follow-up period after
      his initial diagnosis. 

PMID- 26261658
TI  - Primary small cell cancer of cervical trachea: a case report and literature
      review.
AB  - Primary small cell carcinoma of trachea is even more uncommon and only a few
      cases have been reported. Our search revealed only 90 cases in the English
      language literatures. CASE REPORT: we report a case of cervical tracheal small
      cell cancer. A 67-year-old male presented with over 2-month history of cough and
      dyspnea. CT and MRI revealed a 1.0 cm * 2.5 cm intraluminal, irregular soft
      tissue mass in the upper trachea, approximately 2.5 cm below the glottis. A
      bronchoscopic examination disclosed a large tumor in the cervical trachea and the
      lesion occupied more than 60% of the tracheal lumen. Cytological examination
      suggested some poorly differentiated carcinoma cells. The patient received
      concurrent chemoradiotherapy and did not perform surgery. One week after CCR, the
      patient occurred difficulty in breath and tracheal stent was implanted. The
      symptom was improved markedly. Four days after implant of tracheal stent, the
      patient presented irritable cough and hemoptysis. The amount of bleeding was
      about 300 ml. The hemorrhage stopped by treatment of vasoconstrictor and fresh
      plasma. However, two days later, hemoptysis was continuing even if treatment of
      vasoconstrictor and fresh plasma. The patient and relatives waived the further
      therapies. The patient died of massive hemoptysis one week out of hospital.
      CONCLUSIONS: The tracheal small cell cancer is rare. The optimal treatment is
      unclear. In general, the strategy is introduced concurrent chemoradiotherapy
      following as small cell lung cancer. In cervical trachea, we suggest that
      surgical resection should be performed followed by postoperative adjuvant
      therapy.

PMID- 26261659
TI  - Detection of t(12;14)(p13;q32) in a patient with IGH-CCND1 negative mantle cell
      lymphoma resembling ultra-high risk chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
AB  - T(12;14)(p13;q32) is a rare recurrent chromosomal translocation, which has only
      been identified in a small subgroup of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) without typical
      t(11;14)(q13;q32). This rearrangement causes aberrant over-expression of cyclin
      D2 (CCND2), which disrupts the normal cell cycle. Here we report a subtle case of
      MCL with t(12;14)(p13;q32) that was initially misdiagnosed as ultra-high risk
      chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). A 60-year-old male patient presented with
      obvious leukocytosis and progressive weakness. Morphology of peripheral blood and
      immunophenotyping by flow cytometry pointed to a diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic
      leukemia. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using IGH-CCND1 probe was
      negative for CCND1 abnormality, but demonstrated IGH breakapart signals. The
      initial diagnosis of CLL was established and the patient was treated with six
      courses of immunochemotherpy with fludarabine, cyclophosphamide and rituximab
      (FCR). Complete remission (CR) was achieved at the end of treatment, but disease
      relapsed quickly. The patient was transferred to our hospital, flow cytometry
      using additional markers showed that the clonal cells were CD200+(dim),
      CD148+(strong), and chromosome analysis revealed a complex karyotype, 47, XY,
      t(12;14)(p13;q32), +12, del(9p21), which indicated over-expression of CCND2, and
      immunostaining showed strong positivity of SOX11 further confirming the
      characteristics of CCND1-negtive MCL. The final diagnosis was revised to rare
      subtype of MCL with CCND2 translocation and intensive regimens were employed.
      This confusable MCL case illustrates the importance of cytogenetic analysis and
      clinicopathologic diagnosis of this rare category of MCL.

PMID- 26261660
TI  - Invasive cystic hypersecretory carcinoma of the breast: a case report.
AB  - PURPOSE: To report a new case of invasive cystic hypersecretory carcinoma. The
      clinical and pathological characteristics of the lesion and a review of the
      literature are both described. METHODS: A descriptive study of a case of invasive
      CHC occurring in a 60-yr-old woman is presented. Tumor was standard processed and
      stained by hematoxylin & eosin, PAS, immunohistochemically examined for ER, PR, C
      erbB-2, CEA, thyroglobulin, E-cadherin, S-100 protein, and Cytokeratin5/6.
      RESULTS: The tumor, which was 4.7*3.7*3.0 cm, was localized in the upper region
      of the left breast. This tumor revealed multiple cystic spaces, which were filled
      with PAS. It was positive for CEA, ER, E-cadherin, and S-100 protein, but
      negative for thyroglobulin, PR, and C-erbB-2. Cytokeratin5/6 was expressed in the
      cystic hypersecretory hyperplasia region, but not in the invasive area. The ten
      month follow-up period was uneventful. CONCLUSIONS: Cystic hypersecretory
      carcinoma of the breast is a rare and distinctive variant of ductal carcinoma in
      situ. It has the potential for invasive growth. As there are few recorded cases,
      the prognosis in patients with invasive CHC is still uncertain and a matter of
      intensive debate.

PMID- 26261661
TI  - A case of Peutz-Jeghers syndrome associated with high-grade intramucosal
      neoplasia.
AB  - Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) is a rare, inherited autosomal dominant disease
      characterized by mucocutaneous pigmentation and polyps in the gastrointestinal
      tract. Here, we report the rare case of a 64-year-old female patient with
      pigmentation on her lips and extremities for over 63 years and intermittent
      abdominal pain and, diarrhea for 3 years. The presence of intestinal and
      colorectal hamartomatous polyps was confirmed. The removal and characterization
      of her rectal polyp showed it to be a typical hamartomatous polyp with a portion
      of it being an adenoma with high-grade intramucosal neoplasia. A survey of the
      patient's family identified 9 people in the family with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome
      and three of them have already died from colorectal cancer. This case study
      serves as an example of how imperative it is to survey the patient about their
      family history in order to detect early cancerous lesions.

PMID- 26261662
TI  - Phosphaturic mesenchymal tumour mixed connective tissue variant: report of three
      cases with unusual histological findings.
AB  - Phosphaturic mesenchymal tumour mixed connective tissue variant (PMTMCT) is a
      rare tumour occurring in bone and soft tissue that usually behaves in a benign
      manner. Elaboration of biologically active substances by this tumour gives rise
      to a paraneoplastic syndrome known as oncogenic osteomalacia, manifesting
      clinically as bone pain, generalized weakness and pathological fractures.
      Recognition of PMTMCT and its associated syndrome is important, as resection of
      the tumour in most instances results in prompt resolution of symptoms. Previously
      reported cases of this tumour have emphasized the consistent presence of certain
      histological features that are considered prerequisite for making the diagnosis
      of PMTMCT. We describe three cases of PMTMCT, of which two first presented with
      progressive symptoms of osteomalacia and one remained clinically silent aside
      from the symptom of a palpable lump. Our cases highlight the wide-ranging
      histological patterns displayed by these tumours, and draw attention to certain
      microscopic findings that until now have been given little if any mention.
      Tentacular growth pattern and satellite nodules appear to be common findings in
      PMTMCTs, and can make complete surgical excision of these tumours challenging.
      The ability of this otherwise histologically benign tumour to permeate vascular
      spaces has to our knowledge never been described previously. One tumour lacked
      the characteristic calcifying matrix of PMTMCT, suggesting that in some tumours
      this defining feature may be focal if not entirely absent. PMTMCT shares features
      with and can resemble a variety of bone and soft tissue neoplasms, requiring the
      surgical pathologist to be familiar with this entity. 

PMID- 26261663
TI  - An autopsy case of pneumococcal Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome with possible
      functional asplenia/hyposplenia.
AB  - We report an autopsy case of rapid progressive Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome
      (WFS) associated with Streptococcus pneumonia infection in a previously healthy
      man. Although he once visited a hospital about 6 hours before death, the both
      physical and serological examination did not show any sign of overwhelming
      infection. Autopsy showed massive adrenal hemorrhage without inflammation, and
      showed proliferation of gram positive cocci and microthrombosis in the vessels of
      many organs. The pathological change of respiratory tract was extremely minimal.
      Size and weight of the spleen possible decreased than normal. However,
      histological examination showed that obscuration of germinal center and
      decreasing the immunological cells of mantle and marginal zone.
      Immunohisitochemically, marked decreasing the marginal zone macrophages, which
      are positive for specific intercellular adhesion molecule grabbing nonintegrin
      receptor-1 (SIGN-R1) and macrophage receptor with collagenous structure (MARCO),
      were decreased comparing with age-matched control case. Polymerase chain reaction
      (PCR) assay using each DNA, extraction from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded
      specimen (FFPE) samples of lung, adrenal gland, heart, spleen, and kidney showed
      positive the ply gene and the lytA gene specific for Streptococcus pneumonia.
      Present case showed possible acquired atrophy of spleen, especially decreasing
      marginal zone macrophage may correlate with rapid progression of sepsis of
      Streptococcus pneumonia with massive adrenal hemorrhage. In addition, present
      case showed the usefulness of PCR using FFPE for the postmortem diagnosis of WFS.

PMID- 26261664
TI  - A SMARCB1-deficient vulvar neoplasm with prominent myxoid stroma: report of a
      case showing ERG and FLI1 expression.
AB  - In the vulvar region, epithelioid sarcoma (ES) is the most frequent SMARCB1
      deficient neoplasm, followed by myoepithelial carcinoma (MC). Previous studies
      have demonstrated that some SMARCB1-deficient vulvar neoplasms cannot be
      classified as either ES or MC. Herein, we report of a 42-year-old woman with a
      SMARCB1-deficient neoplasm with prominent myxoid stroma in the vulva. It
      contained both epithelioid and spindled tumor cells, both of which showed
      vimentin and EMA expression. Although other markers useful for the differential
      diagnosis among SMARCB1-deficient tumors were negative, this tumor displayed
      characteristic expression of ERG and FLI1. As there are no reliable data
      regarding expression of ERG and FLI1 in MC, which are demonstrated to be often
      expressed in ES, further classification of cases such as the one reported here
      requires reliable data regarding their expression status in MC. 

PMID- 26261665
TI  - Neoplastic lesions in CADASIL syndrome: report of an autopsied Japanese case.
AB  - Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and
      leucoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is one of the most common heritable causes of
      stroke and dementia in adults. The gene involved in the pathogenesis of CADASIL
      is Notch3; in which mutations affect the number of cysteine residues in its
      extracellular domain, causing its accumulation in small arteries and arterioles
      of the affected individuals. Besides the usual neurological and vascular findings
      that have been well-documented in CADASIL patients, this paper additionally
      reports multiple neoplastic lesions that were observed in an autopsy case of
      CADASIL patient; that could be related to Notch3 mutation. The patient was a 62
      years old male, presented with a past history of neurological manifestations,
      including gait disturbance and frequent convulsive attacks. He was diagnosed as
      CADASIL syndrome with Notch3 Arg133Cys mutation. He eventually developed
      hemiplegia and died of systemic convulsions. Autopsy examination revealed-besides
      the vascular and neurological lesions characteristic of CADASIL- multiple
      neoplastic lesions in the body; carcinoid tumorlet and diffuse idiopathic
      pulmonary neuro-endocrine cell hyperplasia (DIPNECH) in the lungs, renal cell
      carcinoma (RCC), prostatic adenocarcinoma (ADC) and adenomatoid tumor of the
      epididymis. This report describes a spectrum of neoplastic lesions that were
      found in a case of CADASIL patient that could be related to Notch3 gene
      mutations. 

PMID- 26261666
TI  - Richter transformation with c-MYC overexpression: report of three cases.
AB  - Pathogenesis of Richter transformation (RT) or Richter syndrome (RS) of chronic
      lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is still largely unknown. Increasing evidences show
      that c-MYC may play a role in the development of RS. Here we report three cases
      of RS with overexpression of c-MYC. The first case was a 78-year-old male who
      initially presented with CLL and then developed diffuse lymphadenopathy and
      ascites shortly after. Ascites cytology showed a population of large lymphoid
      cells positive for MYC (8q24) rearrangement by fluorescence in situ hybridization
      (FISH) and overexpression of c-MYC by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The second case
      was a 66-year-old male presented with rapidly enlarging lymph nodes and pleural
      effusion after a long history of CLL. Biopsy showed large B-cells positive for c
      MYC overexpression and high Ki-67 proliferation index (80-90%). The third case
      was a 62-year-old female with CLL who presented for lobectomy for lung
      adenocarcinoma. Interestingly, along with the carcinoma, large B-cell lymphoma
      was incidentally found which had the same immunophenotype as the CLL. FISH
      analysis revealed gain of c-MYC at 8q and IHC showed increased c-MYC expression.
      This study supports that c-MYC plays a critical role in RS. 

PMID- 26261667
TI  - Granulomatous inflammation of pulmonary squamous cell carcinoma: a rare
      phenomenon.
AB  - Some neoplasms are associated with granulomatous inflammation. Granuloma
      formation in tumor tissue is caused by the cytokines derived from either the main
      tumor or other cells surrounding the tumor. In other instances, granulomatous
      inflammation is observed in the lymph nodes draining a tumor. This has been
      recognized as a sarcoid-like reaction. Herein, we report of a 75-year-old man
      with pulmonary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), where granulomatous inflammation
      was observed extensively at the primary site. The carcinoma seemed to partly
      regress. In the regressing area, tumor cell debris was surrounded by granuloma.
      In contrast, no granuloma was identified in the dissected regional lymph nodes.
      To the best of our knowledge, such a case of SCC had not been described thus far.
      More case studies are required to determine whether tumor-related granuloma is
      the main cause of regression or whether it is just a secondary phenomenon caused
      by the attack and destruction of the tumor by lymphocytes. 

PMID- 26261668
TI  - Suprasellar hemangioblastoma without von Hippel-Lindau disease: a case report and
      literature review.
AB  - Suprasellar hemangioblastoma (HBL) without von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease is
      extremely rare. A 51-year-old woman presented with headache and progressively
      deteriorating bilateral visual disturbance for 4 months. Magnetic resonance
      imaging (MRI) revealed a 2.5-cm solid mass in the suprasellar region with
      homogeneous contrast enhancement. Our preoperative presumptive diagnosis was
      meningioma. Resection of the tumor was achieved via a left pterional craniotomy.
      The tumor was reddish in appearance and relatively firm, and was extremely
      vascularized, which might provide extensive blood supply through small branches
      of the internal carotid artery. There was a clear border between the tumor and
      the pituitary stalk and optic nerves. Histopathologic examination showed that the
      tumor was well vascularized, consisting of a reticular mesh of numerous thin
      walled capillaries and abundant stromal cells. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated
      the positive staining for CD34, vimentin (VIM), and neuron specific enolase (NSE)
      in the intratumoral capillaries, while negative staining of epithelial membrane
      antigen (EMA) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) was observed. Based on
      these results, the patient was diagnosed as HBL. After the resection, the visual
      field defect in the left eye was markedly improved, and no tumor recurrence was
      noted in 1 year follow-up. When solid lesions are highly vascularized in the
      suprasellar region of patients, even though no VHL disease is present, the
      possibility of HBL should be taken into consideration. Moreover, craniotomy is a
      better treatment option for suprasellar HBL without VHL disease. 

PMID- 26261669
TI  - Utility of immunohistochemistry with an antibody against MYC at the initial
      diagnosis of follicular lymphoma, grade 3A, for predicting a more aggressive
      clinical course: a case report and review of the literature.
AB  - Follicular lymphoma (FL) is the most common indolent lymphoma, and associated
      with the chromosomal translocation t(14;18)(q32;q21). While, FL harboring both
      BCL2 and MYC translocation at diagnosis is very rare. The evaluation of MYC
      expression in typical FL at presentation using southern blot, G-banded
      karyotyping or fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analyses has been
      described so far. However, there are no reports about the use of
      immunohistochemistry (IHC) to evaluate MYC protein expression in FL at
      presentation. Here, we present a FL patient who transformed to a B-cell lymphoma,
      unclassifiable, with features intermediate between diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
      and Burkitt's lymphoma, accompanied by concurrent BCL2, BCL6, and MYC
      translocations; i.e., triple-hit lymphoma. Paraffin-embedded tissue section-FISH
      analysis demonstrated that the FL was negative for MYC, but MYC protein
      expression was subsequently detected in the lymph node specimen obtained at the
      initial diagnosis using IHC. This case revealed aggressive clinical course and
      central nervous system involvement. In the literature concerning MYC positive FL
      five out of 8 patients were dead within 24 months. The detection of MYC protein
      expression in FL using IHC might be useful to predict more aggressive clinical
      course. 

PMID- 26261670
TI  - Brunner's gland adenoma of duodenum: report of two cases.
AB  - Brunner's gland adenoma is a rare tumor of the duodenum and might also be an
      unusual cause of gastrointestinal bleeding or obstruction. The pathogenesis of
      Brunner gland hamartoma of the duodenum is unknown. We report two cases of
      Brunner's gland adenoma. Surgical resection was carried out because the tumor
      size was big in both cases and one accompanied with bleeding. Pathological
      examination revealed submucosal nodular hyperplasia of the Brunner's glands. 

PMID- 26261671
TI  - Cerebellar pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma in a patient with neurofibromatosis type
      1: a case report and literature review.
AB  - Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA) is an uncommon tumor of young adults that
      typically occurs supratentorially. It is generally considered to be a low-grade,
      circumscribed tumor that when treated by surgical resection has a relatively
      favorable outcome. Cases of cerebellar PXA are rare, and those associated with
      neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) are even less common, with only 2 cases reported
      to date. We present herein a third case of PXA-NF1 with unusual features. A 33
      year-old woman presented with a history of headache. Her medical and family
      history was significant for NF1. Brain MRI revealed a 3.4 cm ill-defined lesion
      with a gyriform enhancing pattern in the left cerebellum, superficially mimicking
      Lhermitte-Duclos disease. The patient underwent a gross total resection of the
      lesion and had an unremarkable postoperative course. While the lesion had
      histological features typical of "pure" PXA (WHO grade II) it had an unusual
      growth pattern with thickening of the superficial cerebellar folia and
      predominant leptomeningeal involvement. No BRAF, IDH-1, or IDH-2 mutation was
      identified. Three months after surgery, local recurrence was detected, and the
      patient was treated with radiation therapy. One year after the first surgery, she
      underwent surgical resection of the recurrent/residual tumor. Histologically, the
      recurrent tumor showed very similar features to the initially resected tumor,
      with no anaplastic features. Most cerebellar PXAs have an indolent clinical
      behavior as do most cerebral PXAs. Whether co-existence of NF1 was a factor in
      altering the clinical course and biologic behavior of this patient's tumor is
      currently unknown.

PMID- 26261672
TI  - Multiple primary Ewing's sarcomas in cerebral cranium of a child: a case report
      and review of the literature.
AB  - Ewing's sarcoma is the second most common pediatric bone tumor. Primary Ewing's
      sarcoma occurring in the cerebral cranium is exceptionally rare, with only one
      reported case of multiple tumor lesions in adolescence to date. We report a case
      of a 5-year-old male patient with multiple primary Ewing's sarcomas associated
      with the cranial bones, the first pediatric case report to date. We also review
      71 cases Ewing's sarcoma involving intracranial extension. The purpose of this
      article is to provide data concerning the clinical and therapeutic course of
      multiple primary Ewing's sarcomas in associated with cerebral cranium. 

PMID- 26261673
TI  - Similar MR imaging characteristics but different pathological changes: a
      misdiagnosis for Lhermitte-Duclos disease and review of the literature.
AB  - Although previous reports purpored that the unique magnetic resonance imaging
      (MRI) features of Lhermitte-Duclos disease (LDD) obviates the need for biopsy, we
      have made a misdiagnosis of LDD which has an indistinguishable imaging
      appearance. We present a patient who suffered from a normal cerebellum with
      arachnoid vascular malformation that had imaging characteristics which were
      indistinguishable from LDD before operation. This atypical imaging appearance,
      which could potentially be confused with LDD, may lead to misdiagnosis and
      inappropriate treatment in the absence of tissue sampling. Thus, this finding
      suggests that in those patients where images are highly suggestive of LDD but
      lack other manifestations of Cowden syndrome, biopsy is required and advanced
      imaging with magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) should be strongly considered.

PMID- 26261674
TI  - Concurrent Epstein-Barr virus associated NK/T cell lymphoma after
      immunosuppressive therapy for aplastic anemia: report of a case and review of
      literature.
AB  - Aplastic anemia (AA) patients with prolonged immunosuppression have a risk of
      development of lymphoproliferative disorders (LPDs), especially combined with
      Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. However, development of nature killer/T
      (NK/T) cell lymphoma, in a nontransplantation setting, has not been documented
      for AA patients with immunosuppressive therapy (IST). Herein, we described a
      middle-aged man, Han ethnic, who presented with swelled parotid gland after a
      long history of IST for AA. Fever, night sweating, weight loss had not been
      found. Increased heterotypic lymphocytes had been detected in the left side of
      parotid gland demonstrated as cCD3(+), CD56(+), GranB(+), TIA-1(+), MUM-1(+), KI
      67 (50%-75%)(++), Bcl-6(-), MPO(-) by immunohistochemistry, and in-situ
      hybridization (ISH) indicated EBER positive. Chromosome analysis by R banding
      method revealed 46, XY [20]. NK/T cell lymphoma concurrent with aplastic anemia
      was diagnosed and a mild chemotherapy regimen including vincristine, prednisone,
      L-asparaginase was administered. The parotid mass was gradually regressed after
      the first cycle of chemotherapy. The patient discharged from the hospital
      voluntarily and lost the follow-up.

PMID- 26261675
TI  - Clear cell variant of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: a case report and review of
      the literature.
AB  - Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a diffuse proliferation of large
      neoplastic B lymphoid cells with nuclear size equal to or exceeding that of
      normal macrophage nuclei. The DLBCL morphological variants are centroblastic,
      immunoblastic, T-cell- and histiocyte-rich, anaplastic, plasmablastic, anaplastic
      lymphoma kinase-positive, and primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL).
      These histopathologically-recognized morphological variants respond differently
      to treatment and have distinct prognoses. We report a case of a 43-year-old
      patient who presented pain in the lower abdomen that had begun four months prior.
      Ultrasound-guided biopsy revealed epithelial cell features and a partial alveolar
      growth pattern. We discovered large diffuse areas comprising large cells with
      slightly irregular nuclei and very clear cytoplasm. These features were similar
      to those of clear cell carcinoma in renal tissue, suggesting the possibility of
      an epithelial neoplasm. To test this possibility, immunohistochemistry for
      cluster designation markers was performed, but the diffuse areas were found to be
      positive only for CD45. Additional immunohistochemistry was performed, and the
      diffuse areas were found to be positive for CD20, CD79a, P53, and Mum-1. Based on
      these characteristics, a diagnosis of a clear cell variant of DLBCL was made, and
      the patient was treated with chemotherapy. Precise histological diagnosis is
      crucial for clinical management and ultimately for patient survival. There has
      been one additional report of a case of clear cell DLBCL, in outside the
      mediastinum. The features we identified can be used to define a new subtype of
      DLBCL. The expression of P53 and Mum-1 suggest a poor prognosis. 

PMID- 26261676
TI  - Well-differentiated mucinous uterine adenocarcinoma predominantly diagnosed as
      adenoma malignum: a case report with an immunohistochemical analysis.
AB  - Adenoma malignum (AM), also referred to as "minimal deviation adenocarcinoma", is
      an extremely uncommon variant of highly-differentiated adenocarcinoma of the
      uterine cervix. The study presented herein describes a case of uterine AM found
      out after hysteroscopy. An early-stage, well-differentiated mucinous uterine
      adenocarcinoma was diagnosed post-operatively. A subsequent immunohistochemical
      assessment of a panel of antibodies was applied, in order to distinguish between
      female genital tract malignancies. 

PMID- 26261677
TI  - Myxoid dermatofibroma on a great toe: a case report.
AB  - Dermatofibroma is a common benign fibrohistiocytic tumor with many
      clinicopathological variants. Myxoid dermatofibroma is one of these variants,
      which is characterized by marked stromal mucin deposition. This report presents a
      case of myxoid dermatofibroma on a great toe that had been slowly growing for two
      years. Histopathologically, the relatively well-circumscribed dermal tumor was
      separated from the epidermis by a small grenz zone. The tumor tissue consisted of
      oval to spindle-shaped cells with well-defined cell borders and spindly condensed
      nuclei. No cytologic atypia or mitotic figures were found. Although most of the
      tumor cells were embedded in a prominently myxoid stroma, typical features of
      classic dermatofibroma including a storiform growth pattern and more densely
      packed collagen were observed at the periphery. Immunohistochemically, the tumor
      cells showed positive staining for CD68 and CD99, and negative staining for CD34
      and S-100. Histopathological differential diagnoses of myxoid dermatofibroma
      include soft tissue neoplasms with myxoid tumor stroma, such as superficial acral
      fibromyxoma, cellular digital fibroma, superficial angiomyxoma, myxoid
      dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans and low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma.
      Immunohistochemical staining can be useful in the differential diagnosis of these
      tumors. This case highlights the challenges encountered in the histopathological
      interpretation of myxoid dermatofibroma. Pathologists should keep in mind the
      diagnosis of myxoid dermatofibroma when dealing with myxoid neoplastic lesions
      arising on acral sites. 

PMID- 26261678
TI  - Endometrial tubal metaplasia in a young puerperal woman after breast cancer.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Tamoxifen is the usual endocrine (anti-estrogen) therapy for
      hormone receptor-positive breast cancer in pre and post-menopausal women.
      Previous studies have suggested an increased prevalence of endometrial diseases
      after treatment with tamoxifen. CASE PRESENTATION: The authors report a case of
      38-year-old woman with diagnosis of endometrial polyp and tubal metaplasia,
      during puerperium and after micropapillary ductal breast cancer surgery, 5 years
      of tamoxifen treatment, spontaneous pregnancy without complications and full-term
      vaginal delivery. CONCLUSION: Tamoxifen is a safe and reliable treatment of
      breast cancer, but data suggest an association with endometrial polyps,
      hyperplasia, metaplasia and carcinoma. One of the most common types of
      endometrial metaplasia is ciliated tubal metaplasia. It is generally known that
      endometrial tubal metaplasia is a benign disease. However studies propose
      endometrial tubal metaplasia to be a potential premalignant endometrial lesion
      and its association with endometrial hyperplasia and well-differentiated
      endometrioid carcinoma. We propose close monitoring of patients taking tamoxifen
      and prompt evaluation of any uterine bleeding or pelvic complaint or abnormal
      TVUS images.

PMID- 26261679
TI  - Guillain-Barre syndrome: report of two rare clinical cases occurring after
      allergenic bone grafting in oral maxillofacial surgery.
AB  - Guillaine-Barre Syndrome (GBS), also known as post-infectious polyneuropathy or
      acute idiopathic polyneuritis, is an infrequent disorder of the peripheral
      nervous system. The cause of GBS is unknown. It has been associated in the past
      with microbial infections, vaccinations, surgical procedures and debilitation of
      the patient. The classic signs of GBS occurring in the two patients being
      reported here are muscle weakness, motor and sensory impairment and ascending
      paralysis with respiratory involvement. The documented cases involved GBS
      syndrome following oral and maxillofacial surgery in which allogeneic-banked
      freeze-dried bone have been utilized along with autogenous grafting. There were
      no incidents of viral infection, vaccination or the other prodromal incidents
      involved in these cases. It is believed that the description of these two cases
      would be of interest in that it may stimulate the reporting of similar anecdotal
      occurrences by other surgeons. Both patients fully recovered from the GBS and are
      presently alive and well. 

PMID- 26261680
TI  - Comments on Bu et al. "P16(INK4a) overexpression and survival in osteosarcoma
      patients: a meta analysis".
AB  - Recently, we read the article "P16(INK4a) overexpression and survival in
      osteosarcoma patients: a meta analysis" by Jie Bu and his colleagues, published
      in the recent issue of International Journal Of Experimental Pathology. This
      research performed a meta-analysis to uncover the role of P16(INK4a) expression
      in overall survival rate in patients with osteosarcoma. The investigators
      concluded as follows: (i) the pateints with overexpression of P16(INK4a) had a
      longer overall survival rate than that with loss expression of P16(INK4a); (ii)
      P16(INK4a) was an effective biomarker of prognosis in patients with
      osteosarcoma.The findings are valubale and encouraging. However, some flaws and
      imperfections rooted in this work.

PMID- 26261681
TI  - Primary pulmonary adenoid cystic carcinoma: clinicopathological analyses of 12
      cases.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Adenoid cystic primary pulmonary carcinomas (adenoid
      cystic carcinomas or ACCs) are rare tumors, so we described the clinical and
      pathological features of these tumors and related these findings with diagnosis
      and prognosis of ACC, comparing our data to the existing literature. METHODS:
      Clinical and pathological features of 12 ACC cases were observed and described.
      Immunohistochemical EnVision staining, fluorescent PCR detection, and FISH were
      used to characterize tumor samples and the literature was reviewed. RESULTS: Of
      the 12 ACC cases (7 male; average 53.1 years-of-age; range 33-78 years), the
      chief presentation symptom was cough, followed by expectoration, gasping, and
      bloody sputum. Microscopically, histopathology revealed cribriform, tubular, or
      solid cords. CD117 was overexpressed in glandular epithelia in 9 cases and
      calcitonin and thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1) were overexpressed in 4
      cases. One case was positive for EML4 ALK gene rearrangement. CONCLUSION: ACC is
      a low-grade malignant tumor with poor prognosis and high recurrence and
      metastases. TTF-1 expression indicates a primary tumor and CD117 expression is
      not significant to prognosis.

PMID- 26261682
TI  - Coexistence of multiple myeloma and clear cell renal cell carcinoma: a case
      report and review of literature.
AB  - Coexistence of multiple myeloma (MM) and renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is an
      extremely rare condition. Nevertheless, there is a higher than expected incidence
      of co-occurrence of these two malignancies. Several case series, in the recent
      past, have postulated an association between MM and RCC. Population-based data
      analyses have revealed a bi-directional association between these two
      malignancies. However, the cause still remains speculative up to date. Here, we
      aim to describe a patient with MM and clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC) one
      after another for the second time from China. Clinical implications are discussed
      with a critical review of existing literature and we expect to draw much more
      awareness among clinicians regarding such association. 

PMID- 26261683
TI  - Cross-talk between TGF-beta/Smad pathway and Wnt/beta-catenin pathway in
      pathological scar formation.
AB  - TGF-beta1 is a key factor in the process of wound healing, which is regulated by
      TGF-beta/Smad pathway. We previously demonstrated that TGF-beta1 contributed to
      pathological scar formation. And previous studies also suggested Wnt/beta-catenin
      pathway might be involved in wound healing. However, their role and relation in
      pathological scar formation remains not very clear. For evaluating TGF-beta1 and
      beta-catenin, key factors of the two signal pathways, immunohistochemistry,
      western blot analysis and RT-PCR were used. Simultaneously, immunohistochemistry
      were used to evaluate Smad2, Smad3 and Wnt-1, which were also the important
      factors. We found that they all significantly accumulated in pathological scars
      compared with normal skins (P<0.05), that implied the two signal pathways both
      contributed to pathological scar formation. Meanwhile, beta-catenin expression
      showed a tendency to increase first and then decrease under the influence of
      different concentrations of TGF-beta1 (P<0.01). It is possible that there is a
      complicated interaction between the two signal pathways in pathological scar
      formation (both synergy and antagonism).

PMID- 26261684
TI  - Inhibitory effect of chloroquine derivatives on presenilin 1 and ubiquilin 1
      expression in Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - Alzheimer's disease is the common cause of dementia characterized by the
      accumulation of amyloid-beta produced by breakage of amyloid-beta precursor
      protein (APP). The present study was designed to synthesize and investigate the
      effect of chloroquine derivatives on the expression of presenilin. Among the five
      chloroquine derivatives (D1, D2, D3, D4 and D5) synthesized, D5 with diisopropyl
      substitution was found to be most effect. The results from western blot analysis
      showed the inhibition of presenilin 1 protein expression on treatment with
      chloroquine derivative D5 in Daudi cells. The results were also confirmed by
      reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). It was observed that
      chloroquine derivative D5 downregulates presenilin expression via the inhibition
      of ubiquilin 1 expression. Thus our study demonstrates that chloroquine
      derivative D5 treatment can have preventive against Alzheimer's disease.

PMID- 26261685
TI  - Expression of SIRT1 and oxidative stress in diabetic dry eye.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the expression of SIRT1 with oxidative stress and observe
      physiological and pathological changes in the corneas as well as the association
      between SIRT1 and oxidative stress of diabetic dry eyes in mice. METHOD: Forty
      eight C57BL/6Jdb/db mice at eight weeks of age were divided randomly into two
      groups: the diabetic dry eye group and the diabetic group. An additional forty
      eight C57BL/6J mice at eight weeks of age were divided randomly into two groups:
      the dry eye group and the control group. Every mouse in the dry eye groups
      (diabetic and normal) was injected with scopolamine hydrobromide three times
      daily, combined with low humidity to establish a dry eye model. After the
      intervention, phenol red cotton string tests and corneal fluorescein staining
      were performed. In addition, HE staining and immunofluorescence were done.
      Expression of SIRT1 in the cornea was examined by real-time PCR and Western Blot
      and expression of FOXO3 and MnSOD proteins was detected by Western Blot. RESULTS:
      At one, four, and eight weeks post intervention, all of the groups except the
      controls showed significant decreases in tear production and increases in the
      corneal fluorescein stain (P<0.05 vs control). Between the experimental groups,
      the diabetic dry eye group had the least tear production and the highest corneal
      fluorescein stain score (P<0.05). As the disease progressed, all of the
      experimental groups showed obviously pathological changes in HE staining,
      particularly the diabetic dry eye group. In the 1(st) and 4(th) week, the
      expression of SIRT1, FOXO3, and MnSOD were significantly higher in the diabetic
      DE and DM groups but lower in the DE group compared to the controls (P<0.05). In
      the 8(th) week, the expression of SIRT1, FOXO3, and MnSOD was significantly down
      regulated in the diabetic DE group and the DM group (P<0.05). Immunofluorescence
      showed similar results. CONCLUSION: In the condition of diabetic dry eye, tear
      production declined markedly coupled with seriously wounded corneal epithelium.
      Oxidative stress in the cornea was enhanced significantly and the expression of
      SIRT1 was decreased.

PMID- 26261686
TI  - Long non-coding RNAs era in liver cancer.
AB  - Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies leading to
      high mortality rates in the general population and the sixth most common cancer
      worldwide. HCC is characterized by deregulation of multiple genes and signalling
      pathways. These genetic effects can involve both protein coding genes as well as
      non-coding RNA genes. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are transcripts longer than
      200 nt, constituting a subpopulation of ncRNAs. Their biological effects are not
      well understood compared to small non-coding RNA (microRNAs), but they have been
      recently recognized to exert a crucial role in the regulation of gene expression
      and modulation of signalling pathways. Notably, several studies indicated that
      lncRNAs contribute to the pathogenesis and progression of HCC. Investigating the
      molecular mechanisms underlying lncRNAs expression opens potential applications
      in diagnosis and treatment of liver disease. This editorial provides three
      examples (MALAT-1 metastasis associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript, HULC
      highly upregulated in liver cancer and HOTAIR HOX transcript antisense intergenic
      RNA) of well-known lncRNAs upregulated in HCC, whose mechanisms of action are
      known, and for which therapeutic applications are delineated. Targeting of
      lncRNAs using several approaches (siRNA-mediated silencing or changing their
      secondary structure) offers new possibility to treat HCC. 

PMID- 26261687
TI  - Role of systemic inflammation in cirrhosis: From pathogenesis to prognosis.
AB  - The natural history of cirrhosis can be divided into an initial stage, known as
      compensated cirrhosis, and an advanced stage which encompasses both decompensated
      cirrhosis and acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). The latter syndrome has been
      recently described as an acute deterioration of liver function in patients with
      cirrhosis, which is usually triggered by a precipitating event and results in the
      failure of one or more organs and high short-term mortality rates. Each stage is
      characterized by distinctive clinical manifestations and prognoses. One of the
      key elements involved in cirrhosis physiopathology is systemic inflammation,
      recently described as one of the components in the cirrhosis-associated immune
      dysfunction syndrome. This syndrome refers to the combination of immune
      deficiency and exacerbated inflammation that coexist during the course of
      cirrhosis and relates to the appearance of clinical complications. Since systemic
      inflammation is often difficult to assess in cirrhosis patients, new objective,
      reproducible and readily-available markers are needed in order to optimize
      prognosis and lengthen survival. Thus, surrogate serum markers and clinical
      parameters of systemic inflammation have been sought to improve disease follow-up
      and management, especially in decompensated cirrhosis and ACLF. Leukocyte counts
      (evaluated as total leukocytes, total eosinophils or neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio)
      and plasma levels of procalcitonin or C-reactive protein have been proposed as
      prognostic markers, each with advantages and shortcomings. Research and
      prospective randomized studies that validate these and other markers are clearly
      warranted. 

PMID- 26261688
TI  - Autophagy: A new therapeutic target for liver fibrosis.
AB  - Hepatic fibrosis is a wound-healing response to liver injury and the result of
      imbalance of extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation and degradation. The
      relentless production and progressive accumulation of ECM can lead to end-stage
      liver disease. Although significant progress has been achieved in elucidating the
      mechanisms of fibrogenesis, effective anti-fibrotic strategies are still lacking.
      Autophagy is an intracellular process of self-digestion of defective organelles
      to provide material recycling or energy for cell survival. Autophagy has been
      implicated in the pathophysiology of many human disorders including hepatic
      fibrosis. However, the exact relationships between autophagy and hepatic fibrosis
      are not totally clear and need further investigations. A new therapeutic target
      for liver fibrosis could be developed with a better understanding of autophagy. 

PMID- 26261689
TI  - Focal liver lesions: Practical magnetic resonance imaging approach.
AB  - With the widespread of cross-sectional imaging, a growth of incidentally detected
      focal liver lesions (FLL) has been observed. A reliable detection and
      characterization of FLL is critical for optimal patient management. Maximizing
      accuracy of imaging in the context of FLL is paramount in avoiding unnecessary
      biopsies, which may result in post-procedural complications. A tremendous
      development of new imaging techniques has taken place during these last years.
      Nowadays, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plays a key role in management of
      liver lesions, using a radiation-free technique and a safe contrast agent
      profile. MRI plays a key role in the non-invasive correct characterization of
      FLL. MRI is capable of providing comprehensive and highly accurate diagnostic
      information, with the additional advantage of lack of harmful ionizing radiation.
      These properties make MRI the mainstay for the noninvasive evaluation of focal
      liver lesions. In this paper we review the state-of-the-art MRI liver protocol,
      briefly discussing different sequence types, the unique characteristics of
      imaging non-cooperative patients and discuss the role of hepatocyte-specific
      contrast agents. A review of the imaging features of the most common benign and
      malignant FLL is presented, supplemented by a schematic representation of a
      simplistic practical approach on MRI. 

PMID- 26261690
TI  - Transarterial chemoembolization: Evidences from the literature and applications
      in hepatocellular carcinoma patients.
AB  - Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the current standard of care for
      patients with large or multinodular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), preserved
      liver function, absence of cancer-related symptoms and no evidence of vascular
      invasion or extrahepatic spread (i.e., those classified as intermediate stage
      according to the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer staging system). The rationale for
      TACE is that the intra-arterial injection of a chemotherapeutic drug such as
      doxorubicin or cisplatin followed by embolization of the blood vessel will result
      in a strong cytotoxic effect enhanced by ischemia. However, TACE is a very
      heterogeneous operative technique and varies in terms of chemotherapeutic agents,
      treatment devices and schedule. In order to overcome the major drawbacks of
      conventional TACE (cTACE), non-resorbable drug-eluting beads (DEBs) loaded with
      cytotoxic drugs have been developed. DEBs are able to slowly release the drug
      upon injection and increase the intensity and duration of ischemia while
      enhancing the drug delivery to the tumor. Unfortunately, despite the theoretical
      advantages of this new device and the promising results of the pivotal studies,
      definitive data in favor of its superiority over cTACE are still lacking. The
      recommendation for TACE as the standard-of-care for intermediate-stage HCC is
      based on the demonstration of improved survival compared with best supportive
      care or suboptimal therapies in a meta-analysis of six randomized controlled
      trials, but other therapeutic options (namely, surgery and radioembolization)
      proved competitive in selected subsets of intermediate HCC patients. Other
      potential fields of application of TACE in hepato-oncology are the pre-transplant
      setting (as downstaging/bridging treatment) and the early stage (in patients
      unsuitable to curative therapy). The potential of TACE in selected advanced
      patients with segmental portal vein thrombosis and preserved liver function
      deserves further reports. 

PMID- 26261691
TI  - Biological features and biomarkers in hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - Similar to other cancers, a multistep process of carcinogenesis is observed in
      hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although the mechanisms underlying the
      development of HCC have been investigated in terms of oncology, virology, and
      stem cell biology, the whole picture of hepatocarcinogenesis remains to be
      elucidated. Recent progress in molecular biology has provided clues to the
      underlying cause of various diseases. In particular, sequencing technologies,
      such as whole genome and exome sequencing analyses, have made an impact on
      genomic research on a variety of cancers including HCC. Comprehensive genomic
      analyses have detected numerous abnormal genetic alterations, such as mutations
      and copy number alterations. Based on these findings, signaling pathways and
      cancer-related genes involved in hepatocarcinogenesis could be analyzed in
      detail. Simultaneously, a number of novel biomarkers, both from tissue and blood
      samples, have been recently reported. These biomarkers have been successfully
      applied to early diagnosis and prognostic prediction of patients with HCC. In
      this review, we focus on the recent developments in molecular cancer research on
      HCC and explain the biological features and novel biomarkers. 

PMID- 26261692
TI  - Optimal combination of antiangiogenic therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - The success of sorafenib in prolonging survival of patients with hepatocellular
      carcinoma (HCC) makes therapeutic inhibition of angiogenesis a component of
      treatment for HCC. To enhance therapeutic efficacy, overcome drug resistance and
      reduce toxicity, combination of antiangiogenic agents with chemotherapy,
      radiotherapy or other targeted agents were evaluated. Nevertheless, the use of
      antiangiogenic therapy remains suboptimal regarding dosage, schedule and duration
      of therapy. The issue is further complicated by combination antiangiogenesis to
      other cytotoxic or biologic agents. There is no way to determine which patients
      are most likely respond to a given form of antiangiogenic therapy. Activation of
      alternative pathways associated with disease progression in patients undergoing
      antiangiogenic therapy has also been recognized. There is increasing importance
      in identifying, validating and standardizing potential response biomarkers for
      antiangiogenesis therapy for HCC patients. In this review, biomarkers for
      antiangiogenesis therapy including systemic, circulating, tissue and imaging ones
      are summarized. The strength and deficit of circulating and imaging biomarkers
      were further demonstrated by a series of studies in HCC patients receiving
      radiotherapy with or without thalidomide. 

PMID- 26261693
TI  - Physical activity as a treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A
      systematic review.
AB  - AIM: To review the effectiveness of exercise as a therapy for nonalcoholic fatty
      liver disease (NAFLD) and potential benefits in treating insulin resistance and
      atherosclerosis. METHODS: Medline (EBSCOhost) and PubMed were searched for
      English-language randomized controlled trials and prospective cohort studies in
      human adults aged >= 18 which investigated the various effects of exercise alone,
      a combination of exercise and diet, or exercise and diet coupled with behavioral
      modification on NAFLD from 2010 to Feburary 2015. RESULTS: Eighteen of 2298
      available studies were chosen for critical review, which included 6925 patients.
      Nine (50%) studies were randomized controlled trials. Five (27.8%) studies
      utilized biopsy to examine the effects of physical activity on hepatic histology.
      The most commonly employed imaging modality to determine change in hepatic
      steatosis was hydrogen-magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Only two studies examined
      the effects of low impact physical activity for patients with significant
      mobility limitations and one compared the efficacy of aerobic and resistance
      exercise. No studies examined the exact duration of exercise required for hepatic
      and metabolic improvement in NAFLD. CONCLUSION: While exercise improved hepatic
      steatosis and underlying metabolic abnormalities in NAFLD, more studies are
      needed to define the most beneficial form and duration of exercise treatment.

PMID- 26261694
TI  - The comparison of plasma D-dimer levels in benign and malignant tumors of cervix,
      ovary and uterus.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Thromboembolism is the most important complication of cancers.The aim
      of this study was to determine D-dimer levels in benign and malignant tumors of
      the uterus, ovary and cervix. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This was a cross sectional
      study and it was conducted on 90 female patients referred to Imam Khomeini and
      Arash Hospitals because of uterine, cervical and ovarian tumors in 2013-2014.
      After surgical resection or tissue biopsy, 2 cc of each patient's blood was taken
      to be sent to laboratory of hospitals. "Nycocard" kit was chosen to measure D
      dimer levels in Mg/Lit by neflumetry method. Data were analyzed in SPSS-16 by T
      test and One-Way ANOVA test. RESULTS: The highest mean of D-dimer was 3.9 (+/-
      2.9SD) in malignant cervical tumors. The mean plasma levels of D-dimer in
      malignant uterine cancers (P = 0.008), ovarian cancers (P = 0.007) and cervical
      cancers (P = 0.006) was significantly higher than benign tumors. In all three
      types of uterine, ovarian and cervical cancers, D-dimer was significantly higher
      in advanced stages than lower stages. CONCLUSION: The plasma D-dimer levels in
      patients with malignant tumors of the uterus, cervix and ovary were higher than
      benign types. By increasing the stage of gynecologic malignant tumors, the levels
      of plasma D-dimer were increased.

PMID- 26261695
TI  - Effects of aGVHD and cGVHD on Survival Rate in Patients with Acute Myeloid
      Leukemia after Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) is a
      curative treatment option for many patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML);
      however, it can lead to complications of Graft-Versus-Host-Disease (GVHD) which
      can affect the quality of life and overall survival. The aim of this study was to
      assess the effects of both acute and chronic GVHD on survival rate in patients
      with AML who received HSCT. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In a longitudinal study, 587
      patients with AML who underwent bone marrow transplantation in Tehran-Iran
      between1991 and 2011 were recruited. All patient records were analyzed for the
      occurrence of adverse events including acute and chronic GVHD and leukemia
      relapse. Data were analyzed using Log-rank, Kaplan-Meier, Univariate and
      Multivariate Cox Regression models. RESULTS: The five-year overall survival (OS)
      was found to be 71.9% (95% CI: 67.40-76.41). Also there was a significant
      relationship between cGVHD and OS (P=0.001, HR = 0.476, 95%). Hazard of death in
      these patients was less than those who did not experience an occurrence of cGVHD
      and aGVHD (HR= 0.629, P= 0.078). A significant relationship between cGVHD and
      relapse was observed (P< 0.001) indicating that patients who developed cGVHD
      experienced a better survival rate. A significant relationship was also found
      between overall survival and aGVHD grade (P< 0.001). Hazard of death (HD) for
      cGVHD and relapse variables were estimated to be 0.554 and 3.869. DISCUSSION:
      This study is one of the largest studies (regarding the number of participants)
      done to date in the Middle East with quite a long duration (20 years). cGVHD
      appears to have a positive influence on survival rate in patients with AML who
      received HSCT. It is recommended that further studies investigate the underlying
      reason or mechanisms behind this.

PMID- 26261696
TI  - Overall Quality of Life Assessment in the Patients Undergoing External Beam
      Radiation in Outpatient Radiation Oncology Department.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The impact of treatment on cancer patients' quality of life (QoL) has
      been the focus of a variety of longitudinal studies in English literature for
      past decade. The measurement of patient-reported outcomes which includes health
      related quality of life is a new important initiative which has emerged and grown
      over the past three decades. Following the development of reliable and valid self
      reported questionnaires, health-related quality of life has been assessed in tens
      of thousands of patients and a wide variety of cancers. With growing information,
      feedback and experience, the quality of the health-related QOL studies has
      improved a lot. We expect in near future more methodologically robust studies
      will be done in a scientific way to answer unanswered questions. METHODS: As part
      of a Dean's summer project, a survey was undertaken to facilitate a more complete
      description of the quality of life experience in patients with histological
      diagnosis of cancer undergoing external beam radiation as an outpatient at Allan
      Blair Cancer Center, Regina, Canada. The questionnaires had two major components:
      depression and global QOL. The depression was measured by the Zung Self-Rating
      Depression Scale which is a short self-administered survey to quantify the
      depression status of a patient. RESULTS: Overall, only the equation associated
      with the outcome of QoL - Physical well-being was significant. That data
      indicated that only the variable of age was a significant predictor. A positive
      relationship was present indicating higher levels of depression when patients
      received chemotherapy or narcotics. Breast cancer patients were less depressed
      than lung cancer patients. CONCLUSION: Cancer and its related treatment is an
      important health issue influencing QoL. The study has revealed that the use of
      chemotherapy and narcotics has a significant impact on the quality of life (QoL).

PMID- 26261697
TI  - Prevalence of Iron deficiency anemia in children with liver cirrhosis: A cross
      sectional study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Among the many complications reported for cirrhosis, iron deficiency
      anemia (IDA) has attracted much attention. This type of anemia, in contrast to
      other types of anemia, is easy to treat prophylactically, but if left untreated
      can lead to a poor quality of life. The aim of this study was to estimate the
      hemoglobin and serum iron levels among patients with liver cirrhosis for the
      early diagnosis of IDA and to avoid unnecessary testing and iron supplementation.
      SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 88 children diagnosed with
      cirrhosis were included, and the values of hemoglobin, serum iron levels and
      relationship between serum iron (SI), total iron-binding capacity (TIBC),
      prothrombine time (PT), international normalization ratio (INR), total and direct
      bilirubin and hepatic enzymes were estimated using paired t test, Mann-Whitney,
      Chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis tests. RESULTS: Forty-six (52.3%) of 88 children
      were girls and 42 (47.7%) were boys. Forty-eight (54.5%) patients had anemia and
      8 (9%) had iron deficiency anemia (5 boys, 5.6%, and 3 girls, 3.4%). No
      relationships were observed between iron deficiency anemia and the patient's age
      or gender, whereas there was a relationship between iron deficiency and severity
      and duration of the disease, although the correlation was not statistically
      significant. CONCLUSION: The high frequency of iron deficiency anemia in children
      with cirrhosis (9%) suggests that timely screening should be used for early
      diagnosis and treatment.

PMID- 26261698
TI  - Hairy cell leukemia: A retrospective study on 11 patients in the Western of Iran.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hairy cell leukemia (HCL) is a chronic B-cell lymphoid leukemia
      characterized by pancytopenia, splenomegaly, myelofibrosis and the presence in
      peripheral blood, bone marrow and spleen of atypical lymphoid cells with a hairy
      aspect. The study aims to evaluate a group of patients with hairy cell leukemia,
      hospitalized in the Clinic of Hematology and Oncology, Kermanshah, Iran, on a
      period of 15 years and affect of between cladribine therapy and IFN therapy on
      the patients with HCL. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of 11 patients
      in the Clinic of Hematology and Oncology, Kermanshah, Iran, between 2004 and
      2013. Clinical features at diagnosis, differential count (platelet, Hb and WBC)
      types of therapy, survival rate and BRAF mutation have been monitored. As a
      result, cladribine therapy is the best treatment option for patients. RESULTS:
      The mean age of patients was 50 years with 100% of men. Approximately 45% of them
      had splenomegaly at diagnosis. 100% of patients had pancytopenia at diagnosis.9%
      of patients had mutation of BRAF V600E. Before of treatment, there were fatigue,
      weight loss, vomiting, fever, night sweat and itching in all of the patients.
      CONCLUSION: There is presence of hairy cells in peripheral blood and bone marrow
      and was associated with pancytopenia, splenomegaly, myelofibrosis in HCL
      patients. Also, cladribine therapy is best option for treatment of patients and
      it is better than IFN.

PMID- 26261699
TI  - Spectrum of alpha-globin gene mutations among premarital Baluch couples in
      southeastern Iran.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Alpha thalassemia (alpha-thal) is one of the most common
      hemoglobinopathies worldwide. The aim of this study was to investigate the
      spectrum of alpha-thal mutations among premarital Baluch couples in southeastern
      Iran. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We assessed 1215 individuals by multiplex gap
      polymerase chain reaction (gap-PCR) and amplification refractory mutation system
      (ARMS-PCR). RESULTS: Of the 1215 participants with mean age of 23+/-5.7 years,
      62.3% lived in urban areas, and the rate of consanguineous marriage was 68.1%.
      Five mutations were identified, the most frequent one was -alpha (3.7)
      (rightward) with a frequency of 76.5%, followed by alpha (-5 nt) (16.8%), alpha2/
      Codon 19(-G) (4%), -alpha (4.2) (leftward)(2.4%), - -MED (0.3%) among mutated
      alleles of the alpha -globin gene. Conclusion : Knowing the alpha-genotype is
      helpful for genetic counseling, microcytic anemia discrimination and
      hemoglobinopathy prevention.

PMID- 26261701
TI  - Cold Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia due to High-grade non Hodgkin's B cell Lymphoma
      with Weak Response to Rituximab and Chemotherapy Regimens.
AB  - Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is characterized by shortening of red blood
      cell (RBC) survival and the presence of autoantibodies directed against
      autologous RBCs. Approximately 20% of autoimmune hemolytic anemia cases are
      associated with cold-reactive antibody. About half of patients with AIHA have no
      underlying associated disease; these cases are termed primary or idiopathic.
      Secondary cases are associated with underlying diseases or with certain drugs. We
      report herein a rare case of cold autoimmiune hemolytic anemia due to high-grade
      non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of B-cell type with weak response to rituximab and
      chemotherapy regimens. For treatment B cell lymphoma, Due to lack of treatment
      response, we used chemotherapy regimens including R- CHOP for the first time, and
      then Hyper CVAD, R- ICE and ESHAP were administered, respectively. For treatment
      of autoimmune hemolytic anemia, we have used the corticosteroid, rituximab,
      plasmapheresis and blood transfusion and splenectomy. In spite of all attempts,
      the patient died of anemia and aggressive lymphoma nine months after diagnosis.
      To our knowledge, this is a rare report from cold autoimmune hemolytic anemia in
      combination with high-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of B-cell type that is
      refractory to conventional therapies. 

PMID- 26261700
TI  - The Newly Identified T Helper 22 Cells Lodge in Leukemia.
AB  - Leukemia is a hematological tumor in which the malignant myeloid or lymphoid
      subsets play a pivotal role. Newly identified T helper cell 22 (Th22) is a subset
      of CD4(+) T cells with distinguished gene expression, function and specific
      properties apart from other known CD4(+) T cell subsets.Th22 cells are
      characterized by production of a distinct profile of effector cytokines,
      including interleukin (IL)-22, IL-13, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF
      alpha). The levels of Th22 and cytokine IL-22 are increased and positively
      related to inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. Recently, several studies have
      reported the changes in frequency and function of Th22 in acute leukemic
      disorders as AML and ALL. This review discusses the role of Th22 and its cytokine
      IL-22 in the immunopathogenesis of leukemic disease. 

PMID- 26261702
TI  - Follicular Dendritic Cell Sarcoma of Lymph Node: A report of a Patient with
      Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Treated with Imatinib.
AB  - Follicular dendritic cells or dendritic reticulum cells are important components
      of the immune system essential for antigen presentation. Malignancies arising
      from these cells are uncommon and the first case was reported in 1986. The most
      common sites of follicular dendritic cell sarcomas are lymph nodes, especially
      cervical, axillary and mediastinal regions, but extranodal sites including head
      and neck and gastrointestinal tract may be affected in one-third of patients.
      Immunohistochemistry plays an important role in its diagnosis to differentiate it
      from morphologically similar malignancies The present report describes a case of
      follicular dendritic cell sarcoma in a patient with chronic myeloid leukemia
      (CML) treated with imatininb mesylate for 6 years. This case deserves reporting
      due to rarity of the disease and hitherto unreported association with CML.
      Furthermore, the pathological diagnosis is challenging and requires a close-knit
      effort between the pathologist and haematologist. 

PMID- 26261703
TI  - Conceptualization of the dynamics and synergistic partnership between the agri
      food production chain and public health veterinarians.

PMID- 26261704
TI  - Comparing protective effect of grape seed extract versus atorvastatin on
      endometriosis in rat model: Evidence for immunohistochemical and biochemical
      alterations.
AB  - Thirty six Wistar albino rats with implant induced endometriosis were randomly
      divided into six groups of six animals each. The rats in the first group received
      nothing and were euthanized at day 21. In the second group, rats received nothing
      and were euthanized at day 36. The third group received atorvastatin (ATV; 5 mg
      kg(-1) per day, orally) until 21 days from induction of endometriosis, and the
      fourth group received ATV from the 15(th) day after induction of endometriosis
      for 21 days. The fifth group received grape seed extract (GET; 450 mg kg(-1) per
      day, orally) until 21 days from induction of endometriosis. In the sixth group,
      GET was administered from the 15(th) day after induction of endometriosis for 21
      days. The estrogen receptor positive cells (ER+) distribution and angiogenesis
      were assessed using immunohistochemical and immunoflourescent analyzes,
      respectively. The active cells with intracytoplasmic carbohydrate content were
      analyzed. Eralpha mRNA expression was assessed using semiquantitative real time
      PCR and the tissue levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH
      px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were evaluated. The GET and ATV-treated
      animals showed significant reduction in endometriosis-increased ER+ cells
      distribution as well as significant decrease in Eralpha mRNA levels (p < 0.05(.
      Our data suggests that GET exerts a potent inhibitory effect on development of
      endometriotic implants similar to ATV. 

PMID- 26261705
TI  - Effects of electron beam, NaOH and urea on chemical composition, phenolic
      compounds, in situ ruminal degradability and in vitro gas production kinetics of
      pistachio by-products.
AB  - The current study evaluated the effects of electron beam (EB; 10, 20, 30 and 40
      kGy), urea and NaOH treatments on chemical composition, phenolic compounds, in
      vitro gas production and i n situ ruminal degradability of pistachio by-product
      (PB). The EB decreased (p < 0.01) neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent
      fiber (ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL) contents of PB. Treating PB by NaOH
      and urea increased cell wall constitute of PB (p < 0.01). Irradiation at doses of
      30 and 40 kGy reduced tannin and increased total phenol content of PB (p < 0.01).
      NaOH and urea treatments decreased tannins, total phenolics and condensed tannins
      of PB compared to control (p < 0.01). In situ ruminal dry matter (DM) degradation
      data showed that irradiation increased (p < 0.01) and, urea and NaOH decreased (p
      < 0.01) rapidly fermentable fraction (a) of PB. NaOH decreased (p < 0.01)
      fraction b and total degradable fraction (a + b) of PB. Irradiation and
      polyethylene-glycol increased rate of gas production (k), metabolizable energy
      (ME) and short chain fatty acid concentrations (SCFA), while, NaOH decreased gas
      production potential (b), ME and SCFA (p < 0.01). Data showed that although NaOH
      was efficient in detannification of PB, however, it reduced gas production and in
      situ degradation of PB. 

PMID- 26261706
TI  - Protective role of grape seed proanthocyanidin antioxidant properties on heart of
      streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.
AB  - Grape seed proanthocyanidin (GSP) bears a very powerful antioxidant effects.
      Studies demonstrated that proanthocyanidins protect against free radicals
      mediated cardiovascular and renal disorders. The present study was designed to
      assess the effect of GSP on the heart of diabetic rats. Forty rats were divided
      into four groups of 10 animals each: Group I: control, Group II: control group
      were given GSP, Group III: diabetic group, Group IV: diabetic group treated with
      GSP. Diabetes was induced by a single dose of streptozotocin, and then GSP (200
      mg kg(-1) body weight) was administrated for four weeks. Blood glucose,
      glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and also the levels of lipid peroxidation and
      antioxidant enzymes were examined in the heart tissues of all groups. Oral
      administration of GSP to diabetic rats significantly reduced (p < 0.05) heart
      weight, blood glucose, HbA1c and lipid peroxidation level, but increased (p <
      0.05) body weight and activities antioxidant enzymes when compared to diabetic
      group. The results indicated that GSP could be useful for prevention or early
      treatment of cardiac disorder caused by diabetes. 

PMID- 26261707
TI  - Connexin-43: A possible mediator of heat stress effects on ram Sertoli cells.
AB  - Sertoli cells are an essential group of cells in seminiferous epithelium which
      provide nutritional and structural supports for spermatogenic cells via cell
      junctions. In this study, the gene expression of connexin-43, the most abundantly
      distributed gap junction protein of cells, was investigated in ram Sertoli cells
      under mild and severe heat stresses with real-time quantitative PCR. Sertoli
      cells were isolated from testes of 10 lambs. After culture and 3 passages, they
      were treated with mild (39 C) and severe (42 C) heat stress for 6 hr. The results
      showed a significant reduction in the percentage of live cells under severe heat
      stress compared to the control group (32 C), (p <0.05). Relative quantification
      analysis revealed significantly higher (3.80 fold increase) values of connexin-43
      transcripts in severely heat stressed group than control group (p <0.05). It is
      concluded that challenging Sertoli cells with 42 C heat could threaten their
      survival, and overexpression of connexin-43 may cause dysfunction of Sertoli
      cells due to heat stress. These findings can be useful to identify the molecular
      mechanisms involved in adverse effects of heat stress on male reproduction and
      enhance our understanding of its pathogenesis. 

PMID- 26261708
TI  - Changes of stress oxidative enzymes in rat mammary tissue, blood and milk after
      experimental mastitis induced by E. coli lipopolysaccharide.
AB  - The present study investigated the effects of E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS)
      induced mastitis model in rat on the activity of antioxidant enzyme systems. To
      achieve this purpose, E. coli LPS were infused into the mammary gland of 12 rats
      72 hr postpartum and compared with 12 rats in control group infused intramammary
      placebo sterile pyrogene - free, physiological saline. The antioxidant activities
      of the enzymes, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase
      together with ?malondialdehyde (MDA) level were assayed in blood serum, milk and
      mammary tissue. Results obtained showed that, the antioxidant enzyme activities
      in milk, blood serum and mammary tissue were significantly decreased while the
      level of MDA, the indicator of lipid peroxidation were significantly increased
      following intramammary inoculation of LPS compared to the control animals.
      Histopathological examination also revealed the infiltration of inflammatory
      cells in mammary tissue and disruption of acinar structure and acinar lumina in
      mastitic rats. The results indicated that E. coli LPS-induced mastitis could
      alter antioxidant enzymes and increase lipid peroxidation. 

PMID- 26261709
TI  - Modification of egg yolk fatty acids profile by using different oil sources.
AB  - The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different dietary oil sources
      supplementation on laying hens' performance and fatty acids profile of egg yolks.
      Seventy-two 23-week-old laying hens (Tetra-SL) divided into six experimental
      diets (four replicates and three birds per replication) in a completely
      randomized design for nine weeks. Experimental diets were included: 1) control
      (no oil), 2) 3.00% fish oil, 3) 3.00% olive oil, 4) 3.00% grape seed oil, 5)
      3.00% canola oil, and 6) 3.00% soybean oil. The diets were similar in terms of
      energy and protein. Egg production, egg mass, egg weight, feed intake, feed
      conversion ratio and fatty acid composition of egg yolk were determined at the
      end of the trial. The results indicated that the performance parameters were not
      significantly different between treatments in the entire period (p > 0.05).
      However, fatty acids profiles of yolk were affected by experimental diets (p <
      0.05). Fish oil significantly reduced omega-6 fatty acids and increased
      docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in egg yolk. Also
      canola oil increased linolenic acid content in the egg yolk. In conclusion, fish
      oil increased omega-3 long-chain fatty acids and decreased omega-6 to omega-3
      ratio in eggs which may have beneficial effects on human health. 

PMID- 26261710
TI  - A survey of feline behavioral problems in Tehran.
AB  - Behavioral problems in cats have drawn more attention in recent years since they
      affect the cat-owner relationship. This study was designed to study the rate of
      cats with undesirable behaviors according to their owners. Frequency of
      behavioral problems in 167 cats attending Small Animal Hospital, Faculty of
      Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, was evaluated using a questionnaire.
      According to the results, 94.6% of owners reported that their cats have exhibited
      at least one undesirable behavior. Fearfulness, attention seeking, aggression
      towards other cats/people, scratching, and elimination problems were the most
      prevalent behavioral complaints reported by the owners; whereas obsessive
      behaviors were the least common behavioral complaints. In addition, data analysis
      suggested that age, breed, outdoor access, owner reaction towards the behavior
      and the cat's interaction with other cats/people might have been associated with
      the development of some behavioral problems in cats. Considerable rate of
      undesirable behaviors in domestic cats in Iran is important enough to highlight
      the significance of veterinary intervention. 

PMID- 26261711
TI  - The European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus), as a reservoir for helminth
      parasites in Iran.
AB  - From April 2009 to December 2011, 44 dead hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) were
      collected incidentally from areas of Urmia, Iran. The overall prevalence of
      helminth infections was 95.0%. Specific parasites and their prevalences were:
      Physaloptera clausa (93.0%), Crenosoma striatum (61.0%), Capillaria aerophila
      (9.0%), Capillarias spp. (4.0%), Brachylaemus erinacei (2.0%) and Hymenolepis
      erinacei (16.0%). There were no significant differences in helminth occurrence
      between hedgehog sexes, either in single or in mixed infections (p > 0.05). The
      mixed infection involving Crenosoma striatum and P. clausa occurred significantly
      more frequently than other mixed infection (p < 0.05). There were significant
      differences in prevalence among seasons, with the highest prevalence in summer
      and spring especially among P. clausa and C. striatum (p < 0.05). 

PMID- 26261712
TI  - Determination of hazardous substances in food basket eggs in Tehran, Iran: A
      preliminary study.
AB  - Extensive distribution of hazardous substances in food chain and the deleterious
      effect of their residues on public health are a great concern of the society.
      Chicken eggs, as one of the most popular food commodities, in different parts of
      Tehran (Iran) were analyzed for two groups of hazardous substances including some
      organochlorine pesticides (OC) such as aldrin, lindane, dieldrin,
      dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, heptachlor and endusulfan) and heavy metals
      namely mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), nickel
      (Ni) and chromium (Cr). Gas chromatography- electron capture detector, hydride
      generation atomic absorption spectrometry, cold- vapor atomic absorption
      spectrometry and conductively coupled plasma atomic optical spectrometry were
      used to determine the levels of OCs, As, Hg and the others, respectively. For
      OCs, the results revealed none of the levels were more than maximum residues
      levels (MRLs), but three of them (Aldrin, lindane and endusulphan) were
      detectable. Moreover, 100% of 50 eggs had heavy metals with levels higher than
      limit of detection of the procedure. The levels of Pb and Hg in all eggs and Cd
      in 47% of samples were more than MRLs. It seems that the regular national
      monitoring of egg producing chain specially the quality of chicken feed should be
      taken into account seriously in order to safeguard public general health. 

PMID- 26261713
TI  - Growth and antioxidant status of broilers fed supplemental lysine and pyridoxine
      under high ambient temperature.
AB  - Three levels of lysine (90, 100 and 110% of Ross requirement) and of pyridoxine
      (3, 6 and 9 mg kg(-1)) were used in a 3 * 3 factorial experiment to investigate
      the growth and blood antioxidant ability of broilers under high ambient
      temperature. None of the dietary supplements affected the weight gain during the
      starter and grower periods. Although no significant differences were detected
      between the treatments during the entire period, high lysine level fed birds had
      a lower weight gain. At any levels of pyridoxine, high lysine fed birds were
      lighter than others. Neither the lysine nor pyridoxine changed the feed intake or
      feed conversion ratio during the starter, grower and entire period. However there
      was no significant difference between the treatments for blood malondialdehyde
      (MDA) concentration, medium lysine fed birds had lower blood MDA than other ones.
      No significant effects on blood triglyceride, total protein and blood superoxide
      dismutase activity were indicated with addition of any lysine or pyridoxine
      level. Medium lysine fed birds had decreased blood glutathione peroxidase
      activity compared to the birds of other treatments. It was concluded that
      providing the proposed dietary lysine requirement of Ross strain during heat
      stress ensuring the best body weight gain and body antioxidant ability. Higher
      lysine level causes the retarded weight gain due to higher excretion of arginine
      from the body and consequently higher lipid peroxidation. 

PMID- 26261714
TI  - Comparative evaluation between hypericin (hypiran) and fluoxetine in treatment of
      companion dogs with tail chasing.
AB  - The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of hypericin and
      fluoxetine in the treatment of companion dogs with tail chasing in Ahvaz
      district. In the present survey, eighteen dogs with tail chasing were assigned
      into three equal groups for a three-year period. The dogs were randomly
      classified based on different treatment groups. During 15 weeks, dogs of group A
      were given 0.05 mg kg(-1) hypericin orally and dogs of group B received 1 mg kg(
      1) fluoxetine, orally. The group C was the control group. Changes in signs of
      tail chasing were weekly reported by the owners or a veterinarian. Treatment
      periods were assessed in five intervals: weeks 1-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12 and weeks 13
      15, respectively. Hypericin (group A) was significantly more effective in the
      treatment of tail chasing compared with fluoxetine (group B), (p = 0.043).
      Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference in each group between
      weeks 1-3 (X(2) = 8.8, p = 0.01), 4-6 (X(2) = 9.1, p = 0.01), 7-9 (X(2) = 7.4, p
      = 0.03), 10-12 (X(2) = 10.4, p = 0.005) and 13-15 (X(2) = 12.5, p = 0.002).
      Improvement of behavior in the dogs of group A was significant compared with
      group B, between weeks 10-12 (X(2) = 5.4, p = 0.02) and 13-15 (X(2) = 7.2, p =
      0.007). In conclusion, our survey showed that hypericin was more effective than
      fluoxetine in controlling signs of tail chasing. 

PMID- 26261715
TI  - The effect of short-time microwave exposures on Listeria monocytogenes inoculated
      onto chicken meat portions.
AB  - Listeria monocytogenes can be found throughout the environment and in many foods.
      It is associated primarily with meat and animal products. Listeria monocytogenes
      has become increasingly important as a food-borne pathogen. The aim of this study
      was to evaluate the effect of microwave (MW) treatment of chicken meat samples
      which were inoculated with L. monocytogenes. Drumettes of broiler carcasses were
      soaked in fully growth of L. monocytogenes in Brain-Heart Infusion broth. The
      swab samples were taken from the inoculated samples, after various times of
      radiation (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80 sec), using a domestic MW oven at
      full power. Following exposures, viable counts and surface temperature
      measurements were performed. The bacterial counts were performed on Oxford agar.
      The results indicated that equal or longer than 60 sec exposures of chicken
      portions to MW heating which enhances the median surface temperature more than 74
      C could eliminate the superficial contamination of chicken meat with L.
      monocytogenes. Statistical analysis showed samples with equal or longer than 60
      sec exposures to MW heating had significant decrease in population of inoculated
      bacteria compared with positive control group (p < 0.05). Pearson correlation
      showed a significant correlation between the bacterial population and temperature
      of samples due to MW exposure (p < 0.001, r = - 0.879 and r (2) = 0.773). 

PMID- 26261716
TI  - Visceral urate deposition in a little bittern (Ixobrychus minutus).
AB  - Visceral urate deposition (visceral gout) is a common finding during post-mortem
      examination of poultry. Rare cases of visceral gout may occur in wild birds. A
      rare case of visceral urate deposition in a little bittern (Ixobrychus minutus)
      is reported here. In May 2013, carcass of a little bittern was submitted for
      necropsy to the Clinic of Poultry Diseases (Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Razi
      University) by local authorities of Iran Department of Environment. At necropsy,
      white chalky deposits were observed on the heart and thoracic air sacs of the
      bird. To confirm the presence of urates, chalky deposits were collected from
      pericardium and tested by muerxide test. Heart and kidneys were sampled,
      preserved in 10% neutral-buffered formalin solution and submitted to laboratory
      for histopathology. Murexide test was positive for presence of uric acid in
      chalky deposits collected from pericardium. Light microscopy of affected organs
      confirmed the condition as visceral urate deposition. To the best of our
      knowledge, this is the first report on the occurrence of visceral urate
      deposition in a little bittern. 

PMID- 26261717
TI  - Surgical treatment and a unique management of rostral mandibular fracture with
      cerclage wire in a horse.
AB  - A 3-year-old Arabian colt was presented for a major gingiva wound at the right
      rostral part of mandible. After clinical assessments, rostral mandibular fracture
      was determined. Stabilization of fractured region was achieved via cerclage wire
      application under general anesthesia. Fixation wires were left in place for 6
      weeks. A 3 -month follow up revealed complete fracture healing. The purpose of
      this case report was to give clinical information about rostral mandibular
      fractures and treatment of these fractures and nutrition protocol in a horse, as
      this fracture is of the most common type of jaw fracture sustained by young
      horses. 

PMID- 26261718
TI  - Micropublications: a semantic model for claims, evidence, arguments and
      annotations in biomedical communications.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Scientific publications are documentary representations of defeasible
      arguments, supported by data and repeatable methods. They are the essential
      mediating artifacts in the ecosystem of scientific communications. The
      institutional "goal" of science is publishing results. The linear document
      publication format, dating from 1665, has survived transition to the Web.
      Intractable publication volumes; the difficulty of verifying evidence; and
      observed problems in evidence and citation chains suggest a need for a web
      friendly and machine-tractable model of scientific publications. This model
      should support: digital summarization, evidence examination, challenge,
      verification and remix, and incremental adoption. Such a model must be capable of
      expressing a broad spectrum of representational complexity, ranging from minimal
      to maximal forms. RESULTS: The micropublications semantic model of scientific
      argument and evidence provides these features. Micropublications support natural
      language statements; data; methods and materials specifications; discussion and
      commentary; challenge and disagreement; as well as allowing many kinds of
      statement formalization. The minimal form of a micropublication is a statement
      with its attribution. The maximal form is a statement with its complete
      supporting argument, consisting of all relevant evidence, interpretations,
      discussion and challenges brought forward in support of or opposition to it.
      Micropublications may be formalized and serialized in multiple ways, including in
      RDF. They may be added to publications as stand-off metadata. An OWL 2 vocabulary
      for micropublications is available at http://purl.org/mp. A discussion of this
      vocabulary along with RDF examples from the case studies, appears as OWL
      Vocabulary and RDF Examples in Additional file 1. CONCLUSION: Micropublications,
      because they model evidence and allow qualified, nuanced assertions, can play
      essential roles in the scientific communications ecosystem in places where
      simpler, formalized and purely statement-based models, such as the
      nanopublications model, will not be sufficient. At the same time they will add
      significant value to, and are intentionally compatible with, statement-based
      formalizations. We suggest that micropublications, generated by useful software
      tools supporting such activities as writing, editing, reviewing, and discussion,
      will be of great value in improving the quality and tractability of biomedical
      communications.

PMID- 26261719
TI  - Prevalence and factors associated with undernutrition and anaemia among school
      children in Durbete Town, northwest Ethiopia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Information about risk factors of undernutrition and anaemia is
      useful to design appropriate strategies to control the health problems. In this
      study, the prevalence and factors associated with undernutrition and anaemia were
      assessed among school children in Abchikeli and Ayalew Mekonnen Elementary
      Schools, northwest Ethiopia, in February and March 2010. METHODS: A cross
      sectional study was carried out among 384 school children. Stool samples were
      examined using single Kato-Katz slide and nutritional status was determined using
      anthropometry technique. A pre-tested standardized questionnaire was used to
      gather information on the socio-demographic and the socio-economic status of the
      school children. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to quantify
      the association of intestinal helminth infection and socio-demographic and socio
      economic factors with undernutrition and anaemia. RESULTS: Out of 384 children
      examined, 32.3 % were undernourished (27.1 % underweight and 11.2 % stunted) and
      10.7 % were anaemic. The odds of stunting were approximately seven times higher
      in children of ages 10 to 14 [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 6.93, 95 % CI = 2.60,
      18.46] and 2.5 times higher in males [AOR = 2.50, 95 % CI = 1.24, 5.07] than
      children of ages 5 to 9 and females, respectively. The odds of underweight was
      three times higher in children who did not wash their hands before eating
      compared to those who did wash their hands [AOR = 3.13, 95 % CI = 1.19, 8.17].
      The chance of anaemia was nine times higher in children who were infected with
      hookworms compared to those who were not infected with any helminth species [AOR
      = 8.87, 95 % CI = 2.28, 34.58]. The odds of being undernourished and anemic were
      similar among children with different socio-economic status. CONCLUSIONS:
      Undernutrition and anaemia are public health problems of school-age children in
      Durbete Town. Health education and provision of additional food supplements would
      be important to reduce the problem of undernutrition among school-age children in
      the town. Deworming of children in the town would also have additional impact on
      reducing the level of anaemia.

PMID- 26261720
TI  - Effects of magnetic resonance-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound ablation
      on bone mechanical properties and modeling.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Magnetic resonance-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (MR-HIFU)
      is a promising technique for palliative treatment of bone pain. In this study,
      the effects of MR-HIFU ablation on bone mechanics and modeling were investigated.
      METHODS: A total of 12 healthy rat femurs were ablated using 10 W for 46 +/- 4 s
      per sonication with 4 sonications for each femur. At 7 days after treatments, all
      animals underwent MR and single photon emission computed tomography/computed
      tomography (SPECT/CT) imaging. Then, six animals were euthanized. At 1 month
      following ablations, the remaining six animals were scanned again with MR and
      SPECT/CT prior to euthanization. Thereafter, both the HIFU-treated and
      contralateral control bones of three animals from each time interval were
      processed for histology, whereas the remaining bones were subjected to micro-CT
      (MUCT), three-point bending tests, and micro-finite element (micro-FE) analyses.
      RESULTS: At 7 days after HIFU ablations, edema formation around the treated bones
      coupled with bone marrow and cortical bone necrosis was observed on MRI and
      histological images. SPECT/CT and MUCT images revealed presence of bone modeling
      through an increased uptake of (99m)Tc-MDP and formation of woven bone,
      respectively. At 31 days after ablations, as illustrated by imaging and
      histology, healing of the treated bone and the surrounding soft tissue was noted,
      marked by decreased in amount of tissue damage, formation of scar tissue, and sub
      periosteal reaction. The results of three-point bending tests showed no
      significant differences in elastic stiffness, ultimate load, and yield load
      between the HIFU-treated and contralateral control bones at 7 days and 1 month
      after treatments. Similarly, the elastic stiffness and Young's moduli determined
      by micro-FE analyses at both time intervals were not statistically different.
      CONCLUSIONS: Multimodality imaging and histological data illustrated the presence
      of HIFU-induced bone damage at the cellular level, which activated the bone
      repair mechanisms. Despite that, these changes did not have a mechanical impact
      on the bone.

PMID- 26261721
TI  - Pancreas cancer: why bother?

PMID- 26261722
TI  - Imaging preoperatively for pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
AB  - Pancreatic cancer is a highly lethal malignancy which is increasing in incidence
      and mortality. The fourth leading cause of cancer death in the U.S., pancreatic
      cancer is projected to become the second leading cause of cancer death by 2020.
      Patients with pancreatic cancer have an abysmal 5-year survival of 6%, and 90% of
      these patients eventually die from the disease. This is in large part due to the
      commonly advanced stage of disease at the time of diagnosis. Currently, the only
      potentially curative therapy for pancreatic carcinoma is complete surgical
      resection. Patients who undergo incomplete resection with residual disease have
      similar survival rates to those patients with metastatic disease and should be
      spared this relatively morbid surgery. Thus, the key to impacting prognosis is
      the detection of smaller and earlier stage lesions, and the key to optimal
      management is accurately determining which patients have potentially resectable
      surgery and which patients would not benefit from surgery. Cross-sectional
      imaging plays an essential role in both the diagnosis and appropriate staging of
      pancreatic carcinoma. The diagnosis and staging of pancreatic adenocarcinoma is
      performed with cross-sectional imaging. Multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT)
      is the most commonly used, best-validated imaging modality for the diagnosis and
      staging of pancreatic cancer. Modern contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging
      (MRI) has been demonstrated to be equivalent to MDCT in detection and staging of
      pancreatic cancer. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is very sensitive for detecting
      pancreatic masses; however, due to limitations in adequate overall abdominal
      staging, it is generally used in addition to or after MDCT. Transabdominal
      ultrasound and positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) have
      limited roles in the diagnosis and staging of pancreatic cancer. Preoperative
      imaging is used to characterize patients as having resectable disease, borderline
      resectable disease, locally advanced disease (unresectable) and metastatic
      disease (unresectable). As the definitions of borderline resectable and
      unresectable may vary from institution to institution and within institutions, it
      is essential to accurately assess and describe the factors relevant to staging
      including: local extent of tumor, vascular involvement, lymph node involvement
      and distant metastatic disease. To facilitate this, standardized reporting
      templates for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma have been created and published.
      Structured reporting for pancreatic cancer has been reported to provide superior
      evaluation of pancreatic cancer, facilitate surgical planning, and increase
      surgeons' confidence about tumor resectability. 

PMID- 26261723
TI  - Pancreatic adenocarcinoma pathology: changing "landscape".
AB  - Pancreatic cancer is a devastating disease. At time of diagnosis the disease is
      usually advanced and only a minority of patients are eligible for surgical
      resection. The overall 5-year survival is 6%. However, survival of patients with
      early stage pancreatic cancer is significantly better. To improve the prognosis
      of patients with pancreatic cancer, it is essential to diagnose and treat
      pancreatic cancer in the earliest stage. Prevention of pancreatic cancer by
      treating noninvasive precursor lesions just before they invade tissues can
      potentially lead to even better outcomes. Pancreatic carcinogenesis results from
      a stepwise progression in which accumulating genetic alterations drive neoplastic
      progression in well-defined precursor lesions, ultimately giving rise to an
      invasive adenocarcinoma. A thorough understanding of the genetic changes that
      drive pancreatic carcinogenesis can lead to identification of biomarkers for
      early detection and targets for therapy. Recent next-generation sequencing (NGS)
      studies have shed new light on our understanding of the natural history of
      pancreatic cancer and the precursor lesions that give rise to these cancers.
      Importantly, there is a significant window of opportunity for early detection and
      treatment between the first genetic alteration in a cell in the pancreas and
      development of full-blown pancreatic cancer. The current views on the pathology
      and genetics of pancreatic carcinogenesis that evolved from studies of pancreatic
      cancer and its precursor lesions are discussed in this review. 

PMID- 26261724
TI  - Diagnosis and management of cystic lesions of the pancreas.
AB  - Pancreatic cystic lesions (PCLs) are being increasingly identified in recent
      years. They show a wide spectrum of imaging and clinical features. The diagnosis
      and discrimination of these lesions are very important because of the risk for
      concurrent or later development of malignancy. PCLs are usually first diagnosed
      and characterized by conventional imaging modalities such as trans-abdominal
      ultrasonography (US), computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging
      (MRI). However, their ability to differentiate the benign and malignant lesions
      remains limited. Endoscopic US may be more helpful for the diagnosis and
      differentiation of PCLs because of its high resolution and better imaging
      characteristics than cross-sectional imaging modalities. It also allows for fine
      needle aspiration (FNA) of cystic lesions for biochemical, cytological and DNA
      analysis that might be further helpful for diagnosis and differentiation. The
      management options of PCLs are to observe, endoscopic treatment or surgical
      resection. However, the decision for management is sometimes hampered by
      limitations in current diagnostic and tissue sampling techniques. As further
      diagnostic and non-invasive management options become available, clinical
      decision-making will become much easier for these lesions. 

PMID- 26261725
TI  - Management of periampullary adenocarcinoma by pancreaticoduodenectomy at a
      regional teaching hospital.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Periampullary adenocarcinoma (PA) includes: pancreatic, duodenal and
      ampullary adenocarcinoma; and cholangiocarcinoma. Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is
      required for cure of PA. Previous studies demonstrated the likelihood of cure
      increases when a microscopically negative (R0) margin is achieved. Clearance of
      the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) margin has been identified as the most
      critical margin in PD. Some authors have emphasized the importance of certain
      techniques to clear the SMA margin. Neither the degree to which these techniques
      have been incorporated nor their impact on margin status and survival has been
      described. We hypothesized that use of techniques focusing on clearing the SMA
      margin would result in higher R0 resection rates and improved survival after PD
      in patients with PA. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed on patients
      from 1/1/1985 until 7/31/2007. Data on patient demographics, clinical
      presentation, preoperative treatment, operative technique, margins, and
      postoperative outcomes were collected. Ninety-three patients were identified for
      inclusion in the study. Three approximately equal groups were created for
      analysis. RESULTS: The overall survival (OS) for the entire cohort was 19 months
      and was not different among the groups studied. Margins were microscopically
      negative in 81% of cases. The percentage of node-positive cases increased during
      the time period, as did the number of lymph nodes (LNs) examined (P=0.017). The
      use of pylorus-preserving PD decreased (P=0.001) while resection of the superior
      mesenteric/portal vein (SMV/PV) increased during the study period. We observed an
      increase in descriptions of the clearance of the anterior aspect of the aorta and
      inferior vena cava (IVC), dissection to the right side of the SMA, dissection to
      the origin of the SMA and intra-operative identification of the SMA margin.
      Dissecting to the SMA did not change the likelihood of achieving an R0 margin. OS
      was improved after R0 resections (R0: 21 months vs. R1/2: 10 months) but this
      difference was not statistically significant (P=0.099). There was no association
      between margin status and OS. Changes in the pathology reporting of margins were
      observed, with statistically significant increases in the percentage of cases in
      which the SMA, common bile duct and pancreatic neck margins were separately
      reported. However, the SMA margin was separately reported in only 26% of
      pathology reports. CONCLUSIONS: The operative techniques used in PD at this
      institution have changed over time. The increasing frequency of dissection to the
      SMA and identification of the SMA margin by both surgeon and pathologist suggest
      an increased attention to the SMA margin. This shift did not result in
      significant improvements in survival or margin status, but it is consistent with
      the recognition of the importance of the SMA margin. Our analysis has also
      identified areas of potential improvement in the ways in which operative and
      pathology reports for PD are generated.

PMID- 26261726
TI  - Robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma: role in 2014 and
      beyond.
AB  - Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for pancreatic adenocarcinoma has found new
      avenues for performing pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) procedures, a historically
      technically challenging operation. Multiple studies have found laparoscopic PD to
      be safe, with equivalent oncologic outcomes as compared to open PD. In addition,
      several series have described potential benefits to minimally invasive PD
      including fewer postoperative complications, shorter hospital length of stay, and
      decreased postoperative pain. Yet, despite these promising initial results,
      laparoscopic PDs have not become widely adopted by the surgical community. In
      fact, the vast majority of pancreatic resections performed in the United States
      are still performed in an open fashion, and there are only a handful of surgeons
      who actually perform purely laparoscopic PDs. On the other hand, robotic assisted
      surgery offers many technical advantages over laparoscopic surgery including high
      definition, 3-D optics, enhanced suturing ability, and more degrees of freedom of
      movement by means of fully-wristed instruments. Similar to laparoscopic PD, there
      are now several case series that have demonstrated the feasibility and safety of
      robotic PD with seemingly equivalent short-term oncologic outcomes as compared to
      open technique. In addition, having the surgeon seated for the procedure with
      padded arm-rests, there is an ergonomic advantage of robotics over both open and
      laparoscopic approaches, where one has to stand up for prolonged periods of time.
      Future technologic innovations will likely focus on enhanced robotic capabilities
      to improve ease of use in the operating room. Last but not least, robotic
      assisted surgery training will continue to be a part of surgical education
      curriculum ensuring the increased use of this technology by future generations of
      surgeons. 

PMID- 26261727
TI  - Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy for adenocarcinoma: safe and reasonable?
AB  - As a result of technological advances during the past two decades, surgeons now
      use minimally invasive surgery (MIS) approaches to pancreatic resection more
      frequently, yet the role of these approaches for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
      resections remains uncertain, given the aggressive nature of this malignancy.
      Although there are no controlled trials comparing MIS technique to open surgical
      technique, laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma is
      performed with increasing frequency. Data from retrospective studies suggest that
      perioperative complication profiles between open and laparoscopic distal
      pancreatectomy are similar, with perhaps lower blood loss and fewer wound
      infections in the MIS group. Concerning oncologic outcomes, there appear to be no
      differences in the rate of achieving negative margins or in the number of lymph
      nodes (LNs) resected when compared to open surgery. There are limited recurrence
      and survival data on laparoscopic compared to open distal pancreatectomy for
      pancreatic adenocarcinoma, but in the few studies that assess long term outcomes,
      recurrence rates and survival outcomes appear similar. Recent studies show that
      though laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy entails a greater operative cost, the
      associated shorter length of hospital stay leads to decreased overall cost
      compared to open procedures. Multiple new technologies are emerging to improve
      resection of pancreatic cancer. Robotic pancreatectomy is feasible, but there are
      limited data on robotic resection of pancreatic adenocarcinoma, and outcomes
      appear similar to laparoscopic approaches. Additionally fluorescence-guided
      surgery represents a new technology on the horizon that could improve oncologic
      outcomes after resection of pancreatic adenocarcinoma, though published data thus
      far are limited to animal models. Overall, MIS distal pancreatectomy appears to
      be a safe and reasonable approach to treating selected patients with pancreatic
      ductal adenocarcinoma, though additional studies of long-term oncologic outcomes
      are merited. We review existing data on MIS distal pancreatectomy for pancreatic
      ductal adenocarcinoma. 

PMID- 26261728
TI  - Neoadjuvant therapy for localized pancreatic cancer: guiding principles.
AB  - The management of localized pancreatic cancer (PC) remains controversial.
      Historically, patients with localized disease have been treated with surgery
      followed by adjuvant therapy (surgery-first approach) under the assumption that
      surgical resection is necessary, even if not sufficient for cure. However, a
      surgery-first approach is associated with a median overall survival of only 22-24
      months, suggesting that a large proportion of patients with localized PC have
      clinically occult metastatic disease. As a result, adjuvant therapy has been
      recommended for all patients with localized PC, but in actuality, it is often not
      received due to the high rates of perioperative complications associated with
      pancreatic resections. Recognizing that surgery may be necessary but usually not
      sufficient for cure, there has been growing interest in neoadjuvant treatment
      sequencing, which benefits patients with both localized and metastatic PC by
      ensuring the delivery of oncologic therapies which are commensurate with the
      stage of disease. For patients who have clinically occult metastatic disease,
      neoadjuvant therapy allows for the early delivery of systemic therapy and avoids
      the morbidity and mortality of a surgical resection which would provide no
      oncologic benefit. For patients with truly localized disease, neoadjuvant therapy
      ensures the delivery of all components of the multimodality treatment. This
      review details the rationale for a neoadjuvant approach to localized PC and
      provides specific recommendations for both pretreatment staging and treatment
      sequencing for patients with resectable and borderline resectable (BLR) disease. 

PMID- 26261729
TI  - Novel adjuvant therapies for pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
AB  - Contemporary adjuvant therapy for pancreatic cancer patients following surgical
      resection includes chemotherapy and chemoradiotherapy. However, the median
      survival remains approximately 20 months despite multi-modality treatment using
      gemcitabine or fluoropyrimidine systemic chemotherapy. Adjuvant randomized trials
      are currently underway to evaluate cytotoxic combinations found to be active in
      advanced disease including FOLFIRINOX, gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel and
      gemcitabine/capecitabine. Immunotherapy using genetically engineered cell-based
      vaccines had shown promise in resected pancreatic cancer patients during early
      phase trials, and algenpantucel-L vaccine is currently being evaluated in
      adjuvant setting in a randomized trial. This review focuses on novel adjuvant
      therapies currently in clinical evaluation. 

PMID- 26261730
TI  - Adjuvant radiation therapy for pancreatic cancer: a review of the old and the
      new.
AB  - Surgery represents the only potential curative treatment option for patients
      diagnosed with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Despite aggressive surgical management
      for patients deemed to be resectable, rates of local recurrence and/or distant
      metastases remain high, resulting in poor long-term outcomes. In an effort to
      reduce recurrence rates and improve survival for patients having undergone
      resection, adjuvant therapies (ATs) including chemotherapy and chemoradiation
      therapy (CRT) have been explored. While adjuvant chemotherapy has been shown to
      consistently improve outcomes, the data regarding adjuvant radiation therapy (RT)
      is mixed. Although the ability of radiation to improve local control has been
      demonstrated, it has not always led to improved survival outcomes for patients.
      Early trials are flawed in their utilization of sub-optimal radiation techniques,
      limiting their generalizability. Recent and ongoing trials incorporate more
      optimized RT approaches and seek to clarify its role in treatment strategies. At
      the same time novel radiation techniques such as intensity modulated RT (IMRT)
      and stereotactic body RT (SBRT) are under active investigation. It is hoped that
      these efforts will lead to improved disease-related outcomes while reducing
      toxicity rates. 

PMID- 26261731
TI  - Pain management of pancreatic head adenocarcinomas that are unresectable: celiac
      plexus neurolysis and splanchnicectomy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is often incurable at the time of
      diagnosis. For patients with unresectable or recurrent disease, palliation of
      pain is a key component of care. Medical management with narcotics has numerous
      side effects and may be ineffective. Interventions for pain control include
      celiac plexus neurolysis (CPN) and splanchnicectomy. The purpose of this review
      is to outline pertinent anatomy, techniques, side effects, complications, and
      efficacy of interventions for palliation of pain from pancreatic cancer. METHODS:
      We reviewed current literature, as well as our own patients, to assess the role
      and outcomes of CPN and splanchnicectomy. Short descriptions of procedural
      techniques and functional illustrations are provided. RESULTS: Both CPN and
      splanchnicectomy have excellent outcomes with regard to pain control. Quality of
      life and survival, however, have not been conclusively demonstrated to improve
      with either technique. Data regarding head-to-head comparisons of the two
      interventions is lacking. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with incurable pancreatic
      carcinoma should be offered either CPN or splanchnicectomy when medical
      management with narcotics has failed.

PMID- 26261732
TI  - Current position of vasoconstrictor and albumin infusion for type 1 hepatorenal
      syndrome.
AB  - Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP), refractory ascites, hepatorenal syndrome
      (HRS), hyponatremia and hepatic encephalopathy are complications which frequently
      happen during a clinical course of decompensated cirrhosis. Splanchnic and
      peripheral vasodilatation, increased intrarenal vasoconstriction and impaired
      cardiac responsive function are pathological changes causing systemic and
      hemodynamic derangement. Extreme renal vasoconstriction leads to severe reduction
      of renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate, which finally evolves into
      the clinical feature of HRS. Clinical manifestations of type 1 and type 2 HRS
      come to medical attention differently. Patients with type 1 HRS present as acute
      kidney injury whereas those with type 2 HRS will have refractory ascites as the
      leading problem. Prompt diagnosis of type 1 HRS can halt the progression of HRS
      to acute tubular necrosis if the combined treatment of albumin infusion and
      vasoconstrictors is started timely. HRS reversal was seen in 34%-60% of patients,
      followed with decreasing mortality. Baseline serum levels of creatinine less than
      5 mg/dL, bilirubin less than 10 mg/dL, and increased mean arterial pressure of
      over 5 mmHg by day 3 of the combined treatment of vasoconstrictor and albumin are
      the predictors of good response. Type 1 HRS can be prevented in some conditions
      such as albumin infusion in SBP, prophylactic antibiotics for upper
      gastrointestinal hemorrhage, albumin replacement after large volume paracentesis
      in cirrhotic patients with massive ascites. The benefit of albumin infusion in
      infection with primary source other than SBP requires more studies. 

PMID- 26261735
TI  - Nociceptin effect on intestinal motility depends on opioid-receptor like-1
      receptors and nitric oxide synthase co-localization.
AB  - AIM: To study the effect of the opioid-receptor like-1 (ORL1) agonist nociceptin
      on gastrointestinal (GI) myenteric neurotransmission and motility. METHODS:
      Reverse transcriptase - polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry were
      used to localize nociceptin and ORL1 in mouse tissues. Intracellular
      electrophysiological recordings of excitatory and inhibitory junction potentials
      (EJP, IJP) were made in a chambered organ bath. Intestinal motility was measured
      in vivo. RESULTS: Nociceptin accelerated whole and upper GI transit, but slowed
      colonic expulsion in vivo in an ORL1-dependent manner, as shown using
      [Nphe(1)]NOC and AS ODN pretreatment. ORL1 and nociceptin immunoreactivity were
      found on enteric neurons. Nociceptin reduced the EJP and the nitric oxide
      sensitive slow IJP in an ORL1-dependent manner, whereas the fast IJP was
      unchanged. Nociceptin further reduced the spatial spreading of the EJP up to 2
      cm. CONCLUSION: Compounds acting at ORL1 are good candidates for the future
      treatment of disorders associated with increased colonic transit, such as
      diarrhea or diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome.

PMID- 26261734
TI  - Antioxidants in liver health.
AB  - Liver diseases are a worldwide medical problem because the liver is the principal
      detoxifying organ and maintains metabolic homeostasis. The liver metabolizes
      various compounds that produce free radicals (FR). However, antioxidants scavenge
      FR and maintain the oxidative/antioxidative balance in the liver. When the liver
      oxidative/antioxidative balance is disrupted, the state is termed oxidative
      stress. Oxidative stress leads to deleterious processes in the liver and produces
      liver diseases. Therefore, restoring antioxidants is essential to maintain
      homeostasis. One method of restoring antioxidants is to consume natural compounds
      with antioxidant capacity. The objective of this review is to provide information
      pertaining to various antioxidants found in food that have demonstrated utility
      in improving liver diseases. 

PMID- 26261736
TI  - Beverage intake preference and bowel preparation laxative taste preference for
      colonoscopy.
AB  - AIM: To examine whether non-alcoholic beverage intake preferences can guide
      polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based bowel laxative preparation selection for
      patients. METHODS: We conducted eight public taste test sessions using
      commercially procured (A) unflavored PEG, (B) citrus flavored PEG and (C) PEG
      with ascorbate (Moviprep). We collected characteristics of volunteers including
      their beverage intake preferences. The volunteers tasted the laxatives in
      randomly assigned orders and ranked the laxatives as 1(st), 2(nd), and 3(rd)
      based on their taste preferences. Our primary outcome is the number of 1(st)
      place rankings for each preparation. RESULTS: A total of 777 volunteers completed
      the study. Unflavored PEG was ranked as 1(st) by 70 (9.0%), flavored PEG by 534
      (68.7%) and PEG with ascorbate by 173 (22.3%) volunteers. Demographic, lifestyle
      characteristics and beverage intake patterns for coffee, tea, and carbonated
      drinks did not predict PEG-based laxative preference. CONCLUSION: Beverage intake
      pattern was not a useful guide for PEG-based laxative preference. It is important
      to develop more tolerable and affordable bowel preparation laxatives for
      colonoscopy. Also, patients should taste their PEG solution with and without
      flavoring before flavoring the entire gallon as this may give them more
      opportunity to pick a pattern that may be more tolerable.

PMID- 26261737
TI  - Gastrointestinal Kaposi's sarcoma: Case report and review of the literature.
AB  - Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) of the gastrointestinal tract is not an uncommon disease
      among individuals with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The majority is
      asymptomatic, and for this reason, gastrointestinal KS (GI-KS) remains
      undiagnosed. With continued tumor growth, considerable variation in clinical
      presentation occurs including abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, iron deficiency
      anemia (either chronic or frank gastrointestinal bleeding), and rarely mechanical
      obstruction alone or combined with bowel perforation. Endoscopy with biopsy
      allows for histological and immunohistochemical testing to confirm the diagnosis
      of GI-KS among those with clinical symptoms. In previous studies, dual treatment
      with highly active antiretroviral therapy and systemic chemotherapy have been
      associated with improved morbidity and mortality in individuals with visceral KS.
      Therefore, investigators have suggested performing screening endoscopies in
      select patients for early detection and treatment to improve outcome. In this
      review, we describe a 44 years old man with AIDS and cutaneous KS who presented
      for evaluation of postprandial abdominal pain, vomiting, and weight loss. On
      upper endoscopy, an extensive, infiltrative, circumferential, reddish mass
      involving the entire body and antrum of the stomach was seen. Histologic
      examination later revealed spindle cell proliferation, and confirmatory
      immunohistochemical testing revealed human herpes virus 8 latent nuclear antigen
      expression consistent with a diagnosis of gastric KS. Following this, we present
      a comprehensive review of literature on KS with emphasis on gastrointestinal
      tract involvement and management. 

PMID- 26261738
TI  - Distal Radius Isoelastic Resurfacing Prosthesis: A Preliminary Report.
AB  - Background Here we present a preliminary case series of unicompartmental
      isoelastic resurfacing prosthesis of the distal radius to treat comminuted
      articular fractures of osteoporotic elderly patients. Materials and Methods Our
      study included 12 patients, mean age 76 years, who presented with comminuted
      osteoporotic distal radius fracture. Because of the severity of injury and poor
      bone quality; osteosynthesis was not deemed to be a good option. Description of
      Technique The surgery was performed through a dorsal approach. The subchondral
      bone of the entire distal radial articular was excised and a unicompartmental
      prosthesis was applied. Results At an average follow-up of 32 months, the pain
      was 2.8/10, Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH)
      37.4/100, grip strength in neutral 49.9%, in supination 59.0%, and in pronation
      56.2% of the contralateral normal side. The wrist ranges of motion in flexion and
      extension were 56.1% and 79.3%, in supination and pronation 87.7% and 91.0% of
      the contralateral normal side. Two patients experienced a complex regional pain
      syndrome (CRPS) type II; these resolved spontaneously. One patient experienced
      distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) stiffness, which improved after an ulna head
      resection. Finally, one patient required revision surgery after a secondary
      traumatic fracture. Radiographically; the average volar tilt was 9.8 degrees ;
      the average of radial inclination was 11.6 degrees . Conclusion The concept of a
      unicompartmental isoelastic resurfacing prosthesis offers a promising option for
      the treatment of comminuted, osteoporotic distal radius articular fractures of
      elderly patients. Level of Evidence IV. 

PMID- 26261739
TI  - Primary Wrist Hemiarthroplasty for Irreparable Distal Radius Fracture in the
      Independent Elderly.
AB  - Background Volar plating for acute distal radius fractures (DRF) in the elderly
      has been recommended. Some studies have suggested that open reduction with
      internal fixation (ORIF) in this situation results in frequent complications. Our
      purposes were to provide a definition of irreparable DRF in independent elderly
      patients and to review the results of a preliminary retrospective series of wrist
      hemiarthroplasty (WHA) in this patient population. Materials Between 2011 and
      2014, 11 consecutive independent elderly patients (12 wrists) with irreparable
      intra-articular DRF were treated with primary WHA at the acute stage. A resection
      of the ulnar head was associated in nine wrists. A total of 11 wrists with more
      than 2 years of follow-up form the basis of this paper. Description of Technique
      The approach was dorsal longitudinal. An osteotome longitudinally entered the
      dorsal aspect of the fracture medial to the Lister tubercle. Two thick
      osteoperiosteal flaps were elevated radially and ulnarly in a fashion similar to
      opening a book. The distal radius articular surface was excised. The implant was
      pressed into the radial canal with attention to restoring distal radius length.
      The two osteoperiosteal flaps were brought back together and sutured so as to
      close, again like a book, the osseous and soft tissues around the implant.
      Results At mean follow-up of 30 months, average visual analog scale (VAS) pain
      was 1/10. Mean QuickDASH (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand) score was
      32, and mean Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) score was 24. Mean forearm
      rotation arc was 151 degrees . Mean active flexion-extension arc was 60 degrees .
      Mean active extension was 34 degrees . Mean grip strength was 14 kg (64% of
      contralateral wrist). Mean Lyon wrist score was 73%. Bone healing around the
      implants was satisfactory in all but one case. Conclusions Out data suggest that
      treatment of irreparable DRF in the independent elderly patient with a bone
      preserving WHA may be a viable option. Longer-term follow-up and comparative
      studies are needed to confirm the validity of this concept. 

PMID- 26261733
TI  - Primary biliary cirrhosis: From bench to bedside.
AB  - Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic non-suppurative destructive
      intrahepatic cholangitis leading to cirrhosis after a protractive non cirrhotic
      stage. The etiology and pathogenesis are largely unknown and autoimmne mechanisms
      have been implicated to explain the pathological lesions. Many epitopes and
      autoantigens have been reported as crucial in the pathophysiology of the disease
      and T and B cells abnormalities have been described, the exact pathways leading
      to the destruction of small intrahepatic ductules are mostly speculative. In this
      review we examined the various epidemiologal and geoepidemiological data as well
      as the complex pathogenetic aspects of this disease, focusing on recent in vivo
      and in vitro studies in this field. Initiation and progression of PBC is believed
      to be a multifactorial process with strong infuences from the patient's genetic
      background and by various environmental factors. The role of innate and adaptive
      immunity, including cytokines, chemokines, macrophages and the involvement of
      apoptosis and reactive oxygen species are outlined in detailed. The current
      pathogenetic aspects are presented and a novel pathogenetic theory unifying the
      accumulated clinical information with in vitro and in vivo data is formulated. A
      review of clinical manifestations and immunological and pathological diagnosis
      was presented. Treatment modalities, including the multiple mechanisms of action
      of ursodeoxycholate were finally discussed. 

PMID- 26261740
TI  - Total Wrist Arthroplasty for Posttraumatic Arthritis with Radius Deformity.
AB  - Newer implant designs and expanding experience have led to a gradual increase in
      the use of total wrist arthroplasty (TWA) for the treatment of posttraumatic
      arthritis. New challenges, however, may be encountered with this application,
      including bony deformities, previous or existing hardware, osteonecrosis, soft
      tissue injuries, and severe joint stiffness. Because the goals-to relieve pain
      and provide a functional range of motion-are the same as for more common TWA
      indications, these technical challenges, along with often higher patient
      expectations, are important considerations. This article presents possible
      solutions to these unique surgical challenges, including important preoperative
      planning to mitigate risks, and the expected outcomes in these patients. 

PMID- 26261742
TI  - Scaphocapitate Fracture: Two Cases with Follow-Up over 5 Years.
AB  - Background Combined scaphoid and capitate fractures of the wrist are rare
      entities, and delayed diagnosis is frequent. Scaphocapitate fractures may be
      associated with reversal of the capitate head 90 degrees  or 180 degrees  (Fenton
      syndrome). Different treatment options have been proposed, with variable results.
      Case Description We report two cases of scaphocapitate fractures of the wrist,
      diagnosed 3 and 15 days after the injury. The first patient suffered from Fenton
      syndrome, a combined displaced fracture of the waist of the scaphoid with 180
      degrees  reversal of capitate head. The second patient had combined fractures of
      the scaphoid, capitate, and distal radius. In both our cases, anatomic reduction
      and internal fixation were achieved, resulting in union of all fractures. The
      long-term results, after 5.5 and 7 years respectively, were very satisfactory,
      both clinically and radiographically, without signs of avascular necrosis of the
      head of the capitate or the scaphoid. Literature Review Few reports of
      scaphocapitate fractures were found in literature. Mechanism of injury,
      treatment, and outcomes of the reported cases in correlation to our cases are
      discussed. Clinical Relevance Given the high rate of complications of
      scaphocapitate fractures, long-term follow-up is important to assess the natural
      history of the wrist joint after such injuries. The restoration of normal
      anatomic relationships can lead to a successful long-term functional outcome
      despite the severity of the injury. 

PMID- 26261741
TI  - Hemiarthroplasty for Complex Distal Radius Fractures in Elderly Patients.
AB  - Background In elderly patients, distal radius fractures frequently occur in
      osteoporotic bone and may be nonreconstructable. It is our hypothesis that a
      hemiarthroplasty replacment of the articular surface can provide satisfactory
      results in terms of range of motion, pain, and function for immediate salvage of
      a fracture that is not amenable to internal fixation. Methods Between July 2009
      and January 2012, eight elderly patients were treated with insertion of a Sophia
      distal radius implant (Biotech, Paris, France). Inclusion criteria consisted of
      an isolated AO type C2 distal radius fracture in patients over 70 years old. All
      patients were reviewed by an independent surgeon. Results The mean follow-up was
      25 months (range, 17-36 months). Mean wrist range of motion (ROM) was 45 degrees 
      (40-50 degrees ) of flexion, 44 degrees  (40-50 degrees ) of extension, and a
      mean pronation-supination arc of 160 degrees . Mean grip force was 18 kgf. The
      mean QuickDASH (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand) was 18.2/100 (6.82
      29.55), and the mean visual analog scale (VAS) was 2.33 (0-4). X-ray images did
      not demonstrate implant loosening or ulnar translation of the carpus. Conclusions
      The Sophia hemiarthroplasty provided rapid recovery of independence in elderly
      patients with a nonreconstructable comminuted distal radius fracture. 

PMID- 26261743
TI  - Management of a Complex, Multioperated Intra-Articular Distal Radius Fracture.
AB  - Background Intra-articular distal radius fractures can have many complications,
      including radiocarpal osteoarthritis and distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ)
      dysfunction leading to pain and restricted wrist function. Case Description We
      describe the case of a 38-year-old patient who sustained a left distal radius
      intra-articular fracture, which was treated with volar plating. She developed
      pain from the radiocarpal joint as a result of intra-articular malunion and was
      listed for total wrist fusion. On the day of surgery this was converted to a
      Darrach procedure for minor DRUJ symptoms. This resulted in pain from the DRUJ as
      a result of instability, in addition to persisting radiocarpal arthritis pain.
      Due to her subsequent poor wrist function, she presented to the authors and
      underwent DRUJ arthroplasty with a proximally placed Scheker prosthesis to deal
      with her DRUJ symptoms and, later, a KinematX radiocarpal hemiarthroplasty for
      her radiocarpal symptoms. She remains happy with her outcome at 36-month follow
      up. Literature Review The complications of the Darrach procedure include painful
      radioulnar convergence and wrist instability. The Scheker prosthesis allows
      restoration of stability of the DRUJ with good outcomes and 100% 5-year survival
      in one series. Sparing the midcarpal joint, the KinematX hemiarthroplasty allows
      preservation of the dart thrower's motion arc, which is key in many complex wrist
      movements and functions. Clinical Relevance This case highlights the negative
      consequences of distal ulna resection and shows both the Scheker and KinematX
      prostheses as viable, effective means to restore function to young, active
      patients with posttraumatic radiocarpal arthritis and/or instability. 

PMID- 26261744
TI  - The Pronator Quadratus and Distal Anterior Interosseous Nerve: A Cadaveric Study.
AB  - Background The pronator quadratus (PQ) muscle is an important and commonly
      encountered structure in surgery of the wrist. A thorough understanding of the
      anatomy of the PQ and the anterior interosseous nerve (AIN), which innervates the
      PQ, is important, particularly during distal radius fracture osteosynthesis and
      distal AIN transfer to deep branch of the ulnar nerve. Furthermore, there is a
      paucity of literature regarding sex differences in the morphology of these
      structures. We describe the morphology of the PQ and AIN and compare PQ and AIN
      findings in male and female specimens. Methods Twenty-five cadaveric upper
      extremities underwent loupe-aided dissection of the volar forearm with
      identification of the AIN and PQ. A digital photograph taken perpendicular to the
      volar surface of the forearm was used to measure the PQ and assess AIN morphology
      using ImageJ (National Institutes of Health; Bethesda, MD). Comparisons between
      male and female specimens were performed. Results Of the 25 specimens, 84%
      appeared as a single trapezoidal muscle bundle, with the remaining 16%
      demonstrating a double-bundle morphology. The PQ was a mean 3.8 +/- 0.5 cm in
      radial-ulnar width and 4.6 +/- 0.7 cm in proximal-distal length with a mean
      thickness, area, and volume of 0.6 +/- 0.2 cm, 18.2 +/- 4.8 cm(2), and 10.5 +/-
      3.7 cm(3), respectively. The PQ branch of the AIN was a mean 3.8 +/- 1.1 cm long
      and had a mean diameter of 1.4 +/- 0.2 mm. Male specimens demonstrated
      significantly greater radial-ulnar width (p = 0.005), area (p = 0.006), and
      volume (p = 0.033) of the PQ, as well as a greater distance from the radial
      styloid to the distal arborization of the AIN (p = 0.005) compared with female
      specimens. Conclusions The current study informs hand surgeons of the morphologic
      variability and sexual dimorphism of the PQ and AIN and may help guide operative
      planning. 

PMID- 26261745
TI  - Anatomic Considerations for Plating of the Distal Ulna.
AB  - Purpose The purpose of our study was to examine the anatomy of the distal ulna
      and identify an interval that would be amenable to plating and would not cause
      impingement during wrist rotation nor irritation to the extensor carpi ulnaris
      (ECU) tendon. Methods Six cadaveric forearms were dissected and the arc of the
      articular surface of the distal ulna was measured. The distal ulna was divided up
      as a clock face, with the ulnar styloid being assigned the 12 o'clock position,
      and the location of the ECU was identified accordingly. The distance from the
      ulnar styloid to where the dorsal sensory ulnar nerve crosses from volar to
      dorsal was also measured. Based on these measurements a safe zone was defined.
      Results A safe zone was identified between the 12 and 2 o'clock position on the
      right wrist, and between the 10 and 12 o'clock on the left wrist. The dorsal
      sensory branch of the ulnar nerve crossed from volar to dorsal position at a
      variable location near the ulnar styloid. Two commercially available plates were
      utilized and could be placed in our designated interval and did not cause
      impingement when the forearm was rotated fully. Conclusion Our study demonstrates
      a location for plating of the distal ulna that avoids impingement during forearm
      rotation and that is outside of the footprint of the ECU subsheath. Clinical
      Relevance Plating of the distal ulna may be necessary with distal ulna fracture,
      and although plate placement may be dictated by the fracture pattern, it is
      important to understand the implications of plate placement. Although the ideal
      plate may not be possible because of comminution, the patient can be educated in
      regards to potential for tendon irritation, loss of motion, or need for hardware
      removal. 

PMID- 26261746
TI  - Treatment of Scaphoid Waist Nonunion Using Olecranon Bone Graft and Stryker Asnis
      Micro Cannulated Screw: A Retrospective Study-80 Case Studies and 6 Years of
      Follow-Up.
AB  - Background Screw fixation and bone grafting are the gold standard for scaphoid
      waist nonunion without avascular necrosis. Question/Purpose Assesses the scaphoid
      waist nonunion healing rate with use of an uncommon cancellous bone graft
      (olecranon) and an unusual fixation system (Asnis Micro Cannulated Screw System;
      Stryker Inc., Kalamazoo, MI, USA). Material and Methods A series of 102
      consecutive patients were treated for scaphoid waist nonunion (without
      deformity). Of these, 80 patients subjected to clinical (Modified Mayo Wrist
      Score (MMWS), Jamar hydraulic dynamometer) and radiographic examination before
      and after surgery were evaluated. Ipsilateral olecranon cancellous bone graft and
      the ASNIS Micro 3.0-mm diameter screw, were used. The average follow up was 6
      years (min 3; max 10). Results Radiographic consolidation was achieved in 90% of
      patients; dorsal intercalated segment instability (DISI) deformities were
      corrected in 71.4% of cases. Ninety percent improved the range of motion of the
      wrist and grip strength. All patients showed a significant reduction of peak
      force in the operated hand. In 6.25% we observed clinical and radiographic screw
      head-trapezium impingement. Twenty-six patients developed a degenerative wrist
      sign. The MMWS yielded 68 optimal, 8 good, and 4 bad results. Conclusions To
      treat scaphoid waist nonunions without misalignment, low-profile headed screw and
      olecranon bone graft allowed a high consolidation rate with positive results to
      long-term follow-up. The Asnis Micro 3.0 mm diameter screw may be a suitable
      option for treating scaphoid waist nonunion. Level of Evidence IV. 

PMID- 26261747
TI  - Pulley Reconstruction As Part of the Surgical Treatment for de Quervain Disease:
      Surgical Technique with Medium-Term Results.
AB  - Background Simple decompression of the first extensor compartment is commonly
      used for treating de Quervain disease, with the possible complication of
      subluxation of the tendons of the abductor pollicis longus (APL) and extensor
      pollicis brevis (EPB) over the radial styloid. To prevent this painful
      subluxation of the tendons, several methods of reconstructing the pulley have
      been proposed. Questions/Purposes The purpose of our study was to evaluate a new
      technique for reconstructing the first extensor compartment following a release
      for de Quervain disease. Patients and Methods A retrospective study (mean length
      40.4 months) was performed in 45 patients. The outcome assessment involved two
      different questionnaires and ultrasound evaluation of any tendon subluxation.
      Results None of the patients required reoperation for tendon instability or
      incomplete decompression of the first extensor compartment. Two patients
      experienced clicking around the radial styloid after surgery. This was not
      related to the amount of volar migration of the tendons. Conclusions We believe
      the reconstruction proposed here is an effective method of preventing painful
      subluxation of the APL and EPB following a release of the first extensor
      compartment. 

PMID- 26261748
TI  - Is Bone Grafting Necessary in the Treatment of Malunited Distal Radius Fractures?
AB  - Background Open wedge osteotomy with bone grafting and plate fixation is the
      standard procedure for the correction of malunited distal radius fractures. Bone
      grafts are used to increase structural stability and to enhance new bone
      formation. However, bone grafts are also associated with donor site morbidity,
      delayed union at bone-graft interfaces, size mismatch between graft and osteotomy
      defect, and additional operation time. Purpose The goal of this study was to
      assess bone healing and secondary fracture displacement in the treatment of
      malunited distal radius fractures without the use of bone grafting. Methods
      Between January 1993 and December 2013, 132 corrective osteotomies and plate
      fixations without bone grafting were performed for malunited distal radius
      fractures. The minimum follow-up time was 12 months. Primary study outcomes were
      time to complete bone healing and secondary fracture displacement. Preoperative
      and postoperative radiographs during follow-up were compared with each other, as
      well as with radiographs of the uninjured side. Results All 132 osteotomies
      healed. In two cases (1.5%), healing took more than 4 months, but reinterventions
      were not necessary. No cases of secondary fracture displacement or hardware
      failure were observed. Significant improvements in all radiographic parameters
      were shown after corrective osteotomy and plate fixation. Conclusion This study
      shows that bone grafts are not required for bone healing and prevention of
      secondary fracture displacement after corrective osteotomy and plate fixation of
      malunited distal radius fractures. Level of evidence Therapeutic, level IV, case
      series with no comparison group. 

PMID- 26261749
TI  - Determination of the Central Axis of the Scaphoid.
AB  - Purpose Determine the central axis of the scaphoid and its relation to
      surrounding anatomic landmarks to facilitate internal fixation of the scaphoid.
      Methods Seventeen cadaveric dissections of the wrist were performed. Measurements
      of the height and width of the proximal pole, waist, and distal pole were made.
      The midpoint of the height and width of each measurement were plotted on a
      scatter plot graph and a forecast line was developed. The formula of the
      resultant line was used to calculate the position of the central axis at the
      proximal pole, waist, and distal pole. The inverse tangent of the slope of the
      line was then used to determine the angle of the line from proximal to distal.
      Results The average central axis fell along a line measuring at points from the
      ulnar to the radial border and from the dorsal to the volar border of the
      proximal pole, waist, and distal pole at 7.86 mm, 7.61 mm, and 7.31 mm
      respectively; an angle of 13.78 degrees from ulnar to radial and dorsal to volar.
      The proximal point can be determined by measuring ~44 mm radially from the ulnar
      styloid along the watershed line of the radius and 14 mm volar from the dorsal
      tip of the Lister tubercle. The distal point can be determined by measuring ~4 mm
      ulnar from a line extending distally from the volar radial corner, and 7 mm volar
      from the most dorsal point of the combined surface of the trapezium and
      triquetrum. No significant difference existed between male and female specimens.
      Conclusions The central axis of the scaphoid can be described to exist along a
      line extending from the relative central point of the proximal pole, measured
      7.86 mm radial from the scapholunate ligament and 8.31 mm volar of the most
      dorsal point; through the waist, and extending to the relative central point of
      the distal pole measured 3.77 mm ulnar of the volar radial corner and 7.36 mm
      volar of the most dorsal point at an angle directed radially and volarly at 13.78
      degrees. Level of Evidence Level III Type of Study Diagnostic/ therapeutic. 

PMID- 26261750
TI  - Distal Oblique Bundle Reinforcement for Treatment of DRUJ Instability.
AB  - Background Chronic, dynamic bidirectional instability in the distal radioulnar
      joint (DRUJ) is diagnosed clinically, based on the patient's complaints and the
      finding of abnormal laxity in the vicinity of the distal ulna. In cases where
      malunion is ruled out or treated and there are no signs of osteoarthritis,
      stabilization of the DRUJ may offer relief. To this end, several different
      techniques have been investigated over the past 90 years. Materials and Methods
      In this article we outline the procedure for a new technique using a tendon graft
      to reinforce the distal edge of the interosseous membrane. Description of
      Technique A percutaneous technique is used to harvest the palmaris longus tendon
      and to create a tunnel, just proximal to the sigmoid notch, through the ulna and
      radius in an oblique direction. By overdrilling the radial cortex, the knotted
      tendon can be pulled through the radius and ulna and the knot blocked at the
      second radial cortex, creating a strong connection between the radius and ulna at
      the site of the distal oblique bundle (DOB). The tendon is fixed in the ulna with
      a small interference screw in full supination, preventing subluxation of the ulna
      out of the sigmoid notch during rotation. Results Fourteen patients were treated
      with this novel technique between 2011 and October 2013. The QuickDASH score at
      25 months postoperatively (range 16-38 months) showed an improvement of 32
      points. Similarly, an improvement of 33 points (67-34 months) was found on the
      PRWHE. Only one recurrence of chronic, dynamic bidirectional instability in the
      DRUJ was observed. Conclusion This simple percutaneous tenodesis technique
      between radius and ulna at the position of the distal edge of the interosseous
      membrane shows promise in terms of both restoring stability and relieving
      complaints related to chronic subluxation in the DRUJ. 

PMID- 26261751
TI  - The Impact of Documentation Training on Performance Reporting.
AB  - With the advent of public reporting of clinical performance for physicians, the
      need for accurate documentation is essential. This study tested the hypothesis
      that a short tutorial on five key documentation tips for a group of colorectal
      surgeons could significantly improve their reported clinical performance. Data
      was collected on a total of 626 consecutive inpatients before and after the
      introduction of a short tutorial focusing on five key documentation tips to a
      group of colorectal surgeons. Quality metrics were compared between the two time
      periods. Significant improvements were observed for complications (p = 0.001),
      morbidity (p = 0.046), ileus (p = 0.027), and digestive system complications (p <
      0.01). There was no difference in mortality (p = 0.569) or readmissions (p =
      0.920). A short tutorial focusing on five key documentation tips is associated
      with improvement in the reported clinical performance of colorectal surgeons. 

PMID- 26261752
TI  - Central Cord Syndrome in a Young Patient with Early Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal
      Hyperostosis and Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament after Minor
      Trauma: A Case Report and Review.
AB  - This paper is a case report and literature review. The objective of this article
      is to address a rather unusual case of central cord syndrome in a patient with
      diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis and focal ossification of the posterior
      longitudinal ligament. We also discuss the mechanism of injury in central cord
      syndrome, as well as that specific to involvement of diffuse idiopathic skeletal
      hyperostosis (DISH) and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament
      (OPLL). This case took place at SUNY Upstate Medical University. We report a case
      of a 39-year-old male with early diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis and
      focal ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament, presenting with
      central cord syndrome after minor trauma. The patient presented with
      tetraparesis, predominating with significant distal upper extremity weakness and
      hyperpathia. We performed a C3-6 decompressive laminectomy, with C2 pars screws,
      and C3-7 lateral mass screws. Since surgery, the patient has had a steady
      progressive improvement in neurological function and is currently ambulating with
      a good functional use of his upper extremities. An increased risk of spinal cord
      injury is a known risk in individuals with pre-existing spinal ankylosing. Few
      reports are present citing the contribution of focal OPLL with DISH in this age
      group within the cervical spine contributing to the central cord syndrome. 

PMID- 26261753
TI  - Indices of Regional Brain Atrophy: Formulae and Nomenclature.
AB  - The pattern of brain atrophy helps to discriminate normal age-related changes
      from neurodegenerative diseases. Albeit indices of regional brain atrophy have
      proven to be a parameter useful in the early diagnosis and differential diagnosis
      of some neurodegenerative diseases, indices of absolute regional atrophy still
      have some important limitations. We propose using indices of relative atrophy for
      representing how the volume of a given region of interest (ROI) changes over time
      in comparison to changes in global brain measures over the same time. A second
      problem in morphometric studies is terminology. There is a lack of
      systematization naming indices and the same measure can be named with different
      terms by different research groups or imaging softwares. This limits the
      understanding and discussion of studies. In this technological report, we provide
      a general description on how to compute indices of absolute and relative regional
      brain atrophy and propose a standardized nomenclature. 

PMID- 26261754
TI  - Small Cell Cancer of the Bladder and Prostate: A Retrospective Review from a
      Tertiary Cancer Center.
AB  - BACKGROUND:  Genitourinary small cell cancer (GUSCC) is a rare malignancy. Most
      of the published data on how to manage this malignancy is based on institutional
      experience. We undertook the current retrospective review to determine the
      outcome of the patients with GUSCC treated at CancerCare Manitoba, Canada over a
      period of 18 years. METHODS: The Manitoba Cancer Registry was used to identify
      patients with a confirmed pathological diagnosis of small cell cancer (SCC) of
      the bladder or prostate between January 1, 1995, and October 31, 2013. RESULTS: 
      There were 42 patients identified, 28 bladder SCC (17 limited, 11 extensive
      stage) and 14 prostate SCC (one limited, 12 extensive, and one unknown stage).
      The median age was 70.7 years. There were 22 patients who were treated with
      chemotherapy and radiation, five received radiation only, four received chemo
      only, nine did not receive any treatment, one patient had surgery only, and one
      had surgery and radiation. The median and one-year overall survival for all
      patients was 10.7 months and 43%. The median and one-year overall survival of SCC
      of the bladder was 55.1 months and 71% for the limited stage and 10.1 months and
      36% for the extensive stage. The median and one-year overall survival for
      extensive stage SCC of the prostate was 4.1 months and 17%. There was only one
      patient with limited stage SCC of the prostate who did not receive any treatment
      and died of progressive disease 11 months from diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS:  Our
      findings suggest that patients with limited stage SCC of the bladder can have a
      surprisingly good outcome with multimodality treatment. The outcome of the
      patients with extensive stage SCC of the bladder and prostate remains dismal and
      optimal therapeutic options have yet to be determined.

PMID- 26261755
TI  - Low back pain and patient-reported QOL outcomes in patients with adolescent
      idiopathic scoliosis without corrective surgery.
AB  - PURPOSE: To reveal the prevalence of low back pain (LBP) and association between
      LBP and patient-reported QOL outcomes (JOABPEQ and SRS-22r) in patients with
      adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) without corrective surgery. METHODS: Ninety
      eight female patients with AIS without corrective surgery who answered JOABPEQ,
      SRS-22r, and VAS for LBP were included. The scores of all subdomains in JOABPEQ
      and SRS-22r were calculated. From the standing radiographs, we measured the
      Risser grade and radiographic parameters regarding the curve magnitude, coronal
      and sagittal balance, and spinopelvic alignment. Furthermore, we recorded whether
      the patients were undergoing brace treatment at the time of visiting our
      outpatient clinic. The patients with VAS >30 mm (moderate or severe LBP) were
      designated as Group P; VAS <=30 mm, Group N. All variables were compared between
      the groups. RESULTS: The prevalence of LBP (VAS >0 mm) was 34.7% and that of
      moderate or severe LBP was 16.2%. All subdomain scores in JOABPEQ and those for
      function and pain in SRS-22r were significantly smaller in Group P than Group N.
      The subdomain scores for self-image and satisfaction/dissatisfaction with
      management in SRS-22r did not differ between the groups. The age, Risser grade,
      radiographic parameters, and whether the patients were undergoing brace treatment
      did not differ between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of LBP was 34.7%,
      which was approximately three times higher than that previously reported in
      Japanese pupils without scoliosis. The patients with LBP demonstrated poorer QOL
      outcomes associated with LBP regardless of radiographic parameters, patients'
      self-image and satisfaction with treatment.

PMID- 26261756
TI  - Effects of different stocking densities on performance and activity of cattle *
      yak hybrids along a transhumance route in the Eastern Himalaya.
AB  - Twelve lactating cattle * yak hybrids (B. taurus * B. grunniens) were
      investigated on five experimental pastures (Sites 1-5), following an up- and
      downward transhumance route (3,200, 4,000, 4,500, 4,000 and 2,600 m a.s.l.).
      Hybrids were kept in replicated groups of two (low SD) and four animals per
      paddock (high SD). As a control, yaks (with calves) were included at low SD at
      Sites 2-4. Performance was described by body weight, milk yield and composition.
      Herbage samples as selected by the animals were analyzed. Activity patterns of
      the hybrids were assessed at Sites 2-4. At similar body weight change and milk
      composition, the individual hybrids on average produced 26% less milk at high
      than at low SD. However, at high SD on average still 49% more milk/m(2) of
      pasture area was produced. Milk fat increased with time from 5.4 to 7.1%, milk
      protein decreased from 4.2 to 3.3%. At high SD, the hybrids spent less time
      standing and more time lying. The yaks gained weight at 4,500 m a.s.l. while the
      hybrids lost weight (+836 and -653 g/animal/day, respectively). In conclusion,
      high SD reduced individual milk yield and forced hybrids to spend more time for
      feeding. The yaks apparently had an advantage over the hybrids at very high
      altitude. 

PMID- 26261757
TI  - A Japanese version of the Pearlin and Schooler's Sense of Mastery Scale.
AB  - The aims of this research were to develop a Japanese version of Pearlin and
      Schooler's Sense of Mastery Scale (SOMS) and evaluate its reliability and
      validity. This survey targeted 4,000 men and women aged 25-74 living in Japan as
      of January 1, 2014, categorized them according to the region and size of the city
      in which they lived, randomly extracted 200 municipalities, and randomly
      extracted individuals after categorizing for sex and age based on the resident
      registries of each municipality. 2,067 survey responses were collected (response
      rate 51.7%). We used weighted 7-item (SOMS-7) and 5-item (SOMS-5) versions that
      excludes two reverse items (item6 and 7) from SOMS-7 of the SOMS. From the item
      analysis, the item-total correlation coefficients of the two reverse items (items
      6 and 7) were .03 and .34. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient was also .69 in SOM-7
      and .77 in SOMS-5. The partial correlation coefficients between SOMS and the
      sense of coherence, mental health inventory, self-rated health, and life
      satisfaction were all significant (p < 0.001). The SOMS showed high construct
      validity. SOMS-5 has sufficient reliability. 

PMID- 26261758
TI  - SOX3 expression in the glial system of the developing and adult mouse cerebellum.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The cerebellum plays a vital role in equilibrium, motor control, and
      motor learning. The discrete neural and glial fates of cerebellar cells are
      determined by the molecular specifications (e.g. transcription factors) of
      neuroprogenitor cells that are influenced by local microenvironment signals. In
      this study, we evaluated the expression and function of Sox3, a single-exon gene
      located on the X chromosome, in the developing cerebellum. RESULT: In the
      embryonic and early postnatal cerebellum, SOX3-positive-cells were detected in
      the ventricular zone, indicating that SOX3 expression is present in a subset of
      the cerebellar precursor cell population. In the young adult cerebellum, this
      expression was diminished in cerebellar cells, suggesting its limited role in
      cerebellar progenitors. SOX3-positive-cells were also found in the cerebellar
      mantle zone. Further immunohistochemistry analyses revealed that SOX3 was not
      expressed in Purkinje neurons. Using glial markers in the early postnatal
      cerebellum, we found that virtually all of the SOX3-positive-cells were glial
      cells, although not all glial cells were SOX3-positive-cells. We also determined
      the impact of transgenic expression using a loss-of-function (Sox3 null) model.
      We did not observe any developmental defects in the cerebellum of the Sox3 null
      mice. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the SOX3 protein is not expressed in
      cerebellar neurons and is instead expressed exclusively in the cerebellar glial
      system in a subset of mature glial cells. Although the expression of Sox3
      cerebellar glial development is lineage-restricted, it appears that the absence
      of Sox3 in the ventricular germinal epithelium and migrating glia does not affect
      cerebellar development, suggesting functional redundancy with other SoxB1
      subgroup genes.

PMID- 26261759
TI  - Anterior urethra sparing cystoprostatectomy for bladder cancer: a 10-year, single
      center experience.
AB  - PURPOSE: Decision making regarding the urethra before and after radical
      cystectomy due to urothelial carcinoma has always been controversial. To
      determine whether anterior urethra sparing cystoprostatectomy for bladder cancer
      is an oncologically-safe procedure, we evaluated the long-term oncologic clinical
      outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 51 male patients with cTa-4N0-2M0
      bladder cancer were treated with anterior urethra sparing cystoprostatectomy and
      simultaneous urinary diversion between 2000 and 2013, and underwent follow up for
      4 months or more. We assessed differences in the perioperative outcomes,
      oncologic outcomes and recurrence rates according to the urinary diversion.
      RESULTS: The median patient age and follow-up period were 66 years and 35 months,
      respectively. The 5- and 10-year recurrence free survival (RFS) rates in ileal
      conduit (IC) group vs. orthotopic neobladder reconstruction (NB) group were 45.0
      and 20.3% vs. 39.3 and 19.6%, respectively. Likewise, the 5- and 10-year disease
      specific survival (DSS) were 52.7 and 32.1% vs. 39.3 and 29.5%, respectively.
      Multivariate analysis revealed two independent prognostic factors for RFS and
      DSS, including age at surgery and lymph node status. Local recurrence in the
      remnant anterior urethra occurred in only 1 patient (2.0%) at 57 months after
      surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Our long-term data show that anterior urethra sparing
      cystoprostatectomy is an oncologically-safe procedure regardless of the type of
      urinary diversion in a subset of carefully selected patients with bladder cancer
      without evidence of urothelial carcinoma in the urethra/bladder neck and urethral
      surgical margin.

PMID- 26261760
TI  - Specific characterization of regional storage fat in upper and lower limbs of
      young healthy adults.
AB  - This study aimed to determine the specific characterization of regional storage
      fat in the upper limb as compared to the lower limb of young healthy adults. The
      regional storage fat and skeletal muscle in upper and lower limbs were obtained
      by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and multifrequency bioelectrical impedance
      analysis (BIA). For MRI measurements, images at the continuous anatomical cross
      sectional areas of subcutaneous adipose tissue and skeletal muscle in the upper
      arm and thigh were selected for the analysis. Values measured by MRI were larger
      than those measured by BIA. MRI data showed that the percentage of fat was
      significantly higher in the upper arm compared to the thigh in both men and
      women. This study suggests that BIA results in a significantly different
      estimation of the whole body and limb composition when compared to MRI and that
      MRI is useful to determine regional specificities in the limb composition. From
      these quantified evaluation, we found significantly large amount of regional
      storage fat in upper limbs of young healthy adults, especially women. 

PMID- 26261761
TI  - Assessing drivers of export orientation in the subsea oil and gas industry.
AB  - The purpose of this short study was to identify the drivers of export orientation
      of firms in the subsea oil and gas industry in Western Norway. As the oil fields
      in the North Sea are approaching a stage of maturity, gaining knowledge of these
      drivers is crucial. An online survey was conducted of firms operating in the
      subsea oil and gas industry in the region. Consistent with previous research, the
      data reveal that product innovation and a majority share of international
      ownership increase firms' export rates. The use of instrumental variables
      indicates that both product innovation and international ownership are causes of
      subsea petroleum exports. The study moreover finds that subcontractors have a
      lower rate of direct exports than system providers, but international ownership
      in particular boosts subcontractors' export rates, probably by decreasing their
      market dependency on regional system providers. A clear recommendation for
      managers and stakeholders is that they should encourage foreign investments
      throughout the value chain. The results of such a strategy appear to be
      especially positive for subcontractors. 

PMID- 26261762
TI  - In vitro effects of zinc on the cytokine production from peripheral blood
      mononuclear cells in patients with zinc allergy.
AB  - Metals, such as nickel, cobalt, chromium and zinc, are ubiquitous in the
      environment. Systemic reactions, including hand dermatitis and generalized
      eczematous reactions, can be caused by the dietary ingestion of metals. In this
      study, we aimed to determine whether the cytokine production from peripheral
      blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) obtained from zinc allergy patients can be used
      as a sensitive marker to investigate zinc-allergic contact dermatitis. The
      diagnosis of sensitivity to metal was made based on the results of a metal patch
      test. The PBMCs were stimulated with various concentrations (5-100 MUM) of zinc
      sulfate (ZnSO4) for 24 h. The culture supernatants were collected and analyzed
      using ELISA for measurement of the cytokine production. The levels of IFN-gamma,
      TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-5, IL-13 and MIF were significantly higher in the zinc
      allergic patients (n = 5) than in the healthy controls (n = 5) at 100 MUM of
      ZnSO4 stimulation. Although, patch testing is considered as standard test to
      diagnose metal allergy but false-positive and -negative reactions may limit its
      use in conditions of existing dermatitis. Therefore, this study suggest that in
      support of patch testing the determination of cytokine production using PBMCs
      cultures would be helpful for making an early diagnosis of such conditions. 

PMID- 26261763
TI  - Limited brain magnetic resonance imaging for evaluation of non-traumatic
      pediatric head emergencies.
AB  - Limited brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) consisting of axial fluid
      attenuated inversion recovery, axial diffusion weighted imaging, coronal single
      shot fast spin echo (SSFSE) and sagittal SSFSE can be performed in under 5 min of
      scan time. This approach may provide more information than a non-contrast head
      computed tomography (CT) in non-traumatic pediatric head emergency, avoid
      ionizing radiation from CT scan and stratify patients who need more detailed
      brain MRI. Research studies are required to provide evidence for feasibility of
      such an approach. 

PMID- 26261764
TI  - Blunted perception of dyspnea in asthmatic children: A potential misleading
      criterion.
AB  - Dyspnea (or breathlessness) is a symptom describing a perceived experience of
      breathing discomfort. Children's awareness of dyspnea is variable and there is
      only a poor correlation between the objective respiratory distress measurements
      and the subjectively awareness of dyspnea. Those who do not perceive dyspnea may
      not be motivated to comply with their daily prophylactic treatment. Since dyspnea
      is the main symptom of asthma, and disease management is based largely on the
      description of symptoms between clinic visits, unreliable symptom report may
      mislead decision-making for long-term treatment of asthma. Thus, therapeutic
      decisions should not be taken solely on patients' perception and description of
      dyspnea. 

PMID- 26261765
TI  - Prevention of neural tube defects with folic acid: The Chinese experience.
AB  - Neural tube defects (NTDs) are a group of congenital malformations of the central
      nervous system that are caused by the closure failure of the embryonic neural
      tube by the 28(th) day of conception. Anencephaly and spina bifida are the two
      major subtypes. Fetuses with anencephaly are often stillborn or electively
      aborted due to prenatal diagnosis, or they die shortly after birth. Most infants
      with spina bifida are live-born and, with proper surgical treatment, can survive
      into adulthood. However, these children often have life-long physical
      disabilities. China has one of the highest prevalence of NTDs in the world.
      Inadequate dietary folate intake is believed to be the main cause of the cluster.
      Unlike many other countries that use staple fortification with folic acid as the
      public health strategy to prevent NTDs, the Chinese government provides all women
      who have a rural household registration and who plan to become pregnant with
      folic acid supplements, free of charge, through a nation-wide program started in
      2009. Two to three years after the initiation of the program, the folic acid
      supplementation rate increased to 85% in the areas of the highest NTD prevalence.
      The mean plasma folate level of women during early and mid-pregnancy doubled the
      level before the program was introduced. However, most women began taking folic
      acid supplements when they knew that they were pregnant. This is too late for the
      protection of the embryonic neural tube. In a post-program survey of the women
      who reported folic acid supplementation, less than a quarter of the women began
      taking supplements prior to pregnancy, indicating that the remaining three
      quarters of the fetuses remained unprotected during the time of neural tube
      formation. Therefore, staple food fortification with folic acid should be
      considered as a priority in the prevention of NTDs. 

PMID- 26261766
TI  - Response of levetiracetam in neonatal seizures.
AB  - AIM: To review the clinical response to levetiracetam (LEV) in neonatal seizure
      management in intensive care unit. METHODS: Medical records of neonates who
      received LEV from January 2009 to August 2014 were reviewed. Their demographic
      data, clinical characteristics, etiology, seizures, electroencephalograms,
      response to treatment and outcome were noted. Literature review of use of LEV in
      neonates were also performed via PubMed and EMBASE with keywords - "neonates",
      "seizures", "epilepsy" and "LEV" up to Sep 2014 and retrieved the publications.
      The response rate to LEV was compared. RESULTS: Twelve neonates were identified
      during the study period. All patients received phenobarbitone loading prior to
      consideration of LEV. Seven (58%) and nine (75%) achieved seizure freedom 24 h
      and 72 h after LEV was added, both clinically and electrographically. No serious
      adverse effects were associated with LEV use. From the literature, there are
      total 144 neonates reported to have used LEV. The overall results suggested that
      LEV could control up to 90% of neonatal seizures. CONCLUSION: LEV was found to be
      relatively safe and efficacious in treating neonatal seizures, but might not work
      well in the most severe hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy.

PMID- 26261767
TI  - From bronchiolitis guideline to practice: A critical care perspective.
AB  - Acute viral bronchiolitis is a leading cause of admission to pediatric intensive
      care units, but research on the care of these critically ill infants has been
      limited. Pathology of viral bronchiolitis revealed respiratory obstruction due to
      intraluminal debris and edema of the airways and vasculature. This and clinical
      evidence suggest that airway clearance interventions such as hypertonic saline
      nebulizers and pulmonary toilet devices may be of benefit, particularly in
      situations of atelectasis associated with bronchiolitis. Research to distinguish
      an underlying asthma predisposition in wheezing infants with viral bronchiolitis
      may one day lead to guidance on when to trial bronchodilator therapy. Considering
      the paucity of critical care research in pediatric viral bronchiolitis, intensive
      care practitioners must substantially rely on individualization of therapies
      based on bedside clinical assessments. However, with the introduction of new
      diagnostic and respiratory technologies, our ability to support critically ill
      infants with acute viral bronchiolitis will continue to advance. 

PMID- 26261768
TI  - Opening the doors of the intensive care unit to cancer patients: A current
      perspective.
AB  - The introduction of new treatments for cancer and advances in the intensive care
      of critically ill cancer patients has improved the prognosis and survival. In
      recent years, the classical intensive care unit (ICU) admission comorbidity
      criteria used for this group of patients have been discouraged since the risk
      factors for death that have been studied, mainly the number and severity of
      organic failures, allow us to understand the determinants of the prognosis inside
      the ICU. However, the availability of intensive care resources is dissimilar by
      country, and these differences are known to alter the indications for admission
      to critical care setting. Three to five days of ICU management is warranted
      before making a final decision (ICU trial) to consider keep down intensive
      management of critically ill cancer patients. Nowadays, taking into account only
      the diagnosis of cancer to consider ICU admission of patients who need full
      supporting management is no longer justified. 

PMID- 26261769
TI  - Brain-lung crosstalk: Implications for neurocritical care patients.
AB  - Major pulmonary disorders may occur after brain injuries as ventilator-associated
      pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome or neurogenic pulmonary edema.
      They are key points for the management of brain-injured patients because
      respiratory failure and mechanical ventilation seem to be a risk factor for
      increased mortality, poor neurological outcome and longer intensive care unit or
      hospital length of stay. Brain and lung strongly interact via complex pathways
      from the brain to the lung but also from the lung to the brain. Several
      hypotheses have been proposed with a particular interest for the recently
      described "double hit" model. Ventilator setting in brain-injured patients with
      lung injuries has been poorly studied and intensivists are often fearful to use
      some parts of protective ventilation in patients with brain injury. This review
      aims to describe the epidemiology and pathophysiology of lung injuries in brain
      injured patients, but also the impact of different modalities of mechanical
      ventilation on the brain in the context of acute brain injury. 

PMID- 26261771
TI  - Postoperative fluid management.
AB  - Postoperative care units are run by an anesthesiologist or a surgeon, or a team
      formed of both. Management of postoperative fluid therapy should be done
      considering both patients' status and intraoperative events. Types of the fluids,
      amount of the fluid given and timing of the administration are the main topics
      that determine the fluid management strategy. The main goal of fluid
      resuscitation is to provide adequate tissue perfusion without harming the
      patient. The endothelial glycocalyx dysfunction and fluid shift to extracellular
      compartment should be considered wisely. Fluid management must be done based on
      patient's body fluid status. Patients who are responsive to fluids can benefit
      from fluid resuscitation, whereas patients who are not fluid responsive are more
      likely to suffer complications of over-hydration. Therefore, common use of
      central venous pressure measurement, which is proved to be inefficient to predict
      fluid responsiveness, should be avoided. Goal directed strategy is the most
      rational approach to assess the patient and maintain optimum fluid balance.
      However, accessible and applicable monitoring tools for determining patient's
      actual fluid need should be further studied and universalized. The debate around
      colloids and crystalloids should also be considered with goal directed therapies.
      Advantages and disadvantages of each solution must be evaluated with the
      patient's specific condition. 

PMID- 26261770
TI  - Inhaled hypertonic saline for cystic fibrosis: Reviewing the potential evidence
      for modulation of neutrophil signalling and function.
AB  - Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a multisystem disorder with significantly shortened life
      expectancy. The major cause of mortality and morbidity is lung disease with
      increasing pulmonary exacerbations and decline in lung function predicting
      significantly poorer outcomes. The pathogenesis of lung disease in CF is
      characterised in part by decreased airway surface liquid volume and subsequent
      failure of normal mucociliary clearance. This leads to accumulation of viscous
      mucus in the CF airway, providing an ideal environment for bacterial pathogens to
      grow and colonise, propagating airway inflammation in CF. The use of nebulised
      hypertonic saline (HTS) treatments has been shown to improve mucus clearance in
      CF and impact positively upon exacerbations, quality of life, and lung function.
      Several mechanisms of HTS likely improve outcome, resulting in clinically
      relevant enhancement in disease parameters related to increase in mucociliary
      clearance. There is increasing evidence to suggest that HTS is also beneficial
      through its anti-inflammatory properties and its ability to reduce bacterial
      activity and biofilm formation. This review will first describe the use of HTS in
      treatment of CF focusing on its efficacy and tolerability. The emphasis will then
      change to the potential benefits of aerosolized HTS for the attenuation of
      receptor mediated neutrophil functions, including down-regulation of oxidative
      burst activity, adhesion molecule expression, and the suppression of neutrophil
      degranulation of proteolytic enzymes. 

PMID- 26261772
TI  - Heparin induced thrombocytopenia in critically ill: Diagnostic dilemmas and
      management conundrums.
AB  - Thrombocytopenia is often noted in critically ill patients. While there are many
      reasons for thrombocytopenia, the use of heparin and its derivatives is
      increasingly noted to be associated with thrombocytopenia. Heparin induced
      thrombocytopenia syndrome (HITS) is a distinct entity that is characterised by
      the occurrence of thrombocytopenia in conjunction with thrombotic manifestations
      after exposure to unfractionated heparin or low molecular weight heparin. HITS is
      an immunologic disorder mediated by antibodies to heparin-platelet factor 4 (PF4)
      complex. HITS is an uncommon cause of thrombocytopenia. Reported incidence of
      HITS in patients exposed to heparin varies from 0.2% to up to 5%. HITS is rare in
      ICU populations, with estimates varying from 0.39%-0.48%. It is a complex problem
      which may cause diagnostic dilemmas and management conundrum. The diagnosis of
      HITS centers around detection of antibodies against PF4-heparin complexes.
      Immunoassays performed by most pathology laboratories detect the presence of
      antibodies, but do not reveal whether the antibodies are pathological. Platelet
      activation assays demonstrate the presence of clinically relevant antibodies, but
      only a minority of laboratories conduct them. Several anticoagulants are used in
      management of HITS. In this review we discuss the incidence, pathogenesis,
      diagnosis and management of HITS. 

PMID- 26261774
TI  - Myeloproliferative and thrombotic burden and treatment outcome of thrombocythemia
      and polycythemia patients.
AB  - Prospective studies indicate that the risk of microvascular and major thrombosis
      in untreated thrombocythemia in various myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN-T) is
      not age dependent and causally related to platelet-mediated thrombosis in early,
      intermediate and advanced stages of thrombocythemia in MPN-T. If left untreated
      both microvascular and major thrombosis frequently do occur in MPN-T, but can
      easily be cured and prevented by low dose aspirin as platelet counts are above
      350 * 10(9)/L. The thrombotic risk stratification in the retrospective Bergamo
      study has been performed in 100 essential thrombocythemia (ET) patients not
      treated with aspirin thereby overlooking the discovery in 1985 of aspirin
      responsive platelet-mediated arteriolar and arterial thrombotic tendency in MPN-T
      disease of ET and polycythemia vera (PV) patients. The Bergamo definition of high
      thrombotic risk and its persistence in the 2012 International Prognostic Score
      for ET is based on statistic mystification and not applicable for low and
      intermediate MPN-T disease burden in ET and PV patients on aspirin. With the
      advent of molecular screening of MPN patients, MPN-T disease associated with
      significant leukocytosis, thrombocytosis, constitutional symptoms and/or moderate
      splenomegaly are candidates for low dose peglyated interferon (Pegasys(R), 45
      MUg/mL once per week or every two weeks) as the first line myeloreductive
      treatment option in JAK2(V617F) mutated MPN-T disease in ET and PV patients. If
      non-responsive to or side effects induced by IFN, hydroxyurea is the second line
      myelosuppressive treatment option in JAK2(V617F) mutated ET and PV patients with
      increased MPN-T disease burden. 

PMID- 26261773
TI  - Steps to consider in the approach and management of critically ill patient with
      spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage.
AB  - Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage is a type of stroke associated with poor
      outcomes. Mortality is elevated, especially in the acute phase. From a
      pathophysiological point of view the bleeding must traverse different stages
      dominated by the possibility of re-bleeding, edema, intracranial hypertension,
      inflammation and neurotoxicity due to blood degradation products, mainly
      hemoglobin and thrombin. Neurological deterioration and death are common in early
      hours, so it is a true neurological-neurosurgical emergency. Time is brain so
      that action should be taken fast and accurately. The most significant prognostic
      factors are level of consciousness, location, volume and ventricular extension of
      the bleeding. Nihilism and early withdrawal of active therapy undoubtedly
      influence the final result. Although there are no proven therapeutic measures,
      treatment should be individualized and guided preferably by pathophysiology. The
      multidisciplinary teamwork is essential. Results of recently completed studies
      have birth to promising new strategies. For correct management it's important to
      establish an orderly and systematic strategy based on clinical stabilization,
      evaluation and establishment of prognosis, avoiding secondary insults and
      adoption of specific individualized therapies, including hemostatic therapy and
      intensive control of elevated blood pressure. Uncertainty continues regarding the
      role of surgery. 

PMID- 26261775
TI  - Intensive care organisation: Should there be a separate intensive care unit for
      critically injured patients?
AB  - In the last two decennia, the mixed population general intensive care unit (ICU)
      with a "closed format" setting has gained in favour compared to the specialized
      critical care units with an "open format" setting. However, there are still
      questions whether surgical patients benefit from a general mixed ICU. Trauma is a
      significant cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. Major or
      severe trauma requiring immediate surgical intervention and/or intensive care
      treatment. The role and type of the ICU has received very little attention in the
      literature when analyzing outcomes from critical injuries. Severely injured
      patients require the years of experience in complex trauma care that only a
      surgery/trauma ICU can provide. Should a trauma center have the capability of a
      separate specialized ICU for trauma patients ("closed format") next to its
      standard general mixed ICU. 

PMID- 26261777
TI  - Landiolol, an ultra-short-acting beta1-blocker, is useful for managing
      supraventricular tachyarrhythmias in sepsis.
AB  - AIM: To investigate whether landiolol, an ultra-short-acting beta1-antagonist,
      can safely and effectively control heart rate in septic patients with
      supraventricular tachyarrhythmias. METHODS: We reviewed all patients with sepsis
      who admitted to our intensive care unit between January 2006 and December 2011.
      Sixty one septic patients suffered from supraventricular tachyarrhythmias (heart
      rate >= 120 bpm for > 1 h). Among 61 patients, 39 patients were treated with
      landiolol (landiolol group) and 22 patients were not treated with landiolol
      (control group). Arterial pressure, heart rate, cardiac rhythm, pulmonary
      arterial pressure and cardiac output (if a pulmonary arterial catheter was
      inserted) were compared between the 2 groups at 1, 8 and 24 h after the
      initiation of tachyarrhythmias. RESULTS: Mean age and Acute Physiology and
      Chronic Health Evaluation II and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores were
      similar between the 2 groups. Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation/flutter (87%),
      paroxysmal atrial tachycardia (10%), and paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia
      (3%) were observed. The initial landiolol dose administered was 6.3 +/- 5.8 g/kg
      per minute. Rapid and substantial reduction of heart rate was observed in the
      landiolol group without any deterioration of hemodynamics. Landiolol
      significantly reduced heart rate (from 145 +/- 14 bpm to 90 +/- 20 bpm) compared
      to the control group (from 136 +/- 21 bpm to 109 +/- 18 bpm, P < 0.05). The
      conversion to sinus rhythm was observed more frequently in the landiolol group
      than in the control group at every point (P < 0.01 at 8 h; P < 0.05 at 1 and 24
      h). CONCLUSION: Landiolol safely reduced heart rate and, in part, converted to
      sinus rhythm in septic patients with supraventricular tachyarrhythmias.

PMID- 26261776
TI  - Severe scrub typhus infection: Clinical features, diagnostic challenges and
      management.
AB  - Scrub typhus infection is an important cause of acute undifferentiated fever in
      South East Asia. The clinical picture is characterized by sudden onset fever with
      chills and non-specific symptoms that include headache, myalgia, sweating and
      vomiting. The presence of an eschar, in about half the patients with proven scrub
      typhus infection and usually seen in the axilla, groin or inguinal region, is
      characteristic of scrub typhus. Common laboratory findings are elevated liver
      transaminases, thrombocytopenia and leukocytosis. About a third of patients
      admitted to hospital with scrub typhus infection have evidence of organ
      dysfunction that may include respiratory failure, circulatory shock, mild renal
      or hepatic dysfunction, central nervous system involvement or hematological
      abnormalities. Since the symptoms and signs are non-specific and resemble other
      tropical infections like malaria, enteric fever, dengue or leptospirosis,
      appropriate laboratory tests are necessary to confirm diagnosis. Serological
      assays are the mainstay of diagnosis as they are easy to perform; the reference
      test is the indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) for the detection of IgM
      antibodies. However in clinical practice, the enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay
      is done due to the ease of performing this test and a good sensitivity and
      sensitivity when compared with the IFA. Paired samples, obtained at least two
      weeks apart, demonstrating a >= 4 fold rise in titre, is necessary for
      confirmation of serologic diagnosis. The mainstay of treatment is the
      tetracycline group of antibiotics or chloramphenicol although macrolides are used
      alternatively. In mild cases, recovery is complete. In severe cases with multi
      organ failure, mortality may be as high as 24%. 

PMID- 26261778
TI  - Outcomes of critically ill cancer patients with Acinetobacter baumannii
      infection.
AB  - AIM: To describe the intensive care unit (ICU) outcomes of critically ill cancer
      patients with Acinetobacter baumannii (AB) infection. METHODS: This was an
      observational study that included 23 consecutive cancer patients who acquired AB
      infections during their stay at ICU of the National Cancer Institute of Mexico
      (INCan), located in Mexico City. Data collection took place between January 2011,
      and December 2012. Patients who had AB infections before ICU admission, and
      infections that occurred during the first 2 d of ICU stay were excluded. Data
      were obtained by reviewing the electronic health record of each patient. This
      investigation was approved by the Scientific and Ethics Committees at INCan.
      Because of its observational nature, informed consent of the patients was not
      required. RESULTS: Throughout the study period, a total of 494 critically ill
      patients with cancer were admitted to the ICU of the INCan, 23 (4.6%) of whom
      developed AB infections. Sixteen (60.9%) of these patients had hematologic
      malignancies. Most frequent reasons for ICU admission were severe sepsis or
      septic shock (56.2%) and postoperative care (21.7%). The respiratory tract was
      the most frequent site of AB infection (91.3%). The most common organ dysfunction
      observed in our group of patients were the respiratory (100%), cardiovascular
      (100%), hepatic (73.9%) and renal dysfunction (65.2%). The ICU mortality of
      patients with 3 or less organ system dysfunctions was 11.7% (2/17) compared with
      66.6% (4/6) for the group of patients with 4 or more organ system dysfunctions (P
      = 0.021). Multivariate analysis identified blood lactate levels (BLL) as the only
      variable independently associated with in-ICU death (OR = 2.59, 95%CI: 1.04-6.43,
      P = 0.040). ICU and hospital mortality rates were 26.1% and 43.5%, respectively.
      CONCLUSION: The mortality rate in critically ill patients with both HM, and AB
      infections who are admitted to the ICU is high. The variable most associated with
      increased mortality was a BLL >= 2.6 mmol/L in the first day of stay in the ICU.

PMID- 26261779
TI  - Erratum: MLTJ 1/15: Pilot experimental study on amniotic epithelial mesenchymal
      cell transplantation in natural occurring tendinopathy in horses.
      Ultrasonographic and histological comparison.
AB  - [This corrects the article on p. 5 in vol. 5, PMID: 25878980.]. 

PMID- 26261780
TI  - Retraction.
AB  - [This retracts the article on p. 471 in vol. 4, PMID: 25767786.][This retracts
      the article on p. 471 in vol. 4, PMID: 25767786.]. 

PMID- 26261781
TI  - Publish and perish. Publish and be damned. Caveat the Author.

PMID- 26261782
TI  - Quantitative bi-component T2* analysis of histologically normal Achilles tendons.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: the aim of this pilot study was to implement ultrashort echo time
      (UTE) MRI with bi-component analysis on grossly normal Achilles tendons with
      histologic correlation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: six tendon samples which were
      grossly normal on visual inspection and palpation were harvested. A 2D UTE pulse
      sequence was implemented on a 3T MR scanner and bi-component and single-component
      T2* analysis was performed. Tendon samples were histologically processed and
      evaluated. RESULTS: mean short T2* fraction was 79.2% (95% confidence interval
      [CI], 70.1 - 88.3%), mean short T2* was 1.8 ms (95% CI, 1.3 - 2.3 ms), mean long
      T2* fraction was 20.8% (95% CI, 11.7 - 29.9%), mean long T2* was 9.2 ms (95% CI,
      5.1 - 13.3 ms), and mean single-component T2* was 2.5 ms (95% CI, 1.8 - 3.1 ms).
      DISCUSSION: 2D UTE MRI with bi-component and single-component T2* analysis was
      successfully implemented. Inter-individual variation can be demonstrated in
      grossly and histologically normal Achilles tendons.

PMID- 26261783
TI  - Influence of a lower leg brace on traction force in healthy and ruptured Achilles
      tendons.
AB  - BACKGROUND: we investigated how ruptured Achilles tendons are loaded in a brace.
      There is an ongoing discussion whether patients should be recommended to bear
      weight on the injured limb. However, little is known about the effects of bracing
      on tensional loading of the healing Achilles tendon: it is uncertain if load
      bearing actually stresses the Achilles tendon inside a brace. METHODS: we
      measured plantar flexion moment inside the brace, in order to estimate tensional
      loading of the tendon, by use of an insole with pressure transducers. RESULTS:
      after wearing the brace for 1 hour, young healthy individuals reduced their
      maximum flexion moment during gait by half. Patients with Achilles tendon rupture
      showed no measurable flexion moment during gait with the brace, 4 or 7 weeks
      after injury. Only when specifically instructed, they could produce a
      considerable plantar flexion moment. We noted that gait speed with the brace at 4
      weeks correlated with a heel-raise functional test at 1 year: the higher the
      spontaneous gait speed, the less the functional difference between the injured
      and the uninjured leg (r(2)=0.68; p=0.002). CONCLUSION: the correlation with gait
      speed suggests that the patients' general physical aptness has an impact on the
      end result.

PMID- 26261784
TI  - Clinical assessment is sufficient to allow outcome evaluation following surgical
      management of Achilles tendon ruptures.
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: cross-sectional study in otherwise healthy athletic adults with a
      unilateral Achilles tendon rupture. OBJECTIVES: define the relationships of
      active range of motion, calf circumference or number of heel raises to a full set
      of isokinetic parameters. BACKGROUND: Achilles tendon ruptures commonly occur
      during sports and create a considerable amount of morbidity. The benefits of
      different treatments are difficult to determine. Complex and expensive isokinetic
      testing is often required. If a simple force measurement could replace this
      testing, large clinical trials would be more easily feasible. METHODS: 74
      patients with acute Achilles tendon rupture and surgical treatment were evaluated
      retrospectively. Active range of motion (ROM), ratio of ROM, number of heel
      raises, ratio of heel raises, calf circumference and isokintetic measurements
      were recorded. Regression using a Bayesian elastic net showed the most important
      correlations. RESULTS: Active range of motion showed a significant correlation to
      peak torque angle at flexion and extension as well as increased sports activity.
      There was a negative correlation to percutaneous therapy. Active Heel raise
      showed a positive correlation to peak torque at dorsal extension and increased
      sports activity as well as a negative correlation to high postoperative pain,
      where as calf circumference was positive correlated to peak torque at dorsal
      extension and body height as well as negative correlated to female gender.
      CONCLUSION: device independent measures, like range of Motion, and amount of Heel
      raise, are an excellent tool providing similar information compared to isokinetic
      testing and could be used to evaluate clinical outcome after Achilles tendon
      rupture.

PMID- 26261785
TI  - High volume image-guided injections and structured rehabilitation improve greater
      trochanter pain syndrome in the short and medium term: a combined retrospective
      and prospective case series.
AB  - BACKGROUND: the aim of this study was to measure the effects of high volume image
      guided injections and structured rehabilitation (HVIGI&SR) for greater trochanter
      pain syndrome (GTPS). METHODS: 31 consecutive subjects were recruited (23
      retrospectively; 8 prospectively) over 5 months. GTPS was diagnosed based on
      history and examination findings, alongside radiological examination. The HVI-GI
      used a 22-gauge spinal needle to administer 10ml of 0.5% Marcaine and 50 mg
      hydrocortisone just deep to the periosteum underlying the gluteal tendon
      insertion under ultrasound guidance, followed by structured rehabilitation. A
      visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain was used as the main outcome measure.
      RESULTS: the mean VAS improved from 81.7 mm (+/-17.6) to 42.3 mm (+/-28.3),
      (p<0.05) in the prospective subjects at a mean of 6 weeks, considered clinically
      significant. In the retrospective subjects the mean VAS had improved from 74.6
      (+/-10.9) mm to 38.2(+/-31.2) mm at two weeks (p<0.01) and 31.3 (+/-27.6) mm at
      the final time point, a mean of 60 weeks (p<0.01). The Hip and Groin Outcome
      Score in the prospective group showed a non-significant increase from 173.2 to
      296.1 (p=0.12). CONCLUSION: HVIGI&SR should be considered when short- and medium
      term pain-relieving treatment for GTPS is required. Controlled studies are
      warranted to fully establish effectiveness, and assess long term effects. LEVEL
      OF EVIDENCE: case series.

PMID- 26261786
TI  - Association between patella spurs and quadriceps tendon ruptures.
AB  - BACKGROUND: quadriceps tendon (QT) ruptures are significant injuries that are
      relatively uncommon. The diagnosis of QT ruptures is frequently missed or
      delayed. An association between the presence of a patella spur and QT ruptures
      has been suggested in the literature. PATIENTS AND METHODS: the Hospital
      Inpatient Enquiry system was used to gather data on all patients who sustained a
      QT rupture over a six year period from 2008 to 2014. A retrospective review of
      the medical notes as well as radiographs was undertaken. We reviewed 200 knee
      radiographs of patients without QT ruptures to establish the incidence of patella
      spurs in our normal population. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS
      version 11.5 for Windows((r)). RESULTS: the records of 20 consecutive patients
      with 21 QT ruptures were reviewed. The mean age was 60.9 yrs (range 44.9-82.1
      yrs) and the majority were male (n=17; 85%). There was one bilateral QT ruptures.
      Patella spurs were noted in 13 cases (62%) which were significantly higher than
      in patients without QT rupture 19% (P<=0.05). CONCLUSION: we noted a
      significantly higher incidence of patella spurs in patients with QT ruptures
      compared to those without. The presence of a QT rupture should be ruled out in
      patients with a knee injury and a patella spur on the knee radiographs.

PMID- 26261787
TI  - Platelet-rich plasma as a treatment for chronic patellar tendinopathy: comparison
      of a single versus two consecutive injections.
AB  - BACKGROUND: platelet-rich-plasma is increasingly used in chronic patellar
      tendinopathy. Ideal number of PRP injections needed is not yet established. This
      study compares the clinical outcomes of a single versus two consecutive PRP
      injections. METHOD: between December 2009 and January 2012, 40 athletes with
      proximal patellar tendinopathy were treated by PRP injection. Patients received
      single (20 patients) or two PRP injections 2 weeks apart (20 patients). All
      patients underwent prospective clinical evaluation, including Victorian Institute
      of Sport Assessment-Patella (VISA-P) score, visual analog scale (VAS) for pain,
      and Tegner scale before PRP and after a minimum of 2 year follow-up. RESULTS: 9
      patients failed PRP treatment and needed surgery. 1 patient was lost to follow
      up. For the remaining patients, the VISA-P, VAS, and Tegner scores all
      significantly improved from 35.2 to 78.5 (p = 0.0001), 6.6 to 2.4 (p = 0.0001),
      and 4.8 to 6.9 (p = 0.0003). Patients who received two injections had better
      scores than those who received single injection with VAS of 1.07 versus 3.7 (p =
      0.0005), Tegner score of 8.1 versus 5.9 (p = 0.0003) and VISA-P of 93.2 versus
      65.7 (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: two consecutive PRP injections in chronic
      patellar tendinopathy showed better improvement in outcomes when compared to
      single injection. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: randomized prospective consecutive series,
      Level 2.

PMID- 26261788
TI  - The molecular systemic and local effects of intra-tendinous injection of Platelet
      Rich Plasma in tendinosis: preliminary results on a rat model with ELISA method.
AB  - PURPOSE: the aim of our study was thus to quantify the effect of Platelet Rich
      Plasma (PRP) injection on systemic and local growth factors and to identify
      molecular markers in a rat model of patellar and Achilles tendinosis treated with
      PRP. MATERIAL AND METHOD: twenty two rats were used for the study. Two healthy
      rats were used as control (T-). We induced tendinosis (T+) in 20 rats (80 tendons
      by injecting under ultrasonography (US) guidance Collagenase 1(r) (day 0 = D0,
      patellar=40 and Achilles=40). At D3, these 20 rats with tendinosis were separated
      in treatment by either PRP (PRPT+, n=28), physiological serum (PST+, n=28,
      control) US-guided intratendinous injection, or without no PRP or PS (T+, n=24,
      control of natural evolution of tendinopathy). Follow-up at D7, D13, D18 and D25
      using serum sample and local tendon removal with ELISA technics and comparison
      between the 3 groups were performed. RESULTS: during biological follow up,
      comparison of all serum samples of PRPT+, PST+ and T+ groups showed no
      significant modification of their biological markers at D7, D13, D18 and D25
      (p>0.22). Comparison of immunological sample tendon markers of PRPT+, PST+ and T+
      groups also showed no significant modification of markers at D7, D13, D18 and D25
      (p>0.16) considering each biological marker and also all subgroups confounded.
      CONCLUSION: our study strongly suggests that a single intratendinous US-guided
      injection of PRP in Achilles and patellar T+ doesn't increase biological markers
      such as growth factors compared to a control group in mid-term and long-term
      follow-up.

PMID- 26261789
TI  - Muscle atrophy and fatty infiltration after an acute rotator cuff repair in a
      sheep model.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: rotator cuff tears (RCTs) are the most common tendon injury seen in
      orthopedic patients. Muscle atrophy and fatty infiltration of the muscle are
      crucial factors that dictate the outcome following rotator cuff surgery. Though
      less studied in humans, rotator cuff muscle fibrosis has been seen in animal
      models as well and may influence outcomes as well. The purpose of this study was
      to determine if the rotator cuff would develop muscle changes even in the setting
      of an acute repair in a sheep model. We hypothesized that fatty infiltration and
      fibrosis would be present even after an acute repair six months after initial
      surgery. METHODS: twelve female adult sheep underwent an acute rotator cuff tear
      and immediate repair on the right shoulder. The left shoulder served as a control
      and did not undergo a tear or a repair. Six months following acute rotator cuff
      repairs, sheep muscles were harvested to study atrophy, fatty infiltration, and
      fibrosis by histological analysis, western blotting, and reverse transcription
      polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: the repair group demonstrated an
      increase expression of muscle atrophy, fatty infiltration, and fibrosis related
      genes. Significantly increased adipocytes, muscle fatty infiltration, and
      collagen deposition was observed in rotator cuff muscles in the tendon repair
      group compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: rotator cuff muscle undergoes
      degradation changes including fatty infiltration and fibrosis even after the
      tendons are repair immediately after rupture. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Basic Science
      Study.

PMID- 26261790
TI  - Bone morphogenetic protein signaling in rotator cuff muscle atrophy and fatty
      infiltration.
AB  - BACKGROUND: reduced mass (atrophy) and increased fat content (fatty infiltration)
      of rotator cuff muscles are common complications of large or massive rotator cuff
      (RC) tears, and are believed to be irreversible even after tendon repairs.
      Clinically, both muscle atrophy and fatty infiltration are important factors
      contributing to poor functional outcomes after tendon repairs. The molecular
      mechanism of RC muscle atrophy and FI remains undefined. In this study, we
      investigated the role of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP) signaling in RC muscle
      atrophy and fatty infiltration using a rat model. METHODS: unilateral massive RC
      tears was induced in adult rats. RC muscles were harvested at 2 and 6 weeks after
      injury for BMP signaling analysis. In a separate experiment, BMP inhibitor (LDN
      193189) was injected to rats through daily intraperitoneal injection. RC muscles
      from rats in the treated and control groups were harvested at 6 weeks after
      injury for biochemistry and histology analysis. RESULTS: we found significantly
      increased BMP-14 and BMP-7 expression in rotator cuff muscles after RCT.
      Inhibiting BMP signaling resulted in increased muscle atrophy and reduced fatty
      infiltration in rotator cuff muscle after RC tears. CONCLUSION: this result
      suggests that BMP signaling inhibits RC muscle atrophy but promotes fatty
      infiltration.

PMID- 26261791
TI  - Longitudinal tear of the biceps brachii from peripheral intravenous catheter
      infiltration.
AB  - BACKGROUND: although peripheral intravenous catheter (PIV) infiltration is a
      frequent hospital occurrence, muscle rupture is a previously unknown complication
      of line infiltration. We present the case of a 21-year-old male with a history of
      cystic fibrosis, bilateral lung transplant, and chronic corticosteroid use, with
      longitudinal tear of the biceps brachii muscle as a complication of PIV
      infiltration. METHODS: case report describing a unique case of a longitudinal
      tear of the biceps brachii. RESULTS: magnetic resonance imaging revealed
      longitudinal tear of the biceps brachii with sparing of the proximal and distal
      tendons. Nerve conduction studies and electromyography revealed bicipital
      denervation, most likely due to mechanical compression. CONCLUSION: we
      hypothesize that the patient's chronic corticosteroid use predisposed him to
      muscle injury, as did basilic vein thrombosis caused by PIV infiltration, and
      this combination of factors led to bicipital rupture. To our knowledge, this is
      also the first case report to document longitudinal tear of the biceps brachii
      with sparing of the distal and proximal tendinous insertions of the muscle.

PMID- 26261792
TI  - High magnitude, in vitro, biaxial, cyclic tensile strain induces actin
      depolymerization in tendon cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: the cytoskeleton is a dynamic arrangement of actin filaments that
      maintain cell shape and are vital in mediating the mechanobiological response of
      the cell. METHODS: to determine the cytoskeletal response to varying in vitro,
      biaxial stretch amplitudes, rat-tail tendon cells were paired into control and
      cyclically strained groups of 4.75, 9.5, or 12% strain at 1 Hz for 2 hours and
      the actin cytoskeleton stained. The cells were analyzed for actin staining
      intensity as a measure of relative depolymerization and for cell shape.
      Collagenase gene expression was measured in cells undergoing 12% cyclic strain at
      1 Hz for 24 hours. RESULTS: there was no significant difference in the degree of
      actin staining intensity between the control group and cells strained at either
      4.75 or 9.5%. However, cells strained at 12% demonstrated a significant decrease
      in actin staining intensity (depolymerization) compared to control cells,
      increased collagenase expression by 81%, and a clear shift towards a more rounded
      cell shape. CONCLUSION: the results of this study demonstrate that the previously
      reported induction of collagenase activity associated with the application of
      high magnitude, in vitro, tensile strains may actually be a result of
      cytoskeletal depolymerization, which causes loss of tensional homeostasis and
      alteration of cell shape.

PMID- 26261793
TI  - Current techniques for management of transverse displaced olecranon fractures.
AB  - BACKGROUND: displaced transverse fractures of the olecranon are the most common
      fractures occurring in the elbow in adults that requires operative intervention.
      METHODS: a literature search was performed on PubMed, Web of Science, Science
      Direct/Scopus, Google Scholar and Google using the keywords 'olecranon',
      'fracture', 'internal fixation' and 'tension band wiring', with no limit for time
      or restrictions to language. RESULTS: thirty-one clinical articles were selected:
      20 retrospective studies, 9 prospective cohort studies, and 2 randomized control
      trials. The CMS ranged from 18 to 66 (mean 41.68): overall, the quality of the
      studies was poor, and no moderate or good quality studies were found. The mean
      follow-up was 46.7 months (range 1 to 350 months). Several complications occurred
      after surgery: prominent hardware, skin breakdown, wire migration and infections
      occurred frequently. Removal of the hardware was required in 472 patients,
      usually after complaints, but also removal was routinely undertaken. CONCLUSIONS:
      tension band wiring is still the most widely applied method to operatively manage
      olecranon fractures, with the transcortical method of using K-wires the most
      satisfactory. Plate fixation is a good alternative as complications are minimal.
      Other techniques using absorbable sutures are less investigated, but are
      promising, especially in children.

PMID- 26261794
TI  - Platelet-rich plasma treatment improves outcomes for chronic proximal hamstring
      injuries in an athletic population.

PMID- 26261795
TI  - Author Response.

PMID- 26261796
TI  - p38 MAPK and PI3K/AKT Signalling Cascades inParkinson's Disease.
AB  - Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic neurodegenerative condition which has the
      second largest incidence rate among all other neurodegenerative disorders barring
      Alzheimer's disease (AD). Currently there is no cure and researchers continue to
      probe the therapeutic prospect in cell cultures and animal models of PD. Out of
      the several factors contributing to PD prognosis, the role of p38 MAPK (Mitogen
      activated protein-kinase) and PI3K/AKT signalling module in PD brains is crucial
      because the impaired balance between the pro- apoptotic and anti-apoptotic
      pathways trigger unwanted phenotypes such as microglia activation,
      neuroinflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis. These factors continue
      challenging the brain homeostasis in initial stages thereby essentially assisting
      the dopaminergic (DA) neurons towards progressive degeneration in PD.
      Neurotherapeutics against PD shall then be targeted against the misregulated
      accomplices of the p38 and PI3K/AKT cascades. In this review, we have outlined
      many such established mechanisms involving the p38 MAPK and PI3K/AKT pathways
      which can offer therapeutic windows for the rectification of aberrant DA neuronal
      dynamics in PD brains. 

PMID- 26261797
TI  - Association Between MTHFR Genetic Variants and Multiple Sclerosis in a Southern
      Iranian Population.
AB  - Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating neuro- inflammatory autoimmune disease
      of the central nervous system. Genetic predisposition has long been suspected in
      the etiology of this disease. The association between MTHFR polymorphisms and MS
      has been ivestigated in different ethnic groups. We investigated the association
      between MTHFR C677T and A1298C missense variants and MS in 180 patients and 231
      age- and gender-matched healthy controls in a Southern Iranian population. The
      mutagenically separated PCR (MS-PCR) and PCR-RFLP methods were used to genotype
      MTHFR at position 677 and 1298, respectively. Compared with controls, we observed
      a strong association between two MTHFR variants and the risk of developing MS.
      Subjects carrying 677T allele (CT and TT genotypes) had increased susceptibility
      to MS as compared to those carrying CC genotype (odds ratio (OR) for CT= 2.9, 95%
      confidence interval (95% CI)= 1.88-4.49; OR for TT= 6.23, 95% CI= 3.08-12.59).
      The variant 1298AC genotype also increased the risk for MS among our study
      population (OR= 2.14, 95% CI= 1.37-3.34). Combined genotype analysis for two
      MTHFR SNPs revealed that compared to the wild type genotypes (677CC/1298AA), 3
      genotypes including TT/AC, CT/AC, and TT/AA were significantly at increased risk
      for MS development (OR= 13.9, 5.3, and 4.9, respectively). Our results suggest a
      possible gene dose- dependent association between MTHFR mutrant alleles and the
      risk of MS development. 

PMID- 26261798
TI  - Elevation of cAMP Levels Inhibits Doxorubicin-Induced Apoptosis in Pre- B ALL
      NALM- 6 Cells Through Induction of BAD Phosphorylation and Inhibition of P53
      Accumulation.
AB  - Recognition of the molecular mechanisms of cAMP action against DNA damage-induced
      apoptosis can be useful to improve the efficacy of DNA damaging therapeutic
      agents. Considering the critical role of bcl-2-associated death promoter (BAD)
      and p53 proteins in DNA damage -induced apoptosis, the aim of this study was to
      assess the effect of cAMP-elevating agents on these proteins in doxorubicin
      treated pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia (pre-B ALL) NALM-6 cells.The pre-B ALL
      cell line NALM-6 was cultured and treated with doxorubicin in combination with or
      without cAMP-elevating agents forskolin and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX).
      Cell viability was measured by trypan blue staining and MTT assay. For evaluation
      of apoptosis, annexin-V staining by flow cytometry and caspase-3 activity assay
      were used. Protein expression of p53, BAD and phoshorylated BAD was detected by
      western blotting analysis.cAMP-increasing agents diminished the doxorubicin
      mediated cytotoxicity in NALM-6 cells as indicated by the viability assays.
      Annexin-V apoptosis assay showed that the cAMP-elevating agents decreased
      doxorubicin-induced apoptosis. Moreover, doxorubicin-induced caspase-3 activity
      was attenuated in the presence of cAMP-increasing agents. Western blot results
      revealed the reduced expression of p53 protein in cells treated with combination
      of cAMP-elevating agents and doxorubicin in contrast to cells treated with
      doxorubicin alone. Expression of total BAD protein was not affected by
      doxorubicin and cAMP-elevating agents. However, phosphorylation of BAD protein
      was induced in the presence of cAMP-elevating agents. Our study suggests that
      elevated cAMP levels inhibit doxorubicin-induced apoptosis in pre-B ALL cells
      through induction of BAD phosphorylation and abrogation of p53 accumulation. 

PMID- 26261799
TI  - APOBEC3 Deletion is Associated with Breast Cancer Risk in a Sample of Southeast
      Iranian Population.
AB  - Breast Cancer (BC) is considered as one of the most important causes of death
      worldwide. Previous studies showed that apolipoprotein B mRNA- editing catalytic
      polypeptide-like 3 (APOBEC3) gene deletion significantly increased the risk of BC
      risk in Chinese and European women. The present study aimed to assess the
      possible impact of APOBEC3 deletion and the risk of BC in a sample of Iranian
      population. The APOBEC3 insertion/deletion (I/D) was analyzed in a case- control
      study including 262 BC patients and 217 healthy women. Polymerase chain reaction
      (PCR) was used to genotype the variant in APOBEC3 gene. The findings of this
      study showed that I/D as well as I/D+D/D genotype increased the risk of BC (OR=
      1.57, 95% CI= 1.07- 2.31, p= 0.025 and OR= 1.50, 95% CI= 1.03- 2.19, p= 0.037,
      respectively) in comparison with I/I genotype. In conclusion, our findings
      suggest that APOBEC3 deletion polymorphism increased the risk of BC in an Iranian
      population in the southeast of Iran. 

PMID- 26261800
TI  - Expression Pattern of Alternative Splicing Variants of Human Telomerase Reverse
      Transcriptase (hTERT) in Cancer Cell Lines Was not Associated with the Origin of
      the Cells.
AB  - Telomerase and systems controlling their activity have been of great attention.
      There are controversies regarding the role of the alternative splicing forms of
      the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), the catalytic subunit of
      telomerase. Therefore, the correlation between telomerase enzyme activity, the
      abundance of alternatively spliced variants of hTERT and doubling time of a
      series of cancer cell lines originated from hematopoietic, breast, colorectal,
      neural, ovarian, lung, kidney, bladder, prostate and head and neck cancers were
      investigated. Expression levels of four different variants of hTERT (the full
      length, alpha-deletion, beta-deletion and alpha/beta-deletion) were
      quantitatively measured by real time PCR. Telomerase activity was determined by
      the telomerase repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) while doubling time of the
      cells measured by plotting growth curves. Results showed high diversity in the
      relative proportions of hTERT transcripts while the majority of the cells
      expressed the full length variant as the main transcript. Telomerase activity
      could not be detected in all cells. Relative assessment of hTERT expression
      showed greater expression of the alpha-deleted variant in the telomerase negative
      cells (P= 0.04). Those cells possessed the alpha/beta-deleted variant to a
      smaller extent when compared to the cells with telomerase activity. Greater
      association between full length spliced variant and beta-variant expression was
      observed in cells presenting telomerase activity (P= 0.0007, r= 0.74). High
      degrees of variation among the studied cells regarding the pattern of hTERT
      expression were present. In spite that, the regulatory roles of hTERT on
      telomerase activity is still a potential to be utilized as targets for cancer
      therapies. 

PMID- 26261801
TI  - Multiple Inherited Thrombophilic Gene Polymorphisms in Spontaneous Abortions in
      Turkish Population.
AB  - The aim of this study was to investigate the possible role of multiple inherited
      thrombophilic gene variations in women with unexplained spontaneous abortions.
      For this purpose, the Factor V Leiden (FVL) (rs6025), Prothrombin G20210A
      (rs1799963), MTHFR C677T (rs1801133), PAI-1 4G/5G (rs1799889), ACE I/D
      (rs1799752), eNOS E298D (rs1799983), and Apo E E2/E3/E4 (rs429358) polymorphisms
      were genotyped and correlated in spontaneously aborted fetal materials, their
      mothers and fertile women. Twenty three abortion materials, 22 women with >=1
      unexplained fetal loss, and 22 control subjects with at least two healthy term
      infants as a control group were studied. Target SNPs for each gene were analyzed
      by real time-PCR technique after genomic DNA isolation from maternal blood-EDTA,
      control group blood-EDTA and spontaneously aborted fetal tissues. Some cases had
      a single thrombophilic polymorphism, but the rest of the patients and fetal
      materials had combined thrombophilic polymorphisms. The PAI-1 4G/5G+4G/4G (P=
      0.0017), 4G/4G (P= 0.0253), eNOS 894GT+894TT (P=0.0011) genotypes and T allele
      (P=0.0185), Apo E E3/E4+E3/E2+E2/E4 (P<0.0001) genotypes, E2 (P<0.0001) and E4
      (P<0.0001) alleles were higher in spontaneously aborted fetal materials when
      compared to their mothers and control group. The Factor V Leiden rs6025,
      Prothrombin G20210A, MTHFR C677T, ACE I/D genotypes were different for each group
      but not statistically significant due to relatively small size of the samples
      (P>0.05). Our results indicated that combined thrombophilic gene variations may
      be associated with increased risk for spontaneous abortions and results need to
      be confirmed by larger sample size. 

PMID- 26261802
TI  - Cytotoxic and Antioxidant Activity of a Set of Hetero Bicylic Methylthiadiazole
      Hydrazones: A Structure-Activity Study.
AB  - The current study highlights the in vitro antioxidant and antitumor activity of
      the previously-synthesized hydrazone derivatives against various free radicals
      and human cancer cell lines, respectively. The anticancer efficacies of the
      compound were tested by measuring cytotoxicity in cancer cell lines HeLa, A549,
      and non-cancerous NL20 cells. Compounds possessing electron-donor methoxy and
      methyl substitutions at the para position of the phenyl ring moiety showed a
      concentration dependent free radical scavenging effects. The free radical
      scavenging potential of synthetic compounds 11 and 14 may have significant impact
      on the prevention of free radical-induced oxidative stress and carcinogenesis.
      The results from cytotoxicity and cell migration assay showed that the
      substitution of electron-withdrawing fluoro, chloro and bromo functional groups
      induced a significant (P< 0.001) loss of cell viability and inhibited the
      invasive potential of the human cancer cells. Additionally, these compounds
      showed significantly (P< 0.05) a less toxicity toward non-cancerous NL20 cells.
      Docking studies revealed interactions of compound 10 with p38alpha MAP kinase,
      which may be responsible of its anti-invasive and anti-proliferative effects. 

PMID- 26261804
TI  - A study to investigate the importance of purses as fomites.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Purses hardly get washed and are discarded, mostly, when they are no
      longer usable. This study aims to investigate whether women's and men's purses
      can serve as fomites. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 145 purses from 80 women
      and 65 men were swabbed and cultured. The bacteria were identified by gram
      staining and with the standard biochemical tests. RESULTS: A total of 138 purses
      (95.2%) showed bacterial contamination, out of which 49.4% had a single growth
      and 50.7% had mixed growth. The material of the purse was found to affect
      bacterial growth. Synthetic purses showed higher mean colony-forming unit (CFU)
      counts (P < 0.05). Micrococcus (64.8%) and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus
      (64.1%) were the most common bacteria isolated, followed by Bacillus spp.
      (13.8%). Micrococcus was found with a higher prevalence on men's purses, while
      Bacillus spp. were more prominent on women's purses (P < 0.05). The difference
      between the rates of bacterial growth from the purses of women and of men was
      found to be statistically significant (57.2% and 44.7%; P < 0.05). Furthermore,
      the mean CFU count was higher for men's purses than for women's purses (P <
      0.05). CONCLUSION: Purses from both men and women are potential vectors for
      transmission of diseases across the community. The use of synthetic purses should
      be discouraged, as they contribute to increased bacterial colonization.

PMID- 26261803
TI  - Virulence Factors Variation Among Bordetella Pertussis Isolates in Iran.

PMID- 26261806
TI  - Molecular typing of Brucella species isolates from Human and livestock bloods in
      Isfahan province.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Human brucellosis is caused by infection with certain species of the
      genus Brucella and is characterized by bacterial persistence and inflammation of
      many host tissues. Handling all live Brucella involves risk of laboratory
      infection and very strict biosafety rules must be observed. In order to avoid
      these disadvantages, method based on the PCR-RFLP shows excellent typeability,
      reproducibility, stability, and epidemiological concordance. The omp2 locus
      contains two gene copies (named omp2a and omp2b) coding for porin proteins and
      has been found particularly useful for molecular typing and identification of
      Brucella at the species, biovar, or strain level. This study is designed to
      evaluate the molecular epidemiology of Brucella spp from human and livestock in
      Isfahan province, central region of Iran in order to use the findings in
      efficient disease prevention programs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred ninety
      blood samples were collected from human and cattle with active brucellosis and 40
      aborted ewes fetuses were collected and genotyped using PCR-RFLP technique, DNA
      polymorphisms such as the restriction patterns of the PCR-amplified omp2a and
      omp2b genes. RESULTS: The molecular characterization performed to assess the
      species and the biovar of the Brucella strains. Analysis of the 230 isolates
      examined in this study generated three unique RFLP profiles. One of the profiles
      was the most common being present in 134/180. CONCLUSION: Our findings confirm
      abundance of B. melitensis, particularly biovar 1 in human and sheep are
      identical but B. abortus biovar 3 as the etiological agent of cattle brucellosis
      most frequently isolated in the Isfahan area.

PMID- 26261805
TI  - Effect of age on the phenotype of metabolic syndrome in developing country.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine how age groups effect on the phenotype
      of metabolic syndrome (MetS) among Iranian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      This cross-sectional study was conducted as part of Isfahan Healthy Heart
      Program. Height, weight, waist circumference, and blood pressure were measured by
      trained health-care professionals. MetS was defined as having three or more of
      the National Cholesterol Education Program III criteria. The relation between
      different age groups and different phenotypes of MetS was examined using the
      multinomial logistic regression. RESULTS: We found low high-density lipoprotein
      cholesterol (HDL-c) was the most common feature, followed by hypertriglyceridemia
      (HTG), abdominal obesity (ABO), hypertension (HTN), and high fasting blood
      glucose in decreasing order of prevalence. The most prevalent combination of MetS
      components was hypertrigeceridemia, low HDL-c and ABO (50.7%) in all subjects and
      especially in younger age group (63.2%). In elder age group, the most prevalent
      three components combination was HTG, Low HDL-c and HTN (43.9%). Logistic
      regression analysis demonstrated that elder subjects were at approximately 12
      times higher risk of having the combination HTG, ABO, low HDL-c, and HTN (P <
      0.001) compared to the middle age subjects who had a lower risk for the same
      combination; (2 [1.49-3.49]) (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study provides a
      nationally representative estimate of the prevalence of different phenotypes of
      MetS across different age groups. Regarding different phenotypes of MetS in
      various age groups need to have important implications in the clinical management
      of these patients and the implementation of public health.

PMID- 26261807
TI  - Comparison of antibacterial activities of cadmium oxide nanoparticles against
      Pseudomonas Aeruginosa and Staphylococcus Aureus bacteria.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Inorganic antibacterial factors have bacterial resistance and high
      thermal stability. Inorganic nanomaterials which have new structures with
      biological, chemical and physical properties have been made since their
      applications due to their nano size. In this study, the antibacterial effect of
      cadmium oxide nanoparticles on Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa
      bacteria was investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The different concentrations
      (10 MUg/ml, 15 MUg/ml and 20 MUg/ml) of cadmium oxide nanoparticles were prepared
      and their effects were studied against considered bacteria in both solid and
      liquid media. RESULTS: The results showed that there is a direct relationship
      between inhibitory effect and amount of consumer dose of nanoparticles.
      Furthermore, it was observed that antibacterial properties of cadmium oxide
      nanoparticles on activity and growth of Staphylococcus aureus was more effective
      than Pseudomonas aeruginosa. CONCLUSION: This study showed that antibacterial
      effects of cadmium oxide nanoparticles on positive gram bacteria are stronger
      than negative gram bacteria and antibacterial effects of cdo nanoparticles
      against both bacteria, but Staphylococcus aureus bacteria were more sensitive to
      nanoparticles as compared to Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

PMID- 26261808
TI  - Effect of family members' voice on level of consciousness of comatose patients
      admitted to the intensive care unit: A single-blind randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Coma is one of the most important complications of brain injury.
      Comatose patients in the intensive care units are exposed to sensory deprivation.
      This study aims to survey the effect of family members' voice on level of
      consciousness of comatose patients hospitalized in the intensive care units.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this single-blind randomized controlled trial, 40
      comatose patients with brain injury with acute subdural hematoma in intensive
      care units were randomly assigned into two groups. The intervention group was
      stimulated twice a day each time 5-15 min with a recorded MP3 from family
      members' voice for 10 days. The patients' level of consciousness was measured
      with Glasgow Coma Scale before and after auditory stimulations. In the control
      group, GCS was measured without auditory stimulation with the same time duration
      like intervention group. Data analysis in software SPSS version 15 and using Chi
      square test, independent t-test, paired t- test and analysis of variance with
      repeated measures was done. RESULTS: On the first day before the intervention,
      there was no a statistically significant difference between the mean of GCS in
      both groups (P = 0.89), but on the tenth day after the intervention, there was a
      significant difference (P = 0.0001) between the mean GCS in both control and
      intervention groups. Also, there was a significant difference between the mean
      daily GCS scores in two groups (P = 0.003). The findings during ten days showed
      the changes in the level of consciousness in the intervention group from the
      4(rd) day of the study were more in the mean daily GCS scores than control group.
      CONCLUSION: This study indicated that family members' voice can increase level of
      consciousness of comatose patients with acute subdural hematoma.

PMID- 26261809
TI  - Protective effects of Echium amoenum Fisch. and C.A. Mey. against cerebral
      ischemia in the rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study was designed to evaluate the protective effect of Echium
      amoenum total anthocyanin extract (ETAE) on partial/transient cerebral ischemia
      in the rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rats received ETAE (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg,
      i.p.) 30 min before the induction of cerebral ischemia. Cerebral ischemia was
      induced by bilateral common carotid arteries occlusion (BCCAO) for 30 min,
      followed by 72 h reperfusion. The neurological deficit, brain performance, and
      sensory motor function were assessed 48 h and 72 h after surgery. After
      sacrification, the brains were evaluated for myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and
      histopathological changes. RESULTS: Our results showed that motor function
      significantly decreased in ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) group as compared to the
      sham group. Histopathological analysis exhibited the shrinkage and atrophy of the
      neurons in I/R group. ETAE at the dose of 200 mg/kg improved spontaneous activity
      and memory induced by cerebral ischemia compared to the control group and also
      decreased brain MPO activity following cerebral ischemia. However, it could not
      affect the ability to climbing, body proprioception, vibrissae touch and brain
      water content. In addition, pretreatment with ETAE at higher doses significantly
      reduced ischemia-induced neuronal loss of the brain. CONCLUSION: The anthocyanin
      rich fraction from E. amoenum was found to have protective effects against some
      brain damages postischemic reperfusion. However, further researches are required
      for investigating the exact mechanisms of the effect of this plant in the
      prevention of cerebral ischemia in human.

PMID- 26261810
TI  - The association between saliva control, silent saliva penetration, aspiration,
      and videofluoroscopic findings in Parkinson's disease patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Dysphagia is a common disorder among patients with Parkinson's
      disease (PD). It occurs in up to 80% of all (PD) patients during the early stages
      of the disease and up to 95% in the advanced stages; but professionals may not
      hear from the patients about dysphagia symptoms until these symptoms reach an
      advanced stage and lead to medical complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty
      three PD patients (mean age 66.09 +/- 9.4 years; 24 men, nine women) participated
      in this study at our Neurology Institute, between April 20, 2013, and October 26,
      2013. They were asked two questions; one about saliva control and the other about
      silent saliva penetration and aspiration. Next, they underwent the
      videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS). RESULTS: The Pearson Correlation
      coefficient between the Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS) scores and question 1
      scores was 0.48 (P < 0.05, =0.25), and there was a significant correlation
      between the PAS scores and question 2 scores, and also question 1 scores +
      question 2 scores (r = 0.589, P < 0.05, =0 and r = 0589, P < 0.05, =0).
      CONCLUSIONS: This study showed a significant correlation between the questions
      about saliva control, silent saliva penetration, and aspiration, and laryngeal
      penetration and aspiration during VFSS. Therefore, by using these two questions,
      the potential silent laryngeal penetration and aspiration during meals could be
      detected before it led to aspiration pneumonia. Taking the benefit of these
      questions, as a part of the swallowing assessment of PD patients, is recommended.

PMID- 26261811
TI  - The effects of unripe grape extract on systemic blood pressure and serum levels
      of superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde and nitric oxide in rat.
AB  - BACKGROUNDS: The new lifestyle increases the incidence of hypertension. In
      Iranian folk medicine, it is believed that Verjuice obtained by unripe grape
      (Vitis vinifera) could control blood pressure. We tested the effects of unripe
      grape extract (UGE) in blood pressure alteration, serum antioxidant level and
      aorta endothelial permeability in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four groups of
      rats were treated daily by placebo and three different doses of UGE (50, 150 and
      300 mg/kg/day). Four weeks later, the animals were anesthetized and catheterized.
      The direct mean arterial, systolic and diastolic pressures (MAP, SP and DP) were
      recorded. The endothelial permeability was determined and the serum levels of
      superoxide dismutase (SOD), malonaldialdehyde (MDA) and nitrite were measured.
      RESULTS: High dose of UGE increased MAP and SP significantly (P < 0.05) when
      compared with the control group. Decrease of MDA and increase of SOD and nitrite
      also were detected statistically in animals treated with high dose of UGE (P <
      0.05). No difference in aorta endothelial permeability was observed between the
      groups. CONCLUSION: The effect of UGE on blood pressure was dose dependent. High
      dose of UGE increased MAP and SP although its antioxidant activity was
      significantly high. Such observation mechanisms need to be defined.

PMID- 26261812
TI  - Molecular identification of Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from intensive care
      units and their antimicrobial resistance patterns.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Acinetobacter baumannii is one of the most important pathogens in
      hospital-acquired infections especially in intensive care units (ICUs). This
      opportunistic pathogen can be easily isolated from water, soil, and hospital
      facilities. A. baumannii as a nosocomial opportunistic pathogen is resistant to a
      wide range of antibiotics and responsible for multiple infections, including
      bacteremia, pneumonia, meningitis, urinary tract infections, and surgical wounds.
      The aim of this study was to determine frequency and resistance patterns of A.
      baumannii isolated in ICUs of Isfahan Hospitals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During 1
      year period (2012-2013), 350 specimens were collected from ICUs of Isfahan
      hospitals. The isolates were characterized as A. baumannii by conventional
      phenotypic, biochemical tests and confirmed by PCR for OXA-51-like gene.
      Susceptibility of isolates was determined by standard disk diffusion method
      according to CLSI. RESULTS: From total of 350 specimens, 43 isolates were A.
      baumannii. The antimicrobial patterns of isolates showed that 53.5% of isolates
      were resistant to amikacin, 83.7% to tetracyclin, 86% to ceftazidime, 90.7% to
      Trimethoprim sulfametoxazol, 93% to imipenem, cefepime, meropenem, ampicillin
      sulbactam. All isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin. CONCLUSION: This study
      showed a high resistance of A. baumannii to a wide range of antimicrobial agent.
      It is necessary to adopt appropriate strategies to control the spread of the
      bacteria in care unit centers and wards.

PMID- 26261813
TI  - Causes and rates of revision total knee arthroplasty: Local results from Isfahan,
      Iran.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Knee replacement is one of the most frequently performed surgical
      procedures in the world. Local data on revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are
      limited. This study aims to assess the rates and causes of revision TKA in
      Kashani Hospital (Isfahan, Iran) from 2011 to 2013. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We
      assessed all primary TKA and revision TKA procedures performed from 2011 to 2013
      for the rate and causes of failures. Demographic data, duration from primary TKA
      to revision TKA and underlying diagnosis for primary TKA were also assessed.
      RESULTS: Overall, 353 primary TKA procedures carried out in this period. The
      overall revisions following primary TKA in this period was 24 cases, indicating a
      revision burden of 6.8%. The most common cause of revision TKA was infection,
      which was in 16 cases (44.4%). Other causes included patellar complications,
      mechanical loosening of both tibia and femur, mechanical loosening of tibia,
      instability, and periprosthetic fracture. The main revision procedures were all
      component revision, tibial component revision, isolated tibial insert exchange
      and patellar tendon repair. The most common revision procedure was two stage all
      component revision, which was carried out in 13 subjects (36.1%). CONCLUSION:
      Local indications for revision TKA are mainly similar to those in other large
      centers. As compared with other centers, with considering the follow-up time,
      revision burden is relatively higher in this center.

PMID- 26261814
TI  - The effect of problem solving and decision making skills on tendency to
      depression and anxiety in patients with type 2 diabetes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Diabetes is the most prevalent disease that has involved 177 million
      people all over the world and, due to this, these patients suffer from depression
      and anxiety and they should use special methods for controlling the same. The aim
      of this research is the study of the effect of problem solving and decision
      making skill on the rate of the tendency to depression and anxiety. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: This research is a quasi-experimental (case-control) study.
      Statistically, the population of the present study was all diabetic patients of
      Qaemshahr who were controlled by physicians in 2011-2012. Thirty files were
      selected randomly from them and divided into two 15 patients' groups (control and
      subject group) randomly. The measurement tools were Back depression inventory (21
      items) and Zank anxiety questionnaire that were distributed among two groups.
      Then, the subject group participated in eight sessions of teaching problem
      solving and decision making courses separately, and the second group (control
      group) did not receive any instruction. RESULTS: Finally, both groups had passed
      post-test and the data obtained from the questionnaires were studied by variance
      analysis statistical methods. CONCLUSION: The results showed that teaching
      problem solving and decision making skills was very effective in reducing
      diabetic patients' depression and anxiety and resulted in reducing their
      depression and anxiety.

PMID- 26261815
TI  - Topical pyruvic acid (70%) versus topical salicylic acid (16.7%) compound in
      treatment of plantar warts: A randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recurrence rate is considerable with current topical treatments of
      plantar warts. We compared the efficacy of topical pyruvic acid (70%) with
      salicylic acid (16.7%) compound in treating multiple plantar warts. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial, 60 patients with multiple plantar
      warts were equally randomized to receive either pyruvic acid 70% or compound
      salicylic acid solution (salicylic acid 16.7%, lactic acid 16.7%, and collodion
      100%) that was topically applied twice a day for 4 weeks. Patients were visited
      every 2 weeks for 1 month after starting treatment and then every 1 month for
      another 2 months. The number and size of warts, treatment complications (pain,
      burning, scar, pigmentation, and crust), and recurrence were evaluated. RESULTS:
      Warts' number was decreased by -13.12 +/- 25.6% with pyruvic acid and by -23.0 +/
      28.0% with compound salicylic acid (P = 0.159) after treatment. Warts' size was
      decreased by -43.47 +/- 57.0% with pyruvic acid and by -37.40 +/- 32.76% with
      compound salicylic acid (P = 0.615) after treatment. There was no difference
      between the two groups in cumulative incidence of treatment complications (P >
      0.05). Also, there was no difference between the two groups in recurrence rate at
      2 months (10 vs. 16.7%, P = 0.500) or at 3 months after treatment (3.3 vs. 6.7%,
      P = 0.335). CONCLUSION: Topical pyruvic acid and compound salicylic acid had the
      same efficacy and complications in treating plantar warts. Decision for choosing
      the treatment can be made based on the costs and individual factors as well as
      patients preferences.

PMID- 26261816
TI  - Investigation of purification process stresses on erythropoietin peptide mapping
      profile.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Full compliance of recombinant protein peptide mapping chromatogram
      with the standard reference material, is one of the most basic quality control
      tests of biopharmaceuticals. Changing a single amino acid substitution or side
      chain diversity for a given peptide changes protein hydrophobicity and causes
      peak shape or retention time alteration in a peptide mapping assay. In this work,
      the effect of different stresses during the recombinant erythropoietin (EPO)
      purification process, including pH 4, pH 5, and room temperature were checked on
      product peptide mapping results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cell culture harvest was
      purified under stress by different chromatographic techniques consisting of gel
      filtration, anionic ion exchange, concentration by ultrafiltration, and high
      resolution size exclusion chromatography. To induce more pH stresses, the
      purified EPO was exposed to pH stress 4 and 5 by exchanging buffer by a 10 KDa
      dialysis sac overnight. The effects of temperature and partial deglycosylation
      (acid hydrolysis) on purified EPO were also studied by sodium dodecyl sulphate
      polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and peptide mapping analysis.
      Removal of sialic acid by mild hydrolysis was performed by exposure to two molar
      acetic acid at 80 degrees C for 3 h. RESULTS: No significant effect was observed
      between intact and stressed erythropoietin peptide mapping profiles and SDS-PAGE
      results. To validate the sensibility of the technique, erythropoietin was
      partially acid hydrolyzed and significant changes in the chromatographic peptide
      map of the intact form and a reduction on its molecular weight were detected,
      which indicates some partial deglycosylation. CONCLUSIONS: Purification process
      does not alter the peptide mapping profile and purification process stresses are
      not the cause of peptide mapping noncompliance.

PMID- 26261817
TI  - Reference range of the weekly uterine cervical length at 8 to 38 weeks of
      gestation in the center of Iran.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is an inverse relation between the uterine cervical length
      during pregnancy and the frequency of preterm delivery. The purpose of this study
      was to construct a chart and evaluate the cervical length at 8 to 38 weeks of
      normal gestation in the center of Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Uterine cervical
      length was measured on 930 asymptomatic pregnant women by abdominal
      ultrasonographic technique. For statistical evaluation, regression analysis and
      calculation of percentiles were performed. RESULTS: Our data show a significant
      decrease in uterine cervical length with increasing gestational age. The mean
      uterine cervical length exhibits minimal changes from 10 to 24 weeks for most
      women in this study, although the shortening is more prominent at 33 to 38 weeks'
      gestation. The mean shortening of the uterine cervical length between the second
      and the ninth months was 14.82% (P < 0.05). Also, the cervical length means in
      trimesters 1, 2 and 3 were 39.30 +/- 4.33, 38.28 +/- 5.13 and 36.58 +/- 4.58 mm,
      respectively. The third trimester showed a significant reduction (P < 0.05) in
      cervical length compared to the first and second trimesters (6.92% and 4.44%,
      respectively). New charts with the 5(th), 10(th), 50(th), 90(th), and 95(th)
      percentile are presented. CONCLUSION: Our study provides a new chart and
      reference values for normal uterine cervical length throughout gestation based on
      a large sample in the center of Iran. There was a progressive decrease in mean
      uterine cervical length with increasing gestational age in the population of this
      study. Our established charts for uterine cervical length throughout gestation
      might be more useful than a single cut-off value for more efficient prevention
      and management of preterm birth.

PMID- 26261818
TI  - Study of C-MYC amplification and expression in Iranian gastric cancer samples
      using CISH and IHC methods.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer is the fourth most frequent malignancy and the second
      cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. It has been suggested that in
      gastric carcinogenesis, the C-MYC gene has an important function. The objective
      of this study is to establish the preference of Chromogenic in situ hybridization
      (CISH) and Immunohistochemistry (IHC) in the diagnosis and prognosis of gastric
      cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Samples comprised of 50 randomly selected patients
      of whom 40 were male and 10 female. To evaluate the MYC copy number and its
      protein expression, CISH and IHC analyses were performed for 50 gastric
      adenocarcinomas, in Iran. RESULTS: The location of the tumor in 64% of the
      patients was the fundus, and in 72% of patients, the tumors were of a diffuse
      type; 22 samples showed no amplification, and 28 samples were with amplification.
      MYC immunoreactivity was observed in 13 samples. Twelve samples showed both MYC
      amplification and MYC immunoreactivity. In addition, among the 28 CISH+ samples,
      12 samples had positive signals for IHC and 16 samples had negative signals for
      IHC. A majority of the IHC-negative patients had no amplification, but only one
      patient with IHC positive had no amplification. CONCLUSION: Our conclusion was
      that for the management and treatment of gastric cancer, and for special
      attention of clinicians, for prognosis and tumor progression, the CISH was a
      better and more feasible test than IHC, in regard to the sensitivity and
      specificity.

PMID- 26261820
TI  - Dietary intake of Zinc, serum levels of Zinc and risk of gastric cancer: A review
      of studies.
AB  - Gastric cancer (GC) is considered as most fourth common cancer in the world.
      Findings from animal, experimental and epidemiologic studies indicate that diet
      plays an important role in the etiology of stomach cancer. Among dietary factors,
      Zinc status has received great attention in recent years. The purpose of the
      present study was to review the association of serum levels of Zinc, dietary
      intake of Zinc and GC risk. A complete search was performed about the association
      of Zinc status and risk of GC was in databases electronic through such as ISI web
      of science, PubMed, Scopus, IrMedx and SID. Our results of current review suggest
      that dietary intake of Zinc and serum levels of Zinc are lower in GC patient. In
      other word, high serum levels of Zinc may be protective in GC risk. However, it
      seems further studies in particular epidemiological studies with large scale
      setting are required to reach a definite conclusion. 

PMID- 26261819
TI  - Current status and patent prospective of animal models in diabetic research.
AB  - Diabetes mellitus is a heterogeneous complex metabolic disorder with multiple
      etiology which characterized by chronic hyperglycemia resulting from defects in
      insulin secretion, insulin action or both. The widespread occurrence of diabetes
      throughout the world has increased dramatically over the past few years. For
      better understanding, appropriate animal models that closely mimic the changes in
      humans needed, as vital tool for understanding the etiology and pathogenesis of
      the disease at the cellular/molecular level and for preclinical testing of drugs.
      This review aims to describe the animal models of type-1 diabetes (T1Ds) and T2Ds
      to mimic the causes and progression of the disease in humans. And also we
      highlight patent applications published in the last few years related to animal
      models in diabetes as an important milestone for future therapies that are aim to
      treating diabetes with specific symptoms and complications. 

PMID- 26261821
TI  - Annexin V FITC conjugated as a radiation toxicity indicator in lymphocytes
      following radiation overexposure in radiotherapy programs.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Following human radiation exposure in hospital or accidents, dose
      assessments are of prime importance in radiation accidents. These issues are of
      continuing importance with respect to socioeconomic policy relating to the
      industrial and medical uses of ionizing radiation, and also for risk assessment
      among people who are occupationally exposed to low and/or high linear energy
      transfer (LET) radiation, such as astronauts, pilots, stewardesses, nuclear power
      plant workers, and victims of radiation accidents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this
      study, an assay for assessing radiation dose based on the induction of apoptosis
      in human T-lymphocytes was done to examine T-lymphocyte cells isolated from the
      fresh blood of 16volunteers, cultured and exposed to gamma rays. Radiation
      induced apoptosis (RIA) was assessed by flow cytometric identification of cells
      displaying apoptosis-associated DNA condensation. RESULTS: Dose-response
      experiments showed that at 2Gy dose level of radiotherapy programs, the RIA
      frequency was significantly above control. Apoptotic levels significantly depend
      on the dose of radiation rather than the donor. CONCLUSION: The results
      demonstrate the potential use of this assay as a biological indicator of
      radiation toxicity, optimizing patient dose in radiotherapy and biological
      dosimetry process.

PMID- 26261823
TI  - Expression of prostaglandin I2 (prostacyclin) receptor in blood of migraine
      patients: A potential biomarker.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Migraine is the most common chronic neurological disorders that may
      be associated with vasodilatation. According to the role of prostaglandin I2
      (prostacyclin) receptor (PTGIR) in migraine as a receptor, which acts in
      vasodilatation, we decided to study the changes of PTGIR expression in migraine
      patients in relation to a suitable control group. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Extracted mRNA from lymphocytes of 50 cases and 50 controls was used to
      synthesize cDNA. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed, and the data
      were analyzed. Our results show that PTGIR mRNA expression in cases was
      significantly higher than the control group (P = 0.010). RESULTS: In conclusion,
      mRNA expression of PTGIR in the blood of people with migraines could be
      considered as a biomarker. CONCLUSION: In addition, repression of PTGIR gene
      expression by methods such as using siRNA is probably suitable for therapy of
      migraine patients.

PMID- 26261822
TI  - Conventional, molecular methods and biomarkers molecules in detection of
      septicemia.
AB  - Sepsis is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients
      worldwide and based on studies, 30-40% of all cases of severe sepsis and septic
      shock results from the blood stream infections (BSIs). Identifying of the
      disease, performing laboratory tests, and consequently treatment are factors that
      required for optimum management of BSIs. In addition, applying precise and
      immediate identification of the etiologic agent is a prerequisite for specific
      antibiotic therapy of pathogen and thereby decreasing mortality rates. The
      diagnosis of sepsis is difficult because clinical signs of sepsis often overlap
      with other noninfectious cases of systemic inflammation. BSIs are usually
      diagnosed by performing a series of techniques such as blood cultures, polymerase
      chain reaction-based methods, and biomarkers of sepsis. Extremely time-consuming
      even to take up to several days is a major limitation of conventional methods. In
      addition, yielding false-negative results due to fastidious and slow-growing
      microorganisms and also in case of antibiotic pretreated samples are other
      limitations. In comparison, molecular methods are capable of examining a blood
      sample obtained from suspicious patient with BSI and gave the all required
      information to prescribing antimicrobial therapy for detected bacterial or fungal
      infections immediately. Because of an emergency of sepsis, new methods are being
      developed. In this review, we discussed about the most important sepsis
      diagnostic methods and numbered the advantage and disadvantage of the methods in
      detail. 

PMID- 26261824
TI  - Comparison of five methods in predicting difficult laryngoscopy: Neck
      circumference, neck circumference to thyromental distance ratio, the ratio of
      height to thyromental distance, upper lip bite test and Mallampati test.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Preoperative airway assessment tests have been presented to help in
      anticipating a difficult airway. We conducted this study to compare five methods
      in prediction of difficult laryngoscopy: Neck circumference (NC), NC to
      thyromental distance ratio (NC/TMD), the ratio of height to thyromental distance
      (RHTMD), upper lip bite test (ULBT) and Mallampati test (MMT). These five methods
      are the most commonly used ones and have different powers for it. It was not
      clear which of these methods predicts difficult laryngoscopy better. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: Six hundred consecutive patients participated in this study. NC,
      NC/TMD and RHTMD were measured, and ULBT and MMT were performed and recorded. The
      laryngoscopy view was graded according to Cormack and Lehane's scale (CLS) and
      difficult laryngoscopy was defined as CLS grades 3 and 4. Accuracy of tests in
      predicting difficult laryngoscopy was assessed using the area under a receiver
      operating characteristic curve. RESULTS: The area under the curve in ULBT and
      RHTMD were significantly larger than that in TMD, NC and MMT. No statistically
      significant differences were noted between TMD, NC and MMT (all P > 0.05) (ULBT =
      RHTMD > NC/TMD > TMD = NC = MMT). RHTMD (>22.7 cm) exhibited the highest
      sensitivity (sensitivity = 64.77, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 53.9-74.7) and
      the most specific test was ULBT (specificity = 99.41%, 95% CI: 98.3-99.9).
      CONCLUSION: RHTMD and ULBT as simple preoperative bedside tests have a higher
      level of accuracy compared to NC/TMD, TMD, NC, MMT in predicting a difficult
      airway.

PMID- 26261825
TI  - Comparison of two walk tests in determining the claudication distance in patients
      suffering from peripheral arterial occlusive disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare the six-minute walk test
      (6MWT) and the incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT) in terms of the initial onset
      of pain (IOP), maximal claudicating pain (MCP), maximum walking distance (MWD),
      initial ankle brachial index (IABI), post ankle brachial index (PABI), and
      difference in ankle brachial index (DFABI), as well as to correlate changes in
      IOP and MWD, MCP and MWD, IABI and MWD, PABI and MWD, and DFABI and MWD in the
      6MWT and ISWT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants (n = 19, 17 men and 2 women)
      were randomly allocated to the 6MWT or ISWT and crossed over to the other test
      after 24 hours. The baseline ankle brachial index (ABI) measurements were taken
      using the Doppler, following which the participants performed the tests. Post
      test MWD, IOP, MCP, and ABI were measured. The paired t test was used pre- and
      post the walk test and the Pearson correlation was used to find any relationship
      between the desired variables. RESULTS: The paired t test at 95% confidence
      interval for IABI and PABI (P > 0.05) was insignificant for the 6MWT and ISWT.
      The Pearson correlation of MWD with IOP showed a fair correlation, and the
      correlation of MWD to MCP showed a strong correlation in ISWT. CONCLUSION: ISWT
      can be of vital importance as a tool to assess the functional status of patients
      suffering from Peripheral Arterial Occlusive Disease (PAOD) in both the clinical
      and research areas, and reflects a better assessment of the functional limitation
      when walking with PAOD as compared to the 6MWT.

PMID- 26261826
TI  - Prophylactic effect of topical silica nanoparticles as a novel
      antineovascularization agent for inhibiting corneal neovascularization following
      chemical burn.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Angiogenesis-related corneal blindness includes the spectrum of
      corneal diseases that are caused by pathological angiogenesis, leading to
      untoward visual impairment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the
      antineovascularization effect of topical silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) in
      inhibiting chemical-burn-induced corneal neovascularization. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: A total number of 20 corneas of 10 Wistar Albino rats were included in
      this study. Silver nitrate cauterization was pressed to the central cornea for 5
      s to induce corneal neovascularization. They were randomly allocated to case and
      control groups (ten eyes in each group). SiNPs were synthesized by the reverse
      microemulsion method. SiNPs drop 1 mg/ml was started in ten eyes and artificial
      tear drop was started in the control group (ten eyes) immediately after chemical
      cauterization. Video-based photography was performed before and after treatment.
      Corneal image analysis was performed on each cornea using an image analysis
      software program. All rats were euthanized and the eyes were sent for
      histopathologic examinations14 days after chemical cauterization. RESULTS:
      Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed spherical-shaped particles. The
      mean size and polydispersity index of prepared SiNPs were 30.1 +/- 5.6 nm and
      0.254 +/- 0.11, respectively. Fourteen days after chemical cauterization, the
      mean vascularized corneal area was 21% of total corneal area in the case group
      and 85% in the control group (P < 0.05). The control group revealed more
      extensive intrastromal vascularization compared with the case group in
      histopathologic examinations (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: SiNPs is an effective
      modality for inhibiting corneal neovascularization following chemical burn in an
      experimental model. Further investigations are suggested for evaluation of its
      safety and efficacy in human eyes.

PMID- 26261827
TI  - The effect of cyclic nucleotide analog drugs on the mediators release from
      basophils.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The cyclic nucleotides, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and
      cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), are intracellular second messengers that
      play an important role in modulating inflammatory cells involved in allergic
      diseases. In general, cAMP suppresses the activity of immune and inflammatory
      cells. We aim to evaluate the roles of cAMP and cGMP in regulating basophil
      activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Basophil-enriched preparations were incubated
      with analogs and then challenged with anti-IgE or IL-3 (4 or 24 hours).
      Supernatants were assayed for histamine, IL-4, and IL-13 release. The effects of
      Sp-8-CPT-cAMPS and Sp-8-CPT-cGMPS on IL-3-dependent mediator release from
      basophils were determined. The cells were pre-incubated with an analog and then
      incubated with IL-3 for 24 hours. RESULTS: Sp-8-CPT-cAMPS was an effective (P <
      0.05) inhibitor of IL-4, IL-13, and histamine release from basophils. However,
      paradoxically, Sp-8-CPT-cGMPS enhanced histamine release and IL-13 generation,
      but by contrast, had little effect on IL-4 generation. Sp-8-CPT-cGMPS inhibited
      cytokine generation, but enhanced the release of histamine release to a modest
      extent. CONCLUSION: This study shows that the cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA) pathway
      may be inhibitory to the IgE- and non-IgE-dependent release of mediators from
      basophils.

PMID- 26261828
TI  - How health information is received by diabetic patients?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Knowledge of correct information-seeking behavior by the patients can
      provide health specialists and health information specialists with valuable
      information in improving health care. This study aimed to investigate the passive
      receipt and active seeking of health information by diabetic patients. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: A survey method was used in this research on 6426 diabetic patients
      of whom 362 patients were selected by a no percentage stratified random sampling.
      The Longo information-seeking behavior questionnaire was used to collect data and
      they were analyzed by SPSS 20 software. RESULTS: The most common information
      source by diabetic patients was practitioners (3.12). The minimum usage among the
      information sources were from charity organizations and emergency phone lines
      with a usage of close to zero. The amount of health information gained passively
      from each source has the lowest average of 4.18 and usage of this information in
      making health decision has the highest average score of 5.83. Analysis of the
      data related to active seeking of information showed that knowledge of available
      medical information from each source has the lowest average score of 3.95 and
      ability in using the acquired information for making medical decisions has the
      highest average score of 5.28. The paired t-test showed that differences between
      passive information receipt (41.68) and active information seeking (39.20)
      considered as statistically significant (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Because diabetic
      patients are more passive information receivers than active information seekers,
      the health information must be distributed by passive means to these patients. In
      addition, information-seeking behavior during different time periods should be
      investigated; to identify more effective distribution of health information.

PMID- 26261829
TI  - The effectiveness of lavender essence on strernotomy related pain intensity after
      coronary artery bypass grafting.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Considering the side effects of pharmacological methods, there has
      been a suggestion to use nonpharmacological methods such Aromatherapy following
      coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). This study aims to evaluate the
      effectiveness of lavender 2% aromatherapy on sternotomy pain intensity after
      coronary artery bypass graft surgery in patients who have undergone surgery.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: During this clinical trial, 50 patients who were
      candidates for CABG, were randomly divided into two equal groups, that is, the
      control group (n = 25) and the case group (n = 25). Following CABG, the case
      group received two drops of 2% lavender oil every 15 minutes with supplemental
      oxygen and the control group received only supplemental oxygen through a face
      mask. The data collection tools comprised of the demographic check list and
      visual analog scale (VAS) for evaluating the pain intensity. The pain intensity
      were assessed pre- and five, 30, and 60 minutes post aromatherapy. The final data
      were analyzed by the t-test and chi-squared test. RESULTS: The findings showed
      that the pain perception intensity in the case group was lower than that in the
      control group at the 30- and 60-minute phases after intervention (P < 0.0001).
      CONCLUSION: The result indicated that aromatherapy can be used as a complementary
      method in postoperative pain reduction, as it reduced pain. The patients require
      two sedative drugs, and moreover, it avoids expenses of treatment.

PMID- 26261830
TI  - Antigenic profile of heat-killed versus thimerosal-treated Leishmania major using
      sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Leishmania is a parasitic protozoan of trypanosomatidae family which
      causes a wide spectrum of diseases ranging from self-healing cutaneous lesions to
      deadly visceral forms. In endemic areas, field trials of different preparations
      of Leishmania total antigen were tested as leishmaniasis vaccine. Two
      preparations of killed Leishmania major were produced In Iran, which were heat
      killed vaccine called autoclaved L. major (ALM) and thimerosal-treated freeze
      thawed vaccine called killed L. major (KLM). In this study, the protein content
      of both ALM and KLM were compared with that of freshly harvested intact L. major
      promastigotes using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis
      (SDS-PAGE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: L. major (MRHO/IR/75/ER) from pre-infected
      Balb/c mice was isolated with modified Novy-MacNeal-Nicolle (NNN) medium and then
      subcultured in liquid RPMI 1640 medium supplemented with fetal calf serum (FCS)
      20% for mass production. Two preparations of KLM and ALM were produced by Razi
      Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Iran, under WHO/TDR supervision.
      Electrophoresis was performed by SDS-PAGE method and the gel was stained by
      Coomassie brilliant blue dye. The resultant unit bands were compared using
      standard molecular proteins. RESULTS: Electrophoresis of the two preparations
      produced many bands from 10 kDa to 100 kDa. KLM bands were much like those of
      freshly harvested intact L. major. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that although
      there are similar bands in the three forms of Leishmania antigens, there are some
      variations which might be considered for identification and purification of
      protective immunogens in a total crude antigen, and detection of their stability
      is essential for the production and marketing of a putative vaccine.

PMID- 26261831
TI  - The role of imaging in acute appendicitis and the need for histopathologic
      validation.

PMID- 26261832
TI  - General versus spinal anesthesia in joint arthroplasties.

PMID- 26261833
TI  - Spinal anesthesia: the new gold standard for total joint arthroplasty?

PMID- 26261834
TI  - Unlocking the bone: Fcgamma-receptors and antibody glycosylation are keys to
      connecting bone homeostasis to humoral immunity.
AB  - Bone tissue is characterized by a constant remodeling process mediated by bone
      resorbing osteoclasts and bone forming osteoblasts. During autoantibody mediated
      autoimmune diseases, such as inflammatory arthritis, this balance is disturbed
      and the de novo generation of osteoclasts through cross-linking of activating
      Fcgamma-receptors (FcgammaRs) expressed on osteoclasts results in excessive bone
      erosions and joint destruction. A recent study by Negishi-Koga and colleagues now
      provides conclusive evidence, that FcgammaRs may also play a crucial role for
      bone homeostasis during the steady state, further highlighting the tight
      interactions between the bone and immune system. 

PMID- 26261835
TI  - Fresh osteochondral allografts in the knee: only a salvage procedure?
AB  - The role of fresh allogeneic osteochondral allograft transplantation (OCA) in the
      cartilage repair algorithm has been long debated and this procedure is primarily
      considered as a salvage procedure, to be used when other, simple, techniques have
      failed. Gracitelli et al. in a retrospective comparison of patients who received
      OCA as primary treatment or as a salvage procedure, demonstrates that the outcome
      of this procedure is minimally influenced by a previous failed treatment and that
      OCA represents an effective solution for both primary and revision surgery of
      chondral and osteochondral lesions of the knee. In particular, optimal
      indications for OCA seem to be revision of previously failed bone marrow
      stimulation techniques with an impaired subchondral bone plate and primary
      treatment of large osteochondral defects. 

PMID- 26261836
TI  - A paradigm shift in vaccine production for pandemic influenza.

PMID- 26261837
TI  - Robotic-assisted right middle lobectomy.

PMID- 26261838
TI  - Robotic-assisted segmentectomy of lingual segment of the left upper pulmonary
      lobe.

PMID- 26261839
TI  - Robotic-assisted right middle lobectomy for poorly differentiated squamous cell
      carcinoma.

PMID- 26261840
TI  - Robotic-assisted left inferior lobectomy.

PMID- 26261841
TI  - Robotic-assisted right upper lobectomy.

PMID- 26261842
TI  - Pulmonary arteriovenous malformation-etiology, clinical four case presentations
      and review of the literature.
AB  - Pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (PAVM) is a rare clinical condition with
      abnormal direct communication between the branches of pulmonary artery and vein.
      It may occur as an isolated anomaly or in association with hereditary hemorrhagic
      telangiectasia (HHT). Although these vascular pulmonary pathologies are quite
      uncommon, they are the important part of the differential diagnosis of common
      pulmonary problems such as hypoxemia and pulmonary nodules. The diagnosis of PAVM
      in patients remains a diagnostic challenge to the emergency physician. The most
      common clinical signs of PAVM are recurrent episodes of epistaxis and hemoptysis,
      so surgical resection is deemed the best curative option to avoid further
      episodes and recurrence of hemoptysis. Quite often the diagnosis is established
      after pathohistological examinations. We report a case of a female patient with a
      massive recurrent hemoptysis and without pathologic radiological findings which
      would suggest to PAVM and who was successfully treated with lobectomy. 

PMID- 26261843
TI  - Brexpiprazole: a new dopamine D2receptor partial agonist for the treatment of
      schizophrenia and major depressive disorder.
AB  - Brexpiprazole is a dopamine D2receptor partial agonist. Compared with
      aripiprazole, it is more potent at 5-HT1A receptors and displays less intrinsic
      activity at D2receptors. Brexpiprazole also has potent antagonistic activity at 5
      HT2A as well as alpha-adrenergic receptors. In addition to results from phase II
      trials, data are available from two pivotal phase III, randomized, placebo
      controlled trials of brexpiprazole for the acute treatment of schizophrenia and
      two pivotal phase III, randomized, placebo-controlled trials of adjunctive
      brexpiprazole for the acute treatment of major depressive disorder in patients
      with inadequate response to antidepressant medication treatment. Overall
      tolerability is promising, with rates of discontinuation due to adverse events
      lower or slightly higher than that observed for placebo. Although overall
      akathisia was more commonly observed with brexpiprazole than with placebo, the
      absolute risk increase attributable to brexpiprazole appears small. Short-term
      weight gain appears modest; however, outliers with an increase of >= 7% of body
      weight were evident in open-label long-term safety studies.

PMID- 26261844
TI  - Hydrocodone bitartrate for chronic pain.
AB  - Hydrocodone bitartrate is the most commonly used drug for acute and chronic pain
      in the U.S. with over 135 million prescriptions in 2012. The U.S. is the primary
      consumer of hydrocodone, using 99% of the global supply for 4.4% of the global
      population. With its easy availability and abuse patterns, hydrocodone has been
      touted as a primary driver of opioid-related abuse and misuse. There are no
      clinical efficacy studies of hydrocodone in short-acting form in combination with
      acetaminophen or ibuprofen in chronic pain. Hydrocodone has been approved with
      two long-term formulations since 2014. The FDA has rescheduled hydrocodone from
      Schedule III to Schedule II which went into effect on October 6, 2014, along with
      a limit on added acetaminophen of 325 mg for each dose of hydrocodone. This
      review examines the evolution of hydrocodone into a common and yet controversial
      drug in the U.S. with its pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, safety and
      efficacy. 

PMID- 26261845
TI  - Generic Pharmaceutical Association (GPhA) - 2015 CMC Workshop (June 9-10, 2015 -
      Bethesda, Maryland, USA).
AB  - Nearly 400 professionals attended the 2-day Generic Pharmaceutical Association
      (GPhA) workshop dedicated to fostering discussions on the FDA's chemistry,
      manufacturing and controls (CMC) expectations for abbreviated new drug
      applications (ANDAs), enhanced regulatory filing requirements, and other topics,
      as CMC takes root in the Office of Pharmaceutical Quality (OPQ). Following the
      keynote address by Janet Woodcock, Director of the FDA's Center for Drug
      Evaluation and Research (CDER) and Acting Director of OPQ, and an update from the
      Office of Generic Drugs (OGD) by Ted Sherwood, Acting Director of the OGD's
      Office of Regulatory Operations, plenary sessions took place covering OPQ
      updates, management plans, Generic Drug User Fee Amendments of 2012 (GDUFA)
      backlog, year 1 and 2 cohorts, drug substance, defining starting materials,
      quality related refuse-to-receive standards, risk and team-based integrated
      quality assessment, deficiencies and information requests - CMC submissions,
      emerging technologies, compliance and inspection, lifecycle management of drug
      products, quality metrics, pharmaceutically relevant dissolution specifications,
      and communication and project management. This report will provide a summary of
      conference highlights. 

PMID- 26261846
TI  - European Hematology Association - 20th Annual Congress (June 11-14, 2015 -
      Vienna, Austria).
AB  - The Annual Congress of the European Hematology Association, now in its 20th year,
      brought together specialists in all areas of hematology research to present new
      data on ongoing research and share innovative ideas to aid in the treatment and
      diagnosis of many hematological diseases. Clinical and translational research was
      presented along with technological advancement in diagnostics and risk-assessment
      strategies. The congress afforded attendees time for networking with
      representatives from many disciplines associated with hematological research,
      including academia, industry and patient advocacy groups. This report will cover
      the most interesting presentations relating to therapeutics for a range of
      hematological conditions. 

PMID- 26261847
TI  - Alzheimer's Association International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease 2015
      (AAIC 2015) (July 18-23, 2015 - Washington, D.C., USA).
AB  - The Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) was held in
      Washington, D.C. this year. It is the world's largest meeting of the dementia
      research community, connecting care providers, clinicians and investigators. The
      extent of efforts being made in the field of Alzheimer's research was
      demonstrated by the wide and varied program at the conference. This report
      focuses on some of the therapeutic highlights from the first two poster sessions.

PMID- 26261848
TI  - Nintedanib in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
AB  - Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) conveys a median survival of 3 years and
      until recently has lacked effective therapies. Nintedanib, an orally available,
      small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor with selectivity for vascular
      endothelial growth factor (VEGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and
      fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptors has recently been shown, in two pivotal
      phase III studies, to effectively slow IPF disease progression. Consequently,
      nintedanib was given accelerated approval by the FDA in October 2014 for the
      treatment of IPF. This monograph explores the preclinical rationale for the
      antifibrotic role of nintedanib and provides an overview of the available data on
      pharmacokinetics, efficacy and safety. 

PMID- 26261849
TI  - Nintedanib, a novel triple angiokinase inhibitor for the treatment of non-small
      cell lung cancer.
AB  - Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Recent
      advances involving targeted therapies are promising, but most patients do not
      have an "oncogene addicted" disease. A platinum doublet chemotherapy regimen has
      been the mainstay of therapy since 1997. The addition of antiangiogenic agents to
      traditional chemotherapy has improved survival in patients with non-small cell
      lung cancer. However, these agents are limited by serious adverse events such as
      thromboembolism, bowel perforation and hemorrhage and by the development of
      resistance. Nintedanib is a novel, orally available triple angiokinase inhibitor
      that targets three important pathways involved in the initiation and propagation
      of angiogenesis in tumors, the VEGF, FGF and PDGFR pathways. Phase I and II
      trials have identified the maximum tolerated dose in monotherapy and in
      combination with traditional chemotherapy. The toxicity profile is tolerable and
      reversible, dominated by transaminitis and gastrointestinal side effects. The
      phase III LUME-lung 1 study (NCT00805194) compared docetaxel, a standard
      treatment in the second line, with docetaxel in combination with nintedanib.
      Progression-free survival was 3.4 months in the combination group compared to 2.7
      months in the docetaxel group, (HR 0.79, 95% CI 0.68-0.92, P = 0.0019). There was
      a significant improvement in overall survival in adenocarcinoma patients, 12.6
      vs. 10.3 months (HR 0.83, 95% CI 0.7-0.99, P = 0.036). Based on the results of
      this study, nintedanib has been approved by the EMA in Europe, as a second-line
      treatment in patients with adenocarcinoma. It is a promising, well-tolerated
      therapy that is currently being investigated in multiple different tumor types. 

PMID- 26261850
TI  - Omalizumab is efficacious for management of recalcitrant, antihistamine-resistant
      chronic urticaria.
AB  - Chronic urticaria continues to be a challenging condition for both patients and
      physicians. Despite improved understanding of chronic urticaria, many patients
      continue to experience ongoing symptoms and impaired quality of life. Omalizumab
      is a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody that binds to the domain at which
      IgE binds to the high-affinity IgE receptor on mast cells and basophils. The
      efficacy of omalizumab for antihistamine-resistant chronic urticaria has been
      demonstrated in several randomized controlled trials as well as observational
      studies. Omalizumab is generally well tolerated, and is associated with less
      potential for harm compared with other therapeutic alternatives (e.g.,
      calcineurin inhibitors) for recalcitrant chronic urticaria. Omalizumab has become
      the best-studied agent for treatment of antihistamine-resistant chronic
      urticaria, and the agent for which the data in support of its efficacy is most
      methodologically sound. Omalizumab is an effective therapeutic option for
      patients with recalcitrant chronic urticaria. 

PMID- 26261851
TI  - American Psychiatric Association - 168th Annual Meeting (May 16-20, 2015 -
      Toronto, Canada).
AB  - The theme of this year's American Psychiatric Association (APA) meeting was
      'Psychiatry: integrating body and mind, heart and soul', with special focus given
      to advances in basic and cognitive neuroscience and how these may contribute to
      integrated care of mental health and illness. The program featured numerous
      tracks and subtracks in areas of interest such as addiction psychiatry, child,
      adolescent and geriatric psychiatry, and psychosomatic medicine. 

PMID- 26261852
TI  - American Diabetes Association - 75th Scientific Sessions (June 5-9, 2015 -
      Boston, Massachusetts, USA).
AB  - The 75th American Diabetes Association (ADA) Scientific Sessions, brought
      together experts in the diabetes research field to hear hundreds of oral
      presentations and thousands of poster presentations discussing novel research
      findings related to diabetes, obesity, fatty liver disease and related medical
      conditions. A significant number of presentations considered experimental and
      investigational therapeutic candidates that will potentially aid in the fight
      against diabetes, which continues to be on the increase worldwide. 

PMID- 26261853
TI  - The European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) - 16th Annual European Congress
      (June 10-13, 2015 - Rome, Italy).
AB  - The 16th Annual European Congress of Rheumatology, organized by the European
      League Against Rheumatism (EULAR), provided the latest advances in the field of
      rheumatologic diseases to around 14,000 participants from more than 120
      countries. This congress has become the primary platform for exchange of
      scientific and clinical information and the biggest rheumatology event in Europe.
      The congress covered a broad spectrum of the rheumatic diseases through 400
      lectures, workshops, 300 oral presentations, 2,000 posters, 350 invited speakers,
      and basic science and clinical symposia. 

PMID- 26261854
TI  - Anti-angiogenic nanotherapy via active targeting systems to tumors and adipose
      tissue vasculature.
AB  - Sophisticated drug delivery systems (DDS) are required for delivering drugs,
      especially macromolecules such as nucleic acids or proteins, to their sites of
      action. Therefore it is a prerequisite that future DDS are designed to
      selectively target a tissue. In this review, we focus on systems that actively
      target the vasculature in tumors or adipose tissues. For targeting tumor
      vasculatur, a new strategy referred to as dual-targeting is proposed that uses a
      combination of a receptor specific ligand and a cell penetrating peptide, which
      can induce the synergistic enhancement of tissue selectivity under in vivo
      conditions. A novel pH-sensitive cationic lipid was designed to enhance the
      endosomal release of encapsulated compounds such as siRNA as well as to improve
      the stability in blood circulation after intravenous administration. A cyclic RGD
      peptide is used as an active targeting ligand. For targeting adipose vasculature,
      prohibitin, which is expressed on the surface of adipose endothelial cells, was
      targeted with KGGRAKD peptides on the surface of PEGylated nanoparticles.
      Prohibitin targeted nanoparticles (PTNP) encapsulating Cytochrome c (CytC) can
      selectively target adipose vasculature by optimizing the lengths of the PEG
      linkers and can deliver CytC to adipose endothelial cells. PTNP can successfully
      induce anti-obese effects as well as apoptosis by delivering CytC to the cytosol
      in endothelial cells. Unexpectedly, the EPR (enhanced permeability and retention)
      effect, which is usually observed in tumor tissue, was also observed in the
      adipose vasculature, especially in obese mice, where PEGylated nanoparticles can
      pass through the endothelial barriers in adipose tissue. We believe that these
      achievements in active targeting will allow a greatly expanded use of DDS for
      nanomedicines. 

PMID- 26261855
TI  - Tunable coverage of immobilized biomolecules for biofunctional interface design.
AB  - The controlled coverage of immobilized biomolecules is introduced, illustrating a
      concept for designing biomaterial surfaces such that the extent of manipulation
      employed to elicit biological responses is controlled according to density
      changes in the underlying chemical motifs and the density of immobilized
      biomolecules. 

PMID- 26261856
TI  - Cellular effects of magnetic nanoparticles explored by atomic force microscopy.
AB  - The investigation of subtle change of cells exposed to nanomaterials is extremely
      essential but also challenging for nanomaterial-based biological applications. In
      this study, atomic force microscopy (AFM) was employed to investigate the effects
      of iron-iron oxide core-shell magnetic nanoparticles on the mechanical properties
      of bovine articular chondrocytes (BACs). After being exposed to the nanoparticles
      even at a high nanoparticle-concentration (50 MUg mL(-1)), no obvious difference
      was observed by using conventional methods, including the WST-1 assay and
      live/dead staining. However a significant difference of Young's modulus of the
      cells was detected by AFM even when the concentration of nanoparticles applied in
      the cell culture medium was low (10 MUg mL(-1)). The difference of cellular
      Young's modulus increased with the increase of nanoparticle concentration. AFM
      was demonstrated to be a useful tool to identify the subtle change of cells when
      they were exposed to nanomaterials even at a low concentration. 

PMID- 26261857
TI  - Priming cells for their final destination: microenvironment controlled cell
      culture by a modular ECM-mimicking feeder film.
AB  - Mammalian cell culture is the starting point in many research studies focusing on
      biomedical applications. However, researchers have little control over the
      standardized cell microenvironment parameters. Here a modular ECM-mimicking
      surface coating for cell culture environment is designed. This substrate is a new
      and versatile thin film obtained by spin-coating of concentrated gelatin
      crosslinked by transglutaminase. It can be modified with respect to the
      biochemical and biophysical needs of the final cell destination, i.e. it delivers
      loaded multi-growth factors and serum components and allows for cell culture in a
      serum-free culture medium. Also, a well-known cell behavior modulator, the
      substrate stiffness, is controlled exogenously by addition of nanoparticles. In
      addition to growth factors, antimicrobial agents such as natural peptides are
      added to the substrate for limiting the repeated addition of antimicrobial agents
      to the culture medium and to prevent the increase of resistant bacterial strains
      in the culture environment. Finally, this substrate contains simultaneously ECM
      components, growth factors, stiffening elements and antimicrobial agents. It
      provides a favorable microenvironment and sterile conditions. It is a free-of
      maintenance system, as cells will grow without addition of serum or antimicrobial
      cocktails. This low cost and easy-to-use substrate could emerge as a new standard
      for cell culture. 

PMID- 26261858
TI  - Letter Concerning: "Genotyping for Kidd, Kell, Duffy, Scianna, and RHCE Blood
      Group Antigens Polymorphisms in Jiangsu Chinese Han". Authors' Reply.

PMID- 26261859
TI  - [Abstracts from the VI International Congress ADELF-EPIRER, September 10-12,
      2014, Nice, France].

PMID- 26261860
TI  - From the Editor: Artificial intelligence in life science.

PMID- 26261861
TI  - [Abstracts from the XXVIII National Congress, March 26-27, 2015, Nancy, France].

PMID- 26261862
TI  - [Reply].

PMID- 26261863
TI  - A molecular dynamics study of Beta-Glucosidase B upon small substrate binding.
AB  - Paenibacillus polymyxa beta-glucosidase B (BglB), belongs to a GH family 1, is a
      monomeric enzyme that acts as an exo-beta-glucosidase hydrolysing cellobiose and
      cellodextrins of higher degree of polymerization using retaining mechanism. A
      molecular dynamics (MD) simulation was performed at 300 K under periodic boundary
      condition for 5 ns using the complexes structure obtained from previous docking
      study, namely BglB-Beta-d-glucose and BglB-Cellobiose. From the root-mean-square
      deviation analysis, both enzyme complexes were reported to deviate from the
      initial structure in the early part of the simulation but it was stable
      afterwards. The root-mean-square fluctuation analysis revealed that the most
      flexible regions comprised of the residues from 26 to 29, 43 to 53, 272 to 276,
      306 to 325 and 364 to 367. The radius of gyration analysis had shown the
      structure of BglB without substrate became more compact towards the end of the
      simulation compare to other two complexes. The residues His122 and Trp410 were
      observed to form stable hydrogen bond with occupancy higher than 10%. In
      conclusion, the behaviour of BglB enzyme towards the substrate binding was
      successfully explored via MD simulation approaches. 

PMID- 26261864
TI  - Attachment disorganization among children in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit:
      Preliminary results.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Preterm children have been reported to be at higher risk to develop
      attachment insecurity. AIMS: The present study aimed to investigate potential
      differences in attachment security between newborns who were sent to Neonatal
      Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and those who were not, in a population of full-term
      children. STUDY DESIGN: Participants (162 mother-child dyads) were part of a
      longitudinal study (MAVAN). Twenty-three of these children received special care
      at birth (NICU group). Attachment security was assessed at 36 months with the
      Strange Situation Procedure. Socio-economic status (SES), birth weight, maternal
      mood, maternal sensitivity, mental/psychomotor developmental indexes, Apgar
      scores, presence of complications during delivery and infant general health were
      assessed. RESULTS: In the No-NICU group, 55.4% of children were securely
      attached, 24.5% were insecure and 20.1% were disorganized. However, in the NICU
      group, 43.5% of children were securely attached, 8.7% were insecure and 47.8%
      were disorganized (chi(2)=9.0; p=.01). The only differences between the 2 groups
      were a lower Apgar, more respiratory infections and more visits to walk-in
      clinic/hospital (p's<.05) and a trend for lower SES and more ear infections in
      the NICU group. Logistic regressions revealed an odds ratio of 6.1 (p=.003) of
      developing a disorganized attachment after a stay in NICU, when controlling for
      these confounding variables. CONCLUSION: Newborns who were admitted to NICU have
      an odds ratio of about 6 to develop a disorganized attachment at 36 months. These
      preliminary results support the importance of supportive parental proximity and
      contact with the infant in the NICU and possible after-care.

PMID- 26261865
TI  - Favourable outcome of long-term combined psychotherapy for patients with
      borderline personality disorder: Six-year follow-up of a randomized study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study reports the six-year follow-up data of patients with
      borderline personality disorder (BPD) who participated in the Ulleval Personality
      Project (UPP), a randomized clinical study comparing outpatient individual
      psychotherapy (OIP) with a long-term combination programme (CP) comprising short
      term day-hospital treatment followed by outpatient combined group and individual
      psychotherapy. METHODS: For 52 patients, outcomes were evaluated after 8 months,
      18 months, 3 years, and 6 years based on a wide range of clinical measures, such
      as symptom severity, psychosocial functioning, personality functioning, and Axis
      I and II diagnoses. RESULTS: At the six-year follow-up, patients in the CP
      condition reported significantly greater reduction of symptom distress and
      improvements in the personality functioning domains Identity Integration and Self
      control compared with patients allocated to OIP. Patients in the CP also had a
      more favourable long-term course of psychosocial functioning. There were no
      differences between treatment conditions in outcomes of interpersonal functioning
      and self-esteem. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term psychotherapy in a combination programme
      seems favourable for BPD patients. In this study, patients who received combined
      treatment fared better on crucial parameters than patients who received
      individual therapy. Of particular importance are the positive effects on
      fundamental borderline problem areas like Identity Integration and Self-control.

PMID- 26261866
TI  - N-Nitrosodimethylamine formation from ozonation of chlorpheniramine: Influencing
      factors and transformation mechanism.
AB  - As a disinfection byproduct, the detection of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in
      aquatic environments across the globe has caused widespread concern due to its
      potential carcinogenicity. In this study, the possibility of NDMA formation from
      chlorpheniramine ozonation was investigated. The influencing factors including
      the initial chlorpheniramine concentration, ozone dose, pH, and water matrix were
      quantified. Furthermore, the mechanisms for chlorpheniramine transformation and
      NDMA formation were explored. Our results demonstrate that ozonation is effective
      in removing chlorpheniramine. Generation of dimethylamine (DMA) and NDMA was
      observed during chlorpheniramine ozonation. Higher initial chlorpheniramine
      concentration and ozone dose resulted in higher production of NDMA. Acidic
      conditions (pH<=5) did not facilitate the production of NDMA. Ozone molecules
      played a dominant role in chlorpheniramine degradation, and influenced DMA
      release and NDMA formation. DMA and NDMA generations as well as their
      degradations were mainly attributed to hydroxyl radicals (.OH) produced by ozone
      decomposition. Water matrix properties such as HCO3(-) and humic acid affected
      DMA and NDMA generation due to .OH competition. The degradation intermediates of
      chlorpheniramine were identified, among which only the intermediates with a DMA
      group were attributable to NDMA formation. A possible pathway for NDMA formation
      from chlorpheniramine ozonation is proposed.

PMID- 26261867
TI  - Flexible Graphene Field-Effect Transistors Encapsulated in Hexagonal Boron
      Nitride.
AB  - Flexible graphene field-effect transistors (GFETs) are fabricated with graphene
      channels fully encapsulated in hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) implementing a self
      aligned fabrication scheme. Flexible GFETs fabricated with channel lengths of 2
      MUm demonstrate exceptional room-temperature carrier mobility (MUFE = 10 000
      cm(2) V(-1) s(-1)), strong current saturation characteristics (peak output
      resistance, r0 = 2000 Omega), and high mechanical flexibility (strain limits of
      1%). These values of MUFE and r0 are unprecedented in flexible GFETs. Flexible
      radio frequency FETs (RF-FETs) with channel lengths of 375 nm demonstrate MUFE =
      2200 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) and r0 = 132.5 Omega. Unity-current gain frequencies, fT,
      and unity-power gain frequencies, fmax, reach 12.0 and 10.6 GHz, respectively.
      The corresponding ratio of cutoff frequencies approaches unity (fmax/fT = 0.9), a
      record value for flexible GFETs. Intrinsic fT and fmax are 29.7 and 15.7 GHz,
      respectively. The outstanding electronic characteristics are attributed to the
      improved dielectric environment provided by full hBN encapsulation of the
      graphene channel in conjunction with an optimized, self-aligned device structure.
      These results establish hBN as a mechanically robust dielectric that can yield
      enhanced electronic characteristics to a diverse array of graphene-based flexible
      electronics. 

PMID- 26261868
TI  - Treatment of tinnitus.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Tinnitus, the perception of sound in the absence of a
      corresponding external acoustic stimulus, is a highly prevalent and frequently
      severely impairing disorder with worldwide impact. In this article after a short
      overview about epidemiology and pathophysiology the currently available treatment
      options will be discussed with specific consideration of the available evidence,
      their mechanisms of action and their limitations. RECENT FINDINGS: During the
      last decades, advances in neuroimaging methods and the development of animal
      models have contributed to an increasing understanding of the neuronal correlates
      of tinnitus and have motivated the development of innovative brain-based
      treatment approaches for directly targeting the neuronal correlates of tinnitus.
      A further important development has been the insight that there exist different
      forms of tinnitus that differ in their pathophysiology and their response to
      specific treatments. SUMMARY: Treatment of tinnitus should be based on a
      comprehensive diagnosis of etiologic and concomitant aspects of an individual's
      tinnitus. Already today a large variety of therapeutic interventions are
      available, which can efficiently reduce tinnitus severity. Several innovative
      treatment approaches are currently under development.

PMID- 26261869
TI  - Vitamin D deficiency is common in HIV-infected southern Australian adults.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Vitamin D deficiency can have serious health consequences and may be
      particularly important for those living with HIV. It is unknown whether HIV
      infection is a risk factor for vitamin D deficiency. The aim of the study was to
      determine whether vitamin D deficiency is more common in HIV-infected than in HIV
      uninfected individuals. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of HIV-infected
      and uninfected individuals. A total of 997 HIV-infected participants were from a
      sexual health clinic in Melbourne with 25(OH)D measurements taken between 2008
      and 2012. 3,653 HIV-uninfected individuals were participants in a statewide
      Victorian survey with 25(OH)D measurements taken between 2009 and 2010. Logistic
      regression models evaluated the association of HIV status with vitamin D
      deficiency (25[OH]D<50 nmol/l). RESULTS: The frequency of vitamin D deficiency
      was significantly more common in HIV-infected (39% [95% CI 36%, 42%]) compared
      with HIV-uninfected individuals 23% (95% CI 15%, 31%). In multivariable analysis,
      males (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.8; 95% CI 0.6, 0.9; P=0.001), Caucasian
      country of origin (aOR 0.4; 95% CI 0.3, 0.4; P<0.001), summer/autumn (aOR for
      autumn 0.2; 95% CI 0.1, 0.3; P<0.001), total cholesterol to high-density
      lipoprotein ratio >5 (aOR 1.4; 95% CI 1.2, 1.8; P<0.001) and HIV infection (aOR
      1.7; 95% CI 1.4, 2.1; P<0.001) were associated with vitamin D deficiency.
      CONCLUSIONS: Adults living in southern Australia with HIV were more likely to be
      vitamin D deficient than the general population.

PMID- 26261870
TI  - CD55, CD59, factor H and factor H-like 1 gene expression analysis in tumors of
      the ovary and corpus uteri origin.
AB  - The expression level of complement regulators in ovarian and corpus uteri tumors
      was not fully established so far. In current manuscript we performed gene
      expression analysis by the real-time PCR approach to investigate both membrane
      bound - CD55 and CD59 and fluid phase - factor H and factor H-like 1 complement
      regulators. We found increased CD55 expression in corpus uteri tumors when
      compared to control tissues, whereas in ovarian cancer CD55 expression was lower
      than in control sections. Additionally we found CD59 expression to be more
      prominent in ovarian cancer than in corpus uteri tumor samples. We observed also
      the strong positive correlation between the level of expression of the whole
      group of regulators, which was particularly significant between the expression of
      factor H and factor H- like 1. In conclusion we present novel results which
      implicates different role of particular complement inhibitors in the regulation
      of the complement system in two cancer types examined. Strong positive
      correlation between examined proteins implicates similar pattern of the
      regulation which should be taken into consideration with regards to the possible
      immunotherapy applied as adjuvant therapeutic approach in these two indications.
      The inhibition of complement regulation may serve as a strategy to potentiate the
      efficacy of such treatment. 

PMID- 26261871
TI  - Neurogenic Ovarian Cyst--A Rare, Monodermal Teratoma.

PMID- 26261872
TI  - Artificial Ligands of Streptavidin (ALiS): Discovery, Characterization, and
      Application for Reversible Control of Intracellular Protein Transport.
AB  - Artificial ligands of streptavidin (ALiS) with association constants of ~10(6) M(
      1) were discovered by high-throughput screening of our chemical library, and
      their binding characteristics, including X-ray crystal structure of the
      streptavidin complex, were determined. Unlike biotin and its derivatives, ALiS
      exhibits fast dissociation kinetics and excellent cell permeability. The
      streptavidin-ALiS system provides a novel, practical compound-dependent
      methodology for repeated reversible cycling of protein localization between
      intracellular organella. 

PMID- 26261873
TI  - Architecture of GnRH-Gonadotrope-Vasculature Reveals a Dual Mode of Gonadotropin
      Regulation in Fish.
AB  - The function and components of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis are conserved
      among vertebrates; however, in fish, a neuroglandular mode of delivery (direct
      contact between axons and endocrine cells) was considered dominant, whereas in
      tetrapods hypothalamic signals are relayed to their targets via the hypophysial
      portal blood system (neurovascular delivery mode). By using a transgenic
      zebrafish model we studied the functional and anatomical aspects of gonadotrope
      regulation thus revisiting the existing model. FSH cells were found to be
      situated close to the vasculature whereas the compact organization of LH cells
      prevented direct contact of all cells with the circulation. GnRH3 fibers formed
      multiple boutons upon reaching the pituitary, but most of these structures were
      located in the neurohypophysis rather than adjacent to gonadotropes. A close
      association was observed between FSH cells and GnRH3 boutons, but only a fifth of
      the LH cells were in direct contact with GnRH3 axons, suggesting that FSH cells
      are more directly regulated than LH cells. GnRH3 fibers closely followed the
      vasculature in the neurohypophysis and formed numerous boutons along these
      tracts. These vessels were found to be permeable to relatively large molecules,
      suggesting the uptake of GnRH3 peptides. Our findings have important implications
      regarding the differential regulation of LH and FSH and contradict the accepted
      notion that fish pituitary cells are mostly regulated directly by hypothalamic
      fibers. Instead, we provide evidence that zebrafish apply a dual mode of
      gonadotrope regulation by GnRH3 that combines both neuroglandular and
      neurovascular components. 

PMID- 26261875
TI  - Synthesis of N-Aryl-3,5-dichloro-4H-1,2,6-thiadiazin-4-imines from 3,4,4,5
      Tetrachloro-4H-1,2,6-thiadiazine.
AB  - Condensation of 3,4,4,5-tetrachloro-4H-1,2,6-thiadiazine with a range of anilines
      gave 22 N-aryl-3,5-dichloro-4H-1,2,6-thiadiazin-4-imines in 43-96% yields. The
      scope and limitations of this condensation are briefly investigated. Furthermore,
      mono- and bis-substitution of the C-3 and C-5 chlorines of 3,5-dichloro-N-phenyl
      4H-1,2,6-thiadiazin-4-imine by amine and alkoxide nucleophiles is explored.
      Finally, Stille coupling chemistry is used to prepare several N-phenyl-3,5-diaryl
      4H-1,2,6-thiadiazin-4-imines. 

PMID- 26261876
TI  - Highly Efficient Solar Water Splitting from Transferred TiO2 Nanotube Arrays.
AB  - We report a synergistic effect of flame and chemical reduction methods to
      maximize the efficiency of solar water splitting in transferred TiO2 nanotube
      (TNT) arrays on a transparent conducting oxide (TCO) substrate. The flame
      reduction method (>1000  degrees C) leads to few oxygen vacancies in the anatase
      TNT arrays, but it exhibits unique advantages for excellent interfacial
      characteristics between transferred TNT arrays and TCO substrates, which
      subsequently induce a cathodic on-set potential shift and sharp photocurrent
      evolution. By contrast, the employed chemical reduction method for TNT arrays/TCO
      gives rise to an abrupt increase in photocurrent density, which results from the
      efficient formation of oxygen vacancies in the anatase TiO2 phase, but a decrease
      in charge transport efficiency with increasing chemical reduction time. We show
      that flame reduction followed by chemical reduction could significantly improve
      the saturation photocurrent density and interfacial property of TNT arrays/TCO
      photoanodes simultaneously without mechanical fracture via the synergistic
      effects of coreducing methods. 

PMID- 26261877
TI  - NanoCluster Beacons Enable Detection of a Single N6-Methyladenine.
AB  - While N(6)-methyladenine (m(6)A) is a common modification in prokaryotic and
      lower eukaryotic genomes and has many biological functions, there is no simple
      and cost-effective way to identify a single N(6)-methyladenine in a nucleic acid
      target. Here we introduce a robust, simple, enzyme-free and hybridization-based
      method using a new silver cluster probe, termed methyladenine-specific
      NanoCluster Beacon (maNCB), which can detect single m(6)A in DNA targets based on
      the fluorescence emission spectra of silver clusters. Not only can maNCB identify
      m(6)A at the single-base level but it also can quantify the extent of adenine
      methylation in heterogeneous samples. Our method is superior to high-resolution
      melting analysis as we can pinpoint the location of m(6)A in the target. 

PMID- 26261878
TI  - Warmer winters modulate life history and energy storage but do not affect
      sensitivity to a widespread pesticide in an aquatic insect.
AB  - Despite the increased attention for the effects of pesticides under global
      warming no studies tested how winter warming affects subsequent sensitivity to
      pesticides. Winter warming is expected to cause delayed negative effects when it
      increases metabolic rates and thereby depletes energy reserves. Using a common
      garden experiment, we investigated the combined effect of a 4  degrees C increase
      in winter temperature and subsequent exposure to chlorpyrifos in the aquatic
      larvae of replicated low- and high-latitude European populations of the damselfly
      Ischnura elegans. The warmer winter (8  degrees C) resulted in a higher winter
      survival and higher growth rates compared to the cold winter (4  degrees C)
      commonly experienced by European high-latitude populations. Low-latitude
      populations were better at coping with the warmer winter, indicating thermal
      adaptation to the local winter temperatures. Subsequent chlorpyrifos exposure at
      20  degrees C induced strong negative effects on survival, growth rate, lipid
      content and acetylcholinesterase activity while phenoloxidase activity increased.
      These pesticide effects were not affected by winter warming. Our results suggest
      that for species where winter warming has positive effects on life history, no
      delayed effects on the sensitivity to subsequent pesticide exposure should be
      expected.

PMID- 26261879
TI  - Dietary ingestion of fine sediments and microalgae represent the dominant route
      of exposure and metal accumulation for Sydney rock oyster (Saccostrea glomerata):
      A biokinetic model for zinc.
AB  - Past studies disagree on the extent to which dissolved or dietary uptake
      contribute to metal bioaccumulation in the filter-feeding Sydney rock oyster
      (Saccostrea glomerata) in urbanized estuaries. Although most data support the
      assumption that fine sediments are a major route of metal uptake in these
      bivalves, some studies based in the Sydney estuary, Australia, have indicated a
      poor correlation. In the present study, seawater, sediment and microalgae were
      radiolabelled with (65)Zn tracer and exposed to S. glomerata to assess the
      influence of dissolved and dietary sources to Zn bioaccumulation. Oysters in the
      dissolved-phase uptake experiment (5, 25 and 50 MUg L(-1) (65)Zn for 4 d followed
      by 21 days of depuration) readily accumulated (65)Zn for all three concentrations
      with an uptake rate constant of 0.160+/-0.006 L dry weight g(-1) d(-1). Oysters
      in the dietary assimilation experiment (1h pulse-feed of either (65)Zn
      radiolabelled suspended fine-fraction (<63 MUm) sediment or the microalgae
      Tetraselmis sp.) accumulated (65)Zn, with assimilation efficiencies of 59 and 67%
      for fine sediment and microalgae, respectively. The efflux rates were low for the
      three experiments (0.1-0.5% d(-1)). A bioaccumulation kinetic model predicts that
      uptake of Zn will occur predominantly through the dietary ingestion of
      contaminated fine sediment particles and microalgae within the water column, with
      considerably greater metal bioaccumulation predicted if oysters ingested
      microalgae preferentially to sediments. However, the model predicts that for
      dissolved Zn concentrations greater than 40 MUg L(-1), as observed during
      precipitation events, the uptake of the dissolved phase may contribute >=50% to
      accumulation. Overall, the results of the present study suggest that all three
      sources may be important exposure routes to S. glomerata under different
      environmental conditions, but contributions from dietary exposure will often
      dominate.

PMID- 26261880
TI  - The biological effects of ionising radiation on Crustaceans: A review.
AB  - Historic approaches to radiation protection are founded on the conjecture that
      measures to safeguard humans are adequate to protect non-human organisms. This
      view is disparate with other toxicants wherein well-developed frameworks exist to
      minimise exposure of biota. Significant data gaps for many organisms, coupled
      with high profile nuclear incidents such as Chernobyl and Fukushima, have
      prompted the re-evaluation of our approach toward environmental radioprotection.
      Elucidating the impacts of radiation on biota has been identified as priority
      area for future research within both scientific and regulatory communities. The
      crustaceans are ubiquitous in aquatic ecosystems, comprising greater than 66,000
      species of ecological and commercial importance. This paper aims to assess the
      available literature of radiation-induced effects within this subphylum and
      identify knowledge gaps. A literature search was conducted pertaining to
      radiation effects on four endpoints as stipulated by a number of regulatory
      bodies: mortality, morbidity, reproduction and mutation. A major finding of this
      review was the paucity of data regarding the effects of environmentally relevant
      radiation doses on crustacean biology. Extremely few studies utilising chronic
      exposure durations or wild populations were found across all four endpoints. The
      dose levels at which effects occur was found to vary by orders of magnitude thus
      presenting difficulties in developing phyla-specific benchmark values and
      reference levels for radioprotection. Based on the limited data, mutation was
      found to be the most sensitive endpoint of radiation exposure, with mortality the
      least sensitive. Current phyla-specific dose levels and limits proposed by major
      regulatory bodies were found to be inadequate to protect species across a range
      of endpoints including morbidity, mutation and reproduction and examples are
      discussed within. These findings serve to prioritise areas for future research
      that will significantly advance understanding of radiation-induced effects in
      aquatic invertebrates and consequently enhance ability to predict the impacts of
      radioactive releases on the environment. 

PMID- 26261883
TI  - Commentary: Endotracheal Tube Electrodes to Assess Vocal Cord Motor Function
      During Surgery in the Cerebellopontine Angle.

PMID- 26261881
TI  - Transferrin-mediated iron sequestration as a novel therapy for bacterial and
      fungal infections.
AB  - Pathogenic microbes must acquire essential nutrients, including iron, from the
      host in order to proliferate and cause infections. Iron sequestration is an
      ancient host antimicrobial strategy. Thus, enhancing iron sequestration is a
      promising, novel anti-infective strategy. Unfortunately, small molecule iron
      chelators have proven difficult to develop as anti-infective treatments, in part
      due to unacceptable toxicities. Iron sequestration in mammals is predominantly
      mediated by the transferrin family of iron-binding proteins. In this review, we
      explore the possibility of administering supraphysiological levels of exogenous
      transferrin as an iron sequestering therapy for infections, which could overcome
      some of the problems associated with small molecule chelation. Recent studies
      suggest that transferrin delivery may represent a promising approach to augment
      both natural resistance and traditional antibiotic therapy. 

PMID- 26261884
TI  - Functional genomics indicate that schizophrenia may be an adult vascular-ischemic
      disorder.
AB  - In search for the elusive schizophrenia pathway, candidate genes for the disorder
      from a discovery sample were localized within the energy-delivering and ischemia
      protection pathway. To test the adult vascular-ischemic (AVIH) and the competing
      neurodevelopmental hypothesis (NDH), functional genomic analyses of practically
      all available schizophrenia-associated genes from candidate gene, genome-wide
      association and postmortem expression studies were performed. Our results
      indicate a significant overrepresentation of genes involved in vascular function
      (P < 0.001), vasoregulation (that is, perivascular (P < 0.001) and shear stress
      (P < 0.01), cerebral ischemia (P < 0.001), neurodevelopment (P < 0.001) and
      postischemic repair (P < 0.001) among schizophrenia-associated genes from genetic
      association studies. These findings support both the NDH and the AVIH. The genes
      from postmortem studies showed an upregulation of vascular-ischemic genes (P =
      0.020) combined with downregulated synaptic (P = 0.005) genes, and ND/repair (P =
      0.003) genes. Evidence for the AVIH and the NDH is critically discussed. We
      conclude that schizophrenia is probably a mild adult vascular-ischemic and
      postischemic repair disorder. Adult postischemic repair involves ND genes for
      adult neurogenesis, synaptic plasticity, glutamate and increased long-term
      potentiation of excitatory neurotransmission (i-LTP). Schizophrenia might be
      caused by the cerebral analog of microvascular angina.

PMID- 26261885
TI  - Atypical spatiotemporal signatures of working memory brain processes in autism.
AB  - Working memory (WM) impairments may contribute to the profound behavioural
      manifestations in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, previous
      behavioural results are discrepant as are the few functional magnetic resonance
      imaging (fMRI) results collected in adults and adolescents with ASD. Here we
      investigate the precise temporal dynamics of WM-related brain activity using
      magnetoencephalography (MEG) in 20 children with ASD and matched controls during
      an n-back WM task across different load levels (1-back vs 2-back). Although
      behavioural results were similar between ASD and typically developing (TD)
      children, the between-group comparison performed on functional brain activity
      showed atypical WM-related brain processes in children with ASD compared with TD
      children. These atypical responses were observed in the ASD group from 200 to 600
      ms post stimulus in both the low- (1-back) and high- (2-back) memory load
      conditions. During the 1-back condition, children with ASD showed reduced WM
      related activations in the right hippocampus and the cingulate gyrus compared
      with TD children who showed more activation in the left dorso-lateral prefrontal
      cortex and the insulae. In the 2-back condition, children with ASD showed less
      activity in the left insula and midcingulate gyrus and more activity in the left
      precuneus than TD children. In addition, reduced activity in the anterior
      cingulate cortex was correlated with symptom severity in children with ASD. Thus,
      this MEG study identified the precise timing and sources of atypical WM-related
      activity in frontal, temporal and parietal regions in children with ASD. The
      potential impacts of such atypicalities on social deficits of autism are
      discussed. 

PMID- 26261887
TI  - Implementation of Mental Health Huddles on Dementia Care Units.
AB  - Client-responsive behaviours occur commonly among residents in long-term care
      (LTC) settings; direct-care staff, however, receive little education, support, or
      opportunities to discuss and collaborate on managing such behaviours. Our
      participatory action project introduced mental health huddles to support staff in
      discussing and managing client-responsive behaviours in long-term care. This
      research project engaged direct-care staff (e.g., personal support workers,
      registered practical nurses, housekeeping staff, and registered nurses) in
      learning how to use these huddles. Staff workers used huddles as a forum to stay
      informed, review work, problem solve, and develop person-centered action plans.
      Fifty-six huddles occurred over a 12-week period; two to seven direct-care staff
      participated in each huddle. Focus groups indicated improved staff collaboration,
      teamwork, support, and communication when discussing specific responsive
      behaviours. Huddles provided LTC staff with the opportunity to collaborate and
      discuss strategies to optimize resident care. Further research on how huddles
      affect resident care outcomes is needed.

PMID- 26261886
TI  - Lack of association between type 2 diabetes and major depression: epidemiologic
      and genetic evidence in a multiethnic population.
AB  - The positive association between depression and type 2 diabetes (T2D) has been
      controversial, and little is known about the molecular determinants linking these
      disorders. Here we investigated the association between T2D and depression at the
      clinical and genetic level in a multiethnic cohort. We studied 17,404 individuals
      from EpiDREAM (3209 depression cases and 14,195 controls) who were at risk for
      T2D and had both phenotypic and genotypic information available at baseline. The
      glycemic status was determined using the 2003 American Diabetes Association
      criteria and an oral glucose tolerance test. Major depressive episode during the
      previous 12 months was diagnosed using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of
      Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition diagnostic criteria. Twenty single-nucleotide
      polymorphisms (SNPs) previously associated with T2D were genotyped using the
      cardiovascular gene-centric 50-K SNP array and were analyzed separately and in
      combination using an unweighted genotype score (GS). Multivariate logistic
      regression models adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity and body mass index were
      performed. Newly diagnosed impaired fasting glucose (IFG)/impaired glucose
      tolerance (IGT), T2D and dysglycemia status were not associated with major
      depression (0.30 ? P ? 0.65). Twelve out of twenty SNPs and the GS were
      associated with IFG/IGT, T2D and/or dysglycemia status (6.0 * 10(-35) ? P ?
      0.048). In contrast, the 20 SNPs and GS were not associated with depression (P ?
      0.09). Our cross-sectional data do not support an association between T2D and
      depression at the clinical and genetic level in a multiethnic population at risk
      for T2D.

PMID- 26261888
TI  - Analyzing the Interprofessional Working of a Home-Based Primary Care Team.
AB  - Increasingly, interprofessional teams are responsible for providing integrated
      health care services. Effective teams, however, are not the result of chance but
      require careful planning and ongoing attention to team processes. Based on a case
      study involving interviews, participant observation, and a survey, we identified
      key attributes for effective interprofessional working (IPW) within a home-based
      primary care (HBPC) setting. Recognizing the importance of a theoretical model
      that reflects the multidimensional nature of team effectiveness research, we
      employed the integrated team effectiveness model to analyze our findings. The
      results indicated that a shared vision, common goals, respect, and trust among
      team members - as well as processes for ongoing communication, effective
      leadership, and mechanisms for conflict resolution - are vital in the development
      of a high-functioning IPW team. The ambiguity and uncertainty surrounding the
      context of service provision (clients' homes), as well the negotiation of
      external relationships in the HBPC field, require further investigation.

PMID- 26261889
TI  - Statistical Considerations in Clinical Trial Design of Immunotherapeutic Cancer
      Agents.
AB  - The classical model for identification and clinical development of anticancer
      agents was based on small molecules, which were often quite toxic. Early studies
      in small groups of patients would seek to identify a maximum tolerated dose and
      major dose-limiting toxicities. Tumor response (shrinkage) would be assessed
      after a minimum number of doses in phase II testing. The decision to take the
      drug into the randomized phase III clinical setting was usually based on the
      proportion and duration of objective tumor responses, along with overall survival
      compared with historical controls. Immune-oncologics that are designed to fight
      cancer by direct CD8(+) T-cell priming and activation or by blocking a negative
      regulatory molecule have a number of sharp distinctions from cytotoxic drugs.
      These include cytoreductive effects that may be very different in timing of onset
      from traditional chemotherapy and the potential for inducing long-term durable
      remissions even in heavily pretreated patients with metastatic disease. In this
      paper we review the different classes of immune-oncologic drugs in clinical
      development with particular attention to the biostatistical challenges associated
      with evaluating efficacy in clinical trials. Confronting these issues upfront is
      particularly important given the rapidly expanding number of clinical trials with
      both monotherapy and combination trials in immunooncology.

PMID- 26261890
TI  - Identification of a Novel Immunodominant HLA-B*07: 02-restricted Adenoviral
      Peptide Epitope and Its Potential in Adoptive Transfer Immunotherapy.
AB  - Adenovirus infections of immunocompromised patients, particularly following
      allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, are associated with morbidity
      and mortality. Immunotherapy by adoptive transfer of hexon-specific and penton
      specific T cells has been successfully applied, but many approaches are impeded
      by the low number of HLA class I-restricted adenoviral peptide epitopes described
      to date. We use a novel method to identify naturally presented adenoviral peptide
      epitopes from infected human cells, ectopically expressing defined HLA, using
      peptide elution and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. We show
      that the previously described HLA-A*01:01-restricted peptide epitope LTDLGQNLLY
      from hexon protein is naturally presented, and demonstrate the functionality of
      LTDLGQNLLY-specific T cells. We further identify a novel immunodominant HLA
      B*07:02-restricted peptide epitope VPATGRTLVL from protein 13.6 K, and
      demonstrate the high proliferative, cytotoxic, and IFN-gamma-producing capacity
      of peptide-specific T cells. Lastly, LTDLGQNLLY-specific T cells can be detected
      ex vivo following adoptive transfer therapy, and LTDLGQNLLY-specific and
      VPATGRTLVL-specific T cells have memory phenotypes ex vivo. Given their
      proliferative and cytotoxic capacity, such epitope-specific T cells are promising
      candidates for adoptive T-cell transfer therapy of adenovirus infection. 

PMID- 26261891
TI  - A Fixed Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cell Vaccine With 2 Tandem Repeats of
      Microbial HSP70 Peptide Epitope 407-426 As Adjuvant for Therapy of Hepatoma in
      Mice.
AB  - Various studies have indicated that vaccination with endothelial cells targeting
      tumor angiogenesis is an effective approach for inhibiting tumor growth and
      metastasis. However, our previous study about a viable human umbilical vein
      endothelial cell (HUVEC) vaccine demonstrated that the antitumor efficiency of
      the targeted therapy using HUVEC plus appropriate adjuvant is feasible but need
      further optimization. In this study, glutaraldehyde-fixed HUVEC, tested as
      another antigen form, was conjugated with 2 repeats of mycobacterial HSP70(407
      426) (M2) to prepare a novel HUVEC-M2 vaccine, which was expected to have an
      enhanced antitumor efficacy. HUVEC-M2 was administrated in mice by subcutaneous
      immunization in both prophylactic and therapeutic procedures. Compared with HUVEC
      alone, HUVEC-M2 induced a more significant inhibition on the growth of H22
      hepatocellular carcinoma in mice and prolonged the survival of H22 hepatocellular
      carcinoma-bearing mice in both prophylactic and therapeutic procedures.
      Meanwhile, specific CTLs as well as antibodies against tumor endothelium
      correlated well with the inhibition effect were evoked by HUVEC-M2, which
      indicated that antiangiogenesis was mainly responsible for the antitumor effect.
      Moreover, the attenuated tumor-induced angiogenesis in intradermal tumor model
      and reduced vessel density of the intradermal tumor in mice further confirmed the
      antiangiogenesis effect elicited by HUVEC-M2. All the data suggested that M2
      could be used as a potent adjuvant to conjugate with glutaraldehyde-fixed HUVEC
      for preparing HUVEC vaccines and would have important clinical implications for
      adjuvant cancer therapy.

PMID- 26261892
TI  - Identification of Programmed Death Ligand 1-derived Peptides Capable of Inducing
      Cancer-reactive Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes From HLA-A24+ Patients With Renal Cell
      Carcinoma.
AB  - Molecular therapy targeting tumor angiogenesis has been the standard treatment
      for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). However, despite their significant
      antitumor effects, most of patients with mRCC have not been cured. Under such
      circumstances, anticancer immunotherapy has been considered a promising treatment
      modality for mRCC, and cancer-reactive cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) are the
      most powerful effectors among several immune cells. However, anticancer CTLs can
      be inhibited by several immune inhibitory mechanisms, including the interaction
      between programmed death 1 (PD-1) and its ligand PD-L1, on T cells and cancer
      cells, respectively. Alternatively, this also means that PD-L1 could be a
      promising target for anticancer immunotherapy. Therefore, we searched for PD-L1
      derived peptides that are applicable for anticancer vaccine for HLA-A24(+) RCC
      patients. Among 5 peptides derived from PD-L1, which were prepared based on the
      binding motif to the HLA-A24(+) allele, both PD-L1(11-19) and PD-L1(41-50)
      peptides induced peptide-specific CTLs from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of
      HLA-A24(+) RCC patients. Such PD-L1 peptide-stimulated CD8 T cells showed
      cytotoxicity against HLA-A24(+) and PD-L1-expressing RCC cells. Although IFN
      gamma treatment increased PD-L1 expression on PD-L1(low) RCC cells, their
      sensitivity to cytotoxicity of PD-L1 peptide-stimulated CD8(+) T cells varied
      between patients. Altogether, these results indicate that both PD-L1(11-19) and
      PD-L1(41-50) peptides could be candidates for peptide-based anticancer vaccines
      for HLA-A24(+) mRCC patients.

PMID- 26261893
TI  - Reprogramming Immune Response With Capsid-Optimized AAV6 Vectors for
      Immunotherapy of Cancer.
AB  - In the current studies we generated novel capsid-optimized adeno-associated virus
      (AAV) serotype 6 (AAV6) vectors expressing a tumor-associated antigen, and
      assessed their ability to activate a protective T-cell response in an animal
      model. First, we showed that specific mutations in the AAV6 capsid increase the
      transduction efficiency of these vectors in mouse bone marrow-derived dendritic
      cells in vitro for approximately 5-fold compared with the wild-type (WT) AAV6
      vectors. Next, we evaluated the ability of the mutant AAV6 vectors to initiate
      specific T-cell clone proliferation in vivo. Our data indicate that the
      intramuscular administration of AAV6-S663V+T492V vectors expressing ovalbumin
      (OVA) led to a strong activation (approximately 9%) of specific T cells in
      peripheral blood compared with AAV6-WT treated animals (<1%). These OVA-specific
      T cells have a superior killing ability against mouse prostate cancer cell line
      RM1 stably expressing the OVA antigen when propagated in vitro. Finally, we
      evaluated the ability of capsid-optimized AAV6-S663V+T492V vectors to initiate a
      protective anticancer immune response in vivo. Our results document the
      suppression of subcutaneous tumor growth in animals immunized with AAV6
      S663V+T492V vectors expressing prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) for approximately
      4 weeks in comparison with 1 week and 2 weeks for the negative controls, AAV6
      EGFP, and AAV6-WT-PAP treated mice, respectively. These studies suggest that
      successful inhibition of tumor growth in an animal model would set the stage for
      potential clinical application of the capsid-optimized AAV6-S663V+T492V vectors. 

PMID- 26261895
TI  - Is power-space a continuum? Distance effect during power judgments.
AB  - Despite the increasing evidence suggesting that power processing can activate
      vertical space schema, it still remains unclear whether this power-space is
      dichotomic or continuous. Here we tested the nature of the power-space by the
      distance effect, a continuous property of space cognition. In two experiments,
      participants were required to judge the power of one single word (Experiment 1)
      or compare the power of two words presented in pairs (Experiment 2). The power
      distance was indexed by the absolute difference of power ratings. Results
      demonstrated that reaction time decreased with the power distance, whereas
      accuracy increased with the power distance. The findings indicated that different
      levels of power were presented as different vertical heights, implying that there
      was a common mechanism underlying space and power cognition. 

PMID- 26261894
TI  - Feasibility Study of a Novel Experimental Induction Protocol Combining B43-PAP
      (Anti-CD19) Immunotoxin With Standard Induction Chemotherapy in Children and
      Adolescents With Relapsed B-Lineage ALL: A Report From the Children's Oncology
      Group.
AB  - BACKGROUND: B43-pokeweed antiviral protein (B43-PAP) is a high-affinity anti-CD19
      immunotoxin that is capable of causing apoptotic death in B-lineage leukemic
      cells with a drug-resistant phenotype. B43-PAP exhibited in vivo antileukemic
      activity in preclinical studies as well as on a single-agent phase I clinical
      trial. This pediatric phase I/II study evaluated the toxicity profile and
      efficacy of B43-PAP immunotoxin in combination with standard induction
      chemotherapy in children and adolescents with relapsed CD19-positive B-lineage
      acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). Pharmacokinetic profile and immunogenicity
      of B43-PAP were assessed. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: B43-PAP in combination with
      standard 3 and 4-drug induction chemotherapy was administered on days 9-13 and 21
      25 of a 28-day treatment course with vincristine, prednisone, L-asparaginase,
      daunomycin, and intrathecal methotrexate. Thirty patients with relapsed B-ALL
      were enrolled on study CCG-0957. RESULTS: Grade III/IV nonhematologic dose
      limiting toxicities were encountered in 4 patients evaluable for toxicity and
      included myalgias, motor dysfunction, pulmonary toxicity, and elevated liver
      transaminase. Dose-limiting toxicities occurred only with the 4-drug regimen.
      Fourteen patients achieved a complete remission at the end of induction among the
      20 patients evaluable for response. CONCLUSIONS: B43-PAP in combination with
      standard induction chemotherapy can be safely administered and exhibits clinical
      antileukemic activity against relapsed B-ALL.

PMID- 26261896
TI  - The left visual field attentional advantage: No evidence of different speeds of
      processing across visual hemifields.
AB  - Temporal-order judgment (TOJ) and simultaneity judgment (SJ) tasks are used to
      study differences in speed of processing across sensory modalities, stimulus
      types, or experimental conditions. Matthews and Welch (2015) reported that
      observed performance in SJ and TOJ tasks is superior when visual stimuli are
      presented in the left visual field (LVF) compared to the right visual field
      (RVF), revealing an LVF advantage presumably reflecting attentional influences.
      Because observed performance reflects the interplay of perceptual and decisional
      processes involved in carrying out the tasks, analyses that separate out these
      influences are needed to determine the origin of the LVF advantage. We re
      analyzed the data of Matthews and Welch (2015) using a model of performance in SJ
      and TOJ tasks that separates out these influences. Parameter estimates capturing
      the operation of perceptual processes did not differ between hemifields by these
      analyses, whereas parameter estimates capturing the operation of decisional
      processes differed. In line with other evidence, perceptual processing also did
      not differ between SJ and TOJ tasks. Thus, the LVF advantage occurs with
      identical speeds of processing in both visual hemifields. If attention is
      responsible for the LVF advantage, it does not exert its influence via prior
      entry. 

PMID- 26261897
TI  - An Engineered SS Bridge Blocks the Conformational Change Required for the
      Nuclease Activity of BfiI.
AB  - The type IIS restriction endonuclease BfiI is a homodimer, and each monomer is
      composed of the N-terminal catalytic and C-terminal DNA recognition domains
      connected by a 28-residue linker segment. In the crystal in the absence of
      cognate DNA, BfiI exists in a "closed" conformation, in which an interdomain
      linker occludes a putative DNA binding surface at the catalytic domain and
      sterically hinders access to the active site. Cognate DNA binding presumably
      triggers a conformational change from the inactive "closed" state to the
      catalytically competent "open" state. Here we show that the disulfide SS bridge
      engineered at the domain interface locks the enzyme in the "closed" state. In the
      "closed" SS-linked state, BfiI binds cognate DNA with the same affinity as the
      wild-type enzyme but does not cut it, indicating that cross-linking introduces a
      restraint on the conformational transition, which couples DNA recognition and
      cleavage. Disruption of the interdomain SS bridge by the reducing agent restores
      the DNA cleavage ability of BfiI. 

PMID- 26261898
TI  - A hydrothermally stable Zn(ii)-based metal-organic framework: structural
      modulation and gas adsorption.
AB  - By the solvothermal reaction of a triangular ligand, 2,4,6-tris-(4
      carboxyphenoxy)-1,3,5-triazine (H3tcpt) with Zn(NO3)2.6H2O in N,N'
      dimethylacetamide/acetonitrile/H2O (v/v/v = 1 : 1 : 1) mixed solvents, a two
      fold, interpenetrated, three-dimensional (3D), porous metal-organic framework,
      [Zn2(tcpt)OH].solvents (1.solvents), with a rare, paddlewheel secondary building
      unit (SBU), Zn2(COO)3, was synthesized and characterized. It was found that a
      single 3D structure of 1 forms when two-dimensional layers, which are constructed
      by tcpt(3-) bonding with the paddlewheel SBUs, are linked by -OH groups along the
      axial sites of the SBUs. Compared with the reported Zn(ii)-based partners with
      this ligand, synthesis conditions, particularly the solvents used, clearly played
      a key role in the formation of different SBUs, thereby resulting in distinct MOFs
      with the same ligand. In particular, 1 features good water and thermal stability
      and can withstand acidic aqueous solutions with pH values ranging from 5 to 12.
      In addition, 1 displays good adsorption ability towards H2 (2.21 wt% at 77 K and
      1 atm) and can selectively adsorb CO2 from CH4 and N2, in spite of its relatively
      low void volume (36.8%), suggesting potential applications in gas storage and
      separation.

PMID- 26261899
TI  - Genetic data from algae sedimentary DNA reflect the influence of environment over
      geography.
AB  - Genetic investigations on eukaryotic plankton confirmed the existence of modern
      biogeographic patterns, but analyses of palaeoecological data exploring the
      temporal variability of these patterns have rarely been presented. Ancient
      sedimentary DNA proved suitable for investigations of past assemblage turnover in
      the course of environmental change, but genetic relatedness of the identified
      lineages has not yet been undertaken. Here, we investigate the relatedness of
      diatom lineages in Siberian lakes along environmental gradients (i.e. across
      treeline transects), over geographic distance and through time (i.e. the last
      7000 years) using modern and ancient sedimentary DNA. Our results indicate that
      closely-related Staurosira lineages occur in similar environments and less
      related lineages in dissimilar environments, in our case different vegetation and
      co-varying climatic and limnic variables across treeline transects. Thus our
      study reveals that environmental conditions rather than geographic distance is
      reflected by diatom-relatedness patterns in space and time. We tentatively
      speculate that the detected relatedness pattern in Staurosira across the treeline
      could be a result of adaptation to diverse environmental conditions across the
      arctic boreal treeline, however, a geographically-driven divergence and
      subsequent repopulation of ecologically different habitats might also be a
      potential explanation for the observed pattern. 

PMID- 26261900
TI  - Liquid phase solvent bonding of plastic microfluidic devices assisted by
      retention grooves.
AB  - We report a novel method for achieving consistent liquid phase solvent bonding of
      plastic microfluidic devices via the use of retention grooves at the bonding
      interface. The grooves are patterned during the regular microfabrication process,
      and can be placed at the periphery of a device, or surrounding microfluidic
      features with open ports, where they effectively mitigate solvent evaporation,
      and thus substantially reduce poor bond coverage. This method is broadly
      applicable to a variety of plastics and solvents, and produces devices with high
      bond quality (i.e., coverage, strength, and microfeature fidelity) that are
      suitable for studies in physics, chemistry, and cell biology at the microscale. 

PMID- 26261903
TI  - Elucidating network mechanisms underlying hand actions (Commentary on Simone et
      al.).

PMID- 26261902
TI  - Biomarkers associated with severe hypoglycaemia and death in ACCORD.
AB  - AIMS AND HYPOTHESIS: In patients with Type 2 diabetes, intensive glycaemic
      control is associated with hypoglycaemia and possibly increased mortality.
      However, no blood biomarkers exist to predict these outcomes. Using participants
      from the Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes (ACCORD) study, we
      hypothesized that insulin deficiency and islet autoantibodies in patients with
      clinically diagnosed Type 2 diabetes would be associated with severe
      hypoglycaemia and death. METHODS: A nested case-control study design was used. A
      case (n = 86) was a participant who died with at least one episode of severe
      hypoglycaemia, defined as hypoglycaemia requiring assistance, at any point during
      ACCORD follow-up. A control (n = 344) was a participant who did not die and did
      not have severe hypoglycaemia during follow-up. Each case was matched to four
      controls (glycaemic intervention arm, race, age and BMI). Baseline insulin
      deficiency (fasting C-peptide <= 0.15 nmol/l) and islet autoantibodies [glutamic
      acid decarboxylase (GAD), tyrosine phosphatase-related islet antigen 2 (IA2),
      insulin (IAA) and zinc transporter (ZnT8)] were measured. Conditional logistic
      regression with and without adjustment for age, BMI and diabetes duration was
      used. RESULTS: Death during ACCORD in those who experienced at least one episode
      of severe hypoglycaemia was associated with insulin deficiency [OR 4.8 (2.1,
      11.1): P < 0.0001], GAD antibodies [OR 2.3 (1.1, 5.1): P = 0.04], the presence of
      IAA or baseline insulin use [OR 6.1 (3.5,10.7): P < 0.0001], which remained
      significant after adjusting for age, BMI, and diabetes duration. There was no
      significant association with IA2 or ZnT8 antibodies. CONCLUSIONS: In patients
      with Type 2 diabetes, C-peptide or GAD antibodies may serve as blood biomarkers
      predicting higher odds of subsequent severe hypoglycaemia and death. (Clinical
      Trial Registry No: NCT00000620, www.clinicaltrials.gov for original ACCORD
      study).

PMID- 26261904
TI  - Temporal orienting of attention: An fNIRS study on the illusion of "a watched pot
      never boils".
AB  - The present study used a single-task paradigm in which participants received
      guidance to focus more attention (waiting for someone) on the temporal intervals
      in the "waiting" condition and to stay relaxed in the control condition. The
      reported time was longer in the waiting condition than in the control condition.
      Functional near-infrared spectroscopy was used to measure simultaneously the
      activation levels of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) for each
      condition. Greater oxyhemoglobin (oxy-Hb) activation in the waiting condition was
      observed compared with the control condition, whilst deoxyhemoglobin data showed
      no difference between the two conditions. The gradual changes in oxy-Hb in the
      DLPFC in increments of 100 ms yielded further insights into the role of this
      region in the "watched pot never boils" phenomenon. 

PMID- 26261905
TI  - Adapting cognitive behavioral therapy to meet the needs of Chinese clients:
      Opportunities and challenges.
AB  - With the growing influence of China (Chinese people/culture) on the world's
      politics, economy, and culture, the psychological wellbeing of Chinese people is
      becoming increasingly important for both researchers and practitioners. Despite
      this, the cultural responsiveness of many conventional psychotherapeutic models
      has often been brought into question. In contrast, cognitive behavioral therapy
      (CBT) is rapidly becoming one of the most popular approaches in the mental health
      service industry and has been successfully adapted into many different cultural
      contexts. The current article is a theoretical discussion of the opportunities
      and challenges that CBT faces with respect to how it might meet the cultural
      needs and preferences of Chinese clients. Suggestions for successful cultural
      adaptation are offered based on existing research and practices. It is concluded
      that many features of CBT appear to match well with the Chinese cultural
      perspective. However, despite this promising start further work is needed to
      focus specifically on its practical effectiveness for Chinese clients. 

PMID- 26261906
TI  - The effects of incidental scents in the evaluation of environmental goods: The
      role of congruity.
AB  - We investigated whether pleasant ambient scents influence hypothetical and real
      money contributions toward environmental goods. We hypothesized that they would
      increase such contributions more when they were congruent with the target goods
      than when they were incongruent or when no scent was released. The results
      supported this congruity hypothesis. We offer a mental accessibility account:
      Pleasant scents that are congruent with a target good make positive information
      about that good more accessible and thus promote prosocial behavior. 

PMID- 26261907
TI  - Factor structure and factorial invariance of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory
      for Chinese children and adolescents.
AB  - As previous research utilizing Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (Form
      Y; STAI-Y) has mostly involved adults or clinical groups, there have been
      relatively few reports assessing adolescents. This study is the first using data
      for children and adolescents in mainland China, from a large-scale cross
      sectional survey in Beijing (Sample 1) and a longitudinal survey from the
      Wenchuan 512 earthquake (Sample 2), to clarify the factor structure and factorial
      invariance of the STAI-Y, Mandarin Chinese version. As a result, only in Sample 1
      did a comparison of 11 confirmatory factor analysis models indicate the best
      goodness-of-fit indices shown by a two-factor structure for both state and trait
      anxiety, with both models reaching the selected cutoff criteria. These two
      optimal models were used in a subsequent simultaneous confirmatory factor
      analysis to test four conditions of factorial invariance, using eight participant
      groups divided on the basis of sex and school grade (fourth, fifth, sixth, and
      seventh to ninth). The two-factor structure state and trait anxiety models
      achieved the cutoff criteria for factorial invariance, with the exception of male
      fourth graders. Further, it was clearly shown that in comparison with the early
      stage of puberty, as puberty advanced the absence of state and trait anxiety
      gradually decreased, while scores for the presence of anxiety gradually
      increased. At the same time, in the case of Sample 2, which had experienced a
      traumatic event, as the goodness-of-fit indices for none of the 11 models reached
      the cutoff criteria, the factor scores showed arbitrariness and a lack of
      objectivity. The authors conclude that cognitive structure with regard to the
      STAI-Y may change with traumatic experience or the development of secondary sex
      characteristics at the onset of or in the stage of puberty. Also, computing the
      scores according to the STAI-Y manual is problematic. 

PMID- 26261901
TI  - Organic Nitrate Therapy, Nitrate Tolerance, and Nitrate-Induced Endothelial
      Dysfunction: Emphasis on Redox Biology and Oxidative Stress.
AB  - Organic nitrates, such as nitroglycerin (GTN), isosorbide-5-mononitrate and
      isosorbide dinitrate, and pentaerithrityl tetranitrate (PETN), when given
      acutely, have potent vasodilator effects improving symptoms in patients with
      acute and chronic congestive heart failure, stable coronary artery disease, acute
      coronary syndromes, or arterial hypertension. The mechanisms underlying
      vasodilation include the release of *NO or a related compound in response to
      intracellular bioactivation (for GTN, the mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase
      [ALDH-2]) and activation of the enzyme, soluble guanylyl cyclase. Increasing
      cyclic guanosine-3',-5'-monophosphate (cGMP) levels lead to an activation of the
      cGMP-dependent kinase I, thereby causing the relaxation of the vascular smooth
      muscle by decreasing intracellular calcium concentrations. The hemodynamic and
      anti-ischemic effects of organic nitrates are rapidly lost upon long-term (low
      dose) administration due to the rapid development of tolerance and endothelial
      dysfunction, which is in most cases linked to increased intracellular oxidative
      stress. Enzymatic sources of reactive oxygen species under nitrate therapy
      include mitochondria, NADPH oxidases, and an uncoupled *NO synthase. Acute high
      dose challenges with organic nitrates cause a similar loss of potency
      (tachyphylaxis), but with distinct pathomechanism. The differences among organic
      nitrates are highlighted regarding their potency to induce oxidative stress and
      subsequent tolerance and endothelial dysfunction. We also address pleiotropic
      effects of organic nitrates, for example, their capacity to stimulate antioxidant
      pathways like those demonstrated for PETN, all of which may prevent adverse
      effects in response to long-term therapy. Based on these considerations, we will
      discuss and present some preclinical data on how the nitrate of the future should
      be designed.

PMID- 26261908
TI  - The influence of pubertal timing and stressful life events on depression and
      delinquency among Chinese adolescents.
AB  - This study aimed to investigate the influences of pubertal timing and stressful
      life events on Chinese adolescents' depression and delinquency. Sex differences
      in these influences were also examined. A large sample with 4,228 participants
      aged 12-15 years (53% girls) was recruited in Beijing, China. Participants'
      pubertal development, stressful life events, depressive symptoms, and delinquency
      were measured using self-reported questionnaires. Both early maturing girls and
      boys displayed more delinquency than their same-sex on-time and late maturing
      peers. Early maturing girls displayed more depressive symptoms than on-time and
      late maturing girls, but boys in the three maturation groups showed similar
      levels of depressive symptoms. The interactive effects between early pubertal
      timing and stressful life events were significant in predicting depression and
      delinquency, particularly for girls. Early pubertal maturation is an important
      risk factor for Chinese adolescents' depression and delinquency. Stressful life
      events intensified the detrimental effects of early pubertal maturation on
      adolescents' depression and delinquency, particularly for girls. 

PMID- 26261910
TI  - Corrigendum.
AB  - In connection with the article entitled "A randomized trial comparing the rate of
      hypoglycemia - assessed using continuous glucose monitoring - in 125 preschool
      children with type 1 diabetes treated with insulin glargine or NPH insulin (the
      PRESCHOOL study)" which appeared in [1], we wish to bring the following
      correction to your attention: In the acknowledgement section, we would like to
      add the name of the 2 investigators from Turkey to the supporting information
      file: Turkey: Ayla Guven, Nurgun Kandemir.

PMID- 26261909
TI  - Job insecurity and work-family conflict in teachers in Sweden: Examining their
      relations with longitudinal cross-lagged modeling.
AB  - Job insecurity and work-family conflict are increasingly prevalent in
      contemporary working life and numerous studies have documented their antecedents
      and negative consequences. The present study used longitudinal questionnaire data
      collected among teachers in Sweden to test the direction of the relation between
      job insecurity and work-family conflict using cross-lagged modeling. Multiple
      group comparisons were conducted to account for the skewed gender composition in
      the teachers' group. After controlling for baseline levels of job insecurity,
      work-family conflict, and four potential confounders (age, children under 12
      living at home, university education, and relationship status), we found that the
      reciprocal relationship between job insecurity and work-family conflict over a 1
      year time period fitted the data best for the men. For women, however, only the
      auto regression coefficients were significant. The results provide some empirical
      support for gender differences in the relation between job insecurity and work
      family conflict. Moreover, this study partially supports theoretical assumptions
      suggesting that job insecurity and work-family conflict influence each other. 

PMID- 26261911
TI  - Corrigendum.
AB  - The authors wish to make the following corrections (shown in bold) to [1]:On page
      116, "Introduction" section, second paragraph in second column, "1:00 hour"
      should be "1 AM". The sentence should read as:'Insulin therapy started in 1922
      using regular insulin before each main meal and one injection in the night,
      usually at 1 AM'.On page 118, Table 1 should appear as follows.

PMID- 26261912
TI  - Gynecologic Cancer InterGroup (GCIG) Consensus Review for Clear Cell Carcinoma of
      the Ovary: Erratum.

PMID- 26261914
TI  - The Ipsilateral Adjacent Laminae: A Reliable Guide in Determining the Direction
      of Subaxial Cervical Pedicle Axis in the Sagittal Plane.
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective radiographic analysis and applied anatomical study.
      OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationships between the
      ipsilateral lamina/laminae and pedicle axis in the sagittal plane, and the
      feasibility of free hand pedicle screw placement in subaxial cervical spine
      without intraoperative fluoroscopic guidance. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The
      morphology of subaxial cervical spine pedicle has been studied extensively.
      However, to our knowledge, no study has specifically evaluated the relationships
      between the ipsilateral lamina/laminae and pedicle axis in the sagittal plane on
      computed tomography (CT) reconstruction images. METHODS: Axial CT images of 70
      adult cases were obtained. Multi-directional pedicle axis reconstruction images
      of subaxial cervical spines were analyzed. Both the angle formed by the direction
      of ipsilateral lamina to the pedicle axis in the oblique sagittal plane (lamina
      pedicle angle, LPA) and the angle formed by the tangential line passing the
      ipsilateral adjacent outer laminae cortex to the pedicle axis in the oblique
      sagittal plane (tangential line pedicle angle, TPA) were recorded. On the basis
      of the radiographic data, a "T"-shaped guiding tool was designed, and the
      accuracy of free hand subaxial pedicle screw placement using the guiding tool was
      evaluated in 12 cadavers. RESULTS: A total of 350 vertebrae were analyzed.
      Averaged LPA ranged from 72.2 degrees at C3 to 84.2 degrees at C6, averaged TPA
      ranged from 89.8 degrees at C3 to 90.7 degrees at C6. The TPA showed a high level
      of consistency close to a right angle. A total of 115 inserted subaxial cervical
      pedicle screws on 12 cadavers were evaluated. The rate of screw insertion without
      pedicle wall penetration was 98%, and the rate of pedicle wall penetration of
      more than 2 mm in the sagittal plane was 0%. CONCLUSIONS: The TPA serves to be a
      reliable guide in determining the direction of subaxial cervical pedicle axis in
      the sagittal plane. Free hand placement of subaxial pedicle screw is feasible
      under the guidance of the newly designed guiding tool based on TPA. LEVEL OF
      EVIDENCE: 5.

PMID- 26261913
TI  - Impact of C4'-O-Alkyl Linker on in Vivo Pharmacokinetics of Near-Infrared
      Cyanine/Monoclonal Antibody Conjugates.
AB  - Near-infrared (NIR) fluorophores have several advantages over visible-light
      fluorophores, including superior tissue penetration and lower autofluorescence.
      We recently accessed a new class of readily synthesized NIR cyanines containing a
      novel C4'-O-alkyl linker, which provides both high chemical stability and
      excellent optical properties. In this study, we provide the first in vivo
      analysis of this new class of compounds, represented by the tetrasulfonate FNIR
      774 (Frederick NIR 774). Monoclonal antibody (mAb) conjugates of FNIR-774 were
      compared to conjugates of the commercially available dye (IRDye800CW (IR800)),
      one of the most widely used NIR fluorophores for clinical translation. Both dyes
      were conjugated to panitumumab (pan) or cetuximab (cet) with ratios of 1:2 or
      1:5. Conjugates of both dyes demonstrated similar quenching capacity, stability,
      and brightness in target cells in vitro. In contrast, in vivo imaging in mice
      showed different pharmacokinetics between pan-FNIR-774 (1:5) and pan-IR800 (1:5),
      or cet-FNIR-774 (1:5) and cet-IR800 (1:5). Particularly at the higher labeling
      density, mAb-FNIR-774 conjugates showed superior specific accumulation in tumors
      compared with mAb-IR800 conjugates. Thus, FNIR-774 conjugates showed superior in
      vivo pharmacokinetics compared with IR800 conjugates, independent of the mAb.
      These results suggest that FNIR-774 is a promising fluorescent probe for NIR
      optical imaging. 

PMID- 26261915
TI  - Prediction of Curve Correction Using Alternate Level Pedicle Screw Placement in
      Patients With Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) Lenke 1 and 2 Using Supine
      Side Bending (SB) and Fulcrum Bending (FB) Radiograph.
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. OBJECTIVE: To compare side bending (SB)
      and fulcrum bending (FB) radiographs in patients with adolescent idiopathic
      scoliosis (AIS) and effect of magnitude and AR curves on curve correctability.
      SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The prediction of correction using side bending
      flexibility (SBF) and fulcrum bending flexibility (FBF) in alternate level
      pedicle screw (PS) configuration and effect of curve magnitude and AR curves are
      not well understood. METHODS: 100 AIS Lenke 1 and 2 were recruited. Curve
      magnitude was stratified to G1 (41 degrees -60 degrees ), G2 (61 degrees -80
      degrees ), G3 (>80 degrees ). The main thoracic (MT) curves were subclassified to
      AR curves [Miyanji F, Pawelek JB, Van Valin SE, et al. Is the lumbar modifier
      useful in surgical decision making? Defining two distinct Lenke 1A curve
      patterns. Spine 2008;33:2545-51]. Preoperatively SBF and FBF were determined
      whereas postoperative parameters were correction rate (CR), fulcrum bending
      correction index (FBCI), and side bending correction index (SBCI). Correlation
      test were carried out between SBF, FBF versus CR for the cohort. RESULTS: There
      were 38 (G1), 42 (G2), and 20 (G3) patients. 34% were AR curves. SBF for G1, G2,
      and G3 were 61.3 +/- 14.4, 59.2 +/- 16.2 and 43.1 +/- 13.1% (P = 0.000) whereas
      FBF for G1, G2, and G3 were 71.1 +/- 16.5, 58.3 +/- 18.1 and 52.7 +/- 17.1% (P =
      0.000). The CR was G1 (74.5 +/- 11.5%), G2 (69.2 +/- 12.7%), and G3 (70.2 +/-
      8.6%). FBCI was 1.11 +/- 0.3 (G1), 1.28 +/- 0.4 (G2) and 1.48 +/- 0.6 for G3.
      SBCI was 1.26 +/- 0.2 (G1), 1.50 +/- 0.5 (G2), and 1.72 +/- 0.4 for G3. There was
      strong correlation for SBF and FBF versus CR for G1 and G2. For G3, a very strong
      correlation was established between SBF (r = 0.846, r = 0.716) and FBF versus CR
      (r = 0.700, r = 0.540). AR curves demonstrated higher SBF and FBF. CONCLUSION: CR
      remains almost constant in G1, G2, and G3. SBCI and FBCI increase significantly
      in G1, G2, and G3. Correlation between SBF and FBF and CR was strong for G1, G2,
      and very strong for G3. AR curves showed better correctability with SB and FB
      films.

PMID- 26261916
TI  - Reoperation Rates for Symptomatic Nonunions in Anterior Cervical Fusions From a
      National Spine Registry.
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study with chart review. OBJECTIVE: To
      determine the reoperation rates for symptomatic nonunions for 1-level, 2-level,
      and 3-level anterior cervical discectomies and fusions (ACDFs) from a national
      spine registry. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: There is very little data reported in
      the literature on reoperation rates for symptomatic nonunions after ACDFs. The
      reported nonunion rates are primarily based on radiographical evidence, although
      some of these may be asymptomatic. Similarly, there may be symptomatic patients
      with nonunions who elect not to have a reoperation. We think, however, data from
      a national spine registry provide a realistic and unbiased assessment of routine
      cervical spine fusion care and represent a heterogeneous population with varied
      indications and surgical techniques and are best suited to determine reoperations
      for symptomatic nonunions. METHODS: Using data from a Spine Implant Registry
      developed at a large integrated health care system (Kaiser Permanente), patients
      with ACDFs between January 2009 and December 2012 with 2-year follow-up were
      identified. Patient characteristics, admitting diagnosis, and number of levels
      fused were extracted from the registry. Reoperations for symptomatic nonunions
      from the index spinal procedure were identified by chart review. RESULTS: A
      cohort of 1054 patients with more than 2 years of follow-up were found to have
      reoperations for nonunions of 0.2%, 2.9%, and 6.5% for 1-level, 2-level, and 3
      level ACDFs, respectively. CONCLUSION: A large cohort of ACDF patients with more
      than 2 years of follow-up had reoperations for nonunion rates significantly lower
      than reported in the literature for radiographical nonunions. We think our data
      add to the literature an important parameter (reoperations for nonunion rates)
      and provide useful information for patients, spine surgeons, and health care
      payers.

PMID- 26261917
TI  - Validation and Reliability Analysis of the Spinal Deformity Study Group
      Classification for L5-S1 Lumbar Spondylolisthesis.
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: An intra- and interobserver reliability study. OBJECTIVE: To assess
      the intra- and interobserver reliability of the Spinal Deformity Study Group
      (SDSG) system for classifying adolescent and adult L5-S1 spondylolisthesis.
      SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Reliability of the SDSG classification has only been
      previously validated in adolescent patients as performed by the SDSG study group
      investigators. METHODS: A total of 80 patients with L5-S1 spondylolisthesis were
      included in this study. Only dysplastic and isthmic spondylolisthesis were
      included in this study. Long-cassette standing lateral radiographs of the spine
      and pelvis were obtained. All 80 cases were classified according to the SDSG
      classification by four observers. After a 2-week interval, the same
      classification was independently repeated by each observer with the cases in a
      different randomly assigned order. The Fleiss' kappa coefficient was calculated
      to test the intra- and interobserver reliabilities of the SDSG classification.
      RESULTS: The present study included all six types of SDSG classification. Overall
      intra- and interobserver agreements were 86.6% (kappa: 0.830) and 73.3% (kappa:
      0.648), respectively. The intra- and interobserver agreements and repeatability
      associated with slip grade were 89.7% (kappa: 0.824) and 87.7% (kappa: 0.721),
      respectively. Regarding sacropelvic and spinal balance, intra- and interobserver
      agreements and repeatability were 83.7% (kappa: 0.735) and 77.5% (kappa: 0.602)
      for low-grade slips, and 90.75% (kappa: 0.883) and 90.4% (kappa: 0.851) for high
      grade slips, respectively. CONCLUSION: Substantial intra- and interobserver
      reliability was found for the SDSG classification in L5-S1 lumbar
      spondylolisthesis. SDSG classification system is a simple and clear
      classification scheme incorporating spinopelvic parameters, which provides
      significant clinical utility. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

PMID- 26261918
TI  - Predicting Short-term Morbidity in Patients Undergoing Posterior Spinal Fusion
      for Neuromuscular Scoliosis.
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was
      to determine the incidence and risk factors for short-term morbidity following
      posterior spinal fusion (PSF) for neuromuscular scoliosis (NMS). SUMMARY OF
      BACKGROUND DATA: NMS is a challenging spinal deformity for which PSF is often
      recommended. There is a lack of information on risk factors for short-term
      adverse outcomes after PSF for NMS. METHODS: Patients who underwent PSF for NMS
      during 2012 and 2013 were identified from the American College of Surgeons
      National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) Pediatric database. Patient
      characteristics were tested for association with adverse events, infectious
      complications, extended length of stay (LOS), and readmission using multivariate
      regression. RESULTS: Of the 940 NMS patients identified, 133 (14.1%) had an
      adverse event and 99 (10.5%) had a severe adverse event. American Society of
      Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification >=3 was found to be the only independent
      risk factor for any adverse event (relative risk [RR] 2.2, P = 0.012) and severe
      adverse events (RR 2.5, P = 0.008). Infectious complications were associated with
      body mass index (BMI)-for-age >=95th percentile (RR 2.8, P = 0.005), ASA
      classification >=3 (RR 5.9, P = 0.003), and instrumentation to the pelvis (RR
      1.8, P = 0.039).A total of 254 patients (27%) spent longer than a week in the
      hospital postoperatively, and ASA classification >=3 (RR 2.3, P < 0.001),
      preoperative seizure disorder (RR 1.4, P = 0.002), previous cardiac surgery (RR
      1.6, P = 0.004), operative time >=470 minutes (RR 1.8, P < 0.001), and >=13
      levels instrumented (RR 1.9, P = 0.001) were associated with extended LOS.Seventy
      six patients (8.1%) were readmitted, and BMI-for-age >=95th percentile (RR 1.8, P
      = 0.033) was the only risk factor found for readmission. CONCLUSION: The
      identified factors associated with poor short-term outcomes after PSF for NMS can
      be used as benchmark data, be useful for optimizing patient care, and can inform
      future studies in these patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

PMID- 26261919
TI  - CT-Based Anatomical Evaluation of Pre-Vertebral Structures With Respect to
      Vertebral Body Using a Clock-Face Analogy.
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective Chart and CT Scan Review. OBJECTIVE: To define the
      relationship of the pre-vertebral structures for each level to assist in easier
      intraoperative visualization. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Vascular and visceral
      injuries from pedicle screws are well-known. This study will define the
      relationship of the pre-vertebral structures for each level to assist in avoiding
      potential complications. METHODS: Pre- and post-operative CT scans were reviewed
      to define the pre-vertebral structures in relation to a clock-face. On
      reformatted axial slices, a clock-face was superimposed so that the left
      transverse process (TP) represented 8 o'clock and the right TP represented 4
      o'clock. The positions of the TP on the clock-face did not change with rotation
      of the vertebra. RESULTS: 108 patients had pre-operative CT scans. 78 had post
      operative CT scans. Median age was 15 years, median Cobb angle was 50 degrees ,
      fused were 12, with 21 fixation points. 6324 axial CT slices were reformatted and
      analyzed. The trachea was located at 12 o'clock at T1, 1 o'clock at T2-T4, and
      between 12 and 1 o'clock at T5. The esophagus starts as a midline structure at 12
      o'clock from T1-T2, moves to 11 o'clock from T3-T6, and further to 10 o'clock
      from T7-T9. The aorta starts at 10 o'clock at T5-T6, moves left at T7-T8 to 9
      o'clock, and returns to 10 o'clock from T9-T11. It appears at 11'clock at T12,
      and at 12 o'clock from L1-L4. In about a third of cases, it is at 1 o'clock from
      L1 to L4, where it bifurcates. CONCLUSIONS: This CT-based anatomical study
      provides a simple reference frame to help surgeons visualize the vital structures
      at each level. This three-dimensional visualization is facilitated by fixing the
      position of TP on the clock-face. Knowledge of this anatomical relationship can
      help avoid direct injury, and is easier to recall intra-operatively. LEVEL OF
      EVIDENCE: 3.

PMID- 26261920
TI  - Intraoperative Cardiopulmonary Arrest in Children Undergoing Spinal Deformity
      Correction: Causes and Associated Factors.
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review. OBJECTIVE: To report the incidence of and
      risk factors for intraoperative cardiopulmonary arrest (ICA) in children
      undergoing spinal deformity surgery. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Spinal
      deformities in children are associated with comorbidities that can pose
      substantial risks during surgery. METHODS: We reviewed records of patients who
      underwent surgery at two pediatric tertiary-care hospitals from 2004 through
      2014. Fisher exact test and the Student t test were used to compare ICA and non
      ICA groups by patient diagnosis, estimated blood loss, number of vertebral levels
      fused, and proportion of blood volume lost (significance, P < 0.05). We
      classified proximate causes of ICA based on hemoglobin, metabolic
      panel/electrolyte imbalance, electrocardiogram/echocardiography, and vital signs.
      RESULTS: ICA occurred in 11 of 2524 (0.4%) patients. Patients with neuromuscular
      disorders had a 3-fold higher risk of ICA compared with those without
      neuromuscular disorders. At the time of ICA, hemoglobin levels were 5  g/dL or
      less in four patients, potassium was higher than 5.5  mEq/L in six patients, and
      ionized calcium was less than or equal to 1  mmol/L in two patients. There were
      significant differences between the ICA and non-ICA groups in mean number of
      vertebral levels fused (15 vs. 12), patient weight (34 vs. 49  kg), estimated
      blood loss (2623 vs. 959  mL), and proportion of blood volume lost (1.03 vs.
      0.33) (all P < 0.01). Suspected causes of ICA were cardiovascular causes (eight
      patients) and anaphylaxis, primary rhythm disturbance, and respiratory/airway
      cause (one patient each). The incidence of ICA for patients with idiopathic
      scoliosis was 0.13%. Ten of the 11 patients were successfully resuscitated, and
      one patient died. CONCLUSION: ICA occurs in approximately 0.4% of children
      undergoing spinal fusion surgery. Patients with neuromuscular disorders are at
      greater risk of ICA than those without these disorders. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

PMID- 26261921
TI  - Arabidopsis COPPER MODIFIED RESISTANCE1/PATRONUS1 is essential for growth
      adaptation to stress and required for mitotic onset control.
AB  - The mitotic checkpoint (MC) guards faithful sister chromatid segregation by
      monitoring the attachment of spindle microtubules to the kinetochores. When
      chromosome attachment errors are detected, MC delays the metaphase-to-anaphase
      transition through the inhibition of the anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome
      (APC/C) ubiquitin ligase. In contrast to yeast and mammals, our knowledge on the
      proteins involved in MC in plants is scarce. Transient synchronization of root
      tips as well as promoter-reporter gene fusions were performed to analyze temporal
      and spatial expression of COPPER MODIFIED RESISTANCE1/PATRONUS1 (CMR1/PANS1) in
      developing Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings. Functional analysis of the gene was
      carried out, including CYCB1;2 stability in CMR1/PANS1 knockout and overexpressor
      background as well as metaphase-anaphase chromosome status. CMR1/PANS1 is
      transcriptionally active during M phase. Its deficiency provokes premature cell
      cycle exit and in consequence a rapid consumption of the number of meristematic
      cells in particular under stress conditions that are known to affect spindle
      microtubules. Root growth impairment is correlated with a failure to delay the
      onset of anaphase, resulting in anaphase bridges and chromosome missegregation.
      CMR1/PANS1 overexpression stabilizes the mitotic CYCB1;2 protein. Likely,
      CMR1/PANS1 coordinates mitotic cell cycle progression by acting as an APC/C
      inhibitor and plays a key role in growth adaptation to stress. 

PMID- 26261922
TI  - [Will physicians continue to do research in the future?].

PMID- 26261923
TI  - [Asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis--is screening useful?].
AB  - Stenoses of the carotid artery are associated with an increased stroke risk.
      Duplex ultrasound is the method of choice for screening for carotid artery
      stenosis. Unselected screening for carotid stenosis in unselected persons is not
      efficient and cannot be recommended. Screening by vascular ultrasound, however,
      is indicated in patients with neurologic symptoms from cerebral territories
      supplied by the anterior or mid cerebral artery, and in asymptomatic patients
      with carotid bruits, atherosclerotic disease in other vascular territories, after
      contralateral carotid artery revascularization, and after radiation therapy of
      the neck. 

PMID- 26261924
TI  - [Hypoparathyroidism].
AB  - Hypoparathyroidism and quality of life: Even in adequately substituted patients,
      hypoparathyroidism (HPT) is associated with impaired quality of life. It has been
      hypothesized that there is a correlation between reduced quality of life and lack
      of parathyroid hormone (PTH) in the central nervous system. Positive effects on
      quality of life have been reported when treating HPT with PTH. Hypoparathyroidism
      and comorbidities: Comorbidities associated with HPT include an increased risk of
      nephrolithiasis/nephrocalcinosis and neuro-psychiatric disease. Additionally,
      cardiovascular risk profile and an increased susceptibility for infections have
      been reported. Mortality rates seem not to be increased in HPT.
      Hypoparathyroidism and new therapeutic strategies: Recombinant PTH has not been
      approved for the treatment of HPT in Europe yet. However, in early 2015, the FDA
      approved PTH (1-84). Daily subcutaneous delivery of PTH (1-84) and PTH (1-34)
      (Teriparatide) has emerged as a promising therapeutic tool. However, its use
      should be restricted to patients insufficiently controlled with the standard
      treatment consisting of active vitamin d and calcium.

PMID- 26261925
TI  - [Chronic ulcers--consequences].

PMID- 26261926
TI  - [Current standards in the treatment of gastric cancer].
AB  - Endoscopic resection is established in the treatment of early gastric cancer.
      More advanced gastric cancer requires gastrectomy and D2 lymphadenectomy.
      Perioperative chemotherapy improves overall survival in locally advanced gastric
      cancer representing a standard of care. Locally advanced adenocarcinomas of the
      esophago-gastric junction can alternatively be treated with concurrent
      radiochemotherapy. In metastatic disease, systemic chemotherapy improves
      survival, quality of life and symptom control. Trastuzumab plus chemotherapy
      should be used together with first-line chemotherapy in HER2 positive gastric
      cancer patients. Second- and third-line therapy is now well established. The anti
      VEGFR2 antibody Ramucirumab improves survival in second line treatment both as a
      monotherapy and in combination with paclitaxel and represents a novel treatment
      option. 

PMID- 26261927
TI  - [Q fever].
AB  - The article summarizes some important recently identified findings about the
      Coxiella burnetii disease, Q fever. Beside new diagnostic parameters for follow
      up issues, the importance of a timely identification of chronic Q fever and the
      peculiarities of the post Q fever fatigue syndrome are depicted. 

PMID- 26261928
TI  - [Implementation of therapeutic hypothermia into clinical practice].
AB  - Implementation of mild therapeutic hypothermia after cardiac arrest into clinical
      practice is a continuing process. Although ILCOR recommendation was given in
      2003, only 24% of the German hospitals reported the use of hypothermia in this
      setting in 2005. Growing evidence and most importantly the implementation of
      hypothermia into the guidelines led to a significant increase of acceptance of
      this therapeutic option leading to a user rate of 69% in 2009. Encouraged by the
      new guidelines from 2010 86% of German hospitals finally reported to use
      hypothermia after cardiac arrest routinely in 2012, a decade after publication of
      the mile stone studies. The phenomenon of a delayed implementation of hypothermia
      into clinical practice can be seen throughout the world as many surveys from
      different countries at different time points have shown. When hypothermia is
      used, hospitals go with the guidelines quite strictly with respect to indication,
      duration of treatment and target temperature. This strengthens the importance of
      guidelines in the process to implement new therapeutic options. However, although
      a recent study still promotes a strict target temperature management it questions
      the need for a markedly reduced target temperature of 33 degrees C. It remains to
      be elucidated how this study will affect the daily routine in the hospitals and
      most interestingly how this study will change the coming guidelines in 2015.

PMID- 26261929
TI  - [Prophylaxis of thromboembolism in atrial fibrillation: new oral anticoagulants
      and left atrial appendage closure].
AB  - Thrombo-embolic prophylaxis is a key element within the therapy of atrial
      fibrillation/atrial flutter. Besides new oral anticoagulants the concept of left
      atrial appendage occlusion has approved to be a good alternative option,
      especially in patients with increased risk of bleeding. 

PMID- 26261930
TI  - [Chronic kidney disease--update 2015].

PMID- 26261931
TI  - [Treatment of pulmonal hypertension].
AB  - While the clinical classification of diseases with pulmonary hypertension (PH)
      has remained fairly stable in recent years, the treatment options have improved
      significantly. In addition to the General measures (vaccinations, physical
      training) new recommendations for supportive therapy (administration of
      diuretics, iron supplementation and oral anticoagulant) exist currently. Some new
      substances (mostly in the indication pulmonary arterial hypertension) have been
      admitted to the targeted drug treatment in recent years. For the first time,
      exist a approved drug therapy for the non-operable and residual chronic
      thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. 

PMID- 26261932
TI  - [Ultrasound examination in rheumatoid arthritis].
AB  - Musculoskeletal ultrasound in the clinical routine praxis increases the hit rate
      for the diagnosis of inflammatory joint diseases. Power Doppler ultrasound is
      helpful in the detection of subclinical synovitis in the small finger joints in
      patients with rheumatoid arthritis; subclinical synovitis can lead to severe
      joint destruction. Rigorous clinical remission criteria result in lower synovitis
      detected by power Doppler ultrasound.

PMID- 26261933
TI  - [New oral anticoagulants and endoscopy--what do you have to consider?].
AB  - Anti-coagulated patients often undergo endoscopic procedures and non-vitamin-K
      antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOAC) are increasingly prescribed. Consequently,
      a comprehensive knowledge about the adequate peri-interventional handling of
      these substances is required. A standardized approach needs to be planned for
      elective and emergency situations. As a result of their pharmacokinetics, the
      peri-endoscopic management of NOAC is relatively easy - an heparin
      "bridging"/"switching" is usually not required. In case of a severe NOAC bleeding
      endoscopic treatment must be considered at an early stage. 

PMID- 26261934
TI  - [39-year-old man with 15 years lasting pain in both hands].

PMID- 26261936
TI  - Shedding of Water Drops from a Surface under Icing Conditions.
AB  - A sessile water drop exposed to an air flow will shed if the adhesion is overcome
      by the external aerodynamic forces on the drop. In this study, shedding of water
      drops were investigated under icing conditions, on surfaces with different
      wettabilities, from hydrophilic to superhydrophobic. A wind tunnel was used for
      experiments in a temperature range between -8 and 24.5  degrees C. Results
      indicate that the temperature has a major influence on the incipient motion of
      drop shedding. The critical air velocity (U(c)) at which a drop first starts to
      shed generally increases under icing conditions, indicating an increase in the
      adhesion force. The contact angle hysteresis (CAH) and the drop base length
      (L(b)) are found to be the controlling factors for adhesion. A correlation was
      also developed to deduce the drag coefficient, C(D) for the drop. It was found
      that C(D) can decrease under icing conditions. In general, a lower C(D) and
      higher adhesion together lead to a higher critical air velocity. However, there
      are systems such as water on Teflon for which the critical air velocity remains
      practically unaffected by temperature because of similar adhesion and C(D)
      values, at all temperatures tested.

PMID- 26261935
TI  - [Fecal microbiota transfer (FMT) in a patient with refractory irritable bowel
      syndrome].
AB  - Irritable bowel syndrome is a disorder of the gastrointestinal tract with unknown
      etiology. Recent clinical data support a link between changes in fecal microbiota
      with decreased biodiversity and the development of irritable bowel syndrome.
      Whether these changes of the microbiota are caused by the disease or whether they
      develop during the course of the disease remains unclear. Several studies
      demonstrated that fecal microbiota transfer (FMT) successfully attenuates
      Clostridium difficile infection by restoring the disturbed bacterial flora of the
      gut and case reports suggest that FMT may relief symptoms in patients with
      irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Here we report a 47-year-old male patient with
      longstanding refractory diarrhea predominant IBS, who was successfully treated
      with a single FMT. The beneficial effect on the patient's symptoms was associated
      with changes of the stool microbiome. Post-FMT the recipient's microbiome
      resembled the donor's microbiome.

PMID- 26261937
TI  - High-Resolution Satellite-Derived PM2.5 from Optimal Estimation and
      Geographically Weighted Regression over North America.
AB  - We used a geographically weighted regression (GWR) statistical model to represent
      bias of fine particulate matter concentrations (PM2.5) derived from a 1 km
      optimal estimate (OE) aerosol optical depth (AOD) satellite retrieval that used
      AOD-to-PM2.5 relationships from a chemical transport model (CTM) for 2004-2008
      over North America. This hybrid approach combined the geophysical understanding
      and global applicability intrinsic to the CTM relationships with the knowledge
      provided by observational constraints. Adjusting the OE PM2.5 estimates according
      to the GWR-predicted bias yielded significant improvement compared with
      unadjusted long-term mean values (R(2) = 0.82 versus R(2) = 0.62), even when a
      large fraction (70%) of sites were withheld for cross-validation (R(2) = 0.78)
      and developed seasonal skill (R(2) = 0.62-0.89). The effect of individual GWR
      predictors on OE PM2.5 estimates additionally provided insight into the sources
      of uncertainty for global satellite-derived PM2.5 estimates. These predictor
      driven effects imply that local variability in surface elevation and urban
      emissions are important sources of uncertainty in geophysical calculations of the
      AOD-to-PM2.5 relationship used in satellite-derived PM2.5 estimates over North
      America, and potentially worldwide. 

PMID- 26261939
TI  - Momentum-Dependent Lifetime Broadening of Electron Energy Loss Spectra: A Self
      Consistent Coupled-Plasmon Model.
AB  - The complex dielectric function and associated energy loss spectrum of a
      condensed matter system is a fundamental material parameter that determines both
      the optical and electronic scattering behavior of the medium. The common
      representation of the electron energy loss function (ELF) is interpreted as the
      susceptibility of a system to a single- or bulk-electron (plasmon) excitation at
      a given energy and momentum and is commonly derived as a summation of
      noninteracting free-electron resonances with forms constrained by adherence to
      some externally determined optical standard. This work introduces a new causally
      constrained momentum-dependent broadening theory, permitting a more physical
      representation of optical and electronic resonances that agrees more closely with
      both optical attenuation and electron scattering data. We demonstrate how the
      momentum dependence of excitation resonances may be constrained uniquely by
      utilizing a coupled-plasmon model, in which high-energy excitations are able to
      relax into lower-energy excitations within the medium. This enables a robust and
      fully self-consistent theory with no free or fitted parameters that reveals
      additional physical insight not present in previous work. The new developments
      are applied to the scattering behavior of solid molybdenum and aluminum. We find
      that plasmon and single-electron lifetimes are significantly affected by the
      presence of alternate excitation channels and show for molybdenum that agreement
      with high-precision electron inelastic mean free path data is dramatically
      improved for energies above 20 eV. 

PMID- 26261940
TI  - Time-Dependent, Optically Controlled Dielectric Function.
AB  - We suggest optical modulation of the dielectric function of a molecular monolayer
      adsorbed on a metal surface as a potential means of controlling plasmon resonance
      phenomena. The dielectric function is altered using a laser pulse of moderate
      intensity and linear polarization to align the constituent molecules. After the
      pulse, the monolayer returns to its initial state. Time-dependent, optically
      controlled dielectric function is illustrated by molecular dynamics calculations.

PMID- 26261941
TI  - Temperature- and Component-Dependent Degradation of Perovskite Photovoltaic
      Materials under Concentrated Sunlight.
AB  - We report on accelerated degradation testing of MAPbX3 films (X = I or Br) by
      exposure to concentrated sunlight of 100 suns and show that the evolution of
      light absorption and the corresponding structural modifications are dependent on
      the type of halide ion and the exposure temperature. One hour of such exposure
      provides a photon dose equivalent to that of one sun exposure for 100 hours. The
      degradation in absorption of MAPbI3 films after exposure to 100 suns for 60 min
      at elevated sample temperature (~45-55  degrees C), due to decomposition of the
      hybrid perovskite material, is documented. No degradation was observed after
      exposure to the same sunlight concentration but at a lower sample temperature
      (~25  degrees C). No photobleaching or decomposition of MAPbBr3 films was
      observed after exposure to similar stress conditions (light intensity, dose, and
      temperatures). Our results indicate that the degradation is highly dependent on
      the hybrid perovskite composition and can be light- and thermally enhanced. 

PMID- 26261942
TI  - Nanopore-Based Sensors for Ligand-Receptor Lead Optimization.
AB  - Developing a low-cost and high-efficacy method to optimize prescreened or
      designed drug candidates will facilitate drug discovery and biomedical research
      in general. Current methods of drug screening usually involve tedious sample
      preparation and costly biological/chemical assays. Here, through all-atom
      molecular dynamics simulations, we propose a new drug optimization method, based
      on the nanopore force spectroscopy, to electrically detect the binding strength
      between a drug molecule and a target protein. Simulation results demonstrate that
      the drug-protein complex can be electrophoretically driven into a nanopore, which
      is followed by the rupture of the complex at a critical biasing voltage. The
      latter determines the binding strength of the tested drug molecule. It is
      expected that the application of this single-molecule technology could help to
      accelerate the drug discovery, particularly for processes of the narrow screening
      and further lead optimization. 

PMID- 26261943
TI  - Loss of Memory in H + CH4 -> H2 + CH3 State-to-State Reactive Scattering.
AB  - State-to-state reaction probabilities for the H + CH4-> H2 + CH3 reaction are
      calculated by accurate full-dimensional quantum dynamics calculations employing
      the multilayer multiconfigurational time-dependent Hartree approach and the
      quantum transition-state concept. Reactions starting from different vibrational
      and rotational states of the methane reactant are investigated for vanishing
      total angular momentum. The vibrational state distributions of the products are
      found to be essentially independent of the initial rovibrational state of the
      reactants. The reaction products only show vibrational excitation in the methyl
      umbrella mode. No excitation in H2 vibration or another CH3 vibration is
      observed. Analyzing the results, the observed loss of vibrational memory can be
      explained by a transition-state-based view of the reaction process. 

PMID- 26261944
TI  - Direct Observation of Ground-State Product Formation in a 1,3-Cyclohexadiene Ring
      Opening Reaction.
AB  - Ultrafast photoelectron imaging using a 90 nm vacuum-UV probe pulse is applied to
      the ring-opening reaction of 1,3-cyclohexadiene (CHD) in the gas phase, and
      formation of 1,3,5-hexatriene (HT) and CHD in their electronic ground states is
      observed in real time. The analysis of the transient photoelectron kinetic energy
      spectra reveals the branching ratio into HT and CHD as 3:7 upon 270 nm
      photoexcitation. The ratio is in reasonable agreement with the experimental
      values reported for the liquid phase and theoretical values for the gas phase,
      resolving the discrepancy. 

PMID- 26261945
TI  - Correction to "Fast Solid-State Li Ion Conducting Garnet-Type Structure Metal
      Oxides for Energy Storage".

PMID- 26261946
TI  - Direct Signature of Light-Induced Conical Intersections in Diatomics.
AB  - Nonadiabatic effects are ubiquitous in physics, chemistry, and biology. They are
      strongly amplified by conical intersections (CIs), which are degeneracies between
      electronic states of triatomic or larger molecules. A few years ago it was
      revealed that CIs in molecular systems can be formed by laser light, even in
      diatomics. Because of the prevailing strong nonadiabatic couplings, the existence
      of such laser-induced conical intersections (LICIs) may considerably change the
      dynamical behavior of molecular systems. By analyzing the photodissociation
      process of the D2+ molecule carefully, we found a robust effect in the angular
      distribution of the photofragments that serves as a direct signature of the LICI,
      providing undoubted evidence of its existence.

PMID- 26261947
TI  - DNA Electronic Circular Dichroism on the Inter-Base Pair Scale: An Experimental
      Theoretical Case Study of the AT Homo-Oligonucleotide.
AB  - A successful elucidation of the near-ultraviolet electronic circular dichroism
      spectrum of a short double-stranded DNA is reported. Time-dependent density
      functional theory methods are shown to accurately predict spectra and assign
      bands on the microscopic base-pair scale, a finding that opens the field for
      using circular dichroism spectroscopy as a sensitive nanoscale probe of DNA to
      reveal its complex interactions with the environment. 

PMID- 26261948
TI  - Intermolecular Vibrational Modes Speed Up Singlet Fission in Perylenediimide
      Crystals.
AB  - We report numerical simulations based on a non-Markovian density matrix
      propagation scheme of singlet fission (SF) in molecular crystals. Ab initio
      electronic structure calculations were used to parametrize the exciton and phonon
      Hamiltonian as well as the interactions between the exciton and the
      intramolecular and intermolecular vibrational modes. We demonstrate that the
      interactions of the exciton with intermolecular vibrational modes are highly
      sensitive to the stacking geometry of the crystal and can, in certain cases,
      significantly accelerate SF. This result may help in understanding the fast SF
      experimentally observed in a broad range of molecular crystals and offers a new
      direction for the engineering of efficient SF sensitizers. 

PMID- 26261949
TI  - Ab Initio Quantum Approaches to the IR Spectroscopy of Water and Hydrates.
AB  - This Perspective highlights progress in ab initio quantum approaches to IR
      spectroscopy of water and hydrates. Here, "ab initio" refers to many-body
      potentials and dipole moment surfaces for flexible water and hydrates.
      Specifically, these are mathematical representations of two-body and three-body
      interactions based on permutationally invariant fitting of tens of thousands of
      ab initio electronic energies, a spectroscopically accurate one-body monomer
      potential, and four- and higher-body interactions described by the long-range
      interactions incorporated into, for example, the TTM3-F family of potentials.
      There are currently two such potentials of this type, denoted WHBB and MB-pol,
      which are being used in expanding applications. Here, the focus is on infrared
      spectroscopy, using the WHBB potential and dipole moment surface, with an
      embedded, local monomer quantum method to obtain vibrational energies and dipole
      transition moments. Comparisons are also made with the popular q-TIP4P/F
      potential. Brief mention is made of an application to small HCl-H2O clusters. 

PMID- 26261950
TI  - Super-Resolution Single-Molecule Localization Microscopy: Tricks of the Trade.
AB  - Application of single-molecule fluorescence detection has led to the development
      of light microscopy techniques that make it possible to study fluorescent samples
      at spatial resolutions significantly improved upon the diffraction limit of
      light. The biological and materials science applications of these "super
      resolution" microscopy methods are vast, causing current demand for them to be
      high. However, implementation, execution, and interpretation of these techniques,
      particularly involving biological samples, require a broad interdisciplinary
      skillset, not often found in a single laboratory. Those already used to
      interdisciplinary work as well as navigating communication and collaboration
      between more pure forms of physics, chemistry, and biology are well-positioned to
      spearhead such efforts. In this Perspective, we describe various aspects of
      single-molecule super-resolution imaging, discussing, in particular, the role
      that physical chemistry has so far played in its development and establishment.
      We also highlight a selection of some of the remarkable recent research
      achievements in this vibrant field. 

PMID- 26261951
TI  - Production of and Dissociative Electron Attachment to the Simplest Criegee
      Intermediate in an Afterglow.
AB  - The simplest Criegee intermediate, CH2OO, has been produced in a flowing
      afterglow using a novel technique. CH2I is produced by dissociative electron
      attachment to CH2I2, leading to the established reaction CH2I + O2 -> CH2OO + I.
      The presence of CH2OO is established by observation of dissociative electron
      attachment to yield O(-) using the variable electron and neutral density
      attachment mass spectrometry (VENDAMS) technique. The measurements establish the
      electron attachment rate coefficient of thermal electrons at 300 K to CH2OO as
      1.2 +/- 0.3 * 10(-8) cm(3) s(-1). Thermal electron attachment is solely
      dissociative and is not a promising route to producing stable CH2OO(-). The
      results open the possibility of measuring ion-molecule chemistry involving
      Criegee intermediates, as well as the reactivity of other unstable radicals
      produced in an analogous manner. 

PMID- 26261953
TI  - Looking beneath the Diffraction Limit and Inside of the Bulk.

PMID- 26261954
TI  - Assembly of Ferrocene Molecules on Metal Surfaces Revisited.
AB  - Metallocene (MCp2) wires have recently attracted considerable interest in
      relation to molecular spintronics due to predictions concerning their half
      metallic nature. This exciting prospect is however hampered by the little and
      often-contradictory knowledge we have concerning the metallocene self-assembly
      and interaction with a metal. Here, we elucidate these aspects by focusing on the
      adsorption of ferrocene on Cu(111) and Cu(100). Combining low-temperature
      scanning tunneling microscopy and density functional theory calculations, we
      demonstrate that the two-dimensional molecular arrangement consists of vertical-
      and horizontal-lying molecules. The noncovalent T-shaped interactions between Cp
      rings of vertical and horizontal molecules are essential for the stability of the
      physisorbed molecular layer. These results provide a fresh insight into ferrocene
      adsorption on surfaces and may serve as an archetypal reference for future work
      with this important variety of organometallic molecules. 

PMID- 26261952
TI  - Protein Adsorption Alters Hydrophobic Surfaces Used for Suspension Culture of
      Pluripotent Stem Cells.
AB  - This Letter examines the physical and chemical changes that occur at the
      interface of methyl-terminated alkanethiol self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) after
      exposure to cell culture media used to derive embryoid bodies (EBs) from
      pluripotent stem cells. Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared
      (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy analysis of the SAMs indicates that protein components
      within the EB cell culture medium preferentially adsorb at the hydrophobic
      interface. In addition, we examined the adsorption process using surface plasmon
      resonance and atomic force microscopy. These studies identify the formation of a
      porous, mat-like adsorbed protein film with an approximate thickness of 2.5 nm.
      Captive bubble contact angle analysis reveals a shift toward superhydrophilic
      wetting behavior at the cell culture interface due to adsorption of these
      proteins. These results show how EBs are able to remain in suspension when
      derived on hydrophobic materials, which carries implications for the rational
      design of suspension culture interfaces for lineage specific stem-cell
      differentiation. 

PMID- 26261955
TI  - Raman Spectroscopy of Organic-Inorganic Halide Perovskites.
AB  - Micro-Raman spectroscopy provides laterally resolved microstructural information
      for a broad range of materials. In this Letter, we apply this technique to tri
      iodide (CH3NH3PbI3), tribromide (CH3NH3PbBr3), and mixed iodide-bromide
      (CH3NH3PbI3-xBrx) organic-inorganic halide perovskite thin films and discuss
      necessary conditions to obtain reliable data. We explain how to measure Raman
      spectra of pristine CH3NH3PbI3 layers and discuss the distinct Raman bands that
      develop during moisture-induced degradation. We also prove unambiguously that the
      final degradation products contain pure PbI2. Moreover, we describe CH3NH3PbI3
      xBrx Raman spectra and discuss how the perovskite crystallographic symmetries
      affect the Raman band intensities and spectral shapes. On the basis of the
      dependence of the Raman shift on the iodide-to-bromide ratio, we show that Raman
      spectroscopy is a fast and nondestructive method for the evaluation of the
      relative iodide-to-bromide ratio. 

PMID- 26261956
TI  - Dipolar Nanodomains in Protein Hydration Shells.
AB  - The network of hydrogen bonds characteristic of bulk water is significantly
      disturbed at the protein-water interface, where local fields induce mutually
      frustrated dipolar domains with potentially novel structure and dynamics. Here
      the dipolar susceptibility of hydration shells of lysozyme is studied by
      molecular dynamics simulations in a broad range of temperatures, 140-300 K. The
      real part of the susceptibility passes through a broad maximum as a function of
      temperature. The maximum shifts to higher temperatures with increasing frequency
      of the dielectric experiment. This phenomenology is consistent with that reported
      for bulk relaxor ferroelectrics, where it is related to the formation of dipolar
      nanodomains. Nanodomains in the hydration shell extend 12-15 A from the protein
      surface into the bulk. Their dynamics are significantly slower than the dynamics
      of bulk water. The domains dynamically freeze into a ferroelectric glass below
      160 K, at which point the Arrhenius plot of the dipolar relaxation time becomes
      significantly steeper. 

PMID- 26261957
TI  - Sonoporation at Small and Large Length Scales: Effect of Cavitation Bubble
      Collapse on Membranes.
AB  - Ultrasound has emerged as a promising means to effect controlled delivery of
      therapeutic agents through cell membranes. One possible mechanism that explains
      the enhanced permeability of lipid bilayers is the fast contraction of cavitation
      bubbles produced on the membrane surface, thereby generating large impulses,
      which, in turn, enhance the permeability of the bilayer to small molecules. In
      the present contribution, we investigate the collapse of bubbles of different
      diameters, using atomistic and coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations to
      calculate the force exerted on the membrane. The total impulse can be computed
      rigorously in numerical simulations, revealing a superlinear dependence of the
      impulse on the radius of the bubble. The collapse affects the structure of a
      nearby immobilized membrane, and leads to partial membrane invagination and
      increased water permeation. The results of the present study are envisioned to
      help optimize the use of ultrasound, notably for the delivery of drugs. 

PMID- 26261958
TI  - Dynamics of N2 Dissociation upon Inner-Valence Ionization by Wavelength-Selected
      XUV Pulses.
AB  - Ionization of nitrogen by extreme ultraviolet (XUV) light from the Sun has
      recently been recognized as an important driver of chemical reactions in the
      atmosphere of Titan. XUV photons with energies of 24 eV and above convert inert
      nitrogen molecules into reactive neutral and ionic fragments that initiate
      chemical reactions. Understanding the XUV-induced fragmentation poses significant
      challenges to modern theory owing to its ultrafast time scales, complex
      electronic rearrangements, and strong dependence on the XUV photon energy. Here,
      we apply femtosecond time-resolved photoelectron and photoion spectroscopy to
      study dissociative ionization of nitrogen, the most abundant molecule in Titan's
      atmosphere, at selected XUV photon energies using a table-top XUV time
      compensating monochromator. We probe the resulting dynamics using a time-delayed
      infrared (IR) ionization pulse. Coupled with ab initio calculations, the results
      allow us to assign the major dissociation channels resulting from production of
      an inner-valence hole, with important implications for models of Titan's XUV
      driven atmospheric chemistry. 

PMID- 26261959
TI  - Attosecond Hole Migration in Benzene Molecules Surviving Nuclear Motion.
AB  - Hole migration is a fascinating process driven by electron correlation, in which
      purely electronic dynamics occur on a very short time scale in complex ionized
      molecules, prior to the onset of nuclear motion. However, it is expected that due
      to coupling to the nuclear dynamics, these oscillations will be rapidly damped
      and smeared out, which makes experimental observation of the hole migration
      process rather difficult. In this Letter, we demonstrate that the instantaneous
      ionization of benzene molecules initiates an ultrafast hole migration
      characterized by a periodic breathing of the hole density between the carbon ring
      and surrounding hydrogen atoms on a subfemtosecond time scale. We show that these
      oscillations survive the dephasing introduced by the nuclear motion for a long
      enough time to allow their observation. We argue that this offers an ideal
      benchmark for studying the influence of hole migration on molecular reactivity. 

PMID- 26261960
TI  - Improving the Long-Term Stability of Perovskite Solar Cells with a Porous Al2O3
      Buffer Layer.
AB  - Hybrid perovskites represent a new paradigm for photovoltaics, which have the
      potential to overcome the performance limits of current technologies and achieve
      low cost and high versatility. However, an efficiency drop is often observed
      within the first few hundred hours of device operation, which could become an
      important issue. Here, we demonstrate that the electrode's metal migrating
      through the hole transporting material (HTM) layer and eventually contacting the
      perovskite is in part responsible for this early device degradation. We show that
      depositing the HTM within an insulating mesoporous "buffer layer" comprised of
      Al2O3 nanoparticles prevents the metal electrode migration while allowing for
      precise control of the HTM thickness. This enables an improvement in the solar
      cell fill factor and prevents degradation of the device after 350 h of operation.

PMID- 26261961
TI  - Time-Resolved Raman Spectroscopy of Polaron Pair Formation in Poly(3
      hexylthiophene) Aggregates.
AB  - The ultrafast formation of bound charge pairs, or polaron pairs (PPs), in mixed
      order aggregates of poly(3-hexylthiophene) was investigated using femtosecond
      stimulated Raman spectroscopy (FSRS). Spectral dynamics in the carbon-carbon
      stretching region reveal a significant photoinduced depletion in steady-state
      features associated with lamellar-stacked, ordered polymer regions upon 500 nm
      photoexcitation; this is followed by the appearance of red-shifted features
      attributable to PPs that is delayed by a few hundred femtoseconds. PP features
      decay with concomitant recovery of the steady-state Raman depletion over a few
      picoseconds. The vibrational spectrum of the PP obtained exhibits a modest red
      shift (<15 cm(-1)) and lower Raman activity relative to steady-state features in
      the C?C stretching region but similar features in other regions. In total, this
      work demonstrates the potential of time-resolved Raman as a morphologically
      selective and structurally sensitive probe for tracking ultrafast charge
      separation and recombination dynamics within polymer regions of conjugated
      materials. 

PMID- 26261962
TI  - Relationship between Dynamic Planarization Processes and Exciton Delocalization
      in Cyclic Oligothiophenes.
AB  - In cyclic molecular structures, while the effect of conformational disorder on
      exciton delocalization is well understood, the impact of dynamic planarization
      processes remains unclear due to a lack of detailed investigation on the
      associated exciton dynamics. Thus, we have investigated the exciton
      delocalization of pi-conjugated linear and cyclic oligothiophenes in the course
      of dynamic planarization processes by time-resolved fluorescence spectra
      measurements and theoretical calculations. Especially, through a comparative
      analysis of linear and cyclic oligothiophenes, we found that the evolution of 0-0
      and 0-1 vibronic bands is strongly related to the conformations of cyclic
      molecular systems, reflecting the extent of exciton delocalization. Collectively,
      we believe that our findings are applicable to various pi-conjugated organic
      materials and will provide new insights into the relationship between exciton
      delocalization and cyclic molecular conformation. 

PMID- 26261963
TI  - Surface Contributions to Mn(2+) Spin Dynamics in Colloidal Doped Quantum Dots.
AB  - Colloidal impurity-doped quantum dots (QDs) are attractive model systems for
      testing the fundamental spin properties of semiconductor nanostructures relevant
      to future spin-based information processing technologies. Although static spin
      properties of this class of materials have been studied extensively in recent
      years, their spin dynamics remain largely unexplored. Here we use pulsed electron
      paramagnetic resonance (pEPR) spectroscopy to probe the spin relaxation dynamics
      of colloidal Mn(2+)-doped ZnO, ZnSe, and CdSe quantum dots in the limit of one
      Mn(2+) per QD. pEPR spectroscopy is particularly powerful for identifying the
      specific nuclei that accelerate electron spin relaxation in these QDs. We show
      that the spin-relaxation dynamics of these colloidal QDs are strongly influenced
      by dipolar coupling with proton nuclear spins outside the QDs and especially
      those directly at the QD surfaces. Using this information, we demonstrate that
      spin-relaxation times can be elongated significantly via ligand (or surface)
      deuteration or shell growth, providing two tools for chemical adjustment of spin
      dynamics in these nanomaterials. These findings advance our understanding of the
      spin properties of solution-grown semiconductor nanostructures relevant to spin
      based information technologies. 

PMID- 26261964
TI  - Time-Resolved In Situ Spectroscopy During Formation of the GaP/Si(100)
      Heterointerface.
AB  - Though III-V/Si(100) heterointerfaces are essential for future epitaxial high
      performance devices, their atomic structure is an open historical question.
      Benchmarking of transient optical in situ spectroscopy during chemical vapor
      deposition to chemical analysis by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy enables us to
      distinguish between formation of surfaces and of the heterointerface. A terrace
      related optical anisotropy signal evolves during pulsed GaP nucleation on single
      domain Si(100) surfaces. This dielectric anisotropy agrees well with the one
      calculated for buried GaP/Si(100) interfaces from differently thick GaP
      epilayers. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy reveals a chemically shifted
      contribution of the P and Si emission lines, which quantitatively corresponds to
      one monolayer and establishes simultaneously with the nucleation-related optical
      in situ signal. We attribute that contribution to the existence of Si-P bonds at
      the buried heterointerface. During further pulsing and annealing in phosphorus
      ambient, dielectric anisotropies known from atomically well-ordered GaP(100)
      surfaces superimpose the nucleation-related optical in situ spectra. 

PMID- 26261965
TI  - Pump-Probe Noise Spectroscopy of Molecular Junctions.
AB  - The slow response of electronic components in junctions limits the direct
      applicability of pump-probe type spectroscopy in assessing the intramolecular
      dynamics. Recently the possibility of getting information on a sub-picosecond
      time scale from dc current measurements was proposed. We revisit the idea of
      picosecond resolution by pump-probe spectroscopy from dc measurements and show
      that any intramolecular dynamics not directly related to charge transfer in the
      current direction is missed by current measurements. We propose a pump-probe dc
      shot noise spectroscopy as a suitable alternative. Numerical examples of time
      dependent and average responses of junctions are presented for generic models. 

PMID- 26261966
TI  - Role of Spin-Triplet Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Soot Surface Growth.
AB  - Using density functional theory, a possible pathway of soot surface growth is
      studied in the low-temperature, postflame region in which spin-triplet polycyclic
      aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) molecules with a small singlet-triplet energy gap
      react with unsaturated aliphatics such as acetylene via the carbon-addition
      hydrogen-migration (CAHM) reaction. Results show that a PAH-core-aliphatic-shell
      structure is formed and the mass growth rate of this triplet soot surface growth
      reaction is one order of magnitude larger than that of the surface hydrogen
      abstraction-carbon-addition (HACA) reaction at temperatures below 1500 K. 

PMID- 26261967
TI  - Spontaneous Defect Annihilation in CH3NH3PbI3 Thin Films at Room Temperature
      Revealed by Time-Resolved Photoluminescence Spectroscopy.
AB  - We utilized time-resolved photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy to investigate the
      photocarrier recombination dynamics in CH3NH3PbI3 thin films as a function of the
      time elapsed from the film's fabrication. We found that the PL lifetime gradually
      increased and began to level out once the age of the film reached ~30 h. Even
      under weak excitation, the PL dynamics depended on the excitation intensity in
      the fresh sample, while the mature sample displayed no excitation-intensity
      dependence associated with the PL dynamics. We submit that this can be explained
      by the fact that a significant number of defects are initially formed in
      CH3NH3PbI3 thin films fabricated by the sequential method and are spontaneously
      reduced by room-temperature annealing. Our results provide important insights for
      reducing the nonradiative recombination centers, which improves the power
      conversion efficiency of perovskite solar cells. 

PMID- 26261968
TI  - Role of Strain and Conductivity in Oxygen Electrocatalysis on LaCoO3 Thin Films.
AB  - The slow kinetics of the oxygen reduction and evolution reactions (ORR, OER)
      hinder energy conversion and storage in alkaline fuel cells and electrolyzers
      employing abundant transition metal oxide catalysts. Systematic studies linking
      material properties to catalytic activity are lacking, in part due to the
      heterogeneous nature of powder-based electrodes. We demonstrate, for the first
      time, that epitaxial strain can tune the activity of oxygen electrocatalysis in
      alkaline solutions, focusing on the model chemistry of LaCoO3, where moderate
      tensile strain can further induce changes in the electronic structure leading to
      increased activity. The resultant decrease in charge transfer resistance to the
      electrolyte reduces the overpotential in the ORR more notably than the OER and
      suggests a different dependence of the respective rate-limiting steps on electron
      transfer. This provides new insight into the reaction mechanism applicable to a
      range of perovskite chemistries, key to the rational design of highly active
      catalysts. 

PMID- 26261969
TI  - Fabrication of Planar Heterojunction Perovskite Solar Cells by Controlled Low
      Pressure Vapor Annealing.
AB  - A new method for achieving high efficiency planar CH3NH3I3-xClx perovskite
      photovoltaics, based on a low pressure, reduced temperature vapor annealing is
      demonstrated. Heterojunction devices based on this hybrid halide perovskite
      exhibit a top PCE of 16.8%, reduced J-V hysteresis, and highly repeatable
      performance without need for a mesoporous or nanocrystalline metal oxide layer.
      Our findings demonstrate that large hysteresis is not an inherent feature of
      planar heterojunctions, and that efficient charge extraction can be achieved with
      uniform halide perovskite materials with desired composition. X-ray diffraction,
      valence band spectroscopy, and transient absorption measurements of these thin
      films reveal that structural modifications induced by chlorine clearly dominate
      over chemical and electronic doping effects, without affecting the Fermi level or
      photocarrier lifetime in the material. 

PMID- 26261970
TI  - Charge Transfer Absorption and Emission at ZnO/Organic Interfaces.
AB  - We investigate hybrid charge transfer states (HCTS) at the planar interface
      between alpha-NPD and ZnO by spectrally resolved electroluminescence (EL) and
      external quantum efficiency (EQE) measurements. Radiative decay of HCTSs is
      proven by distinct emission peaks in the EL spectra of such bilayer devices in
      the NIR at energies well below the bulk alpha-NPD or ZnO emission. The EQE
      spectra display low energy contributions clearly red-shifted with respect to the
      alpha-NPD photocurrent and partially overlapping with the EL emission. Tuning of
      the energy gap between the ZnO conduction band and alpha-NPD HOMO level (Eint)
      was achieved by modifying the ZnO surface with self-assembled monolayers based on
      phosphonic acids. We find a linear dependence of the peak position of the NIR EL
      on Eint, which unambiguously attributes the origin of this emission to radiative
      recombination between an electron on the ZnO and a hole on alpha-NPD. In
      accordance with this interpretation, we find a strictly linear relation between
      the open-circuit voltage and the energy of the charge state for such hybrid
      organic-inorganic interfaces. 

PMID- 26261971
TI  - Reversible Photoswitching of the Interfacial Nonlinear Optical Response.
AB  - Incorporating photochromic molecules into organic/inorganic hybrid materials may
      lead to photoresponsive systems. In such systems, the second-order nonlinear
      properties can be controlled via external stimulation with light at an
      appropriate wavelength. By creating photochromic molecular switches containing
      self-assembled monolayers on Si(111), we can demonstrate efficient reversible
      switching, which is accompanied by a pronounced modulation of the nonlinear
      optical (NLO) response of the system. The concept of utilizing functionalized
      photoswitchable Si surfaces could be a way for the generation of two-dimensional
      NLO switching materials, which are promising for applications in photonic and
      optoelectronic devices. 

PMID- 26261972
TI  - Transport of Polarons in Graphene Nanoribbons.
AB  - The field-induced dynamics of polarons in armchair graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) is
      theoretically investigated in the framework of a two-dimensional tight-binding
      model with lattice relaxation. Our findings show that the semiconductor behavior,
      fundamental to polaron transport to take place, depends upon of a suitable
      balance between the GNR width and the electron-phonon (e-ph) coupling strength.
      In a similar way, we found that the parameter space for which the polaron is
      dynamically stable is limited to an even narrower region of the GNR width and the
      e-ph coupling strength. Interestingly, the interplay between the external
      electric field and the e-ph coupling plays the role to define a phase transition
      from subsonic to supersonic velocities for polarons in GNRs. 

PMID- 26261973
TI  - Copper Induces a Core Plasmon in Intermetallic Au(144,145)-xCux(SR)60
      Nanoclusters.
AB  - The electronic structure and optical absorption spectra of intermetallic thiol
      stabilized gold-copper clusters, having 144-145 metal atoms and 60 thiols, were
      studied by ab initio computations. The widely known icosahedral-based cluster
      model from the work of Lopez-Acevedo et al. (2009) was used, and clusters doped
      with one to 30 copper atoms were considered. When doped inside the metal core,
      copper induces dramatic changes in the optical spectrum as compared to the
      previously studied all-gold Au144(SR)60. An intense broad absorption peak
      develops in the range 535-587 nm depending on the amount of doping and doping
      sites. This result agrees very well with recent experiments by the Dass group for
      Au144-xCux(SR)60 (x <= 23). The analysis of the peaks shows a collective plasmon
      like dipole oscillation of the electron density in the metal core. Internal
      charge transfer from copper to gold and an almost perfect alignment of the upper
      edges of Cu(3d) and Au(5d) bands are observed in the metal core, contributing to
      the plasmon-like absorption. The calculations also predict energetically
      preferable doping of the ligand layer by copper, but such clusters are
      nonplasmonic. 

PMID- 26261974
TI  - Stepwise Oxidation of Aqueous Dicarboxylic Acids by Gas-Phase OH Radicals.
AB  - A leading source of uncertainty in predicting the climate and health effects of
      secondary organic aerosol (SOA) is how its composition changes over their
      atmospheric lifetimes. Because dicarboxylic acid (DCA) homologues are widespread
      in SOA, their distribution provides an ideal probe of both aerosol age and the
      oxidative power of the atmosphere along its trajectory. Here we report, for the
      first time, on the oxidation of DCA(aq) by .OH(g) at the air-water interface. We
      found that exposure of aqueous HOOC-Rn-COOH (Rn = C2H4, C3H6, C4H8, C5H10, and
      C6H12) microjets to ~10 ns .OH(g) pulses from the 266 nm laser photolysis of
      O3(g)/O2(g)/H2O(g) mixtures yields the corresponding (n-1) species O?C(H)-Rn-1
      COO(-)/HOOC-Rn-1-COO(-), in addition to an array of closed-shell HOOC-Rn(-H)(OOH)
      COO(-), HOOC-Rn(-2H)(?O)-COO(-), HOOC-Rn(-H)(OH)-COO(-), and radical HOOC-Rn(
      H)(OO.)-COO(-) species. Oxalic and malonic acids, which are shown to be
      significantly less hydrophobic and reactive than their higher homologues, will
      predictably accumulate in SOA, in accordance with field observations. 

PMID- 26261975
TI  - Air-Stable and Solution-Processable Perovskite Photodetectors for Solar-Blind UV
      and Visible Light.
AB  - Stable perovskite CH3NH3PbI3-xClx for a photodetector was prepared through spin
      coating of a fluorous polymer as a light protection layer. The best responsivity
      of photodetector was 14.5 A/W to white light and 7.85 A/W for solar-blind UV
      light (lambda = 254 nm). The response time was in the submicrosecond range. The
      fluorous polymer coating increases the lifetime of the devices to almost 100
      days. 

PMID- 26261976
TI  - The Theoretical Estimation of the Bioluminescent Efficiency of the Firefly via a
      Nonadiabatic Molecular Dynamics Simulation.
AB  - The firefly is famous for its high bioluminescent efficiency, which has attracted
      both scientific and public attention. The chemical origin of firefly
      bioluminescence is the thermolysis of the firefly dioxetanone anion (FDO(-)).
      Although considerable theoretical research has been conducted, and several
      mechanisms were proposed to elucidate the high efficiency of the chemi- and
      bioluminescence of FDO(-), there is a lack of direct experimental and theoretical
      evidence. For the first time, we performed a nonadiabatic molecular dynamics
      simulation on the chemiluminescent decomposition of FDO(-) under the framework of
      the trajectory surface hopping (TSH) method and theoretically estimated the
      chemiluminescent quantum yield. The TSH simulation reproduced the gradually
      reversible charge-transfer initiated luminescence mechanism proposed in our
      previous study. More importantly, the current study, for the first time,
      predicted the bioluminescence efficiency of the firefly from a theoretical
      viewpoint, and the theoretical prediction efficiency is in good agreement with
      experimental measurements. 

PMID- 26261977
TI  - Complementary Molecular Dynamics and X-ray Reflectivity Study of an Imidazolium
      Based Ionic Liquid at a Neutral Sapphire Interface.
AB  - Understanding the molecular-level behavior of ionic liquids (ILs) at IL-solid
      interfaces is of fundamental importance with respect to their application in, for
      example, electrochemical systems and electronic devices. Using a model system,
      consisting of an imidazolium-based IL ([C2Mim][NTf2]) in contact with a sapphire
      substrate, we have approached this problem using a complementary combination of
      high-resolution X-ray reflectivity measurements and atomistic molecular dynamics
      (MD) simulations. Our strategy enabled us to compare experimental and
      theoretically calculated reflectivities in a direct manner, thereby critically
      assessing the applicability of several force-field variants. On the other hand,
      using the best-matching MD description, we are able to describe the nature of the
      model IL-solid interface in appreciable detail. More specifically, we find that
      characteristic interactions between the surface hydroxyl groups and donor and
      acceptor sites on the IL constituents have a dominant role in inducing a
      multidimensional layering profile of the cations and anions. 

PMID- 26261978
TI  - NIR to VUV: Seven-Photon Upconversion Emissions from Gd(3+) Ions in Fluoride
      Nanocrystals.
AB  - Here we show that a near-infrared (NIR) diode laser is capable of generating
      vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) emissions in fluoride nanocrystals through photon
      upconversion (UC) processes. By using Yb(3+) and Tm(3+) as sensitizers, we
      successfully obtained the VUV photons with the energy exceeding 6 eV in YF3: Yb,
      Tm, and Gd nanocrystals. The seven photon UC fluorescence from the (6)GJ ->
      (8)S7/2 transitions of Gd(3+) ions and the possible VUV UC mechanism were
      reported along with the calculation of the branching ratio under different
      pumping power excitation. Practically, it offers a promising solution for VUV
      light generation without cryogens and expensive instrumentations. Fundamentally,
      the extremely high-order UC processes will intrigue great interest in exploring
      unusual high-energy radiative transitions in rare earth ions. 

PMID- 26261979
TI  - X-ray Birefringence Imaging of Materials with Anisotropic Molecular Dynamics.
AB  - The X-ray birefringence imaging (XBI) technique, reported very recently, is a
      sensitive tool for spatially resolved mapping of the local orientational
      properties of anisotropic materials. In this paper, we report the first XBI
      measurements on materials that undergo anisotropic molecular dynamics. Using
      incident linearly polarized X-rays with energy close to the Br K-edge, the X-ray
      birefringence is dictated by the orientational properties of the C-Br bonds in
      the material. We focus on two materials (urea inclusion compounds containing 1,8
      dibromooctane and 1,10-dibromodecane guest molecules) for which the
      reorientational dynamics of the brominated guest molecules (and hence the
      reorientational dynamics of the C-Br bonds) are already well characterized by
      other experimental techniques. The XBI results demonstrate clearly that, for the
      anisotropic molecular dynamics in these materials, the effective X-ray optic axis
      for the X-ray birefringence phenomenon is the time-averaged resultant of the
      orientational distribution of the C-Br bonds. 

PMID- 26261981
TI  - Ultrafast Charge-Transfer Dynamics at the Boron Subphthalocyanine Chloride/C60
      Heterojunction: Comparison between Experiment and Theory.
AB  - Photoinduced charge-transfer (CT) processes play a key role in many systems,
      particularly those relevant to organic photovoltaics and photosynthesis.
      Advancing the understanding of CT processes calls for comparing their rates
      measured via state-of-the-art time-resolved interface-specific spectroscopic
      techniques with theoretical predictions based on first-principles molecular
      models. We measure charge-transfer rates across a boron subphthalocyanine
      chloride (SubPc)/C60 heterojunction, commonly used in organic photovoltaics, via
      heterodyne-detected time-resolved second-harmonic generation. We compare these
      results to theoretical predictions based on a Fermi's golden rule approach, with
      input parameters obtained using first-principles calculations for two different
      equilibrium geometries of a molecular donor-acceptor in a dielectric continuum
      model. The calculated rates (~2 ps(-1)) overestimate the measured rates (~0.1 ps(
      1)), which is consistent with the expectation that the calculated rates represent
      an upper bound over the experimental ones. The comparison provides valuable
      understanding of how the structure of the electron donor-acceptor interface
      affects the CT kinetics in organic photovoltaic systems. 

PMID- 26261982
TI  - PINGU: PredIction of eNzyme catalytic residues usinG seqUence information.
AB  - Identification of catalytic residues can help unveil interesting attributes of
      enzyme function for various therapeutic and industrial applications. Based on
      their biochemical roles, the number of catalytic residues and sequence lengths of
      enzymes vary. This article describes a prediction approach (PINGU) for such a
      scenario. It uses models trained using physicochemical properties and
      evolutionary information of 650 non-redundant enzymes (2136 catalytic residues)
      in a support vector machines architecture. Independent testing on 200 non
      redundant enzymes (683 catalytic residues) in predefined prediction settings,
      i.e., with non-catalytic per catalytic residue ranging from 1 to 30, suggested
      that the prediction approach was highly sensitive and specific, i.e., 80% or
      above, over the incremental challenges. To learn more about the discriminatory
      power of PINGU in real scenarios, where the prediction challenge is variable and
      susceptible to high false positives, the best model from independent testing was
      used on 60 diverse enzymes. Results suggested that PINGU was able to identify
      most catalytic residues and non-catalytic residues properly with 80% or above
      accuracy, sensitivity and specificity. The effect of false positives on precision
      was addressed in this study by application of predicted ligand-binding residue
      information as a post-processing filter. An overall improvement of 20% in F
      measure and 0.138 in Correlation Coefficient with 16% enhanced precision could be
      achieved. On account of its encouraging performance, PINGU is hoped to have
      eventual applications in boosting enzyme engineering and novel drug discovery. 

PMID- 26261984
TI  - Trophic Dynamics of Filter Feeding Bivalves in the Yangtze Estuarine Intertidal
      Marsh: Stable Isotope and Fatty Acid Analyses.
AB  - Benthic bivalves are important links between primary production and consumers,
      and are essential intermediates in the flow of energy through estuarine systems.
      However, information on the diet of filter feeding bivalves in estuarine
      ecosystems is uncertain, as estuarine waters contain particulate matter from a
      range of sources and as bivalves are opportunistic feeders. We surveyed bivalves
      at different distances from the creek mouth at the Yangtze estuarine marsh in
      winter and summer, and analyzed trophic dynamics using stable isotope (SI) and
      fatty acid (FA) techniques. Different bivalve species had different spatial
      distributions in the estuary. Glauconome chinensis mainly occurred in marshes
      near the creek mouth, while Sinonovacula constricta preferred the creek.
      Differences were found in the diets of different species. S. constricta consumed
      more diatoms and bacteria than G. chinensis, while G. chinensis assimilated more
      macrophyte material. FA markers showed that plants contributed the most (38.86 +/
      4.25%) to particular organic matter (POM) in summer, while diatoms contributed
      the most (12.68 +/- 1.17%) during winter. Diatoms made the largest contribution
      to the diet of S. constricta in both summer (24.73 +/- 0.44%) and winter (25.51
      +/- 0.59%), and plants contributed no more than 4%. This inconsistency indicates
      seasonal changes in food availability and the active feeding habits of the
      bivalve. Similar FA profiles for S. constricta indicated that the bivalve had a
      similar diet composition at different sites, while different delta13C results
      suggested the diet was derived from different carbon sources (C4 plant Spartina
      alterniflora and C3 plant Phragmites australis and Scirpus mariqueter) at
      different sites. Species-specific and temporal and/or spatial variability in
      bivalve feeding may affect their ecological functions in intertidal marshes,
      which should be considered in the study of food webs and material flows in
      estuarine ecosystems. 

PMID- 26261983
TI  - A Multi-Breed Genome-Wide Association Analysis for Canine Hypothyroidism
      Identifies a Shared Major Risk Locus on CFA12.
AB  - Hypothyroidism is a complex clinical condition found in both humans and dogs,
      thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. In
      this study we present a multi-breed analysis of predisposing genetic risk factors
      for hypothyroidism in dogs using three high-risk breeds--the Gordon Setter,
      Hovawart and the Rhodesian Ridgeback. Using a genome-wide association approach
      and meta-analysis, we identified a major hypothyroidism risk locus shared by
      these breeds on chromosome 12 (p = 2.1x10(-11)). Further characterisation of the
      candidate region revealed a shared ~167 kb risk haplotype (4,915,018-5,081,823
      bp), tagged by two SNPs in almost complete linkage disequilibrium. This breed
      shared risk haplotype includes three genes (LHFPL5, SRPK1 and SLC26A8) and does
      not extend to the dog leukocyte antigen (DLA) class II gene cluster located in
      the vicinity. These three genes have not been identified as candidate genes for
      hypothyroid disease previously, but have functions that could potentially
      contribute to the development of the disease. Our results implicate the potential
      involvement of novel genes and pathways for the development of canine
      hypothyroidism, raising new possibilities for screening, breeding programmes and
      treatments in dogs. This study may also contribute to our understanding of the
      genetic etiology of human hypothyroid disease, which is one of the most common
      endocrine disorders in humans.

PMID- 26261985
TI  - A Methodological Framework to Estimate the Site Fidelity of Tagged Animals Using
      Passive Acoustic Telemetry.
AB  - The rapid expansion of the use of passive acoustic telemetry technologies has
      facilitated unprecedented opportunities for studying the behavior of marine
      organisms in their natural environment. This technological advance would greatly
      benefit from the parallel development of dedicated methodologies accounting for
      the variety of timescales involved in the remote detection of tagged animals
      related to instrumental, environmental and behavioral events. In this paper we
      propose a methodological framework for estimating the site fidelity ("residence
      times") of acoustic tagged animals at different timescales, based on the survival
      analysis of continuous residence times recorded at multiple receivers. Our
      approach is validated through modeling and applied on two distinct datasets
      obtained from a small coastal pelagic species (bigeye scad, Selar
      crumenophthalmus) and a large, offshore pelagic species (yellowfin tuna, Thunnus
      albacares), which show very distinct spatial scales of behavior. The
      methodological framework proposed herein allows estimating the most appropriate
      temporal scale for processing passive acoustic telemetry data depending on the
      scientific question of interest. Our method provides residence times free of the
      bias inherent to environmental and instrumental noise that can be used to study
      the small scale behavior of acoustic tagged animals. At larger timescales, it can
      effectively identify residence times that encompass the diel behavioral
      excursions of fish out of the acoustic detection range. This study provides a
      systematic framework for the analysis of passive acoustic telemetry data that can
      be employed for the comparative study of different species and study sites. The
      same methodology can be used each time discrete records of animal detections of
      any nature are employed for estimating the site fidelity of an animal at
      different timescales. 

PMID- 26261986
TI  - Functional Assessment of Residues in the Amino- and Carboxyl-Termini of
      Crustacean Hyperglycemic Hormone (CHH) in the Mud Crab Scylla olivacea Using
      Point-Mutated Peptides.
AB  - To assess functional importance of the residues in the amino- and carboxyl
      termini of crustacean hyperglycemic hormone in the mud crab Scylla olivacea (Sco
      CHH), both wild-type and point-mutated CHH peptides were produced with an
      amidated C-terminal end. Spectral analyses of circular dichroism, chromatographic
      retention time, and mass spectrometric analysis of the recombinant peptides
      indicate that they were close in conformation to native CHH and were produced
      with the intended substitutions. The recombinant peptides were subsequently used
      for an in vivo hyperglycemic assay. Two mutants (R13A and I69A rSco-CHH)
      completely lacked hyperglycemic activity, with temporal profiles similar to that
      of vehicle control. Temporal profiles of hyperglycemic responses elicited by 4
      mutants (I2A, F3A, D12A, and D60A Sco-CHH) were different from that elicited by
      wild-type Sco-CHH; I2A was unique in that it exhibited significantly higher
      hyperglycemic activity, whereas the remaining 3 mutants showed lower activity.
      Four mutants (D4A, Q51A, E54A, and V72A rSco-CHH) elicited hyperglycemic
      responses with temporal profiles similar to those evoked by wild-type Sco-CHH. In
      contrast, the glycine-extended version of V72A rSco-CHH (V72A rSco-CHH-Gly)
      completely lost hyperglycemic activity. By comparing our study with previous ones
      of ion-transport peptide (ITP) and molt-inhibiting hormone (MIH) using deleted or
      point-mutated mutants, detail discussion is made regarding functionally important
      residues that are shared by both CHH and ITP (members of Group I of the CHH
      family), and those that discriminate CHH from ITP, and Group-I from Group-II
      peptides. Conclusions summarized in the present study provide insights into
      understanding of how functional diversification occurred within a peptide family
      of multifunctional members. 

PMID- 26261987
TI  - A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Brief Intervention for Delayed Psychological
      Effects in Snakebite Victims.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Snakebite results in delayed psychological morbidity and negative
      psycho-social impact. However, psychological support is rarely provided to
      victims. AIM: To assess the effectiveness of a brief intervention which can be
      provided by non-specialist doctors aimed at reducing psychological morbidity
      following snakebite envenoming. METHOD: In a single blind, randomized controlled
      trial, snakebite victims with systemic envenoming [n = 225, 168 males, mean age
      42.1 (SD 12.4) years] were randomized into three arms. One arm received no
      intervention (n = 68, Group A), the second received psychological first aid and
      psychoeducation (dispelling prevalent cultural beliefs related to snakebite which
      promote development of a sick role) at discharge from hospital (n = 65, Group B),
      while the third received psychological first aid and psychoeducation at discharge
      and a second intervention one month later based on cognitive behavioural
      principles (n = 69, Group C). All patients were assessed six months after
      hospital discharge for the presence of psychological symptoms and level of
      functioning using standardized tools. RESULTS: At six months, there was a
      decreasing trend in the proportion of patients who were positive for psychiatric
      symptoms of depression and anxiety from Group A through Group B to Group C (Chi
      square test for trend = 7.901, p = 0.005). This was mainly due to a decreasing
      trend for symptoms of anxiety (chi-square for trend = 11.256, p = 0.001). There
      was also decreasing trend in the overall prevalence of disability from Group A
      through Group B to Group C (chi square for trend = 7.551, p = 0.006),
      predominantly in relation to disability in family life (p = 0.006) and social
      life (p = 0.005). However, there was no difference in the proportion of patients
      diagnosed with depression between the three groups (chi square for trend = 0.391,
      p = 0.532), and the intervention also had no effect on post-traumatic stress
      disorder. CONCLUSIONS: A brief psychological intervention, which included
      psychological first aid and psychoeducation plus cognitive behavioural therapy
      that can be provided by non-specialist doctors appeared to reduce psychiatric
      symptoms and disability after snakebite envenoming, but not depression or post
      traumatic stress disorder. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Sri Lanka Clinical Trials
      Registry: SLCTR/2011/003.

PMID- 26261988
TI  - HLA Allele E*01:01 Is Associated with a Reduced Risk of EBV-Related Classical
      Hodgkin Lymphoma Independently of HLA-A*01/*02.
AB  - BACKGROUND: An inefficient immune response against Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)
      infection is related to the pathogenesis of a subgroup of classical Hodgkin
      lymphomas (cHL). Some EBV immune-evasion mechanisms target HLA presentation,
      including the non-classical HLA-E molecule. HLA-E can be recognized by T cells
      via the TCR, and it also regulates natural killer (NK) cell signaling through the
      inhibitory CD94/NKG2A receptor. Some evidences indicate that EBV-infected B-cells
      promote the proliferation of NK subsets bearing CD94/NKG2A, suggesting a relevant
      function of these cells in EBV control. Variations in CD94/NKG2A-HLA-E
      interactions could affect NK cell-mediated immunity and, consequently, play a
      role in EBV-driven transformation and lymphomagenesis. The two most common HLA-E
      alleles, E*01:01 and E*01:03, differ by a single amino acid change that modifies
      the molecule function. We hypothesized that the functional differences in these
      variants might participate in the pathogenicity of EBV. AIM: We studied two
      series of cHL patients, both with EBV-positive and-negative cases, and a cohort
      of unrelated controls, to assess the impact of HLA-E variants on EBV-related cHL
      susceptibility. RESULTS: We found that the genotypes with at least one copy of
      E*01:01 (i.e., E*01:01 homozygous and heterozygous) were underrepresented among
      cHL patients from both series compared to controls (72.6% and 71.6% vs 83%, p =
      0.001). After stratification by EBV status, we found low rates of E*01:01
      carriers mainly among EBV-positive cases (67.6%). These reduced frequencies are
      seen independently of other factors such as age, gender, HLA-A*01 and HLA-A*02,
      HLA alleles positively and negatively associated with the disease (adjusted OR =
      0.4, p = 0.001). Furthermore, alleles from both HLA loci exert a cumulative
      effect on EBV-associated cHL susceptibility. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate
      that E*01:01 is a novel protective genetic factor in EBV-associated cHL and
      support a role for HLA-E recognition on the control of EBV infection and
      lymphomagenesis.

PMID- 26261990
TI  - Disability Pension at the Time of Coronary Revascularisation Is Associated with
      Higher Five-Year Mortality; A Swedish Nationwide, Register-Based Prospective
      Cohort Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although coronary revascularisation by coronary artery bypass
      grafting (CABG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are common
      procedures, little is known regarding disability pension (DP) at the time of
      coronary revascularisation and its association with mortality. The aim was to
      investigate the five-year mortality following a first coronary revascularisation
      among women and men on DP, compared with those not on DP at the time of
      intervention, accounting for socio-demographic and medical factors. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: A nationwide prospective population-based cohort study was conducted,
      using national registers including 70,040 patients (80% men), aged 30-64 years,
      with a first CABG (n = 24,987; 36%) or PCI (n = 45,053; 64%) during 1994-2006 in
      Sweden, who were alive 30 days after the intervention. The main outcome was all
      cause and cause-specific mortality within five years or through 31 December 2006,
      following CABG and PCI, and the exposure was DP at the time of a first coronary
      revascularisation. Information on DP, patient characteristics, date and cause of
      death was obtained from nationwide registers. Hazard ratios (HR) with 95%
      confidence intervals (CI) for the outcome were estimated, using Cox proportional
      hazard regression analyses. All analyses were stratified by type of intervention
      and gender. FINDINGS: Four percent died following coronary revascularisation.
      Cardiovascular disease was the most common cause of death (54%), followed by
      neoplasms (25%). Regardless of type of intervention, gender and after
      multivariable adjustments, patients on DP had a higher HR for five-year mortality
      compared with those not on DP at time of revascularisation (CABG: women HR 2.14;
      95% CI 1.59-2.89, men HR 2.09; 1.84-2.38, PCI: women HR 2.25; 1.78-2.83, men HR
      1.95; 1.72-2.21). Young women on DP at the time of PCI had a substantially higher
      HR (HR 4.10; 95% CI: 2.25-7.48). CONCLUSION: Patients on DP at the time of first
      coronary revascularisation had a higher five-year risk of mortality compared with
      those not on DP.

PMID- 26261991
TI  - Extracellular Adenosine Formation by Ecto-5'-Nucleotidase (CD73) Is No Essential
      Trigger for Early Phase Ischemic Preconditioning.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Adenosine is a powerful trigger for ischemic preconditioning (IPC).
      Myocardial ischemia induces intracellular and extracellular ATP degradation to
      adenosine, which then activates adenosine receptors and elicits cardioprotection.
      Conventionally extracellular adenosine formation by ecto-5'-nucleotidase (CD73)
      during ischemia was thought to be negligible compared to the massive
      intracellular production, but controversial reports in the past demand further
      evaluation. In this study we evaluated the relevance of ecto-5'-nucleotidase
      (CD73) for infarct size reduction by ischemic preconditioning in in vitro and in
      vivo mouse models of myocardial infarction, comparing CD73-/- and wild type (WT)
      mice. METHODS AND RESULTS: 3x5 minutes of IPC induced equal cardioprotection in
      isolated saline perfused hearts of wild type (WT) and CD73-/- mice, reducing
      control infarct sizes after 20 minutes of ischemia and 90 minutes of reperfusion
      from 46 +/- 6.3% (WT) and 56.1 +/- 7.6% (CD73-/-) to 26.8 +/- 4.7% (WT) and 25.6
      +/- 4.7% (CD73-/-). Coronary venous adenosine levels measured after IPC stimuli
      by high-pressure liquid chromatography showed no differences between WT and CD73
      /- hearts. Pharmacological preconditioning of WT hearts with adenosine, given at
      the measured venous concentration, was evenly cardioprotective as conventional
      IPC. In vivo, 4x5 minutes of IPC reduced control infarct sizes of 45.3 +/- 8.9%
      (WT) and 40.5 +/- 8% (CD73-/-) to 26.3 +/- 8% (WT) and 22.6 +/- 6.6% (CD73-/-)
      respectively, eliciting again equal cardioprotection. The extent of IPC-induced
      cardioprotection in male and female mice was identical. CONCLUSION: The infarct
      size limiting effects of IPC in the mouse heart in vitro and in vivo are not
      significantly affected by genetic inactivation of CD73. The ecto-5'-nucleotidase
      derived extracellular formation of adenosine does not contribute substantially to
      adenosine's well known cardioprotective effect in early phase ischemic
      preconditioning.

PMID- 26261989
TI  - Microbial Ligand Costimulation Drives Neutrophilic Steroid-Refractory Asthma.
AB  - Asthma is a heterogeneous disease whose etiology is poorly understood but is
      likely to involve innate responses to inhaled microbial components that are found
      in allergens. The influence of these components on pulmonary inflammation has
      been largely studied in the context of individual agonists, despite knowledge
      that they can have synergistic effects when used in combination. Here we have
      explored the effects of LPS and beta-glucan, two commonly-encountered microbial
      agonists, on the pathogenesis of allergic and non-allergic respiratory responses
      to house dust mite allergen. Notably, sensitization with these microbial
      components in combination acted synergistically to promote robust neutrophilic
      inflammation, which involved both Dectin-1 and TLR-4. This pulmonary neutrophilic
      inflammation was corticosteroid-refractory, resembling that found in patients
      with severe asthma. Thus our results provide key new insights into how microbial
      components influence the development of respiratory pathology. 

PMID- 26261992
TI  - Prothrombin Time and Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time Testing: A Comparative
      Effectiveness Study in a Million-Patient Sample.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A substantial fraction of all American healthcare expenditures are
      potentially wasted, and practices that are not evidence-based could contribute to
      such waste. We sought to characterize whether Prothrombin Time (PT) and activated
      Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT) tests of preoperative patients are used in a
      way unsupported by evidence and potentially wasteful. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We
      evaluated prospectively-collected patient data from 19 major teaching hospitals
      and 8 hospital-affiliated surgical centers in 7 states (Delaware, Florida,
      Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania) and the District of
      Columbia. A total of 1,053,472 consecutive patients represented every patient
      admitted for elective surgery from 2009 to 2012 at all 27 settings. A subset of
      682,049 patients (64.7%) had one or both tests done and history and physical
      (H&P) records available for analysis. Unnecessary tests for bleeding risk were
      defined as: PT tests done on patients with no history of abnormal bleeding,
      warfarin therapy, vitamin K-dependent clotting factor deficiency, or liver
      disease; or aPTT tests done on patients with no history of heparin treatment,
      hemophilia, lupus anticoagulant antibodies, or von Willebrand disease. We
      assessed the proportion of patients who received PT or aPTT tests who lacked
      evidence-based reasons for testing. CONCLUSIONS: This study sought to bring the
      availability of big data together with applied comparative effectiveness
      research. Among preoperative patients, 26.2% received PT tests, and 94.3% of
      tests were unnecessary, given the absence of findings on H&P. Similarly, 23.3% of
      preoperative patients received aPTT tests, of which 99.9% were unnecessary. Among
      patients with no H&P findings suggestive of bleeding risk, 6.6% of PT tests and
      7.1% of aPTT tests were either a false positive or a true positive (i.e.
      indicative of a previously-undiagnosed potential bleeding risk). Both PT and
      aPTT, designed as diagnostic tests, are apparently used as screening tests. Use
      of unnecessary screening tests raises concerns for the costs of such testing and
      the consequences of false positive results.

PMID- 26261993
TI  - Identifying Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) Cultivars and Their Genetic
      Relationships Using Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) Markers.
AB  - Litchi is an important fruit tree in tropical and subtropical areas of the world.
      However, there is widespread confusion regarding litchi cultivar nomenclature and
      detailed information of genetic relationships among litchi germplasm is unclear.
      In the present study, the potential of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) for
      the identification of 96 representative litchi accessions and their genetic
      relationships in China was evaluated using 155 SNPs that were evenly spaced
      across litchi genome. Ninety SNPs with minor allele frequencies above 0.05 and a
      good genotyping success rate were used for further analysis. A relatively high
      level of genetic variation was observed among litchi accessions, as quantified by
      the expected heterozygosity (He = 0.305). The SNP based multilocus matching
      identified two synonymous groups, 'Heiye' and 'Wuye', and 'Chengtuo' and
      'Baitangli 1'. A subset of 14 SNPs was sufficient to distinguish all the non
      redundant litchi genotypes, and these SNPs were proven to be highly stable by
      repeated analyses of a selected group of cultivars. Unweighted pair-group method
      of arithmetic averages (UPGMA) cluster analysis divided the litchi accessions
      analyzed into four main groups, which corresponded to the traits of extremely
      early-maturing, early-maturing, middle-maturing, and late-maturing, indicating
      that the fruit maturation period should be considered as the primary criterion
      for litchi taxonomy. Two subpopulations were detected among litchi accessions by
      STRUCTURE analysis, and accessions with extremely early- and late-maturing traits
      showed membership coefficients above 0.99 for Cluster 1 and Cluster 2,
      respectively. Accessions with early- and middle-maturing traits were identified
      as admixture forms with varying levels of membership shared between the two
      clusters, indicating their hybrid origin during litchi domestication. The results
      of this study will benefit litchi germplasm conservation programs and facilitate
      maximum genetic gains in litchi breeding programs. 

PMID- 26261995
TI  - Understanding the Halogenation Effects in Diketopyrrolopyrrole-Based Small
      Molecule Photovoltaics.
AB  - Two molecules containing a central diketopyrrolopyrrole and two oligothiophene
      units have been designed and synthesized. Comparisons between the molecules
      containing terminal F (FDPP) and Cl (CDPP) atoms allowed us to evaluate the
      effects of halogenation on the photovoltaic properties of the small molecule
      organic solar cells (OSCs). The OSCs devices employing FDPP:PC71BM films showed
      power conversion efficiencies up to 4.32%, suggesting that fluorination is an
      efficient method for constructing small molecules for OSCs. 

PMID- 26261994
TI  - Scriptaid Treatment Decreases DNA Methyltransferase 1 Expression by Induction of
      MicroRNA-152 Expression in Porcine Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer Embryos.
AB  - Abnormal epigenetic reprogramming of donor nuclei after somatic cell nuclear
      transfer (SCNT) is thought to be the main cause of low cloning efficiencies. A
      growing body of evidence has demonstrated a positive role of Scriptaid, a histone
      deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) that belongs to an existing class of hydroxamic
      acid-containing HDACis, on the development competence of cloned embryos in many
      species. The present study investigated the effects of Scriptaid on the
      development of porcine SCNT embryos in vitro and its mechanism. Treatment with
      300 or 500 nM Scriptaid for 20 h after activation significantly increased the
      percentage of SCNT embryos that developed to the blastocyst stage and the total
      number of cells per blastocyst and significantly decreased the percentage of
      apoptotic cells in blastocysts. Scriptaid treatment significantly increased the
      level of histone H3 acetylated at K9 and the conversion of 5-methylcytosine into
      5-hydroxymethylcytosine and significantly decreased the level of histone H3
      trimethylated at K9 at the pronuclear stage. As a potential mechanism for the DNA
      methylation changes, our results showed that the expression of DNA
      methyltransferase 1 was frequently down-regulated in Scriptaid-treated embryos in
      comparison with untreated embryos and was inversely correlated to endogenous
      microRNA-152 (miR-152). Taken together, these findings illustrated a crucial
      functional crosstalk between miR-152 and DNMT1. Meanwhile, mRNA and protein
      levels of POU5F1 and CDX2 were increased in Scriptaid-treated embryos. mRNA
      levels of Caspase3, and Bax were significantly decreased and that of Bcl-xL was
      significantly increased in Scriptaid-treated embryos. In conclusion, these
      observations would contribute to uncover the nuclear reprogramming mechanisms
      underlying the effects of Scriptaid on the improvement of porcine SCNT embryos. 

PMID- 26261996
TI  - Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Solution-Processed H2-Evolving Photocathodes.
AB  - Here we report for the first time an H2-evolving photocathode fabricated by a
      solution-processed organic-inorganic hybrid composed of CdSe and P3HT. The
      CdSe:P3HT (10:1 (w/w)) hybrid bulk heterojunction treated with 1,2-ethanedithiol
      (EDT) showed efficient water reduction and hydrogen generation. A photocurrent of
      -1.24 mA/cm(2) at 0 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (V(RHE)), EQE of 15%,
      and an unprecedented Voc of 0.85 V(RHE) under illumination of AM1.5G (100
      mW/cm(2)) in mild electrolyte were observed. Time-resolved photoluminescence
      (TRPL), internal quantum efficiency (IQE), and transient photocurrent
      measurements were carried out to clarify the carrier dynamics of the hybrids. The
      exciton lifetime of CdSe was reduced by one order of magnitude in the hybrid
      blend, which is a sign of the fast charge separation upon illumination. By
      comparing the current magnitude of the solid-state devices and water-splitting
      devices made with identical active layers, we found that the interfaces of the
      water-splitting devices limit the device performance. The electron/hole transport
      properties investigated by comparing IQE spectra upon front- and back-side
      illumination evidenced balanced electron/hole transport. The Faradaic efficiency
      is 80-100% for the hybrid photocathodes with Pt catalysts and ~70% for the one
      without Pt catalysts.

PMID- 26261998
TI  - Validating the Access to an Electronic Health Record: Classification and Content
      Analysis of Access Logs.
AB  - Electronic Health Records (EHRs) have made patient information widely available,
      allowing health professionals to provide better care. However, information
      confidentiality is an issue that continually needs to be taken into account. The
      objective of this study is to describe the implementation of rule-based access
      permissions to an EHR system. The rules that were implemented were based on a
      qualitative study. Every time users did not meet the specified requirements, they
      had to justify access through a pop up window with predetermined options,
      including a free text option ("other justification"). A secondary analysis of a
      deidentified database was performed. From a total of 20,540,708 hits on the
      electronic medical record database, 85% of accesses to the EHR system did not
      require justification. Content analysis of the "Other Justification" option
      allowed the identification of new types of access. At the time to justify,
      however, users may choose the faster or less clicks option to access to EHR,
      associating the justification of access to the EHR as a barrier. 

PMID- 26261999
TI  - A Practical Approach to Governance and Optimization of Structured Data Elements.
AB  - Definition and configuration of clinical content in an enterprise-wide electronic
      health record (EHR) implementation is highly complex. Sharing of data definitions
      across applications within an EHR implementation project may be constrained by
      practical limitations, including time, tools, and expertise. However, maintaining
      rigor in an approach to data governance is important for sustainability and
      consistency. With this understanding, we have defined a practical approach for
      governance of structured data elements to optimize data definitions given limited
      resources. This approach includes a 10 step process: 1) identification of
      clinical topics, 2) creation of draft reference models for clinical topics, 3)
      scoring of downstream data needs for clinical topics, 4) prioritization of
      clinical topics, 5) validation of reference models for clinical topics, and 6)
      calculation of gap analyses of EHR compared against reference model, 7)
      communication of validated reference models across project members, 8) requested
      revisions to EHR based on gap analysis, 9) evaluation of usage of reference
      models across project, and 10) Monitoring for new evidence requiring revisions to
      reference model. 

PMID- 26262000
TI  - Systems Architecture for a Nationwide Healthcare System.
AB  - From a national level to give Internet technology support, the Nationwide
      Integrated Healthcare System in Uruguay requires a model of Information Systems
      Architecture. This system has multiple healthcare providers (public and private),
      and a strong component of supplementary services. Thus, the data processing
      system should have an architecture that considers this fact, while integrating
      the central services provided by the Ministry of Public Health. The national
      electronic health record, as well as other related data processing systems,
      should be based on this architecture. The architecture model described here
      conceptualizes a federated framework of electronic health record systems,
      according to the IHE affinity model, HL7 standards, local standards on
      interoperability and security, as well as technical advice provided by AGESIC. It
      is the outcome of the research done by AGESIC and Systems Integration Laboratory
      (LINS) on the development and use of the e-Government Platform since 2008, as
      well as the research done by the team Salud.uy since 2013. 

PMID- 26262001
TI  - Electronic Dental Records System Adoption.
AB  - The use of Electronic Dental Records (EDRs) and management software has become
      more frequent, following the increase in prevelance of new technologies and
      computers in dental offices. The purpose of this study is to identify and
      evaluate the use of EDRs by the dental community in the Sao Paulo city area. A
      quantitative case study was performed using a survey on the phone. A total of 54
      offices were contacted and only one declinedparticipation in this study. Only one
      office did not have a computer. EDRs were used in 28 offices and only four were
      paperless. The lack of studies in this area suggests the need for more usability
      and implementation studies on EDRs so that we can improve EDR adoption by the
      dental community. 

PMID- 26262002
TI  - Characterizing the Structure of a Patient's Care Team through Electronic
      Encounter Data Analysis.
AB  - As the field of medicine grows more complicated and doctors become more
      specialized in a particular field, the number of healthcare providers involved in
      healing an individual patient increases. This is particularly true of patients
      with multiple chronic conditions. Establishing effective communications among the
      care providers becomes critical to facilitate care coordination and more
      efficient resource use, which will ultimately result in health outcome
      improvement. The first step for care coordination is to understand who have been
      involved in a patient's care and their relationships with the patient. The
      widespread adoption of Electronic Health Records provides us an opportunity to
      explore solutions to well-coordinated care. This paper presents the concept of a
      patient's care team and demonstrates the feasibility of identifying relevant
      healthcare providers for an individual patient by leveraging electronic patient
      encounter data. Combined with network analysis techniques, we further visualize
      the care team structure with quantified strength of patient-provider
      relationships. Our work is foundational to the larger goal of patient-centered,
      coordinated care in the digital age of healthcare. 

PMID- 26262003
TI  - An Information Paradigm Shift is Required to Realize EHR Benefits.
AB  - The use of EHRs and the benefits from them are significant for healthcare and
      health informatics. Data form the basis for any EHR and its potential to realize
      these benefits. This paper considers the housing of information and knowledge
      management in an EHR system. Are we experiencing a revolution in healthcare?
      Findings from an investigation of alternative approaches, followed by an
      evaluation of the importance of the adoption of a standard information model
      relative to benefit realization, is presented. We conclude that an EHR in any
      environment is not limited to sharing or information exchange. A paradigm shift
      in thinking, based on the requirement for standardized concept representation, is
      required. This is an essential prerequisite for a new vision of healthcare
      supported by digital technologies. 

PMID- 26262004
TI  - Template and Model Driven Development of Standardized Electronic Health Records.
AB  - Digital patient modeling targets the integration of distributed patient data into
      one overarching model. For this integration process, both a theoretical standard
      based model and information structures combined with concrete instructions in
      form of a lightweight development process of single standardized Electronic
      Health Records (EHRs) are needed. In this paper, we introduce such a process
      along side a standard-based architecture. It allows the modeling and
      implementation of EHRs in a lightweight Electronic Health Record System (EHRS)
      core. The approach is demonstrated and tested by a prototype implementation. The
      results show that the suggested approach is useful and facilitates the
      development of standardized EHRSs. 

PMID- 26262005
TI  - Fast Model Adaptation for Automated Section Classification in Electronic Medical
      Records.
AB  - Medical information extraction is the automatic extraction of structured
      information from electronic medical records, where such information can be used
      for improving healthcare processes and medical decision making. In this paper, we
      study one important medical information extraction task called section
      classification. The objective of section classification is to automatically
      identify sections in a medical document and classify them into one of the pre
      defined section types. Training section classification models typically requires
      large amounts of human labeled training data to achieve high accuracy. Annotating
      institution-specific data, however, can be both expensive and time-consuming;
      which poses a big hurdle for adapting a section classification model to new
      medical institutions. In this paper, we apply two advanced machine learning
      techniques, active learning and distant supervision, to reduce annotation cost
      and achieve fast model adaptation for automated section classification in
      electronic medical records. Our experiment results show that active learning
      reduces the annotation cost and time by more than 50%, and distant supervision
      can achieve good model accuracy using weakly labeled training data only. 

PMID- 26262007
TI  - Towards the Implementation of an openEHR-based Open Source EHR Platform (a vision
      paper).
AB  - Healthcare Information Systems are a big business. Currently there is an
      explosion of EHR/EMR products available on the market, and the best tools are
      really expensive. Many developing countries and healthcare providers cannot
      access such tools, and for those who can, there is not a clear strategy for the
      evolution, scaling, and cost of these electronic health products. The lack of
      standard-based implementations conduct to the creation of isolated information
      silos that cannot be exploited (i.e. shared between providers to promote a
      holistic view of each patient's medical history). This paper exposes the main
      elements behind a Standard-based Open Source EHR Platform that is future-proof
      and allows to evolve and scale with minimal cost. The proposed EHR Architecture
      is based on openEHR specifications, adding elements emerged from research and
      development experiences, leading to a design that can be implemented in any
      modern technology. Different implementations will be interoperable by design.
      This Platform will leverage contexts of scarce resources, reusing clinical
      knowledge, a common set of software components and services. 

PMID- 26262006
TI  - Using EHRs and Machine Learning for Heart Failure Survival Analysis.
AB  - "Heart failure (HF) is a frequent health problem with high morbidity and
      mortality, increasing prevalence and escalating healthcare costs" [1]. By
      calculating a HF survival risk score based on patient-specific characteristics
      from Electronic Health Records (EHRs), we can identify high-risk patients and
      apply individualized treatment and healthy living choices to potentially reduce
      their mortality risk. The Seattle Heart Failure Model (SHFM) is one of the most
      popular models to calculate HF survival risk that uses multiple clinical
      variables to predict HF prognosis and also incorporates impact of HF therapy on
      patient outcomes. Although the SHFM has been validated across multiple cohorts [1
      5], these studies were primarily done using clinical trials databases that do not
      reflect routine clinical care in the community. Further, the impact of
      contemporary therapeutic interventions, such as beta-blockers or defibrillators,
      was incorporated in SHFM by extrapolation from external trials. In this study, we
      assess the performance of SHFM using EHRs at Mayo Clinic, and sought to develop a
      risk prediction model using machine learning techiniques that applies routine
      clinical care data. Our results shows the models which were built using EHR data
      are more accurate (11% improvement in AUC) with the convenience of being more
      readily applicable in routine clinical care. Furthermore, we demonstrate that new
      predictive markers (such as co-morbidities) when incorporated into our models
      improve prognostic performance significantly (8% improvement in AUC). 

PMID- 26262008
TI  - An Ecosystem of Intelligent ICT Tools for Speech-Language Therapy Based on a
      Formal Knowledge Model.
AB  - The language and communication constitute the development mainstays of several
      intellectual and cognitive skills in humans. However, there are millions of
      people around the world who suffer from several disabilities and disorders
      related with language and communication, while most of the countries present a
      lack of corresponding services related with health care and rehabilitation. On
      these grounds, we are working to develop an ecosystem of intelligent ICT tools to
      support speech and language pathologists, doctors, students, patients and their
      relatives. This ecosystem has several layers and components, integrating
      Electronic Health Records management, standardized vocabularies, a knowledge
      database, an ontology of concepts from the speech-language domain, and an expert
      system. We discuss the advantages of such an approach through experiments carried
      out in several institutions assisting children with a wide spectrum of
      disabilities. 

PMID- 26262009
TI  - Identification of Patient Safety Risks Associated with Electronic Health Records:
      A Software Quality Perspective.
AB  - Although Electronic Health Records (EHR) can offer benefits to the health care
      process, there is a growing body of evidence that these systems can also incur
      risks to patient safety when developed or used improperly. This work is a
      literature review to identify these risks from a software quality perspective.
      Therefore, the risks were classified based on the ISO/IEC 25010 software quality
      model. The risks identified were related mainly to the characteristics of
      "functional suitability" (i.e., software bugs) and "usability" (i.e., interface
      prone to user error). This work elucidates the fact that EHR quality problems can
      adversely affect patient safety, resulting in errors such as incorrect patient
      identification, incorrect calculation of medication dosages, and lack of access
      to patient data. Therefore, the risks presented here provide the basis for
      developers and EHR regulating bodies to pay attention to the quality aspects of
      these systems that can result in patient harm. 

PMID- 26262010
TI  - Nonadherence to Oral Antihyperglycemic Agents: Subsequent Hospitalization and
      Mortality among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes in Clinical Practice.
AB  - Using real-world clinical data from the Indiana Network for Patient Care, we
      analyzed the associations between non-adherence to oral antihyperglycemic agents
      (OHA) and subsequent diabetes-related hospitalization and all-cause mortality for
      patients with type 2 diabetes. OHA adherence was measured by the annual
      proportion of days covered (PDC) for 2008 and 2009. Among 24,067 eligible
      patients, 35,507 annual PDCs were formed. Over 90% (n=21,798) of the patients had
      a PDC less than 80%. In generalized linear mixed model analyses, OHA non
      adherence is significantly associated with diabetes related hospitalizations (OR:
      1.2; 95% CI [1.1,1.3]; p<0.0001). Older patients, white patients, or patients who
      had ischemic heart disease, stroke, or renal disease had higher odds of
      hospitalization. Similarly, OHA non-adherence increased subsequent mortality (OR:
      1.3; 95% CI [1.02, 1.61]; p<0.0001). Patient age, male gender, income and
      presence of ischemic heart diseases, stroke, and renal disease were also
      significantly associated with subsequent all-cause death. 

PMID- 26262011
TI  - Validation of Minimum Data of Archetyped Telehealth Clinical Report for
      Monitoring Prenatal Care.
AB  - Studies on the validation of minimum data sets from international information
      standards have drawn the attention of the academic community to the
      identification of necessary requirements for the development of Electronic Health
      Records (EHRs). The primary motivation of such studies is the development of
      systems using archetypes. The aim of this study was to validate the minimum data
      set that should be used when constructing an archetyped EHR for prenatal care
      applications in telehealth. In order to achieve this, a data validation tool was
      built and used by nine expert obstetricians. The statistical analysis employed
      was the percentage of agreement and the content validity index. The study was
      conducted in three steps: 1) Literature review, 2)Instrument development, and 3)
      Validation of the minimum data set. Of the 179 evaluated pieces of data, 157 of
      them were validated to be included in the archetyped record of the first prenatal
      consultation, while 56 of them were allocated for the subsequent consultation
      record. The benefit of this research is the standardization (data validation for
      an archetyped system) of prenatal care, with the perspective of employing, both
      nationally and internationally, an archtyped telehealth system. 

PMID- 26262012
TI  - One Million Electrocardiograms of Primary Care Patients: A Descriptive Analysis.
AB  - In 722 cities of Minas Gerais (Brazil), primary care patients can have their ECGs
      remotely interpreted by cardiologists of the Telehealth Network of Minas Gerais
      (TNMG), a public telehealth service. As of December 2014, more than 1.9 million
      ECGs were interpreted. This study analyzed the database of all ECGs performed by
      the TNMG on primary care patients from 2009 to 2013 (n=1,101,993). Structured
      patient data and the results of automated ECG interpretation by the Glasgow
      Program are described. Mean patient age is 51 years old, 59% of them are women.
      The average body mass index is 25.9 kg/m2, with an average increase of 0.15 kg/m2
      per civil year. Those patients notably have hypertension (33.2%), family history
      of coronary artery disease (14.5%), smoking (6.9%), diabetes (5.8%), obesity
      (5.8%) or Chagas Disease (3.0%). Seventy percent of ECGs are normal. This
      percentage is higher in women (72.3%) and decreases in average by 7.4 every 10
      years of life. There are notably 12% of possible myocardial infarction, 10% of
      possible left ventricular hypertrophy and 8% of possible supraventricular extra
      systole.

PMID- 26262013
TI  - ePoint.telemed--An Open Web-based Platform for Home Monitoring of Patients with
      Chronic Heart Failure.
AB  - In North Norway, no telemonitoring services for chronic heart failure (CHF) have
      yet been established, hence no investigations in the area have been published.
      However, large distances and a sparse population are causes for extra expenditure
      on hospital visits. In this paper, we describe the ePoint.telemed platform for
      home telemonitoring of CHF patients. We have reviewed the literature on home
      monitoring techniques, and developed two prototype platforms for remote
      collection of physiological data. We have refined one of the prototypes and
      subjected it to user testing among health professionals and their clients. Fifty
      patients will be involved in a randomized controlled trial aiming to establish if
      the home telemonitoring of CHF is clinically feasible and cost-effective. The
      ePoint.telemed platform is a fully automated internet based system meant for
      early warnings in a CHF rehabilitation program. The core of the platform is a
      dashboard connected to a blood pressure meter, a weight scale, and a web-based
      patient questionnaire. Unlike traditional systems built on dedicated medical
      equipment, we are applying easy-to-use components geared towards the sports
      market. 

PMID- 26262014
TI  - Mobile Healthcare System for Health Checkups and Telemedicine in Post-Disaster
      Situations.
AB  - Portable Healthcare Clinic (PHC) is a mobile healthcare system comprising of
      medical sensors and health assessment criteria. It has been applied in Bangladesh
      for the last two years as a pilot program to identify non-communicable diseases.
      In this study, we adapted PHC to fit post-disaster conditions. The PHC health
      assessment criteria are redesigned to deal with emergency cases and healthcare
      worker insufficiency. A new algorithm makes an initial assessment of age,
      symptoms, and whether the person is seeing a doctor. These changes will make the
      turn-around time shorter and will enable reaching the most affected patients
      better. We tested the operability and turn-around time of the adapted system at
      the debris flow disaster shelters in Hiroshima, Japan. Changing the PHC health
      assessment criteria and other solutions such as a list of medicine preparation
      makes the PHC system switch into an emergency mode more smoothly following a
      natural disaster. 

PMID- 26262015
TI  - Assessing the Potential Use of Eye-Tracking Triangulation for Evaluating the
      Usability of an Online Diabetes Exercise System.
AB  - The Online Diabetes Exercise System was developed to motivate people with Type 2
      diabetes to do a 25 minutes low-volume high-intensity interval training program.
      In a previous multi-method evaluation of the system, several usability issues
      were identified and corrected. Despite the thorough testing, it was unclear
      whether all usability problems had been identified using the multi-method
      evaluation. Our hypothesis was that adding the eye-tracking triangulation to the
      multi-method evaluation would increase the accuracy and completeness when testing
      the usability of the system. The study design was an Eye-tracking Triangulation;
      conventional eye-tracking with predefined tasks followed by The Post-Experience
      Eye-Tracked Protocol (PEEP). Six Areas of Interests were the basis for the PEEP
      session. The eye-tracking triangulation gave objective and subjective results,
      which are believed to be highly relevant for designing, implementing, evaluating
      and optimizing systems in the field of health informatics. Future work should
      include testing the method on a larger and more representative group of users and
      apply the method on different system types. 

PMID- 26262016
TI  - Mobile App to Reduce Inactivity in Sedentary Overweight Women.
AB  - Recent studies demonstrated that the duration of inactivity (sedentary state) is
      independently associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Our goal
      was to develop the technology that can measure the amount of inactivity in real
      time, remind a person that a preprogrammed period of inactivity has occurred and
      encourage a period of activity, and provide web-based feedback with tailored
      information to the participant and investigators. Once it was developed, we
      carried out a pilot study in a group of sedentary overweight women. The objective
      of the study was to assess potential of the mobile app to reduce inactivity in
      our target population. A randomized crossover design was employed with study
      subjects randomly assigned to a 4-week each "message-on" and "message-off"
      periods. Out of 30 enrolled subjects, 27 completed the study. The average age of
      particpants was 52+/-12; BMI: 37+/-6; 47% were white and 47% were African
      American. Overall, inactivity was significantly lower (p<0.02) during "message
      on" periods (24.6%) as compared to the "message-off" periods (30.4%). We conluded
      that mobile app monitoring inactivity and providing a real-time notification when
      inactivity period exceeds healthy limits was able to significantly reduce
      inactivity periods in overweight sedentary women. 

PMID- 26262018
TI  - Reconfigurable Embedded System for Electrocardiogram Acquisition.
AB  - Smartphones include features that offers the chance to develop mobile systems in
      medical field, resulting in an area called mobile-health. One of the most common
      medical examinations is the electrocardiogram (ECG), which allows the diagnosis
      of various heart diseases, leading to preventative measures and preventing more
      serious problems. The objective of this study was to develop a wireless
      reconfigurable embedded system using a FPAA (Field Programmable Analog Array),
      for the acquisition of ECG signals, and an application showing and storing these
      signals on Android smartphones. The application also performs the partial FPAA
      reconfiguration in real time (adjustable gain). Previous studies using FPAA
      usually use the development boards provided by the manufacturer (high cost), do
      not allow the reconfiguration in real time, use no smartphone and communicate via
      cables. The parameters tested in the acquisition circuit and the quality of ECGs
      registered in an individual were satisfactory. 

PMID- 26262019
TI  - Availability Communication: Requirements for an Awareness System to Support
      Nurses' Handling of Nurse Calls.
AB  - The recent development of mobile technologies allows nurses to receive different
      types of requests anywhere. However, the interruptions generated by these devices
      often presents a challenge for nurses in their daily work in a hospital
      department. In previous inquires we have investigated nurses' strategies to
      managing technology-mediated interruptions in the form of nurse calls. This study
      reports on an effort to co-design a system that supports an important strategy
      employed by nurses. Through the involvement of domain experts, the study elicits
      requirements for an awareness system to support nurses' collaborative effort in
      handling nurse calls. 

PMID- 26262017
TI  - iDECIDE: A Mobile Application for Insulin Dosing Using an Evidence Based Equation
      to Account for Patient Preferences.
AB  - Diabetes is a complex disease affecting 29.1 million (9.3%) US citizens [1]. It
      is a chronic illness that needs continual medical care and ongoing patient self
      management, education, and support [2]. There is no cure for diabetes, requiring
      patients to conduct frequent self-monitoring of blood glucose and dosing of
      insulin in many cases. Evidence has shown that patients are more adherent to
      their diabetes management plan when they incorporate personal lifestyle choices
      [3]. To address the challenge of empowering patients to better manage their
      diabetes, we have developed a novel mobile application prototype, iDECIDE, that
      refines rapid-acting insulin dose calculations by incorporating two important
      patient variables in addition to carbohydrates consumed that are not a part of
      standard insulin dose calculation algorithms: exercise and alcohol intake [4, 5].
      A retrospective analysis for the calibration and evaluation of iDECIDE is
      underway by comparing recommendations made by the application against dosing
      recommendations made by insulin pumps. 

PMID- 26262020
TI  - Optimizing Decision Support for Tailored Health Behavior Change Applications.
AB  - The Tailored Lifestyle Change Decision Aid (TLC DA) system was designed to
      provide support for a person to make an informed choice about which behavior
      change to work on when multiple unhealthy behaviors are present. TLC DA can be
      delivered via web, smartphones and tablets. The system collects a significant
      amount of information that is used to generate tailored messages to consumers to
      persuade them in certain healthy lifestyles. One limitation is the necessity to
      collect vast amounts of information from users who manually enter. By identifying
      an optimal set of self-reported parameters we will be able to minimize the data
      entry burden of the app users. The study was to identify primary determinants of
      health behavior choices made by patients after using the system. Using
      discriminant analysis an optimal set of predictors was identified. The resulting
      set included smoking status, smoking cessation success estimate, self-efficacy,
      body mass index and diet status. Predicting smoking cessation choice was the most
      accurate, followed by weight management. Physical activity and diet choices were
      better identified in a combined cluster. 

PMID- 26262021
TI  - Towards an Ontology-driven Framework to Enable Development of Personalized
      mHealth Solutions for Cancer Survivors' Engagement in Healthy Living.
AB  - Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) cancer survivors manage an array of health
      related issues. Survivorship Care Plans (SCPs) have the potential to empower
      these young survivors by providing information regarding treatment summary, late
      effects of cancer therapies, healthy lifestyle guidance, coping with work-life
      health balance, and follow-up care. However, current mHealth infrastructure used
      to deliver SCPs has been limited in terms of flexibility, engagement, and
      reusability. The objective of this study is to develop an ontology-driven
      survivor engagement framework to facilitate rapid development of mobile apps that
      are targeted, extensible, and engaging. The major components include ontology
      models, patient engagement features, and behavioral intervention technologies. We
      apply the proposed framework to characterize individual building blocks
      ("survivor digilegos"), which form the basis for mHealth tools that address user
      needs across the cancer care continuum. Results indicate that the framework (a)
      allows identification of AYA survivorship components, (b) facilitates infusion of
      engagement elements, and (c) integrates behavior change constructs into the
      design architecture of survivorship applications. Implications for design of
      patient-engaging chronic disease management solutions are discussed. 

PMID- 26262022
TI  - A Mobile and Intelligent Patient Diary for Chronic Disease Self-Management.
AB  - By involving patients in their own long-term care, patient self-management
      approaches aim to increase self-sufficiency and reduce healthcare costs. For
      example, electronic patient diaries enable patients to collect health data
      autonomously, increasing self-reliance and reducing strain on health
      professionals. By deploying patient diaries on mobile platforms, health data
      collection can occur at any time and place, increasing the mobility of chronic
      patients who typically need to enter health data frequently. Importantly, an
      opportunity also arises for mobile clinical decision support, where health
      feedback is directly issued to patients without relying on connectivity or remote
      servers. Regardless of the specific self-management strategy, patient and
      healthcare provider adoption are crucial. Tailoring the system towards the
      particular patient and toward institution-specific clinical pathways is essential
      to increasing acceptance. In this paper we discuss a mobile patient diary
      realizing both the opportunities and challenges of mobile deployment. 

PMID- 26262023
TI  - Mobile early detection and connected intervention to coproduce better care in
      severe mental illness.
AB  - Current approaches to the management of severe mental illness have four major
      limitations: 1) symptom reporting is intermittent and subject to problems with
      reliability; 2) service users report feelings of disengagement from their care
      planning; 3) late detection of symptoms delay interventions and increase the risk
      of relapse; and 4) care systems are held back by the costs of unscheduled
      hospital admissions that could have been avoided with earlier detection and
      intervention. The ClinTouch system was developed to close the loop between
      service users and health professionals. ClinTouch is an end-to-end secure
      platform, providing a validated mobile assessment technology, a web interface to
      view symptom data and a clinical algorithm to detect risk of relapse. ClinTouch
      integrates high-resolution, continuous longitudinal symptom data into mental
      health care services and presents it in a form that is easy to use for targeting
      care where it is needed. The architecture and methodology can be easily extended
      to other clinical domains, where the paradigm of targeted clinical interventions,
      triggered by the early detection of decline, can improve health outcomes. 

PMID- 26262024
TI  - Mobile Health Applications, in the Absence of an Authentic Regulation, Does the
      Usability Score Correlate with a Better Medical Reliability?
AB  - Health-related mobile applications (apps) have been shown to improve the quality
      of health and patient care. Their use in clinical and health-related environments
      is becoming more considerable. The number of health-related apps available for
      download has considerably increased, while the regulatory position of this new
      industry is not well known. Despite this lack of regulation, measuring the
      usability score of these apps is not difficult. We compared two samples of twenty
      health-related applications each. One of the samples contained the apps with top
      rated usability scores, and the other contained the apps with lowest-rated
      usability scores. We found that a good usability score correlates with a better
      medical reliability of the app's content (p<0.005). In the period in which a
      valid regulation is still lacking, calculation and attribution of usability
      scores to mobile applications could be used to identify apps with better medical
      quality. However, the usability score method ought to be rigorous and should not
      be rounded off with a simple five stars rating (as is the case in the classic app
      stores). 

PMID- 26262025
TI  - Towards Improving Hypertensive Patients Care: Pervasive Monitoring and Diagnosis
      Support.
AB  - Hypertension is the most common chronic condition dealt with by primary care
      physicians and other health practitioners. It usually has no symptoms, causing a
      delay in diagnosis. Moreover, around 20% of the global population suffers from
      "white-coat syndrome", which can lead to misdiagnosing hypertension. When
      diagnosed, patients find it difficult to constantly monitor their blood pressure
      to ensure it is within acceptable levels. In this work, we propose a pervasive
      solution model for ambulatory monitoring of hypertensive patients and for
      supporting a clinician with the task of diagnosing hypertension. It contributes
      to the selection of attributes and techniques for assisting hypertension
      diagnosis, and also to an implementation which dynamically adjusts itself to each
      patient's average blood pressure. 

PMID- 26262026
TI  - E-Patient Reputation in Health Forums.
AB  - Online health forums are increasingly used by patients to get information and
      help related to their health. However, information reliability in these forums is
      unfortunately not always guaranteed. Obviously, consequences of self-diagnosis
      may be severe on the patient's health if measures are taken without consulting a
      doctor. Many works on trust issues related to social media have been proposed,
      but most of them mainly focus only on the structure part of the social network
      (number of posts, number of likes, etc.). In the case of online health forums, a
      lot of trust and distrust is expressed inside the posted messages and cannot be
      inferred by only considering the structure. In this study, we rather suggest
      inferring the user's trustworthiness from the replies he receives in the forum.
      The proposed method is divided into three main steps: First, the recipient(s) of
      each post must be identified. Next, the trust or distrust expressed in these
      posts is evaluated. Finally, the user's reputation is computed by aggregating all
      the posts he received. Conducted experiments using a manually annotated corpus
      are encouraging. 

PMID- 26262027
TI  - Web-based Self-management Support Interventions for Cancer Survivors: A
      Systematic Review and Meta-analyses.
AB  - Those who are living with cancer as a chronic disease need to self-manage the
      late and long-term effects of cancer and its treatment. We conducted systematic
      searches of English-language peer-reviewed publications in PubMed, Cumulative
      Index for Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Cochrane Central Register of
      Controlled Trials, and EMBASE between January 2000 and June 2014. We searched for
      web-based interventions designed to help cancer survivors manage their symptoms
      and the side effects of cancer treatments, which yielded 37 studies that were
      systematically reviewed. For the meta-analyses, five articles were selected for
      fatigue, seven for depression, five for anxiety, and five for overall quality of
      life. The most popular mode of intervention delivery was "peer-to-peer access" in
      the communicative functions category, followed by "the use of an enriched
      information environment" in the automated functions category. The effectss across
      all outcome measures were small to moderate compared to standard care. Healthcare
      providers could use information technologies to support self-management among
      cancer survivors based on their needs across the cancer care continuum. 

PMID- 26262028
TI  - The Shared Decision Making Frontier: a Feasibility and Usability Study for
      Managing Non-Critical Chronic Illness by Combining Behavioural & Decision Theory
      with Online Technology.
AB  - The objective of this study is to determine if shared decisions for managing non
      critical chronic illness, made through an online biomedical technology
      intervention, us feasible and usable. The technology intervention incorporates
      behavioural and decision theories to increase patient engagement, and ultimately
      long term adherence to health behaviour change. We devised the iheart web
      intervention as a "proof of concept" in five phases. The implementation
      incorporates the Vaadin web application framework, Drools, EclipseLink and a
      MySQL database. Two-thirds of the study participants favoured the technology
      intervention, based on Likert-scale questions from a post-study questionnaire.
      Qualitative analysis of think aloud feedback, video screen captures and open
      ended questions from the post-study questionnaire uncovered six main areas or
      themes for improvement. We conclude that online shared decisions for managing a
      non-critical chronic illness are feasible and usable through the iheart web
      intervention. 

PMID- 26262029
TI  - Experiences of Healthcare Professionals to the Introduction in Sweden of a Public
      eHealth Service: Patients' Online Access to their Electronic Health Records.
AB  - Patients' increasing demands for medical information, the digitization of health
      records and the fast spread of Internet access form a basis of introducing new
      eHealth services. An international trend is to provide access for patients to
      health information of various kind. In Sweden, access by patients to their proper
      electronic health record (EHR) has been provided in a pilot county since November
      2012. This eHealth service is controversial and criticism has arised from the
      clinical professions, mainly physicians. Two web surveys were conducted to
      discover whether the opinions of healthcare professionals differ; between staff
      that have had experience with patients accessing their own EHR and those who have
      no such expericence. Experienced nurses found the EHR more important for the
      patients and a better reform, compared to unexperienced nurses in the rest of the
      country. Similarly, physicians with their own experience had a more positive
      attitude compared to non-experienced physicians. The conclusion of this study is
      that healthcare professionals must be involved in the implementation of public
      eHealth services such as EHRs and that real experiences of the professionals
      should be better disseminated to their inexperienced peers. 

PMID- 26262030
TI  - Characterizing Patient-Generated Clinical Data and Associated Implications for
      Electronic Health Records.
AB  - Patient-facing technologies are increasingly utilized for direct patient data
      entry for potential incorporation into the electronic health record. We analyzed
      patient-entered data during implementation of a patient-facing data entry
      technology using an online patient portal and clinic-based tablet computers at a
      University-based tertiary medical center clinic, including entries for past
      medical history, past surgical history, and social history. Entries were assessed
      for granularity, clinical accuracy, and the addition of novel information into
      the record. We found that over half of patient-generated diagnoses were
      duplicates of lesser or equal granularity compared to previous provider-entered
      diagnoses. Approximately one fifth of patient-generated diagnoses were found to
      meet the criteria for new, meaningful additions to the medical record. Our
      findings demonstrate that while patient-generated data provides important
      additional information, it may also present challenges including generating
      inaccurate or less granular information. 

PMID- 26262031
TI  - Recognizing Clinical Styles in a Dental Surgery Simulator.
AB  - Recognizing clinical style is essential for generating intelligent guidance in
      virtual reality simulators for dental skill acquisition. The aim of this study
      was to determine the potential of Dynamic Time Warping (DTW) in matching novices'
      tooth cutting sequences with those of experts. Forty dental students and four
      expert dentists were enrolled to perform access opening to the root canals with a
      simulator. Four experts performed in manners that differed widely in the tooth
      preparation sequence. Forty students were randomly allocated into four groups and
      were trained following each expert. DTW was performed between each student's
      sequence and all the expert sequences to determine the best match. Overall, the
      accuracy of the matching was high (95%). The current results suggest that the DTW
      is a useful technique to find the best matching expert for a student so that
      feedback based on that expert's performance can be given to the novice in
      clinical skill training. 

PMID- 26262032
TI  - Web-based auditory self-training system for adult and elderly users of hearing
      aids.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Adults and elderly users of hearing aids suffer psychosocial
      reactions as a result of hearing loss. Auditory rehabilitation is typically
      carried out with support from a speech therapist, usually in a clinical center.
      For these cases, there is a lack of computer-based self-training tools for
      minimizing the psychosocial impact of hearing deficiency. OBJECTIVE: To develop
      and evaluate a web-based auditory self-training system for adult and elderly
      users of hearing aids. METHODS: Two modules were developed for the web system: an
      information module based on guidelines for using hearing aids; and an auditory
      training module presenting a sequence of training exercises for auditory
      abilities along the lines of the auditory skill steps within auditory processing.
      We built aweb system using PHP programming language and a MySQL database .from
      requirements surveyed through focus groups that were conducted by healthcare
      information technology experts. The web system was evaluated by speech therapists
      and hearing aid users. An initial sample of 150 patients at DSA/HRAC/USP was
      defined to apply the system with the inclusion criteria that: the individuals
      should be over the age of 25 years, presently have hearing impairment, be a
      hearing aid user, have a computer and have internet experience. They were divided
      into two groups: a control group (G1) and an experimental group (G2). These
      patients were evaluated clinically using the HHIE for adults and HHIA for elderly
      people, before and after system implementation. A third web group was formed with
      users who were invited through social networks for their opinions on using the
      system. A questionnaire evaluating hearing complaints was given to all three
      groups. The study hypothesis considered that G2 would present greater auditory
      perception, higher satisfaction and fewer complaints than G1 after the auditory
      training. It was expected that G3 would have fewer complaints regarding use and
      acceptance of the system. RESULTS: The web system, which was named SisTHA portal,
      was finalized, rated by experts and hearing aid users and approved for use. The
      system comprised auditory skills training along five lines: discrimination;
      recognition; comprehension and temporal sequencing; auditory closure; and
      cognitive-linguistic and communication strategies. Users needed to undergo
      auditory training over a minimum period of 1 month: 5 times a week for 30 minutes
      a day. Comparisons were made between G1 and G2 and web system use by G3.
      CONCLUSION: The web system developed was approved for release to hearing aid
      users. It is expected that the self-training will help improve effective use of
      hearing aids, thereby decreasing their rejection.

PMID- 26262033
TI  - Design, Implementation and Evaluation of an Architecture based on the CDA R2
      Document Repository to Provide Support to the Contingency Plan.
AB  - The pervasive use of electronic records in healthcare increases the dependency on
      technology due to the lack of physical backup for the records. Downtime in the
      Electronic Health Record system is unavoidable, due to software, infrastructure
      and power failures as well as natural disasters, so there is a need to develop a
      contingency plan ensuring patient care continuity and minimizing risks for health
      care delivery. To mitigate these risks, two applications were developed allowing
      healthcare delivery providers to retrieve clinical information using the Clinical
      Document Architecture Release 2 (CDA R2) document repository as the information
      source. In this paper we describe the strategy, implementation and results; and
      provide an evaluation of effectiveness. 

PMID- 26262034
TI  - Archetype based patient data modeling to support treatment of pituitary adenomas.
AB  - The treatment of patients with pituitary adenoma requires the assessment of
      various patient data by the clinician. Because of their heterogeneity, they are
      stored in different sub-information systems, limiting a fast and easy access. The
      objective of this paper is to apply and test the tools provided by the openEHR
      Foundation to model the patient data relevant for diagnosis and treatment of the
      disease with the future intention to implement a centralised standard-based
      information platform. This platform should support the clinician in the treatment
      of the disease and improve the information exchange with other healthcare
      institutions. Some results of the domain modeling, so far obtained, are
      presented, and the advantages of openEHR emphasized. The free tools and the large
      database of existing structured and standard archetypes facilitated the modeling
      task. The separation of the domain modeling from the application development will
      support the next step of development of the information platform. 

PMID- 26262035
TI  - Evaluating Business Value of IT in Healthcare: Three Clinical Practices from
      Australia and the US.
AB  - Exponentially increasing costs in healthcare coupled with poor quality and
      limited access have motivated the healthcare industry to turn to IS/IT solutions
      to overcome these issues and facilitate superior healthcare delivery. In an
      environment of rapid development of new clinical informatics solutions claiming
      to provide better healthcare delivery, there is a paucity of systematic
      frameworks to robustly measure the actual value of these systems. The promised
      business value of these solutions has been elusive; hence, this study offers an
      approach for the evaluation of the business value of health IS/IT solutions based
      on a conceptual model, which has been validated using three clinical case
      studies. 

PMID- 26262036
TI  - Toward User-Centered Patient Safety Event Reporting System: A Trial of Text
      Prediction in Clinical Data Entry.
AB  - As a primary source for learning from lessons, patient safety event reporting
      systems have been widely adopted. Nevertheless, underreporting and low quality of
      reports pervade the system. To address these issues, the study proposed two text
      prediction functions as data entry aids to system users. With 52 subjects, a two
      group randomized experiment was conducted to quantify the impacts in terms of the
      reporting efficiency, quality, and usability attitudes. Consequentially, on
      structured data entry, the results were an overall 13.0% time reduction and 3.9%
      increase of response accuracy with the functions; on unstructured data entry,
      there was an overall 70.5% increase in the text generation rate, a 34.1% increase
      in the reporting completeness score, and a 14.5% reduction on the amount of text
      fields ignored by subjects. Subjects' usability attitudes were slightly improved
      with the proposed functions according to the questionnaire results. 

PMID- 26262037
TI  - The Role of Hospital Information Systems in Universal Health Coverage Monitoring
      in Rwanda.
AB  - In this retrospective study, the authors monitored the patient health coverage in
      6 Rwandan hospitals in the period between 2011 and 2014. Among the 6 hospitals, 2
      are third level hospitals, 2 district hospitals and 2 private hospitals. Patient
      insurance and financial data were extracted and analyzed from OpenClinic GA, an
      open source hospital information system (HIS) used in those 6 hospitals. The
      percentage of patients who had no health insurer globally decreased from 35% in
      2011 to 15% in 2014. The rate of health insurance coverage in hospitals varied
      between 75% in private hospitals and 84% in public hospitals. The amounts paid by
      the patients for health services decreased in private hospitals to 25% of the
      total costs in 2014 (-7.4%) and vary between 14% and 19% in public hospitals.
      Although the number of insured patients has increased and the patient share
      decreased over the four years of study, the patients' out-of-pocket payments
      increased especially for in-patients. This study emphasizes the value of
      integrated hospital information systems for this kind of health economics
      research in developing countries. 

PMID- 26262038
TI  - Bluetooth Roaming for Sensor Network System in Clinical Environment.
AB  - A sensor network is key infrastructure for advancing a hospital information
      system (HIS). The authors proposed a method to provide roaming functionality for
      Bluetooth to realize a Bluetooth-based sensor network, which is suitable to
      connect clinical devices. The proposed method makes the average response time of
      a Bluetooth connection less than one second by making the master device repeat
      the inquiry process endlessly and modifies parameters of the inquiry process. The
      authors applied the developed sensor network for daily clinical activities in an
      university hospital, and confirmed the stabilitya and effectiveness of the sensor
      network. As Bluetooth becomes a quite common wireless interface for medical
      devices, the proposed protocol that realizes Bluetooth-based sensor network
      enables HIS to equip various clinical devices and, consequently, lets information
      and communication technologies advance clinical services. 

PMID- 26262039
TI  - On Building an Ontological Knowledge Base for Managing Patient Safety Events.
AB  - Over the past decade, improving healthcare quality and safety through patient
      safety event reporting systems has drawn much attention. Unfortunately, such
      systems are suffering from low data quality, inefficient data entry and
      ineffective information retrieval. For improving the systems, we develop a
      semantic web ontology based on the WHO International Classification for Patient
      Safety (ICPS) and AHRQ Common Formats for patient safety event reporting. The
      ontology holds potential in enhancing knowledge management and information
      retrieval, as well as providing flexible data entry and case analysis for both
      reporters and reviewers of patient safety events. In this paper, we detailed our
      efforts in data acquisition, transformation, implementation and initial
      evaluation of the ontology. 

PMID- 26262040
TI  - Case Study: Applying OpenEHR Archetypes to a Clinical Data Repository in a
      Chinese Hospital.
AB  - openEHR is a flexible and scalable modeling methodology for clinical information
      and has been widely adopted in Europe and Australia. Due to the reasons of
      differences in clinical process and management, there are few research projects
      involving openEHR in China. To investigate the feasibility of openEHR methodology
      for clinical information modelling in China, this paper carries out a case study
      to apply openEHR archetypes to Clinical Data Repository (CDR) in a Chinese
      hospital. The results show that a set of 26 archetypes are found to cover all the
      concepts used in the CDR. Of all these, 9 (34.6%) are reused without change, 10
      are modified and/or extended, and 7 are newly defined. The reasons for
      modification, extension and newly definition have been discussed, including
      granularity of archetype, metadata-level versus data-level modelling, and the
      representation of relationships between archetypes. 

PMID- 26262041
TI  - Quality indicators from laboratory and radiology information systems.
AB  - Consequences of the computerization of laboratory and radiology information
      system (LIS and RIS) are not well documented. The aim of this study was to
      evaluate the impact of computerization of LIS and RIS of four hospitals on
      performance and quality of care. The study was divided into three phases. First,
      the subprocesses and information flows of LIS and RIS were described. Then, a
      literature review was performed in order to identify the indicators used to
      assess the impact of computerization. Finally, comparisons were made between 2
      hospitals. Using the initial framework, each partner described its process
      mapping concerning LIS and RIS. The review identified a wide panel of indicators.
      Only 41 were useful to assess the impact of information systems. For each two by
      two comparison, lists of relevant indicators have been selected from the
      identified indicators and according to the process mapping comparison. Two by two
      comparisons have to be completed. Eventually, these indicators may be integrated
      in the quality process of hospital information systems. 

PMID- 26262042
TI  - Building a Semantic Interoperability Framework for Care and Research in
      Fibromuscular Dysplasia.
AB  - Identifying patients with Fibromuscular Dysplasia (FMD) at the international
      level will have considerable value for understanding the epidemiology, clinical
      manifestations and susceptible genes in this arterial disease, but also for
      identifying eligible patients in clinical trials or cohorts. We present a two
      step methodology to create a general semantic interoperability framework allowing
      access and comparison of distributed data over various nations, languages,
      formats and databases. METHODS: The first step is to develop a pivot
      multidimensional model based on a core dataset to harmonize existing
      heterogeneous data sources. The second step is to align the model to additional
      data, semantically related to FMD and collected currently in various registries.
      We present the results of the first step that has been fully completed with the
      validation and implementation of the model in a dedicated information system (SIR
      FMD). We discuss the current achievements for step 2 and the extensibility of the
      methodology in the context of other rare diseases.

PMID- 26262043
TI  - Micro- and Macrointegration Profiles for Medical Devices and Medical IT Systems.
AB  - Collecting, saving, and providing patient data are essential processes of
      documentation in a hospital. Many IT systems have evolved to provide solutions in
      this area. The automatic transfer of medical device data to these information
      systems is a new challenge for hospital IT systems. Some vendors are focused on
      the integration of medical IT systems and medical devices. They provide great
      solutions with magnificent features. Nevertheless, those integration solutions
      are proprietary and isolated, limiting the operator's selection of his medical
      devices and medical IT systems. Standardizing communication processes within the
      operating room and between medical devices and medical IT systems brings benefits
      for both patient and hospital staff. This work identifies and proposes micro- and
      macrointegration profiles as a basis for new IHE Integration Profiles for both
      medical IT systems and medical devices of the operating room. 

PMID- 26262044
TI  - Product-based Safety Certification for Medical Devices Embedded Software.
AB  - Worldwide medical device embedded software certification practices are currently
      focused on manufacturing best practices. In Brazil, the national regulatory
      agency does not hold a local certification process for software-intensive medical
      devices and admits international certification (e.g. FDA and CE) from local and
      international industry to operate in the Brazilian health care market. We present
      here a product-based certification process as a candidate process to support the
      Brazilian regulatory agency ANVISA in medical device software regulation. Center
      of Strategic Technology for Healthcare (NUTES) medical device embedded software
      certification is based on a solid safety quality model and has been tested with
      reasonable success against the Class I risk device Generic Infusion Pump (GIP). 

PMID- 26262045
TI  - Patient Safety at Transitions of Care: Use of a Compulsory Electronic
      Reconciliation Tool in an Academic Hospital.
AB  - Medication errors are responsible for most inpatient adverse events. Medication
      reconciliation emerged as an effective strategy to decrease these problems,
      enhancing patient safety. Electronic health records with reconciliation tools
      could improve the process, but many aspects should be considered in order to
      reach expected outcomes. In this paper we analyzed how a compulsory, electronic
      reconciliation application was used at Hospital Italiano in Buenos Aires, through
      admission and discharge processes. We evaluated all medications that were
      reconciled during patient admission and discharge since its implementation, from
      February to November 2014. During that period, there were 78,714 reconciled
      medications regarding 37,741 admissions (2.08 reconciled medications per
      hospitalization), of 27,375 patients (2.88 medications per patient). At
      admission, 63% of medications were confirmed and the remaining were paused or
      deleted. At discharge, 41% of all medications were reconfirmed. In the creation
      of the best possible medication history, the use of an electronic reconciliation
      tool would clean overloaded lists, but at the same time medications could be
      erroneously deleted. 

PMID- 26262046
TI  - Lead User Design: Medication Management in Electronic Medical Records.
AB  - Improvements in medication management may lead to a reduction of preventable
      errors. Usability and user experience issues are common and related to achieving
      benefits of Electronic Medical Records (EMRs). This paper reports on a novel
      study that combines the lead user method with a safety engineering review to
      discover an innovative design for the medication management module in EMRs in
      primary care. Eight lead users were recruited that represented prescribers and
      clinical pharmacists with expertise in EMR design, evidence-based medicine,
      medication safety and medication research. Eight separate medication management
      module designs were prototyped and validated, one with each lead user. A parallel
      safety review of medicaiton management was completed. The findings were
      synthesized into a single common set of goals, activities and one interactive,
      visual prototype. The lead user method with safety review proved to be an
      effective way to elicit diverse user goals and synthesize them into a common
      design. The resulting design ideas focus on meeting the goals of quality,
      efficiency, safety, reducing the cognitive load on the user, and improving
      communication wih the patient and the care team. Design ideas are being adapted
      to an existing EMR product, providing areas for further work. 

PMID- 26262047
TI  - High Override Rate for Opioid Drug-allergy Interaction Alerts: Current Trends and
      Recommendations for Future.
AB  - This study examined trends in drug-allergy interaction (DAI) alert overrides for
      opioid medications - the most commonly triggered alerts in the computerized
      provider order entry (CPOE). We conducted an observational analysis of the DAI
      opioid alerts triggered over the last decade (2004-2013, n=342,338) in two large
      academic hospitals in Boston (United States). We found an increasing rate of DAI
      alert overrides culminating in 89.7% in 2013. Allergic reactions included a high
      proportion (38.2%) of non-immune mediated opioid reactions (e.g. gastrointestinal
      upset). The DAI alert override rate was high for immune mediated (88.6%) and life
      threatening reactions (87.8%). Exact allergy-medication matches were overridden
      less frequently (about 70%) compared to non-exact matches within allergy groups
      (over 90%). About one-third of the alert override reasons pointed to irrelevant
      alerts (i.e."Patient has tolerated the medication before") and 44.9% were
      unknown. Those findings warrant further investigation into providers' reasons for
      high override rate. User interfaces should evolve to enable less interruptive and
      more accurate alerts to decrease alert fatigue. 

PMID- 26262048
TI  - Usability Testing of PROCEnf-USP: A Clinical Decision Support System.
AB  - Decision support systems (DSSs) are recognized as important tools, capable of
      processing high volumes of data and increasing productivity. The usability of
      these tools affects their effectiveness. By evaluating the interactions between
      registered nurses (RNs) and the DSSs, this study explores how they impact RN
      decision-making. This study analyzed 24 months (2011-2012) of data collected in
      Brazil in two units of a large, public, urban hospital in Sao Paulo that uses a
      nurse documentation system with an embedded DSS based on NANDA-I. Using mixed
      effects logistic regression, this study analyzed the agreement between RNs and a
      DSS when selecting nursing diagnoses. Results suggest that the agreement is
      mediated by characteristics of the RNs (education and experience) as well as
      units and year of encounter. Surprisingly, disagreement between RN and DSS when
      selecting defining characteristics (DC) had positive effects on the odds of
      agreement on diagnoses. Our results suggest that DSSs support nurses' clinical
      decision making, but the nurse's clinical judgment is the mediating factor. More
      research is necessary. 

PMID- 26262049
TI  - Patient Safety in Critical Care Unit: Development of a Nursing Quality Indicator
      System.
AB  - This is a methodological study and technological production that aims to describe
      the development of a computerized system of nursing care quality indicators for
      the Intensive Care Unit. The study population consisted of a systems analyst and
      fifteen critical care nurses. For the development of the system we adopted some
      of the best practices of the Unified Process methodology using the Unified
      Modeling Language and the programming language Java Enterprise Edition 7. The
      system consists of an access menu with the following functions: Home (presents
      general information), New Record (records the indicator), Record (record search),
      Census (add information and indicators of the patient), Report (generates report
      of the indicators) and Annex (accesses the Braden Scale). This information system
      allows for measurement of the quality of nursing care and to evaluate patient
      safety in intensive care unit by monitoring quality indicators in nursing. 

PMID- 26262050
TI  - Pre-Implementation Study of a Nursing e-Chart: How Nurses Use Their Time.
AB  - In clinical practice, nurses perform different activities that exceed direct care
      of patients, and influence workload and time administration among different
      tasks. When implementing changes in an electronic nursing record, it is important
      to measure how it affects the time committed to documentation. The objective of
      this study was to determine the time dedicated to different activities, including
      those related to electronic documentation prior to implementing a redesigned
      nurse chart in an Electronic Health Record at the Hospital Italiano de Buenos
      Aires. An observational work sampling study was performed. Nursing activities
      observed were categorized as direct care, indirect care, support, non-patient
      related, and personal activities. During the study, 74 nurses were observed and
      2,418 observations were made in the Intensive Care Unit (32.22%), the
      Intermediate Care Unit (29.57%), and the General Care Unit (38.21%). Nurses'
      activities included 37.40% of direct care, 41.18% of indirect care, 0.43% support
      tasks, 11.14% non-related to patient tasks, and 9.77% personal activities. The
      results allow for the estimation of the impact of a nursing e-chart on nurses'
      activities, workflow and patient care. 

PMID- 26262051
TI  - Web-tool to Support Medical Experts in Probabilistic Modelling Using Large
      Bayesian Networks With an Example of Hinosinusitis.
AB  - For many complex diseases, finding the best patient-specific treatment decision
      is difficult for physicians due to limited mental capacity. Clinical decision
      support systems based on Bayesian networks (BN) can provide a probabilistic
      graphical model integrating all necessary aspects relevant for decision making.
      Such models are often manually created by clinical experts. The modeling process
      consists of graphical modeling conducted by collecting of information entities,
      and probabilistic modeling achieved through defining the relations of information
      entities to their direct causes. Such expert-based probabilistic modelling with
      BNs is very time intensive and requires knowledge about the underlying modeling
      method. We introduce in this paper an intuitive web-based system for helping
      medical experts generate decision models based on BNs. Using the tool, no special
      knowledge about the underlying model or BN is necessary. We tested the tool with
      an example of modeling treatment decisions of Rhinosinusitis and studied its
      usability. 

PMID- 26262052
TI  - Physicians' Attitudes Towards the Advice of a Guideline-Based Decision Support
      System: A Case Study With OncoDoc2 in the Management of Breast Cancer Patients.
AB  - When wrongly used, guideline-based clinical decision support systems (CDSSs) may
      generate inappropriate propositions that do not match the recommendations
      provided by clinical practice guidelines (CPGs). The user may decide to comply
      with or react to the CDSS, and her decision may finally comply or not with CPGs.
      OncoDoc2 is a guideline-based CDSS for breast cancer management. We collected 394
      decisions made by multidisciplinary meeting physicians in three hospitals where
      the CDSS was evaluated. We observed a global CPG compliance of 86.8% and a global
      CDSS compliance of 75.4%. Non-CPG compliance was observed in case of a negative
      reactance to the CDSS, when users did not follow a correct CDSS proposition (8.6%
      of decisions). Because of errors in patient data entry, OncoDoc2 delivered non
      recommended propositions in 21.3% of decisions, leading to compliances with CDSS
      and CPGs of respectively 21.4% and 65.5%, whereas both compliances exceeded 90%
      when CDSS advices included CPG recommendations. Automation bias, when users
      followed an incorrect CDSS proposition explained the remaining non-compliance
      with CPGs (4.6% of decisions). Securing the use of CDSSs is of major importance
      to warranty patient safety and benefit of their potential to improve care. 

PMID- 26262053
TI  - Use of a Proven Framework for Computer Decision Support within the Intermountain
      Healthcare Network.
AB  - Hospitalized patients in the U.S. do not always receive optimal care. In light of
      this, Computerized Decision Support (CDS) has been recommended to for the
      improvement of patient care. A number of methodologies, standards, and frameworks
      have been developed to facilitate the development and interoperability of
      computerized clinical guidelines and CDS logic. In addition, Health Information
      Exchange using Service-Oriented Architecture holds some promise to help realize
      that goal. We have used a framework at Intermountain Healthcare that employs
      familiar programming languages and technology to develop over 40 CDS applications
      during the past 13 years, which clinicians are dependent on each day. This paper
      describes the framework, technology, and CDS application development methods,
      while providing three distinct examples of applications that illustrate the need
      and use of the framework for patient care improvement. The main limitation of
      this framework is its dependence on point-to-point interfaces to access patient
      data. We look forward to the use of validated and accessible Service-Oriented
      Architecture to facilitate patient data access across diverse databases. 

PMID- 26262054
TI  - An Ontology-Based Clinical Decision Support System for the Management of Patients
      with Multiple Chronic Disorders.
AB  - Decision support systems, as means of disseminating clinical practice guidelines,
      are powerful software that may lead to an improvement of medical practices.
      However, they are not always efficient and may suffer from limitations among
      which are lack of flexibility and weaknesses in the integration of several
      clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for the management of patients with multiple
      chronic disorders. We propose a framework based on an ontological modeling of CPG
      contents as rules. The ontology provides the required flexibility to adapt
      patient data and enable the provision of appropriate recommendations expressed at
      various levels of abstraction. To solve decisional conflicts that occur when
      combining multiple sources of recommendations, we proposed a method based on the
      subsumption graph of the patient profiles corresponding to the rules. A prototype
      CDSS implementing this approach has been developed. Results are given on a
      clinical case to illustrate the assets of ontological reasoning in increasing the
      number of issued recommendations and thereby the reliability of decision support.

PMID- 26262055
TI  - Understanding Deviations from Clinical Practice Guidelines in Adult Soft Tissue
      Sarcoma.
AB  - In recent years we have witnessed the increasing adoption of clinical practice
      guidelines (CPGs) as decision support tools that guide medical treatment. As CPGs
      gain popularity, it has become evident that physicians frequently deviate from
      CPG recommendations, both erroneously and due to sound medical rationale. In this
      study we developed a methodology to computationally identify these deviation
      cases and understand their movitation. This was achieved using an integrated
      approach consisting of natural language processing, data modeling, and comparison
      methods to characterize deviations from CPG recommendations for 1431 adult soft
      tissue sarcoma patients. The results show that 48.9% of patient treatment
      programs deviate from CPG recommendations, with the largest deviation type being
      overtreatment, followed by differences in drug treatments. Interestingly, we
      identified over a dozen potential reasons for these deviations, with those
      directly related to the patients' cancer status being most abundant. These
      findings can be used to modify CPGs, increase adherence to CPG recommendations,
      reduce treatment cost, and potentially impact sarcoma care. Our approach can be
      applied to additional diseases that are subject to high deviation levels from
      CPGs. 

PMID- 26262056
TI  - INITIATE: An Intelligent Adaptive Alert Environment.
AB  - Exposure to a large volume of alerts generated by medical Alert Generating
      Systems (AGS) such as drug-drug interaction softwares or clinical decision
      support systems over-whelms users and causes alert fatigue in them. Some of alert
      fatigue effects are ignoring crucial alerts and longer response times. A common
      approach to avoid alert fatigue is to devise mechanisms in AGS to stop them from
      generating alerts that are deemed irrelevant. In this paper, we present a novel
      framework called INITIATE: an INtellIgent adapTIve AlerT Environment to avoid
      alert fatigue by managing alerts generated by one or more AGS. We have identified
      and categories the lifecycle of different alerts and have developed alert
      management logic as per the alerts' lifecycle. Our framework incorporates an
      ontology that represents the alert management strategy and an alert management
      engine that executes this strategy. Our alert management framework offers the
      following features: (1) Adaptability based on users' feedback; (2)
      Personalization and aggregation of messages; and (3) Connection to Electronic
      Medical Records by implementing a HL7 Clinical Document Architecture parser. 

PMID- 26262057
TI  - Influence Diagram As a Support Tool for Clinical Decisions In Cardiopulmonary And
      Metabolic Rehabilitation.
AB  - An influence diagram (ID) is a method of graphical representation of uncertain
      knowledge, which can be employed to support decisions in health care using
      probabilistic reasoning. We aimed to describe the development of an ID to support
      the decision-making process in phase II at Cardiopulmonary and Metabolic
      Rehabilitation Program (CPMR). The development of the ID was carried out through
      the identification of relevant variables and their possible values, as well as
      the identification of details of each variable, in order to find a network
      structure that appropriately connects the nodes that represent the variables,
      with arcs linking acyclic graphs, and to build the graph using specialized
      knowledge and the conditional probability table for each node in the graph. In
      spite of the complexity of the interactions, the model obtained with the ID seems
      to contribute in the decision-making process in phase II CPMR, providing a second
      opinion to the health pratictioner and helping in diagnostic, therapeutic and
      decision-making processes, since it is useful in situations with non-linear
      modeling or with absent or uncertain information. 

PMID- 26262058
TI  - Advances In Infection Surveillance and Clinical Decision Support With Fuzzy Sets
      and Fuzzy Logic.
AB  - By the use of extended intelligent information technology tools for fully
      automated healthcare-associated infection (HAI) surveillance, clinicians can be
      informed and alerted about the emergence of infection-related conditions in their
      patients. Moni--a system for monitoring nosocomial infections in intensive care
      units for adult and neonatal patients--employs knowledge bases that were written
      with extensive use of fuzzy sets and fuzzy logic, allowing the inherent un
      sharpness of clinical terms and the inherent uncertainty of clinical conclusions
      to be a part of Moni's output. Thus, linguistic as well as propositional
      uncertainty became a part of Moni, which can now report retrospectively on HAIs
      according to traditional crisp HAI surveillance definitions, as well as support
      clinical bedside work by more complex crisp and fuzzy alerts and reminders. This
      improved approach can bridge the gap between classical retrospective surveillance
      of HAIs and ongoing prospective clinical-decision-oriented HAI support.

PMID- 26262059
TI  - A Decision Fusion Framework for Treatment Recommendation Systems.
AB  - Treatment recommendation is a nontrivial task--it requires not only domain
      knowledge from evidence-based medicine, but also data insights from descriptive,
      predictive and prescriptive analysis. A single treatment recommendation system is
      usually trained or modeled with a limited (size or quality) source. This paper
      proposes a decision fusion framework, combining both knowledge-driven and data
      driven decision engines for treatment recommendation. End users (e.g. using the
      clinician workstation or mobile apps) could have a comprehensive view of various
      engines' opinions, as well as the final decision after fusion. For
      implementation, we leverage several well-known fusion algorithms, such as
      decision templates and meta classifiers (of logistic and SVM, etc.). Using an
      outcome-driven evaluation metric, we compare the fusion engine with base engines,
      and our experimental results show that decision fusion is a promising way towards
      a more valuable treatment recommendation.

PMID- 26262060
TI  - Health Care Decision Support System for the Pediatric Emeregency Department
      Management.
AB  - Health organization management is facing a high amount of complexity due to the
      inherent dynamics of the processes and the distributed organization of hospitals.
      It is therefore necessary for health care institutions to focus on this issue in
      order to deal with patients' requirements and satisfy their needs. The main
      objective of this study is to develop and implement a Decision Support System
      which can help physicians to better manage their organization, to anticipate the
      overcrowding feature, and to establish avoidance proposals for it. This work is a
      part of HOST project (Hospital: Optimization, Simulation, and Crowding Avoidance)
      of the French National Research Agency (ANR). It aims to optimize the functioning
      of the Pediatric Emergency Department characterized by stochastic arrivals of
      patients which leads to its overcrowding and services overload. Our study is a
      set of tools to smooth out patient flows, enhance care quality and minimize long
      waiting times and costs due to resources allocation. So we defined a decision
      aided tool based on Multi-agent Systems where actors negotiate and cooperate
      under some constraints in a dynamic environment. These entities which can be
      either physical agents representing real actors in the health care institution or
      software agents allowing the implementation of optimizing tools, cooperate to
      satisfy the demands of patients while respecting emergency degrees. This paper is
      concerned with agents' negotiation. It proposes a new approach for multi-skill
      tasks scheduling based on interactions between agents. 

PMID- 26262061
TI  - Analysis of Hospital Processes with Process Mining Techniques.
AB  - Process mining allows for discovery, monitoring, and improving processes
      identified in information systems from their event logs. In hospital
      environments, process analysis has been a crucial factor for cost reduction,
      control and proper use of resources, better patient care, and achieving service
      excellence. This paper presents a new component for event logs generation in the
      Hospital Information System or HIS, developed at University of Informatics
      Sciences. The event logs obtained are used for analysis of hospital processes
      with process mining techniques. The proposed solution intends to achieve the
      generation of event logs in the system with high quality. The performed analyses
      allowed for redefining functions in the system and proposed proper flow of
      information. The study exposed the need to incorporate process mining techniques
      in hospital systems to analyze the processes execution. Moreover, we illustrate
      its application for making clinical and administrative decisions for the
      management of hospital activities. 

PMID- 26262062
TI  - Improving Hospital-Wide Early Resource Allocation through Machine Learning.
AB  - The objective of this paper is to evaluate the extent to which early
      determination of diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) can be used for better
      allocation of scarce hospital resources. When elective patients seek admission,
      the true DRG, currently determined only at discharge, is unknown. We approach the
      problem of early DRG determination in three stages: (1) test how much a Naive
      Bayes classifier can improve classification accuracy as compared to a hospital's
      current approach; (2) develop a statistical program that makes admission and
      scheduling decisions based on the patients' clincial pathways and scarce hospital
      resources; and (3) feed the DRG as classified by the Naive Bayes classifier and
      the hospitals' baseline approach into the model (which we evaluate in
      simulation). Our results reveal that the DRG grouper performs poorly in
      classifying the DRG correctly before admission while the Naive Bayes approach
      substantially improves the classification task. The results from the connection
      of the classification method with the mathematical program also reveal that
      resource allocation decisions can be more effective and efficient with the hybrid
      approach. 

PMID- 26262063
TI  - An eHealth Approach to Reporting Allergic Reactions to Food and Closing the
      Knowledge Gap.
AB  - There is an important knowledge gap in food allergy management in understanding
      the factors that determine allergic reactions to food, in gathering objective
      reports of reactions in real time, and in accessing patients' reaction-histories
      during consultations. We investigate how eHealth methods can close this knowledge
      gap. We report experiences with an online tool for reporting allergic reactions
      that we have developed as a web application. This application has been
      successfully validated by participants from Ireland and the UK, and is currently
      being used in a pilot where participants report allergic reactions in near-real
      time. 

PMID- 26262064
TI  - PancreApp: An Innovative Approach to Computational Individualization of
      Nutritional Therapy in Chronic Gastrointestinal Disorders.
AB  - Medical nutrition therapy has a pivotal role in the management of chronic
      gastrointestinal disorders, like chronic pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel
      diseases (Lesniowski-Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis) or irritable bowel
      syndrome. The aim of this study is to develop, deploy and evaluate an interactive
      application for Windows and Android operating systems, which could serve as a
      digital diet diary and as an analysis and a prediction tool both for the patient
      and the doctor. The software is gathering details about patients' diet and
      associated fettle in order to estimate fettle change after future meals,
      specifically for an individual patient. In this paper we have described the
      process of idea development and application design, feasibility assessment using
      a phone survey, a preliminary evaluation on 6 healthy individuals and early
      results of a clinical trial, which is still an ongoing study. Results suggest
      that applied approximative approach (Shepard's method of 6-dimensional metric
      interpolation) has a potential to predict the fettle accurately; as shown in
      leave-one-out cross-validation (LOOCV). 

PMID- 26262065
TI  - An Intelligent Ecosystem for Providing Support in Prehospital Trauma Care in
      Cuenca, Ecuador.
AB  - According to facts given by the World Health Organization, one in ten deaths
      worldwide is due to an external cause of injury. In the field of pre-hospital
      trauma care, adequate and timely treatment in the golden period can impact the
      survival of a patient. The aim of this paper is to show the design of a complete
      ecosystem proposed to support the evaluation and treatment of trauma victims,
      using standard tools and vocabulary such as OpenEHR, as well as mobile systems
      and expert systems to support decision-making. Preliminary results of the
      developed applications are presented, as well as trauma-related data from the
      city of Cuenca, Ecuador. 

PMID- 26262066
TI  - Quantifying the Activities of Self-quantifiers: Management of Data, Time and
      Health.
AB  - Current self-quantification systems (SQS) are limited in their ability to support
      the acquisition of health-related information essential for individuals to make
      informed decisions based on their health status. They do not offer services such
      as data handling and data aggregation in a single place, and using multiple types
      of tools for this purpose complicates data and health self-management for self
      quantifiers. An online survey was used to elicit information from self
      quantifiers about the methods they used to undertake key activities related to
      health self-management. This paper provides empirical evidence about self
      quantifiers' time spent using different data collection, data handling, data
      analysis, and data sharing tools and draws implications for health self
      management activities. 

PMID- 26262067
TI  - Mobile Usability Testing in Healthcare: Methodological Approaches.
AB  - The use of mobile devices and healthcare applications is increasing exponentially
      worldwide. This has lead to the need for the healthcare industry to develop a
      better understanding of the impact of the usability of mobile software and
      hardware upon consumer and health professional adoption and use of these
      technologies. There are many methodological approaches that can be employed in
      conducting usability evaluation of mobile technologies. More obtrusive approaches
      to collecting study data may lead to changes in study participant behaviour,
      leading to study results that are less consistent with how the technologies will
      be used in the real-world. Alternatively, less obstrusive methods used in
      evaluating the usability of mobile software and hardware in-situ and laboratory
      settings can lead to less detailed information being collected about how an
      individual interacts with both the software and hardware. In this paper we review
      and discuss several innovative mobile usability evaluation methods on a contiuum
      from least to most obtrusive and their effects on the quality of the usability
      data collected. The strengths and limitations of methods are also discussed. 

PMID- 26262068
TI  - Making an APPropriate Care Program for Indigenous Cardiac Disease: Customization
      of an Existing Cardiac Rehabilitation Program.
AB  - Cardiovascular disease is a major health problem for all Australians and is the
      leading cause of death in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. In 2010, more
      then 50% of all heart attack deaths were due to repeated events. Cardiac
      rehabilitation programs have been proven to be effective in preventing the
      recurrence of cardiac events and readmission to hospitals. There are however,
      many barriers to the use of these programs. To address these barriers, CSIRO
      developed an IT enabled cardiac rehabilitation program delivered by mobile phone
      through a smartphone app and succesfully trialed it in an urban general
      population. If these results can be replicated in Indigenous populations, the
      program has the potential to significantly improve life expectancy and help close
      the gap in health outcomes. The challenge described in this paper is customizing
      the existing cardiac health program to make it culturally relevant and suitable
      for Indigenous Australians living in urban and remote communities. 

PMID- 26262069
TI  - A Serious Game for Upper Limb Stroke Rehabilitation Using Biofeedback and Mirror
      Neurons Based Training.
AB  - Upper limb stroke rehabilitation requires early, intensive and repetitive
      practice to be effective. Consequently, it is often difficult to keep patients
      committed to their rehabilitation regimen. In addition to direct measures of
      rehabilitation achievable through targeted assessments, other factors can
      indirectly lead to rehabilitation. Current levels of integration between
      commodity graphics software, hardware, and body-tracking devices have provided a
      reliable tool to build what are referred to as serious games, focusing on the
      rehabilitation paradigm. More specifically, serious games can captivate and
      engage players for a specific purpose such as developing new knowledge or skills.
      This paper discusses a serious game application with a focus on upper limb
      rehabilitation in patients with hemiplegia or hemiparesis. The game makes use of
      biofeedback and mirror-neurons to enhance the patient's engagement. Results from
      the application of a quantitative self-report instrument to assess in-game
      engagement suggest that the serious game is a viable instructional approach
      rather than an entertaining novelty and, furthermore, demonstrates the future
      potential for dual action therapy-focused games. 

PMID- 26262070
TI  - Usability and Safety of Software Medical Devices: Need for Multidisciplinary
      Expertise to Apply the IEC 62366: 2007.
AB  - Software medical devices must now comply with the "ergonomics" essential
      requirement of the Medical Device Directive. However, the usability standard
      aiming to guide the manufacturers is very difficult to understand and apply.
      Relying on a triangulation of methods, this study aims to highlight the need to
      combine various expertises to be able to grasp the standard. To identify the
      areas of expertise on which the usability standard relies, an analytical review
      of this document was performed as well as an analysis of a discussion forum
      dedicated to it and an analysis of a case study of its application for CE
      marking. The results show that the IEC 62366 is a usability standard structured
      as a risk management one. It obviously requires Human Factors/Ergonomics
      expertise to be able to correctly identify and prevent risks of use errors, but
      it also requires risk management expertise to be able to grasp the issues of the
      risk analysis and master the related methods. 

PMID- 26262071
TI  - Evidence-based Heuristics for Evaluating Demands on eHealth Literacy and
      Usability in a Mobile Consumer Health Application.
AB  - Heuristic evaluations have proven to be valuable for identifying usability issues
      in systems. Commonly used sets of heuritics exist; however, they may not always
      be the most suitable, given the specific goal of the analysis. One such example
      is seeking to evaluate the demands on eHealth literacy and usability of consumer
      health information systems. In this study, eight essential heuristics and three
      optional heuristics subsumed from the evidence on eHealth/health literacy and
      usability were tested for their utility in assessing a mobile blood pressure
      tracking application (app). This evaluation revealed a variety of ways the design
      of the app could both benefit and impede users with limited eHealth literacy.
      This study demonstrated the utility of a low-cost, single evaluation approach for
      identifying both eHealth literacy and usability issues based on existing evidence
      in the literature. 

PMID- 26262072
TI  - Evaluating the Impact of Player Experience in the Design of a Serious Game for
      Upper Extremity Stroke Rehabilitation.
AB  - Video games have become a major entertainment industry and one of the most
      popular leisure forms, ranging from laboratory experiments to a mainstream
      cultural medium. Indeed, current games are multimodal and multidimensional
      products, relying on sophisticated features including not only a narrative-driven
      story but also impressive graphics and detailed settings. All of these elements
      helped to create a seamless and appealing product that have resulted in a growing
      number of players and in the number of game genres. Although video games have
      been used in education, simulation, and training, another application that
      exploits serious gaming is the exploration of player experience in the context of
      game research. Recent advances in the natural user interfaces and player
      experience have brought new perspectives on the in-game assessment of serious
      games. This paper evaluates the impact of player experience in the design of a
      serious game for upper extremity stroke rehabilitation. The game combines
      biofeedback and mirror neurons both in single and multiplayer mode. Results have
      shown that the game is a feasible solution to integrate serious games into the
      physical therapy routine. 

PMID- 26262073
TI  - User-Centered Design of Health Care Software Development: Towards a Cultural
      Change.
AB  - Health care software gets better user efficiency, efficacy and satisfaction when
      the software is designed with their users' needs taken into account. However, it
      is not trivial to change the practice of software development to adopt user
      centered design. In order to produce this change in the Health Informatics
      Department of the Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, a plan was devised and
      implemented. The article presents the steps of the plan, shows how the steps were
      carried on, and reflects on the lessons learned through the process. 

PMID- 26262074
TI  - Online Continuing Medical Education for the Latin American Nephrology Community.
AB  - A continuing medical education (CME) course was implemented for Latin American
      nephrologists in 2013. The topic was Immunopathology in native and transplanted
      kidneys. The course was given in Spanish and Portuguese. The activities included
      a distance education seven-week asynchronous online modality with multiple
      educational strategies. Thirty hours of study workload were estimated to complete
      the course. Four hundred and ninety-eight physicians coming from 18 countries
      registered for the course; 442 of them participated in it. Of those who
      participated, 51% received a certificate of completion and 29% a certificate of
      participation. Sixty-five percent of registrants participated in the case
      discussions. Eighty-six percent were very satisfied and 13% were satisfied. Lack
      of time to devote to the course was the main limitation expressed (62%), while
      Internet access or difficulties in the use of technology were considered by only
      12 and 6% of participants, respectively. There was a significant increase in
      knowledge between before and after the course; the average grade increased from
      64 to 83%. In conclusion, technology-enabled education demonstrated potential to
      become an instrument for Latin American nephrologists. 

PMID- 26262075
TI  - Danish Citizens and General Practitioners' Use of ICT for their Mutual
      Communication.
AB  - This paper reports on selected findings from a Danish national survey of
      citizens' perception and use of information and communication technology (ICT)
      for their health care [1]. Focus is on citizens' use of ICT and on communication
      with their General Practitioner (GP). It also focuses on citizens' experience of
      their GPs' ICT use and no use during medical consultations. The responsibility
      for medical service in Denmark is to a large extent handed over to the primary
      sector where the GP is the gatekeeper. Our data display that 65% of the adult
      citizens or their relatives have been using ICT to communicate with their GP.
      Twenty-two percent have experienced their GP use a computer screen to actively
      show them something while they have a consultation. Further, our data supports
      the assumption that the higher the education people have, the more likely they
      are to use ICT for their health care. The understanding of the use of ICT in
      communication with the GP is central to monitoring and developing an ICT that
      supports all citizens and considers new ways in which to enhance quality of care.

PMID- 26262076
TI  - The Online Availability of Multilingual Health Promotion Materials Produced by
      Local Health Departments: an Information Assessment.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Local Health Departments (LHDs) are a key source of health promotion
      information. For ethnically and culturally diverse communities, it becomes
      important to provide minorities with language appropriate health information.
      This project sought to assess the availability of multilingual health promotion
      materials on LHD websites in Washington State (WA), USA. METHODS: We performed a
      cross-sectional study of all 34 LHD websites in WA. We collected and classified
      health promotion documents available to the public, specifically, whether
      translated versions were available. We also assessed the extent of document
      sharing between LHDs. RESULTS: We identified 1,624 documents across 34 LHDs.
      Topics most frequently covered were communicable diseases and emergency
      preparedness. Fewer than 10% of documents were available in non-English
      languages. We found little evidence of document sharing between LHDs; only 5% of
      all documents were shared between LHDs. CONCLUSIONS: WA LHDs provide a variety of
      health promotion materials for the public, but few multilingual materials are
      available online. New technologies for facilitating document sharing and machine
      translation may improve the present landscape.

PMID- 26262077
TI  - Serious Games: A Concise Overview on What They Are and Their Potential
      Applications to Healthcare.
AB  - Younger generations are extensive users of digital devices; these technologies
      have always existed and have always been a part of their lives. Video games are a
      big part of their digital experience. User-centered design is an approach to
      designing systems informed by scientific knowledge of how people think, act, and
      coordinate to accomplish their goals. There is an emerging field of intervention
      research looking into using these techniques to produce video games that can be
      applied to healthcare. Games with the purpose of improving an individual's
      knowledge, skills, or attitudes in the "real" world are called "Serious Games".
      Before doctors and patients can consider using Serious Games as a useful solution
      for a health care-related problem, it is important that they first are aware of
      them, have a basic understanding of what they are, and what, if any, claims on
      their effectiveness exist. In order to bridge that gap, we have produced this
      concise overview to introduce physicians to the subject at hand. 

PMID- 26262078
TI  - Living with Lung Cancer--Patients' Experiences as Input to eHealth Service
      Design.
AB  - The objective of the study is to describe the lung cancer care process as
      experienced by patients, as well as to perform a qualitative analysis of problems
      they encounter throughout the patient journey. A user-centered design approach
      was used and data collected through two focus group meetings with patients. We
      present the results in the form of a patient journey model, descriptions of
      problems related to the journey as expressed by patients and proposed eHealth
      services discussed by patients in the focus groups. The results indicate that not
      only is the patient journey fragmented and different for each patient going
      through it depending upon their specific type of lung cancer and treatment
      options, but their experiences are also highly individual and dependent on their
      personal needs and interpretations of the process. Designing eHealth to improve
      the patient journey will therefore require flexibility and adaptability to the
      individual's needs. 

PMID- 26262079
TI  - Applying a Geospatial Visualization Based on USSD Messages to Real Time
      Identification of Epidemiological Risk Areas in Developing Countries: A Case of
      Study of Paraguay.
AB  - The identification of epidemiological risk areas is one of the major problems in
      public health. Information management strategies are needed to facilitate
      prevention and control of disease in the affected areas. This paper presents a
      model to optimize geographical data collection of suspected or confirmed disease
      occurrences using the Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) mobile
      technology, considering its wide adoption even in developing countries such as
      Paraguay. A Geographic Information System (GIS) is proposed for visualizing
      potential epidemiological risk areas in real time, that aims to support decision
      making and to implement prevention or contingency programs for public health. 

PMID- 26262080
TI  - Using Publicly Available Data to Characterize Consumers Use of Email to
      Communicate with Healthcare Providers.
AB  - The use of patient focused technology has been proclaimed as a means to improve
      patient satisfaction and improve care outcomes. The Center for Medicaid/Medicare
      Services, through its EHR Incentive Program, has required eligible hospitals and
      professionals to send and receive secure messages from patients in order to
      receive financial incentives and avoid reimbursement penalties. Secure messaging
      between providers and patients has the potential to improve communication and
      care outcomes. The purpose of this study was to use National Health Interview
      Series (NHIS) data to identify the patient characteristics associated with
      communicating with healthcare providers via email. Individual patient
      characteristics were analyzed to determine the likelihood of emailing healthcare
      providers. The use of email for this purpose is associated with educational
      attainment, having a usual place of receiving healthcare, income, and geography.
      Publicly available data such as the NHIS may be used to better understand trends
      in adoption and use of consumer health information technologies. 

PMID- 26262081
TI  - Health Information Technology Evaluation Framework (HITREF) Comprehensiveness as
      Assessed in Electronic Point-of-Care Documentation Systems Evaluations.
AB  - We assessed the Health Information Technology (HIT) Reference-based Evaluation
      Framework (HITREF) comprehensiveness in two HIT evaluations in settings different
      from that in which the HITREF was developed. Clinician satisfaction themes that
      emerged from clinician interviews in the home care and the hospital studies were
      compared to the framework components. Across both studies, respondents commented
      on 12 of the 20 HITREF components within 5 of the 6 HITREF concepts. No new
      components emerged that were missing from the HITREF providing evidence that the
      HITREF is a comprehensive framework. HITREF use in a range of HIT evaluations by
      researchers new to the HITREF demonstrates that it can be used as intended.
      Therefore, we continue to recommend the HITREF as a comprehensive, research-based
      HIT evaluation framework to increase the capacity of informatics evaluators' use
      of best practice and evidence-based practice to support the credibility of their
      findings for fulfilling the purpose of program evaluation. 

PMID- 26262082
TI  - Patient Outcomes as Transformative Mechanisms to Bring Health Information
      Technology Industry and Research Informatics Closer Together.
AB  - Despite the fast pace of recent innovation within the health information
      technology and research informatics domains, there remains a large gap between
      research and academia, while interest in translating research innovations into
      implementations in the patient care settings is lacking. This is due to absence
      of common outcomes and performance measurement targets, with health information
      technology industry employing financial and operational measures and academia
      focusing on patient outcome concerns. The paper introduces methodology for and
      roadmap to introduction of common objectives as a way to encourage better
      collaboration between industry and academia using patient outcomes as a composite
      measure of demonstrated success from health information systems investments.
      Along the way, the concept of economics of health informatics, or "infonomics,"
      is introduced to define a new way of mapping future technology investments in
      accordance with projected clinical impact. 

PMID- 26262084
TI  - The Case for Conceptual and Computable Cross-Fertilization Between Audit and
      Feedback and Clinical Decision Support.
AB  - Many patients do not receive care consistent with best practice. Health
      informatics interventions often attempt to address this problem by comparing care
      provided to patients (e.g., from electronic health record data) to quality
      standards (e.g., described in clinical guidelines) and feeding this information
      back to clinicians. Traditionally these interventions are delivered at the
      patient-level as computerized clinical decision support (CDS) or at the
      population level as audit and feedback (A&F). Both CDS and A&F can improve care
      for patients but are variably effective; the challenge is to understand how the
      efficacy can be maximized. Although CDS and A&F are traditionally considered
      separate approaches, we argue that the systems share common mechanisms, and
      efficacy may be improved by cross-fertilizing relevant features and concepts. We
      draw on the Health Informatics and Implementation Science literature to argue
      that common mechanisms include functions typically associated with the other
      system, in addition to other features that may prove fruitful for further
      research. 

PMID- 26262083
TI  - Domain Analysis of Integrated Data to Reduce Cost Associated with Liver Disease.
AB  - Liver cancer, the fifth most common cancer and second leading cause of cancer
      related death among men worldwide, is plagued by not only lack of clinical
      research, but informatics tools for early detection. Consequently, it presents a
      major health and cost burden. Among the different types of liver cancer,
      hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common and deadly form, arising from
      underlying liver disease. Current models for predicting risk of HCC and liver
      disease are limited to clinical data. A domain analysis of existing research
      related to screening for HCC and liver disease suggests that metabolic syndrome
      (MetS) may present oppportunites to detect early signs of liver disease. The
      purpose of this paper is to (i) provide a domain analysis of the relationship
      between HCC, liver disease, and metabolic syndrome, (ii) a review of the current
      disparate sources of data available for MetS diagnosis, and (iii) recommend
      informatics solutions for the diagnosis of MetS from available administrative
      (Biometrics, PHA, claims) and laboratory data, towards early prediction of liver
      disease. Our domain analysis and recommendations incorporate best practices to
      make meaningful use of available data with the goal of reducing cost associated
      with liver disease. 

PMID- 26262085
TI  - Inside the Black Box of Audit and Feedback: a Laboratory Study to Explore
      Determinants of Improvement Target Selection by Healthcare Professionals in
      Cardiac Rehabilitation.
AB  - Audit and feedback (A&F) is widely used to aid healthcare professionals in
      improving clinical performance, but there is little understanding of the
      underlying mechanism that determines its effectiveness. The aim of this paper is
      to investigate the process by which healthcare professionals select indicators as
      improvement targets based on A&F. We performed a laboratory study among 41
      healthcare professionals in the context of a web-based A&F intervention designed
      to improve the quality of cardiac rehabilitation care in the Netherlands.
      Feedback was provided on eighteen quality indicators, including a score and a
      colour (representing a recommendation for selection (red and yellow) or non
      selection (green)). Indicators with more room for improvement were more likely to
      be selected, although this varied substantially between participants. In more
      than a quarter of the cases, participants did not select indicators with obvious
      room for improvement (yellow or red colour), or selected indicators without
      apparent room for improvement (green colour). We conclude that personal
      preferences and beliefs concerning quality and performance targets may dilute the
      efficiency of A&F. 

PMID- 26262086
TI  - Using Patient Journey Modelling to Visualise the Impact of Policy Change on
      Patient Flow in Community Care.
AB  - Health policy plays a crucial role in community care, particularly within care
      programs such as ComPacks. ComPacks is a short-term care program administered by
      New South Wales (NSW) department of health which runs for up to 6-weeks and its
      goal is to prevent or minimise hospital readmission. Compliance to the ComPacks
      health policies is required in order to gain financial support from overnment
      bodies, however when the Government makes changes to service policies, this may
      potentially cause ripple effects to the workflow of the service and increase
      pressures on care providers, which in turn may affect the patient. Utilising a
      multi-layer visualisation tool can help identify whether changes made to policy
      are impacting patient flow in a positive or negative way. This research study
      investigates the use of an emerging patient journey modelling technique to better
      understand service design in a community care setting, whilst also determining
      the impact of State-level policy interventions. 

PMID- 26262087
TI  - Challenges and Hurdles of eHealth Implementation in Developing Countries.
AB  - Health informatics has the potential to improve the security and quality of
      patient care, but its impact has varied between developed and developing
      countries. Related to this, the objective of this study is to identify the
      challenges and hurdles to improve eHealth in developing countries. We surveyed
      experts to discover their opinions about five general questions: economic support
      by Government for eHealth, Government education or training projects in the
      field, issues related to cultural or educational problems for the implementation
      of eHealth, policies in terminology or messaging standards and eHealth status
      policies for long periods. The respondents answered affirmatively in these
      proportions: 1. Economic support policies 58%, 2. Training policies 25%, 3.
      Cultural and educational problems 95%, 4. Standards policies, 38%, 5. Policies
      for long periods, 50% CONCLUSION: Our survey has shown that the important
      problems that need to be addressed in order to implement e-Health in developing
      countries are firstly, cultural and educational, secondly, economic resources and
      thirdly policies for long periods.

PMID- 26262088
TI  - On the Development of a Hospital-Patient Web-Based Communication Tool: A Case
      Study From Norway.
AB  - Surgery cancellations are undesirable in hospital settings as they increase
      costs, reduce productivity and efficiency, and directly affect the patient. The
      problem of elective surgery cancellations in a North Norwegian University
      Hospital is addressed. Based on a three-step methodology conducted at the
      hospital, the preoperative planning process was modeled taking into consideration
      the narratives from different health professions. From the analysis of the
      generated process models, it is concluded that in order to develop a useful
      patient centered web-based communication tool, it is necessary to fully
      understand how hospitals plan and organize surgeries today. Moreover, process
      reengineering is required to generate a standard process that can serve as a tool
      for health ICT designers to define the requirements for a robust and useful
      system. 

PMID- 26262089
TI  - Barriers and facilitators to the introduction of digital pathology for diagnostic
      work.
AB  - Cellular pathologists are doctors who diagnose disease by using a microscope to
      examine glass slides containing thin sections of human tissue. These slides can
      be digitised and viewed on a computer, promising benefits in both efficiency and
      safety. Despite this, uptake of digital pathology for diagnostic work has been
      slow, with use largely restricted to second opinions, education, and external
      quality assessment schemes. To understand the barriers and facilitators to the
      introduction of digital pathology, we have undertaken an interview study with
      nine consultant pathologists. Interviewees were able to identify a range of
      potential benefits of digital pathology, with a particular emphasis on easier
      access to slides. Amongst the barriers to use, a key concern was lack of
      familiarity, not only in terms of becoming familiar with the technology but
      learning how to adjust their diagnostic skills to this new medium. The findings
      emphasise the need to ensure adequate training and support and the potential
      benefit of allowing parallel use of glass slides and digital while pathologists
      are on the learning curve. 

PMID- 26262090
TI  - Big Data Clinical Research: Validity, Ethics, and Regulation.
AB  - Electronic Health Records (EHR) promise improvement for patient care and also
      offer great value for biomedical research including clinical, public health, and
      health services research. Unfortunately, the full potential of EHR big data
      research has remained largely unrealized. The purpose of this study was to
      identify rate limiting factors, and develop recommendations to better balance
      unrestricted extramural EHR access with legitimate safeguarding of EHR data in
      retrospective research. By exploring primary, secondary, and tertiary sources,
      this review identifies external constraints and provides a comparative analysis
      of social influencers in retrospective EHR-based research. Results indicate that
      EHRs have the advantage of reflecting the reality of patient care but also show a
      frequency of between 4.3-86% of incomplete and inaccurate data in various fields.
      The rapid spread of alternative analytics for health data challenges traditional
      interpretations of confidentiality protections. A confusing multiplicity of
      controls creates barriers to big data EHR research. More research on the use of
      EHR big data is likely to improve accuracy and validity. Information governance
      and research approval processes should be simplified. Comprehensive regulatory
      policies that do not exclusively cover health care entities, are needed. Finally,
      new computing safeguards are needed to address public concerns, like research
      access only to aggregate data and not to individually identifiable information. 

PMID- 26262091
TI  - Streaming Physiological Data: General Public Perceptions of Secondary Use and
      Application to Research in Neonatal Intensive Care.
AB  - High speed physiological data represents one of the most untapped resources in
      healthcare today and is a form of Big Data. Physiological data is captured and
      displayed on a wide range of devices in healthcare environments. Frequently this
      data is transitory and lost once initially displayed. Researchers wish to store
      and analyze these datasets, however, there is little evidence of any engagement
      with citizens regarding their perceptions of physiological data capture for
      secondary use. This paper presents the findings of a self-administered household
      survey (n=165, response rate = 34%) that investigated Australian and Canadian
      citizens' perceptions of such physiological data capture and re-use. Results
      indicate general public support for the secondary use of physiological streaming
      data. Discussion considers the potential application of such data in neonatal
      intensive care contexts in relation to our Artemis research. Consideration of the
      perceptions of secondary use of the streaming data as early as possible will
      assist in building appropriate use models, with a focus on parents in the
      neonatal context. 

PMID- 26262092
TI  - Driving the Profession of Health Informatics: The Australasian College of Health
      Informatics.
AB  - Across the world, bodies representing health informatics or promoting health
      informatics are either societies of common interest or universities with health
      informatics courses/departments. Professional colleges in Health Informatics
      (similar to the idea of professional colleges in other health fields) are few and
      far between. The Australasian College of Health Informatics has been in existence
      since 2001, and has an increasing membership of nearly 100 fellows and members,
      acting as a national focal point for the promotion of Health Informatics in
      Australasia. Describing the activities of the college, this article demonstrates
      a need for increasing professionalization of Health informatics beyond the
      current structures. 

PMID- 26262093
TI  - Person-Specific Standardized Vulnerability Assessment in Health and Social Care.
AB  - We describe an integrated person-specific standardized vulnerability assessment
      model designed to facilitate patient management in health and social care. Such a
      system is not meant to replace existing health and social assessment models but
      rather to complement them by providing a holistic picture of the vulnerabilities
      faced by a given patient. In fact, it should be seen as a screening tool for
      health and social care workers. One key aspect of the modeling framework is the
      ability to provide personalized yet standardized multi-dimensional assessments of
      risk based on incomplete information about the patient status, as is the case in
      screening situations. Specifically, we integrate a Markov chain model describing
      the evolution of patients in and out of vulnerable states over time with a
      Bayesian network that serves to customize the dynamic model. We present an
      application in the context of elder care. 

PMID- 26262094
TI  - Trust, Perceived Risk, Perceived Ease of Use and Perceived Usefulness as Factors
      Related to mHealth Technology Use.
AB  - Mobile technology use is nearly ubiquitous which affords the opportunity for
      using these technologies for modifying health related behaviors. At the same
      time, use of mobile health (mHealth) technology raises privacy and security
      concerns of consumers. The goal of this analysis was to understand the perceived
      ease of use, usefulness, risk and trust that contribute to behavioral intention
      to use a mobile application for meeting the healthcare needs of persons living
      with HIV (PLWH). To understand these issues, we conducted focus group sessions
      with 50 persons living with HIV and 30 HIV healthcare providers. We used the e
      commerce acceptance model to analyze our focus group data. Findings from the
      study demonstrated the need for mHealth to be perceived as useful, easy to use,
      with little perceived risk accompanied by a measure of trust in the creators of
      the technology. Findings from this work can inform future work on patients and
      providers' perceptions of risk, trust, ease of use and usefulness of mHealth
      technology. 

PMID- 26262095
TI  - Electronic Health Record System Contingency Plan Coordination: A Strategy for
      Continuity of Care Considering Users' Needs.
AB  - Electronic Health Record system downtimes may have a great impact on patient care
      continuity. This paper describes the analysis and actions taken to redesign the
      Contingency Plan Procedure for the Electronic Health Record System of Hospital
      Italiano de Buenos Aires. After conducting a thorough analysis of the data
      gathered at post-contingency meetings, weaknesses were identified in the
      procedure; thus, strategic actions were recommended to redesign the Contingency
      Plan to secure an effective communications channel, as well as a formal structure
      for functions that may support the decision-making process. The main actions
      were: 1) to incorporate the IT Contingencies Committee (Plan management); 2) to
      incorporate the Coordinator (general supervision of the procedure); and 3) to
      redefine the role of the Clinical Informatics Resident, who will be responsible
      for managing communication between the technical team and Electronic Health
      Record users. As users need the information for continuity of care, key users
      evaluated the impact of the new strategy with an adapted survey. 

PMID- 26262096
TI  - Flexibility First, Then Standardize: A Strategy for Growing Inter-Departmental
      Systems.
AB  - Any attempt to use IT to standardize work practices faces the challenge of
      finding a balance between standardization and flexibility. In implementing
      electronic whiteboards with the goal of standardizing inter-departmental
      practices, a hospital in Denmark chose to follow the strategy of "flexibility
      first, then standardization." To improve the local grounding of the system, they
      first focused on flexibility by configuring the whiteboards to support intra
      departmental practices. Subsequently, they focused on standardization by using
      the white-boards to negotiate standardization of inter-departmental practices.
      This paper investigates the chosen strategy and finds: that super users on many
      wards managed to configure the whiteboard to support intra-departmental
      practices; that initiatives to standardize inter-departmental practices improved
      coordination of certain processes; and that the chosen strategy posed a challenge
      for finding the right time and manner to shift the balance from flexibility to
      standardization. 

PMID- 26262097
TI  - Human Factors Predicting Failure and Success in Hospital Information System
      Implementations in Sub-Saharan Africa.
AB  - From 2007 through 2014, the authors participated in the implementation of open
      source hospital information systems (HIS) in 19 hospitals in Rwanda, Burundi, DR
      Congo, Congo-Brazzaville, Gabon, and Mali. Most of these implementations were
      successful, but some failed. At the end of a seven-year implementation effort, a
      number of risk factors, facilitators, and pragmatic approaches related to the
      deployment of HIS in Sub-Saharan health facilities have been identified. Many of
      the problems encountered during the HIS implementation process were not related
      to technical issues but human, cultural, and environmental factors. This study
      retrospectively evaluates the predictive value of 14 project failure factors and
      15 success factors in HIS implementation in the Sub-Saharan region. Nine of the
      failure factors were strongly correlated with project failure, three were
      moderately correlated, and one weakly correlated. Regression analysis also
      confirms that eight factors were strongly correlated with project success, four
      moderately correlated, and two weakly correlated. The study results may help
      estimate the expedience of future HIS projects. 

PMID- 26262098
TI  - Implementing a National Scottish Digital Health & Wellbeing Service at Scale: A
      Qualitative Study of Stakeholders' Views.
AB  - Digital technologies are being used as part of international efforts to
      revolutionize healthcare in order to meet increasing demands such as the rising
      burden of chronic disease and ageing populations. In Scotland there is a
      government push towards a national service (Living It Up) as a single point of
      reference where citizens can access information, products and services to support
      their health and wellbeing. The aim of the study is to examine implementation
      issues including the challenges or facilitators which can help to sustain this
      intervention. We gathered data in three ways: a) participant observation to gain
      an understanding of LiU (N=16); b) in-depth interviews (N=21) with stakeholders
      involved in the process; and c) analysis of documentary evidence about the
      progress of the implementation (N=45). Barriers included the need to "work at
      risk" due to delays in financing, inadequate infrastructure and skill-set
      deficiencies, whilst facilitators included trusted relationships, champions and a
      push towards normalisation. The findings suggest that a Scottish ehealth service
      is achievable but identifies key considerations for future large scale
      initiatives. 

PMID- 26262099
TI  - Evaluating a Proof-of-Concept Approach of the German Health Telematics
      Infrastructure in the Context of Discharge Management.
AB  - Although national eHealth strategies have existed now for more than a decade in
      many countries, they have been implemented with varying success. In Germany, the
      eHealth strategy so far has resulted in a roll out of electronic health cards for
      all citizens in the statutory health insurance, but in no clinically meaningful
      IT-applications. The aim of this study was to test the technical and organisation
      feasibility, usability, and utility of an eDischarge application embedded into a
      laboratory Health Telematics Infrastructure (TI). The tests embraced the exchange
      of eDischarge summaries based on the multiprofessional HL7 eNursing Summary
      standard between a municipal hospital and a nursing home. All in all, 36
      transmissions of electronic discharge documents took place. They demonstrated the
      technical-organisation feasibility and resulted in moderate usability ratings. A
      comparison between eDischarge and paper-based summaries hinted at higher ratings
      of utility and information completeness for eDischarges. Despite problems with
      handling the electronic health card, the proof-of-concept for the first
      clinically meaningful IT-application in the German Health TI could be regarded as
      successful. 

PMID- 26262100
TI  - Monitoring Telemedicine Implementation in Denmark.
AB  - According to the literature, Denmark has a leading position in the dissemination
      and use of health informatics. However, there is a lack of systematically
      collected and documented experience of telemedicine solutions in Denmark. This
      evidence is being established with a new project, which maps out all telemedicine
      initiatives in Denmark. Data on all the initiatives is collected in a single
      database and some of the data is analyzed in this paper. It is shown that there
      are a very large number of telemedicine initiatives in Denmark and that the
      elements from the national strategy for telemedicine are clearly visible in the
      telemedicine map. The very large number of projects could, however, also indicate
      a lack of national coordination of initiatives and a need for evaluation
      activities to systematically collect and communicate the learning outcomes from
      all the new projects. 

PMID- 26262101
TI  - Clinical Informatics Board Specialty Certification for Physicians: A Global View.
AB  - Clinical informatics workforce development is a high priority for medicine.
      Professional board certification for physicians is an important tool to
      demonstrating excellence. The recent recognition of clinical informatics as a
      subspecialty board in the U.S. has generated interest and excitement among the
      U.S. informatics community. To determine the extent of similar programs in
      countries around the world, we performed literature searches with relevant
      keywords and internet searches of websites of informatics societies around the
      world for mentions or descriptions of certifications and reviewed publicly
      available sources. The U.S. certification was prominent in the recent published
      literature. Germany and Belgium have long-standing certifications with South
      Korea and Sri Lanka considering similar programs. This is the first global view
      of clinical informatics board certification for physicians. Training and
      certification for non-physician informatics professionals in allied areas are
      widespread. Official recognition and certification for physicians and all
      informatics professionals represents a key component of capacity building and a
      means of addressing the shortage of a skilled informatics workforce. Wider
      adoption of certification programs may further attracting talent and accelerate
      growth of the field. 

PMID- 26262102
TI  - A Pilot Study of Computer-Based Simulation Training for Enhancing Family Medicine
      Residents' Competence in Computerized Settings.
AB  - We previously developed a prototype computer-based simulation to teach residents
      how to integrate better EMR use in the patient-physician interaction. To evaluate
      the prototype, we conducted usability tests with three non-clinician students,
      followed by a pilot study with 16 family medicine residents. The pilot study
      included pre- and post-test surveys of competencies and attitudes related to
      using the EMR in the consultation and the acceptability of the simulation, as
      well as 'think aloud' observations. After using the simulation prototypes, the
      mean scores for competencies and attitudes improved from 14.88/20 to 15.63/20 and
      from 22.25/30 to 23.13/30, respectively; however, only the difference for
      competencies was significant (paired t-test; t=-2.535, p=0.023). Mean scores for
      perceived usefulness and ease of use of the simulation were good (3.81 and 4.10
      on a 5-point scale, respectively). Issues identified in usability testing include
      confusing interaction with some features, preferences for a more interactive
      representation of the EMR, and more options for shared decision making. In
      conclusion, computer-based simulation may be an effective and acceptable tool for
      teaching residents how to better use EMRs in clinical encounters. 

PMID- 26262103
TI  - Mind the Gap: The Discrepancies between Patient Self-Reported Quality of Life and
      Medical Staff-Estimated Quality of Life.
AB  - Information on patient quality of life (QOL) is essential to many clinical
      decisions. Therefore, studies that aim to extract QOL information from patient
      narratives are increasingly drawing attention. Also, several studies have noted
      that web services for patients, such as patient social networking services, may
      represent promising resources for QOL research. However, it is still unclear
      whether patient narrative text contains corresponding amounts of QOL information
      as self-reported QOL. This study investigates if medical staff can accurately
      estimate patient QOL from only patient narrative texts. We analyzed (1) QOL of
      cancer patients estimated by medical staff from patient autobiographical texts
      and (2) self-reported QOL scores of cancer patients. We compared patients from
      the following 3 disease groups: (1) gastrointestinal cancer, (2) breast cancer,
      and (3) lymphoma. The SF-36v2TM Health Survey was used to measure patient QOL in
      both materials, and the QOLs were compared. We found significant differences
      between self-reported QOL and estimated QOL in breast cancer patients and
      lymphoma patients, but not in gastrointestinal cancer patients. In particular,
      the medical staff tended to underestimate physical QOL scores. Medical staff may
      underestimate several aspects of QOL scores. On the basis of these results, we
      may be able to achieve more precise QOL estimation from patient narratives. 

PMID- 26262104
TI  - Identifying Effective Approaches for Dissemination of Clinical Evidence-
      Correlation Analyses on Promotional Activities and Usage of a Guideline-Driven
      Interactive Case Simulation Tool in a Statewide HIV-HCV-STD Clinical Education
      Program.
AB  - Dissemination of the latest clinical evidence to community-based healthcare
      providers is a critical step to translate biomedical knowledge into clinical
      practice. We performed a study to analyze the correlations between the
      promotional activities and the usage of a guideline-driven interactive case
      simulation tool (ICST) for insomnia screening and treatment in a statewide HIV
      HCV-STD clinical education program. For this purpose, we tracked users'
      interactions with the ICST and the sending of promotional email newsletters
      during a study period of 44 weeks. Results showed that promotional activities
      were strongly correlated with the number of audience as well as the intensity of
      use of the target resource. The strength of correlation varied in specific use
      contexts. Strong correlations were found between the sending of email newsletters
      and the intensity of resource use by promotion recipients, by new users, and
      through the most convenient access channel associated with the promotion.
      Selection of approaches for resource dissemination should consider the potentials
      and limitations of use contexts to make them more effective. 

PMID- 26262105
TI  - Building Comprehensive and Sustainable Health Informatics Institutions in
      Developing Countries: Moi University Experience.
AB  - Current approaches for capacity building in Health Informatics (HI) in developing
      countries mostly focus on training, and often rely on support from foreign
      entities. In this paper, we describe a comprehensive and multidimensional
      capacity-building framework by Lansang & Dennis, and its application for HI
      capacity building as implemented in a higher-education institution in Kenya. This
      framework incorporates training, learning-by-doing, partnerships, and centers of
      excellence. At Moi University (Kenya), the training dimensions include an
      accredited Masters in HI Program, PhD in HI, and HI short courses. Learning-by
      doing occurs through work within MOH facilities at the AMPATH care and treatment
      program serving 3 million people. Moi University has formed strategic HI
      partnerships with Regenstrief Institute, Inc. (USA), University of Bergen
      (Norway), and Makerere University (Uganda), among others. The University has also
      created an Institute of Biomedical Informatics to serve as an HI Center of
      Excellence in the region. This Institute has divisions in Training, Research,
      Service and Administration. The HI capacity-building approach by Moi provides a
      model for adoption by other institutions in resource-limited settings. 

PMID- 26262106
TI  - Health Informatics: Developing a Masters Programme in Rwanda based on the IMIA
      Educational Recommendations and the IMIA Knowledge Base.
AB  - Since 2011, the Regional e-Health Center of Excellence in Rwanda (REHCE) has run
      an MSc in Health Informatics programme (MSc HI). A programme review was
      commissioned in February 2014 after 2 cohorts of students completed the post
      graduate certificate and diploma courses and most students had started
      preparatory activity for their master dissertation. The review developed a method
      for mapping course content on health informatics competences and knowledge units.
      Also the review identified and measured knowledge gaps and content redundancy.
      Using this method, we analyzed regulatory and programme documents combined with
      stakeholder interviews, and demonstrated that the existing MSc HI curriculum did
      not completely address the needs of the Rwandan health sector. Teaching
      strategies did not always match students' expectations. Based on a detailed
      Rwandan health informatics needs assessment, International Medical Informatics
      Association (IMIA)'s Recommendations on Education in Biomedical and Health
      Informatics and the IMIA Health Informatics Knowledge Base, a new curriculum was
      developed and provided a better competences match for the specifics of healthcare
      in the Central African region. The new approved curriculum will be implemented in
      the 2014/2015 academic year and options for regional extension of the programme
      to Eastern DRC (Bukavu) and Burundi (Bujumbura) are being investigated. 

PMID- 26262107
TI  - Indexing Publicly Available Health Data with Medical Subject Headings (MeSH): An
      Evaluation of Term Coverage.
AB  - As part of the Open Government Initiative, the United States federal government
      published datasets to increase collaboration, transparency, consumer
      participation, and research, and are available online at HealthData.gov.
      Currently, HealthData.gov does not adequately support the accessibility goal of
      the Open Government Initiative due to issues of retrieving relevant data because
      of inadequately cataloguing and lack of indexing with a standardized terminology.
      Given the commonalities between the HealthData.gov and MEDLINE metadata, Medical
      Subject Headings (MeSH) may offer an indexing solution, but there needs to be a
      formal evaluation of the efficacy of MeSH for covering the dataset concepts. The
      purpose of this study was to determine if MeSH adequately covers the
      HealthData.gov concepts. The noun and noun phrases from the HealthData.gov
      metadata were extracted and mapped to MeSH using MetaMap. The frequency of no
      exact, partical and no matches with MeSH terms were determined. The results of
      this study revealed that about 70% of the HealthData.gov concepts partially or
      exactly matched MeSH terms. Therefore, MeSH may be a favorable terminology for
      indexing the HealthData.gov datasets. 

PMID- 26262108
TI  - Recruit--An Ontology Based Information Retrieval System for Clinical Trials
      Recruitment.
AB  - Clinical trials are studies designed to assess whether a new intervention is
      better than the current alternatives. However, most of them fail to recruit
      participants on schedule. It is hard to use Electronic Health Record (EHR) data
      to find eligible patients, therefore studies rely on manual assessment, which is
      time consuming, inefficient and requires specialized training. In this work we
      describe the design and development of an information retrieval system with the
      objective of finding eligible patients for cancer trials. The Recruit system has
      been in use at A. C. Camargo Cancer Center since August/2014 and contains data
      from more than 500,000 patients and 9 databases. It uses ontologies to integrate
      data from several sources and represent medical knowledge, which helps enhance
      results. One can search both in structured data and inside free text reports. The
      preliminary quality assessments shows excellent recall rates. Recruit proved to
      be an useful tool for researchers and its modular design could be applied to
      other clinical conditions and hospitals. 

PMID- 26262109
TI  - Assessing the Need of Discourse-Level Analysis in Identifying Evidence of Drug
      Disease Relations in Scientific Literature.
AB  - Relation extraction typically involves the extraction of relations between two or
      more entities occurring within a single or multiple sentences. In this study, we
      investigated the significance of extracting information from multiple sentences
      specifically in the context of drug-disease relation discovery. We used multiple
      resources such as Semantic Medline, a literature based resource, and Medline
      search (for filtering spurious results) and inferred 8,772 potential drug-disease
      pairs. Our analysis revealed that 6,450 (73.5%) of the 8,772 potential drug
      disease relations did not occur in a single sentence. Moreover, only 537 of the
      drug-disease pairs matched the curated gold standard in Comparative
      Toxicogenomics Database (CTD), a trusted resource for drug-disease relations.
      Among the 537, nearly 75% (407) of the drug-disease pairs occur in multiple
      sentences. Our analysis revealed that the drug-disease pairs inferred from
      Semantic Medline or retrieved from CTD could be extracted from multiple sentences
      in the literature. This highlights the significance of the need of discourse
      level analysis in extracting the relations from biomedical literature. 

PMID- 26262110
TI  - InfoRoute: the CISMeF Context-specific Search Algorithm.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this paper was to present a practical InfoRoute algorithm
      and applications developed by CISMeF to perform a contextual information
      retrieval across multiple medical websites in different health domains. METHODS:
      The algorithm was developed to treat multiple types of queries: natural, Boolean
      and advanced. The algorithm also generates multiple types of queries: Boolean
      query, PubMed query or Advanced query. Each query can be extended via an inter
      alignments relationship from UMLS and HeTOP portal. RESULTS: A web service and
      two web applications have been developed based on the InfoRoute algorithm to
      generate links-query across multiple websites, i.e.: "PubMed" or
      "ClinicalTrials.org". CONCLUSION: The InfoRoute algorithm is a useful tool to
      perform contextual information retrieval across multiple medical websites in both
      English and French.

PMID- 26262111
TI  - A Baseline Patient Model to Support Testing of Medical Cyber-Physical Systems.
AB  - Medical Cyber-Physical Systems (MCPS) are currently a trending topic of research.
      The main challenges are related to the integration and interoperability of
      connected medical devices, patient safety, physiologic closed-loop control, and
      the verification and validation of these systems. In this paper, we focus on
      patient safety and MCPS validation. We present a formal patient model to be used
      in health care systems validation without jeopardizing the patient's health. To
      determine the basic patient conditions, our model considers the four main vital
      signs: heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure and body temperature. To
      generate the vital signs we used regression models based on statistical analysis
      of a clinical database. Our solution should be used as a starting point for a
      behavioral patient model and adapted to specific clinical scenarios. We present
      the modeling process of the baseline patient model and show its evaluation. The
      conception process may be used to build different patient models. The results
      show the feasibility of the proposed model as an alternative to the immediate
      need for clinical trials to test these medical systems. 

PMID- 26262112
TI  - Leveraging Electronic Tablets and a Readily Available Data Capture Platform to
      Assess Chronic Pain in Children: The PROBE system.
AB  - The Patient Risks Outcomes and Barriers Evaluation (PROBE) system is developed
      using a readily available data capture platform (REDCap) and iPads. PROBE
      performs complete and consistent assessment of pain at every patient visit in
      pediatric rheumatology practices of our very large healthcare system. Using
      evidence based clinical guidelines, it combines the following essential elements
      for care: 1) screening for behavioral risks for chronic pain such as anxiety,
      sleep deprivation, or painful conditions affecting a caregiver living in child's
      home, 2) capturing disease activity related measures and enabling 3) clinical
      decision support. In this demonstration project we describe PROBE and evaluate it
      for usability in practice. Using PROBE, we observed significant differences for
      behavioral risk factors in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis in those
      who report chronic pain vs. not. 

PMID- 26262113
TI  - Normalization of Phenotypic Data from a Clinical Data Warehouse: Case Study of
      Heterogeneous Blood Type Data with Surprising Results.
AB  - Clinical data warehouses often contain analogous data from disparate sources,
      resulting in heterogeneous formats and semantics. We have developed an approach
      that attempts to represent such phenotypic data in its most atomic form to
      facilitate aggregation. We illustrate this approach with human blood antigen
      typing (ABO-Rh) data drawn from the National Institutes of Health's Biomedical
      Translational Research Information System (BTRIS). In applying the method to
      actual patient data, we discovered a 2% incidence of changed blood types. We
      believe our approach can be applied to any institution's data to obtain
      comparable patient phenotypes. The actual discrepant blood type data will form
      the basis for a future study of the reasons for blood typing variation. 

PMID- 26262114
TI  - Automatic Selection of Clinical Trials Based on A Semantic Web Approach.
AB  - Recruitment of patients in clinical trials is nowadays preoccupying, as the
      inclusion rate is particularly low. The main identified factors are the
      multiplicity of open clinical trials, the high number and complexity of
      eligibility criteria, and the additional workload that a systematic search of the
      clinical trials a patient could be enrolled in for a physician. The principal
      objective of the ASTEC project is to automate the prescreening phase during
      multidisciplinary meetings (MDM). This paper presents the evaluation of a
      computerized recruitment support systems (CRSS) based on semantic web approach.
      The evaluation of the system was based on data collected retrospectively from a 6
      month period of MDM in Urology and on 4 clinical trials of prostate cancer. The
      classification performance of the ASTEC system had a precision of 21%, recall of
      93%, and an error rate equal to 37%. Missing data was the main issue encountered.
      The system was designed to be both scalable to other clinical domains and usable
      during MDM process. 

PMID- 26262115
TI  - Assessing the Collective Population Representativeness of Related Type 2 Diabetes
      Trials by Combining Public Data from ClinicalTrials.gov and NHANES.
AB  - Randomized controlled trials generate high-quality medical evidence. However, the
      use of unjustified inclusion/exclusion criteria may compromise the external
      validity of a study. We have introduced a method to assess the population
      representativeness of related clinical trials using electronic health record
      (EHR) data. As EHR data may not perfectly represent the real-world patient
      population, in this work, we further validated the method and its results using
      the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data. We visualized
      and quantified the differences in the distributions of age, HbA1c, and BMI among
      the target population of Type 2 diabetes trials, diabetics in NHANES databases,
      and a convenience sample of patients enrolled in selected Type 2 diabetes trials.
      The results are consistent with the previous study. 

PMID- 26262116
TI  - Observational Health Data Sciences and Informatics (OHDSI): Opportunities for
      Observational Researchers.
AB  - The vision of creating accessible, reliable clinical evidence by accessing the
      clincial experience of hundreds of millions of patients across the globe is a
      reality. Observational Health Data Sciences and Informatics (OHDSI) has built on
      learnings from the Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership to turn methods
      research and insights into a suite of applications and exploration tools that
      move the field closer to the ultimate goal of generating evidence about all
      aspects of healthcare to serve the needs of patients, clinicians and all other
      decision-makers around the world. 

PMID- 26262117
TI  - Identifying Repetitive Institutional Review Board Stipulations by Natural
      Language Processing and Network Analysis.
AB  - The corrections ("stipulations") to a proposed research study protocol produced
      by an institutional review board (IRB) can often be repetitive across many
      studies; however, there is no standard set of stipulations that could be used,
      for example, by researchers wishing to anticipate and correct problems in their
      research proposals prior to submitting to an IRB. The objective of the research
      was to computationally identify the most repetitive types of stipulations
      generated in the course of IRB deliberations. The text of each stipulation was
      normalized using the natural language processing techniques. An undirected
      weighted network was constructed in which each stipulation was represented by a
      node, and each link, if present, had weight corresponding to the TF-IDF Cosine
      Similarity of the stipulations. Network analysis software was then used to
      identify clusters in the network representing similar stipulations. The final
      results were correlated with additional data to produce further insights about
      the IRB workflow. From a corpus of 18,582 stipulations we identified 31 types of
      repetitive stipulations. Those types accounted for 3,870 stipulations (20.8% of
      the corpus) produced for 697 (88.7%) of all protocols in 392 (also 88.7%) of all
      the CNS IRB meetings with stipulations entered in our data source. A notable
      peroportion of the corrections produced by the IRB can be considered highly
      repetitive. Our shareable method relied on a minimal manual analysis and provides
      an intuitive exploration with theoretically unbounded granularity. Finer
      granularity allowed for the insight that is anticipated to prevent the need for
      identifying the IRB panel expertise or any human supervision. 

PMID- 26262118
TI  - Patient-Centered Outcomes Research in Practice: The CAPriCORN Infrastructure.
AB  - CAPriCORN, the Chicago Area Patient Centered Outcomes Research Network, is one of
      the eleven PCORI-funded Clinical Data Research Networks. A collaboration of six
      academic medical centers, a Chicago public hospital, two VA hospitals and a
      network of federally qualified health centers, CAPriCORN addresses the needs of a
      diverse community and overlapping populations. To capture complete medical
      records without compromising patient privacy and confidentiality, the network
      created policies and mechanisms for patient consultation, central IRB approval,
      de-identification, de-duplication, and integration of patient data by study
      cohort, randomization and sampling, re-identification for consent by providers
      and patients, and communication with patients to elicit patient-reported outcomes
      through validated instruments. The paper describes these policies and mechanisms
      and discusses two case studies to prove the feasibility and effectiveness of the
      network. 

PMID- 26262119
TI  - CA2JU: an Assistive Tool for Children with Cerebral Palsy.
AB  - This paper presents CA2JU, a hardware/software tool that aims to help individuals
      with severe speech or language problems in their communication in order to
      promote their social and digital inclusion. CA2JU is composed of two
      applications: CA2JU Accelerated, which makes typing faster by suggesting
      potential words to the user; and CA2JU Illustrated, which automatically converts
      a sentence of words into a sequence of pictographic symbols, allowing a user
      familiar with the symbols to verify whether the written sentence is correct. We
      have implemented, evaluated in a controlled scenario, and deployed CA2JU in a
      real environment with children with cerebral palsy. In the controlled settings,
      the results confirm CA2JU Accelerated speed up typing by reducing the number of
      clicks made by users, and CA2JU Illustrated obtained high accuracy by suggesting
      the correct pictograms from sentences. In the real scenario, the two use cases
      show that the children improved their communication and linguistic abilities.

PMID- 26262120
TI  - Generation of Natural-Language Textual Summaries from Longitudinal Clinical
      Records.
AB  - Physicians are required to interpret, abstract and present in free-text large
      amounts of clinical data in their daily tasks. This is especially true for
      chronic-disease domains, but holds also in other clinical domains. We have
      recently developed a prototype system, CliniText, which, given a time-oriented
      clinical database, and appropriate formal abstraction and summarization
      knowledge, combines the computational mechanisms of knowledge-based temporal data
      abstraction, textual summarization, abduction, and natural-language generation
      techniques, to generate an intelligent textual summary of longitudinal clinical
      data. We demonstrate our methodology, and the feasibility of providing a free
      text summary of longitudinal electronic patient records, by generating summaries
      in two very different domains - Diabetes Management and Cardiothoracic surgery.
      In particular, we explain the process of generating a discharge summary of a
      patient who had undergone a Coronary Artery Bypass Graft operation, and a brief
      summary of the treatment of a diabetes patient for five years. 

PMID- 26262121
TI  - Classification of Contextual Use of Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction
      Assessments.
AB  - Knowledge of the left ventricular ejection fraction is critical for the optimal
      care of patients with heart failure. When a document contains multiple ejection
      fraction assessments, accurate classification of their contextual use is
      necessary to filter out historical findings or recommendations and prioritize the
      assessments for selection of document level ejection fraction information. We
      present a natural language processing system that classifies the contextual use
      of both quantitative and qualitative left ventricular ejection fraction
      assessments in clinical narrative documents. We created support vector machine
      classifiers with a variety of features extracted from the target assessment,
      associated concepts, and document section information. The experimental results
      showed that our classifiers achieved good performance, reaching 95.6% F1-measure
      for quantitative assessments and 94.2% F1-measure for qualitative assessments in
      a five-fold cross-validation evaluation.

PMID- 26262122
TI  - Identification of Patients with Family History of Pancreatic Cancer-
      Investigation of an NLP System Portability.
AB  - In this study we have developed a rule-based natural language processing (NLP)
      system to identify patients with family history of pancreatic cancer. The
      algorithm was developed in a Unstructured Information Management Architecture
      (UIMA) framework and consisted of section segmentation, relation discovery, and
      negation detection. The system was evaluated on data from two institutions. The
      family history identification precision was consistent across the institutions
      shifting from 88.9% on Indiana University (IU) dataset to 87.8% on Mayo Clinic
      dataset. Customizing the algorithm on the the Mayo Clinic data, increased its
      precision to 88.1%. The family member relation discovery achieved precision,
      recall, and F-measure of 75.3%, 91.6% and 82.6% respectively. Negation detection
      resulted in precision of 99.1%. The results show that rule-based NLP approaches
      for specific information extraction tasks are portable across institutions;
      however customization of the algorithm on the new dataset improves its
      performance. 

PMID- 26262123
TI  - Heart Failure Medications Detection and Prescription Status Classification in
      Clinical Narrative Documents.
AB  - Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (ACEI) and Angiotensin II Receptor
      Blockers (ARB) are two common medication classes used for heart failure
      treatment. The ADAHF (Automated Data Acquisition for Heart Failure) project aimed
      at automatically extracting heart failure treatment performance metrics from
      clinical narrative documents, and these medications are an important component of
      the performance metrics. We developed two different systems to detect these
      medications, rule-based and machine learning-based. The rule-based system used
      dictionary lookups with fuzzy string searching and showed successful performance
      even if our corpus contains various misspelled medications. The machine learning
      based system uses lexical and morphological features and produced similar
      results. The best performance was achieved when combining the two methods,
      reaching 99.3% recall and 98.8% precision. To determine the prescription status
      of each medication (i.e., active, discontinued, or negative), we implemented a
      SVM classifier with lexical features and achieved good performance, reaching
      95.49% accuracy, in a five-fold cross-validation evaluation. 

PMID- 26262124
TI  - Classifying the Indication for Colonoscopy Procedures: A Comparison of NLP
      Approaches in a Diverse National Healthcare System.
AB  - In order to measure the level of utilization of colonoscopy procedures,
      identifying the primary indication for the procedure is required. Colonoscopies
      may be utilized not only for screening, but also for diagnostic or therapeutic
      purposes. To determine whether a colonoscopy was performed for screening, we
      created a natural language processing system to identify colonoscopy reports in
      the electronic medical record system and extract indications for the procedure. A
      rule-based model and three machine-learning models were created using 2,000
      manually annotated clinical notes of patients cared for in the Department of
      Veterans Affairs. Performance of the models was measured and compared. Analysis
      of the models on a test set of 1,000 documents indicates that the rule-based
      system performance stays fairly constant as evaluated on training and testing
      sets. However, the machine learning model without feature selection showed
      significant decrease in performance. Therefore, rule-based classification system
      appears to be more robust than a machine-learning system in cases when no feature
      selection is performed. 

PMID- 26262125
TI  - Automatically Expanding the Synonym Set of SNOMED CT using Wikipedia.
AB  - Clinical terminologies and ontologies are often used in natural language
      processing/understanding tasks as a method for semantically tagging text. One
      ontology commonly used for this task is SNOMED CT. Natural language is rich and
      varied: many different combinations of words may be used to express the same
      idea. It is therefore essential that ontologies and terminologies have a rich set
      of synonyms. One source of synonyms is Wikipedia. We examine methods for aligning
      concepts in SNOMED CT with articles in Wikipedia so that newly-found synonyms may
      be added to SNOMED CT. Our experiments show promising results and provide
      guidance to researchers who wish to use Wikipedia for similar tasks. 

PMID- 26262126
TI  - Named Entity Recognition in Chinese Clinical Text Using Deep Neural Network.
AB  - Rapid growth in electronic health records (EHRs) use has led to an unprecedented
      expansion of available clinical data in electronic formats. However, much of the
      important healthcare information is locked in the narrative documents. Therefore
      Natural Language Processing (NLP) technologies, e.g., Named Entity Recognition
      that identifies boundaries and types of entities, has been extensively studied to
      unlock important clinical information in free text. In this study, we
      investigated a novel deep learning method to recognize clinical entities in
      Chinese clinical documents using the minimal feature engineering approach. We
      developed a deep neural network (DNN) to generate word embeddings from a large
      unlabeled corpus through unsupervised learning and another DNN for the NER task.
      The experiment results showed that the DNN with word embeddings trained from the
      large unlabeled corpus outperformed the state-of-the-art CRF's model in the
      minimal feature engineering setting, achieving the highest F1-score of 0.9280.
      Further analysis showed that word embeddings derived through unsupervised
      learning from large unlabeled corpus remarkably improved the DNN with randomized
      embedding, denoting the usefulness of unsupervised feature learning. 

PMID- 26262127
TI  - Identifying Patients with Depression Using Free-text Clinical Documents.
AB  - About 1 in 10 adults are reported to exhibit clinical depression and the
      associated personal, societal, and economic costs are significant. In this study,
      we applied the MTERMS NLP system and machine learning classification algorithms
      to identify patients with depression using discharge summaries. Domain experts
      reviewed both the training and test cases, and classified these cases as
      depression with a high, intermediate, and low confidence. For depression cases
      with high confidence, all of the algorithms we tested performed similarly, with
      MTERMS' knowledge-based decision tree slightly better than the machine learning
      classifiers, achieving an F-measure of 89.6%. MTERMS also achieved the highest F
      measure (70.6%) on intermediate confidence cases. The RIPPER rule learner was the
      best performing machine learning method, with an F-measure of 70.0%, and a higher
      precision but lower recall than MTERMS. The proposed NLP-based approach was able
      to identify a significant portion of the depression cases (about 20%) that were
      not on the coded diagnosis list. 

PMID- 26262128
TI  - An Approach for Automatic Classification of Radiology Reports in Spanish.
AB  - Automatic detection of relevant terms in medical reports is useful for
      educational purposes and for clinical research. Natural language processing (NLP)
      techniques can be applied in order to identify them. In this work we present an
      approach to classify radiology reports written in Spanish into two sets: the ones
      that indicate pathological findings and the ones that do not. In addition, the
      entities corresponding to pathological findings are identified in the reports. We
      use RadLex, a lexicon of English radiology terms, and NLP techniques to identify
      the occurrence of pathological findings. Reports are classified using a simple
      algorithm based on the presence of pathological findings, negation and hedge
      terms. The implemented algorithms were tested with a test set of 248 reports
      annotated by an expert, obtaining a best result of 0.72 F1 measure. The output of
      the classification task can be used to look for specific occurrences of
      pathological findings. 

PMID- 26262129
TI  - Automated Learning of Temporal Expressions.
AB  - Clinical notes contain important temporal information that are critical for
      making clinical diagnosis and treatment as well as for retrospective analyses.
      Manually created regular expressions are commonly used for the extraction of
      temporal information; however, this can be a time consuming and brittle approach.
      We describe a novel algorithm for automatic learning of regular expressions in
      recognizing temporal expressions. Five classes of temporal expressions are
      identified. Keywords specific to those classes are used to retrieve snippets of
      text representing the same keywords in context. Those snippets are used for
      Regular Expression Discovery Extraction (REDEx). These learned regular
      expressions are then evaluated using 10-fold cross validation. Precision and
      recall are very high, above 0.95 for most classes. 

PMID- 26262130
TI  - Identifying Diseases, Drugs, and Symptoms in Twitter.
AB  - Social media sites, such as Twitter, are a rich source of many kinds of
      information, including health-related information. Accurate detection of entities
      such as diseases, drugs, and symptoms could be used for biosurveillance (e.g.
      monitoring of flu) and identification of adverse drug events. However, a critical
      assessment of performance of current text mining technology on Twitter has not
      been done yet in the medical domain. Here, we study the development of a Twitter
      data set annotated with relevant medical entities which we have publicly
      released. The manual annotation results show that it is possible to perform high
      quality annotation despite of the complexity of medical terminology and the lack
      of context in a tweet. Furthermore, we have evaluated the capability of state-of
      the-art approaches to reproduce the annotations in the data set. The best methods
      achieve F-scores of 55-66%. The data analysis and the preliminary results provide
      valuable insights on identifying medical entities in Twitter for various
      applications. 

PMID- 26262131
TI  - Improving Preventive Healthcare with an User-centric Mobile Tele-monitoring
      Model.
AB  - Chronic diseases are an important field to tackle due to increasing healthcare
      risk factors, including population nutritional habits, lack of physical exercise,
      and population aging. Diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and obesity currently
      affect millions of people, and this statistic grows every year and is responsible
      for numerous deaths everyday. Many of those deaths could be delayed by following
      a steady monitoring strategy over such a population, which would prevent vital
      signs from reaching critical stages and providing knowledge for these patients
      about their health. This paper introduces Mobilicare, a mobile health promotion
      system designed to: (i) monitor remotely a patient's vital signs in real time;
      (ii) support a health service in a Healthcare Center; and (iii) allow self
      awareness of the disease and improve motivation. Our approach was applied to two
      distinct chronic patient management programs. The results showed the commitment
      of elder patients and the contribution of Mobilicare to the maintenance of a
      patient's health stability. 

PMID- 26262132
TI  - Calculation of Cardiac Kinetic Energy Index from PET images.
AB  - Cardiac function can be assessed from displacement measurements in imaging
      modalities from nuclear medicine Using positron emission tomography (PET) image
      sequences with Rubidium-82, we propose and estimate the total Kinetic Energy
      Index (KEf) obtained from the velocity field, which was calculated using 3D
      optical flow(OF) methods applied over the temporal image sequence. However, it
      was found that the brightness of the image varied unexpectedly between frames,
      violating the constant brightness assumption of the OF method and causing large
      errors in estimating the velocity field. Therefore total brightness was equalized
      across image frames and the adjusted configuration tested with rest perfusion
      images acquired from individuals with normal (n=30) and low (n=33) cardiac
      function. For these images KEf was calculated as 0.5731+/-0.0899 and 0.3812+/
      0.1146 for individuals with normal and low cardiac function respectively. The
      ability of KEf to properly classify patients into the two groups was tested with
      a ROC analysis, with area under the curve estimated as 0.906. To our knowledge
      this is the first time that KEf has been applied to PET images. 

PMID- 26262133
TI  - TCGA4U: A Web-Based Genomic Analysis Platform To Explore And Mine TCGA Genomic
      Data For Translational Research.
AB  - Large-scale human cancer genomics projects, such as TCGA, generated large
      genomics data for further study. Exploring and mining these data to obtain
      meaningful analysis results can help researchers find potential genomics
      alterations that intervene the development and metastasis of tumors. We developed
      a web-based gene analysis platform, named TCGA4U, which used statistics methods
      and models to help translational investigators explore, mine and visualize human
      cancer genomic characteristic information from the TCGA datasets. Furthermore,
      through Gene Ontology (GO) annotation and clinical data integration, the genomic
      data were transformed into biological process, molecular function, cellular
      component and survival curves to help researchers identify potential driver
      genes. Clinical researchers without expertise in data analysis will benefit from
      such a user-friendly genomic analysis platform. 

PMID- 26262135
TI  - Managing OMICS-Data: Considerations for the Design of a Clinical Research IT
      Infrastructure.
AB  - Biomarker-based translational research enables deep insight into cellular
      processes and human diseases. As a result, high-throughput technologies
      promulgating a fast and cost-effective generation of data are widely used to
      advance our understanding in the molecular background of individuals. However,
      the increasing volume and complexity of data increases the need for sustainable
      infrastructures and state-of-the-art tools allowing management, analysis, and
      integration of OMICS data. To address these challenges, we have performed site
      visits of core facilities with a focus on high-throughput technologies to explore
      their (IT) infrastructure, organizational aspects, and data management
      strategies. Different stakeholders were interviewed regarding requirements and
      needs for dealing with high-throughput data. We have identified four different
      fields of action: (1) the interface from biorepositories to service providers of
      high-throughput technologies, (2) aspects within services providers, (3) the
      interface from service providers to bioinformatical analysis, and (4)
      organizational and other aspects. For each field, recommendations and strategies
      were developed for implementation of a seamless pipeline from biorepositories to
      highly specialized high-throughput laboratories including the sustainable
      management and integration of OMICS data. 

PMID- 26262134
TI  - Conceptual Knowledge Discovery in Databases for Drug Combinations Predictions in
      Malignant Melanoma.
AB  - The worldwide incidence of melanoma is rising faster than any other cancer, and
      prognosis for patients with metastatic disease is poor. Current targeted
      therapies are limited in their durability and/or effect size in certain patient
      populations due to acquired mechanisms of resistance. Thus, the development of
      synergistic combinatorial treatment regimens holds great promise to improve
      patient outcomes. We have previously shown that a model for in-silico knowledge
      discovery, Translational Ontology-anchored Knowledge Discovery Engine (TOKEn), is
      able to generate valid relationships between bimolecular and clinical phenotypes.
      In this study, we have aggregated observational and canonical knowledge
      consisting of melanoma-related biomolecular entities and targeted therapeutics in
      a computationally tractable model. We demonstrate here that the explicit linkage
      of therapeutic modalities with biomolecular underpinnings of melanoma utilizing
      the TOKEn pipeline yield a set of informed relationships that have the potential
      to generate combination therapy strategies. 

PMID- 26262136
TI  - Virtual Microscopy Large Slide Automated Acquisition: Error Analysis and
      Validation.
AB  - The aim of this work is to assess and analyze the discrepancies introduced in the
      reconstruction of an entire tumoral bone slice from multiple field acquisitions
      of a large microscopy slide. The reconstruction tends to preserve the original
      structural information and its error is estimated by comparing the reconstructed
      images of eight samples against single pictures of these samples. This comparison
      is held using the Structural Similarity index. The measurements show that smaller
      samples yield better results. The detected errors are introduced by the
      insufficiently corrected optical distortion caused by the camera lens, which
      tends to accumulate along the sample. Nevertheless, the maximum error encountered
      does not exceed 0.39 mm, which is smaller than the maximum tolerable error for
      the intended application, stated in 1 mm.

PMID- 26262137
TI  - Do interoperable national information systems enhance availability of data to
      assess the effect of scale-up of HIV services on health workforce deployment in
      resource-limited countries?
AB  - Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) bears the heaviest burden of the HIV epidemic. Health
      workers play a critical role in the scale-up of HIV programs. SSA also has the
      weakest information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure globally.
      Implementing interoperable national health information systems (HIS) is a
      challenge, even in developed countries. Countries in resource-limited settings
      have yet to demonstrate that interoperable systems can be achieved, and can
      improve quality of healthcare through enhanced data availability and use in the
      deployment of the health workforce. We established interoperable HIS integrating
      a Master Facility List (MFL), District Health Information Software (DHIS2), and
      Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) through application programmers
      interfaces (API). We abstracted data on HIV care, health workers deployment, and
      health facilities geo-coordinates. Over 95% of data elements were exchanged
      between the MFL-DHIS and HRIS-DHIS. The correlation between the number of HIV
      positive clients and nurses and clinical officers in 2013 was R2=0.251 and
      R2=0.261 respectively. Wrong MFL codes, data type mis-match and hyphens in legacy
      data were key causes of data transmission errors. Lack of information exchange
      standards for aggregate data made programming time-consuming.

PMID- 26262138
TI  - Improving Clinical Decisions on T2DM Patients Integrating Clinical,
      Administrative and Environmental Data.
AB  - This work describes an integrated informatics system developed to collect and
      display clinically relevant data that can inform physicians and researchers about
      Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) patient clinical pathways and therapy adherence.
      The software we developed takes data coming from the electronic medical record
      (EMR) of the IRCCS Fondazione Maugeri (FSM) hospital of Pavia, Italy, and
      combines the data with administrative, pharmacy drugs (purchased from the local
      healthcare agency (ASL) of the Pavia area), and open environmental data of the
      same region. By using different use cases, we explain the importance of gathering
      and displaying the data types through a single informatics tool: the use of the
      tool as a calculator of risk factors and indicators to improve current detection
      of T2DM, a generator of clinical pathways and patients' behaviors from the point
      of view of the hospital care management, and a decision support tool for follow
      up visits. The results of the performed data analysis report how the use of the
      dashboard displays meaningful clinical decisions in treating complex chronic
      diseases and might improve health outcomes. 

PMID- 26262139
TI  - Architecture to Summarize Patient-Level Data Across Borders and Countries.
AB  - Translational medicine is becoming fundamental in promoting information flow
      between basic research and clinical practice, and in improving patients' health.
      The need for efficient systems to process and share information from multiple
      sources--including distinct areas of medicine--is a pressing need in biomedical
      research. Nevertheless, healthcare information systems are fragmented over
      different databases, medical institutions, and geographical locations. There are
      already several approaches to tackle this problem based on centralized or
      distributed solutions. Nonetheless, mainly due to privacy reasons, these models
      only work for specific silos. In this paper, we present a new ecosystem for
      connecting database owners and researchers. Our approach consists of gathering,
      via a common fingerprint, an extensive characterization of dispersed databases.
      This fingerprint typically contains high-level aggregated information addressing
      questions at a population level and allowing, for instance, quick identification
      of databases with data that may help to answer a specific research question. This
      work is being conducted in the context of EMIF (European Medical Information
      Framework), an IMI (The Innovative Medicines Initiative) joint undertaking funded
      project, wherein the Catalogue is being used to collect data from cohorts and
      Electronic Health Record systems of several European countries.

PMID- 26262140
TI  - A Cloud-Based Infrastructure for Feedback-Driven Training and Image Recognition.
AB  - Advanced techniques in machine learning combined with scalable "cloud" computing
      infrastructure are driving the creation of new and innovative health diagnostic
      applications. We describe a service and application for performing image training
      and recognition, tailored to dermatology and melanoma identification. The system
      implements new machine learning approaches to provide a feedback-driven training
      loop. This training sequence enhances classification performance by incrementally
      retraining the classifier model from expert responses. To easily provide this
      application and associated web service to clinical practices, we also describe a
      scalable cloud infrastructure, deployable in public cloud infrastructure and
      private, on-premise systems. 

PMID- 26262141
TI  - A Two-stage Dynamic Model to Enable Updating of Clinical Risk Prediction from
      Longitudinal Health Record Data: Illustrated with Kidney Function.
AB  - We demonstrate the use of electronic records and repeated measures of risk
      factors therein, to enable deeper understanding of the relationship between the
      full longitudinal trajectory of risk factors and outcomes. To illustrate, dynamic
      mixed effect modelling is used to summarise the level, trend and monitoring
      intensity of kidney function. The output from this model then forms covariates
      for a recurrent event Cox proportional hazards model for predicting adverse
      events (AE). Using data from Salford, UK, our multivariate model finds that
      steeper declines in kidney function raise the hazard of AE (HR: 1.13, 95% CI
      (1.05, 1.22)). There is a non-proportional relationship between the hazard of AE
      and the monitoring intensity of kidney function. Neither of these variables would
      be present in a classical risk prediction model.. This work illustrates the
      potential of using the full longitudinal profile of risk factors, rather than
      just their level. There is an opportunity for deep statistical learning leading
      to rich clinical insight using longitudinal signals in electronic data. 

PMID- 26262142
TI  - Development and preliminary validation of a dynamic, patient-tailored method to
      detect abnormal laboratory test results.
AB  - Laboratory test results in primary care are flagged as 'abnormal' when they fall
      outside a population-based Reference Interval (RI), typically generating many
      alerts with a low specificity. In order to decrease alert frequency while
      retaining clinical relevance, we developed a method to assess dynamic, patient
      tailored RIs based on mixed-effects linear regression models. Potassium test
      results from primary care were used as proof-of-concept test bed. Clinical
      relevance was assessed via a survey administered to general practitioners (GPs).
      Overall, the dynamic, patient-tailored method and the combination of both methods
      flagged 20% and 36% fewer values as abnormal than the population-based method.
      Nineteen out of 43 invited GPs (44%) completed the survey. The population-based
      method yielded a better sensitivity than the patient-tailored and the combined
      methods (0.51 vs 0.41 and 0.38, respectively) but a lower PPV (0.66 vs 0.67 and
      0.76, respectively). We conclude that a combination of population-based and
      patient-tailored RIs can improve the detection of abnormal laboratory results. We
      suggest that lab values outside both RIs be flagged with high priority in
      clinical practice. 

PMID- 26262143
TI  - Automated Detection of Postoperative Surgical Site Infections Using Supervised
      Methods with Electronic Health Record Data.
AB  - The National Surgical Quality Improvement Project (NSQIP) is widely recognized as
      "the best in the nation" surgical quality improvement resource in the United
      States. In particular, it rigorously defines postoperative morbidity outcomes,
      including surgical adverse events occurring within 30 days of surgery. Due to its
      manual yet expensive construction process, the NSQIP registry is of exceptionally
      high quality, but its high cost remains a significant bottleneck to NSQIP's wider
      dissemination. In this work, we propose an automated surgical adverse events
      detection tool, aimed at accelerating the process of extracting postoperative
      outcomes from medical charts. As a prototype system, we combined local EHR data
      with the NSQIP gold standard outcomes and developed machine learned models to
      retrospectively detect Surgical Site Infections (SSI), a particular family of
      adverse events that NSQIP extracts. The built models have high specificity (from
      0.788 to 0.988) as well as very high negative predictive values (>0.98), reliably
      eliminating the vast majority of patients without SSI, thereby significantly
      reducing the NSQIP extractors' burden. 

PMID- 26262144
TI  - Mining Temporal and Data Constraints Associated with Outcomes for Care Pathways.
AB  - A care/clinical pathway defines a standardized care process for a specific
      patient group, which consists of clinical goals, activities, data attributes, and
      constraints describing temporal dependencies and data preconditions of the
      activities. The constraints, which are the key elements to represent the best
      practices, are difficult to define due to the variations in different regions and
      populations. In this paper, we propose an approach to discover temporal and data
      constraints that are correlated with clinical outcomes for care pathways. For
      each activity of interest, we extract a set of associated event-condition-action
      (ECA) rules from electronic medical records (EMR) to represent the temporal and
      data preconditions of the activity, by using our modified association rule mining
      algorithm. Then the best ECA rule that is significantly more likely to lead to a
      positive outcome is translated into the constraint on the activity. The approach
      has been applied to real-world EMR, and discovered meaningful constraints for
      different groups of type 2 diabetes patients, which can be used to provide
      decision support during individual patient care. 

PMID- 26262145
TI  - Acquiring Plausible Predications from MEDLINE by Clustering MeSH Annotations.
AB  - The massive accumulation of biomedical knowledge is reflected by the growth of
      the literature database MEDLINE with over 23 million bibliographic records. All
      records are manually indexed by MeSH descriptors, many of them refined by MeSH
      subheadings. We use subheading information to cluster types of MeSH descriptor co
      occurrences in MEDLINE by processing co-occurrence information provided by the
      UMLS. The goal is to infer plausible predicates to each resulting cluster. In an
      initial experiment this was done by grouping disease-pharmacologic substance co
      occurrences into six clusters. Then, a domain expert manually performed the
      assignment of meaningful predicates to the clusters. The mean accuracy of the
      best ten generated biomedical facts of each cluster was 85%. This result supports
      the evidence of the potential of MeSH subheadings for extracting plausible
      medical predications from MEDLINE. 

PMID- 26262146
TI  - Effects of Plasma Transfusion on Perioperative Bleeding Complications: A Machine
      Learning Approach.
AB  - Perioperative bleeding (PB) is associated with increased patient morbidity and
      mortality, and results in substantial health care resource utilization. To assess
      bleeding risk, a routine practice in most centers is to use indicators such as
      elevated values of the International Normalized Ratio (INR). For patients with
      elevated INR, the routine therapy option is plasma transfusion. However, the
      predictive accuracy of INR and the value of plasma transfusion still remains
      unclear. Accurate methods are therefore needed to identify early the patients
      with increased risk of bleeding. The goal of this work is to apply advanced
      machine learning methods to study the relationship between preoperative plasma
      transfusion (PPT) and PB in patients with elevated INR undergoing noncardiac
      surgery. The problem is cast under the framework of causal inference where robust
      meaningful measures to quantify the effect of PPT on PB are estimated. Results
      show that both machine learning and standard statistical methods generally agree
      that PPT negatively impacts PB and other important patient outcomes. However,
      machine learning methods show significant results, and machine learning boosting
      methods are found to make less errors in predicting PB. 

PMID- 26262147
TI  - On the Automated Segmentation of Epicardial and Mediastinal Cardiac Adipose
      Tissues Using Classification Algorithms.
AB  - The quantification of fat depots on the surroundings of the heart is an accurate
      procedure for evaluating health risk factors correlated with several diseases.
      However, this type of evaluation is not widely employed in clinical practice due
      to the required human workload. This work proposes a novel technique for the
      automatic segmentation of cardiac fat pads. The technique is based on applying
      classification algorithms to the segmentation of cardiac CT images. Furthermore,
      we extensively evaluate the performance of several algorithms on this task and
      discuss which provided better predictive models. Experimental results have shown
      that the mean accuracy for the classification of epicardial and mediastinal fats
      has been 98.4% with a mean true positive rate of 96.2%. On average, the Dice
      similarity index, regarding the segmented patients and the ground truth, was
      equal to 96.8%. Therfore, our technique has achieved the most accurate results
      for the automatic segmentation of cardiac fats, to date. 

PMID- 26262148
TI  - Fusing Heterogeneous Data for Alzheimer's Disease Classification.
AB  - In multi-view learning, multimodal representations of a real world object or
      situation are integrated to learn its overall picture. Feature sets from distinct
      data sources carry different, yet complementary, information which, if analysed
      together, usually yield better insights and more accurate results. Neuro
      degenerative disorders such as dementia are characterized by changes in multiple
      biomarkers. This work combines the features from neuroimaging and cerebrospinal
      fluid studies to distinguish Alzheimer's disease patients from healthy subjects.
      We apply statistical data fusion techniques on 101 subjects from the Alzheimer's
      Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database. We examine whether fusion of
      biomarkers helps to improve diagnostic accuracy and how the methods compare
      against each other for this problem. Our results indicate that multimodal data
      fusion improves classification accuracy. 

PMID- 26262149
TI  - Towards Constructing a New Taxonomy for Psychiatry Using Self-reported Symptoms.
AB  - The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) has served as the gold standard for
      psychiatric diagnosis for the past several decades in the USA, and DSM diagnoses
      mirror mental health and substance abuse diagnoses in ICD-9 and ICD-10. However,
      DSM diagnoses have severe limitations when used as phenotypes for studies of the
      pathophysiology underlying mental disorders, as well as for clinical treatment
      and research. In this paper, we use a novel approach of deconstructing DSM
      diagnostic criteria, and using expert knowledge to inform feature selection for
      unsupervised machine learning. We are able to identify clusters of symptoms that
      stratify subjects with the same DSM disorders into cohorts with increased
      clinical and biological homogeneity. These findings suggest that itemized self
      report symptom data should inform a new taxonomy for psychiatry, and will enhance
      the bi-directional translation of knowledge from the bench to the clinic through
      a common terminology. 

PMID- 26262150
TI  - A Multi-Relational Model for Depression Relapse in Patients with Bipolar
      Disorder.
AB  - Bipolar Disorder (BD) is a chronic and disabling disease that usually appears
      around 20 to 30 years old. Patients who suffer with BD may struggle for years to
      achieve a correct diagnosis, and only 50% of them generally receive adequate
      treatment. In this work we apply a machine learning technique called Inductive
      Logic Programming (ILP) in order to model relapse and no-relapse patients in a
      first attempt in this area to improve diagnosis and optimize psychiatrists' time
      spent with patients. We use ILP because it is well suited for our multi
      relational dataset and because a human can easily interpret the logical rules
      produced. Our classifiers can predict relapse cases with 92% Recall and no
      relapse cases with 73% Recall. The rules and variable theories generated by ILP
      reproduce some findings from the scientific literature. The generated multi
      relational models can be directly interpreted by clinicians and researchers, and
      also open space to research biological mechanisms and interventions. 

PMID- 26262151
TI  - Thermal Signal Analysis for Breast Cancer Risk Verification.
AB  - Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in the world. Currently, there are
      no effective methods to prevent this disease. However, early diagnosis increases
      chances of remission. Breast thermography is an option to be considered in
      screening strategies. This paper proposes a new dynamic breast thermography
      analysis technique in order to identify patients at risk for breast cancer.
      Thermal signals from patients of the Antonio Pedro University Hospital (HUAP),
      available at the Mastology Database for Research with Infrared Image - DMR-IR
      were used to validate the study. First, each patient's images are registered.
      Then, the breast region is divided into subregions of 3x3 pixels and the average
      temperature from each of these regions is observed in all images of the same
      patient. Features of the thermal signals of such subregions are calculated. Then,
      the k-means algorithm is applied over feature vectors building two clusters.
      Silhouette index, Davies-Bouldin index and Calinski-Harabasz index are applied to
      evaluate the clustering. The test results showed that the methodology presented
      in this paper is able to identify patients with breast cancer. Classification
      techniques have been applied on the index values and 90.90% hit rate has been
      achieved. 

PMID- 26262152
TI  - Time-Series Data Analysis of Long-Term Home Blood Pressure Measurements in
      Relation to Lifestyle.
AB  - We conducted a long-term time-series analysis of an individual's home blood
      pressure measurements, stored on a personal healthcare system in cloud, relative
      to the individual's life-style. In addition to daily scattering, apparent
      seasonal variations were observed in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure
      measurements. We examined the effect of seasonal variations on the outcome of a
      healthcare data mining process that extracts rules between blood pressure
      measurements and life-style components such as exercise and diet, and found that
      the daily blood pressure data approached a normal distribution when adjusted for
      the seasonal variations. This implies that an adjustment is desirable in order to
      produce appropriate rules in the healthcare data mining process. 

PMID- 26262153
TI  - The Improvement of Dental Posture Using Personalized Biofeedback.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Dentists are subject to staying in static or awkward postures for
      long periods due to their highly concentrated work. OBJECTIVES: This study
      describes a real-time personalized biofeedback system developed for dental
      posture training with the use of vibrotactile biofeedback. METHODS: The real-time
      personalized biofeedback system was an integrated solution that comprised of two
      components: 1) a wearable device that contained an accelerometer sensor for
      measuring the tilt angle of the body (input) and provided real-time vibrotactile
      biofeedback (output); and 2) software for data capturing, processing, and
      personalized biofeedback generation. The implementation of real-time personalized
      vibrotactile feedback was computed using Hidden Markov Models (HMMs). For the
      test case, we calculated the probability and log-likelihood of the test movements
      under the Work related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSD) and non-WMSD HMMs. The
      vibrotactile biofeedback was provided to the user via a wearable device for a
      WMSD-predicted case. In the system evaluation, a randomized crossover trial was
      conducted to compare dental posture measure using tilt angles of the upper back
      and muscle activities of those dental students that received vibrotactile
      biofeedback from the system with the control group against the dental students
      who received no feedback. RESULTS: The participants who received feedback from
      the system had a lower tilt angle at 10th, 50th, and 90th percentiles of Backx
      and Backy, as well as muscular load, which were statistically different (p<0.05)
      from those who received no feedback from the system. CONCLUSIONS: The results
      presented here demonstrate that a personalized biofeedback system for posture
      training in dental students is feasible and associated with quantitative
      improvements of the dental posture.

PMID- 26262154
TI  - Using social connection information to improve opinion mining: Identifying
      negative sentiment about HPV vaccines on Twitter.
AB  - The manner in which people preferentially interact with others like themselves
      suggests that information about social connections may be useful in the
      surveillance of opinions for public health purposes. We examined if social
      connection information from tweets about human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines
      could be used to train classifiers that identify anti-vaccine opinions. From
      42,533 tweets posted between October 2013 and March 2014, 2,098 were sampled at
      random and two investigators independently identified anti-vaccine opinions.
      Machine learning methods were used to train classifiers using the first three
      months of data, including content (8,261 text fragments) and social connections
      (10,758 relationships). Connection-based classifiers performed similarly to
      content-based classifiers on the first three months of training data, and
      performed more consistently than content-based classifiers on test data from the
      subsequent three months. The most accurate classifier achieved an accuracy of
      88.6% on the test data set, and used only social connection features. Information
      about how people are connected, rather than what they write, may be useful for
      improving public health surveillance methods on Twitter. 

PMID- 26262155
TI  - Syndromic Surveillance of Infectious Diseases meets Molecular Epidemiology in a
      Workflow and Phylogeographic Application.
AB  - Traditionally, epidemiologists have counted cases and groups of symptoms.
      Modeling on these data consists of predicting expansion or contraction in the
      number of cases over time in epidemic curves or compartment models. Geography is
      considered a variable when these data are presented in choropleth maps. These
      approaches have significant drawbacks if the cases counted are not accurately
      diagnosed. For example, most regional public health authorities count influenza
      like illnesses (ILI). Cases of these diseases are designated as ILI if the
      patient exhibits fever, respiratory symptoms, and perhaps gastrointestinal
      symptoms. Several molecular epidemiological studies have shown that there are
      many pathogens that cause these symptoms and the relative proportions of these
      pathogens change over time and space. One way to bridge the gap between syndromic
      and genetic surveillance of infectious diseases is to compare signals of symptoms
      to pathogens recorded in molecular databases. We present a web-based workflow
      application that uses chief complaints found in the public Twitter feed as a
      syndromic surveillance tool and connects outbreak signals in these data to
      pathogens historically known to circulate in the same area. For the pathogen(s)
      of interest, we provide Genbank links to metadata and sequences in a workflow for
      phylogeographic analysis and visualization. The visualizations provide
      information on the geographic traffic of the spread of the pathogens and places
      that are hubs for their transport. 

PMID- 26262156
TI  - Fingerprinting Biomedical Terminologies--Automatic Classification and
      Visualization of Biomedical Vocabularies through UMLS Semantic Group Profiles.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To explore automatic methods for the classification of biomedical
      vocabularies based on their content. METHODS: We create semantic group profiles
      for each source vocabulary in the UMLS and compare the vectors using a Euclidian
      distance. We explore several techniques for visualizing individual semantic group
      profiles and the entire distance matrix, including donut pie charts, heatmaps,
      dendrograms and networks. RESULTS: We provide donut pie charts for individual
      source vocavularies, as well as a heatmap, dendrogram and network for a subset of
      78 vocabularies from the UMLS. CONCLUSIONS: Our approach to fingerprinting
      biomedical terminologies is completely automated and can easily be applied to all
      source vocabularies in the UMLS, including upcoming versions of the UMLS. It
      supports the exploration, selection and comparison of the biomedical
      terminologies integrated into the UMLS. The visualizations are available at
      (http://mor.-nlm.nih.gov/pubs/supp/2015-medinfo-br/index.html).

PMID- 26262157
TI  - Harmonizing Nursing Terminologies.
AB  - In this paper, the authors report on a study aimed at harmonising two nursing
      terminologies, the Clinical Care Classification (CCC) and the International
      Classification for Nursing Practice (ICNP(r)). As the electronic health record
      evolves and the need for interoperability extends beyond local and national
      borders, a degree of standardisation across healthcare terminologies become
      essential. Harmonising across terminologies results in a) increased consensus
      relating to domain content and b) improvements in the terminologies involved.
      Findings from this study suggest that there is much overlap of content in nursing
      terminologies. The continued harmonisation between nursing terminologies and
      other healthcare terminologies are recommended to achieve international
      interoperability.

PMID- 26262158
TI  - Developing a National-Level Concept Dictionary for EHR Implementations in Kenya.
AB  - The increasing adoption of Electronic Health Records (EHR) by developing
      countries comes with the need to develop common terminology standards to assure
      semantic interoperability. In Kenya, where the Ministry of Health has rolled out
      an EHR at 646 sites, several challenges have emerged including variable
      dictionaries across implementations, inability to easily share data across
      systems, lack of expertise in dictionary management, lack of central coordination
      and custody of a terminology service, inadequately defined policies and
      processes, insufficient infrastructure, among others. A Concept Working Group was
      constituted to address these challenges. The country settled on a common Kenya
      data dictionary, initially derived as a subset of the Columbia International
      eHealth Laboratory (CIEL)/Millennium Villages Project (MVP) dictionary. The
      initial dictionary scope largely focuses on clinical needs. Processes and
      policies around dictionary management are being guided by the framework developed
      by Bakhshi-Raiez et al. Technical and infrastructure-based approaches are also
      underway to streamline workflow for dictionary management and distribution across
      implementations. Kenya's approach on comprehensive common dictionary can serve as
      a model for other countries in similar settings.

PMID- 26262159
TI  - Evaluation of Herbal and Dietary Supplement Resource Term Coverage.
AB  - The use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is increasingly popular
      in places like North America and Europe where western medicine is primarily
      practiced. People are consuming herbal and dietary supplements along with western
      medications simultaneously. Sometimes, supplements and drugs react with one
      another via antagonistic or potentiation actions of the drug or supplement
      resulting in an adverse event. Unfortunately, it is not easy to study drug
      supplement interactions without a standard terminology to describe herbal and
      dietary supplements. This pilot study investigated coverage of supplement
      databases to one another as well as coverage by the Unified Medical Language
      System (UMLS) and RxNorm for supplement terms. We found that none of the
      supplement databases completely covers supplement terms. UMLS, MeSH, SNOMED CT,
      RxNorm and NDF-RT cover 54%, 40%, 32%, 22% and 14% of supplement concepts,
      respectively. NDF-RT provides some value for grouping supplements into drug
      classes. Enhancing our understanding of the gap between the traditional
      biomedical terminology systems and supplement terms could lead to the development
      of a comprehensive terminology resources for supplements, and other secondary
      uses such as better detection and extraction of drug-supplement interactions. 

PMID- 26262160
TI  - Semantic Alignment between ICD-11 and SNOMED CT.
AB  - Due to fundamental differences in design and editorial policies, semantic
      interoperability between two de facto standard terminologies in the healthcare
      domain--the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) and SNOMED CT (SCT),
      requires combining two different approaches: (i) axiom-based, which states
      logically what is universally true, using an ontology language such as OWL; (ii)
      rule-based, expressed as queries on the axiom-based knowledge. We present the ICD
      SCT harmonization process including: a) a new architecture for ICD-11, b) a
      protocol for the semantic alignment of ICD and SCT, and c) preliminary results of
      the alignment applied to more than half the domain currently covered by the draft
      ICD-11.

PMID- 26262161
TI  - Extending the coverage of phenotypes in SNOMED CT through post-coordination.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To extend the coverage of phenotypes in SNOMED CT through post
      coordination. METHODS: We identify frequent modifiers in terms from the Human
      Phenotype Ontology (HPO), which we associate with templates for post-coordinated
      expressions in SNOMED CT. RESULTS: We identified 176 modifiers, created 12
      templates, and generated 1,617 post-coordinated expressions. CONCLUSIONS: Through
      this novel approach, we can increase the current number of mappings by 50%.

PMID- 26262162
TI  - A model-Driven Approach to Customize the Vocabulary of Communication Boards:
      Towards More Humanization of Health Care.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This work presents a Modeling Language and its technological
      infrastructure to customize the vocabulary of Communication Boards (CB), which
      are important tools to provide more humanization of health care. METHOD: Using a
      technological infrastructure based on Model-Driven Development (MDD) approach,
      our Modelin Language (ML) creates an abstraction layer between users (e.g.,
      health professionals such as an audiologist or speech therapist) and application
      code. Moreover, the use of a metamodel enables a syntactic corrector for
      preventing creation of wrong models. RESULTS: Our ML and metamodel enable more
      autonomy for health professionals in creating customized CB because it abstracts
      complexities and permits them to deal only with the domain concepts (e.g.,
      vocabulary and patient needs). Additionally, our infrastructure provides a
      configuration file that can be used to share and reuse models. This way, the
      vocabulary modelling effort will decrease our time since people share vocabulary
      models. CONCLUSION: Our study provides an infrastructure that aims to abstract
      the complexity of CB vocabulary customization, giving more autonomy to health
      professionals when they need customizing, sharing and reusing vocabularies for
      CB.

PMID- 26262163
TI  - Pain Documentation: Validation of a Reference Model.
AB  - Over the last decade, interoperability of the Electronic Health Record (EHR) is
      becoming more of a reality. However, inconsistencies in documentation such as
      pain are considered a barrier to obtaining this goal. In order to be able to
      remedy this issue, it is necessary to validate reference models that have been
      created based upon requirements defined by Health Level 7 (HL7), Logical Names
      and Codes (LOINC) and the Intermountain Clinical Element Model using external
      published sources and guidelines. Using pain as an example of complex and
      inconsistent documentation, it was found that the reference model based upon
      these standards is valid because the data elements identified are broad and can
      meet the needs of each sub-domain within the primary domain of pain. 

PMID- 26262164
TI  - Consumer Health Information Needs and Question Classification: Analysis of
      Hypertension Related Questions Asked by Consumers on a Chinese Health Website.
AB  - This study built up a classification schema of consumer health questions which
      consisted of 48 quaternary categories and 35 annotation rules. Using such a
      schema, we manually classified 2,000 questions randomly selected from nearly 100
      thousand hypertension-related messages posted by consumers on a Chinese health
      website to analyze the information needs of health consumers. The results showed
      questions in the categories of treatment, diagnosis, healthy lifestyle,
      management, epidemiology, and health provider choosing were 48.1%, 23.8%, 11.9%,
      5.2%, 9.0%, and 1.9% respectively. The comparison of the questions asked by
      consumers and physicians showed that their health information needs were
      significantly different (P<0.0001). 

PMID- 26262165
TI  - Generating and Executing Complex Natural Language Queries across Linked Data.
AB  - With the recent and intensive research in the biomedical area, the knowledge
      accumulated is disseminated through various knowledge bases. Links between these
      knowledge bases are needed in order to use them jointly. Linked Data, SPARQL
      language, and interfaces in Natural Language question-answering provide
      interesting solutions for querying such knowledge bases. We propose a method for
      translating natural language questions in SPARQL queries. We use Natural Language
      Processing tools, semantic resources, and the RDF triples description. The method
      is designed on 50 questions over 3 biomedical knowledge bases, and evaluated on
      27 questions. It achieves 0.78 F-measure on the test set. The method for
      translating natural language questions into SPARQL queries is implemented as Perl
      module available at http://search.cpan.org/ thhamon/RDF-NLP-SPARQLQuery. 

PMID- 26262166
TI  - Analyzing Operative Note Structure in Development of a Section Header Resource.
AB  - Operative notes contain essential details of surgical procedures and are an
      important form of clinical documentation. Sections within operative notes segment
      provide high level note structure. We evaluated the HL7 Implementation Guide for
      Clinical Document Architecture Release 2.0 Operative Note Draft Standard for
      Trial Use (HL7-ON DSTU) Release 1 as well as Logical Observation Identifiers
      Names and Codes (LOINC(r)) section names on 384 unique section headers from
      362,311 operative notes. Overall, HL7-ON DSTU alone and HL7-ON DSTU with LOINC(r)
      section headers covered 66% and 79% of sections headers (93% and 98% of header
      instances), respectively. Section headers contained large numbers of synonyms,
      formatting variation, and variation of word forms, as well as smaller numbers of
      compound sections and issues with mismatches in header granularity. Robust
      operative note section mapping is important for clinical note interoperability
      and effective use of operative notes by natural language processing systems. The
      resulting operative note section resource is made publicly available. 

PMID- 26262167
TI  - A Process for the Representation of openEHR ADL Archetypes in OWL Ontologies.
AB  - ADL is a formal language to express archetypes, independent of standards or
      domain. However, its specification is not precise enough in relation to the
      specialization and semantic of archetypes, presenting difficulties in
      implementation and a few available tools. Archetypes may be implemented using
      other languages such as XML or OWL, increasing integration with Semantic Web
      tools. Exchanging and transforming data can be better implemented with semantics
      oriented models, for example using OWL which is a language to define and
      instantiate Web ontologies defined by W3C. OWL permits defining significant,
      detailed, precise and consistent distinctions among classes, properties and
      relations by the user, ensuring the consistency of knowledge than using ADL
      techniques. This paper presents a process of an openEHR ADL archetypes
      representation in OWL ontologies. This process consists of ADL archetypes
      conversion in OWL ontologies and validation of OWL resultant ontologies using the
      mutation test. 

PMID- 26262168
TI  - Harmonizing SNOMED CT with BioTopLite: An Exercise in Principled Ontology
      Alignment.
AB  - The integration of heterogeneous ontologies is often hampered by different upper
      level categories and relations. We report on an on-going effort to align clinical
      terminology/ontology SNOMED CT with the formal upper-level ontology BioTopLite.
      This alignment introduces several constraints at the OWL-DL level. The mapping
      was done manually by analysing formal and textual definitions. Descriptive logic
      classifiers interactively checked mapping steps, using small modules for
      increasing performance. We present an effective workflow, using modules of
      several scales. However, only part of the classes and relations could easily be
      mapped. The implications for future evolution of SNOMED CT are discussed. It
      seems generally feasible to use a highly constrained upper-level ontology as an
      upper level for the benefit of future SNOMED CT versions that are more
      interoperable with other biomedical ontologies. 

PMID- 26262169
TI  - Standardized Cardiovascular Quality Assurance Forms with Multilingual Support,
      UMLS Coding and Medical Concept Analyses.
AB  - Standardized quality assurance (QA) plays an import role to maintain and develop
      success of cardiovascular procedures (CP). Well-established QA models from
      Germany could be shared in a form repository for world-wide reuse and exchange.
      Therefore, we collected the complete set of all quality QA forms for CP, which is
      obligatory to be filled out by all German health service providers. Original
      forms were converted into standardized study forms according to ODM (Operational
      Data Model) and translated into English. Common medical concepts and clusters of
      medical concepts were identified based on UMLS coding of form items. All forms
      are available on the web as multilingual ODM documents. UMLS concept coverage
      analysis indicates 88% coverage with few but critically important definition
      gaps, which need to be addressed by UMLS. 

PMID- 26262170
TI  - vizHOME--A context-based home assessment: Preliminary implications for
      informatics.
AB  - The rapid migration of health care from the institution to the home presents a
      plethora of consumer health technology options.. The fit of these technologies to
      the users' actual task performance and environment remains to be explored. In the
      vizHOME study, we set out to conduct in-depth analyses of health information
      management tasks conducted by individuals residing in 20 homes in the Midwestern
      United States who self-reported with diabetes. This paper will explore early
      results from five of the 13 assessments we have performed to-date. Early
      observations are described and implications for informatics are posited. 

PMID- 26262171
TI  - The Use of Applications in Distance Education Specialization Course as a Support
      Tool for Students Living in Remote Areas Without Internet.
AB  - The world is experiencing the popularization of mobile devices. This was made
      possible by the increasing technological advances and the advent of the Internet
      as a communication and information tool. These facts demonstrate that the
      development of applications compatible with such devices is an effective way to
      provide content to diverse audiences. In the educational field, these devices can
      be seen as technological support artifacts for distance education, serving as
      strategy for continuous and permanent education for health professionals. The
      Open University of Brazilian National Health System (UNA-SUS) offers distance
      learning courses, including specializating on free access. In order to increase
      the public reach, UNA-SUS developed mobile applications as supporting material
      for students. These applications can be accessed in offline mode, increasing the
      accessibility and therefore, improving the efficiency of the material. The 28
      applications developed with responsive online books format currently reached the
      milestone of over 6,000 downloads. This number shows the positive acceptance of
      the format used, accentuated by the ease of having material downloaded from the
      device, not requiring the user to be connected to access content. 

PMID- 26262172
TI  - An Architecture for Continuous Data Quality Monitoring in Medical Centers.
AB  - In the medical domain, data quality is very important. Since requirements and
      data change frequently, continuous and sustainable monitoring and improvement of
      data quality is necessary. Working together with managers of medical centers, we
      developed an architecture for a data quality monitoring system. The architecture
      enables domain experts to adapt the system during runtime to match their
      specifications using a built-in rule system. It also allows arbitrarily complex
      analyses to be integrated into the monitoring cycle. We evaluate our architecture
      by matching its components to the well-known data quality methodology TDQM. 

PMID- 26262173
TI  - A Conceptual Framework for Decision-making Support in Uncertainty- and Risk-based
      Diagnosis of Rare Clinical Cases by Specialist Physicians.
AB  - Mitigating uncertainty and risks faced by specialist physicians in analysis of
      rare clinical cases is something desired by anyone who needs health services. The
      number of clinical cases never seen by these experts, with little documentation,
      may introduce errors in decision-making. Such errors negatively affect well-being
      of patients, increase procedure costs, rework, health insurance premiums, and
      impair the reputation of specialists and medical systems involved. In this
      context, IT and Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) play a fundamental role,
      supporting decision-making process, making it more efficient and effective,
      reducing a number of avoidable medical errors and enhancing quality of treatment
      given to patients. An investigation has been initiated to look into
      characteristics and solution requirements of this problem, model it, propose a
      general solution in terms of a conceptual risk-based, automated framework to
      support rare-case medical diagnostics and validate it by means of case studies. A
      preliminary validation study of the proposed framework has been carried out by
      interviews conducted with experts who are practicing professionals, academics,
      and researchers in health care. This paper summarizes the investigation and its
      positive results. These results motivate continuation of research towards
      development of the conceptual framework and of a software tool that implements
      the proposed model. 

PMID- 26262174
TI  - A Hybrid Approach Using Case-Based Reasoning and Rule-Based Reasoning to Support
      Cancer Diagnosis: A Pilot Study.
AB  - Recently there has been an increasing interest in applying information technology
      to support the diagnosis of diseases such as cancer. In this paper, we present a
      hybrid approach using case-based reasoning (CBR) and rule-based reasoning (RBR)
      to support cancer diagnosis. We used symptoms, signs, and personal information
      from patients as inputs to our model. To form specialized diagnoses, we used
      rules to define the input factors' importance according to the patient's
      characteristics. The model's output presents the probability of the patient
      having a type of cancer. To carry out this research, we had the approval of the
      ethics committee at Napoleao Laureano Hospital, in Joao Pessoa, Brazil. To define
      our model's cases, we collected real patient data at Napoleao Laureano Hospital.
      To define our model's rules and weights, we researched specialized literature and
      interviewed health professional. To validate our model, we used K-fold cross
      validation with the data collected at Napoleao Laureano Hospital. The results
      showed that our approach is an effective CBR system to diagnose cancer. 

PMID- 26262175
TI  - Identifying Clinical Study Types from PubMed Metadata: The Active (Machine)
      Learning Approach.
AB  - We examined a process for automating the classification of articles in MEDLINE
      aimed at minimising manual effort without sacrificing accuracy. From 22,808
      articles pertaining to 19 antidepressants, 1000 were randomly selected and
      manually labelled according to article type (including, randomised controlled
      trials, editorials, etc.). We applied a machine learning approach termed 'active
      learning', where the learner (machine) selects the order in which the user
      (human) labels examples. Via simulation, we determined the number of articles a
      user needed to label to produce a classifier with at least 95% recall and 90%
      precision in three scenarios related to evidence synthesis. We found that the
      active learning process reduced the number of training instances required by 70%,
      19%, and 14% in the three scenarios. The results show that the active learning
      method may be used in some scenarios to produce accurate classifiers that meet
      the needs of evidence synthesis tasks and reduce manual effort. 

PMID- 26262177
TI  - Characterization of Help Desk issues After the Implementation of an Emergency
      Department Electronic Health Record.
AB  - Electronic health records (EHRs) can produce significant disruption when first
      implemented. Successful implementations depend on the availability of technical
      and clinical support. We present a description of the frequency and types of
      issues raised during the first 12 months after the implementation of an EHR at a
      teaching hospital in Santiago, Chile. 

PMID- 26262178
TI  - The e-NutriHS: a web-based system for a Brazilian cohort study.
AB  - The e-NutriHS is a web-based system developed to gather online information on
      health of a cohort of college students and graduates in nutrition. It consists of
      six validated and internationally recognized questionnaires regarding demographic
      and socioeconomic data, dietary habits, physical activity level, alcohol and
      tobacco use, anti-fat attitudes and personal and family histories. Our software
      and respective database is hosted in the School of Public Health server and is
      based on free programming languages. An e-NutriHS prototype was created preceding
      online deployment. An improved version of the website was released based on 20
      volunteers' opinions. A total of 503 users were registered. Considering that web
      based systems produce reliable data, are easy to use, less costly and are less
      time-consuming, we conclude that our experience deserves to be shared,
      particularly with middle income economy countries. 

PMID- 26262179
TI  - Problem Oriented Medical Record: Characterizing the Use of the Problem List at
      Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires.
AB  - Problem oriented medical record (POMR) was born in late sixties. Expecting an
      ordered, complete and updated medical record were some of the goals of its
      founder. Several healthcare institutions have included problem list into their
      clinical records but some concerns have been reported. These concerns are in
      reference to their voluminosity, incompleteness and outdatedness. This study
      attempts to understand how healthcare professionals are using the problem list at
      Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires (HIBA). We believe it is essential to
      understand the local reality applied to our own applications and cultural
      instances of documentation. This report is the basis from which several
      improvements could be made in order to meet the goals of Weed's proposal. 

PMID- 26262180
TI  - Secretaries' role in EHR Documentation and the Implications of Establishing a
      Structured EHR System.
AB  - Secretaries play an important quality assurance role in today's medical record
      production. This study aimed to identify quality assurance tasks that a future
      system cannot easily compensate for when developing a new structured EHR in which
      the physicians do the writing themselves. The study identified two tasks, which
      we suggest should also be performed by secretaries in the future. 

PMID- 26262181
TI  - Development of Markup Language for Medical Record Charting: A Charting Language.
AB  - Nowadays a lot of trials for collecting electronic medical records (EMRs) exist.
      However, structuring data format for EMR is an especially labour-intensive task
      for practitioners. Here we propose a new mark-up language for medical record
      charting (called Charting Language), which borrows useful properties from
      programming languages. Thus, with Charting Language, the text data described in
      dynamic situation can be easily used to extract information. 

PMID- 26262182
TI  - Using Electronic Medical Record Data to Improve HIV Patient Monitoring, Clinical
      Decision-Making, and Quality Improvement: Lessons from Rwanda.
AB  - In developing countries, clinical guidelines and patient follow-up are primarily
      paper-based. We describe the use of Electronic Medical Record data for evidence
      based clinical decisions and improved HIV patients monitoring in rural Rwanda. 

PMID- 26262183
TI  - Restructuring an EHR system and the Medical Markup Language (MML) standard to
      improve interoperability by archetype technology.
AB  - In 2001, we developed an EHR system for regional healthcare information inter
      exchange and to provide individual patient data to patients. This system was
      adopted in three regions in Japan. We also developed a Medical Markup Language
      (MML) standard for inter- and intra-hospital communications. The system was built
      on a legacy platform, however, and had not been appropriately maintained or
      updated to meet clinical requirements. To improve future maintenance costs, we
      reconstructed the EHR system using archetype technology on the Ruby on Rails
      platform, and generated MML equivalent forms from archetypes. The system was
      deployed as a cloud-based system for preliminary use as a regional EHR. The
      system now has the capability to catch up with new requirements, maintaining
      semantic interoperability with archetype technology. It is also more flexible
      than the legacy EHR system. 

PMID- 26262184
TI  - Validation for Accuracy of Cancer Diagnosis in Electronic Medical Records Using a
      Text Mining Method.
AB  - To validate the accuracy of data in electronic medical record, we compared cancer
      diagnosis and key words in pathologic reports of cancer patients in a tertiary
      hospital, using text mining method. We investigated in fourteen kinds of cancers
      that had highest incidence rates in Korea. Approximately two-third (71.0%) of
      total patients had right match in cancer diagnosis with pathologic report. The
      ratio of concurrence was the highest (86.3%) in thyroid cancer patients, however,
      the ratio was the lowest (49.9%) in liver cancer patients. To prevent the errors
      in data input, a systematic alarm and feedback to clinicians should be required. 

PMID- 26262185
TI  - Developing an Electronic Medical Record for Interlinked Care Services in Haiti.
AB  - A large clinical care and research organization in Haiti required an electronic
      medical record system (EMR) to serve the needs of its 30 interlinked clinical
      programs. After assessing available open source software, the local team designed
      and implemented a modular proprietary EMR that is improving data quality and
      patient care. Despite the many benefits of existing open source medical record
      systems, clinical centers with complex workflow patterns--even those in resource
      limited settings--should consider developing sustainable, local systems that fit
      their care model.

PMID- 26262186
TI  - Applicability of different types of Patient Records for Patient Recruitment
      Systems.
AB  - Patient records--types of Electronic Medical Records--are implemented to support
      patient recruitment. Different types of patient records have not yet been
      analyzed as to the number of Patient Recruitment System requirements can be found
      in each type of patient record. According to our analysis, personal electronic
      health records (PEHRs) tend to allow for most requirements to be found.

PMID- 26262187
TI  - Evaluating the data completeness in the Electronic Health Record after the
      Implementation of an Outpatient Electronic Health Record.
AB  - Electronic health records (EHRs) present an opportunity for quality improvement
      in health organitations, particularly at the primary health level. However, EHR
      implementation impacts clinical workflows, and physicians frequently prefer to
      document in a non-structured way, which ultimately hinders the ability to measure
      quality indicators. We present an assessment of data completeness-a key data
      quality indicator-during the first 12 months after the implementation of an EHR
      at a teaching outpatient center in Santiago, Chile. 

PMID- 26262188
TI  - Health Information Needs for Child-in-Care.
AB  - When a child is taken into care the State is legally required to provide
      healthcare. Six forms were reviewed by medical care providers, foster parents and
      government social workers to understand their health information needs in caring
      and planning for child-in-care. The qualitative study used a sociotechnical
      systems framework and NVivo 10 for encoding. Interview findings include that the
      forms, if completed and available, meet most basic health information needs with
      additional forms used for complex health needs. The majority of participants
      indicate interest in electronic options. Focus groups will enable further study. 

PMID- 26262189
TI  - Video Conferencing Services in Healthcare: One Communication Platform to Support
      All.
AB  - We present a novel approach to the design of video conferencing (VC) systems,
      taking advantage of recent technological achievements in web-based
      implementation. Delivering VC functionality as a service over the Internet opens
      new grounds for easier integration, support, and application in many scenarios,
      since hardware-agnostic ad-hoc VC connections are a feature of the proposed
      architecture. Validity is demonstrated through latency measures in surgical
      telementoring service and comparing them to reported thresholds. 

PMID- 26262190
TI  - Implementation of a Teleconsultation Service in the Primary Health Care in
      Brazil.
AB  - The implementation of a Teleconsultation service in the primary health care is a
      great challenge. This work presents the effort made in the Espirito Santo
      Telehealth Project to consolidate the teleconsultation service. The impact of
      each strategy made was evaluated in terms of the number of teleconsultations
      produced. The combination of periodic visits and the promotion of local workshops
      were responsible for a sustainable use of the service for the last six months. 

PMID- 26262191
TI  - Introducing Home Blood Pressure Telemonitoring for Children with Hypertension.
AB  - The goal of this study was to introduce home blood pressure (BP) telemonitoring
      in children with hypertension and to assess the feasibility of this approach.
      Acceptance of the system was assessed by attitudinal survey and semi-structured
      qualitative interview. Qualitative interview results showed consistently positive
      comments for content, interface and process components. BP measurements obtained
      by self-testing were as reliable as Dinamap measurements. The home telemonitoring
      system was positively accepted, easy to use and found to be helpful by
      participants. Home-based BP telemonitoring has significant potential to improve
      patient-centered delivery in children with hypertension. 

PMID- 26262192
TI  - Providers Expectations on Telemedicine: A Qualitative Research in a Large
      Healthcare Network of Latin America.
AB  - The benefits of Telemedicine make it a viable, reliable and useful discipline for
      dispensing health care. This qualitative study is aimed to understand the
      expectations, opinions and previous knowledge of the professionals about
      telemedicine at the Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires. RESULTS: Professionals
      realize that Telemedicine is inserted into their usual practice in an informal
      way. They consider telemedicine as an alternative to the traditional delivery of
      health care, but are afraid of their role in health care is undermined.
      Professionals point out very specific applications of Telemedicine such as
      monitoring the health of patients remotely, drug doses adjustments and sharing
      clinical information. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that professionals are not
      familiar with telemedicine and will be necessary to develop a training plan
      before implementation.

PMID- 26262193
TI  - Future Telehealth and Telecare Reference Design based on IoT Technologies: From
      Remote Monitoring to Smart Collaborative Services with Decision Support.
AB  - The demographic changes are producing aging societies across the world, resulting
      in greater demands on the health and care systems due to age-related disabilities
      and chronic diseases. Efficient telehealth and telecare services are needed to
      control the corresponding expenditures, by supporting increased collaboration
      between different professional and involving informal health care providers, and
      by empowering the patients to manage their health and well-being. Emerging trial
      systems for remote patient monitoring present preliminary solutions not exempt of
      certain limitations. We propose a future eHealth reference system architecture
      and core components, aiming at secure, smarter and more collaborative telehealth
      and telecare services. The implicit cooperation between the so-far separated
      domains of consumer well-being services and public telehealth and telecare
      services will be beneficial for all parties. 

PMID- 26262194
TI  - The EU-project United4Health: User-Centred Design and Evaluation of a
      Collaborative Information System for a Norwegian Telehealth Service.
AB  - This study presents the user-centred design and evaluation process of a
      Collaborative Information System (CIS), developed for a new telehealth service
      for remote monitoring of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients after
      hospital discharge. The CIS was designed based on the information gathered in a
      workshop, where target end-users described the context of use, a telehealth
      workflow and their preferred ways of interaction with the solution. Evaluation of
      the iterative refinements were made through user tests, semi-structured
      interviews and a questionnaire. A field trial reported results on the ease of use
      and user satisfaction during the interaction with the fully developed system. The
      implemented CIS was successfully deployed within the secured Norwegian Health
      Network. The research was a result of cooperation between international partners
      within the EU FP7 project United4Health. 

PMID- 26262195
TI  - Enhancing tele-collaboration Networks by Patient Participation.
AB  - This paper decribes an approach for extending tele-collaboration to the patient
      and allowing the patient's participation by accessing and providing data and
      thereby keeping the responsibilty for maintaining a personal health record with
      the patient. The approach has been implemented and is in use with the nationwide
      tele-collaboration network TKmed. 

PMID- 26262196
TI  - The Effect of Mobile App Follow-up Care on the Number of In-person Visits
      Following Ambulatory Surgery: A Randomized Control Trial.
AB  - Women's College Hospital (WCH) in Toronto offers specialized ambulatory surgical
      procedures. A feasibility study using a mobile appliciation (app) to supplement
      in-person follow-up care after surgery suggests that the mobile app adequately
      detects postoperative complications, eliminates the need for in-person follow-up
      care and is cost-effective. This is concordant with other postoperative
      telemedicine studies. The purpose of this study is to determine if we can avert
      in-person follow-up care through the use of mobile app compared to conventional,
      in-person follow-up care in the first month following surgery amongst breast
      reconstruction patients at WCH. This will be a pragmatic, single-centre, open,
      controlled, 2-arm parallel-group superiority randomized trial. Mobile app follow
      up care is a novel approach to managing patients postoperatively with the
      potential to avert in-person follow-up and generate cost-savings for the
      healthcare system and patient. 

PMID- 26262197
TI  - Impact of a mobile health aplication in the nursing care plan compliance of a
      home care service in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess impact of a mobile health solution in the nursing care plan
      compliance of a home care service. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was
      performed with 3,036 patients. Compliance rates before and after the
      implementation were compared. RESULTS: After the implementation of a mobile
      health aplication, compliance with the nursing care plan increased from 53% to
      94%. The system reduced IT spending, increased the nursing team efficiency and
      prevented planned hiring. CONCLUSION: The use of a mobile health solution with
      geolocating feature by a nursing home care team increased compliance to the care
      plan.

PMID- 26262198
TI  - Augmented Reality: Real-Time Information Concerning Medication Consumed by a
      Patient.
AB  - This paper describes a mobile prototype capable of recognizing characters from a
      photograph of a medication package. The prototype was built to work on the iOS
      platform and was developed using Objective-C and C programming languages. The
      prototype, capable of recognizing text out of an image, included image processing
      algorithms, text processing algorithms, and techniques to search and handle
      information from a database. This prototype is presented as an option for
      capturing reliable and validated information by using new technologies available
      to the general population. 

PMID- 26262199
TI  - Description of a Mobile-based Electronic Informed Consent System Development.
AB  - Seoul National University Hospital constructed and implemented a computer-based
      informed consent system in December 2011. As of 2013, 30% of the informed
      consents were still filled out manually on paper. Patients and medical staff
      continuously suggested the implementation of a system for electronic informed
      consent using portable devices. Therefore, a mobile-based system for electronic
      informed consent was developed in 2013 to prevent the issues that arise with
      computer-based systems and paper informed consent. The rate of filling out
      electronic informed consent increased from 69% to 95% following the
      implementation of the mobile-based electronic informed consent. This construction
      of a mobile-based electronic informed consent system would be a good reference
      point for the development of a mobile-based Electronic Medical Record and for
      various mobile system environments in medical institutions. 

PMID- 26262200
TI  - Exploring the Challenges and Opportunities of eHealth Tools for Patients with
      Sickle Cell Disease.
AB  - Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most prevalent inherited blood disorder in the
      world. The symptoms decrease the quality of life of patients and can cause
      premature death. Self-help solutions for chronic patients are rising and increase
      the quality of life of patients. We are interested to identify the usefulness of
      eHealth tools for patients with SCD. We did a literature review to identify the
      main problems faced by patients and the existing eHealth solutions. The results
      show a low number of studies in the field but a multi-disciplinary interest.
      Positive health benefits for patients are reported as well as the need for more
      research. Patients and caregivers lack of education about the disease, healthy
      behaviors are unknown and clinical best practices underused. E-health tools can
      offer an appropriate support for the self-management of SCD by improving the
      quality of life of patients, by enhancing patient health literacy and by allowing
      clinicians to make better decisions. 

PMID- 26262201
TI  - Development and Usability Evaluation of the Mobile Delirium Assessment App Based
      on Confusion Assessment Method for Intensive Care Unit (CAM-ICU).
AB  - Delirium is a common complication among patients in ICU settings. The accuracy of
      using the assessment tool CAM-ICU to detect delirium is relatively low during
      routine practice among bedside nurses. The aim of this study is to develop a
      mobile application (app) to detect delirium in early stage and to test its
      usability among ICU nurses. The app was developed with Java and installed on a
      mobile device. A questionnaire was created based on the Technology Acceptance
      Model (TAM) measuring their response to the four domains of TAM: perceived
      usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEOU), attitudes towards usage (ATU) and
      behavioral intention to use (BIU). One hundred and two ICU nurses completed the
      survey. The result indicated that the app we developed has easy to use interfaces
      and is easier to use compared to the regular CAM-ICU. 

PMID- 26262202
TI  - Viability of a Bioelectrical Signal Acquisition System Energized by Cellphone
      with NFC.
AB  - Currently, smartphones are used in various systems in the medical field due to
      the presence of various features, notably Near Field Communication (NFC). NFC
      utilizes communication technology and an energy supply based on electromagnetic
      induction. One of the most common medical tests is the electrocardiogram (ECG),
      through which various heart diseases can be diagnosed. The objective of this
      study is to evaluate the feasibility of providing power to a bioelectrical signal
      acquisition module using a mobile phone with NFC. After testing it was indicated
      that it is possible to construct a passive module to acquire ECG signals using
      NFC mobile phone. 

PMID- 26262203
TI  - Smart Glasses--A New Tool in Medicine.
AB  - Smart glasses, defined as a computerized communicator with a transparent screen
      and a video camera, wearable as a pair of glasses, have started to be tested for
      a variety of health related applications. This poster reviews some of the early
      experiences and gives a series of proposals for possible uses in medicine with a
      particular emphasis on medical education. 

PMID- 26262204
TI  - Access Control for Mobile Assessment Systems Using ID.
AB  - The assessment of shelters during disaster is critical to ensure the health of
      evacuees and prevent pandemic. In the Ishinomaki area, one of the areas most
      damaged by the Great East Japan Earthquake, the highly organized assessment
      helped to successfully manage a total of 328 shelters with a total of 46,480
      evacuees. The input and analysis of vast amounts of data was tedious work for
      staff members. However, a web-based assessment system that utilized mobile
      devices was thought to decrease workload and standardize the evaluation form. The
      necessary access of information should be controlled in order to maintain
      individuals' privacy. We successfully developed an access control system using
      IDs. By utilizing a unique numerical ID, users can access the input form or
      assessment table. This avoids unnecessary queries to the server, resulting in a
      quick response and easy availability, even with poor internet connection. 

PMID- 26262205
TI  - Using mobile devices to improve the safety of medication administration
      processes.
AB  - Within preventable medical errors, those related to medications are frequent in
      every stage of the prescribing cycle. Nursing is responsible for maintaining each
      patients safety and care quality. Moreover, nurses are the last people who can
      detect an error in medication before its administration. Medication
      administration is one of the riskiest tasks in nursing. The use of information
      and communication technologies is related to a decrease in these errors.
      Including mobile devices related to 2D code reading of patients and medication
      will decrease the possibility of error when preparing and administering
      medication by nurses. A cross-platform software (iOS and Android) was developed
      to ensure the five Rights of the medication administration process (patient,
      medication, dose, route and schedule). Deployment in November showed 39% use. 

PMID- 26262206
TI  - Study of Development for RFID System to Hospital Environment.
AB  - RFID/USN develops information systems for anytime, anywhere to anybody access
      Electronic Medical Records (EMR). The goal of the present study is to develop a
      RFID/USN-based information system for the hospital environment. First, unable to
      recognize, second, able to recognize as a pursuit of place and suppose the time
      of medical examination. A retrospective analysis of 235 RFID monitoring results,
      from four ENT ambulatory clinics of Seoul National University Hospital were
      extracted by a reader program and monitoring of RFID tag (2006.11.16~2006.12.16).
      RFID detection for sensing reader of this study has been put into representing
      "place" and "spending time" of patients for medical history taking and
      examination. Through the RFID of detection for specific place and spending time
      of medical examination, RFID/USN develops information system progressing in the
      EMR of hospital system. 

PMID- 26262207
TI  - Developing an Online Decision Aid for Osteoarthritis.
AB  - A decision aid for osteoarthritis was developed using the best available evidence
      on effect size, potential harms and self-rated performance for other attributes.
      The aid was developed using a multi-criteria decision analytic tool capable of
      combing evidence and an individual's preferences for the attributes related to
      treatment. 

PMID- 26262208
TI  - An electronic device to record consensual reflex in human pupil.
AB  - Examination of the pupil offers an objective evaluation of visual function as
      well as the vegetative pathways to the eye. This work proposes the development of
      an effective method and a portable device to test the consensual pupillary
      reflex. The first results demonstrate the success of a new device construction
      and methodology to record the consensual reflex with different stimulus, in a
      situation of complete blockage of light. 

PMID- 26262209
TI  - A Global Analysis of Approaches to Sharing Clinical Data with Patients.
AB  - Engaging patients in their care has become a topic of increasing importance, and
      enabling patients to have access to their clinical data is a key aspect of such
      engagement. To investigate on an international scale the current state of
      approaches for providing patients with access to their own clinical information,
      individuals from 16 countries, across six continents, participated in cross
      sectional semi-structured interviews. Interview questions focused on social and
      cultural influences that affected patient engagement activities, government
      support for current and planned initiatives, data ownership models, and technical
      issues. Substantive initiatives for providing information to patients in the
      majority of countries interviewed are present; however, these initiatives were
      diverse in nature and stage of implementation. Efforts to improve patient access
      to data are active on a global-scale. There are many open questions about best
      practices and much can be learned by adopting an international perspective to
      guide future implementation efforts. 

PMID- 26262210
TI  - Is Access to eHealth Records Important for Patients?--Opinions of Healthcare
      Personnel.
AB  - Sweden has had significant progress with the the introduction of electronic
      health records. A pilot county deployed in an eHealth service in 2012, giving
      access to health records for all of its patients. This eHealth service is,
      however, a controversial issue. Two surveys were conducted to discover whether
      healthcare professionals' opinions differ between professionals, and between
      staff who have had experience with patients using eHealth records and those, to
      date, who have had none. Experienced nurses found this eHealth service more
      important for the patients compared to unexperienced nurses outside the pilot
      county, as well as both semi-experienced physicians. 

PMID- 26262211
TI  - Rolling Medical Practice: Ambulant Mobile Medical Care for Rural Areas.
AB  - We designed, constructed, and evaluated a mobile medical care vehicle called
      "Rollende Arztpraxis" (rolling medical practice, RMP) that delivers the full
      medical care of a general practitioner to increase medical care supply in rural
      areas. Six communities have been identified, where the RMP has been visited 501
      times in 14 months. Two different schedules of stops and treatment times have
      been tested. We show that the RMP treated mainly elderly and multimorbid
      patients. An accompanying study showed high acceptance and satisfaction of
      treated patients and treating doctors. An economic evaluation of three different
      utilization models with three treatment modes each showed no financial
      sustainability. We show that ambulatory care in rural areas can be complemented
      by a mobile care unit, if legal and financial barriers can be overcome. 

PMID- 26262212
TI  - Online Communication and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
AB  - This is an explorative and qualitative study that examines a municipal's
      rehabilitation program "Online Viva" (2014-2015). The questions are whether
      "Online Viva" improves the citizens' participatory health and whether it prevents
      exacerbation of COPD. "Online Viva" includes respiratory training and district
      nursing consultancy for elderly people with COPD. The district nurses' presence
      in the citizens' homes is replaced by online communication. The study involves 9
      citizens and 5 health professionals. Preliminary results show that online
      consultations and training prevent anxiety, exacerbation, and support the
      citizens' management of COPD. The citizens find that the "Online Viva" reduces
      their need for hospitalization, and this is confirmed by the district nurses.
      Furthermore, the citizens find that their specific needs are fulfilled, making
      them comfortable in managing their COPD. It is emphasized by the citizens and the
      district nurses that they must have been in personal contact with each other
      before they meet online. Furthermore, it must be possible to visit the citizens
      in their private homes in addition to an online contact, if needed. 

PMID- 26262213
TI  - Development and practice of ISMS at a Radiotherapy Hospital by using IHE
      Integration profiles.
AB  - Our hospital is specialized for radiation therapy and has many information
      devices. Various job categories are working. When we implemented an EMR, we aimed
      to enforce ISMS by using IHE profiles. To solve the already existed system
      related problems, we selected and use some profiles (EUA, PSA, ATNA and PAM).
      After implementation, we audited and then some findings were pointed out. These
      findings are being settled by the PDCA cycle. We also found that appropriate IHE
      profiles were effective in the building of ISMS. 

PMID- 26262214
TI  - Optimizing Safety, Fidelity and Usability of an Intelligent Clinical Support Tool
      (ICST) For Acute Hospital Care: an Australian Case Study Using a Multi-Method
      Delphi Process.
AB  - This research focuses on a major health priority for Australia by addressing
      existing gaps in the implementation of nursing informatics solutions in
      healthcare. It serves to inform the successful deployment of IT solutions
      designed to support patient-centered, frontline acute healthcare delivery by
      multidisciplinary care teams. The outcomes can guide future evaluations of the
      contribution of IT solutions to the efficiency, safety and quality of care
      delivery in acute hospital settings. 

PMID- 26262215
TI  - An Integrated Workflow For Secondary Use of Patient Data for Clinical Research.
AB  - This work proposes an integrated workflow for secondary use of medical data to
      serve feasibility studies, and the prescreening and monitoring of research
      studies. All research issues are initially addressed by the Clinical Research
      Office through a research portal and subsequently redirected to relevant experts
      in the determined field of concentration. For secondary use of data, the workflow
      is then based on the clinical data warehouse of the hospital. A datamart with
      potentially eligible research candidates is constructed. Datamarts can either
      produce aggregated data, de-identified data, or identified data, according to the
      kind of study being treated. In conclusion, integrating the secondary use of data
      process into a general research workflow allows visibility of information
      technologies and improves the accessability of clinical data. 

PMID- 26262216
TI  - Screening Mammography Efficacy: A Comparison Between Screen-Film, Computed
      Radiography and Digital Mammography in Taiwan.
AB  - Breast cancer screening has been proven effective in Western countries, and our
      National Health Bureau also started to offer free screening mammography for women
      aged between 50 and 69, since July 2004. This study aims to compare the efficacy
      between distinctive mammography screening modalities. Prompting the assessment of
      digital screening in the radiological sciences, we provide insight into the
      practical informatics application of such tools. 

PMID- 26262217
TI  - Evaluation of a Cyber Security System for Hospital Network.
AB  - Most of the cyber security systems use simulated data in evaluating their
      detection capabilities. The proposed cyber security system utilizes real hospital
      network connections. It uses a probabilistic data mining algorithm to detect
      anomalous events and takes appropriate response in real-time. On an evaluation
      using real-world hospital network data consisting of incoming network connections
      collected for a 24-hour period, the proposed system detected 15 unusual
      connections which were undetected by a commercial intrusion prevention system for
      the same network connections. Evaluation of the proposed system shows a potential
      to secure protected patient health information on a hospital network. 

PMID- 26262218
TI  - Design and development of an EMR for Ebola Treatment Centers in Sierra Leone
      using OpenMRS.
AB  - Ebola treatment presents unique challenges for medical records because strict
      infection control requirements rule out most conventional record-keeping systems.
      We used the OpenMRS platform to rapidly develop an EMR system for the recently
      opened Kerry Town, Sierra Leone Ebola Treatment Centre. This system addresses the
      need for recording patient data and communicating it between the infectious and
      non-infectious zones, and is specifically designed for maximum usability by staff
      wearing cumbersome protective equipment. This platform is interoperable with
      other key eHealth systems in the country, and is extensible to other sites and
      diseases. 

PMID- 26262219
TI  - The Impact of an Electronic Medical Record on Repeat Laboratory Test Ordering
      Across Four Australian Hospitals.
AB  - In this study we examined the impact of an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) on
      repeat test rates (i.e., the same test ordered within a specified window of time)
      for a commonly ordered set of laboratory tests; Electrolytes, Urea, Creatinine
      [EUC], Full Blood Counts [FBC] and Liver Function Tests [LFT]. The results point
      to the potential that timely, evidence-based electronic decision support features
      can have on the efficiency and effectiveness of the pathology laboratory process
      and its contribution to quality patient care. 

PMID- 26262220
TI  - Implementation of Data Drive Heart Rate and Respiratory Rate parameters on a
      Pediatric Acute Care Unit.
AB  - The majority of hospital physiologic monitor alarms are not clinically actionable
      and contribute to alarm fatigue. In 2014, The Joint Commission declared alarm
      safety as a National Patient Safety Goal and urged prompt action by hospitals to
      mitigate the issue [1]. It has been demonstrated that vital signs in hospitalized
      children are quite different from currently accepted reference ranges [2].
      Implementation of data-driven, age stratified vital sign parameters (Table 1) for
      alarms in this patient population could reduce alarm frequency. 

PMID- 26262221
TI  - Application of Barcoding to Reduce Error of Patient Identification and to
      Increase Patient's Information Confidentiality of Test Tube Labelling in a
      Psychiatric Teaching Hospital.
AB  - Learning from the experience of another medical center in Taiwan, Kaohsiung
      Municipal Kai-Suan Psychiatric Hospital has changed the nursing informatics
      system step by step in the past year and a half . We considered ethics in the
      original idea of implementing barcodes on the test tube labels to process the
      identification of the psychiatric patients. The main aims of this project are to
      maintain the confidential information and to transport the sample effectively.
      The primary nurses had been using different work sheets for this project to
      ensure the acceptance of the new barcode system. In the past two years the errors
      in the blood testing process were as high as 11,000 in 14,000 events per year,
      resulting in wastage of resources. The actions taken by the nurses and the new
      barcode system implementation can improve the clinical nursing care quality,
      safety of the patients, and efficiency, while decreasing the cost due to the
      human error. 

PMID- 26262222
TI  - Open Source Software For Patient Data Management In Critical Care.
AB  - We have previously developed a Patient Data Management System for Intensive Care
      based on Open Source Software. The aim of this work was to adapt this software to
      use in Emergency Departments in low resource environments. The new software
      includes facilities for utilization of the South African Triage Scale and
      prediction of mortality based on independent predictive factors derived from data
      from the Tabarre Emergency Trauma Center in Port au Prince, Haiti. 

PMID- 26262223
TI  - Measuring ICTs Adoption in Health Care Facilities in Uruguay.
AB  - The use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) has gained an
      important role to enhance healthcare systems by increasing access to services,
      and improving the quality and equity of care. In order to evaluate the stage of
      ICTs adoption in the Uruguayan healthcare system, the Governmental Salud.uy
      Program carried out a national survey to establish the baseline for ICTs
      adoption, as well as define a set of indicators so as to evaluate the progress on
      this topic. Data was recorded following the OECD methodology. 

PMID- 26262224
TI  - Syntactic and Semantic Errors in Radiology Reports Associated With Speech
      Recognition Software.
AB  - Speech recognition software (SRS) has many benefits, but also increases the
      frequency of errors in radiology reports, which could impact patient care. As
      part of a quality control project, 13 trained medical transcriptionists proofread
      213,977 SRS-generated signed reports from 147 different radiologists over a 40
      month time interval. Errors were classified as "material" if they were believed
      to alter interpretation of the report. "Immaterial" errors were subclassified as
      intrusion/omission or spelling errors. The proportion of errors and error type
      were compared among individual radiologists, imaging subspecialty, and time
      periods using .2 analysis and multiple logistic regression, as appropriate.
      20,759 (9.7%) reports contained errors; 3,992 (1.9%) contained material errors.
      Among immaterial errors, spelling errors were more common than intrusion/omission
      errors (P<.001). Error proportion varied significantly among radiologists and
      between imaging subspecialties (P<.001). Errors were more common in cross
      sectional reports (vs. plain radiography) (OR, 3.72), reports reinterpreting
      results of outside examinations (vs. in-house) (OR, 1.55), and procedural studies
      (vs. diagnostic) (OR, 1.91) (all P<.001). Dictation microphone upgrade did not
      affect error rate (P=.06). Error rate decreased over time (P<.001). 

PMID- 26262225
TI  - Diagnostic Imaging Integrated Network: A Teleradiology Pilot in Public Hospitals
      in Uruguay.
AB  - A network of health care centers allows radiologists to share diagnostic images
      in different areas of Uruguay. This solution is based on an informatics
      multicenter application for center management, enabling the creation, storage and
      distribution of images and reports from different imaging modalities according to
      outsourcing agreements. The solution improves health care territorial equity and
      reduces asymmetry in resources distribution. 

PMID- 26262226
TI  - First Step to Big Data Research in Hospital.
AB  - Hospitals have accumulated large amounts of data driven by hospital information
      system such as EMR, PACS, CPOE, and LIMS. While most data are stored in hospital
      systems, researchers have still experienced trouble to use clinical data. To
      overcome this problem and promote "big data" research, clinical research
      information system is necessary. Here an example of such a system, ABLE (Asan
      BiomedicaL research Environment), will be introduced. 

PMID- 26262227
TI  - Implementing Georeferencing in the Decision-Making Process of a Health Care
      Provider in Uruguay.
AB  - Proper management of information is not only essential but also critical in any
      organization's decision making process. Data integration and spacial
      visualization are the key features of georeferencial systems, which bring support
      to decision making in epidemiology as well as sanitary planning.This paper shows
      the development of a georeferential system that interacts with the data provided
      by the Health Care System.Thereby allowing creation of viable methods which will
      help to improve patient care, treatments, and interventions through building
      space-time relationships. 

PMID- 26262228
TI  - A Development of Automatic Audit System for Written Informed Consent using
      Machine Learning.
AB  - In Japan, most of all the university and advanced hospitals have implemented both
      electronic order entry systems and electronic charting. In addition, all medical
      records are subjected to inspector audit for quality assurance. The record of
      informed consent (IC) is very important as this provides evidence of consent from
      the patient or patient's family and health care provider. Therefore, we developed
      an automatic audit system for a hospital information system (HIS) that is able to
      evaluate IC automatically using machine learning. 

PMID- 26262229
TI  - Service Quality: A Main Determinant Factor for Health Information System Success
      in Low-resource Settings.
AB  - With the increasing implementation of different health information systems in
      developing countries, there is a growing need to measure the main determinants of
      their success. The results of this evaluation study on the determinants of HIS
      success in five low resource setting hospitals show that service quality is the
      main determinant factor for information system success in those kind of settings.

PMID- 26262230
TI  - Taming the Data Quality Dragon--A Theory and Method for Data Quality by Design.
AB  - A lack of data quality (DQ) is often a significant inhibitor impeding the
      realization of cost and quality benefits expected from Clinical Information
      Systems (CIS). Attaining and sustaining DQ in CIS has been a multi-faceted and
      elusive goal. The current literature on DQ in health informatics mainly consists
      of empirical studies and practitioners' reports, but often lack a holistic
      approach to addressing DQ 'by design'. This paper seeks to present a general
      framework for clinical DQ, which blends foundational engineering theories with
      concepts and methods from health informatics. We define an architectural
      viewpoint for designing and reasoning about DQ. We introduce the notion of DQ
      Probes for monitoring and assuring DQ during system operation. The concepts
      presented have been validated in a real-world case study. 

PMID- 26262231
TI  - A Medical Image Backup Architecture Based on a NoSQL Database and Cloud Computing
      Services.
AB  - The use of digital systems for storing medical images generates a huge volume of
      data. Digital images are commonly stored and managed on a Picture Archiving and
      Communication System (PACS), under the DICOM standard. However, PACS is limited
      because it is strongly dependent on the server's physical space. Alternatively,
      Cloud Computing arises as an extensive, low cost, and reconfigurable resource.
      However, medical images contain patient information that can not be made
      available in a public cloud. Therefore, a mechanism to anonymize these images is
      needed. This poster presents a solution for this issue by taking digital images
      from PACS, converting the information contained in each image file to a NoSQL
      database, and using cloud computing to store digital images. 

PMID- 26262232
TI  - Digital Imaging and Electronic Data Capture in Multi-Center Clinical Trials.
AB  - While medical image data is managed in picture archiving and communication
      systems (PACS) via the digital imaging and communications in medicine (DICOM)
      protocol, electronic data capture systems (EDCS) in clinical trials lack PACS
      interfacing. This complicates the trial workflow and increases errors, time, and
      costs. In this work, four system architectures of image integration for multi
      center trials are analyzed with respect to data, function, visual, and context
      integration levels. We propose an open source-based architecture composed of
      OpenClinica, DCM4CHE, and Weasis for EDCS, PACS, and Viewer, respectively. 

PMID- 26262233
TI  - An Exponential Increase in Regional Health Information Exchange With
      Collaborative Policies and Technologies.
AB  - In the United States, the ability to securely exchange health information between
      organization has been limited by technical interoperability, patient identity
      matching, and variable institutional policies. Here, we examine the regional
      experience in a national health information exchange network by examining
      clinical data sharing between eleven Northern California organizations using the
      same health information exchange (HIE) platform between 2013-2014. We identify
      key policies and technologies that have led to a dramatic increase in health
      information exchange. 

PMID- 26262234
TI  - Towards Standardized Patient Data Exchange: Integrating a FHIR Based API for the
      Open Medical Record System.
AB  - Interoperability is essential to address limitations caused by the ad hoc
      implementation of clinical information systems and the distributed nature of
      modern medical care. The HL7 V2 and V3 standards have played a significant role
      in ensuring interoperability for healthcare. FHIR is a next generation standard
      created to address fundamental limitations in HL7 V2 and V3. FHIR is particularly
      relevant to OpenMRS, an Open Source Medical Record System widely used across
      emerging economies. FHIR has the potential to allow OpenMRS to move away from a
      bespoke, application specific API to a standards based API. We describe efforts
      to design and implement a FHIR based API for the OpenMRS platform. Lessons
      learned from this effort were used to define long term plans to transition from
      the legacy OpenMRS API to a FHIR based API that greatly reduces the learning
      curve for developers and helps enhance adhernce to standards. 

PMID- 26262235
TI  - Development of Clinical Database System Specialized for Heavy Particle Therapy.
AB  - We have developed a data archiving system for study of charged particle therapy.
      We required a data-relation mechanism between electronic medical record system
      (EMR) and database system, because it needs to ensure the information
      consistency. This paper presents the investigation results of these techniques.
      The standards in the medical informatics field that we focus on are Integrating
      the Healthcare Enterprise (IHE) and 2) Health Level-7 (HL7) to archive the data.
      As a main cooperation function, we adapt 2 integration profiles of IHE as
      follows, 1) Patient Administration Management (PAM) Profile of IHE-ITI domain for
      patient demographic information reconciliation, 2) Enterprise Schedule
      Integration(ESI) profile of IHE-Radiation Oncology domain for order management
      between EMR and treatment management system(TMS). We also use HL7 Ver2.5 messages
      for exchanging the follow-up data and result of laboratory test. In the future,
      by implementation of this system cooperation, we will be able to ensure
      interoperability in the event of the EMR update. 

PMID- 26262236
TI  - Interoperable Archetypes With a Three Folded Terminology Governance.
AB  - The use of openEHR archetypes increases the interoperability of clinical
      terminology, and in doing so improves upon the availability of clinical
      terminology for both primary and secondary purposes. Where clinical terminology
      is employed in the EPR system, research reports conflicting a results for the use
      of structuring and standardization as measurements of success. In order to
      elucidate this concept, this paper focuses on the effort to establish a national
      repository for openEHR based archetypes in Norway where clinical terminology
      could be included with benefit for interoperability three folded. 

PMID- 26262237
TI  - Standardization of Information about Birth in the Obstetric Discharge Summary.
AB  - Clinical information about the birth composes an important set of data to the
      documentation about the care provided during childbirth. Formalized in the
      document Obstetric Impatient Discharge Summary (OIDS), such information are
      essential for continuity of mother and child attention, in the health care
      network. The main paper's objective is to propose an Information Model for this
      document based on ISO Standard 13606 for interoperability between health
      information systems in Minas Gerais, Brazil. 

PMID- 26262238
TI  - Hospitalization Discharge Summary: Standardization of Information Model.
AB  - Brazil has a long tradition in the use of health information systems, however-
      until now--there is no consensus on the minimum data set from which to compose
      discharge summaries. This article describes the methodology used by a group of
      experts--members of WG1 of ISOTC 215 Health Informatics Brazilian mirror
      committee--to define the information model of the discharge summary. This paper
      describes the current status of the standardization process and the first pilot
      tests with this infomation content.

PMID- 26262239
TI  - The Challenge of e-Health Presence on a Petroleum Platform: Using Telemedicine to
      Make Operation of Pre-Salt Wells a Reality.
AB  - Telemedicine can be defined as the use of electronic media for the transmission
      of clinical data and information from one location to another using information
      technology and telecommunication in order to provide immediate clinical health
      care at long distances. This new approach can involve specialized medical service
      centers in the oil production at great distances from the offshore installations
      in Brazil. The importance of the right health diagnosis, taken at the proper
      time, will make a serious difference in the facilities, which will be located
      around 300 km offshore. This paper presents an overview of telemedicine and its
      different applications, comparing them according to level of maturity and
      applicability. Important results from a case study in a fixed oil platform are
      analyzed. At the end of this work, the strategy of telemedicine implementation in
      a Brazilian petroleum operator is discussed. 

PMID- 26262240
TI  - Archetype Development Process of Electronic Health Record of Minas Gerais.
AB  - The Electronic Health Record (EHR) supports health systems and aims to reduce
      fragmentation, which will enable continuity of patient care. The paper's main
      objective is to define the steps, roles and artifacts for an archetype
      development process (ADP) for the EHR at the Brazilian National Health System
      (SUS) in the State of Minas Gerais (MG). This study was conducted using
      qualitative analysis based upon an applied case. It had an exploratory purpose
      metodologically defined in four stages: literature review; descriptive
      comparison; proposition of an archetype development process and proof of concept.
      The proof of concept showed that the proposed ADP ensures the archetype quality
      and supports the semantic interoperability in SUS to improve clinical safety and
      the continuity of patient care.

PMID- 26262241
TI  - Unanticipated consequences of hospital-based insulin management order sets.
AB  - Recent studies demonstrated risks to patient safety associated with
      implementation of electronic applications for medication management in ambulatory
      care. This study was aimed at demonstrating similar phenomenon in a hospital
      setting. After introduction of computerized order set targeting hypoglycemia, the
      frequency of hypoglycemia significantly decreased from 1/1/07 to 12/31/08. In
      contrast, the frequency of hyperglycemia increased at the same time from 1/1/07
      to 12/31/07. Only after subsequent introduction of a hospital-wide standardized
      insulin order set including hyperglycemia policies frequency of hyperglycemic
      episodes declined. Hypo/hyperglycemia is associated with adverse clinical
      outcomes in the inpatient setting. Retroactive analysis showed that if
      hypoglycemic and hyperglycemic policies were introduced simultaneously,
      unexpected increase in frequency of hyperglycemic episodes could have been
      avoided. These data are informative in identifying unanticipated consequences of
      an insulin management order sets focused entirely on hypoglycemia. A balanced
      approach in implementing insulin management guidelines concurrently addressing
      both hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia policies is warranted. 

PMID- 26262242
TI  - The Impact of Implementing a New Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE) System
      on Pharmaceutical Interventions in a Tertiary Brazilian Hospital.
AB  - We analyzed trends in pharmaceutical interventions during the implementation of a
      new computerized physician order entry (CPOE) process in a tertiary hospital in
      Brazil. The new process utilized an eletronic interface that was designed in
      house and an automatic order extension program. The new process reduced the
      number of order transcriptions and mitigated other potential CPOE-related errors
      [1]. 

PMID- 26262243
TI  - Methodology to Establish Associations between Data and Clinical Assessment for
      Computerized Nursing Process in Intensive Care Units.
AB  - Combining the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in the Nursing
      Process (NP) is a way to support their development in health contexts. The
      alliance between ICT and the NP integrates and organizes a logical structure of
      data and clinical information supporting nurses in decision-making. This
      manuscript describes the methodology used to articulate data and information
      cynical of Computerized Nursing Process (CNP), according to ICNP(r) 2.0,
      associating detailed clinical assessment of each human system to their diagnoses,
      interventions, and patient outcomes. This is a methodological study and
      technological production conducted in 2010, and is developed in three stages. It
      was possible to restructure the CNP from the associations between the data and
      clinical information of all human systems (cardiovascular, neurological,
      respiratory, renal, gastrointestinal, cutaneous, musculoskeletal, female/male and
      biopsychosocial) to their diagnoses, interventions, and results of Nursing. 

PMID- 26262244
TI  - Nursing Software for Emergency Triage (NSET).
AB  - Determining the priority of attention in an Emergency Room (ER) has always been a
      difficult issue. Priority is determined with a simple triage system as people
      arrive at the hospital. It is important to establish how long they can wait for
      treatment. In order to obtain the best assessment of patients' conditions, we
      built a Nursing Software for Emergency Triage (NSET). The objective of this work
      was to assess the efficacy of the NSET versus the triage process without any
      software (TWS). Results showed that the NSET we built was a substantial help.
      With this software, we decreased significantly:1) the length of the triage system
      process, 2) the waiting time of patients in the waiting room, 3) the number of
      complaints and 4) the number of patients who walk away. In conclusion, the NSET
      improves and helps to define more accurately a patient's risk. NSET helps in the
      emergency department triage. 

PMID- 26262245
TI  - Nursing Clinical Documentation System Structured on NANDA-I, NOC, and NIC
      Classification Systems.
AB  - Information is a key feature that health professionals need to exercise their
      profession with efficiency and quality. This study aims to present the experience
      of the usage of an electronic system for clinical documentation in nursing in a
      university hospital. It is a methodological research of technology production.
      The system was developed in four phases: Conception, Elaboration, Construction,
      and Transition, and was named Electronic Documentation System of the University
      of Sao Paulo Nursing Process (PROCEnf-USPTM). The knowledge base of PROCEnf-USPTM
      was organized in hierarchy of domains and classes, according to NNN linkages. 

PMID- 26262246
TI  - A Trial of Nursing Cost Accounting using Nursing Practice Data on a Hospital
      Information System.
AB  - Hospital administration is very important and many hospitals carry out activity
      based costing under comprehensive medicine. However, nursing cost is unclear,
      because nursing practice is expanding both quantitatively and qualitatively and
      it is difficult to grasp all nursing practices, and nursing cost is calculated in
      many cases comprehensively. On the other hand, a nursing information system (NIS)
      is implemented in many hospitals in Japan and we are beginning to get nursing
      practical data. In this paper, we propose a nursing cost accounting model and we
      simulate a cost by nursing contribution using NIS data. 

PMID- 26262247
TI  - An Electronic Nursing Patient Care Plan Helps in Clinical Decision Support.
AB  - Information technology can help to improve health care delivery. The utilisation
      of informatics principle enhances the quality of nursing practices through
      improved communication, documentation and efficiency. The Nursing Profession
      constitutes 34% of the total workforce in the Hong Kong Hospital Authority (HA)
      and includes 21,000 nurses in 2012. To enhance the quality of care and patient
      safety in both hospitals and community care setting, it is essential that an
      integrated electronic decision support system for nurses is designed to track
      documentation and support care or service including observations, decisions,
      actions and outcomes throughout the care process at each point-of-care. The
      Patient Care Plan project was set up to achieve these objectives. The Project
      adheres to strict documentation information architecture to ensure data sharing
      is freely available. Preliminary results showed very promising improvement in
      clinical care. 

PMID- 26262248
TI  - Clinical Decision Support to Implement CYP2D6 Drug-Gene Interaction.
AB  - The level of CYP2D6 metabolic activity can be predicted by pharmacogenomic
      testing, and concomitant use of clinical decision support has the potential to
      prevent adverse effects from those drugs metabolized by this enzyme. Our initial
      findings after implementation of clinical decision support alerts integrated in
      the electronic health records suggest high feasibility, but also identify
      important challenges. 

PMID- 26262249
TI  - A Scalable Architecture for Rule Engine Based Clinical Decision Support Systems.
AB  - Clinical Decision Support systems (CDSS) have reached a fair level of
      sophistication and have emerged as the popular system of choice for their aid in
      clinical decision making. These decision support systems are based on rule
      engines navigate through a repertoire of clinical rules and multitudes of facts
      to assist a clinical expert to decide on the set of actuations in response to a
      medical situation. In this paper, we present the design of a scalable
      architecture for a rule engine based clinical decision system. 

PMID- 26262250
TI  - Clinical Decision Support Based on Integrated Patient Models: A Vision.
AB  - Clinical decision making is non-trivial given the amounts of data and knowledge
      that needs to be considered. So far, medical knowledge, biological knowledge and
      patient data are separated from each other and need to be integrated mentally by
      a physician to form an overarching patient model. In this paper, we describe a
      vision for future decision support systems that link knowledge about organ
      functions, biological processes, treatment decisions and clinical data
      represented in repsective models. Requirements and challenges for realizing this
      vision will be collected. 

PMID- 26262251
TI  - Impact of Specific Alerts in Potassium-Increasing Drug-Drug Interactions.
AB  - Alerts in potassium(K+)-increasing drug-drug interactions (DDIs) are often
      ignored due to their low specificity. Although different approaches have been
      implemented to address DDIs, subsequent clinical studies revealed poor adherence
      to such alerts. We therefore suggest a novel alert concept currently being
      evaluated in a randomized clinical trial in a large teaching hospital. Highly
      specific reminders (to monitor K+) and alerts (of hyperkalaemia) are displayed to
      the physicians of the intervention group, whereas reminders and alerts are
      suppressed in the control group. Preliminary analysis shows a high alert
      specificity. Furthermore, the physicians of the intervention group reacted
      significantly faster to a problematic situation arising during a K+-increasing
      DDI compared to the physicians of the control group, indicating that this concept
      has an impact on physician behaviour.

PMID- 26262252
TI  - Detecting, Monitoring, and Reporting Possible Adverse Drug Events Using an Arden
      Syntax-based Rule Engine.
AB  - The detection of adverse drug events (ADEs) is an important aspect of improving
      patient safety. The iMedication system employs predefined triggers associated
      with significant events in a patient's clinical data to automatically detect
      possible ADEs. We defined four clinically relevant conditions: hyperkalemia,
      hyponatremia, renal failure, and over-anticoagulation. These are some of the most
      relevant ADEs in internal medical and geriatric wards. For each patient, ADE risk
      scores for all four situations are calculated, compared against a threshold, and
      judged to be monitored, or reported. A ward-based cockpit view summarizes the
      results. 

PMID- 26262253
TI  - Systems Medicine for Multiple Myeloma: A Review on Decision Support Systems.
AB  - Systems medicine is a current approach trying to improve treatment for patients
      with complex diseases by analyzing as much phenotype and genotype data as
      possible for the disease in question. For individualized treatment decisions in
      clinical practice, this task has to be supported by an application system with
      decision support component. For a research project on systems medicine we
      reviewed methods for decision support. Criteria for selecting a method are
      derived from characteristics of the data and the diseases. They include, among
      others: dimensionality of data and existence of a priori models for diseases. As
      a result we decided to implement a prototype system with a case-based reasoning
      component for systems medicine on multiple myeloma. 

PMID- 26262254
TI  - Bridging the Gap between Clinical Practice Guidelines and Archetype-Based
      Electronic Health Records: A Novel Model Proposal.
AB  - The lack of a unique, standardized format for representing data and knowledge is
      one of the existing difficulties to integrating decision support into Electronic
      Health Records (EHRs). OBJECTIVE: Propose an archetype-based model to allow the
      integration of Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) and EHRs; design and implement
      this proposed model. RESULTS: A generic model was designed for the integration of
      CPG into EHRs, and an archetype-based EHR for Chronic Kidney Disease Prevention
      based on rules from CPGs, was made as a proof of concept of this novel
      integration.

PMID- 26262255
TI  - Virtual Oncological Networks--IT Support for an Evidence-based, Oncological
      Health Care Management.
AB  - An interdisciplinary and intersectoral coordinated therapy management along
      Clinical Practice Guidelines can ensure that all patients receive adequate
      diagnostic, treatment, and supportive services that lead most likely to optimal
      outcomes. Within the research project "Virtual Oncological Networks", guideline
      compliant pathways are defined and enacted within a Health Care Management
      Platform to support treatment planning and ongoing care of oncological diseases. 

PMID- 26262256
TI  - Computer-Interpretable Clinical Guidelines: A Review and Analysis of Evaluation
      Criteria for Authoring Methods.
AB  - There are a variety of authoring tools and methods for producing computer
      interpretable clinical guideline (CIG). This work is a review of the evaluation
      of tools and methods currently in use to author CIGs. The aim of this paper is to
      present the results of a literature review on the evaluation criteria. Both
      controlled database search and a subsequent snowballing were used to identify
      relevant literature. The evaluation criteria and evaluation methods of CIG
      related themes were manually identified in the found literature. Based on the 32
      relevant papers found, 68 evaluation criteria were identified which were then
      classified into ten themes. We identified the most and least frequently mentioned
      areas of concern in evaluation which indicate areas that have been neglected in
      system evaluation. 

PMID- 26262257
TI  - Internal domain-specific language based on Arden Syntax and FHIR.
AB  - We demonstrate the concept of Arden Syntax, which is like Domain Specific
      Language (DSL), for describing decision support rules that take advantage of
      modern programming language concepts. Using object relational mapper and meta
      programming enables the conceptualization of FHIR resources from various data
      sources, and reduces the complexity of knowledge retrieval in decision rules. 

PMID- 26262258
TI  - Computationally Comparing and Analyzing All Published Scoring Systems for
      Diagnosis of Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation.
AB  - The clinical literature presents four different scoring systems (SS) for the
      diagnosis of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) by four institutions:
      ISTH, JMHLW, JAAM and KSTH. In this study a Java program was written to retrieve
      medical records from the MIMIC-II database and apply the criteria of all four.
      The program then quantified the agreement of each DIC SS with each other and
      demonstrated notorious dissent. Furthermore, the average internal composition of
      each score was also quantified. All source code produced is available for
      download at https://github.com/fabkury/hedicim. 

PMID- 26262259
TI  - Precedent Approach to Decision Making in Clinical Processes.
AB  - This poster describes the results of promising research in the field of clinical
      processes management and decision making support. The authors formulated common
      scientific problems connected with the modelling of treatment processes. The
      research is supported by grants from the Ministry of Education and Science of the
      Russian Federation (the project RFMEFI60714X0089). 

PMID- 26262260
TI  - Semantic Interoperability in Clinical Decision Support Systems: A Systematic
      Review.
AB  - The interoperability of Clinical Decision Support (CDS) systems with other health
      information systems has become one of the main limitations to their broad
      adoption. Semantic interoperability must be granted in order to share CDS modules
      across different health information systems. Currently, numerous standards for
      different purposes are available to enable the interoperability of CDS systems.
      We performed a literature review to identify and provide an overview of the
      available standards that enable CDS interoperability in the areas of clinical
      information, decision logic, terminology, and web service interfaces. 

PMID- 26262261
TI  - Development of a Mobile System Decision-support for Medical Diagnosis of Asthma
      in Primary Healthcare--InteliMED.
AB  - The structure of public and primary healthcare in Brazil is organized in a way to
      provide decentralized services. In theory, this scenario could enable the usage
      of mobile devices integrated with information systems of several purposes. In
      addition, there is a need of decision-support tools that are based on collected
      evidences, once the professional of primary healthcare, which essentially has
      general knowledge (non-specialist). Therefore there is a need of information that
      support the decision-making process on more specific contexts. This paper
      presents the proposal, experience of development and application of the
      InteliMED, a decision-support system to asthma diagnosis of children and
      adolescents through decision-trees and mobile devices (smartphones and tablets). 

PMID- 26262262
TI  - Using Discrete Event Simulation to predict KPI's at a Projected Emergency Room.
AB  - Discrete Event Simulation (DES) is a powerful factor in the design of clinical
      facilities. DES enables facilities to be built or adapted to achieve the expected
      Key Performance Indicators (KPI's) such as average waiting times according to
      acuity, average stay times and others. Our computational model was built and
      validated using expert judgment and supporting statistical data. One scenario
      studied resulted in a 50% decrease in the average cycle time of patients compared
      to the original model, mainly by modifying the patient's attention model. 

PMID- 26262263
TI  - Clinical Decision Support Using Electronic Medical Records: For the Improvement
      of Diabetes Care and Proper Use of Insulin for Inpatients.
AB  - The aim of the study is to develop a scheme of a decision support system
      concerning insulin intervention for inpatients. Transaction data for 32,637
      inpatients were collected from the EMR. As a result, antidiabetic agents were not
      taken by 38.9%-41.7% of patients with a Disease Complicated by DM. It is
      recommended that the EMR should provide a suggestion about insulin level for
      diseases with DM as a complicating factor. 

PMID- 26262264
TI  - Why should I?--Acceptance of Health Information Technology Among health
      professionals.
AB  - Applying the Technology Acceptance Model, the end user intentions to use
      technology applications is studied. The study finds the end users negative
      perception of the usefulness of the application as a major factor in its
      suboptimal utilisation. 

PMID- 26262265
TI  - Diffusion of innovation: Telehealth for care at home.
AB  - The 'care at home' study focused on a Scottish telehealth service, which was
      designed to support children with palliative and complex care needs. Using the
      diffusion of innovation theory, this poster highlights the differences between
      the way telehealth is used in the public sector and in a third sector or a
      voluntary organization. Analysis of the data, taken from interviews with key
      stakeholders, illuminate barriers and solutions as noted by clinicians who see
      the clear benefits and potential risks of telehealth use at home. In conclusion,
      it is argued that a strategic steer towards a culture of innovation is needed to
      support effective use of telehealth in clinical practice. Senior managers in the
      National Health Service in the United Kingdom need to 'unleash' the goodwill of
      staff who are eager to exploit innovation in clinical practice. 

PMID- 26262266
TI  - Visualizing Sensor Data through an Open Platform for Connected Devices.
AB  - Integrating sensor systems within the home can be a tedious process due to the
      challenges of deploying systems across multiple environments, customizing
      applications, and connecting across various devices. We demonstrate the
      deployment of sensors using the Lab of Things platform within a residence over a
      3 month period. We developed a real time visualization application from the
      generated sensor data, and evaluated it through a survey with 19 older adults and
      caregivers. Findings can be a valuable guide to scale a study across multiple
      settings, and to create personalized interfaces. 

PMID- 26262267
TI  - Automated Evaluation of Medical Software Usage: Algorithm and Statistical
      Analyses.
AB  - Evaluating the correctness of medical software usage is critically important in
      healthcare system management. Turf [1] is a software that can effectively collect
      interactions between user and computer. In this paper, we propose an algorithm to
      compare the recorded human-computer interaction events with a predefined path.
      Based on the pass/fail results, statistical analysis methods are proposed for two
      applications: to identify training effects and to compare products of the same
      functionality. 

PMID- 26262268
TI  - Study of Screen Design Principles for Visualizing Medical Records.
AB  - To improve UX of EMR/EHR, the screen design principles for the visualization are
      required. Through the study of common attributes of medical records, we present
      four principles and show three screen designs by applying them. 

PMID- 26262269
TI  - User-centered design to develop clinical applications. Literature review.
AB  - User-centered design is mentioned by Norman as "the need for a design that uses
      the natural properties of the individuals, exploiting the relationships and
      constraints and focusing on the needs and interests of the user, in order to make
      the final products usable and understandable". This is also important in health
      developments. The objective of this paper is to search and analyze articles in
      the healthcare field where user-centered design principles have been applied. We
      describe findings in this topic from articles published between January 1995 and
      September 2014. 

PMID- 26262270
TI  - A Model for Usability Evaluation for the Development and Implementation of
      Consumer eHealth Interventions.
AB  - Consumer eHealth products are often used by people in their own homes or other
      settings without dedicated clinical supervision, and often with minimal training
      and limited support--much as eCommerce and eGovernment applications are currently
      deployed. Internet based self-care systems have been advocated for over a decade
      as a way to reduce costs and allow more convenient care, and--because of the
      expectation that they will be used to reduced health cost--, by increasing self
      care and avoiding hospitalization. However, the history of consumer eHealth
      interventions is mixed, with many unsuccessful implementations. Many consumer
      eHealth products will form part of a broader complex intervention, with many
      possible benefits and effects on both individuals and society. This poster
      describes a model of consumer eHealth assessment based on multiple methods of
      usability evaluation at different stages in the design and fielding of eHealth
      systems. We argue that different methods of usability evaluation are able to give
      valuable insights into the likely effects of an intervention in a way that is
      congruent with software development processes.

PMID- 26262271
TI  - Usability Analysis Of A Customized Documentation System For Nurse Population
      Health Managers.
AB  - The University of Missouri's population health management pilot employs 22 Nurse
      Care Managers (NCM) to manage medical casework for approximately 10,000 patients.
      We studied the NCMs' documentation system to identify interruptions to their
      clinical workflow, and identify missing functionality. We used an interview
      script and Morae software to observe and record five NCMs at work, measuring time
      on task, click counts, and task completion. We also documented quantitative and
      qualitative responses to a directed interview. All tasks were completed
      satisfactorily, with completion times of 443+/-275 seconds and click counts of
      58+/-23. Surveys on a scale of 1 (worst) to 5 (best) scored "ease of use" at
      3.4+/-1.1, "integration of functions" at 3.0+/-1.2, and "ease of learning" at
      2.6+/-1.5. Overall, the system is functional and reliable but could be improved
      to support workflow. 

PMID- 26262272
TI  - Digital Inclusion for Older Adults based on Physical Activities: an Age Concern.
AB  - Nowadays, we are living in an interdependent and interconnected world during an
      age that is driven by technological progress. It has extraordinary potential to
      improve the quality of later life: creating social networks to tackle isolation
      and loneliness; transforming services to help people live independently at home
      for longer; empowering consumers; and enabling civil participation. In light of
      this, this poster aims to present the development process of a digital booklet
      for mobile devices--smartphones and tablets that illustrate the benefits of doing
      physical exercises for older adults aiming to improve life quality and minimizing
      digital exclusion.

PMID- 26262273
TI  - Development of the eHealth Literacy Assessment Toolkit, eHLA.
AB  - In a world with rising focus on the use of eHealth, the match between the
      competences of the individual and the demands of eHealth systems becomes
      increasingly important, thus making assessment of eHealth literacy as a measure
      of user competences a vital element. We propose the eHealth Literacy Assessment
      toolkit, eHLA, evaluating the user by seven scales: computer familiarity,
      confidence, incentive and performance as well as functional health literacy,
      health literacy self-assessment and health literacy performance, as a first step
      toward development of technology that accommodates the literacy level of the
      user. 

PMID- 26262274
TI  - Type 1 Diabetes in Twitter: Who All Listen To?
AB  - Knowing what the conversation on Twitter regarding type 1 diabetes (T1D) is about
      can help in understanding the kind of information relevant to the individuals
      affected by the disease. The profile of Twitter users posting on T1D was
      collected and classified. The number of re-tweets was also registered. The tweets
      posted by non-governmental organizations (NGOs), communication media, and
      individuals affected by T1D had higher number of potential readers. More than a
      half of the tweets were posted by individuals affected by T1D, and their tweets
      were the most re-tweeted. The next most active users were NGOs and healthcare
      professionals. However, while tweets soliciting for research funds posted by the
      NGOs were the next most re-tweeted messages, tweets posted by healthcare
      professionals were the least re-tweeted. Twitter could be used more actively by
      healthcare professionals to disseminate correct information about T1D. 

PMID- 26262275
TI  - Characterizing Consumer Health Informatics in Low and Middle Income Countries.
AB  - Consumer Health Informatics (ConsHI) involves patients in health care through
      ICT, with Low and Middle Income Countries recently entering the field. Compelling
      successes and complete failures call for the identification of success factors.
      Of 1092 automatically retrieved articles, 85 were classified as ConsHI. Their
      service characteristics and the economic and societal factors of the countries of
      origin were classified. Descriptive statistics were applied in the search for
      clusters of features that together appear as driving factors. Most factors
      (financial endowment, number of languages spoken etc) showed no or paradoxical
      effects. Societal maturity and low population density appear as enabling factors.

PMID- 26262276
TI  - 3D CPR Game Can Improve CPR Skill Retention.
AB  - Adequate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skill is essential in improving
      survival rate of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). However, the skill deteriorates
      rapidly following CPR training. We developed a computer game by using 3
      Dimensional virtual technology (3-D CPR game) for laypersons in the purpose to
      improve skill retention. As the testing phase, a randomized control trial, in
      which we recruited 97 freshman medical students who had no prior CPR training
      experience, was used to test its effect on 3-month CPR Skill retention. The
      usability of the game was also tested using a 33 item questionnaire rated with 5
      point Likert scale. Three months after the initial CPR training, the retention
      rate of CPR skill in the game group was significantly higher compared with the
      control (p<0.05) and the average score on 4 dimensions of usability were 3.99
      4.05. Overall, using 3-D CPR game in improving CPR skill retention is feasible
      and effective. 

PMID- 26262277
TI  - Improvement of Hemoglobin with Repeated Health Checks Among Women in Bangladesh.
AB  - The residents of several cities and villages in Bangladesh underwent e-health
      checkups. The distribution of Hb increased from the first hemoglobin (Hb)
      measurement to the second, and some women recovered from severe anemia. A strong
      effect was observed in subjects who were prescribed iron supplements. The mean
      blood pressure improved after the first health examination, and the blood sugar
      level increased. In countries with shortages of health practitioners and health
      care providers, e-health examinations and instructions may be useful
      interventions because they make people health conscious and improve their health
      status. 

PMID- 26262278
TI  - Cardiac auscultation simulator embedded in virtual learning environment to
      support medical teaching.
AB  - Heart auscultation remains as an important clinical tool in heart disease
      diagnostics. A prototype was developed, using an existing database of clinical
      and cardiac sounds of pregnant women [1]. The context for virtual learning is
      cardiac disease during pregnancy (Partum and Post Partum situations). Based on
      real histories, cardiac sounds, and complementary exams, this pilot presents the
      most frequent diagnosis of cardiac diseases during pregnancy. 

PMID- 26262279
TI  - Global Challenges in People-Centered E-Health.
AB  - People-centered health care seeks an active role for the patient while empowering
      all other members of the health care team. By promoting greater patient
      responsibility and optimal usage, patient-centered health care leads to improved
      health outcomes, quality of life and optimal value for health care investment.
      This paper reviews some definitions of people-centered health care and various e
      health approaches around the world used to implement this vision. The barriers
      and enablers to implementation this type of approach are explored. This paper
      provides a proposed research agenda for future implementations of people-centered
      e-health. 

PMID- 26262280
TI  - Use of Patient Portals: Personal Health Information Management in Older Adults.
AB  - The personal health information management (PHIM) of older adults is poorly
      understood. We describe initial results from the SOARING (Studying Older Adults &
      Researching Information Needs and Goals) study at the University of Washington, a
      participatory design investigation of PHIM in older adults. We conducted in-depth
      interviews with older adults (n=71) living in a variety of residential settings.
      A surprising 21% of participants reported using patient portals. Another 17% of
      participants reported prior use or anticipated use of portals in the future. We
      identified preferences and needs as well as barriers and facilitators to portal
      use. Our findings indicate that patient portals designed to target the specific
      needs for older adults can suport PHIM. We offer recommendations for expanded
      research.

PMID- 26262281
TI  - Machine Assisted Translation of Health Materials to Chinese: An Initial
      Evaluation.
AB  - There is an unmet need for Chinese language health materials in the USA. We
      investigated the use of machine translation (MT) plus human post-editing (PE) to
      produce Chinese translations of public health materials. We collected 60
      documents that had been manually translated from English to traditional Chinese.
      The English versions were translated to Chinese using MT and assessed for errors
      and time required to correct via PE. Results suggest poor initial translation may
      explain the lack of quality translations despite PE. 

PMID- 26262282
TI  - Lessons Learnt from Evaluation of Computer Interpretable Clinical Guidelines
      Tools and Methods: Literature Review.
AB  - Representation of clinical guidelines in a computer interpretable format is an
      active area of research. Various methods and tools have been proposed which have
      been evaluated based on different evaluation criteria. The evaluation results in
      the literature and their lessons learnt can be a valuable learning resource in
      order to redesign and improve the tools. Therefore, this research investigates
      the lessons learnt from the evaluation studies. Broad search in literature
      together with a purposeful snowball method were performed to identify the related
      papers that report any type of evaluation or comparison. We reviewed and analysed
      the lessons learnt from the evaluation results and classified them into 17 themes
      which reflect the suggestion concerns. The results indicate that the lessons
      learnt are more focused on tool functionalities, integration, sharing and
      maintenance domain. We provide suggestions for the area which had less attention.

PMID- 26262283
TI  - The need for cost-benefit analyses of eHealth in low and middle-income countries.
AB  - Cost and benefit analyses are crucial for eHealth interventions, especially in
      low and middle income countries (LMIC). We performed a scoping review, with goals
      to acquire an overview of cost-benefit studies and to collect indicators that are
      being used for costs and savings with respect to eHealth. Of all retrieved
      articles, 29 were included in our analysis and 21 contained cost/savings
      indicators which we categorized into outcome measures with respect to providers,
      patients and other stakeholders. Nearly all authors stated that more evidence
      from economic analyses by health economists are urgently needed and that pilot
      projects should collect cost related data for evaluation. 

PMID- 26262284
TI  - Effects of electronic prescription on pharmacy productivity.
AB  - Electronic prescriptions affect pharmacy workflows. In this study, we measure the
      workflow efficiency in pharmacies in 2006 and 2012: both, in traditional workflow
      when electronic prescription was not in use, and in new direct delivery workflow,
      which is the mandated workflow model in the case of electronic prescriptions. 

PMID- 26262285
TI  - (Br-SCMM) Brazilian Smart City Maturity Model: A Perspective from the Health
      Domain.
AB  - The term definition "Smart City" still allows various interpretations, and this
      causes some difficulty in establishing parameters to measure how smart the cities
      can be. This paper presents a Maturity Model that uses a set of minimum domains
      and indicators that aim to encourage cities of different sizes to identify their
      potential and improve processes and public policies. 

PMID- 26262286
TI  - Factors Influencing Consent for Electronic Data Linkage in Urban Latinos.
AB  - Within the context of patient participation in a Learning Health System, this
      study examined consent rates and factors associated with consent for linking
      survey data with electronic clinical data in a sample of 2,271 Latinos. Consent
      rate was 96.3%. Government insurance status and health literacy significantly
      influenced the odds of consent. 

PMID- 26262287
TI  - Communication problems between end-users and technicians through a Help Desk in a
      Health Information System.
AB  - Communication between users and technicians is crucial for improving Help Desk
      performance. The objective of this study is to know and understand perceptions,
      and needs of users and help desk technicians. A qualitative study based on
      interviews was performed. The emergent topics were communication, workload and
      misperceptions between end-users and technicians. There are false perceptions
      between them that affect their interaction and work dynamics. 

PMID- 26262288
TI  - Speech therapy teleconsultations of a public telehealth service in a developing
      country.
AB  - Our aim is to assess speech therapy teleconsultations performed by the Telehealth
      Network of Minas Gerais, a public telehealth service that attends 722 cities in
      Brazil, to demonstrate the importance of the telehealth to support these
      professionals. In this observational retrospective study, consecutive speech
      therapy teleconsultations performed by the Telehealth Network of Minas Gerais,
      Brazil, from February 2011 to May 2014, were analyzed. Socio-demographic
      characteristics of the cities which requested teleconsultations were assessed,
      and teleconsultations were analyzed based on the type of query. Throughout the
      study, 259 valid speech therapy teleconsultations were performed. There were no
      significant differences in socio-demographic characteristics of municipalities
      that requested and did not request speech therapy teleconsultations. Speech
      therapists (65%), nurses (27%) and physicians (5%) requested the highest number
      of teleconsultations, mostly related to the area of language (47%), oral motor
      skills (29%), voice (20%), audiology (18%) and dysphagia (10%). In conclusion,
      teleconsultations demonstrated to be a potential tool for speech therapists
      working in remote areas. 

PMID- 26262289
TI  - Teleconsultations to Provide Support for Primary Care Practitioners and Improve
      Quality of care--the Experience of a Large Scale Telehealth Service in Brazil.
AB  - This observational restrospective study was designed to assess teleconsultations
      performed by a public telehealth service in Brazil. A satisfaction survey was
      used to assess the impact on clinical practice. A total of 63,975
      teleconsultations were performed, from April 2007 to November 2014. Family
      physicians (33%) and dermatologists (19%) answered most queries. From January to
      February 2014 (n=895), the most frequent queries were about etiology (30%) and
      pharmacological treatment (25%). The satisfaction survey in 2014 (n=571) showed
      that teleconsultations avoided patient referal in 78%. This study aims to shows
      the potential of telehealth to provide support to primary care practitioners in
      remote cities. 

PMID- 26262290
TI  - Clinical Quality Control of a Large-Scale Teleconsultation Service.
AB  - The Telehealth Network of Minas Gerais (TNMG) is a public telehealth service in
      Brazil that assists 722 municipalities in the state of Minas Gerais. As a large
      scale teleconsultation service, it was important to implement clinical quality
      control to guarantee the quality of the service. Our aim is to describe the audit
      of the teleconsultation responses performed by TNMG. A random sample was selected
      from teleconsultations performed by the specialists from the TNMG between January
      and February 2014. The responses were evaluated regarding size, objectivity,
      quality, ethics, courtesy and grammar. A total of 640 teleconsultation responses
      were assessed, and the mean scores were >=2.45. Objectivity and quality had the
      lowest scores in the different specialities. The methodology was useful for
      evaluating the teleconsultation service and for identifying the areas to improve.

PMID- 26262291
TI  - Audit of primary care electrocardiograms sent as emergency to a telehealth
      service - the Telehealth Network of Minas Gerais, Brazil.
AB  - The Telehealth Network of Minas Gerais (TNMG) is a public telehealth service in
      Brazil that has performed electrocardiogram (ECG) analysis since 2005. From
      February to March 2014, 28% of ECGs were classified as "emergency" by the primary
      care tele-health sites. This quasi-experimental study aimed to investigate the
      reasons behind the high number of emergency ECGs being sent in, the
      implementation of corrective actions, and an assessment of the impact of these
      actions. In the 1st phase, primary care units that sent >70% of ECGs as emergency
      from February to March 2014 were selected. The 2nd phase consisted of the
      intervention. In the 3rd phase, the proportion of ECGs sent as an emergency
      during the 1st and 2nd months post intervention were assessed. Of the 63 cities
      selected during the 1st phase, 50% of the practitioners did not know the proper
      definition of emergency. After the intervention, 67% of the cities had a
      significant reduction in the proportion of ECGs sent as an emergency during the
      1st month, and 17% had a significant reduction during the 2nd month. 

PMID- 26262292
TI  - Referring Quality Assessment of Primary Health Care for Endocrinology in Rio
      Grande do Sul, Brazil.
AB  - This paper presents results of an assessment of the quality research of
      endocrinology referrals in the public health system in the state of Rio Grande do
      Sul. From the analysis of 4,458 requests for endocrinology referrals, it was
      found that 15% of referrals had insufficient information for evaluation and 71%
      showed no clinical justification for authorization of referencing. The partial
      results of the study indicated that the lack of information makes it impossible
      to clinically regulate these requests. The use of referencing protocols
      associated with telemedicine tools can assist doctors in primary health care in
      the clinical management and make access to specialized services more equitable
      and timely. 

PMID- 26262293
TI  - 2,000,000 Electrocardiograms by Distance: An Outstanding Achievement for
      Telehealth in Brazil.
AB  - Our aim is to describe the evolution of the telediagnostic service of the
      Telehealth Network of Minas Gerais (TNMG), a public telehealth service in Brazil.
      It started in 2006 with 82 cities, restricted to electrocardiography analysis.
      Currently it extends to 772 cities--performing also Holter, ambulatory blood
      pressure monitoring and retinography analysis--and 48 ambulances in the north of
      the state, as part of a myocardial infarction system of care. Using low-cost
      equipment and simple technology, TNMG has employed various strategies to increase
      telehealth use. The number of ECGs performed by TNMG has progressively increased.
      It was expected to achieve 2 million in February 2015. The utilization rates were
      around 90%. It proved to be economically sound, promoting savings of 45M USD for
      an investment of 10.2M USD. It is currently a regular health service in the
      state, integrated into the healthcare system. In conclusion, the telehealth model
      developed in Minas Gerais produced good clinical and economical results.

PMID- 26262294
TI  - Care Professionals' Perceived Usefulness Of A Rehabilitation Ehealth Service In
      Stroke Care.
AB  - Despite many attempts to support stroke patients, there is still room for
      improvement. The aim of this study is to gain insight into care professionals'
      perceived usefulness of an online care and rehabilitation planning tool. A
      functional prototype was developed and presented to a neurology team in a primary
      care centre in Stockholm. Three focus group meetings were conducted. The data
      were analysed based on the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology.
      The results indicate that the care professionals were positive towards the tool
      and described potential usefulness such as ease of understanding the
      rehabilitation process and support for collaboration among care providers and
      also cooperation between the patient and the team. They also identified
      challenges such as time limitation in daily care. 

PMID- 26262295
TI  - Routine Health Information Systems in South Africa--Opportunities for
      Improvement.
AB  - A recurring theme in published studies is the need for the appropriate human and
      other resources to support routine health information system (RHIS)
      implementation. While training in the use of specific RHIS and the availability
      of the required resources for implementation are essential for all users, other
      factors such as managers' understanding of the role of RHIS in supporting health
      services; the ability to interpret RHIS data; and a focus on data quality are
      further requirements for effective RHIS implementation. 

PMID- 26262296
TI  - Perceived Reasons for High and Low Quality Observational HIV Research Data.
AB  - Audits of data quality in a Latin America HIV research network revealed that
      study sites collected weight measurements, laboratory results, and medication
      data of inconsistent quality. We surveyed site personnel about perceived drivers
      of their high or low quality data. Most sites reported their research teams
      contained no data specialists and that missing data stemmed primarily from
      incomplete patient assessments at the point of care rather than inconsistent data
      recording. The root causes of data errors resulted from limited clinic resources
      (e.g., broken scales, limited record storage space), workflow complications, or
      the indifference of external participants towards research activities.
      Understanding these factors supports targeted quality improvement processes. 

PMID- 26262297
TI  - Telehealth in Brazil: Contemporary Tool for Access to Health.
AB  - This work raises questions about telehealth in Brazil, especially the areas of
      diagnosis, treatment and monitoring at distance, emphasizing its importance for
      the improvement of health conditions. It was based on a literature review. Three
      successful experiences were selected as examples: The Minas Gerais Project
      Telecardio, the Sao Paulo University Teleaudiology and Telerehabilitiation of
      UnB. Despite the increase of telehealth experiences in Brazil, much remains to be
      done in regard to diagnosis, treatment and follow-up, with potential positive
      effects on health. 

PMID- 26262298
TI  - Stigma and On-line Health Information Seeking of U.S. South Asian Cancer
      Survivors.
AB  - The internet has replaced physicians as primary health information source for
      cancer-survivors.It is important to uncover barriers/facilitators to cancer
      information seeking, particularly on-line.Asian Americans are the fastest growing
      U.S racial/ethnic minority, 2) cancer is the leading cause of r death and 3)
      cancer knowledge is low among them and little research is done on their cancer
      information seeking strategies. This study aims to examine qualitatively cancer
      information-seeking patterns of the Asian American group, South Asians, using in
      depth interview methods. Family members and social networks are highly engaged in
      providing informational support to South Asian cancer survivors. such
      collaborative information seeking is limited by stigma related to cancer and must
      be taken into consideration when developing culturally appropriate cancer health
      information seeking interventions in such communities. 

PMID- 26262299
TI  - End-User Experiences and Expectations Regarding Data Registration and Reuse
      Before the Implementation of a (New) Electronic Health Record: A Case Study in
      Two University Hospitals.
AB  - Patient data stored in Electronic Health Records (EHRs) are used during care
      provision but are also potentially usefully reused for other purposes. Data
      (re)use requires good data quality, which necessitates efforts by healthcare
      professionals for proper data registration. However, their commitment depends on
      their perception of the reuse benefits. We developed a questionnaire to
      investigate the perception and expectations of end-users on data registration and
      reuse in two university hospitals starting a joint EHR implementation. Especially
      personnel in direct patient care reports to spend much time (40%) on data
      registration and this group is not willing to spend more time with the new EHR.
      Additionally, approximately one third of the personnel did not yet have a clear
      view on future developments regarding data registration and reuse. We found only
      small differences between hospitals. 

PMID- 26262300
TI  - Quality of Life Measurements in Spinal Cord Injury Patients.
AB  - We recently developed UceWeb, an application for direct elicitation of utility
      coefficients (UCs), i.e. a measure of health states quality perceived by
      patients. UceWeb was used to interview a sample of patients affected by spinal
      cord injury (SCI). A standard questionnaire for measuring quality of life (QoL)
      and another one for the system evaluation were also administered to the same
      patients. The aims of this work are to (i) evaluate UceWeb usability; (ii)
      investigate relationships among QoL values elicited with different methods, (iii)
      create a reference set of UCs for the health states experienced by SCI patients.
      We show preliminary results obtained with the first 20 patients. Despite great
      variability found among QoL values elicited with the different methods,
      interesting correlations with patients' condition and profile have been found. 

PMID- 26262301
TI  - A Methodology for Adapting Psychoeducational Content to Mobile Platforms.
AB  - Studies show that current modes of psychoeducation (PE) cannot be availed of by a
      substantial population of those in need. Mobile health technologies have great
      potential to serve such populations. However converting PE to mobile platforms is
      challenging. We present a methodology for this purpose based on existing learning
      styles theory, and developed PE apps successfully, using it. CONCLUSION: Useful
      PE apps can be developed easily using the proposed method.

PMID- 26262302
TI  - Special People in Routine Health Information Systems Implementation in South
      Africa.
AB  - An analysis of roles and decision making structures to facilitate routine health
      information system (RHIS) implementation and use in public health facilities in
      South Africa identified a wide range of stakeholders in these processes. Two
      broad categories of RHIS 'special people' are analysed, i.e. leaders
      (administrative and/or clinical) and bridgers/support staff. In addition to
      health system personnel with specific responsibility for RHIS, users with an
      interest in effective use of RHIS and RHIS outputs, and staff of external system
      and/or service providers, can play significant roles in RHIS implementation and
      use. 

PMID- 26262303
TI  - Emergency Department Information System Education and Training for Clinicians:
      Lessons Learned.
AB  - Of all the potential barriers to a successful Electronic Health Record (EHR)
      adoption, the importance of training is often underestimated, potentially
      jeopardizing the implementation. Following best practices recommendations, we
      designed and implemented a comprehensive EHR training framework. The aim of this
      poster is to describe our experience with such a framework in the implementation
      of our home-grown Emergency Department Information System (EDIS), report lessons
      learned and provide recommendations for other institutions facing EHR adoptions
      in Chile and Latin America. 

PMID- 26262304
TI  - The Role of the IT Department in Information System and Organizational Redesign.
AB  - This paper is based on a qualitative study of IT organization and clinical
      practice over a period of 3 years supported by additional data during the last 2
      years. This paper argues that redesign is central to understanding and developing
      both healthcare information systems and organizations. The importance of the IT
      organization is also stressed throughout this paper as a pertinent partner and
      power when considering organizational change and learning in hospitals as it can
      serve both as a barrier and a catalyst of change and flexibility in the
      organization through information systems management. Therefore it is important to
      consider and secure appropriate forms for redesign and learning in cooperation
      with the IT department. 

PMID- 26262305
TI  - Developing an Open-Source Bibliometric Ranking Website Using Google Scholar
      Citation Profiles for Researchers in the Field of Biomedical Informatics.
AB  - We developed the Biomedical Informatics Researchers ranking website
      (rank.informatics-review.com) to overcome many of the limitations of previous
      scientific productivity ranking strategies. The website is composed of four key
      components that work together to create an automatically updating ranking
      website: (1) list of biomedical informatics researchers, (2) Google Scholar
      scraper, (3) display page, and (4) updater. The site has been useful to other
      groups in evaluating researchers, such as tenure and promotions committees in
      interpreting the various citation statistics reported by candidates. Creation of
      the Biomedical Informatics Researchers ranking website highlights the vast
      differences in scholarly productivity among members of the biomedical informatics
      research community. 

PMID- 26262306
TI  - Proposal for a European Public Health Research Infrastructure for Sharing of
      health and Medical administrative data (PHRIMA).
AB  - In Europe, health and medical administrative data is increasingly accumulating on
      a national level. Looking further than re-use of this data on a national level,
      sharing health and medical administrative data would enable large-scale analyses
      and European-level public health projects. There is currently no research
      infrastructure for this type of sharing. The PHRIMA consortium proposes to
      realise the Public Health Research Infrastructure for Sharing of health and
      Medical Administrative data (PHRIMA) which will enable and facilitate the
      efficient and secure sharing of healthcare data. 

PMID- 26262307
TI  - Towards a Tool for Malaria Supply Chain Management Improvement in Rural Ghana.
AB  - The maintenance of adequate quantities of antimalarial medicines and rapid
      diagnostic tests (RDTs) at health facilities in rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa
      is a challenging task because of poor supply chain management. Antimalarial stock
      outs in the communities could lead patients (that need to travel long distances
      to get medications) to remain untreated, develop severe malaria and die. A
      prototype to improve the management of health commodities in rural Ghana through
      the visualization of current stock levels and the forecasting of commodities is
      proposed. 

PMID- 26262308
TI  - Health Interoperability into Practice: Results of the Development of a Consent
      Form in a Pilot Project in a Health District in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
AB  - Interoperability of health information systems is a centerpiece of the "E-Health"
      Brazilian Ministry of Health strategy. It aims to solve at least partially the
      health information technology puzzle that we face today. This paper describes a
      health information exchange pilot project in a health district of the city of Sao
      Paulo. It discusses the results of the development of an informed consent form
      for health information exchange. This consent form showed excellent results, with
      median application time of 3 minutes and with 97.8% of patients feeling fully
      clarified. The patients' perception when faced with options of consent to share
      their data is also described. 

PMID- 26262309
TI  - Healthcare in Disasters and the Role of RFID.
AB  - Disasters either natural or man-made are inevitable, and therefore disaster
      management has always been an important function of government. Since during a
      disaster healthcare is often adversely affected, a lot of effort has been made in
      terms of researching effective responses and ways of improving the quality of
      delivered care to direct casualties and the rest of the community. In this
      regard, information technology plays an important role to help healthcare systems
      achieve this goal. One of these technologies that has become popular recently is
      Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID). This paper explores the relationship
      between emergency management and disaster healthcare and examines the role of
      RFID. It is suggested that RFID will become an integral part of disaster
      healthcare and a means of improving response performance. 

PMID- 26262310
TI  - Measuring Population Health Using Electronic Health Records: Exploring Biases and
      Representativeness in a Community Health Information Exchange.
AB  - Assessment is a core function of public health. Comprehensive clinical data may
      enhance community health assessment by providing up-to-date, representative data
      for use in public health programs and policies, especially when combined with
      community-level data relevant to social determinants. In this study we examine
      routinely collected and geospatially-enhanced EHR data to assess population
      health at various levels of geographic granularity available from a regional
      health information exchange. We present preliminary findings and discuss
      important biases in EHR data. Future work is needed to develop methods for
      correcting for those biases to support routine epidemiology work of public
      health. 

PMID- 26262311
TI  - The Collaborative Coordination of Special Interest Groups on the Telemedicine
      University Network (RUTE) in Brazil.
AB  - In Brazil the Telemedicine University Network (Rede Universitaria de Telemedicina
      RUTE) is an initiative that among others promotes collaboration between
      university hospitals, universities, and health professionals through information
      technology infrastructure and special interest groups (SIGs) support. This paper
      presents results of analyses on collaboration during implementation and
      coordination activities of RUTE SIGs. This study is based on descriptive
      statistics and data visualization previously collected by RUTE national
      coordination relative to the status in July 2014. The analysis through
      collaboration graph identified the strongest collaboration RUTE units. The graph
      also highlights the collaborative relationship of RUTE units in form of
      communities, the most collaborative with each other in a communion in the same
      SIGs, and the less the collaborative units in the network. It should be stated
      that the most active units are also the oldest in the community. 

PMID- 26262312
TI  - A Novel Approach to Teach Medical Informatics.
AB  - The Bern University of Applied Sciences established the first Swiss Bachelor of
      Science in Medical Informatics. We demonstrate the specifics of the new
      curriculum that was based on requirements analysis and includes seminars and live
      case studies to enable problem-solving abilities. 

PMID- 26262313
TI  - Computer Experience of Nurses.
AB  - This study aimed to identify the computing experience of nurses in southern
      Brazil, through exploratory survey research. The results, which were obtained
      from the application of The Staggers Nursing Computer Experience
      Questionnaire(r), were analyzed by statistical tests. The survey was conducted
      with nurses working both in hospitals, as in public health, in a capital in
      southern Brazil. There is the predominance of novice nurses in the application of
      computer tools in their practices but most often declare the use the computers to
      develop their professional and also personal life activities. We conclude that
      the computer and health information systems are part of the working reality of
      the participants, being considered indispensable resources his activity, while
      noting limitations on the potential use of these tools. This study reflects on
      how the issue has been addressed in educational schools and the challenges of
      inclusion of the theme of Nursing Informatics in the curricula in Brazil. 

PMID- 26262314
TI  - Informatics Competencies in Nursing Management.
AB  - This study aimed to identify in scientific literature the informatics
      competencies required from the nurses to make decision in management process.
      Through a scoping review, literature databases were searched to find articles
      published in Portuguese, English, or Spanish, until July 2013. 188 articles were
      found, and seven were included in this study, published between 1994 and 2011.
      The studies were written in English (5; 71%), in USA (5; 71%), using experience
      reports or literature review designs (5; 71%). The informatics competences were
      categorized according the Technology Informatics Guiding Education Reform
      (TIGER). The findings highlight gaps in informatics competence to make decisions
      in the management process--essentially in information management competence.

PMID- 26262315
TI  - Health Informatics Competences for eHealth: What Can We Learn From a Bibliometric
      Analysis?
AB  - The appearance of eHealth adds a new dimension to health informatics competencies
      -they are not necessary just for health providers and health information system
      users and developers, but also for health consumers.

PMID- 26262316
TI  - Education, Technology and Health Literacy.
AB  - The purpose of this study is to develop an interdisciplinary learning environment
      between education in technology, business, and nursing. This collaboration
      creates natural interest and motivation for welfare technology. The aim of
      establishing an interaction between these three areas of expertise is to create
      an understanding of skills and cultural differences in each area. Futhermore, the
      aim is to enable future talents to gain knowledge and skills to improve health
      literacy among senior citizens. Based on a holistic view of welfare technology, a
      Student Academy was created as a theoretically- and practically-oriented learning
      center. The mission of the Student Academy is to support and facilitate education
      in order to maintain and upgrade knowledge and skills in information technology
      and information management related to e-health and health literacy. The Student
      Academy inspires students, stakeholders, politicians, DanAge Association members,
      companies, and professionals to participate in training, projects, workshops, and
      company visits. 

PMID- 26262317
TI  - Current Status for Teaching Nursing Informatics in Denmark, Canada, and
      Australia.
AB  - Nursing schools in Denmark, Canada, and Australia are all currently involved in
      integrating nursing informatics in the nursing bachelor programme. This paper
      gives a brief update on the current situation of nursing informatics education
      for bachelor level nurses in each of the three countries. Whilst there are
      differences in the curriculum in each county, it is important to share knowledge
      about undergraduate nursing informatics worldwide to ensure consistency. 

PMID- 26262318
TI  - Trends of Patient Safety Topics Addressed in the Past Five MEDINFO Congresses.
AB  - Health informatics has been promoted as a core curriculum in our patient safety
      program for four years. There is a need to let students understand how such
      topics were addressed with relevant literature of trends in medical informatics.
      In this study, we performed a content analysis by searching the past five MEDINFO
      Congress Proceedings. We used MeSH Terms or Keywords to search the study subjects
      and divided them into three categories. 76 subjects were identified, among which
      16 were assigned to Category 1 (System-related), 26 to Category 2 (Database
      related), and 34 to Category 3 (Others). Some socio-techical issues that emerged
      in Category 3 presented as future research interests.The identified topics
      reflect research trends in patient safety. 

PMID- 26262319
TI  - Social Network and Health Researchers and Professionals Mobility in Africa:
      Lessons Learned from AFRICA BUILD Project.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Promote mobility between South-South and South-North for improving
      level of researchers, staff and students through a platform. METHODS: The
      methodology is based a filling of a questionnaire about offer or demand. Material
      is composed a computer connected Internet. RESULT: we registered about 203
      demands and 31 offers from partners.43 mobilities were executed completely.
      CONCLUSION: The results indicate a real need of mobility for researchers and
      health professionals in Africa. The important number of mobility demands made by
      external researchers and professionals (from outside the AFRICA BUILD Consortium)
      may be constrained by the difficulty to find adequate funding.

PMID- 26262320
TI  - Middleware Supporting Next Generation Data Analytics in Australia.
AB  - In Australia, as a result of the distributed, often private nature of health
      provision, tight privacy legislation, even tighter organizational policies,
      access to data covering the whole patient journey of care is a common aspiration
      that has been almost impossible to achieve. Access to primary care data in a
      manner that is record-linkable has been a particular challenge. Since 2006 The
      University of Melbourne has been developing GRHANITETM Middleware and GRHANITETM
      Data Linkage technologies designed to overcome these barriers. With over 10% of
      Australian primary care data now being routinely extracted utilising this
      technology, we believe the principal technical challenges have now been overcome.
      We believe this technology to be at the forefront ethically of providing data for
      research. This poster describes the principal issues involved and the approaches
      taken in the technical solution underpinning GRHANITETM.

PMID- 26262321
TI  - Proposal of Local Automatic Weighing Attribute in CBIR.
AB  - Lung cancer is the most common malignant lesion and the principal cause of cancer
      related death worldwide. This problem encourages researchers to build computer
      aided solutions to help diagnose lung cancer. Content-based image retrieval
      (CBIR) systems are very promising in this context due to a large number of image
      generated everyday. However, semantic gaps have limited CBIR applicability. This
      work proposes a new approach to automatically adjust CBIR attribute weights to
      reflect users' semantic interpretation on retrieval process, minimizing the
      semantic gap problem and improving retrieval accuracy. 

PMID- 26262322
TI  - Ontology-Driven Semantic Search for Brazilian Portuguese Clinical Notes.
AB  - The emerging penetration of Health IT in Latin America (especially in Brazil) has
      exacerbated the ever-increasing amount of Electronic Health Record (EHR) clinical
      free text documents.This imposes a workflow efficiency challenge on clinicians
      who need to synthesize such documents during the typically time-constrained
      patient care. We propose an ontology-driven semantic search framework that
      effectively supports clinicians' information synthesis at the point of care. 

PMID- 26262323
TI  - Use of Self-Service Query Tools Varies by Experience and Research Knowledge.
AB  - The lack of understanding of user experience with self-service query tools is a
      barrier to designing effective query tools and is what propelled this study. User
      actions were documented and transformed into networks of actions for qualitative
      analysis. Proficient use of self-service query tools requires significant
      technical experience. To decrease the user learning curve, additional user
      education is necessary for novice users. 

PMID- 26262324
TI  - Comparision and analysis of top 10 exercise android Apps in mainland China.
AB  - Medical guidelines highly recommend physical activity and aerobic exercise in the
      prevention of primary and secondary cardiovascular disease. The use of exercise
      promoting application software may improve clinical outcomes for cardiovascular
      disease (CVD) patients. The study aimed to compare and analyze the functions of
      the top 10 exercise Android Apps which had more than 1,000,000 downloads from the
      main four Android App stores in mainland China. The results showed that most of
      these popular apps had pedometer, exercise plan preset, user data presentation,
      user encouragement and community sharing functions while a few of them had
      exercise video clips or animation support and wearable devices. Given these data,
      the conclusion is that these popular apps fulfill some of the functions
      recommended by medical guidelines, however, lack of some functions such as pre
      exercise risk assessment, the exercise intensity recording, specific instructions
      by professionals, and monitoring functions for CVD patients. 

PMID- 26262325
TI  - 3D Printed Models and Navigation for Skull Base Surgery: Case Report and Virtual
      Validation.
AB  - In recent years, computer-assisted surgery tools have become more versatile.
      Having access to a 3D printed model expands the possibility for surgeons to
      practice with the particular anatomy of a patient before surgery and improve
      their skills. Optical navigation is capable of guiding a surgeon according to a
      previously defined plan. These methods improve accuracy and safety at the moment
      of executing the operation. We intend to carry on a validation process for
      computed-assisted tools. The aim of this project is to propose a comparative
      validation method to enable physicians to evaluate differences between a virtual
      planned approach trajectory and a real executed course. Summarily, this project
      is focused on decoding data in order to obtain numerical values so as to
      establish the quality of surgical procedures. 

PMID- 26262326
TI  - Accuracy of Chest Wall Tumor Resection Guided by Navigation: Experimental Model.
AB  - Difficulty in identification wall chest tumors lead to unnecessary wide
      resections. Optical navigation and preoperative virtual planning are assets for
      surgeries that require exactness and accuracy. These tools enable physicians to
      study real anatomy before surgery and to follow an established pathway during
      procedure ensuring effectiveness. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate that
      Preoperative Virtual Planning is a useful tool in chest tumor interventions to
      define oncological margins successfully. Moreover, it is possible to use a
      virtual specimen in order to quantify accuracy. Optical navigation has been used
      in surgical procedures such as neurosurgery, orthopaedics and ENT over the last
      ten years. This principle is used in order to orientate the surgeon in three
      dimensional spaces during the surgery. Surgeons are guided intraoperatively with
      navigation and are able to obtain a correspondence between images acquired and
      processed before the surgery and the real anatomy. 

PMID- 26262327
TI  - Identification of Incidental Pulmonary Nodules in Free-text Radiology Reports: An
      Initial Investigation.
AB  - Advances in image quality produced by computed tomography (CT) and the growth in
      the number of image studies currently performed has made the management of
      incidental pulmonary nodules (IPNs) a challenging task. This research aims to
      identify IPNs in radiology reports of chest and abdominal CT by Natural Language
      Processing techiniques to recognize IPN in sentences of radiology reports. Our
      preliminary analysis indicates vastly different pulmonary incidental findings
      rates for two different patient groups. 

PMID- 26262328
TI  - Follow-up Recommendation Detection on Radiology Reports with Incidental Pulmonary
      Nodules.
AB  - The management of follow-up recommendations is fundamental for the appropriate
      care of patients with incidental pulmonary findings. The lack of communication of
      these important findings can result in important actionable information being
      lost in healthcare provider electronic documents. This study aims to analyze
      follow-up recommendations in radiology reports containing pulmonary incidental
      findings by using Natural Language Processing and Regular Expressions. Our
      evaluation highlights the different follow-up recommendation rates for oncology
      and non-oncology patient cohorts. The results reveal the need for a context
      sensitive approach to tracking different patient cohorts in an enterprise-wide
      assessment. 

PMID- 26262329
TI  - Clinical Trial Feasibility Study Questionnaire Analysis.
AB  - With the growing complexity and cost of clinical trials (CTs) over the past few
      decades, Protocol Feasibility (PF) studies have become one of the most critical
      CT steps in order to avoid costly protocol amendments and ensure the success of
      CTs. The PF process includes interaction with clinicians located at targeted
      clinical sites, which results in slow and cumbersome process steps. These process
      steps are normally supported by information systems that allow users to create,
      share and collect responses to feasibility questionnaires. This investigation
      analyzes the systems and questionnaires utilized at several clinical research
      companies for PF. In addition, it provides recommendations that could eventually
      improve current methods and systems in place. 

PMID- 26262330
TI  - Extraction Of Adverse Events From Clinical Documents To Support Decision Making
      Using Semantic Preprocessing.
AB  - Clinical documentation is usually stored in unstructured format in electronic
      health records (EHR). Processing the information is inconvenient and time
      consuming and should be enhanced by computer systems. In this paper, a rule-based
      method is introduced that identifies adverse events documented in the EHR that
      occurred during treatment. For this purpose, clinical documents are transformed
      into a semantic structure from which adverse events are extracted. The method is
      evaluated in a user study with neurosurgeons. In comparison to a bag of word
      classification using support vector machines, our approach achieved comparably
      good results of 65% recall and 78% precision. In conclusion, the rule-based
      method generates promising results that can support physicians' decision making.
      Because of the structured format the data can be reused for other purposes as
      well. 

PMID- 26262331
TI  - Development and evaluation of task-specific NLP framework in China.
AB  - Natural language processing (NLP) has been designed to convert narrative text
      into structured data. Although some general NLP architectures have been
      developed, a task-specific NLP framework to facilitate the effective use of data
      is still a challenge in lexical resource limited regions, such as China. The
      purpose of this study is to design and develop a task-specific NLP framework to
      extract targeted information from particular documents by adopting dedicated
      algorithms on current limited lexical resources. In this framework, a shared and
      evolving ontology mechanism was designed. The result has shown that such a free
      text driven platform will accelerate the NLP technology acceptance in China. 

PMID- 26262332
TI  - Extracting Dependence Relations from Unstructured Medical Text.
AB  - Dependence relations among disease and risk factors are a key ingredient in risk
      modeling and decision support models. Currently such information is either
      provided by experts (costly and time consuming) or extracted from data (if
      available). The published medical literature represents a promising source of
      such knowledge; however its manual processing is practically infeasible. While a
      number of solutions have been introduced to add structure to biomedical
      literature, none adequately recover dependence relations. The objective of our
      research is to build such an automatic dependence extraction solution, based on a
      sequence of natural language processing steps, which take as input a set of
      MEDLINE abstracts and provide as output a list of structured dependence
      statements. This paper presents a hybrid pipeline approach, a combination of rule
      based and machine learning algorithms. We found that this approach outperforms a
      strictly rule-based approach. 

PMID- 26262333
TI  - A Frequency-based Strategy of Obtaining Sentences from Clinical Data Repository
      for Crowdsourcing.
AB  - In clinical NLP, one major barrier to adopting crowdsourcing for NLP annotation
      is the issue of confidentiality for protected health information (PHI) in
      clinical narratives. In this paper, we investigated the use of a frequency-based
      approach to extract sentences without PHI. Our approach is based on the
      assumption that sentences appearing frequently tend to contain no PHI. Both
      manual and automatic evaluations on 500 sentences out of the 7.9 million
      sentences of frequencies higher than one show that no PHI can be found among
      them. The promising results provide potentials of releasing those sentences for
      obtaining sentence-level NLP annotations via crowdsourcing. 

PMID- 26262334
TI  - Extraction of Vital Signs from Clinical Notes.
AB  - Assessment of vital signs is an essential part of surveillance of critically ill
      patients to detect condition changes and clinical deterioration. While most
      modern electronic medical records allow for vitals to be recorded in a structured
      format, the frequency and quality of what is electronically stored may differ
      from how often these measures are actually recorded. We created a tool that
      extracts blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, respiratory rate, blood oxygen
      saturation, and pain level from nursing and other clinical notes recorded in the
      course of inpatient care to supplement structured vital sign data. 

PMID- 26262335
TI  - Translating ICD-11 into French using lexical-based approach: a preliminary study.
AB  - To translate the 11th edition of the International Classification of Diseases
      (ICD-11) into French, we proposed a lexical approach using Natural Language
      Processing techniques. This method relies on the 56 biomedical terminologies and
      ontologies included in the Cross-lingual Health Multiple Terminologies and
      Ontologies Portal. From a sample of 336 ICD-11 terms, the algorithm translated
      164 (49%) terms into at least one French term each. 

PMID- 26262336
TI  - Text Mining and Data Modeling of Karyotypes to aid in Drug Repurposing Efforts.
AB  - Karyotyping, or visually examining and recording chromosomal abnormalities, is
      commonly used to diagnose and treat disease. Karyotypes are written in the
      International System for Human Cytogenetic Nomenclature (ISCN), a computationally
      non-readable language that precludes full analysis of these genomic data. In
      response, we developed a cytogenetic platform that transfers the ISCN karyotypes
      to a machine-readable model available for computational analysis. Here we use
      cytogenetic data from the National Cancer Institute (NCI)-curated Mitelman
      database1 to create a structured karyotype language. Then, drug-gene-disease
      triplets are generated via a computational pipeline connecting public drug-gene
      interaction data sources to identify potential drug repurposing opportunities. 

PMID- 26262337
TI  - Rule-based Cervical Spine Defect Classification Using Medical Narratives.
AB  - Classifying the defects occurring at the cervical spine provides the basis for
      surgical treatment planning and therapy recommendation. This process requires
      evidence from patient records. Further, the degree of a defect needs to be
      encoded in a standardized from to facilitate data exchange and multimodal
      interoperability. In this paper, a concept for automatic defect classification
      based on information extracted from textual data of patient records is presented.
      In a retrospective study, the classifier is applied to clinical documents and the
      classification results are evaluated. 

PMID- 26262338
TI  - Comparing Drug-Disease Associations in Clinical Practice Guideline
      Recommendations and Drug Product Label Indications.
AB  - Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) and structured product labels (SPLs) are both
      intended to promote evidence-based medical practices and guide clinicians'
      prescribing decisions. However, it is unclear how well CPG recommendations about
      pharmacologic therapies for certain diseases match SPL indications for
      recommended drugs. In this study, we use publicly available data and text mining
      methods to examine drug-disease associations in CPG recommendations and SPL
      treatment indications for 15 common chronic conditions. Preliminary results
      suggest that there is a mismatch between guideline-recommended pharmacologic
      therapies and SPL indications. Conflicting or inconsistent recommendations and
      indications may complicate clinical decision making and implementation or
      measurement of best practices. 

PMID- 26262339
TI  - Automated Classification of Pathology Reports.
AB  - This work develops an automated classifier of pathology reports which infers the
      topography and the morphology classes of a tumor using codes from the
      International Classification of Diseases for Oncology (ICD-O). Data from 94,980
      patients of the A.C. Camargo Cancer Center was used for training and validation
      of Naive Bayes classifiers, evaluated by the F1-score. Measures greater than 74%
      in the topographic group and 61% in the morphologic group are reported. Our work
      provides a successful baseline for future research for the classification of
      medical documents written in Portuguese and in other domains. 

PMID- 26262340
TI  - Methods for Sonic Representation of ST Depression During Exercise.
AB  - Sonic display of ST depression during exercise helps both the patient and the
      investigator to better identify the transition from normal values to "attention"
      region and reaching the "alert" threshold. Two types of sonic display were
      tested, based on combinations of saccadic sounds and different pitch. 

PMID- 26262341
TI  - PIACS: A System for the Automatic Detection, Categorization and Comparison of
      Scratch-Related Skin Lesions in Dermatology.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: In the treatment of chronic pruritus-related, scratch-induced skin
      lesions the categorization, counting and temporal comparison are common
      methodologies. The observation requires a good memory and expertise in this field
      to gain comparable findings for this time-consuming process. Digital image
      processing aims at supporting such manual detections. The objective is to develop
      a software tool for automatic image detection and comparison. The new
      photographic setting implies the usage of markers to derive the brightness and
      size of lesions. MATLAB has been used for the software development. The newly
      defined setting allows taking standardized images of pruritus-associated
      cutaneous lesions for detection and comparison. The tool named PIACS (Prurigo
      Image Analyzing and Comparing System) allows automatically detecting,
      categorizing and comparing lesions based on digital images.

PMID- 26262342
TI  - The MFER structure for coding medical signals in real time.
AB  - We present the structure of the MFER coder to store the medical signals in real
      time. The MFER is the rules to describe the file with tags the medical signal
      such as ECG, EEG, etc. However, because the MFER has the simple structure, and is
      stored as a file unit, it is difficult to process the signal with MFER rules in
      real-time. To do this, By storing the signal into small unit of time, it is
      possible to handle as if the signal is stored continuously. The structure of the
      presented MFER coder is verified in the results. 

PMID- 26262343
TI  - Adding Sound to ECG.
AB  - This poster presents preliminary results of a project aiming to develop tools for
      adding sound associated to medical data for potential medical applications.
      Sonification procedures, the methodology used for testing various sonic
      representations of ECG, and the results are presented. 

PMID- 26262344
TI  - An Optimized Superpixel Clustering Approach for High-Resolution Chest CT Image
      Segmentation.
AB  - Lung segmentation is a fundamental step in many image analysis applications for
      lung diseases and abnormalities in thoracic computed tomography (CT). However,
      due to the large variations in pathology that may be present in thoracic CT
      images, it is difficult to extract the lung regions accurately. A major insight
      to deal with this problem is the existence of new approaches to cope with quality
      and performance. This poster presents an optimized superpixel clustering approach
      for high-resolution chest CT segmentation. The proposed algorithm is compared
      against some super-pixel algorithms while a performance evaluation is carried out
      in terms of boundary recall and under-segmentation error metrics. The over
      segmentation results on a CT Emphysema Database demonstrate that our approach
      shows better performance than other three state-of-the-art superpixel methods. 

PMID- 26262345
TI  - Automated Image Retrieval of Chest CT Images Based on Local Grey Scale Invariant
      Features.
AB  - Textual-based tools are regularly employed to retrieve medical images for reading
      and interpretation using current retrieval Picture Archiving and Communication
      Systems (PACS) but pose some drawbacks. All-purpose content-based image retrieval
      (CBIR) systems are limited when dealing with medical images and do not fit well
      into PACS workflow and clinical practice. This paper presents an automated image
      retrieval approach for chest CT images based local grey scale invariant features
      from a local database. Performance was measured in terms of precision and recall,
      average retrieval precision (ARP), and average retrieval rate (ARR). Preliminary
      results have shown the effectiveness of the proposed approach. The prototype is
      also a useful tool for radiology research and education, providing valuable
      information to the medical and broader healthcare community. 

PMID- 26262346
TI  - Texture Analysis of Recurrence Plots Based on Wavelets and PSO for Laryngeal
      Pathologies Detection.
AB  - This paper deals with the discrimination between healthy and pathological speech
      signals using recurrence plots and wavelet transform with texture features.
      Approximation and detail coefficients are obtained from the recurrence plots
      using Haar wavelet transform, considering one decomposition level. The considered
      laryngeal pathologies are: paralysis, Reinke's edema and nodules. Accuracy rates
      above 86% were obtained by means of the employed method. 

PMID- 26262347
TI  - On The Correlation Between Geo-Referenced Clinical Data And Remotely Sensed Air
      Pollution Maps.
AB  - This work presents an analysis framework enabling the integration of a clinical
      administrative dataset of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) patients with environmental
      information derived from air quality maps acquired from remote sensing data. The
      research has been performed within the EU project MOSAIC, which gathers T2D
      patients' data coming from Fondazione S. Maugeri (FSM) hospital and the Pavia
      local health care agency (ASL). The proposed analysis is aimed to highlight the
      complexity of the domain, showing the different perspectives that can be adopted
      when applying a data-driven approach to large variety of temporal, geo-localized
      data. We investigated a set of 899 patients, located in the Pavia area, and
      detected several patterns depicting how clinical facts and air pollution
      variations may be related. 

PMID- 26262348
TI  - Integrating data from multiple sources for data completeness in a web-based
      registry for pediatric renal transplantation--the CERTAIN Registry.
AB  - Patient registries are a useful tool to measure outcomes and compare the
      effectiveness of therapies in a specific patient population. High data quality
      and completeness are therefore advantageous for registry analysis. Data
      integration from multiple sources may increase completeness of the data. The
      pediatric renal transplantation registry CERTAIN identified Eurotransplant (ET)
      and the Collaborative Transplant Study (CTS) as possible partners for data
      exchange. Import and export interfaces with CTS and ET were implemented. All
      parties reached their projected goals and benefit from the exchange. 

PMID- 26262349
TI  - Development of Unified Lab Test Result Master for Multiple Facilities.
AB  - A clinical study requires massive amounts of of lab test data, especially for
      rare diseases. Before creating a protocol, the hypothesis if the protocol will
      work with enough amount of patients' dataset has to be proved. However, a single
      facility, such as a university hospital, often faces a lack of number of patients
      for specific target diseases. Even if collecting datasets from several
      facilities, there is no active master table that can merge lab test results
      between the facility datasets. Therefore, the authors develop a unified lab test
      result master. Because test master standards such as JLAC10 and LOINC are
      provided from a viewpoint of academic classification of laboratory medicine, the
      classification does not fit clinical classification, which doctors understand
      with a mind-set of establishing a clinical study protocol. The authors establish
      a method to unify masters using an active lab test result master from two
      university hospitals. 

PMID- 26262350
TI  - Semantic Web Ontology and Data Integration: a Case Study in Aiding Psychiatric
      Drug Repurposing.
AB  - There remain significant difficulties selecting probable candidate drugs from
      existing databases. We describe an ontology-oriented approach to represent the
      nexus between genes, drugs, phenotypes, symptoms, and diseases from multiple
      information sources. We also report a case study in which we attempted to explore
      candidate drugs effective for bipolar disorder and epilepsy. We constructed an
      ontology incorporating knowledge between the two diseases and performed semantic
      reasoning tasks with the ontology. The results suggested 48 candidate drugs that
      hold promise for further breakthrough. The evaluation demonstrated the validity
      our approach. Our approach prioritizes the candidate drugs that have potential
      associations among genes, phenotypes and symptoms, and thus facilitates the data
      integration and drug repurposing in psychiatric disorders. 

PMID- 26262351
TI  - Personalised Medicine Possible With Real-Time Integration of Genomic and Clinical
      Data To Inform Clinical Decision-Making.
AB  - Despite widespread use of genomic sequencing in research, there are gaps in our
      understanding of the performance and provision of genomic sequencing in clinical
      practice. The Melbourne Genomics Health Alliance (the Alliance), has been
      established to determine the feasibility, performance and impact of using genomic
      sequencing as a diagnostic tool. The Alliance has partnered with BioGrid
      Australia to enable the linkage of genomic sequencing, clinical treatment and
      outcome data for this project. This integrated dataset of genetic, clinical and
      patient sourced information will be used by the Alliance to evaluate the
      potential diagnostic value of genomic sequencing in routine clinical practice.
      This project will allow the Alliance to provide recommendations to facilitate the
      integration of genomic sequencing into clinical practice to enable personalised
      disease treatment. 

PMID- 26262352
TI  - Integration of Disease Specific Clinical and Genomics Datasets using I2B2
      Framework.
AB  - The availability of a patient's genomic profile along with the clinical profile
      for providing individualized care and treatment is paving the road for a new era
      of personalized medicine, and is an important area of focus in current biomedical
      research. One of the prominent and globally implemented solutions for clinical
      and genomics data integration in biomedical research is an NIH funded NCBC
      initiative--Informatics for Integrating Biology and the Beside (I2B2). This paper
      presents the development of a pilot prototype for integrating patient's clinical
      and genomics datasets using open source and scalable I2B2 Framework. It focuses
      on disease specific clinical data and genomic variants, when combined together
      can be used for informed decision making in clinical practices by healthcare
      professionals and for further investigations by biomedical researchers. The
      research was carried out using a case study of King Abdullah International
      Medical Research Center (KAIMRC) in collaboration with King Fahad National Guard
      Hospital (KFNGH).

PMID- 26262353
TI  - Bridging the Gap from Bench to Bedside--An Informatics Infrastructure for
      Integrating Clinical, Genomics and Environmental Data (ICGED).
AB  - The abundance of heterogeneous biomedical data from a variety of sources demands
      the development of strategies to address data integration and management issues,
      so that the data can be used effectively in clinical practices and biomedical
      research. This research presents an Informatics Infrastructure for Integrating
      Clinical, Genomics and Environmental Data (ICGED) and provides a roadmap that
      envisions utilizing the clinical and biomedical resources in our case study. This
      work describes a data integration approach, proposed by ICGED, with a two-fold
      purpose: personalized medicine and biomedical data storage and sharing platform.
      It describes our experiences integrating disease specific clinical and genomics
      datasets with Data Integration and Analysis Tools (DIAT)--using Informatics for
      Integrating Biology and the Bedside, and discusses work in progress and future
      work for extending DIAT, and the development of Risk Assessment and Prediction
      Tools, Clinical Decision Support Systems and a Bioinformatics Data Warehouse.

PMID- 26262354
TI  - Designing an Innovative Data Architecture for the Los Angeles Data Resource
      (LADR).
AB  - The Los Angeles Data Resource (LADR) is a joint project of major Los Angeles
      health care provider organizations. The LADR helps clinical investigators to
      explore the size of potential research study cohorts using operational clinical
      data across all participating institutions. The Charles R. Drew University of
      Medicine and Science (CDU) LADR team sought to develop an innovative data
      architecture that would aggregate de-identified clinical data from safety-net
      providers in the community into CDU LADR node. This in turn would be federated
      with the other nodes of LADR for a shared view in a way that was never available
      before. This led to a self-service system to assess patients matching study
      criteria at each medical center and to search patients by demographics, ICD-9
      codes, lab results and medications. 

PMID- 26262355
TI  - Curating and Integrating Data from Multiple Sources to Support Healthcare
      Analytics.
AB  - As the volume and variety of healthcare related data continues to grow, the
      analysis and use of this data will increasingly depend on the ability to
      appropriately collect, curate and integrate disparate data from many different
      sources. We describe our approach to and highlight our experiences with the
      development of a robust data collection, curation and integration infrastructure
      that supports healthcare analytics. This system has been successfully applied to
      the processing of a variety of data types including clinical data from electronic
      health records and observational studies, genomic data, microbiomic data, self
      reported data from surveys and self-tracked data from wearable devices from over
      600 subjects. The curated data is currently being used to support healthcare
      analytic applications such as data visualization, patient stratification and
      predictive modeling. 

PMID- 26262356
TI  - Integrated Database And Knowledge Base For Genomic Prospective Cohort Study In
      Tohoku Medical Megabank Toward Personalized Prevention And Medicine.
AB  - The Tohoku Medical Megabank project is a national project to revitalization of
      the disaster area in the Tohoku region by the Great East Japan Earthquake, and
      have conducted large-scale prospective genome-cohort study. Along with
      prospective genome-cohort study, we have developed integrated database and
      knowledge base which will be key database for realizing personalized prevention
      and medicine. 

PMID- 26262357
TI  - Non-Integrated Information and Communication Technologies in the Kidney
      Transplantation Process in Brazil.
AB  - The entire kidney transplantation process in Brazil is defined through laws,
      decrees, ordinances, and resolutions, but there is no defined theoretical map
      describing this process. From this representation it's possible to perform
      analysis, such as the identification of bottlenecks and information and
      communication technologies (ICTs) that support this process. The aim of this
      study was to analyze and represent the kidney transplantation workflow using
      business process modeling notation (BPMN) and then to identify the ICTs involved
      in the process. This study was conducted in eight steps, including document
      analysis and professional evaluation. The results include the BPMN model of the
      kidney transplantation process in Brazil and the identification of ICTs. We
      discovered that there are great delays in the process due to there being many
      different ICTs involved, which can cause information to be poorly integrated. 

PMID- 26262358
TI  - Are we talking about the same patient?
AB  - The objective of this study is to determine the degree of similarities between
      the clinical terms used by physicians and nurses in their documentation. 

PMID- 26262359
TI  - An HL7-FHIR-based Object Model for a Home-Centered Data Warehouse for Ambient
      Assisted Living Environments.
AB  - Current AAL environments focus on assisting a single person with seperated
      technologies. There is no interoperability between sub-domains in home
      environments, like building energy management or housing industry services. BASIS
      (Building Automation by a Scalable and Intelligent System) aims to integrate all
      sensors and actuators into a single, efficient home bus. First step is to create
      a semtically enriched data warehouse object model. We choose FHIR and built an
      object model mainly based on the Observation, Device and Location resources with
      minor extensions needed by AAL-foreign sub domains. FHIR turned out to be very
      flexible and complete for other home related sub-domains. The object model is
      implemented in a separated software-partition storing all structural and
      procedural data of BASIS. 

PMID- 26262360
TI  - Data Curation: Improving Environmental Health Data Quality.
AB  - With the growing recognition of the influence of climate change on human health,
      scientists' attention to analyzing the relationship between meteorological
      factors and adverse health effects. However, the paucity of high quality
      integrated data is one of the great challenges, especially when scientific
      studies rely on data-intensive computing. This paper aims to design an
      appropriate curation process to address this problem. We present a data curation
      workflow that: (i) follows the guidance of DCC Curation Lifecycle Model; (ii)
      combines manual curation with automatic curation; (iii) and solves environmental
      health data curation problem. The workflow was applied to a medical knowledge
      service system and showed that it was capable of improving work efficiency and
      data quality. 

PMID- 26262361
TI  - Development of a Dynamic and Adaptive Simulator for Health.
AB  - One of the ways to develop health simulations is through the use of computers.
      This paper presents the use of Intelligent Computer-aided Instruction (ICAI) for
      the development of an interactive simulator for learning Cardio Pulmonary
      Resucitation (CPR) which incorporates online tutorials, training and evaluation. 

PMID- 26262362
TI  - On Analyzing Readmissions Using A Trajectory Model: Evidence From Israel.
AB  - The problem of readmission, wherein patients are readmitted for the same or a
      related condition shortly after discharge, has become a challenge worldwide from
      care quality and financial perspectives. In this study, we explore 30-day
      readmission data for predicting who is likely to be readmitted and understanding
      key factors contributing to preventable readmissions using the developmental
      trajectory of creatinine level as a key laboratory marker of serious illness and
      a potential predictor of future readmission. Using Electronic Health Record data
      on 928 patients over ten different visits to emergency departments across Israel,
      we apply a semi-parametric, statistical, group-based trajectory model to elicit
      three distinct creatinine-based trajectories over time with differing 30-day
      readmission rates for males and females. Analysis of readmission risk
      stratification of the patient population using other relevant factors is ongoing
      research. 

PMID- 26262363
TI  - Automated Detection of Health Websites' HONcode Conformity: Can N-gram
      Tokenization Replace Stemming?
AB  - Authors evaluated supervised automatic classification algorithms for
      determination of health related web-page compliance with individual HONcode
      criteria of conduct using varying length character n-gram vectors to represent
      healthcare web page documents. The training/testing collection comprised web page
      fragments extracted by HONcode experts during the manual certification process.
      The authors compared automated classification performance of n-gram tokenization
      to the automated classification performance of document words and Porter-stemmed
      document words using a Naive Bayes classifier and DF (document frequency)
      dimensionality reduction metrics. The study attempted to determine whether the
      automated, language-independent approach might safely replace word-based
      classification. Using 5-grams as document features, authors also compared the
      baseline DF reduction function to Chi-square and Z-score dimensionality
      reductions. Overall study results indicate that n-gram tokenization provided a
      potentially viable alternative to document word stemming. 

PMID- 26262364
TI  - Data Science Solution to Event Prediction in Outsourced Clinical Trial Models.
AB  - Late phase clinical trials are regularly outsourced to a Contract Research
      Organisation (CRO) while the risk and accountability remain within the sponsor
      company. Many statistical tasks are delivered by the CRO and later revalidated by
      the sponsor. Here, we report a technological approach to standardised event
      prediction. We have built a dynamic web application around an R-package with the
      aim of delivering reliable event predictions, simplifying communication and
      increasing trust between the CRO and the in-house statisticians via transparency.
      Short learning curve, interactivity, reproducibility and data diagnostics are key
      here. The current implementation is motivated by time-to-event prediction in
      oncology. We demonstrate a clear benefit of standardisation for both parties. The
      tool can be used for exploration, communication, sensitivity analysis and
      generating standard reports. At this point we wish to present this tool and share
      some of the insights we have gained during the development. 

PMID- 26262365
TI  - Improving Hospital-wide Patient Scheduling Decisions by Clinical Pathway Mining.
AB  - Recent research has highlighted the need for solving hospital-wide patient
      scheduling problems. Inpatient scheduling, patient activities have to be
      scheduled on scarce hospital resources such that temporal relations between
      activities (e.g. for recovery times) are ensured. Common objectives are, among
      others, the minimization of the length of stay (LOS). In this paper, we consider
      a hospital-wide patient scheduling problem with LOS minimization based on
      uncertain clinical pathways. We approach the problem in three stages: First, we
      learn most likely clinical pathways using a sequential pattern mining approach.
      Second, we provide a mathematical model for patient scheduling and finally, we
      combine the two approaches. In an experimental study carried out using real-world
      data, we show that our approach outperforms baseline approaches on two metrics. 

PMID- 26262366
TI  - Annotation methods to develop and evaluate an expert system based on natural
      language processing in electronic medical records.
AB  - The objective of the SYNODOS collaborative project was to develop a generic IT
      solution, combining a medical terminology server, a semantic analyser and a
      knowledge base. The goal of the project was to generate meaningful
      epidemiological data for various medical domains from the textual content of
      French medical records. In the context of this project, we built a care pathway
      oriented conceptual model and corresponding annotation method to develop and
      evaluate an expert system's knowledge base. The annotation method is based on a
      semi-automatic process, using a software application (MedIndex). This application
      exchanges with a cross-lingual multi-termino-ontology portal. The annotator
      selects the most appropriate medical code proposed for the medical concept in
      question by the multi-termino-ontology portal and temporally labels the medical
      concept according to the course of the medical event. This choice of conceptual
      model and annotation method aims to create a generic database of facts for the
      secondary use of electronic health records data. 

PMID- 26262367
TI  - "Quartile" screening method to analyze the relationship between HIS and "AEROS"
      in Japan.
AB  - Atmospheric pollution affects the health through complex mechanisms and to
      varying degrees. However, even by secondary usage of retrospective HIS and
      "AEROS" data, screening can be performed for specific ICD10 diseases caused by
      environmental factors. Our screening method showed good agreement with doctors'
      common knowledge on the relationship between atmospheric data and disease.
      Examples include the higher incidence of influenza at low temperatures and dry
      skin caused by low humidity, etc. We need to examine the method further in order
      to make it simpler, easier and more robust. 

PMID- 26262368
TI  - Impact of data quality assessment on development of clinical predictive models.
AB  - Data quality plays a very important role in predicting clinical outcomes. Data
      quality is multi dimensional and most relevant studies consider just one or two
      dimensions. In this study a systematic data quality assessment is performed using
      four data dimensions. The results demonstrate that performance of predictive
      models improves when the quality of the data is assessed and addressed
      systematically. 

PMID- 26262369
TI  - Evaluating Methods for Identifying Cancer in Free-Text Pathology Reports Using
      Various Machine Learning and Data Preprocessing Approaches.
AB  - Automated detection methods can address delays and incompleteness in cancer case
      reporting. Existing automated efforts are largely dependent on complex
      dictionaries and coded data. Using a gold standard of manually reviewed pathology
      reports, we evaluated the performance of alternative input formats and decision
      models on a convenience sample of free-text pathology reports. Results showed
      that the input format significantly impacted performance, and specific algorithms
      yielded better results for presicion, recall and accuracy. We conclude that our
      approach is sufficiently accurate for practical purposes and represents a
      generalized process. 

PMID- 26262370
TI  - A Metadata based Knowledge Discovery Methodology for Seeding Translational
      Research.
AB  - In this paper, we present a semantic, metadata based knowledge discovery
      methodology for identifying teams of researchers from diverse backgrounds who can
      collaborate on interdisciplinary research projects: projects in areas that have
      been identified as high-impact areas at The Ohio State University. This
      methodology involves the semantic annotation of keywords and the postulation of
      semantic metrics to improve the efficiency of the path exploration algorithm as
      well as to rank the results. Results indicate that our methodology can discover
      groups of experts from diverse areas who can collaborate on translational
      research projects. 

PMID- 26262371
TI  - Restricted Versus Unrestricted Search Space: Experience from Mining a Large
      Japanese Database.
AB  - The aim of this study was to investigate whether standard Big Data mining methods
      lead to clinically useful results. An association analysis was performed using
      the apriori algorithm to discover associations among co-morbidities of diabetes
      patients. Selected data were further analyzed by using k-means clustering with
      age, long-term blood sugar and cholesterol values. The association analysis led
      to a multitude of trivial rules. Cluster analysis detected clusters of well and
      badly managed diabetes patients both belonging to different age groups. The study
      suggests the usage of cluster analysis on a restricted space to come to
      meaningful results. 

PMID- 26262372
TI  - Interpreting Medical Information Using Machine Learning and Individual
      Conditional Expectation.
AB  - Recently, machine-learning techniques have spread many fields. However, machine
      learning is still not popular in medical research field due to difficulty of
      interpreting. In this paper, we introduce a method of interpreting medical
      information using machine learning technique. The method gave new explanation of
      partial dependence plot and individual conditional expectation plot from medical
      research field. 

PMID- 26262373
TI  - A Data Mining Approach to Identify Sexuality Patterns in a Brazilian University
      Population.
AB  - This paper presents the profile and experience of sexuality generated from a data
      mining classification task. We used a database about sexuality and gender
      violence performed on a university population in southern Brazil. The data mining
      task identified two relationships between the variables, which enabled the
      distinction of subgroups that better detail the profile and experience of
      sexuality. The identification of the relationships between the variables define
      behavioral models and factors of risk that will help define the algorithms being
      implemented in the data mining classification task. 

PMID- 26262374
TI  - A Comparative Study of Bayes Net, Naive Bayes and Averaged One-Dependence
      Estimators for Osteoporosis Analysis.
AB  - This paper presents an evaluation of the accuracy of the Bayesian classifiers:
      Bayes Net, Naive Bayes and Averaged One-Dependence Estimator, to support
      diagnoses of osteopenia and osteoporosis. All classifiers showed good results,
      thus, given data, it is possible to produce a reasonably accurate estimate of the
      diagnosis. 

PMID- 26262375
TI  - Trivalent Influenza Vaccine Adverse Event Analysis Based On MedDRA System Organ
      Classes Using VAERS Data.
AB  - We studied serious reports following influnza vaccine from VAERS database in year
      2011. Our statistical analyses revealed differences of reactions among different
      age groups and between genders. The results may lead to additional studies to
      uncover factors contributing to the individual differences in susceptibility to
      influenza infection. 

PMID- 26262376
TI  - Temporal Relation Extraction in Outcome Variances of Clinical Pathways.
AB  - Recently the clinical pathway has progressed with digitalization and the analysis
      of activity. There are many previous studies on the clinical pathway but not many
      feed directly into medical practice. We constructed a mind map system that
      applies the spanning tree. This system can visualize temporal relations in
      outcome variances, and indicate outcomes that affect long-term hospitalization. 

PMID- 26262377
TI  - Proof of Concept HTML5 Webapp: Type 2 Diabetes risk stratification.
AB  - Proof of concept HTML5 webapp for use in a diabetes screening context is
      presented. 

PMID- 26262378
TI  - Design of a Graph-Based System for Similar Case Retrieval of Pulmonary Nodules.
AB  - Due to difficulty of diagnosing lung cancer, it is important to integrate
      computational tools in the imaging interpretation process. Content-Based Image
      Retrieval (CBIR) can provide decision support to specialists by allowing them to
      find nodules from a database that are similar to a reference one. However, CBIR
      systems still face problems visualizing multidimensional images. This paper
      presents the design of a graph-based system for the retrieval of similar temporal
      computed tomography (CT) scans of pulmonary nodules, in order to optimize the
      visualization of multidimensional images in a CBIR system. Temporal Image
      Registration has been used to compare reference and retrieved previously
      segmented nodules. A rooted tree graph is employed to visualize retrieved cases,
      and it is deployed in a web system for portability and usability purposes. 

PMID- 26262379
TI  - Audit Trail Management System in Community Health Care Information Network.
AB  - After the Great East Japan Earthquake we constructed a community health care
      information network system. Focusing on the authentication server and portal
      server capable of SAML&ID-WSF, we proposed an audit trail management system to
      look over audit events in a comprehensive manner. Through implementation and
      experimentation, we verified the effectiveness of our proposed audit trail
      management system. 

PMID- 26262380
TI  - Utilizing Dental Electronic Health Records Data to Predict Risk for Periodontal
      Disease.
AB  - Periodontal disease is a major cause for tooth loss and adversely affects
      individuals' oral health and quality of life. Research shows its potential
      association with systemic diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and
      social habits such as smoking. This study explores mining potential risk factors
      from dental electronic health records to predict and display patients'
      contextualized risk for periodontal disease. We retrieved relevant risk factors
      from structured and unstructured data on 2,370 patients who underwent
      comprehensive oral examinations at the Indiana University School of Dentistry,
      Indianapolis, IN, USA. Predicting overall risk and displaying relationships
      between risk factors and their influence on the patient's oral and general health
      can be a powerful educational and disease management tool for patients and
      clinicians at the point of care. 

PMID- 26262381
TI  - Distributed Parallel Computing in Data Analysis of Osteoporosis.
AB  - This research aimed to compare the performance of two models of load balancing
      (Proportional and Autotuned algorithms) of the JPPF platform in the processing of
      data mining from a database with osteoporosis and osteopenia. When performing the
      analysis of execution times, it was observed that the Proportional algorithm
      performed better in all cases. 

PMID- 26262382
TI  - Kmer-indexer: A Fast K-mer Indexing Program.
AB  - In our previous work, a k-mer based program named MFEprimer-2.0 was designed and
      developed for primer specificity evaluation task. In order to increase the index
      processing speed, decrease the index data size and memory usage, we developed a
      new program named kmer-indexer. Compared to MFEprimer-2.0, the processing speed
      of kmer-indexer is 10+ times faster, the index data size can be significantly
      reduced to one third, and the memory usage is controlled within a small range so
      that this program can run on an ordinary PC. 

PMID- 26262383
TI  - Cohort Discovery Query Optimization via Computable Controlled Vocabulary
      Versioning.
AB  - Self-service cohort discovery tools strive to provide intuitive interfaces to
      large Clinical Data Warehouses that contain extensive historic information. In
      those tools, controlled vocabulary (e.g., ICD-9-CM, CPT) coded clinical
      information is often the main search criteria used because of its ubiquity in
      billing processes. These tools generally require a researcher to pick specific
      terms from the controlled vocabulary. However, controlled vocabularies evolve
      over time as medical knowledge changes and can even be replaced with new versions
      (e.g., ICD-9 to ICD-10). These tools generally only display the current version
      of the controlled vocabulary. Researchers should not be expected to understand
      the underlying controlled vocabulary versioning issues. We propose a computable
      controlled vocabulary versioning system that allows cohort discovery tools to
      automatically expand queries to account for terminology changes. 

PMID- 26262384
TI  - A Statistical Analysis of Term Occurrences in Radiology Reporting.
AB  - To compare term occurrences in free-text radiology reports and RSNA reporting
      templates, we selected five templates from an RSNA reporting template library and
      their corresponding free-text reports as a test set, and employed the Wilcoxon
      signed-rank test to find out whether the terms in RSNA reporting templates match
      those terms appearing in corresponding free-text radiology reports. The results
      show that most terms in free-text radiology reports are covered by RSNA reporting
      templates. By assessing the terminology coverage of existing templates, this
      study may benefit the growth of the RSNA reporting template library. 

PMID- 26262385
TI  - Is it Possible to Make Everyone Talk in the Same Language?
AB  - Speaking the same language is a vital pre-requisite in verbal communication. The
      same applies in sharing health information among medical professionals in
      rendering care to patients. The Hospital Authority of Hong Kong developed its own
      clinical vocabulary table (HACVT) for clinicians to document diagnoses and
      procedures directly in the Clinical Management System (CMS) since 1996. HACVT is
      referenced to international classifications and reference terminologies, with
      local terms added and is built according to the principles of terminology
      management [1]. This poster describes the process of data standardisation within
      the organisation in the past years to achieve data interoperability through
      different adoption methods of HACVT. 

PMID- 26262386
TI  - A Novel Approach to Create a Machine Readable Concept Model for Validating SNOMED
      CT Concept Post-coordination.
AB  - Post-coordination provides the means to achieve an appropriate content coverage,
      which is critical in successfully adopting clinical reference terminologies, and
      thus represent clinical information consistently. However, one of the major
      problems of post-coordination corresponds with ensuring only clinically sensible
      concepts can be constructed. In this poster, we present the development of a
      novel approach to generate a MRCM computationally, in order to facilitate the
      adherence to the existing guidelines and improve the quality of post-coordination
      in SNOMED CT. 

PMID- 26262387
TI  - Towards a Clinical Decision Support System for Drug Allergy Management: Are
      Existing Drug Reference Terminologies Sufficient for Identifying Substitutes and
      Cross-Reactants?
AB  - Drug allergy cross-reactivity checking is an important component of electronic
      health record systems. Currently, a single, open-source medication dictionary
      that can provide this function does not exist. In this study, we assessed the
      feasibility of using RxNorm and NDF-RT (National Drug File--Reference
      Terminology) for allergy management decision support. We evaluated the
      performance of using the Pharmacological Class, Mechanism of Action and Chemical
      Structure NDF-RT classifications in discriminating between safe and cross
      reactive alternatives to a sample of common drug allergens. The positive
      predictive values for the three approaches were 96.3%, 99.3% and 96.2%
      respectively. The negative predictive values were 94.7%, 56.8% and 92.6%. Our
      findings suggest that in the absence of an established medication allergy
      classification system, using the Pharmacologic Class and Chemical Structure
      classifications in NDF-RT may still be effective for discriminating between safe
      and cross-reactive alternatives to potential allergens.

PMID- 26262388
TI  - Consumer Health Vocabulary: A Proposal for a Brazilian Portuguese Language.
AB  - Studies show a gap between the expressions commonly used by health consumers and
      health professionals. To bridge this gap, consumer health vocabularies are
      presented as a solution. The aim of this paper is to describe an on-going project
      to create a consumer health vocabulary (CHV) in the Brazilian Portuguese
      language. This project will be developed in three phases: terms extraction and
      connection to compose a CHV graph structure, human validation, and computacional
      application development. We expect to make a CHV beta version (including
      approximately 5,000 valid consumer terms stored in a database graph) available.
      This project can contribute to the improvement of CHVs. 

PMID- 26262390
TI  - National governance of archetypes in Norway.
AB  - Norwegian National ICT has implemented a national governance scheme for
      archetypes. The scheme uses openEHR, and is possibly the first of its kind
      worldwide. It introduces several new processes and methods for crowd sourcing
      clinician input. It has spent much of its first year establishing practical
      processes and recruiting clinicians, and only a few archetypes has been reviewed
      and approved. Some non-reusable archetypes have emerged while the governance
      scheme has established itself, which demonstrates the need for a centralised
      governance. As the mass of clinician involvement reached a critical point at the
      end of 2014, the rate of archetype review and approval increased. 

PMID- 26262389
TI  - ICHI Categorial Structure: a WHO-FIC Tool for Semantic Interoperability of
      Procedures Classifications.
AB  - Casemix grouping using procedures classifications has become an important use
      case for health care terminologies. There are so many different national
      procedures classifications used for Casemix grouping that it is not possible to
      agree on a worldwide standard. ICHI (International Classification of Health
      Interventions) is proposing an approach that standardises only the terminologies'
      model structure. The poster shows the use of the ICHI alpha to replace ICD9 CM
      Volume 3 in the UNU-CBG International Casemix grouper. 

PMID- 26262391
TI  - Textual Definitions in the Leukemia Domain: Methodological Guidelines for
      Biomedical Ontologies.
AB  - The goal of our study is to establish methodological guidelines for the
      formulation of definitions in biomedical ontologies thatare not so common in the
      field of Library & Information Science. 

PMID- 26262392
TI  - A Pilot Study on Modeling of Diagnostic Criteria Using OWL and SWRL.
AB  - The objective of this study is to describe our efforts in a pilot study on
      modeling diagnostic criteria using a Semantic Web-based approach. We reused the
      basic framework of the ICD-11 content model and refined it into an operational
      model in the Web Ontology Language (OWL). The refinement is based on a bottom-up
      analysis method, in which we analyzed data elements (including value sets) in a
      collection (n=20) of randomly selected diagnostic criteria. We also performed a
      case study to formalize rule logic in the diagnostic criteria of metabolic
      syndrome using the Semantic Web Rule Language (SWRL). The results demonstrated
      that it is feasible to use OWL and SWRL to formalize the diagnostic criteria
      knowledge, and to execute the rules through reasoning. 

PMID- 26262393
TI  - Constructing a Graph Database for Semantic Literature-Based Discovery.
AB  - Literature-based discovery (LBD) generates discoveries, or hypotheses, by
      combining what is already known in the literature. Potential discoveries have the
      form of relations between biomedical concepts; for example, a drug may be
      determined to treat a disease other than the one for which it was intended. LBD
      views the knowledge in a domain as a network; a set of concepts along with the
      relations between them. As a starting point, we used SemMedDB, a database of
      semantic relations between biomedical concepts extracted with SemRep from
      Medline. SemMedDB is distributed as a MySQL relational database, which has some
      problems when dealing with network data. We transformed and uploaded SemMedDB
      into the Neo4j graph database, and implemented the basic LBD discovery algorithms
      with the Cypher query language. We conclude that storing the data needed for
      semantic LBD is more natural in a graph database. Also, implementing LBD
      discovery algorithms is conceptually simpler with a graph query language when
      compared with standard SQL. 

PMID- 26262394
TI  - Development of an Ontology to Recommend Exercises from Conceptual Maps.
AB  - The recommendation of exercise plans requires several variables to be considered
      (e.g., patient's conditions and preferences) and are normally complex to analyze.
      To facilitate this analysis we proposed the creation of an ontology to assist
      professionals to recommend exercises. We interviewed 2 experts and this resulted
      in IDEF diagram and conceptual map. The conceptual map proved to be the preferred
      way that experts gained more understanding compared with the IDEF diagram. In
      addition, we also used the conceptual map to validate the formal structure of
      experts' ideas. From the conceptual map we created an ontology that is being
      reviewed. After this, we plan to incorporate the ontology into a decision support
      system that will assist professionals to recommend exercises for their patients. 

PMID- 26262395
TI  - Utility of Arden Syntax for Representation of Fuzzy Logic in Clinical Quality
      Measures.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Prior work has established that fuzzy logic is prevalent in clinical
      practice guidelines and that Arden Syntax is suitable for representing clinical
      quality measures (CQMs). Approved since then, Arden Syntax v2.9 (2012) has formal
      constructs for fuzzy logic even as new formalisms are proposed to represent
      quality logic. OBJECTIVES: Determine the prevalence of fuzzy logic in CQMs and
      assess the utility of a contemporary version of Arden Syntax for representing
      them. METHODS: Linguistic variables were tabulated in the 329 Assessing Care of
      the Vulnerable Elderly (ACOVE-3) CQMs, and these logic statements were encoded in
      Arden Syntax. RESULTS: In a total of 392 CQMs, linguistic variables occurred in
      30.6%, and Arden Syntax could be used to represent these formally. CONCLUSIONS:
      Fuzzy logic occurs commonly in CQMs, and Arden Syntax offers particular utility
      for the representations of these constructs.

PMID- 26262396
TI  - Developing a Standards-Based Information Model for Representing Computable
      Diagnostic Criteria: A Feasibility Study of the NQF Quality Data Model.
AB  - The lack of a standards-based information model has been recognized as a major
      barrier for representing computable diagnostic criteria. In this paper we
      describe our efforts in examining the feasibility of the Quality Data Model (QDM)
      developed by the National Quality Forum (NQF)-for representing computable
      diagnostic criteria. We collected the diagnostic criteria for a number of
      diseases and disorders (n=12) from textbooks and profiled the data elements of
      the criteria using the QDM data elements. We identified a number of common
      patterns informed by the QDM. In conclusion, the common patterns informed by the
      QDM are useful and feasible in building a standards-based information model for
      computable diagnostic criteria. 

PMID- 26262398
TI  - Development of an Adolescent Depression Ontology for Analyzing Social Data.
AB  - Depression in adolescence is associated with significant suicidality. Therefore,
      it is important to detect the risk for depression and provide timely care to
      adolescents. This study aims to develop an ontology for collecting and analyzing
      social media data about adolescent depression. This ontology was developed using
      the 'ontology development 101'. The important terms were extracted from several
      clinical practice guidelines and postings on Social Network Service. We extracted
      777 terms, which were categorized into 'risk factors', 'sign and symptoms',
      'screening', 'diagnosis', 'treatment', and 'prevention'. An ontology developed in
      this study can be used as a framework to understand adolescent depression using
      unstructured data from social media. 

PMID- 26262397
TI  - A Standards-based Semantic Metadata Repository to Support EHR-driven Phenotype
      Authoring and Execution.
AB  - This study describes our efforts in developing a standards-based semantic
      metadata repository for supporting electronic health record (EHR)-driven
      phenotype authoring and execution. Our system comprises three layers: 1) a
      semantic data element repository layer; 2) a semantic services layer; and 3) a
      phenotype application layer. In a prototype implementation, we developed the
      repository and services through integrating the data elements from both Quality
      Data Model (QDM) and HL7 Fast Healthcare Inteoroperability Resources (FHIR)
      models. We discuss the modeling challenges and the potential of our system to
      support EHR phenotype authoring and execution applications. 

PMID- 26262399
TI  - A Framework for Modeling Workflow Execution by an Interdisciplinary Healthcare
      Team.
AB  - The use of business workflow models in healthcare is limited because of
      insufficient capture of complexities associated with behavior of
      interdisciplinary healthcare teams that execute healthcare workflows. In this
      paper we present a novel framework that builds on the well-founded business
      workflow model formalism and related infrastructures and introduces a formal
      semantic layer that describes selected aspects of team dynamics and supports
      their real-time operationalization. 

PMID- 26262400
TI  - Evaluating a Hierarchical Clinical Event Linkage Model for Clinic-Specific
      Databases.
AB  - A relational database model is presented that stores the hierarchical linkages
      between clinical events with qualifier codes, such that the explicit contextual
      meaning of an event's attributes is preserved upon retrieval. A retrospective
      analysis of 302 forms built upon the model showed that 91% of 17,899 data
      elements requested by clinicians and researchers from 19 clinics were
      successfully represented, but that 62% were never used more than once. These
      results reinforce the specificity of clinic-specific databases and the need for
      unambiguous, explicitly-stored clinical data. 

PMID- 26262401
TI  - Enabling Self-Monitoring Data Exchange in Participatory Medicine.
AB  - The development of new methods, devices and apps for self-monitoring have enabled
      the extension of the application of these approaches for consumer health and
      research purposes. The increase in the number and variety of devices has
      generated a complex scenario where reporting guidelines and data exchange formats
      will be needed to ensure the quality of the information and the reproducibility
      of results of the experiments. Based on the Minimal Information for Self
      Monitoring Experiments (MISME) reporting guideline we have developed an XML
      format (MISME-ML) to facilitate data exchange for self monitoring experiments. We
      have also developed a sample instance to illustrate the concept and a Java MISME
      ML validation tool. The implementation and adoption of these tools should
      contribute to the consolidation of a set of methods that ensure the
      reproducibility of self monitoring experiments for research purposes. 

PMID- 26262402
TI  - DServO: A Peer-to-Peer-based Approach to Biomedical Ontology Repositories.
AB  - We present in this poster an extension of the ServO ontology server system, which
      adopts a decentralized Peer-To-Peer approach for managing multiple heterogeneous
      knowledge organization systems. It relies on the use of the JXTA protocol coupled
      with information retrieval techniques to provide a decentralized infrastructure
      for managing multiples instances of Ontology Repositories. 

PMID- 26262403
TI  - OntoMama: An Ontology Applied to Breast Cancer.
AB  - This article describes the process of building an ontology to assist medical
      students and professionals specialized in Oncology. The ontology allows the user
      to obtain knowledge more quickly and thus assist professionals in their decision
      making. 

PMID- 26262404
TI  - National Healthcare Policies in Chile: An Ontological Meta-Analysis.
AB  - We present an ontological meta-analysis of the national healthcare policies in
      Chile. Using a logically constructed ontology based on the common body of
      knowledge as a lens, we map the 39 key policies. The ontological map provides a
      synoptic, systematic, and systemic view of the policies, and highlight their
      emphases and biases. 

PMID- 26262405
TI  - Modelling the Medication Management System for Resource Limited Settings: A
      Formal Representation of the Prescribing and Dispensing Phases.
AB  - We propose a conceptual data model for relational databases targeting the
      prescribing and dispensing phases of the medication management system. The model
      was developed using recommendations from existing standards and guidelines, with
      necessary modifications made to suit adoption in resource-limited settings. We
      present the model as an entity-relationship diagram with 10 entities, 12
      relationships and 48 attributes. It is our hope that this work will help mitigate
      barriers in the implementation of electronic prescribing and dispensing standards
      in the developing world. 

PMID- 26262406
TI  - Real-time Data Fusion Platforms: The Need of Multi-dimensional Data-driven
      Research in Biomedical Informatics.
AB  - Systems designed to expedite data preprocessing tasks such as data discovery,
      interpretation, and integration that are required before data analysis
      drastically impact the pace of biomedical informatics research. Current
      commercial interactive and real-time data integration tools are designed for
      large-scale business analytics requirements. In this paper we identify the need
      for end-to-end data fusion platforms from the researcher's perspective,
      supporting ad-hoc data interpretation and integration. 

PMID- 26262407
TI  - Towards a Formal Representation of Processes and Objects Regarding the Delivery
      of Telehealth Services: The Telehealth Ontology (TEON).
AB  - This study introduces ontological aspects concerning the Telehealth Ontology
      (TEON), an ontology that represents formal-ontological content concerning the
      delivery of telehealth services. TEON formally represents the main services,
      actors and other entity types relevant to telehealth service delivery. TEON uses
      the upper level ontology BioTopLite2 and reuses content from the Ontology for
      Biomedical Investigations (OBI). The services embedded in telehealth services are
      considered as essential as the common services provided by the health-related
      practices. We envision TEON as a service to support the development of telehealth
      systems. TEON might also enable the integration of heterogeneous telehealth
      systems, and provide a base to automatize the processing of telehealth-related
      content. 

PMID- 26262408
TI  - Characterizing Health Information for Different Target Audiences.
AB  - Different groups of audiences in health care: health professionals and health
      consumers, each have different information needs. Health monographs targeting
      different audiences are created by leveraging readers' background knowledge. The
      NCI's Physician Data Query (PDQ(r)) Cancer Information Summaries provide parallel
      cancer information and education resources with different target audiences. In
      this paper, we used targeted audience-specific cancer information PDQs to measure
      characteristic differences on the element level between audiences. In addition,
      we compared vocabulary coverage. Results show a significant difference between
      the professional and patient version of cancer monographs in both content
      organization and vocabulary. This study provides a new view to assess targeted
      audience-specific health information, and helps editors to improve the quality
      and readability of health information. 

PMID- 26262409
TI  - A Pilot Ontology for Healthcare Quality Indicators.
AB  - Computerisation of quality indicators for the English National Health Service
      currently relies primarily on queries and clinical coding, with little use of
      ontologies. We created a searchable ontology for a diverse set of healthcare
      quality indicators. We investigated attributes and relationships in a set of 222
      quality indicators, categorised by clinical pathway, inclusion and exclusion
      criteria and US Institute of Medicine purpose. Our pilot ontology could reduce
      duplication of effort in healthcare quality monitoring. 

PMID- 26262410
TI  - Fuzzy-Arden-Syntax-based, Vendor-agnostic, Scalable Clinical Decision Support and
      Monitoring Platform.
AB  - This study's objective is to develop and use a scalable genuine technology
      platform for clinical decision support based on Arden Syntax, which was extended
      by fuzzy set theory and fuzzy logic. Arden Syntax is a widely recognized formal
      language for representing clinical and scientific knowledge in an executable
      format, and is maintained by Health Level Seven (HL7) International and approved
      by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Fuzzy set theory and logic
      permit the representation of knowledge and automated reasoning under linguistic
      and propositional uncertainty. These forms of uncertainty are a common feature of
      patients' medical data, the body of medical knowledge, and deductive clinical
      reasoning. 

PMID- 26262411
TI  - Online Training Assessment For Primary Care Professionals Of The City Of Sao
      Paulo.
AB  - Students who participate in courses and training offered in distance mode receive
      positive results in learning evaluations. Most studies show improvement in
      knowledge in pre- and post- course comparisons; however, there are still few
      evaluations of long-term knowledge retention. This study compares the learning
      scores of online training for health professionals in three different times:
      before training, immediately after, and 180 days later. This technological
      production research includes quantitative, descriptive and multivariate
      correlational, longitudinal, and panel types. The results show that online
      training has a positive impact on learning and knowledge retention. Whereas
      learning can be related to the impact of training, i.e., with the transfer of
      what was gathered for professional practice, learning retention of online
      training applied to health professionals represents an important step and assists
      in identifying the best strategies so expected results are achieved. 

PMID- 26262412
TI  - Allergy Risk Finder: Hypothesis Generation System for Allergy Risks via Web
      Service.
AB  - This study's aim was to build a web service that automatically collects and tests
      hypotheses for possible allergy risks. We crowdsourced for unknown allergy risks,
      and obtained odds ratios. By using the collected hypotheses, we built a web
      service that estimates allergy risks from a questionnaire (consisting of 10
      questions that we gathered from the crowdsourcing task), and at the end, we asked
      the users their new hypotheses on possible allergy risks. The web service also
      asked the users to send their original hypotheses to contribute to find the cause
      of allergy. In the near future, clinical trials to validate the hypotheses found
      in this study are desired. 

PMID- 26262413
TI  - Toward a Global eHealth Observatory for Nursing.
AB  - This poster summarizes a review of existing health observatories and proposes a
      new entity for nursing. A nursing eHealth observatory would be an authoritative
      and respected source of eHealth information that would support nursing decision
      making and policy development and add to the body of knowledge about professional
      nursing and client care outcomes. 

PMID- 26262414
TI  - Representation of Biomedical Expertise in Ontologies: a Case Study about
      Knowledge Acquisition on HTLV viruses and their clinical manifestations.
AB  - In this paper, we introduce a set of methodological steps for knowledge
      acquisition applied to the organization of biomedical information through
      ontologies. Those steps are tested in a real case involving Human T Cell
      Lymphotropic Virus (HTLV), which causes myriad infectious diseases. We hope to
      contribute to providing suitable knowledge representation of scientific domains. 

PMID- 26262415
TI  - Trigger Development for the Improvement of Neurological Patient Care.
AB  - By analyzing medical records, we developed triggers for epilepsy patients' care
      coordination. Thirteen triggers with potential to affect patient care outcomes
      and safety were found. 

PMID- 26262416
TI  - Patient Empowerment through Personal Medical Recommendations.
AB  - Patients today have ample opportunities to inform themselves about their disease
      and possible treatments using the Internet. While this type of patient
      empowerment is widely regarded as having a positive influence on the treatment,
      there exists the problem that the quality of information that can be found on
      online is very diverse. This paper presents a platform which empowers patients by
      allowing searching in a high quality document repository. In addition, it
      automatically provides intelligent and personalized recommendations according to
      the individual preferences and medical conditions. 

PMID- 26262417
TI  - A software tool to analyze clinical workflows from direct observations.
AB  - Observational data of clinical processes need to be managed in a convenient way,
      so that process information is reliable, valid and viable for further analysis.
      However, existing tools for allocating observations fail in systematic data
      collection of specific workflow recordings. We present a software tool which was
      developed to facilitate the analysis of clinical process observations. The tool
      was successfully used in the project OntoHealth, to build, store and analyze
      observations of diabetes routine consultations. 

PMID- 26262418
TI  - Knowledge-based immunosuppressive therapy for kidney transplant patients--from
      theoretical model to clinical integration.
AB  - Immunosuppressive therapy is a risky necessity after a patient received a kidney
      transplant. To reduce risks, a knowledge-based system was developed that
      determines the right dosage of the immunosuppresive agent Tacrolimus. A
      theoretical model, to classify medication blood levels as well as medication
      adaptions, was created using data from almost 500 patients, and over 13.000
      examinations. This model was then translated into an Arden Syntax knowledge base,
      and integrated directly into the hospital information system of the Vienna
      General Hospital. In this paper we give an overview of the construction and
      integration of such a system. 

PMID- 26262419
TI  - Clinical application of the integrated multicenter discharge summary database.
AB  - We performed the multi-year project to collect discharge summary from multiple
      hospitals and made the big text database to build a common document vector space,
      and developed various applications. We extracted 243,907 discharge summaries from
      seven hospitals. There was a difference in term structure and number of terms
      between the hospitals, however the differences by disease were similar. We built
      the vector space using TF-IDF method. We performed a cross-match analysis of DPC
      selection among seven hospitals. About 80% cases were correctly matched. The use
      of model data of other hospitals reduced selection rate to around 10%; however,
      integrated model data from all hospitals restored the selection rate. 

PMID- 26262420
TI  - Oncotherapy: A System for Requesting Chemotherapy Protocols.
AB  - A clinical decision support system is able to provide oncologists with suitable
      treatment options at the moment of decision making regarding which chemotherapy
      protocol is the best to apply to a particular oncological case. The National
      Cancer Institute has created a Guidelines Committee that establishes
      therapeutical options for each clinical case. The Health Informatics Department
      has developed Oncotherapy, a knowledge database that incorporates information
      provided by the Guidelines Committee. Oncotherapy includes a tailored information
      repository to provide oncologists in the public health system with the
      chemotherapy protocols available given three types of data: clinical diagnosis,
      clinical stage and therapy criteria. The protocol selected by the treating
      oncologist is sent back to Oncotherapy, which may create new knowledge that can
      be incorporated into the knowledge database. In this way, the system supports
      making the best decision according to the chemotherapy protocol options
      available. Furthermore, it can warn of errors that could result from mistakenly
      chosen therapies. 

PMID- 26262421
TI  - Linked Health Data: how linked data can help provide better health decisions.
AB  - This paper provides a brief survey about the use of linked data in healthcare to
      foster better health decisions and increase health knowledge. We present real
      cases from the Brazilian experience and emphasize some issues in research. This
      paper is not intending to be fully comprehensive, we discuss some open issues and
      research challenges in linked data and the technologies involved. We conclude
      that even though linked data has been adopted in many countries, some challenges
      have to be overcome, for example, interoperability between different standards. A
      defined solution able to foster the semantic interoperability between different
      standards must be developed. Benefits contributed through linked health data
      involve better decision making on diagnostics, assertive treatments, knowledge
      acquisition, improvements in quality healthcare service to citizens. 

PMID- 26262422
TI  - Facilitating Full-text Access to Biomedical Literature Using Open Access
      Resources.
AB  - Open access (OA) resources and local libraries often have their own literature
      databases, especially in the field of biomedicine. We have developed a method of
      linking a local library to a biomedical OA resource facilitating researchers'
      full-text article access. The method uses a model based on vector space to
      measure similarities between two articles in local library and OA resources. The
      method achieved an F-score of 99.61%. This method of article linkage and mapping
      between local library and OA resources is available for use. Through this work,
      we have improved the full-text access of the biomedical OA resources. 

PMID- 26262423
TI  - What Medical Informaticians Do With and Think About an International Medical
      Informatics Listserv: Member Survey Preliminary Findings.
AB  - A survey of members of the American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA)
      listserv Forum on implementation and optimization asked how members perceived the
      Forum, and suggestions for improvement. Respondents appear to be remarkably
      engaged with the Forum's debates, information sharing, educational and practical
      teachings, comments, and immediacy. 

PMID- 26262424
TI  - A Comparison between LMS tools to support e-health educational activities.
AB  - The objective of this study is to understand how a Learning Management System
      (LMS) plataform is used in a telehealth center to support two virtual learning
      enviroments focused on the education of the healthcare professionals and the
      students of a medical schoool. The study outcome is expected to provide
      indications towards choosing a better LSM for the telehelath center to support
      their educacional activities. 

PMID- 26262429
TI  - Phagraphene: A Low-Energy Graphene Allotrope Composed of 5-6-7 Carbon Rings with
      Distorted Dirac Cones.
AB  - Using systematic evolutionary structure searching we propose a new carbon
      allotrope, phagraphene [fae'graefi:n], standing for penta-hexa-hepta-graphene,
      because the structure is composed of 5-6-7 carbon rings. This two-dimensional
      (2D) carbon structure is lower in energy than most of the predicted 2D carbon
      allotropes due to its sp(2)-binding features and density of atomic packing
      comparable to graphene. More interestingly, the electronic structure of
      phagraphene has distorted Dirac cones. The direction-dependent cones are further
      proved to be robust against external strain with tunable Fermi velocities. 

PMID- 26262428
TI  - Control of Auditory Attention in Children With Specific Language Impairment.
AB  - PURPOSE: Children with specific language impairment (SLI) appear to demonstrate
      deficits in attention and its control. Selective attention involves the cognitive
      control of attention directed toward a relevant stimulus and simultaneous
      inhibition of attention toward irrelevant stimuli. The current study examined
      attention control during a cross-modal word recognition task. METHOD: Twenty
      participants with SLI (ages 9-12 years) and 20 age-matched peers with typical
      language development (TLD) listened to words through headphones and were
      instructed to attend to the words in 1 ear while ignoring the words in the other
      ear. They were simultaneously presented with pictures and asked to make a lexical
      decision about whether the pictures and auditory words were the same or
      different. Accuracy and reaction time were measured in 5 conditions, in which the
      stimulus in the unattended channel was manipulated. RESULTS: The groups performed
      with similar accuracy. Compared with their peers with TLD, children with SLI had
      slower reaction times overall and different within-group patterns of performance
      by condition. CONCLUSIONS: Children with TLD showed efficient inhibitory control
      in conditions that required active suppression of competing stimuli. Participants
      with SLI had difficulty exerting control over their auditory attention in all
      conditions, with particular difficulty inhibiting distractors of all types.

PMID- 26262430
TI  - Ulleungamides A and B, Modified alpha,beta-Dehydropipecolic Acid Containing
      Cyclic Depsipeptides from Streptomyces sp. KCB13F003.
AB  - Two novel cyclic depsipeptides, ulleungamides A (1) and B (2), were isolated from
      cultures of terrestrial Streptomyces sp. Their structures were determined by
      analyses of spectroscopic data and various chemical transformations, including
      modified Mosher's method, advanced Marfey's method, PGME, GITC derivatizations,
      and Snatzke's method. Ulleungamides were determined to be a new class of peptides
      bearing unprecedented units, such as 5-hydroxy-6-methyl-2,3-dehydropipecolic
      acid, 4,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-2,3-dehydropipecolic acid, and amino-linked 2
      isopropylsuccinic acid. Ulleungamide A displayed growth inhibitory activity
      against Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhimurium without cytotoxicity. 

PMID- 26262431
TI  - Superconductivity with Topological Surface State in SrxBi2Se3.
AB  - By intercalation of alkaline earth metal Sr in Bi2Se3, superconductivity with
      large shielding volume fraction (~91.5% at 0.5 K) has been achieved in
      Sr0.065Bi2Se3. Analysis of the Shubnikov-de Hass oscillations confirms the half
      shift expected from a Dirac spectrum, giving transport evidence of the existence
      of surface states. Importantly, SrxBi2Se3 superconductor is stable under air,
      making SrxBi2Se3 an ideal material base for investigating topological
      superconductivity.

PMID- 26262432
TI  - Reversible Piezofluorochromic Property and Intrinsic Structure Changes of Tetra(4
      methoxyphenyl)ethylene under High Pressure.
AB  - During the past decade, luminescent mechanochromism has received much attention.
      Despite the garnered attention, only a few studies have reported the effect of
      internal molecular structure change on the performance of mechanochromic
      fluorescence. Here, we chose tetra(4-methoxyphenyl)ethylene (TMOE) as a model
      molecule to study the correlation between structure and fluorescence property
      under a hydrostatic pressure produced by a diamond anvil cell (DAC). TMOE is a
      methoxy-substituted tetraphenylethylene (TPE) derivative and has a nearly
      centrosymmetric structure and a natural propeller shape. Ultraviolet-visible
      absorption and fluorescence spectra of TMOE and TPE in solution proved that the
      presence of methoxy groups in TMOE is responsible for the difference in
      fluorescence emissions of TMOE and TPE. Under a hydrostatic pressure, the in situ
      fluorescence spectra of TMOE at different concentrations show that the
      fluorescence intensity gradually weakens, accompanied by an obvious redshift. The
      Raman peak intensities decrease gradually, and the peaks disappear eventually
      with the pressure increasing. These spectral changes are attributed to the
      changes in the intramolecular conformation, that is, the strengthening of the
      weak C-H...O hydrogen bonds in TMOE molecules, which is caused by the twisted
      dihedral angle between the benzene ring and the carbon rigid plane of ethylene.
      Density functional theory simulation further confirms that the decreased dihedral
      angle could weaken Raman peak intensity, which is consistent with our
      experimental results. 

PMID- 26262433
TI  - Observing Changes in the Structure and Oligomerization State of a Helical Protein
      Dimer Using Solid-State Nanopores.
AB  - Protein analysis using solid-state nanopores is challenging due to limitations in
      bandwidth and signal-to-noise ratio. Recent improvements of those two aspects
      have made feasible the study of small peptides using solid-state nanopores, which
      have an advantage over biological counterparts in tunability of the pore
      diameter. Here, we report on the detection and characterization of peptides as
      small as 33 amino acids. Silicon nitride nanopores with thicknesses less than 10
      nm are used to provide signal-to-noise (S/N) levels up to S/N ~ 10 at 100 kHz. We
      demonstrate differentiation of monomer and dimer forms of the GCN4-p1 leucine
      zipper, a coiled-coil structure well studied in molecular biology, and compare
      with the unstructured 33-residue monomer. GCN4-p1 is sequence segment associated
      with homodimerization of the transcription factor General Control
      Nonderepressible 4 (GCN4), which is involved in the control of amino acid
      synthesis in yeast. The differentiation between two oligomeric forms demonstrates
      the capabilities of improved solid-state nanopore platforms to extract structural
      information involving short peptide structures. 

PMID- 26262435
TI  - Cancer Incidence and Mortality in Patients Treated Either With RAI or
      Thyroidectomy for Hyperthyroidism.
AB  - CONTEXT: Some previous studies have suggested increased cancer risk in
      hyperthyroid patients treated with radioactive iodine (RAI). It is unclear
      whether the excess cancer risk is attributable to hyperthyroidism, its treatment,
      or the shared risk factors of the two diseases. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to
      assess cancer morbidity and mortality in hyperthyroid patients treated with
      either RAI or surgery. PATIENTS: We identified 4334 patients treated surgically
      for hyperthyroidism in Finland during 1986-2007 from the Hospital Discharge
      Registry and 1814 patients treated with RAI for hyperthyroidism at Tampere
      University Hospital. For each patient, three age- and gender-matched controls
      were chosen. Information on cancer diagnoses was obtained from the Cancer
      Registry. The follow-up began 3 months after the treatment and ended at cancer
      diagnosis, death, emigration, or the common closing date (December 31, 2009).
      RESULTS: The overall cancer incidence was not increased among the hyperthyroid
      patients compared to their controls (rate ratio [RR], 1.05; 95% confidence
      interval [CI], 0.96-1.15). However, the risk of cancers of the respiratory tract
      (RR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.05-2.02) and the stomach (RR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.01-2.68) was
      increased among the patients. The overall cancer mortality did not differ between
      the patients and the controls (RR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.94-1.25). The type of
      treatment did not affect the overall risk of cancer (hazard ratio for RAI vs
      thyroidectomy, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.86-1.23) or cancer mortality (hazard ratio, 1.04;
      95% CI, 0.91-1.21). CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort of Finnish patients with
      hyperthyroidism treated with thyroidectomy or RAI, the overall risk of cancer was
      not increased, although an increased risk of gastric and respiratory tract
      cancers was seen in hyperthyroid patients. Based on this large-scale, long-term
      follow-up study, the increased cancer risk in hyperthyroid patients is
      attributable to hyperthyroidism and shared risk factors, not the treatment
      modality.

PMID- 26262434
TI  - Substrate-Competitive Activity-Based Profiling of Ester Prodrug Activating
      Enzymes.
AB  - Understanding the mechanistic basis of prodrug delivery and activation is
      critical for establishing species-specific prodrug sensitivities necessary for
      evaluating preclinical animal models and potential drug-drug interactions.
      Despite significant adoption of prodrug methodologies for enhanced
      pharmacokinetics, functional annotation of prodrug activating enzymes is
      laborious and often unaddressed. Activity-based protein profiling (ABPP)
      describes an emerging chemoproteomic approach to assay active site occupancy
      within a mechanistically similar enzyme class in native proteomes. The serine
      hydrolase enzyme family is broadly reactive with reporter-linked
      fluorophosphonates, which have shown to provide a mechanism-based covalent
      labeling strategy to assay the activation state and active site occupancy of
      cellular serine amidases, esterases, and thioesterases. Here we describe a
      modified ABPP approach using direct substrate competition to identify activating
      enzymes for an ethyl ester prodrug, the influenza neuraminidase inhibitor
      oseltamivir. Substrate-competitive ABPP analysis identified carboxylesterase 1
      (CES1) as an oseltamivir-activating enzyme in intestinal cell homogenates.
      Saturating concentrations of oseltamivir lead to a four-fold reduction in the
      observed rate constant for CES1 inactivation by fluorophosphonates. WWL50, a
      reported carbamate inhibitor of mouse CES1, blocked oseltamivir hydrolysis
      activity in human cell homogenates, confirming CES1 is the primary prodrug
      activating enzyme for oseltamivir in human liver and intestinal cell lines. The
      related carbamate inhibitor WWL79 inhibited mouse but not human CES1, providing a
      series of probes for analyzing prodrug activation mechanisms in different
      preclinical models. Overall, we present a substrate-competitive activity-based
      profiling approach for broadly surveying candidate prodrug hydrolyzing enzymes
      and outline the kinetic parameters for activating enzyme discovery, ester prodrug
      design, and preclinical development of ester prodrugs. 

PMID- 26262436
TI  - Bone Marrow Function After (131)I Therapy in Patients With Differentiated Thyroid
      Carcinoma.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The primary objective was to evaluate the short- and long-term toxic
      effects of radioiodine ((131)I) therapy on bone marrow function in differentiated
      thyroid carcinoma (DTC) patients. The secondary objective was to define
      characteristics of patients at risk for impaired bone marrow function after
      (131)I treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: DTC patients treated with (131)I between
      1989 and 2013 were included. We excluded patients with morbidities or treatments
      that could have influenced blood count parameters. Baseline platelets,
      leukocytes, and hemoglobin levels were compared with blood counts at 3 and 6
      months and at 1 and 5 years after treatment. Logistic multivariate regression
      analyses were performed to determine patient characteristics associated with
      thrombocytopenia. RESULTS: We included 331 patients. Mean +/- SD age was 47.5 +/-
      17.2 years, and 74.0% were female. Posttreatment platelets were significantly
      decreased at 6 months and 1 year, as compared with baseline. Leukocyte counts
      were also decreased at 3 and 6 months and at 1 year after treatment. No decreases
      in hemoglobin were found. Five years after treatment, platelet and leukocyte
      counts were comparable with baseline. Fourteen patients (4.2%) developed
      transient posttreatment thrombocytopenia. Risk factors for thrombocytopenia were
      older age, T4 tumor stage, male gender, and cumulative dose (131)I. After a
      multivariate regression analysis, the cumulative dose (131)I remained
      independently associated with thrombocytopenia. CONCLUSION: Posttreatment
      platelets and leukocytes were transiently decreased compared with pretreatment
      values in a general DTC population. Cumulative (131)I dose was independently
      associated with thrombocytopenia. Platelets and leukocytes normalized to baseline
      levels 5 years after treatment, implying that in most patients the clinical
      effects of bone marrow toxicity are limited.

PMID- 26262437
TI  - Diagnosis of Primary Hypophysitis in Germany.
AB  - CONTEXT: Representative data on diagnostic findings in primary hypophysitis
      (PrHy) are scarce. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to collate
      consistent data on clinical features in a large series of patients with PrHy.
      Another objective was to gain information on current practice in a diagnostic
      work-up. DESIGN: The Pituitary Working Group of the German Society of
      Endocrinology conducted a nationwide retrospective cross-sectional cohort study
      in Germany. PATIENTS: Seventy-six patients with PrHy were identified. MAIN
      OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical and endocrinological features were assessed. RESULTS:
      Headache (50%) and increase in body mass (18%) were the most frequent
      nonendocrine symptoms. Hypophysitis was associated with pregnancy in only 11% of
      the female patients. Diabetes insipidus was found in 54% of the patients at
      presentation. Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism was the most frequent endocrine
      failure (62%), whereas GH deficiency was the least frequent (37%). With 86%,
      thickening of the pituitary stalk was the prevailing neuroradiological sign.
      Compared with surgical cases, the cases without histological confirmation
      presented more often with suprasellar lesions and had less severe nonendocrine
      symptoms. Granulomatous hypophysitis was associated with more severe clinical
      symptoms than lymphocytic hypophysitis. Examination of cerebrospinal fluid was
      predominantly performed in participating neurosurgical centers, whereas thyroid
      antibodies were almost exclusively assessed in endocrinological centers.
      CONCLUSION: In contrast to the literature, hypogonadism was found to be the most
      frequent endocrine failure in PrHy. Weight gain was identified as a clinical sign
      of PrHy. In the majority of patients, PrHy can be reliably identified by
      characteristic clinical signs and symptoms, obviating histological confirmation.
      The diagnostic approach should be standardized in PrHy.

PMID- 26262438
TI  - Normal Thyroid Function and the Risk of Atrial Fibrillation: the Rotterdam Study.
AB  - CONTEXT: Hyperthyroidism is an established risk factor for atrial fibrillation
      (AF), but information concerning the association with variations within the
      normal range of thyroid function and subgroups at risk is lacking. OBJECTIVE:
      This study aimed to investigate the association between normal thyroid function
      and AF prospectively and explore potential differential risk patterns. DESIGN,
      SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: From the Rotterdam Study we included 9166 participants
      >= 45 y with TSH and/or free T4 (FT4) measurements and AF assessment (1997-2012
      median followup, 6.8 y), with 399 prevalent and 403 incident AF cases. MAIN
      OUTCOME MEASURES: Outcome measures were 3-fold: 1) hazard ratios (HRs) for the
      risk of incident AF by Cox proportional-hazards models, 2) 10-year absolute risks
      taking competing risk of death into account, and 3) discrimination ability of
      adding FT4 to the CHARGE-AF simple model, an established prediction model for AF.
      RESULTS: Higher FT4 levels were associated with higher risks of AF (HR 1.63, 95%
      confidence interval, 1.19-2.22), when comparing those in the highest quartile to
      those in lowest quartile. Absolute 10-year risks increased with higher FT4 in
      participants <= 65 y from 1-9% and from 6-12% in subjects >= 65 y. Discrimination
      of the prediction model improved when adding FT4 to the simple model (c
      statistic, 0.722 vs 0.729; P = .039). TSH levels were not associated with AF.
      CONCLUSIONS: There is an increased risk of AF with higher FT4 levels within the
      normal range, especially in younger subjects. Adding FT4 to the simple model
      slightly improved discrimination of risk prediction.

PMID- 26262440
TI  - Fluoroquinolones and Tetracycline Antibiotics in a Portuguese Aquaculture System
      and Aquatic Surroundings: Occurrence and Environmental Impact.
AB  - The growth of aquaculture over the past few years is widely recognized as one of
      the main sources of antibiotics, mainly fluoroquinolones (FQ) and tetracyclines
      (TC), in the aquatic environment, consequently, increasing the risk of the
      emergence of antibiotic bacterial resistance and promoting the spread of
      resistant genes. This study aimed to (1) develop and validate a multiresidue
      method for determination and quantification of ciprofloxacin (CIP), difloxacin
      (DIFL), enrofloxacin (ENR), norfloxacin (NOR), sarafloxacin (SARA), and
      oxytetracycline (OXY) in aquaculture waters and surrounding water bodies and (2)
      provide the first Portuguese data to utilize in assessment of risk of adverse
      effects. In addition, the potential environmental impact posed by these
      antibiotics to aquatic organisms, belonging to different trophic levels, when
      exposed to the studied aquaculture waters was also assessed. The analytical
      strategy comprised of solid-phase extraction (SPE) through Oasis HLB cartridges,
      and detection and quantification by liquid chromatography with tandem mass
      spectrometry (LC/MS(n)). Method detection limits (MDL) and method quantification
      limits (MQL) were in the range of 0.7-3 ng/L and 2.4-10 ng/L, respectively.
      Recoveries varied between 57.4 and 122.8%. The method was applied to 31 water
      samples collected from an aquaculture and surrounding water bodies located in
      north of Portugal. Residues of all antibiotics, except SARA and DIFL, were
      detected at concentrations ranging from 3 to 75.1 ng/L. Norfloxacin was the
      antibiotic present at highest frequency and concentration. Regarding the
      environmental impact assessment (EIA), a risk quotient higher than 1 was observed
      for NOR. 

PMID- 26262439
TI  - Identification of dengue viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase inhibitor using
      computational fragment-based approaches and molecular dynamics study.
AB  - Dengue is a major public health concern in tropical and subtropical countries of
      the world. There are no specific drugs available to treat dengue. Even though
      several candidates targeted both viral and host proteins to overcome dengue
      infection, they have not yet entered into the later stages of clinical trials. In
      order to design a drug for dengue fever, newly emerged fragment-based drug
      designing technique was applied. RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, which is essential
      for dengue viral replication is chosen as a drug target for dengue drug
      discovery. A cascade of methods, fragment screening, fragment growing, and
      fragment linking revealed the compound [2-(4-carbamoylpiperidin-1-yl)-2
      oxoethyl]8-(1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl)naphthalene-1-carboxylate as a potent dengue
      viral polymerase inhibitor. Both strain energy and binding free energy
      calculations predicted that this could be a better inhibitor than the existing
      ones. Molecular dynamics simulation studies showed that the dengue polymerase
      lead complex is stable and their interactions are consistent throughout the
      simulation. The hydrogen-bonded interactions formed by the residues Arg792,
      Thr794, Ser796, and Asn405 are the primary contributors for the stability and the
      rigidity of the polymerase-lead complex. This might keep the polymerase in closed
      conformation and thus inhibits viral replication. Hence, this might be a
      promising lead molecule for dengue drug designing. Further optimization of this
      lead molecule would result in a potent drug for dengue. 

PMID- 26262441
TI  - Persistent Organochlorine Pesticide Exposure Related to a Formerly Used Defense
      Site on St. Lawrence Island, Alaska: Data from Sentinel Fish and Human Sera.
AB  - St. Lawrence Island, Alaska, is the largest island in the Bering Sea, located 60
      km from Siberia. The island is home to approximately 1600 St. Lawrence Island
      Yupik residents who live a subsistence way of life. Two formerly used defense
      sites (FUDS) exist on the island, one of which, Northeast Cape, has been the
      subject of a $123 million cleanup effort. Environmental monitoring demonstrates
      localized soil and watershed contamination with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB),
      organochlorine (OC) pesticides, mercury, and arsenic. This study examined whether
      the Northeast Cape FUDS is a source of exposure to OC pesticides. In total, 71
      serum samples were collected during site remediation from volunteers who
      represented three geographic regions of the island. In addition, ninespine
      stickleback (Pungitius pungitius) and Alaska blackfish (Dallia pectoralis) were
      collected from Northeast Cape after remediation to assess continuing presence of
      OC pesticides. Chlordane compounds, DDT compounds, mirex, and hexachlorobenzene
      (HCB) were the most prevalent and present at the highest concentrations in both
      fish tissues and human serum samples. After controlling for age and gender,
      activities near the Northeast Cape FUDS were associated with an increase in serum
      HCB as compared to residents of the farthest village from the site. Positive but
      nonsignificant relationships for sum-chlordane and sum-DDT were also found.
      Organochlorine concentrations in fish samples did not show clear geographic
      trends, but appear elevated compared to other sites in Alaska. Taken together,
      data suggest that contamination of the local environment at the Northeast Cape
      FUDS may increase exposure to select persistent OC pesticides. 

PMID- 26262443
TI  - Determination of Selected Phthalates by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry in
      Personal Perfumes.
AB  - A simple and fast method is proposed to analyze commercial personal perfumes. Our
      method includes measurement of phthalates, known to be major sources of endocrine
      disruptor chemicals (EDC), which originate from the less volatile fraction of
      perfumes. The quantification of phthalates were carried out directly with no
      sample preparation required on 30 samples of commercial products using gas
      chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS) as a detector. The total
      concentrations of 15 investigated compounds ranged from 17 to 9650 mg/L with an
      average of 2643 mg/L. The highest total concentration was found in cologne.
      Diethyl phthalate (DEP), diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP), di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate
      (DEHP), and di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) were detected in appreciable
      concentrations. Further, it was found that the composition of counterfeit samples
      varied widely from that of authentic products. The composition of old products
      was different from that of recent perfumes, which contain less harmful chemicals,
      attributed to the ban on some phthalates in Europe due their toxicity. It should
      be noted that older and contaminated products are not equivalent to authentic
      products when considering quality, safety, and probably effectiveness. Older and
      nonapproved perfumes contain chemicals that are not allowed for commercial use
      and may contain toxic impurities. 

PMID- 26262442
TI  - Chronic Responses of Daphnia magna Under Dietary Exposure to Leaves of a
      Transgenic (Event MON810) Bt-Maize Hybrid and its Conventional Near-Isoline.
AB  - Insect resistance is the second most common trait globally in cultivated
      genetically modified (GM) plants. Resistance is usually obtained by introducing
      into the plant's genome genes from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)
      coding for insecticidal proteins (Cry proteins or toxins) that target insect
      pests. The aim of this study was to examine the hypothesis that a chronic, high
      dose dietary exposure to leaves of a Bt-maize hybrid (GM event MON810, expressing
      a transgenic or recombinant Cry1Ab toxin), exerted no adverse effects on fitness
      parameters of the aquatic nontarget organism Daphnia magna (water flea) when
      compared to an identical control diet based on leaves of the non-GM near-isoline.
      Cry1Ab was immunologically detected and quantified in GM maize leaf material used
      for Daphnia feed. A 69-kD protein near Bt's active core-toxin size and a 34-kD
      protein were identified. The D. magna bioassay showed a resource allocation to
      production of resting eggs and early fecundity in D. magna fed GM maize, with
      adverse effects for body size and fecundity later in life. This is the first
      study to examine GM-plant leaf material in the D. magna model, and provides of
      negative fitness effects of a MON810 maize hybrid in a nontarget model organism
      under chronic, high dietary exposure. Based upon these results, it is postulated
      that the observed transgenic proteins exert a nontarget effect in D. magna and/or
      unintended changes were produced in the maize genome/metabolome by the
      transformation process, producing a nutritional difference between GM-maize and
      non-GM near-isoline. 

PMID- 26262444
TI  - Oxidative Stress Induced by Cigarette Smoke Extracts in Human Brain Cells (T98G)
      and Human Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells (HBMEC) in Mono- and Co-Culture.
AB  - The objective of the current study was to examine oxidative stress induced by
      cigarette smoke extract (CSE) or cigarette smoke condensate (CSC) in human brain
      cells (T98G) and human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMEC) in mono- and
      co-culture systems. Cell viability of T98G cells exposed to CSC (0.05-4 mg/ml)
      was significantly decreased compared to CSE (0.025-20%). There were no marked
      differences between quantities of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation by
      either CSE (2, 4, and 10%) or CSC (0.2, 0.4, and 0.8 mg/ml) treatment compared to
      control. However, a significant effect was noted in ROS generation following CSC
      incubation at 4mg/ml. Cellular integrity of HBMEC decreased to 74 and 64% within
      120 h of exposure at the IC50 value of CSE and CSC, respectively. This study
      suggests that chronic exposure to cigarette smoking might initiate damage to the
      blood-brain barrier. 

PMID- 26262445
TI  - Safe percutaneous endoscopic colostomy for severe constipation with use of the
      introducer method.

PMID- 26262446
TI  - Gastroscopic removal of intrahepatic stones through a large choledochoduodenal
      fistula.

PMID- 26262447
TI  - Esophageal hematoma after peroral endoscopic myotomy for achalasia in a patient
      on antiplatelet therapy.

PMID- 26262448
TI  - A novel method for closure of a choledochoduodenostomy in sump syndrome.

PMID- 26262449
TI  - Endoscopic ultrasound diagnosis of a primary hepatoid carcinoma of the pancreas.

PMID- 26262450
TI  - Higher Quality of Care and Patient Safety Associated With Better NICU Work
      Environments.
AB  - The objective of this study was to investigate the associations between the
      neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) work environment, quality of care, safety,
      and patient outcomes. A secondary analysis was conducted of responses of 1247
      NICU staff nurses in 171 hospitals to a large nurse survey. Better work
      environments were associated with lower odds of nurses reporting poor quality,
      safety, and outcomes. Improving the work environment may be a promising strategy
      to achieve safer settings for at-risk newborns. 

PMID- 26262451
TI  - The Significance of Mismatch Repair Deficiency in Young Patients With Endometrial
      Cancer.
AB  - The objective of this study was to identify the tumor characteristics associated
      with mismatch repair deficiency in young patients with endometrial carcinoma.
      Young patients (45 yr old or younger) with endometrial carcinoma treated by
      hysterectomy in our institution between July 2001 and June 2009 were identified.
      The clinical and pathologic data were obtained by review of clinical records.
      Among the 122 cases identified, paraffin sections were available in 67 cases for
      immunohistochemical staining and frozen tissue available in 62 cases for
      microsatellite instability (MSI) analysis. Both paraffin sections and frozen
      tissue were available in 36 cases. Among the 67 cases with immunohistochemical
      staining, 22 (32.8%) showed loss of expression of at least 1 mismatch repair
      protein. Defective MLH1 or MSH2 expression was associated with poor prognostic
      factors, including a higher incidence of pelvic lymph nodes metastasis (P=0.018)
      and higher stage (P=0.022) for MLH1, and an increased risk of lymphovascular
      permeation (P=0.015) for MSH2. On the contrary, defective MSH6 protein expression
      was associated with a lower incidence of high-grade tumors (P=0.04). Among the 62
      cases with MSI analysis, 12 (19.4%) tumors were classified as microsatellite-high
      (MSI-H), whereas 2 (3.2%) were classified as microsatellite-low (MSI-L). There
      was no difference in the pathologic characteristics between MSI-stable and MSI-H
      tumor. We concluded that defective mismatch repair expression is important in
      young patients with endometrial carcinoma, with MSH6 protein being most commonly
      affected. The phenotype resulting from defective MSH6 expression was different
      from that caused by MLH1 or MSH2 loss. 

PMID- 26262452
TI  - Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor of the Placenta: A Report of a Novel Lesion in
      2 Patients.
AB  - Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor has been described in a wide variety of
      anatomic sites, although in the gynecologic tract, it has mostly been documented
      in the uterus, and has never been described in the placenta. Two patients
      presented with well-circumscribed placental masses that showed classic histologic
      features of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor including a proliferation of
      myofibroblastic cells, a mixed inflammatory infiltrate, and a myxoid background.
      One case was positive by immunohistochemistry for anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK
      1), whereas the other was negative by immunohistochemistry and fluorescent in
      situ hybridization. Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors should be differentiated
      from other more aggressive uterine tumors that may involve the placenta by direct
      extension/metastasis because they can be managed conservatively, and in these 2
      cases, did not seem to affect the course of the patient's pregnancies. 

PMID- 26262453
TI  - Missed Initial Diagnosis of Malignant Struma Ovarii Containing Follicular Thyroid
      Carcinoma: Metastatic Pulmonary Recurrence 17 yr After Ovariectomy.
AB  - Distant metastasis of rare malignant struma ovarii (MSO) has been reported for
      cases associated with papillary thyroid cancer but few with follicular thyroid
      cancer. A 38-yr-old woman with struma ovarii that was initially diagnosed as
      "benign" presented with pulmonary metastasis and coughing 17 yr later. The lungs
      lesions were confirmed to be follicular thyroid cancer by biopsy. Rereview of the
      initial surgical ovary specimens confirmed the condition to be MSO with
      follicular thyroid cancer. The patient was treated with total thyroidectomy,
      which showed no thyroid malignancy, followed by (131)I (iodine-131) treatments.
      Dramatic reduction was observed in both the stimulated thyroglobulin level and
      the size of the pulmonary metastases over 1 yr. During the following 3-yr follow
      up, the patient remained clinically well, with undetectable thyroglobulin (<1
      ng/mL) and small stable pulmonary lesions. This is an exceedingly rare case of
      MSO with follicular thyroid cancer metastasized to the lungs presenting with a
      late onset but a fortunate excellent response to multidiscipline treatments. It
      is advisable that struma ovarii be carefully examined to avoid missing malignancy
      and patients be clinically followed up even with a benign initial diagnosis.

PMID- 26262454
TI  - Growing Teratoma Syndrome: A Report of 2 Cases and Review of the Literature.
AB  - We report 2 cases of growing teratoma syndrome (GTS) in patients who had been
      treated with surgery and chemotherapy for immature ovarian teratoma. One of the
      patients presented with probable paraneoplastic encephalitis. Resection of
      "recurrences" in both patients showed deposits of mature teratoma and extensive
      gliomatosis peritonei. It is important for both pathologists and clinicians to be
      aware of this uncommon entity to avoid misdiagnosis of GTS as recurrence of
      immature teratoma and disease progression, and to avert unnecessary continuation
      of chemotherapy. GTS may occur several years after diagnosis of the primary
      tumor, and rarely develop in treated patients who have become pregnant. Surgical
      debulking is the optimal modality of treatment as GTS is not chemosensitive. If
      surgical debulking of GTS is incomplete, long-term follow-up with imaging is
      required to avoid complications such as bowel obstruction and the sequelae of
      pressure effects (such as vascular thrombosis, fistula formation, etc.) from
      bulky deposits of mature teratoma/GTS and gliomatosis peritonei. 

PMID- 26262455
TI  - Suicide risk assessment in high-risk adolescents.
AB  - A significant number of adolescents experience depression and other mental health
      disorders that may put them at risk for suicide. Mental health assessment is an
      important component of primary healthcare. Depression and suicide risk screening
      can assist healthcare providers in preventing suicides. 

PMID- 26262456
TI  - Pediatric small bowel transplantation.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Intestine has become a transplantable organ due to the
      improvement in immunosuppressive drugs. The early referral to a reference unit is
      crucial in prognosis. There are still some pending issues like chronic rejection,
      the knowledge of the role of DSA development or early noninvasive detection of
      acute rejection. RECENT FINDINGS: The appearance of tacrolimus and mTOR, and the
      use of induction therapy have marked a turning point with better graft and
      patient survival rates. The inclusion of the liver in the graft seems to have a
      protective effect. Surveillance of opportunistic infections has also contributed
      to improved results. Infection, post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease,
      rejection and GVHD have still a major role in survival; however, antibody
      mediated rejection has gained increased attention. SUMMARY: Parenteral nutrition
      remains the main therapeutic resource in the management of intestinal failure,
      but intestinal transplant is a therapeutic option when this therapy has failed.
      Finding the balanced immunosuppression that minimizes risk of rejection while
      preventing occurrence of complications like post-transplant lymphoproliferative
      disease or GVHD is an ongoing challenge. The current survival rates of intestinal
      transplantation are similar to other solid organ transplant.

PMID- 26262457
TI  - Pulmonary hypertension in potential heart transplant recipients: current
      treatment strategies.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Pulmonary hypertension associated with left heart disease is
      the most commonly encountered form of pulmonary hypertension and is associated
      with a poor prognosis. As the global burden of heart failure grows, this
      associated disease can be a major impediment to those patients undergoing cardiac
      transplantation, given its association with post-transplant right ventricular
      failure. Unfortunately, the pathophysiology of pulmonary hypertension secondary
      to left heart failure remains poorly understood, thereby rendering targeted
      treatment strategies largely undefined. In this review, we provide a review of
      the currently available literature in this unique patient population. RECENT
      FINDINGS: The current focus on better defining the underlying pathophysiology and
      standardizing diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to pulmonary hypertension
      associated with left heart disease need to be interpreted and made applicable in
      the context of clinical practice. Given the relative paucity of successful,
      targeted pharmacological options, there is an increasing evidence that device
      based therapies, used in conjuncture with medical therapy, may help in lowering
      the pulmonary pressures by causing sustained left ventricular unloading. SUMMARY:
      Pulmonary hypertension in the context of left heart disease is the most common
      form of pulmonary hypertension encountered in clinical practice and is associated
      with worse prognosis in patients being considered for cardiac transplantation.
      Therapies targeting left ventricular unloading, as well as pulmonary vascular
      remodeling, are being increasingly studied and used in daily practice.

PMID- 26262458
TI  - Chronic lung allograft dysfunction: evolving practice.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) was recently
      introduced as an overarching term covering different phenotypes of chronic
      allograft dysfunction, including obstructive CLAD (bronchiolitis obliterans
      syndrome), restrictive CLAD (restrictive allograft syndrome) and graft
      dysfunction due to causes not related to chronic rejection. In the present
      review, we will highlight the latest insights and current controversies regarding
      the new CLAD terminology, underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms, diagnostic
      approach and possible treatment options. RECENT FINDINGS: Different
      pathophysiological mechanisms are clearly involved in clinically distinct
      phenotypes of chronic rejection, as is reflected by differences in histology,
      allograft function and imaging. Therefore, not all CLAD patients may equally
      benefit from specific therapies. SUMMARY: The recent introduction of CLAD
      importantly changed the clinical practice in lung transplant recipients. Given
      the relative low accuracy of the current diagnostic tools, future research should
      focus on specific biomarkers, more sensitive pulmonary function parameters and
      imaging techniques for timely CLAD diagnosis and phenotyping. Personalized or
      targeted therapeutic options for adequate prevention and treatment of CLAD are
      required.

PMID- 26262459
TI  - Current indications, strategies, and outcomes with cardiac transplantation for
      cardiac amyloidosis and sarcoidosis.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: We describe the general strategies for the management of
      cardiac amyloidosis with particular focus on the use of cardiac transplantation
      for amyloid cardiomyopathy. Within this article, we highlight recent data
      regarding the use of combined heart transplant-chemotherapy, use of cardiac
      transplant in mutant amyloid disease, and underutilization of cardiac
      transplantation in sarcoidosis. RECENT FINDINGS: Several center experiences have
      been recently published, describing management strategies in AL amyloid, with
      focus on timing of chemotherapy as it relates to transplant, and in mutant
      amyloid in particular. SUMMARY: Outcomes after heart transplantation are
      typically worse than in patients undergoing heart transplantation for nonamyloid
      disease. Staged heart transplantation followed by autologous stem cell transplant
      therapy appears to provide the best long-term outcome for AL amyloid in highly
      selected patients. Mutant transthyretin amyloidosis is a disorder related to
      production of abnormal transthyretin protein in the liver. Combined heart/liver
      transplant has been utilized to treat both the production of the abnormal
      transthyretin protein and manage the cardiac dysfunction in highly selected
      patients, with favorable outcomes. Wild-type transthyretin amyloidosis occurs
      predominantly in older men. Cardiac transplantation can be utilized for highly
      selected patients. Sarcoidosis with cardiac involvement, unresponsive to
      immunosuppressive therapy, may be treated successfully with cardiac
      transplantation.

PMID- 26262460
TI  - Antibody-mediated rejection.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Pulmonary antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) while contributing
      to acute and chronic allograft dysfunction remains a diagnostic and therapeutic
      challenge. The diagnostic tenets upon which AMR is defined will be reviewed in
      the light of recent studies. RECENT FINDINGS: The introduction of solid phase
      assays such as the Luminex platform has provided a wealth of quantitative data on
      the presence of anti-human leukocyte antigen (HLA) donor-specific antibodies
      (DSA). Further studies are required to better define the relationship of
      circulating DSA and activation of proinflammatory immune pathways that result in
      allograft dysfunction. The limitations of C4d staining in defining AMR are
      highlighted from recent studies in lung transplantation and from the 2013 Banff
      meeting on renal transplantation. SUMMARY: The current challenge to the lung
      transplant community is to agree on a working definition of pulmonary AMR. Only
      then can we better appreciate the epidemiology, clinical phenotypes, and
      treatment of AMR.

PMID- 26262461
TI  - Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease and other malignancies after
      pediatric cardiac transplantation: an evolving landscape.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLDs) remain a
      significant cause of morbidity and mortality after pediatric solid organ
      transplantation (SOT). PTLD treatment outcomes have improved steadily over the
      past decade, in large part due to an enhanced understanding of the disease
      process, newer immunosuppression regimens, and implementation of evolving
      chemotherapeutic treatment protocols. RECENT FINDINGS: New therapies continue to
      be employed to treat PTLDs while maintaining normal allograft function in SOT
      recipients. These include use of immunosuppressant medications with antitumor
      activity (mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors), monoclonal antibody
      therapies, and the advent of cytotoxic T-cell therapy. Treatment methods to
      render latent Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-infected tumor cells more susceptible to
      antiviral agents continue to be investigated. SUMMARY: PTLD remains a significant
      potential complication after SOT, particularly in pediatric patients who are more
      likely to be EBV-negative at the time of transplant and subsequently undergo EBV
      seroconversion. Risk for PTLD may be reduced by employing strategies such as EBV
      prophylaxis in seronegative patients, minimizing overall intensity of
      immunosuppression, and utilizing newer agents that have both immunosuppressive
      and antiproliferative properties. Treatment outcomes for PTLD have steadily
      improved over the past decade, related in part to the availability of monoclonal
      antibody therapies and refined chemotherapeutic regimens.

PMID- 26262462
TI  - Overview of pediatric organ transplantation: current opinion and future
      perspectives on immunosuppression.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The main aim of this review is to highlight the current
      advances and significant challenges associated with pediatric organ
      transplantation, and to explore future perspectives. RECENT FINDINGS: Pediatric
      organ transplantation has greatly improved survival and management of
      pathological conditions resistant to therapeutic interventions in pediatric
      populations with end-stage organ failure, and is regarded as a treatment of
      choice. Advent of immunosuppressive therapies has significantly enhanced the care
      of these patients and graft survival rates, but the long-term risks of these
      therapeutic interventions are not well recognized and promote numerous challenges
      particularly in the pediatric population, due to their off-label use and
      significant adverse effects that may impact growth, skeletal development, and
      quality of life. Data regarding the safety of these drugs in children are scare
      due to the lack of randomized clinical trials in this age group, mainly because
      of issues related to conducting clinical trials in children and to the small
      number of pediatric transplantation cases per year. SUMMARY: It is important to
      generate registries of pediatric patients with organ transplantation for
      conducting observational studies, which might provide information for designing
      future RCTs and new insights toward improving the survival rates and long-term
      predictors of response.

PMID- 26262463
TI  - Pediatric mechanical circulatory support: available devices and outcomes as
      bridge-to-transplant therapy.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The use of mechanical circulatory support in children has
      increased dramatically over the current decade. A review of the pediatric
      ventricular assist device (VAD) literature is timely and relevant in order to
      improve outcomes and refine patient selection as new devices become available and
      current VADs are used in smaller patients. RECENT FINDINGS: Outcomes of pediatric
      patients bridged to transplant with VAD therapy continue to improve. Patient
      selection in children continues to be complex as size and anatomy make decision
      making unique from the adult practice. In addition, device selection and surgical
      planning are evolving in children. The use of temporary devices for long-term use
      is an example of an innovative application of current technology. Sensitization
      and adverse events are important issues that are necessary to understand in order
      to improve outcomes. The importance of a national registry to help monitor
      patient outcomes is critical to assessing this highly technological therapy.
      SUMMARY: There are many implications of improving and expanding durable device
      use in children. VAD therapy is evolving as a standard of care as a bridge to
      transplant in children. Continued surveillance of outcomes is critical to
      improving patient selection and decreasing adverse events in children with
      advanced heart failure.

PMID- 26262464
TI  - Expanding the lung donor pool: advancements and emerging pathways.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The number of patients listed for lung transplantation largely
      exceeds the number of available transplantable organs because of a shortage of
      organ donors and a low utilization rate of lungs from those donors who are
      available. In recent years, novel strategies have been developed to increase the
      donor lung pool: improved donor management, the use of lungs from donations after
      cardiac death (DCD), the use of lobar lung living-donors (LLLD) and the use of ex
      vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) to assess and repair injured donor lungs. RECENT
      FINDINGS: An adapted donor management strategy could expand the donor pool up to
      20%. DCD lung transplant is an increasing part of the donor pool expansion.
      Outcomes after controlled DCD seem to be similar to donation after brain death.
      LLLD transplantation has excellent results for small and critically ill patients.
      EVLP treatment allows for a significant increase in the rate of suitable lungs
      and represents an optimal platform for lung reconditioning and specific lung
      therapies. SUMMARY: A significant increase in the number of available lungs for
      transplantation is expected in the future because of the wider use of lungs from
      controlled or uncontrolled DCD and LLLD lungs, and with organ-specific EVLP
      treatment strategies.

PMID- 26262466
TI  - Retransplantation.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: With a continuously rising number of lung-transplant
      procedures performed worldwide, there is an increasing demand for pulmonary
      retransplantation once recipients develop lung allograft dysfunction. Due to the
      scarcity of donor organs, it is crucial to identify those recipients who benefit
      most from a retransplant procedure. RECENT FINDINGS: Similar to primary lung
      transplantation, patients in an elective, ambulatory status with chronic lung
      allograft dysfunction can expect the best outcome. Recently, refinements in the
      sub-selection of this patient group have been established, and during the past
      years, survival after elective retransplantation has clearly improved.
      Additionally, technical advances in bridging devices have led to the possibility
      to offer the most appropriate bridging method based on the individual gas
      exchange and hemodynamic situation of the patient. This includes the recently
      introduced concept of awake bridging. These advances paved the way to improved
      bridging success and better post-transplant outcome, which led to increasing
      interest in bridging patients to retransplant procedures as well. SUMMARY:
      Patient selection in pulmonary retransplantation is crucial. Patients with
      obstructive chronic lung allograft dysfunction in an ambulatory setting are the
      ideal candidates. Awake bridging strategies for acutely deteriorating patients
      can provide equal outcomes to elective patients. Nevertheless, avoiding the
      development of chronic lung allograft dysfunction is the primary goal.

PMID- 26262467
TI  - Carbon Nanotube Synthesis Using Coal Pyrolysis.
AB  - This study investigates carbon nanotube (CNT) production from coal pyrolysis
      wherein the output gases are used in a chemical vapor deposition reactor. The
      carbon products are similar to those using commercial coal gas as feedstock, but
      coal is a relatively cheaper feedstock compared to high purity source gases. A
      Gibbs minimization model has been developed to predict the volume percentages of
      product gases from coal pyrolysis. Methane and carbon monoxide were the largest
      carbon components of the product stream and thus formed the primary source for
      CNT synthesis. Both the model and the observations showed that increasing the
      furnace temperature led to a decrease in the absolute quantities of "useful"
      product gases, with the optimal temperature between 400 and 500  degrees C. Based
      on the experimental data, a kinetic rate law for CNT from coal pyrolysis was
      derived as d[CNT]/dt = K([CO][CH4])(1/2), where K is a function of several
      equilibrium constants representing various reactions in the CNT formation
      process. 

PMID- 26262468
TI  - Validation of the Ottawa Ankle Rules for Acute Foot and Ankle Injuries.
AB  - The original and modified Ottawa Ankle Rules (OARs) were developed as clinical
      decision rules for use in emergency departments. However, the OARs have not been
      evaluated as an acute clinical evaluation tool. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the
      measures of diagnostic accuracy of the OARs in the acute setting. METHODS: The
      OARs were applied to all appropriate ankle injuries at 2 colleges (athletics and
      club sports) and 21 high schools. The outcomes of OARs, diagnosis, and decision
      for referral were collected by the athletic trainers (ATs) at each of the
      locations. Contingency tables were created for evaluations completed within 1 h
      for which radiographs were obtained. From these data the sensitivity,
      specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios, and positive and negative
      predictive values were calculated. RESULTS: The OARs met the criteria for
      radiographs in 100 of the 124 cases, of which 38 were actually referred for
      imaging. Based on radiographic findings in an acute setting, the OARs (n = 38)
      had a high sensitivity (.88) and are good predictors to rule out the presence of
      a fracture. Low specificity (0.00) results led to a high number of false
      positives and low positive predictive values (.18). CONCLUSION: When applied
      during the first hour after injury the OARs significantly overestimate the need
      for radiographs. However, a negative finding rules out the need to obtain
      radiographs. It appears the AT's decision making based on the totality of the
      examination findings is the best filter in determining referral for radiographs.

PMID- 26262465
TI  - Primary graft dysfunction: lessons learned about the first 72 h after lung
      transplantation.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In 2005, the International Society for Heart and Lung
      Transplantation published a standardized definition of primary graft dysfunction
      (PGD), facilitating new knowledge on this form of acute lung injury that occurs
      within 72 h of lung transplantation. PGD continues to be associated with
      significant morbidity and mortality. This article will summarize the current
      literature on the epidemiology of PGD, pathogenesis, risk factors, and preventive
      and treatment strategies. RECENT FINDINGS: Since 2011, several manuscripts have
      been published that provide insight into the clinical risk factors and
      pathogenesis of PGD. In addition, several transplant centers have explored
      preventive and treatment strategies for PGD, including the use of extracorporeal
      strategies. More recently, results from several trials assessing the role of
      extracorporeal lung perfusion may allow for much-needed expansion of the donor
      pool, without raising PGD rates. SUMMARY: This article will highlight the current
      state of the science regarding PGD, focusing on recent advances, and set a
      framework for future preventive and treatment strategies.

PMID- 26262469
TI  - Resolving the Benzophenone DNA-Photosensitization Mechanism at QM/MM Level.
AB  - Benzophenone, the parent of the diarylketone family, is a versatile compound
      commonly used as a UV blocker. It may also trigger triplet-based DNA
      photosensitization. Therefore, benzophenone is involved in DNA photodamage
      induction. In the absence of experimentally resolved structure, the mechanism of
      DNA damage production remains elusive. Employing a hybrid quantum
      mechanics/molecular mechanics approach, here we address the spin transfer
      mechanism between this drug and proximal thymine, that is, the DNA nucleobase
      most prone to suffer triplet damages. 

PMID- 26262470
TI  - Mutual Exclusion of Urea and Trimethylamine N-Oxide from Amino Acids in Mixed
      Solvent Environment.
AB  - We study the solvation of amino acids in pure-osmolyte and mixed-osmolyte urea
      and trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) solutions using molecular dynamics simulations.
      Analysis of Kirkwood-Buff integrals between the solution components provides
      evidence that in the mixed osmolytic solution, both urea and TMAO are mutually
      excluded from the amino acid surface, accompanied by an increase in osmolyte
      osmolyte aggregation. Similar observations are made in simulations of a model
      protein backbone, represented by triglycine, and suggest that TMAO stabilizes
      proteins under urea denaturation conditions by effectively removing urea from the
      protein surface. The effects of the mixed osmolytes on the solvation of the amino
      acids and the backbone are found to be highly nonlinear in terms of the effects
      of the individual osmolytes and independent of differences in the strength of the
      TMAO-water interactions, as observed with different TMAO force fields. 

PMID- 26262471
TI  - Bias-Switchable Permselectivity and Redox Catalytic Activity of a Ferrocene
      Functionalized, Thin-Film Metal-Organic Framework Compound.
AB  - The installation of ferrocene molecules within the wide-channel metal-organic
      framework (MOF) compound, NU-1000, and subsequent configuration of the modified
      MOF as thin-film coatings on electrodes renders the MOF electroactive in the
      vicinity of the ferrocenium/ferrocene (Fc(+)/Fc) redox potential due to redox
      hopping between anchored Fc(+/0) species. The observation of effective site-to
      site redox hopping points to the potential usefulness of the installed species as
      a redox shuttle in photoelectrochemical or electrocatalytic systems. At low
      supporting electrolyte concentration, we observe bias-tunable ionic
      permselectivity; films are blocking toward solution cations when the MOF is in
      the ferrocenium form but permeable when in the ferrocene form. Additionally, with
      ferrocene-functionalized films, we observe that the MOF's pyrene-based linkers,
      which are otherwise reversibly electroactive, are now redox-silent. Linker
      electroactivity is fully recovered, however, when the electrolyte concentration
      is increased 10-fold, that is, to a concentration similar to or exceeding that of
      an anchored shuttle molecule. The findings have clear implications for the design
      and use of MOF-based sensors, electrocatalysts, and photoelectrochemical devices.

PMID- 26262472
TI  - Stable Solar-Driven Water Oxidation to O2(g) by Ni-Oxide-Coated Silicon
      Photoanodes.
AB  - Semiconductors with small band gaps (<2 eV) must be stabilized against corrosion
      or passivation in aqueous electrolytes before such materials can be used as
      photoelectrodes to directly produce fuels from sunlight. In addition,
      incorporation of electrocatalysts on the surface of photoelectrodes is required
      for efficient oxidation of H2O to O2(g) and reduction of H2O or H2O and CO2 to
      fuels. We report herein the stabilization of np(+)-Si(100) and n-Si(111)
      photoanodes for over 1200 h of continuous light-driven evolution of O2(g) in 1.0
      M KOH(aq) by an earth-abundant, optically transparent, electrocatalytic, stable,
      conducting nickel oxide layer. Under simulated solar illumination and with
      optimized index-matching for proper antireflection, NiOx-coated np(+)-Si(100)
      photoanodes produced photocurrent-onset potentials of -180 +/- 20 mV referenced
      to the equilibrium potential for evolution of O2(g), photocurrent densities of 29
      +/- 1.8 mA cm(-2) at the equilibrium potential for evolution of O2(g), and a
      solar-to-O2(g) conversion figure-of-merit of 2.1%. 

PMID- 26262473
TI  - Directionality of Double-Bond Photoisomerization Dynamics Induced by a Single
      Stereogenic Center.
AB  - In light-driven single-molecule rotary motors, the photoisomerization of a double
      bond converts light energy into the rotation of a moiety (the rotor) with respect
      to another (the stator). However, at the level of a molecular population, an
      effective rotary motion can only be achieved if a large majority of the rotors
      rotate in the same, specific direction. Here we present a quantitative
      investigation of the directionality (clockwise vs counterclockwise) induced by a
      single stereogenic center placed in allylic position with respect to the reactive
      double bond of a model of the biomimetic indanylidene-pyrrolinium framework. By
      computing ensembles of nonadiabatic trajectories at 300 K, we predict that the
      photoisomerization is >70% unidirectional for the Z -> E and E -> Z conversions.
      Most importantly, we show that such directionality, resulting from the asymmetry
      of the excited state force field, can still be observed in the presence of a
      small (ca. 2 degrees ) pretwist or helicity of the reactive double bond. This
      questions the validity of the conjecture that a significant double-bond pretwist
      (e.g., >10 degrees ) in the ground state equilibrium structure of synthetic or
      natural rotary motors would be required for unidirectional motion. 

PMID- 26262474
TI  - In Situ Transmission Electron Microscopy of Cadmium Selenide Nanorod Sublimation.
AB  - In situ electron microscopy is used to observe the morphological evolution of
      cadmium selenide nanorods as they sublime under vacuum at a series of elevated
      temperatures. Mass loss occurs anisotropically along the nanorod's long axis. At
      temperatures close to the sublimation threshold, the phase change occurs from
      both tips of the nanorods and proceeds unevenly with periods of rapid mass loss
      punctuated by periods of relative stability. At higher temperatures, the nanorods
      sublime at a faster, more uniform rate, but mass loss occurs from only a single
      end of the rod. We propose a mechanism that accounts for the observed sublimation
      behavior based on the terrace-ledge-kink (TLK) model and how the nanorod surface
      chemical environment influences the kinetic barrier of sublimation. 

PMID- 26262475
TI  - Role of Excess Electrons in Nonlinear Optical Response.
AB  - The excess electron is a kind of special anion with dispersivity, loosely
      bounding and with other fascinating features, which plays a pivotal role (promote
      to about 10(6) times in (H2O)3{e}) in the large first hyperpolarizabilities
      (beta0) of dipole-bound electron clusters. This discovery opens a new perspective
      on the design of novel nonlinear optical (NLO) molecular materials for electro
      optic device application. Significantly, doping alkali metal atoms in suitable
      complexants was proposed as an effective approach to obtain electride and
      alkalide molecules with excess electron and large NLO responses. The first
      hyperpolarizability is related to the characteristics of complexants and the
      excess electron binding states. Subsequently, a series of new strategies for
      enhancing NLO response and electronic stability of electride and alkalide
      molecules are exhibited by using various complexants. These strategies include
      not only the behaviors of pushed and pulled electron, size, shape, and number of
      coordination sites of complexants but also the number and spin state of excess
      electrons in these unusual NLO molecules. 

PMID- 26262476
TI  - Emerging Carbon and Post-Carbon Nanomaterial Inks for Printed Electronics.
AB  - Carbon and post-carbon nanomaterials present desirable electrical, optical,
      chemical, and mechanical attributes for printed electronics, offering low-cost,
      large-area functionality on flexible substrates. In this Perspective, recent
      developments in carbon nanomaterial inks are highlighted. Monodisperse
      semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes compatible with inkjet and aerosol
      jet printing are ideal channels for thin-film transistors, while inkjet, gravure,
      and screen-printable graphene-based inks are better-suited for electrodes and
      interconnects. Despite the high performance achieved in prototype devices,
      additional effort is required to address materials integration issues encountered
      in more complex systems. In this regard, post-carbon nanomaterial inks (e.g.,
      electrically insulating boron nitride and optically active transition-metal
      dichalcogenides) present promising opportunities. Finally, emerging work to
      extend these nanomaterial inks to three-dimensional printing provides a path
      toward nonplanar devices. Overall, the superlative properties of these materials,
      coupled with versatile assembly by printing techniques, offer a powerful platform
      for next-generation printed electronics. 

PMID- 26262477
TI  - Coherent Exciton Dynamics in the Presence of Underdamped Vibrations.
AB  - Recent ultrafast optical experiments show that excitons in large biological light
      harvesting complexes are coupled to molecular vibration modes. These high
      frequency vibrations will not only affect the optical response, but also drive
      the exciton transport. Here, using a model dimer system, the frequency of the
      underdamped vibration is shown to have a strong effect on the exciton dynamics
      such that quantum coherent oscillations in the system can be present even in the
      case of strong noise. Two mechanisms are identified to be responsible for the
      enhanced transport efficiency: critical damping due to the tunable effective
      strength of the coupling to the bath, and resonance coupling where the
      vibrational frequency coincides with the energy gap in the system. The interplay
      of these two mechanisms determines parameters responsible for the most efficient
      transport, and these optimal control parameters are comparable to those in
      realistic light-harvesting complexes. Interestingly, oscillations in the
      excitonic coherence at resonance are suppressed in comparison to the case of an
      off-resonant vibration. 

PMID- 26262478
TI  - Huge Quantum Symmetry Effect in the O + O2 Exchange Reaction.
AB  - We report extensive, full quantum-mechanical calculations for the (16)O +
      (16)O(16)O -> (16)O(16)O + (16)O collisions, for both inelastic and atom exchange
      processes, using a time-independent method based on hyperspherical coordinates.
      The rates obtained in the present study are much larger than the previously
      reported ones for this system. The discrepancy is attributed to a huge symmetry
      effect that was missing in the studies so far. This effect differs from the well
      known isotope effect. Importance of this quantum effect is further confirmed by
      comparison with results for the (16)O + (18)O(18)O -> (16)O(18)O + (18)O,
      exchange reaction. 

PMID- 26262479
TI  - Vibrational State-Selective Resonant Two-Photon Photoelectron Spectroscopy of
      AuS(-) via a Spin-Forbidden Excited State.
AB  - Vibrational state-selective resonant two-photon photoelectron spectra have been
      obtained via a triplet intermediate state ((3)Sigma(-)) of AuS(-) near its
      detachment threshold using high-resolution photoelectron imaging of cryogenically
      cooled AuS(-) anions. Four vibrational levels of the (3)Sigma(-) excited state
      are observed to be below the detachment threshold. Resonant two-photon
      absorptions through these levels yield vibrational state-selective photoelectron
      spectra to the (2)Sigma final state of neutral AuS with broad and drastically
      different Franck-Condon distributions, reflecting the symmetries of the
      vibrational wave functions of the (3)Sigma(-) intermediate state. The (3)Sigma(-)
      excited state is spin-forbidden from the (1)Sigma(+) ground state of AuS(-) and
      is accessed due to strong relativistic effects. The nature of the (3)Sigma(-)
      excited state is confirmed by angular distributions of the photoelectron images
      and quantum calculations. 

PMID- 26262480
TI  - Direct Coherent Raman Temperature Imaging and Wideband Chemical Detection in a
      Hydrocarbon Flat Flame.
AB  - A single-shot coherent Raman imaging technique has been developed for spatially
      correlated one-dimensional high-fidelity gas-phase thermometry and multiplex
      chemical detection in flames. The technique utilizes two-beam phase matching,
      operating a single ultrashort pump/Stokes excitation pulse (7 fs) and a
      narrowband picosecond probe pulse (70 ps), interrogating a Raman active window of
      ~4200 cm(-1) with ~0.3 cm(-1) spectral resolution. The measurement geometry is
      formed intersecting the two beams shaped as laser-sheets and the one-coordinate
      spatial information is retrieved with a linespread function of <40 MUm. The
      advance provides the possibility for the multiplexed measurement of all
      combustion relevant major species simultaneously with gaseous temperature
      monitored over a several millimeter field of view. The current technique is
      optimized in a premixed hydrocarbon flat-flame. At the flame-front, it is shown
      that direct imaging renders the temperature profile within ~1% inaccuracy,
      whereas typical point-wise raster scanning may have relative systematic
      deviations up to 15% due to spatial averaging effects. 

PMID- 26262481
TI  - Electromechanical Signatures for DNA Sequencing through a Mechanosensitive
      Nanopore.
AB  - Biological nanopores have been extensively used for DNA base detection since
      these pores are widely available and tunable through mutations. Distinguishing
      bases of nucleic acids by passing them through nanopores has so far primarily
      relied on electrical signals-specifically, ionic currents through the nanopores.
      However, the low signal-to-noise ratio makes detection of ionic currents
      difficult. In this study, we show that the initially closed mechanosensitive
      channel of large conductance (MscL) protein pore opens for single-stranded DNA
      (ssDNA) translocation under an applied electric field. As each nucleotide
      translocates through the pore, a unique mechanical signal is observed
      specifically, the tension in the membrane containing the MscL pore is different
      for each nucleotide. In addition to the membrane tension, we found that the ionic
      current is also different for the four nucleotide types. The initially closed
      MscL adapts its opening for nucleotide translocation due to the flexibility of
      the pore. This unique operation of MscL provides single nucleotide resolution in
      both electrical and mechanical signals. Finally, we also show that the speed of
      DNA translocation is roughly 1 order of magnitude slower in MscL compared to
      Mycobacterium smegmatis porin A (MspA), suggesting MscL to be an attractive
      protein pore for DNA sequencing. 

PMID- 26262482
TI  - Self-Assembled 3D Graphene Monolith from Solution.
AB  - Three-dimensional (3D) graphene-assembled monoliths (GAs), especially ones
      prepared by self-assembly in the liquid phase, represent promising forms to
      realize the practical applications of graphene due to their high surface
      utilization and operability. However, the understanding of the assembly process
      and structure control of 3D GAs, as a new class of carbon materials, is quite
      inadequate. In this Perspective, we give a demonstration of the assembly process
      and discuss the key factors involved in the structure control of 3D GAs to pave
      the way for their future applications. It is shown that the assembly process
      starts with the phase separation, which is responsible for the formation of the
      3D networked structure and liquid phase as the spacers avoid the parallel overlap
      of graphene layers and help form an interlinked pore system. Well-tailored
      graphene sheets and selected assembly media must be a precondition for a well
      controlled assembly process and microstructure of a 3D GA. The potential
      applications in energy storage featuring high rate and high volumetric energy
      density demonstrate advantages of 3D GAs in real applications. 

PMID- 26262483
TI  - Zr Incorporation into TiO2 Electrodes Reduces Hysteresis and Improves Performance
      in Hybrid Perovskite Solar Cells while Increasing Carrier Lifetimes.
AB  - We investigate zirconium (Zr) incorporation into the titanium dioxide (TiO2)
      electron-transporting layer used in organometal halide perovskite photovoltaics.
      Compared to Zr-free controls, solar cells employing electrodes containing Zr
      exhibit increased power conversion efficiency (PCE) and decreased hysteresis. We
      use transient photovoltage and photocurrent extraction to measure carrier
      lifetimes and densities and observe longer carrier lifetimes and higher charge
      densities in devices on Zr-containing electrodes at microsecond times as well as
      longer persistent photovoltages extending from ~milliseconds to tens of seconds.
      We characterize the surface stoichiometry and change in work function and
      reduction potential of the TiO2 upon incorporation of Zr and discuss the charge
      recombination at the TiO2 interface in the context of these variables. Finally,
      we show that the combination of Zr-TiO2 electrode modification with device
      pyridine treatment leads to a cumulative improvement in performance. 

PMID- 26262484
TI  - Modulations of Transition-State Control of State-to-State Dynamics in the F + H2O
      -> HF + OH Reaction.
AB  - The full-dimensional quantum dynamics of the F + H2O -> HF + OH reaction is
      investigated at the state-to-state level for the first time using a transition
      state wave packet method on an accurate global potential energy surface. It is
      found that the H2O rotation enhances the reactivity and the product-state
      distribution is dominated by HF vibrational excitation while the OH moiety serves
      effectively as a spectator. These observations underscore the transition-state
      control of the reaction dynamics, as both the H2O rotational and HF vibrational
      modes are strongly coupled to the reaction coordinate at the transition state. It
      is also shown that the transition-state dominance of the reaction dynamics is
      modulated by other features on the potential energy surface, such as the
      prereaction well. 

PMID- 26262485
TI  - Mechanical Origin of the Structural Phase Transition in Methylammonium Lead
      Iodide CH3NH3PbI3.
AB  - The methylammonium lead iodide perovskite (MAPbI3) is presently a desirable
      material for photovoltaic application. Its structure is orthorhombic at low
      temperature and tetragonal at room temperature. Most theoretical works have
      focused on either tetragonal or orthorhombic phase alone leaving a gap in the
      understanding of the structural phase transition in between. In this work, by ab
      initio calculations, we elucidate the origin of structural phase transition
      between these two phases. We show that there exists a critical ratio of out-of
      plane to in-plane lattice constants, c/a ~ 1.45, where at low c/a the
      orthorhombic Pnma phase is stable while the tetragonal I4/mcm phase is stable at
      high c/a. Varying the c/a ratio leads to a change of PbI6 octahedral tilting with
      the rotation of CH3NH3(+) cations about the NH3 component in and out of the Oxy
      plane. The origin of this rotation is identified. We propose that under epitaxial
      conditions a gradual change in structural phase of the MAPbI3 perovskite may
      exist and understanding its electronic properties will be beneficial toward the
      solar cell community. 

PMID- 26262486
TI  - What Is Hot in Physical Chemistry?

PMID- 26262487
TI  - Contacts Between Alcohols in Water Are Random Rather than Hydrophobic.
AB  - Given the importance of water-mediated hydrophobic interactions in a wide range
      of biological and synthetic self-assembly processes, it is remarkable that both
      the sign and the magnitude of the hydrophobic interactions between simple
      amphiphiles, such as alcohols, remain unresolved. To address this question, we
      have performed Raman hydration-shell vibrational spectroscopy and polarization
      resolved femtosecond infrared experiments, as well as random mixing and molecular
      dynamics simulations. Our results indicate that there are no more hydrophobic
      contacts in aqueous solutions of alcohols ranging from methanol to tertiary butyl
      alcohol than in random mixtures of the same concentration. This implies that the
      interaction between small hydrophobic groups is weaker than thermal energy
      fluctuations. Thus, the corresponding water-mediated hydrophobic interaction must
      be repulsive, with a magnitude sufficient to negate the attractive direct van der
      Waals interaction between the hydrophobic groups. 

PMID- 26262488
TI  - Ferroelectric Domain Wall Induced Band Gap Reduction and Charge Separation in
      Organometal Halide Perovskites.
AB  - Organometal halide perovskites have been intensely studied in the past 5 years,
      inspired by their certified high photovoltaic power conversion efficiency. Some
      of these materials are room-temperature ferroelectrics. The presence of
      switchable ferroelectric domains in methylammonium lead triiodide, CH3NH3PbI3,
      has recently been observed via piezoresponse force microscopy. Here, we focus on
      the structural and electronic properties of ferroelectric domain walls in
      CH3NH3PbX3 (X = Cl, Br, I). We find that organometal halide perovskites can form
      both charged and uncharged domain walls due to the flexible orientational order
      of the organic molecules. The electronic band gaps for domain structures
      possessing 180 and 90 degrees  walls are estimated with density functional
      theory. It is found that the presence of charged domain walls will significantly
      reduce the band gap by 20-40%, while the presence of uncharged domain walls has
      no substantial impact on the band gap. We demonstrate that charged domain walls
      can serve as segregated channels for the motions of charge carriers. These
      results highlight the importance of ferroelectric domain walls in hybrid
      perovskites for photovoltaic applications and suggest a possible avenue for
      device optimization through domain patterning. 

PMID- 26262490
TI  - Inverting Asymmetric Confinement Potentials in Core/Thick-Shell Nanocrystals.
AB  - We investigate CdSe/ZnSe core/thick-shell nanocrystals (a.k.a. giant-nanocrystal
      quantum dots [g-NQDs]) that have an asymmetric electron/hole confinement
      potential opposite to nonblinking CdSe/CdS g-NQDs. We deconstruct the photon
      streams into five different photoluminescence (PL) intensity levels and analyze
      second-order photon correlation (g((2))) traces of each PL intensity level. This
      analysis allows us to decouple the contribution of exciton charging from the
      g((2)) experiment and determine the quantum yield of neutral biexciton states to
      be in the range of ~20-50%, a value comparable to that of CdSe/CdS g-NQDs. We
      also show that the Auger recombination rate of positive trion states is
      suppressed compared to that of negative trions. This suppression, however, is
      shown not to be strong enough to yield complete suppression of PL fluctuations
      due to the heavy effective mass of holes. Strong intensity fluctuations also
      result from the fact that hole charging occurs more readily in CdSe/ZnSe g-NQDs
      than electron charging in CdSe/CdS g-NQDs. 

PMID- 26262489
TI  - Direct Correlation between Ionic Liquid Transport Properties and Ion Pair
      Lifetimes: A Molecular Dynamics Study.
AB  - Self-diffusivities as a function of temperature were computed for 29 different
      ionic liquids (ILs) covering a wide variety of cation and anion classes. Ideal
      ionic conductivities (sigmaNE) were estimated from the self-diffusivities via the
      Nernst-Einstein relation. The ion pair (IP) lifetimes (tauIP) and ion cage (IC)
      lifetimes (tauIC) of each IL were also computed. A linear relationship between
      the calculated self-diffusivities and the inverse of IP or IC lifetimes was
      observed. A similar inverse linear relationship was also observed for ideal ionic
      conductivity. These relationships were found to be independent of temperature and
      the nature of the IL. These observations connect macroscopic dynamic properties
      with local atomic-level motions and strongly suggest that the dynamics of ILs are
      governed by a universal IP or IC forming and breaking mechanism. Thus, in order
      to design an ionic liquid with enhanced dynamics, one should consider how to
      minimize IP or IC lifetimes. 

PMID- 26262491
TI  - Indium Oxide-Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Composite for Ethanol Sensing at Room
      Temperature.
AB  - Utilizing a sol-gel synthesis, indium oxide is grown on the surface of oxidized
      single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) to form a hybrid material with high
      conductivity and sensitivity toward certain organic vapors. The room-temperature
      sensing of dilute ethanol and acetone vapors on the surface of indium oxide/SWCNT
      hybrid material is studied using electrical conductance experiments in a
      nonoxidizing environment. Through testing of variously calcinated materials, it
      was observed that the degree of annealing greatly affects the material's response
      to acetone and ethanol, such that the intermediate calcination condition yields
      the best sensitivity. DFT simulations are used to study the interface between
      defective SWCNT and indium oxide, as well as the interaction between ethanol and
      acetone molecules with the indium oxide/SWCNT hybrid material. 

PMID- 26262492
TI  - Toward Ratiometric Nanothermometry via Intrinsic Dual Emission from Semiconductor
      Nanocrystals.
AB  - Semiconductor nanocrystals have been synthesized that support intrinsic dual
      emission from the excitonic core as well as the surface. By virtue of chemical
      control of the thermodynamics of the core/surface equilibria, these nanocrystals
      support ratiometric temperature sensing over a broad temperature scale. This
      surface-chemistry-based approach for creating intrinsic dual emission enables a
      completely new strategy for application of these nanocrystals in optical
      nanothermometry. 

PMID- 26262493
TI  - Use of Mixed CH3-/HC(O)CH2CH2-Si(111) Functionality to Control Interfacial
      Chemical and Electronic Properties During the Atomic-Layer Deposition of
      Ultrathin Oxides on Si(111).
AB  - Silicon surfaces terminated with a mixed monolayer containing both a propyl
      aldehyde functionality and methyl groups were prepared and used to control the
      interfacial chemical and electronic properties of Si(111) surfaces during atomic
      layer deposition (ALD) of Al2O3 or MnO. Si(111) surfaces functionalized only with
      the aldehyde moiety exhibited surface recombination velocities, S, of 2500 +/-
      600 cm s(-1) whereas the mixed CH3-/HC(O)CH2CH2-Si(111) surfaces displayed S = 25
      +/- 7 cm s(-1). During the ALD growth of either Al2O3 or MnO, both the
      HC(O)CH2CH2-Si(111) and CH3-/HC(O)CH2CH2-Si(111) surfaces produced increased
      metal oxide deposition at low cycle number, relative to H-Si(111) or CH3-Si(111)
      surfaces. As detected by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy after the ALD process,
      the CH3- and mixed CH3-/HC(O)CH2CH2- functionalized Si(111) surfaces exhibited
      less interfacial SiOx than was observed for ALD of metal oxides on H-Si(111)
      substrates. 

PMID- 26262494
TI  - Amide I Vibrational Properties Affected by Hydrogen Bonding Out-of-Plane of the
      Peptide Group.
AB  - The amide I vibrational properties of a peptide-water complex in various
      intermolecular configurations are analyzed theoretically to see whether a water
      molecule with a weak out-of-plane hydrogen bond really induces a large low
      frequency shift. It is shown that the frequency shift strongly depends on the
      C?O...H angle, with a larger low-frequency shift as the C?O...H becomes more
      bent, suggesting that the so-called hydrated helix with a rather low amide I
      frequency has an additional water molecule located out-of-plane of the peptide
      group as compared with a typical alpha-helix. The infrared intensity also depends
      on the angular position of water. A new model parameter set (that can be combined
      with molecular dynamics) is developed for a more correct representation of the
      hydration-induced frequency shift. The question regarding the scalar and
      vectorial nature of the molecular properties related to the frequency shift is
      also discussed. 

PMID- 26262495
TI  - Enantiomeric Conformation Controls Rate and Yield of Photoinduced Electron
      Transfer in DNA Sensitized by Ru(II) Dipyridophenazine Complexes.
AB  - Photosensitized oxidation of guanine is an important route to DNA damage.
      Ruthenium polypyridyls are very useful photosensitizers, as their reactivity and
      DNA-binding properties are readily tunable. Here we show a strong difference in
      the reactivity of the two enantiomers of [Ru(TAP)2(dppz)](2+), by using time
      resolved visible and IR spectroscopy. This reveals that the photosensitized one
      electron oxidation of guanine in three oligonucleotide sequences proceeds with
      similar rates and yields for bound Delta-[Ru(TAP)2(dppz)](2+), whereas those for
      the Lambda enantiomer are very sensitive to base sequence. It is proposed that
      these differences are due to preferences of each enantiomer for different binding
      sites in the duplex. 

PMID- 26262496
TI  - Water Dispersible, Positively and Negatively Charged MoS2 Nanosheets: Surface
      Chemistry and the Role of Surfactant Binding.
AB  - Stable aqueous dispersions of atomically thin layered MoS2 nanosheets have been
      obtained by sonication in the presence of ionic surfactants. The dispersions are
      stabilized by electrostatic repulsion between the sheets, and we show that the
      sign of the charge on the MoS2 nanosheets, either positive or negative, can be
      can be controlled by the choice of the surfactant. Using techniques from solution
      NMR, we show that the surfactant chains are weakly bound to the MoS2 sheets and
      undergo rapid exchange with free surfactant chains present in the dispersion. In
      situ nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopic measurements provide direct evidence
      that the surfactant chains lie flat, arranged randomly on the basal plane of the
      MoS2 nanosheets with their charged headgroup exposed. These results provide a
      chemical perspective for understanding the stability of these inorganic
      nanosheets in aqueous dispersions and the origin of the charge on the sheets. 

PMID- 26262497
TI  - Influences of Surface and Ionic Properties on Electricity Generation of an Active
      Transducer Driven by Water Motion.
AB  - In this Letter, we discuss the surface, ionic properties, and scale-up potential
      of an active transducer that generated electricity from natural water motion.
      When a liquid contacts a solid surface, an electrical double layer (EDL) is
      always formed at the solid/liquid interface. By modulating the EDL, the active
      transducer could generate a peak voltage of ~3 V and a peak power of ~5 MUW.
      Interestingly, there were specific salinities of solution droplets that showed
      maximum performance and different characteristics according to the ions' nature.
      Analyzing the results macroscopically, we tried to figure out the origins of the
      active transducing precipitated by ions dynamics. Also, we demonstrated the scale
      up potential for practical usage by multiple electrode design. 

PMID- 26262498
TI  - Channeling Vibrational Energy To Probe the Electronic Density of States in Metal
      Clusters.
AB  - We investigate the electronic density of states (DOS) of isolated neutral cobalt
      clusters by probing the temperature-modulated population of electronic states
      through UV photoionization. The temperature is controlled via resonant excitation
      of lattice vibrations using the free-electron laser FELICE, after which the
      vibrational and electronic systems equilibrate through the electron-phonon
      coupling, redistributing the population of electronic states. The data are
      analyzed by surface photoemission theory, modified to incorporate the realistic
      DOS. 

PMID- 26262499
TI  - Experimental and Theoretical Investigations of Magnetic Exchange Pathways in
      Structurally Diverse Iron(III) Schiff-Base Complexes.
AB  - The synthesis, and the structural and magnetic properties, of the following new
      iron(III) Schiff base complexes with the {O',N,O"}-chelating ligand H2L (2
      hydroxyphenylsalicylaldimine) are reported: K[FeL2].H2O (1), (Pr3NH)[FeL2].2CH3OH
      (2), [FeL(bpyO2) (CH3OH)][FeL2].CH3OH (3), [Fe2L3(CH3OH)].2CH3OH.H2O (4), and
      [{Fe2L2}(MU-OH)2{FeL(bpyO2)}2][BPh4]2.2H2O (5), where Pr3NH(+) represents the
      tripropylammonium cation and bpyO2 stands for 2,2'-bipyridine-N-dioxide. A
      thorough density functional theory (DFT) study of magnetic interactions (the
      isotropic exchange) at the B3LYP/def-TZVP level of theory was employed, and
      calculations have revealed superexchange pathways through
      intramolecular/intermolecular noncovalent contacts (pi-pi stacking, C-H...O and O
      H...O hydrogen bonds, diamagnetic metal cations) and/or covalent bonds ((MU
      O(Ph), MU-OH) or bis(MU-O(Ph)) bridging modes), which helped us to postulate
      trustworthy spin Hamiltonians for magnetic analysis of experimental data. Within
      the reported family of compounds 1-5, the mediators of the antiferromagnetic
      exchange can be sorted by their increasing strength as follows: pi-pi stacking
      (J(DFT) = -0.022 cm(-1)/J(mag) = -0.025(4) cm(-1) in 2) < C-H...O contacts and pi
      pi stacking (J(DFT) = -0.19 cm(-1)/J(mag) = -0.347(9)cm(-1) in 1) < O-H...O
      hydrogen bonds (J(DFT) = -0.53 cm(-1)/J(mag) = -0.41(1) cm(-1) in 3) < bis(MU
      O(Ph)) bridge (J(DFT) = -13.8 cm(-1)/J(mag) = -12.3(9) cm(-1) in 4) < (MU-O(Ph),
      MU-OH) bridge (J(DFT) = -18.0 cm(-1)/J(mag) = -17.1(2) cm(-1) in 5), where J(DFT)
      and J(mag) are the isotropic exchange parameters derived from DFT calculations,
      and analysis of the experimental magnetic data, respectively. The good agreement
      between theoretically calculated and experimentally derived isotropic exchange
      parameters suggests that this procedure is applicable also for other chemical and
      structural systems to interpret magnetic data properly.

PMID- 26262500
TI  - Influencing Anesthesia Provider Behavior Using Anesthesia Information Management
      System Data for Near Real-Time Alerts and Post Hoc Reports.
AB  - In this review article, we address issues related to using data from anesthesia
      information management systems (AIMS) to deliver near real-time alerts via AIMS
      workstation popups and/or alphanumeric pagers and post hoc reports via e-mail. We
      focus on reports and alerts for influencing the behavior of anesthesia providers
      (i.e., anesthesiologists, anesthesia residents, and nurse anesthetists). Multiple
      studies have shown that anesthesia clinical decision support (CDS) improves
      adherence to protocols and increases financial performance through facilitation
      of billing, regulatory, and compliance documentation; however, improved clinical
      outcomes have not been demonstrated. We inform developers and users of feedback
      systems about the multitude of concerns to consider during development and
      implementation of CDS to increase its effectiveness and to mitigate its
      potentially disruptive aspects. We discuss the timing and modalities used to
      deliver messages, implications of outlier-only versus individualized feedback,
      the need to consider possible unintended consequences of such feedback,
      regulations, sustainability, and portability among systems. We discuss
      statistical issues related to the appropriate evaluation of CDS efficacy. We
      provide a systematic review of the published literature (indexed in PubMed) of
      anesthesia CDS and offer 2 case studies of CDS interventions using AIMS data from
      our own institution illustrating the salient points. Because of the considerable
      expense and complexity of maintaining near real-time CDS systems, as compared
      with providing individual reports via e-mail after the fact, we suggest that if
      the same goal can be accomplished via delayed reporting versus immediate
      feedback, the former approach is preferable. Nevertheless, some processes require
      near real-time alerts to produce the desired improvement. Post hoc e-mail
      reporting from enterprise-wide electronic health record systems is
      straightforward and can be accomplished using system-independent pathways (e.g.,
      via built-in e-mail support provided by the relational database management
      system). However, for some of these enterprise-wide systems, near real-time data
      access, necessary for CDS that generates concurrent alerts, has been challenging
      to implement. 

PMID- 26262501
TI  - Deleterious Impact of Donor-Specific Anti-HLA Antibodies Toward HLA-Cw and HLA-DP
      in Kidney Transplantation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It is widely accepted that HLA donor-specific antibodies (DSA) are
      associated with antibody-mediated rejection and graft loss. However, in many
      transplant programs, preformed anti-HLA-Cw and anti-HLA-DP DSA are not considered
      in organ allocation policies because their clinical relevance is still uncertain.
      METHODS: We analyzed the clinical impact of Cw/DP DSA through a retrospective
      study, comparing 48 patients transplanted with isolated preformed Cw/DP DSA
      (Cw/DP DSA group) with (i) 104 matched HLA-sensitized kidney transplant
      recipients with No DSA at D0 (No DSA group) and (ii) 47 kidney transplant
      recipients with preformed A, -B, -DR, -DQ DSA (A/B/DR/DQ DSA group). RESULTS: A
      positive flow cytometry crossmatch in the Cw/DP DSA group was more frequent than
      in the No DSA group and as frequent as in the A/B/DR/DQDSA group. Two years after
      transplantation, the biopsy-proven acute rejection-free survival was worse in the
      Cw/DP and A/B/DR/DQ DSA groups than in the No DSA group (65%, 84%, 93%, P = 0.001
      and P = 0.05, respectively). Accordingly, graft survival was lower in the Cw/DP
      and the A/B/DR/DQ DSA groups than in the No DSA group (87%, 89%, 95%, P = 0.02
      and P = 0.1, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that preformed
      anti-HLA-Cw and anti-HLA-DP DSA are as deleterious as anti-HLA A/B/DR/DQ DSA. It
      justifies their inclusion in kidney allocation programs and in immunological risk
      stratification algorithms.

PMID- 26262502
TI  - Using Genetic Variation to Predict and Extend Long-term Kidney Transplant
      Function.
AB  - Renal transplantation has transformed the life of patients with end-stage renal
      disease and other chronic kidney disorders by returning endogenous kidney
      function and enabling patients to cease dialysis. Several clinical indicators of
      graft outcome and long-term function have been established. Although rising
      creatinine levels and graft biopsy can be used to determine graft loss,
      identifying early predictors of graft function will not only improve our ability
      to predict long-term graft outcome but importantly provide a window of
      opportunity to therapeutically intervene to preserve graft function before graft
      failure has occurred. Since understanding the importance of matching genetic
      variation at the HLA region between donors and recipients and translating this
      into clinical practise to improve transplant outcome, much focus has been placed
      on trying to identify additional genetic predictors of transplant
      outcome/function. This review will focus on how candidate gene studies have
      identified variants within immunosuppression, immune response, fibrotic pathways,
      and specific ethnic groups, which correlate with graft outcome. We will also
      discuss the challenges faced by candidate gene studies, such as differences in
      donor and recipient selection criteria and use of small data sets, which have led
      to many genes failing to be consistently associated with transplant outcome. This
      review will also look at how recent advances in our understanding of and ability
      to screen the genome are starting to provide new insights into the mechanisms
      behind long-term graft loss and with it the opportunity to target these pathways
      therapeutically to ultimately increase graft lifespan and the associated benefits
      to patients. 

PMID- 26262503
TI  - Oral Platelet-Derived Growth Factor and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor
      Inhibitor Sunitinib Prevents Chronic Allograft Injury in Experimental Kidney
      Transplantation Model.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Expression of both platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and vascular
      endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is increased during the development of chronic
      rejection which remains the major reason for late allograft loss in clinical
      kidney transplantation. Sunitinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor which inhibits
      both VEGF and PDGF receptors. Here we investigated its effect on the development
      of chronic rejection. METHODS: Rat aortic denudation model was used to define
      sunitinib dose. In vitro studies were done to investigate the effect of sunitinib
      on smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration. Kidney transplantations were
      performed from dark agouti rat strain (DA) to Wistar furth rat strain rats and
      syngenic DA-DA grafts were used as controls. Allografts were immunosuppressed
      either with cyclosporine or with cyclosporine and sunitinib. Grafts were
      harvested at 5 and 90 days for histology and immunohistochemistry. Serum
      creatinine levels were measured weekly to monitor graft function. RESULTS:
      Sunitinib decreased neointimal formation and smooth muscle cell proliferation and
      migration in a dose-dependent manner. Sunitinib was well tolerated and almost
      completely prevented chronic rejection changes and preserved significantly better
      renal graft function after transplantation. Sunitinib also inhibited chronic PDGF
      A and -B and VEGF-A and -B expressions. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate
      that combined inhibition of PGDF and VEGF with sunitinib prevents chronic
      rejection changes in experimental kidney transplantation which indicates that
      sunitinib could be a potential intervention also in clinical kidney
      transplantation.

PMID- 26262504
TI  - Ex Vivo Perfusion With Adenosine A2A Receptor Agonist Enhances Rehabilitation of
      Murine Donor Lungs After Circulatory Death.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) enables assessment and rehabilitation
      of marginal donor lungs before transplantation. We previously demonstrated that
      adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) agonism attenuates lung ischemia-reperfusion
      injury. The current study utilizes a novel murine EVLP model to test the
      hypothesis that A2AR agonist enhances EVLP-mediated rehabilitation of donation
      after circulatory death (DCD) lungs. METHODS: Mice underwent euthanasia and 60
      minutes warm ischemia, and lungs were flushed with Perfadex and underwent cold
      static preservation (CSP, 60 minutes). Three groups were studied: no EVLP (CSP),
      EVLP with Steen solution for 60 minutes (EVLP), and EVLP with Steen solution
      supplemented with ATL1223, a selective A2AR agonist (EVLP + ATL1223). Lung
      function, wet/dry weight, cytokines and neutrophil numbers were measured.
      Microarrays were performed using the Affymetrix GeneChip Mouse Genome 430A 2.0
      Array. RESULTS: Ex vivo lung perfusion significantly improved lung function
      versus CSP, which was further, significantly improved by EVLP + ATL1223. Lung
      edema, cytokines, and neutrophil counts were reduced after EVLP and further,
      significantly reduced after EVLP + ATL1223. Gene array analysis revealed
      differential expression of 1594 genes after EVLP, which comprise canonical
      pathways involved in inflammation and innate immunity including IL-1, IL-8, IL-6,
      and IL-17 signaling. Several pathways were uniquely regulated by EVLP + ATL1223
      including the downregulation of genes involved in IL-1 signaling, such as ADCY9,
      ECSIT, IRAK1, MAPK12, and TOLLIP. CONCLUSIONS: Ex vivo lung perfusion modulates
      proinflammatory genes and reduces pulmonary dysfunction, edema, and inflammation
      in DCD lungs, which are further reduced by A2AR agonism. This murine EVLP model
      provides a novel platform to study rehabilitative mechanisms of DCD lungs.

PMID- 26262505
TI  - Logistical Factors Influencing Cold Ischemia Times in Deceased Donor Kidney
      Transplants.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Prolonged cold ischemia time (CIT) is associated with a significant
      risk of short- and long-term graft failure in deceased donor kidney transplants
      across the world. The aim of this prospective longitudinal study was to determine
      the importance of logistical factors on CIT. METHOD: Data on 1763 transplants
      were collected prospectively over 14 months from personnel in 16 transplant
      centers, 19 histocompatibility and immunogenetics laboratories, transport
      providers, and National Health Service Blood and Transplant. RESULTS: The overall
      mean CIT was 13.8 hours, with significant center variation (P < 0.0001). Factors
      that significantly reduced CIT were donation after circulatory death (P = 0.03),
      shorter transport time (P = 0.0002), use of virtual crossmatch (XM) (P < 0.0001),
      and use of donor blood for pretransplant XM (P < 0.0001). The CIT for transplants
      that went ahead with a virtual XM was 3 hours shorter than those requiring a
      pretransplant XM (P < 0.0001). There was a mean delay of 3 hours in starting
      transplants despite organ, recipient, and pretransplant XM result being ready,
      suggesting that theater access contributes significantly to increased CIT.
      DISCUSSION: This study identifies logistical factors relating to donor,
      transport, crossmatching, recipient, and theater that impact significantly on CIT
      in deceased donor renal transplantation, some of which are modifiable; attention
      should be focussed on addressing all of these.

PMID- 26262506
TI  - Live Donor Renal Transplant With Simultaneous Bilateral Nephrectomy for Autosomal
      Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease Is Feasible and Satisfactory at Long-term
      Follow-up.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Timing of bilateral nephrectomy (BN) is controversial in patients
      with refractory symptoms of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (APKD)
      in need of a renal transplant. METHODS: Adults who underwent live donor renal
      transplant (LRT) + simultaneous BN (SBN) from August 2003 to 2013 at a single
      transplant center (n = 66) were retrospectively compared to a matched group of
      APKD patients who underwent LRT alone (n = 52). All patients received general
      health and polycystic kidney symptom surveys. RESULTS: Simultaneous BN increased
      operative duration, estimated blood loss, transfusions, intravenous fluid, and
      hospital length of stay. Most common indications for BN were pain, loss of
      abdominal domain, and early satiety. There were more intraoperative complications
      for LRT + SBN (6 vs 0, P = 0.03; 2 vascular, 2 splenic, and 1 liver injury; 1
      reexploration to adjust graft positioning). There were no differences in Clavien
      Dindo grade I or II (39% vs 25%, P = 0.12) or grade III or IV (7.5% vs 5.7%, P =
      1.0) complications during the hospital course. There were no surgery-related
      mortalities. There were no differences in readmission rates (68% vs 48%, P =
      0.19) or readmissions requiring procedures (25% vs. 20%, P = 0.51) over 12
      months. One hundred percent of LRT + SBN allografts functioned at longer than 1
      year for those available for follow-up. Survey response rate was 40% for LRT
      alone and 56% for LRT + SBN. One hundred percent of LRT + SBN survey responders
      were satisfied with their choice of having BN done simultaneously. CONCLUSIONS:
      Excellent outcomes for graft survival, satisfaction, and morbidity suggest that
      the combined operative approach be preferred for patients with symptomatic APKD
      to avoid multiple procedures, dialysis, and costs of staged operations.

PMID- 26262507
TI  - Support of Neuronal Growth Over Glial Growth and Guidance of Optic Nerve Axons by
      Vertical Nanowire Arrays.
AB  - Neural cultures are very useful in neuroscience, providing simpler and better
      controlled systems than the in vivo situation. Neural tissue contains two main
      cell types, neurons and glia, and interactions between these are essential for
      appropriate neuronal development. In neural cultures, glial cells tend to
      overgrow neurons, limiting the access to neuronal interrogation. There is
      therefore a pressing need for improved systems that enable a good separation when
      coculturing neurons and glial cells simultaneously, allowing one to address the
      neurons unequivocally. Here, we used substrates consisting of dense arrays of
      vertical nanowires intercalated by flat regions to separate retinal neurons and
      glial cells in distinct, but neighboring, compartments. We also generated a
      nanowire patterning capable of guiding optic nerve axons. The results will
      facilitate the design of surfaces aimed at studying and controlling neuronal
      networks. 

PMID- 26262508
TI  - Group 4 metal complexes of Trost's semi-crown ligand: synthesis, structural
      characterization and studies on the ring-opening polymerization of lactides and
      epsilon-caprolactone.
AB  - The synthesis of titanium(IV), zirconium(IV) and hafnium(IV) complexes of Trost's
      semi-crown ligand is described. All complexes were fully characterized by 1H and
      13C NMR and mass spectroscopy. The molecular structures of the representative
      complexes 2, 3 and 4 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies.
      The X-ray diffraction studies reveal that complexes 2, 3 and 4 crystallized in an
      orthorhombic crystal system. Complexes 2 and 3 have a monomeric structure in the
      solid state with distorted octahedral geometry around the metal center, whereas
      complex 4 was found to crystallize in a trimeric structure bridging with an
      oxygen atom, where the geometry around the titanium is distorted trigonal
      bipyramidal. The activities and stereoselectivities of these complexes toward the
      ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of lactides (L-LA and rac-LA) and epsilon
      caprolactone (CL) have been investigated. Complexes 1-4 were found to be
      efficient single-component initiators for the ring-opening polymerization of
      cyclic esters and yielded high molecular weight polymers (Mn) with narrow
      molecular weight distributions (MWD).The microstructure of the resultant
      polylactides (PLAs) from rac-LA was determined. Complexes 2 and 3 afforded
      isotactic-enriched PLA (Pm = 0.78-0.71) with narrow MWD (1.07-1.04), on the other
      hand complexes 1 and 4 produced atactic PLA. Kinetic and post polymerization
      studies confirm that the polymerization proceeds through the coordination
      insertion mechanism.

PMID- 26262509
TI  - Triboelectric Nanogenerators as a Self-Powered 3D Acceleration Sensor.
AB  - A novel self-powered acceleration sensor based on triboelectric nanogenerator is
      proposed, which consists of an outer transparent shell and an inner mass-spring
      damper mechanical system. The PTFE films on the mass surfaces can slide between
      two aluminum electrodes on an inner wall owing to the acceleration in the axis
      direction. On the basis of the coupling of triboelectric and electrostatic
      effects, the potential difference between the two aluminum electrodes is
      generated in proportion to the mass displacement, which can be used to
      characterize the acceleration in the axis direction with a detection range from
      about 13.0 to 40.0 m/s(2) at a sensitivity of 0.289 V.s(2)/m. With the
      integration of acceleration sensors in three axes, a self-powered 3D acceleration
      sensor is developed for vector acceleration measurement in any direction. The
      self-powered 3D acceleration sensor has excellent performance in the stability
      test, and the output voltages have a little decrease of ~6% after 4000 cycles.
      Moreover, the self-powered acceleration sensor can be used to measure high
      collision acceleration, which has potential practicability in automobile security
      systems. 

PMID- 26262510
TI  - Pheochromocytomas and Paragangliomas: An Update on Recent Molecular Genetic
      Advances and Criteria for Malignancy.
AB  - Pheochromocytomas are uncommon neuroendocrine tumors arising in the adrenal
      medulla, whereas paragangliomas arise from chromaffin cells in sympathetic and
      parasympathetic locations outside of the adrenal gland. Molecular genetic studies
      in the past few years have identified >10 genes involved in the pathogenesis of
      pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas, including RET oncogene, involved in the
      pathogenesis of multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) 2A and 2B, von Hippel-Lindau
      tumor-suppressor gene, neurofibromatosis type 1 gene, succinate dehydrogenase,
      THEM127, and several others. The presence of genetic alterations in some of these
      genes such as in MEN 2A and 2B can be used to diagnose these disorders
      clinically, and other mutations such as succinate dehydrogenase can be used in
      the pathologic prediction of benign and malignant pheochromocytomas and
      paragangliomas. Although it has been difficult to separate benign and malignant
      pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas, recent studies that may predict the
      behavior of these chromaffin-derived neoplasms have been reported. The
      Pheochromocytoma of the Adrenal Scale Score and the Grading system for Adrenal
      Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma scoring system are also discussed. 

PMID- 26262511
TI  - Tumor Heterogeneity in Breast Cancer.
AB  - Tumor heterogeneity is the topic de jour, partly because molecular biologists and
      researchers are identifying it using sophisticated gene/DNA analysis techniques.
      Clinicians and pathologists are well acquainted with marked variability in
      clinical presentations, tumor histology, and, more importantly, clinical outcomes
      of their patients. In this review, we address these issues head-on and document
      that tumor heterogeneity is an old friend (or, more correctly, a foe). We
      described heterogeneity that exists at all levels-clinical, histologic, and
      molecular-and briefly outline the strategies that have been used by clinicians
      and pathologists to tackle this complicated issue.

PMID- 26262512
TI  - New Guideline for the Reporting of Studies Developing, Validating, or Updating a
      Multivariable Clinical Prediction Model: The TRIPOD Statement.
AB  - Prediction models are developed to aid health care providers in estimating the
      probability that a specific outcome or disease is present (diagnostic prediction
      models) or will occur in the future (prognostic prediction models), to inform
      their decision making. Prognostic models here also include models to predict
      treatment outcomes or responses; in the cancer literature often referred to as
      predictive models. Clinical prediction models have become abundant. Pathology
      measurement or results are frequently included as predictors in such prediction
      models, certainly in the cancer domain. Only when full information on all aspects
      of a prediction modeling study are clearly reported, risk of bias and potential
      usefulness of the prediction model can be adequately assessed. Many reviews have
      illustrated that the quality of reports on the development, validation, and/or
      adjusting (updating) of prediction models, is very poor. Hence, the Transparent
      Reporting of a multivariable prediction model for Individual Prognosis Or
      Diagnosis (TRIPOD) initiative has developed a comprehensive and user-friendly
      checklist for the reporting of studies on, both diagnostic and prognostic,
      prediction models. The TRIPOD Statement intends to improve the transparency and
      completeness of reporting of studies that report solely on development, both
      development and validation, and solely on the validation (with or without
      updating) of diagnostic or prognostic, including predictive, models. 

PMID- 26262513
TI  - Triple-negative Breast Carcinoma: Morphologic and Molecular Subtypes.
AB  - Breast carcinoma is a heterogenous disease. Carcinomas lacking expression of
      estrogen, progesterone, and HER2/neu receptors by immunohistochemistry and Her2
      amplification are designated as triple negative. This group of carcinomas
      comprises approximately 10% to 20% of all breast carcinomas and is characterized
      by an aggressive nature with shorter rates of disease-free and overall survival.
      This aggressive behavior is further compounded by the lack of available targeted
      therapies. Patients receive cytoxic chemotherapy regimens. Although tumors are
      initially sensitive to this therapy, drugs are toxic and ineffective in
      maintaining long-term response thereby providing limited benefit. Much effort is
      being spent on this group of cancers for the identification of appropriate
      molecular targets, an effort that is proving challenging due to the presence of
      marked heterogeneity, both at the morphologic and molecular levels. An
      understanding of the advances in this field is crucial for developing targeted
      therapies and tailored patient management protocols. This report summarizes the
      pathologic subtypes of breast cancer that are commonly of a triple-negative
      immunophenotype and recent molecular advances in this field. 

PMID- 26262514
TI  - Update on the Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System: What the Pathologist Needs
      to Know.
AB  - Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is frequently diagnosed noninvasively with imaging
      techniques. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging play critical
      roles in the detection, diagnosis, and staging of HCC. Standardization in the
      interpretation and reporting of imaging modalities has not existed until
      recently. In 2008, the American College of Radiology supported the development of
      the Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) for standardized
      terminology, interpretation, and reporting of imaging examinations for the
      diagnosis of HCC inpatients at risk for HCC. This article reviews the basic
      concepts of LI-RADS, emphasizing aspects that are most relevant to pathologists,
      including the categories, diagnostic algorithm, major features, and ancillary
      features for the diagnosis of HCC. The similarities and differences between LI
      RADS and other major radiology-based diagnostic systems in terms of target
      population, intended users, categorization of observations, and imaging methods
      are addressed. Importantly, LI-RADS and other systems are designed to diagnose
      progressed HCC with high specificity and modest sensitivity. LI-RADS and other
      systems are not designed to detect early HCC and so have limited sensitivity for
      such lesions. Moreover, despite continuous advances in imaging technology,
      imaging detection and characterization of small (<1 cm) nodules remains limited;
      in addition, colocalization of small nodules and pathology is difficult. For
      these reasons LI-RADS and most other systems require lesions to be 1 cm or
      greater for the noninvasive diagnosis of HCC. As LI-RADS evolves, it is critical
      that stakeholders, including pathologists, provide expert input to help
      standardize and enhance reporting of radiologic findings. 

PMID- 26262515
TI  - Customizing Laboratory Information Systems: Closing the Functionality Gap.
AB  - Highly customizable laboratory information systems help to address great
      variations in laboratory workflows, typical in Pathology. Often, however, built
      in customization tools are not sufficient to add all of the desired functionality
      and improve systems interoperability. Emerging technologies and advances in
      medicine often create a void in functionality that we call a functionality gap.
      These gaps have distinct characteristics-a persuasive need to change the way a
      pathology group operates, the general availability of technology to address the
      missing functionality, the absence of this technology from your laboratory
      information system, and inability of built-in customization tools to address it.
      We emphasize the pervasive nature of these gaps, the role of pathology
      informatics in closing them, and suggest methods on how to achieve that. We found
      that a large number of the papers in the Journal of Pathology Informatics are
      concerned with these functionality gaps, and an even larger proportion of
      electronic posters and abstracts presented at the Pathology Informatics Summit
      conference each year deal directly with these unmet needs in pathology practice.
      A rapid, continuous, and sustainable approach to closing these gaps is critical
      for Pathology to provide the highest quality of care, adopt new technologies, and
      meet regulatory and financial challenges. The key element of successfully
      addressing functionality gaps is gap ownership-the ability to control the entire
      pathology information infrastructure with access to complementary systems and
      components. In addition, software developers with detailed domain expertise,
      equipped with right tools and methodology can effectively address these needs as
      they emerge.

PMID- 26262516
TI  - Selected Case From the Arkadi M. Rywlin International Pathology Slide Club:
      Polypoid Endometriosis in the Pouch of Douglas in a Perimenopausal Woman.
AB  - A 50-year-old female had a hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy for
      adenomyosis, uterine leiomyomas, ovarian and cervical endometriosis. Nine months
      later, organ imaging revealed a 43*74*52 mm, apparently malignant extraperitoneal
      mass lying between the vagina and rectum. The patient had been receiving a
      progestogen. Preoperative needle biopsies were interpreted as recurrent
      endometriosis. The mass was easily excised and sections were interpreted as
      polypoid endometriosis with a decidual reaction and foci of necrosis. Slides
      circulated to the club were from the excised specimen. The majority agreed with
      this diagnosis although a minority favored a Mullerian adenosarcoma. One club
      member commented that pseudosarcomatous change, including periglandular stromal
      cuffing and condensation, may occur in patients on hormones, especially
      tamoxifen. The patient was well with no recurrence 15 months after surgery. 

PMID- 26262517
TI  - Theories and Methods for Context Sensitive Health Informatics.
AB  - Context is a key issue when designing, implementing, and evaluating health
      information technology. Advanced and well-designed systems may not achieve
      desired outcomes because of complex contextual issues, and unintended
      consequences are often reported in the literature. The conference introduced in
      this article integrates sociotechnical and human factors based theories and
      methods for analysis and evaluation of complex health information technologies in
      diverse environments demanding high context sensitivity.

PMID- 26262519
TI  - From Research Prototypes to a Marketable eHealth System.
AB  - This paper presents three distinct challenges to research and development (R&D)
      of marketable eHealth systems and suggests strategies to mitigate them. The
      eHealth system in question is designed to improve self-care and collaboration
      between remotely monitored heart failure patients and clinicians. By way of
      introspection and reflection on a current and a previous project, the authors
      propose solutions for mitigating the central challenges.

PMID- 26262520
TI  - User Preferences for Improving the Estonian National e-Prescription Service.
AB  - National e-Prescription services are becoming more common in Europe. While
      enhancing communication between levels of health care, few solutions have
      demonstrated enhanced quality of care and patient safety benefits. The article
      presents the results of a project to map the user needs the Estonian national e
      prescription service. A survey was conducted among primary care physicians (PCPs)
      to inquire about their needs in the medication management process. The results
      showed that PCPs lacked a medication management tool to support patient care
      across different care settings. A mockup for the national service was developed
      based on the survey results. The medication management tool features a visual
      presentation of a patient's medication list and includes decision support
      functions for allergies and potential interactions. This mockup will be used to
      further investigate the needs of PCPs as well as other care providers in the
      medication management process.

PMID- 26262521
TI  - Physician Experiences with Perceived Pressure to Order Diagnostic Imaging
      Services.
AB  - The overuse of diagnostic imaging (DI) services, which is estimated to be 30% in
      Canada, can expose patients to unnecessary radiation, and strain human and
      financial resources. This study explored the DI ordering practices of physicians
      in Canada through semi-structured interviews to gain a deeper understanding of
      the factors contributing to the overuse of DI services. The majority of
      participants (n=11; 91%) described feeling pressured by patients to order DI
      services in circumstances that were unwarranted. The results are followed by a
      discussion about ways technology (such as a decision support system) could aid in
      facilitating a dialogue between physicians and patients about when and when not
      to order DI.

PMID- 26262522
TI  - The Consumer Health Information System Adoption Model.
AB  - Derived from overlapping concepts in consumer health, a consumer health
      information system refers to any of the broad range of applications, tools, and
      educational resources developed to empower consumers with knowledge, techniques,
      and strategies, to manage their own health. As consumer health information
      systems become increasingly popular, it is important to explore the factors that
      impact their adoption and success. Accumulating evidence indicates a relationship
      between usability and consumers' eHealth Literacy skills and the demands consumer
      HISs place on their skills. Here, we present a new model called the Consumer
      Health Information System Adoption Model, which depicts both consumer eHealth
      literacy skills and system demands on eHealth literacy as moderators with the
      potential to affect the strength of relationship between usefulness and usability
      (predictors of usage) and adoption, value, and successful use (actual usage
      outcomes). Strategies for aligning these two moderating factors are described.

PMID- 26262523
TI  - Communication Pattern Regarding Alarms and Patient Signals Between Nurses, Other
      Health Care Actors, Patients and Devices.
AB  - CallMeSmart is a context aware communication system for hospitals. The system is
      being used by nurses and the physicians at the Oncology department, University
      Hospital of North Norway. CallMeSmart has been designed to increase the
      efficiency of communication between the nurse-physician and physician-physician.
      In this study, we have looked at the communication pathways between nurse-nurse
      and patient-nurse: how nurses define a preference of calling somebody, how alarms
      and tasks are prioritized, and how this could be implemented into the CallMeSmart
      system to improve the system for the nurses. This paper discusses how the
      communication pathways of the patient alarm system can be improved for health
      care actors in hospitals by revealing the communication patterns according to an
      alarm between those actors. We address the communication pattern between nurses,
      other health care actors, patients and the devices used, and discuss possible
      improvements of this communication.

PMID- 26262524
TI  - Teaching Nursing Informatics in Australia, Canada and Denmark.
AB  - Whilst there is a strong interest in nursing informatics in the graduate nurse
      population, nursing informatics has been slow to be incorporated into the
      undergraduate nursing curriculum. Nursing schools in Australia, Canada, and
      Denmark are all currently involved in redeveloping their curricula to include
      nursing informatics in a meaningful way. This paper provides a brief historical
      description of the uptake of nursing informatics in each of the three countries
      and discusses the required future directions and strategies towards incorporating
      nursing informatics into the undergraduate curriculum.

PMID- 26262525
TI  - Nurse Practitioner Perceptions of the Impact of Electronic Medical Records Upon
      Clinical Practice.
AB  - A survey was conducted in the province of British Columba, Canada with nurse
      practitioners (NP). This paper reports on the quantitative and qualitative
      findings of the survey questions specifically focused on NP perceptions of the
      clinical impacts associated with using electronic medical records (EMRs) in a
      primary care setting. Findings suggest that although NPs perceived EMRs to
      improve the overall quality of clinical decisions, challenges remain in terms of
      tailoring the design of EMRs to address NP needs.

PMID- 26262527
TI  - Towards Evidence Based Usability in Health Informatics?
AB  - In a Health Information Technology (HIT) regulatory context in which the
      usability of this technology is more and more a critical issue, there is an
      increasing need for evidence based usability practice. However, a clear
      definition of evidence based usability practice and how to achieve it is still
      lacking. This paper underlines the need for evidence based HIT design and
      provides a definition of evidence based usability practice as the conscientious,
      explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions in design
      of interactive systems in health by applying usability engineering and usability
      design principles that have proven their value in practice. Current issues that
      hamper evidence based usability practice are highlighted and steps needed to
      achieve evidence are presented.

PMID- 26262528
TI  - Usability Evaluation of a Medication Reconciliation and Allergy Review (MRAR)
      Kiosk: A Methodological Approach for Analyzing User Interactions.
AB  - Internationally, major efforts are underway to improve medication safety and
      reduce medication errors during transitions of care. One strategy that has
      emerged to improve data accuracy and close information gaps is the introduction
      of software applications and workflow models that allow patients to review,
      enter, and modify their own patient data (e.g. information about medications they
      are taking). Evaluating the quality and effectiveness of such patient-facing
      healthcare applications is critical, especially when this approach is applied to
      high-stakes clinical tasks such as medication reconciliation. In this paper we
      describe an approach that has been used to assess the usability of a patient
      facing medication reconciliation and allergy review (MRAR) kiosk. The phases
      involved are described along with implications and challenges of carrying out
      this work.

PMID- 26262529
TI  - Development of a Video Coding Scheme for Analyzing the Usability and Usefulness
      of Health Information Systems.
AB  - Usability has been identified as a key issue in health informatics. Worldwide
      numerous projects have been carried out in an attempt to increase and optimize
      health system usability. Usability testing, involving observing end users
      interacting with systems, has been widely applied and numerous publications have
      appeared describing such studies. However, to date, fewer works have been
      published describing methodological approaches to analyzing the rich data stream
      that results from usability testing. This includes analysis of video, audio and
      screen recordings. In this paper we describe our work in the development and
      application of a coding scheme for analyzing the usability of health information
      systems. The phases involved in such analyses are described.

PMID- 26262530
TI  - Enhancing Healthcare Provider Feedback and Personal Health Literacy: Dual Use of
      a Decision Quality Measure.
AB  - In this protocol for a pilot study we seek to establish the feasibility of using
      a web-based survey to simultaneously supply healthcare organisations and agencies
      with feedback on a key aspect of the care experience they provide and increase
      the generic health decision literacy of the individuals responding. The focus is
      on the person's involvement in decision making, an aspect of care which is
      seriously under-represented in current surveys if one adopts the perspective of
      person-centred care. By engaging with an instrument to assess decision quality
      the person can, in the one action, provide a retrospective evaluation of a past
      decision making experience in a specific provider context and enhance their
      competency in future decision making in any setting. We see this as an exercise
      in context-sensitive educational health informatics.

PMID- 26262531
TI  - Medication Review: Human Factors Study Aiming at Helping an Acute Geriatric Unit
      to Sustain and Systematize the Process.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Medication Review (MRev) has been implemented in many hospitals to
      improve patient safety and well-being. However, it seems sometimes difficult to
      implement, maintain and systematize this process, especially when key-elements
      are absent. This study focuses on the analysis of a MRev process implemented in
      an Acute Geriatric Unit (AGU) which, at the time of the study, had no
      Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE) and no sufficient staff to - normally -
      support the process. OBJECTIVE: This study describes the MRev process as existing
      in the AGU with a particular focus on the preparatory MRev meeting phase and
      presents our recommendations to maintain and optimize it. METHODS: Human Factor
      experts have collected and analyzed data during MRev process by interviews,
      shadowing observations and video recording from April to October 2014 at Lille
      University Hospital. RESULTS: MRev process consists of three phases (meeting
      preparation, MRev meeting and patient discharge) and includes seven main tasks
      for which actors, documented supports, outcomes and difficulties are identified.
      Although allocating a fulltime pharmacist for the AGU would solve several
      problems, the main realistic recommendations concern training for junior and
      senior actors according to their roles and the improvement of some tasks
      processes. CONCLUSION: Despite less than optimal conditions as compared to those
      recommended by the literature, the observed AGU performs an efficient review
      based on well designed tools and processes.

PMID- 26262532
TI  - Safer Design - Composable EHRs and Mechanisms for Safety.
AB  - As the deployment of health information technology progresses, issues of
      usability and safety, including the possibility of technology-induced errors have
      come to the fore. Increased complexity of care delivery models and emergent
      conditions such as the Ebola scare in the US point to the difficulty of design
      that allows for human cognitive limits while meeting complex needs. We previously
      described a modular composable approach to health information systems, which
      gives the end-user some control of design and allows for creation of systems
      meeting myriad and varied needs. Here we discuss how the different drag/drop
      interaction paradigm has implications for health IT safety via several
      mechanisms. These include display fragmentation and the need to changeably
      prioritize information elements, interruptions, fit to tasks and contexts, and
      rapid changeability allowing low-cost readjustments when lack of fit is found.

PMID- 26262533
TI  - Enhancing Patient Safety Event Reporting by K-nearest Neighbor Classifier.
AB  - Data quality was placed as a major reason for the low utility of patient safety
      event reporting systems. A pressing need in improving data quality has advanced
      recent research focus in data entry associated with human factors. The debate on
      structured data entry or unstructured data entry reveals not only a trade-off
      problem among data accuracy, completeness, and timeliness, but also a technical
      gap on text mining. The present study suggested a text classification method, k
      nearest neighbor (KNN), for predicting subject categories as in our proposed
      reporting system. Our results demonstrated the feasibility of KNN classifier used
      for text classification and indicated the advantage of such an application to
      raise data quality and clinical decision support in reporting patient safety
      events.

PMID- 26262534
TI  - Integrating Methods to Evaluate Health Information Systems.
AB  - There are different methods to evaluate Health Information Systems (HIS), such as
      Quality Evaluation of software products, human factors, and socio-technical
      approaches. This work aims to identify the main aspects used to evaluate HIS, and
      whether there are relationships between issues considered in assessment of
      software quality and the ones applied specific to the health domain. This was an
      exploratory study that included a literature search related to HIS evaluation and
      software quality analyses applying the norms of the International Organization
      for Standardization (ISO/IEC), to identify aspects and features applied during
      the assessment process. The result is a proposal of an evaluation method based on
      the integration of these two evaluative approaches, combining or complementing
      the considered aspects. The method was applied to an evaluation of a natural
      language processing system to identify continuity of care in discharge summaries.

PMID- 26262536
TI  - Information Issues and Contexts that Impair Team Based Communication Workflow: A
      Palliative Sedation Case Study.
AB  - Implementing team based workflows can be complex because of the scope of
      providers involved and the extent of information exchange and communication that
      needs to occur. While a workflow may represent the ideal structure of
      communication that needs to occur, information issues and contextual factors may
      impact how the workflow is implemented in practice. Understanding these issues
      will help us better design systems to support team based workflows. In this paper
      we use a case study of palliative sedation therapy (PST) to model a PST workflow
      and then use it to identify purposes of communication, information issues and
      contextual factors that impact them. We then suggest how our findings could
      inform health information technology (HIT) design to support team based
      communication workflows.

PMID- 26262537
TI  - The Role of Medical Transcriptionists in Producing High-Quality Documentation.
AB  - This study aimed to investigate the quality-assurance work conducted by medical
      transcriptionists in the production of medical records, and the implications of
      these findings when designing a structured electronic patient record (EPR) system
      in which physicians are supposed to write documentation themselves. Both
      qualitative and quantitative methods were applied. Qualitative data were
      collected through informal discussions and focus-group interviews. Quantitative
      data were collected through the medical transcriptionists' daily recordings of
      their quality-assurance work. The results show the many essential quality
      assurance tasks conducted by medical transcriptionists and the extent of this
      work. Each medical transcriptionist performs an average of more than six
      corrections per day, and approximately one of three dictations are corrected. We
      suggest that these correction and quality-assurance tasks need to be compensated
      for when designing and developing new structured EPRs. Some quality-assurance
      tasks may also advantageously be performed by secretaries in the future.

PMID- 26262538
TI  - A Sequential Data Analysis Approach to Electronic Health Record Workflow.
AB  - Failure to understand clinical workflow across electronic health record (EHR)
      tasks is a significant contributor to usability problems. In this paper, we
      employed sequential data analysis methods with the aim of characterizing patterns
      of 5 clinicians' information-gathering across 66 patients. Two analyses were
      conducted. The first one characterized the most common sequential patterns as
      reflected in the screen transitions. The second analysis was designed to mine and
      quantify the frequency of sequence occurrence. We observed 27 screen-transition
      patterns that were employed from 2 to 7 times. Documents/Images and Intake/Output
      screens were viewed for nearly all patients indicating the importance of these
      information sources. In some cases, they were viewed more than once which may
      show that users are following inefficient patterns in the information gathering
      process. New quantitative methods of analysis as applied to interaction data can
      yield critical insights in robust designs that better support clinical workflow.

PMID- 26262539
TI  - Unveiling the Mobile Learning Paradox.
AB  - A mobile learning paradox exists in Australian healthcare settings. Although it
      is increasingly acknowledged that timely, easy, and convenient access to health
      information using mobile learning technologies can enhance care and improve
      patient outcomes, currently there is an inability for nurses to access
      information at the point of care. Rapid growth in the use of mobile technology
      has created challenges for learning and teaching in the workplace. Easy access to
      educational resources via mobile devices challenges traditional strategies of
      knowledge and skill acquisition. Redesign of learning and teaching in the
      undergraduate curriculum and the development of policies to support the use of
      mobile learning at point of care is overdue. This study explored mobile learning
      opportunities used by clinical supervisors in tertiary and community-based
      facilities in two Australian States. Individual, organisation and systems level
      governance were sub-themes of professionalism that emerged as the main theme and
      impacts on learning and teaching in situ in healthcare environments. It is
      imperative healthcare work redesign includes learning and teaching that supports
      professional identity formation of students during work integrated learning.

PMID- 26262540
TI  - The Role of the IT Department in Organizational Redesign.
AB  - Focus within eHealth research is often on development and implementation.
      However, the role of information systems maintenance and management is often
      neglected. In order for the IT department to accommodate the needs of the
      hospitals and continuous change of organization and practice there is a need for
      developing an understanding of the complex relationship between the IT department
      and clinical practice. In this paper the concept of redesign is used to deepen
      our understanding of IT related organizational change in healthcare
      organizations. In the paper I argue that the IT department is a central partner,
      steward and power in organizational change and learning in hospitals as the IT
      department serve both as a barrier and a catalyst of change and flexibility in
      the organization through management of information systems maintenance and
      redesign. Therefore it is important to consider and secure appropriate forms for
      stewarding redesign and learning in cooperation between the health care
      organizations and the IT department.

PMID- 26262541
TI  - Monitoring the Amount of Practical Use of eHealth on National Level by Use of Log
      Data: Lessons Learned.
AB  - This paper set out to define the lessons learned from the process of
      characterizing the amount of practical use of eHealth on national level by
      collecting and comparing log data harvested from national logs in the Nordic
      countries. The health systems of the Nordic countries are quite similar in
      structure and their eHealth strategies include similar elements, however when
      confronted with the specific context in the different systems it proved
      challenging to define a common set of indicators for monitoring the practical use
      of eHealth. A thorough analysis of context leading to the definitions of the
      indicators is the basis needed due to the complexity of the data in the national
      logs. A comprehensive knowledge of the structure that underlines these logs is of
      utmost importance when striving for collecting comparable data. Although
      challenging, the process of defining indicators for practical use of eHealth by
      data harvested trough national logs is not an impossible task, but a task that
      requires in depth discussions of definitions of indicators as well as a
      substantial insight into the architecture and content of the national databases.
      There is need for continuous work on these indicators to ensure their quality and
      thus make sure that the defined indicators can meaningfully inform eHealth
      policies.

PMID- 26262542
TI  - Work System Characteristics Impacting the Performance and Quality of the
      Discharge Letter Process.
AB  - Studies on the impact of a Health Information Technology seldom consider socio
      technical characteristics of the work system in which the technology is
      implemented. Yet those dimensions may act as hidden variables that could explain
      the inconsistency of impact studies' results in terms of performance, quality and
      satisfaction. This paper reports on the identification of those variables in the
      discharge letter (DL) process. Human Factors experts performed an analysis of the
      work system of the DL process in 17 medical units. The DL process is composed of
      three sub-processes running with work system differing according to the
      distribution of tasks, the technology implemented and the work organization.
      Hidden variables identified are: verification by the physician, technology's
      integration, number of editing cycles, physicians' preferences etc. Those
      variables can be collected automatically or by questionnaire. Statistical
      analyses will have to be performed to know which variable explain impact
      indicators.

PMID- 26262544
TI  - The Question Concerning Narration of Self in Health Informatics.
AB  - Narration is central, even crucial, when it comes to embracing the whole
      individual, continuity of care, and responsible (ethical) handling of the
      technological construction of the self that takes place in health informatics.
      This paper will deal with the role of narratives in the construction of health
      informatics platforms and how different voices should have space for speech on
      these platforms. Theoretically the paper takes an outset in the actant model for
      narratives by the French-Lithuanian theorist of linguistics and literature A.-J.
      Greimas and post-phenomenological readings of human-technology interactions. The
      main assumption is that certain interactions and voices are absent from the
      construction of health informatics platforms, because regarded as outside the
      text of computational and medical practice and expertise. This has implications
      for what concerns meaning and understanding regarding both the actual users
      (physicians and medical staff) and excluded users (patients and citizens).

PMID- 26262545
TI  - Understanding the Context of Patient Safety Through The Lenses of Three IMIA
      Working Groups.
AB  - Delivering safe patient centered care remains an important yet elusive goal
      across healthcare systems worldwide. The complexity of healthcare delivery and
      the unique contexts where it is delivered necessitates patient safety solutions
      that go beyond individual perspectives. This paper articulates the current state
      of patient safety research and HIT from the perspective of three International
      Medical Informatics Association (IMIA) working groups. Each WG will describe
      patient safety issues within their domain. We then integrate the three WG
      perspectives into an integrated model to support research, education and policy
      development for patient safety where HIT is concerned.

PMID- 26262546
TI  - The Contextualization of Archetypes: Clinical Template Governance.
AB  - This paper is a status report from a large-scale openEHR-based EPR project from
      the North Norway Regional Health Authority. It concerns the standardization of a
      regional ICT portfolio and the ongoing development of a new process oriented EPR
      systems encouraged by the unfolding of a national repository for openEHR
      archetypes. Subject of interest; the contextualization of clinical templates is
      governed over multiple national boundaries which is complex due to the dependency
      of clinical resources. From the outset of this, we are interested in how local,
      regional, and national organizers maneuver to standardize while applying OpenEHR
      technology.

PMID- 26262547
TI  - Health Informatics Can Avoid Committing Symbolic Violence by Recognizing and
      Supporting Generic Decision-making Competencies.
AB  - 'Symbolic violence' is committed, however well-intentionally, by the imposition
      of particular conceptualizations of what information, in what form and quality,
      is needed in order to make an 'informed choice' and hence - by questionable segue
      - a high quality decision. The social and cultural forms of relevant cognitive
      capital possessed by those who fail, because of their low general literacy,
      professionally-set knowledge tests of functional health literacy, are being
      ignored. Failing to recognise and exploit a particular form of functional
      decision literacy, in fact leads to symbolic violence being experienced by
      individuals at any and all levels of general literacy. It leads many to adopt the
      same range of avoidant and other undesirable strategies within healthcare
      situations observed in those of low basic literacy. The alternative response we
      propose exploits the alternative generic decision literacy which comes in the
      form of the ability to access and use the decision-relevant resources provided
      for many consumer services and products on comparison websites and magazines. The
      methodology is the simple form of multi-criteria analysis in which the products'
      ratings on multiple criteria are combined with criterion weights (supplied by the
      site) to produce scores and 'best buys' and 'good value for money' verdicts. Our
      alternative approach extends this approach to healthcare options and permits the
      incorporation of personal criterion weights in furtherance of person-centred
      care. Health informaticians, especially those in the decision support field,
      should build on this widespread generic competence. The fact that it is generic,
      far from implying context insensitivity, can be seen as a necessary basis for
      achieving context-sensitivity and sensitivisation at the level of the individual
      person as they experience a lifelong sequence of healthcare decisions.

PMID- 26262551
TI  - Loading of PNIPAM Based Microgels with CoFe2O4 Nanoparticles and Their Magnetic
      Response in Bulk and at Surfaces.
AB  - The present paper addresses the loading of thermoresponsive poly-N
      isopropylacrylamide (PNIPAM) based microgel particles with magnetic nanoparticles
      (MNP: CoFe2O4@PAA (PAA = poly(acrylic acid))) and their response to an external
      magnetic field. The MNP uptake is analyzed by transmission electron microscopy
      (TEM). Obviously, the charge combination of MNP and microgels plays an important
      role for the MNP uptake, but it does not explain the whole uptake process. The
      MNP uptake results in changes of size and electrophoretic mobility, which is
      investigated by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and a Zetasizer. The microgels
      loaded with MNP preserve their thermosensitivity, and they show magnetic
      separability and are considered as magnetic microgels. After adsorption at a
      surface the magnetic microgels are studied with a scanning force microscope and
      indentation experiments. The magnetic microgels show an elongation along the
      magnetic field parallel to the surface while the height of the microgels
      (perpendicular to the surface and to the magnetic field) is compressed. This
      result is in good agreement with simulations of volume change of ferrogels in a
      magnetic field. 

PMID- 26262553
TI  - A Conductive Self-Healing Hybrid Gel Enabled by Metal-Ligand Supramolecule and
      Nanostructured Conductive Polymer.
AB  - Self-healing materials emerge as a fascinating class of materials important for
      various technological applications. However, achieving the synergistic
      characteristics of high conductivity, room-temperature self-healing ability, and
      decent mechanical properties still remains a critical challenge. Here we develop
      for the first time a hybrid gel based on self-assembled supramolecular gel and
      nanostructured polypyrrole that synergizes the dynamic assembly/disassembly
      nature of metal-ligand supramolecule and the conductive nanostructure of
      polypyrrole hydrogel and exhibits features of high conductivity (12 S m(-1)),
      appealing mechanical and electrical self-healing property without any external
      stimuli, and enhanced mechanical strength and flexibility. The attractive
      characteristics of the hybrid gel are further demonstrated by a flexible yet self
      healable electrical circuit. Our work shows the great potential of self-healing
      hybrid gel system in flexible electronics and provides a useful strategy to
      design multifunctional self-healing materials. 

PMID- 26262554
TI  - Metal-Free Reduction of Aromatic and Aliphatic Nitro Compounds to Amines: A
      HSiCl3-Mediated Reaction of Wide General Applicability.
AB  - A new, mild, metal-free, HSiCl3-mediated reduction of both aromatic and aliphatic
      nitro groups to amines that is of wide general applicability, tolerant of many
      functional groups, and respectful of the stereochemical integrity of
      stereocenters is reported. 

PMID- 26262552
TI  - Serum Dyslipidemia Is Induced by Internal Exposure to Strontium-90 in Mice,
      Lipidomic Profiling Using a Data-Independent Liquid Chromatography-Mass
      Spectrometry Approach.
AB  - Despite considerable research into the environmental risks and biological effects
      of exposure to external beam gamma rays, incorporation of radionuclides has
      largely been understudied. This dosimetry and exposure risk assessment is
      challenging for first responders in the field during a nuclear or radiological
      event. Therefore, we have developed a workflow for assessing injury responses in
      easily obtainable biofluids, such as urine and serum, as the result of exposure
      to internal emitters cesium-137 ((137)Cs) and strontium-90 ((90)Sr) in mice. Here
      we report on the results of the untargeted lipidomic profiling of serum from mice
      exposed to (90)Sr. We also compared these results to those from previously
      published (137)Cs exposure to determine any differences in cellular responses
      based on exposure type. The results of this study conclude that there is a gross
      increase in the serum abundance of triacylglycerides and cholesterol esters,
      while phostaphatidylcholines and lysophosphatidylcholines displayed decreases in
      their serum levels postexposure at study days 4, 7, 9, 25, and 30, with
      corresponding average cumulative skeleton doses ranging from 1.2 +/- 0.1 to 5.2
      +/- 0.73 Gy. The results show significant perturbations in serum lipidome as
      early as 2 days postexposure persisting until the end of the study (day 30). 

PMID- 26262555
TI  - Enforced Layer-by-Layer Stacking of Energetic Salts towards High-Performance
      Insensitive Energetic Materials.
AB  - Development of modern high-performance insensitive energetic materials is
      significant because of the increasing demands for both military and civilian
      applications. Here we propose a rapid and facile strategy called the "layer
      hydrogen bonding pairing approach" to organize energetic molecules via layer-by
      layer stacking, which grants access to tunable energetic materials with targeted
      properties. Using this strategy, an unusual energetic salt, hydroxylammonium 4
      amino-furazan-3-yl-tetrazol-1-olate, with good detonation performances and
      excellent sensitivities, was designed, synthesized, and fully characterized. In
      addition, the expected unique layer-by-layer structure with a high crystal
      packing coefficient was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray crystallography.
      Calculations indicate that the layer-stacking structure of this material can
      absorb the mechanical stimuli-induced kinetic energy by converting it to layer
      sliding, which results in low sensitivity. 

PMID- 26262556
TI  - Electrical and Optical Characterization of MoS2 with Sulfur Vacancy Passivation
      by Treatment with Alkanethiol Molecules.
AB  - We investigated the physical properties of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) atomic
      crystals with a sulfur vacancy passivation after treatment with alkanethiol
      molecules including their electrical, Raman, and photoluminescence (PL)
      characteristics. MoS2, one of the transition metal dichalcogenide materials, is a
      promising two-dimensional semiconductor material with good physical properties.
      It is known that sulfur vacancies exist in MoS2, resulting in the n-type behavior
      of MoS2. The sulfur vacancies on the MoS2 surface tend to form covalent bonds
      with sulfur-containing groups. In this study, we deposited alkanethiol molecules
      on MoS2 field effect transistors (FETs) and then characterized the electrical
      properties of the devices before and after the alkanethiol treatment. We observed
      that the electrical characteristics of MoS2 FETs dramatically changed after the
      alkanethiol treatment. We also observed that the Raman and PL spectra of MoS2
      films changed after the alkanethiol treatment. These effects are attributed to
      the thiol (-SH) end groups in alkanethiols bonding at sulfur vacancy sites, thus
      altering the physical properties of the MoS2. This study will help us better
      understand the electrical and optical properties of MoS2 and suggest a way of
      tailoring the properties of MoS2 by passivating a sulfur vacancy with thiol
      molecules. 

PMID- 26262557
TI  - Principles and Applications of Broadband Impulsive Vibrational Spectroscopy.
AB  - We present an experimental setup for recording vibrational coherences and thereby
      Raman spectra of molecules in their ground and excited electronic states over the
      50-3000 cm(-1) spectral range using broadband impulsive vibrational spectroscopy.
      Our approach relies on the combination of a <10 fs excitation pulse with an
      uncompressed white light continuum probe, which drastically reduces experimental
      complexity compared to frequency domain based techniques. We discuss the
      parameters determining vibrational coherence amplitudes, outline how to optimize
      the experimental setup including approaches aimed at conclusively assigning
      vibrational coherences to specific electronic states, and provide a clear
      comparison with existing techniques. To demonstrate the applicability of our
      spectroscopic approach we conclude with several examples revealing the evolution
      of vibrational coherence in rhodopsin and beta-carotene. 

PMID- 26262560
TI  - Bone Tissue Engineering with Multilayered Scaffolds-Part II: Combining
      Vascularization with Bone Formation in Critical-Sized Bone Defect.
AB  - Our previous in vivo study showed that multilayered scaffolds made of an
      angiogenic layer embedded between an osteogenic layer and an osteoconductive
      layer, with layer thickness in the 100-400 MUm range, resulted in through-the
      thickness vascularization of the construct even in the absence of exogenous
      endothelial cells. The angiogenic layer was a collagen-fibronectin gel, and the
      osteogenic layer was made from nanofibrous polycaprolactone while the
      osteoconductive layer was made either from microporous hydroxyapatite or
      microfibrous polycaprolactone. In this follow-up study, we implanted these
      acellular and cellular multilayered constructs in critical-sized rat calvarial
      defects and evaluated their vascularization and bone formation potential.
      Vascularization and bone formation at the defect were evaluated and quantified
      using microcomputed tomography (microCT) followed by perfusion of the animals
      with the radio opaque contrast agent, MICROFIL. The extent of bony bridging and
      union within the critical-sized defect was evaluated using a previously
      established scoring system from the microCT data set. Similarly the new bone
      formation in the defect was quantified from the microCT data set as previously
      reported. Histological evaluation at 4 and 12 weeks validated the microCT
      findings. Our experimental results showed that acellular multilayered scaffolds
      with microscale-thick nanofibers and porous ceramic discs with angiogenic zone at
      their interface can regenerate functional vasculature and bone similar to that of
      cellular constructs in critical-sized calvarial defects. This result suggests
      that suitably bioengineered acellular multilayered constructs can be an improved
      and more translational approach in functional in vivo bone regeneration. 

PMID- 26262558
TI  - Role of STAT1 in Chlamydia-Induced Type-1 Interferon Production in Oviduct
      Epithelial Cells.
AB  - We previously reported that Chlamydia muridarum-infected murine oviduct
      epithelial cells (OE cells) secrete interferon beta (IFN-beta) in a mostly TLR3
      dependent manner. However, C. muridarum-infected TLR3-deficient OE cells were
      still able to secrete detectable levels of IFN-beta into the supernatants,
      suggesting that other signaling pathways contribute to Chlamydia-induced IFN-beta
      synthesis in these cells. We investigated the role of STAT1 as a possible
      contributor in the Chlamydia-induced type-1 IFN production in wild-type (WT) and
      TLR3-deficient OE cells to ascertain its putative role at early- and late-times
      during Chlamydia infection. Our data show that C. muridarum infection
      significantly increased STAT1 gene expression and protein activation in WT OE
      cells; however, TLR3-deficient OE cells showed diminished STAT1 protein
      activation and gene expression. There was significantly less IFN-beta detected in
      the supernatants of C. muridarum-infected OE cells derived from mice deficient in
      STAT1 when compared with WT OE cells, which suggest that STAT1 is required for
      the optimal synthesis of IFN-beta during infection. Real-time quantitative
      polymerase chain reaction analyses of signaling components of the type-1 IFN
      signaling pathway demonstrated equal upregulation in the expression of STAT2 and
      IRF7 genes in the WT and TLR3-deficient OE cells, but no upregulation in these
      genes in the STAT1-deficient OE cells. Finally, experiments in which INFAR1 was
      blocked with neutralizing antibody revealed that IFNAR1-mediated signaling was
      critical to the Chlamydia-induced upregulation in IFN-alpha gene transcription,
      but had no role in the Chlamydia-induced upregulation in IFN-beta gene
      transcription. 

PMID- 26262561
TI  - The attracting power of the gaze of politicians is modulated by the personality
      and ideological attitude of their voters: a functional magnetic resonance imaging
      study.
AB  - Observing someone rapidly moving their eyes induces reflexive shifts of overt and
      covert attention in the onlooker. Previous studies have shown that this process
      can be modulated by the onlooker's personality, as well as by the social features
      of the person depicted in the cued face. Here, we investigated whether an
      individual's preference for social dominance orientation, in-group perceived
      similarity (PS), and political affiliation of the cued-face modulated neural
      activity within specific nodes of the social attention network. During functional
      magnetic resonance imaging, participants were requested to perform a gaze
      following task to investigate whether the directional gaze of various Italian
      political personages might influence the oculomotor behaviour of in-group or out
      group voters. After scanning, we acquired measures of PS in personality traits
      with each political personage and preference for social dominance orientation.
      Behavioural data showed that higher gaze interference for in-group than out-group
      political personages was predicted by a higher preference for social hierarchy.
      Higher blood oxygenation level-dependent activity in incongruent vs. congruent
      conditions was found in areas associated with orienting to socially salient
      events and monitoring response conflict, namely the left frontal eye field, right
      supramarginal gyrus, mid-cingulate cortex and left anterior insula.
      Interestingly, higher ratings of PS with the in-group and less preference for
      social hierarchy predicted increased activity in the left frontal eye field
      during distracting gaze movements of in-group as compared with out-group
      political personages. Our results suggest that neural activity in the social
      orienting circuit is modulated by higher-order social dimensions, such as in
      group PS and individual differences in ideological attitudes. 

PMID- 26262562
TI  - London dispersion in molecular chemistry--reconsidering steric effects.
AB  - London dispersion, which constitutes the attractive part of the famous van der
      Waals potential, has long been underappreciated in molecular chemistry as an
      important element of structural stability, and thus affects chemical reactivity
      and catalysis. This negligence is due to the common notion that dispersion is
      weak, which is only true for one pair of interacting atoms. For increasingly
      larger structures, the overall dispersion contribution grows rapidly and can
      amount to tens of kcal mol(-1) . This Review collects and emphasizes the
      importance of inter- and intramolecular dispersion for molecules consisting
      mostly of first row atoms. The synergy of experiment and theory has now reached a
      stage where dispersion effects can be examined in fine detail. This forces us to
      reconsider our perception of steric hindrance and stereoelectronic effects. The
      quantitation of dispersion energy donors will improve our ability to design
      sophisticated molecular structures and much better catalysts. 

PMID- 26262563
TI  - Genetic control of cuticular wax compounds in Eucalyptus globulus.
AB  - Plant cuticular wax compounds perform functions that are essential for the
      survival of terrestrial plants. Despite their importance, the genetic control of
      these compounds is poorly understood outside of model taxa. Here we investigate
      the genetic basis of variation in cuticular compounds in Eucalyptus globulus
      using quantitative genetic and quantitative trait loci (QTL) analyses.
      Quantitative genetic analysis was conducted using 246 open-pollinated progeny
      from 13 native sub-races throughout the geographic range. QTL analysis was
      conducted using 112 clonally replicated progeny from an outcross F2 population.
      Nine compounds exhibited significant genetic variation among sub-races with three
      exhibiting signals of diversifying selection. Fifty-two QTL were found with co
      location of QTL for related compounds commonly observed. Notable among these was
      the QTL for five wax esters, which co-located with a gene from the KCS family,
      previously implicated in the biosynthesis of cuticular waxes in Arabidopsis. In
      combination, the QTL and quantitative genetic analyses suggest the variation and
      differentiation in cuticular wax compounds within E. globulus has a complex
      genetic origin. Sub-races exhibited independent latitudinal and longitudinal
      differentiation in cuticular wax compounds, likely reflecting processes such as
      historic gene flow and diversifying selection acting upon genes that have diverse
      functions in distinct biochemical pathways. 

PMID- 26262564
TI  - Central Vein Preservation in Critical Venous Access.
AB  - Introduction The lack of suitable veins in children with critical central venous
      access requirements is a major obstacle to optimal care and is potentially life
      threatening. We present outcomes following the use of vein-preserving (VP)
      surgical techniques, notably the sheath exchange for tunneled lines (SETL).
      Materials and Methods A retrospective, single observer analysis of a
      prospectively maintained departmental logbook as well as the medical records of
      patients. Two broad groups of central line replacements were identified; those
      inserted following removal of a previous line and a traditional "plastic-free"
      (PF) period and those exchanged without such an interval. Results Overall, 19
      lines were directly exchanged during the study period and compared with 34
      inserted after a PF period. Similar catheter life spans and infection rates were
      demonstrated in each group; 125 (range, 78-173) days in VP exchanges versus 122
      (range, 70-175) days in PF replacements (p = 0.41). Line Sepsis resulting in
      removal or change of line occurred at 103 (range, 60-147) days in VP group versus
      104 (range, 45-164) days in PF (p = 0.73). Conclusion For children with critical
      venous access requirements, direct line exchange procedures are a robust and
      reproducible means of vein preservation. The outcomes compare favorably with
      those following the more traditional removal, a PF period and reinsertion. 

PMID- 26262565
TI  - Qualitative research synthesis: methodological guidance for systematic reviewers
      utilizing meta-aggregation.
AB  - Qualitative synthesis informs important aspects of evidence-based healthcare,
      particularly within the practical decision-making contexts that health
      professionals work in. Of the qualitative methodologies available for synthesis,
      meta-aggregation is most transparently aligned with accepted conventions for the
      conduct of high-quality systematic reviews. Meta-aggregation is philosophically
      grounded in pragmatism and transcendental phenomenology. The essential
      characteristics of a meta-aggregative review are that the reviewer avoids re
      interpretation of included studies, but instead accurately and reliably presents
      the findings of the included studies as intended by the original authors. This
      study reports on the methodology and methods of meta-aggregation within the
      structure of an a priori protocol and standardized frameworks for reporting of
      results by over-viewing the essential components of a systematic review report. 

PMID- 26262566
TI  - Conducting systematic reviews of association (etiology): The Joanna Briggs
      Institute's approach.
AB  - The systematic review of evidence is the research method which underpins the
      traditional approach to evidence-based healthcare. There is currently no uniform
      methodology for conducting a systematic review of association (etiology). This
      study outlines and describes the Joanna Briggs Institute's approach and guidance
      for synthesizing evidence related to association with a predominant focus on
      etiology and contributes to the emerging field of systematic review
      methodologies. It should be noted that questions of association typically address
      etiological or prognostic issues.The systematic review of studies to answer
      questions of etiology follows the same basic principles of systematic review of
      other types of data. An a priori protocol must inform the conduct of the
      systematic review, comprehensive searching must be performed and critical
      appraisal of retrieved studies must be carried out.The overarching objective of
      systematic reviews of etiology is to identify and synthesize the best available
      evidence on the factors of interest that are associated with a particular disease
      or outcome. The traditional PICO (population, interventions, comparators and
      outcomes) format for systematic reviews of effects does not align with questions
      relating to etiology. A systematic review of etiology should include the
      following aspects: population, exposure of interest (independent variable) and
      outcome (dependent variable).Studies of etiology are predominantly explanatory or
      predictive. The objective of reviews of explanatory or predictive studies is to
      contribute to, and improve our understanding of, the relationship of health
      related events or outcomes by examining the association between variables. When
      interpreting possible associations between variables based on observational study
      data, caution must be exercised due to the likely presence of confounding
      variables or moderators that may impact on the results.As with all systematic
      reviews, there are various approaches to present the results, including a
      narrative, graphical or tabular summary, or meta-analysis. When meta-analysis is
      not possible, a set of alternative methods for synthesizing research is
      available. On the basis of the research question and objectives, narrative,
      tabular and/or visual approaches can be used for data synthesis. There are some
      special considerations when conducting meta-analysis for questions related to
      risk and correlation. These include, but are not limited to, causal
      inference.Systematic review and meta-analysis of studies related to etiology is
      an emerging methodology in the field of evidence synthesis. These reviews can
      provide useful information for healthcare professionals and policymakers on the
      burden of disease. The standardized Joanna Briggs Institute approach offers a
      rigorous and transparent method to conduct reviews of etiology. 

PMID- 26262568
TI  - Comparison of Tension-Band Wiring With the Cable Pin System in Patella Fractures:
      A Randomized Prospective Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To compare the outcome of tension-band wiring (TBW) with the cable
      pin system (CPS) for transverse fractures of the patella. DESIGN: Randomized
      prospective study. SETTING: Academic Level I trauma center.
      PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: From February 2008 to December 2011, 73 consecutive
      patients with transverse fractures of the patella were prospectively enrolled in
      this study. INTERVENTION: The patients were randomly divided into 2 groups: one
      group was treated using the CPS, and the other group was treated using the
      modified TBW. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: The clinical outcome assessment included
      analyses of the radiographic images, the modified Hospital for Special Surgery
      scoring system, and complications. RESULTS: The follow-up time ranged from 12 to
      29 months. All fractures healed, with a union rate of 100%. The fracture healing
      time was significantly shorter in the CPS group (8.51 +/- 2.59 weeks, n = 34)
      compared with the TBW group (11.79 +/- 3.04 weeks, n = 39). Postoperative
      complications in the CPS and TBW groups were observed in 1 and 9 patients,
      respectively, a difference that was statistically significant. The mean Hospital
      for Special Surgery score for the CPS group (90.53 +/- 5.19 points) was
      significantly higher than that for the TBW group (81.36 +/- 12.71 points).
      CONCLUSIONS: The CPS is a viable option for transverse fractures of the patella
      and is associated with a shorter healing time, fewer complications, and better
      function than TBW. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level I. See Instructions for
      Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

PMID- 26262567
TI  - Successful rhIGF1 treatment for over 5 years in a patient with severe insulin
      resistance due to homozygous insulin receptor mutation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Congenital insulin resistance syndromes are caused by biallelic
      mutations within the insulin receptor gene (INSR). Recombinant human insulin-like
      growth factor (rhIGF1) has been used with mixed success; however, rigorous
      assessment of its efficacy is lacking. Here, we describe a child with a
      homozygous mutation in INSR successfully treated with rhIGF1 for more than 5
      years. CASE REPORT: The patient presented with osmotic diabetes symptoms and was
      noted to have dysplastic dentition, hypertrichosis, coarse and dysmorphic facial
      features. Acanthosis nigricans, skin tags and rugated hyperkeratosis were also
      evident on the posterior neck, axilla and groin. A homozygous INSR essential
      splice site mutation (c.1268 + 2T > C, p.G374 fs*12) was identified, for which
      both parents were found to be heterozygous. The patient was treated with twice
      daily injections of rhIGF1 and metformin for more than 5 years with improvement
      in her acanthosis nigricans, hyperkeratosis and hypertrichosis. A dramatic fall
      in fasting insulin, HOMA-IR and HbA1c has been maintained over the entire course
      of treatment without adverse effects. Her linear growth velocity has remained on
      target for her predicted adult height. DISCUSSION: Our case demonstrates the
      effectiveness of rhIGF1 as an early treatment in a patient with a biallelic
      mutation within INSR without evidence of fluid retention, retinopathy, muscle
      pain, heart failure, cerebral infarcts or benign intracranial hypertension. Her
      case suggests rhIGF1 can and should be considered as an initial treatment option
      instead of as a final option in those with INSR mutations.

PMID- 26262569
TI  - Precontoured plate fixation with interfragmentary lag screw use in a middle third
      clavicle fracture fixation.
AB  - Middle third clavicle fractures are common injuries that need surgical fixation
      in a certain subset of patients. The use of pre-contoured clavicle plates
      facilitates intra-operative fixation and can reduce soft tissue irritation and
      hardware removal rates. Lag screw fixation is a well-established technique for
      the treatment of oblique fractures. Empirical application of this method in
      clavicle fracture fixation and clavicle non-union treatment has been reported
      previously. A recent biomechanical study supports the use of a lag screw
      technique in clavicle fracture fixation when possible. We report a 46 year old
      patient with a mid-shaft right clavicle fracture who was treated with this
      technique, which resulted in an excellent clinical outcome.

PMID- 26262572
TI  - MOF-Derived Porous Co3O4 Hollow Tetrahedra with Excellent Performance as Anode
      Materials for Lithium-Ion Batteries.
AB  - Porous Co3O4 hollow tetrahedra were prepared through the thermolysis of metal
      organic frameworks and presented reversible capacities of 1196 and 1052 mAh g(-1)
      at 50 and 200 mA g(-1) after 60 charge/discharge cycles, respectively. Such
      excellent performances stem from the well-defined hollow structure of Co3O4
      tetrahedra. 

PMID- 26262570
TI  - Food craving as a mediator between addictive-like eating and problematic eating
      outcomes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is growing interest and debate about whether an addictive
      process contributes to problematic eating outcomes, such as obesity. Craving is a
      core component of addiction, but there has been little research on the
      relationship between addictive-like eating, craving, and eating-related concerns.
      In the current study, we examine the effect of both overall food craving and
      craving for different types of food on the relationship between addictive-like
      eating symptoms and elevated body mass index (BMI) and binge eating episodes.
      METHODS: In a community sample (n=283), we conducted analyses to examine whether
      overall craving mediated the association between addictive-like eating and
      elevated BMI, as well as binge eating frequency. We also ran separate mediational
      models examining the indirect effect of cravings for sweets, fats, carbohydrates,
      and fast food fats on these same associations. RESULTS: Overall food craving was
      a significant partial mediator in the relationships between addictive-like eating
      and both elevated BMI and binge eating episodes. Cravings for sweets and other
      carbohydrates significantly mediated the relationship between addictive-like
      eating and binge eating episodes, while cravings for fats significantly mediated
      the relationship between addictive-like eating and elevated BMI. CONCLUSIONS:
      Craving appears to be an important component in the pathway between addictive
      like eating and problematic eating outcomes. The current results highlight the
      importance of further evaluating the role of an addictive process in problematic
      eating behaviors and potentially targeting food cravings in intervention
      approaches.

PMID- 26262573
TI  - Remarriage after divorce and depression risk.
AB  - As marriage is associated with lower depression rates compared with being single
      in men, we aimed to examine if remarriage compared with remaining divorced is
      also associated with a reduced depression risk. Swedish register data were used
      to define a cohort of men who were born between 1952 and 1956 and underwent a
      compulsory military conscription assessment in adolescence. This study population
      comprised men who were divorced in 1985 (n = 72,246). The risk of
      pharmaceutically treated depression from 2005 to 2009 was compared for those who
      remarried or remained divorced between 1986 and 2004. Cox proportional hazards
      analysis was used to estimate hazard ratios for the risk of depression identified
      by pharmaceutical treatment, with adjustment for a range of potential confounding
      factors including childhood and adulthood socioeconomic circumstances, cognitive,
      physical, psychological and medical characteristics at the conscription
      assessment. The results showed that, even though divorced men who remarried had
      markers of lower depression risk in earlier life such as higher cognitive and
      physical function, higher stress resilience and socioeconomic advantages than men
      who remained divorced, remarriage was associated with a statistically significant
      elevated risk of depression with an adjusted hazard ratio (and 95% confidence
      interval) of 1.27(1.03 1.55), compared with men who remained divorced. Remarriage
      following divorce is not associated with a reduced risk of depression identified
      by pharmaceutical treatment, compared with remaining divorced. Interpersonal or
      financial difficulties resulting from remarriage may outweigh the benefits of
      marriage in terms of depression risk. 

PMID- 26262574
TI  - Sales promotion strategies and youth drinking in Australia.
AB  - This study employed an exploratory approach to generate detailed information
      about how in-store shopping experiences and exposure to sales promotion
      activities feature in the alcohol choices of Australian 18-21 year old drinkers.
      The qualitative methods of interviews, focus groups, and emailed narratives were
      used during 2014 to collect relevant data. The findings suggest that young
      drinkers' in-store shopping experiences and exposure to sales promotions
      influence the type, range, and quantity of alcohol purchased. In particular, the
      role of sales staff can be critical in increasing the amount of alcohol purchased
      by drawing drinkers' attention to and encouraging their participation in sales
      promotions. There thus appears to be an important interaction between promotional
      practices and young drinkers purchasing substantially larger quantities of
      alcohol than originally intended. Such practices need review in light of the high
      risk of alcohol-related harm experienced by many members of this age group. 

PMID- 26262575
TI  - Waiting for a baby: Navigating uncertainty in recollections of trying to
      conceive.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Guided by the uncertainty navigation model, this study examined
      experiences of uncertainty associated with trying to conceive and identified
      predictors of this experience using a multi-method approach. METHOD: 429 American
      adults from Amazon's Mechanical Turk who had a child under age three completed
      online questionnaires regarding their experiences trying to conceive, including
      recollections of psychological adjustment, use of coping strategies, and
      individual and situational variability. Then they provided open-ended reflections
      of their experience trying to conceive. Participants' descriptions were analyzed
      for word use using LIWC, a text-analysis software program, to obtain an
      unobtrusive and pseudo-observational measure of coping resources. RESULTS:
      Consistent with the uncertainty navigation model, recollections of distress as
      individuals tried to conceive were associated with lower levels of dispositional
      optimism; intolerance of uncertainty; fewer social, emotional, and cognitive
      resources (reflected in word use); placing greater importance on conception;
      lower risk for infertility; and less searching for meaning in life. CONCLUSIONS:
      This study revealed many novel insights regarding the experience of trying to
      conceive, including protective factors and vulnerabilities that may buffer or
      heighten the distress associated with this experience.

PMID- 26262576
TI  - Formation and Properties of Membrane-Ordered Domains by Phytoceramide: Role of
      Sphingoid Base Hydroxylation.
AB  - Phytoceramide is the backbone of major sphingolipids in fungi and plants and is
      essential in several tissues of animal organisms, such as human skin. Its
      sphingoid base, phytosphingosine, differs from that usually found in mammals by
      the addition of a hydroxyl group to the 4-ene, which may be a crucial factor for
      the different properties of membrane microdomains among those organisms and
      tissues. Recently, sphingolipid hydroxylation in animal cells emerged as a key
      feature in several physiopathological processes. Hence, the study of the
      biophysical properties of phytosphingolipids is also relevant in that context
      since it helps us to understand the effects of sphingolipid hydroxylation. In
      this work, binary mixtures of N-stearoyl-phytoceramide (PhyCer) with
      palmitoyloleoylphosphatidylcholine (POPC) were studied. Steady-state and time
      resolved fluorescence of membrane probes, X-ray diffraction, atomic force
      microscopy, and confocal microscopy were employed. As for other saturated
      ceramides, highly rigid gel domains start to form with just ~5 mol % PhyCer at 24
      degrees C. However, PhyCer gel-enriched domains in coexistence with POPC
      enriched fluid present additional complexity since their properties (maximal
      order, shape, and thickness) change at specific POPC/PhyCer molar ratios,
      suggesting the formation of highly stable stoichiometric complexes with their own
      properties, distinct from both POPC and PhyCer. A POPC/PhyCer binary phase
      diagram, supported by the different experimental approaches employed, is proposed
      with complexes of 3:1 and 1:2 stoichiometries which are stable at least from ~15
      to ~55  degrees C. Thus, it provides mechanisms for the in vivo formation of
      sphingolipid-enriched gel domains that may account for stable membrane
      compartments and diffusion barriers in eukaryotic cell membranes. 

PMID- 26262577
TI  - SAW-based fluid atomization using mass-producible chip devices.
AB  - Surface acoustic wave (SAW)-based fluid atomizers are ideally suited to generate
      micrometer-sized droplets without any moving parts or nozzles. Versatile
      application fields can be found for instance in biomedical, aerosol or thin film
      technology, including medical inhalators or particle deposition for advanced
      surface treatment. Such atomizers also show great potential for on-chip
      integration and can lead to economic production of hand-held and even disposable
      devices, with either a single functionality or integrated in more complex
      superior systems. However, this potential was limited in the past by fluid supply
      mechanisms inadequate for mass production, accuracy and reliability. In this
      work, we briefly discuss existing fluid supply methods and demonstrate a
      straightforward new approach suited for reliable and cost-effective mass-scale
      manufacturing of SAW atomizer chips. Our approach is based on a fluid supply at
      the boundary of the acoustic beam via SU-8 microchannels produced by a novel one
      layer/double-exposure photolithography method. Using this technique, we
      demonstrate precise and stable fluid atomization with almost ideal aerosol plume
      geometry from a dynamically stabilized thin fluid film. Additionally, we
      demonstrate the possibility of in situ altering the droplet size distribution by
      controlling the amount of fluid available in the active region of the chip. 

PMID- 26262578
TI  - Adults with congenital heart disease transition.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: At present, 85-90% of those born with congenital heart disease
      (CHD) grow up to become adults. With few exceptions, reparative surgery is not
      curative and requires long-term surveillance. Caregivers could be changed from
      pediatric cardiologists to adult CHD specialists (or cardiologists) during this
      process. This study will focus on the current practice of transition in CHD.
      RECENT FINDINGS: Residua and sequelae may progress in severity with age and
      induce late complications, such as arrhythmias, cardiac failure, thromboembolism,
      sudden cardiac death, reoperation, cardiac intervention, and arrhythmia ablation.
      There are other obstacles that further complicate adult CHD, including pregnancy
      and delivery, noncardiac surgery, psychosocial problems, health insurance
      coverage, and extracardiac complications, making close follow-up and proper
      management mandatory. Because of this, several specialized centers have been
      established to respond to this need, and several studies focusing on transition
      have been published recently. SUMMARY: Provision of comprehensive care by
      multidisciplinary teams including adult CHD specialists, adult and pediatric
      cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons, specialized nurses, and other specific
      disciplines are the fundamental features in care facilities for adult CHD.
      Training and education should be focused on adult CHD fellows who represent the
      next generation that will assume responsibility for this patient population.
      Proper transition from pediatric cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons to
      adult CHD care team, including adult CHD specialists and/or cardiologists trained
      in this field, is mandatory.

PMID- 26262580
TI  - The vulnerable right ventricle.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The right ventricle (RV) is uniquely at risk in many patients
      with repaired or palliated congenital heart disease (CHD) such as tetralogy of
      Fallot, corrected transposition, single right ventricle, and in those with
      pulmonary hypertension. These patients live with abnormal cardiac loading
      conditions throughout their life, predisposing them to right heart failure.
      RECENT FINDINGS: Standard heart failure therapies, developed to treat left
      ventricular failure, have failed to improve function or survival in patients with
      RV failure, suggesting a divergence in the molecular mechanisms of right versus
      left ventricular failure. As surgical techniques for repair of the most complex
      forms of RV-affecting CHDs continue to improve, more children with CHD will
      survive into adulthood. Long-term survival and quality of life will ultimately
      depend on our ability to preserve RV function. SUMMARY: The purpose of this
      review is to highlight the differences between the right and left ventricular
      responses to stress, our current knowledge of how the RV adapts to the unique
      hemodynamic stressors experienced by patients with CHD, and the need to better
      understand the molecular mechanisms of RV failure, providing new targets for the
      development of RV-specific heart failure therapeutics.

PMID- 26262579
TI  - Computational modeling and engineering in pediatric and congenital heart disease.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Recent methodological advances in computational simulations
      are enabling increasingly realistic simulations of hemodynamics and physiology,
      driving increased clinical utility. We review recent developments in the use of
      computational simulations in pediatric and congenital heart disease, describe the
      clinical impact in modeling in single-ventricle patients, and provide an overview
      of emerging areas. RECENT FINDINGS: Multiscale modeling combining patient
      specific hemodynamics with reduced order (i.e., mathematically and
      computationally simplified) circulatory models has become the de-facto standard
      for modeling local hemodynamics and 'global' circulatory physiology. We review
      recent advances that have enabled faster solutions, discuss new methods (e.g.,
      fluid structure interaction and uncertainty quantification), which lend realism
      both computationally and clinically to results, highlight novel computationally
      derived surgical methods for single-ventricle patients, and discuss areas in
      which modeling has begun to exert its influence including Kawasaki disease, fetal
      circulation, tetralogy of Fallot (and pulmonary tree), and circulatory support.
      SUMMARY: Computational modeling is emerging as a crucial tool for clinical
      decision-making and evaluation of novel surgical methods and interventions in
      pediatric cardiology and beyond. Continued development of modeling methods, with
      an eye towards clinical needs, will enable clinical adoption in a wide range of
      pediatric and congenital heart diseases.

PMID- 26262581
TI  - Increased extrafollicular expression of the B-cell stimulatory molecule CD70 in
      HIV-1-infected individuals.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: CD70 molecules expressed by activated T cells provide potent B cell
      stimulatory signals. We hypothesized that an altered CD70 expression might
      contribute to B cell abnormalities during HIV-1 infection. DESIGN: CD70
      expression and the functional and migratory properties of the CD4CD70 T
      lymphocytes were analyzed in HIV-1-infected patients and in humanized mice.
      Correlations were tested between CD70 expression and features of B-cell
      activation, apoptosis sensitivity and functional exhaustion. METHODS: CD4CD70 T
      cells were analyzed in cohorts of CD4 T-cell lymphopenic, viremic or
      nonlymphopenic, nonviremic HIV-1-infected patients and in noninfected
      individuals. CD70 upregulation was also followed in HIV-1-infected humanized
      mice. CD38, CD95, LAIR1 and PD-1 expressions were monitored on B-cell
      subpopulations, Ki67 was assessed to estimate B-cell proliferation and antibody
      levels were measured in plasma. RESULTS: Blood CD4CD70 T-cell frequencies
      increased in response to CD4 T-cell depletion or high viremia levels as a
      possible consequence of increased activation and proliferation in this subset.
      CD4CD70 T cells produced T-helper 1-type cytokines and expressed chemokine
      receptors mobilizing toward sites of inflammation but not to lymphoid follicles.
      High CD70 expression was observed in HIV-1-infected humanized mice at
      extrafollicular sites (peritoneum, bone-marrow). CD4CD70 T-cell frequencies
      correlated with the expression of the activation marker CD38 and the death
      receptor CD95 on various memory B-cell subsets, with B-cell proliferation and
      with plasma IgG levels. CONCLUSIONS: CD4CD70 T cells may contribute to B cell
      hyperactivation and accelerated memory B-cell turnover during HIV-1 infection.

PMID- 26262582
TI  - A Spatially Detailed Model of Isometric Contraction Based on Competitive Binding
      of Troponin I Explains Cooperative Interactions between Tropomyosin and
      Crossbridges.
AB  - Biophysical models of cardiac tension development provide a succinct
      representation of our understanding of force generation in the heart. The link
      between protein kinetics and interactions that gives rise to high cooperativity
      is not yet fully explained from experiments or previous biophysical models. We
      propose a biophysical ODE-based representation of cross-bridge (XB), tropomyosin
      and troponin within a contractile regulatory unit (RU) to investigate the
      mechanisms behind cooperative activation, as well as the role of cooperativity in
      dynamic tension generation across different species. The model includes
      cooperative interactions between regulatory units (RU-RU), between crossbridges
      (XB-XB), as well more complex interactions between crossbridges and regulatory
      units (XB-RU interactions). For the steady-state force-calcium relationship, our
      framework predicts that: (1) XB-RU effects are key in shifting the half
      activation value of the force-calcium relationship towards lower [Ca(2+)], but
      have only small effects on cooperativity. (2) XB-XB effects approximately double
      the duty ratio of myosin, but do not significantly affect cooperativity. (3) RU
      RU effects derived from the long-range action of tropomyosin are a major factor
      in cooperative activation, with each additional unblocked RU increasing the rate
      of additional RU's unblocking. (4) Myosin affinity for short (1-4 RU) unblocked
      stretches of actin of is very low, and the resulting suppression of force at low
      [Ca(2+)] is a major contributor in the biphasic force-calcium relationship. We
      also reproduce isometric tension development across mouse, rat and human at
      physiological temperature and pacing rate, and conclude that species differences
      require only changes in myosin affinity and troponin I/troponin C affinity.
      Furthermore, we show that the calcium dependence of the rate of tension
      redevelopment k(tr) is explained by transient blocking of RU's by a temporary
      decrease in XB-RU effects.

PMID- 26262583
TI  - Mesothelin-specific cell-based vaccine generates antigen-specific immunity and
      potent antitumor effects by combining with IL-12 immunomodulator.
AB  - Ovarian cancer is a gynecologic malignancy with a high mortality rate. In the
      present study, we developed a novel cell-based vaccine, Meso-VAX, to generate
      mesothelin antigen-specific immune responses and immunotherapy against ovarian
      cancer. Mesothelin, a secreted protein anchored at the cell membrane, has
      recently been identified as a potential new tumor antigen for ovarian cancer. In
      this study, mice vaccinated with Meso-VAX and adeno-associated virus (AAV)-IL-12
      exhibited dramatic increases in the number of mesothelin-specific CD4(+) helper
      and CD8(+) cytotoxic T-cell precursors, higher titers of anti-mesothelin Abs and
      in vitro tumor killing activity, and all of these mice were tumor-free after 60
      days of tumor challenge. In addition, a significant reduction in peritoneal
      tumors and longer survival were noted in the mice vaccinated with Meso-VAX
      combined with AAV-IL-12. CD4(+) helper and CD8(+) cytotoxic T lymphocytes were
      essential for the antitumor effect generated by Meso-VAX combined with AAV-IL-12.
      The post-vaccination sera of the mice vaccinated with Meso-VAX and AAV-IL-12 also
      showed mesothelin-specific complement-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Our
      results suggest that a Meso-VAX cell-based vaccine combined with AAV-IL-12 can
      generate antigen-specific immunological responses and antitumor effects on
      ovarian cancer. 

PMID- 26262585
TI  - Effect of Preoperative Albumin Levels on Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Left
      Ventricular Device Implantation.
AB  - Hypoalbuminemia is a well-known predictor of morbidity and mortality in cardiac
      surgery. Our aim was to establish the impact of serum albumin on outcomes after
      left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. This was a single-institution
      retrospective review, including all patients who underwent LVAD implantation
      between March 2006 and June 2014. Two hundred patients were included in the
      analysis. Mean serum albumin was 3.27 +/- 0.47 g/dl, with 7% in the low albumin
      group (<2.5 mg/dl), 67.5% in the mid-range (2.5-3.5 mg/dl), and 25.5% in the
      normal albumin groups (> 3.5 mg/dl). Lower albumin was associated with a
      significant increase in postoperative renal failure (42.9 vs. 16.5 vs. 17.3%; p =
      0.05) and prolonged hospitalization (median 28.5 vs. 16 vs. 15.5 days; p =
      0.008). Six month, 1 year, and 5 year survival was 79%, 79%, and 49% with low,
      84%, 78%, and 51% with mid-range, and 94%, 88%, and 60% with normal albumin,
      respectively (p = 0.22). Preoperative hypoalbuminemia is associated with
      postoperative acute renal failure (ARF) and prolonged hospitalization after LVAD
      implantation, with no effect on overall survival. Hypoalbuminemia is most likely
      a marker of advanced disease and should not, in itself, be considered a
      contraindication to LVAD candidacy. 

PMID- 26262584
TI  - Intradermal delivery of DNA encoding HCV NS3 and perforin elicits robust cell
      mediated immunity in mice and pigs.
AB  - Currently, no vaccine is available against hepatitis C virus (HCV), and although
      DNA vaccines have considerable potential, this has not been realised. Previously,
      the efficacy of DNA vaccines for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and HCV was
      shown to be enhanced by including the gene for a cytolytic protein, viz.
      perforin. In this study, we examined the mechanism of cell death by this
      bicistronic DNA vaccine, which encoded the HCV non-structural protein 3 (NS3)
      under the control of the CMV promoter and perforin is controlled by the SV40
      promoter. Compared with a canonical DNA vaccine and a bicistronic DNA vaccine
      encoding NS3 and the proapoptotic gene NSP4, the perforin-containing vaccine
      elicited enhanced cell-mediated immune responses against the NS3 protein in
      vaccinated mice and pigs, as determined by ELISpot and intracellular cytokine
      staining, whereas a mouse challenge model suggested that the immunity was CD8(+)
      T-cell-dependent. The results of the study showed that the inclusion of perforin
      in the DNA vaccine altered the fate of NS3-positive cells from apoptosis to
      necrosis, and this resulted in more robust immune responses in mice and pigs, the
      latter of which represents an accepted large animal model in which to test
      vaccine efficacy. 

PMID- 26262586
TI  - Combination of Exercise Training and Dopamine Agonists in Patients with RLS on
      Dialysis: A Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study.
AB  - Both exercise training and treatment with dopamine agonists (DA) have been used
      with success for the amelioration of uremic restless legs syndrome (RLS)
      symptoms. However, no data are available combining those two approaches. The aim
      of the current randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to
      investigate the effects of a 6 month intradialytic exercise training in
      combination with a low dose of DA in patients suffering from uremic RLS symptoms.
      Fourteen stable patients with RLS on hemodialysis were randomly assigned to the
      exercise training plus DA group and the exercise training plus placebo group.
      Both combinations were found to equally reduce uremic RLS symptoms by
      approximately 60%. The combination of low dose of DA with aerobic exercise
      training could be considered an alternative approach to high DA dosage regimes in
      reducing RLS symptoms' severity. 

PMID- 26262587
TI  - Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Signaling to the Mitogen Activated Protein
      Kinase Pathway Bypasses Ras in Pancreatic Cancer Cells.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGFR/HER1) is overexpressed in
      human pancreatic cancers. However, anti-EGFR therapy does not exhibit significant
      therapeutic activity with oncogenic K-ras mutation. We sought to assess the
      signaling relationship between EGFR and mutant K-ras, which is commonly detected
      in pancreatic cancer. METHODS: Pancreatic cancer cells harboring mutated K-ras
      were treated with EGF to assess signaling from EGFR to mitogen-activated protein
      kinase (MAPK) pathway. The role of Ras family of proteins in transducing EGFR
      signals was assessed using short interfering RNA. Other components of MAPK and
      PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase) pathways were examined for their roles in EGFR
      signaling. RESULTS: First, EGF signaling in pancreatic cancer cells occurs
      selectively through HER1. Second, knockdown of all Ras isoforms failed to block
      EGF-mediated phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK).
      Inhibition of Raf was observed to partially abrogate ERK phosphorylation, whereas
      MEK inhibition resulted in complete attenuation of EGF-mediated ERK
      phosphorylation. Finally, inhibition of phosphoinositide 3-kinase/AKT and
      CDC42/PAK pathways did not block EGFR signaling. CONCLUSIONS: Our study results
      demonstrate that EGFR-mediated signaling in mutant K-ras pancreatic cancer cells
      does not follow canonical MAPK signaling. Our novel findings suggest the
      existence of alternate signaling pathways to downstream MAPK in the presence of
      mutant K-ras.

PMID- 26262588
TI  - miRNA-21 and miRNA-34a Are Potential Minimally Invasive Biomarkers for the
      Diagnosis of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most deadly
      cancers, and its diagnosis often requires invasive procedures. Deregulated miRNA
      expression has been described in patients with PDAC. In this study, we analyzed
      the expression levels of 6 miRNAs (miR-21, -34a, -155, -196a, -200b, and -376a
      involved in PDAC tumorigenesis) in serum and salivary samples to assess their
      potential role as circulating diagnostics biomarkers. METHODS: Serum and salivary
      samples were collected from patients with PDAC and healthy controls, and miRNA
      levels were quantified using qRT-PCR. Twenty-four patients with PDAC and 10
      healthy controls were recruited. RESULTS: A significant difference between PDAC
      and healthy groups was observed for the expression of miR-21 and miR-34a (P <
      0.001 and P = 0.001) in serum samples. Both miRNAs accurately discriminated
      between the 2 groups, with an area under the curve for miR-21 and miR-34a of
      0.889 (P = 0.001) and 0.865 (P = 0.002), respectively. In general, the expression
      of miRNAs between salivary samples did not differ. CONCLUSIONS: Serum miR-21 and
      miR-34a are potentially useful diagnostic biomarkers of PDAC. In addition, our
      results suggest that these miRNAs are not differentially expressed in saliva,
      making them unsuitable for use as noninvasive biomarkers for diagnostic purposes.

PMID- 26262589
TI  - Predictors for Surgical Referral in Patients With Pancreatic Cystic Lesions
      Undergoing Endoscopic Ultrasound: Results From a Large Multicenter Cohort Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) plays an integral role in the evaluation
      of pancreatic cysts lesions (PCLs). The aim of the study was to determine
      predictors of surgical referral in patients with PCLs undergoing EUS. METHODS: We
      performed a multicenter retrospective study of patients undergoing EUS for
      evaluation of PCLs. Demographics, EUS characteristics, and fine-needle aspiration
      results were recorded. Patients were categorized into surgery or surveillance
      groups on the basis of post-EUS recommendations. Univariate and multivariate
      analyses were performed to identify predictors of surgical referral. RESULTS:
      1804 patients were included. 1301 patients were recommended to undergo
      surveillance and 503 patients were referred for surgical evaluation, of which 360
      patients underwent surgery. Multivariate analysis revealed the following 5
      independent predictors of surgical referral: symptoms of weight loss on
      presentation (odds ratio [OR], 2.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.44-5.03),
      EUS findings of associated solid mass (OR, 7.34; 95% CI, 3.81-14.16), main duct
      communication (OR, 4.13; 95% CI, 1.71-9.98), multilocular macrocystic morphology
      (OR, 2.79; 95% CI, 1.78-4.38), and fine-needle aspiration findings of mucin on
      cytology (OR, 3.06; 95% CI, 1.94-4.82). CONCLUSIONS: This study identifies
      factors associated with surgical referral in patients with PCLs undergoing EUS.
      Future studies should focus on creation of risk stratification models to
      determine the need for surgery or enrollment in surveillance programs.

PMID- 26262590
TI  - Quantitative Proteomic Analysis of Differentially Expressed Protein Profiles
      Involved in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to identify differentially expressed
      proteins among various stages of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) by
      shotgun proteomics using nano-liquid chromatography coupled tandem mass
      spectrometry and stable isotope dimethyl labeling. METHODS: Differentially
      expressed proteins were identified and compared based on the mass spectral
      differences of their isotope-labeled peptide fragments generated from protease
      digestion. RESULTS: Our quantitative proteomic analysis of the differentially
      expressed proteins with stable isotope (deuterium/hydrogen ratio, >= 2)
      identified a total of 353 proteins, with at least 5 protein biomarker proteins
      that were significantly differentially expressed between cancer and normal mice
      by at least a 2-fold alteration. These 5 protein biomarker candidates include
      alpha-enolase, alpha-catenin, 14-3-3 beta, VDAC1, and calmodulin with high
      confidence levels. The expression levels were also found to be in agreement with
      those examined by Western blot and histochemical staining. CONCLUSIONS: The
      systematic decrease or increase of these identified marker proteins may
      potentially reflect the morphological aberrations and diseased stages of pancreas
      carcinoma throughout progressive developments leading to PDAC. The results would
      form a firm foundation for future work concerning validation and clinical
      translation of some identified biomarkers into targeted diagnosis and therapy for
      various stages of PDAC.

PMID- 26262592
TI  - Size Effect Suppresses Brittle Failure in Hollow Cu60Zr40 Metallic Glass
      Nanolattices Deformed at Cryogenic Temperatures.
AB  - To harness "smaller is more ductile" behavior emergent at nanoscale and to
      proliferate it onto materials with macroscale dimensions, we produced hollow-tube
      Cu60Zr40 metallic glass nanolattices with the layer thicknesses of 120, 60, and
      20 nm. They exhibit unique transitions in deformation mode with tube-wall
      thickness and temperature. Molecular dynamics simulations and analytical models
      were used to interpret these unique transitions in terms of size effects on the
      plasticity of metallic glasses and elastic instability. 

PMID- 26262591
TI  - Describing Patterns of Care in Pancreatic Cancer: A Population-Based Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Despite pancreatic cancer being the fifth highest cause of cancer
      death in developed regions, there is a paucity of population-based management
      details for patients with pancreatic cancer. The objective of this study was to
      reflect on current practice and outcomes to facilitate future improvement.
      METHODS: A comprehensive population-based patterns-of-care study in 2 Australian
      states was conducted. Patients diagnosed with pancreatic adenocarcinoma between
      July 2009 and June 2011 were identified by cancer registries, and detailed
      clinical data were collected from medical records. RESULTS: Data were collected
      for 1863 patients, 96% of those eligible. The majority resided in major cities;
      their median age was 72 years, and 54% were men. Over half of the cases (58%) had
      metastatic disease at diagnosis. Resection was attempted for 20% of patients but
      only completed in 15%. The uptake of adjuvant chemotherapy (76%) and the
      proportion alive at 1-year (22%) were higher than reported in previous population
      based reports. Of those with no complete surgical resection, 43% received
      palliative chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: This population-based overview of the
      management of patients with pancreatic cancer suggests that, despite evidence
      that the proportion surviving and the use of adjuvant chemotherapy has increased,
      there may still be underutilization of cancer-directed therapies.

PMID- 26262594
TI  - A description of Neoechinorhynchus (Neoechinorhynchus) veropesoi n. sp.
      (Acanthocephala: Neoechinorhynchidae) from the intestine of the silver croaker
      fish Plagioscion squamosissimus (Heckel, 1840) (Osteichthyes: Sciaenidae) off the
      east coast of Brazil.
AB  - Plagioscion squamosissimus (Heckel, 1840) (Osteichthyes: Sciaenidae) is
      considered piscivorous and is a generalist species endemic to the Amazon region.
      This fish is an important part of the natural ecosystems in which it occurs and
      provides basic functional components in the food web. The genus Neoechinorhynchus
      Stiles & Hassall, 1905 is distributed worldwide and parasitizes fish and turtles,
      but there are few reports of parasites of this genus in South America, due to the
      high diversity of fish that can be found in this region. A new species of thorny
      headed worm (Acanthocephala: Neoechinorhynchidae) is described from P.
      squamosissimus from Guajara Bay, Belem, Para, Brazil. In general, the unique
      characteristics of the hooks on the anterior end of the proboscis and the length
      to-width ratio relationship separate this new species from other described
      species in the genus Neoechinorhynchus. Although the species in this genus are
      mostly found in North America, the dearth of species known from the neotropics
      may be due to the lack of studies in this region. 

PMID- 26262593
TI  - Genetic diversity and population structure of Synthesium pontoporiae (Digenea,
      Brachycladiidae) linked to its definitive host stocks, the endangered Franciscana
      dolphin, Pontoporia blainvillei (Pontoporiidae) off the coast of Brazil and
      Argentina.
AB  - Pontoporia blainvillei (Gervais and d'Orbigny, 1844) is an endangered small
      cetacean endemic to South America with four Franciscana Management Areas (FMA)
      recognized as different population stocks. The role of the intestinal parasite
      Synthesium pontoporiae (Digenea: Brachycladiidae) as a possible biological marker
      to differentiate P. blainvillei stocks was evaluated using nuclear and
      mitochondrial DNA markers. Internal transcribed sequence 1 and 2 (ITS1 and ITS2)
      regions of S. pontoporiae did not show intraspecific variability. The
      mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 3 (ND3) and cytochrome oxidase subunit I
      (COI) gene sequences suggested lack of population structure in S. pontoporiae and
      population expansion. The apparent panmixia of S. pontoporiae may be due to the
      high mobility of one or more of its intermediary hosts. Alternatively, it may be
      due to the small sample size. This result is incongruent with the previously
      proposed FMA. 

PMID- 26262595
TI  - Single-Step Synthesis of SnS2 Nanosheet-Decorated TiO2 Anatase Nanofibers as
      Efficient Photocatalysts for the Degradation of Gas-Phase Diethylsulfide.
AB  - We report on a facile one-step soft hydrothermal process for synthesizing 1D
      anatase TiO2 nanofibers decorated with ultrathin SnS2 nanosheets. H-titanate
      nanofibers were used as preshaped Ti precursor. Under controlled conditions, the
      H-titanate structure was transformed into anatase maintaining the fibril
      morphology, while at the same time SnS2 nanosheets were grown in situ on the
      surface of the nanofibers. The successful formation of SnS2 nanosheets on the
      TiO2 nanofibers was confirmed by high-resolution TEM, and together with XPS
      spectroscopy, the tight interface formed between the SnS2 and the anatase TiO2
      nanofibers was verified. The 1D SnS2/TiO2 hierarchical nanostructures with
      semiconductor heterojunction were proven to be very efficient under artificial
      solar irradiation in the photocatalytic degradation of gaseous diethylsulfide as
      simulant for live yperite chemical warfare agent as well as model substrate for
      malodorous organosulfide volatile organic compounds. SnS2 did not operate as a
      visible light sensitizer for TiO2 but rather as an oxidizing agent and charge
      carrier separator. The semiconductor ratio in the heterostructure controlled the
      photoactivity. Samples with no or high content of SnS2 were less active than
      those with moderate SnS2 content. Enhanced reactivity was ascribed to an
      efficient separation of the photogenerated charge carriers driven by the
      differences in band edge positions and favored by the tight interface within the
      coupled heterostructure. 

PMID- 26262596
TI  - Facile Construction of Near Infrared Fluorescence Nanoprobe with Amphiphilic
      Protein-Polymer Bioconjugate for Targeted Cell Imaging.
AB  - A simple, straightforward, and reproducible strategy for the construction of a
      near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence nanoprobe was developed by coating CuInS2/ZnS
      quantum dots (CIS/ZnS QDs) with a novel amphiphilic bioconjugate. The amphiphilic
      bioconjugate with a tailor-designed structure of bovine serum albumin (BSA) as
      the hydrophilic segment and poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) as the hydrophobic
      part was fabricated by chemical coupling the hydrophobic polymer chain to BSA via
      the maleimide-sulfhydryl reaction. By incorporating CIS/ZnS QDs into the
      hydrophobic cores of the self-assembly of BSA-PCL conjugate, the constructed NIR
      fluorescence nanoprobe exhibited excellent fluorescent properties over a wide pH
      range (pH 3-10) and a good colloidal stability in PBS buffer (pH = 7.4) with or
      without 10% fetal bovine serum. The presence of the outer BSA shell effectively
      reduced the nonspecific cellular binding and imparted high biocompatibility and
      low-toxicity to the probe. Moreover, the NIR fluorescence nanoprobe could be
      functionalized by conjugating cyclic Arg-Gly-Asp (cRGD) peptide, and the
      decorated nanoprobe was shown to be highly selective for targeted integrin
      alphavbeta3-overexpressed tumor cell imaging. The feasibility of the constructed
      NIR fluorescence probe in vivo application was further investigated and the
      results demonstrated its great potential for in vivo imaging. This developed
      protocol for phase transfer of the CIS/ZnS QDs was universal and applicable to
      other nanoparticles stabilized with hydrophobic ligands. 

PMID- 26262597
TI  - Simultaneous determination of six bioactive constituents of Guizhi Fuling Capsule
      in rat plasma by UHPLC-MS/MS: Application to a pharmacokinetic study.
AB  - A rapid and selective ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass
      spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method was developed for simultaneous determination of
      gallic acid, amygdalin, albiflorin, paeoniflorin, paeonol and cinnamic acid, the
      major bioactive constituents of Guizhi Fuling Capsule in rat plasma using
      phenacetin as internal standard (IS). The plasma samples were pretreated by
      protein precipitation with acetonitrile after acidification and separated on a
      Waters BEH C18 column (50mm*2.1mm, 1.7MUm) using gradient elution with a mobile
      phase consisting of water (containing 0.1% formic acid) and acetonitrile at a
      flow rate of 0.2mL/min. Mass spectrometric detection was performed on Micromass
      Quattromicro API mass spectrometer equipped with electrospray ionization source
      in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. The intra- and inter-day precisions
      (as relative standard deviation) were below 14.6% for all analytes, and the
      accuracies (as relative error) were within +/-5.0%. The lower limits of
      quantification (LLOQ) were 10, 10, 5, 5, 25, 25ng/mL for gallic acid, amygdalin,
      albiflorin, paeoniflorin, paeonol and cinnamic acid, respectively. Extraction
      recovery, matrix effect and stability were satisfactory in rat plasma. This
      method was fully validated and applied to a pharmacokinetic study of the six
      bioactive constituents after oral administration of Guizhi Fuling Capsule to
      rats. 

PMID- 26262598
TI  - Application of linear multivariate calibration techniques to identify the peaks
      responsible for the antioxidant activity of Satureja hortensis L. and Oliveria
      decumbens Vent. essential oils by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.
AB  - Satureja hortensis L. and Oliveria decumbens Vent. are known for their diverse
      effects in drug therapy and traditional medicine. One of the most interesting
      properties of their essential oils is good antioxidant activity. In this paper,
      essential oils of aerial parts of S. hortensis L. and O. decumbens Vent. from
      different regions were obtained by hydrodistillation and were analyzed by gas
      chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Essential oils were tested for their
      free radical scavenging activity using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay
      to identify the peaks potentially responsible for the antioxidant activity from
      chromatographic fingerprints by numerous linear multivariate calibration
      techniques. Because of its simplicity and high repeatability, orthogonal
      projection to latent structures (OPLS) model had the best performance in
      indicating the potential antioxidant compounds in S. hortensis L. and O.
      decumbens Vent. essential oils. In this study, P-cymene, carvacrol and beta
      bisabolene for S. hortensis L. and P-cymene, C-terpinen, thymol, carvacrol, and
      1,3-benzodioxole, 4-methoxy-6-(2-propenyl) for O. decumbens Vent. are suggested
      as the potentially antioxidant compounds. 

PMID- 26262599
TI  - Separation of phenolic acids and flavonoids from Trollius chinensis Bunge by high
      speed counter-current chromatography.
AB  - In this work, eleven compounds were successfully separated from Trollius
      chinensis Bunge by using a two-step high-speed counter-current chromatography
      (HSCCC) method. NRTL-SAC (nonrandom two-liquid segment activity coefficient)
      method, a newly developed solvent system selection strategy, was applied to
      screening the suitable biphasic liquid systems. Hexane/ethyl
      acetate/ethanol/water (3:7:3:7, v/v) solvent system was used in the first step,
      while the hexane/ethyl acetate/methanol/water (1:2:1:2, 1:4:1:4, 1:9:1:9, v/v)
      systems were employed in the second step. The chemical structures of the
      separated compounds were identified by UV, high resolution ESI-MS and MS/MS data.
      The separated compounds are 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethanol (1), vanillic acid (2),
      orientin (3), vitexin (4), veratric acid (5), 2"-O-(3''', 4'''-dimethoxybenzoyl)
      orientin (6), 2"-O-feruloylorientin (7), 2"-O-feruloylvitexin (8), 2"-O-(2'''
      methylbutyryl) vitexin (9), 2"-O-(2'''-methylbutyryl) isoswertiajaponin (10), 2"
      O-(2'''-methylbutyryl) isoswertisin (11). The results demonstrate that HSCCC is a
      powerful tool for the separation of compounds from extremely complex samples. 

PMID- 26262600
TI  - Tissue distribution, excretion, and the metabolic pathway of 2,2',4,4',5-penta
      chlorinated diphenylsulfide (CDPS-99) in ICR mice.
AB  - The tissue distribution, excretion, and metabolic pathway of 2,2',4,4',5-penta
      chlorinated diphenylsulfide (CDPS-99) in ICR mice were investigated after oral
      perfusion at 10mg/kg body weight (b.w.). Biological samples were extracted and
      separated and, for the first time, were determined by a novel, sensitive, and
      specific GC-MS method under the full scan and selected ion monitoring (SIM)
      modes. The results showed that the concentrations of CDPS-99 in the liver,
      kidneys, and serum reached a maximum after a one-day exposure and that the CDPS
      99 concentration in the liver was the highest (3.43MUg/g). The increase in the
      concentration of CDPS-99 in muscle, skin, and adipose tissue was slower, and the
      concentrations of CDPS-99 achieved their highest levels after 3 days of exposure.
      It was observed that the CDPS-99 concentration in adipose tissue was still very
      high (0.71MUg/g) after 21 days of exposure, which suggested that CDPS-99 was able
      to accumulate in adipose tissue. In addition, mouse feces accounted for
      approximately 75% of the total gavage dose, indicating that CDPS-99 was mainly
      excreted via mouse feces. Metabolism analysis demonstrated that there were three
      possible metabolic pathways of CDPS-99 in mice: dechlorination reactions with the
      formation of tetra-CDPS and hydroxylation and oxidation reactions with the
      formation of OH-CDPS-99 and chlorinated diphenylsulfone. The present study will
      help to develop a better understanding of mammalian metabolism of CDPS-99. 

PMID- 26262601
TI  - UPLC-Q-TOF/MS-based screening and identification of two major bioactive
      components and their metabolites in normal and CKD rat plasma, urine and feces
      after oral administration of Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch extract.
AB  - Rehmannia glutinosa is a widely used traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in
      clinical practice to tackle chronic kidney disease for thousands of years.
      However, the in vivo metabolism of its two major bioactive components (catalpol
      and acteoside) remains unknown. In this paper, a highly sensitive, rapid and
      robust ultra-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass
      spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS) with MetaboLynxTM software combined with mass defect
      filtering (MDF) method was established. This validated analysis method was
      successfully applied to investigate the in vivo metabolic profiles of R.
      glutinosa extract in normal and chronic kidney disease (CKD) rats. The results
      showed that a total of 17 metabolites of two parent compounds in normal rats in
      vivo were tentatively detected and identified according to the characteristics of
      their protonated ions and relevant literature. While 11 of the metabolites were
      observed in the CKD rat samples. These metabolites suggested that catalpol was
      firstly deglycosylated to its aglycone and subsequently to two main metabolites
      (M1 and M4) by conjugation and hydrogenation respectively and acteoside was
      mainly metabolized by O-glucuronide conjugation and O-sulphate conjugation. In
      conclusion, this study showed an insight into the metabolism of R. glutinosa
      extract in vivo and the proposed metabolic pathways of bioactive components might
      play a key role in further pharmacokinetic experiments evaluations. 

PMID- 26262602
TI  - Simultaneous determination of cinnamaldehyde, cinnamic acid, and 2-methoxy
      cinnamic acid in rat whole blood after oral administration of volatile oil of
      Cinnamoni Ramulus by UHPLC-MS/MS: An application for a pharmacokinetic study.
AB  - A simple and rapid ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass
      spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method was developed for the simultaneous
      determination of cinnamaldehyde, cinnamic acid, and 2-methoxy cinnamic acid in
      rat whole blood. It was the first time to study the pharmacokinetics of 2-methoxy
      cinnamic acid in rat whole blood. Samples were processed by a one-step protein
      precipitation with acetonitrile-37% formaldehyde (90:10, v:v). Chromatographic
      separation was performed on a Thermo Scientific C18 column (2.1mm*50mm, 1.9MUm)
      at room temperature. The total run time was 4min. The detection was accomplished
      by using positive and negative ion electrospray ionization in multiple reaction
      monitoring mode. The method was linear for all of the analytes over 1000 times
      concentration range with correlation coefficients greater than 0.99. The lower
      limits of quantification (LLOQ) were 0.1ng/mL for cinnamaldehyde, 5.8ng/mL for
      cinnamic acid, and 10ng/mL for 2-methoxy cinnamic acid, respectively. To our
      knowledge, this was the first time that the LLOQ for cinnamaldehyde in validated
      methods for biological samples was as low as 0.1ng/mL. Intra- and inter-day
      precision and accuracy were within +/-9% for all of the analytes during the assay
      validation. Assay recoveries were higher than 80% and the matrix effects were
      minimal. The half-life were 8.7+/-0.7h for cinnamaldehyde, 1.0+/-0.5h for
      cinnamic acid, and 1.4+/-0.4h for 2-methoxy cinnamic acid, respectively. The
      validated assay was firstly applied to the simultaneous quantification of
      cinnamaldehyde, cinnamic acid, and 2-methoxy cinnamic acid, especially for 2
      methoxy cinnamic acid in rat whole blood after oral administration of 15mg/kg
      essential oil of Cinnamoni Ramulus. It was observed that the Cmax and AUC of 2
      methoxy cinnamic acid (0.01% in essential oil of Cinnamoni Ramulus) were greater
      than those of cinnamaldehyde (83.49% in essential oil of Cinnamoni Ramulus),
      which implied that 2-methoxy cinnamic acid might be the major bioactive
      constitutes in essential oil of Cinnamoni Ramulus. 

PMID- 26262603
TI  - Synergy of Cobalt and Silver Microparticles Electrodeposited on Glassy Carbon for
      the Electrocatalysis of the Oxygen Reduction Reaction: An Electrochemical
      Investigation.
AB  - The combination of two different metals, each of them acting on different steps
      of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), yields synergic catalytic effects. In
      this respect, the electrocatalytic effect of silver is enhanced by the addition
      of cobalt, which is able to break the O-O bond of molecular oxygen, thus
      accelerating the first step of the reduction mechanism. At the same time,
      research is to further reduce the catalyst's cost, reducing the amount of Ag,
      which, even though being much less expensive than Pt, is still a noble metal.
      From this point of view, using a small amount of Ag together with an inexpensive
      material, such as graphite, represents a good compromise. The aim of this work
      was to verify if the synergic effects are still operating when very small amounts
      of cobalt (2-10 MUg.cm(-2)) are added to the microparticles of silver
      electrodeposited on glassy carbon, described in a preceding paper from us. To
      better stress the different behaviour observed when cobalt and silver are
      contemporarily present in the deposit, the catalytic properties of cobalt alone
      were investigated. The analysis was completed by the Levich plots to evaluate the
      number of electrons involved and by Tafel plots to show the effects on the
      reaction mechanism. 

PMID- 26262604
TI  - Mentha spicata Essential Oil: Chemical Composition, Antioxidant and Antibacterial
      Activities against Planktonic and Biofilm Cultures of Vibrio spp. Strains.
AB  - Chemical composition, antioxidant and anti-Vibrio spp. activities of the
      essential oil isolated from the aerial parts of Mentha spicata L. (spearmint) are
      investigated in the present study. The effect of the essential oil on Vibrio spp.
      biofilm inhibition and eradication was tested using the XTT assay. A total of 63
      chemical constituents were identified in spearmint oil using GC/MS, constituting
      99.9% of the total identified compounds. The main components were carvone (40.8%
      +/- 1.23%) and limonene (20.8% +/- 1.12%). The antimicrobial activity against 30
      Vibrio spp. strains (16 species) was evaluated by disc diffusion and
      microdilution assays. All microorganisms were strongly affected, indicating an
      appreciable antimicrobial potential of the oil. Moreover, the investigated oil
      exhibited high antioxidant potency, as assessed by four different tests in
      comparison with BHT. The ability of the oil, belonging to the carvone chemotype,
      to inhibit or reduce Vibrio spp. biofilm warrants further investigation to
      explore the use of natural products in antibiofilm adhesion and reinforce the
      possibility of its use in the pharmaceutical or food industry as a natural
      antibiotic and seafood preservative against Vibrio contamination. 

PMID- 26262605
TI  - Management of Hyperglycaemia by Ethyl Acetate Extract of Balanites aegyptiaca
      (Desert Date).
AB  - Reactive oxygen species play a significant role in the pathogenesis of
      retinopathy in diabetes patients. The current study aimed to assess the effect of
      ethyl acetate extract (EAE) from Balanites aegyptiaca (10, 25 or 50 mg/kg b.w.)
      in experimental diabetic rats. To achieve this aim, five groups of male rats were
      included: control, diabetic, and diabetic rats treated with 10, 25, and 50 ug/kg
      b.w. of EAE for eight weeks. Our results suggests a protective role of EAE
      against oxidative stress induced by streptozocine. EAE treatment produced a
      reduction in blood glucose levels, HbA1c, malondialdehyde and vascular
      endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in diabetic retina (p < 0.001), as well as an
      enhancement in antioxidant capacity against streptozocine-induced oxidative
      stress. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin (IL-1beta) and
      vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were significantly reduced in diabetic
      rats treated with EAE, compared with untreated diabetic rats. Analysis of EAE by
      GC-MS indicated the presence of beta-sistosterol. Overall, EAE modulates
      oxidative stress induced by streptozocine and enhances antioxidant activity,
      which may provide additional endothelial protection in retina of diabetic rats.
      These results hold great promise in the management of diabetic complications. 

PMID- 26262606
TI  - Molecular Structures of the Products of a Diphosphonate Ester Building Block with
      Lewis Bases.
AB  - By treating a suitable Wittig reagent under acid conditions, the phosphonate
      ester 1,4-bimethylenebenzene phosphonate ethyl ester (H2[BBPE], 1) was obtained.
      As a building block, compound 1 has been reacted with the Lewis-base N,N
      dimethylpiperazine, ammonia and NaOH yielded compounds 2-4. The crystal
      structures show that a 1D chain forming a tubular channel is constructed through
      hydrogen bonds in 1; hydrogen bonds form two 1D chains with left-hand and right
      hand helixes and form 3D networks in compound 2; 1D hydrogen-bond chains are
      further connected together to afford a 3D network architecture in compound 3; the
      phosphonate is coordinated by two Na atoms which present different coordination
      environments in compound 4. Additionally, the relationships between the structure
      and fluorescence of the four compounds in the solid state and in different
      solvents have also been studied at room temperature. 

PMID- 26262607
TI  - Chitosan in Molecularly-Imprinted Polymers: Current and Future Prospects.
AB  - Chitosan is widely used in molecular imprinting technology (MIT) as a functional
      monomer or supporting matrix because of its low cost and high contents of amino
      and hydroxyl functional groups. The various excellent properties of chitosan,
      which include nontoxicity, biodegradability, biocompatibility, and attractive
      physical and mechanical performances, make chitosan a promising alternative to
      conventional functional monomers. Recently, chitosan molecularly-imprinted
      polymers have gained considerable attention and showed significant potential in
      many fields, such as curbing environmental pollution, medicine, protein
      separation and identification, and chiral-compound separation. These extensive
      applications are due to the polymers' desired selectivity, physical robustness,
      and thermal stability, as well as their low cost and easy preparation. Cross
      linkers, which fix the functional groups of chitosan around imprinted molecules,
      play an important role in chitosan molecularly-imprinted polymers. This review
      summarizes the important cross-linkers of chitosan molecularly-imprinted polymers
      and illustrates the cross-linking mechanism of chitosan and cross-linkers based
      on the two glucosamine units. Finally, some significant attempts to further
      develop the application of chitosan in MIT are proposed. 

PMID- 26262610
TI  - Hesperidin, A Popular Antioxidant Inhibits Melanogenesis via Erk1/2 Mediated MITF
      Degradation.
AB  - Regulation of melanogenesis has been the focus of treatment for hyperpigmentary
      skin disorders. Although hesperidin is one of the most well-known, naturally
      occurring flavonoids with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect, its anti
      melanogenic effect is not known. The present study aims to determine the anti
      melanogenic effect of hespiridin as well as its underlying molecular mechanisms.
      Melanin contents were measured in normal human melanocytes and B16F10 melanoma
      cells. Protein and mRNA levels of tyrosinase, microphthalmia-associated
      transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase related protein-1 (TRP-1) and TRP-2 were
      determined. Melanogenesis-regulating signals were examined. In results,
      hesperidin strongly inhibited melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity.
      Hesperidin decreased tyrosinase, TRP-1, and TRP-2 protein expression but
      increased phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (p-Erk1/2)
      expression. Specific inhibitor of Erk1/2 or proteasome inhibitor reversed the
      inhibition of melanogenesis induced by hesperidin. Taken together, hesperidin, a
      popular antioxidant, stimulated Erk1/2 phosphorylation which subsequently
      degraded MITF which resulted in suppression of melanogenic enzymes and melanin
      synthesis. 

PMID- 26262608
TI  - Overview of Nrf2 as Therapeutic Target in Epilepsy.
AB  - Oxidative stress is a biochemical state of imbalance in the production of
      reactive oxygen and nitrogen species and antioxidant defenses. It is involved in
      the physiopathology of degenerative and chronic neuronal disorders, such as
      epilepsy. Experimental evidence in humans and animals support the involvement of
      oxidative stress before and after seizures. In the past few years, research has
      increasingly focused on the molecular pathways of this process, such as that
      involving transcription factor nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), which
      plays a central role in the regulation of antioxidant response elements (ARE) and
      modulates cellular redox status. The aim of this review is to present
      experimental evidence on the role of Nrf2 in this neurological disorder and to
      further determine the therapeutic impact of Nrf2 in epilepsy. 

PMID- 26262609
TI  - The Essential Role of Vitellogenin Receptor in Ovary Development and Vitellogenin
      Uptake in Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel).
AB  - The vitellogenin receptor (VgR) functions as an essential component in uptaking
      and transporting vitellogenin (Vg) in female adults, which is involved in ovary
      development and oviposition. This study aimed to clarify the molecular
      characteristics and function of VgR in the oriental fruit fly Bactrocera dorsalis
      (Hendel). Here, we identified the full-length of BdVgR (GenBank Accession No.
      JX469118), encoding a 1925 residue (aa) protein with a 214.72 kDa molecular mass
      and several typical motifs of low-density lipoprotein receptor superfamily
      (LDLR). Phylogenic analysis suggested that BdVgR was evolutionary conserved with
      other Dipteran VgRs. The expression of BdVgR was exclusively detected in the
      ovaries rather than head, thorax or other tissues. The developmental expression
      patterns showed that the signal of BdVgR was detectable in very beginning of
      adult stage, and positively correlated with the growth rate of ovaries and the
      expression levels of its ligands. In addition, we also demonstrated that the
      expression level of BdVgR, and ovary development were significantly suppressed
      after being injected with BdVgR-targeted dsRNA. Together, all of these results
      indicated that BdVgR was critical for yolk protein absorption and ovary
      maturation in B. dorsalis, playing a vital role in female reproduction.

PMID- 26262611
TI  - Permeability Study of Polyphenols Derived from a Phenolic-Enriched Hibiscus
      sabdariffa Extract by UHPLC-ESI-UHR-Qq-TOF-MS.
AB  - Previous findings on the capacity of Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS) polyphenols to
      ameliorate metabolic disturbances justify the necessity of studies oriented to
      find the potential metabolites responsible for such an effect. The present study
      examined the intestinal epithelial membrane permeability of polyphenols present
      in a phenolic-enriched Hibiscus sabdariffa extract (PEHS), free and encapsulated,
      using the Caco-2 cell line. Additionally, selected polyphenols (quercetin,
      quercetin-3-glucoside, quercetin-3-glucuronide, and N-feruloyltyramine) were also
      studied in the same absorption model. The powerful analytical platform used ultra
      high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with ultra-high-resolution
      quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-UHR-Qq-TOF-MS), and
      enabled the characterization of seven new compounds in PEHS. In the permeation
      study, only a few compounds were able to cross the cell monolayer and the
      permeability was lower when the extract was in an encapsulated form. Pure
      compounds showed a moderate absorption in all cases. Nevertheless, these
      preliminary results may need further research to understand the complete
      absorption mechanism of Hibiscus polyphenols.

PMID- 26262612
TI  - Polymodal Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid (TRPV) Ion Channels in
      Chondrogenic Cells.
AB  - Mature and developing chondrocytes exist in a microenvironment where mechanical
      load, changes of temperature, osmolarity and acidic pH may influence cellular
      metabolism. Polymodal Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid (TRPV) receptors are
      environmental sensors mediating responses through activation of linked
      intracellular signalling pathways. In chondrogenic high density cultures
      established from limb buds of chicken and mouse embryos, we identified TRPV1,
      TRPV2, TRPV3, TRPV4 and TRPV6 mRNA expression with RT-PCR. In both cultures, a
      switch in the expression pattern of TRPVs was observed during cartilage
      formation. The inhibition of TRPVs with the non-selective calcium channel blocker
      ruthenium red diminished chondrogenesis and caused significant inhibition of
      proliferation. Incubating cell cultures at 41  degrees C elevated the expression
      of TRPV1, and increased cartilage matrix production. When chondrogenic cells were
      exposed to mechanical load at the time of their differentiation into matrix
      producing chondrocytes, we detected increased mRNA levels of TRPV3. Our results
      demonstrate that developing chondrocytes express a full palette of TRPV channels
      and the switch in the expression pattern suggests differentiation stage-dependent
      roles of TRPVs during cartilage formation. As TRPV1 and TRPV3 expression was
      altered by thermal and mechanical stimuli, respectively, these are candidate
      channels that contribute to the transduction of environmental stimuli in
      chondrogenic cells.

PMID- 26262613
TI  - Identification of Hydroxyanthraquinones as Novel Inhibitors of Hepatitis C Virus
      NS3 Helicase.
AB  - Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an important etiological agent of severe liver
      diseases, including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The HCV genome
      encodes nonstructural protein 3 (NS3) helicase, which is a potential anti-HCV
      drug target because its enzymatic activity is essential for viral replication.
      Some anthracyclines are known to be NS3 helicase inhibitors and have a
      hydroxyanthraquinone moiety in their structures; mitoxantrone, a
      hydroxyanthraquinone analogue, is also known to inhibit NS3 helicase. Therefore,
      we hypothesized that the hydroxyanthraquinone moiety alone could also inhibit NS3
      helicase. Here, we performed a structure-activity relationship study on a series
      of hydroxyanthraquinones by using a fluorescence-based helicase assay.
      Hydroxyanthraquinones inhibited NS3 helicase with IC50 values in the micromolar
      range. The inhibitory activity varied depending on the number and position of the
      phenolic hydroxyl groups, and among different hydroxyanthraquinones examined,
      1,4,5,8-tetrahydroxyanthraquinone strongly inhibited NS3 helicase with an IC50
      value of 6 uM. Furthermore, hypericin and sennidin A, which both have two
      hydroxyanthraquinone-like moieties, were found to exert even stronger inhibition
      with IC50 values of 3 and 0.8 uM, respectively. These results indicate that the
      hydroxyanthraquinone moiety can inhibit NS3 helicase and suggest that several key
      chemical structures are important for the inhibition. 

PMID- 26262614
TI  - Novel Electrocardiographic Patterns for the Prediction of Hypertensive Disorders
      of Pregnancy--From Pathophysiology to Practical Implications.
AB  - Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are a major cause of poor outcome, including
      placental abruption, organ failure, cerebrovascular accident and disseminated
      intravascular coagulation. These disorders are associated with increased fetal
      risk of intrauterine growth restriction, intrauterine death and prematurity.
      Electrocardiography (ECG) recently emerged as a useful tool to evaluate
      cardiovascular complications during pregnancy. Specifically, left atrial
      abnormalities detected by standard ECG are associated with a fourfold increased
      risk of developing hypertensive disorders during pregnancy. The mechanisms
      linking left atrial abnormality on ECG with hypertensive disorders are still
      elusive. Several mechanisms, possibly reflected by abnormal left atrial
      activation on ECG, has been suggested. These include increased reactivity to
      angiotensin II and up-regulation of angiotensin type 1 receptors, with activation
      of autoantibodies targeting these receptors. 

PMID- 26262616
TI  - Differentiation Effects of Platelet-Rich Plasma Concentrations on Synovial Fluid
      Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Pigs Cultivated in Alginate Complex Hydrogel.
AB  - This article studied the effects of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on the potential
      of synovial fluid mesenchymal stem cells (SF-MSCs) to differentiate. The PRP and
      SF-MSCs were obtained from the blood and knees of pigs, respectively. The
      identification of SF-MSCs and their ability to differentiate were studied by
      histological and surface epitopes, respectively. The SF-MSCs can undergo
      trilineage mesenchymal differentiation under osteogenic, chondrogenic, and
      adipocyte induction. The effects of various PRP concentrations (0%, 20% and 50%
      PRP) on differentiation were evaluated using the SF-MSCs-alginate system, such as
      gene expression and DNA proliferation. A 50% PRP concentration yielded better
      differentiation than the 20% PRP concentration. PRP favored the chondrogenesis of
      SF-MSCs over their osteogenesis in a manner that depended on the ratios of type
      II collagen/type I collagen and aggrecan/osteopontin. Eventually, PRP promoted
      the proliferation of SF-MSCs and induced chondrogenic differentiation of SF-MSCs
      in vitro. Both PRP and SF-MSCs could be feasibly used in regenerative medicine
      and orthopedic surgeries. 

PMID- 26262617
TI  - Comparison of Soybean Transformation Efficiency and Plant Factors Affecting
      Transformation during the Agrobacterium Infection Process.
AB  - The susceptibility of soybean genotype to Agrobacterium infection is a key factor
      for the high level of genetic transformation efficiency. The objective of this
      study is to evaluate the plant factors related to transformation in cotyledonary
      nodes during the Agrobacterium infection process. This study selected three
      genotypes (Williams 82, Shennong 9 and Bert) with high transformation efficiency,
      which presented better susceptibility to Agrobacterium infection, and three low
      transformation efficiency genotypes (General, Liaodou 16 and Kottman), which
      showed a relatively weak susceptibility. Gibberellin (GA) levels and soybean
      GA20ox2 and CYP707A2 transcripts of high-efficiency genotypes increased and were
      higher than those of low-efficiency genotypes; however, the opposite performance
      was shown in abscisic acid (ABA). Higher zeatin riboside (ZR) content and DNA
      quantity, and relatively higher expression of soybean IPT5, CYCD3 and CYCA3 were
      obtained in high-efficiency genotypes. High-efficiency genotypes had low methyl
      jasmonate (MeJA) content, polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) activity,
      and relatively lower expression of soybean OPR3, PPO1 and PRX71. GA and ZR were
      positive plant factors for Agrobacterium-mediated soybean transformation by
      facilitating germination and growth, and increasing the number of cells in DNA
      synthesis cycle, respectively; MeJA, PPO, POD and ABA were negative plant factors
      by inducing defence reactions and repressing germination and growth,
      respectively. 

PMID- 26262615
TI  - Functional Selectivity and Antidepressant Activity of Serotonin 1A Receptor
      Ligands.
AB  - Serotonin (5-HT) is a monoamine neurotransmitter that plays an important role in
      physiological functions. 5-HT has been implicated in sleep, feeding, sexual
      behavior, temperature regulation, pain, and cognition as well as in pathological
      states including disorders connected to mood, anxiety, psychosis and pain. 5-HT1A
      receptors have for a long time been considered as an interesting target for the
      action of antidepressant drugs. It was postulated that postsynaptic 5-HT1A
      agonists could form a new class of antidepressant drugs, and mixed 5-HT1A
      receptor ligands/serotonin transporter (SERT) inhibitors seem to possess an
      interesting pharmacological profile. It should, however, be noted that 5-HT1A
      receptors can activate several different biochemical pathways and signal through
      both G protein-dependent and G protein-independent pathways. The variables that
      affect the multiplicity of 5-HT1A receptor signaling pathways would thus result
      from the summation of effects specific to the host cell milieu. Moreover,
      receptor trafficking appears different at pre- and postsynaptic sites. It should
      also be noted that the 5-HT1A receptor cooperates with other signal transduction
      systems (like the 5-HT1B or 5-HT2A/2B/2C receptors, the GABAergic and the
      glutaminergic systems), which also contribute to its antidepressant and/or
      anxiolytic activity. Thus identifying brain specific molecular targets for 5-HT1A
      receptor ligands may result in a better targeting, raising a hope for more
      effective medicines for various pathologies. 

PMID- 26262619
TI  - Ultrasonic Technique for Density Measurement of Liquids in Extreme Conditions.
AB  - An ultrasonic technique, invariant to temperature changes, for a density
      measurement of different liquids under in situ extreme conditions is presented.
      The influence of geometry and material parameters of the measurement system
      (transducer, waveguide, matching layer) on measurement accuracy and reliability
      is analyzed theoretically along with experimental results. The proposed method is
      based on measurement of the amplitude of the ultrasonic wave, reflected from the
      interface of the solid/liquid medium under investigation. In order to enhance
      sensitivity, the use of a quarter wavelength acoustic matching layer is proposed.
      Therefore, the sensitivity of the measurement system increases significantly.
      Density measurements quite often must be performed in extreme conditions at high
      temperature (up to 220  degrees C) and high pressure. In this case, metal
      waveguides between piezoelectric transducer and the measured liquid are used in
      order to protect the conventional transducer from the influence of high
      temperature and to avoid depolarization. The presented ultrasonic density
      measurement technique is suitable for density measurement in different materials,
      including liquids and polymer melts in extreme conditions. A new calibration
      algorithm was proposed. The metrological evaluation of the measurement method was
      performed. The expanded measurement uncertainty Urho = 7.4 * 10(-3) g/cm(3) (1%).

PMID- 26262618
TI  - SCM-198 Ameliorates Cognitive Deficits, Promotes Neuronal Survival and Enhances
      CREB/BDNF/TrkB Signaling without Affecting Abeta Burden in AbetaPP/PS1 Mice.
AB  - SCM-198 is an alkaloid found only in Herba leonuri and it has been reported to
      possess considerable neuroprotective effects in animal models of ischemic stroke,
      Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, we demonstrated
      for the first time that 3-month oral SCM-198 treatment could significantly
      improve both recognition and spatial memory, inhibit microgliosis and promote
      neuronal survival in amyloid-beta protein precursor and presenilin-1(AbetaPP/PS1)
      double-transgenic mice without affecting amyloid-beta (Abeta) burden. In
      addition, decreases in cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB)
      phosphorylation, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and tropomyosin-related
      kinase B (TrkB) phosphorylation were attenuated by SCM-198 both in vivo and in
      primary cortical neurons, which could be blocked by protein kinase A (PKA)
      inhibitors, suggesting the involvement of upstream PKA in enhancing the
      BDNF/TrkB/CREB signaling by SCM-198. Our results indicate that SCM-198, a drug
      that could promote neuronal survival and enhance BDNF/TrkB/CREB signaling, has
      beneficial effects on behavioral and biochemical alterations without affecting
      Abeta burden in AbetaPP/PS1 mice and might become a potential drug candidate for
      AD treatment in the future. 

PMID- 26262620
TI  - Ocean Wave Separation Using CEEMD-Wavelet in GPS Wave Measurement.
AB  - Monitoring ocean waves plays a crucial role in, for example, coastal
      environmental and protection studies. Traditional methods for measuring ocean
      waves are based on ultrasonic sensors and accelerometers. However, the Global
      Positioning System (GPS) has been introduced recently and has the advantage of
      being smaller, less expensive, and not requiring calibration in comparison with
      the traditional methods. Therefore, for accurately measuring ocean waves using
      GPS, further research on the separation of the wave signals from the vertical GPS
      mounted carrier displacements is still necessary. In order to contribute to this
      topic, we present a novel method that combines complementary ensemble empirical
      mode decomposition (CEEMD) with a wavelet threshold denoising model (i.e., CEEMD
      Wavelet). This method seeks to extract wave signals with less residual noise and
      without losing useful information. Compared with the wave parameters derived from
      the moving average skill, high pass filter and wave gauge, the results show that
      the accuracy of the wave parameters for the proposed method was improved with
      errors of about 2 cm and 0.2 s for mean wave height and mean period,
      respectively, verifying the validity of the proposed method. 

PMID- 26262621
TI  - Electrochemical Characterization of Protein Adsorption onto YNGRT-Au and VLGXE-Au
      Surfaces.
AB  - The adsorption of the proteins CD13, mucin and bovine serum albumin on VLGXE-Au
      and YNGRT-Au interfaces was monitored by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy
      in the presence of [Fe(CN)6](3-/4-). The hydrophobicity of the Au surface was
      tailored using specific peptides, blocking agents and diluents. The combination
      of blocking agents (ethanolamine or n-butylamine) and diluents (hexanethiol or 2
      mercaptoethanol) was used to prepare various peptide-modified Au surfaces.
      Protein adsorption onto the peptide-Au surfaces modified with the combination of
      n-butylamine and hexanethiol produced a dramatic decrease in the charge transfer
      resistance, Rct, for all three proteins. In contrast, polar peptide-surfaces
      induced a minimal change in Rct for all three proteins. Furthermore, an increase
      in Rct was observed with CD13 (an aminopeptidase overexpressed in certain
      cancers) in comparison to the other proteins when the VLGXE-Au surface was
      modified with n-butylamine as a blocking agent. The electrochemical data
      indicated that protein adsorption may be modulated by tailoring the peptide
      sequence on Au surfaces and that blocking agents and diluents play a key role in
      promoting or preventing protein adsorption. The peptide-Au platform may also be
      used for targeting cancer biomarkers with designer peptides. 

PMID- 26262622
TI  - An Efficient Data Compression Model Based on Spatial Clustering and Principal
      Component Analysis in Wireless Sensor Networks.
AB  - Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have been widely used to monitor the environment,
      and sensors in WSNs are usually power constrained. Because inner-node
      communication consumes most of the power, efficient data compression schemes are
      needed to reduce the data transmission to prolong the lifetime of WSNs. In this
      paper, we propose an efficient data compression model to aggregate data, which is
      based on spatial clustering and principal component analysis (PCA). First,
      sensors with a strong temporal-spatial correlation are grouped into one cluster
      for further processing with a novel similarity measure metric. Next, sensor data
      in one cluster are aggregated in the cluster head sensor node, and an efficient
      adaptive strategy is proposed for the selection of the cluster head to conserve
      energy. Finally, the proposed model applies principal component analysis with an
      error bound guarantee to compress the data and retain the definite variance at
      the same time. Computer simulations show that the proposed model can greatly
      reduce communication and obtain a lower mean square error than other PCA-based
      algorithms. 

PMID- 26262623
TI  - A High Performance Delta-Sigma Modulator for Neurosensing.
AB  - Recorded neural data are frequently corrupted by large amplitude artifacts that
      are triggered by a variety of sources, such as subject movements, organ motions,
      electromagnetic interferences and discharges at the electrode surface. To prevent
      the system from saturating and the electronics from malfunctioning due to these
      large artifacts, a wide dynamic range for data acquisition is demanded, which is
      quite challenging to achieve and would require excessive circuit area and power
      for implementation. In this paper, we present a high performance Delta-Sigma
      modulator along with several design techniques and enabling blocks to reduce
      circuit area and power. The modulator was fabricated in a 0.18-um CMOS process.
      Powered by a 1.0-V supply, the chip can achieve an 85-dB peak signal-to-noise-and
      distortion ratio (SNDR) and an 87-dB dynamic range when integrated over a 10-kHz
      bandwidth. The total power consumption of the modulator is 13 uW, which
      corresponds to a figure-of-merit (FOM) of 45 fJ/conversion step. These
      competitive circuit specifications make this design a good candidate for building
      high precision neurosensors. 

PMID- 26262624
TI  - Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription (STAT) Regulatory Networks in
      Marine Organisms: From Physiological Observations towards Marine Drug Discovery.
AB  - Part of our ocean's richness comes from its extensive history of supporting life,
      resulting in a highly diverse ecological system. To date, over 250,000 species of
      marine organisms have been identified, but it is speculated that the actual
      number of marine species exceeds one million, including several hundreds of
      millions of species of marine microorganisms. Past studies suggest that
      approximately 70% of all deep-sea microorganisms, gorgonians, and sea sponges
      produce secondary metabolites with anti-cancer activities. Recently, novel FDA
      approved drugs derived from marine sponges have been shown to reduce metastatic
      breast cancer, malignant lymphoma, and Hodgkin's disease. Despite the fact that
      many marine natural products have been shown to possess a good inhibition
      potential against most of the cancer-related cell signaling pathways, only a few
      marine natural products have been shown to target JAK/STAT signaling. In the
      present paper, we describe the JAK/STAT signaling pathways found in marine
      organisms, before elaborating on the recent advances in the field of STAT
      inhibition by marine natural products and the potential application in anti
      cancer drug discovery. 

PMID- 26262625
TI  - Lipopolysaccharides from Commensal and Opportunistic Bacteria: Characterization
      and Response of the Immune System of the Host Sponge Suberites domuncula.
AB  - Marine sponges harbor a rich bacterioflora with which they maintain close
      relationships. However, the way these animals make the distinction between
      bacteria which are consumed to meet their metabolic needs and opportunistic and
      commensal bacteria which are hosted is not elucidated. Among the elements
      participating in this discrimination, bacterial cell wall components such as
      lipopolysaccharides (LPS) could play a role. In the present study, we
      investigated the LPS chemical structure of two bacteria associated with the
      sponge Suberites domuncula: a commensal Endozoicomonas sp. and an opportunistic
      Pseudoalteromonas sp. Electrophoretic patterns indicated different LPS structures
      for these bacteria. The immunomodulatory lipid A was isolated after mild acetic
      acid hydrolysis. The electrospray ionization ion-trap mass spectra revealed
      monophosphorylated molecules corresponding to tetra- and pentaacylated structures
      with common structural features between the two strains. Despite peculiar
      structural characteristics, none of these two LPS influenced the expression of
      the macrophage-expressed gene S. domuncula unlike the Escherichia coli ones.
      Further research will have to include a larger number of genes to understand how
      this animal can distinguish between LPS with resembling structures and
      discriminate between bacteria associated with it. 

PMID- 26262626
TI  - Metabolomic Analysis of Blood Plasma after Oral Administration of N-acetyl-d
      Glucosamine in Dogs.
AB  - N-acetyl-d-glucosamine (GlcNAc) is a monosaccharide that polymerizes linearly
      through (1,4)-beta-linkages. GlcNAc is the monomeric unit of the polymer chitin.
      GlcNAc is a basic component of hyaluronic acid and keratin sulfate found on the
      cell surface. The aim of this study was to examine amino acid metabolism after
      oral GlcNAc administration in dogs. Results showed that plasma levels of ectoine
      were significantly higher after oral administration of GlcNAc than prior to
      administration (p < 0.001). To our knowledge, there have been no reports of
      increased ectoine concentrations in the plasma. The mechanism by which GlcNAc
      administration leads to increased ectoine plasma concentration remains unclear;
      future studies are required to clarify this mechanism. 

PMID- 26262627
TI  - Eribulin in Cancer Treatment.
AB  - Halichondrin B is a complex, natural, polyether macrolide derived from marine
      sponges. Eribulin is a structurally-simplified, synthetic, macrocyclic ketone
      analogue of Halichondrin B. Eribulin was approved by United States Food and Drug
      Administration in 2010 as a third-line therapy for metastatic breast cancer
      patients who have previously been treated with an anthracycline and a taxane. It
      has a unique microtubule dynamics inhibitory action. Phase III studies have
      either been completed or are currently ongoing in breast cancer, soft tissue
      sarcoma, and non-small cell lung cancer. Phase I and II studies in multiple
      cancers and various combinations are currently ongoing. This article reviews the
      available information on eribulin with respect to its clinical pharmacology,
      pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, mechanism of action, metabolism, preclinical
      studies, and with special focus on clinical trials. 

PMID- 26262629
TI  - Additional Burden of Diseases Associated with Cadmium Exposure: A Case Study of
      Cadmium Contaminated Rice Fields in Mae Sot District, Tak Province, Thailand.
AB  - The cadmium (Cd) contaminated rice fields in Mae Sot District, Tak Province,
      Thailand has been one of the major environmental problems in Thailand for the
      last 10 years. We used disability adjusted life years (DALYs) to estimate the
      burden of disease attributable to Cd in terms of additional DALYs of Mae Sot
      residents. Cd exposure data included Cd and beta2-microglobulin (beta2-MG) in
      urine (as an internal exposure dose) and estimated cadmium daily intake (as an
      external exposure dose). Compared to the general Thai population, Mae Sot
      residents gained 10%-86% DALYs from nephrosis/nephritis, heart diseases,
      osteoporosis and cancer depending on their Cd exposure type and exposure level.
      The results for urinary Cd and dietary Cd intake varied according to the studies
      used for risk estimation. The ceiling effect was observed in results using
      dietary Cd intake because of the high Cd content in rice grown in the Mae Sot
      area. The results from beta2-MG were more robust with additional DALYs ranging
      from 36%-86% for heart failure, cerebral infraction, and nephrosis/nephritis.
      Additional DALYs is a useful approach for assessing the magnitude of
      environmental Cd exposure. The Mae Sot population lost more healthy life compared
      to populations living in a non- or less Cd polluted area. This method should be
      applicable to various types of environmental contamination problems if exposure
      assessment information is available. 

PMID- 26262628
TI  - Porifera Lectins: Diversity, Physiological Roles and Biotechnological Potential.
AB  - An overview on the diversity of 39 lectins from the phylum Porifera is presented,
      including 38 lectins, which were identified from the class of demosponges, and
      one lectin from the class of hexactinellida. Their purification from crude
      extracts was mainly performed by using affinity chromatography and gel filtration
      techniques. Other protocols were also developed in order to collect and study
      sponge lectins, including screening of sponge genomes and expression in
      heterologous bacterial systems. The characterization of the lectins was performed
      by Edman degradation or mass spectrometry. Regarding their physiological roles,
      sponge lectins showed to be involved in morphogenesis and cell interaction,
      biomineralization and spiculogenesis, as well as host defense mechanisms and
      potentially in the association between the sponge and its microorganisms. In
      addition, these lectins exhibited a broad range of bioactivities, including
      modulation of inflammatory response, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities, as
      well as anticancer and neuromodulatory activity. In view of their potential
      pharmacological applications, sponge lectins constitute promising molecules of
      biotechnological interest. 

PMID- 26262630
TI  - Testis-Specific Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH-C4) in Skeletal Muscle Enhances a
      Pika's Sprint-Running Capacity in Hypoxic Environment.
AB  - LDH-C4 is a lactate dehydrogenase that catalyzes the conversion of pyruvate to
      lactate. In mammals, ldh-c was originally thought to be expressed only in testis
      and spermatozoa. Plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae), which belongs to the genus
      Ochotona of the Ochotonidea family, is a hypoxia tolerant mammal living 3000-5000
      m above sea level on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, an environment which is strongly
      hypoxic. Ldh-c is expressed not only in testis and sperm but also in somatic
      tissues of plateau pika. In this study, the effects of N-propyl oxamate and N
      isopropyl oxamate on LDH isozyme kinetics were compared to screens for a
      selective inhibitor of LDH-C4. To reveal the role and physiological mechanism of
      LDH-C4 in skeletal muscle of plateau pika, we investigated the effect of N
      isopropyl oxamate on the pika exercise tolerance as well as the physiological
      mechanism. Our results show that Ki of N-propyl oxamate and N-isopropyl oxamate
      for LDH-A4, LDH-B4, and LDH-C4 were 0.094 mmol/L and 0.462 mmol/L, 0.119 mmol/L
      and 0.248 mmol/L, and 0.015 mmol/L and 0.013 mmol/L, respectively. N-isopropyl
      oxamate is a powerful selective inhibitor of plateau pika LDH-C4. In our exercise
      tolerance experiment, groups treated with inhibitors had significantly lower
      swimming times than the uninhibited control group. The inhibition rates of LDH,
      LD, and ATP were 37.12%, 66.27%, and 32.42%, respectively. Our results suggested
      that ldh-c is expressed in the skeletal muscle of plateau pika, and at least
      32.42% of ATP in the skeletal muscle is catalyzed by LDH-C4 by anaerobic
      glycolysis. This suggests that pika has reduced dependence on oxygen and enhanced
      adaptation to hypoxic environment due to increased anaerobic glycolysis by LDH-C4
      in skeletal muscle. LDH-C4 in plateau pika plays the crucial role in anaerobic
      glycolysis and generates ATP rapidly since this is the role of LDH-A4 in most
      species on plain land, which provide evidence that the native humans and animals
      in Qinghai-Tibet plateau can adapt to the hypoxia environment. 

PMID- 26262631
TI  - Doctor-Shopping Behaviors among Traditional Chinese Medicine Users in Taiwan.
AB  - Doctor-shopping has caused an increase in medical expense, potential to receive
      duplicate medications, and suffer adverse drug reactions. We carried out a
      population-based retrospective study aimed at examining the user patterns of
      traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) ambulatory care in Taiwan. We retrieved
      complete TCM ambulatory visit datasets for the year 2007 from the National Health
      Insurance database in Taiwan. We defined the patients whose distribution of TCM
      physician numbers scored more than 97.5 percent (more than, or equal to, five TCM
      physicians) within one year as TCM doctor-shoppers. In total, 6,596,814 subjects
      (28.9%) paid TCM visits during that year. All 177,728 subjects (2.69%) who
      visited more than five (including) TCM physicians were classified as TCM
      shoppers. The most prevalent diagnostic grouping was upper respiratory infections
      (44.7%) and sprains and strains (44.0%). Men had a lower odds ratio (OR) among
      TCM shoppers than women (OR = 0.94, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.93-0.96).
      Younger people were less likely to be TCM shoppers than other people were. The
      ORs of TCM shoppers were higher among veterans and low-income patients (OR = 1.29
      (1.23-1.35), and 1.33 (1.27-1.41)). In conclusion, health education on the
      potential of drug interactions and iatrogenic health risks incurred from doctor
      shopping should be addressed to those high-risk patients. 

PMID- 26262632
TI  - Variability and Stability in Daily Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity among
      10 Year Old Children.
AB  - Day-to-day variability and stability of children's physical activity levels
      across days of the week are not well understood. Our aims were to examine the day
      to-day variability of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), to determine
      factors influencing the day-to-day variability of MVPA and to estimate stability
      of MVPA in children. The sample comprises 686 Portuguese children (10 years of
      age). MVPA was assessed with an accelerometer, and BMI was computed from measured
      height and weight. Daily changes in MVPA and their correlates (gender, BMI, and
      maturity) were modeled with a multilevel approach, and tracking was calculated
      using Foulkes & Davies gamma. A total of 51.3% of boys and 26.2% of girls
      achieved 60 min/day of MVPA on average. Daily MVPA was lower during the weekend
      (23.6% of boys and 13.6% of girls comply with the recommended 60 min/day of MVPA)
      compared to weekdays (60.8% and 35.4%, boys and girls, respectively). Normal
      weight children were more active than obese children and no effect was found for
      biological maturation. Tracking is low in both boys (gamma = 0.59 +/- 0.01) and
      girls (gamma = 0.56 +/- 0.01). Children's MVPA levels during a week are highly
      unstable. In summary, boys are more active than girls, maturation does not affect
      their MVPA, and obese children are less likely to meet 60 min/day of MVPA. These
      results highlight the importance of providing opportunities for increasing
      children's daily MVPA on all days of week, especially on the weekend. 

PMID- 26262633
TI  - Wrist Hypothermia Related to Continuous Work with a Computer Mouse: A Digital
      Infrared Imaging Pilot Study.
AB  - Computer work is characterized by sedentary static workload with low-intensity
      energy metabolism. The aim of our study was to evaluate the dynamics of skin
      surface temperature in the hand during prolonged computer mouse work under
      different ergonomic setups. Digital infrared imaging of the right forearm and
      wrist was performed during three hours of continuous computer work (measured at
      the start and every 15 minutes thereafter) in a laboratory with controlled
      ambient conditions. Four people participated in the study. Three different
      ergonomic computer mouse setups were tested on three different days (horizontal
      computer mouse without mouse pad; horizontal computer mouse with mouse pad and
      padded wrist support; vertical computer mouse without mouse pad). The study
      revealed a significantly strong negative correlation between the temperature of
      the dorsal surface of the wrist and time spent working with a computer mouse.
      Hand skin temperature decreased markedly after one hour of continuous computer
      mouse work. Vertical computer mouse work preserved more stable and higher
      temperatures of the wrist (>30  degrees C), while continuous use of a horizontal
      mouse for more than two hours caused an extremely low temperature (<28  degrees
      C) in distal parts of the hand. The preliminary observational findings indicate
      the significant effect of the duration and ergonomics of computer mouse work on
      the development of hand hypothermia. 

PMID- 26262634
TI  - Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticle Penetration into the Skin and Effects on HaCaT
      Cells.
AB  - Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) suspensions (concentration 1.0 g/L) in
      synthetic sweat solution were applied on Franz cells for 24 h using intact and
      needle-abraded human skin. Titanium content into skin and receiving phases was
      determined. Cytotoxicity (MTT, AlamarBlue((r)) and propidium iodide, PI, uptake
      assays) was evaluated on HaCat keratinocytes after 24 h, 48 h, and seven days of
      exposure. After 24 h of exposure, no titanium was detectable in receiving
      solutions for both intact and damaged skin. Titanium was found in the epidermal
      layer after 24 h of exposure (0.47 +/- 0.33 MUg/cm(2)) while in the dermal layer,
      the concentration was below the limit of detection. Damaged skin, in its whole,
      has shown a similar concentration (0.53 +/- 0.26 MUg/cm(2)). Cytotoxicity studies
      on HaCaT cells demonstrated that TiO2NPs induced cytotoxic effects only at very
      high concentrations, reducing cell viability after seven days of exposure with
      EC50s of 8.8 * 10(-4) M (MTT assay), 3.8 * 10(-5) M (AlamarBlue((r)) assay), and
      7.6 * 10(-4) M (PI uptake, index of a necrotic cell death). Our study
      demonstrated that TiO2NPs cannot permeate intact and damaged skin and can be
      found only in the stratum corneum and epidermis. Moreover, the low cytotoxic
      effect observed on human HaCaT keratinocytes suggests that these nano-compounds
      have a potential toxic effect at the skin level only after long-term exposure. 

PMID- 26262635
TI  - Altered Expression of Genes in Signaling Pathways Regulating Proliferation of
      Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells in Mice with Subchronic Benzene Exposure.
AB  - Leukemias and hematopoietic disorders induced by benzene may arise from the
      toxicity of benzene to hematopoietic stem or progenitor cells (HS/PCs). Since
      there is a latency period between initial benzene exposure and the development of
      leukemia, subsequent impact of benzene on HS/PCs are crucial for a deeper
      understanding of the carcinogenicity and hematotoxicity in post-exposure stage.
      This study aims to explore the effects of benzene on HS/PCs and gene-expression
      in Wnt, Notch and Hh signaling pathways in post-exposure stage. The C3H/He mice
      were injected subcutaneously with benzene (0, 150, 300 mg/kg/day) for three
      months and were monitored for another 10 months post-exposure. The body weights
      were monitored, the relative organ weights, blood parameters and bone marrow
      smears were examined. Frequency of lineage(-) sca-1(+) c-kit(+) (LSK) cells,
      capability of colony forming and expression of genes in Wnt, Notch and Hedghog
      (Hh) signaling pathways were also analyzed. The colony formation of the
      progenitor cells for BFU-E, CFU-GEMM and CFU-GM was significantly decreased with
      increasing benzene exposure relative to controls, while no significant difference
      was observed in colonies for CFU-G and CFU-M. The mRNA level of cyclin D1 was
      increased and Notch 1 and p53 were decreased in LSK cells in mice exposed to
      benzene but with no statistical significance. These results suggest that
      subsequent toxic effects of benzene on LSK cells and gene expression in Wnt,
      Notch and Hh signaling pathways persist in post-exposure stage and may play roles
      in benzene-induced hematotoxicity. 

PMID- 26262636
TI  - Characterization and Feasibility Assessment of Recycled Paper Mill Sludges for
      Land Application in Relation to the Environment.
AB  - The disposal of industrial paper mill sludge waste is a big issue and has a great
      importance all over the world. A study was conducted to determine the chemical
      properties of recycled paper mill sludge (RPMS) and assess its possibilities for
      land application. RPMS samples were collected from six different paper mills in
      Malaysia and analyzed for physical and chemical properties, heavy metals,
      polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, (13)C-NMR spectra and for the presence of
      dioxins/furans. The RPMS was dewatered, sticky with a strong odour, an average
      moisture of 65.08%, pH 7.09, cation exchange capacity (CEC) 14.43 cmol (+) kg(
      1), N 1.45, P 0.18, K 0.12, Ca 0.82, Mg 0.73, Na 0.76 and Al, 1.38%. The
      polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals levels were below the
      standard Class 2 limits. The dioxin and furan were in below the standard
      concentration of Class 1. The most prominent peak in the (13)C-NMR spectra of
      RPMS was centered at 31 ppm, proving the presence of methylene (-CH2) groups in
      long aliphatic chains, with lipids and proteins. The signal at 89 ppm and highly
      shielded shoulder at 83 ppm were due to presence of cellulose carbon C-4, and the
      peak at 63 and 65 ppm was due to the cellulose carbon spectrum. The RPMS
      therefore contains significant amount of nutrients with safe levels of heavy
      metals and PAHs for environment and can be used as a fertilizer and soil
      amendment for land application. 

PMID- 26262637
TI  - Genetic Characterization of the Belgian Nephropathogenic Infectious Bronchitis
      Virus (NIBV) Reference Strain B1648.
AB  - The virulent nephropathogenic infectious bronchitis virus (NIBV) strain B1648 was
      first isolated in 1984, in Flanders, Belgium. Despite intensive vaccination,
      B1648 and its variants are still circulating in Europe and North Africa. Here,
      the full-length genome of this Belgian NIBV reference strain was determined by
      next generation sequencing (NGS) to understand its evolutionary relationship with
      other IBV strains, and to identify possible genetic factors that may be
      associated with the nephropathogenicity. Thirteen open reading frames (ORFs) were
      predicted in the B1648 strain (51UTR-1a-1b-S-3a-3b-E-M-4b-4c-5a-5b-N-6b-31UTR).
      ORFs 4b, 4c and 6b, which have been rarely reported in literature, were present
      in B1648 and most of the other IBV complete genomes. According to phylogenetic
      analysis of the full-length genome, replicase transcriptase complex, spike
      protein, partial S1 gene and M protein, B1648 strain clustered with the non
      Massachusetts type strains NGA/A116E7/2006, UKr 27-11, QX-like ITA/90254/2005, QX
      like CK/SWE/0658946/10, TN20/00, RF-27/99, RF/06/2007 and SLO/266/05. Based on
      the partial S1 fragment, B1648 clustered with the strains TN20/00, RF-27/99,
      RF/06/2007 and SLO/266/05 and, further designated as B1648 genotype. The full
      length genome of B1648 shared the highest sequence homology with UKr 27-11, Gray,
      JMK, and NGA/A116E7/2006 (91.2% to 91.6%) and was least related with the
      reference Beaudette and Massachusetts strains (89.7%). Nucleotide and amino acid
      sequence analyses indicated that B1648 strain may have played an important role
      in the evolution of IBV in Europe and North Africa. Further, the
      nephropathogenicity determinants might be located on the 1a, spike, M and
      accessory proteins (3a, 3b, 4b, 4c, 5a, 5b and 6b). Overall, strain B1648 is
      distinct from all the strains reported so far in Europe and other parts of the
      world. 

PMID- 26262639
TI  - Contribution of Epigenetic Modifications to the Decline in Transgene Expression
      from Plasmid DNA in Mouse Liver.
AB  - Short-term expression of transgenes is one of the problems frequently associated
      with non-viral in vivo gene transfer. To obtain experimental evidence for the
      design of sustainable transgene expression systems, the contribution of
      epigenetic modifications to the decline in transgene expression needs to be
      investigated. Bisulfite sequencing and reactivation by hydrodynamic injection of
      isotonic solution were employed to investigate methylation statues of CpG in
      transiently expressing plasmid, pCMV-Luc, in mouse liver after hydrodynamic
      delivery. The cytosines of CpGs in the promoter region of pCMV-Luc were
      methylated in mouse liver, but the methylation was much later than the decline in
      the expression. The expression from pre-methylated pCMV-Luc was insensitive to
      reactivation. Neither an inhibitor of DNA methylation nor an inhibitor of histone
      deacetylation had significant effects on transgene expression after hydrodynamic
      injection of pCMV-Luc. Partial hepatectomy, which reduces the transgene
      expression from the non-integrated vector into the genome, significantly reduced
      the transgene expression of human interferon gamma from a long-term expressing
      plasmid pCpG-Hugamma, suggesting that the CpG-reduced plasmid was not
      significantly integrated into the genomic DNA. These results indicate that the
      CpG-reduced plasmids achieve prolonged transgene expression without integration
      into the host genome, although the methylation status of CpG sequences in
      plasmids will not be associated with the prolonged expression. 

PMID- 26262638
TI  - Mate-Pair Sequencing as a Powerful Clinical Tool for the Characterization of
      Cancers with a DNA Viral Etiology.
AB  - DNA viruses are known to be associated with a variety of different cancers. Human
      papillomaviruses (HPV) are a family of viruses and several of its sub-types are
      classified as high-risk HPVs as they are found to be associated with the
      development of a number of different cancers. Almost all cervical cancers appear
      to be driven by HPV infection and HPV is also found in most cancers of the anus
      and at least half the cancers of the vulva, penis and vagina, and increasingly
      found in one sub-type of head and neck cancers namely oropharyngeal squamous cell
      carcinoma. Our understanding of HPVs role in cancer development comes from
      extensive studies done on cervical cancer and it has just been assumed that HPV
      plays an identical role in the development of all other cancers arising in the
      presence of HPV sequences, although this has not been proven. Most invasive
      cervical cancers have the HPV genome integrated into one or more sites within the
      human genome. One powerful tool to examine all the sites of HPV integration in a
      cancer but that also provides a comprehensive view of genomic alterations in that
      cancer is the use of next generation sequencing of mate-pair libraries produced
      from the DNA isolated. We will describe how this powerful technology can provide
      important information about the genomic organization within an individual cancer
      genome, and how this has demonstrated that HPVs role in oropharyngeal squamous
      cell carcinoma is distinct from that in cervical cancer. We will also describe
      why the sequencing of mate-pair libraries could be a powerful clinical tool for
      the management of patients with a DNA viral etiology and how this could quickly
      transform the care of these patients. 

PMID- 26262640
TI  - Proanthocyanidins Prevent High Glucose-Induced Eye Malformation by Restoring Pax6
      Expression in Chick Embryo.
AB  - Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the leading causes of offspring
      malformations, in which eye malformation is an important disease. It has raised
      demand for therapy to improve fetal outcomes. In this study, we used chick embryo
      to establish a GDM model to study the protective effects of proanthocyanidins on
      eye development. Chick embryos were exposed to high glucose (0.2 mmol/egg) on
      embryo development day (EDD) 1. Proanthocyanidins (1 and 10 nmol/egg) were
      injected into the air sac on EDD 0. Results showed that both dosages of
      proanthocyanidins could prevent the eye malformation and rescue the high glucose
      induced oxidative stress significantly, which the similar effects were showed in
      edaravone. However, proanthocyanidins could not decrease the glucose
      concentration of embryo eye. Moreover, the key genes regulating eye development,
      Pax6, was down-regulated by high glucose. Proanthocyanidins could restore the
      suppressed expression of Pax6. These results indicated proanthocyanidins might be
      a promising natural agent to prevent high glucose-induced eye malformation by
      restoring Pax6 expression. 

PMID- 26262641
TI  - Dietary Patterns, Alcohol Consumption and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease in
      Adults: A Meta-Analysis.
AB  - Previous studies reported the potential associations between dietary patterns and
      the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) in adulthood, however a consistent
      perspective has not been established to date. Herein, we carried out this meta
      analysis to evaluate the associations between dietary patterns and the risk of
      CHD. MEDLINE and EBSCO were searched for relevant articles published up to April
      2015. A total of 35 articles (reporting 37 original studies) met the inclusion
      criteria and were included in the present meta-analysis. The decreased risk of
      CHD was shown for the highest compared with the lowest categories of
      healthy/prudent dietary patterns (odds ratio (OR) = 0.67; 95% confidence interval
      (CI): 0.60, 0.75; p < 0.00001) and alcohol consumption (OR = 0.68; 95% CI: 0.59,
      0.78; p < 0.00001). There was evidence of an increased risk of CHD in the highest
      compared with the lowest categories of the unhealthy/Western-type dietary
      patterns (OR = 1.45; 95% CI: 1.05, 2.01; p = 0.02). The results of this meta
      analysis indicate that different dietary patterns may be associated with the risk
      of CHD. 

PMID- 26262642
TI  - The Long Term Impact of Micronutrient Supplementation during Infancy on Cognition
      and Executive Function Performance in Pre-School Children.
AB  - Brain growth and development are critically dependent on several micronutrients.
      During early development cellular activity may be sensitive to micronutrient
      deficiencies, however the evidence from human studies is equivocal. The objective
      of this study was to examine the long-term cognitive and social-emotional effects
      of multiple micronutrient supplementation compared with iron supplementation
      alone, administered during infancy. This study was a follow-up to an initial
      randomized, double-blind controlled trial (RCT) in 2010 in which 902 infants,
      aged 6-17 months, from Lima, Peru, were given daily supplements of either iron
      (Fe) or multiple micronutrients (MMN) including zinc (451 in each group). The
      supplementation period for both groups was six months. In 2012, a subsample of
      184 children from the original cohort (now aged 36-48 months) was randomly
      selected to participate in a follow-up trial and was assessed for intelligence,
      working memory, inhibition, and executive function. The tests showed no
      significant differences between the supplementation groups though there were some
      gender differences, with girls displaying higher scores than boys across both
      groups on the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI) Verbal
      IQ sentences subtest, the Day-Night cognitive test and on the Brief Infant
      Toddler Social Emotional Assessment (BITSEA) social competency, and boys scoring
      higher than girls in problem behaviour. The results indicate that MMN
      supplementation had no long term additional effects on cognitive function
      compared with iron supplementation alone. The timing of supplement administration
      for maximum impact on a child's cognitive development requires further
      investigation. 

PMID- 26262643
TI  - Nuclear Import of Yeast Proteasomes.
AB  - Proteasomes are highly conserved protease complexes responsible for the
      degradation of aberrant and short-lived proteins. In highly proliferating yeast
      and mammalian cells, proteasomes are predominantly nuclear. During quiescence and
      cell cycle arrest, proteasomes accumulate in granules in close proximity to the
      nuclear envelope/ER. With prolonged quiescence in yeast, these proteasome
      granules pinch off as membraneless organelles, and migrate as stable entities
      through the cytoplasm. Upon exit from quiescence, the proteasome granules clear
      and the proteasomes are rapidly transported into the nucleus, a process
      reflecting the dynamic nature of these multisubunit complexes. Due to the
      scarcity of studies on the nuclear transport of mammalian proteasomes, we
      summarised the current knowledge on the nuclear import of yeast proteasomes. This
      pathway uses canonical nuclear localisation signals within proteasomal subunits
      and Srp1/Kap95, and the canonical import receptor, named importin/karyopherin
      alphabeta. Blm10, a conserved 240 kDa protein, which is structurally related to
      Kap95, provides an alternative import pathway. Two models exist upon which either
      inactive precursor complexes or active holo-enzymes serve as the import cargo.
      Here, we reconcile both models and suggest that the import of inactive precursor
      complexes predominates in dividing cells, while the import of mature enzymes
      mainly occurs upon exit from quiescence. 

PMID- 26262644
TI  - Chromatin Dynamics in Vivo: A Game of Musical Chairs.
AB  - Histones are a major component of chromatin, the nucleoprotein complex
      fundamental to regulating transcription, facilitating cell division, and
      maintaining genome integrity in almost all eukaryotes. In addition to canonical,
      replication-dependent histones, replication-independent histone variants exist in
      most eukaryotes. In recent years, steady progress has been made in understanding
      how histone variants assemble, their involvement in development, mitosis,
      transcription, and genome repair. In this review, we will focus on the
      localization of the major histone variants H3.3, CENP-A, H2A.Z, and macroH2A, as
      well as how these variants have evolved, their structural differences, and their
      functional significance in vivo. 

PMID- 26262646
TI  - Grafts for Ridge Preservation.
AB  - Alveolar ridge bone resorption is a biologic phenomenon that occurs following
      tooth extraction and cannot be prevented. This paper reviews the vertical and
      horizontal ridge dimensional changes that are associated with tooth extraction.
      It also provides an overview of the advantages of ridge preservation as well as
      grafting materials. A Medline search among English language papers was performed
      in March 2015 using alveolar ridge preservation, ridge augmentation, and various
      graft types as search terms. Additional papers were considered following the
      preliminary review of the initial search that were relevant to alveolar ridge
      preservation. The literature suggests that ridge preservation methods and
      augmentation techniques are available to minimize and restore available bone.
      Numerous grafting materials, such as autografts, allografts, xenografts, and
      alloplasts, currently are used for ridge preservation. Other materials, such as
      growth factors, also can be used to enhance biologic outcome. 

PMID- 26262648
TI  - Low-Temperature and Solution-Processed Amorphous WO(x) as Electron-Selective
      Layer for Perovskite Solar Cells.
AB  - The electron-selective layer (ESL) is an indispensable component of perovskite
      solar cells (PSCs) and is responsible for the collection of photogenerated
      electrons. Preparing ESL at a low temperature is significant for future
      fabrication of flexible PSCs. In this work, solution-processed amorphous WO(x)
      thin film was prepared facilely at low temperature and used as ESL in PSCs.
      Results indicated that a large quantity of nanocaves were observed in the WO(x)
      thin film. In comparison with the conventional TiO2 ESL, the WO(x) ESL exhibited
      comparable light transmittance but higher electrical conductivity. Compared with
      the TiO2-based PSCs, PSCs that use WO(x) ESL exhibited comparable photoelectric
      conversion efficiency, larger short-circuit current density, but lower open
      circuit voltage. Electrochemical characterization indicated that the unsatisfied
      open-circuit voltage and fill factor were caused by the inherent charge
      recombination. This study demonstrated that this material is an excellent
      candidate for ESL.

PMID- 26262647
TI  - The Detection of Helicobacter hepaticus Using Whispering-Gallery Mode Microcavity
      Optical Sensors.
AB  - Current bacterial detection techniques are relatively slow, require bulky
      instrumentation, and usually require some form of specialized training. The gold
      standard for bacterial detection is culture testing, which can take several days
      to receive a viable result. Therefore, simpler detection techniques that are both
      fast and sensitive could greatly improve bacterial detection and identification.
      Here, we present a new method for the detection of the bacteria Helicobacter
      hepaticus using whispering-gallery mode (WGM) optical microcavity-based sensors.
      Due to minimal reflection losses and low material adsorption, WGM-based sensors
      have ultra-high quality factors, resulting in high-sensitivity sensor devices. In
      this study, we have shown that bacteria can be non-specifically detected using
      WGM optical microcavity-based sensors. The minimum detection for the device was 1
      * 10(4) cells/mL, and the minimum time of detection was found to be 750 s. Given
      that a cell density as low as 1 * 10(3) cells/mL for Helicobacter hepaticus can
      cause infection, the limit of detection shown here would be useful for most
      levels where Helicobacter hepaticus is biologically relevant. This study suggests
      a new approach for H. hepaticus detection using label-free optical sensors that
      is faster than, and potentially as sensitive as, standard techniques. 

PMID- 26262649
TI  - pH Oscillator Stretched in Space but Frozen in Time.
AB  - Chemical oscillations are studied using a continuous-flow microfluidic system
      transforming the time domain of chemical oscillators into a spatial domain. This
      system allows one (i) to monitor the dynamics of chemical oscillators with the
      accuracy of vigorously stirred batch reactors but with the ease and speed of
      CSTRs and (ii) to rapidly screen the phase space of chemical oscillators in just
      one experiment versus a traditional series of batch measurements. 

PMID- 26262650
TI  - Ultralow Absorption Coefficient and Temperature Dependence of Radiative
      Recombination of CH3NH3PbI3 Perovskite from Photoluminescence.
AB  - Spectrally resolved photoluminescence is used to measure the band-to-band
      absorption coefficient alpha(BB)(homega) of organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite
      methylammonium lead iodide (CH3NH3PbI3) films from 675 to 1400 nm. Unlike other
      methods used to extract the absorption coefficient, photoluminescence is only
      affected by band-to-band absorption and is capable of detecting absorption events
      at very low energy levels. Absorption coefficients as low as 10-14 cm-1 are
      detected at room temperature for long wavelengths, which is 14 orders of
      magnitude lower than reported values at shorter wavelengths. The temperature
      dependence of alpha(BB)(homega) is calculated from the photoluminescence spectra
      of CH3NH3PbI3 in the temperature range 80-360 K. Based on the temperature
      dependent alpha(BB)(homega), the product of the radiative recombination
      coefficient and square of the intrinsic carrier density, B(T) * n(i)2, is also
      obtained.

PMID- 26262651
TI  - In Situ Thermal Decomposition of Exfoliated Two-Dimensional Black Phosphorus.
AB  - With a semiconducting band gap and high charge carrier mobility, two-dimensional
      (2D) black phosphorus (BP)-often referred to as phosphorene-holds significant
      promise for next generation electronics and optoelectronics. However, as a 2D
      material, it possesses a higher surface area to volume ratio than bulk BP,
      suggesting that its chemical and thermal stability will be modified. Herein, an
      atomic-scale microscopic and spectroscopic study is performed to characterize the
      thermal degradation of mechanically exfoliated 2D BP. From in situ
      scanning/transmission electron microscopy, decomposition of 2D BP is observed to
      occur at ~400  degrees C in vacuum, in contrast to the 550  degrees C bulk BP
      sublimation temperature. This decomposition initiates via eye-shaped cracks along
      the [001] direction and then continues until only a thin, amorphous red
      phosphorus like skeleton remains. In situ electron energy loss spectroscopy,
      energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and energy-loss near-edge structure changes
      provide quantitative insight into this chemical transformation process.

PMID- 26262652
TI  - Kinetic Evidence of Two Pathways for Charge Recombination in NiO-Based Dye
      Sensitized Solar Cells.
AB  - Mesoporous nickel oxide has been used as electrode material for p-type dye
      sensitized solar cells (DSCs) for many years but no high efficiency cells have
      yet been obtained. One of the main issues that lowers the efficiency is the poor
      fill factor, for which a clear reason is still missing. In this paper we present
      the first evidence for a relation between applied potential and the charge
      recombination rate of the NiO electrode. In particular, we find biphasic
      recombination kinetics: a fast (15 ns) pathway attributed to the reaction with
      the holes in the valence band and a slow (1 ms) pathway assigned to the holes in
      the trap states. The fast component is the most relevant at positive potentials,
      while the slow component becomes more important at negative potentials. This
      means that at the working condition of the cell, the fast recombination is the
      most important. This could explain the low fill factor of NiO-based DSCs. 

PMID- 26262653
TI  - Specific Binding of Cholesterol to the Amyloid Precursor Protein: Structure of
      the Complex and Driving Forces Characterized in Molecular Detail.
AB  - C99 is the C-terminal membrane-bound fragment of the amyloid precursor protein
      that is cleaved by gamma-secretase to release Abeta peptides, the hallmark of
      Alzheimer's disease (AD). Specific interactions of C99 with cholesterol have been
      proposed to underlie the recognized role of cholesterol in promoting
      amyloidogenesis. By using molecular dynamics simulations, we studied cholesterol
      binding to C99 in a lipid bilayer. We determined the free-energy profile of
      binding and analyzed the structure of C99/cholesterol complexes in two low-energy
      binding modes. We also examined the complexation driving forces and found,
      unexpectedly, that the interactions between the GxxxG dimerization motif and the
      cholesterol ring system are not sufficient for binding and that further
      stabilization mediated by the C99 N-terminal domain is essential. Taken together,
      our results strongly support the view that C99 specifically binds cholesterol in
      the cell membrane; the detailed information on the structure and energetics of
      the complex may assist in the design of new anti-AD drugs. 

PMID- 26262654
TI  - Molecular-structure Control of Ultrafast Electron Injection at Cationic Porphyrin
      CdTe Quantum Dot Interfaces.
AB  - Charge transfer (CT) at donor (D)/acceptor (A) interfaces is central to the
      functioning of photovoltaic and light-emitting devices. Understanding and
      controlling this process on the molecular level has been proven to be crucial for
      optimizing the performance of many energy-challenge relevant devices. Here, we
      report the experimental observations of controlled on/off ultrafast electron
      transfer (ET) at cationic porphyrin-CdTe quantum dot (QD) interfaces using femto-
      and nanosecond broad-band transient absorption (TA) spectroscopy. The time
      resolved data demonstrate how one can turn on/off the electron injection from
      porphyrin to the CdTe QDs. With careful control of the molecular structure, we
      are able to tune the electron injection at the porphyrin-CdTe QD interface from
      zero to very efficient and ultrafast. In addition, our data demonstrate that the
      ET process occurs within our temporal resolution of 120 fs, which is one of the
      fastest times recorded for organic photovoltaics. 

PMID- 26262655
TI  - Capping Ligand-Induced Self-Assembly for Quantum Dot Sensitized Solar Cells.
AB  - Quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSCs), having the advantages of low-cost
      assembling process, economically viable materials and intrinsic optoelectronic
      properties of QD sensitizers, are regarded as attractive candidates for the third
      generation solar cells. In spite of the previous unsatisfied performance resulted
      from poor sensitization, an increasing power conversion efficiency has been
      experimentally confirmed with the development of effective deposition approaches
      in the last five years. In this Perspective article, we present an overview on
      versatile QD deposition methods, regarding mainly the effective loading of QDs
      and surface chemistry issues. Linker-assisted assembly, a most efficient
      sensitizer deposition approach to achieve fast, uniform and dense coverage of the
      sensitizers on mesoporous TiO2 film electrode, will be discussed with emphasis.
      Recent advances based on this deposition technique in achieving high efficiency
      are presented. Also, combined efforts regarding the overall improvement of the
      device have been discussed to provide more possible access to higher power
      conversion efficiencies of the QDSCs. 

PMID- 26262656
TI  - Surface-Altered Protonation Studied by Photoelectron Spectroscopy and Reactive
      Dynamics Simulations.
AB  - The extent to which functional groups are protonated at aqueous interfaces as
      compared to bulk is deemed essential to several areas in chemistry and biology.
      The origin of such changes has been the source of intense debate. We use X-ray
      photoelectron spectroscopy and all-atom reactive molecular dynamics simulations
      as two independent methods to probe, at the molecular scale, both bulk and
      surface distributions of protonated species of cysteine in an aqueous solution.
      We show that the distribution of the cysteine species at the surface is quite
      different from that in the bulk. We argue that this finding, however, cannot be
      simply related to a change in the extent of proton sharing between the two
      conjugate acid/base pairs that may occur between these two regions. The present
      theoretical simulations identify species at the surface that are not present in
      the bulk. 

PMID- 26262657
TI  - Understanding DABCO Nanorotor Dynamics in Isostructural Metal-Organic Frameworks.
AB  - Flexible framework dynamics present in the subset of metal-organic frameworks
      known as soft porous crystals give rise to interesting structural properties that
      are unique to this class of materials. In this work, we use experiments and
      molecular simulation to understand the highly dynamic nanorotor behavior of the
      1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) ligand in the pillared Zn-DMOF and Zn-DMOF
      TM (TM = tetramethyl) structures. While DABCO is known to be displaced in the
      presence of water in the parent Zn-DMOF structure, the Zn-DMOF-TM variation is
      highly stable even after adsorbing significant amounts of water vapor. The
      dynamics of DABCO in the presence of water guest molecules is therefore also
      explored in the Zn-DMOF-TM structure via in situ NMR and IR experiments. This
      analysis shows that the rotational motion of the DABCO linkers is dependent on
      water content, but not a likely source of water instability because the dynamics
      are fast and largely unaffected by the presence of methyl functional groups. 

PMID- 26262659
TI  - Coherent Control of Photofragment Distributions Using Laser Phase Modulation in
      the Weak-Field Limit.
AB  - The possibility of quantum interference control of the final state distributions
      of photodissociation fragments by means of pure phase modulation of the pump
      laser pulse in the weak-field regime is demonstrated theoretically for the first
      time. The specific application involves realistic wave packet calculations of the
      transient vibrational populations of the Br2(B, v(f)) fragment produced upon
      predissociation of the Ne-Br2(B) complex, which is excited to a superposition of
      resonance states using pulses with different linear chirps. Transient phase
      effects on the fragment populations are found to persist for long times (about
      200 ps) after the pulse is over due to interference between overlapping
      resonances in Ne-Br2(B).

PMID- 26262658
TI  - VUV Photoelectron Spectroscopy of Cysteine Aqueous Aerosols: A Microscopic View
      of Its Nucleophilicity at Varying pH Conditions.
AB  - Cysteine (Cys) is unique due to its highly reactive thiol group. It often
      regulates the biological function of proteins by acting as the redox site.
      Despite its biological significance, however, the valence electronic structure of
      Cys under the aqueous environments remains unavailable. Here, we report the VUV
      photoelectron spectroscopy of Cys aqueous aerosols via a newly built aerosol VUV
      photoelectron spectroscopy apparatus. The photoelectron spectra of Cys show
      distinct band shapes at varying pH conditions, reflecting the altered molecular
      orbital characters when its dominating form changes. The ionization energy of Cys
      is determined to be 8.98 +/- 0.05 eV at low pH. A new feature at a binding energy
      of 6.97 +/- 0.05 eV is observed at high pH, suggesting that the negative charge
      on the thiolate group becomes the first electron to be removed upon ionization.
      This work implies that when Cys is involved in redox processes, the charge
      transfer mechanism may be entirely altered under different pH conditions. 

PMID- 26262660
TI  - Prospects and Limits of Energy Storage in Batteries.
AB  - Energy densities of Li ion batteries, limited by the capacities of cathode
      materials, must increase by a factor of 2 or more to give all-electric
      automobiles a 300 mile driving range on a single charge. Battery chemical couples
      with very low equivalent weights have to be sought to produce such batteries.
      Advanced Li ion batteries may not be able to meet this challenge in the near
      term. The state-of-the-art of Li ion batteries is discussed, and the challenges
      of developing ultrahigh energy density rechargeable batteries are identified.
      Examples of ultrahigh energy density battery chemical couples include Li/O2,
      Li/S, Li/metal halide, and Li/metal oxide systems. Future efforts are also
      expected to involve all-solid-state batteries with performance similar to their
      liquid electrolyte counterparts, biodegradable batteries to address environmental
      challenges, and low-cost long cycle-life batteries for large-scale energy
      storage. Ultimately, energy densities of electrochemical energy storage systems
      are limited by chemistry constraints. 

PMID- 26262645
TI  - Calcium Orthophosphate-Containing Biocomposites and Hybrid Biomaterials for
      Biomedical Applications.
AB  - The state-of-the-art on calcium orthophosphate (CaPO4)-containing biocomposites
      and hybrid biomaterials suitable for biomedical applications is presented. Since
      these types of biomaterials offer many significant and exciting possibilities for
      hard tissue regeneration, this subject belongs to a rapidly expanding area of
      biomedical research. Through the successful combinations of the desired
      properties of matrix materials with those of fillers (in such systems, CaPO4
      might play either role), innovative bone graft biomaterials can be designed.
      Various types of CaPO4-based biocomposites and hybrid biomaterials those are
      either already in use or being investigated for biomedical applications are
      extensively discussed. Many different formulations in terms of the material
      constituents, fabrication technologies, structural and bioactive properties, as
      well as both in vitro and in vivo characteristics have been already proposed.
      Among the others, the nano-structurally controlled biocomposites, those
      containing nanodimensional compounds, biomimetically fabricated formulations with
      collagen, chitin and/or gelatin, as well as various functionally graded
      structures seem to be the most promising candidates for clinical applications.
      The specific advantages of using CaPO4-based biocomposites and hybrid
      biomaterials in the selected applications are highlighted. As the way from a
      laboratory to a hospital is a long one and the prospective biomedical candidates
      have to meet many different necessities, the critical issues and scientific
      challenges that require further research and development are also examined. 

PMID- 26262661
TI  - Modeling the Growth Kinetics of Anodic TiO2 Nanotubes.
AB  - The fundamental understanding of the barrier layer (delta(b)) growth in TiO2
      nanotubes (NTs) is here established and compared with the classical metal
      oxidation theory from Mott and Cabrera. The role of delta(b) in the anodization
      of TiO2 NTs under different applied potentials and times was analyzed using
      scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). Contrary to the well-known case
      of anodic aluminum oxide, we found that delta(b) of TiO2 NTs progressively grows
      over time due to the nonsteady anodization regime. We then establish a relation
      between the phenomenological growth of the barrier layer with time and applied
      voltage, delta(b)(V,t) using the high-field Mott and Cabrera conduction theory.
      The developed model was found to be in excellent agreement with the experimental
      data from both STEM and anodization curves. On the basis of these results, the
      relationship between delta(b) and the anodization time and potential can now be
      quantitatively understood.

PMID- 26262662
TI  - Best Practices in Perovskite Solar Cell Efficiency Measurements. Avoiding the
      Error of Making Bad Cells Look Good.

PMID- 26262663
TI  - Know the Difference: Scientific Publications versus Scientific Reports.

PMID- 26262664
TI  - Single-Molecule Identification of Quenched and Unquenched States of LHCII.
AB  - In photosynthetic light harvesting, absorbed sunlight is converted to electron
      flow with near-unity quantum efficiency under low light conditions. Under high
      light conditions, plants avoid damage to their molecular machinery by activating
      a set of photoprotective mechanisms to harmlessly dissipate excess energy as
      heat. To investigate these mechanisms, we study the primary antenna complex in
      green plants, light-harvesting complex II (LHCII), at the single-complex level.
      We use a single-molecule technique, the Anti-Brownian Electrokinetic trap, which
      enables simultaneous measurements of fluorescence intensity, lifetime, and
      spectra in solution. With this approach, including the first measurements of
      fluorescence lifetime on single LHCII complexes, we access the intrinsic
      conformational dynamics. In addition to an unquenched state, we identify two
      partially quenched states of LHCII. Our results suggest that there are at least
      two distinct quenching sites with different molecular compositions, meaning
      multiple dissipative pathways in LHCII. Furthermore, one of the quenched
      conformations significantly increases in relative population under environmental
      conditions mimicking high light. 

PMID- 26262665
TI  - Boosting the Quantitative Inorganic Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Sensing to
      the Limit: The Case of Nitrite/Nitrate Detection.
AB  - A high-performance ionic-sensing platform has been developed by an
      interdisciplinary approach, combining the classical colorimetric Griess reaction
      and new concepts of nanotechnology, such as plasmonic coupling of nanoparticles
      and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy. This approach exploits
      the advantages of combined SERS/surface-enhanced resonant Raman Scattering
      (SERRS) by inducing the formation of homogeneous hot spots and a colored complex
      in resonance with the laser line, to yield detection limits for nitrite down to
      the subpicomolar level. The performance of this new method was compared with the
      classical Griess reaction and ionic chromatography showing detection limits about
      6 and 3 orders of magnitude lower, respectively. 

PMID- 26262666
TI  - Benefit of Grain Boundaries in Organic-Inorganic Halide Planar Perovskite Solar
      Cells.
AB  - The past 2 years have seen the uniquely rapid emergence of a new class of solar
      cell based on mixed organic-inorganic halide perovskite. Grain boundaries are
      present in polycrystalline thin film solar cell, and they play an important role
      that could be benign or detrimental to solar-cell performance. Here we present
      efficient charge separation and collection at the grain boundaries measured by
      KPFM and c-AFM in CH3NH3PbI3 film in a CH3NH3PbI3/TiO2/FTO/glass heterojunction
      structure. We observe the presence of a potential barrier along the grain
      boundaries under dark conditions and higher photovoltage along the grain
      boundaries compare to grain interior under the illumination. Also, c-AFM
      measurement presents higher short-circuit current collection near grain
      boundaries, confirming the beneficial roles grain boundaries play in collecting
      carriers efficiently. 

PMID- 26262667
TI  - Lead-Halide Perovskite Solar Cells by CH3NH3I Dripping on PbI2-CH3NH3I-DMSO
      Precursor Layer for Planar and Porous Structures Using CuSCN Hole-Transporting
      Material.
AB  - The sequential fabrication scheme of the CH3NH3PbI3 layer has been improved to
      fabricate planar-structure CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite solar cells using CuSCN hole
      transporting material (HTM). In the PbI2 layer fabricated by the spin-coating
      method, at first, small amounts of CH3NH3I (MAI) and DMSO were incorporated as
      the first-drip precursor layer on a flat TiO2 layer. On the first-drip precursor
      layers, an MAI solution was applied by either soaking (MAI-soaking method) or
      dripping using successive spin coating (MAI-dripping). The morphology and crystal
      transformations were observed by SEM and XRD, respectively. Using the normal
      sequential MAI-soaking method, we were unable to fabricate planar CH3NH3PbI3
      perovskite solar cells with CuSCN HTM. Using the MAI-dripping method, however, a
      significant photovoltaic effect has been observed to be planar <TiO2/CH3NH3PbI3
      perovskite/CuSCN> solar cells. 

PMID- 26262668
TI  - Butterfly-Shaped Diphenylpyrimidine Molecule: Tunable Photophysical Properties by
      Molecular Self-Assembly Pathways.
AB  - To understand the relationships between chemical structures, molecular packing
      structures, and photophysical properties of organic materials, a butterfly shaped
      diphenylpyrimidine molecule (abbreviated as DPP-6C12) was newly synthesized
      [Park, M.; Choi, Y.-J.; Kim, D.-Y.; Hwang, S.-H.; Jeong, K.-U. Cryst. Growth Des.
      2015, 15, 900-906]. By breaking the molecular symmetry and coplanarity of DPP
      6C12, peculiar monotropic phase transitions were observed. Based on two
      dimensional wide-angle X-ray diffraction and selected area electron diffraction,
      the molecular packing structures of ordered phases were identified, which were
      further confirmed by the computer simulations in the real and reciprocal spaces.
      Finally, we demonstrated that the photophysical properties of DPP-6C12 can be
      tuned by controlling the molecular packing structures with simple thermal
      treatments. 

PMID- 26262669
TI  - Reversible Switching of Tb(III) Emission by Sensitization from 2,3
      Dihydroxynaphthalene in an Isothermally Reversible Ionic Liquid.
AB  - A reversible room-temperature ionic liquid (ILO) was prepared by the addition of
      CO2 to an equimolar mixture of hexylamidine (AD) and butylamine (AN). The ILO and
      AD/AN mixture were cycled repeatedly by alternating the passage of CO2 and N2
      gases through the liquid. The ILO was utilized to sensitize very efficiently
      energy transfer to and emission by Tb(III) ions when 2,3-dihydroxynaphthalene
      (DHN) was irradiated. The emission was nearly completely quenched in the AD/AN
      mixture. The process described here is unique in its use of CO2 and N2 to "switch
      on and off" the emission by a lanthanide ion, Tb(III) in this case. In the
      corresponding amidinium dithiocarbamate ionic liquid (ILS), no appreciable
      Tb(III) emission was found due to quenching of the excited singlet state of DHN
      by thio groups. The ILS was not reconverted to the AD/AN mixture upon adding N2;
      N2 bubbling did not result in the displacement of CS2. 

PMID- 26262670
TI  - Perovskite Solar Cells: Beyond Methylammonium Lead Iodide.
AB  - Organic-inorganic lead halide based perovskites solar cells are by far the
      highest efficiency solution-processed solar cells, threatening to challenge thin
      film and polycrystalline silicon ones. Despite the intense research in this area,
      concerns surrounding the long-term stability as well as the toxicity of lead in
      the archetypal perovskite, CH3NH3PbI3, have the potential to derail
      commercialization. Although the search for Pb-free perovskites have naturally
      shifted to other transition metal cations and formulations that replace the
      organic moiety, efficiencies with these substitutions are still substantially
      lower than those of the Pb-perovskite. The perovskite family offers rich
      multitudes of crystal structures and substituents with the potential to uncover
      new and exciting photophysical phenomena that hold the promise of higher solar
      cell efficiencies. In addressing materials beyond CH3NH3PbI3, this Perspective
      will discuss a broad palette of elemental substitutions, solid solutions, and
      multidimensional families that will provide the next fillip toward market
      viability of the perovskite solar cells. 

PMID- 26262671
TI  - Chaotic Soliton Dynamics in Photoexcited trans-Polyacetylene.
AB  - We study the photogeneration of topological solitons in trans-polyacetylene and
      their time evolution using ab initio excited-state dynamics. The system is
      excited to the optically allowed 1(1)Bu state, and the atoms are then propagated
      classically using quantum mechanical forces computed using hybrid time-dependent
      density functional theory (TD-DFT). A soliton/antisoliton pair nucleates
      spontaneously and creates two independent solitons moving at constant velocity,
      similar to simulations based on uncorrelated lattice models like the Su
      Schrieffer-Heeger (SSH) Hamiltonian [Su, W. P.; Schrieffer, J. R.; Heeger, A. J.
      Phys. Rev. Lett. 1979, 42, 1698]. At T = 0, the solitons coalesce into bound
      pairs with a two-soliton functional form, whereas chaotic dynamics, in the form
      of 2-bounce resonances, is observed at soliton/antisoliton collisions at T ? 0.
      This behavior is related to the onset of a strong correlation regime at short
      intersoliton distance, which is not accounted for by SSH simulations.

PMID- 26262672
TI  - Buckybomb: Reactive Molecular Dynamics Simulation.
AB  - Energetic materials, such as explosives, propellants, and pyrotechnics, are
      widely used in civilian and military applications. Nanoscale explosives represent
      a special group because of the high density of energetic covalent bonds. The
      reactive molecular dynamics (ReaxFF) study of nitrofullerene decomposition
      reported here provides a detailed chemical mechanism of explosion of a nanoscale
      carbon material. Upon initial heating, C60(NO2)12 disintegrates, increasing
      temperature and pressure by thousands of Kelvins and bars within tens of
      picoseconds. The explosion starts with NO2 group isomerization into C-O-N-O,
      followed by emission of NO molecules and formation of CO groups on the buckyball
      surface. NO oxidizes into NO2, and C60 falls apart, liberating CO2. At the
      highest temperatures, CO2 gives rise to diatomic carbon. The study shows that the
      initiation temperature and released energy depend strongly on the chemical
      composition and density of the material. 

PMID- 26262673
TI  - Bioaccessibility of Polyphenols from Plant-Processing Byproducts of Black Carrot
      (Daucus carota L.).
AB  - Plant-processing byproducts of black carrot represent an important disposal
      problem for the industry; however, they are also promising sources of
      polyphenols, especially anthocyanins. The present study focused on the changes in
      polyphenols from black carrot, peel, and pomace during in vitro gastrointestinal
      digestion. Total phenolic content (TPC), total monomeric anthocyanin content
      (TMAC), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were determined using
      spectrophotometric methods, whereas identification and quantification of
      polyphenols were carried out using UPLC-ESI-MS(E) and HPLC-DAD, respectively.
      TPC, TMAC, and TAC significantly decreased (23-82%) as a result of in vitro
      gastrointestinal digestion. Nevertheless, the amount of pomace anthocyanins
      released at all stages of in vitro gastrointestinal digestion was higher than
      black carrot anthocyanins, suggesting that pomace may be a better source of
      bioaccessible anthocyanins. Overall, the current study highlighted black carrot
      byproducts as substantial sources of polyphenols, which may be used to enrich
      food products. 

PMID- 26262674
TI  - Lipid analysis of developing Camelina sativa seeds and cultured embryos.
AB  - Camelina sativa is a cultivated oilseed rich in triacylglycerols containing
      oleic, linoleic, alpha-linolenic and eicosenoic acids. As it holds promise as a
      model species, its lipid synthesis was characterized in vivo and in culture.
      Lipid accumulates at a maximum rate of about 26 MUg/day/seed (11.5 mg lipid/day/g
      fresh seed weight), a rate comparable with other oilseeds. Noteworthy is a late
      stage surge in alpha-linolenic acid accumulation. Small amounts of unusual epoxy
      and hydroxy fatty acids are also present in the triacylglycerols. These include
      15,16-epoxy- and 15-hydroxy-octadecadienoic acids and homologous series of omega7
      hydroxy-alk-omega9-enoic and omega9/10-hydroxy-alkanoic acids. Mid-maturation
      embryos cultured in vitro have growth and lipid deposition rates and fatty acid
      compositions that closely match that of seeds, but extended culture periods allow
      these rates to rise and surpass those observed in planta. Optimized thin layer
      chromatography systems for characterization of labeled products from acetate or
      glycerol labeling are described. Glycerol label is only found in acylglycerols,
      largely as the intact glyceryl backbone, but acetate can label acyl groups and
      sterols, the latter to a much higher relative specific activity. This presumably
      occurs because mevalonic acid precursor is derived from the non-plastid pool of
      acetyl-CoA that is also the source for malonyl-CoA to drive FAE1-dependent chain
      elongation. Particular attention has been paid to the separation of sterols and
      diacylglycerols, and to hydrogenation of triacylglycerols to simplify their
      analysis. These improved methods will allow more accurate analyses of the fluxes
      of lipid metabolism in cultured plant embryos.

PMID- 26262675
TI  - Isolation and molecular characterization of extracellular vesicles.

PMID- 26262676
TI  - Bridging the opposite chemistries of tantalum and tungsten polyoxometalates.
AB  - The disparate solubility, redox activity, and pH stability of the group V and
      group VI polyoxometalates (POMs) confer very different functionality on these
      species, and tailoring cluster properties by varying the ratio of group V to
      group VI metals poses both an opportunity and a synthetic challenge. A classic
      series of studies reported over 40 years ago provided some insight into W/Nb
      POMs, from which researchers have built on to date. However, the analogous W/Ta
      series has never been addressed in a systematic manner. Three members of this
      W/Ta series are presented here, synthesized from simple oxo- and peroxocoltanate
      precursors. [Ta3W3O19](5-) displays the Lindqvist-type structure, while
      [TaW9O32](5-) and [Ta2W8O32](6-) are isostructural with decatungstate ([W10O32](4
      )). Additionally, the use of peroxoniobate instead of hexaniobate as the starting
      material drives the formation of the decatungstate-type structure [NbW9O32](5-)
      instead of the Lindqvist ion that was established to be the foundational cluster
      geometry in prior work. The electronic structure of the Nb/Ta substituted
      decatungstates is directly related to the degree of substitution inasmuch as the
      HOMO-LUMO energy gap (Egap) slightly increases as more Nb/Ta atoms are
      incorporated into the structure. The poor mixing of the d-orbitals of Nb/Ta and W
      is responsible for the observed trends in the UV spectra and cyclic voltammetry.
      Moreover, the stability of the molecular frameworks in the gas phase is also
      related to the extent of substitution as revealed by electrospray mass
      spectrometry (ESI-MS). 

PMID- 26262677
TI  - Correction: Genetic Variants of IkappaB Kinase beta (IKBKB) and Polymerase beta
      (POLB) Were Not Associated with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Risk in a Chinese
      Han Population.

PMID- 26262678
TI  - Organized Sport Participation Is Associated with Higher Levels of Overall Health
      Related Physical Activity in Children (CHAMPS Study-DK).
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Many children fail to meet international guideline recommendations
      for health-related activity (>=60 minutes/day of moderate-to-vigorous physical
      activity [MVPA]), and intervention studies to date have reported negligible
      effects. OBJECTIVE: Explore the associations of organized leisure-time sport
      participation with overall physical activity levels and health-related physical
      activity guideline concordance. METHODS: This prospective cohort study was nested
      in the Childhood Health, Activity, and Motor Performance School Study Denmark.
      Study participants were a representative sample of 1124 primary school students.
      Organized leisure-time sport participation was reported via text messaging and
      physical activity was objectively measured over seven days with accelerometry.
      Associations between sport participation and physical activity level were
      explored with multilevel mixed-effects regression models and reported with beta
      coefficients (b) and adjusted odds ratios (aOR). RESULTS: Participants were 53%
      female, with mean(SD) age = 8.4(1.4) years. Boys were more active than girls
      (p<0.001), and physical activity levels and guideline concordance decreased with
      age (p<0.001). Soccer participation at any frequency was associated with greater
      overall MVPA (b[95% CI] = 0.66[0.20,1.13] to 2.44[1.44,3.44]). Depending on
      participation frequency, this equates to 5-20 minutes more MVPA on the average
      day and 3 to 15 fold increased odds of achieving recommended levels of health
      related physical activity (aOR[95%CI] = 3.04[1.49,6.19] to 14.49[1.97,106.56]).
      Similar associations were identified among children playing handball at least
      twice per week. Relationships with other sports (gymnastics, basketball,
      volleyball) were inconsistent. CONCLUSIONS: Many children, particularly girls and
      those in higher grade levels do not adhere to health-related physical activity
      recommendations. Organized leisure-time sport participation may be a viable
      strategy to increase overall health-related physical activity levels and
      international guideline concordance in children.

PMID- 26262679
TI  - Antibiotic Exposure and Other Risk Factors for Antimicrobial Resistance in Nasal
      Commensal Staphylococcus aureus: An Ecological Study in 8 European Countries.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become a global public health
      concern which threatens the effective treatment of bacterial infections.
      Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (including MRSA) increasingly appears in
      individuals with no healthcare associated risks. Our study assessed risk factors
      for nasal carriage of resistant S. aureus in a multinational, healthy, community
      based population, including ecological exposure to antibiotics. METHODS: Data
      were collected in eight European countries (Austria, Belgium, Croatia, France,
      Hungary, the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden). Commensal AMR patterns were assessed
      by collecting 28,929 nasal swabs from healthy persons (aged 4+). Ecological
      exposure to antibiotics was operationalized as systemic antibiotic treatment
      patterns, extracted from electronic medical records of primary care practices in
      which the participants were listed (10-27 per country). A multilevel analysis
      related AMR in nasal commensal S. aureus to antibiotic exposure and other risk
      factors (e.g. age and profession). RESULTS: Of the 6,093 S. aureus isolates, 77%
      showed resistance to at least one antibiotic. 7.1% exhibited multidrug resistance
      (defined as resistance to 3 or more antibiotic classes), and we found 78 cases
      MRSA (1.3%). A large variation in antibiotic exposure was found between and
      within countries. Younger age and a higher proportion of penicillin prescriptions
      in a practice were associated with higher odds for carriage of a resistant S.
      aureus. Also, we found higher multidrug resistance rates in participants working
      in healthcare or nurseries. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that in a
      population with no recent antibiotic use, the prescription behavior of the
      general practitioner affects the odds for carriage of a resistant S. aureus,
      highlighting the need for cautious prescribing in primary care. Finally, since
      variation in AMR could partly be explained on a national level, policy
      initiatives to decrease AMR should be encouraged at the national level within
      Europe.

PMID- 26262680
TI  - Anorectal Chlamydia trachomatis Load Is Similar in Men Who Have Sex with Men and
      Women Reporting Anal Sex.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Anorectal Chlamydia trachomatis (chlamydia) is frequently diagnosed
      in men who have sex with men (MSM) and in women, but it is unknown whether these
      infections are comparable in clinical impact and transmission potential.
      Quantifying bacterial load and identifying determinants associated with high
      bacterial load could provide more insight. METHODS: We selected a convenience
      sample of MSM who reported anal sex (n = 90) and women with concurrent
      urogenital/anorectal chlamydia who reported anal sex (n = 51) or did not report
      anal sex (n = 61) from the South Limburg Public Health Service's STI unit.
      Bacterial load (Chlamydia/ml) was quantified for all samples and log transformed
      for analyses. Samples with an unquantifiable human leukocyte antigen (n = 9) were
      excluded from analyses, as they were deemed inadequately sampled. RESULTS: The
      mean log anorectal chlamydia load (3.50) was similar for MSM and women who
      reported having anal sex (3.80, P = 0.21). The anorectal chlamydia load was
      significantly higher in these groups than in women who did not report having anal
      sex (2.76, P = 0.001). Detectable load values ranged from 1.81-6.32 chlamydia/ml
      for MSM, 1.74-7.33 chlamydia/ml for women who reported having anal sex and 1.84
      6.31 chlamydia/ml for women who did not report having anal sex. Symptoms and
      several other determinants were not associated with anorectal chlamydia load.
      CONCLUSIONS: Women who did not report anal sex had lower anorectal loads, but
      they were within a similar range to the other two groups. Anorectal chlamydia
      load was comparable between MSM and women who reported anal sex, suggesting
      similar transmission potential.

PMID- 26262681
TI  - Forest Cover Estimation in Ireland Using Radar Remote Sensing: A Comparative
      Analysis of Forest Cover Assessment Methodologies.
AB  - Quantification of spatial and temporal changes in forest cover is an essential
      component of forest monitoring programs. Due to its cloud free capability,
      Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) is an ideal source of information on forest
      dynamics in countries with near-constant cloud-cover. However, few studies have
      investigated the use of SAR for forest cover estimation in landscapes with highly
      sparse and fragmented forest cover. In this study, the potential use of L-band
      SAR for forest cover estimation in two regions (Longford and Sligo) in Ireland is
      investigated and compared to forest cover estimates derived from three national
      (Forestry2010, Prime2, National Forest Inventory), one pan-European (Forest Map
      2006) and one global forest cover (Global Forest Change) product. Two machine
      learning approaches (Random Forests and Extremely Randomised Trees) are
      evaluated. Both Random Forests and Extremely Randomised Trees classification
      accuracies were high (98.1-98.5%), with differences between the two classifiers
      being minimal (<0.5%). Increasing levels of post classification filtering led to
      a decrease in estimated forest area and an increase in overall accuracy of SAR
      derived forest cover maps. All forest cover products were evaluated using an
      independent validation dataset. For the Longford region, the highest overall
      accuracy was recorded with the Forestry2010 dataset (97.42%) whereas in Sligo,
      highest overall accuracy was obtained for the Prime2 dataset (97.43%), although
      accuracies of SAR-derived forest maps were comparable. Our findings indicate that
      spaceborne radar could aid inventories in regions with low levels of forest cover
      in fragmented landscapes. The reduced accuracies observed for the global and pan
      continental forest cover maps in comparison to national and SAR-derived forest
      maps indicate that caution should be exercised when applying these datasets for
      national reporting. 

PMID- 26262682
TI  - Post-Progression Survival after EGFR-TKI for Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
      Harboring EGFR Mutations.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients that harbor epidermal
      growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations benefit from receiving an EGFR-tyrosine
      kinase inhibitor (TKI); however, post-progression survival (PPS) after EGFR-TKI
      treatment has not been sufficiently studied. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed
      the clinical data from stage IV or recurrent NSCLC patients who harbored EGFR
      mutations and who received EGFR-TKI as their first-line treatment in our
      institute between 2009 and 2011. RESULTS: In total, 36 patients received EGFR-TKI
      treatment as their first-line therapy. Of those 36 patients, 30 experienced
      recurrence and were enrolled in this study. The median progression-free survival
      (PFS) of these patients was 8.2 months. Twelve patients received EGFR-TKI
      treatment beyond the diagnosis of progressive disease (PD), and 8 received second
      line therapy. The PPS after EGFR-TKI treatment was 9.1 months, and survival after
      the termination of EGFR-TKI treatment in those patients treated with second-line
      chemotherapy was 13.9 months. The site of relapse was investigated and PFS in
      EGFR-TKI-treated patients with relapse in the brain (11.6 months) showed a trend
      toward a longer PFS compared with patients with relapse at other sites (8.2
      months). The median PPS after EGFR-TKI treatment also showed the same trend in
      each group (12.9 and 9.2 months, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The PPS after EGFR
      TKI treatment failure was 9.1 months, while the survival of patients who
      underwent second-line chemotherapy after the termination of EGFR-TKI treatment
      was 13.9 months, comparable with the overall survival of EGFR mutation-negative
      patients, as previously reported. The prognosis of these NSCLC patients with EGFR
      mutations varied according to the sites of recurrence after first-line EGFR-TKI
      treatment. Of particular note was the prognosis of patients with brain
      metastases, which tended to be better than that of patients with metastases to
      other sites.

PMID- 26262683
TI  - Development of a Multiple Loci Variable Number of Tandem Repeats Analysis (MLVA)
      to Unravel the Intra-Pathovar Structure of Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae
      Populations Worldwide.
AB  - The bacterial canker of kiwifruit by Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae is an
      emblematic example of a catastrophic disease of fruit crops. In 2008 a new,
      extremely virulent form of the pathogen emerged and rapidly devastated many
      Actinidia spp. orchards all over the world. In order to understand differences in
      populations within this pathovar and to elucidate their diffusion and movements
      on world scale, it is necessary to be able to quickly and on a routine basis
      compare new isolates with previous records. In this report a worldwide collection
      of 142 strains was analyzed by MLVA, chosen as investigative technique for its
      efficacy, reproducibility, simplicity and low cost. A panel of 13 Variable Number
      of Tandem Repeats (VNTR) loci was identified and used to describe the pathogen
      population. The MLVA clustering is highly congruent with the population structure
      as previously established by other molecular approaches including whole genome
      sequencing and correlates with geographic origin, time of isolation and
      virulence. For convenience, we divided the VNTR loci in two panels. Panel 1
      assay, using six loci, recognizes 23 different haplotypes, clustered into ten
      complexes with highest congruence with previous classifications. Panel 2, with
      seven VNTR loci, provides discriminatory power. Using the total set of 13 VNTR
      loci, 58 haplotypes can be distinguished. The recent hypervirulent type shows
      very limited diversity and includes, beside the strains from Europe, New Zealand
      and Chile, a few strains from Shaanxi, China. A broad genetic variability is
      observed in China, but different types are also retrievable in Japan and Korea.
      The low virulent strains cluster together and are very different from the other
      MLVA genotypes. Data were used to generate a public database in MLVAbank. MLVA
      represents a very promising first-line assay for large-scale routine genotyping,
      prior to whole genome sequencing of only the most relevant samples. 

PMID- 26262684
TI  - In Vivo Effects of Free Form Astaxanthin Powder on Anti-Oxidation and Lipid
      Metabolism with High-Cholesterol Diet.
AB  - Astaxanthin extracted from Pomacea canaliculata eggs was made into free-form
      astaxanthin powder (FFAP) and its effects on lipid metabolism, liver function,
      antioxidants activities and astaxanthin absorption rate were investigated. 45
      hamsters were split into 5 groups and fed with normal diet, high-cholesterol
      control (0.2% cholesterol), 1.6FFAP (control+1.6% FFAP), 3.2FFAP (control+3.2%
      FFAP) and 8.0FFAP (control+8.0% FFAP), respectively, for 6 weeks. FFAP diets
      significantly decreased the liver total cholesterol, triglyceride levels and
      increased liver fatty acids (C20:5n3; C22:6n3) compositions. It decreased plasma
      alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase. In terms of anti
      oxidative activities, we found 8.0 FFAP diet significantly decreased plasma and
      liver malonaldehyde (4.96+/-1.96 MUg TEP eq./mL and 1.56+/-0.38 MUg TEP eq./g
      liver) and liver 8-isoprostane levels (41.48+/-13.69 MUg 8-ISOP/g liver). On the
      other hand, it significantly increased liver catalase activity (149.10+/-10.76
      MUmol/min/g liver), Vitamin C (2082.97+/-142.23 MUg/g liver), Vitamin E (411.32+/
      81.67 MUg/g liver) contents, and glutathione levels (2.13+/-0.42 mg GSH eq./g
      liver). Furthermore, 80% of astaxanthin absorption rates in all FFAP diet groups
      suggest FFAP is an effective form in astaxanthin absorption. Finally, astaxanthin
      was found to re-distribute to the liver and eyes in a dose dependent manner.
      Taken together, our results suggested that the appropriate addition of FFAP into
      high cholesterol diets increases liver anti-oxidative activity and reduces the
      concentration of lipid peroxidase and therefore, it may be beneficial as a
      material in developing healthy food. 

PMID- 26262685
TI  - Effects of Carbenoxolone on the Canine Pituitary-Adrenal Axis.
AB  - Cushing's disease caused by pituitary corticotroph adenoma is a common endocrine
      disease in dogs. A characteristic biochemical feature of corticotroph adenomas is
      their relative resistance to suppressive negative feedback by glucocorticoids.
      The abnormal expression of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11HSD), which is
      a cortisol metabolic enzyme, is found in human and murine corticotroph adenomas.
      Our recent studies demonstrated that canine corticotroph adenomas also have
      abnormal expression of 11HSD. 11HSD has two isoforms in dogs, 11HSD type1
      (HSD11B1), which converts cortisone into active cortisol, and 11HSD type2
      (HSD11B2), which converts cortisol into inactive cortisone. It has been suggested
      that glucocorticoid resistance in corticotroph tumors is related to the
      overexpression of HSD11B2. Therefore it was our aim to investigate the effects of
      carbenoxolone (CBX), an 11HSD inhibitor, on the healthy dog's pituitary-adrenal
      axis. Dogs were administered 50 mg/kg of CBX twice each day for 15 days. During
      CBX administration, no adverse effects were observed in any dogs. The plasma
      adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and serum cortisol and cortisone
      concentrations were significantly lower at day 7 and 15 following corticotropin
      releasing hormone stimulation. After completion of CBX administration, the
      HSD11B1 mRNA expression was higher, and HSD11B2 mRNA expression was significantly
      lower in the pituitaries. Moreover, proopiomelanocortin mRNA expression was
      lower, and the ratio of ACTH-positive cells in the anterior pituitary was also
      significantly lower after CBX treatment. In adrenal glands treated with CBX,
      HSD11B1 and HSD11B2 mRNA expression were both lower compared to normal canine
      adrenal glands. The results of this study suggested that CBX inhibits ACTH
      secretion from pituitary due to altered 11HSD expressions, and is potentially
      useful for the treatment of canine Cushing's disease. 

PMID- 26262686
TI  - A Novel Matrix Protein Hic31 from the Prismatic Layer of Hyriopsis Cumingii
      Displays a Collagen-Like Structure.
AB  - In this study, we clone and characterize a novel matrix protein, hic31, from the
      mantle of Hyriopsis cumingii. The amino acid composition of hic31 consists of a
      high proportion of Glycine residues (26.67%). Tissue expression detection by RT
      PCR indicates that hic31 is expressed specifically at the mantle edge. In situ
      hybridization results reveals strong signals from the dorsal epithelial cells of
      the outer fold at the mantle edge, and weak signals from inner epithelial cells
      of the same fold, indicating that hic31 is a prismatic-layer matrix protein.
      Although BLASTP results identify no shared homology with other shell-matrix
      proteins or any other known proteins, the hic31 tertiary structure is similar to
      that of collagen I, alpha 1 and alpha 2. It has been well proved that collagen
      forms the basic organic frameworks in way of collagen fibrils and minerals
      present within or outside of these fibrils. Therefore, hic31 might be a framework
      matrix protein involved in the prismatic-layer biomineralization. Besides, the
      gene expression of hic31 increase in the early stages of pearl sac development,
      indicating that hic31 may play important roles in biomineralization of the pearl
      prismatic layer. 

PMID- 26262687
TI  - Fast, Simple and Accurate Handwritten Digit Classification by Training Shallow
      Neural Network Classifiers with the 'Extreme Learning Machine' Algorithm.
AB  - Recent advances in training deep (multi-layer) architectures have inspired a
      renaissance in neural network use. For example, deep convolutional networks are
      becoming the default option for difficult tasks on large datasets, such as image
      and speech recognition. However, here we show that error rates below 1% on the
      MNIST handwritten digit benchmark can be replicated with shallow non
      convolutional neural networks. This is achieved by training such networks using
      the 'Extreme Learning Machine' (ELM) approach, which also enables a very rapid
      training time (~ 10 minutes). Adding distortions, as is common practise for
      MNIST, reduces error rates even further. Our methods are also shown to be capable
      of achieving less than 5.5% error rates on the NORB image database. To achieve
      these results, we introduce several enhancements to the standard ELM algorithm,
      which individually and in combination can significantly improve performance. The
      main innovation is to ensure each hidden-unit operates only on a randomly sized
      and positioned patch of each image. This form of random 'receptive field'
      sampling of the input ensures the input weight matrix is sparse, with about 90%
      of weights equal to zero. Furthermore, combining our methods with a small number
      of iterations of a single-batch backpropagation method can significantly reduce
      the number of hidden-units required to achieve a particular performance. Our
      close to state-of-the-art results for MNIST and NORB suggest that the ease of use
      and accuracy of the ELM algorithm for designing a single-hidden-layer neural
      network classifier should cause it to be given greater consideration either as a
      standalone method for simpler problems, or as the final classification stage in
      deep neural networks applied to more difficult problems. 

PMID- 26262688
TI  - [THE JOURNAL'S SPINE].

PMID- 26262689
TI  - [NUTRITION, SURGERY AND PROGRAMMES OF MULTIMODAL REHABILITATION].

PMID- 26262691
TI  - [FREQUENTLY USED VEGETABLE OILS IN SOUTH AMERICA: FEATURES AND PROPERTIES].
AB  - In recent decades, the consumption of vegetable oils has increased in our
      society, being an important part of the diet worldwide. South America is a major
      producer of an important variety of vegetable oils. The composition of vegetable
      oils is not standard as it varies greatly in the amount of saturated,
      monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, and particularly in the amounts
      of omega-6 and omega-3, which are associated with the source either plant
      species, seed, plant or fruit, providing different nutritional benefits. The
      purpose of this article is to review and update the data and evidence about the
      consumption of oils produced and commercialized in South America, such as soybean
      oil, corn, palm, sunflower, canola and olive oils, and also to determine health
      effects from studies related with the topic. 

PMID- 26262690
TI  - [BREAST MILK AS A VEHICLE OF TRANSMISSION OF VIRUS].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: breast milk, besides being a source of feeding for children, it can
      be a vehicle for transmission of some infectious diseases. AIM: to revise the
      main viral agents which can be acquired for children through breast milk and its
      possible clinical implication. MATERIAL: literature search was made in different
      databases and books. RESULTS: date on the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and
      2, human T-lymphotropic virus, cytomegalovirus, hepatitis A, B and C virus,
      herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, varicella zoster virus and other viruses are
      exposed in detail. CONCLUSIONS: the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and 2,
      human T-lymphotropic virus and cytomegalovirus in preterm newborns or low birth
      weight are the most frequent viruses that cause infection or illness in children
      as a result of its transmission through breast milk. For other viruses, such as
      varicella zoster, hepatitis A or hepatitis B, the immunoprophylaxis of the
      newborn, through the administration of immunoglobulin and vaccine, protect
      children against their transmission.

PMID- 26262692
TI  - USEFULNESS OF Beta-HYDROXY-Beta-METHYLBUTYRATE (HMB) SUPPLEMENTATION IN DIFFERENT
      SPORTS: AN UPDATE AND PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: although ?-hydroxy-?-methylbutyrate (HMB) is generally marketed as
      a supplement for increasing muscle mass and strength, it is still not fully
      understood how and in which particular sports and conditions HMB can be more
      effective. AIMS: the primary purpose of this review is to update and summarize
      the current knowledge about the usefulness of HMB and to organize this
      information by different sports with specific reference to sports with high wear
      and tear phenomena as soccer, rugby or football. METHODS: a search was performed
      in PubMed database. This review presents the results about HMB use in sport.
      RESULTS: the articles identified in this review support the notion that HMB could
      help to attenuate tissue catabolism and initiate muscle anabolism particularly in
      untrained individuals exposed to strenuous exercise or when trained individual
      are exposed to periods of high physical stress. HMB could therefore be applied in
      some specific periods of athlete's season where there are high-intensity training
      periods, high density of competitions and little recovery time between them,
      starting recovery phases from an injury period and/or any other different
      situation where performance or recovery could be affected by a great catabolic
      environment. CONCLUSION: this update contributes to clarify and define possible
      mechanisms and/or effectiveness of HMB supplementation related to endurance
      sports (i.e. cycling and athletics), strength-power sports (i.e. resistance
      training, football, rugby, soccer, judo, waterpolo and rowing) and recreational
      activities.

PMID- 26262693
TI  - NUTRITIONAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF SPIRULINA (ARTHROSPIRA).
AB  - Undernutrition constitutes a public health problem particularly in developing
      countries. The utilization of algae, particularly Spirulina, as a functional food
      was suggested decades ago due to the fact that it is not only a protein-dense
      food source, but because its amino acid profile is considered as of high biologic
      value protein content. Spirulina provides essential fats (e.g., gamma-linolenic
      oleic acids), concomitant to low content nucleic acids. It also has an
      exceptionally high content of vitamin B12, is a good source of beta-carotene,
      iron, calcium and phosphorous. Moreover, Spirulina has also proven to have good
      acceptance as of its organoleptic properties (thus making it a possible prospect
      for food or a nutrition supplement) and it has not exhibited neither acute nor
      chronic toxicities, making it safe for human consumption. 

PMID- 26262694
TI  - [THE INFLUENCE OF THE POLYUNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS IN THE PREVENTION AND PROMOTION
      OF CANCER].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: each year, almost eight million people die in the world due to
      cancer. Carcinogenesis is a process that involves a series of structural
      alterations of the DNA which affect its stability and prevents proper cell
      reproduction and development. There are many factors that influence the cancer
      etiology. Nutritional factors are included among them. The polyunsaturated fatty
      acids (PUFA) intake is associated more and more with the prevention and
      development of chronic diseases with an inflammatory component such as cancer.
      OBJECTIVE: this work reviews the latest bibliography on the PUFA and its
      relationship with the cancer, mainly of prostate, breast and colon cancer.
      METHODS: the preliminary search resulted in 92 selected references. But, after
      their review, 40 experimental studies, in animals and in vitro, and
      epidemiological studies have been included. RESULTS: experimental studies in
      animals and in vitro reviewed show a protective effect of omega3 PUFA against
      cancer. However, human studies are contradictory; although it is clear there is
      evidence of the protective effect of the omega3 PUFA in colon cancer prevention.
      CONCLUSION: the relationship between omega6 and omega3 PUFA of the diet against
      the cancer risk is becoming increasingly important, but further studies are
      needed to confirm their influence on the development of this disease.

PMID- 26262695
TI  - [NUTRITIONAL COMPONENTS AND MACULAR DEGENERATION AGE-RELATED].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: nutritional components such as antioxidants may modify the risk of
      Macular Degeneration Age-related (AMD). This article is a systematic review of
      published studies relating to the modification of lifestyle, nutrition and
      vitamin intake to prevent or delay the onset or progression of Macular
      Degeneration Age-related (AMD). RESULTS: the analysis of the results of research
      consulted shows that AMD is one of the most common causes of blindness in
      individuals over 55 years. AMD is characterized by decreased vision,
      metamorphopsias, macropsias, micropsias and central scotoma. Disease that must be
      diagnosed early because it can lead to irreversible blindness. Between components
      of the diet in many epidemiological studies have shown an inverse association
      with AMD and are reviewed in this paper are: vitamins (vitamin E and C), minerals
      (eg. zinc, selenium, manganese and copper) and carotenoids. CONCLUSIONS: there is
      substantial evidence that can be applied nutritional support for patients with
      AMD. This requires determining the nutritional benefits of these nutrients
      (vitamins, minerals and carotenoids) or nutraceutical foods for health in this
      group of patients.

PMID- 26262696
TI  - [EVALUATION OF THE BODY ADIPOSITY INDEX IN PREDICTING PERCENTAGE BODY FAT AMONG
      COLOMBIAN ADULTS].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: the body adiposity index (BAI) is a new simplistic method for
      predicting body fat percentage (BF%) via a simple equation of hip circumference
      to height. Up to now, few studies have evaluated the performance of BAI in
      determining excess fat in Colombians. The aim of this study was to evaluate the
      usefulness of BAI as a predictor of body fat in among Colombian adults. METHODS:
      cross-sectional study carried out in a sample of 204 male belonging to the
      education sector from Bogota, Colombia. BAI was calculated based on the equation
      reported in the Bergman et al. %BF determined by tetrapolar bioimpedance analysis
      (BIA) was used as the reference measure of adiposity. Bland-Altman analysis was
      used to assess the agreement between the two methods: BAI and BIA. Associations
      between anthropometric measures of adiposity were investigated by Pearson
      correlation analysis. RESULTS: in general pupulation, the BAI overestimates %BF
      (mean difference: 12.5 % [95%CI = -4.04 % to -21.02 %]), mainly at lower levels
      of adiposity (mean difference: 10.2 +/- 3.3). Significant correlations were found
      between BAI and all measurements, being the strongest-moderate correlation with
      %BF (r = 0.777, p < 0.001), waist to height ratio (r = 0.557, p < 0.001) and BMI
      (r = 0.480, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: the results of this investigation indicate
      that BAI results in large individual errors when predicting BF% among Colombian
      adults and has a tendency to provide overestimated values as BF% decreases.
      Therefore, this method can be a useful tool to predict %BF in Colombian adults,
      although it has some limitations.

PMID- 26262697
TI  - [CONSUMPTION OF CHEESE AND MILK AND CHRONIC DISEASES ASSOCIATED WITH OBESITY,
      FRIEND OR FOE?].
AB  - Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and especially the obstruction of the coronary
      arteries are the main health expenditure in most of the countries. However,
      France, according to WHO, has the lowest mortality from these causes but shows a
      high dietary intake of saturated fats, known as the French paradox. In addition,
      consumption of wine, small food intakes, regular exercise, increased intake of
      fruits and vegetables rich in dietary fiber, flavonoids and phytosterols and also
      cheese comsumption, are factors which together contribute to the paradox. There
      areseveral studies which link fat intake and CVD but not showing a high
      correlation. This fact could be justified by the divergent effect of saturated
      fat on lipoproteins. Dairy products content saturated fats, however
      recentlystudies have found an inverse correlation between its consumption and
      CVD, possibly due to their content of trans fatty acid palmitoleic, which allows
      to increase the levels of HDL cholesterol, decrease C reactive protein and
      triglicerides. In general, dairy products have an important variety of nutrients
      which can have several health benefits improving the response to insulin,
      adiponectin levels increase and decrease the presence of obesity, among other
      effects. Meanwhile, consumption of cheese, may have positive health effects, for
      example, is able toprevent cardiovascular infarctions, descend plasma TAGs and
      increases HDL cholesterol. This paper shows the results of several studies
      linking consumption of cheese with non-communicable diseases with special
      emphasis on CVD. The displayed data allow us to conclude that regular consumption
      has more beneficial than detrimental effects. 

PMID- 26262698
TI  - [NUTRITIONAL STATUS AND PHYSICAL CAPACITY IN 4 TO 7-YEAR-OLD STUDENTS IN A
      CHILEAN PUBLIC SCHOOL 2014].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: overweight and obesity in children have experienced a significant
      increase around the world, however, there are regional differences due to many
      factors. Furthermore, evidence have showed that physical capacity in children has
      been affected as well. For this reason, the study goal was to assess nutritional
      status and physical capacity in 4 to 7-year-old children in a public school from
      South Chile. METHODS: 351 students (6.1 years, SD = 1.13; 47.3% men) completed
      the study. To determine nutritional status, body mass index and Z-scores from
      World Health Organisation were used. Body fat percentage was measured with
      skinfold anthropometry. To assess physical capacity, 6-minute walking test (6MWT)
      was used. RESULTS: overweight prevalence was 27.0% (range 21-32%), while obesity
      had 39.9% (range 33-50%), no gender differences were observed (p = 0.84). Mean
      body fat percentage was 19.1% in men and 20.9% in women (p = 0.02). For 6MWT,
      differences were found for age (p < 0.001) with an overall range of 421.5 to
      540.2 mt. DISCUSSION: our results showed a high prevalence of overweight and
      obese students. These results are higher than observed in other regions around
      the world. This study is a call for action in promoting healthy lifestyle through
      comprehensive programs in public schools.

PMID- 26262699
TI  - [PRE-OPERATIVE IRON DEFICIENCY IN BARIATRIC SURGERY: DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: chronic inflammation induced by obesity alters iron homeostasis
      leading to mild /moderate iron deficiency and anaemia. Between 14% and 43% of
      patients may suffer from iron deficiency without anaemia before surgery. The
      management of peri-operative iron deficiency improves patient outcome and quality
      of life. Under certain circumstances intravenous (IV) iron must be considered. IV
      iron (which may avoid iron blockage in enterocytes and macrophages) has turned
      out to be a safe and efficient alternative. Objetives: 1) To assess the
      prevalence of iron deficiency in morbidly obese patients candidates for bariatric
      surgery. 2) Assess whether supplementation of parenteral iron in iron-deficient
      patients is effective in preventing the decrease in hematocrit after surgery.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: prospective, observational study which included 89
      morbidly obese patients who underwent bariatric surgery. The population was
      divided according to whether or not patients had pre-op iron deficiency, and post
      op evolution was analyzed. Iron-deficient patients were supplemented with 500 mg
      of intravenous (IV) carboximaltose and were evaluated post-op. RESULTS: twenty
      three patients (25.8%) presented preop iron deficiency pre-operatively while six
      (6.74%) had anemia. 74.2% (66 patients) had no iron deficiency. The group without
      iron deficiency at one month of surgery had the following laboratory values:
      Hematocrit: 41.30% +/- 3.77; hemoglobin: 13.64 g/l +/- 1.25 and transferrin
      saturation: 30.55 %. The patients with pre-op iron deficiency had the following
      values: Hematocrit: 40.40% +/- 3.03; hemoglobin: 13.40 g/l +/- 1.07; transferrin
      saturation: 15.50% +/- 4.18, and ferritin: 87.10 ng/ml +/- 81.23. Post-op
      hematocrit reduction was 38.40% +/- 3.17 (p: 0.034). In iron-deficient patients
      without IV iron supplementation (n=15), hematocrit and hemoglobin were 41.2% +/-
      2.5 and 13.7 g/l +/- 0.9 respectively with post-op reduction (37.5% +/- 3.4 and
      12.3 g/l p < 0.05). IV iron supplementation in iron-deficient patients (n = 9)
      increased hemoglobin (13.5 g/l +/- 0.7), compared with the pre-op (12.8 g/l +/-
      1.2; p: 0.05), as well as transferrin saturation and ferritin. One month after
      surgery there were no significant changes in hematocrit (pre-op: 39%, post-op:
      40% p: > 0.05). DISCUSSION: 1) Almost 26% of patients present pre-op iron
      deficiency. 2) Treatment with IV iron seems to be efficient to prevent hematocrit
      reduction and to improve iron metabolism in pre-op iron-deficient patients. In
      patients without iron deficiency, hematocrit and iron metabolism remain normal
      one month after surgery without the need for iron supplementation.

PMID- 26262700
TI  - PROTEIN MALNUTRITION INCIDENCE COMPARISON AFTER GASTRIC BYPASS VERSUS
      BILIOPANCREATIC DIVERSION.
AB  - BACKGROUND: bariatric surgery is widely employed nowadays. Nutritional
      complications following malabsorptive bariatric surgery are common. OBJECTIVES:
      to compare protein malnutrition incidence, the amount of protein intake and the
      influence of various risk factors in patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass
      (RYGB) and biliopancreatic diversion (BPD). METHODS: retrospective study
      comparing the development of hypoalbuminemia in 92 patients undergoing BPD and
      121 RYGB, before surgery and 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after it. Protein intake
      was estimated by serum prealbumin. The influence of prior body mass index (BMI),
      age and sex was analyzed. RESULTS: hypoprealbuminemia was found in around 40% of
      patients 3 months after both procedures, decreasing to about 10% after 2 years of
      surgery. Hypoalbuminemia incidence was close to 20% in the first post-surgery
      year in BPD, persisting in 10-15% of cases thereafter. After RYGB,
      hypoalbuminemia incidence was lower (5-9% in all postoperative follow-up
      measurements). During the first year after surgery, hypoalbuminemia was more
      frequent after BPD than after RYGB (at the 3rd month (OR:3.9; p=0.006; 95%CI:1.5
      10.4), 6th (OR:5.0; p=0.002; 95% CI:1.8-13.8), and at the 12th month
      (OR:4.4;p=0.007;95%;CI:1.5-12.8)), but not after the first year. A higher
      preoperative BMI favored it (OR: 1.03; p=0.046; 95% CI:1-1.06), as well as
      greater age during the first 6 months. CONCLUSION: Patients with BPD had a higher
      risk for hypoproteinemia than those undergoing RYGB, especially during the first
      year post-surgery. Higher preoperative BMI, and age (in the short-term period)
      could have a significant inverse relation to hypoproteinemia.

PMID- 26262701
TI  - SHORT-TERM CHANGES IN MACRONUTRIENT INTAKE IN MORBIDLY OBESE PATIENTS UNDERGOING
      BILIOPANCREATIC DIVERSION: A LONGITUDINAL STUDY.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: biliopancreatic diversion (BPD) has been shown to be one of the
      most effective techniques for losing weight, although nutritional education also
      might play an important role. Our aim was to determine the effect of the
      combination of a nutrition educational program (NEP) and BPD on changes in the
      intake of energy and macronutrients after the surgery. METHODOLOGY: this
      longitudinal study included all patients eligible for BPD who filled in a dietary
      record. Two assessments were performed: six weeks before and twelve months after
      surgery. The nutrition educational program was given two weeks after surgery by a
      registered dietitian and a 3-day food record was collected for further analysis
      at both of the assessments. RESULTS: 68 patients were included. The percentage of
      excess weight loss was 60.76% (SD 14.50%). A year after the surgery there was a
      reduction of energy (-602.27 kcal [SD 930.19 kcal], p < 0.001), fat (-41.70 g [SD
      77.87 g], p < 0.001), percentage of fat (-4.79% [SD 11.38%], p = 0.001), and an
      increase in the percentage of protein (+ 2.72% [SD 7.10%], p = 0.002). A lower
      consumption of fat, especially of polyunsaturated fatty acids, was observed in
      the patients that achieved the nutritional recommendations and in the super-obese
      patients. CONCLUSION: The combination of NEP and BPD resulted in an improvement
      in the nutritional profile, with a reduction of fat and maintenance of the
      protein intake.

PMID- 26262702
TI  - [NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS FROM MEXICO IN RELATION WITH THEIR
      LIFESTYLE].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: the change in lifestyle and nutrition has led to growing obesity;
      in Mexico there has been significant increase in its prevalence. The problem was
      thought limited to adult population, but it also affects children, adolescents
      and young adults. Obesity at an early stage of life, subsequently leads to
      obesity in adult life. Apparently few attempts with College students have being
      reported. OBJECTIVES: relate the effect of anthropometry and physical condition
      with dietary habits, physical activity and smoking addiction in students of a
      public university of Mexico, in order to establish a diagnosis of their
      nutritional status. METHODS: one hundred and seventy eight students, were
      measured obtaining: body weight, height, waist and hip circumference, body
      composition and blood pressure. A questionnaire to determine their physical
      activity was applied, a dietary assessment was also collected and socioeconomic
      status was established. Data were analyzed statistically by the method of least
      squares. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: individuals classified as over-weighted, with
      obesity class 1 and class 2, accounted for 48.87% of the total population; more
      overweight and obesity was found in men compared with women, affecting negatively
      the value of blood pressure. This deteriorating health was attributable to poor
      eating habits: skipping breakfast and consumption of fast food. Smoking was
      revealed as a major risk factor since it adversely affected nutritional status.

PMID- 26262703
TI  - BODY ADIPOSITY INDEX AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS IN ADULTS: METHOD AND LOGISTICS OF A
      POPULATION-BASED STUDY.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: obesity is a public health problem that has increased considerably.
      Several techniques have been developed and used to measure the amount of body
      fat, or a combination of excess fat with some comorbidities. The Body Adiposity
      Index is a new method proposed to determine body fat and its validation is still
      limited. Methods and logistics of a population-based study reported in the
      literature are few, mainly multidiciplinas team. OBJECTIVE: the objective was to
      report the proceedings of a population-based study, the denouement is the index
      of adiposity in adults. DESIGN: the design of this study was cross-sectional,
      with a sample of 1085 adults aged 20-59 years living in the city of Vicosa, MG. A
      questionnaire was applied at home with sociodemographic, behavioral issues,
      health and level of physical activity. Then anthropometric and biochemical data
      were collected. The training for data collection involved the calibration of
      evaluators, being the correlation between the measurements checked by the
      intraclass correlation test and was adopted as the acceptable value of 0.60.
      RESULTS: it is noted that, with the exception of assessors 1, the triceps and
      subscapular skin folds, and the evaluator 4, in the pectoral skinfolds and
      suprailiac, all other measures reached acceptable cutoff point for agreement
      among evaluators. CONCLUSIONS: multidisciplinary research is important to
      understand the various factors that may be operating in health and disease
      process tool. Methodological and logistical aspects described in this study
      should be followed, which will lead to a steady decrease in research biases.

PMID- 26262704
TI  - [EFFECT OF A HEALTHY EATING AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY INTERVENTION PROGRAM ON
      CHILHOOD OBESITY].
AB  - BACKGROUND: interventions aiming to develop healthy lifestyle behaviours at early
      age could be an effective way of reducing childhood obesity. AIMS: to evaluate
      the effect of a dietary and physical activity intervention on reducing childhood
      obesity. METHODS: 312 students took part on this 5 month intervention study. The
      intervention included dietary talk delivered to children and their parents in
      addition to 45 minutes of daily physical activity modules. Nutritional status was
      assessed using the Obesity Task Force criteria. Changes in dietary behaviours and
      physical activity were assessed using questionnaires administrated to the
      parents. RESULTS: body mass index decreased significantly post intervention (-0.2
      kg.m-2), however, this reduction was driven by boys (-0.3 kg.m-2). Similarly,
      waist circumference shows a significant reduction in boys (-0.4 cm) but not
      girls. Children with overweight or obesity shows greater reductions in obesity
      related traits, which were related to changes in dietary and physical activity
      post interventions. CONCLUSIONS: multidisciplinary interventions applied to
      children between 5 and 7 years old are effective on reducing body mass index and
      improving dietary and physical activity behaviours in overweight and obese
      children.

PMID- 26262705
TI  - PREVALENCE OF FACTORS ASSOCIATED TO METABOLIC SYNDROME IN A COHORT OF CHILDREN IN
      SOUTH BRAZIL.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: the Metabolic Syndrome is a group of disorders and it has gaining
      importance due to its association with the subsequent development of
      cardiovascular diseases. OBJECTIVES: to determine the prevalence of risk factors
      associated to the metabolic syndrome in children from a cohort in Southern
      Brazil. METHODS: a prospective cohort study with hospital screening of all births
      (2741) occurred from September 2002 to May 2003, monitoring a random sample of
      30.0% at one, three and six months and eight years old. During the visit at the
      age of eight years, a questionnaire containing questions related to nutrition,
      physical activity and family history of chronic diseases. Also, weight, height
      and the waist circumference were measured. Descriptive and bivariate analyzes
      between independent variables and the outcome were performed. Results y
      discussion: from the 616 studied children, 51.3% were male, 70.3% had white,
      about half belonged to the economic class C, 20.5% were overweight and 16.9% were
      obese. There was high prevalence of family history for hypertension (81.5%), and
      was observed that 20.7% of the eutrophic children showed elevated waist
      circumference. CONCLUSION: the high prevalence of risk factors for the metabolic
      syndrome found in the studied children reinforces the importance of proper
      medical history including family history. It is suggested to include the
      measurement of waist circumference in routine pediatric care.

PMID- 26262706
TI  - THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN PRE-PREGNANCY OBESITY AND WEIGHT GAIN IN PREGNANCY, WITH
      GROWTH DEVIATIONS IN NEWBORNS.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: obesity in pregnancy has been associated with increased morbidity
      for the mother and fetus. OBJECTIVE: to quantify the association between obesity
      in pregnancy with growth deviations of their newborn infants. METHODS: a study of
      non-matched cases and controls was performed based on the Nuevo Civil Hospital of
      Guadalajara "Dr. Juan I Menchaca" 2012-2013. The dependent variables were the
      newborn being either large (LGA) or small for gestational age (SGA), and the
      independent variable was pre-pregnancy obesity. Gynecoobstetric and socioeconomic
      data were collected. The association between the dependent and independent
      variables was assessed with logistic regression. RESULTS: one-hundred and forty
      three mother-child dyads were studied with growth deviations of their newborn
      infants, and 137 mother-child dyads without growth deviations were studied. The
      age of the patients was 24.7 +/- 6.3 vs. 24.0 +/- 6.0 years, and the gestational
      age was 38 +/- 1.2 vs. 38 +/- 1.5. Factors associated with growth deviations were
      pre-pregnancy obesity (OR 2.65, 95% CI 1.29- 5.44), elevated weight gain during
      pregnancy (OR 1.98, 95% CI 1.04-3.76) and disease during pregnancy (OR 2.62, 95%
      CI 1.05-6.76). A multivariate model with the dependent variable LGA and
      associated covariates showed that pre-pregnancy obesity and high gestational
      weight gain were predictors of LGA (OR 2.43, 95% CI 1.10-5.40) and (OR 3.31, 95%
      CI 1.83-5.96). CONCLUSIONS: in a population of young women with scarce economic
      resources, pre-pregnancy obesity and high weight gain during pregnancy were
      predictors of LGA.

PMID- 26262707
TI  - FOOD CONSUMPTION PATTERNS DURING PREGNANCY: A LONGITUDINAL STUDY IN A REGION OF
      THE NORTH EAST OF BRAZIL.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: the nutritional panorama in Brazil indicates that the dietary
      patterns of the population is characterized by the increasing inclusion of
      saturated and trans fats, sodium, sugars, soft drinks. This epidemiological and
      nutritional challenges reflects in the patterns of illness and death. OBJECTIVE:
      this study aims to identify patterns of food consumption and dietary changes in
      the first and third trimester of pregnancy. METHODOLOGY: this is a prospective
      cohort study involving 185 pregnant women in the State of Bahia, from 2012 to
      2013. We used a food frequency questionnaire to assess dietary intakes. To
      identify the dietary pattern, the principal components factor analysis was
      adopted. We used the Pearson correlation test to identify the correlation between
      the patterns extracted in each trimester. RESULTS: four patterns of food
      consumption during pregnancy were identified. We observed changes in the eating
      patterns over the trimesters evaluated, especially for the food groups of fruit,
      coffee, fats, fried snacks, sugar and sweets. DISCUSSION: these dietary changes
      throughout the pregnancy accompany the physiological changes of each period of
      the pregnancy. In the first trimester, symptoms of nausea and vomiting are
      common, whereas in the same period cravings is reported, which may justify the
      consumption of a larger quantity of food deemed unhealthy. CONCLUSION: it was
      observed that there were changes in the adoption of dietary pattern throughout
      the evaluated trimesters of pregnancy, especially for the groups of fruit,
      coffee, fats, fried snacks and sugar and sweets.

PMID- 26262708
TI  - AMINO ACID LEVELS IN CHILDREN WITH CELIAC DISEASE.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIM: plasma amino acid levels may show differences in regard to
      physiological changes, diet and diseases. The aim of the study is to measure the
      amino acid levels in children with celiac disease and compare them with the
      controls. MATERIAL AND METHODS: sixty-two children with classic celiac disease
      and 62 age and sex matched healthy control were enrolled in this study. Plasma
      amino acid levels of the children were measured by using tandem mass
      spectrometry. RESULTS: celiac children had significant lower plasma levels of
      citrulline, glutamine and cystine than control (p.

PMID- 26262709
TI  - [CHILD'S LIFESTYLE BEHAVIOURS RELATING TO WEIGHT AND MATERNAL SELF-EFFICACY IN
      MANAGING THEM].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: parenting represents challenges. Mothers of overweight (OW) -
      obesity (OB) children face their children's lifestyle behaviors related to body
      weight. OBJECTIVES: 1) To assess the reliability of The Lifestyle Behaviour
      Checklist (LBC) in Spanish, 2) To evaluate the children's lifestyle behaviour
      that represent for the mother a problem for managing (PB) and self-efficacy (SE)
      to manage them in mothers of children with and without OW-OB and 3) To verify the
      differences between groups. METHODS: participated 367 dyads (mother / child).
      Mothers answered the LBC with two scales, problems behaviour scale (PBS) and self
      efficacy to managing them scale (SMS). The dyads' weight and size were measured.
      Cronbach's alpha coefficient, descriptive statistics and ANOVA were calculated.
      RESULTS: Cronbach's alpha for PBS was 0.86 and 0.96 for SMS. Watches too much
      television was the greatest problem in managing for mothers of children with and
      without OW-OB (F = .232, p = .630). The mothers of children with OW-OB had lower
      self-efficacy compared to mothers of children without OW-OB (F = 14,155, p =
      .001). The mothers of children with OW-OB perceived more PB (Mean = 55.40) and
      less SE compared to mothers of children without OW-OB (F = 15.45, p.

PMID- 26262710
TI  - [COMPARISON OF PSYCHOMOTOR DEVELOPMENT IN PRESCHOOL CHILEAN NORMAL WEIGHT VERSUS
      OVERWEIGHT/OBESITY].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: to compare the DSM Nutritional distributed in three states: normal,
      overweight and obese. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: test DSM "TEPSI" 58 children
      (intentional sample) from a total of 150, 4 to 4.5 years, which were divided into
      3 groups was applied: normal weight (n = 28); overweight (n = 18) and obese (n =
      12). Weight and height were measured using a SECA scale and a bevel wall
      (methodology Frankfurt). Nutritional assessment was performed by BMI / age as
      proposed by the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Comparisons were made using
      analysis of variance, Tukey test and Kruskal-Wallis test. Box plots were used.
      The significance level was used in all cases alpha <= 0,05. RESULTS: preschool
      overweight and obese studied showed a driving profile classified as inferior and
      much lower, respectively, when they were compared with the normal weight group of
      preschoolers. CONCLUSIONS: overweight/obesity is a factor in the development of
      motor skills in preschool negatively 4 years old.

PMID- 26262711
TI  - [SHORT TERM EFFECTS ON LIPID PROFILE AND GLYCAEMIA OF A LOW-FAT VEGETARIAN DIET].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: vegetarian diets have been associated with lower risk of
      cardiovascular disease and a more favourable lipid profile in vegetarians who
      follow these diets for a long term period in observational studies, but the short
      term effects of vegetarian diets are less known. OBJECTIVE: our objective was to
      analyze the short-term effects of a low-fat vegetarian diet on lipid profile and
      fasting glucose in previously non-vegetarian subjects from a Mediterranean
      population. METHODS: we carried out a nutritional intervention study in 159
      volunteers (42 men and 117 women). A whole lacto-vegetarian diet low in fat (20%)
      was administered. A full daily menu was provided for 15 days under strict
      interned conditions. Fasting blood samples were obtained before and after dietary
      intervention and total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, triglycerides and fasting
      glucose were determined. Multivariate models for repeated measures were used.
      RESULTS: after dietary intervention, we detected statistically significant
      reductions in total cholesterol (-17.54 +/- 37.14 mg/dl), LDL-C (-9.33 +/- 34.29
      mg/dl), HDL-C (-5.32 +/- 12.16 mg/dl), and triglycerides (-18.92 +/- 50.50
      mg/dl). These reductions remained statistically significant after adjustment for
      sex and age. Significant weight changes were also detected. The additional
      adjustment for changes in body mass index (BMI) attenued the significance of the
      decrease in triglycerides (P = 0.067). CONCLUSION: a lacto-vegetarian diet low in
      fat, produces favourable and significant decreases in total cholesterol, LDL-C
      (independent of weight loss) and triglycerides (mediated by weight loss). This
      intervention also produced an expected decrease in HDL-C due to its reduced fat
      content.

PMID- 26262712
TI  - FISH OIL AND VITAMIN E CHANGE LIPID PROFILES AND ANTI-LDL-ANTIBODIES IN TWO
      DIFFERENT ETHNIC GROUPS OF WOMEN TRANSITIONING THROUGH MENOPAUSE.
AB  - BACKGROUND: studies have investigated the relationship between the transition
      through menopause and cardiovascular diseases. White population, generally, have
      lower levels of traditional coronary heart risk factors, particularly
      dyslipidemia, hypertension, obesity, and diabetes, and lower rates of coronary
      heart disease mortality, than black population. Furthermore many studies have
      shown the cardioprotective and anti-inflammatory effects of omega-3
      polyunsaturated fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid) of
      marine origin. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of omega-3
      supplementation, combined or not with vitamin E, on oxidative biomarkers and
      lipid profiles in nonwhite and white women with dyslipidemia transitioning
      through menopause. METHODS: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
      was conducted. Seventy-four eligible women were assigned to receive: fish oil,
      fish oil plus vitamin E and placebo for three months. At baseline, 45 and 90 days
      blood sample for biochemical variables and biomarkers of oxidative stress were
      taken. Socioeconomic and lifestyle variables were collected with standardized
      questionnaires. RESULTS: after 90 days the fish oil plus vitamin E treated group
      had a significant decrease in total cholesterol and LDL-C. Furthermore, there was
      a decrease in anti- LDL- autoantibodies after 45 days. Plasma TBARS
      concentrations were increased after 90 days in the group receiving only fish oil
      when compared to the placebo and fish oil-vitamin E groups. All of the effects
      observed were independent of ethnic group. CONCLUSION: supplementation with fish
      oil and vitamin E reduced total cholesterol and LDL-C, but had opposite effects
      on oxidative stress compared to supplementation with fish oil alone.

PMID- 26262713
TI  - ROLE OF RS9939609 FTO GENE VARIANT IN WEIGHT LOSS, INSULIN RESISTANCE AND
      METABOLIC PARAMETERS AFTER A HIGH MONOUNSATURATED VS A HIGH POLYUNSATURATED FAT
      HYPOCALORIC DIETS.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: common polymorphisms (rs9939609) of the fat mass and obesity
      associated gene (FTO) have been linked to obesity. OBJECTIVES: our aim was to
      investigate the role of this polymorphism on insulin resistance, metabolic
      changes and weight loss secondary to a high monounsaturated fat vs a high
      polyunsaturated fat hypocaloric diets. MATERIAL AND METHODS: a sample of 233
      obese subjects was enrolled in a prospective way. In the basal visit, patients
      were randomly allocated during 3 months to; Diet M (high monounsaturated fat
      hypocaloric diet) or Diet P (high polyunsaturated fat hypocaloric diet). RESULTS:
      after treatment with two diets and in both genotypes, weight, fat mass and waist
      circumference decreased. Lower levels of body mass index (BMI), weight and fat
      mass were detected after Diet P in A allele carriers than TT genotype subjects.
      With the diet type P and in both genotypes (TT and AT + AA), total cholesterol
      levels (-15.3 + 35.1 mg/dl vs -11.6 + 32.1 mg/dl: p > 0.05) and LDL cholesterol
      levels (-11.5 + 34.1 mg/dl vs -8.5 + 30.1 mg/dl: p > 0.05) decreased. In A allele
      carriers a significant decreased was detected in insulin levels (-2.8 + 2.1 UI/L
      vs -1.3 + 8.0 UI/L: p < 0.05) and HOMA index (-1.0 + 1.3 vs -0.2 + 2.1: p >
      0.05), too. With the diet M and in both genotype groups, leptin levels (-8.0 +
      17.1 ng/ ml vs -4.9 + 18.7 ng/ml: p > 0.05) decreased. Conclusiones: metabolic
      improvement secondary to weight loss was better in A carriers with a high
      polyunsaturated fat hypocaloric diet.

PMID- 26262714
TI  - OBESITY PHENOTYPES IN URBAN MIDDLE-CLASS COHORTS; THE PRIT-LINDAVISTA MERGING
      EVIDENCE IN MEXICO: THE OPUS PRIME STUDY.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: even though overweight and obesity (O/O) are stated
      diseases, there is still a claim for a so-called "healthy obese" phenotype. Only
      few reports have explored the presence of different metabolic phenotypes along
      the body mass index (BMI) range and their corresponding associations to
      cardiovascular risks. METHODS: as of BMI, and according to the presence of
      metabolic syndrome (MS) features (waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting
      glycemia, and lipid profile), phenotypes were determined. Cardiovascular risk was
      estimated with atherogenic quotients: total cholesterol/ HDL-c, LDL-c/HDL-c and
      the triglycerides (TG)/HDL-c index. RESULTS: in 8 405 mexican adults, 36% lean,
      43% overweighed and 21% obese, nine phenotypes were identified: for each weight
      category there were subjects with normal metabolism (none MS factors),
      intermediate (<= 2) and dysmetabolic (>= 3). Only 10.8% of O/O had normal
      metabolism, and 5.8% of the lean persons were dysmetabolic. Atherogenic risk was
      higher in dysmetabolic obese persons, but the risk was high among all
      dysmetabolic people, independently of the weight status. TG/HDL-c showed the same
      trend. CONCLUSIONS: elevated cardiometabolic risk derives from the high
      prevalence of O/O. A great proportion of non-obese people have intermediate
      dysmetabolism. A genetic predisposition to obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes
      and dyslipidemia in Mexican population is blended to an unhealthy lifestyle,
      yielding to a catastrophic epidemic of diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.

PMID- 26262715
TI  - MALNUTRITION IN PATIENTS WITH GASTROINTESTINAL CANCER: EFFECTIVENESS OF DIFFERENT
      DIAGNOSTIC METHODS.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: to estimate the effectiveness of methods for identifying the risk
      and/or presence of malnutrition in individuals with gastrointestinal neoplasia.
      METHODS: participated 143 patients with gastrointestinal cancer, cared for in the
      Oncology Clinic Infirmary of "Hospital Amaral Carvalho" (Jau-SP). Excluded from
      the study were patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit, in a terminal
      state or those who had members amputated; those who had received blood
      transfusions during the last month; significant clinical bleeding; received
      endovenous albumin and uncontrolled infection. The nutritional status was
      classified according to the ratio between Real Weight and Habitual Weight, Body
      Mass Index, Nutritional Risk Index and Percent Adequacy. As the gold standard
      method the Scored Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment was used. The
      effectiveness of the methods for detecting the risk for or presence of
      malnutrition was evaluated. A ROC curve was constructed and its area (AUROC) was
      estimated. The areas were compared using z statistics. For each method the best
      cut-off point was established. RESULTS: of the patients, 74.1% presented an
      advanced stage of the disease, and 83.2% were undergoing chemotherapy treatment.
      All the methods showed adequate discriminatory capacity for detecting the risk of
      malnutrition and presence of malnutrition. The BMI was significantly better for
      detecting malnutrition than for the risk of malnutrition. The RW/HW was
      significantly better for detecting the risk of malnutrition than the other
      methods. The cut-off points were slightly lower than those recommended for the
      normative population for the methods RW/HW, NRI and Score %. For the BMI the cut
      off point was higher than the recommended for the normative population.
      CONCLUSION: the methods for evaluating nutritional status showed adequate
      discriminatory capacity for the risk of malnutrition and presence of malnutrition
      in patients with gastrointestinal cancer.

PMID- 26262716
TI  - PREVALENCE OF METABOLIC SYNDROME IN YOUNG MEXICANS: A SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS ON ITS
      COMPONENTS.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: obesity is a worldwide epidemic, and the high prevalence of
      diabetes type II (DM2) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is in great part a
      consequence of that epidemic. Metabolic syndrome is a useful tool to estimate the
      risk of a young population to evolve to DM2 and CVD. OBJECTIVE: to estimate the
      MetS prevalence in young Mexicans, and to evaluate each parameter as an
      independent indicator through a sensitivity analysis. METHODS: the prevalence of
      MetS was estimated in 6 063 young of the Mexico City metropolitan area. A
      sensitivity analysis was conducted to estimate the performance of each one of the
      components of MetS, as an indicator of the presence of MetS itself. Five
      statistical of the sensitivity analysis were calculated for each MetS component
      and the other parameters included: sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive
      value or precision, negative predictive value, and accuracy. RESULTS: the
      prevalence of MetS in Mexican young population was estimated to be 13.4%. Waist
      circumference presented the highest sensitivity (96.8% women; 90.0% men), blood
      pressure presented the highest specificity for women (97.7%) and glucose for men
      (91.0%). When all the five statistical are considered triglycerides is the
      component with the highest values, showing a value of 75% or more in four of
      them. Differences by sex are detected for averages of all components of MetS in
      young without alterations. CONCLUSIONS: Mexican young are highly prone to acquire
      MetS: 71% have at least one and up to five MetS parameters altered, and 13.4% of
      them have MetS. From all the five components of MetS, waist circumference
      presented the highest sensitivity as a predictor of MetS, and triglycerides is
      the best parameter if a single factor is to be taken as sole predictor of MetS in
      Mexican young population, triglycerides is also the parameter with the highest
      accuracy.

PMID- 26262717
TI  - THE EVOLUTION OF HOME ENTERAL NUTRITION (HEN) IN POLAND DURING FIVE YEARS AFTER
      IMPLEMENTATION: A MULTICENTRE STUDY.
AB  - BACKGROUND: home enteral nutrition (HEN) is the best option for chronic. patients
      without the ability to swallow, but with intact digestive tract. Despite the
      increasing use of home enteral tube feeding (HETF), there is little published
      information about the types of patients receiving home enteral nutrition. The
      purpose of this paper to present the evolution of HETF. MATERIAL AND METHODS: the
      retrospective multicenter observational study was performed using questionnaires,
      which were distributed among the biggest Polish HEN centres. The study covered
      all patients treated between January, 2007 and January, 2014. RESULTS: in total
      196 adult patients in 2008 (M:104. F: 92, mean age 58.1 [41-75]) and 2842 in 2013
      (M: 1541, F: 1301, mean age 61.4 range: 1-91) were assessed. The number of
      patients grew significantly between 2008 and 2013 (p < 0.05), rising from 196 up
      to 2 842 (and 1 716 at the moment of study). The predominant primary disease was
      neurology in both time periods, but the profile switched from neurovascular to
      neurodegenerative (p > 0.05). Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy was the most
      common GI access ( > 60%), its use and the use of gastrostomies increased
      significantly since 2008 (p < 0.05). Although the reimbursement for HETF started
      in 2007, HEN centres expressed doubts about unclear rules for the qualification
      to HEN and its use. CONCLUSIONS: HETF is a safe, well-tolerated and cost
      effective procedure. The profile of patients and techniques may vary at the
      beginning, but becomes similar to other HETF countries relatively soon. The
      number of patients grows quickly, and that fact suggests that the prevalence of
      HETF is similar in all countries.

PMID- 26262718
TI  - EFFECT ON QUALITY OF LIFE AND HANDGRIP STRENGTH BY DYNAMOMETRY OF AN ENTERAL
      SPECIFIC SUPLEMENTS WITH BETA-HYDROXY-BETA-METHYLBUTYRATE AND VITAMIN D IN
      ELDERLY PATIENTS.
AB  - AIM: the aim of our study was to investigate the effect on strenght and quality
      of life of an enhanced specific enteral formula with HMBD and vitamin D in
      elderly patients. METHODS: we conducted an open-label study. General assessment
      of nutritional status included measurements of body weight, height, body mass
      index (kg/m2) and bioimpedance. Handgrrip strength was measured by dynamometry.
      QOL (quality of life) was assessed using the well validated SF 36 questonnaire.
      Albumin, prealbumin, transferrin and 25-OH vitamin D were measured. All these
      parameters were recorded at basal time and after 12 weeks of nutritional
      intervention. RESULTS: patients were divided in two groups by the median
      percentage of weight improvement (3.4%); group 1 (percentage of weight
      improvement < 3.4%) and group 2 (percentage of weight improvement > 3.4%). In
      group 1, patients showed an improvement in prealbumin and vitamin D levels. In
      group 2, patients showed an improvement of BMI, weight, fat mass, fat free mass,
      prealbumin, vitamin D levels, role physical domain of SF 36 , general health
      domain of SF 36 and handgrip strength. The volumetric consumption rates of the
      formula were higher in group 2 than group 1 (group 1: 1.25 + 0.78 units/day [1.81
      +/-0.9 g per day of HMBD) vs. group 2: 1.86 + 0.82 units/day (2.79 +/-1.1 g per
      day of HMBD]). CONCLUSIONS: elderly patients with a previous weight loss and with
      a high consumption of a HMBD and vit D enhanced formula had a significant
      improvement in anthropometric, biochemical parameters, handgrip strength and
      quality of life.

PMID- 26262719
TI  - [GASTROSTOMY POSITIVELY AFFECTS NUTRITIONAL STATUS AND DIMINISHES HOSPITAL DAYS
      IN PATIENTS WITH INBORN ERRORS OF METABOLISM].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: the nutrition management of patients with inborn errors of
      metabolism (IEM) requires the permanent use of elemental medical formulas whose
      organoleptic characteristics sometimes impede oral acceptance. In addition, these
      patients may have gastrointestinal disorders and require constant use of drugs,
      that often complicate treatment adherence, thereby committing their nutritional
      status and disease control. Gastrostomy is an alternative to facilitate feeding
      and treatment, but its use is controversial. OBJECTIVE: to compare nutrition
      status and length of hospitalizations before and after gastrostomy surgery in a
      group of IEM patients. METHODS: retrospective analysis of anthropometric data,
      number of hospitalizations due to metabolic decompensation and length in
      pediatric patients with IEM before and after gastrostomy. RESULTS: 16 children
      were analyzed, 40% with propionate disorders, 25% with abnormal urea cycle and
      35% other IEM. After gastrostomy, the number of eutrophic patients increased from
      6-56%, and malnutrition decreased from 94 to 44%. After gastrostomy inpatient
      hospital days significantly decrease from 425 to 131 (p = 0.011), admission
      numbers pre-gastrostomy decreased from 33 to 17, however this difference was not
      statistically significant. CONCLUSION: in this sample, gastrostomy improved
      nutritional status in 56% of EIM patients and significantly reduced hospital days
      caused by metabolic decompensation.

PMID- 26262720
TI  - ECONOMIC BURDEN OF HOME ARTIFICIAL NUTRITION IN THE HEALTH AREA OF SANTIAGO DE
      COMPOSTELA.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: home artificial nutrition (HAN) is a growing therapy, but the
      absence of obligatory registries complicates the calculation of its real economic
      burden. The aim of this study was to assess the state and economic impact of HAN
      in our health area. METHODS: an observational, prospective study was designed to
      calculate the cost of nutritional formulas and materials in patients who
      initiated HAN in the nutrition unit during a year. RESULTS: we included 573 new
      patients with HAN during the study period, 60% of whom were treated with oral
      supplements. The median daily cost of oral HAN was 3.65 (IQR 18.63) euros
      compared to a cost of 8.86 (IQR 20.02) euros for enteral-access HAN. The daily
      expenditure per 1 000 kcal of diet was higher for patients on oral HAN than for
      patients with tubes (5.13 vs. 4.52 euros, p < 0.001). The median cost of the
      complete HAN treatments during the study period was also calculated (186.60 euros
      and 531.99 euros for oral and tube HAN, respectively). The total estimated cost
      for all patients who initiated HAN in the study period was around one million
      euros. CONCLUSIONS: HAN represented an important economic burden in our health
      area, but the estimated daily cost of HAN was moderate, probably because of the
      high frequency of oral HAN, the adjusted treatments, and the centralized
      dispensation by the hospital pharmacy.

PMID- 26262721
TI  - [THE CASE OF ENTERAL NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT TUBE IN COLOMBIA: INSTITUTIONAL
      COORDINATION PROBLEMS].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: this paper examines the case of prescription enteral nutritional
      support tube in Colombia, analyzed from the perspective of the Social Security
      System in Health, and explained as the result of a problem of institutional
      coordination. The role and incentives of different actors are identified and
      shown how the interaction of these discourages the use of enteral nutrition in
      cases where it is necessary, with corresponding clinical effect for the patient
      and increased cost for the system. METHODS: analysis of the effects it may have
      in clinical practice the problem of institutional coordination of regulators in
      the country, analyze their origin and the incentives and interests of the various
      stakeholders, prior synthesis of the relevant literature review. The search was
      conducted in the following databases: PubMed, Medline, and Embase ScienceDirect.
      CONCLUSIONS: the current situation of enteral nutritional support in Colombia is
      the result of a suboptimal equilibrium, resulting from a problem of institutional
      coordination that can only be solved when the agents to look beyond their local
      incentives, and nutritional support is a key component of hospital care and
      constitutes a means to the end: the health of the population served.

PMID- 26262722
TI  - FUNCTIONAL CHARACTERS EVALUATION OF BISCUITS SUBLIMATED WITH PURE PHYCOCYANIN
      ISOLATED FROM SPIRULINA AND SPIRULINA BIOMASS.
AB  - The aim of the present work is to study the effect of incorporation of biomass
      and phycocyanin extracts of Spirulina platensis growing in define media at large
      scales (300 liters, limited in nitrogen and high salinity) to traditional butter
      biscuits in order to increase general mental health as functional products, FPs).
      The FP were manufactured at a pilot scale formulated by adding algal biomass
      (0.3, 0.6 and 0.9%) and S. platensis phycocyanin (at 0.3%) to wheat flour and
      stored for one month at room temperature, protected from light and air. The
      approximate and nutrition composition of S. platensis biomass showed high
      quantity (% dry weight, dw.) of phycocyanin (13.51%, natural food colorant),
      tocopherols (0.43%), carotenoids (2.65%), vitamins C (1.25%), ?-6, ?-3 fatty
      acids, essential elements (Fe, Zn, Cr, Se, and others) and antioxidant compounds
      includes: total phenolic (1.73%), flavonoids (0.87%) and glutathione (0.245 mM).
      FPs showed a high oxidative stability during storage (30 days) periods (as
      assessed by antiradical scavenging activity of DPPH and TBA test), compared with
      that in untreated food products (control). Data of sensory evaluation revealed
      that FPs containing S. platensis biomass or algae extracts were significantly
      acceptable as control for main sensory characteristics (colour, odour/ aroma,
      flavor, texture, the global appreciation and overall acceptability). S. platensis
      FPs presented an accentuated green tonality, which increase with the quantity of
      added biomass. Thus, it could be concluded that functional biscuits had good
      sensory and nutritional profiles and can be developed as new niche food market. 

PMID- 26262723
TI  - [HYPOTENSIVE EFFECT OF AN EXTRACT OF BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS OF OLIVE LEAVES:
      PRELIMINARY CLINICAL STUDY].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the possible hypotensive effect in pre-hypertensive and
      hypertensive subjects of an olive leaf extract (OLE) standardized to 15% (w/w) in
      oleoeuropein, and with a 10% (w/w) mean content of triterpenic acids and 1% (w/w)
      in hydroxytirosol. Moreover, the possible effects on the blood antioxidant status
      and lipid profile have been also evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: this
      interventional study has been performed in human volunteers, to whom 1 600 mg
      OLE/days, was administered. The analyzed parameters at the beginning and end of
      the study were diastolic and systolic pressure, delay in the LDL-cholesterol
      oxidation "lag time" and blood levels of nitric oxide (NO), malonic dialdehyde
      (MDA), antioxidant capacity (AOC) lipid profile, glucose, transaminases and
      creatinine. RESULTS: a decrease in the diastolic and systolic pressure, and an
      increase in the NO values all statistically significant (CHO) for all volunteers,
      was found. In volunteers with higher systolic pressure their levels were also
      significantly diminished after the intervention trial (P = 0,002). The LDL lag
      time increased significantly (P = 0,047). Additionally, in all volunteers CHO
      levels were significantly decreased, and those of LDL cholesterol, triglycerides
      (TG) and the CHO/HDL cholesterol ratio were diminished with a tendency to the
      significance (P = 0,076; P = 0,059; P = 0,056; respectively). CONCLUSIONS: this
      preliminary study reports by the first time the positive influence of the OLE
      assayed in the regulation of the hypertension, LDL lag time and blood lipid
      profile. Therefore, further studies are of great interest.

PMID- 26262724
TI  - PROTEIN NEEDS OF CRITICALLY ILL PATIENTS RECEIVING PARENTERAL NUTRITION.
AB  - BACKGROUND: assess whether the current protein intake recommendations may improve
      the biochemical parameters of critical patients receiving parenteral nutrition.
      METHODS: longitudinal study with three evaluations made (during the first 72
      hours, on the 7th and the 14th days of PN). The following tests were applied:
      albumin, C-reactive protein, prealbumin, total cholesterol, HDL, triglycerides,
      lymphocytes, and glutathione peroxidase. The severity was determined by SOFA. The
      statistical analysis included the Spearman and Mann-Whitney tests, as well as
      ANOVA (analysis of variance). RESULTS: among the 53 patients evaluated, 20
      (37.74%) died. The mean calorie was 24.68 +/- 9.78 kcal/kg (beginning of PN),
      26.49 +/- 8.89 kcal/kg (3rd to 7th days of PN), and 30.9 +/- 12.19 kcal/kg (7th
      to 14th days of PN). The mean protein was 1.19 +/- 0.44 g/kcal/kg (first 72 hours
      of PN), 1.29 +/- 0.44 g/kcal/kg (3rd to 7th days of PN) and 1.49 +/- 0.69
      g/kcal/kg (7th to 14th days of PN). Prealbumin, albumin, total cholesterol and
      HDL were below the reference values, while the CRP levels were high. Throughout
      the three evaluation times, there was no a significant improvement on the levels
      of laboratory examinations. A strong and negative correlation was found between
      SOFA and prealbumin (r = -0.64, p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: the protein offer,
      according to the traditional recommendations, was not enough to improve the
      biochemical parameters of critical patients undergoing parenteral nutrition.

PMID- 26262725
TI  - METABOLIC EFFECTS OF Beta-GLUCANS (SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISAE) PER OS ADMINISTRATION
      IN RATS WITH STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETES.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: beta-glucans (BG) derived from plant tissues are reported to show
      metabolic effects. In contrast, those fibers isolated from yeast seem to be more
      related to immune response modulation. Since diabetic individuals are more
      susceptible to exacerbation of inflammatory signs, the ingestion of fibers that
      could conjugate both metabolic and immune effects would be of great importance.
      OBJECTIVE: we investigated the effect of BG - Saccharomyses cerevisae - ingestion
      on glycemic and lipoprotein profile of diabetic rats. DESIGN: twenty-four adult
      Wistar rats were used, distributed into 4 groups in a design of entirely
      casualized delineation with a 2 x 2 factorial model (with and without diabetes;
      with and without BG). Diabetes Mellitus was induced by an intraperitoneal
      injection of 80mg/kg of strepzotocin. Thus, animals with fasting glycemia of over
      250 mg/dl were considered diabetic. Forty-eight hours after induction, the rats
      received daily doses of 30 mg/kg of BG or saline solution by gavage during 28
      days. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: the Groups with DM presented a higher glycemic
      index and lower C peptide levels than the control groups, in addition to lower
      weight gain and higher ration consumption, water ingestion and urinary volume.
      Total cholesterol levels (CT), LDL-C + VLDL-C, plasma triacylglycerides (TAG) and
      alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were also higher in the diabetic animals (p <
      0.05), and there were no alterations in the HDL-C levels. The ingestion of BG
      reduced blood glucose concentrations (30%), TAG (32%) and ALT (41%) (p < 0.05).
      No histopathological hepatic alterations were observed in any of the groups.
      Furthermore, the diabetic animals present increase in villous:crypt ratio (V:C)
      in the duodenum, without interference of BG. No alterations in the carcass were
      observed between the groups. CONCLUSION: it was concluded that the use of BG
      significantly reduced the glycemic, TAG and ALT levels, showing its therapeutic
      potential.

PMID- 26262726
TI  - HEPATIC FATTY ACID PROFILE OF RATS FED A TRIHEPTANOIN-BASED KETOGENIC DIET.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: the aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of consumption of
      a ketogenic diet supplemented with triheptanoin, a medium-chain anaplerotic
      triacylglycerol, on the liver fatty acid profile of Wistar rats. METHODS: three
      groups of male Wistar rats (n = 10) were submitted to an AIN-93 control diet, a
      triheptanoin- based ketogenic diet, or a soybean oil-based ketogenic diet for 60
      days. Excised livers were subjected to lipid extraction and methylation to obtain
      fatty acids methyl esters, which were subjected to gas chromatography- mass
      spectrometry. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: compared to the rats fed the control diet,
      those fed ketogenic diets showed a significant reduction in the concentrations of
      9-hexadecenoic and 9-octadecenoic acids, whereas those fed triheptanoin showed
      increased levels of octadecanoic acid. CONCLUSION: changes in the liver fatty
      acid profiles of the rats fed a triheptanoin-based or a soybean oil-based
      ketogenic diet did not seem to be related to the dietary fat source, but rather
      to the characteristics of the ketogenic diets themselves.

PMID- 26262727
TI  - [CONSISTENCY OF MINI NUTRITIONAL ASSESSMENT TO IDENTIFY SARCOPENIA IN OLDER
      ADULTS IN NURSING HOMES IN BOGOTA, COLOMBIA].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: malnutrition and sarcopenia, which have similar physiological
      mechanisms and are both responsible for adverse health outcomes, are highly
      prevalent in the elderly. OBJECTIVES: to measure the consistency of the MNA with
      the diagnosis of sarcopenia in older adults. METHODS: cross-sectional study of
      consistency in four nursing homes in Bogota. The nutritional screening and
      nutritional assessment were made with the Mini Nutritional Assessment in its long
      form; the diagnosis of sarcopenia was done with the algorithm and the breakpoints
      of the European Consensus (EWGSOP). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Pearson Chi2, Mann
      Whitney and consistency by Cohen's kappa coefficient. RESULTS: we included 108
      patients, 62% women, mean age 80.4 years (SD 7.7). The prevalence of sarcopenia,
      malnutrition and risk of malnutrition were 38.9%, 33.3% and 2.8% respectively.
      The concordance of the MNA with the diagnosis of sarcopenia was slight (kappa
      0.1908 95% CI 0.0025 to 0.3791, p < 0.05) CONCLUSION: MNA shows mild concordance
      to identify sarcopenia, suggesting that it is not an appropriate tool for the
      diagnosis of sarcopenia in older institutionalized adults.

PMID- 26262728
TI  - GASTRIC CANCER AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS IN HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS.
AB  - BACKGROUND: despite the decline in its incidence and mortality rate, gastric
      cancer continues to be the 4th most common tumor and the 2nd cause of death in
      the world. OBJECTIVE(S): to analyze the factors associated with gastric cancer in
      hospitalized patients. METHOD: Transversal study of case series type made at
      Recife hospitals. The data were obtained from a questionnaire adapted from a
      previously validated model, which consists of socioeconomic factors, eating
      habits, lifestyle, family history of cancer, infection by H. pylori and
      anthropometric data. RESULTS: among 33 patients, there was a slight prevalence of
      women aged >= 60, from rural areas, with low education and income levels.
      According to IMC, 57.6% were eutrophics and 69.7% at nutritional risk when used %
      PP. It was found that 42.4% did not undergo any examination for H. pylori, 48.5%
      had a genetic predisposition, 75.8% were sedentary, 60.6% smokers and former
      smokers, 51.5% addicted to alcohol and 36.4% were overweight patients. There was
      frequent consumption of salty foods, fried foods, and low intake of fruits, foods
      containing nitrates / nitrites and inadequate food storage. CONCLUSION: low
      socioeconomic status, physical inactivity and inappropriate diet patterns were
      prevalent factors for gastric cancer in the treated group.

PMID- 26262729
TI  - [INFLUENCE OF REPRODUCTIVE FACTORS, BREASTFEEDING AND OBESITY ON THE RISK OF
      BREAST CANCER IN MEXICAN WOMEN].
AB  - Breast cancer (BC) is considered a global public health problem, and is the most
      frequently type diagnosed in Mexican women. Therefore, it is important to study
      the risk factors associated to this neoplasia in order to establish prevention
      strategies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of hormonal
      contraceptives and hormone therapy (HT) use and period of use, breastfeeding
      practice, abdominal obesity and weight gain in adulthood, on the risk of BC in
      adult women from Northwest Mexico. This was a case-control study that included
      162 women (81 cases and 81 controls). A sociodemographic and health
      questionnaire, and a survey history of body weight were applied to participants.
      Measurements of body weight, height and waist circumference were performed. To
      assess the association between BC risk and exposing factors, a multivariate
      logistic regression model was used. Average age of cases and controls were 51.8
      +/- 11.7 and 51.4 +/- 11.3 years, respectively. No significant association was
      found between the use and period of use of hormonal contraceptives and HT with
      the risk of BC. The practice of breastfeeding (OR=0.34, 95%CI: 0.12- 0.92) and
      the time of exclusive breastfeeding (OR=0.64, 95%CI: 0.42-0.97; crude) were
      protective against the risk of BC. Abdominal obesity (OR=0.93, 95%CI: 0.90-0.97)
      and weight gain in early adulthood (OR=0.90, 95%CI: 0.85-0.95) were inversely
      associated to the risk of BC. In conclusion, the practice of breastfeeding may
      help prevent BC in Mexican women. 

PMID- 26262730
TI  - [INFLUENCE OF BODY COMPOSITION ON VERTICAL JUMP PERFORMANCE ACCORDING WITH THE
      AGE AND THE PLAYING POSITION IN FOOTBALL PLAYERS].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: body composition and vertical jump are two factors in the
      multifactorial approach to talent identification in soccer with implication on
      performance monitorization and injury rehabilitation. The aim of this study was
      to describe the anthropometric attributes and vertical jump performance in young
      soccer players based on their playing position. METHODS: four hundred and thirty
      four young soccer players from 7 to 25 years (13.4 +/- 3.45 yrs; 156 +/- 17 cm;
      47.9 +/- 15.4 kg), who trained 3 days/week for 1.5 hours/ day, took part in the
      study. All were split up based on their age or soccer category (U9, U11, U13,
      U15, U17, U25) and playing position (goalkeeper, defenders, midfielders and
      forwards). Then, body composition was measure using the anthropometric method and
      vertical jump performance was analysed by three vertical jump test Squat Jump
      (SJ), Counter-movement Jump (CMJ) and Abalakov Jump (CMJA). RESULTS: significant
      differences among playing positions were mainly detected in categories U13, U15
      and U25. Goalkeepers from U13 category reported a significantly higher fat free
      mass, appendicular lean body mass, area of the thigh and area of the calf (P <
      0.05). While, defenders from U25 category showed a significantly greater vertical
      jump performance compared to midfielders for SJ, midfielders and forwards for CMJ
      and all playing position for CMJA (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: in addition to
      biological age and muscle mass development, playing position should be taken into
      consideration as a relevant variable in the utilization of body composition and
      vertical jump performance as talent detection factors.

PMID- 26262731
TI  - [PREVALENCE OF DEHYDRATION BEFORE TRAINING IN PROFESIONAL CHILEAN SOCCER
      PLAYERS].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: there is a lack of studies concerning hydration status before
      training in professional soccer player. PURPOSE: to describe hydration status
      before regular training practices in professional soccer players. METHODS: a
      total of 156 male soccer players (age 25.4 +/- 5.2 y) from six professional
      Chilean clubs were included. No hydration or food intake recommendations were
      made before experiment, with the aim to assess hydration status under athlete's
      regular "real" conditions. Body mass, height and urine specific gravity (USG)
      measurements were performed before training practices. RESULTS: 98% of athletes
      showed dehydration (between moderate and severe) before regular training
      practices. DISCUSSION: dehydration is the most prevalent hydration status in
      professional Chilean soccer players before training, which may negatively affect
      athlete's performance and may increase their risk of heat-related injuries.

PMID- 26262732
TI  - [CRITERION-RELATED VALIDITY OF SIT-AND-REACH TEST AS A MEASURE OF HAMSTRING
      EXTENSIBILITY IN OLDER WOMEN].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: lumbo-sacral posture and the sit-andreach score have been proposed
      as measures of hamstring extensibility. However, the validity is influenced by
      sample characteristics. OBJECTIVE: to determine the validity of lumbo-horizontal
      angle and score in the sit-and-reach test as measures of hamstring extensibility
      in older women. METHOD: a hundred and twenty older women performed the straight
      leg raise test with both leg, and the sit-and-reach test (SR) in a random order.
      For the sitand- reach test, the score and the lumbo-sacral posture in bending
      (lumbo-horizontal angle, L-Hfx) were measured. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: the mean
      values of straight leg raise in left and right leg were 81.70 +/- 13.83o and
      82.10 +/- 14.36o, respectively. The mean value of EPR of both legs was 81.90 +/-
      12.70o. The mean values of SR score and L-Hfx were -1.54 +/- 8.09 cm and 91.08o
      +/- 9.32o, respectively. The correlation values between the mean straight leg
      raise test with respect to lumbo-sacral posture and SR score were moderate (L
      Hfx: r = -0.72, p < 0.01; SR: r = 0.70, p < 0.01). Both variables independently
      explained about 50% of the variance (L-Hfx: R2 = 0.52, p < 0,001; SR: R2 = 0.49,
      p < 0,001). CONCLUSIONS: the validity of lumbo-sacral posture in bending as
      measure of hamstring muscle extensibility on older women is moderate, with
      similar values than SR score.

PMID- 26262733
TI  - STRAIGHT-A STUDENTS DISLIKE PHYSICAL EDUCATION IN ADOLESCENCE: MYTH OR TRUTH? THE
      AVENA, AFINOS AND UP&DOWN STUDIES.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: to examine if those adolescents who dislike physical education classes
      get better results on academic and cognitive performance than their peers.
      METHODS: participants included 4 226 adolescents from the AVENA, AFINOS and
      UP&DOWN studies. Physical education enjoyment was assessed with a 7-point Likert
      scale. Cognitive performance in the AVENA study was assessed using the Spanish
      version of the SRA Test of Educational Ability. Academic performance in the
      AFINOS and UP&DOWN studies was assessed through Mathematics and Language grades
      and the average of both subjects. RESULTS: in the AVENA study we found
      differences in verbal ability among girls who dislike physical education and
      their peers (P = 0.033). In the AFINOS study, boys who dislike physical education
      had higher scores in Language than their peers (P = 0.024). In the UP&DOWN study
      girls who disliked physical education had higher scores in Language and in the
      average of Language and Mathematics than their peers (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: in
      the AVENA and AFINOS studies adolescents who disliked physical education had
      similar results in cognitive and academic performance than their peers, but in
      the UP&DOWN study girls who disliked physical education showed higher results in
      academic performance than their peers.

PMID- 26262734
TI  - [EVALUATION OF GYM USERS' DIET WITH MUSCLE DYSMORPHIA (BIGOREXIA)].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: it is an innovative study where has been analyzed the diet among gym
      users with Muscle Dysmorphia (MD) of gyms in the province of Alicante.
      METHODOLOGY: it have been analyzed 141 male gymnasts of several gyms of Alicante
      (urban area of southeastern Spanish) aged between 18-45 years old, who purpose
      increasing their muscle mass. Were considered BMI (kg/m2) and 24 hour diet. And
      it has been determined whether or not suffer MD trough Muscle Appearance
      Satisfaction Scale. RESULTS: the sample consisted of 141 men, of whom 45 are MD
      and 96 are not according to Muscle Appearance Satisfaction. Protein intake was
      calculated and was greater than 1.5 g/kg/day in patients without MD and greater
      than 2 g/kg/day in the MD group. Analyzing the other nutrients, results show that
      the proportion of carbohydrates and fats and their percentages by degree of
      instauration are within the recommendations except cholesterol which exceeds and
      the amount of dietary fiber that is slightly lower. In relation to micronutrients
      are within the recommendations in all cases except iodine which is slightly lower
      in MD. CONCLUSION: individuals with MD do a balanced energy and adequate
      carbohydrate and fat diet, however protein intake values exceed the limits
      proposed according to the scientific evidence for muscle mass development in
      strength sports.

PMID- 26262735
TI  - [PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASSES ONLY IMPROVE CARDIORESPIRATORY FITNESS OF STUDENTS
      WITH LOWER PHYSICAL FITNESS: A CONTROLLED INTERVENTION STUDY].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: physical education teachers are required to carry out intervention
      programs in order to improve students' cardiorespiratory fitness levels.
      Nevertheless, due to the low academic load, such programs may not improve
      cardiorespiratory fitness of students with higher baseline levels. OBJECTIVES:
      the purpose of the present study was to compare the effect of a physical fitness
      program conducted during the two physical education classes on the
      cardiorespiratory fitness depending on the students' physical fitness baseline
      levels. METHODS: a sample of 71 primary school students and 107 secondary school
      students was randomly assigned (by natural groups) to the control and
      experimental groups. During physical education classes, experimental students
      performed a physical fitness program. RESULTS: the analysis of variance results
      showed that the experimental students with lower physical fitness levels improved
      statistically significantly their cardiorespiratory fitness comparing with
      control students (p < 0.01). However, no statistically significant differences
      between the experimental students with higher levels and control students were
      found (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: during physical education classes, only students
      with lower physical fitness levels seem to improve cardiorespiratory fitness. On
      the other hand, students with higher physical fitness levels do not benefit from
      these physical education-based programs. Therefore, in order to improve
      cardiorespiratory fitness of all young people, it seems necessary to increase the
      academic load of the physical education subject.

PMID- 26262736
TI  - [RELATION BETWEEN THE BODY COMPOSITION AND THE SPORTS PRACTICE IN TEENAGERS].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: knowing precisely body composition is important in assessing the
      nutritional status of adolescents in order to evaluate how it affects the sport
      practice in this group. OBJECTIVES: to evaluate the influence of regular physical
      exercise in a group of adolescents in their body composition. METHODOLOGY: 77
      male adolescents between 12 and 13 years were evaluated. Weight, height, triceps
      skinfold (PCT), wrist perimeter, the relaxed arm and umbilical waist were
      evaluated. The body fat percentage (% BF) was estimated using different equations
      (Siri, Siri modified, Lohman, Johnston, Deurenberg BMI, body fat percentage from
      ICT). Electrical bioimpedance equipment was also used. RESULTS: no significant
      differences in BMI between the two groups were found. The prevalence of
      overweight and obesity varied by percentile tables used. Differences in the PCT
      and the percentage of body fat between groups were significants; it was higher in
      non-athletes (p < 0.05). No significant differences between the values of body
      fat were obtained by modified equations Siri, Lohman and bioimpedance, in none of
      the two groups studied. DISCUSSION: the % BF was higher in the group of non
      athletes, as well as the value of PCT to the same value of BMI. It was determined
      that the collective athlete got a better nutritional status than the non-athletic
      collective. Regardless of the method used, results should be interpreted with
      caution in assessing body composition of adolescents.

PMID- 26262737
TI  - ANTHROPOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS AND PHYSICAL FITNESS LEVEL IN RELATION TO BODY
      WEIGHT STATUS IN CHILEAN PRESCHOOL CHILDREN.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to describe anthropometric and physical fitness
      characteristics of low-income Chilean preschool children and to examine whether
      weight status influences children's performance on fitness tests. A total of 434
      preschool children (246 boys; 5.48 +/- 0.31 years) participated in our study.
      Anthropometry (weight, height, body mass index -BMI- and waist circumference) and
      fitness tests (handgrip strength test, standing long jump and 20 m sprint) were
      assessed by trained nutritionists and physical education teachers, respectively.
      Significant differences in anthropometry and fitness tests between boys and girls
      were found. The prevalence of overweight was higher in girls; in contrast to that
      of obesity. Compared to normal-weight children, overweight/obese boys and girls
      were heavier and had greater waist circumference (P < 0.001), were taller (P <=
      0.002), and showed higher performance in handgrip strength (P <= 0.027) but not
      in standing long jump nor 20 m sprint (P >= 0.052). Screening physical fitness
      levels in overweight/obese preschool children could be an important tool in order
      to design an efficacy physical activity programme. 

PMID- 26262738
TI  - UNDERNUTRITION, SERUM VITAMIN B12, FOLIC ACID AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS IN OLDER
      ADULTS.
AB  - BACKGROUND: the question on whether undernutrition remains linked to depressive
      symptoms, considering the effect of deficiencies of vitamin B12 and folate, is of
      practical relevance because they are potentially preventable and treatable. This
      study aims to evaluate whether undernutrition is linked to depressive symptoms,
      considering the effect of vitamin B12 and folate plasma levels. METHOD: a cross
      sectional study was conducted in a sample of 84 older adults living in care
      homes. Data about nutritional status using Mini-Nutritional Assessment, serum
      folic acid and Vitamin B12 levels, cognitive ability, functional dependency,
      symptoms and /or depressive behaviour was obtained. Depression symptoms were
      measured using the 20-item version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies
      Depression scale. RESULTS: fifty three older adults were at depression risk
      (63.1%). Of those, 34% were at undernutrition risk. Although a high frequency of
      older adults with low plasma levels of vitamin B12 (42.9%) and lower levels of
      folic acid (5.9%) was found, no significant differences concerning the existence
      of depressive symptoms were found. In the multivariable analysis, an increase in
      depression risk was observed amongst participants nutritionally at risk OR = 3.47
      (1.05-11.46), whereas having low levels of folic acid and Vitamins B12 were not
      associated with depression risk. CONCLUSION: amongst undernourished older adults,
      an increase in risk of depression was observed independently of folic acid and
      vitamin B12 status. These results highlight the need to implement preventive
      strategies, particularly directed at older adults living in care home.

PMID- 26262739
TI  - [ASSOCIATION BETWEEN STEVIA SWEETENER CONSUMPTION AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS IN
      UNIVERSITY STUDENTS].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: stevia consumption has increased worlwide among the different age
      groups; however, studies regarding the association between stevia intake and
      nutritional status in adults are scarce. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate stevia intake in
      first year university students from five chilean cities (Santiago, Temuco, Vina
      del Mar, Concepcion and Antofagasta) controlling by nutritional status,
      socioeconomic level, gender and whether their undergraduate program belongs to
      the health sciences. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 486 first year university students
      belonging to 4 Chilean universities were evaluated. Each student completed a
      weekly food frequency questionnaire including food and beverages containing
      stevia. Selfreport of weight and height was requested. RESULTS: 69.8% of the
      students consumed stevia every week, the liquid form being the main contributor
      to the dietary stevia intake (81.2%). Only 1.4% of the students went over the
      Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI). Normal weight women show a higher stevia intake
      compared to those obese or overweight (p < 0.05). Finally, stevia consumption
      appears to be positively associated to normal weight in the first model
      (adjusted) (OR = 0.219; IC 95%: 0.13-0.35; p < 0.05) and second model (OR = 0.21;
      IC 95%: 0.13-0.35; p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: stevia consumption was positively
      associated with normal nutritional status in Chilean university students.

PMID- 26262740
TI  - FATTY ACID PROFILE OF TWO CURED MEAT PRODUCTS: DRY-CURED HAM AND CECINA.
AB  - INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: the aim of this study was to assess the fatty acid
      profile of two cured meat products of similar manufacturing processes and
      characteristics, dry-cured ham (JA) and cecina (CE), a type of dry-cured beef.
      The obtained results were discussed in terms of the effects that each singular
      fatty acid, when consumed, could have on human health. MATERIALS AND METHODS: for
      this purpose, 10 samples of 100 g of JA and CE were obtained in local food stores
      in Leon, Spain. Lipids were extracted and transesterified, then a gas
      chromatography-mass was used to analyze the samples. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:
      results for fatty acid profiles for JA and CE showed significant differences (p <
      0.01), with these values for main lipids fractions, saturated fatty acid (SFA),
      monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA),
      respectively: 42.86%, 43.27% and 13.87 for JA and 46.87%, 46.96% and 6.20% for
      CE. SFA and MUFA percentages were slightly higher in CE at the expense of PUFA,
      specifically in the n-6 series, where values of 11.06% in JA and 3.91% in CE were
      obtained. In both products, the most prevalent fatty acid was a monounsaturated
      fatty acid, oleic acid, with percentages of 37.28% in JA and 38.48% in CE. Other
      fatty acids with higher percentages, with respect to total fat, were two
      saturated fatty acids: palmitic acid, 20.63% in JA and 22.95% in CE, and stearic
      acid, 18.65% in JA and 17.14% in CE.

PMID- 26262741
TI  - [VARIATION ON SOMATOTYPE AND WAIST CIRCUMFERENCE IN A SAMPLE OF UNIVERSITY
      STUDENTS BETWEEN YEARS 2012 AND 2014 IN THE TEMUCO, CHILE].
AB  - Objetive: to determine variation on somatotype and waist circumference (WC) in
      university students during a three-year follow-up. METHODS: a total sample of 36
      first-year university students was recruited in 2012. Heath-Carter anthropometric
      somatotype and waist circumference were assessed in 2012 and 2014. RESULTS: male
      students showed mesomorph component (3.7-5.3-1.8) as dominant in 2012, while in
      2014 endomorph and mesomorph components were equal (4.1-4.5-1.6). The somatotype
      in female students was dominated by endomorphic component in 2012 (5.4-4.6-1.7)
      and 2014 (5.3-3.2-1.6). Among somatotypes, for both, male and female students,
      only endomorphy showed statistically significant differences during the follow-up
      (p = 0,00). The endo-mesomorphic somatotype was dominant in men with 61.9% in
      2012 and 38.1% in 2014. Women showed a higher percentage for meso-endomorphic
      somatotype with 60% in 2012 and 80% in 2014. In men, WC between 2014 and 2014
      showed a statistically significant increment of 4.8% (p = 0,00). In women WC
      increased by 13.3% but no statistically difference was observed (p = 0,10).
      CONCLUSIONS: this study showed somatotypic change with tendency in increased
      endomorphy in both men and women. Despite WC values were similar to the national
      mean, cases with cardiometabolic risk increased during the follow-up period based
      on this measurement.

PMID- 26262742
TI  - [A SIMPLE AND RELIABLE TOOL FOR DETECTION OF NUTRITIONAL RISK IN HOSPITALIZED
      PATIENTS].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: malnutrition in hospital associates with complications such a high
      rates of infections, increased length of stay, and increased economic costs.
      Hospitals require applying a simple and reliable tool for detection of
      nutritional risk. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the agreement between a screening tool
      used in a hospital and both MUST and SGA tools to determine the prevalence of
      nutritional risk. METHODS: patients -with a hospitalization period less than 36
      hours- were assessed with three nutritional screening tools. Kappa value was used
      to assess agreement between the tests; SGA was the gold standard. RESULTS: the
      study included 100 patients (F = 49, M = 51) with a mean age of 49 years. MUST
      presented a good agreement with the SGA (kappa = 0.55). CONCLUSIONS: MUST
      presents the highest agreement with the gold standard; therefore, it must be used
      to screen nutritional status of hospitalized patients due to its simplicity,
      reliability, and reproducibility.

PMID- 26262743
TI  - SCHOOL DIETARY HABITS AND INCIDENCE OF DENTAL CARIES.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: healthy dietary habits are considered to improve oral health and
      tooth quality. Caries treatment comprises tooth restoration with dental
      composites and sealants, almost all (> 90%) of which contain bisphenol A (BPA).
      Study hypotheses were: a) breakfast and oral hygiene habits are important factors
      in dental caries development; and b) dental caries treatment with epoxy-resins
      entails a risk of oral exposure to monomers migrating from the polymeric
      material. We evaluated caries in the teeth of a Spanish school population and
      determined the percentage treated with dental composites. OBJECTIVE: to relate
      consumption of breakfast components and oral hygiene habits to dental caries and
      determine the presence of sealants/composites as potential sources of BPA
      exposure. METHODS: subjects: 582 schoolchildren from Granada city (Southern
      Spain) aged 7 yrs; mean (SD) of 7.55 (0.64) yrs. RESULTS: caries was detected in
      21.7% of their teeth. Mean breakfast quality index (BQI) score, based on
      nutritional questionnaires, was 5.18 (1.29). Breakfast with foods rich in simple
      sugars representing > 5% of total daily energy was consumed by 24% of the
      population and was significantly associated with caries frequency in binary
      logistic regression analysis. Biscuit consumption was reported by 35.8% and
      significantly associated with caries frequency. Breakfast intake of bakery
      products/ cereals and of dairy products showed a significant inverse association
      with caries frequency. No significant relationship was observed between caries
      and BQI score or oral hygiene factors. CONCLUSION: further research is required
      to elucidate the role of diet in caries and the associated risk of exposure to
      estrogenic xenobiotics such as BPA.

PMID- 26262744
TI  - [VALIDATION OF A COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR DETECTION OF MALNUTRITION HOSPITAL AND
      ANALYSIS OF HOSPITAL COSTS].
AB  - BACKGROUND: one of the methods of diagnosis of malnutrition is serum albumin, for
      the simplicity of its determination and low cost. OBJECTIVES: the main objective
      is to validate and implement a computer program based on the determination of
      serum albumin, allowing early detection and treatment to malnourished or at risk
      of malnutrition patients, still another objective evaluation of costs by
      diagnosis-related groups. METHODS: the study design is cohort, dynamic and
      prospective, which are included hospital discharge from november 2012 until march
      2014, being the study population of patients over age 14 who enter the various
      services of a Medical Surgical Hospital of the Granada's Hospital Complex
      Univesity, whose numbers are lower serum albumin 3.5 g/dL, for a total of 307
      patients. RESULTS: of the 307 patients, 141 are malnourished (program
      sensitivity: 45.9%). 54.7% of patients were male and 45.3% female. The mean age
      of 65.68 years. The median length of stay is 16 days. 13.4% of patients have
      died. The average cost of GRD is ? 5 958.30 and said average cost after detecting
      malnutrition is ? 11 376.48. CONCLUSIONS: the algorithm that implements the
      software identifies nearly half of patients hospitalized malnourished. It is
      essential to record the diagnosis of malnutrition.

PMID- 26262745
TI  - [DEMOCOPHES SPAIN AND ITS CONTRIBUTION TO THE HARMONIZATION OF EUROPEAN HUMAN
      BIOMONITORING].
AB  - Objetive: contributing to demonstrate of the feasibility of a coordinated action
      on human biomonitoring in Europe (DEMOCOPHES project) and demonstrate the utility
      of HBM studies to assess the influence of diet and lifestyle in environmental
      exposures. METHODS: the EU protocol was adapted to the national requirements. The
      quality controls defined herein were followed and special care was taken to
      ensure the comparability of the results among participating countries. RESULTS:
      the protocol adaptation did not shown significant difficulties. Only minor
      changes were applied, so the original design of the study was respected. 134
      mother- child pairs were selected in one school in Anover de Tajo (Toledo) and
      three schools in Madrid. All volunteers donated a urine and hair sample and
      complete the epidemiological questionnaire. Significant differences were found in
      the participation rates between the sampling locations. DISCUSSION:
      standardization of all steps in a human biomonitoring study is essential for its
      harmonized development in Europe. The results has contributed to obtain for the
      first time comparable data about environmental exposure in the general population
      within 17 EU countries showing the differences associated with diet and
      lifestyles. The experiences and materials developed in the fieldwork could be
      applied to the design and implementation of HBM studies in the future.

PMID- 26262746
TI  - [BALANCED SCORECARD AS A MANAGEMENT TOOL IN CLINICAL NUTRITION].
AB  - Nowadays, balanced scorecards have updated traditional management systems in the
      business sector. In this way, Kaplan and Norton propose performance measurement
      through several perspectives with a logical sequence: internal processes and
      learning impact client services, so that financial performance is affected. The
      aim of the present paper is to analyze the main characteristics of balanced
      scorecard when it is applied to non-for-profit companies and, specifically to the
      health sector in the clinical nutrition field. This model improves the economic
      vision of management with clinical indicators that represent healthcare
      professional's perspective. The balanced scorecard would allow a proper
      monitoring and tracking system for the main healthcare indicators. This
      contributes to a better control in comparison with standards that are associated
      with adequate quality assistance. Owing to the role of management accounting and
      cost calculations, the definition of healthcare professionals as clients or
      users, and clinical results relevance, it is necessary to adapt the balanced
      scorecard to the specific characteristics of the clinical field, redefining both
      perspectives and indicators.

PMID- 26262747
TI  - [ACCEPTANCE OF PULP FRUIT BEVERAGES FORTIFIED WITH FERROUS FUMARATE; AN
      ALTERNATIVE SUPPLEMENT FOR A HEALTH PROGRAM].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: undernutrition and individual nutrients deficiencies are common
      public health problems worldwide and Mexico is not the exception, where the
      highest prevalence occurs in rural areas. One way to solve these nutritional
      deficiencies is with the use of dietary supplements. However, these supplements
      need to be readily available for and accepted by the objective population.
      OBJECTIVES: to develop a flavored-multivitamin supplement (MVS) for the Health
      and Nutrition Program for Indigenous People (PSNPI-Mexico) and to evaluate its
      acceptance by 6 to 24 months old infants in rural and urban areas. METHODS: the
      MVS was developed in three different flavors, their vitamin and mineral content
      in accordance with PSNPIs guidelines. Acceptance of the MVS by the infants was
      evaluated with "scale faces" and this was further corroborated in the 6 to 12 mo
      by registering the amount consumed. The differences in acceptance by age and
      gender, as well as locations (urban vs rural) were determined with chi-squared
      test. RESULTS: the MVS developed for this study constitute a better alternative
      to supplement currently used by PSNPI.

PMID- 26262748
TI  - [GENETIC AND METABOLIC URGENCIES IN THE NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT: MAPLE SYRUP
      URINE DISEASE].
AB  - Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is a hereditary disorder of branched chain
      amino/keto acid metabolism, caused by a decreased activity of the branched-chain
      alpha- ketoacid dehydrogenase complex (BCKAD), which leads to abnormal elevated
      plasma concentrations of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) clinically manifested
      as a heavy burden for Central Nervous system. The toxic accumulation of
      substrates promotes the development of a severe and rapidly progressive neonatal
      encephalopathy if treatment is not immediately given. This disorder has a
      specific medical management in acute phase in order to minimize mortality and
      morbidity. For all those reasons, it is important to include the MSUD as a
      possible diagnosis in a encephalopathic newborn. We present a colombian newborn
      with classical MSUD with fatal outcome as an example of metabolic emergency and a
      differential diagnosis in the encephalopathic newborn. 

PMID- 26262749
TI  - [INVASIVE TECHNIQUES AND INTRAOPERATIVE ECHOGRAPHY IN THE LOCALIZATION OF
      INSULINOMAS; A CASE REPORT].
AB  - The insulinoma is the most common pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor. Surgery is
      curative in most cases, an appropriate preoperative localization allows a minimal
      invasive surgical technique for keeping the exo and endocrine function of the
      pancreas. Some authors suggest the use of invasive localization techniques just
      in cases with non-identified tumor lesion, others recommend their routinely use.
      We describe a case with clinical and biochemical diagnosis of insulinoma,
      conventional image studies revealed a tumor image in the pancreas which
      corresponded to a lipoma, the intraoperative ultrasound allowed the localization
      of the real tumor, but body-tail pancreatectomy was performed due to pancreatic
      necrosis in relation with the duration of the surgery. The systematic use of
      invasive localization techniques as the intra-arterial calcium stimulation and
      the pancreatic intraoperative ultrasound would allow a better localization of
      insulinoma for avoiding complications and associated morbidity. 

PMID- 26262750
TI  - [LONG-TERM FULMINANT HEPATIC FAILURE IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING GASTRIC BYPASS FOR
      MORBID OBESITY].
AB  - Morbid obesity is a risk factor for numerous diseases including liver disease
      with an incidence of hepatic steatosis from 70 to 80%. Although surgical
      treatment is effective in reducing weight, its effects on the liver have not been
      established convincingly. We report 2 cases of patients with bariatric surgery
      and who had a fulminant hepatic failure resulting in death. METHODS: case N.o 1:
      a 36-year-obesity intervened in 1995 with VBG with BMI 52.5 to reganancia weight
      back after revision surgery is performed in 2009 performed distal gastric bypass.
      Case N.o 2: 42 Woman surgery for obesity in 2009 by distal gastric bypass with a
      BMI of 51 and placement of prophylactic Composix kugel midline mesh. After 3
      years with good weight loss, presents abscess wall and enterocutaneous fistula he
      was surgically intervene. extracting mesh, identifying themselves two fistulas in
      alimentary and common intestinals loops that are removed and new anastomosis was
      performed. RESULTS: case N.o 1: at 2 months of revision surgery, tje patient
      starts vomiting secondary to stenosis of gastrojejunostomy anastomosis and
      symptoms of progressive jaundice, ascites and encephalopathy fulminant hepatic
      failure resulting in death. Case N.o 2: in the immediate postoperative period
      starts increased drainage of debit and rise of liver enzymes cytolysis and
      coagulopathy. It reinterviene on suspicion of anastomotic leak and abdominal
      Sepsis, developing fulminant hepatic failure with coagulopathy and encephalopathy
      is treated by MARS system, and died within 4 hours of the onset of therapy.
      CONCLUSIONS: although current surgical techniques of bariatric surgery are
      considered quite safe, there have been cases of hepatic failure, unclear whether
      this would relate to the progression of a preexisting steatohepatitis, or may
      have other predisposing factors related to surgery. Treatments available, the
      emergency orthotopic liver transplantation is one of the best interventions. For
      our patients the outcome was fatal triggering the death of both. In both cases
      presented a septic shock with positive ascitic fluid cultures to multiresistant
      microorganisms, and both had revision surgery. Unfortunately the factors that can
      influence that occur after bariatric surgery such complications, and probably
      will be grounds for future studies are unknown.

PMID- 26262751
TI  - Magnetic Relaxation in Single-Electron Single-Ion Cerium(III) Magnets: Insights
      from Ab Initio Calculations.
AB  - Detailed ab initio calculations were performed on two structurally different
      cerium(III) single-molecule magnets (SMMs) to probe the origin of magnetic
      anisotropy and to understand the mechanism of magnetic relaxations. The complexes
      [Ce(III){Zn(II)(L)}2(MeOH)]BPh4 (1) and [Li(dme)3][Ce(III)(cot'')2] (1; L=N,N,O,O
      tetradentate Schiff base ligand; 2; DME=dimethoxyethane, COT''=1,4
      bis(trimethylsilyl)cyclooctatetraenyldianion), which are reported to be zero
      field and field-induced SMMs with effective barrier heights of 21.2 and 30 K
      respectively, were chosen as examples. CASSCF+RASSI/SINGLE_ANISO calculations
      unequivocally suggest that mJ|+/-5/2> and |+/-1/2> are the ground states for
      complexes 1 and 2, respectively. The origin of these differences is rooted back
      to the nature of the ligand field and the symmetry around the cerium(III) ions.
      Ab initio magnetisation blockade barriers constructed for complexes 1 and 2
      expose a contrasting energy-level pattern with significant quantum tunnelling of
      magnetisation between the ground state Kramers doublet in complex 2. Calculations
      performed on several model complexes stress the need for a suitable ligand
      environment and high symmetry around the cerium(III) ions to obtain a large
      effective barrier.

PMID- 26262752
TI  - N Doping to ZnO Nanorods for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting under Visible
      Light: Engineered Impurity Distribution and Terraced Band Structure.
AB  - Solution-based ZnO nanorod arrays (NRAs) were modified with controlled N doping
      by an advanced ion implantation method, and were subsequently utilized as
      photoanodes for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting under visible light
      irradiation. A gradient distribution of N dopants along the vertical direction of
      ZnO nanorods was realized. N doped ZnO NRAs displayed a markedly enhanced visible
      light-driven PEC photocurrent density of ~160 MUA/cm(2) at 1.1 V vs. saturated
      calomel electrode (SCE), which was about 2 orders of magnitude higher than
      pristine ZnO NRAs. The gradiently distributed N dopants not only extended the
      optical absorption edges to visible light region, but also introduced terraced
      band structure. As a consequence, N gradient-doped ZnO NRAs can not only utilize
      the visible light irradiation but also efficiently drive photo-induced electron
      and hole transfer via the terraced band structure. The superior potential of ion
      implantation technique for creating gradient dopants distribution in host
      semiconductors will provide novel insights into doped photoelectrode materials
      for solar water splitting. 

PMID- 26262753
TI  - Rotation Dynamics Do Not Determine the Unexpected Isotropy of Methyl Radical EPR
      Spectra.
AB  - A simple first-principles electronic structure computation, further qc (quantum
      chemistry) computation, of the methyl radical gives three equal hf (hyperfine)
      couplings for the three protons with the unpaired electron. The corresponding
      dipolar tensors were notably rhombic and had different orientations and regular
      magnitude components, as they should, but what the overall A-tensor was seen by
      the electron spin is a different story! The final g = (2.002993, 2.002993,
      2.002231) tensor and the hf coupling results obtained in vacuum, at the
      B3LYP/EPRIII level of theory clearly indicate that in particular the above A = (
      65.19, -65.19, 62.54) MHz tensor was axial to a first approximation without
      considering any rotational dynamics for the CH3. This approximation was not
      applicable, however, for the trifluoromethyl CF3 radical, a heavier and nonplanar
      rotor with very anisotropic hf coupling, used here for comparison. Finally, a
      derivation is presented explaining why there is actually no need for the CH3
      radicals to consider additional rotational dynamics in order for the electron to
      obtain an axially symmetric hf (hyperfine) tensor by considering the simultaneous
      dipolar couplings of the three protons. An additional consequence is an almost
      isotropic A-tensor for the electron spin of the CH3 radical. To the best of our
      knowledge, this point has not been discussed in the literature before. The
      unexpected isotropy of the EPR parameters of CH3 was solely attributed to the
      rotational dynamics and was not clearly separated from the overall symmetry of
      the species. The present theoretical results allowed a first explanation of the
      "forbidden" satellite lines in the CH3 EPR spectrum. The satellites are a
      fingerprint of the radical rotation, helping thus in distinguishing the CH3
      reorientation from quantum rotation at very low temperatures. 

PMID- 26262754
TI  - Concise Construction of the Tricyclic Core of Bullataketals Enabled by a
      Biomimetic Intermolecular (3 + 3) Type Cycloaddition.
AB  - A remarkable TFA-mediated method for the construction of a biologically
      interesting tricyclic ketal skeleton was uncovered by starting from a variety of
      readily available acylphloroglucinol and diacylphloroglucinol substrates. This
      approach, which mimics a biosynthetic olefin
      isomerization/hemiacetalization/dehydration/(3 + 3) type cycloaddition sequence
      through a 2H-furan-1-ium intermediate, establishes a viable synthetic strategy
      for efficient synthesis of bullataketals' analogs. 

PMID- 26262755
TI  - Potential Effects of Climate Change on the Distribution of Cold-Tolerant
      Evergreen Broadleaved Woody Plants in the Korean Peninsula.
AB  - Climate change has caused shifts in species' ranges and extinctions of high
      latitude and altitude species. Most cold-tolerant evergreen broadleaved woody
      plants (shortened to cold-evergreens below) are rare species occurring in a few
      sites in the alpine and subalpine zones in the Korean Peninsula. The aim of this
      research is to 1) identify climate factors controlling the range of cold
      evergreens in the Korean Peninsula; and 2) predict the climate change effects on
      the range of cold-evergreens. We used multimodel inference based on combinations
      of climate variables to develop distribution models of cold-evergreens at a
      physiognomic-level. Presence/absence data of 12 species at 204 sites and 6
      climatic factors, selected from among 23 candidate variables, were used for
      modeling. Model uncertainty was estimated by mapping a total variance calculated
      by adding the weighted average of within-model variation to the between-model
      variation. The range of cold-evergreens and model performance were validated by
      true skill statistics, the receiver operating characteristic curve and the kappa
      statistic. Climate change effects on the cold-evergreens were predicted according
      to the RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 scenarios. Multimodel inference approach excellently
      projected the spatial distribution of cold-evergreens (AUC = 0.95, kappa = 0.62
      and TSS = 0.77). Temperature was a dominant factor in model-average estimates,
      while precipitation was minor. The climatic suitability increased from the
      southwest, lowland areas, to the northeast, high mountains. The range of cold
      evergreens declined under climate change. Mountain-tops in the south and most of
      the area in the north remained suitable in 2050 and 2070 under the RCP 4.5
      projection and 2050 under the RCP 8.5 projection. Only high-elevations in the
      northeastern Peninsula remained suitable under the RCP 8.5 projection. A
      northward and upper-elevational range shift indicates change in species
      composition at the alpine and subalpine ecosystems in the Korean Peninsula. 

PMID- 26262756
TI  - Bibliometric Assessment of European and Sub-Saharan African Research Output on
      Poverty-Related and Neglected Infectious Diseases from 2003 to 2011.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership
      (EDCTP) is a partnership of European and sub-Saharan African countries that aims
      to accelerate the development of medical interventions against poverty-related
      diseases (PRDs). A bibliometric analysis was conducted to 1) measure research
      output from European and African researchers on PRDs, 2) describe collaboration
      patterns, and 3) assess the citation impact of clinical research funded by EDCTP.
      METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Disease-specific research publications were
      identified in Thomson Reuters Web of Science using search terms in titles,
      abstracts and keywords. Publication data, including citation counts, were
      extracted for 2003-2011. Analyses including output, share of global papers,
      normalised citation impact (NCI), and geographical distribution are presented.
      Data are presented as five-year moving averages. European EDCTP member countries
      accounted for ~33% of global research output in PRDs and sub-Saharan African
      countries for ~10% (2007-2011). Both regions contributed more to the global
      research output in malaria (43.4% and 22.2%, respectively). The overall number of
      PRD papers from sub-Saharan Africa increased markedly (>47%) since 2003,
      particularly for HIV/AIDS (102%) and tuberculosis (TB) (81%), and principally
      involving Southern and East Africa. For 2007-2011, European and sub-Saharan
      African research collaboration on PRDs was highly cited compared with the world
      average (NCI in brackets): HIV/AIDS 1.62 (NCI: 1.16), TB 2.11 (NCI: 1.06),
      malaria 1.81 (NCI: 1.22), and neglected infectious diseases 1.34 (NCI: 0.97). The
      NCI of EDCTP-funded papers for 2003-2011 was exceptionally high for HIV/AIDS
      (3.24), TB (4.08) and HIV/TB co-infection (5.10) compared with global research
      benchmarks (1.14, 1.05 and 1.35, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The volume and
      citation impact of papers from sub-Saharan Africa has increased since 2003, as
      has collaborative research between Europe and sub-Saharan Africa. >90% of
      publications from EDCTP-funded research were published in high-impact journals
      and are highly cited. These findings corroborate the benefit of collaborative
      research on PRDs.

PMID- 26262757
TI  - Bone Tissue Engineering with Multilayered Scaffolds-Part I: An Approach for
      Vascularizing Engineered Constructs In Vivo.
AB  - Obtaining functional capillaries through the bulk has been identified as a major
      challenge in tissue engineering, particularly for critical-sized defects. In the
      present study, a multilayered scaffold system was developed for bone tissue
      regeneration, designed for through-the-thickness vascularization of the
      construct. The basic principle of this approach was to alternately layer
      mesenchymal stem cell-seeded nanofibers (osteogenic layer) with microfibers or
      porous ceramics (osteoconductive layer), with an intercalating angiogenic zone
      between the two and with each individual layer in the microscale dimension (100
      400 MUm). Such a design can create a scaffold system potentially capable of
      spatially distributed vascularization in the overall bulk tissue. In the cellular
      approach, the angiogenic zone consisted of collagen/fibronectin gel with
      endothelial cells and pericytes, while in the acellular approach, cells were
      omitted from the zone without altering the gel composition. The cells
      incorporated into the construct were analyzed for viability, distribution, and
      organization of cells on the layers and vessel development in vitro. Furthermore,
      the layered constructs were implanted in the subcutaneous space of nude mice and
      the processes of vascularization and bone tissue regeneration were followed by
      histological and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis. The results
      indicated that the microenvironment in the angiogenic zone, microscale size of
      the layers, and the continuously channeled architecture at the interface were
      adequate for infiltrating host vessels through the bulk and vascularizing the
      construct. Through-the-thickness vascularization and mineralization were
      accomplished in the construct, suggesting that a suitably bioengineered layered
      construct may be a useful design for regeneration of large bone defects.

PMID- 26262759
TI  - Highly Sensitive Near-Infrared Fluorophores for in Vivo Detection of Amyloid-beta
      Plaques in Alzheimer's Disease.
AB  - Alzheimer's disease (AD) is pathologically characterized by the accumulation of
      beta-amyloid (Abeta) deposits in the parenchymal and cortical brain. In this
      work, we designed, synthesized, and evaluated a series of near-infrared (NIR)
      probes with electron donor-acceptor end groups interacting through a pi
      conjugated system for the detection of Abeta deposits in the brain. Among these
      probes, 3b and 3c had excellent fluorescent properties (emission maxima > 650 nm
      and high quantum yields) and displayed high sensitivity and high affinities to
      Abeta aggregates (3b, Kd = 8.8 nM; 3c, Kd = 1.9 nM). Both 3b and 3c could readily
      penetrate the blood-brain barrier with high initial brain uptake and fast to
      moderate washout from the brain. In vivo NIR imaging revealed that 3b and 3c
      could efficiently differentiate transgenic and wild-type mice. In summary, our
      research provides new hints for developing smarter and more activatable NIR
      probes targeting Abeta. 

PMID- 26262760
TI  - Does the Percutaneous Internal Ring Suturing Technique Impair Testicular
      Vascularization in Children Undergoing Inguinal Hernia Repair?
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the percutaneous
      internal ring suturing (PIRS) technique on testicular vascularization when used
      for inguinal hernia repair in children. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In this prospective
      study, 49 boys older than 1 year who had been diagnosed with unilateral inguinal
      hernia were evaluated. Hernias were repaired using the laparoscopic PIRS
      technique. The testes of each patient were examined using Doppler ultrasound at
      the preoperative, early postoperative, and late postoperative periods. Peak
      systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV), and resistivity index (RI)
      of the intratesticular centripetal and testicular capsular arteries were
      determined. RESULTS: PSV, EDV, and RI of the centripetal and capsular arteries
      were similar between preoperative, early postoperative, and late postoperative
      periods, with no statistically significant differences detected. CONCLUSIONS:
      Testicular vascularization was not affected by hernia repair using the PIRS
      technique in our study. We therefore conclude that PIRS is a safe technique for
      inguinal hernia repair with respect to testicular vascularization.

PMID- 26262761
TI  - The Role of Laparoscopy in Penetrating Abdominal Trauma: Our Initial Experience.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Diagnostic and therapeutic laparoscopy is a known approach in
      managing patients with penetrating abdominal trauma (PAT). However, multiple
      controversies exist on indications, contraindications, and its appropriateness.
      The aim of this study was to evaluate the appropriateness of diagnostic and
      therapeutic laparoscopy in patients with PAT at Dr George Mukhari Academic
      Hospital, Pretoria, South Africa. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a
      retrospective, observational study. All patients with PAT managed by diagnostic
      and therapeutic laparoscopy during 2012-2013 were included. Recorded indications
      and contraindications, the mechanism of injury, the anatomical location of
      injury, intraoperative findings, reasons for conversion, and adverse outcomes
      (complications, reoperations and mortality) were analyzed in every case. RESULTS:
      One hundred fourteen patients were included. Stab injuries were sustained by 81
      (71%) patients, and 33 (29%) patients sustained gunshot wounds (GSW) to the
      abdomen. The conversion rate was 7%. The operation was completed laparoscopically
      in 106 patients: 79 with stab wounds (74.5%) and 27 with GSW (25.5%). Laparoscopy
      was diagnostic for 44 patients (41.5%) and therapeutic for 62 patients (58.5%).
      In total, 13 patients (12%) required re-intervention, and 2 patients died (1.9%).
      The complications were not specific to the laparoscopic approach. No missed
      injuries were reported in the study. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnostic and therapeutic
      laparoscopy in patients with PAT is an appropriate management in hemodynamically
      stable patients or those responsive to initial resuscitation. The location of
      injuries is not a limiting factor, although it affects placement of ports. The
      conversion is not a complication but rather the correct way of completing the
      operation in an appropriate situation. It should be considered in patients with
      extensive intraabdominal bleeding suggesting the possibility of major vessel
      injury, a significant deterioration of the patient, and the complexity of
      injuries requiring a prolonged laparoscopic procedure.

PMID- 26262762
TI  - An Easy and Safe Technique for Laparoscopic Pyloromyotomy: Using a Vascular Clamp
      for Stabilization of the Pylorus.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic pyloromyotomy (LP) is a well-established approach for
      treating hypertrophic pyloric stenosis. Although grasping the pylorus with
      forceps is important in LP, it requires a high level of surgical skill. To make
      this approach easier, in 2008 we introduced the method of Dozier and Kim, in
      which a vascular clamp (VC) is used for grasping the pylorus (LP with VC). Here,
      we retrospectively compared results between traditional LP (TLP) and LP with VC.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-three patients underwent LP with VC, whereas 194
      patients underwent TLP. Two ports in the umbilicus and the left flank are common
      in both procedures. Instead of a right flank port, however, in LP with VC, we
      directly insert a VC to grasp the pylorus. RESULTS: Patients' characteristics
      were not different between the two groups. There was only one wound infection and
      no major complication associated with LP with VC, whereas there were three major
      complications in TLP. Our hospital is a pediatric teaching institution in Japan
      where many surgeons perform their first LP. Twenty-eight surgeons performed their
      first LP in our hospital in the past 17 years, and LP with VC was the first LP
      for nine. The operative time for surgeons' first LP was significantly shorter
      with LP with VC than with TLP, based on Welch's t test (42.8 versus 54.4 minutes;
      P = .048). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that LP with VC is an easy and safe
      technique, and it is recommended for beginners in laparoscopic surgery.

PMID- 26262763
TI  - The Guidance Impact of Preoperative Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography
      on Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Detailed preoperative delineation of biliary tract anatomy plays a
      pivotal role in guiding surgeons completing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC)
      smoothly. Hereby, we retrospectively investigated the potential impact of
      preoperative magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) on LC. PATIENTS
      AND METHODS: In this study, clinical data of LC patients who received
      conventional preoperative examinations from January 2008 to December 2010 (Ctrl
      group, n = 300) versus conventional examinations plus extra preoperative MRCP
      assessment between January 2011 and December 2013 (MRCP group, n = 300) were
      randomly retrieved. The ratios of conversion to open cholecystectomy and various
      postoperative morbidities were respectively analyzed. RESULTS: In total, the
      incidences of operation conversion, postoperative remnant cystic duct stone, and
      choledocholithiasis in the MRCP group were 12 (4.0%), 1 (0.3%), and 2 (0.7%),
      respectively, all evidently lower than those in the Ctrl group: 41 (13.7%), 7
      (2.3%), and 9 (3.0%). In addition, the MRCP group also presented with fewer cases
      of bile duct injury and incidental gallbladder carcinoma compared with the Ctrl
      group (1 versus 5 and 1 versus 2, respectively), although none of the variances
      was statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrated that
      preoperative MRCP had a robust safeguarding effect on LC and deserves further
      promotion.

PMID- 26262764
TI  - Effect of Tracheal Cuff Shape on Intracuff Pressure Change During Robot-Assisted
      Laparoscopic Surgery: The Tapered-Shaped Cuff Tube Versus the Cylindrical-Shaped
      Cuff Tube.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although the cuff of tracheal tubes can reduce airflow leakage and
      prevent aspiration, excessive intracuff pressure can cause tracheal mucosal
      injury. Robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery (RALS) can increase intracuff
      pressure by the Trendelenburg position and pneumoperitoneum. The aim of our
      current study was to investigate the effect of tracheal cuff shape on the
      intracuff pressure increase by comparing two different-shaped cuffs during RALS.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-eight patients undergoing RALS were allocated
      randomly into two groups (tapered-shaped cuff [TSC] and cylindrical-shaped cuff
      [CSC] groups). The intracuff pressure was measured at nine specific time points:
      after intubation, immediately after surgical preparation (Trendelenburg position
      with CO2 insufflation), at 5, 10, 15, 30, 60, and 90 minutes after surgical
      preparation, and at the end of surgery. Postintubation airway symptoms were
      measured by assessing sore throat, hoarseness, and excessive cough 1 hour after
      postanesthesia care unit admission. RESULTS: Intracuff pressure significantly
      increased during surgery in both groups. The trend of intracuff pressure change
      decreased in the TSC group compared with the CSC group, although no statistically
      significant changes were found (P=.450). Also, there were no statistically
      significant differences in the postintubation airway symptom between the two
      groups. CONCLUSIONS: The TSC tube has a tendency to decrease intracuff pressure
      change compared with the CSC tube during RALS. However, neither of them was
      beneficial in preventing intraoperative intracuff pressure increase during RALS.

PMID- 26262765
TI  - Can the Long-Term Complications of Adjustable Gastric Banding Be Overcome?
      Preliminary Results of Adding Gastric Plication in Patients with Impending
      Gastric Band Failure.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A small percentage of patients fitted with a gastric band still
      experience "failure." Here, the authors demonstrate the safety and feasibility of
      band preserving-laparoscopic gastric plication (BP-LGP), which was designed to
      improve weight loss and decrease gastric band adjustment frequency and thereby
      improve patient quality of life. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All 6 patients involved
      in this study had a gastric band in place for more than 1 year; the median
      interval from gastric banding to BP-LGP was 31.7 months (range, 19.7-49.9
      months). Five (83.3%) patients were female. Preoperative median body mass index
      (BMI) at gastric banding was 35.4 kg/m(2) (range, 31.9-43.9 kg/m(2)), median
      nadir BMI with the gastric band was 25.7 kg/m(2) (range, 20.9-31.0 kg/m(2)), and
      percentage excess BMI loss (%EBMIL) ranged from 24.3% to 123.6%. Indications for
      BP-LGP were as follows: chronic gastric prolapse in 2 patients (33.3%), pouch
      esophageal dilatation in 3 (50.0%), and insufficient weight loss in 4 (66.6%),
      which included 2 patients with weight loss failure (%EBMIL of <30%). RESULTS: The
      6 patients consecutively underwent surgery from May 2014 to January 2015. No
      conversion to open surgery was necessary, and no perioperative complication or
      mortality occurred. Mean operative time was 190 minutes. All patients showed
      weight loss after revision and showed resolution of troublesome signs and
      symptoms. Median follow-up after revision was 7.3 months (range, 5.7-10.1
      months), median BMI at last follow-up was 27.6 kg/m(2) (range, 22.7-34.0
      kg/m(2)), and median %EBMIL was 75.7% (range, 21.0%-103.6%). Median fill volume
      before revision was 6.1 mL (range, 2.7-11.0 mL), and median fill volume after
      revision was 0.3 mL (range, 0.0-5.3 mL). Three patients (50%) had an empty band
      at last follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: This novel method of bariatric revision (modified
      BP-LGP) might have a role as a salvage procedure in patients with impending
      gastric band failure.

PMID- 26262766
TI  - Response validity of Persian version of P-QOL questionnaire in patients with
      prolapse.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) refers to drop of any
      pelvic organs into or outside of the vaginal canal or anus. This is a disabling
      condition that results in limitations in all aspects of women's lives, especially
      quality of life. The evaluation of quality of life in women with POP requires the
      use of a valid and reliable measure. An important aspect of validity is
      responsiveness. The aim of current study is to evaluate the responsiveness of P
      QOL questionnaire in patients with prolapse. METHODS: Women with confirmed
      diagnosed POP by gynecologist who were scheduled to undergo POP's treatment
      enrolled in the study. Quality of life as an outcome measure was evaluated before
      and six month after treatment besides assessing of physical index of treatment's
      effect (pelvic organ prolapse quantification; POP-Q). Responsiveness was
      evaluated using calculation of standardized response mean (SRM) and effect size
      (ES). RESULTS: Fifty women were evaluated in current study. Mean age was 43.5+/
      11.8 years old. The range of Cronbach's alpha was between 0.60 and 0.89 for all
      domains of P-QOL. The range of SRM for all domains was between 0.60 and 0.88. The
      range of ES was between 0.54 and 0.96. Score of all domains of P-QOL was
      statistically different between pre and post-treatment (P<0.0001). CONCLUSION:
      The findings of current study showed the P-QOL questionnaire has a good
      responsiveness in Persian language and could use to assess the impact of
      interventions on quality of life in patients with prolapse.

PMID- 26262767
TI  - Non-invasive prenatal detection of haemoglobin Bart's disease by cardiothoracic
      ratio during the first trimester.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of the sonographic cardiothoracic ratio (CTR)
      in early pregnancy for the prediction of fetal haemoglobin (Hb) Bart's disease.
      STUDY DESIGN: Over a 1.5-year period at a Chinese tertiary obstetric centre,
      women at risk of Hb Bart's disease were given the option of a non-invasive
      approach to exclude an affected pregnancy between 11 weeks and 13 weeks and 6
      days of gestation, with a routine rescan after a 2-week interval. The fetal CTR,
      a sonographic marker, was assessed, and invasive testing followed in cases of
      fetal cardiomegaly. The diagnosis of fetal Hb Bart's disease was based on DNA
      analysis from chorionic villus sampling. RESULTS: Of 154 at-risk cases studied,
      five cases (four at 11 weeks of gestation) were subjected to direct invasive
      testing because of an unsatisfactory scan. Of the remaining 149 cases, non
      invasive ultrasound examinations were performed successfully. Thirty-four (22.8%)
      affected pregnancies were revealed, including one picked up on rescan. The
      sensitivity and specificity of the non-invasive approach were 97.1% and 100%,
      respectively. The need for an invasive test was reduced by 74.7%, and all
      affected pregnancies except one were diagnosed before 14 weeks of gestation.
      CONCLUSION: CTR can differentiate reliably between pregnancies with and without
      Hb Bart's disease. This non-invasive approach for the exclusion of Hb Bart's
      disease can be used in early pregnancy.

PMID- 26262768
TI  - Combined ultrasound-curcumin treatment of human cervical cancer cells.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is associated with cervical cancer.
      Studies showed curcumin inhibits HPV oncogenes expression but curcumin has low
      bioavailability. The objectives were: (1) to study ultrasound enhancement of
      curcumin effects on HeLa, SiHa and C33A, (2) to compare two frequencies for
      sonoporation and (3) to detect cell-free DNA released by the treatment. STUDY
      DESIGN: HeLa, SiHa and C33A cells (non-HPV control) were processed and exposed to
      either: (1) 10MUM curcumin only, (2) 10MUM curcumin with 8s of 7.5MHz ultrasound,
      (3) 10MUM curcumin with 8s of 5.0MHz ultrasound, (4) control medium, or (5) 8s of
      7.5MHz ultrasound. The five treated groups were incubated (48h) and analyzed by
      dual fluorescence apoptosis/necrosis assay. DNA in spent media was analyzed by
      capillary analysis. RESULTS: Combined curcumin ultrasound resulted in 9-, 12- and
      16-fold higher necrosis in HeLa, SiHa and C33A cells respectively. Increased
      necrosis correlated with higher ultrasound frequencies. There was increased
      apoptosis in HeLa or SiHa cells with the combined treatment. Curcumin alone
      resulted in a lesser 2-4-fold increase in necrosis in the groups. Cell-free DNA
      was detected in the spent media of HeLa and SiHa but not C33A cultures.
      CONCLUSIONS: The results showed enhanced necrosis in cervical carcinoma cell
      lines after combined treatment and confirmed the ultrasound capacity to increase
      effectiveness of curcumin. Cancer cells were smaller post-treatment suggesting
      microtubule structural disruption. Cell-free DNA was low molecular weight
      consistent with lysed host cell.

PMID- 26262770
TI  - Three-Phase Coexistence in Colloidal Rod-Plate Mixtures.
AB  - Aqueous suspensions of clay particles, such as montmorillonite (MMT) platelets
      and sepiolite (Sep) rods, tend to form gels at concentrations around 1 vol %. For
      Sep rods, adsorbing sodium polyacrylate to the surface allows for an isotropic
      nematic phase separation to be seen instead. Here, MMT is added to such Sep
      suspensions, resulting in a complex phase behavior. Across a range of clay
      concentrations, separation into three phases is observed: a lower, nematic phase
      dominated by Sep rods, a MMT-rich middle layer, which is weakly birefringent and
      probably a gel, and a dilute top phase. Analysis of phase volumes suggests that
      the middle layer may contain as much as 6 vol % MMT. 

PMID- 26262771
TI  - Dose Proportionality and Pharmacokinetics of Eplerenone in Healthy Chinese
      Subjects.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Eplerenone (CAS 107724-20-9) is the first highly selective
      aldosterone receptor blocker and is used worldwide for treatment of hypertension
      and heart failure. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the
      eplerenone pharmacokinetics in healthy Chinese subjects and assess the dose
      proportionality over the therapeutic dose range. METHODS: A single-dose,
      randomized, 6-sequence, 3-treatment, 3-period crossover, open label study was
      conducted in 12 healthy Chinese subjects, who received 3 doses of eplerenone in
      random order (25, 50, 100 mg). The power model was used to evaluate the dose
      proportionality of eplerenone. The pharmacokinetic study of multiple-dose of
      eplerenone was also conducted. RESULTS: After single-dose oral administration,
      the mean C max value increased from 489 to 1 641 ng/mL, and the mean AUC 0-t
      value increased from 3 030 to 10 893 ng/mL.h with an increase in dose from 25 to
      100 mg, respectively. The mean value for terminal T 1/2 was approximate 3 h with
      no significant differences among different dose groups. Though dose
      proportionality of eplerenone was inconclusive in Chinese subjects over the dose
      range of 25-100 mg, the maximal proportionality dose range (rho1) was 2.06 based
      on power model. Steady state could achieve within at least 4 days and no
      accumulation was observed after multiple-dose of eplerenone. CONCLUSION: Dose
      proportionality was inconclusive in over the dose range of 25-100 mg; however,
      linear pharmacokinetics could be considered when dose ratio is no more than 2.06.

PMID- 26262773
TI  - The effect of the degree of left renal vein constriction on the development of
      adolescent varicocele in Sprague-Dawley rats.
AB  - Experimental models have allowed inquiry into the pathophysiology of varicocele
      (VC) beyond that possible with human patients. A randomized controlled study in
      rats was designed to clarify the influence of the degree of left renal vein
      constriction on the development of adolescent VC. Fifty adolescent male Sprague
      Dawley rats (Rattus norvegicus) were randomly assigned to five groups of 10: the
      experimental groups (I-IV) underwent partial ligation of left renal veins with
      0.5-, 0.6-, 0.7-, and 0.8-mm diameter needles, respectively. The control group
      (V) underwent a sham operation. The diameter of the left spermatic vein (LSV) was
      measured at baseline and 30 days postoperatively. In addition, the lesion of the
      left kidney was examined with the naked eye and assessed by Masson's trichrome
      staining. VC was successfully induced in 2 (20%), 4 (40%), 7 (70%), and 10 (100%)
      rats in groups I-IV, respectively. The other rats failed to develop VCs primarily
      due to left renal atrophy. No VC was observed in group V. The postsurgical LSV
      diameters in VC rats in groups III and IV were 1.54 +/- 0.16 and 1.49 +/- 0.13
      mm, respectively (P > 0.05), and their increments were 1.36 +/- 0.10 and 1.31 +/-
      0.10 mm, respectively (P > 0.05). These results suggest that suitable
      constriction of the left renal vein is critical for adolescent VC development. In
      addition, the 0.8-mm diameter needle may be more suitable for inducing left renal
      vein constriction in adolescent rat models. 

PMID- 26262774
TI  - Novel phenotype of mouse spermatozoa following deletion of nine beta-defensin
      genes.
AB  - beta-defensin peptides are a large family of antimicrobial peptides. Although
      they kill microbes in vitro and interact with immune cells, the precise role of
      these genes in vivo remains uncertain. Despite their inducible presence at
      mucosal surfaces, their main site of expression is the epididymis. Recent
      evidence suggests that a major function of these peptides is in sperm maturation.
      In addition to previous work suggesting this, work at the MRC Human Genetics
      Unit, Edinburgh, has shown that homozygous deletion of a cluster of nine beta
      defensin genes in the mouse results in profound male sterility. The spermatozoa
      derived from the mutants had reduced motility and increased fragility. Epididymal
      spermatozoa isolated from the cauda region of the homozygous mutants demonstrated
      precocious capacitation and increased spontaneous acrosome reactions compared
      with those from wild-types. Despite this, these mutant spermatozoa had reduced
      ability to bind to the zona pellucida of oocytes. Ultrastructural examination
      revealed a disintegration of the microtubule structure of mutant-derived
      spermatozoa isolated from the epididymal cauda region, but not from the caput.
      Consistent with premature acrosome reaction and hyperactivation, spermatozoa from
      mutant animals had significantly increased intracellular calcium content. This
      work demonstrates that in vivo beta-defensins are essential for successful sperm
      maturation, and that their disruption alters intracellular calcium levels, which
      most likely leads to premature activation and spontaneous acrosome reactions that
      result in hyperactivation and loss of microtubule structure of the axoneme.
      Determining which of the nine genes are responsible for the phenotype and the
      relevance to human sperm function is important for future work on male
      infertility. 

PMID- 26262772
TI  - Games for Health for Children-Current Status and Needed Research.
AB  - Videogames for health (G4H) offer exciting, innovative, potentially highly
      effective methods for increasing knowledge, delivering persuasive messages,
      changing behaviors, and influencing health outcomes. Although early outcome
      results are promising, additional research is needed to determine the game design
      and behavior change procedures that best promote G4H effectiveness and to
      identify and minimize possible adverse effects. Guidelines for ideal use of
      different types of G4H by children and adolescents should be elucidated to
      enhance effectiveness and minimize adverse effects. G4H stakeholders include
      organizational implementers, policy makers, players and their families,
      researchers, designers, retailers, and publishers. All stakeholders should be
      involved in G4H development and have a voice in setting goals to capitalize on
      their insights to enhance effectiveness and use of the game. In the future,
      multiple targeted G4H should be available to meet a population's diverse health
      needs in developmentally appropriate ways. Substantial, consistent, and
      sophisticated research with appropriate levels of funding is needed to realize
      the benefits of G4H. 

PMID- 26262775
TI  - Chronic exposure to ethanol in male mice may be associated with hearing loss in
      offspring.
AB  - Although paternal ethanol (EtOH) abuse has been shown to affect the growth and
      behavior of offspring, the exact molecular and mechanistic basis remains largely
      unclear. Methylation alterations in imprinted genes may be related to well
      documented teratogenic effects of ethanol. Here we show that chronic paternal
      ethanol exposure increases the susceptibility to abnormal behavior in offspring
      through male game epigenetic alteration. In our study, different doses of ethanol
      (0, 1.1, 3.3 g kg-1 ) were administered intra-gastrically to male mice and
      decreased sperm motility was found in the highest ethanol-exposed group compared
      with the controls. Data also showed a dose-dependent increase in deaf mice of the
      paternally ethanol-exposed groups. The methylation of H19, Peg3, Ndn and Snrpn
      was assessed in paternal spermatozoa and in the cerebral cortices of deaf mice.
      EtOH affected methylation of Peg3 (CpG 3, 7 and 9) in paternal spermatozoa and in
      the cerebral cortices of deaf mice, but the level of mRNA expression did not
      change, suggesting that other gene regulation may be involved in these processes.
      Overall, chronic paternal ethanol exposure could alter the methylation of
      imprinted genes in sire spermatozoa that could also be passed on to offspring,
      giving rise to developmental disorders. Our results provide possible epigenetic
      evidence for a paternal ethanol exposure contribution to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
      (FAS). 

PMID- 26262776
TI  - Implementation and Operational Research: Decentralization Does Not Assure Optimal
      Delivery of PMTCT and HIV-Exposed Infant Services in a Low Prevalence Setting.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The consequences of decentralizing prevention of mother-to-child HIV
      transmission and HIV-exposed infant services to antenatal care (ANC)/labor and
      delivery (L&D) sites from dedicated HIV care and treatment (C&T) centers remain
      unknown, particularly in low prevalence settings. METHODS: In a cohort of mother
      infant pairs, we compared delivery of routine services at ANC/L&D and C&T
      facilities in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo from 2010-2013, using
      methods accounting for competing risks (eg, death). Women could opt to receive
      interventions at 90 decentralized ANC/L&D sites, or 2 affiliated C&T centers.
      Additionally, we assessed decentralization's population-level impacts by
      comparing proportions of women and infants receiving interventions before (2009
      2010) and after (2011-2013) decentralization. RESULTS: Among newly HIV-diagnosed
      women (N = 1482), the 14-week cumulative incidence of receiving the package of
      CD4 testing and zidovudine or antiretroviral therapy was less at ANC/L&D [66%;
      95% confidence interval (CI): 63% to 69%] than at C&T (88%; 95% CI: 83% to 92%)
      sites (subdistribution hazard ratio, 0.62; 95% CI: 0.55 to 0.69). Delivery of
      cotrimoxazole and DNA polymerase chain reaction testing to HIV-exposed infants (N
      = 1182) was inferior at ANC/L&D sites (subdistribution hazard ratio, 0.84; 95%
      CI: 0.76 to 0.92); the 10-month cumulative incidence of the package at ANC/L&D
      sites was 89% (95% CI: 82% to 93%) versus 97% (95% CI: 93% to 99%) at C&T
      centers. Receipt of the pregnancy (20% of 1518, to 64% of 1405) and infant (16%
      31%) packages improved post decentralization. CONCLUSIONS: Services were
      delivered less efficiently at ANC/L&D sites than C&T centers. Although access
      improved with decentralization, its potential cannot be realized without
      sufficient and sustained support.

PMID- 26262777
TI  - Brief Report: Dolutegravir Plus Abacavir/Lamivudine for the Treatment of HIV-1
      Infection in Antiretroviral Therapy-Naive Patients: Week 96 and Week 144 Results
      From the SINGLE Randomized Clinical Trial.
AB  - The SINGLE study was a randomized, double-blind, noninferiority study that
      evaluated the safety and efficacy of 50 mg dolutegravir + abacavir/lamivudine
      versus efavirenz/tenofovir/emtricitabine in 833 ART-naive HIV-1 + participants.
      Of 833 randomized participants, 71% in the dolutegravir + abacavir/lamivudine arm
      and 63% in the efavirenz/tenofovir/emtricitabine arm maintained viral loads of
      <50 copies per milliliter through W144 (P = 0.01). Superior efficacy was
      primarily driven by fewer discontinuations due to adverse events in the
      dolutegravir + abacavir/lamivudine arm [dolutegravir + abacavir/lamivudine arm,
      16 (4%); efavirenz/tenofovir/emtricitabine arm, 58 (14%)] through W144
      [corrected]. No treatment-emergent integrase or nucleoside resistance was
      observed in dolutegravir + abacavir/lamivudine recipients through W144.

PMID- 26262779
TI  - Behavioural and brain responses related to Internet search and memory.
AB  - The ready availability of data via searches on the Internet has changed how many
      people seek and perhaps store and recall information, although the brain
      mechanisms underlying these processes are not well understood. This study
      investigated brain mechanisms underlying Internet-based vs. non-Internet-based
      searching. The results showed that Internet searching was associated with lower
      accuracy in recalling information as compared with traditional book searching.
      During functional magnetic resonance imaging, Internet searching was associated
      with less regional brain activation in the left ventral stream, the association
      area of the temporal-parietal-occipital cortices, and the middle frontal cortex.
      When comparing novel items with remembered trials, Internet-based searching was
      associated with higher brain activation in the right orbitofrontal cortex and
      lower brain activation in the right middle temporal gyrus when facing those novel
      trials. Brain activations in the middle temporal gyrus were inversely correlated
      with response times, and brain activations in the orbitofrontal cortex were
      positively correlated with self-reported search impulses. Taken together, the
      results suggest that, although Internet-based searching may have facilitated the
      information-acquisition process, this process may have been performed more
      hastily and be more prone to difficulties in recollection. In addition, people
      appear less confident in recalling information learned through Internet searching
      and that recent Internet searching may promote motivation to use the Internet. 

PMID- 26262778
TI  - Brief Report: Consequences of Presentation With Advanced HIV Disease in
      Pregnancy: Data From a National Study in Italy.
AB  - Among 469 women with a diagnosis of HIV in pregnancy, 74 (15.8%) presented with
      less than 200 CD4 cells per cubic millimeter. The only variable significantly
      associated with this occurrence was African origin (odds ratio: 2.22, 95%
      confidence intervals: 1.32 to 3.75, P = 0.003). Four women with low CD4 (5.6%),
      compared with none with higher CD4 counts, had severe AIDS-defining conditions (P
      < 0.001) during pregnancy or soon after delivery, and one transmitted HIV to the
      newborn. Early preterm delivery (<32 weeks) was significantly more frequent with
      low CD4 (6.2% vs. 1.4%, P = 0.015). An earlier access to HIV testing,
      particularly among immigrants of African origin, can prevent severe HIV-related
      morbidity. 

PMID- 26262780
TI  - Manifold Based Optimization for Single-Cell 3D Genome Reconstruction.
AB  - The three-dimensional (3D) structure of the genome is important for orchestration
      of gene expression and cell differentiation. While mapping genomes in 3D has for
      a long time been elusive, recent adaptations of high-throughput sequencing to
      chromosome conformation capture (3C) techniques, allows for genome-wide
      structural characterization for the first time. However, reconstruction of
      "consensus" 3D genomes from 3C-based data is a challenging problem, since the
      data are aggregated over millions of cells. Recent single-cell adaptations to the
      3C-technique, however, allow for non-aggregated structural assessment of genome
      structure, but data suffer from sparse and noisy interaction sampling. We present
      a manifold based optimization (MBO) approach for the reconstruction of 3D genome
      structure from chromosomal contact data. We show that MBO is able to reconstruct
      3D structures based on the chromosomal contacts, imposing fewer structural
      violations than comparable methods. Additionally, MBO is suitable for efficient
      high-throughput reconstruction of large systems, such as entire genomes, allowing
      for comparative studies of genomic structure across cell-lines and different
      species. 

PMID- 26262781
TI  - A PIECE OF MY MIND. A Story I Hope Ends Up Being True.

PMID- 26262784
TI  - Afternoon in the Cluny Garden, Paris: Charles Courtney Curran.

PMID- 26262785
TI  - Learning About Competition From the UK's National Health Service.

PMID- 26262792
TI  - Racial Bias in Health Care and Health: Challenges and Opportunities.

PMID- 26262793
TI  - Improving Access to Kidney Transplantation: Referral Is Not Enough.

PMID- 26262794
TI  - Hypoxemic Episodes and Adverse Neurodevelopmental Outcome in Extremely Preterm
      Infants.

PMID- 26262795
TI  - Effects of Testosterone Administration for 3 Years on Subclinical Atherosclerosis
      Progression in Older Men With Low or Low-Normal Testosterone Levels: A Randomized
      Clinical Trial.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Testosterone use in older men is increasing, but its long-term
      effects on progression of atherosclerosis are unknown. OBJECTIVE: To determine
      the effect of testosterone administration on subclinical atherosclerosis
      progression in older men with low or low-normal testosterone levels. DESIGN,
      SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Testosterone's Effects on Atherosclerosis Progression
      in Aging Men (TEAAM) was a placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group
      randomized trial involving 308 men 60 years or older with low or low-normal
      testosterone levels (100-400 ng/dL; free testosterone <50 pg/mL), recruited at 3
      US centers. Recruitment took place between September 2004 and February 2009; the
      last participant completed the study in May 2012. INTERVENTIONS: One hundred
      fifty-six participants were randomized to receive 7.5 g of 1% testosterone and
      152 were randomized to receive placebo gel packets daily for 3 years. The dose
      was adjusted to achieve testosterone levels between 500 and 900 ng/dL. MAIN
      OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Coprimary outcomes included common carotid artery intima
      media thickness and coronary artery calcium; secondary outcomes included sexual
      function and health-related quality of life. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics
      were similar between groups: patients were a mean age of 67.6 years; 42% had
      hypertension; 15%, diabetes; 15%, cardiovascular disease; and 27%, obesity. The
      rate of change in intima-media thickness was 0.010 mm/year in the placebo group
      and 0.012 mm/year in the testosterone group (mean difference adjusted for age and
      trial site, 0.0002 mm/year; 95% CI, -0.003 to 0.003, P = .89). The rate of change
      in the coronary artery calcium score was 41.4 Agatston units/year in the placebo
      group and 31.4 Agatston units/year in the testosterone group (adjusted mean
      difference, -10.8 Agatston units/year; 95% CI, -45.7 to 24.2; P = .54). Changes
      in intima-media thickness or calcium scores were not associated with change in
      testosterone levels among individuals assigned to receive testosterone. Sexual
      desire, erectile function, overall sexual function scores, partner intimacy, and
      health-related quality of life did not differ significantly between groups.
      Hematocrit and prostate-specific antigen levels increased more in testosterone
      group. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Among older men with low or low-normal
      testosterone levels, testosterone administration for 3 years vs placebo did not
      result in a significant difference in the rates of change in either common
      carotid artery intima-media thickness or coronary artery calcium nor did it
      improve overall sexual function or health-related quality of life. Because this
      trial was only powered to evaluate atherosclerosis progression, these findings
      should not be interpreted as establishing cardiovascular safety of testosterone
      use in older men. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00287586.

PMID- 26262796
TI  - Variation in Dialysis Facility Referral for Kidney Transplantation Among Patients
      With End-Stage Renal Disease in Georgia.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Dialysis facilities in the United States are required to educate
      patients with end-stage renal disease about all treatment options, including
      kidney transplantation. Patients receiving dialysis typically require a referral
      for kidney transplant evaluation at a transplant center from a dialysis facility
      to start the transplantation process, but the proportion of patients referred for
      transplantation is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To describe variation in dialysis facility
      level referral for kidney transplant evaluation and factors associated with
      referral among patients initiating dialysis in Georgia, the US state with the
      lowest kidney transplantation rates. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS:
      Examination of United States Renal Data System data from a cohort of 15,279
      incident, adult (18-69 years) patients with end-stage renal disease from 308
      Georgia dialysis facilities from January 2005 to September 2011, followed up
      through September 2012, linked to kidney transplant referral data collected from
      adult transplant centers in Georgia in the same period. MAIN OUTCOMES AND
      MEASURES: Referral for kidney transplant evaluation within 1 year of starting
      dialysis at any of the 3 Georgia transplant centers was the primary outcome;
      placement on the deceased donor waiting list was also examined. RESULTS: The
      median within-facility percentage of patients referred within 1 year of starting
      dialysis was 24.4% (interquartile range, 16.7%-33.3%) and varied from 0% to
      75.0%. Facilities in the lowest tertile of referral (<19.2%) were more likely to
      treat patients living in high-poverty neighborhoods (absolute difference, 21.8%
      [95% CI, 14.1%-29.4%]), had a higher patient to social worker ratio (difference,
      22.5 [95% CI, 9.7-35.2]), and were more likely nonprofit (difference, 17.6% [95%
      CI, 7.7%-27.4%]) compared with facilities in the highest tertile of referral
      (>31.3%). In multivariable, multilevel analyses, factors associated with lower
      referral for transplantation, such as older age, white race, and nonprofit
      facility status, were not always consistent with the factors associated with
      lower waitlisting. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In Georgia overall, a limited
      proportion of patients treated with dialysis were referred for kidney transplant
      evaluation between 2005 and 2011, but there was substantial variability in
      referral among facilities. Variables associated with referral were not always
      associated with waitlisting, suggesting that different factors may account for
      disparities in referral.

PMID- 26262798
TI  - Characteristics of Clinical Studies Conducted Over the Total Product Life Cycle
      of High-Risk Therapeutic Medical Devices Receiving FDA Premarket Approval in 2010
      and 2011.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves high-risk medical
      devices, those that support or sustain human life or present potential
      unreasonable risk to patients, via the Premarket Approval (PMA) pathway. The
      generation of clinical evidence to understand device safety and effectiveness is
      shifting from predominantly premarket to continual study throughout the total
      product life cycle. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the clinical evidence generated
      for high-risk therapeutic devices over the total product life cycle. DESIGN AND
      SETTING: All clinical studies of high-risk therapeutic devices receiving initial
      market approval via the PMA pathway in 2010 and 2011 identified through
      ClinicalTrials.gov and publicly available FDA documents as of October 2014. MAIN
      OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Studies were characterized by type (pivotal, studies that
      served as the basis of FDA approval; FDA-required postapproval studies [PAS]; or
      manufacturer/investigator-initiated); premarket or postmarket; status (completed,
      ongoing, or terminated/unknown); and design features, including enrollment,
      comparator, and longest duration of primary effectiveness end point follow-up.
      RESULTS: In 2010 and 2011, 28 high-risk therapeutic devices received initial
      marketing approval via the PMA pathway. We identified 286 clinical studies of
      these devices: 82 (28.7%) premarket and 204 (71.3%) postmarket, among which there
      were 52 (18.2%) nonpivotal premarket studies, 30 (10.5%) pivotal premarket
      studies, 33 (11.5%) FDA-required PAS, and 171 (59.8%) manufacturer/investigator
      initiated postmarket studies. Six of 33 (18.2%) PAS and 20 of 171 (11.7%)
      manufacturer/investigator-initiated postmarket studies were reported as
      completed. No postmarket studies were identified for 5 (17.9%) devices; 3 or
      fewer were identified for 13 (46.4%) devices overall. Median enrollment was 65
      patients (interquartile range [IQR], 25-111), 241 patients (IQR, 147-415), 222
      patients (IQR, 119-640), and 250 patients (IQR, 60-800) for nonpivotal premarket,
      pivotal, FDA-required PAS, and manufacturer/investigator-initiated postmarket
      studies, respectively. Approximately half of all studies used no comparator
      (pivotal: 13/30 [43.3%]; completed postmarket: 16/26 [61.5%]; ongoing postmarket:
      70/153 [45.8%]). Median duration of primary effectiveness end point follow-up was
      3.0 months (IQR, 3.0-12.0), 9.0 months (IQR, 0.3-12.0), and 12.0 months (IQR, 7.0
      24.0) for pivotal, completed postmarket, and ongoing postmarket studies,
      respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Among high-risk therapeutic devices
      approved via the FDA PMA pathway, total product life cycle evidence generation
      varied in both the number and quality of premarket and postmarket studies, with
      approximately 13% of initiated postmarket studies completed between 3 and 5 years
      after FDA approval.

PMID- 26262799
TI  - Young Age and Aggressive Treatment in Colon Cancer.

PMID- 26262800
TI  - Screening for Chronic Kidney Disease.

PMID- 26262797
TI  - Association Between Intermittent Hypoxemia or Bradycardia and Late Death or
      Disability in Extremely Preterm Infants.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Extremely preterm infants may experience intermittent hypoxemia or
      bradycardia for many weeks after birth. The prognosis of these events is
      uncertain. OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between intermittent hypoxemia
      or bradycardia and late death or disability. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS:
      Post hoc analysis of data from the inception cohort assembled for the Canadian
      Oxygen Trial in 25 hospitals in Canada, the United States, Argentina, Finland,
      Germany, and Israel, including 1019 infants with gestational ages of 23 weeks 0
      days through 27 weeks 6 days who were born between December 2006 and August 2010
      and survived to a postmenstrual age of 36 weeks. Follow-up assessments occurred
      between October 2008 and August 2012. EXPOSURES: Episodes of hypoxemia (pulse
      oximeter oxygen saturation <80%) or bradycardia (pulse rate <80/min) for 10
      seconds or longer. Values were sampled every 10 seconds within 24 hours after
      birth until at least 36 weeks' postmenstrual age. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The
      primary outcome was a composite of death after 36 weeks' postmenstrual age, motor
      impairment, cognitive or language delay, severe hearing loss, or bilateral
      blindness at 18 months' corrected age. Secondary outcomes were motor impairment,
      cognitive or language delay, and severe retinopathy of prematurity. RESULTS:
      Downloaded saturation and pulse rate data were available for a median of 68.3
      days (interquartile range, 56.8-86.0 days). Mean percentages of recorded time
      with hypoxemia for the least and most affected 10% of infants were 0.4% and
      13.5%, respectively. Corresponding values for bradycardia were 0.1% and 0.3%. The
      primary outcome was ascertained for 972 infants and present in 414 (42.6%).
      Hypoxemic episodes were associated with an estimated increased risk of late death
      or disability at 18 months of 56.5% in the highest decile of hypoxemic exposure
      vs 36.9% in the lowest decile (modeled relative risk, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.21-1.94).
      This association was significant only for prolonged hypoxemic episodes lasting at
      least 1 minute (relative risk, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.35-2.05 vs for shorter episodes,
      relative risk, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.77-1.32). Relative risks for all secondary
      outcomes were similarly increased after prolonged hypoxemia. Bradycardia did not
      alter the prognostic value of hypoxemia. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Among
      extremely preterm infants who survived to 36 weeks' postmenstrual age, prolonged
      hypoxemic episodes during the first 2 to 3 months after birth were associated
      with adverse 18-month outcomes. If confirmed in future studies, further research
      on the prevention of such episodes is needed.

PMID- 26262801
TI  - Fatigue and an Elevated White Blood Cell Count.

PMID- 26262802
TI  - Outcomes of Fresh and Cryopreserved Oocyte Donation.

PMID- 26262803
TI  - Varying Responses to Antithrombotic Treatment by Race/Ethnicity.

PMID- 26262804
TI  - Intervention for Acute Stroke.

PMID- 26262805
TI  - Varying Responses to Antithrombotic Treatment by Race/Ethnicity--Reply.

PMID- 26262806
TI  - Intervention for Acute Stroke--Reply.

PMID- 26262807
TI  - Determining the Value of Vitamin D Supplementation.

PMID- 26262808
TI  - Determining the Value of Vitamin D Supplementation--Reply.

PMID- 26262809
TI  - Incorrect Element in Figure.

PMID- 26262810
TI  - Incorrect Trial Description, Reference Numbering, and Case Description.

PMID- 26262812
TI  - Some Remarks on Alleged Degeneracy.

PMID- 26262813
TI  - Mucinous Colorectal Adenocarcinoma: Influence of EGFR and E-Cadherin Expression
      on Clinicopathologic Features and Prognosis.
AB  - Previous studies have shown conflicting results on epidermal growth factor
      receptor (EGFR) and E-cadherin expression in colorectal carcinoma and their
      prognostic significance. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to
      investigate EGFR and E-cadherin expression, interrelation and relation to
      clinicopathologic, histologic parameters, and survival in rare colorectal
      mucinous adenocarcinoma (MA). In this study, we studied tumor tissue specimens
      from 150 patients with colorectal MA and nonmucinous adenocarcinoma (NMA). High
      density manual tissue microarrays were constructed using modified mechanical
      pencil tips technique, and immunohistochemistry for EGFR and E-cadherin was
      performed. All relations were analyzed using established statistical
      methodologies. NMA expressed EGFR and E-cadherin in significantly higher rates
      with significant heterogenous pattern than MA. EGFR and E-cadherin positivity
      rates were significantly interrelated in both NMA and MA groups. In the NMA
      group, high EGFR expression was associated with old age, male sex, multiplicity
      of tumors, lack of mucinous component, and association with schistosomiasis.
      However, in the MA group, high EGFR expression was associated only with old age
      and MA subtype rather than signet ring carcinoma subtype. Conversely, high E
      cadherin expression in MA cases was associated with old age, fungating tumor
      configuration, MA subtype, and negative intratumoral lymphocytic response.
      However, in the NMA cases, none of these factors was statistically significant.
      In a univariate analysis, neither EGFR nor E-cadherin expression showed a
      significant impact on disease-free or overall survival. Targeted therapy against
      EGFR and E-cadherin may not be useful in patients with MA. Neither EGFR nor E
      cadherin is an independent prognostic factor in NMA or MA. 

PMID- 26262814
TI  - Marine bacterial community structure resilience to changes in protist predation
      under phytoplankton bloom conditions.
AB  - To test whether protist grazing selectively affects the composition of aquatic
      bacterial communities, we combined high-throughput sequencing to determine
      bacterial community composition with analyses of grazing rates, protist and
      bacterial abundances and bacterial cell sizes and physiological states in a
      mesocosm experiment in which nutrients were added to stimulate a phytoplankton
      bloom. A large variability was observed in the abundances of bacteria (from 0.7
      to 2.4 * 10(6) cells per ml), heterotrophic nanoflagellates (from 0.063 to 2.7 *
      10(4) cells per ml) and ciliates (from 100 to 3000 cells per l) during the
      experiment (~3-, 45- and 30-fold, respectively), as well as in bulk grazing rates
      (from 1 to 13 * 10(6) bacteria per ml per day) and bacterial production (from 3
      to 379 MUg per C l per day) (1 and 2 orders of magnitude, respectively). However,
      these strong changes in predation pressure did not induce comparable responses in
      bacterial community composition, indicating that bacterial community structure
      was resilient to changes in protist predation pressure. Overall, our results
      indicate that peaks in protist predation (at least those associated with
      phytoplankton blooms) do not necessarily trigger substantial changes in the
      composition of coastal marine bacterioplankton communities.

PMID- 26262815
TI  - Latitudinal variation in virus-induced mortality of phytoplankton across the
      North Atlantic Ocean.
AB  - Viral lysis of phytoplankton constrains marine primary production, food web
      dynamics and biogeochemical cycles in the ocean. Yet, little is known about the
      biogeographical distribution of viral lysis rates across the global ocean. To
      address this, we investigated phytoplankton group-specific viral lysis rates
      along a latitudinal gradient within the North Atlantic Ocean. The data show large
      scale distribution patterns of different virus groups across the North Atlantic
      that are associated with the biogeographical distributions of their potential
      microbial hosts. Average virus-mediated lysis rates of the picocyanobacteria
      Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus were lower than those of the picoeukaryotic and
      nanoeukaryotic phytoplankton (that is, 0.14 per day compared with 0.19 and 0.23
      per day, respectively). Total phytoplankton mortality (virus plus grazer
      mediated) was comparable to the gross growth rate, demonstrating high turnover
      rates of phytoplankton populations. Virus-induced mortality was an important loss
      process at low and mid latitudes, whereas phytoplankton mortality was dominated
      by microzooplankton grazing at higher latitudes (>56 degrees N). This shift from
      a viral-lysis-dominated to a grazing-dominated phytoplankton community was
      associated with a decrease in temperature and salinity, and the decrease in viral
      lysis rates was also associated with increased vertical mixing at higher
      latitudes. Ocean-climate models predict that surface warming will lead to an
      expansion of the stratified and oligotrophic regions of the world's oceans. Our
      findings suggest that these future shifts in the regional climate of the ocean
      surface layer are likely to increase the contribution of viral lysis to
      phytoplankton mortality in the higher-latitude waters of the North Atlantic,
      which may potentially reduce transfer of matter and energy up the food chain and
      thus affect the capacity of the northern North Atlantic to act as a long-term
      sink for CO2. 

PMID- 26262816
TI  - The activated sludge ecosystem contains a core community of abundant organisms.
AB  - Understanding the microbial ecology of a system requires that the observed
      population dynamics can be linked to their metabolic functions. However,
      functional characterization is laborious and the choice of organisms should be
      prioritized to those that are frequently abundant (core) or transiently abundant,
      which are therefore putatively make the greatest contribution to carbon turnover
      in the system. We analyzed the microbial communities in 13 Danish wastewater
      treatment plants with nutrient removal in consecutive years and a single plant
      periodically over 6 years, using Illumina sequencing of 16S ribosomal RNA
      amplicons of the V4 region. The plants contained a core community of 63 abundant
      genus-level operational taxonomic units (OTUs) that made up 68% of the total
      reads. A core community consisting of abundant OTUs was also observed within the
      incoming wastewater to three plants. The net growth rate for individual OTUs was
      quantified using mass balance, and it was found that 10% of the total reads in
      the activated sludge were from slow or non-growing OTUs, and that their measured
      abundance was primarily because of immigration with the wastewater. Transiently
      abundant organisms were also identified. Among them the genus Nitrotoga (class
      Betaproteobacteria) was the most abundant putative nitrite oxidizer in a number
      of activated sludge plants, which challenges previous assumptions that Nitrospira
      (phylum Nitrospirae) are the primary nitrite-oxidizers in activated sludge
      systems with nutrient removal. 

PMID- 26262817
TI  - N2-fixation, ammonium release and N-transfer to the microbial and classical food
      web within a plankton community.
AB  - We investigated the role of N2-fixation by the colony-forming cyanobacterium,
      Aphanizomenon spp., for the plankton community and N-budget of the N-limited
      Baltic Sea during summer by using stable isotope tracers combined with novel
      secondary ion mass spectrometry, conventional mass spectrometry and nutrient
      analysis. When incubated with (15)N2, Aphanizomenon spp. showed a strong (15)N
      enrichment implying substantial (15)N2-fixation. Intriguingly, Aphanizomenon did
      not assimilate tracers of (15)NH4(+) from the surrounding water. These findings
      are in line with model calculations that confirmed a negligible N-source by
      diffusion-limited NH4(+) fluxes to Aphanizomenon colonies at low bulk
      concentrations (<250 nm) as compared with N2-fixation within colonies. No N2
      fixation was detected in autotrophic microorganisms <5 MUm, which relied on
      NH4(+) uptake from the surrounding water. Aphanizomenon released about 50% of its
      newly fixed N2 as NH4(+). However, NH4(+) did not accumulate in the water but was
      transferred to heterotrophic and autotrophic microorganisms as well as to diatoms
      (Chaetoceros sp.) and copepods with a turnover time of ~5 h. We provide direct
      quantitative evidence that colony-forming Aphanizomenon releases about half of
      its recently fixed N2 as NH4(+), which is transferred to the prokaryotic and
      eukaryotic plankton forming the basis of the food web in the plankton community.
      Transfer of newly fixed nitrogen to diatoms and copepods furthermore implies a
      fast export to shallow sediments via fast-sinking fecal pellets and aggregates.
      Hence, N2-fixing colony-forming cyanobacteria can have profound impact on
      ecosystem productivity and biogeochemical processes at shorter time scales (hours
      to days) than previously thought. 

PMID- 26262819
TI  - Luminescence Solvato- and Vapochromism of Alkynyl-Phosphine Copper Clusters.
AB  - The reaction of [Cu(NCMe)4][PF6] with aromatic acetylenes HC2R and triphosphine
      1,1,1-tris(diphenylphosphino)methane in the presence of NEt3 results in the
      formation of hexanuclear Cu(I) clusters with the general formula
      [Cu6(C2R)4{(PPh2)3CH}2][PF6]2 (R = 4-X-C6H4 (1-5) and C5H4N (6); X = NMe2 (1),
      OMe (2), H (3), Ph (4), CF3 (5)). The structural motif of the complexes studied
      consists of a Cu6 metal core supported by two phosphine ligands and stabilized by
      sigma- and pi-coordination of the alkynyl fragments (together with coordination
      of pyridine nitrogen atoms in cluster 6). The solid state structures of complexes
      2-6 were determined by single crystal XRD analysis. The structures of the
      complexes in solution were elucidated by (1)H, (31)P, (1)H-(1)H COSY NMR
      spectroscopy, and ESI mass spectrometry. Clusters 1-6 exhibit moderately strong
      phosphorescence in the solid state with quantum yields up to 17%. Complexes 1-5
      were found to form solvates (acetone, acetonitrile) in the solid state. The
      coordination of loosely bound solvent molecules strongly affects emission
      characteristics and leads to solvato- and vapochromic behavior of the clusters.
      Thus, solvent-free and acetonitrile solvated forms of 3 demonstrate contrasting
      emission in orange (615 nm) and blue (475 nm) regions, respectively. The
      computational studies show that alkynyl-centered IL transitions mixed with those
      of MLCT between the Cu6 metal core and the ligand environment play a dominant
      role in the formation of excited states and can be considerably modulated by
      weakly coordinating solvent molecules leading to luminescence vapochromism. 

PMID- 26262818
TI  - Deciphering the bat virome catalog to better understand the ecological diversity
      of bat viruses and the bat origin of emerging infectious diseases.
AB  - Studies have demonstrated that ~60%-80% of emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) in
      humans originated from wild life. Bats are natural reservoirs of a large variety
      of viruses, including many important zoonotic viruses that cause severe diseases
      in humans and domestic animals. However, the understanding of the viral
      population and the ecological diversity residing in bat populations is unclear,
      which complicates the determination of the origins of certain EIDs. Here, using
      bats as a typical wildlife reservoir model, virome analysis was conducted based
      on pharyngeal and anal swab samples of 4440 bat individuals of 40 major bat
      species throughout China. The purpose of this study was to survey the ecological
      and biological diversities of viruses residing in these bat species, to
      investigate the presence of potential bat-borne zoonotic viruses and to evaluate
      the impacts of these viruses on public health. The data obtained in this study
      revealed an overview of the viral community present in these bat samples. Many
      novel bat viruses were reported for the first time and some bat viruses closely
      related to known human or animal pathogens were identified. This genetic evidence
      provides new clues in the search for the origin or evolution pattern of certain
      viruses, such as coronaviruses and noroviruses. These data offer meaningful
      ecological information for predicting and tracing wildlife-originated EIDs. 

PMID- 26262821
TI  - Associations Between Viral and Bacterial Potential Pathogens in the Nasopharynx
      of Children With and Without Respiratory Symptoms.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nasopharyngeal (NP) bacterial colonization is necessary for
      subsequent respiratory and/or invasive infection. Our study aimed at comparing NP
      bacterial colonization rates between children with and without symptoms of an
      acute viral respiratory tract infection and examining associations between
      identified microorganisms. METHODS: Children 3 months to 6 years of age with and
      without an acute viral respiratory tract infection were recruited, and a
      questionnaire was filled. NP samples were examined for Streptococcus pneumoniae
      (SP), Haemophilus influenzae (HI), Moraxella catarrhalis (MC), Staphylococcus
      aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes by culture. Viruses were detected with
      polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Median age of the 386 recruited children was
      23.4 months, and 127 had no respiratory symptoms. More asymptomatic subjects were
      found negative for all bacteria tested (P < 0.01). SP (P < 0.01), MC (P = 0.001)
      and mixed bacterial colonization patterns were more frequent among symptomatic
      children (P < 0.05). Colonization of symptomatic, virus-positive children with MC
      was higher than in asymptomatic and/or virus-negative children (P = 0.005). The
      highest HI and MC colonization rates were recorded in association with influenza
      virus. A strongly negative association between SP and S. aureus, a higher rate of
      HI detection among SP colonized children and an increased likelihood of MC
      detection in the presence of HI were observed. HI colonization was more likely in
      the presence of respiratory syncytial virus and MC colonization was associated
      with rhinovirus detection. CONCLUSIONS: Viruses are associated with different NP
      bacterial colonization patterns. Observed pathogens' associations may play a role
      in disease, and continuous surveillance is required to follow possible effects of
      interventions such as vaccines.

PMID- 26262822
TI  - Bridging the Gap Between Research and Practice: Implementation Science.
AB  - PURPOSE: This article introduces implementation science, which focuses on
      research methods that promote the systematic application of research findings to
      practice. METHOD: The narrative defines implementation science and highlights the
      importance of moving research along the pipeline from basic science to practice
      as one way to facilitate evidence-based service delivery. This review identifies
      challenges in developing and testing interventions in order to achieve widespread
      adoption in practice settings. A framework for conceptualizing implementation
      research is provided, including an example to illustrate the application of
      principles in speech-language pathology. Last, the authors reflect on the status
      of implementation research in the discipline of communication sciences and
      disorders. CONCLUSIONS: The extant literature highlights the value of
      implementation science for reducing the gap between research and practice in our
      discipline. While having unique principles guiding implementation research, many
      of the challenges and questions are similar to those facing any investigators who
      are attempting to design valid and reliable studies. This article is intended to
      invigorate interest in the uniqueness of implementation science among those
      pursuing both basic and applied research. In this way, it should help ensure the
      discipline's knowledge base is realized in practice and policy that affects the
      lives of individuals with communication disorders.

PMID- 26262823
TI  - Eyes on New Product Development.

PMID- 26262824
TI  - Adsorption of Modified Arg, Lys, Asp, and Gln to Dry and Hydrated ZnO Surface: A
      Density Functional Theory Study.
AB  - The interface of biological molecules with inorganic surfaces has been the
      subject of several recent studies. Experimentally some amino acids are evidenced
      to play a critical role in the adhesion and selectivity on oxide surfaces;
      however, detailed information on how the water molecules on the hydrated surface
      are able to mediate the adsorption is still missing. Accurate total energy ab
      initio calculations based on dispersion-corrected density functional theory have
      been performed to investigate the adsorption of selected amino acids on the
      hydrated ZnO(1010) surface, and the results are presented and discussed in this
      paper. We have also investigated the role played by water in the determination of
      the most energetically favorable adsorption configurations of the selected amino
      acids. We have found that for some amino acids the most energetically favorable
      configurations involve the deprotonation of the molecule if the water screening
      is not effective. 

PMID- 26262825
TI  - Controlling the Spin Texture of Topological Insulators by Rational Design of
      Organic Molecules.
AB  - We present a rational design approach to customize the spin texture of surface
      states of a topological insulator. This approach relies on the extreme
      multifunctionality of organic molecules that are used to functionalize the
      surface of the prototypical topological insulator (TI) Bi2Se3. For the rational
      design we use theoretical calculations to guide the choice and chemical synthesis
      of appropriate molecules that customize the spin texture of Bi2Se3. The
      theoretical predictions are then verified in angular-resolved photoemission
      experiments. We show that, by tuning the strength of molecule-TI interaction, the
      surface of the TI can be passivated, the Dirac point can energetically be shifted
      at will, and Rashba-split quantum-well interface states can be created. These
      tailored interface properties-passivation, spin-texture tuning, and creation of
      hybrid interface states-lay a solid foundation for interface-assisted molecular
      spintronics in spin-textured materials. 

PMID- 26262826
TI  - Roles of prefrontal cortex and paraventricular thalamus in affective and
      mechanical components of visceral nociception.
AB  - Visceral pain represents a major clinical challenge in the management of many
      gastrointestinal disorders, eg, pancreatitis. However, cerebral neurobiological
      mechanisms underlying visceral nociception are poorly understood. As a
      representative model of visceral nociception, we applied cerulein
      hyperstimulation in C57BL6 mice to induce acute pancreatitis and performed a
      behavioral test battery and c-Fos staining of brains. We observed a specific pain
      phenotype and a significant increase in c-Fos immunoreactivity in the
      paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT), the periaqueductal gray, and the
      medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Using neuronal tracing, we observed projections
      of the PVT to cortical layers of the mPFC with contacts to inhibitory GABAergic
      neurons. These inhibitory neurons showed more activation after cerulein treatment
      suggesting thalamocortical "feedforward inhibition" in visceral nociception. The
      activity of neurons in pancreatitis-related pain centers was pharmacogenetically
      modulated by designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs,
      selectively and cell type specifically expressed in target neurons using adeno
      associated virus-mediated gene transfer. Pharmacogenetic inhibition of PVT but
      not periaqueductal gray neurons attenuated visceral pain and induced an
      activation of the descending inhibitory pain pathway. Activation of glutamatergic
      principle neurons in the mPFC, but not inhibitory neurons, also reversed visceral
      nociception. These data reveal novel insights into central pain processing that
      underlies visceral nociception and may trigger the development of novel, potent
      centrally acting analgesic drugs. 

PMID- 26262827
TI  - Heightened cold pain and pressure pain sensitivity in young female adults with
      moderate-to-severe menstrual pain.
AB  - This study investigated the association between menstrual pain severity and
      psychophysical measures of cold and pressure pain sensitivity. A cross-sectional
      design was used with young women (n = 432) from the Western Australian Pregnancy
      Cohort (Raine) Study. Menstrual pain severity and oral contraception use was
      obtained from questionnaires at 20 and 22-year follow-ups. A visual analog scale
      (VAS; range from 0 [none] to 10 [unbearable]) was used to measure menstrual pain
      severity at both 20 and 22 years over the 3-year period, with 3 groups created:
      (1) no pain or mild pain (VAS 0-3), (2) at least moderate pain at a minimum of 1
      of the 2 time points (hereafter named "mixed)", and (3) severe pain (VAS 8-10).
      Cold pain sensitivity (dorsal wrist) and pressure pain sensitivity (lumbar spine,
      upper trapezius, dorsal wrist, and tibialis anterior) were assessed using
      standardised quantitative sensory testing protocols. Confounding variables
      included number of musculoskeletal pain sites, oral contraceptive use, smoking,
      physical activity, body mass index, psychological distress, and sleep. Severe
      menstrual pain and mixed menstrual pain were positively associated with
      heightened cold pain sensitivity (distant from menstrual pain referral site) and
      pressure pain sensitivity (local to menstrual pain referral site). These
      associations remained significant after adjusting for potential confounding
      variables including multisite musculoskeletal pain. Our findings suggest
      peripheral and central neurophysiological mechanisms contributing to heightened
      pain sensitivity in young women with moderate and severe menstrual pain. These
      data highlight the need for innovative management approaches to attenuate the
      negative impact of severe menstrual pain in young women. 

PMID- 26262828
TI  - A phase 3, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, safety,
      tolerability, and efficacy study of Xtampza ER in patients with moderate-to
      severe chronic low back pain.
AB  - Opioid analgesics are commonly used for the treatment of chronic low back pain
      (CLBP); however, abuse potential is a major concern. This study used a
      randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, enriched-enrollment randomized
      withdrawal study design to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and analgesic
      efficacy of an abuse-deterrent formulation of extended-release oxycodone, Xtampza
      ER, in opioid-naive and opioid-experienced adults with moderate-to-severe CLBP.
      Patients entered an open-label titration phase (N = 740); those who were
      successfully titrated on Xtampza ER (>=40 to <=160 mg oxycodone hydrochloride
      equivalent per day) were randomized to active drug (N = 193) or placebo (N = 196)
      for 12 weeks. Primary efficacy results showed a statistically significant
      difference in average pain intensity from randomization baseline to treatment
      week 12 between the Xtampza ER and placebo groups (mean [+/-SE], -1.56 [0.267]; P
      < 0.0001). All sensitivity analyses results supported the primary result of the
      study. Secondary efficacy outcomes indicated that Xtampza ER vs placebo had more
      patients with improvement in patient global impression of change (26.4% vs 14.3%;
      P < 0.0001), longer time-to-exit from the study (58 vs 35 days; P = 0.0102), and
      a greater proportion of patients with >=30% (49.2% vs 33.2%; P = 0.0013) and
      >=50% (38.3% vs 24.5%; P = 0.0032) improvement in pain intensity. There was less
      rescue medication (acetaminophen) use in the Xtampza ER treatment group than in
      the placebo group. Xtampza ER had an adverse event profile consistent with other
      opioids and was well tolerated; no new safety concerns were identified. In
      conclusion, Xtampza ER resulted in clinically and statistically significant
      efficacy in patients with CLBP. 

PMID- 26262829
TI  - The role of airflow for the relief of chronic refractory breathlessness.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Chronic refractory breathlessness is a major cause of
      suffering to people with advanced stage cardiorespiratory and some
      neurodegenerative diseases. It is a frightening, distressing and disabling
      symptom that imposes significant burdens on family members. Evidence is mounting
      for the role of facial or nasal airflow for the relief of chronic refractory
      breathlessness in those patients with mild hypoxaemia or normoxaemia. Airflow can
      be delivered from a cylinder of compressed medical air via face mask or nasal
      cannulae or a hand-held fan. The hand-held fan offers patients a simple, low
      cost, self-management strategy that is not associated with any known risks.
      Therefore, it is timely and relevant to review the research available for the
      efficacy and appropriateness of facial or nasal airflow. RECENT FINDINGS: There
      is sufficient review evidence available to suggest that airflow from the hand
      held fan or medical air can provide clinically relevant and discernible relief of
      chronic refractory breathlessness at rest in patients with advanced diseases.
      SUMMARY: The hand-held fan should be considered as one of the first interventions
      to try in management plans for patients who present with mild hypoxaemia or
      normoxaemia and chronic refractory breathlessness at rest or on minimal exertion.
      Emerging evidence indicates that airflow from the hand-held fan may also have an
      important role with exertion-induced breathlessness, decreasing distress and
      speeding recovery time after exercise, thereby helping patients self-manage their
      symptoms during everyday general activity and plan for crises of breathlessness,
      secure in the knowledge that they have a tangible, easily portable device to try
      in any circumstances.

PMID- 26262830
TI  - Options in metastatic urothelial cancer after first-line therapy.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The treatment of patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma
      is evolving with recent advances holding promise for improved outcomes.
      Historically, patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma had a poor prognosis
      with no standard treatment options in the second-line setting. Currently, with an
      increased understanding of the heterogeneity of clinical bladder cancer subtypes
      and molecular diversity of the disease, there is optimism that outcomes will
      start to improve. The present review will evaluate historical second-line
      treatment options and focus on emerging therapies in this setting. RECENT
      FINDINGS: Single-agent cytotoxic chemotherapy agents continue to be evaluated in
      patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma with variable results. Targeted
      therapies, including tyrosine kinase inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies, have
      also been extensively evaluated in this disease. Early phase data have as yet
      failed to demonstrate improvements in survival; however evaluations of targeted
      agents in enriched patient populations and in combination with chemotherapeutic
      agents are ongoing. Novel immunotherapeutic approaches have shown encouraging
      results and are currently being evaluated extensively. SUMMARY: The optimal
      treatment for patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma in the second-line
      setting is unknown. Recent advances in the field gives rise to optimism as the
      focus shifts to individualization of therapy based on clinical and molecular
      characteristics of the patient and the disease.

PMID- 26262831
TI  - Management of bone metastases in prostate cancer: a review.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Bone metastases in the advanced stages of prostate cancer have
      a detrimental effect on the quality of life, resulting in skeletal-related events
      and pain and place a significant burden on healthcare resources. Improvements in
      prostate cancer treatment have led to a longer survival of patients. Therefore,
      quality of life is of growing interest and importance. Successful management and
      prevention of the complications of bone metastasis in those patients remains,
      however, clinically challenging. RECENT FINDINGS: Recently, radium-223 was
      approved as a treatment for bone metastasis in patients with prostate cancer,
      joining zoledronic acid, denosumab and other radiopharmaceuticals in the clinical
      armamentarium. Radium-223 has shown to improve overall survival in patients with
      bone metastasis. SUMMARY: This review focuses on the recent landmark studies on
      zoledronic acid, denosumab and radium-223 for patients with metastatic prostate
      cancer and gives a comprehensive overview of their mechanism of action, efficacy,
      dosage and safety profile.

PMID- 26262832
TI  - Breast cancer and fertility: an update.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review will summarize key fertility issues in young women
      with breast cancer. The detrimental effects of treatment modalities on ovarian
      and hormonal function will be reviewed. Options for fertility protection and
      preservation will also be outlined, as well as the unique issues facing women in
      pregnancy with a previous breast cancer diagnosis. RECENT FINDINGS: Gonadotropin
      releasing hormone analogues continue to be in debate for their protective impact
      on the ovaries during the time of gonadotoxic treatment. Success rates in the
      cryopreservation of embryos, oocytes and gonadal tissue continue to improve.
      Concurrently, advancing reproductive technologies are developing promising
      techniques for obtaining mature oocytes from ovarian tissue and from early
      ovarian follicles. The pursuit of a pregnancy after breast cancer treatment is an
      additional challenge. Increasing bodies of evidence support the safety of
      pregnancy after breast cancer and the possibly improved survival. Still, there is
      an uncertainty regarding recommended intervals from diagnosis to conception.
      Preimplantation genetic diagnosis for hereditary breast cancer mutations is also
      becoming of increasing interest. SUMMARY: The fertility impact of breast cancer
      treatment in young women is of ongoing concern. The effects should be universally
      addressed and options should be outlined with young women prior to commencement
      of treatment.

PMID- 26262833
TI  - Increase in frequency of publication: a new era for PHCR&D.

PMID- 26262834
TI  - Carbon "Quantum" Dots for Fluorescence Labeling of Cells.
AB  - The specifically synthesized and selected carbon dots of relatively high
      fluorescence quantum yields were evaluated in their fluorescence labeling of
      cells. For the cancer cell lines, the cellular uptake of the carbon dots was
      generally efficient, resulting in the labeling of the cells with bright
      fluorescence emissions for both one- and two-photon excitations from
      predominantly the cell membrane and cytoplasm. In the exploration on labeling the
      live stem cells, the cellular uptake of the carbon dots was relatively less
      efficient, though fluorescence emissions could still be adequately detected in
      the labeled cells, with the emissions again predominantly from the cell membrane
      and cytoplasm. This combined with the observed more efficient internalization of
      the same carbon dots by the fixed stem cells might suggest some significant
      selectivity of the stem cells toward surface functionalities of the carbon dots.
      The needs and possible strategies for more systematic and comparative studies on
      the fluorescence labeling of different cells, including especially live stem
      cells, by carbon dots as a new class of brightly fluorescent probes are
      discussed. 

PMID- 26262839
TI  - Significant Impact of Immunogen Design on the Diversity of Antibodies Generated
      by Carbohydrate-Based Anticancer Vaccine.
AB  - Development of an effective vaccine targeting tumor associated carbohydrate
      antigens (TACAs) is an appealing approach toward tumor immunotherapy. While much
      emphasis has been typically placed on generating high antibody titers against the
      immunizing antigen, the impact of immunogen design on the diversity of TACA
      specific antibodies elicited has been overlooked. Herein, we report that the
      immunogen structure can significantly impact the breadth and the magnitude of
      humoral responses. Vaccine constructs that induced diverse TACA-binding
      antibodies provided much stronger recognition of a variety of Tn positive tumor
      cells. Optimization of the breadth of the antibody response led to a vaccine
      construct that demonstrated long lasting efficacy in a mouse tumor model. After
      challenged with the highly aggressive TA3Ha cells, mice immunized with the new
      construct exhibited a statistically significant improvement in survival relative
      to controls (0% vs 50% survival; p < 0.0001). Furthermore, the surviving mice
      developed long-term immunity against TA3Ha. Thus, both the magnitude and the
      breadth of antibody reactivity should be considered when designing TACA-based
      antitumor vaccines. 

PMID- 26262840
TI  - Moving Toward Patient-Centered Care in Africa: A Discrete Choice Experiment of
      Preferences for Delivery Care among 3,003 Tanzanian Women.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: In order to develop patient-centered care we need to know what
      patients want and how changing socio-demographic factors shape their preferences.
      METHODS: We fielded a structured questionnaire that included a discrete choice
      experiment to investigate women's preferences for place of delivery care in four
      rural districts of Pwani Region, Tanzania. The discrete choice experiment
      consisted of six attributes: kind treatment by the health worker, health worker
      medical knowledge, modern equipment and medicines, facility privacy, facility
      cleanliness, and cost of visit. Each woman received eight choice questions. The
      influence of potential supply- and demand- side factors on patient preferences
      was evaluated using mixed logit models. RESULTS: 3,003 women participated in the
      discrete choice experiment (93% response rate) completing 23,947 choice tasks.
      The greatest predictor of health facility preference was kind treatment by doctor
      (beta = 1.13, p<0.001), followed by having a doctor with excellent medical
      knowledge (beta = 0.89 p<0.001) and modern medical equipment and drugs (beta =
      0.66 p<0.001). Preferences for all attributes except kindness and cost were
      changed with changes to education, primiparity, media exposure and distance to
      nearest hospital. CONCLUSIONS: Care quality, both technical and interpersonal,
      was more important than clinic inputs such as equipment and cleanliness. These
      results suggest that while basic clinic infrastructure is necessary, it is not
      sufficient for provision of high quality, patient-centered care. There is an
      urgent need to build an adequate, competent, and kind health workforce to raise
      facility delivery and promote patient-centered care.

PMID- 26262841
TI  - Mass-Spectrometry-Based Serum Metabolomics of a C57BL/6J Mouse Model of High-Fat
      Diet-Induced Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Development.
AB  - Obesity, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and inflammation are
      key clinical risk factors for the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver
      disease (NAFLD). Currently, there is no comprehensive metabolic profile of a well
      established animal model that effectively mimics the etiology and pathogenesis of
      NAFLD in humans. Here, we report the pathophysiological and metabolomic changes
      associated with NAFLD development in a C57BL/6J mouse model in which NAFLD was
      induced by feeding a high-fat diet (HFD) for 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks. Serum
      metabolomic analysis was conducted using ultrahigh-performance liquid
      chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC
      QTOF-MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to establish a
      metabolomic profile. Analysis of the metabolomic profile in combination with
      principal component analysis revealed marked differences in metabolites between
      the control and HFD group depending upon NAFLD severity. A total of 30 potential
      biomarkers were strongly associated with the development of NAFLD. Among these,
      11 metabolites were mainly related to carbohydrate metabolism, hepatic
      biotransformation, collagen synthesis, and gut microbial metabolism, which are
      characteristics of obesity, as well as significantly increased serum glucose,
      total cholesterol, and hepatic triglyceride levels during the onset of NAFLD (4
      weeks). At 8 weeks, 5 additional metabolites that are chiefly involved in
      perturbation of lipid metabolism and insulin secretion were found to be
      associated with hyperinsulinemia, hyperlipidemia, and hepatic steatosis in the
      mid-term of NAFLD progression. At the end of 12 and 16 weeks, 14 additional
      metabolites were predominantly correlated to abnormal bile acid synthesis,
      oxidative stress, and inflammation, representing hepatic inflammatory
      infiltration during NAFLD development. These results provide potential biomarkers
      for early risk assessment of NAFLD and further insights into NAFLD development. 

PMID- 26262842
TI  - Heterogeneous Effects of Direct Hypoxia Pathway Activation in Kidney Cancer.
AB  - General activation of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) pathways is classically
      associated with adverse prognosis in cancer and has been proposed to contribute
      to oncogenic drive. In clear cell renal carcinoma (CCRC) HIF pathways are
      upregulated by inactivation of the von-Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor. However
      HIF-1alpha and HIF-2alpha have contrasting effects on experimental tumor
      progression. To better understand this paradox we examined pan-genomic patterns
      of HIF DNA binding and associated gene expression in response to manipulation of
      HIF-1alpha and HIF-2alpha and related the findings to CCRC prognosis. Our
      findings reveal distinct pan-genomic organization of canonical and non-canonical
      HIF isoform-specific DNA binding at thousands of sites. Overall associations were
      observed between HIF-1alpha-specific binding, and genes associated with favorable
      prognosis and between HIF-2alpha-specific binding and adverse prognosis. However
      within each isoform-specific set, individual gene associations were heterogeneous
      in sign and magnitude, suggesting that activation of each HIF-alpha isoform
      contributes a highly complex mix of pro- and anti-tumorigenic effects. 

PMID- 26262843
TI  - Prostaglandin E2 from Candida albicans Stimulates the Growth of Staphylococcus
      aureus in Mixed Biofilms.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previous studies showed that Staphylococcus aureus and Candida
      albicans interact synergistically in dual species biofilms resulting in enhanced
      mortality in animal models. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The aim of the
      current study was to test possible candidate molecules which might mediate this
      synergistic interaction in an in vitro model of mixed biofilms, such as farnesol,
      tyrosol and prostaglandin (PG) E2. In mono-microbial and dual biofilms of
      C.albicans wild type strains PGE2 levels between 25 and 250 pg/mL were measured.
      Similar concentrations of purified PGE2 significantly enhanced S.aureus biofilm
      formation in a mode comparable to that observed in dual species biofilms.
      Supernatants of the null mutant deficient in PGE2 production did not stimulate
      the proliferation of S.aureus and the addition of the cyclooxygenase inhibitor
      indomethacin blocked the S.aureus biofilm formation in a dose-dependent manner.
      Additionally, S. aureus biofilm formation was boosted by low and inhibited by
      high farnesol concentrations. Supernatants of the farnesol-deficient C. albicans
      ATCC10231 strain significantly enhanced the biofilm formation of S. aureus but at
      a lower level than the farnesol producer SC5314. However, C. albicans ATCC10231
      also produced PGE2 but amounts were significantly lower compared to SC5314.
      CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: In conclision, we identified C. albicans PGE2 as a key
      molecule stimulating the growth and biofilm formation of S. aureus in dual S.
      aureus/C. albicans biofilms, although C. albicans derived farnesol, but not
      tyrosol, may also contribute to this effect but to a lesser extent.

PMID- 26262845
TI  - Nanoparticle Sizing and Potential Quality Control of Sols Using a Unique
      Fluorescence Anisotropy Probe and 3D Contour Anisotropy Mapping.
AB  - Spectroscopic properties of the particle sizing fluorophore Dipole Blue are
      reported. The probe is cationic in nature, highly water-soluble, and strongly
      adheres to anionic silica surfaces by electrostatic interactions, as is
      demonstrated here by Ludox SM 30. The probe has a distinct absorbance band
      centered at 320 nm, and the fluorescence emission band is Stokes-shifted 100 nm
      with a peak centered at 426 nm. From time-correlated single-photon counting
      experiments, the fluorescence lifetime was found to be adequately described by a
      three-exponential decay model with an intensity-averaged lifetime of 15.6 ns.
      Perrin graph analysis of steady-state anisotropy shows the presence of silica
      particles with a radius of (5.44 +/- 0.16) nm, which, considering the
      distribution of particle sizes, is in reasonable agreement with 3.5 nm found from
      dynamic light scattering experiments. 

PMID- 26262844
TI  - Copy Number Variation Screen Identifies a Rare De Novo Deletion at Chromosome
      15q13.1-13.3 in a Child with Language Impairment.
AB  - A significant proportion of children (up to 7% in the UK) present with pronounced
      language difficulties that cannot be explained by obvious causes like other
      neurological and medical conditions. A substantial genetic component is predicted
      to underlie such language problems. Copy number variants (CNVs) have been
      implicated in neurodevelopmental and psychiatric conditions, such as autism and
      schizophrenia, but it is not fully established to what extent they might
      contribute to language disorders. We conducted a CNV screen in a longitudinal
      cohort of young children with language-related difficulties (n = 85), focusing on
      single events at candidate loci. We detected a de novo deletion on chromosome
      15q13.1-13.3. The adjacent 15q11-13.1 locus is disrupted in Prader-Willi and
      Angelman syndromes, while disruptions across the breakpoints (BP1-BP6) have
      previously been implicated in different neurodevelopmental phenotypes including
      autism, intellectual disability (ID), seizures and developmental delay (DD). This
      is the first report of a deletion at BP3-BP5 being linked to a deficit confined
      to language impairment, in the absence of ID, expanding the range of phenotypes
      that implicate the chromosome 15q13 locus. 

PMID- 26262846
TI  - Molecular Weight Determination by Counting Molecules.
AB  - Molecular weight (MW) is one of the most important characteristics of
      macromolecules. Sometimes, MW cannot be measured correctly by conventional
      methods like gel permeation chromatography (GPC) due to, for example,
      aggregation. We propose using single-molecule spectroscopy to measure the average
      MW simply by counting individual fluorescent molecules embedded in a thin matrix
      film at known mass concentration. We tested the method on dye molecules, a
      labeled protein, and the conjugated polymer MEH-PPV. We showed that GPC with
      polystyrene calibration overestimates the MW of large MEH-PPV molecules by 40
      times due to chain aggregation and stiffness. This is a crucial observation for
      understanding correlations between the conjugated polymer length, photophysics
      and performances of devices. The method can measure the MW of fluorescent
      molecules, biological objects, and nanoparticles at ultimately low concentrations
      and does not need any reference; it is conformation-independent and has no
      limitations regarding the detected MW range. 

PMID- 26262847
TI  - Molecular Level Design Principle behind Optimal Sizes of Photosynthetic LH2
      Complex: Taming Disorder through Cooperation of Hydrogen Bonding and Quantum
      Delocalization.
AB  - The light harvesting 2 (LH2) antenna complex from purple photosynthetic bacteria
      is an efficient natural excitation energy carrier with well-known symmetric
      structure, but the molecular level design principle governing its structure
      function relationship is unknown. Our all-atomistic simulations of nonnatural
      analogues of LH2 as well as those of a natural LH2 suggest that nonnatural sizes
      of LH2-like complexes could be built. However, stable and consistent hydrogen
      bonding (HB) between bacteriochlorophyll and the protein is shown to be possible
      only near naturally occurring sizes, leading to significantly smaller disorder
      than for nonnatural ones. Extensive quantum calculations of intercomplex exciton
      transfer dynamics, sampled for a large set of disorder, reveal that taming the
      negative effect of disorder through a reliable HB as well as quantum
      delocalization of the exciton is a critical mechanism that makes LH2 highly
      functional, which also explains why the natural sizes of LH2 are indeed optimal. 

PMID- 26262848
TI  - Correction to "Emergence of Hysteresis and Transient Ferroelectric Response in
      Organo-Lead Halide Perovskite Solar Cells".

PMID- 26262849
TI  - Metal Semiconductor Heterostructures for Photocatalytic Conversion of Light
      Energy.
AB  - For fast separation of the photogenerated charge carriers, metal semiconductor
      heterostructures have emerged as one of the leading materials in recent years.
      Among these, metal Au coupled with low bandgap semiconductors remain as ideal
      materials where both can absorb the solar light in the visible region. It is also
      established that on excitation, the plasmonic state of gold interacts with
      excited state of semiconductor and helps for the delocalization of the
      photogenerated electrons. Focusing these materials where electron transfer
      preferably occurs from semiconductor to metal Au on excitation, in this
      Perspective, we report the latest developments in the synthetic chemistry in
      designing such nano heterostructures and discuss their photocatalytic activities
      in organic dye degradation/reduction and/or photocatalytic water splitting for
      generation of hydrogen. Among these, materials such as Au-CZTS, Au-SnS, Au-Bi2S3,
      Au-ZnSe, and so forth are emphasized, and their formation chemistry as well as
      their photocatalytic activities are discussed in this Perspective. 

PMID- 26262850
TI  - Enhanced-Resolution Single-Shot 2DFT Spectroscopy by Spatial Spectral
      Interferometry.
AB  - We demonstrate use of spatial interference for the complete electric field
      reconstruction of two-dimensional (2D) coherent spectroscopic signals generated
      through four-wave mixing (4WM) in a single laser shot. Until now, the amplitude
      and phase characterization of 4WM signals has relied primarily on Fourier
      transform spectral interferometry (FTSI), which limits the measurement's
      sensitivity and resolution. We show that spatial spectral interferometry (SSI) is
      a generalized approach to 4WM signal detection that eliminates these inherent
      limitations of FTSI without introducing additional experimental complexity. SSI
      is used to measure the 2D photon echo spectra of two systems with dramatically
      different line widths, the coupled D line transitions in rubidium vapor and the
      energy-transfer dynamics in the light-harvesting protein LH2. 

PMID- 26262851
TI  - Recent Development in Hydrogen Evolution Reaction Catalysts and Their Practical
      Implementation.
AB  - The past 10 years have seen great advances in the field of electrochemical
      hydrogen evolution. In particular, several new nonprecious metal
      electrocatalysts, for example, the MoS2 or the Ni2P family of materials, have
      emerged as contenders for electrochemical hydrogen evolution under harsh acidic
      conditions offering nearly platinum-like catalytic performance. The developments
      have been particularly fast in the last 5 years, and the present Perspective
      highlights key developments and discusses them, along with hydrogen evolution in
      general, in the context of the global energy problem. 

PMID- 26262852
TI  - Switching Oxygen Reduction Pathway by Exfoliating Graphitic Carbon Nitride for
      Enhanced Photocatalytic Phenol Degradation.
AB  - The selectivity of molecular oxygen activation on the exfoliated graphitic carbon
      nitride (g-C3N4) and its influence on the photocatalytic phenol degradation
      process were demonstrated. Compared with bulk g-C3N4, the exfoliated nanosheet
      yielded a 3-fold enhancement in photocatalytic phenol degradation. ROS trapping
      experiments demonstrated that although the direct hole oxidation was mainly
      responsible for phenol photodegradation on both g-C3N4 catalysts, molecular
      oxygen activation processes on their surface greatly influenced the whole phenol
      degradation efficiency. Reactive oxygen species and Raman spectroscopy
      measurements revealed that oxygen was preferentially reduced to .O2(-) by one
      electron transfer on bulk g-C3N4, while on g-C3N4 nanosheet the production of
      H2O2 via a two-electron transfer process was favored due to the rapid formation
      of surface-stabilized 1,4-endoperoxide. The latter process not only promotes the
      separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs but also greatly facilitates
      reactive oxygen species formation and subsequently enhances phenol degradation. 

PMID- 26262853
TI  - Signature Vibrational Bands for Defects in CVD Single-Layer Graphene by Surface
      Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy.
AB  - We report the observation of signature vibrational bands in the frequency region
      between 900 and 1600 cm(-1) for defects in single-layer graphene (SLG) using
      surface Raman spectroscopy in ultrahigh vacuum. Vapor deposition of Ag leads to
      the formation of surface nanoparticles that migrate to defects in the SLG,
      leading to surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) of the graphene G and 2D
      bands as well as new vibrational modes ascribed to native defects. Many of the
      new spectral bands of these native defects are similar, although not identical,
      to those predicted previously for -C2 defects. These new bands are observed in
      addition to bands more commonly observed for defective graphene that are
      attributed to the D, G*, D+G, and 2D' modes. The defects observed in these SLG
      films are not believed to result from the Ag deposition process but are
      postulated to be formed during the graphene CVD growth process. These defects are
      then made visible by postdeposition of Ag due to SERS. 

PMID- 26262854
TI  - Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy of Organic Molecules on Magnetite (Fe3O4)
      Nanoparticles.
AB  - Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) of species bound to environmentally
      relevant oxide nanoparticles is largely limited to organic molecules structurally
      related to catechol that facilitate a chemical enhancement of the Raman signal.
      Here, we report that magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles provide a SERS signal from
      oxalic acid and cysteine via an electric field enhancement. Magnetite thus likely
      provides an oxide substrate for SERS study of any adsorbed organic molecule. This
      substrate combines benefits from both metal-based and chemical SERS by providing
      an oxide surface for studies of environmentally and catalytically relevant
      detailed chemical bonding information with fewer restrictions of molecular
      structure or binding mechanisms. Therefore, the magnetite-based SERS demonstrated
      here provides a new approach to establishing the surface interactions of
      environmentally relevant organic ligands and mineral surfaces. 

PMID- 26262855
TI  - Toward Economically Feasible Direct Solar-to-Fuel Energy Conversion.

PMID- 26262856
TI  - Thickness-Dependent Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting on Ultrathin LaFeO3
      Films Grown on Nb:SrTiO3.
AB  - The performance of photoelectrodes can be modified by changing the material
      chemistry, geometry, and interface engineering. Specifically, nanoscale active
      layers can facilitate the collection of charge carriers. In heterostructure
      devices, the multiple material interfaces are particularly important, which at
      present are not well understood for oxides. Here, we report a detailed study of
      ultrathin (2-25 nm) LaFeO3 films grown epitaxially on Nb-doped SrTiO3. The films
      exhibit thickness-dependence with sensitivity to less than 10 nm in both the
      through-plane charge transfer conductivity and in the potential-dependent
      photoresponse. Supplementing photoelectrochemical measurements with X-ray
      photoelectron spectroscopy, spectroscopic ellipsometry, and electrochemical
      impedance spectroscopy, we construct a band model that accounts for this
      thickness dependence via a shifting valence-band offset at the film-substrate
      interface and the potential-dependent overlap of the depletion regions present at
      both the film-substrate and film-electrolyte interfaces. These results illustrate
      the utility of using active layer thickness and film-substrate interactions to
      tune the performance of photoelectrodes, providing insight for the design of
      efficient heterostructure oxide photoelectrochemical devices. 

PMID- 26262857
TI  - Hydrogen Atom Transfer from Water or Alcohols Activated by Presolvated Electrons.
AB  - High-energy irradiation of protic solvents can transiently introduce excess
      electrons that are implicated in a diverse range of reductive processes. Here we
      report the evolution of electron solvation in water and in alcohols following
      photodetachment from aqueous hydroxide or the corresponding alkoxides studied by
      two- and three-pulse femtosecond spectroscopy and ab initio molecular dynamic
      simulations. The experiments reveal an ultrafast recombination channel of the
      excess electrons. Through the calculations this channel emerges as an H-atom
      transfer process to the hydroxyl or alkoxy radical species from neighboring
      solvent molecules, which are activated as the presolvated electron occupies their
      antibonding orbitals. The initially low activation barrier in the early stages of
      electron solvation was found to increase (from 12 to 44 kJ/mol in water) as full
      solvation proceeded. 

PMID- 26262858
TI  - Linker Length-Dependent Control of Gemini Surfactant Aqueous Lyotropic Gyroid
      Phase Stability.
AB  - Network-phase lyotropic liquid crystals (LLCs) derived from the water-directed
      self-assembly of small molecule amphiphiles comprise a useful class of soft
      nanomaterials, with wide-ranging applications in structural biology and membrane
      science. However, few known surfactants enable access to these mesophases over
      wide temperature and amphiphile concentration phase windows. Recent studies have
      demonstrated that gemini ("twin tail") dicarboxylate surfactants, in which alkyl
      carboxylates are covalently linked near the headgroups by a hydrophobic bridge,
      exhibit increased propensities to form double gyroid network phase LLCs. We
      demonstrate herein that the lyotropic self-assembly behaviors of gemini
      dicarboxylates sensitively depend on the linker length, whereby odd-carbon
      linkers stabilize the double gyroid network LLC over unprecedented amphiphile
      concentration windows up to ~45 wt % wide between T ~ 22-80  degrees C. These
      self-assembly phenomena, which arise from the linker length-dependent preferred
      molecular conformations of these amphiphiles, will broaden the technological
      applications of these nanostructured LLCs. 

PMID- 26262859
TI  - Spontaneous Fluctuations of Transition Dipole Moment Orientation in OLED Triplet
      Emitters.
AB  - The efficiency of an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) depends on the
      microscopic orientation of transition dipole moments of the molecular emitters.
      The most effective materials used for light generation have 3-fold symmetry,
      which prohibits a priori determination of dipole orientation due to the
      degeneracy of the fundamental transition. Single-molecule spectroscopy reveals
      that the model triplet emitter tris(1-phenylisoquinoline)iridium(III) (Ir(piq)3)
      does not behave as a linear dipole, radiating with lower polarization anisotropy
      than expected. Spontaneous symmetry breaking occurs in the excited state, leading
      to a random selection of one of the three ligands to form a charge-transfer state
      with the metal. This nondeterministic localization is revealed in switching of
      the degree of linear polarization of phosphorescence. Polarization scrambling
      likely raises out-coupling efficiency and should be taken into account when
      deriving molecular orientation of the guest emitter within the OLED host from
      ensemble angular emission profiles. 

PMID- 26262860
TI  - Transition-Path Probability as a Test of Reaction-Coordinate Quality Reveals DNA
      Hairpin Folding Is a One-Dimensional Diffusive Process.
AB  - Chemical reactions are typically described in terms of progress along a reaction
      coordinate. However, the quality of reaction coordinates for describing reaction
      dynamics is seldom tested experimentally. We applied a framework for gauging
      reaction-coordinate quality based on transition-path analysis to experimental
      data for the first time, looking at folding trajectories of single DNA hairpin
      molecules measured under tension applied by optical tweezers. The conditional
      probability for being on a reactive transition path was compared with the
      probability expected for ideal diffusion over a 1D energy landscape based on the
      committor function. Analyzing measurements and simulations of hairpin folding
      where end-to-end extension is the reaction coordinate, after accounting for
      instrumental effects on the analysis, we found good agreement between transition
      path and committor analyses for model two-state hairpins, demonstrating that
      folding is well-described by 1D diffusion. This work establishes transition-path
      analysis as a powerful new tool for testing experimental reaction-coordinate
      quality. 

PMID- 26262861
TI  - Ammonia-Containing Species Formed in Cu-Chabazite As Per In Situ EPR, Solid-State
      NMR, and DFT Calculations.
AB  - Nowadays, the most attractive technology for the elimination of nitric oxides
      from the exhaust gas of diesel vehicles is the selective catalytic reduction with
      ammonia (NH3-SCR-NOx) using Cu zeolite with the chabazite structure as the
      catalyst. Isolated copper species are the active sites, but the reaction
      intermediates and the overall reaction mechanism are still under debate. Here, we
      study the interaction of ammonia with zeolite Cu-SSZ-13 (CHA topology) with a
      uniform distribution of Cu(2+) sites prepared in one pot and a conventional Cu
      ZSM-5 (MFI topology) for comparison. In situ EPR and solid-state NMR
      spectroscopies combined with DFT calculations have allowed the identification of
      NH4(+), [Cu(NH3)5](2+), [Cu(Of)2(NH3)2](2+), [Cu(Of)3NH3](2+), [Cu(NH3)2](+), and
      [CuOf(NH3)](+) (Of being framework oxygen) under different conditions. The
      results demonstrate that ammonia is able to reduce Cu(2+) to Cu(+) and provide
      new information on the species formed in Cu-SSZ-13, which have important
      implications for the elucidation of the SCR reaction mechanism. 

PMID- 26262862
TI  - A Simple Index for Characterizing Charge Transport in Molecular Materials.
AB  - While advances in quantum chemistry have rendered the accurate prediction of band
      alignment relatively straightforward, the ability to forecast a noncrystalline,
      multimolecule system's conductivity possesses no simple computational form.
      Adapting the theory of classical resistor networks, we develop an index for
      quantifying charge transport in bulk molecular materials, without the requirement
      of crystallinity. The basic behavior of this index is illustrated through its
      application to simple lattices and clusters of common organic photovoltaic
      molecules, where it is shown to reproduce experimentally known performances for
      these materials. This development provides a quantitative computational means for
      determining a priori the bulk charge transport properties of molecular materials.

PMID- 26262863
TI  - Surface Effect of Alumina on the First Electronic Transition of Liquid Water
      Studied by Far-Ultraviolet Spectroscopy.
AB  - The first electronic transition (A <- X) of liquid water (H2O and D2O) on an
      alpha-alumina substrate was studied using variable angle attenuated total
      reflection far-ultraviolet (VA-ATR-FUV) spectroscopy in the wavelength region 140
      180 nm (8.86-6.89 eV). A variation in the penetration depth of the evanescent
      wave of a probe light (25-19 nm) directly determined individual FUV spectra
      associated with bulk water (distance from the alumina surface >2 nm) and
      interfacial water (<2 nm). We found that the A <- X band of the interfacial water
      was markedly blue-shifted and red-tailed relative to the bulk water. The
      electronic state difference of the interfacial water from the bulk water mainly
      arose from the hydrogen-bond structure and energy affected by the alumina
      surface. 

PMID- 26262864
TI  - Liquid-Phase Vibrational Strong Coupling.
AB  - Light-matter strong coupling involving ground-state molecular vibrations is
      investigated for the first time in the liquid phase for a set of molecules placed
      in microcavities. By tuning the cavities, one or more vibrational modes can be
      coupled in parallel or in series, inducing a change in the vibrational
      frequencies of the bonds. These findings are of fundamental importance to fully
      develop light-matter strong coupling for applications in molecular and material
      sciences. 

PMID- 26262865
TI  - Auger-Limited Carrier Recombination and Relaxation in CdSe Colloidal Quantum
      Wells.
AB  - Using time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy, we show that two-exciton
      Auger recombination dominates carrier recombination and cooling dynamics in CdSe
      nanoplatelets, or colloidal quantum wells. The electron-hole recombination rate
      depends only on the number of electron-hole pairs present in each nanoplatelet,
      and is consistent with a two-exciton recombination process over a wide range of
      exciton densities. The carrier relaxation rate within the conduction and valence
      bands also depends only on the number of electron-hole pairs present, apart from
      an initial rapid decay, and is consistent with the cooling rate being limited by
      reheating due to Auger recombination processes. These Auger-limited recombination
      and relaxation dynamics are qualitatively different from the carrier dynamics in
      either colloidal quantum dots or epitaxial quantum wells. 

PMID- 26262866
TI  - Unidirectional Adsorption of Bifunctional 1,4-Phenylene Diisocyanide on the
      Ge(100)-2 * 1 Surface.
AB  - Adsorption of bifunctional organic molecules on semiconductor surfaces is
      important for surface modification; however, most bifunctional molecules
      previously studied have yielded mixtures of singly and dually tethered
      adsorbates. Here we report the adsorption of bifunctional 1,4-phenylene
      diisocyanide (PDI) on the Ge(100)-2 * 1 surface, in which singly bound adsorbates
      are selectively produced. As shown by polarized multiple internal reflection
      infrared spectroscopy experiments and density functional theory calculations, PDI
      adsorbates form a single C-dative bonding configuration through one of the
      isocyanide functionalities, retaining one unreacted isocyanide moiety per
      adsorbate. The angle of the molecular axis is ~30 degrees  from the surface
      normal. The delocalized pi* molecular orbital of the free molecule is also
      preserved upon adsorption. These results demonstrate the potential usefulness of
      isocyanide adsorbates as a means toward selective organic functionalization of
      semiconductor surfaces. 

PMID- 26262867
TI  - Utilization of Metal Sulfide Material of (CuGa)(1-x)Zn(2x)S2 Solid Solution with
      Visible Light Response in Photocatalytic and Photoelectrochemical Solar Water
      Splitting Systems.
AB  - Upon forming a solid solution between CuGaS2 and ZnS, we have successfully
      developed a highly active (CuGa)(1-x)Zn(2x)S2 photocatalyst for H2 evolution in
      the presence of sacrificial reagents under visible light irradiation. The Ru
      loaded (CuGa)0.8Zn0.4S2 functioned as a H2-evolving photocatalyst in a Z-scheme
      system with BiVO4 of an O2-evolving photocatalyst and Co complexes of an electron
      mediator. The Z-scheme system split water into H2 and O2 under visible light and
      simulated sunlight irradiation. The (CuGa)(1-x)Zn(2x)S2 possessed a p-type
      semiconductor character. The photoelectrochemical cell with a Ru-loaded
      (CuGa)0.5ZnS2 photocathode and a CoO(x)-modified BiVO4 photoanode split water
      even without applying an external bias. Thus, we successfully demonstrated that
      the metal sulfide material group can be available for Z-scheme and
      electrochemical systems to achieve solar water splitting into H2 and O2.

PMID- 26262868
TI  - Probing Magnetism in 2D Molecular Networks after in Situ Metalation by Transition
      Metal Atoms.
AB  - Metalated molecules are the ideal building blocks for the bottom-up fabrication
      of, e.g., two-dimensional arrays of magnetic particles for spintronics
      applications. Compared to chemical synthesis, metalation after network formation
      by an atom beam can yield a higher degree of control and flexibility and allows
      for mixing of different types of magnetic atoms. We report on successful
      metalation of tetrapyridyl-porphyrins (TPyP) by Co and Cr atoms, as demonstrated
      by scanning tunneling microscopy experiments. For the metalation, large periodic
      networks formed by the TPyP molecules on a Ag(111) substrate are exposed in situ
      to an atom beam. Voltage-induced dehydrogenation experiments support the
      conclusion that the porphyrin macrocycle of the TPyP molecule incorporates one
      transition metal atom. The newly synthesized Co-TPyP and Cr-TPyP complexes
      exhibit striking differences in their electronic behavior, leading to a magnetic
      character for Cr-TPyP only as evidenced by Kondo resonance measurements. 

PMID- 26262869
TI  - First-Principles Calculations of the Energy and Width of the (2)A(u) Shape
      Resonance in p-Benzoquinone: A Gateway State for Electron Transfer.
AB  - Quinones are versatile biological electron acceptors and mobile electron carriers
      in redox processes. We present the first ab initio calculations of the width of
      the (2)A(u) shape resonance in the para-benzoquinone anion, the simplest member
      of the quinone family. This resonance state located at 2.5 eV above the ground
      state of the anion is believed to be a gateway state for electron attachment in
      redox processes involving quinones. We employ the equation-of-motion coupled
      cluster method for electron affinity augmented by a complex-absorbing potential
      (CAP-EOM-EA-CCSD) to calculate the resonance position and width. The calculated
      width, 0.013 eV, is in excellent agreement with the width of the resonant peak in
      the photodetachment spectrum, thus supporting the assignment of the band to
      resonance excitation to the autodetaching (2)A(u) state. The methodological
      aspects of CAP-EOM-EA-CCSD calculations of resonances positions and widths in
      medium-sized molecules, such as basis set and CAP box size effects, are also
      discussed.

PMID- 26262870
TI  - Ab Initio Study of the Dielectric and Electronic Properties of Multilayer GaS
      Films.
AB  - The dielectric properties of multilayer GaS films have been investigated using a
      Berry phase method and a density functional perturbation theory approach. A
      linear relationship has been observed between the number of GaS layers and slab
      polarizability, which can be easily converged at a small supercell size and has a
      weak correlation with different stacking orders. Moreover, the intercoupling
      effect of the stacking pattern and applied vertical field on the electronic
      properties of GaS bilayers has been discussed. The band gaps of different
      stacking orders show various downward trends with the increasing field, which is
      interpreted as giant Stark effect. Our study demonstrates that the slab
      polarizability as the substitution of conventional dielectric constant can act as
      an independent and reliable parameter to elucidate the dielectric properties of
      low-dimensional systems and that the applied electric field is an effective
      method to modulate the electric properties of nanostructures. 

PMID- 26262871
TI  - Loss of Linear Band Dispersion and Trigonal Structure in Silicene on Ir(111).
AB  - The structure of silicene/Ir(111) was examined on the basis of density functional
      theory. We have found that Ir(111) preserves the 2D character of silicene but
      significantly distorts its structure from the trigonal one expected for an
      isolated silicene. The electronic structure of silicene is strongly hybridized
      with that of Ir(111) so that silicene on Ir(111) loses its linear band dispersion
      around the Fermi level, giving rise to a metallic band structure; however,
      silicene/Ir(111) exhibits a hidden linear-dispersive band, which is related to
      the linear-dispersive conduction band of an isolated silicene. 

PMID- 26262872
TI  - Solution Synthesized p-Type Copper Gallium Oxide Nanoplates as Hole Transport
      Layer for Organic Photovoltaic Devices.
AB  - p-Type metal-oxide hole transport layer (HTL) suppresses recombination at the
      anode and hence improves the organic photovoltaic (OPV) device performance. While
      NiOx has been shown to exhibit good HTL performance, very thin films (<10 nm) are
      needed due to its poor conductivity and high absorption. To overcome these
      limitations, we utilize CuGaO2, a p-type transparent conducting oxide, as HTL for
      OPV devices. Pure delafossite phase CuGaO2 nanoplates are synthesized via
      microwave-assisted hydrothermal reaction in a significantly shorter reaction time
      compared to via conventional heating. A thick CuGaO2 HTL (~280 nm) in poly(3
      hexylthiophene):[6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (P3HT:PCBM) devices
      achieves 3.2% power conversion efficiency, on par with devices made with standard
      HTL materials. Such a thick CuGaO2 HTL is more compatible with large-area and
      high-volume printing process. 

PMID- 26262873
TI  - Shedding Light on the Dock-Lock Mechanism in Amyloid Fibril Growth Using Markov
      State Models.
AB  - We investigate how the molecular mechanism of monomer addition to a growing
      amyloid fibril of the transthyretin TTR105-115 peptide is affected by pH. Using
      Markov state models to extract equilibrium and dynamical information from
      extensive all atom simulations allowed us to characterize both productive
      pathways in monomer addition as well as several off-pathway trapped states. We
      found that multiple pathways result in successful addition. All productive
      pathways are driven by the central hydrophobic residues in the peptide.
      Furthermore, we show that the slowest transitions in the system involve trapped
      configurations, that is, long-lived metastable states. These traps dominate the
      rate of fibril growth. Changing the pH essentially reweights the system, leading
      to clear differences in the relative importance of both productive paths and
      traps, yet retains the core mechanism. 

PMID- 26262874
TI  - Computational Screening of 2D Materials for Photocatalysis.
AB  - Two-dimensional (2D) materials exhibit a range of extraordinary electronic,
      optical, and mechanical properties different from their bulk counterparts with
      potential applications for 2D materials emerging in energy storage and conversion
      technologies. In this Perspective, we summarize the recent developments in the
      field of solar water splitting using 2D materials and review a computational
      screening approach to rapidly and efficiently discover more 2D materials that
      possess properties suitable for solar water splitting. Computational tools based
      on density-functional theory can predict the intrinsic properties of potential
      photocatalyst such as their electronic properties, optical absorbance, and
      solubility in aqueous solutions. Computational tools enable the exploration of
      possible routes to enhance the photocatalytic activity of 2D materials by use of
      mechanical strain, bias potential, doping, and pH. We discuss future research
      directions and needed method developments for the computational design and
      optimization of 2D materials for photocatalysis. 

PMID- 26262875
TI  - Two Different Serum MiRNA Signatures Correlate with the Clinical Outcome and
      Histological Subtype in Pleural Malignant Mesothelioma Patients.
AB  - Pleural malignant mesothelioma (MPM) is a detrimental neoplasm affecting pleural
      sheets and determining a high rate of mortality. In this study, we have enrolled
      14 consecutive patients (13 males and 1 female) with MPM (mean age: 70.3 +/- 4.6
      years). We have collected serum for the determination of a miRNA profiling using
      a low-density microarray real time PCR system in the serum of patients and
      comparing it with that one of 10 control counterparts affected by not-cancer
      related pleural effusions. In the patients 5 miRNAs were up-regulated (miR101,
      miR25, miR26b, miR335 and miR433), 2 miRNA were downregulated (miR191, miR223)
      and two miRNAs were expressed exclusively in patients (miR29a and miR516). Based
      upon the changes in the expression of the above mentioned miRNAs we detected two
      distinctive miRNA signatures predicting histotype and survival in these patients:
      I) patients with more than 3/9 upregulated miRNAs or 3/9 upregulated miRNAs and
      miR516 not recordable or unchanged (signature A); II) patients with at least 3/9
      downregulated or unchanged miRNAs and/or miR29a downregulated (signature B).
      Based upon these criteria, 5 patients were stratified in signature A and the
      remaining 9 in signature B. Patients with signature A had a significant shorter
      median survival than those with signature B (7 months vs. 17 months, 95% CI:
      0.098-1.72, p = 0.0021), had a sarcomatoid or mixed histological MPM subtype and
      were diagnosed in stage II (3/5) and stage III (2/5). In conclusion, we suggest
      that miRNA signature A is predictive of sarcomatoid histotype and of worse
      prognosis in MPM. 

PMID- 26262876
TI  - Landscapes for Energy and Wildlife: Conservation Prioritization for Golden Eagles
      across Large Spatial Scales.
AB  - Proactive conservation planning for species requires the identification of
      important spatial attributes across ecologically relevant scales in a model-based
      framework. However, it is often difficult to develop predictive models, as the
      explanatory data required for model development across regional management scales
      is rarely available. Golden eagles are a large-ranging predator of conservation
      concern in the United States that may be negatively affected by wind energy
      development. Thus, identifying landscapes least likely to pose conflict between
      eagles and wind development via shared space prior to development will be
      critical for conserving populations in the face of imposing development. We used
      publically available data on golden eagle nests to generate predictive models of
      golden eagle nesting sites in Wyoming, USA, using a suite of environmental and
      anthropogenic variables. By overlaying predictive models of golden eagle nesting
      habitat with wind energy resource maps, we highlight areas of potential conflict
      among eagle nesting habitat and wind development. However, our results suggest
      that wind potential and the relative probability of golden eagle nesting are not
      necessarily spatially correlated. Indeed, the majority of our sample frame
      includes areas with disparate predictions between suitable nesting habitat and
      potential for developing wind energy resources. Map predictions cannot replace on
      the-ground monitoring for potential risk of wind turbines on wildlife
      populations, though they provide industry and managers a useful framework to
      first assess potential development. 

PMID- 26262877
TI  - Extracellular Matrix Stiffness Regulates Osteogenic Differentiation through MAPK
      Activation.
AB  - Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) differentiation is regulated by the extracellular
      matrix (ECM) through activation of intracellular signaling mediators. The
      stiffness of the ECM was shown to be an important regulatory factor for MSC
      differentiation, and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) was
      identified as an effector protein for MSC differentiation. However, the detailed
      underlying mechanism regarding the role of ECM stiffness and TAZ in MSC
      differentiation is not yet fully understood. In this report, we showed that ECM
      stiffness regulates MSC fate through ERK or JNK activation. Specifically, a stiff
      hydrogel matrix stimulates osteogenic differentiation concomitant with increased
      nuclear localization of TAZ, but inhibits adipogenic differentiation. ERK and JNK
      activity was significantly increased in cells cultured on a stiff hydrogel. TAZ
      activation was induced by ERK or JNK activation on a stiff hydrogel because
      exposure to an ERK or JNK inhibitor significantly decreased the nuclear
      localization of TAZ, indicating that ECM stiffness-induced ERK or JNK activation
      is important for TAZ-driven osteogenic differentiation. Taken together, these
      results suggest that ECM stiffness regulates MSC differentiation through ERK or
      JNK activation. 

PMID- 26262878
TI  - Developmental Trajectories of Internally and Externally Driven Temporal
      Prediction.
AB  - The ability to generate temporal prediction (TP) is fundamental to our survival
      since it allows us to selectively orient our attention in time in order to
      prioritize relevant environmental information. Studies on adult participants
      showed that externally and internally driven mechanisms can be engaged to
      establish TP, both resulting in better behavioural performance. However, few
      studies on children have investigated the ability to engage internally and
      externally driven TP, especially in relation to how these mechanisms change
      across development. In this study, 111 participants (88 children between six and
      eleven years of age, and 23 adults) were tested by means of a simple reaction
      time paradigm, in which temporal cueing and neutral conditions were orthogonally
      manipulated to induce externally and internally driven TP mechanisms, as well as
      an interaction between the two. Sequential effects (SEs) relative to both tasks
      were also investigated. Results showed that all children participating in the
      study were able to implement both external and internal TP in an independent
      fashion. However, children younger than eight years were not able to combine both
      strategies. Furthermore, in the temporal cueing blocks they did not show the
      typically-observed asymmetric SE pattern. These results suggest that children can
      flexibly use both external and internal TP mechanisms to optimise their
      behaviour, although their successful combined use develops only after eight years
      of age. 

PMID- 26262879
TI  - Unilateral and Bilateral Cortical Resection: Effects on Spike-Wave Discharges in
      a Genetic Absence Epilepsy Model.
AB  - RESEARCH QUESTION: Recent discoveries have challenged the traditional view that
      the thalamus is the primary source driving spike-and-wave discharges (SWDs). At
      odds, SWDs in genetic absence models have a cortical focal origin in the deep
      layers of the perioral region of the somatosensory cortex. The present study
      examines the effect of unilateral and bilateral surgical resection of the assumed
      focal cortical region on the occurrence of SWDs in anesthetized WAG/Rij rats, a
      well described and validated genetic absence model. METHODS: Male WAG/Rij rats
      were used: 9 in the resected and 6 in the control group. EEG recordings were made
      before and after craniectomy, after unilateral and after bilateral removal of the
      focal region. RESULTS: SWDs decreased after unilateral cortical resection, while
      SWDs were no longer noticed after bilateral resection. This was also the case
      when the resected areas were restricted to layers I-IV with layers V and VI
      intact. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that SWDs are completely abolished
      after bilateral removal of the focal region, most likely by interference with an
      intracortical columnar circuit. The evidence suggests that absence epilepsy is a
      network type of epilepsy since interference with only the local cortical network
      abolishes all seizures.

PMID- 26262881
TI  - Alirocumab (Praluent) to lower LDL-Cholesterol.

PMID- 26262880
TI  - Increased Risk of Acute Pancreatitis in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A
      Population-Based Cohort Study.
AB  - The study was conducted to determine whether patients with rheumatoid arthritis
      (RA) are at increased risk of acute pancreatitis compared with those without RA
      and to determine if the risk of acute pancreatitis varied by anti-RA drug use. We
      used the large population-based dataset from the National Health Insurance (NHI)
      program in Taiwan to conduct a retrospective cohort study. Patients newly
      diagnosed with RA between 2000 and 2011 were referred to as the RA group. The
      comparator non-RA group was matched with propensity score, using age and sex, in
      the same time period. We presented the incidence density by 100,000 person-years.
      The propensity score and all variables were analyzed in fully adjusted Cox
      proportional hazard regression. The cumulative incidence of acute pancreatitis
      was assessed by Kaplan-Meier analysis, with significance based on the log-rank
      test. From claims data of one million enrollees randomly sampled from the Taiwan
      NHI database, 29,755 adults with RA were identified and 119,020 non-RA persons
      were matched as a comparison group. The RA cohort had higher incidence density of
      acute pancreatitis (185.7 versus 119.0 per 100,000 person-years) than the non-RA
      cohort. The adjusted hazard ratio (HR) was 1.62 (95% CI [confidence interval]
      1.43-1.83) for patients with RA to develop acute pancreatitis. Oral
      corticosteroid use decreased the risk of acute pancreatitis (adjusted HR 0.83,
      95% CI 0.73-0.94) but without a dose-dependent effect. Current use of disease
      modifying anti-rheumatic drugs or tumor necrosis factor blockers did not decrease
      the risk of acute pancreatitis. In conclusion, patients with RA are at an
      elevated risk of acute pancreatitis. Use of oral corticosteroids may reduce the
      risk of acute pancreatitis.

PMID- 26262882
TI  - Palbociclib (Ibrance) for metastatic breast cancer.

PMID- 26262883
TI  - Brexpiprazole (Rexulti) for schizophrenia and depression.

PMID- 26262884
TI  - Panobinostat (Farydak) for multiple myeloma.

PMID- 26262885
TI  - Lenvatinib (Lenvima) for thyroid cancer.

PMID- 26262886
TI  - Host-targeting agents for treatment of hepatitis B virus infection.
AB  - Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major cause of chronic liver disease,
      including liver cirrhosis, liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)-the
      second leading and fastest rising cause of cancer death world-wide. While de novo
      infection can be efficiently prevented by vaccination and chronic infection can
      be controlled using antivirals targeting the viral polymerase, the development of
      efficient antiviral strategies to eliminate the virus and thus to cure infection
      remains a key unmet medical need. The recent progress in the development of
      robust infectious HBV cell culture models now enables the investigation of the
      full viral life cycle, including a more detailed study of the molecular
      mechanisms of virus-host interactions responsible for viral persistence. The
      understanding of these virus-host interactions will be instrumental for the
      development of curative treatments. Host-dependency factors have recently emerged
      as promising candidates to treat and prevent infection by various pathogens. This
      review focuses on the potential of host-targeting agents (HTAs) as novel
      antivirals to treat and cure HBV infection. These include HTAs that inhibit de
      novo and re-infection, synthesis and spread of cccDNA as well as development of
      immune-based approaches eliminating or curing infected hepatocytes, including the
      eradication of viral cccDNA. 

PMID- 26262887
TI  - Protective effect of N-acetylcysteine on cyclophosphamide-induced cardiotoxicity
      in rats.
AB  - Cyclophosphamide (CP) is an oxazaphosphorine nitrogen mustard alkylating drug
      used for the treatment of chronic and acute leukemias, lymphoma, myeloma, and
      cancers of the breast and ovary. It is known to cause severe cardiac toxicity.
      This study investigated the protective effect of N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) on CP
      induced cardiotoxicity in rats. CP resulted in a significant increase in serum
      aminotransferases, creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) enzymes,
      asymmetric dimethylarginine and tumor necrosis factor-alpha and significant
      decrease in total nitrate/nitrite(NOx). In cardiac tissues, a single dose of CP
      (200mg/kg, i.p.) resulted in significant increase in malondialdehyde and NOx and
      a significant decrease in reduced glutathione content, glutathione peroxidase,
      catalase, and superoxide dismutase activities. Interestingly, Administration of
      NAC (200mg/kg, i.p.) for 5 days prior to CP attenuates all the biochemical
      changes induced by CP. These results revealed that NAC attenuates CP-induced
      cardiotoxicity by inhibiting oxidative and nitrosative stress and preserving the
      activity of antioxidant enzymes. 

PMID- 26262888
TI  - Novel monogenic diseases causing human autoimmunity.
AB  - Fuelled by the on-going sequencing revolution, the last two years have seen a
      number of exciting discoveries relating to monogenic disorders predisposing to
      autoimmunity that provide new insights into the function of the human immune
      system. Here we discuss a selection of these diseases due to mutations in PRKCD,
      CTLA4, STAT3, IFIH1, TMEM173 and COPA. 

PMID- 26262890
TI  - Positioning the arts for intervention design research in the human services.
AB  - The arts have been integral to the human experience fostering innovation in
      social arrangements, strengthening group cohesion, and merging esthetics with the
      utilitarian properties of technology. For intervention design research in the
      human services the arts can harness innovation and creativity in meeting human
      needs and addressing social issues. Given their capacities to stimulate
      expression of first person experience through interpretative strategies, the arts
      can equip people and groups, including researchers, with opportunities to express
      primary experiential knowledge through creative means, portray useful ways of
      meeting human needs, educate others about the social issues people experience,
      and formulate intervention strategies or even models to address the causes and
      consequences of those issues. In this paper, the authors discuss how the arts can
      inform and deepen human service intervention design and development and, as a
      result, advance innovation in the human services. They offer a rationale
      supporting the inclusion of the arts in the design of human service
      interventions, examine the contributions of the arts to the formulation of
      intervention concept and developmental research to further improve interventions,
      and consider how the arts can advance the reflexivity of intervention designers.
      The authors draw implications for how researchers can position the arts in the
      nine steps of intervention design and development the authors offer in this
      paper. 

PMID- 26262891
TI  - Noncovalent Binding of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons with Genetic Bases
      Reducing the in Vitro Lateral Transfer of Antibiotic Resistant Genes.
AB  - In current studies of noncovalent interactions of polycyclic aromatic
      hydrocarbons (PAHs) with genetic units, the impact of such interactions on gene
      transfer has not been explored. In this study, we examined the association of
      some widely occurring PAHs (phenanthrene, pyrene, benzo[g,h,i]perylene, and other
      congeners) with antibiotic resistant plasmids (pUC19). Small molecular PAHs
      (e.g., phenanthrene) bind effectively with plasmids to form a loosely clew-like
      plasmid-PAH complex (16.5-49.5 nm), resulting in reduced transformation of
      ampicillin resistance gene (Ampr). The in vitro transcription analysis
      demonstrated that reduced transformation of Ampr in plasmids results from the PAH
      inhibited Ampr transcription to RNA. Fluorescence microtitration coupled with
      Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and theoretical interaction models
      showed that adenine in plasmid has a stronger capacity to sequester small Phen
      and Pyre molecules via a pi-pi attraction. Changes in Gibbs free energy (DeltaG)
      suggest that the CT-PAH model reliably depicts the plasmid-PAH interaction
      through a noncovalently physical sorption mechanism. Considering the wide
      occurrence of PAHs and antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs) in the environment, our
      findings suggest that small-sized PAHs can well affect the behavior of ARGs via
      above-described noncovalent interactions. 

PMID- 26262889
TI  - Estimating PMTCT's Impact on Heterosexual HIV Transmission: A Mathematical
      Modeling Analysis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT) strategies
      include combined short-course antiretrovirals during pregnancy (Option A), triple
      drug antiretroviral treament (ART) during pregnancy and breastfeeding (Option B),
      or lifelong ART (Option B+). The WHO also recommends ART for HIV treatment and
      prevention of sexual transmission of HIV. The impact of PMTCT strategies on
      prevention of sexual HIV transmission of HIV is not known. We estimated the
      population-level impact of PMTCT interventions on heterosexual HIV transmission
      in southwestern Uganda and KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, two regions with
      different HIV prevalence and fertility rates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We
      constructed and validated dynamic, stochastic, network-based HIV transmission
      models for each region. PMTCT Options A, B, and B+ were simulated over ten years
      under three scenarios: 1) current ART and PMTCT coverage, 2) current ART and high
      PMTCT coverage, and 3) high ART and PMTCT coverage. We compared adult HIV
      incidence after ten years of each intervention to Option A (and current ART) at
      current coverage. RESULTS: At current coverage, Options B and B+ reduced
      heterosexual HIV incidence by about 5% and 15%, respectively, in both countries.
      With current ART and high PMTCT coverage, Option B+ reduced HIV incidence by 35%
      in Uganda and 19% in South Africa, while Option B had smaller, but meaningful,
      reductions. The greatest reductions in HIV incidence were achieved with high ART
      and PMTCT coverage. In this scenario, all PMTCT strategies yielded similar
      results. DISCUSSION: Implementation of Options B/B+ reduces adult HIV incidence,
      with greater effect (relative to Option A at current levels) in Uganda than South
      Africa. These results are likely driven by Uganda's higher fertility rates.

PMID- 26262892
TI  - (Me)L2Zn2(MU-1,6-Ph2-N6) - a building block for new hexazene complexes.
AB  - The zinc hexazene complex (Me)L2Zn2(MU-1,6-Ph2-N6) 1 ((Me)L = HC[C(Me)N(2,4,6
      Me3C6H2)]2) is a suitable hexazene transfer reagent in reactions with main group
      metal and transition metal complexes containing M-Me units. The reactions proceed
      with elimination of (Me)LZnMe and the resulting complexes were characterized by
      NMR and IR spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray diffraction (5, 8). Quantum
      chemical calculations were performed to investigate the electronic structure of
      5' and 8' in more detail and to identify the absorption bands of the hexazene
      unit. 

PMID- 26262894
TI  - Osmotically Driven Deformation of a Stable Water Film.
AB  - An aspect of dynamic colloidal interactions that has received little attention is
      the osmotic stress associated with nonequilibrium distribution of solutes. Recent
      experiments on a mercury drop near a mica surface show a dimple forming on the
      mercury/water interface when there is a sudden change in the electric potential
      of the mercury drop coated with a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of 11-mercapto-1
      undecanoic acid thiol molecules. A reasonable hypothesis is that the dimple
      formation is due to the desorption of a fraction of the SAM from the mercury drop
      surface when the surface potential is changed. The osmotic pressure in the thin
      film region increases as a result of the presence of the thiol molecules in the
      region, giving rise to the observed dimple. A model including the effects of
      osmotic flow, disjoining pressure, interfacial tension and hydrodynamic pressure
      is developed to test the hypothesis. The simplest version of the model, in which
      desorption is uniform and instantaneous, can produce a dimple whose growth is
      significantly more rapid than its decay, in qualitative agreement with the data.
      However, quantitative agreement is lacking. Several refinements to the model,
      including effects such as the change in interfacial tension as thiols are
      desorbed, gradual thiol desorption, a change in disjoining pressure as charged
      thiols are desorbed and nonuniform desorption do not change the qualitative
      picture. The qualitative success of the model suggests the osmotic pressure
      mechanism is correct, but the detailed picture of the SAM desorption at positive
      mercury surface potentials is not sufficiently well understood. The model reveals
      that the osmotic dimple is not the time-reverse equivalent of the usual
      hydrodynamic dimple phenomenon. We suggest that transient deformation of thin
      films by osmotic flow is a new and little-studied mechanism influencing the
      structure of stable thin films and the interaction of deformable drops. This has
      implications for colloidal interactions in a broader range of systems where
      solute concentration may not be homogeneous, for example in solute transfer
      processes. 

PMID- 26262893
TI  - Polymorphism of DNA Methyltransferase 3b and Association with Development and
      Prognosis in Gastric Cancer.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: DNA methyltransferase 3b (DNMT3b) plays an important role in abnormal
      methylation during tumorigenesis. Polymorphism of the DNMT3b gene may influence
      DNMT3b activity and be associated with cancer risk. This study aimed to
      investigate the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the
      DNMT3b gene and susceptibility and prognosis of gastric cancer. METHODS: Four
      hundred and forty-seven histologically-confirmed gastric cancer cases, 111
      gastric atrophy cases and 961 tumor-free controls were enrolled into the study.
      Five tag SNPs (rs6119954, rs1569686, rs4911107, rs4911259 and rs8118663) of the
      DNMT3b gene were genotyped by TaqMan assay. DNMT3b expression was evaluated in
      104 cancer tissues by immunohistochemistry method. RESULTS: The median follow-up
      time for 422 gastric patients with prognosis information was 55.1 (51.8-58.5)
      month. We found that individuals with the rs1569686 variant genotype (TG/GG) were
      significantly associated with poor prognosis in gastric cancer compared to those
      carrying the TT genotype (HR = 1.43, 95%CI: 1.02-1.99). This trend was more
      evident in the long-term survival of gastric cancer. Similar results were
      observed for the G allele carriers of rs4911107 and T allele carriers of
      rs4911259 as these two sites were in complete linkage disequilibrium with
      rs1569686. The rs8118663 GG carriers tended to live shorter than AA/AG genotype
      (HR = 2.72, 95%CI: 1.45-5.12) in patients living longer than 2.0 years. None of
      the five SNPs was associated with the risks of gastric cancer or gastric atrophy.
      And no relationship was found between each of the five SNPs and DNMT3b
      expression. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence that DNMT3b polymorphisms
      may predict long-term survival of gastric cancer. However, further studies are
      needed to reveal the underlying biological roles of DNMT3b polymorphism.

PMID- 26262895
TI  - Tuning the Chirality of Block Copolymers: From Twisted Morphologies to
      Nanospheres by Self-Assembly.
AB  - New advances into the chirality effect in the self-assembly of block copolymers
      (BCPs) have been achieved by tuning the helicity of the chiral-core-forming
      blocks. The chiral BCPs {[N=P(R)-O2C20H12](200-x)[N=P(OC5H4N)2](x)}-b-[N=PMePh]50
      ((R)-O2C20H12 = (R)-1,1'-binaphthyl-2,2'-dioxy, OC5H4N = 4-pyridinoxy (OPy); x =
      10, 30, 60, 100 for 3 a-d, respectively), in which the [N=P(OPy)2] units are
      randomly distributed within the chiral block, have been synthesised. The
      chiroptical properties of the BCPs ([alpha]D vs. T and CD) demonstrated that the
      helicity of the BCP chains may be simply controlled by the relative proportion of
      the chiral and achiral (i.e., [N=P(R)-O2C20H12] and [N=P(OPy)2], respectively)
      units. Thus, although 3 a only contained only 5% [N=P(OPy)2] units and exhibited
      a preferential helical sense, 3 d with 50% of this unit adopted non-preferred
      helical conformations. This gradual variation of the helicity allowed us to
      examine the chirality effect on the self-assembly of chiral and helical BCPs
      (i.e., 3 a-c) and chiral but non-helical BCPs (i.e., 3 d). The very significant
      influence of the helicity on the self-assembly of these materials resulted in a
      variety of morphologies that extend from helical nanostructures to pearl-necklace
      aggregates and nanospheres (i.e., 3 b and 3 d, respectively). We also demonstrate
      that the presence of pyridine moieties in BCPs 3 a-d allows specific decoration
      with gold nanoparticles.

PMID- 26262897
TI  - Subsurface pressure profiling: a novel mathematical paradigm for computing colony
      pressures on substrate during fungal infections.
AB  - Colony expansion is an essential feature of fungal infections. Although
      mechanisms that regulate hyphal forces on the substrate during expansion have
      been reported previously, there is a critical need of a methodology that can
      compute the pressure profiles exerted by fungi on substrates during expansion;
      this will facilitate the validation of therapeutic efficacy of novel antifungals.
      Here, we introduce an analytical decoding method based on Biot's incremental
      stress model, which was used to map the pressure distribution from an expanding
      mycelium of a popular plant pathogen, Aspergillus parasiticus. Using our recently
      developed Quantitative acoustic contrast tomography (Q-ACT) we detected that the
      mycelial growth on the solid agar created multiple surface and subsurface
      wrinkles with varying wavelengths across the depth of substrate that were
      computable with acousto-ultrasonic waves between 50 MHz-175 MHz. We derive here
      the fundamental correlation between these wrinkle wavelengths and the pressure
      distribution on the colony subsurface. Using our correlation we show that A.
      parasiticus can exert pressure as high as 300 KPa on the surface of a standard
      agar growth medium. The study provides a novel mathematical foundation for
      quantifying fungal pressures on substrate during hyphal invasions under normal
      and pathophysiological growth conditions. 

PMID- 26262896
TI  - Prenatal Docosahexaenoic Acid Supplementation and Offspring Development at 18
      Months: Randomized Controlled Trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the effects of prenatal docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)
      supplementation on offspring development at 18 months of age. DESIGN: Randomized
      placebo double-blind controlled trial. SETTINGS: Cuernavaca, Mexico. PARTICIPANTS
      AND METHODS: We followed up offspring (n = 730; 75% of the birth cohort) of women
      in Mexico who participated in a trial of DHA supplementation during the latter
      half of pregnancy. We assessed the effect of the intervention on child
      development and the potential modifying effects of gravidity, gender, SES, and
      quality of the home environment. INTERVENTIONS OR MAIN EXPOSURES: 400 mg/day of
      algal DHA. OUTCOME MEASURES: Child development at 18 months of age measured using
      the Spanish version of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development-II. We calculated
      standardized psychomotor and mental development indices, and behavior rating
      scale scores. RESULTS: Intent-to-treat differences (DHA-control) were:
      Psychomotor Developmental Index -0.90 (95% CI: -2.35, 0.56), Mental Developmental
      Index -0.26 (95% CI: -1.63, 1.10) and Behavior Rating Scale -0.01 (95% CI: -0.95,
      0.94). Prenatal DHA intake attenuated the positive association between home
      environment and psychomotor development index observed in the control group (p
      for interaction = 0.03) suggesting potential benefits for children living in home
      environments characterized by reduced caregiver interactions and opportunities
      for early childhood stimulation. CONCLUSIONS: Prenatal DHA supplementation in a
      population with low intakes of DHA had no effects on offspring development at 18
      months of age although there may be some benefit for infants from poor quality
      home environments. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00646360.

PMID- 26262898
TI  - Quantifying, Visualizing, and Monitoring Lead Optimization.
AB  - Although lead optimization (LO) is by definition a process, process-centric
      analysis and visualization of this important phase of pharmaceutical R&D has been
      lacking. Here we describe a simple statistical framework to quantify and
      visualize the progression of LO projects so that the vital signs of LO
      convergence can be monitored. We refer to the resulting visualizations generated
      by our methodology as the "LO telemetry" of a project. These visualizations can
      be automated to provide objective, holistic, and instantaneous analysis and
      communication of LO progression. This enhances the ability of project teams to
      more effectively drive LO process, while enabling management to better coordinate
      and prioritize LO projects. We present the telemetry of five LO projects
      comprising different biological targets and different project outcomes, including
      clinical compound selection, termination due to preclinical safety/tox, and
      termination due to lack of tractability. We demonstrate that LO progression is
      accurately captured by the telemetry. We also present metrics to quantify LO
      efficiency and tractability.

PMID- 26262899
TI  - Plasmonic Moon: A Fano-Like Approach for Squeezing the Magnetic Field in the
      Infrared.
AB  - Outstanding results have been achieved in the localization of optical electric
      fields via ultrasmall plasmonic cavities, paving the way to the subdiffractive
      confinement of local electromagnetic fields. However, due to the intrinsic
      constraints related to conventional architectures, no comparable squeezing
      factors have been managed yet for the magnetic counterpart of radiation,
      practically hindering the detection and manipulation of magneto-optical effects
      at the nanoscale. Here, we observe a strong magnetic field nanofocusing in the
      infrared, promoted by the induction of a coil-type Fano resonance. By triggering
      the coil current via a quadrupole-like plasmonic mode, we straightforwardly boost
      the enhancement of the infrared magnetic field and perform its efficient
      squeezing in localized nanovolumes. 

PMID- 26262900
TI  - INDUCED ABORTIONS IN PAKISTAN: EXPOSITIONS, DESTINATIONS AND REPERCUSSIONS. A
      QUALITATIVE DESCRIPTIVE STUDY IN RAWALPINDI DISTRICT.
AB  - Over 2 million abortions occur annually in Pakistan, mostly in a clandestine and
      unsafe environment. This is an area of grave concern for the reproductive health
      of women. A dearth of credible data and incomplete information make the problem
      more difficult to address. This qualitative study was conducted in semi-urban
      settings in Pakistan to record perceptions and practices concerning care seeking,
      experiences and outcomes regarding induced abortions and post-abortion care
      services. Women who had had induced abortions and abortion service providers were
      interviewed. Unwanted pregnancies and poverty were found to be the main reasons
      for seeking an abortion. Moreover, the unwanted pregnancies occurred due to low
      use of contraceptives, mainly due to a fear or past experience of their side
      effects, unfamiliarity with correct usage and perceived inefficacy of the
      methods, especially condoms. There is an obvious need for practical and
      innovative interventions to address unmet need for birth spacing through improved
      access to contraceptives. Contraceptive providers should be provided with up-to
      date and detailed training in family planning counselling, and perhaps allowed
      unrestricted provision of contraceptives. As a long-term measure, improvement in
      access to education and formal schooling could increase young girls' and women's
      knowledge of the benefits of family planning and the risks of unsafe abortion
      practices. Males must be involved in all the initiatives so that both partners
      are in agreement on correct and consistent contraceptive use. 

PMID- 26262901
TI  - From the Editor-in-Chief's Desk.

PMID- 26262902
TI  - Pharmacogenetic Study of Serotonin Transporter and 5HT2A Genotypes in Autism.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether polymorphisms in
      the serotonin transporter (SLC6A4) and serotonin-2A receptor (HTR2A) genes are
      associated with response to escitalopram in patients with autism spectrum
      disorder (ASD). METHODS: Forty-four participants with ASD were enrolled in a 6
      week, forced titration, open label examination of the selective serotonin
      reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) escitalopram. Doses increased at weekly intervals
      starting at 2.5mg daily with a maximum possible dose of 20 mg daily achieved by
      the end of the study. If adverse events were experienced, participants
      subsequently received the previously tolerated dose for the duration of study.
      SLC6A4 (5-HTTLPR) and HTR2A (rs7997012) genotype groups were assessed in relation
      to treatment outcomes and drug doses. RESULTS: Insistence on sameness and
      irritability symptoms significantly improved over the course of the 6 week
      treatment period (p<0.0001) in this open-label trial. There were no significant
      differences observed in the rate of symptom improvement over time across genotype
      groups. Similarly, dosing trajectory was not significantly associated with
      genotype groups. CONCLUSIONS: Previous studies have identified SLC6A4 and HTR2A
      associations with SSRI response in patients with depression and 5-HTTLPR (SLC6A4)
      associations with escitalopram response in ASD. We did not observe evidence for
      similar relationships in this ASD study.

PMID- 26262904
TI  - Gender Differences in the Behavioral Symptoms and Neuropsychological Performance
      of Patients with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Treated with
      Methylphenidate: A Two-Year Follow-up Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the gender differences in behavioral symptoms,
      as rated by various informants, and in neuropsychological performance, among
      patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) treated with
      methylphenidate during 24 months in a clinical setting. METHODS: Study
      participants comprised 128 boys (mean age: 13.2+/-2.4 years) and 26 girls (mean
      age: 12.8+/-1.0 years) with ADHD. All patients were prescribed short-acting oral
      methylphenidate, taken two or three times daily; each dose ranged between 0.3 and
      1.0 mg/kg. At the baseline and 6, 12, 18, and 24 months later, behavioral
      symptoms were evaluated using the parent and teacher forms of the Swanson, Nolan,
      and Pelham Version IV (SNAP-IV) scale for ADHD and the ADHD Rating Scale
      (completed by a child psychiatrist). In addition, neuropsychological function was
      assessed using the Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA) at each interval.
      RESULTS: Although both the boys and girls exhibited a significant decrease in the
      ADHD symptoms observed by parents and clinicians, the girls improved more than
      the boys did. Based on the teacher reports, neither the boys nor the girls
      exhibited significant decreases in ADHD symptoms. The symptoms rated by teachers
      were more severe in the boys than in the girls throughout the first 12 months;
      however, the gender difference lessened after 12 months. Based on the TOVA
      assessment, a composite score (containing response time, response time
      variability, and ADHD score obtained using the TOVA) did not indicate differences
      between genders. However, another composite score (containing omission errors,
      commission errors, and response sensitivity) suggested significant improvement
      only in the boys. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggested that according to a
      longitudinal follow-up, behavioral and neuropsychological changes among patients
      with ADHD might differ between genders. Gathering multidimensional information
      from patients with ADHD is essential in determining how gender modifies the
      functional outcome of ADHD.

PMID- 26262903
TI  - Tolerability, Safety, and Benefits of Risperidone in Children and Adolescents
      with Autism: 21-Month Follow-up After 8-Week Placebo-Controlled Trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Risperidone has demonstrated efficacy for acute (8 week) and
      intermediate length (6 month) management of severe irritability and aggression in
      children and adolescents with autism. Less is known about the long-term effects
      of risperidone exposure in this population. We examined the tolerability, safety,
      and therapeutic benefit of risperidone exposure over a 1-2 year follow-up period.
      METHODS: In a naturalistic study, 84 children and adolescents 5-17 years of age
      (from an original sample of 101) were assessed an average of 21.4 months after
      initial entry into a placebo-controlled 8 week trial of risperidone for children
      and adolescents with autism and severe irritability. They were assessed at
      baseline and at follow-up on safety and tolerability measures (blood, urinalysis,
      electrocardiogram [ECG], medical history, vital signs, neurological symptoms,
      other adverse events), developmental measures (adaptive behavior, intelligence
      quotient [IQ]), and standardized rating instruments. Treatment over the follow-up
      period, after completion of protocol participation, was uncontrolled. Statistical
      analyses assessed outcome over time with or without prolonged risperidone
      therapy. RESULTS: Two-thirds of the 84 subjects continued to receive risperidone
      (mean 2.47 mg/day, S.D. 1.29 mg). At follow-up, risperidone was associated with
      more enuresis, more excessive appetite, and more weight gain, but not more
      adverse neurological effects. No clinically significant events were noted on
      blood counts, chemistries, urinalysis, ECG, or interim medical history.
      Regardless of drug condition at follow-up, there was considerable improvement in
      maladaptive behavior compared with baseline, including core symptoms associated
      with autism. Height and weight gains were elevated with risperidone. Social
      skills on Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale (VABS) improved with risperidone.
      Parent-rated Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) Irritability subscale scores were
      reduced in those taking risperidone at follow-up. Several other measures of
      maladaptive behavior (some related to socialization) also showed improved
      functioning in association with risperidone on the ABC or on the Modified Real
      Life Rating Scale. CONCLUSIONS: Increased appetite, weight gain, and enuresis are
      risks associated with long-term risperidone. Our data suggest that these risks
      were balanced by longer-term behavioral and social benefits for many children
      over 1.8 years of ongoing treatment.

PMID- 26262906
TI  - Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in a Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder:
      Challenges in Management.

PMID- 26262905
TI  - Adverse Events in Very Young Children Prescribed Psychotropic Medications:
      Preliminary Findings from an Acute Clinical Sample.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The present study used the Pediatric Adverse Events Rating Scale
      (PAERS) to provide a systematic assessment of adverse events (AEs) related to
      psychotropic medication use in a clinical sample of young children attending a
      specialized, early childhood partial hospital program. Study goals were as
      follows: 1) To describe the frequency and types of specific psychotropic
      medication-related AEs experienced by very young children (ages 3-7 years) in an
      acute clinical sample, and 2) to identify the psychotropic medication(s) and/or
      class(es) associated with the highest frequency of AEs. METHODS: Participants
      were 158 children (118 males; ages 36-95 months, mean=66 months, SD=14.6 months)
      who presented to a hospital-based day treatment program for young children with
      severe emotional and behavioral problems, and were prescribed a psychotropic
      medication at any point during the hospitalization. Data on AEs related to
      psychotropic medication were collected using the PAERS from 2011 to 2014.
      RESULTS: The percentages of children who experienced one or more AEs attributed
      to a psychiatric medication ranged from 0 (sertraline, melatonin) to 41.2%
      (fluoxetine), with wide variability in the types AEs reported. The overall
      frequencies of events caused by a stimulant were similar across the two
      medications examined (21.4% and 27.7% for mixed amphetamine salts and
      methylphenidate, respectively), with mood-related difficulties and decreased
      appetite being the most common AEs reported. The frequencies of AEs caused by an
      alpha agonist were also similar across the two medications examined (9.8% and
      17.2% for guanfacine and clonidine, respectively), with fatigue as the most
      commonly reported AE. With respect to the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
      (SSRI) class, there was a trend for fluoxetine to be associated with more AEs
      (41.2%) than sertraline (for which no AEs were reported). The most common AEs
      reported for fluoxetine were impulsivity and poor concentration. CONCLUSIONS: The
      data presented here support existing literature reporting differences in AEs
      between age groups. More rigorous studies are warranted to further examine the
      types and frequencies of AEs related to psychotropic medications in very young
      children.

PMID- 26262907
TI  - Motor Weakness Related to Risperidone.

PMID- 26262908
TI  - Reliability of Volumetry and Perimetry to Assess Knee Volume.
AB  - CONTEXT: The treatment of edema after a knee injury is usually 1 of the main
      objectives during rehabilitation. To assess the success of treatment, 2 methods
      are commonly used in clinical practice: volumetry and perimetry. OBJECTIVE: To
      investigate the intra- and interassessor reliability of volumetry and perimetry
      to assess knee volume. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Laboratory.
      PARTICIPANTS: 45 healthy participants (26 women) with mean age of 22.4 +/- 2.8 y.
      MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Knee volume was assessed by 3 assessors (A, B, and C) with
      3 methods (lower-limb volumetry [LLV], knee volumetry [KV], and knee perimetry
      [KP]). Assessor A was the most-experienced assessor, and assessor C, the least
      experienced. LLV and KV were performed with participants in the orthostatic
      position, while KP was performed with participants in supine. RESULTS: For the
      interassessor analysis, the ICC2,1 was high (.82) for KV and very high for LLV
      (.99) and KP (.99). For the intra-assessor analysis, ICC2,1 ranged from moderate
      to high for KV (.69-.83) and was very high for LLV (.99) and KP (.97-.99).
      CONCLUSION: KV, LLV, and KP are reliable methods, both intra- and interassessor,
      to measure knee volume.

PMID- 26262909
TI  - Interventions for leg cramps in pregnancy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Leg cramps are a common problem in pregnancy. Various interventions
      have been used to treat them, including drug, electrolyte and vitamin therapies,
      and non-drug therapies. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness and safety of
      different interventions for treating leg cramps in pregnancy. SEARCH METHODS: We
      searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Register (31 March 2015)
      and reference lists of retrieved studies. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised
      controlled trials (RCTs) of any intervention (drug, electrolyte, vitamin or non
      drug therapies) for treatment of leg cramps in pregnancy compared with placebo,
      no treatment or other treatment. Quinine was excluded for its known adverse
      effects (teratogenicity). Cluster-RCTS were considered for inclusion. Quasi-RCTs
      and cross-over studies were excluded. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review
      authors independently assessed trials for inclusion and risk of bias, extracted
      data and checked them for accuracy. MAIN RESULTS: We included six studies (390
      women). Four trials compared oral magnesium with placebo/no treatment, two
      compared oral calcium with no treatment, one compared oral vitamin B versus no
      treatment, and one compared oral calcium with oral vitamin C. Two of the trials
      were well-conducted and reported, the other four had design limitations. The
      process of random allocation was sub-optimal in three studies, and blinding was
      not attempted in two. Outcomes were reported in different ways, precluding the
      use of meta-analysis and limiting the strength of our conclusions.The 'no
      treatment' group in one four-arm trial has been used as the comparison group for
      the composite outcome (intensity and frequency of leg cramps) in magnesium,
      calcium, and vitamin B versus no treatment. This gives it disproportionate weight
      in the overall analysis, thus interpretation of these results should be cautious.
      Oral magnesium versus placebo/no treatmentMagnesium (taken orally for two to four
      weeks) did not consistently reduce the frequency of leg cramps compared with
      placebo or no treatment. Outcomes that showed differences were: frequency of leg
      cramps after treatment: never, and twice a week (risk ratio (RR) 5.66, 95%
      confidence interval (CI) 1.35 to 23.68, one trial, 69 women, evidence graded low;
      RR 0.29, 95% CI 0.11 to 0.80, one trial, 69 women), and frequency of leg cramps:
      50% reduction in number of leg cramps after treatment (RR 1.42, 95% CI 1.09 to
      1.86, one trial, 86 women, evidence graded low). The outcomes that showed no
      difference were: frequency of leg cramps during two weeks of treatment (mean
      difference (MD) 1.80, 95% CI -1.32 to 4.92, one trial, 38 women, evidence graded
      low); frequency of leg cramps after treatment: daily, every other day, and once a
      week (RR 1.20, 95% CI 0.45 to 3.21, one trial, 69 women; RR 0.44, 95% CI 0.12 to
      1.57, one trial, 69 women; RR 1.54, 95% CI 0.62 to 3.87, one trial, 69
      women).Evidence about whether magnesium supplements reduced the intensity of pain
      was inconclusive, with two studies showing that it may slightly reduce pain,
      while one showed no difference. There were no differences in the experience of
      side effects (including nausea, flatulence, diarrhoea and intestinal air) between
      pregnant women receiving magnesium compared with placebo/no treatment. Oral
      calcium versus no treatmentA greater proportion of women receiving calcium
      supplements experienced no leg cramps after treatment than those receiving no
      treatment (frequency of leg cramps after treatment: never RR 8.59, 95% CI 1.19 to
      62.07, one study, 43 women, evidence graded very low). There was no difference
      between groups for a composite outcome (intensity and frequency) for partial
      improvement (RR 0.64, 95% CI 0.36 to 1.15, one trial, 42 women); however, the
      same trial showed a greater proportion of women experiencing no leg cramps after
      treatment with calcium compared with no treatment (RR 5.50, 95% CI 1.38 to
      21.86).Other secondary outcomes, including side effects, were not reported. Oral
      vitamin B versus no treatment Frequency of leg cramps was not reported in the one
      included trial. According to a composite outcome (frequency and intensity), more
      women receiving vitamin B fully recovered compared with those receiving no
      treatment (RR 7.50, 95% CI 1.95 to 28.81). Those women receiving no treatment
      were more likely to experience a partial improvement in the intensity and
      frequency of leg cramps than those taking vitamin B (RR 0.29, 95% CI 0.11 to
      0.73, one trial, 42 women), or to see no change in their condition. However,
      these results are based on one small study with design limitations.Other
      secondary outcomes, including side effects, were not reported. Oral calcium
      versus oral vitamin CThere was no difference in the frequency of leg cramps after
      treatment with calcium versus vitamin C (RR 1.33, 95% CI 0.53 to 3.38, one study,
      60 women, evidence graded very low). Other outcomes, includingside effects, were
      not reported. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: It is unclear from the evidence reviewed
      whether any of the interventions (oral magnesium, oral calcium, oral vitamin B or
      oral vitamin C) provide an effective treatment for leg cramps. This is primarily
      due to outcomes being measured and reported in different, incomparable ways, and
      design limitations compromising the quality of the evidence (the level of
      evidence was graded low or very low). This was mainly due to poor study design
      and trials being too small to address the question satisfactorily.Adverse
      outcomes were not reported, other than side effects for magnesium versus
      placebo/no treatment. It is therefore not possible to assess the safety of these
      interventions.The inconsistency in the measurement and reporting of outcomes,
      meant that data could not be pooled, meta-analyses could not be carried out, and
      comparisons between studies are difficult.The review only identified trials of
      oral interventions (magnesium, calcium, vitamin B or vitamin C) to treat leg
      cramps in pregnancy. None of the trials considered non-drug therapies, for
      example, muscle stretching, massage, relaxation, heat therapy, and dorsiflexion
      of the foot. This limits the completeness and applicability of the
      evidence.Standardised measures for assessing the frequency, intensity and
      duration of leg cramps to be used in large well-conducted randomised controlled
      trials are needed to answer this question. Trials of non-drug therapies are also
      needed.

PMID- 26262910
TI  - Adjusting the Metrics of 1-D Helical Gold Nanoparticle Superstructures Using
      Multivalent Peptide Conjugates.
AB  - The properties of nanoparticle superstructures depend on many factors, including
      the structural metrics of the nanoparticle superstructure (particle diameter,
      interparticle distances, etc.). Here, we introduce a family of gold-binding
      peptide conjugate molecules that can direct nanoparticle assembly, and we
      describe how these molecules can be systematically modified to adjust the
      structural metrics of linear double-helical nanoparticle superstructures. Twelve
      new peptide conjugates are prepared via linking a gold-binding peptide,
      AYSSGAPPMPPF (PEP(Au)), to a hydrophobic aliphatic tail. The peptide conjugates
      have 1, 2, or 3 PEP(Au) headgroups and a C12, C14, C16, or C18 aliphatic tail.
      The soft assembly of these peptide conjugates was studied using transmission
      electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and infrared (IR)
      spectroscopy. Several peptide conjugates assemble into 1-D twisted fibers having
      measurable structural parameters such as fiber width, thickness, and pitch that
      can be systematically varied by adjusting the aliphatic tail length and number of
      peptide headgroups. The linear soft assemblies serve as structural scaffolds for
      arranging gold nanoparticles into double-helical superstructures, which are
      examined via TEM. The pitch and interparticle distances of the gold nanoparticle
      double helices correspond to the underlying metrics of the peptide conjugate soft
      assemblies, illustrating that designed peptide conjugate molecules can be used to
      not only direct the assembly of gold nanoparticles but also control the metrics
      of the assembled structure.

PMID- 26262911
TI  - Outcomes of a Multimodal Resilience Training Program in an Outpatient Integrative
      Medicine Clinic.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the outcomes of resilience training (RT) in an
      outpatient clinical setting on symptom relief for current or recurrent
      depression, as well as perceived stress and state and trait anxiety. DESIGN:
      Observational effectiveness study. SETTINGS/LOCATION: Penny George Institute for
      Health and Healing, Allina Health, Minneapolis, MN. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 728
      men and women age 18 years and older who participated in the RT program between
      December 1, 2007, and November 31, 2012. Of these individuals, 371 were
      considered study contributors and completed at least one questionnaire both
      before (pre-RT) and after (post-RT) completion of the program. The remaining
      participants were considered study non-contributors and did not complete any
      questionnaires. INTERVENTIONS: RT is a mindfulness-based program that synergizes
      elements of mindfulness meditation with nutrition and exercise into a cohesive
      intervention. OUTCOME MEASURES: Depressive symptoms, as well as state and trait
      anxiety and perceived stress. RESULTS: Among the 371 RT participant contributors,
      depressive symptoms, perceived stress, and state and trait anxiety improved
      significantly from pre-RT to post-RT. Furthermore, among participants with
      depression at baseline, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale-10
      scores decreased by a mean of 44.0% (from 17.5 to 9.8), a value below the cutoff
      for significant depressive symptoms. Baseline perceived stress scores were the
      most predictive of program success. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence
      that a multimodal RT program delivered in a real-world clinical setting improves
      symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Limitations of this effectiveness
      study include a homogeneous population of mostly white women and a large amount
      of randomized, imputed, and missing data. Future work should include a randomized
      controlled trial and potentially studies to separate RT into the three components
      to determine which may be primarily responsible for the improved outcomes.

PMID- 26262913
TI  - Engineering Transcriptional Regulator Effector Specificity Using Computational
      Design and In Vitro Rapid Prototyping: Developing a Vanillin Sensor.
AB  - The pursuit of circuits and metabolic pathways of increasing complexity and
      robustness in synthetic biology will require engineering new regulatory tools.
      Feedback control based on relevant molecules, including toxic intermediates and
      environmental signals, would enable genetic circuits to react appropriately to
      changing conditions. In this work, variants of qacR, a tetR family repressor,
      were generated by computational protein design and screened in a cell-free
      transcription-translation (TX-TL) system for responsiveness to a new targeted
      effector. The modified repressors target vanillin, a growth-inhibiting small
      molecule found in lignocellulosic hydrolysates and other industrial processes.
      Promising candidates from the in vitro screen were further characterized in vitro
      and in vivo in a gene circuit. The screen yielded two qacR mutants that respond
      to vanillin both in vitro and in vivo. While the mutants exhibit some toxicity to
      cells, presumably due to off-target effects, they are prime starting points for
      directed evolution toward vanillin sensors with the specifications required for
      use in a dynamic control loop. We believe this process, a combination of the
      generation of variants coupled with in vitro screening, can serve as a framework
      for designing new sensors for other target compounds. 

PMID- 26262914
TI  - Oral Hygiene And Heart Disease?

PMID- 26262912
TI  - A taxonomy of behaviour change methods: an Intervention Mapping approach.
AB  - In this paper, we introduce the Intervention Mapping (IM) taxonomy of behaviour
      change methods and its potential to be developed into a coding taxonomy. That is,
      although IM and its taxonomy of behaviour change methods are not in fact new,
      because IM was originally developed as a tool for intervention development, this
      potential was not immediately apparent. Second, in explaining the IM taxonomy and
      defining the relevant constructs, we call attention to the existence of
      parameters for effectiveness of methods, and explicate the related distinction
      between theory-based methods and practical applications and the probability that
      poor translation of methods may lead to erroneous conclusions as to method
      effectiveness. Third, we recommend a minimal set of intervention characteristics
      that may be reported when intervention descriptions and evaluations are
      published. Specifying these characteristics can greatly enhance the quality of
      our meta-analyses and other literature syntheses. In conclusion, the dynamics of
      behaviour change are such that any taxonomy of methods of behaviour change needs
      to acknowledge the importance of, and provide instruments for dealing with, three
      conditions for effectiveness for behaviour change methods. For a behaviour change
      method to be effective: (1) it must target a determinant that predicts behaviour;
      (2) it must be able to change that determinant; (3) it must be translated into a
      practical application in a way that preserves the parameters for effectiveness
      and fits with the target population, culture, and context. Thus, taxonomies of
      methods of behaviour change must distinguish the specific determinants that are
      targeted, practical, specific applications, and the theory-based methods they
      embody. In addition, taxonomies should acknowledge that the lists of behaviour
      change methods will be used by, and should be used by, intervention developers.
      Ideally, the taxonomy should be readily usable for this goal; but alternatively,
      it should be clear how the information in the taxonomy can be used in practice.
      The IM taxonomy satisfies these requirements, and it would be beneficial if other
      taxonomies would be extended to also meet these needs. 

PMID- 26262915
TI  - Proposed Dietary Guidelines 2015 and Implications for Cardiovascular Disease and
      Diabetes.

PMID- 26262916
TI  - Successful Mentoring Relationships: American Heart Association Council on
      Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing.

PMID- 26262917
TI  - Event centrality prospectively predicts PTSD symptoms.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recent evidence suggests that event centrality has a prominent
      association with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. However,
      evidence for this notion thus far has been mostly correlational. We report two
      studies that prospectively examined the relationship between event centrality and
      PTSD symptoms. Study 1 METHODS: Participants (N = 1438) reported their most
      stressful event ("prior event"), along with event centrality, PTSD symptoms, and
      neuroticism. At Time 2 participants reported their most stressful event since
      Time 1 ("critical event"), along with measures of event centrality and PTSD
      symptoms. Study 1 RESULTS: Event centrality for the critical event predicted PTSD
      symptoms, after controlling for event centrality and PTSD symptoms of the prior
      event and neuroticism. Study 2 METHODS: In the second study (N = 161) we examined
      changes in event centrality and PTSD symptoms over a month. Study 2 RESULTS:
      Using a cross-lagged panel design, results revealed event centrality at Time 1
      significantly predicted PTSD symptoms at Time 2, but the reverse was not
      significant. CONCLUSIONS: In two studies, a prospective association between event
      centrality and PTSD symptoms, but not the reverse, emerged. This evidence
      implicates event centrality in the pathogenesis and/or maintenance of PTSD
      symptoms.

PMID- 26262919
TI  - "Be free, be everywhere, be forever.".

PMID- 26262918
TI  - Movement-related activity during goal-directed hand actions in the monkey
      ventrolateral prefrontal cortex.
AB  - Grasping actions require the integration of two neural processes, one enabling
      the transformation of object properties into corresponding motor acts, and the
      other involved in planning and controlling action execution on the basis of
      contextual information. The first process relies on parieto-premotor circuits,
      whereas the second is considered to be a prefrontal function. Up to now, the
      prefrontal cortex has been mainly investigated with conditional visuomotor tasks
      requiring a learned association between cues and behavioural output. To clarify
      the functional role of the prefrontal cortex in grasping actions, we recorded the
      activity of ventrolateral prefrontal (VLPF) neurons while monkeys (Macaca
      mulatta) performed tasks requiring reaching-grasping actions in different
      contextual conditions (in light and darkness, memory-guided, and in the absence
      of abstract learned rules). The results showed that the VLPF cortex contains
      neurons that are active during action execution (movement-related neurons). Some
      of them showed grip selectivity, and some also responded to object presentation.
      Most movement-related neurons discharged during action execution both with and
      without visual feedback, and this discharge typically did not change when the
      action was performed with object mnemonic information and in the absence of
      abstract rules. The findings of this study indicate that a population of VLPF
      neurons play a role in controlling goal-directed grasping actions in several
      contexts. This control is probably exerted within a wider network, involving
      parietal and premotor regions, where the role of VLPF movement-related neurons
      would be that of activating, on the basis of contextual information, the
      representation of the motor goal of the intended action (taking possession of an
      object) during action planning and execution. 

PMID- 26262920
TI  - A Challenging Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma.
AB  - Cutaneous peripheral T-cell lymphomas not otherwise specified (CPTL-NOS) are rare
      neoplasms accounting for just 2% of cutaneous peripheral T-cell lymphomas (CPTL).
      Only very few case series have been reported. They represent a phenotypically and
      prognostically heterogenous group of CPTL that do not fit into any of CPTL well
      defined subtypes. The authors report a case of a 64-year-old man with
      simultaneous plaque-like lesions and disseminated nodules growing rapidly on the
      face, trunk, and extremities over a 6-month period. There was no a history of
      preceding patches, erythematous plaques, rash, or pruritic lesions. These lesions
      were extending over 80% of the skin surface. Histopathologic analysis revealed
      dense diffuse infiltrates composed of mostly medium-sized to large lymphoid cells
      throughout the entire dermis without epidermotropism. Neoplastic cells were
      atypical with markedly pleomorphic nuclei. Immunohistochemistry showed that the
      tumor cells were positive for CD3, CD4, and CD5 with a loss of CD7. They were
      negative for CD20, CD8, CD56, CXCL13, PD1, TIA-1, granzyme-B, perforin, CD25, and
      CD30. The proliferative fraction was low, with MIB-1 labeling less than 10% of
      cells. The authors diagnosed the patient with primary CPTL-NOS. Despite the
      rarity of these tumors, clinicians as well as dermatopathologists and
      pathologists should be familiar with these rare CPTL especially because most of
      these lymphomas have an aggressive behavior and exhibit an unfavorable prognosis.

PMID- 26262921
TI  - Frequency of hypopigmented mycosis fungoides in Egyptian patients presenting with
      hypopigmented lesions of the trunk.
AB  - Hypopigmented mycosis fungoides (HMF) is an uncommon variant of mycosis fungoides
      with an unknown exact frequency. We aimed to study the frequency of HMF in a
      cohort of Egyptian patients presenting to a tertiary care center in Cairo, Egypt,
      with hypopigmented lesions of the trunk. Hundred patients with hypopigmented
      lesions involving the trunk (with or without other sites involvement) were
      subjected to thorough clinical and histopathological examination.
      Immunohistochemical studies (S100, CD4, and CD8) were performed when indicated.
      Constellation of findings was used to reach a final diagnosis. Sixteen cases had
      HMF (16%). Other than HMF, our cohort included hypopigmented parapsoriasis en
      plaque (42 cases), postinflammatory hypopigmentation (28 cases), progressive
      macular hypomelanosis (12 cases), and pityriasis alba (2 cases). In comparison
      with other hypopigmented disorders, HMF was significantly associated with
      progressive disease course (P = 0.004), affection of distal upper limbs (P =
      0.005), proximal lower limbs (P = 0.003), large-sized lesions (>5 cm) (P <
      0.0001), well-defined margin (P < 0.0001), scaliness (P = 0.002), erythema (P <
      0.0001), atrophy (P = 0.012), and mottled pigmentation (P < 0.0001). Awareness of
      HMF and its characteristic clinical features is mandatory to avoid underdiagnosis
      or overdiagnosis with subsequent morbidity or unnecessary aggressive therapy,
      respectively. 

PMID- 26262922
TI  - Heart Rate Variability Density Analysis (Dyx) and Prediction of Long-Term
      Mortality after Acute Myocardial Infarction.
AB  - AIMS: The density HRV parameter Dyx is a new heart rate variability (HRV) measure
      based on multipole analysis of the Poincare plot obtained from RR interval time
      series, deriving information from both the time and frequency domain. Preliminary
      results have suggested that the parameter may provide new predictive information
      on mortality in survivors of acute myocardial infarction (MI). This study
      compares the prognostic significance of Dyx to that of traditional linear and
      nonlinear measures of HRV. METHODS AND RESULTS: In the Nordic ICD pilot study,
      patients with an acute MI were screened with 2D echocardiography and 24-hour
      Holter recordings. The study was designed to assess the power of several HRV
      measures to predict mortality. Dyx was tested in a subset of 206 consecutive
      Danish patients with analysable Holter recordings. After a median follow-up of
      8.5 years 70 patients had died. Of all traditional and multipole HRV parameters,
      reduced Dyx was the most powerful predictor of all-cause mortality (HR 2.4; CI
      1.5 to 3.8; P < 0.001). After adjustment for known risk markers, such as age,
      diabetes, ejection fraction, previous MI and hypertension, Dyx remained an
      independent predictor of mortality (P = 0.02). Reduced Dyx also predicted
      cardiovascular death (P < 0.01) and sudden cardiovascular death (P = 0.05). In
      Kaplan-Meier analysis, Dyx significantly predicted mortality in patients both
      with and without impaired left ventricular systolic function (P < 0.0001).
      CONCLUSION: The new nonlinear HRV measure Dyx is a promising independent
      predictor of mortality in a long-term follow-up study of patients surviving a MI,
      irrespectively of left ventricular systolic function.

PMID- 26262923
TI  - La6Ba3[Si17N29O2]Cl-An Oxonitridosilicate Chloride with Exceptional Structural
      Motifs.
AB  - The oxonitridosilicate chloride La6Ba3[Si17N29O2]Cl was synthesized by a high
      temperature reaction in a radiofrequency furnace starting from LaCl3, BaH2, and
      the ammonolysis product of Si2Cl6. Diffraction data of a micrometer-sized single
      crystal were obtained using microfocused synchrotron radiation at beamline ID11
      of the ESRF. EDX measurements on the same crystal confirm the chemical
      composition. The crystal structure [space group P63/m (no. 176), a = 9.8117(14),
      c = 19.286(6) A, Z = 2] contains an unprecedented interrupted three-dimensional
      network of vertex-sharing SiN4 and SiN3O tetrahedra. The SiN4 tetrahedra form
      dreier rings. Twenty of the latter condense in a way that the Si atoms form
      icosahedra. Each icosahedron is connected to others via six SiN4 tetrahedra that
      are part of dreier rings and via six Q(3)-type SiN3O tetrahedra. Rietveld
      refinements confirm that the final product contains only a small amount of
      impurities. Lattice energy (MAPLE) and bond-valence sum (BVS) calculations show
      that the structure is electrostatically well balanced. Infrared spectroscopy
      confirms the absence of N-H bonds. 

PMID- 26262924
TI  - Single-neuron activity and eye movements during human REM sleep and awake vision.
AB  - Are rapid eye movements (REMs) in sleep associated with visual-like activity, as
      during wakefulness? Here we examine single-unit activities (n=2,057) and
      intracranial electroencephalography across the human medial temporal lobe (MTL)
      and neocortex during sleep and wakefulness, and during visual stimulation with
      fixation. During sleep and wakefulness, REM onsets are associated with distinct
      intracranial potentials, reminiscent of ponto-geniculate-occipital waves.
      Individual neurons, especially in the MTL, exhibit reduced firing rates before
      REMs as well as transient increases in firing rate immediately after, similar to
      activity patterns observed upon image presentation during fixation without eye
      movements. Moreover, the selectivity of individual units is correlated with their
      response latency, such that units activated after a small number of images or
      REMs exhibit delayed increases in firing rates. Finally, the phase of theta
      oscillations is similarly reset following REMs in sleep and wakefulness, and
      after controlled visual stimulation. Our results suggest that REMs during sleep
      rearrange discrete epochs of visual-like processing as during wakefulness. 

PMID- 26262926
TI  - What memory is.
AB  - I argue that our current practice of ascribing the term 'memory' to mental states
      and processes lacks epistemic warrant. Memory, according to the 'received view',
      is any state or process that results from the sequential stages of encoding,
      storage, and retrieval. By these criteria, memory, or its footprint, can be seen
      in virtually every mental state we are capable of having. This, I argue,
      stretches the term to the breaking point. I draw on phenomenological, historical,
      and conceptual considerations to make the case that an act of memory entails a
      direct, non-inferential feeling of reacquaintance with one's past. It does so by
      linking content retrieved from storage with autonoetic awareness during
      retrieval. On this view, memory is not the content of experience, but the manner
      in which that content is experienced. I discuss some theoretical and practical
      implications and advantages of adopting this more circumscribed view of memory.

PMID- 26262925
TI  - Partial Unwrapping and Histone Tail Dynamics in Nucleosome Revealed by Coarse
      Grained Molecular Simulations.
AB  - Nucleosomes, basic units of chromatin, are known to show spontaneous DNA
      unwrapping dynamics that are crucial for transcriptional activation, but its
      structural details are yet to be elucidated. Here, employing a coarse-grained
      molecular model that captures residue-level structural details up to histone
      tails, we simulated equilibrium fluctuations and forced unwrapping of single
      nucleosomes at various conditions. The equilibrium simulations showed spontaneous
      unwrapping from outer DNA and subsequent rewrapping dynamics, which are in good
      agreement with experiments. We found several distinct partially unwrapped states
      of nucleosomes, as well as reversible transitions among these states. At a low
      salt concentration, histone tails tend to sit in the concave cleft between the
      histone octamer and DNA, tightening the nucleosome. At a higher salt
      concentration, the tails tend to bound to the outer side of DNA or be expanded
      outwards, which led to higher degree of unwrapping. Of the four types of histone
      tails, H3 and H2B tail dynamics are markedly correlated with partial unwrapping
      of DNA, and, moreover, their contributions were distinct. Acetylation in histone
      tails was simply mimicked by changing their charges, which enhanced the
      unwrapping, especially markedly for H3 and H2B tails. 

PMID- 26262927
TI  - Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, multimodal treatment, and longitudinal
      outcome: evidence, paradox, and challenge.
AB  - Given major increases in the diagnosis of attention-deficit hyperactivity
      disorder (ADHD) and in rates of medication for this condition, we carefully
      examine evidence for effects of single versus multimodal (i.e., combined
      medication and psychosocial/behavioral) interventions for ADHD. Our primary data
      source is the Multimodal Treatment Study of Children with ADHD (MTA), a 14-month,
      randomized clinical trial in which intensive behavioral, medication, and
      multimodal treatment arms were contrasted with one another and with community
      intervention (treatment-as-usual), regarding outcome domains of ADHD symptoms,
      comorbidities, and core functional impairments. Although initial reports
      emphasized the superiority of well-monitored medication for symptomatic
      improvement, reanalyses and reappraisals have highlighted (1) the superiority of
      combination treatment for composite outcomes and for domains of functional
      impairment (e.g., academic achievement, social skills, parenting practices); (2)
      the importance of considering moderator and mediator processes underlying
      differential patterns of outcome, including comorbid subgroups and improvements
      in family discipline style during the intervention period; (3) the emergence of
      side effects (e.g., mild growth suppression) in youth treated with long-term
      medication; and (4) the diminution of medication's initial superiority once the
      randomly assigned treatment phase turned into naturalistic follow-up. The key
      paradox is that while ADHD clearly responds to medication and behavioral
      treatment in the short term, evidence for long-term effectiveness remains
      elusive. We close with discussion of future directions and a call for greater
      understanding of relevant developmental processes in the attempt to promote
      optimal, generalized, and lasting treatments for this important and impairing
      neurodevelopmental disorder.

PMID- 26262928
TI  - Changing brains: how longitudinal functional magnetic resonance imaging studies
      can inform us about cognitive and social-affective growth trajectories.
AB  - Brain imaging studies have demonstrated widespread changes in brain networks
      which support cognitive and social-affective development. These conclusions,
      however, are largely based on cross-sectional comparisons, which limits the
      possibility to investigate growth trajectories and detect individual changes.
      Understanding individual growth patterns is crucial if we want to ultimately
      understand how brain development is sensitive to environmental influences such as
      educational or psychological interventions or childhood maltreatment. Recently,
      longitudinal brain imaging studies in children and adolescents have taken the
      first steps into examining cognitive and social-affective brain functions
      longitudinally with several compelling findings. First, longitudinal measurements
      show that activations in some brain regions, such as the prefrontal, temporal,
      and parietal cortex, are relatively stable over time and can be used as
      predictors for cognitive functions, whereas activations in other brain regions,
      such as the amygdala and ventral striatum, are much more variable over time.
      Second, developmental studies reveal how these changes are related to age,
      puberty, and changes in performance. These findings have implications for
      understanding how environmental factors influence brain development. An important
      future direction will be to examine individual characteristics (e.g., genetic,
      temperamental, personality) which make individuals differentially susceptible to
      their environment.

PMID- 26262929
TI  - Computational modeling of the mind: what role for mental representation?
AB  - The classical computational theory of mind (CTM) holds that many important mental
      processes are computations similar to those executed by Turing machines. This
      article compares two alternative frameworks through which one can develop CTM:
      formal-syntactic computationalism and content-involving computationalism.
      According to formal-syntactic computationalism, computation is sensitive to
      syntax but not semantics. Mental computation manipulates formal-syntactic items
      without regard to any representational properties those items may have. According
      to content-involving computationalism, certain computational descriptions
      characterize mental states through their representational properties rather than
      any alleged formal-syntactic properties. The article examines strengths and
      weaknesses of each framework.

PMID- 26262931
TI  - Vagus nerve stimulation in neuropsychiatry: Targeting anatomy-based stimulation
      sites.
AB  - The vagus nerve (VN) is the longest cranial nerve, extending from the brain to
      the abdominal cavity. The VN consists of both afferent and efferent fibers
      (respectively 80% and 20%). Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a neuromodulation
      strategy first developed in the 1980s for epilepsy. More recently, growing
      efforts in clinical research have been underscoring possible clinical benefits of
      VNS for different medical conditions such as epilepsy, major depression, anxiety
      disorders, and Tourette syndrome. Following the rational of VN anatomy and
      cranial innervation presented above, we hereby hypothesize that transcutaneously
      placing electrodes over the mastoid process could be a useful study protocol for
      future tVNS trials. 

PMID- 26262932
TI  - CHD2 mutations are a rare cause of generalized epilepsy with myoclonic-atonic
      seizures.
AB  - Chromodomain helicase DNA-binding protein 2 (CHD2) gene mutations have been
      reported in patients with myoclonic-atonic epilepsy (MAE), as well as in patients
      with Lennox-Gastaut, Dravet, and Jeavons syndromes and other epileptic
      encephalopathies featuring generalized epilepsy and intellectual disability. The
      aim of this study was to assess the impact of CHD2 mutations in a series of
      patients with MAE. Twenty patients affected by MAE were included in the study. We
      analyzed antecedents, age at onset, seizure semiology and frequency, EEG,
      treatment, and neuropsychological outcome. We sequenced the CHD2 gene with Sanger
      technology. We identified a CHD2 frameshift mutation in one patient
      (c.4256del19). He was a 17-year-old boy with no familial history for epilepsy and
      normal development before epilepsy onset. Epilepsy onset was at 3years and
      5months: he presented with myoclonic-atonic seizures, head drops, myoclonic
      jerks, and absences. Interictal EEGs revealed slow background activity associated
      with generalized epileptiform abnormalities and photoparoxysmal response. His
      seizures were highly responsive to valproic acid, and an attempt to withdraw it
      led to seizure recurrence. Neuropsychological evaluation revealed moderate
      intellectual disability. Chromodomain-helicase-DNA-binding protein 2 is not the
      major gene associated with MAE. Conversely, CHD2 could be responsible for a
      proper phenotype characterized by infantile-onset generalized epilepsy,
      intellectual disability, and photosensitivity, which might overlap with MAE,
      Lennox-Gastaut, Dravet, and Jeavons syndromes. 

PMID- 26262933
TI  - Unplanned hospital use by people with epilepsy: A lever by which to bring about
      increased self-management support?

PMID- 26262934
TI  - Delusional experience awareness gap between patients and treating doctors - Self
      reported EPDS questionnaire.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Although early and rapid recognition of a psychotic trend in patients
      with epilepsy certainly pay dividends, there is no handy assessment instrument
      for screening because of multiple intrinsic difficulties such as lack of a
      standard screener as well as a reliability gap for screeners between help-seeking
      and general populations. On the other hand, the predominance of positive symptoms
      at the initial stage of psychosis is a promising aspect of this specific group.
      The following specific questions were examined. Is there a measurable difference
      between the assessment of the treating doctor and the real feelings of the
      patient? How well does the attained score correspond to the clinical diagnosis?
      METHODS: The self-reported Emotions with Persecutory Delusions Scale (EPDS)
      questionnaire, previously validated in a general population, was used as the
      assessment tool for psychotic trend in 79 outpatients with epilepsy. Independent
      from scoring by the patients, the treating doctors also expressed their
      impressions about the same patients using the same scoring tool. RESULTS:
      Stepwise multiple regression analysis of the EPDS scores of both doctors and
      patients revealed that a clinical diagnosis of psychosis was the only independent
      variable significantly related to EPDS score. Also, there was a significant
      difference between the EPDS scores of the patients and those of the doctors, in
      favor of the former. SIGNIFICANCE: Clinical diagnosis of psychosis proved to be
      the most powerful determinant of EPDS score independent from other clinical
      factors. The awareness gap between doctors and patients based on EPDS score
      revealed that treating doctors often clearly underestimate the psychotic trend of
      their patients. Our findings suggest that such simple tests as EPDS, with a
      narrow focus on attenuated delusional symptoms, may help screen for an early
      psychotic episode in patients with epilepsy that may otherwise not be diagnosed
      by their physicians.

PMID- 26262935
TI  - Development and validation of an epidemiologic case definition of epilepsy for
      use with routinely collected Australian health data.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We report the diagnostic validity of a selection algorithm for
      identifying epilepsy cases. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective validation
      study of International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision Australian
      Modification (ICD-10AM)-coded hospital records and pharmaceutical data sampled
      from 300 consecutive potential epilepsy-coded cases and 300 randomly chosen cases
      without epilepsy from 3/7/2012 to 10/7/2013. Two epilepsy specialists
      independently validated the diagnosis of epilepsy. A multivariable logistic
      regression model was fitted to identify the optimum coding algorithm for epilepsy
      and was internally validated. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-eight out of three
      hundred (52.6%) epilepsy-coded records and 0/300 (0%) nonepilepsy records were
      confirmed to have epilepsy. The kappa for interrater agreement was 0.89 (95%
      CI=0.81-0.97). The model utilizing epilepsy (G40), status epilepticus (G41) and
      >=1 antiepileptic drug (AED) conferred the highest positive predictive value of
      81.4% (95% CI=73.1-87.9) and a specificity of 99.9% (95% CI=99.9-100.0). The area
      under the receiver operating curve was 0.90 (95% CI=0.88-0.93). CONCLUSION: When
      combined with pharmaceutical data, the precision of case identification for
      epilepsy data linkage design was considerably improved and could provide
      considerable potential for efficient and reasonably accurate case ascertainment
      in epidemiological studies.

PMID- 26262936
TI  - To tell or not to tell: A systematic review of the disclosure practices of
      children living with epilepsy and their parents.
AB  - Disclosing an epilepsy diagnosis to others is complex due to the condition's
      largely invisible nature and associated stigma. Despite this, little has been
      documented in terms of what this process involves for children living with
      epilepsy (CWE) and their parents. A systematic review was conducted to examine
      and synthesize evidence pertaining to: (i) the disclosure practices of CWE and
      their parents, (ii) enablers and barriers for disclosure, (iii) the impact of
      disclosure practices, and (iv) the relationship between disclosure management and
      other variables. The electronic databases PsycINFO, PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL,
      Scopus, and Web of Science were searched systematically. Any empirical, peer
      reviewed journal articles with findings reported regarding the self- or proxy
      reported disclosure practices of children aged 0-18years with any type of
      epilepsy and/or their parents were deemed eligible for inclusion. Two review
      authors completed all stages of screening, data extraction, and quality
      assessment independently with two additional review authors resolving any
      discrepancies. A total of 32 articles were included in the review. Only one dated
      study examined disclosure as a primary focus; in the remaining studies,
      disclosure was a subfocus of larger studies or pertinent qualitative
      themes/subthemes incidentally emerged. The limited evidence suggests that: 1) CWE
      and parents adopt varying disclosure management strategies - from concealment to
      voluntary disclosure; 2) disclosure decisions are challenging for CWE and
      parents; 3) many barriers to disclosure exist (e.g., fear of stigmatization and
      rejection); 4) only a limited number of factors that enable disclosure are known
      (e.g., openness by others to engage with and learn about epilepsy); 5) disclosure
      management is significantly related to a number of variables (e.g.,
      child/maternal perceived stigma and seizure control); and 6) there are varying
      outcomes for CWE and/or their parents in accordance with the adoption of specific
      disclosure management strategies (e.g., disclosure resulting in greater
      acceptance and the receipt of support or evoking anxiety/fear in others; and
      concealment resulting in misunderstandings, embarrassment, and stigma-coaching),
      but the evidence remains inconclusive in terms of which disclosure management
      strategy is optimal. While some preliminary work has been conducted, disclosure
      of epilepsy is a topic that has been largely neglected to date. This is despite
      the fact that disclosure is a significant source of concern for CWE and parent
      populations. Future studies should focus on elucidating the unique contextual
      factors that inform disclosure decisions in order to develop a theoretical
      framework that can explain the epilepsy disclosure decision-making process. 

PMID- 26262938
TI  - Disruption of learning and long-term retention of prose passages in patients with
      focal epilepsy.
AB  - Recent investigations of accelerated long-term forgetting, a condition in which
      newly acquired memory is normal initially but decays rapidly over days or weeks,
      indicate that multiple factors might influence whether this phenomenon is seen in
      patients with epilepsy. Test-based differences such as learning condition or type
      of memory measure (e.g., recall vs recognition) as well as epilepsy variables
      (e.g., side, site, or frequency of epileptiform activity) may be important. The
      present study sought to characterize factors affecting learning and memory for
      prose passages in patients with focal epilepsy. We enrolled 21 patients with
      temporal lobe epilepsy, with and without hippocampal lesions, 11 patients with
      extratemporal epilepsy (ETE), and 29 healthy controls. Two matched passages were
      used to compare effects of initial learning condition (one exposure versus
      learning-to-criterion) on subsequent patterns of retention. Recall and
      recognition were tested at different delays (i.e., immediately, 30min, 24h, and
      4days). Regression analyses and one-way ANOVAs indicated that having a left
      hemisphere epileptic focus had a negative impact on learning, whilst presence of
      a hippocampal lesion (irrespective of side) was associated with deterioration in
      recall for intervals up to 24h postencoding. Learning condition affected patterns
      of memory decay in that the ETE group showed significant decline in recall
      between 24h and 4days only when stories were learned to criterion. In contrast
      with recall, no changes over time were evident in recognition memory, as patients
      with hippocampal lesions were impaired from 30min onward. Epilepsy variables
      other than side and site of epilepsy/lesion did not influence performance. In
      conclusion, the left hemisphere is involved in learning of prose material, and
      the hippocampus is involved in the consolidation of this material mainly for the
      first 24h. After this, cortical regions outside the hippocampus become important
      for recall. 

PMID- 26262937
TI  - Inhibition of glutamine synthetase in the central nucleus of the amygdala induces
      anhedonic behavior and recurrent seizures in a rat model of mesial temporal lobe
      epilepsy.
AB  - The prevalence of depression and suicide is increased in patients with mesial
      temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE); however, the underlying mechanism remains unknown.
      Anhedonia, a core symptom of depression that is predictive of suicide, is common
      in patients with MTLE. Glutamine synthetase, an astrocytic enzyme that
      metabolizes glutamate and ammonia to glutamine, is reduced in the amygdala in
      patients with epilepsy and depression and in suicide victims. Here, we sought to
      develop a novel model of anhedonia in MTLE by testing the hypothesis that
      deficiency in glutamine synthetase in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA)
      leads to epilepsy and comorbid anhedonia. Nineteen male Sprague-Dawley rats were
      implanted with an osmotic pump infusing either the glutamine synthetase inhibitor
      methionine sulfoximine [MSO (n=12)] or phosphate buffered saline [PBS (n=7)] into
      the right CeA. Seizure activity was monitored by video-intracranial
      electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings for 21days after the onset of MSO infusion.
      Sucrose preference, a measure of anhedonia, was assessed after 21days. Methionine
      sulfoximine-infused rats exhibited recurrent seizures during the monitoring
      period and showed decreased sucrose preference over days when compared with PBS
      infused rats (p<0.01). Water consumption did not differ between the PBS-treated
      group and the MSO-treated group. Neurons were lost in the CeA, but not the medial
      amygdala, lateral amygdala, basolateral amygdala, or the hilus of the dentate
      gyrus, in the MSO-treated rats. The results suggest that decreased glutamine
      synthetase activity in the CeA is a possible common cause of anhedonia and
      seizures in TLE. We propose that the MSO CeA model can be used for mechanistic
      studies that will lead to the development and testing of novel drugs to prevent
      seizures, depression, and suicide in patients with TLE. 

PMID- 26262939
TI  - Psychometric validation of the Pediatric Symptom Checklist-17 in a pediatric
      population with epilepsy: A methods study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to address critical gaps in behavioral
      health care of youth with epilepsy by examining the utility of a brief, well
      validated screening instrument, the PSC-17, in a pediatric population with
      epilepsy. METHOD: One hundred eighty-seven caregivers of youth with epilepsy ages
      2-17years completed the PSC-17 for their child/adolescent during a routine
      epilepsy visit. Demographic and seizure information was abstracted from
      electronic medical record review. RESULTS: Confirmatory factor analyses for the
      PSC-17 revealed an acceptable fit with the 3-factor model, chi(2) (116
      [N=187]=204.54, p<0.001, CFI=0.90, TLI=0.88, RMSEA=0.064, SRMSR=0.078). Scale
      level reliabilities were excellent (0.72-0.85). Interscale correlations were
      moderate (0.48-0.69). Approximately 1/5th of the sample met clinical cut-offs for
      the total score of behavioral health concerns. However, an additional 20% of the
      sample had at least one elevated subscale score despite the total score being in
      the normative/nonclinical range. SIGNIFICANCE: The PSC-17 is a brief, free
      behavioral health screening tool with adequate to strong validity, reliability,
      and clinical utility for pediatric populations with epilepsy. Clinicians should
      consider using the 3 PSC-17 subscale scores instead of the total score to guide
      referrals for further evaluation as the subscales may provide a more accurate
      picture of functioning in particular domains.

PMID- 26262940
TI  - Cognition and behavior in a prevalent cohort of children with epilepsy in rural
      northern Tanzania: A three-year follow-up study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Eighty-five percent of the 33 million children with epilepsy (CWE)
      worldwide live in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). There is limited
      research into epilepsy-related comorbidities in LMICs, and there are no studies
      of the long-term progression of behavioral and intellectual difficulties in
      childhood epilepsy in sub-Saharan Africa. We aimed to assess behavior and
      cognition at three-year follow-up in CWE in rural Tanzania. METHODS: In 2010, a
      cross-sectional study identified 112 CWE 6 to 14years of age and 113 age- and sex
      matched controls in the Hai district of northern Tanzania. From March to June
      2013, cases and controls (now 10 to 18years of age) were followed up. At
      baseline, behavior was assessed using the Rutter A Questionnaire and cognition
      using the Goodenough-Harris Drawing Test. Details of current seizure frequency
      and antiepileptic drug (AED) use among CWE were collected. RESULTS: At follow-up,
      cases had significantly more behavioral difficulties compared with controls (48%
      of 108 cases versus 14% of 103 controls (p<0.001)). Additionally, 69% of the
      cases and 16% of the controls had cognitive impairment (p<0.001). In CWE with
      decreased seizure frequency from baseline to follow-up, behavior had improved
      significantly. At follow-up, there was no significant difference in behavior
      between CWE with decreased seizure frequency and those with good seizure control
      throughout. SIGNIFICANCE: Behavioral difficulties and cognitive impairment are
      common among CWE in this population. Improved access to AED treatment and
      subsequent improved seizure control may reduce the frequency of behavioral
      difficulties seen in this population.

PMID- 26262942
TI  - Advanced Cancer and End-of-Life Preferences: Curative Intent Surgery Versus
      Noncurative Intent Treatment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: People with cancer face complex medical decisions, including whether
      to receive life-sustaining treatments at the end of life. It is not unusual for
      clinicians to make assumptions about patients' wishes based on whether they had
      previously chosen to pursue curative treatment. OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that
      cancer patients who initially underwent curative intent surgery (CIS) would
      prefer more aggressive end-of-life treatments compared to patients whose
      treatment was noncurative intent (non-CIT). METHODS: This study was a
      retrospective review of data from a large, randomized controlled trial examining
      the use of an online decision aid for advance care planning, "Making Your Wishes
      Known" (MYWK), with patients who had advanced cancer. We reviewed patients'
      medical records to determine which patients underwent CIS versus non-CIT. In the
      parent trial, conducted at an academic medical center (2007-2012), 200 patients
      were enrolled with stage IV malignancy or other poor prognosis cancer. Patients'
      preferences for aggressive treatment were measured in two ways: using patient
      selected General Wishes statements generated by the decision aid and patient
      selected wishes for specific treatments under various hypothetical clinical
      scenarios (Specific Wishes). RESULTS: We evaluated 79 patients. Of these, 48 had
      undergone initial CIS and 31 had non-CIT. Cancer patients who initially underwent
      CIS did not prefer more aggressive end-of-life treatments compared to patients
      whose treatment was non-CIT. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians should avoid assumptions
      about patients' preferences for life-sustaining treatment based on their prior
      choices for aggressive treatment.

PMID- 26262943
TI  - Structure-Property Correlations in Cyanobiphenyl-Based Dimer-Like Mesogens.
AB  - In this contribution, we present the results of our extensive investigations on
      the synthesis and phase behavior of five series of dimer-like compounds formed by
      covalently linking a promesogenic, cyanobiphenyl core, with a nonmesogenic N-(n
      alkyl)-salicylaldimine segment via an oxy(oligomethylene)oxy spacer of varying
      length and parity. This work is a continuation of our previous short study where
      the occurrence of re-entrant nematic (Nre) phase seemed to be vitally dependent
      on the parity of the spacer and the length of the terminal chain. Thus, working
      along these lines the effects on the thermal (Nre phase) behavior of the various
      spacers and the terminal tails have been investigated comprehensively. In
      particular, with the aim of exploring the fundamental relationships between
      molecular structural features and thermal properties, five spacers, namely,
      oxy(hexyl)oxy, oxy(heptyl)oxy, oxy(octyl)oxy, oxy(nonyl)oxy, and oxy(decyl)oxy
      spacers, have been used. Each series consists of six mesogens, as the terminal
      tail attached to the salicylaldimine core has been varied from n-pentyl to n
      decyl. For the sake of comparison and completeness, previously reported materials
      have also been studied in detail, and data are included here. The
      characterization results derived from the optical and calorimetric studies
      clearly illustrate a pronounced odd-even effect; however, the effect attenuates
      as the length of the spacer is elongated. The even-members show higher clearing
      temperatures and enthalpies of transition than those of adjoining odd-members.
      Three series of mesogens possessing an even-parity spacer show thermodynamically
      stable nematic (N) and/or smectic A (SmA) phase(s); the lower homologues display
      only the N phase, and the middle ones exhibit both N and SmA phases while the
      higher members show the SmA phase solely. In contrast, the vast majority of the
      odd-spaced compounds of two series show a monotropic N phase. X-ray diffraction
      study confirms the partial bilayer order of the SmA (SmAd) phase with L < d < 2L
      where d is the layer spacing and L is the molecular length. Contrary to what was
      previously noted, none of the new compounds synthesized favor the stabilization
      of the Nre phase. At the present time, it is extremely difficult to point out the
      exact cause for the origin of re-entrant behavior in some compounds exclusively,
      as they hardly differ in their structure. It was also found that the phase
      transitional properties of even-members are comparable to that observed for 4'-n
      alkoxy-4-cyanobiphenyls (nOCBs) and 4-n-alkyl-4-cyanobiphenyls (nCBs). In
      essence, our study validates the point that dimer-like compounds resemble liquid
      crystal (LC) dimers, as well as monomers to some degree, in the context of their
      thermal behavior; thus, they can be regarded as the bridging structures between
      LC monomers and dimers. 

PMID- 26262941
TI  - Designing Caregiver-Implemented Shared-Reading Interventions to Overcome
      Implementation Barriers.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study presents an application of the theoretical domains framework
      (TDF; Michie et al., 2005), an integrative framework drawing on behavior-change
      theories, to speech-language pathology. METHODS: A multistep procedure was used
      to identify barriers affecting caregivers' implementation of shared-reading
      interventions with their children with language impairment (LI). The authors
      examined caregiver-level data corresponding to implementation issues from two
      randomized controlled trials and mapped these to domains in the TDF as well as
      empirically validated behavior-change techniques. RESULTS: Four barriers to
      implementation were identified as potentially affecting caregivers'
      implementation: time pressures, reading difficulties, discomfort with reading,
      and lack of awareness of benefits. These were mapped to 3 TDF domains:
      intentions, beliefs about capabilities, and skills. In turn, 4 behavior-change
      techniques were identified as potential vehicles for affecting these domains:
      reward, feedback, model, and encourage. An ongoing study is described that is
      determining the effects of these techniques for improving caregivers'
      implementation of a shared-reading intervention. CONCLUSIONS: A description of
      the steps to identifying barriers to implementation, in conjunction with an
      ongoing experiment that will explicitly determine whether behavior-change
      techniques affect these barriers, provides a model for how implementation science
      can be used to identify and overcome implementation barriers in the treatment of
      communication disorders.

PMID- 26262944
TI  - Preparation of Fluorinated Tetrahydropyrans and Piperidines using a New
      Nucleophilic Fluorination Reagent DMPU/HF.
AB  - DMPU/HF (HF content 65 wt %/wt) is an ideal nucleophilic fluorination reagent for
      the diastereoselective synthesis of substituted 4-fluorotetrahydropyrans and 4
      fluoropiperidines via a fluoro-Prins reaction. When compared to classical
      nucleophilic fluorination reagents like pyridine/HF, DMPU/HF gives both higher
      yields and better diastereoselectivity. 

PMID- 26262945
TI  - An Exploration of Parenting Stress in Immigrant and Taiwanese Mothers.
AB  - To assess parenting stress and major difficulties experienced in early motherhood
      among immigrant and Taiwanese women in Pingtung, southern Taiwan. A comparative,
      descriptive, cohort study of parenting stress and maternal psychological health,
      using the Child Care Stress Checklist and Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale.
      A purposive sample of 26 foreign-born Vietnamese and 162 Taiwanese mothers were
      surveyed at 6 weeks' postpartum. Both groups of mothers experienced similar
      parenting difficulties including the establishment of a regular sleeping schedule
      for the infant, consoling a crying infant, awareness of infant's needs, conflict
      with family members, and difficulties managing household chores. Curtailment of
      social activities was reported more often by Taiwanese mothers, whereas
      inaccessibility to other experienced mothers and poor maternal-infant bonding
      were experienced more by immigrant mothers. There were significant differences
      between groups, with high levels of child care stress and postpartum depression
      symptoms reported more often by immigrant mothers. Nurses-midwives and community
      child health nurses need to be sensitive to the particular difficulties and
      stresses of parenting in mothers from different backgrounds and provide effective
      interventions and support activities. 

PMID- 26262946
TI  - Carbon Dioxide Laser Correction of an Occult Camouflage Tattoo Unintentionally
      Darkened by Q-Switched Laser Exposure.

PMID- 26262947
TI  - Perineural Invasion in Atypical Fibroxanthoma of the Scalp and Forehead.

PMID- 26262948
TI  - Healing of Recalcitrant Chronic Venous Leg Ulcers by Punch Grafts Harvested From
      the Scalp.

PMID- 26262949
TI  - Arterial Catheter Use in the ICU: A National Survey of Antiseptic Technique and
      Perceived Infectious Risk.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Recent studies have shown that the occurrence rate of bloodstream
      infections associated with arterial catheters is 0.9-3.4/1,000 catheter-days,
      which is comparable to that of central venous catheters. In 2011, the Centers for
      Disease Control and Prevention published new guidelines recommending the use of
      limited barrier precautions during arterial catheter insertion, consisting of
      sterile gloves, a surgical cap, a surgical mask, and a small sterile drape. The
      goal of this study was to assess the attitudes and current infection prevention
      practices used by clinicians during insertion of arterial catheters in ICUs in
      the United States. DESIGN: An anonymous, 22-question web-based survey of
      infection prevention practices during arterial catheter insertion. SETTING:
      Clinician members of the Society of Critical Care Medicine. SUBJECTS: Eleven
      thousand three hundred sixty-one physicians, nurse practitioners, physician
      assistants, respiratory therapists, and registered nurses who elect to receive e
      mails from the Society of Critical Care Medicine. INTERVENTIONS: None.
      MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: There were 1,265 responses (11% response rate),
      with 1,029 eligible participants after exclusions were applied. Only 44% of
      participants reported using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
      recommended barrier precautions during arterial catheter insertion, and only 15%
      reported using full barrier precautions. The mean and median estimates of the
      incidence density of bloodstream infections associated with arterial catheters
      were 0.3/1,000 catheter-days and 0.1/1,000 catheter-days, respectively. Thirty
      nine percent of participants reported that they would support mandatory use of
      full barrier precautions during arterial catheter insertion. CONCLUSIONS: Barrier
      precautions are used inconsistently by critical care clinicians during arterial
      catheter insertion in the ICU setting. Less than half of clinicians surveyed were
      in compliance with current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.
      Clinicians significantly underestimated the infectious risk posed by arterial
      catheters, and support for mandatory use of full barrier precautions was low.
      Further studies are warranted to determine the optimal preventive strategies for
      reducing bloodstream infections associated with arterial catheters.

PMID- 26262950
TI  - Critical Care Organizations in Academic Medical Centers in North America: A
      Descriptive Report.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: With the exception of a few single-center descriptive reports, data
      on critical care organizations are relatively sparse. The objectives of our study
      were to determine the structure, governance, and experience to date of
      established critical care organizations in North American academic medical
      centers. DESIGN: A 46-item survey questionnaire was electronically distributed
      using Survey Monkey to the leadership of 27 identified critical care
      organizations in the United States and Canada between September 2014 and February
      2015. A critical care organization had to be headed by a physician and have
      primary governance over the majority, if not all, of the ICUs in the medical
      center. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: We received 24 responses (89%). The
      majority of the critical care organizations (83%) were called departments,
      centers, systems, or operations committees. Approximately two thirds of
      respondents were from larger (> 500 beds) urban institutions, and nearly 80% were
      primary university medical centers. On average, there were six ICUs per academic
      medical center with a mean of four ICUs under critical care organization
      governance. In these ICUs, intensivists were present in-house 24/7 in 49%;
      advanced practice providers in 63%; hospitalists in 21%; and telemedicine
      coverage in 14%. Nearly 60% of respondents indicated that they had a separate
      hospital budget to support data management and reporting, oversight of their
      ICUs, and rapid response teams. The transition from the traditional model of ICUs
      within departmentally controlled services or divisions to a critical care
      organization was described as gradual in 50% and complete in only 25%. Nearly 90%
      indicated that their critical care organization governance structure was either
      moderately or highly effective; a similar number suggested that their critical
      care organizations were evolving with increasing domain and financial control of
      the ICUs at their respective institutions. CONCLUSIONS: Our survey of the very
      few critical care organizations in North American academic medical centers showed
      that the governance models of critical care organizations vary and continue to
      evolve. Additional studies are warranted to improve our understanding of the
      factors that can foster the growth of critical care organizations and how they
      can be effective.

PMID- 26262951
TI  - Cell Membrane Capsules for Encapsulation of Chemotherapeutic and Cancer Cell
      Targeting in Vivo.
AB  - Systemic administration of chemotherapeutic agents can cause indiscriminate drug
      distribution and severe toxicity. Until now, encapsulation and targeting of drugs
      have typically relied on synthetic vehicles, which cannot minimize the clearance
      by the renal system and may also increase the risk of chemical side effects. Cell
      membrane capsules (CMCs) provide a generic and far more natural approach to the
      challenges of drug encapsulation and delivery in vivo. Here aptamer AS1411, which
      can recognize and bind overexpressed nucleolin on a cancer cell membrane, was
      chemically conjugated onto CMCs. As a result, AS1411 modified CMCs showed
      enhanced ingestion in certain cancer cells in vitro and accumulation in mouse
      cancer xenografts in vivo. Chemotherapeutics and contrast agents with
      therapeutically significant concentrations can be packaged into CMCs by
      reversible permeating their plasma membranes. The systematic administration of
      cancer targeting CMCs loaded with doxorubicin hydrochloride can significantly
      inhibit tumor growth in mouse xenografts, with significantly reduced toxicity
      compared to free drug. These findings suggest that cancer targeting CMCs may have
      considerable benefits in drug delivery and cancer treatment. 

PMID- 26262955
TI  - Clustangles: An Open Library for Clustering Angular Data.
AB  - Dihedral angles are good descriptors of the numerous conformations visited by
      large, flexible systems, but their analysis requires directional statistics. A
      single package including the various multivariate statistical methods for angular
      data that accounts for the distinct topology of such data does not exist. Here,
      we present a lightweight standalone, operating-system independent package called
      Clustangles to fill this gap. Clustangles will be useful in analyzing the ever
      increasing number of structures in the Protein Data Bank and clustering the
      copious conformations from increasingly long molecular dynamics simulations. 

PMID- 26262957
TI  - Dissociative Electron Attachment to Resveratrol as a Likely Pathway for
      Generation of the H2 Antioxidant Species Inside Mitochondria.
AB  - The electron-attaching properties of polyphenolic compound resveratrol were
      studied in vacuo by means of dissociative electron attachment (DEA) spectroscopy
      and in silico using density functional theory calculations. The most intense
      fragments generated by DEA to isolated resveratrol at thermal electron energy are
      semiquinone anions and neutral hydrogen molecules. On the basis of the present
      experimental and theoretical data, a new molecular mechanism for the antioxidant
      activity of resveratrol is presented. It is suggested that the activity of
      resveratrol in living cells is driven by dissociative attachment of electrons
      "leaked" from the respiratory chain to this polyphenolic molecule, followed by
      the formation of the H2 antioxidant species inside mitochondria and participation
      in mitochondrial energy biogenesis. 

PMID- 26262958
TI  - What Is the Structure of the Naphthalene-Benzene Heterodimer Radical Cation?
      Binding Energy, Charge Delocalization, and Unexpected Charge-Transfer Interaction
      in Stacked Dimer and Trimer Radical Cations.
AB  - The binding energy of the naphthalene(+*)(benzene) heterodimer cation has been
      determined to be 7.9 +/- 1 kcal/mol for C10H8(+*)(C6H6) and 8.1 +/- 1 kcal/mol
      for C10H8(+*)(C6D6) by equilibrium thermochemical measurements using the mass
      selected drift cell technique. A second benzene molecule binds to the
      C10H8(+*)(C6D6) dimer with essentially the same energy (8.4 +/- 1 kcal/mol),
      suggesting that the two benzene molecules are stacked on opposite sides of the
      naphthalene cation in the (C6D6)C10H8(+*)(C6D6) heterotrimer. The lowest-energy
      isomers of the C10H8(+*)(C6D6) and (C6D6)C10H8(+*)(C6D6) dimer and trimer
      calculated using the M11/cc-pVTZ method have parallel stacked structures with
      enthalpies of binding (-DeltaH degrees ) of 8.4 and 9.0 kcal/mol, respectively,
      in excellent agreement with the experimental values. The stacked face-to-face
      class of isomers is calculated to have substantial charge-transfer stabilization
      of about 45% of the total interaction energy despite the large difference between
      the ionization energies of benzene and naphthalene. Similarly, significant
      delocalization of the positive charge is found among all three fragments of the
      (C6D6)C10H8(+*)(C6D6) heterotrimer, thus leaving only 46% of the total charge on
      the central naphthalene moiety. This unexpectedly high charge-transfer component
      results in activating two benzene molecules in the naphthalene(+*)(benzene)2
      heterotrimer cation to associate with a third benzene molecule at 219 K to form a
      benzene trimer cation and a neutral naphthalene molecule. The global minimum of
      the C10H8(+*)(C6H6)2 heterotrimer is found to be the one where the naphthalene
      cation is sandwiched between two benzene molecules. It is remarkable, and rather
      unusual, that the binding energy of the second benzene molecule is essentially
      the same as that of the first. This is attributed to the enhanced charge-transfer
      interaction in the stacked trimer radical cation. 

PMID- 26262959
TI  - Superhalogens: A Bridge between Complex Metal Hydrides and Li Ion Batteries.
AB  - Complex metal hydrides and Li ion batteries play an integral role in the pursuit
      of clean and sustainable energy. The former stores hydrogen and can provide a
      clean energy solution for the transportation industry, while the latter can store
      energy harnessed from the sun and the wind. However, considerable materials
      challenges remain in both cases, and research for finding solutions has
      traditionally followed parallel paths. In this Perspective, I show that there is
      a common link between these two seemingly disparate fields that can be unveiled
      by studying the electronic structure of the anions in complex metal hydrides and
      in electrolytes of Li ion batteries; they are both superhalogens. I demonstrate
      that considerable progress made in our understanding of superhalogens in the past
      decade can provide solutions to some of the materials challenges in both of these
      areas. 

PMID- 26262956
TI  - Validation of Next-Generation Sequencing of Entire Mitochondrial Genomes and the
      Diversity of Mitochondrial DNA Mutations in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is mainly caused by smoking and
      alcohol abuse and shows a five-year survival rate of ~50%. We aimed to explore
      the variation of somatic mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations in primary oral
      tumors, recurrences and metastases. METHODS: We performed an in-depth validation
      of mtDNA next-generation sequencing (NGS) on an Illumina HiSeq 2500 platform for
      its application to cancer tissues, with the goal to detect low-level
      heteroplasmies and to avoid artifacts. Therefore we genotyped the mitochondrial
      genome (16.6 kb) from 85 tissue samples (tumors, recurrences, resection edges,
      metastases and blood) collected from 28 prospectively recruited OSCC patients
      applying both Sanger sequencing and high-coverage NGS (~35,000 reads per base).
      RESULTS: We observed a strong correlation between Sanger sequencing and NGS in
      estimating the mixture ratio of heteroplasmies (r = 0.99; p<0.001). Non
      synonymous heteroplasmic variants were enriched among cancerous tissues. The
      proportions of somatic and inherited variants in a given gene region were
      strongly correlated (r = 0.85; p<0.001). Half of the patients shared mutations
      between benign and cancerous tissue samples. Low level heteroplasmies (<10%) were
      more frequent in benign samples compared to tumor samples, where heteroplasmies
      >10% were predominant. Four out of six patients who developed a local tumor
      recurrence showed mutations in the recurrence that had also been observed in the
      primary tumor. Three out of five patients, who had tumor metastases in the lymph
      nodes of their necks, shared mtDNA mutations between primary tumors and lymph
      node metastases. The percentage of mutation heteroplasmy increased from the
      primary tumor to lymph node metastases. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that Sanger
      sequencing is valid for heteroplasmy quantification for heteroplasmies >=10% and
      that NGS is capable of reliably detecting and quantifying heteroplasmies down to
      the 1%-level. The finding of shared mutations between primary tumors, recurrences
      and metastasis indicates a clonal origin of malignant cells in oral cancer.

PMID- 26262960
TI  - IR Near-Field Study of the Solid Electrolyte Interphase on a Tin Electrode.
AB  - There has been a dearth of suitable techniques for studying the chemical
      composition of solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) on Li-ion negative electrodes
      at a resolution of its basic building blocks' length scale. Infrared apertureless
      near-field scanning optical microscopy (IR aNSOM) is an emerging tool in the
      chemical characterization of interfacial layers on the nanometer scale. This work
      demonstrates an IR aNSOM imaging of the SEI layer on a model Sn electrode. IR
      aNSOM images reveal significant chemical contrast variations tied to specific
      topographic features and possible corresponding distribution of lithium carbonate
      and lithium ethylene dicarbonate on the Sn electrode surface. 

PMID- 26262961
TI  - Identical Hydrogen-Bonding Strength of the Retinal Schiff Base between Primate
      Green- and Red-Sensitive Pigments: New Insight into Color Tuning Mechanism.
AB  - Three aspects are generally considered in the color-tuning mechanism of vision:
      (I) chromophore distortion, (II) electrostatic interaction between the protonated
      Schiff base and counterion, and (III) polarity around the beta-ionone ring and
      polyene chain. Primate green- and red-sensitive proteins are highly homologous
      but display maximum absorption at 530 and 560 nm, respectively. In the present
      study, the N-D stretching frequency of monkey green-sensitive protein was
      identified by using C15-D retinal. The hydrogen-bonding strength between monkey
      green and red was identical. Together with a previous resonance Raman study, we
      conclude that the 30 nm difference originates exclusively from the polarity
      around the beta-ionone ring and polyene chain. Three amino acids (Ala, Phe, and
      Ala in monkey green and Ser, Tyr, and Thr in monkey red, respectively) may be
      responsible for color tuning together with protein-bound water molecules around
      the beta-ionone ring and polyene chain but not at the Schiff base region. 

PMID- 26262962
TI  - Direct Spectroscopic Evidence of Photoisomerization in para-Methoxy
      Methylcinnamate Revealed by Low-Temperature Matrix-Isolation FTIR Spectroscopy.
AB  - The photoisomerization of para-methoxy methylcinnamate (p-MMC) has been studied
      by low-temperature matrix-isolation FTIR spectroscopy. In particular, the
      difference spectrum of the mid-IR frequency region (1100-1800 cm(-1)) allows us
      to distinguish the structural change before and after ultraviolet (UV) light
      irradiation at >=300 nm and to convince that the cis-isomer is produced from the
      trans-isomer by comparing with the calculated IR spectra. Additionally, a
      reversible isomerization of p-MMC is demonstrated upon a sequential irradiation
      with different wavelengths of UV light. These findings provide a new insight into
      the electronic excited-state dynamics of p-MMC. 

PMID- 26262963
TI  - Why Pt Survives but Pd Suffers From SOx Poisoning?
AB  - Pd is more prone to sulfation compared to Pt. Given the chemical similarity
      between Pt and Pd, the radical divide in their tendencies for sulfation remains a
      puzzle. We explain this intriguing difference using an extensive first-principles
      thermodynamics analysis and computed bulk and surface phase diagrams. In
      practically relevant temperatures and O2 and SO3 partial pressures, we find that
      Pt and Pd show significantly different tendencies for oxidation and sulfation.
      PdO formation is favored even at low oxygen chemical potential; however, PtO2
      formation is not favorable in catalytically relevant conditions. Similarly,
      PdSO4, and adsorbed SO3 and oxygen species on clean and oxidized surfaces are
      highly favored, whereas PtSO4 formation does not occur at typical temperature and
      pressure conditions. Finally, several descriptors are identified that correlate
      to heightened sulfation tendencies, such as the critical O chemical potential for
      bulk oxide and surface oxide formation, chemical potentials O and SO3 for bulk
      sulfate formation, and SO3 binding strength on metal surface-oxide layers, which
      can be used to explore promising sulfur resistant catalysts. 

PMID- 26262964
TI  - Photon Antibunching in a Cyclic Chemical Reaction Scheme.
AB  - The direct observation of chemical reactions on the single-molecule level is an
      ultimate goal in single-molecule chemistry, which also includes kinetic analyses.
      To analyze the lifetime of reaction intermediates, very sophisticated excitation
      schemes are often required. Here we focus on the kinetic analysis of the ground
      state proton transfer within the photocycle of a photoacid. In detail, we
      demonstrate the determination of the bimolecular rate constant of this process
      with nanosecond resolution. The procedure relies on the exploration of a purely
      quantum-optical effect, namely, photon antibunching, and thus on evaluating
      interphoton arrival times to extract the reaction rate constant. 

PMID- 26262965
TI  - Ferroelectricity of CH3NH3PbI3 Perovskite.
AB  - Ferroelectricity has been believed to be an important but controversial origin of
      the excellent photovoltaic performance of organometal trihalide perovskites
      (OTPs). Here we investigate the ferroelectricity of a prototype OTP, CH3NH3PbI3
      (MAPbI3), both theoretically and experimentally. Our first-principles
      calculations based on 3-D periodic boundary conditions reveal that a
      ferroelectric structure with polarization of ~8 MUC/cm(2) is the globally stable
      one among all possible tetragonal structures; however, experimentally no room
      temperature ferroelectricity is observed by using polarization-electric field
      hysteresis measurements and piezoresponse force microscopy. The discrepancy
      between our theoretical and experimental results is attributed to the dynamic
      orientational disorder of MA(+) groups and the semiconducting nature of MAPbI3 at
      room temperature. Therefore, we conclude that MAPbI3 is not ferroelectric at room
      temperature; however, it is possible to induce and experimentally observe
      apparent ferroelectric behavior through our proposed ways. Our results clarify
      the controversy of the ferroelectricity in MAPbI3 and also provide valuable
      guidance for future studies on this active topic. 

PMID- 26262967
TI  - Open Source and Open Data Should Be Standard Practices.

PMID- 26262966
TI  - Investigation of the Ice-Binding Site of an Insect Antifreeze Protein Using Sum
      Frequency Generation Spectroscopy.
AB  - We study the ice-binding site (IBS) of a hyperactive antifreeze protein from the
      beetle Dendroides canadensis (DAFP-1) using vibrational sum-frequency generation
      spectroscopy. We find that DAFP-1 accumulates at the air-water interface due to
      the hydrophobic character of its threonine-rich IBS while retaining its highly
      regular beta-helical fold. We observe a narrow band at 3485 cm(-1) that we assign
      to the O-H stretch vibration of threonine hydroxyl groups of the IBS. The narrow
      character of the 3485 cm(-1) band suggests that the hydrogen bonds between the
      threonine residues at the IBS and adjacent water molecules are quite similar in
      strength, indicating that the IBS of DAFP-1 is extremely well-ordered, with the
      threonine side chains showing identical rotameric confirmations. The hydrogen
      bonded water molecules do not form an ordered ice-like layer, as was recently
      observed for the moderate antifreeze protein type III. It thus appears that the
      antifreeze action of DAFP-1 does not require the presence of ordered water but
      likely results from the direct binding of its highly ordered array of threonine
      residues to the ice surface. 

PMID- 26262968
TI  - Rapid Energy Transfer Enabling Control of Emission Polarization in Perylene
      Bisimide Donor-Acceptor Triads.
AB  - Materials showing rapid intramolecular energy transfer and polarization switching
      are of interest for both their fundamental photophysics and potential for use in
      real-world applications. Here, we report two donor-acceptor-donor triad dyes
      based on perylene-bisimide subunits, with the long axis of the donors arranged
      either parallel or perpendicular to that of the central acceptor. We observe
      rapid energy transfer (<2 ps) and effective polarization control in both dye
      molecules in solution. A distributed-dipole Forster model predicts the excitation
      energy transfer rate for the linearly arranged triad but severely underestimates
      it for the orthogonal case. We show that the rapid energy transfer arises from a
      combination of through-bond coupling and through-space transfer between donor and
      acceptor units. As they allow energy cascading to an excited state with
      controllable polarization, these triad dyes show high potential for use in
      luminescent solar concentrator devices. 

PMID- 26262970
TI  - Guest-Induced Emergent Properties in Metal-Organic Frameworks.
AB  - Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are crystalline nanoporous materials comprised of
      organic electron donors linked to metal ions by strong coordination bonds.
      Applications such as gas storage and separations are currently receiving
      considerable attention, but if the unique properties of MOFs could be extended to
      electronics, magnetics, and photonics, the impact on material science would
      greatly increase. Recently, we obtained "emergent properties," such as electronic
      conductivity and energy transfer, by infiltrating MOF pores with "guest"
      molecules that interact with the framework electronic structure. In this
      Perspective, we define a path to emergent properties based on the Guest@MOF
      concept, using zinc-carboxylate and copper-paddlewheel MOFs for illustration.
      Energy transfer and light harvesting are discussed for zinc carboxylate
      frameworks infiltrated with triplet-scavenging organometallic compounds and
      thiophene- and fullerene-infiltrated MOF-177. In addition, we discuss the
      mechanism of charge transport in TCNQ-infiltrated HKUST-1, the first MOF with
      electrical conductivity approaching conducting organic polymers. These examples
      show that guest molecules in MOF pores should be considered not merely as
      impurities or analytes to be sensed but also as an important aspect of rational
      design. 

PMID- 26262969
TI  - Another Look at the Mechanisms of Hydride Transfer Enzymes with Quantum and
      Classical Transition Path Sampling.
AB  - The mechanisms involved in enzymatic hydride transfer have been studied for
      years, but questions remain due, in part, to the difficulty of probing the
      effects of protein motion and hydrogen tunneling. In this study, we use
      transition path sampling (TPS) with normal mode centroid molecular dynamics (CMD)
      to calculate the barrier to hydride transfer in yeast alcohol dehydrogenase
      (YADH) and human heart lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Calculation of the work
      applied to the hydride allowed for observation of the change in barrier height
      upon inclusion of quantum dynamics. Similar calculations were performed using
      deuterium as the transferring particle in order to approximate kinetic isotope
      effects (KIEs). The change in barrier height in YADH is indicative of a zero
      point energy (ZPE) contribution and is evidence that catalysis occurs via a
      protein compression that mediates a near-barrierless hydride transfer.
      Calculation of the KIE using the difference in barrier height between the hydride
      and deuteride agreed well with experimental results. 

PMID- 26262971
TI  - Enhanced Photogeneration of Polaron Pairs in Neat Semicrystalline Donor-Acceptor
      Copolymer Films via Direct Excitation of Interchain Aggregates.
AB  - We investigate the photogeneration of polaron pairs (PPs) in neat films of the
      semicrystalline donor-acceptor semiconducting copolymer PCPDTBT. Carefully
      selecting the solution-processing procedures, we obtain films with different
      amounts of crystallinity and interchain aggregation. We compare the
      photogeneration of PPs between the films by monitoring their photoinduced
      absorption in ultrafast pump-probe experiments, selectively exciting
      nonaggregated or aggregated polymer chains. The direct photoexcitation of
      interchain pi-aggregates results in prompt (<100 fs) charge generation. Compared
      to the case where nonaggregated chains are excited, we find an 8-fold increase in
      the prompt PP to singlet-exciton ratio. We also show that highly crystalline
      lamellar nanostructures not containing pi-stacked or any light-absorbing
      aggregates do not improve the efficiency of PP photogeneration. Our results show
      that light absorption from interchain aggregates is highly beneficial for charge
      photogeneration in semiconducting polymers and should be taken into account when
      optimizing film morphologies for photovoltaic devices. 

PMID- 26262972
TI  - Formation of Water Chains on CaO(001): What Drives the 1D Growth?
AB  - Formation of partly dissociated water chains is observed on CaO(001) films upon
      water exposure at 300 K. While morphology and orientation of the 1D assemblies
      are revealed from scanning tunneling microscopy, their atomic structure is
      identified with infrared absorption spectroscopy combined with density functional
      theory calculations. The latter exploit an ab initio genetic algorithm linked to
      atomistic thermodynamics to determine low-energy H2O configurations on the oxide
      surface. The development of 1D structures on the C4v symmetric CaO(001) is
      triggered by symmetry-broken water tetramers and a favorable balance between
      adsorbate-adsorbate versus adsorbate-surface interactions at the constraint of
      the CaO lattice parameter. 

PMID- 26262973
TI  - Tetracene Aggregation on Polar and Nonpolar Surfaces: Implications for Singlet
      Fission.
AB  - In molecular crystals that exhibit singlet fission, quantum yields depend
      strongly on intermolecular configurations that control the relevant electronic
      couplings. Here, we explore how noncovalent interactions between molecules and
      surfaces stabilize intermolecular structures with strong singlet fission
      couplings. Using molecular dynamics simulations, we studied the aggregation
      patterns of tetracene molecules on a solid surface as a function of surface
      polarity. Even at low surface concentrations, tetracene self-assembled into
      nanocrystallites where about 10-20% of the clustered molecules were part of at
      least one herringbone structure. The herringbone structure is the native
      structure of crystalline tetracene, which exhibits a high singlet fission quantum
      yield. Increasing the polarity of the surface reduced both the amount of
      clustering and the relative number of herringbone configurations, but only when
      the dipoles on the surface were orientationally disordered. These results have
      implications for the application of singlet fission in dye-sensitized solar
      cells. 

PMID- 26262974
TI  - Resonance Femtosecond-Stimulated Raman Spectroscopy without Actinic Excitation
      Showing Low-Frequency Vibrational Activity in the S2 State of All-Trans beta
      Carotene.
AB  - Raman scattering with stimulating femtosecond probe pulses (FSR) was used to
      observe vibrational activity of all-trans beta-carotene in n-hexane. The short
      lived excited electronic state S2 was accessed in two ways: (i) by transient FSR
      after an actinic pulse to populate the S2 state, exploiting resonance from an Sx
      <- S2 transition, and (ii) by FSR without actinic excitation, using S2 <-> S0
      resonance exclusively and narrow-band Raman/broad-band femtosecond probe pulses
      only. The two approaches have nonlinear optical susceptibilities chi((5)) and
      chi((3)), respectively. Both methods show low-frequency bands of the S2 state at
      200, 400, and ~600 cm(-1), which are reported for the first time. With (ii) the
      intensities of low-frequency vibrational resonances in S2 are larger compared to
      those in S0, implying strong anharmonicities/mode mixing in the excited state. In
      principle, for short-lived electronic states, the chi((3)) method should allow
      the best characterization of low-frequency modes. 

PMID- 26262975
TI  - Open Access: What Problem Are You Trying to Solve?

PMID- 26262977
TI  - ACS Is Open.

PMID- 26262976
TI  - X-ray Crystal Structure of Au38-xAgx(SCH2CH2Ph)24 Alloy Nanomolecules.
AB  - Herein, we report the X-ray crystallographic structure of a 38-metal atom Au-Ag
      alloy nanomolecule. The structure of monometallic Au38(SR)24 consists of 2
      central Au atoms and 21 Au atoms forming a bi-icosahedral core protected by 6
      dimeric and 3 monomeric units. In Au38-xAgx(SR)24,where x ranges from 1 to 5, the
      silver atoms are selectively incorporated into the Au21 bi-icosahedral core.
      Within the Au21 core, the silver atoms preferentially occupy nine selected
      locations: (a) the two vertex edges, three atoms on each edge and six atoms
      total, and (b) the middle face-shared three-atom ring, adding to a total of nine
      locations. X-ray crystallography yielded a composition of
      Au34.04Ag3.96(SCH2CH2Ph)24. The crystal structure of the alloy nanomolecule can
      be described in terms of shells as Au2@Au17.04Ag3.96@ 6*[-SR-Au-SR-Au-SR] 3*[-SR
      Au-SR-]. 

PMID- 26262979
TI  - Open Access Debate: On the Flip Side.

PMID- 26262978
TI  - Unraveling the Mechanism of Photoinduced Charge Transfer in Carotenoid-Porphyrin
      C60 Molecular Triad.
AB  - Photoinduced charge transfer (CT) plays a central role in biologically
      significant systems and in applications that harvest solar energy. We investigate
      the relationship of CT kinetics and conformation in a molecular triad. The triad,
      consisting of carotenoid, porphyrin, and fullerene is structurally flexible and
      able to acquire significantly varied conformations under ambient conditions. With
      an integrated approach of quantum calculations and molecular dynamics
      simulations, we compute the rate of CT at two distinctive conformations. The
      linearly extended conformation, in which the donor (carotenoid) and the acceptor
      (fullerene) are separated by nearly 50 A, enables charge separation through a
      sequential CT process. A representative bent conformation that is entropically
      dominant, however, attenuates the CT, although the donor and the acceptor are
      spatially closer. Our computed rate of CT at the linear conformation is in good
      agreement with measured values. Our work provides unique fundamental
      understanding of the photoinduced CT process in the molecular triad. 

PMID- 26262980
TI  - Minimal Model of Quantum Kinetic Clusters for the Energy-Transfer Network of a
      Light-Harvesting Protein Complex.
AB  - The energy absorbed in a light-harvesting protein complex is often transferred
      collectively through aggregated chromophore clusters. For population evolution of
      chromophores, the time-integrated effective rate matrix allows us to construct
      quantum kinetic clusters quantitatively and determine the reduced cluster-cluster
      transfer rates systematically, thus defining a minimal model of energy-transfer
      kinetics. For Fenna-Matthews-Olson (FMO) and light-havrvesting complex II (LCHII)
      monomers, quantum Markovian kinetics of clusters can accurately reproduce the
      overall energy-transfer process in the long-time scale. The dominant energy
      transfer pathways are identified in the picture of aggregated clusters. The
      chromophores distributed extensively in various clusters can assist a fast and
      long-range energy transfer. 

PMID- 26262981
TI  - How Open Is Open Access?

PMID- 26262982
TI  - Stabilization of the Trigonal High-Temperature Phase of Formamidinium Lead
      Iodide.
AB  - Formamidinium lead iodide (FAPbI3) has the potential to achieve higher
      performance than established perovskite solar cells like methylammonium lead
      iodide (MAPbI3), while maintaining a higher stability. The major drawback for the
      latter material is that it can crystallize at room temperature in a wide bandgap
      hexagonal symmetry (P63mc) instead of the desired trigonal (P3m1) black phase
      formed at a higher temperature (130  degrees C). Our results show that employing
      a mixture of MAI and FAI in films deposited via a two-step approach, where the
      MAI content is <20%, results in the exchange of FA molecules with MA without any
      significant lattice shrinkage. Additionally, we show with temperature-dependent X
      ray diffraction that the trigonal phase exhibits no phase changes in the
      temperature range studied (25 to 250  degrees C). We attribute the stabilization
      of the structure to stronger interactions between the MA cation and the inorganic
      cage. Finally, we show that the inclusion of this small amount of MA also has a
      positive effect on the lifetime of the photoexcited species and results in more
      efficient devices. 

PMID- 26262983
TI  - Trade-Offs in Capacity and Rechargeability in Nonaqueous Li-O2 Batteries:
      Solution-Driven Growth versus Nucleophilic Stability.
AB  - The development of high-capacity rechargeable Li-O2 batteries requires the
      identification of stable solvents that can promote a solution-based discharge
      mechanism, which has been shown to result in higher discharge capacities.
      Solution-driven discharge product growth requires dissolution of the adsorbed
      intermediate LiO2*, thus generating solvated Li+ and O2(-) ions. Such a mechanism
      is possible in solvents with high Gutmann donor or acceptor numbers. However, O2(
      ) is a strong nucleophile and is known to attack solvents via proton/hydrogen
      abstraction or substitution. This kind of a parasitic process is extremely
      detrimental to the battery's rechargeability. In this work, we develop a
      thermodynamic model to describe these two effects and demonstrate an
      anticorrelation between solvents' stability and their ability to enhance capacity
      via solution-mediated discharge product growth. We analyze the commonly used
      solvents in the same framework and describe why solvents that can promote higher
      discharge capacity are also prone to degradation. Solvating additives for
      practical Li-O2 batteries will have to be outliers to this observed
      anticorrelation.

PMID- 26262984
TI  - DNA Intercalated Psoralen Undergoes Efficient Photoinduced Electron Transfer.
AB  - The interaction of psoralens with DNA has been used for therapeutic and research
      purposes for decades. Still the photoinduced behavior of psoralens in DNA has
      never been observed directly. Femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy is
      used here to gain direct insight into the photophysics of a DNA-intercalated
      psoralen (4'-aminomethyl-4,5',8-trimethyl-psoralen (AMT)). Intercalation reduces
      the excited singlet lifetime of AMT to 4 ps compared with 1400 ps for AMT in
      water. This singlet quenching prohibits the population of the triplet state that
      is accessed in free AMT. Instead, a DNA to AMT electron transfer takes place. The
      resulting radical pair decays primarily via charge recombination with a time
      constant of 30 ps. The efficient electron transfer observed here reveals a
      completely new aspect of the psoralen-DNA interaction. 

PMID- 26262985
TI  - A Closer Look into Two-Step Perovskite Conversion with X-ray Scattering.
AB  - Recently, hybrid perovskites have gathered much interest as alternative materials
      for the fabrication of highly efficient and cost-competitive solar cells;
      however, many questions regarding perovskite crystal formation and deposition
      methods remain. Here we have applied a two-step protocol where a crystalline PbI2
      precursor film is converted to MAPbI3-xClx perovskite upon immersion in a mixed
      solution of methylammonium iodide and methylammonium chloride. We have
      investigated both films with grazing incidence small-angle X-ray scattering to
      probe the inner film morphology. Our results demonstrate a strong link between
      lateral crystal sizes in the films before and after conversion, which we
      attribute to laterally confined crystal growth. Additionally, we observe an
      accumulation of smaller grains within the bulk in contrast with the surface.
      Thus, our results help to elucidate the crystallization process of perovskite
      films deposited via a two-step technique that is crucial for controlled film
      formation, improved reproducibility, and high photovoltaic performance. 

PMID- 26262986
TI  - Synchronous Tricolor Emission-Based White Light from Quantum Dot Complex.
AB  - Herein we report the generation of synchronous tricolor emission for a single
      wavelength excitation from a quantum dot complex (QDC). The single-component QDC
      was formed out of a complexation reaction, at room temperature, between ligand
      free Mn(2+)-doped ZnS quantum dots (Qdots) and a mixture of two organic ligands
      (acetylsalicylic acid and 8-hydroxyquinoline). Furthermore, the tunability in
      chromaticity color coordinates, which is important for solid-state lighting, was
      achieved following the synthesis of QDC. Moreover, the photostable QDC emitted
      white light (lambdaex 320 nm) with (0.30, 0.33) and (0.32, 0.32) chromaticity
      color coordinates in the liquid and the solid phases, respectively. Hence, the
      white light-emitting QDC may be a superior material for light-emitting
      applications. 

PMID- 26262987
TI  - Infrared Chemical Nano-Imaging: Accessing Structure, Coupling, and Dynamics on
      Molecular Length Scales.
AB  - This Perspective highlights recent advances in infrared vibrational chemical nano
      imaging. In its implementations of scattering scanning near-field optical
      microscopy (s-SNOM) and photothermal-induced resonance (PTIR), IR
      nanospectroscopy provides few-nanometer spatial resolution for the investigation
      of polymer, biomaterial, and related soft-matter surfaces and nanostructures.
      Broad-band IR s-SNOM with coherent laser and synchrotron sources allows for
      chemical recognition with small-ensemble sensitivity and the potential for
      sensitivity reaching the single-molecule limit. Probing selected vibrational
      marker resonances, it gives access to nanoscale chemical imaging of composition,
      domain morphologies, order/disorder, molecular orientation, or crystallographic
      phases. Local intra- and intermolecular coupling can be measured through
      frequency shifts of a vibrational marker in heterogeneous environments and
      associated inhomogeneities in vibrational dephasing. In combination with
      ultrafast spectroscopy, the vibrational coherent evolution of homogeneous sub
      ensembles coupled to their environment can be observed. Outstanding challenges
      are discussed in terms of extensions to coherent and multidimensional
      spectroscopies, implementation in liquid and in situ environments, general sample
      limitations, and engineering s-SNOM scanning probes to better control the nano
      localized optical excitation and to increase sensitivity. 

PMID- 26262988
TI  - Understanding Open Access.

PMID- 26262989
TI  - Measuring Coherently Coupled Intramolecular Vibrational and Charge-Transfer
      Dynamics with Two-Dimensional Vibrational-Electronic Spectroscopy.
AB  - We demonstrate Fourier transform (FT) 2D vibrational-electronic (2D VE)
      spectroscopy employing a novel mid-IR and optical pulse sequence. This new
      femtosecond third-order nonlinear spectroscopy provides the high time and
      frequency resolutions of existing 2D FT techniques; however, resulting 2D VE
      spectra contain IR and electronic dipole moment cross terms. We use 2D VE
      spectroscopy to help understand the vibrational-electronic couplings in the
      cyanide-bridged transition-metal mixed valence complex
      [(CN)5Fe(II)CNRu(III)(NH3)5](-) dissolved in formamide. The amplitudes of the
      cross-peaks in the 2D VE spectra reveal that three of the intramolecular cyanide
      stretching vibrations lying along the charge-transfer axis are coherently coupled
      to the metal-to-metal charge-transfer electronic transition with differing
      strengths. Analysis of the 2D VE line shapes reveals positive and negative
      correlations of the cyanide stretching modes with the charge-transfer transition
      depending on the physical orientation of the vibration in the molecule and its
      interaction with the solvent. The insights found thus far into the vibronic
      couplings in the mixed valence model system indicate that the 2D VE technique
      will be a valuable addition to the existing multidimensional spectroscopy
      toolbox. 

PMID- 26262990
TI  - Photostable Copper Nanoclusters: Compatible Forster Resonance Energy-Transfer
      Assays and a Nanothermometer.
AB  - To address the concern of material chemists over the issue of stability and
      photoluminescent (PL) characteristics of Cu nanoclusters (NCs), herein we present
      an efficient protocol discussing PL Cu NCs (Cu/HSA) having blue emission and high
      photostability. These PL NCs were illustrated as efficient probes for Forster
      resonance energy transfer (FRET) with a compatible fluorophore (Coumarin 153).
      Our spectroscopic results were well complemented by our molecular docking
      calculations, which also favored our proposed mechanism for Cu NC formation. The
      beneficial aspect and uniqueness of these nontoxic Cu/HSA NCs highlights their
      temperature-dependent PL reversibility as well as the reversible FRET with
      Coumarin 153, which enables them to be used as a nanothermometer and a PL marker
      for sensitive biological samples. 

PMID- 26262992
TI  - High Resolution Consensus Mapping of Quantitative Trait Loci for Fiber Strength,
      Length and Micronaire on Chromosome 25 of the Upland Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum
      L.).
AB  - Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is an important agricultural crop that provides
      renewable natural fiber resources for the global textile industry. Technological
      developments in the textile industry and improvements in human living standards
      have increased the requirement for supplies and better quality cotton. Upland
      cotton 0-153 is an elite cultivar harboring strong fiber strength genes. To
      conduct quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping for fiber quality in 0-153, we
      developed a population of 196 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) from a cross
      between 0-153 and sGK9708. The fiber quality traits in 11 environments were
      measured and a genetic linkage map of chromosome 25 comprising 210 loci was
      constructed using this RIL population, mainly using simple sequence repeat
      markers and single nucleotide polymorphism markers. QTLs were identified across
      diverse environments using the composite interval mapping method. A total of 37
      QTLs for fiber quality traits were identified on chromosome 25, of which 17 were
      stably expressed in at least in two environments. A stable fiber strength QTL,
      qFS-chr25-4, which was detected in seven environments and was located in the
      marker interval between CRI-SNP120491 and BNL2572, could explain 6.53%-11.83% of
      the observed phenotypic variations. Meta-analysis also confirmed the above QTLs
      with previous reports. Application of these QTLs could contribute to improving
      fiber quality and provide information for marker-assisted selection. 

PMID- 26262991
TI  - Antidiabetic Effect of Galantamine: Novel Effect for a Known Centrally Acting
      Drug.
AB  - The cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway is one of the putative biochemical
      pathways that link diabetes with Alzheimer disease. Hence, we aimed to verify the
      potential antidiabetic effect of galantamine, unveil the possible mechanisms and
      evaluate its interaction with vildagliptin. The n5-STZ rat model was adopted and
      the diabetic animals were treated with galantamine and/or vildagliptin for 4
      weeks. Galantamine lowered the n5-STZ-induced elevation in body weight,
      food/water intake, serum levels of glucose, fructosamine, and ALT/AST, as well as
      AChE in the tested organs. Moreover, it modulated successfully the lipid profile
      assessed in serum, liver, and muscle, and increased serum insulin level, as well
      as % beta-cell function, in a pattern similar to that of vildagliptin.
      Additionally, galantamine confirmed its antioxidant (Nrf2, TAC, MDA), anti
      inflammatory (NF-kappaB, TNF-alpha, visfatin, adiponectin) and anti-apoptotic
      (caspase-3, cytochrome c) capabilities by altering the n5-STZ effect on all the
      aforementioned parameters. On the molecular level, galantamine/vildagliptin have
      improved the insulin (p-insulin receptor, p-Akt, GLUT4/GLUT2) and Wnt/beta
      catenin (p-GSK-3beta, beta-catenin) signaling pathways. On almost all parameters,
      the galantamine effects surpassed that of vildagliptin, while the combination
      regimen showed the best effects. The present results clearly proved that
      galantamine modulated glucose/lipid profile possibly through its anti-oxidant, 
      apoptotic, -inflammatory and -cholinesterase properties. These effects could be
      attributed partly to the enhancement of insulin and Wnt/beta-catenin signaling
      pathways. Galantamine can be strongly considered as a potential antidiabetic
      agent and as an add-on therapy with other oral antidiabetics. 

PMID- 26262993
TI  - Early Detection of Myocardial Bioenergetic Deficits: A 9.4 Tesla Complete Non
      Invasive 31P MR Spectroscopy Study in Mice with Muscular Dystrophy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most common fatal form of
      muscular dystrophy characterized by striated muscle wasting and dysfunction.
      Patients with DMD have a very high incidence of heart failure, which is
      increasingly the cause of death in DMD patients. We hypothesize that in the in
      vivo system, the dystrophic cardiac muscle displays bioenergetic deficits prior
      to any functional or structural deficits. To address this we developed a complete
      non invasive 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P MRS) approach to measure
      myocardial bioenergetics in the heart in vivo. METHODS AND RESULTS: Six control
      and nine mdx mice at 5 months of age were used for the study. A standard 3D 
      Image Selected In vivo Spectroscopy (3D-ISIS) sequence was used to provide
      complete gradient controlled three-dimensional localization for heart 31P MRS.
      These studies demonstrated dystrophic hearts have a significant reduction in
      PCr/ATP ratio compare to normal (1.59+/-0.13 vs 2.37+/-0.25, p<0.05). CONCLUSION:
      Our present study provides the direct evidence of significant cardiac
      bioenergetic deficits in the in vivo dystrophic mouse. These data suggest that
      energetic defects precede the development of significant hemodynamic or
      structural changes. The methods provide a clinically relevant approach to use
      myocardial energetics as an early marker of disease in the dystrophic heart. The
      new method in detecting the in vivo bioenergetics abnormality as an early non
      invasive marker of emerging dystrophic cardiomyopathy is critical in management
      of patients with DMD, and optimized therapies aimed at slowing or reversing the
      cardiomyopathy.

PMID- 26262994
TI  - A Rare Association of Sinus Venosus-Type Atrial Septal Defect and Persistent Left
      Superior Vena Cava Detected by Transthoracic Echocardiography and Cardiac
      Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Association of persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) and sinus
      venosus-type atrial septal defect (SVASD) is rare. We describe a patient with
      dilated coronary sinus (CS) found to have PLSVC and SVASD. CASE REPORT: The
      patient is a 60-year-old man with history of stroke who underwent a transthoracic
      echocardiogram (TTE) for evaluation of shortness of breath. TTE demonstrated a
      markedly dilated CS. Agitated saline was injected into the left antecubital vein
      to further assess CS. The parasternal long axis view demonstrated immediate
      filling of the CS and confirmed the presence of a PLSVC. Apical 4-chamber view
      with injection of agitated saline into the right antecubital vein demonstrated
      immediate contrast opacification of both atria, consistent with a right to left
      cardiac shunt. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) was performed, which confirmed
      the TTE findings of PLSVC and defined the cardiac shunt as SVASD. CONCLUSIONS:
      PLSVC should be suspected in a patient with an abnormally dilated CS. In this
      case we identified a rare association of PLSVC with a SVASD. TTE with agitated
      saline contrast injection and CMR are useful diagnostic tools for PLSVC and
      associated cardiac congenital anomalies, respectively.

PMID- 26262995
TI  - Case-Mix, Care Processes, and Outcomes in Medically-Ill Patients Receiving
      Mechanical Ventilation in a Low-Resource Setting from Southern India: A
      Prospective Clinical Case Series.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mechanical ventilation is a resource intensive organ support
      treatment, and historical studies from low-resource settings had reported a high
      mortality. We aimed to study the outcomes in patients receiving mechanical
      ventilation in a contemporary low-resource setting. METHODS: We prospectively
      studied the characteristics and outcomes (disease-related, mechanical ventilation
      related, and process of care-related) in 237 adults mechanically ventilated for a
      medical illness at a teaching hospital in southern India during February 2011 to
      August 2012. Vital status of patients discharged from hospital was ascertained on
      Day 90 or later. RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 40 +/- 17 years; 140 (51%)
      were men. Poisoning and envenomation accounted for 98 (41%) of 237 admissions. In
      total, 87 (37%) patients died in-hospital; 16 (7%) died after discharge; 115
      (49%) were alive at 90-day assessment; and 19 (8%) were lost to follow-up.
      Weaning was attempted in 171 (72%) patients; most patients (78 of 99 [79%])
      failing the first attempt could be weaned off. Prolonged mechanical ventilation
      was required in 20 (8%) patients. Adherence to head-end elevation and deep vein
      thrombosis prophylaxis were 164 (69%) and 147 (62%) respectively. Risk of
      nosocomial infections particularly ventilator-associated pneumonia was high (57.2
      per 1,000 ventilator-days). Higher APACHE II score quartiles (adjusted HR [95%
      CI] quartile 2, 2.65 [1.19-5.89]; quartile 3, 2.98 [1.24-7.15]; quartile 4, 5.78
      [2.45-13.60]), and new-onset organ failure (2.98 [1.94-4.56]) were independently
      associated with the risk of death. Patients with poisoning had higher risk of
      reintubation (43% vs. 20%; P = 0.001) and ventilator-associated pneumonia (75%
      vs. 53%; P = 0.001). But, their mortality was significantly lower compared to the
      rest (24% vs. 44%; P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The case-mix considerably differs
      from other settings. Mortality in this low-resource setting is similar to high
      resource settings. But, further improvements in care processes and prevention of
      nosocomial infections are required.

PMID- 26262996
TI  - Effects of N-acetylcysteine, oral glutathione (GSH) and a novel sublingual form
      of GSH on oxidative stress markers: A comparative crossover study.
AB  - Glutathione (GSH) is critical to fight against oxidative stress. Its very low
      bioavailability limits the interest of a supplementation. The purpose of this
      study was to compare the bioavailability, the effect on oxidative stress markers
      and the safety of a new sublingual form of GSH with two commonly used dietary
      supplements, N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and oral GSH. The study was a three-week
      randomized crossover trial. 20 Volunteers with metabolic syndrome were enrolled.
      GSH levels and several oxidative stress markers were determined at different
      times during each 21-days period. Compared to oral GSH group, an increase of
      total and reduced GSH levels in plasma and a higher GSH/GSSG ratio (p=0.003) was
      observed in sublingual GSH group. After 3 weeks of administration, there was a
      significant increase of vitamin E level in plasma only in sublingual GSH group
      (0.83 umol/g; p=0.04). Our results demonstrate the superiority of a new
      sublingual form of GSH over the oral GSH form and NAC in terms of GSH
      supplementation.

PMID- 26262999
TI  - The impact and dissemination of scientific research: From impact factor to social
      media. The Top 10 articles in Epilepsy & Behavior published in 2014.

PMID- 26262997
TI  - Quantitative combination of natural anti-oxidants prevents metabolic syndrome by
      reducing oxidative stress.
AB  - Insulin resistance and abdominal obesity are present in the majority of people
      with the metabolic syndrome. Antioxidant therapy might be a useful strategy for
      type 2 diabetes and other insulin-resistant states. The combination of vitamin C
      (Vc) and vitamin E has synthetic scavenging effect on free radicals and
      inhibition effect on lipid peroxidation. However, there are few studies about how
      to define the best combination of more than three anti-oxidants as it is
      difficult or impossible to test the anti-oxidant effect of the combination of
      every concentration of each ingredient experimentally. Here we present a math
      model, which is based on the classical Hill equation to determine the best
      combination, called Fixed Dose Combination (FDC), of several natural anti
      oxidants, including Vc, green tea polyphenols (GTP) and grape seed extract
      proanthocyanidin (GSEP). Then we investigated the effects of FDC on oxidative
      stress, blood glucose and serum lipid levels in cultured 3T3-L1 adipocytes, high
      fat diet (HFD)-fed rats which serve as obesity model, and KK-ay mice as diabetic
      model. The level of serum malondialdehyde (MDA) in the treated rats was studied
      and Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining or Oil red slices of liver and adipose tissue
      in the rats were examined as well. FDC shows excellent antioxidant and anti
      glycation activity by attenuating lipid peroxidation. FDC determined in this
      investigation can become a potential solution to reduce obesity, to improve
      insulin sensitivity and be beneficial for the treatment of fat and diabetic
      patients. It is the first time to use the math model to determine the best ratio
      of three anti-oxidants, which can save much more time and chemical materials than
      traditional experimental method. This quantitative method represents a
      potentially new and useful strategy to screen all possible combinations of many
      natural anti-oxidants, therefore may help develop novel therapeutics with the
      potential to ameliorate the worldwide metabolic abnormalities. 

PMID- 26262998
TI  - Influence of myeloperoxidase on colon tumor occurrence in inflamed versus non
      inflamed colons of Apc(Min/+) mice.
AB  - Control of colorectal cancer needs to be tailored to its etiology. Tumor
      promotion mechanisms in colitis-associated colon cancer differ somewhat from the
      mechanisms involved in hereditary and sporadic colorectal cancer. Unlike sporadic
      or inherited tumors, some experimental models show that colitis-associated colon
      tumors do not require cyclooxygenase (COX) expression for progression, and non
      steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) which prevent sporadic or inherited
      colon cancer do not prevent colitis-associated colon cancer. We report that
      myeloperoxidase (MPO), an ancestor of the COX isoenzymes, is a determinant of
      colitis-associated colon tumors in Apc(Min/+) mice. During experimentally induced
      colitis, inhibition of MPO by resorcinol dampened colon tumor development.
      Conversely, in the bowels of Apc(Min/+) mice without colitis, resorcinol
      administration or 'knockout' of MPO gene coincided with a slight, but discernible
      increase in colon tumor incidence. Acrolein, a by-product of MPO catalysis,
      formed a covalent adduct with the phosphatase tensin homolog (PTEN) tumor
      suppressor and enhanced the activity of the Akt kinase proto-oncogene in vitro
      and in vivo. Thus, MPO may be an important determinant of diet and inflammation
      on colon cancer risk via its effect on endogenous exposure to oxidants and
      acrolein. We propose a hypothetical model to explain an apparent dichotomy
      between colon tumor occurrence and MPO inhibition in inflamed versus non-inflamed
      colons. 

PMID- 26263000
TI  - Categorical Perception of Fear and Anger Expressions in Whole, Masked and
      Composite Faces.
AB  - Human observers are remarkably proficient at recognizing expressions of emotions
      and at readily grouping them into distinct categories. When morphing one facial
      expression into another, the linear changes in low-level features are
      insufficient to describe the changes in perception, which instead follow an s
      shaped function. Important questions are, whether there are single diagnostic
      regions in the face that drive categorical perception for certain parings of
      emotion expressions, and how information in those regions interacts when
      presented together. We report results from two experiments with morphed fear
      anger expressions, where (a) half of the face was masked or (b) composite faces
      made up of different expressions were presented. When isolated upper and lower
      halves of faces were shown, the eyes were found to be almost as diagnostic as the
      whole face, with the response function showing a steep category boundary. In
      contrast, the mouth allowed for a substantially lesser amount of accuracy and
      responses followed a much flatter psychometric function. When a composite face
      consisting of mismatched upper and lower halves was used and observers were
      instructed to exclusively judge either the expression of mouth or eyes, the to-be
      ignored part always influenced perception of the target region. In line with
      experiment 1, the eye region exerted a much stronger influence on mouth
      judgements than vice versa. Again, categorical perception was significantly more
      pronounced for upper halves of faces. The present study shows that identification
      of fear and anger in morphed faces relies heavily on information from the upper
      half of the face, most likely the eye region. Categorical perception is possible
      when only the upper face half is present, but compromised when only the lower
      part is shown. Moreover, observers tend to integrate all available features of a
      face, even when trying to focus on only one part. 

PMID- 26263001
TI  - Identification of Predictive Early Biomarkers for Sterile-SIRS after
      Cardiovascular Surgery.
AB  - Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) is a common complication after
      cardiovascular surgery that in severe cases can lead to multiple organ
      dysfunction syndrome and even death. We therefore set out to identify reliable
      early biomarkers for SIRS in a prospective small patient study for timely
      intervention. 21 Patients scheduled for planned cardiovascular surgery were
      recruited in the study, monitored for signs of SIRS and blood samples were taken
      to investigate biomarkers at pre-assigned time points: day of admission, start of
      surgery, end of surgery, days 1, 2, 3, 5 and 8 post surgery. Stored plasma and
      cryopreserved blood samples were analyzed for cytokine expression (IL1beta, IL2,
      IL6, IL8, IL10, TNFalpha, IFNgamma), other pro-inflammatory markers (sCD163,
      sTREM-1, ESM-1) and response to endotoxin. Acute phase proteins CRP, PCT and pro
      inflammatory cytokines IL6 and IL8 were significantly increased (p<0.001) at the
      end of surgery in all patients but could not distinguish between groups.
      Normalization of samples revealed significant increases in IL1beta changes
      (p<0.05) and decreased responses to endotoxin (p<0.01) in the SIRS group at the
      end of surgery. Soluble TREM-1 plasma concentrations were significantly increased
      in patients with SIRS (p<0.01). This small scale patient study could show that
      common sepsis markers PCT, CRP, IL6 and TNFalpha had low predictive value for
      early diagnosis of SIRS after cardiovascular surgery. A combination of normalized
      IL1beta plasma levels, responses to endotoxin and soluble TREM-1 plasma
      concentrations at the end of surgery are predictive markers of SIRS development
      in this small scale study and could act as an indicator for starting early
      therapeutic interventions. 

PMID- 26263003
TI  - Physico-chemical characterization of pine cone shell and its use as biosorbent
      and fuel.
AB  - Physico-chemical properties of pine cone shell have been determined. Results of
      characterization study showed that pine cone shell could be used as biosorbent of
      nickel from aqueous solutions in a fixed-bed column and later as input material
      in thermochemical processes. To study the behavior of Ni-loaded pine cone shell
      as fuel, non-isothermal thermogravimetric tests were performed. These tests
      showed that, in nitrogen atmosphere, the main decomposition occurs from 200
      degrees C to 500 degrees C and, in oxidant atmosphere, the behavior is of type
      "combustion+pyrolysis" (at higher temperatures there is a clear decomposition of
      residue formed during the initial steps). Finally, the effect of the presence of
      Ni was analyzed. Thermogravimetric curves did not change their profile and the
      total amount of nickel was detected in char-ash fraction and not in flue gases.
      These results suggest that nickel does not form volatile compounds at considered
      operational conditions.

PMID- 26263002
TI  - Parasporin-2 from a New Bacillus thuringiensis 4R2 Strain Induces Caspases
      Activation and Apoptosis in Human Cancer Cells.
AB  - In previous studies, parasporin-2Aa1, originally isolated from Bacillus
      thuringiensis strain A1547, was shown to be cytotoxic against specific human
      cancer cells but the mechanisms of action were not studied. In the present study,
      we found that proteinase K activated parasporin-2Aa1 protein isolated from a
      novel B. thuringiensis strain, 4R2, was specifically cytotoxic to endometrial,
      colon, liver, cervix, breast and prostate cancer. It showed no toxicity against
      normal cells. Upon treatment with proteinase K-activated parasporin-2Aa1,
      morphological changes were observed and western blot analysis revealed the
      cleavage of poly (ADP-Ribose) polymerase, caspase-3 and caspase-9 in cancer cell
      lines exclusively, indicative of programmed cell death, apoptosis. Flow cytometry
      analyses,using propidium iodide and annexin V, as well as a caspases 3/7 assay
      confirmed apoptosis induction. Further analyses were performed to study survival
      pathways, including AKT, XIAP, ERK1/2 and PAR-4, a known inducer of apoptosis.
      These results indicate that parasporin-2Aa1 is a selective cytotoxic protein that
      induces apoptosis in various human cancer cell lines from diverse tissues. 

PMID- 26263004
TI  - Removal of hexenuronic acid by xylanase to reduce adsorbable organic halides
      formation in chlorine dioxide bleaching of bagasse pulp.
AB  - Xylanase-aided chlorine dioxide bleaching of bagasse pulp was investigated. The
      pulp was pretreated with xylanase and followed a chlorine dioxide bleaching
      stage. The ATR-FTIR and XPS were employed to determine the surface chemistry of
      the control pulp, xylanase treated and chlorine dioxide treated pulps. The
      hexenuronic acid (HexA) could obviously be reduced after xylanase pretreatment,
      and the adsorbable organic halides (AOX) were reduced after chlorine dioxide
      bleaching. Compared to the control pulp, AOX could be reduced by 21.4-26.6% with
      xylanase treatment. Chlorine dioxide demand could be reduced by 12.5-22% to
      achieve the same brightness. The ATR-FTIR and XPS results showed that lignin and
      hemicellulose (mainly HexA) were the main source for AOX formation. Xylanase
      pretreatment could remove HexA and expose more lignin, which decreased the
      chlorine dioxide demand and thus reduced formation of AOX.

PMID- 26263005
TI  - Production of short-chain fatty acids from the biodegradation of wheat straw
      lignin by Aspergillus fumigatus.
AB  - The wheat straw lignin-rich fraction (WSLig-RF) can be used as a raw material for
      the production of metabolites for industrial use if ligninolytic mitosporic fungi
      are used for its biodegradation into aromatics and short-chain fatty acids
      (SCFAs, i.e., SCFA2-6). Although methods for the production of SCFA2-6 have been
      described previously, quantitative data of SCFA2-6 production have not been
      reported. The objectives of this study were to investigate the biodegradation of
      different concentrations of WSLig-RF by Aspergillus fumigatus and to identify
      whether SCFA2-6 production was dependent on the concentration of aromatics. A.
      fumigatus generated 2805mgL(-1) acetic acid when mixed with WSLig-RF at a
      concentration of 20gL(-1). Thus, aromatics are a substrate for the biosynthesis
      of SCFA2-6, and their production depends on the concentration of WSLig-RF
      aromatics.

PMID- 26263006
TI  - GDSCalc: A Web-Based Application for Evaluating Discrete Graph Dynamical Systems.
AB  - Discrete dynamical systems are used to model various realistic systems in network
      science, from social unrest in human populations to regulation in biological
      networks. A common approach is to model the agents of a system as vertices of a
      graph, and the pairwise interactions between agents as edges. Agents are in one
      of a finite set of states at each discrete time step and are assigned functions
      that describe how their states change based on neighborhood relations. Full
      characterization of state transitions of one system can give insights into
      fundamental behaviors of other dynamical systems. In this paper, we describe a
      discrete graph dynamical systems (GDSs) application called GDSCalc for computing
      and characterizing system dynamics. It is an open access system that is used
      through a web interface. We provide an overview of GDS theory. This theory is the
      basis of the web application; i.e., an understanding of GDS provides an
      understanding of the software features, while abstracting away implementation
      details. We present a set of illustrative examples to demonstrate its use in
      education and research. Finally, we compare GDSCalc with other discrete dynamical
      system software tools. Our perspective is that no single software tool will
      perform all computations that may be required by all users; tools typically have
      particular features that are more suitable for some tasks. We situate GDSCalc
      within this space of software tools. 

PMID- 26263007
TI  - Vitamin D, precocious acute myocardial infarction, and exceptional longevity.

PMID- 26263008
TI  - Low-level carotid baroreceptor stimulation: a promising feasible modulator for
      ventricular and atrial arrhythmias.

PMID- 26263009
TI  - Strategy in managing anticoagulation therapy following prosthetic heart valve
      replacement in a patient with dengue fever.

PMID- 26263010
TI  - Tricuspid systolic peak velocity is a prognostic factor in patients with cystic
      fibrosis.

PMID- 26263011
TI  - Low-level vagus nerve stimulation: an important therapeutic option for atrial
      fibrillation treatment via modulating cardiac autonomic tone.

PMID- 26263012
TI  - In vivo validation of an oscillometric method for estimating central aortic
      pressure.

PMID- 26263013
TI  - Does Hair Dye Use Increase the Risk of Breast Cancer? A Population-Based Case
      Control Study of Finnish Women.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Role of hair dyes in the etiology of breast cancer has occasionally
      raised concern but previous research has concluded with mixed results. Remnants
      of prohibited aromatic amines have been found in many hair dye products, and
      elevated levels of DNA-adducts of these amines have been detected from breast
      epithelial cells of hair dye users. However, the IARC working group has concluded
      that there is inadequate evidence for carcinogenicity of personal hair dye use
      and limited evidence in experimental animals for carcinogenicity of hair
      colorants. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We investigated whether the use of hair dyes is
      associated with breast cancer risk in women. The study design was a retrospective
      population-based case-control study in Finland, with a self-administered
      questionnaire from 6,567 breast cancer patients, aged 22-60 years and diagnosed
      in 2000-2007, and their 21,598 matched controls. We report odds ratios (OR) with
      95% confidence interval (95% CI) from a conditional logistic regression model
      applied to the frequency matched sets of cases and controls. Bias-adjusted odds
      ratios from the sensitivity analysis are also presented. RESULTS: After adjusting
      for potential confounders, the odds of breast cancer increased by 23% (OR: 1.23,
      95% CI: 1.11-1.36) among women who used hair dyes compared to those who did not.
      In women born before 1950 an increase of 28% was noted (OR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.10
      1.48). We also observed a significant trend between the OR and cumulative use of
      hair dyes (P: 0.005). Bias-adjusted odds ratios varied between 1.04 and 2.50.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that use of hair dyes is associated with breast
      cancer incidence. The impact on public health may be substantial due to vast
      popularity of hair coloring in modern societies. It should be noted that
      regardless of all efforts, a possibility of bias cannot definitively be ruled out
      and use of a prospective design is warranted. Based on the present results, it
      may be concluded however that safety of hair dyes in relation to breast cancer
      cannot yet be fully acknowledged and lack of external safety assessment within
      the cosmetics industry is of major concern.

PMID- 26263015
TI  - A Haptic Feedback Scheme to Accurately Position a Virtual Wrist Prosthesis Using
      a Three-Node Tactor Array.
AB  - In this paper, a novel haptic feedback scheme, used for accurately positioning a
      1DOF virtual wrist prosthesis through sensory substitution, is presented. The
      scheme employs a three-node tactor array and discretely and selectively modulates
      the stimulation frequency of each tactor to relay 11 discrete haptic stimuli to
      the user. Able-bodied participants were able to move the virtual wrist prosthesis
      via a surface electromyography based controller. The participants evaluated the
      feedback scheme without visual or audio feedback and relied solely on the haptic
      feedback alone to correctly position the hand. The scheme was evaluated through
      both normal (perpendicular) and shear (lateral) stimulations applied on the
      forearm. Normal stimulations were applied through a prototype device previously
      developed by the authors while shear stimulations were generated using an
      ubiquitous coin motor vibrotactor. Trials with no feedback served as a baseline
      to compare results within the study and to the literature. The results indicated
      that using normal and shear stimulations resulted in accurately positioning the
      virtual wrist, but were not significantly different. Using haptic feedback was
      substantially better than no feedback. The results found in this study are
      significant since the feedback scheme allows for using relatively few tactors to
      relay rich haptic information to the user and can be learned easily despite a
      relatively short amount of training. Additionally, the results are important for
      the haptic community since they contradict the common conception in the
      literature that normal stimulation is inferior to shear. From an ergonomic
      perspective normal stimulation has the potential to benefit upper limb amputees
      since it can operate at lower frequencies than shear-based vibrotactors while
      also generating less noise. Through further tuning of the novel haptic feedback
      scheme and normal stimulation device, a compact and comfortable sensory
      substitution device for upper limb amputees might be created. 

PMID- 26263014
TI  - Efficacy of Intrauterine Bakri Balloon Tamponade in Cesarean Section for Placenta
      Previa Patients.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to analyze the predictive factors for the
      use of intrauterine balloon insertion and to evaluate the efficacy and factors
      affecting failure of uterine tamponade with a Bakri balloon during cesarean
      section for abnormal placentation. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of
      137 patients who underwent elective cesarean section for placenta previa between
      July 2009 and March 2014. Cesarean section and Bakri balloon insertion were
      performed by a single qualified surgeon. The Bakri balloon was applied when blood
      loss during cesarean delivery exceeded 1,000 mL. RESULTS: Sixty-four patients
      (46.7%) required uterine balloon tamponade during cesarean section due to
      postpartum bleeding from the lower uterine segment, of whom 50 (78.1%) had
      placenta previa totalis. The overall success rate was 75% (48/64) for placenta
      previa patients. Previous cesarean section history, anterior placenta, peripartum
      platelet count, and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy all significantly
      differed according to balloon success or failure (all p<0.05). The drainage
      amount over 1 hour was 500 mL (20-1200 mL) in the balloon failure group and 60 mL
      (5-500 mL) in the balloon success group (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Intrauterine
      tamponade with a Bakri balloon is an adequate adjunct management for postpartum
      hemorrhage following cesarean section for placenta previa to preserve the uterus.
      This method is simple to apply, non-invasive, and inexpensive. However, possible
      factors related to failure of Bakri balloon tamponade for placenta previa
      patients such as prior cesarean section history, anterior placentation,
      thrombocytopenia, presence of DIC at the time of catheter insertion, and catheter
      drainage volume more than 500 mL within 1 hour of catheter placement should be
      recognized, and the next-line management should be prepared in advance.

PMID- 26263018
TI  - Differences in the nutritional content of baby and toddler foods with front-of
      package nutrition claims issued by manufacturers v. governments/health
      organizations.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Nutritional information panels are required on all packaged food
      products in the USA, yet are perceived as difficult to use by consumers.
      Nutritional symbols have been developed by various groups to assist consumers in
      making healthier food purchases. Different nutritional criteria are used
      depending on the authorizing body of these symbols. The present study assesses
      the nutrient profile of baby and toddler foods in light of their accompanying
      nutritional symbols. DESIGN: Kruskal-Wallis and chi 2 tests were used to assess
      differences in the nutritional content of products based on the presence and
      issuing body of nutritional symbols. SETTING: Nine grocery, drug and department
      stores in Philadelphia, PA, USA. SUBJECTS: Two hundred and forty packaged baby
      and toddler foods. RESULTS: Products whose nutritional symbol was issued by
      government/health professionals contained significantly more Ca (P = 0.002),
      fibre (P = 0.001), protein (P = 0.005), vitamin A (P = 0.011), vitamin C (P <
      0.001) and Zn (P < 0.001) and less sugar (P = 0.004) per serving than products
      without a nutritional symbol and products whose nutritional symbol was issued by
      the manufacturer. CONCLUSIONS: Products with a nutritional symbol issued by
      government/health professionals were healthier than foods with nutritional
      symbols issued by the manufacturer directly and foods with no nutritional
      symbols.

PMID- 26263019
TI  - Prediction of Nanoparticle and Colloid Attachment on Unfavorable Mineral Surfaces
      Using Representative Discrete Heterogeneity.
AB  - Despite several decades of research there currently exists no mechanistic theory
      to predict colloid attachment in porous media under environmental conditions
      where colloid-collector repulsion exists (unfavorable conditions for attachment).
      It has long been inferred that nano- to microscale surface heterogeneity (herein
      called discrete heterogeneity) drives colloid attachment under unfavorable
      conditions. Incorporating discrete heterogeneity into colloid-collector
      interaction calculations in particle trajectory simulations predicts colloid
      attachment under unfavorable conditions. As yet, discrete heterogeneity cannot be
      independently measured by spectroscopic or other approaches in ways directly
      relevant to colloid-surface interaction. This, combined with the fact that a
      given discrete heterogeneity representation will interact differently with
      differently sized colloids as well as different ionic strengths for a given sized
      colloid, suggests a strategy to back out representative discrete heterogeneity by
      a comparison of simulations to experiments performed across a range of colloid
      size, solution IS, and fluid velocity. This has recently been performed for
      interaction of carboxylate-modified polystyrene latex (CML) microsphere
      attachment to soda lime glass at pH 6.7 with NaCl electrolyte. However, extension
      to other surfaces, pH values, and electrolytes is needed. For this reason, the
      attachment of CML (0.25, 1.1, and 2.0 MUm diameters) from aqueous suspension onto
      a variety of unfavorable mineral surfaces (soda lime glass, muscovite, and
      albite) was examined for pH values of 6.7 and 8.0), fluid velocities (1.71 * 10(
      3) and 5.94 * 10(-3) m s(-1)), IS (6.0 and 20 mM), and electrolytes (NaCl, CaSO4,
      and multivalent mixtures). The resulting representative heterogeneities
      (heterodomain size and surface coverage, where heterodomain refers to nano- to
      microscale attractive domains) yielded colloid attachment predictions that were
      compared to predictions from existing applicable semiempirical expressions in
      order to examine the strengths and weaknesses of the discrete heterogeneity
      approach and opportunities for improvement. 

PMID- 26263021
TI  - Surface and Structural Investigation of a MnOx Birnessite-Type Water Oxidation
      Catalyst Formed under Photocatalytic Conditions.
AB  - Catalytically active MnOx species have been reported to form in situ from various
      Mn-complexes during electrocatalytic and solution-based water oxidation when
      employing cerium(IV) ammonium ammonium nitrate (CAN) oxidant as a sacrificial
      reagent. The full structural characterization of these oxides may be complicated
      by the presence of support material and lack of a pure bulk phase. For the first
      time, we show that highly active MnOx catalysts form without supports in situ
      under photocatalytic conditions. Our most active (4)MnOx catalyst (~0.84 mmol O2 
      mol Mn(-1) s(-1)) forms from a Mn4O4 bearing a metal-organic framework. (4)MnOx
      is characterized by pair distribution function analysis (PDF), Raman
      spectroscopy, and HR-TEM as a disordered, layered Mn-oxide with high surface area
      (216 m(2) g(-1)) and small regions of crystallinity and layer flexibility. In
      contrast, the (S)MnOx formed from Mn(2+) salt gives an amorphous species of lower
      surface area (80 m(2) g(-1)) and lower activity (~0.15 mmol O2  mol Mn(-1) s(
      1)). We compare these catalysts to crystalline hexagonal birnessite, which
      activates under the same conditions. Full deconvolution of the XPS Mn2p3/2 core
      levels detects enriched Mn(3+) and Mn(2+) content on the surfaces, which
      indicates possible disproportionation/comproportionation surface equilibria.

PMID- 26263022
TI  - Seven weeks of Western diet in apolipoprotein-E-deficient mice induce metabolic
      syndrome and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis with liver fibrosis.
AB  - Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is characterised by hepatic steatosis,
      inflammation and fibrosis, which might progress to cirrhosis. Human NASH is
      associated with metabolic syndrome (MS). Currently, rodent NASH models either
      lack significant fibrosis or MS. ApoE(-/-) mice are a MS model used in
      cardiovascular research. The aim of this work was to establish and characterise a
      novel mouse NASH model with significant fibrosis and MS. ApoE(-/-) and wild-type
      mice (wt) were fed either a western-diet (WD), methionine-choline-deficient-diet
      (MCD) or normal chow. Liver histology, RT-PCR, hepatic hydroxyproline content,
      triglycerides and cholesterol levels, and fasting glucose levels assessed hepatic
      steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis. Further, portal pressure was measured
      invasively, and kidney pathology was assessed by histology. ApoE(-/-) mice
      receiving WD showed abnormal glucose tolerance, hepatomegaly, weight gain and
      full spectrum of NASH including hepatic steatosis, fibrosis and inflammation,
      with no sign of renal damage. MCD-animals showed less severe liver fibrosis, but
      detectable renal pathological changes, besides weight loss and unchanged glucose
      tolerance. This study describes a murine NASH model with distinct hepatic
      steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis, without renal pathology. ApoE(-/-) mice
      receiving WD represent a novel and fast model with all characteristic features of
      NASH and MS well suitable for NASH research. 

PMID- 26263023
TI  - Hypothermic Machine Perfusion Decreases Renal Cell Apoptosis During
      Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury via the Ezrin/AKT Pathway.
AB  - This study aimed to explore the potential mechanisms of hypothermic machine
      perfusion (HMP)-a more efficient way to preserve kidneys from donors after
      cardiac death than static cold storage (CS), then to provide the basis for
      further improving donor quality. Twelve healthy male New Zealand rabbits (12
      weeks old, weighing 3.0 +/- 0.3 kg) were randomly divided into two groups: the
      HMP group and CS group (n = 6). Rabbits' left kidney was subjected to 35 min of
      warm ischemic time by clamping the left renal pedicle and 1 h of reperfusion. The
      kidneys were then hypothermically (4-8 degrees C) preserved in vivo for 4 h with
      HCA-II solution using HMP or CS methods. Then rabbits underwent a right
      nephrectomy and the kidney tissues were collected after 24 h of reperfusion.
      TUNEL staining was performed on paraffin sections to detect apoptosis, and the
      expressions of cleaved caspase-3, ezrin, AKT, and p-AKT in frozen kidney tissues
      were detected by Western blotting. The ezrin expression was further confirmed by
      immunohistochemistry analysis. The apoptosis rate and expression of cleaved
      caspase-3 in the HMP group were significantly lower than the CS group (P < 0.001
      and P = 0.002), meanwhile the expression of cleaved caspase-3 in the HMP and CS
      groups was significantly increased compared with the normal group (P = 0.035 and
      P < 0.001), and the expression of ezrin and p-AKT in the HMP group was
      significantly higher than the CS group (P = 0.005, 0.014). HMP decreased the
      renal cell apoptosis rate during ischemia/reperfusion injury via the ezrin/AKT
      pathway.

PMID- 26263024
TI  - N-O-Isopropyl Sulfonamido-Based Hydroxamates as Matrix Metalloproteinase
      Inhibitors: Hit Selection and in Vivo Antiangiogenic Activity.
AB  - Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been shown to be involved in tumor-induced
      angiogenesis. In particular, MMP-2, MMP-9, and MMP-14 have been reported to be
      crucial for tumor angiogenesis and the formation of metastasis, thus becoming
      attractive targets in cancer therapy. Here, we report our optimization effort to
      identify novel N-isopropoxy-arylsulfonamide hydroxamates with improved inhibitory
      activity toward MMP-2, MMP-9, and MMP-14 with respect to the previously
      discovered compound 1. A new series of hydroxamates was designed, synthesized,
      and tested for their antiangiogenic activity using in vitro assays with human
      umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). A nanomolar MMP-2, MMP-9, and MMP-14
      inhibitor was identified, compound 3, able to potently inhibit angiogenesis in
      vitro and also in vivo in the matrigel sponge assay in mice. Finally, X-ray
      crystallographic and docking studies were conducted for compound 3 in order to
      investigate its binding mode to MMP-9 and MMP-14. 

PMID- 26263025
TI  - Catalyst-Free Plasma Enhanced Growth of Graphene from Sustainable Sources.
AB  - Details of a fast and sustainable bottom-up process to grow large area high
      quality graphene films without the aid of any catalyst are reported in this
      paper. We used Melaleuca alternifolia, a volatile natural extract from tea tree
      plant as the precursor. The as-fabricated graphene films yielded a stable contact
      angle of 135 degrees , indicating their potential application in very high
      hydrophobic coatings. The electronic devices formed by sandwiching pentacene
      between graphene and aluminum films demonstrated memristive behavior, and hence,
      these graphene films could find use in nonvolatile memory devices also. 

PMID- 26263027
TI  - Effects of konjac flour inclusion in gestation diets on the nutrient
      digestibility, lactation feed intake and reproductive performance of sows.
AB  - This study was conducted to investigate the effects of konjac flour (KF)
      inclusion in gestation diets of sows on nutrients digestibility, lactation feed
      intake, reproductive performance of sows and preweaning performance of piglets.
      Two isoenergetic and isonitrogenous gestation diets were formulated: a control
      diet and a 2.1% KF-supplemented diet (KF diet). Both diets had the same NDF and
      insoluble fiber (ISF) levels, but the KF diet had higher soluble fiber (SF)
      level. The day after breeding, 96 multiparous sows were assigned to the two
      dietary treatments. Restrict-fed during gestation, in contrast, all sows were
      offered the same lactation diet ad libitum. Response criteria included sow BW,
      backfat depth, lactation feed intake, weaning-to-estrus interval, litter size and
      piglet's weight at parturition and day 21 of lactation. On day 60 of gestation,
      20 sows were used to measure nutrient digestibility. Results showed that the
      digestibility of dry matter, gross energy, crude fiber and ADF were not affected
      by the dietary treatments. The inclusion of KF in gestation diets increased NDF
      digestibility (P<0.05) and tended to increase the digestibility of CP (P=0.05)
      compared with the control diet group. In addition, dietary treatment during
      gestation did not affect litter size, BW and backfat gain during gestation,
      lactation weight, backfat loss or weaning-to-estrus interval of sows. However,
      sows fed the KF diet consumed more (P<0.05) lactation diet per day than sows in
      the control group. Accordingly, sows fed the KF diet showed greater average
      piglet weights on day 21 of lactation (P=0.09), and the litter weight of sows fed
      the KF diet on day 21 of lactation increased by 3.95 kg compared with sows fed
      the control diet (not significant). In conclusion, the inclusion of KF in
      gestation diets increased lactation feed intake of sows and tended to improve
      litter performance. 

PMID- 26263026
TI  - Chronic Insulin Exposure Induces ER Stress and Lipid Body Accumulation in Mast
      Cells at the Expense of Their Secretory Degranulation Response.
AB  - Lipid bodies (LB) are reservoirs of precursors to inflammatory lipid mediators in
      immunocytes, including mast cells. LB numbers are dynamic, increasing
      dramatically under conditions of immunological challenge. We have previously
      shown in vitro that insulin-influenced lipogenic pathways induce LB biogenesis in
      mast cells, with their numbers attaining steatosis-like levels. Here, we
      demonstrate that in vivo hyperinsulinemia resulting from high fat diet is
      associated with LB accumulation in murine mast cells and basophils. We
      characterize the lipidome of purified insulin-induced LB, and the shifts in the
      whole cell lipid landscape in LB that are associated with their accumulation, in
      both model (RBL2H3) and primary mast cells. Lipidomic analysis suggests a gain of
      function associated with LB accumulation, in terms of elevated levels of
      eicosanoid precursors that translate to enhanced antigen-induced LTC4 release.
      Loss-of-function in terms of a suppressed degranulation response was also
      associated with LB accumulation, as were ER reprogramming and ER stress,
      analogous to observations in the obese hepatocyte and adipocyte. Taken together,
      these data suggest that chronic insulin elevation drives mast cell LB enrichment
      in vitro and in vivo, with associated effects on the cellular lipidome, ER status
      and pro-inflammatory responses. 

PMID- 26263028
TI  - Acute exposure to ergot alkaloids from endophyte-infected tall fescue does not
      alter absorptive or barrier function of the isolated bovine ruminal epithelium.
AB  - Ergot alkaloids in endophyte-infected (Neotyphodium coenophialum) tall fescue
      (Lolium arundinaceum) have been shown to cause a reduction in blood flow to the
      rumen epithelium as well as a decrease in volatile fatty acids (VFA) absorption
      from the washed rumen of steers. Previous data also indicates that incubating an
      extract of endophyte-infected tall fescue seed causes an increase in the amount
      of VFA absorbed per unit of blood flow, which could result from an alteration in
      the absorptive or barrier function of the rumen epithelium. An experiment was
      conducted to determine the acute effects of an endophyte-infected tall fescue
      seed extract (EXT) on total, passive or facilitated acetate and butyrate flux
      across the isolated bovine rumen as well as the barrier function measured by
      inulin flux and tissue conductance (G t ). Flux of ergovaline across the rumen
      epithelium was also evaluated. Rumen tissue from the caudal dorsal sac of
      Holstein steers (n=6), fed a common diet, was collected and isolated shortly
      after slaughter and mounted between two halves of Ussing chambers. In vitro
      treatments included vehicle control (80% methanol, 0.5% of total volume), Low EXT
      (50 ng ergovaline/ml) and High EXT (250 ng ergovaline/ml). Results indicate that
      there is no effect of acute exposure to ergot alkaloids on total, passive or
      facilitated flux of acetate or butyrate across the isolate bovine rumen
      epithelium (P>0.51). Inulin flux (P=0.16) and G t (P>0.17) were not affected by
      EXT treatment, indicating no alteration in barrier function due to acute ergot
      alkaloid exposure. Ergovaline was detected in the serosal buffer of the High EXT
      treatment indicating that the flux rate is ~0.25 to 0.44 ng/cm2 per hour. Data
      indicate that specific pathways for VFA absorption and barrier function of the
      rumen epithelium are not affected by acute exposure to ergot alkaloids from tall
      fescue at the concentrations tested. Ergovaline has the potential to be absorbed
      from the rumen of cattle that could contribute to reduced blood flow and motility
      and lead to reduced growth rates of cattle. 

PMID- 26263029
TI  - Effects of continuous milking during a field trial on productivity, milk protein
      yield and health in dairy cows.
AB  - The objective of this field study with an automatic milking system was to
      evaluate the effects of omitting the dry period on health and productivity during
      the subsequent lactation in dairy cows. A total of 98 German Simmental cows of
      six Southern German farms were assigned randomly to two experimental groups: The
      first group was dried-off 56 days before calving (D for dried-off, n=49), and the
      second group was milked continuously during this period until calving (CM for
      continuous milking, n=49). From the latter a third group emerged, including cows
      that dried-off themselves spontaneously (DS for dried-off spontaneously, n=14).
      Blood serum values of glucose, beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), non-esterified fatty
      acids (NEFA) and IGF-1 showed most pronounced fluctuations in D cows. Over the
      entire study period, the concentrations of BHBA and NEFA were markedly lower in
      the CM and DS groups. Furthermore, IGF-1 concentration was lowest for D cows and
      also decrease in back fat thickness was more pronounced. Mean concentration of
      milk protein was markedly higher in CM and DS cows (3.70% and 3.71%) compared
      with D cows (3.38%). Owing to the lower 305-day milk yield (-15.6%) and the lower
      total milk yield (-3.1%), the total amount of produced protein in the subsequent
      lactation was 2.5% (6.8 kg) lower, although the additional protein amount in CM
      cows from week -8 to calving was 35.7 kg. The greatest benefit resulted from
      positive effects on fertility and the lower incidence of diseases: CM cows had
      their first oestrus 1 week earlier compared with D cows, they also conceived
      earlier and showed a significantly lower risk of developing hypocalcaemia,
      ketosis and puerperal disorders. The present study showed that the costs of
      medical treatment and milk losses were twice as high in D cows, compared with CM
      and DS cows, and thus the reduced costs because of the more stable health
      outweighed the financial losses of milk yield by +18.49 ? per cow and lactation. 

PMID- 26263030
TI  - Performance and welfare of rabbit does in various caging systems.
AB  - The objective of the study was to compare production and welfare of rabbit does
      and their kits housed in various types of cages. Female rabbits were randomly
      allocated to four groups with the following cage types: CN: common wire-mesh flat
      deck cage, without footrest; CF: cage similar to the CN but with plastic
      footrest; ECWP: enlarged cage with wire-mesh platform; and ECPP: extra enlarged
      cage with plastic-mesh platform. All does were inseminated on the same day, 11
      days after kindlings. Reproductive performance was evaluated during the first
      five consecutive kindlings. Severity of sore hocks was scored at each
      insemination. Location preference of the does and the platform usage of their
      kits were evaluated. Kindling rate, litter size (total born, born alive, alive at
      21 and 35 days) and kit mortality were not significantly influenced by the cage
      types. The litter weight at 21 days was higher in ECWP and ECPP cages than in the
      CF group (3516, 3576 and 3291 g, respectively; P2.5 cm) and 3 to 4 (3=callus
      opened, cracks present; 4=wounds) were 58%, 60%, 78% and 48%, and 0%, 5%, 0% and
      48% in groups ECPP, ECWP, CF and CN, respectively. Higher number of daily nest
      visits was observed for CF does than for ECWP does (12.5 v. 5.9; P2/day) was
      higher in the CF group than in the ECWP group (12.1 v. 3.2%; P<0.01). Within
      large cages, the does were observed on the platform more frequently in the ECPP
      cages compared with the ECWP cages (56.9% v. 31.7%; P<0.001). Similarly, 2.7% and
      0.2% of kits at 21 days of age, and 33.2% and 5.2% of kits at 28 days of age,
      were found on the platforms of ECPP and ECWP cages, respectively. In conclusion,
      cages larger than the conventional ones improved kits' weaning weight, plastic
      footrests and plastic-mesh platforms in conventional and/or large cages reduced
      sore hocks' problems, plastic-mesh platforms were more used by both does and kits
      compared with the wire-mesh platforms. 

PMID- 26263031
TI  - Prevalence and Determinants of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in
      Bangladesh.
AB  - RATIONALE: There is a paucity of population-based data on COPD prevalence and its
      determinants in Bangladesh. OBJECTIVE: To measure COPD prevalence and
      socioeconomic and lifestyle determinants among >=40 years Bangladeshi adults.
      METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, we measured lung function of 3744 randomly
      selected adults >=40 years from rural and urban areas in Bangladesh, using a
      handheld spirometer. COPD was defined according to the Global Initiative for
      Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) criteria as post-bronchodilator ratio of
      Forced Expiratory Volume in 1st second (FEV1) to Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) <
      0.7. In addition, COPD was also assessed by the lower limit of normal (LLN)
      threshold defined as lower fifth percentile for the predicted FEV1/FVC. RESULTS:
      The prevalence of COPD was 13.5% by GOLD criteria and 10.3% by LLN criteria.
      Prevalence of COPD was higher among rural than urban residents and in males than
      females. More than half of the COPD cases were stage II COPD by both criteria.
      Milder cases (Stages I and II) were over estimated by the GOLD fixed criteria,
      but more severe cases (Stages III and IV) were similarly classified. In multiple
      logistic regression analysis, older age, male sex, illiteracy, underweight,
      history of smoking (both current and former), history of asthma and solid fuel
      use were significant predictors of COPD. CONCLUSION: COPD is a highly prevalent
      and grossly underdiagnosed public health problem in Bangladeshi adults aged 40
      years or older. Illiteracy, smoking and biomass fuel burning are modifiable
      determinants of COPD.

PMID- 26263032
TI  - Hospitalizations for COPD Exacerbations: Trends and Determinants of Death.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: to understand epidemiological trends in severe COPD exacerbations
      through analyzes of hospitalizations and deaths during three consecutive years in
      a French administrative region area. METHODS: Medico-administrative records of
      hospitalizations for COPD exacerbations were sorted from 2010 to 2012 using
      selected International Classification of Diseases (ICD10) codes. Four groups of
      hospitalization for COPD severe exacerbations were elicited leading to
      hospitalizations (general ward without respiratory failure, general ward with
      acute respiratory distress, ICU without mechanical ventilation, ICU with
      mechanical ventilation). RESULTS: Data extraction identified 5007, 4986 and 5359
      admissions related to 4136, 4155 and 4460 patients in 2010, 2011 and 2012,
      respectively. Marked seasonal variations were observed. Duration of stay (median
      (IQR), 7 (7) vs 9 (8) vs 10 (9) vs 14 (16) days, P < .001), death rates (3.6% vs
      14.2% vs 14.4% vs 21.2%, P < .01), number of co-morbid conditions (median (IQR),
      2 (2) vs 2 (2) vs 4 (5) vs 4 (4.5), P < .01), type of institution (64.9% in
      public institution vs 79.9% vs 87.8% vs 76.6%, P < .01) were significantly
      associated with the hospitalization group and more than 8% of admissions led to
      death (3% to 24%). Age, type of institution and past hospitalizations were
      independent risk factors for deaths. Readmissions were infrequent but mainly
      related to the worsening of the co-morbid conditions. CONCLUSION: COPD severe
      exacerbations are frequent and lead to an important numbers of deaths related to
      the severity of acute respiratory failure and the number of co-morbid conditions.

PMID- 26263033
TI  - Walking with Non-Invasive Ventilation Does Not Prevent Exercise-Induced
      Hypoxaemia in Stable Hypercapnic COPD Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) in addition to
      supplemental oxygen improves arterial oxygenation, walking distance and dyspnea
      when applied during exercise in stable hypercapnic COPD patients. The aim of the
      current study was to investigate whether NPPV without supplemental oxygen is
      capable of preventing severe exercise-induced hypoxemia in these patients when
      applied during walking. METHODS AND RESULTS: 15 stable hypercapnic COPD patients
      (FEV1 29.9 +/- 15.9%) performed two 6-minute walk tests (6MWT) with a rollator in
      a randomized cross-over design: using either supplemental oxygen (2.4 +/- 0.7
      L/min) or NPPV (inspiratory/expiratory positive airway pressure of 28.2 +/- 2.8 /
      5.5 +/- 1.5 mbar) without supplemental oxygen. RESULTS: 10 patients were able to
      complete both 6MWT. 6MWT with supplemental oxygen resulted in no changes for PO2
      (pre: 67.3 +/- 11.2 mmHg vs. post: 65.6 +/- 12.0 mmHg, p = 0.72) whereas PCO2
      increased (pre: 50.9 +/- 8.1 mmHg vs. post: 54.3 +/- 10.0 mmHg (p < 0.03). During
      6MWT with NPPV PO2 significantly decreased from 66.8 +/- 7.2 mmHg to 55.5 +/-
      10.6 mmHg (p < 0.02) whereas no changes occurred in PCO2 (pre: 50.6 +/- 7.5 mmHg
      vs. post: 53.0 +/- 7.1 mmHg; p = 0.17). Walking distance tended to be lower in
      6MWT with NPPV compared to 6MWT with supplemental oxygen alone (318 +/- 160 m vs.
      377 +/- 108 m; p = 0.08). CONCLUSION: The use of NPPV during walking without the
      application of supplemental oxygen does not prevent exercise-induced hypoxemia in
      patients with stable hypercapnic COPD.

PMID- 26263034
TI  - Emergency Admissions for COPD in an Urban Population: The Role of Population and
      Primary Care Factors.
AB  - COPD is a major cause of emergency admissions worldwide. In many countries the
      majority of COPD care is provided by primary care teams. This study examined
      variation between primary care teams in rates of COPD admission and assessed the
      role of prevalence, deprivation, practice performance, and general practitioner
      (GP) and nurse supply on risk of COPD admission. Retrospective observational
      study of National Health Service admissions for COPD of patients registered with
      London general practices over four years (2006-2009). We sought associations
      using negative binomial regression between COPD admissions and population
      factors, practice organization and practice performance. Trends in rates of COPD
      admissions across London were stable between 2006 and 2009. COPD admission rates
      varied substantially between practices (2006/7: median 13.68/10,000 population
      (IQR 7.83-22.70)), with almost a 3-fold difference across the interquartile range
      each year. Practice characteristics varied to a similar extent. Variation in
      practice COPD admission rates was associated with diagnosed prevalence of COPD
      (Rate Ratio 2.06, 95% CI 1.84-2.3) and increasing levels of deprivation (RR 1.01,
      1.006-1.01). Other practice characteristics, including GP and nurse supply, and
      practice performance scores were not predictive of practice level COPD admission
      rates, when controlling for COPD prevalence and socio-economic status. Main
      predictors of variation in rates of COPD admissions were prevalence of diagnosed
      COPD and socioeconomic status. The absence of evidence that variation in primary
      care services for COPD was associated with rates of COPD admission emphasizes the
      importance of primary prevention of COPD if COPD admission rates are to fall. 

PMID- 26263035
TI  - Trends in In-Hospital Outcomes Among Adults Hospitalized With Exacerbation of
      Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although substantial advances have been made in the treatment of
      chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), little is known regarding the
      impact of these advancements on inpatient outcomes over time. We sought to
      examine temporal trends in in-hospital outcomes among adults hospitalized with
      COPD exacerbation. METHODS: The Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project's
      Nationwide Inpatient Sample was utilized to identify a cohort of adults
      hospitalized with COPD exacerbation, identified through International
      Classification of Diseases-9 codes. Baseline demographics, medical history, and
      clinical outcomes were assessed in 3,060,565 hospitalizations in patients with
      COPD exacerbation from 2006-2009. RESULTS: In-hospital all-cause mortality
      significantly decreased over the 4-year study period (5.1%, 4.7%, 4.5%, and 4.2%
      from 2006-2009; p < 0.001). The decline in mechanical ventilation (5.8% 5.7%,
      5.3%, and 5.4% from 2006-2009; p < 0.001) was accompanied by a nearly 50% rise in
      noninvasive positive pressure ventilation utilization (NIPPV) (2.3%, 2.9%, 3.3%,
      and 3.5% from 2006-2009; p < 0.001). Average hospital length of stay (LOS)
      decreased over the study period (6.3, 6.1, 5.8, and 5.7 days from 2006-2009; p <
      0.001). These relationships remained significant in fully-adjusted multivariate
      analyses (referent year 2006: p < 0.001 for years 2007-2009 for mortality,
      mechanical ventilation, and hospital LOS; p < 0.001 for years 2008-2009).
      Multivariate analysis of predictors of mortality remained similar for Years 2006
      2009 with mechanical ventilation, age greater than 75 years, and NIPPV use
      serving as the strongest predictors of mortality. CONCLUSION: During 2006-2009, a
      significant decline in mortality was accompanied by less frequent mechanical
      ventilation, more frequent NIPPV use, and shorter LOS in adults hospitalized with
      COPD exacerbation.

PMID- 26263036
TI  - Social Support and Social Networks in COPD: A Scoping Review.
AB  - A scoping review was conducted to determine the size and nature of the evidence
      describing associations between social support and networks on health, management
      and clinical outcomes amongst patients with COPD. Searches of PubMed, PsychInfo
      and CINAHL were undertaken for the period 1966-December 2013. A descriptive
      synthesis of the main findings was undertaken to demonstrate where there is
      current evidence for associations between social support, networks and health
      outcomes, and where further research is needed. The search yielded 318 papers of
      which 287 were excluded after applying selection criteria. Two areas emerged in
      which there was consistent evidence of benefit of social support; namely mental
      health and self-efficacy. There was inconsistent evidence for a relationship
      between perceived social support and quality of life, physical functioning and
      self-rated health. Hospital readmission was not associated with level of
      perceived social support. Only a small number of studies (3 articles) have
      reported on the social network of individuals with COPD. There remains a need to
      identify the factors that promote and enable social support. In particular, there
      is a need to further understand the characteristics of social networks within the
      broader social structural conditions in which COPD patients live and manage their
      illness. 

PMID- 26263037
TI  - Changing Pattern of Sputum Cell Counts During Successive Exacerbations of Chronic
      Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease exacerbations are associated
      with worsening of airway inflammation, the nature of which may be neutrophilic,
      eosinophilic, or both. OBJECTIVE: The primary objective was to examine the
      cellular nature of airway inflammation in successive COPD exacerbations in order
      to ascertain if they changed in individual patients. The secondary objective was
      to estimate the relative risk indicating the extent to which a particular type of
      exacerbation changed as a function of the most recent exacerbation. DESIGN: This
      was a retrospective survey performed on a computerised sputum cell count database
      of a referral respiratory service in Hamilton, Canada. Recurrent event analyses
      were used to model the incidence of exacerbations and subtypes of exacerbations.
      RESULTS: 359 patients and 148 patients had sputum examined during stable
      condition and during exacerbations, respectively. It was found 65 patients had
      sputum examined during both situations. The exacerbations were eosinophilic in
      15.9%, neutrophilic in 18%, combined in 2.6%, of unknown clinical significance in
      19.6% and normal in 19.6%. There were missing counts for 24.3% samples. In 85.2%
      of patients, a different subtype of bronchitis was noted in successive
      exacerbations. The relative risk of a subsequent neutrophilic or eosinophilic
      exacerbation was 6.24 (p = 0.02) and 2.8 (p = 0.24) when the previous
      exacerbation was neutrophilic or eosinophilic respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This non
      intervention study suggests that the cellular nature of bronchitis is largely
      unpredictable and needs to be examined at each COPD exacerbation This has
      important implications in choosing the appropriate therapy. Future intervention
      studies would provide further evidence.

PMID- 26263038
TI  - Critical Factors Driving the High Volumetric Uptake of Methane in Cu3(btc)2.
AB  - A thorough experimental and computational study has been carried out to elucidate
      the mechanistic reasons for the high volumetric uptake of methane in the metal
      organic framework Cu3(btc)2 (btc(3-) = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate; HKUST-1).
      Methane adsorption data measured at several temperatures for Cu3(btc)2, and its
      isostructural analogue Cr3(btc)2, show that there is little difference in
      volumetric adsorption capacity when the metal center is changed. In situ neutron
      powder diffraction data obtained for both materials were used to locate four CD4
      adsorption sites that fill sequentially. This data unequivocally shows that
      primary adsorption sites around, and within, the small octahedral cage in the
      structure are favored over the exposed Cu(2+) or Cr(2+) cations. These results
      are supported by an exhaustive parallel computational study, and contradict
      results recently reported using a time-resolved diffraction structure envelope
      (TRDSE) method. Moreover, the computational study reveals that strong methane
      binding at the open metal sites is largely due to methane-methane interactions
      with adjacent molecules adsorbed at the primary sites instead of an electronic
      interaction with the metal center. Simulated methane adsorption isotherms for
      Cu3(btc)2 are shown to exhibit excellent agreement with experimental isotherms,
      allowing for additional simulations that show that modifications to the metal
      center, ligand, or even tuning the overall binding enthalpy would not improve the
      working capacity for methane storage over that measured for Cu3(btc)2 itself. 

PMID- 26263039
TI  - Effects of intergenic single nucleotide polymorphisms in the fast myosin heavy
      chain cluster on muscle fiber characteristics and meat quality in Berkshire pigs.
AB  - The heterogeneity of myosin heavy chain (MyHC) isoforms is closely related to
      muscle fiber characteristics, and meat quality in pigs. The fast MyHC gene
      cluster on porcine chromosome 12 contains MYH2, MYH1, and MYH4, which encode
      three fast MyHC isoforms expressed in adult skeletal muscle. Here, we identified
      four intergenic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the gene cluster. Of
      these, SNP1 and SNP2, which were located near MYH2, were genotyped in 199
      Berkshire pigs. SNP1 were significantly associated with the total fiber number
      (P=0.046) and intramuscular fat contents (P=0.041), and SNP2 had significant
      effects on type I fiber number/area compositions (P=0.039 and P=0.041,
      respectively), water holding capacity (drip loss, P=0.045; cooking loss,
      P=0.001), and meat color (P=0.003). Taken together, our results suggest that the
      intergenic SNPs near MYH2 can affect muscle fiber formation and meat quality by
      modifying the regulatory elements of this gene cluster in pigs. 

PMID- 26263040
TI  - Low temperature, long time treatment of porcine M. longissimus thoracis et
      lumborum in a combi steamer under commercial conditions.
AB  - As the interest in low temperature, long time (LTLT) treatment of meat, as well
      as the use of modern combi steamer technology is growing, this study
      characterized the effects of LTLT treatments on porcine Musculus longissimus
      thoracis et lumborum in a combi steamer. Upon heating for 10 and 20 h at 53
      degrees C or 58 degrees C, weight loss increased with both time and temperature,
      while no significant changes over time could be reached between 20 and 30 h.
      Redness only varied with temperature, showing lower a* values at 53 degrees C.
      Shear force values at 58 degrees C remained at a stable level over time and were
      lower than values at 53 degrees C after 10 and 20 h. In contrast, at 53 degrees
      C, shear force was reduced with increasing treatment time, until after 30 h both
      temperatures showed similar shear force values. Inoculation experiments revealed
      that already the lowest LTLT condition (53 degrees C, 10h) inactivated 5 log10
      cfu/g of certain indicator pathogens confirming the safety of these treatments.

PMID- 26263041
TI  - The Development and Reliability of a Simple Field-Based Screening Tool to Assess
      for Scapular Dyskinesis.
AB  - CONTEXT: Scapular dyskinesis has been identified as a possible risk factor for
      injury in overhead athletes. There is a need to develop a simple, inexpensive,
      time-efficient field-based test that can establish the presence and severity of
      both scapular dyskinesis and its individual components in a musculoskeletal
      preparticipation screening. To ensure confidence in the test results, high
      reliability must be displayed. OBJECTIVE: To establish the intertester and
      intratester reliability of a simple field-based screening tool for scapular
      dyskinesis. DESIGN: Reliability study. SETTING: Athletic therapy facilities.
      PARTICIPANTS: 15 physically active men (19.46 +/- 0.63 y) free from any
      orthopedic or neurological disorders, recruited from a convenience sample of
      college students. INTERVENTION: Testers underwent 3 training sessions where the
      instructions and scoring system of the test were explained, demonstrations of the
      tests were given, and opportunities to practice the test were provided. Three
      testers independently rated 3 trials, and the process was repeated at the same
      time the following week. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Scapular dyskinesis was assessed
      using the following components: winging, loss/lack of control when lifting,
      loss/lack of control when lowering, and scapular asymmetry. A 0-3 rating (0 = no
      issue, 1 = slight issue, 2 = moderate issue, 3 = severe issue) was provided by
      the tester independently on each side separately and on scapular asymmetry. The
      intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), 95% confidence intervals, and
      standard error of measurement (SEM) were computed to establish reliability.
      RESULTS: Excellent ICC values were found for intertester reliability (ICCs .80
      1.00) and good to excellent intratester reliability (ICCs .60-1.00 for tester A,
      .63-1.00 for tester B, and .75-1.00 for tester C) for all components of the test.
      The SEM was not found to be clinically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The simple field
      based screening tool developed to assess scapular dyskinesis demonstrates high
      reliability and so is a reliable tool to use in preparticipation screenings.
      Future research should establish its validity.

PMID- 26263042
TI  - Methotrexate for maintenance of remission in ulcerative colitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Methotrexate, a folate antagonist, is an immunosuppressant drug that
      is effective for treating several inflammatory disorders including Crohn's
      disease. Ulcerative colitis, a related chronic inflammatory bowel disease, can be
      challenging to treat. T his updated systematic review summarizes the current
      evidence on the use of methotrexate for induction maintenance of remission in
      ulcerative colitis. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this review were to assess the
      efficacy and safety of methotrexate for maintenance of remission in patients with
      ulcerative colitis. SEARCH METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL and the
      Cochrane IBD/FBD group specialized trials register from inception to June 26,
      2014. Study references and review papers were also searched for additional
      trials. Abstracts from major gastroenterological meetings were searched to
      identify research published in abstract form only. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomized
      controlled trials in which methotrexate was compared to placebo or an active
      comparator in patients with quiescent ulcerative were considered for inclusion.
      DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two authors independently extracted data and
      assessed the risk of bias for each study. The primary outcome was the occurrence
      of clinical or endoscopic relapse as defined by the primary studies. Secondary
      outcomes included frequency and nature of adverse events, change of disease
      activity score and steroid-sparing effect. We calculated the risk ratio and
      corresponding 95% confidence interval for dichotomous outcomes. Data were
      analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis. The overall quality of the evidence
      supporting the outcomes was evaluated using the GRADE criteria. MAIN RESULTS:
      Three trials (165 patients) fulfilled the inclusion criteria. One study compared
      oral methotrexate (12.5 mg/week) to placebo, another compared oral methotrexate
      (15 mg/week) to 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP, 1.5 mg/kg/day) or 5-aminosalicylic acid
      (5-ASA, 3 g/day) and the other compared methotrexate (15 mg/week) in combination
      sulfasalazine (3 g/day) to sulfasalazine. The placebo-controlled study was rated
      as low risk of bias. The study comparing methotrexate to 6-MP and 5-ASA was rated
      as high risk of bias and the study assessing methotrexate and sulfasalazine was
      rated as unclear risk of bias for sequence generation, allocation concealment and
      blinding. The placebo-controlled study found no statistically significant
      differences in the proportion of patients who maintained remission. At nine
      months, 36% (5/14) of methotrexate patients maintained remission compared to 54%
      (10/18) of placebo patients (RR 0.64, 95% CI 0.28 to 1.45). A GRADE analysis
      indicated that the overall quality of the evidence for this outcome was low due
      to very sparse data (15 events). The study comparing combination therapy to
      sulfasalazine found no statistically significant difference in the proportion of
      patients who maintained remission. At 12 months, 100% (14/14) of patients in the
      combination group maintained remission compared to 75% (9/12) of sulfasalazine
      patients (RR 1.32, 95% CI 0.94 to 0.86), A GRADE analysis indicated that the
      overall quality of the evidence for this outcome was very low due to unknown risk
      of bias and very sparse data (23 events). There were no statistically significant
      differences in maintenance of remission rates between methotrexate and 6-MP or
      between methotrexate and 5-ASA. At 76 weeks, 14% (1/7) of methotrexate patients
      maintained remission compared to 64% (7/11) of 6-MP patients (RR 0.22, 95% CI
      0.03 to 1.45) and 0% (0/2) of 5-ASA patients (RR 1.13, 95% CI 0.06 to 20.71). A
      GRADE analysis indicated that the overall quality of the evidence from this study
      was very low due to high risk of bias and very sparse data. Adverse events
      reported in these studies included transient leucopenia, migraine, nausea and
      dyspepsia, mild alopecia, mild increase in aspartate aminotransferase levels,
      peritoneal abscess, hypoalbuminemia, severe rash and atypical pneumonia AUTHORS'
      CONCLUSIONS: The results for efficacy and safety outcomes between methotrexate
      and placebo, methotrexate and sulfasalazine, methotrexate and 6-mercaptopurine
      and methotrexate and 5-aminosalicylic acid were uncertain. Whether a higher dose
      or parenteral administration of methotrexate would be effective in quiescent
      ulcerative colitis is unknown. At present there is no evidence supporting the use
      of methotrexate for maintenance of remission in ulcerative colitis. More studies
      are needed to determine the efficacy and safety of methotrexate maintenance
      therapy in patients with quiescent ulcerative colitis. Large scale
      methodologically rigorous randomized controlled trials are needed. These studies
      should investigate higher doses of methotrexate (e.g. 15 to 25 mg/week) and
      parenteral administration.

PMID- 26263043
TI  - Clustering of CdSe/CdS Quantum Dot/Quantum Rods into Micelles Can Form Bright,
      Non-blinking, Stable, and Biocompatible Probes.
AB  - We investigate clustered CdSe/CdS quantum dots/quantum rods, ranging from single
      to multiple encapsulated rods within amphiphilic diblock copolymer micelles, by
      time-resolved optical spectroscopy. The effect of the clustering and the cluster
      size on the optical properties is addressed. The clusters are bright and stable
      and show no blinking while retaining the fundamental optical properties of the
      individual quantum dots/quantum rods. Cell studies show neither unspecific uptake
      nor morphological changes of the cells, despite the increased sizes of the
      clusters. 

PMID- 26263044
TI  - Effects of stress relaxation in beta-titanium orthodontic loops: Part II.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine which regions of beta-titanium T-loop springs (TLSs) are
      more affected by the stress relaxation over a 12-week period. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Fifty TLS were previously activated by concentrated bends and divided
      into five groups of 10 each according to their evaluation periods: immediate
      assessment (G0), 24 hours (G1), 48 hours (G2), 1 week (G3), and 12 weeks (G4).
      Groups 1 to 4 were mounted into a structure simulating a clinical situation.
      After the experimental periods, the springs were scanned for measurement of their
      angles and numbered from 1 to 9. A two-way analysis of variance was used to
      detect differences among the angles measured and differences caused by time and
      also to detect interactions between those two factors. Tukey's test was used to
      find differences among the groups. RESULTS: Time influenced the angulations of
      the TLSs (P < .001). Tukey post hoc test showed that G0 (84.1 degrees ) presented
      a different profile, whereas G1 (90.2 degrees ), G2 (90.7 degrees ), and G3 (91.1
      degrees ) had similar profiles among each other, with G4 (92.6 degrees ) showing
      a mean value different from all other groups. A significant interaction was
      detected between activation time and angular deformation in the TLSs (P < .01).
      CONCLUSION: Stress relaxation was observed in the TLSs. It was greatest within 24
      hours and gradually increased up to 12 weeks. Two regions were identified as
      responsible for the relaxation of the TLSs: one at the bend between the vertical
      extensions of the springs and the base arch and the other at the preactivation
      bends made in the base arch.

PMID- 26263045
TI  - Accurate DNA Assembly and Genome Engineering with Optimized Uracil Excision
      Cloning.
AB  - Simple and reliable DNA editing by uracil excision (a.k.a. USER cloning) has been
      described by several research groups, but the optimal design of cohesive DNA ends
      for multigene assembly remains elusive. Here, we use two model constructs based
      on expression of gfp and a four-gene pathway that produces beta-carotene to
      optimize assembly junctions and the uracil excision protocol. By combining uracil
      excision cloning with a genomic integration technology, we demonstrate that up to
      six DNA fragments can be assembled in a one-tube reaction for direct genome
      integration with high accuracy, greatly facilitating the advanced engineering of
      robust cell factories. 

PMID- 26263046
TI  - "The Tools of Your Chants and Spells": Stories of Madwomen and Indian Practical
      Healing.
AB  - A longstanding trope in Indian psychiatry, and in popular representations of it,
      involves the efficacy of incantations and exorcism in healing afflictions of the
      mind, notably hysteria. In many accounts, from nineteenth century medical
      journals to twenty-first century popular films, a medicine deemed at once
      'Western' and universal is granted the ability to diagnose neurotic afflictions,
      but rendered incapable of curing them, while bodily techniques referred to as
      'Indian' are granted efficacy. In this article, I explore the subtleties and
      implications of this recurrent knowledge paradigm. I argue that a particular
      arrangement-one in which difference is established through equivalence-undergirds
      the terms by which medicine comes to be viewed as a cultural encounter. As these
      progressive formulations are often founded on stories about women's madness, I
      ask, what are the implications of an arguably pragmatic ethos founded on an
      uneven-and deeply gendered-resolution to postcolonial knowledge problems?

PMID- 26263047
TI  - Trends in pharmacological therapy following an acute coronary syndrome in
      Portugal: a systematic review.
AB  - AIMS: To assess time trends in the use of main drug classes for secondary
      prevention, during hospitalization and at hospital discharge, following an acute
      coronary syndrome, in Portugal, using a systematic review. METHODS: We searched
      PubMed, from inception until 2012, to identify studies reporting the proportion
      of acute coronary syndrome patients treated with main pharmacological therapy. We
      used linear regression to quantify the annual variation in use of drugs,
      adjusting for the proportion of men in the sample and patients' mean age, and
      including a quadratic term of data collection year when relevant. RESULTS: In 25
      eligible studies, including patients treated from 1993 to 2009, we observed an
      increase in the prescription of pharmacological treatments at hospital discharge.
      Extrapolating from these data, and assuming a mean patient age of 65 years and
      70% of men, we estimate that in 2008, 95% of patients would have been discharged
      with aspirin, 92% with clopidogrel, 82% with beta-blockers, 80% with angiotensin
      converting enzyme inhibitors and 91% with statins. Treatment during
      hospitalization followed a similar pattern, except for a steeper increase in
      angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors use, which was initially lower, but
      reached similar levels to those at discharge in recent years. CONCLUSION: In
      Portugal, there was an increase in the use of recommended pharmacological therapy
      for secondary prevention after an acute coronary syndrome over the last 15 years,
      during hospitalization and at hospital discharge.

PMID- 26263048
TI  - Hold your pauses: external globus pallidus neurons respond to behavioural events
      by decreasing pause activity.
AB  - Awareness of its rich structural pathways has earned the external segment of the
      globus pallidus (GPe) recognition as a central figure within the basal ganglia
      circuitry. Interestingly, GPe neurons are uniquely identified by the presence of
      prominent pauses interspersed among a high-frequency discharge rate of 50-80
      spikes/s. These pauses have an average pause duration of 620 ms with a frequency
      of 13/min, yielding an average pause activity (probability of a GPe neuron being
      in a pause) of (620 * 13)/(60 * 1000) = 0.13. Spontaneous pause activity has been
      found to be inversely related to arousal state. The relationship of pause
      activity with behavioural events remains to be elucidated. In the present study,
      we analysed the electrophysiological activity of 200 well-isolated GPe pauser
      cells recorded from four non-human primates (Macaque fascicularis) while they
      were engaged in similar classical conditioning tasks. The isolation quality of
      the recorded activity and the pauses were determined with objective automatic
      methods. The results showed that the pause probability decreased by 9.09 and
      10.0%, and the discharge rate increased by 2.96 and 1.95%, around cue and outcome
      presentation, respectively. Analysis of the linear relationship between the
      changes in pause activity and discharge rate showed r(2)  = 0.46 and r(2)  = 0.66
      upon cue onset and outcome presentation, respectively. Thus, pause activity is a
      pertinent element in short-term encoding of relevant behavioural events, and has
      a significant, but not exclusive, role in the modulation of GPe discharge rate
      around these events. 

PMID- 26263049
TI  - High Frequency of Early Repolarization and Brugada-Type Electrocardiograms in
      Hypercalcemia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: J wave, or early repolarization has recently been associated with an
      increased risk of lethal arrhythmia and sudden death, both in idiopathic
      ventricular fibrillation and in the general population. Hypercalcemia is one of
      the causes of J point and ST segment elevation, but the relationship has not been
      well studied. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of hypercalcemia
      on J point elevation. METHODS: Electrocardiographic findings were compared in 89
      patients with hypercalcemia and 267 age- and sex-matched healthy controls with
      normocalcemia. The association of J point elevation with arrhythmia events in
      patients with hypercalcemia was also studied. RESULTS: The PR interval and the
      QRS duration were longer in patients with hypercalcemia than in normocalcemic
      controls. Both the QT and the corrected QT intervals were shorter in patients
      with hypercalcemia compared with normocalcemic controls. Conduction disorders, ST
      T abnormalities, and J point elevation were more common in patients with
      hypercalcemia than normocalcemic controls. Following the resolution of
      hypercalcemia, the frequency of J point elevation decreased to a level similar to
      that noted in controls. During hospitalization, no arrhythmia event occurred in
      patients with hypercalcemia. CONCLUSION: Hypercalcemia was associated with J
      point elevation.

PMID- 26263050
TI  - Complexation of Neptunium(V) with Glutaroimide Dioxime: A Study by Absorption
      Spectroscopy, Microcalorimetry, and Density Functional Theory Calculations.
AB  - Complexation of NpO2(+) ions with glutaroimide dioxime (H2L), a cyclic imide
      dioxime ligand that has been shown to form strong complexes with UO2(2+) in
      aqueous solutions, was studied by absorption spectroscopy and microcalorimetry in
      1.0 M NaClO4 aqueous solutions. NpO2(+) forms two successive complexes,
      NpO2(HL)(aq) and NpO2(HL)2(-) (where HL(-) stands for the partially deprotonated
      glutaroimide dioxime ligand), with stability constants of log beta111 = 17.8 +/-
      0.1 and log beta122 = 33.0 +/- 0.2, respectively. The complexation is both
      enthalpy- and entropy-driven, with negative enthalpies (DeltaH111 = -52.3 +/- 1.0
      kJ/mol and DeltaH122 = -96.1 +/- 1.4 kJ/mol) and positive entropies (DeltaS111 =
      164 +/- 3 J/mol/K and DeltaS122 = 310 +/- 4 J/mol/K). The thermodynamic
      parameters suggest that, similar to complexation of UO2(2+), the ligand
      coordinates with NpO2(+) in a tridentate mode, via the two oxygen atoms of the
      oxime groups and the nitrogen atom of the imide group. Density functional theory
      calculations have helped to interpret the optical absorption properties of the
      NpO2(HL)2(-) complex, by showing that the cis and trans configurations of the
      complex have very similar energies so that both configurations could be present
      in the aqueous solutions. It is the noncentrosymmetric cis configuration that
      makes the 5f -> 5f transition allowable so that the NpO2(HL)2(-) complex absorbs
      in the near-IR region. 

PMID- 26263052
TI  - Molecular Dynamics Simulations of the Initial-State Predict Product Distributions
      of Dediazoniation of Aryldiazonium in Binary Solvents.
AB  - The dediazoniation of aryldiazonium salts in mixed solvents proceeds by a
      borderline SN1 and SN2 pathway, and product distribution should be proportional
      to the composition of the solvation shell of the carbon attached to the -N2 group
      (ipso carbon). The rates of dediazoniation of 2,4,6-trimethylbenzenediazonium in
      water, methanol, ethanol, propanol, and acetonitrile were similar, but measured
      product distributions were noticeably dependent on the nature of the
      water/cosolvent mixture. Here we demonstrated that solvent distribution in the
      first solvation shell of the ipso carbon, calculated from classical molecular
      dynamics simulations, is equal to the measured product distribution. Furthermore,
      we showed that regardless of the charge distribution of the initial state, i.e.,
      whether the positive charge is smeared over the molecule or localized on phenyl
      moiety, the solvent distribution around the reaction center is nearly the same. 

PMID- 26263051
TI  - Whole-central nervous system functional imaging in larval Drosophila.
AB  - Understanding how the brain works in tight concert with the rest of the central
      nervous system (CNS) hinges upon knowledge of coordinated activity patterns
      across the whole CNS. We present a method for measuring activity in an entire,
      non-transparent CNS with high spatiotemporal resolution. We combine a light-sheet
      microscope capable of simultaneous multi-view imaging at volumetric speeds 25
      fold faster than the state-of-the-art, a whole-CNS imaging assay for the isolated
      Drosophila larval CNS and a computational framework for analysing multi-view,
      whole-CNS calcium imaging data. We image both brain and ventral nerve cord,
      covering the entire CNS at 2 or 5 Hz with two- or one-photon excitation,
      respectively. By mapping network activity during fictive behaviours and
      quantitatively comparing high-resolution whole-CNS activity maps across
      individuals, we predict functional connections between CNS regions and reveal
      neurons in the brain that identify type and temporal state of motor programs
      executed in the ventral nerve cord. 

PMID- 26263053
TI  - Strategy for NMR metabolomic analysis of urine in mouse models of obesity--from
      sample collection to interpretation of acquired data.
AB  - The mouse model of monosodium glutamate induced obesity was used to examine and
      consequently optimize the strategy for analysis of urine samples by NMR
      spectroscopy. A set of nineteen easily detectable metabolites typical in obesity
      related studies was selected. The impact of urine collection protocol, choice of
      (1)H NMR pulse sequence, and finally the impact of the normalization method on
      the detected concentration of selected metabolites were investigated. We
      demonstrated the crucial effect of food intake and diurnal rhythms resulting in
      the choice of a 24-hour fasting collection protocol as the most convenient for
      tracking obesity-induced increased sensitivity to fasting. It was shown that the
      Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (CPMG) experiment is a better alternative to one
      dimensional nuclear Overhauser enhancement spectroscopy (1D-NOESY) for NMR
      analysis of mouse urine due to its ability to filter undesirable signals of
      proteins naturally present in rodent urine. Normalization to total spectral area
      provided comparable outcomes as did normalization to creatinine or probabilistic
      quotient normalization in the CPMG-based model. The optimized approach was found
      to be beneficial mainly for low abundant metabolites rarely monitored due to
      their overlap by strong protein signals.

PMID- 26263054
TI  - A sensitive LC-MS/MS method for the quantitative determination of biflorin in rat
      plasma and its application to pharmacokinetic studies.
AB  - A rapid, sensitive and selective liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric
      method (LC-MS/MS) was developed for the quantification of biflorin in rat plasma.
      Using naringin as an internal standard, plasma samples were subjected to a direct
      protein precipitation process using methanol. Chromatographic separation was
      achieved on a Gemini C18 column with an isocratic mobile phase consisting of 0.1%
      formic acid and methanol (50:50, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.5mL/min. Biflorin was
      analyzed in the multiple reaction monitoring mode with negative electrospray
      ionization. The precursor/product ion pairs were m/z 353.0/205.0 and m/z
      579.0/271.0 for biflorin and the IS, respectively. The calibration curve was
      linear over the concentration range of 5-2000ng/mL. The intra- and inter-day
      precision was less than 7.3% and the accuracy ranged from 96.5 to 103.3%. No
      significant variation was observed in the stability tests. This method was
      successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study of biflorin after the intravenous
      and oral administration of biflorin to rats. The half-life and oral
      bioavailability of biflorin were determined as 3.4h and 43%, respectively. This
      is the first report on the quantitative determination of biflorin in rat plasma
      as well as the pharmacokinetic characterization of biflorin, which should provide
      a meaningful foundation for further preclinical and clinical applications of
      biflorin.

PMID- 26263055
TI  - Comprehensive quantification of tablets with multiple active pharmaceutical
      ingredients using transmission Raman spectroscopy--a proof of concept study.
AB  - Transmission Raman spectroscopy is a potent new tool for content uniformity
      testing in pharmaceutical manufacturing enabling rapid bulk sampling of a
      material by non-destructive means. In this proof-of-concept study, we present,
      for the first time, comprehensive quantification of all the constituents in a set
      of tablets consisting of 5 components (3 APIs and 2 excipients) by this method.
      The nominal concentration of individual components ranged from 1 to 85% (w/w).
      Two multivariate partial least-squares approaches have been used to calibrate
      concentration models consisting of 40 handmade tablets covering 20 sample points.
      These models successfully predicted all the components in a set of 10 validation
      tablets covering 5 different sample points. A single model for all components
      (PLS2) and 5 individual models each optimised for one component (PLS1) performed
      similarity and have been used to demonstrate that specificity of prediction has
      been achieved through using a multifactor orthogonal DoE for sample preparation.
      The ability to determine multiple analyte concentrations in one single
      measurement further establishes this procedure and its benefits for assay and
      content uniformity testing.

PMID- 26263056
TI  - Inhibitive activities detection of monoamine oxidases (MAO) A and B inhibitors in
      human liver MAO incubations by UPLC-ESI-MS/MS.
AB  - A sensitive UPLC-ESI-MS/MS method was developed for determining and screening of
      inhibitors of monoamine oxidase (MAO) by using mix MAO enzymes prepared from
      human liver. 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and 2-phenethylamine (2-PEA) were used as
      substrates for MAO-A and MAO-B in incubations, and 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid
      (5-HIAA) and phenylacetic acid (PAA) resulting from 5-HT and 2-PEA were used as
      markers to evaluate inhibitive activities of test compounds on MAO-A and MAO-B.
      Proper separation was achieved for positive multiple reaction monitoring of 5
      HIAA (m/z 192.1->146.1) and negative multiple reaction monitoring PAA (m/z 135.0
      >91.0) via isocratic elution (0.1% fromic acid:acetonitrile=60:40) on a HSS T3
      column following a simple precipitation of proteins for sample treatment. The
      relative standard deviations of intra- and inter-day precisions were ranged from
      1.74% to 6.76% and 0.77% to 9.35%. The mean accuracies for the quality control
      samples were 101.37+/-6.60% and 101.39+/-2.85%, respectively. This method
      exhibited characteristics of small total reaction volume (100MUl), short analysis
      time (3.5min), highly sensitivity, low cost and without matrix effect (103.56+/
      2.33% to 112.63+/-8.57% for 5-HIAA and 105.68+/-8.75% to 112.76+/-4.67% for PAA).
      The developed method was successfully applied for detection of the MAO-A and MAO
      B inhibitive activities by model drugs, including pargyline, clorgyline, as well
      as beta-carboline alkaloids from Peganum harmala.

PMID- 26263057
TI  - Proteomic analysis of beta-asarone induced cytotoxicity in human glioblastoma
      U251 cells.
AB  - Though rhizoma acori graminei (RAG) is frequently prescribed in formulations for
      brain tumor in traditional Chinese medicine, the potential mechanisms are still
      unclear. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of beta-asarone, a
      major component in the volatile oil of RAG, against brain tumor and elucidate the
      underlying molecular mechanisms. The results showed that beta-asarone
      significantly inhibited the cell viability of human glioblastoma U251 cells.
      Moreover, YO-PRO-1/PI staining revealed that cells treated with beta-asarone
      underwent apoptotic and necrotic death. Then, the two-dimensional gel
      electrophoresis (2-DE)-based proteomics was applied to investigate the different
      protein profiles of U251 cells treated with vehicle or beta-asarone. Sixteen
      proteins affected by beta-asarone were successfully identified by MALDI-TOF/TOF
      mass spectrometry. Gene ontology analysis showed that those proteins participated
      in several important biological processes and exhibited diverse molecular
      functions. Importantly, four proteins (heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein H1
      (H), isoform CRA_b, heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2/B1, isoform CRA_a,
      ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase isozyme L1 and cathepsin D) acting as
      either oncoproteins or tumor suppressors draw our special attention. Finally, the
      effect of beta-asarone on these four genes was confirmed at transcriptional level
      by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Collectively, a variety of proteins affected by beta
      asarone were identified by 2-DE coupled with MALDI-TOF/TOF MS/MS analysis. Four
      potential protein targets were proposed, which will enable a better understanding
      of the anti-tumor activity of beta-asarone.

PMID- 26263058
TI  - An ultrasensitive LC-MS/MS method with liquid phase extraction to determine
      paclitaxel in both cell culture medium and lysate promising quantification of
      drug nanocarriers release in vitro.
AB  - The quantification of paclitaxel, a chemotherapy drug used to treat different
      types of cancers, has been performed from complete cell culture medium and cell
      lysate samples using a simple liquid-liquid extraction procedure in conjunction
      with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). A simple sample
      preparation using methanol and acetic acid as a weaker acid was applied to avoid
      paclitaxel destruction and to achieve recovery exceeding 80 % from both matrices
      spiked with paclitaxel and docetaxel used as internal standard. This rapid,
      simple, selective and sensitive method enabled the quantification of paclitaxel
      within the linear range of 1-250nM in culture medium and 5-250nM in cell lysate.
      The lower limit of quantification was achieved in cell culture medium and cell
      lysates at 0.2 and 1pmol, respectively. This method was successfully applied to
      human non-small cell lung carcinoma cells (A549 cells) in order to quantify the
      amount of paclitaxel in both cell culture medium and lysate after incubation with
      5, 50 and 100nM of paclitaxel. This ultra-sensitive method promises the
      quantification of ultra-low concentrations of paclitaxel released from any
      nanocarriers, allowing the determination of the kinetic profile of drug release,
      which is an essential parameter to validate the use of nanocarriers for drug
      delivery in cancer therapy.

PMID- 26263059
TI  - Rutaecarpine and evodiamine selected as beta1-AR inhibitor candidates using beta1
      AR/CMC-offline-UPLC/MS prevent cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury via energy
      modulation.
AB  - In the present study, an offline analytical method combining beta1-adrenergic
      receptor/cell membrane chromatography (beta1-AR/CMC) with ultra-performance
      liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (UPLC/MS) was used for direct
      recognition, separation, and identification of beta1-AR inhibitors from Evodia
      rutaecarpa (Juss) Benth, by which rutaecarpine and evodiamine were screened and
      identified as potential beta1-AR antagonists and the beta1-AR inhibition activity
      of them was confirmed by downregulation of cAMP and PKA in vitro test. In
      addition, the results of in vivo pharmacological trials revealed that
      rutaecarpine (1.1mg/ml) and evodiamine (1.1mg/ml) attenuated myocardial infarct
      size injured by myocardial ischemia/reperfusion, improved metabolism disorders
      between fatty acid and glucose, increased the content of ATP, Ca(2+)-ATPase
      activity and reduced the content of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor
      alpha (PPARalpha) protein level. Thus, the beta1-AR/CMC-offline-UPLC/MS method
      developed in this study could be used as an effective alternative for screening
      beta1-AR binding bioactive components in traditional Chinese medicines and the
      bioactive components could be used to remedy cardiac diseases via energy
      modulation.

PMID- 26263060
TI  - Determination of arbutin and bergenin in Bergeniae Rhizoma by capillary
      electrophoresis with a carbon nanotube-epoxy composite electrode.
AB  - This report describes the fabrication and the application of a novel carbon
      nanotube (CNT)-epoxy composite electrode as a sensitive amperometric detector for
      the capillary electrophoresis (CE). The composite electrode was fabricated on the
      basis of the in situ polycondensation of a mixture of CNTs and 1,2-ethanediamine
      containing bisphenol A epoxy resin in the inner bore of a piece of fused silica
      capillary under heat. It was coupled with CE for the separation and detection of
      arbutin and bergenin in Bergeniae Rhizoma, a traditional Chinese medicine, to
      demonstrate its feasibility and performance. The two phenolic constituents were
      well separated within 10min in a 45cm capillary length at a separation voltage of
      12kV using a 50mM borate buffer (pH 9.2). The CNT-based detector offered higher
      sensitivity, significantly lower operating potential, satisfactory resistance to
      surface fouling, and lower expense of operation, indicating great promise for a
      wide range of analytical applications. It showed long-term stability and
      reproducibility with relative standard deviations of less than 5% for the peak
      current (n=15).

PMID- 26263061
TI  - Preparation of a pipette tip-based molecularly imprinted solid-phase
      microextraction monolith by epitope approach and its application for
      determination of enkephalins in human cerebrospinal fluid.
AB  - In this study, a novel molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) monolith for highly
      selective extraction of enkephalins was synthesized and prepared in a
      micropipette tip using epitope imprinting technique. The synthesized MIPs were
      characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and infrared spectroscopy. A
      molecularly imprinted solid-phase microextraction (MISPME) method was developed
      for extraction of enkephalins in aqueous solutions. The parameters affecting
      MISPME were optimized. The results indicated that this MIP monolith exhibited
      specific recognition capability, high enrichment efficiency and excellent
      reusability for enkephalins. MALDI-TOF MS analysis demonstrated that this MIP
      monolith can act as a useful tool for highly selective purification and
      enrichment of enkephalin, a kind of low abundance protein, from high-abundance
      proteins in human cerebrospinal fluids (CSF). Employed this MIP monolith as solid
      phase microextraction column, quantitative assay of enkephalins in human CSF was
      developed by HPLC-ultraviolet (UV) detection in this work. The detection limits
      were 0.05-0.08nM. This MISPME/HPLC-UV method was used to quantify Met-enkephalin
      and Leu-enkephalin levels in the CSF of patients with cancer pain.

PMID- 26263062
TI  - Screening beta1AR inhibitors by cell membrane chromatography and offline UPLC/MS
      method for protecting myocardial ischemia.
AB  - A high expression beta1AR/cell membrane chromatography (beta1AR-CMC) and offline
      UPLC/MS method has been developed for screening active ingredients from Coptis
      chinensis. In this study, the fractions retained by CMC column were separated and
      identified by UPLC/MS system. Using metoprolol as a positive control drug,
      coptisine from C. chinensis was identified as the active component which could
      inhibit beta1AR. Compared with the control group: coptisine could attenuate the
      infarct size and release malondialdehyde (MDA) while increasing superoxide
      dismutase (SOD) activity, suggesting a role in reducing myocardial injury. In
      vitro, coptisine could decrease apoptosis, showing their protective effects upon
      cardiomyocytes. This beta1AR-CMC-offline-UPLC/MS method can be applied for
      screening active components acting on beta1AR from traditional Chinese medicines.

PMID- 26263063
TI  - Formation of GSH-trapped reactive metabolites in human liver microsomes, S9
      fraction, HepaRG-cells, and human hepatocytes.
AB  - The objective was to compare several in vitro human liver-derived subcellular and
      cellular incubation systems for the formation of GSH-trapped reactive
      metabolites. Incubations of pooled human liver microsomes, human liver S9
      fractions, HepaRG-cells, and human hepatocytes were performed with glutathione as
      a trapping agent. Experiments with liver S9 were performed under two conditions,
      using only NADPH and using a full set of cofactors enabling also conjugative
      metabolism. Ten structurally different compounds were used as a test set, chosen
      as either "positive" (ciprofloxacin, clozapine, diclofenac, ethinyl estradiol,
      pulegone, and ticlopidine) or "negative" (caffeine, citalopram, losartan,
      montelukast) compounds, based on their known adverse reactions on liver or bone
      marrow. GSH conjugates were observed for seven of the ten compounds; while no
      conjugates were observed for caffeine, citalopram, or ciprofloxacin. Hepatocyte
      and HepaRG assays produced a clearly lower number and lower relative abundance of
      GSH conjugates compared to assays with microsomes and S9 fractions. The major GSH
      conjugates were different for many compounds in cellular subfractions and cell
      based systems. Hepatocytes generally produced a higher number of GSH conjugates
      than HepaRG cells, although the differences were minor. The results show that the
      hepatic enzyme system used for screening of GSH-trapped reactive metabolites do
      have a high impact on the results, and results between different systems are
      comparable only qualitatively.

PMID- 26263064
TI  - Bayesian models of child development.
AB  - Bayesian models have been applied to many areas of cognitive science including
      vision, language, and motor learning. We discuss the implications of this
      framework for cognitive development. We first present a brief introduction to the
      Bayesian framework. Bayesian models make assumptions about representation
      explicit, and provide a detailed account of learning. Furthermore, they can
      provide an account of developmental transitions and other phenomena in
      development, such as curiosity and exploration. Drawing on recent work bridging
      empirical developmental data and modeling, we show that these features of the
      Bayesian approach provide solutions to problems that elude traditional accounts
      of learning and raise new areas of investigation.

PMID- 26263065
TI  - Relevance theory: pragmatics and cognition.
AB  - Relevance Theory is a cognitively oriented theory of pragmatics, i.e., a theory
      of language use. It builds on the seminal work of H.P. Grice(1) to develop a
      pragmatic theory which is at once philosophically sensitive and empirically
      plausible (in both psychological and evolutionary terms). This entry reviews the
      central commitments and chief contributions of Relevance Theory, including its
      Gricean commitment to the centrality of intention-reading and inference in
      communication; the cognitively grounded notion of relevance which provides the
      mechanism for explaining pragmatic interpretation as an intention-driven,
      inferential process; and several key applications of the theory (lexical
      pragmatics, metaphor and irony, procedural meaning). Relevance Theory is an
      important contribution to our understanding of the pragmatics of communication.

PMID- 26263066
TI  - Brain-derived neurotrophic factor Val66Met polymorphism, human memory, and
      synaptic neuroplasticity.
AB  - Some people have much better memory than others, and there is compelling evidence
      that a considerable proportion of this variation in memory ability is genetically
      inherited. A form of synaptic plasticity known as long-term potentiation (LTP) is
      the principal candidate mechanism underlying memory formation in neural circuits,
      and it might be expected, therefore, that a genetic influence on the degree of
      LTP might in turn influence memory abilities. Of the genetic variations thought
      to significantly influence mnemonic ability in humans, the most likely to have
      its effect via LTP is a single nucleotide polymorphism affecting brain-derived
      neurotrophic factor [BDNF (Val66Met)]. However, although it is likely that BDNF
      influences memory via a modulation of acute plasticity (i.e., LTP), BDNF also has
      considerable influence on structural development of neural systems. Thus, the
      influence of BDNF (Val66Met) on mnemonic performance via influences of brain
      structure as well as function must also be considered. In this brief review, we
      will describe the phenomenon of LTP and its study in non-human animals. We will
      discuss the relatively recent attempts to translate this work to studies in
      humans. We will describe how this has enabled investigation of the effect of the
      BDNF polymorphism on LTP, on brain structure, and on memory performance.

PMID- 26263067
TI  - Selecting and tracking multiple objects.
AB  - When interacting with the world, people can dynamically split attention across
      multiple objects in the environment, both when the objects are stationary and
      when the objects are moving. This type of visual processing is commonly studied
      in lab settings using either static selection tasks or moving tracking tasks. We
      describe performance limits that are common to both tasks, including limits on
      capacity, crowding, visual hemifield arrangement, and speed. Because these shared
      limits on performance suggest common underlying mechanisms, we examine a set of
      models that might account for limits across both. We also review cognitive
      neuroscience data relevant to these limits, which can provide constraints on the
      set of models. Finally, we examine performance limits that are unique to tracking
      tasks, such as trajectory encoding, and identity encoding. We argue that a
      complete model of multiple object tracking must account for both those limits
      shared between static selection and dynamic tracking, as well as limits unique to
      tracking. It must also provide neurally plausible mechanisms for the underlying
      processing resources.

PMID- 26263068
TI  - Food sharing and social cognition.
AB  - Many non-human animals share food with each other, with kin, mates, and other
      unrelated individuals. When individuals share food with others they lose a
      valuable resource. Thus, traditionally much research has investigated how this
      behavior can be an evolutionarily stable strategy. Only recently has food-sharing
      behavior been exploited to investigate non-human cognition. Certain
      evolutionarily stable strategies that have been proposed as accounts for food
      sharing behaviors, such as reciprocity and interchange, may rely on complex
      cognitive abilities. In these cases, individuals may calculate the benefit they
      may receive from sharing with the recipient. In some species, sharing of food can
      facilitate the recipients' rate and extent of learning. This form of teaching may
      be cognitively complex if the donor takes into account the level of the
      recipient's abilities. In addition, an animal's food-sharing behavior, which in
      itself may be based on a simple cognitive mechanism, could be used as a tool to
      investigate the extent to which the individual may be capable of complex
      cognitive abilities, for example, mental-state attribution. These three areas of
      research, reciprocity, teaching, and mental-state attribution, illustrate how
      food-sharing behavior can be used as a valuable natural behavior to investigate
      cognition in non-human animals.

PMID- 26263069
TI  - The perception of emotion in body expressions.
AB  - During communication, we perceive and express emotional information through many
      different channels, including facial expressions, prosody, body motion, and
      posture. Although historically the human body has been perceived primarily as a
      tool for actions, there is now increased understanding that the body is also an
      important medium for emotional expression. Indeed, research on emotional body
      language is rapidly emerging as a new field in cognitive and affective
      neuroscience. This article reviews how whole-body signals are processed and
      understood, at the behavioral and neural levels, with specific reference to their
      role in emotional communication. The first part of this review outlines brain
      regions and spectrotemporal dynamics underlying perception of isolated neutral
      and affective bodies, the second part details the contextual effects on body
      emotion recognition, and final part discusses body processing on a subconscious
      level. More specifically, research has shown that body expressions as compared
      with neutral bodies draw upon a larger network of regions responsible for action
      observation and preparation, emotion processing, body processing, and integrative
      processes. Results from neurotypical populations and masking paradigms suggest
      that subconscious processing of affective bodies relies on a specific subset of
      these regions. Moreover, recent evidence has shown that emotional information
      from the face, voice, and body all interact, with body motion and posture often
      highlighting and intensifying the emotion expressed in the face and voice.

PMID- 26263070
TI  - Changing tides: ecological and historical perspectives on fish cognition.
AB  - The capacity for specialization and radiation make fish an excellent group in
      which to investigate the depth and variety of animal cognition. Even though early
      observations of fish using tools predates the discovery of tool use in
      chimpanzees, fish cognition has historically been somewhat overlooked. However, a
      recent surge of interest is now providing a wealth of material on which to draw
      examples, and this has required a selective approach to choosing the research
      described below. Our goal is to illustrate the necessity for basing cognitive
      investigations on the ecological and evolutionary context of the species at hand.
      We also seek to illustrate the importance of ecology and the environment in
      honing a range of sensory systems that allow fish to glean information and
      support informed decision-making. The various environments and challenges with
      which fish interact require equally varied cognitive skills, and the solutions
      that fish have developed are truly impressive. Similarly, we illustrate how
      common ecological problems will frequently produce common cognitive solutions.
      Below, we focus on four topics: spatial learning and memory, avoiding predators
      and catching prey, communication, and innovation. These are used to illustrate
      how both simple and sophisticated cognitive processes underpin much of the
      adaptive behavioral flexibility exhibited throughout fish phylogeny. Never before
      has the field had such a wide array of interdisciplinary techniques available to
      access both cognitive and mechanistic processes underpinning fish behavior. This
      capacity comes at a critical time to predict and manage fish populations in an
      era of unprecedented global change.

PMID- 26263071
TI  - Analogy, higher order thinking, and education.
AB  - Analogical reasoning, the ability to understand phenomena as systems of
      structured relationships that can be aligned, compared, and mapped together,
      plays a fundamental role in the technology rich, increasingly globalized
      educational climate of the 21st century. Flexible, conceptual thinking is
      prioritized in this view of education, and schools are emphasizing 'higher order
      thinking', rather than memorization of a cannon of key topics. The lack of a
      cognitively grounded definition for higher order thinking, however, has led to a
      field of research and practice with little coherence across domains or connection
      to the large body of cognitive science research on thinking. We review literature
      on analogy and disciplinary higher order thinking to propose that relational
      reasoning can be productively considered the cognitive underpinning of higher
      order thinking. We highlight the utility of this framework for developing
      insights into practice through a review of mathematics, science, and history
      educational contexts. In these disciplines, analogy is essential to developing
      expert-like disciplinary knowledge in which concepts are understood to be systems
      of relationships that can be connected and flexibly manipulated. At the same
      time, analogies in education require explicit support to ensure that learners
      notice the relevance of relational thinking, have adequate processing resources
      available to mentally hold and manipulate relations, and are able to recognize
      both the similarities and differences when drawing analogies between systems of
      relationships.

PMID- 26263074
TI  - The Effects of Perioperative Regional Anesthesia and Analgesia on Cancer
      Recurrence and Survival After Oncology Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta
      Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Potentially, perioperative regional anesthesia and
      analgesia (RA) could influence the outcomes of patients with cancer. The aim of
      this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effects of
      perioperative RA on survival and cancer recurrence after oncologic surgery.
      METHODS: The authors searched computerized databases (from inception to December
      2014) and reference lists and considered all studies comparing the effects of RA
      on cancer recurrence or overall survival with that of general anesthesia (GA).
      Risk estimates were pooled to determine the effects of RA on risks of cancer
      recurrence and mortality. Twenty eligible studies were included. RESULTS:
      Perioperative RA use was associated with improved overall survival (Hazard ratio
      [HR] = 0.84, 95% CI, 0.75 - 0.94; I =41%), but not with reduced cancer recurrence
      (HR=0.91, 95% CI, 0.70 - 1.18; I=83%). CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis suggests
      that RA may improve overall survival but not reduce cancer recurrence after
      oncologic surgery.

PMID- 26263073
TI  - Binding of Multiple Rap1 Proteins Stimulates Chromosome Breakage Induction during
      DNA Replication.
AB  - Telomeres, the ends of linear eukaryotic chromosomes, have a specialized
      chromatin structure that provides a stable chromosomal terminus. In budding yeast
      Rap1 protein binds to telomeric TG repeat and negatively regulates telomere
      length. Here we show that binding of multiple Rap1 proteins stimulates DNA double
      stranded break (DSB) induction at both telomeric and non-telomeric regions.
      Consistent with the role of DSB induction, Rap1 stimulates nearby recombination
      events in a dosage-dependent manner. Rap1 recruits Rif1 and Rif2 to telomeres,
      but neither Rif1 nor Rif2 is required for DSB induction. Rap1-mediated DSB
      induction involves replication fork progression but inactivation of checkpoint
      kinase Mec1 does not affect DSB induction. Rap1 tethering shortens artificially
      elongated telomeres in parallel with telomerase inhibition, and this telomere
      shortening does not require homologous recombination. These results suggest that
      Rap1 contributes to telomere homeostasis by promoting chromosome breakage. 

PMID- 26263075
TI  - Effects of Preoperative Serotonin-Receptor-Antagonist Administration in Spinal
      Anesthesia-Induced Hypotension: A Randomized, Double-blind Comparison Study of
      Ramosetron and Ondansetron.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The adverse effects of spinal anesthesia (SA) include
      arterial hypotension and bradycardia. The aim of this study was to compare the
      effects of 2 type 3 serotonin receptor antagonists in SA-induced adverse effects.
      Specifically, we assessed whether ramosetron was more effective than ondansetron
      in reducing SA-induced decreases in blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR).
      METHODS: A total of 117 patients undergoing orthopedic surgery and receiving SA
      were intravenously administered 0.3 mg of ramosetron (n = 39, group R), 4 mg of
      ondansetron (n = 39, group O4), or 8 mg of ondansetron (n = 39, group O8).
      Systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), mean BP (MBP), HR, and the lowest SBP,
      DBP, MBP, and HR values were measured preoperatively (baseline) and
      intraoperatively. The incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting, the need
      for rescue antiemetics, the amount of patient-controlled analgesia consumption,
      and pain score in the first 48 hours after surgery were determined. RESULTS:
      Baseline values did not significantly differ among the 3 groups. After SA, SBP,
      DBP, MBP, and HR were lower than their baseline values in all 3 groups. The
      differences between the baseline and the lowest values were significantly less in
      group R than in groups O4 and O8 with respect to SBP (P < 0.001), DBP (P =
      0.001), and MBP (P < 0.001) less in group R than in group O4 with respect to HR
      (P = 0.032). Intergroup differences were not significant for postoperative nausea
      and vomiting, the need for rescue antiemetics, patient-controlled analgesia
      consumption, or pain score. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of ramosetron (0.3
      mg) significantly attenuated the SA-induced decrease in BP compared with 4 or 8
      mg of ondansetron and HR compared with 4 mg of ondansetron.

PMID- 26263076
TI  - Anatomy and Pathophysiology of Spinal Cord Injury Associated With Regional
      Anesthesia and Pain Medicine: 2015 Update.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In March 2012, the American Society of Regional
      Anesthesia and Pain Medicine convened its second Practice Advisory on
      Neurological Complications in Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine. This update
      is based on the proceedings of that conference and relevant information published
      since its conclusion. This article updates previously described information on
      the pathophysiology of spinal cord injury and adds new material on spinal
      stenosis, blood pressure control during neuraxial blockade, neuraxial injury
      subsequent to transforaminal procedures, cauda equina syndrome/local anesthetic
      neurotoxicity/arachnoiditis, and performing regional anesthetic or pain medicine
      procedures in patients concomitantly receiving general anesthesia or deep
      sedation. METHODS: Recommendations are based on extensive review of research on
      humans or employing animal models, case reports, pathophysiology research, and
      expert opinion. RESULTS: The pathophysiology of spinal cord injury associated
      with regional anesthetic techniques is reviewed in depth, including that related
      to mechanical trauma from direct needle/catheter injury or mass lesions, spinal
      cord ischemia or vascular injury from direct needle/catheter trauma, and
      neurotoxicity from local anesthetics, adjuvants, or antiseptics. Specific
      recommendations are offered that may reduce the likelihood of spinal cord injury
      associated with regional anesthetic or interventional pain medicine techniques.
      CONCLUSIONS: The practice advisory's recommendations may, in select cases, reduce
      the likelihood of injury. However, many of the described injuries are neither
      predictable nor preventable based on our current state of knowledge. WHAT'S NEW:
      Since publication of initial recommendations in 2008, new information has
      enhanced our understanding of 5 specific entities: spinal stenosis, blood
      pressure control during neuraxial anesthesia, neuraxial injury subsequent to
      transforaminal techniques, cauda equina syndrome/local anesthetic
      neurotoxicity/arachnoiditis, and performing regional anesthetic or pain
      procedures in patients concomitantly receiving general anesthesia or deep
      sedation.

PMID- 26263078
TI  - Developing a Phonological Awareness Curriculum: Reflections on an Implementation
      Science Framework.
AB  - PURPOSE: This article describes the process of developing and implementing a
      supplemental early literacy curriculum designed for preschoolers demonstrating
      delays in literacy development. METHOD: Intervention research and implementation
      research have traditionally been viewed as sequential processes. This article
      illustrates a process of intervention development that was paralleled by a focus
      on implementation in early childhood settings. The exploration, preparation,
      implementation, sustainment framework is used to describe factors that need to be
      considered during a progression through these 4 phases of implementation. A post
      hoc analysis provides insight into a rather nonlinear progression of intervention
      development and highlights considerations and activities that have facilitated
      implementation. CONCLUSIONS: The guiding principles of the exploration,
      preparation, implementation, sustainment implementation science framework
      highlight the important considerations in developing effective and practical
      interventions. Considering implementation and sustainment during the intervention
      development process and using data-based decision making has the potential to
      expand the availability of user-friendly evidence-based practices in
      communication sciences and disorders and encourage a bridging of the researcher
      clinician gap.

PMID- 26263077
TI  - Perioperative Dexamethasone and the Development of Chronic Postmastectomy Pain: A
      Single-Center Observational Cohort Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Perioperative modulation of the surgical inflammatory
      response has been hypothesized as a viable pharmacological preventive target for
      the development of chronic pain after surgery. The objective of the current
      investigation was to evaluate an association between intravenous dexamethasone 4
      to 20 mg on the day of surgery with self-reported pain in the breast or axilla 3
      months or more after mastectomy. METHODS: The study was a secondary data analysis
      of a prospective cohort investigation. Subjects who have undergone mastectomy
      surgery were evaluated at least 3 months after the surgical procedure for the
      presence of chronic postsurgical pain using validated pain questionnaires. Binary
      logistic regression analysis was used to determine the odds of development of
      chronic postsurgical pain in subjects who did and did not receive perioperative
      dexamethasone. RESULTS: Three hundred ten patients were included in the study.
      Fifty-two patients (17%) met the IMMPACT (Initiative on Methods, Measurement, and
      Pain Assessment in Clinical Trials) criteria for chronic pain in the breast
      and/or axillary region. Two hundred eleven (68%) of 310 subjects received
      perioperative dexamethasone on doses varying from 4 to 20 mg. The incidence of
      chronic pain in the mastectomy group who received perioperative dexamethasone was
      not different, 15 (15.2%) of 84 compared with 37 (17.5%) of 211 in the group who
      did not receive perioperative dexamethasone, difference -2% (95% confidence
      interval, -10 to 7; P = 0.75). CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative dexamethasone is not
      associated with a reduction in the incidence and/or severity of chronic
      postmastectomy pain. In addition, we did not detect a dose-response effect of
      dexamethasone on the incidence of chronic postsurgical pain.

PMID- 26263079
TI  - Laparoendoscopic single-site myomectomy compared with conventional laparoscopic
      myomectomy: a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare surgical outcomes of laparoendoscopic single-site
      myomectomy (LESS-M) vs. conventional laparoscopic myomectomy (LM). DESIGN:
      Multicenter, noninferiority, randomized, controlled trial. SETTING: University
      hospitals. PATIENT(S): A total of 100 subjects with symptomatic uterine myomas
      were randomly assigned to either LESS-M or conventional LM. Surgical outcomes
      were comparatively assessed between the groups on the basis of the intention-to
      treat principle. INTERVENTION(S): Laparoscopic myomectomy. MAIN OUTCOME
      MEASURE(S): The time required for uterine defect suturing. RESULT(S): There were
      no differences in baseline demographics (age, body mass index, surgical
      indication, number of myomas, and size and location of the largest myoma) between
      the two groups. The suturing time (mean +/- SD) was 21.9 +/- 10.7 minutes (95%
      confidence interval 18.8-24.9 min) for the LESS-M group and 23.3 +/- 12.4 minutes
      (95% confidence interval 19.8-26.9 min) for the conventional LM group, with no
      significant difference between the two groups. The other surgical outcomes, such
      as total operative time, operative blood loss, postoperative hemoglobin change,
      degree of surgical difficulty, postoperative pain scores, operative complication,
      and length of hospital stay, were similar between the two groups. Three subjects
      (6%) assigned to the LESS-M group underwent conventional LM because of difficulty
      in myoma enucleation and suturing, whereas no failure to intended procedure
      occurred in the conventional LM group (6% vs. 0). CONCLUSION(S): Laparoendoscopic
      single-site surgery is a feasible and safe treatment option for myomectomy that
      offers surgical outcomes comparable to those with conventional LM. CLINICAL TRIAL
      REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01984632.

PMID- 26263080
TI  - Comparison of microdissection testicular sperm extraction, conventional
      testicular sperm extraction, and testicular sperm aspiration for nonobstructive
      azoospermia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relative differences in outcomes among
      microdissection testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE), conventional testicular
      sperm extraction (cTESE), and testicular sperm aspiration (TESA) in men with
      nonobstructive azoospermia. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. SETTING:
      Outpatient academic and private urology clinics. PATIENTS(S): Men with
      nonobstructive azoospermia. INTERVENTION(S): Micro-TESE, cTESE, or TESA. MAIN
      OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Sperm retrieval (SR). RESULT(S): Fifteen studies with a total
      of 1,890 patients were identified. The weighted average age of the patients was
      34.4 years, the follicular stimulating hormone level was 20.5 mIU/mL, the T was
      373 ng/dL, and the testicular volume was 13.5 mL. In a direct comparison,
      performance of micro-TESE was 1.5 times more likely (95% confidence interval 1.4
      1.6) to result in successful SR as compared with cTESE. Similarly, in a direct
      comparison, performance of cTESE was 2.0 times more likely (95% confidence
      interval 1.8-2.2) to result in successful SR as compared with TESA. Because of
      inconsistent reporting, evaluation of other procedural characteristics and
      pregnancy outcomes was not possible. CONCLUSION(S): Sperm retrieval was higher
      for micro-TESE compared with cTESE and for cTESE compared with TESA.
      Standardization of reported outcomes as well as combining all available SR data
      would help to further elucidate the SRs of these procedures.

PMID- 26263081
TI  - Inflammation and Cardiometabolic Risk in African American Women Is Reduced by a
      Pilot Community-Based Educational Intervention.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death for women,
      and African Americans have higher rates of CVD mortality than do other
      racio/ethnic groups. Women in community settings can benefit from preventive
      interventions, yet few investigations of successful programs have been conducted
      and evaluated in high-risk women, especially for metabolic syndrome. The purpose
      of our study was to pilot and assess the effectiveness of a 4-month pre-/post-CVD
      preventive educational intervention in improving knowledge, clinical risk
      profiles, adoption of heart-healthy lifestyles, inflammatory burden, and
      cardiometabolic risk in African American women in local communities. METHODS:
      Forty-two African American women (mean age 59 years) enrolled in the 4-month
      educational Cardiovascular Disease Preventive Intervention Program in Sacramento,
      CA, in 2010. Participants completed knowledge-based surveys pre
      /postintervention, provided clinical measures (weight, waist circumference, body
      mass index (BMI), blood pressure and blood samples for analysis of fasting
      glucose and lipids, and inflammatory markers: tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha+/
      , high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and interleukin (IL)-12. RESULTS:
      The CVD risk profile of participants confirmed a high-risk cohort.
      Postintervention (n=31), there were significant (p<0.05) gains in knowledge for
      all symptoms of a heart attack and calling 911; improvements in clinical risk
      parameters, especially for waist circumference and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
      cholesterol (p<0.05); and reductions in all the inflammatory markers assessed:
      TNF-alpha+/-by 16%, IL-12 by 20%, and hs-CRP by 26% (p<0.05). There was also a
      60% reduction in the number of participants with metabolic syndrome (MetS)
      (p<0.05), driven primarily by reductions in triglycerides and glucose and a rise
      in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated the
      efficacy of a pilot community-based educational cardiovascular program in
      reducing cardiometabolic risk and inflammation in high-risk African American
      women. Our successful culturally appropriate and sustainable model could be
      implemented as part of comprehensive efforts to improve community-based health
      outcomes.

PMID- 26263082
TI  - Maternal alexithymic traits, prenatal stress, and infant temperament.
AB  - We aimed at investigating, whether maternal alexithymia or prenatal anxiety
      influences infant temperament (Infant Temperament Questionnaire, IBQ) at six
      months. Maternal alexithymic trait of "Difficulty in Identifying Feelings"
      predicted higher infant "Duration of Orienting". "Fear of Bearing a Handicapped
      Child" predicted lower infant "Activity Level". 

PMID- 26263083
TI  - Calculation of Electrochemical Reorganization Energies for Redox Molecules at
      Self-Assembled Monolayer Modified Electrodes.
AB  - Electrochemical electron transfer reactions play an important role in energy
      conversion processes with many technological applications. Electrodes modified by
      self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) exhibit reduced double layer effects and are
      used in molecular electronics. An important quantity for calculating the electron
      transfer rate constant is the reorganization energy, which is associated with
      changes in the solute geometry and the environment. In this Letter, an approach
      for calculating the electrochemical reorganization energy for a redox molecule
      attached to or near a SAM modified electrode is presented. This integral
      equations formalism polarizable continuum model (IEF-PCM) approach accounts for
      the detailed electronic structure of the molecule, as well as the contributions
      from the electrode, SAM, and electronic and inertial solvent responses. The
      calculated total reorganization energies are in good agreement with experimental
      data for a series of metal complexes in aqueous solution. This approach will be
      useful for calculating electron transfer rate constants for molecular
      electrocatalysts. 

PMID- 26263084
TI  - Ultrafast Electron Transfer at Organic Semiconductor Interfaces: Importance of
      Molecular Orientation.
AB  - Much is known about the rate of photoexcited charge generation in at organic
      donor/acceptor (D/A) heterojunctions overaged over all relative arrangements.
      However, there has been very little experimental work investigating how the
      photoexcited electron transfer (ET) rate depends on the precise relative
      molecular orientation between D and A in thin solid films. This is the question
      that we address in this work. We find that the ET rate depends strongly on the
      relative molecular arrangement: The interface where the model donor compound
      copper phthalocyanine is oriented face-on with respect to the fullerene C60
      acceptor yields a rate that is approximately 4 times faster than that of the edge
      on oriented interface. Our results suggest that the D/A electronic coupling is
      significantly enhanced in the face-on case, which agrees well with theoretical
      predictions, underscoring the importance of controlling the relative interfacial
      molecular orientation. 

PMID- 26263085
TI  - Qualitatively Incorrect Features in the TDDFT Spectrum of Thiophene-Based
      Compounds.
AB  - Ab initio molecular electronic structure computations of thiophene-based
      compounds constitute an active field of research prompted by the growing interest
      in low-cost materials for organic electronic devices. In particular, the modeling
      of electronically excited states and other time-dependent phenomena has moved
      toward the description of more realistic albeit challenging systems. We
      demonstrate that due to its underlying approximations, time-dependent density
      functional theory predicts results that are qualitatively incorrect for thiophene
      and thienoacenes, although not for oligothiophene chains. The failure includes
      spurious state inversion and excitation characters, wrong distribution of
      oscillator strengths and erroneous potential energy surfaces. We briefly analyze
      possible origins of this behavior and identify alternative methods that alleviate
      these problems. 

PMID- 26263086
TI  - Dynamic Charge Storage in Ionic Liquids-Filled Nanopores: Insight from a
      Computational Cyclic Voltammetry Study.
AB  - Understanding the dynamic charge storage in nanoporous electrodes with room
      temperature ionic liquid electrolytes is essential for optimizing them to achieve
      supercapacitors with high energy and power densities. Herein, we report coarse
      grained molecular dynamics simulations of the cyclic voltammetry of
      supercapacitors featuring subnanometer pores and model ionic liquids. We show
      that the cyclic charging and discharging of nanopores are governed by the
      interplay between the external field-driven ion transport and the sloshing
      dynamics of ions inside of the pore. The ion occupancy along the pore length
      depends strongly on the scan rate and varies cyclically during
      charging/discharging. Unlike that at equilibrium conditions or low scan rates,
      charge storage at high scan rates is dominated by counterions while the
      contribution by co-ions is marginal or negative. These observations help explain
      the perm-selective charge storage observed experimentally. We clarify the
      mechanisms underlying these dynamic phenomena and quantify their effects on the
      efficiency of the dynamic charge storage in nanopores. 

PMID- 26263087
TI  - First-Principles Calculation of the Bulk Photovoltaic Effect in CH3NH3PbI3 and
      CH3NH3PbI(3-x)Cl(x).
AB  - Hybrid halide perovskites exhibit nearly 20% power conversion efficiency, but the
      origin of their high efficiency is still unknown. Here, we compute the shift
      current, a dominant mechanism of the bulk photovoltaic (PV) effect for
      ferroelectric photovoltaics, in CH3NH3PbI3 and CH3NH3PbI(3-x)Cl(x) from first
      principles. We find that these materials give approximately three times larger
      shift current PV response to near-IR and visible light than the prototypical
      ferroelectric photovoltaic BiFeO3. The molecular orientations of CH3NH3+ can
      strongly affect the corresponding PbI3 inorganic frame so as to alter the
      magnitude of the shift current response. Specifically, configurations with dipole
      moments aligned in parallel distort the inorganic PbI3 frame more significantly
      than configurations with near-net-zero dipole, yielding a larger shift current
      response. Furthermore, we explore the effect of Cl substitution on shift current
      and find that Cl substitution at the equatorial site induces a larger response
      than does substitution at the apical site.

PMID- 26263088
TI  - Order Parameter of the Liquid-Liquid Transition in a Molecular Liquid.
AB  - Liquid-liquid transitions (LLTs) between amorphous phases of a single (chemically
      unchanged) liquid were predicted to occur in most molecular liquids but have only
      been observed in triphenyl phosphite (TPP) and n-butanol, and even these examples
      have been dismissed as "aborted crystallization". One of the foremost reasons
      that LLTs remain so controversial is the lack of an obvious order parameter, that
      is, a physical parameter characterizing the phase transition. Here, using the
      technique of fluorescence lifetime imaging, we show for the first time that the
      LLT in TPP is characterized by a change in polarity linked to changes in
      molecular ordering associated with crystal polymorphs. We conclude that the LLT
      in TPP is a phase transition associated with frustrated molecular clusters,
      explaining the paucity of examples of LLTs seen in nature. 

PMID- 26263089
TI  - Strongly Nonlinear Dependence of Energy Transfer Rate on sp(2) Carbon Content in
      Reduced Graphene Oxide-Quantum Dot Hybrid Structures.
AB  - The dependence of the energy transfer rate on the content of sp(2)-hybridized
      carbon atoms in the hybrid structures of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) and Mn
      doped quantum dot (QD(Mn)) was investigated. Taking advantage of the sensitivity
      of QD(Mn)'s dopant luminescence lifetime only to the energy transfer process
      without interference from the charge transfer process, the correlation between
      the sp(2) carbon content in RGO and the rate of energy transfer from QD(Mn) to
      RGO was obtained. The rate of energy transfer showed a strongly superlinear
      increase with increasing sp(2) carbon content in RGO, suggesting the possible
      cooperative behavior of sp(2) carbon domains in the energy transfer process as
      the sp(2) carbon content increases.

PMID- 26263090
TI  - Optical Description of Mesostructured Organic-Inorganic Halide Perovskite Solar
      Cells.
AB  - Herein we describe both theoretically and experimentally the optical response of
      solution-processed organic-inorganic halide perovskite solar cells based on
      mesostructured scaffolds. We develop a rigorous theoretical model using a method
      based on the propagation of waves in layered media, which allows visualizing the
      way in which light is spatially distributed across the device and serves to
      quantify the fraction of light absorbed by each medium comprising the cell. The
      discrimination between productive and parasitic absorption yields an accurate
      determination of the internal quantum efficiency. State-of-the-art devices
      integrating mesoporous scaffolds infiltrated with perovskite are manufactured and
      characterized to support the calculations. This combined experimental and
      theoretical analysis provides a rational understanding of the optical behavior of
      perovskite cells and can be beneficial for the judicious design of devices with
      improved performance. Notably, our model justifies the presence of a solid
      perovskite capping layer in all of the highest efficiency perovskite solar cells
      based on thinner mesoporous scaffolds. 

PMID- 26263091
TI  - Temporally Anticorrelated Motion of Nanoparticles at a Liquid Interface.
AB  - Quantum dots at the hexane-glycerol interface exhibited unexpected behavior
      including highly dynamic adsorption/desorption, where the lateral nanoparticle
      motion was anomalously fast immediately after adsorption and prior to desorption.
      At the interface, particles exhibited pseudo-Brownian lateral motion, in which
      the instantaneous diffusion coefficient was temporally anticorrelated, in
      agreement with our simulations involving fractional Brownian motion in the
      surface-normal direction. These phenomena suggest that, in contrast to the
      conventional picture for colloidal particles, nanoparticles explore a landscape
      of metastable interfacial positions, with different exposures to the two adjacent
      phases. 

PMID- 26263092
TI  - Coupled Oscillations and Circadian Rhythms in Molecular Replication Networks.
AB  - Living organisms often display rhythmic and oscillatory behavior. We investigate
      here a challenge in contemporary Systems Chemistry, that is, to construct "bottom
      up" molecular networks that display such complex behavior. We first describe
      oscillations during self-replication by applying kinetic parameters relevant to
      peptide replication in an open environment. Small networks of coupled oscillators
      are then constructed in silico, producing various functions such as logic gates,
      integrators, counters, triggers, and detectors. These networks are finally
      utilized to simulate the connectivity and network topology of the Kai proteins
      circadian clocks from the S. elongatus cyanobacteria, thus producing rhythms
      whose constant frequency is independent of the input intake rate and robust
      toward concentration fluctuations. We suggest that this study helps further
      reveal the underlying principles of biological clocks and may provide clues into
      their emergence in early molecular evolution. 

PMID- 26263093
TI  - Complex Refractive Index Spectra of CH3NH3PbI3 Perovskite Thin Films Determined
      by Spectroscopic Ellipsometry and Spectrophotometry.
AB  - The complex refractive index (dielectric function) of planar CH3NH3PbI3 thin
      films at room temperature is investigated by variable angle spectroscopic
      ellipsometry and spectrophotometry. Knowledge of the complex refractive index is
      essential for designing photonic devices based on CH3NH3PbI3 thin films such as
      solar cells, light-emitting diodes, or lasers. Because the directly measured
      quantities (reflectance, transmittance, and ellipsometric spectra) are inherently
      affected by multiple reflections, the complex refractive index has to be
      determined indirectly by fitting a model dielectric function to the experimental
      spectra. We model the dielectric function according to the Forouhi-Bloomer
      formulation with oscillators positioned at 1.597, 2.418, and 3.392 eV and achieve
      excellent agreement with the experimental spectra. Our results agree well with
      previously reported data of the absorption coefficient and are consistent with
      Kramers-Kronig transformations. The real part of the refractive index assumes a
      value of 2.611 at 633 nm, implying that CH3NH3PbI3-based solar cells are ideally
      suited for the top cell in monolithic silicon-based tandem solar cells. 

PMID- 26263094
TI  - Nonadiabatic Quantum Dynamics Predissociation of H2O(+)(B (2)B2).
AB  - A quantum-mechanical study of the predissociation of H2O(+) (B (2)B2) is carried
      out by using wave packet propagations on ab initio potential energy surfaces
      connected by nonadiabatic couplings. The simulations show that within the first
      30 fs 80% of the initial wave packet is transferred from the B (2)B2 to the A
      (2)A1 electronic state through a conical intersection. A much slower transfer (in
      the ps time scale) from the A (2)A1 to the X (2)B1 state due to a Renner-Teller
      coupling determines the fragmentation branching ratios, which are in accordance
      with the experimental measurements. 

PMID- 26263095
TI  - The Next Breakthrough for Organic Photovoltaics?
AB  - While the intense focus on energy level tuning in organic photovoltaic materials
      has afforded large gains in device performance, we argue here that strategies
      based on microstructural/morphological control are at least as promising in any
      rational design strategy. In this work, a meta-analysis of ~150 bulk
      heterojunction devices fabricated with different materials combinations is
      performed and reveals strong correlations between power conversion efficiency and
      morphology-dominated properties (short-circuit current, fill factor) and
      surprisingly weak correlations between efficiency and energy level positioning
      (open-circuit voltage, enthalpic offset at the interface, optical gap). While
      energy level positioning should in principle provide the theoretical maximum
      efficiency, the optimization landscape that must be navigated to reach this
      maximum is unforgiving. Thus, research aimed at developing understanding-based
      strategies for more efficient optimization of an active layer microstructure and
      morphology are likely to be at least as fruitful. 

PMID- 26263096
TI  - Quantum-Dot-Based Solar Cells: Recent Advances, Strategies, and Challenges.
AB  - Among next-generation photovoltaic systems requiring low cost and high
      efficiency, quantum dot (QD)-based solar cells stand out as a very promising
      candidate because of the unique and versatile characteristics of QDs. The past
      decade has already seen rapid conceptual and technological advances on various
      aspects of QD solar cells, and diverse opportunities, which QDs can offer,
      predict that there is still ample room for further development and breakthroughs.
      In this Perspective, we first review the attractive advantages of QDs, such as
      size-tunable band gaps and multiple exciton generation (MEG), beneficial to solar
      cell applications. We then analyze major strategies, which have been extensively
      explored and have largely contributed to the most recent and significant
      achievements in QD solar cells. Finally, their high potential and challenges are
      discussed. In particular, QD solar cells are considered to hold immense potential
      to overcome the theoretical efficiency limit of 31% for single-junction cells. 

PMID- 26263097
TI  - Long-Range Electron Transfer in Engineered Azurins Exhibits Marcus Inverted
      Region Behavior.
AB  - The Marcus theory of electron transfer (ET) predicts that while the ET rate
      constants increase with rising driving force until it equals a reaction's
      reorganization energy, at higher driving force the ET rate decreases, having
      reached the Marcus inverted region. While experimental evidence of the inverted
      region has been reported for organic and inorganic ET reactions as well as for
      proteins conjugated with ancillary redox moieties, evidence of the inverted
      region in a "protein-only" system has remained elusive. We herein provide such
      evidence in a series of nonderivatized proteins. These results may facilitate the
      design of ET centers for future applications such as advanced energy conversions.

PMID- 26263098
TI  - How Much N-Doping Can Graphene Sustain?
AB  - Doped, substituted, or alloyed graphene is an attractive candidate for use as a
      tunable element of future nanomechanical and optoelectronic devices. Here we use
      the density functional theory, density functional tight binding, cluster
      expansion, and molecular dynamics to investigate the thermal stability and
      electronic properties of a binary 2D alloy of graphitic carbon and nitrogen (C(1
      x)N(x)). The stability range naturally begins from graphene and must end before x
      = 1, where pure nitrogen rather forms molecular gas. This poses a compelling
      question of what highest x < 1 still permits stable 2D hexagonal lattice. Such
      upper limit on the nitrogen concentration that is achievable in a stable alloy
      can be found based on the phonon and molecular dynamics calculations. The
      stability switchover is predicted to between x = 1/3 (33.3%) and x = 3/8 (37.5%),
      and no stable hexagonal lattice two-dimensional CN alloys can exist at the N
      concentration of x = 3/8 (37.5%) and higher.

PMID- 26263099
TI  - Overcoming Coulombic Traps: Geometry and Electronic Characterizations of Light
      Induced Separated Spins at the Bulk Heterojunction Interface.
AB  - Recent progress is overviewed on experimental elucidations of fundamental
      molecular functions of the light-energy conversions by the photoactive layers of
      the organic photovoltalic (OPV) cells by means of the time-resolved electron
      paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. Positions and orientations of the unpaired
      electrons and electronic coupling matrix elements are clarified in photoinduced,
      primary charge-separated (CS) states. Connections between the molecular
      geometries and the electronic couplings have been characterized for the initial
      CS states to elucidate how the structure, orbital delocalization, and molecular
      libration play roles on exothermic carrier dissociation via a vibrationally
      relaxed charge-transfer complex with prevention of the energy-wasting charge
      recombination. Superior functions to biological molecules are presented for the
      efficient photocurrent generations induced by orbital delocalization and by
      shallow trap depths at polymer-stacking domains. The above structural and
      electronic characteristics of the primary electron-hole pairs are essential to
      evaluations, designs, and developments of the efficient solar cells using organic
      molecules. 

PMID- 26263100
TI  - Bend Excitation Is Predicted to Greatly Accelerate Isomerization of trans
      Hydroxymethylene to Formaldehyde in the Deep Tunneling Region.
AB  - Using a new potential energy surface, based on fitting around 33,000 CCSD(T)
      F12/aug-cc-pVTZ energies, a robust set of predictions is made for mode-specific
      isomerization of trans-hydroxymethylene to formaldehyde in the deep tunneling
      region. The calculations make use of a recent projection model for mode-specific
      tunneling based on the rectilinear Q(im) path [ Wang , Y. ; Bowman , J. M. J.
      Chem. Phys. 2013 , 139 , 154303 ]. The most interesting prediction is a large
      decrease in the half-life from roughly 5 h for the ground vibrational state to
      roughly 1.5 min and 1 s by excitation of the fundamental and first overtone of
      the asymmetric bending normal mode, respectively. The properties of the new PES
      are described along with variational calculations of low-lying vibrational states
      of trans- and cis-hydroxymethylene.

PMID- 26263101
TI  - Efficient, Semitransparent Neutral-Colored Solar Cells Based on Microstructured
      Formamidinium Lead Trihalide Perovskite.
AB  - Efficient, neutral-colored semitransparent solar cells are of commercial interest
      for incorporation into the windows and surfaces of buildings and automobiles.
      Here, we report on semitransparent perovskite solar cells that are both efficient
      and neutral-colored, even in full working devices. Using the microstructured
      architecture previously developed, we achieve higher efficiencies by replacing
      methylammonium lead iodide perovskite with formamidinium lead iodide. Current
      voltage hysteresis is also much reduced. Furthermore, we apply a novel
      transparent cathode to the devices, enabling us to fabricate neutral-colored
      semitransparent full solar cells for the first time. Such devices demonstrate
      over 5% power conversion efficiency for average visible transparencies of almost
      30%, retaining impressive color-neutrality. This makes these devices the best
      performing single-junction neutral-colored semitransparent solar cells to date.
      These microstructured perovskite solar cells are shown to have a significant
      advantage over silicon solar cells in terms of performance at high incident
      angles of sunlight, making them ideal for building integration. 

PMID- 26263102
TI  - Photocatalytic Activity of Inorganic Semiconductor Surfaces: Myths, Hype, and
      Reality.

PMID- 26263103
TI  - Interrogating the Carbon and Oxygen K-Edge NEXAFS of a CO2-Dosed Hyperbranched
      Aminosilica.
AB  - Using near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy, we shed
      light on the nature of the interaction between CO2 and the amine moieties in a
      hyperbranched aminosilica (HAS) material, a porous aminosilica composite with
      great potential for postcombustion carbon capture applications. We show that
      after dosing a pristine (annealed) HAS sample with CO2, the C K-edge NEXAFS
      spectrum presents a new pi* resonance at 289.9 eV, which can be attributed to the
      formation of a C?O (carbonyl) bond. Additional analyses of the O K-edge using
      model samples containing carbamate, carbonate, and bicarbonate functional groups
      as reference demonstrate a carbamate bonding mechanism for the chemical
      adsorption of CO2 by the HAS material under the conditions employed. These
      findings show the capability of the C and O K-edge NEXAFS technique to identify
      CO2-adsorbate species despite the high concentration of C and O atoms inherently
      present in the sample (prior to CO2 dosing) and the significant similarities
      between the possible adsorbates. 

PMID- 26263104
TI  - Effect of Carrier Thermalization Dynamics on Light Emission and Amplification in
      Organometal Halide Perovskites.
AB  - The remarkable rise of organometal halide perovskites as solar photovoltaic
      materials has been followed by promising developments in light-emitting devices,
      including lasers. Here we present unique insights into the processes leading to
      photon emission in these materials. We employ ultrafast broadband
      photoluminescence (PL) and transient absorption spectroscopies to directly link
      density dependent ultrafast charge dynamics to PL. We find that exceptionally
      strong PL at the band edge is preceded by thermalization of free charge carriers.
      Short-lived PL above the band gap is clear evidence of nonexcitonic emission from
      hot carriers, and ultrafast PL depolarization confirms that uncorrelated charge
      pairs are precursors to photon emission. Carrier thermalization has a profound
      effect on amplified stimulated emission at high fluence; the delayed onset of
      optical gain we resolve within the first 10 ps and the unusual oscillatory
      behavior are both consequences of the kinetic interplay between carrier
      thermalization and optical gain. 

PMID- 26263105
TI  - Are Room-Temperature Ionic Liquids Dilute Electrolytes?
AB  - An important question in understanding the structure of ionic liquids is whether
      ions are truly "free" and mobile, which would correspond to a concentrated ionic
      melt, or are rather "bound" in ion pairs, that is, a liquid of ion pairs with a
      small concentration of free ions. Recent surface force balance experiments from
      different groups have given conflicting answers to this question. We propose a
      simple model for the thermodynamics and kinetics of ion pairing in ionic liquids.
      Our model takes into account screened ion-ion, dipole-dipole, and dipole-ion
      interactions in the mean-field limit. The results of this model suggest that
      almost two-thirds of the ions are free at any instant, and ion pairs have a short
      lifetime comparable to the characteristic time scale for diffusion. These results
      suggest that there is no particular thermodynamic or kinetic preference for ions
      to reside in pairs. We therefore conclude that ionic liquids are concentrated,
      rather than dilute, electrolytes. 

PMID- 26263106
TI  - Emergence of Hysteresis and Transient Ferroelectric Response in Organo-Lead
      Halide Perovskite Solar Cells.
AB  - Although there has been rapid progress in the efficiency of perovskite-based
      solar cells, hysteresis in the current-voltage performance is not yet completely
      understood. Owing to its complex structure, it is not easy to attribute the
      hysteretic behavior to any one of different components, such as the bulk of the
      perovskite or different heterojunction interfaces. Among organo-lead halide
      perovskites, methylammonium lead iodide perovskite (CH3NH3PbI3) is known to have
      a ferroelectric property. The present investigation reveals a strong correlation
      between transient ferroelectric polarization of CH3NH3PbI3 induced by an external
      bias in the dark and hysteresis enhancement in photovoltaic characteristics. Our
      results demonstrate that the reverse bias poling (-0.3 to -1.1 V) of CH3NH3PbI3
      photovoltaic layers prior to the photocurrent-voltage measurement generates
      stronger hysteresis whose extent changes significantly by the cell architecture.
      The phenomenon is interpreted as the effect of remanent polarization in the
      perovskite film on the photocurrent, which is most enhanced in planar perovskite
      structures without mesoporous scaffolds. 

PMID- 26263107
TI  - Modeling the Self-Aggregation of Small AOT Reverse Micelles from First
      Principles.
AB  - This Letter is the first attempt at studying the self-aggregation of AOT reverse
      micelles from first-principles. It focuses on predicting the aggregation number,
      the radius of gyration, and the hydrodynamic radius of a low water content
      reverse micelle by theoretical means. We show that molecular dynamics simulation
      in the MUs time range combined with atomistic potentials is capable of
      reproducing and explaining, to a convenient degree, experimental results on the
      size and dimensions of reverse micelles of AOT of low water content, [H2O]/[AOT]
      ~ 5. 

PMID- 26263108
TI  - Al-Air Batteries: Fundamental Thermodynamic Limitations from First-Principles
      Theory.
AB  - The Al-air battery possesses high theoretical specific energy (4140 W h/kg) and
      is therefore an attractive candidate for vehicle propulsion. However, the
      experimentally observed open-circuit potential is much lower than what bulk
      thermodynamics predicts, and this potential loss is typically attributed to
      corrosion. Similarly, large Tafel slopes associated with the battery are assumed
      to be due to film formation. We present a detailed thermodynamic study of the Al
      air battery using density functional theory. The results suggest that the maximum
      open-circuit potential of the Al anode is only -1.87 V versus the standard
      hydrogen electrode at pH 14.6 instead of the traditionally assumed -2.34 V and
      that large Tafel slopes are inherent in the electrochemistry. These deviations
      from the bulk thermodynamics are intrinsic to the electrochemical surface
      processes that define Al anodic dissolution. This has contributions from both
      asymmetry in multielectron transfers and, more importantly, a large chemical
      stabilization inherent to the formation of bulk Al(OH)3 from surface
      intermediates. These are fundamental limitations that cannot be improved even if
      corrosion and film effects are completely suppressed. 

PMID- 26263110
TI  - Sum over Histories Representation for Chemical Kinetics.
AB  - A new representation for chemical kinetics is introduced that is based on a sum
      over histories formulation that employs chemical pathways defined at a molecular
      level. The time evolution of a chemically reactive system is described by
      enumerating the most important pathways followed by a chemical moiety. An
      explicit formula for the pathway probabilities is derived and takes the form of
      an integral over a time-ordered product. When evaluating long pathways, the time
      ordered product has a simple Monte Carlo representation that is computationally
      efficient. A small numerical stochastic simulation was used to identify the most
      important paths to include in the representation. The method was applied to a
      realistic H2/O2 combustion problem and is shown to yield accurate results. 

PMID- 26263111
TI  - Time-Resolved Photodetachment Anisotropy: Gas-Phase Rotational and Vibrational
      Dynamics of the Fluorescein Anion.
AB  - The photoelectron signal of the singly deprotonated fluorescein anion is found to
      be highly dependent on the relative polarization between pump and probe pulses,
      and time-resolved photodetachment anisotropy (TR-PA) is developed as a probe of
      the rotational dynamics of the chromophore. The total photoelectron signal shows
      both rotational and vibrational wavepacket dynamics, and we demonstrate how TR-PA
      can readily disentangle these dynamical processes. TR-PA in fluorescein presents
      specific opportunities for its development as a probe for rotational dynamics in
      large biomolecules as fluorescein derivatives are commonly incorporated in
      complex biomolecules and have been used extensively in time-resolved fluorescence
      anisotropy measurements, to which TR-PA is a gas-phase analogue. 

PMID- 26263112
TI  - Correction to "Mosaic of Water Orientation Structures at a Neutral Zwitterionic
      Lipid/Water Interface Revealed by Molecular Dynamics Simulations".

PMID- 26263113
TI  - Molecular Structure and Chirality Detection by Fourier Transform Microwave
      Spectroscopy.
AB  - We describe a three-wave mixing experiment using time-separated microwave pulses
      to detect the enantiomer-specific emission signal of the chiral molecule using
      Fourier transform microwave (FTMW) spectroscopy. A chirped-pulse FTMW
      spectrometer operating in the 2-8 GHz frequency range is used to determine the
      heavy-atom substitution structure of solketal (2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl
      methanol) through analysis of the singly substituted (13)C and (18)O isotopologue
      rotational spectra in natural abundance. A second set of microwave horn antennas
      is added to the instrument design to permit three-wave mixing experiments where
      an enantiomer-specific phase of the signal is observed. Using samples of R-, S-,
      and racemic solketal, the properties of the three-wave mixing experiment are
      presented, including the measurement of the corresponding nutation curves to
      demonstrate the optimal pulse sequence. 

PMID- 26263114
TI  - A Comparison of Charge Separation Dynamics in Organic Blend Films Employing
      Fullerene and Perylene Diimide Electron Acceptors.
AB  - We report a comparison of charge carrier dynamics and device performance for low
      band gap polymer PBDTTT-CT in blends with the fullerene acceptor PC71BM and a PDI
      derivative with similar electron affinities. Charge separation and recombination
      dynamics are found to be remarkably similar for these two acceptors, with both
      blends exhibiting efficient, ultrafast charge separation (time constants of 1.6
      and 1.4 ps, respectively). The lower device performance for the PDI acceptor
      (1.75% compared to 3.5% for the equivalent PC71BM device) is shown to result from
      slower charge transport, increasing nongeminate recombination losses during
      charge collection. 

PMID- 26263115
TI  - Supramolecular Interactions in Secondary Plant Cell Walls: Effect of Lignin
      Chemical Composition Revealed with the Molecular Theory of Solvation.
AB  - Plant biomass recalcitrance, a major obstacle to achieving sustainable production
      of second generation biofuels, arises mainly from the amorphous cell-wall matrix
      containing lignin and hemicellulose assembled into a complex supramolecular
      network that coats the cellulose fibrils. We employed the statistical-mechanical,
      3D reference interaction site model with the Kovalenko-Hirata closure
      approximation (or 3D-RISM-KH molecular theory of solvation) to reveal the
      supramolecular interactions in this network and provide molecular-level insight
      into the effective lignin-lignin and lignin-hemicellulose thermodynamic
      interactions. We found that such interactions are hydrophobic and entropy-driven,
      and arise from the expelling of water from the mutual interaction surfaces. The
      molecular origin of these interactions is carbohydrate-pi and pi-pi stacking
      forces, whose strengths are dependent on the lignin chemical composition. Methoxy
      substituents in the phenyl groups of lignin promote substantial entropic
      stabilization of the ligno-hemicellulosic matrix. Our results provide a detailed
      molecular view of the fundamental interactions within the secondary plant cell
      walls that lead to recalcitrance. 

PMID- 26263116
TI  - Boosting the Photovoltage of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells with Thiolated Gold
      Nanoclusters.
AB  - Glutathione-capped gold nanoclusters (Aux-GSH NCs) are anchored along with a
      sensitizing squaraine dye on a TiO2 surface to evaluate the cosensitizing role of
      Au(x)-GSH NCs in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Photoelectrochemical
      measurements show an increase in the photoconversion efficiency of DSSCs when
      both sensitizers are present. The observed photoelectrochemical improvements in
      cosensitized DSSCs are more than additive effects as evident from the increase in
      photovoltage (DeltaV as high as 0.24 V) when Au(x)-GSH NCs are present. Electron
      equilibration and accumulation within gold nanoclusters increase the quasi-Fermi
      level of TiO2 closer to the conduction band and thus decrease the photovoltage
      penalty. A similar beneficial role of gold nanoclusters toward boosting the V(oc)
      and enhancing the efficiency of Ru(II) polypyridyl complex-sensitized solar cells
      is also discussed.

PMID- 26263117
TI  - Cobalt(III)-Catalyzed C2-Selective C-H Alkynylation of Indoles.
AB  - A cobalt(III)-catalyzed C-2 selective C-H alkynylation of indoles using
      hypervalent iodine-alkyne reagents is described. A broad range of synthetically
      useful functional groups (-F, -Cl, -Br, -CO2Me, -CN) were tolerated, providing an
      efficient and robust protocol for the synthesis of C-2 alkynylated indoles. The
      pyrimidyl and silyl protecting groups could be easily removed to give the
      corresponding 2-ethynyl-1H-indole. 

PMID- 26263120
TI  - Breakthrough pain in cancer patients: prevalence, mechanisms and treatment
      options.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The aim of this article was to examine the definition, the
      characteristics, and the management of breakthrough cancer pain (BTP) in cancer
      patients by a critical review of recent literature. RECENT FINDINGS: BTP should
      be more correctly defined as an episode of severe intensity in patients receiving
      an adequate treatment with opioids able to provide at least mild analgesia. BTP
      is a heterogeneous condition as episodes vary between individuals. BTP can be
      classified into two big distinct pictures: spontaneous-type and incident-type
      pain. The principal pharmacological treatment of BTP is represented by the
      administration of opioids as needed. Recent reviews revealed that transmucosal
      preparation of fentanyl provided superior and more rapid pain relief as compared
      with placebo in the first 30 min after dosing. Few comparison studies among
      fentanyl products have been performed.Finally, although dose titration was
      recommended for years, a meaningful dosing according to the level of opioid
      tolerance may enhance the advantages of such products. SUMMARY: BTP represents a
      serious problem reported by many cancer patients despite receiving regular use of
      opioids. Subgroups of breakthrough pain have been identified. Different
      modalities of pharmacological interventions are available. Further studies are
      warranted to assess the net benefit of these drugs to assist decision-making by
      patients, clinicians, and payers according to individual clinical conditions.

PMID- 26263121
TI  - Awake craniotomy: improving the patient's experience.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Awake craniotomy patients are exposed to various stressful
      stimuli while their attention and vigilance is important for the success of the
      surgery. We describe several recent findings on the perception of awake
      craniotomy patients and address nonpharmacological perioperative factors that
      enhance the experience of awake craniotomy patients. These factors could also be
      applicable to other surgical patients. RECENT FINDINGS: Proper preoperative
      counseling gives higher patient satisfaction and should be individually tailored
      to the patient. Furthermore, there is a substantial proportion of patients who
      have significant pain or fear during an awake craniotomy procedure. There is a
      possibility that this could induce post-traumatic stress disorder or related
      symptoms. SUMMARY: Preoperative preparation is of utmost importance in awake
      craniotomy patients, and a solid doctor-patient relationship is an important
      condition. Nonpharmacological intraoperative management should focus on reduction
      of fear and pain by adaptation of the environment and careful and well considered
      communication.

PMID- 26263122
TI  - Neuropathic pain assessment: update on laboratory diagnostic tools.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review was to provide an update on the
      diagnostic tools for neuropathic pain for clinical practice. RECENT FINDINGS: The
      new definition of neuropathic pain by the International Association for the Study
      of Pain requires confirmation of a lesion or disease affecting the somatosensory
      system. In addition to traditional diagnostic procedures, for example, nerve
      conduction studies, skin biopsies depict morphological alteration and/or
      rarefication of the small intraepidermal nerve fibers and were recently used to
      identify small fiber abnormalities, for example, in patients with fibromyalgia or
      sarcoidosis. Quantitative sensory testing assesses the somatosensory function
      including both peripheral and central pathways. A recent consensus statement
      discussed its diagnostic value. Corneal confocal microscopy is a noninvasive
      method enabling in-vivo assessment of the small nerve fibers in the cornea and
      also seems to identify patients at risk for developing diabetic neuropathy at an
      early stage and to reflect the improvement of neuropathy after treatment. Further
      promising methods are the microneurography and nociceptive evoked potentials;
      however, they are technically challenging and their diagnostic value for clinical
      practice has yet to be confirmed. SUMMARY: For diagnosing neuropathic pain,
      confirmation of a lesion or disease affecting the somatosensory system is needed.
      Better clinical phenotyping will hopefully enable individualized mechanism-based
      treatment of neuropathic pain.

PMID- 26263123
TI  - Postoperative care of the neurosurgical patient.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Monitoring and therapy of patients in neurocritical care are
      areas of intensive research and the current evidence needs further confirmation.
      RECENT FINDINGS: A consensus statement of the Neurocritical Care Society and the
      European Society of Intensive Care Medicine provided pragmatic guidance and
      recommendations for multimodal monitoring in neurocritical care patients. Only a
      minority of these recommendations have strong evidence. In addition, recent
      multicenter randomized controlled trials concerning the therapy of subarachnoidal
      hemorrhage and traumatic brain injury could not show decreased mortality or
      improved functional neurologic outcome after the interventions. The current
      evidence for monitoring and medical therapy in patients after traumatic brain
      injury and aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage is highlighted in this review.
      SUMMARY: Although strong evidence is lacking, multimodal monitoring is of great
      value in neurocritical care patients and may help to provide patients with the
      optimal therapy based on the individual pathophysiological changes.

PMID- 26263124
TI  - Tuning the Thermoelectric Properties of a Conducting Polymer through Blending
      with Open-Shell Molecular Dopants.
AB  - Polymer thermoelectric devices are emerging as promising platforms by which to
      convert thermal gradients into electricity directly, and poly(3,4-ethylene
      dioxythiophene) doped with poly(styrenesulfonate) ( PEDOT: PSS) is a leading
      candidate in a number of these thermoelectric modules. Here, we implement the
      stable radical-bearing small molecule 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1
      oxyl (TEMPO-OH) as an intermolecular dopant in order to tune the electrical
      conductivity, thermopower, and power factor of PEDOT: PSS thin films.
      Specifically, we demonstrate that, at moderate loadings (~2%, by weight) of the
      open-shell TEMPO-OH molecule, the thermopower of PEDOT: PSS thin films is
      increased without a marked decline in the electrical conductivity of the
      material. This effect, in turn, allows for an optimization of the power factor in
      the composite organic materials, which is a factor of 2 greater than the pristine
      PEDOT: PSS thin films. Furthermore, because the loading of TEMPO-OH is relatively
      low, we observe that there is little change in either the crystalline nature or
      surface topography of the composite films relative to the pristine PEDOT: PSS
      films. Instead, we determine that the increase in the thermopower is due to the
      presence of stable radical sites within the PEDOT: PSS that persist despite the
      highly acidic environment that occurs due to the presence of the
      poly(styrenesulfonate) moiety. Additionally, the oxidation-reduction-active
      (redox-active) nature of the TEMPO-OH small molecules provides a means by which
      to filter charges of different energy values. Therefore, these results
      demonstrate that a synergistic combination of an open-shell species and a
      conjugated polymer allows for enhanced thermoelectric properties in
      macromolecular systems, and as such, it offers the promise of a new design
      pathway in polymer thermoelectric materials.

PMID- 26263125
TI  - Binding Kinetics versus Affinities in BRD4 Inhibition.
AB  - Bromodomains (BRDs) are protein modules that selectively recognize histones as a
      "reader" by binding to an acetylated lysine substrate. The human BRD4 has emerged
      as a promising drug target for a number of disease pathways, and several potent
      BRD inhibitors have been discovered experimentally recently. However, the
      detailed inhibition mechanism especially for the inhibitor binding kinetics is
      not clear. Herein, by employing classical molecular dynamics (MD) and state-of
      the-art density functional QM/MM MD simulations, the dynamic characteristics of
      ZA-loop in BRD4 are revealed. And then the correlation between binding pocket
      size and ZA-loop motion is elucidated. Moreover, our simulations found that the
      compound (-)-JQ1 could be accommodated reasonably in thermodynamics whereas it is
      infeasible in binding kinetics against BRD4. Its racemate (+)-JQ1 proved to be
      both thermodynamically reasonable and kinetically achievable against BRD4, which
      could explain the previous experimental results that (+)-JQ1 shows a high
      inhibitory effect toward BRD4 (IC50 is 77 nM) while (-)-JQ1 is inactive (>10
      MUM). Furthermore, the L92/L94/Y97 in the ZA-loop and Asn140 in the BC-loop are
      identified to be critical residues in (+)-JQ1 binding/releasing kinetics. All
      these findings shed light on further selective inhibitor design toward BRD
      family, by exploiting the non-negligible ligand binding kinetics features and
      flexible ZA-loop motions of BRD, instead of only the static ligand-protein
      binding affinity. 

PMID- 26263126
TI  - Charge-Transfer Effects in Ligand Exchange Reactions of Au25 Monolayer-Protected
      Clusters.
AB  - Reported here are second-order rate constants of associative ligand exchanges of
      Au25L18 nanoparticles (L = phenylethanethiolate) of various charge states,
      measured by proton nuclear magnetic resonance at room temperature and below.
      Differences in second-order rate constants (M(-1) s(-1)) of ligand exchange
      (positive clusters ~1.9 * 10(-5) versus negative ones ~1.2 * 10(-4)) show that
      electron depletion retards ligand exchange. The ordering of rate constants
      between the ligands benzeneselenol > 4-bromobenzene thiol > benzenethiol reveals
      that exchange is accelerated by higher acidity and/or electron donation
      capability of the incoming ligand. Together, these observations indicate that
      partial charge transfer occurs between the nanoparticle and ligand during the
      exchange and that this is a rate-determining effect in the process. 

PMID- 26263127
TI  - Quantifying the Extent of Contact Doping at the Interface between High Work
      Function Electrical Contacts and Poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT).
AB  - We demonstrate new approaches to the characterization of oxidized regioregular
      poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT) that results from electronic equilibration
      with device-relevant high work function electrical contacts using high-resolution
      X-ray (XPS) and ultraviolet (UPS) photoelectron spectroscopy (PES). Careful
      interpretation of photoemission signals from thiophene sulfur atoms in thin (ca.
      20 nm or less) P3HT films provides the ability to uniquely elucidate the products
      of charge transfer between the polymer and the electrical contact, which is a
      result of Fermi-level equilibration between the two materials. By comparing high
      resolution S 2p core-level spectra to electrochemically oxidized P3HT standards,
      the extent of the contact doping reaction is quantified, where one in every six
      thiophene units (ca. 20%) in the first monolayer is oxidized. Finally, angle
      resolved XPS of both pure P3HT and its blends with phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl
      ester (PCBM) confirms that oxidized P3HT species exist near contacts with work
      functions greater than ca. 4 eV, providing a means to characterize the interface
      and "bulk" region of the organic semiconductor in a single film. 

PMID- 26263129
TI  - Intramolecular Charge Transfer in 4-Aminobenzonitrile Does Not Need the Twist and
      May Not Need the Bend.
AB  - A study combining accurate quantum chemistry and full-dimensional quantum
      dynamics is presented to confirm the existence of an ultrafast radiationless
      decay channel from the charge-transfer state to the locally excited state in 4
      aminobenzonitrile. This intramolecular charge-transfer pathway proceeds through a
      newly found planar conical intersection, and it is shown to be more efficient in
      the presence of acetonitrile than in the gas phase. Our results are consistent
      with recent experimental observations. 

PMID- 26263128
TI  - Characterization of Parallel beta-Sheets at Interfaces by Chiral Sum Frequency
      Generation Spectroscopy.
AB  - Characterization of protein secondary structures at interfaces is still
      challenging due to the limitations of surface-selective optical techniques. Here,
      we address the challenge of characterizing parallel beta-sheets by combining
      chiral sum frequency generation (SFG) spectroscopy and computational modeling. We
      focus on human islet amyloid polypeptide aggregates and a de novo designed short
      polypeptide at lipid/water and air/glass interfaces. We find that parallel beta
      sheets adopt distinct orientations at various interfaces and exhibit
      characteristic chiroptical responses in the amide I and N-H stretch regions.
      Theoretical analysis indicates that the characteristic chiroptical responses
      provide valuable information on the symmetry, orientation, and vibrational
      couplings of parallel beta-sheet at interfaces. 

PMID- 26263130
TI  - Temporal Fluctuations in Excimer-Like Interactions between pi-Conjugated
      Chromophores.
AB  - Inter- or intramolecular coupling processes between chromophores such as excimer
      formation or H- and J-aggregation are crucial to describing the photophysics of
      closely packed films of conjugated polymers. Such coupling is highly distance
      dependent and should be sensitive to both fluctuations in the spacing between
      chromophores as well as the actual position on the chromophore where the exciton
      localizes. Single-molecule spectroscopy reveals these intrinsic fluctuations in
      well-defined bichromophoric model systems of cofacial oligomers. Signatures of
      interchromophoric interactions in the excited state--spectral red shifting and
      broadening and a slowing of photoluminescence decay--correlate with each other
      but scatter strongly between single molecules, implying an extraordinary
      distribution in coupling strengths. Furthermore, these excimer-like spectral
      fingerprints vary with time, revealing intrinsic dynamics in the coupling
      strength within one single dimer molecule, which constitutes the starting point
      for describing a molecular solid. Such spectral sensitivity to sub-Angstrom
      molecular dynamics could prove complementary to conventional FRET-based molecular
      rulers.

PMID- 26263131
TI  - Fast Dissociation and Reduced Auger Recombination of Multiple Excitons in Closely
      Packed PbS Nanocrystal Thin Films.
AB  - Exciton decay dynamics in chemically treated PbS quantum-dot (QD) films have been
      studied using femtosecond transient-absorption (TA) spectroscopy. In
      photoconductive QD films, a decay component with a lifetime of a few nanoseconds
      appeared in the TA signals because of exciton dissociation under weak excitation.
      Increasing excitation fluence resulted in additional fast-decay components
      corresponding to the lifetimes of multiple excitons, which decreased with
      increasing photoconductivity of the closely packed QD films. Auger recombination
      in photoexcited QDs was suppressed in highly photoconductive films. Our findings
      clearly show that the carrier transfer between the QDs dominates the lifetimes of
      single and multiple excitons. 

PMID- 26263132
TI  - Origin of Dirac Cones in SiC Silagraphene: A Combined Density Functional and
      Tight-Binding Study.
AB  - The formation of Dirac cones in electronic band structures via isomorphous
      transformation is demonstrated in 2D planar SiC sheets. Our combined density
      functional and tight-binding calculations show that 2D SiC featuring C-C and Si
      Si atom pairs possesses Dirac cones (DCs), whereas an alternative arrangement of
      C and Si leads to a finite band gap. The origin of Dirac points is attributed to
      bare interactions between Si-Si bonding states (valence bands, VBs) and C-C
      antibonding states (conduction bands, CBs), while the VB-CB coupling opens up
      band gaps elsewhere. A mechanism of atom pair coupling is proposed, and the
      conditions required for DC formation are discussed, enabling one to design a
      class of 2D binary Dirac fermion systems on the basis of DF calculations solely
      for pure and alternative binary structures. 

PMID- 26263133
TI  - Substance Release Triggered by Biomolecular Signals in Bioelectronic Systems.
AB  - A new approach to bioelectronic Sense-and-Act systems was developed with the use
      of modified electrodes performing sensing and substance-releasing functions. The
      sensing electrode was activated by biomolecular/biological signals ranging from
      small biomolecules to proteins and bacterial cells. The activated sensing
      electrode generated reductive potential and current, which stimulated dissolution
      of an Fe(3+)-cross-linked alginate matrix on the second connected electrode
      resulting in the release of loaded biochemical species with different
      functionalities. Drug-mimicking species, antibacterial drugs, and enzymes
      activating a biofuel cell were released and tested for various biomedical and
      biotechnological applications. The studied systems offer great versatility for
      future applications in controlled drug release and personalized medicine. Their
      future applications in implantable devices with autonomous operation are
      proposed. 

PMID- 26263134
TI  - Controlling Catalytic Selectivity via Adsorbate Orientation on the Surface: From
      Furfural Deoxygenation to Reactions of Epoxides.
AB  - Specificity to desired reaction products is the key challenge in designing solid
      catalysts for reactions involving addition or removal of oxygen to/from organic
      reactants. This challenge is especially acute for reactions involving
      multifunctional compounds such as biomass-derived aromatic molecules (e.g.,
      furfural) and functional epoxides (e.g., 1-epoxy-3-butene). Recent surface-level
      studies have shown that there is a relationship between adsorbate surface
      orientation and reaction selectivity in the hydrogenation pathways of aromatic
      oxygenates and the ring-opening or ring-closing pathways of epoxides. Control of
      the orientation of reaction intermediates on catalytic surfaces by modifying the
      surface or near-surface environment has been shown to be a promising method of
      affecting catalytic selectivity for reactions of multifunctional molecules. In
      this Perspective, we review recent model studies aimed at understanding the
      surface chemistry for these reactions and studies that utilize this insight to
      rationally design supported catalysts. 

PMID- 26263135
TI  - Role of LiCoO2 Surface Terminations in Oxygen Reduction and Evolution Kinetics.
AB  - Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activities of
      LiCoO2 nanorods with sizes in the range from 9 to 40 nm were studied in alkaline
      solution. The sides of these nanorods were terminated with low-index surfaces
      such as (003), while the tips were terminated largely with high-index surfaces
      such as (104), as revealed by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy.
      Electron energy loss spectroscopy demonstrated that low-spin Co(3+) prevailed on
      the sides, while the tips exhibited predominantly high- or intermediate-spin
      Co(3+). We correlated the electronic and atomic structure to higher specific ORR
      and OER activities at the tips as compared to the sides, which was accompanied by
      more facile redox of Co(2+/3+) and higher charge transferred per unit area. These
      findings highlight the critical role of surface terminations and electronic
      structures of transition-metal oxides on the ORR and OER activity. 

PMID- 26263136
TI  - Probing the Ultrafast Energy Dissipation Mechanism of the Sunscreen Oxybenzone
      after UVA Irradiation.
AB  - Oxybenzone is a common constituent of many commercially available sunscreens
      providing photoprotection from ultraviolet light incident on the skin.
      Femtosecond transient electronic and vibrational absorption spectroscopies have
      been used to investigate the nonradiative relaxation pathways of oxybenzone in
      cyclohexane and methanol after excitation in the UVA region. The present data
      suggest that the photoprotective properties of oxybenzone can be understood in
      terms of an initial ultrafast excited state enol -> keto tautomerization,
      followed by efficient internal conversion and subsequent vibrational relaxation
      to the ground state (enol) tautomer. 

PMID- 26263137
TI  - Molecular Orientation Analysis of Alkyl Methylene Groups from Quantitative
      Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering Spectroscopy.
AB  - Quantitative data analysis in coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS)
      spectroscopy is important for extracting molecular structural information. We
      developed a method to derive molecular tilt angle with respect to the surface
      normal based on quantitative CARS spectral analysis. We showed that the tilt
      angle of methylene alkyl chains on a surface can be directly obtained from the
      CH2 symmetric/asymmetric peak ratio in a CARS spectrum. The lipid alkyl chain
      tilt angle from a lipid monolayer was measured to be ~0 degrees  and was verified
      by sum frequency generation spectroscopy, which probes the orientations of the
      lipid methyl end groups. The tilt angle of a silane monolayer alkyl chain was
      derived to be ~35 degrees , which agrees with the theoretical prediction. This
      method is submonolayer sensitive and can also be used to interpret polarization
      dependent signals in CARS microscopy. It can be applied to elucidate detailed
      molecular structure from CARS spectroscopic and microscopic measurements. 

PMID- 26263138
TI  - High Yield Ultrafast Intramolecular Singlet Exciton Fission in a Quinoidal
      Bithiophene.
AB  - We report the process of singlet exciton fission with high-yield upon
      photoexcitation of a quinoidal thiophene molecule. Efficient ultrafast triplet
      photogeneration and its yield are determined by photoinduced triplet-triplet
      absorption, flash photolysis triplet lifetime measurements, as well as by
      femtosecond time-resolved transient absorption and fluorescence methods. These
      experiments show that optically excited quinoidal bithiophene molecule undergoes
      ultrafast formation of the triplet-like state with the lifetime ~57 MUs. CASPT2
      and RAS-SF calculations have been performed to support the experimental findings.
      To date, high singlet fission rates have been reported for crystalline and
      polycrystalline materials, whereas for covalently linked dimers and small
      oligomers it was found to be relatively small. In this contribution, we show an
      unprecedented quantum yield of intramolecular singlet exciton fission of ~180%
      for a quinoidal bithiophene system. 

PMID- 26263140
TI  - New Structure Model of Au22(SR)18: Bitetrahederon Golden Kernel Enclosed by
      [Au6(SR)6] Au(I) Complex.
AB  - The study of atomic structure of thiolate-protected gold with decreased core size
      is important to explore the structural evolution from Au(I) complex to Au
      nanoclusters. In this work, we theoretically predicted the structure of recently
      synthesized four valence electron (4e) Au22(SR)18 cluster. The Au22(SR)18 cluster
      is proposed to possess a bitetrahedron Au7 kernel that is surrounded by a unique
      [Au6(SR)6] Au(I) complex and three Au3(SR)4 staple motifs. More interestingly,
      the Au22(SR)18 exhibits structural connections with Au24(SR)20 and Au20(SR)16.
      The stability of Au22(SR)18 can be understood from the superatom electronic
      configuration of the Au kernel as well as the formation of superatomic network.
      The present study can offer new insight into the structural evolution as well as
      electronic structure of thiolate-protected Au nanoclusters. 

PMID- 26263139
TI  - Critical Assessment of the Strength of Hydrogen Bonds between the Sulfur Atom of
      Methionine/Cysteine and Backbone Amides in Proteins.
AB  - Gas-phase vibrational spectroscopy, coupled cluster (CCSD(T)), and dispersion
      corrected density functional (B97-D3) methods are employed to characterize
      surprisingly strong sulfur center H-bonded (SCHB) complexes between cis and trans
      amide NH and S atom of methionine and cysteine side chain. The amide N-H...S H
      bonds are compared with the representative classical sigma- and pi-type H-bonded
      complexes such as N-H...O, N-H...O?C and N-H...pi H-bonds. With the
      spectroscopic, theoretical, and structural evidence, amide N-H...S H-bonds are
      found to be as strong as the classical sigma-type H-bonds, despite the smaller
      electronegativity of sulfur in comparison to oxygen. The strength of backbone
      amide N-H...S H-bonds in cysteine and methionine containing peptides and proteins
      are also investigated and found to be of similar magnitudes as those observed in
      the intermolecular model complexes studied in this work. All such SCHBs also
      confirm that the electronegativities of the acceptors are not the sole criteria
      to predict the H-bond strength. 

PMID- 26263141
TI  - Interfacial Charge Transfer Anisotropy in Polycrystalline Lead Iodide Perovskite
      Films.
AB  - Solar cells based on organic-inorganic lead iodide perovskite (CH3NH3PbI3)
      exhibit remarkably high power conversion efficiency (PCE). One of the key issues
      in solution-processed films is that often the polycrystalline domain orientation
      is not well-defined, which makes it difficult to predict energy alignment and
      charge transfer efficiency. Here we combine ab initio calculations and
      photoelectron spectroscopy to unravel the electronic structure and charge
      redistribution at the interface between different surfaces of CH3NH3PbI3 and
      typical organic hole acceptor Spiro-OMeTAD and electron acceptor PCBM. We find
      that both hole and electron interfacial transfer depend strongly on the
      CH3NH3PbI3 surface orientation: while the (001) and (110) surfaces tend to favor
      hole injection to Spiro-OMeTAD, the (100) surface facilitates electron transfer
      to PCBM due to surface delocalized charges and hole/electron accumulation at the
      CH3NH3PbI3/organic interfaces. Molecular dynamic simulations indicate that this
      is due to strong orbital interactions under thermal fluctuations at room
      temperature, suggesting the possibility to further improve charge separation and
      extraction in perovskite-based solar cells by controlling perovskite film
      crystallization and surface orientation. 

PMID- 26263142
TI  - Position-Dependent Three-Dimensional Diffusion in Nematic Liquid Crystal
      Monitored by Single-Particle Fluorescence Localization and Tracking.
AB  - Anisotropic mass diffusion in liquid crystals (LCs) is important from the point
      of both basic LC physics and their applications in optoelectronic devices. We use
      super-resolution fluorescence microscopy with astigmatic imaging to track 3D
      diffusion of quantum dots (QDs) in an ordered nematic LC. The method allowed us
      to evaluate the diffusion coefficients independently along the three spatial axes
      as well as to determine the absolute position of the QD with respect to the cell
      wall. We found variations of the diffusion coefficient along the different
      directions across the cell thickness and explained these as being due to changes
      of a tilt angle of the LC director. Close to the surface, the diffusion is slowed
      down due to the confinement effect of the cell wall. Overall, the QD diffusion is
      much slower than expected for a corresponding particle size. This phenomenon is
      suggested to originate from reorientation of the LC director in the vicinity of
      the particle. 

PMID- 26263143
TI  - Polarization Switching and Light-Enhanced Piezoelectricity in Lead Halide
      Perovskites.
AB  - We investigate the ferroelectric properties of photovoltaic methylammonium lead
      halide CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite using piezoelectric force microscopy (PFM) and
      macroscopic polarization methods. The electric polarization is clearly observed
      by amplitude and phase hysteresis loops. However, the polarization loop decreases
      as the frequency is lowered, persisting for a short time only, in the one second
      regime, indicating that CH3NH3PbI3 does not exhibit permanent polarization at
      room temperature. This result is confirmed by macroscopic polarization
      measurement based on a standard capacitive method. We have observed a strong
      increase of piezoelectric response under illumination, consistent with the
      previously reported giant photoinduced dielectric constant at low frequencies. We
      speculate that an intrinsic charge transfer photoinduced dipole in the perovskite
      cage may lie at the origin of this effect. 

PMID- 26263144
TI  - Close Packing of Nitroxide Radicals in Stable Organic Radical Polymeric
      Materials.
AB  - The relationship between the polymer network and electronic transport properties
      for stable radical polymeric materials has come under investigation owing to
      their potential application in electronic devices. For the radical polymer
      poly(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-4-yl-1-oxyl methacrylate), it is unclear
      whether the radical packing is optimal for charge transport partially because the
      relationship between radical packing and molecular structure is not well
      understood. Using the paramagnetic nitroxide radical as a probe of the polymer
      and synthetic techniques to control the radical concentration on the methyl
      methacrylate backbone, we investigate the dependence of radical concentration on
      molecular structure. The electron paramagnetic resonance data indicate that
      radicals in the PTMA assume a closest approach distance to each other when more
      than 60% of the backbone is populated with radical pendant groups. Below 60%
      coverage, the polymer rearranges to accommodate larger radical-radical spacing.
      These findings are consistent with theoretical calculations and help explain some
      experimentally determined electron-transport properties. 

PMID- 26263145
TI  - Photons, Physical Chemistry, and the Year of Light--A Virtual Issue.

PMID- 26263146
TI  - Photoinduced Energy Shift in Quantum-Dot-Sensitized TiO2: A First-Principles
      Analysis.
AB  - We investigate the photoinduced dipole (PID) phenomenon, which holds enormous
      potential for the optimization of quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs), by
      means of first-principles electronic structure calculations. We demonstrate that
      the sensitization of the TiO2 substrate with core/shell QDs produces almost no
      changes in the ground state but decisively improves the performance upon
      photoexcitation. In particular, the maximum attainable VOC is predicted to
      increase by ~25 meV due to two additive effects: (i) the displacement of the
      photoexcited hole away from the TiO2 surface and (ii) the interfacial
      electrostatic interaction established between the TiO2-injected electrons and the
      holes residing in the QD core. We believe that this work, explaining the
      mechanisms by which PID cells deliver better efficiencies, paves the way for the
      design of new QDSSCs with improved efficiencies. 

PMID- 26263147
TI  - Reactivity of Fluorographene: A Facile Way toward Graphene Derivatives.
AB  - Fluorographene (FG) is a two-dimensional graphene derivative with promising
      application potential; however, its reactivity is not understood. We have
      systematically explored its reactivity in vacuum and polar environments. The C-F
      bond dissociation energies for homo- and heterolytic cleavage are above 100
      kcal/mol, but the barrier of SN2 substitution is significantly lower. For
      example, the experimentally determined activation barrier of the FG reaction with
      NaOH in acetone equals 14 +/- 5 kcal/mol. The considerable reactivity of FG
      indicates that it is a viable precursor for the synthesis of graphene derivatives
      and cannot be regarded as a chemical counterpart of Teflon. 

PMID- 26263148
TI  - Highly Active Epitaxial La(1-x)Sr(x)MnO3 Surfaces for the Oxygen Reduction
      Reaction: Role of Charge Transfer.
AB  - Most studies of oxide catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) use oxide
      powder, where the heterogeneity of exposed surfaces and the composite nature of
      electrodes limit fundamental understanding of the reaction mechanism. We present
      the ORR activity of epitaxially oriented La(1-x)Sr(x)MnO3 surfaces and
      investigate, by varying Sr substitution, the relationship between the role of
      charge transfer and catalytic activity in an alkaline environment. The activity
      is greatest for La(1-x)Sr(x)MnO3 with 33% Sr, containing mixed Mn(3+/4+), and the
      (110) and (111) orientations display comparable activities to that of the (001).
      Electrochemical measurements using the facile redox couple [Fe(CN)6](3-/4-)
      illustrate that increasing ORR activity trends with faster charge-transfer
      kinetics, indicating the importance of facile charge transfer at the oxide/water
      interface and mixed Mn valence in promoting ORR kinetics.

PMID- 26263149
TI  - Sucralose Destabilization of Protein Structure.
AB  - Sucralose is a commonly employed artificial sweetener that behaves very
      differently than its natural disaccharide counterpart, sucrose, in terms of its
      interaction with biomolecules. The presence of sucralose in solution is found to
      destabilize the native structure of two model protein systems: the globular
      protein bovine serum albumin and an enzyme staphylococcal nuclease. The melting
      temperature of these proteins decreases as a linear function of sucralose
      concentration. We correlate this destabilization to the increased polarity of the
      molecule. The strongly polar nature is manifested as a large dielectric friction
      exerted on the excited-state rotational diffusion of tryptophan using time
      resolved fluorescence anisotropy. Tryptophan exhibits rotational diffusion
      proportional to the measured bulk viscosity for sucrose solutions over a wide
      range of concentrations, consistent with a Stokes-Einstein model. For sucralose
      solutions, however, the diffusion is dependent on the concentration, strongly
      diverging from the viscosity predictions, and results in heterogeneous rotational
      diffusion. 

PMID- 26263150
TI  - Insights into Laccase Engineering from Molecular Simulations: Toward a Binding
      Focused Strategy.
AB  - Understanding the molecular determinants of enzyme performance is of primary
      importance for the rational design of ad hoc mutants. A novel approach, which
      combines efficient conformational sampling and quick reactivity scoring, is used
      here to shed light on how substrate oxidation was improved during the directed
      evolution experiment of a fungal laccase (from Pycnoporus cinnabarinus), an
      industrially relevant class of oxidoreductases. It is found that the enhanced
      activity of the evolved enzyme is mainly the result of substrate arrangement in
      the active site, with no important change in the redox potential of the T1
      copper. Mutations at the active site shift the binding mode into a more buried
      substrate position and provide a more favorable electrostatic environment for
      substrate oxidation. As a consequence, engineering the binding event seems to be
      a viable way to in silico evolution of oxidoreductases. 

PMID- 26263151
TI  - Grain Structures and Boundaries on Microcrystalline Copper Covered with an
      Octadecanethiol Monolayer Revealed by Sum Frequency Generation Microscopy.
AB  - An octadecanethiol (ODT) self-assembled monolayer on microcrystalline copper was
      investigated by sum frequency generation (SFG) imaging microscopy. The crystal
      grain and grain boundaries of the copper surface were mapped in the SFG image
      based on the strong brightness contrast of the SFG signal across the boundary.
      Local SFG spectra reveal significant difference with each other as well as the
      average SFG spectra, indicating the heterogeneity of the copper surface resulting
      from copper grains with distinct crystallographic facets and orientations. It is
      demonstrated that the SFG signal of crystalline domain areas contains azimuthal
      anisotropy with respect to the plane of incidence. In addition, the statistical
      orientation analyses of amplitude ratio of CH3-sym/CH3-asym and corresponding
      contour maps imply that the orientation of ODT molecules is affected by the
      underlying copper. 

PMID- 26263152
TI  - Density Functional Calculations of Native Defects in CH3NH3PbI3: Effects of Spin
      Orbit Coupling and Self-Interaction Error.
AB  - Native point defects play an important role in carrier transport properties of
      CH3NH3PbI3. However, the nature of many important defects remains controversial
      due partly to the conflicting results reported by recent density functional
      theory (DFT) calculations. In this Letter, we show that self-interaction error
      and the neglect of spin-orbit coupling (SOC) in many previous DFT calculations
      resulted in incorrect positions of valence and conduction band edges, although
      their difference, which is the band gap, is in good agreement with the
      experimental value. This problem has led to incorrect predictions of defect-level
      positions. Hybrid density functional calculations, which partially correct the
      self-interaction error and include the SOC, show that, among native point defects
      (including vacancies, interstitials, and antisites), only the iodine vacancy and
      its complexes induce deep electron and hole trapping levels inside of the band
      gap, acting as nonradiative recombination centers. 

PMID- 26263153
TI  - Electron-Driven Proton Transfer Along H2O Wires Enables Photorelaxation of
      pisigma* States in Chromophore-Water Clusters.
AB  - The fates of photochemically formed pisigma* states are one of the central issues
      in photobiology due to their significant contribution to the photostability of
      biological matter, formation of hydrated electrons, and the phenomenon of
      photoacidity. Nevertheless, our understanding of the underlying molecular
      mechanisms in aqueous solution is still incomplete. In this paper, we report on
      the results of nonadiabatic photodynamics simulations of microhydrated 2
      aminooxazole molecule employing algebraic diagrammatic construction to the second
      order. Our results indicate that electron-driven proton transfer along H2O wires
      induces the formation of pisigma*/S0 state crossing and provides an effective
      deactivation channel. Because we recently have identified a similar channel for 4
      aminoimidazole-5-carbonitrile [Szabla, R.; Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 2014, 16,
      17617-17626 ], we conclude this mechanism may be quite common to all heterocyclic
      compounds with low-lying pisigma* states.

PMID- 26263154
TI  - Determination of Spin Inversion Probability, H-Tunneling Correction, and
      Regioselectivity in the Two-State Reactivity of Nonheme Iron(IV)-Oxo Complexes.
AB  - We show by experiments that nonheme Fe(IV)O species react with cyclohexene to
      yield selective hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) reactions with virtually no C?C
      epoxidation. Straightforward DFT calculations reveal, however, that C?C
      epoxidation on the S = 2 state possesses a low-energy barrier and should
      contribute substantially to the oxidation of cyclohexene by the nonheme Fe(IV)O
      species. By modeling the selectivity of this two-site reactivity, we show that an
      interplay of tunneling and spin inversion probability (SIP) reverses the apparent
      barriers and prefers exclusive S = 1 HAT over mixed HAT and C?C epoxidation on S
      = 2. The model enables us to derive a SIP value by combining experimental and
      theoretical results. 

PMID- 26263155
TI  - Harnessing Excited-State Intramolecular Proton-Transfer Reaction via a Series of
      Amino-Type Hydrogen-Bonding Molecules.
AB  - A series of new amino (NH)-type hydrogen-bonding (H-bonding) compounds comprising
      2-(2'-aminophenyl)benzothiazole and its extensive derivatives were designed and
      synthesized. Unlike in the hydroxyl (OH)-type H-bonding systems, one of the amino
      hydrogens can be replaced with electron-donating/withdrawing groups. This,
      together with a versatile capability for modifying the parent moiety, makes
      feasible the comprehensive spectroscopy and dynamics studies of amino-type
      excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT), which was previously
      inaccessible in the hydroxyl-type ESIPT systems. Empirical correlations were
      observed among the hydrogen-bonding strength (the N-H bond distances and proton
      acidity), ESIPT kinetics, and thermodynamics, demonstrating a trend that the
      stronger N-H...N hydrogen bond leads to a faster ESIPT, as experimentally
      observed, and a more exergonic reaction thermodynamics. Accordingly, ESIPT
      reaction can be harnessed for the first time from a highly endergonic type (i.e.,
      prohibition) toward equilibrium with a measurable ESIPT rate and then to the
      highly exergonic, ultrafast ESIPT reaction within the same series of amino-type
      intramolecular H-bond system. 

PMID- 26263156
TI  - Angle-Resolved Photoemission of Solvated Electrons in Sodium-Doped Clusters.
AB  - Angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy of the unpaired electron in sodium
      doped water, methanol, ammonia, and dimethyl ether clusters is presented. The
      experimental observations and the complementary calculations are consistent with
      surface electrons for the cluster size range studied. Evidence against internally
      solvated electrons is provided by the photoelectron angular distribution. The
      trends in the ionization energies seem to be mainly determined by the degree of
      hydrogen bonding in the solvent and the solvation of the ion core. The onset
      ionization energies of water and methanol clusters do not level off at small
      cluster sizes but decrease slightly with increasing cluster size. 

PMID- 26263157
TI  - Phase Dependence of Double-Resonance Experiments in Rotational Spectroscopy.
AB  - We here report on double-resonance experiments using broadband chirped pulse
      Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy that can facilitate spectral assignment
      and yield information about weak transitions with high resolution and
      sensitivity. Using the diastereomers menthone and isomenthone, we investigate the
      dependence of pumping a radio frequency transition on both the amplitude and
      phase of the signal from a microwave transition with which it shares a common
      rotational level. We observe a strong phase change when scanning the radio
      frequency through molecular resonance. The direction of the phase change depends
      on the energy level arrangement, that is, if it is progressive or regressive. The
      experimental results can be simulated using the three-level optical Bloch
      equations and described with the AC Stark effect, giving rise to an Autler-Townes
      splitting. 

PMID- 26263158
TI  - Thermoplasmonic ssDNA Dynamic Release from Gold Nanoparticles Examined with
      Advanced Fluorescence Microscopy.
AB  - Plasmon excitation of spherical gold nanoparticles carrying a fluorescent labeled
      30 bp dsDNA cargo, with one chain covalently attached through two S-Au bonds to
      the surface, results in release of the complementary strand as ssDNA that can be
      examined in situ using high-resolution fluorescence microscopy. The release is
      dependent on the total energy delivered, but not the rate of delivery, an
      important property for plasmonic applications in medicine, sensors, and plasmon
      induced PCR. 

PMID- 26263159
TI  - Down-Regulation of MiR-193a-3p Dictates Deterioration of HCC: A Clinical Real
      Time qRT-PCR Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although some recent reports have shown that the expression level of
      miR-193a varied in different cancers, its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
      remains unidentified. The aim of the current study was to validate the
      relationship between miR-193a-3p and clinicopathological characteristics in HCC
      patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Expression of miR-193a-3p in 95 HCC cases and
      their corresponding peritumoral tissues (PT) was examined by using quantitative
      reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). miR-193a-3p expression
      and its correlation with a variety of clinicopathological features and patient
      recurrence were analyzed. RESULTS: The relative level of miR-193a-3p was 3.2028+/
      1.1951 in PT, significantly higher than its expression in HCC tissues (1.5941+/
      0.7079, P<0.001). The area under the curve of underexpression of miR-193a-3p was
      0.906 to distinguish HCC from normal liver (95% CI: 0.864-0.948, P<0.001).
      Expression of miR-193a-3p was negatively correlated to metastasis (r=-0.371,
      P=0.000), TNM (r=-0.321, P=0.002), respectively. Additionally, the recurrence
      time was 50.271+/-2.631 months for the low miR-193a-3p level group and 60.132+/
      3.626 months for the high miR-193a-3p level group. However, no significant
      difference between them was found (chi-square=0.354, P=0.552). CONCLUSIONS: MiR
      193a-3p may be a tumor-suppressive miRNA which is down-regulated in HCC tissues.
      It could be regarded as a predictor for the deterioration of HCC patients.

PMID- 26263160
TI  - Novel Approach to Identify Potential Bioactive Plant Metabolites: Pharmacological
      and Metabolomics Analyses of Ethanol and Hot Water Extracts of Several Canadian
      Medicinal Plants of the Cree of Eeyou Istchee.
AB  - We evaluated and compared the antidiabetic potential and molecular mechanisms of
      17 Cree plants' ethanol extracts (EE) and hot water extracts (HWE) on glucose
      homeostasis in vitro and used metabolomics to seek links with the content of
      specific phytochemicals. Several EE of medical plants stimulated muscle glucose
      uptake and inhibited hepatic G6Pase activity. Some HWE partially or completely
      lost these antidiabetic activities in comparison to EE. Only R. groenlandicum
      retained similar potential between EE and HWE in both assays. In C2C12 muscle
      cells, EE of R. groenlandicum, A. incana and S. purpurea stimulated glucose
      uptake by activating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway and increasing
      glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4) expression. In comparison to EE, HWE of R.
      groenlandicum exhibited similar activities; HWE of A. incana completely lost its
      effect on all parameters; interestingly, HWE of S. purpurea activated insulin
      pathway instead of AMPK pathway to increase glucose uptake. In the liver, for a
      subset of 5 plants, HWE and EE activated AMPK pathway whereas the EE and HWE of
      S. purpurea and K. angustifolia also activated insulin pathways. Quercetin-3-O
      galactoside and quercetin 3-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside, were successfully
      identified by discriminant analysis as biomarkers of HWE plant extracts that
      stimulate glucose uptake in vitro. More importantly, the latter compound was not
      identified by previous bioassay-guided fractionation. 

PMID- 26263161
TI  - Protective Effect of Sevoflurane Postconditioning against Cardiac
      Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury via Ameliorating Mitochondrial Impairment, Oxidative
      Stress and Rescuing Autophagic Clearance.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Myocardial infarction leads to heart failure. Autophagy
      is excessively activated in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) in rats. The
      aim of this study is to investigate whether the protection of sevoflurane
      postconditioning (SPC) in myocardial I/R is through restored impaired autophagic
      flux. METHODS: Except for the sham control (SHAM) group, each rat underwent 30
      min occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary (LAD) followed by 2 h
      reperfusion. Cardiac infarction was determined by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium
      chloride triazole (TTC) staining. Cardiac function was examined by hemodynamics
      and echocardiography. The activation of autophagy was evaluated by autophagosome
      accumulation, LC3 conversion and p62 degradation. Potential molecular mechanisms
      were investigated by immunoblotting, real-time PCR and immunofluorescence
      staining. RESULTS: SPC improved the hemodynamic parameters, cardiac dysfunction,
      histopathological and ultrastructural damages, and decreased myocardial
      infarction size after myocardial I/R injury (P < 0.05 vs. I/R group). Compared
      with the cases in I/R group, myocardial ATP and NAD+ content, mitochondrial
      function related genes and proteins, and the expressions of SOD2 and HO-1 were
      increased, while the expressions of ROS and Vimentin were decreased in the SPC
      group (P < 0.05 vs. I/R group). SPC significantly activated Akt/mTOR signaling,
      and inhibited the formation of Vps34/Beclin1 complex via increasing expression of
      Bcl2 protein (P < 0.05 vs. I/R group). SPC suppressed elevated expressions of LC3
      II/I ratio, Beclin1, Atg5 and Atg7 in I/R rat, which indicated that SPC inhibited
      over-activation of autophagy, and promoted autophagosome clearance. Meanwhile,
      SPC significantly suppressed the decline of Opa1 and increases of Drp1 and Parkin
      induced by I/R injury (P < 0.05 vs. I/R group). Moreover, SPC maintained the
      contents of ATP by reducing impaired mitochondria. CONCLUSION: SPC protects rat
      hearts against I/R injury via ameliorating mitochondrial impairment, oxidative
      stress and rescuing autophagic clearance.

PMID- 26263162
TI  - Extensive White Matter Alterations and Its Correlations with Ataxia Severity in
      SCA 2 Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previous studies of SCA2 have revealed significant degeneration of
      white matter tracts in cerebellar and cerebral regions. The motor deficit in
      these patients may be attributable to the degradation of projection fibers
      associated with the underlying neurodegenerative process. However, this
      relationship remains unclear. Statistical analysis of diffusion tensor imaging
      enables an unbiased whole-brain quantitative comparison of the diffusion
      proprieties of white matter tracts in vivo. METHODS: Fourteen genetically
      confirmed SCA2 patients and aged-matched healthy controls participated in the
      study. Tract-based spatial statistics were performed to analyze structural white
      matter damage using two different measurements: fractional anisotropy (FA) and
      mean diffusivity (MD). Significant diffusion differences were correlated with the
      patient's ataxia impairment. RESULTS: Our analysis revealed decreased FA mainly
      in the inferior/middle/superior cerebellar peduncles, the bilateral posterior
      limb of the internal capsule and the bilateral superior corona radiata. Increases
      in MD were found mainly in cerebellar white matter, medial lemniscus, and middle
      cerebellar peduncle, among other regions. Clinical impairment measured with the
      SARA score correlated with FA in superior parietal white matter and bilateral
      anterior corona radiata. Correlations with MD were found in cerebellar white
      matter and the middle cerebellar peduncle. CONCLUSION: Our findings show
      significant correlations between diffusion measurements in key areas affected in
      SCA2 and measures of motor impairment, suggesting a disruption of information
      flow between motor and sensory-integration areas. These findings result in a more
      comprehensive view of the clinical impact of the white matter degeneration in
      SCA2.

PMID- 26263163
TI  - Can the Lamberts and Lambert Submaximal Cycle Test Indicate Fatigue and Recovery
      in Trained Cyclists?
AB  - The Lamberts and Lambert Submaximal Cycle Test (LSCT) is a novel test designed to
      monitor performance and fatigue/recovery in cyclists. Studies have shown the
      ability to predict performance; however, there is a lack of studies concerning
      monitoring of fatigue/recovery. In this study, 23 trained male cyclists (age 29
      +/- 8 y, VO2max 59.4 +/- 7.4 mL . min(-1) . kg(-1)) completed a training camp.
      The LSCT was conducted on days 1, 8, and 11. After day 1, an intensive 6-day
      training period was performed. Between days 8 and 11, a recovery period was
      realized. The LSCT consists of 3 stages with fixed heart rates of 6 min at 60%
      and 80% and 3 min at 90% of maximum heart rate. During the stages, power output
      and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were determined. Heart-rate recovery was
      measured after stage 3. Power output almost certainly (standardized mean
      difference: 1.0) and RPE very likely (1.7) increased from day 1 to day 8 at stage
      2. Power output likely (0.4) and RPE almost certainly (2.6) increased at stage 3.
      From day 8 to day 11, power output possibly (-0.4) and RPE likely (-1.5)
      decreased at stage 2 and possibly (-0.1) and almost certainly (-1.9) at stage 3.
      Heart-rate recovery was likely (0.7) accelerated from day 1 to day 8. Changes
      from day 8 to day 11 were unclear (-0.1). The LSCT can be used for monitoring
      fatigue and recovery, since parameters were responsive to a fatiguing training
      and a following recovery period. However, consideration of multiple LSCT
      variables is required to interpret the results correctly.

PMID- 26263164
TI  - Characterization of Sin1 Isoforms Reveals an mTOR-Dependent and Independent
      Function of Sin1gamma.
AB  - Sin1 or MAPKAP1 is a key component of mTORC2 signaling complex which is necessary
      for AKT phosphorylation at the S473 and T450 sites, and also for AKT downstream
      signaling as well. A number of Sin1 splicing variants have been reported that can
      produce different Sin1 isoforms due to exon skipping or alternative transcription
      initiation. In this report, we characterized four Sin1 isoforms, including a
      novel Sin1 isoform due to alternative 3' termination of the exon 9a, termed
      Sin1gamma. Sin1gamma expression can be detected in multiple adult mouse tissues,
      and it encodes a C-terminal truncated protein comparing to the full length
      Sin1beta isoform. In contrast to Sin1beta, Sin1gamma overexpression in Sin1
      deficient mouse embryonic fibroblasts has no significant impact on mTORC2
      activity or mTORC2 subunits protein level, although it still can interact with
      mTORC2 components. More interestingly, Sin1gamma was detected in a specific
      cytosolic location with a distinct feature in structure, and its localization was
      transiently disrupted during cell cycle. Therefore, Sin1gamma is a novel Sin1
      isoform and may have distinct properties in cell signaling and intracellular
      localization from other Sin1 isoforms. 

PMID- 26263165
TI  - The Role of MKP-1 in the Anti-Proliferative Effects of Glucocorticoids in Primary
      Rat Pre-Osteoblasts.
AB  - Glucocorticoid (GC)-induced osteoporosis has been attributed to a GC-induced
      suppression of pre-osteoblast proliferation. Our previous work identified a
      critical role for mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphatase-1 (MKP-1)
      in mediating the anti-proliferative effects of GCs in immortalized pre
      osteoblasts, but we subsequently found that MKP-1 null mice were not protected
      against the pathological effects of GCs on bone. In order to reconcile this
      discrepancy, we have assessed the effects of GCs on proliferation, activation of
      the MAPK ERK1/2 and MKP-1 expression in primary adipose-derived stromal cells
      (ADSCs) and ADSC-derived pre-osteoblasts (ADSC-OBs). ADSCs were isolated by means
      of collagenase digestion from adipose tissue biopsies harvested from adult male
      Wistar rats. ADSC-OBs were prepared by treating ADSCs with osteoblast
      differentiation media for 7 days. The effects of increasing concentrations of the
      GC dexamethasone on basal and mitogen-stimulated cell proliferation were
      quantified by tritiated thymidine incorporation. ERK1/2 activity was measured by
      Western blotting, while MKP-1 expression was quantified on both RNA and protein
      levels, using semi-quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively.
      GCs were strongly anti-proliferative in both naive ADSCs and ADSC-OBs, but had
      very little effect on mitogen-induced ERK1/2 activation and did not upregulate
      MKP-1 protein expression. These findings suggest that the anti-proliferative
      effects of GCs in primary ADSCs and ADSC-OBs in vitro do not require the
      inhibition of ERK1/2 activation by MKP-1, which is consistent with our in vivo
      findings in MKP-1 null mice. 

PMID- 26263166
TI  - Anti-inflammatory activity of phlomisoside F isolated from Phlomis younghusbandii
      Mukerjee.
AB  - This study was designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of
      phlomisoside F (PMF) isolated from Phlomis younghusbandii and to explore the
      possible pharmacological mechanisms. Anti-inflammatory effects of PMF were
      evaluated by using carrageenan-induced rat paw edema test, dimethylbenzen-induced
      ear edema test, acetic acid-induced vascular permeability and cotton pellet
      granuloma test. Furthermore, the releases of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF
      alpha, IL-6 and IL-1beta) were determined by ELISA. To explore the potential
      mechanisms, expressions of iNOS and COX-2 were determined by quantitative real
      time PCR and western blotting assays. In addition, the expressions of nuclear
      p65, cytosolic p65, IkappaB, p38, p-p38, p-ERK1/2, ERK1/2, JNK and p-JNK were
      determined by western blotting assay. Our results indicated that PMF administered
      orally could not only significantly decrease rat paw edema in rats and ear edema
      in mice, but also reduce the vascular permeability in mice and granuloma weights
      in rats. In vitro, the releases of LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF
      alpha, IL-6, IL-1beta) and enzymes (iNOS and COX-2) were decreased significantly
      by PMF treatment in RAW 264.7 cells. In addition, the LPS-induced up-regulations
      of nuclear p65, p38, p-p38, p-ERK1/2, JNK and p-JNK proteins in RAW 264.7 cells
      significantly decreased by PMF, and expressions of cytosolic p65 and IkappaB were
      obviously up-regulated after treatment with PMF. In conclusion, we suggested that
      the PMF is a promising potential anti-inflammatory drug, and PMF could down
      regulate expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators by inhibiting
      the NF-kappaB/MAPK pathways.

PMID- 26263167
TI  - Anti-TNF-alpha monoclonal antibody reverses psoriasis through dual inhibition of
      inflammation and angiogenesis.
AB  - Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) antagonists have shown remarkable
      efficacy in psoriasis; however, the precise mechanisms of action of TNF-alpha
      blocking agents mainly focus on their neutralizing TNF-alpha and its anti
      inflammatory effects. In this study, we generated a humanized anti-TNF-alpha
      monoclonal antibody (IBI303) and suggested a potential mechanism of anti-TNF
      alpha therapy for psoriasis. The results of SPR and ELISA indicated that IBI303
      has a good affinity to TNF-alpha. In vitro, it could suppress TNF-alpha-induced
      cytotoxicity in WEHI164 cells. In vivo, administration of IBI303 to K14-VEGF
      transgenic mice led to a significant treatment efficiency in psoriasis in a dose
      dependent manner. IHC staining and cytokines-ELISA indicated that TNF-alpha
      inhibition strongly reduced inflammatory cells infiltration and pro-inflammatory
      cytokines release, accompanied by suppression of inflamed dermal blood vessels.
      Mechanistically, in order to explain the anti-angiogenesis effect of anti-TNF
      alpha antibody, the production of cytokine in macrophage conditional medium was
      measured by ELISA. The result indicated that the massive secretion of TNF-alpha
      stimulated by LPS in RAW264.7 cell supernatant was markedly neutralized in a dose
      response manner by IBI303, moreover, the expression of NF-kappaB p65 was down
      regulated. Mouse endothelial cell tube formation assay showed that anti-TNF-alpha
      could inhibit blood vessels formation directly and indirectly. Collectively, our
      study suggested a kind of antipsoriatic mechanism of TNF-alpha inhibitors that is
      the dual inhibition of inflammation and angiogenesis. 

PMID- 26263168
TI  - Kaempferol alleviates insulin resistance via hepatic IKK/NF-kappaB signal in type
      2 diabetic rats.
AB  - Recent studies show that inflammation underlies the metabolic disorders of
      insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Since kaempferol, a naturally
      occurring flavonoid, has been described to have potent anti-inflammatory
      properties, we investigated whether kaempferol could ameliorate insulin
      resistance through inhibiting inflammatory responses. The model of diabetic rat
      was induced by 6-week high-fat diet plus streptozotocin. Animals were orally
      treated with kaempferol (50 or 150 mg/kg) and aspirin (100mg/kg) for 10 weeks.
      The results showed that kaempferol ameliorated blood lipids and insulin in an
      dose-dependent manner. Kaempferol effectively restored insulin resistance induced
      alteration of glucose disposal by using an insulin tolerance test and the
      euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp method. Western blotting results showed that
      KPF inhibited the phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), IkB
      kinase alpha (IKKalpha) and IkB kinase beta (IKKbeta). These effects were
      accompanied with reduction in nucleic and cytosol levels of nuclear factor kappa
      beta (NF-kappaB), and further tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and
      interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels. Aspirin had similar effects. These results provide
      in vivo evidence that kaempferol-mediated down-regulation of IKK and subsequent
      inhibition of NF-kappaB pathway activation may be associated with the reduction
      of hepatic inflammatory lesions, which is contributing to the improvement of
      insulin signaling defect in diabetes.

PMID- 26263169
TI  - 6-Gingerol modulates proinflammatory responses in dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)
      treated Caco-2 cells and experimental colitis in mice through adenosine
      monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: 6-gingerol has been reported to have anti-inflammatory effects in
      different experimental settings. The present study aimed at evaluating the effect
      of 6-gingerol on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced barrier impairment and
      inflammation in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: a differentiated Caco-2 monolayer was
      exposed to DSS and treated with different concentrations of 6-gingerol (0, 1, 5,
      10, 50, and 100 MUM). Changes in intestinal barrier function were determined
      using transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER). The anti-inflammatory
      activity of 6-gingerol was examined as changes in the expression of
      proinflammatory cytokine using quantitative real-time PCR. Western blotting was
      employed to determine the activation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein
      kinase (AMPK). Mice with DSS-induced colitis were given different oral dosages of
      6-gingerol daily for 14 days. Body weight and colon inflammation were evaluated,
      and level of proinflammatory cytokines in colon tissues was measured. RESULTS: 6
      gingerol treatment was shown to restore impaired intestinal barrier function and
      to suppress proinflammatory responses in DSS-treated Caco-2 monolayers. We found
      that AMPK was activated on 6-gingerol treatment in vitro. In animal studies, 6
      gingerol significantly ameliorated DSS-induced colitis by restoration of body
      weight loss, reduction in intestinal bleeding, and prevention of colon length
      shortening. In addition, 6-gingerol suppressed DSS-elevated production of
      proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1beta, TNFalpha, and IL-12). CONCLUSION: our
      findings highlight the protective effects of 6-gingerol against DSS-induced
      colitis. We concluded that 6-gingerol exerts anti-inflammatory effects through
      AMPK activation. It is suggested that 6-gingerol has a promising role in
      treatment of IBD.

PMID- 26263170
TI  - Alcohol Advertising in Sport and Non-Sport TV in Australia, during Children's
      Viewing Times.
AB  - Estimate the amount of alcohol advertising in sport vs. non-sport programming in
      Australian free-to-air TV and identify children's viewing audience composition at
      different times of the day. Alcohol advertising and TV viewing audience data were
      purchased for free-to-air sport and non-sport TV in Australia for 2012. We
      counted alcohol advertisements in sport and non-sport TV in daytime (6 am-8.29
      pm) and evening periods (8.30 pm-11.59 pm) and estimated viewing audiences for
      children and young adults (0-4 years, 5-13 years, 14-17 years, 18-29 years).
      During the daytime, most of the alcohol advertising (87%) was on sport TV. In the
      evening, most alcohol advertising (86%) was in non-sport TV. There was little
      difference in the mean number of children (0-17 years) viewing TV in the evening
      (N = 273,989), compared with the daytime (N = 235,233). In programs containing
      alcohol advertising, sport TV had a greater mean number of alcohol adverts per
      hour (mean 1.74, SD = 1.1) than non-sport TV (mean 1.35, SD = .94). Alcohol
      advertising during the daytime, when large numbers of children are watching TV,
      is predominantly in free-to-air sport TV. By permitting day-time advertising in
      sport programs and in any programs from 8.30 pm when many children are still
      watching TV, current regulations are not protecting children from exposure to
      alcohol advertising.

PMID- 26263171
TI  - Long-Term Formaldehyde Emissions from Medium-Density Fiberboard in a Full-Scale
      Experimental Room: Emission Characteristics and the Effects of Temperature and
      Humidity.
AB  - We studied formaldehyde emissions from the medium-density fiberboard (MDF) in a
      full-scale experimental room to approximate emissions in actual buildings.
      Detailed indoor formaldehyde concentrations and temperature and humidity data
      were obtained for about 29 months. Temperature, relative humidity (RH), and
      absolute humidity (AH) ranged over -10.9-31.4  degrees C, 46.5-83.6%, and 1.1
      23.1 g/kgair, respectively. Annual cyclical seasonal variations were observed for
      indoor formaldehyde concentrations and emission rates, exhibiting entirely
      different characteristics than those in an environmental chamber under constant
      environmental conditions. The maximum concentration occurred in summer rather
      than at initial introduction of the material. The concentrations in summer could
      be a few up to 20 times higher than that in winter, depending on the indoor
      temperature and humidity conditions. Concentrations decreased by 20-65% in
      corresponding months of the second year. Indoor formaldehyde concentrations were
      positively correlated with temperature and AH but were poorly correlated with RH.
      The combined effects of temperature and AH on formaldehyde emissions from MDF in
      actual buildings were verified. These detailed long-term experimental results
      could be used with environmental chamber measurement data to scale up and
      validate emission models from chambers held at constant conditions to actual
      buildings. 

PMID- 26263172
TI  - Monitoring the Invasion of Spartina alterniflora from 1993 to 2014 with Landsat
      TM and SPOT 6 Satellite Data in Yueqing Bay, China.
AB  - The exotic plant Spartina alterniflora was introduced to Yueqing Bay more than 20
      years ago for tidal land reclamation and as a defense against typhoons, but it
      has rapidly expanded and caused enormous ecological consequences. Mapping the
      spread and distribution of S. alterniflora is the first step toward understanding
      the factors that determine the population expansion patterns. Remote sensing is a
      promising tool to monitor the expansion of S. alterniflora. Twelve Landsat TM
      images and Support Vector Machine (SVM) were used to delineate the invasion of S.
      alterniflora from 1993 to 2009, and SPOT 6 images and Object-Based Image Analysis
      (OBIA) were used to map the distribution of S. alterniflora in 2014. In situ data
      and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) images were used as supplementary data. S.
      alterniflora spread rapidly in Yueqing Bay over the past 21 years. Between 1993
      and 2009, the area of S. alterniflora increased by 608 times (from 4 to 2432 ha).
      The rapid expansion of S. alterniflora covered almost all of the bare mudflats
      around the mangrove forests and the cultivated mudflats. However, from 2009 to
      2014, the rate of expansion of S. alterniflora began to slow down in Yueqing Bay,
      and the total area of S. alterniflora in Yantian decreased by 275 ha. These
      phenomena can be explained by the landscape changes and ecological niches.
      Through the expansion of S. alterniflora, it was found that the ecological
      significance and environmental impact of S. alterniflora was different in
      different regions in Yueqing Bay. The conservation plans for Yueqing Bay should
      consider both the positive and negative effects of S. alterniflora, and the
      governmental policy should be based on the different circumstances of the
      regions. 

PMID- 26263174
TI  - Oxidative stress responses induced by uranium exposure at low pH in leaves of
      Arabidopsis thaliana plants.
AB  - Anthropogenic activities have led to a widespread uranium (U) contamination in
      many countries. The toxic effects of U at the cellular level have mainly been
      investigated at a pH around 5.5, the optimal pH for hydroponically grown plants.
      However, since the speciation of U, and hence its toxicity, is strongly dependent
      on environmental factors such as the pH, it is important to investigate the
      effects of U at different environmentally relevant pH levels. Although U is
      poorly translocated from the roots to the shoots, resulting in a low U
      concentration in the leaves, it has been demonstrated that toxic effects in the
      leaves were already visible after 1 day exposure at pH 5.5, although only when
      exposed to relatively high U concentrations (100 MUM). Therefore, the present
      study aimed to analyse the effects of different U concentrations (ranging from 0
      to 100 MUM) at pH 4.5 in leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana plants. Results indicate
      that U induces early senescence in A. thaliana leaves as was suggested by a
      decreased expression of CAT2 accompanied by an induction of CAT3 expression, a
      decreased CAT capacity and an increased lipid peroxidation. In addition,
      miRNA398b/c is involved in the regulation of the SOD response in the leaves. As
      such, an increased MIR398b/c expression was observed leading to a decreased
      transcript level of CSD1/2. Finally, the biosynthesis of ascorbate was induced
      after U exposure. This can point towards an important role for this metabolite in
      the scavenging of reactive oxygen species under U stress. 

PMID- 26263173
TI  - Deficiency of Lipoprotein Lipase in Neurons Decreases AMPA Receptor
      Phosphorylation and Leads to Neurobehavioral Abnormalities in Mice.
AB  - Alterations in lipid metabolism have been found in several neurodegenerative
      disorders, including Alzheimer's disease. Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) hydrolyzes
      triacylglycerides in lipoproteins and regulates lipid metabolism in multiple
      organs and tissues, including the central nervous system (CNS). Though many brain
      regions express LPL, the functions of this lipase in the CNS remain largely
      unknown. We developed mice with neuron-specific LPL deficiency that became obese
      on chow by 16 wks in homozygous mutant mice (NEXLPL-/-) and 10 mo in heterozygous
      mice (NEXLPL+/-). In the present study, we show that 21 mo NEXLPL+/- mice display
      substantial cognitive function decline including poorer learning and memory, and
      increased anxiety with no difference in general motor activities and exploratory
      behavior. These neurobehavioral abnormalities are associated with a reduction in
      the 2-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-methyl-isoxazol-4-yl) propanoic acid (AMPA) receptor
      subunit GluA1 and its phosphorylation, without any alterations in amyloid beta
      accumulation. Importantly, a marked deficit in omega-3 and omega-6
      polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in the hippocampus precedes the development of
      the neurobehavioral phenotype of NEXLPL+/- mice. And, a diet supplemented with n
      3 PUFA can improve the learning and memory of NEXLPL+/- mice at both 10 mo and 21
      mo of age. We interpret these findings to indicate that LPL regulates the
      availability of PUFA in the CNS and, this in turn, impacts the strength of
      synaptic plasticity in the brain of aging mice through the modification of AMPA
      receptor and its phosphorylation. 

PMID- 26263176
TI  - Total body water measurement using the 2H dilution technique for the assessment
      of body composition of Kuwaiti children.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The 2H dilution technique is the reference method to estimate total
      body water for body composition assessment. The aims of the present study were to
      establish the total body water technique at the Kuwait Institute for Scientific
      Research and assess body composition of Kuwaiti children. DESIGN: The isotope
      ratio mass spectrometer was calibrated with defined international reference water
      standards. A non-random sampling approach was used to recruit a convenience
      sample of Kuwaiti children. A dose of 2H2O, 1-3 g, was consumed after an
      overnight fast and 2H enrichment in baseline and post-dose urine samples was
      measured. Total body water was calculated and used to estimate fat-free mass. Fat
      mass was estimated as body weight minus fat-free mass. SETTING: The total body
      water study was implemented in primary schools. SUBJECTS: Seventy-five boys and
      eighty-three girls (7-9 years). RESULTS: Measurements of the isotope ratio mass
      spectrometer were confirmed to be accurate and precise. Children were classified
      as normal weight, overweight or obese according to the WHO based on BMI-for-age Z
      scores. Normal-weight and overweight girls had significantly higher percentage
      body fat (median (range): 32.4 % (24.7-39.3 %) and 38.3 % (29.3-44.2 %),
      respectively) compared with boys (median (range): 26.5 % (14.2-37.1 %) and 34.6 %
      (29.9-40.2 %), respectively). No gender difference was found in obese children
      (median 46.5 % v. 45.6 %). CONCLUSIONS: The establishment of a state-of-the-art
      stable isotope laboratory for assessment of body composition provides an
      opportunity to explore a wide range of applications to better understand the
      relationship between body size, body composition and risk of developing non
      communicable diseases in Kuwait.

PMID- 26263175
TI  - Neuronal Survival, Morphology and Outgrowth of Spiral Ganglion Neurons Using a
      Defined Growth Factor Combination.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The functionality of cochlear implants (CI) depends, among others, on
      the number and excitability of surviving spiral ganglion neurons (SGN). The
      spatial separation between the SGN, located in the bony axis of the inner ear,
      and the CI, which is inserted in the scala tympani, results in suboptimal
      performance of CI patients and may be decreased by attracting the SGN neurites
      towards the electrode contacts. Neurotrophic factors (NTFs) can support neuronal
      survival and neurite outgrowth. METHODS: Since brain-derived neurotrophic factor
      (BDNF) is well known for its neuroprotective effect and ciliary neurotrophic
      factor (CNTF) increases neurite outgrowth, we evaluated if the combination of
      BDNF and CNTF leads to an enhanced neuronal survival with extended neurite
      outgrowth. Both NTFs were added in effective high concentrations (BDNF 50 ng/ml,
      CNTF 100 ng/ml), alone and in combination, to cultured dissociated SGN of
      neonatal rats for 48 hours. RESULTS: The neuronal survival and neurite outgrowth
      were significantly higher in SGN treated with the combination of the two NTFs
      compared to treatment with each factor alone. Additionally, with respect to the
      morphology, the combination of BDNF and CNTF leads to a significantly higher
      number of bipolar neurons and a decreased number of neurons without neurites in
      culture. CONCLUSION: The combination of BDNF and CNTF shows a great potential to
      increase the neuronal survival and the number of bipolar neurons in vitro and to
      regenerate retracted nerve fibers.

PMID- 26263177
TI  - Temperature- and pH-Dependent Shattering: Insoluble Fatty Ammonium Phosphate
      Films at Water-Oil Interfaces.
AB  - We study the films formed by tetradecylamine (TDA) at the water-dodecane
      interface in the presence of hydrogen phosphate ions. Using Fourier transform
      infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), interfacial shear rheology, confocal fluorescence
      microscopy, cryo-scanning electron microscopy (cryo-SEM), and small-angle neutron
      scattering (SANS), we find that between pH 5 and 8 tetradecylammonium cations
      bind to hydrogen phosphate anions to form needle-shaped crystallites of
      tetradecylammonium hydrogen phosphate (TAHP). These crystallites self-assemble
      into films with a range of morphologies; below pH 7, they form brittle,
      continuous sheets, and at pH 8, they form lace-like networks that deform
      plastically under shear. They are also temperature-responsive: when the system is
      heated, the film thins and its rheological moduli drop. We find that the
      temperature response is caused by dissolution of the film in to the bulk fluid
      phases. Finally, we show that these films can be used to stabilize temperature
      responsive water-in-oil emulsions with potential applications in controlled
      release of active molecules. 

PMID- 26263178
TI  - Efficient Generation of Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell from Common Lymphoid
      Progenitors by Flt3 Ligand.
AB  - Dendritic cells (DCs), including conventional DCs (cDCs) and plasmacytoid DCs
      (pDCs) are critical for initiating and controlling the immune response. However,
      study of DC, particularly pDC, function is hampered by their low frequency in
      lymphoid organs, and existing methods for in vitro DC generation preferentially
      favor the production of cDCs over pDCs. Here, we demonstrated that pDCs could be
      efficiently generated in vitro from common lymphoid progenitors (CLPs) using Flt3
      ligand (FL) in three different culture systems, namely feeder-free, BM-feeder and
      AC-6-feeder. This was in stark contrast to common DC progenitors (CDPs), in which
      cDCs were prominently generated under the same conditions. Moreover, the
      efficiency and function of pDCs generated from these three systems varied. While
      AC-6 system showed the greatest ability to support pDC development from CLPs, BM
      feeder system was able to develop pDCs with better functionality. pDCs could also
      be expanded in vivo using hydrodynamic gene transfer of FL, which was further
      enhanced by the combined treatment of FL and IFN-alpha. Interestingly, IFN-alpha
      selectively promoted the proliferation of CLPs and not CDPs, which might
      contribute to enhanced pDC development. Together, we have defined conditions for
      in vitro and in vivo generation of pDCs, which may be useful for investigating
      the biology of pDCs. 

PMID- 26263180
TI  - Circumscription and Taxonomic Arrangement of Nigroboletus roseonigrescens Gen. Et
      Sp. Nov., a New Member of Boletaceae from Tropical South-Eastern China.
AB  - Nigroboletus is proposed as a novel genus in family Boletaceae, subfamily
      Boletoideae, to include N. roseonigrescens, a new boletoid species from tropical
      environment in south-eastern China. Detailed morphological description, color
      pictures of both fresh basidiomes in habitat and dried material along with
      photomicrographs and line drawings of the main anatomical features are provided,
      supported by a comprehensive phylogeny based on multigene molecular analysis
      (nrITS, nrLSU, rpb1, rpb2 and tef1-alpha datasets). Taxonomic placement and
      evolutionary relationships of Nigroboletus are investigated. 

PMID- 26263179
TI  - The Genomic Legacy of the Transatlantic Slave Trade in the Yungas Valley of
      Bolivia.
AB  - During the period of the Transatlantic Slave Trade (TAST) some enslaved Africans
      were forced to move to Upper Peru (nowadays Bolivia). At first they were sent to
      Potosi, but later to the tropical Yungas valley where the Spanish colonizers
      established a so-called "hacienda system" that was based on slave labor,
      including African-descendants. Due to their isolation, very little attention has
      been paid so far to 'Afro-Bolivian' communities either within the research field
      of TAST or in genetic population studies. In this study, a total of 105
      individuals from the Yungas were sequenced for their mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)
      control region, and mitogenomes were obtained for a selected subset of these
      samples. We also genotyped 46 Ancestry Informative Markers (AIM) in order to
      investigate continental ancestry at the autosomal level. In addition, Y
      chromosome STR and SNP data for a subset of the same individuals was also
      available from the literature. The data indicate that the partitioning of mtDNA
      ancestry in the Yungas differs significantly from that in the rest of the
      country: 81% Native American, 18% African, and 1% European. Interestingly, the
      great majority of 'Afro-descendant' mtDNA haplotypes in the Yungas (84%)
      concentrates in the locality of Tocana. This high proportion of African ancestry
      in the Tocana is also manifested in the Y-chromosome (44%) and in the autosomes
      (56%). In sharp contrast with previous studies on the TAST, the ancestry of about
      1/3 of the 'Afro-Bolivian' mtDNA haplotypes can be traced back to East and South
      East Africa, which may be at least partially explained by the Arab slave trade
      connected to the TAST. 

PMID- 26263181
TI  - Molecular Recognition and Visual Detection of G-Quadruplexes by a Dicarbocyanine
      Dye.
AB  - The interactions of a dicarbocyanine dye 3,3'-diethylthiadicarbocyanine,
      DiSC2(5), with DNA G-quadruplexes were studied by means of a combination of
      various spectroscopic techniques. Aggregation of excess dye as a result of its
      positive charge is promoted by the presence of the polyanionic quadruplex
      structure. Specific high-affinity binding to the parallel quadruplex of the MYC
      promoter sequence involves stacking of DiSC2(5) on the external G-tetrads; the 5'
      terminal tetrad is the favored binding site. Significant energy transfer between
      DNA and the dye in the UV spectral region is observed upon DiSC2(5) binding. The
      transfer efficiency strongly depends on the DNA secondary structure as well as on
      the G-quadruplex topology. These photophysical features enable the selective
      detection of DNA quadruplexes through sensitized DiSC2(5) fluorescence in the
      visible region.

PMID- 26263182
TI  - Diagnostic endoscopy of the navicular bursa using a needle endoscope by direct or
      transthecal approach: A comparative cadaver study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To compare the practicability, visualization of structures, and
      iatrogenic damage of direct and transthecal approaches to the navicular bursa for
      diagnostic needle endoscopy. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive study. SAMPLE POPULATION:
      Equine cadaver forelimbs (n = 30). METHODS: Direct and transthecal approaches for
      insertion of a needle endoscope into the navicular bursa were performed. Video
      recordings of endoscopic procedures were assessed to determine all structures
      visualized within the navicular bursa. Number of attempts to gain access to the
      navicular bursa and total time for insertion and examination were recorded.
      Distribution and severity of iatrogenic lesions were assessed and scored after
      dissection. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences for number of attempts
      or time needed for insertion and examination between direct and transthecal
      approaches. The direct approach offered significantly increased visibility of the
      ipsilateral abaxial and proximal margins of the navicular bone, and ipsilateral
      collateral sesamoidean ligament. Iatrogenic lesions were superficial and focal,
      regardless of approach taken, or whether a blunt or sharp trocar tip was used.
      CONCLUSIONS: The direct approach provided significantly better visualization of
      the ipsilateral structures within the navicular bursa compared to the transthecal
      approach. Needle endoscopy offers a reliable technique to evaluate the navicular
      bursa and may complement or replace other diagnostic modalities in horses with
      lameness localized to the navicular region.

PMID- 26263184
TI  - Gate-Free Electrical Breakdown of Metallic Pathways in Single-Walled Carbon
      Nanotube Crossbar Networks.
AB  - Aligned single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) synthesized by the chemical vapor
      deposition (CVD) method have exceptional potential for next-generation
      nanoelectronics. However, the coexistence of semiconducting (s-) and metallic (m
      ) SWNTs remains a considerable challenge since the latter causes significant
      degradation in device performance. Here we demonstrate a facile and effective
      approach to selectively break all m-SWNTs by stacking two layers of horizontally
      aligned SWNTs to form crossbars and applying a voltage to the crossed SWNT
      arrays. The introduction of SWNT junctions amplifies the disparity in resistance
      between s- and m-pathways, leading to a complete deactivation of m-SWNTs while
      minimizing the degradation of the semiconducting counterparts. Unlike previous
      approaches that required an electrostatic gate to achieve selectivity in
      electrical breakdown, this junction process is gate-free and opens the way for
      straightforward integration of thin-film s-SWNT devices. Comparison to electrical
      breakdown in junction-less SWNT devices without gating shows that this junction
      based breakdown method yields more than twice the average on-state current
      retention in the resultant s-SWNT arrays. Systematic studies show that the on/off
      ratio can reach as high as 1.4 * 10(6) with a correspondingly high retention of
      on-state current compared to the initial current value before breakdown. Overall,
      this method provides important insight into transport at SWNT junctions and a
      simple route for obtaining pure s-SWNT thin film devices for broad applications. 

PMID- 26263183
TI  - miR-98 and its host gene Huwe1 target Caspase-3 in Silica nanoparticles-treated
      male germ cells.
AB  - Silica nanoparticles (NP) is one of the most commonly used nanomaterials with
      potential health hazards. However, the effects of Silica NP on germ cells and the
      underlying mechanisms are still unclear. In this study, GC-2 and TM-4, which are
      two different types of male germ cells were exposed to Silica NP for 24h, and
      then general cytotoxicity and multi-parameter cytotoxicity were evaluated. Our
      results showed that Silica NP could induce apoptosis in GC-2 cells. Transmission
      electron microscopy (TEM) results showed that Silica NP was localized in the
      lysosomes of GC-2 cells. High content screening (HCS) showed that Silica NP
      exposure could increased cell permeabilization and decreased mitochondrial
      membrane potential in GC-2 cells. The mRNA and protein levels of apoptosis
      markers (Bax, Caspase-3, Caspase-9) in GC-2 cells were significantly increased,
      while Bcl-2 was decreased. Accordingly, the expression level of miR-98, which can
      regulate Caspase-3, was significantly decreased. Huwe1, the host gene of miR-98,
      was positively associated with miR-98 expression after Silica NP exposure. Dual
      luciferase reporter assay suggested that miR-98 directly targets Caspase-3. These
      results suggest that Silica NP induces apoptosis via loss of mitochondrial
      membrane potential and Caspase-3 activation, while miR-98 plays key role in
      modulating this effect. 

PMID- 26263185
TI  - Neuronal acid-induced [Zn2+]i elevations calibrated using the low-affinity
      ratiometric probe FuraZin-1.
AB  - The experiments were carried out on primary cultures of murine cortical neurons
      from cryopreserved preparations obtained from embryonic-day-16 fetuses. To
      calibrate acid-induced intracelluar [Zn(2+) ] ([Zn(2+) ]i ) elevations, a low
      affinity (Kd = 39 MUM at pH 6.1) ratiometric Zn(2+) probe, FuraZin-1, was used. A
      pHi drop from 7.2 to 6.1 caused [Zn(2+) ]i elevations reaching 2 MUM; when the
      thiol-reactive agent N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) was subsequently applied, [Zn(2+) ]i
      increased further to 5.6 MUM; analogous acid- and NEM-induced [Zn(2+) ]i
      elevations could also be detected but not calibrated, using the high affinity
      Zn(2+) probe FluoZin-3. The data indicate that NEM causes Zn(2+) release from
      ligands that chelate Zn(2+) at pH 6.1. ATP could also chelate Zn(2+) at pH 6.1
      because its pKa is about 6.8. Therefore, it was tested whether an ATP depletion
      affects the acid-induced [Zn(2+) ]i elevations. The ATP depletion was induced by
      inhibiting mitochondrial and glycolytic ATP production. Interestingly, an almost
      complete ATP depletion (confirmed using a luciferin/luciferase assay) failed to
      affect the acid-induced [Zn(2+) ]i increases. These data suggest that the total
      amount of Zn(2+) accumulated in intracellular ATP-dependent stores (Zn(2+) -ATP
      complexes and organelles that accumulate Zn(2+) in an ATP-dependent manner) is
      negligible compared to the amount of Zn(2+) accumulated in the acid-sensitive
      intracellular ligands. In vitro, upon acidification, Zn(2+) -cysteine complexes
      release Zn(2+) and ATP chelates the released Zn(2+) . However, in vivo (cultured
      neurons), an ATP depletion failed to enhance acid-induced [Zn(2+) ]i elevations.
      These [Zn(2+) ]i elevations were calibrated using a low affinity ratiometric
      probe FuraZin-1; they reached 2 uM levels and increased to 5 uM when a thiol
      reactive agent, N-ethylmaleimide, compromised Zn(2+) binding by cysteines.

PMID- 26263188
TI  - Editorial: Agroecology for producing goods and services in sustainable animal
      farming systems.

PMID- 26263187
TI  - Optimization of a Stable Linker Involved DEVD Peptide-Doxorubicin Conjugate That
      Is Activated upon Radiation-Induced Caspase-3-Mediated Apoptosis.
AB  - The current study demonstrates the process of selecting an optimal structure for
      a caspase-3-cleavable doxorubicin prodrug that could be synthesized by simple
      chemistry in high yields. The prodrug was intended to activate in the presence of
      caspase-3, whose expression can be exogenously regulated by inducing apoptosis
      with radiation therapy at a specific site of interest. For this purpose,
      doxorubicin was conjugated with a DEVD peptide via a heterobifunctional linker.
      Since the active form of the prodrug comprises the linker besides doxorubicin, we
      tested several different linkers and selected EMCS based on the examination of
      its in vitro biological activities. Consequently, DEVD-cysteamide-EMCS
      doxorubicin was synthesized as the final compound. According to the various in
      vitro and in vivo studies, the synthesized prodrug was highly selective for
      tumors when coupled with radiation therapy, with the added benefit of ease of
      production. 

PMID- 26263186
TI  - The Influence of Prior Learning Experience on Pollinator Choice: An Experiment
      Using Bumblebees on Two Wild Floral Types of Antirrhinum majus.
AB  - Understanding how pollinator behavior may influence pollen transmission across
      floral types is a major challenge, as pollinator decision depends on a complex
      range of environmental cues and prior experience. Here we report an experiment
      using the plant Antirrhinum majus and the bumblebee Bombus terrestris to
      investigate how prior learning experience may affect pollinator preferences
      between floral types when these are presented together. We trained naive
      bumblebees to forage freely on flowering individuals of either A. majus
      pseudomajus (magenta flowers) or A. majus striatum (yellow flowers) in a flight
      cage. We then used a Y-maze device to expose trained bumblebees to a dual choice
      between the floral types. We tested the influence of training on their choice,
      depending on the type of plant signals available (visual signals, olfactory
      signals, or both). Bumblebees had no innate preference for either subspecies.
      Bumblebees trained on the yellow-flowered subspecies later preferred the yellow
      type, even when only visual or only olfactory signals were available, and their
      preference was not reinforced when both signal types were available. In contrast,
      bumblebees trained on the magenta-flowered subspecies showed no further
      preference between floral types and took slightly more time to make their choice.
      Since pollinator constancy has been observed in wild populations of A. majus with
      mixed floral types, we suggest that such constancy likely relies on short-term
      memory rather than acquired preference through long-term memory induced by prior
      learning. 

PMID- 26263189
TI  - Intensification of cattle ranching production systems: socioeconomic and
      environmental synergies and risks in Brazil.
AB  - Intensification of Brazilian cattle ranching systems has attracted both national
      and international attention due to its direct relation with Amazon deforestation
      on the one hand and increasing demand of the global population for meat on the
      other. Since Brazilian cattle ranching is predominantly pasture-based, we
      particularly focus on pasture management. We summarize the most recurrent
      opportunities and risks associated with pasture intensification that are brought
      up within scientific and political dialogues, and discuss them within the
      Brazilian context. We argue that sustainable intensification of pasturelands in
      Brazil is a viable way to increase agricultural output while simultaneously
      sparing land for nature. Since environmental degradation is often associated with
      low-yield extensive systems in Brazil, it is possible to obtain higher yields,
      while reversing degradation, by adopting practices like rotational grazing,
      incorporation of legumes and integrated crop-livestock-forestry systems.
      Technical assistance is however essential, particularly for small- and medium
      scale farmers. Sound complementary policies and good governance must accompany
      these measures so that a 'rebound effect' does not lead to increased
      deforestation and other adverse social and environmental impacts. It is also
      important that animal welfare is not compromised. Although the discussion is
      presented with respect to Brazil, some aspects are relevant to other developing
      countries. 

PMID- 26263191
TI  - Localising livestock protein feed production and the impact on land use and
      greenhouse gas emissions.
AB  - Livestock farmers in Sweden usually grow feed grains for livestock but import
      protein feed from outside Sweden. Aside from the economic implications, some
      environmental issues are associated with this practice. We used life cycle
      assessment to evaluate the impact of local protein feed production on land use
      and greenhouse gas emissions, compared with the use of imported protein feed, for
      pig meat and dairy milk produced in Sweden. Our results showed that local
      production reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 4.5% and 12%, respectively, for
      pigs and dairy cows. Land use for feed production in Sweden increased by 11% for
      pigs and 25% for dairy cows, but total land use decreased for pig production and
      increased for dairy milk production. Increased protein feed cultivation in Sweden
      decreased inputs needed for animal production and improved some ecological
      processes (e.g. nutrient recycling) of the farm systems. However, the differences
      in results between scenarios are relatively small and influenced to an extent by
      methodological choices such as co-product allocation. Moreover, it was difficult
      to assess the contribution of greenhouse emissions from land use change. The
      available accounting methods we applied did not adequately account for the
      potential land use changes and in some cases provided conflicting results. We
      conclude that local protein feed production presents an opportunity to reduce
      greenhouse gas emissions but at a cost of increasing land occupation in Sweden
      for feed production. 

PMID- 26263190
TI  - Mixed grazing systems of goats with cattle in tropical conditions: an alternative
      to improving animal production in the pasture.
AB  - Mixed grazing systems combining sheep and cattle have shown better growth
      performance for one or both species. This observation has been attributed to
      their complementary feeding behaviour and the reduced host infection by
      gastrointestinal nematodes. Less attention has been paid to mixed grazing systems
      combining goats and cattle. Here, continuously grazing goats mixed with cattle
      (M) were compared with control goats reared alone (C) under tropical conditions.
      The comparison was conducted with gastrointestinal nematode-infected (I) and non
      infected (nI) goats. Thus, the four treatments were cattle with gastrointestinal
      nematode-infected goats (MI), gastrointestinal nematode-infected goats alone
      (CI), cattle with non-infected goats (MnI) and non-infected goats (CnI). Average
      daily gain (ADG, g/day) and grass production were measured for the four groups of
      animals (six goats and two heifers treated with MI or MnI) grazing for 3 months
      on 4 subplots. Monthly measurements were performed over 5-day periods. This
      pattern was replicated in space for a second set of four subplots and in time for
      six successive cohorts of animals (bands 1 to 6). The ADG of goats in mixed
      grazing conditions was higher than controls irrespective of the infection status
      (32.6 v. 18.4 g/day for MI v. CI; 44.2 v. 33.5 g/day for MnI v. CnI).
      Concomitantly, the average biomass was lower for mixed grazing animals compared
      with controls (174 v. 170 for MI and MnI; 235 v. 208 for CI and CnI,
      respectively), suggesting better use of the sward. For daily BW gain (g/kg DM),
      mixed grazing also yielded better results than the control (1.88 v. 0.52 g BW/kg
      DM per day for MI v. CI; 2.08 v. 1.47 g BW/kg DM per day for MnI and CnI). Mixed
      grazing of goats and heifers offers a promising alternative for increasing goat
      and overall animal production as well as improving the management of pastures. 

PMID- 26263192
TI  - Dynamic Optical Properties of CH3NH3PbI3 Single Crystals As Revealed by One- and
      Two-Photon Excited Photoluminescence Measurements.
AB  - The dynamic optical properties of perovskite CH3NH3PbI3 single crystals were
      studied by means of time-resolved photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy at room
      temperature. The PL peak under one-photon excitation exhibits a red-shift with
      elapsing time, while two-photon PL is time-independent and appears at lower
      energy levels. The low-energy two-photon PL can be attributed to emissions from
      the localized states because of strong band-to-band absorption and photon re
      absorption of the emitted light in the interior region. We revealed that the PL
      behaviors can be explained by the diffusion of photocarriers generated in the
      near-surface region to the interior region. The excitation fluence dependence of
      the one-photon PL dynamics is also discussed in terms of the electron-hole
      radiative recombination and carrier diffusion effects. 

PMID- 26263193
TI  - COPD Multidisciplinary Team Meetings in the United Kingdom: Health Care
      Professionals' Perceptions of Aims and Structure.
AB  - Over the last 10 years, community and hospital-based multidisciplinary teams
      (MDTs) have been set up for the management of patients with chronic obstructive
      pulmonary disease (COPD) in the UK. Meetings of the MDTs have become a regular
      occurrence, mostly on healthcare professionals' own initiatives. There are no
      standardized methods to conduct an MDT meeting, and although cancer MDT meetings
      are widely implemented, the value and purpose of COPD MDT meetings are less
      clear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to conduct a cross-sectional
      descriptive online survey to explore COPD MDT members' perceptions of the purpose
      and usefulness of MDT meetings, and to identify suggestions or requirements to
      improve the meetings. In total, we received 68 responses from 10 MDTs; six teams
      (n = 36 members) were located in London and four (n = 32 members) outside.
      Analysis of the replies by two independent researchers found that MDT meetings
      aim to optimise management and improve pathways for respiratory patients by
      improving communication between providers across settings and disciplines.
      Education of the MDT members also occurs with the aim of safer practice.
      Discussed patients are characterised by (multiple) co-morbidities, frequent
      exacerbations and admissions, social and mental health problems, unclear
      diagnosis and suboptimal responses to interventions. Members reported
      participating in a COPD MDT as very useful (74%) or useful (20%). Meetings could
      be improved by ensuring attendance through requirement in job plans, by clear
      documentation and sharing of derived plans with a wider audience including
      general practitioners and patients.

PMID- 26263194
TI  - Sequence-dependent cluster analysis of biomineralization peptides.
AB  - A reliable and statistically valid classification of biomineralization peptides
      is herein presented. 27 biomineralization peptides (BMPep) were randomly selected
      as representative samples to establish the classification system using k-means
      method. These biomineralization peptides were either discovered through isolation
      from various organisms or via phage display. Our findings show that there are two
      types of biomineralization peptides based on their length, molecular weight,
      heterogeneity, and aliphatic residues. Type-1 BMPeps are more commonly found and
      exhibit higher values for these significant clustering variables. In contrast are
      the type-2 BMPeps, which have lower values for these parameters and are less
      common. Through our clustering analysis, a more efficient and systematic approach
      in BMPep selection is possible since previous methods of BMPep classification are
      unreliable. 

PMID- 26263195
TI  - Inhibitory effects of N,N,N-trimethyl phytosphingosine-iodide on melanogenesis
      via ERK activation-mediated MITF degradation.
AB  - N,N,N-trimethyl phytosphingosine-iodide (TMP) was recently developed as an
      antitumor agent. We examined the effects of TMP on melanogenesis and its related
      signaling pathways in normal human melanocytes. Our results showed that melanin
      is significantly reduced in a dose-dependent manner in both cells following
      liposomal TMP treatment. We also investigated changes in the phosphorylation of
      extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), which is related to the degradation
      of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF). Our results indicated
      that liposomal TMP treatment leads to the phosphorylation of ERK, which reduces
      both MITF and tyrosinase protein levels. Treatment with PD98059, an ERK pathway
      specific inhibitor, restored liposomal TMP-induced reductions in melanin,
      abrogated reductions in tyrosinase activity, and downregulated MITF and
      tyrosinase protein. In conclusion, these results suggest that the inhibitory
      effects of TMP on melanogenesis are due to MITF and tyrosinase downregulation via
      ERK activation.

PMID- 26263196
TI  - Sequence and structural diversity of transferrin receptors in Gram-negative
      porcine pathogens.
AB  - Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, Actinobacillus suis, and Haemophilus parasuis
      are bacterial pathogens from the upper respiratory tract that are responsible for
      a substantial burden of porcine disease. Although reduction of disease has been
      accomplished by intensive management practices, immunization remains an important
      strategy for disease prevention, particularly when intensive management practices
      are not feasible or suitable. An attractive target for vaccine development is the
      surface receptor involved in acquiring iron from host transferrin, since it is
      common to all three pathogenic species and has been shown to be essential for
      survival and disease causation. It has also recently been demonstrated that an
      engineered antigen derived from the lipoprotein component of the receptor,
      transferrin-binding protein B (TbpB), was more effective at preventing infection
      by H. parasuis than a commercial vaccine product. This study was initiated to
      explore the genetic and immunogenic diversity of the transferrin receptor system
      from these species. Nucleic acid sequences were obtained from a geographically
      and temporally diverse collection of isolates, consisting of 41 A.
      pleuropneumoniae strains, 30 H. parasuis strains, and 2 A. suis strains.
      Phylogenetic analyses demonstrated that the receptor protein sequences cluster
      independently of species, suggesting that there is genetic exchange between these
      species such that receptor-based vaccines should logically target all three
      species. To evaluate the cross-reactive response of TbpB-derived antigens, pigs
      were immunized with the intact TbpB, the TbpB N-lobe and the TbpB C-lobe from A.
      pleuropneumoniae strain H49 and the resulting sera were tested against a
      representative panel of TbpBs; demonstrating that the C-lobe induces a broadly
      cross-reactive response. Overall our results indicate that there is a common
      reservoir for transferrin receptor antigenic variation amongst these pathogens.
      While this could present a challenge to future vaccine development, our results
      suggest a rationally designed TbpB-based vaccine may provide protection against
      all three pathogens. 

PMID- 26263197
TI  - Polymeric micro/nanoparticles: Particle design and potential vaccine delivery
      applications.
AB  - Particle based adjuvant showed promising signs on delivering antigen to immune
      cells and acting as stimulators to elicit preventive or therapeutic response.
      Nevertheless, the wide size distribution of available polymeric particles has so
      far obscured the immunostimulative effects of particle adjuvant, and compromised
      the progress in pharmacological researches. To conquer this hurdle, our research
      group has carried out a series of researches regarding the particulate vaccine,
      by taking advantage of the successful fabrication of polymeric particles with
      uniform size. In this review, we highlight the insight and practical progress
      focused on the effects of physiochemical property (e.g. particle size, charge,
      hydrophobicity, surface chemical group, and particle shape) and antigen loading
      mode on the resultant biological/immunological outcome. The underlying mechanisms
      of how the particles-based vaccine functioned in the immune system are also
      discussed. Based on the knowledge, particles with high antigen payload and
      optimized attributes could be designed for expected adjuvant purpose, leading to
      the development of high efficient vaccine candidates. 

PMID- 26263198
TI  - The incidence of childhood and adolescent seizures in the UK from 1999 to 2011: A
      retrospective cohort study using the Clinical Practice Research Datalink.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In postmarketing vaccine surveillance, adverse events observed in a
      vaccinated population are compared to the number expected based on a background
      incidence rate. The background rate should be accurate and obtained from a
      population comparable to the one vaccinated. Such rates are often not available.
      METHODS: The incidence rate of generalised convulsive, febrile and afebrile
      seizures was estimated in individuals born after 01-January-1998 and aged between
      2 months and 15 years of age using the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink
      (1999-2011). RESULTS: The study population consisted of 1532,992 individuals
      (4917,369 person years (PY) of follow up). A total of 28,917 generalised
      convulsive seizure events were identified during follow-up, the overall incidence
      rate was 5.88 per 1000PY. Age specific rates increased sharply from 4/1000PY at 2
      months of age, peaked at 19/1000PY at 16 months and decreased until approximately
      6 years of age at which point they became relatively stable at 2/1000PY. 67% of
      GCSs were categorised as febrile: 56% using Read codes, 11% using free text.
      Febrile seizures accounted for the age trend in GCS, with rates peaking at
      16.1/1000PY at 16 months of age while afebrile seizure rates remained relatively
      stable across all ages (24 seizures per 1000PY). Analysis by first occurrence of
      febrile seizure showed a similar pattern, comparable to published studies on the
      incidence of seizures in childhood. DISCUSSION: The rates reported in this study
      could be used in the postmarketing surveillance of infant vaccines. However,
      given the variation across strata, and the potential underascertainment of
      seizure events presenting to A&E, care must be taken when interpreting and using
      these rates.

PMID- 26263199
TI  - Introduction. Maternal immunization - Promises and concerns.
AB  - In this issue of Vaccine, the maternal immunization platform as an approach to
      protect mothers and infants against diverse pathogens is presented. Potential
      vaccine targets and the safety, science, trial designs, ethical considerations,
      and international perspectives focusing on low and middle income countries (LMIC)
      are discussed. This information provides a timely update because maternal
      immunization is increasingly being considered as an intervention to prevent
      maternal and/or neonatal disease. Prioritization of vaccine targets for maternal
      immunization by researchers, public health officials and health care workers
      needs to begin now. 

PMID- 26263200
TI  - Catching-up with pentavalent vaccine: Exploring reasons behind lower rotavirus
      vaccine coverage in El Salvador.
AB  - Rotavirus vaccine was introduced in El Salvador in 2006 and is recommended to be
      given concomitantly with DTP-HepB-Haemophilus influenzae type b (pentavalent)
      vaccine at ages 2 months (upper age limit 15 weeks) and 4 months (upper age limit
      8 months) of age. However, rotavirus vaccination coverage continues to lag behind
      that of pentavalent vaccine, even in years when national rotavirus vaccine stock
      outs have not occurred. We analyzed factors associated with receipt of oral
      rotavirus vaccine among children who received at least 2 doses of pentavalent
      vaccine in a stratified cluster survey of children aged 24-59 months conducted in
      El Salvador in 2011. Vaccine doses included were documented on vaccination cards
      (94.4%) or in health facility records (5.6%). Logistic regression and survival
      analysis were used to assess factors associated with vaccination status and age
      at vaccination. Receipt of pentavalent vaccine by age 15 weeks was associated
      with rotavirus vaccination (OR: 5.1; 95% CI 2.7, 9.4), and receipt of the second
      pentavalent dose by age 32 weeks was associated with receipt of two rotavirus
      vaccine doses (OR: 5.0; 95% CI 2.1-12.3). Timely coverage with the first
      pentavalent vaccine dose was 88.2% in the 2007 cohort and 91.1% in the 2008
      cohort (p=0.04). Children born in 2009, when a four-month national rotavirus
      vaccine stock-out occurred, had an older median age of receipt of rotavirus
      vaccine and were less likely to receive rotavirus on the same date as the same
      dose of pentavalent vaccine than children born in 2007 and 2008. Upper age limit
      recommendations for rotavirus vaccine administration contributed to suboptimal
      vaccination coverage. Survey data suggest that late rotavirus vaccination and co
      administration with later doses of pentavalent vaccine among children born in
      2009 helped increase rotavirus vaccine coverage following shortages. 

PMID- 26263201
TI  - Mapping T and B cell epitopes in sperm protein 17 to support the development of
      an ovarian cancer vaccine.
AB  - Ovarian cancer (OC) is the seventh most common cancer in women worldwide, and the
      leading cause of death from gynaecological malignancy. Immunotherapeutic
      strategies including cancer vaccines are considered less toxic and more specific
      than current treatments. Sperm surface protein (Sp17) is a protein aberrantly
      expressed in primary as well as in metastatic lesions in >83% of ovarian cancer
      patients. Vaccines based on the Sp17 protein are immunogenic and protective in
      animal models. To map the immunogenic regions and support the development of
      human Sp17 peptide based vaccines, we used 6 overlapping peptides of the human
      Sp17 sequence adjuvanted with CpG to immunise humanised HLA-A2.1 transgenic
      C57BL/6 mice, and assessed immunogenicity by ELISPOT and ELISA. No CD8 T cells
      were found to be induced to a comprehensive panel of 10 HLA-A2.1 or H-2K(b)
      binding predicted epitopes. However, one of the 6 peptides, hSp17111-142, induced
      high levels of antibodies and IFN-gamma producing T cells (but not IL-17 or IL-4)
      both in C57BL/6 and in C57BL/6-HLA-A2.1 transgenic mice. C57BL/6 mice immunised
      with CpG adjuvanted hSp17111-142 significantly prolonged the life-span of the
      mice bearing the ovarian carcinoma ID8 cell line. We further mapped the immuno
      dominant B and T cell epitope regions within hSp17111-142 using ELISPOT and
      competition ELISA. Herein, we report the identification of a single immuno
      dominant B cell (134-142 aa) epitope and 2 T helper 1 (Th1) cell epitopes (111
      124 aa and 124-138 aa). These result together support further exploration of
      hSp17111-142 peptide formulations as vaccines against ovarian cancer. 

PMID- 26263202
TI  - Binocular versus standard occlusion or blurring treatment for unilateral
      amblyopia in children aged three to eight years.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Current treatments for amblyopia in children, occlusion and
      pharmacological blurring, have had limited success, with less than two-thirds of
      children achieving good visual acuity of at least 0.20 logMAR in the amblyopic
      eye, limited improvement of stereopsis, and poor compliance. A new treatment
      approach, based on the dichoptic presentation of movies or computer games (images
      presented separately to each eye), may yield better results, as it aims to
      balance the input of visual information from each eye to the brain. Compliance
      may also improve with these more child-friendly treatment procedures. OBJECTIVES:
      To determine whether binocular treatments in children aged three to eight years
      with unilateral amblyopia result in better visual outcomes than conventional
      occlusion or pharmacological blurring treatment. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the
      Cochrane Eyes and Vision Group Trials Register (last date of searches: 14 April
      2015), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; 2015, Issue
      3), Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid MEDLINE In-Process and Other Non-Indexed Citations, Ovid
      MEDLINE Daily, Ovid OLDMEDLINE (January 1946 to April 2015), EMBASE (January 1980
      to April 2015), the ISRCTN registry (www.isrctn.com/editAdvancedSearch),
      ClinicalTrials.gov (www.clinicaltrials.gov), and the World Health Organization
      (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP)
      (www.who.int/ictrp/search/en). We did not use any date or language restrictions
      in the electronic searches for trials. SELECTION CRITERIA: Two review authors
      independently screened the results of the search in order to identify studies
      that met the inclusion criteria of the review: randomised controlled trials
      (RCTs) that enrolled participants between the ages of three and eight years old
      with unilateral amblyopia, defined as best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) worse
      than 0.200 logMAR in the amblyopic eye, and BCVA 0.200 logMAR or better in the
      fellow eye, in the presence of an amblyogenic risk factor such as anisometropia,
      strabismus, or both. Prior to enrolment, participants were to have undergone a
      cycloplegic refraction and comprehensive ophthalmic examination including fundal
      examination. In addition, participants had to have completed a period of optical
      treatment, if indicated, and BCVA in the amblyopic eye had to remain unchanged on
      two consecutive assessments despite reportedly good compliance with glasses
      wearing. Participants were not to have received any treatment other than optical
      treatment prior to enrolment. We planned to include any type of binocular viewing
      intervention; these could be delivered on different devices including computer
      monitors viewed with LCD shutter glasses or hand-held screens including mobile
      phone screens with lenticular prism overlay. Control groups were to have received
      standard amblyopia treatment; this could include occlusion or pharmacological
      blurring of the better-seeing eye. We planned to include full-time (all waking
      hours) and part-time (between 1 and 12 hours a day) occlusion regimens. DATA
      COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We planned to use standard methodological procedures
      expected by The Cochrane Collaboration. We had planned to meta-analyse the
      primary outcome, that is mean distance BCVA in the amblyopic eye at 12 months
      after the cessation of treatment. MAIN RESULTS: We could identify no RCTs in this
      subject area. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Further research is required to allow
      decisions about implementation of binocular treatments for amblyopia in clinical
      practice. Currently there are no clinical trials offering standardised evidence
      of the safety and effectiveness of binocular treatments, but results from non
      controlled cohort studies are encouraging. Future research should be conducted in
      the form of RCTs, using acknowledged methods of visual acuity and stereoacuity
      assessment with known reproducibility. Other important outcome measures include
      outcomes reported by users, compliance with treatment, and recurrence of
      amblyopia after cessation of treatment.

PMID- 26263203
TI  - [The psychiatric association accepts antroposophical homeopathy].

PMID- 26263204
TI  - [The Medical Products Agency's referral is about patient safety].

PMID- 26263205
TI  - [Well-planned excisions--and cookies].

PMID- 26263207
TI  - Developing Brain Injury Interventions on Both Ends of the Treatment Continuum
      Depends Upon Early Research Partnerships and Feasibility Studies.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this research article is to describe two very different
      lines of brain injury treatment research, both of which illuminate the benefits
      of implementation science. METHOD: The article first describes the development
      and pilot of a computerized cognitive intervention and highlights how adherence
      to implementation science principles improved the design of the intervention.
      Second, the article describes the application of implementation science to the
      development of assistive technology for cognition. RESULTS: The Consolidated
      Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR; Damschroder et al., 2009) and the
      menu of implementation research strategies by Powell et al. (2012) provide a
      roadmap for cognitive rehabilitation researchers to attend to factors in the
      implementation climate that can improve the development, usability, and
      adoptability of new treatment methods. CONCLUSION: Attention to implementation
      science research principles has increased the feasibility and efficacy of both
      impairment-based cognitive rehabilitation programs and assistive technology for
      cognition.

PMID- 26263206
TI  - Nbs1 ChIP-Seq Identifies Off-Target DNA Double-Strand Breaks Induced by AID in
      Activated Splenic B Cells.
AB  - Activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) is required for initiation of Ig
      class switch recombination (CSR) and somatic hypermutation (SHM) of antibody
      genes during immune responses. AID has also been shown to induce chromosomal
      translocations, mutations, and DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) involving non-Ig
      genes in activated B cells. To determine what makes a DNA site a target for AID
      induced DSBs, we identify off-target DSBs induced by AID by performing chromatin
      immunoprecipitation (ChIP) for Nbs1, a protein that binds DSBs, followed by deep
      sequencing (ChIP-Seq). We detect and characterize hundreds of off-target AID
      dependent DSBs. Two types of tandem repeats are highly enriched within the Nbs1
      binding sites: long CA repeats, which can form Z-DNA, and tandem pentamers
      containing the AID target hotspot WGCW. These tandem repeats are not nearly as
      enriched at AID-independent DSBs, which we also identified. Msh2, a component of
      the mismatch repair pathway and important for genome stability, increases off
      target DSBs, similar to its effect on Ig switch region DSBs, which are required
      intermediates during CSR. Most of the off-target DSBs are two-ended, consistent
      with generation during G1 phase, similar to DSBs in Ig switch regions. However, a
      minority are one-ended, presumably due to conversion of single-strand breaks to
      DSBs during replication. One-ended DSBs are repaired by processes involving
      homologous recombination, including break-induced replication repair, which can
      lead to genome instability. Off-target DSBs, especially those present during S
      phase, can lead to chromosomal translocations, deletions and gene amplifications,
      resulting in the high frequency of B cell lymphomas derived from cells that
      express or have expressed AID. 

PMID- 26263208
TI  - Facile synthesis of partially uncapped liposomes.
AB  - Sophisticated control of the assembly of nano-sized structures to achieve desired
      properties is one of the most efficient techniques in drug carrier design. In
      this study, we hypothesized that under magnetic shear stress, high-density
      superparamagnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles dispersed in a liposome would apply a high
      load in a particular direction to a liposome membrane and ultimately generate
      open lipid bilayer holes. Indeed, the designed experimental conditions enabled
      the formation of one or multiple open pore sites in liposome membranes. With this
      evidence, open lipid bilayer holes in liposome membranes were further used as
      open entrances for proteins (bovine serum albumin or insulin) into the liposomes
      prior to the natural recovery (i.e., closing) of the lipid bilayer holes. This
      trial will provide potential opportunities for the engineering of functional
      liposomes for protein drug delivery. 

PMID- 26263209
TI  - Transdermal treatment of the surgical and burned wound skin via phytochemical
      capped gold nanoparticles.
AB  - The biological activities and therapeutic potential of phytochemical-decorated Au
      nanoparticles (Phyto-AuNPs) were investigated through the treatment of Phyto
      AuNPs on the dorsal skin of rats via transdermal drug delivery process in order
      to regenerate surgical wounded and burned skin. Two different Phyto-AuNPs were
      applied to the dorsal skin: gallic acid-isoflavone--covered AuNPs (GI-AuNPs) and
      protocatechuic acid-isoflavone--covered AuNPs (PI-AuNPs). From the biological
      activity monitoring, it has been resulted that 5-fold thicker epidermis (ER), 50%
      reduction of metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) level, 3-fold higher superoxide
      dismutase (SOD) activity were obtained in the Phyto-AuNP-treated group, compared
      with a vehicle group (deionized water (DI-water) treatment). Moreover, the Phyto
      AuNPs treatment on the surgical and burn damaged Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats induced
      higher expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietin-2
      (Ang-2). It would be plausible that antioxidant property of Phyto-AuNPs assist
      the acceleration and activation of biomolecules in the healing mechanism, where
      Phyto-AuNPs can be potential candidates for skin regeneration and wound healing.

PMID- 26263210
TI  - Starch-based Pickering emulsions for topical drug delivery: A QbD approach.
AB  - Pickering emulsions are stabilized by solid particles instead of surfactants and
      have been widely investigated in pharmaceutical and cosmetic fields since they
      present less adverse effects than the classical emulsions. A quality by design
      (QbD) approach was applied to the production of w/o emulsions stabilized by
      starch. A screening design was conducted to identify the critical variables of
      the formula and the process affecting the critical quality properties of the
      emulsion (droplet size distribution). The optimization was made by establishing
      the Design Space, adjusting the concentration of starch and the quantity of the
      internal aqueous phase. The emulsion production process was, in turn, adjusted by
      varying the time and speed of stirring, to ensure quality and minimum
      variability. The stability was also investigated, demonstrating that an increase
      in starch concentration improves the stability of the emulsion. Rheological and
      mechanical studies indicated that the viscosity of the emulsions was enhanced by
      the addition of starch and, to a higher extent, by the presence of different
      lipids. The developed formulations was considered non-irritant, by an in vitro
      assay using human cells from skin (Df and HaCat) with the cell viability higher
      than 90% and, with self-preserving properties. Finally, the QbD approach
      successfully built quality in Pickering emulsions, allowing the development of
      hydrophilic drug-loaded emulsions stabilized by starch with desired organoleptic
      and structural characteristics. The results obtained suggest that these systems
      are a promising vehicle to be used in products for topical administration. 

PMID- 26263211
TI  - Femtomolar oligonucleotide detection by a one-step gold nanoparticle-based assay.
AB  - A sequence-specific oligonucleotide detection method based on the tail-to-tail
      aggregation of functionalized gold nanoparticles in the presence of target
      analytes is presented together with its optimization and capabilities for
      detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). In this single-step method,
      capture probes are freely accessible for hybridization, resulting in an improved
      assay performance compared to substrate-based assays. The analytes bring the
      nanoparticles close to each other via hybridization, causing a red shift of the
      nanoparticle plasmon peak detected by a spectrophotometer or CCD camera coupled
      to a darkfield imaging system. Optimal conditions for the assay were found to be
      (i) use of capture probes complementary to the target without any gap, (ii)
      maximum possible probe density on the gold nanoparticles, and (iii) 1M ionic
      strength buffer. The optimized assay has a 1 fM limit of detection and fM to 10
      pM dynamic range, with detection of perfect match sequences being three orders of
      magnitude more sensitive than targets with single nucleotide mismatches.

PMID- 26263212
TI  - Photoluminescent PEG based comacromers as excitation dependent fluorophores for
      biomedical applications.
AB  - We report a novel multi-modal biodegradable photoluminescent comacromer
      [poly(propylene fumarate)-PEG-glycine] (PLM) having excitation-dependent
      fluorescence (EDF) for biomedical applications. The photoluminescence of the
      synthesized PLM in aqueous and solid state condition, fluorescence life time and
      photo stability were evaluated. Hydrogels and nanogels were prepared from the PLM
      by cross linking with acrylic acid. Nanogels exhibited spherical morphology with
      a particle size of 100 nm as evaluated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
      In vitro cytotoxic and hemolytic studies revealed cytocompatibility. Furthermore,
      cellular imaging of nanogels on L929 fibroblast and Hela cell lines revealed EDF
      characteristics. We hypothesize that the EDF characteristics of the synthesized
      PLM may be attributed to the presence of n-pi* interactions of the hydroxyl
      oxygen atoms of PEG with carbonyl groups of the ester linkages. Taken together,
      our results indicate that the synthesized PEG-based comacromer can serve as
      biocompatible fluorophores for various biomedical applications. More importantly,
      the facile way of synthesizing fluorescent polymers based on PEG with EDF
      characteristics demonstrated in this work can pave the way for developing more
      novel biocompatible fluorophores with wide range of biomedical applications.

PMID- 26263213
TI  - Preparation of self-assembled core-shell nano structure of conjugated generation
      4.5 poly (amidoamine) dendrimer and monoclonal Anti-IL-6 antibody as bioimaging
      probe.
AB  - In this article, interleukin-6 (IL-6)-conjugated anionic generation 4.5 (G4.5)
      poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) was synthesized through EDC/NHS coupling chemistry and
      evaluated for its optical properties in vitro. Conjugation was confirmed using
      Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and 2-dimensional nuclear
      magnetic resonance (2D NMR). After IL-6 conjugation, nanoparticle size increased
      to approximately 70 nm and zeta potential increased from -56.5 +/- 0.2 to -19.1
      +/- 2.4 mV due to neutralization of negatively charged G4.5. Wide-angle X-ray
      scattering (WAXS) suggested that a layered nanoparticle structure was formed by
      the G4.5/IL-6 conjugate. Most interestingly, the intrinsic fluorescence of G4.5
      significantly increased after IL-6 conjugation and underwent a blue shift as a
      result of H-aggregation. Furthermore, the cellular uptake of the conjugates by
      HeLa cells was significantly enhanced in comparison to free G4.5, as demonstrated
      by confocal microscopy and flow cytometry. These results indicated that the
      described system may be a potential bioimaging probe in vitro.

PMID- 26263214
TI  - Probing the binding of trypsin to glutathione-stabilized gold nanoparticles in
      aqueous solution.
AB  - We investigate the interaction of trypsin with glutathione-stabilized Au
      nanoparticles (NPs) using fluorescence, synchronous fluorescence and ultraviolet
      (UV) absorption spectroscopy. We find that trypsin binds strongly to the Au NPs
      with a static quenching mechanism, and that the interaction is characteristic of
      positive cooperative binding. Furthermore, we determine the binding constants and
      the thermodynamic parameters, which suggest that the main binding forces between
      the glutathione-stabilized Au NPs and trypsin are electrostatic interactions and
      hydrogen bonding. Analysis of UV-vis absorption spectra suggests that aggregation
      of the Au NPs occurs in the trypsin/Au NPs system, which significantly alters the
      conformation of the protein. 

PMID- 26263215
TI  - Water structure at the interfaces between a zwitterionic self-assembled
      monolayer/liquid water evaluated by sum-frequency generation spectroscopy.
AB  - A silane coupling agent having a zwitterionic end group was covalently bound to a
      semi-cylindrical fused silica prism for sum-frequency generation (SFG) analyses
      and to a flat glass for estimating biological affinity. It was found that total
      intensity of the -derived from water in contact with a positively or negatively
      charged SAM-modified surface and a bare silica prism. These results indicated
      that water molecules in the vicinity of the zwitterionic SAM-modified surface are
      not strongly oriented in comparison with those of lopsidedly charged SAMs and
      bare silica. Moreover, the zwitterionic SAM surface suppressed non-specific
      adsorption of bovine serum albumin in contrast to the significant adsorption to
      lopsidedly charged SAMs and the bare cover glass. On the other hand, fibroblasts
      gradually adhered to the SAM surfaces and extended regardless of the electrical
      charge of the SAM, though the number of cells that adhered to the zwitterionic
      SAM was the smallest. The results strongly suggested that the charge
      neutralization of a solid material surface is very important for anti-biofouling
      properties.

PMID- 26263217
TI  - Micellar carriers for the delivery of multiple therapeutic agents.
AB  - Multi-drug therapy is described as a simultaneous or sequential administration of
      two or more drugs with similar or different mechanisms of action and is
      recognized as a more efficient solution to combat successfully, various ailments.
      Polymeric micelles (PMs) are self-assemblies of block copolymers providing
      numerous opportunities for drug delivery. To date various micellar formulations
      were studied for delivery of drugs, nutraceuticals and genes; a few of them are
      in clinical trials. It was observed that there is an immense need for the
      development of PMs embedding multiple therapeutic agents to combat various
      ailments, including cancers, HIV/AIDS, malaria, multiple sclerosis, hypertension,
      infectious diseases, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, immune disorders and
      many psychiatric disorders. Several combinations of drug-drug, drug
      nutraceutical, drug-gene and drug-siRNA explored to date are detailed in this
      review, with a special emphasis on their potential and future perspectives. A
      summary of various preparation methods, characterization techniques and
      applications of PMs are also provided. This review presents a holistic approach
      on multi-drug delivery using micellar carriers and emphasizes on the development
      of therapeutic hybrids embedding novel combinations for safer and effective
      therapy. 

PMID- 26263218
TI  - Robust fluorescence sensing platform for detection of CD44 cells based on
      graphene oxide/gold nanoparticles.
AB  - Gold-coated graphene oxide hybrid material (GO/AuNPs) has exceptional physical
      and chemical properties like pi-pi stacking interaction and plays a role in
      quencher of fluorescence dye. Therefore, GO/AuNPs could enhance the signal-to
      background ratio with fluorescence dye that was the point in this fluorescent
      biosensor. In this study, tetramethyl-6-carboxy-rhodamine (TAMRA)-labeled
      aptamers that specifically interact with the hyaluronic acid binding domain of
      CD44 were used as targets to investigate the applicability of the method.
      GO/AuNPs-TAMRA-aptamer complexes could detect CD44 target cancer cells within a
      concentration range of 1 * 10(1) to 1 * 10(7) CFU/mL. A linear relationship was
      observed between target cell concentration and relative fluorescence intensity.
      The more mounted up CD44 target cell concentrations, relative fluorescence
      intensity of GO/AuNPs-TAMRA-aptamer complexes was increased even more, which was
      superior to that of GO alone. Sensitivity of the detection system displayed a low
      detection limit of 1 * 10(1) CFU/mL. Additionally, this method is specific in
      that fluorescence is not much enhanced in CD44 negative cancer cell line. Thus,
      the fluorescence sensing based on GO/AuNPs could be developed to receptive and
      robust detection tool for various target molecules.

PMID- 26263216
TI  - Non-covalent complexes of folic acid and oleic acid conjugated polyethylenimine:
      An efficient vehicle for antisense oligonucleotide delivery.
AB  - Polyethylenimine (PEI) was conjugated to oleic acid (PEI-OA) and evaluated as a
      delivery agent for LOR-2501, an antisense oligonucleotide against ribonucleotide
      reductase R1 subunit. PEI-OA/LOR-2501 complexes were further coated with folic
      acid (FA/PEI-OA/LOR-2501) and evaluated in tumor cells. The level of cellular
      uptake of FA/PEI-OA/LOR-2501 was more than double that of PEI/LOR-2501 complexes,
      and was not affected by the expression level of folate receptor (FR) on the cell
      surface. Efficient delivery was seen in several cell lines. Furthermore, pathway
      specific cellular internalization inhibitors and markers were used to reveal the
      principal mechanism of cellular uptake. FA/PEI-OA/LOR-2501 significantly induced
      the downregulation of R1 mRNA and R1 protein. This novel formulation of FA/PEI-OA
      provides a reliable and highly efficient method for delivery of oligonucleotide
      and warrants further investigation. 

PMID- 26263219
TI  - Structure, molecular simulation, and release of aspirin from intercalated Zn-Al
      layered double hydroxides.
AB  - Aspirin or acetylsalicylic acid (AA), a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, is
      intercalated into Zn-Al-layered double hydroxides (ZnAl-LDHs) by co-precipitation
      and reconstruction methods. The composition, structure, and morphology of the
      intercalated products as well as their release behavior are determined
      experimentally and theoretically by Material Studio 5.5. Experimental results
      disclose the strong interaction between the LDHs sheets and AA in the
      intercalated ZnAl-LDHs produced by co-precipitation and slow release of AA from
      the intercalated ZnAl-LDHs in both phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and borate
      buffered saline (BBS) solutions. The percentage of AA released from the ZnAl-LDHs
      prepared by both methods in PBS (96.87% and 98.12%) are much more than those in
      BBS (68.59% and 81.22%) implying that both H4BO4(-) and H2PO4(-) can exchange
      with AA in the ZnAl-LDHs. After AA is released to PBS, ZnAl-LDHs break into small
      pieces. The experimental results are explained theoretically based on the
      calculation of the bonding energy between the anions and LDHs sheets as well as
      the AlO bond length change in the LDHs sheets. 

PMID- 26263220
TI  - Reversibility of the interactions between a novel surfactant derived from lysine
      and biomolecules.
AB  - In this work the novel cationic surfactant derived from lysine (S)-5-acetamido-6
      (dodecylamino)-N,N,N-trimethyl-6-oxohexan-1-ammonium chloride, LYCl, was prepared
      and the physicochemical characterization of its aqueous solutions was carried
      out. The binding of LYCl to bovine serum albumin, BSA, and to double stranded
      calf thymus DNA, ctDNA, was investigated using several techniques. Results show
      that LYCl binding to BSA is followed by a decrease in the alpha-helix content
      caused by the unfolding of the protein. LYCl association to ctDNA mainly occurs
      through groove binding and electrostatic interactions. These interactions cause
      morphological changes in the polynucleotide from an elongated coil structure to a
      more compact globular structure, resulting in the compaction of ctDNA. Addition
      of beta-cyclodextrin, beta-CD, to the BSA-LYCl and ctDNA-LYCl complexes is
      followed by the refolding of BSA and the decompaction of ctDNA. This can be
      explained by the ability of beta-CD to hinder BSA-LYCl and ctDNA-LYCl
      interactions due to the stronger and more specific beta-CD-LYCl hydrophobic
      interactions. The stoichiometry of the beta-CD:LYCl inclusion complex and its
      formation equilibrium constant were determined in this work. The reported
      procedure using beta-CD is an efficient way to refold proteins and to decompact
      DNA, after the morphological changes caused in the biomolecules by their
      interaction with cationic surfactants. 

PMID- 26263221
TI  - Simultaneous encapsulation of magnetic nanoparticles and zinc phthalocyanine in
      poly(methyl methacrylate) nanoparticles by miniemulsion polymerization and in
      vitro studies.
AB  - The aim of this work was the simultaneous encapsulation of magnetic nanoparticles
      (MNPs) and zinc(II) phthalocyanine (ZnPc) in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)
      (MNPsZnPc-PMMA) nanoparticles (NPs) by miniemulsion polymerization and to
      evaluate the photobiological activity and/or hyperthermia (HPT) against human
      glioblastoma cells (U87MG). MNPsZnPc-PMMA NPs presented an average diameter of
      104 +/- 2.5 nm with a polydispersity index (PdI) of 0.14 +/- 0.03 and negative
      surface charge - 47 +/- 2.2 mV (pH 7.4 +/- 0.1). The encapsulation efficiency
      (EE%) of ZnPc was 85.7% +/- 1.30. The release of ZnPc from PMMA NPs was slow and
      sustained without the presence of burst effect, indicating a homogeneous
      distribution of the drug in the polymeric matrix. In the biological assay,
      MNPsZnPc-PMMA NPs showed considerable cytotoxic effect on U87MG cells only after
      activation with visible light at 675 nm (photodynamic therapy, PDT) or after
      application of an alternating magnetic field. The simultaneous encapsulation of
      MNPs and ZnPc in a drug delivery system with sustained release can be a new
      alternative for cancer treatment leading to significant tumor regression after
      minimum doses of heat dissipation and light.

PMID- 26263222
TI  - Preparation of photoreactive phospholipid polymer nanoparticles to immobilize and
      release protein by photoirradiation.
AB  - Photoreactive and cytocompatible polymer nanoparticles for immobilizing and
      releasing proteins were prepared. A water-soluble and amphiphilic phospholipid
      polymer, poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC)-co-n-butyl
      methacrylate (BMA)-co-4-(4-(1-methacryloyloxyethyl)-2-methoxy-5-nitrophenoxy)
      butyric acid (PL)) (PMB-PL) was synthesized. The PMB-PL underwent a cleavage
      reaction at the PL unit with photoirradiation at a wavelength of 365 nm.
      Additionally, the PMB-PL took polymer aggregate in aqueous medium and was used to
      modify the surface of biodegradable poly(L-lactic acid) (PLA) nanoparticle as an
      emulsifier. The morphology of the PMB-PL/PLA nanoparticle was spherical and
      approximately 130 nm in diameter. The carboxylic acid group in the PL unit could
      immobilize proteins by covalent bonding. The bound proteins were released by a
      photoinduced cleavage reaction. Within 60s, up to 90% of the immobilized proteins
      was released by photoirradiation. From these results and with an understanding of
      the fundamental properties of MPC polymers, we concluded that PMB-PL/PLA
      nanoparticles have the potential to be used as smart carriers to deliver proteins
      to biological systems, such as the inside of living cells.

PMID- 26263224
TI  - Emotion, philosophical issues about.
AB  - We start this overview by discussing the place of emotions within the broader
      affective domain-how different are emotions from moods, sensations, and affective
      dispositions? Next, we examine the way emotions relate to their objects,
      emphasizing in the process their intimate relations to values. We move from this
      inquiry into the nature of emotion to an inquiry into their epistemology. Do they
      provide reasons for evaluative judgments and, more generally, do they contribute
      to our knowledge of values? We then address the question of the social dimension
      of emotions, explaining how the traditional nature versus nurture contrast
      applies to them. We finish by exploring the relations between emotions,
      motivation and action, concluding this overview with a more specific focus on how
      these relations bear on some central ethical issues.

PMID- 26263223
TI  - The Relationships of Obesity-Related Genetic Variants With Metabolic Profiles and
      Response to Metformin in Clozapine-Treated Patients With Schizophrenia.
AB  - Obesity-related genetic variants, including TMEM18 (rs6548238), SH2B1
      (rs7498665), and GNPDA2 (rs10938397), have been shown to be associated with
      obesity in the general population. Our study aimed to test whether these genetic
      variants are associated with metabolic profiles and metformin treatment response
      in clozapine-treated schizophrenic patients. We recruited 107 clozapine-treated
      patients who were genotyped and measured their metabolic profiles. Fifty-five
      subjects, who had at least 1 metabolic abnormality in a range of measures, were
      subsequently randomized to a 24-week trial of metformin (n = 28) or placebo (n =
      27). We examined the associations between TMEM18, SH2B1, GNPDA2 genetic variants
      and metabolic profiles at baseline in all patients and metabolic changes in the
      trial groups. We found a significant association between SH2B1 and blood pressure
      at baseline in all patients. In the metformin group, TMEM18 minor allele carriers
      had a greater reduction in insulin levels (P = 0.04). A significantly higher
      proportion of TMEM18 and GNPDA2 minor allele carriers (60% and 40%) lost more
      than 7% of their body weight after metformin treatment as compared with their
      homozygous counterparts (21.7% and 15.4%, P = 0.02 and 0.004, respectively).There
      were trends toward favorable metabolic changes in minor allele carrier groups. In
      the placebo group, no association between genetic variants and changes in
      metabolic profiles was found. In conclusion, the study results suggest that these
      genes might be associated with metabolic abnormalities and response to metformin
      in clozapine-treated patients with schizophrenia.

PMID- 26263225
TI  - Human collective reactions to threat.
AB  - A common assumption regarding mass emergency situations is that individuals in
      such contexts behave in a way that maximizes their likelihood to escape, at the
      expense, or with little concern for, the welfare and survival of their neighbors.
      Doing so, they might even compromise the effectiveness of group evacuation. This
      conception follows the views of early works on crowd psychology, a tradition born
      with Gustave Le Bon's The Crowd: a study of the Popular Mind, first published in
      1895, and which has had a tremendous impact on scientific representations of
      people's behavior in mass emergency contexts. Indeed, this work has greatly
      contributed to the idea that, in such situations, people revert to a primitive,
      impulsive, irrational, and antisocial nature, causing the breakdown of social
      order. However, more empirically oriented studies have consistently reported
      little collective panic, as well as a great deal of solidarity and pro-social
      behavior during mass emergency situations. Because of institutional barriers,
      such views have remained largely unknown to cognitive psychologists. Yet these
      are important results in that they show that human individual and collective
      reactions to threat are primarily affiliative. Indeed, far from leading to the
      breakdown of the social fabrics, the presence of a common threat can strengthen
      social bonds.

PMID- 26263226
TI  - Educational neuroscience: definitional, methodological, and interpretive issues.
AB  - In this study, we hope to accomplish three aims as follows: (1) provide greater
      clarity regarding the nature and scope of the field of educational neuroscience,
      (2) propose a framework for understanding when and how neuroscientific research
      could be informative for educational practice, and (3) describe some examples of
      neuroscientific findings from the domains of reading and mathematics that are
      informative according to this framework. We propose that psychological models of
      learning-related processes should be the basis of instructional decisions, and
      that neuroscientific evidence in combination with traditional evidence from
      psychological experiments should be used to decide among competing psychological
      models. Our review of the neuroscientific evidence for both reading and
      mathematics suggests that while much has been learned over the past 20 years,
      there is still a 'disconnect' between contemporary psychological models that
      emphasize higher level skills and neuroscientific studies that focus on lower
      level skills. Moreover, few researchers have used neuroscientific evidence to
      decide among psychological models, but have focused instead on identifying the
      brain regions that subtend component skills of reading and math. Nevertheless,
      neuroscientific studies have confirmed the intrinsic relationship between reading
      and spoken language, revealed interesting predictive relationships between
      anatomical structures and reading and math disabilities, and there is the
      potential for fruitful collaborations between neuroscientists and psychologists
      in the future.

PMID- 26263227
TI  - Connectionist perspectives on language learning, representation and processing.
AB  - The field of formal linguistics was founded on the premise that language is
      mentally represented as a deterministic symbolic grammar. While this approach has
      captured many important characteristics of the world's languages, it has also led
      to a tendency to focus theoretical questions on the correct formalization of
      grammatical rules while also de-emphasizing the role of learning and statistics
      in language development and processing. In this review we present a different
      approach to language research that has emerged from the parallel distributed
      processing or 'connectionist' enterprise. In the connectionist framework, mental
      operations are studied by simulating learning and processing within networks of
      artificial neurons. With that in mind, we discuss recent progress in
      connectionist models of auditory word recognition, reading, morphology, and
      syntactic processing. We argue that connectionist models can capture many
      important characteristics of how language is learned, represented, and processed,
      as well as providing new insights about the source of these behavioral patterns.
      Just as importantly, the networks naturally capture irregular (non-rule-like)
      patterns that are common within languages, something that has been difficult to
      reconcile with rule-based accounts of language without positing separate
      mechanisms for rules and exceptions.

PMID- 26263228
TI  - Pretend play.
AB  - Pretend play is a form of playful behavior that involves nonliteral action.
      Although on the surface this activity appears to be merely for fun, recent
      research has discovered that children's pretend play has connections to important
      cognitive and social skills, such as symbolic thinking, theory of mind, and
      counterfactual reasoning. The current article first defines pretend play and then
      reviews the arguments and evidence for these three connections. Pretend play has
      a nonliteral correspondence to reality, hence pretending may provide children
      with practice with navigating symbolic relationships, which may strengthen their
      language skills. Pretend play and theory of mind reasoning share a focus on
      others' mental states in order to correctly interpret their behavior, hence
      pretending and theory of mind may be mutually supportive in development. Pretend
      play and counterfactual reasoning both involve representing nonreal states of
      affairs, hence pretending may facilitate children's counterfactual abilities.
      These connections make pretend play an important phenomenon in cognitive science:
      Studying children's pretend play can provide insight into these other abilities
      and their developmental trajectories, and thereby into human cognitive
      architecture and its development.

PMID- 26263230
TI  - Avian cognition: examples of sophisticated capabilities in space and song.
AB  - Although birds have traditionally and colloquially been considered less
      cognitively complex than mammals, and especially primates, more recent research
      has consistently refuted these assumptions. We argue that the impressive
      abilities of birds to navigate and communicate require considerable information
      processing capabilities. These capacities include collecting, organizing, and
      selecting from a wide variety of navigational cues to orient toward and find a
      goal location in the spatial domain, and utilizing open-ended categorization and
      possibly even abstract reasoning to discriminate species-specific acoustic
      features of songs and calls. Furthermore, these abilities may be present across
      many avian species, providing evidence for domain-general cognitive facilities.
      We provide examples of processes in spatial learning and communication in birds,
      and locate them within the general literature, as evidence that the term 'bird
      brain' should not be considered a pejorative.

PMID- 26263231
TI  - Human kin detection.
AB  - Natural selection has favored the evolution of behaviors that benefit not only
      one's genes, but also their copies in genetically related individuals. These
      behaviors include optimal outbreeding (choosing a mate that is neither too
      closely related, nor too distant), nepotism (helping kin), and spite (hurting non
      kin at a personal cost), and all require some form of kin detection or kin
      recognition. Yet, kinship cannot be assessed directly; human kin detection relies
      on heuristic cues that take into account individuals' context (whether they were
      reared by our mother, or grew up in our home, or were given birth by our spouse),
      appearance (whether they smell or look like us), and ability to arouse certain
      feelings (whether we feel emotionally close to them). The uncertainties of kin
      detection, along with its dependence on social information, create ample
      opportunities for the evolution of deception and self-deception. For example,
      babies carry no unequivocal stamp of their biological father, but across cultures
      they are passionately claimed to resemble their mother's spouse; to the same
      effect, 'neutral' observers are greatly influenced by belief in relatedness when
      judging resemblance between strangers. Still, paternity uncertainty profoundly
      shapes human relationships, reducing not only the investment contributed by
      paternal versus maternal kin, but also prosocial behavior between individuals who
      are related through one or more males rather than females alone. Because of its
      relevance to racial discrimination and political preferences, the evolutionary
      pressure to prefer kin to non-kin has a manifold influence on society at large.

PMID- 26263232
TI  - Linguistic capacity of non-human animals.
AB  - Linguists interested in language evolution tend to focus on combinatorial
      features and rightly point out the lack of comparable evidence in animal
      communication. However, human language is based on various unique capacities,
      such as a motor capacity of sophisticated vocal control and a cognitive capacity
      of acting on others' psychological states. These features are only present in
      very rudimentary forms in non-human primates, suggesting they have evolved more
      recently in the human lineage. Here, the evidence from recent fieldwork for
      precursors of these abilities is reviewed, notably sequence-based semantic
      communication, vocal tract control, and audience awareness. Overall, there is
      evidence for both continuity and discontinuity when comparing modern primate and
      human communication, suggesting that the origin of language is the result of
      multiple gradual transitions from earlier forms of primate-like communication and
      social cognition, rather than a sudden and fundamental redesign in ancestral
      human communication and cognition.

PMID- 26263229
TI  - fNIRS in the developmental sciences.
AB  - With the introduction of functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) into the
      experimental setting, developmental scientists have, for the first time, the
      capacity to investigate the functional activation of the infant brain in awake,
      engaged participants. The advantages of fNIRS clearly outweigh the limitations,
      and a description of how this technology is implemented in infant populations is
      provided. Most fNIRS research falls into one of three content domains: object
      processing, processing of biologically and socially relevant information, and
      language development. Within these domains, there are ongoing debates about the
      origins and development of human knowledge, making early neuroimaging
      particularly advantageous. The use of fNIRS has allowed investigators to begin to
      identify the localization of early object, social, and linguistic knowledge in
      the immature brain and the ways in which this changes with time and experience.
      In addition, there is a small but growing body of research that provides insight
      into the neural mechanisms that support and facilitate learning during the first
      year of life. At the same time, as with any emerging field, there are limitations
      to the conclusions that can be drawn on the basis of current findings. We offer
      suggestions as to how to optimize the use of this technology to answer questions
      of theoretical and practical importance to developmental scientists.

PMID- 26263233
TI  - The evolutionary diagnosis of mental disorder.
AB  - Medicalization of human behavioral diversity is a recurrent theme in the history
      of psychiatry, and the problem of defining what is a genuine mental disorder is
      an unresolved question since the origins of clinical psychopathology. Darwinian
      psychiatry can formulate a definition of mental disorder that is value free and
      based on factual criteria. From an evolutionary perspective, genuine mental
      disorders are maladaptive conditions. The ultimate function of an adaptation is
      gene propagation via maximization of survival and reproduction. It follows that a
      distressing and/or disabling psychological or behavioral syndrome is a
      psychiatric disorder only if it impacts negatively on the individual's inclusive
      fitness. However, in many cases, an evolutionary definition of disorder cannot be
      reconciled with current social values. Thus, clinicians adopting the evolutionary
      approach should conform to the prevailing trend of contemporary medicine and
      accept that their task is to be healers of the distressed, not watchdogs of
      biological adaptation. These pragmatic considerations do not minimize the
      scientific validity of the Darwinian definition of mental disorders. Probably,
      its major contribution to psychiatric theory is the elimination of the necessity
      to find a brain lesion or dysfunctional mechanism to validate the distinction
      between disorders and non-disorders.

PMID- 26263235
TI  - Impact of Infectious Diseases Team Consultation on Antimicrobial Use, Length of
      Stay and Mortality.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Infectious disease (ID) clinicians and multidisciplinary teams may
      have a beneficial impact on patient outcomes. This study was conducted to
      determine the impact of dedicated ID team rounding in an adult noncardiac
      intensive care unit (ICU) on antimicrobial costs, length of stay and mortality.
      METHODS: The authors instituted dedicated ICU ID team rounds at a large tertiary
      care hospital ICU ("intervention"), with the ID team conducting rounds in the ICU
      every weekday. The authors compared the cost of antimicrobial agents, total
      hospital and ICU length of stay and inpatient mortality for the 6-month period
      before and after institution of these rounds between those seen versus those not
      seen by the ID team. RESULTS: Among 386 patients analyzed, 206 were admitted in
      the preintervention and 180 in the postintervention period. Among those seen by
      the ID team, there was an 18% decrease in total antimicrobial cost (P < 0.0001),
      40% decrease in ICU length of stay (P = 0.1), 33% decrease in overall hospital
      length of stay (P = 0.03) and 34% decrease in mortality (0.04) from
      preintervention to postintervention period. Among those not seen by ID, there was
      a 39% decrease in cost among those not seen by ID (P < 0.0001), but length of ICU
      or hospital stay and mortality were not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS:
      Institution of dedicated ID team rounding in the ICU leads to substantial
      decreases in antimicrobial costs, hospital length of stay and inpatient mortality
      among those patients seen by the team.

PMID- 26263236
TI  - Comparison of Self-Rated Health Among Latina Immigrants in a Southern U.S. City
      and a National Sample.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In the United States, Latinos often report fair/poor self-rated
      health, which is an indicator for increased morbidity and mortality. Foreign-born
      Latinos in new immigrant destinations, such as the south, may rate their health
      more poorly than their counterparts elsewhere in the United States, because of
      the factors associated with migration and settlement in these communities.
      METHODS: The authors assessed foreign-born Latinas' self-rated health in
      Birmingham, Alabama (n = 765), and compared it with that of foreign-born Latinas
      in the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS; n = 8,746). Birmingham
      participants were matched to Latinas in the NHIS using propensity scores. The
      authors examined factors associated with reporting worse health using ordered
      logistic regression and inverse probability of treatment weights. RESULTS: After
      propensity score matching, 47.6% of foreign-born Latinas in the Birmingham study
      reported their health as fair/poor compared with 17.9% of foreign-born Latinas in
      the NHIS (P < 0.001). The association between being Mexican born versus from
      other countries with poorer health was stronger in the Birmingham study (odds
      ratio: 4.46 [95% CI: 1.91-10.4]) than in the NHIS (odds ratio: 1.09 [95% CI: 1.08
      1.09]). Shorter durations of U.S. residence were associated with better health
      for Latinas in the NHIS but not those in Birmingham. CONCLUSIONS: In this study
      of Latina immigrants in a new settlement community in the south, women reported
      worse health than foreign-born Latinas in other U.S. regions, suggesting they may
      be at increased risk of adverse health outcomes. Future studies are needed to
      better understand the factors associated with these differences to reduce
      morbidity and mortality burdens.

PMID- 26263237
TI  - Lipid Interventions in Aortic Valvular Disease.
AB  - Aortic valve stenosis is the most common valvular disease in the elderly
      population. Presently, there is increasing evidence that aortic stenosis (AS) is
      an active process of lipid deposition, inflammation, fibrosis and calcium
      deposition. The pathogenesis of AS shares many similarities to that of
      atherosclerosis; therefore, it was hypothesized that certain lipid interventions
      could prevent or slow the progression of aortic valve stenosis. Despite the early
      enthusiasm that statins may slow the progression of AS, recent large clinical
      trials did not consistently demonstrate a decrease in the progression of AS.
      However, some researchers believe that statins may have a benefit early on in the
      disease process, where inflammation (and not calcification) is the predominant
      process, in contrast to severe or advanced AS, where calcification (and not
      inflammation) predominates. Positron emission tomography using 18F
      fluorodeoxyglucose and 18F-sodium fluoride can demonstrate the relative
      contributions of valvular calcification and inflammation in AS, and thus this
      method might potentially be useful in providing the answer as to whether lipid
      interventions at the earlier stages of AS would be more effective in slowing the
      progression of the disease. Currently, there is a strong interest in recombinant
      apolipoprotein A-1 Milano and in the development of new pharmacological agents,
      targeting reduction of lipoprotein (a) levels and possibly reduction of the
      expression of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2, as potential means to slow
      the progression of aortic valvular stenosis. 

PMID- 26263238
TI  - Separation and identification of bioactive compounds in Anabasis articulata
      (Forsk) Moq. roots.
AB  - In the present paper, for the first time, we are interested to separate and
      identify some bioactive fractions isolated from the roots of a Saharan plant
      Anabasis articulata, which is widely used in traditional medicine against cancer.
      The crude methanolic extract of the roots was fractionated on column
      chromatography, and eluted with dichloromethane/methanol each time with
      increasing polarity of methanol; 17 fractions were separated. One of these
      fractions named F12 showed more antioxidant activity to scavenge DPPH free
      radical with percentage inhibition of 95.29%. F12 was separated by thin-layer
      chromatography (TLC) to give 12 compounds. A second preparative TLC of compound
      2, which has antioxidative activity of 74.92%, provided the three phenolic acids
      M1, M2 and M3, analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography and UV-visible
      spectrophotometry. 

PMID- 26263239
TI  - Synthesis of alpha-Functionalized Trichloromethylcarbinols.
AB  - A new series of alpha-functionalized trichloromethylcarbinols have been
      synthesized from corresponding alpha-halomethyl ketones, esters, and amides in 48
      78% overall yields. Reactivity of nitrates obtained in the first step was
      dependent on the electron-withdrawing nature of the functional groups, and
      increases with increasing electron deficiency. Synthetic applications of such
      trichloromethylcarbinols for the preparation of chloromethyl-alpha-diketones,
      trichloromethylated dihydrofurans, and enol acetates of alpha-functionalized acid
      chlorides have been demonstrated. The reaction of these compounds in the Jocic
      Reeve reaction was also demonstrated. 

PMID- 26263240
TI  - RESPONSE OF UVEAL METASTASES TO ALK INHIBITORS IN ALK-POSITIVE NON-SMALL-CELL
      LUNG CANCER.
AB  - PURPOSE: To present a case of uveal metastases in a patient with anaplastic
      lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive non-small-cell lung cancer and the response to
      systemic ALK inhibitors. METHODS: A retrospective case report. A 75-year-old
      nonsmoker who has ALK-positive left upper bronchus adenocarcinoma-developed uveal
      metastases during his course of treatment. RESULTS: Initially, the patient's
      disseminated malignancy showed a significant response to crizotinib. However,
      because the bone metastases started progressing again and he developed bilateral
      ocular metastases, he was switched to ceritinib. After initiation of ceritinib
      therapy, the uveal melanomas have shown a significant decrease in thickness and
      no new lesions have developed. CONCLUSION: ALK inhibitors are an effective first
      line treatment in patients with ALK-positive uveal metastases secondary to ALK
      positive non-small-cell lung cancer. Despite the fact that crizotinib, a first
      generation ALK inhibitor, is initially effective in dealing with non-small-cell
      lung cancer and its metastases, resistance to it seems to develop on a regular
      basis. A second-generation ALK inhibitor, such as ceritinib, is also effective in
      overcoming this resistance in treating those with ALK-positive uveal metastases.

PMID- 26263241
TI  - Chronotropic Incompetence and Dynamic Postexercise Autonomic Dysfunction Are
      Associated with the Presence and Severity of Erectile Dysfunction.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Exercise stress testing (EST) is crucial to determine cardiovascular
      (CV) risk in men with erectile dysfunction (ED). Low exercise workload, a slower
      rate of recovery following exercise, and an impaired capacity to increase heart
      rate (HR) during exercise testing (chronotropic incompetence) are independent
      predictors of adverse CV outcomes. Aim of this study was to investigate the
      association between ED and EST parameters. METHODS: A total of 180 ED patients
      and 50 men without ED underwent maximal EST. Exercise parameters including
      exercise capacity (metabolic equivalents, METS), peak exercise time, HR at six
      METS, peak exercise, HR recovery (HRR) at 1 and 2 minutes and chronotropic index
      (CI) were evaluated in all individuals. Endothelial function was evaluated with
      flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery. RESULTS: ED patients had
      lower peak exercise time and thus lower calculated exercise capacity (P < 0.001)
      and reduced CI (P < 0.01) compared to men without ED. There was a significant
      association of ED severity with duration of exercise, peak workload, HRR 2
      minutes after exercise, and CI (all P < 0.05). There also was a positive relation
      of HRR and CI with FMD (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows
      interrelationships between exercise capacity, HRR, CI, and ED. Abnormal HRR and
      CI are associated with systemic endothelial dysfunction. These findings imply
      pathophysiological links and may have important implications for the estimation
      of cardiovascular risk in ED patients.

PMID- 26263243
TI  - The Importance of Polymorphism in Metal-Organic Framework Studies.
AB  - Polymorphic phase transitions remain frequently undetected in routine metal
      organic framework (MOF) studies; however, their discovery is of major importance
      in interpreting structure-property relationships. We herein report a reversible
      enantiotropic single-crystal to single-crystal polymorphic phase transition of a
      new microporous MOF [Eu(BDC)(NO3)(DMF)2]n (H2BDC = 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid;
      DMF = dimethylformamide). While modification 1LT at 170 K crystallizes in the
      monoclinic space group P21/c with unit cell dimensions of a = 17.673(2) A, b =
      20.023(2) A, c = 10.555(9) A, beta = 90.129(4) degrees , modification 1HT at 290
      K crystallizes in higher symmetry space group C2/c with unit cell dimensions of a
      = 17.200(7) A, b = 10.737(4) A, c = 10.684(4) A, beta = 90.136(2) degrees . This
      temperature-induced phase transition is accompanied by a small change in the
      solvent-accessible voids from 46.8 in 1LT to 49.8% in 1HT, which triggers a
      significant change in the adsorption properties as compared to a reported
      isostructural compound. Detailed investigations on the phase transition were
      studied with variable-temperature single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD),
      powder X-ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry measurements. The
      herein-presented investigations emphasize the importance of polymorphic phase
      transitions in routine MOF studies originating from low-temperature SCXRD data
      and high-temperature physical property characterizations in avoiding the use of a
      wrong structure in interpreting structure-property relationships. 

PMID- 26263242
TI  - Epidermal growth factor receptor signalling regulates granulocyte-macrophage
      colony-stimulating factor production by airway epithelial cells and established
      allergic airway disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Airway epithelial cells (AEC) are increasingly recognized as a major
      signalling centre in the pathogenesis of allergic asthma. A previous study
      demonstrated that epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) signalling in AEC
      regulated key features of allergic airway disease. However, it is unclear what
      mediators are regulated by EGFR signalling in AEC, although the production of the
      pro-inflammatory cytokine granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM
      CSF) is EGFR dependent in keratinocytes. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether EGFR
      signalling regulates GM-CSF production by human AEC downstream of the clinically
      relevant mediators house dust mite (HDM) and interleukin (IL)-17A and in a mouse
      model of established allergic asthma. METHODS: EGFR inhibitors were used to
      determine whether EGFR signalling regulates GM-CSF production by cultured human
      AEC in response to HDM and IL-17A. The roles of EGFR ligands, p38 mitogen
      activated protein kinase (MAPK) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)
      converting enzyme (TACE) were also assessed. To determine whether EGFR regulates
      GM-CSF as well as key asthma characteristics in vivo, mice were chronically
      exposed to HDM to establish allergic airway disease and then treated with the
      EGFR inhibitor Erlotinib. RESULTS: EGFR inhibition reduced HDM and IL-17A induced
      GM-CSF production in a dose-dependent manner in cultured human AEC. GM-CSF
      production also required amphiregulin, p38 MAPK signalling and protease/TACE
      activity. In mice with established allergic airway disease, EGFR inhibition
      reduced levels of GM-CSF and TNF-alpha, as well as airway hyperreactivity,
      cellular inflammation, smooth muscle thickening and goblet cell metaplasia
      without changes in IgE and Th1, Th2 and Th17 cytokines. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL
      RELEVANCE: Results link HDM, IL-17A, amphiregulin, EGFR and GM-CSF in a
      mechanistic pathway in AEC and demonstrate that EGFR regulates GM-CSF production
      and the severity of established disease in a clinically relevant asthma model.
      These results identify the EGFR->GM-CSF axis as a target for therapeutic
      development.

PMID- 26263244
TI  - Longer-term outcome in the prevention of psychotic disorders by the Vienna omega
      3 study.
AB  - Long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are essential for neural
      development and function. As key components of brain tissue, omega-3 PUFAs play
      critical roles in brain development and function, and a lack of these fatty acids
      has been implicated in a number of mental health conditions over the lifespan,
      including schizophrenia. We have previously shown that a 12-week intervention
      with omega-3 PUFAs reduced the risk of progression to psychotic disorder in young
      people with subthreshold psychotic states for a 12-month period compared with
      placebo. We have now completed a longer-term follow-up of this randomized, double
      blind, placebo-controlled trial, at a median of 6.7 years. Here we show that
      brief intervention with omega-3 PUFAs reduced both the risk of progression to
      psychotic disorder and psychiatric morbidity in general in this study. The
      majority of the individuals from the omega-3 group did not show severe functional
      impairment and no longer experienced attenuated psychotic symptoms at follow-up. 

PMID- 26263245
TI  - Design, characterization and in vitro evaluation of novel shell crosslinked
      poly(butylene adipate)-co-N-succinyl chitosan nanogels containing loteprednol
      etabonate: A new system for therapeutic effect enhancement via controlled drug
      delivery.
AB  - This study reports on the development of a novel mucoadhesive and biocompatible
      shell-crosslinked nanogel system based on poly(butylene adipate) (PBA) and N
      succinyl chitosan (S-Cs) by coupling reaction with a new formulation method. For
      this purpose, two different molecular weights of dendrimerized PBA with amine
      terminated functional groups were synthesized separately and characterized well
      by FT-IR, (1)HNMR and GPC. The PBA nanoparticles containing loteprednol etabonate
      (LPE) prepared by O/W emulsion technique were reacted immediately with modified
      carboxylated chitosan via carbodiimide chemistry. TEM photographs of the
      nanoparticles and crosslinked nanoparticles displayed a spherical morphology
      closely corresponding to the results obtained by DLS. On The other hand,
      biodegradability, biocompatibility and bioadhesiveness of the prepared
      nanoparticles were also studied. It is concluded that the core-shell structured
      nanogels can be used as novel ocular drug delivery systems with appropriate
      loading capacity for slightly water soluble LPE as an anti-inflammatory drug.

PMID- 26263246
TI  - Regioselectively controlled synthesis of 3(5)
      (trifluoromethyl)pyrazolylbenzenesulfonamides and their effects on a pathological
      pain model in mice.
AB  - This study reports a facile and controllable synthetic method for the preparation
      of both 1,3- and 1,5-isomers of 4-(3(5)-aryl-3(5)-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1
      yl)benzenesulfonamides, as well as a new series of 4-(3-aryl-5-hydroxy-5
      (trifluoromethyl)-4,5-dihydropyrazol-1-yl)benzenesulfonamides, from the
      cyclocondensation reaction of 4-aryl-1,1,1-trifluoro-4-methoxybut-3-en-2-ones or
      1-aryl-4,4,4-trifluoro-butane-1,3-diones or their enolic forms with 4
      hydrazinylbenzenesulfonamide. All compounds of the new series of 3-substituted 1
      (4-benzenesulfonamide)-5-hydroxy-5-(trifluoromethyl)-4,5-dihydropyrazoles were
      tested for their effect on a pathological pain model in mice. The compounds 3a,
      3b, 3c, 3e, and 3f presented anti-hyperalgesic action, while the compounds 3a,
      3c, 3d, 3f, and 3g exhibited anti-edematogenic effects, without causing
      locomotive disorders in animals, thus making them comparable to Celecoxib in an
      arthritic pain model.

PMID- 26263247
TI  - Synthesis of arabinose glycosyl sulfamides as potential inhibitors of
      mycobacterial cell wall biosynthesis.
AB  - A series of arabinose glycosyl sulfamides with varying alkyl chain types and
      lengths were synthesised as mimics of decaprenolphosphoarabinose (DPA), and as
      potential inhibitors of mycobacterial cell wall biosynthesis. Unprecedented
      conversion of the desired furanose to the thermodynamically more stable pyranose
      form occurred during final de-protection. Biological testing against
      Mycobacterium smegmatis revealed low to moderate anti-mycobacterial activity with
      marked dependence on alkyl chain length, which in the case of mono-substituted
      sulfamides was maximal for a C-10 chain. 

PMID- 26263248
TI  - Conformational and Optical Characteristics of Unidirectionally Twisted Binaphthyl
      Bipyridyl Cyclic Dyads.
AB  - An axially chiral binaphthyl-bipyridyl cyclic dyad in which the two units are
      connected by short -CH2O- linkers was synthesized. Experimental and theoretical
      analyses indicate that the (R)-binaphthyl unit in the dyad induces (R)-chirality
      in the bipyridyl unit, both in the solid state and in solution. It is shown that
      vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) is useful to determine the twisting pattern
      of 2,2'-bipyridyl compounds. The dyad shows crystallization-induced emission
      enhancement (CIEE). 

PMID- 26263249
TI  - Understanding the Adsorption Mechanism of Xe and Kr in a Metal-Organic Framework
      from X-ray Structural Analysis and First-Principles Calculations.
AB  - Enhancement of adsorption capacity and separation of radioactive Xe/Kr at room
      temperature and above is a challenging problem. Here, we report a detailed
      structural refinement and analysis of the synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction
      data of Ni-DODBC metal organic framework with in situ Xe and Kr adsorption at
      room temperature and above. Our results reveal that Xe and Kr adsorb at the open
      metal sites, with adsorption geometries well reproduced by DFT calculations. The
      measured temperature-dependent adsorption capacity of Xe is substantially larger
      than that for Kr, indicating the selectivity of Xe over Kr and is consistent with
      the more negative adsorption energy (dominated by van der Waals dispersion
      interactions) predicted from DFT. Our results reveal critical structural and
      energetic information about host-guest interactions that dictate the selective
      adsorption mechanism of these two inert gases, providing guidance for the design
      and synthesis of new MOF materials for the separation of environmentally
      hazardous gases from nuclear reprocessing applications. 

PMID- 26263250
TI  - Dominant Decomposition Pathways for Ethereal Solvents in Li-O2 Batteries.
AB  - The promise of high specific energies for Li-O2 batteries has driven research
      toward the development of new compatible materials for this emerging technology.
      Obtained energies, however, fall short of the theoretical values partly due to
      parasitic chemistries arising from organic solvent decomposition during battery
      cycling. Electrolyte solvent and salt decomposition have also been identified as
      limiting factors for rechargeability of the battery. Although lithium
      trifluorosulfonamide (LiTFSI) dissolved in 1,2-dimethoxyethane (DME) has been
      shown to be a promising solvent/electrolyte candidate for Li-O2 batteries,
      significant challenges remain, namely minimizing decomposition of both the
      solvent and electrolyte salt during battery cycling. Herein, we provide
      spectroscopic labeling studies to identify the source of H2 at high potentials
      during charge and propose a decomposition pathway for DME to lithium formate and
      acetate products at low potentials. NMR studies were preformed to show that DME
      decomposes to lithium formate and acetate in aqueous Li2O2, products which are
      also observed after D2O workups on cathodes after discharge. Finally, we use
      density functional theory (DFT) to elucidate a mechanistic pathway for DME
      decomposition that is based on known organic oxidation processes. 

PMID- 26263251
TI  - Nanopore Current Oscillations: Nonlinear Dynamics on the Nanoscale.
AB  - In this Letter, we describe theoretical modeling of an experimentally realized
      nanoscale system that exhibits the general universal behavior of a nonlinear
      dynamical system. In particular, we consider the description of voltage-induced
      current fluctuations through a single nanopore from the perspective of nonlinear
      dynamics. We briefly review the experimental system and its behavior observed and
      then present a simple phenomenological nonlinear model that reproduces the
      qualitative behavior of the experimental data. The model consists of a two
      dimensional deterministic nonlinear bistable oscillator experiencing both
      dissipation and random noise. The multidimensionality of the model and the
      interplay between deterministic and stochastic forces are both required to obtain
      a qualitatively accurate description of the physical system. 

PMID- 26263252
TI  - Filtering with Electric Field: The Case of E. coli Porins.
AB  - Although the role of general bacterial porins is well established as main pathway
      for polar antibiotics, the molecular details of their mode-of-action are still
      under debate. Using molecular dynamics simulations and water as a probe, we
      demonstrated the strong ordering of water molecules, differently tuned along the
      axis of diffusion in the transversal direction. Preserved features and important
      differences were characterized for different channels, allowing to put forward a
      general model for molecular filtering. The intrinsic electric field, responsible
      for water ordering, (i) filters those dipolar molecules that can compensate the
      entropy decrease by dipole alignment in the restricted region and (ii) might
      create an additional barrier by changing direction when escaping from the
      restricted region. We tested this model using two antibiotics, cefepime and
      cefotaxime, through metadynamics free energy calculations. A rational drug design
      should take this into account for screening molecules with improved permeation
      properties. 

PMID- 26263253
TI  - Fluorescent Ferroelectrics of Hydrogen-Bonded Pyrene Derivatives.
AB  - Organic materials with diverse molecular designs show multifunctional properties
      such as coupled ferroelectric, optical, ferromagnetic, and transport properties.
      We report the design of an alkylamide-substituted pyrene derivative displaying
      fluorescent ferroelectric properties coupled with electron transport properties.
      In solution phase, this compound displayed concentration-dependent fluorescence,
      whereas in xerogels, a fluorescent green organogel (>0.1 mM) and entangled
      nanofibers were observed. A discotic hexagonal columnar liquid crystalline phase
      was observed above 295 K due to intermolecular hydrogen bonding and pi-stacking
      interactions. The direction of the hydrogen-bonded chains could be inverted by
      the application of an external electric field along the pi-stacked column,
      resulting in ferroelectric polarization-electric field (P-E) hysteresis. The
      local electric field arising from the ferroelectric macrodipole moment
      arrangement along the pi-stacking direction affected the electron transport
      properties on the pi-stack of pyrenes, thus confirming the current-switching
      phenomena according to P-E hysteresis. We report that multifunctional properties
      such as ferroelectricity, fluorescence, and electron transport switching were
      successfully achieved in hydrogen-bonded dynamic pi-molecular assemblies. 

PMID- 26263254
TI  - Demystifying PIFE: The Photophysics Behind the Protein-Induced Fluorescence
      Enhancement Phenomenon in Cy3.
AB  - Protein-induced fluorescence enhancement (PIFE) is a term used to describe the
      increase in fluorescence intensity observed when a protein binds to a nucleic
      acid in the proximity of a fluorescent probe. PIFE using the single-molecule dye
      Cy3 is gaining popularity as an approach to investigate the dynamics of proteins
      that interact with nucleic acids. In this work, we used complexes of DNA and
      Klenow fragment and a combination of time-resolved fluorescence and transient
      spectroscopy techniques to elucidate the photophysical mechanism that leads to
      protein-enhanced fluorescence emission of Cy3 when in close proximity to a
      protein (PIFE). By monitoring the formation of the cis isomer directly, we proved
      that the enhancement of Cy3 fluorescence correlates with a decrease in the
      efficiency of photoisomerization, and occurs in conditions where the dye is
      sterically constrained by the protein. 

PMID- 26263255
TI  - Mode-Specific Tunneling Splittings for a Sequential Double-Hydrogen Transfer
      Case: An Accurate Quantum Mechanical Scheme.
AB  - We present the first accurate quantum dynamics calculations of mode-specific
      tunneling splittings in a sequential double-hydrogen transfer process. This is
      achieved in the vinylidene-acetylene system, the simplest molecular system of
      this kind, and by large-scale parallel computations with an efficient theoretical
      scheme developed by us. In our scheme, basis functions are customized for the
      hydrogen transfer process; a 4-dimensional basis contraction strategy is combined
      with the preconditioned inexact spectral transform method; efficient parallel
      implementation is achieved. Mode-specific permutation tunneling splittings of
      vinylidene states are reported and tremendous mode-specific promotion effects are
      revealed; in particular, the CH2 rock mode enhances the ground-state splitting by
      a factor of 10(3). We find that the ground-state vinylidene has a reversible
      isomerization time of 622 ps, much longer than all previous estimates. Our
      calculations also shed light on the importance of the deep intermediate well and
      vibrational excitation in the double-hydrogen transfer processes. 

PMID- 26263256
TI  - Synthetic Conditions for High-Accuracy Size Control of PbS Quantum Dots.
AB  - Decreasing the variability in quantum dot (QD) syntheses is desirable for better
      uniformity of samples for use in QD-based studies and applications. Here we
      report a highly reproducible linear relationship between the concentration of
      ligand (in this case oleic acid, OA) and the lowest energy exciton peak position
      (nm) of the resulting PbS QDs for various hot-injection temperatures. Thus, for a
      given injection temperature, the size of the PbS QD product is purely controlled
      by the amount of OA. We used this relationship to study PbS QD solar cells that
      are fabricated from the same size of PbS QDs but synthesized using four different
      injection temperatures: 95, 120, 150, and 185  degrees C. We find that the power
      conversion efficiency does not depend on injection temperature but that the V(oc)
      is higher for QDs synthesized at lower temperatures while the J(sc) is improved
      in higher temperature QDs.

PMID- 26263257
TI  - Macroscopic Molecular Ordering and Exciton Delocalization in Crystalline
      Phthalocyanine Thin Films.
AB  - We present spatially-, temporally- and polarization-resolved dual
      photoluminescence/linear dichroism microscopy experiments that investigate the
      correlation between long-range order and the nature of exciton states in solution
      processed phthalocyanine thin films. The influence of grain boundaries and
      disorder is absent in these films because typical grain sizes are 3 orders of
      magnitude larger than focused excitation beam diameters. These experiments reveal
      the existence of a delocalized singlet exciton, polarized along the high mobility
      axis in this quasi-1D electronic system. The strong delocalized pi orbitals
      overlap, controlled by the molecular stacking along the high mobility axis, is
      responsible for breaking the radiative recombination selection rules. Using our
      linear dichroism scanning microscopy setup, we further established that a
      rotation of molecules (i.e., a structural phase transition) that occurs above 100
      K prevents the observation of this exciton at room temperature. 

PMID- 26263258
TI  - How Morphology Affects Singlet Fission in Crystalline Tetracene.
AB  - The dependence of exciton dynamics on the crystalline morphology of tetracene is
      investigated using time-resolved photoluminescence. Single crystals exhibit
      relatively slow singlet decays with times that range from 130 to 300 ps depending
      on the sample. This decay has an activation energy of ~450 cm(-1) over the
      temperature range of 200-400 K. Single-crystal samples also exhibit more
      pronounced quantum beats due to the triplet pair spin coherences. Polycrystalline
      thin films grown by thermal evaporation have singlet decay times on the order of
      70-90 ps with a much weaker temperature dependence. Many thin-film samples also
      exhibit a red-shifted excimer-like emission. When a polycrystalline thin film is
      thermally annealed to produce larger crystal domains, single-crystal behavior is
      recovered. We hypothesize that the different dynamics arise from the ability of
      singlet excitons in the thin films to sample regions with defects or packing
      motifs that accelerate singlet fission. 

PMID- 26263259
TI  - Diffuse Surface Scattering in the Plasmonic Resonances of Ultralow Electron
      Density Nanospheres.
AB  - Localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs) have recently been identified in
      extremely diluted electron systems obtained by doping semiconductor quantum dots.
      Here, we investigate the role that different surface effects, namely, electronic
      spill-out and diffuse surface scattering, play in the optical properties of these
      ultralow electron density nanosystems. Diffuse scattering originates from
      imperfections or roughness at a microscopic scale on the surface. Using an
      electromagnetic theory that describes this mechanism in conjunction with a
      dielectric function including the quantum size effect, we find that the LSPRs
      show an oscillatory behavior in both position and width for large particles and a
      strong blue shift in energy and an increased width for smaller radii, consistent
      with recent experimental results for photodoped ZnO nanocrystals. We thus show
      that the commonly ignored process of diffuse surface scattering is a more
      important mechanism affecting the plasmonic properties of ultralow electron
      density nanoparticles than the spill-out effect. 

PMID- 26263260
TI  - Mixed Quantum/Classical Approach for Description of Molecular Collisions in
      Astrophysical Environments.
AB  - An efficient and accurate mixed quantum/classical theory approach for
      computational treatment of inelastic scattering is extended to describe collision
      of an atom with a general asymmetric-top rotor polyatomic molecule. Quantum
      mechanics, employed to describe transitions between the internal states of the
      molecule, and classical mechanics, employed for description of scattering of the
      atom, are used in a self-consistent manner. Such calculations for rotational
      excitation of HCOOCH3 in collisions with He produce accurate results at
      scattering energies above 15 cm(-1), although resonances near threshold, below 5
      cm(-1), cannot be reproduced. Importantly, the method remains computationally
      affordable at high scattering energies (here up to 1000 cm(-1)), which enables
      calculations for larger molecules and at higher collision energies than was
      possible previously with the standard full-quantum approach. Theoretical
      prediction of inelastic cross sections for a number of complex organic molecules
      observed in space becomes feasible using this new computational tool. 

PMID- 26263261
TI  - Control of Nanostructures and Interfaces of Metal Oxide Semiconductors for
      Quantum-Dots-Sensitized Solar Cells.
AB  - Nanostructured metal oxide semiconductors (MOS), such as TiO2 and ZnO, have been
      regarded as an attractive material for the quantum dots sensitized solar cells
      (QDSCs), owing to their large specific surface area for loading a large amount of
      quantum dots (QDs) and strong scattering effect for capturing a sufficient
      fraction of photons. However, the large surface area of such nanostructures also
      provides easy pathways for charge recombination, and surface defects and
      connections between adjacent nanoparticles may retard effective charge injection
      and charge transport, leading to a loss of power conversion efficiency.
      Introduction of the surface modification for MOS or QDs has been thought an
      effective approach to improve the performance of QDSC. In this paper, the recent
      advances in the control of nanostructures and interfaces in QDSCs and prospects
      for the further development with higher power conversion efficiency (PCE) have
      been discussed. 

PMID- 26263262
TI  - Synergistic Effects in the Coupling of Plasmon Resonance of Metal Nanoparticles
      with Excited Gold Clusters.
AB  - When molecules or clusters are within the proximity of metal particles, their
      electronic transitions can be drastically enhanced. We have now probed the off
      resonance excitation of molecule-like, glutathione-capped gold clusters (Au-GSH)
      in the close proximity of larger (plasmonic) Au and Ag nanoparticles. The excited
      state absorption spectrum of Au-GSH* is obtained with monophotonic excitation.
      The characteristic absorption of Au-GSH* allows us to probe the influence of
      excited plasmonic nanoparticles coupled with the clusters. Although infrared (775
      nm) lasers pulses do not produce Au-GSH*, the excited states of these clusters
      are formed when coupled with metal (Au, Ag) nanoparticles. Interestingly, the
      coupled excitation of Au-GSH/AgNP with 775 nm laser pulses also results in an
      enhanced field effect, as seen from increased plasmon response of the metal
      nanoparticles. Transient absorption measurements confirm the synergy between
      these two inherently different nanomaterials, causing them to display greater
      excitation features. Better understanding of metal cluster-metal nanoparticle
      interactions will have important implications in designing light harvesting
      systems, and optoelectronic devices. 

PMID- 26263263
TI  - Insights into How Fluorine-Adsorption and n-Type Doping Affect the Relative
      Stability of the (001) and (101) Surfaces of TiO2: Enhancing the Exposure of More
      Active but Thermodynamically Less Stable (001).
AB  - The stability of both the pure and fluorine (F)-adsorbed surface of TiO2 is
      examined on the basis of density functional calculations. For pure surfaces, both
      the beneficial local geometric structures and local potential strengthen the Ti-O
      binding in (101), rendering it the most stable surface. For F-adsorbed surfaces,
      F-adsorption significantly weakens the Ti-O bonds in (101) but strengthens them
      in (001), so that (001) becomes more stable than (101) for the F-adsorbed
      surfaces. On the basis of this observation, we further show that the n-type
      doping in TiO2 can significantly decrease the ability of F-adsorption in
      switching the relative stability of the two surfaces. The present work not only
      provides new insights into the physical and chemical properties about both pure
      and F-adsorbed surfaces of TiO2 and conclusively explains related experimental
      results but also suggests viable ways to prepare TiO2 samples with a high
      percentage of (001). 

PMID- 26263264
TI  - Bright Visible-Infrared Light Emitting Diodes Based on Hybrid Halide Perovskite
      with Spiro-OMeTAD as a Hole-Injecting Layer.
AB  - Hybrid halide perovskites that are currently intensively studied for photovoltaic
      applications, also present outstanding properties for light emission. Here, we
      report on the preparation of bright solid state light emitting diodes (LEDs)
      based on a solution-processed hybrid lead halide perovskite (Pe). In particular,
      we have utilized the perovskite generally described with the formula CH3NH3PbI(3
      x)Cl(x) and exploited a configuration without electron or hole blocking layer in
      addition to the injecting layers. Compact TiO2 and Spiro-OMeTAD were used as
      electron and hole injecting layers, respectively. We have demonstrated a bright
      combined visible-infrared radiance of 7.1 W.sr(-1).m(-2) at a current density of
      232 mA.cm(-2), and a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 0.48%. The
      devices prepared surpass the EQE values achieved in previous reports, considering
      devices with just an injecting layer without any additional blocking layer.
      Significantly, the maximum EQE value of our devices is obtained at applied
      voltages as low as 2 V, with a turn-on voltage as low as the Pe band gap (V(turn
      on) = 1.45 +/- 0.06 V). This outstanding performance, despite the simplicity of
      the approach, highlights the enormous potentiality of Pe-LEDs. In addition, we
      present a stability study of unsealed Pe-LEDs, which demonstrates a dramatic
      influence of the measurement atmosphere on the performance of the devices. The
      decrease of the electroluminescence (EL) under continuous operation can be
      attributed to an increase of the non-radiative recombination pathways, rather
      than a degradation of the perovskite material itself.

PMID- 26263265
TI  - Anisotropy Effects on the Plasmonic Response of Nanoparticle Dimers.
AB  - We present an ab initio study of the anisotropy and atomic relaxation effects on
      the optical properties of nanoparticle dimers. Special emphasis is placed on the
      hybridization process of localized surface plasmons, plasmon-mediated
      photoinduced currents, and electric-field enhancement in the dimer junction. We
      show that there is a critical range of separations between the clusters (0.1-0.5
      nm) in which the detailed atomic structure in the junction and the relative
      orientation of the nanoparticles have to be considered to obtain quantitative
      predictions for realistic nanoplasmonic devices. It is worth noting that this
      regime is characterized by the emergence of electron tunneling as a response to
      the driven electromagnetic field. The orientation of the particles not only
      modifies the attainable electric field enhancement but can lead to qualitative
      changes in the optical absorption spectrum of the system. 

PMID- 26263266
TI  - Origin of Multiple Peaks in the Potentiodynamic Oxidation of CO Adlayers on Pt
      and Ru-Modified Pt Electrodes.
AB  - The study of the electrooxidation mechanism of CO(ad) on Pt based catalysts is
      very important for designing more effective CO-tolerant electrocatalysts for fuel
      cells. We have studied the origin of multiple peaks in the cyclic voltammograms
      of CO stripping from polycrystalline Pt and Ru modified polycrystalline Pt
      (Pt/Ru) surfaces in both acidic and alkaline media by differential
      electrochemical mass spectrometry (DEMS), DFT calculations, and kinetic Monte
      Carlo (KMC) simulations. A new CO(ad) electrooxidation kinetic model on
      heterogeneous Pt and Pt/Ru catalysts is proposed to account for the multiple
      peaks experimentally observed. In this model, OH species prefer to adsorb at low
      coordination sites or Ru sites and, thus, suppress CO repopulation from high
      coordination sites onto these sites. Therefore, CO(ad) oxidation occurs on
      different facets or regions, leading to multiplicity of CO stripping peaks. This
      work provides a new insight into the CO electrooxidation mechanism and kinetics
      on heterogeneous catalysts.

PMID- 26263267
TI  - Best Practice in Photocatalysis: Comparing Rates or Apparent Quantum Yields?

PMID- 26263268
TI  - Colloidal Organohalide Perovskite Nanoplatelets Exhibiting Quantum Confinement.
AB  - We prepare colloidal nanoplatelets of methylammonium lead bromide (MAPbBr3)
      perovskite and compare the optical signatures of excitons in these two
      dimensional systems to spherical perovskite nanocrystals and the corresponding
      bulk phase. We find that excitonic features that had previously been attributed
      to quantum confinement in MAPbBr3 nanocrystals are in fact a property of the bulk
      perovskite phase. Furthermore, we find that higher-energy absorption features
      originate from two-dimensional nanoplatelets, which are present in the
      nanocrystal reaction product. Upon further purification, we obtain colloidal
      nanoplatelets with predominantly single unit cell thickness and submicron lateral
      dimensions, which are stable in solution and exhibit a sharp excitonic absorption
      feature 0.5 eV blue-shifted from that of the three-dimensional bulk MAPbBr3
      phase, representing a new addition to the growing family of colloidal two
      dimensional nanostructures. 

PMID- 26263269
TI  - Solar Cells versus Solar Fuels: Two Different Outcomes.

PMID- 26263270
TI  - Understanding the Dual Nature of the Filament Dissolution in Conductive Bridging
      Devices.
AB  - The formation and rupture of conductive filaments (CFs) inside an insulating
      medium is used as hardware encoding of the state of a memory cell ("1" - "0") in
      filamentary-based conductive bridging memories. Currently accepted models explain
      the filament erase (reset) as the subtraction of conductive metal atoms from the
      CF; however, they do not fully account for the rich set of phenomena
      experimentally observed during the reset. The details of the filament erase are
      unraveled on the nanometer scale by means of an atomic force microscopy-based
      tomography technique enabling the 3D observation of erased CFs. "Non-broken" and
      "broken" CFs are observed, whereby the increase in resistance originates,
      respectively, from a constriction point in the current path and from an
      interrupted CF. We demonstrate that their existence and morphology can be related
      to the specific formation history of the CF, and we identify the physical volume
      of the CF as being mainly responsible for the type of filament erase. 

PMID- 26263271
TI  - First-Principle Characterization for Singlet Fission Couplings.
AB  - The electronic coupling for singlet fission, an important parameter for
      determining the rate, has been found to be too small unless charge-transfer (CT)
      components were introduced in the diabatic states, mostly through perturbation or
      a model Hamiltonian. In the present work, the fragment spin difference (FSD)
      scheme was generalized to calculate the singlet fission coupling. The largest
      coupling strength obtained was 14.8 meV for two pentacenes in a crystal
      structure, or 33.7 meV for a transition-state structure, which yielded a singlet
      fission lifetime of 239 or 37 fs, generally consistent with experimental results
      (80 fs). Test results with other polyacene molecules are similar. We found that
      the charge on one fragment in the S1 diabatic state correlates well with FSD
      coupling, indicating the importance of the CT component. The FSD approach is a
      useful first-principle method for singlet fission coupling, without the need to
      include the CT component explicitly. 

PMID- 26263272
TI  - Strain-Induced Segregation in Bimetallic Multiply Twinned Particles.
AB  - We analyze the possibility of strain-induced segregation in bimetallic multiply
      twinned particles by an analytic first-order expansion within a continuum model.
      The results indicate that while the change in free energy may be small, there
      will be a noticeable segregation of larger atoms to the external surface and
      smaller ones to the core, which could have interesting effects when such
      nanoparticles are used as heterogeneous catalysts. 

PMID- 26263273
TI  - Disrupted Attosecond Charge Carrier Delocalization at a Hybrid Organic/Inorganic
      Semiconductor Interface.
AB  - Despite significant interest in hybrid organic/inorganic semiconductor
      interfaces, little is known regarding the fate of charge carriers at metal oxide
      interfaces, particularly on ultrafast time scales. Using core-hole clock
      spectroscopy, we investigate the ultrafast charge carrier dynamics of conductive
      ZnO films at a hybrid interface with an organic semiconductor. The adsorption of
      C60 on the ZnO surface strongly suppresses the ultrafast carrier delocalization
      and increases the charge carrier residence time from 400 attoseconds to nearly 30
      fs. Here, we show that a new hybridized interfacial density of states with
      substantial molecular character is formed, fundamentally altering the observed
      carrier dynamics. The remarkable change in the dynamics sheds light on the fate
      of carriers at hybrid organic/inorganic semiconductor interfaces relevant to
      organic optoelectronics and provides for the first time an atomistic picture of
      the electronically perturbed near-interface region of a metal oxide. 

PMID- 26263274
TI  - Photophysical Properties of a Post-Self-Assembly Host/Guest Coordination Cage:
      Visible Light Driven Core-to-Cage Charge Transfer.
AB  - Supramolecular systems are capable of unique photophysical properties due to
      possible interactions between subcomponents, such as between an encapsulated
      molecule and its cage in a host/guest environment. Here, we report that the
      encapsulation of a chromophore by a metallacage dramatically enhances its
      photophysical properties. In the visible region, the encapsulated photosensitizer
      achieves a 6.5-fold enhancement to its absorptivity. The triplet lifetime of the
      encapsulated photosensitizer is three times longer than that of its free
      analogue. These enhancements are attributed to two key factors: (i) encapsulation
      induced core-to-cage charge transfer (CCCT) generates new visible-light absorbing
      states, accounting for the enhanced absorption, and (ii) the microenvironment
      inside the metallacage inhibits nonradiative decay processes, resulting in
      prolonged triplet lifetime. The CCCT arises from the electrostatic interaction
      between the delocalized electrons of the guest coronene and the positive charge
      associated with the metallacage host. The work herein provides insight into the
      CCCT phenomenon. 

PMID- 26263275
TI  - Intrinsic Material Properties Dictating Oxygen Vacancy Formation Energetics in
      Metal Oxides.
AB  - Oxygen vacancies (V(O)) in oxides are extensively used to manipulate vital
      material properties. Although methods to predict defect formation energies have
      advanced significantly, an understanding of the intrinsic material properties
      that govern defect energetics lags. We use first-principles calculations to study
      the connection between intrinsic (bulk) material properties and the energy to
      form a single, charge neutral oxygen vacancy (E(V)). We investigate 45 binary and
      ternary oxides and find that a simple model which combines (i) the oxide enthalpy
      of formation (DeltaH(f)), (ii) the midgap energy relative to the O 2p band center
      (E(O 2p) + (1/2)E(g)), and (iii) atomic electronegativities reproduces calculated
      E(V) within ~0.2 eV. This result provides both valuable insights into the key
      properties influencing E(V) and a direct method to predict E(V). We then predict
      the E(V) of ~1800 oxides and validate the predictive nature of our approach
      against direct defect calculations for a subset of 18 randomly selected
      materials.

PMID- 26263276
TI  - Effects of Different Quantum Coherence on the Pump-Probe Polarization Anisotropy
      of Photosynthetic Light-Harvesting Complexes: A Computational Study.
AB  - Observations of oscillatory features in the 2D spectra of several photosynthetic
      complexes have led to diverged opinions on their origins, including electronic
      coherence, vibrational coherence, and vibronic coherence. In this work, effects
      of these different types of quantum coherence on ultrafast pump-probe
      polarization anisotropy are investigated and distinguished. We first simulate the
      isotropic pump-probe signal and anisotropy decay of the Fenna-Matthews-Olson
      (FMO) complex using a model with only electronic coherence at low temperature and
      obtain the same coherence time as in the previous experiment. Then, three model
      dimer systems with different prespecified quantum coherence are simulated, and
      the results show that their different spectral characteristics can be used to
      determine the type of coherence during the spectral process. Finally, we simulate
      model systems with different electronic-vibrational couplings and reveal the
      condition in which long time vibronic coherence can be observed in systems like
      the FMO complex. 

PMID- 26263277
TI  - Heterogeneous Photocatalysis and Photoelectrocatalysis: From Unselective
      Abatement of Noxious Species to Selective Production of High-Value Chemicals.
AB  - Heterogeneous photocatalysis and photoelectrocatalysis have been considered as
      oxidation technologies to abate unselectively noxious species. This article
      focuses instead on the utilization of these methods for selective syntheses of
      organic molecules. Some promising reactions have been reported in the presence of
      various TiO2 samples and the important role played by the amorphous phase has
      been discussed. The low solubility of most of the organic compounds in water
      limits the utilization of photocatalysis. Dimethyl carbonate has been proposed as
      an alternative green organic solvent. The recovery of the products by coupling
      photocatalysis with pervaporation membrane technology seems to be a solution for
      future industrial applications. As far as photoelectrocatalysis is concerned, a
      decrease in recombination of the photogenerated pairs occurs, enhancing the rate
      of the oxidation reactions and the quantum yield. Another benefit is to avoid
      reaction(s) between the intermediates and the substrate, as anodic and cathodic
      reactions take place in different places. 

PMID- 26263278
TI  - Computational Quantum Chemistry for Multiple-Site Heisenberg Spin Couplings Made
      Simple: Still Only One Spin-Flip Required.
AB  - We provide a simple procedure for using inexpensive ab initio calculations to
      compute exchange coupling constants, J(AB), for multiradical molecules containing
      both an arbitrary number of radical sites and an arbitrary number of unpaired
      electrons. For a system comprised of 2M unpaired electrons, one needs only to
      compute states having the S(z) quantum number M - 1. Conveniently, these are
      precisely the states that are accessed by the family of single spin-flip methods.
      Building an effective Hamiltonian with these states allows one to extract all of
      the J(AB) constants in the molecule. Unlike approaches based on density
      functional theory, this procedure relies on neither spin-contaminated states nor
      nonunique spin-projection formulas. A key benefit is that it is possible to
      obtain completely spin-pure exchange coupling constants with inexpensive ab
      initio calculations. A couple of examples are provided to illustrate the
      approach, including a 4-nickel cubane complex and a 6-chromium horseshoe complex
      with 18 entangled electrons.

PMID- 26263279
TI  - Isomer-Specific Spectroscopy of Benzene-(H2O)n, n = 6,7: Benzene's Role in
      Reshaping Water's Three-Dimensional Networks.
AB  - The water hexamer and heptamer are the smallest sized water clusters that support
      three-dimensional hydrogen-bonded networks, with several competing structures
      that could be altered by interactions with a solute. Using infrared-ultraviolet
      double resonance spectroscopy, we record isomer-specific OH stretch infrared
      spectra of gas-phase benzene-(H2O)(6,7) clusters that demonstrate benzene's
      surprising role in reshaping (H2O)(6,7). The single observed isomer of benzene
      (H2O)6 incorporates an inverted book structure rather than the cage or prism. The
      main conformer of benzene-(H2O)7 is an inserted-cubic structure in which benzene
      replaces one water molecule in the S4-symmetry cube of the water octamer,
      inserting itself into the water cluster by engaging as a pi H-bond acceptor with
      one water and via C-H...O donor interactions with two others. The corresponding
      D(2d)-symmetry inserted-cube structure is not observed, consistent with the
      calculated energetic preference for the S4 over the D(2d) inserted cube. A
      reduced-dimension model that incorporates stretch-bend Fermi resonance accounts
      for the spectra in detail and sheds light on the hydrogen-bonding networks
      themselves and on the perturbations imposed on them by benzene.

PMID- 26263280
TI  - Osteoporosis After Long-Term Depot Medroxyprogesterone: We Need More Data on
      Fracture Risk.

PMID- 26263281
TI  - Effects of Cardiovascular Disease on Compliance with Cervical and Breast Cancer
      Screening Recommendations Among Adult Women.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is common among women and is a leading
      cause of death in the United States. This study assessed the impact of CVD on
      compliance with the US Preventive Services Task Force guidelines for cervical and
      breast cancer screening among U.S. adult women. METHODS: A cross-sectional study
      was conducted on 17,408 women using data from the National Health Interview
      Survey 2013. A total of 11,788 respondents (21-65 years old) with complete
      information on Pap smear and 11,409 women (40+ years old) with complete
      information on mammography compliance were included. Multivariate logistic
      regression models were used to assess the impact of CVD on cervical and breast
      cancer screening practices. RESULTS: Women with CVD were marginally more likely
      to have had a mammogram in accordance with guidelines (odds ratio 1.17; 95%
      confidence interval 1.04-1.31) than those without CVD. However, compliance with
      Pap tests was similar (80.6% vs 82.3%, p>0.05) between the two groups. Myocardial
      infarction was associated with reduced odds of Pap smear compliance (odds ratio:
      0.30; 95% confidence interval 0.18-0.51). CONCLUSIONS: Women with prior
      myocardial infarction should be encouraged to continue receiving regular Pap
      smears. More research is needed to assess whether observed differences in Pap
      testing between patients with and without a history of myocardial infarction
      result from lack of provider recommendation or from patient noncompliance with
      their recommendations.

PMID- 26263282
TI  - Vaginal estrogen use and effects on quality of life and urogenital morbidity in
      postmenopausal women after publication of the Women's Health Initiative in New
      York City.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: In the years after the 2002 publication of results from the Women's
      Health Initiative study, there has been a reluctance to prescribe hormone therapy
      to symptomatic postmenopausal women and confusion over its duration and method of
      prescription. The main concerns are the risks of cardiovascular events and breast
      cancer. However, local vaginal estrogen (VE) may provide benefits without
      systemic effects. METHODS: This study investigates the use and effects of VE on
      quality of life and urogenital morbidity among women who stopped hormone therapy
      after the Women's Health Initiative and compares them with women who continued
      hormone therapy. Three groups were compared: group 1, women who have remained on
      HT/ET; group 2, women who have resumed HT/ET after stopping for at least 6
      months, and group 3, women who have stopped HT/ET and have not resumed. RESULTS:
      Overall, ever use and present use of VE were most prevalent in women who reported
      dyspareunia (ever, P = 0.003; present, P = 0.005) and vaginal dryness (ever, P =
      0.001; present, P = 0.004). VE use was significantly more probable for women in
      group 3 than for women in the other groups (group 3 [3.5%] vs. group 1 [17.7%]
      and group 2 [16.7%]; P = 0.002). Women in group 3 who used VE reported
      significantly higher sexual quality of life (using the sexual domain of the Utian
      Quality of Life Scale) compared with women in group 3 who did not use VE (P =
      0.007). There was no difference in the incidence of urinary tract infections
      between the three groups (group 1, 22.9%; group 2, 26.3%; group 3, 25.5%). The
      percentage of women who were either married or living in a marriage-like
      relationship did not differ between the three groups (group 1, 68.4%; group 2,
      78.6%; group 3, 78.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Women who report dyspareunia and vaginal
      dryness are more likely to use VE. Women who do not use systemic therapy but use
      VE score significantly higher on the sexual quality-of-life scale than women not
      using VE.

PMID- 26263284
TI  - Differential effect of depression versus thermoregulation in postmenopausal sleep
      disturbance.

PMID- 26263283
TI  - Continuous transdermal nitroglycerin therapy for menopausal hot flashes: a single
      arm, dose-escalation trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe the efficacy and tolerability of continuous nitroglycerin
      for treatment of hot flashes. METHODS: Perimenopausal and postmenopausal women
      reporting at least seven hot flashes per day were recruited into a single-arm,
      dose-escalation trial of continuous transdermal nitroglycerin. Participants were
      started on a generic 0.1 mg/hour nitroglycerin patch applied daily without patch
      free periods. During 4 weeks, participants escalated dosage weekly to 0.2, 0.4,
      or 0.6 mg/hour as tolerated, then discontinued nitroglycerin during the final
      week. Changes in hot flash frequency and severity were assessed using symptom
      diaries. Paired t tests examined change in outcomes between baseline and maximal
      dose therapy and after discontinuation of nitroglycerin. RESULTS: Of the 19
      participants, mean age was 51.4 (+/-4.3) years. Women reported an average 10.6
      (+/-3.0) hot flashes and 7.1 (+/-3.8) moderate-to-severe hot flashes per day at
      baseline. Eleven women escalated to 0.6 mg/hour, three to 0.4 mg/hour, two to 0.2
      mg/hour, and one remained on 0.1 mg/hour nitroglycerin. Two discontinued
      nitroglycerin before the first outcomes assessment. Among the remaining 17 women,
      the average daily frequency of hot flashes decreased by 54% and the average
      frequency of moderate-to-severe hot flashes decreased by 69% from baseline to
      maximum-dose therapy (P < 0.001 for both). After discontinuing nitroglycerin,
      participants reported an average 23% increase in frequency of any hot flashes (P
      = 0.041) and 96% increase in moderate-to-severe hot flashes (P < 0.001).
      CONCLUSIONS: Continuous nitroglycerin may substantially and reversibly decrease
      hot flash frequency and severity. If confirmed in a randomized blinded trial, it
      may offer a novel nonhormonal hot flash treatment.

PMID- 26263285
TI  - Nurse Determination and Evolving Models of Care.

PMID- 26263286
TI  - Let's Go Fly a Kite.

PMID- 26263287
TI  - The Use of ShotBlocker for Reducing the Pain and Anxiety Associated With
      Intramuscular Injection: A Randomized, Placebo Controlled Study.
AB  - There are few studies evaluating the effect of ShotBlocker on pain acquired from
      intramuscular injection, and these are mostly in children. We hypothesized that
      the use of ShotBlocker, while administering an intramuscular injection, would
      reduce the pain and anxiety due to intramuscular injection in adults. A
      randomized, placebo controlled trial was carried out for more than 20 months in
      2010-2011 on 180 adults aged 18 to 80 years who received intramuscular injections
      of diclofenac sodium (75 mg/3 mL) at the outpatient clinic of a hospital. The
      patients were grouped into 3 groups: control, placebo control, and experimental.
      The experimental group was given an intramuscular injection of diclofenac sodium
      with ShotBlocker. Pain intensity was measured through a visual analog scale after
      the injection and anxiety was measured using Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety
      Inventory. Pulse rate was counted and state and trait anxiety was measured before
      and after the injection. The Mann-Whitney U test and Wilcoxon and Kruskall-Wallis
      tests were used to evaluate the data. Patients in the ShotBlocker group had
      significantly lower pain intensity than those in the placebo and control groups.
      State anxiety level increased after the injection in the experimental group but
      did not change in the other 2 groups. ShotBlocker did not affect the pulse rate.
      Our results suggest that using ShotBlocker during intramuscular injection reduced
      patients' pain intensity because of injection but did not reduce anxiety levels.
      Thus, ShotBlocker is recommended as a pain-relieving tool during intramuscular
      injection in adults. 

PMID- 26263288
TI  - The Challenge of Diabetes in the Elderly and Affecting Factors: A Turkish Study.
AB  - This study was conducted with the goal of evaluating the challenge of diabetes in
      elderly individuals and affecting factors. This descriptive study was conducted
      with 88 diabetic patients 65 years of age or older who were admitted to the
      endocrinology and metabolism disorders outpatient clinic data of the study
      collected by using a questionnaire prepared by the researchers and the Elderly
      Diabetes Burden Scale. Total score of the scale varies between 19 and 92 points.
      While a higher score indicates a higher burden a lower score indicates a lower
      burden, data were analyzed by using Student t test, 1-way analysis of variance,
      Mann-Whitney U test, and Kruskal-Wallis test. Subscale and total mean scores of
      patients were as follows: 9.4 +/- 3.2 for symptom burden; 12.4 +/- 3.4 for social
      burden; 11.4 +/- 3.3 for burden by dietary restrictions; 11.9 +/- 3.7 for burden
      of worry about diabetes; 4.3 +/- 1.3 for burden from treatment dissatisfaction;
      9.4 +/- 4.6 for burden by oral antidiabetic drugs or insulin; and 58.5 +/- 9.6
      for total diabetes burden score. Diabetes burden was found to be higher for
      patients who were at an advanced age, single, female, had a lower income,
      receiving oral antidiabetic or insulin treatment, and had diabetes duration of 6
      to 11 years, a concomitant chronic condition or a diabetic person among first
      degree relatives and who did not come for regular follow-up visits, had no
      assistance for their care, and who stated a poor quality of life and treatment
      compliance. Elderly diabetic patients were found to have a high total Elderly
      Diabetes Burden Scale score, and the highest scores were observed for the
      subscales of burden by dietary restrictions, social burden, and burden of worry
      about diabetes. Thus, it could be recommended to perform appropriate nursing
      interventions in order to assess and reduce diabetes challenge during planning of
      necessary treatment and care in elderly diabetic patients. 

PMID- 26263290
TI  - Nursing Support of the Spiritual Needs of Older Adults Living With Dementia: A
      Narrative Literature Review.
AB  - Across this literature review (n = 10), supporting spirituality in the nursing
      care of older adults with dementia is concerned with supporting religious
      activity, enabling connections, nurses' reflections on their own spirituality,
      and nonverbal communication. The benefits from the support of spirituality were
      seen to be reciprocal and to occur in everyday nursing. 

PMID- 26263289
TI  - A Narrative Literature Review of the Experiences of Patients Living With Heart
      Failure.
AB  - This article reviews the literature on the experiences of patients with heart
      failure and their coping strategies and learning needs. Previous studies have
      consistently demonstrated that heart failure had negative impacts on the
      individuals who experienced it. Studies have also focused on the learning needs
      and the various coping strategies that patients with heart failure have adopted.
      However, there are limited studies that have investigated the experience of heart
      failure from the Asian patient's perspective. By incorporating the perspectives
      of patients with heart failure from the Asian context into clinical practices,
      research will promote patient-centered holistic care and improve patients'
      quality of life and satisfaction. 

PMID- 26263291
TI  - Preventing Loss of Basic Activities of Daily Living and Instrumental Activities
      of Daily Living in Elderly: Identification of Individual Risk Factors in a
      Holistic Perspective.
AB  - This study investigated the association between physical functioning and
      activities of daily living (ADL) of elderly people, taking into account the role
      of cognitive, psychological, and social factors. We administered physical,
      cognitive, psychological, and social instruments to investigate the level of
      basic and instrumental activities of daily living (BADL and IADL). The analysis
      showed that physical functioning was the only individual factor that was
      significantly linked with the level of BADL and IADL. This study underlines that
      physical functioning is the main individual characteristic directly associated
      with the level of BADL and IADL in old age. 

PMID- 26263292
TI  - Harm/Loss, Threat, and Challenge of Living With Diabetes for Persons From Rural
      Appalachia: A Qualitative Study.
AB  - Living with the stress of diabetes involves suffering with pain, being frightened
      of the unknown, worrying about threats to family, trying to manage restrictions,
      taking on activities of living the everyday, and moving forward with confidence.
      The appraisal of the stress of diabetes indicates a need for development of
      person-centered interventions. 

PMID- 26263293
TI  - Ginkgo biloba (EGb 761): A Proprietary Leaf Extract of Ginkgo biloba Is Found to
      be Safe and Effective for Treating Dementia.

PMID- 26263294
TI  - ANA's "Year of Ethics": Holistic Support for Safe, Quality Care.

PMID- 26263296
TI  - What can acute medicine learn from qualitative methods?
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The contribution of qualitative methods to evidence-based
      medicine is growing, with qualitative studies increasingly used to examine
      patient experience and unsafe organizational cultures. The present review
      considers qualitative research recently conducted on teamwork and organizational
      culture in the ICU and also other acute domains. RECENT FINDINGS: Qualitative
      studies have highlighted the importance of interpersonal and social aspects of
      healthcare on managing and responding to patient care needs. Clear/consistent
      communication, compassion, and trust underpin successful patient-physician
      interactions, with improved patient experiences linked to patient safety and
      clinical effectiveness across a wide range of measures and outcomes. Across
      multidisciplinary teams, good communication facilitates shared understanding,
      decision-making and coordinated action, reducing patient risk in the process.
      SUMMARY: Qualitative methods highlight the complex nature of risk management in
      hospital wards, which is highly contextualized to the demands and resources
      available, and influenced by multilayered social contexts. In addition to
      augmenting quantitative research, qualitative investigations enable the
      investigation of questions on social behaviour that are beyond the scope of
      quantitative assessment alone. To develop improved patient-centred care, health
      professionals should therefore consider integrating qualitative procedures into
      their existing assessments of patient/staff satisfaction.

PMID- 26263297
TI  - Arterial blood pressure and heart rate regulation in shock state.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Circulatory shock is a complicated problem that carries a high
      risk of complications and mortality for critically ill patients. The heart rate
      and blood pressure targets to which a patient in shock should be resuscitated
      remain a challenge to intensivists. RECENT FINDINGS: While the ideal blood
      pressure and heart rate in circulatory shock are still not definitive, recent
      studies have begun to refine these targets. A recent trial comparing a mean
      arterial pressure target of 80-85 mmHg with a target of 65-70 mmHg showed no
      difference in mortality, with a decreased need for renal replacement therapy in
      patients with pre-existing hypertension based on subgroup analysis. Regulation of
      heart rate was defined by a trial demonstrating that heart rate control in
      patients with severe sepsis on high-dose norepinephrine with esmolol titration
      did not result in additional adverse events. SUMMARY: The ideal target blood
      pressure in the resuscitation of circulatory shock is variable and likely depends
      on prior blood pressure. Heart rate regulation with beta-blockade appears to be
      safe in selected patients when accompanied by adequate resuscitation and
      monitoring.

PMID- 26263298
TI  - New antibiotics and antimicrobial combination therapy for the treatment of gram
      negative bacterial infections.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Increasing rates of life-threatening infections due to
      multidrug-resistant (MDR) gram-negative bacteria, such as carbapenemase-producer
      strains, as well as pathogens that are resistant to all current therapeutic
      options, have been reported. The number of compounds that are currently being
      developed is still insufficient to control this global threat. We have reviewed
      the current available options for the treatment of MDR gram-negative infections,
      including combination regimens employing older antimicrobials and new compounds.
      RECENT FINDINGS: A limited number of large trials have assessed the treatment
      options for commonly encountered resistant pathogens (e.g., Klebsiella
      pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumanii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa). Antimicrobials that
      were used in the past, such as colistin and fosfomycin, have been recently
      resumed and used in association with carbapenems, tigecycline, or
      aminoglycosides, showing a positive impact on clinical outcomes. New compounds
      belonging to various antimicrobial classes (e.g. beta-lactamase inhibitors,
      cephalosporins, glycyclines, aminoglycosides) have been investigated. SUMMARY:
      Only few new molecules have an adequate activity against MDR gram-negative
      pathogens, especially carbapenemase-producer strains. Among these,
      ceftozolane/tazobactam has been recently approved for clinical use. Other
      compounds, such as avibactam combinations, plazomicin, and eravacycline, have
      shown promising activity in phase 2 and 3 clinical trials.

PMID- 26263299
TI  - Progress on core outcome sets for critical care research.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Appropriate selection and definition of outcome measures are
      essential for clinical trials to be maximally informative. Core outcome sets (an
      agreed, standardized collection of outcomes measured and reported in all trials
      for a specific clinical area) were developed due to established inconsistencies
      in trial outcome selection. This review discusses the rationale for, and methods
      of, core outcome set development, as well as current initiatives in critical
      care. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent systematic reviews of reported outcomes and
      measurement instruments relevant to the critically ill highlight inconsistencies
      in outcome selection, definition, and measurement, thus establishing the need for
      core outcome sets. Current critical care initiatives include development of core
      outcome sets for trials aimed at reducing mechanical ventilation duration;
      rehabilitation following critical illness; long-term outcomes in acute
      respiratory failure; and epidemic and pandemic studies of severe acute
      respiratory infection. SUMMARY: Development and utilization of core outcome sets
      for studies relevant to the critically ill is in its infancy compared to other
      specialties. Notwithstanding, core outcome set development frameworks and
      guidelines are available, several sets are in various stages of development, and
      there is strong support from international investigator-led collaborations
      including the International Forum for Acute Care Trialists.

PMID- 26263300
TI  - Enantioselective Liquid-Solid Extraction (ELSE)--An Unexplored, Fast, and Precise
      Analytical Method.
AB  - A novel method of evaluating the enantioselectivity of chiral receptors is
      investigated. It involves extraction of an ionic guest in racemic form from an
      ion-exchange resin to the organic solvent, where it is bound by a chiral
      receptor. The enantioselectivity of the examined receptor is determined simply by
      measuring the enantiomeric excess of the extracted guest. We show that the
      concept is viable for neutral receptors binding chiral organic anions extracted
      into acetonitile. This method was determined to be more accurate and far less
      time-consuming than the classical titrations. Multiple racemic guests can be
      applied to a resin in a single experiment, giving the method a very high
      throughput. 

PMID- 26263301
TI  - Porous Au-Ag Alloy Particles Inlaid AgCl Membranes As Versatile Plasmonic
      Catalytic Interfaces with Simultaneous, in Situ SERS Monitoring.
AB  - We present a novel porous Au-Ag alloy particles inlaid AgCl membrane as plasmonic
      catalytic interfaces with real-time, in situ surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy
      (SERS) monitoring. The Au-Ag alloy particles inlaid AgCl membranes were obtained
      via a facile two-step, air-exposed, and room-temperature immersion reaction with
      appropriate annealing process. Owing to the designed integration of semiconductor
      component AgCl and noble metal Au-Ag particles, both the catalytic reduction and
      visible-light-driven photocatalytic activities toward organic contaminants were
      attained. Specifically, the efficiencies of about 94% of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP, 5 *
      10(-5) M) reduction after 8 min of reaction, and degradation of rhodamine 6G
      (R6G, 10(-5) M) after 12 min of visible light irradiation were demonstrated.
      Moreover, efficiencies of above 85% of conversion of 4-NP to 4-aminophenol (4-AP)
      and 90% of R6G degradation were achieved as well after 6 cycles of reactions, by
      which robust recyclability was confirmed. Further, with distinct SERS signals
      generated simultaneously from the surfaces of Au-Ag particles under laser
      excitation, in situ SERS monitoring of the process of catalytic reactions with
      superior sensitivity and linearity has been realized. Overall, the capability of
      the Au-Ag particles inlaid AgCl membranes to provide SERS monitored catalytic and
      visible-light-driven photocatalytic conversion of organic pollutants, along with
      their mild and cost-effective fabrication method, would make sense for in-depth
      understanding of the mechanisms of (photo)catalytic reactions, and also future
      development of potable, multifunctional and integrated catalytic and sensing
      devices. 

PMID- 26263303
TI  - Capping Motif for Peptide Helix Formation.
AB  - It is known that a C-terminal lysine stabilizes helix formation in polyalanine
      peptides that have seven or more residues. Using a combination of cold ion
      spectroscopy and DFT calculations, we demonstrate that even a three-residue
      peptide, Ac-Phe-Ala-LysH(+), adopts a structure in which the lysine side chain
      forms three hydrogen bonds with backbone carbonyls, reproducing the capping motif
      of larger polyalanine helices. This is confirmed by comparison with Ac-Phe-(Ala)5
      LysH(+), which forms a 310 helix containing the same structural feature. In both
      molecules, we identified the vibrational bands of the N- and C-terminal amide NH
      stretches, which lack strong hydrogen bonds with carbonyls and consequently
      appear in a characteristic region above 3400 cm(-1). A similar pattern is also
      present in the even longer peptide Ac-Phe-(Ala)10-LysH(+), illustrating the
      generality of this capping motif. The two longer peptides contain additional,
      characteristic amide NH stretch bands below 3400 cm(-1), which form the core of
      the helix. 

PMID- 26263302
TI  - A Maximum-Likelihood Approach to Force-Field Calibration.
AB  - A new approach to the calibration of the force fields is proposed, in which the
      force-field parameters are obtained by maximum-likelihood fitting of the
      calculated conformational ensembles to the experimental ensembles of training
      system(s). The maximum-likelihood function is composed of logarithms of the
      Boltzmann probabilities of the experimental conformations, calculated with the
      current energy function. Because the theoretical distribution is given in the
      form of the simulated conformations only, the contributions from all of the
      simulated conformations, with Gaussian weights in the distances from a given
      experimental conformation, are added to give the contribution to the target
      function from this conformation. In contrast to earlier methods for force-field
      calibration, the approach does not suffer from the arbitrariness of dividing the
      decoy set into native-like and non-native structures; however, if such a division
      is made instead of using Gaussian weights, application of the maximum-likelihood
      method results in the well-known energy-gap maximization. The computational
      procedure consists of cycles of decoy generation and maximum-likelihood-function
      optimization, which are iterated until convergence is reached. The method was
      tested with Gaussian distributions and then applied to the physics-based coarse
      grained UNRES force field for proteins. The NMR structures of the tryptophan
      cage, a small alpha-helical protein, determined at three temperatures (T = 280,
      305, and 313 K) by Halabis et al. ( J. Phys. Chem. B 2012 , 116 , 6898 - 6907 ),
      were used. Multiplexed replica-exchange molecular dynamics was used to generate
      the decoys. The iterative procedure exhibited steady convergence. Three variants
      of optimization were tried: optimization of the energy-term weights alone and use
      of the experimental ensemble of the folded protein only at T = 280 K (run 1);
      optimization of the energy-term weights and use of experimental ensembles at all
      three temperatures (run 2); and optimization of the energy-term weights and the
      coefficients of the torsional and multibody energy terms and use of experimental
      ensembles at all three temperatures (run 3). The force fields were subsequently
      tested with a set of 14 alpha-helical and two alpha + beta proteins. Optimization
      run 1 resulted in better agreement with the experimental ensemble at T = 280 K
      compared with optimization run 2 and in comparable performance on the test set
      but poorer agreement of the calculated folding temperature with the experimental
      folding temperature. Optimization run 3 resulted in the best fit of the
      calculated ensembles to the experimental ones for the tryptophan cage but in much
      poorer performance on the training set, suggesting that use of a small alpha
      helical protein for extensive force-field calibration resulted in overfitting of
      the data for this protein at the expense of transferability. The optimized force
      field resulting from run 2 was found to fold 13 of the 14 tested alpha-helical
      proteins and one small alpha + beta protein with the correct topologies; the
      average structures of 10 of them were predicted with accuracies of about 5 A
      C(alpha) root-mean-square deviation or better. Test simulations with an
      additional set of 12 alpha-helical proteins demonstrated that this force field
      performed better on alpha-helical proteins than the previous parametrizations of
      UNRES. The proposed approach is applicable to any problem of maximum-likelihood
      parameter estimation when the contributions to the maximum-likelihood function
      cannot be evaluated at the experimental points and the dimension of the
      configurational space is too high to construct histograms of the experimental
      distributions. 

PMID- 26263304
TI  - Anisotropic Ripple Deformation in Phosphorene.
AB  - Two-dimensional materials tend to become crumpled according to the Mermin-Wagner
      theorem, and the resulting ripple deformation may significantly influence
      electronic properties as observed in graphene and MoS2. Here, we unveil by first
      principles calculations a new, highly anisotropic ripple pattern in phosphorene,
      a monolayer black phosphorus, where compression-induced ripple deformation occurs
      only along the zigzag direction in the strain range up to 10%, but not the
      armchair direction. This direction-selective ripple deformation mode in
      phosphorene stems from its puckered structure with coupled hinge-like bonding
      configurations and the resulting anisotropic Poisson ratio. We also construct an
      analytical model using classical elasticity theory for ripple deformation in
      phosphorene under arbitrary strain. The present results offer new insights into
      the mechanisms governing the structural and electronic properties of phosphorene
      crucial to its device applications. 

PMID- 26263305
TI  - Regulating Ion Transport in Peptide Nanotubes by Tailoring the Nanotube Lumen
      Chemistry.
AB  - We use atomistic nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulations to demonstrate how
      specific ionic flux in peptide nanotubes can be regulated by tailoring the lumen
      chemistry through single amino acid substitutions. By varying the size and
      polarity of the functional group inserted into the nanotube interior, we are able
      to adjust the Na(+) flux by over an order of magnitude. Cl(-) is consistently
      denied passage. Bulky, nonpolar groups encourage interactions between the Na(+)
      and the peptide backbone carbonyl groups, disrupting the Na(+) solvation shell
      and slowing the transport of Na(+). Small groups have the opposite effect and
      accelerate flow. These results suggest that relative ion flux and selectivity can
      be precisely regulated in subnanometer pores by molecularly defining the lumen
      according to biological principles. 

PMID- 26263306
TI  - Negative Differential Resistance Probe for Interdot Interactions in a Double
      Quantum Dot Array.
AB  - Colloidal quantum dots are free-standing nanostructures with chemically tunable
      electronic properties. In this work, we consider a new STM tip-double quantum dot
      (DQD)-surface setup with a unique connectivity, in which the tip is coupled to a
      single dot and the coupling to the surface is shared by both dots. Our
      theoretical analysis reveals a unique negative differential resistance (NDR)
      effect attributed to destructive interference during charge transfer from the DQD
      to the surface. This NDR can be used as a sensitive probe for interdot
      interactions in DQD arrays. 

PMID- 26263307
TI  - Conditional Born-Oppenheimer Dynamics: Quantum Dynamics Simulations for the Model
      Porphine.
AB  - We report a new theoretical approach to solve adiabatic quantum molecular
      dynamics halfway between wave function and trajectory-based methods. The
      evolution of a N-body nuclear wave function moving on a 3N-dimensional Born
      Oppenheimer potential-energy hyper-surface is rewritten in terms of single-nuclei
      wave functions evolving nonunitarily on a 3-dimensional potential-energy surface
      that depends parametrically on the configuration of an ensemble of generally
      defined trajectories. The scheme is exact and, together with the use of
      trajectory-based statistical techniques, can be exploited to circumvent the
      calculation and storage of many-body quantities (e.g., wave function and
      potential-energy surface) whose size scales exponentially with the number of
      nuclear degrees of freedom. As a proof of concept, we present numerical
      simulations of a 2-dimensional model porphine where switching from concerted to
      sequential double proton transfer (and back) is induced quantum mechanically. 

PMID- 26263308
TI  - Molecular Growth Inside of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Clusters Induced by
      Ion Collisions.
AB  - The present work combines experimental and theoretical studies of the collision
      between keV ion projectiles and clusters of pyrene, one of the simplest
      polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Intracluster growth processes induced by
      ion collisions lead to the formation of a wide range of new molecules with masses
      larger than that of the pyrene molecule. The efficiency of these processes is
      found to strongly depend on the mass and velocity of the incoming projectile.
      Classical molecular dynamics simulations of the entire collision process-from the
      ion impact (nuclear scattering) to the formation of new molecular species
      reproduce the essential features of the measured molecular growth process and
      also yield estimates of the related absolute cross sections. More elaborate
      density functional tight binding calculations yield the same growth products as
      the classical simulations. The present results could be relevant to understand
      the physical chemistry of the PAH-rich upper atmosphere of Saturn's moon Titan. 

PMID- 26263309
TI  - Rain on Methylammonium Lead Iodide Based Perovskites: Possible Environmental
      Effects of Perovskite Solar Cells.
AB  - The great promise of hybrid organic-inorganic lead halide perovskite (HOIP)-based
      solar cells is being challenged by its Pb content and its sensitivity to water.
      Here, the impact of rain on methylammonium lead iodide perovskite films was
      investigated by exposing such films to water of varying pH values, simulating
      exposure of the films to rain. The amount of Pb loss was determined using both
      gravimetric and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry measurements. Using
      our results, the extent of Pb loss to the environment, in the case of
      catastrophic module failure, was evaluated. Although very dependent on module
      siting, even total destruction of a large solar electrical power generating
      plant, based on HOIPs, while obviously highly undesirable, is estimated to be far
      from catastrophic for the environment. 

PMID- 26263310
TI  - Correction to "Orientation-Dependent Oxygen Evolution Activities of Rutile IrO2
      and RuO2".

PMID- 26263311
TI  - Atomic Clusters: Opportunities in the Face of Challenges.

PMID- 26263312
TI  - Stereodynamical Origin of Anti-Arrhenius Kinetics: Negative Activation Energy and
      Roaming for a Four-Atom Reaction.
AB  - The OH + HBr -> H2O + Br reaction, prototypical of halogen-atom liberating
      processes relevant to mechanisms for atmospheric ozone destruction, attracted
      frequent attention of experimental chemical kinetics: the nature of the unusual
      reactivity drop from low to high temperatures eluded a variety of theoretical
      efforts, ranking this one among the most studied four-atom reactions. Here,
      inspired by oriented molecular-beams experiments, we develop a first-principles
      stereodynamical approach. Thermalized sets of trajectories, evolving on a
      multidimensional potential energy surface quantum mechanically generated on-the
      fly, provide a map of most visited regions at each temperature. Visualizations of
      rearrangements of bonds along trajectories and of the role of specific angles of
      reactants' mutual approach elucidate the mechanistic change from the low kinetic
      energy regime (where incident reactants reorient to find the propitious alignment
      leading to reaction) to high temperature (where speed hinders adjustment of
      directionality and roaming delays reactivity). 

PMID- 26263313
TI  - Lattice Strain Limit for Uniform Shell Deposition in Zincblende CdSe/CdS Quantum
      Dots.
AB  - The effects of lattice strain on the spectroscopy and photoluminescence quantum
      yields of zincblende CdSe/CdS core/shell quantum dots are examined. The quantum
      yields are measured as a function of core size and shell thickness. High quantum
      yields are achieved as long as the lattice strain energy density is below ~0.85
      eV/nm(2), which is considerably greater than the limiting value of 0.59 eV/nm(2)
      for thermodynamic stability of a smooth, defect-free shell, as previously
      reported (J. Chem. Phys. 2014, 141, 194704). Thus, core/shell quantum dots having
      strain energy densities between 0.59 and 0.85 eV/nm(2) can have very high PL QYs
      but are metastable with respect to surface defect formation. Such metastable
      core/shell QDs can be produced by shell deposition at comparatively low
      temperatures (<140  degrees C). Annealing of these particles causes partial loss
      of core pressure and a red shift of the spectrum.

PMID- 26263314
TI  - Exploring Ion-Ion Interactions in Aqueous Solutions by a Combination of Molecular
      Dynamics and Neutron Scattering.
AB  - Recent advances in computational and experimental techniques have allowed for
      accurate description of ion pairing in aqueous solutions. Free energy methods
      based on ab initio molecular dynamics, as well as on force fields accounting
      effectively for electronic polarization, can provide quantitative information
      about the structures and occurrences of individual types of ion pairs. When
      properly benchmarked against electronic structure calculations for model systems
      and against structural experiments, in particular neutron scattering, such force
      field simulations represent a powerful tool for elucidating interactions of salt
      ions in complex biological aqueous environments. 

PMID- 26263315
TI  - Rotational Doppler Effect: A Probe for Molecular Orbitals Anisotropy.
AB  - The vibrationally resolved X-ray photoelectron spectra of X2Sigmag+(3sigmag-1)
      and B2Sigmau+(2sigmau-1) states of N2+ were recorded for different photon
      energies and orientations of the polarization vector. Clear dependencies of the
      spectral line widths on the X-ray polarization as well as on the symmetry of the
      final electronic states are observed. Contrary to the translational Doppler, the
      rotational Doppler broadening is sensitive to the photoelectron emission
      anisotropy. On the basis of theoretical modeling, we suggest that the different
      rotational Doppler broadenings observed for gerade and ungerade final states
      result from a Young's double-slit interference phenomenon.

PMID- 26263316
TI  - Solution Synthesis and Optical Properties of Transition-Metal-Doped Silicon
      Nanocrystals.
AB  - A new synthetic method was developed to produce a range of transition-metal (Mn,
      Ni, and Cu) doped silicon nanocrystals (Si NCs). The synthesis produces
      monodisperse undoped and doped Si NCs with comparable average sizes as shown by
      transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Dopant composition was confirmed by EDX
      (energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy). The optical properties of undoped and
      doped were compared and contrasted using absorption (steady-state and transient)
      and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Doped Si NCs demonstrated unique dopant
      dependent optical properties compared to undoped Si NCs such as enhanced subgap
      absorption, and 40 nm shifts in the emission. Transient absorption (TA)
      measurements showed that photoexcitations in doped Si NCs relaxed via dopant
      states not present in undoped Si NCs. 

PMID- 26263317
TI  - Two-Dimensional Metal Dichalcogenides and Oxides for Hydrogen Evolution: A
      Computational Screening Approach.
AB  - We explore the possibilities of hydrogen evolution by basal planes of 2D metal
      dichalcogenides and oxides in the 2H and 1T class of structures using the
      hydrogen binding energy as a computational activity descriptor. For some groups
      of systems like the Ti, Zr, and Hf dichalcogenides the hydrogen bonding to the 2H
      structure is stronger than that to the 1T structure, while for the Cr, Mo, and W
      dichalcogenides the behavior is opposite. This is rationalized by investigating
      shifts in the chalcogenide p levels comparing the two structures. We find that
      usually for a given material only at most one of the two phases will be active
      for the hydrogen evolution reaction; however, in most cases the two phases are
      very close in formation energy, opening up the possibility for stabilizing the
      active phase. The study points to many new possible 2D HER materials beyond the
      few that are already known. 

PMID- 26263318
TI  - Computational Prediction of Metal Organic Frameworks Suitable for Molecular
      Infiltration as a Route to Development of Conductive Materials.
AB  - The development of metal organic frameworks (MOFs) with high porosity, large
      surface area, and good electrical properties would offer opportunities for
      producing functionalized porous materials suitable for energy storage,
      conversion, and utilization. Realizing these applications remains challenging
      because of the limited numbers of electrically conductive porous MOFs that are
      known. We apply density functional theory (DFT) to assess a large number of
      potentially electrically conductive MOFs generated by infiltrating known
      materials with conjugated and redox-active 7,7,8,8-tetracyanquinododimethane
      (TCNQ) molecules. DFT results demonstrate that TCNQ coordinating with dimeric Cu
      paddlewheels can create molecular chains in a variety of MOFs. Several of these
      materials feature the formation of multiple dimensional conducting chains, making
      the materials promising for electrical conductivity. 

PMID- 26263319
TI  - Identification of the Excited-State C?C and C?O Modes of trans-beta-Apo-8'
      carotenal with Transient 2D-IR-EXSY and Femtosecond Stimulated Raman
      Spectroscopy.
AB  - Assigning the vibrational modes of molecules in the electronic excited state is
      often a difficult task. Here we show that combining two nonlinear spectroscopic
      techniques, transient 2D exchange infrared spectroscopy (T2D-IR-EXSY) and
      femtosecond stimulated Raman spectroscopy (FSRS), the contribution of the C?C and
      C?O modes in the excited-state vibrational spectra of trans-beta-apo-8'-carotenal
      can be unambiguously identified. The experimental results reported in this work
      confirm a previously proposed assignment based on quantum-chemical calculations
      and further strengthen the role of an excited state with charge-transfer
      character in the relaxation pathway of carbonyl carotenoids. On a more general
      ground, our results highlight the potentiality of nonlinear spectroscopic methods
      based on the combined use of visible and infrared pulses to correlate structural
      and electronic changes in photoexcited molecules. 

PMID- 26263320
TI  - Product Branching in the Low Temperature Reaction of CN with Propyne by Chirped
      Pulse Microwave Spectroscopy in a Uniform Supersonic Flow.
AB  - A new chirped-pulse/uniform flow (CPUF) spectrometer has been developed and used
      to determine product branching in a multichannel reaction. With this technique,
      bimolecular reactions can be initiated in a cold, thermalized, high-density
      molecular flow and a broadband microwave spectrum acquired for all products with
      rotational transitions within a chosen frequency window. In this work, the CN +
      CH3CCH reaction was found to yield HCN via a direct H-abstraction reaction,
      whereas indirect addition/elimination pathways to HCCCN, CH3CCCN, and CH2CCHCN
      were also probed. From these observations, quantitative branching ratios were
      established for all products as 12(5)%, 66(4)%, 22(6)%, and 0(8)% into HCN,
      HCCCN, CH3CCCN, and CH2CCHCN, respectively. The values are consistent with
      statistical calculations based on new ab initio results at the CBS-QB3 level of
      theory. This work is a demonstration of CPUF as a powerful technique for
      quantitatively determining the branching into polyatomic products from a
      bimolecular reaction. 

PMID- 26263321
TI  - Elusive Sulfurous Acid: Gas-Phase Basicity and IR Signature of the Protonated
      Species.
AB  - The ion corresponding to protonated sulfurous acid, H3SO3(+), has been
      successfully delivered into the gas phase by electrospray ionization of the
      solution of a suitable precursor and an in-source fragmentation process. The
      neutral acid is a highly elusive molecule. However, its gas-phase basicity has
      been ascertained by means of a kinetic study of proton-transfer reactivity. The
      structure of the H3SO3(+) sampled ion has been probed by IRMPD spectroscopy in
      two complementary IR frequency ranges in conjunction with density functional
      theory calculations and found to conform to a trihydroxosulfonium ion. The
      characteristic IR signatures may aid in deciphering the presence of this species
      in extraterrestrial atmospheres. 

PMID- 26263322
TI  - Electron Spin Polarization Transfer to ortho-H2 by Interaction of para-H2 with
      Paramagnetic Species: A Key to a Novel para -> ortho Conversion Mechanism.
AB  - We report that at ambient temperature and with 100% enriched para-hydrogen (p-H2)
      dissolved in organic solvents, paramagnetic spin catalysis of para -> ortho
      hydrogen conversion is accompanied at the onset by a negative ortho-hydrogen (o
      H2) proton NMR signal. This novel finding indicates an electron spin polarization
      transfer, and we show here that this can only occur if the H2 molecule is
      dissociated upon its transient adsorption by the paramagnetic catalyst. Following
      desorption, o-H2 is created until the thermodynamic equilibrium is reached. A
      simple theory confirms that in the presence of a static magnetic field, the
      hyperfine coupling between unpaired electrons and nuclear spins is responsible
      for the observed polarization transfer. Owing to the negative electron
      gyromagnetic ratio, this explains the experimental results and ascertains an as
      yet unexplored mechanism for para -> ortho conversion. Finally, we show that the
      recovery of o-H2 magnetization toward equilibrium can be simply modeled, leading
      to the para -> ortho conversion rate. 

PMID- 26263323
TI  - Illuminating the Interactions between Small Solutes in Liquid Water.

PMID- 26263324
TI  - Ab Initio Modeling of Bulk and Intragranular Diffusion in Ni Alloys.
AB  - Knowledge of solid-state and interfacial species diffusion kinetics is of
      paramount importance for understanding mechanisms of grain boundary (GB)
      oxidation causing environmental degradation and cracking of Ni-base structural
      alloys. In this study, first-principles calculations of vacancy-mediated
      diffusion are performed across a wide series of alloying elements commonly used
      in Ni-based superalloys, as well as interstitial diffusion of atomic oxygen and
      sulfur in the bulk, at the (111) surface, ?110? symmetric tilt GBs of Ni
      corresponding to model low- (Sigma = 3/(111)) and high-energy (Sigma = 9/(221))
      GBs. A substantial enhancement of diffusion is found for all species at the high
      energy GB as compared with the bulk and the low-energy GB, with Cr, Mn, and Ti
      exhibiting remarkably small activation barriers (<0.1 eV; ~10 times lower than in
      the bulk). Calculations also show that the bulk diffusion mechanism and kinetics
      differ for oxygen and sulfur, with oxygen having a faster mobility and
      preferentially diffusing through the tetrahedral interstitial sites in Ni matrix,
      where it can be trapped in a local minimum.

PMID- 26263325
TI  - Anatomy of the Photochemical Reaction: Excited-State Dynamics Reveals the C-H
      Acidity Mechanism of Methoxy Photo-oxidation on Titania.
AB  - Light-driven chemical reactions on semiconductor surfaces have potential for
      addressing energy and pollution needs through efficient chemical synthesis;
      however, little is known about the time evolution of excited states that
      determine reaction pathways. Here, we study the photo-oxidation of methoxy (CH3O)
      derived from methanol on the rutile TiO2(110) surface using ab initio simulations
      to create a molecular movie of the process. The movie sequence reveals a wealth
      of information on the reaction intermediates, time scales, and energetics. The
      reaction is broken in three stages, described by Lewis structures directly
      derived from the "hole" wave functions that lead to the concept of "photoinduced
      C-H acidity". The insights gained from this work can be generalized to a set of
      simple rules that can predict the efficiency of photo-oxidation reactions in
      reactant-catalyst pairs. 

PMID- 26263326
TI  - Effect of Mesostructured Layer upon Crystalline Properties and Device Performance
      on Perovskite Solar Cells.
AB  - One of the most fascinating characteristics of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is
      the retrieved obtainment of outstanding photovoltaic (PV) performances
      withstanding important device configuration variations. Here we have analyzed
      CH3NH3PbI3-xClx in planar or in mesostructured (MS) configurations, employing
      both titania and alumina scaffolds, fully infiltrated with perovskite material or
      presenting an overstanding layer. The use of the MS scaffold induces to the
      perovskite different structural properties, in terms of grain size, preferential
      orientation, and unit cell volume, in comparison to the ones of the material
      grown with no constraints, as we have found out by X-ray diffraction analyses. We
      have studied the effect of the PSC configuration on photoinduced absorption and
      time-resolved photoluminescence, complementary techniques that allow studying
      charge photogeneration and recombination. We have estimated electron diffusion
      length in the considered configurations observing a decrease when the material is
      confined in the MS scaffold with respect to a planar architecture. However, the
      presence of perovskite overlayer allows an overall recovering of long diffusion
      lengths explaining the record PV performances obtained with a device
      configuration bearing both the mesostructure and a perovskite overlayer. Our
      results suggest that performance in devices with perovskite overlayer is mainly
      ruled by the overlayer, whereas the mesoporous layer influences the contact
      properties. 

PMID- 26263327
TI  - Femtosecond Nanoplasmonic Dephasing of Individual Silver Nanoparticles and Small
      Clusters.
AB  - We present experimental measurements of localized surface plasmon emission from
      individual silver nanoparticles and small clusters via accurately delayed
      femtosecond laser pulses. Fourier transform analysis of the nanoplasmonic
      coherence oscillations reveals different frequency components and dephasing rates
      for each nanoparticle. We find three different types of behavior: single
      exponential decay, beating between two frequencies, and beating among three or
      more frequencies. Our results provide insight into inhomogeneous and homogeneous
      broadening mechanisms in nanoplasmonic spectroscopy that depend on morphology and
      nearby neighbors. In addition, we find the optical response of certain pairs of
      nanoparticles to be at least an order of magnitude more intense than the response
      of single particles. 

PMID- 26263328
TI  - Capacitive Dark Currents, Hysteresis, and Electrode Polarization in Lead Halide
      Perovskite Solar Cells.
AB  - Despite spectacular advances in conversion efficiency of perovskite solar cell
      many aspects of its operating modes are still poorly understood. Capacitance
      constitutes a key parameter to explore which mechanisms control particular
      functioning and undesired effects as current hysteresis. Analyzing capacitive
      responses allows addressing not only the nature of charge distribution in the
      device but also the kinetics of the charging processes and how they alter the
      solar cell current. Two main polarization processes are identified. Dielectric
      properties of the microscopic dipolar units through the orthorhombic-to
      tetragonal phase transition account for the measured intermediate frequency
      capacitance. Electrode polarization caused by interfacial effects, presumably
      related to kinetically slow ions piled up in the vicinity of the outer
      interfaces, consistently explain the reported excess capacitance values at low
      frequencies. In addition, current-voltage curves and capacitive responses of
      perovskite-based solar cells are connected. The observed hysteretic effect in the
      dark current originates from the slow capacitive mechanisms. 

PMID- 26263329
TI  - Activation of Graphenic Carbon Due to Substitutional Doping by Nitrogen:
      Mechanistic Understanding from First Principles.
AB  - Nitrogen-doped graphene and carbon nanotubes are popularly in focus as metal-free
      electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reactions (ORR) central to fuel cells. N
      doped CNTs have been also reported to chemisorb mutually, promising a route to
      their robust predetermined assembly into devices and mechanical reinforcements.
      We propose from first principles a common mechanistic understanding of these two
      aspects pointing further to a generic chemical activation of carbon atoms due to
      substitution by nitrogen in experimentally observed configurations. Wannier
      function based orbital resolved study of mechanisms suggests increase in C-N bond
      orders in attempt to retain pi-conjugation among carbon atoms, causing mechanical
      stress and loss of charge neutrality of nitrogen and carbon atoms, which
      remedially facilitate chemical activation of N-coordinated C atoms, enhancing
      sharply with increasing coordination to N and proximity to zigzag edges.
      Activated C atoms facilitate covalent adsorption of radicals in general,
      diradicals like O2 relevant to ORR, and also other similarly activated C atoms,
      leading to self-assembly of graphenic nanostructures while remaining inert to
      ordinary graphenic C atoms. 

PMID- 26263330
TI  - Dissociative Adsorption of O2 on Al(111): The Role of Orientational Degrees of
      Freedom.
AB  - The interaction between O2 molecules and Al surfaces has long been poorly
      understood despite its importance in diverse chemical phenomena. Early
      experimental investigations of adsorption dynamics indicated that abstraction of
      a single O atom by the surface, instead of dissociative chemisorption, dominates
      at low O2 incident kinetic energies. Abstraction of the closer O atom suggests
      low barrier heights at perpendicular incidence. However, recent measurements
      suggest that parallel O2 orientations dominate sticking at low energies. We
      resolve this apparent contradiction by a systematic ab initio embedded correlated
      wavefunction study of the stereochemistry of O2 reacting with Al(111). We
      identify two important new details: (i) initially, roughly parallel oxygen
      molecules tend to tilt upright while approaching the surface, suggesting that the
      abstraction channel does dominate at low energies and (ii) the reaction channel
      with the lowest barrier indeed corresponds to a parallel orientation, which
      ultimately evolves either into dissociative chemisorption or toward abstraction. 

PMID- 26263331
TI  - Employing PEDOT as the p-Type Charge Collection Layer in Regular Organic
      Inorganic Perovskite Solar Cells.
AB  - Organic-inorganic halide perovskite solar cells have recently emerged as high
      performance photovoltaic devices with low cost, promising for affordable large
      scale energy production, with laboratory cells already exceeding 20% power
      conversion efficiency (PCE). To date, a relatively expensive organic hole
      conducting molecule with low conductivity, namely spiro-OMeTAD (2,2',7,7'
      tetrakis(N,N-di-p-methoxyphenyl-amine) 9,9'- spirobifluorene), is employed widely
      to achieve highly efficient perovskite solar cells. Here, we report that by
      replacing spiro-OMeTAD with much cheaper and highly conductive poly(3,4
      ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) we can achieve PCE of up to 14.5%, with PEDOT
      cast from a toluene based ink. However, the stabilized power output of the PEDOT
      based devices is only 6.6%, in comparison to 9.4% for the spiro-OMeTAD-based
      cells. We deduce that accelerated recombination is the cause for this lower
      stabilized power output and postulate that reduced levels of p-doping are
      required to match the stabilized performance of Spiro-OMeTAD. The entirely of the
      materials employed in the perovskite solar cell are now available at commodity
      scale and extremely inexpensive. 

PMID- 26263332
TI  - Hyperpolarized Water to Study Protein-Ligand Interactions.
AB  - The affinity between a chosen target protein and small molecules is a key aspect
      of drug discovery. Screening by popular NMR methods such as Water-LOGSY suffers
      from low sensitivity and from false positives caused by aggregated or denatured
      proteins. This work demonstrates that the sensitivity of Water-LOGSY can be
      greatly boosted by injecting hyperpolarized water into solutions of proteins and
      ligands. Ligand binding can be detected in a few seconds, whereas about 30 min is
      usually required without hyperpolarization. Hyperpolarized water also enhances
      proton signals of proteins at concentrations below 20 MUM so that one can verify
      in a few seconds whether the proteins remain intact or have been denatured. 

PMID- 26263333
TI  - Comparison of the Performance of CoP-Coated and Pt-Coated Radial Junction n(+)p
      Silicon Microwire-Array Photocathodes for the Sunlight-Driven Reduction of Water
      to H2(g).
AB  - The electrocatalytic performance for hydrogen evolution has been evaluated for
      radial-junction n(+)p-Si microwire (MW) arrays with Pt or cobalt phosphide, CoP,
      nanoparticulate catalysts in contact with 0.50 M H2SO4(aq). The CoP-coated (2.0
      mg cm(-2)) n(+)p-Si MW photocathodes were stable for over 12 h of continuous
      operation and produced an open-circuit photovoltage (Voc) of 0.48 V, a light
      limited photocurrent density (Jph) of 17 mA cm(-2), a fill factor (ff) of 0.24,
      and an ideal regenerative cell efficiency (etaIRC) of 1.9% under simulated 1 Sun
      illumination. Pt-coated (0.5 mg cm(-2)) n(+)p-Si MW-array photocathodes produced
      Voc = 0.44 V, Jph = 14 mA cm(-2), ff = 0.46, and eta = 2.9% under identical
      conditions. Thus, the MW geometry allows the fabrication of photocathodes
      entirely comprised of earth-abundant materials that exhibit performance
      comparable to that of devices that contain Pt. 

PMID- 26263334
TI  - Velocity Map Imaging Study of Charge-Transfer and Proton-Transfer Reactions of
      CH3 Radicals with H3(.).
AB  - The velocity map imaging method has been applied to crossed beam studies of
      charge transfer and proton transfer between methyl (CH3) radicals formed by
      pyrolysis and H3(+) cations over the collision energy range from 1.2 to 3.4 eV.
      Vibrational excitation in the H3(+) reactants plays an important role both in
      promoting endoergic charge transfer and in supplying energy to the products of
      the proton-transfer reaction. Excited H3(+) reactants with vibrational energy in
      excess of the barrier lead to energy-resonant charge transfer via long-range
      collisions. A small fraction of collisions that take place at low impact
      parameters appear to form charge-transfer products with higher levels of internal
      excitation. The proton-transfer reaction exhibits direct, stripping-like
      dynamics. Consistent with the kinematics of proton transfer, incremental kinetic
      energy supplied to the reactants is strongly directed into product relative
      kinetic energy, as predicted by the concept of "induced repulsive energy
      release". 

PMID- 26263336
TI  - Hydrophobic Ambivalence: Teetering on the Edge of Randomness.
AB  - Processes ranging from oil-water phase separation to the formation of solid
      clathrate hydrates send mixed messages regarding whether oil molecules hate or
      love to be surrounded by water. Recent experimental and theoretical results help
      decipher these mixed messages by illuminating the conditions under which the
      stability of a hydrophobic contact is expected to exceed thermal energy
      fluctuations - thus facilitating hydrophobic self-assembly and the emergence of
      structure from randomness. Important open questions remain regarding the
      dependence of hydrophobic interactions on molecular size and temperature, as well
      as the balance of direct and water-mediated interactions. 

PMID- 26263335
TI  - Graphene-Induced Magnetic Anisotropy of a Two-Dimensional Iron Phthalocyanine
      Network.
AB  - A single layer of flat-lying iron phthalocyanine (FePc) molecules assembled on
      graphene grown on Ir(111) preserves the magnetic moment, as deduced by X-ray
      magnetic circular dichroism from the Fe L2,3 edges. Furthermore, the FePc
      molecules in contact with the graphene buffer layer exhibit an enhancement of the
      magnetic anisotropy, with emergence of an in-plane easy magnetic axis, reflected
      by an increased orbital moment of the FePc molecules in contact with the C atoms
      in the graphene sheet. The origin of the increased magnetic anisotropy is
      discussed, considering the absence of electronic state hybridization, and the
      breaking of symmetry upon FePc adsorption on graphene. 

PMID- 26263337
TI  - Concurrent Effects of Delocalization and Internal Conversion Tune Charge
      Separation at Regioregular Polythiophene-Fullerene Heterojunctions.
AB  - Quantum-dynamical simulations are used to investigate the interplay of exciton
      delocalization and vibronically induced internal conversion processes in the
      elementary charge separation steps at regioregular donor-acceptor
      heterojunctions. Ultrafast internal conversion leads to efficient deexcitation
      within the excitonic and charge transfer manifolds, thus modifying the charge
      separation dynamics. We address a model donor-acceptor junction representative of
      regioregular P3HT-PCBM, using high-dimensional quantum dynamics simulations by
      multiconfigurational methods. While partial trapping into an interfacial charge
      separated state occurs, long-range charge-separated states are accessed as
      previously demonstrated in the work of Tamura and Burghardt [J. Am. Chem. Soc.
      2013, 135, 16364]. For an H-aggregate type, stacked donor species, the initial
      bright state undergoes ultrafast internal conversion within the excitonic
      manifold, creating multiple charge transfer pathways before reaching the lowest
      energy dark exciton, which is uncoupled from the charge transfer manifold. This
      process profoundly affects the charge separation mechanism and efficiency. For
      small energetic offsets between the interfacial excitonic and charge transfer
      states, a delocalized initial bright state proves less prone to electron-hole
      capture by the interfacial trap than a localized, vibronic wavepacket close to
      the interface. For both delocalized and localized initial states, a comparable
      yield of free carriers is obtained, which is found to be optimal for energetic
      offsets of the order of the Coulomb barrier to charge separation. Interfacial
      trapping is significantly reduced as the barrier height decreases with fullerene
      aggregation. Despite the high-dimensional nature of the system, charge separation
      is an ultrafast coherent quantum process exhibiting oscillatory features as
      observed in recent experiments. 

PMID- 26263338
TI  - Ligand Binding to Distinct Sites on Nanocrystals Affecting Energy and Charge
      Transfer.
AB  - Hybrid optoelectronic devices are attractive because they offer the promise of
      low-cost, roll-to-roll fabrication. Despite this, energy transfer between organic
      and inorganic interfaces is not well understood. Device engineering on this class
      of solution-processed materials generally focuses on replacing the long
      insulating ligands with short ones. Here, we show that energy and charge transfer
      between an inorganic nanocrystal (NC) donor and organic molecular acceptor is
      acutely sensitive to the chemical moiety linking the two species. Our results
      reveal that the CdS NCs have distinct binding sites for different chemical
      species because only resonance energy transfer (RET) is observed for the
      carboxylic-acid-functionalized ligand, while both RET and charge transfer are
      observed for the amine-functionalized ligand. We observe that the equilibrium
      constant for this static quenching term increases with decreasing particle size.
      This finding offers a new approach in the design of hybrid thin films for devices
      and NC probes based on RET used for imaging, sensing, signal transduction, and
      photon management. 

PMID- 26263339
TI  - Significant Chiral Signal Amplification of Langmuir Monolayers Probed by Second
      Harmonic Generation.
AB  - With the development of the nonlinear optical technique such as SHG (second
      harmonic generation), the in situ measurements of the chirality in the monolayers
      at the air/water interface have become possible. However, when performing the SHG
      measurement of the chirality in a monolayer, it is still a great challenge to
      obtain the chiral signals with a good S/N (signal-to-noise) ratio. In this
      Letter, interfacial assemblies with induced supramolecular chirality were used to
      amplify the weak chiral SHG signals from the monolayers at the air/water
      interface. Tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl) porphyrin (TPPS) J aggregates were used as
      the subphase, and when chiral amphiphilic molecules were spread on it, chiral
      domains of the amphiphile/TPPS J aggregates were formed and then significantly
      amplified chiral signals that otherwise could not be detected. Moreover, the sign
      of the DCE (degree of chiral excess) changed with the chirality of the
      amphiphilic molecules, thus providing a possible way to obtain the absolute
      chiral information in situ in the monolayers. 

PMID- 26263340
TI  - Ultrafast Population Inversion without the Strong Field Catch: The Parallel
      Transfer.
AB  - Quantum systems with sublevel structures, like molecules, prevent full population
      inversion from one manifold of sublevels to the other using ultrafast resonant
      pulses. We explain the mechanism by which this population transfer is blocked. We
      then develop a novel concept of geometric control, assuming full or partial
      coherent manipulation within the manifolds, and show that by preparing specific
      coherent superpositions in the initial manifold, full population inversion or
      full population blockade, that is, laser transparency, can be achieved. By
      properly choosing the relative phases of the initial state, one can interfere in
      the stimulated emission process, changing the pattern of Rabi oscillations so
      that full population inversion to the excited electronic state can be achieved
      almost regardless of the pulse intensity after a minimal threshold value. This is
      the basis of a novel control mechanism, termed parallel transfer. 

PMID- 26263341
TI  - Ferroelectric Polarization in CH3NH3PbI3 Perovskite.
AB  - We report on ferroelectric polarization behavior in CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite in the
      dark and under illumination. Perovskite crystals with three different sizes of
      700, 400, and 100 nm were prepared for piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM)
      measurements. PFM results confirmed the formation of spontaneous polarization in
      CH3NH3PbI3 in the absence of electric field, where the size dependency to
      polarization was not significant. Whereas the photoinduced stimulation was not
      significant without an external electric field, the stimulated polarization by
      poling was further enhanced under illumination. The retention of ferroelectric
      polarization was also observed after removal of the electric field, in which
      larger crystals showed longer retention behavior compared to the smaller sized
      one. Additionally, we suggest the effect of perovskite crystal size (morphology)
      on charge collection at the interface of the ferroelectric material even though
      insignificant size dependency in electric polarization was observed. 

PMID- 26263342
TI  - An Explanation of the Photoinduced Giant Dielectric Constant of Lead Halide
      Perovskite Solar Cells.
AB  - A photoinduced giant dielectric constant of ~10(6) has been found in impedance
      spectroscopy measurements of lead halide perovskite solar cells. We report
      similar effects in measurements of a porous lead zirconate titanate (PZT) sample
      saturated with water. The principal effect of the illumination of the solar cell
      and of the introduction of water into the pore volume of the PZT sample is a
      significant increase in conductivity and dielectric loss. This is shown to
      exhibit low frequency power law dispersion. Application of the Kramers-Kronig
      relationships show the large measured values of permittivity to be related to the
      power law changes in conductivity and dielectric loss. The power law dispersions
      in the electrical responses are consistent with an electrical network model of
      microstructure. It is concluded that the high apparent values of permittivity are
      features of the microstructural networks and not fundamental effects in the two
      perovskite materials.

PMID- 26263343
TI  - Visualization of Hot Exciton Energy Relaxation from Coherent to Diffusive Regimes
      in Conjugated Polymers: A Theoretical Analysis.
AB  - The unified coherent-to-diffusive energy relaxation of hot exciton in organic
      aggregates or polymers, which still remains largely unclear and is also a great
      challenge theoretically, is investigated from a time-dependent wavepacket
      diffusive approach. The results demonstrate that in the multiple time scale
      energy relaxation dynamics, the fast relaxation time essentially corresponds to
      the dephasing time of excitonic coherence motion, whereas the slow time is
      related to a hopping migration, and a suggested kinetic model successfully
      connects these two processes. The dependencies of those times on the initial
      energy and delocalization of exciton wavepacket as well as exciton-phonon
      interactions are further analyzed. The proposed method together with quantum
      chemistry calculations has explained an experimental observation of hot exciton
      energy relaxation in the low-bandgap copolymer PBDTTPD. 

PMID- 26263344
TI  - Charge-State Control of Mn(2+) Spin Relaxation Dynamics in Colloidal n-Type Zn1
      xMnxO Nanocrystals.
AB  - Colloidal diluted magnetic semiconductor (DMS) nanocrystals are model systems for
      studying spin effects in semiconductor nanostructures with relevance to future
      spin-based information processing technologies. The introduction of excess
      delocalized charge carriers into such nanocrystals turns on strong dopant-carrier
      magnetic exchange interactions, with important consequences for the physical
      properties of these materials. Here, we use pulsed electron paramagnetic
      resonance (pEPR) spectroscopy to probe the effects of excess conduction band
      electrons on the spin dynamics of colloidal Mn(2+)-doped ZnO nanocrystals. Mn(2+)
      spin-lattice relaxation is strongly accelerated by the addition of even one
      conduction band electron per Zn1-xMnxO nanocrystal, attributable to the
      introduction of a new exchange-based Mn(2+) spin relaxation pathway. A kinetic
      model is used to describe the enhanced relaxation rates, yielding new insights
      into the spin dynamics and electronic structures of these materials with
      potential ramifications for future applications of DMS nanostructures in spin
      based technologies. 

PMID- 26263346
TI  - Effect of Water Hydrogen Bonding on the Solvent-Mediated "Oscillatory" Repulsion
      of C60 Fullerenes in Water.
AB  - The solvent-mediated interaction of C60 fullerenes in liquid water is examined by
      using the combination of the probabilistic hydrogen bond model with the density
      functional theory. This combination allows one to take into account the effect of
      hydrogen bonding between water molecules on their interaction with fullerenes and
      to construct an approximation for the distribution of water molecules in the
      system, which provides an efficient foundation for studying hydrophobic
      phenomena. Our numerical evaluations predict the solvent-induced interaction of
      two C60 fullerenes in water at 293 K to have an oscillatory-repulsive character
      (previously observed in molecular dynamics simulations) only when the vicinal
      water-water hydrogen bonds are slightly weaker than bulk ones. Besides indicating
      the direction of the energetic alteration of water-water hydrogen bonds near C60
      fullerenes, our model also suggests that the hydrogen bonding ability of water
      plays a defining role in the solvent-mediated C60-C60 repulsion. 

PMID- 26263345
TI  - Power-Law Solvation Dynamics in G-Quadruplex DNA: Role of Hydration Dynamics on
      Ligand Solvation inside DNA.
AB  - G-quadruplex DNA (GqDNA) structures act as promising anticancer targets for small
      molecules (ligands). Solvation dynamics of a ligand (DAPI: 4',6-diamidino-2
      phenylindole) inside antiparallel-GqDNA is studied through direct comparison of
      time-resolved experiments to molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. Dynamic Stokes
      shifts of DAPI in GqDNA prepared in H2O buffer and D2O are compared to find the
      effect of water on ligand solvation. Experimental dynamics (in H2O) is then
      directly compared with the dynamics computed from 65 ns simulation on the same
      DAPI-GqDNA complex. Ligand solvation follows power-law relaxation (summed with
      fast exponential relaxation) from ~100 fs to 10 ns. Simulation results show
      relaxation below ~5 ps is dominated by water motion, while both water and DNA
      contribute comparably to dictate long-time power-law dynamics. Ion contribution
      is, however, found to be negligible. Simulation results also suggest that
      anomalous solvation dynamics may have origin in subdiffusive motion of perturbed
      water near GqDNA.

PMID- 26263347
TI  - Macrocrystals of Colloidal Quantum Dots in Anthracene: Exciton Transfer and
      Polarized Emission.
AB  - In this work, centimeter-scale macrocrystals of nonpolar colloidal quantum dots
      (QDs) incorporated into anthracene were grown for the first time. The exciton
      transfer from the anthracene host to acceptor QDs was systematically
      investigated, and anisotropic emission from the isotropic QDs in the anthracene
      macrocrystals was discovered. Results showed a decreasing photoluminescence
      lifetime of the donor anthracene, indicating a strengthening energy transfer with
      increasing QD concentration in the macrocrystals. With the anisotropy study, QDs
      inside the anthracene host acquired a polarization ratio of ~1.5 at 0 degrees 
      collection angle, and this increases to ~2.5 at the collection angle of 60
      degrees . A proof-of-concept application of these excitonic macrocrystals as
      tunable color converters on light-emitting diodes was also demonstrated.

PMID- 26263348
TI  - A Switchable High-Sensitivity Photodetecting and Photovoltaic Device with
      Perovskite Absorber.
AB  - Amplified photocurrent gain has been obtained by photodiodes of inorganic
      semiconductors such as GaAs and Si. The avalanche photodiode, developed for high
      sensitivity photodetectors, requires an expensive vapor-phase epitaxy manufacture
      process and high driving voltage (50-150 V). Here, we show that a low-cost
      solution-processed device using a planar-structured ferroelectric organo-lead
      triiodide perovskite enables light detection in a large dynamic range of incident
      power (10(-7)-10(-1) W cm(-2)) by switching with small voltage (-0.9 to +0.5 V).
      The device achieves significantly high external quantum conversion efficiency
      (EQE) up to 2.4 * 10(5)% (gain value of 2400) under weak monochromatic light. On
      a single dual-functional device, incident small power (0.2-100 MUW cm(-2)) and
      medium to large power (>0.1 mW cm(-2)) are captured by reverse bias and forward
      bias modes, respectively, with linear responsivity of current. For weak light
      detection, the device works with a high responsivity value up to 620 A W(-1). 

PMID- 26263349
TI  - Orientation-Dependent Interaction between CO2 Molecules Adsorbed on Ru(0001).
AB  - Determining the molecular structure of CO2 adsorbed on metal surfaces and its
      mutual interactions is important to understand its catalytic conversion
      reactions. Here, we study CO2 adsorption on Ru(0001) using scanning tunneling
      microscopy (STM) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Adsorbed at 77
      K, the CO2 molecules form mainly disordered structures at submonolayer coverage,
      except for small (2 * 2) domains. The adsorbed molecules are no longer linear as
      in the gas phase, but instead, they adopt a "V"-shape geometry with the carbon
      atom occupying three-fold hcp hollow sites and possess three symmetry-equivalent
      orientations. Annealing to 250 K causes partial desorption of the molecules,
      while the remaining molecules form trimers of three different configurations with
      different interaction energies determined by their relative orientations. The
      "strong"-interacting trimer shows a cyclic structure, about 40 meV more stable
      than the "weak"-interacting trimer that is composed of three parallel molecules. 

PMID- 26263350
TI  - Ab Initio Approach for Prediction of Oxide Surface Structure, Stoichiometry, and
      Electrocatalytic Activity in Aqueous Solution.
AB  - The design of efficient, stable, and inexpensive catalysts for oxygen evolution
      and reduction is crucial for the development of electrochemical energy conversion
      devices such as fuel cells and metal-air batteries. Currently, such design is
      limited by challenges in atomic-scale experimental characterization and
      computational modeling of solid-liquid interfaces. Here, we begin to address
      these issues by developing a general-, first-principles-, and electrochemical
      principles-based framework for prediction of catalyst surface structure,
      stoichiometry, and stability as a function of pH, electrode potential, and
      aqueous cation concentration. We demonstrate the approach by determining the
      surface phase diagram of LaMnO3, which has been studied for oxygen evolution and
      reduction and computing the reaction overpotentials on the relevant surface
      phases. Our results illustrate the critical role of solvated cation species in
      governing the catalyst surface structure and stoichiometry, and thereby catalytic
      activity, in aqueous solution. 

PMID- 26263352
TI  - Severe oropharyngitis due to herpes simplex virus type 2 infection in an
      immunocompetent adult.

PMID- 26263353
TI  - An unusual cause of a rectal mass: a malpositioned pessary.

PMID- 26263354
TI  - Adenomyoma of the duodenum.

PMID- 26263355
TI  - Recurrent pancreatitis in a patient with choledochal cyst and anomalous
      pancreaticobiliary junction.

PMID- 26263356
TI  - Video of the month: crowbar endoscopic enucleation of a giant appendicolith.

PMID- 26263361
TI  - About TMPRSS6 rs855791 polymorphism, iron metabolism and celiac disease.

PMID- 26263362
TI  - Levels of fecal calprotectin and the severity of postoperative patients with
      Crohn's disease.

PMID- 26263363
TI  - Response to Zanella et al.

PMID- 26263364
TI  - The utility of C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, fecal
      calprotectin and fecal lactoferrin to exclude inflammatory bowel disease in
      adults with IBS.

PMID- 26263365
TI  - Response to Dai et al.

PMID- 26263366
TI  - Response to Dai et al.

PMID- 26263367
TI  - Cannabinoid receptor agonist namisol does not affect cytokine levels in chronic
      pancreatitis patients.

PMID- 26263368
TI  - Response to Utomo et al.

PMID- 26263369
TI  - Incidence of microscopic colitis in relation to the number of colonoscopies over
      time.

PMID- 26263370
TI  - Response to Masclee et al.

PMID- 26263372
TI  - Pacing Strategy, Muscle Fatigue, and Technique in 1500-m Speed-Skating and
      Cycling Time Trials.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate pacing behavior and peripheral and central contributions to
      muscle fatigue in 1500-m speed-skating and cycling time trials when a faster or
      slower start is instructed. METHODS: Nine speed skaters and 9 cyclists, all
      competing at regional or national level, performed two 1500-m time trials in
      their sport. Athletes were instructed to start faster than usual in 1 trial and
      slower in the other. Mean velocity was measured per 100 m. Blood lactate
      concentrations were measured. Maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), voluntary
      activation (VA), and potentiated twitch (PT) of the quadriceps muscles were
      measured to estimate central and peripheral contributions to muscle fatigue. In
      speed skating, knee, hip, and trunk angles were measured to evaluate technique.
      RESULTS: Cyclists showed a more explosive start than speed skaters in the fast
      start time trial (cyclists performed first 300 m in 24.70 +/- 1.73 s, speed
      skaters in 26.18 +/- 0.79 s). Both trials resulted in reduced MVC (12.0% +/-
      14.5%), VA (2.4% +/- 5.0%), and PT (25.4% +/- 15.2%). Blood lactate
      concentrations after the time trial and the decrease in PT were greater in the
      fast-start than in the slow-start trial. Speed skaters showed higher trunk angles
      in the fast-start than in the slow-start trial, while knee angles remained
      similar. CONCLUSIONS: Despite similar instructions, behavioral adaptations in
      pacing differed between the 2 sports, resulting in equal central and peripheral
      contributions to muscle fatigue in both sports. This provides evidence for the
      importance of neurophysiological aspects in the regulation of pacing. It also
      stresses the notion that optimal pacing needs to be studied sport specifically,
      and coaches should be aware of this.

PMID- 26263373
TI  - Differential Effect of Viral Hepatitis Infection on Mortality among Korean
      Maintenance Dialysis Patients: A Prospective Multicenter Cohort Study.
AB  - The role of infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in
      terms of survival among dialysis patients remains incompletely understood. In the
      present multicenter prospective cohort study, we investigated the prevalences of
      HBV and HCV infection among 3,321 patients receiving maintenance dialysis in
      Korea, and assessed the impacts of these infections on survival. All included
      patients underwent hepatitis B antigen (HBsAg) and HCV antibody (Ab) testing,
      which revealed that 236 patients (7.1%) were HBsAg-positive, and 123 patients
      (3.7%) were HCV Ab-positive. HBsAg-positive and HCV Ab-positive patients were
      matched to hepatitis virus-negative patients using a propensity score at a ratio
      of 1:2. The prevalences of HBV and HCV infection did not significantly differ
      according to dialysis modality. Linear-by-linear association analysis revealed
      that hepatitis B prevalence significantly increased with increasing dialysis
      vintage (p = 0.001), and hepatitis C prevalence tended to be higher with
      increasing dialysis vintage (p = 0.074). We compared the survival of HBsAg
      positive and HCV Ab-positive patients to that of hepatitis virus-negative
      patients. After propensity score matching, cumulative survival did not differ
      between HBsAg-positive and HBsAg-negative patients (p = 0.37), while HCV Ab
      positive patients showed significantly lower survival than HCV Ab-negative
      patients (p = 0.03). The main conclusions of the present study are that HBV
      infection prevalence increased with longer dialysis vintage, and that both HBV
      and HCV infections were most prevalent among patients with the longest dialysis
      vintage. Additionally, HCV infection among maintenance dialysis patients is
      associated with an increased risk of mortality. 

PMID- 26263375
TI  - Development of the Final Version of the Classification and Assessment of
      Occupational Dysfunction Scale.
AB  - Occupational therapy is involved in disability prevention and health enhancement
      through the prevention of occupational dysfunction. Although many occupational
      dysfunction scales exist, no standard method is available for the assessment and
      classification of occupational dysfunction, which may include occupational
      imbalance, occupational deprivation, occupational alienation, and occupational
      marginalization. The purpose of this study was to develop the final version of
      Classification and Assessment of Occupational Dysfunction (CAOD). Our study
      demonstrated the validity and reliability of CAOD in a group of undergraduate
      students. The CAOD scale includes 16 items and addresses the following 4 domains:
      occupational imbalance, occupational deprivation, occupational alienation, and
      occupational marginalization. 

PMID- 26263374
TI  - E3 Ubiquitin Ligase NEDD4 Promotes Influenza Virus Infection by Decreasing Levels
      of the Antiviral Protein IFITM3.
AB  - Interferon (IFN)-induced transmembrane protein 3 (IFITM3) is a cell-intrinsic
      factor that limits influenza virus infections. We previously showed that IFITM3
      degradation is increased by its ubiquitination, though the ubiquitin ligase
      responsible for this modification remained elusive. Here, we demonstrate that the
      E3 ubiquitin ligase NEDD4 ubiquitinates IFITM3 in cells and in vitro. This IFITM3
      ubiquitination is dependent upon the presence of a PPxY motif within IFITM3 and
      the WW domain-containing region of NEDD4. In NEDD4 knockout mouse embryonic
      fibroblasts, we observed defective IFITM3 ubiquitination and accumulation of high
      levels of basal IFITM3 as compared to wild type cells. Heightened IFITM3 levels
      significantly protected NEDD4 knockout cells from infection by influenza A and B
      viruses. Similarly, knockdown of NEDD4 in human lung cells resulted in an
      increase in steady state IFITM3 and a decrease in influenza virus infection,
      demonstrating a conservation of this NEDD4-dependent IFITM3 regulatory mechanism
      in mouse and human cells. Consistent with the known association of NEDD4 with
      lysosomes, we demonstrate for the first time that steady state turnover of IFITM3
      occurs through the lysosomal degradation pathway. Overall, this work identifies
      the enzyme NEDD4 as a new therapeutic target for the prevention of influenza
      virus infections, and introduces a new paradigm for up-regulating cellular levels
      of IFITM3 independently of IFN or infection. 

PMID- 26263376
TI  - Lyso-Sulfatide Binds Factor Xa and Inhibits Thrombin Generation by the
      Prothrombinase Complex.
AB  - Blood coagulation reactions are strongly influenced by phospholipids, but little
      is known about the influence of sphingolipids on coagulation mechanisms.
      Lysosulfatide (lyso-SF) (sulfogalactosyl sphingosine) prolonged factor Xa (fXa) 1
      stage plasma clotting assays, showing it had robust anticoagulant activity. In
      studies using purified clotting factors, lyso-SF inhibited >90% of prothrombin
      (II) activation for reaction mixtures containing fXa/factor Va (fVa)/II, and also
      inhibited II activation generation by fXa/ phospholipids and by Gla-domainless
      fXa/fVa/phospholipids. When lyso-SF analogs were tested, results showed that N
      acetyl-sulfatide was not anticoagulant, implying that the free amine group was
      essential for the anticoagulant effects of lyso-SF. Lyso-SF did not inhibit fXa
      enzymatic hydrolysis of small peptide substrates, showing it did not directly
      inhibit the fXa activity. In surface plasmon resonance studies, lyso-SF bound to
      immobilized inactivated fXa as well as inactivated Gla-domainless-fXa. Confirming
      this lyso-SF:fXa interaction, fluorescence studies showed that fluorescently
      labeled-fXa in solution bound to lyso-SF. Thus, lyso-SF is an anticoagulant lipid
      that inhibits fXa when this enzyme is bound to either phospholipids or to fVa.
      Mechanisms for inhibition of procoagulant activity are likely to involve lyso-SF
      binding to fXa domain(s) that are distinct from the fXa Gla domain. This suggests
      that certain sphingolipids, including lyso-SF and some of its analogs, may down
      regulate fXa activity without inhibiting the enzyme's active site or binding to
      the fXa Gla domain. 

PMID- 26263378
TI  - Fate of Soil Organic Carbon and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in a Vineyard
      Soil Treated with Biochar.
AB  - The effect of biochar addition on the levels of black carbon (BC) and polcyclic
      aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in a vineyard soil in central Italy was investigated
      within a two year period. Hydropyrolysis (HyPy) was used to determine the
      contents of BC (BCHyPy) in the amended and control soils, while the hydrocarbon
      composition of the semi-labile (non-BCHyPy) fraction released by HyPy was
      determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, together with the solvent
      extractable PAHs. The concentrations of these three polycyclic aromatic carbon
      reservoirs changed and impacted differently the soil organic carbon over the
      period of the trial. The addition of biochar (33 ton dry biochar ha(-1)) gave
      rise to a sharp increase in soil organic carbon, which could be accounted for by
      an increase in BCHyPy. Over time, the concentration of BCHyPy decreased
      significantly from 36 to 23 mg g(-1) and as a carbon percentage from 79% to 61%.
      No clear time trends were observed for the non-BCHyPy PAHs varying from 39 to 34
      MUg g(-1) in treated soils, not significantly different from control soils.
      However, the concentrations of extractable PAHs increased markedly in the amended
      soils and decreased with time from 153 to 78 ng g(-1) remaining always higher
      than those in untreated soil. The extent of the BCHyPy loss was more compatible
      with physical rather than chemical processes.

PMID- 26263377
TI  - Promoter Hypomethylation of Maspin Inhibits Migration and Invasion of
      Extravillous Trophoblast Cells during Placentation.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Extravillous trophoblast (EVT) cells invade the endometrium and the
      maternal spiral arterioles during the first trimester. Mammary Serine Protease
      Inhibitor (Maspin, SERPINB5) plays a putative role in regulating the invasive
      activity of cytotrophoblasts. The maspin gene is silenced in various cancers by
      an epigenetic mechanism that involves aberrant cytosine methylation. We
      investigated the effect of the methylation status of the maspin promoter on the
      maspin expression and the aggressiveness of EVT cells. METHODS: Western blotting
      was used to detect the maspin protein expression in EVT cells upon hypoxia. The
      proliferative ability, the apoptosis rate and the migration and invasiveness were
      measured with Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, Flow Cytometry technology and Transwell
      methods. Subsequently, we treated cells with recombinant maspin protein. The
      methylation degree of maspin promoter region upon hypoxia/ decitabine was
      detected by bisulfite sequencing PCR and methylation-specific PCR. Finally, we
      explored the effects of decitabine on maspin protein expression and the
      aggressiveness of EVT cells. RESULTS: Hypoxia effectively increased maspin
      protein expression in EVT cells and significantly inhibited their aggressiveness.
      The addition of recombinant maspin protein inhibited this aggressiveness.
      Decitabine reduced the methylation in the maspin promoter region and effectively
      increased the maspin protein expression, which significantly weakened the
      migration and invasiveness of EVT cells. DISCUSSION: The methylation status of
      the maspin promoter is an important factor that affects the migration and
      invasion of EVT cells during early pregnancy. A decrease in the methylation
      status can inhibit the migration and invasion of EVT cells to affect placentation
      and can result in the ischemia and hypoxia of placenta.

PMID- 26263380
TI  - Executive functioning in schizophrenia: Unique and shared variance with measures
      of fluid intelligence.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Patients with schizophrenia often display deficits on tasks thought to
      measure "executive" processes. Recently, it has been suggested that reductions in
      fluid intelligence test performance entirely explain deficits reported for
      patients with focal frontal lesions on classical executive tasks. For patients
      with schizophrenia, it is unclear whether deficits on executive tasks are
      entirely accountable by fluid intelligence and representative of a common general
      process or best accounted for by distinct contributions to the cognitive profile
      of schizophrenia. METHOD: In the current study, 50 patients with schizophrenia
      and 50 age, sex and premorbid intelligence matched controls were assessed using a
      broad neuropsychological battery, including tasks considered sensitive to
      executive abilities, namely the Hayling Sentence Completion Test (HSCT), word
      fluency, Stroop test, digit-span backwards, and spatial working memory. Fluid
      intelligence was measured using both the Matrix reasoning subtest from the
      Weschler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI) and a composite score derived
      from a number of cognitive tests. RESULTS: Patients with schizophrenia were
      impaired on all cognitive measures compared with controls, except smell
      identification and the optimal betting and risk-taking measures from the
      Cambridge Gambling Task. After introducing fluid intelligence as a covariate,
      significant differences remained for HSCT suppression errors, and classical
      executive function tests such as the Stroop test and semantic/phonemic word
      fluency, regardless of which fluid intelligence measure was included.
      CONCLUSIONS: Fluid intelligence does not entirely explain impaired performance on
      all tests considered as reflecting "executive" processes. For schizophrenia,
      these measures should remain part of a comprehensive neuropsychological
      assessment alongside a measure of fluid intelligence.

PMID- 26263379
TI  - Targeting the NF-kappaB Pathway as a Combination Therapy for Advanced Thyroid
      Cancer.
AB  - NF-kappaB signaling plays an important role in tumor cell proliferation, cell
      survival, angiogenesis, invasion, metastasis and drug/radiation resistance.
      Combination therapy involving NF-kappaB pathway inhibition is an attractive
      strategy for the treatment of advanced forms of thyroid cancer. This study was
      designed to test the efficacy of NF-kappaB pathway inhibition in combination with
      cytotoxic chemotherapy, using docetaxel and ionizing radiation in in vitro models
      of thyroid cancer. We found that while both docetaxel and ionizing radiation
      activated NF-kappaB signaling in thyroid cancer cells, there was no synergistic
      effect on cell proliferation and/or programmed cell death with either genetic
      (transduction of a dominant negative mutant form of IkappaBalpha) or
      pharmacologic (proteasome inhibitor bortezomib and IKKbeta inhibitor GO-Y030)
      inhibition of the NF-kappaB pathway in thyroid cancer cell lines BCPAP, 8505C,
      THJ16T and SW1736. Docetaxel plus bortezomib synergistically decreased in vitro
      invasion of 8505C cells, but not in the other cell lines. Screening of a panel of
      clinically relevant targeted therapies for synergy with genetic NF-kappaB
      inhibition in a proliferation/cytotoxicity assay identified the histone
      deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) as a
      potential candidate. However, the synergistic effect was confirmed only in the
      BCPAP cells. These results indicate that NF-kappaB inhibitors are unlikely to be
      beneficial as combination therapy with taxane cytotoxic chemotherapy, external
      radiation therapy or radioiodine therapy. There may be unique circumstances where
      NF-kappaB inhibitors may be considered in combination with docetaxel to reduce
      tumor invasion or in combination with HDAC inhibitors to reduce tumor growth, but
      this does not appear to be a combination therapy that could be broadly applied to
      patients with advanced thyroid cancer. Further research may identify which
      subsets of patients/tumors may respond to this therapeutic approach. 

PMID- 26263382
TI  - Effects of invalid feedback on learning and feedback-related brain activity in
      decision-making.
AB  - For adaptive decision-making it is important to utilize only relevant, valid and
      to ignore irrelevant feedback. The present study investigated how feedback
      processing in decision-making is impaired when relevant feedback is combined with
      irrelevant and potentially invalid feedback. We analyzed two electrophysiological
      markers of feedback processing, the feedback-related negativity (FRN) and the
      P300, in a simple decision-making task, in which participants processed feedback
      stimuli consisting of relevant and irrelevant feedback provided by the color and
      meaning of a Stroop stimulus. We found that invalid, irrelevant feedback not only
      impaired learning, it also altered the amplitude of the P300 to relevant
      feedback, suggesting an interfering effect of irrelevant feedback on the
      processing of relevant feedback. In contrast, no such effect on the FRN was
      obtained. These results indicate that detrimental effects of invalid, irrelevant
      feedback result from failures of controlled feedback processing. 

PMID- 26263381
TI  - Enhancing both motor and cognitive functioning in Parkinson's disease: Aerobic
      exercise as a rehabilitative intervention.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Aerobic exercise training (AET) has been shown to provide health
      benefits in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD). However, it is yet unknown
      to what extent AET also improves cognitive and procedural learning capacities,
      which ensure an optimal daily functioning. OBJECTIVE: In the current study, we
      assessed the effects of a 3-month AET program on executive functions (EF),
      implicit motor sequence learning (MSL) capacity, as well as on different health
      related outcome indicators. METHODS: Twenty healthy controls (HC) and 19 early PD
      individuals participated in a supervised, high-intensity, stationary recumbent
      bike-training program (3 times/week for 12 weeks). Exercise prescription started
      at 20 min (+5 min/week up to 40 min) based on participant's maximal aerobic
      power. Before and after AET, EF tests assessed participants' inhibition and
      flexibility functions, whereas implicit MSL capacity was evaluated using a
      version of the Serial Reaction Time Task. RESULTS: The AET program was effective
      as indicated by significant improvement in aerobic capacity in all participants.
      Most importantly, AET improved inhibition but not flexibility, and motor learning
      skill, in both groups. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that AET can be a valuable
      non-pharmacological intervention to promote physical fitness in early PD, but
      also better cognitive and procedural functioning.

PMID- 26263383
TI  - Between Bouillaud and Broca: An unknown Italian debate on cerebral localization
      of language.
AB  - From 1825 onward, Bouillaud began gathering clinical evidence to support the
      hypothesis that speech is located in the cerebral frontal lobes. His aim was to
      provide empirical proof to Gall's theory of a specific substratum of speech in
      the anterior region of the brain. A well-known discussion ensued inside the
      French school among supporters and detractors that went far beyond Broca's first
      report in 1861. Unknown is that Bouillaud's investigations on localization of
      articulated language also gave rise to a discussion in Italy in the same period.
      In particular, speech localization formed a central topic in the mid-19th century
      in Northern Italy mainly thanks to four physicians, Michelangelo Asson, Mose
      Rizzi, Gaetano Strambio and Filippo Lussana, who reported on language-impaired
      patients and approached these cases in the light of Bouillaud's claims. Similarly
      to the French debate, the Italian medical community also included attacks and
      advocacies of the hypothesis of a precise localization of articulated language in
      the frontal lobes. However, they were mainly interested in investigating the
      anatomo-clinical relationships rather than in supporting Gall's organology. This
      Italian debate appears to be the first to have developed in the mid-19th century
      outside that of the French community. 

PMID- 26263385
TI  - Surface Behavior of Boronic Acid-Terminated Silicones.
AB  - Silicone polymers, with their high flexibility, lie in a monolayer at the air
      water interface as they are compressed until a critical pressure is reached, at
      which point multilayers are formed. Surface pressure measurements demonstrate
      that, in contrast, silicones that are end-modified with polar groups take up
      lower surface areas under compression because the polar groups submerge into the
      water phase. Boronic acids have the ability to undergo coordination with Lewis
      bases. As part of a program to examine the surface properties of boronic acids,
      we have prepared boronic acid-modified silicones (SiBAs) and examined them at the
      air-water interface to better understand if they behave like other end-functional
      silicones. Monolayers of silicones, aminopropylsilicones, and SiBAs were
      characterized at the air-water interface as a function of end functionalization
      and silicone chain length. Brewster angle and atomic force microscopies confirm
      domain formation and similar film morphologies for both functionalized and non
      functionalized silicone chains. There is a critical surface pressure (10 mN m(
      1)) independent of chain length that corresponds to a first-order phase
      transition. Below this transition, the film appears to be a homogeneous
      monolayer, whose thickness is independent of the chain length. Ellipsometry at
      the air-water interface indicates that the boronic acid functionality leads to a
      significant increase of film thickness at low molecular areas that is not seen
      for non-functionalized silicone chains. What differentiates the boronic acids
      from simple silicones or other end-functionalized silicones, in particular, is
      the larger area occupied by the headgroup when under compression compared to
      other or non-end-functionalized silicones, which suggests an in-plane rather than
      submerged orientation that may be driven by boronic acid self-complexation. 

PMID- 26263386
TI  - Moving Focus from Weight to Health. What Are the Components Used in Interventions
      to Improve Cardiovascular Health in Children?
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Obesity in childhood impacts on many areas of the child's current
      and future health, including their cardiovascular health. To date many attempts
      have been made to design interventions to tackle excess childhood weight but with
      limited success. We aimed to establish the components common to interventions in
      children that improve cardiovascular health parameters. METHODS: We searched the
      following databases: EMBASE 1974-week 3 November 2014, Ovid Medline 1946 Present,
      and PsychINFO 1967-Present for studies reporting interventions in healthy young
      people under the age of 18. Included interventions had to contain an education
      component and have been carried out in a community, school, or clinical setting.
      Papers had to report on at least one of the pre-specified CVD risk parameters and
      at least one non-biological outcome from knowledge, attitudes or behaviours.
      RESULTS: We retrieved 2451 papers, from which 12 studies (18 papers) of 3046
      participants were included. From the selected papers we identified four component
      themes; Health Behaviours, Self-Concept, Practical and Cognitive Tools, and
      Intervention Characteristics. The subcomponents that made up these themes were
      fairly consistent across the studies analysed although the studies varied in
      their duration, settings and children with which they were carried out. Nine of
      the studies were able to bring about positive change in at least one biological
      and one non-biological aspect of child cardiovascular health. CONCLUSION: The
      component themes identified here were common to intervention studies that had
      success in improving parameters of cardiovascular health. We suggest that the
      focus of childhood health interventions be moved from weight onto cardiovascular
      health parameters and that future interventions use the lessons learned by their
      predecessors to incorporate those components that are associated with successful
      interventions.

PMID- 26263384
TI  - KSHV MicroRNAs Repress Tropomyosin 1 and Increase Anchorage-Independent Growth
      and Endothelial Tube Formation.
AB  - Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is characterized by highly vascularized spindle-cell tumors
      induced after infection of endothelial cells by Kaposi's sarcoma-associated
      herpesvirus (KSHV). In KS tumors, KSHV expresses only a few latent proteins
      together with 12 pre-microRNAs. Previous microarray and proteomic studies
      predicted that multiple splice variants of the tumor suppressor protein
      tropomyosin 1 (TPM1) were targets of KSHV microRNAs. Here we show that at least
      two microRNAs of KSHV, miR-K2 and miR-K5, repress protein levels of specific
      isoforms of TPM1. We identified a functional miR-K5 binding site in the 3'
      untranslated region (UTR) of one TPM1 isoform. Furthermore, the inhibition or
      loss of miR-K2 or miR-K5 restores expression of TPM1 in KSHV-infected cells. TPM1
      protein levels were also repressed in KSHV-infected clinical samples compared to
      uninfected samples. Functionally, miR-K2 increases viability of unanchored human
      umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) by inhibiting anoikis (apoptosis after
      cell detachment), enhances tube formation of HUVECs, and enhances VEGFA
      expression. Taken together, KSHV miR-K2 and miR-K5 may facilitate KSHV
      pathogenesis. 

PMID- 26263388
TI  - Right-Side Colon Ischemia: Clinical Features, Large Visceral Artery Occlusion,
      and Long-Term Follow-Up.
AB  - CONTEXT: Large visceral artery occlusion (LVAO) could underlie right-side colon
      ischemia (RSCI) but is little known. OBJECTIVE: To assess patients with RSCI
      through long-term follow-up, including features and management of LVAO. MAIN
      OUTCOME MEASURES: Mesenteric ischemia and mortality. DESIGN: Retrospective
      observational study in an integrated health care system. RESULTS: Of 49 patients
      (30 women [61.2%]; mean [standard deviation] age, 69.4 [11.9] years), 19 (38.8%)
      underwent surgery-that is, 5 (83.3%) of 6 who developed RSCI in hospital
      following surgical procedures and 14 (32.6%) of 43 who had RSCI before
      hospitalization (p value = 0.03); overall, 5 (10.2%) died. Among 44 survivors
      with a median (range) follow-up of 5.19 (0.03-14.26) years, 5 (11.4%), including
      3 (20.0%) of 15 operated cases, had symptomatic LVAO and underwent angioplasty
      and stent placement: 2 for abdominal angina that preceded RSCI, 1 for acute
      mesenteric ischemia 1 week after resection of RSCI, 1 for RSCI 6 weeks after
      resection of left-side ischemia, and 1 for abdominal angina that began 3 years
      after spontaneous recovery from RSCI. None had further mesenteric ischemia until
      death from nonintestinal disease or the end of follow-up (1.6 to 10.2 years
      later). Kaplan-Meier survival estimates for all 44 survivors at 1, 3, 5, and 10
      years were 88.6%, 72.3%, 57.6%, and 25.9%, respectively. Thirty-one patients
      (70.4%) died during follow-up, 19 (61.3%) of a known cause; the 39 patients not
      treated for LVAO lacked mesenteric ischemia. CONCLUSION: Patients with RSCI may
      have symptomatic LVAO; therefore, we advise they undergo careful query for
      symptoms of abdominal angina and routine visceral artery imaging.

PMID- 26263387
TI  - Novel Epigenetic CREB-miR-630 Signaling Axis Regulates Radiosensitivity in
      Colorectal Cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: miR-630 has been reported to be a modulator of several cancers, but
      the mechanism by which is it influences radioresistance remains unknown. We aimed
      to identify the molecular function of miR-630 and its regulatory mechanism in
      colorectal cancer (CRC) cell lines. METHODOLOGY: Overexpression and loss-of
      function analyses of miR-630 were performed in CRC cell lines by measuring their
      levels of growth and apoptosis after ionic radiation (IR). Target genes were
      detected via a dual-luciferase assay and Western blot. Chromatin
      immunoprecipitation assay was carried out to identify the transcription factor
      regulating miR-630, and a demethylation experiment was also conducted. RESULTS:
      miR-630 expression was found to be positively correlated with radiosensitivity in
      CRC cell lines (p<0.05). After IR treatment, miR-630 induced apoptosis in cells;
      however, the opposite was observed when miR-630 was downregulated (p<0.05).
      BCL2L2 and TP53RK were identified as the target genes of miR-630, and the
      function of miR-630 was found to depend on these two genes (p<0.05). In addition,
      evidence showed that CREB regulates the level of miR-630, and demethylation can
      elevate miR-630 levels (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: CREB-miR-630-BCL2L2 and TP53RK
      comprise a novel signaling cascade regulating radiosensitivity in CRC cell lines
      by inducing cell apoptosis and death.

PMID- 26263389
TI  - Incentive-Based Primary Care: Cost and Utilization Analysis.
AB  - CONTEXT: In its fee-for-service funding model for primary care, British Columbia,
      Canada, introduced incentive payments to general practitioners as pay for
      performance for providing enhanced, guidelines-based care to patients with
      chronic conditions. Evaluation of the program was conducted at the health care
      system level. OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of the incentive payments on
      annual health care costs and hospital utilization patterns in British Columbia.
      DESIGN: The study used Ministry of Health administrative data for Fiscal Year
      2010-2011 for patients with diabetes, congestive heart failure, chronic
      obstructive pulmonary disease, and/or hypertension. In each disease group, cost
      and utilization were compared across patients who did, and did not, receive
      incentive-based care. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Health care costs (eg, primary care,
      hospital) and utilization measures (eg, hospital days, readmissions). RESULTS:
      After controlling for patients' age, sex, service needs level, and continuity of
      care (defined as attachment to a general practice), the incentives reduced the
      net annual health care costs, in Canadian dollars, for patients with hypertension
      (by approximately Can$308 per patient), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (by
      Can$496), and congestive heart failure (by Can$96), but not diabetes (incentives
      cost about Can$148 more per patient). The incentives were also associated with
      fewer hospital days, fewer admissions and readmissions, and shorter lengths of
      hospital stays for all 4 groups. CONCLUSION: Although the available literature on
      pay for performance shows mixed results, we showed that the funding model used in
      British Columbia using incentive payments for primary care might reduce health
      care costs and hospital utilization.

PMID- 26263391
TI  - 120 Years of U.S. Residential Housing Stock and Floor Space.
AB  - Residential buildings are a key driver of energy consumption and also impact
      transportation and land-use. Energy consumption in the residential sector
      accounts for one-fifth of total U.S. energy consumption and energy-related CO2
      emissions, with floor space a major driver of building energy demands. In this
      work a consistent, vintage-disaggregated, annual long-term series of U.S. housing
      stock and residential floor space for 1891-2010 is presented. An attempt was made
      to minimize the effects of the incompleteness and inconsistencies present in the
      national housing survey data. Over the 1891-2010 period, floor space increased
      almost tenfold, from approximately 24,700 to 235,150 million square feet,
      corresponding to a doubling of floor space per capita from approximately 400 to
      800 square feet. While population increased five times over the period, a 50%
      decrease in household size contributed towards a tenfold increase in the number
      of housing units and floor space, while average floor space per unit remains
      surprisingly constant, as a result of housing retirement dynamics. In the last 30
      years, however, these trends appear to be changing, as household size shows signs
      of leveling off, or even increasing again, while average floor space per unit has
      been increasing. GDP and total floor space show a remarkably constant growth
      trend over the period and total residential sector primary energy consumption and
      floor space show a similar growth trend over the last 60 years, decoupling only
      within the last decade. 

PMID- 26263392
TI  - Identification of key neoculin residues responsible for the binding and
      activation of the sweet taste receptor.
AB  - Neoculin (NCL) is a heterodimeric protein isolated from the edible fruit of
      Curculigo latifolia. It exerts a taste-modifying activity by converting sourness
      to sweetness. We previously demonstrated that NCL changes its action on the human
      sweet receptor hT1R2-hT1R3 from antagonism to agonism as the pH changes from
      neutral to acidic values, and that the histidine residues of NCL molecule play
      critical roles in this pH-dependent functional change. Here, we comprehensively
      screened key amino acid residues of NCL using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)
      spectroscopy and alanine scanning mutagenesis. We found that the mutations of
      Arg48, Tyr65, Val72 and Phe94 of NCL basic subunit increased or decreased both
      the antagonist and agonist activities. The mutations had only a slight effect on
      the pH-dependent functional change. These residues should determine the affinity
      of NCL for the receptor regardless of pH. Their locations were separated from the
      histidine residues responsible for the pH-dependent functional change in the
      tertiary structure. From these results, we concluded that NCL interacts with
      hT1R2-hT1R3 through a pH-independent affinity interface including the four
      residues and a pH-dependent activation interface including the histidine
      residues. Thus, the receptor activation is induced by local structural changes in
      the pH-dependent interface. 

PMID- 26263390
TI  - Neuronal MHC Class I Expression Is Regulated by Activity Driven Calcium
      Signaling.
AB  - MHC class I (MHC-I) molecules are important components of the immune system.
      Recently MHC-I have been reported to also play important roles in brain
      development and synaptic plasticity. In this study, we examine the molecular
      mechanism(s) underlying activity-dependent MHC-I expression using hippocampal
      neurons. Here we report that neuronal expression level of MHC-I is dynamically
      regulated during hippocampal development after birth in vivo. Kainic acid (KA)
      treatment significantly increases the expression of MHC-I in cultured hippocampal
      neurons in vitro, suggesting that MHC-I expression is regulated by neuronal
      activity. In addition, KA stimulation decreased the expression of pre- and post
      synaptic proteins. This down-regulation is prevented by addition of an MHC-I
      antibody to KA treated neurons. Further studies demonstrate that calcium
      dependent protein kinase C (PKC) is important in relaying KA simulation
      activation signals to up-regulated MHC-I expression. This signaling cascade
      relies on activation of the MAPK pathway, which leads to increased
      phosphorylation of CREB and NF-kappaB p65 while also enhancing the expression of
      IRF-1. Together, these results suggest that expression of MHC-I in hippocampal
      neurons is driven by Ca2+ regulated activation of the MAPK signaling transduction
      cascade. 

PMID- 26263393
TI  - Gold Nanoparticle Internal Structure and Symmetry Probed by Unified Small-Angle X
      ray Scattering and X-ray Diffraction Coupled with Molecular Dynamics Analysis.
AB  - Shape and size are known to determine a nanoparticle's properties. Hardly ever
      studied in synthesis, the internal crystal structure (i.e., particle defects,
      crystallinity, and symmetry) is just as critical as shape and size since it
      directly impacts catalytic efficiency, plasmon resonance, and orients anisotropic
      growth of metallic nanoparticles. Hence, its control cannot be ignored any longer
      in today's research and applications in nanotechnology. This study implemented an
      unprecedented reliable measurement combining these three structural aspects. The
      unified small-angle X-ray scattering and diffraction measurement (SAXS/XRD) was
      coupled with molecular dynamics to allow simultaneous determination of
      nanoparticles' shape, size, and crystallinity at the atomic scale. Symmetry
      distribution (icosahedra-Ih, decahedra-Dh, and truncated octahedra-TOh) of 2-6 nm
      colloidal gold nanoparticles synthesized in organic solvents was quantified.
      Nanoparticle number density showed the predominance of Ih, followed by Dh, and
      little, if any, TOh. This result contradicts some theoretical predictions and
      highlights the strong effect of the synthesis environment on structure stability.
      We foresee that this unified SAXS/XRD analysis, yielding both statistical and
      quantitative counts of nanoparticles' symmetry distribution, will provide new
      insights into nanoparticle formation, growth, and assembly. 

PMID- 26263394
TI  - Prevalence of HIV, Hepatitis B and C Infections and an Assessment of HCV
      Genotypes and Two IL28B SNPs among People Who Inject Drugs in Three Regions of
      Nepal.
AB  - As part of a comprehensive health care programme for people who use drugs in
      Nepal, HIV and viral hepatitis B and C status--including risk factors, HCV
      genotypes and co-infections--as well as two IL28B Single-nucleotide polymorphisms
      (SNPs) were assessed for a random sample of 401 people who inject drugs in three
      regions of Nepal: mid-western Terrai (Nepalgunj), the eastern region (Dharan,
      Biratnagar) and the central region (Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Chitwan). Individuals
      were included who showed at least a minimum of health care seeking behaviour.
      This latter criterion was defined by being registered with any organisation
      offering health services. The average age of the participants was 30.5 yrs, and
      the average length of intravenous drug use was 8.5 yrs. The prevalence rates of
      HBsAg, anti-HIV antibodies and HCV-RNA were 3.5%, 13.8% and 41.9%, respectively.
      Spontaneous HCV clearance was evident in 16% of all of those who tested positive
      for anti-HCV antibodies. Independent risk factors for HCV-RNA positivity were
      age, gender, geographical region, duration of injecting drug use, history of
      imprisonment and HIV co-infection. In the age group <=24 yrs, the rate of
      spontaneous HCV clearance was 43.5%. Overall, 59.8% of HCV infections were caused
      by HCV genotype 3 and 40.2% by HCV genotype 1. No other HCV genotypes were
      identified in this study. The IL28B SNP rs12979860 and rs8099917 were identified
      in 122 patients, and 75.4% of all participants had both favourable genotypes
      rs12979860 C/C and rs8099917 T/T.

PMID- 26263396
TI  - Structure-Activity Relationship Study of Hydroxycoumarins and Mushroom
      Tyrosinase.
AB  - The structure-activity relationships of four hydroxycoumarins, two with the
      hydroxyl group on the aromatic ring of the molecule and two with the hydroxyl
      group replacing hydrogen of the pyrone ring, and their interactions with mushroom
      tyrosinase were studied. These compounds displayed different behaviors upon
      action of the enzyme. The two compounds, ar-hydroxylated 6-hydroxycoumarin and 7
      hydroxycoumarin, were both weak substrates of the enzyme. Interestingly, in both
      cases, the product of the catalysis was the 6,7-hydroxycoumarin, although 5,6-
      and 7,8-isomers could also theoretically be formed. Additionally, both were able
      to reduce the formation of dopachrome when tyrosinase acted on its typical
      substrate, L-tyrosine. Although none of the compounds that contained a hydroxyl
      group on the pyrone ring were substrates of tyrosinase, the 3-hydroxycoumarin was
      a potent inhibitor of the enzyme, and the 4-hydroxycoumarin was not an inhibitor.
      These results were compared with those obtained by in silico molecular docking
      predictions to obtain potentially useful information for the synthesis of new
      coumarin-based inhibitors that resemble the structure of the 3-hydroxycoumarin.

PMID- 26263397
TI  - Structure-Activity Relationship Study on Isothiocyanates: Comparison of TRPA1
      Activating Ability between Allyl Isothiocyanate and Specific Flavor Components of
      Wasabi, Horseradish, and White Mustard.
AB  - Allyl isothiocyanate (ITC) (4) is the main pungent component in wasabi, and it
      generates an acrid sensation by activating TRPA1. The flavor and pungency of ITCs
      vary depending on the compound. However, the differences in activity to activate
      TRPA1 between ITCs are not known except for a few compounds. To investigate the
      effect of carbon chain length and substituents of ITCs, the TRPA1-activiting
      ability of 16 ITCs was measured. Since most of the ITCs showed nearly equal TRPA1
      activiting potency, the ITC moiety is likely the predominant contributor to their
      TRPA1-activating abilities, and contributions of other functional groups to their
      activities to activate TRPA1 are comparatively small. 

PMID- 26263398
TI  - [In Process Citation].
AB  - The accelerated aging of the Canadian population is a recognized fact and leads
      to an increasing number of seniors with cognitive impairments (Curateur public du
      Quebec, 2010a). This has a definite impact on health professionals who have to
      assess their competency to live independently and manage their finances. This
      decision, which has important consequences for the person, must be based on an
      objective and rigorous assessment. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the
      available tools, both in the scientific literature and in clinical settings, to
      better document the various components to assess seniors' competency to live
      independently and manage their finances. The goal is to help practitioners who
      work with older people with cognitive impairments to accurately assess their
      ability to manage themselves and their property. A review of the relevant
      literature and training available, as well as three group consultations, showed
      that there is no consensus about the tools used to assess the capacity to take
      care of oneself and one's property. Additional studies are thus needed to fill
      the gap in knowledge about specific tools used to assess competency. 

PMID- 26263395
TI  - Activation of matrix metalloproteinase in dorsal hippocampus drives improvement
      in spatial working memory after intra-VTA nicotine infusion in rats.
AB  - The hippocampus receives dopaminergic projections from the ventral tegmental area
      (VTA) and substantia nigra. These inputs appear to provide a modulatory signal
      that influences hippocampus-dependent behaviors. Enhancements in working memory
      performance have been previously reported following acute smoking/nicotine
      exposure. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study
      investigated the effects of nicotine on spatial working memory (SWM) and the
      mechanisms involved. Delayed alternation T-maze task was used to assess SWM. In
      situ and gel gelatin zymography were used to detect matrix metalloproteinase-9
      (MMP-9) in SWM. Systemic or local (intra-VTA) administration of nicotine
      significantly improves SWM, which was accompanied by increased MMP-9 activity in
      dorsal hippocampus (dHPC). Intra-dHPC administration of MMP inhibitor FN-439
      abolished the memory enhancement induced by intra-VTA nicotine infusion. FN-439
      had no effect on locomotor behavior. Our data suggest that intra-VTA nicotine
      infusion activates MMP-9 in dHPC to improve SWM in rats.

PMID- 26263399
TI  - Relationships between the Active Aging Index and Disability-Free Life Expectancy:
      A Case Study in the Rajshahi District of Bangladesh.
AB  - Life expectancy has increased considerably throughout the world. In Bangladesh,
      life expectancy has increased from about 53 years in 1975 to 69 years in 2010.
      However, it is unknown whether the increase in life expectancy is simultaneously
      accompanied by an increase in disability-free life expectancy (DFLE). The purpose
      of the study described in this article was to explore the relationship between
      life expectancy and DFLE in the Rajshahi District of Bangladesh by examining the
      relationships between the Active Aging Index (AAI) and DFLE. The study fi ndings
      suggest that urban, more-educated, elderly males are more active in all aspects
      of life and have longer DFLE. Females are found to outlive males but are more
      likely to live a greater part of their remaining life with disability. Positive
      correlations between the AAI and DFLE suggest that older adults could enjoy more
      DFLE by involving themselves in active aging activities.

PMID- 26263400
TI  - Redox Potentials of Colloidal n-Type ZnO Nanocrystals: Effects of Confinement,
      Electron Density, and Fermi-Level Pinning by Aldehyde Hydrogenation.
AB  - Electronically doped colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals offer valuable
      opportunities to probe the new physical and chemical properties imparted by their
      excess charge carriers. Photodoping is a powerful approach to introducing and
      controlling free carrier densities within free-standing colloidal semiconductor
      nanocrystals. Photoreduced (n-type) colloidal ZnO nanocrystals possessing
      delocalized conduction-band (CB) electrons can be formed by photochemical
      oxidation of EtOH. Previous studies of this chemistry have demonstrated
      photochemical electron accumulation, in some cases reaching as many as >100
      electrons per ZnO nanocrystal, but in every case examined to date this chemistry
      maximizes at a well-defined average electron density of ?Nmax? ~ (1.4 +/- 0.4) *
      10(20) cm(-3). The origins of this maximum have never been identified. Here, we
      use a solvated redox indicator for in situ determination of reduced ZnO
      nanocrystal redox potentials. The Fermi levels of various photodoped ZnO
      nanocrystals possessing on average just one excess CB electron show quantum
      confinement effects, as expected, but are >600 meV lower than those of the same
      ZnO nanocrystals reduced chemically using Cp*2Co, reflecting important
      differences between their charge-compensating cations. Upon photochemical
      electron accumulation, the Fermi levels become independent of nanocrystal volume
      at ?N? above ~2 * 10(19) cm(-3), and maximize at ?Nmax? ~ (1.6 +/- 0.3) * 10(20)
      cm(-3). This maximum is proposed to arise from Fermi-level pinning by the two
      electron/two-proton hydrogenation of acetaldehyde, which reverses the EtOH
      photooxidation reaction. 

PMID- 26263401
TI  - Security Analysis and Improvement of 'a More Secure Anonymous User Authentication
      Scheme for the Integrated EPR Information System'.
AB  - Over the past few years, secure and privacy-preserving user authentication scheme
      has become an integral part of the applications of the healthcare systems.
      Recently, Wen has designed an improved user authentication system over the Lee et
      al.'s scheme for integrated electronic patient record (EPR) information system,
      which has been analyzed in this study. We have found that Wen's scheme still has
      the following inefficiencies: (1) the correctness of identity and password are
      not verified during the login and password change phases; (2) it is vulnerable to
      impersonation attack and privileged-insider attack; (3) it is designed without
      the revocation of lost/stolen smart card; (4) the explicit key confirmation and
      the no key control properties are absent, and (5) user cannot update his/her
      password without the help of server and secure channel. Then we aimed to propose
      an enhanced two-factor user authentication system based on the intractable
      assumption of the quadratic residue problem (QRP) in the multiplicative group.
      Our scheme bears more securities and functionalities than other schemes found in
      the literature. 

PMID- 26263402
TI  - Spectroscopy and computational studies on the interaction of octyl, dodecyl, and
      hexadecyl derivatives of anionic and cationic surfactants with adenosine
      deaminase.
AB  - Effects of sodium (octyl, dodecyl, hexadecyl) sulfate and their cationic
      analogous on the structure of adenosine deaminase (ADA) were investigated by
      fluorescence and circular dichroism spectroscopy as well as molecular dynamics
      simulation and docking calculation. Root-mean-square derivations, radius of
      gyration, solvent accessible surface area, and radial distribution function were
      obtained. The results showed that anionic and cationic surfactants reduce protein
      stability. Cationic surfactants have more effect on the ADA structure in
      comparison with anionic surfactants. More concentration and longer surfactants
      are parallel to higher denaturation. Furthermore, aggregation in the presence of
      anionic surfactants is more than cationic surfactants. Docking data showed that
      longer surfactants have more interaction energy and smaller ones bound to the
      active site. 

PMID- 26263403
TI  - Antiretroviral activity and safety of once-daily etravirine in treatment-naive
      HIV-infected adults: 48-week results.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Etravirine (ETR), a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor
      approved for 200 mg twice-daily dosing in conjunction with other antiretrovirals
      (ARVs), has pharmacokinetic properties which support once-daily dosing. METHODS:
      In this single-arm, open-label study, 79 treatment-naive HIV-infected adults were
      assigned to receive ETR 400 mg plus tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine
      (TDF/FTC) 300/200 mg once daily to assess antiviral activity, safety and
      tolerability. ARV activity at 48 weeks was determined by proportion of subjects
      with HIV-1 RNA<50 copies/ml (intention-to-treat, missing = failure). RESULTS: Of
      79 eligible subjects, 90% were men, 62% African-American and 29% Caucasian. At
      baseline, median (Q1, Q3) age was 29 years (23, 44) and HIV-1 RNA 4.52 log10
      copies/ml (4.07, 5.04). A total of 69 (87%) completed a week 48 visit and 61
      (77%, 95% CI 66%, 86%) achieved HIV-1 RNA<50 copies/ml at week 48. At time of
      virological failure, genotypic resistance-associated mutations were detected in
      three participants, two with E138K (one alone and one with additional mutations).
      Median (95% CI) CD4(+) cell count increase was 163 (136, 203) cells/ul. Fifteen
      (19.0%) participants reported a new sign/symptom or lab abnormality >= Grade 3
      and three participants (3.8%) permanently discontinued ETR due to toxicity. Two
      participants had psychiatric symptoms of any grade. There were no deaths.
      CONCLUSIONS: In this study of ARV-naive HIV-positive adults, once-daily ETR with
      TDF/FTC had acceptable antiviral activity and was well-tolerated. Once-daily ETR
      may be a plausible option as part of a combination ARV regimen for treatment
      naive individuals. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00959894.

PMID- 26263405
TI  - Sensory processing in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Relationship with
      non-verbal IQ, autism severity and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
      symptomatology.
AB  - The main objective of this study was to analyze in a sample of children with ASD
      the relationship between sensory processing, social participation and praxis
      impairments and some of the child's characteristics, such as non-verbal IQ,
      severity of ASD symptoms and the number of ADHD symptoms (inattention and
      hyperactivity/impulsivity), both in the home and main-classroom environments.
      Participants were the parents and teachers of 41 children with ASD from 5 to 8
      years old (M=6.09). They completed the Sensory Processing Measure (SPM) to
      evaluate sensory processing, social participation and praxis; the Gilliam Autism
      Rating Scale (GARS-2) to evaluate autism severity; and a set of items (the DSM-IV
      TR criteria) to evaluate the number of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity
      symptoms in the child. Non-verbal IQ - measured by the Raven's Coloured
      Progressive Matrices Test - did not show a relationship with any of the SPM
      variables. The SPM variables were significant predictors of autism severity and
      had similar weights in the two environments. In the case of ADHD symptoms, the
      SPM variables had a greater weight in the home than in the classroom environment,
      and they were significant predictors of both inattention and
      hyperactivity/impulsivity - especially inattention - only in the family context.
      The moderate association between inattention and auditory processing found in the
      main-classroom suggests the possible utility of certain measures aimed to
      simplify any classroom's acoustic environment. 

PMID- 26263406
TI  - Exploring different explanations for performance on a theory of mind task in
      Williams syndrome and autism using eye movements.
AB  - The current study explored the looking behaviours of young children with Autism
      Spectrum Disorders (ASD), Williams syndrome (WS), and typically developing (TD)
      children while they were administered a low-verbal Theory of Mind (ToM) task.
      Although ToM performance in both clinical groups was impaired, only participants
      with WS showed small differences in looking behaviour at the start of the video.
      Furthermore, while TD children who passed the ToM task looked longer at the
      original hiding place there was no such contrast in the clinical groups. This
      shows that looking behaviour in ASD and WS is not necessarily atypical when
      saliency aspects such as language, background, and colour are removed and that
      differences in looking behaviour cannot explain ToM performance. 

PMID- 26263404
TI  - Relationship between characteristics on magnetic resonance imaging and motor
      outcomes in children with cerebral palsy and white matter injury.
AB  - In a population cohort of children with white matter injury (WMI) and cerebral
      palsy (CP), we aimed to describe the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
      characteristics, identify key structure-function relationships, and classify the
      severity of WMI in a clinically relevant way. Stratified on MRI
      laterality/symmetry, variables indicating the extent and location of cerebral
      abnormalities for 272 children with CP and WMI on chronic-phase MRI were related
      to gross motor function and motor topography using univariable and multivariable
      approaches. We found that symmetrical involvement, severe WM loss in the
      hemispheres and corpus callosum, and cerebellar involvement were the strongest
      predictors of poor gross motor function, but the final model explained only a
      small proportion of the variability. Bilateral, extensive WM loss was more likely
      to result in quadriplegia, whereas volume loss in the posterior-mid WM more
      frequently resulted in diplegia. The extent and location of MRI abnormalities
      differed according to laterality/symmetry; asymmetry was associated with less
      extensive hemispheric involvement than symmetrical WMI, and unilateral lesions
      were more focal and located more anteriorly. In summary, laterality/symmetry of
      WMI, possibly reflecting different pathogenic mechanisms, together with extent of
      WM loss and cerebellar abnormality predicted gross motor function in CP, but to a
      limited extent. 

PMID- 26263407
TI  - Assessment of physical fitness and exercise tolerance in children with
      developmental coordination disorder.
AB  - Children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) have been shown to be
      less physically fit when compared to their typically developing peers. The
      purpose of the present study was to examine the relationships among body
      composition, physical fitness and exercise tolerance in children with and without
      DCD. Thirty-seven children between the ages of 7 and 9 years participated in this
      study. Participants were classified according to results obtained on the Movement
      Assessment Battery for Children (MABC) and were divided in 2 groups: 19 children
      with DCD and 18 children without DCD. All children performed the following
      physical fitness tests: The five-jump test (5JT), the triple-hop distance (THD)
      and the modified agility test (MAT). Walking distance was assessed using the 6
      min walking test (6MWT). Children with DCD showed higher scores than children
      without DCD in all MABC subscale scores, as well as in the total score (p<0.001).
      Participants with DCD were found to perform significantly worse on the MAT
      (p<0.001), the THD (p<0.001) and 5JT (p<0.05). Moreover, children with DCD had
      poorer performance on the 6MWT than children without DCD (p<0.01). Our results
      found significant correlations among body mass index (BMI), THD (r=0.553,
      p<0.05), 5JT (r=0.480, p<0.05) and 6MWT (r=0.544, p<0.05) only in DCD group. A
      significant correlation between MAT and 5JT (r=-0.493, p<0.05) was found.
      Similarly, THD and 5JT (r=0.611, p<0.01) was found to be correlated in children
      with DCD. We also found relationships among 6MWT and MAT (r=-0.522, p<0.05) and
      the 6MWT and 5JT (r=0.472, p<0.05) in DCD group. In addition, we found gender
      specific patterns in the relationship between exercise tolerance, explosive
      strength, power, DCD, and BMI. In conclusion, the present study revealed that BMI
      was indicative of poorer explosive strength, power and exercise tolerance in
      children with DCD compared to children without DCD probably due to a limited
      coordination on motor control. 

PMID- 26263408
TI  - Measuring public discomfort at meeting people with disabilities.
AB  - The discomfort reported by the general public at the prospect of personal contact
      with marginalised groups is an expression of the stigma they experience. This has
      been widely studied in relation to ethnic minorities and immigrants but less so
      for persons with disabilities. A national survey with a representative sample of
      over 1100 Irish adults provided an opportunity to examine reported discomfort
      with persons who had different impairments, including mental health conditions,
      with four other minority groups. Moreover, the personal and situational variables
      associated with expressions of discomfort were identified. Respondents were most
      comfortable having persons with physical and sensorial disabilities living in
      their neighbourhood or in their workplace but less so for persons with
      intellectual disabilities and even less for people with mental health conditions.
      They were much less comfortable with the four other social groups: gay, lesbian
      or bisexual people; Eastern European migrant workers; black and ethnic minority
      groups and least of all, travellers. Moreover, a factor analysis confirmed that
      the scores given to the impaired groups were significantly correlated with each
      other but less so with the other four social groupings, although these were
      significantly inter-correlated among themselves. Respondents who were more
      comfortable with both sets of minority groups tended to have more social
      connections in their personal lives and to reside in towns or villages rather
      than cities. They also expressed more positive attitudes to the inclusion of
      persons with disabilities in Irish society. The gradient in levels of public
      discomfort across minority groups may provide a sensitive indicator of the
      differential stigma experienced by persons with impairments within societies but
      there remains the possibility that an alliance with other minority groups would
      also help to promote more positive attitudes and reduce their wider social
      exclusion. 

PMID- 26263409
TI  - Reduced motor imagery efficiency is associated with online control difficulties
      in children with probable developmental coordination disorder.
AB  - Recent evidence indicates that the ability to correct reaching movements in
      response to unexpected target changes (i.e., online control) is reduced in
      children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD). Recent computational
      modeling of human reaching suggests that these inefficiencies may result from
      difficulties generating and/or monitoring internal representations of movement.
      This study was the first to test this putative relationship empirically. We did
      so by investigating the degree to which the capacity to correct reaching mid
      flight could be predicted by motor imagery (MI) proficiency in a sample of
      children with probable DCD (pDCD). Thirty-four children aged 8 to 12 years (17
      children with pDCD and 17 age-matched controls) completed the hand rotation task,
      a well-validated measure of MI, and a double-step reaching task (DSRT), a
      protocol commonly adopted to infer one's capacity for correcting reaching online.
      As per previous research, children with pDCD demonstrated inefficiencies in their
      ability to generate internal action representations and correct their reaching
      online, demonstrated by inefficient hand rotation performance and slower
      correction to the reach trajectory following unexpected target perturbation
      during the DSRT compared to age-matched controls. Critically, hierarchical
      moderating regression demonstrated that even after general reaching ability was
      controlled for, MI efficiency was a significant predictor of reaching correction
      efficiency, a relationship that was constant across groups. Ours is the first
      study to provide direct pilot evidence in support of the view that a decreased
      capacity for online control of reaching typical of DCD may be associated with
      inefficiencies generating and/or using internal representations of action. 

PMID- 26263410
TI  - Does the Cerebrospinal Fluid Reflect Altered Redox State But Not Neurotrophic
      Support Loss in Parkinson's Disease?
AB  - Alteration in neurotrophic factors support and antioxidant defenses in the
      central nervous system (CNS) along with deficit of ferritin have been associated
      with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD). The objectives were to analyze in the
      cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with PD and controls the following: (i) the
      levels of the neuroprotectant factors glial cell line-derived neurotrophic
      factor, persephin, neurturin, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor, (ii) the
      levels of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGFbeta1) and transforming growth
      factor-beta2 (TGFbeta2), proinflammatory factors, (iii) the activity of the
      antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR),
      glutathione-S-transferase (GST), catalase, superoxide dismutases (SODs), and
      peroxiredoxins (PRDxs), and (iv) ferritin levels. The study revealed that, among
      neurotrophic factors, only TGFbeta1 levels were found to be enhanced in patients
      with PD (early, p < 0.05; advanced, p < 0.02). Regarding antioxidant enzymes, the
      activity of GPx, catalase, and PRDxs, all hydrogen peroxide scavengers, was found
      to be significantly reduced in patients (GPx, p < 0.001; catalase, p < 0.01;
      PRDxs, p < 0.01, one-way analysis of variance). Finally, ferritin content in CSF
      was significantly diminished over time in patients (early, p < 0.01, -49%;
      advanced, p < 0.001, -80.7%). Our observations lead to the hypothesis that
      parkinsonian patients suffer from a serious disturbance of redox state in the
      CNS, as evaluated through the CSF, characterized by reduced hydrogen peroxide
      scavenging and iron storage.

PMID- 26263411
TI  - Family ties: young breast cancer patients and their children.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study assessed the interaction of "family ties" in a cohort of
      young breast cancer patients. METHODS: Based on the Basel Breast Cancer Database,
      we analysed an unselected, consecutive cohort of patients who were <=40 years at
      breast cancer diagnosis (n = 100). RESULTS: Sixty patients had children at the
      time of diagnosis (mean number of children: 1.03). Only four patients had desired
      children after BC therapy. The average age of the children at breast cancer
      diagnosis of their mother was 7.7 years. The mean age of the children whose
      mothers died of breast cancer at the time of their mother's death was 13.1 years;
      these children (n = 37) lived an average of 84.7 months with the illness of their
      mother. Parity status was not a significant factor for compliance/persistence to
      adjuvant chemotherapy (p = 1.00). Patients who had children were more likely to
      be compliant/persistent to endocrine therapy (p = 0.021). Out of these patients,
      41.2% rejected or discontinued endocrine therapy with the explicit intention to
      get pregnant. CONCLUSIONS: Desire for children was an important factor in
      refusing endocrine therapy. This clearly highlights the enormous pressure that
      many young women face in this situation. About a third of the children whose
      mothers were diagnosed with breast cancer experienced the palliative situation
      and the death of their mother. Since many of these children are confronted with a
      cancerous disease of their mothers during half of their childhood, special
      attention should be paid to age-appropriate support of a child in all phases of
      the mother's disease.

PMID- 26263413
TI  - Characterizing breast lesions through robust multimodal data fusion using
      independent diffuse optical and x-ray breast imaging.
AB  - To enable tissue function-based tumor diagnosis over the large number of existing
      digital mammography systems worldwide, we propose a cost-effective and robust
      approach to incorporate tomographic optical tissue characterization with
      separately acquired digital mammograms. Using a flexible contour-based
      registration algorithm, we were able to incorporate an independently measured two
      dimensional x-ray mammogram as structural priors in a joint optical/x-ray image
      reconstruction, resulting in improved spatial details in the optical images and
      robust optical property estimation. We validated this approach with a
      retrospective clinical study of 67 patients, including 30 malignant and 37 benign
      cases, and demonstrated that the proposed approach can help to distinguish
      malignant from solid benign lesions and fibroglandular tissues, with a
      performance comparable to the approach using spatially coregistered optical/x-ray
      measurements.

PMID- 26263414
TI  - Use of optical skin phantoms for preclinical evaluation of laser efficiency for
      skin lesion therapy.
AB  - Skin lesions are commonly treated using laser heating. However, the introduction
      of new devices into clinical practice requires evaluation of their performance.
      This study presents the application of optical phantoms for assessment of a newly
      developed 975-nm pulsed diode laser system for dermatological purposes. Such
      phantoms closely mimic the absorption and scattering of real human skin (although
      not precisely in relation to thermal conductivity and capacitance); thus, they
      can be used as substitutes for human skin for approximate evaluation of laser
      heating efficiency in an almost real environment. Thermographic imaging was
      applied to measure the spatial and temporal temperature distributions on the
      surface of laser-irradiated phantoms. The study yielded results of heating with
      regard to phantom thickness and absorption, as well as laser settings. The
      methodology developed can be used in practice for preclinical evaluations of
      laser treatment for dermatology.

PMID- 26263415
TI  - Polarization dependence of aligned collagen tissues imaged with second harmonic
      generation microscopy.
AB  - A polarimetric second harmonic generation (SHG) microscope was used to analyze
      the dependence between polarization and SHG signal from collagen-based samples. A
      theoretical model was also developed to investigate the SHG intensity as a
      function of different polarization states for a set of quasiparallel fibers.
      Numerical simulations were compared to experimental SHG intensity values and a
      fairly good agreement was found. Linear polarized light produced periodical
      changes in the emitted SHG signal with a maximum of intensity corresponding to
      polarization parallel to the main orientation of the fibers, regardless the ratio
      of hyperpolarizabilities, rhorho . A similar behavior was found for elliptical
      states located along a vertical meridian on the Poincare sphere (i.e., null
      azimuth) although the modulation of the SHG signal was different. Our numerical
      calculations described a dramatic change in this regular trend when rhorho
      changed from positive to negative values. Moreover, we provide an experimental
      method (based on the analysis of the modulation of the SHG signal) to determine
      the value of the ratio rhorho and, consequently, to obtain information about the
      internal organization of the collagen fibers.

PMID- 26263412
TI  - Raman spectroscopy for label-free identification of calciphylaxis.
AB  - Calciphylaxis is a painful, debilitating, and premorbid condition, which presents
      as calcified vasculature and soft tissues. Traditional diagnosis of calciphylaxis
      lesions requires an invasive biopsy, which is destructive, time consuming, and
      often leads to exacerbation of the condition and infection. Furthermore, it is
      difficult to find small calcifications within a large wound bed. To address this
      need, a noninvasive diagnostic tool may help clinicians identify ectopic
      calcified mineral and determine the disease margin. We propose Raman spectroscopy
      as a rapid, point-of-care, noninvasive, and label-free technology to detect
      calciphylaxis mineral. Debrided calciphylactic tissue was collected from six
      patients and assessed by microcomputed tomography (micro-CT). Micro-CT confirmed
      extensive deposits in three specimens, which were subsequently examined with
      Raman spectroscopy. Raman spectra confirmed that deposits were consistent with
      carbonated apatite, consistent with the literature. Raman spectroscopy shows
      potential as a noninvasive technique to detect calciphylaxis in a clinical
      environment.

PMID- 26263416
TI  - Quantitative phase imaging with molecular sensitivity using photoacoustic
      microscopy with a miniature ring transducer.
AB  - We present a dual-modality system for both structural and molecular cell imaging
      based on coregistered quantitative phase imaging (QPI) and photoacoustic
      microscopy (PAM). The QPI system was based on off-axis holography, whereas the
      PAM system comprised a sinusoidally modulated optical source for excitation and a
      narrow-band low profile and low-cost ring ultrasonic transducer for detection.
      This approach facilitated a simple confocal alignment of the excitation beams of
      both modalities and the ultrasonic detector. This system was demonstrated by
      imaging endogenous molecules in red blood cells (RBCs) as well as by imaging
      exogenous molecular labels on cancer cells using gold nanoparticles (GNPs)
      functionalized to target epidermal growth factor receptor. QPI provided high
      resolution imaging of the cellular structures while PAM provided molecular
      contrast. This dual-modality microscopy method can potentially be implemented as
      a compact and low cost cellular diagnostic assay.

PMID- 26263417
TI  - Performance characteristics of an interventional multispectral photoacoustic
      imaging system for guiding minimally invasive procedures.
AB  - Precise device guidance is important for interventional procedures in many
      different clinical fields including fetal medicine, regional anesthesia,
      interventional pain management, and interventional oncology. While ultrasound is
      widely used in clinical practice for real-time guidance, the image contrast that
      it provides can be insufficient for visualizing tissue structures such as blood
      vessels, nerves, and tumors. This study was centered on the development of a
      photoacoustic imaging system for interventional procedures that delivered
      excitation light in the ranges of 750 to 900 nm and 1150 to 1300 nm, with an
      optical fiber positioned in a needle cannula. Coregistered B-mode ultrasound
      images were obtained. The system, which was based on a commercial ultrasound
      imaging scanner, has an axial resolution in the vicinity of 100  MUm and a
      submillimeter, depth-dependent lateral resolution. Using a tissue phantom and 800
      nm excitation light, a simulated blood vessel could be visualized at a maximum
      distance of 15 mm from the needle tip. Spectroscopic contrast for hemoglobin and
      lipids was observed with ex vivo tissue samples, with photoacoustic signal maxima
      consistent with the respective optical absorption spectra. The potential for
      further optimization of the system is discussed.

PMID- 26263418
TI  - Toddlers with Early Behavioral Problems at Higher Family Demographic Risk Benefit
      the Most from Maternal Emotion Talk.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that toddlers at highest risk for behavioral
      problems from the most economically vulnerable families will benefit most from
      maternal talk about emotions. METHODS: This study included 89 toddlers and
      mothers from low-income families. Behavioral problems were rated at 2 time points
      by masters-level trained Early Head Start home visiting specialists. Maternal
      emotion talk was coded from a wordless book-sharing task. Coding focused on
      mothers' emotion bridging, which included labeling emotions, explaining the
      context of emotions, noting the behavioral cues of emotions, and linking emotions
      to toddlers' own experiences. Maternal demographic risk reflected a composite
      score of 5 risk factors. RESULTS: A significant 3-way interaction between Time 1
      toddler behavior problems, maternal emotion talk, and maternal demographic risk
      (p = .001) and examination of slope difference tests revealed that when maternal
      demographic risk was greater, more maternal emotion talk buffered associations
      between earlier and later behavior problems. Greater demographic risk and lower
      maternal emotion talk intensified Time 1 behavior problems as a predictor of Time
      2 behavior problems. The model explained 54% of the variance in toddlers' Time 2
      behavior problems. Analyses controlled for maternal warmth to better examine the
      unique contributions of emotion bridging to toddlers' behaviors. CONCLUSION:
      Toddlers at highest risk, those with more early behavioral problems from higher
      demographic-risk families, benefit the most from mothers' emotion talk. Informing
      parents about the use of emotion talk may be a cost-effective, simple strategy to
      support at-risk toddlers' social-emotional development and reduce behavioral
      problems.

PMID- 26263419
TI  - 8p23.1 Interstitial Deletion in a Patient with Congenital Cardiopathy,
      Neurobehavioral Disorders, and Minor Signs Suggesting 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome.
AB  - Copy number variation studies of known disorders have the potential to improve
      the characterization of clinical phenotypes and may help identifying candidate
      genes and their pathways. The authors described a child with congenital heart
      disease, microcephaly, facial dysmorphisms, developmental delay, learning
      difficulties, and behavioral problems. There was initially a clinical suspicion
      of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2 DS), but molecular cytogenetic analysis
      (array genomic hybridization [aGH]) showed the presence of a de novo 3.6-Mb
      interstitial microdeletion in 8p23.1. The main features of 8p23.1 DS include
      congenital heart disease and behavioral problems, in addition to minor
      dysmorphisms and mental delay. Therefore, this article highlights the application
      of aGH to investigate 8p23.1 deletion in nonconfirmed 22q11.2 DS patients
      presenting neurobehavioral disorders, congenital cardiopathy, and minor
      dysmorphisms. 

PMID- 26263420
TI  - Culturally Appropriate Training for Remote Australian Aboriginal Health Workers:
      Evaluation of an Early Child Development Training Intervention.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to design, implement, and evaluate training in early
      childhood development (ECD) and in the use of a culturally adapted developmental
      screening tool, for remote Australian Aboriginal Health Workers (AHWs) and other
      remote health practitioners. METHOD: A case-study evaluation framework was
      adopted. Two remote Australian Aboriginal health services were selected as case
      study sites. Materials review, semistructured interviews, posttraining feedback
      surveys, and workplace observations contributed to the evaluation, guided by
      Guskey's 5-level education evaluation model. RESULTS: Remote health practitioners
      (including AHWs and Remote Area Nurses) and early childhood staff from the sites
      participated in a customized 21/2 day training workshop focusing on the
      principles of ECD and the use of the culturally adapted Ages and Stages
      Questionnaire, third edition. Consistent with adult learning theories and
      recommendations from the literature regarding culturally appropriate professional
      development methods in this context, the workshop comprised interactive classroom
      training, role-plays, and practice coaching in the workplace, including booster
      training. The qualitative findings demonstrated that mode of delivery was
      effective and valued by participants. The workshop improved practitioners'
      skills, knowledge, competence, and confidence to identify and manage
      developmental difficulties and promote child development, evidenced on self
      report and workplace clinical observation. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that
      the practical, culturally appropriate training led to positive learning outcomes
      in developmental practice for AHWs and other remote health practitioners. This is
      an important finding that has implications in other Indigenous contexts, as
      effective training is a critical component of any practice improvement
      intervention. Further research examining factors influencing practice change is
      required.

PMID- 26263421
TI  - PNA-Rose Bengal Conjugates as Efficient DNA Photomodulators.
AB  - Selective photoinduced modulation of DNA may provide a powerful therapeutic tool
      allowing spatial and temporal control of the photochemical reaction. We have
      explored the photoreactivity of peptide nucleic acid (PNA) conjugates that were
      conjugated to a highly potent photosensitizer, Rose Bengal (RB). In addition, a
      short PEGylated peptide (K-PEG8-K) was conjugated to the C-terminus of the PNA to
      improve its water solubility. A short irradiation (visible light) of PNA
      conjugates with a synthetic DNA resulted in highly efficient photomodulation of
      the DNA as evidenced by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). In addition, a
      PNA-RB conjugate replacing K-PEG8-K with four l-glutamic acids (E4) was found to
      be photoinactive. Irradiation of active PNA-RB conjugates with synthetic DNA in
      D20 augments the photoactivity; supporting the involvement of singlet oxygen.
      PAGE, HPLC, and MALDI-TOF analyses indicate that PNA-DNA photo-cross-linking is a
      significant pathway in the observed photoreactivity. Selective photo-cross
      linking of such PNA-RB conjugates may be a novel approach to selective
      photodynamic therapy (sPDT) as such molecules would be sequence-specific, cell
      permeable, and photoactivated in the visible region. 

PMID- 26263422
TI  - The Polypill: From Promise to Pragmatism.
AB  - Mark Huffman asks what happened to the polypill to reduce cardiovascular risk,
      explores the promise it still holds, and considers how best to turn promise into
      reality. 

PMID- 26263423
TI  - Novel relationships between B12, folate and markers of inflammation, oxidative
      stress and NAD(H) levels, systemically and in the CNS of a healthy human cohort.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between folate, cobalamin (Cbl), and
      homocysteine (Hcy), and markers of inflammation and oxidative stress within the
      periphery and central nervous system (CNS) of a healthy human cohort. METHODS:
      Thirty-five matched cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma samples were collected
      from consenting participants who required a spinal tap for the administration of
      anaesthetic. Plasma concentrations of Hcy and both plasma and CSF levels of
      folate, Cbl, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(H)) and markers of
      inflammation (interleukin-6, IL-6), and oxidative stress (F2-isoprostanes, 8
      hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC)) were
      quantified. RESULTS: In the peripheral circulation, positive associations were
      observed between plasma folate and Cbl, and plasma TAC (P <= 0.01; P <= 0.01) and
      plasma NAD(H) (P <= 0.05; P <= 0.05) levels, respectively. Plasma folate was
      inversely associated with plasma Hcy concentrations (P <= 0.05); however, no
      statistically significant relationships were observed between plasma Hcy and
      plasma markers of inflammation, oxidative stress, or [NAD(H)]. Within the CNS
      plasma Hcy correlated positively with CSF IL-6 (P <= 0.01) and negatively with
      CSF NAD(H) (P <= 0.05) concentrations. An inverse association was observed
      between CSF folate and CSF levels of IL-6 (P <= 0.05). Unexpectedly, a positive
      association between CSF Cbl and CSF 8-OHdG levels was also found (P <= 0.01).
      DISCUSSION: These results indicate that folate and Cbl concentrations may
      influence the levels of oxidative damage, inflammation, and NAD(H), both
      systemically and within the CNS.

PMID- 26263424
TI  - Data mining and education.
AB  - An emerging field of educational data mining (EDM) is building on and
      contributing to a wide variety of disciplines through analysis of data coming
      from various educational technologies. EDM researchers are addressing questions
      of cognition, metacognition, motivation, affect, language, social discourse, etc.
      using data from intelligent tutoring systems, massive open online courses,
      educational games and simulations, and discussion forums. The data include
      detailed action and timing logs of student interactions in user interfaces such
      as graded responses to questions or essays, steps in rich problem solving
      environments, games or simulations, discussion forum posts, or chat dialogs. They
      might also include external sensors such as eye tracking, facial expression, body
      movement, etc. We review how EDM has addressed the research questions that
      surround the psychology of learning with an emphasis on assessment, transfer of
      learning and model discovery, the role of affect, motivation and metacognition on
      learning, and analysis of language data and collaborative learning. For example,
      we discuss (1) how different statistical assessment methods were used in a data
      mining competition to improve prediction of student responses to intelligent
      tutor tasks, (2) how better cognitive models can be discovered from data and used
      to improve instruction, (3) how data-driven models of student affect can be used
      to focus discussion in a dialog-based tutoring system, and (4) how machine
      learning techniques applied to discussion data can be used to produce automated
      agents that support student learning as they collaborate in a chat room or a
      discussion board.

PMID- 26263425
TI  - Basic mathematical cognition.
AB  - Mathematics is a powerful tool for describing and developing our knowledge of the
      physical world. It informs our understanding of subjects as diverse as music,
      games, science, economics, communications protocols, and visual arts.
      Mathematical thinking has its roots in the adaptive behavior of living creatures:
      animals must employ judgments about quantities and magnitudes in the assessment
      of both threats (how many foes) and opportunities (how much food) in order to
      make effective decisions, and use geometric information in the environment for
      recognizing landmarks and navigating environments. Correspondingly, cognitive
      systems that are dedicated to the processing of distinctly mathematical
      information have developed. In particular, there is evidence that certain core
      systems for understanding different aspects of arithmetic as well as geometry are
      employed by humans and many other animals. They become active early in life and,
      particularly in the case of humans, develop through maturation. Although these
      core systems individually appear to be quite limited in application, in
      combination they allow for the recognition of mathematical properties and the
      formation of appropriate inferences based upon those properties. In this
      overview, the core systems, their roles, their limitations, and their interaction
      with external representations are discussed, as well as possibilities for how
      they can be employed together to allow us to reason about more complex
      mathematical domains.

PMID- 26263426
TI  - Intonational meaning.
AB  - Traditionally, prosodic studies have focused on the study of intonational form
      and the study of intonational meaning has been relatively neglected. Similarly,
      the fields of semantics and pragmatics have paid little attention to the
      pragmatic uses of intonation. As a result, there is no firm agreement within the
      linguistic community on how to integrate the analysis of intonational meaning
      across languages into a unified prosodic, semantic, and pragmatic approach. This
      article provides an overview of the literature on intonational meaning,
      describing the recent advances made in the fields of prosody,
      semantics/pragmatics, and syntax. Several theoretical approaches to explaining
      the semantics and pragmatics of intonation are presented. A common feature to
      most frameworks is that intonation (1) should be regarded as an integral part of
      linguistic grammar; and (2) typically encodes meanings related to the modal
      aspect of propositions. However, features such as compositionality, duality of
      structure, and context-dependency are still hotly debated issues. These features
      will be discussed from different theoretical perspectives, and we will identify
      potential advances related to the full integration of intonational meaning into
      dynamic and multidimensional models of meaning.

PMID- 26263427
TI  - Learning and cognition in insects.
AB  - Insects possess small brains but exhibit sophisticated behavioral performances.
      Recent works have reported the existence of unsuspected cognitive capabilities in
      various insect species, which go beyond the traditional studied framework of
      simple associative learning. In this study, I focus on capabilities such as
      attention, social learning, individual recognition, concept learning, and
      metacognition, and discuss their presence and mechanistic bases in insects. I
      analyze whether these behaviors can be explained on the basis of elemental
      associative learning or, on the contrary, require higher-order explanations. In
      doing this, I highlight experimental challenges and suggest future directions for
      investigating the neurobiology of higher-order learning in insects, with the goal
      of uncovering l architectures underlying cognitive processing.

PMID- 26263428
TI  - Cumulative risk and developmental health: an argument for the importance of a
      family-wide science.
AB  - A substantial body of research links social disadvantage and developmental health
      via a cascade running from poverty, to cumulative psychosocial risk, to disrupted
      family dynamics, to child biological regulatory systems and neurocognitive
      processing, and finally to morbidity across the lifespan. Most research in this
      area employs single-dyad or between-family methodology. While informative, there
      are limitations to this approach. Specifically, it is impossible to determine how
      risk alters psychosocial environments that are similar for all persons within a
      household, versus processes that are unique to particular children. This is
      important in light of literature citing the primacy of child-specific
      environments in driving developmental health. Methodologically speaking, there
      are both benefits and challenges to family-wide approaches that differentiate
      between- and within-family environments. This review describes literature linking
      cumulative risk and developmental health via family process, while articulating
      the importance of family-wide approaches. Areas of shortcoming and
      recommendations for a family-wide science are provided.

PMID- 26263429
TI  - Low Cerebral Oxygenation Levels during Resuscitation in Out-of-hospital Cardiac
      Arrest Are Associated with Hyperfibrinolysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The authors investigated whether patients with out-of-hospital
      cardiac arrest with an initial low cerebral oxygen level during cardiopulmonary
      resuscitation are more prone to develop hyperfibrinolysis than patients with
      normal cerebral oxygenation levels and which part of the fibrinolytic system is
      involved in this response. METHODS: In 46 patients, hyperfibrinolysis was
      diagnosed immediately upon emergency department admission using rotational
      thromboelastometry and defined as a lysis more than 15%. Simultaneously, initial
      cerebral tissue oxygenation was measured using near-infrared spectroscopy, and
      oxygen desaturation was defined as a tissue oxygenation index (TOI) of 50% or
      less. Blood sample analysis included markers for hypoperfusion and fibrinolysis.
      RESULTS: There was no difference in prehospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation
      duration between patients with or without hyperfibrinolysis. An initial TOI of
      50% or less was associated with more clot lysis (91% [17 to 100%; n = 16])
      compared with patients with a normal TOI (6% [4 to 11%]; n = 30; P < 0.001), with
      lower levels of plasminogen (151.6 +/- 61.0 vs. 225.3 +/- 47.0 MUg/ml; P < 0.001)
      and higher levels of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA; 18.3 +/- 7.4 vs. 7.9 +/-
      4.7 ng/ml; P < 0.001) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (19.3 +/- 8.9 vs.
      12.1 +/- 6.1 ng/ml; P = 0.013). There were no differences in (activated) protein
      C levels among groups. The initial TOI was negatively correlated with t-PA (r = 
      0.69; P < 0001). Mortality rates were highest in patients with hyperfibrinolysis.
      CONCLUSION: Activation of the fibrinolytic system is more common in out-of
      hospital cardiac arrest patients with an initial cerebral tissue oxygenation
      value of 50% or less during resuscitation and is linked to increased levels of t
      PA rather than involvement of protein C.

PMID- 26263430
TI  - Neuropathic Allodynia Involves Spinal Neurexin-1beta-dependent Neuroligin
      1/Postsynaptic Density-95/NR2B Cascade in Rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Neuroligin-1 (NL1) forms a complex with the presynaptic neurexin
      1beta (Nrx1b), regulating clustering of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors with
      postsynaptic density-95 (PSD-95) to underlie learning-/memory-associated
      plasticity. Pain-related spinal neuroplasticity shares several common features
      with learning-/memory-associated plasticity. The authors thereby investigated the
      potential involvement of NL1-related mechanism in spinal nerve ligation (SNL)
      associated allodynia. METHODS: In 626 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, the
      withdrawal threshold and NL1, PSD-95, phosphorylated NR2B (pNR2B) expressions,
      interactions, and locations in dorsal horn (L4 to L5) were compared between the
      sham operation and SNL groups. A recombinant Nrx1b Fc chimera (Nrx1b Fc, 10 MUg,
      10 MUl, i.t., bolus), antisense small-interfering RNA targeting to NL1 (10 MUg,
      10 MUl, i.t., daily for 4 days), or NR2B antagonist (Ro 25-6981; 1 MUM, 10 MUl,
      i.t., bolus) were administered to SNL animals to elucidate possible cascades
      involved. RESULTS: SNL-induced allodynia failed to affect NL1 or PSD-95
      expression. However, pNR2B expression (mean +/- SD from 13.1 +/- 2.87 to 23.1 +/-
      2.52, n = 6) and coexpression of NL1-PSD-95, pNR2B-PSD-95, and NL1-total NR2B
      were enhanced by SNL (from 10.7 +/- 2.27 to 22.2 +/- 3.94, 11.5 +/- 2.15 to 23.8
      +/- 3.32, and 8.9 +/- 1.83 to 14.9 +/- 2.27 at day 7, n = 6). Furthermore, neuron
      localized pNR2B PSD-95-pNR2B double-labeled and NL1/PSD-95/pNR2B triple-labeled
      immunofluorescence in the ipsilateral dorsal horn was all prevented by Nrx1b Fc
      and NL1-targeted small-interfering RNA designed to block and prevent NL1
      expression. Without affecting NL1-PSD-95 coupling, Ro 25-6981 decreased the SNL
      induced PSD-95-pNR2B coprecipitation (from 18.7 +/- 1.80 to 14.7 +/- 2.36 at day
      7, n = 6). CONCLUSION: SNL-induced allodynia, which is mediated by the spinal
      NL1/PSD-95/pNR2B cascade, can be prevented by blockade of transsynaptic Nrx1b-NL1
      interactions.

PMID- 26263431
TI  - Risk and Outcomes of Substance Use Disorder among Anesthesiology Residents: A
      Matched Cohort Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The goal of this work is to evaluate selected risk factors and
      outcomes for substance use disorder (SUD) in physicians enrolled in
      anesthesiology residencies approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate
      Medical Education. METHODS: For each of 384 individuals with evidence of SUD
      while in primary residency training in anesthesiology from 1975 to 2009, two
      controls (n = 768) who did not develop SUD were identified and matched for sex,
      age, primary residency program, and program start date. Risk factors evaluated
      included location of medical school training (United States vs. other) and
      anesthesia knowledge as assessed by In-Training Examination performance. Outcomes
      (assessed to December 31, 2013, with a median follow-up time of 12.2 and 15.1 yr
      for cases and controls, respectively) included mortality and profession-related
      outcomes. RESULTS: Receiving medical education within the United States, but not
      performance on the first in-training examination, was associated with an
      increased risk of developing SUD as a resident. Cases demonstrated a marked
      increase in the risk of death after training (hazard ratio, 7.9; 95% CI, 3.1 to
      20.5), adverse training outcomes including failure to complete residency (odds
      ratio, 14.9; 95% CI, 9.0 to 24.6) or become board certified (odds ratio, 10.4;
      95% CI, 7.0 to 15.5), and adverse medical licensure actions subsequent to
      residency (hazard ratio, 6.8; 95% CI, 3.8 to 12.2). As of the end of follow-up,
      54 cases (14.1%) were deceased compared with 10 controls (1.3%); 28 cases and no
      controls died during residency. CONCLUSION: The attributable risk of SUD to
      several adverse outcomes during and after residency training, including death and
      adverse medical license actions, is substantial.

PMID- 26263432
TI  - Serum macrophage migration inhibitory factor levels are associated with
      angiographically complex coronary lesions in patients with coronary artery
      disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Rupture of vulnerable plaque with subsequent thrombus formation has
      been implicated as the most common pathogenic mechanism responsible for acute
      coronary syndrome (ACS). Angiographic coronary lesion complexity has been
      reported to reflect plaque vulnerability. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor
      (MIF) is a proinflammatory cytokine and might be involved in the pathophysiology
      of atherosclerotic plaque destabilization. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to
      investigate if serum MIF levels are associated with angiographic coronary lesion
      complexity in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      A total of 232 consecutive CAD patients and 76 controls were recruited. CAD
      patients were subdivided according to the presence of ACS (n=138) or stable
      angina pectoris (SAP) (n=98). Coronary lesion morphology was assessed by coronary
      angiography. Serum MIF levels were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent
      assay. RESULTS: SAP patients had significantly higher serum MIF levels compared
      with healthy controls, and ACS patients had significantly higher serum MIF levels
      compared with SAP patients. In SAP patients, serum MIF levels were independently
      associated with the presence of complex coronary lesion. In ACS patients, serum
      MIF levels increased in conjunction with the extent of complex lesions.
      CONCLUSIONS: Serum MIF levels are a potential biomarker for reflecting the
      presence and severity of angiographically complex coronary lesion in CAD
      patients.

PMID- 26263433
TI  - Trauma, Time, and Transfusions: A Longitudinal Analysis of Coagulation Markers in
      Severely Injured Trauma Patients Receiving Modified Whole Blood or Component
      Blood Products.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The current study leveraged data from the Early Whole Blood (EWB)
      trial to explore the effects of modified whole blood (mWB) versus component
      (COMP) transfusions on coagulation parameters over time using longitudinal
      statistical methods. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The EWB study was a single-center
      randomized controlled trial, approved by the local IRB. Adult patients at highest
      level trauma activations were randomized into mWB or COMP groups. Coagulation
      status was evaluated (at times 0, 3, 6, 12, and 24 h postadmission) using
      thrombelastography, platelet aggregometry, and calibrated automated thrombograms.
      Longitudinal statistical analyses with generalized estimating equations (GEE)
      were used to evaluate the effects of group, time, transfusion types, and their
      respective interactions on changes in measured coagulation markers. RESULTS: A
      total of 59 patients were enrolled and adhered to protocol in the EWB trial, 25
      in the mWB group, and 34 in the COMP group. Patients in both the mWB and COMP
      groups demonstrated a significant decline in their thrombelastography parameters
      during the first 3-6 h, specifically K-time, alpha-angle, maximum amplitude, G,
      and LY30. Patients receiving mWB exhibited improved thrombin potential than those
      receiving COMP. Platelet count and function declined over time in both mWB and
      COMP groups; however, platelet aggregation in response to ristocetin in the mWB
      group was significantly improved at 12 h compared with the COMP group. The
      longitudinal GEE model revealed significant group-time interactive effects on the
      changes in coagulation markers and significant effect of platelet transfusions on
      improvements in coagulation profile. CONCLUSIONS: We observed significant
      interactive group-time effects, indicating that the types of transfusion as well
      as the time of transfusion significantly affect the patient's coagulation status.
      Our pilot data suggest that there is an improvement in platelet function with
      mWB, but further studies are needed. Regardless, platelet transfusions were
      associated with improvements in coagulation over time in both the groups.

PMID- 26263435
TI  - Increased Fluid Administration After Early Acute Kidney Injury is Associated with
      Less Renal Recovery.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: In acute kidney injury (AKI), fluid accumulation is associated with
      poor outcome. We aimed to determine whether fluid intake or output had the major
      role. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of patients admitted to the Intensive Care
      Unit between July 2007 and June 2009 who had AKI stage I. We collected fluid
      input, output, and haemodynamic data on day of AKI I and on day of AKI III (if
      AKI III developed) or 72  h after AKI I (if patients did not progress to AKI
      III). Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed.
      RESULTS: Among 210 patients with AKI I (median age 70 y; 138 males), 85 had a
      subsequent mean fluid gain >1 L/day. Their risk of AKI III or death in intensive
      care unit was significantly higher compared with patients who gained <=1 L/day
      (63.5% vs. 23.3%, P = 0.001, and 43.5% vs. 24.8%, P = 0.004, respectively). AKI I
      patients who gained >1 L/day had a significantly lower urine output (50 vs. 66 
      mL/h, P = 0.02), lower mean arterial pressure (71 vs. 74  mmHg, P = 0.01), higher
      arterial lactate level (2.7 vs. 2.0  mmol/L, P < 0.001), and higher Sequential
      Organ Failure Assessment score (9.4 vs. 8.2, P = 0.002) on day of AKI I compared
      with those who gained <= 1 L/day. Multivariable analysis showed that only fluid
      intake was independently associated with progression to AKI III (OR 1.8 per 1 L;
      95% CI 1.1 - 8.8; P = 0.02), but reduced urine output was not an independent risk
      factor (OR 0.8; 95% CI 0.3 - 2.2; P = 0.6). CONCLUSION: Increased fluid intake in
      early AKI was an independent risk factor for AKI III.

PMID- 26263434
TI  - Plasma-Mediated Gut Protection After Hemorrhagic Shock is Lessened in Syndecan-1
      /- Mice.
AB  - We have shown in a rodent model of hemorrhagic shock (HS) that fresh frozen
      plasma (FFP) reduces lung inflammation and injury that are correlated with
      restitution of syndecan-1. As the gut is believed to contribute to distant organ
      injury and inflammation after shock, the current study sought to determine if the
      protective effects of plasma would extend to the gut and to elucidate the
      contribution of syndecan-1 to this protective effect. We also examined the
      potential role of TNFalpha, and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase (ADAM)-17,
      both intestinal sheddases of syndecan-1. Wild-type (WT) and syndecan-1 (KO) mice
      were subjected to HS followed by resuscitation with lactated Ringer's (LR) or FFP
      and compared with shock alone and shams. Small bowel and blood were obtained
      after 3  h for analysis of mucosal injury and inflammation and TNFalpha and ADAM
      17 protein expression and activity. After HS, gut injury and inflammation were
      significantly increased compared with shams. Resuscitation with LR decreased both
      injury and inflammation that were further lessened by FFP. KO mice displayed
      worsened gut injury and inflammation after HS compared with WT mice, and LR and
      FFP equivalently inhibited injury and inflammation. Both systemic and intestinal
      TNFalpha and ADAM-17 followed similar trends, with increases after HS, reduction
      by LR, and a further decrease by FFP in WT but not KO mice. In conclusion, FFP
      decreased gut injury and inflammation after hemorrhagic shock, an effect that was
      abrogated in syndecan-1 mice. Plasma also decreased TNFalpha and ADAM-17,
      representing a potential mechanistic link to its protection via syndecan-1.

PMID- 26263436
TI  - Advances in Vascular Hyporeactivity After Shock: The Mechanisms and Managements.
AB  - Vascular reactivity to vasoconstrictors and vasodilators is greatly reduced after
      severe trauma, shock, and sepsis or multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. This
      reduced vascular reactivity severely interferes with the treatment of shock and
      other critical conditions. In particular, it interferes with the efficacy of
      vasoactive agents. Consequently, it is very important to elucidate the mechanisms
      and search for the effective treatment measures. In recent years, a lot of
      studies focused on the characteristics and the change rules of vascular
      hyporeactivity and mechanisms following shock. Also, the treatment approaches
      based on various mechanisms have been a hot pot these years. 

PMID- 26263437
TI  - SIRTUIN 1 ACTIVATOR SRT1720 PROTECTS AGAINST ORGAN INJURY INDUCED BY INTESTINAL
      ISCHEMIA-REPERFUSION.
AB  - Intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) occurs in various clinical situations and
      causes local and remote organ injury, especially in the lungs, leading to
      significant morbidity and mortality. The maintenance of mitochondrial biogenesis
      is essential for cell survival and is regulated in part by sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), an
      energy-sensing enzyme. We hypothesized that SIRT1 activation with SRT1720 would
      reduce local and remote organ injury after intestinal I/R. Intestinal I/R was
      induced by the occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery of adult male C57BL/6
      mice for 45 min, followed by reperfusion for 4 h. SRT1720 or vehicle was injected
      intravenously at the time of reperfusion. Blood, small intestine, and lung
      tissues were collected for analysis. The SRT1720 treatment of I/R mice resulted
      in a 57% increase in protein levels of succinate dehydrogenase, an index of
      mitochondrial mass, and a 120% increase in messenger RNA levels of mitochondrial
      transcription factor A, a marker for mitochondrial biogenesis. The microscopic
      architecture and apoptosis of the gut tissue was improved in the SRT1720-treated
      I/R mice. SRT1720 decreased intestinal messenger RNA levels of tumor necrosis
      factor-alpha by 60% and inducible nitric oxide synthase to baseline after I/R.
      Systemic inflammation, as determined by serum interleukin-6, was reduced in
      treated mice. Lung injury, as measured by histological architecture and
      myeloperoxidase activity, and lung apoptosis were also improved after the SRT1720
      treatment. SRT1720 preserved mitochondrial biogenesis and mass, leading to
      inhibition of inflammation and oxidative stress, thereby protecting against
      intestinal I/R-induced injury. Thus, the SIRT1-mediated pathway is a promising
      target for the treatment of intestinal I/R injury. 

PMID- 26263438
TI  - Skeletal Muscle Protein Breakdown Remains Elevated in Pediatric Burn Survivors up
      to One-Year Post-Injury.
AB  - Acute alterations in skeletal muscle protein metabolism are a well-established
      event associated with the stress response to burns. Nevertheless, the long
      lasting effects of burn injury on skeletal muscle protein turnover are
      incompletely understood. This study was undertaken to investigate fractional
      synthesis (FSR) and breakdown (FBR) rates of protein in skeletal muscle of
      pediatric burn patients (n  =  42, >30% total body surface area burns) for up to
      1 year after injury. Skeletal muscle protein kinetics were measured in the post
      prandial state following bolus injections of C6 and N phenylalanine stable
      isotopes. Plasma and muscle phenylalanine enrichments were quantified using gas
      chromatography-mass spectrometry. We found that the FSR in burn patients was 2-
      to 3-fold higher than values from healthy men previously reported in the
      literature (P <= 0.05). The FBR was 4- to 6-fold higher than healthy values (P  <
      0.01). Therefore, net protein balance was lower in burn patients compared with
      healthy men from 2 weeks to 12 months post-injury (P  <  0.05). These findings
      show that skeletal muscle protein turnover stays elevated for up to 1 year after
      burn, an effect attributable to simultaneous increases in FBR and FSR. Muscle FBR
      exceeds FSR during this time, producing a persistent negative net protein
      balance, even in the post-prandial state, which likely contributes to the
      prolonged cachexia seen in burned victims.

PMID- 26263439
TI  - Low-Dose Heparin Anticoagulation During Extracorporeal Life Support for Acute
      Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Conscious Sheep.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Over 32% of burned battlefield causalities develop trauma-induced
      hypoxic respiratory failure, also known as acute respiratory distress syndrome
      (ARDS). Recently, 9 out of 10 US combat soldiers' survived life-threatening
      trauma-induced ARDS supported with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), a
      portable form of cardiopulmonary bypass. Unfortunately, the size, incidence of
      coagulation complications, and the need for systematic anticoagulation for
      traditional ECMO devices have prevented widespread use of this lifesaving
      technology. Therefore, a compact, mobile, ECMO system using minimal
      anticoagulation may be the solution to reduce ARDS in critically ill military and
      civilian patients. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort laboratory
      investigation to evaluate the coagulation function in an ovine model of oleic
      acid induced ARDS supported with veno-venous ECMO. The experimental design
      approximated the time needed to transport from a battlefield setting to an
      advanced facility and compared bolus versus standard heparin anticoagulation
      therapy. RESULTS: Comprehensive coagulation and hemostasis assays did not show
      any difference because of ECMO support over 10 h between the two groups but did
      show changes because of injury. Platelet count and function did decrease with
      support on ECMO, but there was no significant bleeding or clot formation during
      the entire experiment. CONCLUSIONS: A bolus heparin injection is sufficient to
      maintain ECMO support for up to 10 h in an ovine model of ARDS. With a reduced
      need for systematic anticoagulation, ECMO use for battlefield trauma could reduce
      significant morbidity and mortality from ventilator-induced lung injury and ARDS.
      Future studies will investigate the mechanisms and therapies to support patients
      for longer periods on ECMO without coagulation complications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:
      V--therapeutic animal experiment.

PMID- 26263441
TI  - WHAT'S NEW IN SHOCK? OCTOBER 2015.

PMID- 26263440
TI  - Adiponectin in Fresh Frozen Plasma Contributes to Restoration of Vascular Barrier
      Function After Hemorrhagic Shock.
AB  - Hemorrhagic shock is the leading cause of preventable deaths in civilian and
      military trauma. Use of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) in patients requiring massive
      transfusion is associated with improved outcomes. FFP contains significant
      amounts of adiponectin, which is known to have vascular protective function. We
      hypothesize that FFP improves vascular barrier function largely via adiponectin.
      Plasma adiponectin levels were measured in 19 severely injured patients in
      hemorrhagic shock (HS). Compared with normal individuals, plasma adiponectin
      levels decreased to 49% in HS patients before resuscitation (P < 0.05) and
      increased to 64% post-resuscitation (but not significant). In a HS mouse model,
      we demonstrated a similar decrease in plasma adiponectin to 54% but a significant
      increase to 79% by FFP resuscitation compared with baseline (P < 0.05). HS
      disrupted lung vascular barrier function, leading to an increase in permeability.
      FFP resuscitation reversed these HS-induced effects. Immunodepletion of
      adiponectin from FFP abolished FFP's effects on blocking endothelial
      hyperpermeability in vitro, and on improving lung vascular barrier function in HS
      mice. Replenishment with adiponectin rescued FFP's effects. These findings
      suggest that adiponectin is an important component in FFP resuscitation
      contributing to the beneficial effects on vascular barrier function after HS. 

PMID- 26263442
TI  - Underuse of anticoagulation in stroke patients with atrial fibrillation--the
      FibStroke Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Current guidelines recommend oral anticoagulation (OAC)
      for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and increased risk of thromboembolic
      events. The reasons for not using OAC in AF patients suffering stroke or
      transient ischaemic attack (TIA) were assessed. METHODS: This retrospective
      registry included 3404 patients with previously diagnosed AF who suffered a total
      of 2955 ischaemic strokes and 895 TIAs during 2003-2012. RESULTS: A CHA2DS2-VASc
      score >=2 and a CHADS2 score >=2 was observed in 3590 (93.2%) and in 2784 (72.3%)
      of the events, respectively. Of the high-risk patients (CHADS2 >=2) only 55.1%
      were on OAC before the onset of stroke or TIA. The most frequently documented
      reasons for withholding OAC were infrequent paroxysms of AF (14%), previous
      bleeding episodes (13%) and the patient's decline/independent discontinuation of
      treatment (9%). Moreover, patients with paroxysmal AF (40% using OAC), previous
      bleeding (26% using OAC) and alcohol abuse (30% using OAC) were using OAC
      significantly less often than patients without these characteristics. A
      significant increase in the proportion of high-risk patients using OAC from 49%
      in 2003 to 65% in 2012 was seen. CONCLUSIONS: Underuse of anticoagulation is a
      common contributor to ischaemic strokes and TIA episodes in patients with AF.
      Infrequent AF episodes, previous bleeds, patient preference and alcohol abuse
      were the most common reasons for not using OAC.

PMID- 26263443
TI  - Interactions between local dilator and sympathetic vasoconstrictor influences in
      skeletal muscle in acute and chronic hypoxia.
AB  - NEW FINDINGS: What is the topic of this review? This review considers how local
      dilator mechanisms and increased sympathetic nerve activity interact during acute
      systemic hypoxia and then reviews current understanding of some of the
      modifications induced by chronic hypoxia. What advances does it highlight? During
      acute hypoxia, local levels of hypoxia determine the release of vasodilators and
      magnitude of arteriolar dilatation, as well as the extent to which
      sympathetically evoked vasoconstriction is blunted, so maximizing distribution of
      O2 to muscle fibres. Chronic hypoxia in adult life and fetal programming induced
      by chronic hypoxia in utero lead to increased responsiveness to acute hypoxia and
      further blunting of sympathetic vasoconstriction, but are also associated with
      hypertension. In resting skeletal muscle, acute systemic hypoxia evokes
      vasodilatation, while vasoconstriction evoked by increased muscle sympathetic
      nerve activity is blunted, referred to herein as hypoxic sympatholysis. This
      review considers the contributions of adenosine, prostaglandin I2 , nitric oxide,
      ATP and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factors to the muscle vasodilatation,
      with particular attention being given to the release and actions of adenosine,
      which plays a dominant role. It is argued that the dilator substances are
      released in proportion to the local level of hypoxia, notably, allowing terminal
      arterioles to regulate O2 distribution through the capillaries. Correspondingly,
      hypoxic sympatholysis can be attributed to the ability of local hypoxia to blunt
      vasoconstriction evoked by noradrenaline acting on alpha1 - and alpha2 
      adrenoceptors. The synergistic actions of ATP as cotransmitter may be depressed
      in parallel, but the actions of neuropeptide Y persist. Consideration is also
      given to the changes induced by chronic hypoxia in adult life and to the
      consequences in adult life of fetal programming induced by chronic hypoxia during
      pregnancy. In both conditions, dilator responsiveness to acute hypoxia is
      maintained, but the action or release of adenosine is altered in ways that are
      not yet understood. Both conditions are also accompanied by blunted
      sympathetically evoked vasoconstriction, tonically raised muscle sympathetic
      nerve activity, and increased muscular vascular tone and arterial blood pressure.
      With hypoxia-induced fetal programming, arterial pressure is increased in young
      adults and increases with age. The mechanisms underlying these changes are
      discussed, and it is argued that chronic hypoxia in adult life or in utero may
      facilitate development of hypertension.

PMID- 26263444
TI  - The Cost of Scientific Misconduct.

PMID- 26263445
TI  - American Pediatric Society 2015 Presidential Address: leaky pipes, glass
      ceilings, and changing landscapes-time to renovate the pediatric house.
AB  - Presented at the PAS Annual Meeting, 25-28 April 2015, San Diego, CA. 

PMID- 26263446
TI  - Intrinsically disordered amphiphilic peptides as potential targets in drug
      delivery vehicles.
AB  - Intrinsically disordered proteins/peptides play a crucial role in many
      physiological and pathological events and may assume a precise conformation upon
      binding to a specific target. Recently, we have described the conformational and
      functional properties of two linear ester peptides provided with the following
      sequences: Y-G-E-C-P-C-K-OAllyl (PepK) and Y-G-E-C-P-C-E-OAllyl (PepE). Both
      peptides are characterized by the presence of the "CPC" motif together with a few
      amino acids able to promote disorder. The CPC sequence is a binding motif for the
      CXCR4 receptor that represents a well-known target for cancer therapies. In this
      paper, we report on synthetic amphiphilic peptides that consist of lipophilic
      derivatives of PepE and PepK bearing two stearic alkyl chains and/or an ethoxylic
      spacer. These peptide amphiphiles form stable supramolecular aggregates; they
      present conformational features that are typical of intrinsically disordered
      molecules as shown by CD spectroscopy. Solution fluorescence and DLS studies have
      been performed to evaluate Critical Micellar Concentrations and the dimension of
      supramolecular aggregates. Moreover, preliminary in vitro cell-based assays have
      been conducted to investigate the molecular recognition processes involving the
      CXCR4 receptor. In the end, the results obtained have been compared with the
      previous data generated by the corresponding non-amphiphilic peptides (PepE and
      PepK). 

PMID- 26263447
TI  - Atypical gunshot wound: Bullet trajectory analyzed by computed tomography.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Gunshot injuries are a result of a bullet or projectile fired from
      a weapon that penetrates the body. Homicide, suicide, and occasionally,
      accidental events are a significant cause of firearm-related injuries. In rare
      cases, the damage from the gunshot injury can be masked due to an atypical bullet
      trajectory. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 63-year-old male was found with a gunshot
      wound to the anterior left knee. Computed tomography (CT) scans revealed a bullet
      track extending from the anterior aspect of the left knee that traveled cephalad
      subcutaneously and entered into the peritoneal cavity, perforating the distal
      descending colon. The bullet was found to be at rest adjacent to the spleen and
      posterior chest wall, with no injury to the lungs, kidneys or the spleen. The
      patient required a sigmoid colectomy with descending colostomy and was
      subsequently discharged home without any complications. DISCUSSION: Intra
      abdominal organ damage from a gunshot wound to the distal limb is a rare
      occurrence. Atypical gun shot wounds, such as this case, have the potential for
      multiple issues including: delayed diagnostic tests, inaccurate radiological
      readings, and inappropriate medical management. CONCLUSION: If an abnormal
      trajectory is maintained, it is possible for a bullet to traverse half the length
      of the body without the patient realizing it. Accurate CT analysis and quick
      decisions in surgical and medical management are critical takeaways to provide
      quality care to patients with these injuries.

PMID- 26263448
TI  - Laparoscopic repair of a bilateral internal inguinal hernia with supravesical
      hernia - a case report.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Supravesical hernia is an exceptional subtype of internal inguinal
      hernia, and it is located between the median umbilical ligament and the medial
      umbilical ligament. The hernia is classified as two types: internal supravesical
      hernia and external supravesical hernia. PRESENTATION OF CASE: Herein we report a
      rare case of external supravesical hernia successfully treated by laparoscopic
      procedure. The patient who complained right inguinal protrusion and mild frequent
      urination was diagnosed as right inguinal hernia and potential of left inguinal
      hernia using computed tomography. He underwent laparoscopic bilateral hernia
      repair, and intraoperative findings revealed right external supravesical hernia
      and left internal inguinal hernia. DISCUSSION: Laparoscopic hernia repair may
      make it possible to avoid overlooking of internal hernia such as supravesical
      hernia. Moreover it was possible to cover the hernia orifice and dissected layer
      of the dorsal site of urine bladder using bilateral approach in the current case.
      CONCLUSION: In conclusions, laparoscopic hernia repair might be a surgical option
      for supravesical hernia.

PMID- 26263449
TI  - A novel technique for securing tracheal blood supply in salvage anterior
      mediastinal tracheostomy.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The only way for complete cure of advanced esophageal cancer with
      invasion to the mid-trachea is anterior mediastinal tracheostomy (AMT), which has
      a significantly high risk of fatal complications. The shorter tracheal stump is
      beneficial for good blood supply, but complicates to create a tracheostomy.
      PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 71-year-old patient with a history of advanced cervical
      esophageal cancer who was treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy 3 years
      earlier had local recurrence on the left side of the trachea despite salvage
      lymphadenectomy for solitary left paratracheal lymph node recurrence 1 year
      earlier. AMT involving a resection of nearly the whole trachea was needded for
      complete resection. However, the recurrenced tumor was localized on the tracheal
      left side. We designed the new surgical procedure to preserve a longer segment of
      the unaffected right tracheal wall by diagonal cut (3.6cm longer than on the left
      side) while maintaining adequate blood flow by preserving the right lateral
      vascular pedicle in a state of connecting with the right lobe of the thyroid
      gland and the right tracheal stump. The postoperative course was uneventful, and
      at 1 year postoperatively, no tumor recurrence has been detected. DISCUSSION:
      Preservation of the lateral vascular pedicle enables a longer tracheal stump by
      securing sufficient blood supply and a longer tracheal stump in AMT, even when
      unilateral, enables to create tracheostomy more surely, preventing fatal
      complications. CONCLUSION: This novel procedure should be considered in cases
      with tumor invasion extending into the lower mid-trachea that is limited to one
      side.

PMID- 26263451
TI  - Emphysematous gastritis in a patient with coxsackie B3 myocarditis and
      cardiogenic shock requiring veno-arterial extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Emphysematous gastritis is a rare condition in which gas
      accumulates in the stomach lining usually due to an infectious source. CASE
      PRESENTATION: We present a 16 year old female with viral myocarditis and
      cardiogenic shock transferred to our hospital on extracorporeal membrane
      oxygenation (ECMO) who developed emphysematous gastritis. After listing the
      patient for heart transplant, patient underwent Bi-VAD placement requiring veno
      venous ECMO support. Subsequently, she developed worsening abdominal distention.
      CT of abdomen/pelvis showed the stomach to be diffusely edematous, thick-walled,
      containing intramural gas collections, consistent with emphysematous gastritis.
      Patient underwent nonoperative management and two weeks later had complete
      resolution of the gastritis. Unfortunately, her overall condition deteriorated in
      the subsequent days and support was withdrawn. DISCUSSION: Management of
      emphysematous gastritis usually revolves around supportive care, broad spectrum
      antibiotics and bowel rest. Our patients' gastritis resolved with non-operative
      management, albeit, she succumbed to multiorgan failure due to other causes.
      CONCLUSION: We believe, this is a unique case of a veno-arterial ECMO causing
      emphysematous gastritis.

PMID- 26263450
TI  - A rare combination between familial multiple lipomatosis and
      extragastrointestinal stromal tumor.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common
      mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. Rarely, GISTs can be located in
      mesentery, retroperitoneal space, omentum or pancreas. In these cases, the
      neoplasm is defined as "extra-gastrointestinal stromal tumors" (EGISTs).
      PRESENTATION OF CASE: We reported a case of a 63-year-old male patient diagnosed
      by computer tomography with large intraabdominal tumor with vague origin,
      postoperatively determined as an EGIST. The diagnosis was confirmed by
      immunohistochemical study. The patient had multiple, subcutaneous, painless
      lipomas localized in the arms, forearms, thighs, abdomen and thorax. Because of
      the family history and the clinical presentation the disease was determined as
      familial multiple lipomatosis (FML). We performed radical tumor resection with
      distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy, and abdominoplasty, removing redundant
      skin and underlying subcutaneous fat tissue with multiple lipomas. DISCUSSION:
      FML is a rare hereditary benign disease. On the other hand, only few cases with
      familial GIST have been reported. In cases with extensive abdominal involvement,
      the primary origin of EGIST may be impossible to determine so the differential
      diagnosis is very difficult. CONCLUSION: Although we could not prove correlation
      between the observed diseases, they are extremely rare and their combination is
      unusual which makes the presented case valuable and interesting.

PMID- 26263452
TI  - Traumatic avulsion of tibialis anterior following an industrial accident: A case
      report.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Rupture of the tibialis anterior tendon is uncommon and can occur
      spontaneously or following trauma. If suspected, it should be diagnosed promptly,
      enabling early surgical management and good restoration of function. PRESENTATION
      OF CASE: A 48 year old male sustained a crush injury to his right foot when it
      became stuck in a vertical industrial fan at work. He attended A & E complaining
      of swelling of the dorsum of foot. On examination, there was tenderness at the
      base of the first metatarsal. X-ray revealed an avulsion fracture of the first
      metatarsal, and MRI showed rupture of tibialis anterior. The patient underwent
      surgical repair 10 days later, with post-operative management in a non-weight
      bearing, then weight bearing cast. X-ray at 8 weeks showed that the fracture had
      healed. The patient had a course of physiotherapy and was followed up at 6 months
      to assess pain and function. DISCUSSION: Tibialis anterior rupture should be
      considered if the history is suggestive, and can be diagnosed clinically based on
      the triad of a 'pseudotumour' of the ruptured tendon, loss of tendon contour, and
      reduced dorsiflexion of the ankle. In our case, the avulsion fracture prompted
      further imaging to confirm the diagnosis and plan surgery. There are various
      operative technique described in the literature. We used a whip stitch with
      anchors to reattach the tendon to the base of first metatarsal. CONCLUSION: A
      prompt and early diagnosis of surgical repair of tibialis anterior tendon
      avulsion is important to ensure that the patients return to work as an industrial
      worker.

PMID- 26263453
TI  - An unusual case of duodenal perforation caused by a blister pack: A case report
      and literature review.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Ingestion of foreign bodies is a relatively common clinical
      problem. Blister packs have been known to be a causative agent of
      gastrointestinal perforation. We report a rare case of duodenal perforation
      caused by a blister pack, which was complicated by retroperitoneal abscess and
      having a poor outcome. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 72 year-old man with a history of
      dementia presented to the emergency department with a 2-day history of backache.
      Upon radiological findings, perforated peptic ulcer was suspected. However,
      emergency laparotomy revealed a blister pack protruding from the posterior wall
      of the third portion of the duodenum. It was complicated by a widespread
      retroperitoneal abscess. After removal of the foreign body, the perforation was
      treated with primary suture repair and an omental patch. However, the patient
      died two days after operation due to sepsis. DISCUSSION: According to a
      literature review, the ileum is the most common site of perforation caused by
      blister packs. To our knowledge, duodenal perforations have not been documented
      to date. Curative treatment often involves emergent surgery. However, duodenal
      perforation in the third portion may lead to retroperitoneal abscess, which can
      result in severe sepsis and have a poor outcome. As there is no consensus about
      an ideal surgical approach, retroperitoneal abscess is one of the clinical
      challenges for surgeons. Even with prompt management, duodenal perforation may
      become fatal. CONCLUSION: Unnoticed ingestion of blister packs can cause duodenal
      perforation. Although prompt management is necessary, duodenal perforation,
      especially in the third portion, may be potentially fatal.

PMID- 26263454
TI  - Ferroelectric Polymer Matrix for Probing Molecular Organization in Perylene
      Diimides.
AB  - Ferroelectric films of poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene) (PVDF-TrFE)
      provide a controlled environment to study the aggregation tendency of functional
      molecules such as perylene diimides (PDIs). The local electric field and free
      volume confinement parameters offered by the matrix are tailored to study the
      organizational and assembly characteritics of molecular acceptors. The optical
      properties of planar and nonplanar PDIs in the ferroelectric polymer matrix were
      studied systematically over a wide range that encompassed the ferroelectric
      transition temperature. This approach provides valuable insight into the
      properties of molecular materials used in applications ranging from bulk
      heterostructure-based photovoltaics to nonlinear optical materials. 

PMID- 26263455
TI  - Palladium Nanoparticle-Loaded Cellulose Paper: A Highly Efficient, Robust, and
      Recyclable Self-Assembled Composite Catalytic System.
AB  - We present a novel strategy based on the immobilization of palladium
      nanoparticles (Pd NPs) on filter paper for development of a catalytic system with
      high efficiency and recyclability. Oleylamine-capped Pd nanoparticles, dispersed
      in an organic solvent, strongly adsorb on cellulose filter paper, which shows a
      great ability to wick fluids due to its microfiber structure. Strong van der
      Waals forces and hydrophobic interactions between the particles and the substrate
      lead to nanoparticle immobilization, with no desorption upon further immersion in
      any solvent. The prepared Pd NP-loaded paper substrates were tested for several
      model reactions such as the oxidative homocoupling of arylboronic acids, the
      Suzuki cross-coupling reaction, and nitro-to-amine reduction, and they display
      efficient catalytic activity and excellent recyclability and reusability. This
      approach of using NP-loaded paper substrates as reusable catalysts is expected to
      open doors for new types of catalytic support for practical applications. 

PMID- 26263456
TI  - Femto- to Microsecond Photodynamics of an Unusual Bacteriophytochrome.
AB  - A bacteriophytochrome from Stigmatella aurantiaca is an unusual member of the
      bacteriophytochrome family that is devoid of hydrogen bonding to the carbonyl
      group of ring D of the biliverdin (BV) chromophore. The photodynamics of BV in
      SaBphP1 wild type and the single mutant T289H reintroducing hydrogen bonding to
      ring D show that the strength of this particular weak interaction determines
      excited-state lifetime, Lumi-R quantum yield, and spectral heterogeneity. In
      particular, excited-state decay is faster in the absence of hydrogen-bonding to
      ring D, with excited-state half-lives of 30 and 80 ps for wild type and the T289H
      mutant, respectively. Concomitantly, the Lumi-R quantum yield is two times higher
      in wild type as compared with the T289H mutant. Furthermore, the spectral
      heterogeneity in the wild type is significantly higher than that in the T289H
      mutant. By extending the observable time domain to 25 MUs, we observe a new
      deactivation pathway from the Lumi-R intermediate in the 100 ns time domain that
      corresponds to a backflip of ring D to the original Pr 15Za isomeric state. 

PMID- 26263457
TI  - Ab Initio Analysis of Auger-Assisted Electron Transfer.
AB  - Quantum confinement in nanoscale materials allows Auger-type electron-hole energy
      exchange. We show by direct time-domain atomistic simulation and analytic theory
      that Auger processes give rise to a new mechanism of charge transfer (CT) on the
      nanoscale. Auger-assisted CT eliminates the renown Marcus inverted regime,
      rationalizing recent experiments on CT from quantum dots to molecular adsorbates.
      The ab initio simulation reveals a complex interplay of the electron-hole and
      charge-phonon channels of energy exchange, demonstrating a variety of CT
      scenarios. The developed Marcus rate theory for Auger-assisted CT describes,
      without adjustable parameters, the experimental plateau of the CT rate in the
      region of large donor-acceptor energy gap. The analytic theory and atomistic
      insights apply broadly to charge and energy transfer in nanoscale systems. 

PMID- 26263458
TI  - Correction to "Phase Behavior and Percolation Properties of the Patchy Colloidal
      Fluids in the Random Porous Media".

PMID- 26263459
TI  - Introducing Perovskite Solar Cells to Undergraduates.

PMID- 26263460
TI  - Elemental Selenium for Electrochemical Energy Storage.
AB  - To meet the increasing demand for electrochemical energy storage with high energy
      density, elemental Se is proposed as a new attractive candidate with high
      volumetric capacity density similar to that of S. Se is chemically and
      electrochemically analogous to S to a large extent but is saliently featured
      owing to its semiconductivity, compatibility with carbonate-based electrolytes,
      and activity with a Na anode. Despite only short-term studies, many advanced Se
      based electrode materials have been developed for rechargeable Li batteries, Na
      batteries, and Li ion batteries. In this Perspective, we review the advances in
      Se-based energy storage materials and the challenges of Li-Se battery in both
      carbonate-based and ether-based electrolytes. We also discuss the rational design
      strategies for future Se-based energy storage systems based on the strengths and
      weaknesses of Se. 

PMID- 26263461
TI  - Long-Distance Sequential Charge Separation at Micellar Interface Mediated by
      Dynamic Charge Transporter: A Magnetic Field Effect Study.
AB  - Construction of photogenerated long-lived charge-separated states is crucial for
      light-energy conversion using organic molecules. For realization of cheap and
      easy-to-make long-distance electron transfer (ET) systems, we have developed a
      supramolecular donor(D)-chromophore(C)-acceptor(A) triad utilizing a micellar
      interface. Alkyl viologen (A(2+)) is adsorbed on the hydrophilic interface of
      Triton X-100 micelle, which bears D units in the hydrophobic core. Excited
      triplet state of a hydrophobic flavin C entrapped in the supercage gives rise to
      primary ET from D, which is followed by the secondary ET from C(-*) to A(2+) to
      give the long-lived (>10 MUs) charge-separated state with negligible yield of
      escaped C(-*). Analysis of magnetic field effect reveals that diffusion of C(-*)
      from the core to the hydrophilic interface leads to long-distance ET with a low
      charge recombination yield of ~20%. This novel concept of "dynamic charge
      transporter" has important implications for development of photon-energy
      conversion systems in solution phase. 

PMID- 26263462
TI  - Unveiling the Janus-Like Properties of OH(-).
AB  - Using ab initio simulations, we explore the glassy landscape of the OH(-)(H2O)20
      cluster and its infrared spectrum. We show that the OH(-) has an amphiphilic
      Janus-type behavior like the hydronium ion induced by the ability of its O-H bond
      to be buried inside of the cluster or exposed at the surface with different
      coordination numbers. Recent infrared experiments of aqueous NaOH have found two
      pronounced peaks at 2000 and 2850 cm(-1) [Mandal, A.; J. Chem. Phys. 2014, 140, 1
      12]. The microscopic origins of these spectral features remain elusive. Herein,
      we disentangle the contribution of the spectra between 1700 and 3000 cm(-1) in
      terms of the microscopic solvation structure of OH(-) and dub this as the
      amphiphilic band. The delocalized nature of OH(-) results in a red shift to the O
      H stretch, which mixes with bend-vibrations, the extent to which is tuned by the
      local coordination number. These results have important bearing on understanding
      the spectroscopic signatures of OH(-) in environments like the air-water
      interface.

PMID- 26263463
TI  - Perovskite Solar Cells: Do We Know What We Do Not Know?

PMID- 26263464
TI  - Accelerating Electrolyte Discovery for Energy Storage with High-Throughput
      Screening.
AB  - Computational screening techniques have been found to be an effective alternative
      to the trial and error of experimentation for discovery of new materials. With
      increased interest in development of advanced electrical energy storage systems,
      it is essential to find new electrolytes that function effectively. This
      Perspective reviews various methods for screening electrolytes and then describes
      a hierarchical computational scheme to screen multiple properties of advanced
      electrical energy storage electrolytes using high-throughput quantum chemical
      calculations. The approach effectively down-selects a large pool of candidates
      based on successive property evaluation. As an example, results of screening are
      presented for redox potentials, solvation energies, and structural changes of
      ~1400 organic molecules for nonaqueous redox flow batteries. Importantly, on the
      basis of high-throughput screening, in silico design of suitable candidate
      molecules for synthesis and electrochemical testing can be achieved. We
      anticipate that the computational approach described in this Perspective coupled
      with experimentation will have a significant role to play in the discovery of
      materials for future energy needs. 

PMID- 26263466
TI  - Beyond Lithium Ion Batteries.

PMID- 26263465
TI  - Fast Solid-State Li Ion Conducting Garnet-Type Structure Metal Oxides for Energy
      Storage.
AB  - Lithium ion batteries are the most promising energy storage system on the market
      today; however, safety issues associated with the use of flammable organic
      polymer-based electrolytes with poor electrochemical and chemical stabilities
      prevent this technology from reaching maturity. Solid lithium ion electrolytes
      (SLIEs) are being considered as potential replacements for the organic
      electrolytes to develop all-solid-state Li ion batteries. Out of the recently
      discovered SLIEs, the garnet-related structured Li-stuffed metal oxides are the
      most promising electrolytes due to their high total (bulk + grain boundary) Li
      ion conductivity, high electrochemical stability window (~6 V versus Li(+)/Li at
      room temperature), and chemical stability against reaction with an elemental Li
      anode and high-voltage metal oxide Li cathodes. This Perspective discusses the
      structural-chemical composition-ionic conductivity relationship of Li-stuffed
      garnets, followed by a discussion on the Li ion conduction mechanism, as well as
      the electrochemical and chemical stability of these materials. The performance of
      a number of all-solid-state batteries employing garnet-type Li ion electrolytes
      is also discussed. 

PMID- 26263467
TI  - The Band Gap of Graphene Is Efficiently Tuned by Monovalent Ions.
AB  - Small monovalent ions are able to polarize carbonaceous nanostructures
      significantly. We report a systematic investigation of how monovalent and
      divalent ions influence valence electronic structure of graphene. Pure density
      functional theory is employed to compute electronic energy levels. We show that
      the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of an alkali ion (Li(+), Na(+))
      fits between the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and LUMO of graphene,
      in such a way as to tune the bottom of the conduction band (i.e., band gap). In
      turn, Mg(2+) shares its orbitals with graphene. The corresponding binding energy
      is ca. 4 times higher than that in the case of alkali ions. The reported insights
      provide inspiration for engineering electrical properties of the graphene
      containing systems. 

PMID- 26263468
TI  - TiO2(110) Charge Donation to an Extended pi-Conjugated Molecule.
AB  - The surface reduction of rutile TiO2(110) generates a state in the band gap whose
      excess electrons are spread among multiple sites, making the surface conductive
      and reactive. The charge extraction, hence the surface catalytic properties,
      depends critically on the spatial extent of the charge redistribution, which has
      been hitherto probed by small molecules that recombine at oxygen vacancy (Ovac)
      sites. We demonstrate by valence band resonant photoemission (RESPES) a very
      general charge extraction mechanism from a reduced TiO2(110) surface to an
      extended electron-acceptor organic molecule. Perylene-tetra-carboxylic-diimide
      (PTCDI) is not trapped at Ovac sites and forms a closely packed, planar layer on
      TiO2(110). In this configuration, the perylene core spills out the substrate
      excess electrons, filling the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO). The
      charge transfer from the reduced surface to an extended pi-conjugated system
      demonstrates the universality of the injection/extraction mechanism, opening new
      perspectives for the coupling of reducible oxides to organic semiconductors and
      supported catalysts. 

PMID- 26263469
TI  - Lipocalin-2 Is a Disease Activity Marker in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Regulated
      by IL-17A, IL-22, and TNF-alpha and Modulated by IL23R Genotype Status.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lipocalin-2 (LCN2) is a potent bacteriostatic protein. We aimed to
      investigate its role as a disease activity marker in patients with inflammatory
      bowel disease (IBD) and its induction by the Th17 cytokines IL-17A, IL-22, and
      TNF-alpha in colonic epithelial cells. Moreover, we analyzed the influence of IBD
      associated IL23R alleles on LCN2 serum levels in IBD patients. METHODS: LCN2
      serum levels were determined in 131 IBD patients (71 with Crohn's disease [CD],
      60 with ulcerative colitis [UC]) and 63 healthy controls. IBD patients were
      genotyped for 10 IBD-associated IL23R polymorphisms. LCN2 expression after
      stimulation with IL-17A, IL-22, and TNF-alpha was measured in human colonic
      epithelial cell lines. RESULTS: A significant upregulation of serum LCN2 in
      active IBD (median [IQR], 36.84 [21.17-73.74] ng/mL; P = 0.01) compared with
      healthy controls (24.22 [17.76-35.25] ng/mL) was confined to active UC (42.21
      [28.97-73.74] ng/mL; P = 0.0006). LCN2 proved to be a marker of UC disease
      activity (area under the curve 0.75, sensitivity 0.83, specificity 0.63; P =
      0.0002). IL-17A showed a synergistic effect with IL-22 and TNF-alpha in inducing
      colonic epithelial expression of LCN2 and its essential transcription factor
      IKBZ. In CD, LCN2 concentrations were significantly modulated by IL23R genotype
      status with homozygous carriers of IBD risk-increasing alleles showing
      particularly low LCN2 levels. CONCLUSIONS: Serum LCN2 proves to be a biomarker of
      active UC. Lower LCN2 levels in CD patients carrying IBD risk-increasing IL23R
      variants may result from a restricted upregulation of LCN2 due to an impaired
      Th17 immune response.

PMID- 26263471
TI  - Update on Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is the common terminology
      used to describe the hereditary neuropathies. This update reviews advances in the
      past year in our understanding of these diseases, including some important
      earlier references. RECENT FINDINGS: In the past year, advances in next
      generation sequencing continued to increase the number of genes associated with
      CMT. The connection between genotype and phenotype has become more complicated.
      New insights into the pathogenesis of the diseases are reviewed. Treatment and
      clinical trial updates coming from these new insights, as well as use of high
      throughput screening to match potential treatments with targets, are moving the
      field forward. There is a discussion of potential next steps, including the use
      of patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells, to enhance our understanding
      of individual genotypes and phenotypes. SUMMARY: The use of high-throughput
      screens, and techniques such as RNAi and induced pluripotent stem cell continue
      to push forward other therapies for specific genetic forms of CMT and are
      potentially more generalizable to peripheral neuropathies. These developments,
      along with the development of improved outcome measures and longitudinal natural
      history data, advance CMT, making the future for finding treatments and/or cures
      closer than it has ever been.

PMID- 26263472
TI  - Autoimmune inflammatory neuropathies: updates in pathogenesis, diagnosis, and
      treatment.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The present review aims at discussing the recent advances in
      pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of major subtypes of autoimmune
      inflammatory neuropathies. RECENT FINDINGS: Concerning pathogenesis, further
      evidence has proved that antibodies to nodal proteins are pathogenic in
      inflammatory neuropathies. The presence of these antibodies is related to
      distinctive clinical features. Disruption of blood-nerve barrier mediated by
      cytokines and chemokines also plays an important role in the pathogenesis. The
      new terminology of 'nodopathies' describes immune-mediated attack beginning and
      limited to the nodal region, and this phenomenon can be found in both acute and
      chronic inflammatory neuropathies. Recent trials comparing intravenous and
      subcutaneous immunoglobulin confirm that subcutaneous immunoglobulin is not only
      cost-effective, but also improves patients' satisfaction and quality of life
      compared to intravenous immunoglobulin. Although immunotherapies are effective in
      most of the inflammatory neuropathies, accurate predictors and biomarkers of
      treatment response are lacking. Moreover, some patients do not respond to current
      immunotherapies and continue to relapse after discontinuation of treatment.
      SUMMARY: More studies are required to understand the exact antigenic targets and
      mechanism in inflammatory neuropathies, so as to develop more novel
      immunotherapies.

PMID- 26263474
TI  - Paranodal and other autoantibodies in chronic inflammatory neuropathies.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Autoimmune disorders of the peripheral nerves are diverse and
      heterogeneous. T cells, macrophages, and autoantibodies have been implicated in
      their pathogenesis. Autoantibodies to peripheral nerve molecules seem to play a
      role not only in the pathogenesis but provide diagnostic, prognostic, and
      therapeutic help. We review the state of the art and most relevant recent
      findings regarding autoantibodies in chronic inflammatory neuropathies, focusing
      on their clinical utility. RECENT FINDINGS: Research on autoantibodies in chronic
      inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) has received a recent
      boost with the description of antibodies against proteins of the node of Ranvier.
      Antibodies of the IgG4 isotype targeting the paranodal proteins contactin-1
      (CNTN1) and neurofascin-155 (NF155) define specific CIDP subtypes and have
      diagnostic and prognostic implications. In multifocal motor neuropathy, anti-GM1
      production is restricted to very few B-cell clones that could be the target of
      therapies aimed to remove or inactivate them. Moreover, novel ELISA and
      glycoarray techniques combining GM1 and galactocerebroside gangliosides improved
      the sensitivity of autoantibody detection. Detailed clinical and paraclinical
      features, including autoantibody reactivity patters, of autoimmune syndromes
      affecting simultaneously the central and peripheral nervous systems, are also
      described. SUMMARY: The heterogeneity of chronic inflammatory neuropathies is
      being unraveled with the description of specific autoantibodies and their
      association with small disease subtypes. The recently described paranodal
      autoantibodies anti-CNTN1 and NF155 have direct clinical value and seem to
      determine response to treatment. Further studies are needed to fully understand
      the primary contribution of the antibodies to the pathophysiology of the immune
      neuropathies.

PMID- 26263473
TI  - Modifier genes and their effect on Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Recently, genetic pathways that modify the clinical severity
      of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) have been identified. The pathways uncovered
      as modifiers are useful to predict prognosis and also elucidate molecular
      signatures that can be manipulated therapeutically. RECENT FINDINGS: Modifiers
      have been identified using combinations of transcriptome and genome profiling.
      Osteopontin, encoded by the SPP1 gene, was found using gene expression profiling.
      Latent TGFbeta binding protein 4, encoding latent TGFbeta binding protein 4 was
      initially discovered using a genome-wide screen in mice and then validated in
      cohorts of DMD patients. These two pathways converge in that they both regulate
      TGFbeta. A third modifier, Anxa6 that specifies annexin A6, is a calcium binding
      protein that has been identified using mouse models, and regulates the injury
      pathway and sarcolemmal resealing. SUMMARY: Genetic modifiers can serve as
      biomarkers for outcomes in DMD. Modifiers can alter strength and ambulation in
      muscular dystrophy, and these same features can be used as endpoints used in
      clinical trials. Moreover, because genetic modifiers can influence outcomes,
      these genetic markers should be considered when stratifying results in muscular
      dystrophy.

PMID- 26263475
TI  - Recent advances in outcome measures in IgM-anti-MAG+ neuropathies.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review aims to provide an overview of all randomized
      trials performed in IgM Anti-Myelin Associated Glycoprotein related peripheral
      neuropathy (MGUSP) with emphasis on the applied outcome measures including the
      rationale for their choice and possible limitations, emphasizing new advances in
      modern clinimetrics. RECENT FINDINGS: All clinical trials performed in patients
      with MGUSP have been negative, which raises many unanswered questions: were the
      sample sizes too small, the duration of the trials too short, the chosen medical
      interventions not aggressive enough, the definition of being a responder
      inadequate, and, last but not least, the outcome measures used improper? Only
      recently has attention been directed towards the possibility of using suboptimal
      outcome measures as a potential factor that may have contributed to the negative
      results in MGUSP. SUMMARY: Since there is no international consensus on how to
      assess and treat patients with MGUSP, the current study addresses new advances in
      the field of modern clinimetrics and recommendations for future outcome measure
      studies in MGUSP before proceeding with new interventional trials.

PMID- 26263476
TI  - Viral vector-mediated gene therapies.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Gene therapy as a treatment for neuromuscular disease has
      significantly advanced over the past decade. In the present review, the progress
      of adeno-associated viruses (AAV) vector-mediated gene therapy for Duchenne
      muscular dystrophy (DMD) during the past year is highlighted. RECENT FINDINGS:
      Modulating the immune response to AAV vector capsid or the transgene has helped
      to increase stable transduction efficiency. Full-length dystrophin expression via
      gene editing with targeted nucleases may ultimately be an ideal treatment option.
      Also genes with homologues function may ameliorate many aspects of the DMD
      pathophysiology. SUMMARY: The work during the past year has increased our
      understanding of AAV vector-mediated therapy and has also validated new
      approaches to treat DMD. The results will aid in the design of both preclinical
      and clinical trials.

PMID- 26263477
TI  - Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Production of TiO2 Passivated Pt/Si-Nanowire
      Composite Photocathode.
AB  - Si nanowire (SiNW) arrays decorated with Pt nanoparticles are passivated with
      TiO2 surface layer using atomic layer deposition (ALD). The sandwich structure
      TiO2/Pt/SiNW shows superior photoelectrochemical performance to the control
      planar silicon electrodes, especially under the concentrated solar radiation. Pt
      nanoparticles separated from aqueous electrolyte by TiO2 layer of more than 15 nm
      still well catalyze surface photoelectrochemical hydrogen production without
      direct contact to the electrolyte. This structural configuration shows remarkable
      chemical stability and anodically shifted onset potential, suggesting great
      promise for applications in solar hydrogen production. The maximum photon-to
      energy conversion efficiency of the TiO2/Pt/SiNW reaches 15.6%. 

PMID- 26263478
TI  - Comment on 'Impact of intra-arterial chemotherapy including internal carotid
      artery for advanced paranasal sinus cancers involving the skull base'.

PMID- 26263479
TI  - A Bayesian adaptive design for biomarker trials with linked treatments.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Response to treatments is highly heterogeneous in cancer. Increased
      availability of biomarkers and targeted treatments has led to the need for trial
      designs that efficiently test new treatments in biomarker-stratified patient
      subgroups. METHODS: We propose a novel Bayesian adaptive randomisation (BAR)
      design for use in multi-arm phase II trials where biomarkers exist that are
      potentially predictive of a linked treatment's effect. The design is motivated in
      part by two phase II trials that are currently in development. The design starts
      by randomising patients to the control treatment or to experimental treatments
      that the biomarker profile suggests should be active. At interim analyses, data
      from treated patients are used to update the allocation probabilities. If the
      linked treatments are effective, the allocation remains high; if ineffective, the
      allocation changes over the course of the trial to unlinked treatments that are
      more effective. RESULTS: Our proposed design has high power to detect treatment
      effects if the pairings of treatment with biomarker are correct, but also
      performs well when alternative pairings are true. The design is consistently more
      powerful than parallel-groups stratified trials. CONCLUSIONS: This BAR design is
      a powerful approach to use when there are pairings of biomarkers with treatments
      available for testing simultaneously.

PMID- 26263480
TI  - Is it the creatine or the anabolic androgenic steroids? Need for assessing the
      steroids role in testicular cancer.

PMID- 26263481
TI  - Macrophage subtype predicts lymph node metastasis in oesophageal adenocarcinoma
      and promotes cancer cell invasion in vitro.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Currently, there is a lack of ideal biomarkers for predicting nodal
      status in preoperative stage of oesophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) to aid
      optimising therapeutic options. We studied the potential of applying subtype
      macrophages to predict lymph node metastasis and prognosis in EAC. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: Fifty-three EAC resection specimens were immunostained with CD68, CD40
      (M1), and CD163 (M2). Lymphatic vessel density (LVD) was estimated with the
      staining of D2-40. Subsequently, we tested if M2d macrophage could promote EAC
      cell migration and invasion. RESULTS: In EAC without neoadjuvant treatment, an
      increase in M2-like macrophage was associated with poor patient survival,
      independent of the locations of macrophages in tumour. The M2/M1 ratio that
      represented the balance between M2- and M1-like macrophages was significantly
      higher in nodal-positive EACs than that in nodal-negative EACs, and inversely
      correlated with patient overall survival. The M2/M1 ratio was not related to LVD.
      EAC cell polarised THP1 cell into M2d-like macrophage, which promoted EAC cell
      migration and invasion. Neoadjuvant therapy appeared to diminish the correlation
      between the M2/M1 ratio and survival. CONCLUSIONS: The ratio of M2/M1 macrophage
      may serve as a sensitive marker to predict lymph node metastasis and poor
      prognosis in EAC without neoadjuvant therapy. M2d macrophage may have important
      roles in EAC metastasis.

PMID- 26263482
TI  - The relationship between tumour budding, the tumour microenvironment and survival
      in patients with invasive ductal breast cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tumour budding has previously been reported to predict survival in
      several solid organ tumours, including breast; however, whether this is
      independent of other aspects of the tumour microenvironment is unknown. In the
      present study, the relationship between tumour budding, the tumour
      microenvironment and survival was examined in patients with invasive ductal
      breast cancer. METHODS: Patients presenting between 1995 and 1998 were studied
      (n=474). Using routine pathological sections, tumour budding was measured at the
      invasive margin and its association with clinicopathological characteristics and
      cancer-specific survival (CSS) was examined. RESULTS: Tumour budding was
      associated with several adverse pathological characteristics, including lymph
      node involvement, lymph vessel invasion (LVI), increased tumour stroma percentage
      (TSP) and weaker local inflammatory infiltrative. Tumour budding was associated
      with reduced CSS (hazard ratio (HR) 2.08, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.14-3.09,
      P=0.004), independent of nodal status, molecular subtypes, tumour necrosis, CD8+,
      CD138+, LVI, blood vessel invasion and TSP. Further, tumour budding was
      independently associated with reduced CSS in node-negative patients (HR 2.63, 95%
      CI 1.16-5.92, P=0.020) and those who have low TSP (HR 1.98, 95% CI 1.09-3.57,
      P=0.024) and high-grade local inflammatory infiltrative (HR 2.27, 95% CI 1.35
      5.36, P=0.014). CONCLUSIONS: Tumour budding was a significant predictor of
      survival in patients with invasive ductal breast cancer, independent of adverse
      pathological characteristics and components of tumour microenvironment. The
      present study further confirms the clinical utility of both tumour and host-based
      factors of tumour microenvironment.

PMID- 26263484
TI  - Heart-Rate Changes After an Ultraendurance Swim From Italy to Albania: A Case
      Report.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of a solo ultraendurance open-water swim on
      autonomic and nonautonomic control of heart rate (HR). METHODS: A male athlete
      (age 48 y, height 172 cm, body mass 68 kg, BMI 23 kg/m2) underwent HR-variability
      (HRV) and circulating catecholamine evaluations at different times before and
      after an ultraendurance swim crossing the Adriatic Sea from Italy to Albania. HRV
      was measured in 5-min segments and quantified by time and frequency domain.
      Circulating catecholamines were estimated by salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) assay.
      RESULTS: The athlete completed 78.1 km in 23:44 h:min. After arrival, sAA levels
      had increased by 102.6%. Time- and frequency-domain HRV indexes decreased, as
      well (mean RR interval, -29,7%; standard deviation of normal mean RR interval, 
      63,1%; square root of mean squared successive differences between normal-to
      normal RR intervals, -49.3%; total power, -74.3%; low frequency, -78.0%; high
      frequency, -76.4%), while HR increased by 41.8%. At 16-h recovery, sAA had
      returned to preevent values, while a stable tachycardia was accompanied by
      reduced HRV measures. CONCLUSION: To the authors' knowledge, this is the first
      study reporting cardiac autonomic adjustments to an extreme and challenging
      ultraendurance open-water swim. The findings confirmed that the autonomic drives
      depend on exercise efforts. Since HRV changes did not mirror the catecholamine
      response 16 h postevent, the authors assume that the ultraendurance swim
      differently influenced cardiac function by both adaptive autonomic and
      nonautonomic patterns.

PMID- 26263485
TI  - Comparative biology of cell division in the fission yeast clade.
AB  - Cytokinesis must be regulated in time and space in order to preserve genome
      integrity during cell proliferation and to allow daughter cells to adopt distinct
      fates and geometries during differentiation. The fission yeast
      Schizosaccharomyces pombe has been a popular model organism for understanding
      spatiotemporal regulation of cytokinesis in a symmetrically dividing cell. Recent
      work on another member of the same genus, Schisozaccharomyces japonicus, suggests
      that S. pombe may have evolved an unusual division site placement mechanism based
      on a recently duplicated anillin paralog. Here we discuss an extraordinary
      evolutionary plasticity of cytokinesis within the fission yeast clade and argue
      that the comparative cell biology approach may provide functional insights beyond
      those afforded by scrutinizing individual model species. 

PMID- 26263483
TI  - Fibulin-3 levels in malignant pleural mesothelioma are associated with prognosis
      but not diagnosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Fibulin-3 (FBLN3) was recently presented as a promising novel
      biomarker for malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), warranting independent
      validation studies. METHODS: ELISA was used to measure cellular and secreted
      FBLN3 in cell lines, in plasma of xenograft tumour-bearing mice, in plasma from
      two independent series of MPM and non-MPM patients and in pleural fluid from a
      third series. Diagnostic and prognostic potential of FBLN3 was assessed by
      receiver operating characteristics curve analysis and Kaplan-Meier method,
      respectively. RESULTS: FBLN3 was expressed in all MPM and benign mesothelial cell
      lines tested, and a correlation was observed between cellular protein expression
      and secreted levels. Human FBLN3 was detectable in plasma of tumour-bearing mice,
      suggesting that MPM cells contribute to levels of circulating FBLN3. Plasma FBLN3
      was significantly elevated in MPM patients from the Sydney cohort, but not the
      Vienna cohort, but the diagnostic accuracy was low (63%, (95% CI: 50.1-76.4) and
      56% (95% CI: 41.5-71.0), respectively). Although FBLN3 levels in pleural
      effusions were not significantly different between cases and controls, FBLN3
      levels in pleural effusion fluid were found to be independently associated with
      prognosis (hazard ratio of 9.92 (95% CI: 2.14-45.93)). CONCLUSIONS: These data
      confirm the potential prognostic value of pleural effusion FBLN3, but question
      the diagnostic value of this protein in MPM patients.

PMID- 26263486
TI  - Effect of Cinnamon Oil on Quorum Sensing-Controlled Virulence Factors and Biofilm
      Formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
AB  - Quorum sensing (QS) is a system of stimuli and responses in bacterial cells
      governed by their population density, through which they regulate genes that
      control virulence factors and biofilm formation. Despite considerable research on
      QS and the discovery of new antibiotics, QS-controlled biofilm formation by
      microorganisms in clinical settings has remained a problem because of nascent
      drug resistance, which requires screening of diverse compounds for anti-QS
      activities. Cinnamon is a dietary phytochemical that is traditionally used to
      remedy digestive problems and assorted contagions, which suggests that cinnamon
      might contain chemicals that can hinder the QS process. To test this hypothesis,
      the anti-QS activity of cinnamon oil against P. aeruginosa was tested, measured
      by the inhibition of biofilm formation and other QS-associated phenomena,
      including virulence factors such as pyocyanin, rhamnolipid, protease, alginate
      production, and swarming activity. To this end, multiple microscopy analyses,
      including light, scanning electron and confocal microscopy, revealed the ability
      of cinnamon oil to inhibit P. aeruginosa PAO1 biofilms and their accompanying
      extracellular polymeric substances. This work is the first to demonstrate that
      cinnamon oil can influence various QS-based phenomena in P. aeruginosa PAO1,
      including biofilm formation. 

PMID- 26263487
TI  - The Novel Cyclophilin Inhibitor CPI-431-32 Concurrently Blocks HCV and HIV-1
      Infections via a Similar Mechanism of Action.
AB  - HCV-related liver disease is the main cause of morbidity and mortality of HCV/HIV
      1 co-infected patients. Despite the recent advent of anti-HCV direct acting
      antivirals (DAAs), the treatment of HCV/HIV-1 co-infected patients remains a
      challenge, as these patients are refractory to most therapies and develop liver
      fibrosis, cirrhosis and liver cancer more often than HCV mono-infected patients.
      Until the present study, there was no suitable in vitro assay to test the
      inhibitory activity of drugs on HCV/HIV-1 co-infection. Here we developed a novel
      in vitro "co-infection" model where HCV and HIV-1 concurrently replicate in their
      respective main host target cells--human hepatocytes and CD4+ T-lymphocytes.
      Using this co-culture model, we demonstrate that cyclophilin inhibitors (CypI),
      including a novel cyclosporin A (CsA) analog, CPI-431-32, simultaneously inhibits
      replication of both HCV and HIV-1 when added pre- and post-infection. In
      contrast, the HIV-1 protease inhibitor nelfinavir or the HCV NS5A inhibitor
      daclatasvir only blocks the replication of a single virus in the "co-infection"
      system. CPI-431-32 efficiently inhibits HCV and HIV-1 variants, which are
      normally resistant to DAAs. CPI-431-32 is slightly, but consistently more
      efficacious than the most advanced clinically tested CypI--alisporivir (ALV)--at
      interrupting an established HCV/HIV-1 co-infection. The superior antiviral
      efficacy of CPI-431-32 over ALV correlates with its higher potency inhibition of
      cyclophilin A (CypA) isomerase activity and at preventing HCV NS5A-CypA and HIV-1
      capsid-CypA interactions known to be vital for replication of the respective
      viruses. Moreover, we obtained evidence that CPI-431-32 prevents the cloaking of
      both the HIV-1 and HCV genomes from cellular sensors. Based on these results, CPI
      431-32 has the potential, as a single agent or in combination with DAAs, to
      inhibit both HCV and HIV-1 infections.

PMID- 26263488
TI  - Thermodynamic and fibril formation studies of full length immunoglobulin light
      chain AL-09 and its germline protein using scan rate dependent thermal unfolding.
AB  - Light chain (AL) amyloidosis is a fatal disease where monoclonal immunoglobulin
      light chains deposit as insoluble amyloid fibrils. For many years it has been
      considered that AL amyloid deposits are formed primarily by the variable domain,
      while its constant domain has been considered not to be amyloidogenic. However
      recent studies identify full length (FL) light chains as part of the amyloid
      deposits. In this report, we compare the stabilities and amyloidogenic properties
      of two light chains, an amyloid-associated protein AL-09 FL, and its germline
      protein kappa I O18/O8 FL (IGKV 1-33). We demonstrate that the thermal unfolding
      for both proteins is irreversible and scan rate dependent, with similar stability
      parameters compared to their VL counterparts. In addition, the constant domain
      seems to modulate their amyloidogenic properties and affect the morphology of the
      amyloid fibrils. These results allow us to understand the role of the kappa
      constant domain in AL amyloidosis. 

PMID- 26263489
TI  - New Delhi Metallo-beta-Lactamase 1(NDM-1), the Dominant Carbapenemase Detected in
      Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacter cloacae from Henan Province, China.
AB  - The emergence of New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase 1 (NDM-1) has become
      established as a major public health threat and represents a new challenge in the
      treatment of infectious diseases. In this study, we report a high incidence and
      endemic spread of NDM-1-producing carbapenem-resistant Enterobacter cloacae
      isolates in Henan province, China. Eight (72.7%) out of eleven non-duplicated
      carbapenem-resistant E. cloacae isolates collected between June 2011 and May 2013
      were identified as NDM-1 positive. The blaNDM-1 gene surrounded by an entire
      ISAba125 element and a bleomycin resistance gene bleMBL in these isolates were
      carried by diverse conjugatable plasmids (IncA/C, IncN, IncHI2 and untypeable)
      ranging from ~55 to ~360 kb. Molecular epidemiology analysis revealed that three
      NDM-1-producing E. cloacae belonged to the same multilocus sequence type (ST),
      ST120, two of which were classified as extensively drug-resistant (XDR) isolates
      susceptible only to tigecycline and colistin. The two XDR ST120 E. cloacae
      isolates co-harbored blaNDM-1, armA and fosA3 genes and could transfer resistance
      to carbapenems, fosfomycin and aminoglycosides simultaneously via a conjugation
      experiment. Our study demonstrated NDM-1 was the most prevalent metallo-beta
      lactamase (MBL) among carbapenem-resistant E.cloacae isolates and identified a
      potential endemic clone of ST120 in Henan province. These findings highlight the
      need for enhanced efforts to monitor the further spread of NDM-1 and XDR ST120 E.
      cloacae in this region. 

PMID- 26263490
TI  - Relative Brain and Brain Part Sizes Provide Only Limited Evidence that
      Machiavellian Behaviour in Cleaner Wrasse Is Cognitively Demanding.
AB  - It is currently widely accepted that the complexity of a species' social life is
      a major determinant of its brain complexity, as predicted by the social brain
      hypothesis. However, it remains a challenge to explain what social complexity
      exactly is and what the best corresponding measures of brain anatomy are.
      Absolute and relative size of the brain and of the neocortex have often been used
      as a proxy to predict cognitive performance. Here, we apply the logic of the
      social brain hypothesis to marine cleaning mutualism involving the genus
      Labroides. These wrasses remove ectoparasites from 'client' reef fish. Conflict
      occurs as wrasse prefer client mucus over ectoparasites, where mucus feeding
      constitutes cheating. As a result of this conflict, cleaner wrasse show
      remarkable Machiavellian-like behaviour. Using own data as well as available data
      from the literature, we investigated whether the general brain anatomy of
      Labroides provides any indication that their Machiavellian behaviour is
      associated with a more complex brain. Neither data set provided evidence for an
      increased encephalisation index compared to other wrasse species. Published data
      on relative sizes of brain parts in 25 species of the order Perciformes suggests
      that only the diencephalon is relatively enlarged in Labroides dimidiatus. This
      part contains various nuclei of the social decision making network. In
      conclusion, gross brain anatomy yields little evidence for the hypothesis that
      strategic behaviour in cleaning selects for larger brains, while future research
      should focus on more detailed aspects like the sizes of specific nuclei as well
      as their cryoarchitectonic structure and connectivity. 

PMID- 26263491
TI  - Adenosine Receptors Differentially Regulate the Expression of Regulators of G
      Protein Signalling (RGS) 2, 3 and 4 in Astrocyte-Like Cells.
AB  - The "regulators of g-protein signalling" (RGS) comprise a large family of
      proteins that limit by virtue of their GTPase accelerating protein domain the
      signal transduction of G-protein coupled receptors. RGS proteins have been
      implicated in various neuropsychiatric diseases such as schizophrenia, drug
      abuse, depression and anxiety and aggressive behaviour. Since conditions
      associated with a large increase of adenosine in the brain such as seizures or
      ischemia were reported to modify the expression of some RGS proteins we
      hypothesized that adenosine might regulate RGS expression in neural cells. We
      measured the expression of RGS-2,-3, and -4 in both transformed glia cells (human
      U373 MG astrocytoma cells) and in primary rat astrocyte cultures stimulated with
      adenosine agonists. Expression of RGS-2 mRNA as well as RGS2 protein was
      increased up to 30-fold by adenosine agonists in astrocytes. The order of potency
      of agonists and the blockade by the adenosine A2B-antagonist MRS1706 indicated
      that this effect was largely mediated by adenosine A2B receptors. However, a
      smaller effect was observed due to activation of adenosine A2A receptors. In
      astrocytoma cells adenosine agonists elicited an increase in RGS-2 expression
      solely mediated by A2B receptors. Expression of RGS-3 was inhibited by adenosine
      agonists in both astrocytoma cells and astrocytes. However while this effect was
      mediated by A2B receptors in astrocytoma cells it was mediated by A2A receptors
      in astrocytes as assessed by the order of potency of agonists and selective
      blockade by the specific antagonists MRS1706 and ZM241385 respectively. RGS-4
      expression was inhibited in astrocytoma cells but enhanced in astrocytes by
      adenosine agonists. 

PMID- 26263492
TI  - Composite films of polydopamine-Alcian Blue for colored coating with new physical
      properties.
AB  - Polydopamine (PDA) coatings appear as a universal functionalization methodology
      allowing to coat the surface of almost all kinds of known materials with a
      conformal, stable, robust and reactive material. Relatively few investigations
      were dedicated to the incorporation of other molecules in PDA coatings during
      their deposition from dopamine solutions under oxidative conditions. Herein we
      rely on the assumption that the basic building blocks of PDA could be porphyrin
      like tetramers (as well as higher order oligomers) of 5,6-dihydroxyindole and we
      investigate the influence of a cationic Cu(II) phtalocyanine, namely Alcian Blue
      (AB), on the deposition kinetics and on the properties of PDA films. We
      demonstrate that AB is indeed incorporated in the PDA films to yield a composite
      PDA-AB coating displaying the optical features of both PDA and AB. The amount of
      incorporated dye depends on its concentration in solution. The obtained PDA-AB
      films have a smaller thickness than their related PDA counterparts, a different
      morphology and a higher permeability to the anionic hexacyanoferrate redox probe.
      In addition, the incorporation of AB in the films is not homogeneous through
      their thickness as inferred by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The
      reason for this interesting finding is discussed on the basis of the interactions
      between AB and PDA as well as on the basis of the structure of PDA films. 

PMID- 26263493
TI  - Effect of lipophilization on the distribution and reactivity of ingredients in
      emulsions.
AB  - HYPOTHESIS: The reactivity of small molecules in emulsions is believed to depend
      on their partitioning between phases, yet this is hard to verify experimentally
      in situ. In the present work, we use electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR)
      spectroscopy to simultaneously measure the distribution and reactivity of a
      homologous series of lipophilized spin probes in an emulsion. EXPERIMENTS: 4
      Hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-oxyl (TEMPOL) was derivatized with
      saturated fatty acids to create a series of spin probes with increasing
      lipophilicity (C4-, C8-, C12-, and C16-TEMPO). The probes were added to a 10 wt.%
      tetradecane-in water emulsions (d32~190 nm) stabilized with sodium caseinate (1
      wt.% in the aqueous phase, pH 7). The distribution of the probes between phases
      was measured by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. FINDINGS:
      TEMPOL partitioned into the aqueous phase, C4-TEMPO distributed between the lipid
      and aqueous phases (69% and 31% respectively) while the more lipophilic probes
      dissolved exclusively within the lipid droplets. Interestingly, the more
      lipophilic probes initially precipitated upon their addition to the emulsion, and
      only slowly redistributed to the droplets over hours or days, the rate of which
      was dependent on their carbon chain length. The reactivity of the probes with
      aqueous an aqueous phase reductant (ascorbate) generally depended on the
      proportion in the aqueous phase (i.e., TEMPOL>C4-TEMPO>C8-TEMPO~C12-TEMPO~C16
      TEMPO).

PMID- 26263494
TI  - Enhanced fluorescence and heat dissipation of calcium titanate red phosphor based
      on silver coating.
AB  - Phosphor plays an important role in LEDs-the next generation of lighting source.
      However, many families of phosphor like titanate still face two severe problems:
      Low photoluminescence (PL) efficiency and poor thermal stability. Herein, the
      silver coating is applied to alleviate the above challenges. Ag nanoparticles
      with different morphology like disks or triangular plates are synthesised by a
      simple sol-reduction method, and then coated on the shape-regular CaTiO3:Eu
      (CTOE) phosphor. When the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) extinction
      spectrum of Ag nanoparticles matches well with excitation or emission wavelength,
      the PL intensity of CTOE phosphor would be efficiently enhanced. There is an
      optimum point of LSPR coating amount due to the balance of LSPR-enhancement and
      scattering/reflection-reduction of Ag nanoparticles. The coating of Ag also leads
      to an improvement in heat dissipation of CTOE phosphors; meanwhile an overmuch of
      Ag would also reduce the luminous efficiency. Thus the most suitable coating
      amount based on the overall consideration successfully enables the enhancement of
      both PL intensity and heat dissipation, and the pc-LED lamp packaged with Ag
      coated CTOE phosphor also shows a higher efficiency and more stable working
      status than the uncoated ones. 

PMID- 26263495
TI  - Direct observation by using Brewster angle microscopy of the diacetylene
      polimerization in mixed Langmuir film.
AB  - Mixed Langmuir monolayers of 10,12-Pentacosadiynoic acid (DA) and amphiphilic
      hemicyanine (HSP) have been fabricated at the air-water interface. The mixed
      monolayer has been proved to be completely homogeneous. The DA molecules are
      arranged in a single monolayer within the mixed Langmuir monolayer, as opposed to
      the typical trilayer architecture for the pure DA film. Brewster angle microscopy
      has been used to reveal the mesoscopic structure of the mixed Langmuir monolayer.
      Flower shape domains with internal anisotropy due the ordered alignment of
      hemicyanine groups have been observed. Given the absorption features of the
      hemicyanine groups at the wavelength used in the BAM experiments, the enhancement
      of reflection provoked by the absorption process leads to the observed
      anisotropy. The ordering of such groups is promoted by their strong self
      aggregation tendency. Under UV irradiation at the air-water interface,
      polydiacetylene (PDA) has been fabricated. In spite a significant increase in the
      domains reflectivity has been observed owing to the modification in the mentioned
      enhanced reflection, the texture of the domains remains equal. The PDA polymer
      chain therefore grows in the same direction in which the HSP molecules are
      aligned. This study is expected to enrich the understanding and design of
      fabrication of PDA at interfaces. 

PMID- 26263496
TI  - Self-limiting adsorption of Eu3+ on the surface of rod-shape anatase TiO2
      nanocrystals and post-synthetic sensitization of the europium-based emission.
AB  - The surface of oleic acid stabilized rod-shape anatase TiO2 nanocrystals was
      modified by adsorption of Eu(3+) ions. The Eu(3+) attachment showed Langmuir
      adsorption behavior, thus the loading of Eu(3+) could be controlled precisely up
      to surface saturation coverage. The Eu(3+)-TiO2 nanorods show weak Eu(3+) based
      luminescence. However, addition of thenoyltrifluoroacetone (TTFA) leads to
      coordination of the ligand to the Eu(3+) centers and the TTFA-Eu(3+)-TiO2
      materials exhibit strong Eu(3+) fluorescence sensitized by the TTFA ligand. 

PMID- 26263497
TI  - Olive oil and hyperthermal water bigels for cosmetic uses.
AB  - Bigels are biphasic systems produced with an organogel (or oleogel) and a
      hydrogel mixed together at high shear rates. These systems are promising for
      different uses, among them the formulation of new cosmetic matrices for cosmetic
      agents delivery is under investigation. In the present paper, a common cosmetic
      formulation for skin care was enriched with increasing fractions of
      monoglycerides of fatty acids/olive oil organogels, in order to understand the
      rheology and the microstructure of these systems. Small amplitude oscillation
      tests, NMR-self diffusion analysis, contrast phase microscopy and electric
      conductivity confirmed that the addition of the organogel caused a
      microstructural change of the starting material, which turned from O/W to a more
      complex system where, probably, a matrix-in-matrix structure is present at the
      highest fractions of added organogel. 

PMID- 26263498
TI  - Facile synthesis of magnetically separable reduced graphene
      oxide/magnetite/silver nanocomposites with enhanced catalytic activity.
AB  - In this study, the combination of magnetite (Fe3O4) with reduced graphene oxide
      (RGO) generates a new hybrid substrate for the dispersion of noble metal
      nanoparticles. Well-dispersed silver (Ag) nanoparticles loaded on the surface of
      Fe3O4 modified RGO are achieved by an efficient two-step approach. Through
      reducing Ag(+) ions, highly dispersed Ag nanoparticles are in-situ formed on the
      RGO/Fe3O4 substrate. It is found that the existence of Fe3O4 nanocrystals can
      significantly improve the dispersity and decrease the particle size of the in
      situ formed Ag nanoparticles. Magnetic study reveals that the as-prepared
      RGO/Fe3O4/Ag ternary nanocomposites display room-temperature superparamagnetic
      behavior. The catalytic properties of the RGO/Fe3O4/Ag ternary nanocomposites
      were evaluated with the reduction of 4-nitrophenol into 4-aminophenol as a model
      reaction. The as-synthesized RGO/Fe3O4/Ag ternary catalysts exhibit excellent
      catalytic stability and much higher catalytic activity than the corresponding
      RGO/Ag catalyst. Moreover, the RGO/Fe3O4/Ag catalysts can be easily magnetically
      separated for reuse. This study further demonstrates that nanoparticles modified
      graphene can act as an effective hybrid substrate for the synthesis of multi
      component and multifunctional graphene-based composites. 

PMID- 26263499
TI  - Conducting polymer-gold co-patterned surfaces via nanosphere lithography.
AB  - HYPOTHESIS: Co-patterned arrays comprised of conjugated polymers and
      nanostructured gold is an important matrix for sensing and stimuli-responsive
      plasmonic applications. Nanosphere lithography (NSL) is an easy-to-use patterning
      technique and viable method to fabricate inverse honeycomb structures with
      electrochemically deposited conjugated polymers. The cross-sectional height of
      the conducting polymer pattern can be tuned such that the macropores of the
      honeycomb structure expose electrochemically accessible areas for further gold
      deposition. Using time-dependent electrochemical reduction, Au(3+) is reduced to
      Au(0) and selectively deposit on the macropores thus forming a co-patterned
      surface. EXPERIMENTS: The Langmuir-Blodgett-like deposition was used to assemble
      polystyrene spheres on a conductive substrate. Then the carbazole-based monomer
      was electropolymerized within the interstices of the colloidal template, which
      was subsequently dissolved. A potentiostatic technique was used to deposit Au in
      the macropores. FINDINGS: Fabrication of the polycarbazole-Au co-patterned
      surface was characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM), electrochemical
      quartz crystal microbalance (EC-QCM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).
      Surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy (SPS) data supported backfilling behavior
      and quantified the complex refractive index of the array. UV-Vis absorption
      spectroscopy shows overlapping polycarbazole and gold LSPR peaks useful for
      plasmonic sensing applications. The colloidal templating approach reported in
      this study was further used in the fabrication of highly ordered Au nanodisks.

PMID- 26263500
TI  - The viral context instructs the redundancy of costimulatory pathways in driving
      CD8(+) T cell expansion.
AB  - Signals delivered by costimulatory molecules are implicated in driving T cell
      expansion. The requirements for these signals, however, vary from dispensable to
      essential in different infections. We examined the underlying mechanisms of this
      differential T cell costimulation dependence and found that the viral context
      determined the dependence on CD28/B7-mediated costimulation for expansion of
      naive and memory CD8(+) T cells, indicating that the requirement for
      costimulatory signals is not imprinted. Notably, related to the high-level
      costimulatory molecule expression induced by lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus
      (LCMV), CD28/B7-mediated costimulation was dispensable for accumulation of LCMV
      specific CD8(+) T cells because of redundancy with the costimulatory pathways
      induced by TNF receptor family members (i.e., CD27, OX40, and 4-1BB). Type I IFN
      signaling in viral-specific CD8(+) T cells is slightly redundant with
      costimulatory signals. These results highlight that pathogen-specific conditions
      differentially and uniquely dictate the utilization of costimulatory pathways
      allowing shaping of effector and memory antigen-specific CD8(+) T cell responses.

PMID- 26263502
TI  - Greater functional improvement in patients with diabetes after rehabilitation
      following cardiac surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Diabetes increases the risk of in-hospital complications in medical
      or surgical patients. Few data are available in the rehabilitation phase after
      cardiac surgery. AIM: To assess the influence of diabetes on outcome and
      complication rate in the rehabilitation phase after cardiac surgery. METHODS:
      Data prospectively recorded in the Hospital Information System from 5261 patients
      consecutively admitted between 1 January 2008 and 31 May 2013 for a comprehensive
      cardiac rehabilitation programme directly after cardiac surgery were analysed
      retrospectively. RESULTS: The study cohort included 1285 (24%) patients with
      diabetes and 3976 (76%) without. Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) was more
      frequent in patients with diabetes (58% vs. 37%, P < 0.01), and valvular surgery
      was more frequent in patients without diabetes (37% vs. 22%, P < 0.01). Patients
      with diabetes were more disabled after surgery, with severe disability (Barthel
      Index < 60) observed in 22% (vs. 17% in patients without diabetes, P < 0.001).
      During rehabilitation, complications were more frequent in patients with diabetes
      than those without (28% vs. 21%, P < 0.01); in particular, patients with diabetes
      had more infections, heart failure and more difficult surgical wound healing.
      However, the improvement in the Barthel Index was greater in patients with
      diabetes (+16 +/- 15) than without (+13 +/- 15, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In a
      large cohort of patients directly admitted to an early inpatient rehabilitation
      programme after cardiac surgery, those with diabetes were more disabled.
      Nonetheless, and despite the higher rate of complications, patients with diabetes
      had the greatest benefit in terms of functional improvement.

PMID- 26263501
TI  - SnRK1-triggered switch of bZIP63 dimerization mediates the low-energy response in
      plants.
AB  - Metabolic adjustment to changing environmental conditions, particularly balancing
      of growth and defense responses, is crucial for all organisms to survive. The
      evolutionary conserved AMPK/Snf1/SnRK1 kinases are well-known metabolic master
      regulators in the low-energy response in animals, yeast and plants. They act at
      two different levels: by modulating the activity of key metabolic enzymes, and by
      massive transcriptional reprogramming. While the first part is well established,
      the latter function is only partially understood in animals and not at all in
      plants. Here we identified the Arabidopsis transcription factor bZIP63 as key
      regulator of the starvation response and direct target of the SnRK1 kinase.
      Phosphorylation of bZIP63 by SnRK1 changed its dimerization preference, thereby
      affecting target gene expression and ultimately primary metabolism. A bzip63
      knock-out mutant exhibited starvation-related phenotypes, which could be
      functionally complemented by wild type bZIP63, but not by a version harboring
      point mutations in the identified SnRK1 target sites. 

PMID- 26263503
TI  - Ni-Catalyzed Synthesis of Fluoroarenes via [2+2+2] Cycloaddition Involving alpha
      Fluorine Elimination.
AB  - A method for direct synthesis of tetrasubstituted fluoroarenes via nickel
      catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition is presented. The reaction combines one molecule
      of 1,1-difluoroethylene with two molecules of alkynes and involves sequential
      cleavage of the C-F and C-H bonds in difluoroethylene. The catalytic cycle is
      established by reduction of the intermediary Ni(II) fluoride with a
      triethylborane-based borate.

PMID- 26263504
TI  - Prognostic Value of Yes-Associated Protein 1 (YAP1) in Various Cancers: A Meta
      Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) is an effector of Hippo pathway,
      which is critical for regulating organ size, cell proliferation and tumor growth
      in mammals. Many previous studies have explored the relationship between YAP1 and
      various types of cancer. However, these studies were limited by the small samples
      size and the findings were inconsistent among them. Therefore, a meta-analysis
      was conducted to assess the association between YAP1 and malignancies. METHODS: A
      systematic literature search was conducted for eligible studies in the PubMed,
      Corchane Library, Web of Knowledge, EMBASE and CBM disc databases from inception
      to August 1st 2014. After heterogeneity analysis, pooled harzad ratio (HR) with
      95% confidence interval (95%CI) using both fixed and random effect models were
      estimated in STATA 10.0. Meta regression analysis, subgroup analysis and
      sensitivity analysis were performed to explore the potential sources of
      heterogeneity and to evaluate the robustness of the result. Publication bias was
      assessed by Egger's test and funnel plot. RESULTS: A total of 21 unique articles
      from 2009 to 2014, comprising 2983 patients, were analyzed in the meta-analysis.
      The association of YAP1 expression and overall survival time (OS) was evaluated
      in 20 studies including 2067 patients. Positive YAP1 showed poorer OS (HR =
      1.826; 95% CI = 1.465-2.275; p <0.002). For evaluating disease-free survival time
      (DFS), 10 studies with 1139 patients were analyzed. Positive YAP1 indicated worse
      DFS (HR = 2.114; 95%CI = 1.406-3.179; p <0.001). Subgroup analysis showed that
      both positive nuclear YAP1 (HR = 1.390, 95% CI: 0.810-2.400, p = 0.729) and up
      regulation overall YAP1 (HR = 2.237, 95% CI: 1.548-3.232, p <0.001) had poorer OS
      for patients with malignancies. Similarly, both positive nuclear YAP1 (HR =
      3.733, 95% CI: 1.469-9.483, p = 0.001) and up-regulation overall YAP1 (HR =
      1.481, 95% CI: 1.163-1.886, p = 0.554) showed worse DFS. The patients with
      urogenital system cancer had the poorest OS (HR = 2.133, 95% CI: 1.549-2.937, p =
      0.020). The patients with alimentary system cancer had the most significant
      impact on DFS (HR = 1.879, 95% CI: 1.537-2.297, p <0.001). CONCLUSION: Both
      overall and nuclear YAP1 overexpression are intimately associated with adverse OS
      and DFS in numerous cancers, suggesting that YAP1 may act as a potential
      therapeutic targets of these malignancies in the future.

PMID- 26263505
TI  - MEP Latencies Predict the Neuromodulatory Effect of cTBS Delivered to the
      Ipsilateral and Contralateral Sensorimotor Cortex.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recently, it was shown that the highly variable after-effect of
      continuous theta-burst stimulation (cTBS) of the primary motor cortex (M1) can be
      predicted by the latency of motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) recorded before cTBS.
      This suggests that at least part of this inter-individual variability is driven
      by differences in the neuronal populations preferentially activated by
      transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). METHODS: Here, we recorded MEPs, TMS
      evoked brain potentials (TEPs) and somatosensory-evoked potentials (SEPs) to
      investigate the effects of cTBS delivered over the primary sensorimotor cortex on
      both the ipsilateral and contralateral M1, and the ipsilateral and contralateral
      primary somatosensory cortex (S1). RESULTS: We confirm that the after-effects of
      cTBS can be predicted by the latency of MEPs recorded before cTBS. Over the
      hemisphere onto which cTBS was delivered, short-latency MEPs at baseline were
      associated with an increase of MEP magnitude (i.e. an excitatory effect of cTBS)
      whereas late-latency MEPs were associated with reduced MEPs (i.e. an inhibitory
      effect of cTBS). This relationship was reversed over the contralateral
      hemisphere, indicating opposite effects of cTBS on the responsiveness of the
      ipsilateral and contralateral M1. Baseline MEP latencies also predicted changes
      in the magnitude of the N100 wave of TEPs elicited by stimulation of the
      ipsilateral and contralateral hemisphere, indicating that this TEP component is
      specifically dependent on the state of M1. Finally, there was a reverse
      relationship between MEP latency and the effects of cTBS on the SEP waveforms (50
      130 ms), indicating that after-effects of cTBS on S1 are opposite to those on M1.
      CONCLUSION: Taken together, our results confirm that the variable after-effects
      of cTBS can be explained by differences in the neuronal populations activated by
      TMS. Furthermore, our results show that this variability also determines remote
      effects of cTBS in S1 and the contralateral hemisphere, compatible with inter
      hemispheric and sensorimotor interactions.

PMID- 26263506
TI  - Effect of Support on the Activity of Ag-based Catalysts for Formaldehyde
      Oxidation.
AB  - Ag-based catalysts with different supports (TiO2, Al2O3 and CeO2) were prepared
      by impregnation method and subsequently tested for the catalytic oxidation of
      formaldehyde (HCHO) at low temperature. The Ag/TiO2 catalyst showed the
      distinctive catalytic performance, achieving the complete HCHO conversion at
      around 95  degrees C. In contrast, the Ag/Al2O3 and Ag/CeO2 catalysts displayed
      much lower activity and the 100% conversion was reached at 110  degrees C and
      higher than 125  degrees C, respectively. The Ag-based catalysts were next
      characterized by several methods. The characterization results revealed that
      supports have the dramatic influence on the Ag particle sizes and dispersion.
      Kinetic tests showed that the Ag based catalyst on the TiO2, Al2O3 or CeO2
      supports have the similar apparent activation energy of 65 kJ mol(-1), indicating
      that the catalytic mechanism keep immutability over these three catalysts.
      Therefore, Ag particle size and dispersion was confirmed to be the main factor
      affecting the catalytic performance for HCHO oxidation. The Ag/TiO2 catalyst has
      the highest Ag dispersion and the smallest Ag particle size, accordingly
      presenting the best catalytic performance for HCHO oxidation. 

PMID- 26263507
TI  - Reduction of Solar UV Radiation Due to Urban High-Rise Buildings--A Coupled
      Modelling Study.
AB  - Solar UV radiation has both adverse and beneficial effects to human health. Using
      models (a radiative transfer model coupled to a building shading model), together
      with satellite and surface measurements, we studied the un-obstructed and
      obstructed UV environments in a sub-tropical urban environment featured with
      relatively high pollution (aerosol) loadings and high-rise buildings. Seasonal
      patterns of the erythemal UV exposure rates were governed by solar zenith angles,
      seasonal variations of aerosol loadings and cloud effects. The radiative transfer
      modelling results agreed with measurements of erythemal UV exposure rates and
      spectral irradiances in UVA and UVB ranges. High-rise buildings and narrow road
      width (height to width, H/W, ratios up to 15) reduced the modelled total UV
      (UVA+UVB) radiation and leave 10% of the un-obstructed exposure rate at ground
      level at noon. No more than 80% of the un-obstructed exposure rate was received
      in the open area surrounded by 20-storey buildings. Our modelled reduction of UVB
      radiation in the urban environment was consistent with similar measurements
      obtained for Australia. However, our results in more extreme environments (higher
      H/W ratios) were for the first time reported, with 18% of the un-obstructed
      exposure rate remained at the ground-level center of the street canyon. 

PMID- 26263508
TI  - Bacteria-zinc co-localization implicates enhanced synthesis of cysteine-rich
      peptides in zinc detoxification when Brassica juncea is inoculated with Rhizobium
      leguminosarum.
AB  - Some plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) are enigmatic in enhancing plant
      growth in the face of increased metal accumulation in plants. Since most PGPB
      colonize the plant root epidermis, we hypothesized that PGPB confer tolerance to
      metals through changes in speciation at the root epidermis. We employed a novel
      combination of fluorophore-based confocal laser scanning microscopic imaging and
      synchrotron based microscopic X-ray fluorescence mapping with X-ray absorption
      spectroscopy to characterize bacterial localization, zinc (Zn) distribution and
      speciation in the roots of Brassica juncea grown in Zn contaminated media (400 mg
      kg(-1) Zn) with the endophytic Pseudomonas brassicacearum and rhizospheric
      Rhizobium leguminosarum. PGPB enhanced epidermal Zn sequestration relative to
      PGBP-free controls while the extent of endophytic accumulation depended on the
      colonization mode of each PGBP. Increased root accumulation of Zn and increased
      tolerance to Zn was associated predominantly with R. leguminosarum and was likely
      due to the coordination of Zn with cysteine-rich peptides in the root endodermis,
      suggesting enhanced synthesis of phytochelatins or glutathione. Our mechanistic
      model of enhanced Zn accumulation and detoxification in plants inoculated with R.
      leguminosarum has particular relevance to PGPB enhanced phytoremediation of soils
      contaminated through mining and oxidation of sulphur-bearing Zn minerals or
      engineered nanomaterials such as ZnS. 

PMID- 26263509
TI  - The Immunoreactive Exo-1,3-beta-Glucanase from the Pathogenic Oomycete Pythium
      insidiosum Is Temperature Regulated and Exhibits Glycoside Hydrolase Activity.
AB  - The oomycete organism, Pythium insidiosum, is the etiologic agent of the life
      threatening infectious disease called "pythiosis". Diagnosis and treatment of
      pythiosis is difficult and challenging. Novel methods for early diagnosis and
      effective treatment are urgently needed. Recently, we reported a 74-kDa
      immunodominant protein of P. insidiosum, which could be a diagnostic target,
      vaccine candidate, and virulence factor. The protein was identified as a putative
      exo-1,3-beta-glucanase (Exo1). This study reports on genetic, immunological, and
      biochemical characteristics of Exo1. The full-length exo1 coding sequence (2,229
      bases) was cloned. Phylogenetic analysis showed that exo1 is grouped with
      glucanase-encoding genes of other oomycetes, and is far different from glucanase
      encoding genes of fungi. exo1 was up-regulated upon exposure to body temperature,
      and its gene product is predicted to contain BglC and X8 domains, which are
      involved in carbohydrate transport, binding, and metabolism. Based on its
      sequence, Exo1 belongs to the Glycoside Hydrolase family 5 (GH5). Exo1, expressed
      in E. coli, exhibited beta-glucanase and cellulase activities. Exo1 is a major
      intracellular immunoreactive protein that can trigger host immune responses
      during infection. Since GH5 enzyme-encoding genes are not present in human
      genomes, Exo1 could be a useful target for drug and vaccine development against
      this pathogen. 

PMID- 26263510
TI  - Depth-Dependent Mineral Soil CO2 Production Processes: Sensitivity to Harvesting
      Induced Changes in Soil Climate.
AB  - Forest harvesting induces a step change in the climatic variables (temperature
      and moisture), that control carbon dioxide (CO2) production arising from soil
      organic matter decomposition within soils. Efforts to examine these vertically
      complex relationships in situ within soil profiles are lacking. In this study we
      examined how the climatic controls on CO2 production change within vertically
      distinct layers of the soil profile in intact and clearcut forest soils of a
      humid temperate forest system of Atlantic Canada. We measured mineral soil
      temperature (0, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 cm depth) and moisture (0-15 cm and 30-60
      cm depth), along with CO2 surface efflux and subsurface concentrations (0, 2.5,
      5, 10, 20, 35, 50, 75 and 100 cm depth) in 1 m deep soil pits at 4 sites
      represented by two forest-clearcut pairs over a complete annual cycle. We
      examined relationships between surface efflux at each site, and soil heat,
      moisture, and mineral soil CO2 production. Following clearcut harvesting we
      observed increases in temperature through depth (1-2 degrees C annually; often in
      excess of 4 degrees C in summer and spring), alongside increases in soil moisture
      (30%). We observed a systematic breakdown in the expected exponential
      relationship between CO2 production and heat with mineral soil depth, consistent
      with an increase in the role moisture plays in constraining CO2 production. These
      findings should be considered in efforts to model and characterize mineral soil
      organic matter decomposition in harvested forest soils. 

PMID- 26263511
TI  - The A Allele at rs13419896 of EPAS1 Is Associated with Enhanced Expression and
      Poor Prognosis for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.
AB  - Hypoxia-inducible factor-2alpha (HIF-2alpha, or EPAS1) is important for cancer
      progression, and is a putative biomarker for poor prognosis for non-small cell
      lung cancer (NSCLC). However, molecular mechanisms underlying the EPAS1
      overexpression are not still fully understood. We explored a role of a single
      nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), rs13419896 located within intron 1 of the EPAS1
      gene in regulation of its expression. Bioinformatic analyses suggested that a
      region including the rs13419896 SNP plays a role in regulation of the EPAS1 gene
      expression and the SNP alters the binding activity of transcription factors. In
      vitro analyses demonstrated that a fragment containing the SNP locus function as
      a regulatory region and that a fragment with A allele showed higher
      transactivation activity than one with G, especially in the presence of
      overexpressed c-Fos or c-Jun. Moreover, NSCLC patients with the A allele showed
      poorer prognosis than those with G at the SNP even after adjustment with various
      variables. In conclusion, the genetic polymorphism of the EPAS1 gene may lead to
      variation of its gene expression levels to drive progression of the cancer and
      serve as a prognostic marker for NSCLC. 

PMID- 26263512
TI  - Genomic Analysis and Isolation of RNA Polymerase II Dependent Promoters from
      Spodoptera frugiperda.
AB  - The Baculoviral Expression Vector System (BEVS) is the most commonly used method
      for high expression of recombinant protein in insect cells. Nevertheless,
      expression of some target proteins--especially those entering the secretory
      pathway--provides a severe challenge for the baculovirus infected insect cells,
      due to the reorganisation of intracellular compounds upon viral infection.
      Therefore, alternative strategies for recombinant protein production in insect
      cells like transient plasmid-based expression or stable expression cell lines are
      becoming more popular. However, the major bottleneck of these systems is the lack
      of strong endogenous polymerase II dependent promoters, as the strong baculoviral
      p10 and polH promoters used in BEVS are only functional in presence of the viral
      transcription machinery during the late phase of infection. In this work we
      present a draft genome and a transcriptome analysis of Sf21 cells for the
      identification of the first known endogenous Spodoptera frugiperda promoters.
      Therefore, putative promoter sequences were identified and selected because of
      high mRNA level or in analogy to other strong promoters in other eukaryotic
      organism. The chosen endogenous Sf21 promoters were compared to early viral
      promoters for their efficiency to trigger eGFP expression using transient plasmid
      based transfection in a BioLector Microfermentation system. Furthermore, promoter
      activity was not only shown in Sf21 cells but also in Hi5 cells. The novel
      endogenous Sf21 promoters were ranked according to their activity and expand the
      small pool of available promoters for stable insect cell line development and
      transient plasmid expression in insect cells. The best promoter was used to
      improve plasmid based transient transfection in insect cells substantially.

PMID- 26263514
TI  - HLA B51 is associated with faster AIDS progression among newly diagnosed HIV
      infected individuals in Manitoba, Canada.
AB  - Human leucocyte antigen (HLA) alleles influence the rate of CD4 decline among HIV
      infected individuals. We investigated the association between HLA B35 and HLA B51
      and the rate of CD4 decline and/or opportunistic infections, among 294 HIV
      positive individuals from Manitoba, Canada. All individuals presenting with a CD4
      count >200 cells MUL(-1) , who had at least two CD4 counts, and no evidence of co
      infection were included. Individuals bearing HLA B35 or HLA B51 were compared to
      controls. A multivariate model demonstrated that HLA B35 allele was associated
      with a hazard ratio of 2.05 (95% CI 1.31-3.18) for reaching AIDS and HLA B51
      allele with HR of 2.03 (95% CI 1.18-3.49) for reaching the same end-point. High
      prevalence of HLA B35 was seen in the patient population receiving care in
      Manitoba. Our observations confirm the association of HLA B35 with rapid disease
      progression. We report, for the first time, faster CD4 decline among individuals
      with HLA B51 allele. 

PMID- 26263513
TI  - Mechanism of NHC-Catalyzed Conjugate Additions of Diboron and Borosilane Reagents
      to alpha,beta-Unsaturated Carbonyl Compounds.
AB  - Broadly applicable enantioselective C-B and C-Si bond-forming processes catalyzed
      by an N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) were recently introduced; these boryl and
      silyl conjugate addition reactions (BCA and SCA, respectively), which proceed
      without the need for a transition-metal complex, represent reaction pathways that
      are distinct from those facilitated by transition-metal-containing species (e.g.,
      Cu, Ni, Pt, Pd, or Rh based). The Lewis-base-catalyzed (NHC) transformations are
      valuable to chemical synthesis, as they can generate high enantioselectivities
      and possess unique chemoselectivity profiles. Here, the results of investigations
      that elucidate the principal features of the NHC-catalyzed BCA and SCA processes
      are detailed. Spectroscopic evidence is provided illustrating why the presence of
      excess base and MeOH or H2O is required for efficient and enantioselective boryl
      and silyl addition reactions. It is demonstrated that the proton sources
      influence the efficiency and/or enantioselectivity of NHC-catalyzed
      enantioselective transformations in several ways. The positive, and at times
      adverse, impact of water (biphasic conditions) on catalytic enantioselective
      silyl addition reactions is analyzed. It is shown that a proton source can
      facilitate nonenantioselective background reactions and NHC decomposition,
      requiring the catalyst to surpass such complications. Stereochemical models are
      presented that account for the identity of the observed major enantiomers,
      providing a rationale for the differences in selectivity profiles of BCA and SCA
      processes. 

PMID- 26263515
TI  - Ultraviolet-B radiation applied to detached peach fruit: A study of free radical
      generation by EPR spin trapping.
AB  - In peaches, phenolic compounds are the major sources of antioxidants, and
      cyanidin-3-O-glucoside is the main anthocyanin present, above all in the skin.
      Anthocyanin content has been shown to increase after UV-B irradiation, which may
      be very harmful for all biological organisms due to the induction of the
      generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Peach fruits (cv. 'Suncrest') were
      exposed during post-harvest to supplemental ultraviolet-B radiation. A spin
      trapping technique was used to monitor the generation of free radicals under UV
      B, and 5-(diethoxy-phosphoryl)-5-methyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DEPMPO) was used as
      the spin trap. The flesh of peaches was essentially unaffected by the treatment,
      whereas the skin was responsive at the end of the treatment, accumulating
      ascorbate, flavonoids, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, and showing a higher antioxidant
      activity. The levels of stable free radicals were also lower at the end of
      treatment. Carbon-centred radicals contributed the most to the total amounts of
      free radicals, whereas hydroxyl radicals and oxygen-centred free radicals
      contributed minimally. The carbon-centred free radical identified was the same as
      the one obtained after irradiation of authentic cyanidin-3-O-glucoside. During UV
      B treatment cyanidin-3-O-glucoside increased and was capable of radicalization
      protecting the other organic molecules of the cell from oxidation. ROS, among
      which hydroxyl radicals, were thus maintained to minimal levels. This ability of
      cyanidin-3-O-glucoside displayed the mechanism underlined the tolerance to UV-B
      irradiation indicating that shelf life can be prolonged by the presence of
      anthocyanins. Thus, UV-B technique results a good approach to induce antioxidant
      production in peach fruits increasing their nutraceutical properties. 

PMID- 26263516
TI  - Stress-responsive expression patterns and functional characterization of cold
      shock domain proteins in cabbage (Brassica rapa) under abiotic stress conditions.
AB  - Although the functional roles of cold shock domain proteins (CSDPs) have been
      demonstrated during the growth, development, and stress adaptation of Arabidopsis
      (Arabidopsis thaliana), rice (Oryza sativa), and wheat (Triticum aestivum), the
      functions of CSDPs in other plants species, including cabbage (Brassica rapa),
      are largely unknown. To gain insight into the roles of CSDPs in cabbage under
      stress conditions, the genes encoding CSDPs in cabbage were isolated, and the
      functional roles of CSDPs in response to environmental stresses were analyzed.
      Real-time RT-PCR analysis revealed that the levels of BrCSDP transcripts
      increased during cold, salt, or drought stress, as well as upon ABA treatment.
      Among the five BrCSDP genes found in the cabbage genome, one CSDP (BRU12051),
      named BrCSDP3, was unique in that it is localized to the chloroplast as well as
      to the nucleus. Ectopic expression of BrCSDP3 in Arabidopsis resulted in
      accelerated seed germination and better seedling growth compared to the wild-type
      plants under high salt or dehydration stress conditions, and in response to ABA
      treatment. BrCSDP3 did not affect the splicing of intron-containing genes and
      processing of rRNAs in the chloroplast. BrCSDP3 had the ability to complement RNA
      chaperone-deficient Escherichia coli mutant cells under low temperatures as well
      as DNA- and RNA-melting abilities, suggesting that it possesses RNA chaperone
      activity. Taken together, these results suggest that BrCSDP3, harboring RNA
      chaperone activity, plays a role as a positive regulator in seed germination and
      seedling growth under stress conditions. 

PMID- 26263517
TI  - Comprehensive analysis and expression profile of the homeodomain leucine zipper
      IV transcription factor family in tomato.
AB  - Homeodomain leucine zipper IV (HD-ZIP IV) proteins are plant-specific
      transcription factors that play important roles in development of epidermal cell
      layers and cuticle formation. The functions of two HD-ZIP IV family genes, CD2
      and Wo, have been well characterized in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). CD2 and Wo
      are involved in cuticle biosynthesis and trichome formation, respectively. In
      this study, we identified 13 novel tomato HD-ZIP IV (SlHDZIV) genes. We analyzed
      the structures, chromosome locations, phylogeny, protein motifs, and expression
      profiles of these SlHDZIV genes. Gene structure analysis revealed that a module
      of 11 exons and 10 introns existed in the SlHDZIV genes. These genes were
      asymmetrically distributed on chromosomes, except on chromosome 4 and 5.
      Segmental duplication possibly contributed to the expansion of tomato HD-ZIP IV
      genes. The expression profiles of these genes revealed their broad expression
      pattern and high expression in young leaves and flowers. Each gene responded to
      more than one of different phytohormones [abscisic acid, ethephon, 4-(indolyl)
      butyric acid, jasmonic acid, salicylic acid, gibberellic acid, and 6
      benzylaminopurine] and four abiotic stress treatments (cold, heat, salt, and
      drought). This study provided significant insights into the diverse roles of
      SlHDZIV genes in tomato growth and development. 

PMID- 26263518
TI  - De novo assembly and characterization of germinating lettuce seed transcriptome
      using Illumina paired-end sequencing.
AB  - At supraoptimal temperature, germination of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) seeds
      exhibits a typical germination thermoinhibition, which can be alleviated by
      sodium nitroprusside (SNP) in a nitric oxide-dependent manner. However, the
      molecular mechanism of seed germination thermoinhibition and its alleviation by
      SNP are poorly understood. In the present study, the lettuce seeds imbibed at
      optimal temperature in water or at supraoptimal temperature with or without 100
      MUM SNP for different periods of time were used as experimental materials, the
      total RNA was extracted and sequenced, we gained 147,271,347 raw reads using
      Illumina paired-end sequencing technique and assembled the transcriptome of
      germinating lettuce seeds. A total of 51,792 unigenes with a mean length of 849
      nucleotides were obtained. Of these unigenes, a total of 29,542 unigenes were
      annotated by sequence similarity searching in four databases, NCBI non-redundant
      protein database, SwissProt protein database, euKaryotic Ortholog Groups
      database, and NCBI nucleotide database. Among the annotated unigenes, 22,276
      unigenes were assigned to Gene Ontology database. When all the annotated unigenes
      were searched against the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes Pathway
      database, a total of 8,810 unigenes were mapped to 5 main categories including
      260 pathways. We first obtained a lot of unigenes encoding proteins involved in
      abscisic acid (ABA) signaling in lettuce, including 11 ABA receptors, 94 protein
      phosphatase 2Cs and 16 sucrose non-fermenting 1-related protein kinases. These
      results will help us to better understand the molecular mechanism of seed
      germination, thermoinhibition of seed germination and its alleviation by SNP.

PMID- 26263519
TI  - Plastoquinone redox state modifies plant response to pathogen.
AB  - The role of PQ (plastoquinione) redox state in establishment of response to
      pathogen infection (Botrytis cinerea) was tested along the regulation of main
      antioxidative enzymes (superoxide dismutase - SOD, catalase - CAT) and
      photochemistry of PSII (photosystem II) in Mesembryanthemum crystallinum plants
      performing C3 and CAM (Crassulacean acid metabolism) carbon metabolism. The redox
      state of PQ was modified by two inhibitors of photosynthetic electron transport
      resulting in a more oxidised (3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea; DCMU) or
      reduced (2,5-dibromo-3-methyl-6-isopropyl-p-benzoquinone; DBMIB) PQ redox state
      simulating darkness and high light conditions, respectively. Irrespective of the
      type of treatment (mock inoculation or pathogen inoculation) SOD activity
      depended on the PQ pool. Our results suggest that regarding changes in infection
      induced CAT activity, plants developed response that is vital for hypersensitive
      like (HR-like) response establishment only when PQ pool generated signal was
      similar to that in light presence (DBMIB pre-treatment). When PQ pool generated
      signal was similar to darkness, CAT activity response remained stress
      independent, similarly to SOD. Fluorescence parameters of PSII, Qp (photochemical
      quenching coefficient) and NPQ (non-photochemical quenching) were affected only
      in the tissues treated with DCMU in stress-independent manner. We suggest that in
      case of abiotic and biotic stresses signals emerging from PQ pool indirectly
      orchestrate plant response and carbon metabolism affects this regulatory pathway.

PMID- 26263520
TI  - Capitol Success.
AB  - This legislative session, medicine resolved to ensure physicians can give their
      patients the best care possible. The hard work paid off in significant victories
      that largely build on the Texas Medical Association's 2013 legislative successes.

PMID- 26263521
TI  - Youth Safeguards, Budget Boons.
AB  - TMA, the Texas Public Health Coalition, and diligent physicians earned
      significant public health victories during the Texas Legislature's 2015 session
      in their drive to reduce tobacco and electronic cigarette use and to protect
      schoolchildren at risk for anaphylaxis.

PMID- 26263522
TI  - Medicaid Upgrade.
AB  - Enhancements to Medicaid's electronic enrollment portal aim to speed up the
      process as physicians face reenrollment in the program.

PMID- 26263523
TI  - Fair Evaluations, No Witch Hunts.
AB  - Physicians have greater protection against "sham" peer review thanks to a
      decision by the Texas Supreme Court. The decision will help physicians who
      believe business competitors or a hospital's administrators are using every means
      available to destroy their reputation.

PMID- 26263524
TI  - PsyCh Journal. Editorial.

PMID- 26263525
TI  - Prevention of depressive disorders in older adults: An overview.
AB  - Prevention of depressive disorders is one of the most important challenges for
      health care in coming decades. Depressive disorders in all age groups have a high
      disease burden and are associated with huge economic costs, and current
      treatments are only capable of taking away one-third of the (nonfatal) disease
      burden of depression under optimal conditions. Prevention may be one alternative
      strategy that may help in further reducing the disease burden of depression.
      Because of the worldwide increase in the number of older adults, the number of
      depressed older adults will also increase considerably in the next few decades,
      making prevention of depression an important priority for research. Identifying
      the high-risk target groups for preventive interventions is complicated because
      most risk indicators have a low specificity, indicating that most people from
      these groups will not develop the disorder despite increased risk levels. We
      describe one promising method to identify the best target groups, based on the
      principle that the high-risk group should be as small as possible, should be
      responsible for as many new cases of depression as possible, and that
      intervention be as effective as possible. The number of trials examining the
      possibility to prevent the onset of depressive disorders in those who do not
      (yet) meet diagnostic criteria for depression is increasing rapidly. A recent
      meta-analysis identified more than 30 randomized trials and these studies showed
      that the incidence of depressive disorders was 21% lower in the prevention groups
      compared with the control groups who did not receive the preventive intervention.
      Most of these trials are aimed at adolescents and younger adults. Only six trials
      were specifically aimed at older adults. The development of evidence-based
      preventive interventions for major depression and other mental disorders should
      be an important scientific and public health objective for the 21st century. 

PMID- 26263526
TI  - Aging and the effects of emotion on cognition: Implications for psychological
      interventions for depression and anxiety.
AB  - We review findings from laboratory research on age differences in the effects of
      emotion on cognition. Particular attention is given to sadness leading to mood
      congruent memory and to anxiety leading to selective attention bias to threat.
      While older adults in normal moods show the positivity effect as expected from
      socio-emotional selectivity theory, older adults whose mood has changed from
      baseline to sad or anxious show these mood-related cognitive biases. These mood
      related biases are a foundational part of the theory underlying cognitive
      behavior therapy (CBT) and so these laboratory findings suggest ways that CBT may
      work differently with older adults. Pilot work suggests that the presence or
      absence of these effects may also predict responsiveness to treatment using CBT. 

PMID- 26263527
TI  - Role conflict and satisfaction in the work-family context: Age differences in the
      moderating effect of role commitment.
AB  - This study examined age differences in the buffering effects of role commitment
      on the associations between role conflicts and satisfaction from the within
      domain and cross-domain perspectives. Eighty-five working mothers participated in
      the study. Multiple regression analyses revealed that work conflicts were
      negatively associated with job satisfaction of younger employees but not older
      employees. Commitment to both work and family buffered against the negative
      association between family conflicts and family satisfaction for older employees
      but not younger employees. These findings highlight the importance of role
      commitment for working mothers across adulthood to cope with the demands in the
      work-family interface. 

PMID- 26263528
TI  - Interpretive bias of ambiguous facial expressions in older adults with depressive
      symptoms.
AB  - Cognitive theories of emotional disorders indicate that biases in cognitive
      processes, such as attention, memory, and interpretation, are common factors that
      indicate vulnerability to these disorders, although their form varies according
      to the type of disorder. However, most of the studies have focused on adolescence
      and adulthood. It is still uncertain whether cognitive biases are risk factors
      for late-life depression. The present study sought to explore the role of
      interpretive bias in older adults with depressive symptoms and whether this
      effect is independent of basic cognitive abilities. Therefore, 18 older adults
      with depressive symptoms and 21 healthy controls were compared with an ambiguous
      facial expression identification task, a Mini Mental Status Examination, a Trail
      Making Test A and B, and a Word Fluency Test. Findings revealed that the
      depressive group was more likely to identify more ambiguous happy-sad facial
      expressions as indicative of sadness than were the healthy controls, but the two
      groups showed no significant differences in the cognitive test scores. These
      results suggest that interpretive bias indicates vulnerability to late-life
      depression, but basic cognitive abilities may have no influence in this context. 

PMID- 26263529
TI  - Testing a modified perceived exertion scale for Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - Standardized methods for prescribing and monitoring exercise intensity are needed
      to advance exercise research in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The purpose of this
      study was to evaluate the concurrent validity of a modified 1-10 Rating of
      Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale against heart rate (HR) in older adults with mild
      to-moderate AD (N = 8, age 77-87 years). RPE and HR were assessed every 5 min
      during each exercise session with 3,988 data pairs. Pearson and Spearman
      correlations and mixed models for correlated data were used for analysis. Results
      show the correlation between RPE and HR and between RPE and change in HR from
      resting was -.11 (SE = .15) and -.31 (SE = .17), respectively. The proportions of
      variance explained by RPE overall, RPE within participant, and RPE within session
      were only 4.0, 5.3, and 6.7%, respectively. We conclude that the modified 1-10
      RPE scale did not show concurrent validity to HR, with large between-individual
      variability.

PMID- 26263530
TI  - Latent tuberculosis in kidney and liver transplant patients: a review of
      treatment practices and outcomes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The standard treatment of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is
      associated with toxicities and data are limited on tolerability among patients
      with advanced organ disease listed for transplant. Alternate options are
      available, but they have yet to be studied in this population. METHODS: A
      retrospective review of the treatment of LTBI among kidney and/or liver
      transplant candidates was conducted to assess factors impacting therapy
      initiation, tolerability, and completion of therapy. RESULTS: Of 174 eligible
      patients, treatment of LTBI was initiated in 129, of which 91 were listed for
      kidney transplant and 38 were listed for liver or liver/kidney transplant.
      Infectious Diseases consultation was independently associated with treatment
      initiation when controlling for waitlisted organ and receipt of hemodialysis
      (odds ratio [OR] 81.14, 95% confidence interval [CI] 23.94-274.94, P < 0.001).
      Documented completion of first-line therapy was 47% overall, and 49% and 39%,
      respectively, among kidney and liver/kidney candidates (P = not significant). On
      multivariable analysis, controlling for baseline aspartate aminotransferase and
      waitlisted organ, first-line receipt of rifampin was associated with lower rates
      of treatment completion (OR 0.19, 95% CI 0.05-0.77, P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Based
      on medical record documentation, completion of first-line therapy was <50% in
      this cohort, although this is likely an underestimate, as 34% of patients had no
      chart documentation that therapy was completed. Approximately 20% of patients did
      not complete first-line therapy because of adverse effects.

PMID- 26263531
TI  - Human iPSC derived disease model of MERTK-associated retinitis pigmentosa.
AB  - Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) represents a genetically heterogeneous group of retinal
      dystrophies affecting mainly the rod photoreceptors and in some instances also
      the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells of the retina. Clinical symptoms and
      disease progression leading to moderate to severe loss of vision are well
      established and despite significant progress in the identification of causative
      genes, the disease pathology remains unclear. Lack of this understanding has so
      far hindered development of effective therapies. Here we report successful
      generation of human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) from skin fibroblasts
      of a patient harboring a novel Ser331Cysfs*5 mutation in the MERTK gene. The
      patient was diagnosed with an early onset and severe form of autosomal recessive
      RP (arRP). Upon differentiation of these iPSC towards RPE, patient-specific RPE
      cells exhibited defective phagocytosis, a characteristic phenotype of MERTK
      deficiency observed in human patients and animal models. Thus we have created a
      faithful cellular model of arRP incorporating the human genetic background which
      will allow us to investigate in detail the disease mechanism, explore screening
      of a variety of therapeutic compounds/reagents and design either combined cell
      and gene- based therapies or independent approaches. 

PMID- 26263532
TI  - Retained in HIV Care But Not on Antiretroviral Treatment: A Qualitative Patient
      Provider Dyadic Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients retained in HIV care but not on antiretroviral therapy (ART)
      represent an important part of the HIV care cascade in the United States. Even in
      an era of more tolerable and efficacious ART, decision making in regards to ART
      offer and uptake remains complex and calls for exploration of both patient and
      provider perspectives. We sought to understand reasons for lack of ART usage in
      patients meeting the Health Resources Services Administration definition of
      retention as well as what motivated HIV primary care appointment attendance in
      the absence of ART. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We conducted a qualitative study
      consisting of 70 in-depth interviews with ART-naive and ART-experienced patients
      off ART and their primary care providers in two urban safety-net HIV clinics in
      San Francisco and New York. Twenty patients and their providers were interviewed
      separately at baseline, and 15 dyads were interviewed again after at least 3 mo
      and another clinic visit in order to understand any ART use in the interim. We
      applied dyadic analysis to our data. Nearly all patients were willing to consider
      ART, and 40% of the sample went on ART, citing education on newer antiretroviral
      drugs, acceptance of HIV diagnosis, social support, and increased confidence in
      their ability to adhere as facilitators. However, the strength of the provider
      recommendation of ART played an important role. Many patients had internalized
      messages from providers that their health was too good to warrant ART. In
      addition, providers, while demonstrating patient-centered care through
      sensitivity to patients experiencing psychosocial instability, frequently muted
      the offer of ART, at times unintentionally. In the absence of ART, lab
      monitoring, provider relationships, access to social services, opiate pain
      medications, and acute symptoms motivated care. The main limitations of this
      study were that treatment as prevention was not explored in depth and that
      participants were recruited from academic HIV clinics in the US, making the
      findings most generalizable to this setting. CONCLUSIONS: Provider communication
      with regard to ART is a key focus for further exploration and intervention in
      order to increase ART uptake for those retained in HIV care.

PMID- 26263533
TI  - Association analysis of the IL-1 gene cluster polymorphisms with aggressive and
      chronic periodontitis in the Algerian population.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: There is strong evidence that genetic as well as environmental factors
      affect the development of periodontitis. Various studies suggest that genetic
      polymorphisms of the interleukin-1 (IL-1) genes are associated with an increased
      risk of developing the pathogenesis. The aim of the present study was to
      investigate the possible relationship between two polymorphisms of IL-1 gene
      cluster IL-1B (C+3954T) (rs1143634) and IL-1A (C-889T) (rs1800587) SNPs and the
      aggressive and chronic periodontitis risk in a case control study in Algerian
      population. METHODS: 279 subjects were recruited and received a periodontal
      examination: 128 healthy controls and 151 cases. From cases, 91 patients were
      having a chronic disease whereas 60 subjects with aggressive form. All these
      subjects were genotyped for IL-1A (C-889T) and IL-1B (C+3954T) polymorphisms
      using TaqMan real time PCR technology. Frequencies of IL-1 alleles, genotypes and
      the haplotypes were also examined. RESULTS: Significant differences were found in
      the carriage rate of both minor alleles of the IL-1A (C-889T) and IL-1B (C+3954T)
      polymorphisms of aggressive periodontitis cases compared with healthy controls
      (OR [95%CI]=1.61 [1.03-2.49], p=0.03), (OR [95%CI]=1.69 [1.09-2.63], p=0.01),
      respectively. The result did not reach significance with the chronic form.
      CONCLUSION: The studied polymorphisms of the IL-1 genes appear to be associated
      with susceptibility to aggressive periodontitis (AgP) in the Algerian population.

PMID- 26263534
TI  - Effects of bleaching on laser Doppler blood-flow signals recorded from human
      teeth in vitro.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine if bleaching a tooth affects significantly laser Doppler
      recordings of pulpal blood flow that are made through the treated enamel and
      dentine. DESIGN: Recordings of blood flow (flux) were made with a laser-Doppler
      flow meter from the crowns of 14, recently extracted, human premolars while
      diluted blood was pumped at three different rates through a cannula that was
      inserted into the pulp cavity with its tip in the coronal pulp chamber. The
      recordings of flux were made before and after bleaching the crown with 38%
      hydrogen peroxide for 30min. The colour changes produced by bleaching were also
      measured with a digital spectrophotometer in 15 teeth. The effects of bleaching
      on both blood flow recordings and tooth colour were studied in 11 of the teeth.
      RESULTS: Both before and after bleaching, there was a linear relationship between
      blood perfusion rate and flux. After bleaching, the flux readings increased by an
      average of 46%, and were significantly increased in every tooth (P<0.001,
      Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test). There was no significant correlation between the
      changes in flux and the changes in tooth colour. CONCLUSION: A laser Doppler flow
      meter cannot be used to determine the effect of bleaching on pulpal blood flow in
      intact teeth.

PMID- 26263535
TI  - Expression of translationally controlled tumor protein in heat-stressed human
      dental pulp cells.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of heat stress on
      cell viability, translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) expression, and
      the effects of recombinant TCTP on heat-stressed human dental pulp cells (HDPCs).
      METHODS: HDPCs were isolated from human teeth and cultured at 37 degrees C. For
      heat stress, HPDCs were incubated at 43 degrees C for 45min. After heat stress,
      recombinant TCTP were added to HDPCs and cultured for various periods of time at
      37 degrees C. Heat-treated cells were then analyzed by DNA staining with Hoechst
      33258, MTT, and caspase 3 activity assays. TCTP expression level was assessed by
      real-time PCR and western blot analysis. RESULTS: Heat-treated cells displayed
      lower cell density and nuclear morphology resembling apoptotic body. Heat stress
      significantly decreased cell viability and induced activity of caspase 3. The
      effect of recombinant TCTP on pulp cell death from heat stress varied depending
      on each subject and TCTP concentration. Heat stress up-regulated TCTP mRNA
      expression level. In contrast, TCTP protein level remained unchanged. Recombinant
      TCTP did not affect TCTP mRNA expression but down-regulated TCTP protein in heat
      treated cells. CONCLUSIONS: Heat stress induces caspase 3 activation and up
      regulates TCTP mRNA expression in HDPCs. TCTP did not play a key role on pulp
      cell recovery from heat stress.

PMID- 26263536
TI  - Potential of an amelogenin based peptide in promoting reminerlization of initial
      enamel caries.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: In this study we give a preliminary study of a rationally designed
      small peptide, which is based on the enamel matrix protein amelogenin, to
      investigate its effect on remineralization of initial enamel caries lesions.
      DESIGN: A novel peptide was designed and synthesized to investigate its effects
      on the remineralization of initial enamel carious lesions during pH cycling that
      simulates intra-oral conditions. Initial lesions were created in bovine enamel
      blocks, which were then pH-cycled for 12 days in the presence of 25MUM peptide,
      1g/L NaF (positive control), 50mM HEPES buffer(negative control). Before and
      after pH cycling, enamel blocks were analyzed by surface microhardness testing,
      polarized light microscopy and transverse microradiography. RESULTS: Percentage
      of surface microhardness recovery (SMHR%) after pH cycling was significantly
      higher in peptide group than HEPES group. Lower lesion depth and less mineral
      mineral loss were found in peptide or NaF treatment groups after the cycling, and
      were significantly different to HEPES group. No significant differences were
      observed between the blocks treated with peptide and those treated with NaF.
      CONCLUSSION: This study provides in vitro evidence that this amelogenin based
      peptide promotes enamel caries remineralization, offering a promising
      remineralizing biomaterial in initial enamel carious treatment.

PMID- 26263537
TI  - Protective efficacy of intravenous transplantation of adipose-derived stem cells
      for the prevention of radiation-induced salivary gland damage.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: High-dose radiation therapy in the head and neck area can lead to
      irreversible damage to salivary glands (SGs) with consequent xerostomia. Adipose
      derived stem cells (ADSCs) have been shown to repair or rescue damaged SGs. Thus,
      we investigated the protective efficacy of ADSCs in the prevention of SG damage
      induced by high dose radiation. METHODS: Third-passage ADSCs (1*10(6)) were
      transplanted by intravenous infusion into the tail-vein of 8-week-old C57BL/6
      mice, immediately after local irritation at a dose of 18Gy. The process was
      repeated twice a week during a period of six consecutive weeks. Eight weeks after
      radiation, functional evaluations were conducted by measuring salivary flow rate
      (SFR). Histological, immunohistochemical and transmission electron microscopic
      (TEM) examinations were performed to analyze microstructural and ultrastructural
      changes, microvessel density, amylase production, apoptosis, and proliferation
      activity. RESULTS: Intravenously administrated ADSCs could home to irradiated SGs
      within 24h after infusion, significantly increasing SG weights, improving SFR,
      and preserving the microscopic morphologies of SGs eight weeks post-radiation.
      More functional acini, higher amylase production levels, and higher microvessel
      densities were observed in ADSC-treated SGs than in irradiated SGs. Additionally,
      enhanced cell proliferation activity and reduced radiation-induced SG apoptosis
      was observed in the ADSC-treated group when compared with the irradiated group.
      CONCLUSION: Systemic administration of ADSCs immediately after radiation at a
      dose of 18Gy can protect both the morphology and function of SGs eight weeks
      after radiation in mice, and can be used as a protective measure for the
      prevention of SG damage induced by high-dose radiation.

PMID- 26263538
TI  - An in vitro evaluation of the antibacterial properties of three mineral trioxide
      aggregate (MTA) against five oral bacteria.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial ability of
      three MTA (MTA-Angelus, Endocem MTA, and ProRoot MTA) against five typical oral
      bacteria (Streptococcus mutans, Enterococcus faecalis, Lactobacillus rhamnosus,
      Lactobacillus paracasei, and Porphyromonas gingivalis). DESIGN: For disc
      diffusion test, each test material was placed into agar plates after inoculation
      of each bacterial strain. The zones of inhibition of bacterial growth were then
      measured. Antibacterial broth test was performed by adding the test material into
      the media. Colony-forming units were counted after incubation with bacteria. The
      data were analyzed using ANOVA and the Tukey's test. RESULTS: Disc diffusion test
      showed that the antibacterial activity against S. mutans, L. rhamnosus, L.
      paracasei, and P. gingivalis ranked in decreasing order of MTA-Angelus>ProRoot
      MTA>Endocem MTA (p<0.05). An inhibitory effect against E. faecalis was only
      observed in Endocem MTA. Antibacterial broth test showed that the antibacterial
      activity against all bacteria was Endocem MTA>MTA-Angelus>ProRoot MTA (p<0.05).
      CONCLUSION: Discrepant results were obtained from the disc diffusion and
      antibacterial broth test, with MTA-Angelus and Endocem MTA being most effective,
      respectively. Both tests revealed that the most resistant bacteria was E.
      faecalis, which was not susceptible at all, except to Endocem MTA in disc
      diffusion test.

PMID- 26263539
TI  - Novel biomarkers of periodontitis and/or obesity in saliva-An exploratory
      analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Recent studies point to the clinical and research utility of saliva as
      a valuable diagnostic aid for monitoring periodontal health. The objectives of
      this study were to detect novel biomarkers attributed to chronic inflammation in
      saliva and to determine if the levels of these markers correlate with severity of
      periodontitis and with standard obesity measures in participants in a periodontal
      maintenance program. DESIGN: In this cross-sectional assessment of 63
      participants, unstimulated whole saliva was collected after recording
      anthropometric and clinical parameters of obesity and periodontitis,
      respectively. The levels of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), sCD40L,
      granzyme B and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in saliva were determined using multiplex
      proteomic immunoassays. The correlation between the four tested biomarker
      concentrations and obesity/periodontal measures was determined. RESULTS: Positive
      correlation between fat% and granzyme B levels (r=0.292; p=0.020) and negative
      correlation between BMI and sCD40L (r=0.256; p=0.043) was observed. In addition,
      positive correlation between severity of periodontal disease and levels of IL1-ra
      (r=0.253; p=0.046) and negative correlation between periodontitis severity and
      sCD40L salivary levels (r=0.272; p=0.031) was noted. None of the above
      correlations remained statistically significant after multiple comparisons
      adjustment. After adjustment for clinical covariates, the relationship between
      sCD40L and periodontal severity remained suggestive (p=0.081). CONCLUSIONS:
      Levels of four novel biomarkers of periodontitis were detectable in saliva of
      subjects enrolled in a periodontal maintenance program. Prospective studies with
      larger sample sizes and other populations are warranted to explore the diagnostic
      applicability of these markers.

PMID- 26263540
TI  - Expression of Pannexin3 in human odontoblast-like cells and its hemichannel
      function in mediating ATP release.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate the expression of pannexin3
      (Panx3) in human odontoblast-like cells (hOBs) and its hemichannel function in
      mediating ATP release. METHODS: RT-PCR and immunofluorescence analysis were used
      to detect the expression of pannexins (Panxs) in human dental pulp tissue and
      cultured cells. To determine the role of Panx3 in ATP release, hOBs were infected
      with Panx3-overexpression lentivirus, Panx3-shRNA lentivirus or control
      lentivirus and then stimulated with cold buffer. Intracellular ATP was monitored
      using quinacrine, and then semi-quantitatively analyzed. In the meantime, the ATP
      release was quantitatively analyzed using the bioluminescence method when the
      cells were exposed to cold stimulus. RESULTS: Panx3 mRNA and protein were found
      in dental pulp tissue and cultured cells. Upon cold stimulus, intracellular ATP
      was released into the extracellular space. Overexpression of Panx3 accelerated
      ATP release, whereas inhibition of Panx3 suppressed this process. CONCLUSION:
      Panx3 hemichannel is expressed in human odontoblast-like cells and mediates ATP
      release into the extracellular space.

PMID- 26263541
TI  - Stem cell regenerative therapy in alveolar cleft reconstruction.
AB  - Achieving a successful and well-functioning reconstruction of craniofacial
      deformities still remains a challenge. As for now, autologous bone grafting
      remains the gold standard for alveolar cleft reconstruction. However, its
      aesthetic and functional results often remain unsatisfactory, which carries a
      long-term psychosocial and medical sequelae. Therefore, searching for novel
      therapeutic approaches is strongly indicated. With the recent advances in stem
      cell research, cell-based tissue engineering strategies move from the bench to
      the patients' bedside. Successful stem cell engineering employs a carefully
      selected stem cell source, a biodegradable scaffold with osteoconductive and
      osteoinductive properties, as well as an addition of growth factors or cytokines
      to enhance osteogenesis. This review highlights recent advances in mesenchymal
      stem cell tissue engineering, discusses animal models and case reports of stem
      cell enhanced bone regeneration, as well as ongoing clinical trials. 

PMID- 26263542
TI  - Comparison of osteo/odontogenic differentiation of human adult dental pulp stem
      cells and stem cells from apical papilla in the presence of platelet lysate.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Human dental pulp cells (DPSCs) and stem cells from apical papilla
      have been used for the repair of damaged tooth tissues. Human platelet lysate
      (PL) has been suggested as a substitute for fetal bovine serum (FBS) for large
      scale expansion of dental stem cells. However, biological effects and optimal
      concentrations of PL for proliferation and differentiation of human dental stem
      cells remain to be elucidated. METHODOLOGY: DPSCs and SCAP cells were isolated
      from impacted third molars of young healthy donors, at the stage of root
      development and identified by markers using flow cytometry. For comparison the
      cells were cultured in media containing PL (1%, 5% and 10%) and FBS, with
      subsequent induction for osteogenic/odontogenic differentiation. The cultures
      were analyzed for; morphology, growth characteristics, mineralization potential
      (Alizarin Red method) and differentiation markers using ELISA and real time 
      polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). RESULTS: The proliferation rates of DPSCs and
      SCAP significantly increased when cells were treated with 5% PL (7X doubling
      time) as compared to FBS. 5% PL also enhanced mineralized differentiation of
      DPSCs and SCAP, as indicated by the measurement of alkaline phosphatase activity,
      osteocalcin and osteopontin, calcium deposition and q-PCR. CONCLUSION: Our
      findings suggest that using 5% platelet lysate, proliferation and
      osteo/odontogenesis of DPSCs and SCAP for a short period of time (15 days), was
      significantly improved. This may imply its use as an optimum concentration for
      expansion of dental stem cells in bone regeneration.

PMID- 26263543
TI  - Dental stigmata and enamel thickness in a probable case of congenital syphilis
      from XVI century Croatia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analyse the dental remains of an individual with signs of
      congenital syphilis by using macroscopic observation, CBCT and micro-CT images,
      and the analysis of the enamel thickness. DESIGN: Anthropological analysis of
      human skeletal remains from the 16th century archaeological site Park Gric in
      Zagreb, Croatia discovered a female, 17-20 years old at the time of death, with
      dental signs supportive of congenital syphilis: mulberry molars and canine
      defects, as well as non-specific hypoplastic changes on incisors. The focus of
      the analysis was on three aspects: gross morphology, hypoplastic defects of the
      molars, canines and incisors, as well as enamel thickness of the upper first and
      second molars. RESULTS: The observed morphology of the first molars corresponds
      to the typical aspect of mulberry molars, while that of the canines is
      characterised by hypomineralisation. Hypoplastic grooves were observed on the
      incisal edges of all incisors. The enamel of the first molars is underdeveloped
      while in the second molars a thick-enamelled condition is observed. CONCLUSIONS:
      Our observations for the dental and skeletal evidence are supportive to a
      diagnosis of congenital syphilis for this specimen from XVI century Croatia. The
      use of CT imaging helped documenting the diagnostic features and quantifying the
      effect of the dental stigmata on first molars.

PMID- 26263544
TI  - Synergistic effects of tea catechin epigallocatechin gallate and antimycotics
      against oral Candida species.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the major antimicrobial tea
      polyphenol, has been reported to inhibit the growth of Candida albicans
      planktonic cells and enhance the antifungal activity of antimycotics. We
      hypothesised that synergism exists between EGCG and conventional antimycotics
      against biofilms of Candida species. DESIGN: The minimal inhibitory
      concentrations (MIC) of EGCG, miconazole, fluconazole and amphotericin B against
      planktonic cells and the sessile MIC (SMIC) against biofilms of Candida albicans,
      Candida parapsilosis, Candida tropicalis, Candida glabrata, Candida kefyr and
      Candida krusei were determined by a microdilution method. For assessment of
      biofilm metabolic activity, the 2,3-bis(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H
      tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide (XTT) assay was used. The interactions between EGCG
      and antimycotics were evaluated by checkerboard microdilution assay and
      determined by fractional inhibitory concentration index (FIC). RESULTS: Synergism
      was observed between EGCG and miconazole, fluconazole or amphotericin B against
      most test planktonic and biofilm cells of Candida species (FIC<=0.5). All biofilm
      cells were significantly more resistant to EGCG and antimycotics (20-3200 times
      higher) compared with their planktonic counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude
      that EGCG enhances the antifungal effects of miconazole, fluconazole and
      amphotericin B. Combined treatment with EGCG may lower the dosages of
      antimycotics, thus preventing adverse effects and the emergence of drug-resistant
      oral Candida species.

PMID- 26263545
TI  - Experimentally induced stress decreases ideal female reproductive timing.
AB  - Previous correlational research shows that childhood adversity is associated with
      earlier age of reproduction in humans and other species. Such studies, however,
      cannot show that stressful conditions cause earlier reproduction. Using the cold
      pressor task, we built on previous work to test the idea that acute stress
      influences human reproductive and marital ideals, and that individual stress
      responses depend on adaptive life history strategies shaped by exposure to
      adversity during childhood. Acute stress shifted ideal ages of first birth and
      marriage to earlier ages. We also tested a competing hypothesis, whether stress
      had a more general impact on time preference, but found no evidence that it did.
      Furthermore, there was an interaction between childhood adversity and acute
      stress. Individuals who reported more exposure to childhood adversity responded
      to acute stress by reporting even earlier reproductive ideals. These findings
      offer experimental evidence that physiological stress can alter reproductive
      decision making in humans. 

PMID- 26263546
TI  - Structure-Based Phylogenetic Analysis of the Lipocalin Superfamily.
AB  - Lipocalins constitute a superfamily of extracellular proteins that are found in
      all three kingdoms of life. Although very divergent in their sequences and
      functions, they show remarkable similarity in 3-D structures. Lipocalins bind and
      transport small hydrophobic molecules. Earlier sequence-based phylogenetic
      studies of lipocalins highlighted that they have a long evolutionary history.
      However the molecular and structural basis of their functional diversity is not
      completely understood. The main objective of the present study is to understand
      functional diversity of the lipocalins using a structure-based phylogenetic
      approach. The present study with 39 protein domains from the lipocalin
      superfamily suggests that the clusters of lipocalins obtained by structure-based
      phylogeny correspond well with the functional diversity. The detailed analysis on
      each of the clusters and sub-clusters reveals that the 39 lipocalin domains
      cluster based on their mode of ligand binding though the clustering was performed
      on the basis of gross domain structure. The outliers in the phylogenetic tree are
      often from single member families. Also structure-based phylogenetic approach has
      provided pointers to assign putative function for the domains of unknown function
      in lipocalin family. The approach employed in the present study can be used in
      the future for the functional identification of new lipocalin proteins and may be
      extended to other protein families where members show poor sequence similarity
      but high structural similarity. 

PMID- 26263548
TI  - The Assessment of Muscular Effort, Fatigue, and Physiological Adaptation Using
      EMG and Wavelet Analysis.
AB  - Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PGC-1alpha)
      is a transcription factor co-activator that helps coordinate mitochondrial
      biogenesis within skeletal muscle following exercise. While evidence gleaned from
      submaximal exercise suggests that intracellular pathways associated with the
      activation of PGC-1alpha, as well as the expression of PGC-1alpha itself are
      activated to a greater extent following higher intensities of exercise, we have
      recently shown that this effect does not extend to supramaximal exercise, despite
      corresponding increases in muscle activation amplitude measured with
      electromyography (EMG). Spectral analyses of EMG data may provide a more in-depth
      assessment of changes in muscle electrophysiology occurring across different
      exercise intensities, and therefore the goal of the present study was to apply
      continuous wavelet transforms (CWTs) to our previous data to comprehensively
      evaluate: 1) differences in muscle electrophysiological properties at different
      exercise intensities (i.e. 73%, 100%, and 133% of peak aerobic power), and 2)
      muscular effort and fatigue across a single interval of exercise at each
      intensity, in an attempt to shed mechanistic insight into our previous
      observations that the increase in PGC-1alpha is dissociated from exercise
      intensity following supramaximal exercise. In general, the CWTs revealed that
      localized muscle fatigue was only greater than the 73% condition in the 133%
      exercise intensity condition, which directly matched the work rate results.
      Specifically, there were greater drop-offs in frequency, larger changes in burst
      power, as well as greater changes in burst area under this intensity, which were
      already observable during the first interval. As a whole, the results from the
      present study suggest that supramaximal exercise causes extreme localized
      muscular fatigue, and it is possible that the blunted PGC-1alpha effects observed
      in our previous study are the result of fatigue-associated increases in muscle
      acidosis. This should be explored in future research using further combinations
      of EMG and muscle biochemistry and histology. 

PMID- 26263547
TI  - Spt-Ada-Gcn5-Acetyltransferase (SAGA) Complex in Plants: Genome Wide
      Identification, Evolutionary Conservation and Functional Determination.
AB  - The recruitment of RNA polymerase II on a promoter is assisted by the assembly of
      basal transcriptional machinery in eukaryotes. The Spt-Ada-Gcn5-Acetyltransferase
      (SAGA) complex plays an important role in transcription regulation in eukaryotes.
      However, even in the advent of genome sequencing of various plants, SAGA complex
      has been poorly defined for their components and roles in plant development and
      physiological functions. Computational analysis of Arabidopsis thaliana and Oryza
      sativa genomes for SAGA complex resulted in the identification of 17 to 18
      potential candidates for SAGA subunits. We have further classified the SAGA
      complex based on the conserved domains. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the
      SAGA complex proteins are evolutionary conserved between plants, yeast and
      mammals. Functional annotation showed that they participate not only in chromatin
      remodeling and gene regulation, but also in different biological processes, which
      could be indirect and possibly mediated via the regulation of gene expression.
      The in silico expression analysis of the SAGA components in Arabidopsis and O.
      sativa clearly indicates that its components have a distinct expression profile
      at different developmental stages. The co-expression analysis of the SAGA
      components suggests that many of these subunits co-express at different
      developmental stages, during hormonal interaction and in response to stress
      conditions. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis of SAGA component genes further
      confirmed their expression in different plant tissues and stresses. The
      expression of representative salt, heat and light inducible genes were affected
      in mutant lines of SAGA subunits in Arabidopsis. Altogether, the present study
      reveals expedient evidences of involvement of the SAGA complex in plant gene
      regulation and stress responses. 

PMID- 26263550
TI  - Transcriptomic Analysis of Metabolic Pathways in Milkfish That Respond to
      Salinity and Temperature Changes.
AB  - Milkfish (Chanos chanos), an important marine aquaculture species in southern
      Taiwan, show considerable euryhalinity but have low tolerance to sudden drops in
      water temperatures in winter. Here, we used high throughput next-generation
      sequencing (NGS) to identify molecular and biological processes involved in the
      responses to environmental changes. Preliminary tests revealed that seawater (SW)
      acclimated milkfish tolerated lower temperatures than the fresh water (FW)
      acclimated group. Although FW- and SW-acclimated milkfish have different levels
      of tolerance for hypothermal stress, to date, the molecular physiological basis
      of this difference has not been elucidated. Here, we performed a next-generation
      sequence analysis of mRNAs from four groups of milkfish. We obtained 29669
      unigenes with an average length of approximately 1936 base pairs. Gene ontology
      (GO) analysis was performed after gene annotation. A large number of genes for
      molecular regulation were identified through a transcriptomic comparison in a
      KEGG analysis. Basal metabolic pathways involved in hypothermal tolerance, such
      as glycolysis, fatty acid metabolism, amino acid catabolism and oxidative
      phosphorylation, were analyzed using PathVisio and Cytoscape software. Our
      results indicate that in response to hypothermal stress, genes for oxidative
      phosphorylation, e.g., succinate dehydrogenase, were more highly up-regulated in
      SW than FW fish. Moreover, SW and FW milkfish used different strategies when
      exposed to hypothermal stress: SW milkfish up-regulated oxidative phosphorylation
      and catabolism genes to produce more energy budget, whereas FW milkfish down
      regulated genes related to basal metabolism to reduce energy loss. 

PMID- 26263549
TI  - Genetic Ancestry and Asthma and Rhinitis Occurrence in Hispanic Children:
      Findings from the Southern California Children's Health Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Asthma and rhinitis are common childhood health conditions. Being an
      understudied and rapidly growing population in the US, Hispanic children have a
      varying risk for these conditions that may result from sociocultural (including
      acculturative factors), exposure and genetic diversities. Hispanic populations
      have varying contributions from European, Amerindian and African ancestries.
      While previous literature separately reported associations between genetic
      ancestry and acculturation factors with asthma, whether Amerindian ancestry and
      acculturative factors have independent associations with development of early
      life asthma and rhinitis in Hispanic children remains unknown. We hypothesized
      that genetic ancestry is an important determinant of early-life asthma and
      rhinitis occurrence in Hispanic children independent of sociodemographic,
      acculturation and environmental factors. METHODS: Subjects were Hispanic children
      (5-7 years) who participated in the southern California Children's Health Study.
      Data from birth certificates and questionnaire provided information on
      acculturation, sociodemographic and environmental factors. Genetic ancestries
      (Amerindian, European, African and Asian) were estimated based on 233 ancestry
      informative markers. Asthma was defined by parental report of doctor-diagnosed
      asthma. Rhinitis was defined by parental report of a history of chronic sneezing
      or runny or blocked nose without a cold or flu. Sample sizes were 1,719 and 1,788
      for investigating the role of genetic ancestry on asthma and rhinitis,
      respectively. RESULTS: Children had major contributions from Amerindian and
      European ancestries. After accounting for potential confounders, per 25% increase
      in Amerindian ancestry was associated with 17.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]:
      0.74-0.99) and 13.6% (95% CI: 0.79-0.98) lower odds of asthma and rhinitis,
      respectively. Acculturation was not associated with either outcome. CONCLUSIONS:
      Earlier work documented that Hispanic children with significant contribution from
      African ancestry are at increased asthma risk; however, in Hispanic children who
      have little contribution from African ancestry, Amerindian ancestry was
      independently associated with lower odds for development of early-childhood
      asthma and rhinitis.

PMID- 26263551
TI  - A "footprint" of plant carbon fixation cycle functions during the development of
      a heterotrophic fungus.
AB  - Carbon fixation pathway of plants (CFPP) in photosynthesis converts solar energy
      to biomass, bio-products and biofuel. Intriguingly, a large number of
      heterotrophic fungi also possess enzymes functionally associated with CFPP,
      raising the questions about their roles in fungal development and in evolution.
      Here, we report on the presence of 17 CFPP associated enzymes (ten in Calvin
      Benson-Basham reductive pentose phosphate pathway and seven in C4-dicarboxylic
      acid cycle) in the genome of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, a heterotrophic
      phytopathogenic fungus, and only two unique enzymes: ribulose-1, 5-bisphosphate
      carboxylase-oxygenase (Rubisco) and phosphoribulokinase (PRK) were absent. This
      data suggested an incomplete CFPP-like pathway (CLP) in fungi. Functional profile
      analysis demonstrated that the activity of the incomplete CLP was dramatically
      regulated during different developmental stages of S. sclerotiorum. Subsequent
      experiments confirmed that many of them were essential to the virulence and/or
      sclerotial formation. Most of the CLP associated genes are conserved in fungi.
      Phylogenetic analysis showed that many of them have undergone gene duplication,
      gene acquisition or loss and functional diversification in evolutionary history.
      These findings showed an evolutionary links in the carbon fixation processes of
      autotrophs and heterotrophs and implicated the functions of related genes were in
      course of continuous change in different organisms in evolution. 

PMID- 26263552
TI  - Young women post-MI have higher plasma concentrations of interleukin-6 before and
      after stress testing.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Young women have poorer prognosis after myocardial infarction (MI)
      and a higher rate of mental stress-induced ischemia compared with similarly aged
      men. A higher inflammatory status may help explain these sex differences.
      METHODS: We examined 98 patients (49 women and 49 men) age 18-59years with recent
      MI (past 6months). Women and men were matched for age, type of MI, and time since
      MI. Interleukin 6 (IL-6) concentrations were measured at baseline, after mental
      stress using a speech task, and after exercise/pharmacologic stress (60 and
      90min). Depressive symptoms were measured with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI
      II) and angiographic coronary artery disease (CAD) severity was quantified with
      the Gensini score. Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was used to
      obtain a computerized measurement of stress-induced ischemia (summed difference
      score, or SDS) and determine whether severity of stress-induced ischemia affects
      the inflammatory response to stress. Analysis was stratified by the median age of
      50. Geometric mean concentrations of IL-6 were obtained from general linear
      regression models. RESULTS: In both age groups, women had less angiographic CAD
      and a similar level of conventional risk factors compared with men. Despite this,
      baseline IL-6 geometric means before both mental and physical stress were twice
      as high in women ?50years of age compared to age-matched men (3.8 vs. 1.8pg/mL,
      p=0.001, across both conditions), while they were similar in women and men age
      >50years (2.3 vs. 2.2pg/mL, p=0.83). After mental stress, IL-6 concentrations
      increased in both women and men in a similar fashion and remained twice as high
      in women ?50years than men at both 60min (5.4 vs. 2.6pg/mL, p=0.002) and 90min
      (5.9 vs. 3.4pg/mL, p=0.01). No significant difference was found between women and
      men >50years of age at any time point after mental stress. Results were similar
      for physical stress. After accounting for SDS, IL-6 concentrations in young women
      remained higher after both mental and physical stress. Baseline IL-6
      concentrations were not significantly related to inducible ischemia. CONCLUSIONS:
      After MI, young women aged 50years or younger, compared with age-matched men,
      have remarkably higher concentrations of inflammation at baseline and after both
      mental and physical stress, with a similar inflammatory response to both
      stressors. Sustained concentrations of inflammation in young women, not their
      response to stress, may contribute to their adverse outcomes post-MI.

PMID- 26263553
TI  - Pre-Altitude Serum Ferritin Levels and Daily Oral Iron Supplement Dose Mediate
      Iron Parameter and Hemoglobin Mass Responses to Altitude Exposure.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the influence of daily oral iron supplementation on
      changes in hemoglobin mass (Hbmass) and iron parameters after 2-4 weeks of
      moderate altitude exposure. METHODS: Hematological data collected from 178
      athletes (98 males, 80 females) exposed to moderate altitude (1,350-3,000 m) were
      analysed using linear regression to determine how altitude exposure combined with
      oral iron supplementation influenced Hbmass, total iron incorporation (TII) and
      blood iron parameters [ferritin and transferrin saturation (TSAT)]. RESULTS:
      Altitude exposure (mean +/- s: 21 +/- 3 days) increased Hbmass by 1.1% [-0.4,
      2.6], 3.3% [1.7, 4.8], and 4.0% [2.0, 6.1] from pre-altitude levels in athletes
      who ingested nil, 105 mg and 210 mg respectively, of oral iron supplement daily.
      Serum ferritin levels decreased by -33.2% [-46.9, -15.9] and 13.8% [-32.2, 9.7]
      from pre-altitude levels in athletes who supplemented with nil and 105 mg of oral
      iron supplement daily, but increased by 36.8% [1.3, 84.8] in athletes
      supplemented with 210 mg of oral iron daily. Finally, athletes who ingested
      either 105 mg or 210 mg of oral iron supplement daily had a greater TII compared
      with non-supplemented athletes (0 versus 105 mg: effect size (d) = -1.88 [-2.56, 
      1.17]; 0 versus 210 mg: effect size (d) = -2.87 [-3.88, -1.66]). CONCLUSION: Oral
      iron supplementation during 2-4 weeks of moderate altitude exposure may enhance
      Hbmass production and assist the maintenance of iron balance in some athletes
      with low pre-altitude iron stores.

PMID- 26263554
TI  - Phenotypic and Genetic Characterization of Avian Influenza H5N2 Viruses with
      Intra- and Inter-Duck Variations in Taiwan.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Human infections with avian influenza viruses (AIVs) have frequently
      raised global concerns of emerging, interspecies-transmissible viruses with
      pandemic potential. Waterfowl, the predominant reservoir of influenza viruses in
      nature, harbor precursors of different genetic lineages that have contributed to
      novel pandemic influenza viruses in the past. METHODS: Two duck influenza H5N2
      viruses, DV518 and DV413, isolated through virological surveillance at a live
      poultry market in Taiwan, showed phylogenetic relatedness but exhibited different
      replication capabilities in mammalian Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cells.
      This study characterizes the replication properties of the two duck H5N2 viruses
      and the determinants involved. RESULTS: The DV518 virus replicated more
      efficiently than DV413 in both MDCK and chicken DF1 cells. Interestingly, the
      infection of MDCK cells by DV518 formed heterogeneous plaques with great
      differences in size [large (L) and small (S)], and the two viral strains (p518-L
      and p518-S) obtained from plaque purification exhibited distinguishable
      replication kinetics in MDCK cells. Nonetheless, both plaque-purified DV518
      strains still maintained their growth advantages over the plaque-purified p413
      strain. Moreover, three amino acid substitutions in PA (P224S), PB2 (E72D), and
      M1 (A128T) were identified in intra-duck variations (p518-L vs p518-S), whereas
      other changes in HA (N170D), NA (I56T), and NP (Y289H) were present in inter-duck
      variations (DV518 vs DV413). Both p518-L and p518-S strains had the N170D
      substitution in HA, which might be related to their greater binding to MDCK
      cells. Additionally, polymerase activity assays on 293T cells demonstrated the
      role of vRNP in modulating the replication capability of the duck p518-L viruses
      in mammalian cells. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that intra-host
      phenotypic variation occurs even within an individual duck. In view of recent
      human infections by low pathogenic AIVs, this study suggests possible
      determinants involved in the stepwise selection of virus variants from the duck
      influenza virus population which may facilitate inter-species transmission.

PMID- 26263555
TI  - LTBP-2 Has a Single High-Affinity Binding Site for FGF-2 and Blocks FGF-2-Induced
      Cell Proliferation.
AB  - Latent transforming growth factor-beta-1 binding protein-2 (LTBP-2) belongs to
      the fibrillin-LTBP superfamily of extracellular matrix proteins. LTBPs and
      fibrillins are involved in the sequestration and storage of latent growth
      factors, particularly transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta), in tissues.
      Unlike other LTBPs, LTBP-2 does not covalently bind TGF-beta, and its molecular
      functions remain unclear. We are screening LTBP-2 for binding to other growth
      factors and have found very strong saturable binding to fibroblast growth factor
      2 (FGF-2) (Kd = 1.1 nM). Using a series of recombinant LTBP-2 fragments a single
      binding site for FGF-2 was identified in a central region of LTBP-2 consisting of
      six tandem epidermal growth factor-like (EGF-like) motifs (EGFs 9-14). This
      region was also shown to contain a heparin/heparan sulphate-binding site. FGF-2
      stimulation of fibroblast proliferation was completely negated by the addition of
      5-fold molar excess of LTBP-2 to the assay. Confocal microscopy showed strong co
      localisation of LTBP-2 and FGF-2 in fibrotic keloid tissue suggesting that the
      two proteins may interact in vivo. Overall the study indicates that LTBP-2 is a
      potent inhibitor of FGF-2 that may influence FGF-2 bioactivity during wound
      repair particularly in fibrotic tissues. 

PMID- 26263557
TI  - Infection Profiles of Selected Aquabirnavirus Isolates in CHSE Cells.
AB  - The wide host range and antigenic diversity of aquabirnaviruses are reflected by
      the presence of a collection of isolates with different sero- and genotypic
      properties that have previously been classified as such. Differences in
      cytopathogenic mechanisms and host responses induced by these isolates have not
      been previously examined. In the present study, we investigated infection
      profiles induced by genetically and serologically closely related as well as
      distant isolates in-vitro. CHSE-214 cells were infected with either E1S (serotype
      A3, genogroup 3), VR-299 (serotype A1, genogroup 1), highly virulent Sp (TA) or
      avirulent Sp (PT) (serotype A2, genogroup 5). The experiments were performed at
      temperatures most optimum for each of the isolates namely 15 degrees C for VR
      299, TA and PT strains and 20 degrees C for E1S. Differences in virus loads and
      ability to induce cytopathic effect, inhibition of protein synthesis, apoptosis,
      and induction of IFNa, Mx1, PKR or TNFalpha gene expression at different times
      post infection were examined. The results showed on one hand, E1S with the
      highest ability to replicate, induce apoptosis and IFNa gene expression while VR
      299 inhibited protein synthesis and induced Mx1 and PKR gene expression the most.
      The two Sp isolates induced the highest TNFalpha gene expression but differed in
      their ability to replicate, inhibit protein synthesis, and induce gene
      expression, with TA being more superior. Collectively, these findings point
      towards the adaptation by different virus isolates to suit environments and hosts
      that they patronize. Furthermore, the results also suggest that genetic identity
      is not prerequisite to functional similarities thus results of one aquabirnavirus
      isolate cannot necessarily be extrapolated to another. 

PMID- 26263559
TI  - The Abridgment and Relaxation Time for a Linear Multi-Scale Model Based on
      Multiple Site Phosphorylation.
AB  - Random effect in cellular systems is an important topic in systems biology and
      often simulated with Gillespie's stochastic simulation algorithm (SSA).
      Abridgment refers to model reduction that approximates a group of reactions by a
      smaller group with fewer species and reactions. This paper presents a theoretical
      analysis, based on comparison of the first exit time, for the abridgment on a
      linear chain reaction model motivated by systems with multiple phosphorylation
      sites. The analysis shows that if the relaxation time of the fast subsystem is
      much smaller than the mean firing time of the slow reactions, the abridgment can
      be applied with little error. This analysis is further verified with numerical
      experiments for models of bistable switch and oscillations in which linear chain
      system plays a critical role. 

PMID- 26263556
TI  - Transcriptomic Profiling and H3K27me3 Distribution Reveal Both Demethylase
      Dependent and Independent Regulation of Developmental Gene Transcription in Cell
      Differentiation.
AB  - The removal of histone H3 trimethylation at lysine residue 27 (H3K27me3) plays a
      critical role in the transcriptional initiation of developmental genes. The
      H3K27me3-specific KDM6 demethylases JMJD3 and UTX are responsible for the
      transcriptional initiation of various developmental genes, but some genes are
      expressed in a KDM6 demethylase-independent manner. To address the role of
      H3K27me3 in the retinoic acid (RA)-induced differentiation of the human carcinoma
      NCCIT cell line, we inhibited JMJD3 and UTX using the H3K27me3 demethylase
      inhibitor GSK-J4. The commitment of JMJD3/UTX-inhibited cells to a specific fate
      was delayed, and transcriptome profiling also revealed the differential
      expression of genes related to cell fate specification in demethylase-inactivated
      cells; the expression levels of RA metabolism and HOX family genes significantly
      decreased. We observed a weak correlation between H3K27me3 enrichment and
      transcriptional repression in the control and JMJD/UTX-inhibited cells, except
      for a few sets of developmental genes that are indispensable for cell fate
      specification. Taken together, these results provide the H3K27me3 landscape of a
      differentiating cell line and suggest that both demethylase-dependent and
      demethylase-independent transcriptional regulation play a role in early
      differentiation and developmental gene expression activated by H3K27me3
      demethylation. 

PMID- 26263558
TI  - Cox4i2, Ifit2, and Prdm11 Mutant Mice: Effective Selection of Genes Predisposing
      to an Altered Airway Inflammatory Response from a Large Compendium of Mutant
      Mouse Lines.
AB  - We established a selection strategy to identify new models for an altered airway
      inflammatory response from a large compendium of mutant mouse lines that were
      systemically phenotyped in the German Mouse Clinic (GMC). As selection criteria
      we included published gene functional data, as well as immunological and
      transcriptome data from GMC phenotyping screens under standard conditions.
      Applying these criteria we identified a few from several hundred mutant mouse
      lines and further characterized the Cox4i2tm1Hutt, Ifit2tm1.1Ebsb, and
      Prdm11tm1.1ahl lines following ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization and repeated OVA
      airway challenge. Challenged Prdm11tm1.1ahl mice exhibited changes in B cell
      counts, CD4+ T cell counts, and in the number of neutrophils in bronchoalveolar
      lavages, whereas challenged Ifit2tm1.1Ebsb mice displayed alterations in plasma
      IgE, IgG1, IgG3, and IgM levels compared to the challenged wild type littermates.
      In contrast, challenged Cox4i2tm1Hutt mutant mice did not show alterations in the
      humoral or cellular immune response compared to challenged wild type mice.
      Transcriptome analyses from lungs of the challenged mutant mouse lines showed
      extensive changes in gene expression in Prdm11tm1.1ahl mice. Functional
      annotations of regulated genes of all three mutant mouse lines were primarily
      related to inflammation and airway smooth muscle (ASM) remodeling. We were thus
      able to define an effective selection strategy to identify new candidate genes
      for the predisposition to an altered airway inflammatory response under OVA
      challenge conditions. Similar selection strategies may be used for the analysis
      of additional genotype-envirotype interactions for other diseases.

PMID- 26263562
TI  - Laboratory response to the West African Ebola outbreak 2014-2015.

PMID- 26263563
TI  - Plans for containment of poliovirus following type-specific polio eradication
      worldwide, 2015.

PMID- 26263564
TI  - The Art of Medicine.  Traveling exhibit at Alpert Medical School offers portraits
      of rare diseases.

PMID- 26263565
TI  - Retraction.

PMID- 26263566
TI  - The reality of virtual dentistry.

PMID- 26263567
TI  - Interdisciplinary Approach to Care: Collaboration, "Listening," and the Patient's
      Needs.

PMID- 26263568
TI  - [An autopsy case of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis presenting with flail arm
      syndrome and rapid progression of respiratory failure].

PMID- 26263569
TI  - Reply: To PMID 25492070.

PMID- 26263570
TI  - Introduction to the 2014 IUS  Special Issue on Ultrasonics.

PMID- 26263571
TI  - Numerical Analysis of Ultrasound  Backscattered Waves in Cancellous Bone  Using a
      Finite-Difference Time-Domain  Method: Isolation of the Backscattered Waves  From
      Various Ranges of Bone Depths.
AB  - Using a finite-difference time-domain method, ultrasound backscattered waves
      inside cancellous bone were numerically analyzed to investigate the backscatter
      mechanism. Two bone models with different thicknesses were modeled with
      artificial absorbing layers positioned at the back surfaces of the model, and an
      ultrasound pulse wave was transmitted toward the front surface. By calculating
      the difference between the simulated waveforms obtained using the two bone
      models, the backscattered waves from a limited range of depths in cancellous bone
      could be isolated. The results showed that the fast and slow longitudinal waves,
      which have previously been observed only in the ultrasound waveform transmitted
      through the bone, could be distinguished in the backscattered waveform from a
      deeper bone depth when transmitting the ultrasound wave parallel to the main
      orientation of the trabecular network. The amplitudes of the fast and slow
      backscattered waves were more closely correlated with the bone porosity [R2 =
      0.84 and 0.66 (p < 0.001), respectively] than the amplitude of the whole
      (nonisolated) backscattered waves [R2 = 0.48 (p < 0.001)]. In conclusion, the
      nonisolated backscattered waves could be regarded as the superposition of the
      fast and slow waves reflected from various bone depths, returning at different
      times.

PMID- 26263573
TI  - Erratum and Addendum. Molecular analysis of Nogo expression in the hippocampus
      during development and following lesion and seizure. Retraction of a retraction.

PMID- 26263572
TI  - The Authors' Reply.

PMID- 26263574
TI  - On Being Mortal....

PMID- 26263577
TI  - Late Effects of Radiation Therapy in Pediatric Cancer Survivors.
AB  - The overall survival rates of many pediatric cancers continue to improve with
      each decade due to new advances in therapy. As this trend continues, the focus
      and importance of minimizing acute and long-term toxicity associated with
      treatment is paramount. While significant research regarding many of the late
      responses of normal tissues associated with radiation exposure has been
      established, future endeavors must be directed toward the identification of
      therapy related factors including radiation total dose, dose rate, exposure, and
      target treatment volumes. Awareness of short and long-term health risks of these
      patients is important and careful follow-up of long-term survivors is essential.
      In this report, we review some selected late adverse effects including the
      development of secondary malignancies, cardiotoxicity, physiological changes to
      glandular tissue, hormonal and reproductive changes to germ cells, and
      neurocognitive changes. Furthermore, we compared the differences regarding late
      effects of normal tissues associated with the use of proton versus photon
      radiotherapy, a topic that has received a great deal of attention in pediatric
      cancer and is increasing in utilization in the United States and world-wide.

PMID- 26263578
TI  - The Approach to Depression in the Primary Care Setting.

PMID- 26263579
TI  - Ear, Nose and Throat Nursing Foundation (ENT-NF).

PMID- 26263580
TI  - Issues Faced by Family Caregivers of Hospice Patients with Head and Neck Cancers.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore issues reported by caregivers
      of Head and Neck cancer (HNC) patients newly admitted to hospice homecare.
      METHODS: 26 caregivers providing hospice homecare to patients with HNC were
      induded. Caregiver depressive symptoms, social support and perceived health data
      were analyzed. RESULTS: The caregivers reported few depressive symptoms, good
      perceived social support, and good perceived health; however, there was large
      variation in the group with some individuals having significant problems.
      DISCUSSION: Caregivers appeared to be doing well physically, emotionally and
      socially, but baseline data were used, so follow-up data are needed. Further
      research is warranted. CONCLUSIONS: Family caregivers also are affected by the
      experience of cancer and may have depressive symptoms needing assessment and
      management. Hospice patients with HNC have a variety of symptoms specific to
      their disease and treatment that need assessment and management by their family
      caregivers. Caregivers of HNC patients in hospice and palliative care need and
      deserve attention from hospice providers as they care for patients.

PMID- 26263581
TI  - Early Intervention for Neonatal Ear Deformities.

PMID- 26263582
TI  - The Power of Gratitude to Nurses.

PMID- 26263583
TI  - Nurses and Lobbying.

PMID- 26263584
TI  - Open Access to research findings and Community Dental Health.

PMID- 26263585
TI  - Tackling a dry mouth: an oral health intervention for Sjogren's sufferers.

PMID- 26263587
TI  - The relationship between tooth loss and psychological factors.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Limited evidence is available regarding mutual interactions between
      psychological factors and tooth loss. This study aimed to investigate the
      association between these two issues. METHOD: In this 2011 cross-sectional study
      we obtained data from 4,585 adults who had completed information in 20 counties
      across Isfahan province, Iran, regarding tooth loss and psychological factors
      (depression, anxiety and stress level). To analyse the data ANOVA and multiple
      ordinal regression were applied. RESULTS: After adjusting socio demographic
      factors, the association between depression (OR 1.23; 95% CI = 1.01,1.49),
      anxiety (OR 1.19; 95% CI = 1.03,1.38), and high stress level (OR 95% CI = 1.19;
      1.01,1.39) remained significant. CONCLUSION: We confirm the interaction between
      psychological factors and tooth loss, but recommend further studies on a national
      Iranian population.

PMID- 26263586
TI  - Fractional Urinary Fluoride Excretion (FUFE) of 3-4 year children in the Gaza
      Strip.
AB  - A positive association between dental fluorosis prevalence and fluoride (F)
      concentration in drinking waters has been detected in Gaza Strip. Total Daily
      Fluoride Retention (TDFR), and Fractional Urinary Fluoride Excretion (FUFE)
      indicate F body burden; important in assessing fluorosis risk in susceptible age
      groups. OBJECTIVE: 1, To determine and compare Daily Urinary Fluoride Excretion
      (DUFE) and FUFE of 3-4-year-olds living in lower (< 0.7), moderate (0.7-1.2) or
      higher (> 1.2 ) ppm F tap water areas; 2, To determine any relationship between
      i, DUFE and tap water F; ii, DUFE and Total Daily Fluoride Intake (TDFI); iii,
      TDFI and TDFR. METHODS: 24-hour urine and tap water samples were collected from
      216 children exposed to lower (n = 81), moderate (n = 72), or higher (n = 63) tap
      water F. ANOVA with Tukey's Test and Pearson's correlation were used to examine
      differences in mean DUFE and FUFE and relationships between variables. RESULTS:
      Mean drinking water F was 0.11(sd 0.17), 0.14 (sd 0.28) and 0.38 (sd 0.63) ppmF
      respectively. Differences (p < 0.0001) in mean DUFEs (0.17 (sd 0.13), 0.25 (sd
      0.15) and 0.38 (sd 0.23) mg/day respectively) and mean FUFEs (48 (sd 39)%, 47 (sd
      31)% and 63(sd 76)%) were found (p < 0.05). Significant (p < 0.0001) positive
      correlations were found between DUFE and tap water F; DUFE and TDFI, and; TDFI
      and TDFR. CONCLUSION: DUFEs of children drinking waters with 0.11 and 0.14ppm F,
      represented low F usage. The group drinking 0.38ppm F water represented optimal F
      usage. The weak significant positive association of DUFE with home tap water F
      suggests low validity for tap water F in estimating F exposure.

PMID- 26263588
TI  - Comparing lifecourse models of social class and adult oral health using the 1958
      National Child Development Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To identify the lifecourse model that best describes the association
      between social class and adult oral health. METHODS: Data from 10,217
      participants of the 1958 National Child Development Study were used. Social class
      at ages 7, 16 and 33 years were chosen to represent socioeconomic conditions
      during childhood, adolescence and adulthood, respectively. Two subjective oral
      health indicators (lifetime and past-year prevalence of persistent trouble with
      gums or mouth) were measured at age 33. The critical period, accumulation and
      social trajectories models were tested in logistic regression models and the most
      appropriate lifecourse model was identified using the structured modelling
      approach. RESULTS: The critical period model showed that only adulthood social
      class was significantly associated with oral health. For the accumulation model,
      a monotonic gradient was found between the number of periods in manual social
      class and oral health; and four out of eight social trajectories were found to be
      distinctive. Finally, the social trajectories model was not significantly
      different from the saturated model indicating that it provided a good fit to the
      data. CONCLUSION: This study shows the social trajectories model was the most
      appropriate, in terms of model fit, to describe the association between social
      class and oral health.

PMID- 26263590
TI  - Barriers to providing oral health care to pre-school children-differences between
      paediatric dentists' and general dental practitioners' beliefs.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The unmet dental needs of pre-school children indicate there are
      barriers in 'accessing' appropriate oral health care and this warrants
      consideration of care providers' beliefs. OBJECTIVE: To explore the beliefs and
      attitudes of dentists in Hong Kong towards providing oral health care to pre
      school children; and to determine difference in attitudes between general dental
      practitioners (GDPs) and paediatric dentists (PDs). METHODS: A random sample of
      476 GDPs (-25% of all registered dentists) and all registered PDs (28) were
      invited to participate in the study. Both groups were asked to complete the
      Barriers to Childhood Caries Treatment (BaCCT) questionnaire: a 29-item measure
      considering child, parent, dentist and health care system factors. Differences in
      attitudes of GDPs and PDs were examined in bivariate and regression analyses.
      RESULTS: The overall response rate of the study was 61.5% (310/504). There were
      significant differences in overall BaCCT scores and across all domains between
      GDPs and PDs (p < 0.05). Furthermore, variations across many aspects (as
      described at an item level) were apparent. Regression analyses confirmed
      differences in BaCCT between GDPs and PDs, controlling for practice and other
      factors. CONCLUSIONS: Differences exist between GDPs' and PDs' perceptions of
      barriers to care for early childhood caries. This has implications for how to
      address 'access' issues with likely implications on how to overcome barriers to
      care for pre-school children.

PMID- 26263589
TI  - Socioeconomic inequalities in oral health among adults in Tehran, Iran.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To identify the socioeconomic distribution of perceived oral health
      among adults in Tehran, Iran. BASIC RESEARCH DESIGN: A cross-sectional population
      study. PARTICIPANTS: A stratified random sample of 1,100 adults aged 18-84 years
      living in Tehran. METHODS: Self-report data were obtained from the 2010 dental
      telephone interview survey. Oral health was evaluated using self-assessed non
      replaced extracted teeth (NRET), and a three-item perceived dental health
      instrument. Socioeconomic status was measured by combining the variables of
      education and assets using principal component analysis. Inequalities in oral
      health were examined using prevalence ratios and concentration index. RESULTS:
      The poorest quintile was 1.60 (95% confidence interval, CI, 1.30; 1.98) times as
      likely to have any NRET compared with the richest quintile, indicating a
      disparity. Inequality was most pronounced in the 35-59 age group with prevalence
      ratio 2.01 (95% CI 1.26; 3.05). The concentration index of NRET in adults in
      Tehran was -0.22 (95% CI -0.28; -0.16). No significant differences were found in
      perceived dental health between socioeconomic classes. CONCLUSIONS: Adults from
      lower socioeconomic classes experienced more disabilities due to missing their
      teeth, specifically in the middle-age group. Inequalities in perceived dental
      health were not apparent in the studied population.

PMID- 26263591
TI  - Health economic analyses of domiciliary dental care and care at fixed clinics for
      elderly nursing home residents in Sweden.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Dental care for elderly nursing home residents is traditionally
      provided at fixed dental clinics, but domiciliary dental care is an emerging
      alternative. Longer life expectancy accompanied with increased morbidity, and
      hospitalisation or dependence on the care of others will contribute to a risk for
      rapid deterioration of oral health so alternative methods for delivering oral
      health care to vulnerable individuals for whom access to fixed dental clinics is
      an obstacle should be considered. The aim was to analyse health economic
      consequences of domiciliary dental care for elderly nursing home residents in
      Sweden, compared to dentistry at a fixed clinic. METHODS: A review of relevant
      literature was undertaken complemented by interviews with nursing home staff,
      officials at county councils, and academic experts in geriatric dentistry.
      Domiciliary dental care and fixed clinic care were compared in cost analyses and
      cost-effectiveness analyses. RESULTS: The mean societal cost of domiciliary
      dental care for elderly nursing home residents was lower than dental care at a
      fixed clinic, and it was also considered cost-effective. Lower cost of dental
      care at a fixed dental clinic was only achieved in a scenario where dental care
      could not be completed in a domiciliary setting. CONCLUSIONS: Domiciliary dental
      care for elderly nursing home residents has a lower societal cost and is cost
      effective compared to dental care at fixed clinics. To meet current and predicted
      need for oral health care in the ageing population alternative methods to deliver
      dental care should be available.

PMID- 26263592
TI  - School-based intervention for improving the oral health of children in southern
      Thailand.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: A two-year study assessed the benefit of an enhanced oral health
      promotion program combined with a closely supervised tooth brushing program in
      schools, using toothpaste containing 1,450 ppm F- and 1.5% arginine, on oral
      health and dental caries. METHODS: 15 southern Thailand schools and 3,706 pre
      school children were recruited: 8 schools with 1,766 children as controls; 7
      schools with 1,940 children in the intervention groups. Of the intervention
      schools five were classified as cooperative school and two as non-cooperative
      schools, based on the criteria of 80% participation in the prescribed tooth
      brushing activities. RESULTS: The DMFT and DMFS increments ("enamel and dentine")
      were 1.19 and 1.91 for the control group and 1.04 and 1.59 for the intervention
      groups. These represent 12.6% and 16.8% reductions in caries respectively. The
      DMFT and DMFS increments ("dentine threshold") were 0.26 and 0.44 for the control
      group and 0.19 and 0.29 for the intervention group, representing 26.9%, and 34.1%
      reductions in caries incidence respectively. For the more cooperative schools the
      benefits were greater: up to a 40.9% reduction in caries for DMFS ("dentine
      threshold"). At the 24 month examination there were significant improvements in
      dental plaque scores with greater improvements seen in the intervention group,
      greater still in the cooperative schools. CONCLUSIONS: This study documents the
      positive effect from use of fluoridated toothpaste (1,450 ppm F- and 1.5%
      arginine) administered by schoolteachers and undertaken via an enhanced school
      oral health program. Optimising oral health interventions for young children in
      Thai schools may have a significant impact on caries incidence resulting in
      reductions of up to 34% reductions in caries for all schools included in the
      study and up to 41% for the most cooperative.

PMID- 26263593
TI  - Tooth brushing among 11- to 15-year-olds in Denmark: combined effect of social
      class and migration status.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Regular tooth brushing in adolescence predicts stable tooth brushing
      habits later in life. Differences in tooth brushing habits by ethnic background
      and socioeconomic position have been suggested. We investigated migration status
      and social class in relation to infrequent tooth brushing both separately and
      combined. METHODS: The study population was 11-15 year-olds chosen from a
      clustered random sample of schools. Univariate and multivariate logistic
      regression analyses estimated the separate and combined effects of migration
      status and social class on less than twice daily tooth brushing. RESULTS: 10,607
      respondents: a response rate of 88.3%. Boys of lower social class had higher odds
      ratio (OR) of infrequent tooth brushing than girls: 1.98 (95% confidence interval
      1.62-2.41) vs 1.80 (1.53-2.24). Immigrants and descendants had higher odds
      compared to adolescents of Danish origin: immigrant boys OR 1.39 (1.05-1.89),
      girls OR 1.92 (1.47-2.50); descendant boys OR 2.53 (1.97-3.27), girls OR 2.56
      (2.02-3.35). Analyses of the combined effect of social class and migration status
      showed that the social gradient in tooth brushing habits observed among ethnic
      Danes cannot be found among groups of immigrants and descendants. CONCLUSION: The
      study shows that both non-Danish origin and low social class increases the risk
      of infrequent tooth brushing among school-aged children. The study calls for in
      depth analyses of the processes which influence young people's tooth brushing
      habits. Further, there is a need to strengthen the promotion of appropriate tooth
      brushing habits of minority and low social class youths.

PMID- 26263594
TI  - The incidence and nature of complaints against dentists for the treatment of
      children in Israel from 1992-2011.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Medical literature lacks information about complaints against
      dentists who treat children. The present study aimed to evaluate the reports
      filed to Medical Consultant International (MCI) regarding paediatric dentistry in
      1992-2011. BASIC RESEARCH DESIGN: Most dentists in Israel (85%) are obliged by
      their professional liability insurance policy to report adverse events to MCI.
      Reports were analysed using a structured form that included demographic details
      of the treating dentist, patients and parents, type of treatment, the result and
      the dentist's attitude. MCI dental consultants' decisions were evaluated by two
      specialists in paediatric dentistry. RESULTS: The number of complaints per year
      is increasing. Complaints involved maltreatment (33%), case mismanagement (25%)
      and complications that required additional treatment (26%). Communication was
      problematic in 60% of cases. Only 16.7% of complaints developed into an actual
      lawsuit. Most complaints were against female general practitioners and against
      dentists who worked in community dental clinics located in peripheral areas.
      Treating permanent teeth increased to 3.6 times the probability of developing
      into a lawsuit. 59% of event records had missing data. Seventy-five percent of
      the cases rose from elective treatments while 25% concerned emergency treatments.
      One third of the cases required additional treatment in a hospital i.e. abscess
      drainage, foreign body swallowing or other physical damages. CONCLUSIONS: Better
      case selection and documentation, better training of dentists who treat children
      and more appropriate attitude toward patients and parents, are likely to reduce
      the number of complaints.

PMID- 26263595
TI  - Treatment provided in the Public Dental Service in Finland in 2009.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To analyse treatment measures provided in the Public Dental Service
      (PDS) and to discuss the therapy given against treatment needs as expressed in
      the national clinical epidemiological studies. METHODS: In 2009, the Chief
      Dentists of the PDS units collected data from their local registers on patients
      and treatment provided. Data were obtained from 166 PDS units (86%). Treatment
      patterns were compared between age groups, provider groups and geographical areas
      using chi-square tests. RESULTS: Altogether 8.9 million treatments were provided
      for 1.7 million patients. Examinations, restorative treatment and anaesthesia
      accounted for 61.3% of all treatments. Preventive measures (8.4%) and periodontal
      treatment (6.3%) were small proportions of the total. Prosthetic treatment was
      uncommon (0.5%). Working age adults received half of all treatments (53.2%), the
      young a third (36.4%) and the elderly 10.4%. Dental hygienists or dental
      assistants provided 29.7% of all treatment for children and adolescents, 11.1%
      for adults and 14.1% for the elderly. CONCLUSION: Relatively healthy children had
      plenty of examinations and preventive measures, and adults had mostly restorative
      care when their needs were more periodontal and prosthetic care, indicating that
      treatment given was not fully in line with needs.

PMID- 26263596
TI  - Advancing the scientific basis of oral health education.

PMID- 26263597
TI  - Improving access to dental care for vulnerable children; further development of
      the Back2School programme in 2013.
AB  - This paper describes a service evaluation of a dental treatment programme
      providing care to children not normally taken to the dentist. It explains the
      extension of the Back2School programme from the pilot phase and assesses if a
      mobile dental unit (MDU) can provide a high quality service. The public health
      competencies it illustrates include oral health improvement, developing and
      monitoring quality dental services, and collaborative working.

PMID- 26263599
TI  - Dentists' knowledge of oral health during pregnancy: a review of the last 10
      years' publications.
AB  - Pregnancy is a period in which several physical and emotional changes occur.
      These changes in pregnant women's mouths promote changes that need to be known by
      dentists, so that they can provide the necessary care to women. PURPOSE: To
      gather data from published studies on the knowledge of dentists about the oral
      health of pregnant women. METHODS: Papers published between 2003 and 2013
      containing surveys on the topic under study were searched. Fourteen studies were
      selected and grouped into work areas. RESULTS: Dentists have doubts and fears
      about the care of pregnant women, to a greater or lesser degree, especially with
      regard to the use of X-rays, prescriptions and ideal gestational period of
      treatment. CONCLUSION: The results suggest a need to improve dentists' knowledge
      regarding dental care of pregnant women especially as during pregnancy women may
      acquire new habits relevant to the oral health of their children.

PMID- 26263598
TI  - Identifying dentists' attitudes towards prevention guidance using Q-sort
      methodology.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To gain insight into the attitudes and motivating factors of dentists
      working in the English National Health Service (NHS) towards prevention guidance.
      DESIGN: Q-methodology: an established hybrid quantitative/qualitative technique
      used in the social sciences to categorise subjects based on their views by
      considering factors as part of their overall decision-making profile. SETTING:
      General Dental Practices offering care under an NHS contract. SUBJECTS AND
      METHODS: NHS dentists (n = 26) placed 36 statements about prevention guidance
      derived from an earlier study into a distribution grid that ranked the statements
      from "most agree" to "most disagree". Principal components factor analysis was
      applied to determine the principal patterns in the rankings of statements.
      RESULTS: Analysis indicated a total of six distinct profiles within the
      responses, of which three profiles had at least six dentists loading onto them.
      The first profile was strongly characterised by dentists who appear motivated to
      provide prevention but financial and time constraints prevent them from doing so.
      The second was characterised by dentists using prevention guidance but
      restricting its use to only certain patients. The third was characterised by
      dentists who appeared "health-focused". They placed importance on working to
      prevention guidance, but were keen to have greater patient and professional
      support in achieving this. CONCLUSION: In this group of dentists Q-methodology
      identified three main profiles to the delivery of prevention guidance.

PMID- 26263600
TI  - A new capitation payment system in dentistry: the patients' perspective.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate patients' experiences of a new payment system for
      dental care in Sweden. METHODS: Twenty interviews, with 12 women and 8 men, were
      analysed by thematic content analysis. The interviewees were all regularly
      attending patients, strategically selected from five general Public Dental
      Service clinics in urban Gothenburg, Sweden, who had chosen a new payment system
      based on capitation rather than the traditional fee-for-service system. Conducted
      by two clinical psychologists/researchers independent of dental profession, the
      interviews were guided by a semi-structured schedule, which included questions
      about the new payment system and about dental care and oral health. All
      interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. RESULTS: Two themes
      emerged from the analysis: "Choice" and "Commitment". The sub-themes defined
      patients as having chosen the new capitation scheme on their own initiative or
      after being influenced by relatives or by their dentist, and that the change of
      payment system was occasioned by previous bad (dental) experiences or in the hope
      of future (dental health) gain. The commitment was perceived as affording
      economic security and, through the contractual relationship with the provider,
      regular calls to attend the clinic. CONCLUSIONS: Patients were generally in
      favour of the new payment system for dentistry in Sweden; however, important
      arguments were raised to improve the system, such as better communication
      concerning the contract and risk assessment.

PMID- 26263602
TI  - Caries experience among Romanian schoolchildren: prevalence and trends 1992-2011.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To assess the caries experience of 6-8- and 11-13-year-olds in
      Romania and to compare their caries levels with those from a previous study
      conducted in 1992. METHODS: A cross-sectional pathfinder survey was conducted in
      five major cities of Romania (Iasi, Timisoara, Cluj-Napoca, Tirgu Mures and the
      capital, Bucharest) in 2011. Cities were purposively chosen for comparability
      with the 1992 study. Children were clinically examined by one trained dental
      examiner using the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS
      II). RESULTS: Among the 548 6-8-year-olds, 84.3% had caries experience (82.7%
      when carious lesions at stages 1-2 were excluded) with mean d1-6mft and d3-6mft
      of 4.76 (sd 3.46) and 4.43 (sd 3.35) respectively. Among the 592 11-13-year-olds,
      83.1% had caries experience (76% when carious lesions at stages 1-2 were
      excluded) with mean D1-6MFT and D3-6MFT of 4.52 (sd 4.01) and 3.39 (sd 3.35)
      respectively. Advanced carious lesions were the main contributors to children's
      caries experience. There were significant differences by cities, with the lowest
      caries levels seen in Bucharest. High caries levels have persisted in Romania
      over the last decades in spite of a small but significant decrease in d3-6mft and
      D3-6MFT values between 1992 and 2011. Variations in caries trends were found by
      city. CONCLUSION: These findings show that high caries levels still exist among
      schoolchildren in the five cities included in the study. Romania has not yet
      achieved the WHO target for 2000 of an average DMFT lower than 3 at 12 years of
      age.

PMID- 26263603
TI  - The association between parents' perceived social norms for toothbrushing and the
      frequency with which they report brushing their child's teeth.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To determine whether parents' judgements on how often other parents
      brush their children's teeth are associated with the frequency with which they
      brush their own children's teeth, and their satisfaction with their child's
      brushing routine. METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey completed by
      297 parents of children aged 3-6. Parents were asked how often they brushed their
      own child's teeth per week, how often they thought other parents did so, and how
      satisfied they were with their child's toothbrushing routine. Demographic data
      were also collected. RESULTS: The mean frequency that parents brushed their
      children's teeth was 12.5 times per week. Multiple regression analysis tested the
      relationship between parents' perceptions of other parents brushing frequency
      (mean 10.5 times per week) and how often they brushed their own child's teeth,
      controlling for socio-demographic factors, and yielded a positive association (p
      < 0.001). There was a positive association between parents' satisfaction with
      their child's brushing routine and the extent to which they thought it was better
      than that of the average child (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Parents' judgements on
      how frequently other parents brush their children's teeth are associated with
      their own behaviour and satisfaction. Re-framing oral health messages to include
      some form of social normative information ("most parents do this") may prove more
      persuasive than simple prescriptive advice ("you should do this").

PMID- 26263601
TI  - A pilot project to improve the oral health of orphans and of the elderly in
      residential care in Constanta, Romania.
AB  - AIM: A pilot project to improve the oral health of Romanian orphans and elderly
      people in residential homes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The orphanage and old persons'
      home were in Constanta. After training, 50 fifth-year dental students made 14
      weekly residential home visits to improve carers' oral health knowledge and oral
      hygiene (OH) procedures and to monitor progress in one orphan and one old person.
      At baseline and after 14 weeks a local dental school staff member examined each
      orphan and old person's oral health using WHO (1997) criteria and the Simplified
      Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S). The carers' knowledge of OH and attitudes to
      providing and the students' knowledge and attitudes were assessed at baseline and
      again after 14 weeks with a questionnaire. RESULTS: All 56 orphans (mean age 9.6
      years, mean DMFT 2.39) living in the home participated and their mean OHI-S
      improved (1.40 to 0.80, p < 0.0001). Fifty old people (mean age 75.9 years)
      participated, of whom 22 (44%) were edentulous. There was no significant
      improvement in mean OHI-S (p < 0.10). The carers' oral health knowledge improved
      (mean scores from 65 to 88, p < 0.001) as did their attitude score (p < 0.013).
      Students noted changes in their understanding of the needs of the carers, orphans
      and elderly people. Their perception of their capability to provide OH education
      or train others to do so, or their inclination to do so remained substantially
      unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study met its aims suggesting that with
      suitable management, senior dental students can play a significant role in
      residential homes for orphans and old people by training carers and improving the
      residents' oral hygiene. Further similar studies in other settings are indicated.

PMID- 26263604
TI  - Association between dental status and food diversity among older Japanese.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship of dental status to food diversity
      among older Japanese. DESIGN AND SETTING: A community-based cross-sectional study
      conducted in the town of Tosa, Kochi Prefecture, Japan. METHODS: The study
      participants were 252 Japanese (84 men and 168 women, average age 81.2 years) and
      dentate participants were classified into three groups: 1-9 teeth, 10-19 teeth
      and 20 or more teeth. Food diversity was assessed as a validated measure of
      dietary quality using the 11-item Food Diversity Score Kyoto (FDSK-11), which
      evaluates frequency of consumption of 11 main food groups. Multivariable analysis
      of the differences in FDSK-11 score ranging from 0 to 11, with a higher score
      indicating greater food diversity, among the three dental status groups was
      conducted using general linear models. All the performed analyses were stratified
      by gender. RESULTS: There was no association between dental status and food
      diversity score in models for men. In contrast, women with <= 9 teeth and with 10
      19 teeth had significantly lower FDSK-11 scores than women with >= 20 teeth after
      adjusting for confounders (p < 0.001 and p = 0.009, respectively). Additionally,
      there was a trend toward lower scores for FDSK-11 with fewer teeth (p = 0.001).
      CONCLUSION: A less varied diet, as indicated by low FDSK-11 score, was observed
      in female participants with fewer teeth. Tooth loss was associated with poor diet
      quality among older Japanese women.

PMID- 26263607
TI  - Your voices and the language of the profession.

PMID- 26263606
TI  - Human papillomavirus and oral cancer: a primer for dental public health
      professionals.
AB  - There is strong evidence for causal association between human papillomavirus
      (HPV) and cervical cancer, evidence of association of HPV and oropharyngeal
      cancer is beginning to mount. OBJECTIVES: To review the HPV-oral cancer
      literature for a comprehensive assessment of the issues involved. METHODS:
      Literature search conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar and Google search
      engine. RESULTS: Both available HPV vaccines are efficacious and safe although
      expensive. Policy for mandatory HPV vaccination for cervical prevention is mired
      in political issues stemming from negative cost-effectiveness balance. Dental
      professionals are not ready to discuss the role of HPV vaccine in cancer
      prevention. This review discusses the impact of HPV on cervical cancer,
      transmission of HPV among humans, impact of HPV in oral health, and its plausible
      role in oral and oropharyngeal cancer, prevention of HPV transmission, available
      vaccines against HPV, testing, cost, policy and use of HPV vaccines
      internationally and dentists readiness related to HPV associated health
      communication. CONCLUSIONS: Given the mounting literature on the association
      between HPV and oropharyngeal cancer, the dental community must be prepared to
      answer patients' HPV-related questions and to educate patients about the role of
      HPV as a risk factor for oral and oropharyngeal cancers.

PMID- 26263608
TI  - Part of the bigger picture.

PMID- 26263605
TI  - Are Stage of Change constructs relevant for subjective oral health in a
      vulnerable population?
AB  - Stage of Change constructs may be proxy markers of psychosocial health which, in
      turn, are related to oral health. OBJECTIVE: To determine if Stage of Change
      constructs were associated with subjective oral health in a population at
      heightened risk of dental disease. METHODS: Stage of Change constructs were
      developed from a validated 18-item scale and categorised into 'Pre
      contemplative', 'Contemplative' and 'Active'. A convenience sample of 446
      Australian non-Aboriginal women pregnant by an Aboriginal male (age range 14-43
      years) provided data to evaluate the outcome variables (self-rated oral health
      and oral health impairment), the Stage of Change constructs and socio
      demographic, behavioural and access-related factors. Factors significant at the p
      < 0.05 level in bivariate analysis were entered into prevalence regression
      models. RESULTS: Approximately 54% of participants had fair/poor self-rated oral
      health and 34% had oral health impairment. Around 12% were 'Pre-contemplative',
      46% 'Contemplative' and 42% 'Active'. Being either 'pre-contemplative' or
      'contemplative' was associated with poor self-rated oral health after adjusting
      for socio-demographic factors. 'Pre-contemplative' ceased being significant after
      adjusting for dentate status and dental behaviour. 'Pre-contemplative' remained
      significant when adjusting for dental cost, but not 'Contemplative'. The Stages
      of Change constructs ceased being associated with self-rated oral health after
      adjusting for all confounders. Only 'Contemplative' (reference: 'Active') was a
      risk indicator in the null model for oral health impairment which persisted after
      adding dentate status, dental behaviour and dental cost variables, but not socio
      demographics. When adjusting for all confounders, 'Contemplative' was not a risk
      indicator for oral health impairment. CONCLUSIONS: Both the 'Pre-contemplative'
      and 'Contemplative' Stage of Change constructs were associated with poor self
      rated oral health and oral health impairment after adjusting for some, but not
      all, covariates. When considered as a proxy marker of psychosocial health, Stage
      of Change constructs may have some relevance for subjective oral health.

PMID- 26263609
TI  - Number needed to treat in RCTs.

PMID- 26263610
TI  - Communicating with people with dementia: Avoiding mistakes.

PMID- 26263611
TI  - Military metaphors have outlived their usefulness.

PMID- 26263612
TI  - Primary health care in action.

PMID- 26263614
TI  - Town halls focus on home health care.

PMID- 26263613
TI  - Nurses, MPs abuzz during National Nursing Week.

PMID- 26263615
TI  - Advocacy in action for the NP role.

PMID- 26263616
TI  - Learning to Use an EHR: Nurses's stories.

PMID- 26263617
TI  - Stepping into her comfort zone.

PMID- 26263618
TI  - Speaking up: What are you waiting for?

PMID- 26263619
TI  - [Cyanobacterial Phycobilisomes and Phycobiliproteins].
AB  - In cyanobacteria, phycobilisomes (PBS) act as antennae of the photosynthetic
      pigment apparatus. They contain brightly colored phycobiliproteins (PBP) and form
      giant supramolecular complexes (up to 3000-7000 kDa) containing 200 to 500
      phycobilin chromophores covalently bound to the proteins. Over ten various PBP
      are known, which fall into three groups: phycoerythrins, phycocyanins, and
      allophycocyanins. Hollow disks of PBP trimers and hexamers are arranged into
      cylinders by colorless linker proteins; the cylinders are then assembled into
      PBS. Typical semidiscoid PBS consist of a central nucleus formed by three
      allophycocyanin cylinders and of six lateral cylinders consisting of other PBP
      and attached as fans to the nucleus. The PBS number, size, and pigment
      composition in cyanobacteria depend on illumination and other ambient factors.
      While PBS have certain advantages compared to other antennae, these pigment
      protein complexes require more energy than the chlorophyll a/b- and chlorophyll
      a/c-proteins of oxygenic photosynthetic organisms.

PMID- 26263620
TI  - [CO2-Concentrating Mechanism and Its Traits in Haloalkaliphilic Cyanobacteria].
AB  - Cyanobacteria are a group of oxygenic phototrophs existing for at least 3.5 Ga.
      Photosynthetic CO2 assimilation by cyanobacteria occurs via the Calvin cycle,
      with RuBisCO, its key enzyme, having very low affinity to CO2. This is due to the
      fact that atmospheric CO2 concentration in Archaean, when the photosynthetic
      apparatus evolved, was several orders higher than now. Later, in the epoch of
      Precambrian microbial communities, CO2 content in the atmosphere decreased
      drastically. Thus, present-day phototrophs, including cyanobacteria, require
      adaptive mechanisms for efficient photosynthesis. In cyanobacterial cells, this
      function is performed by the CO2-concentrating mechanism (CCM), which creates
      elevated CO2 concentrations in the vicinity of RuBisCO active centers, thus
      significantly increasing the rate of CO2 fixation in the Calvin cycle. CCM has
      been previously studied only for freshwater and marine cyanobacteria. We were the
      first to investigate CCM in haloalkaliphilic cyanobacteria from soda lakes.
      Extremophilic haloalkaliphilic cyanobacteria were shown to possess a well
      developed CCM with the structure and functional principles similar to those of
      freshwater and marine strains. Analysis of available data suggests that
      regulation of the amount of inorganic carbon transported into the cell is
      probably the general CCM function under these conditions.

PMID- 26263621
TI  - [Invertase Overproduction May Provide for Inulin Fermentation by Selection
      Strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae].
AB  - In some recent publications, the ability of selection strains of Saccharomyces
      cerevisiae to ferment inulin was attributed to inulinase activity. The review
      summarizes the literature data indicating that overproduction of invertase, an
      enzyme common to S. cerevisiae, may be responsible for this phenomenon.

PMID- 26263622
TI  - [Diversity of Cuproproteins and Copper Homeostasis Systems in Melioribacter
      roseus, a Facultatively Anaerobic Thermophilic Member of a New Phylum
      Ignavibacteriae].
AB  - The genome of Melioribacter roseus, one of two members of the recently described
      phylum Ignavibacteriae, was searched for the genes encoding proteins associated
      with copper transport or containing copper as cofactors, and the effect of Cu2+
      concentration in the medium on M. roseus growth was investigated. Genomic
      analysis revealed a variety of copper-containing oxidoreductases in this
      facultative anaerobe. Three ATPases responsible for copper transport were
      identified. One of them (MROS_1511) was.probably involved in assembly of the
      copper-containing cytochrome c oxidase, while two others (MROS_0327 and
      MROS_0791) probably carried out a detoxification function. The presence of
      several copper-containing oxidoreductases and copper homeostasis systems in M.
      roseus is in agreement with the previously hypothesized origin of the phylum
      Ignavibacteriae from an aerobic ancestor common with those of Bacteroidetes and
      Chlorobi.

PMID- 26263623
TI  - [Biofilm Formation by the Nonflagellated flhB1 Mutant of Azospirillum brasilense
      Sp245].
AB  - Azospirillum brasilense Sp245 with mixed flagellation are able to form biofilms
      on various surfaces. A nonflagellated mutant of this strain with inactivated
      chromosomal copy of the flhB gene (flhB1) was shown to exhibit specific traits at
      the later stages of biofilm formation on a hydrophilic (glass) surface. Mature
      biofilms of the flhB1::Omegon-Km mutant Sp245.1063 were considerably thinner than
      those of the parent strain Sp245. The biofilms of the mutant were more
      susceptible to the forces of hydrodynamic shear. A. brasilense Sp245 cells in
      biofilms were not found to possess lateral flagella. Cells with polar flagella
      were, however, revealed by atomic force microscopy of mature native biofilms of
      strain Sp245. Preservation of a polar flagellum (probably nonmotile) on the cells
      of A. brasilense Sp245 may enhance the biofilm stability.

PMID- 26263624
TI  - [Stress Resistance Mechanisms in the Indicator Fungi from Highly Radioactive
      Chernobyl Zone Sites].
AB  - Comparison of the levels of the protein carboxylic groups in response to peroxide
      stress revealed enhanced stress resistance in Purpureocillium lilacinum strains
      isolated from soils with high content of copper or radionuclides compared to the
      strains isolated from uncontaminated soils. While in background strains
      resistance to peroxide stress increased with glucose content in the medium
      increasing from 0.002 to 2%, the strains from radionuclides- or copper
      contaminated soils did not exhibit this pattern. Respiratory activity and
      polyphosphate content were compared for radiation-resistant strain 1941 and
      strain SM from the area with zero radioactivity. For the protoplasts of strain
      1941 isolated from the Chernobyl zone, elevated respiratory activity was revealed
      on the media with low glucose content. Under the control conditions, the content
      of inorganic polyphosphates (polyP) in strains 1941 and SM was the same. Under
      conditions of peroxide stress, only the background strain SM grown on the medium
      with low glucose concentration exhibited decreased levels of inorganic
      polyphosphates. Independent on glucose concentration in the medium, in both P.
      lilacinum strains, polyP content increased in the course of regeneration after
      peroxide stress.

PMID- 26263625
TI  - [Hybrid Sterility of the Yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe: Genetic Genus and Many
      Species in statu nascendi?].
AB  - A phenomenon of ascospore death was observed in a number of Schizosaccharomyces
      pombe interstrain hybrids. Meiotic recombination of the control parental
      auxotrophic markers was, however, observed in a random ascospore analysis.
      Genetic and molecular biological data indicated existence of at least
      geographical divergence of the genomes in Sch. pombe populations. Classification
      of the genus, species, and varieties of these yeasts is discussed.

PMID- 26263627
TI  - [Intraspecific and Intrageneric Antagonistic Activity of Wickerhamomyces
      anomalus].
AB  - A total of 53 Wickerhamomyces anomalus strains were examined for antagonistic
      activity, including the nomenclature types of the species with the names
      presently considered synonymous. Over 70% of the strains exhibited antibiotic
      activity. According to the action spectra of intraspecific activity, the strains
      fell into three groups, while according to their activity against other
      Wickerhamomyces species and phylogenetically related Candida species they formed
      five subgroups. Antibiotic agents (mostly mycocins) varied in their
      physicochemical properties.

PMID- 26263626
TI  - [Lipid Composition in Cell Walls and in Mycelial and Spore Cells of Mycelial
      Fungi].
AB  - Qualitative and quantitative differences were found between the lipids of cell
      walls (CW) and of whole mycelial cells and dormant cells of mucoraceous and
      ascomycete fungi. Thus, whole mycelial cells (WC) contained more lipids than CW.
      Unlike sporangiospores and conidia (exogenous dormant spores), zygotes were found
      to have the highest content of triacylglycerol lipids (70%). Cell walls of
      mucoraceous fungi contained more triacylglycerols (TAG) and less polar lipids
      than ascomycete lipids. While all CW and WC studied were similar in fatty acid
      (FA) composition, their ratio was specific for each structure: linoleic acid
      predominated in mycelial CW and WC, while oleic acid was predominant in the
      spores; this difference was especially pronounced in conidial WC. Unlike WC, in
      CW massive lipids may be represented not by phosphatidylethanolamine (PEA) and
      phosphatidylcholine (PC), but by free fatty acids (FFA), free (FSt) and
      etherified sterols (ESt), phosphatidic acid (PA), fatty acid methyl esters
      (FAME), and glycolipids (GL), which is an indication of a special functional role
      of CW.

PMID- 26263628
TI  - [Leaching of Rare Earth Elements from Coal Ashes Using Acidophilic
      Chemolithotrophic Microbial Communities].
AB  - A method for leaching rare earth elements from coal ash in the presence of
      elemental sulfur using communities of acidophilic chemolithotrophic
      microorganisms was proposed. The optimal parameters determined for rare element
      leaching in reactors were as follows: temperature, 45 degrees C; initial pH, 2.0;
      pulp density, 10%; and the coal ash to elemental sulfur ratio, 10 : 1. After ten
      days of leaching, 52.0, 52.6, and 59.5% of scandium, yttrium, and lanthanum,
      respectively, were recovered.

PMID- 26263629
TI  - [Rhodobaculum claviforme gen. nov., sp. nov., a New Alkaliphilic Nonsulfur Purple
      Bacterium].
AB  - Two alkaliphilic strains of nonsulfur purple bacteria (NPB), B7-4 and B8-2, were
      isolated from southeast Siberia moderately saline alkaline steppe lakes with pH
      values above 9.0. The isolates were motile, polymorphous cells (from short rods
      to long spindly cells) 2.0-3.2 x 9.6-20.0 MUm. Intracellular membranes of
      vesicular type were mostly located at the cell periphery. The microorganisms
      contained bacteriochlorophyll a and carotenoids of the spheroidene and
      spirilloxanthin series. The photosynthetic apparatus was represented by LH2 and
      LH1 light-harvesting complexes. In the presence of organic compounds, the strains
      grew aerobically in the dark or anaerobically in the light. Capacity for photo-
      and chemoautotrophic growth was not detected. The cbbl gene encoding RuBisCO was
      not revealed. Optimal growth of both strains occurred at 2% NaCl (range from 0.5
      to 4%), pH 8.0-8.8 (range from 7.5 to 9.7), and 25-35 degrees C. The DNA G+C
      content was 67.6-69.8 mol %. Pairwise comparison of the nucleotides of the 16S
      rRNA genes revealed that strains B7-4 and B8-2 belonged to the same species
      (99.9% homology) and were most closely related to the aerobic alkaliphilic
      bacteriochlorophyll a-containing anoxygenic phototrophic bacterium (APB)
      Roseibacula alcaliphilum De (95.2%) and to NPB strains Rhodobaca barguzinensis
      VKM B-2406(T) (94.2%) and Rbc. bogoriensis LBB1(T) (93.9%). The isolates were
      closely related to the NPB Rhodobacter veldkampii DSM 11550(T) (94.8%) and to
      aerobic bacteriochlorophyll a-containing bacteria Roseinatronobacter monicus ROS
      35(T) and Roseicitreum antarcticul ZS2-28(T) (93.5 and 93.9%, respectively). New
      strains were described as a new NPB genus and species of the family
      Rhodobacteriaceae, Rhodobaculum claviforme gen. nov., sp. nov., with B7-4(T) (VKM
      B-2708, LMG 28126) as the type strain.

PMID- 26263630
TI  - [Candidatus "Jettenia moscovienalis" sp. nov., a New Species of Bacteria Carrying
      out Anaerobic Ammonium Oxidation].
AB  - A new species of bacteria oxidizing ammonium with nitrite under anoxic conditions
      was isolated from the activated sludge of a semi-industrial bioreactor treating
      digested sludge of the Kuryanovo wastewater treatment plant (Moscow, Russia).
      Physiological, morphological, and molecular genetic characterization of the
      isolate was carried out. The cells were ovoid (-0.5 x 0.8 MUm), with the
      intracellular membrane structures characteristic of anammox bacteria
      (anammoxosome and paryphoplasm); unlike other anammox bacteria, it possessed
      extensive intracellular membrane structures located in layers parallel to the
      cytoplasmic membrane, but never close to the anammoxosome. The cells formed
      aggregates 5-28 MUm in diameter and readily attached to solid surfaces. The cells
      were morphologically labile, easily plasmolyzed, and lost their content. Doubling
      time was 28 days, MU(max) = 0.025 day(-1); optimal temperature and pH for growth
      were 20-45 degrees C and 8.0, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA
      gene sequences suggested its classification as a new species of the candidate
      genus Jettenia (order Planctomycetales). The name Candidatus "Jettenia
      moscovienalis" sp. nov. was proposed for the new bacterium.

PMID- 26263631
TI  - [Immunochemical Detection of Azospirilla in Soil with Genus-Specific Antibodies].
AB  - Immunoelectrophoresis and immunodiffusion analysis with antibodies to whole
      intact cells of the type strain of nitrogen-fixing soil bacteria Azospirillum
      brasilense Sp7 revealed at least three conservative surface immunogenic proteins
      of azospirilla. Cross-reactions with these proteins made it possible to use the
      above antibodies for detection of azospirilla as a genus-specific probe
      conjugated with horseradish peroxidase as an enzymatic label. Direct immune
      enzyme analysis of soil suspensions (typical chernozem, Saratov oblast) confirmed
      applicability of the conjugates based on genus-specific antibodies to the surface
      proteins of azospirilla for direct detection of this bacterial genus in
      environmental samples. These results provide a basis for broad application of
      this method for analysis of Azospirillum occurrence in soil.

PMID- 26263632
TI  - [Sulfate-Reducing Bacterial Communities in the Water Column of the Gdansk Deep
      (Baltic Sea)].
AB  - Biodiversity of sulfate-reducing bacterial communities in the water column of the
      Gdansk Deep, Baltic Sea, where H2S had been detected in near-bottom layers, was
      analyzed by PCR with primers for the 16S rRNA genes of six major phylogenetic
      subgroups of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB). Using denaturing gradient gel
      electrophoresis followed by sequencing, the nucleotide sequences of reamplified
      dsrB gene fragments from investigated water samples were determined. For the
      first time the presence of nucleotide sequences of the dsrB gene was detected by
      PCR in the water samples from all hydrochemical layers, including subsurface oxic
      waters. The presence of the 16S rRNA genes of representatives of
      Desulfotomaculum, Desulfococcus-Desulfonema-Desulfosarcina, and Desulfovibrio
      Desulfomicrobium SRB subgroups was also revealed throughout the water column of
      the Gdansk Deep. Analysis of translated amino acid sequences encoded by the dsrB
      gene demonstrated the highest homology with the relevant sequences of uncultured
      SRB from various marine habitats.

PMID- 26263633
TI  - [ROENTGEN-ENDOVASCULAR EMBOLIZATION OF THE PORTAL VEIN BRANCHES AS A PATIENTS
      CONDITIONING FOR EXTENSIVE HEPATIC RESECTION].
AB  - The results of surgical treatment of 316 patients, suffering focal hepatic
      diseases, in whom for preoperative preparation a portal vein embolization (PVE)
      was performed, were analyzed. PVE was applied in a small planned hepatic residual
      volume. The patients have aged from 21 to 77 yrs, (57 +/- 10.6) yrs at average.
      During (22 +/- 7) days after the procedure a hypertrophy of a planned
      postresectional hepatic volume by 58.6% was observed, while a hypertrophy degree
      have depended on the embolization volume performed: 57.3%--after embolization of
      branches of C(V)-C(VIII) hepatic segments, 66%--the segments C(V)-C(VIII) +
      C(IV). In 281 (89%) patients the extensive hepatic resection was performed, a
      fatal postresection hepatic insufficiency was not observed. A three-year and five
      year disease-free survival have constituted 43.8 and 16.4% accordingly. Thus, a
      PVE constitutes a miniinvasive intervention, permitting to achieve a planned
      residual hepatic volume, to expand a diapazon of application of radical extensive
      hepatic resection in patients, suffering focal hepatic diseases while a small
      planned residual hepatic volume.

PMID- 26263634
TI  - [SURGICAL TREATMENT OF TUMORS OF THE LEFT PANCREATIC ANATOMICAL SEGMENT].
AB  - The results of treatment of 231 patients, suffering tumoral affection of
      pancreatic left anatomical segment in period of 2009-2013 yrs were analyzed.
      Individualized approach, using modern technologies, was applied. Radical
      operations were performed in 129 patients, ageing 14-81 yrs old, including
      pancreatic distal resections in various modifications, central resection and
      tumoral enucleation. Possibilities of the extended pancreatic resection
      performance were studied in conditions of tumoral invasion of adjacent organs,
      regional vessels, as well as impact of such interventions on postoperative
      complications and lethality rate. While performing pancreatic subtotal distal
      resection with simultant resection of affected main venous vessels and adjacent
      organs the operative intervention risk is enhanced, but possibilities of a
      radical operations performance in previously considered inoperable patients are
      expanding.

PMID- 26263635
TI  - [DYNAMICS OF CHANGES OF PROINFLAMMATORY AND ANTIINFLAMMATORY CYTOKINES, AS WELL
      AS SOME INDICES OF THE BLOOD PEROXIDATION SYSTEM, IN THE PATIENTS WITH VARIOUS
      PANCREATIC PSEUDOCYST TYPES].
AB  - The investigation was performed in 47 patients, operated on for pancreatic
      pseudocysts (PP). The PP type was established in accordance to A. D'Egidio, M.
      Schein (1991) classification. The blood plasma contents of proinflammatory and
      antiinflammatory cytokines, including interleukins (IL): IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL
      18, as well as malonic dialdehyde and activity of glutationperoxidase, were
      determined for estimation of the immune state disorders. Mostly expressed changes
      in IL-8 content were registered in complicated PP in 72 h postoperatively, what
      was have characterized by more expressed raising of its level in systemic blood
      flow, than in a splanchnic one, in all types of PP and witnessed a hepatic
      capacity to guarantee a cytokine's clearance in all the patients. The contents of
      glutationperoxidase and IL-18 in the blood serum in various types of PP have
      correlated immediately with pancreatitis severity. Close correlative connection
      between these indices while unfavorable prognosis of postoperative period course
      was established.

PMID- 26263636
TI  - [IMMUNOLOGICAL FACTORS OF THE INNATE IMMUNITY IN PATIENTS WITH HEPATOCELLULAR
      CARCINOMA OF A LARGE SIZE].
AB  - Factors of the inborn immunity in patients, suffering hepatocellular carcinoma of
      large size, were studied. Preoperatively the raising of metabolic activity of
      neutrophils in spontaneous NST-test, the neutrophils reserve reduction in NST
      test, weak activation of the neutrophils absorption function in a phagocytosis
      reaction were noted. On the 7-8th postoperative day a reduction of quantity of
      formazan--positive neutrophils in spontaneous NST--test, raising of reserve of
      the neutrophils metabolic activity, comparing with initial values, were observed.

PMID- 26263637
TI  - [SURGICAL TREATMENT OUTCOME IN PATIENTS WITH COLORECTAL CANCER AND CONCOMITANT
      LIVER METASTASES].
AB  - Colorectal cancer with synchronous liver metastasis (sm-CRC) is extremely
      unfavorable prognostic factor. Surgery remains is most effective method, able to
      extend the life of these patients. The results of treatment of 126 patients with
      sm-CRC were analyzed, whom performed simultaneous (group I) or staged (group II)
      surgery. Simultaneous resection of 3 segments of liver or less with metastases
      and primary tumor is a safe surgical strategy (complicatios level was 4.8%);
      simultaneous resection of 3 segments of liver or more increase the complicatios
      level to 20.9%. Simultaneous resection ensure reduction of hospital stay terms in
      58.1% and duration of surgery in 71.3% (p < 0.001). The average cost of treatment
      patient treating with staged strategy exceeded in simultaneous surgical treatment
      in 40.9%.

PMID- 26263638
TI  - [TREATMENT MODALITIES OF THE FOREGUT HEMORRHAGES WHILE PERFORMING ENDOSCOPIC
      MONITORING].
AB  - Complex clinical examination was done in 107 patients, in whom gastrointestinal
      hemorrhage (GIH) of various etiology, have had occurred. Special attention was
      drawn toward early conduction of esophagogastroduodenofibroscopy, as a leading
      instrumental method, permitting to reveal a GIH source, its character and degree
      of hemostasis in accordance to J. Forrest scale. The patients state severity
      while hemorrhage from the foregut presence was estimated in accordance to routine
      principles, depending on the circulating blood volume deficiency. The structure
      algorithm for the patients' management, in accordance to which treatment tactic
      must be selected individually, permitting to improve the quality of the medical
      help delivery for the patients, was elaborated.

PMID- 26263639
TI  - [IMPACT OF OPERATIVE INTERVENTION ON DYNAMICS OF THE IMMUNITY INDICES IN AN ACUTE
      GASTRODUODENAL HEMORRHAGE].
AB  - The results of surgical treatment of 39 patients, suffering an acute
      gastroduodenal ulcer hemorrhage, were analyzed. Gastric ulcer disease was
      diagnosed in 9 patients, duodenal ulcer disease--in 29, combined ulcer--in 1. A
      light degree blood loss was noted in 13 patients, while a middle degree--in 12,
      and severe--in 14. In accordance to J. Forrest classification in 6 patients an
      active bleeding was revealed (FIa, FIb), in 11--nonstable hemostasis (FIIa, FIIb,
      FIIc), and in 22--FIII. Preoperatively in patients on the third, seventh and
      fourteenth day the contents of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD19, calculation of a CD4+/CD8+
      ratio, the level of immunoglobulins (IgA, IgM, IgG) and circulating immune
      complexes were determined in peripheral blood. Phagocytic activity of neutrophils
      was estimated, using determination of phagocytic index and phagocytic number. In
      an acute gastroduodenal ulcer hemorrhage immunosuppression was noted, and
      severity of disorders in T- and B-chains of immunity have depended upon a blood
      loss severity. Conduction of a routine basic conservative therapy in
      postoperative period did not guarantee elimination of immunosuppression.

PMID- 26263640
TI  - [THE WAYS FOR IMPROVEMENT OF PERITONITIS TREATMENT OUTCOMES AT A MODERN TIME].
AB  - The results of treatment of 53 patients, suffering extended peritonitis, were
      analyzed. Application of differentiated surgical tactics, the least traumatic
      volume of operative intervention for the patient, determination of indications
      for relaparotomy and secondary videolaparoscopic sanation, taking into account
      data on ultrasonic monitoring of abdominal organs, optimization of the inserted
      draining tubes quantity, depending on source and severity of peritonitis on
      background of early enteral feeding accomplished, have permitted to improve the
      patients treatment results, to reduce a postoperative complications and lethality
      rate.

PMID- 26263641
TI  - [CLINICO-EXPERIMENTAL SUBSTANTIATION OF INTRAABDOMINAL PLASTY FOR UMBILICAL
      HERNIAS].
AB  - The impact of various methods of plasty, using net implants, on results of
      umbilical hernias treatment was studied in experimental and clinical
      investigation. The umbilical hernias plasty was performed in accordance to the
      IPOM (intraperitoneal on lay mesh) method, application of which have permitted to
      reduce a hospital stay of the patients as well as their period of social
      rehabilitation, and to guarantee the best cosmetic effect in comparison with such
      while making umbilical hernias plasty in accordance to a sub lay method.

PMID- 26263642
TI  - [DEFORMITY OF LEFT VENTRICLE WALLS IN PATIENTS WITH AORTAL VALVE STENOSIS].
AB  - Parameters of longitudinal deformity of left ventricle walls in patients,
      suffering aortal valve stenosis (AVS), were analyzed. While the process of heart
      contraction in norm and in AVS occurs, longitudinal deformity is expressed
      maximally in its apical divisions. AVS deformity of apical divisions of left
      ventricle, as well as middle divisions of interventricular septum and lower wall,
      practically did not differ from such in norm, and deformity of basal divisions of
      all walls and middle divisions of posterior, lateral and anterior walls of left
      ventricle was trustworthy less than a norm. Thus, a reduction of the deformity
      indices in basal divisions of left ventricle and middle segments of its
      posterior, lateral and anterior walls in patients, suffering AVS with preserved
      output fraction, precedes the disorders of its hemodynamics and constitutes a
      predictor for the cardiac output reduction.

PMID- 26263643
TI  - [APPLICATION OF LARGE SUBCUTANEOUS VEIN AS MATERIAL FOR DISTAL SHUNTING IN
      CRITICAL ISCHEMIA OF THE LOWER EXTREMITY TISSUES].
AB  - While performing autologous reconstruction of distal arteries in 24 patients in
      chronic critical ischemia of the lower extremity tissues the method of a large
      subcutaneous vein mobilization, using a ring-like desobliterator,was applied.
      This have permitted to reduce the procedure traumaticity, comparing with a
      standard method. Additional application of pharmacological vasodilatation of
      venous transplant have permitted to avoid the risk, connected with impact of
      hydraulic vasodilatation on the venous wall functional state.

PMID- 26263644
TI  - [AMPUTATION OR EXARTICULATION OF TOES IN PATIENTS WITH DIABETIC FOOT SYNDROME].
AB  - The results of surgical treatment of 127 patients, suffering diabetic foot
      syndrome, were analyzed. In 82 patients (1st group) a radical toe extirpation was
      accomplished; in 45 (2nd group)--a phalangopreserving operations (amputaion of
      toe, necrectomy, sequestrectomy, the abscess opening) were done. The reoperation
      rate in patients of the 1st group have constituted 6.1%, the wound suppuration 
      3.6%, in a 2nd group satisfactory results were achieved in 26.7% of patients, and
      in the rest of them--reoperations were done for the pathological process
      progression.

PMID- 26263645
TI  - [CHARACTERIZATION OF VESTIBULAR DISORDERS IN THE INJURED PERSONS WITH THE BRAIN
      CONCUSSION IN ACUTE PERIOD].
AB  - There were examined 32 injured persons, ageing (34.1 +/- 1.3) yrs at average, for
      the brain commotion (BC). The adopted protocol SCAT-3 (Standardized Concussion
      Assessment Tool, 3rd ed.), DHI (Dizziness Handicap Inventory questionnaire),
      computer stabilography (KS) were applied for the vestibular disorders diagnosis.
      There was established, that in acute period of BC a dyssociation between
      regression of objective neurological symptoms and permanence of the BC indices
      occurs, what confirms a latent disorder of the balance function. Changes of basic
      indices of statokinesiography, including increase of the vibration amplitude
      enhancement in general centre of pressure in a saggital square and the BC square
      (235.3 +/- 13.7) mm2 in a modified functional test of Romberg with the closed
      eyes is possible to apply as objective criteria for the BC diagnosis.

PMID- 26263646
TI  - [MODIFIED SURGICAL TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH PRIMARY OPEN-ANGLE GLAUCOMA].
AB  - A combined phacoemulsification of a cataract with intraocular lens implantation
      (IOLI) and modified tunnel trabeculopuncture (TTP) was performed in the clinic in
      patients, suffering primary open-angle glaucoma. Through 3 yrs postoperatively
      intraocular pressure and a glaucoma compensation degree were controlled in
      accordance to data, obtained while investigation of optic nerve (computer
      perimetry, optical coherent tomography of neuronal fascicles), and also these
      results were compared with data from the patients, to whom a standard TTP was
      performed. A significant stable hypotensive effect of the operation proposed was
      established, as well as termination of a progressive atrophic changes of optic
      nerve, caused by glaucoma. Antiglaucomal reoperations after a combined
      phacoemulsification IOLI and modified TTP were per- formed in 6% patients (p <
      0.05), after combined phacoemulsification with the IOLI and a standard TTP--in
      30% (p < 0.05).

PMID- 26263647
TI  - [CYSTIC TUMORS OF SUPRARENAL GLANDS AND PECULIARITIES OF ITS SURGICAL TREATMENT].
AB  - The clinic experience for surgical treatment of patients, suffering cyst of
      suprarenal gland (SG), consisted of laparoscopic resection of SG together with a
      cyst and preserving a visually nonaffected parts of SG, due to what the risk
      reduction for chronic suprarenal insufficiency of various degree occurrence was
      achieved. The proposed method was applied in 49 (86.0%) patients of 57, who were
      operated on for the SG cysts. Intraoperative morbidity, complicated postoperative
      course and the recurrence occurrence after the SG resection were not observed.
      All the patients have had recovered, so application of restorational therapy was
      not needed. The proposed method of laparoscopic resection of SG together with a
      cyst, using modern instrumental methods of hemostasis (ultrasonic scissors),
      permits to avoid excessive resection of functioning parenchyma of SG, to reduce
      the risk for health and life of the patients, caused by chronic suprarenal
      insufficiency and intraoperative bleeding.

PMID- 26263648
TI  - [ABDOMINAL TRANSDIAPHRAGMATIC EXTRAPERICARDIAL SURGICAL ACCESS TO
      SUPRADIAPHRAGMATIC PART OF VENA CAVA INFERIOR IN PATIENTS OPERATED FOR RENAL-CELL
      CANCER].
AB  - Safety and possibility to perform abdominal surgical accesses to
      supradiaphragmatic part of vena cava inferior (VCI) in patients, operated on for
      renal-cell cancer, were estimated. In 12 patients the results of application of
      several surgical access variants to supradiaphragmatic part of VCI were
      estimated. Most simple and safe way to isolate supradiaphragmatic VCI and
      cavaatrial junction is to perform a T-like diaphragmotomy. Intraoperative
      complications rate have constituted 36.4%. The blood loss volume due to VCI
      injury (in 3 cases) while performing transdiaphragmatic surgical access to
      supradiaphragmatic part of VCI, have constituted 112.5 ml at average. Injuries of
      pleura, pericardium, main truncus of diaphragmatic nerve did not occur.

PMID- 26263649
TI  - [SURGICAL TREATMENT OF THE INJURED PERSONS WITH SPLENIC TRAUMA IN THE CLOSED
      COMBINED ABDOMINAL TRAUMA].
AB  - The results of treatment of the injured persons, suffering splenic injury, in
      closed com- bined abdominal trauma, depending on its severity and the splenic
      injury degree, are presented.

PMID- 26263650
TI  - [THERMOMETRY APPLICATION FOR ESTIMATION OF THE SKIN BURNS DEPTH].
AB  - Determination of the burn wound depth, using noncontact infrared thermometry,
      permits to predict the burn affection severity, basing on the revealed difference
      between local, perifocal temperature and temperature in certain nonaffected areas
      of the body surface. The temperature difference (DeltaT) over 1  degrees C
      constitutes a strict criterion of the skin burn presence. The temperature 34 
      degrees C have been considered a border one for the skin burns. If the burn wound
      temperature in 24 h after trauma was lower 34  degrees C and DeltaT 2  degrees C
      and more, it have witnessed the presence of deep burn of the skin. High
      sensitivity (87%) and specificity (96%) of thermometric test in 24 h after trauma
      were established. In epidermal burns the temperature of the burn wounds have
      constituted (35.9 +/- 0.3)  degrees C at average, in superficial burns of the
      skin--(35.1 +/- 0.6)  degrees C, and in the deep burns--(33.6 +/- 0.8)  degrees
      C.

PMID- 26263652
TI  - [PROPHYLAXIS OF PARACOLOSTOMIC COMPLICATIONS OF PATIENTS ON TREATMENT FOR ACUTE
      OBTURATION ILEUS].

PMID- 26263651
TI  - [DIVERTICULAR DISEASE OF LARGE BOWEL: DIAGNOSIS, SURGICAL TACTICS].

PMID- 26263653
TI  - [RECURRENT HEMORRHANGE FROM MECKEL'S DIVERTICULUM].

PMID- 26263654
TI  - [Nikolay Nikolayevich Veligotskiy].

PMID- 26263655
TI  - [Mykhaylo Grygorovych Shevchuk].

PMID- 26263656
TI  - Understanding protected area resilience: a multi-scale, social-ecological
      approach.
AB  - Protected areas (PAs) remain central to the conservation of biodiversity.
      Classical PAs were conceived as areas that would be set aside to maintain a
      natural state with minimal human influence. However, global environmental change
      and growing cross-scale anthropogenic influences mean that PAs can no longer be
      thought of as ecological islands that function independently of the broader
      social-ecological system in which they are located. For PAs to be resilient (and
      to contribute to broader social-ecological resilience), they must be able to
      adapt to changing social and ecological conditions over time in a way that
      supports the long-term persistence of populations, communities, and ecosystems of
      conservation concern. We extend Ostrom's social-ecological systems framework to
      consider the long-term persistence of PAs, as a form of land use embedded in
      social-ecological systems, with important cross-scale feedbacks. Most notably, we
      highlight the cross-scale influences and feedbacks on PAs that exist from the
      local to the global scale, contextualizing PAs within multi-scale social
      ecological functional landscapes. Such functional landscapes are integral to
      understand and manage individual PAs for long-term sustainability. We illustrate
      our conceptual contribution with three case studies that highlight cross-scale
      feedbacks and social-ecological interactions in the functioning of PAs and in
      relation to regional resilience. Our analysis suggests that while ecological,
      economic, and social processes are often directly relevant to PAs at finer
      scales, at broader scales, the dominant processes that shape and alter PA
      resilience are primarily social and economic.

PMID- 26263657
TI  - Determining origin in a migratory marine vertebrate: a novel method to integrate
      stable isotopes and satellite tracking.
AB  - Stable isotope analysis is a useful tool to track animal movements in both
      terrestrial and marine environments. These intrinsic markers are assimilated
      through the diet and may exhibit spatial gradients as a result of biogeochemical
      processes at the base of the food web. In the marine environment, maps to predict
      the spatial distribution of stable isotopes are limited, and thus determining
      geographic origin has been reliant upon integrating satellite telemetry and
      stable isotope data. Migratory sea turtles regularly move between foraging and
      reproductive areas. Whereas most nesting populations can be easily accessed and
      regularly monitored, little is known about the demographic trends in foraging
      populations. The purpose of the present study was to examine migration patterns
      of loggerhead nesting aggregations in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM), where sea turtles
      have been historically understudied. Two methods of geographic assignment using
      stable isotope values in known-origin samples from satellite telemetry were
      compared: (1) a nominal approach through discriminant analysis and (2) a novel
      continuous-surface approach using bivariate carbon and nitrogen isoscapes
      (isotopic landscapes) developed for this study. Tissue samples for stable isotope
      analysis were obtained from 60 satellite-tracked individuals at five nesting
      beaches within the GoM. Both methodological approaches for assignment resulted in
      high accuracy of foraging area determination, though each has advantages and
      disadvantages. The nominal approach is more appropriate when defined boundaries
      are necessary, but up to 42% of the individuals could not be considered in this
      approach. All individuals can be included in the continuous-surface approach, and
      individual results can be aggregated to identify geographic hotspots of foraging
      area use, though the accuracy rate was lower than nominal assignment. The
      methodological validation provides a foundation for future sea turtle studies in
      the region to inexpensively determine geographic origin for large numbers of
      untracked individuals. Regular monitoring of sea turtle nesting aggregations with
      stable isotope sampling can be used to fill critical data gaps regarding habitat
      use and migration patterns. Probabilistic assignment to origin with isoscapes has
      not been previously used in the marine environment, but the methods presented
      here could also be applied to other migratory marine species.

PMID- 26263658
TI  - Migratory connectivity of a Neotropical migratory songbird revealed by archival
      light-level geolocators.
AB  - Understanding migratory connectivity is critical for interpreting population
      dynamics, seasonal interactions, and for the implementation of conservation
      strategies of migratory species. We evaluated the migratory connectivity of a
      Neotropical migratory songbird, the Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla) using archival
      light-level geolocators deployed at two breeding and four nonbreeding locations
      while incorporating Ovenbird abundance as prior information using Bayes' Rule. We
      also included band recoveries submitted to the United States Geological Survey's
      Bird Banding Laboratory to assess connectivity of areas where geolocators were
      not deployed. We created a probabilistic map of origin for each capture site and
      mapped spring migration routes between nonbreeding and breeding locations. We
      found a complete separation of eastern and western populations of Ovenbirds
      throughout the annual cycle. Breeding Ovenbirds from western Canada spent the
      nonbreeding season throughout Central America and migrated through central North
      America during spring migration. Birds breeding in the northeastern United States
      were distributed throughout the central Greater Antilles in the Caribbean and
      migrated through eastern North America during spring migration. Fall migration
      routes were not included because the timing of migration coincided with fall
      equinox when latitudinal estimates are unreliable. However, longitudinal
      estimates suggest no overlap between eastern and western populations during fall
      migration. Ovenbirds with geolocators attached in Jamaica bred in the
      northeastern United States with the highest posterior probability of origin found
      in Massachusetts, while Ovenbirds captured in Florida and Puerto Rico bred
      primarily in the mid-Atlantic. Incorporating Ovenbird abundance as a prior into
      geolocator estimates decreased the area of origin by 90.37% +/- 1.05% (mean +/-
      SE) for the breeding season and 62.30% +/- 1.69% for the nonbreeding season,
      compared to geolocator estimates alone. Ovenbirds exhibited strong migratory
      connectivity between breeding and nonbreeding season, which has important
      implications for various aspects of the ecology, evolution, and conservation.

PMID- 26263659
TI  - Context-dependent effects of large-wildlife declines on small-mammal communities
      in central Kenya.
AB  - Many species of large wildlife have declined drastically worldwide. These
      reductions often lead to profound shifts in the ecology of entire communities and
      ecosystems. However, the effects of these large-wildlife declines on other taxa
      likely hinge upon both underlying abiotic properties of these systems and on the
      types of secondary anthropogenic changes associated with wildlife loss, making
      impacts difficult to predict. To better understand how these important contextual
      factors determine the consequences of large-wildlife declines on other animals in
      a community, we examined the effects of three common forms of large-wildlife loss
      (removal without replacement [using fences], removal followed by replacement with
      domestic stock, and removal accompanied by crop agricultural use) on small-mammal
      abundance, diversity, and community composition, in landscapes that varied in
      several abiotic attributes (rainfall, soil fertility, land-use intensity) in
      central Kenya. We found that small-mammal communities were indeed heavily
      impacted by all forms of large-wildlife decline, showing, on average: (1) higher
      densities, (2) lower species richness per site, and (3) different species
      assemblages in sites from which large wildlife were removed. However, the nature
      and magnitude of these effects were strongly context dependent. Rainfall, type of
      land-use change, and the interaction of these two factors were key predictors of
      both the magnitude and type of responses of small mammals. The strongest effects,
      particularly abundance responses, tended to be observed in low-rainfall areas.
      Whereas isolated wildlife removal primarily led to increased small-mammal
      abundance, wildlife removal associated with secondary uses (agriculture, domestic
      stock) had much more variable effects on abundance and stronger impacts on
      diversity and composition. Collectively, these results (1) highlight the
      importance of context in determining the impacts of large-wildlife decline on
      small-mammal communities, (2) emphasize the challenges in extrapolating results
      from controlled experimental studies to predict the effects of wildlife declines
      that are accompanied by secondary land-uses, and (3) suggest that, because of the
      context-dependent nature of the responses to large-wildlife decline, large
      wildlife status alone cannot be reliably used to predict small-mammal community
      changes.

PMID- 26263660
TI  - Making biodiversity-friendly cocoa pay: combining yield, certification, and REDD
      for shade management.
AB  - The twin United Nations' Millennium Development Goals of biodiversity
      preservation and poverty reduction both strongly depend on actions in the
      tropics. In particular, traditional agroforestry could be critical to both
      biological conservation and human livelihoods in human-altered rainforest areas.
      However, traditional agroforestry is rapidly disappearing, because the system
      itself is economically precarious, and because the forest trees that shade
      traditional crops are now perceived to be overly detrimental to agricultural
      yield. Here, we show a case where the commonly used agroforestry shade metric,
      canopy cover, would indeed suggest complete removal of shade trees to maximize
      yield, with strongly negative biodiversity and climate implications. However, a
      yield over 50% higher was achievable if approximately 100 shade trees per hectare
      were planted in a spatially organized fashion, a win-win for biodiversity and the
      smallholder. The higher yield option was detected by optimizing simultaneously
      for canopy cover, and a second shade metric, neighboring tree density, which was
      designed to better capture the yield value of ecological services flowing from
      forest trees. Nevertheless, even a 50% yield increase may prove insufficient to
      stop farmers converting away from traditional agroforestry. To further increase
      agroforestry rents, we apply our results to the design of a sustainable
      certification (eco-labelling) scheme for cocoa-based products in a biodiversity
      hotspot, and consider their implications for the use of the United Nations REDD
      (reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation) program in
      agroforestry systems. Combining yield boost, certification, and REDD has the
      potential to incentivize eco-friendly agroforestry and lift smallholders out of
      poverty, simultaneously.

PMID- 26263661
TI  - Consumption by marine mammals on the Northeast U.S. continental shelf.
AB  - The economic and ecological impacts of fish consumption by marine mammals, the
      associated interactions with commercial fish stocks, and the forage demands of
      these marine mammal populations are largely unknown. Consumption estimates are
      often either data deficient or not fully evaluated in a rigorous, quantitative
      manner. Although consumption estimates exist for the Northeast United States
      (NEUS) Large Marine Ecosystem, there is considerable uncertainty in those
      estimates. We examined consumption estimates for 12 marine mammal species
      inhabiting the regional ecosystem. We used sensitivity analyses to examine
      metabolically driven daily individual consumption rates, resulting in a suite of
      feasible parameter-pair ranges for each of three taxonomic groups: mysticetes,
      odontocetes, and pinnipeds. We expanded daily individual consumption to annual
      consumption based on abundance estimates of marine mammals found on the NEUS
      continental shelf coupled with estimates of annual residence time for each
      species. To examine consumptive removals for specific prey, diet compositions
      were summarized into major prey categories, and predatory removals by marine
      mammal species as well as for total marine mammal consumption were estimated for
      each prey taxa. Bounds on consumption estimates for each marine mammal species
      were determined using Monte Carlo resampling simulations. Our results suggest
      that consumption for these 12 marine mammal species combined may be similar in
      magnitude to commercial fishery landings for small pelagic and groundfish prey
      groups. Consumption by marine mammals warrants consideration both as a source of
      mortality in assessments of prey-stocks, and to determine marine mammal forage
      demands in ecosystem assessment models. The approach that we present represents a
      rigorous, quantitative method to scope the bounds of the biomass that marine
      mammals are expected to consume, and is appropriate for use in other ecosystems
      where the interaction between marine mammals and commercial fisheries is thought
      to be prominent.

PMID- 26263662
TI  - A comparison of traffic estimates of nocturnal flying animals using radar,
      thermal imaging, and acoustic recording.
AB  - There are several remote-sensing tools readily available for the study of
      nocturnally flying animals (e.g., migrating birds), each possessing unique
      measurement biases. We used three tools (weather surveillance radar, thermal
      infrared camera, and acoustic recorder) to measure temporal and spatial patterns
      of nocturnal traffic estimates of flying animals during the spring and fall of
      2011 and 2012 in Lewes, Delaware, USA. Our objective was to compare measures
      among different technologies to better understand their animal detection biases.
      For radar and thermal imaging, the greatest observed traffic rate tended to occur
      at, or shortly after, evening twilight, whereas for the acoustic recorder, peak
      bird flight-calling activity was observed just prior to morning twilight.
      Comparing traffic rates during the night for all seasons, we found that mean
      nightly correlations between acoustics and the other two tools were weakly
      correlated (thermal infrared camera and acoustics, r = 0.004 +/- 0.04 SE, n = 100
      nights; radar and acoustics, r = 0.14 +/- 0.04 SE, n = 101 nights), but highly
      variable on an individual nightly basis (range = -0.84 to 0.92, range = -0.73 to
      0.94). The mean nightly correlations between traffic rates estimated by radar and
      by thermal infrared camera during the night were more strongly positively
      correlated (r = 0.39 +/- 0.04 SE, n = 125 nights), but also were highly variable
      for individual nights (range = -0.76 to 0.98). Through comparison with radar data
      among numerous height intervals, we determined that flying animal height above
      the ground influenced thermal imaging positively and flight call detections
      negatively. Moreover, thermal imaging detections decreased with the presence of
      cloud cover and increased with mean ground flight speed of animals, whereas
      acoustic detections showed no relationship with cloud cover presence but did
      decrease with increased flight speed. We found sampling methods to be positively
      correlated when comparing mean nightly traffic rates across nights. The strength
      of these correlations generally increased throughout the night, peaking 2-3 hours
      before morning twilight. Given the convergence of measures by different tools at
      this time, we suggest that researchers consider sampling flight activity in the
      hours before morning twilight when differences due to detection biases among
      sampling tools appear to be minimized.

PMID- 26263663
TI  - Modeling elephant-mediated cascading effects of water point closure.
AB  - Wildlife management to reduce the impact of wildlife on their habitat can be done
      in several ways, among which removing animals (by either culling or
      translocation) is most often used. There are, however, alternative ways to
      control wildlife densities, such as opening or closing water points. The effects
      of these alternatives are poorly studied. In this paper, we focus on manipulating
      large herbivores through the closure of water points (WPs). Removal of artificial
      WPs has been suggested in order to change the distribution of African elephants,
      which occur in high densities in national parks in Southern Africa and are
      thought to have a destructive effect on the vegetation. Here, we modeled the long
      term effects of different scenarios of WP closure on the spatial distribution of
      elephants, and consequential effects on the vegetation and other herbivores in
      Kruger National Park, South Africa. Using a dynamic ecosystem model, SAVANNA,
      scenarios were evaluated that varied in availability of artificial WPs; levels of
      natural water; and elephant densities. Our modeling results showed that elephants
      can indirectly negatively affect the distributions of meso-mixed feeders, meso
      browsers, and some meso-grazers under wet conditions. The closure of artificial
      WPs hardly had any effect during these natural wet conditions. Under dry
      conditions, the spatial distribution of both elephant bulls and cows changed when
      the availability of artificial water was severely reduced in the model. These
      changes in spatial distribution triggered changes in the spatial availability of
      woody biomass over the simulation period of 80 years, and this led to changes in
      the rest of the herbivore community, resulting in increased densities of all
      herbivores, except for giraffe and steenbok, in areas close to rivers. The
      spatial distributions of elephant bulls and cows showed to be less affected by
      the closure of WPs than most of the other herbivore species. Our study
      contributes to ecologically informed decisions in wildlife management. The
      results from this modeling exercise imply that long-term effects of this
      intervention strategy should always be investigated at an ecosystem scale.

PMID- 26263664
TI  - Bayesian inference and assessment for rare-event bycatch in marine fisheries: a
      drift gillnet fishery case study.
AB  - Fisheries bycatch is a global threat to marine megafauna. Environmental laws
      require bycatch assessment for protected species, but this is difficult when
      bycatch is rare. Low bycatch rates, combined with low observer coverage, may lead
      to biased, imprecise estimates when using standard ratio estimators. Bayesian
      model-based approaches incorporate uncertainty, produce less volatile estimates,
      and enable probabilistic evaluation of estimates relative to management
      thresholds. Here, we demonstrate a pragmatic decision-making process that uses
      Bayesian model-based inferences to estimate the probability of exceeding
      management thresholds for bycatch in fisheries with < 100% observer coverage.
      Using the California drift gillnet fishery as a case study, we (1) model rates of
      rare-event bycatch and mortality using Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo
      estimation methods and 20 years of observer data; (2) predict unobserved counts
      of bycatch and mortality; (3) infer expected annual mortality; (4) determine
      probabilities of mortality exceeding regulatory thresholds; and (5) classify the
      fishery as having low, medium, or high bycatch impact using those probabilities.
      We focused on leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) and humpback whales
      (Megaptera novaeangliae). Candidate models included Poisson or zero-inflated
      Poisson likelihood, fishing effort, and a bycatch rate that varied with area,
      time, or regulatory regime. Regulatory regime had the strongest effect on
      leatherback bycatch, with the highest levels occurring prior to a regulatory
      change. Area had the strongest effect on humpback bycatch. Cumulative bycatch
      estimates for the 20-year period were 104-242 leatherbacks (52-153 deaths) and 6
      50 humpbacks (0-21 deaths). The probability of exceeding a regulatory threshold
      under the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act (Potential Biological Removal, PBR)
      of 0.113 humpback deaths was 0.58, warranting a "medium bycatch impact"
      classification of the fishery. No PBR thresholds exist for leatherbacks, but the
      probability of exceeding an anticipated level of two deaths per year, stated as
      part of a U.S. Endangered Species Act assessment process, was 0.0007. The
      approach demonstrated here would allow managers to objectively and
      probabilistically classify fisheries with respect to bycatch impacts on species
      that have population-relevant mortality reference points, and declare with a
      stipulated level of certainty that bycatch did or did not exceed estimated upper
      bounds.

PMID- 26263665
TI  - Predicting the spread of aquatic invaders: insight from 200 years of invasion by
      zebra mussels.
AB  - Understanding factors controlling the introduction and spread of species is
      crucial to improving the management of both natural populations and introduced
      species. The zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha, is considered the most
      aggressive freshwater invader in the Northern Hemisphere, and is a convenient
      model system for invasion biology, offering one of the best aquatic examples for
      examining the invasion process. We used data on 553 of the 1040 glacial lakes in
      the Republic of Belarus that were examined for the presence of zebra mussels. We
      used these data to build, test, and construct modified models to predict the
      spread of this invader, including selection of important parameters that could
      limit the spread of this invader. In spite of 200 years of continuous invasion,
      by 1996, zebra mussels were found in only 16.8% of all lakes studied. Of those
      lakes without zebra mussels in 1996, 66% were predicted to be susceptible to
      invasion by zebra mussels in the future, and 33% were predicted to be immune to
      successful invasion due to their water chemistry. Eighty lakes free of zebra
      mussels in 1996 were reexamined from 1997 to 2008. Of these, zebra mussels
      successfully invaded an additional 31 lakes, all of which were classified
      initially as suitable for zebra mussels; none of the lakes previously classified
      as unsuitable were invaded. We used the Random Forests classification algorithm
      with 16 environmental variables to determine the most important factors that
      differed between invaded lakes and those lakes suitable for invasion that have
      not yet been invaded. Distance to the nearest infested lakes was found to be the
      most important variable, followed by the lake area, color, average depth, and
      concentration of chloride, magnesium, and bicarbonate. This study provides a
      useful approach for predicting the spread of an invader across a landscape with
      variable habitat suitability that can be applied to a variety of species and
      systems.

PMID- 26263666
TI  - Evidence-based tool surpasses expert opinion in predicting probability of
      eradication of aquatic nonindigenous species.
AB  - The main objective of evidence-based management is to promote use of scientific
      data in the decision-making process of managers, with data either complementing
      or replacing expert knowledge. It is expected that this will increase the
      efficiency of environmental interventions. However, the relative accuracy and
      precision of evidence-based tools and expert knowledge has seldom been evaluated.
      It is therefore essential to verify whether such tools provide better decision
      support before advocating their use. We conducted an elicitation survey in which
      experts were asked to (1) evaluate the influence of various factors on the
      success of eradication programs for aquatic nonindigenous species and (2) provide
      probabilities of success for real case studies for which we knew the outcome. The
      responses of experts were compared with the results and predictions of a newly
      developed evidence-based tool: a statistical model calibrated with a meta
      analysis of case studies designed to evaluate probability of eradication. Experts
      and the model generally identified the same factors as influencing the
      probability of success. However, the model provided much more accurate estimates
      for the probability of eradication than expert opinion, strongly suggesting that
      an evidence-based approach is superior to expert knowledge in this case.
      Uncertainty surrounding the predictions of the evidence-based tool was similar to
      among-expert variability. Finally, a model based on >30 case studies returned
      more accurate predictions than expert opinion. We conclude that decision-making
      processes based on expert judgment would greatly benefit from incorporating
      evidence-based tools.

PMID- 26263667
TI  - Signatures of human impact: size distributions and spatial organization of
      wetlands in the Prairie Pothole landscape.
AB  - More than 50% of global wetland area has been lost over the last 200 years,
      resulting in losses of habitat and species diversity as well as decreased
      hydrologic and biogeochemical functionality. Recognition of the magnitude of
      wetland loss as well as the wide variety of ecosystem services provided by
      wetlands has in recent decades led to an increased focus on wetland restoration.
      Restoration activities, however, often proceed in an ad hoc manner, with a focus
      on maximizing the total restored area rather than on other spatial attributes of
      the wetland network, which are less well understood. In this study, we have
      addressed the question of how human activities have altered the size distribution
      and spatial organization of wetlands over the Prairie Pothole Region of the Des
      Moines Lobe using high- resolution LIDAR data. Our results show that as well as
      the generally accepted 90% loss of depressional wetland area, there has been a
      preferential loss of smaller wetlands, with a marked alteration of the historical
      power-law relationship observed between wetland size and frequency and a
      resulting homogenization of the wetland size distribution. In addition, our
      results show significant decreases in perimeter-to-area ratios, increased mean
      distances between wetlands, particularly between smaller wetlands, and a reduced
      likelihood that current wetlands will, be located in upland areas. Such patterns
      of loss can lead to disproportionate losses of ecosystem services, as smaller
      wetlands with larger perimeter-to- area ratios have been found to provide higher
      rates of biogeochemical processing and groundwater recharge, while increased mean
      distances between wetlands hinder species migration and thus negatively impact
      biodiversity. These results suggest the need to gear restoration efforts toward
      understanding and recreating the size distribution and spatial organization of
      historical wetlands, rather than focusing primarily on an increase in overall
      area.

PMID- 26263668
TI  - Biotic resistance, disturbance, and mode of colonization impact the invasion of a
      widespread, introduced wetland grass.
AB  - Disturbance and biotic resistance are important factors driving plant invasions,
      but how these factors interact for plants with different modes of colonization
      (i.e., sexual and asexual) is unclear. We evaluated factors influencing the
      invasion of nonnative Phragmites australis, which has been rapidly expanding in
      brackish tidal wetlands in Chesapeake Bay. We conducted a survey of naturally
      occurring small-scale disturbances (removal of vegetation and/or sediment
      deposition) across four plant communities; determined the effects of small-scale
      disturbance and biotic resistance on P. australis seedling and rhizome emergence;
      and tested the effects of size and frequency of small-scale disturbances on
      seedling emergence and survival of transplanted seedlings. The results of our
      study demonstrate that the invasion window for seeds is in disturbed areas in
      high-marsh plant communities that flood less frequently; seedling emergence in
      undisturbed areas was negligible. Establishment of shoots from rhizome segments
      was low in all plant communities. Disturbance size and frequency had no
      significant impact on seed germination and seedling survival. Our findings
      provide evidence that small-scale within-wetland disturbances are important for
      the invasion of the nonnative lineage of P. australis by seeds in brackish tidal
      wetlands in Chesapeake Bay. Efforts to reduce disturbances, large and small, in
      wetlands can be used to limit P. australis invasion by seed, but invasion by
      rhizome is still likely to occur across many plant communities irrespective of
      the presence of disturbance.

PMID- 26263669
TI  - Group-based modeling of ecological trajectories in restored wetlands.
AB  - Repeated measures taken at the same restoration sites over time are used to
      describe restoration trajectories and identify sites that are trending toward
      unexpected outcomes. Analogously, social scientists use repeated measures of
      individuals to describe developmental trajectories of behaviors or other
      outcomes. Group-based trajectory modeling (GBTM) is one statistical method used
      in behavioral and health sciences for this purpose. I introduce the use of GBTM
      to identify clusters of similar restoration trajectories within a sample of
      sites. Data collected at 54 restored wetlands in Illinois for up to 15 years post
      restoration were used to describe trajectories of six indicators: plant species
      richness, number of Carex (sedge) species, mean coefficient of conservatism (mean
      C), native plant cover, perennial plant cover, and planted species cover. For
      each indicator, I used GBTM to classify wetlands into three to four groups with
      distinct trajectories. In general, cover by native and planted species declined,
      while species richness and mean C increased over time or peaked then declined.
      Site context and management may explain trajectory group membership.
      Specifically, wetlands restored more recently and those restored within forested
      contexts were more likely to follow increasing trajectories. I show GBTM to be
      useful for identifying typical restoration trajectory patterns, developing
      hypotheses regarding factors driving those patterns and pinpointing critical
      times for intervention. Furthermore, GBTM might be applied more broadly in
      ecological research to identify common patterns of community assembly in large
      numbers of plots or sites.

PMID- 26263670
TI  - Assessing biophysical controls on Gulf of Mexico hypoxia through probabilistic
      modeling.
AB  - A mechanistic model was developed to predict midsummer bottom-water dissolved
      oxygen (BWDO) concentration and hypoxic area on the Louisiana shelf of the
      northern Gulf of Mexico, USA (1985-2011). Because of its parsimonious
      formulation, the model possesses many of the benefits of simpler, more empirical
      models, in that it is computationally efficient and can rigorously account for
      uncertainty through Bayesian inference. At the same time, the model incorporates
      important biophysical processes such that its parameterization can be informed by
      field-measured biological and physical rates. The model is used to explore how
      freshwater flow, nutrient load, benthic oxygen demand, and wind velocity affect
      hypoxia on the western and eastern sections of the shelf, delineated by the
      Atchafalaya River outfall. The model explains over 70% of the variability in BWDO
      on both shelf sections, and outperforms linear regression models developed from
      the same input variables. Model results suggest that physical factors (i.e., wind
      and flow) control a larger portion of the year-to-year variability in hypoxia
      than previously thought, especially on the western shelf, though seasonal
      nutrient loads remain an important driver of hypoxia, as well. Unlike several
      previous Gulf hypoxia modeling studies, results do not indicate a temporal shift
      in the system's propensity for hypoxia formation (i.e., no regime change).
      Results do indicate that benthic oxygen demand is a substantial BWDO sink, and a
      better understanding of the long-term dynamics of this sink is required to better
      predict how the size of the hypoxic zone will respond to proposed reductions in
      nutrient loading.

PMID- 26263671
TI  - Demographic drivers of tree biomass change during secondary succession in
      northeastern Costa Rica.
AB  - Second-growth tropical forests are an important global carbon sink. As current
      knowledge on biomass accumulation during secondary succession is heavily based on
      chronosequence studies, direct estimates of annual rates of biomass accumulation
      in monitored stands are largely unavailable. We evaluated the contributions of
      tree diameter increment, recruitment, and mortality to annual tree biomass change
      during succession for three groups of tree species: second-growth (SG)
      specialists, generalists, and old-growth (OG) specialists. We monitored six
      second-growth tropical forests that varied in stand age and two old-growth
      forests in northeastern Costa Rica. We monitored these over a period of 8 to 16
      years. To assess rates of biomass change during secondary succession, we compared
      standing biomass and biomass dynamics between second-growth forest stages and old
      growth forest, and evaluated the effect of stand age on standing biomass and
      biomass dynamics in second-growth forests. Standing tree biomass increased with
      stand age during succession, whereas the rate of biomass change decreased.
      Biomass change was largely driven by tree diameter increment and mortality, with
      a minor contribution from recruitment. The relative importance of these
      demographic drivers shifted over succession. Biomass gain due to tree diameter
      increment decreased with stand age, whereas biomass loss due to mortality
      increased. In the age range of our second-growth forests, 10-41 years, SG
      specialists dominated tree biomass in second-growth forests. SG specialists, and
      to a lesser extent generalists, also dominated stand-level biomass increase due
      to tree diameter increment, whereas SG specialists largely accounted for
      decreases in biomass due to mortality. Our results indicate that tree growth is
      largely driving biomass dynamics early in succession, whereas both growth and
      mortality are important later in succession. Biomass dynamics are largely
      accounted for by a few SG specialists and one generalist species, Pentaclethra
      macroloba. To assess the generality of our results, similar long-term studies
      should be compared across tropical forest landscapes.

PMID- 26263672
TI  - Nontarget herbivory by a weed biocontrol insect is limited to spillover, reducing
      the chance of population-level impacts.
AB  - Insects approved for classical biocontrol of weeds are often capable of using
      close relatives of their target weed for feeding, oviposition, or larval
      development, with reduced preference and performance. When nontarget herbivory
      occurs and is suspected to reduce survival, growth, or fecundity of individual
      plants, and insects are capable of reproducing on their nontarget host,
      characterization of spatial and temporal patterns of the occurrence and intensity
      of herbivory is valuable for predicting potential population-level effects. Here,
      we perform a novel post-release manipulative field experiment with a root-feeding
      biocontrol weevil, Mogulones crucifer, released in Canada to control the
      rangeland weed Cynoglossum officinale, to test for its ability to establish on
      the nontarget plant Hackelia micrantha. After Cynoglossum, M. crucifer exhibits
      its highest preference for and performance on Hackelia spp. We released M.
      crucifer on Canadian rangeland sites with naturally occurring populations of H.
      micrantha growing interspersed with the target weed or in the near absence of the
      target weed. Adult weevil feeding on surrounding plants was monitored for three
      summers after release (years 0, 1, and 2), and, subsequently, subsets of plants
      were destructively sampled to determine M. crucifer oviposition levels.
      Additional oviposition and larval development data were obtained from seven non
      experimental sites where weevils were released zero, three, or four years
      earlier. M. crucifer was not detected on experimental sites without C. officinale
      after two years, and nontarget herbivory was restricted to rare, low-level
      spillover. Visible evidence of adult herbivory (i.e., scars on shoots) was
      associated with oviposition in 90% of targets but only 30% of nontarget plants.
      We infer, through ecological refuge theory, that nontarget population-level
      impacts from M. crucifer spillover are unlikely because of temporal, spatial, and
      probabilistic refuges from herbivory, and make recommendations for monitoring and
      management of biocontrol systems with similar attributes, such as removing target
      plants around nontarget populations of interest. Because M. crucifer is among the
      least host-specific of the modern weed biocontrol agents, and H. micrantha is
      likely one of its most highly preferred nontargets, these conclusions are,
      arguably, generally applicable to other nontarget plants and biocontrol systems.

PMID- 26263673
TI  - Long-term climate change mitigation potential with organic matter management on
      grasslands.
AB  - Compost amendments to grasslands have been proposed as a strategy to mitigate
      climate change through carbon (C) sequestration, yet little research exists
      exploring the net mitigation potential or the long-term impacts of this strategy.
      We used field data and the DAYCENT biogeochemical model to investigate the
      climate change mitigation potential of compost amendments to grasslands in
      California, USA. The model was used to test ecosystem C and greenhouse gas
      responses to a range of compost qualities (carbon to nitrogen [C:N] ratios of
      11.1, 20, or 30) and application rates (single addition of 14 Mg C/ha or 10
      annual additions of 1.4 Mg C . ha(-1) . yr(-1)). The model was parameterized
      using site-specific weather, vegetation, and edaphic characteristics and was
      validated by comparing simulated soil C, nitrous oxide (N2O), methane (CH4), and
      carbon dioxide (CO2) fluxes, and net primary production (NPP) with three years of
      field data. All compost amendment scenarios led to net greenhouse gas sinks that
      persisted for several decades. Rates of climate change mitigation potential
      ranged from 130 +/- 3 g to 158 +/- 8 g CO2-eq . m(-2) .yr(-1) (where "eq" stands
      for "equivalents") when assessed over a 10-year time period and 63 +/- 2 g to 84
      +/- 10 g CO2- eq . m(-2) . yr(-1) over a 30-year time period. Both C storage and
      greenhouse gas emissions increased rapidly following amendments. Compost
      amendments with lower C:N led to higher C sequestration rates over time. However,
      these soils also experienced greater N20 fluxes. Multiple smaller compost
      additions resulted in similar cumulative C sequestration rates, albeit with a
      time lag, and lower cumulative N2O emissions. These results identify a trade-off
      between maximizing C sequestration and minimizing N2O emissions following
      amendments, and suggest that compost additions to grassland soils can have a long
      term impact on C and greenhouse gas dynamics that contributes to climate change
      mitigation.

PMID- 26263674
TI  - Model-data assimilation of multiple phenological observations to constrain and
      predict leaf area index.
AB  - Our limited ability to accurately simulate leaf phenology is a leading source of
      uncertainty in models of ecosystem carbon cycling. We evaluate if continuously
      updating canopy state variables with observations is beneficial for predicting
      phenological events. We employed ensemble adjustment Kalman filter (EAKF) to
      update predictions of leaf area index (LAI) and leaf extension using tower-based
      photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and moderate resolution imaging
      spectrometer (MODIS) data for 2002-2005 at Willow Creek, Wisconsin, USA, a
      mature, even-aged, northern hardwood, deciduous forest. The ecosystem demography
      model version 2 (ED2) was used as the prediction model, forced by offline climate
      data. EAKF successfully incorporated information from both the observations and
      model predictions weighted by their respective uncertainties. The resulting.
      estimate reproduced the observed leaf phenological cycle in the spring and the
      fall better than a parametric model prediction. These results indicate that
      during spring the observations contribute most in determining the correct bud
      burst date, after which the model performs well, but accurately modeling fall
      leaf senesce requires continuous model updating from observations. While the
      predicted net ecosystem exchange (NEE) of CO2 precedes tower observations and
      unassimilated model predictions in the spring, overall the prediction follows
      observed NEE better than the model alone. Our results show state data
      assimilation successfully simulates the evolution of plant leaf phenology and
      improves model predictions of forest NEE.

PMID- 26263675
TI  - Portfolio conservation of metapopulations under climate change.
AB  - Climate change is likely to lead to increasing population variability and
      extinction risk. Theoretically, greater population diversity should buffer
      against rising climate variability, and this theory is often invoked as a reason
      for greater conservation. However, this has rarely been quantified. Here we show
      how a portfolio approach to managing population diversity can inform
      metapopulation conservation priorities in a changing world. We develop a salmon
      metapopulation model in which productivity is driven by spatially distributed
      thermal tolerance and patterns of short- and long-term climate change. We then
      implement spatial conservation scenarios that control population carrying
      capacities and evaluate the metapopulation portfolios as a financial manager
      might: along axes of conservation risk and return. We show that preserving a
      diversity of thermal tolerances minimizes risk, given environmental
      stochasticity, and ensures persistence, given long-term environmental change.
      When the thermal tolerances of populations are unknown, doubling the number of
      populations conserved may nearly halve expected metapopulation variability.
      However, this reduction in variability can come at the expense of long-term
      persistence if climate change increasingly restricts available habitat, forcing
      ecological managers to balance society's desire for short-term stability and long
      term viability. Our findings suggest the importance of conserving the processes
      that promote thermal-tolerance diversity, such as genetic diversity, habitat
      heterogeneity, and natural disturbance regimes, and demonstrate that diverse
      natural portfolios may be critical for metapopulation conservation in the face of
      increasing climate variability and change.

PMID- 26263676
TI  - Identifying habitats at risk: simple models can reveal complex ecosystem
      dynamics.
AB  - The relationship between ecological impact and ecosystem structure is often
      strongly nonlinear, so that small increases in impact levels can cause a
      disproportionately large response in ecosystem structure. Nonlinear ecosystem
      responses can be difficult to predict because locally relevant data sets can be
      difficult or impossible to obtain. Bayesian networks (BN) are an emerging tool
      that can help managers to define ecosystem relationships using a range of data
      types from comprehensive quantitative data sets to expert opinion. We show how a
      simple BN can reveal nonlinear dynamics in seagrass ecosystems using ecological
      relationships sourced from the literature. We first developed a conceptual
      diagram by cataloguing the ecological responses of seagrasses to a range of
      drivers and impacts. We used the conceptual diagram to develop a BN populated
      with values sourced from published studies. We then applied the BN to show that
      the amount of initial seagrass biomass has a mitigating effect on the level of
      impact a meadow can withstand without loss, and that meadow recovery can often
      require disproportionately large improvements in impact levels. This mitigating
      effect resulted in the middle ranges of impact levels having a wide likelihood of
      seagrass presence, a situation known as bistability. Finally, we applied the
      model in a case study to identify the risk of loss and the likelihood of recovery
      for the conservation and management of seagrass meadows in Moreton Bay,
      Queensland, Australia. We used the model to predict the likelihood of bistability
      in 23 locations in the Bay. The model predicted bistability in seven locations,
      most of which have experienced seagrass loss at some stage in the past 25 years
      providing essential information for potential future restoration efforts. Our
      results demonstrate the capacity of simple, flexible modeling tools to facilitate
      collation and synthesis of disparate information. This approach can be adopted in
      the initial stages of conservation programs as a low-cost and relatively
      straightforward way to provide preliminary assessments of.nonlinear dynamics in
      ecosystems.

PMID- 26263677
TI  - [NEUROENDOCRINE REPRODUCTIVE CENTERS OF CORTICOMEDIAL DIVISION OF THE AMYGDALA].
AB  - In this review for the first time systematized available in modern literature
      data, which characterize the structural and functional organization of the
      reproductive centers of corticomedial division of the Amygdala. Given information
      about physiological mechanisms of their involvement in the organization of sexual
      behavior, regulation of secretion and excretion of gonadotropines, influence on
      the processes of sexual maturation of organisms. Involvement of Amygdala in
      functional systems of the brain, which determine reproductive functions,
      predefined its participation in the processes of sexual differentiation of the
      brain. Important role in the implementation of reproductive functions plays the
      olfactory stimuli, which through the Amygdala switches to the centers of the pre
      optic-hypothalamic region, which controls the secretion of gonadotropins and
      sexual behavior.

PMID- 26263678
TI  - [C-TYPE NATRIURETIC PEP- TIDE: WHAT, WHERE AND WHAT FOR IS THIS?].
AB  - The up-to-day world-wide data about the structure, distribution, and
      physiological effects of the most poorly known among the natriuretic peptides-
      the C-type (CNP)--are summarized in the review. Despite its name, this peptide
      does not stimulate sodium excretion but shares the prominent vasodilating and
      antyproliferating effects in different organs and tissues. The special emphasis
      is attended to CNP functions in central nervous system. The information about the
      peptide molecular biology, including intracellular processing, blood peptide
      concentration, specific receptors structure, and signaling pathways in target
      cells is presented.

PMID- 26263679
TI  - [IMPACT OF LONG-TERM ADAPTATION TO COLD ON THE STATE OF CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM].
AB  - The inhabitancy in Far North increases a probability of development of coronary
      heart disease, acute myocardial infarction and arterial hypertension.
      Catecholamines and NO deficiency play a substantial role in the development of
      cold hypertension but are not involved in acclimatization cardiac hypertrophy.
      Data of in vivo experiments indicate in favor of an involvement of alpha
      adrenergic receptors (ARs) in the mechanism of an appearance of cold
      hypertension. Cold acclimatization promotes an elevation of beta3-AR density and
      decrease in beta1-AR and beta2-AR quantity on sarcolemma of cardiomyocytes.
      Experimental data indicate about the important role of aldosterone and
      angiotensin-II in the development of acclimatization hypertension.
      Catecholamines, aldosterone and angiotensin-II are not involved in cold
      hypertrophy of heart. Experimental data say on the important role of endothelin
      ETA-receptor in the formation of cold hypertrophy of heart and cardiofibrosis.
      Thyroid hormones play substantial role in the development of cold hypertension
      and cardiac hypertrophy.

PMID- 26263680
TI  - [THE EFFECTS OF THE STIMULATION OF HYPOTHALAMIC NUCLEI ON THE INFERIOR VESTIBULAR
      NUCLEUS AFTER LONG-TERM VIBRATION ACTION AND ADMINISTRATION OF PROLINE RICH
      PEPTIDE-1].
AB  - Vestibular dysfunctions after vibration action in a considerable degree by
      adaptive-adjustment changes of neurotransmitter processes are determined and
      regulation of which is possible by endogenous factors, particularly hypothalamic
      proline rich peptide-1. On Albino rats synaptic changes in single neurons of the
      inferior vestibular nucleus during high-frequency stimulation of hypothalamic
      supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei in condition of vibration action and
      systemic use of proline rich peptide-1 were studied. The poststimulus spike
      activity of inferior vestibular nucleus neurons in norm was manifested mainly in
      the form of tetanic potentiation and posttetanic potentation after vibration
      action. The combination of vibration action and proline rich peptide-1 restores
      the true balance of excitatory and inhibitory poststimulus reactions and
      increased level of survival the inferior vestibular nucleus neurons.

PMID- 26263681
TI  - [THE EFFECTS OF CHRO- NIC ADMINISTRATION OF MODERATE DOSE OF PROINFLAMMATORY
      CYTOKINE INTERLEUKIN-1beta ON RAT INVESTIGATIVE BEHAVIOR AND SPATIAL MEMORY].
AB  - The aim of this study was to discover the effects of chronic intraperitoneal
      administration of proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) on rat
      investigative behavior and spatial memory. Rats were injected with a moderate
      pyrogenic dose of IL-1beta (0.5 mkg/kg) daily during 14 days (7 days before tests
      and 7 testing days). The behavior was examined in 23.5 hours after the previous
      injection of cytokine. The test battery included: "The open field" (within 3
      consecutive days), "The exploration of novel objects", and "The Morris water
      maze". The animals treated with IL-1beta differed from the control animals in an
      essential decrease of locomotor activity, slight increase of anxiety and
      suppression of exploratory behavior. The impairment of spatial memory was not
      revealed.

PMID- 26263682
TI  - [MORPHOLOGICAL AND VISCOELASTIC PROPERTIES OF ISIAH RATS MYOCARDIUM DURING THE
      DEVELOPMENT OF ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION].
AB  - The comprehensive study of morphometrical parameters and viscoelastic properties
      of right ventricle and left ventricle papillary muscles of ISIAH rats during the
      development of arterial hypertension has been carried out. It is established the
      significant increase of the index of heart mass to body mass and to tibia length
      of ISIAH rats in comparison with WAG rats of the same age. There are no any
      significant differences of "stress-strain" dependences of all experimental
      groups.

PMID- 26263683
TI  - [THE CHARACTERISTICS OF RETINA AT THE DEVELOPMENT OF PROLIFERATIVE
      VITREORETINOPATHY IN RATS AFTER INTRAOCULAR INJECTION OF CONCANAVALIN A AND
      DISPASE].
AB  - In this article we review and discuss the advantages of two proliferative
      vitreoretinopathy models in rats: intravitreal injection of proteolytic enzyme
      dispase and proinflammatory lectin concanavalin A. For the first time we selected
      clear morphological criteria for the retina evaluation during the inflammatory
      response. We also compared the effects of the injection of dispase and
      concanavalin on the 7th day after the drugs administration. We conclude that
      different doses of dispase can be used to get a stable model of PVR on different
      periods after the injection procedure.

PMID- 26263684
TI  - [BEHAVIOR, MEMORY AND IMMUNOLOGICAL STATUS IN MICE MODEL OF DESYNCHRONOSIS].
AB  - Interstrain differences in behavior and parameters of the immune system of CBA
      and C57BL/6 mice with round the clock coverage (KO) were investigated. Open
      field, light/dark, acoustic startle response, forced swimming, elevated plus
      maze, passive avoidance were used for measuring emotional behavior and memory.
      The number of lymphocyte subpopulations CD3+, CD4+8-, CD4-8+, CD4+8+, CD19+,
      CD3+hi spleen and thymus, the ratio of cells in different phases of the cell
      cycle was determined by flow cytometry. C57BL/6J mice strictly increased anxiety
      in response to the KO compared to CBA mice. Moreover, KO-treated C57BL/6J mice
      impaired the passive avoidance learning. We found that KO evoked significant
      changes in the cellular composition of the thymus and decrease of thymocytes
      proliferation in C57BL/6J mice. In opposite KO-treated CBA mice showed change of
      splenic cellular structure with increased % CD19+ cells and the proliferation of
      splenocytes. Our study demonstrated genotype-dependent reactions of the nervous
      and immune systems in response chronic constant light.

PMID- 26263685
TI  - [IMPACT OF INDIVIDUAL PERSONALITY FEATURES ON ABILITY TO VOLUNTARY REGULATION OF
      EXPRESSION EEG ALPHA AND BETA FREQUENCIES].
AB  - The ability to voluntary control severity of alpha- and beta-2 frequency bands in
      the parietal and frontal cortical areas was investigated at 17 volunteers using
      biofeedback. The impact of different personality traits on the effectiveness of
      control was evaluated. According to the data, it was easier task to decrease
      expression beta-2 frequency in the frontal cortex than to decline the power of
      alpha frequency in the parietal cortex. The effectiveness of voluntary control of
      brain activity is influenced by personality features as extraversion,
      psychoticism, neuroticism, mobility and steadiness of nerve processes, level of
      person anxiety.

PMID- 26263686
TI  - [DETAILED RESEARCH OF THE ONTOGENETIC CHANGES IN EEG PARAMETERS MEN AND WOMEN
      DURING THE REPRODUCTIVE PERIOD].
AB  - The changes of 272 EEG parameters in 252 women and 97 men during the period of
      life of 16 to 45 years in increments of one month were investigated. Correlation
      analysis and approximations were used. Ontogenetic regression of amplitude and
      power amplitude and power of alpha, theta, delta, but not beta rhythms
      predominantly in the right posterior cortex leads in women was more regressive
      than in men was shown. Overall ontogenetic tendency to fall to the nonlinear
      amplitude and power of EEG rhythms with age is reproduced in both sexes.
      Frequency of rhythms in the course of ontogeny, as a rule, was the compensatory
      increase. So, in neurologically healthy men and women differently achieved the
      same goal--adaptive response of the brain to age conversion.

PMID- 26263687
TI  - [Root Nodule Bacteria Sinorhizobium meliloti: Tolerance to Salinity and Bacterial
      Genetic Determinants].
AB  - The theoretical and experimental data on salt tolerance of root nodule bacteria
      Sinorhizobium meliloti (Ensifer meliloti), an alfalfa symbiont, and on genetic
      determination of this feature are reviewed. Extensive data on the genes affecting
      adaptation of proteobacteria are provided, as well as on the groups of genes with
      activity depending on the osmolarity of the medium. Structural and functional
      polymorphism of the bet genes involved in betaine synthesis and transport in S.
      meliloti is discussed. The phenotypic and. genotypic polymorphism in 282
      environmental rhizobial strains isolated from the centers of alfalfa diversity
      affected by aridity and salinity is discussed. The isolates from the Aral Sea
      area and northern Caucasus were shown to possess the betC gene represented by two
      types of alleles: the dominant A-type allele found in Rm 1021 and the less common
      divergent E-type allele, which was revealed in regions at the frequencies at the
      frequencies of 0.35 and 0.48, respectively. In the isolates with the salt
      tolerant phenotype, which were isolated from root nodules and subsequently formed
      less effective symbioses with alfalfa, the frequency of E-type alleles was 2.5
      times higher. Analysis of the nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the E-type
      allele of the betC gene revealed that establishment of this allele in the
      population was a result of positive selection. It is concluded that
      diversification of the functionally diverse bet genes occurring in S. meliloti
      affects the salt tolerance and symbiotic effectivity of rhizobia.

PMID- 26263688
TI  - [Regulation of Biofilm Formation by Pseudomonas chlororaphis in an vitro System].
AB  - The mutants of Pseudomonas chlororaphis 449 with completely or partially
      suppressed accumulation of N-acyl homoserine lactones exhibited the absence or a
      pronounced decrease of their capacity for stimulation of biofilm growth in the
      presence of azithromycin. Biofilms of the wild type strain preformed in the
      presence of the stimulatory azithromycin concentrations exhibited more intense
      staining with a polysaccharide-specific dye 1,9-dimethyl methylene blue (DMMB)
      and were more resistant to heat shock. These findings indicate accumulation of
      the structural matrix polysaccharides, which play a protective role under the
      conditions of thermal shock. Extremely low azithromycin concentrations (0.001
      0.01 MUg/mL) inhibit biofilm formation by P. chlororaphis 449 and P. chlororaphis
      66 with suppression of the synthesis of DMMB-staining polysaccharides.

PMID- 26263689
TI  - [Applicability of MALDI Mass Spectrometry for Diagnostics of Phase Variants in
      Bacterial Populations].
AB  - Efficiency of MALDI mass spectrometry for differentiation between phenotypic
      phase variants (in colony morphology and virulence/avirulence) was
      investigated.for saprotrophic and opportunistically pathogenic bacteria of five
      genera (Acinetobacter, Arthrobacter, Rhodococcus, Corynebacterium, and
      Escherichia). Analysis of MALDI spectra (on the SA and HCCA matrices) included:
      (1) determination of similarity of the protein spectra as a percentage of the
      common protein peaks to the total amount of proteins, which reflects the
      phylogenetic relationships of the objects and has been recommended for
      identification of closely related species; (2) comparison of intensities of the
      common peaks; and (3) the presence of specific peaks as determinative
      characteristics of the variants. Under the standard analytical conditions the
      similarity between the MALDI profiles was shown to increase in the row: genus
      species-strain-variant. Assessment of intensities of the common peaks was most
      applicable for differentiation between phase variants, especially in the case of
      high similarity of their profiles. Phase variants (A. oxydans strain K14) with
      similar colony morphotypes (S, R, M, and S(m)) grown on different media (LB agar,
      TSA, and TGYg) exhibited differences in their protein profiles reflecting the
      differences in their physiological characteristics. This finding is in agreement
      with our previous results on screening of the R. opacus with similar colony
      morphology and different substrate specificity in decomposition of chlorinated
      phenols. Analysis of MALDI spectra is probably the only efficient method for
      detection of such variants.

PMID- 26263690
TI  - [Poly- beta -Hydroxybutyrate Accumulation by Rhodobacter sphaeroides Phase
      Variants].
AB  - The Rand M variants of a purple photosynthetic bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides
      2R grown on a medium with acetate accumulate poly- beta-hydroxybutyrate (PHB).
      Accumulation of this polymer occurs in the cells grown either anaerobically on
      the light or aerobically in the dark. On the medium with C/N imbalance (C/N = 4),
      PHB content during the stationary growth phase under aerobic conditions in the
      dark was 40 and 70% of the dry biomass of the R and M variant, respectively. The
      Rba. sphaeroides M variant is therefore a promising culture for large-scale PHB
      production. Investigation of activity of the TCA cycle enzymes revealed that
      decreased activity of citrate synthase, the key enzyme for acetate involvement in
      the reactions of the tricarboxylic acids cycle, was primarily responsible for
      enhanced PHB synthesis by Rba. sphaeroides. Moreover, the Rba. sphaeroides M
      variant grown under aerobic conditions in the dark exhibited considerably lower
      activity of NADH oxidase, which participates in the oxidation of reduced NADH
      produced in the TCA cycle during acetate oxidation. The combination of these two
      factors increases the possibilities for acetate assimilation via an alternative
      mechanism of PHB synthesis.

PMID- 26263691
TI  - [Screening of Producers of Proteinases with Fibrinolytic and Collagenolytic
      Activities among Micromycetes].
AB  - Screening for producers of proteinases with fibrinolytic (plasmin-like and
      plasminogen-activating) and collagenolytic activities-was carried out among 83
      strains of microscopic fungi belonging to various ecological groups.
      Entomopathogenic micromycetes secreted proteinases with higher fibrinolytic and
      collagenolytic activity than saprotrophic, potentially phytopathogenic, and
      epiphytic strains. Micromycete strains possessing proteolytic enzymes with
      collagenase activity were revealed, as well as the strains producing proteinases
      with plasmin-like activity. None of the strains studied secreted proteinases
      possessing only plasminogen-activating activity. Tolypocladium inflatum k1 was
      found to be a producer of extracellular proteinases with high plasminogen
      activating, plasmin-like, and collagenolytic activities. The specific plasminogen
      activating activity of T. inflatum k1 was shown to be 20% higher than its plasmin
      like activity.

PMID- 26263692
TI  - [Physiological Properties of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans Strains Isolated from
      Sulfide Ore Deposits in Kazakhstan].
AB  - Acidithiobacillus ferroxidans strains were isolated from acidophilic microbial
      communities of Kazakhstan sulfide ore deposits. Their biotechnologically
      important properties (optimal and maximal growth temperatures and resistance to
      NaCl) were determined. While temperature optima of the strains were the same (30
      32 degrees C), temperature ranges were different. Thus, strain TFBK oxidized iron
      very poorly at 37 degrees C, while for strain TFV, the iron oxidation rate at
      this temperature was insignificantly lower than at lesser temperatures. NaCl
      inhibited the oxidative activity of both strains. Iron oxidation by strain TFV
      was inhibited at 5 g/L NaCl and was suppressed almost completely at 20 g/L. Iron
      oxidation by strain TFBK was inhibited by NaCl to a lesser degree, so that iron
      oxidation rate was relatively high at 10 g/L, while at 20 g/L NaCl the process
      was not suppressed completely, although the oxidation rate was low. Sulfur
      oxidation by these strains was less affected by NaCl than oxidation of ferrous
      iron. Sulfur oxidation by strain TFV was considerably inhibited only at 20 g/L
      NaCl, but was not suppressed completely. Sulfur oxidation by strain TFBK was more
      affected by NaCl. At 10 g/L NaCl the oxidation rate was much lower than at lower
      NaCl concentrations (sulfate concentrations after 6 days of oxidation at 5 and 10
      g/L NaCl were -130 and -100 mM, respectively). While sulfur oxidation by strain
      TFBK was considerably inhibited at 10 and 20 g/L NaCl, similar to strain TFV it
      was not suppressed completely. Our results indicate the adaptation of the species
      A. ferrooxidans to a broad range of growth conditions.

PMID- 26263693
TI  - [Identification of Hydrocarbon-Oxidizing Dietzia Bacteria from Petroleum
      Reservoirs Based on Phenotypic Properties and Analysis of the 16S rRNA and gyrB
      Genes].
AB  - The taxonomic position of hydrocarbon-oxidizing bacterial strains 263 and 32d
      isolated from formation water of the Daqing petroleum reservoir (PRC) was
      determined by polyphasic taxonomy techniques, including analysis of the 16S rRNA
      and the gyrB genes. The major chemotaxonomic characteristics of both strains,
      including the IV type cell wall, composition of cell wall fatty acids, mycolic
      acids, and menaquinones, agreed with those typical of Dietzia strains. The DNA
      G+C content of strains 263 and 32d were 67.8 and 67.6 mol%, respectively.
      Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene of strain 32d revealed 99.7%
      similarity to the gene of D. maris, making it possible to identify strain 32d as
      belonging to this species. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain 263 exhibited
      99.7 and 99.9% similarity to those of D. natronolimnaea and D. cercidiphylli
      YIM65002(T), respectively. Analysis of the gyrB genes of the subterranean
      isolates and of a number of Dietzia type strains confirmed classiffication of
      strain 32d as a D. maris strain and of strain 263, as a D. natronolimnaea strain.
      A conclusion was made concerning higher resolving power of phylogenetic analysis
      of the gyrB gene compared to the 16S rRNA gene analysis in the case of
      determination of the species position of Dietzia isolates.

PMID- 26263694
TI  - [Formation of 55-kDa Fragments under Impaired Coordination Bonds and Hydrophobic
      Interactions in Peripheral Light-Harvesting Complexes Isolated from
      Photosynthetic Purple Bacteria].
AB  - Size exclusion chromatography was used to assess the relative size of intact and
      diphenylamine-treated (DPA, with suppressed carotenoid synthesis) peripheral
      light-harvesting complexes (LH2 complexes) of the sulfurbacterium Allochromatium
      minutissimum. Both LH2 complexes were nonamers and had the same elution volume
      V(e), coinciding with that for the LH2 complex of Rhodoblastus acidophilus
      (strain 10050). Their molecular mass was 150 kDa. Bot pheophytinization of
      bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) at low pH and treatment with the detergent LDAO,
      affecting the hydrophobic interactions between the neighboring protomers, result
      in the fragmentation of the ring of the isolated LH2 complexes and formation of
      55-kDa fragments with molecular masses corresponding to one-third of the initial
      value. Fragmentation caused by both pheophytinization and detergent treatment was
      much more rapid in DPA-treated LH2 complexes than in the intact ones. The 55-kDa
      fragments formed at low pH values contained monomeric bacteriopheophytin, while
      the fragments of a similar molecular mass formed at pH 8.0 in the presence of the
      detergent contained monomeric BChl. The observed fragmentation was hypothesized
      to reflect the inherent C3 symmetry of the LH2 complexes, with the preliminarily
      assembled trimers used as building blocks.

PMID- 26263695
TI  - [New Approaches for the Isolation of Bifidobacterial Strains, Their Molecular
      Characterization, and Assessment of Their Probiotic Potential].
AB  - Six stably growing strains of bifidobacteria possessing probiotic properties were
      isolated from the feces of newborn children and animals. According to the results
      of molecular analysis, one strain was classified as Bifidobacterium bifidum,
      while five belonged to Bifidobacterium animalis. Initial identification of the
      strains was carried out using the primer pairs for the 16S rRNA gene (g-Bifid
      F/R, Bif164/662) and for the xfp gene specific for bifidobacteria. Subsequent
      sequencing of complete genes encoding 16S rRNA synthesis in the isolates
      confirmed their species affiliation. The cultures exhibited high resistance to
      gastroenterological stress (5 <= RD <= 10) and may be therefore recommended
      as:potential probiotics.

PMID- 26263696
TI  - [Yeasts of the Vineyards in Dagestan and Other Regions].
AB  - Long-term studies of yeast species diversity in the vineyards of the Republic of
      Dagestan using various isolation techniques and various substrates in the
      vertical tier dynamics revealed 38 species. The most diverse species complex
      including -80% of the isolated species was formed on the berries. A list of 160
      yeast species isolated from grapes, spontaneously fermented fresh juice, and
      other vineyard substrates was compiled using the results of the present work and
      the literature data on yeast occurrence. Analysis of generalized data revealed
      considerable similarity in the taxonomic composition of yeasts from different
      countries and continents and made it possible to shift from the genus to the
      species characterization of the grape-associated yeast community.

PMID- 26263697
TI  - [Activated Sludge Bacteria Transforming Cyanopyridines and Amides of
      Pyridinecarboxylic Acids].
AB  - Species diversity of bacteria from the activated sludge of Perm biological waste
      treatment facilities capable of transformation of cyanopyridines and amides of
      pyridinecarboxylic acids was investigated. Enrichment cultures in mineral media
      with 3-cyanopyridine as the sole carbon and nitrogen source were used to obtain
      32 clones of gram-negative heterotrophic bacteria exhibiting moderate growth on
      solid and liquid media with 3- and 4-cyanopyridine. Sequencing of the 16S rRNA
      gene fragments revealed that the clones with homology of at least 99% belonged to
      the genera Acinetobacte, Alcaligenes, Delftia, Ochrobactrum, Pseudomonas,
      Stenotrophomonas, and Xanthobacter. PCR analysis showed that 13 out of 32
      isolates contained the sequences (-1070 bp) homologous to the nitrilase genes
      reported previously in Alcaligenes faecalis JM3 (GenBank, D13419.1). Nine clones
      were capable of nitrile and amide transformation in minimal salt medium.
      Acinetobacter sp. 11 h and Alcaligenes sp. osv transformed 3-cyanopyridine to
      nicotinamide, while most of the clones possessed amidase activity (0.5 to 46.3
      mmol/(g h) for acetamide and 0.1 to 5.6 mmol/(g h) for nicotinamide).
      Nicotinamide utilization by strain A. faecalis 2 was shown to result in excretion
      of a secondary metabolite, which was identified as dodecyl acrylate at 91%
      probability.

PMID- 26263698
TI  - [Resistance of Various Yeast Ecological Groups to Prolonged Storage in Dry
      State].
AB  - Resistance of 14 yeast species belonging to different ecological groups to
      extensive storage in a dried state was investigated. Pedobiotic yeasts isolated
      mainly from the soils of humid areas (Cryptococcus podzolicus, Cr. terricola, and
      Lipomyces starkeyi) were the least resistant. The yeasts associated with the
      nectar of entomophilous plants (Metschnikowia reukaufii and Candida bombi) also
      exhibited low resistance to drying. Complete death of these species occurred
      during the first month of storage. Eurybiotic species from various environments
      (Cryptococcus magnus, Cryptococcus victoriae, Debaryomyces hansenii, and
      Cryptococcus wieringae) were somewhat more resistant. Pigmented plant-associated
      yeasts (Rhodotorula mucilaginosa and Sporobolomyces roseus), as well as the
      pathogenic or opportunistic Candida strains (C. albicans and C. parapsilosis),
      were the most resistant to drying. Thus, occurrence of yeasts in natural habitats
      is closely associated with their ability to survive prolonged drying.

PMID- 26263699
TI  - [Active Sulfate Reduction in Acidic Sediments of Gold Mine Tailings].

PMID- 26263700
TI  - [Session dedicated to neuromuscular channelopathies].

PMID- 26263701
TI  - [Channels: a new way to revisit pathology].
AB  - Many "essential" diseases that manifest themselves in the form of crises or fits
      (epilepsies, episodic ataxia, periodic paralyses, myotonia, heart rhythm
      disorders, etc.) are due to ionic channel dysfunction and are thus referred to as
      "channelopathies". Some of these disorders are congenital, due to mutations of
      genes encoding channel subunits, while others result from toxic, immune or
      hormonal disturbances affecting channelfunction. Channelopathies take on a wide
      variety of clinical forms, depending on the type of channel (sodium, potassium,
      calcium, chloride...) and the type of dysfunction (loss or gain of function).
      Some apparently unrelated diseases affecting distinct organs are due to a similar
      dysfunction of the same channel, revealing unsuspected relationships between
      organs and between medical specialties. In addition, a given syndrome can be
      caused by distinct channel dysfunctions. This provides new opportunities for
      diferential diagnosis and specific correction of the causal defects, although
      some treatments find applications across multiple medical specialties.

PMID- 26263702
TI  - [Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome, an immune pathology of neuromuscular
      junctions].
AB  - Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) is a rare autoimmune disorder affecting
      neuromuscular junctions. LEMS has served as a model of paraneoplastic
      neurological syndromes and antitumoral immunity, shedding light on the
      pathological role of autoantibodies directed against synaptic targets.
      Autoantibodies associated with LEMS are directed against voltage-gated calcium
      channels (VGCC) present on nerve terminals of neuromuscular synapses. Anti-VGGC
      antibodies play a direct pathological role in LEMS by blocking VGCC and calcium
      entry during depolarisation. Nearly half of patients with LEMS have small-cell
      lung cancer (SCLC), which also expresses VGCC. Diagnosis of LEMS frequently
      permits early detection and treatment of SCLC Knowledge of this syndrome has led
      to the discovery of a broad range of cancerous and non cancerous antibody
      mediated neurological syndromes, and led to the concept of autoimmune
      synaptopathies.

PMID- 26263703
TI  - [Congenital myasthenic syndromes; French experience].
AB  - Congenital myasthenic syndromes CMS) form a heterogeneous group of genetic
      diseases characterized by abnormal neuromuscular transmission. The associated
      muscular weakness is exacerbated by exertion and usually starts during
      infancy/childhood In 2002 a national Congenital Myasthenic Syndromes Network was
      created in France, composed of neurologists, neuropediatricians, pathologists,
      molecular geneticists and neurobiologists. The network has now identified nearly
      300 cases of CMS, as well as three new culprit genes. Based on our personal
      experience and data from the most recent studies, we describe the 18 principal
      culprit genes so far identified, along with diagnostic pitfalls, the disease
      course, prognosis and treatment. The underlying genetic defect remains to be
      identified in nearly half of CMS patients.

PMID- 26263704
TI  - [Ultraviolet A-induced DNA damage: role in skin cancer].
AB  - Skin cancer is the most common human malignancy, and sunlight exposure is known
      to play a role in its genesis. Ultraviolet B (UVB) (300-320 nm) has long been
      considered responsible for the skin damage underlying these cancers, whereas the
      toxicity of UVA (320-400 nm) has been largely overlooked The intimate mechanisms
      of photocarcinogenicity remain poorly understood, but UV-induced DNA damage
      appears to be a major initiating event. Cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and
      pyrimidine (6-4) photoproducts (6-4PPs) are the main dimeric lesions induced by
      UVB, whereas the genotoxic effects of UVA have long been attributed to oxidative
      damage, the main lesion being the oxidized base 8-oxo-7,8dihydroguanine (8
      oxoGua). However; powerful new techniques for analyzing DNA damage (the Comet
      assay, and especially HPLC-MSIMS) have demonstrated that UVA irradiation mainly
      triggers the formation of CPDs, especially CPD-TT both in cell models and in
      total human skin. A direct photochemical process is currently thought to account
      for CPD induction by UVA. The multilayer structure of the epidermis protects
      against UVB-induced dipyrimidine lesions in total skin but offers only weak
      protection against UVA. In addition, repair efficiency is undermined by UVA.
      CPDs, the main DNA lesions induced by UVA in total skin (which is more permeable
      to UVA), are inefficiently repaired CPDs have strong mutagenic potential, and
      recent studies clearly show that CPDs, rather than 8-Oxo-Gua, are the main
      mutagenic photoproducts induced by UVA. The UV signature of induced mutations is
      characterized by transitions from C to T or CC to TT in dipyrimidine sequences.
      These mutations target the p53, patched 1 and SMO genes in carcinomas, and the
      PTEN RAC1, PPP6C, STK19 and PPP6C genes in melanomas of exposed skin. UVA also
      mainly induces CPDs in melanocytes, in amounts similar to those observed in
      keratinocytes, demonstrating that melanin does not prevent CPD formation. In
      contrast, UVA induces far more abundant 8-oxo-Gua production in melanocytes than
      in keratinocytes. Thus, under UVA irradiation, oxidative stress contributes more
      to DNA damage in melanocytes than in keratinocytes. In addition, baseline
      oxidative damage (in the absence of UVA) is already higher in melanocytes. The
      photosensitizer may be melanin itself. This is supported by a recent study based
      on a murine model, in which melanoma induction was shown to require both UVA and
      the presence of melanin in melanocytes, and is associated with oxidative damage
      to DNA. Conversely, UVB was found to initiate melanoma through a direct, pigment
      independent pathway. Thus, two wavelength-dependent pathways can induce melanoma,
      with melanin playing an unexpected role. Constitutive pigmentation is very
      effective in preventing UV-induced damage, and a clear correlation can thus be
      found between, on the one hand, the amount of CPD TT produced by both UVB and UVA
      and, on the other hand, the minimum erythematous dose and the phototype. Melanin
      is thus a two-facetted molecule, protecting the skin when its synthesis is
      complete and when melanosomes take on their nucleus-protective geometric
      configuration in keratinocytes, but having a pro-oxidant action when only
      partially polymerized and exposed to UV Repeated exposure of volunteer skin shows
      that a tan induced by UVB provides little protection against DNA damage caused by
      subsequent exposure, while tanning with UVA provides no protection at all. Yet
      both UVB and UVA provoke DNA damage. All these recent data highlight the
      potential role of UVA in skin carcinogenesis, and reinforce epidemiological
      studies showing an increased risk of melanoma among users of tanning lamps,
      particularly young women. The decision by the International Agency for Research
      on Cancer to classify UVA and tanning devices as group 1 carcinogens, and the
      opinion issued by the French National Academy of Medicine on tanning booths,
      therefore appear to be fully justified. The use of tanning salons should be
      permanently banned

PMID- 26263705
TI  - [Drug therapy of melanoma: anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1 antibodies].
AB  - Management of patients with metastatic melanoma has improved radically in recent
      years with the development of new drugs capable of signifcantly prolonging life
      expectancy. Two strategies have been implemented: targeted anti-BRAF therapy for
      BRAF-mutated melanomas, and non specific immunotherapies based on anti-CTLA-4
      (ipilimumab) and, more recently, anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibodies. These
      antibodies, by blocking physiological brakes on immune activation, induce an
      indirect immune response. Ipilimumab, a drug approved in 2011 is of benefit to 20
      % of patients but can also trigger significant immune-mediated toxicity. Anti-PD
      1 antibodies presently in development seem to have a better therapeutic index,
      with higher response rates and less toxicity than ipilimumab. Combination therapy
      with anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1 v is also giving encouraging preliminary results.
      In future, these new drugs will probably be used in combination, either
      concurrently or sequentially.

PMID- 26263706
TI  - [Melanoma: Cellular and vaccinal immunotherapy].
AB  - Melanoma is a malignancy in which the immune system plays a central role, thus
      explaining the effectiveness of therapeutic vaccination and cellular
      immunotherapy with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. The identification of specific
      melanoma antigens was an important step in the development of these new
      approaches. These treatments are capable of yielding tumor responses that last
      several years, but the response rate is currently inadequate. The crucial role of
      the tumor microenvironment has recently been shown: melanoma cells render their
      immediate environment immunotolerant, undermining the effectiveness of stimulated
      cytotoxic T lymphocytes. The mechanisms responsible for this state of immune
      tolerance are a major focus of research. Current therapeutic strategies are based
      on early adjuvant approaches, destruction of regulatory T cells by
      lymphodepletion prior to immunotherapy, selection of the melanoma antigens
      inducing the best cytotoxic T cell responses, and combining cellular therapy with
      monoclonal antibodies that block molecules inhibiting T lymphocyte activation.
      Immune therapy for melanoma is thus moving towards adjuvant strategies for early
      stage disease and combined treatments for metastatic melanoma. It is also
      important to identify markers that can be used to predict which patients will
      respond to a given treatment.

PMID- 26263707
TI  - [Future targeting of the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK signaling pathway in oncology: the
      example of melanoma].
AB  - The proliferation, survival and mobility of cancer cells are maintained by
      deregulation of signaling pathways, including RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK/. Constitutive
      activation of these pathways is a common event in human cancers. It is most often
      caused by mutations or altered expression of genes encoding key players in this
      pathway. Knowledge of the mechanisms of intracellular activation of these
      circuits has led to the development of inhibitory molecules aimed at limiting
      tumor growth. These molecules have been developed through extensive clinical
      trials marked by impressive therapeutic successes that have pioneered the concept
      of targeted therapies, leading to a new paradigm of cancer therapy. However,
      despite these remarkable clinical responses, particularly in metastatic melanoma,
      poorly understood drug resistance mechanisms eventually come into play.
      Resistance mechanisms associated with secondary mutations in B-RAF seem to be
      infrequent in melanomas, while those related to target circumvention are more
      common. The latter include an increase in the expression and regulation of PDGF
      and IGF-l receptors, and secondary mutations in the N-RAS, COT or MEK genes. They
      involve the activation pathways MEK/ERK and/or PI3K/AKT in conditions in which
      the target is inhibited. Resistance may also be explained by deregulation of the
      MEK/ERK pathway, leading to the expression of genes that had been subject to
      negative feedback. Moreover, the tumor microenvironment, through the secretion of
      soluble factors, stimulates signaling pathways that can compensate for MEK/ERK
      pathway inhibition. Lastly, combinations of MEK/ERK inhibition and immunotherapy
      open the way to new therapeutic strategies designed to circumvent drug
      resistance. Without calling into question the concept of "oncogenic addiction",
      in which alteration of a single gene is responsible for persistence of the
      tumoral phenotype, these findings call for a rethink on the use of targeted
      therapies. A more integrated view of the tumor including its microenvironment,
      will no doubt be necessary.

PMID- 26263708
TI  - [Renal tubular dysgenesis and mutations in the renin-angiotensin system genes].
AB  - Renal tubular dysgenesis is a severe disease characterized by the absence of
      differentiated proximal tubules, leading to fetal anuria and persistent
      oligohydramnios. The absence of amniotic fluid results in a series of
      malformations, including facial dysmorphia, limb deformation and also lung
      hypoplasia, leading to respiratory distress at birth. The disease is linked to
      mutations in the AGT, REN ACE andAGTR1 genes that compose the renin-angiotensin
      system (RAS). The absence of functional RAS leads to fetal and neonatal
      hypotension, renal hypoperfusion, and tubular dysgenesis. The use of cellular
      models expressing these mutations has advanced our understanding of the structure
      function relationship of RAS proteins, notably by showing that defective
      misfolded proteins undergo either intracellular accumulation and retention, or
      rapid degradation. Moreover, these studies confirm that ACE has to be inserted in
      the plasma membrane to be active.

PMID- 26263709
TI  - [Combined blockade of the renin-angiotensin system].
AB  - Blockade of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) with angiotensin-converting-enzyme
      (ACEI) inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB) has become a major
      therapeutic tool. Due to internal counter-regulation, however, this system cannot
      be fully blocked by targeting only one of its components. Instead of increasing
      the doses of an ACEI, an ARB or a renin inhibitor, blocking RAS at two successive
      levels neutralizes the consequences of internal counter-regulation and thus
      provides a more complete blockade with more pronounced biological effects.
      Additive effects on blood pressure lowering and on renin secretion during
      combined administration of RAS blockers were first demonstrated in normotensive
      subjects and in various experimental models of hypertension, heart failure and
      renal failure. Although combined RAS blockade provided an additional hemodynamic
      response and more complete neutralization of the cellular effects of angiotensin
      II, no benefit was observed in terms of cardiovascular or renal protection in
      heart disease (heart failure, post-myocardial infarction, high vascular risk) or
      kidney disease (diabetic nephropathy). Moreover, more complete RAS blockade is
      risky in conditions where blood pressure and renal perfusion are renin-dependent
      (renal failure and hypotension) and also in hypoaldosteronism (hyperkalemia). The
      European, French and US. health agencies have contraindicated combined RAS
      blockade because of its unfavorable risk-benefit balance, especially in patients
      with diabetes or renal failure.

PMID- 26263710
TI  - [Organized breast cancer screening].
AB  - Breast screening programs are increasingly controversial, especially regarding
      two points: the number of breast cancer deaths they avoid, and the problem of
      over-diagnosis and over-treatment. The French national breast cancer screening
      program was extended to cover the whole country in 2004. Ten years later it is
      time to examine the risk/benefit ratio of this program and to discuss the need
      for change. Like all forms of cancer management, screening must be regularly
      updated, taking into account the state of the art, new evidence, and
      uncertainties. All screening providers should keep themselves informed of the
      latest findings. In the French program, women aged 50-74 with no major individual
      or familial risk factors for breast cancer are offered screening mammography and
      clinical breast examination every two years. Images considered non suspicious of
      malignancy by a first reader are re-examined by a second reader. The devices and
      procedures are subjected to quality controls. Participating radiologists (both
      public and private) are required to read at least 500 mammographies per year. The
      program's national participation rate was 52.7 % in 2012. When individual
      screening outside of the national program is taken into account (nearly 15 % of
      women), coverage appears close to the European recommendation of 65 %. Breast
      cancer mortality has been falling in France by 0.6 % per year for over 30 years,
      starting before mass screening was implemented, and by 1.5 % since 2005. This
      decline can be attributed in part to earlier diagnosis and better treatment, so
      that the specific impact of screening cannot easily be measured. Over-treatment,
      defined as the detection and treatment of low-malignancy tumors that would
      otherwise not have been detected in a person's lifetime, is a major negative
      effect of screening, but its frequency is not precisely known (reported to range
      from 1 % to 30 %). In view of these uncertainties, it would be advisable to
      modify the program in order to increase its efficiency, by targeting populations
      at a higher risk than the women currently included, and to reduce the number of
      mammograms done outside the program, as they are not subject to the same quality
      controls. Risks could be reduced by increasing the sensitivity of mammography and
      the specificity of the readings. Moreover, it is mandatory to inform women of
      both the benefits and risks of screening, in compliance with the principle of
      enabling patients to make a free and informed choice.

PMID- 26263712
TI  - Urgent Care Facilities: Geographic Variation in Utilization and Charges for
      Common Lab Tests, Office Visits, and Flu Vaccines.
AB  - The rapid growth of urgent care facilities (UCFs) and other types of convenient
      care centers has largely been attributed to increasing consumer demand for more
      convenient and affordable healthcare. UCFs typically treat non-emergency, acute
      conditions and are increasingly serving as an alternative to "traditional" care
      settings, such as physician offices and emergency departments (EDs). A study was
      conducted to characterize geographic variation in both utilization and charges
      for common lab tests, office visits, and flu vaccines by care settings. Based on
      claims data from FAIR Health's National Private Insurance Claims (FHNPIC)
      database, the results suggest that utilization and charge patterns for common
      procedures vary significantly by care setting across geographic region and over
      time but the variations are generally small in magnitude. For example, across
      geographic regions, charges for the flu vaccine are found to be higher when
      performed in a physician's office in contrast to being performed in a UCF.

PMID- 26263711
TI  - [Organized colorectal cancer screening].
AB  - Organized colorectal screening in France was extended to the whole of the country
      in 2008. People aged from 50 to 74 years are offered fecal occult blood tests
      (FOBT) every two years. Patients with individual or familial risk factors for
      colorectal disease are excluded from the program. Despite promotion campaigns,
      the participation rate remains low, at about 30 %. It has been decided that a
      quantitative immunogical test will replace FOBT in the near future. The
      evaluation and use of colonoscopy and recto-sigmoidoscopy as screening tests must
      be re-evaluated in the light of recent research findings.

PMID- 26263713
TI  - Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients with Intracerebral Hemorrhage
      after Interhospital Transfer to a Designated Stroke Center.
AB  - Patients with acute ischemic stroke have improved outcomes when cared for in
      designated stroke centers (SC), in part due to enhanced thrombolytic use. Whether
      patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) also benefit from SC care is
      unknown. In this study, we compared the clinical characteristics and outcomes of
      ICH patients who underwent interhospital transfer (IHT) to a Joint Commission
      (JC) designated SC, to ICH patients who presented directly to the SC's emergency
      department (ED). METHODS: Patients with ICH admitted between 2006 and 2013 were
      evaluated. The primary outcome measure was in-hospital death or hospice. RESULTS:
      Among 760 consecutive admissions for ICH, 321 (42.2%) were IHTs. There has been a
      30% annual increase in IHT of ICH patients since 2006. The IHT group was younger
      (70.26 vs 72.28; P =.055), had lower ICH scores (P = .007), a higher Glasgow Coma
      Scale (GCS) (P = .037), and lower systolic blood pressure (SBP) (P = .003) than
      those arriving directly to the ED. Female sex was a predictor of in-hospital
      mortality (OR = 2.26). CONCLUSION: IHT is increasingly common for patients with
      ICH. The benefit of transfer remains unclear, as younger, healthier patients were
      the most likely to be transferred. Comprehensive stroke registries are needed to
      determine if outcomes differ for ICH patients based on transfer or SC care.

PMID- 26263715
TI  - Unusual Case of Isolated Pleural B-Cell Lymphoma.
AB  - Pleural involvement in lymphoma is rare as the initial presentation of disease in
      the immunocompetent patient. We describe a rare case of primary, isolated pleural
      B-cell lymphoma in a 75-year-old female, previously treated for adenocarcinoma of
      the left lung with lobectomy and chemotherapy, who presented with shortness of
      breath. A CT scan of the chest revealed a right-sided pleural effusion and
      pleural thickening. She underwent multiple nondiagnostic thoracenteses. A
      subsequent surgical biopsy was diagnostic of large B-cell lymphoma.

PMID- 26263714
TI  - Levamisole-Induced Vasculitis with Renal Involvement.
AB  - A significant amount of cocaine used in the United States today is adulterated
      with levamisole. In some instances, prolonged use of contaminated cocaine is
      associated with the development of levamisole-induced vasculitis (LIV) with
      features of cutaneous vasculitis and agranulocytosis along with other
      constitutional symptoms and arthritis. We describe a case of a crack cocaine user
      with LIV, who developed significant renal disease secondary to crescentic
      glomerulonephritis, confirmed on renal biopsy. Renal vasculitis is an uncommon
      feature of LIV and significantly affects clinical course and management.

PMID- 26263716
TI  - An Adverse Electrophysiological Interaction Between an Implantable Cardioverter
      Defibrillator and a Ventricular Assist Device.
AB  - Many patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) have implantable
      cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) as part of the management of advanced heart
      failure. With increasing use and coexistence of these devices in patients with
      advanced cardiomyopathy, adverse interactions between these devices have been
      recognized. We herewith describe a rare adverse interaction of electromagnetic
      interference (EMI) between a third-generation, continuous-flow device (The
      HeartWare HVAD) and an ICD which resulted in the delivery of inappropriate ICD
      therapies. A schematic approach for the prevention and treatment of
      electromagnetic interference has also been described.

PMID- 26263718
TI  - Surgical Quality Initiatives in Connecticut: We Are Building a Cathedral.

PMID- 26263717
TI  - Annual State of Connecticut Obstetrics and Gynecology Resident Research Day.
AB  - To increase opportunities for Obstetrics and Gynecology(Ob/Gyn) residents to
      present their research, an Annual State of Connecticut Ob/Gyn Resident Research
      Day (RRD) was created. At the first annual RRD, 33 residents, representing five
      of six Connecticut Ob/Gyn residency programs, presented 39 poster and eight oral
      presentations. RRD evaluators rated the overall symposium and the quality of
      resident oral and poster presentations as either "excellent" or "above average."
      Residency program directors reported that the symposium was "very helpful" for
      evidencing resident scholarship as required by the Accreditation Council for
      Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). Surveyed residents reported that the
      symposium promoted their research and was a valuable investment of their time. An
      annual specialty-specific, statewide RRD was created, experienced good
      participation, and was well evaluated. The annual, statewide Ob/Gyn RRD may serve
      as a model for development of other specialty-specific, statewide RRD events.

PMID- 26263719
TI  - Aporia in Medicine.

PMID- 26263720
TI  - Donning Your Detective Hat: A Med Student's Path to Research.

PMID- 26263721
TI  - Unwittingly Imparted.

PMID- 26263722
TI  - 50 YEAR AGO--From Connecticut Medicine. THE PRESIDENT'S PAGE. The 173rd Annual
      Meeting Of The Connecticut State Medical Society. 1965.

PMID- 26263723
TI  - 50 YEARS AGO--From Connecticut Medicine. THE PRESIDENT'S PAGE. Utilization--The
      Physician's Problem. 1965.

PMID- 26263724
TI  - The Connecticut Healthcare Landscape: The Borgias and Cuckoo Clocks.

PMID- 26263725
TI  - A Call to Action.

PMID- 26263728
TI  - BURIED ALIVE. Essential rescue skills are important.

PMID- 26263726
TI  - Tipping Point: What I Have Learned Since the Last Time We Met.

PMID- 26263731
TI  - EDITOR-IN-CHIEF A.J. HEIGHTMAN, MPA, EMT-P, RESPONDS.

PMID- 26263733
TI  - LATE FEE. What does it take to be an innovator?.

PMID- 26263734
TI  - RAPID DECLINE. What causes this patient to return to the ambulance for a second
      assessment?.

PMID- 26263735
TI  - DNR CONFUSION. POLST interpretation lacks consensus among prehospital providers.

PMID- 26263736
TI  - UNTANGLING METAL. The EMT's & paramedic's role in vehicle extrication.

PMID- 26263737
TI  - SUSPENSION SHOCK. Redefining the diagnosis & treatment of suspension trauma.

PMID- 26263738
TI  - GLOBAL COMMUNITY MEDICS. Profiles of international mobile integrated healthcare
      initiatives.

PMID- 26263739
TI  - FACE TO FACE. The gruesome reality of facial trauma.

PMID- 26263740
TI  - INSPIRATION. The story of one medic's miraculous recovery.

PMID- 26263741
TI  - MAINTAINING CREDENTIALS. Staying proficient in clinical decision-making & skills.

PMID- 26263742
TI  - AS SEEN ON TV. CPR's unrealistic portrayal on the small screen.

PMID- 26263743
TI  - Conversations key to adopting clinical change.

PMID- 26263744
TI  - Biosimilars: Good News, But Not The New Generics.

PMID- 26263745
TI  - A Case For Integrated Care In Senior Living.

PMID- 26263746
TI  - Dementia Care, Outpatient Therapy Popular Services.

PMID- 26263747
TI  - 2015 Year Of The Mergers.

PMID- 26263748
TI  - The impending burden of kidney disease.

PMID- 26263749
TI  - Protein in our food. How much is too much, and should we worry about the
      phosphorus?

PMID- 26263750
TI  - The chronic disease self-management program--A pilot study in patients undergoing
      hemodialysis.
AB  - A strong emphasis on self-management for health maintenance in a variety of
      chronic diseases has been shown to benefit patients' outcomes and quality of
      life. However, little has been published on such programs in patients with
      chronic kidney disease. We studied the feasibility and effectiveness of the
      Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) in 14 patients with ESRD
      undergoing conventional hemodialysis. This program is designed to enhance skills
      in the areas of medical, emotional, and role management. Outcome measures in
      health status, self-management behaviors, self-efficacy, and health care
      utilization were evaluated through use of questionnaires at baseline and after
      six months.

PMID- 26263751
TI  - Rules on authority vary by state.

PMID- 26263752
TI  - A life of service. Maggie Colin looks back at 51 years as a dialysis nurse.

PMID- 26263753
TI  - Trends in Social Work. Nephrology social work meets integrated care: A
      partnership for the road ahead.
AB  - Integrated care has brought changes to the field of nephrology social work. In
      turn, nephrology social work has brought innovative contributions to the field of
      integrated care. The new social work service delivery systems described in this
      article are sure to help the industry reach its goals to keep care patient
      centered while maintaining quality and reducing the costs of treating end stage
      renal disease. Social workers are called to serve the needs of the client, the
      family, the community and the society at large. Nephrology social workers are
      right where they belong in the ESRD integrated care environment. They feel right
      at home.

PMID- 26263754
TI  - SCM15/Council of Advanced Practitioners. The cost of infections for patients and
      providers.

PMID- 26263755
TI  - SCM15/Council of Nephrology Social Workers. Hospice, dialysis, and health care
      reform.

PMID- 26263756
TI  - NKF SCM15 Physicians Program. Update on advances in PD.

PMID- 26263758
TI  - [Molecular mechanisms of catalytic reactions and superoxide production by
      cytochrome bc1 complex].
AB  - Cytochrome bc1 is one of the key enzymes of biological energy conversion. The
      enzyme couples electron transfer between membranous quinones and water-soluble
      cytochromes with proton translocation across the membrane contributing to
      generation of protonmotive force used for ATP synthesis. This process involves
      the action of two types of quinone-binding catalytic sites localized on two
      opposite sides of the membrane. One of them catalyzes the unique in biology
      bifurcation reaction that directs electrons coming from quinol into two separate
      chains of cofactors. Side reactions of bifurcation may lead to generation of
      superoxide. The enzyme is a homodimer in which each monomer is equipped with a
      set of both catalytic sites. Recent studies identified spectroscopically a state
      that can be assigned as an intermediate of bifurcation reaction, described
      conditions of superoxide generation, and also demonstrated existence of inter
      monomer electron transfer. These findings shed light on our understanding the
      molecular mechanisms of catalytic and side reactions and functioning of
      cytochrome bc1 as dimer in the context of cell physiology.

PMID- 26263759
TI  - [RNA processing - unusual mechanism of generation of novel classes of noncoding
      RNAs from functional RNAs].
AB  - Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) play regulatory roles at all stages of the genetic
      information transmission from DNA to proteins. The ncRNA-mediated mechanisms
      leading to specific expression or silencing of particular genes seem to be of
      special importance. In addition to well-known and well-understood functions of
      RNAs, we recently discover new and nonobvious aspects and possibilities of
      regulating cellular processes. One example is the processing of various RNAs, the
      mechanism of formation of short non-coding RNAs from existing functional RNAs.
      Both: the sources of these short RNAs and the functions performed by them are
      diverse. Their presence greatly enriches the possibilities of gene expression
      regulation, as it turns out, at all stages.

PMID- 26263760
TI  - [cAMP cascade in regulation of protein glycosylation].
AB  - O- and N-glycosylation are the most common and complex of the post-translational
      modifications. Both are enzymatic processes and it was suggested that both could
      be regulated by cAMP cascade at the early stages. N-glycosylation starts with the
      formation of lipid-linked oligosaccharides and this process is catalysed by
      crucial glycosyltransferase - dolichol phosphate mannose synthase. The results of
      several studies strongly suggest that the cAMP acting through a cAMP-dependent
      protein kinase A-mediated protein phosphorylation/dephosphorylation cycle may
      modulate activation of this enzyme. It was shown that cAMP can also up regulate
      another enzyme involved in phosphodolichole synthesis - cis-prenyltransferase.
      The mechanism acting here is the alteration of the rate of its gene expression.
      cAMP cascade is also involved in regulation of O-glycosylation since
      phosphorylation of human glutamine:fructose-6-phosphate amidotransferase results
      in depletion of O-GlcNAc structure formation. These observation suggested an
      important role of GPCRs and their ligand in regulation of N- and O-glycan
      synthesis.

PMID- 26263761
TI  - [The role of ATM kinase in neurodegeneration].
AB  - Neurodegenerative diseases represent a major challenge for modern medicine.
      Despite many years of research, no effective neuroprotective therapy has been
      proposed. Ataxia telangiectasia (A-T) is rare disease, which is caused by a
      mutation of the ATM protein. Cerebellar degeneration is the main symptom of the A
      T. The kinase ATM, inter alia is involved in the repair of DNA damage, cell cycle
      regulation and the control of apoptosis. In recent years the presence of that
      kinase in the cytoplasm has been demonstrated. This led to the discovery of its
      participation in the regulation of metabolic processes, homeostasis mitochondrial
      oxidative stress response or modulation of synaptic function. The pleiotropic
      effect of ATM kinase requires effective control exercised by, inter alia,
      proteins having specific binding motifs this kinase, such as ATMIN and NBS1. The
      regulation of prosurvival processes which are controlled by ATM kinase, may prove
      an attractive therapeutic strategy in treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

PMID- 26263762
TI  - [The role of actin cytoskeleton and myosin VI in clathrin-dependent endocytosis].
AB  - Myosin VI (MVI), an actin-based molecular motor, is believed to have unique
      functions in eukaryotic cells, because it is the only myosin shown to move toward
      the pointed end of actin filaments, in the opposite direction of all other
      myosins. Given some unusual structural and kinetic properties of MVI, many models
      of its functioning in variety cellular processes have been proposed, and one of
      them is endocytosis. Different roles for many proteins associated with endocytic
      domains, such as clathrin or dynamin, have been defined. However, some results
      provide compelling evidence that actin filaments and MVI are both involved in two
      distinct steps of clathrin-dependent endocytosis: the formation of clathrin
      coated vesicles and the movement of nascent uncoated vesicles from the actin-rich
      cell periphery to the early endosome. There are several postulated mechanisms of
      function for actin cytoskeleton and MVI during subsequent steps of clathrin
      dependent endocytosis. Below we focus on their potential roles in this cellular
      process.

PMID- 26263763
TI  - [Comparison of apoptosis in vertebrates and invertebrates (mainly in insects)
      with particular emphasis on physiological role of this process in development of
      organisms].
AB  - Apoptosis (from Greek "dropping off leaves") is defined as active genetically
      programmed cell death, that may occur in single cell or group of cells in
      organisms. This process is highly conserved among invertebrates and vertebrates
      but we can identify different components of the apoptotic pathways or changes in
      mechanisms by which apoptosis is activated between species. Generally apoptosis
      plays a key role in normal tissue development as well as in elimination of
      unwanted cells including damaged or infected cells. This type of cell death,
      conserved through evolution, permits homeostasis maintenance on the right level.
      The mechanisms of apoptosis are very complex and sophisticated, in vertebrate
      research indicates a few main pathways, differing in the first stage leading to
      the activation of executive enzymes - caspases. Caspases are essential for the
      initiation and regulation of apoptosis and a large number of these enzymes have
      been identified in various animals from sponges to vertebrates. In these work we
      focused on comparison invertebrate and vertebrate pathways of apoptosis,
      especially in insects species (Diptera and Lepidoptera). We investigate how these
      organisms use that kind of cells control as kind of immune response triggered by
      pathogen infection.

PMID- 26263764
TI  - [Plant signaling peptides. Small post-translationally modified peptides].
AB  - Recent genetic, bioinformatic and biochemical analyses have revealed that many
      secretory peptides are important components in intercellular signaling that
      coordinate and specify cellular functions in plants. The signaling peptides
      discovered in plants thus far can be considered to fall into two broad groups.
      Peptides from the first group are undergo post-translational modification, such
      as proline hydroxylation, hydroxyproline arabinosylation or tyrosine sulfation.
      Peptides from the second group are defined as cysteine-rich peptides (CRPs). The
      Cys-rich peptides are larger and they contain 4 to 16 cysteine residues. In
      parallel with the discovery of plant signal peptides, specific receptors for such
      peptide signals are identified. So far, the receptors for plant peptides that
      have been identified are members of the receptor-like kinases (RLKs) and the
      receptor-like proteins (RLPs) families, and most of them contain leucine-rich
      repeat (LRR) extracellular domain. The present review presents the recent
      progress in research on small post-translationally modified signal peptides.
      Recent findings indicate that these peptides are involved in various aspects of
      plant growth regulation including meristem organization, primary root
      development, lateral root initiation, vasculature development, organ abscission,
      and root nodulation.

PMID- 26263765
TI  - [Photodynamic reaction and oxidative stress - influence of the photodynamic
      effect on the activity antioxidant enzymes].
AB  - The interaction of light with a photosensitizer, accumulated in a tissue in the
      presence of oxygen, leads to formation of reactive oxygen species, mainly of
      singlet oxygen and free radicals. These factors react with biomolecules producing
      their oxidized states. Reactive oxygen species, such as singlet oxygen and free
      radicals are able to damage membranes, DNA, enzymes, structural peptides and
      other cellular structures leading to cell death. An antioxidant protection of
      cell is formed by enzymes belonging to the family of oxidoreductases: superoxide
      dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione
      reductase (GR). Photodynamic therapy leads to the increased production of
      oxidizing toxic forms. It is important to analyze impact of PDT on the activity
      of antioxidant enzymes, such as SOD, CAT, GPx. The activity of antioxidant
      enzymes during the photodynamic effect is influenced by both the light energy
      dose and the concentration of photosensitizer. The presence only of the
      photosensitizer or only the light energy may also result in changes in the
      activity of these enzymes. The differences in changes in the activity of these
      enzymes depend on the type of used photosensitizer. A phenomenon of selective
      accumulation of photosensitizer in tumor tissues is used in the photodynamic
      method of tumor diagnosis and treatment.

PMID- 26263766
TI  - [The effects of selenium deficiency in animals].
AB  - All mineral elements have their place in nature as macroelements, microelements
      and submicroelements. They should be delivered to the organism in the proper
      composition and amount and in the form easy assimilated by the organism. Creating
      the food composition we should take into account not only energy metabolism and
      digestible protein content, but also the content of minerals components, among
      them of selenium. Selenium is assimilated by the organism in the form of
      selenomethionine and selenocysteine as well as certain inorganic compounds. This
      element in the excess is a poison, but on the other hand it is essential food
      component, because of its roles in the metabolism, as well as anticancer factor
      and antioxidant.

PMID- 26263767
TI  - [Overview of methods used for determination of selected sphingolipids in
      different biological materials].
AB  - Sphingolipids are bioactive molecules, which constitute part of the cell
      membrane. They are involved in signaling and regulation of many cellular
      processes including cell growth and proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis or
      inflammatory processes. Several methods were described to determine the
      concentration and conversion of sphingolipids including radioactive labeling,
      enzymatic methods, MS, RP-HPLC, ESI LC-MS/ MS, UPLC-MS/MS. The development and
      validation of analytical and extraction methodology for the determination of
      selected sphingolipids in various biological materials are described in this
      paper.

PMID- 26263768
TI  - [Current situation of soil-transmitted nematodiasis monitoring in China and
      working keys in future].
AB  - Soil-transmitted nematodiasis is widely epidemic in rural areas in China. It was
      showed that the infection rate of soil-transmitted nematodes was 19.56% while the
      overall number of persons infected was 129,000,000, which was supported by the
      results of the National Survey of Current Situation of Major Human Parasitic
      Diseases in China in 2005 published by former Ministry of Health. Therefore, soil
      transmitted nematodiasis was included in the national infectious diseases and
      pathogenic media monitoring system by Chinese Center for Disease Control and
      Prevention in 2006, and subsequently 22 monitoring spots were established
      nationwide. From 2006 to 2013, the human infection rate of intestinal nematodes
      in national monitoring spots decreased from 20.88% to 3.12%, which showed a
      declining trend year by year. Meanwhile, the infection rates of Ascaris
      lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, hookworm, Enterobius vermicularis decreased
      from 10.10%, 5.88%, 8.88%, 10.00% in 2006 to 0.76%, 0.42%, 2.04%, 6.78% in 2013
      respectively. In this paper, the current situation of soil-transmitted
      nematodiasis is overviewed based on a summary of the 8 years' monitoring work, as
      well as the experiences, challenges and key of monitoring work in the future.

PMID- 26263769
TI  - [Evaluation of effectiveness of comprehensive schistosomiasis control project in
      Yunnan Province from 2004 to 2013].
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of comprehensive schistosomiasis control
      project in Yunnan Province after its implementation for ten years, so as to
      provide the evidence for formulating the future prevention and control strategy.
      METHODS: The data of the schistosomiasis comprehensive control project and the
      endemic situation were collected and analyzed to evaluate the control effect of
      the project in Yunnan Province from 2004 to 2013. RESULTS: After the
      comprehensive control project implementation for ten years, the Oncomelania
      hupensis snail area in Yunnan Province decreased from 4,364.79 hm2 in 2004 to
      1,528.50 hm2 in 2013, with a reduction rate of 64.98%, and the occurrence rate of
      frames with snails and the density of living snails decreased from 4.71% and 0.26
      snails/0.1 m2 in 2004 to 1.35% and 0.04 snails/0.1 m2 in 2013, with the reduction
      rates of 71.34% and 84.62%, respectively. The schistosome infected snails were
      found only in 2011 and 2013 since 2008. In 2013, the infection rates of human
      (0.0021%) and cattle (0.0209%) decreased by 99.84% and 99.44%, respectively,
      compared to those in 2004, and no acute schistosome infection cases were found
      since 2008. The 212 villages with relatively serious endemic situation (Type One,
      Type Two and Type Three) all declined to the slight endemic villages (Type Four
      and Type Five), therefore, they reached the criteria of schistosomiasis
      transmission controlled or interrupted. The awareness rates of schistosomiasis
      control among villagers and students in endemic areas were above 90% and 98%,
      respectively. CONCLUSION: The effect of the comprehensive schistosomiasis control
      project is significant in Yunnan Province, but the task to consolidate and
      enlarge the control results still remains a challenge.

PMID- 26263770
TI  - [Spatiotemporal pattern of Oncomelania snails at village level in Hubei
      Province].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the spatiotemporal distribution of Oncomelania hupensis
      snails in different areal-types at a village level in Hubei Province, so as to
      provide the basis for formulating the strategies and measures of snail control.
      METHODS: The snail data of 30 schistosomiasis epidemic counties at a village
      scale in Hubei Province from 2007 to 2012 were collected and combined with the
      geographic information of each village to construct the spatial database of
      snails. The snail area and its change trend of different areal-types were
      illustrated; the multilevel model of snail distribution was established. RESULTS:
      The snail area of each village from 2007 to 2012 was correlated (Intra-class
      correlation coefficient, ICC = 95.7%). Both the baseline and the rate of change
      of snail area were significantly different (sigma(2)(u0) = 4,766.53,
      sigma(2)(u1)= 20.96, both P < 0.01). The rate of change of snail area was higher
      if the baseline of snail area was higher (sigma(2)(u01) =126.78, P < 0.01). The
      snail areas of villages were increased slowly by year (year = 0.64,P < 0.01). The
      average snail areas and growth of snail areas of villages in the marshland and
      lake region were largest (type= -29.84, P < 0.01; year*type = -0.52, P < 0.01).
      CONCLUSIONS: The snail area is significantly different among both villages and
      areal-types. This study spatially visualizes the snail data of 30 schistosomiasis
      epidemic counties in Hubei Province and establishes the multilevel model,
      providing the basis of snail control in different areal-types.

PMID- 26263771
TI  - [Spatial regression analysis of relationship between schistosome infection rate
      of Oncomelania hupensis snails and climate factors].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between the schistosome infection rate of
      O. hupensis snails and the climate factors in endemic areas of schistosomiasis,
      so as to provide the evidence for improving the snail control. METHODS: The snail
      and climate data of 18 counties in Hubei Province in 2009 were collected to
      obtain the infection rate of O. hupensis snails and to fit the spatial regression
      models. RESULTS: The multiple linear regression model showed that the residuals
      were autocorrelated (Moran's I = 0.182 8, P < 0.01) and the spatial regression
      was necessary. The spatial lag model (SLM) was selected according to the results
      obtained by Lagrange multiplier statistics. The spatial parameter rho of SLM was
      significant (p= - 0.151 5, P < 0.05) and the infection rate of O. hupensis snails
      was positively correlated with the annual average temperature (P < 0.05). The
      correlations between the infection rate of O. hupensis and the annual average
      relative humidity, precipitation and sunshine duration were not significant
      respectively (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The spatial regression models could be
      well applied in the analysis of the relationship between the O. hupensis snails
      and climate factors. The annual average temperature is the primary climate factor
      influencing the infection of O. hupensis snails.

PMID- 26263772
TI  - [Molluscicidal effect of 5% powder of niclosamide ethanolamine salt granules
      (NEG) in field of mountainous areas in Yunnan Province].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the molluscicidal effect of 5% powder of niclosamide
      ethanolamine salt granules (NEG) in the field of mountainous areas in Yunnan
      Province. METHODS: The grasslands with Oncomelania hupensis snail habitats were
      chosen in Beideng Village, Heqing County, Yunnan Province, and were divided into
      7 groups (groups of NEG 30 g/m2, NEG 40 g/m2, NEG 50 g/m2, NEG 40 g/m2 plus
      obstacle clearing, 50% niclosamide ethanolamine salt wettable powder (WPN) 6
      g/m2, WPN 6 g/m2 plus obstacle clearing, and fresh water). The snail death rates
      and the densities of living snails were investigated and the results were
      compared in the different groups 7 d, 15 d, and 30 d after the implementation.
      RESULTS: Seven d, 15 d, and 30 d after the implementation, the snail death rates
      of the groups of NEG 30 g/m2, 40 g/m2, and 50 g/m2 were from 72.75 % to 95.83%,
      and the average descent rates of living snail densities were from 72.26% to
      95.54%. Seven d, 15 d, and 30 d after the implementation, in the NEG 40 g/m2
      group, the snail death rates were from 81.69% to 87.19%, and the average descent
      rates of living snail densities were from 81.42% to 87.91% ; in the NEG 40 g/m2
      plus obstacle clearing group, the snail death rates were from 84.89% to 88.24%
      and the average descent rates of living snail densities were from 85.63% ~
      88.22%; in the WPN 6 g/m2 group, the snail death rates were from 85.23% to 86.17%
      and the average descent rates of living snail densities were from 85.76% to
      86.05%; in the WPN 6 g/m2 plus obstacle clearing group, the snail death rates
      were from 88.89% to 92.10% and the average descent rates of living snail
      densities were from 86.71% to 92.20%. The obstacle clearing improved the
      molluscicidal effect. CONCLUSION: NEG has a good molluscicidal effect in the
      field of mountainous areas in Yunnan Province.

PMID- 26263773
TI  - [Preliminary study on pro-apoptotic gene BAD of Schistosoma japonicum].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To understand the characteristics of pro-apoptotic gene SjBAD of
      Schistosoma japonicum, such as its biology, immunology, and transcriptional
      expression, and evaluate its potential of the recombinant protein as a vaccine
      candidate for schistosomiasis. METHODS: SjBAD was amplified by PCR and subeloned
      into a pET-28a(+) vector, and the recombinant plasmid was transformed into
      competent E. coli BL21 for producing recombinant protein. The expressions of
      SjBAD in different development stages of schistosomula and 42-day male and female
      worms were determined by real-time PCR. The immunogenicity of the recombinant
      protein was analyzed by Western blotting and ELISA. The potential of this protein
      as a vaccine candidate molecule was assessed by testing the worm reduction rate
      and liver egg reduction rate in the BALB/c mice immunized by the recombinant
      antigen SjBAD. RESULTS: SjBAD was successfully cloned, the recombinant plasmid
      pET-28a(+)-SjBAD was successfully expressed in E. coli, and the molecular weight
      of the recombinant protein was around 22 kDa. Western-blotting showed that the
      recombinant protein had good immunogenicity. The recombinant protein could induce
      high level of specific IgG antibodies in the BALB/c mice. SjBAD was expressed in
      all tested 7-, 14-, 21-, 28-, 35- and 42-day worms, and was highly expressed in
      14-day schistosomula, while the expression level in 42-day male worms was higher
      than that in 42-day female worms. Two in- dependent animal trials showed that
      30.82% and 27.87% worm reduction rates, as well as 42.52% and 45.84% liver eggs
      reduction rates were obtained in the rSjBAD vaccinated group compared with those
      of the blank control group (both P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The proapoptotic gene
      SjBAD is successfully cloned and expressed. The gene is expressed in different
      development stages of S. japonicum. The rSjBAD vaccinated BALB/c mice can obtain
      a partial protective immunity against S. japonicum infection.

PMID- 26263774
TI  - [Comparative study of assay methods for in vitro antimalarial drug efficacy
      testing in Plasmodium falciparum].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare four assay methods of in vitro antimalarial drug efficacy
      testing, including WHO microtest, Plasmodial lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH),
      Histidine-rich protein II (HRP II) and SYBR Green I, so as to determine a stable,
      simple, rapid, and economic method for monitoring the drug sensitivity of malaria
      parasites and screening new antimalarial drugs. METHODS: WHO microtest, pLDH, HRP
      II and SYBR Green I were applied to test the drug efficacy of chloroquine,
      piperaquine and amodiaquine against four Plasmodiumfalciparum reference strains
      (3D7, FCC, K1 and Dd2), respectively. The consistency of the 50% inhibitory
      concentration (IC50) values from the four assay methods were analyzed by Friedman
      tests, Partial correlation analysis, Pearson' s correlation analysis and Bland
      Altman plots. RESULTS: With the initial parasitemia ranged from 0.5% to 1%, there
      were no statistically significant differences (P> 0.05) among the IC50 values
      obtained by the four assay methods, which were correlated well (both P< 0.001).
      WHO microtest was highly labor-intensive, time-consuming and subjective; although
      HRP II was more sensitive than pLDH and SYBR Green I, which was more expensive;
      SYBR Green I was a simple, rapid and economic assay method. CONCLUSION: SYBR
      Green I, as a simple and cost-effective assay method, is suitable for high
      throughput malaria drug sensitivity monitoring and research of new antimalarial
      drug screening.

PMID- 26263775
TI  - [Infection and molecular characteristics of Giardia in clinical diarrheal
      patients].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To initially understand the infection status and the molecular
      characteristics of Giardia in clinical diarrheal patients. METHODS: A total of 95
      stool samples were collected from the clinical diarrheal patients admitted in a
      hospital in Shanghai from May to July, 2014, and the Giardia cysts in the samples
      were examined by an optical microscope. Then the tpi gene of Giardia in the
      positive samples were amplified by using the nested-PCR method, and the PCR
      products were sequenced and analyzed by using BLAST, ClustalX 1.83, and the
      phylogenetic tree was drawn by using MEGA6.0 software. RESULTS: Only one patient
      was infected with Giardia and the positive detection rate was 1.05%. The Giardia
      cysts in the fecal specimen were seen clearly under the microscope. Through the
      identification by PCR, the amplified fragment was about 530 bp, and the
      sequencing analysis indicated it was Giardia and which was further identified as
      assemblage B by drawing phylogenetic tree based on tpi gene. Meanwhile, the
      sequence had 100% homology with the reported sequence from huian (KF271445).
      CONCLUSIONS: Giardia infection can occur in the clinical diarrheal patients. The
      study could provide more data for understanding the genetic characteristics of
      Giardia and the epidemiological study of giardiasis.

PMID- 26263776
TI  - [Establishment and diagnostic performance of biotin-avidin complex enzyme linked
      immunosorbent assay of detecting specific IgG4 of clonorchiasis].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the performance of the biotin-avidin complex enzyme linked
      immunosorbent assay of detecting specific IgG4 for the diagnosis of
      clonorchiasis. METHODS: The avidin-biotin complex enzyme linked immunosorbent
      assay of detecting specific IgG4 (IgG4-ABC-ELISA)against Clonorchis sinensis was
      established, and used to detect the serum samples of patients with clonorchiosis
      sinensis, schistosomiasis japonica, paragonimiasis, toxoplasmosis,
      echinococcosis, cysticercosis and sparganosis mansoni. At the same time, these
      sera were analyzed by the ELISA of detecting IgG4 (IgG4-ELISA) and ELISA of
      detecting the total IgG (IgG-ELISA) as controls. The sensitivity, specificity,
      positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and the
      respective diagnostic performance of the three methods were compared. RESULTS:
      The IgG4-ABC-ELISA for diagnosis of clonorchiasis was established successfully.
      The sensitivity and specificity of the IgG4-ABC-ELISA for detecting clonorchiasis
      were 90.0% and 98.2% respectively, and PPV and NPV were 93.8% and 97.0%
      respectively. Its diagnostic performance was 96.3%. The sensitivity and
      specificity of the IgG4-ELISA for detecting clonorchiasis were 86.0% and 98.2%
      respectively, and PPV and NPV were 93.5% and 95.9% respectively. Its diagnostic
      performance was 95.4%. The sensitivity and specificity of the IgG-ELISA for
      detecting clonorchiasis were 94.0% and 88.1% respectively, and PPV and NPV were
      70.1% and 98.0% respectively. Its diagnostic performance was 89.4%. The
      sensitivity of IgG4-ABC-ELISA was higher than that of IgG4-ELISA (P < 0.05), and
      the specificity of IgG4-ABC-ELISA was higher than that of IgG-ELISA (P < 0.05).
      CONCLUSIONS: IgG4-ABC-ELISA of detecting specific antibody IgG4 against
      Clonorchis sinensis has high sensitivity and specificity. Therefore, it has a
      good application value in the diagnosis of clonorchiasis.

PMID- 26263777
TI  - [Establishment of animal model for Pneumocystis carinii and study on etiological
      and molecular biological detection technology].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To establish an animal model for Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) and to
      study the etiological and molecular biological technology for PCP detection.
      METHODS: SD and Wistar rats were divided into experimental and control groups
      randomly. The animals in the experimental group were immunosuppressed by
      subcutaneous injection with dexamethasone 2 mg per time per rat, twice a week,
      while those in the control group underwent the same way of injection with
      physiological saline simultaneously. After the induction for 8 weeks, all the
      rats were killed and their bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissues
      were collected for smear making and microscopic detection. Meanwhile, the BALF
      samples were detected by PCR, and the products were sequenced and compared with
      rat source PCP in GenBank. RESULTS: A total of 34 samples of lung tissue and BALF
      were observed. The etiological detection showed that the infection rates of the
      rats in the experimental and control groups were 29.2% (7/24) and 0,
      respectively. In the experimental group, the infection rates of SD and Wistar
      rats were 25.0% (3/12) and 33.3% (4/12), respectively, and the difference between
      them was not statistically significant (P = 0.31). The positive detection rates
      of the lung smears and BALF from SD rats in the experimental group were 25.0%
      (3/12) and 16.7% (2/12), respectively, while those in Wistar rats in the
      experimental group were 33.3% (4/12) and 16.7% (2/12), respectively, and there
      were no statistically significant difference between them (P = 0.34, 0.24). A
      total of 28 samples of BALF were detected by PCR, and the positive detection
      rates of rats in the experimental group and control group were 91.7% (26/28) and
      0, respectively. The sequence analysis of the PCR products showed that it shared
      100% homology with the genes of rat source PCP in Gen Bank (JX499145, GU133622
      and EF646865). CONCLUSIONS: The animal model of PCP can be established by
      subcutaneous injection with dexamethasone. As animal models, there are no
      significant difference between SD rats and Wistar rats. PCR method is suitable
      for PCP detection at the early stage of infection, while etiological detection
      with high missing rate is not a right option.

PMID- 26263778
TI  - [In vitro killing of Trichinella spiralis muscle larvae by exogenous nitric oxide
      from SNP].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the lethal effect of exogenous nitric oxide donor sodium
      nitroprusside (SNP) on the muscle larvae of Trichinella spiralis in vitro
      cultivation. METHODS: T. spiralis muscle larvae isolated from the infected BALB/c
      mice were formulated into a 1,000 larva/ml suspension with RPMI 1640 medium, and
      0.1 ml suspension per orifice was cultured with SNP at 37 degrees C in a
      humidified 5% CO2 atmosphere. The final concentrations of SNP were 0.02, 0.05,
      0.10, 0.20, 0.50 and 1.00 mmol/L, respectively, and then the experiments were
      divided into 5 groups:1.00 mmol/L SNP (control group, Group A), 0.15 mmol/L
      FeSO4+ 1.00 mmol/L SNP (Group B), 1.00 mmol/L L-cysteine + 1.00 mmol/L SNP (Group
      C), 0.15 mmol/L FeSO4+ 1.00 mmol/L L-cysteine + 1.00 mmol/L SNP (Group D) and
      0.15 mmol/L Hemoglobin + 1.00 mmol/L SNP (Group E). All the groups were incubated
      with T. spiralis muscle larvae in RPMI 1640 medium. The survivability of the
      muscle larvae was observed by steromicroscope and the differences of inhibition
      ratio among these groups were analyzed 4 d after the incubation. Results SNP 0.02
      mmol/L was not cytotoxic to the muscle larvae with an inhibition of (5.50 +/-
      1.80) %. The mortality rates of SNP 0.05, 0.10, 0.20, 0.50, 1.00 mmol/L groups
      were (20.19+/-2.71)%, (29.21+/-2.12)%, (41.81+/-2.03)%, (47.85+/-3.79)%, (60.98+/
      5.19)%, respectively, significantly higher than that of the control group[(4.93+/
      0.25) %, all P < 0.051]. There was a positive liner correlation between the
      mortality of muscle larvae and SNP concentrations in the range of 0.02-1.00
      mmol/L. Next, Group A, B, C, D and E led to the mortalities from (60.98+/-5.19)%
      to (49.48+/-1.34)%, (47.29+/-2.79)%, (26.28+/-1.37)%, (17.93+/-3.49)%,
      respectively, and all the differences between Group A and the other four groups
      were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Exogenous nitric
      oxide released from SNP can kill the muscle larvae of T. spiralis. However,
      hemoglobin, L-cysteine, and FeSO4 can reverse the lethal effect on the parasites.
      The best inhibitor was hemoglobin.

PMID- 26263779
TI  - [Cloning, expression, purification and identification of Toxoplasma gondii SAG2
      gene in Escherichia coli].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To construct a recombinant plasmid containing surface antigen 2(SAG2)
      gene of Toxoplasma gondii and express it in Escherichia coli. METHODS: The
      truncated SAG2 gene was amplified from the genomic DNA of T. gondii RH strain and
      cloned into plasmid pGEX-4T. Then the recombinant pGEX-4T-SAG2 was induced by
      IPTG and expressed in E. richia col BL21. The expressed proteins were analyzed by
      SDS-PAGE and purified, and the immunogenicity of the product was analyzed by
      Western blotting. RESULTS: The amplified SAG2 gene was about 561 bp, which was
      accorded to the expectation. The recombinant plasmid was constructed successfully
      by digested with double restriction enzyme and confirmed with DNA sequencing. SDS
      PAGE and Western blotting showed the molecular weight of SAG2 fusion protein was
      about 47 ku, and the protein could be identified by GST-tag antibody. CONCLUSION:
      The truncated SAG2 gene of T. gondii has been successfully cloned and expressed
      in E. coli BL21 cells, and the recombinant protein has immunogenicity.

PMID- 26263780
TI  - [Monitoring of sentinel mice and risk assessment of schistosomiasis transmission
      in key regions of Yunnan Province in 2014].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To establish and perfect the surveillance and forecast system of
      schistosomiasis, and timely discover the suspicious high risk environments for
      preventing the human and livestock from schistosomiasis. METHODS: Eight villages
      of three counties were selected as survey points. Then, the surveillance and
      forecast of sentinel mice were carried out in the key water regions. The
      recovered sentinel mice were dissected in laboratory. The sentinel mouse serum
      antibodies against schistosome were detected by ELISA, the suspicious water
      contacts of residents and livestock were investigated and the results were
      analyzed, and the epidemic risk was assessed. RESULTS: Totally 300 sentinel mice
      were placed, the recovery rate was 94.67%, and the mortality rate was 8.80%.
      There were no mice with positive serum antibodies against schistosome, and the
      results of the dissection of all the sentinel mice were negative. The humans who
      contacted with the suspicious water were mainly villagers, students, children and
      fishermen by washing hands and feet, washing vegetables, harvesting, fishing and
      swimming. The Oncomelania hupensis snail areas, human infection rates, and cattle
      infection rates were obviously declined in recent 3 years. However, the epidemic
      risks still existed. CONCLUSION: Although schistosomiasis transmission was
      effectively controlled in the three counties, the comprehensive control measures
      still should be strengthened.

PMID- 26263781
TI  - [Risk factors of portal vein thrombosis after surgery for advanced
      schistosomiasis portal hypertension].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the risk factors of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) after
      splenectomy and esophagogastric devascularization for advanced schistosomiasis
      portal hypertension. METHODS: The clinical data were collected retrospectively
      from 211 advanced schistosomiasis portal hypertension patients after splenectomy
      and esophagogastric devascularization from August, 2004 to March 2014, and all
      the data were analyzed statistically for the risk factors of PVT after the
      surgery by single factor analysis and Logistic regression analysis. RESULTS:
      Totally 59 patients were found with PVT and the incidence was 27.96% (59/211).
      The single factor analysis showed that 8 factors were related to PVT after
      surgery, including the history of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage, the diameter
      of portal vein, the diameter of splenic vein, esophageal varices, ascites, portal
      hypertension gastropathy, gastric varices , and blood ammonia level. The Logistic
      regression analysis showed that the independent risk factors of PVT were
      broadening of the diameter of portal vein (OR = 1.763 , P = 0.000) and portal
      hypertension gastropathy (OR = 1.089, P = 0.037). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of
      PVT after surgery for advanced schistosomiasis is high, and the independent risk
      factors are broadening of diameter of portal vein and portal hypertension
      gastropathy.

PMID- 26263782
TI  - [Survey of current situation of schistosomiasis health education in Wuxi City].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To understand the current situation of schistosomiasis health
      education in in Wuxi City where schistosomiasis transmission has been
      interrupted, so as to provide the evidence for formulating the health education
      strategies. METHODS: Face to face interviews and a professional designed
      questionnaire were used to collect the information of the current schistosomiasis
      health education and investigate the awareness of schistosomiasis knowledge in
      primary and middle schools and in communities. RESULTS: The total awareness rate
      of schistosomiasis knowledge was 87.7% among 873 students and the figure was
      83.0% among 693 community residents. The students who studied in the schools with
      more than 1 class hour of schistosomiasis health education, completed
      schistosomiasis health education material or teaching plan, and implementing
      health education through multiple ways had higher knowledge awareness rates
      compared with the schools without (chi2 = 291.408, 709.622, 13.751, all P
      <0.001). The residents living in the communities with schistosomiasis health
      education through broadcast/TV or square propaganda had a higher knowledge
      awareness rate compared with the communities without (chi2= 90.772, 47.436, all P
      < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The awareness rates of schistosomiasis knowledge among both
      students and community residents in Wuxi City are low. Therefore, the
      schistosomiasis control health education should be strengthened.

PMID- 26263783
TI  - [Investigation of intestinal nematode infections in Hongze County, Jiangsu
      Province].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To understand the situation of intestinal nematode infections and
      assess the preventive effects, so as to provide the evidence for formulating the
      further measures of prevention. METHODS: Five villages from 5 townships of
      different geographical locations were selected and 500 residents of each village
      were surveyed. The eggs of intestinal nematodes were detected by the Kato-Katz
      technique, and 50 students and 50 residents per village were investigated by
      questionnaires about health education. RESULTS: Among 3 011 people detected, 17
      persons were infected with intestinal nematodes and the total infection rate was
      0.56%. The rates of Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm, Trichuris trichiura,
      Enterobius vermicularis, and Trichostrongylus were 0.10%, 0.33%, 0.03%, 0.03% and
      0.07%, respectively. The awareness rate of health knowledge was 97.80% and the
      formation rate of health behavior was 97.00%. CONCLUSION: The infection rates of
      intestinal nematodes, the awareness rate of health knowledge and the formation
      rate of health behavior in the population of Hongze County have achieved the
      criteria of effective control of intestinal parasitic diseases.

PMID- 26263784
TI  - [Epidemiological analysis of malaria prevalence in Hubei Province in 2013].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the endemic situation of malaria in Hubei Province in 2013,
      so as to put forward effective elimination strategies and measures. METHODS: The
      data of malaria cases were searched from the Disease Reporting Information System
      of Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention and analyzed with the
      descriptive epidemiological method for the epidemiological characteristics of
      malaria in Hubei Province in 2013. RESULTS: A total of 129 malaria cases were
      reported in Hubei Province in 2013 with the incidence of 0.02/10,000, and all of
      them were imported cases, in which 86 cases with Plasmodium falciparum infection,
      32 cases with P. vivax infection, 7 cases with P. ovale infection and 4 cases
      with P. malariae infection. The distribution of malaria cases was concentrated in
      Wuhan City (76 cases), Yichang City (10 cases), Xiangyang City (7 cases) and
      Huangshi City (6 cases), accounting for 76.74% of the total cases. There was no
      significant seasonal variation in the reporting time of the cases. Totally 99.22%
      of the cases were male, the age distribution concentrated mainly on 20-49 years.
      The occupation distribution concentrated mainly on the worker, farmer, cadre
      staff and migrant worker. The main original areas of the imported cases were
      Africa (111 cases, 86.05%) and Asia (17 cases, 13.18%). CONCLUSIONS: There is no
      local malaria cases reported in Hubei Province in 2013, however, the imported
      malaria cases are increased. Therefore, it is necessary to further strengthen the
      multi-sector collaboration of vector control, while the health education should
      be intensified especially in the key population.

PMID- 26263785
TI  - [Epidemic situation of malaria in Taixing City, 2005-2013].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analyze the malaria situation and control measures in recent years
      in Taixing City, so as to provide the evidence for formulating the reasonable
      countermeasures in the future. METHODS: The information of malaria prevalence,
      the reported data of blood examinations for fever persons and the epidemiological
      data were collected and the malaria incidence, population distribution, and the
      imported cases were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 37 malaria cases were reported
      from 2005 to 2013 and the incidences were from 0.0078/10,000 to 0.0669/10,000
      with the large ascensional range. There were 34 imported malaria patients (91.89%
      of the total malaria cases) including 2 patients infected outside Taixing City, 2
      outside Jiangsu Province, and 30 outside China. Among the 30 patients overseas
      infected, there was 1 vivax malaria case, there were 2 ovale malaria cases, and
      27 falciparum malaria cases. There were incidences throughout the year and no
      obvious seasonal characteristics. The cases were mainly distributed from 30 to 49
      years old (83.78%). CONCLUSIONS: The malaria cases in Taixing City are mainly
      overseas imported, and the incidence presents a rising trend. Therefore, the
      relevant authority should enhance the malaria supervision and management,
      especially for floating population.

PMID- 26263786
TI  - [Research of preferences and security management of tourists in Poyang Lake based
      on schistosomiasis prevention].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To discuss the prevention of schistosomiasis in tourism of lake
      region. METHODS: The seasonal distribution of tourism activities and spatial
      distribution of scenic spots, as well as the coupling between space and temporal
      of Oncomelania snail distribution and the transmission time of schistosomiasis in
      Poyang Lake region were analyzed. The travel preference of schistosomiasis
      susceptible population was surveyed by questionnaires and interviews. RESULTS:
      There were couplings of space and temporal between tourism activities in Poyang
      Lake region and transmission time of schistosomiasis as well as space
      distribution of snails, respectively. The most popular tourism items were
      Shuishangrenjia (overwater household) and fishing folk culture with property of
      participation and experience. CONCLUSION: The suggestion is to establish health
      records of tourists, carry out health education of schistosomiasis, and enhance
      the management of tourism and activities of tourists.

PMID- 26263787
TI  - [Application effect of Oncomelania hupensis snail crushers in batch detection].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the application effect of Oncomelania hupensis snail
      crusher in batch detection. METHODS: The O. hupensis snail crushers and
      triangular flasks for cercariae shedding were made. The uninfected snails were
      divided into 4 groups with the snail number of 50, 100, 200, 300, respectively,
      and then they were put in 40 triangular flasks, 10 flasks each group. Three
      flasks in each group were randomly selected, and 12 schistosome infected O.
      hupensis snails were put into the flasks (1 snail per flask). The 12 flasks with
      infected O. hupensis snails were put back to each group and were numbered
      uniformly. The O. hupensis snails in each group were crushed by the O. hupensis
      snail crushers, and the crushing rate of snails, and average crushing time and
      duration were recorded. When all the O. hupensis snails were crushed, water was
      added into the flasks, and water films from each flask were taken and observed
      under microscopes, the number of cercariae was recorded and the detection rates
      of each group were calculated. Meanwhile, the O. hupensis snails in the field
      were collected and detected by the crushing method and crushing and shedding
      method with O. hupensis snail crushers, and the coincidence rate of the two
      methods was calculated. RESULTS: The crushing rate of snails in all the 4 groups
      were 100% , the average crushing times of groups with 50, 100, 200, 300 snails
      were 15.70, 23.20, 32.20, 39.20, respectively, and the average duration was 1.01,
      1.70, 2.00, 3.00 min, respectively. Both the crushing time and duration were
      positively correlated with the number of snails detected (r = 0.68, 0.73, both P
      <0.01). The detection rates of cercariae in all the 4 groups were 100%. In the
      field application, 109 snails were detected by the crushing method, 620 ones were
      detected by the crushing and shedding method with O. hupensis snail crushers, and
      no infected snails were found, the coincidence rate of the two methods were 100%.
      CONCLUSION: The O. hupensis snail crusher with the advances of easy operation and
      labor-saving is valuable of field promotion.

PMID- 26263788
TI  - [Analysis of cost-effectiveness of molluscacide combined with herbicide by
      spraying].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore an economical and efficient molluscicidal method suitable
      for large area of nursery stock field. METHODS: Two nursery stock fields with
      Oncomelania hupensis were selected as experimental sites, and an experimental
      group and a control group were set. In the experimental group, the molluscacide
      and herbicide were alternately used (a purification molluscicidal method) during
      the period of May to October, 2011. In the control group, grass shoveling and
      soil burying combined with molluscacide were used in the same period. The snail
      control effects of the two groups were observed and the costs of the two methods
      were analyzed. RESULTS: No living snails were found in both experimental and
      control groups three consecutive years after the snail control intervention above
      mentioned. The costs of snail control intervention in the experimental group and
      control group were 0.90 and 1.80 Yuan/m2, respectively. CONCLUSION: The effect of
      the purification molluscicidal method in nursery stock field is satisfying, and
      the cost is lower.

PMID- 26263789
TI  - [Effect of "one village, one control strategy" on schistosomiasis control in
      Qianjiang City].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of "one village, one control strategy" on
      schistosomiasis control in Qianjiang City. METHODS: The villages with human
      and/or bovine schistosome infection rate being more than 1.5% in 2011 were chosen
      as the trial villages. According to the epidemic characteristics of
      schistosomiasis and control difficulties of the villages, the "one village, one
      control strategy" was performed and the control effects were evaluated. RESULTS:
      By the end of 2013, the infection rates of human and bovine in the trial villages
      decreased by 45.91% (chi2 = 469.19, P < 0.01) and 49.38% (chi2 = 11.46, P <
      0.01), respectively, and all the infection rates of human and bovine in those
      villages were less than 1%. CONCLUSION: The "one village, one control strategy"
      is effective for schistosomiasis control, which can rapidly reduce the prevalence
      of schistosomiasis.

PMID- 26263790
TI  - [Clinical effect of cardiac peripheral vascular disconnection in emergency
      treatment of gastroesophageal bleeding caused by portal hypertension].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical effect of cardiac peripheral vascular
      disconnection in the emergency treatment of gastroesophageal bleeding caused by
      portal hypertension. METHODS: The data of 43 cases of cardiac peripheral vascular
      disconnection in the emergency treatment of gastroesophageal bleeding caused by
      portal hypertension were collected and analyzed retrospectively from 2001 to
      2012. RESULTS: The bleeding in all the 43 patients who received the cardiac
      peripheral vascular disconnection was stopped. Totally 42 patients were recovered
      (97.67%), but 1 died from hepatic failure (2.38%). CONCLUSION: The clinical
      effect of cardiac peripheral vascular disconnection in the emergency treatment of
      gastroesophageal bleeding caused by portal hypertension is definite, and the
      operation is also simple.

PMID- 26263791
TI  - [Evaluation on effect of treatment and assistance to advanced schistosomiasis
      patients in Qianjiang City].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the implementation and effect of the program of treatment
      and assistance to advanced schistosomiasis patients in Qianjiang City. METHODS:
      The data about the program from 2004 to 2012 were collected and analyzed, and the
      analysis of cost-effectiveness was performed. Meanwhile, 160 patients were
      sampled and surveyed about the recovery of their health. RESULTS: From 2004 to
      2012, totally 2 363 person-times' patients received the treatment, and 339
      patients were cured clinically. On average, each patient received 3.11 times of
      treatment and 22.28 d of hospitalization, the treatment cost was 5,382.87 yuan
      per year for each patient, and the cost-effectiveness was 12.7 thousand yuan per
      life-year-saved. CONCLUSION: The program of treatment and assistance to advanced
      schistosomiasis patients cures a part of patients and improves the working
      capacity and life quality of the patients.

PMID- 26263792
TI  - [Qualitative research on psychological experiences of advanced schistosomiasis
      patients].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To understand the psychological experiences of advanced
      schistosomiasis patients, so as to provide the evidence for formulating a
      systematic and scientific nursing scheme. METHODS: Twenty advanced
      schistosomiasis patients were studied with the qualitative research method.
      RESULTS: There were 70% (14/20) patients with labor limited, 50% (10/20) with a
      moderate anxiety, irritability and other negative emotions, and 65% (13/20) with
      moderate discomfort. CONCLUSIONS: Most of advanced schistosomiasis patients have
      negative emotions. Therefore, the suitable psychological nursing should be given
      to these patients to improve their quality of life.

PMID- 26263793
TI  - [Epidemiological analysis of malaria in Wenzhou City in 2013].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To understand the characteristics of malaria prevalence in Wenzhou
      City in 2013, so as to provide the evidence for improving the elimination program
      of malaria. METHODS: The epidemiological data of malaria in Wenzhou City in 2013
      were collected from the Chinese information system for disease control and
      prevention, and analyzed with the descriptive epidemiological methods for
      epidemiological characteristics of malaria. RESULTS: Totally 34 imported malaria
      cases were reported in Wenzhou City in 2013 with the incidence of 0.37 per
      100,000 people. Plasmodiumfalciparum, P. ovale and P. vivax were identified in
      31, 1 and 2 cases, respectively. No death cases were reported, and 64.71% (22/34)
      of the cases were reported in Cangnan County, Lucheng District and Rui' an City.
      The malaria cases were mostly concentrated in persons aged 20-49 years with male
      to female sex ratio at 4.67: 1, and the predominant portion of cases were workers
      and commercial service personnel. Totally 97.06% of the cases were imported from
      Africa. CONCLUSIONS: The malaria endemic situation is relatively stable and no
      local malaria cases are reported in Wenzhou City in 2013. In order to achieve the
      goal of malaria elimination, the management and education of the transient
      population should be strengthened.

PMID- 26263794
TI  - [Surveillance of endemic situation of schistosomiasis in a national surveillance
      site in Honghu City from 2005 to 2013].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To understand the dynamics of schistosomiasis japonica in a national
      surveillance site in Honghu City, Hubei Province, China, so as to provide the
      evidence for formulating the intervention strategy of schistosomiasis control in
      the whole city. METHODS: The surveillance was performed in the surveillance
      village according to The National Surveillance Scheme of Schistosomiasis
      Japonica, and the results were analyzed statistically from 2005 to 2013. RESULTS:
      The schistosome infection rates in residents and cattle decreased from 1.76% and
      20.93% in 2005 to 0 in 2013, respectively. The density of living Oncomelania
      snails decreased from 4.20/0.1m2 to 0.17/0.1m2, respectively. No infected snails
      were found during the period of 9 years in succession. The total area of snail
      control with molluscicidal drugs was 68.38 hm2 in the monitoring sites during the
      period of 9 years, and the expanded chemotherapy was performed for 634 person
      times. Sixteen (person-time) advanced schistosomiasis patients received the
      treatment and salvation. The health education was carried out in 3 836 (person
      times) students. Totally 5 685 leaflets of health education were distributed, and
      17 bulletin boards of health education were performed. Five warning boards were
      set up at the environments with snails. CONCLUSIONS: The transmission of
      schistosomiasis in the surveillance site in Honghu City shows a gradually
      decreasing trend year by year. However, the surveillance and control of snails
      still should be strengthened.

PMID- 26263795
TI  - [Pathology and pathogenesis of liver fibrosis induced by Schistosoma japonicum].
AB  - Schistosomiasis is a widely distributed parasitic zoonoses that threatens human'
      s health and social economic development. China is one of the most endemic
      countries in the world. Schistosoma egg are mainly lodged in the liver and
      intestinal tissues. There, the eggs induce a granulomatous host immune response
      largely characterized by lymphocytes, eosinophils, and alternatively activated
      macrophages. The process of granuloma formation induces chronic inflammation that
      leads to liver fibrosis accompanied by obvious manifestations such as
      hepatosplenomegaly and ascites. In this article, we review the advanced progress
      in research about schistosomiasis hepatic fibrosis, including the pathology of
      liver fibrosis, the formation and modulation of granuloma and fibrosis, the key
      inflammatory factors and related signaling pathways, the regulatory role of ncRNA
      in the process of fibrosis, and anti-fibrosis treatment and new drugs
      development.

PMID- 26263796
TI  - [Advances in research of Toxoplasma gondii rhoptry protein ROP16].
AB  - ROP16 is one member of the rhoptrys protein family in Toxoplasma gondii. In its
      protein structure, there exists serine/threonine kinase domain, which is the
      important virulence factor in the invasion process of T. gondii. ROP16 can
      secretes into the nucleus of the host cells, and can phosphorylate the signal
      transducer and activator of transcription (STAT3/6) and interfere the signal
      transduction pathway in the host cell. In this paper, the structure and function,
      as well as the immunogenicity of ROP16 are summarized.

PMID- 26263797
TI  - Effects of a 1:1 inspiratory to expiratory ratio on respiratory mechanics and
      oxygenation during one-lung ventilation in patients with low diffusion capacity
      of lung for carbon monoxide: a crossover study.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of a 1:1 inspiratory-to-expiratory
      (I:E) ventilation ratio on oxygenation and respiratory mechanics during one-lung
      ventilation (OLV) in patients with low diffusion capacity of lung for carbon
      monoxide (DLCO). DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, crossover study. SETTING:
      Operating room, university hospital. PATIENTS: Twenty-six patients with a
      preoperative DLCO less than 80% who were scheduled for lung lobectomy requiring
      OLV under general anesthesia. INTERVENTIONS: In the first group (n = 13), OLV was
      begun with a 1:1 I:E ratio, which was switched to a 1:2 I:E ratio after 30
      minutes. In the second group (n = 13), the modes of ventilation were performed in
      the opposite order. Pressure-controlled ventilation with 5 cm H2O of positive end
      expiratory pressure and a tidal volume of 5 to 8 mL/kg was applied during OLV.
      MEASUREMENTS: Arterial and central venous blood gas analyses were recorded and
      used to calculate intrapulmonary shunt fraction and physiologic dead space. These
      measurements were taken at 4 time points: 10 minutes after two-lung ventilation
      in the lateral decubitus position, 30 minutes after initiation of OLV, 30 minutes
      after switching the I:E ratio, and 10 minutes after two-lung ventilation was
      resumed. MAIN RESULTS: There was no difference in arterial oxygen tension during
      OLV between the 2 groups (P = .429). Arterial carbon dioxide tension and peak
      airway pressure were lower in the 1:1 group than in the 1:2 group (P = .003; P =
      .008). Physiologic dead space was also decreased in the 1:1 I:E ratio group (P =
      .003). Mean airway pressure and dynamic compliance were higher in the 1:1 group
      (P = .003; P = .007). CONCLUSIONS: Pressure-controlled ventilation with a 1:1 I:E
      ventilation ratio did not improve oxygenation in patients with low DLCO during
      OLV compared with a 1:2 I:E ventilation ratio. However, it did provide benefits
      in terms of respiratory mechanics and increased the efficiency of alveolar
      ventilation during OLV.

PMID- 26263798
TI  - What to publish.

PMID- 26263799
TI  - Systematic review of enhanced recovery after gastro-oesophageal cancer surgery.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Fast track methodology or enhanced recovery schemes have gained
      increasing popularity in perioperative care. While evidence is strong for
      colorectal surgery, its importance in gastric and oesophageal surgery has yet to
      be established. This article reviews the evidence of enhanced recovery schemes on
      outcome for this type of surgery. METHODS: A systematic literature search was
      conducted up to March 2014. Studies were retrieved and analysed using
      predetermined criteria. RESULTS: From 34 articles reviewed, 18 eligible studies
      were identified: 7 on gastric and 11 on oesophageal resection. Three randomised
      controlled trials, five case-controlled studies and ten case series were
      identified. The reported protocols included changes to each stage of the patient
      journey from pre to postoperative care. The specific focus following oesophageal
      resections was on early mobilisation, a reduction in intensive care unit stay,
      early drain removal and early (or no) contrast swallow studies. Following gastric
      resections, the emphasis was on reducing epidural anaesthesia along with re
      establishing oral intake in the first three postoperative days and early removal
      of nasogastric tubes. In the papers reviewed, mortality rates following fast
      track surgery were 0.8% (9/1,075) for oesophageal resection and 0% (0/329) for
      gastric resection. The reported morbidity rate was 16.5% (54/329) following
      gastric resection and 38.6% (396/1,075) following oesophageal resection. Length
      of stay was reduced in both groups compared with conventional recovery groups in
      comparative studies. CONCLUSIONS: The evidence for enhanced recovery schemes
      following gastric and oesophageal resection is weak, with only three (low volume)
      published randomised controlled trials. However, the enhanced recovery approach
      appears safe and may be associated with a reduction in length of stay.

PMID- 26263800
TI  - When might an operative complication be regarded as acceptable? Part 2: Judicial
      factors that influence the finding of fault during surgical litigation.
AB  - In cases where surgeons face litigation over operative misadventure, the result
      of a trial is uncertain. In order to identify factors in cases of surgical
      litigation that have influenced the final decision of the courts, we have
      previously reviewed reported cases where the outcome turned on actions taken by
      surgeons. We now turn our attention to judicial attitudes to evidence that play a
      role in the determination of the case. 

PMID- 26263801
TI  - Conservative management of aortic arch injury following penetrating trauma.
AB  - Aortic arch injuries following penetrating trauma are typically lethal events
      with high mortality rates. Traditionally, the standard of care for patients
      presenting with penetrating injury and aortic involvement has included surgical
      intervention. We report the case of a 31-year-old man who was managed non
      operatively after sustaining multiple stab wounds to the left chest and
      presenting with mid aortic arch injury. 

PMID- 26263802
TI  - Durability of giant hiatus hernia repair in 455 patients over 20 years.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The surgical management of symptomatic giant hiatus hernia (GHH)
      aims to improve quality of life (QoL) and reduce the risk of life threatening
      complications. Previous reports are predominantly those with small sample sizes
      and short follow-up periods. The present study sought to assess a large cohort of
      patients for recurrence and QoL over a longer time period. METHODS: This was a
      follow-up study of a prospectively collected database of 455 consecutive
      patients. Primary repair of GHH was evaluated by endoscopy/barium meal for
      recurrence and a standardised symptom questionnaire for QoL. Recurrence was
      assessed for size, elapsed time, oesophagitis and symptoms. RESULTS: Objective
      and subjective review was achieved in 91.9% and 68.6% of patients. The median age
      was 69 years (range: 15-93 years) and 64% were female. Laparoscopic repair was
      completed in 95% (mesh in 6% and Collis gastroplasty in 7%). The 30-day mortality
      rate was 0.9%. The proportion of patients alive at five and ten years were 90%
      and 75% respectively. Postoperative QoL scores improved from a mean of 95 to 111
      (p<0.01) and were stable over time (112 at 10 years). The overall recurrence rate
      was 35.6% (149/418) at 42 months; this was 11.5% (48/418) for hernias >2cm and
      24.2% (101/418) for <2cm. The rate of new recurrence at 0-1 years was 13.7% (>2cm
      = 3.4%, <2cm = 10.3%), at 1-5 years it was 30.8% (>2cm = 9.5%, <2cm = 21.3%), at
      5-10 years it was 40.1% (>2cm = 13.8%, <2cm = 26.3%) and at over 10 years it was
      50.0% (>2cm = 25.0%, <2cm = 25.0%). Recurrence was associated with oesophagitis
      but not decreased QoL. Revision surgery was required in 4.8% of cases (14.8% with
      recurrence). There were no interval major GHH complications. CONCLUSIONS: Surgery
      has provided sustained QoL improvements irrespective of recurrence. Recurrence
      occurred progressively over ten years and may predispose to oesophagitis.

PMID- 26263803
TI  - Renal injury management in an urban trauma centre and implications for urological
      training.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to analyse the treatment and management
      of renal injury patients presenting to our major trauma unit to determine the
      likelihood of patients needing immediate nephrectomy. METHODS: The Trauma Audit
      and Research Network (TARN) database was used to review trauma cases presenting
      to our department between February 2009 and September 2013. Demographic data,
      mechanism and severity of injury, grade of renal trauma, management and 30-day
      outcome were determined from TARN data, electronic patient records and imaging.
      RESULTS: There were a total of 1,856 trauma cases, of which 36 patients (1.9%)
      had a renal injury. In this group, the median age was 28 years (range: 16-92
      years), with 28 patients (78%) having blunt renal trauma and 8 (22%) penetrating
      renal trauma. The most common cause for blunt renal trauma was road traffic
      accidents. Renal trauma cases were stratified into American Association for the
      Surgery of Trauma (AAST) grades (grade I: 19%, grade II: 22%, grade III: 28%,
      grade IV: 28%, grade V: 0%). All patients with grade I and II injuries were
      treated conservatively. There were three patients (1 with grade III and 2 with
      grade IV renal injuries) who underwent radiological embolisation. One of these
      patients went on to have a delayed nephrectomy owing to unsuccessful
      embolisation. CONCLUSIONS: Trauma patients rarely require emergency nephrectomy.
      Radiological selective embolisation provides a good interventional option in
      cases of active bleeding from renal injury in haemodynamically stable patients.
      This has implications for trauma care and how surgical cover is provided for the
      rare event of nephrectomy.

PMID- 26263804
TI  - Accuracy of a multidisciplinary team-led discussion in predicting postmastectomy
      radiotherapy.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) is performed increasingly
      following mastectomy for breast cancer. The literature suggests higher
      reconstructive failure and poorer cosmesis in the subgroup of patients receiving
      postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) following IBR. We set out to determine the
      accuracy of a multidisciplinary team (MDT) discussion in predicting PMRT.
      METHODS: Preoperative MDT discussions were recorded prospectively over a 12-month
      period (from February 2011) in a symptomatic breast unit. The estimated need for
      PMRT was stratified into 'PMRT not required', 'PMRT possibly required', 'PMRT
      probably required' and 'PMRT required' groups. RESULTS: Of 156 referrals included
      in the study, 76 patients (49%) underwent mastectomy: 61 simple mastectomy, 10
      skin sparing mastectomy (SSM) and delayed-immediate breast reconstruction, 3 SSM
      and implant-based IBR, and 2 mastectomy IBR with an autologous flap. The IBR rate
      was therefore 19.7%. The proportion of patients who received PMRT was 14% (3/21)
      in the 'PMRT not required', 30% (7/23) in the 'PMRT possibly required', 65%
      (9/14) in the 'PMRT probably required' and 94% (17/18) in the 'PMRT required'
      groups. Assigning a linear numerical score (1-4) to these groups (higher score
      representing greater likelihood of receiving PMRT), the predicted need for PMRT
      correlated with the proportion of patients who ultimately received PMRT (linear
      regression r(2)=0.98, p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: This study has examined the factors
      influencing MDT discussions regarding IBR, demonstrating that the MDT is
      reasonably accurate at predicting need for PMRT. Whether such accuracy is
      clinically adequate and/or reproducible across units is debatable.

PMID- 26263805
TI  - Single incision glove port laparoscopic colorectal cancer resection.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The advantages of single port surgery remain controversial. This
      study was designed to evaluate the safety and feasibility of single incision
      glove port colon resections using a diathermy hook, reusable ports and standard
      laparoscopic straight instrumentation. METHODS: Between June 2012 and February
      2014, 70 consecutive patients (30 women) underwent a colonic resection using a
      wound retractor and glove port. Forty patients underwent a right hemicolectomy
      through the umbilicus and thirty underwent attempted single port resection via an
      incision in the right rectus sheath (14 high anterior resection, 13 low anterior
      resection, 3 abdominoperineal resection). RESULTS: Sixty-two procedures (89%)
      were completed without conversion to open or multiport techniques. Four
      procedures had to be converted and additional ports were needed in four other
      patients. The postoperative mortality rate was 0%. Complications occurred in six
      patients (9%). Two cases were R1 while the remainder were R0 with a median nodal
      harvest of 20 (range: 9-48). The median length of hospital stay was 5 days
      (range: 3-25 days) (right hemicolectomy: 5 days (range: 3-12 days), left sided
      resection: 6 days (range: 4-25 days). At a median follow-up of 14 months, no port
      site hernias were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Single incision glove port surgery is an
      appropriate technique for different colorectal cancer resections and has the
      advantage of being less expensive than surgery with commercial single incision
      ports.

PMID- 26263806
TI  - Validation of a grading system for complicated diverticulitis in the prediction
      of need for operative or percutaneous intervention.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The current surgical management of acute complicated diverticulitis
      has seen a major paradigm shift from routine operative intervention to a more
      conservative approach. This has been made possible by the widespread availability
      of computed tomography (CT) to enable stratification of the disease severity of
      acute complicated diverticulitis. The aim of this study was to retrospectively
      validate a CT grading system for acute complicated diverticulitis in the
      prediction of the need for operative or percutaneous intervention. METHODS:
      Hospital and radiology records were reviewed to identify patients with acute
      complicated diverticulitis confirmed by CT. A consultant gastrointestinal
      radiologist, blinded to the clinical outcomes of patients, assigned a score
      according to the CT grading system. RESULTS: Three hundred and sixty-seven
      patients (34.6%) had CT performed for acute diverticulitis during the study
      period. Forty-four patients (12.0%) had acute complicated diverticulitis (abscess
      and/or free intraperitoneal air) confirmed on CT. There were 22 women (50%) and
      the overall median age was 59 years (range: 19-92 years). According to the CT
      findings, there was one case with grade 1, eighteen patients with grade 2, four
      with grade 3 and twenty-one with grade 4 diverticulitis. Three patients with
      grade 2, three patients with grade 3 and ten patients with grade 4 disease
      underwent acute radiological or surgical intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a
      CT grading system for acute complicated diverticulitis did not predict the need
      for acute radiological or operative intervention in this small study. Decision
      making guided by the patient's clinical condition still retains a primary role in
      the management of acute complicated diverticulitis.

PMID- 26263807
TI  - The efficacy of adjuvant imatinib therapy in improving the prognosis of patients
      with colorectal gastrointestinal stromal tumours.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Although it has now been accepted that imatinib is a valid
      treatment for gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) patients in the adjuvant
      setting, information on its clinical efficacy in improving the prognosis for
      patients with colorectal GISTs is limited. METHODS: The clinical and follow-up
      records of 42 colorectal GIST patients who underwent surgical resection at our
      institution between January 2004 and December 2013 were reviewed retrospectively.
      The effect of postoperative imatinib treatment on recurrence free survival and
      overall survival time was analysed with the Kaplan-Meier method and the
      multivariate Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: Sixteen patients were
      assigned to imatinib treatment (imatinib group) after surgical tumour resection
      while twenty-six patients did not receive any adjuvant treatment (control group).
      The one, three and five-year recurrence free survival rates were 100%, 90% and
      77% respectively. This was significantly higher than in the control group (92%,
      53% and 36%) (logrank test, p=0.012). The one, three and five-year overall
      survival rates were 100%, 91% and 68% in the imatinib group compared with 96%,
      77% and 39% in the control group (logrank test, p=0.021). Analysis with the
      multivariate Cox regression model yielded similar results on the efficacy of
      adjuvant imatinib in prolonging both recurrence free survival (hazard ratio [HR]:
      0.23, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.07-0.80) and overall survival (HR: 0.20,
      95% CI: 0.05-0.91). CONCLUSIONS: Adjuvant imatinib therapy seems to be effective
      in decreasing the risk of tumour occurrence and prolonging the overall survival
      time in colorectal GIST patients.

PMID- 26263808
TI  - Does arthroscopic subacromial decompression improve quality of life.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: There has been a significant rise in the volume of subacromial
      decompression surgery performed in the UK. This study aimed to determine whether
      arthroscopic subacromial decompression improves health related quality of life in
      a cost effective manner. METHODS: Patients undergoing arthroscopic subacromial
      decompression surgery for impingement were enrolled between 2012 and 2014. The
      Oxford shoulder score and the EQ-5DTM instruments were completed prior to and
      following surgery. A cost-utility analysis was performed. RESULTS: Eighty-three
      patients were eligible for the study with a mean follow-up duration of 15 months
      (range: 4-27 months). The mean Oxford shoulder score improved by 13 points (95%
      confidence interval [CI]: 11-15 points). The mean health utility gain
      extrapolated from the EQ-5DTM questionnaire improved by 0.23 (95% CI: 0.16-0.30),
      translating to a minimum cost per QALY of L5,683. CONCLUSIONS: Subacromial
      decompression leads to significant improvement in function and quality of life in
      a cost effective manner. This provides justification for its ongoing practice by
      appropriately trained shoulder surgeons in correctly selected patients.

PMID- 26263809
TI  - Selective conservatism in the management of thoracic trauma remains appropriate
      in the 21st century.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Selective conservatism for thoracic trauma is well established but
      the emergence of new technologies may cause management strategies to continue to
      evolve. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on thoracic trauma patients
      managed in a single institution in South Africa over a 4-year period to determine
      the appropriateness of our current policy of selective conservatism. RESULTS: A
      total of 1,239 patients were included in the study; 112 required an emergency
      thoracotomy, 125 were admitted for observation and 1,002 required a tube
      thoracostomy (TT). Ninety-one per cent of the patients were male and the median
      age was 24 years. Seventy-five per cent of the cases were penetrating trauma and
      the remaining were blunt trauma. The indications for TT were pneumothorax (PTX)
      (n=382, 38%), haemothorax (HTX) (n=300, 30%) and haemopneumothorax (HPTX) (n=320,
      32%). A total of 13% (127/1,002) of all chest x-rays (CXR) following tube removal
      demonstrated residual pathologies that precluded immediate discharge: 32 (8%) in
      Group A (PTX), 44 (15%) in Group B (HTX) and 51 (16%) in Group C (HPTX). All 32
      patients in Group A were simply observed and did not require further
      intervention. In Group B, 17 patients required repeat TTs and 27 required video
      assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for clearance of residual HTX. Twenty-nine
      patients in Group C required repeat TTs and twenty-two required VATS.
      CONCLUSIONS: The vast majority of patients with thoracic trauma can be managed
      conservatively with TT alone. Residual pathology appeared to be lowest in
      patients with a PTX, which seldom requires treatment, while only a minority of
      patients required repeat TTs or VATS for a retained HTX. Selective conservatism
      is still appropriate in the current era in a developing world setting.

PMID- 26263810
TI  - Incidence and survival trends of lip, intra-oral cavity and tongue base cancers
      in south-east England.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Oral cavity cancers are on the increase in the UK. Understanding site
      specific epidemiological trends is important for cancer control measures. This
      study demonstrates the changing epidemiological trends in lip, intra-oral cavity
      and tongue base cancers in south-east England from 1987 to 2006. AIM:  METHODS:
      This was a retrospective study using anonymised data obtained from the Thames
      Cancer Registry (TCR) London. Data were analysed using SPSS v.17 and survival
      analyses with Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression. Age standardisation of the
      incidence rates was performed. It was conducted in south-east England, which has
      an average population of 12 million. The study analysed 9,318 cases (ICD-10 code
      C00-C06, C14). Kent Research Ethics Committee UK granted ethical approval.
      RESULTS: Oral cancers were more common in men, with male: female ratio of 1.6:1.
      Tongue cancers had the highest frequency at 3,088 (33.1%). Incidence varied with
      each cancer type. Mean incidence (per 1,000,000) ranged from 2.3 (lip cancer) to
      13.8 (tongue cancer). There has been a statistically significant increase in
      incidence for cancers of the tongue base, other parts of tongue, gum and palate
      (p<0.001). Median survival time varied by sub-site, with lip cancer having the
      best median survival time (11.09 years) compared with tongue base cancer (2.42
      years). Survival analyses showed worse prognosis for men, older age at diagnosis,
      and presence of synchronous tumours (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: There is a rising
      incidence of tongue and tongue base, gum and palate cancers in south-east England
      with wide variability in survival. Oral cancer awareness and screening programmes
      should be encouraged.

PMID- 26263811
TI  - Tier 3 multidisciplinary medical weight management improves outcome of Roux-en-Y
      gastric bypass surgery.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: In 2013 the Department of Health specified eligibility for
      bariatric surgery funded by the National Health Service. This included a
      mandatory specification that patients first complete a Tier 3 medical weight
      management programme. The clinical effectiveness of this recommendation has not
      been evaluated previously. Our bariatric centre has provided a Tier 3 programme
      six months prior to bariatric surgery since 2009. The aim of our retrospective
      study was to compare weight loss in two cohorts: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass only
      (RYGB only cohort) versus Tier 3 weight management followed by RYGB (Tier 3
      cohort). METHODS: A total of 110 patients were selected for the study: 66 in the
      RYGB only cohort and 44 in the Tier 3 cohort. Patients in both cohorts were
      matched for age, sex, preoperative body mass index and pre-existing co
      morbidities. The principal variable was therefore whether they undertook the
      weight management programme prior to RYGB. Patients from both cohorts were
      followed up at 6 and 12 months to assess weight loss. RESULTS: The mean weight
      loss at 6 months for the Tier 3 cohort was 31% (range: 18-69%, standard deviation
      [SD]: 0.10 percentage points) compared with 23% (range: 4-93%, SD: 0.12
      percentage points) for the RYGB only cohort (p=0.0002). The mean weight loss at
      12 months for the Tier 3 cohort was 34% (range: 17-51%, SD: 0.09 percentage
      points) compared with 27% (range: 14-48%, SD: 0.87 percentage points) in the RYGB
      only cohort (p=0.0037). CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed that in our matched
      cohorts, patients receiving Tier 3 specialist medical weight management input
      prior to RYGB lost significantly more weight at 6 and 12 months than RYGB only
      patients. This confirms the clinical efficacy of such a weight management
      programme prior to gastric bypass surgery and supports its inclusion in
      eligibility criteria for bariatric surgery.

PMID- 26263812
TI  - A simple technique to achieve parallel transverse cuts in the scarf osteotomy.

PMID- 26263813
TI  - How to measure distal locking screws for intramedullary nails without a depth
      gauge.

PMID- 26263814
TI  - Fine-tuning of blocking screws in long bone nailing.

PMID- 26263815
TI  - Packing of the pelvis following abdominoperineal excision of the rectum.

PMID- 26263816
TI  - Combined endoscopic approach for patients with multiple bladder stones.

PMID- 26263817
TI  - Avoiding open reduction and internal fixation in the intramedullary nailing of
      subtrochanteric femoral fractures.

PMID- 26263818
TI  - Use of anterior cruciate ligament guide in Lisfranc injury fixation.

PMID- 26263819
TI  - Soft plastic snugger to assist seating of prosthetic aortic valve.

PMID- 26263820
TI  - Variations in selective nerve root block technique.

PMID- 26263821
TI  - Authors' response.

PMID- 26263822
TI  - Computed tomography of the lumbar spine.

PMID- 26263823
TI  - Surgical repair of pulmonary vein injury from blunt trauma.
AB  - Pulmonary vein deceleration injury is rare and patients can be deceptively stable
      for a period after injury. Quick diagnosis and transfer to the operating theatre
      is the only way to treat this potentially lethal injury successfully. Techniques
      of repair are a useful addition to the cardiovascular surgeon's repertoire. 

PMID- 26263824
TI  - Two cases of Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscess necessitating liver resection
      for effective treatment.
AB  - We report two British cases of liver abscess, due to Klebsiella pneumoniae and
      associated with synchronous infection elsewhere, which required liver resection
      for definitive treatment. They illustrate the geographic spread of aggressive K
      pneumoniae liver infection and demonstrate the importance of early aggressive
      treatment.

PMID- 26263825
TI  - Delay in diagnosis and lessons learnt from a case of abdominal wall abscess
      caused by fishbone perforation.
AB  - Complications following foreign body (FB) ingestion are an uncommon clinical
      problem. A 59-year-old man presented with a 4-week history of left iliac fossa
      pain and 1 episode of dark red blood mixed with stools. Inflammatory markers were
      elevated, and computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen and pelvis showed an ill
      defined abdominal wall inflammatory collection in close contact with the small
      bowel loops. He was treated with antibiotics, and follow-up CT, colonoscopy and
      small bowel enema were mostly unremarkable. The patient presented again ten
      months later with left iliac fossa cellulitis and fever. Multiplanar CT (the
      patient's fourth scan) demonstrated a 10cm abdominal wall collection with a
      linear hyperdense structure in the collection. The radiologists suspected a FB
      and on close scrutiny of the previous scans, they noted it to have been present
      on all of them. A targeted incision led to the removal of a 3cm fishbone from the
      collection. This case highlights the need to consider the possibility of a FB
      being the underlying cause in any unexplained intra-abdominal or abdominal wall
      inflammatory process so that the diagnosis is made in a timely manner. 

PMID- 26263826
TI  - A clinical conundrum with a radiological answer.
AB  - An 82-year-old woman with longstanding medial thigh pain presented with a 5-day
      history of constipation, vomiting, abdominal pain and distension. She was unable
      to pass flatus for the preceding 24 hours and had a past history of laparoscopic
      abdominal surgery. Computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis revealed a right
      sided obturator hernia containing a dilated loop of small bowel. She underwent
      emergency surgery for a right obturator hernia repair by limited laparotomy and
      was discharged after an extended stay complicated by postoperative atrial
      fibrillation. 

PMID- 26263827
TI  - Laparoscopic management of terminal ileal volvulus caused by Meckel's
      diverticulum.
AB  - Complications from a Meckel's diverticulum include diverticulitis, bleeding,
      intussusception, bowel obstruction, a volvulus, a vesicodiverticular fistula,
      perforation or very rarely as a tumour. We report a case where a Meckel's
      diverticulum presented with a terminal ileal volvulus in a 32-year-old man
      without the presence of a typical vitelline band or axial torsion of the
      diverticulum causing the volvulus. It was successfully managed laparoscopically. 

PMID- 26263828
TI  - Upper airway obstruction in a patient with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
AB  - We report a case of recurrent airway obstruction episodes resulting from
      laryngeal hypermobility in a patient with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. A 44-year-old
      woman, with known Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, presented with recent onset of episodes
      of upper airway obstruction due to hypermobility of her larynx. A suitable
      conservative management strategy proved elusive and the patient finally underwent
      a thyrohyoidopexy. The patient remains symptom free nine months after the
      procedure. This is the first report of spontaneous life threatening upper airway
      obstruction due to hypermobility of the suprahyoid suspensory soft tissues in
      Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. 

PMID- 26263829
TI  - Bio-hybrid interfaces to study neuromorphic functionalities: New
      multidisciplinary evidences of cell viability on poly(anyline) (PANI), a
      semiconductor polymer with memristive properties.
AB  - The interfacing of artificial devices with biological systems is a challenging
      field that crosses several disciplines ranging from fundamental research
      (biophysical chemistry, neurobiology, material and surface science) to frontier
      technological application (nanotechnology, bioelectronics). The memristor is the
      fourth fundamental circuit element, whose electrical properties favor
      applications in signal processing, neural networks, and brain-computer
      interactions and it represents a new frontier for technological applications in
      many fields including the nanotechnologies, bioelectronics and the biosensors.
      Using multidisciplinary approaches, covering surface science, cell biology and
      electrophysiology, we successfully implemented a living bio-hybrid system
      constituted by cells adhering to films of poly(aniline) (PANI), a semiconductor
      polymer having memristive properties assembled with polyelectrolytes. Here we
      tested whether the PANI devices could support survivor, adhesion and
      differentiation of several cell lines, including the neuron-like SHSY5Y cells.
      Moreover, we performed electrophysiology on these cells showing that the
      biophysical properties are retained with differences occurring in the recorded
      ion currents. Taken together, the cell viability here reported is the key
      requirement to design and develop a reliable functional memristor-based bio
      hybrid able to mimic neuronal activity and plasticity. 

PMID- 26263830
TI  - Clinical Outcomes in Cardiac Arrest Patients Following Prehospital Treatment with
      Therapeutic Hypothermia.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Recent studies have brought to question the efficacy of the use of
      prehospital therapeutic hypothermia for victims of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest
      (OHCA). Though guidelines recommend therapeutic hypothermia as a critical link in
      the chain of survival, the safety of this intervention, with the possibility of
      minimal treatment benefit, becomes important. Hypothesis/Problem This study
      examined prehospital therapeutic hypothermia for OHCA, its association with
      survival, and its complication profile in a large, metropolitan, fire-based
      Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system, where bystander cardiopulmonary
      resuscitation (CPR) and post-arrest care are in the process of being optimized.
      METHODS: This evaluation was a retrospective chart review of all OHCA patients
      with return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) treated with therapeutic
      hypothermia, from January 1, 2013 through November 30, 2013. The primary outcomes
      were the proportion of patients with initiation of prehospital therapeutic
      hypothermia with survival to hospital admission, the proportion of patients with
      initiation of prehospital therapeutic hypothermia with survival to hospital
      discharge, and the complication profile of therapeutic hypothermia in this
      population. The complication profile included several clinical, radiographic, and
      laboratory parameters. Exclusion criteria included: no prehospital therapeutic
      hypothermia initiation; no ROSC; and age of 17 year old or younger. RESULTS:
      Fifty-one post-cardiac arrest patients were identified that met inclusion
      criteria. The mean age was 61 years (SD=14.7 years), and 33 (72%) were male. The
      initial rhythm was ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia
      in 17 (37%) patients, and bystander CPR was performed in 28 (61%) patients with
      ROSC. Thirty-nine (85%) patients survived to hospital admission. Twenty-one
      patients (48%; 95% CI, 33-64) were administered vasopressors, 10 patients (24%;
      95% CI, 10-37) were administered diuretics, and 19 patients (44%; 95% CI, 29-60)
      were administered antibiotics. Initial chest radiograph (CXR) findings were
      normal in 12 (29%) patients. Overall, 13 (28%; 95% CI, 15-42) study patients
      survived to hospital discharge. CONCLUSION: Recent reports have questioned the
      efficacy and safety of prehospital therapeutic hypothermia. In this evaluation,
      in the setting of unstandardized post-arrest care, 85% of the patients survived
      to hospital admission and 28% survived to hospital discharge, with a complication
      profile which was similar to that noted in other studies. This suggests that
      further evidence may be needed before EMS systems stop administering therapeutic
      hypothermia to appropriately selected patients. In less-optimized systems,
      therapeutic hypothermia may still be an essential link in the chain of survival.

PMID- 26263831
TI  - Momentum sequence and environmental climate influence levels of perceived
      psychological momentum within a sport competition.
AB  - The present study examined the influence of momentum sequence (positive vs.
      negative) and environmental climate (hot-wet vs. neutral) on supporters' (i.e.
      virtual observers') reported levels of perceived psychological momentum (PM)
      during a simulated cycling competition. Participants supported one of two
      competing cyclists involved in a race that was displayed on a screen in a lecture
      hall. The race scenario was manipulated so that the supported cyclist appeared to
      undergo either a positive or negative momentum sequence. In addition,
      participants were either exposed to a hot-wet environmental climate or to a
      neutral environmental climate while observing the race scenario. According to the
      results, reported levels of PM were higher in the positive momentum sequence
      condition than in the negative momentum sequence condition, consistent with the
      notion that supporters' PM is influenced by a positivity bias, and reported
      levels of PM were also found to be higher in the hot-wet climate condition than
      in the neutral climate condition, consistent with the notion that environmental
      climate is a contextual factor that influences PM through the operation of a
      causal augmenting mechanism. 

PMID- 26263833
TI  - Crystalloid administration among patients undergoing liver surgery: Defining
      patient- and provider-level variation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Fluid administration among patients undergoing liver resection is a
      key aspect of perioperative care. We sought to examine practice patterns of
      crystalloid administration, as well as potential factors associated with receipt
      of crystalloid fluids. METHOD: Patients who underwent liver resection between
      2010 and 2014 were identified. Data on clinicopathologic variables, operative
      details, and perioperative fluid administration were collected and analyzed using
      univariable and multivariable analyses; variation in practice of crystalloid
      administration was presented as coefficient of variation (COV). RESULTS: Among
      487 patients, median crystalloid administered at the time of surgery was 4,000
      mL. After adjusting for body size and operative duration, median corrected
      crystalloid was 30.0 mL kg(-1) m(2) h(-1), corresponding with a COV of 35%.
      Patients who received <30 mL kg(-1) m(2) h(-1) crystalloids were more likely to
      be younger (58 vs 60 years), white (79% vs 74%), and have a higher body mass
      index (BMI; 28.2 vs 25.4 kg/m(2); all P < .001). On multivariable analysis,
      increasing Charlson comorbidity index, BMI, estimated blood loss, and each
      additional hour of surgery were all associated with increased crystalloid
      administration (all P < .05). Corrected crystalloid administration varied among
      providers with a corrected COV ranging from 14% to 61%. When overall variation in
      crystalloid administration was assessed, 80% of the variation occurred at the
      patient level, and 20% occurred at the provider level (surgeon, 3% vs
      anesthesiologist, 17%). CONCLUSION: There was wide variability in crystalloid
      administration among patients undergoing liver resection. Although the majority
      of variation was attributable to patient factors, a large amount of residual
      variation was attributable to provider-level differences.

PMID- 26263832
TI  - Hemorrhoids and matrix metalloproteinases: A multicenter study on the predictive
      role of biomarkers.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: An association between hemorrhoidal disease and matrix
      metalloproteinases (MMPs) has been described previously. MMPs regulate
      extracellular structural proteins and tissue remodeling. Neutrophil gelatinase
      associated lipocalin (NGAL) is involved in the regulation of MMP activity. The
      aim of this work was to study the relationship between tissue immunoreactive
      levels of MMPs and NGAL and different stages of hemorrhoids. METHODS: In a
      multicenter, open-label, prospective study, the population under investigation
      consisted of 2 groups: group I (with symptomatic hemorrhoids; Goligher grade I
      IV) and group II (healthy volunteers). RESULTS: We enrolled 97 patients with
      hemorrhoids: 21 with grade I hemorrhoids, 37 with grade II, 14 with grade III,
      and 25 with grade IV. Finally, 90 healthy volunteers (53 males and 37 females;
      age range, 19-70 years; median, 56) were enrolled in group II. Enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay and Western blot analysis revealed greater levels of
      immunoreactive MMPs and NGAL in all patients with hemorrhoids. We recorded
      significantly greater levels of MMP-1 and MMP-3 in grade I and II patients
      compared with control, and greater levels of MMP-3, MMP-7, MMP-8, and MMP-9 in
      grade III compared with grade II. MMP-9 and NGAL were particularly increased in
      patients with grade IV especially in case of thrombosed hemorrhoids. CONCLUSION:
      These results provide potentially important insights into the understanding of
      the natural history of hemorrhoids. MMPs and NGAL play a role in development of
      disease and may represent molecular markers for the complications such as
      hemorrhoidal thrombosis.

PMID- 26263834
TI  - On the distribution and population dynamics of the ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi
      in the Belgian part of the North Sea and Westerschelde estuary.
AB  - The spatio-temporal distribution and population dynamics of the non-indigenous
      ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi A. Agassiz 1865 were investigated through monthly
      and quarterly surveys in 2011-2012 at several locations in the Belgian part of
      the North Sea, the main coastal ports and the adjacent Westerschelde estuary. M.
      leidyi occurred from August to December, but was never found more than 30 km
      offshore. Densities were generally low (average 0.8 +/- SD 2.8 ind m(-3))
      compared to other invaded European systems. Highest densities of M. leidyi were
      found in the semi-enclosed basin (port of Oostende; 18.4 ind m(-3)) and
      Westerschelde estuary (1.9 ind m(-3)). The presence of larvae and sudden
      appearance of high numbers across the size distribution in August indicated that
      ports and estuaries may act as sources, populating the adjacent coastal area. The
      zero-inflated logistic regression model showed that there is a higher chance of
      finding M. leidyi (presence) when temperature declines from late summer onwards.
      Combined with a negative binomial regression, our model suggests that increasing
      M. leidyi densities are associated with decreasing autumn temperatures, low wave
      height (low energetic systems) and low dissolved oxygen concentrations Although
      densities remained relatively low since its first appearance in 2007, a permanent
      population seems to be established in Belgian waters. As population outbursts may
      occur with only a small change in environmental parameters, further monitoring of
      this notorious invasive species is recommended. 

PMID- 26263835
TI  - An examination of the ingestion, bioaccumulation, and depuration of titanium
      dioxide nanoparticles by the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) and the eastern oyster
      (Crassostrea virginica).
AB  - The production rates of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles for consumer
      products far exceed the pace at which research can determine the effects of these
      particles in the natural environment. Sedentary organisms such as suspension
      feeding bivalves are particularly vulnerable to anthropogenic contaminants, such
      as nanoparticles, that enter coastal environments. The purpose of this work was
      to examine the ingestion, bioaccumulation, and depuration rates of TiO2
      nanoparticles by two species of suspension-feeding bivalves, the blue mussel
      (Mytilus edulis) and the eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica). Two
      representative TiO2 nanoparticles, UV-Titan M212 (Titan) and Aeroxide P25 (P25),
      were delivered to the animals either incorporated into marine snow or added
      directly to seawater at a concentration of 1.0 mg/L for exposure periods of 2 and
      6 h. After feeding, the animals were transferred to filtered-seawater and allowed
      to depurate. Feces and tissues were collected at 0, 12, 24, 72, and 120 h, post
      exposure, and analyzed for concentrations of titanium by inductively coupled
      plasma-mass spectrometry. Results indicated that the capture and ingestion (i.e.,
      transfer to the gut) of TiO2 nanoparticles by both mussels and oysters was not
      dependent on the presence of marine snow, and weight-standardized clearance rates
      of bivalves exposed to TiO2 nanoparticles were not significantly different than
      those of unexposed control animals. Both species ingested about half of the
      nanoparticles to which they were exposed, and >90% of the nanoparticles were
      egested in feces within 12 h, post-exposure. The findings of this study
      demonstrate that mussels and oysters can readily ingest both Titan and P25
      nanoparticles regardless of the form in which they are encountered, but depurate
      these materials over a short period of time. Importantly, bioaccumulation of
      Titan and P25 nanoparticles does not occur in mussels and oysters following
      exposures of up to 6 h. 

PMID- 26263836
TI  - Genetic diversity and genetic structure of the striped field mouse Apodemus
      agrarius coreae (Muridae, Rodentia) in Korea.
AB  - The aim of this study was to investigate the genetic diversity and genetic
      structure of the striped field mouse Apodemus agrarius coreae in Korea. The
      Korean A. a. coreae is characterized by high levels of haplotype diversity
      (Hd=0.967) and low levels of nucleotide diversity (pi=0.00683). Haplogroup 1 is
      well separated from the haplotypes of the neighboring regions of the Korean
      Peninsula, while the other haplogroups are closely related to those from the
      Russian Far East. Thus, further investigations are required to confirm the
      validity of the subspecies status of A. a. coreae by implementing additional
      morphological characters as well as genetic data from the populations present in
      the Korean Peninsula and its neighboring countries. Haplogroup 1 includes most
      Korean haplotypes and forms a star-like haplotype network structure, which
      reveals relatively low levels of sequence divergence and high frequency of unique
      mutations (only few mutations are shared in most of the haplotype nodes). The
      results indicate that the haplotypes of Haplogroup 1 might have experienced
      population expansion since their migration into Korea, which was further
      corroborated with negative results of neutrality tests for Korean population of
      A. a. coreae.

PMID- 26263837
TI  - Glenohumeral joint kinematics measured by intracortical pins, reflective markers,
      and computed tomography: A novel technique to assess acromiohumeral distance.
AB  - Combination of biplane fluoroscopy and CT-scan provides accurate 3D measurement
      of the acromiohumeral distance (AHD) during dynamic tasks. However, participants
      performed only two and six trials in previous experiments to respect the
      recommended radiation exposure per year. Our objective was to propose a technique
      to assess the AHD in 3D during dynamic tasks without this limitation. The AHD was
      computed from glenohumeral kinematics obtained using markers fitted to pins
      drilled into the scapula and the humerus combined with 3D bone geometry obtained
      using CT-scan. Four participants performed range-of-motion, daily-living, and
      sports activities. Sixty-six out of 158trials performed by each participant were
      analyzed. Two participants were not considered due to experimental issues. AHD
      decreased with arm elevation. Overall, the smallest AHD occurred in abduction
      (1.1mm (P1) and 1.2mm (P2)). The smallest AHD were 2.4mm (P1) and 3.1mm (P2)
      during ADL. It was 2.8mm (P1) and 1.1mm (P2) during sports activities. The
      humeral head greater and lesser tuberosities came the nearest to the acromion.
      The proposed technique increases the number of trials acquired during one
      experiment compared to previous. The identification of movements maximizing AHD
      is possible, which may provide benefits for shoulder rehabilitation. 

PMID- 26263838
TI  - Noninvasive assessment of the activity of the shoulder girdle muscles using
      ultrasound real-time tissue elastography.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to clarify whether the activity of the shoulder
      girdle muscles could be estimated by measuring the elasticity of these muscles
      under several levels of muscle contraction through ultrasound real-time tissue
      elastography (RTE). Ten healthy men performed submaximal voluntary contractions
      (MVC) in each manual muscle testing position for the middle deltoid, upper
      trapezius, supraspinatus, levator scapulae, and rhomboid major. The elasticity of
      these muscles was measured using ultrasound RTE during the task. The strain ratio
      of the muscle to an acoustic coupler was calculated as an assessment index of the
      muscle elasticity. Higher strain ratio values imply lower elasticity. In
      addition, the electromyographic activity was recorded from surface electrodes
      attached only to the middle deltoid and upper trapezius. The strain ratios were
      negatively correlated with the normalized root mean square values for the middle
      deltoid (r=-0.659, p<0.001) and upper trapezius (r=-0.554, p<0.001). The strain
      ratios of all the muscles decreased with an increase from 10% MVC force to 30%
      MVC force. Ultrasound RTE may be useful for noninvasively assessing the activity
      of the shoulder girdle muscles at certain shoulder positions with low levels of
      muscle contraction. 

PMID- 26263840
TI  - Introduction: Supramolecular Chemistry.

PMID- 26263839
TI  - Functional hemispherectomy: postoperative motor state and correlation to
      preoperative DTI.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Functional hemispherectomy (FH) is an infrequent method to reduce
      seizure frequency in patients with intractable epilepsy. The risk that
      hemispherotomy injures brain structures involved in residual motor function is
      challenging to predict. Our purpose was to evaluate MR diffusion tensor imaging
      (DTI) to preoperatively assess residual ipsilateral motor function prior to FH.
      METHODS: We applied DTI in 34 patients scheduled for FH to perform fiber tracking
      in healthy and damaged hemispheres of the corticospinal tracts (CSTs) and of the
      corpus callosum. We assessed the CSTs and the commissural fibers for streamline
      count, for fractional anisotropy (FA), and for respective ratios
      (affected/unaffected side). We correlated these DTI values to post-to-prior
      changes of muscle strength and evaluated their diagnostic accuracy. RESULTS: FA
      of the affected CSTs and of commissural fibers was significantly higher in
      patients with postoperative loss of muscle strength compared to patients without
      (p = 0.014 and p = 0.008). In contrast, CST FA from healthy hemispheres was not
      different between both groups. Ratios of streamline counts and FA from CSTs were
      higher in patients with postoperative reduced muscle strength compared to those
      without (1.14 +/- 0.22 vs. 0.58 +/- 0.14, p = 0.040; 0.93 +/- 0.05 vs. 0.74 +/-
      0.03, p = 0.003). CSTs' normalized FA ratio greater than -0.085 predicted loss of
      muscle strength with 80 % sensitivity and 69.6 % specificity. CONCLUSION:
      Preoperative tracking of the CST and of commissural fibers contributes to the
      prediction of postoperative motor outcome after functional hemispherectomy.

PMID- 26263841
TI  - Congenital isolated cleft mitral valve leaflet and apical muscular ventricular
      septal defect in a Holstein calf.
AB  - A 5-week-old Holstein heifer calf presented for emergency treatment of signs
      referable to gastrointestinal disease and hypovolemic shock. Fluid resuscitation
      uncovered clinical signs of primary cardiac disease and echocardiography revealed
      multiple congenital cardiac defects. Malformations included a cleft anterior
      mitral valve leaflet resembling an isolated cleft mitral valve and an apically
      located muscular ventricular septal defect. The echocardiographic and postmortem
      findings associated with these defects are presented and discussed in this
      report. 

PMID- 26263842
TI  - Myocardial infarct associated with a partial thickness left atrial tear in a dog
      with mitral insufficiency.
AB  - A 10-year-old male neutered cavalier King Charles Spaniel with a 1-year history
      of degenerative mitral valve disease presented for dyspnea and severe weakness.
      He was diagnosed with congestive heart failure, systolic dysfunction, presumptive
      myocardial infarction and a left atrial thrombus based on thoracic radiographs,
      electrocardiogram and echocardiographic findings. Clinical signs also suggested
      right foreleg embolism. The dog was euthanized due to the grave prognosis and a
      postmortem evaluation was performed. The postmortem examination confirmed
      myocardial infarction and was thought to be due to embolic showering from the
      thrombus attached to a partial thickness left atrial endocardial tear. 

PMID- 26263845
TI  - 2015-2016 Headache Assistant Editors.

PMID- 26263844
TI  - Activating Aluminum Reactivity with Fluoropolymer Coatings for Improved Energetic
      Composite Combustion.
AB  - Aluminum (Al) particles are passivated by an aluminum oxide (Al2O3) shell.
      Energetic blends of nanometer-sized Al particles with liquid perfluorocarbon
      based oxidizers such as perfluoropolyethers (PFPE) excite surface exothermic
      reaction between fluorine and the Al2O3 shell. The surface reaction promotes Al
      particle reactivity. Many Al-fueled composites use solid oxidizers that induce no
      Al2O3 surface exothermicity, such as molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) or copper oxide
      (CuO). This study investigates a perfluorinated polymer additive, PFPE,
      incorporated to activate Al reactivity in Al-CuO and Al-MoO3. Flame speeds,
      differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and quadrupole mass spectrometry (QMS)
      were performed for varying percentages of PFPE blended with Al/MoO3 or Al/CuO to
      examine reaction kinetics and combustion performance. X-ray photoelectron
      spectroscopy (XPS) was performed to identify product species. Results show that
      the performance of the thermite-PFPE blends is highly dependent on the bond
      dissociation energy of the metal oxide. Fluorine-Al-based surface reaction with
      MoO3 produces an increase in reactivity, whereas the blends with CuO show a
      decline when the PFPE concentration is increased. These results provide new
      evidence that optimizing Al combustion can be achieved through activating
      exothermic Al surface reactions. 

PMID- 26263846
TI  - Phase diagram, mechanical properties, and electronic structure of Nb-N compounds
      under pressure.
AB  - Niobium-nitrogen compounds, which are potential candidates for superhard
      multifunctional materials, may possess multiple stoichiometries and structures
      under pressure. Based on ab initio evolutionary structural searches, we predict
      three ground states (oP6-Nb2N, CW-NbN, and hP22-Nb5N6) and six stable high
      pressure phases (epsilon-NbN, AsNi-NbN, U2S3-Nb2N3, oC24-NbN2, mP8-NbN3, and mP20
      NbN4) for Nb-N compounds at pressures up to 100 GPa. Among them, the oP6-Nb2N,
      oC24-NbN2, mP8-NbN3, and mP20-NbN4 have never been reported, and N-rich oC24
      NbN2, mP8-NbN3, and mP20-NbN4 high pressure phases are recoverable to ambient
      pressure. We find that the structure of N-rich Nb-N compounds consists of NbNx
      polyhedral stacking configurations and connected with Nn (n = 2, 3, 4, and n)
      polymerizations, which can remarkably improve the elastic modulus. It is found
      that CW-NbN and mP20-NbN4 are two potential ultra-incompressible and hard
      materials with the hardness calculated to be 24.56 and 19.86 GPa, respectively,
      while other N-rich phases such as U2S3-Nb2N3, oC24-NbN2, and mP8-NbN3 are soft
      materials. Detailed electronic structure and chemical bonding analysis proved
      that the high hardness of CW-NbN and mP20-NbN4 stems from the strong covalent
      bonding and the fullfilled Nb-N bonding and antibonding states. 

PMID- 26263847
TI  - Author's Reply to Comment on "Age as a Prognostic Factor in Patients with Acute
      Coronary Syndrome Undergoing Urgent/Emergency Cardiac Surgery".

PMID- 26263843
TI  - Age decreases macrophage IL-10 expression: Implications for functional recovery
      and tissue repair in spinal cord injury.
AB  - Macrophages with different activation states are present after spinal cord injury
      (SCI). M1 macrophages purportedly promote secondary injury processes while M2
      cells support axon growth. The average age at the time of SCI has increased in
      recent decades, however, little is known about how different physiological
      factors contribute to macrophage activation states after SCI. Here we investigate
      the effect of age on IL-10, a key indicator of M2 macrophage activation.
      Following mild-moderate SCI in 4 and 14 month old (MO) mice we detected
      significantly reduced IL-10 expression with age in the injured spinal cord.
      Specifically, CD86/IL-10 positive macrophages, also known as M2b or regulatory
      macrophages, were reduced in 14 vs. 4 MO SCI animals. This age-dependent shift in
      macrophage phenotype was associated with impaired functional recovery and
      enhanced tissue damage in 14-month-old SCI mice. In vitro, M2b macrophages
      release anti-inflammatory cytokines without causing neurotoxicity, suggesting
      that imbalances in the M2b response in 14-month-old mice may be contributing to
      secondary injury processes. Our data indicate that age is an important factor
      that regulates SCI inflammation and recovery even to mild-moderate injury.
      Further, alterations in macrophage activation states may contribute to recovery
      and we have identified the M2b phenotype as a potential target for therapeutic
      intervention.

PMID- 26263850
TI  - The photoirradiation induced p-n junction in naphthylamine-based organic
      photovoltaic cells.
AB  - The bulk heterojunction (BHJ) plays an indispensable role in organic
      photovoltaics, and thus has been investigated extensively in recent years. While
      a p-n heterojunction is usually fabricated using two different donor and acceptor
      materials such as poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT) and phenyl-C61-butyric
      acid methyl ester (PCBM), it is really rare that such a BHJ is constructed by a
      single entity. Here, we presented a photoirradiation-induced p-n heterojunction
      in naphthylamine-based organic photovoltaic cells, where naphthylamine as a
      typical p-type semiconductor could be oxidized under photoirradiation and
      transformed into a new semiconductor with the n-type character. The p-n
      heterojunction was realized using both the remaining naphthylamine and its
      oxidative product, giving rise to the performance improvement in organic
      photovoltaic devices. The experimental results show that the power conversion
      efficiency (PCE) of the devices could be achieved up to 1.79% and 0.43% in
      solution and thin film processes, respectively. Importantly, this technology
      using naphthylamine does not require classic P3HT and PCBM to realize the p-n
      heterojunction, thereby simplifying the device fabrication process. The present
      approach opens up a promising route for the development of novel materials
      applicable to the p-n heterojunction. 

PMID- 26263848
TI  - Professional risks when carrying out cytoreductive surgery for peritoneal
      malignancy with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC): A French
      multicentric survey.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Over the last two decades, many surgical teams have developed
      programs to treat peritoneal carcinomatosis with extensive cytoreductive surgery
      and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). Currently, there are no
      specific recommendations for HIPEC procedures concerning environmental
      contamination risk management, personal protective equipment (PPE), or
      occupational health supervision. METHODS: A survey of the institutional practices
      among all French teams currently performing HIPEC procedures was carried out via
      the French network for the treatment of rare peritoneal malignancies (RENAPE).
      RESULTS: Thirty three surgical teams responded, 14 (42.4%) which reported more
      than 10 years of HIPEC experience. Some practices were widespread, such as using
      HIPEC machine approved by the European Community (100%), individualized or
      centralized smoke evacuation (81.8%), "open" abdominal coverage during perfusion
      (75.8%), and maintaining the same surgeon throughout the procedure (69.7%).
      Others were more heterogeneous, including laminar flow air circulation (54.5%)
      and the provision of safety protocols in the event of perfusate spills (51.5%).
      The use of specialized personal protective equipment is ubiquitous (93.9%) but
      widely variable between programs. CONCLUSION: Protocols regarding cytoreductive
      surgery/HIPEC and the associated professional risks in France lack
      standardization and should be established.

PMID- 26263849
TI  - Design and Characterization of a Sensorized Microfluidic Cell-Culture System with
      Electro-Thermal Micro-Pumps and Sensors for Cell Adhesion, Oxygen, and pH on a
      Glass Chip.
AB  - We combined a multi-sensor glass-chip with a microfluidic channel grid for the
      characterization of cellular behavior. The grid was imprinted in poly-dimethyl
      siloxane. Mouse-embryonal/fetal calvaria fibroblasts (MC3T3-E1) were used as a
      model system. Thin-film platinum (Pt) sensors for respiration (amperometric
      oxygen electrode), acidification (potentiometric pH electrodes) and cell adhesion
      (interdigitated-electrodes structures, IDES) allowed us to monitor cell
      physiological parameters as well as the cell-spreading behavior. Two on-chip
      electro-thermal micro-pumps (ETMUPs) permitted the induction of medium flow in
      the system, e.g., for medium mixing and drug delivery. The glass-wafer technology
      ensured the microscopic observability of the on-chip cell culture. Connecting Pt
      structures were passivated by a 1.2 MUm layer of silicon nitride (Si3N4). Thin
      Si3N4 layers (20 nm or 60 nm) were used as the sensitive material of the pH
      electrodes. These electrodes showed a linear behavior in the pH range from 4 to
      9, with a sensitivity of up to 39 mV per pH step. The oxygen sensors were
      circular Pt electrodes with a sensor area of 78.5 MUm(2). Their sensitivity was
      100 pA per 1% oxygen increase in the range from 0% to 21% oxygen (air saturated).
      Two different IDES geometries with 30- and 50-MUm finger spacings showed
      comparable sensitivities in detecting the proliferation rate of MC3T3 cells.
      These cells were cultured for 11 days in vitro to test the biocompatibility,
      microfluidics and electric sensors of our system under standard laboratory
      conditions.

PMID- 26263851
TI  - Broiler chicken adipose tissue dynamics during the first two weeks post-hatch.
AB  - Selection of broiler chickens for growth has led to increased adipose tissue
      accretion. To investigate the post-hatch development of adipose tissue, the
      abdominal, clavicular, and subcutaneous adipose tissue depots were collected from
      broiler chicks at 4 and 14 days post-hatch. As a percent of body weight,
      abdominal fat increased (P<0.001) with age. At day 4, clavicular and subcutaneous
      fat depots were heavier (P<0.003) than abdominal fat whereas at day 14, abdominal
      and clavicular weighed more (P<0.003) than subcutaneous fat. Adipocyte area and
      diameter were greater in clavicular and subcutaneous than abdominal fat at 4 and
      14 days post-hatch (P<0.001). Glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (G3PDH) activity
      increased (P<0.001) in all depots from day 4 to 14, and at both ages was greatest
      in subcutaneous, intermediate in clavicular, and lowest in abdominal fat
      (P<0.05). In clavicular fat, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma
      (PPARgamma), CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (CEBP)alpha, CEBPbeta, fatty acid
      synthase (FASN), fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4), lipoprotein lipase (LPL),
      neuropeptide Y (NPY), and NPY receptor 5 (NPYR5) mRNA increased and NPYR2 mRNA
      decreased from day 4 to 14 (P<0.001). Thus, there are site-specific differences
      in broiler chick adipose development, with larger adipocytes and greater G3PDH
      activity in subcutaneous fat at day 4, more rapid growth of abdominal fat, and
      clavicular fat intermediate for most traits. Adipose tissue expansion was
      accompanied by changes in gene expression of adipose-associated factors.

PMID- 26263852
TI  - Physiological and behavioral responses of the invasive amphipod, Dikerogammarus
      villosus, to ammonia.
AB  - We studied the physiological and behavioral responses of the Ponto-Caspian
      amphipod Dikerogammarus villosus during exposure to four total ammonia
      concentrations (NH3+NH4(+); TotAmm): 0.003 (control), 0.06, 1.6, and 7.0 mmol L(
      1) (0.042, 0.84, 22.4, and 98.0 mg L(-1)) for a period of up to 12 h at 21 
      degrees C. During the transition period from the control to treatment
      concentration as well as during the first hour of exposure to 0.06 and 1.6 mmol
      L(-1), gammarids increased their locomotor activity, which was manifested in
      significantly higher routine metabolic rates compared to control conditions. At
      control conditions, the resting metabolic rate amounted to 0.98+/-0.26 mW g(-1)
      and significantly increased by 19 and 37% at 0.06 and 1.6 mmol L(-1),
      respectively. The highest examined [TotAmm] caused a rapid and significant
      increase in resting metabolic rate by 37% within the first 4 h of exposure before
      gammarids died. The exposure to elevated [TotAmm] also resulted in a significant
      decreased RNA:DNA ratio and significantly higher glycogen concentrations compared
      to the control. We conclude that even a short exposure to TotAmm of 0.06 mmol L(
      1), which may occur in natural habitats, disturbs the physiology and behavior of
      D. villosus and leads to increased metabolic costs of the maintenance and reduced
      protein synthesis.

PMID- 26263853
TI  - Dynamics of blood viscosity regulation during hypoxic challenges in the chicken
      embryo (Gallus gallus domesticus).
AB  - Hypoxia in chicken embryos increases hematocrit (Hct), blood O2 content, and
      blood viscosity. The latter may limit O2 transport capacity (OTC) via increased
      peripheral resistance. Hct increase may result from increased nucleated red blood
      cell concentration ([RBC]) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) or reduced plasma
      volume. We hypothesized changes in Hct, hemoglobin concentration ([Hb]), [RBC]
      and MCV and their effects on viscosity would reduce OTC. Five experimental
      treatments that increase Hct were conducted on day 15 embryos: 60min water
      submergence with 60min recovery in air; exposure to 15% O2 with or without 5% CO2
      for 24 h with 6 h recovery; or exposure to 10% O2 with or without 5% CO2 for 120
      min with 120 min recovery. Control Hct, [Hb], [RBC], MCV, and viscosity were
      approximately 26%, 9g%, 2.0 10(6)MUL(-1), 130MUm(3), and 1.6mPas, respectively.
      All manipulations increased Hct and blood viscosity without changing blood
      osmolality (276mmolkg(-1)). Increased viscosity was attributed to increased [RBC]
      and MCV in submerged embryos, but solely MCV in embryos experiencing 10% O2
      regardless of CO2. Blood viscosity in embryos exposed to 15% O2 increased via
      increased MCV alone, and viscosity was constant during recovery despite increased
      [RBC]. Consequently, blood viscosity was governed by MCV and [RBC] during
      submergence, while MCV was the strongest determinant of blood viscosity in
      extrinsic hypoxia with or without hypercapnia. Increased Hct and blood O2 content
      did not compensate for the effect of increased viscosity on OTC during these
      challenges. 

PMID- 26263856
TI  - Caveat doctor.

PMID- 26263855
TI  - Stability of HIB-Cul3 E3 ligase adaptor HIB Is Regulated by Self-degradation and
      Availability of Its Substrates.
AB  - The HIB-Cul3 complex E3 ligase regulates physiological homeostasis through
      regulating its substrate stability and its activity can be modulated by changing
      HIB abundance. However, regulation of HIB remains elusive. Here we provide
      evidence that HIB is degraded through the proteasome by Cul3-mediated
      polyubiquitination in K48 manner in Drosophila. Strikingly, HIB is targeted for
      degradation by itself. We further identify that three degrons ((52)LKSS(56)T,
      (76)LDEE(80)S and (117)MESQ(121)R) and K185 and K198 of HIB are essential for its
      auto-degradation. Finally, we demonstrate that HIB-Cul3 substrates, Ci and Puc,
      can effectively protect HIB from HIB-Cul3-mediated degradation. Taken together,
      our study indicates that there is an exquisite equilibrium between the adaptor
      and targets to achieve the tight control of the HIB, which is essential for
      maintaining suitable Hh and JNK signaling. And the mechanism of adaptor self
      degradation and reciprocal control of the abundance between adaptor and its
      substrates is also applied to BTB-Cul3 E3 ligase adaptor dKeap1, dDiablo and
      dKLHL18. 

PMID- 26263854
TI  - Chronic inflammation in urothelial bladder cancer.
AB  - The association between inflammation and cancer has been pointed out in
      epidemiological and clinical studies, revealing how chronic inflammation may
      contribute to carcinogenesis in various malignancies. However, the molecular
      events leading to malignant transformation in a chronically inflamed environment
      are not fully understood. In urothelial carcinoma of the urinary bladder,
      inflammation plays a dual role. On the one hand, chronic inflammation is a well
      established risk factor for the development of bladder cancer (BC), as seen in
      Schistosoma haematobium infection. On the other, intravesical therapy by bacillus
      Calmette-Guerin (BCG), which induces inflammation, offers protection against
      cancer recurrence. The large variety of pro-inflammatory mediators expressed by
      BC and immune cells binds to specific receptors which control signalling
      pathways. These activate transcription of a plethora of downstream factors. This
      review summarizes recent data regarding inflammation and urothelial carcinoma,
      with special emphasis on the role the inflammatory response plays in BC
      recurrence risk and progression.

PMID- 26263857
TI  - Paternalism and consent: has the law finally caught up with the profession?

PMID- 26263858
TI  - Glove balloons 3.

PMID- 26263859
TI  - Trachway video stylet use in double lumen tube insertion.

PMID- 26263860
TI  - Supraglottic airways as conduits for fibreoptic intubation.

PMID- 26263861
TI  - Use of the Macintosh laryngoscope for double-lumen tracheal tube placement.

PMID- 26263862
TI  - Cranial nerve injuries with supraglottic airway devices--more common than we
      think?

PMID- 26263863
TI  - Reconstituted whole blood plus fibrinogen for massive transfusion in trauma.

PMID- 26263864
TI  - Hyaluronidase for brachial plexus block.

PMID- 26263865
TI  - Propofol for caesarean section under general anaesthesia.

PMID- 26263866
TI  - A reply.

PMID- 26263867
TI  - Consultant-delivered care.

PMID- 26263868
TI  - Normalising lean body weight.

PMID- 26263869
TI  - Safe extubation in recovery rooms.

PMID- 26263870
TI  - Medicina syringe breakage.

PMID- 26263871
TI  - Standardised signage for emergency drug location.

PMID- 26263872
TI  - Respiratory optimisation and mobile ECMO for severe respiratory failure.

PMID- 26263873
TI  - High Dietary Copper Increases Catecholamine Concentrations in the Hypothalami and
      Midbrains of Growing Pigs.
AB  - The experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of high dietary copper on
      catecholamine concentration and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DbetaH) activity in
      hypothalami and midbrains of growing pigs. Forty-five crossbred weanling pigs
      with an average body weight of 7.5 kg were randomly assigned to three groups of
      15 each to receive a control diet containing 10 mg/kg Cu (diet A) and diets
      containing 125 (diet B) or 250 (diet C) mg Cu/kg DM for 45 days. Compared to the
      control, Cu supplementation at both 125 and 250 mg Cu/kg DM increased average
      daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and feed efficiency. High
      dietary copper increased midbrain and hypothalami dopamine (DA) and
      norepinephrine (NE) concentrations and midbrain dopamine-beta-hydroxylase
      activity. However, increasing dietary Cu had no effect on hypothalami dopamine
      beta-hydroxylase activity. 

PMID- 26263874
TI  - Surgeon-performed ultrasound: accurate, reproducible, and more efficient.
AB  - PURPOSE: A study previously performed at our institution demonstrated that
      surgeon-performed ultrasound (SPUS) was accurate compared to radiology department
      ultrasound (RDUS) when evaluating children with suspected appendicitis. The
      purpose of this study was to determine if these results were reproducible and if
      SPUS decreased time to definitive diagnosis. METHODS: A surgery resident
      performed examinations and ultrasounds on children with suspected appendicitis.
      Final diagnosis was confirmed by pathology. Results were compared to RDUS and
      combined with the previous study for a final comparison with RDUS. Mean time to
      diagnosis was recorded. Data were analyzed using Fisher exact and Student's t
      test. RESULTS: Fifty-eight patients underwent SPUS, of these 35 had RDUS. The
      accuracy of SPUS alone was 93% (54/58) and RDUS accuracy was 94% (33/35) (p = 1).
      When SPUS was combined with clinical examination accuracy increased to 95%
      (55/58). When results were combined with the previous study, overall accuracy of
      SPUS was 90% (101/112) compared to overall RDUS accuracy of 89 % (50/56). Mean
      time to diagnosis for RDUS was 135 min (n = 35), whereas mean time to diagnosis
      for SPUS was 30 min (n = 58; p = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: SPUS is accurate and
      reproducible in evaluating children with suspected appendicitis. SPUS potentially
      decreases time to definitive therapy and emergency department wait times.

PMID- 26263875
TI  - Benign liver tumors in children: outcomes after resection.
AB  - PURPOSE: Benign liver tumors in children are rare and data regarding the surgical
      outcomes are deficient. We reviewed our experience in the management of these
      tumors particularly the extent, safety, and effectiveness of surgical resection.
      METHODS: Between March 2005 and March 2014, 10/90 liver resections were performed
      for benign liver tumors. Three other patients received conservative treatment.
      Demographic characteristics, operative management, morbidity, and mortality were
      analyzed. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 12 months. The distribution
      of pathology was infantile hepatic hemangioendothelioma/hemangioma (n = 7),
      mesenchymal hamartoma (n = 4), adenoma (n = 1) and focal nodular hyperplasia (n =
      1). Median tumor size was 12.25 cm (range 3.5-21 cm) with a median tumor volume
      of 576.64 cm(3) (range 13.9-1822.64 cm(3)). Non-anatomic resection was performed
      in 6/10 patients and the median blood loss was 100 ml (range 10-850 ml). Median
      length of hospital stay was 7 days (range 5-9 days). There were no mortality,
      none of the patients had a local recurrence, and all are alive at a median follow
      up of 33 months. CONCLUSIONS: Two-third patients with benign liver tumors were
      managed with surgical excision, which comprised 11% of our resectional practice.
      Non-anatomical resection whenever feasible can be performed safely and does not
      compromise the oncological outcomes.

PMID- 26263876
TI  - Usefulness of Kent retractor and lifting hook for Nuss procedure.
AB  - Although the Nuss procedure for pectus excavatum has been widely employed, a
      variety of complications have been reported. The most dangerous complication is
      cardiac injury from the insertion of the introducer. To eliminate these
      complications, we present a sternum elevating technique using a Kent retractor
      and a lifting hook. 

PMID- 26263877
TI  - Acclimation of fine root respiration to soil warming involves starch deposition
      in very fine and fine roots: a case study in Fagus sylvatica saplings.
AB  - Root activities in terms of respiration and non-structural carbohydrates (NSC)
      storage and mobilization have been suggested as major physiological roles in fine
      root lifespan. As more frequent heat waves and drought periods within the next
      decades are expected, to what extent does thermal acclimation in fine roots
      represent a mechanism to cope with such upcoming climatic conditions? In this
      study, the possible changes in very fine (diameter < 0.5 mm) and fine (0.5-1 mm)
      root morphology and physiology in terms of respiration rate and NSC [soluble
      sugars (SS) and starch] concentrations, were investigated on 2-year-old Fagus
      sylvatica saplings subjected to a simulated long-lasting heat wave event and to
      co-occurring soil drying. For both very fine and fine roots, soil temperature
      (ST) resulted inversely correlated with specific root length, respiration rates
      and SSs concentration, but directly correlated with root mass, root tissue
      density and starch concentration. In particular, starch concentration increased
      under 28  degrees C for successively decreasing under 21  degrees C ST. These
      findings showed that thermal acclimation in very fine and fine roots due to 24
      days exposure to high ST (~ 28  degrees C), induced starch accumulation. Such
      'carbon-savings strategy' should bear the maintenance costs associated to the
      recovery process in case of restored favorable environmental conditions, such as
      those occurring at the end of a heat wave event. Drought condition seems to
      affect the fine root vitality much more under moderate than high temperature
      condition, making the temporary exposure to high ST less threatening to root
      vitality than expected.

PMID- 26263878
TI  - Evaluation of an initiative to reduce radiation exposure from CT to children in a
      non-pediatric-focused facility.
AB  - We would like to share our experience of reducing pediatric radiation exposure.
      Much of the recent literature regarding successes of reducing radiation exposure
      has come from dedicated children's hospitals. Nonetheless, over the past two
      decades, there has been a considerable increase in CT imaging of children in the
      USA, predominantly in non-pediatric-focused facilities where the majority of
      children are treated. In our institution, two general hospitals with limited
      pediatric services, a dedicated initiative intended to reduce children's exposure
      to CT radiation was started by pediatric radiologists in 2005. The initiative
      addressed multiple issues including eliminating multiphase studies, decreasing
      inappropriate scans, educating referring providers, training residents and
      technologists, replacing CT with ultrasound or MRI, and ensuring availability of
      pediatric radiologists for consultation. During the study period, the total
      number of CT scans decreased by 24 %. When accounting for the number of scans per
      visit to the emergency department (ED), the numbers of abdominal and head CT
      scans decreased by 37.2 and 35.2 %, respectively. For abdominal scans, the
      average number of phases per scan decreased from 1.70 to 1.04. Upon surveying the
      pediatric ED staff, it was revealed that the most influential factors on ordering
      of scans were daily communication with pediatric radiologists, followed by
      journal articles and lectures by pediatric radiologists. We concluded that a non
      pediatric-focused facility can achieve dramatic reduction in CT radiation
      exposure to children; however, this is most effectively achieved through a
      dedicated, multidisciplinary process led by pediatric radiologists.

PMID- 26263879
TI  - Seymour Sarason Remembered: "Plus ca change...", "Psychology Misdirected", and
      "Community Psychology and the Anarchist Insight".
AB  - The intellectual legacy of Seymour Sarason continues to serve as a critical
      resource for the field of community psychology. The present paper draws on one of
      Sarason's favorite aphorisms and two of his seminal writings to suggest the
      relevance of ideas articulated 35-40 years ago for the current time. Each in
      their own way highlights the importance of unearthing and interrogating core
      assumptions underlying our research and our efforts to make a positive
      difference. The aphorism reminds us that the rhetoric of change is far easier to
      articulate than to enact and all too often ignores or disguises issues of power
      among actors. The "misdirection" of Psychology reflected his assertion that the
      asocial, acultural, and ahistorical nature of American Psychology reflected
      American culture more generally and ill prepared it to understand and engage in
      social change, particularly with respect to educational reform. The "anarchist
      insight" articulated his belief in interrogating the implications of the
      increasingly interdependent relationship of science and the state for the
      autonomy of scientists and scientific inquiry. The evidence-based practice
      movement is offered as an example of the current day relevance of the aphorism
      and core insights of these two papers. The paper concludes with a plea to
      rekindle the discussion and continued examination of Sarason's paradigmatic
      insights for the intellectual and social development of the field.

PMID- 26263880
TI  - Relativistic electron avalanches as a thunderstorm discharge competing with
      lightning.
AB  - Gamma-ray 'glows' are long duration (seconds to tens of minutes) X-ray and gamma
      ray emission coming from thunderclouds. Measurements suggest the presence of
      relativistic runaway electron avalanches (RREA), the same process underlying
      terrestrial gamma-ray flashes. Here we demonstrate that glows are relatively a
      common phenomena near the tops of thunderstorms, when compared with events such
      as terrestrial gamma-ray flashes. Examining the strongest glow measured by the
      airborne detector for energetic emissions, we show that this glow is measured
      near the end of a downward RREA, consistent with occurring between the upper
      positive charge layer and the negative screening layer above it. The glow
      discharges the upper positive layer by >=9.6 mA, strong enough to be an important
      charging mechanism of the storm. For this glow, the gamma-ray flux observed is
      close to the value at which relativistic feedback processes become important,
      with an avalanche multiplication factor of 4,500. 

PMID- 26263881
TI  - Rhus coriaria induces senescence and autophagic cell death in breast cancer cells
      through a mechanism involving p38 and ERK1/2 activation.
AB  - Here, we investigated the anticancer effect of Rhus coriaria on three breast
      cancer cell lines. We demonstrated that Rhus coriaria ethanolic extract (RCE)
      inhibits the proliferation of these cell lines in a time- and concentration
      dependent manner. RCE induced senescence and cell cycle arrest at G1 phase. These
      changes were concomitant with upregulation of p21, downregulation of cyclin D1,
      p27, PCNA, c-myc, phospho-RB and expression of senescence-associated beta
      galactosidase activity. No proliferative recovery was detected after RCE removal.
      Annexin V staining and PARP cleavage analysis revealed a minimal induction of
      apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells. Electron microscopy revealed the presence of
      autophagic vacuoles in RCE-treated cells. Interestingly, blocking autophagy by 3
      methyladenine (3-MA) or chloroquine (CQ) reduced RCE-induced cell death and
      senescence. RCE was also found to activate p38 and ERK1/2 signaling pathways
      which coincided with induction of autophagy. Furthermore, we found that while
      both autophagy inhibitors abolished p38 phosphorylation, only CQ led to
      significant decrease in pERK1/2. Finally, RCE induced DNA damage and reduced
      mutant p53, two events that preceded autophagy. Our findings provide strong
      evidence that R. coriaria possesses strong anti-breast cancer activity through
      induction of senescence and autophagic cell death, making it a promising
      alternative or adjunct therapeutic candidate against breast cancer. 

PMID- 26263882
TI  - Effects of electron acceptors on soluble reactive phosphorus in the overlying
      water during algal decomposition.
AB  - Endogenous phosphorus (P) release from sediments is an important factor to cause
      eutrophication and, hence, algal bloom in lakes in China. Algal decomposition
      depletes dissolved oxygen (DO) and causes anaerobic conditions and therefore
      increases P release from sediments. As sediment P release is dependent on the
      iron (Fe) cycle, electron acceptors (e.g., NO3 (-), SO4 (2-), and Mn(4+)) can be
      utilized to suppress the reduction of Fe(3+) under anaerobic conditions and, as
      such, have the potential to impair the release of sediment P. Here, we used a
      laboratory experiment to test the effects of FeCl3, MnO2, and KNO3 on soluble
      reactive phosphorus (SRP) concentration and related chemical variables in the
      overlying water column during algal decomposition at different algal densities.
      Results showed that algal decomposition significantly depleted DO and thereby
      increased sediment Fe-bound P release. Compared with the control, addition of
      FeCl3 significantly decreased water SRP concentration through inhibiting sediment
      P release. Compared with FeCl3, addition of MnO2 has less potential to suppress
      sediment P release during algal decomposition. Algal decomposition has the
      potential for NO3 (-) removal from aquatic ecosystem through denitrification and
      by that alleviates the suppressing role of NO3 (-) on sediment P release. Our
      results indicated that FeCl3 and MnO2 could be efficient in reducing sediment P
      release during algal decomposition, with the strongest effect found for FeCl3;
      large amounts of NO3 (-) were removed from the aquatic ecosystem through
      denitrification during algal decomposition. Moreover, the amounts of NO3 (-)
      removal increased with increasing algal density. 

PMID- 26263883
TI  - A margin of exposure approach to assessment of non-cancerous risk of diethyl
      phthalate based on human exposure from bottled water consumption.
AB  - Phthalates may be present in food due to their widespread presence as
      environmental contaminants or due to migration from food contact materials.
      Exposure to phthalates is considered to be potentially harmful to human health as
      well. Therefore, determining the main source of exposure is an important issue.
      So, the purpose of this study was (1) to measure the release of diethyl phthalate
      (DEP) in bottled water consumed in common storage conditions specially low
      temperature and freezing conditions; (2) to evaluate the intake of DEP from
      polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottled water and health risk assessment; and
      (3) to assess the contribution of the bottled water to the DEP intake against the
      tolerable daily intake (TDI) values. DEP migration was investigated in six brands
      of PET-bottled water under different storage conditions room temperature,
      refrigerator temperature, freezing conditions (40  degrees C ,0  degrees C and 
      18  degrees C) and outdoor] at various time intervals by magnetic solid
      extraction (MSPE) using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). Eventually,
      a health risk assessment was conducted and the margin of exposure (MOE) was
      calculated. The results indicate that contact time with packaging and storage
      temperatures caused DEP to be released into water from PET bottles. But, when
      comprising the DEP concentration with initial level, the results demonstrated
      that the release of phthalates were not substantial in all storage conditions
      especially at low temperatures (<25  degrees C) and freezing conditions. The
      daily intake of DEP from bottled water was much lower than the reference value.
      However, the lowest MOE was estimated for high water consumers (preschooler >
      children > lactating women > teenagers > adults > pregnant women), but in all
      target groups, the MOE was much higher than 1000, thus, low risk is implied.
      Consequently, PET-bottled water is not a major source of human exposure to DEP
      and from this perspective is safe for consumption.

PMID- 26263884
TI  - Nucleoplasmic bridges and tailed nuclei are signatures of radiation exposure in
      Oreochromis mossambicus using erythrocyte micronucleus cytome assay (EMNCA).
AB  - Gamma radiation-induced genetic perturbations in aquatic vertebrates is largely
      unknown at low-dose rate, especially in the wake of a nuclear disaster and/or
      other environmental outbreaks. Freshwater fish, Oreochromis mossambicus subjected
      to low-dose rate (2 mGy/min) at 2.5-, 5-, and 10-Gy doses, were analyzed for
      "exposure signatures" in blood samples drawn on days 3, 6, 12, 18, and 30,
      respectively. Significant dose-dependent increments in micronuclei frequency and
      other anomalies such as nucleoplasmic bridges and tailed nuclei were observed and
      exhibit a strong positive correlation, suggesting that they could be used as
      prospective signatures of radiation exposure. Similarly increased incidence of
      apoptosis and DNA repair machinery circuits at high and low doses were noted.
      This work highlighted "cytogenetic signatures" in fish and the sensitivity of
      these endpoints toward low-dose rate of radiation exposure.

PMID- 26263885
TI  - Inoculating plants with the endophytic bacterium Pseudomonas sp. Ph6-gfp to
      reduce phenanthrene contamination.
AB  - Plant organic contamination poses a serious threat to the safety of agricultural
      products and human health worldwide, and the association of endophytic bacteria
      with host plants may decrease organic pollutants in planta. In this study, we
      firstly determined the growth response and biofilm formation of endophytic
      Pseudomonas sp. Ph6-gfp, and then systematically evaluated the performance of
      different plant colonization methods (seed soaking (SS), root soaking (RS), leaf
      painting (LP)) for circumventing the risk of plant phenanthrene (PHE)
      contamination. After inoculation for 48 h, strain Ph6-gfp grew efficiently with
      PHE, oxalic acid, or malic acid as the sole sources of carbon and energy.
      Moreover, strain Ph6-gfp could form robust biofilms in LB medium. In greenhouse
      hydroponic experiments, strain Ph6-gfp could actively colonize inoculated plants
      internally, and plants colonized with Ph6-gfp showed a higher capacity for PHE
      removal. Compared with the Ph6-gfp-free treatment, the accumulations of PHE in
      Ph6-gfp-colonized plants via SS, RS, and LP were 20.1, 33.1, and 7.1 %,
      respectively, lower. Our results indicate that inoculating plants with Ph6-gfp
      could lower the risk of plant PHE contamination. RS was most efficient for
      improving PHE removal in whole plant bodies by increasing the cell numbers of Ph6
      gfp in plant roots. The findings in this study provide an optimized method to
      strain Ph6-gfp reduce plant PAH residues, which may be applied to agricultural
      production in PAH-contaminated soil.

PMID- 26263886
TI  - Thermal desorption of PCB-contaminated soil with sodium hydroxide.
AB  - The thermal desorption was combined with sodium hydroxide to remediate
      polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)-contaminated soil. The experiments were conducted
      at different temperatures ranging from 300 to 600  degrees C with three NaOH
      contents of 0.1, 0.5, and 1 %. The results showed that thermal desorption was
      effective for PCB removal, destruction, and detoxication, and the presence of
      NaOH enhanced the process by significant dechlorination. After treatment with 0.1
      % NaOH, the removal efficiency (RE) increased from 84.8 % at 300  degrees C to
      98.0 % at 600  degrees C, corresponding to 72.7 and 91.7 % of destruction
      efficiency (DE). With 1 % NaOH content treated at 600  degrees C, the RE and DE
      were 99.0 and 93.6 %, respectively. The effect of NaOH content on PCB removal was
      significant, especially at lower temperature, yet it weakened under higher
      temperature. The interaction between NaOH content and temperature influenced the
      PCB composition. The higher temperature with the help of NaOH effectively
      increased the RE and DE of 12 dioxin-like PCBs (based on WHO-TEQ).

PMID- 26263887
TI  - Influence of substrate type on microbial community structure in vertical-flow
      constructed wetland treating polluted river water.
AB  - Microorganisms attached on the surfaces of substrate materials in constructed
      wetland play crucial roles in the removal of organic and inorganic pollutants.
      However, the impact of substrate material on wetland microbial community
      structure remains unclear. Moreover, little is known about microbial community in
      constructed wetland purifying polluted surface water. In this study, Illumina
      high-throughput sequencing was applied to profile the spatial variation of
      microbial communities in three pilot-scale surface water constructed wetlands
      with different substrate materials (sand, zeolite, and gravel). Bacterial
      community diversity and structure showed remarkable spatial variation in both
      sand and zeolite wetland systems, but changed slightly in gravel wetland system.
      Bacterial community was found to be significantly influenced by wetland substrate
      type. A number of bacterial groups were detected in wetland systems, including
      Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi, Bacteroidetes, Acidobacteria, Cyanobacteria,
      Nitrospirae, Planctomycetes, Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, Chlorobi, Spirochaetae,
      Gemmatimonadetes, Deferribacteres, OP8, WS3, TA06, and OP3, while Proteobacteria
      (accounting for 29.1-62.3 %), mainly composed of Alpha-, Beta-, Gamma-, and
      Deltaproteobacteria, showed the dominance and might contribute to the effective
      reduction of organic pollutants. In addition, Nitrospira-like microorganisms were
      abundant in surface water constructed wetlands.

PMID- 26263888
TI  - l-amino acid oxidase from Bothrops marajoensis causes nephrotoxicity in isolated
      perfused kidney and cytotoxicity in MDCK renal cells.
AB  - Renal alterations caused by Bothrops venom and its compounds are studied to
      understand these effects and provide the best treatment. Previously, we studied
      the renal effect of the whole venom of Bothrops marajoensis and its phospholipase
      A2 (PLA2), but these effects could not to be attributed to PLA2. To continue the
      study, we report in this short communication the effects of l-amino acid oxidase
      from B. marajoensis venom (LAAOBm) on renal function parameter alterations
      observed in the same model of isolated perfused kidney, as well as the cytotoxic
      effect on renal cells. LAAOBm caused a decrease in PP, RVR, UF, GFR, %TNa(+) and
      %TCl(-), very similar to the effects of whole venom using the same model. We also
      demonstrated its cytotoxicity in MDCK cells with IC50 of 2.5 MUg/mL and late
      apoptotic involvement demonstrated by flow cytometry assays. In conclusion, we
      suggested that LAAOBm is a nephrotoxic compound of B. marajoensis venom.

PMID- 26263889
TI  - Synergistic inflammatory effect of PM10 with mycotoxin deoxynivalenol on human
      lung epithelial cells.
AB  - The presence of deoxynivalenol (DON), a mycotoxin produced by Fusarium species,
      has been reported worldwide in food and feedstuffs. Even though oral intake is
      the main route of exposure, DON inhalation is also of concern in workers and
      exposed population. Particulate matter (PM) is one of the most important causes
      of air quality detriment and it induces several adverse health effects. Therefore
      it is of primary importance to understand possible combined effects of DON and
      PM. The alveolar type II, A549, and the bronchial epithelial, BEAS-2B, cell lines
      were exposed for 24 h to different concentrations of DON (10-1000 ng/ml), PM10 (5
      MUg/cm(2), sampled in summer or winter season), and a combination of these
      pollutants. Cell death, interleukins release and cell cycle alteration were
      analysed; protein array technique was also applied to evaluate proteins
      activation related to MAP-kinases cascade. Our results demonstrate that low doses
      of PM and DON used alone have scarce toxic effects, while induce cytotoxicity and
      inflammation when used in combination. This observation outlines the importance
      of investigation on the combined effects of air pollutants for their possible
      outcomes on human health.

PMID- 26263890
TI  - Organic alloys of room temperature liquids thiophenol and selenophenol.
AB  - The first examples of organic alloys of two room temperature liquids, obtained
      and characterized via in situ cryo-crystallography, are presented. Thiophenol and
      selenophenol, which exhibit isostructurality and similar modes of S?S and Se?Se
      homo-chalcogen interactions along with weak and rare S-H?S and Se-H?Se hydrogen
      bonds, are shown to form solid solutions exhibiting Veggard's law-like trends.

PMID- 26263891
TI  - Mechanistic Investigations of the Stereoselective Rare Earth Metal-Mediated Ring
      Opening Polymerization of beta-Butyrolactone.
AB  - Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) is produced by numerous bacteria as carbon and
      energy reserve storage material. Whereas nature only produces PHB in its strictly
      isotactic (R) form, homogeneous catalysis, when starting from racemic (rac) beta
      butyrolactone (BL) as monomer, can in fact produce a wide variety of tacticities.
      The variation of the metal center and the surrounding ligand structure enable
      activity as well as tacticity tuning. However, no homogeneous catalyst exists to
      date that is easy to modify, highly active, and able to produce PHB with high
      isotacticities from rac-beta-BL. Therefore, in this work, the reaction kinetics
      of various 2-methoxyethylamino-bis(phenolate) lanthanide (Ln=Sm, Tb, Y, Lu)
      catalysts are examined in detail. The order in monomer and catalyst are
      determined to elucidate the reaction mechanism and the results are correlated
      with DFT calculations of the catalytic cycle. Furthermore, the enthalpies and
      entropies of the rate-determining steps are determined through temperature
      dependent in situ IR measurements. Experimental and computational results
      converge in one specific mechanism for the ring-opening polymerization of BL and
      even allow us to rationalize the preference for syndiotactic PHB. 

PMID- 26263892
TI  - Developing immunological methods for detecting Macrobrachium rosenbergii
      nodavirus and extra small virus using a recombinant protein preparation.
AB  - Macrobrachium rosenbergii nodavirus (MrNV) and extra small virus (XSV) have been
      identified as the causative agents for white tail disease (WTD) of M.
      rosenbergii. In this study, the gene sequences encoding MrNV and XSV capsid
      proteins were separately ligated into the pGEX-4T-3 expression vector and
      transformed into Escherichia coli. After induction, glutathione-S-transferase
      (GST)-tagged MrNV and XSV fusion proteins were obtained with molecular masses of
      68 and 43 kDa, respectively. Specific polyclonal antibodies for MrNV and XSV
      against viral recombinant proteins and infected prawn tissues were verified using
      Western blotting. According to immunodot blot assay results, the detection
      sensitivities of antibodies were approximately 5 ng MUL(-1) for both recombinant
      proteins GST-MrNV and GST-XSV. In additional, MrNV and XSV were detected at
      dilution levels of 1:2560 and 1:640 in the infected prawn tissues, respectively.
      No cross-reactions with white spot syndrome virus or grouper nervous necrosis
      virus were observed using immunodot blot assays. MrNV and XSV in infected muscle
      tissues were detected using immunohistochemistry. Although the detection limit of
      the immunodot blot assay was lower than that of nested reverse transcription
      polymerase chain reaction, these polyclonal antibodies can be useful for
      confirming MrNV and XSV infections in field tests. 

PMID- 26263893
TI  - Estimating sign-dependent societal preferences for quality of life.
AB  - This paper is the first to apply prospect theory to societal health-related
      decision making. In particular, we allow for utility curvature, equity weighting,
      sign-dependence, and loss aversion in choices concerning quality of life of other
      people. We find substantial inequity aversion, both for gains and losses, which
      can be attributed to both diminishing marginal utility and differential weighting
      of better-off and worse-off. There are also clear framing effects, which violate
      expected utility. Moreover, we observe loss aversion, indicating that subjects
      give more weight to one group's loss than another group's gain of the same
      absolute magnitude. We also elicited some information on the effect of the age of
      the studied group. The amount of inequity aversion is to some extent influenced
      by the age of the considered patients. In particular, more inequity aversion is
      observed for gains of older people than gains of younger people. 

PMID- 26263894
TI  - Long-term outcome of laparoscopic Nissen-Rossetti fundoplication versus Thal
      fundoplication in children with esophageal hiatal hernia: a retrospective report
      from two children's medical centers in Shanghai.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study was undertaken to investigate the intraoperative and
      postoperative complications, efficacy and outcome of two laparoscopic
      fundoplications for the treatment of esophageal hiatal hernia in children.
      METHODS: To find a rational procedure, we performed a retrospective analysis of
      136 children with esophageal hiatal hernia who underwent laparoscopic Nissen
      Rossetti or Thal fundoplication at two children's hospitals in Shanghai over 13
      years. The median follow-up time of the children was 42 months (range: 1-138
      months). Their age varied from 1 month to 11 years (median: 18.6 months).
      RESULTS: All the children underwent laparoscopic fundoplications (72 cases of
      Nissen-Rossetti and 60 cases of Thal fundoplication) and 4 children converted to
      open surgery. The mean age of the children at the time of operation was 1.6+/-1.9
      years, and the mean weight was 9.1+/-5.6 kg. Gastroesophageal reflux was
      significantly more severe after a Thal fundoplication (P=0.003) and slight
      esophageal stenosis was significant after a Nissen-Rossetti fundoplication
      (P=0.02). The recurrent rate of hiatal hernia was 2.8% (2/72) after Nissen
      Rossetti fundoplication in contrast to 5% (3/60) after Thal fundoplication. No
      death occurred after surgery. CONCLUSION: There was no statistical difference of
      recurrence between laparoscopic Nissen-Rossetti and Thal fundoplication in the
      long-term outcomes. The rate of slight dysphagia was higher in the Nissen
      Rossetti group. The Thal group had a significantly higher recurrence rate of
      gastroesophageal reflux. There still exited learning curve for this procedure.
      The incidence rate of complications is significantly related to the proficiency
      of pediatric surgeon.

PMID- 26263895
TI  - New insights into the molecular mechanism of the Rab GTPase Sec4p activation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sec4p is a small monomeric Ras-related GTP-binding protein (23 kDa)
      that regulates polarized exocytosis in S. cerevisiae. In this study we examine
      the structural effects of a conserved serine residue in the P-loop corresponding
      to G12 in Ras. RESULTS: We show that the Sec4p residue serine 29 forms a hydrogen
      bond with the nucleotide. Mutations of this residue have a different impact than
      equivalent mutations in Ras and can form stable associations with the exchange
      factor allowing us to elucidate the structure of a complex of Sec4p bound to the
      exchange factor Sec2p representing an early stage of the exchange reaction.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our structural investigation of the Sec4p-Sec2p complex reveals the
      role of the Sec2p coiled-coil domain in facilitating the fast kinetics of the
      exchange reaction. For Ras-family GTPases, single point mutations that impact the
      signaling state of the molecule have been well described however less structural
      information is available for equivalent mutations in the case of Rab proteins.
      Understanding the structural properties of mutants such as the one described
      here, provides useful insights into unique aspects of Rab GTPase function.

PMID- 26263896
TI  - Description of vertebral and liver alveolar echinococcosis cases in Cynomolgus
      monkeys (Macaca fascicularis).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Echinococcus multilocularis, the causative agent of alveolar
      echinococcosis, is a fox tapeworm widely distributed in Europe with an increase
      of endemic area in recent years. Many mammal species including humans and non
      human primates can be infected by accidental ingestion of eggs. CASE
      PRESENTATION: In March 2011, a 5-year-old zoo-raised male cynomolgus macaque
      (Macaca fascicularis) presented a paresis of the lower limbs which evolved into
      paralysis. Lesions in liver and vertebra were observed on tomography scan. E.
      multilocularis infection was diagnosed post-mortem by morphological and
      histological examination and detection of Em DNA by polymerase chain reaction.
      Serodiagnosis of other primates of the colony using enzyme-linked immunosorbent
      assay (ELISA) was negative. In June 2013, at necroscopy, a hepatic and a
      paravertebral masses were detected in a second cynomolgus macaque of the same
      colony. Serology and DNA isolated from hepatic and abdominal cysts confirmed E.
      multilocularis infection. CONCLUSIONS: We described hear vertebral and liver
      localization of alveolar echinococcosis in non-human primates. The animals lived
      in an indoor/outdoor housing facility, where the probable mode of contamination
      is by ingestion of food foraging around the enclosure which could be contaminated
      with fox feces. Serological survey in the facility should allow us to estimate
      the risk of human contamination and the zoonotic risk of monkey infection due to
      environmental contamination.

PMID- 26263897
TI  - Genetic architecture of cyst nematode resistance revealed by genome-wide
      association study in soybean.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Bi-parental mapping populations have been commonly utilized to
      identify and characterize quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling resistance to
      soybean cyst nematode (SCN, Heterodera glycines Ichinohe). Although this approach
      successfully mapped a large number of SCN resistance QTL, it captures only
      limited allelic diversity that exists in parental lines, and it also has
      limitations for genomic resolution. In this study, a genome-wide association
      study (GWAS) was performed using a diverse set of 553 soybean plant introductions
      (PIs) belonging to maturity groups from III to V to detect QTL/genes associated
      with SCN resistance to HG Type 0. RESULTS: Over 45,000 single nucleotide
      polymorphism (SNP) markers generated by the SoySNP50K iSelect BeadChip (http//
      www.soybase.org ) were utilized for analysis. GWAS identified 14 loci distributed
      over different chromosomes comprising 60 SNPs significantly associated with SCN
      resistance. Results also confirmed six QTL that were previously mapped using bi
      parental populations, including the rhg1 and Rhg4 loci. GWAS identified eight
      novel QTL, including QTL on chromosome 10, which we have previously mapped by
      using a bi-parental population. In addition to the known loci for four simple
      traits, such as seed coat color, flower color, pubescence color, and stem growth
      habit, two traits, like lodging and pod shattering, having moderately complex
      inheritance have been confirmed with great precision by GWAS. CONCLUSIONS: The
      study showed that GWAS can be employed as an effective strategy for identifying
      complex traits in soybean and for narrowing GWAS-defined genomic regions, which
      facilitates positional cloning of the causal gene(s).

PMID- 26263898
TI  - Reliability and validity of a new HIV-specific questionnaire with adults living
      with HIV in Canada and Ireland: the HIV Disability Questionnaire (HDQ).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Our aim was to assess internal consistency reliability, construct
      validity, and test-retest reliability of the HDQ with adults living with HIV in
      Canada and Ireland. METHODS: We recruited adults 18 years of age or older living
      with HIV from hospital clinics and AIDS service organizations in Canada and
      Ireland. We administered the HDQ paired with reference measures (World Health
      Organization Disability Assessment Schedule, SF-36 Questionnaire, Medical
      Outcomes Study Social Support Survey), and a demographic questionnaire. We
      calculated HDQ disability presence, severity and episodic scores (scored from 0
      100). We calculated Cronbach's alpha and Intraclass Correlation Coefficients
      (ICC) (Canada only) for the disability severity and episodic scores and
      considered coefficients >0.80 and >0.70 as acceptable, respectively. To assess
      construct validity, we tested 40 a priori hypotheses of correlations between
      scores on the HDQ and reference measures and two known group hypotheses comparing
      HDQ presence and severity scores based on age and comorbidity. We considered
      acceptance of at least 75% of hypotheses as demonstrating support for construct
      validity. RESULTS: Of the 235 participants (139 Canada; 96 Ireland), the majority
      were men (74% Ireland; 82% Canada) and were taking antiretroviral therapy (88%
      Ireland; 91% Canada). Compared with Irish participants, Canadian participants
      were older (median age: 48 versus 41 years) and reported living with a higher
      median number of comorbidities (4 versus 1). Cronbach's alpha for Irish and
      Canadian participants were 0.97 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.97-0.98) and
      0.96 (95 % CI: 0.95-0.98), respectively, for the severity scale and 0.98 (95 %
      CI: 0.97-0.98) and 0.96 (95 % CI: 0.95-0.98), respectively, for the episodic
      scale. Of the 40 construct validity correlation hypotheses, 32 (80%) and 22 (55%)
      were supported among the Canadian and Irish samples respectively; both (100%)
      known group hypotheses were also supported. ICC values for Canadian participants
      ranged from 0.80 (95 % CI: 0.71, 0.86) in the cognitive domain to 0.89 (95 % CI:
      0.83, 0.92) in the social inclusion domain. CONCLUSIONS: The HDQ demonstrates
      internal consistency reliability and a variable degree of construct validity when
      administered to adults living with HIV in Canada and Ireland. The HDQ
      demonstrates test-retest reliability when administered to adults with HIV in
      Canada. Further validation of the HDQ outside of Canada is needed.

PMID- 26263899
TI  - Metrics for evaluating 3D medical image segmentation: analysis, selection, and
      tool.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Medical Image segmentation is an important image processing step.
      Comparing images to evaluate the quality of segmentation is an essential part of
      measuring progress in this research area. Some of the challenges in evaluating
      medical segmentation are: metric selection, the use in the literature of multiple
      definitions for certain metrics, inefficiency of the metric calculation
      implementations leading to difficulties with large volumes, and lack of support
      for fuzzy segmentation by existing metrics. RESULT: First we present an overview
      of 20 evaluation metrics selected based on a comprehensive literature review. For
      fuzzy segmentation, which shows the level of membership of each voxel to multiple
      classes, fuzzy definitions of all metrics are provided. We present a discussion
      about metric properties to provide a guide for selecting evaluation metrics.
      Finally, we propose an efficient evaluation tool implementing the 20 selected
      metrics. The tool is optimized to perform efficiently in terms of speed and
      required memory, also if the image size is extremely large as in the case of
      whole body MRI or CT volume segmentation. An implementation of this tool is
      available as an open source project. CONCLUSION: We propose an efficient
      evaluation tool for 3D medical image segmentation using 20 evaluation metrics and
      provide guidelines for selecting a subset of these metrics that is suitable for
      the data and the segmentation task.

PMID- 26263901
TI  - Diagnostic value of (18)F-FDG PET/CT as first choice in the detection of
      recurrent colorectal cancer due to rising CEA.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The diagnostic value of (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission
      tomography/computed tomography ((18)F-FDG PET/CT) as the first imaging approach
      in the evaluation of rising carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is not clear. The
      objective of this study was to investigate the value of (18)F-FDG PET/CT in
      patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) and suspected recurrence based on rising
      CEA. METHODS: A total of 73 patients with CRC were referred to PET/CT after
      radical surgery. Generally, all patients were scheduled to follow a CT-based post
      surgical follow-up regimen. In the case of rising CEA, (18)F-FDG PET/CT was
      performed in most patients with contrast-enhanced CT. The PET/CT images were
      independently reviewed by two readers. The presence or absence of recurrence was
      based on histology and/or standardized clinical follow-up. RESULTS: Among 35
      patients who had confirmed recurrence of CRC, PET/CT demonstrated recurrence with
      a sensitivity of 85.7 %, a specificity of 94.7 %, a positive predictive value of
      93.8 %, and a negative predictive value of 87.8 %. The SUVmax ranged from 1.3 to
      19.9. The mean time since the last postoperative imaging and PET/CT was 8 months
      (median 4 months). CEA values at referral ranged from 1.5 to 164.0 MUg/L (median
      5.6 MUg/L). The diagnostic properties of PET/CT were analyzed in subgroups of
      patients with a single rising CEA sample (30 patients, 41 %), 31 patients (43 %)
      with two or more consecutive increases, and 12 patients (16 %) with persistently
      elevated values. CONCLUSIONS: (18)F-FDG PET/contrast-enhanced CT has high
      diagnostic accuracy in the diagnosis of recurrent CRC, even in patients in a
      conventional CT-based follow-up program.

PMID- 26263900
TI  - An evaluation of variation in published estimates of schizophrenia prevalence
      from 1990?2013: a systematic literature review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is a lack of consistency in findings across studies on the
      prevalence of schizophrenia, and no recent systematic review of the literature
      exists. The purpose of this study is to provide an updated systematic review of
      population-based prevalence estimates and to understand the factors that could
      account for this variation in prevalence estimates. METHODS: MEDLINE, Embase, and
      PsycInfo databases were searched for observational studies describing
      schizophrenia prevalence in general populations from 2003-2013 and supplemented
      by studies from a prior review covering 1990-2002. Studies reporting prevalence
      estimates from specialized populations such as institutionalized, homeless, or
      incarcerated persons were excluded. Prevalence estimates were compared both
      across and within studies by factors that might contribute to variability using
      descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Sixty-five primary studies were included; thirty
      one (48 %) were from Europe and 35 (54 %) were conducted in samples of >=50,000
      persons. Among 21 studies reporting 12-month prevalence, the median estimate was
      0.33 % with an interquartile range (IQR) of 0.26 %-0.51 %. The median estimate of
      lifetime prevalence among 29 studies was 0.48 % (IQR: 0.34 %-0.85 %). Prevalence
      across studies appeared to vary by study design, geographic region, time of
      assessment, and study quality scores; associations between study sample size and
      prevalence were not observed. Within studies, age-adjusted estimates were higher
      than crude estimates by 17 %-138 %, the use of a broader definition of
      schizophrenia spectrum disorders compared to schizophrenia increased case
      identification by 18 %-90 %, identification of cases from inpatient-only settings
      versus any setting decreased prevalence by 60 %, and no consistent trends were
      noted by differing diagnostic criteria. CONCLUSIONS: This review provides updated
      information on the epidemiology of schizophrenia in general populations, which is
      vital information for many stakeholders. Study characteristics appear to play an
      important role in the variation between estimates. Overall, the evidence is still
      sparse; for many countries no new studies were identified.

PMID- 26263902
TI  - Development and analysis of a 20K SNP array for potato (Solanum tuberosum): an
      insight into the breeding history.
AB  - KEY MESSAGE: A 20K SNP array was developed and a comprehensive set of tetraploid
      cultivar was genotyped. This allowed us to identify footprints of the breeding
      history in contemporary breeding material such as identification of introgression
      segments, selection and founder signatures. A non-redundant subset of 15,138
      previously identified SNPs and 4454 SNPs originating from the SolCAP project were
      combined into a 20k Infinium SNP array for genotyping a total of 569 potato
      genotypes. In this study we describe how this SNP array (encoded SolSTW array)
      was designed and analysed with fitTetra, software designed for autotetraploids.
      Genotypes from different countries and market segments, complemented with
      historic cultivars and important progenitors, were genotyped. This comprehensive
      set of genotypes combined with the deliberate inclusion of a large proportion of
      SNPs with a low minor allele frequency allowed us to distinguish genetic
      variation contributed by introgression breeding. This "new" (post 1945) genetic
      variation is located on specific chromosomal regions and enables the
      identification of SNP markers linked to R-genes. In addition, when the genetic
      composition of modern cultivars was compared with cultivars released before 1945,
      it appears that 96% of the genetic variants present in those ancestral cultivars
      remains polymorphic in modern cultivars. Hence, genetic erosion is almost absent
      in potato. Finally, we studied population genetic processes shaping the genetic
      composition of the modern European potato including drift, selection and founder
      effects. This resulted in the identification of major founders contributing to
      contemporary germplasm.

PMID- 26263903
TI  - Cost Effectiveness of Monoclonal Antibody Therapy for Rare Diseases: A Systematic
      Review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Monoclonal antibody (mAb)-based orphan drugs have led to advances in
      the treatment of diseases by selectively targeting molecule functions. However,
      their high treatment costs impose a substantial cost burden on patients and
      society. OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to systematically review cost-effectiveness
      evidence of mAb orphan drugs. METHODS: Ovid MEDLINE((r)), EMBASE((r)), and
      PsycINFO((r)) were searched in June 2014 and articles were selected if they
      conducted economic evaluations of the mAb orphan drugs that had received
      marketing approval in the USA. The quality of the selected studies was assessed
      using the Quality of Health Economic Studies (QHES) instrument. RESULTS: We
      reviewed 16 articles that included 24 economic evaluations of nine mAb orphan
      drugs. Six of these nine drugs were included in cost-utility analysis studies,
      whereas three drugs were included in cost-effectiveness analysis studies.
      Previous cost-utility analysis studies revealed that four mAb orphan drugs
      (cetuximab, ipilimumab, rituximab, and trastuzumab) were found to be cost
      effective; one drug (bevacizumab) was not cost effective; and one drug
      (infliximab) was not consistent across the studies. Prior cost-effectiveness
      analysis studies which included three mAb orphan drugs (adalimumab, alemtuzumab,
      and basiliximab) showed that the incremental cost per effectiveness gained for
      these drugs ranged from $US4669 to $Can52,536 Canadian dollars. The quality of
      the included studies was good or fair with the exception of one study.
      CONCLUSIONS: Some mAb orphan drugs were reported as cost effective under the
      current decision-making processes. Use of these expensive drugs, however, can
      raise an equity issue which concerns fairness in access to treatment. The issue
      of equal access to drugs needs to be considered alongside other societal values
      in making the final health policy decisions.

PMID- 26263905
TI  - On the validity of the (13) C-acetate breath test for comparing gastric emptying
      of different liquid test meals: a validation study using magnetic resonance
      imaging.
AB  - BACKGROUND: (13) C-acetate breath testing (BT) is applied to assess and compare
      gastric emptying of liquid meals. Gastric half-emptying times (t50 ) from BT show
      offsets compared to t50 values from gamma-scintigraphy and ultrasonography.
      Linear transformations have been proposed to correct these offsets. This
      investigation critically validates the BT for the assessment of liquid gastric
      emptying by using simultaneously recorded meal and total gastric content volume
      emptying data from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: Data were collected
      during a recently published double-blind, randomized, cross-over MRI gastric
      emptying study of three (13) C-labeled enteral formulas differing in protein
      sources (PMID: 24699556). Breath testing-derived t50 was computed with the
      analysis methods commonly applied in gastric emptying research, i.e., the
      exponential-beta function and the Wagner-Nelson (WN) method, respectively. KEY
      RESULTS: Breath testing t50 values from exponential-beta function and WN method
      showed a positive and negative offset to MRI data, respectively. Linear
      regression detected low concordance between MRI and both BT methods revealing
      meal specific and emptying rate-dependent offsets. The WN method showed worse
      agreement and correlation with MRI emptying data. Breath testing rather reflected
      meal volume than total gastric content volume emptying. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES:
      This validation study indicates that the (13) C-acetate breath test may not be
      applied to compare gastric emptying of arbitrary liquid meals without prior
      validation by imaging methods. t50 values from BT are biased by (i) the
      properties of the meal and (ii) the selected method used for (13) CO2 exhalation
      analysis. No linear transformation common for all meals was applicable to correct
      the offsets between BT and MRI.

PMID- 26263906
TI  - Differences in Dynamics between Crosslinked and Non-Crosslinked Hyaluronates
      Measured by using Fast Field-Cycling Relaxometry.
AB  - The dynamic properties of water molecules in gels containing linear and
      crosslinked hyaluronic acid polymers are investigated by using an integrated
      approach that includes relaxometry, solid-state NMR spectroscopy, and scanning
      electron microscopy. A model-free analysis of field-dependent nuclear relaxation
      is applied to obtain information on mobility and the population of different
      pools of water molecules in the gels. Differences between linear and crosslinked
      hyaluronic acid polymers are observed, indicating that crosslinking increases
      both the fraction and the correlation time of water molecules with slow dynamics.

PMID- 26263904
TI  - Invaders, natives and their enemies: distribution patterns of amphipods and their
      microsporidian parasites in the Ruhr Metropolis, Germany.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The amphipod and microsporidian diversity in freshwaters of a
      heterogeneous urban region in Germany was assessed. Indigenous and non-indigenous
      host species provide an ideal framework to test general hypotheses on potentially
      new host-parasite interactions, parasite spillback and spillover in recently
      invaded urban freshwater communities. METHODS: Amphipods were sampled in 17
      smaller and larger streams belonging to catchments of the four major rivers in
      the Ruhr Metropolis (Emscher, Lippe, Ruhr, Rhine), including sites invaded and
      not invaded by non-indigenous amphipods. Species were identified morphologically
      (hosts only) and via DNA barcoding (hosts and parasites). Prevalence was obtained
      by newly designed parasite-specific PCR assays. RESULTS: Three indigenous and
      five non-indigenous amphipod species were detected. Gammarus pulex was further
      distinguished into three clades (C, D and E) and G. fossarum more precisely
      identified as type B. Ten microsporidian lineages were detected, including two
      new isolates (designated as Microsporidium sp. nov. RR1 and RR2). All
      microsporidians occurred in at least two different host clades or species. Seven
      genetically distinct microsporidians were present in non-invaded populations, six
      of those were also found in invaded assemblages. Only Cucumispora dikerogammari
      and Dictyocoela berillonum can be unambiguously considered as non-indigenous co
      introduced parasites. Both were rare and were not observed in indigenous hosts.
      Overall, microsporidian prevalence ranged from 50% (in G. roeselii and G. pulex
      C) to 73% (G. fossarum) in indigenous and from 10% (Dikerogammarus villosus) to
      100 % (Echinogammarus trichiatus) in non-indigenous amphipods. The most common
      microsporidians belonged to the Dictyocoela duebenum- /D. muelleri- complex,
      found in both indigenous and non-indigenous hosts. Some haplotype clades were
      inclusive for a certain host lineage. CONCLUSIONS: The Ruhr Metropolis harbours a
      high diversity of indigenous and non-indigenous amphipod and microsporidian
      species, and we found indications for an exchange of parasites between indigenous
      and non-indigenous hosts. No introduced microsporidians were found in indigenous
      hosts and prevalence of indigenous parasites in non-indigenous hosts was
      generally low. Therefore, no indication for parasite spillover or spillback was
      found. We conclude that non-indigenous microsporidians constitute only a minimal
      threat to the native amphipod fauna. However, this might change e.g. if C.
      dikerogammari adapts to indigenous amphipod species or if other hosts and
      parasites invade.

PMID- 26263907
TI  - Sudden Death by Occult Metastatic Carcinoma.
AB  - A 33-year-old female collapsed and died suddenly after presenting with acute
      dyspnea and increasing cough over the preceding several months. Autopsy revealed
      poorly differentiated linitis plastica adenocarcinoma of the stomach. Microscopic
      examination of the lungs showed features consistent with pulmonary tumor
      thrombotic microangiopathy (PTTM). PTTM is a well-described complication in
      patients with adenocarcinoma. The typical presentation involves acute pulmonary
      hypertension, right-sided heart failure, and sudden death, often before the
      adenocarcinoma is discovered. The pathophysiology of PTTM remains elusive; it has
      been suggested that carcinoma cells may produce substances that influence
      pulmonary vasculature. Our patient had classic clinical and histologic features
      of PTTM in addition to prominent extravascular compression by intralymphatic
      tumor cells. These features undoubtedly caused her precipitous decline and lethal
      pulmonary hypertension, induced by underlying adenocarcinoma. This case
      demonstrates that sudden death can occur from pulmonary hypertension induced by
      metastatic carcinoma with remarkably little prior symptomatology.

PMID- 26263908
TI  - Ischaemic conditioning reduces kidney injury in an experimental large-animal
      model of warm renal ischaemia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ischaemic conditioning, using short repeated sequences of
      intermittent ischaemia, is a strategy that may ameliorate ischaemia-reperfusion
      injury. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of direct and remote
      ischaemic conditioning in a porcine model of renal warm ischaemia-reperfusion
      injury. METHODS: Pigs (50 kg) underwent laparotomy and 60-min occlusion of the
      left renal pedicle followed by right nephrectomy. Animals were divided into three
      groups: untreated controls (n = 8); direct postconditioning involving six 15-s
      cycles of clamping then releasing of the left renal artery (n = 7); or remote
      periconditioning involving four 5-min cycles of clamping then releasing of the
      left common iliac artery (n = 8). After 7 days kidney tissue was harvested, and
      blood and urine samples were collected on postoperative days 1, 3 and 7. RESULTS:
      The direct postconditioning group had a lower area under the serum creatinine
      curve (mean(s.d.) 1378(157) versus 2001(1022) umol/l . day respectively; P =
      0.036) and peak creatinine level (316(46) versus 501(253) umol/l respectively; P
      = 0.033) compared with values in control animals. There was a significant
      increase in serum levels of tumour necrosis factor alpha on day 1 in control
      animals but not in the conditioning groups (P = 0.013). Urinary levels of
      neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin increased over the study period in
      both the control and remote groups (P = 0.001 for both), but not in the direct
      group (P = 0.176). There was no mortality and no complications related to either
      conditioning technique. CONCLUSION: In this in vivo large-animal model, direct
      renal artery ischaemic postconditioning protected kidneys against warm ischaemia
      injury. This straightforward technique could readily be translated into clinical
      practice. Surgical relevance Ischaemic conditioning has been shown to improve
      outcomes in both experimental studies and clinical trials in cardiac surgery.
      Evidence from small-animal and human studies assessing ischaemic conditioning
      techniques in renal transplantation have not yet established the optimal
      technique and timing of conditioning. In this study, a large-animal model of
      renal warm ischaemia was used to compare different conditioning techniques.
      Postconditioning applied directly to the renal artery was shown to reduce renal
      injury. Furthermore, new evidence is provided that shorter cycles of ischaemic
      postconditioning than previously described can protect against renal injury.
      Evidence from a large-animal model is provided for different conditioning
      techniques. The beneficial postconditioning technique described is
      straightforward to perform and provides an alternative method of conditioning
      following renal transplantation, with potential for application in clinical
      practice.

PMID- 26263909
TI  - Nanobiotechnology Perspectives on Prevention and Treatment of Ortho-paedic
      Implant Associated Infection.
AB  - Implants are an inevitable part of orthopaedic surgery. However, implant
      associated infection remains a major challenge for orthopaedic surgeons and
      researchers. This review focuses on current options available for prevention of
      implant associated infection, their drawbacks and future promising applications
      of nanotechnology-based approaches. Nanobiotechnology has shown remarkable
      progress in recent years especially in biomaterials, diagnostics, and drug
      delivery system. Although several applications of nanobiotechnology in
      orthopaedics have been described, few have elaborated their role in the
      prevention of implant related infection in orthopaedics. Novel "smart" drug
      delivery systems that release antibiotics locally in response to stimuli such as
      pH, temperature, enzymes or antigens; implant surface modification on a nanoscale
      to inhibit bacterial adhesion and propagation at the surgical site and biological
      approaches such as gene therapy to neutralize bacterial virulence and
      biomolecules to inhibit the quorum sensing adhesion of bacteria and disruption of
      biofilms can be used effectively to prevent orthopaedic implant related bacterial
      infection. 

PMID- 26263910
TI  - Intrinsic Resistance to Cixutumumab Is Conferred by Distinct Isoforms of the
      Insulin Receptor.
AB  - Despite a recent shift away from anti-insulin-like growth factor I receptor (IGF
      IR) therapy, this target has been identified as a key player in the resistance
      mechanisms to various conventional and targeted agents, emphasizing its value as
      a therapy, provided that it is used in the right patient population. Molecular
      markers predictive of antitumor activity of IGF-IR inhibitors remain largely
      unidentified. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of insulin receptor
      (IR) isoforms on the antitumor efficacy of cixutumumab, a humanized mAb against
      IGF-IR, and to correlate their expression with therapeutic outcome. The data
      demonstrate that expression of total IR rather than individual IR isoforms
      inversely correlates with single-agent cixutumumab efficacy in pediatric solid
      tumor models in vivo. Total IR, IR-A, and IR-B expression adversely affects the
      outcome of cixutumumab in combination with chemotherapy in patient-derived
      xenograft models of lung adenocarcinoma. IR-A overexpression in tumor cells
      confers complete resistance to cixutumumab in vitro and in vivo, whereas IR-B
      results in a partial resistance. Resistance in IR-B-overexpressing cells is fully
      reversed by anti-IGF-II antibodies, suggesting that IGF-II is a driver of
      cixutumumab resistance in this setting. The present study links IR isoforms, IGF
      II, and cixutumumab efficacy mechanistically and identifies total IR as a
      biomarker predictive of intrinsic resistance to anti-IGF-IR antibody.
      IMPLICATIONS: This study identifies total IR as a biomarker predictive of primary
      resistance to IGF-IR antibodies and provides a rationale for new clinical trials
      enriched for patients whose tumors display low IR expression.

PMID- 26263911
TI  - Effects of body mass index (BMI) on surgical outcomes: a nationwide survey using
      a Japanese web-based database.
AB  - PURPOSE: To define the effects of body mass index (BMI) on operative outcomes for
      both gastroenterological and cardiovascular surgery, using the National Clinical
      Database (NCD) of the Japanese nationwide web-based database. METHODS: The
      subjects of this study were 288,418 patients who underwent typical surgical
      procedures between January 2011 and December 2012. There were eight
      gastroenterological procedures, including esophagectomy, distal gastrectomy,
      total gastrectomy, right hemicolectomy, low anterior resection, hepatectomy of >1
      segment excluding the lateral segment, pancreaticoduodenectomy, and surgery for
      acute diffuse peritonitis (n = 232,199); and five cardiovascular procedures,
      including aortic valve replacement, total arch replacement (TAR), descending
      thoracic aorta replacement (descending TAR), and on- or off-pump coronary artery
      bypass grafting (n = 56,219). The relationships of BMI with operation time and
      operative mortality for each procedure were investigated, using the NCD. RESULTS:
      Operation times were longer for patients with a higher BMI. When a BMI cut-off of
      30 was used, the operation time for obese patients was significantly longer than
      that for non-obese patients, for all procedures except esophagectomy (P < 0.01).
      The mortality rate based on BMI revealed a U-shaped distribution, with both
      underweight and obese patients having high mortality rates for almost all
      procedures. CONCLUSIONS: This Japanese nationwide study provides solid evidence
      to reinforce that both obesity and excessively low weight are factors that impact
      operative outcomes significantly.

PMID- 26263914
TI  - Dangers of over-the-counter nitrofurantoin for urinary tract infection.

PMID- 26263915
TI  - High-level Multi-Resistant and Virulent Escherichia coli in Abeokuta, Nigeria.
AB  - Multi-resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains co-harboring virulence genes
      is a cause of high morbidity in Abeokuta, Nigeria. This study was designed to
      determine some virulent factors among enteropathogenic E. coli in Abeokuta,
      Nigeria. Approximately non-repetitive 102 isolates of E. coli were recovered from
      clinical samples from two health facilities in Abeokuta. Biotyping using API and
      antibiotic susceptibility was determined, and eae and flic genes were assayed by
      PCR. Antibiotic resistance relatedness was performed by DendroUPGMA. Results
      showed that 48.0% and 52.0 % were intestinal and extra-intestinal E. coli,
      ampicillin recorded 100% resistance, amoxycilli/clavulanic acid 64.7%,
      cotrimoxazole 57.8% and 56.8% resistance against cefotaxime, at MIC >16 ug/mL,
      100%, 57.8%, and 50% have MIC50 to ampicillin, tetracycline, and ceftazidime,
      while 74.5% and 48.0% have MIC90 to ampicillin and ceftazidime. Significant rates
      of 4.9%, 7.8%, and 9.8% flic, eae, and flic/eae genes were found in intestinal
      isolates, while 2.9%, 2.0%, and 3.9% were found in extra-intestinal (P < 0.05).
      Two major clades of the resistant isolates reveal significant antibiotic
      relatedness among intestinal and extra-intestinal isolates, at 54% resistance
      similarities with very high multi-antibiotic resistance index of 1.0 (MARI). A
      high rate of undetected virulent E. coli pathotypes with high resistance could
      trigger unprecedented morbidity and mortality, mostly among children and the
      elderly. 

PMID- 26263913
TI  - Inhibition of FAAH confers increased stem cell migration via PPARalpha.
AB  - Regenerative activity in tissues of mesenchymal origin depends on the migratory
      potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The present study focused on
      inhibitors of the enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), which catalyzes the
      degradation of endocannabinoids (anandamide, 2-arachidonoylglycerol) and
      endocannabinoid-like substances (N-oleoylethanolamine, N-palmitoylethanolamine).
      Boyden chamber assays, the FAAH inhibitors, URB597 and arachidonoyl serotonin (AA
      5HT), were found to increase the migration of human adipose-derived MSCs. LC-MS
      analyses revealed increased levels of all four aforementioned FAAH substrates in
      MSCs incubated with either FAAH inhibitor. Following addition to MSCs, all FAAH
      substrates mimicked the promigratory action of FAAH inhibitors. Promigratory
      effects of FAAH inhibitors and substrates were causally linked to activation of
      p42/44 MAPKs, as well as to cytosol-to-nucleus translocation of the transcription
      factor, PPARalpha. Whereas PPARalpha activation by FAAH inhibitors and substrates
      became reversed upon inhibition of p42/44 MAPK activation, a blockade of
      PPARalpha left p42/44 MAPK phosphorylation unaltered. Collectively, these data
      demonstrate FAAH inhibitors and substrates to cause p42/44 MAPK phosphorylation,
      which subsequently activates PPARalpha to confer increased migration of MSCs.
      This novel pathway may be involved in regenerative effects of endocannabinoids
      whose degradation could be a target of pharmacological intervention by FAAH
      inhibitors. 

PMID- 26263912
TI  - Potent Synergy between Spirocyclic Pyrrolidinoindolinones and Fluconazole against
      Candida albicans.
AB  - A spiroindolinone, (1S,3R,3aR,6aS)-1-benzyl-6'-chloro-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-7'
      methylspiro[1,2,3a,6a-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-3,3'-1H-indole]-2',4,6
      trione, was previously reported to enhance the antifungal effect of fluconazole
      against Candida albicans. A diastereomer of this compound was synthesized, along
      with various analogues. Many of the compounds were shown to enhance the
      antifungal effect of fluconazole against C. albicans, some with exquisite
      potency. One spirocyclic piperazine derivative, which we have named synazo-1, was
      found to enhance the effect of fluconazole with an EC50 value of 300 pM against a
      susceptible strain of C. albicans and going as low as 2 nM against some resistant
      strains. Synazo-1 exhibits true synergy with fluconazole, with an FIC index below
      0.5 in the strains tested. Synazo-1 exhibited low toxicity in mammalian cells
      relative to the concentrations required for antifungal synergy. 

PMID- 26263917
TI  - MSF calls for urgent help for war torn Yemen.

PMID- 26263916
TI  - Findings from a novel approach to publication guideline revision: user road
      testing of a draft version of SQUIRE 2.0.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Standards for Quality Improvement Reporting Excellence (SQUIRE)
      Guideline was published in 2008 (SQUIRE 1.0) and was the first publication
      guideline specifically designed to advance the science of healthcare improvement.
      Advances in the discipline of improvement prompted us to revise it. We adopted a
      novel approach to the revision by asking end-users to 'road test' a draft version
      of SQUIRE 2.0. The aim was to determine whether they understood and implemented
      the guidelines as intended by the developers. METHODS: Forty-four participants
      were assigned a manuscript section (ie, introduction, methods, results,
      discussion) and asked to use the draft Guidelines to guide their writing process.
      They indicated the text that corresponded to each SQUIRE item used and submitted
      it along with a confidential survey. The survey examined usability of the
      Guidelines using Likert-scaled questions and participants' interpretation of key
      concepts in SQUIRE using open-ended questions. On the submitted text, we
      evaluated concordance between participants' item usage/interpretation and the
      developers' intended application. For the survey, the Likert-scaled responses
      were summarised using descriptive statistics and the open-ended questions were
      analysed by content analysis. RESULTS: Consistent with the SQUIRE Guidelines'
      recommendation that not every item be included, less than one-third (n=14) of
      participants applied every item in their section in full. Of the 85 instances
      when an item was partially used or was omitted, only 7 (8.2%) of these instances
      were due to participants not understanding the item. Usage of Guideline items was
      highest for items most similar to standard scientific reporting (ie, 'Specific
      aim of the improvement' (introduction), 'Description of the improvement'
      (methods) and 'Implications for further studies' (discussion)) and lowest (<20%
      of the time) for those unique to healthcare improvement (ie, 'Assessment methods
      for context factors that contributed to success or failure' and 'Costs and
      strategic trade-offs'). Items unique to healthcare improvement, specifically
      'Evolution of the improvement', 'Context elements that influenced the
      improvement', 'The logic on which the improvement was based', 'Process and
      outcome measures', demonstrated poor concordance between participants'
      interpretation and developers' intended application. CONCLUSIONS: User testing of
      a draft version of SQUIRE 2.0 revealed which items have poor concordance between
      developer intent and author usage, which will inform final editing of the
      Guideline and development of supporting supplementary materials. It also
      identified the items that require special attention when teaching about scholarly
      writing in healthcare improvement.

PMID- 26263918
TI  - Optimization of Protein Extraction and Two-Dimensional Electrophoresis Protocols
      for Oil Palm Leaf.
AB  - Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) is an important economic crop cultivated for its
      nutritional palm oil. A significant amount of effort has been undertaken to
      understand oil palm growth and physiology at the molecular level, particularly in
      genomics and transcriptomics. Recently, proteomics studies have begun to garner
      interest. However, this effort is impeded by technical challenges. Plant sample
      preparation for proteomics analysis is plagued with technical challenges due to
      the presence of polysaccharides, secondary metabolites and other interfering
      compounds. Although protein extraction methods for plant tissues exist, none work
      universally on all sample types. Therefore, this study aims to compare and
      optimize different protein extraction protocols for use with two-dimensional gel
      electrophoresis of young and mature leaves from the oil palm. Four protein
      extraction methods were evaluated: phenol-guanidine isothiocyanate,
      trichloroacetic acid-acetone precipitation, sucrose and trichloroacetic acid
      acetone-phenol. Of these four protocols, the trichloroacetic acid-acetone-phenol
      method was found to give the highest resolution and most reproducible gel. The
      results from this study can be used in sample preparations of oil palm tissue for
      proteomics work. 

PMID- 26263919
TI  - Does your organization use gender inclusive forms? Nurses' confusion about trans*
      terminology.
AB  - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To describe nurses confusion around trans* terminology and
      to provide a lesson in Trans* 101 for readers. BACKGROUND: Of the estimated 9
      million persons in the United States of America who are identified as lesbian,
      gay, bisexual and transgender, about 950,000 (0.2-0.5% of adult population) are
      identified as trans* (a term that encompasses the spectrum, including
      transgender, transsexual, trans man, trans woman and other terms). The Institute
      of Medicine (2011, The health of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people:
      Building a foundation for better understanding. The National Academies Press,
      Washington, DC) identified transgender persons as an understudied population with
      significant need for health research, yet the nursing literature contains little
      guidance for educating nurses on trans* issues. DESIGN: This is a mixed methods
      structured interview design with nurse key informants. The scripted interview was
      based on the Health Care Equality Index, which evaluates patient-centred care to
      lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender patients and families. These data were
      part of a larger research study that explored the current state of lesbian, gay,
      bisexual and transgender-sensitive nursing practice. METHOD: Undergraduate
      nursing students recruited and interviewed 268 nurse key informants about gender
      inclusive forms (capable of identifying trans* patients) at their agencies.
      RESULTS: Only 5% reported use of gender inclusive forms, 44% did not know about
      inclusive forms, 37% did not understand what a gender inclusive form was and 14%
      confused gender with sexual orientation. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated a
      critical need for education in gender identity and sexual orientation
      terminology. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The lack of understanding of
      concepts and terminology may affect basic care of lesbian, gay, bisexual and
      transgender patients especially those who identify as transgender.

PMID- 26263920
TI  - Construction of a recombinant duck enteritis virus (DEV) expressing hemagglutinin
      of H5N1 avian influenza virus based on an infectious clone of DEV vaccine strain
      and evaluation of its efficacy in ducks and chickens.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (AIV) subtype H5N1 remains a
      threat to poultry. Duck enteritis virus (DEV)-vectored vaccines expressing AIV
      H5N1 hemagglutinin (HA) may be viable AIV and DEV vaccine candidates. METHODS: To
      facilitate the generation and further improvement of DEV-vectored HA(H5)
      vaccines, we first constructed an infectious clone of DEV Chinese vaccine strain
      C-KCE (DEV(C-KCE)). Then, we generated a DEV-vectored HA(H5) vaccine (DEV
      H5(UL55)) based on the bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) by inserting a
      synthesized HA(H5) expression cassette with a pMCMV IE promoter and a consensus
      HA sequence into the noncoding area between UL55 and LORF11. The immunogenicity
      and protective efficacy of the resulting recombinant vaccine against DEV and AIV
      H5N1 were evaluated in both ducks and chickens. RESULTS: The successful
      construction of DEV BAC and DEV-H5(UL55) was verified by restriction fragment
      length polymorphism analysis. Recovered virus from the BAC or mutants showed
      similar growth kinetics to their parental viruses. The robust expression of HA in
      chicken embryo fibroblasts infected with the DEV-vectored vaccine was confirmed
      by indirect immunofluorescence and western blotting analyses. A single dose of
      10(6) TCID50 DEV-vectored vaccine provided 100 % protection against duck viral
      enteritis in ducks, and the hemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibody titer of
      AIV H5N1 with a peak of 8.2 log2 was detected in 3-week-old layer chickens. In
      contrast, only very weak HI titers were observed in ducks immunized with 10(7)
      TCID50 DEV-vectored vaccine. A mortality rate of 60 % (6/10) was observed in 1
      week-old specific pathogen free chickens inoculated with 10(6) TCID50 DEV
      vectored vaccine. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate the following in this study. (i)
      The constructed BAC is a whole genome clone of DEV(C-KCE). (ii) The insertion of
      an HA expression cassette sequence into the noncoding area between UL55 and
      LORF11 of DEV(C-KCE) affects neither the growth kinetics of the virus nor its
      protection against DEV. (iii) DEV-H5(UL55) can generate a strong humoral immune
      response in 3-week-old chickens, despite the virulence of this virus observed in
      1-week-old chickens. (iv) DEV-H5(UL55) induces a weak HI titer in ducks. An
      increase in the HI titers induced by DEV-vectored HA(H5) will be required prior
      to its wide application.

PMID- 26263921
TI  - A prospective analysis of factors associated with decreased physical activity in
      patients with cirrhosis undergoing transplant evaluation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Physical activity (PA) has been associated with improved recovery
      time after transplantation. Handgrip strength has been related to post-transplant
      outcomes. AIM: To evaluate predictors of PA and grip strength in patients with
      cirrhosis undergoing liver transplant evaluation. METHODS: Single-center,
      prospective analysis. RESULTS: One hundred patients were evaluated (54% male,
      mean age 53 +/- 9). Common etiologies of liver disease were non-alcoholic
      steatohepatitis (27%), hepatitis C (22%) and alcoholic liver disease (21%). Mean
      model of end-stage liver disease (MELD) score was 13.5. Forty-one percent had a
      history of smoking. Ninety-three patients completed the International Physical
      Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). The median total PA score was 33 metabolic
      equivalent (MET)-min/wk. The mean total grip strength was 62.1 +/- 22 lb. Total
      grip strength was found to be an independent predictor of low-moderate PA (OR
      4.7, 95% CI 1.4-16.2, p = 0.038), and smoking was the only significant factor
      associated with reduced grip strength (OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.4-8, p = 0.005).
      CONCLUSIONS: Patients with end-stage liver disease undergoing liver transplant
      evaluation have reduced total PA by IPAQ. Total grip strength was found to be a
      significant predictor of low-moderate PA in patients with cirrhosis. Smoking is a
      risk factor for reduced grip strength, an important indicator of muscle wasting
      in cirrhotics.

PMID- 26263922
TI  - Atypical cutaneous gammadelta T cell proliferation with morphologic features of
      lymphoma but with clinical features and course of PLEVA or lymphomatoid
      papulosis.
AB  - Reactive lymphoid infiltrates of the skin composed predominantly of gamma-delta
      (gammadelta) T cells are not well described in the literature. Herein we report a
      case of an otherwise healthy 4-year-old male who presented with a waxing and
      waning papular rash characterized by small, discrete crusted papules spread
      across his trunk, face and extremities. Clinical evaluation revealed no evidence
      of systemic disease. Microscopic examination revealed a dermal, perivascular
      infiltrate of highly atypical lymphocytes with a gammadelta T cell phenotype,
      worrisome for primary cutaneous gammadelta T cell lymphoma. The clinical course,
      however, was that of a reactive condition and prompted consideration of a
      diagnosis of pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta (PLEVA) and
      lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP). In many ways, this case defies current
      classification schemes and seems to expand the spectrum of reactive gammadelta T
      cell infiltrates of the skin.

PMID- 26263925
TI  - Agoraphobia and Melancholia: Thoughts on Milrod's "Emptiness in Agoraphobia
      Patients".
AB  - Milrod (2007) identifies persistent emptiness in agoraphobic patients whose
      symptoms of anxiety and avoidance have remitted. To this important
      identification, a number of critical considerations may be raised regarding the
      meanings of emptiness in the psychoanalytic clinic. Milrod's admonishment to
      distinguish between an emptiness that indicates a deficit in the structure and
      stability of self-representation, and an emptiness that is strictly defensive, is
      a case in point. While much of the literature supports an interpretation of
      emptiness as a defense against overwhelming rage, these patients' assertions and
      experiences of emptiness can be better explained by the presence of traumatic,
      unmourned losses. Several explanations are offered as to why agoraphobic
      patients, in particular, defend unconsciously against mourning. 

PMID- 26263924
TI  - Activation of human naive Th cells increases surface expression of GD3 and
      induces neoexpression of GD2 that colocalize with TCR clusters.
AB  - CD4+ T helper lymphocytes (Th) orchestrate the immune response after their
      activation by antigen-presenting cells. Activation of naive Th cells is reported
      to generate the reduction in surface epitopes of sialic acid (Sia) in alpha2,3
      and alpha2,6 linkages. In this work, we report that in spite of this
      glycophenotype, anti-CD3/anti-CD28-activated purified human naive Th cells show a
      significant increase in surface Sia, as assessed by metabolic labeling, compared
      with resting naive Th cells, suggesting an increased flux of Sia toward
      Siaalpha2,8 glycoconjugates. To understand this increase as a result of
      ganglioside up-regulation, we observed that very early after activation, human
      naive Th cells show an increased expression in surface GD3 and neoexpression of
      surface GD2 gangliosides, the latter clustering with the T cell receptor (TCR).
      Also, we report that in contrast to GM2/GD2 synthase null mice, lentiviral vector
      mediated silencing of the GM2/GD2 synthase in activated human naive Th cells
      reduced efficient TCR clustering and downstream signaling, as assessed by
      proliferation assays and IL-2 and IL-2R expression, pointing to an important role
      of this enzyme in activation of human naive Th cells. 

PMID- 26263923
TI  - Fc glycans of therapeutic antibodies as critical quality attributes.
AB  - Critical quality attributes (CQA) are physical, chemical, biological or
      microbiological properties or characteristics that must be within an appropriate
      limit, range or distribution to ensure the desired product quality, safety and
      efficacy. For monoclonal antibody therapeutics that rely on fraction
      crystalizable (Fc)-mediated effector function for their clinical activity, the
      terminal sugars of Fc glycans have been shown to be critical for safety or
      efficacy. Different glycosylation variants have also been shown to influence the
      pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic behavior while other Fc glycan structural
      elements may be involved in adverse immune reactions. This review focuses on the
      role of Fc glycans as CQAs. Fc glycan information from the published literature
      is summarized and evaluated for impact on patient safety, immunogenicity,
      bioactivity and pharmacodynamics/pharmacokinetics. 

PMID- 26263926
TI  - Contextualized Language and Transferential Aspects of Context.
AB  - The analytic process, in which the patient's and the analyst's internal
      characters struggle to create a script through the analysand's mouth and the
      analyst's pen, resembles Pirandello's Six Characters in Search of an Author
      (1921): different characters come together on the analytic stage to rehearse the
      analyst's role as coauthor of a play that depicts the ongoing analytic saga. To
      compose the text for the interplay of characters, the author must search for
      contexts that may confer meaning upon the words and actions of characters. This
      involves a search for a mise en scene (stage) that will assign mise en sens
      (meaning) to the actors' role-specific dialogue. Yet mise en scene, in the
      theatrical sense, is a set of iconic signs set with its own decor, props, and
      costumes. In contrast, the psychoanalytic scene is a symbolic stage for the play
      of words--words that may contain unconscious codes for switching into particular
      language games. A clinical case report describes a struggle with the contextual
      analysis of an aspect of a treatment that involved reported episodes of verbal
      indiscretions "taken out of context" with unwanted consequences.

PMID- 26263927
TI  - Efficacy of humidity retention bags for the reduced adsorption and improved
      cleaning of tissue proteins including prion-associated amyloid to surgical
      stainless steel surfaces.
AB  - Increasing drying time adversely affects attachment of tissue proteins and prion
      associated amyloid to surgical stainless steel, and reduces the efficacy of
      commercial cleaning chemistries. This study tested the efficacy of commercial
      humidity retention bags to reduce biofouling on surgical stainless steel and to
      improve subsequent cleaning. Surgical stainless steel surfaces were contaminated
      with ME7-infected brain homogenates and left to dry for 15 to 1,440 min either in
      air, in dry polythene bags or within humidity retention bags. Residual
      contamination pre/post cleaning was analysed using Thioflavin T/SYPRO Ruby dual
      staining and microscope analysis. An increase in biofouling was observed with
      increased drying time in air or in sealed dry bags. Humidity retention bags kept
      both protein and prion-associated amyloid minimal across the drying times both
      pre- and post-cleaning. Therefore, humidity bags demonstrate a cheap, easy to
      implement solution to improve surgical instrument reprocessing and to potentially
      reduce associated hospital acquired infections. 

PMID- 26263928
TI  - Why authors have to use a rigid format for their journal articles.

PMID- 26263929
TI  - Some rules for writing medical articles for peer-reviewed journals.

PMID- 26263930
TI  - Inferior epigastric artery pseudoaneurysms.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Inferior epigastric artery (IEA) pseudoaneurysms are recognised
      complications of abdominal wall procedures, and a variety of approaches including
      surgical excision and ligation, percutaneous procedures and conservative
      management have been employed in treating this rare complication. METHODS: We
      describe a case of an IEA pseudoaneurysm diagnosed on computed tomography (CT)
      angiography, 14 days following a laparoscopic assisted low anterior resection,
      which was managed successfully with surgical excision and ligation. A review of
      the literature identified 32 reports of this complication since 1973 with 69% of
      cases occurring since 2000. FINDINGS: The main aetiology of IEA pseudoaneurysm
      was abdominal surgery (n=20); 65% of cases were attributable to abdominal wound
      closure or laparoscopic surgery. Two-thirds (66%) of patients presented between
      11 and 63 days, and all except 1 case presented with discomfort, abdominal mass
      or haemodynamic instability. Colour Doppler ultrasonography was the imaging
      modality of choice (n=18), either alone or in combination with computed
      tomography and/or angiography. Surgical ligation and excision and percutaneous
      coil embolisation formed the mainstay of attempted treatments (69%), particularly
      following treatment failure using an alternative technique. CONCLUSIONS: The
      incidence of iatrogenic IEA pseudoaneurysms appears to be increasing. Awareness
      of this rare complication is of clinical importance to avoid excessive morbidity
      for affected individuals.

PMID- 26263931
TI  - Mediastinal parathyroid adenomas and their surgical implications.
AB  - Primary hyperparathyroidism is a relatively common problem encountered by any
      endocrine surgical unit. Ectopic parathyroid adenomas have been known to be a
      common cause of persistent hyperparathyroidism after surgery. A common site of
      the missed ectopic gland will be that in the mediastinum. However, with the
      increasing improvement in available imaging, it is likely that this can be
      diagnosed preoperatively. The surgical approach to the mediastinal parathyroid
      has also changed vastly over the last decade from maximally invasive to minimally
      invasive with minimal complications. We provide a review on the entity of
      mediastinal parathyroid adenomas and their surgical implications. 

PMID- 26263932
TI  - Human factors in decision making in major trauma in Camp Bastion, Afghanistan.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The concentration of major trauma experience at Camp Bastion has
      allowed continuous improvements to occur in the patient pathway from the point of
      wounding to surgical treatment. These changes have involved clinical management
      as well as alterations to the physical layout of the hospital, training and
      decision making. Consideration of the human factors has been a major part of
      these improvements. METHODS: We describe the Camp Bastion patient pathway with
      the communication template that focused decision making at various key moments
      during damage control resuscitation and damage control surgery (DCR-DCS). This
      system identifies four key stages: 'command huddle', 'snap brief', 'sit-reps'
      (situation reports) and 'sign-out/debrief'. The attitude of staff to
      communication and decision making is also evaluated. RESULTS: Twenty cases
      admitted to Camp Bastion with battlefield injuries were studied from 6 September
      to 6 October 2012. Qualitative responses from 115 members of staff were
      collected. All patients were haemodynamically shocked with a median pH of 7.25
      (range: 6.83-7.40) and a median of 18 units of mixed red cells and plasma were
      transfused. In 89% of instances, theatre staff were aware of what was required of
      them at the beginning of the case, 86% felt there were regular updates and 93%
      understood what was required of them as the case progressed. CONCLUSIONS: The
      evolution of the hospital at Camp Bastion has been a unique learning experience
      in the field of major trauma. The Defence Medical Services have responded with
      continuous innovation to optimise DCR-DCS for seriously injured patients.
      Together with the improvements in clinical care, a communication and decision
      making matrix was developed. Staff evaluation showed a high degree of
      satisfaction with the quality of communication.

PMID- 26263933
TI  - The spectrum of injuries resulting from posterior abdominal stab wounds: a South
      African experience.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The spectrum of injury associated with anterior abdominal stab
      wounds (SWs) is well established. The literature on the spectrum of organ injury
      associated with SWs to the posterior abdomen, however, is limited. METHODS: We
      reviewed our experience of 105 consecutive patients who had established
      indications for laparotomy managed over a 4-year period in a high volume trauma
      service in South Africa. RESULTS: Of the 105 patients, 97 (92%) were male and the
      overall mean age was 24 years. Fifty-seven patients (54%) had immediate
      indications for laparotomy. The remaining 48 patients (46%) initially underwent
      active clinical observation and the indications for laparotomy became apparent
      during the observation period. Of the 105 laparotomies performed, 94 (90%) were
      positive and 11 (10%) were negative. Of the 94 positive laparotomies, 92 were
      therapeutic and 2 were non-therapeutic. A total of 176 organ injuries were
      identified: 50 (53%) of the 94 patients sustained a single organ injury while the
      remaining 44 (47%) sustained multiple organ injuries. The most commonly injured
      organs were the colon (n=63), spleen (n=21) and kidney (n=19). CONCLUSIONS: The
      pattern of intra-abdominal injuries secondary to SWs to the posterior abdomen is
      different to that seen with the anterior abdomen. Colonic injury is most commonly
      encountered, followed by injuries to the spleen and kidney. Clinicians must
      remain vigilant because of the potential for occult injuries.

PMID- 26263934
TI  - The incidence, spectrum and outcome of paediatric trauma managed by the
      Pietermaritzburg Metropolitan Trauma Service.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The Pietermaritzburg Metropolitan Trauma Service (PMTS) has run a
      systematic quality improvement programme since 2006. A key component included the
      development and implementation of an effective surveillance system in the form of
      an electronic surgical registry (ESR). This study used data from the ESR to
      review the incidence, spectrum and outcome of paediatric trauma in
      Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. METHODS: The ESR was reviewed, and all cases of
      paediatric trauma managed between 1 January 2012 and 30 July 2014 were retrieved
      for analysis. RESULTS: During the study period, 1,041 paediatric trauma patients
      (724 male, 69.5%) were managed by the PMTS, averaging a monthly admission of 36.
      The mean age was 10.9 years (standard deviation: 5.4 years). The mechanism of
      injury (MOI) was blunt trauma in 753 patients (72.3%) and penetrating trauma in
      170 (16.3%). Pedestrian vehicle collisions accounted for 21% of cases and motor
      vehicle collisions for a further 11%. Intentional trauma accounted for 282
      patients (27.1%) and self-inflicted trauma for 14 cases (1.3%). Ninety patients
      admitted to the intensive care unit and fifty-one required high dependency unit
      admission. There were 17 deaths, equating to an in-hospital mortality rate of
      1.7%. A total of 172 children died on the scene of an incident. There were 35
      road traffic related deaths, 26 suicides by hanging, 27 deaths from blunt assault
      and 23 deaths from penetrating assault. The overall mortality rate for paediatric
      trauma was 18.2%. CONCLUSIONS: The ESR has proved to be an effective surveillance
      system and has enabled the accurate quantification of the burden of paediatric
      trauma in Pietermaritzburg. This has improved our understanding of the mechanisms
      and patterns of injury, and has identified a high incidence of intentional and
      penetrating trauma as well as road traffic collisions. These data can be used to
      guide strategies to reduce the burden of paediatric trauma in our environment.

PMID- 26263935
TI  - Outcome after conservatively managed intracapsular fractures of the femoral neck.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: In 2012, 2.6% of hip-fracture patients in the UK were treated
      conservatively. There is little data on outcome for these patients. However, one
      study demonstrated that though 30-day mortality is higher, mortality over the
      rest of the year is comparable with that in surgical groups. Therefore, we
      assessed conservatively managed patients in our unit. METHODS: Patients with
      intracapsular fractures of the femoral neck treated by conservative means between
      2010 and 2012 inclusive were identified. Data were collected: American Society of
      Anaesthesiologists (ASA) grade, Nottingham Hip Fracture Score (NHFS), mobility,
      mortality (30 days and one year) and pain levels. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients
      formed the study cohort. Mean age was 85.6 years. Median ASA grade was 4.
      Mortality at 30 days and one year was 31.3% and 56.3%, respectively. There was
      one case of pneumonia and one of infection. Pressure sores or venous
      thromboembolism were not documented. Three patients underwent surgery once their
      health improved. In general, mobility was decreased, but 30.8% of patients could
      mobilise with two aids or a frame. Only two cases had ongoing problems with pain.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our data are similar to those published previously. Our patients
      were likely to have higher mortality data due to selection bias. Thirty-day
      mortality was significantly higher than the national average, but patients
      surviving 30 days had a prevalence of mortality similar to those managed by
      surgical means. Despite mobility decreasing from the pre-admission status, a
      considerable number of patients were free of pain and could mobilise. These data
      suggest that conservative management of intracapsular fractures of the femoral
      neck can produce acceptable results.

PMID- 26263936
TI  - Cost of infection after surgery for intracapsular fracture of the femoral neck.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: We investigated the financial and human costs of postoperative
      infection for intracapsular fracture of the femoral neck at a district general
      hospital in the UK. METHODS: Data on postoperative infections after surgical
      treatment for intracapsular fracture of the femoral neck were collected
      prospectively from June 2005 to April 2009. Infected patients were pairwise
      matched (1:2 ratio) with a non-infected group of patients from a database on hip
      fractures. Costs of additional surgery, duration of hospital stay, and
      opportunity costs were calculated using Primary Care Trust (PCT) tariffs and PCT
      specific data. RESULTS: A total of 525 patients were treated with total hip
      replacement (n=110) or hip hemiarthroplasty (n=415). Seventeen patients (3.2%)
      were identified as having a surgical-site infection. Eight (1.5%) deep infections
      and nine (1.7%) superficial infections were documented. Compared with the non
      infected group, duration of hospital stay and the prevalence of mortality
      doubled. Repeat surgery and the costs associated with hospital admission were
      increased significantly in the infected group. Mean financial loss associated
      with an infected patient was L7,726, whereas an uninfected patient brought L153
      of profit to the hospital. When opportunity costs were considered, an infected
      patient represented L24,397 of lost income. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative infection
      after surgical treatment for intracapsular fracture of the femoral neck has a
      significant negative impact on duration of hospital stay and financial costs, and
      demonstrates a trend towards an increase in the prevalence of mortality.

PMID- 26263937
TI  - Experience of managing open fractures of the lower limb at a major trauma centre.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: In April 2012 the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford became a major
      trauma centre (MTC). The British Orthopaedic Association and British Association
      of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons joint standards for the
      management of open fractures of the lower limb (BOAST 4) require system-wide
      changes in referral practice that may be facilitated by the MTC and its
      associated major trauma network. METHODS: From 2008 to 2013 a multistep audit of
      compliance with BOAST 4 was conducted to assess referral patterns, timing of
      surgery and outcomes (surgical site infection rates), to determine changes
      following local intervention and the establishment of the MTC. RESULTS: Over the
      study period, 50 patients had soft tissue cover for an open lower limb fracture
      and there was a significant increase in the proportion of patients receiving
      definitive fixation in our centre (p=0.036). The median time from injury to soft
      tissue cover fell from 6.0 days to 3.5 days (p=0.051) and the median time from
      definitive fixation to soft tissue cover fell from 5.0 days to 2.0 days
      (p=0.003). The deep infection rate fell from 27% to 8% (p=0.247). However, in
      2013 many patients still experienced a delay of >72 hours between injury and soft
      tissue cover, primarily owing to a lack of capacity for providing soft tissue
      cover. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience may be relevant to other MTCs seeking to
      identify barriers to optimising the management of patients with these injuries.

PMID- 26263938
TI  - Comparison of oncological safety between nipple sparing mastectomy and total
      mastectomy using propensity score matching.
AB  - INTRODCUTION: Although nipple sparing mastectomy (NSM) has attracted increased
      recognition as an alternative to traditional mastectomy approaches, its
      oncological safety is unclear. The purpose of this study was to compare the local
      recurrence rate between NSM and total mastectomy (TM). METHODS: Between 2003 and
      2013, 121 and 557 patients with stage 0-III breast cancer underwent NSM and TM
      respectively. Multivariate Cox regression and propensity score models were used
      to compare the two groups. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the
      five-year local recurrence rate between the NSM and TM groups (7.6% vs 4.9%,
      p=0.398). In multivariate analysis, NSM was not a risk factor for local
      recurrence (hazard ratio: 1.653, 95% confidence interval: 0.586-4.663, p=0.343).
      Propensity score matching found similar five-year local recurrence free survival
      rates between the two groups (92.3% vs 93.7%, p=0.655). CONCLUSIONS: Our results
      suggest that NSM may provide oncological safety comparable with mastectomy for
      carefully selected patients.

PMID- 26263939
TI  - Major cardiothoracic trauma: Eleven-year review of outcomes in the North West of
      England.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Up to 15% of patients with cardiothoracic trauma require emergency
      surgery, and death can be prevented in a substantial proportion of this group. UK
      reports have emphasised the need for improvement in this field. We assessed major
      cardiothoracic trauma (MCT) outcomes in North West England over 11 years.
      METHODS: The database from the Trauma Audit and Research Network was used to
      retrieve data for all patients who had suffered MCT between 2000 and 2011 in
      North West England and the findings analysed. Trauma that led to
      thoracotomy/thoracoscopy or sternotomy was defined as MCT. RESULTS: A total of
      146 patients were identified, and a considerable male predominance (88.4%) noted.
      A total of 54.1% had sustained penetrating cardiothoracic trauma. Also, 53.4% had
      been admitted to tertiary-care hospitals for trauma (TCHT) and 46.6% had been
      admitted to non-TCHT. Overall prevalence of mortality was 35.6%. No significant
      difference was found in mortality between TCHT vs non-TCHT. Prevalence of
      mortality was significantly higher in the subgroup of patients cared for
      exclusively in non-TCHT compared with patients transferred from non-TCHT to TCHT
      (41% vs 13.8%, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: No significant difference was demonstrated
      in length of stay in hospital/length of stay in the intensive treatment unit and
      prevalence of mortality between patients originally presenting in TCHT and those
      presenting in non-TCHT. However, patients transferred from non-TCHT to TCHT had a
      lower prevalence of mortality. These findings may constitute a valuable benchmark
      for comparison with results arising after introduction of trauma centres in the
      UK.

PMID- 26263940
TI  - Caustic ingestion injury of the upper aerodigestive tract in adults.
AB  - Adult ingestion of caustic substances is an unusual but serious surgical problem,
      with injuries likely to be more extensive than those in the corresponding
      paediatric population. After initial stabilisation and airway management,
      clinicians are presented with a complex multisystemic problem, frequently
      requiring a multidisciplinary approach involving several surgical disciplines and
      associated therapies. A new multidisciplinary team was convened to discuss
      complex ingestion injury in adults and established techniques were used to bring
      forward a proposed treatment algorithm. An algorithm may potentially improve
      clinical efficacy and risk in the management of these complex patients. 

PMID- 26263941
TI  - Implementation of a novel emergency surgical unit significantly improves the
      management of gallstone pancreatitis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Emergency surgery is changing rapidly with a greater workload,
      early subspecialisation and centralisation of emergency care. We describe the
      impact of a novel emergency surgical unit (ESU) on the definitive management of
      patients with gallstone pancreatitis (GSP). METHODS: A comparative audit was
      undertaken for all admissions with GSP before and after the introduction of the
      ESU over a six-month period. The impact on compliance with British Society of
      Gastroenterology (BSG) guidelines was assessed. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients
      were treated for GSP between December 2013 and May 2014, after the introduction
      of the ESU. This was twice the nationally reported average for a UK trust over a
      six-month period. All patients received definitive management for their GSP and
      100% of all suitable patients received treatment during the index admission or
      within two weeks of discharge. This was a significantly greater proportion than
      that prior to the introduction of the ESU (57%, p=0.0001) as well as the recently
      reported national average (34%). The mean length of total inpatient stay was
      reduced significantly after the ESU was introduced from 13.7 +/- 4.7 days to 7.8
      +/- 2.1 days (p=0.03). The mean length of postoperative stay also fell
      significantly from 6.7 +/- 2.6 days to 1.8 +/- 0.8 days (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A
      dedicated ESU following national recommendations for emergency surgery care by
      way of using dedicated emergency surgeons and a streamlined protocol for common
      presentations has been shown by audit of current practice to significantly
      improve the management of patients presenting to a busy district general hospital
      with GSP.

PMID- 26263942
TI  - Preventing intramedullary guidewire migration using an electrosurgery scratchpad.

PMID- 26263943
TI  - A new method to pass a suture through an outer table calvarial tunnel.

PMID- 26263944
TI  - Closed reduction of paediatric radial neck fractures.

PMID- 26263945
TI  - A technique for division of the sympathetic trunk during endoscopic thoracic
      sympathectomy.

PMID- 26263946
TI  - Splintage following supracondylar fracture in paediatrics.

PMID- 26263947
TI  - Preparation of the internal mammary vessels as recipients for free flap breast
      reconstruction.

PMID- 26263948
TI  - Endourological urethral dilation using a ureteral access sheath.

PMID- 26263949
TI  - Controlled eversion of the patella during total knee replacement surgery.

PMID- 26263952
TI  - Recent NICE guidance of interest to surgeons.

PMID- 26263951
TI  - The age of consent.

PMID- 26263953
TI  - Recurrent Warthin's tumour of the larynx.
AB  - Warthin's tumours, or adenolymphomas, present commonly as masses of the parotid
      glands and salivary tissue. However, in the existing literature, few cases of
      laryngeal adenolymphomas are described. We report the case of a 60-year-old woman
      with a recurrent right-sided laryngeal adenolymphoma, and discuss the
      difficulties in diagnosis and management. 

PMID- 26263954
TI  - A rare case of a myofibroma presenting on the tongue.
AB  - Myofibromas are benign neoplasms of myofibroblastic origin, rarely encountered in
      the oral cavity. Limited awareness of the clinical features of these lesions
      risks misdiagnosis of more sinister pathology. The objective of this report is to
      highlight the potential diversity of oral lesions by describing an uncommon
      presentation of a myofibroma. The case reveals the diagnostic difficulties
      encountered, along with postoperative complications, which exemplify the
      remarkable healing capacity of the oral cavity. 

PMID- 26263955
TI  - A case of severe necrotising pancreatitis following ampullary biopsy.
AB  - We present a case of necrotising pancreatitis following ampullary biopsy in a
      patient with Barrett's oesophagus. The patient needed multiple necrosectomies and
      several admissions to the intensive care unit. This report is only the third and
      most severe case of pancreatitis following ampullary biopsy, highlighting its
      importance as a complication. 

PMID- 26263956
TI  - Radiological considerations and surgical planning in the treatment of giant
      parathyroid adenomas.
AB  - Giant parathyroid adenomas constitute a rare clinical entity, particularly in the
      developed world. We report the case of a 53-year-old woman where the initial
      ultrasonography significantly underestimated the size of the lesion. The
      subsequent size and weight of the adenoma (7 cm diameter, 27 g) combined with the
      severity of the hypercalcaemia raised the suspicion for the presence of a
      parathyroid carcinoma. This was later disproven by the surgical and histological
      findings. Giant parathyroid adenomas are encountered infrequently among patients
      with primary hyperparathyroidism, and appear to have distinct clinical and
      biochemical features related to specific genomic alterations. Cross-sectional
      imaging is mandated in the investigation of parathyroid adenomas presenting with
      severe hypercalcaemia as ultrasonography alone can underestimate their size and
      extent. This is important since it can impact on preoperative preparation and
      planning as well as the consent process as a thoracic approach may prove
      necessary for certain cases.

PMID- 26263957
TI  - Palatal and retropharyngeal injury secondary to intubation using the
      GlideScope(r) video laryngoscope.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: There are few reports of injury to the soft palate and retropharynx
      sustained during intubation with the GlideScope(r) video laryngoscope. Most
      reports are of isolated injury to the soft palate. CASE HISTORY: We describe a
      patient in whom the retropharynx was injured but the extent of the injury was not
      observed initially. The patient did not suffer severe sequelae from this injury.
      However, this injury can cause serious sequelae if it is not recognised (eg
      development of a retropharyngeal abscess). CONCLUSIONS: We recommend that any
      patient who sustains injury to the soft palate during intubation (particularly if
      the endotracheal tube passes through the soft palate) should be reviewed an
      otolaryngologist before removal of the endotracheal tube.

PMID- 26263958
TI  - New Polymorphic Forms of Pemetrexed Diacid and Their Use for the Preparation of
      Pharmaceutically Pure Amorphous and Hemipentahydrate Forms of Pemetrexed
      Disodium.
AB  - The preparation of stable amorphous pemetrexed disodium of pharmaceutical purity
      as well as the process optimization for the preparation of the hemipentahydrate
      form of pemetrexed disodium are described. Analytical methods for the polymorphic
      and chemical purity studies of pemetrexed disodium and pemetrexed diacid forms
      were developed. The physicochemical properties of the amorphous and hydrate forms
      of pemetrexed disodium, as well as new forms of pemetrexed diacid (a key
      synthetic intermediate) were studied by thermal analysis and powder X-ray
      diffraction. High-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography
      methods were used for the chemical purity and residual solvents determination. In
      order to study the polymorphic and chemical stability of the amorphous and
      hemipentahydrate forms, a hygroscopicity test (25  degrees C, 80% RH) was
      performed. Powder diffraction and high-performance liquid chromatography analyses
      revealed that the amorphous character and high chemical purity were preserved
      after the hygroscopicity test. The hemipentahydrate form transformed completely
      to the heptahydrate form of pemetrexed disodium. Both pemetrexed disodium forms
      were produced with high efficiency and pharmaceutical purity in a small
      commercial scale. Amorphous pemetrexed disodium was selected for further
      pharmaceutical development. Two new polymorphs (forms 1 and 2) of pemetrexed
      diacid were used for the preparation of high purity amorphous pemetrexed
      disodium. 

PMID- 26263959
TI  - Imaging the Ultrafast Photoelectron Transfer Process in Alizarin-TiO2.
AB  - In this work, we adopt a quantum mechanical approach based on time-dependent
      density functional theory (TDDFT) to study the optical and electronic properties
      of alizarin supported on TiO2 nano-crystallites, as a prototypical dye-sensitized
      solar cell. To ensure proper alignment of the donor (alizarin) and acceptor (TiO2
      nano-crystallite) levels, static optical excitation spectra are simulated using
      time-dependent density functional theory in response. The ultrafast photoelectron
      transfer from the dye to the cluster is simulated using an explicitly time
      dependent, one-electron TDDFT ansatz. The model considers the delta-pulse
      excitation of a single active electron localized in the dye to the complete set
      of energetically accessible, delocalized molecular orbitals of the dye/nano
      crystallite complex. A set of quantum mechanical tools derived from the
      transition electronic flux density is introduced to visualize and analyze the
      process in real time. The evolution of the created wave packet subject to
      absorbing boundary conditions at the borders of the cluster reveal that, while
      the electrons of the aromatic rings of alizarin are heavily involved in an
      ultrafast charge redistribution between the carbonyl groups of the dye molecule,
      they do not contribute positively to the electron injection and, overall, they
      delay the process. 

PMID- 26263960
TI  - Antiproliferative and Structure Activity Relationships of Amaryllidaceae
      Alkaloids.
AB  - The antiproliferative activity of a set of seven natural Amaryllidaceae alkaloids
      and 32 derivatives against four cancer cell lines (A2780, SW1573, T47-D and WiDr)
      was determined. The best antiproliferative activities were achieved with
      alkaloids derived from pancracine (2), haemanthamine (6) and haemantidine (7).
      For each skeleton, some structure-activity relationships were outlined. 

PMID- 26263961
TI  - Synthesis of a Spirocyclic Oxetane-Fused Benzimidazole.
AB  - A new synthesis of 2-oxa-7-azaspiro[3.5]nonane is described. Spirocyclic
      oxetanes, including 2-oxa-6-azaspiro[3.3]heptane were converted into o
      cycloalkylaminoacetanilides for oxidative cyclizations using Oxone(r) in formic
      acid. The expanded spirocyclic oxetane successfully gave the [1,2-a] ring-fused
      benzimidazole. X-ray crystal structure of the resultant new tetracyclic system,
      1',2'-dihydro-4'H-spiro[oxetane-3,3'-pyrido[1,2-a]benzimidazole] and the
      azetidine ring-opened adduct, N-(2-acetamido-4-bromophenyl)-N-{[3-(chloromethyl)
      oxetan-3-yl]methyl}acetamide are disclosed. 

PMID- 26263962
TI  - Natural Compounds from Saffron and Bear Bile Prevent Vision Loss and Retinal
      Degeneration.
AB  - All retinal disorders, regardless of their aetiology, involve the activation of
      oxidative stress and apoptosis pathways. The administration of neuroprotective
      factors is crucial in all phases of the pathology, even when vision has been
      completely lost. The retina is one of the most susceptible tissues to reactive
      oxygen species damage. On the other hand, proper development and functioning of
      the retina requires a precise balance between the processes of proliferation,
      differentiation and programmed cell death. The life-or-death decision seems to be
      the result of a complex balance between pro- and anti-apoptotic signals. It has
      been recently shown the efficacy of natural products to slow retinal degenerative
      process through different pathways. In this review, we assess the neuroprotective
      effect of two compounds used in the ancient pharmacopoeia. On one hand, it has
      been demonstrated that administration of the saffron constituent safranal to P23H
      rats, an animal model of retinitis pigmentosa, preserves photoreceptor morphology
      and number, the capillary network and the visual response. On the other hand, it
      has been shown that systemic administration of tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA),
      the major component of bear bile, to P23H rats preserves cone and rod structure
      and function, together with their contact with postsynaptic neurons. The
      neuroprotective effects of safranal and TUDCA make these compounds potentially
      useful for therapeutic applications in retinal degenerative diseases. 

PMID- 26263963
TI  - Aspects of a Distinct Cytotoxicity of Selenium Salts and Organic Selenides in
      Living Cells with Possible Implications for Drug Design.
AB  - Selenium is traditionally considered as an antioxidant element and selenium
      compounds are often discussed in the context of chemoprevention and therapy.
      Recent studies, however, have revealed a rather more colorful and diverse
      biological action of selenium-based compounds, including the modulation of the
      intracellular redox homeostasis and an often selective interference with
      regulatory cellular pathways. Our basic activity and mode of action studies with
      simple selenium and tellurium salts in different strains of Staphylococcus aureus
      (MRSA) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae indicate that such compounds are sometimes
      not particularly toxic on their own, yet enhance the antibacterial potential of
      known antibiotics, possibly via the bioreductive formation of insoluble elemental
      deposits. Whilst the selenium and tellurium compounds tested do not necessarily
      act via the generation of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), they seem to interfere
      with various cellular pathways, including a possible inhibition of the proteasome
      and hindrance of DNA repair. Here, organic selenides are considerably more active
      compared to simple salts. The interference of selenium (and tellurium) compounds
      with multiple targets could provide new avenues for the development of effective
      antibiotic and anticancer agents which may go well beyond the traditional notion
      of selenium as a simple antioxidant. 

PMID- 26263964
TI  - Caesalpinia decapetala Extracts as Inhibitors of Lipid Oxidation in Beef Patties.
AB  - In this study we investigated the effects of Caesalpinia decapetala (CD) extracts
      on lipid oxidation in ground beef patties. Plant extracts and butylated
      hydroxytoluene (BHT) were individually added to patties at both 0.1% and 0.5%
      (w/w) concentrations. We assessed the antioxidant efficacy of CD by the ferric
      reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay and evaluated their potential as natural
      antioxidants for meat preservation by thiobarbituric acid reactive substance
      (TBARS) values, hexanal content, fatty acid composition and color parameters.
      These were tested periodically during 11 days of refrigerated storage. TBARS
      levels were significantly lower (p <= 0.05) in the samples containing plant
      extracts or BHT than in the non-treated control. In addition, the beef patties
      formulated with the selected plant extracts showed significantly (p <= 0.05)
      better color stability than those without antioxidants. These results indicate
      that edible plant extracts are promising sources of natural antioxidants and can
      potentially be used as functional preservatives in meat products. 

PMID- 26263965
TI  - Cordyceps militaris (L.) Link Fruiting Body Reduces the Growth of a Non-Small
      Cell Lung Cancer Cell Line by Increasing Cellular Levels of p53 and p21.
AB  - Cordyceps militaris (L.) Link, an edible entomopathogenic fungus widely used in
      traditional Chinese medicine, has numerous potential medicinal properties
      including antitumor activity. The methanolic extract of C. militaris fruiting
      body was recently shown to have tumor cell growth inhibitory activity in several
      human tumor cell lines. Nonetheless, the mechanism of action involved is still
      not known. This work aimed at further studying the effect of the methanolic
      extract of C. militaris regarding its antitumor mechanism of action, using the
      non-small cell lung cancer cell line (NCI-H460) as a model. Results showed that
      treatment with the extract decreased cellular proliferation, induced cell cycle
      arrest at G0/G1 and increased apoptosis. In addition, the extract increased the
      levels of p53 and p21. Moreover, an increase in p-H2A.X and 53BP1 levels,
      together with an increase in the number of 53BP1 foci/cell (all indicative of DNA
      damage), were also observed after treatment with the extract. This work suggests
      that this extract affected NCI-H460 cellular viability through a mechanism
      involving DNA damage and p53 activation. This further supports the potential of
      this extract as a source of bioactive compounds, which may be used in anticancer
      strategies. 

PMID- 26263966
TI  - Synthesis and Fungicidal Activity of beta-Carboline Alkaloids and Their
      Derivatives.
AB  - A series of beta-Carboline derivatives were designed, synthesized, and evaluated
      for their fungicidal activities in this study. Several derivatives electively
      exhibited fungicidal activities against some fungi. Especially, compound F5
      exhibited higher fungicidal activity against Rhizoctonia solani (53.35%) than
      commercial antiviral agent validamycin (36.4%); compound F16 exhibited high
      fungicidal activity against Oospora citriaurantii ex Persoon (43.28%). Some of
      the alkaloids and their derivatives (compounds F4 and F25) exhibited broad
      spectrum fungicidal activity. Specifically, compound F4 exhibited excellent high
      broad-spectrum fungicidal activity in vitro, and the curative and protection
      activities against P. litchi in vivo reached 92.59% and 59.26%, respectively. The
      new derivative, F4, with optimized physicochemical properties, obviously
      exhibited higher activities both in vitro and in vivo; therefore, F4 may be used
      as a new lead structure for the development of fungicidal drugs. 

PMID- 26263967
TI  - Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Major Triterpenoids in Alismatis Rhizoma
      by High Performance Liquid Chromatography/Diode-Array Detector/Quadrupole-Time-of
      Flight Mass Spectrometry and Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography/Triple
      Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry.
AB  - Alismatis Rhizoma (AMR) is a well-known natural medicine with a long history in
      Chinese medicine and has been commonly used for treating a wide range of ailments
      related to dysuria, edema, nephropathy, hyperlipidaemia, diabetes, inflammation
      as well as tumors in clinical applications. Most beneficial effects of AMR are
      attributed to the presence of protostane terpenoids, the major active ingredients
      of Alismatis Rhizoma (AMR). In this study, a systematic high performance liquid
      chromatography/diode-array detector/quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry
      (HPLC-DAD-Q-TOF MS) and ultra-performance liquid chromatography/triple quadrupole
      mass spectrometry (UPLC-QqQ MS) method was developed for qualitative and
      quantitative analyses of the major AMR triterpenoids. First, a total of 25
      triterpenoid components, including 24 known compounds and one new compound were
      identified by comparison with UV spectra, molecular ions and fragmentation
      behaviors of reference standards or the literature. Second, an efficient method
      was established for the rapid simultaneous determination of 14 representative
      triterpenoids by UPLC-QqQ MS. Forty-three batches of AMR were analyzed with
      linearity (r, 0.9980-0.9999), intra-day precision (RSD, 1.18%-3.79%), inter-day
      precision (RSD, 1.53%-3.96%), stability (RSD, 1.32%-3.97%), repeatability (RSD,
      2.21%-4.25%), and recovery (98.11%-103.8%). These results indicated that new
      approaches combining HPLC-DAD-Q-TOF MS and UPLC-QqQ MS are applicable in the
      qualitative and quantitative analysis of AMR. 

PMID- 26263968
TI  - Combination of Abeta Secretion and Oxidative Stress in an Alzheimer-Like Cell
      Line Leads to the Over-Expression of the Nucleotide Excision Repair Proteins DDB2
      and XPC.
AB  - Repair of oxidative DNA damage, particularly Base Excision Repair (BER),
      impairment is often associated with Alzheimer's disease pathology. Here, we aimed
      at investigating the complete Nucleotide Excision Repair (NER), a DNA repair
      pathway involved in the removal of bulky DNA adducts, status in an Alzheimer-like
      cell line. The level of DNA damage was quantified using mass spectrometry, NER
      gene expression was assessed by qPCR, and the NER protein activity was analysed
      through a modified version of the COMET assay. Interestingly, we found that in
      the presence of the Amyloid beta peptide (Abeta), NER factors were upregulated at
      the mRNA level and that NER capacities were also specifically increased following
      oxidative stress. Surprisingly, NER capacities were not differentially improved
      following a typical NER-triggering of ultraviolet C (UVC) stress. Oxidative
      stress generates a differential and specific DNA damage response in the presence
      of Abeta. We hypothesized that the release of NER components such as DNA damage
      binding protein 2 (DDB2) and Xeroderma Pigmentosum complementation group C
      protein (XPC) following oxidative stress might putatively involve their apoptotic
      role rather than DNA repair function. 

PMID- 26263969
TI  - Effects of Surface-Deacetylated Chitin Nanofibers in an Experimental Model of
      Hypercholesterolemia.
AB  - This study evaluated the effects of oral administration of surface-deacetylated
      chitin nanofibers (SDACNFs) on hypercholesterolemia using an experimental model.
      All rats were fed a high cholesterol diet with 1% w/w cholesterol and 0.5% w/w
      cholic acid for 28 days. Rats were divided equally into four groups: the control
      group was administered 0.05% acetic acid dissolved in tap water, and the SDACNF,
      chitosan (CS), and cellulose nanofiber (CLNF) groups were administered 0.1% CNF,
      CS, or CLNF dissolved in the tap water, respectively, during the experimental
      period. Changes in body weight, intake of food and water, and organ weight were
      measured. Serum blood chemistry and histopathological examination of the liver
      were performed. Administration of SDACNF did not affect body weight change, food
      and water intake, or organ weights. Administration of SDACNF and CS decreased the
      diet-induced increase in serum total cholesterol, chylomicron, very-low-density
      lipoprotein, and phospholipid levels on day 14. Moreover, oral administration of
      SDACNFs suppressed the increase of alanine transaminase levels on day 29 and
      suppressed vacuolar degeneration and accumulation of lipid droplets in liver
      tissue. These data indicate that SDACNF has potential as a functional food for
      patients with hypercholesterolemia. 

PMID- 26263970
TI  - A Single Nucleotide Polymorphism near the CYP17A1 Gene Is Associated with Left
      Ventricular Mass in Hypertensive Patients under Pharmacotherapy.
AB  - Cytochrome P450 17A1 (CYP17A1) catalyses the formation and metabolism of steroid
      hormones. They are involved in blood pressure (BP) regulation and in the
      pathogenesis of left ventricular hypertrophy. Therefore, altered function of
      CYP17A1 due to genetic variants may influence BP and left ventricular mass.
      Notably, genome wide association studies supported the role of this enzyme in BP
      control. Against this background, we investigated associations between single
      nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in or nearby the CYP17A1 gene with BP and left
      ventricular mass in patients with arterial hypertension and associated
      cardiovascular organ damage treated according to guidelines. Patients (n = 1007,
      mean age 58.0 +/- 9.8 years, 83% men) with arterial hypertension and cardiac left
      ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) >= 40% were enrolled in the study. Cardiac
      parameters of left ventricular mass, geometry and function were determined by
      echocardiography. The cohort comprised patients with coronary heart disease (n =
      823; 81.7%) and myocardial infarction (n = 545; 54.1%) with a mean LVEF of 59.9%
      +/- 9.3%. The mean left ventricular mass index (LVMI) was 52.1 +/- 21.2 g/m2.7
      and 485 (48.2%) patients had left ventricular hypertrophy. There was no
      significant association of any investigated SNP (rs619824, rs743572, rs1004467,
      rs11191548, rs17115100) with mean 24 h systolic or diastolic BP. However,
      carriers of the rs11191548 C allele demonstrated a 7% increase in LVMI (95% CI:
      1%-12%, p = 0.017) compared to non-carriers. The CYP17A1 polymorphism rs11191548
      demonstrated a significant association with LVMI in patients with arterial
      hypertension and preserved LVEF. Thus, CYP17A1 may contribute to cardiac
      hypertrophy in this clinical condition.

PMID- 26263971
TI  - Interleukin-17A Gene Expression in Morbidly Obese Women.
AB  - Data from recent studies conducted in rodent models and humans suggest that
      interleukin-17A (IL-17A) plays a role in the induction of inflammation in adipose
      tissue during obesity. The aim of this study was to assess the gene expression of
      IL-17A in adipose tissue of morbidly obese patients. We used RT-PCR to evaluate
      the expression of IL-17A and several adipo/cytokines in the visceral adipose
      tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) of 10 normal-weight control
      women (BMI < 25 kg/m2) and 30 morbidly obese women (MO, BMI > 40 kg/m2). We
      measured serum levels of IL-17A and adipo/cytokines in MO and normal weight
      women. IL-17A expression was significantly higher in VAT than in SAT in MO
      patients (p = 0.0127). It was very low in normal-weight controls in both VAT and
      SAT tissues. We found positive correlations between IL-17A and IL-6, lipocalin-2
      and resistin in VAT of MO patients. The circulating level of IL-17A was higher in
      the normal-weight group than the MO patients (p = 0.032), and it was
      significantly related to adiponectin and TNFRII levels. In conclusion, IL-17A
      expression in VAT is increased in morbidly obese women, which suggests a link
      between obesity and innate immunity in low-grade chronic inflammation in morbidly
      obese women. 

PMID- 26263972
TI  - Development of Ophiocordyceps sinensis through Plant-Mediated Interkingdom Host
      Colonization.
AB  - Ophiocordyceps sinensis is a well-known entomogenous and medicinal fungus. After
      its anamorphs parasitize the larvae of the genus Thitarodes, fruit-bodies may
      form to be used as medicine. However, its developmental mechanisms remain
      unknown. The distribution of O. sinensis was determined in different tissues of
      the Thitarodes larvae and the dominant plant species using real-time quantitative
      polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH)
      technique, respectively. We found that more fungal material was located in plants
      than in larvae, especially in Ranunculus tanguticus. A considerable amount was
      detected in larval intestinal-wall and plant roots. It is suggested that plants
      are the potential hosts of O. sinensis, which modifies our understanding of the
      life cycle of O. sinensis and indicates that the phytophagous larvae may become
      infected as they feed. Our research may contribute to the study of systematic
      evolution and population ecology of O. sinensis, elucidate its developmental
      mechanism and promote sustainable harvesting. 

PMID- 26263975
TI  - Features in the Lipid Status of Two Generations of Fingerlings (0+) of Atlantic
      Salmon (Salmo salar L.) Inhabiting the Arenga River (Kola Peninsula).
AB  - The present research focused on determining the lipid status of salmon
      fingerlings (0+) in early development after dispersal form groups of spawning
      nests in biotopes of different hydrological conditions. The revealed qualitative
      and quantitative differences in the levels of phospholipids and fatty acids among
      two generations of Atlantic salmon fingerlings (0+) living in different biotopes
      of the Arenga River (a tributary of the Varzuga River) may be associated with the
      peculiarities of their genetically determined processes of the biosynthesis and
      modification of individual lipid classes and trophoecological factors (food
      spectrum, quality and availability of food objects, and hydrological regime). The
      research was organized to observe the dynamics of these developmental changes
      from ages 0+ to 2+. 

PMID- 26263973
TI  - Molecular Mechanisms to Control Post-Transplantation Hepatitis B Recurrence.
AB  - Hepatitis B often progresses to decompensated liver cirrhosis requiring
      orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Although newer nucleos(t)ide analogues
      result in >90% viral and hepatitis activity control, severely decompensated
      patients still need OLT because of drug-resistant virus, acute exacerbation, or
      hepatocellular carcinoma. Acute hepatitis B is also an indication for OLT,
      because it can progress to fatal acute liver failure. After OLT, the hepatitis B
      recurrence rate is >80% without prevention, while >90% of transplant recipients
      are clinically controlled with combined hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) and
      nucleos(t)ide analogue treatment. However, long-term HBIG administration is
      associated with several unresolved issues, including limited availability and
      extremely high cost; therefore, several treatment protocols with low-dose HBIG,
      combined with nucleos(t)ide analogues, have been investigated. Another approach
      is to induce self-producing anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) antibodies using an HBV
      envelope (HBs) antigen vaccine. Patients who are not HBV carriers, such as those
      with acutely infected liver failure, are good candidates for vaccination. For
      chronic HBV carrier liver cirrhosis patients, a successful vaccine response can
      only be achieved in selected patients, such as those treated with experimentally
      reduced immunosuppression protocols. The present protocol for post-OLT HBV
      control and the future prospects of newer treatment strategies are reviewed.

PMID- 26263974
TI  - Molecular Classification and Pharmacogenetics of Primary Plasma Cell Leukemia: An
      Initial Approach toward Precision Medicine.
AB  - Primary plasma cell leukemia (pPCL) is a rare and aggressive variant of multiple
      myeloma (MM) which may represent a valid model for high-risk MM. This disease is
      associated with a very poor prognosis, and unfortunately, it has not
      significantly improved during the last three decades. New high-throughput
      technologies have allowed a better understanding of the molecular basis of this
      disease and moved toward risk stratification, providing insights for targeted
      therapy studies. This knowledge, added to the pharmacogenetic profile of new and
      old agents in the analysis of efficacy and safety, could contribute to help
      clinical decisions move toward a precision medicine and a better clinical outcome
      for these patients. In this review, we describe the available literature
      concerning the genomic characterization and pharmacogenetics of plasma cell
      leukemia (PCL). 

PMID- 26263976
TI  - Economic Assessment of Supercritical CO2 Extraction of Waxes as Part of a Maize
      Stover Biorefinery.
AB  - To date limited work has focused on assessing the economic viability of scCO2
      extraction to obtain waxes as part of a biorefinery. This work estimates the
      economic costs for wax extraction from maize stover. The cost of manufacture
      (COM) for maize stover wax extraction was found to be ? 88.89 per kg of wax, with
      the fixed capital investment (FCI) and utility costs (CUT) contributing
      significantly to the COM. However, this value is based solely on scCO2 extraction
      of waxes and does not take into account the downstream processing of the biomass
      following extraction. The cost of extracting wax from maize stover can be reduced
      by utilizing pelletized leaves and combusting the residual biomass to generate
      electricity. This would lead to an overall cost of ? 10.87 per kg of wax (based
      on 27% combustion efficiency for electricity generation) and ?4.56 per kg of wax
      (based on 43% combustion efficiency for electricity generation). A sensitivity
      analysis study showed that utility costs (cost of electricity) had the greatest
      effect on the COM.

PMID- 26263977
TI  - Brain-Specific Cytoskeletal Damage Markers in Cerebrospinal Fluid: Is There a
      Common Pattern between Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Primary Progressive
      Multiple Sclerosis?
AB  - Many neurodegenerative disorders share a common pathophysiological pathway
      involving axonal degeneration despite different etiological triggers. Analysis of
      cytoskeletal markers such as neurofilaments, protein tau and tubulin in
      cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) may be a useful approach to detect the process of
      axonal damage and its severity during disease course. In this article, we review
      the published literature regarding brain-specific CSF markers for cytoskeletal
      damage in primary progressive multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral
      sclerosis in order to evaluate their utility as a biomarker for disease
      progression in conjunction with imaging and histological markers which might also
      be useful in other neurodegenerative diseases associated with affection of the
      upper motor neurons. A long-term benefit of such an approach could be
      facilitating early diagnostic and prognostic tools and assessment of treatment
      efficacy of disease modifying drugs. 

PMID- 26263978
TI  - Progress and Prospects of Anti-HBV Gene Therapy Development.
AB  - Despite the availability of an effective vaccine against hepatitis B virus (HBV),
      chronic infection with the virus remains a major global health concern. Current
      drugs against HBV infection are limited by emergence of resistance and rarely
      achieve complete viral clearance. This has prompted vigorous research on
      developing better drugs against chronic HBV infection. Advances in understanding
      the life cycle of HBV and improvements in gene-disabling technologies have been
      impressive. This has led to development of better HBV infection models and
      discovery of new drug candidates. Ideally, a regimen against chronic HBV
      infection should completely eliminate all viral replicative intermediates,
      especially covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA). For the past few decades,
      nucleic acid-based therapy has emerged as an attractive alternative that may
      result in complete clearance of HBV in infected patients. Several genetic anti
      HBV strategies have been developed. The most studied approaches include the use
      of antisense oligonucleotides, ribozymes, RNA interference effectors and gene
      editing tools. This review will summarize recent developments and progress made
      in the use of gene therapy against HBV. 

PMID- 26263979
TI  - RNase L Cleavage Products Promote Switch from Autophagy to Apoptosis by Caspase
      Mediated Cleavage of Beclin-1.
AB  - Autophagy and apoptosis share regulatory molecules enabling crosstalk in pathways
      that affect cellular homeostasis including response to viral infections and
      survival of tumor cells. Ribonuclease L (RNase L) is an antiviral endonuclease
      that is activated in virus-infected cells and cleaves viral and cellular single
      stranded RNAs to produce small double-stranded RNAs with roles in amplifying host
      responses. Activation of RNase L induces autophagy and apoptosis in many cell
      types. However, the mechanism by which RNase L mediates crosstalk between these
      two pathways remains unclear. Here we show that small dsRNAs produced by RNase L
      promote a switch from autophagy to apoptosis by caspase-mediated cleavage of
      Beclin-1, terminating autophagy. The caspase 3-cleaved C-terminal fragment of
      Beclin-1 enhances apoptosis by translocating to the mitochondria along with
      proapoptotic protein, Bax, and inducing release of cytochrome C to the cytosol.
      Cleavage of Beclin-1 determines switch to apoptosis since expression of caspase
      resistant Beclin-1 inhibits apoptosis and sustains autophagy. Moreover,
      inhibiting RNase L-induced autophagy promotes cell death and inhibiting apoptosis
      prolongs autophagy in a cross-inhibitory mechanism. Our results demonstrate a
      novel role of RNase L generated small RNAs in cross-talk between autophagy and
      apoptosis that impacts the fate of cells during viral infections and cancer. 

PMID- 26263980
TI  - Validation of FRET Assay for the Screening of Growth Inhibitors of Escherichia
      coli Reveals Elongasome Assembly Dynamics.
AB  - The increase in antibiotic resistant bacteria demands the development of new
      antibiotics against preferably new targets. The common approach is to test
      compounds for their ability to kill bacteria or to design molecules that inhibit
      essential protein activities in vitro. In the first case, the mode of action of
      the drug is unknown and in the second case, it is not known whether the compound
      will pass the impermeable barrier of the bacterial envelope. We developed an
      assay that detects the target of a compound, as well as its ability to pass the
      membrane(s) simultaneously. The Escherichia coli cytoskeletal protein MreB
      recruits protein complexes (elongasomes) that are essential for cell envelope
      growth. An in cell Forster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) assay was developed
      to detect the interaction between MreB molecules and between MreB and the
      elongasome proteins RodZ, RodA and PBP2. Inhibition of the polymerization of MreB
      by S-(3,4-dichlorobenzyl) isothiourea (A22) or of the activity of PBP2 by
      mecilinam resulted in loss or reduction of all measured interactions. This
      suggests that the interactions between the elongasome proteins are governed by a
      combination of weak affinities and substrate availability. This validated in cell
      FRET assay can be used to screen for cell envelope growth inhibitors.

PMID- 26263981
TI  - High Expression of LAMP3 Is a Novel Biomarker of Poor Prognosis in Patients with
      Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
AB  - Lysosomal-associated membrane protein 3 (LAMP3), identified as a molecular marker
      of mature dendritic cells, is one of the LAMP family members. Its expression was
      induced by hypoxia, and was associated with hypoxia mediated metastasis in breast
      and cervical cancers. However, epithelial expression of LAMP3 and its prognostic
      value in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is still unknown. In the
      current study, mRNA expression of LAMP3 in 157 ESCC tissues and 50 adjacent
      normal tissues was detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). LAMP3
      protein expression in 46 paired cancerous and normal tissues was detected by
      immunohistochemistry (IHC). Then, DNA copy number was examined to observe its
      potential correlation with mRNA expression. The results showed that both mRNA and
      protein expression level of LAMP3 was significantly higher in cancerous tissues
      compared with normal controls (p < 0.001). LAMP3 DNA copy number was amplified in
      70% of ESCC tissues and positive correlated with mRNA expression (p = 0.037).
      Furthermore, patients with higher LAMP3 expression had worse overall survival (HR
      = 1.90, 95% CI = 1.17-3.09, p = 0.010) and disease-free survival (HR = 1.80, 95%
      CI = 1.18-2.74, p = 0.006). In conclusion, our results suggest that epithelial
      LAMP3 expression is an independent prognostic biomarker for ESCC.

PMID- 26263982
TI  - Unveiling the Mode of Action of Two Antibacterial Tanshinone Derivatives.
AB  - In this study, 2-(N-pyrrolidine-alkyl) tanshinones bearing pyrrolidine groups
      were synthesized and the antibacterial mechanism was explored. These derivatives
      selectively elicited antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria.
      Moreover, their antibacterial activities were time-, concentration-dependent and
      persistent. It appeared that Fenton-mediated hydroxyl radicals were involved, and
      the disruption of cell membranes was observed. This study indicates that 2-(N
      pyrrolidine-alkyl) tanshinones might be potential candidates as antibacterial
      agents. 

PMID- 26263983
TI  - MiR-30b Is Involved in the Homocysteine-Induced Apoptosis in Human Coronary
      Artery Endothelial Cells by Regulating the Expression of Caspase 3.
AB  - Homocysteine (Hcy) is an independent risk factor for a variety of cardiovascular
      diseases, such as coronary heart disease, hypertension, stroke, etc. There is a
      close relationship between the vascular endothelial cell apoptosis and these
      diseases. Recent studies have shown homocysteine can induce apoptosis in
      endothelial cells, which may be an important mechanism for the development of
      theses cardiovascular diseases. Although there are several reports about how the
      Hcy induces apoptosis in endothelial cells, the exact mechanism is not fully
      understood. MicroRNAs are small, non-coding RNA. Previous studies have shown that
      there is a close relationship between several microRNAs and cell apoptosis.
      However, there are no studies about the role of microRNAs in Hcy-induced
      apoptosis in endothelial cells so far. In this study, we constructed the model of
      homocysteine-induced apoptosis in human coronary artery endothelial cells
      (HCAECs) and found miR-30b was significantly down-regulated by 1 mmol/L Hcy. In
      addition, overexpression of miR-30b can improve the Hcy-induced apoptosis in
      HCAECs by downregulating caspase-3 expression. Therefore, miR-30b may play an
      important role in Hcy-induced apoptosis in endothelial cells. 

PMID- 26263985
TI  - Scalable and Cost-Effective Assignment of Mobile Crowdsensing Tasks Based on
      Profiling Trends and Prediction: The ParticipAct Living Lab Experience.
AB  - Nowadays, sensor-rich smartphones potentially enable the harvesting of huge
      amounts of valuable sensing data in urban environments, by opportunistically
      involving citizens to play the role of mobile virtual sensors to cover Smart City
      areas of interest. This paper proposes an in-depth study of the challenging
      technical issues related to the efficient assignment of Mobile Crowd Sensing
      (MCS) data collection tasks to volunteers in a crowdsensing campaign. In
      particular, the paper originally describes how to increase the effectiveness of
      the proposed sensing campaigns through the inclusion of several new facilities,
      including accurate participant selection algorithms able to profile and predict
      user mobility patterns, gaming techniques, and timely geo-notification. The
      reported results show the feasibility of exploiting profiling trends/prediction
      techniques from volunteers' behavior; moreover, they quantitatively compare
      different MCS task assignment strategies based on large-scale and real MCS data
      campaigns run in the ParticipAct living lab, an ongoing MCS real-world experiment
      that involved more than 170 students of the University of Bologna for more than
      one year. 

PMID- 26263984
TI  - Evaluation of Antioxidant, Antidiabetic and Anticholinesterase Activities of
      Smallanthus sonchifolius Landraces and Correlation with Their Phytochemical
      Profiles.
AB  - The present study aimed to investigate the phytochemical profile of leaf methanol
      extracts of fourteen Smallanthus sonchifolius (yacon) landraces and their
      antioxidant, anticholinesterase and antidiabetic activities that could lead to
      the finding of more effective agents for the treatment and management of
      Alzheimer's disease and diabetes. For this purpose, antioxidant activity was
      assessed using different tests: ferric reducing ability power (FRAP), 2,2
      diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide (O2-)
      scavenging and lipid peroxidation inhibition assays. Anticholinesterase activity
      was investigated by quantifying the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and
      butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitory activities, whereas antidiabetic activity
      was investigated by alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase inhibition tests. To
      understand the contribution of metabolites, phytochemical screening was also
      performed by high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector (HPLC
      DAD) system. Among all, methanol extract of PER09, PER04 and ECU44 landraces
      exhibited the highest relative antioxidant capacity index (RACI). ECU44 was found
      to be rich in 4,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (CQA) and 3,5-di-O-CQA and displayed a
      good alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase inhibition, showing the lowest IC50
      values. Flavonoids, instead, seem to be involved in the AChE and BChE inhibition.
      The results of this study revealed that the bioactive compound content
      differences could be determinant for the medicinal properties of this plant
      especially for antioxidant and antidiabetic activities.

PMID- 26263986
TI  - An Ultrasonic Multiple-Access Ranging Core Based on Frequency Shift Keying
      Towards Indoor Localization.
AB  - This paper describes a new approach and implementation methodology for indoor
      ranging based on the time difference of arrival using code division multiple
      access with ultrasound signals. A novel implementation based on a field
      programmable gate array using finite impulse response filters and an optimized
      correlation demodulator implementation for ultrasound orthogonal signals is
      developed. Orthogonal codes are modulated onto ultrasound signals using frequency
      shift keying with carrier frequencies of 24.5 kHz and 26 kHz. This implementation
      enhances the possibilities for real-time, embedded and low-power tracking of
      several simultaneous transmitters. Due to the high degree of parallelism offered
      by field programmable gate arrays, up to four transmitters can be tracked
      simultaneously. The implementation requires at most 30% of the available logic
      gates of a Spartan-6 XC6SLX45 device and is evaluated on accuracy and precision
      through several ranging topologies. In the first topology, the distance between
      one transmitter and one receiver is evaluated. Afterwards, ranging analyses are
      applied between two simultaneous transmitters and one receiver. Ultimately, the
      position of the receiver against four transmitters using trilateration is also
      demonstrated. Results show enhanced distance measurements with distances ranging
      from a few centimeters up to 17 m, while keeping a centimeter-level accuracy. 

PMID- 26263987
TI  - Fibre Optic Sensors for Structural Health Monitoring of Aircraft Composite
      Structures: Recent Advances and Applications.
AB  - In-service structural health monitoring of composite aircraft structures plays a
      key role in the assessment of their performance and integrity. In recent years,
      Fibre Optic Sensors (FOS) have proved to be a potentially excellent technique for
      real-time in-situ monitoring of these structures due to their numerous
      advantages, such as immunity to electromagnetic interference, small size, light
      weight, durability, and high bandwidth, which allows a great number of sensors to
      operate in the same system, and the possibility to be integrated within the
      material. However, more effort is still needed to bring the technology to a fully
      mature readiness level. In this paper, recent research and applications in
      structural health monitoring of composite aircraft structures using FOS have been
      critically reviewed, considering both the multi-point and distributed sensing
      techniques. 

PMID- 26263988
TI  - An Electrochemical Glucose Sensor Based on Zinc Oxide Nanorods.
AB  - A glucose electrochemical sensor based on zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods was
      investigated. The hydrothermal sol-gel growth method was utilized to grow ZnO
      nanorods on indium tin oxide-coated glass substrates. The total active area of
      the working electrode was 0.3 * 0.3 cm2 where titanium metal was deposited to
      enhance the contact. Well aligned hexagonal structured ZnO nanorods with a
      diameter from 68 to 116 nm were obtained. The excitonic peak obtained from the
      absorbance spectroscopy was observed at ~370 nm. The dominant peak of Raman
      spectroscopy measurement was at 440 cm(-1), matching with the lattice vibration
      of ZnO. The uniform distribution of the GOx and Nafion membrane that has been
      done using spin coating technique at 4000 rotations per minute helps in enhancing
      the ion exchange and increasing the sensitivity of the fabricated electrochemical
      sensor. The amperometric response of the fabricated electrochemical sensor was 3
      s. The obtained sensitivity of the fabricated ZnO electrochemical sensor was
      10.911 mA/mM.cm2 and the lower limit of detection was 0.22 uM.

PMID- 26263990
TI  - RGB-D SLAM Combining Visual Odometry and Extended Information Filter.
AB  - In this paper, we present a novel RGB-D SLAM system based on visual odometry and
      an extended information filter, which does not require any other sensors or
      odometry. In contrast to the graph optimization approaches, this is more suitable
      for online applications. A visual dead reckoning algorithm based on visual
      residuals is devised, which is used to estimate motion control input. In
      addition, we use a novel descriptor called binary robust appearance and normals
      descriptor (BRAND) to extract features from the RGB-D frame and use them as
      landmarks. Furthermore, considering both the 3D positions and the BRAND
      descriptors of the landmarks, our observation model avoids explicit data
      association between the observations and the map by marginalizing the observation
      likelihood over all possible associations. Experimental validation is provided,
      which compares the proposed RGB-D SLAM algorithm with just RGB-D visual odometry
      and a graph-based RGB-D SLAM algorithm using the publicly-available RGB-D
      dataset. The results of the experiments demonstrate that our system is quicker
      than the graph-based RGB-D SLAM algorithm. 

PMID- 26263989
TI  - Diazonium Chemistry for the Bio-Functionalization of Glassy Nanostring Resonator
      Arrays.
AB  - Resonant glassy nanostrings have been employed for the detection of biomolecules.
      These devices offer high sensitivity and amenability to large array integration
      and multiplexed assays. Such a concept has however been impaired by the lack of
      stable and biocompatible linker chemistries. Diazonium salt reduction-induced
      aryl grafting is an aqueous-based process providing strong chemical adhesion. In
      this work, diazonium-based linker chemistry was performed for the first time on
      glassy nanostrings, which enabled the bio-functionalization of such devices.
      Large arrays of nanostrings with ultra-narrow widths down to 10 nm were
      fabricated employing electron beam lithography. Diazonium modification was first
      developed on SiCN surfaces and validated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.
      Similarly modified nanostrings were then covalently functionalized with anti
      rabbit IgG as a molecular probe. Specific enumeration of rabbit IgG was
      successfully performed through observation of downshifts of resonant frequencies.
      The specificity of this enumeration was confirmed through proper negative control
      experiments. Helium ion microscopy further verified the successful
      functionalization of nanostrings. 

PMID- 26263991
TI  - Initial Results Obtained with the First TWIN VLBI Radio Telescope at the Geodetic
      Observatory Wettzell.
AB  - Geodetic Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) uses radio telescopes as sensor
      networks to determine Earth orientation parameters and baseline vectors between
      the telescopes. The TWIN Telescope Wettzell 1 (TTW1), the first of the new 13.2 m
      diameter telescope pair at the Geodetic Observatory Wettzell, Germany, is
      currently in its commissioning phase. The technology behind this radio telescope
      including the receiving system and the tri-band feed horn is depicted. Since VLBI
      telescopes must operate at least in pairs, the existing 20 m diameter Radio
      Telescope Wettzell (RTW) is used together with TTW1 for practical tests. In
      addition, selected long baseline setups are investigated. Correlation results
      portraying the data quality achieved during first initial experiments are
      discussed. Finally, the local 123 m baseline between the old RTW telescope and
      the new TTW1 is analyzed and compared with an existing high-precision local
      survey. Our initial results are very satisfactory for X-band group delays
      featuring a 3D distance agreement between VLBI data analysis and local ties of 1
      to 2 mm in the majority of the experiments. However, S-band data, which suffer
      much from local radio interference due to WiFi and mobile communications, are
      about 10 times less precise than X-band data and require further analysis, but
      evidence is provided that S-band data are well-usable over long baselines where
      local radio interference patterns decorrelate. 

PMID- 26263992
TI  - The Structure Design of Piezoelectric Poly(vinylidene Fluoride) (PVDF) Polymer
      Based Sensor Patch for the Respiration Monitoring under Dynamic Walking
      Conditions.
AB  - This study reports a piezoelectric poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) polymer-based
      sensor patch for respiration detections in dynamic walking condition. The working
      mechanism of respiration signal generation is based on the periodical
      deformations on a human chest wall during the respiratory movements, which in
      turn mechanically stretch the piezoelectric PVDF film to generate the
      corresponding electrical signals. In this study, the PVDF sensing film was
      completely encapsulated within the sensor patch forming a mass-spring-damper
      mechanical system to prevent the noises generated in a dynamic condition. To
      verify the design of sensor patch to prevent dynamic noises, experimental
      investigations were carried out. Results demonstrated the respiration signals
      generated and the respiratory rates measured by the proposed sensor patch were in
      line with the same measurements based on a commercial respiratory effort
      transducer both in a static (e.g., sitting) or dynamic (e.g., walking) condition.
      As a whole, this study has developed a PVDF-based sensor patch which is capable
      of monitoring respirations in a dynamic walking condition with high fidelity.
      Other distinctive features include its small size, light weight, ease of use, low
      cost, and portability. All these make it a promising sensing device to monitor
      respirations particularly in home care units. 

PMID- 26263994
TI  - A Nano-Thin Film-Based Prototype QCM Sensor Array for Monitoring Human Breath and
      Respiratory Patterns.
AB  - Quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensor array was developed for multi-purpose
      human respiration assessment. The sensor system was designed to provide feedback
      for human respiration. Thorough optimization of measurement conditions: air flow,
      temperature in the QCM chamber, frequency measurement rate, and electrode
      position regarding to the gas flow-was performed. As shown, acquisition of
      respiratory parameters (rate and respiratory pattern) could be achieved even with
      a single electrode used in the system. The prototype system contains eight
      available QCM channels that can be potentially used for selective responses to
      certain breath chemicals. At present, the prototype machine is ready for the
      assessment of respiratory functions in larger populations in order to gain
      statistical validation. To the best of our knowledge, the developed prototype is
      the only respiratory assessment system based on surface modified QCM sensors. 

PMID- 26263993
TI  - Upper Limb Kinematics Using Inertial and Magnetic Sensors: Comparison of Sensor
      to-Segment Calibrations.
AB  - Magneto-Inertial Measurement Unit sensors (MIMU) display high potential for the
      quantitative evaluation of upper limb kinematics, as they allow monitoring
      ambulatory measurements. The sensor-to-segment calibration step, consisting of
      establishing the relation between MIMU sensors and human segments, plays an
      important role in the global accuracy of joint angles. The aim of this study was
      to compare sensor-to-segment calibrations for the MIMU-based estimation of wrist,
      elbow, and shoulder joint angles, by examining trueness ("close to the
      reference") and precision (reproducibility) validity criteria. Ten subjects
      performed five sessions with three different operators. Three classes of
      calibrations were studied: segment axes equal to technical MIMU axes (TECH),
      segment axes generated during a static pose (STATIC), and those generated during
      functional movements (FUNCT). The calibrations were compared during the maximal
      uniaxial movements of each joint, plus an extra multi-joint movement. Generally,
      joint angles presented good trueness and very good precision in the range 5
      degrees -10 degrees . Only small discrepancy between calibrations was
      highlighted, with the exception of a few cases. The very good overall accuracy
      (trueness and precision) of MIMU-based joint angle data seems to be more
      dependent on the level of rigor of the experimental procedure (operator training)
      than on the choice of calibration itself. 

PMID- 26263995
TI  - Mechanical and Electrical Characterization of Piezoelectric Artificial Cochlear
      Device and Biocompatible Packaging.
AB  - This paper presents the development of a piezoelectric artificial cochlea (PAC)
      device capable of analyzing vibratory signal inputs and converting them into
      electrical signal outputs without an external power source by mimicking the
      function of human cochlea within an audible frequency range. The PAC consists of
      an artificial basilar membrane (ABM) part and an implantable packaged part. The
      packaged part provides a liquid environment through which incoming vibrations are
      transmitted to the membrane part. The membrane part responds to the transmitted
      signal, and the local area of the ABM part vibrates differently depending on its
      local resonant frequency. The membrane was designed to have a logarithmically
      varying width from 0.97 mm to 8.0 mm along the 28 mm length. By incorporating a
      micro-actuator in an experimental platform for the package part that mimics the
      function of a stapes bone in the middle ear, we created a similar experimental
      environment to cochlea where the human basilar membrane vibrates. The mechanical
      and electrical responses of fabricated PAC were measured with a laser Doppler
      vibrometer and a data acquisition system, and were compared with simulation
      results. Finally, the fabricated PAC in a biocompatible package was developed and
      its mechanical and electrical characteristics were measured. The experimental
      results shows successful frequency separation of incoming mechanical signal from
      micro-actuator into frequency bandwidth within the 0.4 kHz-5 kHz range. 

PMID- 26263996
TI  - Optimal Atmospheric Correction for Above-Ground Forest Biomass Estimation with
      the ETM+ Remote Sensor.
AB  - The reflectance of the Earth's surface is significantly influenced by atmospheric
      conditions such as water vapor content and aerosols. Particularly, the absorption
      and scattering effects become stronger when the target features are non-bright
      objects, such as in aqueous or vegetated areas. For any remote-sensing approach,
      atmospheric correction is thus required to minimize those effects and to convert
      digital number (DN) values to surface reflectance. The main aim of this study was
      to test the three most popular atmospheric correction models, namely (1) Dark
      Object Subtraction (DOS); (2) Fast Line-of-sight Atmospheric Analysis of Spectral
      Hypercubes (FLAASH) and (3) the Second Simulation of Satellite Signal in the
      Solar Spectrum (6S) and compare them with Top of Atmospheric (TOA) reflectance.
      By using the k-Nearest Neighbor (kNN) algorithm, a series of experiments were
      conducted for above-ground forest biomass (AGB) estimations of the Gongju and
      Sejong region of South Korea, in order to check the effectiveness of atmospheric
      correction methods for Landsat ETM+. Overall, in the forest biomass estimation,
      the 6S model showed the bestRMSE's, followed by FLAASH, DOS and TOA. In addition,
      a significant improvement of RMSE by 6S was found with images when the study site
      had higher total water vapor and temperature levels. Moreover, we also tested the
      sensitivity of the atmospheric correction methods to each of the Landsat ETM+
      bands. The results confirmed that 6S dominates the other methods, especially in
      the infrared wavelengths covering the pivotal bands for forest applications.
      Finally, we suggest that the 6S model, integrating water vapor and aerosol
      optical depth derived from MODIS products, is better suited for AGB estimation
      based on optical remote-sensing data, especially when using satellite images
      acquired in the summer during full canopy development. 

PMID- 26263997
TI  - Development of a Novel, Low-Cost, Disposable Wooden Pencil Graphite Electrode for
      Use in the Determination of Antioxidants and Other Biological Compounds.
AB  - The development of portable sensors that can be used outside the lab is an active
      area of research in the electroanalytical field. A major focus of such research
      is the development of low-cost electrodes for use in these sensors. Current
      electrodes, such as glassy-carbon electrodes (GCEs), are costly and require time
      consuming preparation. Alternatives have been proposed, including mechanical
      pencil-lead electrodes (MPEs). However, MPEs themselves possess numerous
      drawbacks, particularly structural fragility. In this paper, we present a novel
      pencil-graphite electrode (PGE) fabricated from a regular HB#2 pencil. This PGE
      is a simple, disposable, extremely low-cost alternative to GCEs ($0.30 per PGE,
      vs. $190 + per GCE), and possesses the structural stability that MPEs lack. PGEs
      were characterized by square-wave voltammetry of ferricyanide, gallic acid, uric
      acid, dopamine, and several foodstuffs. In all cases, PGEs demonstrated
      sensitivities comparable or superior to those of the GCE and MPE (LOD = 5.62 *
      10(-4) M PGE, 4.80 * 10(-4) M GCE, 2.93 * 10(-4) M MPE). Signal areas and peak
      heights were typically four to ten times larger for the PGE relative to the GCE.

PMID- 26263998
TI  - Tracking the Evolution of Smartphone Sensing for Monitoring Human Movement.
AB  - Advances in mobile technology have led to the emergence of the "smartphone", a
      new class of device with more advanced connectivity features that have quickly
      made it a constant presence in our lives. Smartphones are equipped with
      comparatively advanced computing capabilities, a global positioning system (GPS)
      receivers, and sensing capabilities (i.e., an inertial measurement unit (IMU) and
      more recently magnetometer and barometer) which can be found in wearable
      ambulatory monitors (WAMs). As a result, algorithms initially developed for WAMs
      that "count" steps (i.e., pedometers); gauge physical activity levels; indirectly
      estimate energy expenditure and monitor human movement can be utilised on the
      smartphone. These algorithms may enable clinicians to "close the loop" by
      prescribing timely interventions to improve or maintain wellbeing in populations
      who are at risk of falling or suffer from a chronic disease whose progression is
      linked to a reduction in movement and mobility. The ubiquitous nature of
      smartphone technology makes it the ideal platform from which human movement can
      be remotely monitored without the expense of purchasing, and inconvenience of
      using, a dedicated WAM. In this paper, an overview of the sensors that can be
      found in the smartphone are presented, followed by a summary of the developments
      in this field with an emphasis on the evolution of algorithms used to classify
      human movement. The limitations identified in the literature will be discussed,
      as well as suggestions about future research directions. 

PMID- 26263999
TI  - On the Quest of Cellular Functions of PEA-15 and the Therapeutic Opportunities.
AB  - Phosphoprotein enriched in astrocytes, 15 KDa (PEA-15), a ubiquitously expressed
      small protein in all mammals, is known for decades for its potent interactions
      with various protein partners along distinct biological pathways. Most notable
      interacting partners of PEA-15 include extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1
      and 2 (ERK1/2) in the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, the Fas
      associated death domain (FADD) protein involving in the formation of the death
      inducing signaling complex (DISC), and the phospholipase D1 (PLD1) affecting the
      insulin sensitivity. However, the actual cellular functions of PEA-15 are still
      mysterious, and the question why this protein is expressed in almost all cell and
      tissue types remains unanswered. Here we synthesize the most recent structural,
      biological, and clinical studies on PEA-15 with emphases on its anti-apoptotic,
      anti-proliferative, and anti-inflammative properties, and propose a converged
      protective role of PEA-15 that maintains the balance of death and survival in
      different cell types. Under conditions that this delicate balance is
      unsustainable, PEA-15 may become pathological and lead to various diseases,
      including cancers and diabetes. Targeting PEA-15 interactions, or the use of PEA
      15 protein as therapeutics, may provide a wider window of opportunities to treat
      these diseases. 

PMID- 26264000
TI  - Temperature-Dependence of Lipid A Acyl Structure in Psychrobacter cryohalolentis
      and Arctic Isolates of Colwellia hornerae and Colwellia piezophila.
AB  - Lipid A is a fundamental Gram-negative outer membrane component and the essential
      element of lipopolysaccharide (endotoxin), a potent immunostimulatory molecule.
      This work describes the metabolic adaptation of the lipid A acyl structure by
      Psychrobacter cryohalolentis at various temperatures in its facultative
      psychrophilic growth range, as characterized by MALDI-TOF MS and FAME GC-MS. It
      also presents the first elucidation of lipid A structure from the Colwellia
      genus, describing lipid A from strains of Colwellia hornerae and Colwellia
      piezophila, which were isolated as primary cultures from Arctic fast sea ice and
      identified by 16S rDNA sequencing. The Colwellia strains are obligate
      psychrophiles, with a growth range restricted to 15  degrees C or less. As such,
      these organisms have less need for fluidity adaptation in the acyl moiety of the
      outer membrane, and they do not display alterations in lipid A based on growth
      temperature. Both Psychrobacter and Colwellia make use of extensive single
      methylene variation in the size of their lipid A molecules. Such single-carbon
      variations in acyl size were thought to be restricted to psychrotolerant
      (facultative) species, but its presence in these Colwellia species shows that odd
      chain acyl units and a single-carbon variation in lipid A structure are present
      in obligate psychrophiles, as well. 

PMID- 26264001
TI  - Nrf2 and NF-kappaB Signaling Pathways Contribute to Porphyra-334-Mediated
      Inhibition of UVA-Induced Inflammation in Skin Fibroblasts.
AB  - In this study, we examined the protective effects of porphyra-334 against UVA
      irradiated cellular damage and elucidated the underlying mechanisms. Porphyra-334
      prevented UVA-induced cell death and exhibited scavenging activities against
      intracellular oxidative stress induced by UVA irradiation in skin fibroblasts. We
      found that porphyra-334 significantly reduced the secretion and expression of IL
      6 and TNF-alpha, reduced nuclear expression of Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB),
      and sustained NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) activation. Further mechanism
      research revealed that porphyra-334 promoted the Nrf2 signaling pathway in UVA
      irradiated skin fibroblasts. Our results show that the antioxidant effect of
      porphyra-334 is due to the direct scavenging of oxidative stress and its
      inhibitory effects on NF-kappaB-dependent inflammatory genes, such as IL-6 and
      TNF-kappa. Therefore, we hypothesize that boosting the Nrf2- NF-kappaB-dependent
      response to counteract environmental stress is a promising strategy for the
      prevention of UVA-related damage. 

PMID- 26264002
TI  - Antitumor Effects and Related Mechanisms of Penicitrinine A, a Novel Alkaloid
      with a Unique Spiro Skeleton from the Marine Fungus Penicillium citrinum.
AB  - Penicitrinine A, a novel alkaloid with a unique spiro skeleton, was isolated from
      a marine-derived fungus Penicillium citrinum. In this study, the isolation,
      structure and biosynthetic pathway elucidation of the new compound were
      described. This new compound showed anti-proliferative activity on multiple tumor
      types. Among them, the human malignant melanoma cell A-375 was confirmed to be
      the most sensitive. Morphologic evaluation, apoptosis rate analysis, Western blot
      and real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) results showed penicitrinine A could
      significantly induce A-375 cell apoptosis by decreasing the expression of Bcl-2
      and increasing the expression of Bax. Moreover, we investigated the anti
      metastatic effects of penicitrinine A in A-375 cells by wound healing assay,
      trans-well assay, Western blot and RT-qPCR. The results showed penicitrinine A
      significantly suppressed metastatic activity of A-375 cells by regulating the
      expression of MMP-9 and its specific inhibitor TIMP-1. These findings suggested
      that penicitrinine A might serve as a potential antitumor agent, which could
      inhibit the proliferation and metastasis of tumor cells. 

PMID- 26264003
TI  - The Sound of Silence: Activating Silent Biosynthetic Gene Clusters in Marine
      Microorganisms.
AB  - Unlocking the rich harvest of marine microbial ecosystems has the potential to
      both safeguard the existence of our species for the future, while also presenting
      significant lifestyle benefits for commercial gain. However, while significant
      advances have been made in the field of marine biodiscovery, leading to the
      introduction of new classes of therapeutics for clinical medicine, cosmetics and
      industrial products, much of what this natural ecosystem has to offer is locked
      in, and essentially hidden from our screening methods. Releasing this silent
      potential represents a significant technological challenge, the key to which is a
      comprehensive understanding of what controls these systems. Heterologous
      expression systems have been successful in awakening a number of these cryptic
      marine biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs). However, this approach is limited by
      the typically large size of the encoding sequences. More recently, focus has
      shifted to the regulatory proteins associated with each BGC, many of which are
      signal responsive raising the possibility of exogenous activation. Abundant among
      these are the LysR-type family of transcriptional regulators, which are known to
      control production of microbial aromatic systems. Although the environmental
      signals that activate these regulatory systems remain unknown, it offers the
      exciting possibility of evoking mimic molecules and synthetic expression systems
      to drive production of potentially novel natural products in microorganisms.
      Success in this field has the potential to provide a quantum leap forward in
      medical and industrial bio-product development. To achieve these new endpoints,
      it is clear that the integrated efforts of bioinformaticians and natural product
      chemists will be required as we strive to uncover new and potentially unique
      structures from silent or cryptic marine gene clusters. 

PMID- 26264005
TI  - School Term vs. School Holiday: Associations with Children's Physical Activity,
      Screen-Time, Diet and Sleep.
AB  - This cross-sectional study examined differences in children's health behaviors
      during school term (ST) versus school holiday (SH: June-July) and how
      associations changed when weather characteristics were considered. Children aged
      5-18 years (n = 406) from a subtropical climate reported behaviors over 20
      months. Multivariable regression models controlling for age, sex, race and body
      mass index z-score (BMIz) were used to examine associations between SH and each
      behavior. A second model included heat index, precipitation and daylight hours.
      Strenuous activity, moderate activity, total activity and TV viewing were
      significantly higher during SH than ST. After adjusting for weather
      characteristics, total activity remained significantly higher during SH, but the
      association with TV viewing was attenuated. Youth surveyed during high
      precipitation were significantly less likely to meet physical activity
      guidelines. There were no significant associations between SH and meeting sleep,
      physical activity or screen-time guidelines. Weather characteristics influenced
      associations between SH and youth's physical activity and TV viewing.

PMID- 26264004
TI  - Fucoxanthin and Its Metabolite Fucoxanthinol in Cancer Prevention and Treatment.
AB  - Fucoxanthin is a carotenoid present in the chloroplasts of brown seaweeds. When
      ingested, it is metabolized mainly to fucoxanthinol by digestive enzymes of the
      gastrointestinal tract. These compounds have been shown to have many beneficial
      health effects, including anti-mutagenic, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, anti
      inflammatory and anti-neoplastic actions. In every cancer tested, modulatory
      actions of fucoxanthinol on viability, cell-cycle arrest, apoptosis and members
      of the NF-kappaB pathway were more pronounced than that of fucoxanthin. Anti
      proliferative and cancer preventing influences of fucoxanthin and fucoxanthinol
      are mediated through different signalling pathways, including the caspases, Bcl-2
      proteins, MAPK, PI3K/Akt, JAK/STAT, AP-1, GADD45, and several other molecules
      that are involved in cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, anti-angiogenesis or
      inhibition of metastasis. In this review, we address the mechanisms of action of
      fucoxanthin and fucoxanthinol according to different types of cancers. Current
      findings suggest that these compounds could be effective for treatment and/or
      prevention of cancer development and aggressiveness. 

PMID- 26264006
TI  - Infection Control Programs and Antibiotic Control Programs to Limit Transmission
      of Multi-Drug Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Infections: Evolution of Old
      Problems and New Challenges for Institutes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Acinetobacter baumannii complex (A. baumannii) has been isolated
      worldwide. The rapid spread of multidrug-resistant A. baumannii complex (MDRAB)
      in clinical settings has made choosing an appropriate antibiotic to treat these
      infections and executing contact precautions difficult for clinicians. Although
      controlling the transmission of MDRAB is a high priority for institutions, there
      is little information about MDRAB control. Therefore, this study evaluated
      infection control measures for A. baumannii infections, clusters and outbreaks in
      the literature. METHODS: We performed a review of OVID Medline (from 1980 to
      2015), and analyzed the literature. RESULTS: We propose that both infection
      control programs and antibiotic control programs are essential for control of
      MDRAB. The first, effective control of MDRAB infections, requires compliance with
      a series of infection control methods including strict environmental cleaning,
      effective sterilization of reusable medical equipment, concentration on proper
      hand hygiene practices, and use of contact precautions, together with appropriate
      administrative guidance. The second strategy, effective antibiotic control
      programs to decrease A. baumannii, is also of paramount importance. CONCLUSION:
      We believe that both infection control programs and antibiotics stewardship
      programs are essential for control of MDRAB infections.

PMID- 26264007
TI  - Effects of Individual and School-Level Characteristics on a Child's Gross Motor
      Coordination Development.
AB  - The aim of this study was to identify child and school-level characteristics that
      explained inter-individual differences in gross motor coordination (GMC).
      Participants (n = 390), recruited from 18 Portuguese primary schools, were aged 6
      to 10 years of age. Birth weight, body fat (BF), physical activity (PA), physical
      fitness (PF) and GMC were assessed. School size, setting, infrastructure and
      physical education classes were considered as school context markers. A
      multilevel modeling approach was used to identify hierarchical effects (child and
      school levels). It was found that children-level variables (sex, PF, and BF)
      significantly explained 63% of the 90% variance fraction at the individual level;
      boys outperformed girls (p < 0.05), individuals with higher BF were less
      coordinated (p < 0.05), and those with higher PF were more coordinated (p <
      0.05). School-variables (e.g. school size and playing surface) explained 84% of
      the 10% variation fraction. These findings confirm the roles of sex, PFS and BF.
      Interestingly they also suggest that the school environment plays a minor but
      significant role in GMC development. However, it is important to stress that the
      school context and conditions can also play an important role in a child's motor
      development, providing adequate and enriching motor opportunities. 

PMID- 26264008
TI  - Surrogate Model Application to the Identification of Optimal Groundwater
      Exploitation Scheme Based on Regression Kriging Method-A Case Study of Western
      Jilin Province.
AB  - This paper introduces a surrogate model to identify an optimal exploitation
      scheme, while the western Jilin province was selected as the study area. A
      numerical simulation model of groundwater flow was established first, and four
      exploitation wells were set in the Tongyu county and Qian Gorlos county
      respectively so as to supply water to Daan county. Second, the Latin Hypercube
      Sampling (LHS) method was used to collect data in the feasible region for input
      variables. A surrogate model of the numerical simulation model of groundwater
      flow was developed using the regression kriging method. An optimization model was
      established to search an optimal groundwater exploitation scheme using the
      minimum average drawdown of groundwater table and the minimum cost of groundwater
      exploitation as multi-objective functions. Finally, the surrogate model was
      invoked by the optimization model in the process of solving the optimization
      problem. Results show that the relative error and root mean square error of the
      groundwater table drawdown between the simulation model and the surrogate model
      for 10 validation samples are both lower than 5%, which is a high approximation
      accuracy. The contrast between the surrogate-based simulation optimization model
      and the conventional simulation optimization model for solving the same
      optimization problem, shows the former only needs 5.5 hours, and the latter needs
      25 days. The above results indicate that the surrogate model developed in this
      study could not only considerably reduce the computational burden of the
      simulation optimization process, but also maintain high computational accuracy.
      This can thus provide an effective method for identifying an optimal groundwater
      exploitation scheme quickly and accurately. 

PMID- 26264009
TI  - Chronic Exposure to Static Magnetic Fields from Magnetic Resonance Imaging
      Devices Deserves Screening for Osteoporosis and Vitamin D Levels: A Rat Model.
AB  - Technicians often receive chronic magnetic exposures from magnetic resonance
      imaging (MRI) devices, mainly due to static magnetic fields (SMFs). Here, we
      ascertain the biological effects of chronic exposure to SMFs from MRI devices on
      the bone quality using rats exposed to SMFs in MRI examining rooms. Eighteen
      Wistar albino male rats were randomly assigned to SMF exposure (A), sham (B), and
      control (C) groups. Group A rats were positioned within 50 centimeters of the
      bore of the magnet of 1.5 T MRI machine during the nighttime for 8 weeks. We
      collected blood samples for biochemical analysis, and bone tissue samples for
      electron microscopic and histological analysis. The mean vitamin D level in Group
      A was lower than in the other groups (p = 0.002). The mean cortical thickness,
      the mean trabecular wall thickness, and number of trabeculae per 1 mm2 were
      significantly lower in Group A (p = 0.003). TUNEL assay revealed that apoptosis
      of osteocytes were significantly greater in Group A than the other groups (p =
      0.005). The effect of SMFs in chronic exposure is related to movement within the
      magnetic field that induces low-frequency fields within the tissues. These fields
      can exceed the exposure limits necessary to deteriorate bone microstructure and
      vitamin D metabolism. 

PMID- 26264010
TI  - A Comparative Analyses of Granulometry, Mineral Composition and Major and Trace
      Element Concentrations in Soils Commonly Ingested by Humans.
AB  - This study compared the granulometric properties, mineralogical composition and
      concentrations of major and trace element oxides of commonly ingested soils
      (geophagic soil) collected from different countries with a view of understanding
      how varied they may be in these properties and to understand the possible health
      implications of ingesting them. Soil samples were collected from three different
      countries (South Africa, Swaziland and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)) and
      their granulometric properties, concentrations of major and trace element oxides
      as well as mineralogical composition determined. Differences were observed in the
      granulometric properties of geophagic soil from the three different countries
      with most of them having <20% clay content. The soils also showed varied degrees
      of weathering with values of Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA) and Chemical
      Index of Weathering (CIW) being between 60% and 99.9% respectively. The mineral
      assemblages of the soils from South Africa and Swaziland were dominated by the
      primary minerals quartz and feldspar whereas soils from DRC had more of
      kaolinite, a secondary mineral than primary minerals. Soils from DRC were
      associated with silt, clay, Al2O3, and CIA unlike most samples from South Africa
      which were associated with SiO2, sand, K2O, CaO, and MgO. The soils from
      Swaziland were closely associated with silt, H2O and Fe2O3(t). These associations
      reflect the mineralogy of the samples. These soils are not likely to serve as
      nutrient supplements because of the low concentrations of the nutrient elements
      contained. The coarse texture of the samples may also result in dental
      destruction during mastication. Sieving of the soils before ingestion to remove
      coarse particles is recommended to reduce the potential health threat associated
      with the ingestion of coarse-textured soils. 

PMID- 26264011
TI  - Perspectives on Smoking Initiation and Maintenance: A Qualitative Exploration
      among Singapore Youth.
AB  - Studies among adolescents have shown that several important interpersonal,
      intrapersonal and environmental factors are associated with smoking behaviour.
      The current qualitative research project aimed to explore the determinants of
      smoking initiation and maintenance, from a youth perspective, among young people
      who smoked, living in a multi-ethnic Asian country. Focus group discussions
      (FGDs) were conducted with youths in Singapore in youth-friendly and accessible
      locations. Young people, from a variety of social contexts-varying on age,
      gender, ethnicity and educational level, were included in the study. All FGDs
      were conducted in English and participants were recruited using a mix of network
      and purposive sampling. All FGDs were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim.
      The data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis, allowing themes to
      emerge from the data with the goal of answering the research question. Ninety-one
      youth smokers (54 males, 37 females), aged between 14 to 29 years, participated
      in the study. The majority were males (59%) and of Chinese ethnicity (52%).
      Participants identified multiple personal, social, and familial influences on
      young adults' smoking behaviors. Peer and family influences, as well as risk
      minimization, played a key role in smoking initiation and maintenance. While
      young people were aware of policies that restricted smoking, these did not
      directly affect their decision to start smoking. The theory of triadic influence
      provided a promising theoretical framework to understand smoking initiation and
      maintenance in a sample of young adult smokers from a multi-ethnic Asian country.
      It also provides actionable information for initiatives to prevent smoking in
      young people, which includes their perspectives and emphasizes an inclusive
      approach without stigmatizing those who smoke. 

PMID- 26264013
TI  - Urbanization and Mental Health in China: Linking the 2010 Population Census with
      a Cross-Sectional Survey.
AB  - Along with the rapid urbanization in China, the state of mental health also
      receives growing attention. Empirical measures, however, have not been developed
      to assess the impact of urbanization on mental health and the dramatic spatial
      variations. Innovatively linking the 2010 Chinese Population Census with a 2011
      national survey of urban residents, we first assess the impact of urbanization on
      depressive symptoms measured by the Center of Epidemiological Studies Depression
      Scale (CES-D) of 1288 survey respondents. We then retrieve county-level
      characteristics from the 2010 Chinese Population Census that match the individual
      characteristics in the survey, so as to create a profile of the "average person"
      for each of the 2869 counties or city districts, and predict a county-specific
      CES-D score. We use this county-specific CES-D score to compute the CES-D score
      for the urban population at the prefectural level, and to demonstrate the
      dramatic spatial variations in urbanization and mental health across China:
      highly populated cities along the eastern coast such as Shenyang and Shanghai
      show high CES-D scores, as do cities in western China with high population
      density and a high proportion of educated ethnic minorities. 

PMID- 26264012
TI  - Integrated Assessment of Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in Ghana-Part 2:
      Natural Sciences Review.
AB  - This paper is one of three synthesis documents produced via an integrated
      assessment (IA) that aims to increase understanding of artisanal and small-scale
      gold mining (ASGM) in Ghana. Given the complexities surrounding ASGM, an
      integrated assessment (IA) framework was utilized to analyze socio-economic,
      health, and environmental data, and co-develop evidence-based responses with
      stakeholders. This paper focuses on the causes, status, trends, and consequences
      of ecological issues related to ASGM activity in Ghana. It reviews dozens of
      studies and thousands of samples to document evidence of heavy metals
      contamination in ecological media across Ghana. Soil and water mercury
      concentrations were generally lower than guideline values, but sediment mercury
      concentrations surpassed guideline values in 64% of samples. Arsenic, cadmium,
      and lead exceeded guideline values in 67%, 17%, and 24% of water samples,
      respectively. Other water quality parameters near ASGM sites show impairment,
      with some samples exceeding guidelines for acidity, turbidity, and nitrates.
      Additional ASGM-related stressors on environmental quality and ecosystem services
      include deforestation, land degradation, biodiversity loss, legacy contamination,
      and potential linkages to climate change. Though more research is needed to
      further elucidate the long-term impacts of ASGM on the environment, the plausible
      consequences of ecological damages should guide policies and actions to address
      the unique challenges posed by ASGM. 

PMID- 26264014
TI  - Residence in Proximity of an Iron Foundry and Risk of Lung Cancer in the
      Municipality of Trieste, Italy, 1995-2009.
AB  - We assessed the risk of lung cancer in people living near the iron foundry
      located within the city of Trieste, Northeastern Italy. Between 1995 and 2009,
      all incident cases of lung cancer and corresponding population were considered. A
      deposition model of the foundry-specific emissions of SO2 defined: "nearby",
      "urban", and "outlying" areas. Rate ratios (RRs) and annual percent changes
      (APCs) were computed. Among nearby residents, significantly increased risks of
      lung cancer were noted in men below age 75 years (RR = 1.35 vs. urban area; 95%
      CI: 1.03-1.77). In women, and in men aged 75 years or older, no significant RRs
      were observed. Conversely, people living in the outlying area appeared to be at
      lower risk than residents in the urban area- in all age groups, in men (RR =
      0.87; 95% CI: 0.78-0.98) and in women (RR = 0.74; 95% CI: 0.62-0.88). Negative
      statistically significant APC was recorded in men living in urban areas (-2.6%),
      whereas in women APC significantly increased among those living in the urban area
      (+2.3%). Multiple interpretations for this observation are plausible, since
      several factors might have modified and/or confounded the risk of lung cancer,
      including air pollution from other sources and road traffic, occupational and
      smoking patterns. 

PMID- 26264015
TI  - Prevalence and Determinants of Anemia and Iron Deficiency in Kuwait.
AB  - The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of anemia and iron
      deficiency (ID) of a nationally representative sample of the Kuwait population.
      We also determined if anemia differed by socioeconomic status or by RBC folate
      and vitamins A and B12 levels. The subjects who were made up of 1830 males and
      females between the ages of 2 months to 86 years, were divided into the following
      age groups (0-5, 5-11, 12-14, 15-19, 20-49, >=50 years). Results showed that the
      prevalence of anemia was 3% in adult males and 17% in females. The prevalence of
      ID varied according to age between 4% (>=50 years) and 21% (5-11 years) and 9%
      (12-14 years) and 23% (15-19 years), respectively, in males and females. The
      prevalence of anemia and ID was higher in females compared to males. Adults with
      normal ferritin level, but with low RBC folate and vitamins A and B12 levels had
      higher prevalence of anemia than those with normal RBC folate and vitamins A and
      B12 levels. This first nationally representative nutrition and health survey in
      Kuwait indicated that anemia and ID are prevalent and ID contributes
      significantly to anemia prevalence. 

PMID- 26264016
TI  - Tobacco-Specific Nitrosamines in Electronic Cigarettes: Comparison between Liquid
      and Aerosol Levels.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Although electronic cigarette (EC) liquids contain low levels of
      tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs), studies evaluating the levels emitted to
      the aerosol are scarce. The purpose of this study was to compare the levels of
      TSNAs between liquids and generated aerosol. METHODS: Three EC liquids were
      obtained from the market. An additional (spiked) sample was prepared by adding
      known amounts of standard TSNAs solutions to one of the obtained liquids. N
      nitrosonornicotine (NNN), N-nitrosoanatabine (NAT), N-nitrosoanabasine (NAB) and
      4-(methylnitrosamino)1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) were measured. Three 100-puff
      sets from each liquid were trapped in filter pads and were subsequently analyzed
      for the presence of TSNAs. The expected levels of TSNAs (calculated based on the
      liquid consumption) were compared with the measured levels in the aerosol.
      RESULTS: Only NAB was found at trace levels in two commercial liquids (1.2 and
      2.3 ng/g), while the third contained 1.5 ng/g NAB and 7.7 ng/g NNN. The 100-puff
      sets resulted in 336-515 mg liquid consumption, with no TSNAs being detected in
      the aerosol. The spiked sample contained 42.0-53.9 ng/g of each of the TSNAs. All
      TSNAs were detected in the aerosol with the measured levels being statistically
      similar to the expected amounts. A significant correlation between expected and
      measured levels of TSNAs in the aerosol was found (r = 0.83, p < 0.001).
      CONCLUSION: The findings of this study show that exposure of EC users to TSNAs
      can be accurately assessed based on the levels present in the liquid, without the
      need to analyze the aerosol.

PMID- 26264017
TI  - Estimation of the Biological Half-Life of Methylmercury Using a Population
      Toxicokinetic Model.
AB  - Methylmercury is well known for causing adverse health effects in the brain and
      nervous system. Estimating the elimination constant derived from the biological
      half-life of methylmercury in the blood or hair is an important part of
      calculating guidelines for methylmercury intake. Thus, this study was conducted
      to estimate the biological half-life of methylmercury in Korean adults. We used a
      one-compartment model with a direct relationship between methylmercury
      concentrations in the blood and daily dietary intake of methylmercury. We
      quantified the between-person variability of the methylmercury half-life in the
      population, and informative priors were used to estimate the parameters in the
      model. The population half-life of methylmercury was estimated to be 80.2 +/- 8.6
      days. The population mean of the methylmercury half-life was 81.6 +/- 8.4 days
      for men and 78.9 +/- 8.6 days for women. The standard deviation of the half-life
      was estimated at 25.0 +/- 8.6 days. Using the direct relationship between
      methylmercury concentrations in blood and methylmercury intake, the biological
      half-life in this study was estimated to be longer than indicated by the earlier
      studies that have been used to set guideline values. 

PMID- 26264018
TI  - Short-Term Effect of Ambient Temperature and the Risk of Stroke: A Systematic
      Review and Meta-Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The relationship between stroke and short-term
      temperature changes remains controversial. Therefore, we conducted a systematic
      review and meta-analysis to investigate the association between stroke and both
      high and low temperatures, and health assessment. METHODS: We searched PubMed,
      Embase, Cochrane, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Wanfang Data
      up to 14 September 2014. Study selection, quality assessment, and author
      contractions were steps before data extraction. We converted all estimates
      effects into relative risk (RR) per 1  degrees C increase/decrease in temperature
      from 75th to 99th or 25th to 1st percentiles, then conducted meta-analyses to
      combine the ultimate RRs, and assessed health impact among the population.
      RESULTS: 20 articles were included in the final analysis. The overall analysis
      showed a positive relationship between 1  degrees C change and the occurrence of
      major adverse cerebrovascular events (MACBE), 1.1% (95% confidence intervals
      (CI), 0.6 to 1.7) and 1.2% (95% CI, 0.8 to 1.6) increase for hot and cold effects
      separately. The same trends can be found in both effects of mortality and the
      cold effect for morbidity. Hot temperature acted as a protective factor of
      hemorrhage stroke (HS), -1.9% (95% CI, -2.8 to -0.9), however, it acted as a risk
      factor for ischemic stroke (IS), 1.2% (95% CI, 0.7 to 1.8). CONCLUSION: Short
      term changes of both low and high temperature had statistically significant
      impacts on MACBE.

PMID- 26264019
TI  - Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Mediates RSV Infection in Vitro and in Vivo.
AB  - Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is an important human pathogen associated with
      substantial morbidity and mortality. The present study tested the hypothesis that
      RSV infection would increase matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 expression, and
      that MMP-9 inhibition would decrease RSV replication both in vitro and in vivo.
      RSV A2 infection of human bronchial epithelial cells increased MMP-9 mRNA and
      protein release. Cells transfected with siRNA against MMP-9 following RSV
      infection had lower viral titers. In RSV infected wild-type (WT) mice, MMP-9,
      airway resistance and viral load peaked at day 2 post infection, and remained
      elevated on days 4 and 7. RSV infected MMP-9 knockout (KO) mice had decreased
      lung inflammation. On days 2 and 4 post inoculation, the RSV burden was lower in
      the MMP-9 KO mice compared to WT controls. In conclusion, our studies demonstrate
      that RSV infection is a potent stimulus of MMP-9 expression both in vitro and in
      vivo. Reduction of MMP-9 (via siRNA knockdown, and in MMP-9 KO mice) resulted in
      decreased viral replication. Our findings suggest MMP-9 is a potential
      therapeutic target for RSV disease. 

PMID- 26264020
TI  - Public Acceptance of Plant Biotechnology and GM Crops.
AB  - A wide gap exists between the rapid acceptance of genetically modified (GM) crops
      for cultivation by farmers in many countries and in the global markets for food
      and feed, and the often-limited acceptance by consumers. This review contrasts
      the advances of practical applications of agricultural biotechnology with the
      divergent paths-also affecting the development of virus resistant transgenic
      crops-of political and regulatory frameworks for GM crops and food in different
      parts of the world. These have also shaped the different opinions of consumers.
      Important factors influencing consumer's attitudes are the perception of risks
      and benefits, knowledge and trust, and personal values. Recent political and
      societal developments show a hardening of the negative environment for
      agricultural biotechnology in Europe, a growing discussion-including calls for
      labeling of GM food-in the USA, and a careful development in China towards a
      possible authorization of GM rice that takes the societal discussions into
      account. New breeding techniques address some consumers' concerns with transgenic
      crops, but it is not clear yet how consumers' attitudes towards them will
      develop. Discussions about agriculture would be more productive, if they would
      focus less on technologies, but on common aims and underlying values. 

PMID- 26264021
TI  - VKORC1 and VKORC1L1: Why do Vertebrates Have Two Vitamin K 2,3-Epoxide
      Reductases?
AB  - Among all cellular life on earth, with the exception of yeasts, fungi, and some
      prokaryotes, VKOR family homologs are ubiquitously encoded in nuclear genomes,
      suggesting ancient and important biological roles for these enzymes. Despite
      single gene and whole genome duplications on the largest evolutionary timescales,
      and the fact that most gene duplications eventually result in loss of one copy,
      it is surprising that all jawed vertebrates (gnathostomes) have retained two
      paralogous VKOR genes. Both VKOR paralogs function as entry points for
      nutritionally acquired and recycled K vitamers in the vitamin K cycle. Here we
      present phylogenetic evidence that the human paralogs likely arose earlier than
      gnathostomes, possibly in the ancestor of crown chordates. We ask why
      gnathostomes have maintained these paralogs throughout evolution and present a
      current summary of what we know. In particular, we look to published studies
      about tissue- and developmental stage-specific expression, enzymatic function,
      phylogeny, biological roles and associated pathways that together suggest
      subfunctionalization as a major influence in evolutionary fixation of both
      paralogs. Additionally, we investigate on what evolutionary timescale the
      paralogs arose and under what circumstances in order to gain insight into the
      biological raison d'etre for both VKOR paralogs in gnathostomes. 

PMID- 26264022
TI  - O'Leary-Sant Symptom Index Predicts the Treatment Outcome for OnabotulinumtoxinA
      Injections for Refractory Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome.
AB  - Although intravesical injection of onabotulinumtoxinA (BoNT-A) has been proved
      promising in treating patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome
      (IC/BPS), what kind of patients that may benefit from this treatment remains
      unclear. This study investigated the predictors for a successful treatment
      outcome. Patients with IC/BPS who failed conventional treatments were enrolled to
      receive intravesical injection of 100 U of BoNT-A immediately followed by
      hydrodistention. Variables such as O'Leary-Sant symptom and problem indexes (ICSI
      and ICPI), pain visual analogue scale (VAS), functional bladder capacity (FBC),
      voiding diary, and urodynamic parameters were measured at baseline and six months
      after treatment. A global response assessment (GRA) >= 2 at six months was
      defined as successful. There were101 patients enrolled. Significant improvements
      were observed in mean ICSI, ICPI, OSS (ICSI + ICPI), pain VAS, FBC, frequency,
      nocturia and GRA at six months after BoNT-A injections (all p < 0.05). The
      successful rate at six months was 46/101 (45.54%). Multivariate logistic
      regression revealed the baseline ICSI (odds ratio = 0.770, 95% confidence
      interval = 0.601-0.989) was the only predictor for a treatment outcome. ICSI >=
      12 was the most predictive cutoff value for a treatment failure, with a ROC area
      of 0.70 (sensitivity = 69.1%, specificity = 60.9%). 

PMID- 26264023
TI  - Partial Characterization of Venom from the Colombian Spider Phoneutria
      Boliviensis (Aranae:Ctenidae).
AB  - We report on the first studies on the characterization of venom from Phoneutria
      boliviensis (Aranae:Ctenidae) (F. O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1897), done with
      Colombian species. After the electrostimulation extraction process, the venom
      showed physicochemical properties corresponding to a colorless and water-soluble
      liquid with a density of 0.86 mg/mL and 87% aqueous content. P. boliviensis venom
      and RP-HPLC fractions showed hemolytic activity and hydrolyzed the synthetic
      substrate 4-nitro-3-octanoyloxy-benzoic acid, indicating the presence of
      phospholipases A2 enzymes. The electrophoretic profile showed an important
      protein content with molecular masses below 14 kDa, and differences between male
      and female protein content were also revealed. The RP-HPLC venom profile exposes
      differences between males and female content consistent with the electrophoretic
      profile. Five fractions collected from the RP-HPLC displayed significant
      larvicidal activity. Mass analysis indicates the presence of peptides ranging
      from 1047.71 to 3278.07 Da. Two peptides, Ctenitoxin-Pb48 and Ctenitoxin-Pb53,
      were partially identified using HPLC-nESI-MS/MS, which showed a high homology
      with other Ctenitoxins (family Tx3) from Phoneutria nigriventer, Phoneutria
      keyserlingi and Phoneutria reidyi affecting voltage-gated calcium receptors (Cav
      1, 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3) and NMDA-glutamate receptors. 

PMID- 26264024
TI  - Dosimetric Characteristics of a Two-Dimensional Diode Array Detector Irradiated
      with Passively Scattered Proton Beams.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the dosimetric characteristics of a two-dimensional (2D)
      diode array detector irradiated with passively scattered proton beams. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: A diode array detector, MapCHECK (Model 1175, Sun Nuclear,
      Melbourne, FL, USA) was characterized in passive-scattered proton beams. The
      relative sensitivity of the diodes and absolute dose calibration were determined
      using a 250 MeV beam. The pristine Bragg curves (PBCs) measured by MapCHECK
      diodes were compared with those of an ion chamber using a range shift method. The
      water-equivalent thickness (WET) of the diode array detector's intrinsic buildup
      also was determined. The inverse square dependence, linearity, and other proton
      dosimetric quantities measured by MapCHECK were also compared with those of the
      ion chambers. The change in the absolute dose response of the MapCHECK as a
      function of accumulated radiation dose was used as an indicator of radiation
      damage to the diodes. 2D dose distribution with and without the compensator were
      measured and compared with the treatment planning system (TPS) calculations.
      RESULTS: The WET of the MapCHECK diode's buildup was determined to be 1.7 cm. The
      MapCHECK-measured PBC were virtually identical to those measured by a parallel
      plate ion chamber for 160, 180, and 250 MeV proton beams. The inverse square
      results of the MapCHECK were within +/-0.4% of the ion chamber results. The
      linearity of MapCHECK results was within 1% of those from the ion chamber as
      measured in the range between 10 and 300 MU. All other dosimetric quantities were
      within 1.3% of the ion chamber results. The 2D dose distributions for non
      clinical fields without compensator and the patient treatment fields with the
      compensator were consistent with the TPS results. The absolute dose response of
      the MapCHECK was changed by 7.4% after an accumulated dose increased by 170 Gy.
      CONCLUSIONS: The MapCHECK is a convenient and useful tool for 2D dose
      distribution measurements using passively scattered proton beams. Variations in
      MapCHECK's dose response with increasing levels of total accumulated radiation
      dose should be carefully monitored.

PMID- 26264025
TI  - Role of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor in Colon Neoplasia.
AB  - For both men and women, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of
      cancer death in the United States, primarily as a consequence of limited
      therapies for metastatic disease. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand
      dependent transcription factor with diverse functions in detoxification of
      xenobiotics, inflammatory responses, and tissue homeostasis. Emerging evidence
      indicates that AhR also plays an important role in regulating intestinal cell
      proliferation and tumorigenesis. Here, we review both the pro- and anti
      carcinogenic properties of AhR signaling and its potential role as a therapeutic
      target in CRC. 

PMID- 26264027
TI  - Breast Cancer in Elderly Caucasian Women-An Institution-Based Study of
      Correlation between Breast Cancer Prognostic Markers, TNM Stage, and Overall
      Survival.
AB  - There is still a paucity of data on how breast cancer (BC) biology influences
      outcomes in elderly patients. We evaluated whether ER/PR/HER2 subtype and TNM
      stage of invasive BC had a significant impact on overall survival (OS) in a
      cohort of 232 elderly Caucasian female patients (>=70 year old (y/o)) from our
      institution over a ten-year interval (January 1998-July 2008). Five ER/PR/HER2 BC
      subtypes classified per 2011 St. Gallen International Expert Consensus
      recommendations were further subclassified into three subtypes (traditionally
      considered "favorable" subtype-ER+/PR+/HER2-, and traditionally considered
      "unfavorable" BC subtypes: HER2+ and triple negative). OS was measured comparing
      these categories using Kaplan Meier curves and Cox regression analysis, when
      controlled for TNM stage. The majority of our patients (178/232 = 76.8%) were of
      the "favorable" BC subtype; 23.2% patients were with "unfavorable" subtype (HER2+
      = 12% (28/232) and triple negative = 11.2% (26/232)). Although a trend for better
      OS was noted in HER2+ patients (68%) vs. 56% in ER+/PR+ HER2- or 58% in triple
      negative patients, "favorable" BC subtype was not significantly predictive of
      better OS (p = 0.285). TNM stage was predictive of OS (p < 0.001). These results
      are similar to our published studies on Caucasian BC patients of all ages in
      which ER/PR/HER2 status was not predictive of OS, irrespective of classification
      system used. 

PMID- 26264026
TI  - The Role of nAChR and Calcium Signaling in Pancreatic Cancer Initiation and
      Progression.
AB  - Pancreatic cancer shows a strong correlation with smoking and the current
      therapeutic strategies have been relatively ineffective in improving the survival
      of patients. Efforts have been made over the past many years to understand the
      molecular events that drive the initiation and progression of pancreatic cancer,
      especially in the context of smoking. It has become clear that components of
      tobacco smoke not only initiate these cancers, especially pancreatic ductal
      adenocarcinomas (PDACs) through their mutagenic properties, but can also promote
      the growth and metastasis of these tumors by stimulating cell proliferation,
      angiogenesis, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Studies in cell
      culture systems, animal models and human samples have shown that nicotinic
      acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) activation enhances these tumor-promoting events
      by channeling signaling through multiple pathways. In this context, signaling
      through calcium channels appear to facilitate pancreatic cancer growth by itself
      or downstream of nAChRs. This review article highlights the role of nAChR
      downstream signaling events and calcium signaling in the growth, metastasis as
      well as drug resistance of pancreatic cancer. 

PMID- 26264028
TI  - Cyclic GMP and Cilia Motility.
AB  - Motile cilia of the lungs respond to environmental challenges by increasing their
      ciliary beat frequency in order to enhance mucociliary clearance as a fundamental
      tenant of innate defense. One important second messenger in transducing the
      regulable nature of motile cilia is cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cGMP).
      In this review, the history of cGMP action is presented and a survey of the
      existing data addressing cGMP action in ciliary motility is presented. Nitric
      oxide (NO)-mediated regulation of cGMP in ciliated cells is presented in the
      context of alcohol-induced cilia function and dysfunction. 

PMID- 26264030
TI  - Assessing the Surrogate Susceptibility of Oxacillin and Cefoxitin for Commonly
      Utilized Parenteral Agents against Methicillin-Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus:
      Focus on Ceftriaxone Discordance between Predictive Susceptibility and in Vivo
      Exposures.
AB  - Susceptibility testing with the use of surrogate agents is common among clinical
      microbiology laboratories. One such example is oxacillin and cefoxitin for beta
      lactams against methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA). This study
      aimed to assess the surrogate predictive value (SPV) of oxacillin and cefoxitin
      for the susceptibility of commonly utilized parenteral beta-lactams against MSSA
      as well as to evaluate the concordance between predictive susceptibility testing
      and the in vivo exposures for ceftriaxone. Broth microdilution MICs were
      determined for cefazolin, cefoxitin, ceftaroline, ceftriaxone, nafcillin, and
      oxacillin against a national collection of 1238 MSSA from US hospitals.
      Pharmacodynamic profiling was utilized to establish a clinical breakpoint for
      commonly utilized doses of ceftriaxone. Oxacillin had good SPVs for all the beta
      lactams tested, whereas cefoxitin produced unacceptable major errors for all four
      agents and thus appears to be an unacceptable susceptibility surrogate. While
      oxacillin is an adequate surrogate based on the currently defined laboratory
      criteria, our data also suggest that caution should be exercised when
      incorporating this testing approach in the clinical setting in view of the fact
      that the MIC distribution of MSSA coupled with the commonly utilized low doses of
      ceftriaxone may result in inadequate in vivo exposures against this pathogen. 

PMID- 26264029
TI  - Non-Overlapping Distributions and Functions of the VDAC Family in Ciliogenesis.
AB  - Centrosomes are major microtubule-organizing centers of animal cells that consist
      of two centrioles. In mitotic cells, centrosomes are duplicated to serve as the
      poles of the mitotic spindle, while in quiescent cells, centrosomes move to the
      apical membrane where the oldest centriole is transformed into a basal body to
      assemble a primary cilium. We recently showed that mitochondrial outer membrane
      porin VDAC3 localizes to centrosomes where it negatively regulates ciliogenesis.
      We show here that the other two family members, VDAC1 and VDAC2, best known for
      their function in mitochondrial bioenergetics, are also found at centrosomes.
      Like VDAC3, centrosomal VDAC1 is predominantly localized to the mother centriole,
      while VDAC2 localizes to centriolar satellites in a microtubule-dependent manner.
      Down-regulation of VDAC1 leads to inappropriate ciliogenesis, while its
      overexpression suppresses cilia formation, suggesting that VDAC1 and VDAC3 both
      negatively regulate ciliogenesis. However, this negative effect on ciliogenesis
      is not shared by VDAC2, which instead appears to promote maturation of primary
      cilia. Moreover, because overexpression of VDAC3 cannot compensate for depletion
      of VDAC1, our data suggest that while the entire VDAC family localizes to
      centrosomes, they have non-redundant functions in cilogenesis. 

PMID- 26264031
TI  - Neural Adaptation Effects in Conceptual Processing.
AB  - We investigated the conceptual processing of nouns referring to objects
      characterized by a highly typical color and orientation. We used a go/no-go task
      in which we asked participants to categorize each noun as referring or not to
      natural entities (e.g., animals) after a selective adaptation of color-edge
      neurons in the posterior LV4 region of the visual cortex was induced by means of
      a McCollough effect procedure. This manipulation affected categorization: the
      green-vertical adaptation led to slower responses than the green-horizontal
      adaptation, regardless of the specific color and orientation of the to-be
      categorized noun. This result suggests that the conceptual processing of natural
      entities may entail the activation of modality-specific neural channels with
      weights proportional to the reliability of the signals produced by these channels
      during actual perception. This finding is discussed with reference to the debate
      about the grounded cognition view. 

PMID- 26264032
TI  - Identification and Characterization of GABAergic Projection Neurons from Ventral
      Hippocampus to Amygdala.
AB  - GABAergic local circuit neurons are critical for the network activity and
      functional interaction of the amygdala and hippocampus. Previously, we obtained
      evidence for a GABAergic contribution to the hippocampal projection into the
      basolateral amygdala. Using fluorogold retrograde labeling, we now demonstrate
      that this projection indeed has a prominent GABAergic component comprising 17% of
      the GABAergic neurons in the ventral hippocampus. A majority of the identified
      GABAergic projection neurons are located in the stratum oriens of area CA1, but
      cells are also found in the stratum pyramidale and stratum radiatum. We could
      detect the expression of different markers of interneuron subpopulations,
      including parvalbumin and calbindin, somatostatin, neuropeptide Y, and
      cholecystokinin in such retrogradely labeled GABA neurons. Thus GABAergic
      projection neurons to the amygdala comprise a neurochemically heterogeneous group
      of cells from different interneuron populations, well situated to control network
      activity patterns in the amygdalo-hippocampal system. 

PMID- 26264033
TI  - Aquaporin-Based Biomimetic Polymeric Membranes: Approaches and Challenges.
AB  - In recent years, aquaporin biomimetic membranes (ABMs) for water separation have
      gained considerable interest. Although the first ABMs are commercially available,
      there are still many challenges associated with further ABM development. Here, we
      discuss the interplay of the main components of ABMs: aquaporin proteins (AQPs),
      block copolymers for AQP reconstitution, and polymer-based supporting structures.
      First, we briefly cover challenges and review recent developments in
      understanding the interplay between AQP and block copolymers. Second, we review
      some experimental characterization methods for investigating AQP incorporation
      including freeze-fracture transmission electron microscopy, fluorescence
      correlation spectroscopy, stopped-flow light scattering, and small-angle X-ray
      scattering. Third, we focus on recent efforts in embedding reconstituted AQPs in
      membrane designs that are based on conventional thin film interfacial
      polymerization techniques. Finally, we describe some new developments in
      interfacial polymerization using polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane cages for
      increasing the physical and chemical durability of thin film composite membranes.

PMID- 26264034
TI  - Bioengineered Lacrimal Gland Organ Regeneration in Vivo.
AB  - The lacrimal gland plays an important role in maintaining a homeostatic
      environment for healthy ocular surfaces via tear secretion. Dry eye disease,
      which is caused by lacrimal gland dysfunction, is one of the most prevalent eye
      disorders and causes ocular discomfort, significant visual disturbances, and a
      reduced quality of life. Current therapies for dry eye disease, including
      artificial tear eye drops, are transient and palliative. The lacrimal gland,
      which consists of acini, ducts, and myoepithelial cells, develops from its organ
      germ via reciprocal epithelial-mesenchymal interactions during embryogenesis.
      Lacrimal tissue stem cells have been identified for use in regenerative
      therapeutic approaches aimed at restoring lacrimal gland functions. Fully
      functional organ replacement, such as for tooth and hair follicles, has also been
      developed via a novel three-dimensional stem cell manipulation, designated the
      Organ Germ Method, as a next-generation regenerative medicine. Recently, we
      successfully developed fully functional bioengineered lacrimal gland replacements
      after transplanting a bioengineered organ germ using this method. This study
      represented a significant advance in potential lacrimal gland organ replacement
      as a novel regenerative therapy for dry eye disease. In this review, we will
      summarize recent progress in lacrimal regeneration research and the development
      of bioengineered lacrimal gland organ replacement therapy. 

PMID- 26264035
TI  - Intraocular Implants for the Treatment of Autoimmune Uveitis.
AB  - Uveitis is the third leading cause of blindness in developed countries.
      Currently, the most widely used treatment of non-infectious uveitis is
      corticosteroids. Posterior uveitis and macular edema can be treated with
      intraocular injection of corticosteroids, however, this is problematic in chronic
      cases because of the need for repeat injections. Another option is systemic
      immunosuppressive therapies that have their own undesirable side effects. These
      systemic therapies result in a widespread suppression of the entire immune
      system, leaving the patient susceptible to infection. Therefore, an effective
      localized treatment option is preferred. With the recent advances in
      bioengineering, biodegradable polymers that allow for a slow sustained-release of
      a medication. These advances have culminated in drug delivery implants that are
      food and drug administration (FDA) approved for the treatment of non-infectious
      uveitis. In this review, we discuss the types of ocular implants available and
      some of the polymers used, implants used for the treatment of non-infectious
      uveitis, and bioengineered alternatives that are on the horizon. 

PMID- 26264036
TI  - Antibody Affinity Maturation in Fishes-Our Current Understanding.
AB  - It has long been believed that fish lack antibody affinity maturation, in part
      because they were thought to lack germinal centers. Recent research done on
      sharks and bony fishes indicates that these early vertebrates are able to
      affinity mature their antibodies. This article reviews the functionality of the
      fish homologue of the immunoglobulin (Ig) mutator enzyme activation-induced
      cytidine deaminase (AID). We also consider the protein and molecular evidence for
      Ig somatic hypermutation and antibody affinity maturation. In the context of
      recent evidence for a putative proto-germinal center in fishes we propose some
      possible reasons that observed affinity maturation in fishes often seems lacking
      and propose future work that might shed further light on this process in fishes. 

PMID- 26264037
TI  - Removal of tetracycline from contaminated water by Moringa oleifera seed
      preparations.
AB  - The aim of this study was to evaluate tetracycline antibiotic (TA) removal from
      contaminated water by Moringa oleifera seed preparations. The composition of
      synthetic water approximate river natural contaminated water and TA simulated its
      presence as an emerging pollutant. Interactions between TA and protein
      preparations (extract; fraction and lectin) were also evaluated. TA was
      determined by solid-phase extraction followed by high-performance liquid
      chromatography-mass spectrometry. Moringa extract and flour removed TA from
      water. The extract removed TA in all concentrations, and better removal (40%) was
      obtained with 40 mg L(-1); seed flour (particles < 5 mm), 1.25 and 2.50 g L(-1)
      removed 28% and 29% of tetracycline, respectively; particles > 5 mm (0.50 g L(
      1)) removed 55% of antibiotic. Interactions between TA and seed preparations were
      assayed by haemagglutinating activity (HA). Specific HA (SHA) of extract (pH 7)
      was abolished with tetracycline (5 mg L(-1)); fraction (75%) and lectin HA (97%)
      were inhibited with TA. Extract SHA decreased by 75% at pH 8. Zeta potential (ZP)
      of extract 700 mg L(-1) and tetracycline 50 mg L(-1) , pH range 5-8, showed
      different results. Extract ZP was more negative (-10.73 to -16.00 mV) than
      tetracycline ZP (-0.27 to -20.15 mV); ZP difference was greater in pH 8. The
      focus of this study was achieved since Moringa preparations removed TA from water
      and compounds interacting with tetracycline involved at least lectin-binding
      sites. This is a natural process, which do not promote environmental damage. 

PMID- 26264038
TI  - Is there a relationship between genetic merit and enteric methane emission rate
      of lactating Holstein-Friesian dairy cows?
AB  - The present study was undertaken to examine the effect of cow genetic merit on
      enteric methane (CH4) emission rate. The study used a data set from 32
      respiration calorimeter studies undertaken at this Institute between 1992 and
      2010, with all studies involving lactating Holstein-Friesian dairy cows. Cow
      genetic merit was defined as either profit index (PIN) or profitable lifetime
      index (PLI), with these two United Kingdom genetic indexes expressing the
      expected improvement in profit associated with an individual cow, compared with
      the population average. While PIN is based solely on milk production, PLI
      includes milk production and a number of other functional traits including
      health, fertility and longevity. The data set had a large range in PIN (n=736
      records, -L30 to +L63) and PLI (n=548 records, -L131 to +L184), days in milk (18
      to 354), energy corrected milk yield (16.0 to 45.6 kg/day) and CH(4) emission
      (138 to 598 g/day). The effect of cow genetic merit (PIN or PLI) was evaluated
      using ANOVA and linear mixed modelling techniques after removing the effects of a
      number of animal and diet factors. The ANOVA was undertaken by dividing each data
      set of PIN and PLI into three sub-groups (PIN:L15, PLI:L67) with these being
      categorised as low, medium and high genetic merit. Within the PIN and PLI data
      sets there was no significant differences among the three sub-groups in terms of
      CH(4) emission per kg feed intake or per kg energy corrected milk yield, or CH(4)
      energy (CH(4)-E) output as a proportion of energy intake. Linear regression using
      the whole PIN and PLI data sets also demonstrated that there was no significant
      relationship between either PIN or PLI, and CH(4) emission per kg of feed intake
      or CH(4)-E output as a proportion of energy intake. These results indicate that
      cow genetic merit (PIN or PLI) has little effect on enteric CH(4) emissions as a
      proportion of feed intake. Instead enteric CH(4) production may mainly relate to
      total feed intake and dietary nutrient composition.

PMID- 26264039
TI  - Neuroprotective effect of Tagara, an Ayurvedic drug against methyl mercury
      induced oxidative stress using rat brain mitochondrial fractions.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Methyl mercury (MeHg), an important environmental toxicant is
      implicated in neurological disorders such as Hunter-Russell syndrome and Autism.
      Therefore, the present work is in search of new drugs that can alleviate MeHg
      toxicity. In this connection, Tagara, an ayurvedic drug is used for assessing its
      neuro protective effect against MeHg toxicity. METHODS: In the present study, we
      assessed the phytochemical contents of Tagara by colorimetric and HPLC analyses.
      The neuroprotective effect of Tagara on MeHg induced neurotoxicity was measured
      in terms of viability by MTT assay and oxidative stress in terms of catalase
      activity, glutathione and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance levels. Further,
      the chelating effect of Tagara towards MeHg was performed to identify the
      molecular mechanism. Statistical analysis was done by statistical package for
      social sciences (SPSS) version 16.0. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that
      Tagara contains significant amounts of phenols and flavonoids. Also, HPLC
      analysis of Tagara revealed the presence of essential oils such as
      hydroxyvalerenic and valerenic acids. Our results demonstrated that exposure of
      rat brain mitochondrial fractions to MeHg resulted in a dose dependent death in
      MTT assay and IC50 value was found to be 10 MUM. However, a 250 MUg dose of
      Tagara effectively prevented MeHg induced mitochondrial damage. The oxidative
      stress caused by MeHg results in elevated levels of reactive oxygen species as
      evidenced by elevated TBARS (Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances) levels and
      diminished catalase enzyme activity and glutathione content. However, Tagara at
      250 MUg concentration offsets these alterations caused by MeHg. Further, Tagara
      also diminished GSH oxidation caused by MeHg, confirming its chelating effect,
      one of the molecular mechanisms that triggers protection against oxidative
      damage. CONCLUSION: Our results revealed that MeHg induced toxicity is
      predominantly mediated through oxidative stress mechanism and the propensity of
      Tagara to abolish such reactions. Hence, we propose that Tagara with a source of
      potential neuroprotectants may be a useful approach to alleviate MeHg associated
      neurotoxicity.

PMID- 26264040
TI  - Alcohol intake and associated risk of major cardiovascular outcomes in women
      compared with men: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective
      observational studies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The prevalence of alcohol intake is increasing among women in some
      populations. Alcohol consumption plays an important role in the risk of major
      cardiovascular outcomes and total mortality. Here, we conducted a meta-analysis
      to estimate the association between alcohol intake and major cardiovascular
      outcomes or total mortality in women compared with men. METHODS: We searched the
      PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library databases for relevant articles
      published prior to June 2014. Among these potential included prospective studies,
      the different dose categories of alcohol intake were compared with the lowest
      alcohol intake or non-drinkers between women and men for the outcomes of major
      cardiovascular or total mortality. RESULTS: We included 23 prospective studies
      (18 cohorts) reporting data on 489,696 individuals. The summary relative risk
      ratio (RRR; female to male) for total mortality was significantly increased with
      moderate alcohol intake compared with the lowest alcohol intake (RRR, 1.10; 95 %
      confidence interval [CI]: 1.00-1.21; P = 0.047); no such significance was
      observed with other levels of alcohol intake (low intake: RRR, 1.07; 95 % CI:
      0.98-1.17; P = 0.143; heavy intake: RRR, 1.09; 95 % CI: 0.99-1.21; P = 0.084).
      There was no evidence of a sex difference in the relative risk for coronary
      disease, cardiac death, stroke, or ischemic stroke between participants with low
      to heavy alcohol intake compared with those who never consumed alcohol or had the
      lowest alcohol intake. CONCLUSIONS: Women with moderate to heavy alcohol intake
      had a significantly increased risk of total mortality compared with men in
      multiple subpopulations. Control of alcohol intake should be considered for
      women, particularly for young women who may be susceptible to binge drinking.

PMID- 26264041
TI  - Association of SNPs in LCP1 and CTIF with hearing in 11 year old children:
      findings from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) birth
      cohort and the G-EAR consortium.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The genetic basis of hearing loss in humans is relatively poorly
      understood. In recent years, experimental approaches including laboratory studies
      of early onset hearing loss in inbred mouse strains, or proteomic analyses of
      hair cells or hair bundles, have suggested new candidate molecules involved in
      hearing function. However, the relevance of these genes/gene products to hearing
      function in humans remains unknown. We investigated whether single nucleotide
      polymorphisms (SNPs) in the human orthologues of genes of interest arising from
      the above-mentioned studies correlate with hearing function in children. METHODS:
      577 SNPs from 13 genes were each analysed by linear regression against averaged
      high (3, 4 and 8 kHz) or low frequency (0.5, 1 and 2 kHz) audiometry data from
      4970 children in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC)
      birth-cohort at age eleven years. Genes found to contain SNPs with low p-values
      were then investigated in 3417 adults in the G-EAR study of hearing. RESULTS:
      Genotypic data were available in ALSPAC for a total of 577 SNPs from 13 genes of
      interest. Two SNPs approached sample-wide significance (pre-specified at p =
      0.00014): rs12959910 in CBP80/20-dependent translation initiation factor (CTIF)
      for averaged high frequency hearing (p = 0.00079, beta = 0.61 dB per minor
      allele); and rs10492452 in L-plastin (LCP1) for averaged low frequency hearing (p
      = 0.00056, beta = 0.45 dB). For low frequencies, rs9567638 in LCP1 also enhanced
      hearing in females (p = 0.0011, beta = -1.76 dB; males p = 0.23, beta = 0.61 dB,
      likelihood-ratio test p = 0.006). SNPs in LCP1 and CTIF were then examined
      against low and high frequency hearing data for adults in G-EAR. Although the
      ALSPAC results were not replicated, a SNP in LCP1, rs17601960, is in strong LD
      with rs9967638, and was associated with enhanced low frequency hearing in adult
      females in G-EAR (p = 0.00084). CONCLUSIONS: There was evidence to suggest that
      multiple SNPs in CTIF may contribute a small detrimental effect to hearing, and
      that a sex-specific locus in LCP1 is protective of hearing. No individual SNPs
      reached sample-wide significance in both ALSPAC and G-EAR. This is the first
      report of a possible association between LCP1 and hearing function.

PMID- 26264042
TI  - Cilantro microbiome before and after nonselective pre-enrichment for Salmonella
      using 16S rRNA and metagenomic sequencing.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Salmonella enterica is a common cause of foodborne gastroenteritis in
      the United States and is associated with outbreaks in fresh produce such as
      cilantro. Salmonella culture-based detection methods are complex and time
      consuming, and improvments to increase detection sensitivity will benefit
      consumers. In this study, we used 16S rRNA sequencing to determine the microbiome
      of cilantro. We also investigated changes to the microbial community prior to and
      after a 24-hour nonselective pre-enrichment culture step commonly used by
      laboratory analysts to resuscitate microorganisms in foods suspected of
      contamination with pathogens. Cilantro samples were processed for Salmonella
      detection according to the method in the United States Food and Drug
      Administration Bacteriological Analytical Manual. Genomic DNA was extracted from
      culture supernatants prior to and after a 24-hour nonselective pre-enrichment
      step and 454 pyrosequencing was performed on 16S rRNA amplicon libraries. A
      database of Enterobacteriaceae 16S rRNA sequences was created, and used to screen
      the libraries for Salmonella, as some samples were known to be culture positive.
      Additionally, culture positive cilantro samples were examined for the presence of
      Salmonella using shotgun metagenomics on the Illumina MiSeq. RESULTS: Time zero
      uncultured samples had an abundance of Proteobacteria while the 24-hour enriched
      samples were composed mostly of Gram-positive Firmicutes. Shotgun metagenomic
      sequencing of Salmonella culture positive cilantro samples revealed variable
      degrees of Salmonella contamination among the sequenced samples. CONCLUSIONS: Our
      cilantro study demonstrates the use of high-throughput sequencing to reveal the
      microbiome of cilantro, and how the microbiome changes during the culture-based
      protocols employed by food safety laboratories to detect foodborne pathogens.
      Finding that culturing the cilantro shifts the microbiome to a predominance of
      Firmicutes suggests that changing our culture-based methods will improve
      detection sensitivity for foodborne enteric pathogens.

PMID- 26264043
TI  - Responsiveness, construct and criterion validity of the Personal Care
      Participation Assessment and Resource Tool (PC-PART).
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Personal Care-Participation Assessment and Resource Tool (PC
      PART) was designed to measure participation restrictions in activities of daily
      living required for community life. Rasch analysis has confirmed that the PC-PART
      contains two unidimensional scales providing interval-level measurement: the Self
      Care and Domestic Life scales. This study investigated validity and
      responsiveness of these PC-PART scales using the COnsensus-based Standards for
      the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) approach. METHODS:
      Thirteen hypotheses about Self Care and Domestic Life scale scores were
      established prior to conducting the analyses. Data from a prospective randomized
      controlled trial of additional (weekend) inpatient rehabilitation in Melbourne,
      Australia, were used. The 996 participants had a mean (SD) age of 74 (13) years
      and were admitted with orthopaedic (n = 581), neurological (n = 203) or other
      disabling impairments (n = 212). Self Care and Domestic Life scores were compared
      to functional independence (FIM), comorbidity (Charlson Comorbidity Index),
      whether activities of daily living goals were met, and discharge destination.
      RESULTS: Low to moderate correlations between FIM and PC-PART scales' scores
      supported hypotheses that the PC-PART measures a different construct from
      functional independence: Self Care r s -0.52(95 % CI -.46 to -.57) and Domestic
      Life r s -0.32(95 % CI -.25 to -.38). The scales had low to moderate
      discriminative ability for discharge destination, with the area under the curve
      for Self Care, 0.70 (95 % CI 0.62-0.78), and Domestic Life, 0.72 (95 % CI 0.64
      0.80). The discharge to community living cut-off scores for Self Care: 5.50
      (sensitivity .83, specificity .53) and Domestic Life: 7.50 (sensitivity .75,
      specificity .60), represented patients having no participation restrictions.
      Change scores from admission to discharge demonstrated larger effect sizes for
      the Self Care (1.67) and Domestic Life (1.50) scales than for the FIM (1.10),
      supporting hypotheses about responsiveness. Ten of the 13 hypotheses were
      supported. CONCLUSIONS: This study provided evidence supporting construct
      validity, criterion validity and responsiveness of the PC-PART Self Care and
      Domestic Life scales for inpatient rehabilitation. Clinicians, managers and
      researchers who wish to measure the patterns and extent of people's participation
      restrictions in activities of daily living and the associated burden of care,
      before and/or after intervention, can be somewhat confident about the PC-PART's
      validity and responsiveness for this purpose. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Data used in
      this research were gathered during a registered randomized controlled trial:
      Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12609000973213.

PMID- 26264044
TI  - Ossifying metaplasia of urothelial metastases: original case with review of the
      literature.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ossifying metaplasia is an unusual feature of urothelial carcinoma,
      with only a few cases reported. The largest series included 17 cases and was
      published in 1991. The mechanism of ossification is unknown and hypotheses of
      osteogenic precursor cells, inducing bone formation, are proposed. CASE
      PRESENTATION: A 75 year-old patient was treated for a high grade transitional
      cell carcinoma of the bladder by surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
      Histology showed foci of bone metaplasia, both at the periphery of the tumor, and
      in a lymph node metastasis. 1 year later, a heterotopic bone formation was
      discovered in the right retroperitoneal space, near the lumbar spine, increasing
      rapidly in size during follow-up. Several imaging exams were performed (2 CT, 1
      MRI, 1 Pet-CT), but in the absence of typical features of sarcoma, diagnosis
      remained unclear. Histology of a CT-guided percutaneous biopsy showed urothelial
      carcinoma and mature lamellar bone. Integration of these findings with the
      radiological description of extraosseous localization was consistent with a
      diagnosis of osseous metaplasia of an urothelial carcinoma metastasis. The
      absence of bone atypia in both the primary and metastases argues against
      sarcomatoid urothelial carcinoma with osteosarcomatous differentiation.
      CONCLUSION: Osseous metaplasia of an urothelial carcinoma metastasis is unusual,
      and difficult to distinguish from radiotherapy induced sarcoma, or from
      sarcomatoid carcinoma. Rapid progression, sheathing of adjacent structures such
      as vessels (like inferior vena cava in our case) and nerves and bony feature of
      lymph node metastases necessitate histological confirmation and rapid treatment.
      Our case illustrates this disease and evaluates the imaging features. In addition
      we discuss the differential diagnosis of osseous retroperitoneal masses.

PMID- 26264045
TI  - Effects of Methylmercury on Harbour Seal Peripheral Blood Leucocytes In Vitro
      Studied by Electron Microscopy.
AB  - Methylmercury (MeHg) is highly immunotoxic and can alter the health status of the
      harbour seal, Phoca vitulina, from the North Sea. To investigate the mechanism of
      MeHg-induced toxicity in harbour seal lymphocytes, Concanavalin A (ConA)
      stimulated peripheral blood leucocytes were exposed in vitro to sublethal
      concentrations of MeHgCl (0.2, 1, and 2 uM) for 72 h and then analysed for their
      viability and ultrastructure. After 72 h of incubation, cells were counted with a
      propidium iodide staining technique, a metabolic MTS assay was performed, and
      cells exposed to 1 uM of MeHgCl were observed by transmission electron microscopy
      (TEM). Alive cell numbers decreased with increased MeHgCl concentrations. In
      presence of ConA and 1 uM of MeHgCl, TEM images revealed a higher frequency of
      apoptotic cells. Exposed cells displayed condensation of the chromatin at the
      nuclear membrane and mitochondrial damages. The results suggest that in vitro
      MeHgCl-induced apoptosis in harbour seal lymphocytes through a mitochondrial
      pathway.

PMID- 26264046
TI  - Potential Threat of Microplastics to Zooplanktivores in the Surface Waters of the
      Southern Sea of Korea.
AB  - The potential impact of microplastic to zooplanktivores was assessed by measuring
      a ratio of neustonic microplastics to zooplankton by abundance in the southern
      sea of Korea. Neustonic microplastics and zooplankton (0.33-2 mm) were collected
      using a 330-MUm mesh Manta trawl in Geoje eastern Bay and Jinhae Bay before and
      after the rainy season in 2012 and 2013. The mean microplastic to zooplankton
      ratios were 0.086 (May) and 0.022 (July) in 2012, and 0.016 (June) and 0.004
      (July) in 2013, indicating that zooplanktivores could be more likely to feed on
      microplastics than natural preys before the rainy season in 2012 and 2013. In
      particular, the relatively high ratio occurred in a semi-enclosed bay
      characterized by a shipyard and a beach resort in Geoje Bay, and at stations
      close to a wastewater treatment plant and an aquaculture facility in Jinhae Bay
      before the rainy season. Among dominant microplastics and zooplankton before the
      rainy season, meroplankton of macrobenthos could be confused with paint particles
      in Geoje Bay, 2012, whereas Styrofoam could be mistaken as immature copepods by
      predators in Jinhae Bay, 2013. These observations suggest that zooplanktivores
      could be more likely to feed on microplastics than natural preys around Geoje and
      Jinhae Bays before the rainy season.

PMID- 26264047
TI  - Quantification of autofluorescence imaging can accurately and objectively assess
      the severity of ulcerative colitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: No endoscopic examination has been able to evaluate severity
      of ulcerative colitis (UC) by quantification. This prospective study investigated
      the efficacy of quantifying autofluorescence imaging (AFI) to assess the severity
      of UC, which captures the fluorescence emitted from intestinal tissue and then
      quantifies the intensity using an image-analytical software program. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: Eleven endoscopists separately evaluated 135 images of conventional
      endoscopy (CE) and AFI from a same lesion. A CE image corresponding to Mayo
      endoscopic subscore 0 or 1 was defined as being inactive. The fluorescence
      intensities of AFI were quantified using an image-analytical software program (F
      index; FI). Active inflammation was defined when Matts' histological grade was 2
      or more. A cut-off value of the FI for active inflammation was determined using a
      receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. The inter-observer consistency
      was calculated by unweighted kappa statistics. RESULTS: The correlation
      coefficient for the FI was inversely related to the histological severity (r = 
      0.558, p < 0.0001). The ROC analysis showed that the optimal cut-off value for
      the FI for active inflammation was 0.906. The average diagnostic accuracy of the
      FI was significantly higher than those of the CE (84.7 vs 78.5 %, p < 0.01). The
      kappa values for the inter-observer consistency of CE and the FI were 0.60 and
      0.95 in all participants, 0.53 and 0.97 in the less-experienced endoscopists
      group and 0.67 and 0.93 in the expert group, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The
      quantified AFI is considered to be an accurate and objective indicator that can
      be used to assess the activity of ulcerative colitis, particularly for less
      experienced endoscopists.

PMID- 26264048
TI  - Urinary and sexual dysfunction rates and risk factors following rectal cancer
      surgery.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to express the effects of demographic
      characteristics, the type of the surgery, tumour characteristics and adjuvant
      therapy on urinary and sexual dysfunctions. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Pre-operational
      urinary and sexual dysfunctions of the patients were evaluated by using the
      surveys prepared according to International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and
      International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) in men and Index of Female Sexual
      Function (IFSF) in women. FINDINGS: A total of 56 patients were included in the
      study; 20 of them were women and 36 of them were men. The mean age was 56.
      Abdominoperineal resection (APR) was performed on 11 patients, and low anterior
      resection (LAR) was performed on 45. The post-treatment IPSS classes were
      worsened at a rate of 12.7 % compared to the pre-treatment. The mean post
      treatment sexual dysfunction score of both men and women were decreased by 27.5
      and 17.8 %, respectively. Rectal tumours located in the lower part resulted in
      more sexual dysfunction. CONCLUSION: The tumour in the 1/3 lower part of the
      rectal area was determined to be the most effective factor that caused both
      urinary and sexual dysfunction. Patients should be informed about the urinary and
      sexual dysfunctions in the pre-operative consultations.

PMID- 26264049
TI  - Risk of readmission after laparoscopic vs. open colorectal surgery.
AB  - PURPOSE: Laparoscopic colorectal resection (LC) is associated with known recovery
      benefits and earlier discharge when compared to open colorectal resection (OC).
      Whether earlier discharge leads to a paradoxical increase in readmission has not
      been well characterized. The aim of this study is to compare the risk of
      readmission after the two procedures in a large, nationally representative
      sample. METHODS: Patients who underwent colorectal resection in 2011 were
      identified from the American College of Surgeons (ACS) National Surgical Quality
      Improvement Program (NSQIP) database. LC and OC patients were compared for
      patient factors, complications, and readmission rates. A multivariable analysis
      controlling for significant factors was performed to evaluate factors associated
      with readmission. RESULTS: Of 30,428 patients who underwent colorectal resection,
      40.2% underwent LC. Length of stay (LOS) after LC was shorter than after OC (5.7
      vs. 9.7 days, p < 0.001). LC was associated with a significantly lower rate of
      surgical site infections (SSI), bleeding, reoperation, 30-day mortality, and
      complications. Risk of readmission was greater for patients undergoing
      proctectomy than colectomy (12.7 vs. 10.6 %, p < 0.001), but was lower after
      laparoscopic than open for both procedures after controlling for confounding
      factors. Obesity, DM, operating time >=180 min, steroid use, and ASA class 3-5
      were found to be associated with readmission. CONCLUSION: Despite its technical
      complexity, LC can be performed without concerns for increased complications or
      readmission. The shorter length of stay and the lower risk of readmissions
      underline the true benefits of the laparoscopic approach for colorectal
      resection.

PMID- 26264050
TI  - Modifications of perineuronal nets and remodelling of excitatory and inhibitory
      afferents during vestibular compensation in the adult mouse.
AB  - Perineuronal nets (PNNs) are aggregates of extracellular matrix molecules
      surrounding several types of neurons in the adult CNS, which contribute to
      stabilising neuronal connections. Interestingly, a reduction of PNN number and
      staining intensity has been observed in conditions associated with plasticity in
      the adult brain. However, it is not known whether spontaneous PNN changes are
      functional to plasticity and repair after injury. To address this issue, we
      investigated PNN expression in the vestibular nuclei of the adult mouse during
      vestibular compensation, namely the resolution of motor deficits resulting from a
      unilateral peripheral vestibular lesion. After unilateral labyrinthectomy, we
      found that PNN number and staining intensity were strongly attenuated in the
      lateral vestibular nucleus on both sides, in parallel with remodelling of
      excitatory and inhibitory afferents. Moreover, PNNs were completely restored when
      vestibular deficits of the mice were abated. Interestingly, in mice with
      genetically reduced PNNs, vestibular compensation was accelerated. Overall, these
      results strongly suggest that temporal tuning of PNN expression may be crucial
      for vestibular compensation.

PMID- 26264051
TI  - Erratum to: Birth defects and congenital health risks in children conceived
      through assisted reproduction technology (ART): a meeting report.

PMID- 26264052
TI  - Subdivision of M category for nasopharyngeal carcinoma with synchronous
      metastasis: time to expand the M categorization system.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The current metastatic category (M) of nasopharyngeal carcinoma
      (NPC) is a "catch-all" classification, covering a heterogeneous group of tumors
      ranging from potentially curable to incurable. The aim of this study was to
      design an M categorization system that could be applied in planning the treatment
      of NPC with synchronous metastasis. METHODS: A total of 505 NPC patients
      diagnosed with synchronous metastasis at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center
      between 2000 and 2009 were involved. The associations of clinical variables,
      metastatic features, and a proposed M categorization system with overall survival
      (OS) were determined by using Cox regression model. RESULTS: Multivariate
      analysis showed that Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) N category (N1
      3/N0), number of metastatic lesions (multiple/single), liver involvement
      (yes/no), radiotherapy to primary tumor (yes/no), and cycles of chemotherapy
      (>4/<=4) were independent prognostic factors for OS. We defined the following
      subcategories based on liver involvement and the number of metastatic lesions:
      M1a, single lesion confined to an isolated organ or location except the liver;
      M1b, single lesion in the liver and/or multiple lesions in any organs or
      locations except the liver; and M1c, multiple lesions in the liver. Of the 505
      cases, 74 (14.7%) were classified as M1a, 296 (58.6%) as M1b, 134 (26.5%) as M1c,
      and 1 was not specified. The three M1 subcategories showed significant difference
      in OS [M1b vs. M1a, hazard ratio (HR) = 1.69, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.16
      2.48, P = 0.007; M1c vs. M1a, HR = 2.64, 95% CI = 1.75-3.98, P < 0.001].
      CONCLUSIONS: We developed an M categorization system based on the independent
      factors related to the prognosis of patients with metastatic NPC. This system may
      be helpful to further optimize individualized care for NPC patients.

PMID- 26264053
TI  - StressMicrobesInfo: Database of Microorganisms Responsive to Stress Conditions.
AB  - Microorganisms are continuously exposed to numerous stress conditions and had
      evolved with numerous evolutionary adaptations and physiological acclimation
      mechanisms against stress effects. Any information related to the microbes
      responsive to stress conditions will help scientists working in the area of
      stress biology. Currently, there is lack of information resource on this aspect
      and for getting information about microbes susceptible or tolerant to different
      environmental changes, literature searching is the only option. Here, we present
      a database StressMicrobesInfo that was developed with a mandate to provide
      information about microbes responding to various biotic and abiotic stress
      conditions. This database currently contains information about 183 microbes along
      with a brief detail for each. StressMicrobesInfo will facilitate researchers
      working on stress-related microbes as a starting point and will facilitate them
      with the microbes which are susceptible or resistant towards particular stress
      conditions. 

PMID- 26264054
TI  - In Silico Elucidation and Inhibition Studies of Selected Phytoligands Against
      Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases of Protozoan Parasites.
AB  - Parasitic MAPKs exhibiting significant divergence with humans and playing an
      imperative role in parasitic metabolic activities have been exploited from
      several years as important targets for development of novel therapeutics. In
      addition, the emergence of the drug-resistant variants of parasitic diseases in
      the recent years has aroused a great need for the development of potent
      inhibitors against them. In the present study, we selected the metabolically
      active MAPKs LmxMPK4, PfMAP2 and TbMAPK5 of the three parasitic protozoans
      Leishmania mexicana, Plasmodium falciparum and Trypanosoma brucei, respectively.
      The homology modeling technique was used to develop the 3D structures of these
      proteins, and the same was validated by PROCHECK, ERRAT, ProQ and ProSA web
      servers to check the reliability. Ten phytoligands were employed for molecular
      docking studies with these proteins to search for potent phytoligand as a broad
      spectrum inhibitor. In this regard, two phytoligands (aspidocarpine for LmxMPK4
      and TbMAPK5 and cubebin for PfMAP2) were found to be more effective inhibitors,
      in terms of robust binding energy, strong inhibition constant and better
      interactions between protein-ligand complexes. Furthermore, predicted ADME and
      toxicity properties suggested that these identified phytoligands exhibited
      comparable results to control drugs potentiating them as persuasive therapeutic
      agents for Leishmania, Trypanosoma and Plasmodium sp. 

PMID- 26264055
TI  - Evolving-Pattern Analysis of Transient and Long-Term Biomarkers for Cancers:
      Hepatocellular Carcinoma as a Case.
AB  - Cancer is a complex disease arises from combinations of changes that occur over a
      period of time. With the development of bioinformatics, more and more biomarkers
      representing changes in cancers had been identified using gene expression
      profiles. However, biomarkers alone are quite limited in explaining the molecular
      processes occurred in the due process. In this paper, we develop an evolving
      pattern analysis pipeline for in-depth studies of gene expression changes during
      different disease stages, choosing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) as a case.
      Enrichment analyses were performed on three levels: functional terms, validated
      genes, and regulation factors for all the biomarkers to find out their biological
      characters. Our results show that biomarkers with distinct evolving patterns
      exhibit quite different characteristics on functional and regulation levels. For
      the case of HCC, transient biomarkers are mostly annotated to metabolic
      processes, while long-term biomarkers are mostly annotated to regulation
      processes, with a larger number of enriched regulation factors. Furthermore, our
      pipeline reveals the important roles of microRNAs in various evolving patterns,
      which are known to be closely related to HCC. These results confirm that evolving
      pattern analysis may provide a new sight for in-depth studies of biomarkers and
      diseases. 

PMID- 26264056
TI  - Comparative Analysis of the Molecular Adjuvants and Their Binding Efficiency with
      CR1.
AB  - There are so many obstacles in developing a vaccine or vaccine technology for
      diseases like cancer and human immunodeficiency virus infection. While developing
      vaccines that target specific infection, molecular adjuvants are indispensable.
      These molecular adjuvants act as a vaccine delivery vehicle to the immune system
      to increase the effectiveness of the specific antigens. In the present work, a
      computational study has been done on molecular adjuvants like IgGFc, GMCSF and
      C3d to find out how efficiently they are binding to CR1. Sequence, structure and
      mutational analysis are performed on the molecular adjuvants to understand the
      features important for their binding with the receptor. Results obtained from our
      study indicate that the adjuvant IgGFc complexed with the receptor CR1 has the
      best binding efficiency, which can be used further to develop better vaccine
      technologies. 

PMID- 26264057
TI  - Heart rate analysis by sparse representation for acute pain detection.
AB  - Objective pain assessment methods pose an advantage over the currently used
      subjective pain rating tools. Advanced signal processing methodologies, including
      the wavelet transform (WT) and the orthogonal matching pursuit algorithm (OMP),
      were developed in the past two decades. The aim of this study was to apply and
      compare these time-specific methods to heart rate samples of healthy subjects for
      acute pain detection. Fifteen adult volunteers participated in a study conducted
      in the pain clinic at a single center. Each subject's heart rate was sampled for
      5-min baseline, followed by a cold pressor test (CPT). Analysis was done by the
      WT and the OMP algorithm with a Fourier/Wavelet dictionary separately. Data from
      11 subjects were analyzed. Compared to baseline, The WT analysis showed a
      significant coefficients' density increase during the pain incline period (p <
      0.01) and the entire CPT (p < 0.01), with significantly higher coefficient
      amplitudes. The OMP analysis showed a significant wavelet coefficients' density
      increase during pain incline and decline periods (p < 0.01, p < 0.05) and the
      entire CPT (p < 0.001), with suggestive higher amplitudes. Comparison of both
      methods showed that during the baseline there was a significant reduction in
      wavelet coefficient density using the OMP algorithm (p < 0.001). Analysis by the
      two-way ANOVA with repeated measures showed a significant proportional increase
      in wavelet coefficients during the incline period and the entire CPT using the
      OMP algorithm (p < 0.01). Both methods provided accurate and non-delayed
      detection of pain events. Statistical analysis proved the OMP to be by far more
      specific allowing the Fourier coefficients to represent the signal's basic
      harmonics and the wavelet coefficients to focus on the time-specific painful
      event. This is an initial study using OMP for pain detection; further studies
      need to prove the efficiency of this system in different settings. 

PMID- 26264058
TI  - Identifying relevant group of miRNAs in cancer using fuzzy mutual information.
AB  - MicroRNAs (miRNAs) act as a major biomarker of cancer. All miRNAs in human body
      are not equally important for cancer identification. We propose a methodology,
      called FMIMS, which automatically selects the most relevant miRNAs for a
      particular type of cancer. In FMIMS, miRNAs are initially grouped by using a SVM
      based algorithm; then the group with highest relevance is determined and the
      miRNAs in that group are finally ranked for selection according to their
      redundancy. Fuzzy mutual information is used in computing the relevance of a
      group and the redundancy of miRNAs within it. Superiority of the most relevant
      group to all others, in deciding normal or cancer, is demonstrated on breast,
      renal, colorectal, lung, melanoma and prostate data. The merit of FMIMS as
      compared to several existing methods is established. While 12 out of 15 selected
      miRNAs by FMIMS corroborate with those of biological investigations, three of
      them viz., "hsa-miR-519," "hsa-miR-431" and "hsa-miR-320c" are possible novel
      predictions for renal cancer, lung cancer and melanoma, respectively. The
      selected miRNAs are found to be involved in disease-specific pathways by
      targeting various genes. The method is also able to detect the responsible miRNAs
      even at the primary stage of cancer. The related code is available at
      http://www.jayanta.droppages.com/FMIMS.html . 

PMID- 26264059
TI  - A new device combining mechanical stimulation of plantar sole and Achilles'
      tendon to alleviate the consequences of muscle deconditioning.
AB  - Limb immobilization or confinement to bed results in a severe atrophy and
      weakness of lower leg muscles. Full recovery of muscle strength and physical
      function is rare and may impact the patient's outcome. Studies performed on
      rodents have demonstrated that the deleterious structural and functional
      adaptations which occur during muscle deconditioning can be counteracted through
      adequate physiological stimuli. Thus, based on this fundamental work, we
      developed a device that combines mechanical stimulation of proprioceptors located
      in the plantar sole and Achilles' tendon. The device is adapted to patients
      immobilized and confined to bed. Stimulations can be applied on muscle in passive
      state. The protocol is non-invasive and is well accepted by patients. This paper
      presents the technical features of the device, as well as preliminary results of
      the first clinical study. This device might allow considering new therapeutic
      strategies for prevention of atrophy in many pathologies. 

PMID- 26264060
TI  - Abstracts of 51st EASD Annual Meeting.

PMID- 26264062
TI  - Analysis of the xynB5 gene encoding a multifunctional GH3-BglX beta-glucosidase
      beta-xylosidase-alpha-arabinosidase member in Caulobacter crescentus.
AB  - The Caulobacter crescentus (NA1000) xynB5 gene (CCNA_03149) encodes a predicted
      beta-glucosidase-beta-xylosidase enzyme that was amplified by polymerase chain
      reaction; the product was cloned into the blunt ends of the pJet1.2 plasmid.
      Analysis of the protein sequence indicated the presence of conserved glycosyl
      hydrolase 3 (GH3), beta-glucosidase-related glycosidase (BglX) and fibronectin
      type III-like domains. After verifying its identity by DNA sequencing, the xynB5
      gene was linked to an amino-terminal His-tag using the pTrcHisA vector. A
      recombinant protein (95 kDa) was successfully overexpressed from the xynB5 gene
      in E. coli Top 10 and purified using pre-packed nickel-Sepharose columns. The
      purified protein (BglX-V-Ara) demonstrated multifunctional activities in the
      presence of different substrates for beta-glucosidase (pNPG: p-nitrophenyl-beta-D
      glucoside) beta-xylosidase (pNPX: p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-xyloside) and alpha
      arabinosidase (pNPA: p-nitrophenyl-alpha-L-arabinosidase). BglX-V-Ara presented
      an optimal pH of 6 for all substrates and optimal temperature of 50  degrees C
      for beta-glucosidase and alpha-L-arabinosidase and 60  degrees C for beta
      xylosidase. BglX-V-Ara predominantly presented beta-glucosidase activity, with
      the highest affinity for its substrate and catalytic efficiency (Km 0.24 +/-
      0.0005 mM, Vmax 0.041 +/- 0.002 umol min(-1) mg(-1) and Kcat/Km 0.27 mM(-1) s(
      1)), followed by beta-xylosidase (Km 0.64 +/- 0.032 mM, Vmax 0.055 +/- 0.002 umol
      min(-1) mg(-1) and Kcat/Km 0.14 mM(-1)s(-1)) and finally alpha-L-arabinosidase
      (Km 1.45 +/- 0.05 mM, Vmax 0.091 +/- 0.0004 umol min(-1) mg(-1) and Kcat/Km 0.1
      mM(-1) s(-1)). To date, this is the first report to demonstrate the
      characterization of a GH3-BglX family member in C. crescentus that may have
      applications in biotechnological processes (i.e., the simultaneous
      saccharification process) because the multifunctional enzyme could play an
      important role in bacterial hemicellulose degradation.

PMID- 26264061
TI  - Physical activity attenuates the mid-adolescent peak in insulin resistance but by
      late adolescence the effect is lost: a longitudinal study with annual measures
      from 9-16 years (EarlyBird 66).
AB  - AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this work was to test whether the mid-adolescent peak
      in insulin resistance (IR) and trends in other metabolic markers are influenced
      by long-term exposure to physical activity. METHODS: Physical activity (7 day
      ActiGraph accelerometry), HOMA-IR and other metabolic markers (glucose, fasting
      insulin, HbA1c, lipids and BP) were measured annually from age 9 years to 16
      years in 300 children (151 boys) from the EarlyBird study in Plymouth, UK. The
      activity level of each child was characterised, with 95% reliability, by
      averaging their eight annual physical activity measures. Age-related trends in IR
      and metabolic health were analysed by multi-level modelling, with physical
      activity as the exposure measure (categorical and continuous) and body fat
      percentage (assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) and pubertal status
      (according to age at peak height velocity and Tanner stage) as covariates.
      RESULTS: The peak in IR at age 12-13 years was 17% lower (p < 0.001) in the more
      active adolescents independently of body fat percentage and pubertal status.
      However, this difference diminished progressively over the next 3 years and had
      disappeared completely by the age of 16 years (e.g. difference was -14% at 14
      years, -8% at 15 years and +1% at 16 years; 'physical activity * age(2),
      interaction, p < 0.01). Triacylglycerol levels in girls (-9.7%, p = 0.05) and
      diastolic blood pressure in boys (-1.20 mmHg, p = 0.03) tended to be lower
      throughout adolescence in the more active group. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Our
      finding that physical activity attenuates IR during mid-adolescence may be
      clinically important. It remains to be established whether the temporary
      attenuation in IR during this period has implications for the development of
      diabetes in adolescence and for future metabolic health generally.

PMID- 26264063
TI  - Pachymeningeal enhancement-a comprehensive review of literature.
AB  - Pachymeningeal enhancement, synonymous with dural enhancement, is a radiological
      feature best appreciated on a contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
      The vasculature of the dura mater is permeable, facilitating avid uptake of
      contrast agent and subsequent enhancement. Thin, discontinuous enhancement can be
      normal, seen in half the normal population. In patients complaining of postural
      headaches worse on sitting, gadolinium-enhanced MRI findings of diffuse
      pachymeningeal enhancement is highly suggestive of benign intracranial
      hypotension. In these cases, the process of pachymeningeal enhancement is
      explained by the Monro-Kellie doctrine as compensatory volume changes by
      vasocongestion and interstitial oedema of the dura mater due to decreased
      cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure. Focal and diffuse pachymeningeal enhancement
      can also be attributed to infectious or inflammatory, neoplastic and iatrogenic
      aetiologies. Correction of the underlying pathology often results in spontaneous
      resolution of the pachymeningeal enhancement. There have also been reports of
      pachymeningeal enhancement associated with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis,
      temporal arteritis, baroreceptor reflex failure syndrome and arteriovenous
      fistulae. 

PMID- 26264064
TI  - Therapeutic Hypothermia After Resuscitation From a Non-Shockable Rhythm Improves
      Outcomes in a Regionalized System of Cardiac Arrest Care.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) improves neurologic outcome in patients
      resuscitated from ventricular fibrillation. The purpose of this study was to
      evaluate TH effects on neurologic outcome in patients resuscitated from a non
      shockable out-of-hospital cardiac arrest rhythm. DESIGN AND SETTING: This is a
      retrospective cohort study of data reported to a registry in an emergency medical
      system in a large metropolitan region. Patients achieving field return of
      spontaneous circulation are transported to designated hospitals with TH
      protocols. PATIENTS: Patients with an initial non-shockable rhythm were
      identified. Patients were excluded if awake in the Emergency Department or if TH
      was withheld due to preexisting coma or death prior to initiation. The decision
      to initiate TH was determined by the treating physician. MEASUREMENTS: The
      primary outcome was survival with good neurologic outcome defined by a cerebral
      performance category of 1 or 2. MAIN RESULTS: Of the 2772 patients treated for
      cardiac arrest during the study period, there were 1713 patients resuscitated
      from cardiac arrest with an initial non-shockable rhythm and 1432 patients met
      inclusion criteria. The median age was 69 years [IQR 59-82]; 802 (56%) male. TH
      was induced in 596 (42%) patients. Survival with good neurologic outcome was 14%
      in the group receiving TH, compared with 5% in those not treated with TH (risk
      difference = 8%, 95% CI 5-12%). The adjusted OR for a CPC 1 or 2 with TH was 2.9
      (95% CI 1.9-4.4). CONCLUSION: Analyzing the data collected from the registry of
      the standard practice in a large metropolitan region, TH is associated with
      improved neurologic outcome in patients resuscitated from initial non-shockable
      rhythms in a regionalized system for post-resuscitation care.

PMID- 26264065
TI  - Relationship Between Cardiac Dysfunction and Cerebral Perfusion in Patients with
      Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Cardiac dysfunction may occur after aneurysmal subarachnoid
      hemorrhage (aSAH). Although it is associated with poor outcome, the
      pathophysiological mechanism of this association remains unclear. We investigated
      the relationship between cardiac function and cerebral perfusion in patients with
      aSAH. METHODS: We studied 72 aSAH patients admitted within 72 h after ictus with
      echocardiography and cerebral CT perfusion within 24 h after admission. Cardiac
      dysfunction was defined as myocardial wall motion abnormalities or positive
      troponin. In patients with and without cardiac dysfunction, we calculated the
      mean perfusion [cerebral blood flow (CBF) and time-to-peak (TTP)] in standard
      regions of interest and calculated differences with 95% confidence intervals (95%
      CI). RESULTS: In 35 patients with cardiac dysfunction minimal CBF was 15.83
      mL/100 g/min compared to 18.59 in 37 without (difference of means -2.76; 95% CI 
      5.43 to -0.09). Maximal TTP was 26.94 s for patients with and 23.10 s for
      patients without cardiac dysfunction (difference of means 3.84; 95% CI 1.63
      6.05). Mean global CBF was 21.71 mL/100 g/min for patients with cardiac
      dysfunction and 24.67 mL/100 g/min for patients without cardiac dysfunction (
      2.96; 95% CI -6.19 to 0.27). Mean global TTP was 25.27 s for patients with
      cardiac dysfunction and 21.26 for patients without cardiac dysfunction (4.01; 95%
      CI 1.95-6.07). CONCLUSION: aSAH patients with cardiac dysfunction have decreased
      focal and global cerebral perfusion. Further studies should evaluate whether this
      relation is explained by a direct effect of cardiac dysfunction on cerebral
      circulation or by an external determinant, such as a hypercatecholaminergic or
      hypometabolic state, influencing both cardiac function and cerebral perfusion.

PMID- 26264066
TI  - SSRI/SNRI Use is Not Associated with Increased Risk of Delayed Cerebral Ischemia
      After aSAH.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To determine the effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
      (SSRI)/selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) use on the risk of
      symptomatic vasospasm and delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) in patients
      hospitalized with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). METHODS:
      Retrospective review of consecutive patients with aSAH at Mayo Clinic, Rochester
      from January 2001 to December 2013. The variables collected and analyzed included
      age, sex, SSRI/SNRI use, active smoking, transfusion, modified Fisher score, WFNS
      grade, and outcome at discharge. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was
      used to evaluate factors associated with DCI, symptomatic vasospasm, and poor
      outcome (modified Rankin score 3-6) within 1 year. RESULTS: 579 [females 363
      (62.7%)] patients with a median age of 55 (IQR 47-65) years were admitted with
      aSAH during the study period. WFNS at nadir was IV-V in 240 (41.5%), and modified
      Fisher score was 3-4 in 434 (75.0%). 81 (13.9%) patients had been prescribed an
      SSRI or SNRI prior to admission and all continued to receive these medications
      during hospitalization. Symptomatic vasospasm was present in 154 (26.4%),
      radiological infarction in 172 (29.5%), and DCI in 250 (42.9%) patients.
      SSRI/SNRI use was not associated with the occurrence of DCI (p = 0.458),
      symptomatic vasospasm (p = 0.097), radiological infarction (p = 0.972), or poor
      functional outcome at 3 months (p = 0.376). CONCLUSIONS: The use of SSRI/SNRI
      prior to and during hospitalization is not associated with DCI or functional
      outcome in patients with aSAH.

PMID- 26264067
TI  - Nitric oxide stimulates early egress of Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites from Human
      foreskin fibroblast cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Egress is a vital step in the life cycle of Toxoplasma gondii which
      attracts attentions of many groups. Previous studies have shown that exogenous
      nitric oxide (NO) stimulates the early egress of T. gondii from infected
      peritoneal macrophages, a kind of immune cells. However, because Toxoplasma forms
      cysts in brain and muscle tissues, the development of autonomous immunity in non
      immune cells is vital for limiting parasite burden and cyst formation. Therefore,
      we attempted to investigate whether exogenous NO could induce the early egress of
      T. gondii from infected non-immune cells. METHODS: T. gondii tachyzoites were
      cultured in human foreskin fibroblast (HFF) cells and were then treated with NO
      released by sodium nitroferricyanide (III) dihydrate (SNP). The egressed
      parasites were analysed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: The results showed that NO
      induced the early egress of parasites from HFF cells before completing their
      intracellular life cycles. We also found that the occurrence of egress was
      dependent on intracellular calcium (Ca(2+)) levels and the mobility of the
      parasite. Compared with freshly isolated tachyzoites, the developmental ability
      and virulence of egressed tachyzoites presented no difference. CONCLUSIONS: Taken
      together, our findings demonstrate a novel assay for the analysis of egress
      signalling mechanisms and an avenue of parasite clearance by hosts of T. gondii.

PMID- 26264068
TI  - Letter of response to "Individualization of deep brain stimulation targets for
      movement disorders".

PMID- 26264070
TI  - Isolated unilateral chemosis with superior forniceal conjunctiva prolapse
      following frontal craniotomy.

PMID- 26264069
TI  - Growth stabilization and regression of meningiomas after discontinuation of
      cyproterone acetate: a case series of 12 patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The relationship between meningiomas and exogenous sex hormones is
      well known, but cyproterone acetate (CA), a progesterone agonist, seems to have a
      stronger influence on tumor growth. OBJECTIVE: To show the close relationship
      between CA treatment and meningioma growth. METHODS: Since 2010, all patients
      referred to our clinic for a suspicion of meningioma were questioned specifically
      about exogenous sex hormone intake and more specifically about CA intake. Twelve
      patients harboring one or multiple meningiomas and treated with CA were
      identified. CA was stopped in all cases. Tumor volumes and diameters were
      measured on serial MRIs and compared to the last MRI before CA withdrawal.
      RESULTS: Ten patients with multiple tumors had been taking the drug for a longer
      period of time (mean of 20.4 years) than the two patients with one tumor (10
      years). Two patients with multiple tumors underwent surgery because of rapidly
      decreased visual acuity at the time of diagnosis. Discontinuation of CA led to
      tumor shrinkage in 11 patients and a stop in tumor growth in one [mean tumor
      volume reduction was around 10 cm(3)/year; range (0.00; 76)]. There was no
      regrowth during a mean follow-up period of 12 months (range: 5-35). CONCLUSION:
      For patients diagnosed with a meningioma and treated with CA, medication
      withdrawal followed by observation should be the first line of treatment. Care
      should be taken with long-term use of high doses of CA, and serial brain MRIs
      should be considered after several years of CA.

PMID- 26264071
TI  - Subdural effusion in decompressive craniectomy.

PMID- 26264072
TI  - Roles of silkworm endoplasmic reticulum chaperones in the secretion of
      recombinant proteins expressed by baculovirus system.
AB  - Baculovirus expression vector system (BEVS) is widely used for production of
      recombinant eukaryotic proteins in insect larvae or cultured cells. BEVS has
      advantages over bacterial expression system in producing post-translationally
      modified secreted proteins. However, for some unknown reason, it is very
      difficult for insects to secrete sufficiently for certain proteins of interest.
      To understand the reasons why insect cells fail to secrete some kinds of
      recombinant proteins, we here employed three mammalian proteins as targets, EPO,
      HGF, and Wnt3A, with different secretion levels in BEVS and investigated their
      mRNA transcriptions from the viral genome, subcellular localizations, and
      interactions with silkworm ER chaperones. Moreover, we observed that no
      significantly influence on the secretion amounts of all three proteins when
      depleting or overexpressing most endogenous ER chaperone genes in cultured
      silkworm cells. However, among all detected ER chaperones, the depletion of BiP
      severely decreased the recombinant protein secretion in BEVS, indicating the
      possible central role of Bip in silkworm secretion pathway. 

PMID- 26264074
TI  - Role of multi-modality therapy in peritoneal carcinomatosis and visceral
      metastasis: a case report and review of the literature.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Treatment for advanced stage colorectal cancer with synchronous
      peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) and hepatic metastasis (HM) has progressed
      significantly over the past 10 years. CASE REPORT: We present the case of a 39
      year-old female patient with stage IV colorectal cancer with bilateral HM,
      pulmonary oligometastatic disease, and diffuse PC who underwent hyperthermic
      intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) and complete cytoreductive surgery (CRS) for
      her intra-abdominal disease. The patient had an uneventful immediate post
      operative recovery, and subsequently tolerated multiple cycles of adjuvant
      chemotherapy and percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of pulmonary lesions. At
      her 22-month follow-up assessment, the patient remains alive with disease.
      CONCLUSION: Current recommendations for surgical management of synchronous
      colorectal cancer PC and HM indicate that patients with less than three HMs, a
      low peritoneal cancer index (PCI), and good functional status will benefit most
      from CRS and HIPEC. Our patient had an elevated PCI of 12 as measured by computed
      tomography imaging, and five HMs (all less than 3 cm in size); however, given
      that her life expectancy on systemic chemotherapy was estimated to be
      approximately 12 months, we have observed carefully selected patients to benefit
      from an aggressive multi-modality approach. This case report demonstrates an all
      too common scenario for surgeons managing patients with advanced CRC, and
      highlights the importance of patient selection for surgical management as part of
      multidisciplinary cancer care in this patient population.

PMID- 26264073
TI  - Combined therapeutic efficacy of carvacrol and X-radiation against 1,2-dimethyl
      hydrazine-induced experimental rat colon carcinogenesis.
AB  - Colon cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers, and is a major cause
      of cancer morbidity and mortality worldwide. The objective of the present study
      is to evaluate the combined therapeutic efficacy of carvacrol (CVC) and X
      radiation against 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-induced colon cancer. Male albino Wistar
      rats were randomly divided into six groups. Group 1 served as control; group 2
      received 40 mg/kg b.wt of CVC orally everyday throughout the experimental period
      (32 weeks); groups 3-6 received subcutaneous injections of DMH (20 mg/kg b.wt),
      once a week for the first 15 weeks; group 4 received a single dose of X-radiation
      at the 31st week; group 5 received CVC (40 mg/kg b.wt) two days after the last
      injection of DMH and continued everyday till the end of the experimental period;
      group 6 received CVC as in group 5 and radiation as in group 4. DMH-treated rats
      showed increased incidence of aberrant crypt foci (ACF), dysplastic aberrant
      crypt foci (DACF), mast cell number, argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions;
      elevated activities of phase I enzymes, decreased activities of phase II enzymes,
      decreased mucin content and altered colonic and liver histology as compared to
      control rats. Though the individual treatments with CVC and X-radiation to DMH
      treated rats reversed the above changes, the combined treatment with both CVC and
      X-radiation showed a marked effect. Our findings emphasize the potential role of
      combined therapeutic effect of CVC and X-radiation against DMH-induced colon
      carcinogenesis.

PMID- 26264075
TI  - Thymoquinone Anticancer Discovery: Possible Mechanisms.
AB  - Medicinal plants are known for their many advantages, including the ability to
      treat diseases such as cancer. Nigella sativa and its active constituent
      thymoquinone (TQ) have long been used in traditional medicine for treating
      various conditions related to the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems as
      well as breast, colorectal, gastric, hepatic, pancreatic cancers and leukemia. TQ
      has been documented to possess chemo-preventive and chemotherapeutic antitumor
      effects. Studies reported that TQ inhibits the growth of cancer cells in animal
      models and culture tumors. This review summarizes the in vitro and in vivo
      possible mechanisms of TQ anticancer effect. 

PMID- 26264076
TI  - Convenient synthesis and application of versatile nucleic acid lipid membrane
      anchors in the assembly and fusion of liposomes.
AB  - Hydrophobic moieties like lipid membrane anchors are highly demanded
      modifications for nucleic acid oligomers. Membrane-anchor modified
      oligonucleotides are applicable in biomedicine leading to new delivery strategies
      as well as in biophysical investigations towards the assembly and fusion of
      liposomes or the construction of DNA origami structures. We present herein the
      synthesis and applications of versatile lipid membrane anchor building blocks
      suitable for solid-supported oligonucleotide synthesis. These are readily
      synthesized in bulk in five to seven steps from commercially available precursors
      and can be incorporated at any position within an oligonucleotide without
      significantly altering the duplex stability and structure as was proven by
      thermal denaturation experiments and circular dichroism. Furthermore, their
      applicability could be demonstrated by the assembly and fusion of liposomes
      mediated by lipid-modified oligonucleotides. 

PMID- 26264077
TI  - Non-innocent adsorption of Co-pyrphyrin on rutile(110).
AB  - Solar-light driven water splitting is a promising way for the sustainable
      production of molecular hydrogen, the latter representing an efficient carrier
      for energy storage and conversion into common liquid fuels. In search of novel
      catalysts for high-performance water splitting devices, Co-pyrphyrin (CoPy) has
      been recently synthesized and successfully used as a homogeneous water reduction
      catalyst. We investigate the adsorption of this molecule on the rutile TiO2(110)
      surface as a possible first step towards the design of a heterogeneous water
      reduction system. We find that the adsorption of the molecule is stabilized by
      the interaction of the cyano groups with the under-coordinated Ti centers present
      at the surface. This interaction induces the rehybridization of the molecular
      orbitals localized on the cyano groups and the realignment of the lowest
      unoccupied molecular states. Moreover, the highest occupied molecular orbital of
      CoPy@rutile(110) is localized on CoPy and the energy gap turns out to be
      significantly smaller than the gap of pristine rutile(110). This implies that
      direct or indirect injection of electrons from CoPy to the rutile(110) surface is
      in principle possible upon the absorption of light in the visible range. On the
      other hand, the electronic properties of the Co(ii) center are not modified by
      the adsorption, which suggests that CoPy and its derivatives may be used in water
      electrolysis for hydrogen production also in the adsorbed state. 

PMID- 26264078
TI  - Spatial correlations of elementary relaxation events in glass-forming liquids.
AB  - The dynamical facilitation scenario, by which localized relaxation events promote
      nearby relaxation events in an avalanche process, has been suggested as the key
      mechanism connecting the microscopic and the macroscopic dynamics of structural
      glasses. Here we investigate the statistical features of this process via
      numerical simulations of a model structural glass. First we show that the
      relaxation dynamics of the system occurs through particle jumps that are
      irreversible, and that cannot be decomposed in smaller irreversible events. Then
      we show that each jump does actually trigger an avalanche. The characteristics of
      this avalanche change upon cooling, suggesting that the relaxation dynamics
      crossovers from a noise dominated regime, where jumps do not trigger other
      relaxation events, to a regime dominated by the facilitation process, where a
      jump triggers more relaxation events. 

PMID- 26264079
TI  - Supramolecular nanofibers of self-assembling peptides and proteins for protein
      delivery.
AB  - We report an efficient strategy for intracellular protein delivery by co
      assembled supramolecular nanofibers of peptides and proteins. 

PMID- 26264081
TI  - Where to publish.

PMID- 26264080
TI  - Protease Activity and Cell-Free DNA in Blood Plasma of Healthy Donors and Breast
      Cancer Patients.
AB  - Tumor development is generally accompanied by increased protease activity and
      cell-free DNA (cfDNA) levels in the blood. An immunoassay for protease activity
      was developed based on the binding of anti-peptide antibodies onto polystyrene
      plates, followed by incubation with peptides and protein hydrolyzing enzymes. The
      data obtained demonstrate the peptide CD34-1 composed of uncharged amino acids
      was the best substrate for the estimation of plasma protease activity in breast
      cancer patients and healthy donors. Anti-CD34-1 peptide protease activity was
      shown to correlate with circulating DNA concentrations in cancer patients and
      healthy subjects (P = 0.001, r = 0.676), demonstrating the role of protease
      activity in the regulation of cfDNA levels. 

PMID- 26264082
TI  - Delayed healing of lower limb fractures with bisphosphonate therapy.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Bisphosphonate therapy (BT) is used commonly in the management of
      osteoporosis. A systematic review was conducted investigating delayed union of
      lower limb, long bone fractures in patients on BT. We specifically assessed
      whether BT increases the risk of delayed union or non-union in lower limb, long
      bone fractures. METHODS: A literature search was conducted in the PubMed and
      EmbaseTM on 4 November 2014. Articles that investigated lower limb fractures,
      history of BT and fracture union were included in the review. RESULTS: A total of
      9,809 papers were retrieved and 14 were deemed suitable for this review. The mean
      time to union in patients on BT was 8.5 months. A longer time to union was
      reported in a study investigating BT users versus controls (6.5 vs 4.8 months
      respectively). The mean rate of delayed or non-union for BT associated atypical
      fractures was 20% per fracture. Specifically in one study, delayed union was more
      common in the cohort with more than three years of BT (67%) than in the group
      with less than three years of BT (26%). Surgical fixation was associated with
      improved outcomes compared with non-operative management. CONCLUSIONS: BT has
      been described to be associated with multiple adverse outcomes related to
      atypical fractures. Current evidence recommends operative management for this
      patient group. Further investigation is required to evaluate the exact effects of
      BT on lower limb fractures, in particular typical femoral fractures.

PMID- 26264083
TI  - Small bowel obstruction in pregnancy is a complex surgical problem with a high
      risk of fetal loss.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Small bowel obstruction (SBO) in pregnancy is rare and is most
      commonly caused by adhesions from previous abdominal surgery. Previous literature
      reviews have emphasised the need for prompt laparotomy in all cases of SBO
      because of the significant risks of fetal loss and maternal mortality. We
      undertook a review of the contemporary literature to determine the optimum
      management strategy for SBO in pregnancy. METHODS: The MEDLINE(r) and PubMed
      databases were searched for cases of SBO in pregnancy between 1992 and 2014. Two
      cases from our own institution were also reviewed. RESULTS: Forty-six cases of
      SBO in pregnancy were identified, with adhesions being the most common aetiology
      (50%). The overall risk of fetal loss was 17% and the maternal mortality rate was
      2%. In cases of adhesional SBO, 91% of cases were managed surgically, with 14%
      fetal loss. Two cases (9%) were managed conservatively with no complications.
      Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to diagnose SBO in 11% of cases.
      CONCLUSIONS: Based on our experience and the contemporary literature, we
      recommend that urgent MRI of the abdomen should be undertaken to diagnose the
      aetiology of SBO in pregnancy. In cases of adhesional SBO, conservative treatment
      may be safely commenced, with a low threshold for laparotomy. In other causes,
      such as volvulus or internal hernia, laparotomy remains the treatment of choice.

PMID- 26264084
TI  - Laparoscopic splenectomy is emerging 'gold standard' treatment even for massive
      spleens.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Since its first description by Delaitre and Maignien in 1991,
      laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) has evolved as treatment of choice for mild-to
      moderately-enlarged spleens and for benign haematological disorders. LS is a
      challenge if massive spleens or malignant conditions necessitate treatment, but
      we report our method and its feasibility in this study. METHODS: We undertook a
      retrospective study of prospectively collected data of all elective splenectomies
      carried out in our firm of upper gastrointestinal surgeons from June 2003 to June
      2012. Only patients opting for elective LS were included in this study. RESULTS:
      From June 2003 to June 2012, elective splenectomy was carried out in 80 patients.
      Sixty-seven patients underwent LS and 13 underwent open splenectomy (OS). In the
      LS group, there were 38 males and 29 females. Age ranged from 6 years to 82
      years. Spleen size in the LS group ranged from <=11 cm to 27.6 cm. Twelve
      patients had a spleen size of >20 cm. Weight ranged from 35 g to 2,400 g.
      Eighteen patients had a spleen weight of 600-1,600 g and eight had a spleen
      weight >1,600 g. Operating times were available for 56 patients. Mean operating
      time for massive spleens was 129.73 min. There was no conversion to OS. There
      were no major complications. CONCLUSIONS: With improved laparoscopic expertise
      and advancing technology, LS is safe and feasible even for massive spleens and
      splenic malignancies. It is the emerging 'gold standard' for all elective
      splenectomies and has very few contraindications.

PMID- 26264085
TI  - Acute afferent loop syndrome in the early postoperative period following
      pancreaticoduodenectomy.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Afferent loop syndrome (ALS) is a recognised complication of
      foregut surgery caused by mechanical obstruction at the gastrojejunostomy
      anastomosis itself or at a point nearby. Acute ALS has only been reported
      following pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) after several years due to recurrence of
      malignancy at the anastomotic site. We report five cases of acute ALS in the
      first postoperative week. METHODS: The presentation, clinical findings and
      successful management of the 5 patients with ALS were obtained from a
      prospectively collected database of 300 PDs. All five patients with early acute
      ALS presented with signs and symptoms of a bile leak. Since the fifth patient,
      the surgical technique has been modified with the creation of a larger window in
      the transverse mesocolon and a Braun enteroenterostomy. RESULTS: There have been
      no further incidents of ALS since the adoption of these modifications to the
      standard technique of PD and there has also been a reduction in postoperative
      bile leaks (6.4% vs 3.6%, p=0.416). CONCLUSIONS: Acute ALS is a rare but
      important complication in the immediate postoperative period following PD and
      causes disruption to adjacent anastomoses, resulting in a bile leak. A
      prophylactic Braun anastomosis and wide mesocolic window may prevent this
      complication and subsequent deterioration.

PMID- 26264086
TI  - The two-port laparoscopic retroperitoneal approach for minimal access pancreatic
      necrosectomy.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Despite advances in surgery and critical care, severe pancreatitis
      continues to be associated with a high rate of mortality, which is increased
      significantly in the presence of infected pancreatic necrosis. Controversy
      persists around the optimal treatment for such cases, with specialist units
      variously advocating open necrosectomy, simple percutaneous drainage or one of
      several minimal access approaches. We describe our technique and outcomes with a
      two-port laparoscopic retroperitoneal necrosectomy (2P-LRN). METHODS: Thirteen
      consecutive patients with proven infected pancreatic necrosis were treated by 2P
      LRN over a three-year period in the setting of a specialist
      hepatopancreatobiliary unit. The median patient age was 46 years (range: 28-87
      years) and 10 of the patients were male. RESULTS: The median number of procedures
      required to clear the necrosis was 2 (range: 1-5), with a median time to
      discharge following the procedure of 44 days (range: 10-135 days). There was no
      90-day mortality and the morbidity rate was 38%, consisting of pancreatic fistula
      (31%) and bleeding (23%). CONCLUSIONS: Two-port laparoscopic retroperitoneal
      necrosectomy has been demonstrated to confer similar or better outcomes to other
      techniques for necrosectomy. It carries the additional advantages of better
      visualisation, leading to fewer procedures and the opportunity to deploy simple
      laparoscopic instruments such as diathermy or haemostatic clips.

PMID- 26264087
TI  - The use of health related quality of life data to produce information sheets for
      patients with head and neck cancer.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Health related quality of life information gives patients and
      carers an indication of how they will be affected following treatment. Such
      knowledge can promote realistic expectations and help patients come to terms with
      their outcome. The aim of this paper is to describe the background development of
      patient information sheets produced at our unit. METHODS: The data were compiled
      using a common head and neck cancer specific quality of life questionnaire
      (University of Washington Quality of Life [UW-QOL]). There are 12 domains
      comprising activity, appearance, anxiety, chewing, mood, pain, recreation,
      saliva, shoulder, speech, swallowing and taste. The data were collected over 19
      years at our unit and focus on follow-up records at around 2 years as this gives
      a good indication of health related quality of life in survivorship. UW-QOL
      questionnaires were available from 1,511 patients treated following primary
      diagnosis of head and neck cancer, and there were 24 subgroups based on cancer
      site, stage and treatment. There were 2 other subgroups: 132 having transoral
      laser resection and 176 having laryngectomy. RESULTS: The patient and carer
      research forum helped to design the information sheets, which display overall
      quality of life, percentages with 'good' outcome and 'significant problem' by
      domain, and the most important domains. Three examples are included in this
      paper: early stage oral cancer treated by surgery alone, early laryngeal cancer
      treated by surgery alone, and late stage oropharyngeal cancer treated by surgery
      and postoperative radiotherapy. All 26 subgroup information sheets are available
      in booklet form and on the internet. CONCLUSIONS: How the surgical community best
      utilises this type of resource needs further research.

PMID- 26264088
TI  - Improving postoperative pain management in subpectoral tissue expander implant
      reconstruction of the breast using an elastomeric pump.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Postoperative pain after breast surgery is one of the major factors
      contributing to delay in mobilisation and prolonged hospital stay. A
      retrospective analysis was performed of patients undergoing skin sparing
      mastectomy and insertion of a subpectoral implant. The aim was to determine
      whether the use of an elastomeric local anaesthetic pump improved pain control
      and length of stay. METHODS: Twenty-five consecutive patients undergoing the
      above procedure were sited with an elastomeric local anaesthetic infusion pump
      intraoperatively, in addition to standard regular and pro re nata analgesia. The
      control group comprised 25 patients undergoing the same procedure in the same
      year who received standard analgesia alone. Visual analogue scale scores were
      recorded for the duration of inpatient stay, as was any further analgesic
      requirement. RESULTS: The median age was 51 years (range: 26-75 years) in the
      intervention group and 50 years (range: 28-70 years) in the control group. The
      mean visual analogue scale score was 0.28 (standard deviation [SD]: 0.61) at 24
      hours for the intervention group and 1.84 (SD: 0.37) for the control group
      (p<0.0001). The mean length of stay was 1.8 days (SD: 0.71 days) for the
      intervention group and 2.28 days (SD: 0.94 days) for the control group (p=0.15).
      There were no complications involving catheter placement, leakage or toxicity
      relating to use of the local anaesthetic. CONCLUSIONS: There was significantly
      reduced pain with the use of the local anaesthetic infusion pump. The elastomeric
      pump is a step towards enhanced patient recovery after breast surgery in the case
      of skin sparing mastectomy and subpectoral tissue expander reconstruction.

PMID- 26264089
TI  - Colorectal cancer screening characteristics of patients presenting with symptoms
      of colorectal cancer and effect on clinical outcomes.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: National colorectal cancer screening, utilising a faecal occult
      blood test (FOBT), is now well established in the UK. The aim of this study was
      to define the screening characteristics of patients presenting to secondary care
      with symptoms of colorectal cancer and to assess the effect of screening outcome
      on subsequent symptomatic presentation. METHODS: This was a retrospective
      analysis of all patients of screening age presenting within one calendar year in
      a tertiary trust via a two-week wait (2WW) pathway owing to suspicion of
      colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer related outcomes were compared between
      patients in the cohort who had previously accepted bowel cancer screening and
      patients who had previously declined bowel cancer screening. The primary endpoint
      was overall incidence of colorectal neoplasia. Secondary endpoints included
      incidence of colorectal malignancy, cancer related mortality, cancer related
      outcomes and polyp related outcomes. RESULTS: Overall, 2,227 patients presented
      via the 2WW pathway; 955 were aged 60-75 years. Among the latter, 411 (43%) had
      been screened previously and had a negative FOBT, and 544 (57%) had declined
      screening. Incidence of colorectal neoplasia did not differ between the two
      groups (113 [27%] vs 143 [26%], p=0.7). Of those with a negative FOBT and
      subsequent symptomatic presentation, 16 (3.9%) were diagnosed with a colorectal
      malignancy compared with 36 (6.6%) of those who declined screening and had
      subsequent symptomatic presentation (relative risk: 1.7, 95% confidence interval:
      0.96-3.02, p=0.08). There were no differences between the two groups with regard
      to TNM (tumour, lymph nodes, metastasis) stage, Dukes' stage, metastases, number
      of polyps or cancer related mortality (median follow-up duration: 20 months).
      CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of colorectal neoplasia was similar among patients who
      previously had a negative FOBT and those who declined screening. There was a
      higher incidence of colorectal cancer detected among those who declined screening
      but it did not reach statistical significance. All other cancer and polyp
      outcomes were similar between the groups.

PMID- 26264090
TI  - Anterior parasternal approach for creation of a pericardial window.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The optimal method for creation of a pericardial window (PW) is
      still controversial and it remains a surgical challenge, mainly in obese
      patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a
      novel approach that has not been described previously, for creation of a PW in
      patients with symptomatic, chronic, large pericardial effusion. METHODS: We
      retrospectively analysed the records of 30 patients (14 men, 16 women) who
      underwent a PW procedure between 2001 and 2011. The mean age was 63 years
      (standard deviation [SD]: 17 years, median: 60 years, range: 27-90 years) and the
      mean body mass index was 34 kg/m(2) (SD: 2 kg/m(2)). The operation was performed
      through a curvilinear parasternal approach, 6-8 cm in length, followed by a mini
      thoracotomy between ribs 4 and 5. Discharged patients were followed up
      clinically. RESULTS: The mean operative time was 73 minutes (SD: 21 minutes) and
      a median of 658 ml (range: 300-1,500 ml) of fluid was evacuated. The main
      aetiologies were idiopathic in 17 patients (57%) and malignant in 9 (30%). Seven
      patients (23%) died in hospital owing to underlying malignancy. Postoperative
      complications included mild renal failure (20%), respiratory failure (20%),
      pneumonia (13%), atrial fibrillation (10%) and atelectasis (6%). There were no
      wound infections. The median length of stay following the procedure was 8 days.
      In a median follow-up period of 3.8 years, 16 patients with non-malignant
      effusion were free of recurrence of pericardial effusion. CONCLUSIONS: The
      anterior parasternal approach for creation of a PW is simple, safe and
      efficacious, and results in long-term symptomatic improvement, specifically in
      patients with non-malignant effusions. This approach may be more appealing in
      obese patients.

PMID- 26264091
TI  - The incidence of hypomagnesaemia following abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Magnesium is important for cardiac function. Hypomagnesaemia is
      associated with a higher incidence of arrhythmias and poorer outcomes in cardiac
      surgery. No studies have investigated the incidence or impact of postoperative
      hypomagnesaemia after abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) surgery. We aim to assess
      the incidence of hypomagnesaemia after AAA repair in our population. METHODS:
      Retrospective analysis was performed of patients who underwent elective AAA
      surgery at a single vascular centre. The last 110 patients undergoing open or
      endovascular AAA repair were identified. The hospital pathology system was used
      to identify the immediate postoperative serum magnesium levels as well as patient
      demographics and admission details. Hypomagnesaemia was defined as serum
      magnesium of <0.7 mmol/l. RESULTS: A total of 211 patients were studied and there
      were 3 deaths. Of the patients included, 101 underwent open elective AAA repair
      and 110 underwent endovascular repair. In the elective open repair group, 73
      patients (73%) were hypomagnesaemic. In the endovascular repair group, 35 (32%)
      had hypomagnesaemia. A t-test showed a statistically significant difference in
      hypomagnesaemia between the open and endovascular groups (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS:
      AAA surgery is associated with a high incidence of postoperative hypomagnesaemia,
      which is significantly greater among open repair patients. This is likely to have
      an effect on cardiac activity and lead to cardiac complications such as
      arrhythmias and poorer postoperative outcomes, especially in the open AAA repair
      subgroup. This stresses the importance of serum magnesium and cardiac monitoring
      in the postoperative phase. A prospective study is proposed to further
      investigate these findings, and their potential implications on perioperative
      morbidity and mortality.

PMID- 26264092
TI  - A two-year follow-up observational study of the T-14 paediatric throat disorders
      outcome measure in tonsillectomy and adenotonsillectomy.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The T-14 questionnaire is a validated patient reported outcome
      measure used to assess the value of paediatric tonsillectomy from the patient's
      perspective. There are currently limited data revealing the long-term
      postoperative effects of tonsillectomy on quality of life in the paediatric
      population. A previously published study was therefore extended to provide
      additional data at 12 and 24 months following surgery. METHODS: A prospective
      uncontrolled observational study was undertaken examining 54 paediatric patients
      undergoing tonsillectomy at Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust. Parents of children
      having surgery were invited to complete a T-14 questionnaire preoperatively as
      well as at 3, 6 (previously published), 12 and 24 months postoperatively.
      RESULTS: The questionnaire was completed for 50 of the 54 patients preoperatively
      as well as at 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively, with 44 being completed at 24
      months. The mean difference between the preoperative T-14 scores and the scores
      at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months following surgery were highly statistically significant
      (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study published in the literature to
      assess the T-14 questionnaire at 12 and 24 months following paediatric
      tonsillectomy, providing evidence of the ongoing benefit of patient reported
      outcome measures. This further confirms the value of tonsillectomy in the
      paediatric population and demonstrates its ongoing positive effects on quality of
      life.

PMID- 26264093
TI  - National survey on endoscopy training in the UK.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy is an important skill for both
      gastroenterologists and general surgeons but concerns have been raised about the
      provision and delivery of training. This survey aimed to evaluate and compare the
      delivery of endoscopy training to gastroenterology and surgical trainees in the
      UK. METHODS: A nationwide electronic survey was carried out of UK
      gastroenterology and general surgery trainees. RESULTS: There were 216 responses
      (33% gastroenterologists, 67% surgeons). Gastroenterology trainees attended more
      non-training endoscopy lists (mean: 3.0 vs 1.2) and training lists than surgical
      trainees (mean: 0.9 vs 0.5). A significantly higher proportion of
      gastroenterologists had already achieved accreditation in gastroscopy (60.8% vs
      28.9%), colonoscopy (66.7% vs 1.4%) and flexible sigmoidoscopy (33.3% vs 3.0%).
      More gastroenterology trainees aspired to achieve accreditation in gastroscopy
      (97.2% vs 79.2%), flexible sigmoidoscopy (91.7% vs 70.1%) and colonoscopy (88.8%
      vs 55.5%) by completion of training. By completion of training, surgeons were
      less likely than gastroenterologists to have completed the required number of
      procedures to gain accreditation in gastroscopy (60.3% vs 91.3%), flexible
      sigmoidoscopy (64.6% vs 68.6%) and colonoscopy (60.3% vs 70.3%). CONCLUSIONS:
      This survey highlights marked disparities between surgical and gastroenterology
      trainees in both aiming for and achieving accreditation in endoscopy. Without
      changes to the delivery and provision of training as well as clarification of the
      role of endoscopy training in a surgical training programme, future surgeons will
      not be able to perform essential endoscopic assessment of patients as part of
      their management algorithm.

PMID- 26264094
TI  - Acute appendicitis in the developing world is a morbid disease.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Acute appendicitis in the developing world has a markedly different
      disease profile to that in the developed world. METHODS: A retrospective study
      was undertaken over a four-year period at a university hospital in South Africa
      to review the disease spectrum and the clinical outcome of acute appendicitis.
      RESULTS: A total of 1,004 patients (54% male, median age: 18 years) with
      intraoperatively confirmed appendicitis were reviewed. Over half (56%) were from
      the urban district within the city of Pietermaritzburg and the remaining 44% were
      from the rural health district. The median duration of illness from onset to
      definitive care was 4 days. Sixty per cent of appendices were perforated and
      associated with intra-abdominal contamination. Forty per cent of patients
      required reoperation to control intra-abdominal sepsis. Ten per cent required
      admission to the intensive care unit. The median overall length of hospital stay
      was 5 days. The mortality rate was 1%. Rural patients had a longer median
      duration of illness (3 vs 5 days, p<0.001) as well as a more advanced disease
      profile associated with perforation and severe intra-abdominal sepsis (19% vs
      71%, p<0.001). Female patients had a longer median duration of illness (3 vs 4
      days, p<0.001), were more likely to present with severe intra-abdominal sepsis
      (31% vs 54%, p<0.001) and were more likely to require a laparotomy (50% vs 73%,
      p<0.001). The total cost of managing the entire cohort of 1,004 patients over the
      4-year period was L2,060,972. CONCLUSIONS: Acute appendicitis in South Africa is
      a serious disease associated with significant morbidity. Late presentation is
      common. Female and rural patients have the worst clinical outcomes, with
      significant cost to the health system.

PMID- 26264095
TI  - 'Rain chain' for ankle arthroscopy.

PMID- 26264096
TI  - How to 'jimmy' the chest in emergency median sternotomy.

PMID- 26264097
TI  - Minimally invasive removal of sharp radio-opaque foreign bodies in the foot.

PMID- 26264098
TI  - A simple transanal technique to complete perineal dissection of a proctectomy
      when the limits are not visible from above or below.

PMID- 26264099
TI  - The novel use of the Yankauer sucker as a radiolucent drill guide in orthopaedic
      surgery.

PMID- 26264100
TI  - The use of the Explant(r) device in metal backed ExeterTM acetabular component
      revision.

PMID- 26264101
TI  - A novel way to augment a tibial prosthesis for significant bone loss.

PMID- 26264102
TI  - A novel technique to assist arthroscopic screw removal.

PMID- 26264103
TI  - Technical tip in the use of obstetric forceps to remove high rectal foreign
      bodies.

PMID- 26264104
TI  - Albarran deflecting bridge: an aid to intra-detrusor injection of botulinum
      toxin.

PMID- 26264105
TI  - The treatment of deep infection by intraoperative manufacture of removable,
      antibiotic impregnated bead strings.

PMID- 26264106
TI  - Brunner's gland hamartoma of the duodenum.
AB  - Brunner's gland hamartoma (BGH) is a rare benign tumour of the duodenum. We
      present a case of duodenal obstruction caused by a BGH, which required surgical
      resection after a failed attempt at endoscopic removal. 

PMID- 26264107
TI  - A combined vascular surgical and clinical genetics approach to diffuse aneurysmal
      disease.
AB  - We report two patients who presented with extensive aneurysmal disease, in
      association with minimal external physical signs. Patient 1 remained genetically
      undiagnosed despite multiple structural, biochemical and genetic investigations.
      He made a good recovery following surgery for popliteal and left axillary artery
      aneurysms. Patient 2 was diagnosed with vascular type Ehlers-Danlos syndrome,
      associated with a high degree of tissue and blood vessel fragility, and is being
      managed conservatively. Early multidisciplinary assessment of such patients
      facilitates accurate diagnosis and management. 

PMID- 26264108
TI  - A diaphragmatic retroperitoneal cyst.
AB  - Diaphragmatic lesions are usually congenital bronchogenic cysts. A patient with a
      known diaphragmatic cyst presented with new onset right upper quadrant pain.
      Repeat imaging showed enlargement of the cyst, the CA19-9 cancer marker was
      raised at 312 iu/ml (normal: <27 iu/ml) and positron emission tomography combined
      with computed tomography showed focally increased uptake in the cystic wall. In
      view of symptoms and risk of neoplasia, the lesion was excised. Histology showed
      a benign epidermoid cyst. Features falsely suggesting neoplasia have been
      reported previously with benign splenic cysts but not with a benign diaphragmatic
      epidermoid cyst.

PMID- 26264109
TI  - A case of small-bowel obstruction after insertion of a percutaneous endoscopic
      gastrostomy tube due to mesenteric penetration.
AB  - A case of small-bowel obstruction after insertion of a percutaneous endoscopic
      gastrostomy (PEG) tube is described. At laparotomy, the PEG tube was found to
      have penetrated the jejunal mesentery at two points, thereby acting as a focus
      for a volvulus. Direct injury and obstruction to the small bowel have been
      described but volvulus due to mesenteric penetration has not. 

PMID- 26264110
TI  - Epidural abscess with associated spondylodiscitis following prostatic biopsy.
AB  - Spondylodiscitis is often iatrogenic in nature. We report the case of a 69-year
      old man presenting with spondylodiscitis and associated epidural abscess
      following transrectal ultrasonography guided prostate biopsy despite
      ciprofloxacin cover. To our knowledge, this is the first case of spondylodiscitis
      secondary to fluoroquinolone resistant Escherichia coli. 

PMID- 26264113
TI  - Friction coefficient analysis during high-heeled gait.

PMID- 26264111
TI  - An undigested cherry tomato as a rare cause of small bowel obstruction.
AB  - Small bowel obstruction due to undigested fibre from fruits and vegetables is a
      rare but known medical condition. We report a case of small bowel obstruction
      caused by a whole cherry tomato in a patient without a past medical history of
      abdominal surgery. A 66-year-old man presented to the emergency department
      complaining of lower abdominal pain with nausea and vomiting. His last bowel
      movement had occurred on the morning of presentation. He underwent abdominal
      computed tomography (CT), which showed a sudden change of diameter in the distal
      ileum with complete collapse of the proximal small bowel segment. Laparoscopy
      confirmed a small bowel obstruction with a transition point close to the
      ileocaecal valve. An enterotomy was performed and a completely undigested cherry
      tomato was retrieved. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a
      small bowel obstruction caused by a whole cherry tomato. 

PMID- 26264114
TI  - Sequence-dependent rotation axis changes and interaction torque use in overarm
      throwing.
AB  - We examined the role of rotation axes during an overarm throwing task.
      Participants performed such task and were asked to throw a ball at maximal
      velocity at a target. The purpose of this study was to examine whether the
      minimum inertia axis would be exploited during the throwing phases, a time when
      internal-external rotations of the shoulder are particularly important. A motion
      capture system was used to evaluate the performance and to compute the potential
      axes of rotation (minimum inertia axis, shoulder-centre of mass axis and the
      shoulder-elbow axis). More specifically, we investigated whether a velocity
      dependent change in rotational axes can be observed in the different throwing
      phases and whether the control obeys the principle of minimum inertia resistance.
      Our results showed that the limbs' rotational axis mainly coincides with the
      minimum inertia axis during the cocking phase and with the shoulder-elbow axis
      during the acceleration phase. Besides these rotation axes changes, the use of
      interaction torque is also sequence-dependent. The sequence-dependent rotation
      axes changes associated with the use of interaction torque during the
      acceleration phase could be a key factor in the production of hand velocity at
      ball release. 

PMID- 26264116
TI  - Combatting bacterial persister cells.
AB  - Most bacterial cells lead lives of quiet desperation in biofilms, combatting
      stress; yet, their prevalence attests to their ability to alter gene regulation
      to cope with myriad insults. Since biofilm bacteria are faced with starvation and
      other environmental stress (e.g., antibiotics from competitors, oxidative stress
      from host immune systems), it behooves them to be able to ramp down their
      metabolism in a highly regulated manner and enter a resting state known as
      persistence to weather stress. Hence, persister cells are metabolically dormant
      cells that arise predominantly as a response to stress through elegant gene
      regulation that includes toxin/antitoxin systems. In this review, an analysis is
      made of the genetic pathways that lead to persistence, of cell signaling via the
      interspecies and interkingdom signal indole that leads to persistence, and the
      means found to date for combatting these cells which are frequently tolerant to a
      range of antibiotics.

PMID- 26264115
TI  - Genetic variants of numb gene were associated with elevated total cholesterol
      level and low density lipoprotein cholesterol level in Chinese subjects, in
      Xinjiang, China.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hypercholesterolemia is one of the most common risk factors for
      Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), which is the leading cause of death worldwide. As
      Numb is an important regulating factor regarding intestinal cholesterol
      absorption and plasma cholesterol level, the aim of the present study is to
      investigate the relationship between human Numb gene polymorphism and cholesterol
      level in Chinese subjects. METHODS: All participants came from the First
      Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University (Male: 1052 and Female: 596),
      and four tagging SNPs (rs2108552, rs12435797, rs1019075 and rs17781919) of Numb
      gene were genotyped by using TaqMan assays and analyzed in an ABI 7900HT Fast
      Real-Time PCR System. Further, general liner model was applied for assessing the
      relationship between cholesterol level and genotypes. RESULTS: By analyzing a
      dominant model, recessive model and an additive model, we have found that SNP
      rs2108552 was associated with total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein
      cholesterol level (LDL-C) (P = 0.000 and P = 0.007; P =0.042 and P =0.009; P =
      0.006 and P = 0.030). C allele of SNP rs17781919 had significantly lower plasma
      TC level (3.46 +/- 0.74 mmol/L vs 4.27 +/- 1.1 mmol/L) and LDL-C level (0.98 +/-
      0.55 mmol/L vs 2.64 +/- 0.93 mmol/L) when compared with T allele. Additionally,
      SNP rs12435797 was associated with TC level and SNP rs1019075 was associated with
      LDL-C level by analyses of a dominant model, recessive model and an additive
      model (P = 0.000, P = 0.005 and P = 0.004; P = 0.016, P = 0.008 and P = 0.033).
      Further, the association of rs2108552, rs12435797, rs1019075 and rs17781919 with
      aforementioned different kinds of cholesterol levels remained statistically
      significant after multivariate adjustment of ethnicity, gender, age, smoking and
      obesity. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicated that both rs2108552 and rs17781919 in
      the Numb gene were associated with total cholesterol level and density
      lipoprotein-cholesterol level in Chinese subjects.

PMID- 26264117
TI  - Systematic Review of Preventive and Acute Treatment of Menstrual Migraine.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this systematic review is to identify the efficacy of
      different categories of treatments for menstrual migraines as found in randomized
      controlled trials or open label studies with similar efficacy endpoints.
      BACKGROUND: Menstrual migraine is very common and approximately 50% of women have
      increased risk of developing migraines related to the menstrual cycle. Attacks of
      menstrual migraine are usually more debilitating, of longer duration, more prone
      to recurrence, and less responsive to acute treatment than nonmenstrual migraine
      attacks. METHODS: Search for evidence was done in 4 databases that included
      PubMed, EMBASE, Science Direct, and Web of Science. Eighty-four articles were
      selected for full text review by 2 separate readers. Thirty-six of the 84
      articles were selected for final inclusion. Articles included randomized
      controlled and open label trials that focused on efficacy of acute and
      preventative therapies for menstrual migraine. Secondary analyses where excluded
      because the initial study population was not women with menstrual migraine.
      RESULTS: After final screening, 11 articles were selected for acute and 25 for
      preventive treatment of menstrual migraine. These were further subdivided into
      treatment categories. For acute treatment: triptans, combination therapy,
      prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor, and ergot alkaloids. For preventive treatment:
      triptans, combined therapy, oral contraceptives, estrogen, nonsteroidal anti
      inflammatory drug, phytoestrogen, gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist,
      dopamine agonist, vitamin, mineral, and nonpharmacological therapy were selected.
      Overall, triptans had strong evidence for treatment in both acute and short term
      prevention of menstrual migraine. CONCLUSIONS: Based on this literature search,
      of all categories of treatment for menstrual migraine, triptans have the most
      extensive research with strong evidence for both acute and preventive treatment
      of menstrual migraine. Further randomized controlled trials should be performed
      for other therapies to strengthen their use in the care of menstrual migraine
      patients.

PMID- 26264118
TI  - Sequential sampling: a novel method in farm animal welfare assessment.
AB  - Lameness in dairy cows is an important welfare issue. As part of a welfare
      assessment, herd level lameness prevalence can be estimated from scoring a sample
      of animals, where higher levels of accuracy are associated with larger sample
      sizes. As the financial cost is related to the number of cows sampled, smaller
      samples are preferred. Sequential sampling schemes have been used for informing
      decision making in clinical trials. Sequential sampling involves taking samples
      in stages, where sampling can stop early depending on the estimated lameness
      prevalence. When welfare assessment is used for a pass/fail decision, a similar
      approach could be applied to reduce the overall sample size. The sampling schemes
      proposed here apply the principles of sequential sampling within a diagnostic
      testing framework. This study develops three sequential sampling schemes of
      increasing complexity to classify 80 fully assessed UK dairy farms, each with
      known lameness prevalence. Using the Welfare Quality herd-size-based sampling
      scheme, the first 'basic' scheme involves two sampling events. At the first
      sampling event half the Welfare Quality sample size is drawn, and then depending
      on the outcome, sampling either stops or is continued and the same number of
      animals is sampled again. In the second 'cautious' scheme, an adaptation is made
      to ensure that correctly classifying a farm as 'bad' is done with greater
      certainty. The third scheme is the only scheme to go beyond lameness as a binary
      measure and investigates the potential for increasing accuracy by incorporating
      the number of severely lame cows into the decision. The three schemes are
      evaluated with respect to accuracy and average sample size by running 100 000
      simulations for each scheme, and a comparison is made with the fixed size Welfare
      Quality herd-size-based sampling scheme. All three schemes performed almost as
      well as the fixed size scheme but with much smaller average sample sizes. For the
      third scheme, an overall association between lameness prevalence and the
      proportion of lame cows that were severely lame on a farm was found. However, as
      this association was found to not be consistent across all farms, the sampling
      scheme did not prove to be as useful as expected. The preferred scheme was
      therefore the 'cautious' scheme for which a sampling protocol has also been
      developed. 

PMID- 26264119
TI  - Esophagogastric junction distensibility in the management of achalasia patients:
      relation to treatment outcome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Achalasia is characterized by a functional esophagogastric junction
      (EGJ) obstruction. The functional luminal imaging probe (EndoFLIP) is a method to
      assess EGJ distensibility. In a homogeneous group of newly diagnosed achalasia
      patients treated with pneumatic dilation (PD), we aimed (i) to determine whether
      the assessment of EGJ distensibility has added value in the management of
      achalasia patients and (ii) to evaluate whether EGJ distensibility differs
      between achalasia subtypes. METHODS: Twenty-six newly diagnosed achalasia
      patients were treated by graded PD (30 and 35 mm) separated by 1 week. EGJ
      distensibility was measured with the EndoFLIP technique before and after 30 mm
      PD. Good clinical outcome was defined as an Eckardt score <4 at 1-year follow-up.
      Fifteen healthy controls underwent an EndoFLIP measurement as control group. KEY
      RESULTS: Newly diagnosed achalasia patients had reduced EGJ distensibility
      compared to healthy controls (0.9 [0.7-1.5] vs 3.4 [2.7-4.2] mm(2) /mmHg, p <
      0.01), and EGJ distensibility was lower in type II compared to type I patients
      (0.8 [0.7-1.1] vs 1.5 [0.9-1.9] mm(2) /mmHg, p = 0.02). EGJ distensibility was
      increased after PD from 0.9 (0.7-1.5) to 4.2 (3.0-5.7) mm(2) /mmHg (p < 0.001).
      No difference was found in EGJ distensibility directly after PD between patients
      with good and poor clinical outcome at 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS &
      INFERENCES: Assessment of EGJ distensibility with the EndoFLIP technique is able
      to demonstrate the functional EGJ obstruction in newly diagnosed achalasia
      patients and EGJ distensibility differs between achalasia subtypes. Although PD
      improves EGJ distensibility, assessment of EGJ distensibility with a limited
      number of distension steps provides no additional information that is useful for
      clinical evaluation and management of achalasia patients.

PMID- 26264120
TI  - Discriminating different causes of transfusion-associated pulmonary edema.

PMID- 26264122
TI  - Assisted reproductive technology: an uncommon, but increasing, cause of parent
      child ABO discrepancy.

PMID- 26264123
TI  - Efficacy of education as an intervention to reduce red blood cell utilization:
      the importance of a precise description of what is meant by "education".

PMID- 26264124
TI  - Evaluation of "Transfusion Camp," a postgraduate transfusion medicine education
      program using the BEST-TEST knowledge assessment tool.

PMID- 26264125
TI  - ERRATUM.

PMID- 26264127
TI  - The clinical utility of naturalistic action test in differentiating mild
      cognitive impairment from early dementia in memory clinic.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the validity of the Naturalistic Action
      Test in differentiating Mild Cognitive Impairment from early dementia compared to
      clinical diagnosis and ascertain Naturalistic Action Test cut-off points.
      METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of 70 consecutive patients diagnosed
      with Mild Cognitive Impairment attending the memory clinic in St James's
      Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. Patients with a diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment
      who attended for routine annual assessment were asked to participate in the
      study. The Naturalistic Action Test was carried out after the patient had
      completed their routine assessment in the clinic. RESULTS: The Area under the
      Curve, AUC +/- SE was 0.808 +/- 0.058, p < 0.001 with 95% CI (0.695-0.922). There
      was concordance in 40 and discrepancy in 30 patients between the NAT and the gold
      standard consensus diagnosis (PPV 38%, NPV 96%, sensitivity 94%, specificity 46%
      and accuracy 59%) using cut-off point of >=14 for normal function on Naturalistic
      Action Test. The difference was not related to age, sex, level of education or
      informant. Using the Youden index, we determined a Naturalistic Action Test cut
      off score of >=11 for Mild Cognitive Impairment in our study (PPV 50%, NPV 91%,
      sensitivity 78%, specificity 73% and accuracy of 74%). There was discrepancy in
      18 patients using the new cut-off point (>=11 for Mild Cognitive Impairment vs
      <=10 for dementia). CONCLUSION: The Naturalistic Action Test is a useful tool
      that can increase diagnostic accuracy in differentiating Mild Cognitive
      Impairment from early dementia.

PMID- 26264128
TI  - Preparing the next generation of genomicists: a laboratory-style course in
      medical genomics.
AB  - The growing gap between the demand for genome sequencing and the supply of
      trained genomics professionals is creating an acute need to develop more
      effective genomics education. In response we developed "Practical Analysis of
      Your Personal Genome", a novel laboratory-style medical genomics course in which
      students have the opportunity to obtain and analyze their own whole genome. This
      report describes our motivations for and the content of a "practical" genomics
      course that incorporates personal genome sequencing and the lessons we learned
      during the first three iterations of this course. 

PMID- 26264129
TI  - Individual and collective empowerment and associated factors among Brazilian
      adults: a cross-sectional study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The empowerment embedded in the health area is defined as a process
      that can facilitate control over the determinants of health of individuals and
      population as a way to improve health. The aim of this study was to verify the
      association between individual and collective empowerment with sociodemographic
      conditions, lifestyle, health conditions and quality of life. METHOD: A cross
      sectional analytical study was conducted with 1150 individuals (aged 35 to 44
      years). The empowerment was determined by questions from the Integrated
      Questionnaire for the Measurement of Social Capital (IQ-MSC). The quality of life
      was measured using the WHOQOL (World Health Organization Quality of Life-Bref).
      Lifestyle and health conditions were obtained by adapted questions from the
      Fantastic Lifestyle Questionnaire The DMFT Index was incorporated in the health
      conditions questions. Logistic regression or multinomial regression was
      performed. RESULTS: The practice of physical activity was related to individual
      (OR: 2.70) and collective (OR: 1.57) empowerment. Regarding individual
      empowerment, people with higher education level (5-11 years - OR: 3.46 and >=12
      years - OR: 4.41), who felt more able to deal with stress (OR:3.76), who
      presented a high score on quality of life (psychological domain) (OR:1.23) and
      that smoked (OR:1.49) were more likely to feel able to make decisions and
      participate in community activities. The increase in the DMFT Index represented
      less chance of individuals to feel more able to make decisions (OR: 0.96).
      Regarding the collective empowerment, being religious (catholic) (OR: 1.82), do
      not drink or drink just a little (OR: 1.66 and 2.28, respectively), and increased
      score of overall quality of life (OR: 1.08) were more likely to report that
      people cooperate to solve a problem in their community. CONCLUSION: The two
      approaches to empowerment, the individual and collective are connected, and the
      physical activity showed to be a good strategy for the empowerment construction.

PMID- 26264130
TI  - Increased number of structured diabetes education attendance was not associated
      with the improvement in patient-reported health-related quality of life: results
      from Patient Empowerment Programme (PEP).
AB  - AIMS: To assess the effect of a structured education intervention, Patient
      Empowerment Programme (PEP) patient-reported health-related quality of life
      (HRQOL) among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients, and if positive effect is
      confirmed, to further explore any association between frequency of sessions
      attendance and HRQOL. METHODS: A total of 298 T2DM patients were recruited when
      they attended the first session of PEP, between March and September 2010, and
      were followed over a one-year period from baseline. HRQOL data were assessed
      using Short Form-12 Health Survey version 2 (SF-12) and Short Form-6 Dimension
      (SF-6D) at baseline and one-year follow-up. Individuals' anthropometric and
      biomedical data were extracted from an administrative database in Hong Kong.
      Unadjusted and adjusted analyses of linear regression models were performed to
      examine the impact of PEP session attendance on the change in the HRQOL scores,
      accounting for the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics at baseline.
      RESULTS: Of the 298 eligible patients, 257 (86.2%) participated in the baseline
      assessment and 179 (60.1%) patients completed the follow-up assessment,
      respectively. Overall, PEP resulted in a significant improvement in SF-12 bodily
      pain and role emotional subscales and SF-6D utility scores. These positive
      changes were not associated with the level of participation as shown in both
      unadjusted and adjusted analyses. CONCLUSIONS: The PEP made significant
      improvement in bodily pain, role emotional and overall aspects of HRQOL. Higher
      number of session attendance was not associated with improvement in HRQOL in
      primary care real-world setting. Key Messages ? Participants with type 2 diabetes
      mellitus who participated in structured diabetes education programme made
      significant improvement in bodily pain and role emotional subscales and SF-6D
      scores. ? There was no association between the number of sessions attended and
      any aspect of HRQOL.

PMID- 26264131
TI  - Barriers to cervical cancer screening experienced by lesbian women: a qualitative
      study.
AB  - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To provide deeper insights into the experiences of lesbian
      women in accessing cervical cancer screening and to inform strategies to increase
      the uptake of these services for this group of women. BACKGROUND: Lesbian women
      continue to face significant health disparities and are at increased risk for
      specific medical conditions. With cervical cancer being largely a preventable
      disease, early detection through the Papanicolaou test is crucial, as it enables
      treatment to commence early and limit the progression of the disease. Although
      the rates of cervical abnormalities among lesbian women are similar to that of
      the general population, lesbian women are less likely to have regular cervical
      screening. The reasons for this are largely unknown and there is a paucity of
      research that explores cervical cancer screening in lesbian women. DESIGN:
      Qualitative descriptive design. METHODS: Participants (n = 9) were recruited via
      media release and those living in New South Wales who self-identified as lesbian,
      meeting the inclusion criteria were recruited for the study. Semi-structured,
      face to face and telephone interviews were used to obtain narrative data from
      lesbian women on their experiences of cervical screening. RESULTS: Three main
      themes emerged from the data: 'Lack of opportunistic screening'; 'Fear of
      penetration' and 'Encountering heterosexism and discrimination'. CONCLUSIONS:
      This current study builds on existing knowledge and further, has identified
      issues that have not been previously raised in the literature. New findings from
      this study highlight participants' fear of penetration, and stigma associated
      with accessing information, as substantial barriers to cervical screening.
      RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This study's findings can guide future research
      and highlight possibilities for specific strategies to reduce health disparities
      among lesbian women.

PMID- 26264132
TI  - The Glutamine-Alanine Repeat Domain of TCERG1 is Required for the Inhibition of
      the Growth Arrest Activity of C/EBPalpha.
AB  - TCERG1 was characterized previously as a repressor of the transcription factor
      C/EBPalpha through a mechanism that involved relocalization of TCERG1 from
      nuclear speckles to pericentromeric regions. The inhibitory activity as well as
      the relocalization activity has been demonstrated to lie in the amino terminal
      half of the protein, which contains several discrete motifs including an
      imperfect glutamine-alanine (QA) repeat. In the present study, we showed that
      deletion of this domain completely abrogated the ability of TCERG1 to inhibit the
      growth arrest activity of C/EBPalpha. Moreover, the QA repeat deletion mutant of
      TCERG1 lost the ability to be relocalized from nuclear speckles to
      pericentromeric regions, and caused an increase in the average size of individual
      speckles. We also showed that deletion of the QA repeat abrogated the complex
      formation between TCERG1 and C/EBPalpha. Examination of mutants with varying
      numbers of QA repeats indicated that a minimal number of repeats are required for
      inhibitory activity as well as relocalization ability. These data contribute to
      our overall understanding of how TCERG1 can have gene-specific effects in
      addition to its more general roles in coordinating transcription elongation and
      splicing.

PMID- 26264133
TI  - Direct PCR Improves the Recovery of DNA from Various Substrates.
AB  - This study reports on the comparison of a standard extraction process with the
      direct PCR approach of processing low-level DNA swabs typical in forensic
      investigations. Varying concentrations of control DNA were deposited onto three
      commonly encountered substrates, brass, plastic, and glass, left to dry, and
      swabbed using premoistened DNA-free nylon FLOQswabs(TM) . Swabs (n = 90) were
      either processed using the DNA IQ(TM) kit or, for direct PCR, swab fibers (~2
      mm(2) ) were added directly to the PCR with no prior extraction. A significant
      increase in the height of the alleles (p < 0.005) was observed when using the
      direct PCR approach over the extraction methodology when controlling for surface
      type and mass of DNA deposited. The findings indicate the potential use of direct
      PCR for increasing the PCR product obtained from low-template DNA samples in
      addition to minimizing contamination and saving resources.

PMID- 26264134
TI  - Development and validation of a novel patient-reported treatment satisfaction
      measure for hyperfunctional facial lines: facial line satisfaction questionnaire.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Facial lines or wrinkles are among the most visible signs of aging,
      and minimally invasive cosmetic procedures are becoming increasingly popular.
      AIMS: The aim of this study was to develop and validate the Facial Line
      Satisfaction Questionnaire (FLSQ) for use in adults with upper facial lines
      (UFL). METHODS: A literature review, concept elicitation interviews (n = 33), and
      cognitive debriefing interviews (n = 23) of adults with UFL were conducted to
      develop the FLSQ. The FLSQ comprises Baseline and Follow-up versions and was
      field-tested with 150 subjects in a US observational study designed to assess its
      psychometric performance. Analyses included acceptability (item and scale
      distribution [i.e. missingness, floor, and ceiling effects]), reliability, and
      validity (including concurrent validity). RESULTS: In total, 69 concepts were
      elicited during patient interviews. Following cognitive debriefing interviews,
      the FLSQ-Baseline version included 11 items and the Follow-up version included 13
      items. Response rates for the FLSQ were 100% and 73% at baseline and follow-up,
      respectively; no items had excessive missing data. Questionnaire scale scores
      were normally distributed. Most domain scores demonstrated good internal
      consistency reliability (Cronbach's alpha >= 0.70). Most items within their
      respective domains exhibited good convergent (item-scale correlations > 0.40) and
      discriminant (items had higher correlation with their hypothesized scales than
      other scales) validity. Concurrent validity correlation coefficients of the FLSQ
      domain scores with the associated concurrent measures were acceptable (range: r =
      0.40-0.70). Six FLSQ items demonstrated reliability and validity as stand-alone
      items outside their domains. CONCLUSIONS: The FLSQ is a valid questionnaire for
      assessing treatment expectations, satisfaction, impact, and preference in adults
      with UFL.

PMID- 26264135
TI  - Characterization of self-generated variants in Pseudoalteromonas lipolytica
      biofilm with increased antifouling activities.
AB  - Pseudoalteromonas is widespread in various marine environments, and most strains
      can affect invertebrate larval settlement and metamorphosis by forming biofilms.
      However, the impact and the molecular basis of population diversification
      occurring in Pseudoalteromonas biofilms are poorly understood. Here, we show that
      morphological diversification is prevalent in Pseudoalteromonas species during
      biofilm formation. Two types of genetic variants, wrinkled (frequency of 12+/-5%)
      and translucent (frequency of 5+/-3%), were found in Pseudoalteromonas lipolytica
      biofilms. The inducing activities of biofilms formed by the two variants on
      larval settlement and metamorphosis of the mussel Mytilus coruscus were
      significantly decreased, suggesting strong antifouling activities. Using whole
      genome re-sequencing combined with genetic manipulation, two genes were
      identified to be responsible for the morphology alternations. A nonsense mutation
      in AT00_08765 led to a wrinkled morphology due to the overproduction of
      cellulose, whereas a point mutation in AT00_17125 led to a translucent morphology
      via a reduction in capsular polysaccharide production. Taken together, the
      results suggest that the microbial behavior on larval settlement and
      metamorphosis in marine environment could be affected by the self-generated
      variants generated during the formation of marine biofilms, thereby rendering
      potential application in biocontrol of marine biofouling.

PMID- 26264137
TI  - Selective elimination of bacterial faecal indicators in the Schmutzdecke of slow
      sand filtration columns.
AB  - Slow sand filtration (SSF) is an effective low-tech water treatment method for
      pathogen and particle removal. Yet despite its application for centuries, it has
      been uncertain to which extent pathogenic microbes are removed by mechanical
      filtration or due to ecological interactions such as grazing and competition for
      nutrients. In this study, we quantified the removal of bacterial faecal
      indicators, Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis, from secondary effluent
      of a wastewater treatment plant and analysed the microbial community composition
      in compartments of laboratory model SSF columns. The columns were packed with
      different sand grain sizes and eliminated 1.6-2.3 log units of faecal indicators,
      which translated into effluents of bathing water quality according to the EU
      directive (<500 colony forming units of E. coli per 100 ml) for columns with
      small grain size. Most of that removal occurred in the upper filter area, the
      Schmutzdecke. Within that same zone, total bacterial numbers increased however,
      thus suggesting a specific elimination of the faecal indicators. The analysis of
      the microbial communities also revealed that some taxa were removed more from the
      wastewater than others. These results accentuate the contribution of biological
      mechanisms to water purification in SSF. 

PMID- 26264136
TI  - A novel aldose-aldose oxidoreductase for co-production of D-xylonate and xylitol
      from D-xylose with Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
AB  - An open reading frame CC1225 from the Caulobacter crescentus CB15 genome sequence
      belongs to the Gfo/Idh/MocA protein family and has 47 % amino acid sequence
      identity with the glucose-fructose oxidoreductase from Zymomonas mobilis (Zm
      GFOR). We expressed the ORF CC1225 in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and used
      a yeast strain expressing the gene coding for Zm GFOR as a reference. Cell
      extracts of strains overexpressing CC1225 (renamed as Cc aaor) showed some Zm
      GFOR type of activity, producing D-gluconate and D-sorbitol when a mixture of D
      glucose and D-fructose was used as substrate. However, the activity in Cc aaor
      expressing strain was >100-fold lower compared to strains expressing Zm gfor.
      Interestingly, C. crescentus AAOR was clearly more efficient than the Zm GFOR in
      converting in vitro a single sugar substrate D-xylose (10 mM) to xylitol without
      an added cofactor, whereas this type of activity was very low with Zm GFOR.
      Furthermore, when cultured in the presence of D-xylose, the S. cerevisiae strain
      expressing Cc aaor produced nearly equal concentrations of D-xylonate and xylitol
      (12.5 g D-xylonate l(-1) and 11.5 g D-xylitol l(-1) from 26 g D-xylose l(-1)),
      whereas the control strain and strain expressing Zm gfor produced only D-xylitol
      (5 g l(-1)). Deletion of the gene encoding the major aldose reductase, Gre3p, did
      not affect xylitol production in the strain expressing Cc aaor, but decreased
      xylitol production in the strain expressing Zm gfor. In addition, expression of
      Cc aaor together with the D-xylonolactone lactonase encoding the gene xylC from
      C. crescentus slightly increased the final concentration and initial volumetric
      production rate of both D-xylonate and D-xylitol. These results suggest that C.
      crescentus AAOR is a novel type of oxidoreductase able to convert the single
      aldose substrate D-xylose to both its oxidized and reduced product.

PMID- 26264138
TI  - Overexpression of yeast thioredoxin TRX2 reduces p53-mediated cell death in
      yeast.
AB  - We have previously shown that overexpression of the human tumor suppressor
      protein P53 causes cell death of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. P53
      overproduction led to transcriptional downregulation of some yeast genes, such as
      the TRX1/2 thioredoxin system, which plays a key role in cell protection against
      various oxidative stresses induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS). In the
      present work, the impact of TRX2 overexpression on apoptosis mediated by p53
      overexpression in yeast is investigated. In yeast cells expressing P53 under an
      inducible promoter together with TRX2 under a strong constitutive promoter, we
      showed that Tr2p overproduction reduced the apoptotic effect exerted by P53 and
      increased the viability of the P53-overproducing cells. Furthermore, measurements
      of ROS amounts by flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy indicated that the
      TRX2 protein acted probably through its increased detoxifying activity on the P53
      generated ROS. The steady-state level and activity of P53 were not affected by
      TRX2 overexpression, as shown by western blotting and functional analysis of
      separated alleles in yeast (FASAY), respectively. The growth inhibitory effect of
      P53 was partially reversed by the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine. Our data
      strengthen the idea that overexpression of a single gene (trx2) decreases the p53
      mediated cell death by decreasing ROS accumulation. 

PMID- 26264139
TI  - Two-step nitrification in a pure moving bed biofilm reactor-membrane bioreactor
      for wastewater treatment: nitrifying and denitrifying microbial populations and
      kinetic modeling.
AB  - The moving bed biofilm reactor-membrane bioreactor (MBBR-MBR) is a novel solution
      to conventional activated sludge processes and membrane bioreactors. In this
      study, a pure MBBR-MBR was studied. The pure MBBR-MBR mainly had attached
      biomass. The bioreactor operated with a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 9.5 h.
      The kinetic parameters for heterotrophic and autotrophic biomasses, mainly
      nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB), were evaluated. The analysis of the bacterial
      community structure of the ammonium-oxidizing bacteria (AOB), NOB, and
      denitrifying bacteria (DeNB) from the pure MBBR-MBR was carried out by means of
      pyrosequencing to detect and quantify the contribution of the nitrifying and
      denitrifying bacteria in the total bacterial community. The relative abundance of
      AOB, NOB, and DeNB were 5, 1, and 3%, respectively, in the mixed liquor suspended
      solids (MLSS), and these percentages were 18, 5, and 2%, respectively, in the
      biofilm density (BD) attached to carriers. The pure MBBR-MBR had a high
      efficiency of total nitrogen (TN) removal of 71.81+/-16.04%, which could reside
      in the different bacterial assemblages in the fixed biofilm on the carriers. In
      this regard, the kinetic parameters for autotrophic biomass had values of
      YA=2.3465 mg O2 mg N(-1), MUm, A=0.7169 h(-1), and KNH=2.0748 mg NL(-1).

PMID- 26264140
TI  - A Noble-Metal-Free Nickel(II) Polypyridyl Catalyst for Visible-Light-Driven
      Hydrogen Production from Water.
AB  - The complex [Ni(bpy)3](2+) (bpy=2,2'-bipyridine) is an active catalyst for
      visible-light-driven H2 production from water when employed with [Ir(dfppy)2
      (Hdcbpy)] [dfppy=2-(3,4-difluorophenyl)pyridine, Hdcbpy=4-carboxy-2,2'-bipyridine
      4'-carboxylate] as the photosensitizer and triethanolamine as the sacrificial
      electron donor. The highest turnover number of 520 with respect to the nickel(II)
      catalyst is obtained in a 8:2 acetonitrile/water solution at pH 9. The H2 
      evolution system is more stable after the addition of an extra free bpy ligand,
      owing to faster catalyst regeneration. The photocatalytic results demonstrate
      that the nickel(II) polypyridyl catalyst can act as a more effective catalyst
      than the commonly utilized [Co(bpy)3 ](2+). This study may offer a new paradigm
      for constructing simple and noble-metal-free catalysts for photocatalytic
      hydrogen production.

PMID- 26264142
TI  - Effect of the synthetic cannabinoid HU-210 on quorum sensing and on the
      production of quorum sensing-mediated virulence factors by Vibrio harveyi.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Bacterial populations communicate through the cell density-dependent
      mechanism of quorum sensing (QS). Vibrio harveyi, one of the best studied model
      organisms for QS, was used to explore effects of the synthetic cannabinoid HU-210
      on QS and different QS-regulated physiological processes in bacteria. RESULTS:
      Analysis of QS-regulated bioluminescence in wild-type and mutant strains of V.
      harveyi revealed that HU-210 affects the autoinducer-2 (AI-2) pathway, one of
      three known QS cascades of V. harveyi. Furthermore, QS-mediated biofilm formation
      and swimming motility in the mutant strain BB152 (AI-1(-), AI-2(+)) were
      significantly reduced in the presence of HU-210. HU-210 inhibited QS-mediated
      virulence factor production without any inhibitory effect on bacterial growth. It
      also alters the expression of several genes, which are regulated by QS,
      specifically downregulating the genes of the AI-2 QS cascade. CONCLUSION: First
      evidence is being provided for interference of bacterial signal-transduction
      systems by a synthetic cannabinoid. The effect of HU-210 was specific to the AI-2
      cascade in V. harveyi. AI-2 is known as a "universal autoinducer" and
      interference with its activity opens a broad spectrum of applications for
      synthetic cannabinoids in future research as a potential anti-QS agent.

PMID- 26264143
TI  - Impact of nocturnal hemodialysis on peripheral uremic neuropathy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Uremic neuropathy is a common complication in patients with end stage
      kidney disease. Its pathogenesis has been attributed to accumulation of uremic
      toxins. Kidney transplantation has been the best therapeutic option. CASE
      PRESENTATION: We describe a case of severe uremic peripheral neuropathy, which
      improved after conversion from a conventional renal replacement therapy to
      nocturnal hemodialysis. CONCLUSION: Enhanced uremic control by intensive
      hemodialysis may contribute at least in part to clinical and neurophysiological
      improvements of uremic neuropathy.

PMID- 26264144
TI  - Genealogy of breastfeeding.
AB  - Decline and resurgence of breastfeeding (BF) characterized last century. Several
      factors influencing BF outcome were identified. Despite the huge literature on
      BF, no data on its matrilineal transmission are available. BF practice was
      prospectively followed in 2546 Italian mothers. Lactation and BF outcome were
      related, besides to known factors interfering with BF, to the occurrence of
      previous maternal and paternal BF. Recalls of grandmaternal and grand
      grandmaternal BF behaviours allowed the construction of familiar pedigrees of BF
      across three generations. Having been breastfed was the strongest factor
      addressing successful BF establishment (odds ratio (OR) 9.33; 95% confidence
      interval (CI) 7.40-11.84; p < 0.0001) and BF duration (at 6 months: OR 3.79; 95%
      CI 3.11-4.64; p < 0.0001). The hazard ratio for breastfed vs non-breastfed
      mothers was 0.46 (95% CI 0.41-0.50; log-rank p < 0.0001). The rate of BF failures
      was fivefold higher in non-breastfed mothers, mostly occurring during
      lactogenesis when the let-down reflex becomes essential. CONCLUSION: At any
      generation, mothers are likely to have daughters repeating their BF experience.
      Differently from the intergenerational effects of environmental factors
      responsible for the BF secular trend, this trait is transgenerationally
      transmitted and reversible, with temporal and clinical features of lactation
      failure. Accordingly, we speculate that epigenetic mechanisms might alter
      offspring's oxytocinergic receptor signalling. WHAT IS KNOWN: Several cultural
      and socio-demographic factors are known to influence breastfeeding outcome. The
      generational effects of breastfeeding itself have not been investigated so far.
      WHAT IS NEW: Maternal breastfeeding is the most important factor addressing
      daughters' breastfeeding outcome. This behavior is transmitted
      transgenerationally, with features suggesting epigenetic mechanisms.

PMID- 26264145
TI  - Prevalence of common fusion transcripts in acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A report
      of 304 cases.
AB  - AIM: Information about fusion transcripts in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
      is used to risk-stratify patients, decide on the treatment and to detect minimal
      residual disease. This study was conducted to determine the frequency of common
      fusion transcripts BCR-ABL, TEL-AML1, MLL-AF4 and E2A-PBX1 for B-ALL and SIL-TAL1
      for T-ALL as seen at a tertiary care center in India. METHODS: Up to 304 new
      cases of ALL (271 B-ALL and 33 T-ALL) diagnosed on morphology, cytochemistry and
      immunophenotyping were studied. All were screened for the common fusion
      transcripts by RT-PCR. RESULTS: Both our B- (218/271; 80.4%) and T-ALL (26/33;
      78.8%) patients were largely children. In the B-ALL children, BCR-ABL was
      detected in 26/218 (11.9%), E2A-PBX1 in 13/218 (5.9%), TEL-AML1 in 16/218 (7.3%)
      and MLL-AF4 in 3/218 (1.4%) patients. Adult B-ALL cases had BCR-ABL in 15/53
      (28.3%) and E2A-PBX in 2/53 (3.8%); however, no other fusion transcript was
      detected. SIL-TAL1 was found in four of 26 pediatric (15%) and zero of 7 adult T
      ALL cases. CONCLUSION: The higher incidence of BCR-ABL and lower incidence of TEL
      AML1 in our ALL patients, both in children and adults as compared with the West,
      suggests that patients in India may be biologically different. This difference
      may explain at least in part the higher relapse rate and poorer outcome in our B
      ALL cases.

PMID- 26264146
TI  - The prognostic value of serum C-reactive protein-bound serum amyloid A in early
      stage lung cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Elevated levels of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) have been reported
      to have prognostic significance in lung cancer patients. This study aimed to
      further identify CRP-bound components as prognostic markers for lung cancer and
      validate their prognostic value. METHODS: CRP-bound components obtained from the
      serum samples from lung cancer patients or healthy controls were analyzed by
      differential proteomics analysis. CRP-bound serum amyloid A (CRP-SAA) was
      evaluated by co-immunoprecipitation (IP). Serum samples from two independent
      cohorts with lung cancer (retrospective cohort, 242 patients; prospective cohort,
      222 patients) and healthy controls (159 subjects) were used to evaluate the
      prognostic value of CRP-SAA by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: CRP
      SAA was identified specifically in serum samples from lung cancer patients by
      proteomic analysis. CRP binding to SAA was confirmed by co-IP in serum samples
      from lung cancer patients and cell culture media. The level of CRP-SAA was
      significantly higher in patients than in healthy controls (0.37 +/- 0.58 vs. 0.03
      +/- 0.04, P < 0.001). Elevated CRP-SAA levels were significantly associated with
      severe clinical features of lung cancer. The elevation of CRP-SAA was associated
      with lower survival rates for both the retrospective (hazard ration [HR] = 2.181,
      95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.641-2.897, P < 0.001) and the prospective
      cohorts (HR = 2.744, 95% CI = 1.810-4.161, P < 0.001). Multivariate Cox analysis
      showed that CRP-SAA was an independent prognostic marker for lung cancer.
      Remarkably, in stages I-II patients, only CRP-SAA, not total SAA or CRP, showed
      significant association with overall survival in two cohorts. Moreover,
      univariate and multivariate Cox analyses also showed that only CRP-SAA could be
      used as an independent prognostic marker for early-stage lung cancer patients.
      CONCLUSION: CRP-SAA could be a better prognostic marker for lung cancer than
      total SAA or CRP, especially in early-stage patients.

PMID- 26264147
TI  - Inhibitory effect of Samul-tang on retinal neovascularization in oxygen-induced
      retinopathy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Retinal neovascularization is a common cause of vision loss in
      proliferative diabetic retinopathy, retinopathy of prematurity and age-related
      macular degeneration. Samul-tang (SMT) is a widely used traditional herbal
      medicine in East Asia and is also known as Shimotsu-to in Japanese and Si-Wu
      decoction in Chinese. This study was designed to evaluate the inhibitory effect
      of SMT on retinal pathogenic angiogenesis in a mouse model of oxygen-induced
      retinopathy (OIR). METHOD: The mice were exposed to a 75% concentration of oxygen
      for five days, starting on postnatal day 7 (P7-P12). The mice were then exposed
      to room air and were intraperitoneally injected with SMT (10 mg/kg or 50 mg/kg)
      once per day for five days (P12-P16). On P17, we measured retinal
      neovascularization and evaluated both the expression of angiogenesis-related
      proteins and changes in the gene expression level in the mRNA. RESULTS: SMT
      reduced the area of the central retina and reduced retinal neovascularization in
      OIR mice. The protein array revealed that SMT reduced the level of SDF-1 protein
      expression. Quantitative real-time PCR revealed that the HIF-1alpha, SDF-1, CXCR4
      and VEGF mRNA levels in the retinas of OIR mice were elevated compared with those
      of normal control mice. However, SMT decreased the levels of HIF-1alpha, SDF-1,
      CXCR4 and VEGF mRNA in OIR mice. CONCLUSION: We are the first to elucidate that
      SMT inhibits the retinal pathogenic angiogenesis induced by ischemic retinopathy
      in OIR mice. SMT significantly inhibited retinal neovascularization by
      downregulating HIF-1alpha, SDF-1, CXCR4 and VEGF. Based on the results of our
      study, SMT could be a useful herbal medicine for treating ischemic retinopathy.

PMID- 26264148
TI  - Stress-triggered redox signalling: what's in pROSpect?
AB  - Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have a profound influence on almost every aspect of
      plant biology. Here, we emphasize the fundamental, intimate relationships between
      light-driven reductant formation, ROS, and oxidative stress, together with
      compartment-specific differences in redox buffering and the perspectives for
      their analysis. Calculations of approximate H2 O2 concentrations in the
      peroxisomes are provided, and based on the likely values in other locations such
      as chloroplasts, we conclude that much of the H2 O2 detected in conventional in
      vitro assays is likely to be extracellular. Within the context of scant
      information on ROS perception mechanisms, we consider current knowledge,
      including possible parallels with emerging information on oxygen sensing.
      Although ROS can sometimes be signals for cell death, we consider that an equally
      important role is to transmit information from metabolism to allow appropriate
      cellular responses to developmental and environmental changes. Our discussion
      speculates on novel sensing mechanisms by which this could happen and how ROS
      could be counted by the cell, possibly as a means of monitoring metabolic flux.
      Throughout, we place emphasis on the positive effects of ROS, predicting that in
      the coming decades they will increasingly be defined as hallmarks of viability
      within a changing and challenging environment. 

PMID- 26264149
TI  - Impact of body mass index on posttransplant outcomes reexamined.

PMID- 26264150
TI  - Vemurafenib-induced progression of breast cancer: a case report and review of the
      literature.
AB  - Vemurafenib, a specific inhibitor of mutated BRAF kinase, may activate wild-type
      BRAF and therefore induce squamous cell skin carcinomas in patients treated for
      melanoma. All vemurafenib clinical trials excluded patients with multiple primary
      malignant tumors; therefore, the action of this drug on concurrent BRAF wild-type
      malignancies remains insufficiently studied. We observed a patient, who was
      administered vemurafenib for BRAF mutation-containing melanoma, but experienced
      immediate relapse of previously controlled breast cancer disease. Interestingly,
      breast cancer lesions underwent regression soon after vemurafenib
      discontinuation. Therefore, caution must be taken while considering vemurafenib
      treatment for patients with multiple tumors. 

PMID- 26264151
TI  - [Age and infections: From time immemorial two of the most closely linked topics].

PMID- 26264152
TI  - Transepidermal elimination of mucin is a very common but not yet reported
      phenomenon in digital myxoid cysts: a study of 35 cases.
AB  - We present a series of 35 cases of digital myxoid cyst in which we specifically
      looked for transepidermal migration of mucin. We found it in 57.14% of the cases
      (20/35). In these cases, there were collections of mucin in an intraepidermal
      bulla as well as multiple intercellular droplets of mucin in many cases. All
      cases of perforating mucinosis described so far in the literature have presented
      clinically as papular eruptions. We therefore conclude that (1) perforating
      mucinoses do not exclusively present as multiple papules but also occur as single
      lesions; (2) transepidermal elimination of mucin is a very common but not yet
      reported phenomenon in digital myxoid cysts; (3) the morphological findings
      suggest real transepidermal migration of the mucin instead of exposure of the
      mucin to the surface via ulceration.

PMID- 26264153
TI  - Application of F+RNA Coliphages as Source Tracking Enteric Viruses on Parsley and
      Leek Using RT-PCR.
AB  - The objective of this study was to identify sources of fecal contamination in
      leek and parsley, by using four different F(+)RNA coliphage genogroups (IV, I
      indicate animal fecal contamination and II, III indicate human fecal
      contamination). Three different concentrations (10(2), 10(4), 10(6) pfu/ml) of
      MS2 coliphage were inoculated on the surface of parsley and leek samples for
      detection of phage recovery efficiency among two methods of elution concentration
      (PEG-precipitation and Ultracentrifugation) by performing double agar layer (DAL)
      assay in three replications. Highest recovery of MS2 was observed in PEG method
      and in 10(6) inoculation concentration. Accordingly, the PEG method was used for
      washing and isolation of potentially contaminated phages of 30 collected samples
      (15 samples from the market and 15 samples from the farm). The final solutions of
      PEG method were tested for the enumeration of plaques by DAL assay. Total RNA was
      then extracted from recovered phages, and RT-PCR was performed by using four
      primer sets I, II, III, and IV. Incidence of F(+)RNA coliphages was observed in
      12/15 (80 %) and 10/15 (66/6 %) of samples were obtained from farm and market,
      respectively, using both DAL and RT-PCR test methods. Different genotypes (I, II,
      and IV) of F(+)RNA coliphages were found in farm samples, while only genotype I
      was detected in market samples by using the primer sets. Due to the higher
      frequency of genotype I and IV, the absence of genotype III, and also the low
      frequency of genotype II, it is concluded that the contamination of vegetable
      (parsley and leek) in Neyshabour, Iran is most likely originated from animal
      sources. 

PMID- 26264154
TI  - Assessing mediators between discrimination, health behaviours and physical health
      outcomes: a representative cross-sectional study.
AB  - PURPOSE: Discrimination is a social determinant of health; however, the pathways
      linking discrimination to ill-health are under-researched. This study
      investigated the mediators through which discrimination affects health behaviours
      and physical health outcomes, as well as assessed whether sex moderated these
      mechanisms. METHODS: Data from a representative survey (n = 1023) of
      undergraduate students enrolled in a Brazilian university in 2012 were used.
      Structural equation models were applied to assess the following mediation
      mechanisms--(1) discrimination influences self-rated health and body mass index
      via anxiety/depression; (2) discrimination affects behaviours (alcohol
      consumption, problem drinking, smoking, fruit/vegetable consumption, and physical
      activity) through discomfort associated with discriminatory experiences. The
      potential of sex to act as an effect-modifying variable was also explored in each
      of the postulated pathways. RESULTS: The effect of discrimination on self-rated
      poor health was totally (100.0%) mediated by anxiety/depression, while body mass
      index was not correlated with discrimination. Self-reported discrimination was
      associated with some behaviours via discomfort. Particularly, discomfort
      partially mediated the positive association between discrimination, leisure time
      physical activity (43.3%), and fruit/vegetable consumption (52.2%). Sex modified
      the association between discrimination, discomfort and physical activity in that
      such mechanism (more discrimination -> more discomfort -> more physical activity)
      was statistically significant in the entire sample and among females, but not
      among males. CONCLUSIONS: This is one of the first studies to demonstrate that
      discrimination is associated with physical health outcomes and behaviours via
      distinct pathways. Future investigations should further explicate the mediational
      pathways between discrimination and key health outcomes.

PMID- 26264155
TI  - External morphological anomalies in ixodid ticks from Thrace, Turkey.
AB  - Of 18,667 ticks examined, 33 specimens from species identified as Haemaphysalis
      parva, Hyalomma marginatum, Hy. scupense, Rhipicephalus bursa and Rh. turanicus
      were found to have external morphological anomalies. Anomalous Ha. parva, Hy.
      scupence and Rh. turanicus were reported in this study for the first time.
      General anomalies manifested as asymmetry and deformations of the idiosoma,
      whereas local anomalies occurred in legs, exoskeleton, spiracular, adanal,
      subanal and accessory plates, mouthparts and capitulum. With this study
      describing a gynandromorphic Hy. marginatum, the number of gynandromorphic tick
      cases has been raised to two in Turkey. 

PMID- 26264156
TI  - Taxonomic distribution of defensive alkaloids in Nearctic oribatid mites (Acari,
      Oribatida).
AB  - The opisthonotal (oil) glands of oribatid mites are the source of a wide
      diversity of taxon-specific defensive chemicals, and are likely the location for
      the more than 90 alkaloids recently identified in oribatids. Although originally
      recognized in temperate oribatid species, alkaloids have also been detected in
      related lineages of tropical oribatids. Many of these alkaloids are also present
      in a worldwide radiation of poison frogs, which are known to sequester these
      defensive chemicals from dietary arthropods, including oribatid mites. To date,
      most alkaloid records involve members of the superfamily Oripodoidea
      (Brachypylina), although few species have been examined and sampling of other
      taxonomic groups has been highly limited. Herein, we examined adults of more than
      60 species of Nearctic oribatid mites, representing 46 genera and 33 families,
      for the presence of alkaloids. GC-MS analyses of whole body extracts led to the
      detection of 15 alkaloids, but collectively they occur only in members of the
      genera Scheloribates (Scheloribatidae) and Protokalumma (Parakalummidae). Most of
      these alkaloids have also been detected previously in the skin of poison frogs.
      All examined members of the oripodoid families Haplozetidae and Oribatulidae were
      alkaloid-free, and no mites outside the Oripodoidea contained alkaloids.
      Including previous studies, all sampled species of the cosmopolitan oripodoid
      families Scheloribatidae and Parakalummidae, and the related, mostly tropical
      families Mochlozetidae and Drymobatidae contain alkaloids. Our findings are
      consistent with a generalization that alkaloid presence is widespread, but not
      universal in Oripodoidea. Alkaloid presence in tropical, but not temperate
      members of some non-oripodoid taxa (in particular Galumnidae) deserves further
      study. 

PMID- 26264157
TI  - Re: Lars Budaus, Sami-Ramzi Leyh-Bannurah, Georg Salomon, et al. Initial
      Experience of (68)Ga-PSMA PET/CT Imaging in High-risk Prostate Cancer Patients
      Prior to Radical Prostatectomy. Eur Urol 2016;69:393-6.

PMID- 26264158
TI  - Magnetic Resonance Imaging Before Prostate Biopsy: Time to Talk.
AB  - MRI directed prostate biopsy will change the cancer risk profiles of diagnosed
      patients, towards those requiring radical treatments. Increased costs can be
      balanced by improvements in the efficiency of the patient pathway. Effective
      communication of imaging findings and improved urological understanding of
      imaging limitations will improve the quality of care for prostate cancer
      patients. 

PMID- 26264159
TI  - Single-agent Taxane Versus Taxane-containing Combination Chemotherapy as Salvage
      Therapy for Advanced Urothelial Carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Single-agent taxanes are commonly used as salvage systemic therapy
      for patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma (UC). OBJECTIVE: To study the
      impact of combination chemotherapy delivering a taxane plus other
      chemotherapeutic agents compared with single-agent taxane as salvage therapy.
      DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Individual patient-level data from phase 2
      trials of salvage systemic therapy were used. INTERVENTIONS: Trials evaluating
      either single agents (paclitaxel or docetaxel) or combination chemotherapy
      (taxane plus one other chemotherapeutic agent or more) following prior platinum
      based therapy were used. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS:
      Information regarding the known major baseline prognostic factors was required:
      time from prior chemotherapy, hemoglobin, performance status, albumin, and liver
      metastasis status. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to evaluate the
      association of prognostic factors and combination versus single-agent
      chemotherapy with overall survival (OS). RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Data were
      available from eight trials including 370 patients; two trials (n=109) evaluated
      single-agent chemotherapy with docetaxel (n=72) and cremophor-free paclitaxel
      (n=37), and six trials (n=261) evaluated combination chemotherapy with
      gemcitabine-paclitaxel (two trials, with n=99 and n=24), paclitaxel
      cyclophosphamide (n=32), paclitaxel-ifosfamide-nedaplatin (n=45), docetaxel
      ifosfamide-cisplatin (n=26), and paclitaxel-epirubicin (n=35). On multivariable
      analysis after adjustment for baseline prognostic factors, combination
      chemotherapy was independently and significantly associated with improved OS
      (hazard ratio: 0.60; 95% confidence interval, 0.45-0.82; p=0.001). The
      retrospective design of this analysis and the trial-eligible population were
      inherent limitations. CONCLUSIONS: Patients enrolled in trials of combination
      chemotherapy exhibited improved OS compared with patients enrolled in trials of
      single-agent chemotherapy as salvage therapy for advanced UC. Prospective
      randomized trials are required to validate a potential role for rational and
      tolerable combination chemotherapeutic regimens for the salvage therapy of
      advanced UC. PATIENT SUMMARY: This retrospective study suggests that a
      combination of chemotherapy agents may extend survival compared with single-agent
      chemotherapy in selected patients with metastatic urothelial cancer progressing
      after prior chemotherapy.

PMID- 26264160
TI  - Outcomes for Patients with Clinical Lymphadenopathy Treated with Radical
      Prostatectomy.
AB  - Clinical lymphadenopathy (cN+) from prostate cancer (PCa) identified on imaging
      remains a contraindication to radical prostatectomy (RP) according to guidelines.
      We tested the hypothesis that there would be no difference in survival between
      patients with and without cN+ on preoperative imaging who underwent RP and pelvic
      lymph node dissection with detection of pelvic lymph node metastasis (LNM). A
      total of 302 patients with LNM were retrospectively reviewed (1988-2003) and
      stratified according to cN status on the basis of preoperative imaging.
      Univariable and multivariable Cox regression analyses were performed to evaluate
      cN+ as a predictor of survival. Of the 302 patients, 50 (17%) had cN+; the 252
      (83%) patients with negative preoperative imaging comprised the cN0 group. During
      median follow-up of 17.4 yr, 161 deaths were recorded, 70 of which were from PCa.
      Among the entire LNM cohort, the number of positive lymph nodes (hazard ratio
      [HR] 1.10; p=0.02) and pathologic Gleason score 8-10 versus <=6 (HR 2.37; p=0.04)
      were significant predictors of cancer-specific mortality (CSM). cN+ was not a
      significant predictor of CSM (p=0.6). Selected patients with cN+ have similar
      clinical outcomes to those with normal preoperative imaging in the setting of
      LNM. PATIENT SUMMARY: Clinical lymph node metastases are not a factor in
      determining survival after radical prostatectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection
      in patients with prostate cancer. Thus, the presence of clinical lymph node
      metastases should not be considered as an absolute contraindication to treatment
      with curative intent.

PMID- 26264161
TI  - Fluoride release and recharging ability of new dental sealants.
AB  - AIM: This in vitro investigation was to evaluate the fluoride release and
      recharge abilities of three recently introduced dental fissure sealants (FS).
      METHODS: Three dental FS were assessed: Teethmate F-1 (Kuraray), Fissurit F
      (Voco), BeautiSealant (Shofu), and a conventional glass ionomer cement FX-II
      (Shofu) as a control. Eight cylindrical specimens (7 * 2 mm) of each material
      were made and immersed individually in 5 ml de-ionized water in plastic
      containers. Fluoride release of the tested materials was evaluated during the
      experimental period (28 days) utilising a fluoride ion-selective electrode. At
      the end of the test period, the specimens were soaked for 5 min in a fluoride
      solution (0.05 % NaF) and fluoride release was evaluated for the next 5 days. The
      data were statistically analysed using one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc test
      and the level of significance was preset at alpha = 0.05. RESULTS: The total
      fluoride release over the 28-day period for each material was: FX-II (408.6 +/-
      45.66 MUg/cm(2)) > Teethmate F-1 (89.45 +/- 12.32 MUg/cm(2)) > Fissurit F (68.62
      +/- 8.72 MUg/cm(2)) > BeautiSealant (33.32 +/- 4.91 MUg/cm(2)), (p < 0.05). After
      the re-fluoridation of the specimens with 0.05 % NaF solution the cumulative
      fluoride re-release during the 5-day period for each material was: FX-II (99.53
      +/- 13.21 MUg/cm(2)) > Teethmate F-1 (9.76 +/- 1.62 MUg/cm(2)) > BeautiSealant
      (5.69 +/- 0.89 MUg/cm(2)) > Fissurit F (4.76 +/- 0.72 MUg/cm(2)), (p < 0.05).
      CONCLUSIONS: The three tested sealants exhibited different capabilities to
      release and uptake fluoride ions after re-fluoridation but significantly lower
      than the glass ionomer tested.

PMID- 26264162
TI  - Endocrine activity of persistent organic pollutants accumulated in human silicone
      implants--Dosing in vitro assays by partitioning from silicone.
AB  - Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) accumulated in human tissues may pose a risk
      for human health by interfering with the endocrine system. This study establishes
      a new link between actual human internal POP levels and the endocrine active dose
      in vitro, applying partitioning-controlled dosing from silicone to the H295R
      steroidogenesis assay: (1) Measured concentrations of POPs in silicone breast
      implants were taken from a recent study and silicone disks were loaded according
      to these measurements. (2) Silicone disks were transferred into H295R cell
      culture plates in order to control exposure of the adrenal cells by equilibrium
      partitioning. (3) Hormone production of the adrenal cells was measured as
      toxicity endpoint. 4-Nonylphenol was used for method development, and the new
      dosing method was compared to conventional solvent-dosing. The two dosing modes
      yielded similar dose-dependent hormonal responses of H295R cells. However, with
      the partitioning-controlled freely dissolved concentrations (Cfree) as dose
      metrics, dose-response curves were left-shifted by two orders of magnitude
      relative to spiked concentrations. Partitioning-controlled dosing of POPs
      resulted in up to 2-fold increases in progestagen and corticosteroid levels at
      Cfree of individual POPs in or below the femtomolar range. Silicone acted not
      only as source of the POPs but also as a sorption sink for lipophilic hormones,
      stimulating the cellular hormone production. Methodologically, the study showed
      that silicone can be used as reference partitioning phase to transfer in vivo
      exposure in humans (silicone implants) to in vitro assays (partition-controlled
      dosing). The main finding was that POPs at the levels at which they are found in
      humans can interfere with steroidogenesis in a human adrenocortical cell line. 

PMID- 26264163
TI  - Telmisartan mediates anti-inflammatory and not cognitive function through PPAR
      gamma agonism via SARM and MyD88 signaling.
AB  - Telmisartan (TM), an angiotensin II receptor I (AT1) blocker, has been reported
      to have agonist property with respect to PPAR-gamma. Activation of PPAR-gamma
      receptor by TM attenuated the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) mediated TLR4 central
      downstream inflammatory responses. However, the missing link between PPAR-gamma
      and TLR4 signaling with TM stimulation has not been clarified. Hence, the present
      study has been designed to evaluate the molecular mechanism involving PPARgamma
      TLR4 signaling with TM stimulation in LPS induced inflammatory model. LPS was
      administered in rats through ICV and the rats were treated with either PPAR-gamma
      antagonist GW9662 (GW) or TM or both. After 14days of LPS administration, the
      rats were subjected to behavioral tests and their brains were isolated for
      blotting techniques. The protein study includes NF-kappaB, PPAR-gamma receptors,
      and their downstream proteins (MyD88 & SARM). The pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF
      alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6) levels were measured by ELISA and cresyl violet staining
      in the hippocampus region to measure the neuroprotective activity. Results have
      shown that TM significantly increased the motor co-ordination, cognitive
      functions, and activated SARM and PPAR-gamma protein levels. Also, TM treatment
      decreased the NF-kappaB, MyD88 activation, and cytokines release in LPS rats. The
      co-administration of GW attenuated the TM responses in the parameters studied
      except cognitive functions. TM (10mg/kg) has significantly reduced the LPS
      mediated inflammatory responses. This resulted in effective regeneration of
      hippocampal neurons as observed by cresyl violet staining. It can be concluded
      that the activation of PPAR-gamma receptors may increase the SARM and decrease
      the MyD88 and NF-kappaB expression. This negative regulation of SARM dependent
      inflammation control could be a possible mechanism for TM anti-neuroinflammatory
      activity. This study of TM in neuro-inflammatory model may further confirm the
      dual activities of TM that controls hypertension and cognition through AT1
      blockade and also attenuates neuro-inflammation via PPAR-gamma agonistic
      property. 

PMID- 26264165
TI  - Adaptation and psychometric testing of the Practice Environment Scale for use
      with midwives.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Practice Environment Scale (PES) has been used extensively to
      measure the quality of the practice environment of nurses working in a variety of
      work settings, and has been linked with quality of care, nurse wellbeing, job
      dissatisfaction and burnout. Although developed for nurses, many of the aspects
      addressed by the PES are also relevant to the midwifery profession, and may
      provide a tool to better understand midwives' decision to leave the profession.
      AIM: To adapt the PES for use with midwives and to assess its psychometric
      properties. METHODS: An online survey containing the adapted version of the PES
      was distributed to a sample of hospital-employed New Zealand midwives (n=600).
      Exploratory factor analysis was conducted to identify subscales which were
      compared for midwives who had, versus had not considered, leaving the midwifery
      profession. FINDINGS: Four subscales were identified, showing good internal
      consistency reliability (Quality of Management, Midwife-Doctor Relations,
      Resource Adequacy and Opportunities for Development). The lowest mean score was
      recorded for Resource Adequacy (M=2.38). All subscales of the adapted 20-item
      PES:Midwives were significant predictors of the decision to leave the profession
      (p<.001) with odds ratios above 2.0. The strongest predictor was Quality of
      Management (OR=2.6). CONCLUSION: The PES:Midwives was successfully adapted for
      use with midwives and provides a psychometrically sound tool for research to
      identify factors associated with the wellbeing, job satisfaction and risk of
      attrition amongst hospital employed midwives. The PES:Midwives also provides a
      means of comparing the practice environment across different models of care and
      employing organizations.

PMID- 26264164
TI  - A Comprehensive Analysis of Influence ERCC Polymorphisms Confer on the
      Development of Brain Tumors.
AB  - Within DNA repair genes, there lie a number of single nucleotide polymorphisms
      that may impair protein function and attenuate DNA repair capability, resulting
      in genomic instability and individual predisposition to malignancies. The purpose
      of this study was to assess the previously reported inconsistent association of
      polymorphisms in ERCC1 (rs11615, rs3212986), ERCC2 (rs13181, rs1799793,
      rs238406), and ERCC5 (rs17655) with the development of brain tumors. In the
      present work, we carried out a comprehensive meta-analysis of results from all
      published data (5 data sets for rs11615, 7 for rs3212986, 11 for rs13181, 5 for
      rs1799793, 3 for rs238406, and 4 for rs17655) to evaluate risk of brain tumors
      contributed by the polymorphisms being investigated. Either the analytic method
      described by Mantel and Haenszel or that proposed by DerSimonian and Laird was
      properly used to summarize the risk estimates (OR and 95% CI). Data analyses were
      done with Stata version 12.0. Meta-analyses were performed for all polymorphisms,
      and only rs3212986 in the ERCC1 gene showed a significant association with glioma
      incidence. In the homozygote comparison, we found 1.26-fold elevated risk of
      glioma in relation to presence of the AA genotype (OR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.05-1.52,
      P OR = 0.013, P heterogeneity = 0.849, I(2) = 0.0%). We also noted that
      individuals with the rs3212986-AA as compared to those with rs3212986-CC/CA had a
      28% higher risk to develop glioma (OR = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.06-1.53, P OR = 0.008,
      Pheterogeneity = 0.808, I(2) = 0.0%). No major effects were observed for
      Caucasians or Asians in subgroup analysis by ethnicity. ERCC1 rs3212986 is a
      common single nucleotide polymorphism and may contribute toward individual
      susceptibility for glioma. Further research in this filed is required to verify
      the association obtained based on a relatively small number.

PMID- 26264166
TI  - Reverse micelles prepared from amphiphilic polylactide-b-poly(ethylene glycol)
      block copolymers for controlled release of hydrophilic drugs.
AB  - This work aims to evaluate the potential of reverse micelles prepared from
      amphiphilic polylactide-b-poly(ethylene glycol) (PLA-b-PEG) block copolymers for
      controlled release of hydrophilic drugs. Different PLA-b-PEG diblock and triblock
      copolymers were synthesized by ring-opening polymerization of D- or L-lactide in
      the presence of a PEG macroinitiator. Reverse micelles were prepared by self
      assembly of copolymers in a solvent/co-solvent/water system. Toluene was used as
      solvent, and ethanol as co-solvent to solubilize appropriate amount of water. The
      resulting nano-sized reverse micelles were able to encapsulate heparin in the
      hydrophilic core. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron
      microscopy (TEM) were used to determine the size and morphology of reverse
      micelles. The results show that reverse micelles are spherical in shape with
      sizes below 100 nm. Drug loaded reverse micelles were embedded in biocompatible
      membranes by mixing with 10% PLA solution in toluene with 1:3 volume ratio. In
      vitro release studies were realized in phosphate buffer saline (PBS) at 37
      degrees C. Heparin was almost totally released within 24h. Triblock copolymer
      reverse micelles exhibited faster drug release than diblock ones probably due to
      the more compact micelle structure of the latter. Therefore, PLA-b-PEG reverse
      micelles could be promising for applications as carrier of hydrophilic drugs when
      embedded in biocompatible membranes.

PMID- 26264167
TI  - Low cancer suspicion following experience of a cancer 'warning sign'.
AB  - AIM: Lower socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with a higher risk of late
      stage cancer diagnosis. A number of explanations have been advanced for this, but
      one which has attracted recent attention is lower patient knowledge of cancer
      warning signs, leading to delay in help-seeking. However, although there is
      psychometric evidence of SES differences in knowledge of cancer symptoms, no
      studies have examined differences in 'cancer suspicion' among people who are
      actually experiencing a classic warning sign. METHODS: A 'health survey' was
      mailed to 9771 adults (?50years, no cancer diagnosis) with a symptom list
      including 10 cancer 'warning signs'. Respondents were asked if they had
      experienced any of the symptoms in the past 3months, and if so, were asked 'what
      do you think caused it?' Any mention of cancer was scored as 'cancer suspicion'.
      SES was indexed by education. RESULTS: Nearly half the respondents (1732/3756)
      had experienced a 'warning sign', but only 63/1732 (3.6%) mentioned cancer as a
      possible cause. Lower education was associated with lower likelihood of cancer
      suspicion: 2.6% of respondents with school-only education versus 7.3% with
      university education suspected cancer as a possible cause. In multivariable
      analysis, low education was the only demographic variable independently
      associated with lower cancer suspicion (odds ratio (OR)=0.34, confidence interval
      (CI): 0.20-0.59). CONCLUSION: Levels of cancer suspicion were low overall in this
      community sample, and even lower in people from less educated backgrounds. This
      may hinder early symptomatic presentation and contribute to inequalities in stage
      at diagnosis.

PMID- 26264169
TI  - Papaverine 7-O-demethylase, a novel 2-oxoglutarate/Fe(2+)-dependent dioxygenase
      from opium poppy.
AB  - Opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) produces several pharmacologically important
      benzylisoquinoline alkaloids including the vasodilator papaverine. Pacodine and
      palaudine are tri-O-methylated analogs of papaverine, which contains four O
      linked methyl groups. However, the biosynthetic origin of pacodine and palaudine
      has not been established. Three members of the 2-oxoglutarate/Fe(2+)-dependent
      dioxygenases (2ODDs) family in opium poppy display widespread O-dealkylation
      activity on several benzylisoquinoline alkaloids with diverse structural
      scaffolds, and two are responsible for the antepenultimate and ultimate steps in
      morphine biosynthesis. We report a novel 2ODD from opium poppy catalyzing the
      efficient substrate- and regio-specific 7-O-demethylation of papaverine yielding
      pacodine. The occurrence of papaverine 7-O-demethylase (P7ODM) expands the
      enzymatic scope of the 2ODD family in opium poppy and suggests an unexpected
      biosynthetic route to pacodine. 

PMID- 26264168
TI  - Managing perianal Crohn's fistula in the anti-TNFalpha era.
AB  - Perianal fistulas in Crohn's disease are common and difficult to treat. Their
      aetiology is poorly understood. Assessment is clinical, endoscopic and
      radiological, and management is undertaken by a multidisciplinary team of
      gastroenterologists, surgeons and radiologists. Surgical drainage of the fistula
      tract system with the placement of loose setons precedes combined therapy with
      immunosuppressant and anti-TNFalpha agents in most patients. Proctitis should be
      rigorously eliminated where possible. Definitive surgical repair is sometimes
      possible and diversion or proctectomy are occasionally required. Combined medical
      and surgical management represents a promising avenue for the future. 

PMID- 26264170
TI  - Finite time stabilization of delayed neural networks.
AB  - In this paper, the problem of finite time stabilization for a class of delayed
      neural networks (DNNs) is investigated. The general conditions on the feedback
      control law are provided to ensure the finite time stabilization of DNNs. Then
      some specific conditions are derived by designing two different controllers which
      include the delay-dependent and delay-independent ones. In addition, the upper
      bound of the settling time for stabilization is estimated. Under fixed control
      strength, discussions of the extremum of settling time functional are made and a
      switched controller is designed to optimize the settling time. Finally, numerical
      simulations are carried out to demonstrate the effectiveness of the obtained
      results. 

PMID- 26264171
TI  - Matrix measure method for global exponential stability of complex-valued
      recurrent neural networks with time-varying delays.
AB  - In this paper, based on the matrix measure method and the Halanay inequality,
      global exponential stability problem is investigated for the complex-valued
      recurrent neural networks with time-varying delays. Without constructing any
      Lyapunov functions, several sufficient criteria are obtained to ascertain the
      global exponential stability of the addressed complex-valued neural networks
      under different activation functions. Here, the activation functions are no
      longer assumed to be derivative which is always demanded in relating references.
      In addition, the obtained results are easy to be verified and implemented in
      practice. Finally, two examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the
      obtained results. 

PMID- 26264172
TI  - Maximum margin semi-supervised learning with irrelevant data.
AB  - Semi-supervised learning (SSL) is a typical learning paradigms training a model
      from both labeled and unlabeled data. The traditional SSL models usually assume
      unlabeled data are relevant to the labeled data, i.e., following the same
      distributions of the targeted labeled data. In this paper, we address a
      different, yet formidable scenario in semi-supervised classification, where the
      unlabeled data may contain irrelevant data to the labeled data. To tackle this
      problem, we develop a maximum margin model, named tri-class support vector
      machine (3C-SVM), to utilize the available training data, while seeking a
      hyperplane for separating the targeted data well. Our 3C-SVM exhibits several
      characteristics and advantages. First, it does not need any prior knowledge and
      explicit assumption on the data relatedness. On the contrary, it can relieve the
      effect of irrelevant unlabeled data based on the logistic principle and maximum
      entropy principle. That is, 3C-SVM approaches an ideal classifier. This
      classifier relies heavily on labeled data and is confident on the relevant data
      lying far away from the decision hyperplane, while maximally ignoring the
      irrelevant data, which are hardly distinguished. Second, theoretical analysis is
      provided to prove that in what condition, the irrelevant data can help to seek
      the hyperplane. Third, 3C-SVM is a generalized model that unifies several popular
      maximum margin models, including standard SVMs, Semi-supervised SVMs (S(3)VMs),
      and SVMs learned from the universum (U-SVMs) as its special cases. More
      importantly, we deploy a concave-convex produce to solve the proposed 3C-SVM,
      transforming the original mixed integer programming, to a semi-definite
      programming relaxation, and finally to a sequence of quadratic programming
      subproblems, which yields the same worst case time complexity as that of S(3)VMs.
      Finally, we demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of our proposed 3C-SVM
      through systematical experimental comparisons. 

PMID- 26264173
TI  - Effect of Resistance Exercises on the Indicators of Muscle Reserves and Handgrip
      Strength in Adult Patients on Hemodialysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Although resistance exercise has been associated with improvement in
      the muscle reserves, muscle strength and quality of life in end-stage renal
      disease patients, the objective of this paper is to evaluate the effect of
      resistance exercise performed during hemodialysis sessions on the anthropometric
      indicators of muscle reserve and handgrip strength in sedentary malnourished
      patients with end-stage renal disease. METHODS: Patients were randomized to
      perform resistance exercise during hemodialysis sessions with ankle weights and
      resistance bands. The exercises were performed twice a week over the course of 12
      weeks. The control group underwent a hemodialysis session alone. The outcomes
      measures were the following anthropometric measurements: arm muscle circumference
      and arm muscle area. Dynamometry was used to measure the handgrip strength.
      RESULTS: Sixty-one sedentary patients with a median age of 29 years
      (interquartile range [IQR] 21-39 years), and 83% presenting with some grade of
      malnutrition were equally randomized to either the intervention or control group.
      In the resistance exercise group, there was an increase in the arm muscle
      circumference from 233.6 (IQR 202-254) mm to 241.4 (IQR 203-264) mm (P= .001),
      arm muscle area from 35.9 (26-41) cm(2) to 36.6 (IQR 26-46) cm(2) (P= .002), and
      handgrip strength from 19.6 (IQR 11-28) kg to 21.2 (IQR 13-32) kg between the
      basal and final measurements (P < .05). The tolerance to exercise was adequate,
      and no adverse events were reported during the practical exercise. CONCLUSIONS:
      Resistance exercise at least twice a week is safe and represents an opportunity
      for improving the muscle mass and strength in adult patients who are on
      hemodialysis, including in those with malnutrition.

PMID- 26264175
TI  - Discrimination of driver and passenger mutations in epidermal growth factor
      receptor in cancer.
AB  - Cancer is one of the most life-threatening diseases and mutations in several
      genes are the vital cause in tumorigenesis. Protein kinases play essential roles
      in cancer progression and specifically, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)
      is an important target for cancer therapy. In this work, we have developed a
      method to classify single amino acid polymorphisms (SAPs) in EGFR into disease
      causing (driver) and neutral (passenger) mutations using both sequence and
      structure based features of the mutation site by machine learning approaches. We
      compiled a set of 222 features and selected a set of 21 properties utilizing
      feature selection methods, for maximizing the prediction performance. In a set of
      540 mutants, we obtained an overall classification accuracy of 67.8% with 10 fold
      cross validation using support vector machines. Further, the mutations have been
      grouped into four sets based on secondary structure and accessible surface area,
      which enhanced the overall classification accuracy to 80.2%, 81.9%, 77.9% and
      75.1% for helix, strand, coil-buried and coil-exposed mutants, respectively. The
      method was tested with a blind dataset of 60 mutations, which showed an average
      accuracy of 85.4%. These accuracy levels are superior to other methods available
      in the literature for EGFR mutants, with an increase of more than 30%. Moreover,
      we have screened all possible single amino acid polymorphisms (SAPs) in EGFR and
      suggested the probable driver and passenger mutations, which would help in the
      development of mutation specific drugs for cancer treatment. 

PMID- 26264174
TI  - Quantitative assessment of non-motor fluctuations in Parkinson's disease using
      the Non-Motor Symptoms Scale (NMSS).
AB  - Data on frequency, severity and correlations of NMS with motor complications are
      only available for a limited number of NMS. The NMS Scale (NMSS) is a validated
      tool to assess a broad range of NMS, which has not been used in NMS fluctuations.
      We assessed fluctuations of a broad range of non-motor symptom (NMS) for a 1
      month time period in fluctuating Parkinson's disease (PD) in a multicenter cross
      sectional study using the NMSS assessing NMS in motor On (NMSSOn) and Off state
      (NMSSOff) combined with clinical NMS and motor function scoring in 100
      fluctuating PD patients. DeltaNMSSOn/Off was defined as the differences of NMSS
      scores between On and Off. Complete NMSS datasets were available from 73 patients
      (53 % men; age: 68.2 +/- 9.7 years) with mean total NMSS score in On state of
      41.5 +/- 37.6 and in Off state of 75.6 +/- 42.3 (P < 0.001). Scores were higher
      in Off compared to On state for all domains except for domain "perceptual
      problems/hallucinations" (P = 0.608). Clinimetric properties of the NMSS were
      similar to those reported previously for NMS assessments independent of motor
      oscillations. NMSSOn, NMSSOff and DeltaNMSSOn/Off showed weak to moderate
      correlations with demographics, indicators of motor symptom severity as well as
      with other measures of NMS, depression and quality of life. Correlations of NMSS
      items/domains with independent measures of related constructs were weak to
      moderate. In conclusion, when assessed with the NMSS, a broad range of NMS
      fluctuate with motor oscillations, but these fluctuations do neither correlate
      with motor function nor with measures of disease progression.

PMID- 26264176
TI  - Posttraumatic Total Knee Arthroplasty Continues to Have Worse Outcome Than Total
      Knee Arthroplasty for Osteoarthritis.
AB  - Small studies have shown that patients who undergo TKA following a distal femur
      and/or tibial plateau fracture have inferior results. The purpose of this study
      was to evaluate the mid-term outcomes of a large group of patients undergoing TKA
      following periarticular knee fractures. We identified 531 patients who underwent
      a TKA following a periarticular fracture from 1990 to 2012; comparing outcomes to
      19,641 patients undergoing primary TKA for osteoarthritis. Periarticular fracture
      significantly increased the risk of revision TKA, infection and complications.
      There was no difference in the need for revision TKA or infection based on
      fracture location. Patients with TKA following a periarticular fracture have
      worse overall revision free survival compared to with OA, with 1 in 4 patients
      requiring revision TKA by 15 years.

PMID- 26264177
TI  - Total Hip Arthroplasty after Previous Acetabular Osteotomy: Comparison of Three
      Types of Acetabular Osteotomy.
AB  - To compare surgical results of total hip arthroplasty (THA) following acetabular
      osteotomy, operative records of 13 hips following Chiari osteotomy (Chiari
      group), 22 hips following rotational periacetabular osteotomy (RAO; RAO group),
      16 hips following shelf acetabuloplasty (Shelf group), and 2475 hips without
      previous osteotomy (Control group) were retrospectively reviewed. The operative
      time was significantly longer in the RAO group than in the Control group. Bulk
      bone augmentation was required more often in the Chiari and RAO groups than in
      the Control group. An early migration of the acetabular cup occurred in 2 hips in
      the RAO group. RAO made conversion to THA more complicated than did the Chiari
      osteotomy or the shelf acetabuloplasty. 

PMID- 26264178
TI  - Comparison of Alignment Correction Angles Between Fixed-Bearing and Mobile
      Bearing UKA.
AB  - Good outcomes have been reported with both fixed-bearing and mobile-bearing
      unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). However, overcorrected alignment could
      induce the progression of arthritis on the non-arthroplasty side. Changes of limb
      alignment after UKA with both types of bearings (fixed bearing: 24 knees, mobile
      bearing: 28 knees) were investigated. The mean difference between the
      preoperative standing femoral-tibial angle (FTA) and postoperative standing FTA
      was significantly larger in mobile bearing UKA group. In fixed-bearing UKA, there
      must be some laxity in MCL tension so that a 2-mm tension gauge can be inserted.
      In mobile-bearing UKA, appropriate MCL tension is needed to prevent bearing
      dislocation. This difference in MCL tension may have caused the difference in the
      correction angle between the groups. 

PMID- 26264179
TI  - Limitations of the Vastus Lateralis Muscle as a Substitute for Lost Abductor
      Muscle Function: An Anatomical Study.
AB  - Abductor insufficiency after hip arthroplasty resulting from an impaired gluteus
      medius and minimus remains an unsolved problem in orthopaedic surgery. The vastus
      lateralis (VL) was described as a functional substitute for abductor
      insufficiency in 2004. We carried out a macrodissection of twelve cadaveric
      hemipelvises to investigate the innervation of the VL and adjacent muscles to
      assess the extent the VL can be safely transferred. Results showed that direct
      muscle branches to proximal portions of the VL are too short to allow a
      significant shift; the shift may be as small as 13 mm. Nerves that supply the VL
      also extend to the vastus intermedius. This innervation pattern makes it
      impossible to shift the VL significantly without damaging branches to both. 

PMID- 26264180
TI  - The effects of experimental knee pain on lower limb corticospinal and motor
      cortex excitability.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Notable weakness of the quadriceps muscles is typically observed as
      a consequence of knee joint arthritis, knee surgery and knee injury. This is
      partly due to ongoing neural inhibition that prevents the central nervous system
      from fully activating the quadriceps, a process known as arthrogenic muscle
      inhibition (AMI). To investigate the mechanisms underlying AMI, this study
      explored the effects of experimental knee pain on lower limb corticospinal and
      motor cortex excitability. METHODS: Twenty-four healthy volunteers participated
      in this study. In experiment 1, experimental knee pain was induced by the
      injection of hypertonic saline into the infrapatellar fat pad (n = 18). In
      experiment 2, isotonic saline was injected into the fat pad as a non-painful
      control (n = 8). Pain intensity was measured on a 10-cm electronic visual
      analogue scale. Transcranial magnetic stimulation and electromyography were used
      to measure lower limb motor-evoked potential amplitude and short-interval
      intracortical inhibition before and after the injection. RESULTS: The peak VAS
      score following hypertonic saline (5.0 +/- 0.5 cm) was higher than after isotonic
      saline (p <0.001). Compared with baseline, there was a significant increase in
      vastus lateralis (p = 0.02) and vastus medialis motor-evoked potential amplitude
      (p = 0.02) during experimental knee pain that was not apparent during the control
      condition. Biceps femoris and tibialis anterior motor-evoked potential amplitude
      did not change following injection (all p >0.05). There was no change in short
      interval intracortical inhibition measured from vastus lateralis following
      injection (both p >0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Quadriceps corticospinal excitability
      increases during experimental knee pain, providing no evidence for a supraspinal
      contribution to quadriceps AMI.

PMID- 26264181
TI  - Myeloid cell leukemia 1 (Mcl(-1)) protects against 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium
      ion (MPP+) induced apoptosis in Parkinson's disease.
AB  - The myeloid cell leukemia 1 (Mcl(-1)) is an anti-apoptotic member of the Bcl-2
      family, which plays an essential role in protecting cells against apoptosis. The
      expression pattern and potential roles of Mcl(-1) in Parkinson's diseases (PD)
      are still unknown. In this study, our results indicated that 1-methyl-4
      phenylpyridinium (MPP+) treatment augmented the expression of Mcl(-1) at both
      messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels in a dose-dependent manner in SH-SY5Y
      cells. Moreover, we observed increased phosphorylation of Elk-1at Ser383 as well
      as nuclear translocation of Elk-1 in exposure to MPP+ treatment. Importantly, the
      elevated expression of Mcl(-1) induced by MPP+ was abolished by knockdown of Elk
      1. It was also found that inhibition of Mcl(-1) by small RNA transfection
      exacerbates MPP + -induced LDH release after 48 h incubation. In addition,
      Hoechst 33,258 nuclear staining results demonstrated that silence of Mcl(-1)
      induced a significant increase in apoptosis in cells when compared with the
      control condition. Mechanistically, the levels of cleaved Caspase3 and PARP were
      elevated in MPP+ treated cells, which was exacerbated by knockdown of Mcl(-1).
      These findings suggest that Mcl(-1) might be a potential therapeutic target for
      PD treatment. 

PMID- 26264182
TI  - Mesenchymal stromal cells are genetically stable under a hostile in vivo-like
      scenario as revealed by in vitro micronucleus test.
AB  - BACKGROUND AIMS: Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have elicited a great hope in
      the field of regenerative medicine because of their high therapeutic potential in
      treating several disorders. Therefore, from the clinical point of view, it is
      essential to understand genetic stability and survival of MSCs under different in
      vivo scenarios. Recently, we have reported nuclear blebs and micronuclei as a
      marker of genetic instability in MSCs. METHODS: In our present study, we exposed
      umbilical cord MSCs and placenta-derived MSCs to diverse conditions simulating an
      in vivo scenario and studied their genetic stability by use of an in vitro
      micronucleus test. RESULTS: We observed that a sudden decrease in oxygen
      concentration led to an increase in the number of nuclear blebs and decrease in
      proliferation rate without inducing senescence. Moreover, we also observed that
      2.5% hypoxia exerted a markedly different pattern of regulation of various cell
      cycle checkpoint genes such as hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha),
      ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM), ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3 related
      (ATR), p53, p21, p27 and p21 than did 5% hypoxia. It is interesting to note that
      the MSCs were genetically stable under hyperglycemic and ischemic conditions and
      underwent quiescence on serum starvation accompanied by hypoxia. We also tested
      the genotoxicity of conditioned media derived from adverse conditions and
      observed that it did not result in genetic instability. CONCLUSIONS: Our data
      demonstrate for the first time that umbilical MSCs and placenta-derived MSCs are
      genetically stable under hostile in vivo situations, indicating their suitability
      for therapeutic purposes.

PMID- 26264183
TI  - Monitoring microbial metabolites using an inductively coupled resonance circuit.
AB  - We present a new approach to monitor microbial population dynamics in emulsion
      droplets via changes in metabolite composition, using an inductively coupled LC
      resonance circuit. The signal measured by such resonance detector provides
      information on the magnetic field interaction with the bacterial culture, which
      is complementary to the information accessible by other detection means, based on
      electric field interaction, i.e. capacitive or resistive, as well as optical
      techniques. Several charge-related factors, including pH and ammonia
      concentrations, were identified as possible contributors to the characteristic of
      resonance detector profile. The setup enables probing the ionic byproducts of
      microbial metabolic activity at later stages of cell growth, where conventional
      optical detection methods have no discriminating power. 

PMID- 26264184
TI  - Six principles to enhance health workforce flexibility.
AB  - This paper proposes approaches to break down the boundaries that reduce the
      ability of the health workforce to respond to population needs, or workforce
      flexibility. Accessible health services require sufficient numbers and types of
      skilled workers to meet population needs. However, there are several reasons that
      the health workforce cannot or does not meet population needs. These primarily
      stem from workforce shortages. However, the health workforce can also be
      prevented from responding appropriately and efficiently because of restrictions
      imposed by professional boundaries, funding models or therapeutic partitions.
      These boundaries limit the ability of practitioners to effectively diagnose and
      treat patients by restricting access to specific skills, technologies and
      services. In some cases, these boundaries not only reduce workforce flexibility,
      but they introduce inefficiencies in the form of additional clinical transactions
      and costs, further detracting from workforce responsiveness. Several new models
      of care are being developed to enhance workforce flexibility by enabling existing
      staff to work to their full scope of practice, extend their roles or by
      introducing new workers. Expanding on these concepts, this theoretical paper
      proposes six principles that have the potential to enhance health workforce
      flexibility, specifically: 1. Measure health system performance from the
      perspective of the patient. 2. Minimise training times. 3. Regulate tasks
      (competencies), not professions. 4. Match rewards and indemnity to the levels of
      skill and risk required to perform a particular task, not professional title. 5.
      Ensure that practitioners have all the skills they need to perform the tasks
      required to work in the environment in which they work 6. Enable practitioners to
      work to their full scope of practice delegate tasks where required These proposed
      principles will challenge some of the existing social norms around health-care
      delivery; however, many of these principles are already being applied, albeit on
      a small scale. This paper discusses the implications of these reforms. PROPOSED
      DISCUSSION POINTS: 1. Is person-centred care at odds with professional
      monopolies? 2. Should the state regulate professions and, by doing so, protect
      professional monopolies or, instead, regulate tasks or competencies? 3. Can
      health-care efficiency be enhanced by reducing the number of clinical
      transactions required to meet patient needs?

PMID- 26264185
TI  - Readout-segmented echo-planar diffusion-weighted imaging improves geometric
      performance for image-guided radiation therapy of pelvic tumors.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Diffusion-weighted imaging using echo-planar imaging
      (EPI) is prone to geometric inaccuracy, which may limit application to image
      guided radiation therapy planning, as well as for voxel-based quantitative multi
      parametric or multi-modal approaches. This research investigates pelvic
      applications at 3 T of a standard single-shot (ssEPI) and a prototype readout
      segmented (rsEPI) technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Apparent diffusion
      coefficient (ADC) accuracy and geometric performance of rsEPI and ssEPI were
      compared using phantoms, and in vivo, involving 8 patients prior to MR-guided
      brachytherapy for locally advanced cervical cancer, and 19 patients with prostate
      cancer planned for tumor-targeted radiotherapy. Global and local deviations in
      geometric performance were tested using Dice Similarity Coefficients (DC) and
      Hausdorff Distances (HD). RESULTS: In cervix patients, DC increased from 0.76+/
      0.14 to 0.91+/-0.05 for the high risk clinical target volume, and 0.62+/-0.26 to
      0.85+/-0.08 for the gross tumor target volume. Tumors in the peripheral zone of
      the prostate gland were partly projected erroneously outside of the posterior
      anatomic boundary of the gland by 3.1+/-1.6 mm in 11 of 19 patients using ADC
      ssEPI but not with ADC-rsEPI. CONCLUSIONS: Both cervix and prostate ssEPI are
      prone to clinically relevant geometric distortions at 3T. rsEPI provides improved
      geometric performance without post-processing.

PMID- 26264187
TI  - Cyclic polymers revealing topology effects upon self-assemblies, dynamics and
      responses.
AB  - A variety of single- and multicyclic polymers having programmed chemical
      structures with guaranteed purity have now become obtainable owing to a number of
      synthetic breakthroughs achieved in recent years. Accordingly, a broadening range
      of studies has been undertaken to gain updated insights on fundamental polymer
      properties of cyclic polymers in either solution or bulk, in either static or
      dynamic states, and in self-assemblies, leading to unusual properties and
      functions of polymer materials based on their cyclic topologies. In this article,
      we review recent studies aiming to achieve distinctive properties and functions
      by cyclic polymers unattainable by their linear or branched counterparts. We
      focus, in particular, on selected examples of unprecedented topology effects of
      cyclic polymers upon self-assemblies, dynamics and responses, to highlight
      current progress in Topological Polymer Chemistry. 

PMID- 26264186
TI  - Inhibition of ZEB1 expression induces redifferentiation of adult human beta cells
      expanded in vitro.
AB  - In-vitro expansion of functional adult human beta-cells is an attractive approach
      for generating insulin-producing cells for transplantation. However, human islet
      cell expansion in culture results in loss of beta-cell phenotype and epithelial
      mesenchymal transition (EMT). This process activates expression of ZEB1 and ZEB2,
      two members of the zinc-finger homeobox family of E-cadherin repressors, which
      play key roles in EMT. Downregulation of ZEB1 using shRNA in expanded beta-cell
      derived (BCD) cells induced mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET), beta-cell
      gene expression, and proliferation attenuation. In addition, inhibition of ZEB1
      expression potentiated redifferentiation induced by a combination of soluble
      factors, as judged by an improved response to glucose stimulation and a 3-fold
      increase in the fraction of C-peptide-positive cells to 60% of BCD cells.
      Furthermore, ZEB1 shRNA led to increased insulin secretion in cells transplanted
      in vivo. Our findings suggest that the effects of ZEB1 inhibition are mediated by
      attenuation of the miR-200c target genes SOX6 and SOX2. These findings, which
      were reproducible in cells derived from multiple human donors, emphasize the key
      role of ZEB1 in EMT in cultured BCD cells and support the value of ZEB1
      inhibition for BCD cell redifferentiation and generation of functional human beta
      like cells for cell therapy of diabetes. 

PMID- 26264188
TI  - Label-free photoelectrochemical cytosensing via resonance energy transfer using
      gold nanoparticle-enhanced carbon dots.
AB  - A universal and label-free photoelectrochemical cytosensing strategy was designed
      based on resonance energy transfer (RET) between carbon dots and cysteamine
      capped gold nanoparticles. RET promoted photo-to-current conversion efficiency
      and enhanced detection sensitivity. This proposed photoelectrochemical
      cytosensing platform exhibited a good performance for the assay of tumor cells
      with overexpressed receptors on cells. 

PMID- 26264189
TI  - Improved determination of dynamic balance using the centre of mass and centre of
      pressure inclination variables in a complete golf swing cycle.
AB  - Golf requires proper dynamic balance to accurately control the club head through
      a harmonious coordination of each human segment and joint. In this study, we
      evaluated the ability for dynamic balance during a golf swing by using the centre
      of mass (COM)-centre of pressure (COP) inclination variables. Twelve
      professional, 13 amateur and 10 novice golfers participated in this study. Six
      infrared cameras, two force platforms and SB-Clinic software were used to measure
      the net COM and COP trajectories. In order to evaluate dynamic balance ability,
      the COM-COP inclination angle, COM-COP inclination angular velocity and
      normalised COM-COP inclination angular jerk were used. Professional golfer group
      revealed a smaller COM-COP inclination angle and angular velocity than novice
      golfer group in the lead/trail direction (P < 0.01). In the normalised COM-COP
      inclination angular jerk, the professional golfer group showed a lower value than
      the other two groups in all directions. Professional golfers tend to exhibit
      improved dynamic balance, and this can be attributed to the neuromusculoskeletal
      system that maintains balance with proper postural control. This study has the
      potential to allow for an evaluation of the dynamic balance mechanism and will
      provide useful basic information for swing training and prevention of golf
      injuries. 

PMID- 26264190
TI  - Estimation of 2D strain in abdominal organs during an impact based on ultrafast
      ultrasound images: a physical landmark-based approach.

PMID- 26264191
TI  - Giant spin thermoelectric effects in all-carbon nanojunctions.
AB  - We examine the thermospin properties of an all-carbon nanojunction constructed by
      a graphene nanoflake (GNF) and zigzag-edged graphene nanoribbons (ZGNRs), bridged
      by the carbon atomic chains. The first-principles calculations show that the
      phonon thermal conductance is much weaker than the electron thermal conductance
      at the Fermi level, and even the former is a few percent of the latter in the low
      temperature regime. In the meantime, the carbon-based device possesses an
      excellent spin transport property at the Fermi level due to the appearance of
      half-metallic property. Furthermore, the single-spin Seebeck coefficient has a
      larger value at the Fermi level. These facts ultimately result in a significant
      enhancement of spin thermoelectric figure of merit (FOM) ZST. By controlling the
      carbon-chain lengths and the temperature, the maximal value of ZST can reach 30.
      Moreover, we also find that the room temperature ZST displays an odd-even effect
      with the carbon-chain lengths, and it is always larger than the charge
      thermoelectric FOM ZCT. 

PMID- 26264192
TI  - The photochemical mechanism of a B12-dependent photoreceptor protein.
AB  - The coenzyme B12-dependent photoreceptor protein, CarH, is a bacterial
      transcriptional regulator that controls the biosynthesis of carotenoids in
      response to light. On binding of coenzyme B12 the monomeric apoprotein forms
      tetramers in the dark, which bind operator DNA thus blocking transcription. Under
      illumination the CarH tetramer dissociates, weakening its affinity for DNA and
      allowing transcription. The mechanism by which this occurs is unknown. Here we
      describe the photochemistry in CarH that ultimately triggers tetramer
      dissociation; it proceeds via a cob(III)alamin intermediate, which then forms a
      stable adduct with the protein. This pathway is without precedent and our data
      suggest it is independent of the radical chemistry common to both coenzyme B12
      enzymology and its known photochemistry. It provides a mechanistic foundation for
      the emerging field of B12 photobiology and will serve to inform the development
      of a new class of optogenetic tool for the control of gene expression. 

PMID- 26264193
TI  - Stable analogues of nojirimycin--synthesis and biological evaluation of
      nojiristegine and manno-nojiristegine.
AB  - Two novel iminosugars called nojiristegines, being structural hybrids between nor
      tropane alkaloid calystegine and nojirimycins, have been synthesised and found to
      be stable molecules despite the presence of a hemiaminal functionality. The
      synthesised iminosugars were evaluated against a panel of glycosidases and the
      best inhibition (IC50), found against alpha-glucosidases, was in the micromolar
      region. The compounds were also evaluated as potential antibiotics but no useful
      level of activity was observed. 

PMID- 26264194
TI  - Nanomedical strategies for targeting skin microbiomes.
AB  - Nanoparticles can be effective drug delivery systems for treating bacterial and
      fungal infections in the skin. The nanoparticles used for drug therapy give many
      advantages over conventional formulations, such as increased solubility and
      storage stability, improved permeability and bioavailability, prolonged half
      life, tissue targeting, and minimal side effects. In recent years, the concept of
      using nanoparticles to treat skin-microbiomerelated diseases has attracted
      increasing attention. This review article aimed to introduce recent progress
      using nanomedical strategies for drug delivery. Various modalities of
      nanocarriers can be used for antimicrobial therapy of disease, including
      liposomes, microemulsions, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), nanostructured lipid
      carriers (NLCs), and polymeric nanoparticles. This review systematically
      describes the structures and physicochemical properties of different
      nanocarriers, emphasizing antibacterial activity of nanoparticles for inhibiting
      infection. Nanoparticles for treating appendageal bacteria have gained attention
      in recent years, in particular, nanomedical approaches for managing acne. Issues
      related to the treatment of non-appendageal bacteria and fungi are also
      discussed. Finally, current obstacles to using nanocarriers for delivering
      medicines aimed at inhibiting infection and future developments are addressed. 

PMID- 26264195
TI  - Propionibacterium acnes in the pathogenesis and immunotherapy of acne vulgaris.
AB  - Acne vulgaris, a multi-factorial disease, is one of the most common skin
      diseases, affecting an estimated 80% of Americans at some point during their
      lives. The gram-positive and anaerobic Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes)
      bacterium has been implicated in acne inflammation and pathogenesis. Therapies
      for acne vulgaris using antibiotics generally lack bacterial specificity, promote
      the generation of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains, and cause adverse
      effects. Immunotherapy against P. acnes or its antigens (sialidase and CAMP
      factor) has been demonstrated to be effective in mice, attenuating P. acnes
      induced inflammation; thus, this method may be applied to develop a potential
      vaccine targeting P. acnes for acne vulgaris treatment. This review summarizes
      reports describing the role of P. acnes in the pathogenesis of acne and various
      immunotherapy-based approaches targeting P. acnes, suggesting the potential
      effectiveness of immunotherapy for acne vulgaris as well as P. acnes-associated
      diseases. 

PMID- 26264196
TI  - Characterization of fungal and bacterial components in gut/fecal microbiome.
AB  - The gut microbiota is a complex ecosystem that affects the development,
      nutritional status and immunological responses of the host. Prokaryotes and fungi
      in the community have the abilities to withstand the adverse conditions of high
      temperature, low oxygen etc. and to decompose complex organic molecules. The
      novel approaches of metagenomics and metaproteomics provide data that allow the
      detection of patterns of constancy or changes in time or under different
      conditions, such as different diets, disease condition and antibiotic therapy.
      These large-scale patterns can be correlated with certain health or disease
      conditions. From the organismic point of view, however, the species identity of
      the organisms and their interactions in the gut and how these interactions
      influence the prevention or development of disease are poorly known. The
      diversity and roles of fungi in animal feces appear to be better known than in
      human gut/feces. A combined compilation of the diverse methods applied towards
      prokaryotes and fungi in the gut/feces microbiome serves as a base for meeting
      the challenges of masses of large-scale datasets on the one hand and lack of
      substantial organismic understanding on the other. Starting from long-term
      monitoring and large-scale characterization of the composition of microbiome from
      systematic higher groups down to the genus level, microbial genomes and
      proteomes, particular key components with antimicrobial or immune functions can
      be selected and investigated in detail with respect to understanding of host
      microbiota interaction, disease pathogenesis and developing diagnostic and
      therapeutic tools. 

PMID- 26264197
TI  - Mass Spectrometry Imaging: Applications in Drug Distribution Studies.
AB  - In the past decade, mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) has received an increasing
      amount of attention due to its ability in displaying the spatial distribution of
      a wide range of molecules, including peptides, proteins, lipids, endogenous and
      exogenous metabolites, and xenobiotics in biological tissues. Information
      regarding drug localization within tissues provides a better understanding of
      pharmacokinetic behaviors and pharmacological and toxicological effects. This
      review presents an introduction to MSI, along with an in-depth analysis of its
      general process. In addition, we highlighted several examples of various
      intensive applications of imaging drugs and metabolites in tissues by mass
      spectrometry. Furthermore, we present the prospect of quantitative MSI of small
      molecular chemicals, which may be particularly attractive to researchers in the
      pharmaceutical industry today. It is expected that with technological
      advancement, MSI will become an increasingly powerful tool in drug disposition
      studies and other fields of biomedical research. 

PMID- 26264198
TI  - Interactions between Transporters and Herbal Medicines/Drugs: A Focus on
      Hepatoprotective Compounds.
AB  - Many herbal medicines and drugs are available in the clinic as potent
      hepatoprotective agents for the treatment of commonly occurring liver diseases.
      Recently, herbal medicines such as silymarin and curcumin have gained more
      attention and popularity for the treatment of various liver diseases because of
      their safety and efficacy profiles. Some of them are related to transporters for
      drug disposition processes, therapeutic efficacy and/or adverse drug reactions.
      Currently, herbal medicines and diet supplements made from natural products are
      widely used in patients who are being treated with conventional prescription
      medicines, which are related to an increasing risk of herbal-drug interactions
      (HDIs) and/or drug-drug interactions (DDIs). The purpose of present review is to
      summarize the contemporary knowledge of transporter-mediated HDIs or DDIs for
      herbal medicines/drugs focusing on hepatoprotective compounds. Several herbal
      medicines/drugs are discussed in detail in this review. 

PMID- 26264199
TI  - Theory and Application of Microdialysis in Pharmacokinetic Studies.
AB  - The major aim of current pharmacokinetic studies is to investigate the drug
      absorption, disposition, metabolism and excretion in animals and humans. The time
      courses of plasma concentrations are usually characterized and linked to the
      pharmacodynamic effect to evaluate drug efficacy. However, under certain
      circumstance, site of action is located in tissues rather than in circulation,
      which requires direct measurement of tissue concentrations instead of plasma
      concentrations. Microdialysis is one of those techniques that have been
      demonstrated to be feasible for measurement of free drug concentration in many
      tissues, and is capable of being applied in most pharmacokinetic studies to
      enhance drug efficacy and reduce the unnecessary side effects. This paper reviews
      this technique from the perspective of theoretical background including the
      history of development, basic principle, components and their functions.
      Moreover, the relative recovery of microdialysis and the key factors are
      discussed, followed by calibration methods available to reduce the systemic bias.
      In addition, microdialysis is compared with conventional tissue sampling
      technique for superiorities and limitations. At last, the application of
      microdialysis in pharmacokinetic study is summarized, especially in assessment of
      drug efficacy and safety in different tissues. So far, microdialysis is a
      valuable tool in drug development and will play an unique role in a variety of
      pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies in future. 

PMID- 26264200
TI  - Physiologically Based In vitro Models to Predict the Oral Dissolution and
      Absorption of a Solid Drug Delivery System.
AB  - To understand the sophisticated dynamic behaviors of drug elution and permeation
      in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), researchers have tried to reemerge it by
      employing various in vitro experimental models. However, official in vitro
      apparatuses routinely used for quality control purposes, employ simple, non
      physiologic buffers, and hydrodynamics conditions, and can not accurately perform
      continuous, dynamic in vivo pharmacokinetics (PK) behaviors. Therefore, different
      angles of GI physiology information are incorporate into novel models to forecast
      the dissolution and permeation of drug solid dosage forms. This review, in
      general, discusses some related studies of physiologically-based mechanical
      models to predict human absorption following oral administration in four
      sections. First the GIT, taken out of a complex physiological environment, where
      the drug is absorbed, distributed, metabolized and excreted (ADME) in the human
      body, is considered as the physiological basis for active pharmaceutics
      ingredients (API) dissolved and permeated through the epithelial cell. The second
      part embodies the theoretical foundation of in vitro models to predict human
      absorption and the corresponding in vitro.in vivo correlations (IVIVC). The third
      section summarizes physiologically based dissolution models developed recently,
      ranging from dynamic compartmental dissolution models, to biorelevant dissolution
      models based on certain physiological factors, to biphasic dissolution models.
      The last part is devoted to combined dissolution and absorption models that can
      be employed to simulate the continuous, dynamic behavior of oral drug delivery
      being dissolved and subsequently permeated across the GIT. Along with
      physiologically-based mechanically models spring up, pharmaceutical researchers
      will harvest better level A IVIVC for oral drug delivery systems, especially for
      sustained and controlled release preparations. On the other way hand, it will
      successively promote more effective bionic models to optimize prescription,
      design formulation, and develop innovative products.

PMID- 26264201
TI  - Adverse Drug Reactions to Anti-TB Drugs: Pharmacogenomics Perspective for
      Identification of Host Genetic Markers.
AB  - Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are associated with clinical morbidity and, in
      severe cases, even mortality. Globally billions of dollars are spent on managing
      these ADRs for common and uncommon diseases. The developing world suffers from a
      high burden of tuberculosis, which requires 6-8 months of multi-drug treatment.
      In spite of most cases being treatable the problem persists mainly due to a high
      attrition rate associated with ADR mediated complications. Due to these reasons
      drug resistant strains have emerged and are now a serious challenge to TB
      eradication. To effectively deliver the available treatment regimen and ensure
      patient compliance it is important to manage ADRs more efficiently. Recent
      studies have demonstrated that drug outcomes are patient-specific and can,
      therefore be predicted. A few of these drugs, including a few administered for
      TB, have shown excellent correlation with response rates and development of ADRs.
      In this review, we profile information available in public domain for existing
      anti-TB drugs to understand the genesis of ADRs and patient response.
      Additionally, human genome variation databases have been used to correlate the
      frequency of these markers and their genomic variants in different populations. 

PMID- 26264203
TI  - Emerging Strategies and Challenges for Controlled Delivery of Taxanes: A
      Comprehensive Review.
AB  - Taxanes introduction in the mid 90 s leads to significant advancement as well as
      superlative improvement in the treatment of cancer. Since then, several
      strategies have been designed to enhance therapeutic potential of these agents by
      overcoming the limitations in drug delivery and pharmacokinetic constraints
      associated with conventional delivery. In this regard, controlled drug delivery
      systems for taxanes have contributed enormously by altering the pharmacokinetic
      profile, thus ultimately enhancing their therapeutic response. With their
      conferred stellar merits, controlled drug delivery systems have been able to
      surmount many of the challenges associated with conventional drug delivery
      systems. The altered absorption, resistance, low toxicity and cellular uptake
      profiles that lead to better safety from variegated carrier systems like
      nanocarriers, liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanoemulsions, nanocapsules,
      hydrogels and micelles for controlled delivery of taxanes call for an exhaustive
      review for future progressive work. Therefore, this review focuses on the altered
      pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and toxicity patterns achieved from various
      controlled drug delivery approaches, with the latter half highlighting the
      clinical profile set ups and commercial aspects of controlled release drug
      delivery systems.

PMID- 26264204
TI  - Magnetic Nanoparticles: Properties, Synthesis and Biomedical Applications.
AB  - Importance of magnetic nanoparticles in daily life including biomedical
      applications in near future cannot be overlooked. This review focuses on the
      properties of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), various approaches for their
      synthesis, and their biomedical applications. First part of this review focuses
      on the classes, physical properties, and characteristics of MNPs. The second part
      sheds light on strategies developed for the synthesis of MNPs, with special
      attention given to biological, physical, and chemical approaches as well as
      recent modifications in the preparation of monodispersed samples. Furthermore,
      this review deals with the biomedical applications of MNPs, which includes
      applications in targeted drug delivery, diagnostics, gene therapy, hyperthermia
      and advantages in the field of medicine. 

PMID- 26264205
TI  - Nanoparticles, Neurotoxicity and Neurodegenerative Diseases.
AB  - Our modern era is witnessing an increased prevalence of neurodegenerative
      diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease
      and brain tumors. This is accompanied by an increased production of nanoparticles
      (NPs) and the subsequent release of NPs in the environment shared by humans. NPs
      are extremely small molecules measuring about 100 nm in diameter. Due to
      minuscule size, NPs have the potential to penetrate human body through various
      pathways and eventually cross the blood-brain barrier to potentially cause
      neurotoxicity, neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration of the central nervous
      system. Until recently, the mechanisms by which NPs cause neuroinflammation and
      neurodegeneration were unknown. However, recent in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro
      studies have significantly advanced our understanding of the mechanisms by which
      NPs may cause neurotoxicity and neurodegeneration. In light of this
      understanding, various pathways have been identified as the basic mechanisms by
      which NPs cause damage in the brain. The goal of this review is to summarize new
      mechanistic findings and different pathways of NP-induced neurotoxicity. Better
      knowledge of such pathways can lead researchers to devise effective therapeutic
      strategies for neuroprotection against nanoparticles. 

PMID- 26264206
TI  - Solid Matrix Based Lipidic Nanoparticles in Oral Cancer Chemotherapy:
      Applications and Pharmacokinetics.
AB  - Chemotherapeutic delivery by oral route in cancer patients has the potential to
      create "hospitalization free chemotherapy" which is a vision of oncologists,
      formulation scientists and patients. Such a therapeutic approach will improve
      patients' compliance, ease the burden of the patients' caregivers and
      significantly reduce the cost of treatment. In current clinical practice,
      chemotherapy carried out by intravenous injection or infusion leads to undesired
      side-effects such as plasma concentrations crossing the maximum safe
      concentration, rapid body clearance and lower bioavailability. Despite the
      presence of challenges such as poor aqueous solubility and stability of drugs and
      the presence of biological barriers like multidrug efflux transporter in the GI
      tract, oral cancer chemotherapy has the potential to surmount those obstacles.
      Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) such as solid lipid nanoparticle, nanostructured lipid
      carriers, nano lipid-drug conjugates, mixed micelles, liposomes and nanoemulsions
      have shown some promising results for use in oral anticancer drug delivery
      through nanotechnological approach. LNPs demonstrate enhanced oral
      bioavailability owing to their ability to inhibit first pass metabolism via
      lymphatic absorption by chylomicron-linked and/or M-cell uptake. LNPs reduce the
      inter- and intrasubject pharmacokinetics variability of administrated drugs.
      Moreover, certain classes of phospholipids and surfactants used in the
      formulations of LNPs can suppress the P-glycoprotein efflux system. Here, we
      shall be discussing the biopharmaceutical challenges in oral cancer chemotherapy
      and how the LNPs may provide solutions to such challenges. The effect of GI tract
      environment on LNPs and pharmacokinetics shall also be discussed. 

PMID- 26264207
TI  - The Ins and Outs of Nanoparticle Technology in Neurodegenerative Diseases and
      Cancer.
AB  - As we enter the twenty-first century, several therapies based on using
      nanoparticles (NPs) ranging in size 1 - 1000 nm have been successfully brought to
      the clinic to treat cancer, pain and infectious diseases. These therapies bring
      together the ability of NPs to target the delivery of drugs more precisely, to
      improve solubility, to prevent degradation, to improve their therapeutic index
      and to reduce the immune response. NPs come in all shapes and sizes, designed
      specifically for biomedical applications such as solid lipid polymers, liposomes,
      dendrimers, nanogels, and quantum dots. These NPs offer many attractive
      characteristics such as biological stability and biocompatibility, thus
      incorporating different biological or drug molecules. Among the major therapeutic
      challenges from neurological diseases through to cancer is the development of
      nanomaterials that are able to be effective against the disease. In the case of
      neurodegeneration, one of the most difficult areas to penetrate for drug
      discovery in the body is the central nervous system, protected by the blood-brain
      barrier. Whilst in the case of cancer, the biggest problem is how to specifically
      target a tumor with sufficient drug without causing side effects or inducing
      resistance. A new generation of intelligent NPs are emerging for the treatment of
      human disease such as neurological disorders and cancer. The use of natural
      alternative therapy is an encouraging idea in drug discovery. To this end as we
      gain more knowledge into the biological function of exosomes, this will allow us
      to harness their potential as natural NPs in future therapeutics. 

PMID- 26264202
TI  - Diallyl Sulfide: Potential Use in Novel Therapeutic Interventions in Alcohol,
      Drugs, and Disease Mediated Cellular Toxicity by Targeting Cytochrome P450 2E1.
AB  - Diallyl sulfide (DAS) and other organosulfur compounds are chief constituents of
      garlic. These compounds have many health benefits, as they are very efficient in
      detoxifying natural agents. Therefore, these compounds may be useful for
      prevention/treatment of cancers. However, DAS has shown appreciable allergic
      reactions and toxicity, as they can also affect normal cells. Thus their use as
      in the prevention and treatment of cancer is limited. DAS is a selective
      inhibitor of cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1), which is known to metabolize many
      xenobiotics including alcohol and analgesic drugs in the liver. CYP2E1-mediated
      alcohol/drug metabolism produce reactive oxygen species and reactive metabolites,
      which damage DNA, protein, and lipid membranes, subsequently causing liver
      damage. Several groups have shown that DAS is not only capable of inhibiting
      alcohol- and drug-mediated cellular toxicities, but also HIV protein- and
      diabetes-mediated toxicities by selectively inhibiting CYP2E1 in various cell
      types. However, due to known DAS toxicities, its use as a treatment modality for
      alcohol/drug- and HIV/diabetes-mediated toxicity have only limited clinical
      relevance. Therefore, effort is being made to generate DAS analogs, which are
      potent and selective inhibitor of CYP2E1 and poor substrate of CYP2E1. This
      review summarizes current advances in the field of DAS, its anticancer
      properties, role as a CYP2E1 inhibitor, preventing agent of cellular toxicities
      from alcohol, analgesic drugs, xenobiotics, as well as, from diseases like HIV
      and diabetes. Finally, this review also provides insights toward developing novel
      DAS analogues for chemical intervention of many disease conditions by targeting
      CYP2E1 enzyme. 

PMID- 26264208
TI  - In my end is my beginning: developmental trajectories of adverse childhood
      experiences to late-life suicide.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Converging evidence suggests that the sequelae of adverse childhood
      experiences (ACEs) including childhood abuse (e.g., sexual, physical,
      emotional/verbal abuse, neglect) and other ACE (e.g., family dysfunction,
      parental loss, parental psychopathology, substance abuse, incarceration, and
      domestic violence) have pronounced effects on suicidal behaviors (suicidal
      ideation, attempts, and death by suicide) in older age. There are fundamental
      changes in the developmental trajectory of biological, psychological and
      behavioral processes that result from ACE and that exert influence throughout the
      life span. Different moderators and mediators may affect the extent and nature of
      the relationship. However, the literature on the specific mechanisms whereby ACE
      affects suicidality in later life has not been well identified. METHOD: We review
      and draw from extant multidisciplinary evidence to develop a heuristic framework
      through which to understand how ACE may lead to suicide in later life. RESULTS:
      Proposed mechanisms span biological factors (neurological, gene-environment),
      psychiatric and health functioning, and psychosocial development (cognitive
      biases, coping resources, interpersonal deficits). Evidence suggests that ACEs
      affect each of these constructs, and it is likely in the interaction of these
      constructs with late-life stressors that suicidality in older adulthood emerges.
      CONCLUSION: ACEs have persistent and multifaceted effects on suicidality in late
      life. This association is due to multi-varied pathways. It is believed that the
      explanatory framework developed herein--in which biological, psychological and
      behavioral factors are organized, and the role of late-life stressors is
      highlighted--will spark further scientific inquiry into this important area.

PMID- 26264209
TI  - Experimental Comparison of Efficiency of First Aid Dressings in Burning White
      Phosphorus on Bacon Model.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine effectiveness of first aid
      dressings in extinguishing burning white phosphorous (WP), eliminating WP pieces
      from the surface, inhibiting re-ignition on the model (fresh bacon covered with
      military uniform), and preventing from late re-ignition caused by persistent WP
      pieces. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Burning WP was extinguished with several dressings:
      tactical Military Dressing (WJ10), wet gauze, 2 hydrocolloids, and 3 prototypes
      of hydrocolloids developed by the authors. RESULTS: All examined dressings were
      effective in extinguishing WP provided that the entire area of the burning
      substance was completely covered. Moist gauze was especially effective in
      extinguishing WP, and also removed and absorbed the majority of the WP mass,
      preventing deeper penetration of WP particles. The immediate re-ignition was
      observed when all the remaining examined dressings were removed from the bacon. A
      stream of water was dangerous, as it splashed and transferred pieces of WP
      around. CONCLUSIONS: Moist gauze placed on burning WP for approximately 3 min was
      most effective in extinguishing WP and removing most of the WP pieces. We
      recommend moist gauze, used once or twice, as the best primary means for WP
      elimination and preventing tissue penetration. As a dressing used for medical
      evacuation (MEDEVAC), or as a second step after complete removal of visible WP,
      innovative hydrocolloid or hydrogel dressings should be used.

PMID- 26264210
TI  - Oxygen-responsive genetic circuits constructed in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803.
AB  - As photoautotrophic prokaryotes, cyanobacteria are promising platforms for
      producing value-added bioproducts. However, few regulatory genetic parts and
      devices (e.g., inducible promoters and regulatory circuits) have been developed
      for these potential hosts. Furthermore, the devices that have been created
      respond only to a single input. To address these issues, we developed an
      inducible genetic circuit that generates heterologous proteins in response to
      oxygen, an environmental signal. To test its performance and utility in
      Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, a model cyanobacterial strain, we connected this
      circuit to either heterologous nifHDK genes, which encode oxygen-sensitive
      nitrogenase's structural proteins, or a fluorescent protein gene. The circuit was
      transcriptionally activated to generate nifHDK transcripts or fluorescent output
      only in low oxygen conditions. We expanded the oxygen-responsive circuit into a
      more complex circuit by building a two-input AND gate, which allows Synechocystis
      to specifically control expression of the fluorescent reporter in response to two
      signals, low oxygen and high anhydrotetracycline. To our knowledge, the AND gate
      is the first complex logic circuit built in a cyanobacterial strain. This work
      expands the synthetic biology tools available for complex gene expression in
      cyanobacteria, increasing their potential as biotechnology platforms.

PMID- 26264212
TI  - Foraging behaviour, nutrient intake from pasture and performance of free-range
      growing pigs in relation to feed CP level in two organic cropping systems.
AB  - In organic pig production one of the major challenges is to be able to fulfil
      amino acid requirements based on organic and locally grown protein feed crops.
      The pig is an opportunistic omnivore with a unique capacity for foraging above
      and below the soil surface. It is hypothesized that direct foraging in the range
      area can pose an important contribution in terms of fulfilling nutrient
      requirements of growing pigs. Foraging activity, lucerne nutrient intake and pig
      performance were investigated in 36 growing pigs, foraging on lucerne or grass
      and fed either a standard organic pelleted feed mixture (HP: high protein) or a
      grain mixture containing 48% less CP (LP: low protein) compared with the high
      protein feed mixture, from an average live weight of 58 kg to 90 kg in a complete
      block design in three replicates. The pigs were fed 80% of energy recommendations
      and had access to 4 m2 of pasture/pig per day during the 40 days experimental
      period from September to October 2013. Behavioural observations were carried out
      12 times over the entire experimental period. For both crops, LP pigs rooted
      significantly more compared with HP pigs but the effect of CP level was more
      pronounced in grass (44% v. 19% of all observations) compared with lucerne (28%
      v. 16% of all observations). Feed protein level turned out not to have any
      significant effect on grazing behaviour but pigs foraging on lucerne grazed
      significantly more than pigs foraging on grass (10% v. 4% of all observations).
      Daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio were significantly affected by feed
      protein and forage crop interactions. Compared to HP pigs, LP treated pigs had
      33% lower daily weight gain (589 v. 878 g) and 31% poorer feed conversion ratio
      (3.75 v. 2.59 kg feed/kg weight gain) in grass paddocks, whereas in lucerne
      paddocks LP pigs only had 18% lower daily weight gain (741 v. 900 g) and a 14%
      poorer feed conversion ratio (2.95 v. 2.54 kg feed/kg weight gain) compared with
      HP pigs. LP pigs foraging on lucerne used 169 g less concentrate CP/kg weight
      gain, compared with HP pigs, indicating the nitrogen efficiency of the system.
      The results indicate that direct foraging of lucerne may be a valuable strategy
      in terms of accommodating CP and lysine requirements of organic growing pigs. 

PMID- 26264211
TI  - STAT3 polymorphisms may predict an unfavorable response to first-line platinum
      based therapy for women with advanced serous epithelial ovarian cancer.
AB  - Cancer stem cells (CSC) contribute to epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) progression
      and therapeutic response. We hypothesized that germline single nucleotide
      polymorphisms (SNPs) in CSC-related genes may predict an initial therapeutic
      response for women newly diagnosed with EOC. A nested case-control design was
      used to study 361 women with advanced-stage serous EOC treated with surgery
      followed by first-line platinum-based combination therapy at Moffitt Cancer
      Center or as part of The Cancer Genome Atlas Study. "Cases" included 102
      incomplete responders (IRs) and "controls" included 259 complete clinical
      responders (CRs) to therapy. Using Illumina genotyping arrays and imputation, DNA
      samples were evaluated for 5,509 SNPs in 24 ovarian CSC-related genes. We also
      evaluated the overall significance of each CSC gene using the admixture maximum
      likelihood (AML) test, and correlated genotype with EOC tumor tissue expression.
      The strongest SNP-level associations with an IR to therapy were identified for
      correlated (r(2) > 0.80) SNPs within signal transducer and activator of
      transcription 3 (STAT3) [odds ratio (OR), 2.24; 95% confidence interval (CI),
      1.32-3.78; p = 0.0027], after adjustment for age, population stratification,
      grade and residual disease. At the gene level, STAT3 was significantly associated
      with an IR to therapy (pAML = 0.006). rs1053004, a STAT3 SNP in a putative miRNA
      binding site, was associated with STAT3 expression (p = 0.057). This is the first
      study to identify germline STAT3 variants as independent predictors of an
      unfavorable therapeutic response for EOC patients. Findings suggest that STAT3
      genotype may identify high-risk women likely to respond more favorably to novel
      therapeutic combinations that include STAT3 inhibitors.

PMID- 26264213
TI  - Effect of anesthesia on gastroesophageal reflux in children: a study using BRAVO
      wireless pH study measurements.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Adult studies suggest conscious sedation increases gastroesophageal
      reflux (GER), but the role of anesthesia on GER in children is unclear. Our aim
      was to study the anesthesia effects on GER and pH study interpretation in
      children. METHODS: Children undergoing BRAVO wireless pH capsule placement under
      anesthesia and study duration >36 h were included. We evaluated the pH parameters
      (number of reflux episodes >5 min, duration of longest reflux episode, time pH <4
      and fraction time pH <4) at 1, 2, 6-h and total study duration blocks using 2
      cutoff values (5.3% and 6%) for the worst day, average of both days, and 1st day
      alone. We compared time blocks to evaluate the effect of anesthesia on GER and
      the proportions of studies changing interpretation after excluding the 1st hour
      and 1st 2-h blocks to evaluate anesthesia effect on study interpretation. KEY
      RESULTS: A total of 150 children were included. We found a significant increase
      on the pH parameters in the 1st hour compared to subsequent block times
      suggesting an effect of anesthesia on GER. We found no significant change in the
      proportion of studies interpreted as normal vs abnormal, however, excluding the
      initial 2 h of the study would change the study interpretation from abnormal to
      normal in up to 5% of patients. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: We found an effect of
      anesthesia increasing the GER parameters mainly in the 1st hour and up to the
      first 6 h of the study that may result in a change in the study interpretation.

PMID- 26264214
TI  - Protein Labelling with Versatile Phosphorescent Metal Complexes for Live Cell
      Luminescence Imaging.
AB  - To take advantage of the luminescent properties of d(6) transition metal
      complexes to label proteins, versatile bifunctional ligands were prepared.
      Ligands that contain a 1,2,3-triazole heterocycle were synthesised using Cu(I)
      catalysed azide-alkyne cycloaddition "click" chemistry and were used to form
      phosphorescent Ir(III) and Ru(II) complexes. Their emission properties were
      readily tuned, by changing either the metal ion or the co-ligands. The complexes
      were tethered to the metalloprotein transferrin using several conjugation
      strategies. The Ir(III)/Ru(II)-protein conjugates could be visualised in cancer
      cells using live cell imaging for extended periods without significant
      photobleaching. These versatile phosphorescent protein-labelling agents could be
      widely applied to other proteins and biomolecules and are useful alternatives to
      conventional organic fluorophores for several applications.

PMID- 26264215
TI  - Alcohol use disorder severity and reported reasons not to seek treatment: a cross
      sectional study in European primary care practices.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Alcohol use disorders are among the mental disorders with the lowest
      treatment rates. Increasing the treatment rates requires insight on the reasons
      why patients do not seek treatment. This study examined self-reported reasons for
      not seeking treatment and their association with alcohol use disorder severity
      among primary health care patients diagnosed with an alcohol use disorder.
      METHODS: Alcohol use disorders, health service utilization, and reasons for not
      seeking treatment were assessed via interviews on regionally representative
      samples of primary care patients from 6 European countries (Italy, Germany,
      Hungary, Latvia, Poland and Spain, total N = 9,098). Additionally, general
      practitioners had to fill in a questionnaire assessing their patients' alcohol
      use and alcohol use disorders. A multinomial logistic regression was performed to
      investigate the association between reasons for not seeking treatment and alcohol
      use disorder severity. RESULTS: Of 1,008 patients diagnosed with an alcohol use
      disorder (via general practitioner or patient interview) in the past 12 months,
      the majority (N = 810) did not receive treatment and 251 of those gave a reason
      for not seeking treatment. The most frequent reason was 'lack of problem
      awareness' (55.3% of those who responded), the second most common response was
      'stigma or shame' (28.6%), followed by 'encounter barriers' (22.8%) and 'cope
      alone' (20.9%). The results indicated lower probabilities of reporting 'denial'
      and higher probabilities to report 'encounter barriers' as alcohol use disorders
      severity increases. However, both trends were discontinued for patients with
      severe alcohol use disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Particularly at lower levels of
      alcohol use disorder severity, a lack of problem awareness prevents patients from
      seeking treatment. Routinely alcohol consumption monitoring in primary care
      practices could help primary and secondary prevention of alcohol use disorders
      and increase treatment coverage.

PMID- 26264217
TI  - Nurses' perceptions of their professional practice environment: a cross-sectional
      study.
AB  - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To describe nurses' perceptions concerning their
      professional practice environment in mainland China and identify factors
      associated with these views. BACKGROUND: Globally, the environments in which
      nurses work influence the quality of nursing practice and health care. DESIGN: A
      cross-sectional descriptive survey using both paper- and online-based delivery
      modes was used. METHOD: A convenience sampling method was used. The survey
      questionnaire was composed of sociodemographic items and the 38-item Chinese
      version of Professional Practice Environment survey. The content of the paper
      based questionnaire was identical to the online survey. Pearson's chi-square test
      was conducted to compare the demographic characteristics of these two data sets.
      Descriptive statistics analysis included frequency, percentage, mean and standard
      deviation. Multiple linear regression analysis using the Backwards method was
      applied to identify independent predictors of each subscale of the 38-item
      Chinese version of Professional Practice Environment. RESULTS: A total of 573
      questionnaires were analysed. The mean score of each subscale of the 38-item
      Chinese version of Professional Practice Environment in this study ranged from
      2.66-3.05. All subscales except work motivation (3.05, standard deviation: 0.44)
      scored less than 3.0. Areas rated as most in need of improvement included control
      over practice, interpersonal interaction, supportive leadership and handling
      conflict, and staff relationships with physicians and autonomy. CONCLUSION: This
      study has identified nurses' perspectives regarding their workplaces in
      contemporary China. These data have provided an important baseline for developing
      and implementing culturally appropriate strategies to improve the working
      environment of Chinese nurses. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: A supportive and
      enabling work environment promotes professional development and the safety and
      quality of health care. Addressing these factors is important in optimising work
      place environments.

PMID- 26264216
TI  - Review article: biomarkers and personalised therapy in functional lower
      gastrointestinal disorders.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Treatment of IBS and functional lower gastrointestinal disorders is
      still based predominantly on symptoms; biomarkers that reflect the mechanism or
      pathophysiology have been identified. Given the diverse mechanisms that result in
      the same clinical phenotype of IBS, it is hypothesised that identification of
      biomarkers may lead to individualisation of medical therapy. AIM: To review the
      biomarkers that have been appraised in IBS. METHODS: A single author reviewed the
      published literature on biomarkers appraised in IBS. RESULTS: The current
      literature suggests that these biomarkers are insufficiently sensitive or
      specific to differentiate IBS from health or from other diseases causing similar
      symptoms, such as coeliac disease or inflammatory bowel disease. Most of the
      proposed biomarkers are not actionable, that is, they do not lead to an
      efficacious therapy based on the biological inference of the biomarker itself.
      However, among proposed biomarkers in IBS, some are actionable, as they
      specifically reflect a quantitative difference in a mediator of dysfunction or
      result in a quantifiable disturbance of function that can be specifically
      treated. Such biomarkers may potentially identify relevant subgroups that respond
      to specific therapy. The most promising actionable biomarkers are measurement of
      colonic transit (leading to treatments that reverse the abnormal transit) and
      measurements of bile acid diarrhoea to identify responders to bile acid
      sequestrants. CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, although biomarkers are not ready for prime
      time as diagnostic tests in IBS, some biomarkers could identify subgroups of
      patients with IBS for inclusion in clinical trials that target specific
      dysfunctions. Such an approach may enhance treatment efficacy, and may ultimately
      help reduce costs in drug development and in the management of patients in
      clinical practice.

PMID- 26264218
TI  - Postmortem Intervals in Mice Submerged in Aqueous Environments at 20 degrees C.
AB  - Aqueous submersion can impede decay and produce decomposition stages not seen in
      terrestrial burials. To further understand the variances, fifty-four mice were
      submerged in freshwater, marine water, and a control environment at 20 degrees C.
      The mice displayed sequential stages at differing rates over 6 weeks. Regression
      plots and comparative t-tests demonstrated that internal putrefaction, weight
      difference, and abdominal circumference of the aqueous environments varied
      significantly from the control group. The aqueous subjects did not vary
      significantly from each other quantitatively. The postmortem intervals were not
      consistent regardless of temperature or environment although a clear variance was
      noted between the control and the submerged groups.

PMID- 26264219
TI  - Obliterative portal venopathy without portal hypertension: an underestimated
      condition.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Obliterative portal venopathy without portal hypertension has
      been described by a single study in a limited number of patients, thus very
      little is known about this clinical condition. This study aimed to investigate
      the prevalence of obliterative portal venopathy and its clinical-pathological
      correlations in patients with cryptogenic chronic liver test abnormalities
      without clinical signs of portal hypertension. METHODS: We analysed 482 liver
      biopsies from adults with non-cirrhotic cryptogenic chronic liver disorders and
      without any clinical signs of portal hypertension, consecutively enrolled in a 5
      year period. Twenty cases of idiopathic non-cirrhotic portal hypertension
      diagnosed in the same period, were included for comparison. Histological findings
      were matched with clinical and laboratory features. RESULTS: Obliterative portal
      venopathy was identified in 94 (19.5%) of 482 subjects and in all 20 cases of
      idiopathic non-cirrhotic portal hypertension: both groups shared the entire
      spectrum of histological changes described in the latter condition. The
      prevalence of incomplete fibrous septa and nodular regenerative hyperplasia was
      higher in the biopsies of idiopathic non-cirrhotic portal hypertension (P = 0.006
      and P = 0.002), a possible hint of a more advanced stage of the disease. The two
      groups also shared several clinical laboratory features, including a similar
      liver function test profile, concomitant prothrombotic conditions and
      extrahepatic autoimmune disorders. CONCLUSION: Obliterative portal venopathy
      occurs in a substantial proportion of patients with unexplained chronic abnormal
      liver function tests without portal hypertension. The clinical-pathological
      profile of these subjects suggests that they may be in an early (non-symptomatic)
      stage of idiopathic non-cirrhotic portal hypertension.

PMID- 26264220
TI  - High-resolution ultrasound of peripheral nerves in systemic sclerosis: a pilot
      study of computer-aided quantitative assessment of nerve density.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To quantitatively evaluate and compare nerve density in patients with
      limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis (lcSSc) and control subjects using high
      resolution ultrasound (US) with a computer-aided assessment. METHODS: Forty
      patients and 40 age- and sex-matched control subjects were prospectively
      enrolled. Ultrasound (US) examination (17-5 MHz probe) of the median nerve at the
      elbow was performed bilaterally by one radiologist. A software quantified the
      ratio between the hypoechoic and hyperechoic areas of peripheral nerves on
      ultrasound. Two observers set the threshold in the images acquired, and three
      observers performed the digital analysis of nerve density. Statistical analysis
      included Mann-Whitney U-test of patients versus control subjects and subgroup
      analysis of symptomatic and non-symptomatic patients. Intra and inter-observer
      agreement of the three observers were assessed with the kappa statistic. RESULTS:
      In all, 160 median nerves were evaluated. According to the US, nerve density was
      significantly reduced in lcSSc patients compared to control subjects (mean and
      standard deviation: 41 +/- 3 vs 56 +/- 4, p < 0.01). Subgroup analysis showed
      that symptomatic patients (n = 15) had reduced nerve density compared to non
      symptomatic (n = 25) patients (39 +/- 5 vs 43 +/- 4, p < 0.01). Intra-observer
      agreement was very good (K = 0.82). Inter-observer agreements were good: reader 1
      vs reader 2: k = 0.78 (95% confidence interval 0.65 to 0.91); reader 2 vs reader
      3: k = 0.72 (95% confidence interval 0.65 to 0.82); reader 3 vs reader 1: k =
      0.71 (95% confidence interval 0.64-0.81). CONCLUSIONS: In lcSSc patients, nerve
      density was reduced, especially in the symptomatic group, compared to control
      subjects.

PMID- 26264221
TI  - A DFT Study of Tungsten-Methylidene Formation on a W/ZSM-5 Zeolite: The
      Metathesis Active Site.
AB  - Tungsten-methylidene formation from ethene on either the W(IV) , W(V) , or W(VI)
      active sites of a W/ZSM-5 zeolite is investigated by using the M06-L functional.
      The reaction is assumed to proceed in two steps; the first step is the [2+2]
      cycloaddition between ethene and the W-O active site to form an oxametallacycle
      intermediate. The intermediate is then decomposed to produce the W-methylidene
      active site from the metathesis reaction. The overall activation barrier of the
      reaction on W(VI) (27.3 kcal mol(-1) ) is considerably lower than the ones for
      W(IV) and W(V) (69.4 and 37.1 kcal mol(-1) , respectively). Moreover, the
      reaction involving the W(VI) site also stabilizes intermediates and products to a
      larger extent than the ones on the W(IV) and W(V) sites. As a result, we have
      demonstrated that the reaction of the W-methylidene metathesis active site is
      both kinetically and thermodynamically favored to occur on the W(VI) active site
      of the zeolite. 

PMID- 26264223
TI  - Can hepatic resection provide a long-term cure for patients with intrahepatic
      cholangiocarcinoma?
AB  - BACKGROUND: A patient can be considered statistically cured from a specific
      disease when their mortality rate returns to the same level as that of the
      general population. In the current study, the authors sought to assess the
      probability of being statistically cured from intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma
      (ICC) by hepatic resection. METHODS: A total of 584 patients who underwent
      surgery with curative intent for ICC between 1990 and 2013 at 1 of 12
      participating institutions were identified. A nonmixture cure model was adopted
      to compare mortality after hepatic resection with the mortality expected for the
      general population matched by sex and age. RESULTS: The median, 1-year, 3-year,
      and 5-year disease-free survival was 10 months, 44%, 18%, and 11%, respectively;
      the corresponding overall survival was 27 months, 75%, 37%, and 22%,
      respectively. The probability of being cured of ICC was 9.7% (95% confidence
      interval, 6.1%-13.4%). The mortality of patients undergoing surgery for ICC was
      higher than that of the general population until year 10, at which time patients
      alive without tumor recurrence can be considered cured with 99% certainty.
      Multivariate analysis demonstrated that cure probabilities ranged from 25.8%
      (time to cure, 9.8 years) in patients with a single, well-differentiated ICC
      measuring <=5 cm that was without vascular/periductal invasion and lymph nodes
      metastases versus <0.1% (time to cure, 12.6 years) among patients with all 6 of
      these risk factors. A model with which to calculate cure fraction and time to
      cure was developed. CONCLUSIONS: The cure model indicated that statistical cure
      was possible in patients undergoing hepatic resection for ICC. The overall
      probability of cure was approximately 10% and varied based on several tumor
      specific factors. Cancer 2015;121:3998-4006. (c) 2015 American Cancer Society.

PMID- 26264222
TI  - FoxM1 transactivates PTTG1 and promotes colorectal cancer cell migration and
      invasion.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Metastasis is the major cause of cancer-related death. Forkhead Box
      M1 (FoxM1) is a master regulator of tumor metastasis. This study aims to identify
      new FoxM1 targets in regulating tumor metastasis using bioinformatics tools as
      well as biological experiments. METHODS: Illumina microarray was used to profile
      WT and PTTG1 knockout HCT116 cells. R2 Genomics Analysis was used to identify
      PTTG1 as a potential FoxM1 targeted gene. Luciferase reporter array, EMSA and
      Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) were used to determine the binding of FoxM1
      to PTTG1 promoter. Boyden chamber assay was used to evaluate the effects of FoxM1
      PTTG1 on cell migration and invasion. Splenic-injection induced liver metastasis
      model was used to evaluate the effects of FoxM1-PTTG1 on liver metastasis of
      colorectal cancer. RESULTS: Analyses of multiple microarray datasets derived from
      human colorectal cancer indicated that correlation levels of FoxM1 and pituitary
      tumor transforming gene (PTTG1) are highly concordant (R = 0.68 ~ 0.89, p = 2.1E
      226 ~ 9.6E-86). FoxM1 over-expression increased and knock-down decreased PTTG1
      expression. Luciferase reporter assay identified that the -600 to -300 bp region
      of PTTG1 promoter is important for FoxM1 to enhance PTTG1 promoter activity. EMSA
      and ChIP assays confirmed that FoxM1 directly binds to PTTG1 promoter at the -391
      to -385 bp region in colorectal cancer cells. Boyden chamber assay indicated that
      both FoxM1 and PTTG1 regulate migration and invasion of HCT116 and SW620
      colorectal cancer cells. Further in vivo assays indicated that PTTG1 knock out
      decreased the liver metastasis of FoxM1 over-expressing HCT116 cells. Microarray
      analyses identified 662 genes (FDR < 0.05) differentially expressed between WT
      and PTTG1(-/-) HCT116 cells. Among them, dickkopf homolog 1 (DKK1), a known WNT
      pathway inhibitor, was suppressed by PTTG1 and FoxM1. CONCLUSIONS: PTTG1 is a
      FoxM1 targeted gene. FoxM1 binds to PTTG1 promoter to enhance PTTG1
      transcription, and FoxM1-PTTG1 pathway promotes colorectal cancer migration and
      invasion.

PMID- 26264224
TI  - Colorectal cancer risk factors in patients with serrated polyposis syndrome: a
      large multicentre study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Serrated polyposis syndrome (SPS) is associated with an increased
      colorectal cancer (CRC) risk, although the magnitude of the risk remains
      uncertain. Whereas intensive endoscopic surveillance for CRC prevention is
      advised, predictors that identify patients who have high CRC risk remain unknown.
      We performed a multicentre nationwide study aimed at describing the CRC risk in
      patients with SPS and identifying clinicopathological predictors independently
      associated with CRC. DESIGN: From March 2013 through September 2014, patients
      with SPS were retrospectively recruited at 18 Spanish centres. Data were
      collected from medical, endoscopy and histopathology reports. Multivariate
      logistic regression was performed to identify CRC risk factors. RESULTS: In 296
      patients with SPS with a median follow-up time of 45 months (IQR 26-79.7), a
      median of 26 (IQR 18.2-40.7) serrated polyps and 3 (IQR 1-6) adenomas per patient
      were detected. Forty-seven patients (15.8%) developed CRC at a mean age of 53.9+/
      12.8, and 4 out of 47 (8.5%) tumours were detected during surveillance
      (cumulative CRC incidence 1.9%). Patients with >2 sessile serrated
      adenomas/polyps (SSA/Ps) proximal to splenic flexure and >=1 proximal SSA/P with
      high-grade dysplasia were independent CRC risk factors (incremental OR=2, 95% CI
      1.22 to 3.24, p=0.006). Patients with no risk factors showed a 55% decrease in
      CRC risk (OR=0.45, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.86, p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with SPS
      have an increased risk of CRC, although lower than previously published. Close
      colonoscopy surveillance in experienced centres show a low risk of developing CRC
      (1.9% in 5 years). Specific polyp features (SSA/P histology, proximal location
      and presence of high-grade dysplasia) should be used to guide clinical
      management.

PMID- 26264225
TI  - Role of macrophage secretions on rat polycystic ovary: its effect on apoptosis.
AB  - Polycystic ovarian syndrome is the most common endocrine disorder among women of
      reproductive age. Little is known about its etiology, although the evidence
      suggests an intrinsic ovarian abnormality in which endocrine, metabolic, neural
      and immune factors would be involved. In this work, the effects of macrophage
      (MO) secretion on ovarian apoptosis in a polycystic ovary syndrome rat model (PCO
      rat) induced by estradiol valerate are studied. Spleen MO secretions were used to
      stimulate ovaries and ovarian interstitial and granulosa cells from both PCO and
      control rats. Ovarian hormones and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were measured by RIA;
      ovarian mRNA levels of Bax, Bcl2 and NFkB by RT-PCR; and ovarian inducible nitric
      oxide synthase (iNOS) by western blot. The number of apoptotic cells was
      evaluated by TUNEL. In the PCO ovary, the MO secretions from PCO rats increased
      the Bax and NFkB mRNA expressions and increased TUNEL staining in both granulosa
      and theca cells. In addition, the PCO MO secretions produced a decrease of nitric
      oxide release, iNOS protein level and PGE2 content in the PCO ovary, and it also
      induced an increase of androstenedione production by PCO interstitial cells, in
      comparison with control MO secretions. Considering these results and knowing that
      testosterone stimulates tumour necrosis factor-alpha production by PCO MO
      modifying ovarian response by increasing androstenedione, it is reasonable to
      suggest that the increase of androgens stimulated in ovarian cells by PCO MO
      secretions could in turn stimulate the cytokine production from MO, thus
      maintaining an apoptotic vicious cycle in the PCO ovary. 

PMID- 26264226
TI  - Close the loop to show patients the value of taking part in research.

PMID- 26264227
TI  - Installation of speed humps and pedestrian-motor vehicle collisions in Toronto,
      Canada: a quasi-experimental study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Evidence related to the effectiveness of speed humps on reducing
      pedestrian-motor vehicle collisions (PMVC) has been conflicting. The purpose of
      this study was to determine the association between speed hump installation and
      changes in PMVC rates in Toronto, Canada. METHODS: Speed humps were mapped along
      with police-reported pedestrian collisions from 2000-2011 and built environment
      roadway characteristics. A quasi-experimental study identified collision counts
      before and after speed hump installation, modeled using repeated measures Poisson
      regression adjusted for season and roadway characteristics. Stratified analyses
      were conducted by age group and injury severity. RESULTS: There were 27,827 PMVC,
      with 1344 collisions along 409 roadways with speed humps. PMVC incidence
      rates/meters of road/month decreased after installation of speed humps (IRR 0.78
      95 % CI 0.66, 0.91). Winter, collector roads (versus local), pre-amalgamated city
      centre and increased land use mix were associated with more collisions. The
      association between speed humps and PMVC rates decreased more for children (IRR
      0.57, 95 % CI 0.41, 0.79) than for adults (IRR 0.80, 95 % CI 0.68, 0.95).
      CONCLUSIONS: Speed humps are an easily replicated method of traffic calming which
      have a significant protective effect on PMVC on the roadways where they are
      installed, particularly for children. There is a need for an area-wide analysis
      to determine the effects of the installation of speed humps to ensure that PMVC
      are not being displaced to surrounding roadways.

PMID- 26264228
TI  - Oesophagectomy in a patient with azygos vein continuation of the inferior vena
      cava: report of a case.
AB  - The azygos system of veins varies greatly in its mode of origin, but the
      variation in which the azygos vein is a continuation of the inferior vena cava
      (IVC) is rare. During an oesophagectomy, the azygos vein typically is transected
      as a requirement of the surgery. In this case, the enlarged azygos and its arch
      were a continuation of the IVC. During our procedure, we first established a
      bypass between the right femoral vein and the jugular vein in case of injury to
      the azygos vein, and we then performed a McKeown oesophagectomy without
      transecting the azygos vein. Our experience suggests that an oesophagectomy in
      cases with an azygos vein continuation of the IVC is feasible. An adequate
      medical examination and careful reading of the imaging is crucial for the safety
      of these surgical procedures. An appropriate surgical approach should be selected
      according to the location of the tumour, the size of the tumour and its
      anatomical features. The establishment of a veno-venous bypass and protection of
      the azygos arch in patients whose azygos vein is a continuation of IVC is
      necessary. 

PMID- 26264229
TI  - Knudson's hypothesis revisited in Indian retinoblastoma patients.
AB  - AIM: Retinoblastoma (RB) is the most common primary intraocular malignancy
      affecting children under 5 years of age. This study aims to correlate the
      clinical parameters with RB1 mutation in the light of Knudson's two-hit
      hypothesis in Indian RB patients. METHODS: We analyzed the clinical details of 73
      RB patients visiting Aravind Eye Hospital, Madurai, India, between January and
      October 2012. Data on gender, presenting age and sign, laterality, number of
      tumors in each eye and family history were collected. A semi log plot was derived
      based on Knudson's two-hit hypothesis. Genetic analysis of RB1 was carried out to
      identify the two hits. RESULTS: The mean age at diagnosis for unilateral and
      bilateral cases was 24.0 +/- 15.1 and 9.8 +/- 11.5 months, respectively. Familial
      RB was seen in 13 (17.8%) patients of whom 11 were bilateral. Multiple tumors
      were observed more frequently in bilateral than in unilateral cases. All
      unilateral and bilateral patients followed the two-hit and one-hit curves,
      respectively, confirming Knudson's hypothesis in Indian patients. Genetic
      analysis identified two somatic mutations in tumor samples of sporadic unilateral
      cases. Among the two bilateral patients, one received the first hit from her
      father and the other patient developed a de novo germline mutation during early
      development. CONCLUSION: The two-hit hypothesis has been reestablished in Indian
      patients. Genetic analysis of tumor samples has also complemented the statistical
      analysis to reaffirm the two hits in tumor development.

PMID- 26264230
TI  - In vitro efficacy of allicin on chicken Eimeria tenella sporozoites.
AB  - Chicken coccidiosis is a major parasitic disease caused by Eimeria spp. It is
      controlled and treated using chemical anticoccidial agents. Development of
      partial or complete resistance toward these anticoccidials is considered a major
      problem in poultry industry. Allicin is an organosulfur compound produced as a
      result of the reaction between alliin and alliinase after hacking of garlic. In
      this study, tenfold dilution from 180 mg/ml to 1.8 ng/ml of allicin in distilled
      water was tested against E. tenella in vitro. The percent of inhibition in
      allicin was from 99.9 to 71.53% using 180 mg/ml and 180 ng/ml, respectively. The
      percent of inhibition was 56.24% using 1.8 ng/ml. We used allicin as a treatment
      from plants against chicken coccidiosis; however, in vivo study should be
      performed to confirm these results.

PMID- 26264231
TI  - Abnormalities in the WFU strain of Taenia crassiceps (Cyclophyllidea: Taeniidae)
      following years of propagation in mice.
AB  - Asexually proliferating Taenia crassiceps (Zeder, 1800) metacestodes isolated
      within past decades have been successfully sub-cultured under experimental
      conditions using Mus musculus Linnaeus, 1758 mice. However, during their
      development, morphological irregularities of scolex structures have been reported
      in two of the three strains of this cestode species maintained in mice - ORF and
      KBS. The main goal of this work is to describe the abnormalities observed in a
      sample of 118 cysticerci of the third T. crassiceps strain used at present - WFU.
      Morphological abnormalities were detected in 39.8% of the evaginated scoleces;
      they consisted of supernumerary suckers (n= 2), duplicated (n= 2) or absent
      rostellum (n= 1), as well as absent or aberrant (n= 29) hooks, which were
      significantly shorter when compared to the large and short hook lengths referred
      to in the literature. 

PMID- 26264233
TI  - Once-daily prolonged release tacrolimus in liver transplantation: Experts'
      literature review and recommendations.
AB  - The efficacy and safety of tacrolimus (Tac) twice daily (bid) and once a day (qd)
      formulations are considered to be similar. However, the available information
      regarding initiation of Tac qd is sparse, and practical information is lacking.
      On the basis of a literature review, clinical efficacy, and safety trials, French
      experts in the liver transplantation field were asked to highlight
      pharmacokinetic (PK) differences between both formulations to assess efficacy and
      safety of the qd formulation in the context of de novo initiation or conversion
      and to provide their recommendations for initiation and day-to-day management of
      Tac qd. The same efficacy and safety profile is found for both immediate-release
      and prolonged-release Tac. PK differences carry on absorption because of the
      difference in formulations but not on metabolism or excretion. Tac qd offers a
      better reproducibility in exposure than Tac bid but is associated with an
      increased risk of disturbed absorption in case of a change in intestinal
      motility. The same therapeutic drug monitoring with Tac qd and bid could be
      applied, based on minimal concentration (trough level; C(min)), as there is a
      similar strong correlation between C(min) and the area under the curve (AUC) for
      both formulations. Different protocols for Tac qd initiation were described
      through numerous studies, except for early conversion: initiation on day 0, using
      0.10 to 0.20 mg/kg/day as monotherapy, or lower dosages in case of concomitant
      immunosuppressant treatment or poor graft quality; early conversion from day 5 to
      6 months, preferably before hospital discharge, using a 1 to 1.3 mg/kg/day
      schedule and with first C(min) assessment 48 hours after the conversion; and
      later conversion (>6 months posttransplantation) using a milligram-to-milligram
      dosage schedule, and with dose adjustment based on weekly C(min) measurement.
      Experts underline that an increase in treatment adherence was expected using Tac
      qd in liver recipients. In conclusion, Tac qd has the same efficacy and safety
      profile as Tac bid. De novo introduction or later conversion are well documented
      but could differ from day-to-day practice.

PMID- 26264232
TI  - WAC loss-of-function mutations cause a recognisable syndrome characterised by
      dysmorphic features, developmental delay and hypotonia and recapitulate 10p11.23
      microdeletion syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Rare de novo mutations have been implicated as a significant cause of
      idiopathic intellectual disability. Large deletions encompassing 10p11.23 have
      been implicated in developmental delay, behavioural abnormalities and dysmorphic
      features, but the genotype-phenotype correlation was not delineated. Mutations in
      WAC have been recently reported in large screening cohorts of patients with
      intellectual disability or autism, but no full phenotypic characterisation was
      described. METHODS: Clinical and molecular characterisation of six patients with
      loss-of-function WAC mutations identified by whole exome sequencing was
      performed. Clinical data were obtained by retrospective chart review, parental
      interviews, direct patient interaction and formal neuropsychological evaluation.
      RESULTS: Five heterozygous de novo WAC mutations were identified in six patients.
      Three of the mutations were nonsense, and two were frameshift; all are predicted
      to cause loss of function either through nonsense-mediated mRNA decay or protein
      truncation. Clinical findings included developmental delay (6/6), hypotonia
      (6/6), behavioural problems (5/6), eye abnormalities (5/6), constipation (5/6),
      feeding difficulties (4/6), seizures (2/6) and sleep problems (2/6). All patients
      exhibited common dysmorphic features, including broad/prominent forehead,
      synophrys and/or bushy eyebrows, depressed nasal bridge and bulbous nasal tip.
      Posteriorly rotated ears, hirsutism, deep-set eyes, thin upper lip, inverted
      nipples, hearing loss and branchial cleft anomalies were also noted. CONCLUSIONS:
      Our case series show that loss-of-function mutations in WAC cause a recognisable
      genetic syndrome characterised by a neurocognitive phenotype and facial
      dysmorphism. Our data highly suggest that WAC haploinsufficiency is responsible
      for most of the phenotypic features associated with deletions encompassing
      10p11.23.

PMID- 26264234
TI  - An Arabidopsis mutant of inositol pentakisphosphate 2-kinase AtIPK1 displays
      reduced arsenate tolerance.
AB  - Arsenate [As(V)] toxicity is considered to be derived from similarities in the
      chemical properties of As(V) and phosphate (Pi). An Arabidopsis thaliana mutant
      of inositol pentakisphosphate 2-kinase (AtIPK1), atipk1-1, has previously
      exhibited lower level of phytate and higher level of Pi, relative to wild-type
      (WT). Here, atipk1-1 displayed hypersensitivity to As(V) stress and less As(V)
      uptake when compared to WT. Overexpression of AtIPK1 controlled by the CaMV 35S
      promoter partially rescued the As(V)-sensitive phenotype of atipk1-1. When
      compared to control Pi status, addition of Pi enhanced As(V) tolerance of both WT
      and atipk1-1 plants, while the arsenic concentration was less reduced in the
      latter genotype. Despite the higher Pi level in atipk1-1 than did WT plants, the
      mutant suffered more severe Pi starvation under Pi limitation stress, indicating
      that Pi homeostasis was altered in the mutant. Gene expression analysis of WT and
      atipk1-1 plants showed the diverse effect of As(V) stress on Pi starvation
      dependent regulation of Pi-responsive genes. Our study suggested that a
      particular mechanism of As(V) toxicity existed in atipk1-1 mutant, and may offer
      new insights into the interactions between Pi homeostasis and As(V)
      detoxification in plants. 

PMID- 26264235
TI  - Geographic Disparities in Access to Agencies Providing Income-Related Social
      Services.
AB  - Geographic location is an important factor in understanding disparities in access
      to health-care and social services. The objective of this cross-sectional study
      is to evaluate disparities in the geographic distribution of income-related
      social service agencies relative to populations in need within Boston. Agency
      locations were obtained from a comprehensive database of social services in
      Boston. Geographic information systems mapped the spatial relationship of the
      agencies to the population using point density estimation and was compared to
      census population data. A multivariate logistic regression was conducted to
      evaluate factors associated with categories of income-related agency density.
      Median agency density within census block groups ranged from 0 to 8 agencies per
      square mile per 100 population below the federal poverty level (FPL). Thirty
      percent (n = 31,810) of persons living below the FPL have no access to income
      related social services within 0.5 miles, and 77 % of persons living below FPL (n
      = 83,022) have access to 2 or fewer agencies. 27.0 % of Blacks, 30.1 % of
      Hispanics, and 41.0 % of non-Hispanic Whites with incomes below FPL have zero
      access. In conclusion, some neighborhoods in Boston with a high concentration of
      low-income populations have limited access to income-related social service
      agencies.

PMID- 26264236
TI  - [Immunological memory of the bone marrow].

PMID- 26264237
TI  - Pleomorphic dermal sarcoma: a more aggressive neoplasm than previously estimated.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pleomorphic dermal sarcoma (PDS) is a rare neoplasm sharing
      pathological features with atypical fibroxanthoma, but adding tumor necrosis,
      invasion beyond superficial subcutis or vascular or perineural infiltration.
      Although its metastatic risk has been estimated to be less than 5%, its real
      outcome is presently uncertain because of its rarity and to the lack of
      homogeneous criteria used in reported cases. METHODS: Retrospective
      clinicopathological study of 18 cases of PDS. RESULTS: The lesions presented as
      tumors or plaques (size: 7-70 mm) on the head of elderly patients (median: 81
      years), without a gender predominance. Histopathologically, they consisted of
      spindle cells arranged in a fascicular pattern, containing pleomorphic
      epithelioid and giant multinucleated cells in varying proportions, and usually
      exhibiting numerous mitotic figures and infiltrative tumor margins. No
      immunoexpression for cytokeratins, S100 protein, desmin or CD34 was observed.
      Necrosis and venous invasion were found in three tumors each (17%). Follow-up was
      available in 15 cases (median: 33 months). Three patients (20%) had local
      recurrences, all with incomplete primary surgical resections. Three patients
      (20%) developed distant metastases in the skin, regional lymph nodes and/or lungs
      and died from the disease. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that PDS may be a more
      aggressive neoplasm than previously estimated.

PMID- 26264238
TI  - Influence of rhizobacterial volatiles on the root system architecture and the
      production and allocation of biomass in the model grass Brachypodium distachyon
      (L.) P. Beauv.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria are increasingly being seen as a
      way of complementing conventional inputs in agricultural systems. The effects on
      their host plants are diverse and include volatile-mediated growth enhancement.
      This study sought to assess the effects of bacterial volatiles on the biomass
      production and root system architecture of the model grass Brachypodium
      distachyon (L.) Beauv. RESULTS: An in vitro experiment allowing plant-bacteria
      interaction throughout the gaseous phase without any physical contact was used to
      screen 19 bacterial strains for their growth-promotion ability over a 10-day co
      cultivation period. Five groups of bacteria were defined and characterised based
      on their combined influence on biomass production and root system architecture.
      The observed effects ranged from unchanged to greatly increased biomass
      production coupled with increased root length and branching. Primary root length
      was increased only by the volatile compounds emitted by Enterobacter cloacae JM22
      and Bacillus pumilus T4. Overall, the most significant results were obtained with
      Bacillus subtilis GB03, which induced an 81 % increase in total biomass, as well
      as enhancing total root length, total secondary root length and total
      adventitious root length by 88.5, 201.5 and 474.5 %, respectively. CONCLUSIONS:
      This study is the first report on bacterial volatile-mediated growth promotion of
      a grass plant. Contrasting modulations of biomass production coupled with changes
      in root system architecture were observed. Most of the strains that increased
      total plant biomass also modulated adventitious root growth. Under our screening
      conditions, total biomass production was strongly correlated with the length and
      branching of the root system components, except for primary root length. An
      analysis of the emission kinetics of the bacterial volatile compounds is being
      undertaken and should lead to the identification of the compounds responsible for
      the observed growth-promotion effects. Within the context of the inherent
      characteristics of our in vitro system, this paper identifies the next critical
      experimental steps and discusses them from both a fundamental and an applied
      perspective.

PMID- 26264239
TI  - Breastfeeding modifies the effects of environment tobacco smoke exposure on
      respiratory diseases and symptoms in Chinese children: the Seven Northeast Cities
      Study.
AB  - To evaluate the potential effect of interaction between breastfeeding and
      environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure on respiratory health, we studied 31
      049 children (aged 2-14 years) from 25 districts of seven cities in northeast
      China. Parents of the children completed standardized questionnaires that
      characterized the children's histories of respiratory symptoms and illness,
      feeding methods, ETS exposure, and other associated risk factors. Breastfeeding
      was defined as having been mainly breastfed for 3 months or more. The results
      showed that the association of ETS exposure with childhood respiratory
      conditions/diseases was modified by breastfeeding, and the association for
      nonbreastfed children was stronger than that for breastfed children. In
      particular, for nonbreastfed children, the odds ratios (ORs) for the effect of
      current ETS exposure asthma was 1.71 (95% CI: 1.43-2.05); however, the OR for
      breastfed children was 1.33 (95% CI: 1.20-1.48), indicating that the interactions
      between breastfeeding and current ETS exposure on asthma were statistically
      significant (P = 0.019). When stratified by school (kindergarten vs. elementary
      school), breastfeeding was more protective for asthma-related symptoms among
      children from kindergarten. In conclusion, this study shows that breastfeeding is
      associated with smaller associations between ETS exposure and respiratory
      conditions in children, suggesting that breastfeeding reduces susceptibility to
      the respiratory effects of ETS.

PMID- 26264240
TI  - Chronic Alcohol Exposure Decreases 53BP1 Protein Levels Leading to a Defective
      DNA Repair in Cultured Primary Cortical Neurons.
AB  - Chronic alcohol consumption may cause neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative
      disorders. Alcohol neurotoxicity is associated with the production of
      acetaldehyde and reactive oxygen species that induce oxidative DNA damage.
      However, the molecular mechanisms by which ethanol disturbs the DNA damage
      response (DDR), resulting in a defective DNA repair, remain unknown. Here, we
      have used cultured primary cortical neurons exposed to 50 or 100 mM ethanol for 7
      days to analyze the ethanol-induced DDR. Ethanol exposure produced a dose
      dependent generation of double strand breaks and the formation of DNA damage foci
      immunoreactive for the histone gammaH2AX, a DNA damage marker, and for the
      ubiquitylated H2A, which is involved in chromatin remodeling at DNA damage sites.
      Importantly, these DNA damage foci failed to recruit the protein 53BP1, a crucial
      DNA repair factor. This effect was associated with a drop in 53BP1 mRNA and
      protein levels and with an inhibition of global transcription. Moreover, ethanol
      exposed neurons treated with ionizing radiation (2 Gy) also failed to recruit
      53BP1 at DNA damage foci and exhibited a greater vulnerability to DNA lesions
      than irradiated control neurons. Our results support that defective DNA repair,
      mediated by the deficient expression and recruitment of 53BP1 to DNA damage
      sites, represents a novel mechanism involved in ethanol neurotoxicity. The design
      of therapeutic strategies that increase or stabilize 53BP1 levels might
      potentially promote DNA repair and partially compensate alcohol neurotoxicity. 

PMID- 26264241
TI  - Structural elucidation of some antimicrobial constituents from the leaf latex of
      Aloe trigonantha L.C. Leach.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The incidents of drug resistant microorganisms and the need of
      treatments for newly emerging pathogens are of great concern to the global
      community. Our ability to treat infectious diseases is dependent on the
      development of new pharmaceuticals, and one potential source being medicinal
      plants with traditional claims. The leaves of Aloe trigonantha L.C. Leach, an
      endemic Ethiopian plant, are locally used for the treatment of infectious and
      inflammatory diseases. This study explores the potential of the latex of this
      plant and compounds isolated thereof for their in vitro antibacterial and
      antifungal properties. METHODS: Analytical RP-HPLC and silica gel preparative TLC
      were used for identification and isolation of active constituents, respectively.
      Characterization of the compounds was based on UV, IR, HR-ESIMS, (1)H and (13)C
      NMR, and 2D-NMR spectral assignments. Antimicrobial activity studies were carried
      out against 21 pathogenic bacterial and 4 fungal strains using the disk diffusion
      method. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined by the broth
      dilution method. RESULTS: A C-glycosylated chromone identified as aloesin, and
      three C-glycosylated anthrones characterized as 8-O-methy-7-hydroxyaloin A/B,
      aloin A/B and aloin-6'-O-acetate A/B were isolated. The latex and isolated
      compounds exhibited in vitro antibacterial activity against the tested pathogens.
      In some cases the activity of the isolated compounds (MIC = 10 MUg/mL) was
      comparable with that of the standard drug ciprofloxacin, particularly against
      some of the Gram-negative bacterial strains tested. However, their activity
      towards the fungal pathogens tested was relatively weaker showing maximum
      activity against Candida albicans with MIC value of 400 MUg/mL. CONCLUSION: The
      present findings can be used for further research aimed at the development of new
      antibacterial agents, and may also justify the ethnomedicinal claim of the plant
      for the treatment of infectious diseases.

PMID- 26264242
TI  - Retinoblastoma-binding protein 2 induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition in
      esophageal squamous cancer cells.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of retinoblastoma-binding protein 2 (RBP2)
      on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in esophageal squamous cancer cells
      and to compare the effect of RBP2 in lung squamous cancer cells and esophageal
      squamous cancer cells. RESULTS: When transfected with RBP2 siRNA, the migrated
      cells were 36.3 +/- 6.03 by transwell migration assay, compared to 107 +/- 6.7
      cells in the control group. The mRNA level of epithelial cadherin (E-cadherin)
      was 1.54 +/- 0.14 times higher than in the control group, and that of neural
      cadherin (N-cadherin) fell to 0.76 +/- 0.03 times. The relative luciferase
      activity of E-cadherin promoter rose to 3.84 +/- 0.23 times. Correspondingly, the
      expression of E-cadherin protein increased and that of N-cadherin protein
      decreased. When SK-MES-1 cells were transfected with RBP2 siRNA, their relative
      mRNA level of E-cadherin was 8.6 +/- 0.37 times as high as that in control group,
      which was higher than that in Eca-109 cells. The E-cadherin protein was also
      greater in SK-MES-1 cells. CONCLUSION: RBP2 could induce EMT in esophageal cancer
      cells and exert a greater effect on the expression of E-cadherin in lung squamous
      cells than in esophageal squamous cells.

PMID- 26264243
TI  - Reductive dehalogenation of 3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxybenzoate by an aerobic strain of
      Delftia sp. EOB-17.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To confirm the reductive dehalogenation ability of the aerobic strain
      of Delftia sp. EOB-17, finding more evidences to support the hypothesis that
      reductive dehalogenation may occur extensively in aerobic bacteria. RESULTS:
      Delftia sp. EOB-17, isolated from terrestrial soil contaminated with halogenated
      aromatic compounds, completely degraded 0.2 mM DBHB in 28 h and released two
      equivalents of bromides under aerobic conditions in the presence of sodium
      succinate. LC-MS analysis revealed that DBHB was transformed to 4-hydroxybenzoate
      via 3-bromo-4-hydroxybenzoate by successive reductive dehalogenation. Highly
      conserved DBHB-degrading genes, including reductive dehalogenase gene (bhbA3) and
      the extra-cytoplasmic binding receptor gene (bhbB3), were also found in strain
      EOB-17 by genome sequencing. The optimal temperature and pH for DBHB reductive
      dehalogenation activity are 30  degrees C and 8, respectively, and 0.1 mM Cd(2+),
      Cu(2+), Hg(2+) and Zn(2+) strongly inhibited dehalogenation activity.
      CONCLUSIONS: The aerobic strain of Delftia sp. EOB-17 was confirmed to
      reductively dehalogenate DBHB under aerobic conditions, providing another
      evidence to support the hypothesis that reductive dehalogenation occurs
      extensively in aerobic bacteria.

PMID- 26264244
TI  - Unplanned extubation: securing the tool of our trade.

PMID- 26264245
TI  - Epidemiology of gastrointestinal bleeding in adult patients on extracorporeal
      life support.

PMID- 26264246
TI  - Colistin-tigecycline versus colistin-imipenem-cilastatin combinations for the
      treatment of Acinetobacter baumannii ventilator-acquired pneumonia: a prognosis
      study.

PMID- 26264247
TI  - Fragility fractures of the pelvis: treatment and preliminary results.
AB  - BACKGROUND: With increasing life expectancy, fragility fractures of the pelvic
      ring (FFP) are becoming frequent. In elderly, osteoporosis leads to a decrease of
      bone strength and resistance to the ligament's traction; this represents the most
      important difference between FFP and fractures in young patients. Usually, these
      fractures are underestimated and treatment is often conservative. AIMS: To
      evaluate clinical and surgical outcomes of surgically treated patients with FFP.
      METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled 14 patients, in our Trauma Center, underwent
      surgery procedures for FFP between 2012 and 2014. All patients attended clinical
      and radiological investigation at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively and every
      year after surgery with a mean follow-up of 22 months. RESULTS: At 6-month follow
      up, 11 patients resulted asymptomatic: able to maintain standing position and
      walk without crunches. Two patients were able to walk with one crunch. The
      patient with history of previous acetabular fracture walks with two crunches and
      is still waiting for total hip arthroplasty. DISCUSSION: The compromised health
      status and the diminished bone-healing capacity, in elderly, decrease chances for
      a good clinical outcome. In literature, many authors suggest that mortality rate
      in patients with FFP is similar to those with hip fracture. Diagnosis of FFP is
      very important: these fractures are highly disabling in elderly and can lead to
      displacement and instability. For these reasons, correct diagnosis and well
      conduct preoperative plan are necessary to improve stability of fractures and
      support bone healing. After diagnosis, an anti-osteoporotic treatment is
      indicated to improve bone quality and bone healing. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows
      encouraging results and demonstrates that minimally or less invasive
      osteosynthesis technique could lead to good outcome in these patients.

PMID- 26264248
TI  - Chronic kidney disease and cognitive impairment among the very old in China.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Previous studies have confirmed that chronic kidney disease
      (CKD) influences the cognitive function of adults. However, few studies focused
      the relationships among the very old. The purpose of this study was to determine
      whether CKD is associated with cognitive impairment among nonagenarians and
      centenarians in China. METHOD: This work was conducted as a cross-sectional
      study. 767 unrelated Chinese nonagenarians and centenarians participated in the
      study. The 30-item mini-mental state examination (MMSE) was used to assess
      cognitive function. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was estimated
      using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation (Chinese version). CKD
      was defined as eGFR less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2). RESULTS: The cohort was 68.2 %
      female and mean (SD) age was 93.8 (3.5) years. There were 113 (14.7 %) and 577
      (75.2 %) prevalent cases of CKD and cognitive impairment, respectively. After
      adjusting for sociodemographic variables, multivariate logistic regression showed
      CKD was not significantly associated with cognitive impairment (OR 0.81, 95 % CI
      0.49-1.33). When other disease-related variables were adjusted, the result
      remained substantially unchanged. However, age, gender, education and income may
      largely or entirely explain the lack of association between CKD and cognitive
      impairment as measured according to the MMSE. CONCLUSION: Among Chinese
      nonagenarians and centenarians, CKD was not directly correlated with cognitive
      impairment.

PMID- 26264249
TI  - Echinococcus canadensis transmission in the North.
AB  - The Echinococcus granulosus complex (EG) is the causative agent of cystic
      echinococcosis (CE). Northern cervid Echinococcus was previously suggested to be
      the ancestor of the entire EG. During the last century, it was regarded to have
      three (or four) different, but often overlapping, transmission cycles in the
      circumpolar North: the original wolf-wild cervid (reindeer or elk)-cycle; the
      semi-synanthropic cycle involving sled and hunting dogs and wild cervids; and the
      synanthropic cycle involving herding dogs and semi-domesticated reindeer. Human
      infections mainly derived from the latter two cycles. In Fennoscandia, the
      synanthropic cycle has been eliminated during the last 50 years due to changes in
      reindeer husbandry methods; machinery making herding dogs largely redundant.
      Typical to human CE in the North has been the relatively benign nature of the
      disease compared with CE caused by E. granulosus sensu stricto. The metacestodes
      in humans and in the natural cervid hosts predominantly appear in the lungs. The
      causative agents have been identified as EG mitochondrial genotypes G8 and G10,
      now together with G6 (camel), G7 (pig) and G9 genotypes constituting the
      Echinococcus canadensis species. Based on recent findings in reindeer in Yakutia,
      G6 might also be recognised among cervid genotypes. The geographical distribution
      of both G8 and G10 is circumpolar, with G10 currently apparently more prevalent
      both in the Palearctic and Nearctic. Because of the disappearance of the working
      dog, E. canadensis in Fennoscandia is again highly dependent on the wolf, as it
      was before domestication of the dog. Pet and sled dogs, if their number further
      increases, may to a minor part participate in the life cycle. Human CE in the
      North was mostly diagnosed by mass chest tuberculosis radiography campaigns,
      which have been discontinued. 

PMID- 26264250
TI  - Taxonomy and molecular epidemiology of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato.
AB  - Echinococcus granulosus, formerly regarded as a single species with a high
      genotypic and phenotypic diversity, is now recognised as an assemblage of cryptic
      species, which differ considerably in morphology, development, host specificity
      (including infectivity/pathogenicity for humans) and other aspects. This
      diversity is reflected in the mitochondrial and nuclear genomes and has led to
      the construction of phylogenetic trees and hypotheses on the origin and
      geographic dispersal of various taxa. Based on phenotypic characters and gene
      sequences, E. granulosus (sensu lato) has by now been subdivided into E.
      granulosus sensu stricto (including the formerly identified genotypic variants G1
      3), Echinococcus felidis (the former 'lion strain'), Echinococcus equinus (the
      'horse strain', genotype G4), Echinococcus ortleppi (the 'cattle strain',
      genotype G5) and Echinococcus canadensis. The latter species, as recognised here,
      shows the highest diversity and is composed of the 'camel strain', genotype G6,
      the 'pig strain', genotype G7, and two 'cervid strains', genotypes G8 and G10.
      There is debate whether the closely related G6 and G7 should be placed in a
      separate species, but more morphological and biological data are needed to
      support or reject this view. In this classification, the application of rules for
      zoological nomenclature led to the resurrection of old species names, which had
      before been synonymised with E. granulosus. This nomenclatural subdivision of the
      agents of cystic echinococcosis (CE) may appear inconvenient for practical
      applications, especially because molecular tools are needed for identification of
      the cyst stage, and because retrospective data on 'E. granulosus' are now
      difficult to interpret without examination of voucher specimens. However, the
      increased awareness for the diversity of CE agents - now emphasised by species
      names rather than genotype numbers - has led to a large number of recent studies
      on this issue and a rapid increase of knowledge on geographical spread, host
      range and impact on human health of the various species. E. granulosus s.s.,
      often transmitted by sheep, is now clearly identified as the principal CE agent
      affecting humans. Contrary to previous assumptions, genotypes G6/7 of E.
      canadensis readily infect humans, although CE incidences are rather low where E.
      canadensis predominates. Sub-Saharan Africa seems to be the region with the
      highest diversity of Echinococcus, and wild carnivores may play a more important
      role in the lifecycles of various species than previously assumed. Still, a
      number of issues remain unclear, e.g. possibly diverging parameters of diagnostic
      tests among the species, different responses to vaccines and, importantly,
      possibly required modifications of clinical management due to differences in
      pathogenicity. 

PMID- 26264251
TI  - Trichinella britovi from domestic to wild animals of Sardinia, Italy.
AB  - The zoonotic nematode Trichinella britovi has been documented in animals and/or
      humans of the Mediterranean islands of Corsica and Sardinia since 2004. From 2005
      to 2007 in the Sardinia island, several surveys had shown that T. britovi was
      circulating among backyard and free-ranging pigs reared in the Orgosolo
      municipality but all attempts had failed to detect this parasite in wild
      susceptible animals. The aim of the present work was to investigate the
      circulation of T. britovi in pigs and wildlife of the Orgosolo municipality, and
      of surrounding municipalities and provinces in the 2010-2014 slaughtering/hunting
      seasons. The results show that the T. britovi circulation was still restricted to
      the Orgosolo municipality with a prevalence of 2.6% in free-ranging pigs and 0.2%
      in backyard pigs but, for the first time, this parasite was detected also in 0.4%
      of wild boar, and 27.6% of red foxes. No infection was detected in backyard pigs,
      wild boar, and red foxes of the other municipalities and provinces. Since 1978,
      African swine fever is endemic in Sardinia and foci of this virus are still
      active in the investigated areas favoring cannibalism and, consequently, the T.
      britovi transmission, due to the high mortality rate caused by this virus. This
      is the first documented report on the transmission of T. britovi between the
      domestic and the sylvatic cycle. The health authority of the island must provide
      a service to dispose animal carcasses and offal, stamping out illegal free
      ranging pigs, and train hunters and pig owners to manage waste and by-products
      according to the EU regulations. 

PMID- 26264252
TI  - Participation in muscle-strengthening activities as an alternative method for the
      prevention of multimorbidity.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Participating in muscle-strengthening activities (MSA) has been shown
      to reduce the risks associated with many individual chronic diseases; however,
      the impact of MSA on multimorbidity remains unexplored. Therefore, the purpose of
      this study was to determine the association between MSA and multimorbidity.
      METHODS: Data from the 2003-2006 NHANES were used including 4587 adults (>=20
      years old). Participation in MSA was defined as self-reported involvement within
      the last 30 days. Multimorbidity was deemed as having >=2 of the 14 chronic
      diseases. RESULTS: After adjustments (including accelerometry-assessed physical
      activity), individuals participating in MSA had a 26% reduced odds of having
      multimorbidity (OR=0.74; 95% CI: 0.62-0.88; p=0.001) and each 2 day/week increase
      in MSA was associated with an 8% reduced odds of being multimorbid (OR=0.92; 95%
      CI: 0.84-1.00; p=0.05). CONCLUSION: Independent of accelerometry-assessed
      physical activity, the participation in MSA may reduce the odds of being
      multimorbid, with evidence of a dose-response relationship.

PMID- 26264253
TI  - Predictive factors for 24 weeks sustained virologic response (SVR24) and viral
      relapse in patients treated with simeprevir plus peginterferon and ribavirin.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Simeprevir with peginterferon and ribavirin has been used for the
      treatment of chronic hepatitis caused by genotype 1 hepatitis C virus (HCV). We
      explored the predictive factors for sustained virological response (SVR) and
      viral relapse using datasets from four Japanese phase 3 studies (CONCERTO).
      METHODS: We used a multiple logistic regression model. First, an integrated
      dataset comprising 357 patients was analyzed. Subsequently, prior treatment-naive
      and relapser (223 patients) and nonresponder (134 patients) of interferon-based
      treatment subsets were analyzed to identify predictors of SVR. A subset of
      nonresponders (106 patients) who were treated >=24 weeks was also analyzed to
      identify predictors for viral relapse. RESULTS: In the integrated dataset, prior
      treatment response was significantly associated with SVR. In subset analyses,
      interleukin-28B (IL28B) TT genotype and undetectable plasma HCV RNA level at week
      4 were associated in treatment-naive patients and relapsers [odds ratio (OR);
      4.106 and 3.701, respectively]. In the nonresponders, the IL28B TT genotype
      population was very small, and inosine triphosphatase (ITPA) and undetectable
      plasma HCV RNA at week 4 were associated (OR; 2.506 and 3.333, respectively).
      Furthermore, ribavirin dose intensity (RBV-DI) and detectable plasma HCV RNA at
      week 4 were significantly associated with viral relapse (OR; 0.327 and 2.922,
      respectively). CONCLUSION: IL28B and plasma HCV RNA level at week 4 were
      clinically relevant predictive factors for SVR in treatment-naive patients and
      relapsers. Moreover, RBV-DI and plasma HCV level at week 4 were identified as
      relevant predictive factors for viral relapse in nonresponders.

PMID- 26264254
TI  - Transcriptome of the Antarctic amphipod Gondogeneia antarctica and its response
      to pollutant exposure.
AB  - Gondogeneia antarctica is widely distributed off the western Antarctic Peninsula
      and is a key species in the Antarctic food web. In this study, we performed
      Illumina sequencing to produce a total of 4,599,079,601 (4.6Gb) nucleotides and a
      comprehensive transcript dataset for G. antarctica. Over 46 million total reads
      were assembled into 20,749 contigs, and 12,461 annotated genes were predicted by
      Blastx. The RNA-seq results after exposure to three pollutants showed that 658,
      169 and 367 genes that were potential biomarkers of responses to pollutants for
      this species were specifically upregulated after exposure to PCBs
      (Polychlorinated biphenyls), PFOS (Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid) and PFOA
      (Perfluorooctanoic acid), respectively. These data represent the first
      transcriptome resource for the Antarctic amphipod G. antarctica and provide a
      useful resource for studying Antarctic marine species. 

PMID- 26264255
TI  - Age-related differences in muscle recruitment and reaction-time performance.
AB  - Previously, we showed that prolonged reaction-time (RT) in older persons is
      related to increased antagonist muscle co-activation, occurring already before
      movement onset. Here, we studied whether a difference in temporal agonist and
      antagonist muscle activation exists between young and older persons during an RT
      test. We studied Mm. Biceps (antagonist muscle) & Triceps (agonist muscle)
      Brachii activation time by sEMG in 60 young (26 +/- 3 years) and 64 older (80 +/-
      6 years) community-dwelling subjects during a simple point-to-point RT-test
      (moving a finger using standardized elbow-extension from one pushbutton to
      another following a visual stimulus). RT was divided in pre-movement-time (PMT,
      time for stimulus processing) and movement-time (MT, time for motor response
      completion). Muscle activation time 1) following stimulus onset (PMAT) and 2)
      before movement onset (MAT) was calculated. PMAT for both muscles was
      significantly longer for the older subjects compared to the young (258 +/- 53 ms
      versus 224 +/- 37 ms, p=0.042 for Biceps and 280 +/- 70 ms versus 218 +/- 43 ms
      for Triceps, p<0.01). Longer agonist muscle PMAT was significantly related to
      worse PMT and RT in young (respectively r=0.76 & r=0.68, p<0.001) and elderly
      (respectively r=0.42 & r=0.40, p=0.001). In the older subjects we also found that
      the antagonist muscle activated significantly earlier than the agonist muscle (
      22 +/- 55 ms, p=0.003). We conclude that in older persons, besides the previously
      reported increased antagonist muscle co-activation, the muscle firing sequence is
      also profoundly altered. This is characterized by a delayed muscle activation
      following stimulus onset, and a significantly earlier recruitment of the
      antagonist muscle before movement onset.

PMID- 26264256
TI  - Concurrent Acoustic Activation of the Medial Olivocochlear System Modifies the
      After-Effects of Intense Low-Frequency Sound on the Human Inner Ear.
AB  - >Human hearing is rather insensitive for very low frequencies (i.e. below 100
      Hz). Despite this insensitivity, low-frequency sound can cause oscillating
      changes of cochlear gain in inner ear regions processing even much higher
      frequencies. These alterations outlast the duration of the low-frequency
      stimulation by several minutes, for which the term 'bounce phenomenon' has been
      coined. Previously, we have shown that the bounce can be traced by monitoring
      frequency and level changes of spontaneous otoacoustic emissions (SOAEs) over
      time. It has been suggested elsewhere that large receptor potentials elicited by
      low-frequency stimulation produce a net Ca(2+) influx and associated gain
      decrease in outer hair cells. The bounce presumably reflects an underdamped,
      homeostatic readjustment of increased Ca(2+) concentrations and related gain
      changes after low-frequency sound offset. Here, we test this hypothesis by
      activating the medial olivocochlear efferent system during presentation of the
      bounce-evoking low-frequency (LF) sound. The efferent system is known to modulate
      outer hair cell Ca(2+) concentrations and receptor potentials, and therefore, it
      should modulate the characteristics of the bounce phenomenon. We show that
      simultaneous presentation of contralateral broadband noise (100 Hz-8 kHz, 65 and
      70 dB SPL, 90 s, activating the efferent system) and ipsilateral low-frequency
      sound (30 Hz, 120 dB SPL, 90 s, inducing the bounce) affects the characteristics
      of bouncing SOAEs recorded after low-frequency sound offset. Specifically, the
      decay time constant of the SOAE level changes is shorter, and the transient SOAE
      suppression is less pronounced. Moreover, the number of new, transient SOAEs as
      they are seen during the bounce, are reduced. Taken together, activation of the
      medial olivocochlear system during induction of the bounce phenomenon with low
      frequency sound results in changed characteristics of the bounce phenomenon.
      Thus, our data provide experimental support for the hypothesis that outer hair
      cell calcium homeostasis is the source of the bounce phenomenon.

PMID- 26264257
TI  - Risk factor analysis of recurrence in low-grade endometrial adenocarcinoma.
AB  - Prognosis of endometrial adenocarcinoma is favorable; however, the risk of
      recurrence ranges from 7% to 13%. Recurrence has been related to age, tumor type,
      International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics grade, depth of invasion,
      and lymphovascular invasion (LVI); however, morphologic features that would
      predict the site of recurrence have not been established. In this multi
      institutional study, we reviewed 589 patients with International Federation of
      Gynecology and Obstetrics grades 1 or 2 endometrial adenocarcinoma, endometrioid
      type. Cox proportional hazard analysis was used to identify univariate and
      multivariate risk factors for recurrence and survival. Univariate analysis
      revealed features of tumors that recurred only in the vagina: low nuclear grade;
      superficial myoinvasion; minimal to no LVI; and minimal myoinvasion with
      microcystic, elongated, and fragmented (MELF) pattern; low nuclear grade and
      superficial myoinvasion persisted on multivariate analysis. Features of tumors
      that recurred at other sites included large size, deep myoinvasion, tumor
      necrosis, 1 or more LVI foci, LVI foci distant/deeper than invasive tumor front,
      MELF myoinvasion pattern, lower uterine segment and cervical stromal involvement,
      pelvic and/or paraaortic lymph node metastases at presentation, and higher grade
      of tumor in the metastatic foci, whereas increased percentage of solid component
      and lower percentage of mucinous features were marginally associated. Tumors with
      recurrences only in vagina had different features than tumors that recurred at
      other sites. The presence of tumor necrosis, MELF foci at the invasive tumor
      front, and the percentage of solid component and mucinous features could be
      helpful in grading endometrioid adenocarcinomas, if a 2-tier rather than a 3-tier
      grading system is accepted in the future. 

PMID- 26264258
TI  - Substance Use and Risky Sexual Behaviors Among Young Men Working at a Rural
      Roadside Market in Malawi.
AB  - Using an ecological model, we describe substance use and sexual risk behaviors of
      young male laborers at a roadside market in Malawi. Data included observations
      and interviews with 18 key market leaders and 15 laborers (ages 18-25 years).
      Alcohol, marijuana, and commercial sex workers (CSWs) were widely available. We
      identified three patterns of substance use: 6 young men currently used, 6
      formerly used, and 3 never used. Substance use was linked to risky sex, including
      sex with CSWs. The market supported risky behaviors through availability of
      resources; supportive norms, including beliefs that substance use enhanced
      strength; and lack of restraints. Community-level poverty, cultural support for
      alcohol, interpersonal family/peer influences, early substance use, and school
      dropout also contributed to risky behaviors. Parental guidance was protective but
      not often reported. Local programs addressing substance use and risky sex
      simultaneously and better national substance use policies and mental health
      services are needed.

PMID- 26264259
TI  - Effects of ketanserin on microcirculatory alterations in septic shock: An open
      label pilot study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Microcirculatory alterations in sepsis are associated with
      increased morbidity and mortality. These alterations occur despite
      macrohemodynamic resuscitation. Alternative pro-microcirculatory strategies,
      including vasodilatory drugs, have been suggested to improve capillary blood
      flow. Ketanserin, a serotonin receptor antagonist, is an attractive candidate
      because of its vasodilatory, antithrombotic, and anti-inflammatory effects.
      METHODS: This is an open-label pilot study on the effect of ketanserin
      administration on microcirculatory alterations in septic shock, defined as
      microvascular flow index (MFI)<=2.5 after a strict macrohemodynamic resuscitation
      protocol. Sidestream dark-field imaging was applied to assess the
      microcirculation. A stepwise incremental dose regiment was applied until an
      MFI>2.9, the primary end point, was reached. RESULTS: Ten patients (Acute
      Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation IV scores of 115 [100-136]) were
      included. Baseline MFI was 1.71 (1.31-2.32) and was significantly increasing to
      2.96 (2.54-3.00; P=.021) during the ketanserin infusion. The total ketanserin
      dose was 0.09 (0.08-0.13) mg/kg per patient in 60 (30-60) minutes. In 3 patients
      (30%), the ketanserin infusion was discontinued due to refractory hypotension.
      CONCLUSION: An improvement in microcirculatory perfusion was observed during
      ketanserin administration in patients with septic shock after macrohemodynamic
      resuscitation. This finding needs further exploration in a placebo-controlled
      setting.

PMID- 26264260
TI  - Activity of several kinds of drugs against Neospora caninum.
AB  - Neosporosis caused by Neospora caninum is a serious disease in cattle and dogs
      worldwide. It is the major cause of abortion and neonatal mortality in cattle. In
      this study, we evaluated the anti-N. caninum activity of Chinese medicine
      extracts (curcumin, artemether), herbicides (atrazine, glyphosate),
      anticoccidiosis drugs (toltrazuril and ponazuril), cyclophosphamide, diminazene
      aceturate and praziquantel in vitro using parasite growth, replication and host
      cell invasion assays in human foreskin fibroblast cultures. Curcumin, artemether,
      atrazine, toltrazuril and ponazuril exhibited inhibitory activity with 50% growth
      inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 1.1+/-0.4, 1.0+/-0.05, 11.2+/-2.7, 30.3+/-2.0
      and 33.3+/-4.1MUg/ml, respectively, in the growth inhibition assay. They were
      also active against protozoa replication, but only curcumin was effective against
      host cell invasion. Glyphosate, cyclophosphamide, diminazene aceturate and
      praziquantel were ineffective. In an in vivo infection model, curcumin showed no
      activity against N. caninum infection. We showed that curcumin, artemether,
      atrazine, toltrazuril, and ponazuril exhibited anti-N. caninum activity in vitro,
      providing important information for further studies on anti-N. caninum drugs. 

PMID- 26264261
TI  - Congenital toxoplasmosis and pregnancy malaria detection post-partum: Effective
      diagnosis and its implication for efficient management of congenital infection.
AB  - Congenital toxoplasmosis (CT) and pregnancy malaria (PM) have been individually
      reported to cause severe negative outcomes in pregnancies but the diagnostic
      method is still debatable. This study sought to estimate the prevalence of PM and
      CT single and co-infections in pregnant women by using various specimens
      including plasma and placental tissues. Genomic DNA extracted from the placenta,
      cord blood or blood of mothers was tested by PCR. Conventional method of
      immunodiagnosis was done for CT. We tested 79 pregnant women aged 18-42 years
      (mean: 28+/-1.06). Prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum infection determined by
      PCR on mother's peripheral blood specimen was 6.3% whiles 57.3% was recorded for
      placental tissues (p<0.01). PCR testing for placental tissues showed 29.2%
      positive for Toxoplasma gondii, whiles 76.0% of mothers had serum IgG against T.
      gondii. It should be noted that 6.3% of the placental tissues showed PCR positive
      for SAG 3, a marker of active infection in T. gondii. Although there were no
      enhanced foetal disorders at birth in our study, there is a possibility of active
      transmission of T. gondii from mothers to foetuses even in immune mothers. Our
      study suggests that foetuses were exposed to P. falciparum and T. gondii in
      utero, and placenta is a better specimen for PCR in detecting such episodes. In
      cases of PCR-positive samples, clinical follow-up after birth may be important.

PMID- 26264262
TI  - Increased Oxidative Damage and Reduced DNA Repair Enzyme XPD Involvement in High
      Glucose-Mediated Enhancement of Levobupivacaine-Induced Neurotoxicity.
AB  - Levobupivacaine is one of the major clinical local anesthetics, but it can cause
      neuron toxic damage. Hyperglycemia can cause neuronal DNA oxidative damage and
      inhibit expression of the DNA repair gene Xeroderma pigmentosum complementation
      group D (XPD). This study was designed to determine whether high glucose levels
      inhibit XPD expression and enhance levobupivacaine-induced DNA damage. We
      evaluated XPD mRNA and protein expression in SH-SY5Y cells after glucose and
      levobupivacaine exposure. We next investigated cells reactive oxygen species
      (ROS) levels, DNA damage and apoptosis with redox-sensitive fluorescent dye DCFH
      DA (2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate), comet assays, flow cytometry, and TUNEL
      (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferased UTP nick end labeling) assays. XPD
      expression was inhibited in cells exposed to prolonged high glucose with a
      concomitant increase in ROS production and more severe DNA damage compared to
      control culture conditions, and these changes were further exacerbated by
      levobupivacaine. Our findings indicate that subjects with diabetes may experience
      more detrimental effects following local anesthetic use. 

PMID- 26264263
TI  - Electrochemical magneto-actuated biosensor for CD4 count in AIDS diagnosis and
      monitoring.
AB  - The counting of CD4(+) T lymphocytes is a clinical parameter used for AIDS
      diagnosis and follow-up. As this disease is particularly prevalent in developing
      countries, simple and affordable CD4 cell counting methods are urgently needed in
      resource-limited settings. This paper describes an electrochemical magneto
      actuated biosensor for CD4 count in whole blood. The CD4(+) T lymphocytes were
      isolated, preconcentrated and labeled from 100 MUL of whole blood by
      immunomagnetic separation with magnetic particles modified with antiCD3
      antibodies. The captured cells were labeled with a biotinylated antiCD4 antibody,
      followed by the reaction with the electrochemical reporter streptavidin
      peroxidase conjugate. The limit of detection for the CD4 counting magneto
      actuated biosensor in whole blood was as low as 44 cells MUL(-1) while the
      logistic range was found to be from 89 to 912 cells MUL(-1), which spans the
      whole medical interest range for CD4 counts in AIDS patients. The electrochemical
      detection together with the immunomagnetic separation confers high sensitivity,
      resulting in a rapid, inexpensive, robust, user-friendly method for CD4 counting.
      This approach is a promising alternative for the costly standard flow cytometry
      and suitable as diagnostic tool at decentralized practitioner sites in low
      resource settings, especially in less developed countries.

PMID- 26264264
TI  - A reusable optical biosensor for the ultrasensitive and selective detection of
      unamplified human genomic DNA with gold nanostars.
AB  - A Surface Plasmon Resonance imaging (SPRi) based DNA sensors for the selective
      and ultrasensitive human genomic DNA detection, directly extracted from
      lymphocytes (bypassing PCR amplification), is reported. To achieve DNA detection,
      a rationally chosen star-shaped nanoparticle (NP), namely gold nanostar (AuNS),
      has been applied, for the first time, in a sandwich-like assay based on the
      selective capturing of specific DNA targets and the subsequent signal
      amplification by a secondary DNA probe linked to AuNS. The plasmonic profile,
      size and electric field enhancements at the star tips contributed to the
      maximization of plasmon coupling between LSPs and SPs as aimed for analytical
      signal magnification. The system was first tested using short synthetic DNA
      target sequences and applied to DNA biosensing, lowering 610-fold the detection
      limit from 6.1 nM (without NSs labeling) to 10 pM (with NSs labeling). Then the
      biosensor was applied to genomic DNA samples, extracted from human lymphocytes
      and undergoing only to a simple ultrasonic fragmentation, lowering (~435 fold)
      the detection limit from 3.0 fM (without NSs labeling) to 6.9 aM (with NSs
      labeling). Thanks to the assay optimization, we proved that tuning the NSs
      surface coverage with DNA linked to nanoparticles is crucial not only for the
      increase of signals but also for the regenerability/reusability of the biosensor
      for tens of measurement cycles.

PMID- 26264265
TI  - The performance and mechanism of modified activated carbon air cathode by non
      stoichiometric nano Fe3O4 in the microbial fuel cell.
AB  - Cathodic catalyst is one of the key materials in microbial fuel cell (MFC). The
      addition of non-stoichiometric nano Fe3O4 in activated carbon (NSFe3O4/AC) air
      cathode was beneficial to boosting the charge transfer of the cathode
      accompanying with the enhancement of power performance in MFC. The air cathode
      modified by NSFe3O4 (5%, Wt%) increased the maximum power density by 83.3% from
      780 mW/m(2) to 1430 mW/m(2) compared with bare air cathode. The modified cathodes
      showed enhanced electrochemical properties and appeared the maximum exchange
      current density of 18.71*10(-4) A/cm(2) for oxygen reduction reaction. The
      mechanism of oxygen reduction for the NSFe3O4/AC catalyst was a 4-electron
      pathway. The oxygen vacancy of the NSFe3O4 played a crucial role in
      electrochemical catalytic activity. The great catalytic performance made NSFe3O4
      have a promising outlook applied in MFC.

PMID- 26264266
TI  - Comparative investigations for adenovirus recognition and quantification: Plastic
      or natural antibodies?
AB  - Comparative and comprehensive investigations for adenovirus recognition and
      detection were conducted using plastic and natural antibodies to compare three
      different strategies. The implementation of molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP)
      technology for specific and sensitive recognition of viruses with the combination
      of biosensors was reported. Plastic antibodies (MIPs nanoparticles) were produced
      for adenovirus by employing a novel solid phase synthesis method. MIP receptors
      were then characterised using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission
      electron microscopy (TEM) techniques prior to immobilisation on a surface plasmon
      resonance (SPR) sensor as affinity receptor for adenovirus detection. Two
      different templates were also imprinted as control MIPs (vancomycin-MIP and MS2
      MIP). The specific recognition of adenovirus was investigated in the
      concentration range of 0.01-20 pM and the limit of detection was achieved as 0.02
      pM. As an alternative to MIP receptors, direct and sandwich assays were developed
      for adenovirus quantification using natural antibodies. The detection limit of
      direct and sandwich assays were found as 0.3 pM and 0.008 pM, respectively. The
      kinetic data analyses were performed for three different adenovirus recognition
      methods and cross-reactivity studies were also conducted using MS2 phage as
      control virus and an excellent specificity was achieved with all assays types.
      This work confirmed the suitability of the MIPs SPR sensor for the detection of
      viruses.

PMID- 26264267
TI  - Novel signal amplification approach for HRP-based colorimetric genosensors using
      DNA binding protein tags.
AB  - The need for sensitive detection of DNA is growing as more specific DNA sequences
      are being correlated to gene markers for disease diagnosis, food safety and other
      security related applications. Detection in hybridization-based assays is usually
      achieved with target-specific ssDNA probes conjugated directly to enzyme labels
      like HRP that provide signal amplification or with nanoparticles functionalized
      with DNA and multiple HRP molecules. In order to overcome some of the drawbacks
      presented by these approaches, we developed a unique DNA sensing platform based
      on an HRP-DNA binding protein tag conjugate and a hybrid ssDNA-dsDNA detection
      probe. Specifically, in this work we describe the preparation and
      characterization of an HRP conjugate with scCro DNA binding protein tag and its
      application for the detection of a model ssDNA target sequence. By using the HRP
      scCro conjugate together with a hybrid detection probe containing three scCro
      specific dsDNA binding sites, we demonstrate an improvement by over 3-fold in
      both sensitivity and limit of detection of high-risk human papillomavirus
      (HPV16), compared to the standard ssDNA-HRP conjugate. These results show that
      the HRP-DNA binding protein tag conjugate can be used as an alternative and
      universal tool for signal enhancement in enzyme-linked assays suitable for
      integration in point-of-care systems. 

PMID- 26264268
TI  - A microfluidic device for label-free detection of Escherichia coli in drinking
      water using positive dielectrophoretic focusing, capturing, and impedance
      measurement.
AB  - While sensors that allow for high-throughput enumeration of microorganisms within
      drinking water are useful for water quality monitoring, it is particularly
      challenging to accurately quantify microorganisms that are present in low numbers
      (<100 CFU/mL) in a high-throughput manner. Negative dielectrophoresis (nDEP) is
      typically utilized in DEP-based cell focusing methods; however, due to its low
      conductivity, drinking water cannot be analyzed by this approach. Here, we report
      a positive DEP (pDEP)-based Escherichia coli detection system that is integrated
      with a focusing and sensing electrode. By incorporating a passivation layer, we
      avoided issues with adhesion of E. coli to the electrode, and achieved efficient
      cell focusing under high flow rate conditions (1500 MUL/h). The resulting focused
      E. coli cells were then trapped on the sensor electrode, resulting in changes in
      impedance. The proposed system was evaluated using four different E. coli
      populations (150-1500 CFU/mL). We successfully enumerated populations as low as
      300 CFU/mL within 1 min, and the signal variation was 1.13+/-0.37%. The device
      introduced in this study provides the basis for the development of portable,
      highly sensitive microorganism sensors that enable rapid detection of bacteria in
      drinking water.

PMID- 26264269
TI  - A label-free photoelectrochemical aptasensor based on nitrogen-doped graphene
      quantum dots for chloramphenicol determination.
AB  - A photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensing platform for chloramphenicol (CAP) detection
      was constructed using nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots (N-GQDs) as transducer
      species and label-free aptamer as biological recognition element. N-GQDs,
      synthesized via a facile one-step hydrothermal method, were explored to achieve
      highly efficient photon-to-electricity conversion under visible light
      irradiation. The obtained N-GQDs were characterized by transmission electron
      microscopy (TEM), which displayed a narrow size distribution with a mean diameter
      of 2.14 nm. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) and Fourier transform
      infrared spectroscopic (FT-IR) analysis confirmed that nitrogen was successfully
      doped in GQDs. The UV-visible absorption spectra indicated that nitrogen doping
      obviously enhanced the absorption of GQDs in visible light region. As a result,
      the PEC activity of GQDs was promoted by nitrogen doping. Additionally, the pi
      conjugated structure of N-GQDs provided an excellent platform for aptamer
      immobilization via pi-pi stacking interaction. Such an aptamer/N-GQDs based
      sensor showed a linear PEC response to CAP concentration in the range of 10-250
      nM with a detection limit (3 S/N) of 3.1 nM. The developed PEC aptasensor
      exhibited high sensitivity and selectivity, good reproducibility and high
      stability.

PMID- 26264270
TI  - TiO2 nanoparticle modified organ-like Ti3C2 MXene nanocomposite encapsulating
      hemoglobin for a mediator-free biosensor with excellent performances.
AB  - TiO2 nanoparticle modified organ-like Ti3C2 MXene (TiO2-Ti3C2) nanocomposite has
      been synthesized and then used to immobilize hemoglobin (Hb) to fabricate a
      mediator-free biosensor. The morphology and structure of TiO2-Ti3C2 nanocomposite
      were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction
      (XRD). Spectroscopic and electrochemical results revealed that TiO2-Ti3C2
      nanocomposite is an excellent immobilization matrix with biocompatibility for
      redox protein, affording good protein bioactivity and stability. Due to the
      special organ-like hybrid structure of TiO2-Ti3C2, the direct electron transfer
      of Hb is facilitated and the prepared biosensors displayed good performance for
      the detection of H2O2 with a wide linear range of 0.1-380 MUM for H2O2
      (sensitivity of 447.3 MUA mM(-1) cm(-2)), an extremely low detection limit of 14
      nM for H2O2. Especially, numerous TiO2 nanoparticles with excellent
      biocompatibility on the surface of the nanocomposite may provide a protective
      microenvironment for Hb to make the prepared biosensor improve long-term
      stability. The TiO2-Ti3C2 based biosensor retains 94.6% of the initial response
      to H2O2 after 60-day storage. TiO2-Ti3C2 nanocomposite could be a promising
      matrix for the fabrication of mediator-free biosensors, and might find wide
      potential applications in environmental analysis and biomedical detection.

PMID- 26264272
TI  - Prescribing for Australians living with dementia: study protocol using the Delphi
      technique.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Prescribing is complicated for people living with dementia, and
      careful consideration should be given to continuing and initiating all medicines.
      This study aims to elicit opinion and gain consensus on appropriate medicine use
      for people living with dementia in Australia to create a consensus-based list of
      explicit prescribing criteria. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A Delphi technique will be
      used to develop explicit criteria of medication use in adults aged 65 years and
      above. An interdisciplinary panel of Australian experts in geriatric therapeutics
      will be convened that will consist of a minimum of 10 participants. To develop
      the consensus-based criteria, this study will use an iterative, anonymous,
      multistaged approach with controlled feedback. Round 1 questionnaire will be
      administered, and subsequently qualitatively analysed. The round 1 results will
      be fed back to the panel members, and a round 2 questionnaire developed using
      questions on a five-point Likert scale. This process will repeat until consensus
      is developed, or diminishing returns are noted. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: All
      participants will be provided with a participant information sheet, and sign a
      written consent form. Ethical approval has been granted from the University of
      Western Australia's Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) (reference:
      RA/4/1/7172). We expect that data from this study will result in a paper
      published in a peer-reviewed clinical journal and will also present the results
      at conferences.

PMID- 26264273
TI  - Relationship between individual characteristics, neighbourhood contexts and help
      seeking intentions for mental illness.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Encouraging help-seeking for mental illness is essential for
      prevention of suicide. This study examined the relationship between individual
      characteristics, neighbourhood contexts and help-seeking intentions for mental
      illness for the purpose of elucidating the role of neighbourhood in the help
      seeking process. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A cross-sectional web-based
      survey was conducted among Japanese adults aged 20-59 years in June 2014.
      Eligible respondents who did not have a serious health condition were included in
      this study (n=3308). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Participants were asked how likely
      they would be to seek help from someone close to them (informal help) and medical
      professionals (formal help), respectively, if they were suffering from serious
      mental illness. Path analysis with structural equation modelling was performed to
      represent plausible connections between individual characteristics, neighbourhood
      contexts, and informal and formal help-seeking intentions. RESULTS: The
      acceptable fitting model indicated that those who had a tendency to consult about
      everyday affairs were significantly more likely to express an informal help
      seeking intention that was directly associated with a formal help-seeking
      intention. Those living in a communicative neighbourhood, where neighbours say
      hello whenever they pass each other, were significantly more likely to express
      informal and formal help-seeking intentions. Those living in a supportive
      neighbourhood, where neighbours work together to solve neighbourhood problems,
      were significantly more likely to express an informal help-seeking intention.
      Adequate health literacy was directly associated with informal and formal help
      seeking intentions, along with having an indirect effect on the formal help
      seeking intention through developed positive perception of professional help.
      CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study bear out the hypothesis that neighbourhood
      context contributes to help-seeking intentions for mental illness. Living in a
      neighbourhood with a communicative atmosphere and having adequate health literacy
      were acknowledged as possible facilitating factors for informal and formal help
      seeking for mental illness.

PMID- 26264271
TI  - Afrostyrax lepidophyllus extracts exhibit in vitro free radical scavenging,
      antioxidant potential and protective properties against liver enzymes ion
      mediated oxidative damage.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Several studies described the phytochemical constituents of plants in
      relation with the free radical scavenging property and inhibition of lipid
      peroxidation. This study investigated the in vitro antioxidant property, and the
      protective effects of ethanolic and aqueous ethanol extract of the leaves and
      barks of Afrostyrax lepidophyllus (Huaceae) against ion mediated oxidative
      damages. METHODS: Four extracts (ethanol and aqueous-ethanol) from the leaves and
      barks of A. lepidophyllus were used in this study. The total phenols content, the
      antiradical and antioxidant properties were determined using standard
      colorimetric methods. RESULTS: The plant extracts had a significant scavenging
      potential on the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydroxyl (OH), nitrite
      oxide (NO) and 2,2-azinobis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS)
      radicals with the IC50 varied between 47 and 200 ug/mL depending on the part of
      plant and the type of extract. The ethanol extract of A. lepidophyllus bark (GEE)
      showed the highest polyphenolic (35.33 +/- 0.29) and flavonoid (12.00 +/- 0.14)
      content. All the tested extracts demonstrated a high protective potential with
      the increased of superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase activities.
      CONCLUSION: Afrostyrax lepidophyllus extracts exhibited higher antioxidant
      potential and significant protective potential on liver enzymes.

PMID- 26264274
TI  - Patients recording clinical encounters: a path to empowerment? Assessment by
      mixed methods.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine the motivations of patients recording clinical encounters,
      covertly or otherwise, and why some do not wish to record encounters. DESIGN:
      Mixed-methods analysis of survey data and nested semistructured interviews.
      SETTING: Survey to UK audience, using social media and radio broadcast.
      PARTICIPANTS: 168 survey respondents, of whom 161 were 18 years of age or older
      (130 completions). Of the 56 participants who agreed to be contacted, we included
      data from 17 interviews. RESULTS: 19 (15%) respondents indicated having secretly
      recorded a clinical encounter and 14 (11%) were aware of someone who had secretly
      recorded a clinical encounter. 45 (35%) said they would consider recording
      secretly and 44 (34%) said they would record after asking permission. Totally,
      69% of respondents indicated their desire to record clinical encounters, split
      equally between wanting to do so covertly or with permission. Thematic analysis
      of the interviews showed that most patients are motivated by the wish to replay,
      relisten and share the recording with others. Some are also motivated by the idea
      of owning a personal record, and its potential use as verification of a poor
      healthcare experience. The rationale for permission seeking was based on the wish
      to prioritise a trusting relationship with a health professional. Those who
      preferred to record covertly described a pre-existing lack of trust, a fear that
      recording would be denied, and a concern that an affronted clinician would deny
      them access to future care. There was a general wish that recording should be
      facilitated. CONCLUSIONS: Patients' prime motivation for recording is to enhance
      their experience of care, and to share it with others. Patients know that
      recording challenges the 'ceremonial order of the clinic', and so some decide to
      act covertly. Patients wanted clearer, more permissive policies to be developed.

PMID- 26264276
TI  - Durability of Kinase-Directed Therapies--A Network Perspective on Response and
      Resistance.
AB  - Protein kinase-directed cancer therapies yield impressive initial clinical
      responses, but the benefits are typically transient. Enhancing the durability of
      clinical response is dependent upon patient selection, using drugs with more
      effective pharmacology, anticipating mechanisms of drug resistance, and applying
      concerted drug combinations. Achieving these tenets requires an understanding of
      the targeted kinase's role in signaling networks, how the network responds to
      drug perturbation, and patient-to-patient network variations. Protein kinases
      create sophisticated, malleable signaling networks with fidelity coded into the
      processes that regulate their presence and function. Robust and reliable
      signaling is facilitated through network processes (e.g., feedback regulation,
      and compensatory signaling). The routine use of kinase-directed therapies and
      advancements in both genomic analysis and tumor cell biology are illuminating the
      complexity of tumor network biology and its capacity to respond to perturbations.
      Drug efficacy is attenuated by alterations of the drug target (e.g., steric
      interference, compensatory activity, and conformational changes), compensatory
      signaling (bypass mechanisms and phenotype switching), and engagement of other
      oncogenic capabilities (polygenic disease). Factors influencing anticancer drug
      response and resistance are examined to define the behavior of kinases in network
      signaling, mechanisms of drug resistance, drug combinations necessary for durable
      clinical responses, and strategies to identify mechanisms of drug resistance.

PMID- 26264277
TI  - Sphingosine Kinase-1 Protects Multiple Myeloma from Apoptosis Driven by Cancer
      Specific Inhibition of RTKs.
AB  - Activation of acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) leads to ceramide accumulation and
      induces apoptotic cell death in cancer cells. In the present study, we
      demonstrate that the activation of ASM by targeting cancer-overexpressed 67-kDa
      laminin receptors (67LR) induces lipid raft disruption and inhibits receptor
      tyrosine kinase (RTK) activation in multiple myeloma cells. Sphingosine kinase 1
      (SphK1), a negative regulator of ceramide accumulation with antiapoptotic
      effects, was markedly elevated in multiple myeloma cells. The silencing of SphK1
      potentiated the apoptotic effects of the green tea polyphenol epigallocatechin-3
      O-gallate (EGCG), an activator of ASM through 67LR. Furthermore, the SphK1
      inhibitor safingol synergistically sensitized EGCG-induced proapoptotic cell
      death and tumor suppression in multiple myeloma cells by promoting the prevention
      of RTK phosphorylation and activation of death-associated protein kinase 1
      (DAPK1). We propose that targeting 67LR/ASM and SphK1 may represent a novel
      therapeutic strategy against multiple myeloma.

PMID- 26264278
TI  - Gene Knockdown by EpCAM Aptamer-siRNA Chimeras Suppresses Epithelial Breast
      Cancers and Their Tumor-Initiating Cells.
AB  - Effective therapeutic strategies for in vivo siRNA delivery to knockdown genes in
      cells outside the liver are needed to harness RNA interference for treating
      cancer. EpCAM is a tumor-associated antigen highly expressed on common epithelial
      cancers and their tumor-initiating cells (TIC, also known as cancer stem cells).
      Here, we show that aptamer-siRNA chimeras (AsiC, an EpCAM aptamer linked to an
      siRNA sense strand and annealed to the siRNA antisense strand) are selectively
      taken up and knock down gene expression in EpCAM(+) cancer cells in vitro and in
      human cancer biopsy tissues. PLK1 EpCAM-AsiCs inhibit colony and mammosphere
      formation (in vitro TIC assays) and tumor initiation by EpCAM(+) luminal and
      basal-A triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell lines, but not EpCAM(-)
      mesenchymal basal-B TNBCs, in nude mice. Subcutaneously administered EpCAM-AsiCs
      concentrate in EpCAM(+) Her2(+) and TNBC tumors and suppress their growth. Thus,
      EpCAM-AsiCs provide an attractive approach for treating epithelial cancer.

PMID- 26264275
TI  - Heavier smoking may lead to a relative increase in waist circumference: evidence
      for a causal relationship from a Mendelian randomisation meta-analysis. The CARTA
      consortium.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To investigate, using a Mendelian randomisation approach, whether
      heavier smoking is associated with a range of regional adiposity phenotypes, in
      particular those related to abdominal adiposity. DESIGN: Mendelian randomisation
      meta-analyses using a genetic variant (rs16969968/rs1051730 in the CHRNA5-CHRNA3
      CHRNB4 gene region) as a proxy for smoking heaviness, of the associations of
      smoking heaviness with a range of adiposity phenotypes. PARTICIPANTS: 148,731
      current, former and never-smokers of European ancestry aged >= 16 years from 29
      studies in the consortium for Causal Analysis Research in Tobacco and Alcohol
      (CARTA). PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Waist and hip circumferences, and waist-hip
      ratio. RESULTS: The data included up to 66,809 never-smokers, 43,009 former
      smokers and 38,913 current daily cigarette smokers. Among current smokers, for
      each extra minor allele, the geometric mean was lower for waist circumference by 
      0.40% (95% CI -0.57% to -0.22%), with effects on hip circumference, waist-hip
      ratio and body mass index (BMI) being -0.31% (95% CI -0.42% to -0.19), -0.08% (
      0.19% to 0.03%) and -0.74% (-0.96% to -0.51%), respectively. In contrast, among
      never-smokers, these effects were higher by 0.23% (0.09% to 0.36%), 0.17% (0.08%
      to 0.26%), 0.07% (-0.01% to 0.15%) and 0.35% (0.18% to 0.52%), respectively. When
      adjusting the three central adiposity measures for BMI, the effects among current
      smokers changed direction and were higher by 0.14% (0.05% to 0.22%) for waist
      circumference, 0.02% (-0.05% to 0.08%) for hip circumference and 0.10% (0.02% to
      0.19%) for waist-hip ratio, for each extra minor allele. CONCLUSIONS: For a given
      BMI, a gene variant associated with increased cigarette consumption was
      associated with increased waist circumference. Smoking in an effort to control
      weight may lead to accumulation of central adiposity.

PMID- 26264280
TI  - Prevalence and predictors of childhood enuresis in southwest Nigeria: Findings
      from a cross-sectional population study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Childhood enuresis is common, but the prevalence and factors
      associated with childhood enuresis in Africa have been poorly described.
      Furthermore, most studies from the continent have not provided data
      distinguishing monosymptomatic from non-monosymptomatic enuresis. This
      distinction is important as it guides enuresis therapy. OBJECTIVES: The primary
      objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of enuresis in children
      aged 5-17 years in a community in Nigeria. The secondary objectives were to
      determine the relative proportions of monosymptomatic and non-monosymptomatic
      enuresis and identify independent sociodemographic and clinical predictors of
      enuresis. STUDY DESIGN: Parents or guardians in the community were interviewed
      using a pretested questionnaire. Standardized definitions were used, as
      recommended by the International Children's Continence Society. RESULTS: A total
      of 928 children were included in the study. The prevalence of enuresis or daytime
      incontinence and enuresis was 28.3% (enuresis 24.4%, and daytime incontinence and
      enuresis 4%); it decreased with age. Primary and monosymptomatic enuresis were
      the most common types of enuresis. In multiple logistic regressions, children
      aged 5-9 years were 10.41 (5.14-21.05) times more likely to have enuresis or
      daytime incontinence and enuresis compared with those aged 14-17 years. Other
      predictors of enuresis or daytime incontinence and enuresis were: male gender (OR
      1.56 (1.13-2.14)); constipation (OR 2.56 (1.33-4.93)); and a sibling (OR 2.20
      (1.58-3.06)) or parent (OR 3.14 (2.13-4.63)) with enuresis. Enuresis or daytime
      incontinence and enuresis was 1.92 (1.06-3.48) times more likely in fourth-born,
      or higher, children compared with first-born children. Only parents of nine
      (3.4%) children with enuresis had consulted a medical doctor about it.
      DISCUSSION: The high prevalence of childhood enuresis in the present study was
      consistent with most studies from developing countries and contrasted sharply
      with the lower rates reported among children in developed countries. Common
      reasons for this disparity were the influence of socioeconomic status on enuresis
      rates and the low utilization of effective enuresis therapies in developing
      countries. Consistent with published literature, monosymptomatic enuresis was the
      commonest form of enuresis in the present study. Furthermore, younger age, male
      gender and a family history of enuresis were strongly associated with enuresis. A
      major limitation of the study was the lack of use of a voiding diary. CONCLUSION:
      Childhood enuresis was common in the community but parents rarely sought medical
      attention. Predictors of enuresis were younger age, male gender, constipation,
      higher birth order, and a family history of enuresis.

PMID- 26264279
TI  - Antiandrogen Therapy with Hydroxyflutamide or Androgen Receptor Degradation
      Enhancer ASC-J9 Enhances BCG Efficacy to Better Suppress Bladder Cancer
      Progression.
AB  - Recent studies suggest that the androgen receptor (AR) might play important roles
      in influencing bladder cancer progression, yet its clinical application remains
      unclear. Here, we developed a new combined therapy with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin
      (BCG) and the AR degradation enhancer ASC-J9 or antiandrogen hydroxyflutamide
      (HF) to better suppress bladder cancer progression. Mechanism dissection revealed
      that ASC-J9 treatment enhanced BCG efficacy to suppress bladder cancer cell
      proliferation via increasing the recruitment of monocytes/macrophages that
      involved the promotion of BCG attachment/internalization to the bladder cancer
      cells through increased integrin-alpha5beta1 expression and IL6 release. Such
      consequences might then enhance BCG-induced bladder cancer cell death via
      increased TNFalpha release. Interestingly, we also found that ASC-J9 treatment
      could directly promote BCG-induced HMGB1 release to enhance the BCG cytotoxic
      effects for suppression of bladder cancer cell growth. In vivo approaches also
      concluded that ASC-J9 could enhance the efficacy of BCG to better suppress
      bladder cancer progression in BBN-induced bladder cancer mouse models. Together,
      these results suggest that the newly developed therapy combining BCG plus ASC-J9
      may become a novel therapy to better suppress bladder cancer progress.

PMID- 26264281
TI  - Silver Nanorods Wrapped with Ultrathin Al2O3 Layers Exhibiting Excellent SERS
      Sensitivity and Outstanding SERS Stability.
AB  - Silver nanostructures have been considered as promising substrates for surface
      enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) with extremely high sensitivity. The
      applications, however, are hindered by the facts that their morphology can be
      easily destroyed due to the low melting points (~100  degrees C) and their
      surfaces are readily oxidized/sulfured in air, thus losing the SERS activity. It
      was found that wrapping Ag nanorods with an ultrathin (~1.5 nm) but dense and
      amorphous Al2O3 layer by low-temperature atomic layer deposition (ALD) could make
      the nanorods robust in morphology up to 400  degrees C, and passivate completely
      their surfaces to stabilize the SERS activity in air, without decreasing much the
      SERS sensitivity. This simple strategy holds great potentials to generate highly
      robust and stable SERS substrates for real applications. 

PMID- 26264282
TI  - Pathway analysis of body mass index genome-wide association study highlights risk
      pathways in cardiovascular disease.
AB  - Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a class of diseases that involve the heart or
      blood vessels. It is reported that body mass index (BMI) is risk factor for CVD.
      Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have recently provided rapid insights into
      genetics of CVD and its risk factors. However, the specific mechanisms how BMI
      influences CVD risk are largely unknown. We think that BMI may influences CVD
      risk by shared genetic pathways. In order to confirm this view, we conducted a
      pathway analysis of BMI GWAS, which examined approximately 329,091 single
      nucleotide polymorphisms from 4763 samples. We identified 31 significant KEGG
      pathways. There is literature evidence supporting the involvement of GnRH
      signaling, vascular smooth muscle contraction, dilated cardiomyopathy, Gap
      junction, Wnt signaling, Calcium signaling and Chemokine signaling in CVD.
      Collectively, our study supports the potential role of the CVD risk pathways in
      BMI. BMI may influence CVD risk by the shared genetic pathways. We believe that
      our results may advance our understanding of BMI mechanisms in CVD. 

PMID- 26264283
TI  - Functionalized ultrathin palladium nanosheets as patches for HepG2 cancer cells.
AB  - Flexible, charged Pd nanosheets were prepared by using short chain thiolated
      carboxylic acids and amines. They could wrap around amine or hydroxyl
      functionalized micron-sized spheres driven by electrostatic interactions. Upon
      incubation with HepG2 cells, the positively charged cysteamine (CA)
      functionalized Pd nanosheets exhibited a much higher cytotoxicity, showing more
      than 80% cell death at 100 ppm than the negatively charged 3-mercaptopropionic
      acid (MPA) functionalized ones which caused 30% cell death. The results show
      through surface functionalization Pd nanosheets can be modified to interact
      differently with HepG2 cancerous cells, resulting in varied cytotoxicity. 

PMID- 26264286
TI  - Cell shapes and patterns as quantitative indicators of tissue stress in the plant
      epidermis.
AB  - In a confluent, single-cell tissue layer, we show that cell shapes and statistics
      correlate directly with the tissue's mechanical properties, described by an
      energy functional with generic interfacial terms only. Upon increasing the
      cohesive component of the model, we observe a clear transition from a tense state
      with isotropic cells to a relaxed state with anisotropic cells. Signatures of the
      transition are present in the interfacial mechanics, the domain geometry, and the
      domain statistics, thus linking all three fields of study. This transition
      persists for all cell size distributions, but its exact position is crucially
      dependent on fluctuations in the parameter values of the functional (quenched
      disorder). The magnitude of fluctuations can be matched to the observed shape
      distribution of cells, so that visual observation of cell shapes and statistics
      provides information about the mechanical state of the tissue. Comparing with
      experimental data from the Cucumis epidermis, we find that the system is located
      right at the transition, allowing the tissue to relieve most of the local stress
      while maintaining integrity. 

PMID- 26264284
TI  - Design of symmetric TIM barrel proteins from first principles.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Computational protein design is a rapidly maturing field within
      structural biology, with the goal of designing proteins with custom structures
      and functions. Such proteins could find widespread medical and industrial
      applications. Here, we have adapted algorithms from the Rosetta software suite to
      design much larger proteins, based on ideal geometric and topological criteria.
      Furthermore, we have developed techniques to incorporate symmetry into designed
      structures. For our first design attempt, we targeted the (alpha/beta)8 TIM
      barrel scaffold. We gained novel insights into TIM barrel folding mechanisms from
      studying natural TIM barrel structures, and from analyzing previous TIM barrel
      design attempts. METHODS: Computational protein design and analysis was performed
      using the Rosetta software suite and custom scripts. Genes encoding all designed
      proteins were synthesized and cloned on the pET20-b vector. Standard circular
      dichroism and gel chromatographic experiments were performed to determine protein
      biophysical characteristics. 1D NMR and 2D HSQC experiments were performed to
      determine protein structural characteristics. RESULTS: Extensive protein design
      simulations coupled with ab initio modeling yielded several all-atom models of
      ideal, 4-fold symmetric TIM barrels. Four such models were experimentally
      characterized. The best designed structure (Symmetrin-1) contained a polar,
      histidine-rich pore, forming an extensive hydrogen bonding network. Symmetrin-1
      was easily expressed and readily soluble. It showed circular dichroism spectra
      characteristic of well-folded alpha/beta proteins. Temperature melting
      experiments revealed cooperative and reversible unfolding, with a Tm of 44 
      degrees C and a Gibbs free energy of unfolding (DeltaG degrees ) of 8.0 kJ/mol.
      Urea denaturing experiments confirmed these observations, revealing a Cm of 1.6 M
      and a DeltaG degrees  of 8.3 kJ/mol. Symmetrin-1 adopted a monomeric
      conformation, with an apparent molecular weight of 32.12 kDa, and displayed well
      resolved 1D-NMR spectra. However, the HSQC spectrum revealed somewhat molten
      characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the detection of molten characteristics,
      the creation of a soluble, cooperatively folding protein represents an
      advancement over previous attempts at TIM barrel design. Strategies to further
      improve Symmetrin-1 are elaborated. Our techniques may be used to create other
      large, internally symmetric proteins.

PMID- 26264287
TI  - How to estimate solid-electrolyte-interphase features when screening electrolyte
      materials.
AB  - Computational screening of battery electrolyte components is an extremely
      challenging task because very complex features like solid-electrolyte-interphase
      (SEI) formation and graphite exfoliation need to be taken into account at least
      in the final screening stage. We present estimators for both SEI formation and
      graphite exfoliation based on a combinatorial approach using quantum chemistry
      calculations on model system reactions, which can be applied automatically for a
      large number of compounds and thus allows for the systematic first assessment of
      the relevant properties using screening approaches. The thermodynamic effects are
      assessed using quantum mechanical calculations, while a more heuristic approach
      is used to estimate the kinetic effects. 

PMID- 26264288
TI  - Identifying representative muscle synergies in overhead football throws.

PMID- 26264289
TI  - Generic emergence of classical features in quantum Darwinism.
AB  - Quantum Darwinism posits that only specific information about a quantum system
      that is redundantly proliferated to many parts of its environment becomes
      accessible and objective, leading to the emergence of classical reality. However,
      it is not clear under what conditions this mechanism holds true. Here we prove
      that the emergence of classical features along the lines of quantum Darwinism is
      a general feature of any quantum dynamics: observers who acquire information
      indirectly through the environment have effective access at most to classical
      information about one and the same measurement of the quantum system. Our
      analysis does not rely on a strict conceptual splitting between a system-of
      interest and its environment, and allows one to interpret any system as part of
      the environment of any other system. Finally, our approach leads to a full
      operational characterization of quantum discord in terms of local redistribution
      of correlations. 

PMID- 26264290
TI  - Effect of bridgehead substitution in the Grob fragmentation of norbornyl ketones:
      a new route to substituted halophenols.
AB  - Grob fragmentation of suitably designed bicyclic species often generates novel
      organic skeletons in a facile manner. Herein, we report a comprehensive account
      of an effective acid-catalyzed Grob fragmentation of trihalonorbornyl ketones to
      dihalophenol derivatives in good yields. The transformation entails tri-n
      butyltin hydride (TBTH) mediated regioselective reduction of one of the two
      bridgehead halogens of readily available Diels-Alder adducts resulting from
      1,2,3,4-tetrahalo-5,5-dimethoxycyclopentadiene and vinyl acetate derivatives,
      followed by its conversion to substituted halophenol species via a three-step
      hydrolysis-oxidation-rearrangement/aromatization strategy. Both alkyl and aryl
      substituted norbornyl ketones were studied. A detailed mechanistic analysis
      employing an isotope labeling experiment revealed plausible mechanistic pathways.
      Among the two bridgehead substituents, when halogen (X = Cl, Br) stays at C-1 and
      hydrogen (H, or deuterium, D) at C-4, then product formation takes place via
      exclusive protonation (supplied by an external acid) at beta carbon (i.e. C-1) of
      a dienol moiety formed in situ during the Grob-fragmentation, followed by the
      removal of acidic 4-H (or 4-D) and halide ion (X(-)) from the resulting
      cyclohexenone intermediate prior to nucleophilic attack on the oxocarbenium ion
      by X(-) and final enolisation of cyclohexadienone species. A sharp deviation was
      observed with the regioisomeric bicyclic ketone, wherein the 4-X triggers a
      facile removal of X(-) and forms the end products without necessitating the
      involvement of the C-1 substituent (i.e. 1-H/D), thereby retaining it in the
      final halophenols. It clearly demonstrates how the bridgehead substituents in the
      two regioisomeric trihalo-norbornyl ketones steer the bicyclic systems to follow
      entirely different reaction pathways thus suggesting their crucial yet distinct
      roles in the overall reaction. The present transformation thus manifests the
      relevance of bridgehead substituents in the Grob fragmentation of such norbornyl
      systems. Our current strategy also allows one to access ortho-deuterated
      halophenol compounds. 

PMID- 26264292
TI  - When a student speaks, managers should listen.

PMID- 26264293
TI  - GBBO is the icing on the cake for baker Alvin.

PMID- 26264291
TI  - Cannabis use frequency and use-related impairment among African-American and
      White users: the impact of cannabis use motives.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Cannabis use motives are differentially related to cannabis-related
      impairment and coping motives appear to have the strongest relation to use
      related impairment. However, it is currently unknown whether African-American
      individuals differ from White persons in reasons for using cannabis. It is also
      unknown whether motives' relations to cannabis use and related impairment vary as
      a function of race. The present study examined the role of race on cannabis use
      motives and tested whether motives' relations with cannabis use and related
      impairment differed by race. DESIGN: The sample consisted of 111 (67.6% non
      Hispanic White, 32.4% African-American) current cannabis-using adults. RESULTS:
      African-American participants did not significantly differ from White
      participants on cannabis use frequency or use-related impairment. African
      American participants endorsed more social motives than White participants. Race
      interacted with social, coping, and conformity motives to predict cannabis
      related impairment such that these motives were positively related to cannabis
      impairment among African-American, but not White, participants. CONCLUSION:
      Although African-American and White participants do not differ in their cannabis
      use frequency or cannabis-related impairment, they appear to use cannabis for
      different reasons. Further, conformity, coping, and social motives were
      differentially associated with cannabis-related impairment as a function of race.
      Findings suggest motives for cannabis use should be contexualised in the context
      of race.

PMID- 26264294
TI  - Trusts must not let financial woes threaten safe staffing, RCN warns.

PMID- 26264295
TI  - 'Piecemeal' regulation needs overhaul, says PSA.

PMID- 26264296
TI  - RCN wins weekend rates and overtime payments for private firm employees.

PMID- 26264297
TI  - College general secretary wants to meet members.

PMID- 26264299
TI  - Tram named in nurse's honour.

PMID- 26264298
TI  - Calais migrant camp conditions are desperate, says nurse volunteer.

PMID- 26264301
TI  - Legislation aims to ensure staff are fluent in English.

PMID- 26264300
TI  - Alert over health visitor workloads.

PMID- 26264303
TI  - Nurse specialist leads the way.

PMID- 26264304
TI  - Music played during operations can impair team communication.

PMID- 26264305
TI  - Rethink for end of life care aims to put people before process.

PMID- 26264311
TI  - Breast cancer.

PMID- 26264312
TI  - Better care ahead for infants and parents.

PMID- 26264313
TI  - Miners' nurse recalls going down the pit.

PMID- 26264314
TI  - In the front line of risk from violence.

PMID- 26264322
TI  - Saving Lives.

PMID- 26264325
TI  - Sleep Diary.

PMID- 26264327
TI  - Accentuate good end of life care but don't side-step the bad.

PMID- 26264328
TI  - Nurses are being driven to work abroad yet no one seems to care.

PMID- 26264329
TI  - Gove attack highlights why we urgently need to defend our NHS.

PMID- 26264330
TI  - Issues relating to disseminating nursing research are unchanged.

PMID- 26264332
TI  - Help the QNI identify common barriers to effective discharge.

PMID- 26264335
TI  - Prone positioning in acute respiratory distress syndrome.
AB  - Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a condition with a high morbidity
      and mortality rate, and treatment is often long and costly. Prone positioning is
      a rarely used intervention for patients with this syndrome, although research
      suggests it may be effective. A literature search was undertaken to examine the
      effects of prone positioning on oxygenation, morbidity and mortality in patients
      with ARDS. It revealed that prone positioning, when used with low tidal volume
      ventilation over an extended period, may reduce mortality rates in selected
      patients with severe ARDS. The selection of patients with severe ARDS for prone
      positioning should be done on a case-by-case basis to maximise benefits and
      minimise complications. Further research is required on the use of prone
      positioning in patients with severe ARDS to support or disclaim the therapy's use
      in practice, and to compare confounding variables such as ideal prone duration
      and mechanical versus manual pronation. 

PMID- 26264336
TI  - Type 1 diabetes and alcohol consumption.
AB  - Type 1 diabetes is a challenging and complex disorder to manage, and this becomes
      more difficult when young people are beginning to experience the pleasures and
      effects of alcohol consumption. For a young person with type 1 diabetes, alcohol
      consumption can have harmful effects on their current and future wellbeing. The
      article focuses on the effects of alcohol in type 1 diabetes and the difficulties
      a young person faces in maintaining glycaemic control when drinking alcohol. The
      effects of living in an alcohol permissive culture and the knowledge and risks of
      alcohol consumption, as well as issues associated with depression and denial are
      discussed. In addition, we aim to raise awareness of best practice guidelines for
      healthcare professionals to reduce short and long-term complications associated
      with alcohol-induced hypoglycaemia. 

PMID- 26264337
TI  - Integrating the 6Cs of nursing into mentorship practice.
AB  - Nurses and midwives are asked to demonstrate the 6Cs (care, compassion,
      competence, communication, courage and commitment) of nursing in 'everything we
      do'. Mentors have a crucial role in the provision of health care and in educating
      nurses and midwives. This article aims to provide guidance to mentors on how to
      integrate the 6Cs into their mentorship practice, when mentoring pre-registration
      nursing and midwifery students. It emphasises the importance for mentors of role
      modelling in relation to the 6Cs. Addressing each of the 6Cs in turn, the article
      outlines strategies that may be used in mentorship practice to endorse the 6Cs
      with pre-registration students. The article concludes by considering the mentor's
      role in robust assessment of the 6Cs. 

PMID- 26264338
TI  - Communication skills.

PMID- 26264339
TI  - Tips for preceptorship.

PMID- 26264341
TI  - Care home role needs direction.

PMID- 26264342
TI  - Caring beyond the bedside.

PMID- 26264343
TI  - Apply a critical eye to statistics in research.

PMID- 26264344
TI  - Cancer-type Organic Anion Transporting Polypeptide 1B3: Current Knowledge of the
      Gene Structure, Expression Profile, Functional Implications and Future
      Perspectives.
AB  - Human organic anion transporting polypeptide 1B3 (OATP1B3) is a hepatocyte drug
      transporter that facilitates uptake of various therapeutic drugs from the
      circulatory system. Shortly after its initial identification in the liver,
      OATP1B3 expression was also reported in various solid cancer tissues. In the
      years since that time, it has been presumed that the OATP1B3 expressed in cancer
      tissues is identical to that expressed in the liver. However, we have recently
      identified a new OATP1B3 mRNA variant in cancer tissues, which we have named
      cancer-type OATP1B3 (Ct-OATP1B3). Given that the identification of Ct-OAT1B3 as a
      bona fide cancer-associated isoform revises a longstanding study premise, it is
      essential to fully elucidate the molecular function of Ct-OATP1B3 in cancer
      cells. Based on the predicted Ct-OATP1B3 protein structure, it is reasonable to
      assume that it functions as a transporter, but there are a number of ongoing
      arguments regarding Ct-OATP1B3 protein expression and its functions. With the
      above points in mind, this review will summarize current knowledge of Ct-OATP1B3
      mRNA expression features in cancer tissues and its proposed, yet currently
      controversial, functions. Based on that background, our future perspectives
      related to Ct-OATP1B3 studies will also be presented. 

PMID- 26264345
TI  - Novel Lipid and Polymeric Materials as Delivery Systems for Nucleic Acid Based
      Drugs.
AB  - Nucleic acid based drugs (NADBs) are short DNA/RNA molecules that include among
      others, antisense oligonucleotides, aptamers, small interfering RNAs and micro
      interfering RNAs. Despite the different mechanisms of actions, NABDs have the
      ability to combat the effects of pathological gene expression in many
      experimental systems. Thus, nowadays, NABDs are considered to have a great
      therapeutic potential, possibly superior to that of available drugs.
      Unfortunately, however, the lack of effective delivery systems limits the
      practical use of NABDs. Due to their hydrophilic nature, NABDs cannot efficiently
      cross cellular membrane; in addition, they are subjected to fast degradation by
      cellular and extracellular nucleases. Together these aspects make the delivery of
      NABDs as naked molecules almost un-effective. To optimize NABD delivery, several
      solutions have been investigated. From the first attempts described in the
      beginning of the 1980s, a burst in the number of published papers occurred in the
      beginning of 1990 s reaching a peak in 2012-13. The extensive amount of work
      performed so far clearly witnesses the interest of the scientific community in
      this topic. In the present review, we will concentrate on the description of the
      most interesting advances in the field. Particular emphasis will be put on
      polymeric and lipid materials used alone or in combination with a promising
      delivery strategy based on the use of carbon nanotubes. The data presented
      suggest that, although further improvements are required, we are not far from the
      identification of effective delivery systems for NABDs thus making the clinical
      use of these molecules closer to reality.

PMID- 26264346
TI  - Current Strategies to Overcome Resistance to ALK-Inhibitor Agents.
AB  - The rearrangements of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene are key drivers
      in the carcinogenesis of a portion of anaplastic large cell lymphomas (ALCL) and
      non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC). Crizotinib, an orally available small
      molecule, has been the first ALK inhibitor to demonstrate a significant clinical
      activity in patients with ALK-positive tumors and, thus, to achieve the US food
      and drug administration approval for the treatment of advanced NSCLC harboring
      ALK-rearrangements. However, despite initially dramatic and quite durable
      responses in most cases, acquired resistance to crizotinib arises unavoidably
      often within the first year of treatment. Three main mechanisms of resistance to
      crizotinib have been identified to date: mutations in the ALK kinase domain,
      amplifications of ALK gene, and activation of escape signaling pathways. As ALK
      signaling dependence is retained in most cases become refractory to crizotinib,
      newer and more potent ALK-inhibitors have been developed and tested in clinical
      trials with encouraging activity results. Ceritinib has been recently approved by
      FDA for the treatment of locally advanced and metastatic NSCLC, and several more
      agents, including alectinib, ASP3026, and X396, are in active clinical
      development, demonstrating to be safe, selective and potent. Dual inhibition
      approaches targeting both ALK and the escape pathways bypassing ALK are currently
      under investigation. Moreover, being ALK a partner of the heat shock protein
      Hsp90, inhibitors of this chaperone have been proposed as potential alternative
      therapeutic strategies for ALKdriven tumors. 

PMID- 26264347
TI  - Functional Brain Imaging Reveals Rapid Blockade of Abdominal Pain Response Upon
      Anti-TNF Therapy in Crohn's Disease.

PMID- 26264348
TI  - Index-based dietary patterns and risk of lung cancer in the NIH-AARP diet and
      health study.
AB  - BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Dietary pattern analysis considers combinations of food
      intake and may offer a better measure to assess diet-cancer associations than
      examining individual foods or nutrients. Although tobacco exposure is the major
      risk factor for lung cancer, few studies have examined whether dietary patterns,
      based on preexisting dietary guidelines, influence lung cancer risk. After
      controlling for smoking, we examined associations between four diet quality
      indices-Healthy Eating Index-2010 (HEI-2010), Alternate Healthy Eating Index-2010
      (AHEI-2010), alternate Mediterranean Diet score (aMED) and Dietary Approaches to
      Stop Hypertension (DASH)-and lung cancer risk in the NIH-AARP (National
      Institutes of Health-American Association of Retired Persons) Diet and Health
      study. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Baseline dietary intake was assessed in 460 770
      participants. Over a median of 10.5 years of follow-up, 9272 incident lung cancer
      cases occurred. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate hazard
      ratios (HRs) and confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Comparing highest to lowest
      quintiles, HRs (95% CIs) for lung cancer were as follows: HEI-2010=0.83 (0.77
      0.89), AHEI-2010=0.86 (0.80-0.92), aMED=0.85 (0.79-0.91) and DASH=0.84 (0.78
      0.90). Among the individual components of the dietary indices, higher consumption
      of whole grains and fruits was significantly inversely associated with lung
      cancer risk for several of the diet indices. Total index score analyses
      stratified by smoking status showed inverse associations with lung cancer for
      former smokers; however, only HEI-2010 was inversely associated in current
      smokers and no index score was inversely associated among never smokers.
      CONCLUSIONS: Although smoking is the factor most strongly associated with lung
      cancer, this study adds to a growing body of evidence that diet may have a modest
      role in reducing lung cancer risk, especially among former smokers.

PMID- 26264349
TI  - Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and self-reported mental health status in adult Danes.
AB  - BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Vitamin D receptors and vitamin D-metabolising enzymes are
      present in the brain and in the central nervous system at sites responsible for
      the regulation of emotions and behaviour. This raises the hypothesis that low
      vitamin D is related to poor mental health. Our aim was to examine the
      association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and the self-reported
      symptoms and diagnosis of depression and anxiety in the adult general population.
      SUBJECTS/METHODS: Serum 25(OH)D was measured in three Danish population-based
      studies, including 5308 adults aged 18-64 years. After 5 years, 2004 participants
      were re-examined. Symptoms of depression and anxiety were assessed by the Symptom
      Check List (SCL)-90-R, and self-reported doctor-diagnosed depression and anxiety
      was recorded by using a questionnaire. RESULTS: Serum 25(OH)D was not associated
      with SCL average scores for depression and anxiety when analysed by quantile
      median regression adjusted for sex, age and other potential confounders. The beta
      coefficient and 95% confidence interval (CI) per 10 nmol/l serum 25(OH)D were
      0.00 (-0.00 to 0.01) and P=0.23 for depression and -0.00 (-0.01 to 0.00) and
      P=0.19 for anxiety. Furthermore, no evidence of an association was observed with
      longitudinal changes (combining depression and anxiety score: beta (95% CI)=0.00
      (-0.00 to 0.00), P=0.90), with scores >90 percentiles (odds ratio (OR) (95%
      CI)=1.02 (0.98-1.07), P=0.32), or with self-reported history (OR (95% CI)=1.02
      (0.97-1.07), P=0.47) or incidence (OR (95% CI)=1.02 (0.92-1.12), P=0.77) of
      doctor-diagnosed depression and/or anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that
      low serum 25(OH)D is not associated with self-reported symptoms/diagnosis of
      depression and anxiety.

PMID- 26264350
TI  - Eating behaviour and weight status at 2 years of age: data from the Cork BASELINE
      Birth Cohort Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: To conduct an analysis of associations between eating
      behaviours and weight status in 2-year-old children. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Data were
      collected prospectively in the maternal-infant dyad Cork BASELINE Birth Cohort
      Study. The weight status of children aged 2 years (n=1189) was assigned using the
      International Obesity Task Force BMI cutoffs using measured heights and weights.
      Eating behaviours were assessed using the Children's Eating Behaviour
      Questionnaire (CEBQ). RESULTS: Eighty percent of children were of normal weight,
      14% were overweight or obese and 6% were underweight. From the CEBQ, food
      approach behaviours including Enjoyment of Food (odds ratio (OR)=1.90, 95%
      confidence interval (CI)=1.46-2.48) and Food Responsiveness (OR=1.73, 95% CI=1.47
      2.03) were associated with overweight/obesity (all P<0.001). The food avoidant
      behaviours of Satiety Responsiveness (OR=2.03, 95% CI=1.38-2.98) and Slowness in
      Eating (OR=1.44, 95% CI=1.01-2.04) were associated with underweight at 2 years
      (all P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Eating behaviours are associated with weight status as
      early as 2 years of age.

PMID- 26264351
TI  - Narrative review of models and success factors for scaling up public health
      interventions.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To maximise the impact of public health research, research
      interventions found to be effective in improving health need to be scaled up and
      delivered on a population-wide basis. Theoretical frameworks and approaches are
      useful for describing and understanding how effective interventions are scaled up
      from small trials into broader policy and practice and can be used as a tool to
      facilitate effective scale-up. The purpose of this literature review was to
      synthesise evidence on scaling up public health interventions into population
      wide policy and practice, with a focus on the defining and describing frameworks,
      processes and methods of scaling up public health initiatives. METHODS: The
      review involved keyword searches of electronic databases including MEDLINE,
      CINAHL, PsycINFO, EBM Reviews and Google Scholar between August and December
      2013. Keywords included 'scaling up' and 'scalability', while the search terms
      'intervention research', 'translational research', 'research dissemination',
      'health promotion' and 'public health' were used to focus the search on public
      health approaches. Studies included in the review were published in English from
      January 1990 to December 2013 and described processes, theories or frameworks
      associated with scaling up public health and health promotion interventions.
      RESULTS: There is a growing body of literature describing frameworks for scaling
      health interventions, with the review identifying eight frameworks, the majority
      of which have an explicit focus on scaling up health action in low and middle
      income country contexts. Key success factors for scaling up included the
      importance of establishing monitoring and evaluation systems, costing and
      economic modelling of intervention approaches, active engagement of a range of
      implementers and the target community, tailoring the scaled-up approach to the
      local context, the use of participatory approaches, the systematic use of
      evidence, infrastructure to support implementation, strong leadership and
      champions, political will, well defined scale-up strategy and strong advocacy.
      CONCLUSIONS: Effective scaling up requires the systematic use of evidence, and it
      is essential that data from implementation monitoring is linked to decision
      making throughout the scaling up process. Conceptual frameworks can assist both
      policy makers and researchers to determine the type of research that is most
      useful at different stages of scaling up processes.

PMID- 26264352
TI  - The Notch pathway in colorectal cancer.
AB  - Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading cause of cancer death worldwide. It
      is also the third most common cancer diagnosis among men, and the second most
      common cancer diagnosis among women. Globally, CRC can account for nearly 694,000
      annual deaths. It is widely appreciated that CRC is the result of dysregulated
      cellular pathways that promote an inappropriate stem-cell-like phenotype,
      apoptotic resistance, unchecked proliferation and metastatic spread. While no
      single pathway is responsible for all of these attributes, an array of recent
      studies suggests a pivotal role for abnormal Notch-1 signaling in CRC, in part
      due to interconnectivity of Notch with other pathways. This review will summarize
      recent evidence for a role of Notch signaling in CRC, will consider
      interconnectivity between Notch and other pathways involved in CRC and will
      discuss the possible utility of targeting Notch as a CRC therapeutic. 

PMID- 26264353
TI  - Impact of smoking on neurodegeneration and cerebrovascular disease markers in
      cognitively normal men.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Smoking is a major risk factor for cognitive decline and
      dementia. However, the exact pathobiology of smoking remains unknown. The effects
      of smoking on cortical thickness as a biomarker of neurodegeneration or white
      matter hyperintensities and lacunes as biomarkers of cerebrovascular burden were
      concurrently evaluated. METHODS: Our study included 977 cognitively normal men
      who visited a health promotion centre and underwent medical check-ups, including
      3.0 T magnetic resonance imaging. Participants were categorized into never
      smoker, past smoker or current smoker groups and pack-years and the years of
      smoking cessation were used as continuous variables. RESULTS: The current smoker
      group exhibited cortical thinning in frontal and temporo-parietal regions
      compared with the never smoker group. These effects were particularly prominent
      in smokers with a high cumulative exposure to smoking in the current smoker
      group. However, there was no association between smoking and the severity of
      white matter hyperintensity or number of lacunes. CONCLUSION: Our findings
      indicate that smoking might impact on neurodegeneration rather than
      cerebrovascular burdens in cognitively normal men, suggesting that smoking might
      be an important modifiable risk factor for the development of Alzheimer's
      disease.

PMID- 26264355
TI  - Ethyl-Zinc(II)-Cation Equivalents: Synthesis and Hydroamination Catalysis.
AB  - Ion-like ethylzinc(II) compounds with weakly coordinating aluminates
      [Al(OR(F))4](-) and [(R(F)O)3Al-F-Al(OR(F))3](-) (R(F)=C(CF3)3) were synthesized
      in a one-pot reaction and fully characterized by single-crystal X-ray
      diffraction, NMR and vibrational spectroscopy, and by quantum chemical
      calculations. The catalytic activity of ion-like Et-Zn[Al(OR(F))4] in
      intermolecular hydroamination and in the unusual double hydroamination of
      anilines and alkynes was investigated. Favorable performance was also found in
      comparison to the Et2Zn/[PhNMe2H](+)[B(C6F5)4](-) system generated in situ at
      lower catalyst loadings of 2.5 mol %.

PMID- 26264354
TI  - Effects of nitrogen fertilisation rate and maturity of grass silage on methane
      emission by lactating dairy cows.
AB  - Grass silage is typically fed to dairy cows in temperate regions. However, in
      vivo information on methane (CH(4)) emission from grass silage of varying quality
      is limited. We evaluated the effect of two rates of nitrogen (N) fertilisation of
      grassland (low fertilisation (LF), 65 kg of N/ha; and high fertilisation (HF),
      150 kg of N/ha) and of three stages of maturity of grass at cutting: early
      maturity (EM; 28 days of regrowth), mid maturity (MM; 41 days of regrowth) and
      late maturity (LM; 62 days of regrowth) on CH(4) production by lactating dairy
      cows. In a randomised block design, 54 lactating Holstein-Friesian dairy cows
      (168+/-11 days in milk; mean+/-standard error of mean) received grass silage
      (mainly ryegrass) and compound feed at 80 : 20 on dry matter basis. Cows were
      adapted to the diet for 12 days and CH(4) production was measured in climate
      respiration chambers for 5 days. Dry matter intake (DMI; 14.9+/-0.56 kg/day)
      decreased with increasing N fertilisation and grass maturity. Production of fat-
      and protein-corrected milk (FPCM; 24.0+/-1.57 kg/day) decreased with advancing
      grass maturity but was not affected by N fertilisation. Apparent total-tract feed
      digestibility decreased with advancing grass maturity but was unaffected by N
      fertilisation except for an increase and decrease in N and fat digestibility with
      increasing N fertilisation, respectively. Total CH(4) production per cow (347+/
      13.6 g/day) decreased with increasing N fertilisation by 4% and grass maturity by
      6%. The smaller CH(4) production with advancing grass maturity was offset by a
      smaller FPCM and lower feed digestibility. As a result, with advancing grass
      maturity CH(4) emission intensity increased per units of FPCM (15.0+/-1.00 g
      CH(4)/kg) by 31% and digestible organic matter intake (33.1+/-0.78 g CH(4)/kg) by
      15%. In addition, emission intensity increased per units of DMI (23.5+/-0.43 g
      CH(4)/kg) by 7% and gross energy intake (7.0+/-0.14% CH(4)) by 9%, implying an
      increased loss of dietary energy with advancing grass maturity. Rate of N
      fertilisation had no effect on CH(4) emissions per units of FPCM, DMI and gross
      energy intake. These results suggest that despite a lower absolute daily CH(4)
      production with a higher N fertilisation rate, CH(4) emission intensity remains
      unchanged. A significant reduction of CH(4) emission intensity can be achieved by
      feeding dairy cows silage of grass harvested at an earlier stage of maturity.

PMID- 26264357
TI  - National Hispanic Heritage Month.

PMID- 26264356
TI  - The common PNPLA3 variant p.I148M is associated with liver fat contents as
      quantified by controlled attenuation parameter (CAP).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming the most
      prevalent liver disorder. The PNPLA3 (adiponutrin) variant p.I148M has been
      identified as common genetic modifier of NAFLD. Our aim was to assess the
      relationships between genetic risk and non-invasively measured liver fat content.
      METHODS: Hepatic steatosis was quantified by transient elastography, using the
      controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) in 174 patients with chronic liver
      diseases (50% women, age 18-77 years). In addition, a cohort of 174 gender
      matched healthy controls (50% women, age 32-77 years) was recruited. The PNPLA3
      mutation as well as the novel NAFLD-predisposing genetic variant (TM6SF2 p.E167K)
      were genotyped with allele-specific probes. RESULTS: The PNPLA3 genotype
      correlated significantly (P = 0.001) with hepatic CAP measurements. The p.148M
      risk allele increased the odds of developing liver steatosis (OR = 2.39, P =
      0.023). In multivariate models, BMI and PNPLA3 mutation were both independently
      associated with CAP values (P < 0.001 and P = 0.007, respectively). Carriers of
      the TM6SF2 risk allele presented with increased aminotransferase activities (ALT:
      P = 0.007, AST: P = 0.004), but the presence of this variant did not affect CAP
      values. CONCLUSIONS: The PNPLA3 p.I148M variant represents the most important
      prosteatotic genetic risk factor. NAFLD carriers of this variant should be
      followed up carefully, with elastography and CAP being ideally suited for this
      purpose.

PMID- 26264358
TI  - President's Message: There IS an "I" in Team.

PMID- 26264359
TI  - Systematic review with meta-analysis: faecal diversion for management of perianal
      Crohn's disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Temporary faecal diversion is sometimes used for management of
      refractory perianal Crohn's disease (CD) with variable success. AIMS: To perform
      a systematic review with meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness, long-term
      outcomes and factors associated with success of temporary faecal diversion for
      perianal CD. METHODS: Through a systematic literature review through 15 July
      2015, we identified 16 cohort studies (556 patients) reporting outcomes after
      temporary faecal diversion. We estimated pooled rates [with 95% confidence
      interval (CI)] of early clinical response, attempted and successful restoration
      of bowel continuity after temporary faecal diversion (without symptomatic
      relapse), and rates of re-diversion (in patients with attempted restoration) and
      proctectomy (with or without colectomy and end-ileostomy). We identified factors
      associated with successful restoration of bowel continuity. RESULTS: On meta
      analysis, 63.8% (95% CI: 54.1-72.5) of patients had early clinical response after
      faecal diversion for refractory perianal CD. Restoration of bowel continuity was
      attempted in 34.5% (95% CI: 27.0-42.8) of patients, and was successful in only
      16.6% (95% CI: 11.8-22.9). Of those in whom restoration was attempted, 26.5% (95%
      CI: 14.1-44.2) required re-diversion because of severe relapse. Overall, 41.6%
      (95% CI: 32.6-51.2) of patients required proctectomy after failure of temporary
      faecal diversion. There was no difference in the successful restoration of bowel
      continuity after temporary faecal diversion in the pre-biological or biological
      era (13.7% vs. 17.6%, P = 0.60), in part due to selection bias. Absence of rectal
      involvement was the most consistent factor associated with restoration of bowel
      continuity. CONCLUSIONS: Temporary faecal diversion may improve symptoms in
      approximately two-thirds of patients with refractory perianal Crohn's disease,
      but bowel restoration is successful in only 17% of patients.

PMID- 26264360
TI  - Significant Variation in Blood Transfusion Practice Persists following Upper GI
      Cancer Resection.
AB  - PURPOSE: Perioperative blood transfusions are costly and linked to adverse
      clinical outcomes. We investigated the factors associated with variation in blood
      transfusion utilization following upper gastrointestinal cancer resection and its
      association with infectious complications. METHODS: The Statewide Planning and
      Research Cooperative System was queried for elective esophagectomy, gastrectomy,
      and pancreatectomy for malignancy in NY State from 2001 to 2013. Bivariate and
      hierarchical logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the factors
      associated with receiving a perioperative allogeneic red blood cell transfusion.
      Additional multivariable analysis examined the relationship between transfusion
      and infectious complications. RESULTS: Among 14,875 patients who underwent upper
      GI cancer resection, 32 % of patients received a perioperative blood transfusion.
      After controlling for patient, surgeon, and hospital-level factors, significant
      variation in transfusion rates was present across both surgeons (p < 0.0001) and
      hospitals (p < 0.0001). Receipt of a blood transfusion was also independently
      associated with wound infection (OR = 1.68, 95% CI = 1.47 and 1.91), pneumonia
      (OR = 1.98, 95% CI = 1.74 and 2.26), and sepsis (OR = 2.49, 95% CI = 2.11 and
      2.94). CONCLUSION: Significant variation in perioperative blood transfusion
      utilization is present at both the surgeon and hospital level. These findings are
      unexplained by patient-level factors and other known hospital characteristics,
      suggesting that variation is due to provider preferences and/or lack of
      standardized transfusion protocols. Implementing institutional transfusion
      guidelines is necessary to limit unwarranted variation and reduce infectious
      complication rates.

PMID- 26264361
TI  - Penetrating Disease, Narcotic Use, and Loop Ostomy Are Associated with Ostomy and
      IBD-related Complications After Ostomy Surgery in Crohn's Disease Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: For medically refractory or obstructive Crohn's disease (CD), ostomy
      surgery remains an important therapeutic option. Outcomes and complications of
      this approach have not been well described in the era of biological therapies.
      Our study aims to characterize CD patients undergoing ostomy creation and assess
      outcome predictors. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of CD
      patients who underwent ostomy creation in our center from 2011 to 2014. Data
      collected include patient demographics, detailed disease- and surgery-related
      variables, and clinical outcomes after 26 weeks of follow-up. RESULTS: Of the 112
      patients, 54 % were female, the median age was 39 years (range 19-78), the median
      disease duration was 13 years (range 0-50), 54 % had ileo-colonic disease, 55 %
      had stricturing phenotype, and 59 % had perianal disease. Sixty-two percent
      received end ostomies, and 38 % received loop ostomies. The leading indications
      for surgery were stricturing, fistulizing, and perianal disease (35 %). Forty
      three (38 %) patients had 76 major complications, including dehydration (22
      cases), intra-abdominal infection (16), and obstruction (14). Increased major
      postoperative complications correlated with penetrating disease (p = 0.02, odds
      ratio [OR] = 5.52, 95 % confidence interval [CI] = 1.25-24.42), the use of
      narcotics before surgery (p = 0.04, OR = 2.54, 95 % CI = 1.02-6.34), and loop
      ostomies (p = 0.004, OR = 4.2, 95 % CI = 1.57-11.23). CONCLUSIONS: Penetrating
      phenotype, the use of narcotics before surgery, and loop ostomies are associated
      with major complications in CD patients undergoing ostomy creation. These
      findings may influence risk management of CD patients needing ostomies.

PMID- 26264362
TI  - Acute Cholecystitis-Optimal Timing for Early Cholecystectomy: a French Nationwide
      Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The recommended treatment for acute calculous cholecystitis combines
      antibiotics and cholecystectomy. To reduce morbidity and mortality, guidelines
      recommend early cholecystectomy. However, the optimal timing for surgery on first
      admission remains controversial. This study aims to determine the best timing for
      cholecystectomy in patients presenting with acute calculous cholecystitis. STUDY
      DESIGN: The French national health-care database was analyzed to identify all
      patients undergoing cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis during the same
      hospital stay between January 2010 and December 2013. Data regarding patients,
      procedures, and hospitals characteristics were collected. The relationship
      between surgery's timing and clinical outcome was evaluated by multiple logistic
      regressions. RESULTS: Overall, 42,452 patients from 507 hospitals were included
      in the study. Postoperative complications requiring invasive treatment occurred
      in 961 patients (2.3 %), and the mortality rate was 1.1 %. Adverse postoperative
      outcomes-intensive care admission, reoperation, and postoperative sepsis-were
      significantly lower when surgery was performed between days 1 and 3 (3-3.3, 0.5
      0.6, and 3.8-4.1 %, respectively) when compared to surgery performed on the day
      of admission (5.6, 1.2, and 5.2 %, p < 0.001) or from day 5 onward (4.5, 1, and
      6.5 %, respectively; p < 0.001). Mortality was also significantly lower in
      patients undergoing cholecystectomy between days 1 and 3 after admission (0.8-1
      %) when compared to patients operated on the day of admission or after day 3 (1.4
      % on day 0, 1.2 % on day 4, and 1.9 % from day 5: all p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: For
      patients with acute calculous cholecystitis, all efforts should be made to
      perform cholecystectomy within 3 days after hospital admission in order to
      decrease morbidity and mortality.

PMID- 26264363
TI  - Duct-to-Mucosa Versus Invagination Pancreaticojejunostomy Following
      Pancreaticoduodenectomy: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is one of the most common
      complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). The ideal choice of
      pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ) anastomosis remains a matter of debate. METHODS: A
      meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing duct-to-mucosa
      with invagination PJ following PD was performed. Pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95 %
      confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using fixed-effects or random-effects
      models. RESULTS: In total, five RCTs involving 654 patients were included. Meta
      analysis revealed no significant difference in POPF rate between the duct-to
      mucosa and invagination PJ techniques (OR = 1.23, 95 % CI = 0.78-1.93; P = 0.38).
      Two of five trials applied the POPF definition proposed by the International
      Study Group of Pancreatic Surgery (ISGPS). Using this definition, the incidence
      of clinically relevant POPF was lower in patients undergoing invagination PJ than
      in those undergoing duct-to-mucosa PJ (OR = 2.94, 95 % CI = 1.31-6.60; P =
      0.009). There was no significant difference in terms of delayed gastric emptying,
      intra-abdominal collection, overall morbidity and mortality, reoperation rate,
      and length of hospital stay between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Invagination PJ
      is not superior to duct-to-mucosa PJ in terms of POPF and other complications but
      appears to reduce clinically relevant POPF. Further well-designed RCTs that use
      ISGPS definition are still required before strong evidence-based recommendations
      can be formulated.

PMID- 26264364
TI  - A prospective evaluation on external jugular vein cut-down approach for TIVAD
      implantation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Totally implantable venous access devices can be implanted both by
      percutaneous approaches and by surgical approaches with cephalic vein or external
      jugular vein cut-down techniques that are related to low intraoperative
      complication rates. The authors report a prospective evaluation of 83 consecutive
      external jugular vein cut-down approaches for totally implantable venous access
      devices implantation. METHODS: Eighty three consecutive patients (28 M, 55 F,
      mean age 54.2) suffering from solid tumors (58) or hematologic diseases (25) were
      consecutively submitted to totally implantable venous access devices insertion
      through external jugular vein cut-down approach (75 on right side, 8 on left
      side). RESULTS: All devices were surgically implanted; no instances of
      intraoperative complications were detected. After a minimum follow-up of 150
      days, only one case of wound hematoma and one case of device malfunction due to
      incorrect catheter angulation were noted. Postoperative patient satisfaction was
      evaluated by the use of specific questionnaire that demonstrated a good
      satisfaction and compliance (92.8%) of patients with implanted devices.
      CONCLUSIONS: Despite the lack of controlled studies comparing external jugular
      vein cut-down approach vs other approaches, this approach should be considered as
      a tool for long-term central vein catheters positioning, both as an alternative
      and for primary approach.

PMID- 26264365
TI  - Sensory dysfunction and quality of life after great auricular nerve sacrifice
      during parotidectomy: our experience.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the impact on patients' quality of
      life of great auricular nerve sacrifice during parotidectomy. METHODS: A
      retrospective review was conducted of 191 consecutive patients who underwent
      parotidectomy with great auricular nerve sacrifice between 2006 and 2011.
      Residual sensory dysfunction and its impact on quality of life was analysed using
      an eight-item quality of life survey. RESULTS: In all, 139 out of 191 patients
      (72.8 per cent) experienced one or more abnormal sensations in the ear or neck
      region after surgery. There was a moderate inverse correlation between the number
      of abnormal sensations and time elapsed since surgery. Moreover, the degree of
      discomfort correlated significantly with the frequency of symptom occurrence (p <
      0.001), duration of the abnormal sensation (p < 0.001) and size of the affected
      area (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Sacrifice of the great auricular nerve has only a
      small impact on patient quality of life; their daily activities are not
      significantly affected.

PMID- 26264366
TI  - Call for a review of services for people with neurological disorders.

PMID- 26264368
TI  - A case of Fahr's disease examined by multi-modal imaging.

PMID- 26264367
TI  - Y-27632 is associated with corticosteroid-potentiated control of pulmonary
      remodeling and inflammation in guinea pigs with chronic allergic inflammation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previously, we showed that treatment with the Rho-kinase inhibitor Y
      27632 was able to control airway responsiveness, inflammation, remodeling, and
      oxidative stress in an animal model of asthma, suggesting that this drug is
      beneficial in asthma. However, studies evaluating the effects of these inhibitors
      in conjunction with corticosteroids on chronic pulmonary inflammation have not
      been conducted. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of treatment with the Rho
      kinase inhibitor Y-27632, with or without concurrent dexamethasone treatment, on
      airway and lung tissue mechanical responses, inflammation, extracellular matrix
      remodeling, and oxidative stress in guinea pigs with chronic allergic
      inflammation. METHODS: The guinea pigs were subjected to seven ovalbumin or
      saline inhalation exposures. Treatment with Y-27632 (1 mM) and dexamethasone (2
      mg/kg) started at the fifth inhalation. Seventy-two hours after the seventh
      inhalation, the pulmonary mechanics were evaluated and exhaled nitric oxide (ENO)
      levels were determined. The lungs were removed and histological analysis was
      performed using morphometry. RESULTS: The treatment of guinea pigs with the Rho
      kinase inhibitor and dexamethasone (ORC group) decreased ENO, the maximal
      mechanical responses after antigen challenge, inflammation, extracellular matrix
      remodeling and oxidative stress in the lungs. This therapeutic strategy reduced
      the levels of collagen and IFN-gamma in the airway walls, as well as IL-2, IFN
      gamma, 8-iso-PGF2alpha and NF-kappaB in the distal parenchyma, when compared to
      isolated treatment with corticosteroid or Rho-kinase inhibitor (P < 0.05) and
      reduced the number of TIMP-1-positive cells and eosinophils in the alveolar septa
      compared to corticosteroid-treated animals (P < 0.05). The combined treatment
      with the Rho-kinase inhibitor and the corticosteroid provided maximal control
      over the remodeling response and inflammation in the airways and parenchyma.
      CONCLUSIONS: Rho-kinase inhibition, alone or in combination with corticosteroids,
      can be considered a future pharmacological tool for the control of asthma.

PMID- 26264369
TI  - Why New Journals? The Growth of the EJNMMI Family.

PMID- 26264370
TI  - Identification of genes expressed in the migrating primitive myeloid lineage of
      Xenopus laevis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: During primitive hematopoiesis in Xenopus, cebpa and spib expressing
      myeloid cells emerge from the anterior ventral blood island. Primitive myeloid
      cells migrate throughout the embryo and are critical for immunity, healing, and
      development. Although definitive hematopoiesis has been studied extensively,
      molecular mechanisms leading to the migration of primitive myelocytes remain
      poorly understood. We hypothesized these cells have specific extracellular matrix
      modifying and cell motility gene expression. RESULTS: In situ hybridization
      screens of transcripts expressed in Xenopus foregut mesendoderm at stage 23
      identified seven genes with restricted expression in primitive myeloid cells:
      destrin; coronin actin binding protein, 1a; formin-like 1; ADAM metallopeptidase
      domain 28; cathepsin S; tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1; and protein
      tyrosine phosphatase nonreceptor 6. A detailed in situ hybridization analysis
      revealed these genes are initially expressed in the aVBI but become dispersed
      throughout the embryo as the primitive myeloid cells become migratory, similar to
      known myeloid markers. Morpholino-mediated loss-of-function and mRNA-mediated
      gain-of-function studies revealed the identified genes are downstream of Spib.a
      and Cebpa, key transcriptional regulators of the myeloid lineage. CONCLUSIONS: We
      have identified genes specifically expressed in migratory primitive myeloid
      progenitors, providing tools to study how different gene networks operate in
      these primitive myelocytes during development and immunity.

PMID- 26264371
TI  - Risk stratification in patients with pulmonary hypertension undergoing
      transcatheter aortic valve replacement.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is associated with increased mortality
      after surgical or transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for aortic
      stenosis (AS), and when the pulmonary artery pressure is particularly elevated,
      there may be questions about the clinical benefit of TAVR. We aimed to identify
      clinical and haemodynamic factors associated with increased mortality after TAVR
      among those with moderate/severe PH. METHODS: Among patients with symptomatic AS
      at high or prohibitive surgical risk receiving TAVR in the Placement of Aortic
      Transcatheter Valves (PARTNER) I randomised trial or registry, 2180 patients with
      an invasive measurement of mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) recorded were
      included, and moderate/severe PH was defined as an mPAP >=35 mm Hg. RESULTS:
      Increasing severity of PH was associated with progressively worse 1-year all
      cause mortality: none (n=785, 18.6%), mild (n=838, 22.7%) and moderate/severe
      (n=557, 25.0%) (p=0.01). The increased hazard of mortality associated with
      moderate/severe PH was observed in females, but not males (interaction p=0.03).
      In adjusted analyses, females with moderate/severe PH had an increased hazard of
      death at 1 year compared with females without PH (adjusted HR 2.14, 95% CI 1.44
      to 3.18), whereas those with mild PH did not. Among males, there was no increased
      hazard of death associated with any severity of PH. In a multivariable Cox model
      of patients with moderate/severe PH, oxygen-dependent lung disease, inability to
      perform a 6 min walk, impaired renal function and lower aortic valve mean
      gradient were independently associated with increased 1-year mortality (p<0.05
      for all), whereas several haemodynamic indices were not. A risk score, including
      these factors, was able to identify patients with a 15% vs 59% 1-year mortality.
      CONCLUSIONS: The relationship between moderate/severe PH and increased mortality
      after TAVR is altered by sex, and clinical factors appear to be more influential
      in stratifying risk than haemodynamic indices. These findings may have
      implications for the evaluation of and treatment decisions for patients referred
      for TAVR with significant PH. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT00530894.

PMID- 26264372
TI  - Complete chloroplast genome sequence of MD-2 pineapple and its comparative
      analysis among nine other plants from the subclass Commelinidae.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pineapple (Ananas comosus var. comosus) is known as the king of
      fruits for its crown and is the third most important tropical fruit after banana
      and citrus. The plant, which is indigenous to South America, is the most
      important species in the Bromeliaceae family and is largely traded for fresh
      fruit consumption. Here, we report the complete chloroplast sequence of the MD-2
      pineapple that was sequenced using the PacBio sequencing technology. RESULTS: In
      this study, the high error rate of PacBio long sequence reads of A. comosus's
      total genomic DNA were improved by leveraging on the high accuracy but short
      Illumina reads for error-correction via the latest error correction module from
      Novocraft. Error corrected long PacBio reads were assembled by using a single
      tool to produce a contig representing the pineapple chloroplast genome. The
      genome of 159,636 bp in length is featured with the conserved quadripartite
      structure of chloroplast containing a large single copy region (LSC) with a size
      of 87,482 bp, a small single copy region (SSC) with a size of 18,622 bp and two
      inverted repeat regions (IRA and IRB) each with the size of 26,766 bp. Overall,
      the genome contained 117 unique coding regions and 30 were repeated in the IR
      region with its genes contents, structure and arrangement similar to its sister
      taxon, Typha latifolia. A total of 35 repeats structure were detected in both the
      coding and non-coding regions with a majority being tandem repeats. In addition,
      205 SSRs were detected in the genome with six protein-coding genes contained more
      than two SSRs. Comparative chloroplast genomes from the subclass Commelinidae
      revealed a conservative protein coding gene albeit located in a highly divergence
      region. Analysis of selection pressure on protein-coding genes using Ka/Ks ratio
      showed significant positive selection exerted on the rps7 gene of the pineapple
      chloroplast with P less than 0.05. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the recent
      taxonomical relation among the member of commelinids which support the monophyly
      relationship between Arecales and Dasypogonaceae and between Zingiberales to the
      Poales, which includes the A. comosus. CONCLUSIONS: The complete sequence of the
      chloroplast of pineapple provides insights to the divergence of genic chloroplast
      sequences from the members of the subclass Commelinidae. The complete pineapple
      chloroplast will serve as a reference for in-depth taxonomical studies in the
      Bromeliaceae family when more species under the family are sequenced in the
      future. The genetic sequence information will also make feasible other molecular
      applications of the pineapple chloroplast for plant genetic improvement.

PMID- 26264373
TI  - Diversity within the genus Elymus (Poaceae: Triticeae) II: analyses of variation
      within 5S nrDNA restrict membership in the genus to species with StH genomes.
AB  - The genus Elymus is a repository for a large number of species that have been
      difficult to classify by traditional techniques due to their remarkable levels of
      polymorphism. Following the genome analyses of Yen and Yang (Genus Elymus 5:58
      362, 2013), we used sequences of the nr5SDNA to investigate diversity within
      those 24 species having St and H haplomes (Baum et al. Mol Genet Genomics 290:329
      42, 2015) and for which the genome status was known. The present work extends
      this analysis to include eight species for which there was no information on
      genomic status. Our results show that these eight have nr5SDNA sequences that can
      be assigned to unit classes of orthologous sequences found in St and H haplomes,
      suggesting that the presence of St and H haplomes is characteristic of the genus.
      We then carried out a set of canonical discriminant analyses based on 247 DNA new
      sequences from these 8 species plus the 1054 sequences previously identified from
      24 Elymus species. Sequences were analyzed to answer the following questions: Do
      the species integrate or are they different? Are the tetraploids different from
      the higher-ploid species? Are the species united within sections, or the same
      within regions? How do the species fare when divided according to sections? The
      main results of the canonical discriminant analyses are that the species are
      united within the tetraploids and within the hexaploids, within each region and
      within each section. In addition, a series of classificatory discriminant
      analyses showed that the identification tests are different, although not
      sufficiently useful for the discrimination of all the species. We also
      demonstrate the power of our approach by showing that the voucher for Elymus
      mobilis is not Elymus at all, but Leymus. 

PMID- 26264374
TI  - Effects of combined extract of cocoa, coffee, green tea and garcinia on lipid
      profiles, glycaemic markers and inflammatory responses in hamsters.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Dyslipidaemia is highly associated with cardiovascular and
      cerebrovascular diseases, which have been ranked second and third place of
      leading causes of death in Taiwan. Some plant extracts have been proved effective
      against dyslipidaemia. However, the combination of plant extracts was rarely
      studied. The purpose of the present study is to understand the beneficial effects
      of a combined extract (comprising cocoa, coffee, green tea and garcinia; CCGG) on
      lipid profiles in serum, liver, and faeces as well as glycaemic markers and
      related proinflammatory cytokines by using an appropriate animal model, the
      golden Syrian hamster. METHODS: A total of 40 male hamsters were randomly
      assigned to five groups: (1) vehicle control, (2) high-cholesterol diet control,
      (3) high-cholesterol diet of 311 mg/kg/d of CCGG, (4) high-cholesterol diet of
      622 mg/kg/d of CCGG and (5) high-cholesterol diet of 1555 mg/kg/d of CCGG. At the
      end of the experiment, blood, tissue and faecal samples were collected for
      further analysis. RESULTS: After 6 weeks of treatment, CCGG supplementation
      significantly reduced serum lipid content (triglycerides, total cholesterol and
      LDL-C) and hepatic lipid content (triglycerides and cholesterol) with dose
      dependent effects. In addition, an increase in excretion of faecal lipids (bile
      acids) was observed after supplementation. Furthermore, the homeostasis model
      assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index and serum proinflammatory
      cytokine levels (TNF-alpha and IL-6) involved in dyslipidaemia was markedly
      improved. In addition, by monitoring biochemical parameters as well as
      histopathology of major tissues, no toxicity was observed after the consumption
      of CCGG. CONCLUSION: Dietary CCGG supplementation may exert potential effects on
      ameliorating hyperlipidaemia, insulin resistance, liver steatosis and related
      inflammation.

PMID- 26264375
TI  - Ictal Magnetic Source Imaging in Presurgical Assessment.
AB  - Ictal MEG recordings constitute rare data. The objective of this study was to
      evaluate ictal magnetic source localization (MSI), using two algorithms: linearly
      constrained minimum variance (LCMV), a beamforming technique and equivalent
      current dipole (ECD). Ictal MSI was studied in six patients. Three of them were
      undergoing post-operative re-evaluation. For all patients, results were validated
      by the stereoelectroencephalographic (SEEG) definition of the epileptogenic zone
      (EZ). EZ was quantified using the epileptogenicity index (EI) method, which
      accounts for both the propensity of a brain area to generate rapid discharges and
      the time for this area to become involved in the seizure. EI values range from 0
      (no epileptogenicity) to 1 (maximal epileptogenicity). Levels of concordance
      between ictal MSI and EZ were determined as follows: A: ictal MSI localized the
      site whose value EI = 1, B: MSI localized a part of the EZ (not corresponding to
      the maximal value of EI = 1), C: a region could be identified on ictal MSI but
      not on SEEG, D: a region could be identified on SEEG but not on MSI, E: different
      regions were localized on MSI and SEEG. Ictal MEG pattern consisted of rhythmic
      activities between 10 and 20 Hz for all patients. For LCMV (first maxima), levels
      of concordance were A (two cases), B (two cases) and E (two cases). For ECD
      fitted on each time point separately (location characterized by the best goodness
      of-fit value), levels of concordance were A (one case), B (one case), D (three
      cases) and E (one case). For ECD calculated for the whole time window, levels of
      concordance were A (two cases) and D (four cases). Source localization methods
      performed on rhythmic patterns can localize the EZ as validated by SEEG. In terms
      of concordance, LCMV was superior to ECD. In some cases, LCMV allows extraction
      of several maxima that could reflect ictal dynamics. In a medial temporal lobe
      epilepsy case, ictal MSI indicated an area of delayed propagation and was non
      contributory to the presurgical assessment. 

PMID- 26264376
TI  - An Analysis of the Characteristics of Thoracic and Abdominal Injuries Due to
      Gunshot Homicides in Israel.
AB  - De-identified wound data from 197 homicidal gunshot postmortems were obtained
      between 2000 and 2008. Forensic ballistics data were only available for cases
      between 2004 and 2008. Males represent 91% of gunshot victims and were struck in
      the thorax/abdomen with an average of 2.3 bullets. The type of firearms involved
      were semi-automatic pistols in the predominant caliber 9-mm Luger and assault
      rifles in caliber 5.56 * 45 mm and caliber 7.62 * 39 mm Soviet, using full metal
      jacket bullets. The majority of shootings occurred at ranges of 1 m or greater.
      The most common bullet path was front to back in 66% of cases. Entry wounds
      occurred more often on the left side of the thorax, abdomen, and back. The most
      common critical organs/tissues to sustain bullet trauma in descending order were
      as follows: heart, lungs, liver, aorta, spleen, kidneys, and vena cava. Ribs were
      struck by most bullets that entered the thorax.

PMID- 26264377
TI  - Neuropathology in a case of episodic ataxia type 4.

PMID- 26264378
TI  - Phase 2 study of sunitinib in patients with metastatic mucosal or acral melanoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients with mucosal and acral melanomas have limited treatment
      options and a poor prognosis. Mutations of the KIT oncogene in these melanoma
      subtypes provide a potential therapeutic target. METHODS: A multicenter phase 2
      trial of sunitinib was conducted in patients with unresectable stage III or IV
      melanoma of a mucosal or acral primary origin. Patients were treated in 2
      cohorts: cohort A received sunitinib at a dose of 50 mg daily for 4 weeks of a 6
      week cycle, and cohort B received sunitinib at a dose of 37.5 mg daily on a
      continuous basis. Dose reductions were permitted for treatment-related
      toxicities, and tumor assessments were performed every 2 months. RESULTS: Fifty
      two patients were enrolled: 21 in cohort A and 31 in cohort B. Four patients had
      confirmed partial responses, which lasted 5 to 10 months (1 with a KIT mutation).
      In both cohorts, the proportion of patients alive and progression-free at 2
      months was 52% (95% confidence interval, 38%-66%); this was significantly larger
      than the hypothesized null of 5%. There was no significant difference in response
      or overall survival between the 25% of patients with a KIT mutation and those
      without one (response rate, 7.7% vs 9.7%; overall survival, 6.4 vs 8.6 months).
      The overall disease control rate was 44%, and a high rate of toxicity was
      associated with the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Sunitinib showed activity in the
      treatment of mucosal and acral melanoma that was not dependent on the presence of
      a KIT mutation. However, the medication was poorly tolerated, and there were no
      prolonged responses. Cancer 2015;121:4007-4015. (c) 2015 American Cancer Society.

PMID- 26264379
TI  - Breast cancer quality of care in Taiwan in relation to hospital volume: a
      population-based cohort study.
AB  - AIM: To evaluate, compare and improve quality of care for patients with breast
      cancer at the institution and population level requires a standard set of core
      measures. We performed a population-based cohort study to examine the association
      between hospital volume and breast cancer core measures compliance in Taiwan.
      METHODS: Data were obtained from the Health Promotion Administration, Ministry of
      Health and Welfare, Taiwan. All women with a diagnosis of breast cancer between
      2007 and 2011 were selected. Hospitals were divided into quartiles of hospital
      volume based on the total number of breast cancer surgery performed from 2007 to
      2011. The core measure set that evaluates the quality of care for breast cancer
      included one preoperation and nine treatment-related indicators. RESULTS: Our
      final study population included 38 943 patients from 74 hospitals. An increase in
      hospital volume was associated with better core measures compliance as indicated
      by higher adherence rates. As compared with the lower quartiles (quartiles 1/2/3)
      of hospital volume, quartile 4 (high volume) showed significantly higher
      adherence rate in two indicators measured ("percentage of breast cancer patients
      whose diagnoses were histologically and cytologically confirmed before surgery"
      and "percentage of stage 1 and 2 patients with sentinel node sampling performed,"
      P = 0.011 and 0.016, respectively). An increasing trend in compliance for
      "percentage of stage 1 patients who underwent breast conserving surgery" was
      observed in high-volume but not low-volume hospitals (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION:
      This institution and population-based study showed a certain degree of variation
      to core measures compliance among hospitals. In some aspects of pre- and
      postoperative care, high-volume hospitals demonstrated higher and more improved
      quality as supported by increased adherence rates. Further research is needed to
      determine whether better core measures compliance would result in better
      outcomes.

PMID- 26264380
TI  - Is PLC repair of a peel-off femoral lesion an effective option in a multiligament
      setting?
AB  - PURPOSE: Treatment of posterolateral corner (PLC) injury in the multiligament
      injured knee is still controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the
      clinical outcome of acute or sub-acute surgical repair of Type 1 and 2 PLC peel
      off lesions in a multiligament setting. METHODS: Mini-open direct repair of the
      PLC was performed in 13 patients. Combined PCL, ACL and MCL injuries were
      simultaneously managed. Telos valgus and varus stress radiographs at 30 degrees 
      of flexion with 150 N load were used to investigate medial and lateral joint
      opening. Posterior stress radiograph with 150 N load was used to investigate the
      function of the PCL. External rotational laxity was assessed with a dial test at
      30 degrees  of knee flexion, and photographs were taken to measure angles.
      Anterior displacement was examined using the manual maximum test performed with a
      KT-1000 arthrometer. RESULTS: A statistically significant reduction between pre-
      and postoperative laxity values was achieved for every test. Particularly,
      lateral joint opening side-to-side difference reduced from 10.3 +/- 4.0 to 1.0 +/
      3.2 mm and external rotation reduced from 15 +/- 8 degrees  to 0 degrees  +/- 6
      degrees  more than that of the contralateral uninjured knee. The medial joint
      opening side-to-side difference reduced from 11.5 +/- 5.6 to 2.6 +/- 2.7 mm in
      the 7 patients surgically managed for MCL lesion. The anterior tibial
      displacement side-to-side difference reduced from 14.0 +/- 5.0 to 3.0 +/- 5.0 mm
      in the 9 patients surgically managed for ACL lesion. The posterior tibial
      translation side-to-side difference reduced from 11.1 +/- 5.1 to 4.4 +/- 3.9 mm
      in the 11 patients treated for PCL lesion. CONCLUSION: The main finding of the
      current study is that acute repair of Type 1 and 2 PLC peel-off injury proved to
      be an effective procedure to restore PLC function in a multiligament-injured
      knee. These data enabled the current literature with an effective treatment
      option to face such a complex and various scenarios such as multiligament-injured
      knee. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

PMID- 26264381
TI  - Endoscopic treatment of the posterior ankle impingement syndrome on amateur and
      professional athletes.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine whether professional and amateur athletes showed
      differences in ankle function when treated with endoscopic technique for
      posterior ankle impingement syndrome, to verify the impact of the presence of
      associated lesions in clinical evolution and to assess time to return to sport
      (we hypothesize that time will be the only difference between groups). METHODS:
      Thirty-two athletes with a diagnosis of posterior impingement syndrome underwent
      surgery endoscopically. The American Orthopaedics Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS)
      scale was used to compare functional results between amateur (15) and
      professional athletes (17). The satisfaction, time to return to sport, operative
      time, intraoperative findings and complications were evaluated, and the presence
      of associated injuries interfering in these results was verified. RESULTS: The
      preoperative AOFAS score range for the professional group was 62.9 +/- 14
      preoperatively and 92.3 +/- 7.7 postoperatively, and for the amateur group was
      67.9 +/- 19.7 and 94 +/- 9.3. The satisfaction was excellent or good in 94 % of
      all cases and fair in 6%. The average time of surgery was 48.3 + 25 min. Bone
      involvement was present in 100% of cases and complications in three cases. Time
      to return to sports was similar (n.s.) in both groups, and the mean time was 15.6
      +/- 13.7 and 16.3 +/- 9 weeks, respectively. CONCLUSION: No significant
      difference regarding functional results and time to return to sports between
      professionals and amateur athletes operated was found. Athletes showed mainly
      good and excellent results and low complication rate. The presence of associated
      injuries did not significantly influence the results. With these results, the
      high-level athlete can better programme their surgeries so they can fully recover
      and perform better in the most important competitions. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level
      III.

PMID- 26264383
TI  - The role of the meniscotibial ligament in posteromedial rotational knee
      stability.
AB  - PURPOSE: Tears of the posterior horn of the medial meniscus (PHMM) are very
      common in the ACL-deficient knee. Specific lesions of the PHMM have been
      described in the setting of ACL rupture: ramp lesions and injuries to the
      meniscotibial ligament. There are little data available regarding the role these
      lesions play in knee instability. The aim of this study is to analyse the
      biomechanical consequences of ramp and meniscotibial ligament lesions on knee
      stability. Our hypothesis was that these lesions would cause increased
      instability in the setting of ACL rupture. METHODS: A cadaveric study was
      undertaken: ten knees were included for analysis. The biomechanical repercussions
      of different meniscoligamentous injuries were studied in four stages: stage 1
      involved testing the intact knee, stage 2 after transection of the ACL, stage 3
      following creation of a ramp lesion, and stage 4 after detachment of the
      meniscotibial ligament. Four parameters were measured during the experiment:
      anterior tibial translation under a force of 134 N, internal and external tibial
      rotation under a torque of 5 Nm, and valgus angulation under a torque of 10 Nm.
      Measurements were taken in four knee flexion positions: 0 degrees  or full
      extension, 30 degrees , 70 degrees , and 90 degrees  of flexion. RESULTS: There
      was a statistically significant increase in anterior tibial translation for stage
      2 (6.8 +/- 1.3 mm, p <= 0.001), stage 3 (9.4 +/- 1.3 mm, p <= 0.001), and stage 4
      (9.3 +/- 1.3 mm, p <= 0.001) compared to stage 1. There was no significant
      difference between stage 2 and stage 3 (2.6 mm, n.s.) or stage 4 (2.5 mm, n.s.).
      We did, however, demonstrate an increase in anterior tibial translation of 2.6 mm
      after the creation on a lesion of the PHMM compared to isolated division of the
      ACL, for all flexion angles combined. There was an increase in internal tibial
      rotation between stage 1 and stage 4 (3.2 degrees  +/- 0.7 degrees , p <= 0.001)
      and between stage 2 and stage 4 (2.0 degrees  +/- 0.7 degrees , p = 0.023). A
      significant difference was demonstrated for external rotation under 5 Nm torque
      between stages 4 and 1 (2.2 degrees  +/- 0.5 degrees , p <= 0.001) and between
      stages 4 and 2 (1.7 degrees  +/- 0.5 degrees , p = 0.007) for all knee flexion
      angles combined. No created lesion had a significant effect on medial laxity
      under a 10-Nm valgus torque at any degree of knee flexion. CONCLUSION: Lesions of
      the posterior horn of the medial meniscus are frequent in cases of anterior
      cruciate ligament rupture. These lesions appear to play a significant role in
      knee stability. Ramp lesions increase the forces in the ACL, and the PHMM is a
      secondary restraint to anterior tibial translation. Lesions of the meniscotibial
      ligament may increase rotatory instability of the knee.

PMID- 26264382
TI  - Single-dose intra-articular bupivacaine plus morphine versus bupivacaine alone
      after arthroscopic knee surgery: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this meta-analysis was to compare the efficacy and safety
      of single-dose intra-articular bupivacaine plus morphine versus bupivacaine alone
      for pain management following arthroscopic knee surgery. METHOD: A comprehensive
      literature search was conducted to identify randomized controlled trials that
      used single-dose intra-articular bupivacaine plus morphine and bupivacaine alone
      for post-operative pain, using MEDLINE (1966-2014), Cochrane Library and EMBASE
      databases. The weighted mean difference (WMD), relative risk (RR) and their
      corresponding 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using RevMan
      statistical software. RESULT: A total of twenty-nine trials (n = 1167) were
      included. The post-operative visual analog scale (VAS) pain score of the
      bupivacaine plus morphine group compared with the bupivacaine alone group was
      significantly lower (WMD -1.15, 95 % CI -1.67 to -0.63, p < 0.0001). As far as
      safety, there was no significant difference in side effects between the two
      groups (RR 1.10, 95 % CI 0.59-2.04, n.s.). Sensitivity analyses suggested that
      the results of these two primary outcomes were stable and reliable. However, the
      current evidence did not suggest a superior effect with respect to the time to
      first analgesic request (WMD 51.33, 95 % CI -110.99 to 213.65, n.s.) and the
      number of patients requiring supplementary analgesia (RR 1.13, 95 % CI 0.92-1.39,
      n.s.). CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of the currently available literature, this
      study is the first to suggest that single-dose intra-articular bupivacaine plus
      morphine was shown to be significantly better than bupivacaine alone at relieving
      post-operative pain after arthroscopic knee surgery without increasing the short
      term side effects. Routine use of single-dose intra-articular bupivacaine plus
      morphine is an effective way for pain management after arthroscopic knee surgery.
      LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.

PMID- 26264384
TI  - TWEAK/Fn14 activation induces keratinocyte proliferation under psoriatic
      inflammation.
AB  - Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) has been
      reported to induce keratinocyte apoptosis in vitro by engaging its sole receptor
      of fibroblast growth factor-inducible 14 (Fn14). In this study, we explored the
      role of TWEAK/Fn14 pathway in the growth of psoriatic keratinocytes that is,
      however, characterized by suppressed apoptotic cell death. Skin tissues from the
      patients with psoriasis or healthy donors were determined for TWEAK and Fn14
      expression, and primary keratinocytes were evaluated under the stimulation of
      psoriatic proinflammatory cytokines or plus TWEAK. The results showed that both
      TWEAK and Fn14 were highly expressed in psoriatic skins. Moreover, the
      stimulation of psoriatic cytokines enhanced Fn14 expression by keratinocytes in
      vitro, which expressed TNF receptor 2 predominantly and proliferated increasingly
      with the addition of TWEAK. Furthermore, TWEAK stimulation enhanced the synthesis
      of survivin, inhibitor of apoptosis protein 2 and cellular FLICE-inhibitory
      protein in lesional keratinocytes. Therefore, TWEAK/Fn14 interaction prefers to
      enhance proliferation but not apoptosis of keratinocytes under psoriatic
      inflammation. The activation of nuclear factor-kappaB signalling-dependent anti
      apoptotic proteins and biased expression of TNF receptors may be responsible for
      such a novel principle in keratinocytes under psoriatic inflammation. 

PMID- 26264385
TI  - Calcium phosphate crystallization on titania in a flowing Kokubo solution.
AB  - Dry titania layers on air-oxidized titanium substrates have been found to be
      active enough to cause apatite to be deposited in Kokubo's simulated body fluid
      (SBF) in narrow confined spaces, such as those in narrow grooves and thin gaps.
      Such in vitro apatite deposition is the basis of the GRAPE((r)) technique. The
      aim of the present study is to determine why GRAPE conditions favor apatite
      deposition when laminar SBF flow (at 0.01-0.3 ml/min) passes through a shallow
      channel (0.5 mm) between a pair of titanium substrates each with a dry layer of
      titania. Assessing the factors that control the heterogeneous nucleation process
      led to the proposal of the working hypothesis that there are nucleation pre
      embryos, ion assemblies that can be stabilized to form embryos, on the titania
      layer but that they are removed by the SBF flow. Specimens were subjected to
      different combinations of processes. One combination was that titania layers were
      exposed to still or flowing SBF, and the other was that half of a specimen, the
      inlet or outlet side, was exposed to still or flowing SBF with the other half
      being covered. The surface morphologies of the specimens were then compared in
      detail. The conclusion was that exposure to still SBF for 2 days before exposure
      to flowing SBF was required for apatite to be deposited. Some complicated apatite
      deposition modes were observed, e.g., apatite was deposited even on areas
      unexposed to still SBF. All of the results were successfully interpreted using
      the working hypothesis. The conclusion was that the GRAPE((r)) technique depends
      on the confined space holding pre-embryo and embryo assemblies. 

PMID- 26264386
TI  - Recommendations for post-surgical thyroid ablation in differentiated thyroid
      cancer: a 2015 position statement of the Italian Society of Endocrinology.
AB  - Post-surgical ablation of thyroid remnant with radioactive iodine (RAI) in
      differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is aimed to destroy any thyroid remnant in
      the thyroid bed (remnant ablation) and any microscopic foci of cancer cells
      eventually present within the thyroid remnant (adjuvant therapy). The present
      text is an attempt to offer practice guidelines for the indication of thyroid
      ablation and the preparation of DTC patients considering the latest achievement
      in the field and the changing epidemiology of DTC observed in the last 10 years.
      METHODOLOGY: The executive committee of the Italian Society of Endocrinology
      appointed a task force of thyroid cancer expert including Nuclear Medicine
      Physicians and Endocrinologists to provide a consensus on the post-surgical
      ablation in thyroid cancer patients. The task force had no conflict of interest
      and had no commercial support. A number of specific topics were selected and the
      members selected relevant papers by searching in the Pubmed for articles
      published from 2000 to January 2015. Selected studies were categorized by level
      of evidence, and the recommendations were graded according to the level of
      evidence as high (A), moderate (B), or low (C).

PMID- 26264387
TI  - Differential effects of calcium- and vitamin D-fortified milk with FOS-inulin
      compared to regular milk, on bone biomarkers in Chinese pre- and postmenopausal
      women.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare the effects of a high-calcium vitamin D-fortified milk with
      added FOS-inulin versus regular milk on serum parathyroid hormone, and bone
      turnover markers in premenopausal (Pre-M) and postmenopausal (PM) women over 12
      weeks. METHODS: Premenopausal women (n = 136, mean age 41 (+/-5) years) and
      postmenopausal women [n = 121, mean age 59 (+/-4) years] were recruited, and each
      age group randomised into two groups to take two glasses per day of control =
      regular milk (500 mg calcium per day) or intervention (Int) = fortified milk
      (1000 mg calcium for pre-M women and 1200 mg calcium for PM women, 96 mg
      magnesium, 2.4 mg zinc, 15 ug vitamin D, 4 g FOS-inulin per day). At baseline,
      week 4 and week 12 serum minerals and bone biochemical markers were measured and
      bone density was measured at baseline. RESULTS: Mean 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)
      vitamin D3] levels among groups were between 49 and 65 nmol/L at baseline, and
      over the 12 weeks of supplementation, the fortified milk improved vitamin D
      status in both Int groups. CTx-1 and PINP reduced significantly in both Pre-M and
      PM groups over the 12 weeks, with the changes in CTx-1 being significantly
      different (P < 0.035) between PM control and PM Int groups at week 12.
      Parathyroid hormone levels were significantly reduced in all groups over time,
      except for control PM group where levels increased at 12 weeks. CONCLUSION: The
      overall pattern of responses indicates that while both regular milk and fortified
      milk reduce bone resorption in young and older women, fortified milk is
      measurably more effective.

PMID- 26264388
TI  - Time-dependent cellular response in the liver and heart in a dietary-induced
      obese mouse model: the potential role of ER stress and autophagy.
AB  - PURPOSE: Both endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress) and autophagy are
      essential for the response of the protein quality control system to cellular
      stresses. This study investigated the influence of the duration of a high-fat
      diet (HFD) in mice on tissue-specific cellular responses, specifically with
      regard to the role of autophagy and ER stress. METHODS: Male mice aged 6-7 weeks
      were fed ad libitum with a standard chow diet or with a HFD for 2, 4, 8, or 16
      weeks. RESULTS: The HFD progressively increased mean body weight and induced
      tissue hypertrophy. The expression of PERK was suppressed in the liver after 16
      weeks of the HFD and in the heart after 8 weeks of the HFD. Procaspase 12 and its
      activated form were induced in the liver with the HFD after 2 weeks, but not in
      the heart over the 16-week period. The activation of hepatic AMPK was elevated
      following 4 weeks of the HFD, but was inhibited after 16 weeks of the HFD. The
      ratio of LC3II to LC3I in the liver did not increase except in those mice fed the
      HFD for 16 weeks. The expression of AMPK and LC3 in the heart did not change over
      the entire 16 weeks of feeding the HFD. Cleaved PARP was increased in the liver
      and heart of mice receiving the HFD for 8 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides
      evidence that a HFD affects the cellular protein quality control processes
      responsible for metabolic disorder in a tissue- and duration-dependent manner.

PMID- 26264389
TI  - The MS@Work study: a 3-year prospective observational study on factors involved
      with work participation in patients with relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is the most common cause of neurological
      disability in young and middle-aged adults. At this stage in life most people are
      in the midst of their working career. The majority of MS patients are unable to
      retain employment within 10 years from disease onset. Leading up to unemployment,
      many may experience a reduction in hours or work responsibilities and increased
      time missed from work. The MS@Work study examines various factors that may
      influence work participation in relapsing-remitting MS patients, including
      disease-related factors, the working environment and personal factors.
      METHODS/DESIGN: The MS@Work study is a multicenter, 3-year prospective
      observational study on work participation in patients with relapsing-remitting
      MS. We aim to include 350 patients through 15-18 MS outpatient clinics in the
      Netherlands. Eligible participants are 18 years and older, and either currently
      employed or within three years since their last employment. At baseline and after
      1, 2 and 3 years, the participants are asked to complete online questionnaires
      (including questions on work participation, work problems and accommodations,
      cognitive and physical ability, anxiety, depression, psychosocial stress, quality
      of life, fatigue, empathy, personality traits and coping strategies) and undergo
      cognitive and neurological examinations. After six months, patients are requested
      to only complete online questionnaires. Patient perspectives on maintaining and
      improving work participation and reasons to stop working are gathered through
      semi-structured interviews in a sub-group of patients. DISCUSSION: Prospective
      studies with long-term follow-up on work participation in MS are rare, or take
      into account a limited number of factors. The MS@Work study provides a 3-year
      follow-up on various factors that may influence work participation in patients
      with relapsing-remitting MS. We aim to identify factors that relate to job loss
      and to provide information about preventative measures for physicians,
      psychologists and other professionals working in the field of occupational
      health.

PMID- 26264391
TI  - Benefits and Barriers of Cancer Practitioners Discussing Physical Activity with
      their Cancer Patients.
AB  - Our aim was to synthesise the existing empirical literature and theoretical
      perspectives on the physical activity (PA) promotion practices and determinants
      of cancer clinicians and health professionals. We conducted a narrative review of
      theory and evidence to develop practice recommendations for improving the
      promotion of PA to cancer patients. Surveyed health professionals were aware of
      many benefits of PA for their cancer patients, although only ~40 % promoted PA to
      selected cancer patients. Walking was the most commonly promoted form of PA, with
      this promoted to assist patients control their weight and cardiovascular health
      risk. Barriers to promotion of PA included lack of time and knowledge of PA and
      behaviour change skills. Health professionals appear interested in promoting PA
      to their cancer patients, yet encounter several barriers. Further research is
      warranted to assist health professionals improve their PA promotion. An adapted
      reflective-impulsive model of social behaviour shows promise for assisting health
      professionals overcome barriers and provides an evidence-based theoretical
      framework for improving communication with patients. Universities, hospitals
      and/or health-care accreditation organisations also have important roles to play
      in assisting health professionals improve their promotion of PA to patients.

PMID- 26264390
TI  - Why Wait Until Our Community Gets Cancer?: Exploring CRC Screening Barriers and
      Facilitators in the Spanish-Speaking Community in North Carolina.
AB  - Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of death among Hispanics in the United
      States. Despite the benefits of CRC screening, many Hispanics are not being
      screened. Using a combined methodology of focus groups and discrete choice
      experiment (DCE) surveys, the objectives for this research were as follows: (1)
      to improve understanding of preferences regarding potential CRC screening program
      characteristics, and (2) to improve understanding of the barriers and
      facilitators around CRC screening with the Hispanic, immigrant community in North
      Carolina. Four gender-stratified focus groups were conducted and DCE surveys were
      administered to 38 Spanish-speaking individuals across four counties in North
      Carolina. In-depth content analysis was used to examine the focus group data;
      descriptive analyses and mean attribute importance scores for cost of screening
      and follow-up care, travel time, and test options were calculated from DCE data.
      Data analyses showed that this population has a strong interest in CRC screening
      but experience barriers such as lack of access to resources, cost uncertainty,
      and stigma. Some of these barriers are unique to their cultural experiences in
      the United States, such as an expressed lack of tailored CRC information. Based
      on the DCE, cost variables were more important than testing options or travel
      time. This study suggests that Hispanics may have a general awareness of and
      interest in CRC screening, but multiple barriers prevent them from getting
      screened. Special attention should be given to designing culturally and
      linguistically appropriate programs to improve access to healthcare resources,
      insurance, and associated costs among Hispanics.

PMID- 26264392
TI  - Hospital outpatient clinics as a potential hazard for healthcare associated
      infections.
AB  - Healthcare acquired infections are no longer confined to the hospital
      environment. Recently, many reported outbreaks have been linked to outpatient
      settings and attributed to non-adherence to recommended infection-prevention
      procedures. This study was divided into two parts: The first is a descriptive
      cross-sectional part, to assess the healthcare personnel's knowledge and
      compliance with Standard Precautions (SP). The second is an intervention part to
      assess the role of health education on reducing the level of environmental and
      reusable medical equipment bacterial contamination. Assessment of the doctors'
      and nurses' knowledge and compliance with SP was performed using a self
      administered questionnaire. Assessment of environmental cleaning (EC) and
      reusable medical equipment disinfection has been performed using aseptic swabbing
      method. The extent of any growth was recorded according to the suggested
      standards: (A) Presence of indicator organisms, with the proposed standard being
      <1cfu/cm(2). These include Staphylococcus aureus (including methicillin-resistant
      Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA), Enterococci, including vancomycin-resistant
      Enterococci (VRE) and various multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacilli. (B)
      Aerobic colony count, the suggested standard is <5cfu/cm(2). The effect of health
      education intervention on cleaning and disinfection had been analyzed by
      comparing the difference in cleaning level before and after interventional
      education. Good knowledge and compliance scores were found in more than 50% of
      participants. Primary screening found poor EC and equipment disinfection as 67%
      and 83.3% of stethoscopes and ultrasound transducers, respectively, were
      contaminated with indicator organisms. For all indicator organisms, a significant
      reduction was detected after intervention (p=0.00). Prevalence of MRSA was 38.9%
      and 16.7%, of the total S. aureus isolates, before and after intervention,
      respectively. Although 27.8% of the total Enterococcus isolates were VRE before
      intervention, no VRE isolates were detected after intervention. These differences
      were significant. Development and monitoring of the implementation of infection
      prevention policies and training of HCP is recommended. 

PMID- 26264393
TI  - Key messages from a guideline. Management of petechial rash.

PMID- 26264394
TI  - Y-doped Li8ZrO6: A Li-Ion Battery Cathode Material with High Capacity.
AB  - We study--experimentally and theoretically--the energetics, structural changes,
      and charge flows during the charging and discharging processes for a new high
      capacity cathode material, Li8ZrO6 (LZO), which we study both pure and yttrium
      doped. We quantum mechanically calculated the stable delithiated configurations,
      the delithiation energy, the charge flow during delithiation, and the stability
      of the delithiated materials. We find that Li atoms are easier to extract from
      tetrahedral sites than octahedral ones. We calculate a large average voltage of
      4.04 eV vs Li/Li(+) for delithiation of the first Li atom in a primitive cell,
      which is confirmed by galvanostatic charge/discharge cycling data. Energy
      calculations indicate that topotactic delithiation is kinetically favored over
      decomposition into Li, ZrO2, and O2 during the charging process, although the
      thermodynamic energy of the topotactic reaction is less favorable. When one or
      two lithium atoms are extracted from a primitive cell of LZO, its volume and
      structure change little, whereas extraction of the third lithium greatly distorts
      the layered structure. The Li6ZrO6 and Li5ZrO6 delithiation products can be
      thermodynamically metastable to release of O2. Experimentally, materials with
      sufficiently small particle size for efficient delithiation and relithiation were
      achieved within an yttrium-doped LZO/carbon composite cathode that exhibited an
      initial discharge capacity of at least 200 mAh/g over the first 10 cycles, with
      142 mAh/g maintained after 60 cycles. Computations predict that during the
      charging process, the oxygen ion near the Li vacancy is oxidized for both pure
      LZO and yttrium-doped LZO, which leads to a small-polaron hole.

PMID- 26264395
TI  - Suppression effects of O-demethyldemethoxycurcumin on thapsigargin triggered on
      endoplasmic reticulum stress in SK-N-SH cells.
AB  - Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is involved in neurodegenerative diseases,
      including Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Therefore, interventions
      that attenuate ER stress may contribute to induction in apoptotic cell death.
      This study aimed to evaluate the potential involvement of O
      demethyldemethoxycurcumin, an analog of curcuminoids, on thapsigargin-induced
      apoptosis in cultured neuroblastoma (SK-N-SH) cells through the ER stress
      signaling pathway. The results showed that O-demethyldemethoxycurcumin reduced
      thapsigargin induced cell death in SK-N-SH cells and the release of lactate
      dehydrogenase (LDH) by decreasing the apoptotic cell death induced by
      thapsigargin. Consistent with these findings, O-demethyldemethoxycurcumin
      inhibited the thapsigargin-induced activation of cleavagecaspase-12. Moreover, O
      demethyldemethoxycurcumin attenuated the intracellular Ca(2+) level and the
      expression of the calpain protein. O-demethyldemethoxycurcumin also downregulated
      the expression of ER stress signaling proteins, including the phosphorylation of
      PKR-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (p-PERK), the phosphorylation of inositol
      requiring enzyme 1 (p-IRE1), activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6), binding
      immunoglobulin protein (BiP) and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP). Our findings
      suggest that O-demethyldemethoxycurcumin could protect against thapsigargin
      induced ER stress in SK-N-SH cells. 

PMID- 26264396
TI  - Structural and multi-scale rheophysical investigation of diphasic magneto
      sensitive materials based on biopolymers.
AB  - We present a structural and a multi-scale rheophysical investigation of magneto
      sensitive materials based on biopolymers, namely aqueous solutions of sodium
      alginate incorporating magnetic maghemite nanoparticles, functionalized with
      adsorbed negative citrate ions. The large alginate ionic strength impacts the
      structure and the rheology of these nanocomposites in zero magnetic field. In
      given physico-chemical conditions, the system is fluid and homogeneous on
      macroscopic scales while it is diphasic on microscopic ones, containing micro
      droplets coming from the demixion of the system. These micro-droplets are liquid
      and deformable under magnetic field. Their under-field elongation and their zero
      field relaxation are directly observed by optical microscopy to determine their
      interfacial tension, their magnetic susceptibility and their internal viscosity.
      A structural analysis of the solutions of alginate chains and of the phase
      separated mixtures of alginate and nanoparticles by Small Angle Scattering
      completes the local description of the system. 

PMID- 26264397
TI  - Nutritional alterations after very low-calorie diet before bariatric surgery.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: There has been an alarming worldwide increase of obese people in
      recent years. Currently, there is no consensus on whether patients that are
      scheduled to undergo bariatric surgery should lose weight before the
      intervention. The objective of this research is to analyse the influence of pre
      surgery loss of weight in the nutritional parameters of patients. METHODS: Fifty
      patients that were scheduled to undergo bariatric surgery followed a very low
      caloric diet during 4 weeks prior to the surgery. The nutritional parameters were
      analysed at 3 specific moments: before starting the diet, at the moment of
      surgery (when the diet was concluded) and one month after the surgery. RESULTS:
      Average values for hemoglobin, albumina and lymphocytes were kept within the
      range of normal values at all moments, even though the decrease of those
      parameters was statistically significant throughout the study (P<.05). By
      following the very low caloric diet, less than 9.5% of the sample suffered
      anaemia. CONCLUSIONS: Loss of weight prior to surgery does not have a significant
      influence in the nutritional parameters of the patient. These results would
      support the indication of losing weight for patients that are considered
      candidates for bariatric surgery.

PMID- 26264398
TI  - Pretreating wheat straw by the concentrated phosphoric acid plus hydrogen
      peroxide (PHP): Investigations on pretreatment conditions and structure changes.
AB  - Wheat straw was pretreated by PHP (the concentrated H3PO4 plus H2O2) to clarify
      effects of temperature, time and H3PO4 proportion on hemicellulose removal,
      delignification, cellulose recovery and enzymatic digestibility. Overall,
      hemicellulose removal was intensified by PHP comparing to the concentrated H3PO4.
      Moreover, efficient delignification specially happened in PHP pretreatment.
      Hemicellulose removal and delignification by PHP positively responded to
      temperature and time. Increasing H3PO4 proportion in PHP can promote
      hemicellulose removal, however, decrease the delignification. Maximum
      hemicellulose removal and delignification were achieved at 100% and 83.7% by PHP.
      Enzymatic digestibility of PHP-pretreated wheat straw was greatly improved by
      increasing temperature, time and H3PO4 proportion, and complete hydrolysis can be
      achieved consequently. As temperature of 30-40 degrees C, time of 2.0 h and H3PO4
      proportion of 60% were employed, more than 92% cellulose was retained in the
      pretreated wheat straw, and 29.1-32.6g glucose can be harvested from 100g wheat
      straw.

PMID- 26264399
TI  - Effects of exenatide on measures of diabetic neuropathy in subjects with type 2
      diabetes: results from an 18-month proof-of-concept open-label randomized study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Experimental studies have reported potential benefit of glucagon-like
      peptide-1(GLP-1) receptor agonists in preventing diabetic peripheral neuropathy
      (DPN). We therefore performed a proof-of-concept pilot study to evaluate the
      effect of exenatide, a GLP-1 agonist, on measures of DPN and cardiovascular
      autonomic neuropathy (CAN) in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). RESEARCH
      DESIGN AND METHODS: Forty-six T2D subjects (age 54+/-10years, diabetes duration
      8+/-5years, HbA1c 8.2+/-1.3%) with mild to moderate DPN at baseline were
      randomized to receive either twice daily exenatide (n=22) or daily insulin
      glargine (n=24). The subjects, with similar HbA1c levels, were followed for
      18months. The primary end point was the prevalence of confirmed clinical
      neuropathy (CCN). Changes in measures of CAN, other measures of small fiber
      neuropathy such as intra-epidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD), and quality of
      life were also analyzed. RESULTS: Glucose control was similar in both groups
      during the study. There were no statistically significant treatment group
      differences in the prevalence of CCN, IENFD, measures of CAN, nerve conductions
      studies, or quality of life indices. CONCLUSIONS: In this pilot study of patients
      with T2D and mild to moderate DPN, 18months of exenatide treatment had no
      significant effect on measures of neuropathy compared with glargine treatment.

PMID- 26264400
TI  - Comparison of glycemic control and variability in patients with type 2 and
      posttransplantation diabetes mellitus.
AB  - AIM: Posttransplantation diabetes mellitus (PTDM) is a common complication after
      renal transplantation leading to increased cardiovascular morbidity and
      mortality. In subjects with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) increased glycemic variability
      and poor glycemic control have been associated with cardiovascular complications.
      We therefore aimed at determining glycemic variability and glycemic control in
      subjects with PTDM in comparison to T2DM subjects. METHODS: In this observational
      study we analyzed 10 transplanted subjects without diabetes (Control), 10
      transplanted subjects with PTDM, and 8 non-transplanted T2DM subjects using
      Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM). Several indices of glycemic control quality
      and variability were computed. RESULTS: Many indices of both glycemic control
      quality and variability were different between control and PTDM subjects, with
      worse values in PTDM. The indices of glycemic control, such as glucose mean,
      GRADE and M-value, were similar in PTDM and T2DM, but some indices of glycemic
      variability, that is CONGA, lability index and shape index, showed a markedly
      higher (i.e., worse) value in T2DM than in PTDM (P value range: 0.001-0.035).
      CONCLUSIONS: Although PTDM and T2DM subjects showed similar glycemic control
      quality, glycemic variability was significantly higher in T2DM. These data
      underscore potential important pathophysiological differences between T2DM and
      PTDM indicating that increased glycemic variability may not be a key factor for
      the excess cardiovascular mortality in patients with PTDM.

PMID- 26264401
TI  - Accumulation status, sources and phytoavailability of metals in greenhouse
      vegetable production systems in Beijing, China.
AB  - The accumulation status, sources and phytoavailability of selected metals in
      greenhouse vegetable production systems in peri-urban areas of Beijing were
      investigated. The mean concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Hg and Pb in greenhouse
      soils were 8.44, 0.25, 69.0, 0.09 and 22.0 mg kg(-1), dw, respectively. According
      to principal component analysis, As, Cd, Cr and Hg are mainly from anthropogenic
      source, but Pb is likely from natural source. Metal concentrations in all
      vegetable samples were decreased in the order of Cr>As>Pb>Cd>Hg. Compared with
      root and fruit vegetables, leaf vegetables had relatively high concentrations and
      transfer factors of heavy metals, except for Cd. By including soil pH, OM and
      greenhouse soil metals, 10 empirical models were derived using stepwise multiple
      linear regression analysis to predict heavy metal concentrations in the edible
      parts of different vegetables. Among the different vegetable groups, the highest
      intakes of metals occurred through consumption of leaf vegetables for the two age
      groups, except for Cd. The HI value of the studied metals were all below 1,
      indicating that consumption of vegetables grown in greenhouse soils was of low
      risk to consumers in our study area.

PMID- 26264402
TI  - Nucleotide sequence and genome organization of a new proposed crinivirus,
      tetterwort vein chlorosis virus.
AB  - The genome of tetterwort vein chlorosis virus (TVCV) from South Korea has been
      completely sequenced. Its genomic organization resembles those of other
      criniviruses, with several new features, indicating that TVCV is a member of a
      new species in the genus Crinivirus, family Closteroviridae. RNA1 contains 8467
      nucleotides, with at least four opening reading frames (ORFs). ORF1a encodes a
      protein with predicted papain-like protease, methyltransferase, and helicase
      activities. ORF1b encodes a putative RNA-dependent RNA polymerase that is
      apparently expressed through a +1 ribosomal frameshift. RNA2 contains 8113
      nucleotides encoding at least nine proteins, similar to most crinivirus RNA2s.
      The 3' untranslated regions of the bipartite RNA genome share 82.1% nucleotide
      sequence identity.

PMID- 26264403
TI  - Nucleotide sequence and genome organization of atractylodes mottle virus, a new
      member of the genus Carlavirus.
AB  - The complete genome sequence of a member of a distinct species of the genus
      Carlavirus in the family Betaflexiviridae, tentatively named atractylodes mottle
      virus (AtrMoV), has been determined. Analysis of its genomic organization
      indicates that it has a single-stranded, positive-sense genomic RNA of 8866
      nucleotides, excluding the poly(A) tail, and consists of six open reading frames
      typical of members of the genus Carlavirus. The individual open reading frames of
      AtrMoV show moderately low sequence similarity to those of other carlaviruses at
      the nucleotide and amino acid sequence levels. Pairwise comparison and
      phylogenetic analysis suggest that AtrMoV is most closely related to
      chrysanthemum virus B. 

PMID- 26264404
TI  - Detection and genetic variation analysis of grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV)
      isolates in China.
AB  - To investigate the prevalence and genetic variation of grapevine fanleaf virus
      (GFLV) in China, 142 grapevine samples from 13 provinces and regions were tested
      using DAS-ELISA, RT-PCR, and nested RT-PCR. Of the samples, 38% tested positive
      for GFLV by DAS-ELISA, and 26.8% tested positive by RT-PCR and nested RT-PCR.
      Movement protein (MP) and coat protein (CP) gene PCR products were cloned and
      sequenced. The MP or CP nucleotide and protein sequences shared identities that
      ranged from 94.9% to 100%. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Chinese GFLV
      isolates obtained in this study were distinct from the isolates reported in
      GenBank.

PMID- 26264405
TI  - Two-Photon Sensing and Imaging of Endogenous Biological Cyanide in Plant Tissues
      Using Graphene Quantum Dot/Gold Nanoparticle Conjugate.
AB  - One main source of cyanide (CN(-)) exposure for mammals is through the plant
      consumption, and thus, sensitive and selective CN(-) detection in plants tissue
      is a significant and urgent work. Although various fluorescence probes have been
      reported for CN(-) in water and mammalian cells, the detection of endogenous
      biological CN(-) in plant tissue remains to be explored due to the high
      background signal and large thickness of plant tissue that hamper the effective
      application of traditional one-photo excitation. To address these issues, we
      developed a new two-photo excitation (TPE) nanosensor using graphene quantum dots
      (GQDs)/gold nanoparticle (AuNPs) conjugate for sensing and imaging endogenous
      biological CN(-). With the benefit of the high quenching efficiency of AuNPs and
      excellent two-photon properties of GQDs, our sensing system can achieve a low
      detection limit of 0.52 MUM and deeper penetration depth (about 400 MUm) without
      interference from background signals of a complex biological environment, thus
      realizing sensing and imaging of CN(-) in different types of plant tissues and
      even monitoring CN(-) removal in food processing. To the best of our knowledge,
      this is the first time for fluorescent sensing and imaging of CN(-) in plant
      tissues. Moreover, our design also provides a new model scheme for the
      development of two-photon fluorescent nanomaterial, which is expected to hold
      great potential for food processing and safety testing. 

PMID- 26264406
TI  - Examining the role of collaboration in studies of health information technologies
      in biomedical informatics: A systematic review of 25 years of research.
AB  - PURPOSE: Our objective was to identify and examine studies of collaboration in
      relation to the use of health information technologies (HIT) in the biomedical
      informatics field. METHODS: We conducted a systematic literature review of
      articles through PubMed searches as well as reviewing a variety of individual
      journals and proceedings. Our search period was from 1990-2015. We identified 98
      articles that met our inclusion criteria. We excluded articles that were not
      published in English, did not deal with technology, and did not focus primarily
      on individuals collaborating. RESULTS: We categorized the studies by technology
      type, user groups, study location, methodology, processes related to
      collaboration, and desired outcomes. We identified three major processes:
      workflow, communication, and information exchange and two outcomes: maintaining
      awareness and establishing common ground. Researchers most frequently studied
      collaboration within hospitals using qualitative methods. DISCUSSION: Based on
      our findings, we present the "collaboration space model", which is a model to
      help researchers study collaboration and technology in healthcare. We also
      discuss issues related to collaboration and future research directions.
      CONCLUSION: While collaboration is being increasingly recognized in the
      biomedical informatics community as essential to healthcare delivery,
      collaboration is often implicitly discussed or intertwined with other similar
      concepts. In order to evaluate how HIT affects collaboration and how we can build
      HIT to effectively support collaboration, we need more studies that explicitly
      focus on collaborative issues.

PMID- 26264408
TI  - Optogenetic dissection of neural circuitry: from synaptic causalities to blue
      prints for novel treatments of behavioral diseases.
AB  - Optogenetics has enabled the characterization of the neural circuits involved in
      brain diseases, such as addiction, depression or obsessive compulsive disorders.
      Recently, the technique has also been used to propose blueprints for novel
      treatments aiming at restoring circuit function through the reversal of specific
      forms of synaptic plasticity. Since optogenetic manipulations cannot be
      immediately translated to human use, we argue that an intermediate strategy could
      consist of emulating optogenetic protocols with deep brain stimulation (DBS).
      This translational path to rational, optogenetically inspired DBS protocols
      starts by refining existing approaches and carries the hope to expand to novel
      indications. 

PMID- 26264407
TI  - Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy: Relevance of Glutamate and GABA to
      Neuropsychology.
AB  - Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) has been widely used to study the
      healthy and diseased brain in vivo. The availability of whole body MR scanners
      with a field strength of 3 Tesla and above permit the quantification of many
      metabolites including the neurotransmitters glutamate (Glu) and gamma
      aminobutyric acid (GABA). The potential link between neurometabolites identified
      by MRS and cognition and behavior has been explored in numerous studies both in
      healthy subjects and in patient populations. Preliminary findings suggest direct
      or opposite associations between GABA or Glu with impulsivity, anxiety, and
      dexterity. This chapter is intended to provide an overview of basic principles of
      MRS and the literature reporting correlations between GABA or Glu and results of
      neuropsychological assessments.

PMID- 26264410
TI  - Telemedicine interventions for gestational diabetes mellitus: A systematic review
      and meta-analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of telemedicine on GDM service and maternal,
      and foetal outcomes. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised
      controlled trials (RCT) of telemedicine interventions for GDM was conducted. We
      searched English publications from 01/01/1990 to 31/08/2013, with further new
      publication tracking to June 2015 on MEDLINE, EMBASE, PUBMED, CINAHL, the
      Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and the World Health Organization
      International Clinical Trials Registry electronic databases. Findings are
      presented as standardised mean difference (SMD) and odds ratios (OR) or narrative
      and quantitative description of findings where meta-analysis was not possible.
      RESULTS: Our search yielded 721 abstracts. Four met the inclusion criteria; two
      publications arose from the same study, resulting in three studies for review.
      All studies compared telemedicine to usual care. Telemedicine was associated with
      significantly fewer unscheduled GDM clinic visits, SMD. Quality of life,
      glycaemic control (HbA1c, pre and postprandial blood glucose level (BGL)), and
      caesarean section rate were similar between the telemedicine and usual care
      groups. None of the studies evaluated costs. CONCLUSIONS: Telemedicine has the
      potential to streamline GDM service utilisation without compromising maternal and
      foetal outcomes. Its advantage may lie in the convenience of reducing face-to
      face and unscheduled consultations. Studies are limited and more trials that
      include cost evaluation are required.

PMID- 26264409
TI  - Variable alterations of the microbiota, without metabolic or immunological
      change, following faecal microbiota transplantation in patients with chronic
      pouchitis.
AB  - Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is effective in the treatment of
      Clostridium difficile infection, where efficacy correlates with changes in
      microbiota diversity and composition. The effects of FMT on recipient microbiota
      in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) remain unclear. We assessed the effects of
      FMT on microbiota composition and function, mucosal immune response, and clinical
      outcome in patients with chronic pouchitis. Eight patients with chronic pouchitis
      (current PDAI >=7) were treated with FMT via nasogastric administration. Clinical
      activity was assessed before and four weeks following FMT. Faecal coliform
      antibiotic sensitivities were analysed, and changes in pouch faecal and mucosal
      microbiota assessed by 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing and (1)H NMR spectroscopy.
      Lamina propria dendritic cell phenotype and cytokine profiles were assessed by
      flow cytometric analysis and multiplex assay. Following FMT, there were variable
      shifts in faecal and mucosal microbiota composition and, in some patients,
      changes in proportional abundance of species suggestive of a "healthier" pouch
      microbiota. However, there were no significant FMT-induced metabolic or
      immunological changes, or beneficial clinical response. Given the lack of
      clinical response following FMT via a single nasogastric administration our
      results suggest that FMT/bacteriotherapy for pouchitis patients requires further
      optimisation. 

PMID- 26264411
TI  - Subjective sleep impairment in adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes: Results
      from Diabetes MILES--The Netherlands.
AB  - AIMS: Despite growing recognition of the impact of sleep on diabetes, a clear
      profile of people with diabetes regarding subjective sleep impairment has yet to
      be established. This study examines: (1) subjective sleep characteristics in
      adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes; (2) the relationship of poor subjective
      sleep quality with glycaemic control, self-care and daytime functioning; (3)
      possible risk markers for poor sleep quality. METHODS: In a cross-sectional
      study, Dutch adults with type 1 (n=267) or type 2 diabetes (n=361) completed an
      online survey, including the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), socio
      demographic, clinical, self-care and psychological measures. RESULTS: Poor sleep
      quality (PSQI-score >5) was reported by 31% of adults with type 1 and 42% of
      adults with type 2 diabetes. Participants with good and poor sleep quality did
      not differ in self-reported HbA1c or the frequency of meeting lifestyle
      recommendations. Poor sleep quality was related to a higher self-care burden and
      higher levels of daytime sleepiness, fatigue, depressive and anxiety symptoms,
      and diabetes-specific distress. In multivariable logistic regression analyses
      examining risk markers, poor sleep quality was associated with depressive
      symptoms in adults with type 1 (OR=1.39, 95% CI 1.25-1.54) and type 2 diabetes
      (OR=1.31, 1.16-1.47), and with being female in those with type 2 diabetes
      (OR=2.72, 1.42-5.20). CONCLUSIONS: Poor subjective sleep quality is prevalent
      both in adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and is related to poor daytime
      functioning and higher self-care burden. The temporal relation with depression
      and merits of therapy should be explored.

PMID- 26264412
TI  - Impact of mass media on the utilization of antenatal care services among women of
      rural community in Nepal.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Antenatal care has several benefits for expecting mothers and birth
      outcomes; yet many mothers do not utilise this service in Nepal. Mass media may
      play an important role in increasing the use of antenatal care and other maternal
      health services. However, the effect of mass media on increasing health service
      utilisation has remained an under studied area in Nepal. The aim of this study
      was to investigate the impact of mass media on the utilisation of antenatal care
      services in rural Nepal. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was
      conducted in Sinurjoda Village Development Committee of Dhanusha District, Nepal.
      A total of 205 mothers of children aged under 1 year were selected using
      systematic random sampling. Logistic regression was employed to examine the
      association between selected antenatal care services and mass media exposure
      after adjusting for other independent variables. RESULTS: A majority of mothers
      were exposed to mass media. Radio was accessible to most (60.0%) of the
      participants followed by television (43.41%). Mothers exposed to mass media were
      more likely to attending antenatal visits [Odds ratio (OR) 6.28; 95% CI (1.01
      38.99)], taking rest and sleep during pregnancy [OR 2.65; 95% CI (1.13-6.26)],
      and receiving TT immunization [OR 5.12; 95% CI (1.23-21.24)] than their non
      exposed counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: The study reported a positive influence of
      mass media on the utilisation of antenatal care services in Nepal. Therefore,
      further emphasis should be given to increase awareness of women of rural Nepal
      through mass media to improve utilisation of antenatal care services in Nepal.

PMID- 26264413
TI  - In vitro degradation of pure Mg in response to glucose.
AB  - Magnesium and its alloys are promising biodegradable biomaterials but are still
      challenging to be used in person with high levels of blood glucose or diabetes.
      To date, the influence of glucose on magnesium degradation has not yet been
      elucidated, this issue requires more attention. Herein, we present pure Mg
      exhibiting different corrosion responses to saline and Hank's solutions with
      different glucose contents, and the degradation mechanism of pure Mg in the
      saline solution with glucose in comparison with mannitol as a control. On one
      hand, the corrosion rate of pure Mg increases with the glucose concentration in
      saline solutions. Glucose rapidly transforms into gluconic acid, which attacks
      the oxides of the metal and decreases the pH of the solution; it also promotes
      the absorption of chloride ions on the Mg surface and consequently accelerates
      corrosion. On the other hand, better corrosion resistance is obtained with
      increasing glucose content in Hank's solution due to the fact that glucose
      coordinates Ca(2+) ions in Hank's solution and thus improves the formation of Ca
      P compounds on the pure Mg surface. This finding will open up new avenues for
      research on the biodegradation of bio-Mg materials in general, which could yield
      many new and interesting results. 

PMID- 26264415
TI  - Economic Outcomes of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation With and Without
      Ambulation as a Bridge to Lung Transplantation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: An increasing number of centers are using active rehabilitation and
      ambulation for critically ill patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
      (ECMO) as a bridge to lung transplantation. This investigation assessed the
      economic impact at a single center of ambulatory versus non-ambulatory ECMO
      strategies as a bridge to lung transplantation. METHODS: We conducted a single
      center retrospective cohort analysis of all subjects supported with ECMO as a
      bridge to lung transplantation (N = 9) from 2007 to 2012. Subjects who were
      rehabilitated while supported with ECMO before lung transplantation were compared
      with those who were not rehabilitated during ECMO. Hospital cost data for the
      month before transplantation through 12 months after the initial post-transplant
      hospital discharge were compared. RESULTS: The median cost (interquartile range
      [IQR]) in the 30 d before transplant for the ambulatory cohort was $88,137 (IQR
      $38,589-$122,111) compared with $52,124 (IQR $23,824-$69,929) for the non
      ambulatory cohort (P = .08). The median post-transplant ICU cost for the
      ambulatory cohort was $38,468 (IQR $23,611-$64,126) compared with $143,407 (IQR
      $112,199-$168,993) for the non-ambulatory cohort (P = .01). The median total
      hospital cost for subjects supported with ambulatory ECMO was $213,086 (IQR
      $166,767-$264,536) compared with $273,291 (IQR $237,299-$374,175) for non
      ambulatory ECMO subjects (P = .05). The median total cost for the ambulatory
      cohort was $268,194 (IQR $219,972-$517,320) compared with $300,307 (IQR $274,262
      $394,913) for the non-ambulatory cohort (P = .14). CONCLUSIONS: Subjects
      supported with ambulatory ECMO had a 22% ($60,204) reduction in total hospital
      cost, 73% ($104,939) reduction in post-transplant ICU cost, and 11% ($32,133)
      reduction in total cost compared with non-ambulatory ECMO subjects. This analysis
      demonstrates the potential economic benefit of rehabilitation and ambulation
      during ECMO compared with a traditional strategy.

PMID- 26264414
TI  - Efficient enzymatic production of rebaudioside A from stevioside.
AB  - Stevioside and rebaudioside A are the chief diterpene glycosides present in the
      leaves of Stevia rebaudiana. Rebaudioside A imparts a desirable sweet taste,
      while stevioside produces a residual bitter aftertaste. Enzymatic synthesis of
      rebaudioside A from stevioside can increase the ratio of rebaudioside A to
      stevioside in steviol glycoside products, providing a conceivable strategy to
      improve the organoleptic properties of steviol glycoside products. Here, we
      demonstrate the efficient conversion of stevioside to rebaudioside A by coupling
      the activities of recombinant UDP-glucosyltransferase UGT76G1 from S. rebaudiana
      and sucrose synthase AtSUS1 from Arabidopsis thaliana. The conversion occurred
      via regeneration of UDP-glucose by AtSUS1. UDP was applicable as the initial
      material instead of UDP-glucose for UDP-glucose recycling. The amount of UDP
      could be greatly reduced in the reaction mixture. Rebaudioside A yield in 30 h
      with 2.4 mM stevioside, 7.2 mM sucrose, and 0.006 mM UDP was 78%.

PMID- 26264416
TI  - A Qualitative Exploration of Exercise Among Pulmonary Rehabilitation
      Participants: Insight From Multiple Sources of Social Influence.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Exercise training within the pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) context is
      considered the most effective strategy to reduce COPD symptoms. However,
      participation in PR and continued exercise training following program completion
      are low. Previous research examined factors related to attendance and adherence,
      but the knowledge base to date has been limited to quantitative findings that
      focus solely on participants diagnosed with COPD. In addition to quantitative
      research, exploring multiple perspectives (eg, PR participants, significant
      others, staff, and stakeholders) using qualitative research methods opens a
      window of additional understanding. The goal of this study was to obtain multiple
      perspectives on PR to gain insight into factors that affect exercise
      participation among individuals diagnosed with COPD. METHODS: A total of 26
      participants were interviewed via telephone, including 8 individuals diagnosed
      with COPD (4 men and 4 women, mean age of 67 [range of 58-77] y), 4 family
      members, 11 PR staff, and 3 community stakeholders. RESULTS: Analysis revealed 3
      themes: task self-efficacy for exercise, provision of support and encouragement,
      and perceptions of gender differences. Despite initial concerns, individuals
      diagnosed with COPD reported becoming more confident during PR and emphasized the
      importance of being supported by staff. PR staff perceived that men tended to
      approach exercise in a more eager and aggressive manner compared with women, who
      were more cautious and hesitant. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to enhancing task self
      efficacy, findings suggest that exercise participation and adherence within the
      PR environment may be improved by adopting a gender-tailored approach.

PMID- 26264417
TI  - Acute Mucociliary Clearance Response to Aerobic Exercise in Smokers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mucociliary clearance is the main defense mechanism of the
      respiratory system, and it is influenced by several stimuli, including aerobic
      exercise and cigarette smoking. We evaluated the acute response of mucociliary
      clearance to aerobic exercise in smokers and nonsmokers compared with that found
      after acute smoking and smoking combined with exercise. Also, we investigated
      whether there was a correlation between mucociliary clearance and the autonomic
      nervous system under these conditions. METHODS: Twenty-one smokers were evaluated
      for mucociliary clearance by saccharin transit time (STT), and the response of
      the autonomic nervous system was evaluated by heart rate variability after
      aerobic exercise, after exercise followed by smoking, after acute smoking, and
      after rest. For comparison, 17 nonsmokers were also assessed during exercise.
      Repeated-measures analysis of variance with the Tukey test or the Friedman test
      followed by the Dunn test was used to evaluate the STT, autonomic response, and
      other variables to exercise and/or smoking in smokers. A paired t test or
      Wilcoxon test was used to analyze responses to exercise in nonsmokers.
      Correlations were evaluated using Pearson or Spearman coefficients. RESULTS: The
      STT was reduced after exercise in both groups, with similar responses between
      them. Other stimuli also reduced the STT. The STT showed a negative correlation
      with sympathetic activity in smokers and a positive correlation with the
      parasympathetic system in nonsmokers. CONCLUSIONS: Although impaired in smokers,
      mucociliary clearance responded to the stimulus of exercise, as demonstrated by
      similar STTs compared with nonsmokers. This response was correlated with the
      autonomic nervous system in both groups. In smokers, mucociliary clearance also
      responded to the stimuli of smoking and exercise followed by smoking.

PMID- 26264418
TI  - Predicting the Outcomes of Subjects With Severe Community-Acquired Pneumonia
      Using Monocyte Human Leukocyte Antigen-DR.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The objective was to study the level of monocyte-human leukocyte
      antigen-DR (mHLA-DR), an immune function-related biomarker, at 24 h after
      admission, to predict the outcomes of subjects with severe pneumonia. METHODS:
      Subjects with severe community-acquired pneumonia (n = 102) were included in the
      study. Blood samples were collected from each subject 24 h after admission. Data
      regarding age, sex, PaO2 /FIO2, comorbidities, occurrence of altered mental
      status, bacteremia, septic shock, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation
      (APACHE) II score, and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score within
      the first 24 h; the highest temperature within 24 h after admission; mechanical
      ventilation usage; timing of antibiotic therapy; ICU stay; and 28-d survival were
      collected. Expression of mHLA-DR was measured by flow cytometry. RESULTS: APACHE
      II score and SOFA score were significantly higher (P < .001), whereas the mHLA-DR
      expression was significantly lower (P < .001) in the non-survivors than in the
      survivors. The outcomes at day 28 after admission were significantly associated
      with the APACHE II score (P = .002, odds ratio [OR] = 1.27, 95% CI 1.10-1.48),
      the SOFA score (P = .003, OR = 1.52, 95% CI 1.15-2.00), and mHLA-DR level (P =
      .01, OR = 0.91, 95% CI 0.85-0.98), as shown by logistic regression. The area
      under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.877 (95% CI 0.81-0.94, P
      < .001), 0.862 (95% CI 0.79-0.93, P < .001), and 0.781 (95% CI 0.69-0.87, P <
      .001) for APACHE II score, SOFA score, and the mHLA-DR expression, respectively.
      The optimal threshold for mHLA-DR level was 27.2%. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis
      showed that subjects with mHLA-DR >= 27.2% had significantly better outcomes
      compared with < 27.2% level (P < .001, log rank test, hazard ratio = 0.963, 95%
      CI 0.94-0.99). CONCLUSIONS: mHLA-DR may be a reliable biomarker that can predict
      the outcomes of patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia, and 27.2% may
      be the cut-off value to predict the outcomes.

PMID- 26264419
TI  - A red emitting mitochondria-targeted AIE probe as an indicator for membrane
      potential and mouse sperm activity.
AB  - In this work, a red emission AIE active mitochondrial probe is developed. It is
      the first non-self-quenching mitochondria specific probe with membrane potential
      sensitivity. Its application in sensing the membrane potential differences in
      mouse sperm cells is demonstrated. 

PMID- 26264420
TI  - Near-wall dynamics of concentrated hard-sphere suspensions: comparison of
      evanescent wave DLS experiments, virial approximation and simulations.
AB  - In this article we report on a study of the near-wall dynamics of suspended
      colloidal hard spheres over a broad range of volume fractions. We present a
      thorough comparison of experimental data with predictions based on a virial
      approximation and simulation results. We find that the virial approach describes
      the experimental data reasonably well up to a volume fraction of phi~ 0.25 which
      provides us with a fast and non-costly tool for the analysis and prediction of
      evanescent wave DLS data. Based on this we propose a new method to assess the
      near-wall self-diffusion at elevated density. Here, we qualitatively confirm
      earlier results [Michailidou, et al., Phys. Rev. Lett., 2009, 102, 068302], which
      indicate that many-particle hydrodynamic interactions are diminished by the
      presence of the wall at increasing volume fractions as compared to bulk dynamics.
      Beyond this finding we show that this diminishment is different for the particle
      motion normal and parallel to the wall. 

PMID- 26264421
TI  - How does low temperature coupled with different pressures affect initiation
      mechanisms and subsequent decompositions in nitramine explosive HMX?
AB  - We have performed ab initio molecular dynamics simulations to study coupling
      effects of temperature (534-873 K) and pressure (1-20 GPa) on the initiation
      mechanisms and subsequent chemical decompositions of nitramine explosive 1,3,5,7
      tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocane (HMX). A new initiation decomposition mechanism of
      HMX was found to be the unimolecular C-H bond breaking, and this mechanism was
      independent of the coupling effects of different temperatures and pressures. The
      formed hydrogen radicals could promote subsequent decompositions of HMX.
      Subsequent decompositions were very sensitive to the pressure at low temperatures
      (534 and 608 K), while the temperature became the foremost factor that affected
      the decomposition at a high temperature (873 K) instead of the pressure. Our
      study may provide a new insight into understanding the coupling effects of the
      temperature and pressure on the initiation decomposition mechanisms of nitramine
      explosives. 

PMID- 26264422
TI  - Field propagation-induced directionality of carrier-envelope phase-controlled
      photoemission from nanospheres.
AB  - Near-fields of non-resonantly laser-excited nanostructures enable strong
      localization of ultrashort light fields and have opened novel routes to
      fundamentally modify and control electronic strong-field processes. Harnessing
      spatiotemporally tunable near-fields for the steering of sub-cycle electron
      dynamics may enable ultrafast optoelectronic devices and unprecedented control in
      the generation of attosecond electron and photon pulses. Here we utilize
      unsupported sub-wavelength dielectric nanospheres to generate near-fields with
      adjustable structure and study the resulting strong-field dynamics via
      photoelectron imaging. We demonstrate field propagation-induced tunability of the
      emission direction of fast recollision electrons up to a regime, where nonlinear
      charge interaction effects become dominant in the acceleration process. Our
      analysis supports that the timing of the recollision process remains controllable
      with attosecond resolution by the carrier-envelope phase, indicating the
      possibility to expand near-field-mediated control far into the realm of high
      field phenomena. 

PMID- 26264423
TI  - Chemical composition and insecticidal activities of essential oils against
      diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae).
AB  - Five Himalayan plants namely, Acorus calamus, Cedrus deodara, Aegle marmelos,
      Tagetes minuta and Murraya koenigii were used for the extraction of essential
      oils through hydrodistillation and the major volatile constituents as identified
      by GC and GC-MS techniques were beta-asarone (91.1%), beta-himachalene (45.8%),
      limonene (59.5%), Z-ocimene (37.9%) and alpha-pinene (54.2%), respectively.
      Essential oils were tested for their insecticidal properties against larvae of
      diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae). Results
      showed that A. calamus was most toxic (LC50 = 0.29 mg mL(-1)) to P. xylostella
      followed by C. deodara (LC50 = 1.08 mg mL(-1)) and M. koenigii (LC50 = 1.93 mg
      mL(-1)) via residual toxicity bioassay. Per cent feeding deterrence index and
      growth inhibition was significantly higher in A. calamus (42.20 and 68.55,
      respectively) followed by C. deodara (35.41 and 52.47). In repellent activity
      studies, C. deodara showed high repellence (64.76%) followed by A. calamus
      (55.05%). 

PMID- 26264424
TI  - Isolation and structural determination of non-racemic tertiary cathinone
      derivatives.
AB  - The racemic tertiary cathinones N,N-dimethylcathinone (1), N,N-diethylcathinone
      (2) and 2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-propiophenone (3) have been prepared in reasonable
      yield and characterized using NMR and mass spectroscopy. HPLC indicates that
      these compounds are isolated as the anticipated racemic mixture. These can then
      be co-crystallized with (+)-O,O'-di-p-toluoyl-D-tartaric, (+)-O,O'-dibenzoyl-D
      tartaric and (-)-O,O'-dibenzoyl-L-tartaric acids giving the single enantiomers S
      and R respectively of 1, 2 and 3, in the presence of sodium hydroxide through a
      dynamic kinetic resolution. X-ray structural determination confirmed the
      enantioselectivity. The free amines could be obtained following basification and
      extraction. In methanol these are reasonably stable for the period of several
      hours, and their identity was confirmed by HPLC and CD spectroscopy.

PMID- 26264425
TI  - Differential effects of strength training and testosterone treatment on soluble
      CD36 in aging men: Possible relation to changes in body composition.
AB  - PURPOSE: We measured soluble CD36 (sCD36) and body composition to determine the
      effects of testosterone treatment (TT) and/or strength training (ST) on
      cardiovascular risk in men with low normal testosterone levels. METHODS: Double
      blinded, placebo-controlled study in 54 men aged 60-78 years with bioavailable
      testosterone < 7.3 nmol/L and waist > 94 cm randomized to TT (gel, 50-100 mg/day,
      n = 20), placebo (n = 18) or ST (n = 16) for 6 months. Moreover, the ST group was
      randomized to TT (ST + TT, n = 7) or placebo (ST + placebo, n = 9) after 3
      months. OUTCOMES: sCD36, total and regional fat mass were established by Dual X
      ray absorptiometry and magnetic resonance imaging. Data are presented as median
      (quartiles). Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests were performed on delta values
      at 0, 3 and 6 months. RESULTS: ST + placebo decreased sCD36 levels by 21% [from
      0.80 (0.68-1.22) to 0.63 (0.51-0.73) rel. units] vs. TT and vs. placebo (p <
      0.05). ST + placebo did not change bioavailable testosterone and lean body mass.
      Fat mass measures significantly improved during ST + placebo, ST + TT, and TT vs.
      placebo. During ST + placebo, delta sCD36 was associated with delta total fat
      mass (r = 0.81) and delta central fat mass (r = 0.84). CONCLUSIONS: Compared to
      testosterone treatment, six months of strength training reduced sCD36 levels
      suggesting decreased cardiovascular risk, possibly due to a reduction in central
      fat mass.

PMID- 26264426
TI  - Validation of a competitive ELISA assay for the quantification of human serum
      hepcidin.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hepcidin-25 is a potential marker for iron disorders with a demand
      for accessible assays. This study aimed to evaluate a commercial competitive
      enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) for hepcidin quantitation. METHODS:
      Serum samples; 95 healthy subjects (HS), six patients with iron deficiency (ID),
      84 patients with liver disorders (LD) and 220 hemodialysis patients (HD), were
      analyzed. Controls were used for imprecision, while accuracy was evaluated by
      quantitating hepcidin-25 with LC-MS/MS in 149 samples. Cross-reactivity for
      hepcidin-20 and hepcidin-22 was tested. Hepcidin-mRNA expression in 37 liver
      biopsies was measured. RESULTS: S-hepcidin ranged from 8-76 and 2-31 MUg/L in
      healthy men and women. Levels in ID, LD and HD significantly differed from HS.
      Total coefficients of variation (CV) for controls were 24% and 22%. Within-sample
      CV was 10%. Despite a good correlation with LC-MS/MS (r = 0.89), the cELISA
      showed higher values and detected hepcidin-20 and hepcidin-22. Hepcidin-mRNA
      correlated well with S-hepcidin using cELISA and LC-MS/MS (r = 0.69 and 0.64).
      CONCLUSIONS: The correlation with LC-MS/MS is good and the examined kit can
      differentiate between patient groups although it is not specific for hepcidin-25.
      Considering ELISA's capacity to readily be set up, the investigated kit can be
      applied. Specific reference ranges are required.

PMID- 26264428
TI  - ImmunExplorer (IMEX): a software framework for diversity and clonality analyses
      of immunoglobulins and T cell receptors on the basis of IMGT/HighV-QUEST
      preprocessed NGS data.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Today's modern research of B and T cell antigen receptors (the
      immunoglobulins (IG) or antibodies and T cell receptors (TR)) forms the basis for
      detailed analyses of the human adaptive immune system. For instance, insights in
      the state of the adaptive immune system provide information that is essentially
      important in monitoring transplantation processes and the regulation of immune
      suppressiva. In this context, algorithms and tools are necessary for analyzing
      the IG and TR diversity on nucleotide as well as on amino acid sequence level,
      identifying highly proliferated clonotypes, determining the diversity of the cell
      repertoire found in a sample, comparing different states of the human immune
      system, and visualizing all relevant information. RESULTS: We here present IMEX,
      a software framework for the detailed characterization and visualization of the
      state of human IG and TR repertoires. IMEX offers a broad range of algorithms for
      statistical analysis of IG and TR data, CDR and V-(D)-J analysis, diversity
      analysis by calculating the distribution of IG and TR, calculating primer
      efficiency, and comparing multiple data sets. We use a mathematical model that is
      able to describe the number of unique clonotypes in a sample taking into account
      the true number of unique sequences and read errors; we heuristically optimize
      the parameters of this model. IMEX uses IMGT/HighV-QUEST analysis outputs and
      includes methods for splitting and merging to enable the submission to this
      portal and to combine the outputs results, respectively. All calculation results
      can be visualized and exported. CONCLUSION: IMEX is an user-friendly and flexible
      framework for performing clonality experiments based on CDR and V-(D)-J
      rearranged regions, diversity analysis, primer efficiency, and various different
      visualization experiments. Using IMEX, various immunological reactions and
      alterations can be investigated in detail. IMEX is freely available for Windows
      and Unix platforms at http://bioinformatics.fh-hagenberg.at/immunexplorer/.

PMID- 26264429
TI  - External validation of a prognostic CT-based radiomic signature in oropharyngeal
      squamous cell carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is one of the fastest
      growing disease sites of head and neck cancers. A recently described radiomic
      signature, based exclusively on pre-treatment computed tomography (CT) imaging of
      the primary tumor volume, was found to be prognostic in independent cohorts of
      lung and head and neck cancer patients treated in the Netherlands. Here, we
      further validate this signature in a large and independent North American cohort
      of OPSCC patients, also considering CT artifacts. METHODS: A total of 542 OPSCC
      patients were included for which we determined the prognostic index (PI) of the
      radiomic signature. We tested the signature model fit in a Cox regression and
      assessed model discrimination with Harrell's c-index. Kaplan-Meier survival
      curves between high and low signature predictions were compared with a log-rank
      test. Validation was performed in the complete cohort (PMH1) and in the subset of
      patients without (PMH2) and with (PMH3) visible CT artifacts within the
      delineated tumor region. RESULTS: We identified 267 (49%) patients without and
      275 (51%) with visible CT artifacts. The calibration slope (beta) on the PI in a
      Cox proportional hazards model was 1.27 (H0: beta = 1, p = 0.152) in the PMH1 (n
      = 542), 0.855 (H0: beta = 1, p = 0.524) in the PMH2 (n = 267) and 1.99 (H0: beta
      = 1, p = 0.002) in the PMH3 (n = 275) cohort. Harrell's c-index was 0.628 (p =
      2.72e-9), 0.634 (p = 2.7e-6) and 0.647 (p = 5.35e-6) for the PMH1, PMH2 and PMH3
      cohort, respectively. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were significantly different
      (p < 0.05) between high and low radiomic signature model predictions for all
      cohorts. CONCLUSION: Overall, the signature validated well using all CT images as
      is, demonstrating a good model fit and preservation of discrimination. Even
      though CT artifacts were shown to be of influence, the signature had significant
      prognostic power regardless if patients with CT artifacts were included.

PMID- 26264430
TI  - Quercetin mitigates fenitrothion-induced testicular toxicity in rats.
AB  - Fenitrothion (FNT) is a widely used organophosphorus pesticide in agriculture.
      Quercetin (QR), a plant-derived flavonoid, has a free radical scavenging
      property. This study investigated the protective effect of QR on FNT-induced
      testicular toxicity in rats. Twenty-four male rats were divided into four groups.
      Group I (control) received normal saline. Group II was administered QR at the
      dose of 50 mg kg(-1) b.wt. Group III was orally administered FNT (20 mg kg(-1)
      b.wt). Group IV was gavaged FNT and QR together at the same doses. All
      administrations were performed daily by gavage and maintained for 70 days. Sperm
      parameters and histopathological changes in testes were investigated. Serum
      testosterone and luteinising hormone were estimated using radioimmunoassay kits.
      In testes, expressions of steroidogenic genes (3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase
      type 6, 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 3 and steroidogenic factor-1)
      and oxidative stress genes (catalase and superoxide dismutase) were determined
      using real-time PCR. FNT administration caused significant decreases in sperm
      count, motility and hormonal levels, a significant increase in abnormal sperm
      morphology and a significant down-regulation of steroidogenic and antioxidant
      genes in the testis. However, QR administration ameliorated FNT-induced toxic
      effects. Our results concluded that QR effectively mitigated testicular damage
      induced by FNT in rats. 

PMID- 26264431
TI  - Computer-aided diagnosis of colorectal polyp histology by using a real-time image
      recognition system and narrow-band imaging magnifying colonoscopy.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: It is necessary to establish cost-effective examinations and
      treatments for diminutive colorectal tumors that consider the treatment risk and
      surveillance interval after treatment. The Preservation and Incorporation of
      Valuable Endoscopic Innovations (PIVI) committee of the American Society for
      Gastrointestinal Endoscopy published a statement recommending the establishment
      of endoscopic techniques that practice the resect and discard strategy. The aims
      of this study were to evaluate whether our newly developed real-time image
      recognition system can predict histologic diagnoses of colorectal lesions
      depicted on narrow-band imaging and to satisfy some problems with the PIVI
      recommendations. METHODS: We enrolled 41 patients who had undergone endoscopic
      resection of 118 colorectal lesions (45 nonneoplastic lesions and 73 neoplastic
      lesions). We compared the results of real-time image recognition system analysis
      with that of narrow-band imaging diagnosis and evaluated the correlation between
      image analysis and the pathological results. RESULTS: Concordance between the
      endoscopic diagnosis and diagnosis by a real-time image recognition system with a
      support vector machine output value was 97.5% (115/118). Accuracy between the
      histologic findings of diminutive colorectal lesions (polyps) and diagnosis by a
      real-time image recognition system with a support vector machine output value was
      93.2% (sensitivity, 93.0%; specificity, 93.3%; positive predictive value (PPV),
      93.0%; and negative predictive value, 93.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Although further
      investigation is necessary to establish our computer-aided diagnosis system, this
      real-time image recognition system may satisfy the PIVI recommendations and be
      useful for predicting the histology of colorectal tumors.

PMID- 26264432
TI  - Electrosurgery in gastrointestinal endoscopy: terminology matters.

PMID- 26264433
TI  - Underwater endoscopic mucosal resection of a duodenal neuroendocrine tumor.

PMID- 26264434
TI  - A novel technique for salvaging a dislodged lumen-apposing metal stent during
      creation of an endoscopic gastrojejunostomy.

PMID- 26264435
TI  - Use of polidocanol in colon polypectomy.

PMID- 26264436
TI  - Cyst fluid: moving beyond the carcinoembryonic antigen.

PMID- 26264437
TI  - Biallelic RFX6 mutations can cause childhood as well as neonatal onset diabetes
      mellitus.
AB  - Neonatal diabetes is a highly genetically heterogeneous disorder. There are over
      20 distinct syndromic and non-syndromic forms, including dominant, recessive and
      X-linked subtypes. Biallelic truncating or mis-sense mutations in the DNA-binding
      domain of the RFX6 transcription factor cause an autosomal recessive, syndromic
      form of neonatal diabetes previously described as Mitchell-Riley syndrome. In
      all, eight cases have been reported, with the age at onset of diabetes in the
      first 2 weeks of life. Here we report two individuals born to double first
      cousins in whom intestinal atresias consistent with a diagnosis of Mitchell-Riley
      syndrome were diagnosed at birth, but in whom diabetes did not present until the
      ages of 3 and 6 years. Novel compound heterozygous RFX6 nonsense mutations
      (p.Arg726X/p.Arg866X) were identified at the 3' end of the gene. The later onset
      of diabetes in these patients may be due to incomplete inactivation of RFX6.
      Genetic testing for RFX6 mutations should be considered in patients presenting
      with intestinal atresias in the absence of neonatal diabetes. 

PMID- 26264438
TI  - Search for new loci and low-frequency variants influencing glioma risk by exome
      array analysis.
AB  - To identify protein-altering variants (PAVs) for glioma, we analysed Illumina
      HumanExome BeadChip exome-array data on 1882 glioma cases and 8079 controls from
      three independent European populations. In addition to single-variant tests we
      incorporated information on the predicted functional consequences of PAVs and
      analysed sets of genes with a higher likelihood of having a role in glioma on the
      basis of the profile of somatic mutations documented by large-scale sequencing
      initiatives. Globally there was a strong relationship between effect size and
      PAVs predicted to be damaging (P=2.29 * 10(-49)); however, these variants which
      are most likely to impact on risk, are rare (MAF<5%). Although no single variant
      showed an association which was statistically significant at the genome-wide
      threshold a number represented promising associations - BRCA2:c.9976A>T,
      p.(Lys3326Ter), which has been shown to influence breast and lung cancer risk
      (odds ratio (OR)=2.3, P=4.00 * 10(-4) for glioblastoma (GBM)) and IDH2:c.782G>A,
      p.(Arg261His) (OR=3.21, P=7.67 * 10(-3), for non-GBM). Additionally, gene burden
      tests revealed a statistically significant association for HARS2 and risk of GBM
      (P=2.20 * 10(-6)). Genome scans of low-frequency PAVs represent a complementary
      strategy to identify disease-causing variants compared with scans based on
      tagSNPs. Strategies to lessen the multiple testing burden by restricting analysis
      to PAVs with higher priors affords an opportunity to maximise study power. 

PMID- 26264439
TI  - How communication of genetic information within the family is addressed in
      genetic counselling: a systematic review of research evidence.
AB  - Supporting consultands to communicate risk information with their relatives is
      key to obtaining the full benefits of genetic health care. To understand how
      health-care professionals address this issue in clinical practice and what
      interventions are used specifically to assist consultands in their communication
      of genetic information to appropriate relatives, we conducted a systematic
      review. Four electronic databases and four subject-specific journals were
      searched for papers published, in English, between January 1997 and May 2014. Of
      2926 papers identified initially, 14 papers met the inclusion criteria for the
      review and were heterogeneous in design, setting and methods. Thematic data
      analysis has shown that dissemination of information within families is actively
      encouraged and supported by professionals. Three overarching themes emerged: (1)
      direct contact from genetic services: sending letters to relatives of mutation
      carriers; (2) professionals' encouragement of initially reluctant consultands to
      share relevant information with at-risk relatives and (3) assisting consultands
      in communicating genetic information to their at-risk relatives, which included
      as subthemes (i) psychoeducational guidance and (ii) written information aids.
      Findings suggest that professionals' practice and interventions are predicated on
      the need to proactively encourage family communication. We discuss this in the
      context of what guidance of consultands by professionals might be appropriate, as
      best practices to facilitate family communication, and of the limits to non
      directiveness in genetic counselling. 

PMID- 26264440
TI  - Plakophilin-2 c.419C>T and risk of heart failure and arrhythmias in the general
      population.
AB  - A rare genetic variant in the desmosomal gene plakophilin-2 (PKP2)
      c.419C>T(p.(S140F)) has repeatedly been identified in patients with dilated
      cardiomyopathy (DCM) and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC).
      Whether this is a disease-causing variant remains highly controversial. We tested
      this hypothesis using three approaches. Initially, in a prospective study of 10
      407 individuals from the general population, including 2688 who developed heart
      failure or arrhythmias during >14 years of follow-up, PKP2 c.419C>T was
      identified in 98 individuals (0.94%). PKP2 genotype was not associated with
      electrocardiographic or echocardiographic changes, or with plasma levels of
      probrain natriuretic peptide (all P>=0.05). In c.419C>T carriers versus non
      carriers, multifactorially adjusted hazard ratios were 1.26 (95% confidence
      interval: 0.77-2.07) for heart failure, 1.40 (0.90-2.17) for arrhythmias, 1.15
      (0.78-1.71) for end points combined, and 1.33 (0.98-1.80) for all-cause
      mortality. The cumulative survival as a function of age and PKP2 genotype was
      similar among carriers and non-carriers (P=0.14). Second, comparing 517 patients
      referred for genetic testing with 1918 matched controls, odds ratios as a
      function of c.419C>T genotype were 2.11 (0.50-8.99) for ARVC, 0.72 (0.16-3.28)
      for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)/DCM, and 1.28 (0.46-3.54) for end points
      combined. Third, in in vitro studies cellular localization of plakophilin-2,
      plakoglobin, connexin-43, or N-cadherin were similar in cells transfected with
      wild-type or mutant plakophilin-2. In conclusion, combining epidemiological data,
      with data on patients referred for genetic testing for ARVC or HCM/DCM, and data
      from in vitro studies, PKP2 c.419C>T did not associate with heart failure,
      arrhythmias, or premature death, with ARVC or HCM/DCM, or with effects in vitro,
      suggesting that this is not a disease-causing variant. 

PMID- 26264441
TI  - The circadian Clock gene regulates acrosin activity of sperm through serine
      protease inhibitor A3K.
AB  - Our previous study found that CLOCK knockdown in the testes of male mice led to a
      reduced fertility, which might be associated with the lower acrosin activity. In
      this present study, we examined the differential expression in proteins of CLOCK
      knockdown sperm. Clock gene expression was knocked down in cells to confirm those
      differentially expressions and serine protease inhibitor SERPINA3K was identified
      as a potential target. The up-regulated SERPINA3K revealed an inverse
      relationship with Clock knockdown. Direct treatment of normal sperm with
      recombinant SERPINA3K protein inhibited the acrosin activity and reduced in vitro
      fertilization rate. The luciferase reporter gene assay showed that the down
      regulated of Clock gene could activate the Serpina3k promoter, but this
      activation was not affected by the mutation of E-box core sequence. Co-IP
      demonstrated a natural interaction between SERPIAN3K and RORs (alpha and beta).
      Taken together, these results demonstrated that SERPINA3K is involved in the
      Clock gene-mediated male fertility by regulating acrosin activity and provide the
      first evidence that SERPINA3K could be regulated by Clock gene via retinoic acid
      related orphan receptor response elements. 

PMID- 26264443
TI  - Phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 contributes to phenotype
      transformation of fibroblasts in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis via multiple
      pathways.
AB  - Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and fatal disease and
      considered as a cancer-like disease. The phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted
      on chromosome 10 (PTEN) tumor suppressor has drawn attention in the pathogenesis
      of IPF. However, the role of PTEN in phenotypic transformation of lung
      fibroblasts, particularly in the migratory and invasive phenotype, is still
      elusive. Our data showed that PTEN expression was markedly reduced in both
      fibroblasts and myofibroblasts from IPF patients. Furthermore, loss of PTEN led
      to the transformation of normal fibroblasts to myofibroblasts and increased
      proliferation, apoptosis resistance, and migration/invasion activities. PTEN
      deficiency upregulated hyaluronan synthase 2 expression and thereby enhanced the
      invasion ability of fibroblasts. Cross-talk between PTEN and the transforming
      growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) pathway and PTEN reduction by hypoxia were
      observed. These findings suggest that PTEN is implicated in multiple pathways and
      plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of IPF. 

PMID- 26264442
TI  - The neuronal porosome complex in health and disease.
AB  - Cup-shaped secretory portals at the cell plasma membrane called porosomes mediate
      the precision release of intravesicular material from cells. Membrane-bound
      secretory vesicles transiently dock and fuse at the base of porosomes facing the
      cytosol to expel pressurized intravesicular contents from the cell during
      secretion. The structure, isolation, composition, and functional reconstitution
      of the neuronal porosome complex have greatly progressed, providing a molecular
      understanding of its function in health and disease. Neuronal porosomes are 15 nm
      cup-shaped lipoprotein structures composed of nearly 40 proteins, compared to the
      120 nm nuclear pore complex composed of >500 protein molecules. Membrane proteins
      compose the porosome complex, making it practically impossible to solve its
      atomic structure. However, atomic force microscopy and small-angle X-ray solution
      scattering studies have provided three-dimensional structural details of the
      native neuronal porosome at sub-nanometer resolution, providing insights into the
      molecular mechanism of its function. The participation of several porosome
      proteins previously implicated in neurotransmission and neurological disorders,
      further attest to the crosstalk between porosome proteins and their coordinated
      involvement in release of neurotransmitter at the synapse. 

PMID- 26264444
TI  - A new heterologous fibrin sealant as a scaffold to cartilage repair-Experimental
      study and preliminary results.
AB  - Autologous fibrin gel is commonly used as a scaffold for filling defects in
      articular cartilage. This biomaterial can also be used as a sealant to control
      small hemorrhages and is especially helpful in situations where tissue reparation
      capacity is limited. In particular, fibrin can act as a scaffold for various cell
      types because it can accommodate cell migration, differentiation, and
      proliferation. Despite knowledge of the advantages of this biomaterial and
      mastery of the techniques required for its application, the durability of several
      types of sealant at the site of injury remains questionable. Due to the
      importance of such data for evaluating the quality and efficiency of fibrin gel
      formulations on its use as a scaffold, this study sought to analyze the
      heterologous fibrin sealant developed from the venom of Crotalus durissus
      terrificus using studies in ovine experimental models. The fibrin gel developed
      from the venom of this snake was shown to act as a safe, stable, and durable
      scaffold for up to seven days, without causing adverse side effects. Fibrin gel
      produced from the venom of the Crotalus durissus terrificus snake possesses many
      clinical and surgical uses. It presents the potential to be used as a biomaterial
      to help repair skin lesions or control bleeding, and it may also be used as a
      scaffold when applied together with various cell types. The intralesional use of
      the fibrin gel from the venom of this snake may improve surgical and clinical
      treatments in addition to being inexpensive and adequately consistent, durable,
      and stable. The new heterologous fibrin sealant is a scaffold candidate to
      cartilage repair in this study.

PMID- 26264445
TI  - Decitabine enhances stem cell antigen-1 expression in cigarette smoke extract
      induced emphysema in animal model.
AB  - Stem cell antigen-1 (Sca-1) is a mouse glycosyl phosphatidylinositol-anchored
      protein and a cell surface marker found on hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs).
      Despite decades of study, its biological functions remain little known. Sca-1 is
      a typical marker of bone marrow-derived HSCs, it is also expressed by a mixture
      of tissue-resident stem, progenitor cells in nonhematopoietic organs. Endothelial
      progenitor cell (EPC) is a subtype of HSC and contributes to endothelial repair
      by homing in on locations of injury. Abnormal genetic methylation has been
      detected in smoking-related diseases. The present study aimed to investigate the
      lung function and histomorphology, the expression of Sca-1 gene in lung tissues,
      and bone marrow-derived EPCs in cigarette smoke extract (CSE)-induced emphysema
      mice, and to further determine whether Decitabine (Dec), the most widely used
      inhibitor of DNA methylation, could protect against the damages caused by CSE.
      The results of the present study demonstrated that Dec could partly protect
      against CSE-induced emphysema in mice, enhance Sca-1 expression in lung tissue,
      and bone marrow-derived EPCs. The results suggested that the depletion of the
      progenitor cell pool and DNA methylation of Sca-1 gene may be involved in the
      progression of emphysema in mice. 

PMID- 26264446
TI  - Increased breast cancer screening and downstaging in Colombian women: A
      randomized trial of opportunistic breast-screening.
AB  - The lack of breast cancer screening in low and middle-income countries results in
      later stage diagnosis and worsened outcomes for women. A cluster randomized trial
      was performed in Bogota, Colombia between 2008 and 2012 to evaluate effects of
      opportunistic breast cancer screening. Thirteen clinics were randomized to an
      intervention arm and 13 to a control arm. Physicians in intervention clinics were
      instructed to perform clinical breast examination on all women aged 50-69 years
      attending clinics for non-breast health issues, and then refer them for
      mammographic screening. Physicians in control clinics were not explicitly
      instructed to perform breast screening or mammography referrals, but could do so
      if they thought it indicated ("usual care"). Women were followed for 2-years
      postrandomization. 7,436 women were enrolled and 7,419 (99.8%) screened in
      intervention clinics, versus 8,419 enrolled and 1,108 (13.1%) screened in control
      clinics. Incidence ratios (IR) of early, advanced and all breast cancers were 2.9
      (95% CI 1.1-9.2), 1.0 (0.3-3.5) and 1.9 (0.9-4.1) in the first (screening) year
      of the trial, and the cumulative IR for all breast cancers converged to 1.4 (0.7
      2.8) by the end of follow-up (Year 2). Eighteen (69.2%) of 26 women with early
      stage disease had breast conservation surgery (BCS) versus 6 (42.5%) of 14 women
      with late-stage disease (p = 0.02). Fifteen (68.2%) of 22 women with breast
      cancer in the intervention group had BCS versus nine (50.0%) of 18 women in the
      control group (p = 0.34). Well-designed opportunistic clinic-based breast cancer
      screening programs may be useful for early breast cancer detection in LMICs.

PMID- 26264447
TI  - Quantifying spatial habitat loss from hydrocarbon development through assessing
      habitat selection patterns of mule deer.
AB  - Extraction of oil and natural gas (hydrocarbons) from shale is increasing rapidly
      in North America, with documented impacts to native species and ecosystems. With
      shale oil and gas resources on nearly every continent, this development is set to
      become a major driver of global land-use change. It is increasingly critical to
      quantify spatial habitat loss driven by this development to implement effective
      mitigation strategies and develop habitat offsets. Habitat selection is a
      fundamental ecological process, influencing both individual fitness and
      population-level distribution on the landscape. Examinations of habitat selection
      provide a natural means for understanding spatial impacts. We examined the impact
      of natural gas development on habitat selection patterns of mule deer on their
      winter range in Colorado. We fit resource selection functions in a Bayesian
      hierarchical framework, with habitat availability defined using a movement-based
      modeling approach. Energy development drove considerable alterations to deer
      habitat selection patterns, with the most substantial impacts manifested as
      avoidance of well pads with active drilling to a distance of at least 800 m. Deer
      displayed more nuanced responses to other infrastructure, avoiding pads with
      active production and roads to a greater degree during the day than night. In
      aggregate, these responses equate to alteration of behavior by human development
      in over 50% of the critical winter range in our study area during the day and
      over 25% at night. Compared to other regions, the topographic and vegetative
      diversity in the study area appear to provide refugia that allow deer to
      behaviorally mediate some of the impacts of development. This study, and the
      methods we employed, provides a template for quantifying spatial take by
      industrial activities in natural areas and the results offer guidance for policy
      makers, mangers, and industry when attempting to mitigate habitat loss due to
      energy development. 

PMID- 26264448
TI  - Vaping cannabis (marijuana): parallel concerns to e-cigs?
AB  - The proliferation of vaporization ('vaping') as a method for administering
      cannabis raises many of the same public health issues being debated and
      investigated in relation to e-cigarettes (e-cigs). Good epidemiological data on
      the prevalence of vaping cannabis are not yet available, but with current trends
      towards societal approval of medicinal and recreational use of cannabis, the pros
      and cons of vaping cannabis warrant study. As with e-cigs, vaping cannabis
      portends putative health benefits by reducing harm from ingesting toxic smoke.
      Indeed, vaping is perceived and being sold as a safer way to use cannabis,
      despite the lack of data on the health effects of chronic vaping. Other perceived
      benefits include better taste, more efficient and intense effects and greater
      discretion which allows for use in more places. Unfortunately, these aspects of
      vaping could prompt an increased likelihood of trying cannabis, earlier age of
      onset, more positive initial experiences, and more frequent use, thereby
      increasing the probability of problematic use or addiction. Sales and marketing
      of vaping devices with no regulatory guidelines, especially related to
      advertising or product development targeting youth, parallels concerns under
      debate related to e-cigs and youth. Thus, the quandary of whether or not to
      promote vaping as a safer method of cannabis administration for those wishing to
      use cannabis, and how to regulate vaping and vaping devices, necessitates
      substantial investigation and discussion. Addressing these issues in concert with
      efforts directed towards e-cigs may save time and energy and result in a more
      comprehensive and effective public health policy on vaping. 

PMID- 26264449
TI  - Drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia associated with anti-carboplatin and the
      first example of anti-paclitaxel.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Combined chemotherapy with carboplatin and paclitaxel is first-line
      treatment for lung and ovarian cancer. Drug-induced antibodies to carboplatin are
      rare but can cause severe, even fatal, hemolysis. Paclitaxel-induced immune
      hemolysis has not been reported. We describe a case of immune-mediated hemolysis
      associated with antibodies to carboplatin and paclitaxel in a woman with ovarian
      cancer who had received multiple chemotherapeutic agents over 7 years, including
      several courses of these two drugs. She required many transfusions. During a
      chemotherapy infusion the patient became hypotensive, was pale, and had rigors
      and red urine. The nadir hematocrit was 12.4%; peak bilirubin and lactate
      dehydrogenase were 16.3 mg/dL and 1188 units/L, respectively. STUDY DESIGN AND
      METHODS: Blood samples collected within hours after chemotherapy and 2 days later
      were tested for antibodies to carboplatin and paclitaxel. RESULTS: The direct
      antiglobulin test was positive with anti-IgG (3+) and anti-C3 (2+). The plasma
      collected shortly after chemotherapy agglutinated carboplatin-treated red blood
      cells (RBCs); untreated and paclitaxel-treated RBCs both reacted at the
      antiglobulin test most likely due to circulating carboplatin, paclitaxel, or both
      drugs. Serum collected 2 days later agglutinated (titer 2) and sensitized (titer
      128) carboplatin-treated RBCs; untreated and paclitaxel-treated RBCs were
      nonreactive. An acid eluate reacted weakly in the presence of polyethylene glycol
      with carboplatin-treated RBCs. The serum reacted with untreated and enzyme
      treated RBCs in the presence of soluble carboplatin and paclitaxel. CONCLUSION:
      Anti-carboplatin and the first example of anti-paclitaxel were detected in this
      patient's sample.

PMID- 26264450
TI  - Risk factors associated with lambing traits.
AB  - The objective of this study was to establish the risk factors associated with
      both lambing difficulty and lamb mortality in the Irish sheep multibreed
      population. A total of 135 470 lambing events from 42 675 ewes in 839 Irish
      crossbred and purebred flocks were available. Risk factors associated with
      producer-scored ewe lambing difficulty score (scale of one (no difficulty) to
      four (severe difficulty)) were determined using linear mixed models. Risk factors
      associated with the logit of the probability of lamb mortality at birth (i.e.
      binary trait) were determined using generalised estimating equations. For each
      dependent variable, a series of simple regression models were developed as well
      as a multiple regression model. In the simple regression models, greater lambing
      difficulty was associated with quadruplet bearing, younger ewes, of terminal
      breed origin, lambing in February; for example, first parity ewes experienced
      greater (P7.0 kg) birth weights, quadruplet born lambs and lambs that experienced
      a more difficult lambing (predicted probability of death for lambs that required
      severe and veterinary assistance of 0.15 and 0.32, respectively); lambs from dual
      purpose breeds and born to younger ewes were also at greater risk of mortality.
      In the multiple regression model, the association between ewe parity, age at
      first lambing, year of lambing and lamb mortality no longer persisted. The trend
      in solutions of the levels of each fixed effect that remained associated with
      lamb mortality in the multiple regression model, did not differ from the trends
      observed in the simple regression models although the differential in relative
      risk between the different lambing difficulty scores was greater in the multiple
      regression model. Results from this study show that many common flock- and animal
      level factors are associated with both lambing difficulty and lamb mortality and
      management of different risk category groups (e.g. scanned litter sizes, ewe age
      groups) can be used to appropriately manage the flock at lambing to reduce their
      incidence. 

PMID- 26264451
TI  - A Review of Diabetes Mellitus and Exposure to the Environmental Toxicant Cadmium
      with an Emphasis on Likely Mechanisms of Action.
AB  - There is increasing interest in how exposure to environmental substances can
      contribute to the onset of Type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Impaired insulin
      release is a hallmark of type I diabetes mellitus and is involved in the
      progression of T2DM. Both epidemiological and experimental studies show that
      exposure to the environmental pollutant cadmium (Cd), is associated with
      hyperglycemia, T2DM and reduced serum insulin. The goal of this review is to
      examine likely mechanisms of action of Cd-induced dysglycemia based on
      experimental studies in the literature and from the most recent findings in the
      Edwards lab. The primary focus of this review will examine how Cd may cause islet
      dysfunction and subsequent impaired insulin release. Recent findings in the
      Edwards lab indicate that Cd causes timedependent and statistically significant
      changes in fasting leptin, Glucose-dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide (GIP) and
      pancreas polypeptide hormone levels in a subchronic animal model of Cd-induced
      hyperglycemia. This review summarizes the most likely cellular mechanisms by
      which the ubiquitous environmental contaminant Cd disrupts glucose homeostasis.
      While individual cellular effects of Cd are reviewed it is likely that no one
      single mechanism is involved, rather multiple mechanisms exist and work
      synergistically resulting in islet dysfunction and ultimately dysglycemia. 

PMID- 26264452
TI  - Liver transplant recipients and prioritization of anti-HCV therapy: an Italian
      cohort analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: In patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV), recurrence of
      infection after liver transplant (LT) is universal and associated with worst
      survival. We present the results of an Italian cohort to compare the 3-year
      outcome of HCV-Ab-positive and HCV-Ab-negative LT recipients and to assess the
      potential interaction between HCV-Ab sero-status and other risk factors for LT
      failure. METHODS: The study is a multicentre cohort including a sample of liver
      transplant centres. Participant's information was collected at the local level.
      The best functional form of variables was decided according to the objective
      methods based on information theory. Association between transplant failure and
      potential risk factors was assessed in univariate and multivariate Poisson
      regression model with random intercept. RESULTS: Between June 2007 and May 2009,
      1164 LT recipients were enrolled in 16 Italian transplant centres, of them 275
      (23.63%) experienced LT failure. Incidence rates of LT failure was 0.32 and 0.23
      per 1000 person-days in HCV-Ab-positive and HCV-Ab-negative recipients
      respectively (P = 0.003). Inferential models according to Akaike information
      criterion indicated that donor-recipient age difference and donor-recipient sex
      matching were more informative to predict LT failure than the age and the sex as
      separate variables. Multivariate analysis provided evidence that HCV-Ab sero
      status, time after LT, donor-recipient age difference, donor-recipient sex
      matching and recipient's MELD score were significantly associated with LT
      failure. Moreover, the effect of HCV-Ab sero-status on LT failure was modified by
      the simultaneous action of time after LT and donor-recipient age difference. No
      interaction was found between recipient's HCV-Ab sero-status and either
      recipient's MELD or donor-recipient sex matching. CONCLUSION: In view of the
      imminent introduction of new anti-HCV therapies, our study provides information
      to assess which LT recipients should be prioritized for receiving these highly
      effective, but expensive, new treatments. This is particularly relevant for those
      clinical settings where healthcare prioritization is endorsed by national
      authorities.

PMID- 26264453
TI  - Developing educational competencies for dissemination and implementation research
      training programs: an exploratory analysis using card sorts.
AB  - BACKGROUND: With demand increasing for dissemination and implementation (D&I)
      training programs in the USA and other countries, more structured, competency
      based, and tested curricula are needed to guide training programs. There are many
      benefits to the use of competencies in practice-based education such as the
      establishment of rigorous standards as well as providing an additional metrics
      for development and growth. As the first aim of a D&I training grant, an
      exploratory study was conducted to establish a new set of D&I competencies to
      guide training in D&I research. METHODS: Based upon existing D&I training
      literature, the leadership team compiled an initial list of competencies. The
      research team then engaged 16 additional colleagues in the area of D&I science to
      provide suggestions to the initial list. The competency list was then
      additionally narrowed to 43 unique competencies following feedback elicited from
      these D&I researchers. Three hundred additional D&I researchers were then invited
      via email to complete a card sort in which the list of competencies were sorted
      into three categories of experience levels. Participants had previous first-hand
      experience with D&I or knowledge translation training programs in the past.
      Participants reported their self-identified D&I expertise level as well as the
      country in which their home institution is located. A mean score was calculated
      for each competency based on their experience level categorization. From these
      mean scores, beginner-, intermediate-, and advanced-level tertiles were created
      for the competencies. RESULTS: The card sort request achieved a 41 % response
      rate (n = 124). The list of 43 competencies was organized into four broad domains
      and sorted based on their experience level score. Eleven competencies were
      classified into the "Beginner" category, 27 into "Intermediate," and 5 into
      "Advanced." CONCLUSIONS: Education and training developers can use this
      competency list to formalize future trainings in D&I research, create more
      evidence-informed curricula, and enable overall capacity building and
      accompanying metrics in the field of D&I training and research.

PMID- 26264454
TI  - Hip range-of-motion (ROM) is less than normal after rotational acetabular
      osteotomy for developmental dysplasia of the hip: A simulated ROM analysis.
AB  - The optimal reorientation of the acetabulum for developmental dysplasia of the
      hip (DDH) is unknown in terms of hip range-of-motion (ROM). The simulated ROMs of
      52 DDHs after rotational acetabular osteotomy (RAO) with several patterns of
      femoral head coverage and those of 73 normal hips were analyzed using computer
      models reconstructed from CT images. After RAO with a lateral center edge angle
      (LCEA) of 30 degrees  and an anterior center edge angle (ACEA) of 55 degrees 
      producing coverage similar to that of normal hips, the maximal flexion and
      maximal internal rotation at 110 degrees  flexion with 20 degrees  adduction were
      significantly smaller than those of the normal group. To achieve ROMs after RAO
      similar to those of the normal group, an LCEA of 30 degrees  with an ACEA of 45
      degrees , an LCEA of 25 degrees  with an ACEA of 45 degrees  to 50 degrees , and
      an LCEA of 20 degrees  with an ACEA of 50 degrees  could be preferred angles to
      target, even though they provided smaller coverage than that of normal hips.
      After RAO producing femoral head coverage similar to that of normal hips, the
      maximal flexion and the maximal internal rotation at 110 degrees  flexion with 20
      degrees  adduction were significantly smaller than those of the normal group.

PMID- 26264455
TI  - Faecal microbiota transplant for recurrent Clostridium difficile infection using
      long-term frozen stool is effective: clinical efficacy and bacterial viability
      data.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Faecal microbial transplant (FMT) for recurrent Clostridium difficile
      infection (rCDI) is greatly facilitated by frozen stool banks. However, the
      effect of frozen storage of stool for greater than 2 months on the viability of
      stool bacteria is unknown and the efficacy of FMT is not clear. AIM: To evaluate
      the viability of bacteria in stool frozen for up to 6 months, and the clinical
      efficacy of FMT with stool frozen for 2-10 months, for the treatment of rCDI.
      METHODS: Viability of six representative groups of faecal bacteria after 2 and 6
      months of storage at -80  degrees C, in normal saline (NS) or 10% glycerol were
      assessed by culture on plate media. The clinical outcomes of 16 consecutive
      patients with rCDI treated with aliquots of stool frozen in 10% glycerol and
      stored for 2-10 months were also examined. RESULTS: Viability at both 2 and 6
      months was similar to baseline, in specimens stored in 10% glycerol and at 2
      months in stool stored in NS, but was reduced by >1 log at 6 months for Aerobes
      (P < 0.01), total Coliforms (P < 0.01) and Lactobacilli (P < 0.01) in NS. Using
      stool frozen for 2-10 months in 10% glycerol, the cure rate for rCDI was 88% with
      one FMT and 100% after repeat FMT in those who relapsed. CONCLUSION: Stool for
      faecal microbial transplant to treat rCDI can be safely stored frozen in 10%
      glycerol for at least 6 months without loss of clinical efficacy or viability in
      the six bacterial groups tested.

PMID- 26264456
TI  - Scrub Typhus (Tsutsugamushi Disease) Presenting as Fever with an Eschar.

PMID- 26264457
TI  - Improving maternal nutrition for better pregnancy outcomes.
AB  - Much has been learned during the past several decades about the role of maternal
      nutrition in the outcome of pregnancy. While the bulk of the data is derived from
      animal models, human observations are gradually accumulating. There is need to
      improve maternal nutrition because of the high neonatal mortality rate especially
      in developing countries. The author used a conceptual framework which took both
      primary and secondary factors into account when interpreting study findings.
      Nutrition plays a vital role in reducing some of the health risks associated with
      pregnancy such as risk of fetal and infant mortality, intra-uterine growth
      retardation, low birth weight and premature births, decreased birth defects,
      cretinism, poor brain development and risk of infection. Adequate nutrition is
      essential for a woman throughout her life cycle to ensure proper development and
      prepare the reproductive life of the woman. Pregnant women require varied diets
      and increased nutrient intake to cope with the extra needs during pregnancy. Use
      of dietary supplements and fortified foods should be encouraged for pregnant
      women to ensure adequate supply of nutrients for both mother and foetus. The
      author concludes that nutrition education should be a core component of Mother
      and Child Health Clinics and every opportunity should be utilised to give
      nutrition education on appropriate diets for pregnant women. 

PMID- 26264459
TI  - Letter to the Editor: Essential Surgery: The Way Forward.

PMID- 26264458
TI  - Changes in the Surgical Management of Parastomal Hernias Over 15 Years: Results
      of 135 Cases.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Over the years, various open and laparoscopic approaches toward the
      repair of parastomal hernias (PSH) have been described. The variety of published
      techniques itself can be seen as an indicator for the often low level of
      satisfaction reached with the surgical procedures. METHODS: From January 1999 to
      January 2014, we assessed all cases of PSH repair performed at the three
      participating surgical departments in a retrospective analysis. The results were
      evaluated with regard to different surgical techniques focusing on complications
      and recurrences. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-five individuals could be
      included in the analysis. They were operated on with eight different surgical
      techniques. Laparoscopic procedures were carried out in 46.7 % (63/135) of the
      cases. Median follow-up was 54 months (12-146 months). We found 44 cases of
      recurrence (32.6 %) and 24 (17.8 %) of the patients experienced perioperative
      complications and 12 of them needed to return to theater. Fourteen of the 135
      patients (10.4 %) were operated as emergency cases which were associated with a
      mortality of 28.6 % (4/14). In case of elective PSH repair, no mortality occured.
      CONCLUSION: The results achieved by direct suture or the use of incised flat
      meshes for the repair of PSH were poor with these procedures having unacceptably
      high recurrence rates. With regard to the latter ostomy revision through three
      dimensional funnel-shaped meshes and the laparoscopic sandwich technique showed
      the best results. Emergency procedures were linked to a dramatic increase in
      morbidity and mortality (p < 0.001).

PMID- 26264460
TI  - Expanding the Molecular and Clinical Phenotype of SSR4-CDG.
AB  - Congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG) are a group of mostly autosomal
      recessive disorders primarily characterized by neurological abnormalities.
      Recently, we described a single CDG patient with a de novo mutation in the X
      linked gene, Signal Sequence Receptor 4 (SSR4). We performed whole-exome
      sequencing to identify causal variants in several affected individuals who had
      either an undifferentiated neurological disorder or unsolved CDG of unknown
      etiology based on abnormal transferrin glycosylation. We now report eight
      affected males with either de novo (4) or inherited (4) loss of function
      mutations in SSR4. Western blot analysis revealed that the mutations caused a
      complete loss of SSR4 protein. In nearly all cases, the abnormal glycosylation of
      serum transferrin was only slightly above the accepted normal cutoff range. 

PMID- 26264461
TI  - Involvement of Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) and bone morphogenetic
      protein-binding endothelial cell precursor-derived regulator (BMPER) in high
      glucose-increased alkaline phosphatase expression and activity in human coronary
      artery smooth muscle cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Vascular calcification is an independent risk factor for
      cardiovascular disease. Diabetes mellitus increases the incidence of vascular
      calcification; however, detailed molecular mechanisms of vascular calcification
      in diabetes mellitus remain unknown. We recently reported that bone morphogenetic
      protein-binding endothelial cell precursor-derived regulator (BMPER) regulates
      osteoblast-like trans-differentiation of human coronary artery smooth muscle
      cells (HCASMCs). METHODS: We investigated the effect of a hydroxymethylglutaryl
      coenzyme A reductase inhibitor (statin), commonly used in patients with
      atherosclerotic diseases and diabetes mellitus, on alkaline phosphatase (ALP)
      mRNA expression in aortas of streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. We also
      investigated the effects of the statin, Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK)
      inhibitors and BMPER knockdown on ALP mRNA expression and activity in HCASMCs
      cultured in high glucose-containing media. RESULTS: Alkaline phosphatase mRNA
      expression was increased in aortas of streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice, and
      the increase was inhibited by rosuvastatin. ALP mRNA expression and activity were
      increased in HCASMCs cultured in high glucose-containing media, and the increases
      were suppressed by rosuvastatin. This suppression was reversed by the addition of
      mevalonate or geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate, but not farnesyl pyrophosphate. High
      glucose-increased ALP mRNA expression and activity were suppressed by ROCK
      inhibitors. Moreover, BMPER mRNA expression was increased in diabetic mouse
      aortas and in HCASMCs cultured in high glucose-containing media, but was not
      inhibited by rosuvastatin or ROCK inhibitors. Knockdown of BMPER suppressed high
      glucose-increased ALP activity, but not ROCK activity in HCASMCs. CONCLUSIONS:
      There are at least two independent pathways in high glucose-induced ALP
      activation in HCASMCs: the Rho-ROCK signaling pathway and the BMPER-dependent
      pathway.

PMID- 26264463
TI  - An unusual cause of overt gastrointestinal bleeding in a malnourished child.
AB  - Trichuris trichiura (T. Trichiura) is a known parasite infestation among tropical
      children. Humans acquire Trichuriasis infection after ingestion of embryonated
      eggs via contaminated food or water. Most of them are asymptomatic. A severe form
      of trichuris infestation is known as Trichuris dysentery syndrome (TDS). It
      manifests as mucous diarrhoea, bleeding, malnutrition and stunting, or even life
      threatening anaemia. We are reporting an interesting case of a 7-year-old girl
      who presented with bloody diarrhoea for 2 years. Her growth was stunted as she
      was not gaining weight. Severe inflammatory bowel disease was suspected
      clinically. Physical examination revealed marked pallor, pedal oedema and
      koilonychia along with sparse and hypopigmented hair. On evaluationT.
      Trichiurahelminths were seen on stool examination and massive worm load was
      visualised directly on colonoscopy. A diagnosis of TDS was made. She was
      successfully treated with oral Albendazole (400 mg) and blood transfusion.

PMID- 26264462
TI  - Expression of miR-296-5p as predictive marker for radiotherapy resistance in
      early-stage laryngeal carcinoma.
AB  - PURPOSE: Definitive radiation therapy is the mainstay of treatment for early
      stage laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). However, up to 30% of the
      patients do not respond to radiotherapy. Unfortunately, we are unable to predict
      which tumors are likely to respond to radiation, and which will be resistant and
      persist. Therefore, the development of novel markers to predict response to
      radiotherapy is urgently needed. This study was designed to evaluate the
      expression pattern of microRNAs (miRNAs) in LSCC in order to identify markers
      capable of segregating radioresistant and radiosensitive tumors and to
      investigate the relationship between the expression of these miRNAs and the
      prognosis of LSCC. METHODS: The expression profile of 667 miRNAs was determined
      in an initial screening of nine early-stage LSCC samples (5 radioresistant and 4
      radiosensitive) using TaqMan Low-Density Array (TLDA). Real-time polymerase chain
      reactions were performed to validate the expression of selected miRNAs in an
      expanded LSCC cohort (20 radioresistant and 14 radiosensitive). The miRNA
      expression level was scored as high or low based on the median of the expression
      in the LSCC samples. RESULTS: A comprehensive miRNA expression profiling enabled
      the identification of four miRNAs (miR-296-5p miR-452, miR-183* and miR-200c)
      differentially expressed in radioresistant LSCC. Moreover, the analysis of
      additional 34 LSCC samples, confirmed the expression of miR-296-5p as
      significantly related to radioresistance (p = 0.002) as well as an association of
      this marker with recurrence (p = 0.025) in early stage laryngeal cancer.
      CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that miR-296-5p expression is associated with
      resistance to radiotherapy and tumor recurrence in early stage LSCC, showing the
      feasibility of this marker as a novel prognostic factor for this malignance.
      Furthermore, miR-296-5p expression could be helpful in the identification of
      tumors resistant to radiotherapy; thus aiding the clinicians in the choice of the
      best therapeutic scheme to be used in each case.

PMID- 26264464
TI  - 'Splitting versus lumping': Temple-Baraitser and Zimmermann-Laband Syndromes.
AB  - KCNH1 mutations have recently been described in six individuals with Temple
      Baraitser syndrome (TMBTS) and six individuals with Zimmermann-Laband syndrome
      (ZLS). TMBTS is characterized by intellectual disability (ID), epilepsy,
      dysmorphic facial features, broad thumbs and great toes with absent/hypoplastic
      nails. ZLS is characterized by facial dysmorphism including coarsening of the
      face and a large nose, gingival enlargement, ID, hypoplasia of terminal phalanges
      and nails and hypertrichosis. In this study, we present four additional unrelated
      individuals with de novo KCNH1 mutations from ID cohorts. We report on a novel
      recurrent pathogenic KCNH1 variant in three individuals and add a fourth
      individual with a previously TMBTS-associated KCNH1 variant. Neither TMBTS nor
      ZLS was suspected clinically. KCNH1 encodes a voltage-gated potassium channel,
      which is not only highly expressed in the central nervous system, but also seems
      to play an important role during development. Clinical evaluation of our mutation
      positive individuals revealed that one of the main characteristics of TMBTS/ZLS,
      namely the pronounced nail hypoplasia of the great toes and thumbs, can be mild
      and develop over time. Clinical comparison of all published KCNH1 mutation
      positive individuals revealed a similar facial but variable limb phenotype. KCNH1
      mutation-positive individuals present with severe ID, neonatal hypotonia,
      hypertelorism, broad nasal tip, wide mouth, nail a/hypoplasia, a proximal
      implanted and long thumb and long great toes. In summary, we show that the
      phenotypic variability of individuals with KCNH1 mutations is more pronounced
      than previously expected, and we discuss whether KCNH1 mutations allow for
      "lumping" or for "splitting" of TMBTS and ZLS.

PMID- 26264465
TI  - Factor analyses of an Adult Epilepsy Self-Management Measurement Instrument
      (AESMMI).
AB  - The purpose of this study was to test the psychometric properties of an enhanced
      Adult Epilepsy Self-Management Measurement Instrument (AESMMI). An instrument of
      113 items, covering 10 a priori self-management domains, was generated through a
      multiphase process, based on a review of the literature, validated epilepsy and
      other chronic condition self-management scales and expert input. Reliability and
      exploratory factor analyses were conducted on data collected from 422 adults with
      epilepsy. The instrument was reduced to 65 items, converging on 11 factors:
      Health-care Communication, Coping, Treatment Management, Seizure Tracking, Social
      Support, Seizure Response, Wellness, Medication Adherence, Safety, Stress
      Management, and Proactivity. Exploratory factors supported the construct validity
      for 6 a priori domains, albeit with significant changes in the retained items or
      in their scope and 3 new factors. One a priori domain was split in 2 subscales
      pertaining to treatment. The configuration of the 11 factors provides additional
      insight into epilepsy self-management behaviors. Internal consistency reliability
      of the 65-item instrument was high (alpha=.935). Correlations with independent
      measures of health status, quality of life, depression, seizure severity, and
      life impact of epilepsy further validated the instrument. This instrument shows
      potential for use in research and clinical settings and for assessing
      intervention outcomes and self-management behaviors in adults with epilepsy. 

PMID- 26264467
TI  - Impact of disease management programs on women with breast cancer in Germany.
AB  - The aim of the study was to analyze the impact of disease management programs
      (DMPs) on adherence in women with breast cancer (BC) in Germany. Data on 4915 BC
      patients [1874 DMP and 3041 standard care (SC)] who started hormone therapy
      between 2008 and 2013 in 234 gynecological practices in Germany were analyzed
      retrospectively. The primary outcome measure was the rate of discontinuation of
      hormone therapy within 3 years of the start of treatment. Discontinuation of
      therapy was defined as a period of at least 90 days without treatment. A
      multivariate Cox regression model was created to determine the effect of DMPs on
      the risk of discontinuation. Region (western vs. eastern Germany), patient age,
      and concomitant diagnoses (depression, osteoporosis, thrombosis, and diabetes)
      were included as covariates. There was a significant difference between DMPs and
      SC in terms of age (63 +/- 12 years vs. 64 +/- 12 years, p value = 0.0012) and
      region (79.2% of patients living in western Germany vs. 88.6%, p value < 0.0001),
      but not initial therapy (51.8% vs. 52%, p value = 0.8696). Depression was also
      more common in patients in DMPs than those in SC (26.8% vs. 17.3%, p value <
      0.0001). Within 3 years of therapy initiation, 32.7% of DMP patients and 39.6% of
      SC patients had discontinued their treatment (p < 0.001). Women with BC who were
      enrolled in a DMP had a lower risk of discontinuing therapy (HR = 0.91, 95% CI:
      0.85-0.98, p value = 0.0092). This risk was also slightly higher in western
      Germany (HR = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.02-1.24, p value = 0.0143). Involvement in DMPs has
      a positive impact on the adherence of BC patients.

PMID- 26264466
TI  - Third International Congress on Epilepsy, Brain, and Mind: Part 2.
AB  - Epilepsy is both a disease of the brain and the mind. Here, we present the second
      of two papers with extended summaries of selected presentations of the Third
      International Congress on Epilepsy, Brain and Mind (April 3-5, 2014; Brno, Czech
      Republic). Humanistic, biologic, and therapeutic aspects of epilepsy,
      particularly those related to the mind, were discussed. The extended summaries
      provide current overviews of epilepsy, cognitive impairment, and treatment,
      including brain functional connectivity and functional organization; juvenile
      myoclonic epilepsy; cognitive problems in newly diagnosed epilepsy; SUDEP
      including studies on prevention and involvement of the serotoninergic system;
      aggression and antiepileptic drugs; body, mind, and brain, including pain,
      orientation, the "self-location", Gourmand syndrome, and obesity; euphoria,
      obsessions, and compulsions; and circumstantiality and psychiatric comorbidities.

PMID- 26264468
TI  - The effects of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents on the short-term and long-term
      survivals in metastatic breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy: a SEER
      population-based study.
AB  - Current clinical guidelines state that the use of erythropoiesis-stimulating
      agents (ESAs) may be considered to treat chemotherapy-induced anemia in the non
      curative setting to alleviate anemia-related symptoms. However, no convincing
      survival benefit has been demonstrated to support the use of ESAs in these
      patients. Using the comprehensive data collected in the National Cancer Institute
      (NCI)-surveillance epidemiology and end results (SEER) and Medicare-linked
      database, we analyzed the effect of ESA use on the short-term (18-month) and long
      term (60-month) survival rates of chemotherapy-treated metastatic breast cancer
      patients. Confounding variables were adjusted using a propensity score approach.
      We also analyzed the effects of ESA on the survival of patients receiving
      trastuzumab, a commonly prescribed targeted therapy agent in treating HER2
      positive tumors. Metastatic breast cancer patients who received ESA treatment
      exhibited similar 60-month survival rate to those without ESA treatment (22.8 vs.
      24.9%, p = 0.8). ESA-treated patients had a trend toward better 18-month survival
      [crude hazard ratio (HR) 0.86, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.68-1.09, p =
      0.21]. This protective effect during the first 18 months of chemotherapy became
      marginally significant after adjusting for the propensity of receiving ESAs (HR
      0.80, 95% CI 0.63-1.01, p = 0.070). An interaction effect between ESA and
      trastuzumab on patient survival was noticeable but not statistically significant.
      ESAs did not negatively affect the long-term survival of metastatic breast cancer
      patients. Moreover, ESAs improved patients' survival during the first 18 months
      of chemotherapy treatment. These findings endorse the current clinical guideline.
      Given the short survival of these patients, the potential short-term beneficial
      effects of ESAs are clinically meaningful.

PMID- 26264469
TI  - Complex fibroadenoma and breast cancer risk: a Mayo Clinic Benign Breast Disease
      Cohort Study.
AB  - The purpose of this study is to examine the breast cancer risk overall among
      women with simple fibroadenoma or complex fibroadenoma and to examine the
      association of complex fibroadenoma with breast cancer through stratification of
      other breast cancer risks. The study included women aged 18-85 years from the
      Mayo Clinic Benign Breast Disease Cohort who underwent excisional breast biopsy
      from 1967 through 1991. Within this cohort, women who had fibroadenoma were
      compared to women who did not have fibroadenoma. Breast cancer risk (observed
      versus expected) across fibroadenoma levels was assessed through standardized
      incidence ratios (SIRs) by using age- and calendar-stratified incidence rates
      from the Iowa Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registry. Analyses were
      performed overall, within subgroups of involution status, with other demographic
      characteristics (age, year of biopsy, indication for biopsy, and family history),
      and with histologic characteristics, including overall impression
      [nonproliferative disease, proliferative disease without atypia (PDWA), or
      atypical hyperplasia]. Fibroadenoma was identified in 2136 women [noncomplex,
      1835 (85.9%); complex, 301 (14.1%)]. SIR for noncomplex fibroadenoma was 1.49
      (95% CI 1.26-1.74); for complex fibroadenoma, it was 2.27 (95% CI 1.63-3.10)
      (test for heterogeneity in SIR, P = .02). However, women with complex
      fibroadenoma were more likely to have other, concomitant high-risk histologic
      characteristics (e.g., incomplete involution and PDWA). In analyses stratified by
      involution status and PDWA, complex fibroadenoma was not an independent risk
      marker for breast cancer. Complex fibroadenoma does not confer increased breast
      cancer risk beyond other established histologic characteristics.

PMID- 26264471
TI  - Impact of fecal immunochemical test-based screening programs on proximal and
      distal colorectal cancer surgery rates: A natural multiple-baseline experiment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening programs based on the fecal
      immunochemical test (FIT) were found to reduce overall CRC surgery rates, but to
      the authors' knowledge data by subsite are lacking. The objective of the current
      study was to assess the impact of FIT-based screening on proximal and distal CRC
      surgical resection rates. METHODS: The Veneto region in Italy can be subdivided
      into 3 areas with staggered introduction of FIT-based screening programs: early
      (2002-2004), intermediate (2005-2007), and late (2008-2009) areas. Time series of
      proximal and distal CRC surgery were investigated in the 3 populations between
      2001 and 2012 by Joinpoint regression analysis and segmented Poisson regression
      models. RESULTS: The impact of screening was similar in the study populations.
      Rates of distal CRC surgical resection were stable before screening, increased at
      the time of screening implementation (rate ratio [RR], 1.25; 95% confidence
      interval [95% CI], 1.14-1.37), and thereafter declined by 10% annually (RR, 0.90;
      95% CI, 0.88-0.92). Rates of proximal CRC surgical resection increased by 4%
      annually before screening (RR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.03-1.05) but, after a peak at the
      time of screening initiation, the trend was reversed. The percentage represented
      by proximal CRC surgery rose from 28% in 2001 to 41% in 2012. CONCLUSIONS: In
      this natural multiple-baseline experiment, consistent findings across each time
      series demonstrated that FIT-based screening programs have an impact both on
      proximal and distal CRC surgery rates. However, underlying preexisting
      epidemiological trends are leading to a rapidly increasing percentage of proximal
      CRC.

PMID- 26264470
TI  - Which field walking test should be used to assess functional exercise capacity in
      lung cancer? An observational study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is emerging evidence regarding the efficacy of exercise
      training to improve exercise capacity for individuals with non-small cell lung
      cancer (NSCLC). Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is the gold standard
      measure of exercise capacity; however this laboratory test has limitations for
      use in research and clinical practice. Alternative field walking tests are the
      six-minute walk test (6MWT), incremental-shuttle walk test (ISWT) and endurance
      shuttle walk test (ESWT); however there is limited information about their
      clinimetric properties in NSCLC. AIMS: In NSCLC to determine the 1) criterion
      validity of the 6MWT, ISWT and ESWT against CPET; 2) construct validity of the
      6MWT, ISWT and ESWT against measures of function, strength, respiratory function
      and health-related quality of life (HRQoL); and 3) clinical applicability of the
      tests. METHODS: Twenty participants (40 % male, mean +/- SD age 66.1 +/- 6.5
      years) with stage I-IIIb NSCLC completed the 6MWT, ISWT, ESWT and CPET within six
      months of treatment. Testing order was randomised. Additional measures included
      Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance-Status (ECOG-PS, function),
      respiratory function, hand-grip dynamometry and HRQoL. Correlations and
      regression analyses were used to assess relationships. RESULTS: The ISWT
      demonstrated criterion validity with a moderate relationship between ISWT
      distance and CPET peak oxygen consumption (r = 0.61, p = 0.007). Relationships
      between CPET and six minute walk distance (6MWD) (r = 0.24, p = 0.329) or ESWT
      time (r = 0.02, p = 0.942) were poor. Moderate construct validity existed for the
      6MWD and respiratory function (forced vital capacity % predicted r = 0.53, p =
      0.019; forced expiratory volume in the first second % predicted r = 0.55, p =
      0.015). There were no relationships between the walking tests and measures of
      function, strength or HRQoL. The ESWT had a ceiling effect with 18 % reaching
      maximum time. No floor effects were seen in the tests. The mean +/- SD time
      required to perform the individual 6MWT, ISWT and ESWT was 12.8 +/- 2.5, 14.7 +/-
      3.7 and 16.3 +/- 5.0 min respectively; in comparison to CPET which was 51.2 +/-
      12.7 min. Only one assessor was required to perform all field walking tests and
      no adverse events occurred. CONCLUSIONS: The ISWT is a promising measure of
      functional exercise capacity in lung cancer. Findings need to be confirmed in a
      larger sample prior to translation into practice.

PMID- 26264472
TI  - Time to abandon the use of HSMRs in the NHS.

PMID- 26264473
TI  - Cancer in Australia 2014: actual incidence data from 1982 to 2011 and mortality
      data from 1982 to 2012 with projections to 2014.
AB  - AIM: The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) is a major national
      agency that provides authoritative information and statistics on Australia's
      health and welfare. The AIHW and the Australasian Association of Cancer
      Registries collaborate every year to provide updated information on cancer
      occurrences and trends in Australia. METHOD: The actual number of cases diagnosed
      and deaths, for all cancers combined and selected cancers, are presented from
      1982 to 2011 for incidence and from 1982 to 2012 for mortality, with projections
      to 2014. Data on key population groups, survival, prevalence, hospitalizations
      and national population screening programs are also provided. RESULTS: In 2014,
      it was estimated that 123 920 new cases of cancer (excluding basal and squamous
      cell carcinoma of the skin) were diagnosed. Prostate cancer was the most commonly
      diagnosed cancer in males whereas breast cancer was the most commonly diagnosed
      cancer in females. It was estimated that 45 780 deaths from cancer occurred in
      Australia in 2014. Lung cancer was the most common cause of cancer death in both
      males and females. CONCLUSION: From 1982 to 2014, it was estimated that the
      number of new cancer cases diagnosed in Australia more than doubled from 47 417
      to 123 920. More males (55%) than females (45%) were diagnosed with cancer in
      2014. From 1982 to 2014, the number of people who died in Australia from cancer
      almost doubled from 24 922 to 45 780. In 2014, more males (57%) than females
      (43%) were estimated to have died from cancer.

PMID- 26264474
TI  - Retropubic tension-free vaginal tape and inside-out transobturator tape: a long
      term randomized trial.
AB  - INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) and inside-out
      transobturator tape (TVT-O) are first-line surgical treatments for stress urinary
      incontinence (SUI). However, there is a lack of information regarding the long
      term comparative safety of these procedures. METHODS: A total of 140 SUI patients
      were randomized to the TVT or TVT-O procedure and were interviewed by an
      independent investigator at the follow-up. The primary outcomes were the
      proportions of patients with long-term postoperative complications. The secondary
      outcomes included the cure rates, quality of life (QOL) and sexual function based
      on validated questionnaires. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty (85.71%) patients
      completed the long-term follow-up. More TVT patients experienced perioperative
      complications (P < 0.05). However, in a mean follow-up of 95 months, no
      significant between-group difference was found in the proportions of patients
      with long-term complications or in the variety of reported complications. The
      long-term complication rates for TVT and TVT-O were 43.1% and 27.4% respectively
      (P = 0.07). De novo voiding (15.8%) and storage symptoms (10.8%) were the primary
      long-term complications. Tape exposure was possible up to 7 years after TVT-O.
      The objective cure rates of TVT and TVT-O procedures were 79.30 and 69.35%
      respectively, which were not significantly higher than the subjective rates. The
      Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire (PFIQ-7) scores remained improved (P < 0.001)
      after both procedures, even at the 95-month follow-up. No difference was observed
      in the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Function Questionnaire
      Short Form (PISQ-12) scores after either procedure. CONCLUSIONS: In the long
      term, the proportion of patients with complications and the cure rates of the two
      procedures did not differ significantly. The long-term complication rates were
      high, but morbidity was low, and the QOL remained improved.

PMID- 26264475
TI  - Preoperative vaginal estrogen and midurethral sling exposure: a retrospective
      cohort study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: We evaluated whether the use of estrogen vaginally
      prior to synthetic midurethral sling insertion mediates the risk of mesh
      exposure. A secondary aim was to evaluate other factors that may be associated
      with mesh exposure. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of
      patients undergoing midurethral sling insertion from January to December 2010
      within the Southern California Permanente Medical Group. Women who used estrogen
      vaginally prior to surgery were classified as those who filled a prescription
      between 1 and 45 days before surgery or whose medical records indicated its use
      at the time of preoperative evaluation. Logistic regression analysis was used to
      calculate odds ratios (OR) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) for factors
      associated with mesh exposure while controlling for confounding variables.
      RESULTS: A total of 1544 patients met inclusion criteria, of whom 248 (16.1 %)
      used estrogen vaginally prior to surgery. Mean age was 53.7 years (range 27-89).
      Thirty-seven (2.4 %) women were diagnosed with mesh exposure, of whom 19
      underwent surgical reoperation. In multivariate logistic regression analysis,
      preoperative use of estrogen vaginally was not associated with the risk of mesh
      exposure (OR 0.79, CI 0.26-2.38, p = 0.67). Age, body mass index, menopausal
      status, use of hormone replacement therapy, smoking status, and diabetes were not
      associated with risk of mesh exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative use of estrogen
      vaginally did not appear to mediate the risk of mesh exposure following
      midurethral sling placement in this cohort.

PMID- 26264476
TI  - Digitation associated with defecation: what does it mean in urogynaecological
      patients?
AB  - INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Obstructed defecation is a common symptom complex in
      urogynaecological patients, and perineal, vaginal and/or anal digitation may
      required for defecation. Translabial ultrasound can be used to assess anorectal
      anatomy, similar to defecation proctography. The aim of the present study was to
      determine the association between different forms of digitation (vaginal,
      perineal and anal) and abnormal posterior compartment anatomy. METHODS: A total
      of 271 patients were analysed in a retrospective study utilising archived
      ultrasound volume datasets. Symptoms of obstructed defecation (straining at
      stool, incomplete bowel emptying, perineal, vaginal and anal digitation) were
      ascertained on interview. Postprocessing of stored 3D/4D translabial ultrasound
      datasets obtained on maximal Valsalva was used to diagnose descent of the rectal
      ampulla, rectocoele, enterocoele and rectal intussusception at a later date,
      blinded to all clinical data. RESULTS: Digitation was reported by 39 % of our
      population. The position of the rectal ampulla on Valsalva was associated with
      perineal (p = 0.02) and vaginal (p = 0.02) digitation. The presence of a true
      rectocoele was significantly associated with perineal (p = 0.04) and anal (p =
      0.03) digitation. Rectocoele depth was associated with all three forms of
      digitation (P = 0.005-0.02). The bother of symptoms of obstructed defecation was
      strongly associated with digitation (all P < = 0.001), with no appreciable
      difference in bother among the three forms. CONCLUSION: Digitation is common, and
      all forms of digitation are associated with abnormal posterior compartment
      anatomy. It may not be necessary to distinguish between different forms of
      digitation in clinical practice.

PMID- 26264477
TI  - Reduction in keratin aggregates in epidermolysis bullosa simplex keratinocytes
      after pretreatment with trimethylamine N-oxide.

PMID- 26264479
TI  - Protective effects of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate against acetaminophen
      induced liver injury in rats).
AB  - (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the most abundant catechin with various
      biological activities found in tea. In this study, the effects of EGCG on the
      metabolism and toxicity of acetaminophen in rat liver were investigated. Male
      Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a controlled diet without or with EGCG (0.54 %, w/w)
      for 1 week and were then intraperitoneally injected with acetaminophen (1 g/kg
      body weight) and killed after 12 h. Concentrations of acetaminophen and its
      conjugates in plasma and liver were then determined. The cytochrome P450 (CYP)
      and phase II enzymes activities were also evaluated. Rats fed the EGCG diet had
      lower plasma alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activities,
      as indices of hepatotoxicity, after acetaminophen treatment. Morphological damage
      by acetaminophen was lower in rats fed the EGCG diet. In addition, EGCG
      significantly reduced hepatic activities of midazolam 1-hydroxylation (CYP3A),
      nitrophenol 6-hydroxylase (CYP2E1), UDP-glucurosyltransferase, and
      sulfotransferase. Finally, EGCG feeding reduced acetaminophen-glucuronate and
      acetaminophen-glutathione contents in plasma and liver. These results indicate
      that EGCG feeding may reduce the metabolism and toxicity of acetaminophen in
      rats. 

PMID- 26264480
TI  - The Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) and a nutrition education
      program for high risk cancer patients: strategies to improve dietary intake in
      cancer patients.
AB  - Four hundred and forty-four high-risk oncology patients with malnutrition
      participated in this study aimed at assessing the effectiveness of nutrition
      education on improving an oncology patient's dietary intake. We used a
      nutritional risk screening to select oncology patients in need of nutritional
      care. Team Nutrition provides technical assistance for foodservice, nutrition
      education for patients and their caregivers, and support for healthy eating and
      physical activity to improve their diets and their lives. The average
      contribution of protein and total energy of each patient increased after
      imparting the nutritional education to them. Thus, nutritional education is an
      effective measure to bring about a favorable and significant change in oncology
      patients' nutrient intake. 

PMID- 26264478
TI  - Molecular dynamics simulation of water permeation through the alpha-hemolysin
      channel.
AB  - The alpha-hemolysin (AHL) nanochannel is a non-selective channel that allows for
      uncontrolled transport of small molecules across membranes leading to cell death.
      Although it is a bacterial toxin, it has promising applications, ranging from
      drug delivery systems to nano-sensing devices. This study focuses on the
      transport of water molecules through an AHL nanochannel using molecular dynamics
      (MD) simulations. Our results show that AHL can quickly transport water across
      membranes. The first-passage time approach was used to estimate the diffusion
      coefficient and the mean exit time. To study the energetics of transport, the
      potential of mean force (PMF) of a water molecule along the AHL nanochannel was
      calculated. The results show that the energy barriers of water permeation across
      a nanopore are always positive along the channel and the values are close to
      thermal energy (kBT). These findings suggest that the observed quick permeation
      of water is due to small energy barriers and a hydrophobic inner channel surface
      resulting in smaller friction. We speculate that these physical mechanisms are
      important in how AHL causes cell death. 

PMID- 26264481
TI  - The P-wave morphology: what does it tell us?
AB  - P-wave morphology and duration reveals several aspects of the atria: Proper
      function, fibrosis, dyssynchrony, and activation paths can be inferred from the
      surface P-wave analysis. Surface electrocardiogram (ECG) can help differentiating
      enlargements of the atria from conduction defects including intra- and
      interatrial block.The purpose of this paper is to review normal atrial morphology
      and the most relevant abnormal patterns. 

PMID- 26264482
TI  - Bradycardia: sinus and AV node dysfunction.
AB  - The surface electrocardiogram (ECG) holds many clues with regard to the etiology
      of bradycardia and site of atrioventricular (AV) block. Bedside maneuvers may
      prove helpful in cases of 2:1 AV block or situations where the data is not all
      concordant. Wenckebach conduction may occur in any region of the heart, and there
      are nonpathologic mimickers of Mobitz II AV block as well. The surface ECG may
      aid in the inference of etiology for better than expected or slowed rather than
      blocked AV conduction. Sinus node dysfunction may present in several forms and
      often accompanies other conduction system disease. On occasion invasive studies
      may be required to help elucidate the mechanism of bradycardia. 

PMID- 26264483
TI  - [Mapping and ablation of a mechanically blocked concealed accessory pathway under
      repeated adenosine bolus infusions].
AB  - During mapping and catheter ablation of an accessory pathway, a mechanically
      induced conduction block can occur. Adenosine is used to detect dormant
      conduction of incomplete ablation lesions. Presented in this article is the case
      of a patient with a left-sided accessory pathway, which was mechanically blocked
      during the mapping procedure and could only be successfully ablated after
      repeated adenosine bolus infusions, which resulted in intermittent restitution of
      conduction via the accessory pathway. 

PMID- 26264484
TI  - Erratum.

PMID- 26264490
TI  - Novel binders derived from an albumin-binding domain scaffold targeting human
      prostate secretory protein 94 (PSP94).

PMID- 26264491
TI  - High doses of Baclofen as suicide attempt in patients with alcohol use disorders 
      A serious concern.
AB  - Baclofen is increasingly being used as an off label anti-craving agent in alcohol
      use disorders in various parts of the world. The lack of proper recommendations
      regarding the dosage has important implications for safety in clinical
      management. In this context, we report two patients who were started with
      Baclofen as an anti-craving agent, and later developed serious complications
      following acute self inflicted overdose. We also highlight the important
      mechanisms of such complications and precautions that needs to be exerted while
      prescribing. 

PMID- 26264492
TI  - Biomarkers to enhance accuracy and precision of prediction of short-term and long
      term outcome after spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage: a study protocol for a
      prospective cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Several studies reported prognostic value of biomarker in
      intracerebral hemorrhagic (ICH) but they are either preliminary observation or
      inadequately powered to analyse independent contribution of biomarkers over and
      above clinical and neuroimaging data. OBJECTIVE: To examine whether the biomarker
      can significantly add to the predictive accuracy of prognosis of ICH.
      METHOD/DESIGN: In a multi-centric prospective cohort study, 1020 patients with
      ICH within 72 hours of onset are being recruited. After obtaining written
      informed consent from patients/proxy, venous blood sample (10 ml) is being
      collected and analysed for C-reactive protein (CRP) level, S100B, Glial
      fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), Troponin, change in leukocyte count and
      Copeptin levels. The patients are telephonically followed using stroke scales
      (Barthel Index and modified Rankin Scale) at 3, 6, 12 months and 2 years after
      the recruitment. DISCUSSION: This protocol will aim at predicting the short term
      or long term prognosis with the use of clinical, neuroimaging and biomarkers in
      order to help clinician to stratify patients for early referral or intervention.

PMID- 26264494
TI  - Time-Resolved Detection and Analysis of Single Nanoparticle Electrocatalytic
      Impacts.
AB  - There is considerable interest in understanding the interaction and activity of
      single entities, such as (electro)catalytic nanoparticles (NPs), with (electrode)
      surfaces. Through the use of a high bandwidth, high signal/noise measurement
      system, NP impacts on an electrode surface are detected and analyzed in
      unprecedented detail, revealing considerable new mechanistic information on the
      process. Taking the electrocatalytic oxidation of H2O2 at ruthenium oxide (RuOx)
      NPs as an example, the rise time of current-time transients for NP impacts is
      consistent with a hydrodynamic trapping model for the arrival of a NP with a
      distance-dependent NP diffusion-coefficient. NP release from the electrode
      appears to be aided by propulsion from the electrocatalytic reaction at the NP.
      High-frequency NP impacts, orders of magnitude larger than can be accounted for
      by a single pass diffusive flux of NPs, are observed that indicate the repetitive
      trapping and release of an individual NP that has not been previously recognized.
      The experiments and models described could readily be applied to other systems
      and serve as a powerful platform for detailed analysis of NP impacts. 

PMID- 26264493
TI  - Elevated levels of factor VIII and subsequent risk of all-cause mortality:
      results from the MEGA follow-up study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Factor VIII (FVIII) levels are increased in individuals with a non-O
      blood group and play a role in the etiology of thrombosis. High FVIII levels have
      also been associated with increased all-cause mortality. OBJECTIVE: We explored
      whether elevated FVIII levels are associated with an increased risk of death in
      patients who had venous thrombosis and in individuals from the general
      population, and to what extent this association is causal. METHODS: We followed
      2178 patients with previous venous thrombosis and 2827 age and sex-matched
      community controls for on average 5.5 years and measured their FVIII levels and
      ABO blood group. RESULTS: All-cause mortality increased in a dose-response
      fashion with increasing percentiles of FVIII levels. In the thrombosis patients
      the risk was highest above the 97.5th percentile (FVIII > 199 IU dL(-1) ) with an
      adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 3.1 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.9-10.8) as
      compared with patients in the 25th percentile category (FVIII <= 85 IU dL(-1) ).
      The adjusted HR was 4.5 (95% CI, 1.4-14.3) in controls. Using non-O blood group
      as a measure of genetically elevated FVIII levels to determine a causal
      relationship between FVIII and death showed observed HRs of 0.99 (95% CI, 0.72
      1.36) in patients and 1.25 (95% CI, 0.82-1.90) in controls. CONCLUSIONS: We
      showed a dose-response relationship between high FVIII levels and risk of death
      in venous thrombosis patients and in individuals from the general population.
      However, environmental factors, such as chronic comorbidities and chronic
      inflammation, are at least in part responsible for the association between factor
      VIII and mortality.

PMID- 26264495
TI  - Galectin 3 as a guardian of the tumor microenvironment.
AB  - Galectin 3 is a member of a family of beta-galactoside binding proteins and has
      emerged as an important regulator of diverse functions critical in cancer biology
      including apoptosis, metastasis, immune surveillance, molecular trafficking, mRNA
      splicing, gene expression, and inflammation. Galectin 3's ability to support
      cancer cell survival by intra-cellular and extra-cellular mechanisms suggests
      this molecule is an important component of the tumor microenvironment that
      potentially could be targeted for therapy. Data is emerging that Galectin 3 is
      elevated in many cancers including solid tumors and the cancers of the blood.
      Galectin 3 also appears to be a key molecule produced by tumor microenvironment
      support cells including mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) to suppress immune
      surveillance by killing T cells and interfering with NK cell function and by
      supporting metastasis. Levels of Galectin 3 increase in the MSC of aging mice and
      perhaps this contributes to the development of cancer in the elderly. Galectin 3
      modulates surface protein expression of a diverse set of glycoproteins including
      CD44 by regulating endocytosis of these proteins. In addition, Galectin 3 binding
      to receptor kinases such as CD45 and the T cell receptor is critical in the
      regulation of their function. In this review I will examine the various
      mechanisms how Galectin 3 supports chemoresistance and metastasis in solid tumors
      and in leukemia and lymphoma. I will also discuss possible therapeutic strategies
      to target this Galectin for cancer therapy. This article is part of a Special
      Issue entitled: Tumor Microenvironment Regulation of Cancer Cell Survival,
      Metastasis, Inflammation, and Immune Surveillance edited by Peter Ruvolo and
      Gregg L. Semenza. 

PMID- 26264496
TI  - Effect of neck cut position on time to collapse in halal slaughtered cattle
      without stunning.
AB  - This study examined the effect of neck cut position on the time to physical
      collapse in upright restrained halal slaughtered cattle (n = 644). Time to
      collapse was used as an indirect indicator of the early stages of onset of
      unconsciousness. Cattle were slaughtered with either a conventional low (LNC)
      (n=561) or a high neck cut (HNC) (n = 83). Mean time to final collapse was higher
      in the LNC compared to HNC group (18.9 +/- 1.1s and 13.5 +/- 1.3s respectively (P
      < 0.01)). The mean false aneurysm scores were higher in the LNC cattle (0.8 +/-
      0.0) compared to the HNC (0.6 +/- 0.1) (P < 0.01). Animals that took > 20s to
      final collapse had larger false aneurysms. In summary, the HNC reduced the mean
      time to final collapse and the frequency of animals that took longer than 20s to
      collapse.

PMID- 26264498
TI  - A morphoelastic model for dermal wound closure.
AB  - We develop a model of wound healing in the framework of finite elasticity,
      focussing our attention on the processes of growth and contraction in the dermal
      layer of the skin. The dermal tissue is treated as a hyperelastic cylinder that
      surrounds the wound and is subject to symmetric deformations. By considering the
      initial recoil that is observed upon the application of a circular wound, we
      estimate the degree of residual tension in the skin and build an evolution law
      for mechanosensitive growth of the dermal tissue. Contraction of the wound is
      governed by a phenomenological law in which radial pressure is prescribed at the
      wound edge. The model reproduces three main phases of the healing process.
      Initially, the wound recoils due to residual stress in the surrounding tissue;
      the wound then heals as a result of contraction and growth; and finally, healing
      slows as contraction and growth decrease. Over a longer time period, the
      surrounding tissue remodels, returning to the residually stressed state. We
      identify the steady state growth profile associated with this remodelled state.
      The model is then used to predict the outcome of rewounding experiments designed
      to quantify the amount of stress in the tissue, and also to simulate the
      application of pressure treatments.

PMID- 26264497
TI  - Tumor-associated macrophages in cancers.
AB  - Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are major component of leukocytic infiltrate
      of tumors and play important roles in progression and regression of tumors. Tumor
      microenvironment determines the mutual conversion between M1 and M2 macrophages.
      In many kinds of tumors, M2 type macrophages are of the majority in TAMs and
      promote tumor progression and metastasis. The dynamic balance and interaction
      between TAMs and tumor cells have important effects on the occurrence and
      development of tumor. TAMs in malignant tumors are useful for clinical diagnosis
      and may provide a novel target for cancer treatment.

PMID- 26264499
TI  - Effect of knee position on the ultrasound elastography appearance of the patellar
      tendon.

PMID- 26264500
TI  - Synthesis and biological evaluation of new symmetric curcumin derivatives.
AB  - A series of novel curcumin bisacetamides aiming of enriching their biological
      activities have been synthesized. The synthesized compounds were screened for
      their in vitro antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities. All the
      compounds exhibited potent to good anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and noteworthy
      cytotoxic activities.

PMID- 26264501
TI  - Factors influencing the cytotoxicity of alpha-methylene-gamma-hydroxy esters
      against pancreatic cancer.
AB  - A systematic study to identify the factors influencing the cytotoxicity of alpha
      methylene-gamma-hydroxy esters against three pancreatic cancer cell lines (Panc
      1, MIA-PaCa-2, and BxPC-3) has established that, in addition to Michael acceptor
      abilities, the possibility to lactonize to alpha-methylene-gamma-butyrolactones
      is as important. The substitution pattern and the number of carbons between the
      hydroxy and ester moieties also influence the bio-activity. 

PMID- 26264502
TI  - Biological evaluation of angular disubstituted naphthoimidazoles as anti
      inflammatory agents.
AB  - A series of naphthoimidazoles derivatives (3a-3f) were tested for potential anti
      inflammatory activity on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated macrophages.
      Naphthoimidazole 3e exhibited significant inhibitory effects on nitric oxide (NO)
      production (IC50 <10MUM) and decreased the expression of nitric oxide synthase-2
      (NOS-2) and cycloxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzymes. It also inhibited the activation of
      transcription factor NF-kappaB. Naphthoimidazole 3e might represent a starting
      point for the synthesis of new anti-inflammatory naphthoimidazoles derivatives.

PMID- 26264503
TI  - Discovery of 1-hydroxypyridine-2-thiones as selective histone deacetylase
      inhibitors and their potential application for treating leukemia.
AB  - Histone deacetylase (HDAC) is a validated target for pursuing anticancer agents.
      However, obtaining a selective inhibitor against a given HDAC member remains a
      significant challenge. We report here the use of 1-hydroxypyridine-2-thione
      (1HPT) as a key pharmacophore for zinc-binding can result in highly selective
      HDAC inhibitors. 1HPT-6-carboxylic acid exhibits selective inhibition of HDAC6
      with an IC50 of 150 nM that corresponds to a remarkable 0.9 ligand efficiency.
      Two analogs with simple amino acids shows nearly 600-fold selectivity among the
      eleven zinc-dependent HDACs. At low micromolar concentration these compounds
      inhibit the growth of HDAC8-overexpressing chronic myelogenous leukemia cells and
      specific form of acute myelogenous leukemia cells. Their potential mode of
      binding was examined by molecular docking and their stability was assessed in
      mouse and human plasma. Together the results suggest 1HPT analogs exhibit
      promising therapeutic potential for further development as anticancer agents to
      treat leukemia.

PMID- 26264504
TI  - Trauma versus no trauma: an analysis of the effect of tear mechanism on tendon
      healing in 1300 consecutive patients after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients with rotator cuff tears often recall a specific initiating
      event (traumatic), whereas many cannot (nontraumatic). It is unclear how
      important a history of trauma is to the outcomes of rotator cuff repair. METHODS:
      This question was addressed in a study cohort of 1300 consecutive patients who
      completed a preoperative questionnaire regarding their shoulder injury and had a
      systematic evaluation of shoulder range of motion and strength, a primary
      arthroscopic rotator cuff repair performed by a single surgeon, an ultrasound
      scan, and the same subjective and objective measurements made of their shoulder 6
      months after surgery. Post hoc, this cohort was separated into 2 groups: those
      who reported no history of trauma on presentation (n = 489) and those with a
      history of traumatic injury (n = 811). RESULTS: The retear rate in the group with
      no history of trauma was 12%, whereas that of the group with a history of trauma
      was 14% (P = .36). Those patients with a history of shoulder trauma who waited
      longer than 24 months had higher retear rates (20%) than those who had their
      surgery earlier (13%) (P = .040). CONCLUSION: Recollection of a traumatic
      initiating event had little effect on the outcome of arthroscopic rotator cuff
      repair. Duration of symptoms was important in predicting retears if patients
      recalled a specific initiating event but not in patients who did not recall any
      specific initiating event. Patients with a history of trauma should be encouraged
      to have their rotator cuff tear repaired within 2 years.

PMID- 26264505
TI  - Peripartum changes in partnership quality among women with and without anxiety
      and depressive disorders prior to pregnancy: a prospective-longitudinal study.
AB  - The purpose of this study is to prospectively examine peripartum changes in
      partnership characteristics among women with and without anxiety and depressive
      disorders prior to pregnancy. In the prospective-longitudinal Maternal Anxiety in
      Relation to Infant Development (MARI) study, n = 306 expectant mothers completed
      up to seven waves of assessment from early pregnancy until 16 months postpartum.
      Lifetime anxiety and depressive disorders according to the Diagnostic and
      Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) were evaluated at
      baseline using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview for Women (CIDI
      V, Martini et al. 2009). Partnership characteristics were assessed during
      pregnancy as well as 4 and 16 months postpartum using the Partnership
      Questionnaire (Hahlweg 1996). Linear regressions were applied to test
      associations between diagnostic status prior to pregnancy and peripartum
      partnership characteristics. Compared to women without anxiety and depressive
      disorders prior to pregnancy, women with comorbid anxiety and depressive
      disorders reported less tenderness during pregnancy, less postpartum tenderness,
      satisfaction, and overall partnership quality as well as a lower decrease in
      communication from pre- to postpartum. Women with pure depressive disorders and
      comorbid anxiety and depressive disorders prior to pregnancy indicated a higher
      increase in quarreling from pre- to postpartum. Findings suggest that women with
      depressive (and comorbid anxiety) disorders prior to pregnancy are at elevated
      risk for an unfavorable peripartum partnership development and might thus profit
      from targeted family interventions during this period.

PMID- 26264506
TI  - Women's experiences of symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after
      traumatic childbirth: a review and critical appraisal.
AB  - This paper critically analyses nine studies on postnatal posttraumatic stress
      disorder (PTSD) following traumatic childbirth, in order to find common themes of
      PTSD symptoms, using the cognitive model of PTSD as a guide; it critically
      appraised one of the studies in depth and it attempted to explain the lived
      experience of women suffering from postnatal PTSD following traumatic childbirth
      and the suitability of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for postnatal PTSD.
      This paper found that women following traumatic childbirth do experience
      postnatal PTSD; postnatal PTSD symptoms are similar to PTSD symptoms of other
      events and that CBT for PTSD of other events is just as effective for postnatal
      PTSD. Future recommendations include more qualitative studies with interpretative
      phenomenological approach in order to establish evidence-based CBT treatment for
      this client group, and more referrals need to be sent to the psychological
      services for CBT intervention. 

PMID- 26264507
TI  - Fumed Silica-Based Single-Ion Nanocomposite Electrolyte for Lithium Batteries.
AB  - A composite lithium electrolyte composed of polyelectrolyte-grafted nanoparticles
      and polyethylene glycol dimethyl ether (PEGDME) is synthesized and characterized.
      Polyanions immobilized by the silica nanoparticles have reduced anion mobility.
      Composite nanoparticles grafted by poly(lithium 4-styrenesulfonate) only have
      moderate conductivity at 60  degrees C. Almost an order increase of the
      conductivity to ~10(-6) S/cm is achieved by co-polymerization of the
      poly(ethylene oxide) methacrylate with sodium 4-styrenesulfonate, which enhances
      dissociation between lithium cation and polyanion and facilitates lithium ion
      transfer from the inner part of the polyelectrolyte layer. This composite
      electrolyte has the potential to suppress lithium dendrite growth and enable the
      use of lithium metal anode in rechargeable batteries. 

PMID- 26264509
TI  - Nanomechanics of RDX Single Crystals by Force-Displacement Measurements and
      Molecular Dynamics Simulations.
AB  - Nanoenergetic material modifications for enhanced performance and stability
      require an understanding of the mechanical properties and molecular structure
      property relationships of materials. We investigate the mechanical and
      tribological properties of single-crystal hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-s-triazine
      (RDX) by force-displacement microscopy and molecular dynamics (MD). Our MD
      simulations reveal the RDX reduced modulus (Er) depends on the particular
      crystallographic surface. The predicted Er values for the respective (210) and
      (001) surfaces are 26.8 and 21.0 GPa. Further, our simulations reveal a symmetric
      and fairly localized deformation occurring on the (001) surface compared to an
      asymmetric deformation on the (210) surface. The predicted hardness (H) values
      are nearly equal for both surfaces. The predicted Er and H values are ~33% and
      17% greater than the respective experimental values of 0.798 +/- 0.030 GPa and
      22.9 +/- 0.7 GPa for the (210) surface and even larger than those reported
      previously. Our experimental H and Er values are ~19% and 9% greater than those
      reported previously for the (210) surface. The difference between the
      experimental values reported here and elsewhere stems in part from an inaccurate
      determination of the contact area. We employ the parameter ?H/Er, which is
      independent of area, as a means to compare present and past results, and find
      excellent agreement, within a few percent, between our predicted and experimental
      results and between our results and those obtained from previous nanoindentation
      experiments. Also, we performed nanoscratch simulations of the (210) and (001)
      surfaces and nanoscratch tests on the (210) surface and present values of the
      dynamic coefficient of deformation friction. 

PMID- 26264508
TI  - Angiotensin-(1-7) counteracts the effects of Ang II on vascular smooth muscle
      cells, vascular remodeling and hemorrhagic stroke: Role of the NFkB inflammatory
      pathway.
AB  - Angiotensin (Ang)-(1-7) is a potential vasoprotective peptide. In the present
      study, we investigated its counteractive effects to Ang II on vascular smooth
      muscle cells (VSMCs) and intracerebral hemorrhagic stroke (ICH) through
      inflammatory mechanism. In in vitro experiments, human brain VSMCs (HBVSMCs) were
      treated with vehicle, Ang II, Ang II+Ang-(1-7), Ang II+A-779 or Ang II+Ang-(1
      7)+A-779 (Mas receptor antagonist). HBVSMC proliferation, migration and apoptosis
      were determined by methyl thiazolyltetrazolium, wound healing assay and flow
      cytometry, respectively. In in vivo experiments, C57BL/6 mice were divided into
      vehicle, Ang II, Ang II+Ang-(1-7), Ang II+A-779 or Ang II+Ang-(1-7)+A-779 groups
      before they were subjected to collagenase-induced ICH or sham surgery. Hemorrhage
      volume and middle cerebral artery (MCA) remodeling were determined by
      histological analyses. Levels of NFkappaB, inhibitor of kappaBalpha
      (IkappaBalpha), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), monocyte chemoattractant
      protein 1 (MCP-1) and interleukin (IL-8) were measured by western blot or ELISA.
      We found that 1) Ang II increased HBVSMC migration, proliferation and apoptosis,
      and increased the blood pressure (BP), neurological deficit score, MCA remodeling
      and hemorrhage volume in ICH mice. 2) Ang-(1-7) counteracted these effects of Ang
      II, which was independent of BP, with the down-regulation of NFkappaB, up
      regulation of IkappaBalpha, and decreased levels of TNF-alpha, MCP-1 and IL-8. 3)
      The beneficial effects of Ang-(1-7) could be abolished by A-779. In conclusion,
      Ang-(1-7) counteracts the effects of Ang II on ICH via modulating NFkappaB
      inflammation pathway in HBVSMCs and cerebral microvessels. 

PMID- 26264510
TI  - Elucidation of Molecular Mechanisms Behind the Self-Assembly Behavior of Chitosan
      Amphiphilic Derivatives Through Experiment and Molecular Modeling.
AB  - PURPOSE: Chitosan-based polymeric micelles (CBPMs) are considered as promising
      carriers for delivery of anticancer drugs, imaging agents and genes. To optimize
      the physicochemical, pharmaceutical and biological properties of CBPMs, the
      molecular mechanisms behind the self-assembly behavior of chitosan (CHI)
      amphiphilic derivatives are elucidated. METHODS: This study has two stages. In
      the experimental stage, dexamethasone (DEX) as a hydrophobic group is grafted to
      CHI in three degrees of substitution in order to obtain CHI derivatives with
      different degrees of hydrophobicity. These new CHI amphiphilic derivatives
      (CHI_DEXs) form micelles in water where their critical aggregation concentration
      (CAC), size and zeta potential are measured. Through comparing the results of
      these measurements, the change of self-assembly behavior of CHI_DEXs in response
      to increasing their hydrophobicity is evaluated. Correlating this evaluation with
      the results of the 13 MD simulations conducted on CHI_DEXs in atomistic molecular
      dynamics (MD) simulation stage, reveals the molecular mechanisms behind the self
      assembly behavior of CHI_DEXs. RESULTS: Our evaluation of the experimental
      results reveals that increasing hydrophobicity of a CHI amphiphilic derivative
      would not necessarily cause it to form micelles with lower CAC value, smaller
      size and lower zeta potential. The MD simulations reveal that there exists a
      balance between intra- and inter-chain interactions which is responsible for the
      self-assembly behavior of CHI amphiphilic derivatives. CONCLUSION: An increase in
      DS of the hydrophobic group triggers a cascade of molecular events that shifts
      the balance between intra- and inter-chain interactions leading to changes in the
      CAC, size and zeta potential of the CBPMs.

PMID- 26264511
TI  - Development of a Sustained Release Solid Dispersion Using Swellable Polymer by
      Melting Method.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study is to design a sustained release solid dispersion using
      swellable polymer by melting method. METHODS: Polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG 6000)
      and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose 4000 (HPMC 4000) were used in solid dispersion
      for not only enhancing drug dissolution rate but also sustaining drug release.
      HPMC 4000 is a common swellable polymer in matrix sustained release dosage form,
      but could not be used in preparation of solid dispersion by melting method.
      However, the current study utilized the swelling capability of HPMC 4000
      accompanied by the common carrier PEG 6000 in solid dispersion to accomplish the
      goal. RESULTS: While PEG 6000 acted as a releasing stimulant carrier and provided
      an environment to facilitate the swelling of HPMC 4000, this swellable polymer
      could act as a rate-controlling agent. This greatly assisted the dissolution
      enhancement by changing the crystalline structure of drug to more amorphous form
      and creating a molecular interaction. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that
      this useful technique can be applied in designing a sustained release solid
      dispersion with many advantages.

PMID- 26264512
TI  - Development of Disposal Systems for Deactivation of Unused/Residual/Expired
      Medications.
AB  - PURPOSE: The objective of this work was to identify deactivation agents and
      develop a disposal system for unused/ residual/ expired medications. METHODS:
      Deactivation agents screened included oxidizing agent-sodium percarbonate,
      hydrolysis agent- sodium carbonate and adsorbants- zeolite and activated carbon.
      Deactivation studies using these agents were performed on four active
      pharmaceutical agents (APIs) including ketoprofen, dexamethasone sodium
      phosphate, metformin hydrochloride and amoxicillin trihydrate. Disposal systems
      were also designed for deactivation studies on dexamethasone pills, amoxicillin
      trihydrate capsules and fentanyl transdermal patches (Duragesic(r)). Briefly,
      APIs/ dosage forms were allowed to be in close contact with deactivation agents
      for a specified period of time and percentage decrease in the amount of API from
      the initial amount was measured. RESULTS: Sodium percarbonate and sodium
      carbonate were only successful in deactivation of amoxicillin trihydrate API.
      Adsorption agents resulted in more universal deactivation with activated carbon
      resulting in efficient deactivation of most APIs and all dosage forms tested.
      Also adsorption of oral dosage medications on activated carbons was maintained
      even on dilution and shaking and no desorption was observed. CONCLUSIONS:
      Deactivation systems containing activated carbon are promising for efficient,
      safe and environment friendly disposal of unused/residual/expired medications.

PMID- 26264513
TI  - Allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for mitochondrial
      neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy.
AB  - Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation has been proposed as treatment for
      mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy, a rare fatal autosomal
      recessive disease due to TYMP mutations that result in thymidine phosphorylase
      deficiency. We conducted a retrospective analysis of all known patients suffering
      from mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy who underwent
      allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation between 2005 and 2011. Twenty
      four patients, 11 males and 13 females, median age 25 years (range 10-41 years)
      treated with haematopoietic stem cell transplantation from related (n = 9) or
      unrelated donors (n = 15) in 15 institutions worldwide were analysed for outcome
      and its associated factors. Overall, 9 of 24 patients (37.5%) were alive at last
      follow-up with a median follow-up of these surviving patients of 1430 days.
      Deaths were attributed to transplant in nine (including two after a second
      transplant due to graft failure), and to mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal
      encephalomyopathy in six patients. Thymidine phosphorylase activity rose from
      undetectable to normal levels (median 697 nmol/h/mg protein, range 262-1285) in
      all survivors. Seven patients (29%) who were engrafted and living more than 2
      years after transplantation, showed improvement of body mass index,
      gastrointestinal manifestations, and peripheral neuropathy. Univariate
      statistical analysis demonstrated that survival was associated with two defined
      pre-transplant characteristics: human leukocyte antigen match (10/10 versus
      <10/10) and disease characteristics (liver disease, history of gastrointestinal
      pseudo-obstruction or both). Allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation
      can restore thymidine phosphorylase enzyme function in patients with
      mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy and improve clinical
      manifestations of mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy in the
      long term. Allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation should be
      considered for selected patients with an optimal donor. 

PMID- 26264514
TI  - Network localization of neurological symptoms from focal brain lesions.
AB  - A traditional and widely used approach for linking neurological symptoms to
      specific brain regions involves identifying overlap in lesion location across
      patients with similar symptoms, termed lesion mapping. This approach is powerful
      and broadly applicable, but has limitations when symptoms do not localize to a
      single region or stem from dysfunction in regions connected to the lesion site
      rather than the site itself. A newer approach sensitive to such network effects
      involves functional neuroimaging of patients, but this requires specialized brain
      scans beyond routine clinical data, making it less versatile and difficult to
      apply when symptoms are rare or transient. In this article we show that the
      traditional approach to lesion mapping can be expanded to incorporate network
      effects into symptom localization without the need for specialized neuroimaging
      of patients. Our approach involves three steps: (i) transferring the three
      dimensional volume of a brain lesion onto a reference brain; (ii) assessing the
      intrinsic functional connectivity of the lesion volume with the rest of the brain
      using normative connectome data; and (iii) overlapping lesion-associated networks
      to identify regions common to a clinical syndrome. We first tested our approach
      in peduncular hallucinosis, a syndrome of visual hallucinations following
      subcortical lesions long hypothesized to be due to network effects on
      extrastriate visual cortex. While the lesions themselves were heterogeneously
      distributed with little overlap in lesion location, 22 of 23 lesions were
      negatively correlated with extrastriate visual cortex. This network overlap was
      specific compared to other subcortical lesions (P < 10(-5)) and relative to other
      cortical regions (P < 0.01). Next, we tested for generalizability of our
      technique by applying it to three additional lesion syndromes: central post
      stroke pain, auditory hallucinosis, and subcortical aphasia. In each syndrome,
      heterogeneous lesions that themselves had little overlap showed significant
      network overlap in cortical areas previously implicated in symptom expression (P
      < 10(-4)). These results suggest that (i) heterogeneous lesions producing similar
      symptoms share functional connectivity to specific brain regions involved in
      symptom expression; and (ii) publically available human connectome data can be
      used to incorporate these network effects into traditional lesion mapping
      approaches. Because the current technique requires no specialized imaging of
      patients it may prove a versatile and broadly applicable approach for localizing
      neurological symptoms in the setting of brain lesions. 

PMID- 26264517
TI  - Asymmetrical diacylglycerol dynamics on the cytosolic and lumenal sides of a
      single endomembrane in living cells.
AB  - The elucidation of lipid dynamics on the cytosolic and lumenal sides of a single
      endomembrane has been challenging in living cells because of the lack of
      appropriate methods. Diacylglycerol (DAG) is a lipid second messenger that is
      produced by enzymes that reside on both the cytosolic and lumenal sides of the
      endomembrane. In the present study, we attempted to observe both the cytosolic
      and lumenal DAG dynamics at endomembranes including the Golgi apparatus and the
      endoplasmic reticulum in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. We developed a
      Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based probe to detect DAG at the luminal
      side (lumenal DAG) of endomembranes. In combination with the FRET-based cytosolic
      DAG probe that has already been established, it was found that lumenal DAG is
      generated in a calcium-dependent manner by thapsigargin, which increases
      cytosolic calcium concentrations. In contrast, DAG production at the cytosolic
      side of endomembranes did not occur under the same experimental conditions. The
      thapsigargin-induced DAG generation was abolished by treatment with an inhibitor
      of sphingomyelin synthase (SMS) and phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C
      (PC-PLC), which produce lumenal DAG. Thus, we have established a successful
      method for monitoring both cytosolic and lumenal DAG dynamics at the endomembrane
      in living cells. 

PMID- 26264515
TI  - Structural imaging biomarkers of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy.
AB  - Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy is a major cause of premature death in people
      with epilepsy. We aimed to assess whether structural changes potentially
      attributable to sudden death pathogenesis were present on magnetic resonance
      imaging in people who subsequently died of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy.
      In a retrospective, voxel-based analysis of T1 volume scans, we compared grey
      matter volumes in 12 cases of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (two definite,
      10 probable; eight males), acquired 2 years [median, interquartile range (IQR)
      2.8] before death [median (IQR) age at scanning 33.5 (22) years], with 34 people
      at high risk [age 30.5 (12); 19 males], 19 at low risk [age 30 (7.5); 12 males]
      of sudden death, and 15 healthy controls [age 37 (16); seven males]. At-risk
      subjects were defined based on risk factors of sudden unexpected death in
      epilepsy identified in a recent combined risk factor analysis. We identified
      increased grey matter volume in the right anterior hippocampus/amygdala and
      parahippocampus in sudden death cases and people at high risk, when compared to
      those at low risk and controls. Compared to controls, posterior thalamic grey
      matter volume, an area mediating oxygen regulation, was reduced in cases of
      sudden unexpected death in epilepsy and subjects at high risk. The extent of
      reduction correlated with disease duration in all subjects with epilepsy.
      Increased amygdalo-hippocampal grey matter volume with right-sided changes is
      consistent with histo-pathological findings reported in sudden infant death
      syndrome. We speculate that the right-sided predominance reflects asymmetric
      central influences on autonomic outflow, contributing to cardiac arrhythmia.
      Pulvinar damage may impair hypoxia regulation. The imaging findings in sudden
      unexpected death in epilepsy and people at high risk may be useful as a biomarker
      for risk-stratification in future studies. 

PMID- 26264518
TI  - Car Gestures - Advisory warning using additional steering wheel angles.
AB  - Advisory warning systems (AWS) notify the driver about upcoming hazards. This is
      in contrast to the majority of currently deployed advanced driver assistance
      systems (ADAS) that manage emergency situations. The target of this study is to
      investigate the effectiveness, acceptance, and controllability of a specific kind
      of AWS that uses the haptic information channel for warning the driver. This
      could be beneficial, as alternatives for using the visual modality can help to
      reduce the risk of visual overload. The driving simulator study (N=24) compared
      an AWS based on additional steering wheel angle control (Car Gestures) with a
      visual warning presented in a simulated head-up display (HUD). Both types of
      warning were activated 3.5s before the hazard object was reached. An additional
      condition of unassisted driving completed the experimental design. The subjects
      encountered potential hazards in a variety of urban situations (e.g. a pedestrian
      standing on the curbs). For the investigated situations, subjective ratings show
      that a majority of drivers prefer visual warnings over haptic information via
      gestures. An analysis of driving behavior indicates that both warning approaches
      guide the vehicle away from the potential hazard. Whereas gestures lead to a
      faster lateral driving reaction (compared to HUD warnings), the visual warnings
      result in a greater safety benefit (measured by the minimum distance to the
      hazard object). A controllability study with gestures in the wrong direction
      (i.e. leading toward the hazard object) shows that drivers are able to cope with
      wrong haptic warnings and safety is not reduced compared to unassisted driving as
      well as compared to (correct) haptic gestures and visual warnings. 

PMID- 26264519
TI  - Serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 in colorectal cancer family-risk population
      screening.
AB  - Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is related to tumour development and
      progression in colorectal cancer (CRC) and its utility as biomarker has been
      suggested. The aim of our study was to measure serum MMP-9 in asymptomatic first
      degree relatives of CRC patients, and to analyse its diagnostic accuracy for the
      detection of advanced neoplasia (AN: advanced adenomas and CRC). Additionally, we
      compared its diagnostic capability with the most used non-invasive faecal
      immunochemical test (FIT). Serum MMP-9 was quantified by ELISA in 516
      asymptomatic individuals that underwent a colonoscopy and a FIT. MMP-9 levels
      were significantly related to age and gender and therefore the concentration was
      corrected by these confounders. Corrected MMP-9 (cMMP-9) levels were higher in
      individuals with advanced adenomas (AA; p-value = 0.029) and AN (p-value = 0.056)
      compared to individuals with no neoplasia. Moreover, elevated cMMP-9
      concentration was associated with more severe characteristics of adenomas (number
      of lesions, size and histology). Nevertheless, the diagnostic accuracy of cMMP-9
      was considerably lower than that of FIT for identifying AA (22.64% vs. 47.17%
      sensitivity, 90% specificity) or AN (19.30% vs. 52.63% sensitivity, 90%
      specificity). According to our results, serum MMP-9 cannot be considered of
      utility for the diagnosis of AN in CRC family-risk population screening. 

PMID- 26264520
TI  - Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) is reduced to pyrroloquinoline quinol (PQQH2) by
      vitamin C, and PQQH2 produced is recycled to PQQ by air oxidation in buffer
      solution at pH 7.4.
AB  - Measurements of the reaction of sodium salt of pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQNa2)
      with vitamin C (Vit C) were performed in phosphate-buffered solution (pH 7.4) at
      25  degrees C under nitrogen atmosphere, using UV-vis spectrophotometry. The
      absorption spectrum of PQQNa2 decreased in intensity due to the reaction with Vit
      C and was changed to that of pyrroloquinoline quinol (PQQH2, a reduced form of
      PQQ). One molecule of PQQ was reduced by two molecules of Vit C producing a
      molecule of PQQH2 in the buffer solution. PQQH2, thus produced, was recycled to
      PQQ due to air oxidation. PQQ and Vit C coexist in many biological systems, such
      as vegetables, fruits, as well as in human tissues. The results obtained suggest
      that PQQ is reduced by Vit C and functions as an antioxidant in biological
      systems, because it has been reported that PQQH2 shows very high free-radical
      scavenging and singlet-oxygen quenching activities in buffer solutions.

PMID- 26264521
TI  - Profile of cytokines in the lungs of BALB/c mice after intra-nasal infection with
      Histoplasma capsulatum mycelial propagules.
AB  - The host pulmonary response to the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum was evaluated,
      through the profile of cytokines detected by the MagPix magnetic beads platform
      in lung homogenates and by lung-granulomas formation, from mice intra-nasally
      infected with mycelial propagules (M-phase) of two virulent H. capsulatum
      strains, EH-46 and G-217B. Results highlight that mice lung inflammatory response
      depends on the H. capsulatum strain used, during the first step of the fungal
      infection. IL-1beta and TNF-alpha increased their concentrations in mice infected
      with both strains. The highest levels of IL-6, IL-17, and IL-23 were found in EH
      46-infected mice, whereas levels of IL-22 were variable at all post-infection
      times for both strains. Significant increases of IL-12, IFN-gamma, IL-4, and IL
      10 were associated to EH-46-infected mice. Histological lung findings from EH-46
      infected mice revealed incipient and numerous well-developed granulomas,
      distributed in lung-lobes at the 14th and the 21st days after infection,
      according to cytokine profiles. 

PMID- 26264522
TI  - Intestinal pathogens, diarrhoea and acute phase proteins in naturally infected
      dairy calves.
AB  - In this study, the association between Eimeria spp. related signs and innate
      immune response in dairy calves was examined. Calves (n=100) aged 15-60 days were
      clinically examined and faecal samples, blood samples and deep nasopharyngeal
      swabs obtained. The samples were analysed for intestinal pathogens, acute phase
      proteins and WBC count, and respiratory tract pathogens, respectively. Diarrhoea
      was diagnosed in 32.6% (23.3-43.0%, 95% CI) of calves. An association between the
      pathogenic Eimeria spp. and diarrhoea was detected by multiple correspondence
      analysis. Eimeria related signs (diarrhoea, presence of pathogenic species and
      total oocyst count) were combined resulting a four level variable. Calves with
      weak signs of eimeriosis had decreased haptoglobin concentrations (p=0.02) and
      increased fibrinogen concentrations (p=0.048) compared to no signs. Increased
      haptoglobin and fibrinogen concentrations were associated with respiratory tract
      infection and umbilical infection. Serum amyloid A and WBC counts showed no
      association with signs of eimeriosis or clinical diagnoses. 

PMID- 26264523
TI  - Presence of antibodies to Salmonella in tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus) sera.
AB  - Colonisation of a host by pathogenic microorganisms is a near constant threat to
      the health of all vertebrates and most species have evolved an efficient adaptive
      immune response which produces antibodies following exposure to a specific
      antigen. The strength of this response can be influenced by many factors
      including sex and season. Tuatara are exposed to Salmonella through contact with
      infected skinks and soil; however, no gastrointestinal colonisation of tuatara
      with Salmonella has been found. Using Western blot and flow cytometry we have
      demonstrated that tuatara possess antibodies which recognise Salmonella antigens,
      but many of these antibodies are not specific and are cross-reactive with two
      closely related and ubiquitous bacteria, Escherichia coli and Citrobacter koseri.
      Our study describes the anti-Salmonella immune responses in tuatara and will help
      to inform decisions around maintaining wildlife health, as well as providing
      important insights into the role and development of adaptive immunity in
      reptilian species. 

PMID- 26264524
TI  - Experimental infection of chicken embryos with recently described Brucella
      microti: Pathogenicity and pathological findings.
AB  - Brucellae are facultative intracellular pathogens causing disease in a wide range
      of domestic and wild animals as well as in humans. Brucella (B.) microti is a
      recently recognized species and was isolated from common voles (Microtus
      arvalis), red foxes and soil in Austria and the Czech Republic. Its pathogenicity
      for livestock and its zoonotic potential has not been confirmed yet. In the
      present study 25 SPF chicken embryos were inoculated at day 11 of age with
      1.6*10(3) and 1.6*10(5)B. microti by yolk sac and allantoic sac routes. Re
      isolation of B. microti indicated rapid multiplication of bacteria (up to
      1.7*10(12)CFU). B. microti provoked marked gross lesions, i.e. hemorrhages and
      necroses. All inoculated embryos were dead (100% mortality) in between 2nd and
      4th day post inoculation. The predominant histopathological lesion was necroses
      in liver, kidneys, lungs, spleen, gastrointestinal tract, spinal meninges, yolk
      sac and chorioallantoic membrane. Immunohistochemical examination showed the
      presence of Brucella antigen in nearly all of these organs, with infection being
      mainly restricted to non-epithelial cells or tissues. This study provides the
      first results on the multiplication and pathogenicity of the mouse pathogenic B.
      microti in chicken embryos. These data suggest that, even though chicken are not
      mammals, they could provide a useful tool for understanding the pathogenesis of
      B. microti associated disease. 

PMID- 26264525
TI  - Reversible stimulus-responsive Cu(I) iodide pyridine coordination polymer.
AB  - We present a structurally flexible copper-iodide-pyridine-based coordination
      polymer showing drastic variations in its electrical conductivity driven by
      temperature and sorption of acetic acid molecules. The dramatic effect on the
      electrical conductivity enables the fabrication of a simple and robust device for
      gas detection. X-ray diffraction studies and DFT calculations allow the
      rationalisation of these observations. 

PMID- 26264526
TI  - Tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy of bradykinin and its B2 receptor antagonists
      adsorbed onto colloidal suspended Ag nanowires.
AB  - The tip-enhanced Raman scattering (TERS) spectra of bradykinin (BK) and its
      potent B2 BK receptor antagonists, [d-Arg(0),Hyp(3),Thi(5,8),l-Pip(7)]BK and [d
      Arg(0),Hyp(3),Thi(5),d-Phe(7),l-Pip(8)]BK, approximately with a size of about 40
      nm, adsorbed onto colloidal suspended Ag nanowires with diameter in the range of
      350-500 nm and length of 2-50 MUm were recorded. The metal surface plasmon
      resonance and morphology of the Ag nanowires were studied by ultraviolet-visible
      (UV-Vis) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Briefly, it was
      shown that two C-terminal amino acids of BK and [d-Arg(0),Hyp(3),Thi(5,8),l
      Pip(7)]BK are involved in the interaction with the colloidal suspended Ag
      nanowire surface, whereas three last amino acids of the [d-Arg(0),Hyp(3),Thi(5),d
      Phe(7),l-Pip(8)]BK sequence attached the Ag surface. Thus, BK adsorbs on the
      colloidal suspended Ag nanowires mainly through the Phe(5/8) ring (tilted
      orientation) and the one oxygen atom of the carboxylate group and the H2N-C-NH
      CH2- fragment of Arg(9). In the case of [d-Arg(0),Hyp(3),Thi(5,8),l-Pip(7)]BK,
      the Thi(8) ring (through the lone electron pair on the sulfur atom) and the both
      oxygen atoms of the carboxylate group and the amine group of Arg(9) mainly
      participated in the interaction with the Ag nanowire surface. For [d
      Arg(0),Hyp(3),Thi(5),d-Phe(7),l-Pip(8)]BK, the d-Phe(7) ring, the Pip(8) ring,
      and the Arg(9) side-chain assisted in the peptide interaction with the Ag
      surface. The obtained results emphasize the importance of the C-terminal part of
      these peptides in the adsorption process onto the colloidal suspended Ag
      nanowires. 

PMID- 26264527
TI  - Airway management of ruptured pulmonary artery "Rasmussen" aneurysm and massive
      hemoptysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pulmonary tuberculosis is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and
      its manifestations may include parenchymal, airway, vascular, pleural,
      mediastinal and chest wall lesions. Hemoptysis is a common complication of the
      disease. Massive hemoptysis occurs in about 8% of cases; with associated
      mortality ranging from 5 to 25% Massive hemoptysis secondary to pulmonary artery
      aneurysm rupture is a rare phenomenon presenting unique challenges in airway
      management and stabilization of oxygenation, ventilation and blood pressure. CASE
      HISTORY: We present a case of a patient with necrotizing pulmonary tuberculosis
      complicated by a ruptured pulmonary artery "Rasmussen" aneurysm requiring
      emergent intubation and embolization. CONCLUSION: Massive hemoptysis should be
      treated as a medical emergency requiring the coordinated care of multiple
      specialists including intensivists, interventional radiologists,
      anesthesiologists, and surgeons. Airway management and stabilization of
      cardiorespiratory status should be the highest priority, followed by timely
      diagnostic procedures to localize the site and cause of the bleeding.

PMID- 26264528
TI  - Flow-enhanced solution printing of all-polymer solar cells.
AB  - Morphology control of solution coated solar cell materials presents a key
      challenge limiting their device performance and commercial viability. Here we
      present a new concept for controlling phase separation during solution printing
      using an all-polymer bulk heterojunction solar cell as a model system. The key
      aspect of our method lies in the design of fluid flow using a microstructured
      printing blade, on the basis of the hypothesis of flow-induced polymer
      crystallization. Our flow design resulted in a ~90% increase in the donor thin
      film crystallinity and reduced microphase separated donor and acceptor domain
      sizes. The improved morphology enhanced all metrics of solar cell device
      performance across various printing conditions, specifically leading to higher
      short-circuit current, fill factor, open circuit voltage and significantly
      reduced device-to-device variation. We expect our design concept to have broad
      applications beyond all-polymer solar cells because of its simplicity and
      versatility. 

PMID- 26264530
TI  - Rh(III)-catalyzed cyclization reaction of azoles with alkynes: efficient
      synthesis of azole-fused-pyridines.
AB  - A Rh(iii)-catalyzed cyclization of azoles with alkynes has been developed. A
      variety of azole-fused-pyridines were obtained in good to excellent yields and
      regioselectivity. Both the C5 and the C4 position of azoles were suitable for the
      reaction. 

PMID- 26264529
TI  - Isolation and identification of a new neo-clerodane diterpenoid from Teucrium
      chamaedrys L.
AB  - Teucrium chamaedrys L. is an aromatic and medicinal plant used as traditional
      medicine. Aerial parts of the plant material were dried and extracted with hexane
      dichloromethane (extract 1), ethyl acetate-dichloromethane (extract 2) and
      methanol-dichloromethane (extract 3) in a ratio of 1:1 at rt successively. The
      solvents were evaporated to give crude extracts. Extract 1 was suspended in water
      at 60 degrees C then partitioned successively with hexane and ethyl acetate to
      give hexane and ethyl acetate portions. After the column chromatography (silica
      gel) of ethyl acetate extract, one new and four known compounds were isolated.
      The new compound was named as 1(12S,18R)-15,16-epoxy-2beta,6beta-dihydroxy-neo
      cleroda-13(16),14-dien-20,l2-olide-l8,l9-hemiacetal (teuchamaedryn D) (4). The
      known compounds were teucrin A (1), dihydroteugin (2), teucroxide (3),
      syspirensin A (5). The chromatographic methods were also applied for extract 3 to
      isolate verbascoside (6) and teucrioside (7). The structure of isolated compounds
      was elucidated by spectroscopic methods including LC-TOF/MS, 1D NMR and 2D NMR.

PMID- 26264531
TI  - Acitretin-induced spiny follicular hyperkeratosis.
AB  - Spiny follicular hyperkeratosis (SFH) is follicular flesh-colored hyperkeratotic
      spicules that are linked to different situations including drug reactions.
      Previously suspected drugs are BRAF inhibitors and cyclosporine. We described a
      51-year-old psoriasis patient with SFH who had been using acitretin.

PMID- 26264532
TI  - The effectiveness and reliability of posterior sub-Tenon triamcinolone acetonide
      injection in branch retinal vein occlusion-related macular edema.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness and reliability of posterior sub
      Tenon triamcinolone acetonide (PSTA) application in branch retinal vein occlusion
      (BRVO)-related macular edema. METHODS: Patients with confirmed BRVO-related
      macular edema were enrolled in the study. Patients were injected with a single,
      therapeutic dose of 40 mg PSTA. Detailed ophthalmic examination was performed at
      baseline and at 1, 3 and 6 months after the treatment. Best corrected visual
      acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), cataractogenic change (CC) and macular
      optical coherence tomography (OCT) analysis results were evaluated. The results
      were compared statistically. RESULTS: Forty-one eyes of 41 patients with a mean
      age of 63.49 +/- 10.99 (55-86) years, 15 (36.6%) females, were included in the
      study. BCVA in LogMAR values at 1 and 3 months were significantly better than at
      baseline, while no significant difference from baseline was observed in sixth
      month values (p < 0.001, p < 0.001 and p = 0.846, respectively). Central macular
      thickness values obtained using OCT were significantly lower at the first, third
      and sixth months compared to baseline (p < 0.001 for all). IOP elevation was
      determined in only two eyes (4.8%) at the end of the study period, and no CC was
      detected in any case. CONCLUSION: PSTA application is an effective and safe
      option in BRVO-related macular edema.

PMID- 26264533
TI  - The short-term and long-term adverse ocular effects of fesoterodine fumarate.
AB  - AIM: To evaluate the short-term and long-term effects of fesoterodine fumarate
      treatment which is used for overactive bladder (OAB) on pupil diameter (PD),
      intraocular pressure (IOP) and accommodation amplitude (AA). METHOD: Ophthalmic
      examination was performed before and after receiving medication (on the 30th and
      90th day) on 120 eyes of 120 women whom were planned to begin anticholinergic
      treatment (fesoterodine fumarate, 4 mg/day, peroral) for OAB, prospectively. The
      changes in PD, IOP and AA were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: The mean age of
      120 women was 52.06 +/- 9.39 years (30-70 years). The mean PD, IOP and AA values
      were 4.12 +/- 0.61 mm (3.00-5.70 mm), 15.58 +/- 1.74 mmHg (11-20 mmHg) 2.28 +/-
      1.26 Diopter (D) (0.50-5.50 D) at baseline; 4.68 +/- 0.65 mm (3.20-5.80 mm),
      16.11 +/- 1.72 mmHg (11-20 mmHg), 1.68 +/- 1.04 D (0.25-4.50 D) at 30th day; and
      4.28 +/- 0.58 mm (3.10-5.70 mm), 16.09 +/- 1.96 mmHg (11-19 mmHg), 2.18 +/- 1.19
      D (0.50-5.00 D) at 90th day, respectively. Although increases in PD values and
      decreases in AA values were statistically significant (p < 0.001 for each), the
      changes in IOP values were not as such (p = 0.642). Visual complaint was not
      observed in any patient. DISCUSSION: The newest anticholinergic medication in
      women with OAB increased the PD and decreased the AA statistically significantly.
      Clinically, it seems to be well-tolerated by the patient.

PMID- 26264534
TI  - Erlotinib-related keratopathy in a patient underwent laser in situ
      keratomileusis.
AB  - Erlotinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor of the epidermal growth factor receptor.
      Since there is a wide expression of the epidermal growth factor receptors in the
      epithelial tissues of ocular surface and adnexa, ocular adverse reactions may
      happen during systemic administration of erlotinib. Previously reported ocular
      adverse reactions of erlotinib include trichomegaly, periorbital rash, ectropion,
      blepharitis, persistent corneal epithelial defect, corneal ulcer and perforation.
      We report the first case of erlotinib-related keratopathy in a patient who had
      received laser in situ keratomileusis. The patient presented a special picture of
      flap striae related to erlotinib. Improvement of keratopathy after cessation of
      erlotinib was demonstrated.

PMID- 26264535
TI  - The role of emotion transition for the perception of social dominance and
      affiliation.
AB  - Individuals who show anger are rated as higher in dominance and lower in
      affiliation, whereas those who express sadness are rated lower in dominance and
      higher in affiliation. Little is known about situations where people show both
      expressions in sequence as happens when a first emotional reaction is followed by
      a second, different one. This question was examined in two studies. Overall, we
      found that the last emotion shown had a strong impact on perceived behavioural
      intentions. However, the information about the previously shown emotion was also
      integrated. The specific mode of integration was dependent on the salience of the
      change and naive theories about the type of person who changes their emotion in
      the face of changing events.

PMID- 26264536
TI  - With this issue we mark the passing of Philip F. Barretta. Introduction.

PMID- 26264537
TI  - Obituary.

PMID- 26264538
TI  - A Special Moment of Wisdom.

PMID- 26264539
TI  - Hypnosis Treatment of Gastrointestinal Disorders: A Comprehensive Review of the
      Empirical Evidence.
AB  - Hypnotherapy has been investigated for 30 years as a treatment for
      gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. There are presently 35 studies in the published
      empirical literature, including 17 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that have
      assessed clinical outcomes of such treatment. This body of research is reviewed
      comprehensively in this article. Twenty-four of the studies have tested
      hypnotherapy for adult irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and 5 have focused on IBS
      or abdominal pain in children. All IBS hypnotherapy studies have reported
      significant improvement in gastrointestinal symptoms, and 7 out of 10 RCTs in
      adults and all 3 RCTs in pediatric patient samples found superior outcomes for
      hypnosis compared to control groups. Collectively this body of research shows
      unequivocally that for both adults and children with IBS, hypnosis treatment is
      highly efficacious in reducing bowel symptoms and can offer lasting and
      substantial symptom relief for a large proportion of patients who do not respond
      adequately to usual medical treatment approaches. For other GI disorders the
      evidence is more limited, but preliminary indications of therapeutic potential
      can be seen in the single randomized controlled trials published to date on
      hypnotherapy for functional dyspepsia, functional chest pain, and ulcerative
      colitis. Further controlled hypnotherapy trials in those three disorders should
      be a high priority. The mechanisms underlying the impact of hypnosis on GI
      problems are still unclear, but findings from a number of studies suggest that
      they involve both modulation of gut functioning and changes in the brain's
      handling of sensory signals from the GI tract.

PMID- 26264540
TI  - Alert Hypnotic Inductions: Use in Treating Combat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
AB  - Alert hypnosis can be a valuable part of the treatment protocol for the
      resolution of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Research indicates that
      combat veterans with PTSD are more hypnotically susceptible than the general
      population. For that reason, it is hypothesized that they should be better able
      to use hypnosis in treatment. As opposed to the traditional modality, eyes-open
      alert hypnosis allows the patient to take advantage of hypnotic phenomena while
      participating responsibly in work, social life, and recreation. Three case
      studies are reported on combat veterans with PTSD who learned to overcome their
      symptoms using alert hypnosis. 

PMID- 26264541
TI  - Transcultural Factors in Hypnotizability Scales: Limits and Prospects.
AB  - Hypnotic suggestibility--loosely termed hypnotizability--is difficult to assess
      across cultures. Investigators often use translated research instruments to guide
      their inquiry in disparate geographic locations. Present-day hypnosis researchers
      rely heavily on two primary scales that are more than half a century old: the
      Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale: Form C (SHSS:C) (Weitzenhoffer & Hilgard,
      1959) and the Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility: Form A (HGSHS:A)
      (Shor & Orne, 1962). Scholars typically translate these scales to measure
      hypnotizability transculturally. This approach, however, operates under the
      specious assumption that the concept of hypnotizability is largely monolithic or
      universal across cultures. Whereas translations likely conserve the linguistic
      content, they may arguably imply different cultural meanings and historical
      subtexts. Whereas social scientists acknowledge the importance of qualitative and
      phenomenological accounts in the study of altered consciousness, including
      suggestibility, researchers interested in hypnotizability consider the impact of
      findings from anthropology and ethnography too little. Clinicians and scholars of
      hypnosis would stand to benefit from incorporating the insights afforded by
      transcultural research in the overarching investigation of a concept as nuanced
      as hypnotizability.

PMID- 26264542
TI  - Hypnosis for Asthma and Vocal Cord Dysfunction in a Patient With Autism.
AB  - Wheezing in children often is the result of asthma, but vocal cord dysfunction
      (VCD) may cause stridor or sounds that sometimes are misattributed to the
      wheezing of asthma. The frequent comorbidity of asthma and VCD also adds to the
      difficulty in making a clear diagnosis. The challenges of evaluating and treating
      wheezing are complicated further in children with developmental disorders, such
      as autism, because of the difficulties of obtaining an adequate history and
      assessing the clinical response to treatment. This article presents a patient
      with multiple psychiatric problems, including autism, with severe recurrent
      wheezing as a result of vocal cord dysfunction and asthma. Hypnosis has
      previously proven efficacious for treating vocal cord dysfunction, and in this
      case, hypnotic techniques were major factors in successful symptom control. 

PMID- 26264543
TI  - Effects of Dry Flotation Restricted Environmental Stimulation on Hypnotizability
      and Pain Control.
AB  - The effects of dry flotation restricted environmental stimulation (REST) on
      hypnotizability and pain control were tested in lighted and unlighted conditions.
      Participants (N = 30, ages 18-30) were exposed to hypnosis maximizing
      (plateauing) experiences prior to the experiment. Participants were exposed to 6
      hours of lighted REST (N = 10), 6 hours of unlighted REST (N = 10), or 6 hours of
      normal stimulation (N = 10). The Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale: Form C
      (SHSS: C) (Weitzenhoffer & Hilgard, 1962) and standardized ischemic pain tests
      were administered before and after the conditions and at a 2-week follow-up. Both
      REST groups shared significantly higher SHSS: C scores and significantly lower
      pain scores from pre-test to post-test and follow-up. The lighted REST group
      showed significantly higher SHSS: C scores and significantly lower pain scores
      than the unlighted REST group at post-test and follow-up. The findings supported
      Barabasz's (1982) theory of REST responding.

PMID- 26264544
TI  - Successful Treatment of Ptyalism Gravidarum With Concomitant Hyperemesis Using
      Hypnosis.
AB  - Ptyalism gravidarum, or sialorrhea, is the excessive secretion of saliva during
      pregnancy. Treatment of ptyalism gravidarum is often challenging due to its
      unknown etiologies. This article discusses a case of ptyalism gravidarum with
      concomitant hyperemesis in which the condition was successfully treated with
      hypnosis. A 28-year-old woman presented with ptyalism 2 months into her pregnancy
      and hyperemesis 3 months into pregnancy with associated vomiting that occurred
      following every meal. Hypnosis was administered at week 16 of pregnancy to
      eliminate ptyalism and hyperemesis, to prepare for childbirth, and to increase
      overall psychological well-being. Ptyalism resolved by week 36, concurrent with
      the final hypnosis session.

PMID- 26264548
TI  - A FISH-based chromosome map for the European corn borer yields insights into
      ancient chromosomal fusions in the silkworm.
AB  - A significant feature of the genomes of Lepidoptera, butterflies and moths, is
      the high conservation of chromosome organization. Recent remarkable progress in
      genome sequencing of Lepidoptera has revealed that syntenic gene order is
      extensively conserved across phylogenetically distant species. The ancestral
      karyotype of Lepidoptera is thought to be n=31; however, that of the most well
      studied moth, Bombyx mori, is n=28, and diverse studies suggest that three
      chromosomal fusion events occurred in this lineage. To identify the boundaries
      between predicted ancient fusions involving B. mori chromosomes 11, 23 and 24, we
      constructed fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH)-based chromosome maps of
      the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (n=31). We first determined a 511 Mb
      genomic sequence of the Asian corn borer, O. furnacalis, a congener of O.
      nubilalis, and isolated bacterial artificial chromosomes and fosmid clones that
      were expected to localize in candidate regions for the boundaries using these
      sequences. Combined with FISH and genetic analysis, we narrowed down the
      candidate regions to 40 kb-1.5 Mb, in strong agreement with a previous estimate
      based on the genome of a butterfly, Melitaea cinxia. The significant difference
      in the lengths of the candidate regions where no functional genes were observed
      may reflect the evolutionary time after fusion events.

PMID- 26264549
TI  - Two recently sequenced vertebrate genomes are contaminated with apicomplexan
      species of the Sarcocystidae family.
AB  - This paper highlights a general problem, namely that host genome sequences can
      easily be contaminated with parasite sequences, thus careful isolation of genetic
      material and careful bioinformatics analysis are needed in all cases. Two
      recently published genomes are shown here to be contaminated with sequences of
      apicomplexan parasites which belong to the Sarcocystidae family. Sequences of the
      characteristic apicomplexan organelle, the apicoplast, were used as queries in
      BLASTN searches against nucleotide sequences of various animal groups looking for
      possible contamination. Draft genomes of a bird, Colinus virginianus (Halley et
      al., 2014), and a bat, Myotis davidii (Zhang et al., 2013) were found to contain
      at least six and 17 contigs, respectively, originating from the apicoplast of an
      apicomplexan species, and other genes specific to this phylum can also be found
      in the published genomes. Obviously, the sources of the genetic material, the
      muscle and the kidney of the animals, respectively, contained the parasitic
      cysts. Phylogenetic analyses using 18S rRNA and internal transcribed spacer 1
      genes show that the parasite contaminating C. virginianus is a species of
      Sarcocystis related to ones known to cycle between avian and mammalian hosts. In
      the case of M. davidii it belongs to the Nephroisospora genus, the only member of
      which, Nephroisospora eptesici, has been recently identified from the kidney of
      big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus). 

PMID- 26264550
TI  - Dietary counselling has no effect on cardiovascular risk factors among Chinese
      Grade 1 hypertensive patients: a randomized controlled trial.
AB  - AIMS: To evaluate the effectiveness of Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension
      (DASH) by one-off dietary counselling on reducing cardiovascular risk factors
      among Chinese Grade 1 hypertensive patients in primary care. METHODS AND RESULTS:
      A parallel-group, randomized controlled trial (ChiCTR-TRC-13003014) was conducted
      among patients (40-70 years old) newly diagnosed with Grade 1 hypertension in
      primary care settings in Hong Kong. Subjects were randomized to usual care
      (standard education, control) (n = 275), or usual care plus DASH-based dietary
      counselling (intervention) (n = 281). The study endpoints included blood pressure
      (BP), lipid profile, and body mass index (BMI) at 6- and 12-months. Outcome data
      were available for 504 (90.6%) and 485 (87.2%) patients at 6 and 12 months,
      respectively. Blood pressure levels reduced in both groups at follow-ups.
      However, the intervention group did not show a significantly greater reduction in
      either systolic BP (-0.7 mmHg, 95%CI -3.0-1.5 at 6-month; -0.1 mmHg, 95%CI -2.4
      2.2 at 12-month) or diastolic BP (-1.0 mmHg, 95%CI -2.7-0.7 at 6-month; -1.1
      mmHg, 95%CI -2.9-0.6 at 12-month), when compared with the control group. The
      improvements in lipid profile and BMI were observed among all subjects, yet no
      significant differences were detected between intervention and control groups.
      CONCLUSION: The DASH diet by one-off dietitian counselling which resembled the
      common primary care practice might confer no added long-term benefits on top of
      physician's usual care in optimizing cardiovascular risk factors. Physicians may
      still practice standard usual care, yet further explorations on different DASH
      delivery models are warranted to inform best clinical practice.

PMID- 26264551
TI  - Ivabradine and the SIGNIFY conundrum.

PMID- 26264553
TI  - Circulating microRNAs as biomarkers for diagnosis of early hepatocellular
      carcinoma associated with hepatitis B virus.
AB  - Hepatocarcinogenesis is a multistep process that evolves from cirrhosis or
      dysplastic nodule (DN), and eventually leads to overt hepatocellular carcinoma
      (HCC). Differentiation between early HCC and DN is an important issue in the
      clinical setting. This study aims to investigate the potential of circulating
      microRNA (miRNA) levels in the diagnosis of early HCC. RNA was extracted from
      sera of 30 chronic hepatitis B patients with pathologically proven DN and 120 age
      and sex-matched patients with early HCC. Paired samples were collected from ten
      patients with DN who developed overt HCC in the follow-up. A panel of ten cancer
      associated miRNAs was analyzed by quantitative real-time reverse-transcription
      polymerase chain reaction. Serum levels of miR-16, miR-122, miR-221, let-7b and
      miR-15b were significantly lower in patients with DN than in the HCC group. When
      DN progressed to overt HCC, serum miR-122, miR-let-7b and miR-15b levels
      increased significantly (p = 0.046, 0.043 and 0.044, respectively). As a single
      marker, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and miR-122 as well as let-7b had the similar
      performance for differentiate HCC from DN. As limited to subjects with normal
      AFP, let-7b resulted in a sensitivity of 84.8% and a specificity of 50% in
      separating HCC and DN with a cutoff value of 3.5 (p = 0.001). In conclusion, miR
      122 and let-7b, which are upregulated in the serum of early-HCC patients, can be
      useful markers for differentiating early HCC from DN in chronic hepatitis B
      patients.

PMID- 26264555
TI  - Glucokinase activation is beneficial or toxic to cultured rat pancreatic islets
      depending on the prevailing glucose concentration.
AB  - In rat pancreatic islets, beta-cell gene expression, survival, and subsequent
      acute glucose stimulation of insulin secretion (GSIS) are optimally preserved by
      prolonged culture at 10 mM glucose (G10) and markedly altered by culture at G5 or
      G30. Here, we tested whether pharmacological glucokinase (GK) activation prevents
      these alterations during culture or improves GSIS after culture. Rat pancreatic
      islets were cultured 1-7 days at G5, G10, or G30 with or without 3 MUM of the GK
      activator Ro 28-0450 (Ro). After culture, beta-cell apoptosis and islet gene mRNA
      levels were measured, and the acute glucose-induced increase in NAD(P)H
      autofluorescence, intracellular calcium concentration, and insulin secretion were
      tested in the absence or presence of Ro. Prolonged culture of rat islets at G5 or
      G30 instead of G10 triggered beta-cell apoptosis and reduced their glucose
      responsiveness. Addition of Ro during culture differently affected beta-cell
      survival and glucose responsiveness depending on the glucose concentration during
      culture: it was beneficial to beta-cell survival and function at G5, detrimental
      at G10, and ineffective at G30. In contrast, acute GK activation with Ro
      increased the glucose sensitivity of islets cultured at G10 but failed at
      restoring beta-cell glucose responsiveness after culture at G5 or G30. We
      conclude that pharmacological GK activation prevents the alteration of beta-cell
      survival and function by long-term culture at G5 but mimics glucotoxicity when
      added to G10. The complex effects of glucose on the beta-cell phenotype result
      from changes in glucose metabolism and not from an effect of glucose per se. 

PMID- 26264552
TI  - Reduced appropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy after cardiac
      resynchronization therapy-induced left ventricular function recovery: a meta
      analysis and systematic review.
AB  - AIMS: For patients undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) with
      implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD; CRT-D), the effect of an improvement
      in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) on appropriate ICD therapy may have
      significant implications regarding management at the time of ICD generator
      replacement. METHODS AND RESULTS: We conducted a meta-analysis to determine the
      effect of LVEF recovery following CRT on the incidence of appropriate ICD
      therapy. A search of multiple electronic databases identified 709 reports, of
      which 6 retrospective cohort studies were included (n = 1740). In patients with
      post-CRT LVEF >=35% (study n = 4), the pooled estimated rate of ICD therapy
      (5.5/100 person-years) was significantly lower than patients with post-CRT LVEF
      <35% [incidence rate difference (IRD): -6.5/100 person-years, 95% confidence
      interval (95% CI): -8.8 to -4.2, P < 0.001]. Similarly, patients with post-CRT
      LVEF >=45% (study n = 4) demonstrated lower estimated rates of ICD therapy
      (2.3/100 person-years) compared with patients without such recovery (IRD: 
      5.8/100 person-years, 95% CI: -7.6 to -4.0, P < 0.001). Restricting analysis to
      studies discounting ICD therapies during LVEF recovery (study n = 3), patients
      with LVEF recovery (>=35 or >=45%) had significantly lower rates of ICD therapy
      compared with patients without such recovery (P for both <0.001). Patients with
      primary prevention indication for ICD, regardless of LVEF recovery definition,
      had very low rates of ICD therapy (0.4 to 0.8/100-person years). CONCLUSION:
      Recovery of LVEF post-CRT is associated with significantly reduced appropriate
      ICD therapy. Patients with improvement of LVEF >=45% and those with primary
      prevention indication for ICD appear to be at lowest risk.

PMID- 26264556
TI  - Dynamics of glucose-induced insulin secretion in normal human islets.
AB  - The biphasic pattern of glucose-induced insulin secretion is altered in type 2
      diabetes. Impairment of the first phase is an early sign of beta-cell
      dysfunction, but the underlying mechanisms are still unknown. Their
      identification through in vitro comparisons of islets from diabetic and control
      subjects requires characterization and quantification of the dynamics of insulin
      secretion by normal islets. When perifused normal human islets were stimulated
      with 15 mmol/l glucose (G15), the proinsulin/insulin ratio in secretory products
      rapidly and reversibly decreased (~50%) and did not reaugment with time.
      Switching from prestimulatory G3 to G6-G30 induced biphasic insulin secretion
      with flat but sustained (2 h) second phases. Stimulation index reached 6.7- and
      3.6-fold for the first and second phases induced by G10. Concentration dependency
      was similar for both phases, with half-maximal and maximal responses at G6.5 and
      G15, respectively. First-phase response to G15-G30 was diminished by short (30-60
      min) prestimulation in G6 (vs. G3) and abolished by prestimulation in G8, whereas
      the second phase was unaffected. After 1-2 days of culture in G8 (instead of G5),
      islets were virtually unresponsive to G15. In both settings, a brief return to G3
      G5 or transient omission of CaCl2 restored biphasic insulin secretion.
      Strikingly, tolbutamide and arginine evoked immediate insulin secretion in islets
      refractory to glucose. In conclusion, we quantitatively characterized the
      dynamics of glucose-induced insulin secretion in normal human islets and showed
      that slight elevation of prestimulatory glucose reversibly impairs the first
      phase, which supports the view that the similar impairment in type 2 diabetic
      patients might partially be a secondary phenomenon. 

PMID- 26264557
TI  - Implementation of a patient blood management monitoring and feedback program
      significantly reduces transfusions and costs.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patient blood management (PBM) measures have been shown to be
      effective in reducing transfusions while maintaining patient outcome. The
      issuance of transfusion guidelines is seen as being key to the success of PBM
      programs. As the introduction of guidelines alone did not visibly reduce
      transfusions in our center, a monitoring and feedback program was established.
      The aim of our study was to show the effectiveness of such measures in reducing
      transfusions and cost. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We designed a prospective,
      interventional cohort study with a 3-year time frame (January 1, 2012 to December
      31, 2014). In total, 101,794 patients aged 18 years or older were included. The
      PBM monitoring and feedback program was introduced on January 1, 2014, with the
      subsequent issuance of quarterly reporting. RESULTS: Within the first year of
      introduction, transfusion of all allogeneic blood products per 1000 patients was
      reduced by 27% (red blood cell units, -24%; platelet units, -25%; and fresh
      frozen plasma units, -37%; all p < 0.001) leading to direct allogeneic blood
      product related savings of more than 2 million USD. The number of blood products
      transfused per case was significantly reduced from 9 +/- 19 to 7 +/- 14 (p <
      0.001). With an odds ratio of 0.86 (95% confidence interval, 0.82-0.91), the
      introduction of our PBM monitoring and feedback program was a significant
      independent factor in the reduction of transfusion probability (p < 0.001).
      CONCLUSION: Our PBM monitoring and feedback program was highly efficacious in
      reducing the transfusion of allogeneic blood products and transfusion-related
      costs.

PMID- 26264558
TI  - Deterring driving under the influence of cannabis.

PMID- 26264559
TI  - leBIBIQBPP: a set of databases and a webtool for automatic phylogenetic analysis
      of prokaryotic sequences.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Estimating the phylogenetic position of bacterial and archaeal
      organisms by genetic sequence comparisons is considered as the gold-standard in
      taxonomy. This is also a way to identify the species of origin of the sequence.
      The quality of the reference database used in such analyses is crucial: the
      database must reflect the up-to-date bacterial nomenclature and accurately
      indicate the species of origin of its sequences. DESCRIPTION: leBIBI(QBPP) is a
      web tool taking as input a series of nucleotide sequences belonging to one of a
      set of reference markers (e.g., SSU rRNA, rpoB, groEL2) and automatically
      retrieving closely related sequences, aligning them, and performing phylogenetic
      reconstruction using an approximate maximum likelihood approach. The system
      returns a set of quality parameters and, if possible, a suggested taxonomic
      assigment for the input sequences. The reference databases are extracted from
      GenBank and present four degrees of stringency, from the "superstringent" degree
      (one type strain per species) to the loosely parsed degree ("lax" database). A
      set of one hundred to more than a thousand sequences may be analyzed at a time.
      The speed of the process has been optimized through careful hardware selection
      and database design. CONCLUSION: leBIBI(QBPP) is a powerful tool helping
      biologists to position bacterial or archaeal sequence commonly used markers in a
      phylogeny. It is a diagnostic tool for clinical, industrial and environmental
      microbiology laboratory, as well as an exploratory tool for more specialized
      laboratories. Its main advantages, relatively to comparable systems are: i) the
      use of a broad set of databases covering diverse markers with various degrees of
      stringency; ii) the use of an approximate Maximum Likelihood approach for
      phylogenetic reconstruction; iii) a speed compatible with on-line usage; and iv)
      providing fully documented results to help the user in decision making.

PMID- 26264561
TI  - Hybrid Diphenylalkyne-Dipeptide Oligomers Induce Multistrand beta-Sheet
      Formation.
AB  - Functionalized diphenylalkynes provide a template for the presentation of protein
      like surfaces composed of multistrand beta-sheets. The conformational properties
      of three-, four-, and seven-stranded systems have been investigated in the solid-
      and solution-state. This class of molecule may be suitable for the mediation of
      therapeutically relevant protein-protein interactions. 

PMID- 26264560
TI  - Maternal group B Streptococcus and the infant gut microbiota.
AB  - Early patterns of gut colonization may predispose children to adult disease.
      Exposures in utero and during delivery are associated with the infant gut
      microbiome. Although ~35% of women carry group B strep (GBS; Streptococcus
      agalactiae) during pregnancy, it is unknown if GBS presence influences the infant
      gut microbiome. As part of a population-based, general risk birth cohort, stool
      specimens were collected from infant's diapers at research visits conducted at ~1
      and 6 months of age. Using the Illumina MiSeq (San Diego, CA) platform, the V4
      region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene was sequenced. Infant gut bacterial
      community compositional differences by maternal GBS status were evaluated using
      permutational multivariate analysis of variance. Individual operational taxonomic
      units (OTUs) were tested using a zero-inflated negative binomial model. Data on
      maternal GBS and infant gut microbiota from either 1 (n=112) or 6-month-old stool
      (n=150) specimens was available on 262 maternal-child pairs. Eighty women (30.5%)
      were GBS+, of who 58 (72.5%) were given intrapartum antibiotics. After adjusting
      for maternal race, prenatal antifungal use and intrapartum antibiotics, maternal
      GBS status was statistically significantly associated with gut bacterial
      composition in the 6 month visit specimen (Canberra R 2=0.008, P=0.008;
      Unweighted UniFrac R 2=0.010, P=0.011). Individual OTU tests revealed that
      infants of GBS+ mothers were significantly enriched for specific members of the
      Clostridiaceae, Ruminococcoceae, and Enterococcaceae in the 6 month specimens
      compared with infants of GBS- mothers. Whether these taxonomic differences in
      infant gut microbiota at 6 months lead to differential predisposition for adult
      disease requires additional study. 

PMID- 26264562
TI  - Lycopene reduces cholesterol absorption through the downregulation of Niemann
      Pick C1-like 1 in Caco-2 cells.
AB  - SCOPE: Elevated blood cholesterol is an important risk factor associated with
      atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. Tomato lycopene has been found to
      have a hypocholesterolemic effect, and the effect was considered to be related to
      inhibition of cholesterol synthesis. However, since plasma cholesterol levels are
      also influenced by the absorption of cholesterol in the gut, the present study is
      to investigate whether lycopene affects cholesterol absorption in the intestinal
      Caco-2 cells. METHODS AND RESULTS: The Caco-2 cells were pretreated with lycopene
      at different concentrations for 24 h and then incubated with radioactive micellar
      cholesterol for 2 h. The absorption of radioactive cholesterol was quantified by
      liquid scintillation. The expression of Niemann-Pick C1-like 1 (NPC1L1) and liver
      X receptor alpha (LXRalpha) was analyzed by Western blot and qPCR. We found that
      lycopene dose dependently inhibited cholesterol absorption and the expression of
      NPC1L1 protein and NPC1L1 mRNA. The inhibitory effects of lycopene on cholesterol
      absorption and NPC1L1 expression could be prevented by blockade of the LXRalpha
      pathway. CONCLUSION: This study provides the first evidence that lycopene
      inhibits cholesterol absorption in the intestinal cells and this inhibitory
      effect of lycopene is mediated, at least in part, by LXRalpha-NPC1L1 signaling
      pathway.

PMID- 26264564
TI  - Toward teleoperated needle steering under continuous MRI guidance for prostate
      percutaneous interventions.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To propose a human-operated in-room master-slave bevel-tip needle
      steering system under continuous MRI guidance for prostate biopsy, in which the
      patient is kept in the scanner at all times and the process of needle placement
      is under continuous control of the physician. METHODS: A 2-DOF MRI-compatible
      needle steering module is developed and integrated with an existing 4-DOF
      transperineal robot, creating a 6-DOF robotic platform for prostate
      interventions. An MRI-compatible 2-DOF master robot is also developed to enable
      remote needle steering. An MRI-compatible 2-DOF force/torque sensor was used on
      the master side. Bevel-tip needle steering is implemented in order to compensate
      for the targeting error due to needle-tissue interaction. RESULTS: MRI
      compatibility results demonstrated maximum 20% loss in signal to noise ratio
      (SNR). Robot functionality was not influenced by the magnetic field. Targeting
      error was reduced from 4.2 mm to 0.9 mm as a result of bevel-tip needle steering.
      CONCLUSIONS: The feasibility of teleoperated bevel-tip needle steering using the
      proposed system was shown in a phantom experiment. Copyright (c) 2015 John Wiley
      & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 26264565
TI  - Developments and advances concerning the hyperpolarisation technique SABRE.
AB  - To overcome the inherent sensitivity issue in NMR and MRI, hyperpolarisation
      techniques are used. Signal Amplification By Reversible Exchange (SABRE) is a
      hyperpolarisation technique that utilises parahydrogen, a molecule that possesses
      a nuclear singlet state, as the source of polarisation. A metal complex is
      required to break the singlet order of parahydrogen and, by doing so, facilitates
      polarisation transfer to analyte molecules ligated to the same complex through
      the J-coupled network that exists. The increased signal intensities that the
      analyte molecules possess as a result of this process have led to investigations
      whereby their potential as MRI contrast agents has been probed and to understand
      the fundamental processes underpinning the polarisation transfer mechanism. As
      well as discussing literature relevant to both of these areas, the chemical
      structure of the complex, the physical constraints of the polarisation transfer
      process and the successes of implementing SABRE at low and high magnetic fields
      are discussed.

PMID- 26264563
TI  - Abnormal connexin expression in human chronic wounds.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Regulated alteration of connexin expression has been shown to be
      integral to acute wound repair. Downregulation of the gap-junction protein
      connexin 43 at the wound edge has been correlated with keratinocyte and
      fibroblast migration, while abnormal overexpression of connexin 43 significantly
      perturbs healing, as shown in the streptozotocin diabetic rodent impaired healing
      model. OBJECTIVES: To examine the protein expression levels of connexin 43, in
      addition to connexins 26 and 30, in a variety of human chronic wounds. METHODS:
      Wound-edge punch biopsies and a matched control from the arm were taken from a
      cohort of patients with venous leg, diabetic foot or pressure ulcers. Wound
      connexin expression in each patient was compared with that in a matched,
      nonwounded arm punch. Tissue was sectioned, stained and imaged by confocal
      microscopy using identical parameters per patient to permit quantification.
      RESULTS: Epidermal connexin 43, connexin 26 and connexin 30, and dermal connexin
      43 were discovered to be strikingly upregulated in every ulcer from all three
      wound types, pointing to connexin upregulation as a common feature between
      chronic wounds. CONCLUSIONS: This result supports efforts to target connexin 43
      to promote cell migration and wound healing in chronic ulcers.

PMID- 26264566
TI  - Nitric oxide regulates antagonistically phagocytic and neurite outgrowth
      inhibiting capacities of microglia.
AB  - Traumatic injury or the pathogenesis of some neurological disorders is
      accompanied by inflammatory cellular mechanisms, mainly resulting from the
      activation of central nervous system (CNS) resident microglia. Under inflammatory
      conditions, microglia up-regulate the inducible isoform of NOS (iNOS), leading to
      the production of high concentrations of the radical molecule nitric oxide (NO).
      At the onset of inflammation, high levels of microglial-derived NO may serve as a
      cellular defense mechanism helping to clear the damaged tissue and combat
      infection of the CNS by invading pathogens. However, the excessive overproduction
      of NO by activated microglia has been suggested to govern the inflammation
      mediated neuronal loss causing eventually complete neurodegeneration. Here, we
      investigated how NO influences phagocytosis of neuronal debris by BV-2 microglia,
      and how neurite outgrowth of human NT2 model neurons is affected by microglial
      derived NO. The presence of NO greatly increased microglial phagocytic capacity
      in a model of acute inflammation comprising lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated
      microglia and apoptotic neurons. Chemical manipulations suggested that NO up
      regulates phagocytosis independently of the sGC/cGMP pathway. Using a transwell
      system, we showed that reactive microglia inhibit neurite outgrowth of human
      neurons via the generation of large amounts of NO over effective distances in the
      millimeter range. Application of a NOS blocker prevented the LPS-induced NO
      production, totally reversed the inhibitory effect of microglia on neurite
      outgrowth, but reduced the engulfment of neuronal debris. Our results indicate
      that a rather simple notion of treating excessive inflammation in the CNS by NO
      synthesis blocking agents has to consider functionally antagonistic microglial
      cell responses during pharmaceutic therapy.

PMID- 26264567
TI  - Society for Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology 2015 Annual Meeting: Present
      and Future.

PMID- 26264568
TI  - Consumption of Fish and Long-Chain n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids During
      Pregnancy: has the Tide Turned?

PMID- 26264569
TI  - Anti-inflammatory effects of Sanguisorbae Radix on contact dermatitis induced by
      dinitrofluorobenzene in mice.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the anti-inflflammatory effects of Sanguisorbae Radix
      on contact dermatitis (CD). METHODS: Mice were sensitized by painting 30 uL of 1
      fluoro-2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) onto each ear for 3 days. Four days later,
      mice were challenged by painting with 50 uL of DNFB onto the shaved dorsum every
      2 days. Sanguisorbae Radix methanol extract (MESR) was applied onto the shaved
      dorsum every 2 days. The effects of MESR on skin thickness, skin weights,
      histopathological changes, skin lesions and cytokine production in DNFB-induced
      CD mice were investigated, as well as its effects on body weights and spleen/body
      weight ratio. RESULTS: Topical application of MESR effectively inhibited
      enlargement of skin thickness and weight (P<0.05). MESR treatment also inhibited
      hyperplasia, spongiosis and immune cell infiltration induced by DNFB in inflamed
      tissues and improved lesions on dorsum skin in CD mice. Moreover, treatment with
      MESR suppressed the increase in the levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF
      alpha,P<0.01) and interferon gamma (IFN-gamma,P<0.05), respectively. Finally,
      MESR had no effect on body weight gain or spleen/body weight ratio. CONCLUSION:
      These data suggest that MESR acts as an anti-inflflammatory agent that decreases
      the production of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma, resulting in reductions of skin
      lesions and histopathological changes in inflamed skin tissues.

PMID- 26264570
TI  - The application status of Chinese herbal medicine in military health service in
      China.
AB  - Military medicine has had a long history in China since the emergence of the war.
      Chinese medicine, especially Chinese herbs, was widely used in China as well as
      other Asian countries for the prevention and treatment of diseases in the
      military for hundreds of years. However, the use of Chinese medicine in military
      health service has never been well studied. In this article, we briefly summarize
      the application status of Chinese herbal medicine in military health service in
      China, putting particular emphasis on special military environment, in an attempt
      to build a bridge between Chinese medicine and military health service and
      promote the quality of health service for the military and maintain world peace. 

PMID- 26264571
TI  - Shen-Fu Injection () alleviates post-resuscitation myocardial dysfunction by up
      regulating expression of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of Shen-Fu Injection (SFI) and epinephrine on
      the expression of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) ATPase 2a (SERCA2a) in a pig
      model with post-resuscitation myocardial dysfunction. METHODS: Ventricular
      fibrillation (VF) was electrically induced in Wu-zhi-shan miniature pigs. After 8
      min of untreated VF and 2 min of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), all animals
      were randomly administered a bolus injection of saline placebo (SA group, n=10),
      SFI (0.8 mg/kg, SFI group, n=10) or epinephrine (20 MUg/kg, EPI group, n=10).
      After 4 min of CPR, a 100-J shock was delivered. If the defibrillation attempt
      failed to attain restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), manual chest
      compressions were rapidly resumed for a further 2 min followed by a second
      defibrillation attempt. Hemodynamic variables were recorded, and plasma
      concentrations of catecholamines were measured. Adenylate cyclase (AC), cyclic
      adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and the expressions of beta1-adrenoceptor (AR) and
      SERCA 2a were determined. RESULTS: Cardiac output, left ventricular dp/dtmax and
      negative dp/dtmax were significantly higher in the SFI group than in the SA and
      EPI groups at 4 and 6 h after ROSC. The expression of beta1-AR and SERCA2a at 24
      h after ROSC were significantly higher in the SFI group than in the SA and EPI
      groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The administration of epinephrine during
      CPR decreased the expression of SERCA2a and aggravated postresuscitation
      myocardial function (P<0.01). SFI attenuated post-resuscitation myocardial
      dysfunction, and the mechanism might be related to the up-regulation of SERCA2a
      expression.

PMID- 26264572
TI  - Effects on the tumor specific growth factor and tumor necrosis factor alpha in
      rats' precancerous lesion of primary hepatocellular carcinoma by direct
      moxibustion at Ganshu (BL 18) acupoint.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of direct moxibustion at Ganshu (BL18) on
      the serum concentrations of tumor specific growth factor (TSGF) and tumor
      necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) in a rat model with precancerous lesion of
      primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), so as to explore the mechanism of
      moxibustion underlying improvement of HCC. METHODS: Sixty male Wistar rats were
      randomly divided into control group (n=10), model group (n=20), prevention group
      1 (n=15) and prevention group 2 (n=15). The normal rats were injected with
      physiological saline as blank control. At the same time, the rats of other three
      groups were injected with diethylnitrosamine to establish the HCC model. Direct
      moxibustion with grain-sized moxa was applied to bilateral Ganshu acupoint of the
      rats in the prevention group 1 (1 treatment course, 20 days) and prevention group
      2 (2 treatment courses, 40 days), 5 doses for each acupoint, 0.5 mg/dose, once
      every other day. At each time point (before model establishment, the end of 1st
      course prevention, the end of 2nd course prevention and the end of model
      establishment), serum levels of TSGF and TNF-alpha were detected using enzyme
      linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, there was a
      remarkably increase of serum TSGF and TNF-alpha contents in the model group at
      the end of the experiment (P<0.05). At the end of the 1st course of direct
      moxibustion, the contents of serum TSGF and TNF-alpha of rats in the prevention
      group 1 were significantly increased compared with that of the model group
      (P<0.05). At the end of the 2nd course of direct moxibustion, serum TSGF and TNF
      alpha levels of rats in the model group were higher than the normal group with
      significantly difference (P<0.05), and the levels of TSGF and TNF-alpha in the
      prevention group 2 were significantly reduced in comparison with the model group
      (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: It was possible that direct moxibustion could inhibit
      precancerous lesion and postpone hepatocarcinogenesis, and the therapeutic effect
      of two courses were better than one course.

PMID- 26264573
TI  - Effects of agkistrodon in different dosage forms on collagen-induced arthritis in
      rats.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the effective dosage and formulation of agkistrodon in
      collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rats. METHODS: CIA was induced by injection of
      collagen in complete/incomplete Freund's adjuvant. Agkistrodon decoction,
      agkistrodon powder, and agkistrodon wine were administered daily starting from
      the onset of arthritis. Paw swelling degree was measured by using a volume
      measuring instrument every 7 days after primary immunization. Arthritis index was
      measured and calculated using the "five scoring method" every 7 days. The levels
      of serum interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and type II collagen IgG antibodies were
      detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Finally, all ankles were removed,
      and X-ray radiography was performed with In-vivo Imaging System FX. Samples were
      counterstained with hematoxylin and eosin for analysis. RESULTS: Among the
      various dosage formulations of agkistrodon, high-dose powder, which was
      equivalent to an amount of 6 g/day in adults, showed better effects on the
      inhibition of joint swelling and reduction of arthritis index score. The
      relatively low levels of serum IL-1 and anti-type II collagen IgG antibodies, as
      well as the X-ray radiography and pathology results, further proved the
      superiority of the high-dose powder over the other formulations. The effect of
      decoction on inhibiting joint swelling was inversely proportional to the dosage.
      Other effects, such as reduction of arthritis index score and the levels of serum
      IL-1 and anti-type II collagen IgG antibodies, were directly proportional to the
      dosage. While the use of large dose agkistrodon wine led to negative effects.
      CONCLUSION: These data highlight the potential function of high-dose agkistrodon
      powder, which was equivalent to an amount of 6 g/day in adults. The powder can
      quickly relieve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and prevent aggravation of
      disease, especially during the early period.

PMID- 26264574
TI  - Cornel iridoid glycoside reduces infarct size measured by magnetic resonance
      imaging and improves neurological function after focal cerebral ischemia in rats.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of cornel iridoid glycoside (CIG), an
      ingredient extracted from traditional Chinese herb Cornus offificinalis, on
      neurological function and infarct size in rats as measured by magnetic resonance
      imaging (MRI) after ischemic stroke. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were divided
      into three group: control (n=11), model (n=20) and CIG (n=16) groups. Rats in the
      model and CIG groups underwent 90-min middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO)
      followed by reperfusion. Their neurological defect was measured by using a
      modified neurological severity score (mNSS). T2-weighted MRI (T2-MRI) of the
      brain was performed in vivo from 2 to 28 days after MCAO. The infarct volume in
      the brain was also measured using 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC)
      staining 28 days after stroke. RESULTS: CIG, 60 mg/(kg day), administered by oral
      gavage starting from 6 h after the onset of MCAO improved neurological function
      at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days post occlusion (P<0.05 orP<0.01) and decreased
      mortality. The infarct volumes computed from the T2-MR images were reduced in the
      CIG-treated group compared with the model group at 7, 14 and 28 days after MCAO
      (P<0.05); and the rate at which the infarct volume decreased from 2 to 28 days
      was higher in the CIG-treated group than that in the model group (P<0.05). The
      infarct volumes measured by TTC staining were also decreased 28 days after stroke
      (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: CIG treatment, starting from 6 h after MCAO, reduced
      infarct size in the brain as measured by MRI and improved neurological function 2
      28 days after focal cerebral ischemia in rats, suggesting that CIG could be a
      clinical application in improving stroke treatment.

PMID- 26264575
TI  - Structural insights into aberrant cortical morphometry and network organization
      in psychogenic erectile dysfunction.
AB  - Functional neuroimaging studies have revealed abnormal brain dynamics of male
      sexual arousal (SA) in psychogenic erectile dysfunction (pED). However, the
      neuroanatomical correlates of pED are still unclear. In this work, we obtained
      cortical thickness (CTh) measurements from structural magnetic resonance images
      of 40 pED patients and 39 healthy control subjects. Abnormalities in CTh related
      to pED were explored using a scale space search based brain morphometric
      analysis. Organizations of brain structural covariance networks were analyzed as
      well. Compared with healthy men, pED patients showed significantly decreased CTh
      in widespread cortical regions, most of which were previously reported to show
      abnormal dynamics of male SA in pED, such as the medial prefrontal,
      orbitofrontal, cingulate, inferotemporal, and insular cortices. CTh reductions in
      these areas were found to be significantly correlated with male sexual
      functioning degradation. Moreover, pED patients showed decreased interregional
      CTh correlations from the right lateral orbitofrontal cortex to the right
      supramarginal gyrus and the left angular cortex, implying disassociations between
      the cognitive, motivational, and inhibitory networks of male SA in pED. This work
      provides structural insights on the complex phenomenon of psychogenic sexual
      dysfunction in men, and suggests a specific vulnerability factor, possibly as an
      extra "organic" factor, that may play an important role in pED.

PMID- 26264576
TI  - Elucidating the role of the A2A adenosine receptor in neurodegeneration using
      neurons derived from Huntington's disease iPSCs.
AB  - Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal-dominant degenerative disease caused by
      a cytosine-adenine-guanine trinucleotide expansion in the Huntingtin (htt) gene.
      The most vulnerable brain areas to mutant HTT-evoked toxicity are the striatum
      and cortex. In spite of the extensive efforts that have been devoted to the
      characterization of HD pathogenesis, no disease-modifying therapy for HD is
      currently available. The A2A adenosine receptor (A2AR) is widely distributed in
      the brain, with the highest level observed in the striatum. We previously
      reported that stimulation of the A2AR triggers an anti-apoptotic effect in a rat
      neuron-like cell line (PC12). Using a transgenic mouse model (R6/2) of HD, we
      demonstrated that A2AR-selective agonists effectively ameliorate several major
      symptoms of HD. In the present study, we show that human iPSCs can be
      successfully induced to differentiate into DARPP32-positive, GABAergic neurons
      which express the A2AR in a similar manner to striatal medium spiny neurons. When
      compared with those derived from control subjects (CON-iPSCs), these HD-iPSC
      derived neurons exhibited a higher DNA damage response, based on the observed
      expression of gammaH2AX and elevated oxidative stress. This is a critical
      observation, because oxidative damage and abnormal DNA damage/repair have been
      reported in HD patients. Most importantly, stimulation of the A2AR using
      selective agonists reduced DNA damage and oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in
      HD-iPSC-derived neurons through a cAMP/PKA-dependent pathway. These findings
      support our hypothesis that human neurons derived from diseased iPSCs might serve
      as an important platform to investigate the beneficial effects and underlying
      mechanisms of A2AR drugs. 

PMID- 26264577
TI  - Repeated low doses of morpholino antisense oligomer: an intermediate mouse model
      of spinal muscular atrophy to explore the window of therapeutic response.
AB  - The human SMN2 transgenic mice are well-established models of spinal muscular
      atrophy (SMA). While the severe type I mouse model has a rapidly progressive
      condition mimicking type I SMA in humans, the mild type III mice do not
      faithfully recapitulate chronic SMA variants affecting children. A SMA mouse
      model that clinically mimics the features of type II and III SMA in human is
      therefore needed. In this study, we generated intermediately affected SMA mice by
      delivering low-dose morpholino oligomer (PMO25) into the existing severe SMA
      mice. We show that a single low-dose administration of PMO25 moderately extended
      the survival of severe type I SMA mice. The neuromuscular pathology is also
      modestly but significantly improved in these mice. A second administration of
      PMO25 at postnatal day 5 (PND5) demonstrated an additive effect on survival.
      Additional systemic administration of low-dose PMO25 at 2-week intervals
      suppressed the occurrence of distal necrosis beyond postnatal day 100, and
      induced more complete phenotypic rescue than a single bolus high-dose injection
      at PND0. Our study demonstrates that survival of motor neuron (SMN) is required
      early at a critical threshold to prevent symptoms and suggests that subsequent
      systemic administration of low-dose PMO25 in SMA mice can provide therapeutic
      benefit and phenotypic rescue, presumably via peripheral SMN restoration. Our
      work also provides additional insight into the time window of response to
      administration of antisense oligonucleotides to SMA mice with an intermediate
      phenotype. This information is crucial at a time when a number of therapeutic
      interventions are in clinical trials in SMA patients. 

PMID- 26264578
TI  - Long-term engraftment of myogenic progenitors from adipose-derived stem cells and
      muscle regeneration in dystrophic mice.
AB  - Stem cell therapy is a promising approach for treating Duchenne muscular
      dystrophy (DMD); however, its application is hindered by poor cell engraftment.
      There have been no reports to date describing the efficient generation of
      myogenic progenitors from adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) that can contribute
      to muscle regeneration. In this study, we examined the in vivo myogenic potential
      of progenitors differentiated from ADSCs using forskolin, basic fibroblast growth
      factor, the glycogen synthase kinase 3beta inhibitor 6-bromoindirubin-3'-oxime as
      well as the supernatant of ADSC cultures. The results indicate that a
      proliferative population of myogenic progenitors can be derived from ADSCs that
      have characteristics similar to muscle satellite cells and are capable of
      terminal differentiation into multinucleated myotubes. When transplanted into DMD
      model mdx mice either by intramuscular injection or systemic delivery,
      progenitors were successfully engrafted in skeletal muscle for up to 12 weeks,
      and generated new muscle fibers, restored dystrophin expression and contributed
      to the satellite cell compartment. These findings highlight the potential
      application of myogenic progenitors derived from ADSCs to the treatment of
      muscular dystrophy. 

PMID- 26264579
TI  - Altered cytoskeletal organization characterized lethal but not surviving Brtl+/-
      mice: insight on phenotypic variability in osteogenesis imperfecta.
AB  - Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a heritable bone disease with dominant and
      recessive transmission. It is characterized by a wide spectrum of clinical
      outcomes ranging from very mild to lethal in the perinatal period. The intra- and
      inter-familiar OI phenotypic variability in the presence of an identical
      molecular defect is still puzzling to the research field. We used the OI murine
      model Brtl(+/-) to investigate the molecular basis of OI phenotypic variability.
      Brtl(+/-) resembles classical dominant OI and shows either a moderately severe or
      a lethal outcome associated with the same Gly349Cys substitution in the alpha1
      chain of type I collagen. A systems biology approach was used. We took advantage
      of proteomic pathway analysis to functionally link proteins differentially
      expressed in bone and skin of Brtl(+/-) mice with different outcomes to define
      possible phenotype modulators. The skin/bone and bone/skin hybrid networks
      highlighted three focal proteins: vimentin, stathmin and cofilin-1, belonging to
      or involved in cytoskeletal organization. Abnormal cytoskeleton was indeed
      demonstrated by immunohistochemistry to occur only in tissues from Brtl(+/-)
      lethal mice. The aberrant cytoskeleton affected osteoblast proliferation,
      collagen deposition, integrin and TGF-beta signaling with impairment of bone
      structural properties. Finally, aberrant cytoskeletal assembly was detected in
      fibroblasts obtained from lethal, but not from non-lethal, OI patients carrying
      an identical glycine substitution. Our data demonstrated that compromised
      cytoskeletal assembly impaired both cell signaling and cellular trafficking in
      mutant lethal mice, altering bone properties. These results point to the
      cytoskeleton as a phenotypic modulator and potential novel target for OI
      treatment. 

PMID- 26264580
TI  - Safe and bodywide muscle transduction in young adult Duchenne muscular dystrophy
      dogs with adeno-associated virus.
AB  - The ultimate goal of muscular dystrophy gene therapy is to treat all muscles in
      the body. Global gene delivery was demonstrated in dystrophic mice more than a
      decade ago using adeno-associated virus (AAV). However, translation to affected
      large mammals has been challenging. The only reported attempt was performed in
      newborn Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) dogs. Unfortunately, AAV injection
      resulted in growth delay, muscle atrophy and contracture. Here we report safe and
      bodywide AAV delivery in juvenile DMD dogs. Three ~2-m-old affected dogs received
      intravenous injection of a tyrosine-engineered AAV-9 reporter or micro-dystrophin
      (MUDys) vector at the doses of 1.92-6.24 * 10(14) viral genome particles/kg under
      transient or sustained immune suppression. DMD dogs tolerated injection well and
      their growth was not altered. Hematology and blood biochemistry were
      unremarkable. No adverse reactions were observed. Widespread muscle transduction
      was seen in skeletal muscle, the diaphragm and heart for at least 4 months (the
      end of the study). Nominal expression was detected in internal organs.
      Improvement in muscle histology was observed in MUDys-treated dogs. In summary,
      systemic AAV gene transfer is safe and efficient in young adult dystrophic large
      mammals. This may translate to bodywide gene therapy in pediatric patients in the
      future. 

PMID- 26264581
TI  - The wasting continuum in heart failure: from sarcopenia to cachexia.
AB  - Sarcopenia (muscle wasting) and cachexia share some pathophysiological aspects.
      Sarcopenia affects approximately 20 %, cachexia <10 % of ambulatory patients with
      heart failure (HF). Whilst sarcopenia means loss of skeletal muscle mass and
      strength that predominantly affects postural rather than non-postural muscles,
      cachexia means loss of muscle and fat tissue that leads to weight loss. The
      wasting continuum in HF implies that skeletal muscle is lost earlier than fat
      tissue and may lead from sarcopenia to cachexia. Both tissues require
      conservation, and therapies that stop the wasting process have tremendous
      therapeutic appeal. The present paper reviews the pathophysiology of muscle and
      fat wasting in HF and discusses potential treatments, including exercise
      training, appetite stimulants, essential amino acids, growth hormone,
      testosterone, electrical muscle stimulation, ghrelin and its analogues, ghrelin
      receptor agonists and myostatin antibodies. 

PMID- 26264582
TI  - Superficial temporal artery: the "C" shape half-buttonhole configuration as it
      courses over the zygomatic arch.
AB  - PURPOSE: To describe the course and configuration of the superficial temporal
      artery (STA) around the zygomatic arch. METHODS: Volume rendered 3D
      reconstructions of computed tomography angiography of 25 healthy patients were
      performed and analyzed at Duke University Hospitals. RESULTS: The STA coursed
      over the zygomatic arch or over the condylar process of the mandible in all cases
      (25/25 pts, 100 %). The STA courses over the posterior zygomatic arch in 23/25
      pts (92 %), creating a characteristic "C" shape half-buttonhole configuration as
      it embraces the arch. When the STA travels posterior to the zygomatic arch, there
      is no C shape configuration (2/25 pts, 8 %). The STA bifurcates distal to the
      zygomatic arch in 24/25 pts (96 %). CONCLUSIONS: The "C" shape half-buttonhole
      configuration is a useful identifying characteristic of the most common course of
      the STA-over the posterior zygomatic arch before it bifurcates.

PMID- 26264583
TI  - Bilateral comparison of the vascular pattern of the superficial temporal artery
      based on digital subtraction angiography.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study was performed to investigate any bilateral differences in the
      vascular pattern and microsurgical relevant parameters of the superficial
      temporal artery (STA) in vivo. METHODS: Digital subtraction angiographies of the
      STA of 38 individuals were retrospectively analyzed. A bilateral comparison of
      the branching pattern as well as of surgically relevant diameters and lengths of
      the main branches of the STA was performed. Moreover, gender-specific differences
      were assessed. RESULTS: Only 10 cases (26%) demonstrated an identical type and
      subtype of the STA pattern bilaterally. The diameters of the STA at its origin
      and bifurcation level as well as of its parietal branch were statistically
      significant wider on the right than on the left side (p(o) = 0.0009, p(b) =
      0.006, p(p) = 0.030). Moreover, the diameters of the STA at its origin level on
      the right side, at its bifurcation level on both sides and of the frontal branch
      on both sides were statistically significant wider in males than females. No
      statistically significant differences of the lengths of the STA and its main
      branches between the right and the left side were identified. CONCLUSION: The
      occurrence of the vascular pattern of the STA in vivo is random for each side of
      the same person and cannot be predicted by the vascular pattern of the opposite
      side. The calibers of the main branches of the STA are gender specific and
      commonly larger on the right than on the left side.

PMID- 26264585
TI  - Tendon grafts: their natural history, biology and future development.
AB  - The use of tendon grafts has diminished as regimes of primary repairs and
      rehabilitation have improved, but they remain important in secondary
      reconstruction. Relatively little is known about the cellular biology of grafts,
      and the general perception is that they have little biological activity. The
      reality is that there is a wealth of cellular and molecular changes occurring
      with the process of engraftment that affect the quality of the repair. This
      review highlights the historical perspectives and modern concepts of graft take,
      reviews the different attachment techniques and revisits the biology of
      pseudosheath formation. In addition, we discuss some of the future directions in
      tendon reconstruction by grafting, which include surface modification,
      vascularized tendon transfer, allografts, biomaterials and cell-based therapies. 

PMID- 26264586
TI  - Re: Jordan et al. Surgical adhesive BioGlueTM does not benefit tendon repair
      strength: an ex vivo study. J Hand Surg Eur. 2015, 40: 700-4.

PMID- 26264587
TI  - Re: Wada T, Oda T. Mallet fingers with bone avulsion and DIP joint subluxation. J
      Hand Surg Eur. 2015, 40: 63-7.

PMID- 26264590
TI  - Long-term effects of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by sphincter
      preserving resection on anal sphincter function in relation to quality of life
      among locally advanced rectal cancer patients: a cross-sectional analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is growing recognition for the consequences of rectal cancer
      treatment to maintain an adequate functional sphincter in the long-term rather
      than preserving the anal sphincter itself. This study aims to evaluate long-term
      effects of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) followed by sphincter-preserving
      resection on anal sphincter function in relation to quality of life (QoL) among
      locally advanced rectal cancer patients. METHODS: Twenty-nine patients treated
      with nCRT followed by low anterior resection surgery were included in this study.
      Data on patient demographics, tumor location and symptoms of urgency and fecal
      soiling were recorded and evaluated with respect to Wexner Fecal Incontinence
      Scoring Scale, European Organization for Research and Cancer (EORTC) cancer
      specific (EORTC QLQ-C30) and colorectal cancer-specific (EORTC QLQ-CR38)
      questionnaires and anorectal manometrical findings. Correlation of manometrical
      findings with Wexner Scale, EORTC QLQ-CR38 scores and EORTC QLQ-C30 scores was
      also evaluated. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 45.6 months (ranged 7.5-98 months.
      Higher scores for incontinence for gas (p = 0.001), liquid (p = 0.048) and solid
      (p = 0.019) stool, need to wear pad (p = 0.001) and alteration in life style (p =
      0.004) in Wexner scale, while lower scores for future perspective (p = 0.010) and
      higher scores for defecation problems (p = 0.001) in EORTC QLQ-CR38 were noted in
      patients with than without urgency. Manometrical findings of resting pressure
      (mmHg) was positively correlated with body image (r = 0.435, p = 0.030) and
      sexual functioning (r = 0.479, p = 0.011) items of functional scale, while rectal
      sensory threshold (RST) volume (mL) was positively correlated with defecation
      problems (r = 0.424, p = 0.031) items of symptom scale in EORTC QLQ-CR38 and
      negatively correlated with social function domain (r = -0.479, p = 0.024) in
      EORTC QLQ-C30. RST volume was also positively correlated with Wexner scores
      including incontinence for liquid stool (r = 0.459, p = 0.024), need to wear pad
      (r = 0.466, p = 0.022) and alteration in lifestyle (r = 0.425, p = 0.038).
      CONCLUSION: The high risk of developing functional anal impairment as well as the
      systematic registration of not only oncological but also functional and QoL
      related outcomes seem important in rectal cancer patients in the long-term
      disease follow-up.

PMID- 26264591
TI  - In vivo analysis of trypanosome mitochondrial RNA function by artificial site
      specific RNA endonuclease-mediated knockdown.
AB  - Trypanosomes possess a unique mitochondrial genome called the kinetoplast DNA
      (kDNA). Many kDNA genes encode pre-mRNAs that must undergo guide RNA-directed
      editing. In addition, alternative mRNA editing gives rise to diverse mRNAs and
      several kDNA genes encode open reading frames of unknown function. To better
      understand the mechanism of RNA editing and the function of mitochondrial RNAs in
      trypanosomes, we have developed a reverse genetic approach using artificial site
      specific RNA endonucleases (ASREs) to directly silence kDNA-encoded genes. The
      RNA-binding domain of an ASRE can be programmed to recognize unique 8-nucleotide
      sequences, allowing the design of ASREs to cleave any target RNA. Utilizing an
      ASRE containing a mitochondrial localization signal, we targeted the extensively
      edited mitochondrial mRNA for the subunit A6 of the F0F1 ATP synthase (A6) in the
      procyclic stage of Trypanosoma brucei. This developmental stage, found in the
      midgut of the insect vector, relies on mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation
      for ATP production with A6 forming the critical proton half channel across the
      inner mitochondrial membrane. Expression of an A6-targeted ASRE in procyclic
      trypanosomes resulted in a 50% reduction in A6 mRNA levels after 24 h, a time
      dependent decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential (DeltaPsim), and growth
      arrest. Expression of the A6-ASRE, lacking the mitochondrial localization signal,
      showed no significant growth defect. The development of the A6-ASRE allowed the
      first in vivo functional analysis of an edited mitochondrial mRNA in T. brucei
      and provides a critical new tool to study mitochondrial RNA biology in
      trypanosomes. 

PMID- 26264592
TI  - RNA polymerase II CTD phospho-sites Ser5 and Ser7 govern phosphate homeostasis in
      fission yeast.
AB  - Phosphorylation of the tandem YSPTSPS repeats of the RNA polymerase II CTD
      inscribes an informational code that orchestrates eukaryal mRNA synthesis. Here
      we interrogate the role of the CTD in phosphate homeostasis in fission yeast.
      Expression of Pho1 acid phosphatase, which is repressed during growth in
      phosphate-rich medium and induced by phosphate starvation, is governed strongly
      by CTD phosphorylation status, but not by CTD repeat length. Inability to place a
      Ser7-PO4 mark (as in S7A) results in constitutive derepression of Pho1 expression
      in phosphate-replete medium. In contrast, indelible installation of a Ser7-PO4
      mimetic (as in S7E) hyper-represses Pho1 in phosphate-replete cells and inhibits
      Pho1 induction during starvation. Pho1 phosphatase is derepressed by ablation of
      the CTD Ser5-PO4 mark, achieved either by mutating Ser5 in all consensus heptads
      to alanine, or replacing all Pro6 residues with alanine. We find that Ser5 status
      is a tunable determinant of Pho1 regulation, i.e., serial decrements in the
      number of consensus Ser5 heptads from seven to two elicits a progressive increase
      in Pho1 expression in phosphate-replete medium. Pho1 is also derepressed by
      hypomorphic mutations of the CTD kinase Cdk9. Inactivation of the CTD phosphatase
      Ssu72 attenuates Pho1 induction in wild-type cells and blocks Pho1 derepression
      in S7A cells. These experiments implicate Ser5, Pro6, and Ser7 as component
      letters of a CTD coding "word" that transduces a repressive transcriptional
      signal via serine phosphorylation. 

PMID- 26264594
TI  - Agitation increases expansion of cord blood hematopoietic cells and promotes
      their differentiation into myeloid lineage.
AB  - Mechanical stress caused by agitation is one of the factors that can affect
      hematopoietic stem cell expansion in suspension bioreactors. Therefore, we have
      investigated the effects of agitation on umbilical cord blood hematopoietic stem
      cell (UCB-HSC) growth and differentiation. A comparison was made between various
      agitation rates (20, 40 and 60 rpm) in spinner-flask and cells cultured in glass
      petri dish as a static culture. Moreover, the fluid dynamic at various agitation
      rates of spinner-flask was analyzed to determine shear stress. The spinner-flask
      contained a rotational moving mixer with glass ball and was kept in tissue
      culture incubator. To reduce consumption of cytokines, UCB-serum was used which
      widely decreased the costs. Our results determined that, agitation rate at 40 rpm
      promoted UCB-HSCs expansion and their colony forming potential. Myeloid
      progenitors were the main type of cells at 40 rpm agitation rate. The results of
      glucose consumption and lactic acid production were in complete agreement with
      colony assay and expansion data and indicated the superiority of culture in
      spinner-flask when agitated at 40 rpm over to other agitation speeds and also
      static culture. Cell viability and colony count was affected by changing the
      agitation speed. We assume that changes in cell growth resulted from the effect
      of shear stress directly on cell viability, and indirectly on signaling pathways
      that influence the cells to differentiate. 

PMID- 26264593
TI  - Secondary Voice Restoration After Laryngotracheal Separation (LTS) for Dysphagia
      with Intractable Aspiration.
AB  - Intractable aspiration is a serious, often life-threatening condition due to its
      potential impact on pulmonary function. Aspiration requires therapeutic measures,
      starting with conservative management but often necessitating surgical treatment.
      The basic surgical principle is to separate the alimentary and respiratory tracts
      through a variety of procedures which, unfortunately, nearly all result in the
      loss of phonation, with the exception of total laryngectomy (TL) which includes
      the placement of an indwelling voice prosthesis. In this study, we present a
      modified laryngotracheal separation (LTS) technique that, we believe, offers
      multiple advantages compared to standard TL. After reviewing the medical records
      of 35 patients with intractable aspiration who have undergone LTS, we describe
      the surgical technique and present the postoperative result. In a second surgical
      procedure about two months following LTS, we aimed to achieve voice restoration
      by placement of an indwelling voice prosthesis. Intractable aspiration was
      successfully treated in all patients. Placement of an indwelling voice prosthesis
      during a second operation was successful in 15 patients, representing the largest
      reported cohort thus far. LTS is a reliable surgical technique to treat
      intractable aspiration, with restoration of oral intake, thereby improving the
      general condition and quality of life of these unfortunate patients. Furthermore,
      voice restoration can be achieved in selected patients, by placement of a voice
      prosthesis. 

PMID- 26264595
TI  - Establishment and characterization of a Satureja khuzistanica Jamzad (Lamiaceae)
      cell suspension culture: a new in vitro source of rosmarinic acid.
AB  - An in vitro approach to the production of rosmarinic acid (RA), a medicinally
      important caffeic acid ester, in a cell suspension culture (CSC) of Satureja
      khuzistanica Jamzad (Lamiaceae) has been investigated for the first time. The CSC
      was established from friable calli derived from shoot tip explants in Gamborg's
      B5 liquid medium supplemented with 30 g/L sucrose, 20 mg/L L-glutamine, 200 mg/L
      casein hydrolysate, 5 mg/L benzyladenine (BA) and 1 mg/L indole-3-butyric acid
      (IBA). The effect of nitrogen source (KNO3 and (NH4)2SO4) and their different
      concentrations on the fresh and dry weight (g/L), as well as RA content (mg/g dry
      weight) were measured. CSC growth measurements indicated a maximum specific cell
      growth rate of 1.5/day, a doubling time of 7.6 days and a high percentage of cell
      viability (96.4 %) throughout the growth cycle. Maximum cell fresh weight (353.5
      g/L), dry weight (19.7 g/L) and RA production (180.0 mg/g) were attained at day
      21 of culture. Cell growth and RA content were affected by nitrogen deficiency.
      Media containing 8.3 mM of total nitrogen (1/4 of B5 standard medium) led to a
      minimum cell fresh weight (243.0 g/L), dry weight (17.4 g/L) and RA content (38.0
      mg/g) after 21 days. The established CSC provided useful material for further
      optimization experiments aimed at a large-scale production of RA. 

PMID- 26264596
TI  - Therapeutic Potential of Denosumab in Patients With Lung Cancer: Beyond
      Prevention of Skeletal Complications.
AB  - Approximately up to 40% of patients with lung cancer develop bone metastasis,
      with 22% to 59% of them experiencing skeletal-related events (SREs), which result
      in an important quality of life deterioration and economic burden. Denosumab, a
      fully human antibody that targets the receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB
      (RANK) ligand (RANKL), is indicated for prevention of SREs in patients with solid
      tumors and has demonstrated superiority in breast and prostate cancer, and in
      other solid tumors, in reducing the risk of first SRE by 17% versus zoledronic
      acid. In the subset of patients with non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC),
      denosumab has also shown a positive trend to SRE risk reduction. Denosumab might
      have direct or indirect antitumor effects. Cancer cells produce factors that
      stimulate increased bone resorption by osteoclasts, which in turn release tumor
      growth factors into the bone microenvironment, initiating a tumor/bone vicious
      cycle. An increasing body of evidence suggests RANK/RANKL signaling plays a role
      in this tumorigenesis. Both proteins are overexpressed in different tumor types
      including lung cancer cells. RANK/RANKL signaling activates nuclear factor-kappaB
      pathways related to lung carcinogenesis and increases intercellular adhesion
      molecule 1 expression and MEK/extracellular signal-regulated kinase
      phosphorylation, which in turn enhances tumor cell migration. In animal NSCLC
      models, denosumab delayed bone metastases and reduced skeletal tumor growth. In
      patients with lung cancer (post hoc analysis), denosumab prolonged overall
      survival by 1.2 months versus zoledronic acid (P = .01). This hypothesis
      generating outcome warrants further investigation and 2 studies in lung cancer
      are ongoing to elucidate the therapeutic potential of denosumab beyond SRE
      prevention. 

PMID- 26264597
TI  - Modification of targets related to the Entner-Doudoroff/pentose phosphate pathway
      route for methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate-dependent carotenoid biosynthesis in
      Escherichia coli.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In engineered strains of Escherichia coli, bioconversion efficiency
      is determined by not only metabolic flux but also the turnover efficiency of
      relevant pathways. Methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate (MEP)-dependent carotenoid
      biosynthesis in E. coli requires efficient turnover of precursors and balanced
      flux among precursors, cofactors, and cellular energy. However, the imbalanced
      supply of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (G3P) and pyruvate precursors remains the
      major metabolic bottleneck. To address this problem, we manipulated various
      genetic targets related to the Entner-Doudoroff (ED)/pentose phosphate (PP)
      pathways. Systematic target modification was conducted to improve G3P and
      pyruvate use and rebalance the precursor and redox fluxes. RESULTS: Carotenoid
      production was improved to different degrees by modifying various targets in the
      Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas (EMP) and ED pathways, which directed metabolic flux from
      the EMP pathway towards the ED pathway. The improvements in yield were much
      greater when the MEP pathway was enhanced. The coordinated modification of ED and
      MEP pathway targets using gene expression enhancement and protein coupling
      strategies in the pgi deletion background further improved carotenoid synthesis.
      The fine-tuning of flux at the branch point between the ED and PP pathways was
      important for carotenoid biosynthesis. Deletion of pfkAB instead of pgi reduced
      the carotenoid yield. This suggested that anaplerotic flux of G3P and pyruvate
      might be necessary for carotenoid biosynthesis. Improved carotenoid yields were
      accompanied by increased biomass and decreased acetate overflow. Therefore,
      efficient use of G3P and pyruvate precursors resulted in a balance among
      carotenoid biosynthesis, cell growth, and by-product metabolism. CONCLUSIONS: An
      efficient and balanced MEP-dependent carotenoid bioconversion strategy involving
      both the ED and PP pathways was implemented by the coordinated modification of
      diverse central metabolic pathway targets. In this strategy, enhancement of the
      ED pathway for efficient G3P and pyruvate turnover was crucial for carotenoid
      production. The anaplerotic role of the PP pathway was important to supply
      precursors for the ED pathway. A balanced metabolic flux distribution among
      precursor supply, NADPH generation, and by-product pathways was established.

PMID- 26264598
TI  - Disparities in early death and survival in children, adolescents, and young
      adults with acute promyelocytic leukemia in California.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Findings from clinical trials and population-based studies have
      differed with regard to whether mortality within 30 days of diagnosis (early
      death) of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) has decreased in the era of all
      trans retinoic acid and anthracycline-based chemotherapy. METHODS: Using data
      from the California Cancer Registry, the authors investigated 7-day and 30-day
      mortality and survival in 772 patients who were aged birth to 39 years when they
      were diagnosed with APL during 1988 to 2011. Logistic regression and Cox
      proportional models were used to examine the association of early death and
      survival, respectively, with sociodemographic and clinical factors. RESULTS: The
      overall 30-day mortality decreased significantly over time, from 26% (1988-1995)
      to 14% (2004-2011) (P =.004). On multivariable analysis, the odds of 30-day
      mortality were 3 times as high during 1988 through 1995 than 2004 through 2011 (P
      =.001). However, 7-day mortality did not improve over time (P =.229). When
      patients who died within 7 days of diagnosis were excluded, the 30-day mortality
      during 1996 to 2011 was 3% to 8%, which is similar to levels reported in clinical
      trials. Higher early death and lower survival were associated with a lack of
      health insurance (1996-2011) (early death odds ratio, 2.67; P =.031) and Hispanic
      race/ethnicity (early death odds ratio, 2.13; P =.014). Early death was not found
      to be associated with age, sex, socioeconomic status, or hospital type. Black
      patients also experienced worse survival. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the
      current study revealed a decreased 30-day mortality during the all-trans retinoic
      acid era, but 7-day mortality remained high. Efforts to achieve equal outcomes in
      young patients with APL should focus on improving access to effective treatment,
      mainly among uninsured patients and those of Hispanic and black race/ethnicity.

PMID- 26264599
TI  - Increased number of circulating exosomes and their microRNA cargos are potential
      novel biomarkers in alcoholic hepatitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It has been well documented that alcohol and its metabolites induce
      injury and inflammation in the liver. However, there is no potential biomarker to
      monitor the extent of liver injury in alcoholic hepatitis patients. MicroRNAs
      (miRNAs) are a class of non-coding RNAs that are involved in various physiologic
      and pathologic processes. In the circulation, a great proportion of miRNAs is
      associated with extracellular vesicles (EVs)/exosomes. Here, we hypothesized that
      the exosome-associated miRNAs can be used as potential biomarkers in alcoholic
      hepatitis (AH). METHODS: Exosomes were isolated from sera of alcohol-fed mice or
      pair-fed mice, and plasma of alcoholic hepatitis patients or healthy controls by
      ExoQuick. The exosomes were characterized by transmission electron microscopy and
      Western blot and enumerated with a Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis system.
      FireflyTM microRNA Assay was performed on miRNA extracted from mice sera. TaqMan
      microRNA assay was used to identify differentially expressed miRNAs in plasma of
      cohort of patients with AH versus controls followed by construction of receiver
      operating characteristic (ROC) curves to determine the sensitivity and
      specificity of the candidates. RESULTS: The total number of circulating EVs was
      significantly increased in mice after alcohol feeding. Those EVs mainly consisted
      of exosomes, the smaller size vesicle subpopulation of EVs. By performing
      microarray screening on exosomes, we found nine inflammatory miRNAs which were
      deregulated in sera of chronic alcohol-fed mice compared to controls including
      upregulated miRNAs: miRNA-192, miRNA-122, miRNA-30a, miRNA-744, miRNA-1246, miRNA
      30b and miRNA-130a. The ROC analyses indicated excellent diagnostic value of
      miRNA-192, miRNA-122, and miRNA-30a to identify alcohol-induced liver injury. We
      further validated findings from our animal model in human samples. Consistent
      with the animal model, total number of EVs, mostly exosomes, was significantly
      increased in human subjects with AH. Both miRNA-192 and miRNA-30a were
      significantly increased in the circulation of subjects with AH. miRNA-192 showed
      promising value for the diagnosis of AH. CONCLUSION: Elevated level of
      EVs/exosomes and exosome-associated miRNA signature could serve as potential
      diagnostic markers for AH. In addition to the biomarker diagnostic capabilities,
      these findings may facilitate development of novel strategies for diagnostics,
      monitoring, and therapeutics of AH.

PMID- 26264601
TI  - Kinetic and isotherm study of Sudan black B removal.
AB  - In this research, the removal of Sudan black B (SBB) by cadmium hydroxide
      nanowires loaded on activated carbon is described. After optimizing the variables
      involved, Langmuir, Freundlich, Tempkin, and Dubinin-Radushkevich models were
      applied to fit the experimental data. The adsorbent correlation coefficient and
      error analysis indicated the applicability of Langmuir model for the
      interpretation of equilibrium data. Different kinetic models were applied to
      analyze the time evolution of removal data. It was found that low quantity of
      adsorbent (<0.03 g) is capable of removal of large amount of SBB in reasonably
      short time (<40 min). The adsorption process was found to be described by both
      pseudo-second-order kinetics and interparticle diffusion mechanism. The effects
      of variables such as pH, amount of adsorbent, and contact time on batch
      adsorption process were investigated and optimized.

PMID- 26264600
TI  - Visceral adipose tissue-derived serine protease inhibitor augments acetylcholine
      induced relaxation via the inhibition of acetylcholine esterase activity in rat
      isolated mesenteric artery.
AB  - AIM: Visceral adipose tissue-derived serine protease inhibitor (vaspin) is an
      adipocytokine with insulin-sensitizing activity originally identified in visceral
      adipose tissues of obesity-related type II diabetic rats. We previously showed
      that vaspin inhibits vascular cell migration and apoptosis as well as
      inflammatory responses, which are crucial for the development of hypertension.
      However, little is known about the effects of vaspin on vascular reactivity. The
      aim of this study was thus to explore the effects of vaspin on contraction and
      relaxation of isolated blood vessel. METHODS: After mesenteric arteries were
      isolated from male Wistar rats, the effects of pretreatment with vaspin (3 ng mL(
      1) , 30 min) on concentration-contraction and concentration-relaxation
      relationships for each agent were examined. The effects of vaspin on
      acetylcholine (ACh)-induced phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide (NO)
      synthase (eNOS) and ACh esterase (AChE) activity were also examined using Western
      blotting and colorimetric method respectively. RESULTS: Vaspin did not affect
      noradrenaline- or 5-hydroxytryptamine-induced contraction. In contrast, vaspin
      augmented ACh- but not histamine-, A23187- or carbachol-induced NO-mediated
      relaxation. Vaspin significantly increased ACh-induced eNOS phosphorylation and
      inhibited AChE activity. CONCLUSION: We for the first time demonstrate that
      vaspin augments the ACh-induced NO-mediated endothelium-dependent relaxation via
      the inhibition of AChE activity.

PMID- 26264602
TI  - Comparative study of diseases of the stomatognathic system and specific
      parameters of osteoporosis.
AB  - What are the specific parameters of dental health that present with modifications
      in osteoporosis (OP)? Both OP and a decreased bone mass can affect dental health.
      A low mineral density may lead to the loss of dentures because the jaw is exposed
      to the effects of periodontitis and without strong sustainability the teeth may
      lose their stability. INTRODUCTION: We compared the values of the periodontal
      index (IP) with a T score for women presenting with OP at menopause and those
      without OP. We found that there is a relation between OP and the loss of bone
      mass at the oral-facial level. METHODS: The study included 87 patients, aged
      between 35 and 75 years. We correlated gums and IP with the T score for the two
      groups. RESULTS: We found a significant difference between the values of the IP
      index for the group with OP in comparison with the control group. Thus a
      correlation between OP and IP was confirmed. CONCLUSIONS: IP was statistically
      significantly higher in women at menopause with OP than those without OP. Gum
      retraction was significantly higher in women at menopause with OP than in the
      control group. There was thus a real correlation between bone mineral density
      (BMD) and IP, while between BMD and dental mobility we found no correlation.

PMID- 26264603
TI  - Thyrotropin serum levels are differentially associated with biochemical markers
      of bone turnover and stiffness in women and men: results from the SHIP cohorts.
AB  - In two large German population-based cohorts, we showed positive associations
      between serum thyrotropin (TSH) concentrations and the Fracture Risk Assessment
      score (FRAX) in men and positive associations between TSH concentrations and bone
      turnover markers in women. INTRODUCTION: The role of thyroid hormones on bone
      stiffness and turnover is poorly defined. Existing studies are confounded by
      differences in design and small sample size. We assessed the association between
      TSH serum concentrations and bone stiffness and turnover in the SHIP cohorts,
      which are two population-based cohorts from a region in Northern Germany
      comprising 2654 men and women and 3261 men and women, respectively. METHODS: We
      calculated the bone stiffness index using quantitative ultrasound (QUS) at the
      calcaneus, employed FRAX score for assessment of major osteoporotic fractures,
      and measured bone turnover markers, N-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen
      (P1NP), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP), osteocalcin, and type I
      collagen cross-linked C-telopeptide (CTX) in all subjects and sclerostin in a
      representative subgroup. RESULTS: There was no association between TSH
      concentrations and the stiffness index in both genders. In men, TSH correlated
      positively with the FRAX score both over the whole TSH range (p < 0.01) and
      within the reference TSH range (p < 0.01). There were positive associations
      between TSH concentrations and P1NP, BAP, osteocalcin, and CTX (p < 0.01) in
      women but not in men. There was no significant association between TSH and
      sclerostin levels. CONCLUSIONS: TSH serum concentrations are associated with
      gender-specific changes in bone turnover and stiffness.

PMID- 26264604
TI  - Diabetes mellitus and risk of hip fractures: a meta-analysis.
AB  - This meta-analysis revealed that diabetic adults had a twofold greater risk of
      hip fractures compared with non-diabetic populations, and this association was
      more pronounced in type 1 diabetes. INTRODUCTION: The relationship between
      diabetes mellitus and risk of hip fracture yielded conflicting results. We
      conducted a meta-analysis to investigate the association between diabetes
      mellitus and the risk of hip fractures based on observational studies. METHODS:
      We conducted a systematic literature search of PubMed and Embase databases
      through May 2015. We selected cohort and case-control studies providing at least
      age-adjusted risk ratio (RR) and corresponding 95 % confidence intervals (CI) of
      hip fractures among diabetic and non-diabetic subjects. Moreover, we pooled the
      female-to-male RR of hip fractures from studies that reported gender-specific
      risk estimate in a single study. RESULTS: Twenty-one studies involving 82,293 hip
      fracture events among 6,995,272 participants were identified. Diabetes mellitus
      was associated with an increased risk of hip fractures (RR 2.07; 95 % CI 1.83
      2.33) in a random effects model. Subgroup analysis indicated that excess risk of
      hip fracture was more pronounced in type 1 diabetes (RR 5.76; 95 % CI 3.66-9.07)
      than that in type 2 diabetes (RR 1.34; 95 % CI 1.19-1.51). The pooled female-to
      male RR of hip fractures was 1.09 (95 % CI 0.93-1.28). CONCLUSIONS: Individuals
      with diabetes mellitus have an excessive risk of hip fractures, and this
      relationship is more pronounced in type 1 diabetes. The association between
      diabetes and hip fracture risk is similar in men and women.

PMID- 26264605
TI  - Towards better use of the net reclassification improvement (NRI) index.

PMID- 26264606
TI  - GATA2 deficiency in children and adults with severe pulmonary alveolar
      proteinosis and hematologic disorders.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The majority of cases with severe pulmonary alveolar proteinosis
      (PAP) are caused by auto-antibodies against GM-CSF. A multitude of genetic and
      exogenous causes are responsible for few other cases. Goal of this study was to
      determine the prevalence of GATA2 deficiency in children and adults with PAP and
      hematologic disorders. METHODS: Of 21 patients with GM-CSF-autoantibody negative
      PAP, 13 had no other organ involvement and 8 had some form of hematologic
      disorder. The latter were sequenced for GATA2. RESULTS: Age at start of PAP
      ranged from 0.3 to 64 years, 4 patients were children. In half of the subjects
      GATA2-sequence variations were found, two of which were considered disease
      causing. Those two patients had the typical phenotype of GATA2 deficiency, one of
      whom additionally showed a previously undescribed feature - a cholesterol
      pneumonia. Hematologic disorders included chronic myeloic leukemia, juvenile
      myelo-monocytic leukemia, lymphoblastic leukemia, sideroblastic anemia and two
      cases of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). A 4 year old child with MDS and DiGeorge
      Syndrome Type 2 was rescued with repetitive whole lung lavages and her PAP was
      cured with heterologous stem cell transplant. CONCLUSIONS: In children and adults
      with severe GM-CSF negative PAP a close cooperation between pneumologists and
      hemato-oncologists is needed to diagnose the underlying diseases, some of which
      are caused by mutations of transcription factor GATA2. Treatment with whole lung
      lavages as well as stem cell transplant may be successful.

PMID- 26264607
TI  - Comparison of end-tidal CO2 measured by transportable capnometer (EMMATM
      capnograph) and arterial pCO2 in general anesthesia.
AB  - An end-tidal CO2 monitor (capnometer) is used most often as a noninvasive
      substitute for PaCO2 in anesthesia, anesthetic recovery, and intensive care.
      Additionally, the wide spread on-site use of portable capnometers in emergency
      and trauma situations is now observed. This study was conducted to compare PaCO2
      measurement between the EMMATM portable-capnometer and sidestream capnometry. End
      tidal CO2 (portable capnometer: EMMATM capnograph, side stream capnometry module:
      Datex-Ohmeda S5 Anesthesia Monitor) levels were recorded at the time of arterial
      blood gas sampling of patients undergoing general anesthesia. Data were compared
      using the Bland and Altman method, and by evaluating the clinical significance
      performed by calculating the percent error (%). A total of 100 data were obtained
      from 35 patients. The bias of PaCO2 and portable capnometer was 6.0 mmHg, where
      the upper and lower limits of the agreement were 11.8 and 0.3 mmHg, respectively.
      The percent error was 18.0 %. The bias of side stream capnometry and portable
      capnometer was 2.2 mmHg, where the upper and the lower limits of the agreement
      were 6.0 and -1.6 mmHg, respectively. The percent error was 13.0 %. Significant
      differences between the PETCO2 and PaCO2 values of the EMMATM portable-capnometer
      were not observed for patients undergoing general anesthesia. ClinicalTrials.gov
      identifier NCT02184728. 

PMID- 26264609
TI  - A clinicopathologic study of diencephalic pediatric low-grade gliomas with BRAF
      V600 mutation.
AB  - Among brain tumors, the BRAF (V600E) mutation is frequently associated with
      pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas (PXAs) and gangliogliomas (GGs). This oncogenic
      mutation is also detected in ~5 % of other pediatric low-grade gliomas (LGGs)
      including pilocytic astrocytomas (PAs) and diffuse astrocytomas. In the current
      multi-institutional study of 56 non-PXA/non-GG diencephalic pediatric LGGs, the
      BRAF (V600) mutation rate is 36 %. V600-mutant tumors demonstrate a predilection
      for infants and young children (<age 3) and have a higher tendency for
      multicentricity. On neuroimaging, BRAF (V600)-mutant tumors appear as nodular,
      yet infiltrative contrast-enhancing masses. Morphologic examination reveals a
      monophasic, predominantly compact and partially infiltrative architecture. Due to
      the lack of classic morphologic features associated with PAs, pilomyxoid
      astrocytomas (PMAs), or diffuse astrocytomas, 75 % of the BRAF (V600)-mutant
      tumors could not be definitively classified on initial histopathologic
      evaluation. At a median follow-up of 55 months, the 5-year progression-free
      survival (PFS) rate for BRAF (V600)-mutant diencephalic low-grade astrocytomas
      (LGAs) was 22 +/- 12 %, shorter than BRAF (V600)-WT PAs (52 +/- 13 %) but higher
      than PMAs (10 +/- 6 %). Of note, long-term PFS was observed in several adolescent
      patients with BRAF (V600)-mutant tumors. In children aged 0-12 years, 5-year PFS
      rate and median PFS in BRAF (V600)-mutant LGAs are 9 +/- 9 % and 19 months (95 %
      CI 3-37 months), respectively. The PFS is comparable to that in BRAF (V600)-WT
      PMAs (5-year PFS rate: 10 +/- 9 %; median PFS: 15 months, 95 % CI 3-32 months; p
      = 0.96) and significantly shorter than BRAF (V600)-WT PAs (5-year PFS rate: 46 +/
      13 %; median PFS: 51 months, 95 % CI 20-infinity months; p < 0.05). In summary,
      diencephalic BRAF (V600)-mutant pediatric LGAs are associated with unique
      clinicopathologic features and have a more aggressive clinical course, especially
      in children under age 13. The low rate of CDKN2A deletion also suggests that
      these tumors are molecularly distinct from secondary pediatric high-grade
      gliomas. 

PMID- 26264610
TI  - Role of autophagy in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
AB  - Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a late-onset neurodegenerative disease
      characterized by the selective degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons
      associated with the abnormal aggregation of ubiquitinated proteins. The molecular
      mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of ALS remain unclear, however. Autophagy
      is a major pathway for the elimination of protein aggregates and damaged
      organelles and therefore contributes to cellular homeostasis. This catabolic
      process begins with the formation of the double membrane-bound autophagosome that
      engulfs portions of the cytoplasm and subsequently fuses with a lysosome to form
      an autolysosome, in which lysosomal enzymes digest autophagic substrates. Defects
      at various stages of autophagy have been associated with pathological mutations
      of several ALS-linked genes including SOD1, p62, TDP-43, and optineurin,
      suggesting that such defects may play a causative role in the pathogenesis of
      this condition. In this review, we summarize the dysregulation of autophagy
      associated with ALS as well as potential therapeutic strategies based on
      modulation of the autophagic process. 

PMID- 26264608
TI  - Inflammatory neuropathies: pathology, molecular markers and targets for specific
      therapeutic intervention.
AB  - Inflammatory neuropathies encompass groups of heterogeneous disorders
      characterized by pathogenic immune-mediated hematogenous leukocyte infiltration
      of peripheral nerves, nerve roots or both, with resultant demyelination or axonal
      degeneration or both. Inflammatory neuropathies may be divided into three major
      disease categories: Guillain-Barre syndrome (particularly the acute inflammatory
      demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy variant), chronic inflammatory demyelinating
      polyradiculoneuropathy and nonsystemic vasculitic neuropathy (or peripheral nerve
      vasculitis). Despite major advances in molecular biology, pathology and genetics,
      the pathogenesis of these disorders remains elusive. There is insufficient
      knowledge on the mechanisms of hematogenous leukocyte trafficking into the
      peripheral nervous system to guide the development of specific molecular
      therapies for immune-mediated inflammatory neuropathies compared to disorders
      such as psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis or multiple
      sclerosis. The recent isolation and characterization of human endoneurial
      endothelial cells that form the blood-nerve barrier provides an opportunity to
      elucidate leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions critical to the pathogenesis of
      inflammatory neuropathies at the interface between the systemic circulation and
      peripheral nerve endoneurium. This review discusses our current knowledge of the
      classic pathological features of inflammatory neuropathies, attempts at molecular
      classification and genetic determinants, the utilization of in vitro and in vivo
      animal models to determine pathogenic mechanisms at the interface between the
      systemic circulation and the peripheral nervous system relevant to these
      disorders and prospects for future potential molecular pathology biomarkers and
      targets for specific therapeutic intervention. 

PMID- 26264611
TI  - Good quality research demands consent.

PMID- 26264612
TI  - The 811 C/T polymorphism in the 3' untranslated region of the selenoprotein 15
      kDa (Sep15) gene and breast cancer in Caucasian women.
AB  - The 15-kDa selenoprotein (Sep15) is a selenocysteine-containing oxidoreductase in
      the endoplasmic reticulum that participates in disulfide-bond formation and
      protein folding control. The 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) contains two
      exclusively linked, polymorphic sites at positions 811 (C/T) and 1125 (G/A),
      which result in two functional haplotypes: 811C/1125G or 811T/1125A. The
      811T/1125A variant occurs significantly more often in African-Americans as
      compared to Caucasians and has been linked to increased breast cancer risk in
      black women. We studied the 811C/T (rs5845) Sep15 gene polymorphism in 182
      Caucasian women-83 breast cancer cases and 99 healthy controls-by pyrosequencing
      and polymerase chain reaction. Associations between allelic variants and clinico
      pathological variables (e.g., age, stage of disease, tumor type, grading, and
      receptor status) were investigated. The genotype distribution in breast cancer
      patients (CC 63.9 %, CT 33.7 %, TT 2.4 %) and controls (69.7 %, CT 28.3 %, TT 2
      %) showed no significant difference (OR 0.77, 95 % CI 0.41-1.42, p = 0.4). The
      overall low prevalence of the T allele was in accordance with that reported for
      Caucasians in previous studies. There was no significant association between
      811C/T Sep15 polymorphism and any of clinico-pathological parameters. In
      conclusion, we are the first to report on 811C/T SEP 15 polymorphism in white
      breast cancer patients. Genotype variation within the 3'-UTR of the SEP 15 gene
      showed no association with breast cancer risk or clinico-pathological parameters
      in Caucasian women. 

PMID- 26264613
TI  - FoxP3 in papillary thyroid carcinoma induces NIS repression through activation of
      the TGF-beta1/Smad signaling pathway.
AB  - Forkhead box P3 (FoxP3) expression in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is
      associated with resistance to radioiodine treatment. The sodium iodine symporter
      (NIS) is a plasma membrane glycoprotein, the repression of which may render the
      tumor refractive to radioiodine therapy. In this study, samples from 90 PTCs as
      well as 40 normal thyroid tissues were examined for FoxP3 and NIS by
      immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR. We found that FoxP3 was associated with
      decreased NIS expression. Lentiviral-mediated FoxP3-overexpressing cells were
      constructed and real-time PCR and western blotting were performed to evaluate the
      expression of NIS. Meanwhile, key members of the transforming growth factor-beta1
      (TGF-beta1) pathway were explored by ELISA and immunofluorescence and a
      neutralizing TGF-beta1 antibody was used to block activity. In vitro, FoxP3
      overexpression significantly reduced NIS transcript and protein levels and the
      TGF-beta1 pathway was activated. However, treatment with neutralizing TGF-beta1
      antibody partially abrogated FoxP3-induced NIS repression. These findings suggest
      that FoxP3 could compromise NIS expression by inducing TGF-beta1. 

PMID- 26264614
TI  - Diagnostic and prognostic significance of secretory clusterin expression in
      patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - The upregulation of secretory clusterin (sCLU) is associated with tumor
      progression by contributing to angiogenesis, chemo-resistance, cell survival, and
      metastasis. However, its diagnostic or prognostic values for hepatocellular
      carcinoma (HCC) still remain to be clarified. The average serum sCLU level
      analyzed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was significantly higher (P <
      0.001) in HCC patients than that in any of cases with cirrhosis, chronic
      hepatitis, or healthy control. The area under receiver operating characteristic
      curve and diagnostic sensitivity were 0.75 and 74.7 % in sCLU, and 0.74 and 58.7
      % in alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), respectively. The combining detections of sCLU and
      AFP rose up to 90.7 % for HCC diagnosis. In liver, sCLU by immunohistochemistry
      was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in the HCC (77.3 %) group than that in their
      para-cancerous group (33.3 %). Abnormal serum or tissue sCLU expression was
      closely associated with tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) classification of malignant
      tumors and lymph node metastasis, as an independent prognosis factor (hazard
      ratio, 2.287; 95 % confidence interval, 1.044-5.007; P = 0.039), and higher sCLU
      expression significantly correlated (chi (2) = 4.252, P = 0.039) with poor
      survival of HCC patients analyzed by multivariate Cox regression or Kaplan-Meier
      method, suggesting that abnormal sCLU expression associated with tumor
      progression could be a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for HCC. 

PMID- 26264615
TI  - Knockdown of Rad9A enhanced DNA damage induced by trichostatin A in esophageal
      cancer cells.
AB  - Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors have recently emerged as a new class of
      anticancer agents. As a classical HDAC inhibitor, trichostatin A (TSA) has been
      shown to possess many anticancer activities such as induction of cell cycle
      arrest, promotion of cell death, and enhancement of radiosensitity. In our
      previous work, we found that TSA treatment induced Rad9 gene expression, which
      suggested that Rad9 might play a role in TSA-induced biological effects. As Rad9
      is involved in maintaining genomic integrity, we further analyzed the DNA damage
      induced by TSA and combined with Rad9 knockdown in esophageal cancer cells
      (ESCCs). Our results showed that TSA treatment alone induced significantly DNA
      damage in ESCC cells. Simultaneously, TSA also induced Rad9 gene expression both
      at transcriptional and translational levels in EC109 cells, but not in KYSE150
      cells. Further, the induction of Rad9 by TSA was accompanied with increased level
      of histone H3K9 acetylation in Rad9 promoter region. To understand the role of
      Rad9 in TSA-induced DNA damage, Rad9 gene expression was efficiently knocked down
      by small interfering RNA (siRNA), which led to enhanced DNA damage and cell death
      induced by TSA. Our data suggested that Rad9 plays an important role in DNA
      damage, which is related to the biological effects of TSA. 

PMID- 26264616
TI  - Association between x-ray repair cross-complementing group 3 (XRCC3) genetic
      polymorphisms and papillary thyroid cancer susceptibility in a Chinese Han
      population.
AB  - Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is a predominant type of thyroid cancer. Ionizing
      radiation is the only well-established risk factor and may result in double
      strand breaks. The x-ray repair cross-complementing group 3 (XRCC3) gene plays a
      vital role in DNA repair through homologous recombination. We aimed at
      investigating the association between XRCC3 genetic polymorphisms and PTC
      susceptibility. Eighty-three PTC patients and 367 controls in a Chinese
      population were enrolled in the study. Tag single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)
      were identified by HaploView 4.2 software. Genomic DNAs were isolated from
      peripheral blood samples by using TaqMan Blood DNA kits. The genotyping of XRCC3
      SNPs was performed by TaqMan SNPs genotyping assay. Odds ratios (ORs) and
      corresponding 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to evaluate the
      association between XRCC3 SNPs and PTC susceptibility. The statistical analyses
      were conducted by using SPSS 13.0 software. Four tag-SNPs were initially
      identified by HaploView 4.2 software. Only one SNP (rs861539) was shown to be
      significantly associated with increased risk of PTC. There was a significant
      difference in smoking and drinking status between PTC cases and controls. And the
      stratified analysis suggested that the polymorphisms of rs861539 in XRCC3 were
      correlated with PTC risk in the four subgroups of smokers (ex-smokers included),
      non-smokers, drinkers (ex-drinkers included), and non-drinkers. The meta-analysis
      showed that only two studies reported a significant association between XRCC3
      polymorphisms and PTC risk. In this study, we find a significant association
      between rs861539 polymorphisms and PTC susceptibility. However, there were
      inconsistent results in previous published studies. Therefore, further studies in
      a large population are required to gain insights into the PTC risk conferred by
      XRCC3 SNPs. 

PMID- 26264617
TI  - Immature myeloid cells and tolerogenic cytokine profile in lung adenocarcinoma
      metastatic lymph nodes assessed by endobronchial ultrasound.
AB  - In lung cancer, the immune cell compartment of tumor-draining lymph nodes (TDLNs)
      dictate the response against tumors. This response is predominantly triggered by
      myeloid antigen-presenting cells (mAPCs) that capture antigens and, if matured,
      prime anti-tumor-specific T cell populations. However, the clinical role of mAPCs
      infiltrated in TDLN from lung cancer patients is poorly understood. The purpose
      of this study was to study mAPCs in TDLN from lung adenocarcinoma patients, in
      comparison to individuals with non-malignant diseases, using minimally invasive
      sampling methods. Mediastinal lymph nodes were assessed by endobronchial
      ultrasound-transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA). mAPCs were characterized
      by flow cytometry and cytokine expression by quantitative polymerase chain
      reaction. The association with tumor burden, overall survival, and response to
      treatment was assessed. TDLN from lung adenocarcinoma patients (n = 24) showed a
      reduced immune cell compartment, but a higher level of infiltrating mAPCs, when
      compared with control lymph nodes (n = 17). A decreased expression of co
      stimulatory molecules CD80/CD86 by TDLN and blood mAPC was observed. TDLN showed
      lower levels of TNF-alpha and IL-12 and increased levels of immunosuppressive
      cytokines TGF-beta and IL-10. The IL-12 expression was inversely correlated with
      the percentage of infiltrated tumor cells, while IL-10 was directly correlated.
      Patients with lower expression of IL-12 in TDLN or lower expression of CD80/86 in
      blood mAPCs had worse overall survival and response to therapy. mAPCs of lung
      adenocarcinoma patients express less co-stimulatory molecules, and within TDLN,
      the cytokine profile is biased towards a tolerance-inducing phenotype. Patients
      with enhanced immune parameters have better survival and response to treatment.
      EBUS-TBNA allows the collection of viable specimens from TDLN that may provide
      further insight on relevant immunological mechanisms. 

PMID- 26264618
TI  - Radiation-related lymphopenia as a new prognostic factor in limited-stage small
      cell lung cancer.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the minimum absolute
      lymphocyte count during radiotherapy (min ALC) and the absolute lymphocyte count
      1 month after radiotherapy (post ALC) could predict clinical outcome in limited
      stage small cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC) patients. We analyzed 73 LS-SCLC patients
      treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy; we collected data on the min ALC from
      62 patients and on the post ALC from 60 patients. Both min ALC and post ALC were
      statistically significant predictors of overall survival in multivariate analysis
      (hazard ratio [95 % confidence interval] 2.67 [1.06-6.75], P = 0.038 and 2.62
      [1.19-5.74], P = 0.016, respectively). The median overall survival of the
      patients with min ALC <=297 and >297 cells/MUL was 12.2 and 35.3 months,
      respectively (P < 0.001). Patients with post ALC <=698 and >698 cells/MUL had an
      overall survival of 19.3 and 46.9 months, respectively (P = 0.001). The median
      overall survival of the lymphopenia (min ALC <= 297 cells/MUL or post ALC <= 698
      cells/MUL) and the non-lymphopenia group (min ALC > 297 cells/MUL and post ALC >
      698 cells/MUL) was 19.0 and 131.7 months, respectively, while the median
      progression survival was 8.1 and 16.6 months, respectively (P < 0.001 and P =
      0.001). Radiation-related lymphopenia could predict poor survival in LS-SCLC. Its
      prognostic role should be evaluated in further prospective studies. 

PMID- 26264619
TI  - Vascular endothelial growth factor polymorphisms and a synchronized examination
      of plasma and tissue expression in epithelial ovarian cancers.
AB  - In this study, we have analyzed six genetic polymorphisms of the VEGF-A gene and
      correlated the genetic data with plasma and tissue expression of VEGF-A in
      epithelial ovarian carcinomas. A total of 130 cases including 95 malignant
      carcinomas, 17 low malignant potential and 18 benign tumours were studied.
      rs699947, rs833061, rs1570360, rs2010963, rs1413711 and rs3025039 were studied by
      polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR
      RFLP). Plasma levels of VEGF-A were estimated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent
      assay (ELISA) and tissue expression of VEGF-A by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Four
      polymorphisms of the above excluding rs699947 and rs3025039 showed significant
      association with malignancy, and we observed the presence of positive correlation
      between haplotype CCGGCC and increased expression of VEGF-A in both plasma and
      tissues which also correlated with poor prognosis and recurrence suggesting a
      probable increase in resistance to treatment in such carriers. Highly upregulated
      tissue expression of VEGF-A was seen in all epithelial ovarian carcinomas with
      intensity of expression increasing from benign to malignant cases. ELISA data
      from our study showed an increase in circulating levels of VEGF-A in
      malignancies. VEGF-A plasma levels can be employed as a biomarker for high-grade
      malignancy in epithelial ovarian cancers alongside tissue expression and CA-125
      levels. This study is unique due to the fact that a simultaneous analysis of
      plasma and tissue expression has been demonstrated and is a first such study in
      epithelial ovarian cancers and representing the Indian population (South-east
      Asian) synchronized with genetic polymorphism data as well. 

PMID- 26264620
TI  - Reply to: "in vivo post-contrast 1H-MRS evaluation of malignant and benign breast
      lesions: a meta-analysis".

PMID- 26264623
TI  - Effects of novel auto-inducible medium on growth, activity and CO2 capture
      capacity of Escherichia coli expressing carbonic anhydrase.
AB  - A glucose-based auto-inducible medium (glucose-AIM) has been developed to enhance
      both growth and expression of lac operon-linked carbonic anhydrase (CA)
      expression in a recombinant strain of Escherichia coli. When the E. coli
      expressing CA was grown on various media, the glucose-based auto-inducible medium
      (glucose AIM) resulted in a CA activity of 1022 mU OD(600 nm)(-1) mL(-1) at 24 h
      and a specific growth rate of 0.082 h(-1). The CA activity was four to fourteen
      times higher than those by LB-IPTG. The E. coli expressing CA grown on the
      glucose-AIM showed highest activity at pH8.5 while it kept high stability up to
      40 degrees C and an inlet CO2 concentration of 6%. These findings indicate that
      the glucose-AIM would be a cost-effective medium to support high cell growth, CA
      activity and stability for effective CO2 capture.

PMID- 26264621
TI  - The use of the Godin-Shephard Leisure-Time Physical Activity Questionnaire in
      oncology research: a systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Godin-Shephard Leisure-Time Physical Activity Questionnaire
      (GSLTPAQ) is one of the most often used questionnaires in oncology research, yet
      modifications to the scale are done with little evidence of psychometric testing.
      This study aimed to (i) document the frequency of use of the questionnaire for
      ranking (i.e., level of activity) and classification (i.e., active versus
      insufficiently active) purposes, (ii) summarize how the GSLTPAQ is used in terms
      of item content and scoring, and (iii) evaluate the extent to which validity
      evidence supports the use of the scale among cancer survivors. METHODS: A
      systematic review was conducted with evidence drawn from English-written articles
      published between January 1(st) 1985 (year the GSLTPAQ was published) and
      December 31, 2014. A search of six databases, a scan of reference list of
      included articles, and a cited reference search identified articles that reported
      using the GSLTPAQ among cancer survivors. RESULTS: A total of 212 articles were
      retrieved. The GSLTPAQ was used for classifying cancer survivors into active and
      insufficiently active categories in 51 % of the articles. Moreover, a modified
      version of the questionnaire was used in 81 % of the research studies. Three
      studies reported validity evidence based on the relationship between the scores
      on the GSLTPAQ (i.e., leisure score index, LSI) and accelerometer or pedometer
      derived activity data. Validity evidence supporting the use of the GSLTPAQ for
      assessing changes in LSI was computed from six randomized trials. CONCLUSIONS:
      The use of the GSLTPAQ for classification purpose in oncology research is common.
      Standardization in the use and interpretation of the GSLTPAQ in oncology research
      is warranted. Although limited, there is support for using the original form of
      the GSLTPAQ and interpreting the LSI for ranking cancer survivors from the lowest
      to highest levels of leisure-time physical activity.

PMID- 26264622
TI  - A novel pathway of cellular activation mediated by antiphospholipid antibody
      induced extracellular vesicles.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Elevated levels of endothelial cell (EC)-derived extracellular
      vesicles (EVs) circulate in patients with antiphospholipid antibodies (APLAs),
      and APLAs, particularly those against beta2 -glycoprotein I (beta2 GPI),
      stimulate EV release from ECs. However, the effects of EC-derived EVs have not
      been characterized. OBJECTIVE: To determine the mechanism by which EVs released
      from ECs by anti-beta2 GPI antibodies activate unstimulated ECs.
      PATIENTS/METHODS: We used interleukin (IL)-1 receptor inhibitors, small
      interfering RNA (siRNA) against Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and microRNA (miRNA)
      profiling to assess the mechanism(s) by which EVs released from ECs exposed to
      anti-beta2 GPI antibodies activated unstimulated ECs. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS:
      Anti-beta2 GPI antibodies caused formation of an EC inflammasome and the release
      of EVs that were enriched in mature IL-1beta, had a distinct miRNA profile, and
      caused endothelial activation. However, activation was not inhibited by an IL
      1beta antibody, an IL-1 receptor antagonist, or IL-1 receptor siRNA. EC
      activation by EVs required IL-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 phosphorylation, and
      was inhibited by pretreatment of cells with TLR7 siRNA or RNase A, which degrades
      ssRNA. Profiling of miRNA in EVs released from ECs incubated with beta2 GPI and
      either control IgG or anti-beta2 GPI antibodies revealed numerous differences in
      the content of specific miRNAs, including a significant decrease in mIR126. These
      observations demonstrate that, although anti-beta2 GPI-derived endothelial EVs
      contain IL-1beta, they activate unstimulated ECs through a TLR7-dependent and
      ssRNA-dependent pathway. Alterations in miRNA content may contribute to the
      ability of EVs derived from ECs exposed to anti-beta2 GPI antibodies to activate
      unstimulated ECs in an autocrine or paracrine manner.

PMID- 26264624
TI  - Cecal drop reflects the chickens' cecal microbiome, fecal drop does not.
AB  - Microbiota in the gastro-intestinal tract are closely related to both the
      intestinal and overall health of the host. Experimental chickens have always been
      euthanized in order to identify and quantify the bacteria in cecal content. In
      this study, quantification and identification of the microbial populations in
      cecal drop, cecal content and fecal drop samples from chickens showed that cecal
      drop contains a bacterial community that is very similar (concerning bacterial
      diversity, richness and species composition) to cecal content, as opposed to the
      bacterial community found in fecal drop. Cecal drop analysis thus allows for
      longitudinal experiments on chickens' cecal bacteria. The varying results in the
      analysis of fecal samples question the method's reliability in reflecting the
      true cecal microbiota in chickens. 

PMID- 26264625
TI  - PCR-RFLP on beta-tubulin gene for rapid identification of the most clinically
      important species of Aspergillus.
AB  - Aspergillus species are important agents of life-threatening infections in
      immunosuppressed patients. Proper speciation in the Aspergilli has been justified
      based on varied fungal virulence, clinical presentations, and antifungal
      resistance. Accurate identification of Aspergillus species usually relies on
      fungal DNA sequencing but this requires expensive equipment that is not available
      in most clinical laboratories. We developed and validated a discriminative low
      cost PCR-based test to discriminate Aspergillus isolates at the species level.
      The Beta tubulin gene of various reference strains of Aspergillus species was
      amplified using the universal fungal primers Bt2a and Bt2b. The PCR products were
      subjected to digestion with a single restriction enzyme AlwI. All Aspergillus
      isolates were subjected to DNA sequencing for final species characterization. The
      PCR-RFLP test generated unique patterns for six clinically important Aspergillus
      species, including Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus
      nidulans, Aspergillus terreus, Aspergillus clavatus and Aspergillus nidulans. The
      one-enzyme PCR-RFLP on Beta tubulin gene designed in this study is a low-cost
      tool for the reliable and rapid differentiation of the clinically important
      Aspergillus species. 

PMID- 26264627
TI  - Problems with sickness certification tasks: experiences from physicians in
      different clinical settings. A cross-sectional nationwide study in Sweden.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Many physicians find sickness certification of patients problematic.
      The aims were to explore problems that physicians in different clinical settings
      experience with sickness certification tasks in general and with assessment of
      function, work capacity, and need for sick leave, as well as handling of sick
      leave spells of different durations. METHODS: Data from a questionnaire sent to
      33,144 physicians aged <68 years, living and working in Sweden in 2012 were
      analysed. The response rate was 57.6%. The study group comprised the 12,933
      responders who had sickness certification tasks. Frequencies and odds ratios with
      95% confidence intervals were calculated for questions concerning how problematic
      the physicians experienced different assessments related to patients' function,
      work capacity, and need for sick leave, as well as handling sick-leave spells of
      different durations. RESULTS: There were large differences between clinical
      settings regarding how often and to what extent sickness certification
      consultations were perceived as problematic. Physicians working in primary health
      care (PHC) had the highest proportions experiencing sickness certification
      consultations as problematic at least once a week (49.5%) and as very or fairly
      problematic (56.6%), followed by physicians working in psychiatry, pain
      management, or orthopaedics. More than half of the responders found it very or
      fairly problematic to assess patients' work capacity (57.8%), to make a long-term
      prognosis about patients' future work capacity (55.7%), and to handle long-term
      or very long-term sickness certifications (51.9% and 51.8%). The proportions were
      highest among physicians working in PHC, rheumatology, neurology, or psychiatry.
      CONCLUSIONS: The rates of physicians finding sickness certification task
      problematic varied much with clinical setting, and were highest among physicians
      in PHC. More knowledge is needed about the work conditions and prerequisites for
      optimal handling of sickness certification in different clinical settings.

PMID- 26264628
TI  - Continuous Positive Airway Pressure for Motion Management in Stereotactic Body
      Radiation Therapy to the Lung: A Controlled Pilot Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
      on tumor motion, lung volume, and dose to critical organs in patients receiving
      stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for lung tumors. METHODS AND
      MATERIALS: After institutional review board approval in December 2013, patients
      with primary or secondary lung tumors referred for SBRT underwent 4-dimensional
      computed tomographic simulation twice: with free breathing and with CPAP. Tumor
      excursion was calculated by subtracting the vector of the greatest dimension of
      the gross tumor volume (GTV) from the internal target volume (ITV). Volumetric
      and dosimetric determinations were compared with the Wilcoxon signed-rank test.
      CPAP was used during treatment if judged beneficial. RESULTS: CPAP was tolerated
      well in 10 of the 11 patients enrolled. Ten patients with 18 lesions were
      evaluated. The use of CPAP decreased tumor excursion by 0.5 +/- 0.8 cm, 0.4 +/-
      0.7 cm, and 0.6 +/- 0.8 cm in the superior-inferior, right-left, and anterior
      posterior planes, respectively (P <= .02). Relative to free breathing, the mean
      ITV reduction was 27% (95% confidence interval [CI] 16%-39%, P<.001). CPAP
      significantly augmented lung volume, with a mean absolute increase of 915 +/- 432
      cm(3) and a relative increase of 32% (95% CI 21%-42%, P=.003), contributing to a
      22% relative reduction (95% CI 13%-32%, P=.001) in mean lung dose. The use of
      CPAP was also associated with a relative reduction in mean heart dose by 29% (95%
      CI 23%-36%, P=.001). CONCLUSION: In this pilot study, CPAP significantly reduced
      lung tumor motion compared with free breathing. The smaller ITV, the planning
      target volume (PTV), and the increase in total lung volume associated with CPAP
      contributed to a reduction in lung and heart dose. CPAP was well tolerated,
      reproducible, and simple to implement in the treatment room and should be
      evaluated further as a novel strategy for motion management in radiation therapy.

PMID- 26264629
TI  - Single Vocal Cord Irradiation: Image Guided Intensity Modulated Hypofractionated
      Radiation Therapy for T1a Glottic Cancer: Early Clinical Results.
AB  - PURPOSE: To report, from a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected
      data, on the feasibility, outcome, toxicity, and voice-handicap index (VHI) of
      patients with T1a glottic cancer treated by a novel intensity modulated radiation
      therapy technique developed at our institution to treat only the involved vocal
      cord: single vocal cord irradiation (SVCI). METHODS AND MATERIALS: Thirty
      patients with T1a glottic cancer were treated by means of SVCI. Dose prescription
      was set to 16 * 3.63 Gy (total dose 58.08 Gy). The clinical target volume was the
      entire vocal cord. Setup verification was done by means of an online correction
      protocol using cone beam computed tomography. Data for voice quality assessment
      were collected prospectively at baseline, end of treatment, and 4, 6, and 12
      weeks and 6, 12, and 18 months after treatment using VHI questionnaires. RESULTS:
      After a median follow-up of 30 months (range, 7-50 months), the 2-year local
      control and overall survival rates were 100% and 90% because no single local
      recurrence was reported and 3 patients died because of comorbidity. All patients
      have completed the intended treatment schedule; no treatment interruptions and no
      grade 3 acute toxicity were reported. Grade 2 acute dermatitis or dysphagia was
      reported in only 5 patients (17%). No serious late toxicity was reported; only 1
      patient developed temporary grade 2 laryngeal edema, and responded to a short
      course of corticosteroid. The VHI improved significantly, from 33.5 at baseline
      to 9.5 and 10 at 6 weeks and 18 months, respectively (P<.001). The control group,
      treated to the whole larynx, had comparable local control rates (92.2% vs 100%,
      P=.24) but more acute toxicity (66% vs 17%, P<.0001) and higher VHI scores (23.8
      and 16.7 at 6 weeks and 18 months, respectively, P<.0001). CONCLUSION: Single
      vocal cord irradiation is feasible and resulted in maximal local control rate at
      2 years. The deterioration in VHI scores was slight and temporary and
      subsequently improved to normal levels. Long-term follow-up is needed to
      consolidate these promising results.

PMID- 26264630
TI  - Clinical, radiographic, and histologic analysis of the effects of acemannan used
      in direct pulp capping of human primary teeth: short-term outcomes.
AB  - Acemannan has been previously reported as a direct pulp-capping agent in animal
      study. This natural material demonstrated its biocompatibility and enhanced
      reparative dentin formation. The objective of this study was to investigate the
      action of acemannan as a direct pulp-capping material in human primary teeth with
      deep caries. Forty-two deeply carious mandibular primary molars from 37 children,
      aged 7-11 years old diagnosed with reversible pulpitis were studied. After
      completely removing the infected dentine, teeth with a pinpoint pulpal exposure
      were randomly divided into two treatment groups: acemannan or calcium hydroxide.
      A glass-ionomer cement base was applied to all teeth prior to restoration with
      stainless steel crowns. Clinical and radiographic evaluation was performed 6
      months post-treatment. The teeth due to exfoliate were extracted and
      histopathologically evaluated for inflammation, dentine bridge formation, and
      soft tissue organization. At 6 months, the overall clinical and radiographic
      success rates of direct pulp capping with acemannan and calcium hydroxide at 6
      months were 72.73 and 70.0 %, respectively. The histopathological results
      indicated that the acemannan-treated group had significantly better
      histopathological responses compared with the calcium hydroxide-treated group (p
      < 0.05). These data suggest acemannan offers a valuable alternative biomaterial
      for vital pulp therapy in primary teeth. 

PMID- 26264631
TI  - How a New Health Intervention Affects the Health Systems? Learnings from
      Pentavalent Vaccine Introduction in India.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To summarize the findings from a Post Introduction Evaluation (PIE)
      of pentavalent vaccine in Tamil Nadu and Kerala state of India and to understand
      how the health systems could be prepared for (prior to) introducing a new
      intervention and how such introduction could affect the health systems
      (afterwards). METHODS: A post introduction evaluation (PIE) of Haemophilus
      influenzae type b (Hib) as pentavalent (DPT + HepB + Hib) vaccine was conducted
      in Tamil Nadu and Kerala states of India in July-Aug 2012. The PIE was conducted
      as per World Health Organization PIE methods and tools specifically adapted for
      India. This PIE adopted a 'mixed method approach' with qualitative data focus.
      RESULTS: The planning for the introduction of pentavalent vaccine provided
      opportunities to strengthen various functions of the health system i.e., piloting
      of Open Vial Policy, strengthening surveillance system, improving Adverse Events
      Following Immunization (AEFI) reporting system and formation of the technical
      expert groups. It provided opportunity for bringing attention on the immunization
      programme in general as well. After the vaccine introduction, the beneficial
      effects were noted on stewardship (increased oversight by top level policy makers
      and programme managers), creating resources (investment and trainings of staff in
      immunization), service delivery (increased coverage with the vaccines and
      improved quality of services) and financing (increased financial allocation and
      reduced out of pocket expenditures as more people started attending public health
      facilities). The vaccine introduction was found to be associated with improvement
      in the health equity, efficiency and service utilization (effective coverage).
      CONCLUSIONS: New vaccine introduction provides opportunities (both before and
      after) for strengthening the health systems in setting such as India. Preparing
      the health system for new challenges has potential to strengthen the health
      systems, if done in well-coordinated and planned manner. Considering that
      essential steps are largely similar, these lessons could be applicable for the
      introduction of other new health interventions in the similar settings.

PMID- 26264632
TI  - Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Parenting Styles.
AB  - The aim of the present study was to compare the parenting styles in parents with
      and without adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who had
      children with ADHD. It was a case-control study with convenience sampling
      strategy. Participants were recruited from the parents of previously diagnosed
      children with ADHD referred to Imam Hossein Hospital, Tehran/ Iran. Ninety
      parents with adult ADHD and 120 normal parents were chosen by Conner's Adult ADHD
      Screening Scale (CAARS) and psychiatrist interview. Using Baumrind Parenting
      Styles Questionnaire and Arnold Parenting Scale, parenting styles were assessed
      in both the groups. Results from independent samples t-test indicated that
      Authoritarian parenting style (F = 0.576, p 0.022) and Over reacting style (F =
      7.976, p 0.045) were significantly higher in cases. On the other hand, controls
      were using Permissive style (F = 0.131, p 0.044) more than cases. The results are
      consistent with prior studies; these findings can improve the content of parent
      training for children with ADHD, who have adult ADHD themselves. 

PMID- 26264633
TI  - An Outbreak of Burkholderia cepacia Bacteremia in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To identify the source of infection, to study the clinical profile
      and outcomes of neonates with Burkholderia septicemia and to determine the
      antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of the isolates. METHODS: The authors
      describe a 3 mo outbreak of nosocomial Burkholderia cepacia bacteremia involving
      12 neonates. During the outbreak, ventilator humidifier water, intravenous
      solutions and other possible sources were taken from the concerned neonatal
      intensive care units (NICUs); cultured and isolates identified by standard
      microbiological techniques and VITEK system. Clinical details of affected babies
      were also obtained to ascertain the clinical significance of the isolates.
      RESULTS: All neonates had clinical and biochemical evidence of sepsis and the
      source could be tracked to intravenous solutions of 5% dextrose, normal saline
      (opened bottles) and continuous positive airway pressure humidifier water. Strain
      relatedness of the environmental isolates with the clinical isolates is likely as
      antibiotic susceptibility patterns were similar. CONCLUSIONS: The investigations
      revealed the source of the nosocomial outbreak which is crucial for initiating
      appropriate control measures.

PMID- 26264635
TI  - Interphalangeal Arthrodesis of the Toe With a New Radiolucent Intramedullary
      Implant (Toegrip).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Interphalangeal arthrodesis is a very common surgical treatment of
      rigid hammertoe and claw toe deformities. The K-wires habitually used in this
      procedure are sometimes complicated by pin tract infection, migration,
      discomfort, and breakage. The aim of this study is to evaluate the results of an
      interphalangeal arthrodesis with a new radiolucent angulated intramedullary
      implant. METHODS: A total of 377 implants were placed in 297 patients between
      October 1, 2011, and October 1, 2012. In this study, 157 patients had more than 1
      year follow-up and 142 patients were reviewed. The operation technique is
      explained in detail. RESULTS: This intramedullary device offers a good immediate
      mechanical stability, adequate deformity correction, and a high rate of
      consolidation (83%). The satisfaction rate of patients in this series was 94%.
      CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates good results with a new generation of
      radiolucent implants. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, Level IV: Case series.

PMID- 26264634
TI  - Association of the Apolipoprotein E polymorphism with migraine: a meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) gene has been reported to be associated with
      migraine and tension-type headache (TTH), but the results are conflicting. This
      study aimed to evaluate the association of ApoE with migraine by a meta-analysis.
      METHODS: MEDLINE, ISI Web of Knowledge, The Cochrane Central Register of
      Controlled Trials, and EMBASE databases were searched to identify eligible
      studies published in English from 2000 to 2014. Data were extracted using
      standardized forms. The association was assessed by relative risk (RR) with 95%
      confidence intervals (CIs) using a fixed or random effects model. RESULTS: Four
      studies, comprising 649 migraineurs, 229 TTH subjects and 975 controls, met all
      the criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. No significant difference
      was found comparing genotypic and allelic frequencies in the case of migraineurs
      versus controls and TTH subjects versus controls. Only when migraineurs and TTH
      subjects were considered as a whole group, ApoE4 was found to increase the
      relative risk of headache by 1.48 (95% CI 1.16, 1.90; P = 0.002), compared to
      controls. CONCLUSIONS: ApoE epsilon4 allele is not associated with migraine
      susceptibility, but is positively related to headache (including migraine and
      TTH).

PMID- 26264636
TI  - Trends of Concurrent Ankle Arthroscopy at the Time of Operative Treatment of
      Ankle Fracture: A National Database Review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to report trends associated with
      concurrent ankle arthroscopy at the time of operative treatment of ankle
      fracture. METHOD: The current procedural terminology (CPT) billing codes were
      used to search the PearlDiver Patient Record Database and identify all patients
      who were treated for acute ankle fracture in the United States. The Medicare
      Standard Analytic Files were searchable between 2005 and 2011 and the United
      Healthcare Orthopedic Dataset from 2007 to 2011. Annual trends were expressed
      only between 2007 and 2011, as it was the common time period among both
      databases. Demographic factors were identified for all procedures as well as the
      cost aspect using the Medicare data set. RESULTS: In total, 32 307 patients
      underwent open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) of an ankle fracture, of whom
      313 (1.0%) had an ankle arthroscopy performed simultaneously. Of those 313 cases,
      70 (22.4%) patients received microfracture treatment. Between 2005 and 2011, 85
      203 patients were treated for an ankle fracture whether via ORIF or closed
      treatment. Of these, a total of 566 patients underwent arthroscopic treatment
      within 7 years. The prevalence of arthroscopy after ankle fracture decreased
      significantly by 45% from 2007 to 2011 (P< .0001). When ORIF and microfracture
      were performed concurrently, the total average charge for both procedures drops
      to $4253.00 and average reimbursement to $818.00 compared with approximately
      $4964.00 and $1069.00, respectively, when they were performed subsequently.
      CONCLUSION: Despite good evidence in favor of arthroscopy at the time of ankle
      fracture treatment, it appears that only a small proportion of surgeons in the
      United States perform these procedures concurrently. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE:
      Therapeutic, Level IV: Retrospective.

PMID- 26264637
TI  - Tibiotalocalcaneal Arthrodesis Using a Nitinol Intramedullary Hindfoot Nail.
AB  - Tibiotalocalcaneal (TTC) arthrodesis using an intramedullary hindfoot nail is a
      common procedure for deformity correction and the treatment of combined
      tibiotalar and subtalar end-stage arthritis. Nonunion at one or both fusion sites
      is a difficult complication that can result in reoperation, significant
      morbidity, and below-knee amputation. There is currently a need for sustained
      compression across fusion sites using a TTC hindfoot nail with good mechanical
      stability. The DynaNail TTC Fusion System (MedShape, Inc, Atlanta, GA) uses an
      internal nitinol compression element to apply sustained compression across the
      tibiotalar and subtalar joints after surgery. In preliminary clinical cases, we
      have found that the nail is safe, reliable, and has promising clinical and
      radiographic results in settings of hindfoot arthritis, complex deformity,
      Charcot arthropathy, and talar avascular necrosis. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: Expert
      opinion, Level V.

PMID- 26264638
TI  - Citrullination in the periodontium--a possible link between periodontitis and
      rheumatoid arthritis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to assess human and bacterial
      peptidylarginine deiminase (PAD) activity in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF)
      in the context of serum levels of antibodies against citrullinated epitopes in
      rheumatoid arthritis and periodontitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human PAD and
      Porphyromonas gingivalis-derived enzyme (PPAD) activities were measured in the
      GCF of 52 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients (48 with periodontitis and 4
      without) and 44 non-RA controls (28 with periodontitis and 16 without). Serum
      antibodies against citrullinated epitopes were measured by ELISA. Bacteria being
      associated with periodontitis were determined by nucleic-acid-based methods.
      RESULTS: Citrullination was present in 26 (50%) RA patients and 23 (48%)
      controls. PAD and PPAD activities were detected in 36 (69%) and 30 (58%) RA
      patients, respectively, and in 30 (68%) and 21 (50%) controls, respectively. PPAD
      activity was higher in RA and non-RA patients with periodontitis than in those
      without (p = 0.038; p = 0.004), and was detected in 35 of 59 P. gingivalis
      positive samples, and in 16 of 37 P. gingivalis-negative samples in association
      with high antibody levels against that species. CONCLUSIONS: PAD and PPAD
      activities within the periodontium are elevated in RA and non-RA patients with
      periodontitis. PPAD secreted by P. gingivalis residing in epithelial cells may
      exert its citrullinating activity in distant regions of the periodontium or even
      distant tissues. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In periodontitis, the citrullination of
      proteins/peptides by human and bacterial peptidylarginine deiminases may generate
      antibodies after breaching immunotolerance in susceptible individuals.

PMID- 26264639
TI  - Loss of cytokeratin 10 indicates malignant transformation in actinic cheilitis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship the
      expression of cytokeratins (CK10 and CK13) and the cell proliferation index
      determined by Ki-67 of lip squamous cell carcinoma and actinic cheilitis with
      different degrees of dysplasia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-five paraffin
      embedded actinic cheilitis with and without dysplasia and 20 lip squamous cell
      carcinoma were analyzed by immunohistochemistry using anti-human anti-CK10, anti
      CK13, and anti-Ki-67 antibodies. RESULTS: The majority of actinic cheilitis
      showed immunopositivity for CK10 and CK13 with decrease or loss of expression in
      dysplastic areas. In lip squamous cell carcinoma of the lip, heterogeneous
      expression of CK13 and immunonegativity for CK10 were observed. There was a
      statistically significant difference between CK10 expression in lip squamous cell
      carcinoma and in actinic cheilitis with or without dysplasia (p < 0.001). The
      cell proliferation index was higher in actinic cheilitis with dysplasia and lip
      squamous cell carcinoma than in actinic cheilitis without epithelial dysplasia. A
      significant correlation was found between the intensity of the epithelial
      dysplasia and the cell proliferation index (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: These results
      provide evidence that there is a downregulation of CK10 expression in dysplastic
      areas of patients with actinic cheilitis and in those with lip squamous cell
      carcinoma (LSCC) and that the index of cell proliferation, determined by Ki-67,
      is directly correlated with the intensity of the epithelial dysplasia. CLINICAL
      RELEVANCE: Altogether, these results suggest that CK10 expression and the
      epithelial cell proliferation index can help to identify malignant transformation
      in the lip region.

PMID- 26264640
TI  - Cesarean Section Delivery Is Not a Risk Factor for Development of Inflammatory
      Bowel Disease: A Population-based Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Mode of birth affects development of the intestinal
      microbiota, and microbial dysbiosis has been associated with inflammatory bowel
      disease (IBD). We performed a population-based analysis to determine whether mode
      of delivery (cesarean section vs. vaginal delivery) affects risk of IBD. METHODS:
      We collected data from the University of Manitoba IBD Epidemiology Database,
      which contains records on all Manitobans diagnosed with IBD from 1984 through
      2010. Starting in 1970, 6-digit family health registration numbers were used in
      Manitoba to link mothers with their offspring. Maternal health records, including
      dates and modes of delivery and siblings of individuals with IBD, were
      identified. RESULTS: We obtained data on 1671 individuals with IBD and 10,488
      controls (individuals without IBD, matched by age, sex, and area of residence at
      IBD diagnosis) linked to mothers' obstetrical records. Higher proportions of
      urban than rural residents were delivered by cesarean section for IBD cases
      (12.8% vs. 9.7%, P = .05) and controls (13.3% vs. 9.4%, P < .0001). A higher
      percentage of men with Crohn's disease than women with Crohn's disease were born
      via cesarean section (13.5% vs. 8.4%, P = .01). Overall, there was no difference
      in the percentage of IBD cases born by cesarean section (11.6%) vs. controls
      (11.7%, P = .93). In multivariate analysis, birth by cesarean section was not
      associated with an increased risk of subsequent IBD, controlling for age, sex,
      urban residence, and income (odds ratio, 1.04; 95% confidence interval, 0.89
      1.23). Persons with IBD were no more likely to have been born by cesarean section
      than their siblings without IBD (1740 siblings from 1615 families) (11.6% vs.
      11.3%; odds ratio, 1.14; 95% confidence interval, 0.72-1.80; P = .79).
      CONCLUSIONS: People with IBD were not more likely to have been born via cesarean
      section than controls or siblings without IBD. These findings indicate that
      events of the immediate postpartum period that shape the developing intestinal
      microbiome do not affect risk for IBD.

PMID- 26264641
TI  - Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Nanocoil Array Integrated on Carbon Nanofiber Paper for
      Supercapacitor Electrodes.
AB  - Integrating a nanostructured carbon array on a conductive substrate remains a
      challenging task that presently relies primarily on high-vacuum deposition
      technology. To overcome the problems associated with current vacuum techniques,
      we demonstrate the formation of an N-doped carbon array by pyrolysis of a polymer
      array that was electrochemically grown on carbon fiber paper. The resulting
      carbon array was investigated for use as a supercapacitor electrode. In-depth
      surface characterization results revealed that the microtextural properties,
      surface functionalities, and degree of nitrogen incorporated into the N-doped
      carbon array can be delicately controlled by manipulating carbonization
      temperatures. Furthermore, electrochemical measurements showed that subtle
      changes in these physical properties resulted in significant changes in the
      capacitive behavior of the N-doped carbon array. Pore structures and
      nitrogen/oxygen functional groups, which are favorable for charge storage, were
      formed at low carbonization temperatures. This result showed the importance of
      having a comprehensive understanding of how the surface characteristics of carbon
      affect its capacitive performance. When utilized as a substrate in a
      pseudocapacitive electrode material, the N-doped carbon array maximizes
      capacitive performance by simultaneously achieving high gravimetric and areal
      capacitances due to its large surface area and high electrical conductivity. 

PMID- 26264642
TI  - The Development of Conversation Training Therapy: A Concept Paper.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To introduce the conceptual, theoretical, and practical foundations
      of a novel approach to voice therapy, called conversation training therapy (CTT),
      which focuses exclusively on voice awareness and efficient voice production in
      patient-driven conversational narrative, without the use of a traditional
      therapeutic hierarchy. CTT is grounded in motor learning theory, focused on
      training target voice goals in spontaneous, conversational speech in the first
      session and throughout. CTT was developed by a consensus panel of expert clinical
      voice-specialized speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and patients with voice
      problems. STUDY DESIGN: This is a prospective, clinical consensus design.
      METHODS: A preliminary CTT approach to voice therapy was developed by the first
      and last authors (J.G-S. and A.I.G.) and incorporated six interchangeable tenets:
      clear speech, auditory/kinesthetic awareness, rapport building, negative
      practice, basic training gestures, and prosody. Five expert voice-specialized
      clinical SLPs (consensus group) were then presented CTT and a discussion ensued.
      Later, an informal interview by a neutral third party person occurred for further
      recommendations for CTT. RESULTS: The CTT approach was modified to reflect all
      the consensus groups' recommendations, which included the need for more detail
      and rationale in the program, troubleshooting suggestions, and the concern for
      potential challenges for novice clinicians. CONCLUSIONS: CTT is a new therapy
      approach based on motor learning theory, which exclusively uses patient-driven
      conversational narrative as the sole therapeutic stimuli. CTT is conceptually
      innovative because it represents an approach to voice therapy developed without
      the use of a traditional therapeutic hierarchy. It is also developed using input
      from patients with voice disorders and expert clinical providers.

PMID- 26264643
TI  - Bioinspired photonic structures by the reflector layer of firefly lantern for
      highly efficient chemiluminescence.
AB  - Fireflies have drawn considerable attention for thousands of years due to their
      highly efficient bioluminescence, which is important for fundamental research and
      photonic applications. However, there are few reports on the reflector layer (RL)
      of firefly lantern, which contributes to the bright luminescence. Here we
      presented the detailed microstructure of the RL consisting of random hollow
      granules, which had high reflectance in the range from 450 nm to 800 nm. Inspired
      by the firefly lantern, artificial films with high reflectance in the visible
      region were fabricated using hollow silica microparticles mimicking the structure
      of the RL. Additionally, the bioinspired structures provided an efficient RL for
      the chemiluminescence system and could substantially enhance the initial
      chemiluminescence intensity. The work not only provides new insight into the
      bright bioluminescence of fireflies, but also is importance for the design of
      photonic materials for theranostics, detection, and imaging. 

PMID- 26264644
TI  - Specific photothermal therapy to the tumors with high EphB4 receptor expression.
AB  - Photothermal therapy (PTT) employs photo-absorbing agents to generate heat from
      optical energy, leading to the 'burning' of tumor cells. Real-time imaging of in
      vivo distribution of photothermal agents and monitoring of post-treatment
      therapeutic outcomes are very important to design and optimize personalized PTT
      treatment. In this work, we used chitosan-stearic acid copolymer (CSO-SA) to
      encapsulate hollow gold nanospheres (HAuNS) and near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent
      tracer, DiR. Then, the surface of nanoparticles was further conjugated with a
      peptide (TNYL), which facilitates EphB4-positive tumor targeting delivery. Using
      a paired tumor mode in vivo and a double tumor-cell co-culture strategy in vitro,
      we demonstrated the feasibility of increasing the accumulation of our
      nanoparticles (DiR loaded and TNYL-CSO-SA coated HAuNS (DTCSH)) into EphB4
      positive tumors through interaction between TNYL-peptide on the nanoparticles and
      EpHB4 receptors on tumor cells. When combined with NIR laser irradiation, our
      nanoparticles induced more EphB4-positive tumor cells death in vitro. We further
      developed optical imaging to temporally and spatially monitor the biodistribution
      of DTCSH. Under NIR laser irradiation, PTT exhibited dramatically stronger
      antitumor effect against EphB4-positive tumors than EphB4-negative tumors. This
      was attributed to enhanced accumulation of our nanoparticles in EphB4-positive
      tumors. 

PMID- 26264645
TI  - Development of tailored and self-mineralizing citric acid-crosslinked hydrogels
      for in situ bone regeneration.
AB  - Bone tissue engineering demands alternatives overcoming the limitations of
      traditional approaches in the context of a constantly aging global population. In
      the present study, elastin-like recombinamers hydrogels were produced by means of
      carbodiimide-catalyzed crosslinking with citric acid, a molecule suggested to be
      essential for bone nanostructure. By systematically studying the effect of the
      relative abundance of reactive species on gelation and hydrogel properties such
      as functional groups content, degradation and structure, we were able to
      understand and to control the crosslinking reaction to achieve hydrogels
      mimicking the fibrillary nature of the extracellular matrix. By studying the
      effect of polymer concentration on scaffold mechanical properties, we were able
      to produce hydrogels with a stiffness value of 36.13 +/- 10.72 kPa, previously
      suggested to be osteoinductive. Microstructured and mechanically-tailored
      hydrogels supported the growth of human mesenchymal stem cells and led to higher
      osteopontin expression in comparison to their non-tailored counterparts.
      Additionally, tailored hydrogels were able to rapidly self-mineralize in
      biomimetic conditions, evidencing that citric acid was successfully used both as
      a crosslinker and a bioactive molecule providing polymers with calcium phosphate
      nucleation capacity. 

PMID- 26264646
TI  - Nanoparticle delivery of CDDO-Me remodels the tumor microenvironment and enhances
      vaccine therapy for melanoma.
AB  - Lipid-calcium-phosphate nanoparticle (NP) delivery of Trp2 peptide vaccine is one
      of the most effective vaccine strategies against melanoma. However, due to the
      immunosuppressive microenvironment in the tumor, the achievement of potent immune
      responses remains a major challenge. NP delivery systems provide an opportunity
      to deliver chemotherapy agent to modulate the tumor microenvironment (TME) and
      improve the vaccine activity. Anti-inflammatory triterpenoid methyl-2-cyano-3,12
      dioxooleana-1,9(11)-dien-28-oate (CDDO-Me) is a broad spectrum inhibitor of
      several signaling pathways that are important in both cancer cells and cells in
      the TME. Intravenous delivery of CDDO-Me using poly-lactic-glycolic-acid NP
      combination with subcutaneous Trp2 vaccine resulted in an increase of antitumor
      efficacy and apoptotic tumor tissue than Trp2 vaccine alone in B16F10 melanoma.
      There was a significant decrease of both Treg cells and MDSCs and a concomitant
      increase in the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte infiltration in TEM of the vaccinated
      animals. Also, CDDO-Me remodeled the tumor associated fibroblasts, collagen and
      vessel in TME, meanwhile, enhanced the Fas signaling pathway which could
      sensitize the tumor cells for cytotoxic T lymphocyte mediated killing. The
      combination of systemic induction of antigen-specific immune response using Trp2
      nanovaccine and targeted modification of the TME with the NP delivered CDDO-Me
      offers a powerful combination therapy for melanoma. 

PMID- 26264647
TI  - Visualizing myocardial inflammation in a rat model of type 4 cardiorenal syndrome
      by dual-modality molecular imaging.
AB  - Type 4 cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) is a life-threatening world health problem in
      which chronic kidney disease leads to progressive cardiovascular disease. In type
      4 CRS, cardiac inflammation is an excellent target for both detection and
      therapy; however, this progression was underestimated by previous studies due to
      the lack of effective detection methods. To noninvasively visualize cardiac
      inflammation and monitor therapeutic efficacy of anti-inflammatory treatment in
      type 4 CRS, we here synthesized a dual-modality magneto-fluorescent nanoparticle
      (MNP) by combining ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle and
      Rhodamine B for both magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and optical imaging. This
      dual-functional MNP exhibited excellent performance such as high r2 relaxivity
      coefficient (283.4 mM(-1) s(-1)), high magnetism (96.7 emu/g iron) and a near
      neutral surface charge to minimize the reticuloendothelial system uptake. In vivo
      cardiac MRI showed significant negative contrast in the type 4 CRS rats, and the
      signal intensity on optical imaging was significantly higher in the type 4 CRS
      group compared with sham-operated and drug-treated groups. The specific targeting
      profile of MNPs to monocyte-macrophages was proven by histopathological analysis.
      Taken together, we demonstrate that this dual-modality strategy is feasible for
      noninvasively assessing myocardial inflammation and monitoring therapeutic
      efficacy in type 4 CRS. 

PMID- 26264649
TI  - Acoustic suppression of the coffee-ring effect.
AB  - We study the influence of acoustic fields on the evaporative self-assembly of
      solute particles suspended inside sessile droplets of complex fluids. The self
      assembly process often results in an undesirable ring-like heterogeneous residue,
      a phenomenon known as the coffee-ring effect. Here we show that this ring-like
      self-assembly can be controlled acoustically to form homogeneous disc-like or
      concentrated spot-like residues. The principle of our method lies in the
      formation of dynamic patterns of particles in acoustically excited droplets,
      which inhibits the evaporation-driven convective transport of particles towards
      the contact line. We elucidate the mechanisms of this pattern formation and also
      obtain conditions for the suppression of the coffee-ring effect. Our results
      provide a more general solution to suppress the coffee-ring effect without any
      physiochemical modification of the fluids, the particles or the surface, thus
      potentially useful in a broad range of industrial and analytical applications
      that require homogenous solute depositions. 

PMID- 26264648
TI  - Examination of early group dynamics and treatment outcome in a randomized
      controlled trial of group cognitive behavior therapy for binge eating disorder.
AB  - This study examined whether perceptions of group dynamics early in treatment
      predicted eating disorder outcomes in a sample of adults (N = 190) with binge
      eating disorder (BED) who participated in a 15-session group cognitive behavior
      therapy (gCBT) treatment with differing levels of therapist involvement
      (therapist led, therapist assisted, and self-help). The group dynamic variables
      included the Engaged subscale of the Group Climate Questionnaire--Short Form and
      the Group Attitude Scale, measured at session 2 and session 6. Treatment outcome
      was assessed in terms of global eating disorder severity and frequency of binge
      eating at end of treatment, 6-month, and 12-month follow-up. Session 2 engagement
      and group attitudes were associated with improved outcome at 12-month follow-up.
      No other group dynamic variables were significantly associated with treatment
      outcome. Group dynamic variables did not differ by levels of therapist
      involvement. Results indicate that early engagement and attitudes may be
      predictive of improved eating disorder psychopathology at 12 month follow-up.
      However, the pattern of mostly insignificant findings indicates that in gCBT,
      group process variables may be less influential on outcomes relative to other
      treatment components. Additionally, participants were able to engage in group
      treatment regardless of level of therapist involvement.

PMID- 26264650
TI  - Increased expression of transcription factor EB (TFEB) is associated with
      autophagy, migratory phenotype and poor prognosis in non-small cell lung cancer.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We investigated the role of lysosomal biogenesis and hydrolase
      activity in the clinical behavior and postoperative outcome of lung cancer.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using immunohistochemistry we investigated the expression
      of the transcription factor EB (TFEB) which orchestrates lysosomal biogenesis,
      the lysosome membrane protein LAMP2a and of the lysosomal hydrolase cathepsin D
      in a series of 98 non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLC) treated with surgery
      alone. In vitro experiments with the A549 and H1299 lung cancer cell lines were
      also performed. RESULTS: Overexpression of TFEB, LAMP2a and Cathepsin D was noted
      in 47/98 (47.9%), 43/98 (43.9%) and 39/98 (39.8%) cases, respectively, and were
      significantly correlated with each other and with adenocarcinomas. High LAMP2a
      was related to high histology grade. Linear regression analysis confirmed
      significant association of TFEB with BNIP3 (p=0.0003, r=0.35) and LC3A with
      LAMP2a expression (p=0.0002, r=0.37). An inverse association of Cathepsin D
      expression with stone-like structures (SLS) was recorded (p=0.02, r=0.22). On
      univariate analysis all three lyososomal variables were associated with poor
      prognosis (p=0.05, 0.04 and 0.01, for TFEB, Cathepsin D and LAMP2a,
      respectively). Multivariate analysis showed that the SLS number (p=0.0001,
      HR5.37), Cathepsin D expression (p=0.01, HR=2.2) and stage (p=0.01, HR=1.5) were
      independent prognostic variables. Silencing of TFEB with siRNAs in the A549 and
      H1299 lung cancer cell lines did not affect proliferation but resulted in reduced
      migration ability. CONCLUSION: Lysosomal biogenesis is linked to autophagosomal
      protein expression in NSCLC and characterizes subgroups of high risk patients
      after complete surgical lung tumor resection.

PMID- 26264651
TI  - Cold plasma treatment enhances oilseed rape seed germination under drought
      stress.
AB  - Effects of cold plasma treatment on seed germination, seedling growth,
      antioxidant enzymes, lipid peroxidation levels and osmotic-adjustment products of
      oilseed rape under drought stress were investigated in a drought-sensitive
      (Zhongshuang 7) and drought-tolerant cultivar (Zhongshuang 11). Results showed
      that, under drought stress, cold plasma treatment significantly improved the
      germination rate by 6.25% in Zhongshuang 7, and 4.44% in Zhongshuang 11. Seedling
      growth characteristics, including shoot and root dry weights, shoot and root
      lengths, and lateral root number, significantly increased after cold plasma
      treatment. The apparent contact angle was reduced by 30.38% in Zhongshuang 7 and
      16.91% in Zhongshuang 11. Cold plasma treatment markedly raised superoxide
      dismutase and catalase activities by 17.71% and 16.52% in Zhongshuang 7, and by
      13.00% and 13.21% in Zhongshuang 11. Moreover, cold plasma treatment
      significantly increased the soluble sugar and protein contents, but reduced the
      malondialdehyde content in seedlings. Our results suggested that cold plasma
      treatment improved oilseed rape drought tolerance by improving antioxidant enzyme
      activities, increasing osmotic-adjustment products, and reducing lipid
      peroxidation, especially in the drought-sensitive cultivar (Zhongshuang 7). Thus,
      cold plasma treatment can be used in an ameliorative way to improve germination
      and protect oilseed rape seedlings against damage caused by drought stress. 

PMID- 26264652
TI  - Lack of the evidence for the enzymatic catabolism of Man1GlcNAc2 in Saccharomyces
      cerevisiae.
AB  - In the cytosol of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, most of the free N-glycans (FNGs) are
      generated from misfolded glycoproteins by the action of the cytoplasmic peptide:
      N-glycanase (Png1). A cytosol/vacuole alpha-mannosidase, Ams1, then trims the
      FNGs to eventually form a trisaccharide composed of Manbeta1,4GlcNAc
      beta1,4GlcNAc (Man1GlcNAc2). Whether or not the resulting Man1GlcNAc2 is
      enzymatically degraded further, however, is currently unknown. The objective of
      this study was to unveil the fate of Man1GlcNAc2 in S. cerevisiae. Quantitative
      analyses of the FNGs revealed a steady increase in the amount of Man1GlcNAc2
      produced in the post-diauxic and stationary phases, suggesting that this
      trisaccharide is not catabolized during this period. Inoculation of the
      stationary phase cells into fresh medium resulted in a reduction in the levels of
      Man1GlcNAc2. However, this reduction was caused by its dilution due to cell
      division in the fresh medium. Our results thus indicate that Man1GlcNAc2 is not
      enzymatically catabolized in S. cerevisiae.

PMID- 26264653
TI  - Patient-reported outcome after treatment of urinary incontinence in a
      multidisciplinary pelvic care clinic.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To assess patient-reported outcome and satisfaction regarding urinary
      incontinence 1 year after the end of treatment in a multidisciplinary pelvic care
      clinic. METHODS: A total of 647 patients with urinary incontinence seen in an
      academic multidisciplinary pelvic care clinic were prospectively included in a
      specific triage system. Patient-reported improvement of urinary incontinence and
      patient satisfaction were assessed by telephone survey 1 year after the end of
      treatment. RESULTS: Just 15.6% of patients presented with one single pelvic floor
      problem, most had two or three pelvic functional disorders simultaneously, such
      as urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse and constipation or fecal
      incontinence. One year after the end of treatment, of 440 responders (68%), 18.2%
      reported no remaining complaints, and 33.4% reported only one complaint. Patients
      reported a significant improvement of the mean severity (scale 0-10) of urinary
      incontinence from 7.2 +/-1.6 pretreatment (=T0) to 4.3 +/- 3.0 1 year after the
      end of treatment (P < 0.001). A total of 20.6% of patients reported no urinary
      incontinence after 1 year (P < 0.001), and 27.6% (P < 0.001) stopped using
      incontinence pads. Patients claimed high satisfaction with the clinic and care
      received, with 35.8% being "satisfied" and 45.5% "very satisfied." CONCLUSION: At
      1 year after the end of treatment, one out of five patients with urinary
      incontinence recovered completely, and more than one out of four stopped using
      incontinence absorption pads. One out of three patients went from having a
      multifactorial health problem to a monofactorial health problem. High
      satisfaction rates were reported by more than four out of five patients.

PMID- 26264654
TI  - miR-544a induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition through the activation of WNT
      signaling pathway in gastric cancer.
AB  - The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) contributes to cancer progression, as
      well as the development of normal organs, wound healing and organ fibrosis. We
      established a cell-based reporter system for identifying EMT-inducing microRNAs
      (miRNAs) with a gastric cancer (GC) cell line, MKN1, transfected with a reporter
      construct containing a promoter sequence of VIM in the 5' upstream region of the
      TurboRFP reporter gene. Function-based screening using this reporter system was
      performed with a 328-miRNA library, and resulted in the identification miR-544a
      as an EMT-inducing miRNA. Although miR-544a is already known to be involved in
      the regulation of CDH1, the mechanism by which EMT occurs remains poorly
      understood. Herein, we demonstrated that overexpression of miR-544a induces VIM,
      SNAI1 and ZEB1 expression, and reduces CDH1 expression, resulting in an EMT
      phenotype. In addition, we found that CDH1 and AXIN2, which are related to the
      degradation and the translocation of beta-catenin, are direct targets of miR
      544a. Subsequently, the reduction of CDH1 and AXIN2 by miR-544a induced the
      nuclear import of beta-catenin, suggesting that miR-544a may activate the WNT
      signaling pathway through the stabilization of beta-catenin in nucleus. Our
      findings raise the possibility that inhibition of miR-544a may be a therapeutic
      target of metastatic GC. 

PMID- 26264655
TI  - A remarkable enhancement of selectivity towards versatile analytes by a
      strategically integrated H-bonding site containing phase.
AB  - A double beta-alanylated L-glutamide-derived organic phase has been newly
      designed and synthesized in such a way that integrated H-bonding (interaction)
      sites make it very suitable for the separation of versatile analytes, including
      shape-constrained isomers, and nonpolar, polar and basic compounds. The beta
      alanine residues introduced into two long-chain alkyl group moieties provide
      ordered polar groups through H-bonding among the amide groups.

PMID- 26264656
TI  - High thermoelectric performance in two-dimensional graphyne sheets predicted by
      first-principles calculations.
AB  - The thermoelectric properties of two-dimensional graphyne sheets are investigated
      by using first-principles calculations and the Boltzmann transport equation
      method. The electronic structure indicates a semiconducting phase for graphyne,
      compared with the metallic phase of graphene. Consequently, the obtained Seebeck
      coefficient and the power factor of graphyne are much higher than those of
      graphene. The calculated phonon mean free path for graphene is 866 nm, which is
      in good agreement with the experimental value of 775 nm. Meanwhile the phonon
      mean free path of graphyne is only 60 nm, leading to two order lower thermal
      conductivity than graphene. We show that the low thermal conductivity of graphyne
      is due to its mixed sp/sp(2) bonding. Our calculations show that the optimized ZT
      values of graphyne sheets can reach 5.3 at intermediate temperature by
      appropriate doping. 

PMID- 26264659
TI  - In vitro antibiofilm activity of the freshwater bryozoan Hyalinella punctata: a
      case study of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1.
AB  - The antibiofilm and possible antiquorum sensing effects against the strain
      Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 of five crude extracts of the freshwater bryozoan
      Hyalinella punctata (Hancock, 1850) were evaluated in vitro for the first time.
      H. punctata ethyl acetate extract (HpEtAc) exhibited the highest antibiofilm
      activity reducing the biofilm formation of P. aeruginosa PAO1 in the range of
      80.63-88.13%. While all tested extracts reduced the twitching motility of the
      aforementioned bacterial strain, HpEtAc showed to be the most effective. Finally,
      at a concentration of 0.5 MIC, the same extract mostly inhibited the production
      of pyocyanin by P. aeruginosa PAO1 (71.53%). In comparison both with the positive
      controls used (streptomycin and ampicillin, 67.13 and 69.77%, respectively),
      HpEtAc was found to inhibit pyocyanin in a higher extent. An extensive chemical
      characterisation of this particular extract may result in isolation and
      identification of novel lead compounds targeting P. aeruginosa, an opportunistic
      human pathogen. 

PMID- 26264660
TI  - NMR study on the interaction of the conserved CREX 'stem-loop' in the Hepatitis E
      virus genome with a naphthyridine-based ligand.
AB  - A 2-amino-1,8-naphthyridine derivative that is described to bind single guanine
      bulges in RNA-DNA and RNA-RNA duplexes was synthesized and its interaction with
      the single G bulge in the conserved CREX of the Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) genome
      was explored by NMR and molecular modeling. Results indicate that the ligand
      intercalates in the internal loop, though none of the expected hydrogen bonds
      with the single G in the bulge could be demonstrated. 

PMID- 26264658
TI  - MRI detection of breast cancer micrometastases with a fibronectin-targeting
      contrast agent.
AB  - Metastasis is the primary cause of death in breast cancer patients. Early
      detection of high-risk breast cancer, including micrometastasis, is critical in
      tailoring appropriate and effective interventional therapies. Increased
      fibronectin expression, a hallmark of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, is
      associated with high-risk breast cancer and metastasis. We have previously
      developed a penta-peptide CREKA (Cys-Arg-Glu-Lys-Ala)-targeted gadolinium-based
      magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent, CREKA-Tris(Gd-DOTA)3 (Gd-DOTA
      (4,7,10-tris(carboxymethyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecyl gadolinium), which
      binds to fibrin-fibronectin complexes that are abundant in the tumour
      microenvironment of fast-growing breast cancer. Here we assess the capability of
      CREKA-Tris(Gd-DOTA)3 to detect micrometastasis with MRI in co-registration with
      high-resolution fluorescence cryo-imaging in female mice bearing metastatic 4T1
      breast tumours. We find that CREKA-Tris(Gd-DOTA)3 provides robust contrast
      enhancement in the metastatic tumours and enables the detection of
      micrometastases of size <0.5 mm, extending the detection limit of the current
      clinical imaging modalities. These results demonstrate that molecular MRI with
      CREKA-Tris(Gd-DOTA)3 may facilitate early detection of high-risk breast cancer
      and micrometastasis in the clinic. 

PMID- 26264661
TI  - Assessment of successful smoking cessation by psychological factors using the
      Bayesian network approach.
AB  - The association between psychological factors and smoking cessation is
      complicated and inconsistent in published researches, and the joint effect of
      psychological factors on smoking cessation is unclear. This study explored how
      psychological factors jointly affect the success of smoking cessation using a
      Bayesian network approach. A community-based case control study was designed with
      642 adult male successful smoking quitters as the cases, and 700 adult male
      failed smoking quitters as the controls. General self-efficacy (GSE), trait
      coping style (positive-trait coping style (PTCS) and negative-trait coping style
      (NTCS)) and self-rating anxiety (SA) were evaluated by GSE Scale, Trait Coping
      Style Questionnaire and SA Scale, respectively. Bayesian network was applied to
      evaluate the relationship between psychological factors and successful smoking
      cessation. The local conditional probability table of smoking cessation indicated
      that different joint conditions of psychological factors led to different
      outcomes for smoking cessation. Among smokers with high PTCS, high NTCS and low
      SA, only 36.40% successfully quitted smoking. However, among smokers with low
      pack-years of smoking, high GSE, high PTCS and high SA, 63.64% successfully
      quitted smoking. Our study indicates psychological factors jointly influence
      smoking cessation outcome. According to different joint situations, different
      solutions should be developed to control tobacco in practical intervention.

PMID- 26264662
TI  - Peritumoral D2-40 Chalkley score independently predicts metastases and survival
      in patients with cutaneous malignant melanoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Many observational studies investigated the prognostic significance
      of angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in patients with melanoma. However, the
      obtained results are rather contradictory, probably due to the lack of the
      consensus methodology. METHODS: To investigate the prognostic significance of
      angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis-related parameters in patients with melanoma,
      we performed a retrospective investigation following the consensus
      recommendations for angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis quantification in solid
      tumors and reporting recommendations for tumor marker (REMARK) criteria for
      reporting the results. Blood and lymphatic vessel Chalkley scores, endothelial
      cell proliferation fractions and microvessel densities were quantified using a
      double immunostaining for endothelial marker CD34 or lymphendothelial marker D240
      and the proliferation marker Ki-67 in 196 patients with melanoma. These
      parameters were evaluated separately for peritumoral (PT) and intratumoral areas
      and were correlated with outcome. RESULTS: In multivariate analysis PT D240
      Chalkley score was identified as a strongest predictor for sentinel lymph node
      metastases, non-sentinel lymph node metastases, distant metastases, disease free
      survival and overall survival in patients with melanoma. CONCLUSIONS: If
      additional studies corroborate our findings, we believe that the inclusion of PT
      D240 Chalkley counts to the routine pathology examination of melanoma samples
      would provide additional information for identifying high-risk patients.

PMID- 26264663
TI  - The impact of the phosphomimetic eIF2alphaS/D on global translation, reinitiation
      and the integrated stress response is attenuated in N2a cells.
AB  - A plethora of stresses trigger a rapid downregulation of protein synthesis.
      However, a fraction of mRNAs continue to be recruited onto polysomes and their
      protein products play a key role in deciding cell fate. These transcripts are
      characterized by the presence of uORFs within their 5' TL coupling protein
      expression to reinitiation. The translational brake arises due to the activation
      of a family of kinases targeting the alpha subunit of the trimolecular
      eIF2(alphabetagamma) initiation factor. Phosphorylation of eIF2alphaSer51
      inhibits ternary complex regeneration reducing the pool of 43S ribosomes. It is
      popular to mimic this event, and hence the integrated stress response (ISR), by
      the expression of the phosphomimetic eIF2alphaS51D. However, we report that
      whereas the ISR is reproduced by eIF2alphaS51D expression in human HEK293T cells
      this is not the case in N2a mouse neuroblastoma cells. With regards to
      translational downregulation, this arises due to the failure of the
      phosphomimetic protein to assemble an eIF2 complex with endogenous
      eIF2beta/gamma. This can be compensated for by the transient co-expression of all
      three subunits. Curiously, these conditions do not modulate reinitiation and
      consequently fail to trigger the ISR. This is the first demonstration that the
      inhibitory and reinitiation functions of eIF2alphaS/D can be separated. 

PMID- 26264664
TI  - Structural basis for selective targeting of leishmanial ribosomes: aminoglycoside
      derivatives as promising therapeutics.
AB  - Leishmaniasis comprises an array of diseases caused by pathogenic species of
      Leishmania, resulting in a spectrum of mild to life-threatening pathologies.
      Currently available therapies for leishmaniasis include a limited selection of
      drugs. This coupled with the rather fast emergence of parasite resistance,
      presents a dire public health concern. Paromomycin (PAR), a broad-spectrum
      aminoglycoside antibiotic, has been shown in recent years to be highly efficient
      in treating visceral leishmaniasis (VL)-the life-threatening form of the disease.
      While much focus has been given to exploration of PAR activities in bacteria, its
      mechanism of action in Leishmania has received relatively little scrutiny and has
      yet to be fully deciphered. In the present study we present an X-ray structure of
      PAR bound to rRNA model mimicking its leishmanial binding target, the ribosomal A
      site. We also evaluate PAR inhibitory actions on leishmanial growth and ribosome
      function, as well as effects on auditory sensory cells, by comparing several
      structurally related natural and synthetic aminoglycoside derivatives. The
      results provide insights into the structural elements important for
      aminoglycoside inhibitory activities and selectivity for leishmanial cytosolic
      ribosomes, highlighting a novel synthetic derivative, compound 3: , as a
      prospective therapeutic candidate for the treatment of VL. 

PMID- 26264665
TI  - Structure and primase-mediated activation of a bacterial dodecameric replicative
      helicase.
AB  - Replicative helicases are essential ATPases that unwind DNA to initiate
      chromosomal replication. While bacterial replicative DnaB helicases are
      hexameric, Helicobacter pylori DnaB (HpDnaB) was found to form double hexamers,
      similar to some archaeal and eukaryotic replicative helicases. Here we present a
      structural and functional analysis of HpDnaB protein during primosome formation.
      The crystal structure of the HpDnaB at 6.7 A resolution reveals a dodecameric
      organization consisting of two hexamers assembled via their N-terminal rings in a
      stack-twisted mode. Using fluorescence anisotropy we show that HpDnaB dodecamer
      interacts with single-stranded DNA in the presence of ATP but has a low DNA
      unwinding activity. Multi-angle light scattering and small angle X-ray scattering
      demonstrate that interaction with the DnaG primase helicase-binding domain
      dissociates the helicase dodecamer into single ringed primosomes. Functional
      assays on the proteins and associated complexes indicate that these single ringed
      primosomes are the most active form of the helicase for ATP hydrolysis, DNA
      binding and unwinding. These findings shed light onto an activation mechanism of
      HpDnaB by the primase that might be relevant in other bacteria and possibly other
      organisms exploiting dodecameric helicases for DNA replication. 

PMID- 26264666
TI  - DNA binding fluorescent proteins for the direct visualization of large DNA
      molecules.
AB  - Fluorescent proteins that also bind DNA molecules are useful reagents for a broad
      range of biological applications because they can be optically localized and
      tracked within cells, or provide versatile labels for in vitro experiments. We
      report a novel design for a fluorescent, DNA-binding protein (FP-DBP) that
      completely 'paints' entire DNA molecules, whereby sequence-independent DNA
      binding is accomplished by linking a fluorescent protein to two small peptides
      (KWKWKKA) using lysine for binding to the DNA phosphates, and tryptophan for
      intercalating between DNA bases. Importantly, this ubiquitous binding motif
      enables fluorescent proteins (Kd = 14.7 MUM) to confluently stain DNA molecules
      and such binding is reversible via pH shifts. These proteins offer useful robust
      advantages for single DNA molecule studies: lack of fluorophore mediated
      photocleavage and staining that does not perturb polymer contour lengths.
      Accordingly, we demonstrate confluent staining of naked DNA molecules presented
      within microfluidic devices, or localized within live bacterial cells. 

PMID- 26264667
TI  - ROTS: reproducible RNA-seq biomarker detector-prognostic markers for clear cell
      renal cell cancer.
AB  - Recent comprehensive assessments of RNA-seq technology support its utility in
      quantifying gene expression in various samples. The next step of rigorously
      quantifying differences between sample groups, however, still lacks well-defined
      best practices. Although a number of advanced statistical methods have been
      developed, several studies demonstrate that their performance depends strongly on
      the data under analysis, which compromises practical utility in real biomedical
      studies. As a solution, we propose to use a data-adaptive procedure that selects
      an optimal statistic capable of maximizing reproducibility of detections. After
      demonstrating its improved sensitivity and specificity in a controlled spike-in
      study, the utility of the procedure is confirmed in a real biomedical study by
      identifying prognostic markers for clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). In
      addition to identifying several genes previously associated with ccRCC prognosis,
      several potential new biomarkers among genes regulating cell growth, metabolism
      and solute transport were detected. 

PMID- 26264668
TI  - Quantification of DNA cleavage specificity in Hi-C experiments.
AB  - Hi-C experiments produce large numbers of DNA sequence read pairs that are
      typically analyzed to deduce genomewide interactions between arbitrary loci. A
      key step in these experiments is the cleavage of cross-linked chromatin with a
      restriction endonuclease. Although this cleavage should happen specifically at
      the enzyme's recognition sequence, an unknown proportion of cleavage events may
      involve other sequences, owing to the enzyme's star activity or to random DNA
      breakage. A quantitative estimation of these non-specific cleavages may enable
      simulating realistic Hi-C read pairs for validation of downstream analyses,
      monitoring the reproducibility of experimental conditions and investigating
      biophysical properties that correlate with DNA cleavage patterns. Here we
      describe a computational method for analyzing Hi-C read pairs to estimate the
      fractions of cleavages at different possible targets. The method relies on
      expressing an observed local target distribution downstream of aligned reads as a
      linear combination of known conditional local target distributions. We validated
      this method using Hi-C read pairs obtained by computer simulation. Application of
      the method to experimental Hi-C datasets from murine cells revealed interesting
      similarities and differences in patterns of cleavage across the various
      experiments considered. 

PMID- 26264670
TI  - New perspective on the haplosporidian parasites of molluscs.
AB  - The protist phylum Haplosporidia comprises over 40 described species with
      representatives infecting a range of mollusc hosts, including several
      ecologically and economically significant pathogens. Continuing exploration of
      haplosporidian diversity has added ten new species in recent years and brought
      the phylogenetics of the group into somewhat clearer focus, with monophyletic
      Bonamia and Minchinia lineages continuing to be supported. However, the addition
      of new sequences to phylogenetic analyses has left the paraphyletic genus
      Haplosporidium's picture less resolved. It is not clear that even two genera will
      be enough to accommodate the species presently drawn to the Haplosporidium
      regions of the haplosporidian tree. In this review, we summarize recent findings
      in haplosporidian diversity and phylogenetics, and provide a synthesis of our
      understanding of the life cycles and environmental influences on haplosporidians,
      with particular emphasis on the important pathogens Haplosporidium nelsoni and
      Bonamia ostreae. Additionally, we consider the evolution of the "microcell
      haplosporidian" lifestyle of Bonamia parasites, and suggest that colonization of
      high-density oyster host populations in relatively stable euhaline marine
      environments may have been an important development favoring the evolution of the
      microcell haplosporidian life strategy. 

PMID- 26264669
TI  - Identification of large-scale genomic variation in cancer genomes using in silico
      reference models.
AB  - Identifying large-scale structural variation in cancer genomes continues to be a
      challenge to researchers. Current methods rely on genome alignments based on a
      reference that can be a poor fit to highly variant and complex tumor genomes. To
      address this challenge we developed a method that uses available breakpoint
      information to generate models of structural variations. We use these models as
      references to align previously unmapped and discordant reads from a genome. By
      using these models to align unmapped reads, we show that our method can help to
      identify large-scale variations that have been previously missed. 

PMID- 26264671
TI  - Pathogenicity of Isaria fumosorosea to Bemisia tabaci, with some observations on
      the fungal infection process and host immune response.
AB  - Isaria fumosorosea is an important pathogen of whiteflies, and is used as a
      mycoinsecticide against this pest in many regions of the world. We quantified the
      pathogenicity of the Chinese isolate IF-1106 against different life stages of
      sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, on cucumber plants, and describe the
      infection process and aspects of the host immunological response in the
      laboratory. The second instar was the most susceptible life stage to infection,
      with mortality rates at 10(7)conidia/ml ~83% after 7d. Scanning electron
      microscopy was used to monitor morphological aspects of the infection process.
      The following stages were observed; conidia adhered on the cuticle of B. tabaci
      and began to germinate within 6h of inoculation, appressoria development after
      24h, germ tube penetration within 48h, emergent hyphae within 72h, secondary
      conidiogenesis within 96h with mass hyphal proliferation occurring on cadavers
      within 120h. The activities of endogenous enzymes were evaluated from host
      homogenate at various intervals post infection. Three enzymes associated with
      antioxidant activity [superoxide dismutase (SOD), perioxidase (POD), and catalase
      (CAT)], and two with detoxification [glutathione S-transferase (GSTs) and
      carboxylesterase (CarE)] were apparently upregulated in second instars infected
      by I. fumosorosea. Enzyme activities reached peak values at 48-60h post
      infection, then decreased to significantly lower than controls in 84h as mycosis
      occurred. Our results provide new insights into the pathogenicity and potential
      physiological response of B. tabaci to this fungal isolate. 

PMID- 26264672
TI  - Transracial adoptees bridging heritage and national cultures: Parental
      socialisation, ethnic identity and self-esteem.
AB  - Transracial adoptees represent a specific group of immigrants who experience
      unique immigration processes that bring them face-to-face with two cultural
      backgrounds: that of their heritage culture on one hand and that of their
      national culture on the other hand. However, there is a scarcity of studies
      focused on the way these processes unfold within adoptive families. This study
      was aimed at exploring how transracial adoptees cope with the construction of
      their ethnic identity. Administering a self-report questionnaire to 127
      transracial adoptees and their mothers, for a total of 254 participants, we first
      investigated the association between mothers' cultural socialisation
      (enculturation and preparation for bias strategies) and adoptees' ethnic identity
      (i.e. ethnic identity exploration and ethnic identity affirmation dimensions). We
      then investigated whether ethnic identity affects self-esteem by testing the
      hypothesis that national identity moderates the relationship between ethnic
      identity and self-esteem. Results revealed that mothers' enculturation (but not
      their preparation for bias) supported adoptees' ethnic identity exploration,
      which in turn was positively associated with ethnic identity affirmation.
      Moreover, we confirmed the moderation effect: ethnic identity affirmation
      enhanced the level of self-esteem, but only for those adoptees who perceived a
      higher degree of national identity affirmation. 

PMID- 26264675
TI  - Mental health among UK inner city non-heterosexuals: the role of risk factors,
      protective factors and place.
AB  - BACKGROUND:  Sexual minorities experience excess psychological ill health
      globally, yet the UK data exploring reasons for poor mental health among sexual
      minorities is lacking. This study compares the prevalence of a measure of well
      being, symptoms of common mental disorder (CMD), lifetime suicidal ideation,
      harmful alcohol and drug use among inner city non-heterosexual and heterosexual
      individuals. It is the first UK study which aims to quantify how much major,
      everyday and anticipated discrimination; lifetime and childhood trauma; and
      coping strategies for dealing with unfair treatment, predict excess mental ill
      health among non-heterosexuals. Further, inner city and national outcomes are
      compared. METHODS:  Self-report survey data came from the South East London
      Community Health study (N = 1052) and the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey (N =
      7403). RESULTS:  Adjustments for greater exposure to measured experiences of
      discrimination and lifetime and childhood trauma had a small to moderate impact
      on effect sizes for adverse health outcomes though in fully adjusted models, non
      heterosexual orientation remained strongly associated with CMD, lifetime suicidal
      ideation, harmful alcohol and drug use. There was limited support for the
      hypothesis that measured coping strategies might mediate some of these
      associations. The inner city sample had poorer mental health overall compared
      with the national sample and the discrepancy was larger for non-heterosexuals
      than heterosexuals. CONCLUSIONS:  Childhood and adult adversity substantially
      influence but do not account for sexual orientation-related mental health
      disparities. Longitudinal work taking a life course approach with more specific
      measures of discrimination and coping is required to further understand these
      associations. Sexual minorities should be considered as a priority in the design
      and delivery of health and social services.

PMID- 26264673
TI  - Is the intention-behaviour gap greater amongst the more deprived? A meta-analysis
      of five studies on physical activity, diet, and medication adherence in smoking
      cessation.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Unhealthy behaviour is more common amongst the deprived, thereby
      contributing to health inequalities. The evidence that the gap between intention
      and behaviour is greater amongst the more deprived is limited and inconsistent.
      We tested this hypothesis using objective and self-report measures of three
      behaviours, both individual- and area-level indices of socio-economic status, and
      pooling data from five studies. DESIGN: Secondary data analysis. METHODS:
      Multiple linear regressions and meta-analyses of data on physical activity, diet,
      and medication adherence in smoking cessation from 2,511 participants. RESULTS:
      Across five studies, we found no evidence for an interaction between deprivation
      and intention in predicting objective or self-report measures of behaviour. Using
      objectively measured behaviour and area-level deprivation, meta-analyses
      suggested that the gap between self-efficacy and behaviour was greater amongst
      the more deprived (B = .17 [95% CI = 0.02, 0.31]). CONCLUSIONS: We find no
      compelling evidence to support the hypothesis that the intention-behaviour gap is
      greater amongst the more deprived. STATEMENT OF CONTRIBUTION: What is already
      known on this subject? Unhealthy behaviour is more common in those who are more
      deprived. This may reflect a larger gap between intentions and behaviour amongst
      the more deprived. The limited evidence to date testing this hypothesis is mixed.
      What does this study add? In the most robust study to date, combining results
      from five trials, we found no evidence for this explanation. The gap between
      intentions and behaviour did not vary with deprivation for the following: diet,
      physical activity, or medication adherence in smoking cessation. We did, however,
      find a larger gap between perceived control over behaviour (self-efficacy) and
      behaviour in those more deprived. These findings add to existing evidence to
      suggest that higher rates of unhealthier behaviour in more deprived groups may be
      reduced by the following: ? Strengthening behavioural control mechanisms (such as
      executive function and non-conscious processes) or ? Behaviour change
      interventions that bypass behavioural control mechanisms.

PMID- 26264676
TI  - Paraneoplastic acanthosis nigricans: the first reported case associated with
      Sezary syndrome.

PMID- 26264674
TI  - Pretransplant platelet transfusion refractoriness is not associated with platelet
      nonengraftment in T-replete hematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation for
      hematologic malignancies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cellular engraftment after allogeneic hematopoietic progenitor cell
      transplantation (HPCT) can be affected by pre-HPCT antibodies against donor human
      leukocyte antigen (HLA; donor-specific antibodies [DSAs]), which are commonly
      acquired by either pregnancy or transfusion. Issues regarding high assay
      sensitivity and variable interpretation limit routine screening for DSAs.
      Platelet (PLT) transfusion refractoriness (PTR) is relatively common in patients
      with hematologic malignancies, and anti-HLA alloantibodies can be identified in
      up to 20% of cases. For patients with PTR undergoing subsequent allogeneic HPCT,
      however, the effect if any on subsequent PLT nonengraftment is unknown. STUDY
      DESIGN AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of 480 adults who
      underwent T-replete HPCT for hematologic malignancy and compared the
      posttransplantation clinical outcomes between patients who were PTR before HPCT
      and those who were not. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis demonstrated that PTR was
      not directly associated with PLT nonengraftment or graft failure, but did predict
      for early intensive care unit admission, which was the only variable associated
      with these outcomes (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that PTR
      before HPCT identifies patients at higher risk of early clinical rather than
      immunologic complications.

PMID- 26264677
TI  - Evidence for fumonisin inhibition of ceramide synthase in humans consuming maize
      based foods and living in high exposure communities in Guatemala.
AB  - SCOPE: Fumonisin (FB) occurs in maize and is an inhibitor of ceramide synthase
      (CerS). We determined the urinary FB1 (UFB1 ) and sphingoid base 1-phosphate
      levels in blood from women consuming maize in high and low FB exposure
      communities in Guatemala. METHODS AND RESULTS: FB1 intake was estimated using the
      UFB1 . Sphinganine 1-phosphate (Sa 1-P), sphingosine 1-phosphate (So 1-P), and
      the Sa 1-P/So 1-P ratio were determined in blood spots collected on absorbent
      paper at the same time as urine collection. In the first study, blood spots and
      urine were collected every 3 months (March 2011 to February 2012) from women
      living in low (Chimaltenango and Escuintla) and high (Jutiapa) FB exposure
      communities (1240 total recruits). The UFB1 , Sa 1-P/So 1-P ratio, and Sa 1-P/mL
      in blood spots were significantly higher in the high FB1 intake community
      compared to the low FB1 intake communities. The results were confirmed in a
      follow-up study (February 2013) involving 299 women living in low (Sacatepequez)
      and high (Santa Rosa and Chiquimula) FB exposure communities. CONCLUSIONS: High
      levels of FB1 intake are correlated with changes in Sa 1-P and the Sa 1-P/So 1-P
      ratio in human blood in a manner consistent with FB1 inhibition of CerS.

PMID- 26264678
TI  - Evaluation of an immunochromatographic test for feline AB system blood typing.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the accuracy of an immunochromatographic cartridge (IC)
      test for blood typing feline type A, B, and AB blood samples. DESIGN: Prospective
      observational study. SETTING: University teaching hospital. SAMPLES: Fifty-one
      nonanemic and 19 anemic feline blood samples. INTERVENTIONS: Samples were blood
      typed by both card agglutination (CA) and IC techniques. Discordant results were
      analyzed using a back-typing technique for the presence of alloantibodies.
      Repeatability and reproducibility of the IC method were evaluated. Accuracy of
      the IC method was determined for feline whole blood anticoagulated with EDTA and
      citrate phosphate dextrose adenine (CPDA1), for feline-packed RBCs with CPDA1 and
      saline adenine glucose-mannitol, and for autoagglutinated and hemolytic samples.
      Accuracy of IC testing was determined for feline blood after room temperature, 4
      +/- 2, -20, and -80 degrees C storage following 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours, and
      after 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks of storage. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: In anemic
      and nonanemic samples the IC technique had a specificity, sensitivity, positive
      predictive value, and negative predictive value of 100% in detecting feline blood
      types A, B, and AB, outperforming a CA test. Results were repeatable and
      reproducible. Using IC it was possible to blood type samples anticoagulated with
      EDTA and CPDA1, packed RBC samples with CPDA1 and saline adenine glucose
      mannitol, autoagglutinated and hemolytic samples, and samples stored at 4 +/- 2
      degrees C and at room temperature for up to 1 month. CONCLUSIONS: The IC
      technique is an accurate assay for the identification of A, B, and AB blood types
      in anemic and nonanemic feline blood. It has a higher sensitivity and specificity
      than the CA test, and can be used in samples stored with common anticoagulants or
      preservative solutions used in feline transfusion medicine.

PMID- 26264679
TI  - Introduction to the special issue on neural mechanisms of behavioral maturation.

PMID- 26264680
TI  - Research is needed on the difficult-to-cure population of hepatitis C virus
      patients with disability.

PMID- 26264681
TI  - Generation of high-value products by photosynthetic microorganisms: from sunlight
      to biofuels. Introduction.

PMID- 26264683
TI  - Functionalization of graphene using deep eutectic solvents.
AB  - Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have received attention in various applications
      because of their distinctive properties. In this work, DESs were used as
      functionalizing agents for graphene due to their potential to introduce new
      functional groups and cause other surface modifications. Eighteen different types
      of ammonium- and phosphonium-salt-based DESs were prepared and characterized by
      FTIR. The graphene was characterized by FTIR, STA, Raman spectroscopy, XRD, SEM,
      and TEM. Additional experiments were performed to study the dispersion behavior
      of the functionalized graphene in different solvents. The DESs exhibited both
      reduction and functionalization effects on DES-treated graphene. Dispersion
      stability was investigated and then characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy and zeta
      potential. DES-modified graphene can be used in many applications, such as drug
      delivery, wastewater treatment, catalysts, composite materials, nanofluids, and
      biosensors. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first investigation on the
      use of DESs for graphene functionalization. 

PMID- 26264682
TI  - A simplicial complex-based approach to unmixing tumor progression data.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tumorigenesis is an evolutionary process by which tumor cells acquire
      mutations through successive diversification and differentiation. There is much
      interest in reconstructing this process of evolution due to its relevance to
      identifying drivers of mutation and predicting future prognosis and drug
      response. Efforts are challenged by high tumor heterogeneity, though, both within
      and among patients. In prior work, we showed that this heterogeneity could be
      turned into an advantage by computationally reconstructing models of cell
      populations mixed to different degrees in distinct tumors. Such mixed membership
      model approaches, however, are still limited in their ability to dissect more
      than a few well-conserved cell populations across a tumor data set. RESULTS: We
      present a method to improve on current mixed membership model approaches by
      better accounting for conserved progression pathways between subsets of cancers,
      which imply a structure to the data that has not previously been exploited. We
      extend our prior methods, which use an interpretation of the mixture problem as
      that of reconstructing simple geometric objects called simplices, to instead
      search for structured unions of simplices called simplicial complexes that one
      would expect to emerge from mixture processes describing branches along an
      evolutionary tree. We further improve on the prior work with a novel objective
      function to better identify mixtures corresponding to parsimonious evolutionary
      tree models. We demonstrate that this approach improves on our ability to
      accurately resolve mixtures on simulated data sets and demonstrate its practical
      applicability on a large RNASeq tumor data set. CONCLUSIONS: Better exploiting
      the expected geometric structure for mixed membership models produced from common
      evolutionary trees allows us to quickly and accurately reconstruct models of cell
      populations sampled from those trees. In the process, we hope to develop a better
      understanding of tumor evolution as well as other biological problems that
      involve interpreting genomic data gathered from heterogeneous populations of
      cells.

PMID- 26264684
TI  - Carbon Nanotube Flexible and Stretchable Electronics.
AB  - The low-cost and large-area manufacturing of flexible and stretchable electronics
      using printing processes could radically change people's perspectives on
      electronics and substantially expand the spectrum of potential applications.
      Examples range from personalized wearable electronics to large-area smart
      wallpapers and from interactive bio-inspired robots to implantable health/medical
      apparatus. Owing to its one-dimensional structure and superior electrical
      property, carbon nanotube is one of the most promising material platforms for
      flexible and stretchable electronics. Here in this paper, we review the recent
      progress in this field. Applications of single-wall carbon nanotube networks as
      channel semiconductor in flexible thin-film transistors and integrated circuits,
      as stretchable conductors in various sensors, and as channel material in
      stretchable transistors will be discussed. Lastly, state-of-the-art advancement
      on printing process, which is ideal for large-scale fabrication of flexible and
      stretchable electronics, will also be reviewed in detail. 

PMID- 26264685
TI  - Carbon and Binder-Free Air Electrodes Composed of Co3O 4 Nanofibers for Li-Air
      Batteries with Enhanced Cyclic Performance.
AB  - In this study, to fabricate a carbon free (C-free) air electrode, Co3O4
      nanofibers were grown directly on a Ni mesh to obtain Co3O4 with a high surface
      area and good contact with the current collector (the Ni mesh). In Li-air cells,
      any C present in the air electrode promotes unwanted side reactions. Therefore,
      the air electrode composed of only Co3O4 nanofibers (i.e., C-free) was expected
      to suppress these side reactions, such as the decomposition of the electrolyte
      and formation of Li2CO3, which would in turn enhance the cyclic performance of
      the cell. As predicted, the Co3O4-nanofiber electrode successfully reduced the
      accumulation of reaction products during cycling, which was achieved through the
      suppression of unwanted side reactions. In addition, the cyclic performance of
      the Li-air cell was superior to that of a standard electrode composed of
      carbonaceous material. 

PMID- 26264686
TI  - Enhanced Photovoltaic Performance of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells by Efficient Near
      Infrared Sunlight Harvesting using Upconverting Y2O 3:Er (3+)/Yb (3+) Phosphor
      Nanoparticles.
AB  - We report the efficiency enhancement in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) using
      Er(3+)/Yb(3+)-co-doped Y2O3 (i.e., Y2O3:Er(3+)/Yb(3+)) phosphor nanoparticles,
      prepared by a simple and cost-effective urea-based homogeneous precipitation
      method, for efficient near-infrared (NIR) sunlight harvesting. Under the light
      excitation at a wavelength of 980 nm, the as-prepared samples exhibited strong
      upconversion emissions at green and red visible wavelengths. To investigate the
      influence of Y2O3:Er(3+)/Yb(3+) nanoparticles on the photovoltaic performance of
      DSSCs, the phosphor nanoparticles were incorporated into titanium dioxide films
      to form a composite photoelectrode. For the resulting DSSCs, the increased power
      conversion efficiency (PCE) of 6.68 % was obtained mainly by the increased
      photocurrent of J SC = 13.68 mA/cm(2) due to the light harvesting enhancement via
      the NIR-to-visible upconversion process (cf., PCE = 5.94 %, J SC = 12.74 mA/cm(2)
      for the reference DSSCs without phosphor nanoparticles), thus, indicating the PCE
      increment ratio of ~12.4 %. 

PMID- 26264687
TI  - Fabrication and Optimization of Vertically Aligned ZnO Nanorod Array-Based UV
      Photodetectors via Selective Hydrothermal Synthesis.
AB  - Vertically aligned ZnO nanorod array (NRA)-based ultraviolet (UV) photodetectors
      (PDs) were successfully fabricated and optimized via a facile hydrothermal
      process. Using a shadow mask technique, the thin ZnO seed layer was deposited
      between the patterned Au/Ti electrodes to bridge the electrodes. Thus, both the
      Au electrodes could be connected by the ZnO seed layer. As the sample was
      immersed into growth solution and heated at 90  degrees C, the ZnO NRAs were
      crystallized and vertically grown on the ZnO seed layer, thus creating a metal
      semiconductor-metal PD structure. To investigate the size effect of ZnO NRAs on
      photocurrent, the PDs were readily prepared with different concentrations of
      growth solution. For the ZnO NRAs grown at 25 mM of concentration, the PD with 10
      MUm of channel width (i.e., gap distance between two electrodes) exhibited a high
      photocurrent of 1.91 * 10(-4) A at an applied bias of 10 V under 365 nm of UV
      light illumination. The PD was optimized by adjusting the channel width. For 15
      MUm of channel width, a relatively high photocurrent on-off ratio of 37.4 and
      good current transient characteristics were observed at the same applied bias.
      These results are expected to be useful for cost-effective and practical UV PD
      applications. 

PMID- 26264688
TI  - Effects of Energy Relaxation via Quantum Coupling Among Three-Dimensional Motion
      on the Tunneling Current of Graphene Field-Effect Transistors.
AB  - We report theoretical study of the effects of energy relaxation on the tunneling
      current through the oxide layer of a two-dimensional graphene field-effect
      transistor. In the channel, when three-dimensional electron thermal motion is
      considered in the Schrodinger equation, the gate leakage current at a given oxide
      field largely increases with the channel electric field, electron mobility, and
      energy relaxation time of electrons. Such an increase can be especially
      significant when the channel electric field is larger than 1 kV/cm. Numerical
      calculations show that the relative increment of the tunneling current through
      the gate oxide will decrease with increasing the thickness of oxide layer when
      the oxide is a few nanometers thick. This highlights that energy relaxation
      effect needs to be considered in modeling graphene transistors. 

PMID- 26264689
TI  - Dietary carbohydrate and control of hepatic gene expression: mechanistic links
      from ATP and phosphate ester homeostasis to the carbohydrate-response element
      binding protein.
AB  - Type 2 diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are associated with
      elevated hepatic glucose production and fatty acid synthesis (de novo lipogenesis
      (DNL)). High carbohydrate diets also increase hepatic glucose production and
      lipogenesis. The carbohydrate-response element-binding protein (ChREBP, encoded
      by MLXIPL) is a transcription factor with a major role in the hepatic response to
      excess dietary carbohydrate. Because its target genes include pyruvate kinase
      (PKLR) and enzymes of lipogenesis, it is regarded as a key regulator for
      conversion of dietary carbohydrate to lipid for energy storage. An alternative
      hypothesis for ChREBP function is to maintain hepatic ATP homeostasis by
      restraining the elevation of phosphate ester intermediates in response to
      elevated glucose. This is supported by the following evidence: (i) A key stimulus
      for ChREBP activation and induction of its target genes is elevation of phosphate
      esters; (ii) target genes of ChREBP include key negative regulators of the hexose
      phosphate ester pool (GCKR, G6PC, SLC37A4) and triose phosphate pool (PKLR);
      (iii) ChREBP knock-down models have elevated hepatic hexose phosphates and triose
      phosphates and compromised ATP phosphorylation potential; (iv) gene defects in
      G6PC and SLC37A4 and common variants of MLXIPL, GCKR and PKLR in man are
      associated with elevated hepatic uric acid production (a marker of ATP depletion)
      or raised plasma uric acid levels. It is proposed that compromised hepatic
      phosphate homeostasis is a contributing factor to the elevated hepatic glucose
      production and lipogenesis that associate with type 2 diabetes, NAFLD and excess
      carbohydrate in the diet.

PMID- 26264690
TI  - RE: Breast Cancer Risk After Salpingo-Oophorectomy in Healthy BRCA1/2 Mutation
      Carriers: Revisiting the Evidence for Risk Reduction.

PMID- 26264691
TI  - Response.

PMID- 26264692
TI  - Cytotoxic effects of high concentrations of sodium ascorbate on human myeloid
      cell lines.
AB  - The effect of high doses of intravenous (sodium) ascorbate (ASC) in the treatment
      of cancer has been controversial although there is growing evidence that ASC in
      high (pharmacologic) concentrations induces dose-dependent pro-apoptotic death of
      tumor cells, in vitro. Very few data are available on the role of ASC in the
      treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Ascorbate behaves as an antioxidant at
      low (physiologic), and as pro-oxidant at pharmacologic, concentrations, and this
      may account for the differences reported in different experimental settings, when
      human myeloid cell lines, such as HL60, were treated with ASC. Considering the
      myeloid origin of HL60 cells, and previous literature reports showing that some
      cell lines belonging to the myeloid lineage could be sensitive to the pro
      apoptotic effects of high concentrations of ASC, we investigated in more details
      the effects of high doses (0.5 to 7 mM) of ASC in vitro, on a variety of human
      myeloid cell lines including the following: HL60, U937, NB4, NB4-R4 (retinoic
      acid [RA]-resistant), NB4/AsR (ATO-resistant) acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL)
      derived cell lines, and K562 as well as on normal CD34+ progenitors derived from
      human cord blood. Our results indicate that all analyzed cell lines including all
      trans retinoic acid (ATRA)- and arsenic trioxide (ATO)-resistant ones are highly
      sensitive to the cytotoxic, pro-oxidant effects of high doses of ASC, with an
      average 50 % lethal concentration (LC50) of 3 mM, depending on cell type, ASC
      concentration, and time of exposure. Conversely, high doses of ASC neither did
      exert significant cytotoxic effects nor impaired the differentiation potential in
      cord blood (CB) CD34+ normal cells. Since plasma ASC concentrations within the
      millimolar (mM) range can be easily and safely reached by intravenous
      administration, we conclude that phase I/II clinical trials using high doses of
      ASC should be designed for patients with advanced/refractory AML and APL. 

PMID- 26264693
TI  - Preemptive administration of human alphabeta T cell receptor-targeting monoclonal
      antibody GZ-alphabetaTCR potently abrogates aggressive graft-versus-host disease
      in vivo.
AB  - GVHD, both acute and chronic, remains the major cause of morbidity and mortality
      after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Thus, there is still a
      great need for therapeutic tools for the prevention and treatment of GVHD.
      Several biologics have shown promising results in salvage therapies but are
      attendant on an increased risk for opportunistic infections, lymphoproliferative
      disorders, and relapse. This is partly due to efficient T cell elimination that
      neither dissects alloreactive from non-alloreactive T cells nor considers
      functional and structural distinctiveness of pathogen- and malignancy-reactive
      gammadelta and iNKT T cells. A novel, humanized monoclonal antibody, GZ
      alphabetaTCR, specific for the human alphabeta T cell receptor, was evaluated in
      a xenogeneic GVHD model for its potential to prevent or ameliorate GVHD and
      prolong survival. We could show that GZ-alphabetaTCR significantly attenuated
      clinical signs of GVHD and prolonged survival by preferential depletion of CD4
      cells and the naive T cell compartment, the trigger and driver of GVHD. In a
      regimen that included a preemptive dose, GZ-alphabetaTCR treatment sufficiently
      abrogated GVHD. Importantly, GZ-alphabetaTCR's specificity spared host cell
      mediated immune competence of cell types other than alphabetaT cells: namely
      gammadeltaT cells. GZ-alphabetaTCR's outstanding capacity to prevent GVHD and
      ameliorate an ongoing GVHD while sparing immune cells other than alphabetaT cells
      strongly recommends GZ-alphabetaTCR for the prevention and treatment of acute
      GVHD in clinical settings. 

PMID- 26264694
TI  - Thermodynamics of Abeta16-21 dissociation from a fibril: Enthalpy, entropy, and
      volumetric properties.
AB  - Here, we provide insights into the thermodynamic properties of A beta16-21
      dissociation from an amyloid fibril using all-atom molecular dynamics simulations
      in explicit water. An umbrella sampling protocol is used to compute potentials of
      mean force (PMF) as a function of the distance xi between centers-of-mass of the
      A beta16-21 peptide and the preformed fibril at nine temperatures. Changes in the
      enthalpy and the entropic energy are determined from the temperature dependence
      of these PMF(s) and the average volume of the simulation box is computed as a
      function of xi. We find that the PMF at 310 K is dominated by enthalpy while the
      entropic energy does not change significantly during dissociation. The volume of
      the system decreases during dissociation. Moreover, the magnitude of this volume
      change also decreases with increasing temperature. By defining dock and lock
      states using the solvent accessible surface area (SASA), we find that the
      behavior of the electrostatic energy is different in these two states. It
      increases (unfavorable) and decreases (favorable) during dissociation in lock and
      dock states, respectively, while the energy due to Lennard-Jones interactions
      increases continuously in these states. Our simulations also highlight the
      importance of hydrophobic interactions in accounting for the stability of A
      beta16-21.

PMID- 26264695
TI  - Liquid storage of boar semen: Current and future perspectives on the use of
      cationic antimicrobial peptides to replace antibiotics in semen extenders.
AB  - Antibiotics are of great importance in boar semen extenders to ensure long shelf
      life of spermatozoa and to reduce transmission of pathogens into the female
      tract. However, the use of antibiotics carries a risk of developing resistant
      bacterial strains in artificial insemination laboratories and their spread via
      artificial insemination. Development of multiresistant bacteria is a major
      concern if mixtures of antibiotics are used in semen extenders. Minimal
      contamination prevention techniques and surveillance of critical hygiene control
      points proved to be efficient in reducing bacterial load and preventing
      development of antibiotic resistance. Nevertheless, novel antimicrobial concepts
      are necessary for efficient bacterial control in extended boar semen with a
      minimum risk of evoking antibiotic resistance. Enhanced efforts have been made in
      recent years in the design and use of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) as
      alternatives to conventional antibiotics. The male genital tract harbors a series
      of endogenic substances with antimicrobial activity and additional functions
      relevant to the fertilization process. However, exogenic AMPs often exert dose-
      and time-dependent toxic effects on mammalian spermatozoa. Therefore, it is
      important that potential newly designed AMPs have only minor impacts on
      eukaryotic cells. Recently, synthetic magainin derivatives and cyclic
      hexapeptides were tested for their application in boar semen preservation.
      Bacterial selectivity, proteolytic stability, thermodynamic resistance, and
      potential synergistic interaction with conventional antibiotics propel
      predominantly cyclic hexapeptides into highly promising, leading candidates for
      further development in semen preservation. The time scale for the development of
      resistant pathogens cannot be predicted at this moment. 

PMID- 26264696
TI  - Doxycycline shows dose-dependent changes in hernia repair strength after mesh
      repair.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ventral hernia is a commonly occurring surgical problem. Our earlier
      studies have shown that a 30 mg/kg dose of doxycycline can significantly impact
      the strength of polypropylene (PP) mesh in a rat hernia repair model at 6 and 12
      weeks. The objective of the present study was to investigate the dose dependence
      of doxycycline treatment on hernia repair strengths in rats. STUDY DESIGN: Fifty
      six Sprague-Dawley rats underwent hernia repair with either PP mesh (n = 28) or
      sutures only (primary; n = 28); both groups were further divided into four
      doxycycline groups of seven animals each: control (0 mg/kg), low (3 mg/kg),
      medium (10 mg/kg), and high (30 mg/kg). One day before hernia repair surgery,
      animals received doxycycline doses by gavage and continued receiving daily until
      euthanasia. After 8 weeks, rats were euthanized and tissue samples from hernia
      repaired area were collected and analyzed for tensile strength using a
      tensiometer (Instron, Canton, MA, USA), while MMPs 2, 3, and 9, and collagen type
      1 and 3 were analyzed by western blotting. RESULTS: In mesh-repaired animals,
      medium and high doxycycline dose repaired mesh fascia interface (MFI) showed
      significant increase in tensile strength when compared to control. In the primary
      repaired animals, there was no significant difference in MFI tensile strength in
      any dose group. In medium-dose MFI, there was a significant reduction in MMPs 2,
      3, and 9. In this animal group, MFI showed significant increase in collagen 1 and
      significant reduction in collagen type 3 when compared to control. CONCLUSION: It
      is possible to improve the strength of mesh-repaired tissue by administering a
      significantly lower dose of the drug, which has implications for translation of
      the findings.

PMID- 26264697
TI  - Transanal endoscopic resection with peritoneal entry: a word of caution.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Peritoneal entry during transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) can
      usually be managed transanally with full-thickness suture closure by experienced
      operators. The preliminary safety of transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS)
      has been demonstrated, but the reported experience with upper rectal tumors is
      limited. The incidence and management of peritoneal entry during transanal
      endoscopic surgery across various platforms have not been previously evaluated.
      METHODS: Retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database of all
      transanal endoscopic resections performed at a single institution between January
      2008 and December 2014 was conducted. Cases with and without peritoneal entry
      were evaluated with respect to transanal platform used, surgical indication,
      size, location and distance from the anal verge, and incidence of postoperative
      complications. RESULTS: A total of 78 transanal endoscopic procedures were
      performed on 76 patients using the rigid transanal endoscopic operation (TEO,
      65.4 %), TEM (26.9 %), and TAMIS platform (7.7 %). The most common surgical
      indication included endoscopically unresectable adenomas (50 %). The average
      distance of lesions from the anal verge (AV) was 9.6 cm (range 4-20 cm).
      Peritoneal entry occurred in 22 cases (28.2 %). Platform used (TAMIS vs. rigid, p
      < 0.05), mean distance from the AV (p < 0.0001), location along the rectum (p =
      0.01), and mean specimen size (p = 0.01) were associated with a higher likelihood
      of peritoneal entry. All rectal defects associated with peritoneal entry were
      successfully closed transanally except for two (TEM and TEO) cases that required
      conversion to laparoscopic low anterior resection and laparoscopic Hartmann's,
      respectively. There were four TAMIS cases that required conversion to TEO
      platforms. CONCLUSION: In this high-risk TEM, TEO, and TAMIS series (one-third of
      rectal lesions located in the upper rectum), 91 % of all peritoneal entries were
      managed transanally without increased morbidity. TAMIS for upper rectal lesions
      was associated with a high risk of complicated peritoneal entry requiring
      conversion to a rigid platform.

PMID- 26264698
TI  - Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 and Vasodilator-Stimulated Phosphoprotein Related to
      Acute Kidney Injury in Severe Acute Pancreatitis Rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) usually results in acute renal
      failure. Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) and vasodilator-stimulated
      phosphoprotein (VASP) may participate in disease progression. AIM: To investigate
      the renal expression of MMP-9 and VASP in SAP rats with acute kidney injury.
      METHODS: A total of 100 rats were randomly assigned to sham 6-h, sham 12-h, sham
      24-h, sham 36-h, sham 48-h, SAP 6-h, SAP 12-h, SAP 24-h, SAP 36-h, and SAP 48-h
      treatment groups (n = 10 per group). Levels of serum amylase (AMY), creatinine
      (Cr), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were determined. Renal pathology and
      ultrastructural examinations were performed, and renal mRNA and protein
      expression of MMP-9 and VASP were determined by real-time RT-PCR and Western
      blot, respectively. The activity of MMP-9 was assessed by gelatin zymography.
      RESULTS: In the SAP groups, serum levels of AMY, Cr, and BUN were markedly higher
      than in the sham groups. The peak value of AMY was observed from 12 to 24 h, but
      that of Cr and BUN was observed at 36 h. Capillary endothelial cells in the renal
      interstitium were impaired and expression of MMP-9 and VASP in the kidney was
      significantly increased when compared with the sham groups. Expression of MMP-9
      and VASP declined when renal damage reached a maximum after 24 h. CONCLUSIONS: In
      the presence of acute kidney injury in SAP, the renal expression of MMP-9 and
      VASP is related to damage of endothelial cells in capillaries, which reached a
      maximum at 24 h and declined afterwards.

PMID- 26264699
TI  - Erratum to: Platelet Activation Markers Are Associated with Crohn's Disease
      Activity in Patients with Low C-Reactive Protein.

PMID- 26264700
TI  - Functional Gastrointestinal Symptoms Are Associated with Higher Serum Total IgE
      Levels, but Less Atopic Sensitization.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The relation of gastrointestinal (GI) complaints to IgE-mediated
      allergy is not well understood. Increased numbers of "IgE-armed" mast cells have
      been observed in duodenal mucosa of patients with functional GI complaints. AIMS:
      To explore whether total IgE and atopic sensitization were associated with
      functional GI complaints. METHODS: Levels of serum total and specific IgE and GI
      complaints were measured in 161 patients and in a general population sample of
      478 persons. Standard inhalant allergens were measured in the patient group, and
      selected inhalant allergens in the general population. GI complaints were
      assessed by two standardized questionnaires. The associations between GI
      complaints and total IgE were analyzed in multiple regression models. RESULTS: GI
      complaints were positively associated with higher total IgE levels (all: b =
      0.028, p = 0.012; patient group: b = 0.038, p = 0.072; general population: b =
      0.038, p = 0.005), but negatively associated with atopic sensitization (all: b = 
      11.256, p = 0.181; patient group: b = -85.667, p < 0.001; general population: b =
      -14.394, p = 0.083). The relationship between total IgE and GI complaints was
      consistent among sensitized and non-sensitized persons, among men and women, and
      across age groups. CONCLUSION: Serum total IgE was positively associated with GI
      complaints, while atopic sensitization was inversely associated with GI
      complaints. This suggests that IgE-mediated immunology plays a role in the
      pathophysiology of functional GI complaints. The biological mechanisms reflected
      in higher total IgE levels, but less atopic sensitization, warrant further
      studies.

PMID- 26264701
TI  - Impact of fertility preservation counseling and treatment on psychological
      outcomes among women with cancer: A systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: For many female cancer survivors, the preservation of reproductive
      potential is central to quality of life (QOL), and concerns regarding infertility
      may affect treatment decisions. Despite the existence of several consensus
      guidelines supporting routine fertility preservation consultation, to the
      authors' knowledge little is known regarding psychological outcomes in female
      cancer patients who undergo fertility preservation counseling/consultation (FPC),
      with or without fertility preservation (FP). METHODS: This literature review
      examined the effect of FPC alone, or with FP, on psychological outcomes including
      satisfaction, decisional regret, and QOL. PubMed and PsychINFO were
      systematically searched for English-language publications from the earliest
      available publication date of each database through March 2015. Among 111 unique
      articles concerning oncofertility, 13 met inclusion criteria: peer-reviewed
      articles reporting primary data regarding satisfaction and psychological outcomes
      among women who underwent FPC alone or with FP. RESULTS: A majority of women
      receiving FPC reported that the possibility of FP was instrumental to improved
      coping. Receiving FPC reduced long-term regret and dissatisfaction concerning
      fertility, and was associated with improved physical QOL and trends toward
      improved psychological QOL. Women also desired prompt, standardized, and written
      information addressing perceived unmet needs specific to oncofertility. Offering
      FPC was perceived as critical regardless of age or parity. CONCLUSIONS: To the
      best of the authors' knowledge, little research to date has addressed the impact
      of FPC alone, or with FP, on QOL in women with cancer. Clinicians should
      recognize the existing evidence base supporting the psychological benefit of
      prompt FPC. Future research must be conducted to elucidate the long-term
      psychosocial effects of FP.

PMID- 26264702
TI  - CYP-mediated drug-drug interactions with evacetrapib, an investigational CETP
      inhibitor: in vitro prediction and clinical outcome.
AB  - AIMS: Evacetrapib is a cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibitor under
      development for reducing cardiovascular events in patients with high risk
      vascular disease. CETP inhibitors are likely to be utilized as 'add-on' therapy
      to statins in patients receiving concomitant medications, so the potential for
      evacetrapib to cause clinically important drug-drug interactions (DDIs) with
      cytochromes P450 (CYP) was evaluated. METHODS: The DDI potential of evacetrapib
      was investigated in vitro, followed by predictions to determine clinical
      relevance. Potential DDIs with possible clinical implications were then
      investigated in the clinic. RESULTS: In vitro, evacetrapib inhibited all of the
      major CYPs, with inhibition constants (K(i)) ranging from 0.57 uM (CYP2C9) to 7.6
      uM (CYP2C19). Evacetrapib was a time-dependent inhibitor and inducer of CYP3A.
      The effects of evacetrapib on CYP3A and CYP2C9 were assessed in a phase 1 study
      using midazolam and tolbutamide as probe substrates, respectively. After 14 days
      of daily dosing with evacetrapib (100 or 300 mg), midazolam exposures (AUC)
      changed by factors (95% CI) of 1.19 (1.06, 1.33) and 1.44 (1.28, 1.62),
      respectively. Tolbutamide exposures (AUC) changed by factors of 0.85 (0.77, 0.94)
      and 1.06 (0.95, 1.18), respectively. In a phase 2 study, evacetrapib 100 mg had
      minimal impact on AUC of co-administered simvastatin vs. simvastatin alone with a
      ratio of 1.25 (1.03, 1.53) at steady-state, with no differences in reported
      hepatic or muscular adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, the extent of
      CYP-mediated DDI with the potential clinical dose of evacetrapib is weak and
      clinically important DDIs are not expected to occur in patients taking
      concomitant medications.

PMID- 26264704
TI  - Palbociclib: a first-in-class CDK4/CDK6 inhibitor for the treatment of hormone
      receptor positive advanced breast cancer.
AB  - Palbociclib was approved by the FDA for use in combination with letrozole for the
      treatment of postmenopausal women with hormone-receptor-positive, HER2-negative
      advanced breast cancer as initial endocrine-based therapy. In addition, the
      combination of palbociclib with fulvestrant resulted in superior outcome than
      fulvestrant alone in those who had progressed during prior endocrine therapy.
      This research highlight summarized the current development of CDK4/CDK6
      inhibitors and future directions in the treatment of advanced hormone-receptor
      positive breast cancer. 

PMID- 26264703
TI  - The Glasgow Benefit Inventory: a systematic review of the use and value of an
      otorhinolaryngological generic patient-recorded outcome measure.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI) is a validated, generic patient
      recorded outcome measure widely used in otolaryngology to report change in
      quality of life post-intervention. OBJECTIVES OF REVIEW: To date, no systematic
      review has made (i) a quality assessment of reporting of Glasgow Benefit
      Inventory outcomes; (ii) a comparison between Glasgow Benefit Inventory outcomes
      for different interventions and objectives; (iii) an evaluation of subscales in
      describing the area of benefit; (iv) commented on its value in clinical practice
      and research. TYPE OF REVIEW: Systematic review. SEARCH STRATEGY: 'Glasgow
      Benefit Inventory' and 'GBI' were used as keywords to search for published,
      unpublished and ongoing trials in PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL and Google in addition
      to an ISI citation search for the original validating Glasgow Benefit Inventory
      paper between 1996 and January 2015. EVALUATION METHOD: Papers were assessed for
      study type and quality graded by a predesigned scale, by two authors
      independently. Papers with sufficient quality Glasgow Benefit Inventory data were
      identified for statistical comparisons. Papers with <50% follow-up were excluded.
      RESULTS: A total of 118 eligible papers were identified for inclusion. A national
      audit paper (n = 4325) showed that the Glasgow Benefit Inventory gave a range of
      scores across the specialty, being greater for surgical intervention than medical
      intervention or 'reassurance'. Fourteen papers compared one form of surgery
      versus another form of surgery. In all but one study, there was no difference
      between the Glasgow Benefit Inventory scores (or of any other outcome). The most
      likely reason was lack of power. Two papers took an epidemiological approach and
      used the Glasgow Benefit Inventory scores to predict benefit. One was for
      tonsillectomy where duration of sore throat episodes and days with fever were
      identified on multivariate analysis to predict benefit albeit the precision was
      low. However, the traditional factor of number of episodes of sore throat was not
      predictive. The other was surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis where those with
      polyps on univariate analysis had greater benefit than those without. Forty-three
      papers had a response rate of >50% and gave sufficient Glasgow Benefit Inventory
      total and subscales for meta-analysis. For five of the 11 operation categories
      (vestibular schwannoma, tonsillectomy, cochlear implant, middle ear implant and
      stapes surgery) that were most likely to have a single clear clinical objective,
      score data had low-to-moderate heterogeneity. The value in the Glasgow Benefit
      Inventory having both positive and negative scores was shown by an overall
      negative score for the management of vestibular schwannoma. The other six
      operations gave considerable heterogeneity with rhinoplasty and septoplasty
      giving the greatest percentages (98% and 99%) most likely because of the
      considerable variations in patient selection. The data from these operations
      should not be used for comparative purposes. Five papers also reported the number
      of patients that had no or negative benefit, a potentially a more clinically
      useful outcome to report. Glasgow Benefit Inventory subscores for tonsillectomy
      were significantly different from ear surgery suggesting different areas of
      benefit CONCLUSIONS: The Glasgow Benefit Inventory has been shown to
      differentiate the benefit between surgical and medical otolaryngology
      interventions as well as 'reassurance'. Reporting benefit as percentages with
      negative, no and positive benefit would enable better comparisons between
      different interventions with varying objectives and pathology. This could also
      allow easier evaluation of factors that predict benefit. Meta-analysis data are
      now available for comparison purposes for vestibular schwannoma, tonsillectomy,
      cochlear implant, middle ear implant and stapes surgery. Fuller report of the
      Glasgow Benefit Inventory outcomes for non-surgical otolaryngology interventions
      is encouraged.

PMID- 26264705
TI  - Bifunctional siRNA containing immunostimulatory motif enhances protection against
      pandemic H1N1 virus infection.
AB  - RATIONALE: The first influenza pandemic of 21(st) century was attributed to a
      novel quadruple reassortant H1N1 virus that emerged in 2009. Currently available
      therapies for influenza have drugresistant. Therefore, there is a need to develop
      new generation immunotherapeutic antiviral strategy. This study described the
      efficacy of a novel bifunctional immunostimulatory siRNAs against H1N1pdm swine
      flu virus by targeting the Nucleocapsid (NP) gene. METHODS & FINDINGS: Small
      interfering RNAs (siRNA) targeting conserved region of NP were screened for
      antiviral efficacy in human lung epithelial cells (A549). Further, a bifunctional
      siRNA was synthesized by combining immunostimulatory sequence (5'-UGUGU-3') with
      NP specific siRNA. This immunostimulatory siRNA (NP-1-is) revealed strong
      antiviral effect through reduction in mRNA copies (99.58%), reduction in virus
      associated cell apoptosis and inhibition of nucleocapsid protein in western blot.
      This immunostimulatory siRNA was found more effective than nontagged siRNA.
      Further studies including dose dependent and time course kinetics revealed that
      the NP-1-is siRNA is more effective at 20-80 nM with significant protection upto
      48 hpi. Besides, the qRT-PCR and western blot analysis confirmed higher antiviral
      response of immunostimulatory siRNA was due to upregulation of TLR-7 MyD88, IRF-7
      and IFN-alpha. CONCLUSIONS: This study paves the way for broad-spectrum RNAi
      based therapeutics using immunostimulatory motif towards improved antiviral
      effect. Hence this approach will be useful to confront the sudden emergence of
      pandemic strains.

PMID- 26264706
TI  - Folate-conjugated chitosan-poly(ethylenimine) copolymer as an efficient and safe
      vector for gene delivery in cancer cells.
AB  - Folic acid (FA) has high affinity to folate receptors (FRs), which have three
      isoforms: FRalpha, FRbeta and FRgamma. Among them, FRalpha is a tumor specific
      receptor, as it is frequently over-expressed in diverse malignancies but not in
      normal tissues. In this study, we have conjugated FA to a chitosan
      poly(ethylenimine) copolymer, and have confirmed the low cytotoxicity of the
      product (namely "CP1.3K-FA") in cancer cells. The transfection efficiency of
      CP1.3K-FA has been shown by the EGFP transfection assay to be higher than that of
      the unmodified chitosan-poly(ethylenimine) copolymer under optimal conditions.
      Results of the luciferase activity assay have also indicated that the
      transfection efficiency of CP1.3K-FA is comparable to that of Fugene HD in B16
      and U87 cells. Our results have suggested that CP1.3K-FA warrants further
      development as a vector for gene delivery in cancer cells. 

PMID- 26264707
TI  - Biodistribution of LV-TSTA transduced rat bone marrow cells used for "ex-vivo"
      regional gene therapy for bone repair.
AB  - "Ex vivo" regional gene therapy using lentiviral (LV) vectors to over-express
      bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) is an effective way to enhance bone healing
      in animal models. Here, we evaluated two different "ex vivo" approaches using
      either "same day" rat bone marrow cells (SDRBMCs) or cultured rat bone marrow
      cells (C-RBMCs), both transduced with a LV based two-step transcriptional
      activation system overexpressing GFP (LV-TSTA-EGFP), to assess the fate of the
      transduced cells and the safety of this approach. The transduced cells were
      implanted in femoral defects of syngeneic rats. Animals were sacrificed at 4, 14,
      28 and 56 days after surgery (n=5 per group). Viral copies were detectable in the
      defect site of SD-RBMC group and gradually declined at 8w (5 log decrease
      compared to 4d). In the C-RBMC animals, there was a 2-4 log decline in the viral
      copy numbers at 2w and 4w, but at 8w there was a relative rise (about 100 fold)
      in the number of the viral vectors in the defect site of 4 (out of 5) animals
      compared to the previous time points. For both gene transfer approaches, the
      pattern of tissue distribution was non-specific and no histological abnormalities
      were noted in either group. In summary, we demonstrated that the LV-TSTA
      transduced cells remain in the defect site for at least 56 days, though the
      numbers decreased over time. There were no consistent findings of viral copies in
      internal organs which is encouraging with respect to the development of this
      strategy for use in humans. 

PMID- 26264708
TI  - CFTR inactivation by lentiviral vector-mediated RNA interference and CRISPR-Cas9
      genome editing in human airway epithelial cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Polarized airway epithelial cell cultures modelling Cystic Fibrosis
      Transmembrane conductance Regulator (CFTR) defect are crucial for CF and
      biomedical research. RNA interference has proven its value to generate knockdown
      models for various pathologies. More recently, genome editing using CRISPR-Cas9
      artificial endonuclease was a valuable addition to the toolbox of gene
      inactivation. METHODS: Calu-3 cells and primary HAECs were transduced with HIV-1
      derived lentiviral vectors (LVV) encoding small hairpin RNA (shRNA) sequence or
      CRISPR-Cas9 components targeting CFTR alongside GFP. After sorting of GFP
      positive cells, CFTR expression was measured by RT-qPCR and Western blot in
      polarized or differentiated cells. CFTR channel function was assessed in Ussing
      chambers. Il-8 secretion, proliferation and cell migration were also studied in
      transduced cells. RESULTS: shRNA interference and CRISPRCas9 strategies
      efficiently decreased CFTR expression in Calu-3 cells. Strong CFTR knockdown was
      confirmed at the functional level in CRISPR-Cas9-modified cells. CFTR-specific
      shRNA sequences did not reduce gene expression in primary HAECs, whereas CRISPR
      Cas9-mediated gene modification activity was correlated with a reduction of
      transepithelial secretion and response to a CFTR inhibitor. CFTR inactivation in
      the CRISPR-Cas9-modified Calu-3 cells did not affect migration and proliferation
      but slightly increased basal interleukin-8 secretion. CONCLUSION: We generated
      CFTR inactivated cell lines and demonstrated that CRISPR-Cas9 vectorised in a
      single LVV efficiently promotes CFTR inactivation in primary HAECs. These results
      provide a new protocol to engineer CF primary epithelia with their isogenic
      controls and pave the way for manipulation of CFTR expression in these cultures.

PMID- 26264709
TI  - Therapy for dominant inherited diseases by allele-specific RNA interference:
      successes and pitfalls.
AB  - RNA interference (RNAi) is a conserved mechanism for post-transcriptional gene
      silencing mediated by messenger RNA (mRNA) degradation. RNAi is commonly induced
      by synthetic siRNA or shRNA which recognizes the targeted mRNA by base pairing
      and leads to target-mRNA degradation. RNAi may discriminate between two sequences
      only differing by one nucleotide conferring a high specificity of RNAi for its
      target mRNA. This property was used to develop a particular therapeutic strategy
      called "allele-specific-RNA interference" devoted to silence the mutated allele
      of genes causing dominant inherited diseases without affecting the normal allele.
      Therapeutic benefit was now demonstrated in cells from patients and animal
      models, and promising results of the first phase Ib clinical trial using siRNA
      based allele-specific therapy were reported in Pachyonychia Congenita, an
      inherited skin disorder due to dominant mutations in the Keratin 6 gene. Our
      purpose is to review the successes of this strategy aiming to treat dominant
      inherited diseases and to highlight the pitfalls to avoid. 

PMID- 26264710
TI  - Overexpression of artificially fused bifunctional enzyme 4CL1-CCR: a method for
      production of secreted 4-hydroxycinnamaldehydes in Escherichia coli.
AB  - BACKGROUND: 4-Hydroxycinnamaldehydes are important intermediates in several
      secondary metabolism pathways, including those involved in the biosynthesis of
      phenolic acids, flavonoids, terpenoids and monolignols. They are also involved in
      the biosynthesis and degradation of lignins, which are important limiting factors
      during the processes of papermaking and biofuel production. Access to these
      aromatic polymers is necessary to explore the secondary biometabolic pathways
      they are involved in. Coniferaldehyde, sinapaldehyde, p-coumaraldehyde and
      caffealdehyde are members of the 4-hydroxycinnamaldehyde family. Although
      coniferaldehyde and sinapaldehyde can be purchased from commercial sources, p
      coumaraldehyde and caffealdehyde are not commercially available. Therefore, there
      is increasing interest in producing 4-hydroxycinnamaldehydes. Here, we attempted
      to produce 4-hydroxycinnamaldehydes using engineered Escherichia coli. RESULTS: 4
      Coumaric acid: coenzyme A ligase (4CL1) and cinnamoyl coenzyme A reductase (CCR)
      were fused by means of genetic engineering to generate an artificial bifunctional
      enzyme, 4CL1-CCR, which was overexpressed in cultured E. coli supplemented with
      phenylpropanoic acids. Three 4-hydroxycinnamaldehydes, p-coumaraldehyde,
      caffealdehyde and coniferaldehyde, were thereby biosynthesized and secreted into
      the culture medium. The products were extracted and purified from the culture
      medium, and identically characterized by the HPLC-PDA-ESI-MSn. The productivity
      of this new metabolic system were 49 mg/L for p-coumaraldehyde, 19 mg/L for
      caffealdehyde and 35 mg/L for coniferaldehyde. Extracellular hydroxycinnamoyl
      coenzyme A thioesters were not detected, indicating that these thioesters could
      not pass freely through the cellular membrane. The fusion enzyme 4CL1-CCR can
      catalyze sequential multistep reactions, thereby avoiding the permeability
      problem of intermediates, which reveals its superiority over a mixture of
      individual native enzymes. Moreover, we have described a highly sensitive and
      selective method for separation and identification of phenylpropanoic acids and
      their corresponding cinnamaldehydes in the present paper. The feasibility of this
      method has been proven in the application of the method to the analysis of the
      metabolites of whole-cell catalysts. CONCLUSIONS: We have established a
      bioconversion pathway for the microbial production of valuable 4
      hydroxycinnamaldehydes from phenylpropanoic acids. This biotransformation method
      is both convenient and environmentally friendly, and provides new insights into
      the biosynthesis of natural plant secondary products.

PMID- 26264711
TI  - Comparative studies on radioluminescent and thermoluminescent spectra of
      LiF:Mg,Cu,P and LiF:Mg,Cu,Si.
AB  - The influence of various annealing treatments on radioluminescent (RL) and
      thermoluminescent (TL) spectra of LiF:Mg,Cu,Si and LiF:Mg,Cu,P was investigated.
      The TL and RL emission bands for LiF:Mg,Cu,P are not the same; however, the
      emission band peaking at ~383 nm is predominant in the TL and RL emission for
      LiF:Mg,Cu,Si. With the increase in annealing temperatures in the range of 240-300
      degrees C, for LiF:Mg,Cu,P, the intensity of TL decreases much more rapidly than
      that of RL. For LiF:Mg,Cu,Si, the area ratios of the two bands of RL and TL
      remain constant within experimental errors. It suggests that there is a
      significant decrease in the concentration of recombination centres in LiF:Mg,Cu,P
      after the annealing, in addition to the decrease in trapping centres, the
      recombination centres for main TL emission and RL emission in LiF:Mg,Cu,Si are
      the same, and the recombination centres for TL emission and RL emission in
      LiF:Mg,Cu,P are not the same. P is a more effective dopant than Si. 

PMID- 26264712
TI  - Strong founder effect of p.P240L in CDH23 in Koreans and its significant
      contribution to severe-to-profound nonsyndromic hearing loss in a Korean
      pediatric population.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite the prevalence of CDH23 mutations in East Asians, its large
      size hinders investigation. The pathologic mutation p.P240L in CDH23 is common in
      East Asians. However, whether this mutation represents a common founder or a
      mutational hot spot is unclear. The prevalence of CDH23 mutations with prelingual
      severe-to-profound sporadic or autosomal recessive sensorineural hearing loss
      (arSNHL) is unknown in Koreans. METHODS: From September 2010 to October 2014,
      children with severe-to-profound sporadic or arSNHL without phenotypic markers,
      and their families, were tested for mutations in connexins GJB2, GJB6 and GJB3.
      Sanger sequencing of CDH23 p.P240L was performed on connexin-negative samples
      without enlarged vestibular aqueducts (EVA), followed by targeted resequencing of
      129 deafness genes, including CDH23, unless p.P240L homozygotes were detected in
      the first screening. Four p.P240L-allele-linked STR markers were genotyped in 40
      normal-hearing control subjects, and the p.P240L carriers in the hearing-impaired
      cohort, to identify the haplotypes. RESULTS: Four (3.1 %) of 128 children carried
      two CDH23 mutant alleles, and SLC26A4 and GJB2 accounted for 18.0 and 17.2 %,
      respectively. All four children showed profound nonsyndromic SNHL with minimal
      residual hearing. Interestingly, all had at least one p.P240L mutant allele.
      Analysis of p.P240L-linked STR markers in these children and other postlingual
      hearing-impaired adults carrying p.P240L revealed that p.P240L was mainly carried
      on a single haplotype. CONCLUSIONS: p.P240L contributed significantly to Korean
      pediatric severe arSNHL with a strong founder effect, with implications for
      future phylogenetic studies. Screening for p.P240L as a first step in GJB2
      negative arSNHL Koreans without EVA is recommended.

PMID- 26264713
TI  - Elective removal of implants after open reduction and internal fixation of Tibial
      Plateau fractures improves clinical outcomes.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Tibial plateau fractures are common injuries often treated with
      open reduction and internal fixation. We have noted improved patient satisfaction
      following implant removal for these patients. The purpose of this study was to
      assess the effect of removal of surgical implants after union on patient reported
      outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients at our Level 1 Trauma Center
      undergoing open reduction an internal fixation by the senior surgeon are offered
      enrollment into a prospective registry and have clinical outcomes recorded at
      follow-up [Knee Outcomes Survey (KOS), Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS),
      Short Form-36 Physical and Mental Component Summary (SF-36 PCS, SF-36 MCS), and
      Visual analog pain scale (VAS)]. Routinely, removal of surgical implants is
      offered after fracture union resulting in two cohorts: those who had undergone
      elective removal of surgical implants and those who had not. Outcome scores were
      compared before and after implant removal as well as between the two study
      populations at final follow-up. RESULTS: Seventy-five patients were identified as
      having 12 month outcome scores: 36 (48%) had retained implants; 39 (52%) had
      implants removed. KOS and LEFS outcomes improved significantly after implant
      removal (p < 0.05). Clinical outcomes (KOS, SF-36 PCS) were also significantly
      better in patients who had implants removed compared to those that did not at
      final follow-up (p < 0.05). There was no statistical difference seen in VAS pain
      scores. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that patients who have
      elective removal of their surgical implants after open reduction and internal
      fixation of a tibial plateau fracture have improved clinical outcomes after
      removal and also demonstrate significantly better outcomes than those who have
      retained implants at final follow-up. Patients who are unhappy with their
      clinical result should be counseled that removal of the implant may improve
      function, but may not improve pain.

PMID- 26264714
TI  - Mesophase and size manipulation of itraconazole liquid crystalline nanoparticles
      produced via quasi nanoemulsion precipitation.
AB  - The fabrication of drug nanoparticles (NPs) with process-mediated tunable
      properties and performances continues to grow rapidly during the last decades.
      This study investigates the synthesis and phase tuning of nanoparticulate
      itraconazole (ITR) mesophases using quasi nanoemulsion precipitation from
      acetone/water systems to seek out an alternative pathway to the nucleation-based
      NP formation. ITR liquid crystalline (LC) phases were formed and nematic-smectic
      mesomorphism was achieved via controlling solvent:antisolvent temperature
      difference (DeltaTS:AS). The use of DeltaTS:AS=49.5 degrees C was associated with
      a nematic assembly, while intercalated smectic A layering was observed at
      DeltaTS:AS=0 degrees C, with both phases confined in the nanospheres at room
      temperature. The quasi emulsion system has not been investigated at the nanoscale
      to date and in contrary to the microscale, quasi nanoemulsion was observed over
      the solvent:antisolvent viscosity ratios of 1:7-1:1.4. Poly(acrylic acid) in the
      solvent phase exhibited a concentration dependent interaction when ITR formed
      NPs. This nanodroplet-based approach enabled the preparation of a stable ITR
      nanodispersion using Poloxamer 407 at 80 degrees C, which was unachievable before
      using precipitation via nucleation. Findings of this work lay groundwork in terms
      of rationalised molecular assembly as a tool in designing pharmaceutical LC NPs
      with tailored properties. 

PMID- 26264715
TI  - Keep calm and carry on: Maintaining self-control when intoxicated, upset, or
      depleted.
AB  - This study tested within-person associations between intoxication, negative
      affect, and self-control demands and two forms of self-control failure,
      interpersonal conflict, and neglecting responsibilities. Effortful control was
      hypothesised to act as a buffer, reducing individual susceptibility to these
      within-person effects. In contrast, reactivity was hypothesised to potentiate the
      within-person associations. 274 young adults aged 18-27 (56% women, 93% white)
      completed experience sampling assessments for up to 49 days over the course of
      1.3 years. Results indicated independent within-person effects of intoxication,
      negative affect, and self-control demands on the outcomes. Hypothesised
      moderating effects of reactivity were not supported. Effortful control did not
      moderate the effects of self-control demands as expected. However, effortful
      control exhibited a protective effect when individuals were intoxicated or upset
      to reduce the likelihood of maladaptive behavioural outcomes.

PMID- 26264716
TI  - Contributions of a global network of tree diversity experiments to sustainable
      forest plantations.
AB  - The area of forest plantations is increasing worldwide helping to meet timber
      demand and protect natural forests. However, with global change, monospecific
      plantations are increasingly vulnerable to abiotic and biotic disturbances. As an
      adaption measure we need to move to plantations that are more diverse in
      genotypes, species, and structure, with a design underpinned by science.
      TreeDivNet, a global network of tree diversity experiments, responds to this need
      by assessing the advantages and disadvantages of mixed species plantations. The
      network currently consists of 18 experiments, distributed over 36 sites and five
      ecoregions. With plantations 1-15 years old, TreeDivNet can already provide
      relevant data for forest policy and management. In this paper, we highlight some
      early results on the carbon sequestration and pest resistance potential of more
      diverse plantations. Finally, suggestions are made for new, innovative
      experiments in understudied regions to complement the existing network. 

PMID- 26264718
TI  - The modulation of corticosteroid metabolism by hydrocortisone therapy in patients
      with hypopituitarism increases tissue glucocorticoid exposure.
AB  - CONTEXT: Patients with hypopituitarism have increased morbidity and mortality.
      There is ongoing debate about the optimum glucocorticoid (GC) replacement
      therapy. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of GC replacement in hypopituitarism on
      corticosteroid metabolism and its impact on body composition. DESIGN AND
      PATIENTS: We assessed the urinary corticosteroid metabolite profile (using gas
      chromatography/mass spectrometry) and body composition (clinical parameters and
      full body DXA) of 53 patients (19 female, median age 46 years) with
      hypopituitarism (33 ACTH-deficient/20 ACTH-replete) (study A). The corticosteroid
      metabolite profile of ten patients with ACTH deficiency was then assessed
      prospectively in a cross over study using three hydrocortisone (HC) dosing
      regimens (20/10 mg, 10/10 mg and 10/5 mg) (study B) each for 6 weeks. 11 beta
      hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (11beta-HSD1) activity was assessed by urinary
      THF+5alpha-THF/THE. SETTING: Endocrine Centres within University Teaching
      Hospitals in the UK and Ireland. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Urinary corticosteroid
      metabolite profile and body composition assessment. RESULTS: In study A, when
      patients were divided into three groups - patients not receiving HC and patients
      receiving HC<=20 mg/day or HC>20 mg/day - patients in the group receiving the
      highest daily dose of HC had significantly higher waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) than
      the ACTH replete group. They also had significantly elevated THF+5alpha-THF/THE
      (P=0.0002) and total cortisol metabolites (P=0.015). In study B, patients on the
      highest HC dose had significantly elevated total cortisol metabolites and all
      patients on HC had elevated THF+5alpha-THF/THE ratios when compared to controls.
      CONCLUSIONS: In ACTH-deficient patients daily HC doses of >20 mg/day have
      increased WHR, THF+5alpha-THF/THE ratios and total cortisol metabolites. GC
      metabolism and induction of 11beta-HSD1 may play a pivitol role in the
      development of the metabolically adverse hypopituitary phenotype.

PMID- 26264719
TI  - Genetics of primary bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia: a model for early
      diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome?
AB  - Long-term consequences of cortisol excess are frequent despite appropriate
      treatment after cure of Cushing's syndrome. This might be due to diagnostic
      delay, often difficult to reduce in rare diseases. The identification of a
      genetic predisposing factor might help to improve early diagnosis by familial
      screening. Primary bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (PBMAH) is a rare
      cause of Cushing's syndrome. Hypercortisolism in PBMAH is most often diagnosed
      between the fifth and sixth decades of life. The bilateral nature of the
      adrenocortical tumors and the occurrence of rare clear familial forms suggest a
      genetic origin. Indeed, a limited subset of PBMAH can be observed as part of
      multiple tumors syndromes due to alterations of the APC, Menin or Fumarate
      Hydratase genes. Rare variants of the phosphodiesterases PDE11A have been
      associated with PBMAH. The recent identification of ARMC5 germline alterations in
      25-50% of PBMAH patients without obvious familial history or associated tumors
      opens new perspectives. ARMC5 alterations follow the model of a tumor suppressor
      gene: a first germline inactivating mutation of this 16p located gene is followed
      by a somatic secondary hit on the other allele (inactivating mutation or allelic
      loss). Functional studies demonstrate that ARMC5 controls apoptosis and steroid
      synthesis. The phenotype of index cases patients with the mutation seems more
      severe than the one of WT index cases. However, phenotype variability within a
      family is often observed. This review summarizes the genetics of PBMAH, focusing
      on ARMC5, which offer new perspectives for early diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome.

PMID- 26264717
TI  - Outcome of corticosteroid administration in autoimmune pulmonary alveolar
      proteinosis: a retrospective cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although no report has demonstrated the efficacy of corticosteroid
      therapy for autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (aPAP), we sometimes
      encounter patients who have received this therapy for various reasons. However,
      as corticosteroids can suppress alveolar macrophage function, corticosteroid
      therapy might worsen disease severity and increase the risk of infections.
      METHODS: For this retrospective cohort study, we sent a screening form to 165
      institutions asking for information on aPAP patients treated with
      corticosteroids. Of the resulting 45 patients screened, 31 were enrolled in this
      study. We collected demographic data and information about corticosteroid
      treatment period, dose, disease severity score (DSS) over the treatment period,
      and complications. RESULTS: DSS deteriorated during corticosteroid therapy in 23
      cases (74.1 %) and the estimated overall cumulative worsening rate was 80.8 % for
      the total observation period. The worsening rate was significantly higher in
      patients treated with high-dose prednisolone (>18.9 mg/day, n = 16) than treated
      with low-dose prednisolone (<=18.9 mg/day, n = 15) divided by median daily dose
      (p < 0.02). Of patients with worsening, one died of disseminated aspergillosis
      and another of respiratory failure. Infections newly emerged in 6 cases during
      corticosteroid therapy (p < 0.05). Median serum granulocyte/macrophage colony
      stimulating factor (GM-CSF) autoantibody levels were similar to previously
      reported data in a large cohort study. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate that
      corticosteroid therapy may worsen DSS of aPAP, increasing the risk for
      infections.

PMID- 26264720
TI  - The growth response to GH treatment is greater in patients with SHOX enhancer
      deletions compared to SHOX defects.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Short stature caused by point mutations or deletions of the short
      stature homeobox (SHOX) gene (SHOX haploinsufficiency (SHI)) is a registered
      indication for GH treatment. Patients with a SHOX enhancer deletion (SED) have a
      similar phenotype, but their response to GH is unknown. It is uncertain if
      duplications of SHOX or its enhancer (SDUP) cause short stature. This study aimed
      to describe the clinical characteristics and growth response to GH treatment in
      patients with aberrations of SHOX and its enhancers. DESIGN: In this
      retrospective multi-center study (2002-March 2014) clinical information was
      available from 130 patients (72 SHI, 44 SED, and 14 SDUP) of whom 52 patients
      were treated with GH. We evaluated height, sitting height (SH), arm span,
      dysmorphic features and indicators of the growth response to GH (delta height
      SDS, height velocity, and index of responsiveness). RESULTS: Patients with SEDs
      showed similar HtSDS to patients with SHI (-2.3 and -2.6, respectively, P=0.2),
      but they were less disproportionate (SH/height ratio SDS 2.0 vs 3.1 (P<0.01) and
      extremities/trunk ratio 2.57 vs 2.43 (P=0.03)). The 1st year growth response to
      GH treatment was significantly greater in prepubertal patients with SEDs than
      SHI. None of the patients with an SDUP was disproportionate and SDUP cosegregated
      poorly with short stature; their growth response to GH treatment (n=3) was
      similar to the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with SEDs are equally short,
      but less disproportionate than patients with SHI, and show a greater response to
      GH.

PMID- 26264721
TI  - Nearly Missed: Postpartum Type B Aortic Dissection.

PMID- 26264722
TI  - Determinants of physical activity in minimally impaired people with multiple
      sclerosis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Despite the commonly known benefits of physical activity, evidence
      shows that people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) are relatively inactive. There
      are several studies about factors affecting physical activity in pwMS. However,
      these factors have not investigated in minimally impaired pwMS who do not have
      remarkable symptoms and walking disturbance. The objective was to determine
      factors affecting physical activity in minimally impaired pwMS. PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: We recruited 52 minimally impaired pwMS and measured physical activity
      with Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire (GLTEQ) and an accelerometer used
      for the 7-day period. Demographic data were recorded. Walking (speed, endurance,
      dexterity, and quality), fatigue, depression, and quality of life were measured.
      METHODS: We recruited 52 minimally impaired pwMS and measured physical activity
      with Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire (GLTEQ) and an accelerometer used
      for the 7-day period. Demographic data were recorded. Walking (speed, endurance,
      dexterity, and quality), fatigue, depression, and quality of life were measured.
      RESULTS: The walking speed assessed by the Timed 25-Foot Walk and gender were
      found the determinants of physical activity level assessed by the GLTEQ and
      accelerometer, respectively. Walking (speed, endurance, and dexterity), gender,
      employment status, and quality of life were associated with physical activity.
      Either female or unemployed participants had significantly less physical
      activity. There were no significant difference between physical activity levels
      and the other subgroups. CONCLUSION: Either to be a female or to have slower
      walking speed was associated with less physical activity. Strategies to improve
      walking should be focused on female pwMS with minimal impairment.

PMID- 26264723
TI  - Cerebellar white matter changes in patients with newly diagnosed partial epilepsy
      of unknown etiology.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We hypothesize that pre-existing susceptible structures in the brain
      may be associated with the development of newly diagnosed partial epilepsy of
      unknown etiology. METHODS: Twenty-two patients with newly diagnosed partial
      epilepsy of unknown etiology and 36 healthy controls were enrolled in this study.
      In addition, we included 24 patients with chronic partial epilepsy of unknown
      etiology as a disease control group. We analyzed whole-brain T1-weighted MRIs
      using FreeSurfer 5.1. The volumes of the hippocampus, amygdala, thalamus,
      caudate, putamen, pallidum, brainstem, cerebellar gray and white matter, as well
      as cerebral gray and white matter were compared between the groups. We also
      analyzed the changes in brain volumes associated with the chronicity of epilepsy
      in the patients with chronic epilepsy compared to newly diagnosed epilepsy.
      RESULTS: The volume of cerebellar white matter in patients with newly diagnosed
      epilepsy was significantly smaller than that which was observed in the healthy
      controls (p=0.0001). This finding was also observed in patients with chronic
      epilepsy (p<0.0001). Cerebral white matter volume was negatively correlated with
      the duration of epilepsy (r=-0.4, p=0.04). CONCLUSION: These findings support our
      hypothesis that cerebellar white matter changes may constitute a pre-existing
      susceptible structure in the brain that is associated with the development of
      partial epilepsy of unknown etiology. In addition, cerebral white matter was the
      structure that was the most vulnerable to the progression of epilepsy.

PMID- 26264724
TI  - Blame Attributions of Victims and Perpetrators: Effects of Victim Gender,
      Perpetrator Gender, and Relationship.
AB  - Although research has been conducted on rape myth acceptance (RMA) and other
      factors associated with attribution formation, researchers have not yet
      determined how the combination of such factors simultaneously affects levels of
      victim blame and perpetrator blame. The current investigation recruited 221
      students from an all-women's college to examine differences in blame attributions
      across RMA, victim gender, and perpetrator gender, and the relationship between
      the two parties (i.e., stranger vs. acquaintance). Results suggested that RMA,
      victim gender, and perpetrator gender account for a significant amount of
      variance in blame attributions for both victims and perpetrators. In sum, victim
      blame with female perpetrators was relatively consistent across levels of RMA,
      but increased substantially for male perpetrators as individuals endorsed higher
      levels of RMA. Perpetrator blame, however, was highest with male perpetrators
      when individuals endorsed low levels of RMA and lowest for male perpetrators when
      individuals endorsed relatively higher levels of RMA. Findings demonstrate the
      continued influence of RMA on blame attributions for both victims and
      perpetrators, and the stigma faced by male victims. More research is needed on
      the differing attributions of male and female victims and perpetrators, as well
      as differing attributions based on type of relationship. Such research will lead
      to a better and more thorough understanding of sexual assault and rape.

PMID- 26264725
TI  - Gendered Pathways From Child Abuse to Adult Crime Through Internalizing and
      Externalizing Behaviors in Childhood and Adolescence.
AB  - Gender differences in externalizing and internalizing pathways from child abuse
      to adult crime were examined across four waves of an extended longitudinal study
      ( N = 186 males and 170 females) using multiple-group structural equation
      modeling. Results show that child abuse was associated with both internalizing
      and externalizing behaviors in the elementary school years for both males and
      females. However, gender differences were found such that internalizing behaviors
      increased the risk of adult crime for females only, and externalizing behaviors
      increased the risk of adult crime for males only. Internalizing behaviors among
      males actually lessened the risk of adult crime, and externalizing behaviors were
      unrelated to adult crime among females. Findings confirm distinct pathways
      leading from child abuse to later crime for males and females, which is important
      for prevention and intervention strategies.

PMID- 26264726
TI  - Drospirenone enhances GPIb-IX-V-mediated platelet activation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Epidemiologic studies recently revealed that using drospirenone
      (DRSP)-containing contraceptives is associated with an increased risk of
      thrombosis in women. However, the underlying causality is unclear. OBJECTIVE: To
      study the effects of DRSP on coagulation in vitro and the probable mechanisms
      involved. METHODS: First, the effects of DRSP on the activated partial
      thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), thrombin time (TT) and
      fibrinogen (FIB) were measured. Then, the effects of DRSP on platelet activation
      were investigated in response to low levels of collagen, adenosine 5'-diphosphate
      (ADP), thrombin, U46619, adrenaline and botrocetin/von Willebrand factor (VWF).
      RESULTS: DRSP has no direct effect on APTT, PT, TT, FIB and platelet aggregation
      induced by low levels of collagen, ADP, thrombin, U46619 or adrenaline. However,
      DRSP enhances botrocetin/VWF-induced platelet aggregation and VWF receptor
      glycoprotein Ib-IX-V (GPIb-IX-V)-mediated signaling. This enhancement can be
      blocked by the progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (PGRMC1) inhibitor
      AG205, or by the ADP scavenger apyrase and the cyclooxygenase inhibitor
      indomethacin. CONCLUSIONS: Although DRSP did not directly induce platelet
      activation, it obviously facilitated VWF receptor GPIb-IX-V-mediated platelet
      activation. The potential DRSP-binding protein PGRMC1 may play a role in this
      process. Our study also suggested that the inhibition of thromboxane A2
      production and the activation of ADP receptors might prevent the side-effects of
      DRSP.

PMID- 26264727
TI  - Differences in proxy-reported and patient-reported outcomes: assessing health and
      functional status among medicare beneficiaries.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Proxy responses are very common when surveys are conducted among the
      elderly or disabled population. Outcomes reported by proxy may be systematically
      different from those obtained from patients directly. The objective of the study
      is to examine the presence, direction, and magnitude of possible differences
      between proxy-reported and patient-reported outcomes in health and functional
      status measures among Medicare beneficiaries. METHODS: This study is a pooled
      cross-sectional study of a nationally representative sample of community-dwelling
      Medicare beneficiaries from 2006 to 2011. Survey respondents can respond to the
      Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey either by themselves or via proxies. Health
      and functional status was assessed across five domains: physical, affective,
      cognitive, social, and sensory status. Propensity score matching was used to get
      matched pairs of patient-reports and proxy-reports. RESULTS: After applying the
      propensity score matching, the study identified 7,780 person-years of patient
      reports paired with 7,780 person-years of proxy-reports. Except for the sensory
      limitation, differences between proxy-reported and patient-reported outcomes were
      present in physical, affective, cognitive, and social limitations. Compared to
      patient-reports, a question regarding survey respondents' difficulties in
      managing money was associated with the largest proxy response bias (relative
      risk, RR = 3.83). With few exceptions, the presence, direction, and magnitude of
      differences between proxy-reported and patient-reported outcomes did not vary
      much in the subgroup analysis. CONCLUSIONS: When there is a difference between
      proxy-reported and patient-reported outcomes, proxies tended to report more
      health and functional limitations among the elderly and disabled population. The
      extent of proxy response bias depended on the domain being tested and the nature
      of the question being asked. Researchers should accept proxy reports for sensory
      status and objective, observable, or easy questions. For physical, affective,
      cognitive, or social status and private, unobservable, or complex questions,
      proxy-reported outcomes should be used with caution when patient-reported
      outcomes are not available.

PMID- 26264728
TI  - Psychiatric assessment is a necessary part of humane care.

PMID- 26264730
TI  - Correction to A 90 Day Safety Assessment of Genetically Modified Rice Expressing
      Cry1Ab/1Ac Protein Using an Aquatic Animal Model.

PMID- 26264729
TI  - 17beta-Estradiol modulates huntingtin levels in rat tissues and in human
      neuroblastoma cell line.
AB  - 17beta-Estradiol (E2) exerts neurotrophic and neuroprotective functions in the
      brain. Here, E2-induced increased levels of huntingtin (HTT), a protein involved
      in several crucial neuronal functions is reported. E2 physiological
      concentrations up-regulate HTT in hippocampus and striatum of rats as well as in
      human neuroblastoma cells. This effect requires both nuclear and extra-nuclear
      estrogen receptor (ER)alpha activities. Intriguingly, HTT silencing completely
      prevents E2 protective effects against oxidative stress injury. In conclusion,
      these data indicate for the first time that HTT is an E2-inducible protein
      involved in the first steps of E2-induced signaling pathways committed to
      neuronal protection against oxidative stress. 

PMID- 26264731
TI  - A Rotatable Quality Control Phantom for Evaluating the Performance of Flat Panel
      Detectors in Imaging Moving Objects.
AB  - As the use of diagnostic X-ray equipment with flat panel detectors (FPDs) has
      increased, so has the importance of proper management of FPD systems. To ensure
      quality control (QC) of FPD system, an easy method for evaluating FPD imaging
      performance for both stationary and moving objects is required. Until now, simple
      rotatable QC phantoms have not been available for the easy evaluation of the
      performance (spatial resolution and dynamic range) of FPD in imaging moving
      objects. We developed a QC phantom for this purpose. It consists of three
      thicknesses of copper and a rotatable test pattern of piano wires of various
      diameters. Initial tests confirmed its stable performance. Our moving phantom is
      very useful for QC of FPD images of moving objects because it enables visual
      evaluation of image performance (spatial resolution and dynamic range) easily. 

PMID- 26264732
TI  - The effect of aging on vertical postural control during the forward and backward
      shift of the center of pressure.
AB  - Preventing fall-related injuries is becoming a priority as the world population
      ages. This study's purpose was to examine the effect of aging on vertical
      postural control in the community-dwelling elderly. Thirty-six elderly
      individuals and twenty-two healthy young adults were asked to shift their centers
      of pressure (COPs) as far as possible while standing. The COP position, angle of
      each lower leg joint, and postural muscle activities were measured using a force
      plate, three-dimensional motion analyzer, and electromyogram, respectively. The
      vertical position of the center of mass (COM) was also measured to assess the
      change in vertical postural control. The backward COP shift in the elderly group
      was significantly smaller than that in the young group, and both the forward and
      backward COM shifts were significantly smaller in elders relative to those in
      youths. The COM position in the elderly group during the backward COP shift was
      also significantly lower than that in the young group. Knee and ankle joint
      movements differed between the two groups during the backward COP shift. Factor
      analysis indicated that dorsal and ventral muscle groups were involved in the COP
      shift. Specifically, the relationship between the biceps femoris muscle and the
      voluntary COP shift was reinforced in the elderly group. These findings suggest
      that the vertical postural strategy changes in the elderly during the backward
      COP shift. 

PMID- 26264733
TI  - Squaring the circle: a priority-setting method for evidence-based service
      development, reconciling research with multiple stakeholder views.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study demonstrates a technique to aid the implementation of
      research findings through an example of improving services and self-management in
      longer-term depression. In common with other long-term conditions, policy in this
      field requires innovation to be undertaken in the context of a whole system of
      care, be cost-effective, evidence-based and to comply with national clinical
      guidelines. At the same time, successful service development must be acceptable
      to clinicians and service users and choices must be made within limited
      resources. This paper describes a novel way of resolving these competing
      requirements by reconciling different sources and types of evidence and
      systematically engaging multiple stakeholder views. METHODS: The study combined
      results from mathematical modelling of the care pathway, research evidence on
      effective interventions and findings from qualitative research with service users
      in a series of workshops to define, refine and select candidate service
      improvements. A final consensus-generating workshop used structured discussion
      and anonymised electronic voting. This was followed by an email survey to all
      stakeholders, to achieve a pre-defined criterion of consensus for six suggestions
      for implementation. RESULTS: An initial list of over 20 ideas was grouped into
      four main areas. At the final workshop, each idea was presented in person,
      visually and in writing to 40 people, who assigned themselves to one or more of
      five stakeholder groups: i) service users and carers, ii) clinicians, iii)
      managers, iv) commissioners and v) researchers. Many belonged to more than one
      group. After two rounds of voting, consensus was reached on seven ideas and one
      runner up. The survey then confirmed the top six ideas to be tested in practice.
      CONCLUSIONS: The method recruited and retained people with diverse experience and
      views within a health community and took account of a full range of evidence. It
      enabled a diverse group of stakeholders to travel together in a direction that
      converged with the messages coming out of the research and successfully yielded
      priorities for service improvement that met competing requirements.

PMID- 26264734
TI  - Functional insights from molecular modeling, docking, and dynamics study of a
      cypoviral RNA dependent RNA polymerase.
AB  - Antheraea mylitta cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus (AmCPV) contains 11 double
      stranded RNA genome segments and infects tasar silkworm A. mylitta. RNA-dependent
      RNA polymerase (RdRp) is reported as a key enzyme responsible for propagation of
      the virus in the host cell but its structure function relationship still remains
      elusive. Here a computational approach has been taken to compare sequence and
      secondary structure of AmCPV RdRp with other viral RdRps to identify consensus
      motifs. Then a reliable pairwise sequence alignment of AmCPV RdRp with its
      closest sequence structure homologue lambda3 RdRp is done to predict three
      dimensional structure of AmCPV RdRp. After comparing with other structurally
      known viral RdRps, important sequence and/or structural features involved in
      substrate entry or binding, polymerase reaction and the product release events
      have been identified. A conserved RNA pentanucleotide (5'-AGAGC-3') at the 3'-end
      of virus genome is predicted as cis-acting signal for RNA synthesis and its
      docking and simulation study along with the model of AmCPV RdRp has allowed to
      predict mode of template binding by the viral polymerase. It is found that
      template RNA enters into the catalytic center through nine sequence-independent
      and two sequence-dependent interactions with the specific amino acid residues.
      However, number of sequence dependent interactions remains almost same during 10
      nano-second simulation time while total number of interactions decreases.
      Further, docking of N(7)-methyl-GpppG (mRNA cap) on the model as well as
      prediction of RNA secondary structure has shown the template entry process in the
      active site. These findings have led to postulate the mechanism of RNA-dependent
      RNA polymerization process by AmCPV RdRp. To our knowledge, this is the first
      report to evaluate structure function relationship of a cypoviral RdRp. 

PMID- 26264735
TI  - Testing the efficacy of web-based cognitive behavioural therapy for adult
      patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CBIT): study protocol for a randomized
      controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for
      fatigue and disabilities in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).
      However, treatment capacity is limited. Providing web-based CBT and tailoring the
      amount of contact with the therapist to the individual needs of the patient may
      increase the efficiency of the intervention. Web-based CBT for adolescents with
      CFS has proven to be effective in reducing fatigue and increasing school
      attendance. In the proposed study the efficacy of a web-based CBT intervention
      for adult patients with CFS will be explored. Two different formats of web-based
      CBT will be tested. In the first format named protocol driven feedback, patients
      report on their progress and receive feedback from a therapist according to a
      preset schedule. In the second format named support on demand, feedback and
      support of the therapist is only given when patients ask for it. The primary
      objective of the study is to determine the efficacy of a web-based CBT
      intervention on fatigue severity. METHOD/DESIGN: A randomized clinical trial will
      be conducted. Two-hundred-forty adults who have been diagnosed with CFS according
      to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) consensus criteria
      will be recruited and randomized to one of three conditions: web-based CBT with
      protocol driven feedback, web-based CBT with support on demand, or wait list.
      Feedback will be delivered by therapists specialized in CBT for CFS. Each of the
      web-based CBT interventions will be compared to a wait list condition with
      respect to its effect on the primary outcome measure; fatigue severity. Secondary
      outcome measures are level of disability, physical functioning, psychological
      distress, and the proportion of patients with clinical significant improvement in
      fatigue severity. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and six months post
      randomization. The web-based CBT formats will be compared with respect to the
      time therapists need to deliver the intervention. DISCUSSION: As far as we know
      this is the first randomized controlled trial (RCT) that evaluates the efficacy
      of a web-based CBT intervention for adult patients with CFS. TRIAL REGISTRATION:
      NTR4013.

PMID- 26264736
TI  - System-level understanding of the potential acid-tolerance components of
      Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans ZJJN-3 under extreme acid stress.
AB  - In previous study, two extremely acidophilic strains Acidithiobacillus
      thiooxidans ZJJN-3 (collection site: bioleaching leachate) and ZJJN-5 (collection
      site: bioleaching wastewater) were isolated from a typical industrial bio-heap in
      China. Here, we unraveled the potential acid-tolerance components of ZJJN-3 by
      comparing the physiological differences with ZJJN-5 under different acid
      stresses. The parameters used for comparison included intracellular pH (pHin),
      capsule morphology, fatty acid composition of cell membrane, transcription of key
      molecular chaperones, H(+)-ATPase activities and NAD(+)/NADH ratio. It was
      indicated that the acid-tolerance of A. thiooxidans ZJJN-3 was systematically
      regulated. Capsule first thickened and then shed off along with increased acid
      stress. Cell membrane maintained the intracellular stability by up-regulating the
      proportion of unsaturated fatty acid and cyclopropane fatty acids. Meanwhile, the
      transcription of key repair molecular chaperones (GrpE-DnaK-DnaJ) was up
      regulated by 2.2-3.5 folds for ensuring the proper folding of peptide. Moreover,
      low pHin promoted ZJJN-3 to biosynthesize more H(+)-ATPase for pumping H(+) out
      of cells. Furthermore, the NAD(+)/NADH ratio increased due to the decreased H(+)
      concentration. Based on the above physiological analysis, the potential acid
      tolerance components of A. thiooxidans ZJJN-3 were first proposed and it would be
      useful for better understanding how these extremophiles responded to the high
      acid stress.

PMID- 26264737
TI  - Using IT to improve access, communication, and asthma in African American and
      Hispanic/Latino Adults: Rationale, design, and methods of a randomized controlled
      trial.
AB  - Asthma morbidity is high among inner-city minority adults. Improving access to
      care and patient-provider communication are believed to be essential for
      improving outcomes. Access and communication in turn increasingly rely on
      information technology including features of the Electronic Health Record. Its
      patient portal offers web-based communication with providers and practices. How
      patients with limited resources and educational opportunities can benefit from
      this portal is unclear. In contrast, home visits by community health workers
      (CHWs) have improved access to care for asthmatic children and promoted caretaker
      clinician communication. We describe the planning, design, and methodology of an
      ongoing randomized controlled trial for 300 adults, predominantly African
      American and Hispanic/Latino, with uncontrolled asthma recruited from low income
      urban neighborhoods who are directed to the most convenient internet access and
      taught to use the portal, with and without home visits from a CHW. The study 1)
      compares the effects of the 1-year interventions on asthma outcomes (improved
      asthma control, quality of life; fewer ED visits and hospitalizations for asthma
      or any cause), 2) evaluates whether communication (portal use) and access
      (appointments made/kept) mediate the interventions' effects on asthma outcomes,
      and 3) investigates effect modification by literacy level, primary language, and
      convenience of internet access. In home visits, CHWs 1) train patients to
      competency in portal use, 2) enhance care coordination, 3) communicate the
      complex social circumstances of patients' lives to providers, and 4) compensate
      for differences in patients' health literacy skills. The practical challenges to
      design and implementation in the targeted population are presented.

PMID- 26264738
TI  - Graphene Quantum Dot Layers with Energy-Down-Shift Effect on Crystalline-Silicon
      Solar Cells.
AB  - Graphene quantum dot (GQD) layers were deposited as an energy-down-shift layer on
      crystalline-silicon solar cell surfaces by kinetic spraying of GQD suspensions. A
      supersonic air jet was used to accelerate the GQDs onto the surfaces. Here, we
      report the coating results on a silicon substrate and the GQDs' application as an
      energy-down-shift layer in crystalline-silicon solar cells, which enhanced the
      power conversion efficiency (PCE). GQD layers deposited at nozzle scan speeds of
      40, 30, 20, and 10 mm/s were evaluated after they were used to fabricate
      crystalline-silicon solar cells; the results indicate that GQDs play an important
      role in increasing the optical absorptivity of the cells. The short-circuit
      current density was enhanced by about 2.94% (0.9 mA/cm(2)) at 30 mm/s. Compared
      to a reference device without a GQD energy-down-shift layer, the PCE of p-type
      silicon solar cells was improved by 2.7% (0.4 percentage points). 

PMID- 26264739
TI  - Predictive value of left atrial deformation on prognosis in severe primary mitral
      regurgitation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Impaired left atrial (LA) deformation is noted in patients with
      severe primary mitral regurgitation (MR), but its prognostic value is unknown.
      The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic significance of LA
      deformation parameters in patients with chronic severe primary MR. METHODS: A
      total of 104 patients with asymptomatic chronic severe primary MR (Carpentier
      type II) and preserved left ventricular systolic function were prospectively
      recruited. Global peak positive strain of the left atrium (LASp) and strain rate
      in the LA filling phase (LASRr) as well as strain rate in the LA conduit phase
      were identified using two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography. RESULTS:
      During a mean follow-up period of 13.2 +/- 9.5 months, 22 patients reached a
      composite end point of death and mitral valve repair or replacement prompted by
      heart failure development. Among the clinical and echocardiographic parameters,
      LV end-systolic volume index (19.5 +/- 9.5 vs 15.7 +/- 6.3 mL/m(2), P = .028),
      LASp (22.7 +/- 10.4% vs 27.2 +/- 9.1%, P = .049), and LASRr (1.97 +/- 0.6 vs 2.33
      +/- 0.6 1/sec, P = .013) varied between the two groups in terms of end points but
      not age, LA volume index, left ventricular ejection fraction, pulmonary artery
      systolic pressure, and presence of atrial fibrillation. After multivariate
      analysis, low LASp (odds ratio, 3.606; 95% CI, 1.294-10.052; P = .014) and low
      LASRr (odds ratio, 2.857; 95% CI, 1.078-7.572; P = .035) remained powerful
      outcome indicators. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with asymptomatic severe primary MR,
      reduced LASp and LASRr predicted a worse prognosis. These findings may offer
      additional information to guide early surgery.

PMID- 26264740
TI  - Thermodynamic and Structural Evidence for Reduced Hydrogen Bonding among Water
      Molecules near Small Hydrophobic Solutes.
AB  - The structure of water molecules near a hydrophobic solute remains elusive
      despite a long history of scrutiny. Here, we re-examine the subtle issue by a
      combination of thermodynamic analysis for Henry's constants of several nonpolar
      gases over a broad range of temperatures and molecular dynamic simulations for
      the water structure in the hydration shell using several popular semiempirical
      models of liquid water. Both the structural and thermodynamic data indicate that
      hydrophobic hydration reduces the degree of the hydrogen bonding among water
      molecules, and the effect becomes more prominent at high temperatures. Hydrogen
      bond formation is slightly hindered near a hydrophobic solute due to the
      restriction of the degree of freedom for water molecules in the solvation shell,
      and the confinement effect becomes more significant as temperature increases.
      Reduction in the extent of hydrogen bonding is fully consistent with a positive
      contribution of a small hydrophobic solute to the solution heat capacity. As
      predicted by the scaled-particle theory, both Henry's constants and simulation
      results suggest that the hydration entropy is determined primarily by cavity
      formation in liquid water, with its magnitude rising with the solute size but
      declining with temperature. 

PMID- 26264741
TI  - A conserved histidine in switch-II of EF-G moderates release of inorganic
      phosphate.
AB  - Elongation factor G (EF-G), a translational GTPase responsible for tRNA-mRNA
      translocation possesses a conserved histidine (H91 in Escherichia coli) at the
      apex of switch-II, which has been implicated in GTPase activation and GTP
      hydrolysis. While H91A, H91R and H91E mutants showed different degrees of defect
      in ribosome associated GTP hydrolysis, H91Q behaved like the WT. However, all
      these mutants, including H91Q, are much more defective in inorganic phosphate
      (Pi) release, thereby suggesting that H91 facilitates Pi release. In crystal
      structures of the ribosome bound EF-G*GTP a tight coupling between H91 and the
      gamma-phosphate of GTP can be seen. Following GTP hydrolysis, H91 flips ~140
      degrees  in the opposite direction, probably with Pi still coupled to it. This,
      we suggest, promotes Pi to detach from GDP and reach the inter-domain space of EF
      G, which constitutes an exit path for the Pi. Molecular dynamics simulations are
      consistent with this hypothesis and demonstrate a vital role of an Mg(2+) ion in
      the process. 

PMID- 26264742
TI  - Abrogated cardioprotective effect of ischemic preconditioning in ovariectomized
      rat heart.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ischemic heart disease is the leading cause of death in
      postmenopausal women. The expression of caveolin, a membrane protein and a
      negative regulator of nitric oxide (NO), increases after menopause. The present
      study was designed to determine the effect of daidzein (DDZ), a phytoestrogen in
      attenuated cardioprotective effect of ischemic preconditioning (IPC) in
      ovariectomized rat heart. METHODS: Heart was isolated from ovariectomized rat and
      mounted on Langendorff's apparatus, subjected to 30 min ischemia and 120 min
      reperfusion. IPC was mediated by four cycles of 5 min ischemia and 5 min
      reperfusion. The infarct size was estimated using triphenyltetrazolium chloride
      stain, and coronary effluent was analyzed for lactate dehydrogenase and creatine
      kinase MB (CK-MB) release to assess the degree of myocardial injury. The release
      of NO was estimated indirectly by measuring the release of nitrite in coronary
      effluent. RESULTS: IPC-induced cardioprotection was significantly attenuated in
      ovariectomized rats as compared to normal rats, which was restored by treatment
      of DDZ, a caveolin inhibitor (0.2 mg/kg subcutaneously) for 1 week. However, this
      observed cardioprotection was significantly attenuated by perfusion of l
      nitroarginine methyl ester, an endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) inhibitor
      (100 uM/L) and glibenclamide, an adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium ion
      channel blocker (10 uM/L) alone or in combination, noted in terms of increase in
      myocardial infarct size, release of LDH and CK-MB, and also decrease in the
      release of NO. CONCLUSION: Thus, it is suggested that DDZ restores the attenuated
      cardioprotective effect in ovariectomized rat heart, which may be due to
      downregulation of caveolin and subsequent increase in the activity of eNOS.

PMID- 26264743
TI  - Tricking the balance: NK cells in anti-cancer immunity.
AB  - Natural Killer (NK) cells are classically considered innate immune effector cells
      involved in the first line of defense against infected and malignant cells. More
      recently, NK cells have emerged to acquire properties of adaptive immunity in
      response to certain viral infections such as expansion of specific NK cell
      subsets and long-lasting virus-specific responses to secondary challenges. NK
      cells distinguish healthy cells from abnormal cells by measuring the net input of
      activating and inhibitory signals perceived from target cells through NK cell
      surface receptors. Acquisition of activating ligands in combination with reduced
      expression of MHC class I molecules on virus-infected and cancer cells activates
      NK cell cytotoxicity and release of immunostimulatory cytokines like IFN-gamma.
      In the cancer microenvironment however, NK cells become functionally impaired by
      inhibitory factors produced by immunosuppressive immune cells and cancer cells.
      Here we review recent progress on the role of NK cells in cancer immunity. We
      describe regulatory factors of the tumor microenvironment on NK cell function
      which determine cancer cell destruction or escape from immune recognition.
      Finally, recent strategies that focus on exploiting NK cell anti-cancer responses
      for immunotherapeutic approaches are outlined.

PMID- 26264744
TI  - Subclass analysis of donor HLA-specific IgG in antibody-incompatible renal
      transplantation reveals a significant association of IgG4 with rejection and
      graft failure.
AB  - Donor HLA-specific antibodies (DSAs) can cause rejection and graft loss after
      renal transplantation, but their levels measured by the current assays are not
      fully predictive of outcomes. We investigated whether IgG subclasses of DSA were
      associated with early rejection and graft failure. DSA levels were determined
      pretreatment, at the day of peak pan-IgG level and at 30 days post
      transplantation in eighty HLA antibody-incompatible kidney transplant recipients
      using a modified microbead assay. Pretreatment IgG4 levels were predictive of
      acute antibody-mediated rejection (P = 0.003) in the first 30 days post
      transplant. Pre-treatment presence of IgG4 DSA (P = 0.008) and day 30 IgG3 DSA (P
      = 0.03) was associated with poor graft survival. Multivariate regression analysis
      showed that in addition to pan-IgG levels, total IgG4 levels were an independent
      risk factor for early rejection when measured pretreatment, and the presence of
      pretreatment IgG4 DSA was also an independent risk factor for graft failure.
      Pretreatment IgG4 DSA levels correlated independently with higher risk of early
      rejection episodes and medium-term death-censored graft survival. Thus,
      pretreatment IgG4 DSA may be used as a biomarker to predict and risk stratify
      cases with higher levels of pan-IgG DSA in HLA antibody-incompatible
      transplantation. Further investigations are needed to confirm our results. 

PMID- 26264745
TI  - Regulatory dynamics of network architecture and function in tristable genetic
      circuit of Leishmania: a mathematical biology approach.
AB  - The emerging field of synthetic biology has led to the design of tailor-made
      synthetic circuits for several therapeutic applications. Biological networks can
      be reprogramed by designing synthetic circuits that modulate the expression of
      target proteins. IPCS (inositol phosphorylceramide synthase) has been an
      attractive target in the sphingolipid metabolism of the parasite Leishmania. In
      this study, we have constructed a tristable circuit for the IPCS protein. The
      circuit has been validated and its long-term behavior has been assessed. The
      robustness and evolvability of the circuit has been estimated using evolutionary
      algorithms. The tristable synthetic circuit has been specifically designed to
      improve the rate of production of phosphatidylcholine: ceramide
      cholinephosphotransferase 4 (SLS4 protein). Site-specific delivery of the circuit
      into the parasite-infected macrophages could serve as a possible therapeutic
      intervention of the infectious disease 'Leishmaniasis'. 

PMID- 26264746
TI  - Triply cyclometalated trinuclear iridium(III) and trinuclear palladium(II)
      complexes with a tri-mesoionic carbene ligand.
AB  - The first example of a triply cyclometalated homopolynuclear tri-Ir(III) complex
      with additional carbene donors is presented. Cooperative catalysis and the
      interplay between homogenous and heterogeneous catalyses are discussed for the
      tri-Ir(III) complex and a related non-cyclometalated tri-Pd(II) complex. 

PMID- 26264747
TI  - A plum-pudding like mesoporous SiO2/flake graphite nanocomposite with superior
      rate performance for LIB anode materials.
AB  - A novel kind of plum-pudding like mesoporous SiO2 nanospheres (MSNs) and flake
      graphite (FG) nanocomposite (pp-MSNs/FG) was designed and fabricated via a facile
      and cost-effective hydrothermal method. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM)
      analysis showed that most of the MSNs were well anchored on FG. This special
      architecture has multiple advantages, including FG that offers a conductive
      framework and hinders the volume expansion effect. Moreover, the porous structure
      of MSNs could provide more available lithium storage sites and extra free space
      to accommodate the mechanical strain caused by the volume change during the
      repeated reversible reaction between Li(+) and active materials. Due to the
      synergetic effects of its unique plum-pudding structure, the obtained pp-MSNs/FG
      nanocomposite exhibited a decent reversible capacity of 702 mA h g(-1) (based on
      the weight of MSNs in the electrode material) after 100 cycles with high
      Coulombic efficiency above 99% under 100 mA g(-1) and a charge capacity of 239.6
      mA h g(-1) could be obtained even under 5000 mA g(-1). Their high rate
      performance is among the best-reported performances of SiO2-based anode
      materials. 

PMID- 26264749
TI  - Preface: Pharmaceutical applications of Raman spectroscopy--From diagnosis to
      therapeutics.

PMID- 26264748
TI  - Quantitative analysis reveals how EGFR activation and downregulation are coupled
      in normal but not in cancer cells.
AB  - Ubiquitination of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) that occurs when
      Cbl and Grb2 bind to three phosphotyrosine residues (pY1045, pY1068 and pY1086)
      on the receptor displays a sharp threshold effect as a function of EGF
      concentration. Here we use a simple modelling approach together with experiments
      to show that the establishment of the threshold requires both the multiplicity of
      binding sites and cooperative binding of Cbl and Grb2 to the EGFR. While the
      threshold is remarkably robust, a more sophisticated model predicted that it
      could be modulated as a function of EGFR levels on the cell surface. We confirmed
      experimentally that the system has evolved to perform optimally at physiological
      levels of EGFR. As a consequence, this system displays an intrinsic weakness that
      causes--at the supraphysiological levels of receptor and/or ligand associated
      with cancer--uncoupling of the mechanisms leading to signalling through
      phosphorylation and attenuation through ubiquitination.

PMID- 26264751
TI  - Effects of two different injury prevention resistance exercise protocols on the
      hamstring torque-angle relationship: a randomized controlled trial.
AB  - The effects of two different 6-week lower body injury prevention programmes on
      knee muscle torque-angle relationship were examined in soccer players. Thirty-two
      men were randomly assigned to three groups: hamstring-eccentric (ECC) (n = 11),
      unstable-squatting (UNS) (n = 11), and control (n = 10). Intervention groups
      performed three training sessions per week using only three ECC or UNS exercises,
      respectively. Maximal peak knee flexion torque was measured at 35 degrees , 45
      degrees , 60 degrees , 80 degrees , 90 degrees , and 100 degrees , pre- and post
      intervention. Peak torque increased at 35 degrees  (P = 0.034, Cohen's d = 0.67)
      and 45 degrees  (P = 0.004, Cohen's d = 0.96) in the ECC group, and at 60 degrees
      (P = 0.024, Cohen's d = 1.16), 80 degrees  (P = 0.018, Cohen's d = 1.21), and 90
      degrees  (P = 0.001, Cohen's d = 1.38) in the UNS group. As these specific
      modifications might respectively and differentially protect athletes against
      hamstring and knee-joint injuries, the integration of both types of exercises
      should be considered when designing injury prevention programmes for soccer
      players.

PMID- 26264753
TI  - Kaposi sarcoma following postmastectomy lymphedema.
AB  - Classical Kaposi sarcoma (KS) usually appears on lower extremities accompanied or
      preceded by local lymphedema. However, the development in areas of chronic
      lymphedema of the arms following mastectomy, mimicking a Stewart-Treves syndrome,
      has rarely been described. We report an 81-year-old woman who developed multiple,
      erythematous to purple tumors, located on areas of post mastectomy lymphedema.
      Histopathological examination evidenced several dermal nodules formed by spindle
      shaped cells that delimitated slit-like vascular spaces with some red cell
      extravasation. Immunohistochemically, the human herpesvirus type 8 (HHV-8) latent
      nuclear antigen-1 was detected in the nuclei of most tumoral cells confirming the
      diagnosis of KS. Lymphedema could promote the development of certain tumors by
      altering immunocompetence. Although angiosarcoma (AS) is the most frequent
      neoplasia arising in the setting of chronic lymphedema, other tumors such as
      benign lymphangiomatous papules (BLAP) or KS can also develop in lymphedematous
      limbs. It is important to establish the difference between AS and KS because
      their prognosis and treatment are very different. Identification by
      immunohistochemistry of HHV-8 is useful for the distinction between KS and AS or
      BLAP.

PMID- 26264754
TI  - Differential detergent sensitivity of extracellular vesicle subpopulations.
AB  - Extracellular vesicles (including exosomes, microvesicles and apoptotic bodies)
      are currently attracting rapidly increasing attention from various fields of
      biology due to their ability to carry complex information and act as autocrine,
      paracrine and even endocrine intercellular messengers. In the present study we
      investigated the sensitivity of size-based subpopulations of extracellular
      vesicles to different concentrations of detergents including sodium dodecyl
      sulphate, Triton X-100, Tween 20 and deoxycholate. We determined the required
      detergent concentration that lysed each of the vesicle subpopulations secreted by
      Jurkat, THP-1, MiaPaCa and U937 human cell lines. We characterized the vesicles
      by tunable resistive pulse sensing, flow cytometry and transmission electron
      microscopy. Microvesicles and apoptotic bodies were found to be more sensitive to
      detergent lysis than exosomes. Furthermore, we found evidence that sodium dodecyl
      sulphate and Triton X-100 were more effective in vesicle lysis at low
      concentrations than deoxycholate or Tween 20. Taken together, our data suggest
      that a combination of differential detergent lysis with tunable resistive pulse
      sensing or flow cytometry may prove useful for simple and fast differentiation
      between exosomes and other extracellular vesicle subpopulations as well as
      between vesicular and non-vesicular structures. 

PMID- 26264755
TI  - Mental and nonmental health hospital admissions among chronically homeless adults
      before and after supportive housing placement.
AB  - Individuals experiencing chronic homelessness may utilize hospital services more
      frequently than the general population. Understanding the benefits of providing
      permanent supportive housing to these individuals can lead to improved services
      for this population. This study examined the effect of supportive housing
      placement on hospital admissions of adults who were homeless. Admissions were
      examined for a period of one-year pre- and postsupportive housing placement for
      23 adults. Results showed a reduction in the number of emergency department
      admissions and an increase in outpatient admissions during the year following
      housing placement, indicating that supportive housing may encourage more
      appropriate use of health care services. 

PMID- 26264756
TI  - Why stigmatize overweight young people as hypertensive by using normative
      percentiles from non-overweight youth?

PMID- 26264757
TI  - Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D associated with indicators of body fat and insulin
      resistance in prepubertal chilean children.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Consistent data on the relation between vitamin D, body fat and
      insulin resistance (IR) in children are lacking. OBJECTIVES: (1) To evaluate the
      association between serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and key indicators of:
      adiposity (total and central), IR, and (2) to estimate serum 25(OH)D cut-offs
      that best reflect IR and total and central adiposity in children.
      SUBJECTS/METHODS: Prepubertal children (n=435, ~53% girls; ~age 7 years) from the
      Growth and Obesity Chilean Cohort Study were evaluated for potential associations
      between serum 25(OH)D and indicators of: (1) total adiposity (body mass index by
      age (BAZ), body fat (including three-component model)), central adiposity (waist
      circumference and trunk fatness); (2) IR (homeostasis model assessment of IR) and
      insulin sensitive (quantitative insulin sensitivity check index) using
      standardized multiple regression models with standardized coefficients and
      receiver operating characteristic curves. RESULTS: Overall, mean serum 25(OH)D
      was 32.1+/-9.2 ng ml(-1), while 19.4% of children were obese (BAZ?2 s.d.). Serum
      25(OH)D was inversely associated with indicators of total and central adiposity
      and with IR indicators. Effect sizes were moderate in girls (~0.3 for adiposity
      and IR indicators), while, weaker values were found in boys. Serum 25(OH)D
      estimated cut-offs that best predicted total, central adiposity and IR were~30 ng
      ml(-1). Children with suboptimal serum 25(OH)D (<30 ng ml(-1)) had a higher risk
      (two to three times) of being obese (high BAZ, body fat percent and/or central
      adiposity); and three to four times greater risk for IR. CONCLUSIONS: Serum
      25(OH)D was inversely associated with adiposity (total and central) and IR
      indicators in prepubertal Chilean children. The conventional cut-off of vitamin D
      sufficiency (?30 ng ml(-1)) was adequate to assess obesity and IR risk in this
      age group.

PMID- 26264758
TI  - Lipopolysaccharide responsiveness is an independent predictor of death in
      patients with chronic heart failure.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The origin of pro-inflammatory activation in chronic heart failure
      (HF) remains a matter of debate. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) may enter the blood
      stream through the morphologically altered and leaky gut barrier. We hypothesized
      that lower LPS reactivity would be associated with worse survival as compared to
      normal or higher LPS reactivity. METHODS: LPS responsiveness was studied in 122
      patients with chronic HF (mean+/-SD: age 67.3+/-10.3 years, 24 female, New York
      Heart Association class [NYHA] class: 2.5+/-0.8, left ventricular ejection
      fraction [LVEF]: 33.5+/-12.5%) and 27 control subjects of similar age (63.7+/-7.7
      years, p>0.05). Reference LPS was added at increasing doses to ex vivo whole
      blood samples and necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) was measured. Patients were
      subgrouped into good- and poor-responder status according to their potential to
      react to increasing doses of LPS (delta TNFalpha secretion). The optimal cut-off
      value was calculated by receiver-operator characteristic curve (ROC) analysis.
      RESULTS: A total of 56 patients with chronic HF died from any cause during follow
      up. At 24 months, cumulative mortality was 16.4% (95% confidence interval 16.0
      16.7%). The delta TNFalpha value representing the optimal cut-off for the
      prediction of mortality was 1522 pg/mL (24 months) with a sensitivity of 49.3%
      (95% confidence interval 37.2-61.4%) and specificity of 81.5% (95% confidence
      interval 61.9-93.6%). LPS responder status remained an independent predictor of
      death after multivariable adjustment (hazard ratio 0.09 for good- vs. poor
      responders, 95% confidence interval 0.01-0.67, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: LPS
      responsiveness in patients with chronic HF is an independent predictor of death.

PMID- 26264760
TI  - Genetic diversity of Mycoplasma arginini isolates based on multilocus sequence
      typing.
AB  - The contribution of Mycoplasma arginini to mycoplasmosis in small ruminants
      remains unclear because it is recovered from both healthy and diseased animals.
      In order to gain a better understanding of any relationships between isolates
      from different sites and different geographical locations, we developed a method
      for genotyping M. arginini using multilocus sequence typing (MLST). A MLST scheme
      based on five housekeeping genes was used to characterize M. arginini isolates
      from flocks of sheep and goats. A high level of genetic variability was detected
      between strains and within herds. 

PMID- 26264761
TI  - The Histone-Deacetylase-Inhibitor Suberoylanilide Hydroxamic Acid Promotes Dental
      Pulp Repair Mechanisms Through Modulation of Matrix Metalloproteinase-13
      Activity.
AB  - Direct application of histone-deacetylase-inhibitors (HDACis) to dental pulp
      cells (DPCs) induces chromatin changes, promoting gene expression and cellular
      reparative events. We have previously demonstrated that HDACis (valproic acid,
      trichostatin A) increase mineralization in dental papillae-derived cell-lines and
      primary DPCs by stimulation of dentinogenic gene expression. Here, we
      investigated novel genes regulated by the HDACi, suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid
      (SAHA), to identify new pathways contributing to DPC differentiation. SAHA
      significantly compromised DPC viability only at relatively high concentrations (5
      MUM); while low concentrations (1 MUM) SAHA did not increase apoptosis. HDACi
      exposure for 24 h induced mineralization-per-cell dose-dependently after 2 weeks;
      however, constant 14d SAHA-exposure inhibited mineralization. Microarray analysis
      (24 h and 14 days) of SAHA exposed cultures highlighted that 764 transcripts
      showed a significant >2.0-fold change at 24 h, which reduced to 36 genes at 14
      days. 59% of genes were down-regulated at 24 h and 36% at 14 days, respectively.
      Pathway analysis indicated SAHA increased expression of members of the matrix
      metalloproteinase (MMP) family. Furthermore, SAHA-supplementation increased MMP
      13 protein expression (7 d, 14 days) and enzyme activity (48 h, 14 days).
      Selective MMP-13-inhibition (MMP-13i) dose-dependently accelerated mineralization
      in both SAHA-treated and non-treated cultures. MMP-13i-supplementation promoted
      expression of several mineralization-associated markers, however, HDACi-induced
      cell migration and wound healing were impaired. Data demonstrate that short-term
      low-dose SAHA-exposure promotes mineralization in DPCs by modulating gene
      pathways and tissue proteases. MMP-13i further increased mineralization
      associated events, but decreased HDACi cell migration indicating a specific role
      for MMP-13 in pulpal repair processes. Pharmacological inhibition of HDAC and MMP
      may provide novel insights into pulpal repair processes with significant
      translational benefit. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 798-816, 2016. (c) 2015 Wiley
      Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 26264759
TI  - Acetylation mediates Cx43 reduction caused by electrical stimulation.
AB  - Communication between cardiomyocytes depends upon gap junctions (GJ). Previous
      studies have demonstrated that electrical stimulation induces GJ remodeling and
      modifies histone acetylase (HAT) and deacetylase (HDAC) activities, although
      these two results have not been linked. The aim of this work was to establish
      whether electrical stimulation modulates GJ-mediated cardiac cell-cell
      communication by acetylation-dependent mechanisms. Field stimulation of HL-1
      cardiomyocytes at 0.5 Hz for 24 h significantly reduced connexin43 (Cx43)
      expression and cell-cell communication. HDAC activity was down-regulated whereas
      HAT activity was not modified resulting in increased acetylation of Cx43.
      Consistent with a post-translational mechanism, we did not observe a reduction in
      Cx43 mRNA in electrically stimulated cells, while the proteasomal inhibitor MG132
      maintained Cx43 expression. Further, the treatment of paced cells with the HAT
      inhibitor Anacardic Acid maintained both the levels of Cx43 and cell-cell
      communication. Finally, we observed increased acetylation of Cx43 in the left
      ventricles of dogs subjected to chronic tachypacing as a model of abnormal
      ventricular activation. In conclusion, our findings suggest that altered
      electrical activity can regulate cardiomyocyte communication by influencing the
      acetylation status of Cx43.

PMID- 26264762
TI  - The irreversibility of sensitive period effects in language development: evidence
      from second language acquisition in international adoptees.
AB  - The question of a sensitive period in language acquisition has been subject to
      extensive research and debate for more than half a century. While it has been
      well established that the ability to learn new languages declines in early years,
      the extent to which this outcome depends on biological maturation in contrast to
      previously acquired knowledge remains disputed. In the present study, we
      addressed this question by examining phonetic discriminatory abilities in early
      second language (L2) speakers of Swedish, who had either maintained their first
      language (L1) (immigrants) or had lost it (international adoptees), using native
      speaker controls. Through this design, we sought to disentangle the effects of
      the maturational state of the learner on L2 development from the effects of L1
      interference: if additional language development is indeed constrained by an
      interfering L1, then adoptees should outperform immigrant speakers. The results
      of an auditory lexical decision task, in which fine vowel distinctions in Swedish
      had been modified, showed, however, no difference between the L2 groups. Instead,
      both L2 groups scored significantly lower than the native speaker group. The
      three groups did not differ in their ability to discriminate non-modified words.
      These findings demonstrate that L1 loss is not a crucial condition for
      successfully acquiring an L2, which in turn is taken as support for a
      maturational constraints view on L2 acquisition. A video abstract of this article
      can be viewed at: https://youtu.be/1J9X50aePeU. 

PMID- 26264763
TI  - Reflective and Agentive Functions of Narrative Writing: a Qualitative Study on
      the Narratives of University Students.
AB  - There is a lively debate in the literature on reflective processes and on the
      necessity to view them as consisting with differing levels of complexity. Within
      a semiotic and psychodynamic perspective, we present a conceptualization on
      reflective processes which distinguishes between reflection and reflectivity and
      articulates their relationship with narrative devices.The study analyzes 224
      narratives of critical events written by 77 underachieving university students
      that took part in group training courses during the INSTALL European project.The
      corpus was subjected to a qualitative analysis of narrative function, with the
      aim of detecting narrative functions of reflection, reflectivity and agency, the
      latter being considered as an interconnected construct to the reflective
      process.The functions were discussed both on the basis of how the narrators
      reacted to the discontinuity in their self-image caused by the critical event,
      and based upon different types of narrative coherence (chronological, causal,
      thematic, autobiographical).The results highlighted that narratives with a
      reflection function, attribute the discontinuity generated by the event to the
      self, and show a causal coherence; those whose function is reflectivity interpret
      the discontinuity attributing it to the self in relation to others and present a
      thematic coherence; those of agency ascribe the discontinuity to a potential
      selves in action, and are characterized by an autobiographical coherence.The
      implications of the study will be discussed with reference to the value of
      narrative writing in promoting reflective-agentive processes. 

PMID- 26264764
TI  - Fear of blood draw and total draw time combine to predict vasovagal reactions
      among whole blood donors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Fear of blood draws is a predictor of vasovagal reaction risk among
      whole blood donors, and this relationship is particularly evident among less
      experienced donors. This study examines the combined effect of donor fear and
      total blood draw time on vasovagal reactions. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: After
      successfully completing the blood donor health screening, 2730 whole blood donors
      attending high school drives were asked about their fear of having blood drawn.
      Donor reports of fear versus no fear were combined with total blood draw time to
      predict phlebotomist ratings of donor vasovagal reactions. RESULTS: Both fear and
      draw time were significant predictors of vasovagal reactions, with observed
      reaction rates of 31.2% for fearful donors whose blood draw lasted 10 minutes or
      more versus 5.0% for nonfearful donors whose draw lasted less than 6 minutes.
      Binomial regression analyses revealed that fear remained a significant predictor
      of reaction rates across all blood draw intervals examined (odds ratio, 2.8-4.1;
      all p < 0.001) and that these effects were maintained after controlling for donor
      sex, weight, estimated blood volume, pulse rate, and donation status. CONCLUSION:
      This report shows that both fear and blood draw time increase vasovagal reaction
      rates, and the two are additive. These findings suggest that fearful donors
      should be the focus of special attention to reduce their distress before donation
      as well as careful observation throughout the draw.

PMID- 26264765
TI  - Balancing Radiation and Contrast Media Dose in Single-Pass Abdominal
      Multidetector CT: Prospective Evaluation of Image Quality.
AB  - RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: As both contrast and radiation dose affect the quality
      of CT images, a constant image quality in abdominal contrast-enhanced
      multidetector computed tomography (CE-MDCT) could be obtained balancing radiation
      and contrast media dose according to the age of the patients. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Seventy-two (38 Men; 34 women; aged 20-83 years) patients underwent a
      single-pass abdominal CE-MDCT. Patients were divided into three different age
      groups: A (20-44 years); B (45-65 years); and C (>65 years). For each group, a
      different noise index (NI) and contrast media dose (370 mgI/mL) was selected as
      follows: A (NI, 15; 2.5 mL/kg), B (NI, 12.5; 2 mL/kg), and C (NI, 10; 1.5 mL/kg).
      Radiation exposure was reported as dose-length product (DLP) in mGy * cm. For
      quantitative analysis, signal-to-noise (SNR) and contrast-to-noise (CNR) ratios
      were calculated for both the liver (L) and the abdominal aorta (A). Statistical
      analysis was performed with a one-way analysis of variance. Standard imaging
      criteria were used for qualitative analysis. RESULTS: Although peak hepatic
      enhancement was 152 +/- 16, 128 +/- 12, and 101 +/- 14 Hounsfield units (P <
      .001) for groups A, B, and C, respectively, no significant differences were
      observed in the corresponding SNRL with 9.2 +/- 1.4, 9.1 +/- 1.2, and 9.2 +/- 3.
      Radiation (mGy * cm) and contrast media dose (mL) administered were 476 +/- 147
      and 155 +/- 27 for group A, 926 +/- 291 and 130 +/- 16 for group B, and 1981 +/-
      451 and 106 +/- 15 for group C, respectively (P < .001). None of the studies was
      graded as poor or inadequate by both readers, and the prevalence-adjusted bias
      adjusted kappa ranged between 0.48 and 0.93 for all but one criteria.
      CONCLUSIONS: A constant image quality in CE-MDCT can be obtained balancing
      radiation and contrast media dose administered to patients of different age.

PMID- 26264766
TI  - Exertional Heat Illnesses and Environmental Conditions During High School
      Football Practices.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Guidelines for preventing exertional heat illnesses (EHIs) during
      extreme heat stress should be specific to regional environments, age, and sport
      and should be based on evidence of reducing the risk. Each year in the United
      States, over 1 million high school football players practice in the August heat;
      however, no published data describe the incidence of EHIs in these athletes.
      PURPOSE: To describe the environmental conditions and incidence of EHIs during
      high school football practices over a 3-month period. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive
      epidemiology study. METHODS: For a 3-month period (August-October), athletic
      trainers at 12 high schools in North Central Florida recorded the practice time
      and length, environmental conditions (wet-bulb globe temperature), and incidences
      of EHIs in varsity football athletes. RESULTS: Athletes suffered 57 total EHIs
      during 29,759 athlete-exposures (AEs) for the 3-month data collection period
      (rate = 1.92/1000 AEs). August accounted for the majority of all EHIs, with 82.5%
      (47/57) and the highest rate (4.35/1000 AEs). Of total heat illnesses, heat
      cramps accounted for 70.2% (40/57), heat exhaustion 22.8% (13/57), and heat
      syncope 7.0% (4/57). The odds ratio indicated that athletes in August practices
      that lasted longer than the recommended 3 hours were 9.84 times more likely to
      suffer a heat illness than those in practices lasting <=3 hours. CONCLUSION: The
      highest rate of EHIs was during August. Practices in August that exceeded the
      recommended 3 hours were associated with a greater risk of heat illnesses. The
      overall rate of EHIs was lower for the high school football athletes observed in
      the study compared with that reported for collegiate football athletes in the
      region. The low rates of EHIs recorded suggest that the prevention guidelines
      employed by sports medicine teams are appropriate for the region and population.
      CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Team physicians and athletic trainers should employ evidence
      based, region- and population-specific EHI prevention guidelines. Sports medicine
      teams, coaches, and athletes should be aware of the increased risk of EHIs during
      August practices and the risk of prolonged practices during August.

PMID- 26264767
TI  - Five-year changes in gait biomechanics after concomitant high tibial osteotomy
      and ACL reconstruction in patients with medial knee osteoarthritis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Concomitant high tibial osteotomy (HTO) and anterior cruciate
      ligament (ACL) reconstruction is a combined surgical procedure intended to
      improve kinematics and kinetics in the unstable ACL-deficient knee with varus
      malalignment and medial compartment knee osteoarthritis (OA). PURPOSE: To
      investigate 5-year changes in gait biomechanics as well as radiographic and
      patient-reported outcomes bilaterally after unilateral, concomitant medial
      opening wedge HTO and ACL reconstruction. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory
      study. METHODS: A total of 33 patients (mean +/- SD age, 40 +/- 9 years) with
      varus malalignment (mean mechanical axis angle, -5.9 degrees  +/- 2.9 degrees ),
      medial compartment knee OA, and ACL deficiency completed 3-dimensional gait
      analysis preoperatively and 2 and 5 years postoperatively. Primary outcomes were
      the peak external knee adduction (first peak) and flexion moments. Secondary
      outcomes were the peak external knee extension and transverse plane moments, peak
      knee angles in all 3 planes, radiographic static knee alignment measures
      (mechanical axis angle and posterior tibial slope), and the Knee injury and
      Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS). RESULTS: There was a substantial decrease in
      the knee adduction moment in the surgical limb (%BW * H, -1.49; 95% CI, -1.75 to 
      1.22) and a slight increase in the nonsurgical limb (%BW * H, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.03
      to 0.30) from preoperatively to 5 years postoperatively. There was also a
      decrease in the knee flexion moment for both the surgical (%BW * H, -0.67; 95%
      CI, -1.19 to -0.15) and nonsurgical limbs (%BW * H, -1.06; 95% CI, -1.49 to 
      0.64). Secondary outcomes suggested that substantial improvements were maintained
      at 5 years, although smaller declines were observed in several measures and in
      both limbs from 2 to 5 years. CONCLUSION: Changes in the peak external moments
      about the knee in all 3 planes during walking were observed 5 years after
      concomitant medial opening wedge HTO and ACL reconstruction. These findings are
      consistent with an intended, sustained shift in the mediolateral distribution of
      knee loads. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These findings suggest that concomitant HTO and
      ACL reconstruction results in substantial changes in gait biomechanics. Future
      clinical research comparing treatment strategies is both warranted and required
      for this relatively uncommon but seemingly biomechanically efficacious procedure.

PMID- 26264768
TI  - The Interrater and Intrarater Agreement of a Modified Neer Classification System
      and Associated Treatment Choice for Lateral Clavicle Fractures.
AB  - BACKGROUND: As there is substantial variation in the classification and diagnosis
      of lateral clavicle fractures, proper management can be challenging. Although the
      Neer classification system modified by Craig has been widely used, no study has
      assessed its validity through inter- and intrarater agreement. PURPOSE: To
      determine the inter- and intrarater agreement of the modified Neer classification
      system and associated treatment choice for lateral clavicle fractures and to
      assess whether 3-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT) improves the level of
      agreement. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 3. METHODS:
      Nine experienced shoulder specialists and 9 orthopaedic fellows evaluated 52
      patients with lateral clavicle fractures, completing fracture typing according to
      the modified Neer classification system and selecting a treatment choice for each
      case. Web-based assessment was performed using plain radiographs only, followed
      by the addition of 3D CT images 2 weeks later. This procedure was repeated 4
      weeks later. Fleiss kappa values were calculated to estimate the inter- and
      intrarater agreement. RESULTS: Based on plain radiographs only, the inter- and
      intrarater agreement of the modified Neer classification system was regarded as
      fair (kappa = 0.344) and moderate (kappa = 0.496), respectively; the inter- and
      intrarater agreement of treatment choice was both regarded as moderate (kappa =
      0.465 and 0.555, respectively). Based on the plain radiographs and 3D CT images,
      the inter- and intrarater agreement of the classification system was regarded as
      fair (kappa = 0.317) and moderate (kappa = 0.508), respectively; the inter- and
      intrarater agreement of treatment choice was regarded as moderate (kappa = 0.463)
      and substantial (kappa = 0.623), respectively. There were no significant
      differences in the level of agreement between the plain radiographs only and
      plain radiographs plus 3D CT images for any kappa values (all P > .05).
      CONCLUSION: The level of interrater agreement of the modified Neer classification
      system for lateral clavicle fractures was fair. Additional 3D CT did not improve
      the overall level of interrater or intrarater agreement of the modified Neer
      classification system or associated treatment choice. To eliminate a common
      source of disagreement among surgeons, a new classification system to focus on
      unclassifiable fracture types is needed.

PMID- 26264769
TI  - Catastrophic Failure of an Acetabular Stress Fracture in a Healthy Male Power
      Lifter.

PMID- 26264770
TI  - Knee Kinematics During Noncontact Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury as Determined
      From Bone Bruise Location.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The motions causing noncontact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
      injury remain unclear. Tibiofemoral bone bruises are believed to be the result of
      joint impact near the time of ACL rupture. The locations and frequencies of these
      bone bruises have been reported, but there are limited data quantifying knee
      position and orientation near the time of injury based on these contusions.
      HYPOTHESIS: Knee position and orientation near the time of noncontact ACL injury
      include extension and anterior tibial translation. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive
      laboratory study. METHODS: Magnetic resonance images of 8 subjects with
      noncontact ACL injuries were acquired within 1 month of injury and were
      subsequently analyzed. All subjects exhibited bruises on both the femur and tibia
      in both medial and lateral compartments. The outer margins of bone and the bone
      bruise surfaces were outlined on each image to create a 3-dimensional model of
      each subject's knee in its position during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI
      position). Numerical optimization was used to maximize overlap of the bone
      bruises on the femur and tibia and to predict the position of injury. Flexion
      angle, valgus orientation, internal tibial rotation, and anterior tibial
      translation were measured in both the MRI position and the predicted position of
      injury. Differences in kinematics between the MRI position, which served as an
      unloaded reference, and the predicted position of injury were compared by use of
      paired t tests. RESULTS: Flexion angle was near full extension in both the MRI
      position and the predicted position of injury (8 degrees  vs 12 degrees ; P =
      .2). Statistically significant increases in valgus orientation (5 degrees ; P =
      .003), internal tibial rotation (15 degrees ; P = .003), and anterior tibial
      translation (22 mm; P < .001) were observed in the predicted position of injury
      relative to the MRI position. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that for the bone
      bruise pattern studied, landing on an extended knee is a high risk for ACL
      injury. Extension was accompanied by increased anterior tibial translation (22
      mm), internal tibial rotation (15 degrees ), and valgus rotation (5 degrees ) in
      the predicted position of injury relative to the MRI position. CLINICAL
      RELEVANCE: This study provides novel data characterizing the motions associated
      with ACL injury, information critical to improving strategies aimed at injury
      prevention.

PMID- 26264771
TI  - Length Changes of the Anterolateral Ligament During Passive Knee Motion: A Human
      Cadaveric Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Persistent rotatory instability after anterior cruciate ligament
      (ACL) reconstruction may be a result of unaddressed insufficiency of the
      anterolateral structures. Recent publications about the anatomy of the
      anterolateral ligament (ALL) have led to a renewed interest in lateral extra
      articular procedures, and several authors have proposed ALL reconstruction to
      supplement intra-articular ACL reconstruction. However, only limited knowledge
      about the biomechanical characteristics of the ALL exists. PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS:
      The purpose of this study was to analyze length changes of the ALL during passive
      knee motion. The study hypothesis was that the ALL lengthens with knee flexion
      and internal tibial rotation. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. METHODS:
      The ALL of 6 cadaveric knees was dissected. Specimens were mounted in a
      specifically designed test rig that allowed unconstrained passive
      flexion/extension movement between 0 degrees  and 90 degrees  as well as
      external/internal tibial rotation of 25 degrees  at various flexion angles.
      Highly elastic, capacitive polydimethylsiloxane strain gauges were attached to
      the insertion sites of the ALL. Length changes were recorded continuously at
      flexion angles between 0 degrees  and 90 degrees  and during internal/external
      tibial rotation at 0 degrees , 15 degrees , 30 degrees , 45 degrees , 60 degrees
      , 75 degrees , and 90 degrees . All measurements were calculated as the relative
      length change (%) of the ALL compared with 0 degrees  of flexion and neutral
      rotation. RESULTS: The mean relative length of the ALL significantly increased
      with increasing knee flexion (P < .001), with an estimated mean length change of
      +0.15% per degree. Both internal and external tibial rotation were independent
      determinants for length change; internal rotation significantly increased the
      length of the ALL (P < .001), whereas external rotation significantly decreased
      its length (P < .001). The mean length change with internal rotation increased
      with knee flexion, with a significantly greater length change at 90 degrees 
      compared with 0 degrees  (P = .048), 15 degrees  (P = .033), and 30 degrees  (P =
      .015). The maximum mean length change was +33.77% +/- 9.62%, which was observed
      at 25 degrees  of internal rotation and 90 degrees  of flexion. CONCLUSION: The
      ALL is a nonisometric structure that tensions with knee flexion and internal
      tibial rotation. Length changes with internal rotation were greater at higher
      flexion angles, with the greatest length change of the ALL observed at 90 degrees
      of flexion. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The ALL can be considered a stabilizer against
      internal tibial rotation, especially at deep flexion angles. With regard to ALL
      reconstruction procedures, tensioning and fixation of the graft should be
      performed near 90 degrees  of flexion because graft tensioning near extension may
      cause excessive ligament strain with increasing knee flexion.

PMID- 26264772
TI  - Configuration of the Shoulder Complex During the Arm-Cocking Phase in Baseball
      Pitching.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The role of the scapula during high-velocity baseball pitching has
      been described without 3-dimensional kinematic data. It has been speculated that
      the scapula functions to align the humerus with the spine of the scapula on both
      the transverse and scapular planes at the end of the arm-cocking phase.
      HYPOTHESIS: Two hypotheses were formulated: (1) the scapulothoracic protraction
      angle correlates with the humerothoracic horizontal adduction angle among
      participants, and (2) the scapulohumeral rhythm of the humerothoracic elevation
      is not the same as the normal ratio (2:1) observed widely in controlled
      abductions. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive laboratory study. METHODS: A total of 20
      Japanese professional baseball pitchers were asked to pitch 3 fastballs as they
      would normally during pitching practice. The 3-dimensional kinematic data of the
      thorax, scapulae, humeri, and pelvis were recorded using an electromagnetic
      tracking device operating at 240 Hz. Humerothoracic, scapulothoracic, and
      glenohumeral joint configurations were determined at the instant of stride-foot
      contact (SFC) and the end of the arm-cocking phase (MER). RESULTS: The mean (+/
      SD) glenohumeral horizontal adduction (-6 degrees  +/- 7 degrees ) and elevation
      (85 degrees  +/- 10 degrees ) angles at the MER indicated that the humerus was
      positioned almost parallel to the spine of the scapula. The mean scapulothoracic
      protraction angle (15 degrees  +/- 10 degrees ) was significantly correlated with
      the humerothoracic horizontal adduction angle (10 degrees  +/- 11 degrees ) at
      the MER (r = 0.76, P < .001) but not at the SFC (r = 0.13, P = .58). The
      scapulohumeral rhythm (4.2 [+/-1.9]:1) expressed as the ratio of the glenohumeral
      elevation angle to the scapulothoracic upward rotation angle at the MER was
      significantly greater than the normal ratio (2:1) (P < .01). CONCLUSION: The
      results supported the hypotheses, providing evidence to corroborate the widely
      accepted concept that the scapula functions to align the humerus with the spine
      of the scapula so as to limit the glenohumeral joint configuration within the
      "safe zone" at the MER. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Disruption of coordination, such as
      abnormal patterns including "SICK" scapula (scapular malposition, inferior medial
      border prominence, coracoid pain, and dyskinesis) and scapular dyskinesis, may
      result in an abnormal configuration of the glenohumeral joint at the MER.

PMID- 26264773
TI  - Authentic leadership and thriving among nurses: the mediating role of empathy.
AB  - AIM: To examine the relationship between perceived authentic leadership and two
      dimensions of thriving (learning and vitality) among nurses, and to study the
      mediating role of empathy in this relationship. BACKGROUND: Nurses' thriving is a
      key asset for health care organisations, and its significant role warrants the
      need to identify the underlying key determinants and psychological mechanisms.
      METHOD: A cross-sectional design was carried out in a large hospital in September
      2013. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to 360 nurses. The main
      hypotheses were tested through hierarchical regression analyses. RESULTS: The
      significant positive relationship between perceived authentic leadership and
      vitality was mediated by perceived empathy. This mediation, however, was not
      confirmed in relation to learning. CONCLUSIONS: Nurse managers' authentic
      leadership enhances nurses' thriving at work. Furthermore, empathic nurse
      managers seem to increase the vitality of their nurses. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING
      MANAGEMENT: Training nurse managers in authentic leadership skills is important
      for the nursing field, as those skills help nurse managers to better express
      empathy and consequently foster thriving in nursing.

PMID- 26264775
TI  - Skin cancers detected as casual findings with reflectance confocal microscopy in
      the assessment of melasma treatment.

PMID- 26264774
TI  - Protein acetylation dynamics in response to carbon overflow in Escherichia coli.
AB  - In Escherichia coli, acetylation of proteins at lysines depends largely on a non
      enzymatic acetyl phosphate-dependent mechanism. To assess the functional
      significance of this post-translational modification, we first grew wild-type
      cells in buffered tryptone broth with glucose and monitored acetylation over time
      by immunochemistry. Most acetylation occurred in stationary phase and paralleled
      glucose consumption and acetate excretion, which began upon entry into stationary
      phase. Transcription of rprA, a stationary phase regulator, exhibited similar
      behavior. To identify sites and substrates with significant acetylation changes,
      we used label-free, quantitative proteomics to monitor changes in protein
      acetylation. During growth, both the number of identified sites and the extent of
      acetylation increased with considerable variation among lysines from the same
      protein. As glucose-regulated lysine acetylation was predominant in central
      metabolic pathways and overlapped with acetyl phosphate-regulated acetylation
      sites, we deleted the major carbon regulator CRP and observed a dramatic loss of
      acetylation that could be restored by deleting the enzyme that degrades acetyl
      phosphate. We propose that acetyl phosphate-dependent acetylation is a response
      to carbon flux that could regulate central metabolism. 

PMID- 26264776
TI  - Discovery of urinary biomarkers of whole grain rye intake in free-living subjects
      using nontargeted LC-MS metabolite profiling.
AB  - SCOPE: Whole grain (WG) intake is associated with decreased risk of developing
      colorectal cancer, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease and its
      comorbidities. However, the role of specific grains is unclear. Moreover, intake
      of specific WG is challenging to measure accurately with traditional dietary
      assessment methods. Our aim was to use nontargeted metabolite profiling to
      discover specific urinary biomarkers for WG rye to objectively reflect intake
      under free-living conditions. METHODS AND RESULTS: WG rye intake was estimated by
      weighed food records, and 24 h urine collections were analyzed by LC-MS.
      Multivariate modeling was undertaken by repeated double cross-validated partial
      least squares regression against reported WG rye intake, which correlated well
      with multivariate prediction estimates (r = 0.67-0.80, p < 0.001), but not with
      intakes of WG wheat or oats. Hydroxyhydroxyphenyl acetamide sulfate, 3,5
      dihydroxyphenylpropionic acid sulfate, caffeic acid sulfate, and hydroxyphenyl
      acetamide sulfate were among the 20 features that had the greatest potential as
      intake biomarkers of WG. In addition, three compounds exhibited MS/MS
      fragmentation of carnitine structures. CONCLUSION: With this nontargeted
      approach, we confirmed the specificity of alkylresorcinol metabolites as
      biomarkers for WG rye intake, but also discovered other compounds that should be
      evaluated as putative biomarkers in future studies.

PMID- 26264777
TI  - Magnetic field dependence of spatial frequency encoding NMR as probed on an
      oligosaccharide.
AB  - The magnetic field dependence of spatial frequency encoding NMR techniques is
      addressed through a detailed analysis of (1)H NMR spectra acquired under spatial
      frequency encoding on an oligomeric saccharide sample. In particular, the
      influence of the strength of the static magnetic field on spectral and spatial
      resolutions that are key features of this method is investigated. For this
      purpose, we report the acquisition of correlation experiments implementing
      broadband homodecoupling or J-edited spin evolutions, and we discuss the
      resolution enhancements that are provided by these techniques at two different
      magnetic fields. We show that performing these experiments at higher field
      improves the performance of high resolution NMR techniques based on a spatial
      frequency encoding. The significant resolution enhancements observed on the
      correlation spectra acquired at very high field make them valuable analytical
      tools that are suitable for the assignment of (1)H chemical shifts and scalar
      couplings in molecules with highly crowded spectrum such as carbohydrates.

PMID- 26264778
TI  - Development of anemia, phlebotomy practices, and blood transfusion requirements
      in 45 critically ill cats (2009-2011).
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe the incidence of the development of anemia, the number of
      phlebotomies performed daily, the approximate volume of blood withdrawn, the
      transfusion requirements and their association with duration of hospitalization
      and survival to discharge in critically ill cats. DESIGN: Retrospective study
      from January 2009 to January 2011. SETTING: University teaching hospital.
      ANIMALS: Cats hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU) for >48 hours.
      INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Medical records of cats
      hospitalized for >48 hours in the ICU were examined. Of the 45 cats included, 60%
      (27/45) were not anemic upon admission to the ICU. Of these, 74.1% (20/27)
      developed anemia during their ICU stay. Development of anemia was associated with
      a longer duration of hospitalization (P = 0.002) but not with survival (P =
      0.46). Fourteen cats (31.1%; 14/45) received one or more packed red blood cell
      transfusions and had significantly longer ICU stays (P < 0.001). Transfusion
      requirements were not associated with survival (P = 0.66). The median number of
      phlebotomies per day for all cats in the ICU was 3 (range 1-6). This was
      significantly associated with the development of anemia (P = 0.0011) and higher
      transfusion requirements (P = 0.16) in the 14 cats that received a transfusion.
      The estimated volume phlebotomized was significantly (P < 0.001) greater in cats
      that required a transfusion (median volume 3.32 mL/kg/ICU stay) compared to cats
      that did not require a transfusion (median volume 1.11 mL/kg/ICU stay) but was
      not associated with survival to discharge (P = 0.84). CONCLUSIONS: Development of
      anemia necessitating blood transfusions is common in critically ill cats and
      leads to significantly longer duration of ICU hospitalization. Iatrogenic anemia
      from frequent phlebotomies is an important cause for increased transfusion
      requirement. Fewer phlebotomies and other blood conserving strategies in these
      patients may help reduce the incidence of anemia and decrease transfusion
      requirements, as well as result in shorter hospital stays.

PMID- 26264779
TI  - Fecal microbiota transplantation in the management of hepatic encephalopathy.

PMID- 26264780
TI  - Defining end-stage renal disease in clinical trials: a framework for
      adjudication.
AB  - Unlike definition of stroke and myocardial infarction, there is no uniformly
      agreed upon definition to adjudicate end-stage renal disease (ESRD). ESRD remains
      the most unambiguous and clinically relevant end point for clinical trialists,
      regulators, payers and patients with chronic kidney disease. The prescription of
      dialysis to patients with advanced chronic kidney disease is subjective and great
      variations exist among physicians and countries. Given the difficulties in
      diagnosing ESRD, the presence of estimated GFR <15 mL/min/1.7 3m(2) itself has
      been suggested as an end point. However, this definition is still a surrogate
      since many patients may live years without being symptomatic or needing dialysis.
      The purpose of this report is to describe a framework to define when the kidney
      function ends and when ESRD can be adjudicated. Discussed in this report are (i)
      the importance of diagnosing symptomatic uremia or advanced asymptomatic uremia
      thus establishing the need for dialysis; (ii) establishing the chronicity of
      dialysis so as to distinguish it from acute dialysis; (iii) establishing ESRD
      when dialysis is unavailable, refused or considered futile and (iv) the
      adjudication process. Several challenges and ambiguities that emerge in clinical
      trials and their possible solutions are provided. The criteria proposed herein
      may help to standardize the definition of ESRD and reduce the variability in
      adjudicating the most important renal end point in clinical trials of chronic
      kidney disease.

PMID- 26264781
TI  - Development and validation of a carers quality-of-life questionnaire for
      parkinsonism (PQoL Carers).
AB  - PURPOSE: Atypical parkinsonism (AP) has a considerable impact on the lives not
      only of patients but also of their carers. The aim of this study was to develop
      an instrument for assessing the quality of life (QoL) of carers of patients with
      AP. METHODS: A 40-item pool was generated from in-depth interviews with carers of
      patients with AP, a thorough review of the existing literature and consultation
      with movement disorder experts. Item refinement and reduction was performed using
      the results of pilot testing and a survey in 282 carers of multiple system
      atrophy (MSA) patients and 226 carers of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP)
      patients. A validation study, with responses of 243 carers of MSA and 187 carers
      of PSP patients, was undertaken to evaluate the psychometric properties of the
      final 26-item scale. RESULTS: The validation study results suggest that the scale
      is unidimensional and has high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.96).
      The correlations of scale scores with patients' health status and QoL measures,
      such as PDQ-39 summary score and EQ-5D index (Spearman's rho = 0.56 and -0.31,
      respectively, P < 0.001), as well as carers' measures, such as Caregiver Burden
      Inventory (CBI) total and EQ-5D index (Spearman's rho = 0.85 and -0.39,
      respectively, P < 0.001), document the convergent and concurrent validity of the
      scale. ANOVA results support the discriminant validity of the scale, as evidenced
      by its capacity to differentiate between carers with varying levels of self
      reported health. CONCLUSIONS: The 26-item Parkinsonism Carers QoL (PQoL Carer) is
      a concise instrument with adequate psychometric qualities that can be used for
      clinical and research purposes.

PMID- 26264783
TI  - MultiSETTER: web server for multiple RNA structure comparison.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Understanding the architecture and function of RNA molecules requires
      methods for comparing and analyzing their tertiary and quaternary structures.
      While structural superposition of short RNAs is achievable in a reasonable time,
      large structures represent much bigger challenge. Therefore, we have developed a
      fast and accurate algorithm for RNA pairwise structure superposition called
      SETTER and implemented it in the SETTER web server. However, though biological
      relationships can be inferred by a pairwise structure alignment, key features
      preserved by evolution can be identified only from a multiple structure
      alignment. Thus, we extended the SETTER algorithm to the alignment of multiple
      RNA structures and developed the MultiSETTER algorithm. RESULTS: In this paper,
      we present the updated version of the SETTER web server that implements a user
      friendly interface to the MultiSETTER algorithm. The server accepts RNA
      structures either as the list of PDB IDs or as user-defined PDB files. After the
      superposition is computed, structures are visualized in 3D and several reports
      and statistics are generated. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, the
      MultiSETTER web server is the first publicly available tool for a multiple RNA
      structure alignment. The MultiSETTER server offers the visual inspection of an
      alignment in 3D space which may reveal structural and functional relationships
      not captured by other multiple alignment methods based either on a sequence or on
      secondary structure motifs.

PMID- 26264784
TI  - Asymmetries in children's production of relative clauses: data from English and
      Korean.
AB  - We report here on a series of elicited production experiments that investigate
      the production of indirect object and oblique relative clauses by monolingual
      child learners of English and Korean. Taken together, the results from the two
      languages point toward a pair of robust asymmetries: children manifest a
      preference for subject relative clauses over indirect object relative clauses,
      and for direct object relative clauses over oblique relative clauses. We consider
      various possible explanations for these preferences, of which the most promising
      seems to involve the requirement that the referent of the head noun be easily
      construed as what the relative clause is about.

PMID- 26264785
TI  - The Accordant Trend of Both Parameters (rgs Expression and cAMP Content) Follows
      the Pattern of Development of Fruiting Body in Volvariella volvacea.
AB  - The formation of fruiting body in Volvariella volvacea is affected by endogenous
      genes and environmental factors. However, its regulation at a molecular level is
      still poorly understood. To study the genes involved in the formation of fruiting
      body, we cloned a new regulator of the G protein signaling (RGS) encoding gene
      (rgs) from V. volvacea. Phylogenetic analysis showed that RGS in V. volvacea and
      other basidiomycete RGS proteins from Schizophyllum commune and Coprinus cinereus
      belong to the same clade. In addition, we assayed intracellular cAMP content in
      the three developmental stages (mycelium, fruiting body primordia, and button).
      We also found that the expression of rgs was highly positively correlated to the
      content of intracellular cAMP during fruiting body formation. The conserved
      protein sequences and expression of rgs, together with high concent of cAMP at
      primordia tissue, suggested that rgs gene and cAMP may play a crucial role in
      fruiting body formation in V. volvacea.

PMID- 26264786
TI  - Ultrasmall microdisk and microring lasers based on InAs/InGaAs/GaAs quantum dots.
AB  - Ultrasmall microring and microdisk lasers with an asymmetric
      air/GaAs/Al0.98Ga0.02As waveguide and an active region based on InAs/InGaAs/GaAs
      quantum dots emitting around 1.3 MUm were fabricated and studied. The diameter D
      of the microrings and microdisks was either 2 or 1.5 MUm, and the inner diameter
      d of the microrings varied from 20% to 70% of the outer diameter D. The microring
      with D = 2 MUm and d = 0.8 MUm demonstrated a threshold pump power as low as 1.8
      MUW at room temperature. Lasing was observed up to 100 degrees C owing to the use
      of quantum dots providing high confinement energy both for electrons and holes.
      Tuning spectral positions of the whispering gallery modes via changing the inner
      diameters of the microrings was demonstrated. PACS: 78.67.Hc; 42.55.Sa; 42.50.Pq;
      78.55.Cr.

PMID- 26264787
TI  - Mindfulness in cultural context.
AB  - Mindfulness meditation and other techniques drawn from Buddhism have increasingly
      been integrated into forms of psychotherapeutic intervention. In much of this
      work, mindfulness is understood as a mode of awareness that is present-centered
      and nonevaluative. This form of awareness is assumed to have intrinsic value in
      promoting positive mental health and adaptation by interrupting discursive
      thoughts that give rise to suffering. However, in the societies where it
      originated, mindfulness meditation is part of a larger system of Buddhist belief
      and practice with strong ethical and moral dimensions. Extracting techniques like
      mindfulness meditation from the social contexts in which they originate may
      change the nature and effects of the practice. The papers in this issue of
      Transcultural Psychiatry explore the implications of a cultural and contextual
      view of mindfulness for continued dialogue between Buddhist thought and
      psychiatry. This introductory essay considers the meanings of mindfulness
      meditation in cultural context and the uses of mindfulness as a therapeutic
      intervention in contemporary psychiatry and psychology. 

PMID- 26264788
TI  - Ready-JET-Go: Split Flow Accelerates ED Throughput.
AB  - PROBLEM: Struggling to keep up with The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
      Services out-patient throughput metrics, an adult emergency department serving
      Burlington and Camden Counties, New Jersey, sought to redefine its care delivery
      model by adopting the patient segmentation initiatives of the split-flow process
      of patient care. METHODS: A multidisciplinary team of ED clinicians
      collaboratively defined the patient segmentation criteria. A joint assessment
      team approach to patient care was instituted. A 3-pronged approach was adopted to
      prepare staff for the patient care changes in line with an existing framework
      specified by the Institute of Medicine. Simulation and queuing analyses were used
      to estimate the accompanying resource needs. RESULTS: Since implementing split
      flow, the emergency department has witnessed significant improvements in patient
      throughput and patient satisfaction, despite a sustained 10% increase in patient
      volumes after split-flow implementation. The median length of stay for discharged
      patients and the door-to-diagnostic evaluation time are now down to 112 minutes
      and 30 minutes, respectively, compared with pre-split-flow values of 192 minutes
      and 72 minutes, respectively. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Working collaboratively
      with all stakeholders to define the right patient care delivery model, combined
      with an understanding of the right resource assignments to optimally support that
      care delivery model, an emergency department can institute cost-effective changes
      to realize and sustain significant patient throughput improvements.

PMID- 26264789
TI  - The determinants of bond angle variability in protein/peptide backbones: A
      comprehensive statistical/quantum mechanics analysis.
AB  - The elucidation of the mutual influence between peptide bond geometry and local
      conformation has important implications for protein structure refinement,
      validation, and prediction. To gain insights into the structural determinants and
      the energetic contributions associated with protein/peptide backbone plasticity,
      we here report an extensive analysis of the variability of the peptide bond
      angles by combining statistical analyses of protein structures and quantum
      mechanics calculations on small model peptide systems. Our analyses demonstrate
      that all the backbone bond angles strongly depend on the peptide conformation and
      unveil the existence of regular trends as function of psi and/or phi. The
      excellent agreement of the quantum mechanics calculations with the statistical
      surveys of protein structures validates the computational scheme here employed
      and demonstrates that the valence geometry of protein/peptide backbone is
      primarily dictated by local interactions. Notably, for the first time we show
      that the position of the H(alpha) hydrogen atom, which is an important parameter
      in NMR structural studies, is also dependent on the local conformation. Most of
      the trends observed may be satisfactorily explained by invoking steric repulsive
      interactions; in some specific cases the valence bond variability is also
      influenced by hydrogen-bond like interactions. Moreover, we can provide a
      reliable estimate of the energies involved in the interplay between geometry and
      conformations.

PMID- 26264791
TI  - Investigations of the presence of caffeine in the Rudawa River, Krakow, Poland.
AB  - Caffeine concentration in surface water (Rudawa River, Krakow, Poland) has been
      being investigated since 2011. The method applied for investigations was
      developed in 2011, and the first series of measurements of caffeine concentration
      in surface water began in 2011. Caffeine concentration was determined by the gas
      chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method. Solid phase extraction (SPE) was
      used to enrich the concentration of caffeine in water samples. As an internal
      standard, the caffeine isotope (13)C3 in methanol (Sigma Aldrich) was used. The
      values of four additional parameters (concentration of nitrates, biochemical
      oxygen demand after 7 days, number of Escherichia coli and number of Enterococcus
      faecalis) were determined for the water sample analyzed. Caffeine was detected in
      all studied samples. The control series of measurements during 2011-2014
      confirmed that caffeine is present in Rudawa River water and that the
      concentration of this substance in Rudawa River ranges from 14.0 to 852.0
      ng/dm(3). There is no correlation between the concentration of caffeine and the
      concentration of other anthropogenic contaminants determined in water.

PMID- 26264790
TI  - How does your kidney smell? Emerging roles for olfactory receptors in renal
      function.
AB  - Olfactory receptors (ORs) are chemosensors that are responsible for one's sense
      of smell. In addition to this specialized role in the nose, recent evidence
      suggests that ORs are also found in a variety of additional tissues including the
      kidney. As this list of renal ORs continues to expand, it is becoming clear that
      they play important roles in renal and whole-body physiology, including a novel
      role in blood pressure regulation. In this review, we highlight important
      considerations that are crucial when studying ORs and present the current
      literature on renal ORs and their emerging relevance in maintaining renal
      function. 

PMID- 26264792
TI  - Effects of food on pharmacokinetics of immediate release oral formulations of
      simple analgesics: potential implications for drug use, safety and efficacy.

PMID- 26264793
TI  - The Placenta--An Undervalued Miracle.

PMID- 26264795
TI  - Helping Women Understand Treatment Options for Vulvar and Vaginal Atrophy.
AB  - Vulvar and vaginal atrophy (VVA) is a common and progressive medical condition in
      postmenopausal women. The REVIVE (REal Women's VIews of Treatment Options for
      Menopausal Vaginal ChangEs) survey assessed knowledge about VVA and its impact in
      3,046 postmenopausal U.S. women, and recorded women's attitudes about their
      interactions with health care providers and about available treatments. REVIVE
      identified poor disease awareness and understanding among women, failure of
      health care professionals to evaluate women for VVA signs and symptoms, low
      treatment rates and concerns about the safety and efficacy of available
      therapies. Strategies to address these needs include proactive screening,
      education for women and clinicians about VVA and recommendations for treatment
      and follow-up. 

PMID- 26264796
TI  - Implications of Using Pulse Oximetry to Screen for Critical Congenital Heart
      Disease in Newborns.
AB  - In recent years, pulse oximetry screening for critical congenital heart disease
      (CCHD) in newborns has been added to the list of recommended uniform screening
      panels and recommended by several health care organizations. Most states use
      pulse oximetry to screen for CCHD. Studies have identified problems with
      compliance and higher failure rate at moderate altitudes than at sea level,
      suggesting the need for alternate algorithms. Altitude, time, health status of
      newborns and type of cardiac defect appear to affect results. Early detection of
      CCHD improves health outcomes and reduces morbidity and mortality. Barriers to
      screening include out-of-hospital births, cost and knowledge deficits among
      health care professionals. 

PMID- 26264797
TI  - Prevention, Treatment and Parent Education for Diaper Dermatitis.
AB  - Diaper dermatitis is a common cutaneous condition characterized by an acute
      inflammatory eruption of the skin in the diaper area of an infant. Although this
      condition is relatively common, it can cause considerable pain and stress for
      infants and can be troublesome for their caregivers. In the United States, the
      frequency of diaper dermatitis is substantial and accounts for a high number of
      visits to health care providers. The three most common types of diaper dermatitis
      are chafing dermatitis, irritant contact dermatitis and diaper candidiasis. This
      article reviews common causes, differential diagnosis, current prevention and
      treatment recommendations, nursing implications and practical tips for families
      to utilize while caring for their infants at home.

PMID- 26264798
TI  - Latest Evidence on Alcohol and Pregnancy.
AB  - Alcohol increases risk for miscarriage, birth defects and other problems, and it
      is the sole cause of the range of physical, developmental and cognitive problems
      known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), which can affect up to 5
      percent of all pregnancies. Many women report drinking early in pregnancy, often
      before they know they're pregnant. When knowledgeable of the latest research
      evidence, nurses can counsel women of the risks alcohol use poses to a healthy
      pregnancy. 

PMID- 26264799
TI  - Serotonin Syndrome in Pregnancy.
AB  - Millions of people take selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for
      depression and anxiety, so nurses and other clinicians need to be aware of the
      potential for serotonin toxicity and serotonin syndrome. These conditions can
      occur when women taking SSRIs are given additional medications in the labor and
      birth or postpartum settings. Symptoms can have an acute onset and can include
      delirium, fever and hypertension. Understanding the mechanism and symptoms of
      serotonin syndrome can lead to timely treatment of this unusual condition. 

PMID- 26264800
TI  - A Primer for Nurses on Perinatal/Neonatal Stroke.
AB  - Perinatal or neonatal stroke is not uncommon, but diagnosis is often missed.
      Perinatal nurses are often the first health professionals in the position to
      observe the most typical symptom of stroke in a newborn, which is focal seizure.
      Etiology, symptoms and outcomes are reviewed and discussed through the context of
      the author's personal story. 

PMID- 26264801
TI  - Hospital Safety for Women With Nicotine Addiction.
AB  - Hospital smoke-free policies are expanding to include all hospital-owned land and
      property. Because some women will choose to leave the hospital to satisfy
      nicotine cravings, smoke-free policies should account for this. Components of a
      policy can include a carefully designed smoking waiver form, nicotine
      substitution, smoking cessation education, behavioral counseling and supervised
      transport of women who choose to leave the hospital to smoke. Education of women
      and their families, awareness by all staff, and clearly defined guidelines can
      lead to improved safety. 

PMID- 26264802
TI  - HPV9 Vaccine for the Prevention of Human Papillomavirus-Related Cancers.
AB  - Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection
      (STI) in the United States, with approximately 79 million Americans currently
      infected. Persistent infection with HPV has been identified as the causative
      factor in the development of invasive cervical cancer as well as other oral and
      genital cancers in women and men. The quadravalent HPV4 vaccine has been
      available since 2006. In December 2014, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
      (FDA) approved the HPV9 vaccine that provides coverage for five additional
      oncogenic strains of HPV that are not included in the first generation vaccine. 

PMID- 26264803
TI  - New Clinical Protocol on Breastfeeding and Substance Abuse.

PMID- 26264804
TI  - Help Put an End to Diaper Need.

PMID- 26264805
TI  - Birth Intuition.

PMID- 26264807
TI  - Knowing When to Be "Rational": Flexible Economic Decision Making and Executive
      Function in Preschool Children.
AB  - Failure to delay gratification may not indicate poor control or irrationality,
      but might be an adaptive response. Two studies investigated 3.5- and 4.5-year-old
      children's ability to adapt their delay and saving behavior when their preference
      (e.g., to delay or not delay) became nonadaptive. In Study 1 (N = 140),
      children's delay preference was associated with a risk of losing rewards. In
      Study 2 (N = 142), children's saving preference was associated with an inability
      to play an attractive game. Whereas baseline delaying and saving preferences were
      unrelated to a standardized executive function measure, children who switched to
      their nonpreferred choice scored higher, suggesting flexibility of decision
      making may be a more meaningful dependent variable than baseline performance in
      developmental research on self-control.

PMID- 26264806
TI  - Dorzolamide synergizes the antitumor activity of mitomycin C against Ehrlich's
      carcinoma grown in mice: role of thioredoxin-interacting protein.
AB  - The antitumor activity of carbonic anhydrase (CA) inhibitors is attributed to
      their ability to induce a state of intracellular acidification. In fact, acidic
      intracellular pH was demonstrated to upregulate several tumor suppressor proteins
      and increase the activity of many chemotherapies. The present study aimed to
      investigate the antitumor activity of the CA inhibitor, dorzolamide, in
      combination with mitomycin C and to study the effect of these drugs on tumoral
      thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) as well as tumor cell proliferation and
      apoptosis. Solid tumors were induced by subcutaneous inoculation of Ehrlich's
      ascites carcinoma (EAC) cells in female mice. Mice were treated with dorzolamide
      (3, 10, or 30 mg/kg/day, i.p.) and/or mitomycin C (1 mg/kg, i.p.) weekly for 3
      weeks. Treatment with mitomycin C increased TXNIP level in EAC solid tumors in
      mice. Likewise, treatment with dorzolamide upregulated TXNIP and p53 while
      downregulated bcl-2. Both drug therapies increased tumoral caspase 9, caspase 3,
      and PARP-1 cleavage in addition to decreasing the proliferative Ki-67-stained
      nuclear fraction. Indeed, a synergistic effect was detected between mitomycin C
      and dorzolamide. The current data demonstrated that the antitumor activity of
      mitomycin C and dorzolamide was, at least in part, mediated through stimulating
      tumoral expression of TXNIP and enhancing tumor apoptosis. 

PMID- 26264808
TI  - Helping Couples Fulfill the "Highest of Life's Goals": Mate Selection, Marriage
      Counselling, and Genetic Counseling in United States.
AB  - This article traces the history of modern genetic counseling to mate selection
      and marriage counselling practices of the early-20th century. Mate selection
      revolved around a belief that human heredity could be improved and genetic
      diseases eradicated through better breeding. Marriage counselling, though
      interested in reproduction, was also concerned with the emotional and
      psychological well-being of couples. These two practices coalesced most obviously
      in the work of well-known geneticist Sheldon Reed. Even as marriage and genetic
      counselling diverged in the post-WWII period, vestiges of these practices remain
      in contemporary counseling experiences with family planning and genetic screening
      programs. Emphasizing points of continuity between "positive" eugenic ideologies
      and modern genetic practices elaborates the diverse origins of genetic
      counseling. It also exposes how genetic counselors have become involved in
      genetic enterprises beyond standard clinical settings, and prods at key issues in
      the interaction between genetic science and social values. 

PMID- 26264810
TI  - Identification of key genes associated with the effect of estrogen on ovarian
      cancer using microarray analysis.
AB  - PURPOSE: To identify key genes related to the effect of estrogen on ovarian
      cancer. METHODS: Microarray data (GSE22600) were downloaded from Gene Expression
      Omnibus. Eight estrogen and seven placebo treatment samples were obtained using a
      2 * 2 factorial designs, which contained 2 cell lines (PEO4 and 2008) and 2
      treatments (estrogen and placebo). Differentially expressed genes were identified
      by Bayesian methods, and the genes with P < 0.05 and |log2FC (fold change)| >=0.5
      were chosen as cut-off criterion. Differentially co-expressed genes (DCGs) and
      differentially regulated genes (DRGs) were, respectively, identified by DCe
      function and DRsort function in DCGL package. Topological structure analysis was
      performed on the important transcriptional factors (TFs) and genes in
      transcriptional regulatory network using tYNA. Functional enrichment analysis
      was, respectively, performed for DEGs and the important genes using Gene Ontology
      and KEGG databases. RESULTS: In total, 465 DEGs were identified. Functional
      enrichment analysis of DEGs indicated that ACVR2B, LTBP1, BMP7 and MYC involved
      in TGF-beta signaling pathway. The 2285 DCG pairs and 357 DRGs were identified.
      Topological structure analysis showed that 52 important TFs and 65 important
      genes were identified. Functional enrichment analysis of the important genes
      showed that TP53 and MLH1 participated in DNA damage response and the genes
      (ACVR2B, LTBP1, BMP7 and MYC) involved in TGF-beta signaling pathway. CONCLUSION:
      TP53, MLH1, ACVR2B, LTBP1 and BMP7 might participate in the pathogenesis of
      ovarian cancer.

PMID- 26264809
TI  - Drug-releasing mesenchymal cells strongly suppress B16 lung metastasis in a
      syngeneic murine model.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are considered an important
      therapeutic tool in cancer therapy. They possess intrinsic therapeutic potential
      and can also be in vitro manipulated and engineered to produce therapeutic
      molecules that can be delivered to the site of diseases, through their capacity
      to home pathological tissues. We have recently demonstrated that MSCs, upon in
      vitro priming with anti-cancer drug, become drug-releasing mesenchymal cells (Dr
      MCs) able to strongly inhibit cancer cells growth. METHODS: Murine mesenchymal
      stromal cells were loaded with Paclitaxel (Dr-MCsPTX) according to a standardized
      procedure and their ability to inhibit the growth of a murine B16 melanoma was
      verified by in vitro assays. The anti-metastatic activity of Dr-MCsPTX was then
      studied in mice injected i.v. with B16 melanoma cells that produced lung
      metastatic nodules. Lung nodules were counted under a dissecting stereomicroscope
      and metastasis investigated by histological analysis. RESULTS: We found that
      three i.v. injections of Dr-MCsPTX on day 5, 10 and 15 after tumor injection
      almost completely abolished B16 lung metastasis. Dr-MCsPTX arrested into lung by
      interacting with endothelium and migrate toward cancer nodule through a complex
      mechanism involving primarily mouse lung stromal cells (mL-StCs) and SDF
      1/CXCR4/CXCR7 axis. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show for the first time that Dr
      MCsPTX are very effective to inhibit lung metastasis formation. Actually, a cure
      for lung metastasis in humans is mostly unlikely and we do not know whether a
      therapy combining engineered MSCs and Dr-MCs may work synergistically. However,
      we think that our approach using Dr-MCs loaded with PTX may represent a new valid
      and additive therapeutic tool to fight lung metastases and, perhaps, primary lung
      cancers in human.

PMID- 26264811
TI  - Effect of Tween 40 and DtsR1 on L-arginine overproduction in Corynebacterium
      crenatum.
AB  - BACKGROUND: L-Glutamate is an important precursor in the L-arginine (L-Arg)
      biosynthetic pathway. Various methods, including polyoxyethylene sorbitan
      monopalmitate (Tween 40) addition and dtsR1 disruption, have been widely used to
      induce L-glutamate overproduction in Corynebacterium glutamicum. In this study, a
      novel strategy for L-Arg overproduction through Tween 40 trigger and DeltadtsR1
      mutant were proposed in Corynebacterium crenatum. RESULTS: Corynebacterium
      crenatum mutant (CCM01) was selected as a host strain, whose argR was lethal via
      mutagenesis screening, the proB gene was knocked out, and argB was replaced by
      argB M4 (E19R, H26E, D311R, and D312R) to release L-Arg feedback resistance.
      After Tween 40 trigger in the logarithmic period, L-Arg production increased from
      15.22 to 17.73 g/L in CCM01 strain. When NCgl1221 and dtsR1 disruption (CCM03), L
      Arg production drastically increased to 27.45 g/L and then further to 29.97 g/L
      after Tween 40 trigger. Moreover, the specific activity of alpha-oxoglutarate
      dehydrogenase complex (ODHC) decreased, whereas the regeneration of NADP(+)/NADPH
      significantly increased after dtsR1 disruption and Tween 40 trigger. Results of
      real-time PCR showed that the transcriptional levels of odhA, sucB, and lpdA
      (encoding three subunits of the ODHC complex) were downregulated after Tween 40
      trigger or dtsR1 disruption. By contrast, zwf transcription (encoding glucose-6
      phosphate dehydrogenase) showed no significant difference among CCM01, CCM02
      (DeltaNCgl1221), and CCM03 (DeltaNCgl1221DeltadtsR1) strains without Tween 40
      trigger but evidently increased by 5.50 folds after Tween 40 trigger. CONCLUSION:
      A novel strategy for L-Arg overproduction by dtsR1 disruption and Tween 40
      trigger in C. crenatum was reported. Tween 40 addition exhibited a bifunctional
      mechanism for L-Arg overproduction, including reduced ODHC activity and enhanced
      NADPH pools accumulation by downregulated dtsR1 expression and upregulated zwf
      expression, respectively.

PMID- 26264812
TI  - Insulin-based strategies to prevent hypoglycaemia during and after exercise in
      adult patients with type 1 diabetes on pump therapy: the DIABRASPORT randomized
      study.
AB  - AIMS: To validate strategies to prevent exercise-induced hypoglycaemia via
      insulin-dose adjustment in adult patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) on pump
      therapy. METHODS: A total of 20 patients randomly performed four 30-min late post
      lunch (3 h after lunch) exercise sessions and a rest session: two moderate
      sessions [50% maximum oxygen consumption (VO2 max)] with 50 or 80% basal rate
      (BR) reduction during exercise + 2 h and two intense sessions (75% VO2 max) with
      80% BR reduction or with their pump stopped. Two additional early post-lunch
      sessions (90 min after lunch) were analysed to compare hypoglycaemia incidence
      for BR reduction versus bolus reduction. RESULTS: In all, 100 late post-lunch
      sessions were analysed. Regardless of exercise type and BR reduction, no more
      hypoglycaemic events occurred in the period until the next morning than occurred
      after the rest sessions. In the afternoon, no more hypoglycaemic events occurred
      with 80% BR reduction/moderate exercise or with pump discontinuation/intense
      exercise than for the rest session, whereas more hypoglycaemic events occurred
      with 50% BR reduction/moderate exercise and 80% BR reduction/intense exercise.
      After early post-lunch exercise (n = 37), a trend towards fewer hypoglycaemic
      episodes was observed with bolus reduction versus BR reduction (p = 0.07). Mean
      blood glucose fell by ~3.3 mmol/l after 30 min of exercise, irrespective of dose
      reduction, remaining stable until the next morning with no rebound
      hyperglycaemia. CONCLUSION: In adults with T1D, to limit the hypoglycaemic risk
      associated with 30 min of exercise 3 h after lunch, without carbohydrate
      supplements, the best options seem to be to reduce BR by 80% or to stop the pump
      for moderate or intense exercise, or for moderate exercise 90 min after lunch, to
      reduce the prandial bolus rather than the BR.

PMID- 26264814
TI  - Endothelial Changes in Individuals with Prehypertension.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Prehypertension is considered a precursor of systemic arterial
      hypertension and a predictor of morbidity-mortality due to cardiovascular
      diseases, which are the main causes of death in Brazil and the world. Thus, early
      diagnosis and the adoption of therapeutic measures in cases of prehypertension
      can reduce cardiovascular risk. The aim of the present study was to perform a
      selective review of the literature to identify and discuss early endothelial
      changes in individuals with pre-hypertension. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The
      findings indicate an increase in ET-1-mediated vasoconstrictor tone in
      prehypertension, with endothelial-dependent vasodilatation impairment. Moreover,
      significantly high levels of angiotensin, arginine and vasopressin were found in
      this group of patients. A reduction in endothelial fibrinolytic capacity was
      another important change found in patients with prehypertention and was
      associated with an increased risk for atherothrombotic events. CONCLUSION: The
      present findings demonstrate endothelial changes in individuals with
      prehypertension that contribute to the development of arterial hypertension as
      well as a high risk for cardiovascular events, underscoring the importance of the
      early adoption of optimized therapeutic measures for this population.

PMID- 26264813
TI  - T1 mapping and T2 mapping at 3T for quantifying the area-at-risk in reperfused
      STEMI patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Whether T1-mapping cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) can
      accurately quantify the area-at-risk (AAR) as delineated by T2 mapping and assess
      myocardial salvage at 3T in reperfused ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction
      (STEMI) patients is not known and was investigated in this study. METHODS: 18
      STEMI patients underwent CMR at 3T (Siemens Bio-graph mMR) at a median of 5 (4-6)
      days post primary percutaneous coronary intervention using native T1 (MOLLI) and
      T2 mapping (WIP #699; Siemens Healthcare, UK). Matching short-axis T1 and T2 maps
      covering the entire left ventricle (LV) were assessed by two independent
      observers using manual, Otsu and 2 standard deviation thresholds. Inter- and
      intra-observer variability, correlation and agreement between the T1 and T2
      mapping techniques on a per-slice and per patient basis were assessed. RESULTS: A
      total of 125 matching T1 and T2 mapping short-axis slices were available for
      analysis from 18 patients. The acquisition times were identical for the T1 maps
      and T2 maps. 18 slices were excluded due to suboptimal image quality. Both
      mapping sequences were equally prone to susceptibility artifacts in the lateral
      wall and were equally likely to be affected by microvascular obstruction
      requiring manual correction. The Otsu thresholding technique performed best in
      terms of inter- and intra-observer variability for both T1 and T2 mapping CMR.
      The mean myocardial infarct size was 18.8 +/- 9.4 % of the LV. There was no
      difference in either the mean AAR (32.3 +/- 11.5 % of the LV versus 31.6 +/- 11.2
      % of the LV, P = 0.25) or myocardial salvage index (0.40 +/- 0.26 versus 0.39 +/-
      0.27, P = 0.20) between the T1 and T2 mapping techniques. On a per-slice
      analysis, there was an excellent correlation between T1 mapping and T2 mapping in
      the quantification of the AAR with an R(2) of 0.95 (P < 0.001), with no bias
      (mean +/- 2SD: bias 0.0 +/- 9.6 %). On a per-patient analysis, the correlation
      and agreement remained excellent with no bias (R(2) 0.95, P < 0.0001, bias 0.7 +/
      5.1 %). CONCLUSIONS: T1 mapping CMR at 3T performed as well as T2 mapping in
      quantifying the AAR and assessing myocardial salvage in reperfused STEMI
      patients, thereby providing an alternative CMR measure of the the AAR.

PMID- 26264815
TI  - How to Investigate the Vascular Changes in Resistant Hypertension.
AB  - The pathophysiological mechanism of resistant hypertension (RH) is related to
      increased vascular smooth muscle tone and blood volume, exacerbation of the
      activity of the sympathetic system and hyperactivity of the renin-angiotensin
      aldosterone system (RAAS), all of which are important regulatory mechanisms of
      blood pressure. Hypertension is associated with reduced endothelial homeostasis,
      and thus the best treatment would not only reduce blood pressure but also reverse
      endothelial injury. RH is associated with more serious vascular dysfunction,
      assessed by endothelium-dependent vasodilation and the presence of serum
      biomarkers. Arterial stiffness also constitutes an important independent factor
      that can determine risk of cardiovascular events in patients with RH; it is an
      important indicator of vascular changes, and is associated with cardiovascular
      mortality. Arterial stiffness can be assessed by 3 measures: central blood
      pressure, augmentation index (AIx) and pulse wave velocity (PWV). PWV is a
      recognized as main marker of the severity of vascular injury. The increase in
      central blood pressure caused by backward (reflected) waves can be evaluated as
      an index derived from an analysis of the central aortic blood pressure curve
      known as the AIx, and depends on the magnitude and time of the reflected waves
      and indirectly on heart frequency and arterial stiffness. The evaluation of
      patients with RH is focused on the identification of causes of hypertension
      guided by the clinical features of hypertension and metabolic, vascular,
      endocrine and family history.

PMID- 26264817
TI  - Shame, guilt, and facial emotion processing: initial evidence for a positive
      relationship between guilt-proneness and facial emotion recognition ability.
AB  - Shame and guilt are closely related self-conscious emotions of negative affect
      that give rise to divergent self-regulatory and motivational behaviours. While
      guilt-proneness has demonstrated positive relationships with self-report measures
      of empathy and adaptive interpersonal functioning, shame-proneness tends to be
      unrelated or inversely related to empathy and is associated with interpersonal
      difficulties. At present, no research has examined relationships between shame
      and guilt-proneness with facial emotion recognition ability. Participants (N =
      363) completed measures of shame and guilt-proneness along with a facial emotion
      recognition task which assessed the ability to identify displays of anger,
      sadness, happiness, fear, disgust, and shame. Guilt-proneness was consistently
      positively associated with facial emotion recognition ability. In contrast, shame
      proneness was unrelated to capacity for facial emotion recognition. Findings
      provide support for theory arguing that guilt and empathy operate synergistically
      and may also help explain the inverse relationship between guilt-proneness and
      propensity for aggressive behaviour.

PMID- 26264816
TI  - Treatment Considerations of Clinical Physician on Hypertension Management in
      Asia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There are important differences in the lifestyle and cardiovascular
      disease risks between Asian and Western populations. The objective of this survey
      was to investigate the awareness of these factors in the practice of hypertension
      management among Asian physicians. METHODS: General practitioners and specialists
      in Asia were surveyed by questionnaire with regard to their management of
      hypertension. Physicians attending international conferences or meetings on
      hypertension between March and May 2014 were asked to participate. RESULTS: In
      their treatment of hypertensive patients, 87% of the 133 respondents said they
      considered the Asian lifestyle and region-specific characteristics of
      hypertension in their treatment decisions, while just less than 11% did not.
      Almost all physicians (92%) recognized the necessity for an Asian-specific
      guideline for the management of hypertension. For patients with diabetes, 37% and
      59% of the respondents used target systolic blood pressure (SBP) levels of 140
      mmHg and 130 mmHg, respectively; for elderly patients, 37% and 53% of respondents
      used target SBP levels of 140 and l50 mmHg, respectively. Forty-eight percent of
      Asian physicians used calcium channel blockers as the first-line choice of
      antihypertensive drug while 34% selected angiotensin II receptor blockers, 14%
      angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and 3% diuretics. CONCLUSION: Asian
      physicians consider that an Asian-specific guideline is needed for hypertension
      management in the Asian population.

PMID- 26264818
TI  - Positive selection of digestive Cys proteases in herbivorous Coleoptera.
AB  - Positive selection is thought to contribute to the functional diversification of
      insect-inducible protease inhibitors in plants in response to selective pressures
      exerted by the digestive proteases of their herbivorous enemies. Here we assessed
      whether a reciprocal evolutionary process takes place on the insect side, and
      whether ingestion of a positively selected plant inhibitor may translate into a
      measurable rebalancing of midgut proteases in vivo. Midgut Cys proteases of
      herbivorous Coleoptera, including the major pest Colorado potato beetle
      (Leptinotarsa decemlineata), were first compared using a codon-based evolutionary
      model to look for the occurrence of hypervariable, positively selected amino acid
      sites among the tested sequences. Hypervariable sites were found, distributed
      within -or close to- amino acid regions interacting with Cys-type inhibitors of
      the plant cystatin protein family. A close examination of L. decemlineata
      sequences indicated a link between their assignment to protease functional
      families and amino acid identity at positively selected sites. A function
      diversifying role for positive selection was further suggested empirically by in
      vitro protease assays and a shotgun proteomic analysis of L. decemlineata Cys
      proteases showing a differential rebalancing of protease functional family
      complements in larvae fed single variants of a model cystatin mutated at
      positively selected amino acid sites. These data confirm overall the occurrence
      of hypervariable, positively selected amino acid sites in herbivorous Coleoptera
      digestive Cys proteases. They also support the idea of an adaptive role for
      positive selection, useful to generate functionally diverse proteases in insect
      herbivores ingesting functionally diverse, rapidly evolving dietary cystatins. 

PMID- 26264819
TI  - Molecular characterization and first report of Cryptosporidium genotypes in human
      population in the Slovak Republic.
AB  - In our study, we examined 91 fecal samples from five different groups of people
      containing HIV patients, hemodialysis patients, kidney transplant recipients,
      immunocompetent humans without clinical signs, and humans with suspected
      cryptosporidiosis. The purpose of our study was to determine species and genotype
      composition of representatives of Cryptosporidium spp. using PCR analysis of
      small subunit ribosomal RNA gene and 60-kDa glycoprotein gene and examine their
      phylogenetic relationship. In HIV-positive/AIDS-infected group of patients and in
      hemodialysis patients, no presence of Cryptosporidium species was detected. In
      two kidney transplant recipients, we detected species/genotypes Cryptosporidium
      parvum IIaA13G1T1R1 (KT355488) and Cryptosporidium hominis IaA11G2R8 (KT355489)
      and in two immunocompetent patients with clinical symptoms, we identified
      Cryptosporidium muris and C. hominis IbA10G2T1 (KT355490). In the group of
      healthy immunocompetent individuals without clinical signs, we identified
      species/genotype C. hominis IbA11G2 (KT355491) in one sample. 

PMID- 26264821
TI  - The challenge of post-operative peritonitis after gastrointestinal surgery.
AB  - Post-operative peritonitis (PP) is a life-threatening hospital-acquired intra
      abdominal infection with high rates of mortality. Diffuse PP remains a challenge
      for surgeons. Prognosis and outcome of patients are directly related to early
      diagnosis and prompt intervention. The diagnosis of PP may be difficult because
      there are no specific clinical signs and laboratory tests to reject or confirm
      the diagnosis. Atypical clinical features may be responsible for a delay in
      reoperation. An early diagnosis and prompt treatment is crucial to prevent the
      development of organ failure and improve the outcome of the patients with PP. The
      cornerstones in the management of patients with PP are early hemodynamic support,
      prompt source control and adequate antimicrobial therapy.

PMID- 26264820
TI  - A Neuroanatomical Signature for Schizophrenia Across Different Ethnic Groups.
AB  - Schizophrenia is a disabling clinical syndrome found across the world. While the
      incidence and clinical expression of this illness are strongly influenced by
      ethnic factors, it is unclear whether patients from different ethnicities show
      distinct brain deficits. In this multicentre study, we used structural Magnetic
      Resonance Imaging to investigate neuroanatomy in 126 patients with first episode
      schizophrenia who came from 4 ethnically distinct cohorts (White Caucasians,
      African-Caribbeans, Japanese, and Chinese). Each patient was individually matched
      with a healthy control of the same ethnicity, gender, and age (+/-1 year). We
      report a reduction in the gray matter volume of the right anterior insula in
      patients relative to controls (P < .05 corrected); this reduction was detected in
      all 4 ethnic groups despite differences in psychopathology, exposure to
      antipsychotic medication and image acquisition sequence. This finding provides
      evidence for a neuroanatomical signature of schizophrenia expressed above and
      beyond ethnic variations in incidence and clinical expression. In light of the
      existing literature, implicating the right anterior insula in bipolar disorder,
      depression, addiction, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and anxiety, we speculate
      that the neuroanatomical deficit reported here may represent a transdiagnostic
      feature of Axis I disorders. 

PMID- 26264822
TI  - Reply: To PMID 25979617.

PMID- 26264824
TI  - Severe intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy is a risk factor for preeclampsia in
      singleton and twin pregnancies.

PMID- 26264825
TI  - Factors that affect duration of untreated illness in pregnant women with bipolar
      disorder.

PMID- 26264826
TI  - Singleton birthweight by gestational age following in vitro fertilization in the
      United States.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Assisted reproductive technology has been reported to account for a
      disproportionate higher number of low birthweight infants, even in singleton
      births. Low birthweight infants occur from preterm birth, decreased intrauterine
      growth, or both. It is unclear whether infants conceived by in vitro
      fertilization (IVF) have a reduced intrauterine growth rate or intrauterine
      growth restriction. Growth-restricted newborns have higher perinatal morbidity
      and are at increased risk for adult-onset illnesses. To date, there are no
      national standards for birthweight percentiles by gestational week, allowing for
      fetal growth assessment of singletons conceived by assisted reproductive
      technology in the United States. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to
      establish US singleton IVF reference standards using birthweight percentiles by
      gestational age for singleton live births resulting from IVF in the United
      States. STUDY DESIGN: We studied birthweight by completed weeks of gestation for
      93,443 singleton IVF births reported to the Society for Assisted Reproductive
      Technologies, 2006-2010. The third to 97th birthweight percentiles per completed
      week of gestation for weeks between 24 and 42 were calculated and were compared
      with recently published birthweight percentiles by gestational age for 3,812,730
      US singleton births in 2011. RESULTS: Smoothed birthweight for gestational age
      charts and curves were created for all US IVF singletons and female-male
      singletons from 24 to 42 weeks. Over the span of 31-41 weeks of gestation, the
      10th, 50th, and 90th birthweight percentile values of IVF singletons were
      comparable with recently published birthweight percentile values of US
      singletons. At 40 completed weeks of gestation, the 10th, 50th, and 90th
      birthweight percentiles of all IVF singletons were 3078, 3506, and 4053 g, as
      compared with corresponding 3005, 3499, and 4057 g of US singletons. The 10th,
      50th, and 90th birthweight percentile values for female and male IVF singletons
      were also comparable with US female and male singletons. CONCLUSION: Birthweight
      percentiles per completed week of gestation of IVF and US singletons are
      approximately equal from 31 until 41 completed weeks, suggesting that
      intrauterine growth is not reduced in IVF singleton infants.

PMID- 26264827
TI  - Simulation-Based Learning as a Tactic for Teaching Evidence-Based Practice.
AB  - This column shares the best evidence-based strategies and innovative ideas on how
      to facilitate the learning of EBP principles and processes by clinicians as well
      as nursing and interprofessional students. Guidelines for submission are
      available at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1741-6787. 

PMID- 26264823
TI  - Vaginal progesterone, but not 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate, has
      antiinflammatory effects at the murine maternal-fetal interface.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Progestogen (vaginal progesterone or 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone
      caproate [17OHP-C]) administration to patients at risk for preterm delivery is
      widely used for the prevention of preterm birth (PTB). The mechanisms by which
      these agents prevent PTB are poorly understood. Progestogens have
      immunomodulatory functions; therefore, we investigated the local effects of
      vaginal progesterone and 17OHP-C on adaptive and innate immune cells implicated
      in the process of parturition. STUDY DESIGN: Pregnant C57BL/6 mice received
      vaginal progesterone (1 mg per 200 MUL, n = 10) or Replens (control, 200 MUL, n =
      10) from 13 to 17 days postcoitum (dpc) or were subcutaneously injected with
      17OHP-C (2 mg per 100 MUL, n = 10) or castor oil (control, 100 MUL, n = 10) on
      13, 15, and 17 dpc. Decidual and myometrial leukocytes were isolated prior to
      term delivery (18.5 dpc) for immunophenotyping by flow cytometry. Cervical tissue
      samples were collected to determine matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 activity by
      in situ zymography and visualization of collagen content by Masson's trichrome
      staining. Plasma concentrations of progesterone, estradiol, and cytokines
      (interferon [IFN]gamma, interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL
      12p70, keratinocyte-activated chemokine/growth-related oncogene, and tumor
      necrosis factor-alpha) were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.
      Pregnant mice pretreated with vaginal progesterone or Replens were injected with
      10 MUg of an endotoxin on 16.5 dpc (n = 10 each) and monitored via infrared
      camera until delivery to determine the effect of vaginal progesterone on the rate
      of PTB. RESULTS: The following results were found: (1) vaginal progesterone, but
      not 17OHP-C, increased the proportion of decidual CD4+ regulatory T cells; (2)
      vaginal progesterone, but not 17OHP-C, decreased the proportion of decidual
      CD8+CD25+Foxp3+ T cells and macrophages; (3) vaginal progesterone did not result
      in M1->M2 macrophage polarization but reduced the proportion of myometrial
      IFNgamma+ neutrophils and cervical active MMP-9-positive neutrophils and
      monocytes; (4) 17OHP-C did not reduce the proportion of myometrial IFNgamma+
      neutrophils; however, it increased the abundance of cervical active MMP-9
      positive neutrophils and monocytes; (5) vaginal progesterone immune effects were
      associated with reduced systemic concentrations of IL-1beta but not with
      alterations in progesterone or estradiol concentrations; and (6) vaginal
      progesterone pretreatment protected against endotoxin-induced PTB (effect size
      50%, P = 0.011). CONCLUSION: Vaginal progesterone, but not 17OHP-C, has local
      antiinflammatory effects at the maternal-fetal interface and the cervix and
      protects against endotoxin-induced PTB.

PMID- 26264828
TI  - Ventilator-associated Pneumonia caused by commensal oropharyngeal Flora;
      [corrected] a retrospective Analysis of a prospectively collected Database.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The significance of commensal oropharyngeal flora (COF) as a
      potential cause of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is scarcely investigated
      and consequently unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore whether
      COF may cause VAP. METHODS: Retrospective clinical, microbiological and
      radiographic analysis of all prospectively collected suspected VAP cases in which
      bronchoalveolar lavage fluid exclusively yielded >= 10(4) cfu/ml COF during a 9.5
      year period. Characteristics of 899 recent intensive care unit (ICU) admissions
      were used as a reference population. RESULTS: Out of the prospectively collected
      database containing 159 VAP cases, 23 patients were included. In these patients,
      VAP developed after a median of 8 days of mechanical ventilation. The patients
      faced a prolonged total ICU length of stay (35 days [P < .001]), hospital length
      of stay (45 days [P = .001]), and a trend to higher mortality (39 % vs. 26 %, [P
      = .158]; standardized mortality ratio 1.26 vs. 0.77, [P = .137]) compared to the
      reference population. After clinical, microbiological and radiographic analysis,
      COF was the most likely cause of respiratory deterioration in 15 patients (9.4 %
      of all VAP cases) and a possible cause in 2 patients. CONCLUSION: Commensal
      oropharyngeal flora appears to be a potential cause of VAP in limited numbers of
      ICU patients as is probably associated with an increased length of stay in both
      ICU and hospital. As COF-VAP develops late in the course of ICU admission, it is
      possibly associated with the immunocompromised status of ICU patients.

PMID- 26264829
TI  - Surgical approach to hysterectomy for benign gynaecological disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The four approaches to hysterectomy for benign disease are abdominal
      hysterectomy (AH), vaginal hysterectomy (VH), laparoscopic hysterectomy (LH) and
      robotic-assisted hysterectomy (RH). OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness and
      safety of different surgical approaches to hysterectomy for women with benign
      gynaecological conditions. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the following databases
      (from inception to 14 August 2014) using the Ovid platform: Cochrane Central
      Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL); MEDLINE; EMBASE; Cumulative Index to
      Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) and PsycINFO. We also searched
      relevant citation lists. We used both indexed and free-text terms. SELECTION
      CRITERIA: We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in which clinical
      outcomes were compared between one surgical approach to hysterectomy and another.
      DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: At least two review authors independently selected
      trials, assessed risk of bias and performed data extraction. Our primary outcomes
      were return to normal activities, satisfaction, quality of life, intraoperative
      visceral injury and major long-term complications (i.e. fistula, pelvi-abdominal
      pain, urinary dysfunction, bowel dysfunction, pelvic floor condition and sexual
      dysfunction). MAIN RESULTS: We included 47 studies with 5102 women. The evidence
      for most comparisons was of low or moderate quality. The main limitations were
      poor reporting and imprecision. Vaginal hysterectomy (VH) versus abdominal
      hysterectomy (AH) (nine RCTs, 762 women)Return to normal activities was shorter
      in the VH group (mean difference (MD) -9.5 days, 95% confidence interval (CI) 
      12.6 to -6.4, three RCTs, 176 women, I(2) = 75%, moderate quality evidence).
      There was no evidence of a difference between the groups for the other primary
      outcomes. Laparoscopic hysterectomy (LH) versus AH (25 RCTs, 2983 women)Return to
      normal activities was shorter in the LH group (MD -13.6 days, 95% CI -15.4 to 
      11.8; six RCTs, 520 women, I(2) = 71%, low quality evidence), but there were more
      urinary tract injuries in the LH group (odds ratio (OR) 2.4, 95% CI 1.2 to 4.8,
      13 RCTs, 2140 women, I(2) = 0%, low quality evidence). There was no evidence of a
      difference between the groups for the other primary outcomes. LH versus VH (16
      RCTs, 1440 women)There was no evidence of a difference between the groups for any
      primary outcomes. Robotic-assisted hysterectomy (RH) versus LH (two RCTs, 152
      women)There was no evidence of a difference between the groups for any primary
      outcomes. Neither of the studies reported satisfaction rates or quality of
      life.Overall, the number of adverse events was low in the included studies.
      AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Among women undergoing hysterectomy for benign disease, VH
      appears to be superior to LH and AH, as it is associated with faster return to
      normal activities. When technically feasible, VH should be performed in
      preference to AH because of more rapid recovery and fewer febrile episodes
      postoperatively. Where VH is not possible, LH has some advantages over AH
      (including more rapid recovery and fewer febrile episodes and wound or abdominal
      wall infections), but these are offset by a longer operating time. No advantages
      of LH over VH could be found; LH had a longer operation time, and total
      laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) had more urinary tract injuries. Of the three
      subcategories of LH, there are more RCT data for laparoscopic-assisted vaginal
      hysterectomy and LH than for TLH. Single-port laparoscopic hysterectomy and RH
      should either be abandoned or further evaluated since there is a lack of evidence
      of any benefit over conventional LH. Overall, the evidence in this review has to
      be interpreted with caution as adverse event rates were low, resulting in low
      power for these comparisons. The surgical approach to hysterectomy should be
      discussed and decided in the light of the relative benefits and hazards. These
      benefits and hazards seem to be dependent on surgical expertise and this may
      influence the decision. In conclusion, when VH is not feasible, LH may avoid the
      need for AH, but LH is associated with more urinary tract injuries. There is no
      evidence that RH is of benefit in this population. Preferably, the surgical
      approach to hysterectomy should be decided by the woman in discussion with her
      surgeon.

PMID- 26264830
TI  - Characterization of Brassica napus Flavonol Synthase Involved in Flavonol
      Biosynthesis in Brassica napus L.
AB  - Recently, Brassica napus has become a very important crop for plant oil
      production. Flavonols, an uncolored flavonoid subclass, have a high antioxidative
      effect and are known to have antiproliferative, antiangiogenic, and
      neuropharmacological properties. In B. napus, some flavonoid structural genes
      have been identified, such as, BnF3H-1, BnCHS, and BnC4H-1. However, no studies
      on FLS genes in B. napus have been conducted. Thus, in this study, we cloned and
      characterized the function of BnFLS gene B. napus. By overexpression of the BnFLS
      gene, flavonol (kaempferol and quercetin) levels were recovered in the
      Arabidopsis atfls1-ko mutant. In addition, we found that the higher endogenous
      flavonol levels of BnFLS-ox in vitro shoots correlated with slightly higher ROS
      scavenging activities. Thus, our results indicate that the BnFLS gene encodes for
      a BnFLS enzyme that can be manipulated to specifically increase flavonol
      accumulation in oilseed plants and other species such as Arabidopsis. 

PMID- 26264831
TI  - Polyethylenimine-coated SPION exhibits potential intrinsic anti-metastatic
      properties inhibiting migration and invasion of pancreatic tumor cells.
AB  - Due to its aggressive behavior, pancreatic cancer is one of the principal causes
      of cancer-related deaths. The highly metastatic potential of pancreatic tumor
      cells demands the development of more effective anti-metastatic approaches for
      this disease. Although polyethylenimine-coated superparamagnetic iron oxide
      nanoparticles (PEI-coated SPIONs) have been studied for their utility as
      transfection agents, little is known of their effect on tumor cell biology. Here
      we demonstrated that PEI-coated SPIONs have potent inhibitory effects on
      pancreatic tumor cell migration/invasion, through inhibition of Src kinase and
      decreased expression of MT1-MMP and MMP2 metalloproteinases. When treated with
      PEI-coated SPIONs, the pancreatic tumor cell line Pan02 showed reduced invadosome
      density and thus, a decrease in their ability to invade through basement
      membrane. These nanoparticles temporarily downmodulated microRNA-21, thereby
      upregulating the cell migration inhibitors PTEN, PDCD4 and Sprouty-1. PEI-coated
      SPIONs thus show intrinsic, possibly anti-metastatic properties for modulating
      pancreatic tumor cell migration machinery, which indicates their potential as
      anti-metastatic agents for treatment of pancreatic cancer. 

PMID- 26264832
TI  - Multifunctional liposomes having target specificity, temperature-triggered
      release, and near-infrared fluorescence imaging for tumor-specific chemotherapy.
AB  - We designed functional liposomes with target specificity, temperature-triggered
      drug release, and near-infrared fluorescence imaging. We prepared the liposomes
      by triple functionalization of stable pegylated liposomes with thermosensitive
      poly[2-(2-ethoxy)ethoxyethyl vinyl ether] chains (lower critical solution
      temperature around 38  degrees C) with conjugation of antibody trastuzumab
      (Herceptin, HER), which targets human epidermal growth factor 2, and with
      incorporation of indocyanine green for near-infrared fluorescence imaging. The
      liposomes retained DOX in the interior below physiological temperature but
      released DOX immediately at temperatures higher than 40  degrees C. The liposomes
      exhibited excellent ability for association and internalization to target cells
      overexpressing Her-2, such as SK-OV3 and SB-BR3 cells, and killed these cells
      when heated at 45  degrees C for 5 min. When administered intravenously to mice
      bearing SK-OV3 tumor, the liposomes having HER accumulated in the tumor more
      efficiently than the liposomes without HER. They stayed there more than 48 h, as
      judged with near-infrared fluorescence imaging. Furthermore, when the tumor sites
      of the mice being administered with the DOX-loaded liposomes were heated mildly
      at 44 degrees C for 10 min at 7h after administration, tumor growth was
      suppressed strongly thereafter. Treatment with the HER-conjugated liposomes
      produced more efficient tumor-suppressive effects. Results demonstrate that the
      synergy of target-specific association, temperature-triggered drug release, and
      imaging is important for efficient tumor chemotherapy.

PMID- 26264834
TI  - The scope and sequence of growth factor delivery for vascularized bone tissue
      regeneration.
AB  - Bone regeneration is a complex process, that in vivo, requires the highly
      coordinated presentation of biochemical cues to promote the various stages of
      angiogenesis and osteogenesis. Taking inspiration from the natural healing
      process, a wide variety of growth factors are currently being released within
      next generation tissue engineered scaffolds (in a variety of ways) in order to
      heal non-union fractures and bone defects. This review will focus on the delivery
      of multiple growth factors to the bone regeneration niche, specifically 1) dual
      growth factor delivery signaling and crosstalk, 2) the importance of growth
      factor timing and temporal separation, and 3) the engineering of delivery systems
      that allow for temporal control over presentation of soluble growth factors.
      Alternative methods for growth factor presentation, including the use of gene
      therapy and platelet-rich plasma scaffolds, are also discussed. 

PMID- 26264833
TI  - Controlled release strategies for modulating immune responses to promote tissue
      regeneration.
AB  - Advances in the field of tissue engineering have enhanced the potential of
      regenerative medicine, yet the efficacy of these strategies remains incomplete,
      and is limited by the innate and adaptive immune responses. The immune response
      associated with injury or disease combined with that mounted to biomaterials,
      transplanted cells, proteins, and gene therapies vectors can contribute to the
      inability to fully restore tissue function. Blocking immune responses such as
      with anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive agents are either ineffective, as the
      immune response contributes significantly to regeneration, or have significant
      side effects. This review describes targeted strategies to modulate the immune
      response in order to limit tissue damage following injury, promote an anti
      inflammatory environment that leads to regeneration, and induce antigen (Ag)
      specific tolerance that can target degenerative diseases that destroy tissues and
      promote engraftment of transplanted cells. Focusing on targeted immuno
      modulation, we describe local delivery techniques to sites of inflammation as
      well as systemic approaches that preferentially target subsets of immune
      populations. 

PMID- 26264835
TI  - Expression kinetics of nucleoside-modified mRNA delivered in lipid nanoparticles
      to mice by various routes.
AB  - In recent years, in vitro transcribed messenger RNA (mRNA) has emerged as a
      potential therapeutic platform. To fulfill its promise, effective delivery of
      mRNA to specific cell types and tissues needs to be achieved. Lipid nanoparticles
      (LNPs) are efficient carriers for short-interfering RNAs and have entered
      clinical trials. However, little is known about the potential of LNPs to deliver
      mRNA. Here, we generated mRNA-LNPs by incorporating HPLC purified, 1
      methylpseudouridine-containing mRNA comprising codon-optimized firefly luciferase
      into stable LNPs. Mice were injected with 0.005-0.250mg/kg doses of mRNA-LNPs by
      6 different routes and high levels of protein translation could be measured using
      in vivo imaging. Subcutaneous, intramuscular and intradermal injection of the LNP
      encapsulated mRNA translated locally at the site of injection for up to 10days.
      For several days, high levels of protein production could be achieved in the lung
      from the intratracheal administration of mRNA. Intravenous and intraperitoneal
      and to a lesser extent intramuscular and intratracheal deliveries led to
      trafficking of mRNA-LNPs systemically resulting in active translation of the mRNA
      in the liver for 1-4 days. Our results demonstrate that LNPs are appropriate
      carriers for mRNA in vivo and have the potential to become valuable tools for
      delivering mRNA encoding therapeutic proteins. 

PMID- 26264837
TI  - Acute inhalation of vaporized nicotine increases arterial pressure in young non
      smokers: a pilot study.
AB  - PURPOSE: Electronic cigarettes are growing in popularity, but the physiological
      consequences of vaporized nicotine are unknown. METHODS: Twenty healthy non
      smokers inhaled vaporized nicotine and placebo (randomized). RESULTS: Nicotine
      inhalation was associated with higher arterial pressures in the seated position,
      and increased arterial pressures in the head-up positions with no other effects
      on autonomic control. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that vaporized nicotine
      inhalation is not innocuous. Longitudinal studies in otherwise healthy non
      smokers should be conducted.

PMID- 26264838
TI  - A walking disaster: a case of incomplete spinal cord injury with symptomatic
      orthostatic hypotension.
AB  - Eight months post-injury, an ambulatory 58-year-old male with an incomplete
      spinal cord injury experienced syncope and a 52-mmHg drop in his systolic blood
      pressure during a tilt-table assessment. This case study highlights the necessity
      to examine autonomic function in all cases of spinal cord injury, regardless of
      injury severity. 

PMID- 26264836
TI  - Multistage vector (MSV) therapeutics.
AB  - One of the greatest challenges in the field of medicine is obtaining controlled
      distribution of systemically administered therapeutic agents within the body.
      Indeed, biological barriers such as physical compartmentalization, pressure
      gradients, and excretion pathways adversely affect localized delivery of drugs to
      pathological tissue. The diverse nature of these barriers requires the use of
      multifunctional drug delivery vehicles that can overcome a wide range of
      sequential obstacles. In this review, we explore the role of multifunctionality
      in nanomedicine by primarily focusing on multistage vectors (MSVs). The MSV is an
      example of a promising therapeutic platform that incorporates several components,
      including a microparticle, nanoparticles, and small molecules. In particular,
      these components are activated in a sequential manner in order to successively
      address transport barriers. 

PMID- 26264839
TI  - Antimalarial benzoheterocyclic 4-aminoquinolines: Structure-activity
      relationship, in vivo evaluation, mechanistic and bioactivation studies.
AB  - A novel class of benzoheterocyclic analogues of amodiaquine designed to avoid
      toxic reactive metabolite formation was synthesized and evaluated for
      antiplasmodial activity against K1 (multidrug resistant) and NF54 (sensitive)
      strains of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Structure-activity
      relationship studies led to the identification of highly promising analogues, the
      most potent of which had IC50s in the nanomolar range against both strains. The
      compounds further demonstrated good in vitro microsomal metabolic stability while
      those subjected to in vivo pharmacokinetic studies had desirable pharmacokinetic
      profiles. In vivo antimalarial efficacy in Plasmodium berghei infected mice was
      evaluated for four compounds, all of which showed good activity following oral
      administration. In particular, compound 19 completely cured treated mice at a low
      multiple dose of 4*10mg/kg. Mechanistic and bioactivation studies suggest
      hemozoin formation inhibition and a low likelihood of forming quinone-imine
      reactive metabolites, respectively. 

PMID- 26264840
TI  - Exploring new Probenecid-based carbonic anhydrase inhibitors: Synthesis,
      biological evaluation and docking studies.
AB  - Novel Probenecid-based amide derivatives, incorporating different natural amino
      acids, were synthesized and assayed to test their effect on the human carbonic
      anhydrase (hCA, EC 4.2.1.1) transmembrane isoforms hCA IX and XII over the
      ubiquitous isoforms hCA I and II. Most of them presented a complete loss of hCA
      II inhibition (K(i)s > 10,000 nM) and strong inhibitory activity against hCA IX
      and XII in the nanomolar range with respect to the parent compound. A residual
      activity against hCA I was observed for some of them. These biological results
      have been explained by docking studies within the active sites of the four
      studied human carbonic anhydrases (with or without the zinc-bound water) and
      helped us to better comprehend the rationale behind the design of tertiary
      sulfonamide compounds as potent but atypical inhibitors of specific isoforms of
      human carbonic anhydrase.

PMID- 26264841
TI  - Molecular dynamics and density functional studies on the metabolic selectivity of
      antipsychotic thioridazine by cytochrome P450 2D6: Connection with
      crystallographic and metabolic results.
AB  - CYP2D6, a cytochrome P450 isoform, significantly contributes to the metabolism of
      many clinically important drugs. Thioridazine (THD) is one of the phenothiazine
      type antipsychotics, which exhibit dopamine D2 antagonistic activity. THD shows
      characteristic metabolic profiles compared to other phenothiazine-type
      antipsychotics such as chlorpromazine. The sulfur atom attached to the
      phenothiazine ring is preferentially oxidized mainly by CYP2D6, that is, the 2
      sulfoxide is a major metabolite, and interestingly this metabolite shows more
      potent activity against dopamine D2 receptors than THD. On the other hand, the
      formation of this metabolite causes many serious problems for its clinical use.
      Wojcikowski et al. (Drug Metab. Dispos. 2006, 34, 471) reported a kinetic study
      of THD formed by CYP2D6. Recently, Wang et al. (J. Biol. Chem. 2012, 287, 10834
      and J. Biol. Chem. 2015, 290, 5092) revealed the crystallographic structure of
      THD with CYP2D6. In the current study, the binding and reaction mechanisms at the
      atomic and electronic levels were computationally examined based on the
      assumption as to whether or not the different crystallographic binding poses
      correspond to the different metabolites. The binding and oxidative reaction steps
      in the whole metabolic process were investigated using molecular dynamics and
      density functional theory calculations, respectively. The current study
      demonstrated the essential importance of the orientation of the substrate in the
      reaction center of CYP2D6 for the metabolic reaction. 

PMID- 26264842
TI  - A new small molecule inhibitor of soluble guanylate cyclase.
AB  - Soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) is a haem containing enzyme that regulates
      cardiovascular homeostasis and multiple mechanisms in the central and peripheral
      nervous system. Commonly used inhibitors of sGC activity act through oxidation of
      the haem moiety, however they also bind haemoglobin and this limits their
      bioavailability for in vivo studies. We have discovered a new class of small
      molecule inhibitors of sGC and have characterised a compound designated D12
      (compound 10) which binds to the catalytic domain of the enzyme with a KD of 11
      MUM in a SPR assay.

PMID- 26264843
TI  - Photoaffinity labeling studies of the carbohydrate-binding proteins with
      different affinities.
AB  - Photoaffinity labeling has been used as a promising approach to detection and
      isolation of carbohydrate-binding proteins, which are typically characterized by
      low binding affinity and selectivity. When there are several specific binding
      proteins, it is desirable that a photoaffinity probe is capable of simultaneously
      crosslinking them and that the crosslinking yields depend on the relative binding
      affinities. In this study, we describe the design and synthesis of carbohydrate
      photoaffinity probes and their ability to capture lectins of different binding
      affinities. 

PMID- 26264844
TI  - Phosphate-modified analogues of m(7)GTP and m(7)Gppppm(7)G-Synthesis and
      biochemical properties.
AB  - The synthesis and biochemical properties of 17 new mRNA cap analogues are
      reported. Six of these nucleotides are m(7)GTP derivatives, whereas 11 are 'two
      headed' tetraphosphate dinucleotides based on a m(7)Gppppm(7)G structure. The
      compounds contain either a boranophosphate or phosphorothioate moiety in the
      nucleoside neighbouring position(s) and some of them possess an additional
      methylene group between beta and gamma phosphorus atoms. The compounds were
      prepared by divalent metal chloride-mediated coupling of an appropriate m(7)GMP
      analogue with a given P(1),P(2)-di(1-imidazolyl) derivative. The analogues were
      evaluated as tools for studying cap-dependent processes in a number of
      biochemical assays, including determination of affinity to eukaryotic initiation
      factor eIF4E, susceptibility to enzymatic hydrolysis, and translational
      efficiency in vitro. The results indicate that modification in the phosphate
      chain can increase binding to cap-interacting proteins and provides higher
      resistance to degradation. Furthermore, modified derivatives of m(7)GTP were
      found to be potent inhibitors of cap-dependent translation in cell free systems. 

PMID- 26264845
TI  - Design and synthesis of dithiocarbamate linked beta-carboline derivatives: DNA
      topoisomerase II inhibition with DNA binding and apoptosis inducing ability.
AB  - A series of new beta-carboline-dithiocarbamate derivatives bearing phenyl,
      dithiocarbamate and H/methyl substitutions at position-1, 3 and 9, respectively,
      were designed and synthesized. These derivatives 8a-l and 13a-l and their
      starting precursors (7 a-d and 12 a-d) have been evaluated for their in vitro
      cytotoxic activity on selected human cancer cell lines. Among the derivatives
      tested, 7 c, 12 c, 8 a, 8 d, 8 i, 8 j, 8 k, 8l and 13 d-l exhibited considerable
      cytotoxicity against most of the tested cancer cell lines (IC50<10MUM).
      Interestingly, most of the derivatives (8 a-l and 13a-l) exhibited enhanced
      activity than their precursors (7 a-d and 12 a-d), which indicates that the
      combination of dithiocarbamate with beta-carboline enhances the cytotoxicity of 8
      a-l and 13 a-l. Moreover, the derivatives 8 j and 13 g exhibited significant
      cytotoxic activity with IC50 values of 1.34 MUM and 0.79 MUM on DU-145 cancer
      cells, respectively. Further, the induction of apoptosis by these derivatives was
      confirmed by Annexin V-FITC and Hoechst staining assays. However, both
      biophysical as well as molecular docking studies suggested a combilexin-type of
      interaction between these derivatives and DNA, unlike simple beta-carbolines.
      With a view to understand their mechanism of action, DNA topoisomerase II (topo
      II) inhibition assay was also performed. Overall, the present study emphasizes
      the importance of linking a dithiocarbamate moiety to the beta-carboline scaffold
      for exhibiting profound activity.

PMID- 26264846
TI  - Evaluation of transition-state mimics in a superior BACE1 cleavage sequence as
      peptide-mimetic BACE1 inhibitors.
AB  - A superior substrate sequence for BACE1 containing transition-state mimics at the
      scissile site was evaluated as a protease inhibitor. Hydroxymethylcarbonyl (HMC)
      and hydroxyethylamine (HEA) isosteres were selected as the transition state
      mimics, and incorporated into the scissile site of the superior sequence covering
      the P4 to P1' sites (Glu-Ile-Thi-Thi(*)Nva; (*)denotes the cleavage site).
      Isosteres having different absolute configurations of the hydroxyl group were
      synthesized separately, and the effect of the configuration was evaluated.
      Configuration of the hydroxyl group of each isostere showed a marked effect on
      the inhibitory activity; anti-configuration to the scissile site substituent had
      potent inhibitory activity in an HMC-type inhibitor, whereas anti-configuration
      of HEA-type inhibitors showed no inhibitory activity. Structural evaluations
      based on X-ray crystallographic analyses of recombinant BACE1 in complex with
      each inhibitor provided insights into the protein-ligand interactions, especially
      at the prime sites. 

PMID- 26264847
TI  - Ribosome-targeting antibiotics as inhibitors of oncogenic microRNAs biogenesis:
      Old scaffolds for new perspectives in RNA targeting.
AB  - MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression at the post
      transcriptional level. It is now well established that the overexpression of some
      miRNAs (oncogenic miRNAs) is responsible for initiation and progression of human
      cancers and the discovery of new molecules able to interfere with their
      production and/or function represents one of the most important challenges of
      current medicinal chemistry of RNA ligands. In this work, we studied the ability
      of 18 different antibiotics, known as prokaryotic ribosomal RNA, to bind to
      oncogenic miRNA precursors (stem-loop structured pre-miRNAs) in order to inhibit
      miRNAs production. In vitro inhibition, binding constants, thermodynamic
      parameters and binding sites were investigated and highlighted that
      aminoglycosides and tetracyclines represent interesting pre-miRNA ligands with
      the ability to inhibit Dicer processing. 

PMID- 26264848
TI  - The use of cardiovascular imaging in prognostic stratification.

PMID- 26264849
TI  - What is the effect of fasting on the lifespan of neurons?
AB  - Medical advancements have increased life expectancy but have consequently
      increased the incidence of age-related disease. Fasting or dietary restriction
      (DR) can help prevent these via anti-ageing effects; however, these effects in
      neurons are less well characterized. Here, a series of animal and human studies
      of the effects of DR on the structural and functional integrity of neurons and
      the underlying mechanisms are analyzed. DR improves the integrity of animal
      neurons via a wide range of possible mechanisms including changes in metabolism,
      oxidative damage, stress responses, growth factors, and gene expression. These
      mechanisms are extensively interlinked and point to an optimum range of calorie
      intake, above calorie deprivation and below burdensome calorie excess. Human
      studies also suggest that DR improves neuron integrity; however, due to ethical
      and methodological limitations, the most conclusive data on DR hinge upon on
      going life-long monkey experiments. Rather than developing pharmacological
      mimetics of DR, our focus should be on educating the public about DR in order to
      minimize age-related disease.

PMID- 26264850
TI  - Simulation-based estimation of mean and standard deviation for meta-analysis via
      Approximate Bayesian Computation (ABC).
AB  - BACKGROUND: When conducting a meta-analysis of a continuous outcome, estimated
      means and standard deviations from the selected studies are required in order to
      obtain an overall estimate of the mean effect and its confidence interval. If
      these quantities are not directly reported in the publications, they must be
      estimated from other reported summary statistics, such as the median, the
      minimum, the maximum, and quartiles. METHODS: We propose a simulation-based
      estimation approach using the Approximate Bayesian Computation (ABC) technique
      for estimating mean and standard deviation based on various sets of summary
      statistics found in published studies. We conduct a simulation study to compare
      the proposed ABC method with the existing methods of Hozo et al. (2005), Bland
      (2015), and Wan et al. (2014). RESULTS: In the estimation of the standard
      deviation, our ABC method performs better than the other methods when data are
      generated from skewed or heavy-tailed distributions. The corresponding average
      relative error (ARE) approaches zero as sample size increases. In data generated
      from the normal distribution, our ABC performs well. However, the Wan et al.
      method is best for estimating standard deviation under normal distribution. In
      the estimation of the mean, our ABC method is best regardless of assumed
      distribution. CONCLUSION: ABC is a flexible method for estimating the study
      specific mean and standard deviation for meta-analysis, especially with
      underlying skewed or heavy-tailed distributions. The ABC method can be applied
      using other reported summary statistics such as the posterior mean and 95 %
      credible interval when Bayesian analysis has been employed.

PMID- 26264851
TI  - Barriers facing medical education are methodological, not financial.

PMID- 26264852
TI  - Process of care in outpatient Integrative healthcare facilities: a systematic
      review of clinical trials.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients currently integrate complementary medicine (CM) and
      allopathic, choosing a combination of therapies rather than a single therapy in
      isolation. Understanding integrative healthcare (IHC) extends beyond evaluation
      of specific therapies to encompass evaluations of multidisciplinary complex
      interventions. IHC is defined as a therapeutic strategy integrating conventional
      and complementary medical practices and practitioners in a shared care setting to
      administer an individualized treatment plan. We sought to review the outcomes of
      recent clinical trials, explore the design of the interventions and to discuss
      the methodological approaches and issues that arise when investigating a complex
      mix of interventions in order to guide future research. METHOD: Five databases
      were searched from inception to 30 March 2013. We included randomized and quasi
      experimental clinical trials of IHC. Data elements covering process of care
      (initial assessment, treatment planning and review, means for integration) were
      extracted. RESULTS: Six thousand two hundred fifty six papers were screened, 5772
      were excluded and 484 full text articles retrieved. Five studies met the
      inclusion criteria. There are few experimental studies of IHC. Of the five
      studies conducted, four were in people with lower back pain. The positive
      findings of these studies indicate that it is feasible to conduct a rigorous
      clinical trial of an integrative intervention involving allopathic and CM
      treatment. Further, such interventions may improve patient outcomes. CONCLUSIONS:
      The trials in our review provide a small yet critical base from which to refine
      and develop larger studies. Future studies need to be adequately powered to
      address efficacy, safety and include data on cost effectiveness.

PMID- 26264853
TI  - Predictors of Recurrent AKI.
AB  - Recurrent AKI is common among patients after hospitalized AKI and is associated
      with progressive CKD. In this study, we identified clinical risk factors for
      recurrent AKI present during index AKI hospitalizations that occurred between
      2003 and 2010 using a regional Veterans Administration database in the United
      States. AKI was defined as a 0.3 mg/dl or 50% increase from a baseline creatinine
      measure. The primary outcome was hospitalization with recurrent AKI within 12
      months of discharge from the index hospitalization. Time to recurrent AKI was
      examined using Cox regression analysis, and sensitivity analyses were performed
      using a competing risk approach. Among 11,683 qualifying AKI hospitalizations,
      2954 patients (25%) were hospitalized with recurrent AKI within 12 months of
      discharge. Median time to recurrent AKI within 12 months was 64 (interquartile
      range 19-167) days. In addition to known demographic and comorbid risk factors
      for AKI, patients with longer AKI duration and those whose discharge diagnosis at
      index AKI hospitalization included congestive heart failure (primary diagnosis),
      decompensated advanced liver disease, cancer with or without chemotherapy, acute
      coronary syndrome, or volume depletion, were at highest risk for being
      hospitalized with recurrent AKI. Risk factors identified were similar when a
      competing risk model for death was applied. In conclusion, several inpatient
      conditions associated with AKI may increase the risk for recurrent AKI. These
      findings should facilitate risk stratification, guide appropriate patient
      referral after AKI, and help generate potential risk reduction strategies.
      Efforts to identify modifiable factors to prevent recurrent AKI in these patients
      are warranted. 

PMID- 26264854
TI  - Loss of Epithelial Membrane Protein 2 Aggravates Podocyte Injury via Upregulation
      of Caveolin-1.
AB  - Nephrotic syndrome is a CKD defined by proteinuria with subsequent
      hypoalbuminemia, hyperlipidemia, and edema caused by impaired renal glomerular
      filtration barrier function. We previously identified mutations in epithelial
      membrane protein 2 (EMP2) as a monogenic cause of this disease. Here, we
      generated an emp2-knockout zebrafish model using transcription activator-like
      effector nuclease-based genome editing. We found that loss of emp2 in zebrafish
      upregulated caveolin-1 (cav1), a major component of caveolae, in embryos and
      adult mesonephric glomeruli and exacerbated podocyte injury. This phenotype was
      partially rescued by glucocorticoids. Furthermore, overexpression of cav1 in
      zebrafish podocytes was sufficient to induce the same phenotype observed in emp2
      homozygous mutants, which was also treatable with glucocorticoids. Similarly,
      knockdown of EMP2 in cultured human podocytes resulted in increased CAV1
      expression and decreased podocyte survival in the presence of puromycin
      aminonucleoside, whereas glucocorticoid treatment ameliorated this phenotype.
      Taken together, we have established excessive CAV1 as a mediator of the
      predisposition to podocyte injury because of loss of EMP2, suggesting CAV1 could
      be a novel therapeutic target in nephrotic syndrome and podocyte injury.

PMID- 26264856
TI  - Bimodal Exciplex Formation in Bimolecular Photoinduced Electron Transfer Revealed
      by Ultrafast Time-Resolved Infrared Absorption.
AB  - The dynamics of a moderately exergonic photoinduced charge separation has been
      investigated by ultrafast time-resolved infrared absorption with the
      dimethylanthracene/phthalonitrile donor/acceptor pair in solvents covering a
      broad range of polarity. A distinct spectral signature of an exciplex could be
      identified in the -C=N stretching region. On the basis of quantum chemistry
      calculations, the 4-5 times larger width of this band compared to those of the
      ions and of the locally excited donor bands is explained by a dynamic
      distribution of exciplex geometry with different mutual orientations and
      distances of the constituents and, thus, with varying charge-transfer character.
      Although spectrally similar, two types of exciplexes could be distinguished by
      their dynamics: short-lived, "tight", exciplexes generated upon static quenching
      and longer-lived, "loose", exciplexes formed upon dynamic quenching in parallel
      with ion pairs. Tight exciplexes were observed in all solvents, except in the
      least polar diethyl ether where quenching is slower than diffusion. The product
      distribution of the dynamic quenching depends strongly on the solvent polarity:
      whereas no significant loose exciplex population could be detected in
      acetonitrile, both exciplex and ion pair are generated in less polar solvents,
      with the relative population of exciplex increasing with decreasing solvent
      polarity. These results are compared with those reported previously with
      donor/acceptor pairs in different driving force regimes to obtain a comprehensive
      picture of the role of the exciplexes in bimolecular photoinduced charge
      separation. 

PMID- 26264855
TI  - Comparison of Glomerular and Podocyte mRNA Profiles in Streptozotocin-Induced
      Diabetes.
AB  - Evaluating the mRNA profile of podocytes in the diabetic kidney may indicate
      genes involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. To determine if the
      podocyte-specific gene information contained in mRNA profiles of the whole
      glomerulus of the diabetic kidney accurately reflects gene expression in the
      isolated podocytes, we crossed Nos3(-/-) IRG mice with podocin-rtTA and TetON-Cre
      mice for enhanced green fluorescent protein labeling of podocytes before diabetic
      injury. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin, and mRNA profiles of isolated
      glomeruli and sorted podocytes from diabetic and control mice were examined 10
      weeks later. Expression of podocyte-specific markers in glomeruli was
      downregulated in diabetic mice compared with controls. However, expression of
      these markers was not altered in sorted podocytes from diabetic mice. When mRNA
      levels of glomeruli were corrected for podocyte number per glomerulus, the
      differences in podocyte marker expression disappeared. Analysis of the
      differentially expressed genes in diabetic mice also revealed distinct
      upregulated pathways in the glomeruli (mitochondrial function, oxidative stress)
      and in podocytes (actin organization). In conclusion, our data suggest reduced
      expression of podocyte markers in glomeruli is a secondary effect of reduced
      podocyte number, thus podocyte-specific gene expression detected in the whole
      glomerulus may not represent that in podocytes in the diabetic kidney.

PMID- 26264857
TI  - Design of substrate-based BCR-ABL kinase inhibitors using the cyclotide scaffold.
AB  - The constitutively active tyrosine kinase BCR-ABL is the underlying cause of
      chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Current CML treatments rely on the long-term use
      of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), which target the ATP binding site of BCR
      ABL. Over the course of treatment, 20-30% of CML patients develop TKI resistance,
      which is commonly attributed to point mutations in the drug-binding region. We
      design a new class of peptide inhibitors that target the substrate-binding site
      of BCR-ABL by grafting sequences derived from abltide, the optimal substrate of
      Abl kinase, onto a cell-penetrating cyclotide MCoTI-II. Three grafted cyclotides
      show significant Abl kinase inhibition in vitro in the low micromolar range using
      a novel kinase inhibition assay. Our work also demonstrates that a reengineered
      MCoTI-II with abltide sequences grafted in both loop 1 and 6 inhibits the
      activity of [T315I]Abl in vitro, a mutant Abl kinase harboring the "gatekeeper"
      mutation which is notorious for being multidrug resistant. Results from serum
      stability and cell internalization studies confirm that the MCoTI-II scaffold
      provides enzymatic stability and cell-penetrating properties to the lead
      molecules. Taken together, our study highlights that reengineered cyclotides
      incorporating abltide-derived sequences are promising substrate-competitive
      inhibitors for Abl kinase and the T315I mutant. 

PMID- 26264858
TI  - Reserve-building activities in multiple sclerosis patients and healthy controls:
      a descriptive study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cognitive reserve has been implicated as a possible protective factor
      in multiple sclerosis (MS) but to date no study has compared reserve-building
      activities across disease course or to healthy controls. This study aims to
      describe differences in reserve-building activities across the MS disease course
      and healthy controls. METHODS: Secondary analysis of a cross-sectional cohort
      study that included 276 healthy controls, and subjects with clinically isolated
      syndrome (CIS; n = 67), relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS; n = 358) and secondary
      progressive MS (PMS; n = 109). Past reserve-building activities were
      operationalized as occupational attainment and education. Current activities
      comprised 6 strenuous and 6 non-strenuous activities, including 5 reserve
      building activities and television-watching. Multivariate Analysis of Variance
      models examined group differences in past and current activities, after adjusting
      for covariates. RESULTS: There were group differences in past and current reserve
      building activities. SPMS patients had lower past reserve-building activities
      than healthy controls. All forms of MS engaged in fewer strenuous current reserve
      building pursuits than healthy controls. RRMS read less than healthy controls.
      SPMS engaged in fewer job-related non-strenuous activities. All MS groups watched
      more television than healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: MS patients show
      significantly fewer past and present reserve-building activities. Although it is
      difficult to establish causality without future prospective studies, lifestyle
      modifying interventions should prioritize expanding MS patients' repertoire of
      strenuous and non-strenuous activities.

PMID- 26264859
TI  - Impaired cognition and cerebral glucose regulation are associated with astrocyte
      activation in the parenchyma of metabolically stressed APPswe/PS1dE9 mice.
AB  - Although metabolic syndrome was suggested to be a risk factor for Alzheimer's
      disease (AD), the role of metabolic stress in the initiation of AD pathology
      remains unclear. In this study, metabolic stress was induced by a high-fat diet
      and low-dose injection of streptozotocin (HFSTZ) before the appearance of senile
      plaques in APP/PS1 transgenic mice. We found that, HFSTZ treatment exacerbated
      amyloid beta burden and astrocyte activation in the vicinity of plaques.
      Moreover, we observed an upregulation of astrocytic S100B expression in the brain
      parenchyma of HFSTZ-treated APP/PS1 mice concurrent with increased interleukin-6
      expression in cerebral microvascular cells. To determine the impact of HFSTZ
      treatment on brain function, we performed [(18)F]fludeoxyglucose-positron
      emission tomography and analyzed nesting behavior. HFSTZ treatment impaired nest
      construction and cerebral glucose metabolism in several brain regions of APP/PS1
      mice during the early stage of AD. These results suggest that HFSTZ-induced
      peripheral metabolic stress may contribute to vascular inflammation and astrocyte
      reactivity in the parenchyma and may impair activity of daily living skill and
      cerebral glucose metabolism in APP/PS1 mice. 

PMID- 26264860
TI  - Size-segregated emissions and metal content of vehicle-emitted particles as a
      function of mileage: Implications to population exposure.
AB  - The study aims at investigating the characteristics (size distribution, active
      surface and metal content) of particles emitted by cars as a function of mileage
      using a novel methodology for characterizing particulate emissions captured by
      Exhaust Gas Suspension (EGS). EGS was obtained by passing the exhaust gases
      through a container of deionized water. EGS analysis was performed using laser
      granulometry, electron scanning microscopy, and high resolution mass
      spectrometry. Implications of the differences in key features of the emitted
      particles on population exposure were investigated using numerical simulation for
      estimating size-segregated PM deposition across human respiratory tract (HRT). It
      was found that vehicle mileage, age and the respective emissions class have
      almost no effect on the size distribution of the exhaust gas particulate released
      into the environment; about half of the examined vehicles with low mileage were
      found to release particles of aerodynamic diameter above 10 MUm. The exhaust gas
      particulate detected in the EGS of all cars can be classified into three major
      size classes: (1) 0.1-5 um - soot and ash particles, metals (Au, Pt, Pd, Ir); (2)
      10-30 um - metal (Cr, Fe, Cu, Zr, Ni) and ash particles; (3) 400-1,000 um - metal
      (Fe, Cr, Pb) and ash particles. Newer vehicles with low mileage are substantial
      sources of soot and metal particles with median diameter of 200 nm with a higher
      surface area (up to 89,871.16 cm(2)/cm(3)). These tend to deposit in the lower
      part of the human respiratory tract.

PMID- 26264861
TI  - Computational full electron structure study of biological activity in Cyclophilin
      A.
AB  - Cyclosporine (CsA) is widely used in organ transplant patients to help prevent
      the patient's body from rejecting the organ. CsA has been shown to be a safe and
      highly effective immunosuppressive drug that binds with the protein Cyclophilin A
      (CypA) at active sites. However, the exact mechanism of this binding at the
      molecular level remains unknown. In this project, we elucidate the binding of CsA
      to CypA at the molecular level by computing their electron structures and
      revealing their interactions. We employ a novel technique called electron
      Computer-Aided Drug Design (eCADD) on the protein's full electron structure along
      with its hydrophobic pocket and the perturbation theory of the interaction
      between two wave functions. We have identified the wave function of CypA, the
      biological active residues and active atoms of CypA and CsA, the interaction site
      between CypA and CsA, and the hydrogen bonds in the ligand CsA binding site. All
      these calculated active residues, active atoms, and hydrogen bonds are in good
      agreement with recorded laboratory experiments and provide guidelines for
      designing new ligands of CypA. We believe that our eCADD framework can provide
      researchers with a cost-efficient new method of drug design based on the full
      electron structure of proteins. 

PMID- 26264862
TI  - Surface immobilization of a protease through an inhibitor-derived affinity
      ligand: a bioactive surface with defensive properties against an inhibitor.
AB  - The concept of enzyme immobilization via an inhibitor-derived peptide was
      developed. This method of immobilization was shown to be advantageous over
      physical adsorption and covalent bonding in retaining the enzymatic activity.
      Moreover, the surface-immobilized enzyme exhibited resistance against its
      inhibitor due to the occupation of an inhibitor binding site on the enzyme. 

PMID- 26264863
TI  - Ethanol photocatalysis on rutile TiO2(110): the role of defects and water.
AB  - In this work we present a stoichiometric reaction mechanism for the
      photocatalytic ethanol oxidation on TiO2(110). The reaction products are analyzed
      either under reaction conditions or after irradiation at lower temperatures.
      Water is identified as a quantitative by-product, which resides in a defect site.
      These water molecules cause a blocking of the defect sites which results in
      poisoning of the catalyst. By different preparation techniques of the TiO2(110)
      surface, the role of surface defects is further elucidated and the role of
      molecular oxygen is investigated. Based on the investigation, a complete
      photochemical reaction mechanism is given, which provides insights into general
      photon driven oxidation mechanisms on TiO2. 

PMID- 26264864
TI  - Ionization-induced annealing of pre-existing defects in silicon carbide.
AB  - A long-standing objective in materials research is to effectively heal
      fabrication defects or to remove pre-existing or environmentally induced damage
      in materials. Silicon carbide (SiC) is a fascinating wide-band gap semiconductor
      for high-temperature, high-power and high-frequency applications. Its high
      corrosion and radiation resistance makes it a key refractory/structural material
      with great potential for extremely harsh radiation environments. Here we show
      that the energy transferred to the electron system of SiC by energetic ions via
      inelastic ionization can effectively anneal pre-existing defects and restore the
      structural order. The threshold determined for this recovery process reveals that
      it can be activated by 750 and 850 keV Si and C self-ions, respectively. The
      results conveyed here can contribute to SiC-based device fabrication by providing
      a room-temperature approach to repair atomic lattice structures, and to SiC
      performance prediction as either a functional material for device applications or
      a structural material for high-radiation environments. 

PMID- 26264866
TI  - Optimal criteria and sampling interval to detect a VO2 plateau at VO2max in
      patients with metabolic syndrome.
AB  - This study sought to determine the optimal criteria and sampling interval to
      detect a VO2 plateau at VO2max in patients with metabolic syndrome. Twenty-three
      participants with criteria-defined metabolic syndrome underwent a maximal graded
      exercise test. Four different sampling intervals and three different VO2 plateau
      criteria were analysed to determine the effect of each parameter on the incidence
      of VO2 plateau at VO2max. Seventeen tests were classified as maximal based on
      attainment of at least two out of three criteria. There was a significant (p <
      0.05) effect of 15-breath (b) sampling interval on the incidence of VO2 plateau
      at VO2max across the <= 50 and <= 80 mL ? min(-1) conditions. Strength of
      association was established by the Cramer's V statistic (phic); (<= 50 mL ? min(
      1) [phic = 0.592, p < 0.05], <= 80 mL ? min(-1) [phic = 0.383, p < 0.05], <= 150
      mL ? min(-1) [phic = 0.246, p > 0.05]). When conducting maximal stress tests on
      patients with metabolic syndrome, a 15-b sampling interval and <= 50 mL ? min(-1)
      criteria should be implemented to increase the likelihood of detecting VO2
      plateau at VO2max.

PMID- 26264867
TI  - Evaluating acellular versus cellular perfusate composition during prolonged ex
      vivo lung perfusion after initial cold ischaemia for 24 hours.
AB  - Normothermic ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) has developed as a powerful technique
      to evaluate particularly marginal donor lungs prior to transplantation. In this
      study, acellular and cellular perfusate compositions were compared in an
      identical experimental setting as no consensus has been reached on a preferred
      technique yet. Porcine lungs underwent EVLP for 12 h on the basis of an acellular
      or a cellular perfusate composition after 24 h of cold ischaemia as defined organ
      stress. During perfusion, haemodynamic and respiratory parameters were monitored.
      After EVLP, the lung condition was assessed by light and transmission electron
      microscopy. Aerodynamic parameters did not show significant differences between
      groups and remained within the in vivo range during EVLP. Mean oxygenation
      indices were 491 +/- 39 in the acellular group and 513 +/- 53 in the cellular
      group. Groups only differed significantly in terms of higher pulmonary artery
      pressure and vascular resistance in the cellular group. Lung histology and
      ultrastructure were largely well preserved after prolonged EVLP and showed only
      minor structural alterations which were similarly present in both groups.
      Prolonged acellular and cellular EVLP for 12 h are both feasible with lungs
      prechallenged by ischaemic organ stress. Physiological and ultrastructural
      analysis showed no superiority of either acellular or cellular perfusate
      composition.

PMID- 26264868
TI  - Basal cell carcinomas showing histological features generally associated with
      cutaneous adnexal neoplasms.
AB  - Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the commonest malignant neoplasm in humans.
      Although a histopathological diagnosis of BCC is straightforward in the vast
      majority of cases, unusual histological variants can present a diagnostic
      challenge. A small proportion of BCCs show features which are generally
      associated with cutaneous adnexal neoplasms. Such changes may involve either the
      epithelium or the stroma and can mislead the pathologist particularly in small
      biopsies. Despite the growing evidence which speculate that BCC is a primitive
      follicular tumor, it is unusual to encounter tumors which actually show
      definitive signs of adnexal differentiation. This review aims to address this
      somewhat overlooked aspect of a very common tumor and offers practical guidance
      to distinguish them from adnexal neoplasms which they might mimic.

PMID- 26264870
TI  - A facile approach to the synthesis of structurally diverse 6,8a-dihydropyrido[2,3
      d]pyrimidine derivatives via a three-component domino reaction.
AB  - A concise and efficient approach to the synthesis of structurally diverse 6,8a
      dihydropyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine derivatives has been accomplished by a three
      component reaction involving sulfonyl acetonitrile, an aromatic aldehyde, and 6
      aminouracil. The method involves the domino Knoevenagel condensation/Michael
      addition/cyclization cascade in the presence of triethylamine in refluxing
      ethanol. 

PMID- 26264871
TI  - MR derived volumetric flow rate waveforms of internal carotid artery in patients
      treated for unruptured intracranial aneurysms by flow diversion technique.
AB  - Little is known about the hemodynamic disturbances induced by the cerebral
      aneurysms in the parent artery and the effect of flow diverter stents (FDS) on
      these latter. A better understanding of the aneurysm-parent vessel complex
      relationship may aid our understanding of this disease and to optimize its
      treatment. The ability of volumetric flow rate (VFR) waveform to reflect the
      arterial compliance modifications is well known. By analyzing the VFR waveform
      and the pulsatility in the parent vessel, this study aimed to test the hypotheses
      that (1) intracranial aneurysms might disrupt the blood flow of the parent vessel
      and (2) the treatment by FDS might have measurable corrective effect on these
      changes. Ten patients followed for unruptured intracranial aneurysms treated by
      FDS and ten healthy volunteers as control group were included in this study. Two
      dimensional quantitative phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was
      performed on each patient on the ICA artery upstream and downstream to the
      aneurysm, and on each volunteer at similar locations. The aneurysms altered
      significantly the parent vessel pulsatility and this effect was correlated to
      their volume. The aneurysms treatment by FDS allowed for the restoration of a
      normally modulated flow and pulsatility correction in the parent vessel. 

PMID- 26264872
TI  - DULIP: A Dual Luminescence-Based Co-Immunoprecipitation Assay for Interactome
      Mapping in Mammalian Cells.
AB  - Mapping of protein-protein interactions (PPIs) is critical for understanding
      protein function and complex biological processes. Here, we present DULIP, a dual
      luminescence-based co-immunoprecipitation assay, for systematic PPI mapping in
      mammalian cells. DULIP is a second-generation luminescence-based PPI screening
      method for the systematic and quantitative analysis of co-immunoprecipitations
      using two different luciferase tags. Benchmarking studies with positive and
      negative PPI reference sets revealed that DULIP allows the detection of
      interactions with high sensitivity and specificity. Furthermore, the analysis of
      a PPI reference set with known binding affinities demonstrated that both low- and
      high-affinity interactions can be detected with DULIP assays. Finally, using the
      well-characterized interaction between Syntaxin-1 and Munc18, we found that DULIP
      is capable of detecting the effects of point mutations on interaction strength.
      Taken together, our studies demonstrate that DULIP is a sensitive and reliable
      method of great utility for systematic interactome research. It can be applied
      for interaction screening and validation of PPIs in mammalian cells. Moreover,
      DULIP permits the specific analysis of mutation-dependent binding patterns. 

PMID- 26264874
TI  - Pathogenesis and Management of Buerger's Disease.
AB  - Buerger's disease or thromboangiitis obliterans causes pain, ulceration, or
      gangrene in the lower or upper extremity. It is associated with chronic cigarette
      smoking and is believed to be an immune mediated vasculitis. The pathogenesis is
      still unknown but recent postulate of its association with odontal bacteria has
      generated much renewed interest. Despite its recognition more than a century ago,
      little progress has been made in its treatment. Until the pathogenesis is
      elucidated, abstinence from cigarette is the only effective therapy. 

PMID- 26264873
TI  - The Telomere Binding Protein Cdc13 and the Single-Stranded DNA Binding Protein
      RPA Protect Telomeric DNA from Resection by Exonucleases.
AB  - The telomere is present at the ends of all eukaryotic chromosomes and usually
      consists of repetitive TG-rich DNA that terminates in a single-stranded 3' TG
      extension and a 5' CA-rich recessed strand. A biochemical assay that allows the
      in vitro observation of exonuclease-catalyzed degradation (resection) of
      telomeres has been developed. The approach uses an oligodeoxynucleotide that
      folds to a stem-loop with a TG-rich double-stranded region and a 3' single
      stranded extension, typical of telomeres. Cdc13, the major component of the
      telomere-specific CST complex, strongly protects the recessed strand from the 5'
      >3' exonuclease activity of the model exonuclease from bacteriophage lambda. The
      isolated DNA binding domain of Cdc13 is less effective at shielding telomeres.
      Protection is specific, not being observed in control DNA lacking the specific TG
      rich telomere sequence. RPA, the eukaryotic single-stranded DNA binding protein,
      also inhibits telomere resection. However, this protein is non-specific, equally
      hindering the degradation of non-telomere controls. 

PMID- 26264875
TI  - Case Series of HIV Infection-Associated Arteriopathy: Diagnosis, Management, and
      Outcome Over a 5-Year period at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, Chiang Mai
      University.
AB  - Patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can present with 4
      pathology types: drug-induced vasospasm (ergotism), arterial limb ischemia,
      critical limb ischemia, and aneurysm. Although these problems are common vascular
      problems, they result in increased morbidity and mortality in HIV-infected
      patients, especially aneurysm. Patients with these problems tend to be diagnosed
      with difficulty because of atypical symptoms and signs. Because of lack of data
      in treatment outcome literature, our report explores and provides information on
      HIV infection-related arteriopathy. There were 17 patients in our 5-year review.
      There was no death in patients except the aneurysm type. The survival of aneurysm
      patients was significantly lower than from other pathologies (P = .003). Our case
      series showed good short-term outcome, and patients were not at risk for less
      beneficial surgical procedures. 

PMID- 26264876
TI  - Autophagy-Induced Apoptosis in Lung Cancer Cells by a Novel Digitoxin Analog.
AB  - We have synthesized a novel derivative of Digitoxin, termed "MonoD", which
      demonstrates cytotoxic effects in lung cancer cells with much higher potency as
      compared to Digitoxin. Our data show that within 1 h of MonoD treatment, H460
      cells showed increased oxidative stress, increased formation of autophagic
      vacuoles, and increased expression of pro-autophagic markers Beclin-1 and LC3-II.
      Cells pretreated with MnTBAP, a superoxide scavenger not only lowered superoxide
      production, but also had lower levels of LC3-II and Beclin-1. Prolonged treatment
      with MonoD-induced apoptosis in lung cancer cells. We investigated MonoD
      dependent regulation of Akt and Bcl2, proteins that are known regulators of both
      autophagy and apoptosis. Molecular and pharmacologic inhibitors of Bcl2 and Akt,
      when combined with MonoD, led to higher expression of LC3-II and Beclin-1 as
      compared to MonoD alone, suggesting a repressive effect for these proteins in
      MonoD-dependent autophagy. Pretreatment of cells with an autophagy inhibitor
      repressed the apoptotic potential of MonoD, confirming that early autophagic flux
      is important to drive apoptosis. Therapeutic entities such as MonoD that target
      multiple pathways such as autophagy and apoptosis may prove advantageous over
      current therapies that have unimodal basis for action and may drive sustained
      tumor regression, which is highly desirable. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 817-828,
      2016. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 26264877
TI  - Developmental changes between childhood and adulthood in passive observational
      and interactive feedback-based categorization rule learning.
AB  - As children start attending school they are more likely to face situations where
      they have to autonomously learn about novel object categories (e.g. by reading a
      picture book with descriptions of novel animals). Such autonomous observational
      category learning (OCL) gradually complements interactive feedback-based category
      learning (FBCL), where a child hypothesizes about the nature of a novel object,
      acts based on his prediction, and then receives feedback indicating the
      correctness of his prediction. Here we tested OCL and FBCL skills of elementary
      school children and adults. In both conditions, participants performed complex
      rule-based categorization tasks that required associating novel objects with
      novel category-labels. We expected children to perform better in FBCL tasks than
      in OCL tasks, whereas adults to be skilled in both tasks. As hypothesized, in
      early-phase learning children performed better in FBCL tasks than in OCL tasks.
      Unexpectedly, adults performed somewhat better in OCL tasks. Early-phase FBCL
      performance in the two age groups was matched, but the OCL performance of adults
      was higher than that of children. In late-phase learning there was only an age
      group main effect (adults > children). Moreover, performance in post-learning
      categorization tasks, that did not require label recollection, indicated that in
      FBCL tasks children were likely to directly learn the associations between an
      object and a category label, whereas in the OCL tasks they were likely to first
      learn which feature-dimensions were relevant. These findings shed light on
      developmental changes in cognitive control and learning mechanisms. Implications
      for educational settings are discussed.

PMID- 26264878
TI  - Surgical challenges in a new theater of modern warfare: The French role 2 in Gao,
      Mali.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: On January 11th 2013, France launched Operation Serval in Mali
      following Resolution 2085 of the Security Council of the United Nations. Between
      January and March 2013, more than 4000 French soldiers were deployed to support
      the Malian National Army and the African Armed Forces. METHODS: All of the
      patients who had surgery during Operation Serval were entered into a computerised
      database. Patients' demographic data (age, sex, status) and types of performed
      surgical procedures (specialties, injury mechanisms) were recorded. RESULTS: 268
      patients were operated on in Gao's Role 2 with a total of 296 surgeries. Among
      those operated on, 40% were Malian civilians, 24% were French soldiers, and 36%
      were soldiers of the International Coalition Forces. The majority of the
      surgeries were orthopaedic, and visceral surgeries were common as well,
      representing 43% of the total surgeries. Specialised surgical procedures
      including neurosurgery, thoracic, and vascular surgery were also performed. Forty
      percent of the surgeries were scheduled. War-related traumatic surgeries
      represented 22% of the surgical procedures, with non-war related surgeries and
      non-trauma emergency surgeries making up the rest. CONCLUSION: this analysis
      confirms the specific characteristic of asymmetric warfare that it results in a
      relatively reduced number of war-related casualties. Forward surgical teams have
      to deal with a wide range of injuries requiring several surgical specialties.
      Surgeries dedicated to medical aid provided to the population also represented an
      important part of the surgical activity. Because of the diversity and the
      technicality of the surgical procedures in Role 2, surgeons had to be trained in
      war surgery covering all of the surgical specialties, while they maintained their
      specific skills. In France in 2007, the French Military Health Service Academy
      (Ecole du Val-de-Grace, Paris, France) offered an advanced course in surgery for
      deployment in combat zones, with a special focus on damage control surgeries and
      the management of mass casualties incidents.

PMID- 26264879
TI  - Prehospital ultrasound of the abdomen and thorax changes trauma patient
      management: A systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ultrasound examination of trauma patients is increasingly performed
      in prehospital services. It is unclear if prehospital sonographic assessments
      change patient management: providing prehospital diagnosis and treatment,
      determining choice of destination hospital, or treatment at the receiving
      hospital. OBJECTIVE: This review aims to assess and grade the evidence that
      specifically examines whether prehospital ultrasound (PHUS) of the thorax and/or
      abdomen changes management of the trauma patient. METHODS: A systematic review
      was conducted of trauma patients who had an ultrasound of the thorax or abdomen
      performed in the prehospital setting. PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of Science (CINAHL,
      EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) and the reference lists
      of included studies were searched. Methodological quality was checked and risk of
      bias analysis performed, a level of evidence grade was assigned, and descriptive
      data analysis performed. RESULTS: 992 unique citations were identified, which
      included eight studies that met inclusion criteria with a total of 925 patients.
      There are no reports of randomised controlled trials. Heterogeneity exists
      between the included studies which ranged from a case series to retrospective and
      prospective non-randomised observational studies. Three studies achieved a 2+
      Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Networks grade for quality of evidence and
      the remainder demonstrated a high risk of bias. The three best studies each
      provided examples of prehospital ultrasound positively changing patient
      management. CONCLUSION: There is moderate evidence that supports prehospital
      physician use of ultrasound for trauma patients. For some patients, management
      was changed based on the results of the PHUS. The benefit of ultrasound use in
      non-physician services is unclear.

PMID- 26264880
TI  - An audit of penetrating neck injuries in a South African trauma service.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: This study reviews and validates the practice of selective non
      operative management (SNOM) of penetrating neck injury (PNI) in a South African
      trauma service and reviews the impact new imaging modalities have had on the
      management of this injury. METHODOLOGY: This study was performed within the
      Pietermaritzburg Metropolitan Trauma Service, in the city of Pietermaritzburg,
      Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa. A prospectively maintained trauma registry was
      retrospectively interrogated. All patients with PNI treated over a 46-month
      period were included within the study. RESULTS: A total of 510 patients were
      included in the study. There were 452 stab wounds (SW) and 58 gunshot wounds
      (GSW). A total of 202 (40%) patients sustained isolated PNI, the remaining 308
      (60%) patients sustained trauma to at least one additional anatomical region. An
      airway injury was identified in 29 (6%) patients; a pharyngo-oesophageal injury
      in 41 (8%) patients and a vascular injury in 86 (17%) patients. Associated
      injuries included three penetrating cardiac injuries (PCI) and 146 patients with
      haemo-pneumothoraces. Of the total cohort, 387 patients (76%) underwent CT
      Angiography (CTA), of which 70 (18%) demonstrated a vascular injury. Formal
      catheter directed angiogram (CDA) was performed on 16 patients with positive CTA
      but confirmed injury in only half of these patients. Of 212 patients (42%) who
      underwent water-soluble contrast swallow (WS-swallow), an injury was demonstrated
      in 29 (14%) cases. A total of 401 (79%) patients were successfully managed
      conservatively for PNI and 109 (21%) surgically or by endovascular intervention.
      Only five (1.2%) patients failed a trial of SNOM and required surgery. The in
      hospital mortality rate was 2%. No deaths could be attributed to a failure of
      SNOM. CONCLUSION: SNOM of PNI is a safe and appropriate management strategy. The
      conservative management of isolated pharyngeal injuries is well supported by our
      findings but the role of conservative treatment of oesophageal injuries needs to
      be further defined. The SNOM of small non-destructive upper airway injuries seems
      to be a safe strategy, while destructive airway injuries require formal repair.
      Imaging merely for proximity, is associated with a low yield. CTA has a
      significant false positive rate and good clinical assessment remains the
      cornerstone of management.

PMID- 26264881
TI  - Subtrochanteric fracture: the effect of cerclage wire on fracture reduction and
      outcome.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Subtrochanteric neck of femur fractures are a challenge to treat
      due to anatomical and biomechanical factors. Poor reduction, varus deformity,
      nonunion and return to theatre risks are high. A cerclage wire can augment an
      intramedullary nail to help fracture reduction and construct stability. Concerns
      exist regarding the use of cerclage wire on fracture zone vascularity. The aim of
      this study was to assess the benefits and adverse outcomes associated with the
      use of cerclage wiring. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 7-year retrospective review of
      all subtrochanteric fractures at a Level 1 trauma centre was performed.
      Pathological fractures, those associated with bisphosphonate use and segmental
      fractures were excluded. A clinical and radiographic review was performed. Our
      primary outcome measure was a composite of the major complications of this
      surgery, defined as either return to theatre for fixation failure, nonunion or
      implant failure. Fracture displacement, angulation and quality of reduction were
      measured as secondary outcome measures. Specific complications of the use of
      cerclage wiring were also reported. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty four cases
      met the inclusion criteria for primary outcome. Reduction was achieved closed in
      51.9% (n=70), open in 33.3% (n=45) and open with cerclage wire in 14.8% (n=20).
      Overall there were a total of 13 (9.7%) major complications. No cases with
      cerclage wire had a return to theatre. If cerclage wire was not used the major
      complication rate was 11.4%. Fracture displacement (11.0mm vs. 7.69mm) and
      distraction were related to return to theatre (p<0.05). Cerclage wire use
      improved fracture displacement (3.2mm vs. 8.8mm), angulation and quality of
      reduction (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Anatomical reduction is the key to success of
      subtrochanteric fractures. Cerclage wire use results in better fracture
      reduction. Some subtrochanteric fractures can be successfully treated with
      indirect reduction alone. If fractures cannot be reduced closed, reduction should
      be achieved by open methods. If a fracture is opened, a cerclage wire should be
      used, if the fracture pattern allows.

PMID- 26264882
TI  - Moderate- and high-intensity exhaustive exercise in the heat induce a similar
      increase in monocyte Hsp72.
AB  - This study examined the relationship between exhaustive exercise in the heat at
      moderate and high intensities on the intracellular heat shock protein 72 (iHsp72)
      response. Twelve male subjects cycled to exhaustion at 60 and 75% of maximal
      oxygen uptake in hot conditions (40  degrees C, 50% RH). iHsp72 concentration was
      measured in monocytes before, at exhaustion and 24 h after exercise. Rectal
      temperature, heart rate and oxygen uptake were recorded during exercise.
      Volitional exhaustion occurred at 58.9 +/- 12.1 and 27.3 +/- 9.5 min (P < 0.001)
      and a rectal temperature of 39.8 +/- 0.4 and 39.2 +/- 0.6  degrees C (P = 0.002),
      respectively, for 60 and 75 %. The area under the curve above a rectal
      temperature of 38.5  degrees C was greater at 60 % (17.5 +/- 6.6  degrees C min)
      than 75 % (3.4 +/- 4.8  degrees C min; P < 0.001), whereas the rate of increase
      in rectal temperature was greater at 75 % (5.1 +/- 1.7 vs. 2.2 +/- 1.4  degrees C
      h(-1); P < 0.001). iHsp72 concentration increased similarly at exhaustion
      relative to pre-exercise (P = 0.044) and then increased further at 24 h (P <
      0.001). Multiple regression analysis revealed no predictor variables associated
      with iHsp72 expression; however, a correlation was observed between exercise
      intensities for the increase in iHsp expression at exhaustion and 24 h (P <
      0.05). These results suggest that iHsp72 expression increased in relation to the
      level of hyperthermia attained and sustained at 60 % and the higher metabolic
      rate and greater rate of increase in core temperature at 75 %, with the further
      increase in iHsp72 concentration 24 h after exercise reinforcing its role as a
      chaperone and cytoprotective agent.

PMID- 26264883
TI  - Test-retest Reliability and Measurement Error Are Excellent for the Dutch Version
      of the VascuQol Questionnaire in Patients with Intermittent Claudication.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Although the Vascular Quality of Life Questionnaire (VascuQol) is a
      widely used instrument to assess quality of life in patients with peripheral
      arterial disease (PAD), data on its reliability are scarce and its measurement
      error is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine test-retest reliability
      and measurement error of the Dutch version of the VascuQol in patients with
      intermittent claudication (IC). METHODS: Patients with intermittent claudication
      due to PAD presenting between October 2013 and April 2014 completed the VascuQol
      twice, with a 1 week interval. Test-retest reliability was expressed as the
      intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) with 95% confidence interval (CI), and
      measurement error as a standard error of measurement (SEM). RESULTS: Sixty-one
      patients completed two VascuQol questionnaires sufficiently. The ICC for the
      VascuQol sumscore was 0.91 (95% CI 0.86-0.95). The ICC for the different VascuQol
      domains ranged between 0.77 (95% CI 0.64-0.86) and 0.87 (95% CI 0.79-0.92). The
      SEM of the sumscore was 0.34 and ranged between 0.44 and 0.76 for the different
      VascuQol domains. CONCLUSIONS: The test-retest reliability of the Dutch version
      of the VascuQol is excellent, both for the sumscore and for its different
      domains. The VascuQol has a measurement error that is sufficiently small to allow
      detection of clinically relevant changes.

PMID- 26264884
TI  - More on the genetical theory of multilevel selection.
AB  - In my article The genetical theory of multilevel selection, I provided a
      synthesis of the theory of multilevel selection (MLS) and the theory of natural
      selection in class-structured populations. I framed this synthesis within
      Fisher's genetical paradigm, taking a strictly genetical approach to traits and
      fitness. I showed that this resolves a number of long-standing conceptual
      problems that have plagued the MLS literature, including the issues of
      'aggregate' vs. 'emergent' group traits, 'collective fitness1 ' vs. 'collective
      fitness2 ' and 'MLS1' vs. 'MLS2 '. In his commentary, Goodnight suggests this
      theoretical and conceptual synthesis is flawed in several respects. Here, I show
      this is incorrect, by: reiterating the theoretical and conceptual goals of my
      synthesis; clarifying that my genetical approach to traits is necessary for a
      proper analysis of the action of MLS independently of non-Darwinian factors;
      emphasizing that the Price-Hamilton approach to MLS provides a consistent, useful
      and conceptually superior theoretical framework; and explaining the role of
      reproductive value in the study of natural selection in class-structured
      populations. I also show that Goodnight's contextual analysis treatment of MLS in
      a class-structured population is mathematically, biologically and conceptually
      inadequate. 

PMID- 26264886
TI  - Comment on 'Transient memory impairment and transient global amnesia induced by
      photodynamic therapy'.

PMID- 26264885
TI  - Cross-sectional relationships between dietary fat intake and serum cholesterol
      fatty acids in a Swedish cohort of 60-year-old men and women.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to describe the relationship between self
      reported dietary intake and serum cholesterol fatty acids (FAs) in a Swedish
      population of 60-year-old men and women. METHODS: Cross-sectional data collected
      in 1997-1998 from 4232 individuals residing in Stockholm County were used. Five
      diet scores were created to reflect the intake of saturated fats in general, as
      well as fats from dairy, fish, processed meat and vegetable oils and margarines.
      Gas chromatography was used to assess 13 FAs in serum cholesterol esters. The
      association between each diet score and specific FAs was assessed by percentile
      differences (PD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) at the 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th
      and 90th percentile of each FA across levels of diet scores using quantile
      regression. RESULTS: Fish intake was associated with high proportions of
      eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). For each point
      increase in fish score, the 50th PD in EPA and DHA was 32.78% (95% CI = 29.22% to
      36.35%) and 10.63% (95% CI = 9.52% to 11.74%), respectively. Vegetable fat intake
      was associated with a high proportion of linoleic acid and total polyunsaturated
      fatty acids (PUFA) and a low proportion of total saturated fatty acids (SFA). The
      intake of saturated fats in general and dairy fat was slightly associated with
      specific SFA, although the intake of fat from meat was not. CONCLUSIONS: In the
      present study population, using a rather simple dietary assessment method, the
      intake of fish and vegetable fats was clearly associated with serum PUFA, whereas
      foods rich in saturated fats in general showed a weak relationship with serum
      SFA. Our results may contribute to increased knowledge about underlying biology
      in diet-cardiovascular disease associations.

PMID- 26264887
TI  - Profiling the metabolome changes caused by cranberry procyanidins in plasma of
      female rats using (1) H NMR and UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-HRMS global metabolomics
      approaches.
AB  - SCOPE: The objective was to investigate the metabolome changes in female rats
      gavaged with partially purified cranberry procyanidins (PPCP) using (1) H NMR and
      UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-HRMS metabolomics approaches, and to identify the contributing
      metabolites. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty-four female Sprague-Dawley rats were
      randomly separated into two groups and administered PPCP or partially purified
      apple procyanidins (PPAP) for three times using a 250 mg extracts/kg body weight
      dose. Plasma was collected 6 h after the last gavage and analyzed using (1) H NMR
      and UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-HRMS. No metabolome difference was observed using (1) H NMR
      metabolomics approach. However, LC-HRMS metabolomics data show that metabolome in
      the plasma of female rats administered PPCP differed from those gavaged with
      PPAP. Eleven metabolites were tentatively identified from a total of 36
      discriminant metabolic features based on accurate masses and/or product ion
      spectra. PPCP caused a greater increase of exogenous metabolites including p
      hydroxybenzoic acid, phenol, phenol-sulphate, catechol sulphate, 3, 4
      dihydroxyphenylvaleric acid, and 4'-O-methyl-(-)-epicatechin-3'-O-beta
      glucuronide in rat plasma. Furthermore, the plasma level of O-methyl-(-)
      epicatechin-O-glucuronide, 4-hydroxy-5-(hydroxyphenyl)-valeric acid-O-sulphate, 5
      (hydroxyphenyl)-Upsilon-valerolactone-O-sulphate, 4-hydroxydiphenylamine, and
      peonidin-3-O-hexose were higher in female rats administered with PPAP.
      CONCLUSION: The metabolome changes caused by cranberry procyanidins were revealed
      using an UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-HRMS global metabolomics approach. Exogenous and
      microbial metabolites were the major identified discriminate biomarkers.

PMID- 26264888
TI  - Clinical praxis for assessment of dry weight in Sweden and Denmark: A mixed
      methods study.
AB  - Overhydration is an independent predictor of mortality in hemodialysis (HD)
      patients. More than 30% of HD patients are overhydrated, motivating the
      development of new methods for assessing hydration status. This study surveyed
      clinical praxis and local guidelines for dry weight (DW) assessment in Swedish
      and Danish HD units, and examined if differences in routines and utilization of
      bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) and other assistive technology affected frequency
      of DW adjustments and blood pressure (BP) levels. Cross-sectional information on
      praxis, guidelines and routines, plus treatment-related data from 99 stratified
      patients were collected. Qualitative data were analyzed with content analysis and
      interpreted in convergence with statistical analysis of quantitative data in a
      mixed-methods design. Local guidelines concerning DW existed in 54% of the units.
      A BIS device was present in 52%, but only half of those units used it regularly,
      and no correlations to frequency of DW adjustments or BP were found. HD nurses
      were authorized to adjust DW in 60% of the units; in these units, the frequency
      of DW adjustments was 1.6 times higher and systolic BP pre-HD 8 mmHg lower. There
      is a wide variation in routines for DW determination, and there are indications
      that authorization of HD nurses to adjust DW may improve DW assessment. BIS is
      sparsely used; its implementation may have been delayed by uncertainty over how
      to manage the device and interpret measurements. Hence, better methods and
      guidelines for assessing DW and using BIS need to be developed. 

PMID- 26264889
TI  - Natural killer cells regulate T cell immune responses in primary biliary
      cirrhosis.
AB  - The hallmark of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is the presence of autoreactive T
      and B-cell responses that target biliary epithelial cells (BECs). Biliary cell
      cytotoxicity is dependent upon initiation of innate immune responses followed by
      chronic adaptive, as well as bystander, mechanisms. Critical to these mechanisms
      are interactions between natural killer (NK) cells and BECs. We have taken
      advantage of the ability to isolate relatively pure viable preparations of liver
      derived NK cells, BECs, and endothelial cells, and studied interactions between
      NK cells and BECs and focused on the mechanisms that activate autoreactive T
      cells, their dependence on interferon (IFN)-gamma, and expression of BEC major
      histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and II molecules. Here we show that at a
      high NK/BEC ratio, NK cells are cytotoxic for autologous BECs, but are not
      dependent on autoantigen, yet still activate autoreactive CD4(+) T cells in the
      presence of antigen presenting cells. In contrast, at a low NK/BEC ratio, BECs
      are not lysed, but IFN-gamma production is induced, which facilitates expression
      of MHC class I and II molecules on BEC and protects them from lysis upon
      subsequent exposure to autoreactive NK cells. Furthermore, IFN-gamma secreted
      from NK cells after exposure to autologous BECs is essential for this protective
      function and enables autoreactive CD4(+) T cells to become cytopathic.
      CONCLUSIONS: NK cell-mediated innate immune responses are likely critical at the
      initial stage of PBC, but also facilitate and maintain the chronic cytopathic
      effect of autoantigen-specific T cells, essential for progression of disease.

PMID- 26264890
TI  - Proposed criteria for identifying GE crop plants that pose a low or negligible
      risk to the environment under conditions of low-level presence in seed.
AB  - The low-level presence (LLP) of genetically engineered (GE) seeds that have been
      approved in the country of origin but not the country of import presents
      challenges for regulators in both seed importing and exporting countries, as well
      as for the international seed trade and the farmers who rely on it. In addition
      to legal, financial and regulatory challenges, such LLP situations in seed may
      also require an environmental risk assessment by the country of import. Such
      assessments have typically been informed by the national framework established to
      support decisions related to wide scale cultivation, and frequently do not take
      into account the low environmental exposure and prior regulatory history of the
      GE plant. In addition, such assessment processes may not be well suited to the
      decision-making timeframe that is necessary when dealing with an LLP situation in
      imported seed. In order to facilitate regulatory decision making, this paper
      proposes a set of scientific criteria for identifying GE crop plants that are
      expected to pose a low or negligible risk to the environment under LLP conditions
      in seed. Regulatory decision makers in some importing countries may decide to use
      these criteria to assist in risk analysis associated with LLP situations they are
      experiencing or could experience in the future, and might choose to proactively
      apply the criteria to identify existing GE plants with regulatory approvals in
      other countries that would be expected to pose low risk under conditions of LLP
      in seed. 

PMID- 26264892
TI  - Morphometric Study of Diabetes Related Alterations in Human Parotid Gland and
      Comparison with Submandibular Gland.
AB  - Type 2 diabetes mellitus represents one of the principal diseases that afflict
      the world population and is often associated with malfunction of salivary glands
      and consequent oral diseases. We recently described significant ultrastructural
      alterations in the human submandibular gland in diabetic patients without evident
      oral pathologies. Herein, an analogs morphometrical investigation was focused on
      the parotid gland in order to evaluate if one of the two glands is more affected
      by diabetes. Parotid fragments from diabetic and nondiabetic patients were fixed,
      dehydrated, and processed for light and electron microscopy. Serous cells were
      randomly photographed and the density and size of several structures involved in
      the secretory process were examined by morphometry. Scanning electron microscopy
      images revealed significant changes in the number of apically docked granules and
      vesicles, suggesting that the last steps in exocytosis are somehow altered in
      diabetic cells. Other variables analyzed by light and transmission electron
      microscopy such as the size of acini and secretory granules did not show
      significant changes, but comparison with previous data obtained with
      submandibular gland cells demonstrated that the two glands are affected
      differently.

PMID- 26264893
TI  - Communitywide cryptosporidiosis outbreak associated with a surface water-supplied
      municipal water system--Baker City, Oregon, 2013.
AB  - Cryptosporidium, a parasite known to cause large drinking and recreational water
      outbreaks, is tolerant of chlorine concentrations used for drinking water
      treatment. Human laboratory-based surveillance for enteric pathogens detected a
      cryptosporidiosis outbreak in Baker City, Oregon during July 2013 associated with
      municipal drinking water. Objectives of the investigation were to confirm the
      outbreak source and assess outbreak extent. The watershed was inspected and city
      water was tested for contamination. To determine the community attack rate, a
      standardized questionnaire was administered to randomly sampled households.
      Weighted attack rates and confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Water
      samples tested positive for Cryptosporidium species; a Cryptosporidium parvum
      subtype common in cattle was detected in human stool specimens. Cattle were
      observed grazing along watershed borders; cattle faeces were observed within
      watershed barriers. The city water treatment facility chlorinated, but did not
      filter, water. The community attack rate was 28.3% (95% CI 22.1-33.6), sickening
      an estimated 2780 persons. Watershed contamination by cattle probably caused this
      outbreak; water treatments effective against Cryptosporidium were not in place.
      This outbreak highlights vulnerability of drinking water systems to pathogen
      contamination and underscores the need for communities to invest in system
      improvements to maintain multiple barriers to drinking water contamination. 

PMID- 26264895
TI  - Readmissions Following Gastric Bypass Surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Interest is growing in preventing readmissions as payers start to
      link reimbursement to readmission rates. The purpose of this study was to assess
      factors contributing to 30-day readmission for patients undergoing gastric bypass
      (GB) and determine whether these readmissions may be preventable. METHODS: Data
      were from the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4) and
      included all patients undergoing elective GB for obesity in 2011 (n = 4427). The
      outcomes measured were length of stay (LOS) and 30-day readmission. Univariate
      comparisons between characteristics of readmitted (n = 298) and non-readmitted (n
      = 4133) patients were performed. Readmission was modeled using multivariate
      logistic regression; LOS was modeled using linear regression. RESULTS: Of the 298
      (6.6%) patients who were readmitted, the most common causes for readmission were
      bleeding (11.84%), infection (8.88%), and abdominal pain (7.89%). In multivariate
      analyses, black race, open GB, and history of myocardial infarction or rheumatoid
      arthritis were associated with increased odds of readmission. Longer LOS was also
      predictive of readmission (OR 1.10, p = <0.0001). Patients who were >50 years old
      and those with history of congestive heart failure, peripheral vascular, and
      kidney diseases were more likely to have longer LOS. Black race, open surgery,
      and discharge to an extended care facility were also predictive of prolonged LOS.
      CONCLUSIONS: The most common causes of readmission following elective GB were
      bleeding, infection, and abdominal pain. Since several patient-specific factors
      were associated with higher odds of readmission and longer LOS, there are
      opportunities to design interventions to prevent readmissions and decrease LOS in
      this patient population.

PMID- 26264894
TI  - The intersection of cancer, cancer stem cells, and the immune system: therapeutic
      opportunities.
AB  - During brain neoplasia, malignant cells subjugate the immune system to provide an
      environment that favors tumor growth. These mechanisms capitalize on tumor
      promoting functions of various immune cell types and typically result in
      suppression of tumor immune rejection. Immunotherapy efforts are underway to
      disrupt these mechanisms and turn the immune system against developing tumors.
      While many of these therapies are already in early-stage clinical trials,
      understanding how these therapies impact various tumor cell populations,
      including self-renewing cancer stem cells, may help to predict their efficacy and
      clarify their mechanisms of action. Moreover, interrogating the biology of glioma
      cell, cancer stem cell, and immune cell interactions may provide additional
      therapeutic targets to leverage against disease progression. In this review, we
      begin by highlighting a series of investigations into immune cell-mediated tumor
      promotion that do not parse the tumor into stem and non-stem components. We then
      take a closer look at the immune-suppressive mechanisms derived specifically from
      cancer stem cell interactions with the immune system and end with an update on
      immunotherapy and cancer stem cell-directed clinical trials in glioblastoma. 

PMID- 26264896
TI  - Functional changes in Hofbauer cell glycobiology during human pregnancy.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: This study examines the glucose metabolism and glycosylation of
      villous macrophages (Hofbauer cells) over the course of pregnancy. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Sections of placentae from 6 weeks to term were stained with antibodies
      to alpha-amylase, glycogen synthase, glycogen phosphorylase and glucose
      transporters 1 and 3 (GLUT-1 and GLUT-3) while a panel of 24 lectins was applied
      to resin sections from 4 weeks onwards. Hofbauer cells were identified by the
      binding of anti-CD 163 antibody. RESULTS: Little stored glycogen could be
      demonstrated by Bandeiraea simplicifolia-II agglutinin binding and, by
      immunocytochemistry, low levels of glycogen synthase were located within the
      cells, though glycogen phosphorylase expression, an enzyme releasing glucose from
      glycogen chains, was intense. Glucose transporter-3 but not -1 was present in the
      cells as has been found in other types of macrophage. Lectin histochemistry
      showed that many classes of glycan were present in the cells, both N and O
      linked, though simple fucose residues could not be demonstrated. Glycan profiles
      were obtained for Hofbauer cell plasma membranes, cytosol, lysosomes and small
      granules. With some lectins, the intensity of binding diminished after the second
      trimester. Morphological changes also occurred over the course of pregnancy.
      DISCUSSION: Hofbauer cells have properties commensurate with their phagocytic
      activity with numerous lysosomal vacuoles and heavily glycosylated plasma
      membranes and granules, most evident in the first half of pregnancy. Their
      carbohydrate metabolism appears to rely on glucose mobilisation rather than
      storage as glycogen, reflecting their peripatetic mode of existence.

PMID- 26264897
TI  - [Neuropathic pain. How to open the blackbox].
AB  - This article, without presuming to be comprehensive, gives a brief outline of the
      development of research on neuropathic pain in Germany. Current clinical research
      on this subject focusses on the validation of human models, patient phenotyping,
      mechanism-based classification and treatment as well as on molecular
      pathomechanisms. This clinical research is based to a large extent on the work of
      several internationally recognized basic researchers in the 1990s. In particular,
      findings from system physiology led to the analysis of clinical phenotypes and
      the underlying pathophysiology. In parallel, basic research achieved
      international top levels through the development of innovative methods. Close
      cooperation, building of consortia and European networking made major
      contributions to the success of this research. 

PMID- 26264898
TI  - [Opioids for noncancer pain in the elderly].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Opioids are increasingly used in the elderly. Side effects differ
      compared to other analgesics. PURPOSE: In this review article, special aspects
      about using opioids for noncancer pain in older people and in geriatric patients
      are identified. CURRENT SITUATION: So far randomized controlled trials for the
      indication of and comparison between various opioids have been performed in
      middle-aged patients and not exclusively in geriatric patients or elderly (> 75
      years). Furthermore, the evidence for multimorbid elderly patients with respect
      to side effects is also very poor. RECOMMENDATIONS: The indication for opioid
      therapy should be narrow. The patient and their caregivers must be provided
      patient information regarding opioid therapy. The principle "start low, go slow"
      is highly recommended. To reduce the risk of falls, longer acting opioids should
      be used and short acting opioids should be avoided. Everyday relevant negative
      effects on cognition are possible in opioid use and have to be observed. As
      recommended in the recently published German guideline for long-term use of
      opioids in noncancer pain a critical check after 3 months and in case of dosing
      over 120 mg morphine equivalents is advisable, especially for older patients.
      Liver and kidney function and drug interactions have to be taken into
      consideration like in every age group.

PMID- 26264899
TI  - [Healthcare services research on pain in Germany. A survey].
AB  - Within the last ten years healthcare services research has developed into an
      independent interdisciplinary field of research. A selective search of the
      literature was conducted in the database Google Scholar and the database on
      healthcare services research in Germany (http://versorgungsforschung
      deutschland.de) for healthcare services research projects on pain in Germany.
      Healthcare services research projects were conducted by pharmaceutical companies,
      patient self-help organizations, scientific societies, statutory health insurance
      companies and university departments on acute and chronic pain. Valid data on the
      epidemiology, grading and treatment of chronic pain are available. There was an
      overuse of opioids and invasive procedures in patients with chronic low back
      pain, fibromyalgia syndrome and somatoform pain disorders. Databases for patients
      with chronic pain are currently constructed by pain societies. The fragmentation
      of data from health insurance companies, old age pension insurances, clinical
      institutions and population surveys and inconsistencies in diagnosing or encoding
      chronic pain impede the carrying out of significant longitudinal studies. Based
      on the data available, the needs of care for patients with chronic pain and the
      necessary care services cannot be derived. Important topics of future healthcare
      services research on pain are longitudinal studies on the cost efficacy and risks
      of inpatient and outpatient pain therapy based on routine data of health
      insurance companies, old age pension insurances and pain registries, longitudinal
      studies on "patient careers" (i.e. sequences of healthcare) and the
      identification of potential starting points for control of healthcare.

PMID- 26264900
TI  - [Pain medicine from intercultural and gender-related perspectives].
AB  - Cultural setting and sex and gender of the patient are important factors
      affecting the occurrence, severity, clinical course and prognosis of pain and
      pain-related diseases. Intercultural differences in the perception and verbal
      expression of symptoms and emotional function are fundamental and it is important
      to realize these differences in order to understand patients with a migration
      background. A trusting doctor-patient relationship is generally very sensitive
      and it is even more difficult to establish when differences in the cultural
      background impair mutual understanding. Regarding sex and gender there is
      evidence that females are more susceptible to developing chronic pain conditions,
      experience more severe pain and respond differently to pain therapy; however,
      results of recent studies indicate that females are not that different to males
      when comparing several modalities of experimental pain (although some differences
      exist). Similarly, sex and gender differences in postoperative pain seem to exist
      but the differences are relatively small when pain scores are compared. Other
      aspects, such as the response to analgesics and role of psychosocial factors
      should be addressed when sex and gender aspects are studied. Similarly, sex and
      gender differences in the prevalence of chronic pain exist but the results of
      some studies, e.g. those controlling for confounders, are not very clear.
      Research is needed to delineate the role of specific aspects affecting sex and
      gender differences and the underlying mechanisms (e.g. reduced inhibitory
      control, hormones, psychological aspects and social factors). Altogether, we need
      to open our minds to some intercultural and sex and gender aspects in the
      clinical setting. For sex and gender differences we may need a more
      biopsychosocial approach to understand the underlying differences and
      differentiate between sex and gender and sex and gender-associated aspects for
      acute and chronic pain. 

PMID- 26264901
TI  - [Headache. Current status of research and treatment].
AB  - The starting point for German headache research and clinical education was the
      engagement of D. Soyka in the 1970s, which enabled the foundation of the German
      Headache Society (DMKG) on 28 June 1979 and, some years later, the founding
      congress of the International Headache Society (IHS) in Munich 1982. As a result
      of these activities, in 1988 the first international classification of headache
      disorders was published. This classification was one of the major milestones in
      the development of basic as well as clinical headache research. In the following
      years, epidemiological studies all over the world showed a 1-year prevalence for
      headache of approximately 60%, making headaches one of the most frequent medical
      complaints. Basic research showed an involvement of serotonergic mechanisms in
      migraine pain and triptans were one of the first drugs designed to influence
      these mechanisms. Functional brain imaging studies in migraine patients further
      showed a cyclic modulation of the activity of brainstem areas independent of the
      current pain state. Various research groups were involved in the clarification of
      the role of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in migraine and cluster
      headache. A specific development in the German headache scene is the
      establishment of integrated headache centers and reflects the primarily
      multimodal treatment approach in Germany which contrasts with the settings in
      other countries. These successful developments are increasingly being undermined
      by the fact that the low financial support of headache research, for example, by
      the German science council is causing a decreasing interest in headache research,
      with the consequence that the clinical education of students as well as young
      medical doctors shows increasing deficits. The consequence for the future will be
      a deficit in the clinical care of the population.

PMID- 26264902
TI  - The effect of personal medical history and family history of cancer on the uptake
      of risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy.
AB  - Women with an increased lifetime risk of ovarian cancer are advised to undergo
      risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) to reduce risk of adnexal cancer. We
      investigated the uptake of RRSO and evaluated the influence of personal medical
      history of (breast) cancer, risk-reducing mastectomy (RRM) and family history of
      ovarian and/or breast cancer on the RRSO decision. This single center
      retrospective observational cohort study was performed in a tertiary
      multidisciplinary clinic for hereditary cancer of the University Medical Centre
      Utrecht, The Netherlands. Women >=35 years old with an estimated lifetime risk of
      ovarian cancer >=10%, who had completed childbearing, were eligible for RRSO.
      Uptake and timing of RRSO were analyzed. Influence of personal medical history
      and family history on RRSO decision making, were evaluated with logistic
      regression. The study population consisted of 218 women (45.0% BRCA1 mutation
      carrier, 28.0% BRCA2 mutation carrier, 27.0% with familial susceptibility) with
      87.2% RRSO uptake. The median age at RRSO was 44.5 (range 28-73) years. Of the
      women undergoing RRSO, 78.3% needed <=3 consultations to reach this decision.
      Multivariable analysis showed a significant difference in RRSO uptake for women
      with a history of RRM [OR 3.66 95% CI (1.12-11.98)], but no significant
      difference in women with a history of breast cancer [OR 1.38 95% CI (0.50-3.79)],
      nor with a family history of ovarian and/or breast cancer [OR 1.10 95% CI (0.44
      2.76)]. We conclude that RRSO counseling, without the alternative of screening,
      is effective. The uptake is increased in women with a history of RRM.

PMID- 26264903
TI  - Resilience to amphetamine in mouse models of netrin-1 haploinsufficiency: role of
      mesocortical dopamine.
AB  - RATIONALE: Signaling through the netrin-1 receptor, deleted in colorectal cancer
      (DCC), in dopamine neurons controls the extent of their innervation to the medial
      prefrontal cortex (mPFC) during adolescence. In mice, dcc haploinsufficiency
      results in increased mPFC dopamine innervation and concentrations in adulthood.
      In turn, dcc haploinsufficiency leads to resilience to the effects of stimulant
      drugs of abuse on dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens and behavior.
      OBJECTIVES: First, we set out to determine whether increased mPFC dopamine
      innervation causes blunted behavioral responses to amphetamine in adult dcc
      haploinsufficient mice. Second, we investigated whether unc5c, another netrin-1
      receptor expressed by dopamine neurons, is involved in these effects. Third, we
      assessed whether haploinsufficiency of netrin-1 itself leads to blunted
      behavioral responding to amphetamine, whether this phenotype emerges before or
      after adolescence and whether increased mPFC dopamine input is the underlying
      mechanism. RESULTS: Adult, but not adolescent, dcc, unc5c and netrin-1
      haploinsufficient mice exhibit blunted behavioral responses to amphetamine.
      Furthermore, adult dcc, unc5c, and netrin-1 haploinsufficient mice have
      exaggerated mPFC dopamine concentrations in comparison to their wild-type
      littermates. Importantly, resilience to amphetamine-induced behavioral activation
      in all the three mouse models is abolished by selective dopamine depletion in the
      medial prefrontal cortex. CONCLUSIONS: dcc, unc5c, or netrin-1 haploinsufficiency
      leads to increased dopamine content in the mPFC and to resilience against
      amphetamine-induced behavioral activation. Our findings raise the hypothesis that
      DCC, UNC5C, and netrin-1 act in concert to organize the adolescent development of
      mesocortical dopamine innervation and, in turn, determine behavioral responses to
      drugs of abuse.

PMID- 26264904
TI  - Facilitation of spatial working memory performance following intra-prefrontal
      cortical administration of the adrenergic alpha1 agonist phenylephrine.
AB  - RATIONALE: Spatial working memory is dependent on the appropriate functioning of
      the prefrontal cortex (PFC). PFC activity can be modulated by noradrenaline (NA)
      released by afferent projections from the locus coeruleus. The coreuleo-cortical
      NA system could therefore be a target for cognitive enhancers of spatial working
      memory. Of the three classes of NA receptor potentially involved, the alpha2 and
      alpha1 classes seem most significant, though agents targeting these receptors
      have yielded mixed results. This may be partially due to the use of behavioural
      assays that do not translate effectively from the laboratory to the clinical
      setting. Use of a paradigm with improved translational potential may be essential
      to resolve these discrepancies. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to
      assess the effects of PFC-infused alpha2 and alpha1 adrenergic receptor agonists
      on spatial working memory performance in the touchscreen continuous trial-unique
      non-matching to location (cTUNL) task in rats. METHODS: Young male rats were
      trained in the cTUNL paradigm. Cannulation of the mPFC allowed direct
      administration of GABA agonists for task validation, and phenylephrine and
      guanfacine to determine the effects of adrenergic agonists on task performance.
      RESULTS: Infusion of muscimol and baclofen resulted in a delay-dependent
      impairment. Administration of the alpha2 agonist guanfacine had no effect, whilst
      infusion of the alpha1 agonist phenylephrine significantly improved working
      memory performance. CONCLUSIONS: Spatial working memory as measured in the rat
      cTUNL task is dependent on the mPFC. Enhancement of noradrenergic signalling
      enhanced performance in this paradigm, suggesting a significant role for the
      alpha1 receptor in this facilitation.

PMID- 26264906
TI  - Association of CYP2C19, CYP3A5 and GPIIb/IIIa gene polymorphisms with Aspirin and
      Clopidogrel Resistance in a cohort of Indian patients with Coronary Artery
      Disease.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Dual antiplatelet therapy with clopidogrel and aspirin is the
      current standard of care in the management of patients with coronary artery
      disease (CAD) and acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The variability in response to
      these antiplatelet agents may be due to the underlying genetic diversity. This
      study was designed to determine the resistance to aspirin and clopidogrel in
      Indian patients and to look for correlation, if any, with selected polymorphisms.
      METHODS: Platelet function testing by light transmission aggregometry was
      performed on 72 patients with CAD/ACS who were stable on dual antiplatelet
      therapy (clopidogrel 75 mg OD and aspirin 150 mg OD) along with 72 controls.
      Aspirin resistance was considered as mean platelet aggregation >= 70% with 10 MUm
      ADP and >= 20% with 0.75 mm arachidonic acid. Clopidogrel resistance was defined
      as <10% decrease from the baseline in platelet aggregation in response to ADP 10
      MUm and semi-response as <30% decrease from the baseline. Polymorphisms
      CYP2C19*2, *3, CYP3A5*3 and PLA1/A2 were genotyped. RESULTS: We found 51.4%
      patients with inadequate response to clopidogrel (1.4% resistant and 50% semi
      responders) and 5.5% patients semi-responders to aspirin, none being completely
      resistant. The genotype and allele frequencies of CYP2C19*2 and PLA1/A2 gene
      polymorphisms were significantly different between clopidogrel semi-responders
      and responders. Carriers of CYP2C19*2 and CYP3A5*3 showed diminished inhibition
      of platelet aggregation. No significant correlation was found between coronary
      events, type of coronary intervention with clopidogrel nonresponsiveness.
      CONCLUSION: Unlike aspirin, a high proportion of partial responders to
      clopidogrel were identified. In an interim analysis on 72 Indian patients, a
      significant association was found between CYP2C19*2 and PLA1/A2 in clopidogrel
      semi-responders.

PMID- 26264905
TI  - Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide induces a depressive-like
      phenotype in rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a chronic, life-threatening
      psychiatric condition characterized by depressed mood, psychomotor alterations,
      and a markedly diminished interest or pleasure in most activities known as
      anhedonia. Available pharmacotherapies have limited success and the need for new
      strategies is clear. Recent studies attribute a major role to the pituitary
      adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) system in mediating the response
      to stress. PACAP knockout mice display profound alterations in depressive-like
      behaviors, and genetic association studies have demonstrated that genetic
      variants of the PACAP gene are associated with MDD. However, the effects of PACAP
      administration on depressive-like behaviors in rodents have not yet been
      systematically examined. OBJECTIVES: The present study investigated the effects
      of central administration of PACAP in rats on depressive-like behaviors, using
      well-established animal models that represent some of the endophenotypes of
      depression. METHODS: We used intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) to assess the
      brain reward function, saccharin preference test to assess anhedonia, social
      interaction to assess social withdrawal, and forced swim test (FST) to assess
      behavioral despair. RESULTS: PACAP raised the current threshold for ICSS,
      elevation blocked by the PACAP antagonist PACAP(6-38). PACAP reduced the
      preference for a sweet saccharin solution and reduced the time the rats spent
      interacting with a novel animal. Interestingly, PACAP administration did not
      affect immobility in the FST. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate a role for the
      central PACAP/PAC1R system in the regulation of depressive-like behaviors and
      suggest that hyperactivity of the PACAP/PAC1R system may contribute to the
      pathophysiology of depression, particularly the associated anhedonic
      symptomatology and social dysfunction.

PMID- 26264907
TI  - The Willow Hill Community Health Assessment: Assessing the Needs of Children in a
      Former Slave Community.
AB  - The overall purpose of this community needs assessment was to explore the
      perceptions of health and educational needs among youth residing in a rural
      Georgia community, document existing assets that could be utilized to meet those
      needs, and to identify socioeconomic barriers and facilitators in health
      education. A sequential mixed method design was used. Intercept surveys were
      conducted followed by individual, key informant interviews and a focus group.
      Survey data was entered into an Excel spreadsheet and SPSS for analysis and
      descriptive statistics including means and frequencies were calculated. For
      qualitative interviews, full transcripts were created from audio-recordings and
      uploaded into NVivo for content analysis. Several health issues were highlighted
      by the Willow Hill/Portal Georgia community members, including teachers, parents,
      youth and Willow Hill Heritage and Renaissance Center board members. Some of the
      health issues identified by youth in the community were low levels of physical
      activity, obesity, diabetes, lack of healthy food choices, and access to health
      care services. Including the issues identified by youth, the parents, teachers
      and board members identified additional health issues in the community such as
      asthma, hygiene and lack of dental and eye care facilities. Overall, there is a
      need for better infrastructure and awareness among community members. Utilizing
      identified assets, including active community leaders, involved faith-based
      organizations, commitment of community members, presence of land resources, and
      commitment to physical activity and sports, could modify the current community
      landscape. 

PMID- 26264909
TI  - The 21st century cures act: Opportunities and challenges.
AB  - On July 10, 2015, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted (344-77)
      to approve the 21st Century Cures Act, setting the stage for the Senate to
      consider its own version of the bill this fall. Such strong bipartisan support,
      rare in an age of congressional gridlock, might logically be interpreted as a
      sign of the Act's promise to foster innovative drug and device development.
      However, careful inspection reveals that while the Act contains some positive
      features, it represents a poor deal for Americans on balance that could result in
      the entry of more dangerous and ineffective drugs and devices onto the market and
      erode trust in the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 

PMID- 26264908
TI  - Pre-clinical evaluation of a minimally invasive laryngeal pacemaker system in
      mini-pig.
AB  - Microlaryngoscopic enlargement techniques have been the standard treatment for
      bilateral vocal fold paralysis (BVFP) for decades. Laryngeal pacing is a
      promising alternative treatment based on the electrostimulation of the posterior
      cricoarytenoid (PCA) muscle. This paper reports on the results of a pre-clinical
      study aiming to evaluate this method. Eight Gottingen mini-pigs were implanted
      with a laryngeal pacemaker (LP) implant prototype and with two LP electrodes, one
      in each PCA muscle. The 6-week follow-up included endoscopic stimulation controls
      in general anaesthesia and radiographic controls of electrode integrity and
      position stability. Stimulation parameters for optimal glottal opening were
      evaluated via videolaryngoscopy. Histopathology was performed upon conclusion of
      the study. 7/8 (87.5 %) animals were successfully implanted with the LP implant
      prototype and two LP electrodes. In general, stimulation was effectively
      delivered and correlated with the expected PCA muscle activation. 2/14 (14.3 %)
      electrodes dislocated and 1/14 (7.1 %) electrode tip broke. The LP system used in
      this experiment to induce vocal fold abduction by means of selective functional
      electrical stimulation of the PCA showed promising results. It may be a valid
      alternative to the current golden standard for BVFP treatment. Clinical studies
      are needed to confirm the medical relevance of the LP.

PMID- 26264910
TI  - Caloric restriction increases ratio of estrogen to androgen receptors expression
      in murine ovaries--potential therapeutic implications.
AB  - Both estrogens and androgens are involved in the development and normal
      functioning of the ovaries. It is also known that ovarian function is regulated
      by diet. The goal of this study was to estimate the expression of sex hormone
      receptors in ovaries of mice that were on a 9-month caloric restriction
      (alternate-day feeding) as compared to normal control animals fed ad libitum. We
      found that prolonged caloric restriction in mouse ovaries led to increased
      expression of estrogen receptors (ERs) but did not affect expression of the
      androgen receptor (AR). This increase in ER:AR ration as result of caloric
      restriction may lead to higher sensitivity to estrogens and upon return to normal
      diet may increase ovulation. Thus our observation shed more light on a role of
      beneficial effect of calorie restriction on female reproduction. 

PMID- 26264911
TI  - Differences between multimedia and text-based assessments of emotion management:
      An exploration with the multimedia emotion management assessment (MEMA).
AB  - People process emotional information using visual, vocal, and verbal cues.
      However, emotion management is typically assessed with text based rather than
      multimedia stimuli. This study (N = 427) presents the new multimedia emotion
      management assessment (MEMA) and compares it to the text-based assessment of
      emotion management used in the MSCEIT. The text-based and multimedia assessment
      showed similar levels of cognitive saturation and similar prediction of relevant
      criteria. Results demonstrate that the MEMA scores have equivalent evidence of
      validity to the text-based MSCEIT test scores, demonstrating that multimedia
      assessment of emotion management is viable. Furthermore, our results inform the
      debate as to whether cognitive saturation in emotional intelligence (EI) measures
      represents "noise" or "substance". We find that cognitive ability associations
      with EI represent substantive variance rather than construct-irrelevant shared
      variance due to reading comprehension ability required for text-based items.

PMID- 26264912
TI  - Simultaneous determination of nucleoside and purine compounds in human urine
      based on a hydrophobic monolithic column using capillary electrochromatography.
AB  - A novel capillary electrochromatography method was developed by using a
      polymethacrylate ester based monolithic column for the simultaneous separation
      and determination of five nucleoside and purine compounds in urine. The porous
      monolithic column was first designed by mean of in situ copolymerizing stearyl
      methacrylate, trihydroxymethylpropyl trimethylacrylate, and 2-acrylamido-2-methyl
      1-propanesulfonic acid in a ternary porogenic solvent including cyclohexanol, 1,4
      butanediol, and water. The performance and influence factors of the monolithic
      columns were investigated and evaluated by a CEC method. The five compounds
      including guanine, adenine, adenosine, cytidine, and N6 -methyladenosine were
      selected as analytes. Under the optimized condition of 6.0 mM phosphate buffer at
      pH 5.0 without ACN, five analytes were rapidly separated in 4 min with the high
      separation efficiency. The recoveries of spiked samples were ranged from 89.0 to
      109.0% with RSDs less than 4.83%. Therefore, the proposed method could possibly
      provide for rapid separation and detection of the nucleoside and purine compounds
      in biomedicine sample.

PMID- 26264913
TI  - A systematic, realist review of zooprophylaxis for malaria control.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Integrated vector management (IVM) is recommended as a sustainable
      approach to malaria control. IVM consists of combining vector control methods
      based on scientific evidence to maximize efficacy and cost-effectiveness while
      minimizing negative impacts, such as insecticide resistance and environmental
      damage. Zooprophylaxis has been identified as a possible component of IVM as
      livestock may draw mosquitoes away from humans, decreasing human-vector contact
      and malaria transmission. It is possible, however, that livestock may actually
      draw mosquitoes to humans, increasing malaria transmission (zoopotentiation). The
      goal of this paper is to take a realist approach to a systematic review of peer
      reviewed literature to understand the contexts under which zooprophylaxis or
      zoopotentiation occur. METHODS: Three electronic databases were searched using
      the keywords 'zooprophylaxis' and 'zoopotentiation', and forward and backward
      citation tracking employed, to identify relevant articles. Only empirical, peer
      reviewed articles were included. Critical appraisal was applied to articles
      retained for full review. RESULTS: Twenty empirical studies met inclusion
      criteria after critical appraisal. A range of experimental and observational
      study designs were reported. Outcome measures included human malaria infection
      and mosquito feeding behaviour. Two key factors were consistently associated with
      zooprophylaxis and zoopotentiation: the characteristics of the local mosquito
      vector, and the location of livestock relative to human sleeping quarters. These
      associations were modified by the use of bed nets and socio-economic factors.
      DISCUSSION: This review suggests that malaria risk is reduced (zooprophylaxis) in
      areas where predominant mosquito species do not prefer human hosts, where
      livestock are kept at a distance from human sleeping quarters at night, and where
      mosquito nets or other protective measures are used. Zoopotentiation occurs where
      livestock are housed within or near human sleeping quarters at night and where
      mosquito species prefer human hosts. CONCLUSION: The evidence suggests that
      zooprophylaxis could be part of an effective strategy to reduce malaria
      transmission under specific ecological and geographical conditions. The current
      scientific evidence base is inconclusive on understanding the role of socio
      economic factors, optimal distance between livestock and human sleeping quarters,
      and the effect of animal species and number on zooprophylaxis.

PMID- 26264915
TI  - SOD1 deficiency decreases proteasomal function, leading to the accumulation of
      ubiquitinated proteins in erythrocytes.
AB  - We previously demonstrated that elevated levels of ROS in red blood cells (RBCs)
      are responsible for anemia in SOD1-deficient mice, suggesting that the oxidative
      stress-induced massive destruction of RBCs is an underlying mechanism for
      autoimmune hemolytic anemia. In the current study, we examined the issue of how
      elevated ROS are involved in the destruction of RBCs and the onset of anemia from
      the view point of the proteolytic removal of oxidatively-damaged proteins. We
      found that poly-ubiquitinated proteins had accumulated and had undergone
      aggregation in RBCs from SOD1-deficient mice and from phenylhydrazine-induced
      anemic mice. Although the protein levels of the three catalytic components of the
      proteasome, beta1, beta2, and beta5, were not significantly altered, their
      proteolytic activities were decreased in the SOD1-deficient RBCs. These data
      suggest that oxidative-stress triggers the dysfunction of the proteasomal system,
      which results in the accumulation of the aggregation of poly-ubiquitinated
      proteins. We conclude that an oxidative stress-induced malfunction in the
      scavenging activity of proteasomes accelerates the accumulation of damaged
      proteins, leading to a shortened lifespan of RBCs and, hence, anemia. 

PMID- 26264916
TI  - Expression and characterization of manganese lipoxygenase of the rice blast
      fungus reveals prominent sequential lipoxygenation of alpha-linolenic acid.
AB  - Magnaporthe oryzae causes rice blast disease and has become a model organism of
      fungal infections. M. oryzae can oxygenate fatty acids by 7,8-linoleate diol
      synthase, 10R-dioxygenase-epoxy alcohol synthase, and by a putative manganese
      lipoxygenase (Mo-MnLOX). The latter two are transcribed during infection. The
      open reading frame of Mo-MnLOX was deduced from genome and cDNA analysis.
      Recombinant Mo-MnLOX was expressed in Pichia pastoris and purified to
      homogeneity. The enzyme contained protein-bound Mn and oxidized 18:2n-6 and 18:3n
      3 to 9S-, 11-, and 13R-hydroperoxy metabolites by suprafacial hydrogen
      abstraction and oxygenation. The 11-hydroperoxides were subject to beta
      fragmentation with formation of 9S- and 13R-hydroperoxy fatty acids. Oxygen
      consumption indicated apparent kcat values of 2.8 s(-1) (18:2n-6) and 3.9 s(-1)
      (18:3n-3), and UV analysis yielded apparent Km values of 8 and 12 MUM,
      respectively, for biosynthesis of cis-trans conjugated metabolites. 9S
      Hydroperoxy-10E,12Z,15Z-octadecatrienoic acid was rapidly further oxidized to a
      triene, 9S,16S-dihydroperoxy-10E,12Z,14E-octadecatrienoic acid. In conclusion, we
      have expressed, purified and characterized a new MnLOX from M. oryzae. The
      pathogen likely secretes Mo-MnLOX and phospholipases to generate oxylipins and to
      oxidize lipid membranes of rice cells and the cuticle. 

PMID- 26264917
TI  - Quality assurance in the pre-analytical phase of human urine samples by (1)H NMR
      spectroscopy.
AB  - Metabolomic approaches investigate changes in metabolite profiles, which may
      reflect changes in metabolic pathways and provide information correlated with a
      specific biological process or pathophysiology. High-resolution (1)H NMR
      spectroscopy is used to identify metabolites in biofluids and tissue samples
      qualitatively and quantitatively. This pre-analytical study evaluated the effects
      of storage time and temperature on (1)H NMR spectra from human urine in two
      settings. Firstly, to evaluate short time effects probably due to acute delay in
      sample handling and secondly, the effect of prolonged storage up to one month to
      find markers of sample miss-handling. A number of statistical procedures were
      used to assess the differences between samples stored under different conditions,
      including Projection to Latent Structure Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA), non
      parametric testing as well as mixed effect linear regression analysis. The
      results indicate that human urine samples can be stored at 10  degrees C for 24 h
      or at -80  degrees C for 1 month, as no relevant changes in (1)H NMR fingerprints
      were observed during these time periods and temperature conditions. However, some
      metabolites most likely of microbial origin showed alterations during prolonged
      storage but without facilitating classification. In conclusion, the presented
      protocol for urine sample handling and semi-automatic metabolite quantification
      is suitable for large-scale epidemiological studies. 

PMID- 26264918
TI  - Assessment of collagen crosslinking and denaturation for the design of
      regenerative scaffolds.
AB  - Crosslinking and denaturation were two variables that deeply affected the
      performance of collagen-based scaffolds designed for tissue regeneration. If
      crosslinking enhances the mechanical properties and the enzymatic resistance of
      collagen, while masking or reducing the available cell binding sites,
      denaturation has very opposite effects, as it impairs the mechanical and the
      enzymatic stability of collagen, but increases the number of exposed cell
      adhesive domains. The quantification of both crosslinking and denaturation was
      thus fundamental to the design of collagen-based scaffolds for selected
      applications. The aim of this work was to investigate the extents of crosslinking
      and denaturation of collagen-based films upon dehydrothermal (DHT) treatment,
      that is, one of the most commonly employed methods for zero-length crosslinking
      that shows the unique ability to induce partial denaturation. Swelling
      measurements, differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared
      spectroscopy, colorimetric assays for the quantification of primary amines, and
      mechanical tests were performed to analyze the effect of the DHT temperature on
      crosslinking and denaturation. In particular, chemically effective and
      elastically effective crosslink densities were evaluated. Both crosslinking and
      denaturation were found to increase with the DHT temperature, although according
      to different trends. The results also showed that DHT treatments performed at
      temperatures up to 120 degrees C maintained the extent of denaturation under 25%.
      Coupling a mild DHT treatment with further crosslinking may thus be very useful
      not only to modulate the crosslink density, but also to induce a limited amount
      of denaturation, which shows potential to partially compensate the loss of cell
      binding sites caused by crosslinking.

PMID- 26264914
TI  - Molecular Targets of Cannabidiol in Neurological Disorders.
AB  - Cannabis has a long history of anecdotal medicinal use and limited licensed
      medicinal use. Until recently, alleged clinical effects from anecdotal reports
      and the use of licensed cannabinoid medicines are most likely mediated by
      tetrahydrocannabinol by virtue of: 1) this cannabinoid being present in the most
      significant quantities in these preparations; and b) the proportion:potency
      relationship between tetrahydrocannabinol and other plant cannabinoids derived
      from cannabis. However, there has recently been considerable interest in the
      therapeutic potential for the plant cannabinoid, cannabidiol (CBD), in
      neurological disorders but the current evidence suggests that CBD does not
      directly interact with the endocannabinoid system except in vitro at
      supraphysiological concentrations. Thus, as further evidence for CBD's beneficial
      effects in neurological disease emerges, there remains an urgent need to
      establish the molecular targets through which it exerts its therapeutic effects.
      Here, we conducted a systematic search of the extant literature for original
      articles describing the molecular pharmacology of CBD. We critically appraised
      the results for the validity of the molecular targets proposed. Thereafter, we
      considered whether the molecular targets of CBD identified hold therapeutic
      potential in relevant neurological diseases. The molecular targets identified
      include numerous classical ion channels, receptors, transporters, and enzymes.
      Some CBD effects at these targets in in vitro assays only manifest at high
      concentrations, which may be difficult to achieve in vivo, particularly given
      CBD's relatively poor bioavailability. Moreover, several targets were asserted
      through experimental designs that demonstrate only correlation with a given
      target rather than a causal proof. When the molecular targets of CBD that were
      physiologically plausible were considered for their potential for exploitation in
      neurological therapeutics, the results were variable. In some cases, the targets
      identified had little or no established link to the diseases considered. In
      others, molecular targets of CBD were entirely consistent with those already
      actively exploited in relevant, clinically used, neurological treatments.
      Finally, CBD was found to act upon a number of targets that are linked to
      neurological therapeutics but that its actions were not consistent withmodulation
      of such targets that would derive a therapeutically beneficial outcome. Overall,
      we find that while >65 discrete molecular targets have been reported in the
      literature for CBD, a relatively limited number represent plausible targets for
      the drug's action in neurological disorders when judged by the criteria we set.
      We conclude that CBD is very unlikely to exert effects in neurological diseases
      through modulation of the endocannabinoid system. Moreover, a number of other
      molecular targets of CBD reported in the literature are unlikely to be of
      relevance owing to effects only being observed at supraphysiological
      concentrations. Of interest and after excluding unlikely and implausible targets,
      the remaining molecular targets of CBD with plausible evidence for involvement in
      therapeutic effects in neurological disorders (e.g., voltage-dependent anion
      channel 1, G protein-coupled receptor 55, CaV3.x, etc.) are associated with
      either the regulation of, or responses to changes in, intracellular calcium
      levels. While no causal proof yet exists for CBD's effects at these targets, they
      represent the most probable for such investigations and should be prioritized in
      further studies of CBD's therapeutic mechanism of action. 

PMID- 26264920
TI  - Mycobacterium tuberculosis Low Molecular Weight Phosphatases (MPtpA and MPtpB):
      From Biological Insight to Inhibitors.
AB  - Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the main aetiological agent of tuberculosis
      (TB) in humans, is estimated to cause nearly two million deaths every year.
      Despite their huge therapeutic value, existing antitubercular drugs have several
      shortcomings, such as for instance the insurgence of drug resistance, which is
      mostly triggered by lack of compliance during the lengthy treatment. Novel and
      more effective drugs against Mtb acting on new molecular targets are therefore in
      demand in order to reduce treatment time and address the severe issue related to
      the progressive loss of antibiotic efficacy. Mtb encodes for two low molecular
      weight tyrosine specific phosphatases (MPtpA and MPtpB) that are crucially
      involved in Mtb pathogenesis. While MPtpA interferes with phagosome acidification
      blocking its maturation, MPtpB disrupts host signal transduction cascades,
      causing immune response subversion in the host. The important role played by both
      MPtpA and MPtpB in host-pathogen interaction makes them appealing targets for TB
      drug discovery. Here, we provide an exhaustive review of the current knowledge on
      MPtpA and MPtpB characterization and role in TB pathogenesis. In particular,
      special emphasis is placed on all class of inhibitors that have been developed
      and studied to date; their binding mode, design strategies, biological
      activities, main pharmacophore features as well as the efforts to overcome the
      poor druggability of their target are summarized in detail. 

PMID- 26264921
TI  - From Bitopic Inhibitors to Multitarget Drugs for the Future Treatment of
      Alzheimer's Disease.
AB  - Dementia is one of the main causes of the disease burden in developed regions.
      According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it will become the world's
      second leading cause of death by the middle of the century, overtaking cancer.
      This will have a dramatic impact on medical care, and have important social and
      economic implications, unless more effective preventive procedures or treatments
      become available. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia,
      accounting for approximately 50-75% of all dementias worldwide, followed by
      vascular dementia, mixed dementia, and Lewy body dementia. Currently,
      acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors, such as donepezil, rivastigmine and
      galantamine are used to treat mild to moderate AD. An alternative therapy for
      severe AD is memantine, an antagonist of the NMDA-subtype of glutamate receptors.
      However, these drugs provide only temporary symptom improvement, and do not alter
      disease progression, except temporarily in some patients. In recent years
      different approaches have been developed to provide a more effective treatment
      for AD. These approached include the discovery of emerging targets and new drugs
      aiming at a single target, but given the complexity of the disease, different
      targets may need to be engaged simultaneously. New strategies have explored
      bitopic inhibitors, for example a single drug that acts on different sites of the
      acetylcholinesterase enzyme to produce at least two different activities, and
      multitarget drugs that act on multiple therapeutic targets. In this review, we
      explore the journey from a bitopic inhibitor strategy to multitarget drugs for
      the future treatment of AD. 

PMID- 26264922
TI  - Progress in the Search for New Dopamine Transporter Inhibitors.
AB  - In the present review, we provide a comprehensive summary of recent
      pharmacological studies on dopamine transporter (DAT) inhibitors, which are
      potential treatments for neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. Extensive
      structure-activity relationship studies have identified numerous tropane-based
      ligands with high affinity and selectivity for the DAT or with high affinity to
      the DAT and other monoamine transporters (dual and triple monoamine reuptake
      inhibitors). The review covers advances in the field in past fifteen years. Among
      the described compounds, many appear to be promising drug candidates, while other
      may serve as valuable tools for research or as prototypes for new classes of
      selective DAT inhibitors. Special attention is being paid to separation of the
      DAT inhibition from NET and SERT inhibition. 

PMID- 26264919
TI  - Extracellular volume quantification in isolated hypertension - changes at the
      detectable limits?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Diffuse myocardial fibrosis (DMF) is important in cardiovascular
      disease, however until recently could only be assessed by invasive biopsy. We
      hypothesised that DMF measured by T1 mapping is elevated in isolated systemic
      hypertension. METHODS: In a study of well-controlled hypertensive patients from a
      specialist tertiary centre, 46 hypertensive patients (median age 56, range 21 to
      78, 52 % male) and 50 healthy volunteers (median age 45, range 28 to 69, 52 %
      male) underwent clinical CMR at 1.5 T with T1 mapping (ShMOLLI) using the
      equilibrium contrast technique for extracellular volume (ECV) quantification.
      Patients underwent 24-hours Automated Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM),
      echocardiographic assessment of diastolic function, aortic stiffness assessment
      and measurement of NT-pro-BNP and collagen biomarkers. RESULTS: Late gadolinium
      enhancement (LGE) revealed significant unexpected underlying pathology in 6 out
      of 46 patients (13 %; myocardial infarction n = 3; hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
      (HCM) n = 3); these were subsequently excluded. Limited, non-ischaemic LGE
      patterns were seen in 11 out of the remaining 40 (28 %) patients. Hypertensives
      on therapy (mean 2.2 agents) had a mean ABPM of 152/88 mmHg, but only 35 %
      (14/40) had left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH; LV mass male > 90 g/m(2); female >
      78 g/m(2)). Native myocardial T1 was similar in hypertensives and controls (955
      +/- 30 ms versus 965 +/- 38 ms, p = 0.16). The difference in ECV did not reach
      significance (0.26 +/- 0.02 versus 0.27 +/- 0.03, p = 0.06). In the subset with
      LVH, the ECV was significantly higher (0.28 +/- 0.03 versus 0.26 +/- 0.02, p <
      0.001). CONCLUSION: In well-controlled hypertensive patients, conventional CMR
      discovered significant underlying diseases (chronic infarction, HCM) not detected
      by echocardiography previously or even during this study. T1 mapping revealed
      increased diffuse myocardial fibrosis, but the increases were small and only
      occurred with LVH.

PMID- 26264923
TI  - Quercetin in Cancer Treatment, Alone or in Combination with Conventional
      Therapeutics?
AB  - Cancer is a problem of global importance, since the incidence is increasing
      worldwide and therapeutic options are generally limited. Thus, it becomes
      imperative to find new therapeutic targets as well as new molecules with
      therapeutic potential for tumors. Flavonoids are polyphenolic compounds that may
      be potential therapeutic agents. Several studies have shown that these compounds
      have a higher anticancer potential. Among the flavonoids in the human diet,
      quercetin is one of the most important. In the last decades, several anticancer
      properties of quercetin have been described, such as cell signaling, pro
      apoptotic, anti-proliferative and anti-oxidant effects, growth suppression. In
      fact, it is now well known that quercetin has diverse biological effects,
      inhibiting multiple enzymes involved in cell proliferation, as well as, in signal
      transduction pathways. On the other hand, there are also studies reporting
      potential synergistic effects when combined quercetin with chemotherapeutic
      agents or radiotherapy. In fact, several studies which aim to explore the
      anticancer potential of these combined treatments have already been published,
      the majority with promising results. Actually it is well known that quercetin can
      act on the chemosensitization and radiosensitization but also as chemoprotective
      and radioprotective, protecting normal cells of the side effects that results
      from chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which obviously provides notable advantages
      in their use in anticancer treatment. Thus, all these data indicate that
      quercetin may have a key role in anticancer treatment. In this context, this
      review is focused on the relationship between flavonoids and cancer, with special
      emphasis on the role of quercetin.

PMID- 26264924
TI  - Role of Serum and Glucocorticoid-Inducible Kinase (SGK)-1 in Senescence: A Novel
      Molecular Target Against Age-Related Diseases.
AB  - Senescence is a phenomenon characterized by a progressive decline of body
      homeostasis. Premature senescence acts when the cellular system is not able to
      adequately respond to noxious stimuli by synthesis of stressor molecules. Among
      those, serum-and-glucocorticoidinducible kinase-1 (SGK-1) dramatically increases
      under typical physiopathological conditions, such as glucocorticoid or
      mineralcorticoids exposure, inflammation, hyperglycemia, and ischemia. SGK-1 has
      been implicated in mechanism regulating oxidative stress, apoptosis, and DNA
      damage, which are all leading to a state of accelerating aging. Moreover, SGK-1
      sensitive ion channels participate in the regulation of renal Na(+)/K(+)
      regulation, blood pressure, gastric acid secretion, cardiac action potential, and
      neuroexcitability. Recently, we demonstrated in endothelial cells as an increase
      in SGK-1 activity and expression reduces oxidative stress, improves cell survival
      and restores insulin-mediated nitric oxide production after hyperglycemia.
      Moreover, we showed as SGK-1 delays the onset of senescence by increasing
      telomerase activity, significantly decreasing reactive oxygen species (ROS)
      production, and by directly interacting with hTERT. Therefore, SGK-1 may
      represent a specific target to further develop novel therapeutic options against
      chronic diseases such as diabetes typical of aging. SGK-1 has been also
      associated with cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and cardiovascular disease,
      among other age-related diseases. However, to date, the data available on SGK-1
      and aging, are sparse, controversial, and only from C. elegans experimental
      models. In this review we sought to discuss the possible implication of SGK-1 in
      mechanisms regulating senescence and age-related diseases. Moreover, we aimed to
      discuss and identify the possible role of SGK-1 as possible molecular target to
      counteract and prevent aging. 

PMID- 26264925
TI  - Quinoxalines Potential to Target Pathologies.
AB  - The study of quinoxalines has increased immeasurably during the last two decades,
      due firstly to their relatively simple chemical synthesis, which has generated a
      vast variety of compounds with diverse structural modifications, and secondly, to
      the wide therapeutic potential and biological activities exhibited by this family
      of compounds. Quinoxalines constitute a rising biomedical class of low-molecular
      weight heterocyclic compounds with potential functions as antitumour, anti
      inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antiparasitic and
      antidiabetic agents, as well as being of interest for the potential treatment of
      glaucoma, insomnia, cardiovascular and neurological diseases, among others.
      However, a deeper knowledge of the molecular targets of quinoxalines that fulfil
      a key role in certain pathologies is required for the development of new and more
      specific drugs through a rational design strategy to avoid undesirable side
      effects. In the present review, we summarize the most important molecular targets
      of the quinoxaline derivatives discovered to date, thus providing a first
      reference index for researchers to identify the potential targets of their
      quinoxalines derived collections, which could facilitate the development of new
      quinoxaline- based therapies.

PMID- 26264926
TI  - Production of Y-86 and other radiometals for research purposes using a solution
      target system.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Diagnostic radiometals are typically obtained from cyclotrons by
      irradiating solid targets or from radioisotope generators. These methods have the
      advantage of high production yields, but require additional solid target handling
      infrastructure that is not readily available to many cyclotron facilities.
      Herein, we provide an overview of our results regarding the production of various
      positron-emitting radiometals using a liquid target system installed on a 13 MeV
      cyclotron at TRIUMF. Details about the production, purification and quality
      control of (89)Zr, (68)Ga and for the first time (86)Y are discussed. METHODS:
      Aqueous solutions containing 1.35-1.65 g/mL of natural-abundance zinc nitrate,
      yttrium nitrate, and strontium nitrate were irradiated on a 13 MeV cyclotron
      using a standard liquid target. Different target body and foil materials were
      investigated for corrosion. Production yields were calculated using theoretical
      cross-sections from the EMPIRE code and compared with experimental results. The
      radioisotopes were extracted from irradiated target material using solid phase
      extraction methods adapted from previously reported methods, and used for
      radiolabelling experiments. RESULTS: We demonstrated production quantities that
      are sufficient for chemical and biological studies for three separate
      radiometals, (89)Zr (Asat = 360 MBq/MUA and yield = 3.17 MBq/MUA), (86)Y (Asat =
      31 MBq/MUA and yield = 1.44 MBq/MUA), and (68)Ga (Asat = 141 MBq/MUA and yield =
      64 MBq/MUA) from one hour long irradiations on a typical medical cyclotron.
      (68)Ga yields were sufficient for potential clinical applications. In order to
      avoid corrosion of the target body and target foil, nitrate solutions were chosen
      as well as niobium as target-body material. An automatic loading system enabled
      up to three production runs per day. The separation efficiency ranged from 82 to
      99%. Subsequently, (68)Ga and (86)Y were successfully used to radiolabel DOTA
      based chelators while deferoxamine was used to coordinate (89)Zr.

PMID- 26264927
TI  - PET-CT imaging with [(18)F]-gefitinib to measure Abcb1a/1b (P-gp) and Abcg2
      (Bcrp1) mediated drug-drug interactions at the murine blood-brain barrier.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The efflux transporters P-glycoprotein (P-gp, ABCB1) and breast
      cancer resistance protein (BCRP, ABCG2) are expressed at the blood-brain barrier
      (BBB), and can limit the access of a wide range of drugs to the brain. In this
      study we developed a PET-CT imaging method for non-invasive, quantitative
      analysis of the effect of ABCB1 and ABCG2 on brain penetration of the anti-cancer
      drug gefitinib, and demonstrated the applicability of this method for
      identification and quantification of potential modulators of ABCB1 and ABCB2
      using the dual inhibitor elacridar. METHODS: In vitro cellular accumulation
      studies with [(14)C]-gefitinib were conducted in LLC-PK1, MDCKII, and the
      corresponding ABCB1/Abcb1a and ABCG2/Abcg2 overexpressing cell lines.
      Subsequently, in vivo brain penetration of [(18)F]-gefitinib was quantified by
      PET-CT imaging studies in wild-type, Abcg2(-/-), Abcb1a/1b(-/-), and
      Abcb1a/1b;Abcg2(-/-) mice. RESULTS: In vitro studies showed that [(14)C]
      gefitinib is a substrate of the human ABCB1 and ABCG2 transporters. After i.v.
      administration of [(18)F]-gefitinib (1mg/kg), PET-CT imaging showed 2.3-fold
      increased brain levels of [(18)F]-gefitinib in Abcb1a/1b;Abcg2(-/-) mice,
      compared to wild-type. Levels in single knockout animals were not different from
      wild-type, showing that Abcb1a/1b and Abcg2 together limit access of [(18)F]
      gefitinib to the brain. Furthermore, enhanced brain accumulation of [(18)F]
      gefitinib after administration of the ABCB1 and ABCG2 inhibitor elacridar (10
      mg/kg) could be quantified with PET-CT imaging. CONCLUSIONS: PET-CT imaging with
      [(18)F]-gefitinib is a powerful tool to non-invasively assess potential ABCB1-
      and ABCG2-mediated drug-drug interactions (DDIs) in vivo. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE
      AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PATIENT CARE: This minimally-invasive, [(18)F]-based PET-CT
      imaging method shows the interplay of ABCB1 and ABCG2 at the BBB in vivo. The
      method may be applied in the future to assess ABCB1 and ABCG2 activity at the BBB
      in humans, and for personalized treatment with drugs that are substrates of ABCB1
      and/or ABCG2.

PMID- 26264928
TI  - Towards the commercialization of Botryococcus braunii for triterpenoid
      production.
AB  - Botryococcus braunii can accumulate unusually high levels of triterpenoid
      hydrocarbons making it a potential source of high value chemicals. However, its
      commercial application is hampered by its slow growth and lack of large-scale
      studies of triterpenoid hydrocarbon production. This study investigated
      hydrocarbon production in two race B of B. braunii strains, Overjuyo-3 and Kossou
      4, at 25  degrees C in 500 L open tanks under artificial lighting in modified
      BG11 medium over 60 days. Maximum growth was reached by 40 days with Overjuyo-3
      producing more biomass (3.05 g L(-1)) than Kossou-4 (2.55 g L(-1)). However,
      Kossou-4 produced more oil (0.75 g L(-1)) and triterpenoid hydrocarbons (C30-C34;
      50 % of oil weight) compared to 0.63 g L(-1) of oil in Overjuyo-3 with
      triterpenoid hydrocarbons making up 29 % of oil weight. This research
      demonstrates for the first time that large-scale production of high value
      triterpenoid hydrocarbon for commercial application is feasible with Kossou-4
      strain.

PMID- 26264929
TI  - Model-based evaluation of ferrous iron oxidation by acidophilic bacteria in
      chemostat and biofilm airlift reactors.
AB  - This article presents a model-based evaluation of ferrous iron oxidation in
      chemostat and biofilm airlift reactors inoculated with a mixed culture of
      Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans and Leptospirillum ferrooxidans bacteria. The
      competition between the two types of bacteria in the chemostat and in the biofilm
      airlift reactors together with the distribution of both bacteria along the
      biofilm thickness at different time sections has been studied. The bacterial
      distribution profiles along the biofilm in the airlift reactor at different time
      scales show that in the beginning A. ferrooxidans bacteria are dominant, but when
      the reactor operates for a long time the desirable L. ferrooxidans species
      outcompete A. ferrooxidans as a result of the low Fe(2+) and high Fe(3+)
      concentrations. The results obtained from the simulation were compared with the
      experimental data of continuously operated internal loop airlift biofilm reactor.
      The model results are in good agreement with the experimental results. 

PMID- 26264930
TI  - Bioprocess for efficient production of recombinant Pichia anomala phytase and its
      applicability in dephytinizing chick feed and whole wheat flat Indian breads.
AB  - The phytase of the yeast Pichia anomala (PPHY) is a suitable biocatalyst as a
      food and feed additive because of its adequate thermostability, acid stability,
      protease insensitivity and broad substrate spectrum. The cell-bound nature and
      low phytase titres are the main bottlenecks for its utility in food and feed
      industries. In this investigation, we have overcome the problems by constitutive
      secretory expression of PPHY under glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase (GAP)
      promoter. A ~44-fold increase in rPPHY titre has been achieved after optimization
      of cultural variables by one-variable-at-a-time approach and two factorial
      statistical design. The use of GAP promoter makes the cultivation of the
      recombinant P. pastoris straight forward and eliminates the requirement of
      methanol for induction and hazards associated with its storage. Among metal
      phytate complexes, Ca(2+) phytate is hydrolyzed more efficiently by rPPHY than
      Co(2+), Mn(2+), Mg(2+), Fe(3+) and Zn(2+) phytates. The enzyme is effective in
      dephytinizing whole wheat unleavened flat Indian breads (naan and tandoori) and
      different broiler feeds, thus mitigating anti-nutritional effects of phytates. 

PMID- 26264931
TI  - Lead recovery from scrap cathode ray tube funnel glass by hydrothermal
      sulphidisation.
AB  - This research focused on the application of the hydrothermal sulphidisation
      method to separate lead from scrap cathode ray tube funnel glass. Prior to
      hydrothermal treatment, the cathode ray tube funnel glass was pretreated by
      mechanical activation. Under hydrothermal conditions, hydroxyl ions (OH(-)) were
      generated through an ion exchange reaction between metal ions in mechanically
      activated funnel glass and water, to accelerate sulphur disproportionation; no
      additional alkaline compound was needed. Lead contained in funnel glass was
      converted to lead sulphide with high efficiency. Temperature had a significant
      effect on the sulphidisation rate of lead in funnel glass, which increased from
      25% to 90% as the temperature increased from 100  degrees C to 300  degrees C. A
      sulphidisation rate of 100% was achieved at a duration of 8 h at 300  degrees C.
      This process of mechanical activation and hydrothermal sulphidisation is
      efficient and promising for the treatment of leaded glass. 

PMID- 26264932
TI  - Comparative biochemical analysis after steam pretreatment of lignocellulosic
      agricultural waste biomass from Williams Cavendish banana plant (Triploid Musa
      AAA group).
AB  - The accessibility of fermentable substrates to enzymes is a limiting factor for
      the efficient bioconversion of agricultural wastes in the context of sustainable
      development. This paper presents the results of a biochemical analysis performed
      on six combined morphological parts of Williams Cavendish Lignocellulosic Biomass
      (WCLB) after steam cracking (SC) and steam explosion (SE) pretreatments. Solid
      (S) and liquid (L) fractions (Fs) obtained from SC pretreatment performed at 180
      degrees C (SLFSC180) and 210 degrees C (SLFSC210) generated, after diluted acid
      hydrolysis, the highest proportions of neutral sugar (NS) contents, specifically
      52.82 +/- 3.51 and 49.78 +/- 1.39%w/w WCLB dry matter (DM), respectively. The
      highest proportions of glucose were found in SFSC210 (53.56 +/- 1.33%w/w DM) and
      SFSC180 (44.47 +/- 0.00%w/w DM), while the lowest was found in unpretreated WCLB
      (22.70 +/- 0.71%w/w DM). Total NS content assessed in each LF immediately after
      SC and SE pretreatments was less than 2%w/w of the LF DM, thus revealing minor
      acid autohydrolysis consequently leading to minor NS production during the steam
      pretreatment. WCLB subjected to SC at 210  degrees C (SC210) generated up to 2.7
      fold bioaccessible glucan and xylan. SC and SE pretreatments showed potential for
      the deconstruction of WCLB (delignification, depolymerization, decrystallization
      and deacetylation), enhancing its enzymatic hydrolysis. The concentrations of
      enzymatic inhibitors, such as 2-furfuraldehyde and 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural from
      LFSC210, were the highest (41 and 21 ug ml(-1), respectively). This study shows
      that steam pretreatments in general and SC210 in particular are required for
      efficient bioconversion of WCLB. Yet, biotransformation through biochemical
      processes (e.g., anaerobic digestion) must be performed to assess the efficiency
      of these pretreatments.

PMID- 26264934
TI  - Debilitating fatigue as a treatment indication in chronic hepatitis C.

PMID- 26264933
TI  - Ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase 1: A novel functional marker for liver
      myofibroblasts and a therapeutic target in chronic liver disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Ubiquitination is a reversible protein modification involved
      in the major cellular processes that define cell phenotype and behaviour.
      Ubiquitin modifications are removed by a large family of proteases named
      deubiquitinases. The role of deubiquitinases in hepatic stellate cell (HSC)
      activation and their contribution to fibrogenesis are poorly defined. We have
      identified that the deubiquitinase ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase 1 (UCHL1) is
      highly induced following HSC activation, determined its function in activated HSC
      and its potential as a therapeutic target for fibrosis. METHODS: Deubiquitinase
      expression was determined in day 0 and day 10 HSC. Increased UCHL1 expression was
      confirmed in human HSC and in an alcoholic liver disease (ALD) patient liver. The
      importance of UCHL1 in hepatic fibrosis was investigated in CCl4 and bile duct
      ligation injured mice using a pharmacological inhibitor (LDN 57444). The effects
      of UCHL1 inhibition on HSC proliferation were confirmed by Western blot and 3H
      thymidine incorporation. RESULTS: Here we report that pharmacological inhibition
      of UCHL1 blocks progression of established fibrosis in CCl4 injured mice. UCHL1
      siRNA knockdown, LDN 57444 treatment, or HSC isolated from UCHL1(-/-) mice show
      attenuated proliferation in response to the mitogen, platelet-derived growth
      factor. Additionally, we observed changes in the phosphorylation of the cell
      cycle regulator retinoblastoma protein (Rb) in the absence of UCHL1 highlighting
      a potential mechanism for the reduced proliferative response. CONCLUSIONS: UCHL1
      expression is highly upregulated upon HSC activation and is involved in the
      regulation of HSC proliferation. This study highlights therapeutic opportunities
      for pharmacological targeting of UCHL1 in chronic liver disease.

PMID- 26264935
TI  - Repurposing of metformin in liver injury: The JNK conundrum.

PMID- 26264936
TI  - Activation of Slit2-Robo1 signaling promotes liver fibrosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: The secretory protein Slit2 and its receptor Robo1 are
      believed to regulate cell growth and migration. Here, we aimed to determine
      whether Slit2-Robo1 signaling mediates the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis.
      METHODS: Serum levels of Slit2 in patients with liver fibrosis were determined by
      ELISA. Liver fibrosis was induced in wild-type (WT), Slit2 transgenic (Slit2-Tg)
      and Robo1(+/-)Robo2(+/-) double heterozygotes (Robo1/2(+/-)) mice by carbon
      tetrachloride (CCl4). The functional contributions of Slit2-Robo1 signaling in
      liver fibrosis and activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) were investigated
      using primary mouse HSCs and human HSC cell line LX-2. RESULTS: Significantly
      increased serum Slit2 levels and hepatic expression of Slit2 and Robo1 were
      observed in patients with liver fibrosis. Compared to WT mice, Slit2-Tg mice were
      much more vulnerable to CCl4-induced liver injury and more readily develop liver
      fibrosis. Development of hepatic fibrosis in Slit2-Tg mice was associated with a
      stronger hepatic expression of collagen I and alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha
      SMA). However, liver injury and hepatic expression of collagen I and alpha-SMA
      were attenuated in CCl4-treated Robo1/2(+/-) mice in response to CCl4 exposure.
      In vitro, Robo1 neutralizing antibody R5 and Robo1 siRNA downregulated
      phosphorylation of Smad2, Smad3, PI3K, and AKT in HSCs independent of TGF-beta1.
      R5 and Robo1 siRNA also inhibited the expression of alpha-SMA by HSCs. Finally,
      the protective effect of R5 on the CCl4-induced liver injury and fibrosis was
      further verified in mice. CONCLUSIONS: Slit2-Robo1 signaling promotes liver
      injury and fibrosis through activation of HSCs.

PMID- 26264938
TI  - Preconception risk assessment for thalassaemia, sickle cell disease, cystic
      fibrosis and Tay-Sachs disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Globally, about five per cent of children are born with congenital or
      genetic disorders. The most common autosomal recessive conditions are
      thalassaemia, sickle cell disease, cystic fibrosis and Tay-Sachs disease, with
      higher carrier rates in specific patient populations. Identifying and counselling
      couples at genetic risk of the conditions before pregnancy enables them to make
      fully informed reproductive decisions, with some of these choices not being
      available if genetic counselling is only offered in an antenatal setting.
      OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness of systematic preconception genetic risk
      assessment to improve reproductive outcomes in women and their partners who are
      identified as carriers of thalassaemia, sickle cell disease, cystic fibrosis and
      Tay-Sachs disease in healthcare settings when compared to usual care. SEARCH
      METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis and Genetic Disorders Group's
      Trials Registers. In addition, we searched for all relevant trials from 1970 (or
      the date at which the database was first available if after 1970) to date using
      electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO), clinical trial
      databases (National Institutes of Health, Clinical Trials Search portal of the
      World Health Organization, metaRegister of controlled clinical trials), and hand
      searching of key journals and conference abstract books from 1998 to date
      (European Journal of Human Genetics, Genetics in Medicine, Journal of Community
      Genetics). We also searched the reference lists of relevant articles, reviews and
      guidelines and also contacted subject experts in the field to request any
      unpublished or other published trials.Date of latest search of the registers: 25
      June 2015.Date of latest search of all other sources: 10 December 2014. SELECTION
      CRITERIA: Any randomised or quasi-randomised control trials (published or
      unpublished) comparing reproductive outcomes of systematic preconception genetic
      risk assessment for thalassaemia, sickle cell disease, cystic fibrosis and Tay
      Sachs disease when compared to usual care. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We
      identified 19 papers, describing 13 unique trials which were potentially eligible
      for inclusion in the review. However, after assessment, no randomised controlled
      trials of preconception genetic risk assessment for thalassaemia, sickle cell
      disease, cystic fibrosis and Tay-Sachs disease were found. MAIN RESULTS: No
      randomised controlled trials of preconception genetic risk assessment for
      thalassaemia, sickle cell disease, cystic fibrosis and Tay-Sachs disease were
      found. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: As no randomised controlled trials of preconception
      genetic risk assessment for thalassaemia, sickle cell disease, cystic fibrosis,
      or Tay-Sachs disease were found for inclusion in this review, the research
      evidence for current policy recommendations is limited to non-randomised
      studies.Information from well-designed, adequately powered, randomised trials is
      desirable in order to make more robust recommendations for practice. However,
      such trials must also consider the legal, ethical, and cultural barriers to
      implementation of preconception genetic risk assessment.

PMID- 26264937
TI  - Quality of life and acquired organ damage are intimately related to activity
      limitations in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune multi-organ
      disease, characterized by episodes of disease flares and remissions over time,
      which may restrain affected patients' ability to perform daily activities. The
      purpose of the present study was to characterize variation in activity
      limitations among well-defined SLE patients, and to describe disease phenotypes,
      acquired organ damage and their relations to activity limitation and self
      reported health, respectively. METHODS: The disease phenotypes were organized
      into 4 different clinical groups and logistic regression analyses were used to
      identify how an elevated health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) score was related
      to disease variables such as phenotypes, disease activity and damage accrual.
      Correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were used to examine the
      association between each group of variables - background variables, disease
      variables and self-reported measurements - and the degree of elevated HAQ.
      RESULTS: We found a higher proportion of activity limitation in patients with
      skin and joint involvement compared to others. The presence of activity
      limitation, as detected by the HAQ instrument, was significantly associated with
      quality of life (EuroQol-5D) and accrual of organ damage using the Systemic Lupus
      International Collaborative Clinics/ACR damage index. CONCLUSIONS: The findings
      highlight the differing requirements of the multi-professional rehabilitation
      interventions for the various SLE phenotypes in order to optimize the clinical
      care of the patients.

PMID- 26264939
TI  - Site-Selective Conjugate Addition Through Catalytic Generation of Ion-Pairing
      Intermediates.
AB  - Site-selectivity in conjugate addition reactions is tightly associated with the
      principle of vinylogy. Various vinylogous nucleophiles and electrophiles have
      been applied to stereoselective conjugate additions directed by chiral small
      molecule catalysts. This chapter focuses on the systems that control site- and
      stereoselectivity via chiral ion-pairing intermediates under organocatalytic
      conditions and describes individual vinylogous substrates in a separate section.
      Although site-selectivity originates largely from the intrinsic stereoelectronic
      nature of individual substrates, catalyst-controlled site-selectivity can be
      attained in certain cases. 

PMID- 26264940
TI  - Insights into IL-37, the role in autoimmune diseases.
AB  - Autoimmune diseases are characterized by the impaired function and the
      destruction of tissues that are caused by an immune response in which aberrant
      antibodies are generated and attack the body's own cells and tissues. Interleukin
      (IL) -37, a new member of the IL-1 family, broadly reduces innate inflammation as
      well as acquired immune responses. Recently, studies have shown that expression
      of IL-37 was abnormal in autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus
      erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD),
      ankylosing spondylitis (AS), psoriasis, Graves' disease (GD). In addition,
      functional analysis indicated that IL-37 is negatively involved in the
      development and pathogenesis of these autoimmune disorders. The strong
      association of this cytokine with autoimmune diseases promotes us to
      systematically review what had been published recently on the crucial nature of
      IL-37 in relation to autoimmune diseases gaining attention for its regulatory
      capability in these autoimmune disorders. 

PMID- 26264941
TI  - Thrombolysis for stroke in pregnancy at 39 weeks gestation with a subsequent
      normal delivery.
AB  - Stroke during pregnancy is fortunately a rare event, however, it can have severe
      consequences, with 9.5% of all maternal deaths being related to stroke. The most
      common presentation is an ischaemic stroke. There has been much debate as to the
      correct treatment for such cases' and whether thrombolysis can be used safely in
      pregnancy. Our case describes a 28-year-old woman with a previous normal vaginal
      delivery presenting in her third trimester with a sudden onset of dense left
      hemiparesis. She was successfully treated with alteplase, an intravenous
      recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator, and made a full recovery after
      normal delivery of a healthy infant. This case report highlights one of the first
      documented successful outcomes from thrombolysis for this condition in the UK and
      may help inform future management of these women. 

PMID- 26264942
TI  - Toxic shock syndrome post open reduction and Kirschner wire fixation of a humeral
      lateral condyle fracture.
AB  - Use of Kirschner wires (K-wires) is the most common method of fracture
      stabilisation in lateral condyle fracture fixation in children. We report a case
      of toxic shock syndrome (TSS) following an open reduction and internal fixation
      using K-wires for a humeral lateral condyle fracture in a 5-year-old girl. TSS is
      a toxin-mediated multisystem illness. It typically presents with shock and it is
      most often attributed to toxin-producing strains of Staphylococcus aureus and
      Streptococcus pyogenes. It can lead to multiorgan failure and, ultimately, death.
      It is important to be aware of TSS, as it can present within any setting.
      Patients often have non-specific symptoms and their condition can worsen rapidly.
      TSS postorthopaedic surgery is rare; however, due to the serious nature of this
      disease, it is important to promptly recognise and diagnose TSS, and to ensure
      appropriate treatment is started without delay. 

PMID- 26264943
TI  - Myositis ossificans of the quadriceps femoris in a soccer player.
AB  - A young soccer player was diagnosed with myositis ossificans 6 weeks after a
      muscle strain in the right thigh. Radiographic and sonographic investigations
      initially helped to confirm diagnosis and later supported clinical improvement.
      We present our approach to the case and discuss pathophysiology, prevention and
      treatment of this rare condition.

PMID- 26264944
TI  - Streptococcus gordonii prosthetic joint infection in the setting of vigorous
      dental flossing.
AB  - A 65-year-old woman with osteoarthritis, who underwent knee replacement 5 years
      prior, developed sudden onset knee pain and swelling. She had voluntarily
      starting a vigorous dental flossing regimen prior to the onset of symptoms. The
      patient underwent right knee arthrotomy, irrigation and debridement of right
      total knee arthroplasty and exchange of polyethylene with retention of the
      prosthesis. Intraoperative cultures grew Streptococcus gordonii. She was treated
      with 6 weeks of ceftriaxone and was later placed on oral antibiotic suppression.

PMID- 26264945
TI  - Use of steroids for management of varicella pneumonia.
AB  - Varicella pneumonia (VP) is a critical complication of varicella infection and
      still carries significant morbidity and mortality, often requiring intensive care
      unit admission. Current accepted treatment is with intravenous aciclovir and
      organ support, if required. We report two cases of VP with acute respiratory
      failure, successfully treated with intravenous steroids in addition to aciclovir.
      Further research into the benefits of steroid therapy in VP is warranted. 

PMID- 26264946
TI  - Obstructive eosinophilic gastroenteritis in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis.
AB  - Eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EG) is a rare disease characterised by abnormal
      eosinophilic infiltration of the gastrointestinal tract. We describe a case of EG
      presenting as an intestinal obstruction in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis
      (RA). A 54-year-old man with RA presented to the emergency department with
      abdominal pain and vomiting. On examination, his abdomen was distended and
      tender. Laboratory data showed leucocytosis with raised inflammatory markers and
      without eosinophilia. CT revealed dilated small bowel loops, with a couple of
      loops forming a mass and abscess formation. Emergency laparotomy was performed
      with segmental resection of the ileum and side-to-side anastomosis. Histology
      confirmed the diagnosis of EG. The patient recovered well and was asymptomatic at
      the time of writing this report. 

PMID- 26264948
TI  - Transient renal medullary hyperechogenicity in a term neonate.
AB  - Although neonatal renal medullary hyperechogenicity can occur in a variety of
      pathological conditions, it has been reported to occur transiently with or
      without renal abnormalities in term as well as in preterm neonates. Variably
      described in the literature as Tamm-Horsfall nephropathy, or stasis nephropathy,
      the pathogenesis is unknown, but has an excellent prognosis. The authors describe
      a 3-day-old neonate with transient renal medullary hyperechogenicity, with no
      other abnormalities, which resolved within 2 weeks.

PMID- 26264947
TI  - Treatment for tuberculosis in a patient with Dubin-Johnson syndrome.
AB  - Dubin-Johnson syndrome (DJS) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterised by
      conjugated hyperbilirubinemia resulting from mutations of ABCC2/MRP2 gene. The
      beneficial effects of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and rifampicin were found to be
      complementary in the treatment of cholestatic liver disease secondary to DJS. We
      present a case of a young woman with tubercular meningitis. She was started on
      modified antitubercular therapy in view of conjugated hyperbilirubinemia.
      However, reinitiation of rifampicin resulted in redevelopment of jaundice. Liver
      biopsy was suggestive of DJS. The patient was started on rifampicin along with
      UDCA. There was improvement in hyperbilirubinemia and a full course of
      antituberculous therapy without further worsening of the disorder was possible.
      This is a rare case of DJS with tuberculosis, showing beneficial effects of
      rifampicin and UDCA combination therapy, which so far has been considered
      doubtful. It is uncertain what the level of efficacy of therapy is in various
      MRP2 gene mutations. 

PMID- 26264949
TI  - Isolated hydatid cyst of the pancreas masquerading as pancreatic pseudocyst.
AB  - Hydatid cyst of the pancreas is very rare and usually presents with obstructive
      jaundice. We report a case of a 7-year-old girl with cyst of the pancreas without
      any obstructive jaundice. The child was treated surgically and hydatid cyst of
      pancreas was found. Partial pericystectomy was performed. After 1 month on follow
      up, the child developed pseudocyst of pancreas, which needed cystogastrostomy.
      Postoperatively, the child improved and is remaining well after 3 months of
      follow-up. Hydatid cysts of pancreas are very difficult to diagnose
      preoperatively and should be kept as a differential diagnosis of cystic
      intrapancreatic lesions. Serological tests can help in early diagnosis.

PMID- 26264950
TI  - Orbital metastasis from prostate cancer.

PMID- 26264951
TI  - Non-union of the great toe in a 4-year-old child.
AB  - Phalangeal fractures of the foot are very rare in children. They are treated with
      closed reduction and splinting. Cases reported of non-union in children are rare.
      We report on treatment of a 4-year-old child with non-union of the proximal
      phalanx of the great toe foot following an open fracture caused by a motor
      vehicle accident 4 months prior. No graft was used. We present this case with
      good clinical outcome at 1 year follow-up.

PMID- 26264952
TI  - An unusual cause of proptosis.

PMID- 26264953
TI  - XDR TB presenting as a transphyseal lytic lesion in the proximal tibia.

PMID- 26264954
TI  - A morphometric 3D model of coronary artery bypass graft dysfunction with
      multidetector computed tomography.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective was to assess, with computed tomography (CT)
      angiography, quantitative morphological parameters of a composite coronary artery
      bypass grafting (CABG) strategy and to correlate these with graft dysfunction.
      FINDINGS: Forty patients [median postoperative time, 32 (14-51) months] underwent
      CT angiography. Graft patency was assessed, and specific quantitative
      morphological parameters of the graft were collected. Graft segments had an
      overall patency rate of 93% (78/84). Two specific morphological parameters were
      found to be associated with graft dysfunction. CONCLUSION: A CT morphometric
      model can be used to identify quantitative 3D parameters associated with graft
      dysfunction. Such an approach could help in developing and improving CABG
      designs.

PMID- 26264955
TI  - Elevated Z line: a new sign of Barrett's esophagus on double-contrast barium
      esophagograms.
AB  - We describe an elevated Z line as a new radiographic sign of Barrett's esophagus
      characterized by a transversely oriented, zigzagging, barium-etched line
      extending completely across the circumference of the midesophagus. An elevated Z
      line is rarely seen in other patients, so this finding should be highly
      suggestive of Barrett's esophagus on double-contrast barium esophagograms. If the
      patient is a potential candidate for surveillance, endoscopy and biopsy should be
      performed to confirm the presence of Barrett's esophagus. 

PMID- 26264956
TI  - Can computed tomography esophagography reliably diagnose traumatic penetrating
      upper digestive tract injuries?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the sensitivity and specificity of computed tomography
      (CT) esophagography in diagnosing penetrating esophageal and hypopharyngeal
      injuries in trauma patients and to see if it can be used as the only imaging
      method in diagnosing these injuries. The confidence of radiologists using only CT
      esophagography was also measured. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective cross
      sectional analytic study was done on haemodinamically stable patients requiring
      multidetector CT after external penetrating neck or chest trauma. Each patient
      was given oral contrast consisting of 50 ml 50% iohexol solution, within 5 min of
      commencement of the CT examination and in the supine position. An attempt was
      made to confirm all CT esophagography findings with at least one secondary
      method. Images were evaluated separately by two general departmental radiologists
      who were blinded to the results of the confirmation method. RESULTS: Between
      December 2012 and November 2014, 102 patients were included, of which 93 (91.2%)
      were male. Stab wounds were responsible for 85.3% (n=87) of penetrating wounds.
      Ninety-four patients (92.2%) had CT angiography (CTA) in conjunction with CT
      esophagography. There were 20 confirmed upper digestive tract injuries; 11
      (55.0%) in the hypopharynx and 9 (45.0%) in the esophagus. With the exception of
      one case, all upper digestive tract injuries were diagnosed using only CT
      esophagography. No upper digestive tract injuries were correctly identified in 70
      and 75 out of 82 true negative cases respectively, suggesting a sensitivity of
      95.0% for both radiologists and specificity of 85.4% and 91.5% for CT
      esophagography. A number of false positive diagnoses were reported when CT
      esophagography was done in conjunction with CTA, resulting in a positive
      predictive value of 61.3% and 79.1% for this technique. Reviewers were positive
      to very confident about the CT esophagography findings in 90.0% and 100% of
      patients with injuries and 79.0% and 87.0%, respectively, in the no injury group.
      CONCLUSION: CT esophagography is reliable in diagnosing penetrating upper
      digestive tract injuries. In conjunction with CTA, false positive findings may
      occur. Radiologists were generally positive to very confident about their CT
      esophagography findings, not needing further imaging in more than 60% of cases.

PMID- 26264957
TI  - Diagnostic accuracy of reused Pronto Drytest and CLOtest in the detection of
      Helicobacter pylori infection.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Unchanged substrate in a negative rapid urease test may be reused to
      detect Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). This could potentially reduce costs and
      wastage in low prevalence and resource-poor settings. We thus aimed to
      investigate the diagnostic accuracy of reused Pronto Dry and CLOtest kits,
      comparing this to the use of new Pronto Dry test kits and histopathological
      evaluation of gastric mucosal biopsies. METHODS: Using a cross-sectional study
      design, subjects who presented for upper endoscopy due to various non-emergent
      causes had gastric biopsies obtained at three adjacent sites. Biopsy samples were
      tested for H. pylori using a reused Pronto Dry test, a reused CLOtest, a new
      Pronto Dry test and histopathological examination. Concordance rates,
      sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive
      value (NPV) and diagnostic accuracy were then determined. RESULTS: A total of 410
      subjects were recruited. The sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy of reused Pronto
      Dry tests were 72.60 % (95% CI, 61.44 - 81.51) and 94.15% (95% CI, 91.44 - 96.04)
      respectively. For reused CLOtests, the sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy were
      93.15% (95% CI 85.95 - 97.04) and 98.29% (95% CI 96.52 - 99.17) respectively.
      There were more true positives for new and reused Pronto Dry pallets as compared
      to new and reused CLOtests when comparing colour change within 30 min vs. 31-60
      min (P < 0.001 and P = 0.7 respectively). CONCLUSION: Negative Pronto Dry and
      CLOtest kits may be reused in a low prevalence setting where cost issues remain
      paramount. Reused CLOtest kits have better accuracy than reused Pronto Dry tests.
      Reused Pronto Dry tests however have a more rapid colour change whilst
      maintaining diagnostic accuracy.

PMID- 26264958
TI  - Metal Free Azide-Alkyne Click Reaction: Role of Substituents and Heavy Atom
      Tunneling.
AB  - Metal free click reactions provide an excellent noninvasive tool to modify and
      understand the processes in biological systems. Release of ring strain in
      cyclooctynes on reaction with azides on the formation of triazoles results in
      small activation energies for various intermolecular Huisgen reactions (1-9).
      Substitution of difluoro groups at the alpha, alpha' position of the cyclooctyne
      ring enhances the rates of cycloadditions by 10 and 20 times for methyl azide and
      benzyl azide respectively at room temperature. The computed rate enhancement on
      difluoro substitution using direct dynamical calculations using the canonical
      variational transition state theory (CVT/CAG) with small curvature tunneling
      (SCT) corrections are in excellent agreement with the experimental results. For
      the intramolecular click reaction (10) notwithstanding its much higher activation
      energy, quantum mechanical tunneling (QMT) enhances the rate of cycloaddition
      significantly and increases the N(14)/N(15) primary kinetic isotope effect at 298
      K. QMT is shown to be rather efficient in 10 due to a thin barrier of ~2.4 A. The
      present study shows that tunneling effects can be significant for intramolecular
      click reactions. 

PMID- 26264959
TI  - Y-chromosomal testing of brown bears (Ursus arctos): Validation of a multiplex
      PCR-approach for nine STRs suitable for fecal and hair samples.
AB  - High-resolution Y-chromosomal markers have been applied to humans and other
      primates to study population genetics, migration, social structures and
      reproduction. Y-linked markers allow the direct assessment of the genetic
      structure and gene flow of uniquely male inherited lineages and may also be
      useful for wildlife conservation and forensics, but have so far been available
      only for few wild species. Thus, we have developed two multiplex PCR reactions
      encompassing nine Y-STR markers identified from the brown bear (Ursus arctos) and
      tested them on hair, fecal and tissue samples. The multiplex PCR approach was
      optimized and analyzed for species specificity, sensitivity and stutter-peak
      ratios. The nine Y-STRs also showed specific STR-fragments for male black bears
      and male polar bears, while none of the nine markers produced any PCR products
      when using DNA from female bears or males from 12 other mammals. The multiplex
      PCR approach in two PCR reactions could be amplified with as low as 0.2 ng
      template input. Precision was high in DNA templates from hairs, fecal scats and
      tissues, with standard deviations less than 0.14 and median stutter ratios from
      0.04 to 0.63. Among the eight di- and one tetra-nucleotide repeat markers, we
      detected simple repeat structures in seven of the nine markers with 9-25 repeat
      units. Allelic variation was found for eight of the nine Y-STRs, with 2-9 alleles
      for each marker and a total of 36 alleles among 453 male brown bears sampled
      mainly from Northern Europe. We conclude that the multiplex PCR approach with
      these nine Y-STRs would provide male bear Y-chromosomal specificity and evidence
      suited for samples from conservation and wildlife forensics.

PMID- 26264960
TI  - Genetic distribution of 39 STR loci in 1027 unrelated Han individuals from
      Northern China.

PMID- 26264961
TI  - Accurate chromosome segregation by probabilistic self-organisation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: For faithful chromosome segregation during cell division, correct
      attachments must be established between sister chromosomes and microtubules from
      opposite spindle poles through kinetochores (chromosome bi-orientation).
      Incorrect attachments of kinetochore microtubules (kMTs) lead to chromosome mis
      segregation and aneuploidy, which is often associated with developmental
      abnormalities such as Down syndrome and diseases including cancer. The
      interaction between kinetochores and microtubules is highly dynamic with frequent
      attachments and detachments. However, it remains unclear how chromosome bi
      orientation is achieved with such accuracy in such a dynamic process. RESULTS: To
      gain new insight into this essential process, we have developed a simple
      mathematical model of kinetochore-microtubule interactions during cell division
      in general, i.e. both mitosis and meiosis. Firstly, the model reveals that the
      balance between attachment and detachment probabilities of kMTs is crucial for
      correct chromosome bi-orientation. With the right balance, incorrect attachments
      are resolved spontaneously into correct bi-oriented conformations while an
      imbalance leads to persistent errors. In addition, the model explains why errors
      are more commonly found in the first meiotic division (meiosis I) than in mitosis
      and how a faulty conformation can evade the spindle assembly checkpoint, which
      may lead to a chromosome loss. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed model, despite its
      simplicity, helps us understand one of the primary causes of chromosomal
      instability-aberrant kinetochore-microtubule interactions. The model reveals that
      chromosome bi-orientation is a probabilistic self-organisation, rather than a
      sophisticated process of error detection and correction.

PMID- 26264962
TI  - How to develop a more accurate risk prediction model when there are few events.

PMID- 26264963
TI  - Higher freshwater fish and sea fish intake is inversely associated with
      colorectal cancer risk among Chinese population: a case-control study.
AB  - The association between specific fish intake and colorectal cancer risk remains
      controversial. This study aimed to examine the association between specific fish
      intake and colorectal cancer risk in Chinese population in a large case control
      study. During July 2010 to November 2014, 1189 eligible colorectal cancer cases
      and 1189 frequency-matched controls (age and sex) completed in-person interviews.
      A validated food frequency questionnaire was used to estimate dietary intake.
      Multivariate logistical regression models were used to estimate the odds ratio
      (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) after adjusting for various
      confounders. A strong inverse association was found between freshwater fish
      intake and colorectal cancer risk. Compared with the lowest quartile, the highest
      quartile intake showed a risk reduction of 53% (OR 0.47, 95% CI = 0.36-0.60,
      Ptrend < 0.01) after adjustment for various confounders. The inverse association
      were also observed for sea fish (OR 0.79, 95%CI = 0.62-0.99, Ptrend < 0.01) and
      fresh fish (OR 0.49, 95%CI = 0.38-0.62, Ptrend < 0.01). No statistically
      significant association was found between dried/salted fish and shellfish intake
      and colorectal cancer risk. These results indicate that higher consumption of
      freshwater fish, sea fish and fresh fish is associated with a lower risk of
      colorectal caner. 

PMID- 26264964
TI  - Continuous neurodegeneration and death pathway activation in neurons and glia in
      an experimental model of severe chronic epilepsy.
AB  - Whether seizures might determine the activation of cell death pathways and what
      could be the relevance of seizure-induced cell death in epilepsy are still highly
      debated issues. We recently developed an experimental model of acquired focal
      cortical dysplasia (the MAM-pilocarpine or MP rat) in which the occurrence of
      status epilepticus--SE--and subsequent seizures induced progressive
      cellular/molecular abnormalities and neocortical/hippocampal atrophy. Here, we
      exploited the same model to verify when, where, and how cell death occurred in
      neurons and glia during epilepsy course. We analyzed Fluoro Jade (FJ) staining
      and the activation of c-Jun- and caspase-3-dependent pathways during epilepsy,
      from few hours post-SE up to six months of spontaneous recurrent seizures. FJ
      staining revealed that cell injury in MP rats was not temporally restricted to
      SE, but extended throughout the different epileptic stages. The region-specific
      pattern of FJ staining changed during epilepsy, and FJ(+) neurons became more
      prominent in the dorsal and ventral hippocampal CA at chronic epilepsy stages.
      Phospho-c-Jun- and caspase-3-dependent pathways were selectively activated
      respectively in neurons and glia, at early but even more conspicuously at late
      chronic stages. Phospho-c-Jun activation was associated with increased cytochrome
      c staining, particularly at chronic stages, and the staining pattern of
      cytochrome-c was suggestive of its release from the mitochondria. Taken together,
      these data support the content that at least in the MP rat model the recurrence
      of seizures can also sustain cell death mechanisms, thus continuously
      contributing to the pathologic process triggered by the occurrence of SE.

PMID- 26264965
TI  - VaCPK20, a calcium-dependent protein kinase gene of wild grapevine Vitis
      amurensis Rupr., mediates cold and drought stress tolerance.
AB  - Abiotic stresses, such as drought, salinity, cold and heat, are major
      environmental factors that limit crop productivity. Vitis amurensis Rupr. is a
      wild grapevine species displaying a high level of abiotic and biotic stress
      resistance. Protein kinases, including Ca(2+)-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs),
      are known to mediate plant acclimation to various environmental changes. However,
      the functions of most grape CDPKs have not been clarified. A recent CDPK gene
      expression analysis revealed that 10 CDPK genes of V. amurensis were up-regulated
      under different abiotic stress treatments. The expression of the VaCPK20 gene was
      significantly up-regulated under low and high temperature stress in V. amurensis.
      In the current study, the effects of overexpressing the VaCPK20 gene in callus
      cell lines of V. amurensis and transgenic plants of A. thaliana on their
      responses to abiotic stresses were investigated. Transgenic Arabidopsis
      overexpressing the VaCPK20 gene showed higher tolerance to freezing and drought
      stresses, and transgenic grape cell cultures overexpressing the VaCPK20 gene
      showed higher resistance to cold stress in comparison with the controls
      transformed by the "empty" vector. Heat and salt stress resistance of the
      transgenic V. amurensis calli and A. thaliana was comparable to that of the wild
      type and vector controls. Overexpression of the VaCPK20 gene increased the
      expression of stress-responsive genes, such as COR47, NHX1, KIN1, or ABF3, in the
      transgenic Arabidopsis plants under non-stress conditions, after freezing, and
      under drought stress. The results imply that VaCPK20 may act as a regulatory
      factor involved in cold and drought stress response pathways. 

PMID- 26264966
TI  - A proteome map of a quadruple photoreceptor mutant sustains its severe
      photosynthetic deficient phenotype.
AB  - Light is the environmental factor that most affects plant growth and development
      through its impact on photomorphogenesis and photosynthesis. A quadruple
      photoreceptor mutant lacking four of the most important photoreceptors in plants,
      phytochromes A and B (phyA, phyB) and cryptochromes 1 and 2 (cry1, cry2), is
      severely affected in terms of growth and development. Previous studies have
      suggested that in addition to a photomorphogenic disorder, the phyA phyB cry1
      cry2 quadruple mutant might have severe alterations in photosynthetic ability.
      Here, we investigated the photosynthetic processes altered in the quadruple
      mutant and performed a proteomic profiling approach to identify some of the
      proteins involved. The phyA phyB cry1 cry2 quadruple mutant showed reduced leaf
      area and total chlorophyll content. Photosynthetic rates at high irradiances were
      reduced approximately 65% compared to the wild type (WT). Light-saturated
      photosynthesis and the response of net CO2 exchange to low and high internal CO2
      concentrations suggest that the levels or activity of the components of the
      Calvin cycle and electron transport might be reduced in the quadruple mutant.
      Most of the under-expressed proteins in the phyA phyB cry1 cry2 quadruple mutant
      consistently showed a chloroplastic localization, whereas components of the
      Calvin cycle and light reaction centers were overrepresented. Additionally,
      Rubisco expression was reduced threefold in the phyA phyB cry1 cry2 quadruple
      mutant. Together, these results highlight the importance of the phytochrome and
      cryptochrome families in proper autotrophy establishment in plants. They also
      suggest that an overall limitation in the chlorophyll levels, expression of
      Rubisco, and enzymes of the Calvin Cycle and electron transport that affect
      ribulose-1,5-biphosphate (RuBP) regeneration reduced photosynthetic capacity in
      the phyA phyB cry1 cry2 quadruple mutant. 

PMID- 26264967
TI  - Recovery of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) leaves from continuous light induced
      injury.
AB  - Continuous light (CL) causes leaf injuries in tomato plants, but very little has
      been done to study the nature of recovery from these leaf injuries. To facilitate
      this, tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. 'Aromata') were first exposed to
      CL for 11 days in order to study the development of the leaf injuries.
      Afterwards, the plants were exposed to a photoperiodic treatment with a dark
      period of eight hours to study the nature of recovery of the leaves. Plants were
      grown in two photoperiodic treatments in climate chambers; a control treatment
      with a 16/8h light/dark and a CL treatment with 24h light. The two treatments had
      different light intensities to maintain a similar daily light integral (15 mol m(
      2)d(-1)). The temperature and humidity were adjusted to maintain a similar vapor
      pressure deficit (VPD) of 1kPa in the two treatments. After 11 days of CL, 12% of
      the total leaflet area appeared light green in spots on the leaf surface aligned
      with lower total leaf chlorophyll content. The light green spots partially
      reversed while the leaf chlorophyll content increased to similar levels as seen
      in control leaves after 11 days of recovery. The CL significantly reduced the
      stomatal conductance (gs) and net photosynthesis (PN) and altered the
      carbohydrate content in the leaves. These negative effects of CL were also
      rapidly restored to the control levels when the plants were returned to the 16h
      photoperiodic conditions. The results demonstrate that, though leaf discoloration
      is only partially recovered, tomato plants can be grown for 11 days in CL
      conditions with the development of chlorotic discoloration of the leaves covering
      12% of the leaf surface and rapidly recover physiological processes affected by
      CL by shortening the photoperiod to 16h.

PMID- 26264968
TI  - The context, influences and challenges for undergraduate nurse clinical
      education: Continuing the dialogue.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Approaches to clinical education are highly diverse and becoming
      increasingly complex to sustain in complex milieu OBJECTIVE: To identify the
      influences and challenges of providing nurse clinical education in the
      undergraduate setting and to illustrate emerging solutions. METHOD: A discursive
      exploration into the broad and varied body of evidence including peer reviewed
      and grey literature. DISCUSSION: Internationally, enabling undergraduate clinical
      learning opportunities faces a range of challenges. These can be illustrated
      under two broad themes: (1) legacies from the past and the inherent features of
      nurse education and (2) challenges of the present, including, population changes,
      workforce changes, and the disconnection between the health and education
      sectors. Responses to these challenges are triggering the emergence of novel
      approaches, such as collaborative models. CONCLUSION(S): Ongoing challenges in
      providing accessible, effective and quality clinical learning experiences are
      apparent.

PMID- 26264969
TI  - Downregulation of key regulatory proteins in androgen dependent prostate tumor
      cells by oncolytic reovirus.
AB  - As prostate tumor cell growth depends on hormones, androgen ablation is an
      effective therapy for prostate cancer (PCa). However, progression of PCa cells to
      androgen independent growth (castrate resistant prostate cancer, CRPC) results in
      relapse and mortality. Hypoxia, a microenvironment of low oxygen that modifies
      the activity of PCa regulatory proteins including the androgen receptor (AR),
      plays a critical role in progression to CRPC. Therapies targeting hypoxia and the
      AR may lengthen the time to CRPC progression thereby increasing survival time of
      PCa patients. Mammalian Orthoreovirus (MRV) has shown promise for the treatment
      of prostate tumors in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we found that MRV
      infection induces downregulation of proteins implicated in CRPC progression,
      interferes with hypoxia-induced AR activity, and induces apoptosis in androgen
      dependent cells. This suggests MRV possesses traits that could be exploited to
      create novel therapies for the inhibition of progression to CRPC. 

PMID- 26264970
TI  - Characterization of Frog Virus 3 knockout mutants lacking putative virulence
      genes.
AB  - To identify ranavirus virulence genes, we engineered Frog Virus 3 (FV3) knockout
      (KO) mutants defective for a putative viral caspase activation and recruitment
      domain-containing (CARD) protein (Delta64R-FV3) and a beta-hydroxysteroid
      dehydrogenase homolog (Delta52L-FV3). Compared to wild type (WT) FV3, infection
      of Xenopus tadpoles with Delta64R- or Delta52L-FV3 resulted in significantly
      lower levels of mortality and viral replication. We further characterized these
      and two earlier KO mutants lacking the immediate-early18kDa protein (FV3
      Delta18K) or the truncated viral homolog of eIF-2alpha (FV3-DeltavIF-2alpha). All
      KO mutants replicated as well as WT-FV3 in non-amphibian cell lines, whereas in
      Xenopus A6 kidney cells replication of DeltavCARD-, DeltavbetaHSD- and DeltavIF
      2alpha-FV3 was markedly reduced. Furthermore, Delta64R- and DeltavIF-2alpha-FV3
      were more sensitive to interferon than WT and Delta18-FV3. Notably, Delta64R-,
      Delta18K- and DeltavIF-2alpha- but not Delta52L-FV3 triggered more apoptosis than
      WT FV3. These data suggest that vCARD (64R) and vbeta-HSD (52L) genes contribute
      to viral pathogenesis. 

PMID- 26264972
TI  - An in silico approach towards the identification of novel inhibitors of the TLR-4
      signaling pathway.
AB  - Precise functioning and fine-tuning of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling is a
      critical requirement for the smooth functioning of the innate immune system,
      since aberrant TLR4 activation causes excessive production of pro-inflammatory
      cytokines and interferons. This can result in life threatening conditions such as
      septic shock and other inflammatory disorders. The TRIF-related adaptor molecule
      (TRAM) adaptor protein is unique to the TLR4 signaling pathway and abrogation of
      TRAM-mediated TLR4 signaling is a promising strategy for developing therapeutics
      aimed at disrupting TRAM interactions with other components of the TLR4 signaling
      complex. The VIPER motif from the vaccinia virus-producing protein, A46 has been
      reported to disrupt TRAM-TLR4 interactions. We have exploited this information,
      in combination with homology modeling and docking approaches, to identify a
      potential binding site on TRAM lined by the BB loop and alphaC helix. Virtual
      screening of commercially available small molecules targeting the binding site
      enabled to short-list 12 small molecules to abrogate TRAM-mediated TLR4
      signaling. Molecular dynamics and molecular mechanics calculations have been
      performed for the analysis of these receptor-ligand interactions. 

PMID- 26264971
TI  - Changes in the biochemical and immunological components of serum and colostrum of
      overweight and obese mothers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Obesity in pregnancy is associated with systemic inflammation,
      immunological changes and adverse maternal-fetal outcomes. Information on the
      association between maternal obesity and breast milk composition is scarce. This
      study describes changes and relationships between biochemical and immunological
      parameters of colostrum and serum of overweight and obese women. METHODS:
      Colostrum and blood samples were collected from 25 normal weight, 24 overweight
      and 19 obese women for determination of glucose, total protein, triglycerides,
      cholesterol, immunoglobulins, complement proteins (C3 and C4), fat and calorie
      content and C-reactive protein (CRP). RESULTS: Glucose was higher in colostrum of
      obese women (p = .002). In normal weight and obese women, total protein content
      was higher in colostrum than in serum (p = .001). Serum triglycerides (p = .008)
      and cholesterol (p = .010) concentrations were significantly higher in overweight
      and obese women than in their normal weight counterparts, but in colostrum their
      concentrations were similar across the three groups. Secretory IgA (sIgA) in
      colostrum and IgA in serum concentrations were significantly higher (p = .001) in
      overweight and obese mothers, whereas IgG and IgM concentrations did not vary
      among the groups (p = .825). Serum C3 (p = .001) and C4 (p = .040) concentrations
      were higher in obese women. No differences in colostrum complement proteins were
      detected among the groups. Calorie content (p = .003) and fat (p = .005)
      concentrations in colostrum and serum CRP (p = .002) were higher in obese women.
      CONCLUSIONS: The results corroborate the hypothesis that colostrum of overweight
      and obese women undergoes biochemical and immunological changes that affect its
      composition, namely increasing glucose concentrations, calorie content, fat and
      sIgA concentrations.

PMID- 26264973
TI  - Dipeptide recognition in water mediated by mixed monolayer protected gold
      nanoparticles.
AB  - Mixed monolayer protected gold nanoparticles were prepared featuring functional
      groups on their surfaces that can engage in interactions with peptides. DOSY NMR
      binding studies indicate that nanoparticles containing a combination of three
      orthogonal functional groups are more efficient in binding to dipeptides than
      mono or difunctionalised analogues. 

PMID- 26264974
TI  - Appearance of annular ring-like intermediates during amyloid fibril formation
      from human serum albumin.
AB  - The self-assembly of proteins triggered by a conformational switch into highly
      ordered beta-sheet rich amyloid fibrils has captivated burgeoning interest in
      recent years due to the involvement of amyloids in a variety of human diseases
      and a diverse range of biological functions. Here, we have investigated the
      mechanism of fibrillogenesis of human serum albumin (HSA), an all-alpha-helical
      protein, using an array of biophysical tools that include steady-state as well as
      time-resolved fluorescence, circular dichroism and Raman spectroscopy in
      conjunction with atomic force microscopy (AFM). Investigations into the temporal
      evolution of nanoscale morphology using AFM revealed the presence of ring-like
      intermediates that subsequently transformed into worm-like fibrils presumably by
      a ring-opening mechanism. Additionally, a multitude of morphologically-diverse
      oligomers were observed on the pathway to amyloid formation. Kinetic analysis
      using multiple structural probes in-tandem indicated that HSA amyloid assembly is
      a concerted process encompassing a major structural change that is primarily
      mediated by hydrophobic interactions between thermally-induced disordered
      segments originating in various domains. A slower growth kinetics of aggregates
      suggested that the protein structural reorganization is a prerequisite for fibril
      formation. Moreover, time-dependent Raman spectroscopic studies of HSA
      aggregation provided key molecular insights into the conformational transitions
      occurring within the protein amide backbone and at the residue-specific level.
      Our data revealed the emergence of conformationally-diverse disulfides as a
      consequence of structural reorganization and sequestration of tyrosines into the
      hydrophobic amyloid core comprising antiparallel cross beta-sheets. 

PMID- 26264975
TI  - Extensive Loss of Islet Mass Beyond the First Day After Intraportal Human Islet
      Transplantation in a Mouse Model.
AB  - Clinical islet transplantation is characterized by a progressive deterioration of
      islet graft function, which renders many patients once again dependent on
      exogenous insulin administration within a couple of years. In this study, we
      aimed to investigate possible engraftment factors limiting the survival and
      viability of experimentally transplanted human islets beyond the first day after
      their transplantation to the liver. Human islets were transplanted into the liver
      of nude mice and characterized 1 or 30 days after transplantation by
      immunohistochemistry. The factors assessed were endocrine mass, cellular death,
      hypoxia, vascular density and amyloid formation in the transplanted islets. One
      day posttransplantation, necrotic cells, as well as apoptotic cells, were
      commonly observed. In contrast to necrotic death, apoptosis rates remained high 1
      month posttransplantation, and the total islet mass was reduced by more than 50%
      between 1 and 30 days posttransplantation. Islet mass at 30 days
      posttransplantation correlated negatively to apoptotic death. Vascular density
      within the transplanted islets remained less than 30% of that in native human
      islets up to 30 days posttransplantation and was associated with prevailing
      hypoxia. Amyloid formation was rarely observed in the 1-day-old transplants, but
      was commonly observed in the 30-day-old islet transplants. We conclude that
      substantial islet cell death occurs beyond the immediate posttransplantation
      phase, particularly through apoptotic events. Concomitant low vascularization
      with prevailing hypoxia and progressive amyloid development was observed in the
      human islet grafts. Strategies to improve engraftment at the intraportal site or
      change of implantation site in the clinical setting are needed. 

PMID- 26264976
TI  - Corrigendum: Genome-wide adaptive complexes to underground stresses in blind mole
      rats Spalax.

PMID- 26264977
TI  - [Nursing and clinical safety. What is the way?].

PMID- 26264980
TI  - Teneligliptin improves metabolic abnormalities in a mouse model of postmenopausal
      obesity.
AB  - A decrease in serum estrogen levels in menopause is closely associated with the
      development of visceral obesity and the onset of type 2 diabetes in women. In the
      present study, we demonstrated the therapeutic effects of the novel DPP4
      inhibitor, teneligliptin, on the features of postmenopausal obesity in mice. In
      the control group, female C57BL/6 mice were sham-operated and maintained on a
      standard diet. In the postmenopausal obese group, ovariectomized (OVX) mice were
      maintained on a high-fat diet, and were referred to as OVX-HF. In the treated
      group, teneligliptin at 60 mg/kg per day was administrated to OVX-HF, and were
      referred to as Tene. After a 12-week food challenge, the metabolic phenotypes of
      these mice were analyzed. Body weight, fat accumulation, and glucose intolerance
      were greater in OVX-HF than in control, while these abnormalities were markedly
      improved without alterations in calorie intake in Tene. Teneligliptin effectively
      ameliorated the characteristics of metabolic abnormalities associated with
      postmenopausal obesity. Regarding chronic inflammation in visceral adipose
      tissue, the numbers of F4/80(+)CD11c(+)CD206(-) M1-macrophages in flow cytometry,
      crown-like structure formation in immunohistochemistry, and proinflammatory
      cytokine expression were significantly attenuated in Tene. Hepatic steatosis was
      also markedly improved. Furthermore, decreased energy consumption in the dark and
      light phases, reduced locomotor activity in the dark phase, and lowered core body
      temperature in OVX-HF were ameliorated in Tene. Since obesity and reduced energy
      metabolism are a common physiology of menopause, teneligliptin appears to be
      beneficial as a treatment for type 2 diabetes in postmenopausal obesity. 

PMID- 26264981
TI  - Aging-related premature luteinization of granulosa cells is avoided by early
      oocyte retrieval.
AB  - Why IVF pregnancy rates decline sharply after age 43 is unknown. In this study,
      we compared granulosa cell (GC) function in young oocyte donors (n=31, ages 21
      29), middle-aged (n=64, ages 30-37) and older infertile patients (n=41, ages 43
      47). Gene expressions related to gonadotropin activity, steroidogenesis,
      apoptosis and luteinization were examined by real-time PCR and western blot in
      GCs collected from follicular fluid. FSH receptor (FSHR), aromatase (CYP19A1) and
      17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD17B) expression were found down regulated
      with advancing age, while LH receptor (LHCGR), P450scc (CYP11A1) and progesterone
      receptor (PGR) were up regulated. Upon in vitro culture, GCs were found to
      exhibit lower proliferation and increased apoptosis with aging. While FSH
      supplementation stimulated GCs growth and prevented luteinization in vitro. These
      observations demonstrate age-related functional declines in GCs, consistent with
      premature luteinization. To avoid premature luteinization in women above age 43,
      we advanced oocyte retrieval by administering human chorionic gonadotropin at
      maximal leading follicle size of 16  mm (routine 19-21  mm). Compared to normal
      cycles in women of similar age, earlier retrieved patients demonstrated only a
      marginal increase in oocyte prematurity, yet exhibited improved embryo numbers as
      well as quality and respectable clinical pregnancy rates. Premature follicular
      luteinization appears to contribute to rapidly declining IVF pregnancy chances
      after age 43, and can be avoided by earlier oocyte retrieval.

PMID- 26264983
TI  - Differentiating confluent and reticulated papillomatosis from acanthosis
      nigricans.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Confluent and reticulated papillomatosis (CRP) is an uncommon
      dermatosis with a reticular pattern. As differentiation between CRP and benign
      acanthosis nigricans (AN) can be challenging because of their similar
      clinicopathological features, we aimed to distinguish the two diseases. METHODS:
      We retrospectively reviewed the clinical characteristics of 60 CRP and 30 AN
      patients. Histological examinations were conducted on 33 CRP and 30 AN lesions.
      RESULTS: While CRP was concentrated on the trunk, AN mostly appeared in the
      axilla. In the AN group, the number of obese patients was higher, and acanthosis
      and papillomatosis were more evident. In both group, increases in Ki-67 and
      keratin 16 expression were similar. Bacterial infection was detected at a higher
      rate in CRP lesions than in AN lesions.AN lesions had greater pigmentation
      because of a high number of melanocytes than CRP lesions. CONCLUSIONS: The
      location of skin lesions and body mass index are the main clinical factors that
      enable differentiation between CRP and AN. The epidermal histological changes in
      CRP are milder than those in AN. AN lesions also showed a greater degree of
      pigmentation and melanocytic proliferation.

PMID- 26264982
TI  - Clinical islet isolation and transplantation outcomes with deceased cardiac death
      donors are similar to neurological determination of death donors.
AB  - In islet transplantation, deceased cardiac death (DCD) donation has been
      identified as a potential extended source. There are currently no studies
      comparing outcomes between these categories, and our goal was to compare islet
      isolation success rates and transplantation outcomes between DCD and neurological
      determination of death (NDD) donors. Islet isolations from 15 DCD and 418 NDD
      were performed in our centre between September 2008 and September 2014. Donor
      variables, islet yields, metabolic function of isolated isled and insulin
      requirements at 1-month post-transplant were compared. Compared to NDD, pancreata
      from DCD were more often procured locally and donors required less vasopressive
      support (P < 0.001 and P = 0.023, respectively), but the other variables were
      similar between groups. Pre- and postpurification islet yields were similar
      between NDD and DCD (576 vs. 608 * 10(3) islet equivalent, P = 0.628 and 386 vs.
      379, P = 0.881, respectively). The metabolic function was similar between NDD and
      DCD, as well as the mean decrease in insulin requirement at 1-month post
      transplantation (NDD: 64.82%; DCD: 60.17% reduction, P = 0.517). These results
      support the broader use of DCD pancreata for islet isolation. A much larger DCD
      islet experience will be required to truly determine noninferiority of both short
      and long-term outcomes.

PMID- 26264986
TI  - Unsymmetrical 1,1-diborated multisubstituted sp(3)-carbons formed via a metal
      free concerted-asynchronous mechanism.
AB  - We have experimentally proved the unsymmetrical 1,1-diboration of diazo
      compounds, formed in situ from aldehydes and cyclic and non-cyclic ketones, in
      the absence of any transition metal complex. The heterolytic cleavage of the
      mixed diboron reagent, Bpin-Bdan, and the formation of two geminal C-Bpin and C
      Bdan bonds has been rationalised based on DFT calculations to occur via a
      concerted-asynchronous mechanism. Diastereoselection is attained on substituted
      cyclohexanones and DFT studies provide understanding on the origin of the
      selectivity. The alkoxide-assisted selective deborylation of Bpin from
      multisubstituted sp(3)-carbon and generation of a Bdan stabilized carbanion,
      easily conducts a selective protodeboronation sequence. 

PMID- 26264985
TI  - Retrospective benzene exposure assessment for a multi-center case-cohort study of
      benzene-exposed workers in China.
AB  - Quality of exposure assessment has been shown to be related to the ability to
      detect risk of lymphohematopoietic disorders in epidemiological investigations of
      benzene, especially at low levels of exposure. We set out to build a statistical
      model for reconstructing exposure levels for 2898 subjects from 501 factories
      that were part of a nested case-cohort study within the NCI-CAPM cohort of more
      than 110,000 workers. We used a hierarchical model to allow for clustering of
      measurements by factory, workshop, job, and date. To calibrate the model we used
      historical routine monitoring data. Measurements below the limit of detection
      were accommodated by constructing a censored data likelihood. Potential non
      linear and industry-specific time-trends and predictor effects were incorporated
      using regression splines and random effects. A partial validation of predicted
      exposures in 2004/2005 was performed through comparison with full-shift
      measurements from an exposure survey in facilities that were still open. Median
      cumulative exposure to benzene at age 50 for subjects that ever held an exposed
      job (n=1175) was 509 mg/m(3) years. Direct comparison of model estimates with
      measured full-shift personal exposure in the 2004/2005 survey showed moderate
      correlation and a potential downward bias at low (<1 mg/m(3)) exposure estimates.
      The modeling framework enabled us to deal with the data complexities generally
      found in studies using historical exposure data in a comprehensive way and we
      therefore expect to be able to investigate effects at relatively low exposure
      levels. 

PMID- 26264987
TI  - From Overlooked to Looking Over: Lesbians in Children's and Young Adult
      Literature.
AB  - This introduction focuses on the relative absence of lesbians in scholarly and
      intellectual conversations about homosexuality in children's and young adult
      literature. It also discusses the various articles in this special issue of the
      Journal of Lesbian Studies. 

PMID- 26264988
TI  - Representations in Award-Winning LGBTQ Young Adult Literature from 2000-2013.
AB  - Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, and queer (LGBTQ) young adult (YA)
      literature is increasing in popularity, with novels like Bil Wright's Putting
      Makeup on the Fat Boy winning the two LGBTQ YA honors--the Lambda Literary and
      Stonewall Book Awards--as well awards commending their cultural diversity.
      Despite the upsurge of celebrated LGBTQ YA literature, a study of the
      protagonists in Lambda- and Stonewall-winning YA novels from 2000-2013 reveals
      three findings: the dominance of White, gay, male characters contradicts the
      trend toward strong female protagonists in mainstream YA; stories about lesbians
      are primarily tragic; and there are no bisexual protagonists.

PMID- 26264989
TI  - If I Could Be Mine: Personal Power in Sara Farizan's If You Could Be Mine.
AB  - This article examines Sarah Farizan's young adult novel If You Could Be Mine. It
      concludes that the author evokes transnational and transgender issues as
      secondary story lines, while the novel's primary concern is with female personal
      power in an age of unprecedented opportunities for young lesbian women. Through
      the character of Sahar, the author models a way forward wherein women can insist
      on freely given love in the absence of the male body. Through Farizan's
      illustration of the progression of Sahar's and Nasrin's relationship, the author
      re-contextualizes what it means to fulfill lesbian desire. 

PMID- 26264990
TI  - Rapunzel Loves Merida: Melodramatic Expressions of Lesbian Girlhood and Teen
      Romance in Tangled, Brave, and Femslash.
AB  - This article explores the melodramatic expression of lesbian girlhood and teen
      romance in Disney's Tangled (2010) and Disney Pixar's Brave (2012), as well as
      "Meripunzel" femslash, fan-authored romantic pairings of the animations' female
      protagonists. First, Anne Sexton's poem, "Rapunzel," offers a literary precedent
      for exploring lesbian themes in the fairy tale. The next section shows how
      Tangled and Brave invoke the narrative conventions of the family melodrama. This
      generic association reveals the films' uses of rhetoric familiar to youth coming
      out narratives, as well as other visual and aural coding suggestive of queer
      styles. The last section shows how Meripunzel femslash taps into the films'
      existing melodramatic narrative forms and visual aesthetics, rehearsing their
      coming-out rhetoric while addressing the pleasures of and problems facing lesbian
      teen romance. I conclude by problematizing the often conventional expressions of
      lesbian girlhood in femslash, ultimately arguing for their empowering potential,
      especially as they indicate revised definitions of "princess." 

PMID- 26264991
TI  - The Best Lesbian Show Ever!: The Contemporary Evolution of Teen Coming-Out
      Narratives.
AB  - This article examines developing trends within adolescent lesbian coming-out
      narratives in contemporary literary fiction and television shows. I argue that
      these texts, including ABC Family's Pretty Little Liars (2010-present), Madeleine
      George's The Difference Between You and Me (2012), A.S. King's Ask the Passengers
      (2012), and MTV's Faking It (2014-present), all experiment with the coming-out
      process in ways that complicate traditional narratives of adolescent queerness.
      By positioning their respective queer protagonists within broader queer and
      allied communities, these works articulate new complexities facing the young
      lesbian and her developing sexuality. 

PMID- 26264992
TI  - An Interview with Leslea Newman: A Punchy New Heather, Dolly Parton, and Orange
      is the New Black.
AB  - This interview with Leslea Newman took place on Monday, September 22, 2014.
      Newman, while quite prolific, is probably best known for her children's picture
      book, Heather Has Two Mommies, initially published in 1989. Heather became the
      cultural touchstone in discussions of not only lesbianism and children's
      literature, but book challenges and censorship, as well. In this interview,
      Newman speaks about the evolution of Heather and her various editions, new
      frontiers in both children's literature and representations of lesbians, identity
      politics and authorship, transgender issues and children's literature, and the
      continued need for diversity in literature for young readers. 

PMID- 26264993
TI  - Reconceptualizing the Archetypal Trickster in Audre Lorde's Zami: A New Spelling
      of My Name.
AB  - Carl Jung categorizes the trickster as a psychological archetype and sets certain
      parameters for it. This article examines Audre Lorde's trickster Afrekete in
      Zami: A New Spelling of My Name (1982) and poses the question of how typically
      archetypal a Black, female, lesbian trickster can be. Lorde occupies an
      idiosyncratic position in the canon in terms of race, gender, and sexual
      orientation. She bestows new qualities on her trickster coming from the
      peripheries she dwells in and challenges the Jungian model. Through Afrekete's
      linguistic dexterity and sexual identity, Lorde transforms the trickster from
      being seemingly innocuous into a figure of resistance grounded in lesbian
      erotica. 

PMID- 26264995
TI  - Olfaction in chemotherapy for head and neck malignancies.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Systemic chemotherapy for different malignancies occurs alongside
      various side effects, including reduced sensory function. To date, little is
      known about the effect of chemotherapeutic agents on olfaction. The aim of this
      study was to provide new data about changes in sense of smell during chemotherapy
      among patients with advanced squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck
      region. METHODS: In a prospective, controlled cohort study of patients undergoing
      up to three courses of chemotherapy (cis- or carboplatin, 5-fluorouracil and
      docetaxel), olfaction was evaluated prior to and directly following completing a
      cycle, as well as 3 weeks later with the beginning of the next cycle. For
      evaluation of sense of smell, the established Sniffin' Sticks test with a
      determination of threshold, discrimination and identification (TDI) was used.
      Thirty-three patients (44-85 years old, 25 men and 8 women) were included in the
      study. Most malignancies were located in the oropharynx. RESULTS: Among the 28
      patients who scored normosmic or hyposmic at the beginning of the study, the mean
      decrease in TDI-score was 0.72 points (24.0-23.2) in the first cycle, 2.1 points
      (24.5-22.4) in the second cycle and 0.77 points (24.2-23.4) in the third cycle.
      The decrease during the second cycle was significant. Age (>55 years) had a
      significant (negative) influence in the first and the second cycles. Smoking only
      showed a tendency to decreased TDI-scores in chemotherapy. In-between consecutive
      cycles an increase in TDI-score was obvious (+1.0 points after the first and +1.5
      points after the second cycle). CONCLUSION: Chemotherapy with cisplatin, 5
      fluorouracil and docetaxel significantly affected sense of smell to a small
      extent. This effect was more pronounced in elderly patients and smokers. This
      fact must be taken into account as a possible additional negative effect in
      usually prevailing malnutrition in these patients. Furthermore, no cumulative
      effect of the administered therapeutic agents on olfaction could be proven during
      this study and recovery occurred within a 3-week period.

PMID- 26264996
TI  - Examining the phenotypic heterogeneity of early autism spectrum disorder:
      subtypes and short-term outcomes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Phenotypic heterogeneity among toddlers presenting with ASD symptoms
      complicates diagnostic considerations and limits our ability to predict long-term
      outcomes. To address this concern, we sought to identify more homogeneous
      subgroups within ASD based on toddlers' clinical profiles in the second year of
      life, evaluating diagnostic stability and clinical outcomes within the subgroups
      1-2 years later. METHODS: One hundred toddlers referred for suspected ASD
      underwent comprehensive assessments at 22 months (SD = 3) and 37 months (SD = 4).
      At 22 months, they were clustered based on symptom severity, developmental
      skills, and adaptive functioning. Diagnostic stability and clinical outcomes were
      evaluated within the clusters. RESULTS: Four clusters characterized by distinct
      clinical profiles at the time of the first diagnosis were identified. Diagnostic
      stability was excellent in 3 out of 4 clusters (93%-100%) and was lowest in the
      initially least affected cluster (85%). Autism symptom severity was stable,
      except for one group where it increased over time (16% of the sample). A large
      proportion of toddlers showed significant improvements in verbal and
      communication skills. Only a small group (17%) exhibited very low levels of
      functioning and limited gains over time. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnostic stability and
      developmental progression from the second to third year of life in toddlers with
      ASD vary depending on their initial early profiles of relative strengths and
      deficits. Although a small minority of toddlers with more complex clinical
      presentations may not retain their diagnoses by the age of three, most children
      continue to exhibit symptoms of autism. Despite limited improvements in symptom
      severity, many children show significant gains in verbal functioning. Only a
      small proportion of children (17%) exhibit very limited gains despite intensive
      intervention. These findings support continued efforts to examine determinants of
      developmental trajectories including factors mediating and moderating response to
      treatment.

PMID- 26264997
TI  - Creating pathways towards aromatic building blocks and fine chemicals.
AB  - Aromatic compounds represent a broad class of chemicals with a range of
      industrial applications, all of which are conventionally derived from petroleum
      feedstocks. However, owing to a diversity of available pathway precursors along
      with natural and engineered enzyme 'parts', microbial cell factories can be
      engineered to create alternative, renewable routes to many of the same aromatic
      products. Drawing from the latest tools and strategies in metabolic engineering
      and synthetic biology, such efforts are becoming an increasingly systematic
      practice, while continued efforts promise to open new doors to an ever-expanding
      range and diversity of renewable chemical and material products. This short
      review will highlight recent and notable achievements related for the microbial
      production of aromatic chemicals. 

PMID- 26264998
TI  - Importance of Reporting the Gleason Score at the Positive Surgical Margin Site:
      Analysis of 4,082 Consecutive Radical Prostatectomy Cases.
AB  - PURPOSE: Since 2010 pathologists at our institution have routinely been
      documenting the Gleason score at the margin and length of the positive surgical
      margin after prostatectomy. In this study we evaluate how the Gleason score and
      positive surgical margin length correlate with the grade and adverse pathological
      characteristics of the final specimen, and whether the positive surgical margin
      Gleason score affects the risk of early biochemical recurrence. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: A total of 4,082 consecutive patients undergoing radical prostatectomy
      and pelvic lymph node dissection between 2010 and 2014 for localized prostate
      cancer were included in the study, of whom 405 had a Gleason score of 7 or
      greater of the primary nodule and a positive surgical margin with the length and
      Gleason score recorded at the margin. Concordance rates between the Gleason score
      at the margin and the final pathological specimen were compared. Logistic
      regression models were used to predict the risk of unfavorable pathology. Cox
      proportional hazards models controlling for Gleason score, preoperative prostate
      specific antigen, pathological stage and adjuvant radiation were used to predict
      biochemical recurrence, and Kaplan-Meier estimates of recurrence-free survival
      were calculated by Gleason score. RESULTS: Among patients with positive margins
      biochemical recurrence was identified in 22% (vs 5.6% without positive margins),
      metastases in 3% (vs 0.5%) and adjuvant radiation in 30% (vs 4.1%). Mean followup
      was 22 months (range 12 to 48). The Gleason score at the positive surgical margin
      was the same as the final pathology specimen in 44% of patients, and a lower
      Gleason score in 56% of patients. A shorter positive surgical margin was
      independently associated with a lower Gleason score at the margin (p=0.02).
      Kaplan-Meier estimates demonstrated improved freedom from biochemical recurrence
      among patients with a lower Gleason score at the margin. In multivariate Cox
      models having a lower grade margin was associated with a decreased risk of
      biochemical recurrence (HR 0.50, OR 0.25-0.97). CONCLUSIONS: A lower Gleason
      score at the positive surgical margin is independently associated with a shorter
      margin length and a decreased risk of early biochemical recurrence. Thus, the
      Gleason score at the margin should be documented.

PMID- 26264999
TI  - The association between depressive symptoms and physical status including
      physical activity, aerobic and muscular fitness tests in children.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aims of the study were to explore the association between
      depressive symptoms (DS), physical activity (PA), aerobic and muscular fitness in
      a sample of children. METHODS: Four hundred and fifty-six schoolboys aged 7-11
      year-old underwent standard anthropometry and various physical fitness tests
      (e.g., aerobic fitness, strength, speed, power, agility and flexibility). DS and
      PA were obtained by questionnaires. RESULTS: After adjustment for potential
      confounders (e.g., age, socioeconomic status and adiposity), PA was significantly
      and negatively related to DS (P < 0.05). Among the physical fitness tests, just
      time in one-mile run/walk was significantly related to DS (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION:
      Physical activity and aerobic fitness were significantly correlated with DS;
      however, no significant relationship was observed between DS and the muscular
      fitness tests in the children.

PMID- 26265000
TI  - Efficacy and safety of radiofrequency ablation and transcatheter arterial
      chemoembolization for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma: A meta-analysis.
AB  - AIM: To investigate the efficacy and safety of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and
      transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for treatment of patients with
      hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: All eligible studies were collected from
      PubMed, the Cochrane Libraries and Embase. The evaluation indices included
      overall survival (OS) rate, recurrence-free survival rate, local tumor
      progression rate and major complications. All statistical analysis was performed
      by RevMan version 5.2 software. RESULTS: There were 21 studies with 3073 patients
      included in this meta-analysis. The RFA monotherapy was associated with higher 3-
      and 5-year OS rates (OR3-year  = 2.33, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.34-4.05;
      OR5-year  = 2.05, 95% CI = 1.48-2.85) compared with TACE alone. The combination
      of RFA and TACE was associated with higher 1-, 3- and 5-year OS rates (OR1-year 
      = 1.94, 95% CI = 1.28-2.96; OR3-year  = 1.56, 95% CI = 1.19-2.04; OR5-year  =
      1.53, 95% CI = 1.13-2.07) compared with RFA alone. CONCLUSION: The combination of
      TACE with RFA could obviously improve the short- and long-term survival rates and
      significantly provide a better prognosis for patients with intermediate-size HCC.
      RFA was associated with a higher long-term OS rate than that of TACE-treated
      patients with HCC.

PMID- 26265001
TI  - Evaluation of oxidized buckypaper as material for the solid phase extraction of
      cobalamins from milk: Its efficacy as individual and support sorbent of a
      hydrophilic-lipophilic balance copolymer.
AB  - This work describes a new analytical method for the determination of four
      cobalamins (adenosylcobalamin (AdoCbl), methylcobalamin (MeCbl), hydroxocobalamin
      (OHCbl) and cyanocobalamin (CNCbl)) in cow's milk. The extraction procedure is
      fast and based on dilution/protein precipitation of a milk sample with 50mM
      sodium acetate buffer (pH 4.6), followed by solid phase extraction (SPE) of the
      filtered supernatant. Relative recoveries higher than 60% have been obtained for
      all the cobalamins by combining two different types of sorbents in the same SPE
      cartridge: two disks of buckypaper (BP), a nanoporous felt composed of oxidized
      multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), separated by a Teflon frit from OASIS HLB
      (500mg), a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance copolymer. Before its use as sorbent,
      BP was characterized in terms of porosity, permeability, surface area, specific
      adsorption capacity and tested for a potential reuse after adequate chemical
      regeneration. The analysis of the extracts was performed by liquid chromatography
      (LC) coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) on an analytical C18 column in
      less than 10min. After validation, the method was applied to the determination of
      the natural content of the four B12 homologues in cow's milk samples, providing
      data lacking in the literature. 

PMID- 26265002
TI  - Instrument platforms for nano liquid chromatography.
AB  - The history of liquid chromatography started more than a century ago and
      miniaturization and automation are two leading trends in this field. Nanocolumn
      liquid chromatography (nano LC) and largely synonymous capillary liquid
      chromatography (capillary LC) are the most recent results of this process where
      miniaturization of column dimensions and sorbent particle size play crucial role.
      Very interesting results achieved in the research of extremely miniaturized LC
      columns at the end of the last century lacked distinctive raison d'etre and only
      advances in mass spectrometry brought a real breakthrough. Configuration of nano
      LC-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS) has become a basic tool
      in bioanalytical chemistry, especially in proteomics. This review discusses and
      summarizes past and current trends in the realization of nano liquid
      chromatography (nano LC) platforms. Special attention is given to the mobile
      phase delivery under nanoflow rates (isocratic, gradient) and sample injection to
      the nanocolumn. Available detection techniques applied in nano LC separations are
      also briefly discussed. We followed up the key themes from the original
      scientific reports over gradual improvements up to the contemporary commercial
      solutions.

PMID- 26265003
TI  - Band target entropy minimization for retrieving the information of individual
      components from overlapping chromatographic data.
AB  - Band target entropy minimization (BTEM) is a self-modeling curve resolution
      (SMCR) approach relying on non-negative criterion and minimization of Shannon
      entropy. In this study, BTEM algorithm was applied to retrieving the information
      of individual components from overlapping gas chromatography-mass spectrometry
      (GC-MS) data. The algorithm starts with dividing the whole data into bands along
      the retention time. In each band, singular value decomposition (SVD) is used to
      decompose the data into scores and loadings. Because the pure chromatographic
      signal possesses the lowest Shannon entropy, the chromatographic signal of each
      component can be constructed by optimizing the combination of the loadings with
      minimal Shannon entropy under non-negative criterion. To show the efficiency of
      the algorithm, a simulated four-component overlapping GC-MS data and an
      experimental GC-MS data of 18 organophosphorus pesticide mixture are
      investigated. The results show that both the chromatographic profiles and mass
      spectra of the components can be successfully extracted from the overlapping
      signals. 

PMID- 26265004
TI  - Carboxyl modified magnetic nanoparticles coated open tubular column for capillary
      electrochromatographic separation of biomolecules.
AB  - Carboxyl modified magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4-COOH MNPs) coated open tubular
      (OT) columns were prepared for capillary electrochromatography. The Fe3O4-COOH
      MNPs coatings were constructed on the surface of positively charged
      poly(diallydimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) modified capillaries through
      electrostatic self-assembly approach. The as-prepared PDDA@Fe3O4-COOH MNPs coated
      OT columns were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and electroosmotic
      flow measurement. The electrochromatographic characterization of the OT columns
      was evaluated by separation of amino acids, dipeptides and proteins. The
      influences of background solution pH, concentration, and organic modifier content
      on separation were investigated. The separation of these analytes was primarily
      based on the electrophoretic mechanism in combination with chromatographic
      mechanism. The Fe3O4-COOH MNPs coatings improved the separation resolution of
      these analytes due to their large surface area. Three variants of bovine serum
      albumin, two variants of beta-lactoglobulin and nine glycoisoforms of ovalbumin
      were successfully separated. The relative standard deviations of migration times
      of analytes representing run-to-run, day-to-day and column-to-column were less
      than 4.3%. Furthermore, the feasibility of the PDDA@Fe3O4-COOH MNPs coated OT
      column was verified by successful separation of acidic proteins in egg white. 

PMID- 26265005
TI  - Optimising environmental risk assessments: Accounting for ecosystem services
      helps to translate broad policy protection goals into specific operational ones
      for environmental risk assessments.

PMID- 26265006
TI  - TRAIL+ monocytes and monocyte-related cells cause lung damage and thereby
      increase susceptibility to influenza-Streptococcus pneumoniae coinfection.
AB  - Streptococcus pneumoniae coinfection is a major cause of influenza-associated
      mortality; however, the mechanisms underlying pathogenesis or protection remain
      unclear. Using a clinically relevant mouse model, we identify immune-mediated
      damage early during coinfection as a new mechanism causing susceptibility.
      Coinfected CCR2(-/-) mice lacking monocytes and monocyte-derived cells control
      bacterial invasion better, show reduced epithelial damage and are overall more
      resistant than wild-type controls. In influenza-infected wild-type lungs,
      monocytes and monocyte-derived cells are the major cell populations expressing
      the apoptosis-inducing ligand TRAIL. Accordingly, anti-TRAIL treatment reduces
      bacterial load and protects against coinfection if administered during viral
      infection, but not following bacterial exposure. Post-influenza bacterial
      outgrowth induces a strong proinflammatory cytokine response and massive
      inflammatory cell infiltrate. Depletion of neutrophils or blockade of TNF-alpha
      facilitate bacterial outgrowth, leading to increased mortality, demonstrating
      that these factors aid bacterial control. We conclude that inflammatory monocytes
      recruited early, during the viral phase of coinfection, induce TRAIL-mediated
      lung damage, which facilitates bacterial invasion, while TNF-alpha and neutrophil
      responses help control subsequent bacterial outgrowth. We thus identify novel
      determinants of protection versus pathology in influenza-Streptococcus pneumoniae
      coinfection. 

PMID- 26265007
TI  - Selective influence of Sox2 on POU transcription factor binding in embryonic and
      neural stem cells.
AB  - Embryonic stem cell (ESC) identity is orchestrated by co-operativity between the
      transcription factors (TFs) Sox2 and the class V POU-TF Oct4 at composite Sox/Oct
      motifs. Neural stem cells (NSCs) lack Oct4 but express Sox2 and class III POU-TFs
      Oct6, Brn1 and Brn2. This raises the question of how Sox2 interacts with POU-TFs
      to transcriptionally specify ESCs versus NSCs. Here, we show that Oct4 alone
      binds the Sox/Oct motif and the octamer-containing palindromic MORE equally well.
      Sox2 binding selectively increases the affinity of Oct4 for the Sox/Oct motif. In
      contrast, Oct6 binds preferentially to MORE and is unaffected by Sox2. ChIP-Seq
      in NSCs shows the MORE to be the most enriched motif for class III POU-TFs,
      including MORE subtypes, and that the Sox/Oct motif is not enriched. These
      results suggest that in NSCs, co-operativity between Sox2 and class III POU-TFs
      may not occur and that POU-TF-driven transcription uses predominantly the MORE
      cis architecture. Thus, distinct interactions between Sox2 and POU-TF subclasses
      distinguish pluripotent ESCs from multipotent NSCs, providing molecular insight
      into how Oct4 alone can convert NSCs to pluripotency. 

PMID- 26265009
TI  - Methodological recommendations for a heartbeat detection-based measure of
      interoceptive sensitivity.
AB  - Heartbeat detection tasks are often used to measure cardiac interoceptive
      sensitivity-the ability to detect sensations from one's heart. However, there is
      little work to guide decisions on the optimum number of trials to use, which
      should balance reliability and power against task duration and participant
      burden. Here, 174 participants completed 100 trials of a widely used heartbeat
      detection task where participants attempt to detect whether presented tones
      occurred synchronously or asynchronously with their heartbeats. First, we
      quantified measurement reliability of the participant's accuracy derived from
      differing numbers of trials of the task using a correlation metric; we found that
      at least 40-60 trials were required to yield sufficient reliability. Next, we
      quantified power by simulating how the number of trials influenced the ability to
      detect a correlation between cardiac interoceptive sensitivity and other
      variables that differ across participants, including a variable measured from our
      sample (body mass index) as well as simulated variables of varying effect sizes.
      Using these simulations, we quantified the trade-offs between sample size, effect
      size, and number of trials in the heartbeat detection task such that a researcher
      can easily determine any one of these variables at given values of the other two
      variables. We conclude that using fewer than 40 trials is typically insufficient
      due to poor reliability and low power in estimating an effect size, although the
      optimal number of trials can differ by study. 

PMID- 26265010
TI  - Effect of chronic urticaria on US patients: analysis of the National Health and
      Wellness Survey.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic idiopathic (also called spontaneous) urticaria (CIU/CSU) is
      the most common form of chronic urticaria and has been associated with impairment
      to health outcomes, although the effect has never been assessed using a
      nationally representative sample in the United States. OBJECTIVES: To assess the
      burden of CIU/CSU from the patients' perspective in terms of health related
      quality of life, impairment to work and nonwork activities, and health care
      resource use. METHODS: Data were obtained from the US National Health and
      Wellness Survey. Current use of a prescription for the treatment of chronic hives
      was used as a proxy for CIU/CSU. Patients with CIU/CSU in the proxy group were
      matched 1:4 to respondents without chronic hives using survey year, sex, age, and
      race. Generalized linear models were adjusted for comorbidities, smoking, body
      mass index, and health insurance status. Outcome measures included the Medical
      Outcomes Study 12-Item and 36-Item Short Form Health Surveys; self-reported
      depression, anxiety, and sleep difficulties; the Work Productivity and Activity
      Impairment questionnaire, and health care resource use. RESULTS: After matching
      and adjustment for covariates, those currently using a prescription for chronic
      hives had mental component summary scores 5.7 points lower, physical component
      summary scores 6.5 points lower, and health utility scores 0.11 points lower than
      controls, as well as higher adjusted odds of reporting depression, anxiety, and
      sleep difficulties. Mean adjusted work impairment was approximately double in
      prescription-treated chronic hives relative to controls, as was frequency of
      health care visits. CONCLUSION: Chronic hives substantially affects quality of
      life, nonwork activities, capacity to work, and health care use, providing
      further evidence of a high burden of CIU/CSU across multiple health outcomes and
      unmet need for effective treatment.

PMID- 26265008
TI  - Integrative genomics positions MKRN1 as a novel ribonucleoprotein within the
      embryonic stem cell gene regulatory network.
AB  - In embryonic stem cells (ESCs), gene regulatory networks (GRNs) coordinate gene
      expression to maintain ESC identity; however, the complete repertoire of factors
      regulating the ESC state is not fully understood. Our previous temporal
      microarray analysis of ESC commitment identified the E3 ubiquitin ligase protein
      Makorin-1 (MKRN1) as a potential novel component of the ESC GRN. Here, using
      multilayered systems-level analyses, we compiled a MKRN1-centered interactome in
      undifferentiated ESCs at the proteomic and ribonomic level. Proteomic analyses in
      undifferentiated ESCs revealed that MKRN1 associates with RNA-binding proteins,
      and ensuing RIP-chip analysis determined that MKRN1 associates with mRNAs
      encoding functionally related proteins including proteins that function during
      cellular stress. Subsequent biological validation identified MKRN1 as a novel
      stress granule-resident protein, although MKRN1 is not required for stress
      granule formation, or survival of unstressed ESCs. Thus, our unbiased systems
      level analyses support a role for the E3 ligase MKRN1 as a ribonucleoprotein
      within the ESC GRN. 

PMID- 26265011
TI  - A new, faster, and safe nasal provocation test method for diagnosing mite
      allergic rhinitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Diagnosing house dust mite (HDM) allergic rhinitis is difficult. The
      nasal provocation test (NPT) has been shown to be the most pertinent, but several
      methods are available. According to guidelines, the NPT requires a skin end-point
      titration and an objective measurement of nasal patency. Hence, NPT is time
      consuming and its use is limited. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the sensitivity,
      specificity, and safety of a new, more rapid, and simple alternative NPT (NPT-R)
      to HDM. METHODS: Eighty-eight patients with from rhinitis (49 allergic to HDM and
      39 controls with and without atopy) were included. Allergic rhinitis to HDM was
      confirmed by a "classic" NPT based on the Lebel score and rhinomanometry. After a
      period of 4 weeks, NPT-R was performed and only the clinical score was measured.
      RESULTS: The study population was young (mean +/- SD, 27.7 +/- 8.5 years old),
      composed mostly of women (61 vs 27 men), and 24% reported asthma. The sensitivity
      and specificity of NPT-R were 83.7% and 100%, respectively. The correlation
      between the NPTs was statistically significant (0.833, P < .0001, n = 88) and the
      2 NPTs were completely safe. Performing NPT-R was more rapid (mean +/- SD, 22 +/-
      8 minutes) than the classic NPT (97 +/- 20 minutes). CONCLUSION: The NPT-R is
      safe and easier and faster than the classic NPT. This new method appears to be a
      very useful tool in the diagnosis of HDM allergic rhinitis when the diagnosis is
      uncertain or before initiating immunotherapy. TRIAL REGISTRATION:
      ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT01485523.

PMID- 26265012
TI  - Multilevel selection theory and evidence: a critique of Gardner, 2015.
AB  - Gardner (2015) recently developed a model of a 'Genetical Theory of Multilevel
      Selection, which is a thoughtfully developed, but flawed model. The model's flaws
      appear to be symptomatic of common misunderstandings of the multi level selection
      (MLS) literature and the recent quantitative genetic literature. I use Gardner's
      model as a guide for highlighting how the MLS literature can address the
      misconceptions found in his model, and the kin selection literature in general. I
      discuss research on the efficacy of group selection, the roll of indirect genetic
      effects in affecting the response to selection and the heritability of group
      level traits. I also discuss why the Price multilevel partition should not be
      used to partition MLS, and why contextual analysis and, by association, direct
      fitness are appropriate for partitioning MLS. Finally, I discuss conceptual
      issues around questions concerning the level at which fitness is measured, the
      units of selection, and I present a brief outline of a model of selection in
      class-structured populations. I argue that the results derived from the MLS
      research tradition can inform kin selection research and models, and provide
      insights that will allow researchers to avoid conceptual flaws such as those seen
      in the Gardner model. 

PMID- 26265013
TI  - Carnitine deficiency in children receiving continuous renal replacement therapy.
AB  - Carnitine deficiency is known to occur in chronic hemodialysis; however, the
      effect of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) on carnitine homeostasis
      has not been studied. We hypothesized that children receiving CRRT are at risk
      for deficiency because of continuous removal, absent intake, decreased
      production, and comorbidities related to critical illness. Records of patients
      with acute kidney injury receiving CRRT at Children's National Health System
      between 2011 and 2014 were reviewed for total carnitine (TC), free carnitine
      (FC), feeding modality, severity of illness, and survival outcome. The proportion
      of carnitine-deficient patients at baseline, 1, 2, and >=3 weeks on CRRT were
      compared by chi-square, and relationships with other variables assessed by
      Pearson's correlation and logistic regression. The study group included 42 CRRT
      patients, age 7.9 + 1.1 years. At baseline, 30.7% and 35.7% of patients were TC
      and FC deficient. Within 1 week, 64.5% (P = 0.03) and 70% (P = 0.03) were TC and
      FC deficient, and prevalence of deficiency increased to 80% (P = 0.01) and 90% (P
      = 0.008) by 2 weeks; 100% of patients were TC and FC deficient after being on
      CRRT for >=3 weeks (P = 0.005 and P = 0.01, respectively, vs. baseline). TC and
      FC levels negatively correlated with days on CRRT (r = -0.39, P = 0.001 and r = 
      0.35, P = 0.005). Patients with TC and FC deficiency had 5.9 and 4.9 greater odds
      of death than those with normal levels (P = 0.02 and P = 0.03). Carnitine is
      significantly and rapidly depleted with longer time on CRRT, and carnitine
      deficiency is associated with increased mortality. Consequences of deficiency and
      benefits of supplementation in the pediatric CRRT population should be
      investigated. 

PMID- 26265014
TI  - A Hierarchical Z-Scheme CdS-WO3 Photocatalyst with Enhanced CO2 Reduction
      Activity.
AB  - The development of an artificial photosynthetic system is a promising strategy to
      convert solar energy into chemical fuels. Here, a direct Z-scheme CdS-WO(3)
      photocatalyst without an electron mediator is fabricated by imitating natural
      photosynthesis of green plants. Photocatalytic activities of as-prepared samples
      are evaluated on the basis of photocatalytic CO(2) reduction to form CH(4) under
      visible light irradiation. These Z-scheme-heterostructured samples show a higher
      photocatalytic CO(2) reduction than single-phase photocatalysts. An optimized CdS
      WO(3) heterostructure sample exhibits the highest CH(4) production rate of 1.02
      MUmol h(-1) g(-1) with 5 mol% CdS content, which exceeds the rates observed in
      single-phase WO(3) and CdS samples for approximately 100 and ten times under the
      same reaction condition, respectively. The enhanced photocatalytic activity could
      be attributed to the formation of a hierarchical direct Z-scheme CdS-WO(3)
      photocatalyst, resulting in an efficient spatial separation of photo-induced
      electron-hole pairs. Reduction and oxidation catalytic centers are maintained in
      two different regions to minimize undesirable back reactions of the
      photocatalytic products. The introduction of CdS can enhance CO(2) molecule
      adsorption, thereby accelerating photocatalytic CO(2) reduction to CH(4). This
      study provides novel insights into the design and fabrication of high-performance
      artificial Z-scheme photocatalysts to perform photocatalytic CO(2) reduction.

PMID- 26265015
TI  - Cohort study of malignancies and hospitalized infectious events in treated and
      untreated patients with psoriasis and a general population in the United States.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is associated with risk of malignancy. Some psoriasis
      treatments may increase the risk of hospitalized infectious events (HIEs).
      OBJECTIVES: To evaluate rates of malignancies and HIEs in patients with
      psoriasis. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study utilized data from
      MarketScan((r)) databases. Cohorts included adult general population (GP),
      patients with psoriasis, and patients with psoriasis treated with nonbiologics,
      adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab or phototherapy. Outcomes included incidence
      rates (IRs) per 10 000 person-years observation (PYO) for all malignancies
      excluding nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC), lymphoma, NMSC, and per 10 000 person
      years of exposure (PYE) for HIEs. RESULTS: Incidence rates [95% confidence
      interval (CI)] for all malignancies except NMSC were 129 (127-130) and 142 (135
      149) for GP (PYO = 51 071 587) and psoriasis (PYO = 119 432) cohorts,
      respectively; 10.9 (10.5-11.3) and 12.9 (10.9-14.8) for lymphoma; and 145 (144
      147) and 180 (173-188) for NMSC. Rates for all malignancies excluding NMSC were
      similar among treatments but variable for lymphoma and NMSC. IRs (95% CI) for
      HIEs were 332 (256-408) for the nonbiologic cohort (PYE = 3528); 288 (206-370)
      for etanercept (PYE = 6563); 325 (196-455) for adalimumab (PYE = 2772); 521 (278
      765) for infliximab (PYE = 1058); and 334 (242-427) for phototherapy (PYE =
      1797). IRs for HIEs were lowest for etanercept and higher in patients on baseline
      systemic corticosteroids across treatment cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: Malignancy rates
      were higher in patients with psoriasis than the GP, but these treatments did not
      appear to increase malignancy risk.

PMID- 26265016
TI  - Breastfeeding and childhood acute otitis media: a systematic review and meta
      analysis.
AB  - AIM: To synthesise the evidence on the association between duration and
      exclusivity of breastfeeding and the risk of acute otitis media (AOM). METHODS:
      Systematic review and meta-analysis following searching of PubMed, CINAHL and
      EMBASE electronic databases. RESULTS: Twenty-four studies, all from the USA or
      Europe, met the inclusion criteria. In the pooled analyses, any form of
      breastfeeding was found to be protective for AOM in the first 2 years of life.
      Exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months was associated with the greatest
      protection (OR 0.57 95% CI 0.44, 0.75), followed by 'more vs less' breastfeeding
      (OR 0.67; 0.59, 0.76) and 'ever vs never' breastfeeding (OR 0.67; 0.56, 0.80).
      CONCLUSION: This systematic review and meta-analysis provides evidence that
      breastfeeding protects against AOM until 2 years of age, but protection is
      greater for exclusive breastfeeding and breastfeeding of longer duration.
      Exclusive breastfeeding during the first 6 months was associated with around a
      43% reduction in ever having AOM in the first 2 years of life. After 2 years of
      age, there is no evidence that breastfeeding protects against AOM; however, there
      were few studies and the evidence quality was low.

PMID- 26265017
TI  - Effect of different combinations of soybean-maize silage on its chemical
      composition, nutrient intake, degradability, and performance of Pelibuey lambs.
AB  - Sheep raising in the state of Guerrero, Mexico, is a primary activity that is
      worth about US$3,251,931 annually. The objective of the present study was to
      evaluate the chemical composition, degradability, nutrient intake, and animal
      performance of Pelibuey lambs fed on different combinations of maize-soybean
      silages. Twenty-one combinations of maize silage (MS) and soybean silage (SS)
      were evaluated at day 45 post-ensiling; in each combination, MS was replaced by 5
      % of SS. The 21 combinations were analysed for crude protein (CP) and chemical
      composition. In order to obtain a statistical criterion of potential treatments
      for the animal feeding test, a cluster analysis was performed based on the CP
      contents of all combinations at day 45 post-ensiling. From cluster analysis, four
      treatments were selected T1 = 100-0 % (MS/SS), T8 = 65-35 %, T12 = 45-55 %, and
      T16 = 25-75 %. Results indicated that cluster analysis was useful for identifying
      the potential treatments for animal feeding based on the crude protein content.
      The dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), and acid detergent lignin (ADL)
      contents did not declined significantly (P > 0.05) during the fermentation of
      silages but CP content decreased from day 0 to 45 post-ensiling. The treatment
      with the highest estimated microbial crude protein synthesis was T8 and it showed
      the highest metabolizable energy intake, high feed efficiency with a forage
      concentrate ratio of 84:16. 

PMID- 26265018
TI  - Prophylactic and Therapeutic Potential of Acetyl-L-carnitine against
      Acetaminophen-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Mice.
AB  - Prophylactic and therapeutic effects of acetylcarnitine against acetaminophen
      induced hepatotoxicity were studied in mice. To evaluate the prophylactic effects
      of acetylcarnitine, mice were supplemented with acetylcarnitine (2 mmol/kg/day
      per oral (p.o.) for 5 days) before a single dose of acetaminophen (350 mg/kg
      intraperitoneal (i.p.)). Animals were sacrificed 6 h after acetaminophen
      injection. Acetaminophen significantly increased the markers of liver injury,
      hepatic reactive oxygen species, and nitrate/nitrite, and decreased hepatic
      glutathione (GSH) and the antioxidant enzymes. Acetylcarnitine supplementation
      resulted in reversal of all biochemical parameters toward the control values. To
      explore the therapeutic effects of acetylcarnitine, mice were given a single dose
      of acetylcarnitine (0.5, 1, and 2 mmol/kg p.o.) 1.5 h after acetaminophen.
      Animals were sacrificed 6 h after acetaminophen. Acetylcarnitine administration
      resulted in partial reversal of liver injury only at 2 mmol/kg p.o. At equimolar
      doses, N-acetylcystiene was superior as therapeutic agent to acetylcarnitine.
      However, acetylcarnitine potentiated the effect of N-acetylcystiene in the
      treatment of acetaminophen toxicity. 

PMID- 26265023
TI  - Case report of an acute foreign object airway obstruction resolved by back blows
      alone.

PMID- 26265022
TI  - Exploring preferences for domain-specific goal management in patients with
      polyarthritis: what to do when an important goal becomes threatened?
AB  - Usually priorities in goal management--intended to minimize discrepancies between
      a given and desired situation--are studied as person characteristics, neglecting
      possible domain-specific aspects. However, people may make different decisions in
      different situations depending on the importance of the personal issues at stake.
      Aim of the present study therefore was to develop arthritis-related vignettes to
      examine domain-specific goal management and to explore patients' preferences.
      Based on interviews and literature, situation-specific hypothetical stories were
      developed in which the main character encounters a problem with a valued goal due
      to arthritis. Thirty-one patients (61 % female, mean age 60 years) evaluated the
      face validity of the newly developed vignettes. Secondly, 262 patients (60 %
      female, mean age 63 years) were asked to come up with possible solutions for the
      problems with attaining a goal described in a subset of the vignettes. Goal
      management strategies within the responses and the preference for the various
      strategies were identified. The 11 developed vignettes in three domains were
      found to be face-valid. In 90 % of the responses, goal management strategies were
      identified (31 % goal maintenance, 29 % goal adjustment, 21 % goal disengagement,
      and 10 % goal re-engagement). Strategy preference was related to domains.
      Solutions containing goal disengagement were the least preferred. Using vignettes
      for measuring domain-specific goal management appears as valuable addition to the
      existing questionnaires. The vignettes can be used to study how patients with
      arthritis cope with threatened goals in specific domains from a patient's
      perspective. Domain-specific strategy preference emphasizes the importance of a
      situation-specific instrument.

PMID- 26265024
TI  - Prevalent emm types and superantigen gene patterns of group A Streptococcus in
      Thailand.
AB  - Group A Streptococcus (GAS) are globally distributed bacterial pathogens. We
      examined the emm genotypes, which are important indicators of virulence, of 349
      clinical GAS isolates collected using two surveillance systems, i.e. Invasive
      Bacterial Infection Surveillance (IBIS) from 2010 to 2011 (234 isolates) and
      routine surveillance of clinically isolated bacteria from various hospitals
      during 1996-2011 (115 isolates) in Thailand. The major emm genotypes in IBIS
      samples were emm44 (12.0%), emm104 (6.8%), emm22 (5.6%), and emm81 (5.6%),
      whereas only one isolate (0.4%) had the emm1 genotype, which is significantly
      more common in invasive cases in the Western world. In samples collected during
      routine surveillance, emm238 (10.4%), emm44 (8.7%), and emm165 (7.0%) were
      dominant. The major superantigen gene profiles were similar between the groups,
      and 30.1% of isolates did not possess the phage-encoded superantigens (speA,
      speC, speH, speI, speK, speL, speM, ssa). Although most isolates exhibited
      limited gene profiles, emm44 isolates had highly variable gene profiles (15
      patterns). We conclude that emm44 is the predominant GAS genotype in Thailand,
      and isolates varied in superantigen gene profiles. 

PMID- 26265026
TI  - Rural-Urban Differences in Perceptions of Child Overweight Among Children and
      Adolescents, Their Guardians and Health Care Professionals in the United States.
AB  - RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: Children and adolescents residing in rural environments with
      higher prevalence of an overweight population may develop inaccurate perceptions
      of a healthy weight. This study examines rural-urban differences in perceptions
      of child overweight among overweight (85 <= BMI percentile < 95) and obese
      children (BMI percentile >= 95), their guardians and health care providers
      (HCPs), and children's concomitant weight control. METHODS: The cross-sectional
      study was based on the 2005-2010 NHANES data (1,844 overweight and obese children
      and adolescents, aged 8-15 years). Rurality was defined using the 2003 RUCC. The
      weight status was based on the standardized measures of children's height and
      weight. Children reported whether they considered themselves overweight and
      whether they were trying to lose weight. Proxy respondents (ie, guardians)
      reported whether they considered their child to be overweight and whether an HCP
      had ever told them their child was overweight. Weighted percentages and predicted
      probabilities from multivariable logistic regressions were calculated, accounting
      for the complex, multistage, probability sampling design and nonresponse.
      FINDINGS: Rural residents comprised 18.8% of the study population; 41.8% of them
      were overweight and 58.2% were obese compared to 46.7% and 53.3% of urban peers,
      respectively. Misperceptions of children's weight status were 11.3 and 6.0
      percentage points higher in rural children and their guardians, respectively.
      Recall of an HCP identification of child overweight was 6.3 percentage points
      lower among rural versus urban guardians. CONCLUSION: Obesity prevention efforts
      may be fostered by improving accuracy of child overweight perceptions. This may
      be particularly impactful in rural settings, where weight misperceptions are
      high.

PMID- 26265025
TI  - The body composition phenotype of Irish adults aged 18-81 years.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Regional distribution of adiposity and lean tissue mass are
      predictors of health risk that cannot be defined by body mass index but can be
      attained by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Age and sex-related adult
      ranges of whole-body and regional adiposity and lean tissue are not available for
      Irish men and women. AIMS: The aim of this study was to construct a DXA-based
      body composition profile of Irish adults, focusing on age- and sex-related
      difference in total and regional adiposity and lean tissue mass. METHODS: The
      study population comprised a convenience sample of 1606 participants, aged 18-81
      years participating in the University of Limerick Body Composition study. Data
      were analysed to construct stature-normalised indices of body fat mass (BFMI),
      site-specific visceral adiposity, lean tissue mass (LTMI) and appendicular lean
      tissue mass (ALTMI). RESULTS: Compared to the young adult (18-29 years), BFMI was
      higher in women (p < 0.001) but plateaued in men aged >50 years. For men, age
      related difference in LTMI was not evident but ALTMI was significantly lower in
      those >50 years. For women, there was evidence of significantly lower LTMI with
      advancing age and, similar to men, significantly lower ALTMI in those >50 years.
      CONCLUSIONS: These data provide an insight into the age-related anthropometric
      phenotype of Irish adults. Centile data have been constructed that provide
      informative data of the age and sex-specific range of adiposity and lean tissue
      mass. These data may assist in identification of those at risk of aberrant, body
      composition-related disease.

PMID- 26265027
TI  - Birth of the Allostatic Model: From Cannon's Biocracy to Critical Physiology.
AB  - Physiologists and historians are still debating what conceptually differentiates
      each of the three major modern theories of regulation: the constancy of the
      milieu interieur, homeostasis and allostasis. Here I propose that these models
      incarnate two distinct regimes of politization of the life sciences. This
      perspective leads me to suggest that the historicization of physiological norms
      is intrinsic to the allostatic model, which thus divides it fundamentally from
      the two others. I analyze the allostatic model in the light of the Canguilhemian
      theory, showing how the former contributed to the development of a critical
      epistemology immune to both naturalist essentialism and social constructivism.
      With a unique clarity in the history of physiology, allostasis gives us a model
      of the convergence of historical epistemology and scientific practice. As such it
      played a key role in codifying the epistemological basis of certain current
      research programs that, in the fields of social epidemiology and feminist
      neuroscience, promote what we name here a critical physiology.

PMID- 26265028
TI  - Dementia, medication and transitions of care.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Persons with dementia (PWD) often have complex medication regimens
      and are at risk of medication problems during the multiple transitions of care
      experienced as the condition progresses. OBJECTIVES: To explore medication
      processes in acute care episodes and care transitions for PWD and to make
      recommendations to improve practice. METHOD: Semi-structured interviews were
      conducted by two pharmacy researchers from a focused purposive sample of fifty
      one participants (carers, health professionals, Alzheimer's Australia staff) from
      urban and rural Australia. After written consent, the interviews were audio
      recorded then transcribed verbatim for face-to-face interviews, or notes were
      taken during the interview if conducted by telephone. The transcripts were
      checked for accuracy by the pharmacy researchers. Thematic analysis of the data
      was undertaken independently by the two researchers to reduce bias and any
      disagreements were resolved by discussion. RESULTS: Themes identified were:
      medication reconciliation; no modified planning for care transitions;
      underutilization of information technology; multiple prescribers; residential
      aged care facilities; and medication reviews by pharmacists. Sub themes were:
      access to appropriate staff; identification of dementia; dose administration
      aids; and staff training. CONCLUSIONS: Medication management is sub-optimal for
      PWD during care transitions and may compromise safety. Suggested improvements
      included: increased involvement of pharmacists in care transitions; outreach or
      transitional health care professionals; modified planning for care transitions
      for individuals over 80 years; co-ordinated electronic records; structured
      communication; and staff training.

PMID- 26265029
TI  - Structural Characteristics of Migrant Farmworkers Reporting a Relationship with a
      Primary Care Physician.
AB  - Migrant farmworkers are disproportionately affected by many adverse health
      conditions, but access healthcare sparingly. This study of migrant farmworkers
      examined the distribution and general characteristics associated with having
      access to healthcare. Access to healthcare was measured by asking whether the
      participants (N = 413) had a primary care physician. Majority of participants did
      not have a primary care physician. Female migrant workers (AOR = 2.823 CI: 1.575
      4.103) with insurance (AOR = 6.183 CI: 4.956-11.937) who lived at study site for
      more than 5 years (AOR = 2.728 CI: 1.936-7.837) and born in the United States
      (AOR = 2.648 CI: 1.373-3.338) had greater odds to have a primary care physician
      than recent male migrants without insurance who were born outside United States.
      There is a need to focus on Community Health Centers and Migrant Health Centers
      in tailoring their services and to widen the implementation and improve funding
      of Accountable Care Organizations to improve access to care of migrant
      farmworkers.

PMID- 26265030
TI  - Inappropriate sexual behaviour in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: what
      education is recommended and why.
AB  - AIM: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder impairing
      social skills and communication. Adolescents with ASD have sexual needs, but may
      not understand their physical and emotional development resulting in
      inappropriate sexual behaviour. The aim of this review is to describe the type of
      inappropriate behaviour that presents in these adolescents, explain why such
      behaviours occur, suggest what education is suitable and identify current gaps in
      research. METHOD: The databases EMBASE, OVID MEDLINE and PSYCINFO were searched
      for relevant articles. In total, 5241 articles were found, with an additional 15
      sources found via soft searches, of which 42 met inclusion criteria and were
      subsequently reviewed. RESULTS: Sexual behaviours that occur in these adolescents
      with ASD include hypermasturbation, public masturbation, inappropriate romantic
      gestures, inappropriate arousal and exhibitionism. Such behaviours are thought to
      be caused via a lack of understanding of normal puberty, the absence of
      appropriate sex education, the severity of their ASD and other associated
      problems. It is suggested that individualized, repetitive education should be
      started from an early age in an accessible form. Social skills development is
      also important before more technical aspects of sex education are taught.
      CONCLUSION: Despite being such a common problem for schools, institutions and
      families to manage, it is surprising how sparse literature is particularly
      regarding why inappropriate behaviour occurs and what education is effective.

PMID- 26265031
TI  - Recent developments in stable isotope dilution assays in mycotoxin analysis with
      special regard to Alternaria toxins.
AB  - Stable isotope dilution assays (SIDAs) are becoming ever commoner in mycotoxin
      analysis, and the number of synthesized or commercially available isotopically
      labelled compounds has greatly increased in the 7 years since our last review
      dealing with this topic. Thus, this review is conceived as an update for new
      applications or improvements of SIDAs for compounds discussed earlier, but the
      main focus is on newly introduced labelled substances and the development of
      SIDAs for, for example, fusarin C, moniliformin or the enniatins. Mycotoxin
      research has concentrated on the emerging group of Alternaria toxins in recent
      years, and a series of SIDAs have been developed, including ones for tenuazonic
      acid, alternariol, altertoxins and tentoxin that are discussed in detail in this
      review. Information about synthetic routes, isotopic purity and mass
      spectrometric characterization of labelled compounds is given, as well as about
      the development and validation of SIDAs and their application to foods, feeds or
      biological samples. As the number of commercially available labelled standards is
      increasing continuously, a general tendency for the use of analytical methods
      based on liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry capable of
      identifying a series of mycotoxins simultaneously ("multimethods") and using one
      or more labelled internal standards can be observed. An overview of these
      applications is given, thus demonstrating that SIDAs are increasingly being used
      in routine analysis.

PMID- 26265032
TI  - Analysis and calibration of stage axial vibration for synchrotron radiation
      nanoscale computed tomography.
AB  - Synchrotron radiation nanoscale computed tomography (SR nano-CT) is a powerful
      analysis tool and can be used to perform chemical identification, mapping, or
      speciation of carbon and other elements together with X-ray fluorescence and X
      ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) imaging. In practical applications,
      there are often challenges for SR nano-CT due to the misaligned geometry caused
      by the sample stage axial vibration. It occurs quite frequently because of
      experimental constraints from the mechanical error of manufacturing and assembly
      and the thermal expansion during the time-consuming scanning. The axial vibration
      will lead to the structure overlap among neighboring layers and degrade imaging
      results by imposing artifacts into the nano-CT images. It becomes worse for
      samples with complicated axial structure. In this work, we analyze the influence
      of axial vibration on nano-CT image by partial derivative. Then, an axial
      vibration calibration method for SR nano-CT is developed and investigated. It is
      based on the cross correlation of plane integral curves of the sample at
      different view angles. This work comprises a numerical study of the method and
      its experimental verification using a dataset measured with the full-field
      transmission X-ray microscope nano-CT setup at the beamline 4W1A of the Beijing
      Synchrotron Radiation Facility. The results demonstrate that the presented method
      can handle the stage axial vibration. It can work for random axial vibration and
      needs neither calibration phantom nor additional calibration scanning. It will be
      helpful for the development and application of synchrotron radiation nano-CT
      systems. 

PMID- 26265033
TI  - Dawning of a new era for acute stroke therapy.

PMID- 26265034
TI  - Altered functional connectivity density in major depressive disorder at rest.
AB  - Major depressive disorder is characterized by abnormal brain connectivity at
      rest. Currently, most studies investigating resting-state activity rely on a
      priori restrictions on specific networks or seed regions, which may bias
      observations. We hence sought to elicit functional alterations in a hypothesis
      free approach. We applied functional connectivity density (FCD) to identify
      abnormal connectivity for each voxel in the whole brain separately. Comparing
      resting-state fMRI in 21 MDD patients and 23 matched healthy controls, we
      identified atypical connections for regions exhibiting abnormal FCD and compared
      our results to those of an independent component analysis (ICA) on networks
      previously investigated in MDD. Patients showed reduced FCD in mid-cingulate
      cortex (MCC) and increased FCD in occipital cortex (OCC). These changes in global
      FCD were driven by abnormal local connectivity changes and reduced functional
      connectivity (FC) toward the left amygdala for MCC, and increased FC toward the
      right supplementary motor area for OCC. The altered connectivity was not
      reflected in ICA comparison of the salience and visual networks. Abnormal FC in
      MDD is present in cingulate and OCC in terms of global FCD. This converges with
      previous structural and metabolic findings; however, these particular changes in
      connectivity would not have been identified using canonical seed regions or
      networks. This implies the importance of FC measures in the investigation of
      brain pathophysiology in depression. 

PMID- 26265035
TI  - Genotyping of a family with a novel deleterious DPYD mutation supports the
      pretherapeutic screening of DPD deficiency with dihydrouracil/uracil ratio.
AB  - Despite the growing evidence that dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase deficiency
      (DPD, encoded by the DPYD gene) confers a higher risk of developing severe
      toxicity, most patients are not screened for DPD deficiency before
      fluoropyrimidine treatment. We report here the genetic and phenotypic analyses of
      DPD in a family related to a patient who died after a first cycle of 5
      fluorouracil and in 15 additional retrospective patients having a partial DPD
      deficiency (as measured by plasma dihydrouracil/uracil ratio). The patient with
      lethal toxicity was found to be a compound heterozygote for two DPYD mutations: a
      novel 8-bp duplication (c.168_175dupGAATAATT, p.Phe59Ter) and c.1679T>G
      (Ile560Ser). The patient's dihydrouracil/uracil ratio indicates complete DPD
      deficiency. The novel mutation was found in two members of the patient's family.
      Deleterious DPYD mutations were identified in 9 out of the 15 patients. The
      relationship between genotype and dihydrouracil/uracil values in the 22 patients
      of the present study was significant (P = 0.01). 

PMID- 26265037
TI  - Use of multi-InDels as novel markers to analyze 13 X-chromosome haplotype loci
      for forensic purposes.
AB  - Many studies have been proposed to identify insertion/deletion (InDel)
      polymorphisms in humans for forensic genetic studies. However, the discriminatory
      power of InDels is limited by the poor polymorphisms of diallelic markers. To
      improve their discriminatory power, we developed multi-InDel, a novel autosomal
      marker comprising more than two InDel loci that are tightly linked by their
      physical position and combined into a specific marker by a pair of PCR primers.
      This strategy gives at least three haplotypes for each multi-InDel marker. Such
      markers can be potentially very useful in forensic applications. In this study,
      we focused on multi-InDel markers located on X chromosome (ChrX). A multiplex
      system with 13 multi-InDel markers, including 28 InDel loci in ChrX, was
      developed. To validate the multi-InDel panel, the haplotype distribution in a
      population sample and in a set of pedigrees was investigated. This study
      demonstrates usefulness of these markers for individual identification and
      relationship studies. We highlight the fact that the multi-InDel markers located
      on ChrX can provide new supporting information for complex kinship testing. 

PMID- 26265036
TI  - Genome-wide association study of warfarin maintenance dose in a Brazilian sample.
AB  - AIM: Extreme discordant phenotype and genome-wide association (GWA) approaches
      were combined to explore the role of genetic variants on warfarin dose
      requirement in Brazilians. METHODS: Patients receiving low (<= 20 mg/week; n =
      180) or high stable warfarin doses (>= 42.5 mg/week; n = 187) were genotyped with
      Affymetrix Axiom((r)) Biobank arrays. Imputation was carried out using data from
      the combined 1000 Genomes project. RESULTS: Genome-wide signals (p <= 5 * 10(-8))
      were identified in the well-known VKORC1 (lead SNP, rs749671; OR: 20.4; p = 1.08
      * 10(-33)) and CYP2C9 (lead SNP, rs9332238, OR: 6.8 and p = 4.4 * 10(-13))
      regions. The rs9332238 polymorphism is in virtually perfect LD with CYP2C9*2
      (rs1799853) and CYP2C9*3 (rs1057910). No other genome-wide significant regions
      were identified in the study. CONCLUSION: We confirmed the important role of
      VKORC1 and CYP2C9 polymorphisms in warfarin dose. Original submitted 14 January
      2015; Revision submitted 26 May 2015.

PMID- 26265038
TI  - First tobacco product tried: associations with smoking status and demographics
      among college students.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: As the tobacco market expands, so too have the opportunities for
      youth to be introduced to nicotine. The goal of this study was to identify
      product choice for initial tobacco trial, correlates associated with product
      choice, and the relationship between first product and current cigarette smoking
      among college students. METHODS: A cross-sectional web survey of 3146 first-year
      students at 11 universities in North Carolina and Virginia was conducted in fall
      2010. RESULTS: Weighted prevalence of ever use of tobacco was 48.6%. Cigarettes
      were the most common first product (37.9%), followed by cigars (29.3%), hookahs
      (24.6%), smokeless tobacco (6.1%), and bidis/kreteks (2.2%). Two thirds (65%) of
      current smokers initiated with cigarettes, but 16.4% started with cigars, 11.1%
      with hookahs, 5.7% with smokeless, and 1.7% with bidis/kreteks. Females were more
      likely to report their first product was cigarettes and hookahs, while males were
      more likely to start with cigars and smokeless tobacco. Compared to those whose
      first product trial occurred after the age of 18, younger age of initiation
      (17years or younger) was associated with cigarettes and smokeless as first
      products, while older age of initiation (18 or older) was associated with
      starting with hookahs and cigars. Dual or poly tobacco use was more common among
      those who initiated with hookahs and smokeless tobacco. CONCLUSIONS: While over a
      third of students used cigarettes first, two thirds started with a non-cigarette
      product. Just about a third of current cigarette smokers initiated with a non
      cigarette product, suggesting that those non-cigarette products may have
      facilitated escalation to cigarettes.

PMID- 26265039
TI  - On the Fine Isotopic Distribution and Limits to Resolution in Mass Spectrometry.
AB  - Mass spectrometry enables the study of increasingly larger biomolecules with
      increasingly higher resolution, which is able to distinguish between fine
      isotopic variants having the same additional nucleon count, but slightly
      different masses. Therefore, the analysis of the fine isotopic distribution
      becomes an interesting research topic with important practical applications. In
      this paper, we propose the comprehensive methodology for studying the basic
      characteristics of the fine isotopic distribution. Our approach uses a broad
      spectrum of methods ranging from generating functions--that allow us to estimate
      the variance and the information theory entropy of the distribution--to the
      theory of thermal energy fluctuations. Having characterized the variance, spread,
      shape, and size of the fine isotopic distribution, we are able to indicate
      limitations to high resolution mass spectrometry. Moreover, the analysis of
      "thermorelativistic" effects (i.e., mass uncertainty attributable to relativistic
      effects coupled with the statistical mechanical uncertainty of the energy of an
      isolated ion), in turn, gives us an estimate of impassable limits of isotopic
      resolution (understood as the ability to distinguish fine structure peaks), which
      can be moved further only by cooling the ions. The presented approach highlights
      the potential of theoretical analysis of the fine isotopic distribution, which
      allows modeling the data more accurately, aiming to support the successful
      experimental measurements.

PMID- 26265040
TI  - Ion Yields in the Coupled Chemical and Physical Dynamics Model of Matrix-Assisted
      Laser Desorption/Ionization.
AB  - The Coupled Chemical and Physical Dynamics (CPCD) model of matrix assisted laser
      desorption ionization has been restricted to relative rather than absolute yield
      comparisons because the rate constant for one step in the model was not
      accurately known. Recent measurements are used to constrain this constant,
      leading to good agreement with experimental yield versus fluence data for 2,5
      dihydroxybenzoic acid. Parameters for alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid are also
      estimated, including contributions from a possible triplet state. The results are
      compared with the polar fluid model, the CPCD is found to give better agreement
      with the data.

PMID- 26265041
TI  - Software Analysis of Uncorrelated MS1 Peaks for Discovery of Post-Translational
      Modifications.
AB  - The goal in proteomics to identify all peptides in a complex mixture has been
      largely addressed using various LC MS/MS approaches, such as data dependent
      acquisition, SRM/MRM, and data independent acquisition instrumentation. Despite
      these developments, many peptides remain unsequenced, often due to low abundance,
      poor fragmentation patterns, or data analysis difficulties. Many of the
      unidentified peptides exhibit strong evidence in high resolution MS(1) data and
      are frequently post-translationally modified, playing a significant role in
      biological processes. Proteomics Workbench (PWB) software was developed to
      automate the detection and visualization of all possible peptides in MS(1) data,
      reveal candidate peptides not initially identified, and build inclusion lists for
      subsequent MS(2) analysis to uncover new identifications. We used this software
      on existing data on the autophagy regulating kinase Ulk1 as a proof of concept
      for this method, as we had already manually identified a number of
      phosphorylation sites Dorsey, F. C. et al (J. Proteome. Res. 8(11), 5253-5263
      (2009)). PWB found all previously identified sites of phosphorylation. The
      software has been made freely available at http://www.proteomicsworkbench.com .
      Graphical Abstract ?. 

PMID- 26265042
TI  - Lipoprotein lipase is an important modulator of lipid uptake and storage in
      hypothalamic neurons.
AB  - LPL is the rate-limiting enzyme for uptake of TG-derived FFA in peripheral
      tissues, and the enzyme is expressed in the brain and CNS. We previously created
      a mouse which lacks neuronal LPL. This animal becomes obese on a standard chow,
      and we observed reduced lipid uptake in the hypothalamus at 3 months preceding
      obesity. In our present study, we replicated the animal phenotype in an
      immortalized mouse hypothalamic cell line (N41) to examine how LPL affects
      expression of AgRP as well as entry and storage of lipids into neurons. We show
      that LPL is able to modulate levels of the orexigenic peptide AgRP. LPL also
      exerts effects on lipid uptake into culture neurons, and that uptake of neutral
      lipid can be enhanced even by mutant LPL lacking catalytic activity. N41 cells
      also accumulate neutral lipid in droplets, and this is at least in part regulated
      by LPL. These data in addition to those published in mice with neuron-specific
      deletion of LPL suggest that neuronal LPL is an important regulator of lipid
      homeostasis in neurons and that alterations in LPL levels may have important
      effects on systemic metabolism and neuronal lipid biology. 

PMID- 26265043
TI  - Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of orally administered acetylenic tricyclic
      bis(cyanoenone), a highly potent Nrf2 activator with a reversible covalent mode
      of action.
AB  - The acetylenic tricyclic bis(cyanoenone) TBE-31 is a highly potent cysteine
      targeting compound with a reversible covalent mode of action; its best
      characterized target being Kelch-like ECH-associated protein-1 (Keap1), the
      cellular sensor for oxidants and electrophiles. TBE-31 reacts with cysteines of
      Keap1, impairing its ability to target nuclear factor-erythroid 2 p45-related
      factor 2 (Nrf2) for degradation. Consequently, Nrf2 accumulates and orchestrates
      cytoprotective gene expression. In this study we investigated the pharmacokinetic
      and pharmacodynamic properties of TBE-31 in C57BL/6 mice. After a single oral
      dose of 10 MUmol/kg (~200 nmol/animal), the concentration of TBE-31 in blood
      exhibited two peaks, at 22.3 nM and at 15.5 nM, 40 min and 4 h after dosing,
      respectively, as determined by a quantitative stable isotope dilution LC-MS/MS
      method. The AUC0-24h was 195.5 h/nmol/l, the terminal elimination half-life was
      10.2 h, and the kel was 0.068 h(-1). To assess the pharmacodynamics of Nrf2
      activation by TBE-31, we determined the enzyme activity of its prototypic target,
      NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) and found it elevated by 2.4- and 1.5
      fold in liver and heart, respectively. Continuous feeding for 18 days with diet
      delivering the same daily doses of TBE-31 under conditions of concurrent
      treatment with the immunosuppressive agent azathioprine had a similar effect on
      Nrf2 activation without any indications of toxicity. Together with previous
      reports showing the cytoprotective effects of TBE-31 in animal models of
      carcinogenesis, our results demonstrate the high potency, efficacy and
      suitability for chronic administration of cysteine targeting reversible covalent
      drugs.

PMID- 26265044
TI  - MicroRNA-17-mediated down-regulation of apoptotic protease activating factor 1
      attenuates apoptosome formation and subsequent apoptosis of cardiomyocytes.
AB  - Heart diseases such as myocardial infarction (MI) can damage individual
      cardiomyocytes, leading to the activation of cell death programs. The most
      scrutinized type of cell death in the heart is apoptosis, and one of the key
      events during the propagation of apoptotic signaling is the formation of
      apoptosomes, which relay apoptotic signals by activating caspase-9. As one of the
      major components of apoptosomes, apoptotic protease activating factor 1 (Apaf-1)
      facilitates the formation of apoptosomes containing cytochrome c (Cyto-c) and
      deoxyadenosine triphosphate (dATP). Thus, it may be possible to suppress the
      activation of the apoptotic program by down-regulating the expression of Apaf-1
      using miRNAs. To validate this hypothesis, we selected a number of candidate
      miRNAs that were expected to target Apaf-1 based on miRNA target prediction
      databases. Among these candidate miRNAs, we empirically identified miR-17 as a
      novel Apaf-1-targeting miRNA. The delivery of exogenous miR-17 suppressed Apaf-1
      expression and consequently attenuated formation of the apoptosome complex
      containing caspase-9, as demonstrated by co-immunoprecipitation and
      immunocytochemistry. Furthermore, miR-17 suppressed the cleavage of procaspase-9
      and the subsequent activation of caspase-3, which is downstream of activated
      caspase-9. Cell viability tests also indicated that miR-17 pretreatment
      significantly prevented the norepinephrine-induced apoptosis of cardiomyocytes,
      suggesting that down-regulation of apoptosome formation may be an effective
      strategy to prevent cellular apoptosis. These results demonstrate the potential
      of miR-17 as an effective anti-apoptotic agent. 

PMID- 26265045
TI  - AMPK dependent protective effects of metformin on tumor necrosis factor-induced
      apoptotic liver injury.
AB  - Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha)-induced cellular apoptosis represents a
      common pathological mechanism underlying the progression of various liver
      disorders. Recently studies revealed that the anti-diabetic metformin provided
      protective benefits in several animal models of liver injury. In the present
      study, the potential modulatory effects of metformin on TNF-alpha-dependent
      apoptotic liver damage was investigated in mice with TNF-alpha/d-galactosamine (D
      Gal)-induced liver injury. The results indicated that treatment with metformin
      significantly suppressed the elevation of plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
      and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), the activation of caspase cascade and the
      induction of cleaved caspase-3. Morphological analysis showed that metformin
      alleviated histopathological abnormalities and reduced TUNEL-positive apoptotic
      cells. Co-administration of the AMPK inhibitor compound C completely abolished
      the inhibitory effects of metformin on caspase cascade activation, significantly
      reversed the beneficial effects of metformin on histopathological abnormalities
      and hepatocytes apoptosis, and partially abolished the suppressive effects of
      metformin on plasma ALT elevation. These data indicated that metformin
      effectively alleviated TNF-alpha/D-Gal-induced apoptotic liver injury and these
      beneficial effects were at least partially mediated by AMPK. 

PMID- 26265046
TI  - Regulation of MALAT1 expression by TDP43 controls the migration and invasion of
      non-small cell lung cancer cells in vitro.
AB  - MALAT1 is a non-coding RNA overexpressed in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
      TDP-43 is a ubiquitously expressed, MALAT1-binding protein implicated in cancer
      development. We hypothesized that MALAT1 expression level is regulated in lung
      cancer by TDP-43. We analyzed their functions in cultured NSCLC cells.
      Downregulation of MALAT1 or TDP-43 expression by siRNA not only markedly
      suppressed NSCLC cell growth, as measured by the MTT assay in vitro cultured
      NSCLC cells (P < 0.05), but also noticeably impaired the migration and invasion
      of NSCLC cells, as analyzed by the migration and invasion assay. We also confirm
      that TDP-43 directly bound to MALAT1 RNA by a RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay
      and by luciferase reporter activity assay. In a RT-PCR assay, silencing TDP-43
      expression effectively decreased MALAT1 RNA transcript level. In contrast, TDP-43
      overexpression markedly increased MALAT1 transcript level. In summary, these
      findings demonstrated that MALAT1 expression by regulation of TDP-43 controls
      cellular growth, migration, and invasion of NSCLCs. 

PMID- 26265047
TI  - Cellular activity of Wharton's Jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells on
      electrospun fibrous and solvent-cast film scaffolds.
AB  - It was shown that topography and surface chemistry of materials influence cell
      behaviors. In this study, the effects of chemistry and topography of scaffold
      surface on adhesion, proliferation and differentiation of Wharton's Jelly
      mesenchymal (WJMSCs) stem cells into motor neurons were investigated. WJMSCs were
      cultivated in an neurogenic inductive medium on the surface of modified and
      unmodified polycaprolactone (PCL) electrospun fibrous and solvent-cast film
      scaffolds. All the scaffolds were characterized according to their ability to
      support cell attachment and viability by SEM and MTT assay. The expression of
      motor neuron-specific markers was assayed by real-time PCR after 15days post
      induction. Results showed that attachment, proliferation and differentiation of
      WJMSCs into motor neuron-like cells on the nanotopographic surface was higher
      than that of the cells on the solvent-cast scaffolds. In addition, regardless of
      their topography, WJMSCs cultured on collagen-coated PCL nanofibrous showed
      results similar to collagen-coated PCL films. Results suggested that surface
      chemistry has more impact on WJMSCs behaviour rather than topography. In
      conclusion, collagen-coated electrospun PCL have potential for being used in
      neural tissue engineering because of its bioactive and three-dimensional
      structure which enhance viability and differentiation of WJMSCs.

PMID- 26265049
TI  - Resection of a juvenile nasoangiofibroma by Le Fort I osteotomy: Experience with
      40 cases.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the rate of success and
      complications of juvenile nasoangiofibroma resection by Le Fort I osteotomy.
      MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data were obtained from the medical records of 40 patients
      with a diagnosis of juvenile nasoangiofibroma confirmed by anatomopathological
      examination. All tumors were resected by Le Fort I osteotomy between 1983 and
      2010. The data obtained were gender, age, symptoms, sites of invasion,
      preoperative embolization, routes of surgical access, duration of surgery,
      complications, need for transfusion, relapses, and follow-up time. RESULTS: All
      patients were male, ranging in age from 7 to 27 years. The most common symptom
      was nasal obstruction, and central nervous system (CNS) invasion was present in
      27.5% of cases. Craniotomy was associated with Le Fort I osteotomy in only one
      case. The mean duration of surgery was 216 min. Complications occurred in 15% of
      cases, with intraoperative bleeding being the most frequent one. Relapses
      occurred in 5% of cases. The mean follow-up was 48.8 months. CONCLUSION:
      Exclusively surgical treatment by Le Fort I access proved to be a safe and
      effective method for the treatment of nasoangiofibromas, permitting the removal
      of tumors even in patients with extension to the CNS, with a low rate of
      complications and relapses.

PMID- 26265048
TI  - Targeting lysyl oxidase for molecular imaging in breast cancer.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Lysyl oxidase (LOX; ExPASy ENZYME entry: EC 1.4.3.13) and members
      of the LOX-like family, LOXL1-LOXL4, are copper-dependent enzymes that can modify
      proteins of the extracellular matrix. Expression of LOX is elevated in many human
      cancers, including breast cancer. LOX expression correlates with the level of
      tissue hypoxia, and it is known to play a critical role in breast cancer
      metastasis. The goal of the present study was to target LOX with (1) molecular
      probe fluorescent labeling to visualize LOX in vitro and (2) a radiolabeled
      peptide to target LOX in vivo in three different preclinical models of breast
      cancer. METHODS: Gene expression of all five members of the LOX family was
      analyzed at the transcript level via microarray analysis using tissue biopsy
      samples from 176 patients with breast cancer. An oligopeptide sequence
      (GGGDPKGGGGG) was selected as a substrate-based, LOX-targeting structure. The
      peptide was labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) for confocal
      microscopy experiments with the murine breast cancer cell line EMT-6. In vivo
      molecular imaging experiments were performed using a C-terminal amidated peptide,
      GGGDPKGGGGG, labeled with a short-lived positron emitter, fluorine-18 ((18)F),
      for positron emission tomography (PET) in three different breast cancer models:
      EMT6, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231. The PET experiments were carried out in the presence
      or absence of beta-aminopropionitrile (BAPN), an irreversible inhibitor of LOX.
      RESULTS: Immunostaining experiments using a LOX-specific antibody on EMT-6 cells
      cultured under hypoxic conditions confirmed the elevation of LOX expression in
      these cells. An FITC-labeled oligopeptide, FITC-Ava-GGGDPKGGGGG-NH2, was found to
      be localized in different cellular compartments under these conditions. After
      injection of [(18)F]fluorobenzoate-GGGDPKGGGGG-NH2, radioactivity uptake was
      visible in all three breast cancer models in vivo. Tumor uptake was reduced by
      predosing the animals with 2 mg of BAPN 4 h or 24 h before injection of the
      radiotracer. CONCLUSIONS: The present data support further investigation into the
      development of LOX-binding radiolabeled peptides as molecular probes for
      molecular imaging of LOX expression in cancer.

PMID- 26265050
TI  - Non-actual motion: phenomenological analysis and linguistic evidence.
AB  - Sentences with motion verbs describing static situations have been seen as
      evidence that language and cognition are geared toward dynamism and change (Talmy
      in Toward a cognitive semantics, MIT Press, Cambridge, 2000; Langacker in
      Concept, image, and symbol: the cognitive basis of grammar, Mouton de Gruyter,
      Berlin and New York, 1990). Different concepts have been used in the literature,
      e.g., fictive motion, subjective motion and abstract motion to denote this. Based
      on phenomenological analysis, we reinterpret such concepts as reflecting
      different motivations for the use of such constructions (Blomberg and Zlatev in
      Phenom Cogn Sci 13(3):395-418, 2014). To highlight the multifaceted character of
      the phenomenon, we propose the concept non-actual motion (NAM), which we argue is
      more compatible with the situated cognition approach than explanations such as
      "mental simulation" (e.g., Matlock in Studies in linguistic motivation, Mouton de
      Gruyter, Berlin, 2004). We investigate the expression of NAM by means of a
      picture-based elicitation task with speakers of Swedish, French and Thai.
      Pictures represented figures that either afford human motion or not (+/-afford);
      crossed with this, the figure extended either across the picture from a third
      person perspective (3 pp) or from a first-person perspective (1 pp). All picture
      types elicited NAM-sentences with the combination [+afford, 1 pp] producing most
      NAM-sentences in all three languages. NAM-descriptions also conformed to language
      specific patterns for the expression of actual motion. We conclude that NAM shows
      interaction between pre-linguistic motivations and language-specific conventions.

PMID- 26265051
TI  - Patients' perceptions on the impact of coffee consumption in inflammatory bowel
      disease: friend or foe?--a patient survey.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Environmental factors are an integral component in the pathogenesis
      of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). There is an increasing interest in nutritive
      components. While the potential disease-modifying role of coffee has been
      intensively investigated in a variety of gastrointestinal diseases, the data on
      the potential impact on IBD is very limited. We aimed to determine the patients'
      perspective on coffee consumption in IBD. METHODS: We conducted a questionnaire
      among IBD patients in Switzerland, assessing key questions regarding coffee
      consumption. Descriptive statistics including chi square testing were used for
      analysis of questionnaire data. RESULTS: Among a total of 442 patients 73%
      regularly consume coffee. 96% of patients attributing a positive and 91% of
      patients attributing no impact of coffee intake on IBD regularly drink coffee and
      surprisingly even 49% of those patients that assign a negative impact on disease
      symptoms. Among those patients refraining from regular coffee intake 62% are
      convinced that coffee adversely influences intestinal symptoms, significantly
      more in Crohn's disease (CD) than in ulcerative colitis (UC) (76% vs. 44%, p =
      0.002). In total, 38% of all study subjects suppose that coffee has an effect on
      their symptoms of disease, significantly more in CD (54%) compared to UC patients
      (22%, p < 0.001). Moreover, while 45% of CD patients feel that coffee has a
      detrimental influence, only 20% of UC patients share this impression (p < 0.001).
      CONCLUSION: Two thirds of IBD patients regularly consume coffee. More than twice
      as many CD compared to UC patients attribute a symptom-modifying effect of coffee
      consumption, the majority a detrimental one. However, this negative perception
      does not result in abstinence from coffee consumption.

PMID- 26265052
TI  - Antioxidant peroxiredoxin 6 protein rescues toxicity due to oxidative stress and
      cellular hypoxia in vitro, and attenuates prion-related pathology in vivo.
AB  - Protein misfolding, mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress are common
      pathomechanisms that underlie neurodegenerative diseases. In prion disease,
      central to these processes is the post-translational transformation of cellular
      prion protein (PrP(c)) to the aberrant conformationally altered isoform; PrP(Sc).
      This can trigger oxidative reactions and impair mitochondrial function by
      increasing levels of peroxynitrite, causing damage through formation of hydroxyl
      radicals or via nitration of tyrosine residues on proteins. The 6 member
      Peroxiredoxin (Prdx) family of redox proteins are thought to be critical
      protectors against oxidative stress via reduction of H2O2, hydroperoxides and
      peroxynitrite. In our in vitro studies cellular metabolism of SK-N-SH human
      neuroblastoma cells was significantly decreased in the presence of H2O2
      (oxidative stressor) or CoCl2 (cellular hypoxia), but was rescued by treatment
      with exogenous Prdx6, suggesting that its protective action is in part mediated
      through a direct action. We also show that CoCl2-induced apoptosis was
      significantly decreased by treatment with exogenous Prdx6. We proposed a redox
      regulator role for Prdx6 in regulating and maintaining cellular homeostasis via
      its ability to control ROS levels that could otherwise accelerate the emergence
      of prion-related neuropathology. To confirm this, we established prion disease in
      mice with and without astrocyte-specific antioxidant protein Prdx6, and
      demonstrated that expression of Prdx6 protein in Prdx6 Tg ME7-animals reduced
      severity of the behavioural deficit, decreased neuropathology and increased
      survival time compared to Prdx6 KO ME7-animals. We conclude that antioxidant
      Prdx6 attenuates prion-related neuropathology, and propose that augmentation of
      endogenous Prdx6 protein represents an attractive adjunct therapeutic approach
      for neurodegenerative diseases. 

PMID- 26265055
TI  - HLA alleles and haplotypes in Burmese (Myanmarese) and Karen in Thailand.
AB  - This is the first report on human leukocyte antigen (HLA) allele and haplotype
      frequencies at three class I loci and two class II loci in unrelated healthy
      individuals from two ethnic groups, 170 Burmese and 200 Karen, originally from
      Burma (Myanmar), but sampled while residing in Thailand. Overall, the HLA allele
      and haplotype frequencies detected by polymerase chain reaction sequence-specific
      primer (PCR-SSP) at five loci (A, B, C, DRB1 and DRQB1) at low resolution showed
      distinct differences between the Burmese and Karen. In Burmese, five HLA-B*15
      haplotypes with different HLA-A and HLA-DR/DQ combinations were detected with
      three of these not previously reported in other Asian populations. The data are
      important in the fields of anthropology, transplantation and disease-association
      studies. 

PMID- 26265053
TI  - Inducible nitric oxide synthase mediates DNA double strand breaks in Human T-Cell
      Leukemia Virus Type 1-induced leukemia/lymphoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) is an aggressive and fatal
      malignancy of CD4(+) T-lymphocytes infected by the Human T-Cell Virus Type 1
      (HTLV-1). The molecular mechanisms of transformation in ATLL have not been fully
      elucidated. However, genomic instability and cumulative DNA damage during the
      long period of latency is believed to be essential for HTLV-1 induced
      leukemogenesis. In addition, constitutive activation of the NF-kappaB pathway was
      found to be a critical determinant for transformation. Whether a connection
      exists between NF-kappaB activation and accumulation of DNA damage is not clear.
      We recently found that the HTLV-1 viral oncoprotein, Tax, the activator of the NF
      kappaB pathway, induces DNA double strand breaks (DSBs). RESULTS: Here, we
      investigated whether any of the NF-kappaB target genes are critical in inducing
      DSBs. Of note, we found that inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) that
      catalyzes the production of nitric oxide (NO) in macrophages, neutrophils and T
      cells is over expressed in HTLV-1 infected and Tax-expressing cells.
      Interestingly, we show that in HTLV-1 infected cells, iNOS expression is Tax
      dependent and specifically requires the activation of the classical NF-kappaB and
      JAK/STAT pathways. A dramatic reduction of DSBs was observed when NO production
      was inhibited, indicating that Tax induces DSBs through the activation of NO
      synthesis. CONCLUSIONS: Determination of the impact of NO on HTLV-1-induced
      leukemogenesis opens a new area for treatment or prevention of ATLL and perhaps
      other cancers in which NO is produced.

PMID- 26265056
TI  - A novel HLA-B allele, HLA-B*58:66.
AB  - HLA-B*58:66 differs from B*58:01:01 by a single-synonymous nucleotide at position
      685 where G -> T (codon 205 GCC -> TCC, Ala>Ser). 

PMID- 26265057
TI  - Nomenclature for factors of the HLA system, update April 2015.

PMID- 26265058
TI  - Nomenclature for factors of the HLA system, update May 2015.

PMID- 26265059
TI  - Nomenclature for factors of the HLA system, update June 2015.

PMID- 26265061
TI  - Investigating the role of Pluronic-g-Cationic polyelectrolyte as functional
      stabilizer for nanocrystals: Impact on Paclitaxel oral bioavailability and tumor
      growth.
AB  - Paclitaxel (PTX) is a potent anticancer drug which suffers limitations of
      extremely low oral bioavailability due to low solubility, rapid metabolism and
      efflux by P-gp transporters. The main objective of this study was to overcome the
      limitation of PTX by designing delivery systems that can enhance the absorption
      using multiple pathways. A novel Pluronic-grafted chitosan (Pl-g-CH) copolymer
      was developed and employed as a functional stabilizer for nanocrystals (NCs) and
      hypothesized that it would improve PTX absorption by several mechanisms and
      pathways. Pl-g-CH was synthesized and characterized using (1)H NMR and then used
      as a stabilizer during nanocrystal development. To establish our proof of concept
      the optimized formulation having a particle size 192.7 +/- 9.2 nm and zeta
      potential (+) 38.8 +/- 3.12 mV was studied extensively on in vitro Caco-2 model.
      It was observed that nanocrystals rendered higher PTX accumulation inside the
      cell than TaxolTM. P-gp inhibitory potential of Pl-g-CH was proved by flow
      cytometry and fluorescence microscopy where the much enhanced fluorescence
      intensity of Rhodamine 123 (Rho-123, P-gp substrate) was observed in the presence
      of Pl-g-CH. In addition, a significant decrease in Trans Epithelial Electrical
      Resistance (TEER) of Caco-2 cell monolayers was observed with nanocrystals as
      well as with TaxolTM (in the presence of free Pl-g-CH compared to only TaxolTM).
      This supports the role of the stabilizer in reversible opening of tight junctions
      between cells which can allow paracellular transport of drug. The in vivo results
      were in complete corroboration with in vitro results. Nanocrystals resulted in
      much enhanced absorption with 12.6-fold improvement in relative bioavailability
      to that of TaxolTM. Concomitantly efficacy data in B16 F10 murine melanoma model
      also showed a significant reduction in tumor growth with nanocrystals compared to
      TaxolTM and control. Based on the results it can be suggested that nanocrystals
      with functional stabilizers can be a promising approach for the oral delivery of
      anticancer drugs which are P-gp substrates STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE:
      Nanocrystals are currently one of the most explored novel drug delivery systems
      especially for oral delivery of drugs because of ease in synthesis and high drug
      loading. But their use is still limited for oral delivery of anticancer drugs
      which are P-gp substrates. This particular study aims at widening the scope of
      nanocrystals by using a functional stabilizer which participates in enhancing the
      oral absorption of anticancer drugs and controlling the tumor growth.

PMID- 26265060
TI  - Intramyocardial injection of hydrogel with high interstitial spread does not
      impact action potential propagation.
AB  - Injectable biomaterials have been evaluated as potential new therapies for
      myocardial infarction (MI) and heart failure. These materials have improved left
      ventricular (LV) geometry and ejection fraction, yet there remain concerns that
      biomaterial injection may create a substrate for arrhythmia. Since studies of
      this risk are lacking, we utilized optical mapping to assess the effects of
      biomaterial injection and interstitial spread on cardiac electrophysiology.
      Healthy and infarcted rat hearts were injected with a model poly(ethylene glycol)
      hydrogel with varying degrees of interstitial spread. Activation maps
      demonstrated delayed propagation of action potentials across the LV epicardium in
      the hydrogel-injected group when compared to saline and no-injection groups.
      However, the degree of the electrophysiological changes depended on the spread
      characteristics of the hydrogel, such that hearts injected with highly spread
      hydrogels showed no conduction abnormalities. Conversely, the results of this
      study indicate that injection of a hydrogel exhibiting minimal interstitial
      spread may create a substrate for arrhythmia shortly after injection by causing
      LV activation delays and reducing gap junction density at the site of injection.
      Thus, this work establishes site of delivery and interstitial spread
      characteristics as important factors in the future design and use of biomaterial
      therapies for MI treatment. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Biomaterials for treating
      myocardial infarction have become an increasingly popular area of research.
      Within the past few years, this work has transitioned to some large animals
      models, and Phase I & II clinical trials. While these materials have
      preserved/improved cardiac function the effect of these materials on
      arrhythmogenesis, which is of considerable concern when injecting anything into
      the heart, has yet to be understood. Our manuscript is therefore a first of its
      kind in that it directly examines the potential of an injectable material to
      create a substrate for arrhythmias. This work suggests that site of delivery and
      distribution in the tissue are important criteria in the design and development
      of future biomaterial therapies for myocardial infarction treatment.

PMID- 26265063
TI  - Antibiotic therapy in fully impacted lower third molar surgery: randomized three
      arm, double-blind, controlled trial.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of three drug
      protocols in patients undergoing extraction of fully impacted lower third molars.
      METHODS: Eighty surgeries were performed on healthy patients using three
      randomized double-blind drug protocols: group 1 (G1), amoxicillin (1 g) 1 h
      before surgery + 500 mg 8/8 h for 7 days; group 2 (G2), 1-g amoxicillin 1 h
      before surgery plus placebo, with identical appearance to G1, 8/8 h for 7 days;
      and group 3 (G3), placebo 1 h before surgery and 500 mg 8/8 h for 7 days. The
      primary outcome criterion was mouth opening, and the secondary outcome criteria
      were facial edema and pain. Signals as body temperature, lymphadenopathy, and
      dysphagia characterize the sample. Evaluation was performed at baseline and on
      the 4th and 7th postoperative days by the same researcher. RESULTS: There was no
      difference among groups with respect to any of the parameters evaluated (p >
      0.05). CONCLUSION: Under these experimental conditions, there is no advantage in
      the administration of antibiotics in healthy patients undergoing extraction of
      fully impacted lower third molars with a controlled aseptic chain.

PMID- 26265062
TI  - Bone mineral density after implantation of a femoral neck hip prosthesis--a
      prospective 5 year follow-up.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Bone resorption in the proximal femur due to stress shielding has
      been observed in a number of conventional cementless implants used in total hip
      arthroplasty. Short femoral-neck implants are claiming less interference with the
      biomechanics of the proximal femur. The goal of this study was to prospectively
      investigate the in vivo changes of bone-mineral density as a parameter of bone
      remodeling around a short, femoral neck prosthesis over the first 5 years
      following implantation. The secondary goal was to report on its clinical outcome.
      METHODS: We are reporting on the changes of bone mineral density of the proximal
      femur and the clinical outcome up to five years after implantation of a short
      femoral neck prosthesis. Bone mineral density was determined using dual energy x
      ray absorptiometry, performed 10 days, three, 12 and 60 months after surgery. 20
      patients with a mean age of 47 years (range 17 to 65) were clinically assessed
      using the Harris Hip Score. The WOMAC was used as a patient-relevant outcome
      measure. RESULTS: In contrast to conventional implants DEXA-scans overall
      revealed a slight increase of bone mineral density in the proximal femur in the
      12 months following the implantation. The Harris Hip Score improved from an
      average preoperative score of 46 to a postoperative score at 12 months of 91
      points and 95 points at 60 months, the global WOMAC index from 5.3 preoperatively
      to 0.8 at 12 months and 0.6 at 60 months postoperatively. CONCLUSION: At 60
      months after implantation of a short femoral neck prosthesis, all regions except
      one (region of interest #5) showed no significant changes in BMD compared to
      baseline measurements at 10 days which is less to the changes in bone mineral
      density seen in conventional implants.

PMID- 26265064
TI  - Sinus grafting and simultaneous removal of large antral pseudocysts of the
      maxillary sinus with a micro-invasive intraoral access.
AB  - Large antral pseudocysts of the maxillary sinus (APCs) may hamper the elevation
      of the Schneiderian membrane during sinus grafting and may impair osteo-meatal
      complex patency after sinus augmentation. Therefore, these should be removed
      prior to or at the time of sinus grafting. This study presents a new technique
      that combines enucleation of large APCs during sinus grafting via a lateral
      approach with preservation of the Schneiderian membrane periosteal layer. Twelve
      patients underwent a sinus graft via lateral approach during the years 2004-2012.
      Simultaneous APC removal was achieved through a small additional bony access,
      preserving the integrity of the periosteal layer of the Schneiderian membrane.
      Nineteen implants were inserted at the time of sinus augmentation or during a
      second stage. Prosthetic rehabilitation was started at 4-6 months after implant
      placement. No patient developed surgical complications or APC recurrence. The
      survival rate of implants and related prostheses was 100% over a mean follow-up
      of 50 months (range 12-96 months) after completion of the prosthetic
      restorations. This technique may represent an effective procedure to achieve APC
      removal at the time of sinus grafting, preserving the integrity of the
      Schneiderian membrane periosteal layer. 

PMID- 26265065
TI  - Comparison of virtual and titanium clip marking of tumour resection margins for
      improved radiation planning in head and neck cancer surgery.
AB  - Communication between the surgeon and the radiation oncologist is improved with
      the use of virtual models of the final tumour resection, combining three
      dimensional imaging and conventional clip marking with computer-aided navigation.
      This investigation was designed to determine the deviation of virtual marking
      procedures compared to conventional marking by titanium ligature clips in oral
      cancer with different localizations. Seventeen patients with surgically placed
      clips and virtual landmarks on the resection margin after complete tumour
      ablation were evaluated. To determine whether the virtual landmarks remain
      predictive of the resection margin, the deviation of the virtual points from
      their corresponding clips was analyzed by measuring the distance between their
      centres of gravity. In total, 189 clips were evaluated. Metric analyses of the
      deviation between the virtual points and clips showed a deviation of 2.3 +/-
      0.6mm for tumours with a maxilla localization, 7.2 +/- 2.5mm for tumours with a
      mandible localization, and 12.6 +/- 3.8mm for tumours with a tongue localization.
      A significant statistical relationship was demonstrated in the virtual point-clip
      deviation as a function of tumour localization. Virtual marking of maxillary
      tumour resection margins allows accurate definition of the former tumour bed and
      could lead to novel adjuvant treatment strategies.

PMID- 26265066
TI  - Who tests whom? A comprehensive overview of Chlamydia trachomatis test practices
      in a Dutch region among different STI care providers for urogenital, anorectal
      and oropharyngeal sites in young people: a cross-sectional study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate and compare Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) diagnostic test
      practices of different sexually transmitted infection (STI) care providers in 16
      29 year olds from one defined geographic Dutch region (280,000 inhabitants). Both
      number and proportion of positive CT tests (ie, test positivity) were assessed,
      and factors associated with these outcomes. METHODS: Data on laboratory testing
      and diagnosis of urogenital, anorectal and oropharyngeal CT between 2006 and 2010
      were retrieved from general practitioners (GPs), gynaecologists, an STI clinic
      and a population-based chlamydia screening programme. Multivariable regression
      analyses explored associations between age, sex, test year, socio-economic status
      (SES) and STI care provider and the outcomes being the number of tests and test
      positivity. RESULTS: Overall, 22,831 tests were performed (1868 positive; 8.2%).
      Extragenital (ie, anorectal and oropharyngeal) tests accounted for 4% of all
      tests (7.5% positive) and were almost exclusively (99%) performed by the STI
      clinic. STI clinics tested most men (37.2% of all tested men), whereas GPs tested
      most women (29.9% of all tested women). GPs and STI clinics accounted for 73.3%
      (1326/1808) of urogenital CT diagnoses. In women, the number of tests increased
      with age, whereas test positivity decreased for all STI care providers. Lower SES
      was associated with higher test positivity in GP and gynaecology patients.
      CONCLUSIONS: STI clinics performed most CT tests in men, whereas GPs performed
      most CT tests in women. GPs and STI clinics accounted for the majority of
      positives. Extragenital CT testing is rarely performed outside the STI clinic and
      needs to be promoted, especially in men who have sex with men.

PMID- 26265067
TI  - Global Analysis of Protein Expression and Phosphorylation Levels in Nicotine
      Treated Pancreatic Stellate Cells.
AB  - Smoking is a risk factor in pancreatic disease; however, the biochemical
      mechanisms correlating smoking with pancreatic dysfunction remain poorly
      understood. Strategies using multiplexed isobaric tag-based mass spectrometry
      facilitate the study of drug-induced perturbations on biological systems. Here,
      we present the first large-scale analysis of the proteomic and phosphoproteomic
      alterations in pancreatic stellate cells following treatment with two nicotinic
      acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) ligands: nicotine and alpha-bungarotoxin. We
      treated cells with nicotine or alpha-bungarotoxin for 12 h in triplicate and
      compared alterations in protein expression and phosphorylation levels to mock
      treated cells using a tandem mass tag (TMT9plex)-based approach. Over 8100
      proteins were quantified across all nine samples, of which 46 were altered in
      abundance upon treatment with nicotine. Proteins with increased abundance
      included those associated with neurons, defense mechanisms, indicators of
      pancreatic disease, and lysosomal proteins. In addition, we measured differences
      for ~16 000 phosphorylation sites across all nine samples using a titanium
      dioxide-based strategy, of which 132 sites were altered with nicotine and 451
      with alpha-bungarotoxin treatment. Many altered phosphorylation sites were
      involved in nuclear function and transcriptional events. This study supports the
      development of future targeted investigations to establish a better understanding
      for the role of nicotine and associated receptors in pancreatic disease. 

PMID- 26265068
TI  - Neopterin predicts cardiac dysfunction following cardiac surgery.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Oxidative stress following ischaemia and reperfusion, as well as
      inflammation, are thought to be important for the development of cardiac
      dysfunction after cardiac surgery. Our main objective was to investigate whether
      the inflammatory biomarkers C-reactive protein (CRP), lactoferrin, neopterin and
      the terminal complement complex (TCC) were associated with cardiac dysfunction
      after cardiac surgery. Another objective was to assess whether the biomarkers
      could improve prediction of postoperative cardiac dysfunction compared with
      clinical variables only. METHODS: Blood samples and clinical data from 1018
      consecutive patients undergoing cardiac surgery from 1 April 2008 to 19 April
      2010 at St. Olavs University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway, were collected
      prospectively. The end-point was postoperative cardiac dysfunction, defined as
      the need for more than one inotropic agent or an intra-aortic balloon pump
      occurring after the operation and until the patient was discharged from the
      department. CRP, lactoferrin, neopterin and TCC were analysed in plasma, and we
      used logistic regression to evaluate the association of the biomarkers with
      postoperative cardiac dysfunction. We adjusted for the following clinical
      variables previously associated with postoperative cardiac dysfunction: urgent
      operation, operation type, previous cardiac surgery, chronic heart failure,
      pulmonary hypertension, previous myocardial infarction and haemoglobin. The
      likelihood ratio test, the integrated discrimination improvement and receiver
      operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to assess whether the biomarkers
      could improve prediction of postoperative cardiac dysfunction compared with
      clinical variables alone. RESULTS: Neopterin was the only biomarker significantly
      associated with postoperative cardiac dysfunction (odds ratio 2.73, 95%
      confidence interval 1.65-4.51) after adjustment for clinical variables. Neopterin
      improved risk prediction of cardiac dysfunction following heart surgery compared
      with clinical variables alone according to the likelihood ratio test (P < 0.0001)
      and the integrated discrimination improvement (P = 0.02), particularly for
      patients with intermediate risks. CONCLUSIONS: Neopterin was associated with
      cardiac dysfunction following cardiac surgery, and improved the accuracy of risk
      prediction of postoperative cardiac dysfunction. At present, we do not suggest
      that neopterin should be measured routinely before heart surgery, but our
      findings support the hypothesis of the role of oxidative stress and inflammation
      in development of cardiac dysfunction following heart surgery.

PMID- 26265069
TI  - Safety and efficacy of glucose-insulin-potassium treatment in coronary artery
      bypass graft surgery and percutaneous coronary intervention.
AB  - The purpose of this meta-analysis was to evaluate protective effects of glucose
      insulin-potassium (GIK) on outcomes after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)
      or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We systematically searched
      Medline/Pubmed, Elsevier, Embase, Web of Knowledge and Google Scholar. A total of
      1206 studies were retrieved during the extensive literature search of all major
      databases; however, 38 trials reporting the end-point of interest were selected.
      We performed a pooled analysis of outcomes following PCI: incidence of cardiac
      arrest [odds ratio (OR) of 0.91; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.76-1.09; P =
      0.3], stroke (OR of 1.71; 95% CI: 0.37-1.37; P = 0.3), cardiogenic shock (OR of
      1.02; 95% CI: 0.92-1.14; P = 0.6), reinfarction (OR of 0.95; 95% CI: 0.81-1.14; P
      = 0.5) and mortality (OR of 1.04; 95% CI: 0.96-1.13; P = 0.3); and following
      CABG: incidence of atrial fibrillation (OR of 0.86; 95% CI: 0.70-1.05; P = 0.1),
      incidence of ventricular fibrillation (OR of 0.83; 95% CI: 0.62-1.13; P = 0.2),
      reinfarction (OR of 0.97; 95% CI: 0.74-1.27; P = 0.8), infection (OR of 1.04; 95%
      CI: 0.67-1.62; P = 0.8), length of intensive care unit stay (LIS) [standard mean
      differences (SMD) of -0.27; 95% CI: -0.40 to -0.14; P = 0.000], length of
      hospital stay (LHS) (SMD of -0.035; 95% CI: -0.12 to -0.05; P = 0.4) and
      mortality (OR of 0.72; 95% CI: 0.41-1.26; P = 0.2). Our results showed that GIK
      did not have considerable cardioprotective effects. However, patients undergoing
      CABG seem to be better responders to GIK therapy compared with patients
      undergoing PCI. Furthermore, in contrast to CABG, GIK therapy in patients
      undergoing PCI might be associated with more complications rather than protective
      effects. 

PMID- 26265070
TI  - Transcatheter aortic valve implantation in a patient with bicuspid aortic
      stenosis and a borderline-sized annulus.
AB  - Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is currently considered an exclusion criterion for
      transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). The risk of adverse aortic events
      such as incomplete sealing, severe paravalvular regurgitation or dislocation due
      to elliptic shape and asymmetric calcifications in annulus are higher in TAVI. In
      this case report, we detailed a case of successful trans-femoral TAVI in a 51
      year old male with BAV and its management without in-hospital and 30-day
      complications. The challenge in this case was the patient's anatomy with a 27-mm
      annulus for balloon expandable device. The applied strategy was balloon sizing
      and overdilating the 29-mm stented valve with additional volume that obviated re
      ballooning. Trans-femoral TAVI was performed uneventfully under fluoroscopic and
      transoesophageal echocardiography guidance. A multidetector computed tomography
      (MDCT) evaluation at 1 month did not show device dislodgement or any other
      complications. Evidence for evaluation post-TAVI is not sufficient in BAV. We
      believe patients with BAV should undergo a comprehensive assessment after TAVI
      including MDCT evaluation. 

PMID- 26265071
TI  - Apical closure device for transapical valve procedures.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Transapical transcatheter valve procedures are performed through a
      left minithoracotomy and require apical sutures to seal the apical access site.
      The use of large-calibre devices compromises any attempt to fully perform the
      procedure with a thoracoscopic approach or percutaneously. We report our
      preliminary experience in animals with a new sutureless self-expandable apical
      occluder, engineered to perform transapical access site closure in a minimally
      invasive setting with large-size introducer sheaths. METHODS: The apical occluder
      with extendable waist was implanted in six young pigs during an acute animal
      study. Under general anaesthesia, animals (mean weight: 62 +/- 8 kg) received
      full heparinization (heparin: 100 UI/kg; activated clotting time above 250 s).
      Through a median sternotomy, a 21-Fr CertitudeTM introducer sheath (outer
      diameter: 25 Fr) was placed over the wire into the cardiac apex. The delivery
      catheter carrying the constrained apical plug was inserted into the sheath and
      deployed under fluoroscopic control, whereas the CertitudeTM was retrieved. After
      protamine infusion, we observed and recorded the 1-h bleeding with standard
      haemodynamic parameters. Animals were sacrificed, and hearts analysed. RESULTS:
      Six apical closure devices were successfully introduced and deployed in six pig
      hearts through large-size apical sheaths at first attempt. In all animals, the
      plugs guaranteed immediate apical sealing and traces of blood were collected in
      the pericardium during the 1-h observational period (mean of 16 +/- 3.4 ml of
      blood loss per animal). Haemodynamic parameters remained stable during the entire
      study period and no plug dislodgement was detected with normal systemic blood
      pressure (mean arterial mean blood pressure: 65 +/- 7 mmHg). Post-mortem analysis
      confirmed the full deployment and good fixation of all plugs, without macroscopic
      damages to the surrounding myocardium. CONCLUSIONS: This sutureless self
      expandable apical occluder is a simple device capable of sealing large-size
      apical access sites (20-35 Fr) in an acute animal study. This approach is a step
      further towards less invasive transapical valve procedures in the clinical
      setting, and further animal tests will be performed to confirm the long-term
      efficacy and safety of this device.

PMID- 26265072
TI  - Deletion of the tyrosine phosphatase Shp2 in Sertoli cells causes infertility in
      mice.
AB  - The male's ability to reproduce is completely dependent on Sertoli cells.
      However, the mechanisms governing the functional integrity of Sertoli cells have
      remained largely unexplored. Here, we demonstrate that deletion of Shp2 in
      Sertoli cells results in infertility in mice. In Shp2 knockout mice (SCSKO), a
      normal population of Sertoli cells was observed, but the blood-testis barrier
      (BTB) was not formed. Shp2 ablation initiated the untimely and excessive
      differentiation of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) by disturbing the expression
      of paracrine factors. As a consequence, the process of spermatogenesis was
      disrupted, and the germ cells were depleted. Furthermore, Shp2 deletion impaired
      the cell junctions of the primary Sertoli cells and failed to support the clonal
      formation of SSCs co-cultured with SCSKO Sertoli cells. As expected, Shp2
      restoration largely restores the cell junctions of the primary Sertoli cells and
      the clonal formation of SSCs. To identify the underlying mechanism, we further
      demonstrated that the absence of Shp2 suppressed Erk phosphorylation, and thus,
      the expression of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)- and testosterone-induced
      target genes. These results collectively suggest that Shp2 is a critical
      signaling protein that is required to maintain Sertoli cell function and could
      serve as a novel target for male infertility therapies. 

PMID- 26265074
TI  - Atrial septal defect and training-induced changes in loading conditions: clinical
      management and implications for competitive athletes.
AB  - Atrial septal defect (ASD) is the most common congenital heart disease in adults.
      When right heart dilation occurs, prompt closure should be considered. In the
      athletic population, however, the management of ASD can be challenging. Indeed,
      while the training-induced haemodynamic effects on the right heart of an athlete
      with open ASD are not well known, possible device-related consequences may occur
      after percutaneous closure. We report the case of a competitive athlete with
      secundum ASD in which changes in the training regime significantly affected the
      right heart. Prompt normalisation of right ventricular size and of pulmonary
      artery pressures was demonstrated 2 months after percutaneous ASD closure.

PMID- 26265073
TI  - For whom the cells pull: Hydrogel and micropost devices for measuring traction
      forces.
AB  - While performing several functions, adherent cells deform their surrounding
      substrate via stable adhesions that connect the intracellular cytoskeleton to the
      extracellular matrix. The traction forces that deform the substrate are studied
      in mechanotrasduction because they are affected by the mechanics of the
      extracellular milieu. We review the development and application of two methods
      widely used to measure traction forces generated by cells on 2D substrates: (i)
      traction force microscopy with polyacrylamide hydrogels and (ii) calculation of
      traction forces with arrays of deformable microposts. Measuring forces with these
      methods relies on measuring substrate displacements and converting them into
      forces. We describe approaches to determine force from displacements and
      elaborate on the necessary experimental conditions for this type of analysis. We
      emphasize device fabrication, mechanical calibration of substrates and covalent
      attachment of extracellular matrix proteins to substrates as key features in the
      design of experiments to measure cell traction forces with polyacrylamide
      hydrogels or microposts. We also report the challenges and achievements in
      integrating these methods with platforms for the mechanical stimulation of
      adherent cells. The approaches described here will enable new studies to
      understand cell mechanical outputs as a function of mechanical inputs and advance
      the understanding of mechanotransduction mechanisms. 

PMID- 26265075
TI  - Effects of short term elastic resistance training on muscle mass and strength in
      untrained older adults: a randomized clinical trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The current recommendations on resistance training involving older
      adults have reported an improvement of body composition variables. Despite this,
      there is a lack of knowledge on how elastic resistance training (ERT) affects the
      muscle mass in older adults population. The purpose of this study was to
      determine the effects of a short-term ERT on muscle mass of health and untrained
      older adults. METHODS: Forty older adults were randomized into two groups of 20
      individuals each: Control Group (CG = 66.2 +/- 6.6 years) and Training Group (TG
      = 69.1 +/- 6.3 years). TG underwent an ERT twice a week during 8 weeks and
      control group did not receive any specific intervention. The primary outcome was
      the upper and lower limbs muscle mass, measured by Dual-energy x-ray
      absorptiometry. The secondary outcomes were knee isokinetic peak torque (PT) at
      60 degrees /s and 120 degrees /s speeds and isometric handgrip strength. A 2*2
      mixed model (group [TG and CG] * time [pre and post]) analysis of variance
      (ANOVA) was applied to determine the effect on primary and secondary outcomes.
      RESULTS: The results of the ANOVA showed no significant effects in group x time
      interaction for (1) upper limbs fat free mass (F [1.38] = 1.80, p = 0.19, effect
      size [ES] = 0.1) and for (2) lower limbs fat free mass (F [1.38] = 0.03, p =
      0.88, ES = 0.02). Regarding muscle strength, the ANOVA showed no significant
      effects in group x time interaction for (3) PT at 60 degrees /s (F [1.38] = 0.33,
      p = 0.56, ES = 3.0), for (4) PT at 120 degrees /s (F [1.38] = 0.80, p = 0.38, ES
      = 4.1) and for handgrip strength (F [1.38] = 0.65, p = 0.42-value, ES = 0.9).
      Analysis of PT in TG showed a significant change of 4.5%, but only at 120 degrees
      /s (p = 0.01) when comparing pre and post-training (time interaction).
      CONCLUSIONS: Eight weeks of ERT did not show significant changes in muscle mass
      and strength of untrained older adults. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02253615
      (09/25/14).

PMID- 26265076
TI  - Obituary: Herbert Lochs - A charismatic speaker.

PMID- 26265077
TI  - Frailty: a tale of two concepts.
AB  - Frailty is increasingly relevant for clinicians to improve care for vulnerable
      older adults. Prominent frailty measures include the frailty phenotype and the
      frailty index. The frailty phenotype is grounded in a theoretical construct
      hypothesized to have an underlying biological basis. The frailty index describes
      frailty as a nonspecific age-associated vulnerability, reflected in an
      accumulation of medical, social, and functional deficits. Building on this model,
      Minitski et al. describe the development of a biological index that proves to be
      a reasonable method to predict mortality when compared to other frailty
      measurements. Strengths include its ability to import clinical measures,
      interchangeable components, and its potential ability to identify latent risk
      factors. Obstacles include the lack of a unifying biological theory related to
      aging, inclusion of costly research measures, and its inability to provide
      specific clues to the etiology of frailty according to the frailty index
      definition. Refinement in measures focused on aging-related biological changes
      rather than using measures that result from chronic disease states could help
      provide important biological insights and aid in the development of future
      treatment and preventive modalities.Please see related article:
      http://www.biomedcentral.com/1741-7015/13/161 . 

PMID- 26265078
TI  - Medical schools should prohibit financial ties between individual academics and
      industry.

PMID- 26265079
TI  - The effect of solids residence time on phosphorus adsorption to hydrous ferric
      oxide floc.
AB  - The impact of solids residence time (SRT) on phosphate adsorption to hydrous
      ferric oxide (HFO) floc when striving for ultra-low P concentrations was
      characterized and an equilibrium model that describes the adsorption of P onto
      HFO floc of different ages was developed. The results showed that fresh HFO had a
      higher adsorption capacity in comparison to aged (2.8, 7.4, 10.8 and 22.8 days)
      HFO and contributed substantially to P removal at steady state. P adsorption onto
      HFO solids was determined to be best described by the Freundlich isotherm. P
      desorption from HFO solids was negligible supporting the hypothesis that
      chemisorption is the mechanism of P adsorption on HFO solids. A model that
      included the contribution of different classes of HFO solids (i.e. High, Low or
      Old, containing high concentration, low concentration or no active surface sites,
      respectively) to adsorption onto HFO from a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) system
      was found to adequately describe P adsorption onto HFO solids of different ages.
      From the model it was determined that the fractions of High and Low HFO decreased
      with SRT while the fraction of Old HFO increased with SRT. The transformation of
      High HFO to Low HFO did not limit the overall production of Old HFO and the fresh
      HFO solids contributed more to P removal at steady state than the aged solids. 

PMID- 26265080
TI  - Support for gay men: an Australian study.
AB  - Recently, research in the U.S.A. has shown that women, and young people in
      particular, have become increasingly supportive of gay men. The current study
      used a cross-sectional, correlational design to investigate these same issues in
      Australia. The sample included 575 heterosexual participants, 184 men and 390
      women. Because a literature search failed to identify an Australian measure of
      support for gay men, a Support for Gay Men Scale was developed by the
      researchers. Multiple regression analyses were used to investigate whether scores
      on the Brief Multidimensional Measure of Religiousness/Spirituality and the
      respondents' sex predicted scores on the Support for Gay Men subscales, and the
      strength of these relationships. Findings reveal that this relatively young
      university undergraduate Australian sample indicated they strongly supported gay
      men.

PMID- 26265081
TI  - Characterization of a heterobimetallic nonheme Fe(III)-O-Cr(III) species formed
      by O2 activation.
AB  - We report the generation and spectroscopic characterization of a heterobimetallic
      [(TMC)Fe(III)-O-Cr(III)(OTf)4] species (1) by bubbling O2 into a mixture of
      Fe(TMC)(OTf)2 and Cr(OTf)2 in NCCH3. Complex 1 also formed quantitatively by
      adding Cr(OTf)2 to [Fe(IV)(O)(TMC)(NCCH3)](2+). The proposed O2 activation
      mechanism involves the trapping of a Cr-O2 adduct by Fe(TMC)(OTf)2. 

PMID- 26265082
TI  - Phase separation and crystallization in sodium lanthanum phosphate glasses
      induced by electrochemical substitution of sodium ions with protons.
AB  - Electrochemical substitution of sodium ions with protons (alkali-proton
      substitution; APS), and the injection of proton carriers was applied to sodium
      lanthanum phosphate glasses. A clear and homogeneous material was obtained for a
      glass of composition 25NaO1/2-8LaO3/2-66PO5/2-1GeO2 following APS, with a
      resulting proton conductivity of 4 * 10(-6) S cm(-1) at 250  degrees C. The glass
      underwent phase separation and crystallization at temperatures >255  degrees C,
      forming a highly hygroscopic and proton conducting H3PO4 phase in addition to
      LaP5O14 and other unidentified phases. A glass of composition 25NaO1/2-8LaO3/2
      67PO5/2 underwent phase separation and crystallization during APS, forming both
      H3PO4 and LaP5O14 phases. Sodium lanthanum phosphate glasses are prone to phase
      separation and crystallization during APS unlike the previously reported NaO1/2
      WO3-NbO5/2-LaO3/2-PO5/2 glasses. The phase separation was explained by a
      reduction in viscosity following APS and the introduction of protons, which
      exhibit high field strength. Thus, phase separation and crystallization of
      glasses during APS was difficult to avoid. An approach to suppress phase
      separation is discussed. 

PMID- 26265083
TI  - Corrigendum: Salicylic acid biosynthesis is enhanced and contributes to increased
      biotrophic pathogen resistance in Arabidopsis hybrids.

PMID- 26265084
TI  - Differing roles for TGF-beta/Smad signaling in osteitis in chronic rhinosinusitis
      with and without nasal polyps.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) without nasal polyps (CRSsNP) and with
      nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is reported to involve different inflammatory processes in
      sinonasal mucosa and bone tissue, and these processes remain uncharacterized.
      OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the molecular mechanisms of osteitis in
      Chinese patients with CRS to better understand the pathogenesis of CRS. METHODS:
      The study included 10 controls, 16 patients with CRSsNP, and 23 patients with
      CRSwNP. Ethmoid bone tissue samples were evaluated by histologic examination.
      Quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used
      to assess expression of transforming growth factor (TGF) beta1, TGF-beta receptor
      I and II, Smad2, and Smad3. Immunohistochemical examination of osteoblast
      expression of TGF-beta1, TGF-beta receptor I and II, phosphorylated (p) Smad2,
      and p-Smad3 in ethmoid bone tissue was also performed. RESULTS: The
      histopathologic evaluation of ethmoid sinus bone tissue showed that eosinophils
      had infiltrated the periosteum and induced TGF-beta1 expression, periosteal
      thickening, increased osteoblast activity, and neo-osteogenesis. Messenger RNA
      levels of TGF-beta1, TGF-beta receptor I, and Smad3 in CRSwNP ethmoid bone
      tissues were significantly higher than those in ethmoid bone tissues of patients
      with CRSsNP and the controls. Immunohistochemical staining showed that TGF-beta1,
      TGF-beta receptor I, p-Smad2, and p-Smad3 protein expression was upregulated in
      patients with CRSwNP, consistent with the corresponding messenger RNA levels.
      CONCLUSION: Different signaling pathways are involved in osteitis in CRS and are
      activated by the TGF-beta/Smad signaling pathway in CRSwNP versus the TGF
      beta/Smad-independent signaling pathway in CRSsNP. Eosinophil infiltration of the
      periosteum, along with TGF-beta1 expression, in CRSwNP indicates that eosinophils
      may play an important role in the bone remodeling process in CRSwNP.

PMID- 26265085
TI  - SDF-1/CXCR4/CXCR7 is pivotal for vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and
      chronic allograft vasculopathy.
AB  - Chronic rejection remains a major obstacle in transplant medicine. Recent studies
      suggest a crucial role of the chemokine SDF-1 on neointima formation after
      injury. Here, we investigate the potential therapeutic effect of inhibiting the
      SDF-1/CXCR4/CXCR7 axis with an anti-SDF-1 Spiegelmer (NOX-A12) on the development
      of chronic allograft vasculopathy. Heterotopic heart transplants from H-2bm12 to
      B6 mice and aortic transplants from Balb/c to B6 were performed. Mice were
      treated with NOX-A12. Control animals received a nonfunctional Spiegelmer (revNOX
      A12). Samples were retrieved at different time points and analysed by histology,
      RT-PCR and proliferation assay. Blockade of SDF-1 caused a significant decrease
      in neointima formation as measured by intima/media ratio (1.0 +/- 0.1 vs. 1.8 +/-
      0.1, P < 0.001 AoTx; 0.35 +/- 0.05 vs. 1.13 +/- 0.27, P < 0.05 HTx). In vitro
      treatment of primary vascular smooth muscle cells with NOX-A12 showed a
      significant reduction in proliferation (0.42 +/- 0.04 vs. 0.24 +/- 0.03, P <
      0.05). TGF-beta, TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels were significantly reduced under SDF-1
      inhibition (3.42 +/- 0.37 vs. 1.67 +/- 0.33, P < 0.05; 2.18 +/- 0.37 vs. 1.0 +/-
      0.39, P < 0.05; 2.18 +/- 0.26 vs. 1.6 +/- 0.1, P < 0.05). SDF-1/CXCR4/CXCR7 plays
      a critical role in the development of chronic allograft vasculopathy (CAV).
      Therefore, pharmacological inhibition of SDF-1 with NOX-A12 may represent a
      therapeutic option to ameliorate chronic rejection changes. 

PMID- 26265086
TI  - Pseudocheckerboard pattern: an interesting histopathological finding in
      mechanic's hands.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mechanic's hands are a well-known symptom often associated with
      dermatomyositis and are similar to hand eczema clinically. Histopathology of them
      usually shows hyperkeratosis, focal parakeratosis, psoriasiform acanthosis, basal
      vacuolar changes and necrotic keratinocytes in the epidermis and upper dermal
      mucin deposition. However, there have been few comparative histopathologic
      evaluations of mechanic's hands and palmoplantar eczema. METHODS: We evaluated
      the histopathology of mechanic's hands in 6 patients with dermatomyositis who
      visited our hospital between 2006 and 2014 comparing with histopathology of 27
      patients with palmoplantar eczema, retrospectively. RESULTS: As previously
      reported, hyperkeratosis, basal vacuolar change and necrotic keratinocytes were
      seen in all cases of mechanic's hands. Basal vacuolar change was not observed in
      any cases of palmoplantar eczema. Three cases of mechanic's hands demonstrated a
      characteristic finding, a pseudocheckerboard pattern, in the hyperkeratotic horny
      layer; there were areas of alternating parakeratosis and orthokeratosis in a
      vertical arrangement and these areas alternated with the completely
      orthokeratotic areas in a horizontal arrangement. This pattern has not been
      focused in mechanic's hands so far. Same pattern was also observed in four
      patients with palmoplantar eczema. CONCLUSION: 'Pseudocheckerboard pattern' was
      not specific but may be a possible diagnostic clue for mechanic's hands.

PMID- 26265089
TI  - Copper catalyzed oxygen assisted C(CNOH)-C(alkyl) bond cleavage: a facile
      conversion of aryl/aralkyl/vinyl ketones to aromatic acids.
AB  - A novel copper-catalyzed aerobic oxidative C(NOH)-C(alkyl) bond cleavage reaction
      of aryl/aralkyl/vinyl ketones for the synthesis of aromatic/acrylic acids is
      described. A series of ketones having aryl/aralkyl/vinyl at the one end and
      methyl to any higher alkyl at the other end can be selectively cleaved and
      converted into the corresponding acids via oxime intermediates. 

PMID- 26265087
TI  - Birth location preferences of mothers and fathers in rural Ghana: Implications
      for pregnancy, labor and birth outcomes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Maternal deaths in Sub-Saharan Africa are largely preventable with
      health facility delivery assisted by skilled birth attendants. Examining
      associations of birth location preferences on pregnant women's experiences is
      important to understanding delays in care seeking in the event of complications.
      We explored the influence of birth location preference on women's pregnancy,
      labor and birth outcomes. METHODS: A qualitative study conducted in rural Ghana
      consisted of birth narratives of mothers (n = 20) who experienced pregnancy/labor
      complications, and fathers (n = 18) whose partners experienced such complications
      in their last pregnancy. All but two women in our sample delivered in a health
      facility due to complications. We developed narrative summaries of each interview
      and iteratively coded the interviews. We then analyzed the data through coding
      summaries and developed analytic matrices from coded transcripts. RESULTS: Birth
      delivery location preferences were split for mothers (home delivery-9; facility
      delivery-11), and fathers (home delivery-7; facility delivery-11). We identified
      two patterns of preferences and birth outcomes: 1) preference for homebirth that
      resulted in delayed care seeking and was likely associated with several cases of
      stillbirths and postpartum morbidities; 2) Preference for health facility birth
      that resulted in early care seeking, and possibly enabled women to avoid adverse
      effects of birth complications. CONCLUSION: Safe pregnancy and childbirth
      interventions should be tailored to the birth location preferences of mothers and
      fathers, and should include education on the development of birth preparedness
      plans to access timely delivery related care. Improving access to and the quality
      of care at health facilities will also be crucial to facilitating use of facility
      based delivery care in rural Ghana.

PMID- 26265090
TI  - Extremely preterm infants small for gestational age are at risk for motor
      impairment at 3 years corrected age.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Few studies have targeted psychomotor development and associated
      perinatal risk factors in Japanese very low birth weight (VLBW) infants who are
      severely small for gestational age (SGA). DESIGN/SUBJECTS: A single-center study
      was conducted in 104 Japanese VLBW infants who were born preterm, due to
      maternal, umbilical cord, or placental abnormalities, between 2000 and 2007.
      Psychomotor development as a developmental quotient (DQ) was assessed using the
      Kyoto Scale of Psychological Development at 3 years corrected age. Severely SGA
      was defined as birth weight or length below -2 standard deviation values of the
      mean values at the same gestation. VLBW infants were divided into 2 subgroups
      based on gestational age at birth: ?28 weeks (n=64) and <28 weeks (n=40). DQs of
      infants with severe SGA were compared with those of infants who were appropriate
      for gestational age (AGA). Factors associated with developmental disabilities in
      VLBW infants with severe SGA (n=23) were determined. RESULTS: In the group born
      at ?28 weeks gestation, infants with severe SGA had normal DQ values and did not
      significantly differ from those with AGA. However, in the group born at <28 weeks
      gestation, severe SGA infants had significantly lower postural-motor DQ values
      than AGA infants. Gestational age <28 weeks was an independent factor for low
      postural-motor DQ, regardless of the cause of severe SGA or pregnancy
      termination. CONCLUSIONS: Extremely preterm newborns with severe SGA are at risk
      of motor developmental disability at age 3 years.

PMID- 26265091
TI  - Continuous versus step-by-step scanning mode of a novel 3D scanner for CyberKnife
      measurements.
AB  - The purpose of the study is to investigate the continuous versus step-by-step
      scanning mode of a commercial circular 3D scanner for commissioning measurements
      of a robotic stereotactic radiosurgery system. The 3D scanner was used for
      profile measurements in step-by-step and continuous modes with the intent of
      comparing the two scanning modes for consistency. The profile measurements of in
      plane, cross-plane, 15 degree, and 105 degree were performed for both fixed cones
      and Iris collimators at depth of maximum dose and at 10cm depth. For CyberKnife
      field size, penumbra, flatness and symmetry analysis, it was observed that the
      measurements with continuous mode, which can be up to 6 times faster than step-by
      step mode, are comparable and produce scans nearly identical to step-by-step
      mode. When compared with centered step-by-step mode data, a fully processed
      continuous mode data gives rise to maximum of 0.50% and 0.60% symmetry and
      flatness difference respectfully for all the fixed cones and Iris collimators
      studied. 

PMID- 26265092
TI  - Multi-objective experimental design for (13)C-based metabolic flux analysis.
AB  - (13)C-based metabolic flux analysis is an excellent technique to resolve fluxes
      in the central carbon metabolism but costs can be significant when using
      specialized tracers. This work presents a framework for cost-effective design of
      (13)C-tracer experiments, illustrated on two different networks. Linear and non
      linear optimal input mixtures are computed for networks for Streptomyces lividans
      and a carcinoma cell line. If only glucose tracers are considered as labeled
      substrate for a carcinoma cell line or S. lividans, the best parameter estimation
      accuracy is obtained by mixtures containing high amounts of 1,2-(13)C2 glucose
      combined with uniformly labeled glucose. Experimental designs are evaluated based
      on a linear (D-criterion) and non-linear approach (S-criterion). Both approaches
      generate almost the same input mixture, however, the linear approach is favored
      due to its low computational effort. The high amount of 1,2-(13)C2 glucose in the
      optimal designs coincides with a high experimental cost, which is further
      enhanced when labeling is introduced in glutamine and aspartate tracers. Multi
      objective optimization gives the possibility to assess experimental quality and
      cost at the same time and can reveal excellent compromise experiments. For
      example, the combination of 100% 1,2-(13)C2 glucose with 100% position one
      labeled glutamine and the combination of 100% 1,2-(13)C2 glucose with 100%
      uniformly labeled glutamine perform equally well for the carcinoma cell line, but
      the first mixture offers a decrease in cost of $ 120 per ml-scale cell culture
      experiment. We demonstrated the validity of a multi-objective linear approach to
      perform optimal experimental designs for the non-linear problem of (13)C
      metabolic flux analysis. Tools and a workflow are provided to perform multi
      objective design. The effortless calculation of the D-criterion can be exploited
      to perform high-throughput screening of possible (13)C-tracers, while the
      illustrated benefit of multi-objective design should stimulate its application
      within the field of (13)C-based metabolic flux analysis. 

PMID- 26265093
TI  - Measurement of Free Versus Total Therapeutic Monoclonal Antibody in
      Pharmacokinetic Assessment is Modulated by Affinity, Incubation Time, and
      Bioanalytical Platform.
AB  - Decisions about efficacy and safety of therapeutic proteins (TP) designed to
      target soluble ligands are made in part by their ex vivo quantification. Ligand
      binding assays (LBAs) are critical tools in measuring serum TP levels in
      pharmacokinetic, toxicokinetic, and pharmacodynamic studies. This study evaluated
      the impact of reagent antibody affinities, assay incubation times, and analytical
      platform on free or total TP quantitation. An ELISA-based LBA that measures
      monoclonal anti-sclerostin antibody (TPx) was used as the model system. To
      determine whether the method measures free or total TPx, the effects of K on, K
      off, and K D were determined. An 8:1 molar ratio of sclerostin (Scl) to TPx
      compared to a 1:1 molar ratio produced by rabbit polyclonal antibodies to TPx was
      required to achieve IC50, a measure of TPx interference effectiveness, making it
      unclear whether the ELISA truly measured free TPx. Kinetic analysis revealed that
      Scl had a rapid dissociation rate (K off) from TPx and that capture and detection
      antibodies had significantly higher binding affinities (K D) to TPx. These
      kinetic limitations along with long ELISA incubation times lead to the higher
      molar ratios (8:1) required for achieving 50% inhibition of TPx. However, a
      microfluidic platform with the same reagent pairs required shorter incubations to
      achieve a lower Scl IC50 molar ratio (1:1). The findings from this study provide
      the bioanalytical community with a deeper understanding of how reagent and
      platform selection for LBAs can affect what a particular method measures, either
      free or total TP concentrations. 

PMID- 26265094
TI  - Visual Predictive Check in Models with Time-Varying Input Function.
AB  - The nonlinear mixed effects models are commonly used modeling techniques in the
      pharmaceutical research as they enable the characterization of the individual
      profiles together with the population to which the individuals belong. To ensure
      a correct use of them is fundamental to provide powerful diagnostic tools that
      are able to evaluate the predictive performance of the models. The visual
      predictive check (VPC) is a commonly used tool that helps the user to check by
      visual inspection if the model is able to reproduce the variability and the main
      trend of the observed data. However, the simulation from the model is not always
      trivial, for example, when using models with time-varying input function (IF). In
      this class of models, there is a potential mismatch between each set of simulated
      parameters and the associated individual IF which can cause an incorrect profile
      simulation. We introduce a refinement of the VPC by taking in consideration a
      correlation term (the Mahalanobis or normalized Euclidean distance) that helps
      the association of the correct IF with the individual set of simulated
      parameters. We investigate and compare its performance with the standard VPC in
      models of the glucose and insulin system applied on real and simulated data and
      in a simulated pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) example. The newly
      proposed VPC performance appears to be better with respect to the standard VPC
      especially for the models with big variability in the IF where the probability of
      simulating incorrect profiles is higher. 

PMID- 26265095
TI  - Erratum to: Is Extrapolation of the Safety and Efficacy Data in One Indication to
      Another Appropriate for Biosimilars?

PMID- 26265096
TI  - A Structural Ensemble for the Enzyme Cyclophilin Reveals an Orchestrated Mode of
      Action at Atomic Resolution.
AB  - For enzyme activity, an exact structural and motional orchestration of the active
      site and its surroundings is believed to be key. In order to reveal such possible
      phenomena at atomic resolution on the basis of experimental evidence, an
      experimental restraint driven two-state ensemble of the prototypical enzyme
      cyclophilin was determined by using a recently introduced exact NOE approach. The
      ensemble description reveals the presence of an open and a closed state of
      cyclophilin, which is indicative of large-scale correlated motion. In the open
      state, the catalytic site is preorganized for catalysis, thus suggesting the
      mechanism of action to be conformational sampling, while the ligand-binding loop
      appears to act through an induced fit mechanism. This finding is supported by
      affinity measurements of a cyclophilin designed to be more open. Overall, more
      than 60-70 % of the side-chain conformations of cyclophilin appear to be
      correlated.

PMID- 26265097
TI  - Specificity for each of the 46 criteria of the Selvester QRS score for
      electrocardiographic myocardial scar sizing in left bundle branch block.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Selvester QRS score consists of a set of electrocardiographic
      criteria designed to identify, quantify and localize scar in the left ventricle
      using the morphology of the QRS complex. These criteria were updated in 2009 to
      expand their use to patients with underlying conduction abnormalities, but these
      versions have thus far only been validated in small and carefully selected
      populations. AIM: To determine the specificity for each of the criteria of the
      left bundle branch block (LBBB) modified Selvester QRS Score (LB-SS) in a
      population with strict LBBB and no myocardial scar as verified by cardiovascular
      magnetic resonance imaging with late gadolinium enhancement (CMR-LGE). METHODS:
      We identified ninety-nine patients with LBBB without scar on CMR-LGE, who
      underwent a clinically indicated CMR scan at three different centers. The ECG
      recording date was any time prior to or <30days after the CMR scan. The LB-SS was
      applied and specificity for detection of scar in each of the 46 separate criteria
      was determined. RESULTS: The specificity ranged between 41% and 100% for the 46
      criteria of LB-SS and 27/46 (59%) met >=95% specificity. The mean+/-SD
      specificity was 90%+/-14%. CONCLUSION: Several of the criteria in the LB-SS lack
      adequate specificity. Elimination or modification of these nonspecific QRS
      morphology criteria may improve the specificity of the overall LB-SS.

PMID- 26265098
TI  - Population plasma and urine pharmacokinetics of ivabradine and its active
      metabolite S18982 in healthy Korean volunteers.
AB  - Ivabradine, a selective inhibitor of the pacemaker current (If ), is used for
      heart failure and coronary heart disease and is mainly metabolized to S18982. The
      purpose of this study was to explore the pharmacokinetics (PK) of ivabradine and
      S18982 in healthy Korean volunteers. Subjects in a phase I study were randomized
      to receive 2.5, 5, or 10 mg of ivabradine administered every 12 hours for 4.5
      days, and serial plasma and urine concentrations of ivabradine and S18982 were
      measured. The plasma PK of ivabradine was best described by a 2-compartment model
      with mixed 0- and first-order absorption, linked to a 2-compartment model for
      S18982. The introduction of interoccasional variabilities and period as covariate
      into absorption-related parameters improved the model fit. Urine data have been
      applied to estimate renal and nonrenal clearance, enabling a more detailed
      description of the elimination process. We developed a population PK model
      describing the plasma and urine PK of ivabradine and S18982 in healthy Korean
      adult males. This model might be useful for predicting the plasma and urine PK of
      ivabradine, potentially helping to identify the optimal dosing regimens in
      various clinical situations. 

PMID- 26265099
TI  - Evaluating Intestinal Permeability by Measuring Plasma Endotoxin and Diamine
      Oxidase in Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Treated with High-dose
      Methotrexate.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: The incidence of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is
      highest in childhood malignant tumor in China. The high-dose methotrexate (HDMTX)
      treatment is very effective in ALL, and it can improve event-free survival rate.
      However, while executing the anti-tumor effect, it produces highly toxic effects
      on rapidly dividing cells which are normal. It seems probable that the HDMTX
      treatment injures intestinal mucosal barrier. The changes of intestinal mucosal
      barrier can be evaluated through measuring the level of plasma endotoxin and
      diamine oxidase (DAO). METHOD: Blood samples were collected from 30 normal
      children and 30 children with ALL at 1h, 24h, 44h and 68h after HDMTX. The levels
      of plasma endotoxin and DAO were measured at 1h, 24h, 44h and 68h after HDMTX
      with spectrophotometry. The levels of endotoxin and DAO were also measured in 4
      different courses in 7 children with ALL. RESULTS: The levels of plasma endotoxin
      and DAO at 1h, 24h, 44h and 68h after HDMTX were higher than in normal children
      (P<0.01). The levels of plasma endotoxin and DAO at 24h and 44h after HDMTX were
      both higher than at 1h and 68h (P<0.01). There was no significant difference
      found in the measured results of plasma endotoxin and DAO at 1h and 68h after
      HDMTX (P>0.05). There was no significant difference found in the increased levels
      of endotoxin and DAO at 1h, 24h, 44h and 68h after HDMTX in 4 different courses
      of 7 children with ALL(P>0.05). CONCLUSION: By measuring the level of plasma
      endotoxin and DAO in children with ALL and during HDMTX chemotherapy, the results
      suggest that there is increased intestinal permeability.

PMID- 26265101
TI  - Quality Matters, Doesn't It?

PMID- 26265100
TI  - Evolutionarily advanced ant farmers rear polyploid fungal crops.
AB  - Innovative evolutionary developments are often related to gene or genome
      duplications. The crop fungi of attine fungus-growing ants are suspected to have
      enhanced genetic variation reminiscent of polyploidy, but this has never been
      quantified with cytological data and genetic markers. We estimated the number of
      nuclei per fungal cell for 42 symbionts reared by 14 species of Panamanian fungus
      growing ants. This showed that domesticated symbionts of higher attine ants are
      polykaryotic with 7-17 nuclei per cell, whereas nonspecialized crops of lower
      attines are dikaryotic similar to most free-living basidiomycete fungi. We then
      investigated how putative higher genetic diversity is distributed across
      polykaryotic mycelia, using microsatellite loci and evaluating models assuming
      that all nuclei are either heterogeneously haploid or homogeneously polyploid.
      Genetic variation in the polykaryotic symbionts of the basal higher attine genera
      Trachymyrmex and Sericomyrmex was only slightly enhanced, but the evolutionarily
      derived crop fungi of Atta and Acromyrmex leaf-cutting ants had much higher
      genetic variation. Our opposite ploidy models indicated that the symbionts of
      Trachymyrmex and Sericomyrmex are likely to be lowly and facultatively polyploid
      (just over two haplotypes on average), whereas Atta and Acromyrmex symbionts are
      highly and obligatorily polyploid (ca. 5-7 haplotypes on average). This stepwise
      transition appears analogous to ploidy variation in plants and fungi domesticated
      by humans and in fungi domesticated by termites and plants, where gene or genome
      duplications were typically associated with selection for higher productivity,
      but allopolyploid chimerism was incompatible with sexual reproduction. 

PMID- 26265102
TI  - Meta-analytic research on the relationship between cumulative risk alleles and
      risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Our aim is to examine the dose-response association between
      cumulative genetic risk and actual risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and
      the influence of adjustment for covariates on T2DM risk through a comprehensive
      meta-analysis of observational studies. METHODS: Electronic literature search
      using EMBASE and MEDLINE (from 2003 to 2014) was conducted for cross-sectional or
      longitudinal studies that presented the odds ratio (OR) for T2DM in each group
      with categories based on the total number of risk alleles (RAs) carried (RAtotal
      ) using at least two single-nucleotide polymorphisms. Spline regression model was
      used to determine the shape of the relationship between the difference from the
      referent group of each study in RAtotal (DeltaRAtotal ) and the natural
      logarithms of ORs (log OR) for T2DM. RESULTS: Sixty-five eligible studies that
      included 68 267 cases among 182 603 participants were analysed. In both crude and
      adjusted ORs, defined by adjusting the risk for at least two confounders among
      age, gender and body mass index, the slope of the log OR for T2DM became less
      steep as the DeltaRAtotal increased. In the analysis limited to 14 cross
      sectional and four longitudinal studies presenting both crude and adjusted ORs,
      regression curves of both ORs in relation to DeltaRAtotal were almost identical.
      CONCLUSION: Using only single-nucleotide polymorphisms for T2DM screening was of
      limited value. However, when genotypic T2DM risk was considered independently
      from risk in relation to covariates, it was suggested that genetic profiles might
      have a supplementary role related to conventional T2DM risk factors in
      identifying individuals at high risk of T2DM. Copyright (c) 2015 John Wiley &
      Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 26265103
TI  - A Robust and Cost-Effective Superhydrophobic Graphene Foam for Efficient Oil and
      Organic Solvent Recovery.
AB  - Water pollution caused by chemical reagent leaking, industrial wastewater
      discharging, and crude oil spills has raised global concerns on environmental
      sustainability, calling for high-performance absorbent materials for effective
      treatments. However, low-cost materials capable of effectively separating oils
      and organic solvents from water with a high adsorption capacity and good
      recyclability are rare on the market. Here, a cost-effective method is reported
      to fabricate high-performance graphene modified absorbents through the facile
      thermal reduction of graphene oxide on the skeletons of melamine foam. By
      integrating the high porosity, superior elasticity, and mechanical stability of
      raw sponge with the chemical stability and hydrophobicity of graphene sheets, the
      as-fabricated graphene foam not only possesses a rough and superhydrophobic
      surface, but also exhibits an excellent adsorption performance and extraordinary
      recyclability for various oils and organic solvents. It is worth mentioning that
      the superhydrophobic surface also endows the graphene foam with an excellent
      efficiency for oil/water separation. More importantly, the cost-effective
      fabrication method without involving expensive raw materials and sophisticated
      equipment permits a scale-up of the graphene foam for pollution disposal. All
      these features make the graphene foam an ideal candidate for removal and
      collection of oils and organic solvents from water. 

PMID- 26265104
TI  - Causative drug detection by drug-induced lymphocyte stimulation test in drug
      induced linear IgA bullous dermatosis.

PMID- 26265105
TI  - REM sleep behavior disorder and neuropathology in Parkinson's disease.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD) in
      Parkinson's disease (PD) is associated with differences in clinical phenotype,
      including dementia, autonomic loss, and gait dysfunction. The pathological basis
      for this remains unclear. METHODS: Parkinson's disease subjects in a longitudinal
      clinicopathologic study were screened for probable RBD with the Mayo Sleep
      Questionnaire. After death, semiquantitative analyses were conducted for
      synuclein, amyloid, neurofibrillary tangles, and cerebrovascular lesions.
      RESULTS: Forty cases had probable RBD (PD+RBD), and 41 did not (PD-RBD). Despite
      similar age at death (~80 y) and disease duration (~14.5 y), PD+RBD had increased
      synuclein deposition in all regions examined, with nine of 10 regions
      significantly different. The Lewy body 10-region total score (scale = 0-40) was
      29.5 in PD+RBD versus 24.5 in PD-RBD (Cohen-d effect size = 0.79, P = 0.002).
      Cerebrovascular lesion burden was slightly higher in PD-RBD. CONCLUSIONS:
      Although overlap occurs between groups, PD patients with probable RBD may have
      greater density and range of synuclein pathology on autopsy.

PMID- 26265106
TI  - Biphasic Effect of Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor on Anterior Pituitary
      Folliculostellate TtT/GF Cell Coupling, and Connexin 43 Expression and
      Phosphorylation.
AB  - Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a mitogenic and differentiating
      cytokine. In the anterior pituitary, folliculostellate (FS) cells constitute the
      major source of bFGF. bFGF affects endocrine cell proliferation and secretion in
      the anterior pituitary. In addition, bFGF increases its own expression by acting
      directly on FS cells. FS cell Cx43-mediated gap junction intercellular
      communication allows the establishment of an intrapituitary network for the
      transmission of information. In the present study, we assessed how bFGF regulates
      FS cell coupling. Time course studies were carried out on the FS cell line
      TtT/GF. Short-term bFGF treatment induced a transient cell uncoupling and the
      phosphorylation in Ser368 of membrane-bound Cx43 without modifying Cx43 levels.
      We demonstrated the involvement of the protein kinase C (PKC) isoform alpha in
      the phosphorylation of Cx43 in S368. Moreover, we showed that bFGF induced
      PKCalpha activation by stimulating its expression, phosphorylation and
      association with the plasma membrane. The long-term incubation with bFGF
      increased TtT/GF cell coupling, total Cx43 levels and Cx43 accumulation at the
      cell membrane of cytoplasmic projections. The Cx43 level increase was a result of
      the stimulation of Cx43 gene transcription as mediated by the extracellular
      regulated kinase 1/2 signalling pathway. Taken together, the data show that bFGF
      modulates TtT/GF cell coupling by activating different pathways that lead to
      opposite effects on Cx43 phosphorylation and expression depending on the duration
      of the exposure of the cells to bFGF. A short-term bFGF exposure reduces cell-to
      cell communication as a mean of desynchronising FS cells. By contrast, long-term
      exposure to bFGF enhances cell-to-cell communication and facilitates coordination
      among FS cells. 

PMID- 26265107
TI  - Non-neoplastic parenchymal changes in kidney cancer and post-partial nephrectomy
      recovery of renal function.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the association of non-neoplastic parenchymal changes
      (nNPC) with patients' health and renal function recovery after partial
      nephrectomy (PN). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective review identified 800
      pT1a patients who underwent PN at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center from
      2007 to 2012. Pathology reports were reviewed for nNPC graded as mild or severe:
      vascular sclerosis (VS), glomerulosclerosis (GS), and fibrosis/scarring.
      Correlations between nNPC and known preoperative predictors of renal function
      [age, sex, African-American race, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR),
      American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, body mass index, coronary
      artery disease, and hypertension (HTN)] were assessed using Spearman's rank
      correlation (rho). Multivariable linear regression, adjusted for the described
      known preoperative risk predictors, was performed to evaluate whether the
      parenchymal features were able to predict 6-month postoperative eGFR. RESULTS: In
      this study, 46 % of tumors had benign surrounding parenchyma. We noted
      statistically significant yet weak associations of VS with age (rho = 0.19; p <
      0.001), ASA (rho = 0.09; p < 0.001), preoperative eGFR (rho = -0.14; p < 0.001),
      and HTN (rho = 0.14; p < 0.001). GS also significantly correlated with HTN, but
      the correlation was again small (rho = 0.12; p < 0.001). After adjusting for
      known risk predictors, only GS was a significant predictor of 6-month
      postoperative eGFR. When compared with no GS, mild and severe GS were negatively
      associated with a decrease of 4.9 and 10.8 mL/min/1.73 m(2) in 6-month
      postoperative eGFR, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Presence of VS and GS correlated
      with patients' baseline health, and presence of GS predicted postoperative renal
      function recovery.

PMID- 26265108
TI  - Relationship between mild-to-moderate chronic kidney disease and decreased bone
      mineral density in Chinese adult population.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Several studies have shown ethnic differences in bone and mineral
      metabolism in healthy people and patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).
      However, there have been few studies regarding CKD and bone mineral density (BMD)
      in Chinese population. We aimed to explore the relationship between mild-to
      moderate CKD and decreased BMD in Chinese adult population. METHODS: A total of
      24,002 adults were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Mild-to-moderate CKD
      was defined as 30 < estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 mL/min/1.73
      m(2) or eGFR >= 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) with proteinuria greater than 1+. BMD was
      measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at the lumbar spine. Either
      osteopenia or osteoporosis was defined as decreased BMD. Multivariate logistic
      regression analysis was used to estimate the associations with decreased BMD.
      RESULTS: The subjects comprised 71.5 % men and 28.5 % women, the age was 49.9 +/-
      13.9 years. The overall prevalence of CKD was 2.9 %. Decreased BMD was 22.1, 19.9
      % had osteopenia, and 2.2 % had osteoporosis. The percentage of patients with
      decreased BMD, osteopenia and osteoporosis were statistically higher (P < 0.05)
      in CKD patients compared with those of non-CKD participants, which was 29.5
      versus 21.9 %, 25.9 versus 19.8 % and 3.6 versus 2.1 %, respectively. The risk
      for decreased BMD increased with CKD in a simple logistic analysis. However, the
      correlation disappeared after adjusted for age, sex, smoking, drinking,
      hypertension, diabetes and obesity. CONCLUSIONS: Subjects with worse renal
      function have significantly lower BMD, but after adjusted for confounders, mild
      to-moderate CKD is not independently associated with decreased BMD.

PMID- 26265109
TI  - Combination of warming blanket and prewarmed intravenous infusion is effective
      for rewarming in infants with postoperative hypothermia in China.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Postoperative hypothermia in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) in
      neonates and infants is a well-known serious complication as it can increase the
      risk of blood loss, wound infections, and cardiac arrhythmias. AIM: To identify
      an effective rewarming method for neonates and infants in China with
      postoperative hypothermia, an open-label, randomized, and controlled study was
      performed to compare the effects of three different rewarming methods. METHODS:
      Neonates and infants (<1 year) admitted to the PACU after surgery between June
      2011 and November 2012 in a local hospital were investigated. Patients diagnosed
      with hypothermia were randomly divided into three groups and rewarmed with only
      blanket (blanket group), blanket plus electric blanket (heating blanket group),
      and blanket plus prewarmed intravenous (i.v.) infusion (warmed infusion group).
      From the beginning of rewarming, the rectal temperature was recorded every 10 min
      up to 180 min. RESULTS: The incidence of postoperative hypothermia in neonates
      and infants was 5.9%. Patients rewarmed with warming blanket plus prewarmed i.v.
      infusions showed the shortest rewarming time (67.0 +/- 2.6 min, P = 0.02) and
      highest rewarming efficiency (0.027 +/- 0.0008 degrees C.min(-1) , P = 0.039).
      CONCLUSIONS: The combination of conventional blanket rewarming and prewarmed i.v.
      infusion was shown to be an effective rewarming method for hypothermic infants in
      China.

PMID- 26265110
TI  - The use of FNA samples for whole-exome sequencing and detection of somatic
      mutations in breast cancer surgical specimens.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The availability of suitable biospecimens is critical to the success
      of advanced genomic analyses. The objective of this study was to assess the
      sensitivity of fine-needle aspiration (FNA) compared with gross surgical sampling
      (GSS) from surgical specimens for the detection of somatic mutations in breast
      cancer using whole-exome sequencing (WES). METHODS: DNA was extracted from paired
      GSS tissues and FNA samples of surgically resected breast cancer from 12 patients
      and was used for WES. Sanger sequencing was performed to validate selected
      somatic mutations. Tumor purity was calculated for each sample using sequencing
      data. RESULTS: There was no difference in the total amount of DNA extracted from
      GSS tissues and FNA samples. WES was successfully performed for all 12 pairs of
      samples. The median number of somatic mutations identified in individual samples
      was higher in FNA samples than in GSS tissues (39.5 vs 18.5; P = .036). The
      somatic mutation profiles from both sampling methods were well correlated for
      samples that had GSS tissues with high tumor content, as indicated by hematoxylin
      and eosin staining. Nineteen mutations that were identified exclusively in FNA
      samples were subjected to Sanger sequencing, and 13 of those mutations (68.4%)
      were validated. The mean estimated tumor purity was higher in FNA samples than in
      GSS tissues (55.87% vs 25.76%), and FNA samples were estimated to have a
      consistently higher proportion of malignant cells. CONCLUSIONS: The current
      results suggest that FNA is feasible for the collection of tumor samples
      sufficient for WES analysis and that the higher purity obtained using this method
      may make it more reliable for genomic studies.

PMID- 26265113
TI  - T cell metabolism and susceptibility to autoimmune diseases.
AB  - During an immune response, T cell differentiation and function are tightly
      regulated to ensure protection against pathogens and prevent the autoimmune
      attack versus self-antigens. It is now established that cellular activation is
      coupled to profound changes in cellular metabolism. Indeed, pathways that control
      immune cell function and metabolism are intimately related, and different
      metabolic programs have been shown to control specific T cell fate. This review
      aims to provide an integrated view of T cell metabolism and of the molecular
      pathways controlling an appropriate T cell receptor (TCR) engagement. We describe
      here how different aspects of metabolism can influence T cell functions, focusing
      on the emerging role of the key metabolic pathways regulating T cell activation
      and their alterations in different autoimmune conditions. Manipulating these
      programs or their substrates could provide insights into mechanisms involved in
      inflammatory/autoimmune conditions, unveiling the potential for developing novel
      therapeutic approaches to treat these diseases. 

PMID- 26265112
TI  - A mutant Synechococcus gene encoding glutamate 1-semialdehyde aminotransferase
      confers gabaculine resistance when expressed in tobacco plastids.
AB  - KEY MESSAGE: A mutant glutamate 1-semialdehyde aminotransferase gene from the
      Synechococcus , inserted into tobacco plastid DNA by means of particle
      bombardment and antibiotic selection, conferred gabaculine resistance allowing to
      attain homoplasmy. Many plant species are recalcitrant to plastid genome
      transformation. New selections systems may help to overcome this limitation and
      to extend the application of this technology. A mutant hemL gene from the
      photosynthetic cyanobacterium Synechococcus, encoding a gabaculine-insensitive
      glutamate 1-semialdehyde aminotransferase (GSA), is an efficient selectable
      marker gene for nuclear transformation of tobacco, alfalfa and durum wheat. Since
      GSA functions in the plastid, we introduced the mutant hemL gene into the tobacco
      plastid genome along with the conventional antibiotic resistance aadA gene, in
      the attempt to develop a new selection system for plastome transformation.
      Although we were unable to directly regenerate gabaculine resistant
      transplastomic plants, we demonstrated the functionality of hemL in tobacco
      plastids by using gabaculine selection in the second and third rounds of in vitro
      selection that permitted to obtain the homoplasmic state in transgenic plants.
      Thus, the mutant hemL gene functions as a secondary selection marker in tobacco
      plastids. Our results encourage further attempts to test gabaculine resistant GSA
      for plastome transformation of crop plants in which gabaculine has stronger
      regeneration-inhibiting effects with respect to tobacco.

PMID- 26265114
TI  - Sprouty2 suppresses the inflammatory responses in rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast
      like synoviocytes through regulating the Raf/ERK and PTEN/AKT signals.
AB  - AKT and ERK pathways are known to be activated in human rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
      fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS), which play crucial roles in the pathogenesis
      and joint destruction of RA. Sprouty2 (SPRY2) has been known as a tumor
      suppressor by preventing both ERK and AKT signaling activations. Whether SPRY2
      can function as a suppressor in tumor-like inflammatory FLS through negatively
      regulating AKT and ERK pathways, has not been reported. The purpose of this study
      was to determine whether SPRY2 might have antiinflammatory effects on RA FLS. The
      recombinant adenovirus containing SPRY2 complementary DNA (AdSPRY2) was used to
      deliver SPRY2 and express the protein in RA FLS. Adenoviral vector encoding green
      fluorescent protein (AdGFP) was used as the control. AdSPRY2 treatment suppressed
      the production of proinflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs),
      and the cell proliferation, induced by TNFalpha in RA FLS. SPRY2 overexpression
      reduced AKT and ERK phosphorylation in TNFalpha-stimulated FLS, through mediating
      or interfering with the activity of PTEN or Raf respectively. These results
      suggest that using SPRY2 to block the AKT and ERK pathways suppresses the
      inflammatory responses of RA FLS, and the development of an immunoregulatory
      strategy based on SPRY2 may therefore have therapeutic potential in the treatment
      of RA. 

PMID- 26265115
TI  - Reasons for measles cases not being vaccinated with MMR: investigation into
      parents' and carers' views following a large measles outbreak.
AB  - Uptake rates for the combined measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine have been
      below the required 95% in the UK since a retracted and discredited article
      linking the MMR vaccine with autism and inflammatory bowel disease was released
      in 1998. This study undertook semi-structured telephone interviews among parents
      or carers of 47 unvaccinated measles cases who were aged between 13 months and 9
      years, during a large measles outbreak in Merseyside. Results showed that
      concerns over the specific links with autism remain an important cause of refusal
      to vaccinate, with over half of respondents stating this as a reason. A quarter
      stated child illness during scheduled vaccination time, while other reasons
      included general safety concerns and access issues. Over half of respondents felt
      that more information or a discussion with a health professional would help the
      decision-making process, while a third stated improved access. There was clear
      support for vaccination among respondents when asked about current opinions
      regarding MMR vaccine. The findings support the hypothesis that safety concerns
      remain a major barrier to MMR vaccination, and also support previous evidence
      that experience of measles is an important determinant in the decision to
      vaccinate. 

PMID- 26265116
TI  - Semi-parametric estimation of random effects in a logistic regression model using
      conditional inference.
AB  - This paper describes a new approach to the estimation in a logistic regression
      model with two crossed random effects where special interest is in estimating the
      variance of one of the effects while not making distributional assumptions about
      the other effect. A composite likelihood is studied. For each term in the
      composite likelihood, a conditional likelihood is used that eliminates the
      influence of the random effects, which results in a composite conditional
      likelihood consisting of only one-dimensional integrals that may be solved
      numerically. Good properties of the resulting estimator are described in a small
      simulation study.

PMID- 26265117
TI  - Superficial Femoral Artery Intervention: Creating an Algorithmic Approach for the
      Use of Old and Novel (Endovascular) Technologies.
AB  - OPINION STATEMENT: Femoropopliteal (FP) disease is a common presentation of
      peripheral arterial disease (PAD), and a challenging anatomic region for durable
      treatment. Surgical bypass has historically been the primary therapeutic
      modality, but has been supplanted in the last decade by endovascular therapy,
      even with the most complex presentation of disease. Endovascular therapy has the
      advantage of a more favorable and rapid recovery, while preserving future
      treatment options. Endovascular management of FP disease, initially with "Plain
      Old" balloon angioplasty (POBA) has yielded over the years to bare metal stents
      (BMS), and more recently, to technologies seeking to limit BMS use due to
      difficult-to-treat patterns of in-stent restenosis (ISR). Despite a myriad number
      of endovascular devices and strategies, the approach to FP intervention lends
      itself to an algorithmic schema largely predicated on lesion length, severity of
      calcification, recanalization method, and clinical goals based upon individual
      patient status. In addition, treatment costs are a growing consideration in
      device selection. These criteria can be summarized into what we have termed as a
      "CADENCE" approach to treatment, an acronym representing the following factors:
      Clinical scenario, Anatomy, Device performance specifications, Experience/Ease,
      Novelty, Cost, and Evidence-base (Fig. 1). While the individual components of the
      CADENCE strategy are not always hierarchical, they combine to give a framework
      for reasonable interventional strategies for a given patient presentation and
      lesion appearance. Since there is a notable lack of prospective data for FP
      interventions, most notably with regard to direct device comparisons, actual
      practice is often experiential, and further data to guide optimal patient care
      are needed.

PMID- 26265118
TI  - Barriers and Facilitators to Cervical Cancer Screening Among Women in Rural
      Ontario, Canada: The Role of Self-Collected HPV Testing.
AB  - PURPOSE: The addition of human papillomavirus (HPV) testing to primary cervical
      cancer screening provides an opportunity to employ less invasive cervical cancer
      screening modalities. The objective of this study was to explore the initial
      reaction and perception to HPV self-collected testing, in the context of current
      barriers and facilitators to cervical cancer screening, among women in an
      underscreened community in rural Ontario. METHODS: Age-stratified focus groups
      were conducted with women 18-70 years of age in rural Ontario to discuss cervical
      cancer screening. Women were recruited using purposive sampling of underscreened
      women and women in the general community. Qualitative thematic analysis of focus
      group transcripts identified the barriers, facilitators, and role of HPV self
      collected testing for cervical cancer screening. RESULTS: Four focus groups were
      conducted with a total of 25 women. Overall, women were very positive toward self
      collected HPV testing. HPV self-collected testing was felt to address many of the
      logistical (eg, inconvenient clinic hours, lack of time) and procedural barriers
      (embarrassment, lack of social distance in a small town) to current screening
      practices. However, self-collected HPV testing does not address barriers related
      to cervical cancer knowledge (eg, fear of cancer). Women identified issues
      related to test reliability, confidence in the ability to self-collect, and
      education around testing that would need to be addressed prior to implementation.
      Generational differences were noted in the acceptability of self-collected HPV
      testing between older and younger women. CONCLUSIONS: HPV self-collected testing
      was perceived as a facilitator for screening, and it was well accepted in this
      rural community.

PMID- 26265119
TI  - Transdermal granisetron versus palonosetron for prevention of chemotherapy
      induced nausea and vomiting following moderately emetogenic chemotherapy: a
      multicenter, randomized, open-label, cross-over, active-controlled, and phase IV
      study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Palonosetron is the second-generation 5-hydroxytryptamine 3 receptor
      antagonist (5-HT3RA) that has shown better efficacy than the first-generation 5
      HT3RA for prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in
      patients receiving moderately emetogenic chemotherapy (MEC). Granisetron
      transdermal delivery system (GTDS), a novel transdermal formulation, was
      developed to deliver granisetron continuously over 7 days. This study compared
      the efficacy and tolerability of the GTDS to palonosetron for the control of CINV
      following MEC. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A total of 196 patients were randomized to GP
      or PG group. In this multicenter, randomized, open-label, cross-over, active
      controlled, Phase IV study, GP group was assigned to receive transdermal
      granisetron (one GTDS patch, 7 days) in the first chemotherapy cycle,
      palonosetron (iv 0.25 mg/day, 1 days) in the second chemotherapy cycle before
      receiving MEC, and PG group was assigned to receive palonosetron in the first
      cycle and GTDS in the second cycle. Primary endpoint was the percentage of
      chemotherapy cycles achieving complete response (CR; defined as no emetic
      episodes and no rescue medication use) during the acute phase (0-24 h in post
      chemotherapy; non-inferiority comparison with palonosetron). RESULTS: Total 333
      cycles (165 in GTDS and 168 in palonosetron) were included in the per protocol
      analysis. The GTDS cycles showed non-inferiority to palonosetron cycles during
      the acute phase: CR was achieved by 124 (75.2 %) patients in the GTDS cycles and
      134 (79.8 %) patients in the palonosetron cycles (treatment difference, -4.6 %;
      95 % confidence interval, -13.6-4.4). There was no significant difference in CR
      rate during acute phase after the end of the first and second chemotherapy cycle
      between GP and PG group (p = 0.405, p = 0.074). Patients' satisfaction, assessed
      using Functional Living Index-Emesis (FLI-E), GTDS cycle were higher than those
      of palonosetron cycle in GP group (FLI-E score; median 1549.5 in GTDS cycle,
      median 1670.0 in palonosetron cycle). Both treatments were well tolerated and
      safe. CONCLUSION: Transdermal granisetron is a good alternative therapeutic
      option to palonosetron for preventing CINV after MEC.

PMID- 26265120
TI  - Identification of Rab6a as a New Target of microRNA-155 Involved in Regulating
      Lipopolysaccharide-Induced TNF Secretion.
AB  - This study aims to provide experimental proof that Rab6a is an efficient target
      of microRNA-155 in regulating pro-inflammatory tumor necrosis factor (TNF)
      secretion stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in macrophages. We identified
      Rab6a as a new target of microRNA-155 (miR-155) and found that overexpression of
      miR-155 decreased Rab6a expression at both protein and mRNA levels, which
      resulted in a significant reduction of TNF secretion induced by
      lipopolysaccharide stimulation. We have demonstrated that miR-155 can negatively
      regulate inflammatory TNF secretion in lipopolysaccharide stimulated macrophages,
      partly by targeting Rab6a, thereby providing new insights into the role of miR
      155 in cytokine secretion in inflammatory macrophages. 

PMID- 26265121
TI  - Conjugated oligoelectrolyte represses hydrogen oxidation by Geobacter
      sulfurreducens in microbial electrolysis cells.
AB  - A conjugated oligoelectrolyte (COE), which spontaneously aligns within cell
      membranes, was shown to completely inhibit H2 uptake by Geobacter sulfurreducens
      in microbial electrolysis cells. Coulombic efficiencies that were 490+/-95%, due
      to H2 recycling between the cathode and microorganisms on the anode, were reduced
      to 86+/-2% with COE addition. The use of the COE resulted in a 67-fold increase
      in H2 gas recovery, and a 4.4-fold increase in acetate removal. Current
      generation, H2 recovery and COD removals by Geobacter metallireducens, which
      cannot use H2, were unaffected by COE addition. These results show that this COE
      is an effective H2 uptake inhibitor, and that it can enable improved and
      sustained H2 gas recovery in this bioelectrochemical system. 

PMID- 26265123
TI  - Influence of short incompatible practice on the Simon effect: transfer along the
      vertical dimension and across vertical and horizontal dimensions.
AB  - In spatial compatibility and Simon tasks, the response is faster when stimulus
      and response locations are on the same side than when they are on opposite sides.
      It has been shown that a spatial incompatible practice leads to a subsequent
      modulation of the Simon effect along the horizontal dimension. It has also been
      reported that this modulation occurs both along and across vertical and
      horizontal dimensions, but only after intensive incompatible training (600
      trials). In this work, we show that this modulatory effect can be obtained with a
      smaller number of incompatible trials, changing the spatial arrangement of the
      vertical response keys to obtain a stronger dimensional overlap between the
      spatial codes of stimuli and response keys. The results of Experiment 1 showed
      that 80 incompatible vertical trials abolished the Simon effect in the same
      dimension. Experiment 2 showed that a modulation of the vertical Simon effect
      could be obtained after 80 horizontal incompatible trials. Experiment 3 explored
      whether the transfer effect can also occur in a horizontal Simon task after a
      brief vertical spatial incompatibility task, and results were similar to the
      previous experiments. In conclusion, we suggest that the spatial arrangement
      between response key and stimulus locations may be critical to establish the
      short-term memory links that enable the transfer of learning between brief
      incompatible practices and the Simon effects, both along the vertical dimension
      and across vertical and horizontal dimensions. 

PMID- 26265124
TI  - Inertial torque during reaching directly impacts grip-force adaptation to
      weightless objects.
AB  - A hallmark of movement control expressed by healthy humans is the ability to
      gradually improve motor performance through learning. In the context of object
      manipulation, previous work has shown that the presence of a torque load has a
      direct impact on grip-force control, characterized by a significantly slower grip
      force adjustment across lifting movements. The origin of this slower adaptation
      rate remains unclear. On the one hand, information about tangential constraints
      during stationary holding may be difficult to extract in the presence of a
      torque. On the other hand, inertial torque experienced during movement may also
      potentially disrupt the grip-force adjustments, as the dynamical constraints
      clearly differ from the situation when no torque load is present. To address the
      influence of inertial torque loads, we instructed healthy adults to perform
      visually guided reaching movements in weightlessness while holding an unbalanced
      object relative to the grip axis. Weightlessness offered the possibility to
      remove gravitational constraints and isolate the effect of movement-related
      feedback on grip force adjustments. Grip-force adaptation rates were compared
      with a control group who manipulated a balanced object without any torque load
      and also in weightlessness. Our results clearly show that grip-force adaptation
      in the presence of a torque load is significantly slower, which suggests that the
      presence of torque loads experienced during movement may alter our internal
      estimates of how much force is required to hold an unbalanced object stable. This
      observation may explain why grasping objects around the expected location of the
      center of mass is such an important component of planning and control of
      manipulation tasks. 

PMID- 26265122
TI  - Steroid hormones, steroid receptors, and breast cancer stem cells.
AB  - The ovarian hormones progesterone and estrogen play important roles in breast
      cancer etiology, proliferation, and treatment. Androgens may also contribute to
      breast cancer risk and progression. In recent years, significant advances have
      been made in defining the roles of these steroid hormones in stem cell
      homeostasis in the breast. Stem cells are potential origins of breast cancer and
      may dictate tumor phenotype. At least a portion of breast cancers are proposed to
      be driven by cancer stem cells (CSCs), cells that mimic the self-renewing and
      repopulating properties of normal stem cells, and can confer drug resistance.
      Progesterone has been identified as the critical hormone regulating normal murine
      mammary stem cell (MaSC) populations and normal human breast stem cells.
      Synthetic progestins increase human breast cancer risk; one theory speculates
      that this occurs through increased stem cells. Progesterone treatment also
      increases breast CSCs in established breast cancer cell lines. This is mediated
      in part through progesterone regulation of transcription factors, signal
      transduction pathways, and microRNAs. There is also emerging evidence that
      estrogens and androgens can regulate breast CSC numbers. The evolving concept
      that a breast CSC phenotype is dynamic and can be influenced by cell signaling
      and external cues emphasizes that steroid hormones could be crucial players in
      controlling CSC number and function. Here we review recent studies on steroid
      hormone regulation of breast CSCs, and discuss mechanisms by which this occurs. 

PMID- 26265125
TI  - Mannitol and Outcome in Intracerebral Hemorrhage: Propensity Score and
      Multivariable Intensive Blood Pressure Reduction in Acute Cerebral Hemorrhage
      Trial 2 Results.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Mannitol is often used to reduce cerebral edema in acute
      intracerebral hemorrhage but without strong supporting evidence of benefit. We
      aimed to determine the impact of mannitol on outcome among participants of the
      Intensive Blood Pressure Reduction in Acute Cerebral Hemorrhage Trial
      (INTERACT2). METHODS: INTERACT2 was an international, open, blinded end point,
      randomized controlled trial of 2839 patients with spontaneous intracerebral
      hemorrhage (<6 hours) and elevated systolic blood pressure allocated to intensive
      (target systolic blood pressure, <140 mm Hg within 1 hour) or guideline
      recommended (target systolic blood pressure, <180 mm Hg) blood pressure-lowering
      treatment. Propensity score and multivariable analyses were performed to
      investigate the relationship between mannitol treatment (within 7 days) and poor
      outcome, defined by death or major disability on the modified Rankin Scale score
      (3-6) at 90 days. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in poor outcome
      between mannitol (n=1533) and nonmannitol (n=993) groups: propensity score
      matched odds ratio of 0.90 (95% confidence interval, 0.75-1.09; P=0.30) and
      multivariable odds ratio of 0.87 (95% confidence interval, 0.71-1.07; P=0.18).
      Although a better outcome was suggested in patients with larger (>=15 mL) than
      those with smaller (<15 mL) baseline hematomas who received mannitol (odds ratio,
      0.52 [95% confidence interval, 0.35-0.78] versus odds ratio, 0.91 [95% confidence
      interval, 0.72-1.15]; P homogeneity<0.03 in propensity score analyses), the
      association was not consistent in analyses across other cutoff points (>=10 and
      >=20 mL) and for differing grades of neurological severity. Mannitol was not
      associated with excess serious adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Mannitol seems safe
      but might not improve outcome in patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage.
      CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique
      identifier: NCT00716079.

PMID- 26265127
TI  - Nursing Interventions for Poststroke Fatigue.

PMID- 26265126
TI  - Drugs to Enhance Motor Recovery After Stroke.

PMID- 26265128
TI  - Cross-National Key Performance Measures of the Quality of Acute Stroke Care in
      Western Europe.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: There are no agreed measures of stroke care quality that
      enable the standardized comparison of stroke care between countries. We aimed to
      develop a set of measures of quality of acute stroke care involving stroke
      quality registers in Western Europe. METHODS: A multinational working group
      identified 6 regional or national stroke quality registers in Europe and reviewed
      their data sets, performance measures, and the method by which these had been
      developed. Measures used in the registers were presented for discussion to a
      consensus group of representatives from the quality registers identified, as well
      as other stroke experts, and the final set of common performance measures was
      agreed through majority consensus. RESULTS: Thirty final performance measures
      were agreed by the European consensus group, encompassing the domains of
      coordination of care (stroke unit-based care), diagnosis (brain imaging, vascular
      imaging, cardiac arrhythmia detection, and therapy assessment), preservation of
      neural tissue (thrombolytic therapy and door-to-needle time), prevention of
      complications (dysphagia screening), initiation of secondary prevention
      (antiplatelet, anticoagulation, lipid lowering, blood pressure lowering, carotid
      surgery, time from vascular imaging to carotid surgery, and smoking cessation),
      survival (90-day poststroke mortality), and functional outcomes (90-day modified
      Rankin Scale). CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of experience of quality registers in
      Europe, we have proposed a common set of performance measures that will
      facilitate the international comparison of acute stroke care quality.

PMID- 26265129
TI  - Intracerebral Hematoma Contributes to Hydrocephalus After Intraventricular
      Hemorrhage via Aggravating Iron Accumulation.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) secondary to
      intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) was reported to be relevant to a higher incidence
      of hydrocephalus, which would result in poorer outcomes for patients with ICH.
      However, the mechanisms responsible for this relationship remain poorly
      characterized. Thus, this study was designed to further explore the development
      and progression of hydrocephalus after secondary IVH. METHODS: Autologous blood
      injection model was induced to mimic ICH with ventricular extension (ICH/IVH) or
      primary IVH in Sprague-Dawley rats. Magnetic resonance imaging, Morris water
      maze, brain water content, Evans blue extravasation, immunohistochemistry
      staining, Western blot, iron determination, and electron microscopy were used in
      these rats. Then, deferoxamine treatment was used to clarify the involvement of
      iron in the development of hydrocephalus. RESULTS: Despite the injection of
      equivalent blood volumes, ICH/IVH resulted in more significant ventricular
      dilation, ependymal cilia damage, and iron overload, as well as more severe early
      brain injury and neurological deficits compared with IVH alone. Systemic
      deferoxamine treatment more effectively reduced ventricular enlargement in
      ICH/IVH compared with primary IVH. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that ICH/IVH
      caused more significant chronic hydrocephalus and iron accumulation than primary
      IVH alone. Intracerebral hematoma plays a vital role in persistent iron overload
      and aggravated hydrocephalus after ICH/IVH.

PMID- 26265130
TI  - Routing Ambulances to Designated Centers Increases Access to Stroke Center Care
      and Enrollment in Prehospital Research.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Emergency medical services routing of patients with acute
      stroke to designated centers may increase the proportion of patients receiving
      care at facilities meeting national standards and augment recruitment for
      prehospital stroke research. METHODS: We analyzed consecutive patients enrolled
      within 2 hours of symptom onset in a prehospital stroke trial, before and after
      regional Los Angeles County Emergency Medical Services implementation of
      preferentially routing patients with acute stroke to approved stroke centers
      (ASCs). From January 2005 to mid-November 2009, patients were transported to the
      nearest emergency department, whereas from mid-November 2009 to December 2012,
      patients were preferentially transported to first 9, and eventually 29, ASCs.
      RESULTS: There were 863 subjects enrolled before and 764 after emergency medical
      service preferential routing, with implementation leading to an increase in the
      proportion cared for at an ASC from 10% to 91% (P<0.0001), with a slight decrease
      in paramedic on-scene to emergency department arrival time (34.5 [SD, 9.1]
      minutes versus 33.5 [SD, 10.3] minutes; P=0.045). The effects of routing were
      immediate and included an increase in proportion of receiving ASC care (from 17%
      to 88%; P<0.001) and a greater number of enrollments (18.6% increase) when
      comparing 12 months before and after regional stroke system implementation.
      CONCLUSIONS: The establishment of a regionalized emergency medical services
      system of acute stroke care dramatically increased the proportion of patients
      with acute stroke cared for at ASCs, from 1 in 10 to >9 in 10, with no clinically
      significant increase in prehospital care times and enhanced recruitment of
      patients into a prehospital treatment trial. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL:
      http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00059332.

PMID- 26265131
TI  - Robot-assisted hepatic mobilization and control of suprahepatic
      infradiaphragmatic inferior vena cava for level 3 vena caval thrombectomy: An
      IDEAL stage 0 study.
AB  - Robot-assisted level 1/2 inferior vena caval (IVC) thrombectomy techniques have
      been recently described for clinical use. Following the IDEAL recommendations on
      safe surgical innovation, we here describe a robotic approach for level 3 IVC
      thrombectomy in fresh frozen cadavers (IDEAL stage 0). In all cadavers (n = 3),
      hepatic mobilization with control of short hepatic veins, contralateral renal
      vein, infrarenal IVC and suprahepatic-infradiaphragmatic IVC could be achieved
      successfully, without converting to open surgery. Clinical feasibility of our
      technique remains to be tested.

PMID- 26265133
TI  - Therapeutic drug monitoring of monoclonal antibodies in inflammatory and
      malignant disease: Translating TNF-alpha experience to oncology.
AB  - Lack of response to monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) has been associated with
      inadequate mAb serum concentrations. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of mAbs
      has the potential to guide to more effective dosing in individual patients. This
      review discusses the mechanisms responsible for interpatient variability of mAb
      pharmacokinetics, summarizes exposure-response data of mAbs used in inflammatory
      and malignant disease, presents current evidence of mAb-TDM in inflammatory
      disease, and provides hurdles and required future steps for further implementing
      mAb-TDM. 

PMID- 26265132
TI  - Integrated analyses of zebrafish miRNA and mRNA expression profiles identify miR
      29b and miR-223 as potential regulators of optic nerve regeneration.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Unlike mammals, zebrafish have the ability to regenerate damaged
      parts of their central nervous system (CNS) and regain functionality of the
      affected area. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in
      zebrafish regeneration may therefore provide insight into how CNS repair might be
      induced in mammals. Although many studies have described differences in gene
      expression in zebrafish during CNS regeneration, the regulatory mechanisms
      underpinning the differential expression of these genes have not been examined.
      RESULTS: We used microarrays to analyse and integrate the mRNA and microRNA
      (miRNA) expression profiles of zebrafish retina after optic nerve crush to
      identify potential regulatory mechanisms that underpin central nerve
      regeneration. Bioinformatic analysis identified 3 miRNAs and 657 mRNAs that were
      differentially expressed after injury. We then combined inverse correlations
      between our miRNA expression and mRNA expression, and integrated these findings
      with target predictions from TargetScan Fish to identify putative miRNA-gene
      target pairs. We focused on two over-expressed miRNAs (miR-29b and miR-223), and
      functionally validated seven of their predicted gene targets using RT-qPCR and
      luciferase assays to confirm miRNA-mRNA binding. Gene ontology analysis placed
      the miRNA-regulated genes (eva1a, layna, nefmb, ina, si:ch211-51a6.2, smoc1,
      sb:cb252) in key biological processes that included cell survival/apoptosis, ECM
      cytoskeleton signaling, and heparan sulfate proteoglycan binding, CONCLUSION: Our
      results suggest a key role for miR-29b and miR-223 in zebrafish regeneration. The
      identification of miRNA regulation in a zebrafish injury model provides a
      framework for future studies in which to investigate not only the cellular
      processes required for CNS regeneration, but also how these mechanisms might be
      regulated to promote successful repair and return of function in the injured
      mammalian brain.

PMID- 26265134
TI  - Differential requirements for H/ACA ribonucleoprotein components in cell
      proliferation and response to DNA damage.
AB  - H/ACA ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) are comprised of four conserved proteins,
      dyskerin, NHP2, NOP10, and GAR1, and a function-specifying, noncoding H/ACA RNA.
      H/ACA RNPs contribute to telomerase assembly and stabilization, and
      posttranscriptional processing of nascent ribosomal RNA and spliceosomal RNA.
      However, very little is known about the coordinated action of the four proteins
      in other biologic processes. As described herein, we observed a differential
      requirement for the proteins in cell proliferation and identified a possible
      reliance for these factors in regulation of specific DNA damage biomarkers. In
      particular, GAR1 expression was upregulated following exposure to all forms of
      genotoxic stress tested. In contrast, levels of the other proteins were either
      reduced or unaffected. Only GAR1 showed an altered subcellular localization with
      a shift from the nucleolus to the nucleoplasm after ultraviolet-C irradiation and
      doxorubicin treatments. Transient siRNA-mediated depletion of GAR1 and dyskerin
      arrested cell proliferation, whereas loss of either NHP2 or NOP10 had no effect.
      Finally, loss of dyskerin, GAR1, NHP2, and NOP10, respectively, limited the
      accumulation of DNA damage biomarkers. However, the individual responses were
      dependent upon the specific type of damage incurred. In general, loss of GAR1 had
      the most suppressive effect on the biomarkers tested. Since the specific
      responses to genotoxic stress, the contribution of each protein to cell
      proliferation, and the activation of DNA damage biomarkers were not equivalent,
      this suggests the possibility that at least some of the proteins, most notably
      GAR1, may potentially function independently of their respective roles within
      H/ACA RNP complexes. 

PMID- 26265135
TI  - Predicting paclitaxel-induced neutropenia using the DMET platform.
AB  - AIM: The use of paclitaxel in cancer treatment is limited by paclitaxel-induced
      neutropenia. We investigated the ability of genetic variation in drug
      metabolizing enzymes and transporters to predict hematological toxicity. PATIENTS
      & METHODS: Using a discovery and validation approach, we identified a
      pharmacogenetic predictive model for neutropenia. For this, a drug-metabolizing
      enzymes and transporters plus DNA chip was used, which contains 1936 SNPs in 225
      metabolic enzyme and drug-transporter genes. RESULTS: Our 10-SNP model in 279
      paclitaxel-dosed patients reached 43% sensitivity in the validation cohort.
      Analysis in 3-weekly treated patients only resulted in improved sensitivity of
      79%, with a specificity of 33%. None of our models reached statistical
      significance. CONCLUSION: Our drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters-based
      SNP-models are currently of limited value for predicting paclitaxel-induced
      neutropenia in clinical practice. Original submitted 9 March 2015; Revision
      submitted 20 May 2015.

PMID- 26265136
TI  - Van der Waals Effects on semiconductor clusters.
AB  - Van der Waals (vdW) interactions play an important role on semiconductors in
      nanoscale. Here, we utilized first-principles calculations based on density
      functional theory to demonstrate the growth mode transition from prolate to
      multiunit configurations for Gen (n = 10-50) clusters. In agreement with the
      injected ion drift tube techniques that "clusters with n < 70 can be thought of
      as loosely bound assemblies of small strongly bound fragments (such as Ge7 and
      Ge10 )," we found these stable fragments are connected by Ge6 , Ge9 , or Ge10
      unit (from bulk diamond), via strong covalent bonds. Our calculated cations
      usually fragment to Ge7 and Ge10 clusters, in accordance with the experiment
      results that the spectra Ge7 and Ge10 correspond to the mass abundance spectra.
      By controlling a germanium cluster with vdW interactions parameters in the
      program or not, we found that the vdW effects strengthen the covalent bond from
      different units more strikingly than that in a single unit. With more bonds
      between units than the threadlike structures, the multiunit structures have
      larger vdW energies, explaining why the isolated nanowires are harder to produce.
      (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. 

PMID- 26265137
TI  - Intrinsic network connectivity abnormalities in HIV-infected individuals over age
      60.
AB  - Individuals infected with HIV are living longer due to effective treatment with
      combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). Despite these advances, HIV-associated
      neurocognitive disorders (HAND) remain prevalent. In this study, we analyzed
      resting state functional connectivity (rs-fc) data from HIV-infected and matched
      HIV-uninfected adults aged 60 years and older to determine associations between
      HIV status, neuropsychological performance, and clinical variables. HIV-infected
      participants with detectable plasma HIV RNA exhibited decreased rs-fc within the
      salience (SAL) network compared to HIV-infected participants with suppressed
      plasma HIV RNA. We did not identify differences in rs-fc within HIV-infected
      individuals by HAND status. Our analysis identifies focal deficits in the SAL
      network that may be mitigated with suppression of plasma virus. However, these
      findings suggest that rs-fc may not be sensitive as a marker of HAND among
      individuals with suppressed plasma viral loads. 

PMID- 26265139
TI  - UBXN2A regulates nicotinic receptor degradation by modulating the E3 ligase
      activity of CHIP.
AB  - Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) containing the alpha3 subunit
      are known for their prominent role in normal ganglionic transmission while their
      involvement in the mechanisms underlying nicotine addiction and smoking-related
      disease has been emerging only in recent years. The amount of information
      available on the maturation and trafficking of alpha3-containing nAChRs is
      limited. We previously showed that UBXN2A is a p97 adaptor protein that
      facilitates the maturation and trafficking of alpha3-containing nAChRs. Further
      investigation of the mechanisms of UBXN2A actions revealed that the protein
      interacts with CHIP (carboxyl terminus of Hsc70 interacting protein), whose
      ubiquitin E3 ligase activity regulates the degradation of several disease-related
      proteins. We show that CHIP displays E3 ligase activity toward the alpha3 nAChR
      subunit and contributes to its ubiquitination and subsequent degradation. UBXN2A
      interferes with CHIP-mediated ubiquitination of alpha3 and protects the nicotinic
      receptor subunit from endoplasmic reticulum associated degradation (ERAD). UBXN2A
      also cross-talks with VCP/p97 and HSC70/HSP70 proteins in a complex where alpha3
      is likely to be targeted by CHIP. Overall,we identify CHIP as an E3 ligase for
      alpha3 and UBXN2A as a protein that may efficiently regulate the stability of
      CHIP's client substrates. 

PMID- 26265138
TI  - New paradigms in GPCR drug discovery.
AB  - G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) remain a major domain of pharmaceutical
      discovery. The identification of GPCR lead compounds and their optimization are
      now structure-based, thanks to advances in X-ray crystallography, molecular
      modeling, protein engineering and biophysical techniques. In silico screening
      provides useful hit molecules. New pharmacological approaches to tuning the
      pleotropic action of GPCRs include: allosteric modulators, biased ligands, GPCR
      heterodimer-targeted compounds, manipulation of polypharmacology, receptor
      antibodies and tailoring of drug molecules to fit GPCR pharmacogenomics.
      Measurements of kinetics and drug efficacy are factors influencing clinical
      success. With the exception of inhibitors of GPCR kinases, targeting of
      intracellular GPCR signaling or receptor cycling for therapeutic purposes remains
      a futuristic concept. New assay approaches are more efficient and
      multidimensional: cell-based, label-free, fluorescence-based assays, and
      biosensors. Tailoring GPCR drugs to a patient's genetic background is now being
      considered. Chemoinformatic tools can predict ADME-tox properties. New imaging
      technology visualizes drug action in vivo. Thus, there is reason to be optimistic
      that new technology for GPCR ligand discovery will help reverse the current
      narrowing of the pharmaceutical pipeline. 

PMID- 26265140
TI  - Connexin 43-targeted T1 contrast agent for MRI diagnosis of glioma.
AB  - Glioblastoma multiforme is the most aggressive form of brain tumor. Early and
      accurate diagnosis of glioma and its borders is an important step for its
      successful treatment. One of the promising targets for selective visualization of
      glioma and its margins is connexin 43 (Cx43), which is highly expressed in
      reactive astrocytes and migrating glioma cells. The purpose of this study was to
      synthesize a Gd-based contrast agent conjugated with specific antibodies to Cx43
      for efficient visualization of glioma C6 in vivo. We have prepared stable
      nontoxic conjugates of monoclonal antibody to Cx43 and polylysine-DTPA ligands
      complexed with Gd(III), which are characterized by higher T1 relaxivity (6.5 mM(
      1) s(-1) at 7 T) than the commercial agent Magnevist(r) (3.4 mM(-1) s(-1)).
      Cellular uptake of Cx43-specific T1 contrast agent in glioma C6 cells was more
      than four times higher than the nonspecific IgG-contrast agent, as detected by
      flow cytometry and confocal analysis. MRI experiments showed that the obtained
      agents could markedly enhance visualization of glioma C6 in vivo after their
      intravenous administration. Significant accumulation of Cx43-targeted contrast
      agents in glioma and the peritumoral zone led not only to enhanced contrast but
      also to improved detection of the tumor periphery. Fluorescence imaging confirmed
      notable accumulation of Cx43-specific conjugates in the peritumoral zone compared
      with nonspecific IgG conjugates at 24 h after intravenous injection. All these
      features of Cx43-targeted contrast agents might be useful for more precise
      diagnosis of glioma and its borders by MRI.

PMID- 26265141
TI  - Evidence for protective effect of lipoic acid and desvenlafaxine on oxidative
      stress in a model depression in mice.
AB  - Oxidative stress is implicated in the neurobiology of depression. Here we
      investigated oxidative alterations in brain areas of animals submitted to the
      model of depression induced by corticosterone (CORT) and the effects of the
      antioxidant compound alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) alone or associated with the
      antidepressant desvenlafaxine (DVS) in these alterations. Female mice received
      vehicle or CORT (20 mg/kg) during 14 days. From the 15th to 21st days different
      animals received further administrations of: vehicle, DVS (10 or 20 mg/kg), ALA
      (100 or 200 mg/kg), or the combinations of DVS10+ALA100, DVS20+ALA100,
      DVS10+ALA200, or DVS20+ALA200. Twenty-four hours after the last drug
      administration prefrontal cortex (PFC), hippocampus (HC) and striatum (ST) were
      dissected for the determination of the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD),
      reduced glutathione (GSH) and lipid peroxidation (LP) levels. CORT significantly
      increased SOD activity in the PFC and HC, decreased GSH levels in the HC and
      increased LP in all brain areas studied when compared to saline-treated animals.
      Decrements of SOD activity were observed in all groups and brain areas studied
      when compared to controls and CORT. The hippocampal decrease in GSH was reversed
      by ALA100, DVS10+ALA100, DVS20+ALA100 and DVS20+ALA200. The same DVS+ALA
      combination groups presented increased levels of GSH in the PFC and ST. The
      greater GSH levels were observed in the PFC, HC and ST of DVS20+ALA200 mice. LP
      was reversed in the groups ALA200 (PFC), DVS10+ALA100, DVS20+ALA100 (PFC, HC and
      ST), and DVS20+ALA200 (PFC, HC). Our findings contribute to the previous
      preclinical evidences implicating ALA as a promising agent for augmentation
      therapy in depression.

PMID- 26265143
TI  - Effect of maternal and treatment-related factors on the prevalence of birth
      defects after PESA-ICSI and TESE-ICSI: a retrospective cohort study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: We performed a retrospective cohort study with the aim to evaluate
      the effect of maternal and treatment-related factors on the prevalence of birth
      defects after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) using percutaneous
      epididymal sperm aspiration (PESA) and testicular sperm extraction (TESE).
      MATERIAL AND METHODS: 643 newborns born after PESA-ICSI (n = 406) and TESE-ICSI
      (n = 237) in Radboud University Medical Center, after a gestational age of 12
      weeks, 1 January 2002-1 January 2011 and 1 March-1 November 2014, respectively,
      were included in this study. Three sources of data were used for analysis:
      questionnaires, national obstetrics registration forms, and a lab-database of all
      ICSI treatments. Data were analyzed using generalized estimating equations and
      logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of major birth defects in
      newborns born after PESA-ICSI was 6.9% and after TESE-ICSI was 5.9% (odds ratio
      0.89, 95% confidence interval 0.46-1.75). No significant association was found
      between maternal or treatment-related factors and the prevalence of birth
      defects. CONCLUSIONS: We found a similar overall prevalence of birth defects in
      newborns born after PESA-ICSI and TESE-ICSI. The maternal and treatment-related
      factors investigated did not show a significantly increased cumulative risk of
      birth defects.

PMID- 26265142
TI  - Decoding breast cancer tissue-stroma interactions using species-specific
      sequencing.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Decoding transcriptional effects of experimental tissue-tissue or
      cell-cell interactions is important; for example, to better understand tumor
      stroma interactions after transplantation of human cells into mouse
      (xenografting). Transcriptome analysis of intermixed human and mouse cells has,
      however, frequently relied on the need to separate the two cell populations prior
      to transcriptome analysis, which introduces confounding effects on gene
      expression. METHODS: To circumvent this problem, we here describe a
      bioinformatics-based, genome-wide transcriptome analysis technique, which allows
      the human and mouse transcriptomes to be decoded from a mixed mouse and human
      cell population. The technique is based on a bioinformatic separation of the
      mouse and human transcriptomes from the initial mixed-species transcriptome
      resulting from sequencing an excised tumor/stroma specimen without prior cell
      sorting. RESULTS: Under stringent separation criteria, i.e., with a read
      misassignment frequency of 0.2 %, we show that 99 % of the genes can successfully
      be assigned to be of mouse or human origin, both in silico, in cultured cells and
      in vivo. We use a new species-specific sequencing technology-referred to as S(3)
      ("S-cube")-to provide new insights into the Notch downstream response following
      Notch ligand-stimulation and to explore transcriptional changes following
      transplantation of two different breast cancer cell lines (luminal MCF7 and basal
      type MDA-MB-231) into mammary fat pad tissue in mice of different immunological
      status. We find that MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 respond differently to fat pad
      xenografting and the stromal response to transplantation of MCF7 and MDA-MB-231
      cells was also distinct. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the data show that the S(3)
      technology allows for faithful recording of transcriptomic changes when human and
      mouse cells are intermixed and that it can be applied to address a broad spectrum
      of research questions.

PMID- 26265144
TI  - The long non-coding RNA world in yeasts.
AB  - In recent years, it has become evident that eukaryotic genomes are pervasively
      transcribed and produce numerous non-coding transcripts, including long non
      coding RNAs (lncRNAs). Although research of such genomic enigmas is in the early
      stages, a growing number of lncRNAs have been characterized and found to be
      principal actors in a variety of biological processes rather than merely
      representing transcriptional noise. Here, we review recent findings on lncRNAs in
      yeast systems. We especially focus on lncRNA-mediated cellular regulations to
      respond to environmental changes in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae
      and the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. This article is part of a
      Special Issue entitled: Clues to long noncoding RNA taxonomy1, edited by Dr.
      Tetsuro Hirose and Dr. Shinichi Nakagawa. 

PMID- 26265145
TI  - Methods for distinguishing between protein-coding and long noncoding RNAs and the
      elusive biological purpose of translation of long noncoding RNAs.
AB  - Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a diverse class of RNAs with increasingly
      appreciated functions in vertebrates, yet much of their biology remains poorly
      understood. In particular, it is unclear to what extent the current catalog of
      over 10,000 annotated lncRNAs is indeed devoid of genes coding for proteins. Here
      we review the available computational and experimental schemes for distinguishing
      between coding and noncoding transcripts and assess the conclusions from their
      recent genome-wide applications. We conclude that the model most consistent with
      the available data is that a large number of mammalian lncRNAs undergo
      translation, but only a very small minority of such translation events results in
      stable and functional peptides. The outcomes of the majority of the translation
      events and their potential biological purposes remain an intriguing topic for
      future investigation. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Clues to
      long noncoding RNA taxonomy1, edited by Dr. Tetsuro Hirose and Dr. Shinichi
      Nakagawa. 

PMID- 26265146
TI  - Development of an in vivo tissue-engineered vascular graft with designed wall
      thickness (biotube type C) based on a novel caged mold.
AB  - Small-diameter biotube vascular grafts developed by in-body tissue architecture
      had high patency at implantation into rabbit carotid arteries or rat abdominal
      aortas. However, the thin walls (34 +/- 14 MUm) of the original biotubes made
      their implantation difficult into areas with low blood flow volumes or low blood
      pressure due to insufficient mechanical strength to maintain luminal shape. In
      this study, caged molds with several windows were designed to prepare more robust
      biotubes. The molds were assembled with silicone tubes (external diameter 2 mm)
      and cylindrical covers (outer diameter 7 mm) with 12 linear windows (1 * 9 mm).
      After the molds were embedded into beagle dorsal subcutaneous pouches for 4
      weeks, type C (cage) biotubes were obtained by completely extracting the
      surrounding connective tissues from the molds and removing the molds. The biotube
      walls (778 +/- 31 MUm) were formed at the aperture (width 1 mm) between the
      silicone rods and the covers by connective cell migration through the windows of
      the covers. Excellent mechanical properties (external pressure resistance,
      approximately 4 times higher than beagle native femoral arteries; burst strength,
      approximately 2 times higher than original biotubes) were obtained. In the acute
      phase of implantation of the biotubes into beagle femoral arteries, perfect
      patency was obtained with little stenosis and no aneurysmal dilation. The type C
      biotubes may be useful for implantation into peripheral arteries or veins in
      addition to aortas.

PMID- 26265147
TI  - Post hoc interlaboratory comparison of single particle ICP-MS size measurements
      of NIST gold nanoparticle reference materials.
AB  - Single particle inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (spICP-MS) is an
      emerging technique that enables simultaneous measurement of nanoparticle size and
      number quantification of metal-containing nanoparticles at realistic
      environmental exposure concentrations. Such measurements are needed to understand
      the potential environmental and human health risks of nanoparticles. Before spICP
      MS can be considered a mature methodology, additional work is needed to
      standardize this technique including an assessment of the reliability and
      variability of size distribution measurements and the transferability of the
      technique among laboratories. This paper presents the first post hoc
      interlaboratory comparison study of the spICP-MS technique. Measurement results
      provided by six expert laboratories for two National Institute of Standards and
      Technology (NIST) gold nanoparticle reference materials (RM 8012 and RM 8013)
      were employed. The general agreement in particle size between spICP-MS
      measurements and measurements by six reference techniques demonstrates the
      reliability of spICP-MS and validates its sizing capability. However, the
      precision of the spICP-MS measurement was better for the larger 60 nm gold
      nanoparticles and evaluation of spICP-MS precision indicates substantial
      variability among laboratories, with lower variability between operators within
      laboratories. Global particle number concentration and Au mass concentration
      recovery were quantitative for RM 8013 but significantly lower and with a greater
      variability for RM 8012. Statistical analysis did not suggest an optimal dwell
      time, because this parameter did not significantly affect either the measured
      mean particle size or the ability to count nanoparticles. Finally, the spICP-MS
      data were often best fit with several single non-Gaussian distributions or
      mixtures of Gaussian distributions, rather than the more frequently used normal
      or log-normal distributions. 

PMID- 26265148
TI  - Client/patient perceptions of achieving equity in primary health care: a mixed
      methods study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: To provide health care on equal terms has become a challenge for
      the health system. As the front line in health services, primary care has a key
      role to play in developing equitable health care, responsive to the needs of
      different population groups. Reducing inequalities in care has been a central and
      recurring theme in Swedish health reforms. The aim of this study is to describe
      and assess client/patient experiences and perceptions of care in four primary
      health care units (PHCUs) involved in Sweden's national Care on Equal Terms
      project. METHODS: Mixed Method Research (MMR) was chosen to describe and assess
      client/patient experiences and perceptions of health care with regard to equity.
      There was a focus group discussion, and individual interviews with 21
      clients/patients and three representatives of patient associations. Data from the
      Swedish National Patient Survey (NPS), conducted in 2011 and followed up in 2013,
      were also used. RESULTS: The interview data were divided into two main categories
      and three subcategories. The first category "Perception of equitable health care"
      had two subcategories, namely "Health care providers' perceptions" and "Fairness
      and participation". The second category "To achieve more equitable health care"
      had four subcategories: "Encounter", "Access", "Interpreters and
      bilingual/diverse health care providers" and "Time pressure and continuity".
      Results from the NPS showed that two of the PHCUs improved in some aspects of
      patient perceived quality of care (PPQC) while two were not so successful.
      CONCLUSIONS: Clients/patients perceived health care providers' perceptions of
      their ethnic origin and mental health status as important for equitable health
      care. Discriminatory perceptions may lead to those in need of care refraining
      from seeking it. More equitable care means longer consultations, better
      accessibility in terms of longer opening hours, and ways of communicating other
      than just via voice mail. It also involves continuity in care and access to an
      interpreter if needed. Employing bilingual/diverse kinds of health providers is a
      way of providing more equitable primary health care.

PMID- 26265149
TI  - Socio-cultural factors, gender roles and religious ideologies contributing to
      Caesarian-section refusal in Nigeria.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The death of women from pregnancy-related causes is a serious
      challenge that international development initiatives, including the Millennium
      Development Goals, have been trying to redress for decades. The majority of these
      pregnancy-related deaths occur in developing countries especially in Sub-Saharan
      Africa. The provision of Emergency Obstetric Care (EmOC), including Caesarean
      section (CS) has been identified as one of the key ingredients necessary for the
      reduction of high maternal mortality ratios. However, it appears that creating
      access to EmOC facilities is not all that is required to reduce maternal
      mortality: socio-cultural issues in Sub-Saharan countries including Nigeria seem
      to deter women from accepting CS. This study seeks to explore some of the socio
      cultural concerns that reinforce delays and non-acceptance of CS in a Nigerian
      community. METHODS: This is a mixed method study that combined both qualitative
      and quantitative strategies of enquiry. The hospital's delivery records from 2006
      2010 provided data for quantitative analysis. This quantitative data was
      supplemented with prospective data collected during one month. Semi-structured
      interviews, focus group discussions (FGD) and informal observations served as the
      sources of data on the qualitative end. RESULTS: In total, 22% of maternity
      clients refused CS and more than 90% of the CSs in the focal hospital were
      emergencies which may indicate late arrival at the hospital after seeking
      assistance elsewhere. The qualitative analysis reveals that socio-cultural
      meanings informed by gender and religious ideologies, the relational consequences
      of having a C-section, and the role of alternative providers are some key factors
      which influence when, where and whether women will accept C-section or not.
      CONCLUSION: There is need to find means of facilitating necessary CS by
      addressing the prevailing socio-cultural norms and expectations that hinder its
      acceptance. Engaging and guiding alternative providers (traditional birth
      attendants and faith healers) who wield much power in their communities, will be
      important to minimize delays and improve cultural acceptability of CS.

PMID- 26265150
TI  - Prediction of the filter no-reflow phenomenon in patients with angina pectoris by
      using multimodality: Magnetic resonance imaging, optical coherence tomography,
      and serum biomarkers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although the occurrence of no-reflow during percutaneous coronary
      intervention (PCI) has been shown to be associated with worse short- and long
      term clinical outcomes, the clinical relevance of preventing flow deterioration
      by using the filter-based distal protection devices (DPDs) is controversial. We
      investigated predictors of the filter no-reflow (FNR) phenomenon during PCI by
      using multimodality, such as hyperintense plaques (HIPs) in the coronary artery
      on T1-weighted imaging (T1WI) non-contrast magnetic resonance, plaque composition
      by using optical coherence tomography (OCT), and serum biomarkers, in patients
      with angina pectoris. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fifty lesions from 50 patients with
      angina were examined. All patients underwent T1WI within 24 h before invasive
      coronary angiography was performed, and preinterventional OCT was performed on a
      native atherosclerotic culprit lesion. The signal intensity of coronary plaque to
      cardiac muscle ratio (PMR) was calculated on a standard console of the magnetic
      resonance system. Of the 50 lesions, 20 lesions showed FNR during PCI, while non
      FNR was observed in 30 lesions. A cut-off value >1.85 of PMR had a sensitivity of
      65%, a specificity of 93%, a positive predictive value of 87%, and a negative
      predictive value of 80% for identifying lesions with FNR. Multivariate analysis
      revealed that the presence of HIPs with PMR >1.85 (p=0.008) was the only
      independent predictor of the FNR phenomenon during PCI. CONCLUSIONS: This study
      shows that the presence of HIPs with PMR >1.85 on T1WI was a novel independent
      predictor of the FNR phenomenon during PCI in angina patients. This result may
      help in identifying high-risk lesions for no-reflow to deploy filter-based DPDs.

PMID- 26265151
TI  - Author's reply.

PMID- 26265152
TI  - Increasing incidence of rotator cuff repairs--A nationwide registry study in
      Finland.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Rotator cuff repair incidence rates have reportedly increased in the
      United States and England. Here we analyzed nationwide data relating to rotator
      cuff repairs recorded in the Finnish National Hospital Discharge Register (NHDR).
      METHODS: The NHDR was reviewed to identify adult patients who underwent rotator
      cuff repair between 1998 and 2011. Incidence rates per 10(5) person-years were
      calculated using the annual adult population size. RESULTS: During the 14-year
      time period, 50,646 rotator cuff repairs were performed on subjects aged 18 years
      or older. The incidence of rotator cuff repair showed an almost linear increase
      of 204%, from 44 per 10(5) person-years in 1998 to 131 per 10(5) person-years in
      2011. The most common concomitant procedure was acromioplasty, which was
      performed in approximately 40% of rotator cuff repairs in 2011. Other common
      concomitant procedures included tenodesis (7%) and tenotomy (6%) of the long head
      of the biceps tendon, and resection of the acromioclavicular joint (3%).
      CONCLUSIONS: This nationwide analysis revealed a remarkable increase in the
      incidence of rotator cuff repair from 1998 to 2011 in Finland. This progress can
      be questioned, since there are not convincing data of the superiority of the
      operative treatment over non-operative management in all rotator cuff tears.

PMID- 26265153
TI  - The 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) Inhibitor Zileuton Reduces Inflammation and Infarct
      Size with Improvement in Neurological Outcome Following Cerebral Ischemia.
AB  - Stroke is one of the most frequent causes of death and disability worldwide
      causing a major clinical and socioeconomic impact. Although the pathophysiology
      of brain ischemia and reperfusion is complex, the inflammatory process plays an
      important role in pathogenesis, contributing to the expansion of brain injury.
      The 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) is a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of the
      leukotrienes and has been implicated and in the central nervous system (CNS)
      disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and acute ischemic stroke. Zileuton, a
      selective 5-LOX inhibitor, has antiinflammatory properties and exerts an
      inhibitory effect on inflammatory diseases. The objective of this study was to
      evaluate the effects of blocking 5-LOX activity in a murine model of transient
      and global brain ischemia. Zileuton improved neurological deficits and
      significantly decrease volume and density of lesion, compared to vehicle-ischemic
      animals measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In addition, the blockage
      of 5-LOX reduced infarct area and histopathological changes. Furthermore, by
      enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) increased brain levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha
      (TNFalpha), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta),
      interleukin-6 (IL-6), chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1 (CXCL1), chemokine (C-C
      motif) ligand 3 (CCL3) and chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 5 (CCL5) were detected in
      the vehicle-ischemic group, whereas in Zileuton-ischemic group presented
      reduction of these mediators. The concentration of the antiinflammatory cytokine
      interleukin-10 (IL-10) was increased after 5-LOX inhibition. Our results suggest
      that Zileuton decreases brain damage and reduces inflammatory cytokines
      expression in the CNS which contributes, at least in part, to improve the
      neurological outcome of brain ischemia.

PMID- 26265154
TI  - Curcumin, Hesperidin, and Rutin Selectively Interfere with Apoptosis Signaling
      and Attenuate Streptozotocin-Induced Oxidative Stress-Mediated Hyperglycemia.
AB  - Type I Diabetes is characterized by the presence of hyperglycemia due to insulin
      deficiency and consequent impaired hepatic glucose metabolism. During diabetes,
      the liver becomes the most important tissue for the regulation of serum glucose.
      However, elevated glucose causes continuous oxidative damage to the liver,
      reducing its capacity to ameliorate hyperglycemia, which contributes to
      macrovascular complications [1]. Numerous epidemiological studies have
      demonstrated that excess human consumption of diets rich in specific bioflavonoid
      phytochemicals attenuates the effects of diabetes. Thus, this study was designed
      to investigate whether a bioflavonoid mixture could : i) attenuate streptozotocin
      (STZ)-induced hyperglycemia, ii) potentiate antioxidant signaling in the liver,
      and iii) ameliorate the apoptotic signaling cascade in the liver of STZ-induced
      hyperglycemic mice. In order to examine our hypothesis, three well-investigated
      antioxidant phytochemicals, curcumin, hesperidin and rutin, were combined into a
      mixture (CHR) for this study. Diabetes was induced in 6-month-old female ICR mice
      by STZ (100 mg/kg, i.p.) administration, and CHR or vehicle control was orally
      administered (200 mg/kg per body weight of each ingredient) to the hyperglycemic
      mice (blood glucose levels > 250 mg/dl) for a period of 14 days. Administration
      of CHR to the hyperglycemic mice significantly reduced blood glucose levels,
      attenuated STZ-induced lipid peroxidation and total nitrate/nitrite levels, and
      significantly augmented the expression of superoxide dismutase and glutathione in
      the liver. STZ-induced hyperglycemia resulted in downregulation of antiapoptotic
      proteins Bcl-2 by 66% and Bcl-XL by 51%, and upregulation of the pro-apoptotic
      Bad (69%) with an increase in the ratio of cytosolic/mitochondrial cytochrome c
      by 81% in hepatic tissue. Administration of CHR significantly ameliorated
      apoptotic signaling in STZ-induced diabetic mice, significantly increasing
      Bad/Bcl-2 and Bad/Bcl-XL ratios to 410% and 244% respectively in the
      hyperglycemic group. This study demonstrated that a bioflavonoid mixture of
      curcumin, hesperidin and rutin (CHR) ameliorates hepatic oxidative stress caused
      by STZ-induced hyperglycemia, resulting in improved hepatic function and glucose
      regulation.

PMID- 26265155
TI  - Fast analysis of 29 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and nitro-PAHs with
      ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure photoionization
      tandem mass spectrometry.
AB  - Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and nitro-PAHs are ubiquitous in the
      environment. Some of them are probable carcinogens and some are source markers.
      This work presents an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-atmospheric
      pressure photoionization-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-APPI-MS/MS) method for
      simultaneous analysis of 20 PAHs and nine nitro-PAHs. These compounds are
      separated in 15 minutes in the positive mode and 11 minutes in the negative mode,
      one half of GC/MS analysis time. Two pairs of precursor/product ions are offered,
      which is essential for confirmation. This method separates and quantifies
      benzo[a]pyrene (the most toxic PAHs) and non-priority benzo[e]pyrene (isomers,
      little toxicity) to avoid overestimation of toxin levels, demonstrating its
      importance for health-related researches. With 0.5% 2,4-difluoroanisole in
      chlorobenzene as the dopant, limits of detection of PAHs except acenaphthylene
      and those of nitro-PAHs except 2-nitrofluoranthene are below 10 pg and 3 pg,
      respectively, mostly lower than or comparable to those reported using LC-related
      systems. The responses were linear over two orders of magnitude with fairly good
      accuracy and precision. Certified reference materials and real aerosol samples
      were analyzed to demonstrate its applicability. This fast, sensitive, and
      reliable method is the first UHPLC-APPI-MS/MS method capable of simultaneously
      analyzing 29 environmentally and toxicologically important PAHs and nitro-PAHs. 

PMID- 26265156
TI  - Neural valuation of environmental resources.
AB  - How do people value environmental resources? To estimate public valuation of
      natural resources, researchers often conduct surveys that ask people how much
      they would be willing to pay to preserve or restore threatened natural resources.
      However, these survey responses often elicit complex affective responses,
      including negative reactions toward proposed destructive land uses of those
      resources. To better characterize processes that underlie the valuation of
      environmental resources, we conducted behavioral and neuroimaging experiments in
      which subjects chose whether or not to donate money to protect natural park lands
      (iconic versus non-iconic) from proposed land uses (destructive versus non
      destructive). In both studies, land use destructiveness motivated subjects'
      donations more powerfully than did the iconic qualities of the parks themselves.
      Consistent with an anticipatory affect account, nucleus accumbens (NAcc) activity
      increased in response to more iconic parks, while anterior insula activity
      increased in response to more destructive uses, and the interaction of these
      considerations altered activity in the medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC). Further,
      anterior insula activity predicted increased donations to preserve parks
      threatened by destructive uses, but MPFC activity predicted reduced donations.
      Finally, individuals with stronger pro-environmental attitudes showed greater
      anterior insula activity in response to proposed destructive uses. These results
      imply that negative responses to destructive land uses may play a prominent role
      in environmental valuation, potentially overshadowing positive responses to the
      environmental resources themselves. The findings also suggest that neuroimaging
      methods might eventually complement traditional survey methods by allowing
      researchers to disentangle distinct affective responses that influence
      environmental valuation. 

PMID- 26265158
TI  - Monotonic non-linear transformations as a tool to investigate age-related effects
      on brain white matter integrity: A Box-Cox investigation.
AB  - Non-linear effects of age on white matter integrity are ubiquitous in the brain
      and indicate that these effects are more pronounced in certain brain regions at
      specific ages. Box-Cox analysis is a technique to increase the log-likelihood of
      linear relationships between variables by means of monotonic non-linear
      transformations. Here we employ Box-Cox transformations to flexibly and
      parsimoniously determine the degree of non-linearity of age-related effects on
      white matter integrity by means of model comparisons using a voxel-wise approach.
      Analysis of white matter integrity in a sample of adults between 20 and 89years
      of age (n=88) revealed that considerable portions of the white matter in the
      corpus callosum, cerebellum, pallidum, brainstem, superior occipito-frontal
      fascicle and optic radiation show non-linear effects of age. Global analyses
      revealed an increase in the average non-linearity from fractional anisotropy to
      radial diffusivity, axial diffusivity, and mean diffusivity. These results
      suggest that Box-Cox transformations are a useful and flexible tool to
      investigate more complex non-linear effects of age on white matter integrity and
      extend the functionality of the Box-Cox analysis in neuroimaging.

PMID- 26265157
TI  - Interactive effects of physical activity and APOE-epsilon4 on white matter tract
      diffusivity in healthy elders.
AB  - Older adult apolipoprotein-E epsilon 4 (APOE-epsilon4) allele carriers vary
      considerably in the expression of clinical symptoms of Alzheimer's disease (AD),
      suggesting that lifestyle or other factors may offer protection from AD-related
      neurodegeneration. We recently reported that physically active APOE-epsilon4
      allele carriers exhibit a stable cognitive trajectory and protection from
      hippocampal atrophy over 18months compared to sedentary epsilon4 allele carriers.
      The aim of this study was to examine the interactions between genetic risk for AD
      and physical activity (PA) on white matter (WM) tract integrity, using diffusion
      tensor imaging (DTI) MRI, in this cohort of healthy older adults (ages of 65 to
      89). Four groups were compared based on the presence or absence of an APOE
      epsilon4 allele (High Risk; Low Risk) and self-reported frequency and intensity
      of leisure time physical activity (PA) (High PA; Low PA). As predicted, greater
      levels of PA were associated with greater fractional anisotropy (FA) and lower
      radial diffusivity in healthy older adults who did not possess the APOE-epsilon4
      allele. However, the effects of PA were reversed in older adults who were at
      increased genetic risk for AD, resulting in significant interactions between PA
      and genetic risk in several WM tracts. In the High Risk-Low PA participants, who
      had exhibited episodic memory decline over the previous 18-months, radial
      diffusivity was lower and fractional anisotropy was higher, compared to the High
      Risk-High PA participants. In WM tracts that subserve learning and memory
      processes, radial diffusivity (DR) was negatively correlated with episodic memory
      performance in physically inactive APOE-epsilon4 carriers, whereas DR was
      positively correlated with episodic memory performance in physically active APOE
      epsilon4 carriers and the two Low Risk groups. The common model of demyelination
      induced increase in radial diffusivity cannot directly explain these results.
      Rather, we hypothesize that PA may protect APOE-epsilon4 allele carriers from
      selective neurodegeneration of individual fiber populations at locations of
      crossing fibers within projection and association WM fiber tracts.

PMID- 26265159
TI  - Giant thymolipoma: A rare case presentation.
AB  - Thymolipoma is an unusual benign tumor of the mediastinum, comprising 2%-9% of
      thymic neoplasms. Most presentations are atypical. Here we present the case of a
      68-year-old man with effort intolerance and fatigue for 4 months. Computed
      tomography of the chest revealed a lipomatous mass in the anterior mediastinum
      and bilateral hemithoraces. There were atelectatic changes in both lungs. The
      tumor was resected via a midline sternotomy. The patient had to be ventilated for
      3 days postoperatively. The histopathological diagnosis was pleomorphic
      thymolipoma.

PMID- 26265160
TI  - Cancer patients' preferences of care within hospitals: a systematic literature
      review.
AB  - PURPOSE: Knowledge about cancer patients' preferences in health care is important
      because it enables care to be patient centered. However, the literature does not
      provide an overview. The aim of this study was to identify the dimensions of
      hospital-based cancer care that patients evaluate the most important using
      Patient-rated importance as a method. DATA SOURCE: PubMed was searched in
      2013/2014. STUDY SELECTION: Studies were identified, if they were in accordance
      with specific search terms and focused on hospital-based cancer care. Totally, 11
      studies were found. DATA EXTRACTION: The 11 studies comprised a total of 598
      items. Of these, 592 items were categorized into 19 care dimensions. The highest
      rated quartile of items was identified as care elements patients evaluated to be
      the most important. Identification of the most important dimensions was done by
      calculating the percentages of items within each dimension that were within the
      highest quartile. RESULTS OF DATA SYNTHESIS: The 11 studies varied a lot in
      regard to aim and patient characteristics. The three most important dimensions
      were as follows: Rapid diagnosis and treatment; High professional standard; and
      Information about treatment and side(effects)/consequences. Within four
      dimensions, Psychosocial support, Physical facilities, Waiting time and
      Transparency in care, no items were within the highest quartile. CONCLUSION:
      Patient-rated importance was a useful method in identifying the care patients
      preferred. Due to a limited number of studies and great diversity within studies
      evaluated, interpretation of results should be cautious. However, it seems that
      cancer patients treated in hospitals with a curative intent find treatment
      related information, professional standard and short delay of diagnosis and
      treatment most important.

PMID- 26265161
TI  - Ethnic differences in help-seeking behaviour following child sexual abuse: a
      multi-method study.
AB  - In Western societies, groups from a minority ethnic background are under
      represented in formal mental health care. However, it is unknown if the minority
      ethnic victims of child sexual abuse differ from majority ethnic victims
      regarding their help-seeking behaviours. This study used a multi-method design to
      investigate the prevalence of (in) formal help-seeking after child sexual abuse
      and the influence of attitudes towards gender roles and sexuality on help-seeking
      among the Dutch minority ethnic and majority ethnic victims. We also examined
      differences in reasons not to seek help. Quantitative survey data on help-seeking
      patterns among 1496 child sexual abuse victims were collected. Four qualitative
      focus groups were conducted with professionals working in the field of child
      sexual abuse and minority ethnic groups to explore help-seeking behaviour. No
      significant differences between ethnicity emerged in help-seeking rates. However,
      respondents with more liberal gender attitudes were more likely to disclose than
      conservative respondents. Additionally, an interaction effect was observed
      between ethnicity and gender attitudes, indicating that, contrary to the main
      effect, young people of Moroccan and Turkish heritage with more liberal gender
      attitudes were less likely to disclose abuse. Reasons for not seeking help
      differed among groups. Focus group members emphasised mistrust towards
      counsellors and perceptions that inhibit minority ethnic youth from seeking help.

PMID- 26265162
TI  - Celebrating Soft Matter's 10th Anniversary: Cell division: a source of active
      stress in cellular monolayers.
AB  - We introduce the notion of cell division-induced activity and show that the cell
      division generates extensile forces and drives dynamical patterns in cell
      assemblies. Extending the hydrodynamic models of lyotropic active nematics we
      describe turbulent-like velocity fields that are generated by the cell division
      in a confluent monolayer of cells. We show that the experimentally measured flow
      field of dividing Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cells is reproduced by our
      modeling approach. Division-induced activity acts together with intrinsic
      activity of the cells in extensile and contractile cell assemblies to change the
      flow and director patterns and the density of topological defects. Finally we
      model the evolution of the boundary of a cellular colony and compare the
      fingering instabilities induced by cell division to experimental observations on
      the expansion of MDCK cell cultures. 

PMID- 26265163
TI  - Linkage inversion assembled nano-aptasensors (LIANAs) for turn-on fluorescence
      detection.
AB  - A strategy for aptamer-based biosensing termed linkage inversion assembled nano
      aptasensors (LIANAs) is shown to be a generally applicable approach to the
      sensitive and specific detection of a target molecule in turn-on fluorescence
      solution-based and paper-based tests. 

PMID- 26265164
TI  - Antiretroviral treatment use, co-morbidities and clinical outcomes among
      Aboriginal participants in the Australian HIV Observational Database (AHOD).
AB  - BACKGROUND: There are few data regarding clinical care and outcomes of Indigenous
      Australians living with HIV and it is unknown if these differ from non-Indigenous
      HIV-positive Australians. METHODS: AHOD commenced enrolment in 1999 and is a
      prospective cohort of HIV-positive participants attending HIV outpatient services
      throughout Australia, of which 20 (74 %) sites report Indigenous status. Data
      were collected up until March 2013 and compared between Indigenous and non
      Indigenous participants. Person-year methods were used to compare death rates,
      rates of loss to follow-up and rates of laboratory testing during follow-up
      between Indigenous and non-Indigenous participants. Factors associated with time
      to first combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) regimen change were assessed
      using Kaplan Meier and Cox Proportional hazards methods. RESULTS: Forty-two of
      2197 (1.9 %) participants were Indigenous. Follow-up amongst Indigenous and non
      Indigenous participants was 332 & 16270 person-years, respectively. HIV
      virological suppression was achieved in similar proportions of Indigenous and non
      Indigenous participants 2 years after initiation of cART (81.0 % vs 76.5 %, p =
      0.635). Indigenous status was not independently associated with shorter time to
      change from first- to second-line cART (aHR 0.95, 95 % CI 0.51-1.76, p = 0.957).
      Compared with non-Indigenous participants, Indigenous participants had
      significantly less frequent laboratory monitoring of CD4 count (rate:2.76
      tests/year vs 2.97 tests/year, p = 0.025) and HIV viral load (rate:2.53
      tests/year vs 2.93 tests/year, p < 0.001), while testing rates for lipids and
      blood glucose were almost half that of non-indigenous participants
      (rate:0.43/year vs 0.71 tests/year, p < 0.001). Loss to follow-up (23.8 % vs 29.8
      %, p = 0.496) and death (2.4 % vs 7.1 %, p = 0.361) occurred in similar
      proportions of indigenous and non-Indigenous participants, respectively, although
      causes of death in both groups were mostly non-HIV-related. CONCLUSIONS: As far
      as we are aware, these are the first data comparing clinical outcomes between
      Indigenous and non-Indigenous HIV-positive Australians. The forty-two Indigenous
      participants represent over 10 % of all Indigenous Australians ever diagnosed
      with HIV. Although outcomes were not significantly different, Indigenous patients
      had lower rates of laboratory testing for HIV and lipid/glucose parameters. Given
      the elevated risk of cardiovascular disease in the general Indigenous community,
      the additional risk factor of HIV infection warrants further focus on modifiable
      risk factors to maximise life expectancy in this population.

PMID- 26265165
TI  - A chemistry and material perspective on lithium redox flow batteries towards high
      density electrical energy storage.
AB  - Electrical energy storage system such as secondary batteries is the principle
      power source for portable electronics, electric vehicles and stationary energy
      storage. As an emerging battery technology, Li-redox flow batteries inherit the
      advantageous features of modular design of conventional redox flow batteries and
      high voltage and energy efficiency of Li-ion batteries, showing great promise as
      efficient electrical energy storage system in transportation, commercial, and
      residential applications. The chemistry of lithium redox flow batteries with
      aqueous or non-aqueous electrolyte enables widened electrochemical potential
      window thus may provide much greater energy density and efficiency than
      conventional redox flow batteries based on proton chemistry. This Review
      summarizes the design rationale, fundamentals and characterization of Li-redox
      flow batteries from a chemistry and material perspective, with particular
      emphasis on the new chemistries and materials. The latest advances and associated
      challenges/opportunities are comprehensively discussed. 

PMID- 26265167
TI  - Chronic fatigue in 812 testicular cancer survivors during long-term follow-up:
      increasing prevalence and risk factors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic fatigue (CF) has been reported to be slightly more prevalent
      in testicular cancer survivors (TCSs) than in the general population. In this
      study, we wished to explore possible determinants of CF in TCSs median 12 (survey
      I) and 19 years (survey II) after treatment, in particular the relation to late
      effects after treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Overall, 812 TCSs treated between
      1980 and 1994 provided blood samples (testosterone and luteinizing hormone) and
      completed questionnaires at survey I (1998-2002) and survey II (2007-2008).
      Hormone levels were categorized according to quartile thresholds for decadal age
      groups of controls. Associations between CF and possible risk factors, including
      the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), treatment, physical activity,
      hormone levels, neurotoxicity, and comorbidity, were analyzed by logistic
      regression. RESULTS: Prevalence of CF increased from 15% at survey I to 27% at
      survey II (P < 0.001). At survey II, risk for CF was increased three- to four
      fold for high levels of neuropathy compared with no neuropathy, and two- to three
      fold for high levels of Raynaud-like phenomena, and having testosterone levels in
      the lowest quartile, while being moderately and highly physically active, had a
      protective effect. Risk for CF in TCSs with higher levels of HADS-Anxiety and
      HADS-Depression was increased two- to five-fold, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The
      increasing prevalence of CF in TCSs is a novel finding. Lifestyle interventions,
      early detection and treatment of depression and anxiety, and possibly
      testosterone substitution might reduce the risk of CF. Extended long-term follow
      up seems to be important.

PMID- 26265168
TI  - Tivantinib added to erlotinib in nonsmall-cell lung cancer: the primary end point
      was not MET....

PMID- 26265169
TI  - A real opportunity to improve neurology services in England.

PMID- 26265166
TI  - Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells as a delivery platform in cell and gene therapies.
AB  - Regenerative medicine relying on cell and gene therapies is one of the most
      promising approaches to repair tissues. Multipotent mesenchymal stem/stromal
      cells (MSC), a population of progenitors committing into mesoderm lineages, are
      progressively demonstrating therapeutic capabilities far beyond their
      differentiation capacities. The mechanisms by which MSC exert these actions
      include the release of biomolecules with anti-inflammatory, immunomodulating,
      anti-fibrogenic, and trophic functions. While we expect the spectra of these
      molecules with a therapeutic profile to progressively expand, several human
      pathological conditions have begun to benefit from these biomolecule-delivering
      properties. In addition, MSC have also been proposed to vehicle genes capable of
      further empowering these functions. This review deals with the therapeutic
      properties of MSC, focusing on their ability to secrete naturally produced or
      gene-induced factors that can be used in the treatment of kidney, lung, heart,
      liver, pancreas, nervous system, and skeletal diseases. We specifically focus on
      the different modalities by which MSC can exert these functions. We aim to
      provide an updated understanding of these paracrine mechanisms as a prerequisite
      to broadening the therapeutic potential and clinical impact of MSC. 

PMID- 26265170
TI  - Complications Associated With Use of Long-Term Central Venous Catheters Among
      Commercially Insured Women With Breast Cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: Despite some advantages to their use, long-term central venous catheters
      (CVCs) are associated with complications for patients who require chemotherapy.
      Understanding of these risks in commercially insured populations is limited. This
      information can inform medical policies that ensure the appropriate use of venous
      access devices. This study's objectives were to assess the extent of variation in
      use of long-term CVCs in a cohort of commercially insured women with breast
      cancer, and to assess risks of associated complications. METHODS: Retrospective
      cohort analysis was conducted using health insurance claims between January 2006
      and October 2013. The cohort included commercially insured women age >= 18 years
      diagnosed with breast cancer who received infusion chemotherapy (N = 31,047). We
      conducted matched and case-mix adjusted Cox proportional hazard modeling to
      assess differences in bloodstream infections and thrombovascular complications
      between patients using long-term CVCs and those using temporary intravenous
      catheters. RESULTS: Approximately two thirds of the cohort had a long-term CVC,
      although rates varied across regions (57% to 75%), health plans (65% to 70%), and
      insurance coverage (63% to 68%). After propensity score matching, the adjusted
      hazard ratio for infection was 2.70 (95% CI, 2.31 to 3.16) and thrombovascular
      complications, 2.61 (95% CI, 2.33 to 2.93) in patients with long-term CVCs
      compared with those with temporary intravenous catheters. CONCLUSION: Although
      long-term CVCs may have benefits, they are associated with increased morbidity.
      Regional and health plan variation in long-term CVC insertion suggests that some
      of their use reflects provider- or institution-driven variation in practice.
      Evidence-based guidelines and tools may help decrease discretionary use of long
      term CVCs.

PMID- 26265172
TI  - Variation in the Cost of Radiation Therapy Among Medicare Patients With Cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: Radiation therapy represents a major source of health care expenditure
      for patients with cancer. Understanding the sources of variability in the cost of
      radiation therapy is critical to evaluating the efficiency of the current
      reimbursement system and could shape future policy reform. This study defines the
      magnitude and sources of variation in the cost of radiation therapy for a large
      cohort of Medicare beneficiaries. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We identified 55,288
      patients within the SEER database diagnosed with breast, lung, or prostate cancer
      between 2004 and 2009. The cost of radiation therapy was estimated from Medicare
      reimbursements. Multivariable linear regression models were used to assess the
      influence of patient, tumor, and radiation therapy provider characteristics on
      variation in cost of radiation therapy. RESULTS: For breast, lung, and prostate
      cancers, the median cost (interquartile range) of a course of radiation therapy
      was $8,600 ($7,300 to $10,300), $9,000 ($7,500 to $11,100), and $18,000 ($11,300
      to $25,500), respectively. For all three cancer subtypes, patient- or tumor
      related factors accounted for < 3% of the variation in cost. Factors unrelated to
      the patient, including practice type, geography, and individual radiation therapy
      provider, accounted for a substantial proportion of the variation in cost,
      ranging from 44% with breast, 43% with lung, and 61% with prostate cancer.
      CONCLUSION: In this study, factors unrelated to the individual patient accounted
      for the majority of variation in the cost of radiation therapy, suggesting
      potential inefficiency in health care expenditure. Future research should
      determine whether this variability translates into improved patient outcomes for
      further evaluation of current reimbursement practices.

PMID- 26265173
TI  - Impact of the National Cancer Institute Community Cancer Centers Program on
      Clinical Trial and Related Activities at a Community Cancer Center in Rural
      Nebraska.
AB  - PURPOSE: Although 85% of patients with cancer are diagnosed and treated in the
      community setting, only 3% are enrolled onto clinical trials. Lack of adequate
      time, infrastructure, resources, incentives, and reimbursement adversely affect
      clinical trial participation. In July 2007, Saint Francis Cancer Treatment Center
      (SFCTC) in Grand Island, Nebraska, was selected as one of the initial 16 sites
      for the National Cancer Institute Community Cancer Centers Program (NCCCP).
      METHODS: Clinical trial and related activities data at SFCTC 5 years before and 5
      years during the NCCCP were gathered and compared. Data included information on
      patients in clinical trials, number and type of trials, ratio of underserved
      patients, staffing, collection and storage of tissue samples, availability of new
      cancer services, and organizational infrastructure and linkage to National Cancer
      Institute-designated cancer centers. RESULTS: The number and percentage of
      patients enrolled onto clinical trials increased from 89 (3.2%) to 640 (23%;
      P<.001). All enrollees were rural Nebraskans, with 70%age > 65 years. Available
      treatment and nontreatment (eg, prevention, biospecimen,cancer control) trials
      increased from eight and three per year to 28 and 12 per year (P=.012),
      respectively. Staffing increased from 1.2 to 3.9 full-time equivalents (P=.012).
      A genetic counselor, smoking cessation counselor, and outreach project
      coordinator and two nurse navigators were hired. The number of tissue samples
      collected and/or stored increased from 26 (19%) to 320 (52%; P<.001). CONCLUSION:
      NCCCP participation had a direct and positive impact on all activities, with
      enhanced access to expanded types of trials and cancer care services. Our data
      demonstrate the feasibility of successful implementation of an expanded spectrum
      of clinical trials and programs in a rural community.

PMID- 26265174
TI  - Are Patients With Cancer Less Willing to Share Their Health Information? Privacy,
      Sensitivity, and Social Purpose.
AB  - PURPOSE: Growing use of electronic health information increases opportunities to
      build population cancer databases for research and care delivery. Understanding
      patient views on reuse of health information is essential to shape privacy
      policies and build trust in these initiatives. METHODS: We randomly assigned
      nationally representative participants (N = 3,336) with and without prior cancer
      to six of 18 scenarios describing different uses of electronic health
      information. The scenarios varied the user, use, and sensitivity of the
      information. Participants rated each scenario on a scale of 1 to 10 assessing
      their willingness to share their electronic health information. We used conjoint
      analysis to measure the relative importance of each attribute (ie, use, user, and
      sensitivity). RESULTS: Participants with and without a prior diagnosis of cancer
      had a similar willingness to share health information (0.27; P = .42). Both
      cancer and noncancer participants rated the purpose of information use as the
      most important factor (importance weights, 67.1% and 45.6%, respectively). For
      cancer participants, the sensitivity of the information was more important
      (importance weights, 29.8% v 1.2%). However, cancer participants were more
      willing to share their health information when the information included more
      sensitive genetic information (0.48; P = .015). Cancer and noncancer respondents
      rated uses and users similarly. CONCLUSION: The information sharing preferences
      of participants with and without a prior diagnosis of cancer were driven mainly
      by the purpose of information reuse. Although conventional thinking suggests
      patients with cancer might be less willing to share their health information, we
      found participants with cancer were more willing to share their inherited genetic
      information.

PMID- 26265175
TI  - Survey of the State of Implementation of the American Society of Clinical
      Oncology/Oncology Nursing Society Safety Standards for Chemotherapy
      Administration in India.
AB  - PURPOSE: The American Society of Clinical Oncology and the Oncology Nursing
      Society have proposed a set of standards for safe chemotherapy administration.
      The state of implementation of these standards in oncologic practices in India is
      not understood properly. METHODS: An anonymized survey was designed that
      consisted of items from all 37 standards that were described in the 2013 update
      of the standards. The survey was distributed via e-mail as well as in paper
      format among oncologists working in various oncology practices in the country. A
      standard was considered as fully implemented if more than 90% of the items
      beneath it had the most positive response (Yes/Always). RESULTS: Responses were
      obtained from 75 of 114 (65.8%) of the institutions surveyed. Only one
      institution had fully implemented the standards, whereas only six (8.0%)
      institutions had implemented more than 90% of the standards fully. The general
      chemotherapy administration-related domain was implemented fully by the least
      number of institutions. Although characteristics such as location, funding, and
      type of institution (teaching or not) failed to influence implementation rates,
      institutions of respondents who were aware of chemotherapy practice-related
      standards reported full implementation of a larger number of standards. Lack of
      national-level guidelines/policies was identified as the most common difficulty
      in implementing standards. CONCLUSION: This survey indicates that there is an
      urgent need to formulate national-level guidelines for safe chemotherapy
      administration.

PMID- 26265177
TI  - Subcellular trafficking and functional importance   of herpes simplex virus type
      1 glycoprotein M  domains.
AB  - Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) glycoprotein M (gM/UL10) is a 473 aa type III
      transmembrane protein that resides in various membrane compartments. HSV-1 gM
      contains several putative trafficking motifs, but their functional relevance
      remains to be elucidated. We show here that transiently expressed gM 19-343 was
      sufficient for transport to the trans-Golgi network (TGN), whilst gM 133-473,
      where the first two transmembrane domains were deleted, and gM 1-342, which
      lacked the final residue of the last transmembrane domain, were retained in the
      endoplasmic reticulum (ER), indicating that all transmembrane domains are
      required for proper folding and ER exit. A series of bacterial artificial
      chromosome mutants revealed that in addition to the authentic start codon,
      translation of gM can be initiated at methionine 19 and 133/135. Whilst a protein
      lacking the first 18 residues supported WT-like growth, gM 133/135-473 resulted
      in reduced plaque diameters resembling a UL10 deletion mutant. An HSV-1 mutant
      encoding gM 1-342 showed similar growth characteristics and accumulated non
      enveloped cytoplasmic particles, whilst gM 1-343 resulted in a gain of function,
      indicating that all transmembrane domains of the protein are important for viral
      growth. A C-terminal extension further supported viral propagation; however, the
      C-terminal trafficking motifs (residues 423-473) were completely dispensable. We
      propose a functional core within gM 19-343 comprised of all transmembrane domains
      that is sufficient to target the protein to the TGN, a favoured site for
      envelopment, and to support viral functions.

PMID- 26265176
TI  - LC3B globular structures correlate with survival in esophageal adenocarcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Esophageal adenocarcinoma has the fastest growing incidence of any
      solid tumor in the Western world. Prognosis remains poor with overall five-year
      survival rates under 25 %. Only a limited number of patients benefit from
      chemotherapy and there are no biomarkers that can predict outcome. Previous
      studies have indicated that induction of autophagy can influence various aspects
      of tumor cell biology, including chemosensitivity. The objective of this study
      was to assess whether expression of the autophagy marker (LC3B) correlated with
      patient outcome. METHODS: Esophageal adenocarcinoma tumor tissue from two
      independent sites, was examined retrospectively. Tumors from 104 neoadjuvant
      naive patients and 48 patients post neoadjuvant therapy were assembled into
      tissue microarrays prior to immunohistochemical analysis. Kaplan-Meier survival
      curves and log-rank tests were used to assess impact of LC3B expression on
      survival. Cox regression was used to examine association with clinical risk
      factors. RESULTS: A distinct globular pattern of LC3B expression was found to be
      predictive of outcome in both patient groups, irrespective of treatment (p <
      0.001). Multivariate analysis found that this was a strong independent predictor
      of poor prognosis (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This distinctive staining pattern of
      LC3B represents a novel prognostic marker for resectable esophageal
      adenocarcinoma.

PMID- 26265178
TI  - Primitive follicular induction in molluscum contagiosum.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Molluscum contagiosum (MC) is the commonest human poxvirus infection.
      Follicular induction has rarely been observed in the epidermis surrounding
      lesions of MC. A virus-induced localized proliferation of germinative/stem cells
      of the folliculosebaceous-apocrine unit has been suggested as the underlying
      cause, however few reports of this peculiar phenomenon exist in the literature
      and the mechanisms involved in this proliferation require further study. METHODS:
      We prospectively collected MC cases showing multifocal areas of primitive
      follicular induction involving the adjacent undersurface epidermis.
      Immunohistochemical expression of BerEP4, PHLDA1 and cytokeratin 20 (CK20) was
      evaluated in the basaloid germs surrounding the lesions. For PHLDA1, we used
      epidermal melanocytes as a positive internal control. For BerEP4, we employed a
      basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and for CK20, colon as positive external controls. An
      incubation without the primary antibody functioned as an external negative
      control. RESULTS: All the cases studied showed an intense positive staining of
      the basaloid buds with BerEP4 and weaker stain for PHLDA1. CK20 showed the
      presence of scattered Merkel cells within the induced epidermal basaloid
      proliferations favoring their reactive origin. DISCUSSION: The pathogenetic
      mechanisms behind the development of these microscopic features and the link
      between follicular induction and poxvirus infection are explored. Awareness of
      this unusual phenomenon by dermatopathologists will be helpful in avoiding a
      misdiagnosis of a superficial BCC in such cases. CONCLUSIONS: BerEP4 and PHLDA1
      were consistently expressed in the areas of primitive follicular induction
      surrounding lesions of MC. CK 20 stained the Merkel cells present in the basaloid
      buds. All these findings support the reactive origin of this phenomenon, which we
      believe is most probably viral-induced.

PMID- 26265179
TI  - Vascularized composite allotransplantation: current standards and novel
      approaches to prevent acute rejection and chronic allograft deterioration.
AB  - The advent of more potent immunosuppressants led to the first successful human
      upper extremity transplantation in 1998. At this time, >100 upper extremity
      transplants, 30 face transplants, and a variety of other vascularized composite
      allotransplantation (VCA) procedures have been performed around the world. VCA
      recipients present unique challenges for transplantation. The incidence of acute
      rejection exceeds 80% in hand and face transplantation and is well documented,
      whereas reports about antibody-mediated rejection and chronic rejection remain
      scarce. Immunosuppression protocols commonly used at US centers are derived from
      solid organ transplantation protocols. Novel approaches to minimize rejections in
      VCA may include improved HLA matching and considerations toward cytomegalovirus
      infection status. New graft preservation techniques may decrease immunogenicity
      prior to transplant. Novel monitoring methods such as valid biomarkers,
      ultrasound biomicroscopy, and sentinel flaps may enable earlier diagnosis of
      rejection. Cell-based therapies are being explored to achieve immunosuppressive
      regimen minimization or even tolerance induction. The efficacy of local
      immunosuppression in clinical VCA remains controversial. In conclusion, although
      immunosuppressive strategies adapted from SOT have demonstrated good midterm
      results, focusing on the unique features of VCA grafts may enable additional,
      more specific treatment strategies in the future and improved long-term graft
      outcomes. 

PMID- 26265180
TI  - Identification and functional analysis of olfactory receptor family reveal
      unusual characteristics of the olfactory system in the migratory locust.
AB  - Locusts represent the excellent model of insect olfaction because the animals are
      equipped with an unusual olfactory system and display remarkable density
      dependent olfactory plasticity. However, information regarding receptor molecules
      involved in the olfactory perception of locusts is very limited. On the basis of
      genome sequence and antennal transcriptome of the migratory locust, we conduct
      the identification and functional analysis of two olfactory receptor families:
      odorant receptors (ORs) and ionotropic receptors (IRs). In the migratory locust,
      there is an expansion of OR family (142 ORs) while distinctly lower number of IR
      genes (32 IRs) compared to the repertoires of other insects. The number of the
      locust OR genes is much less than that of glomeruli in antennal lobe, challenging
      the general principle of the "one glomerulus-one receptor" observed in other
      insects. Most OR genes are found in tandem arrays, forming two large lineage
      specific subfamilies in the phylogenetic tree. The "divergent IR" subfamily
      displays a significant contraction, and most of the IRs belong to the "antennal
      IR" subfamily in the locust. Most ORs/IRs have olfactory-specific expression
      while some broadly- or internal-expressed members are also found. Differing from
      holometabolous insects, the migratory locust contains very similar expression
      profiles of ORs/IRs between nymph and adult stages. RNA interference and
      behavioral assays indicate that an OR-based signaling pathway, not IR-based,
      mediates the attraction of locusts to aggregation pheromones. These discoveries
      provide insights into the unusual olfactory system of locusts and enhance our
      understanding of the evolution of insect olfaction. 

PMID- 26265182
TI  - Femtosecond UV-laser pulses to unveil protein-protein interactions in living
      cells.
AB  - A hallmark to decipher bioprocesses is to characterize protein-protein
      interactions in living cells. To do this, the development of innovative
      methodologies, which do not alter proteins and their natural environment, is
      particularly needed. Here, we report a method (LUCK, Laser UV Cross-linKing) to
      in vivo cross-link proteins by UV-laser irradiation of living cells. Upon
      irradiation of HeLa cells under controlled conditions, cross-linked products of
      glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) were detected, whose yield was
      found to be a linear function of the total irradiation energy. We demonstrated
      that stable dimers of GAPDH were formed through intersubunit cross-linking, as
      also observed when the pure protein was irradiated by UV-laser in vitro. We
      proposed a defined patch of aromatic residues located at the enzyme subunit
      interface as the cross-linking sites involved in dimer formation. Hence, by this
      technique, UV-laser is able to photofix protein surfaces that come in direct
      contact. Due to the ultra-short time scale of UV-laser-induced cross-linking,
      this technique could be extended to weld even transient protein interactions in
      their native context. 

PMID- 26265183
TI  - Defining and treating high-risk multiple myeloma.
AB  - Multiple myeloma (MM) is more recently being recognized as a heterogeneous group
      of disease with variability in outcomes based on specific clinical and biologic
      predictors. MM patients can be broadly categorized into standard, intermediate
      and high risk for disease relapse, morbidity and mortality. The high-risk
      features include patient-specific factors such as old age, poor performance
      status and comorbidities; clinical features such as primary plasma cell leukemia
      and extramedullary disease; disease-specific biologic features such as deletion
      17p, t(4;14) and high-risk gene expression profiling signatures. The current
      paper reviews the available data on best therapeutic approaches for high-risk MM.

PMID- 26265181
TI  - The multifaceted role of PIP2 in leukocyte biology.
AB  - Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) represents about 1 % of plasma
      membrane phospholipids and behaves as a pleiotropic regulator of a striking
      number of fundamental cellular processes. In recent years, an increasing body of
      literature has highlighted an essential role of PIP2 in multiple aspects of
      leukocyte biology. In this emerging picture, PIP2 is envisaged as a signalling
      intermediate itself and as a membrane-bound regulator and a scaffold of proteins
      with specific PIP2 binding domains. Indeed PIP2 plays a key role in several
      functions. These include directional migration in neutrophils, integrin-dependent
      adhesion in T lymphocytes, phagocytosis in macrophages, lysosomes secretion and
      trafficking at immune synapse in cytolytic effectors and secretory cells, calcium
      signals and gene transcription in B lymphocytes, natural killer cells and mast
      cells. The coordination of these different aspects relies on the spatio-temporal
      organisation of distinct PIP2 pools, generated by the main PIP2 generating
      enzyme, phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinase (PIP5K). Three different
      isoforms of PIP5K, named alpha, beta and gamma, and different splice variants
      have been described in leukocyte populations. The isoform-specific coupling of
      specific isoforms of PIP5K to different families of activating receptors,
      including integrins, Fc receptors, toll-like receptors and chemokine receptors,
      is starting to be reported. Furthermore, PIP2 is turned over by multiple
      metabolising enzymes including phospholipase C (PLC) gamma and
      phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) which, along with Rho family small G
      proteins, is widely involved in strategic functions within the immune system. The
      interplay between PIP2, lipid-modifying enzymes and small G protein-regulated
      signals is also discussed.

PMID- 26265184
TI  - Monoclonal antibodies in the treatment of multiple myeloma: current status and
      future perspectives.
AB  - The treatment landscape for patients with multiple myeloma (MM) is constantly
      evolving. Over the past decade, the introduction of novel agents such as
      proteasome inhibitors and immunomodulatory drugs has led to notable changes in
      therapeutic strategy, and improvements in survival, yet MM remains incurable in
      the vast majority of cases. More recently, a targeted approach to MM treatment
      has emerged, using monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to target antigens expressed on
      the surface of MM cells. MAbs tested to date kill MM cells via the host's immune
      system and/or by promoting apoptosis, and appear to have generally improved
      tolerability compared with currently available treatments. Due to their distinct
      mode of action, mAbs are promising both for patients who have exhausted current
      regimens, and as part of first-line treatments in newly diagnosed patients. This
      review examines the recent developments in mAb-based therapy for MM, primarily
      focused on those agents in ongoing clinical testing. 

PMID- 26265186
TI  - Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) of a Cubic Metal Cluster with Multicentered Mn(I)
      Mn(I) Bonds.
AB  - MOFs with both multicentered metal-metal bonds and low-oxidation-state (LOS)
      metal ions have been underexplored hitherto. Here we report the first cubic
      [Mn(I) 8 ] cluster-based MOF (1) with multicentered Mn(I)-Mn(I) bonds and +1
      oxidation state of manganese (Mn(I) or Mn(I)), as is supported by single-crystal
      structure determination, XPS analyses, and quantum chemical studies. Compound 1
      possesses the shortest Mn(I)-Mn(I) bond of 2.372 A. Theoretical studies with
      density functional theory (DFT) reveal extensive electron delocalization over the
      [Mn(I) 8 ] cube. The 48 electrons in the [Mn(I) 8 ] cube fully occupy half of the
      3d-based and the lowest 4s-based bonding orbitals, with six electrons lying at
      the nonbonding 3d-orbitals. This bonding feature renders so-called cubic
      aromaticity. Magnetic properties measurements show that 1 is an antiferromagnet.
      This work is expected to inspire further investigation of cubic metal-metal
      bonding, MOF materials with LOS metals, and metalloaromatic theory.

PMID- 26265185
TI  - HSP90 inhibition leads to degradation of the TYK2 kinase and apoptotic cell death
      in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
AB  - We previously found that tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) signaling through its
      downstream effector phospho-STAT1 acts to upregulate BCL2, which in turn mediates
      aberrant survival of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) cells. Here we
      show that pharmacologic inhibition of heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) with a small
      molecule inhibitor, NVP-AUY922 (AUY922), leads to rapid degradation of TYK2 and
      apoptosis in T-ALL cells. STAT1 protein levels were not affected by AUY922
      treatment, but phospho-STAT1 (Tyr-701) levels rapidly became undetectable,
      consistent with a block in signaling downstream of TYK2. BCL2 expression was
      downregulated after AUY922 treatment, and although this effect was necessary for
      AUY922-induced apoptosis, it was not sufficient because many T-ALL cell lines
      were resistant to ABT-199, a specific inhibitor of BCL2. Unlike ABT-199, AUY922
      also upregulated the proapoptotic proteins BIM and BAD, whose increased
      expression was required for AUY922-induced apoptosis. Thus, the potent
      cytotoxicity of AUY922 involves the synergistic combination of BCL2
      downregulation coupled with upregulation of the proapoptotic proteins BIM and
      BAD. This two-pronged assault on the mitochondrial apoptotic machinery identifies
      HSP90 inhibitors as promising drugs for targeting the TYK2-mediated prosurvival
      signaling axis in T-ALL cells. 

PMID- 26265187
TI  - Plain radiography in children with spoke wheel injury: A retrospective cohort
      study.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Bicycle spoke injury (BSI) mostly occurs in children as a
      result of entrapment of the leg in the bicycle spokes. No guideline or protocol
      exists that defines what type of radiography is indicated to diagnose or rule out
      a fracture commonly associated with these injuries. The aim of this study was (1)
      to evaluate the type of radiographs that are obtained in children with BSI, (2)
      to assess in which anatomical regions fractures occur and (3) to evaluate on
      which radiographs a fracture can be detected in children with BSI. PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed in paediatric patients
      presenting at the Emergency Department (ED) of a university hospital with a
      paediatric surgery department between June 2008 and December 2013. RESULTS: In 99
      of the 320 children (31.4%) evaluated with radiography following BSI a fracture
      was diagnosed. In almost two third of the patients (63%) radiographic imaging of
      two or more anatomical regions was performed. In 98 children (99%) the fracture
      was located at the distal tibia or fibula. All fractures were diagnosed on a
      radiograph of the ankle or lower leg (including the ankle region). No fractures
      of the foot were diagnosed. CONCLUSION: We suggest that in children with a
      clinical suspicion of a fracture at the ankle region, in which no fracture is
      seen at the radiograph of the ankle, no additional radiographs are necessary.

PMID- 26265188
TI  - Coatings of Eudragit(r) RL and L-55 Blends: Investigations on the Drug Release
      Mechanism.
AB  - In a previous study, generally lower drug release rates from RL:L55 blend coated
      pellets in neutral/basic release media than in acidic release media were
      reported. The aim of this study was to obtain information on the drug release
      mechanism of solid dosage forms coated with blends of Eudragit(r) RL (RL) and
      Eudragit(r) L-55 (L55). Swelling experiments with free films were analyzed
      spectroscopically and gravimetrically to identify the physicochemical cause for
      this release behavior. With Raman spectroscopy, the swelling of copolymer films
      could be monitored. IR spectroscopic investigations on RL:L55 blends immersed in
      media at pH 6.8 confirmed the formation of interpolyelectrolyte complexes (IPECs)
      that were not detectable after swelling in hydrochloric acid pH 1.2. Further
      investigations revealed that these IPECs decreased the extent of ion exchange
      between the quaternary ammonium groups of RL and the swelling media. This is
      presumably the reason for the previously reported decreased drug permeability of
      RL:L55 coatings in neutral/basic media as ion exchange is the determining factor
      in drug release from RL coated dosage forms. Gravimetric erosion studies
      confirmed that L55 was not leached out of the film blends during swelling in
      phosphate buffer pH 6.8. In contrast to all other investigated films, the 4:1
      (RL:L55) blend showed an extensive swelling within 24 h at pH 6.8 which explains
      the reported sigmoidal release behavior of 4:1 blend coated pellets. These
      results help to understand the release behavior of RL:L55 blend coated solid
      dosage forms.

PMID- 26265189
TI  - Process and Method Variability Modeling to Achieve QbD Targets.
AB  - A statistical modeling tool is presented that enables real-time viewing of how
      changes in method, process, and stability variability/bias impact product
      acceptance rate. The tool can be used to set and justify specifications. As
      needed, additional sources of variability/bias can be added to further optimize
      the tool's prediction power. The tool can be used to assess each manufacturing
      run to ensure the process is in control. Aberrant results can then be
      investigated to see what source of variability/bias may have changed. To enable
      continuous improvement, the impact of new processes, methods, or technologies can
      also be addressed and such changes justified.

PMID- 26265190
TI  - Effervescence Assisted Fusion Technique to Enhance the Solubility of Drugs.
AB  - The solubility of five poorly soluble drugs was enhanced by using an
      effervescence assisted solid dispersion (EASD) technique. EASDs were prepared by
      using modified fusion method. Drug and hydrophilic carrier were melted, and in
      this molten mixture, effervescence was generated by adding effervescence couple
      comprising organic acid (citric acid) and carbonic base (sodium bicarbonate).
      Solubility of drug powders, solid dispersions, and EASDs was determined at 25
      degrees C using shake flask method. Atorvastatin calcium, cefuroxime axetil,
      clotrimazole, ketoconazole, and metronidazole benzoate were estimated using a
      spectrophotometer at 246, 280, 260, 230, and 232 nm (lambda max), respectively.
      Solubility of atorvastatin calcium (from 100 to 345 MUg/ml), cefuroxime axetil
      (from 441 to 1948 MUg/ml), clotrimazole (from 63 to 677 MUg/ml), ketoconazole
      (from 16 to 500 MUg/ml), and metronidazole benzoate (from 112 to 208 MUg/ml) in
      EASDs was enhanced by 3.45-, 4.4-, 10.7-, 31.2-, and 1.8-fold, respectively.
      Scanning electron micrographs of drug powder, solid dispersion, and EASDs were
      compared. Scanning electron micrographs of EASDs showed a uniform distribution of
      drug particles in the carrier matrix. Morphology (size and shape) of cefuroxime
      axetil particles was altered in solid dispersion as well as in EASD. EASDs showed
      better solubility enhancement than conventional solid dispersions. The present
      technique is better suitable for drugs having a low melting point or melt without
      charring. Effervescence assisted fusion technique of preparing solid dispersions
      can be employed for enhancing solubility, dissolution, and bioavailability of
      poorly soluble drugs.

PMID- 26265191
TI  - Effect of therapeutic ultrasound on brain angiogenesis following intracerebral
      hemorrhage in rats.
AB  - Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) can produce severe neurological deficits in stroke
      survivors. However, few effective approaches are available to improve the
      recovery from ICH. Given that therapeutic ultrasound exposure can enhance on
      angiogenesis in peripheral tissues, the present study was designed to examine the
      effects of therapeutic ultrasound exposure on the brain angiogenesis following
      ICH. To this end, we applied once daily therapeutic ultrasound treatment to rats
      for 7 consecutive days after intracranial infusion of vehicle (Sham control) or
      collagenase (ICH). Repeated exposure to the low intensity of therapeutic
      ultrasound decreased behavioral scores in ICH rats, but not in sham control rats.
      Such an effect was correlated with an increased number of vessel-like structures
      and microvessels and PCNA positive cells in vWF-positive blood vessels in
      perihematomal brain tissues at post-ICH day 7. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry
      and western blotting results showed that ICH trigged the expression of
      extracellular matrix (ECM)-related molecules, including collagen Is, III, and IV,
      as well as integrins alphavbeta3 and alpha5beta1, and exposure to therapeutic
      ultrasound increased the expression of these molecules. Therefore, our results
      indicated that repeated exposure to a low intensity of therapeutic ultrasound can
      increase the expression of collagen and integrins of ECM-related molecules,
      promote the formation of a large number of vessel-like structure and capillaries
      around the hematoma, and accelerate the recovery of neurological function
      impaired by ICH. 

PMID- 26265192
TI  - Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to assess the effects of local ischemic
      preconditioning in the muscle of healthy volunteers and critically ill patients.
AB  - Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) permits non-invasive evaluation of tissue
      oxygen saturation (StO2). A vascular occlusion test (VOT) produces transient
      controlled ischemia similar to that used in ischemic preconditioning. We
      hypothesized that we could evaluate local responses to ischemic preconditioning
      by performing repeated VOTs and observing the changes in different NIRS VOT
      derived variables. In healthy volunteers (n=20), four VOTs were performed at 30
      min intervals on one day and, in a second group (n=21), two VOTs with time
      intervals of 5, 15 or 30min were performed on 3 separate days. Two cohorts of
      patients, one with circulatory shock (n=23) and a hemodynamically stable group
      (n=20), were also studied, repeating the VOT twice with a 5-min interval. In the
      1-day volunteers, there was a median decrease of 15 (6-21)% in the Desc slope
      (StO2 decrease during VOT) after the second VOT, but no significant change in the
      Asc slope (StO2 increase after VOT). In the 3-day volunteers, the Desc slope also
      decreased, regardless of the time interval between VOTs. There was no overall
      decrease in the Desc slope in either patient cohort with repeated VOTs but there
      was marked individual patient variability. Patients in whom the Desc slope
      decreased had less organ dysfunction at admission, required less norepinephrine
      (0.00 vs 0.08mcg/kg/min, p=0.02), less frequently had sepsis (12 vs 50%, p=0.02)
      and had a lower mortality (6 vs 39%, p=0.03) compared to those in whom it did not
      decrease. Repeated NIRS VOT can non-invasively assess the local effects of
      ischemic preconditioning in the muscle. 

PMID- 26265193
TI  - Surgical manifestations of gastrointestinal cytomegalovirus infection in
      children: Clinical audit and literature review.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Gastrointestinal sequelae of cytomegalovirus are rare, usually
      associated with significant immune compromise, and carry a high morbidity and
      mortality. Gastrointestinal disease frequently requires surgical intervention for
      diagnosis and management. AIM: The aim of the study is to evaluate the incidence,
      presentation and management of gastrointestinal cytomegalovirus disease in a
      pediatric population. METHOD: Between January 2003 and June 2011, a retrospective
      folder review was conducted of all symptomatic children with proven CMV disease,
      presenting to the surgical service. Eligible patients were identified using the
      surgical, histopathology and serology databases. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients
      (1.8/1000 surgical admissions) were identified with a median presenting age of
      5months (range 3days-12years). Esophagitis (n=18) and small bowel disease (n=16)
      predominated, but CMV was seen throughout the gastrointestinal tract. Risk
      factors included HIV infection (n=21, 55%) and recent gastrointestinal surgery or
      infection (n=10, 26%). Characteristic multiple jejunoileal perforations were seen
      in six patients. Compared to upper GIT disease, intestinal involvement was
      associated with younger age and doubled mortality. In HIV-infected children,
      median CD4 (%) was lower in intestinal compared to upper gastrointestinal
      disease. Morbidities included anastomotic breakdowns (5), anastomotic strictures
      (3), relook laparotomies (10), resistant esophageal strictures (5) and prolonged
      parenteral nutrition (5). Anti-CMV drugs were given in 63%. Overall mortality was
      32% (12/38) and was associated with lower GIT disease. CONCLUSION: Invasive CMV
      gastrointestinal disease in our children was predominantly HIV-associated, or
      followed a major lower gastrointestinal inflammatory insult in infants younger
      than 6months. Successful therapy requires a high index of suspicion of active CMV
      disease to allow early implementation of CMV viral load control and aggressive
      treatment of the underlying immune impairment. Multiple surgical interventions
      are often required for both tissue diagnosis and management of acute and chronic
      complications. CMV-viral-load-tailored anti-CMV therapy is supported by recent
      literature.

PMID- 26265195
TI  - Interaction of Policy, Politics, and Health.

PMID- 26265194
TI  - Distinct patterns of peritumoral histological findings in subtypes of intraductal
      papillary mucinous neoplasms of the pancreas.
AB  - Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) of the pancreas are primary
      pancreatic neoplasms that can act as precursors to invasive adenocarcinoma of the
      pancreas. The peritumoral stroma has been increasingly recognized to play an
      important role in many types of tumors. Therefore, to investigate the
      clinicopathological significance of the peritumoral stroma in IPMNs, we examined
      the histological features of the peritumoral stroma in each subtype and
      histological grade of IPMNs. Eighty-two patients with IPMN, who underwent
      surgical resection, were reviewed clinicopathologically. Intraductal papillary
      mucinous neoplasms (86 lesions in total) were histologically subclassified into
      gastric (n = 51), intestinal (n = 22), pancreatobiliary (n = 11), and oncocytic
      (n = 2) subtypes. Peritumoral histological features between the gastric and
      intestinal subtypes were evaluated by each histological grade. The results showed
      that subepithelial edema and inflammatory cell infiltration were more commonly
      observed in the gastric subtype (74% and 79%, respectively) than in the
      intestinal subtype (12% and 25%, respectively) of low-grade IPMNs. On the other
      hand, mucus lakes were more commonly observed in the intestinal subtype (100%)
      than in the gastric subtype (0%) of high-grade IPMNs. In addition,
      pancreatobiliary subtype IPMNs tended to exhibit acute inflammation such as
      neutrophil predominance. This study showed that peritumoral histological features
      differed among subtypes of IPMNs from low-grade tumors. These differences suggest
      the possibility that each subtype of IPMNs has a distinct mechanism from an early
      stage of tumor progression, which is reflected in the properties of the
      peritumoral stroma. 

PMID- 26265196
TI  - Sequential Healing at Implants with Different Configuration and Modified
      Surfaces: An Experimental Study in the Dog.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the peri-implant soft and hard tissue adaptation at implants
      with different modified surfaces and configurations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six
      Beagle dogs were used. Mandibular premolars and first molars were extracted
      bilaterally. After 3 months, full-thickness flaps were elevated, and two
      different types of trans-mucosal implants (ICX-Gold(r), Medentis Medical GmbH,
      Dernau, Germany and SLActive(r), Institute Straumann, Bern, Switzerland) and two
      different surfaces were randomly installed in the distal regions of one side of
      the mandible. Abutments were applied, and a nonsubmerged healing was allowed.
      After 1 month, the procedures were performed in the other side of the mandible,
      and after a further month, the animals were sacrificed, biopsies were collected,
      and ground sections prepared for histological examination. RESULTS: Similar
      results in marginal bone and soft tissues dimensions were observed after 1 month
      of healing at the two implant systems used, and no major changes could be
      observed after 2 months of healing. After 1 month, the percentage of new bone was
      69.0% and 68.8% at ICX-Gold and SLActive surfaces, respectively. After 2 months,
      the percentage of new bone was 67.8% and 71.9% at ICX-Gold Medentis and SLActive
      surfaces, respectively. No statistically significant differences in
      osseointegration were found. CONCLUSION: The two implant systems used resulted in
      similar osseointegration after 1 and 2 months of healing.

PMID- 26265197
TI  - Topical diclofenac does not affect the antiplatelet properties of aspirin as
      compared to the intermediate effects of oral diclofenac: A prospective,
      randomized, complete crossover study.
AB  - Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) adversely interact with aspirin,
      diminishing its antiplatelet effect and potentially placing patients at an
      increased risk for recurrent thrombotic events. This crossover study aimed to
      determine whether the topical NSAID diclofenac epolamine 1.3% patch or oral
      diclofenac 50 mg interfered with the antiplatelet effects of aspirin 325 mg.
      Twelve healthy men and women aged 18-50 were included. Participants were
      randomized into 5 treatment arms: aspirin, diclofenac potassium 50 mg, diclofenac
      patch, diclofenac potassium plus ASA 325 mg, and diclofenac patch plus aspirin.
      Platelet responsiveness was determined using whole-blood impedance aggregation
      (WBA) to collagen 1 MUg/mL and arachidonic acid (AA) 0.5 mM and was sampled every
      2 hours. No significant difference in platelet function was observed following
      the diclofenac patch and aspirin vs aspirin alone. Oral diclofenac produced a
      mixed effect with significant reduction in platelet inhibition at hour 2 and hour
      8 following aspirin administration. Topical diclofenac does not significantly
      interfere with the antiplatelet effects of aspirin and may be a safer alternative
      to the oral formulation.

PMID- 26265198
TI  - Spata19 is critical for sperm mitochondrial function and male fertility.
AB  - Haploid round spermatids undergo differentiation and morphogenesis during
      spermiogenesis, resulting in mature spermatozoa. The molecular details underlying
      this transformation, however, remain poorly understood. In this study, we
      generated and analyzed germ cell-specific Spata19 knockout mice
      (Spata19(flox/flox) ; Stra8-Cre; hereafter termed "Spata19 cKO") to assess the
      model that SPATA19 contributes to mitochondrial function in differentiating
      spermatids. Spata19-cKO males were infertile, as their sperm exhibited
      disorganized mitochondrial structure; furthermore, their sperm-abundance of
      mitochondrial proteins, activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complex IV,
      and ATP levels were significantly reduced. Yet, the infertility of Spata19-cKO
      males was rescued by intracytoplasmic sperm injection, so the sperm are capable
      of initiating development. Collectively, our findings suggest that SPATA19 plays
      an important role in sperm motility by regulating the organization and function
      of the mitochondria.

PMID- 26265199
TI  - Synthesis, Biological Evaluation and QSAR Studies of Newer Isoxazole Derivatives.
AB  - A series of newer 3-(4'-methoxyphenyl)-5-substituted phenylisoxazoles derivatives
      have been synthesized by reacting hydroxylamine hydrochloride with chalcones. The
      chalcones were formed by reacting different aromatic aldehydes with 4
      methoxyacetophenone in presence of aqueos potassium hydroxide (KOH). The purity
      of all the synthesized compounds was checked by recording their melting points
      and the retention Factors (Rf) values from thin layer chromatography. The
      structures of the compounds were characterized by recording their infrared (IR)
      spectra and confirmed by recording their nuclear magnetic resonance ((1)H NMR)
      spectra. The acute toxicity study was carried out on all the synthesized
      compounds and they were screened for their antiinflammatory activity by
      carrageenan induced rat paw edema method. Anti-inflammatory studies showed
      statistically significant activity when compared to the control, indomethacin.
      The two most potent compounds giving good anti-inflammatory activity were further
      evaluated for their antiulcer activity. The compounds were subjected to
      quantitative structure activity relationships (QSAR) studies. A close correlation
      between the observed and the predicted anti-inflammatory activity (Log %
      inhibition) for the compounds indicated the development of the best QSAR model.
      The synthesized compounds were found to be non-ulcerogenic as compared to the
      standard, aspirin. 

PMID- 26265200
TI  - Probing the Role of Side-Chain Interconnecting Groups in the Structural
      Hydrophobicity of Comblike Fluorinated Polystyrene by Solid-State NMR
      Spectroscopy.
AB  - In order to probe the role of side-chain interconnecting groups (-O-, -S-, and 
      SO2- linkages between the polystyrene (PST) main chain and fluorooctyl side
      chain) in the hydrophobicity of the comblike fluorinated polystyrenes, the
      molecular motion and structure of polymers are explored using the spin-lattice
      relaxation times (T1 and T1rho) by solid-state (1)H and (19)F nuclear magnetic
      resonance spectroscopy. The chain-end motions of the polystyrene main chain and
      the fluorooctyl side chain are homogeneous, regardless of the interconnecting
      groups, which means that the chain-end motions of the main chain and the side
      chain maintain consistency, and these are irrelevant to each other. However, the
      local dynamic of the main chain shows the structural heterogeneity composed of
      the mobile and rigid regions, attributed to the rigidity of the side chain. The
      mobile dynamic portions of the main chain for PST-O and PST-S increase, and their
      rigid dynamic portions decrease as the temperature increases, whereas the ratio
      of structural heterogeneity for PST-SO2 is maintained despite increasing
      temperature. The activation energies (Ea) corresponding to the local motion of
      fluorooctyl side chains for PST-O and PST-S are drastically increased on the fast
      motion side compared to the slow motion side, suggesting the motional
      transformation of side chains for PST-O and PST-S from the small local motion
      into the large-scale movements related to a cooperative segmental motion when
      heated. Also, the local motion of the fluorooctyl side chain for PST-SO2 has
      similar Ea values on both sides, indicating that the relaxation time of PST-SO2
      does not change with temperature. Therefore, PST-SO2 is structurally more stable
      than PST-O or PST-S, which can be attributed to the densely packed fluorooctyl
      side chain structure caused by the large dipole moment of the sulfone
      interconnecting group. 

PMID- 26265201
TI  - Impact of Risk Assessment and Tailored versus Nontailored Risk Information on
      Colorectal Cancer Testing in Primary Care: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer screening is effective but underused. Guidelines
      for which tests are recommended and at what intervals depend on specific risks.
      We developed a tablet-based Cancer Risk Intake System (CRIS) that asks questions
      about risk prior to appointments and generates tailored printouts for patients
      and physicians summarizing and matching risk factors with guideline-based
      recommendations. METHODS: Randomized controlled trial among patients who: (i)
      used CRIS and they and their physicians received tailored printouts; (ii) used
      CRIS to answer questions but received standard information about cancer screening
      while their physicians received a standard electronic chart prompt indicating
      they were age-eligible but not currently adherent for colorectal cancer
      screening; or (iii) comprised a no-contact group that neither used CRIS nor
      received any information while their physicians received the standard prompt.
      Participation in testing was assessed via electronic medical record at 12 months.
      RESULTS: Participation in any colorectal cancer testing was three times higher
      for those who used the CRIS and received any printed materials, compared with no
      contact controls (47% vs. 16%; P < 0.0001). Among CRIS users ages 50 and older,
      participation in any testing was higher in the tailored group (53% vs. 44%, P =
      0.023). CONCLUSION: Use of CRIS and receipt of any information facilitated
      participation in testing. There was more testing participation in the CRIS
      tailored than nontailored group. IMPACT: Asking patients questions about their
      specific risk factors and giving them and their providers information just prior
      to an appointment may increase participation in colorectal cancer testing.
      Tailoring the information has some added benefit.

PMID- 26265202
TI  - Prospectively Identified Incident Testicular Cancer Risk in a Familial Testicular
      Cancer Cohort.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Human testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT) have a strong genetic
      component and a high familial relative risk. However, linkage analyses have not
      identified a rare, highly penetrant familial TGCT (FTGCT) susceptibility locus.
      Currently, multiple low-penetrance genes are hypothesized to underlie the
      familial multiple-case phenotype. The observation that two is the most common
      number of affected individuals per family presents an impediment to FTGCT gene
      discovery. Clinically, the prospective TGCT risk in the multiple-case family
      context is unknown. METHODS: We performed a prospective analysis of TGCT
      incidence in a cohort of multiple-affected-person families and sporadic-bilateral
      case families; 1,260 men from 140 families (10,207 person-years of follow-up) met
      our inclusion criteria. Age-, gender-, and calendar time-specific standardized
      incidence ratios (SIR) for TGCT relative to the general population were
      calculated using SEER*Stat. RESULTS: Eight incident TGCTs occurred during
      prospective FTGCT cohort follow-up (versus 0.67 expected; SIR = 11.9; 95% CI, 5.1
      23.4; excess absolute risk = 7.2/10,000). We demonstrate that the incidence rate
      of TGCT is greater among bloodline male relatives from multiple-case testicular
      cancer families than that expected in the general population, a pattern
      characteristic of adult-onset Mendelian cancer susceptibility disorders. Two of
      these incident TGCTs occurred in relatives of sporadic-bilateral cases (0.15
      expected; SIR = 13.4; 95% CI, 1.6-48.6). CONCLUSIONS: Our data are the first to
      indicate that despite relatively low numbers of affected individuals per family,
      members of both multiple-affected-person FTGCT families and sporadic-bilateral
      TGCT families comprise high-risk groups for incident testicular cancer. IMPACT:
      Men at high TGCT risk might benefit from tailored risk stratification and
      surveillance strategies.

PMID- 26265204
TI  - Accessibility and Quality of Online Cancer-Related Clinical Trial Information for
      Naive Searchers.
AB  - Although the Internet may help to increase cancer patients' awareness of clinical
      trials, little is known about the accessibility and quality of online clinical
      trial information. We simulated the experience of a naive cancer patient without
      clinical trial knowledge by searching three popular search engines for treatment
      information for breast, lung, and prostate cancer, and myelodysplastic syndromes
      (MDS). Two coders independently evaluated website content for accessibility and
      quality. We screened 120 websites and identified 40 unique sites for analysis.
      Overall, 85% [95% confidence interval (CI), 70%-94%] of sites mentioned clinical
      trials on the landing page and 68% (51%-81%) included links to specific trials.
      Overall readability was poor. Approximately half of websites (36%-68%) included
      information on the potential benefits and risks of clinical trials and 40%
      provided information about when the site had been updated (25%-57%). Among sites
      with links to specific clinical trials, only 44% (25%-65%) provided an
      interactive interface that would allow patients to customize search results;
      breast (100%) and prostate (50%) sites were more interactive than lung (25%) and
      MDS (14%; P = 0.007). Although cancer clinical trial information is widely
      available on the Internet, its quality is highly variable. Given the fact that
      many emerging cancer therapeutics are personalized based on disease or genomic
      characteristics, interactive web-based interfaces could serve as powerful
      vehicles to help patients locate appropriate clinical trials. Without enhanced
      efforts to ensure greater interactivity of cancer treatment websites, patient
      awareness of relevant clinical trials may remain low.

PMID- 26265203
TI  - Longitudinal Study of DNA Methylation of Inflammatory Genes and Cancer Risk.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic inflammation plays a key role in cancer etiology. DNA
      methylation modification, one of the epigenetic mechanisms regulating gene
      expression, is considered a hallmark of cancer. Human and animal models have
      identified numerous links between DNA methylation and inflammatory biomarkers.
      Our objective was to prospectively and longitudinally examine associations
      between methylation of four inflammatory genes and cancer risk. METHODS: We
      included 795 Normative Aging Study participants with blood drawn one to four
      times from 1999 to 2012 (median follow-up, 10.6 years). Promoter DNA methylation
      of IL6, ICAM-1, IFN, and TLR2 in blood leukocytes was measured using
      pyrosequencing at multiple CpG sites and averaged by gene for data analysis. We
      used Cox regression models to examine prospective associations of baseline and
      time-dependent methylation with cancer risk and compared mean methylation
      differences over time between cancer cases and cancer-free participants. RESULTS:
      Baseline IFN hypermethylation was associated with all-cancer (HR, 1.49; P = 0.04)
      and prostate cancer incidence (HR, 1.69; P = 0.02). Baseline ICAM-1 and IL6
      hypermethylation were associated with prostate cancer incidence (HR, 1.43; P =
      0.02; HR, 0.70; P = 0.03, respectively). In our time-dependent analyses, IFN
      hypermethylation was associated with all-cancer (HR, 1.79; P = 0.007) and
      prostate cancer (HR, 1.57; P = 0.03) incidence; and ICAM-1 and IL6
      hypermethylation were associated with prostate cancer incidence (HR, 1.39; P =
      0.02; HR, 0.69; P = 0.03, respectively). We detected significant ICAM-1
      hypermethylation in cancer cases (P = 0.0003) 10 to 13 years prediagnosis.
      CONCLUSION: Hypermethylation of IFN and ICAM-1 may play important roles in early
      carcinogenesis, particularly that of prostate cancer. IMPACT: These methylation
      changes could inform the development of early detection biomarkers and potential
      treatments of inflammation-related carcinogenesis.

PMID- 26265205
TI  - 3D Mesoporous Graphene: CVD Self-Assembly on Porous Oxide Templates and
      Applications in High-Stable Li-S Batteries.
AB  - A nanostructured carbon with high specific surface area (SSA), tunable pore
      structure, superior electrical conductivity, mechanically robust framework, and
      high chemical stability is an important requirement for electrochemical energy
      storage. Porous graphene fabricated by chemical activation and liquid etching has
      a high surface area but very limited volume of electrochemically accessible
      mesopores. Herein, an effective strategy of in situ formation of hierarchically
      mesoporous oxide templates with small pores induced by Kirkendall diffusion and
      large pores attributed to evaporation of deliberately introduced volatile metal
      is proposed for chemical vapor deposition assembly of porous graphene frameworks
      (PGFs). The PGFs inherit the hierarchical mesoporous structure of the templates.
      A high SSA of 1448 m(2) g(-1), 91.6% of which is contributed by mesopores, and a
      mesopore volume of 2.40 cm(3) g(-1) are attained for PGFs serving as reservoirs
      of ions or active materials in electrochemical energy storage applications. When
      the PGFs are applied in lithium-sulfur batteries, a very high sulfur utilization
      of 71% and a very low fading rate of ~0.04% per cycle after the second cycle are
      achieved at a current rate of 1.0 C. This work provides a general strategy for
      the rational construction of mesoporous structures induced by a volatile metal,
      with a view toward the design of hierarchical nanomaterials for advanced energy
      storage.

PMID- 26265207
TI  - Occipital neuralgia after scalp biopsy and curettage.

PMID- 26265206
TI  - Cell cycle control, DNA damage repair, and apoptosis-related pathways control pre
      ameloblasts differentiation during tooth development.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ameloblast differentiation is the most critical stepwise process in
      amelogenesis, and it is controlled by precise molecular events. To better
      understand the mechanism controlling pre-ameloblasts (PABs) differentiation into
      secretory ameloblasts (SABs), a more precise identification of molecules and
      signaling networks will elucidate the mechanisms governing enamel formation and
      lay a foundation for enamel regeneration. RESULTS: We analyzed transcriptional
      profiles of human PABs and SABs. From a total of 28,869 analyzed transcripts, we
      identified 923 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with p < 0.05 and Fold
      change > 2. Among the DEGs, 647 genes showed elevated expression in PABs compared
      to SABs. Notably, 38 DEGs displayed greater than eight-fold changes. Comparative
      analysis revealed that highly expressed genes in PABs were involved in cell cycle
      control, DNA damage repair and apoptosis, while highly expressed genes in SABs
      were related to cell adhesion and extracellular matrix. Moreover, coexpression
      network analysis uncovered two highly conserved sub-networks contributing to
      differentiation, containing transcription regulators (RUNX2, ETV1 and ETV5),
      solute carrier family members (SLC15A1 and SLC7A11), enamel matrix protein
      (MMP20), and a polymodal excitatory ion channel (TRPA1). CONCLUSIONS: By
      combining comparative analysis and coexpression networks, this study provides
      novel biomarkers and research targets for ameloblast differentiation and the
      potential for their application in enamel regeneration.

PMID- 26265208
TI  - Can Near-infrared Spectroscopy Detect and Differentiate Implant-associated
      Biofilms?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Established bacterial diagnostic techniques for orthopaedic-related
      infections rely on a combination of imperfect tests that often can lead to
      negative culture results. Spectroscopy is a tool that potentially could aid in
      rapid detection and differentiation of bacteria in implant-associated infections.
      QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We asked: (1) Can principal component analysis explain
      variation in spectral curves for biofilm obtained from Staphylococcus aureus,
      Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa? (2) What is the accuracy
      of Fourier transformed-near infrared (FT-NIR)/multivariate data analysis in
      identifying the specific species associated with biofilm? METHODS: Three clinical
      isolates, S aureus, S epidermidis, and P aeruginosa were cultured to create
      biofilm on surgical grade stainless steel. At least 52 samples were analyzed per
      group using a FT-NIR spectrometer. Multivariate and principal component analyses
      were performed on the spectral data to allow for modeling and identification of
      the bacterial species. RESULTS: Spectral analysis was able to correctly identify
      86% (37/43) of S aureus, 89% (16/18) of S epidermidis, and 70% (28/40) of P
      aeruginosa samples with minimal error. Overall, models developed using spectral
      data preprocessed using a combination of standard normal variant and first
      derivative transformations performed much better than models developed with the
      raw spectral data in discriminating between the three classes of bacteria because
      of its low Type 1 error and large intermodel distinction. CONCLUSIONS: The use of
      spectroscopic methods to identify and classify bacterial biofilms on orthopaedic
      implant material is possible and improves with advanced modeling that can be
      obtained rapidly with little error. The sensitivity for identification was 97%
      for S aureus (95% CI, 88-99%), 100% for S epidermidis (95% CI, 95-100%), and 77%
      for P aeruginosa (95% CI, 65-86%). The specificity of the S aureus was 86% (95%
      CI, 3-93%), S epidermidis was 89% (95% CI, 67-97%), and P aeruginosa was 70% (95%
      CI, 55-82%). CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This technique of spectral data acquisition and
      advanced modeling should continue to be explored as a method for bacterial
      biofilm identification. A spectral databank of bacterial and potentially
      contaminating tissues should be acquired initially through an in vivo animal
      model and quickly transition to explanted devices and the clinical arena.

PMID- 26265210
TI  - Adult-onset myoclonus ataxia associated with the mitochondrial m.8993T>C "NARP"
      mutation.

PMID- 26265209
TI  - Body mass index association with functional gastrointestinal disorders:
      differences between genders. Results from a study in a tertiary center.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Obesity is considered as a risk factor for many functional
      gastrointestinal disorders. The aim of the study was to evaluate if functional
      digestive disorders are associated with specific body mass index groups and
      gender. METHODS: A total of 1074 patients (50.3 +/- 16.5 years, 67 % females)
      filled out a standard Rome III questionnaire (79 % acceptance rate). The patients
      were assigned to five groups according to their body mass index: underweight (6
      %), normal (49 %), overweight (28 %), obese (12 %), and morbidly obese (5 %).
      Data analysis was performed using multinomial logistic regression; subjects with
      the normal weight were the reference group. RESULTS: Patients presented specific
      demographic and clinical characteristics according to the weight groups.
      Underweight patients were younger (p < 0.001), and presented a female
      predominance (p = 0.006), dysphagia (p = 0.013) and soiling (p = 0.021).
      Overweight patients were older (p = 0.001), and reported more frequently globus
      (p = 0.001), regurgitation (p = 0.004), postprandial distress syndrome (p =
      0.009). Obese patients reported more frequently regurgitation (p < 0.001). Morbid
      obese patients reported dyspepsia (p = 0.046). In patients, the odds of
      regurgitation increased with body mass index from underweight to obesity, but not
      when compared to morbid obesity. The probability of globus and regurgitation
      increased with body mass index and presented a steeper increase in females.
      CONCLUSIONS: In patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders, globus and
      regurgitation are associated with body mass index, mainly in female patients.

PMID- 26265211
TI  - Chromosomal copy number alterations for associations of ductal carcinoma in situ
      with invasive breast cancer.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Screening mammography has contributed to a significant increase in
      the diagnosis of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), raising concerns about
      overdiagnosis and overtreatment. Building on prior observations from lineage
      evolution analysis, we examined whether measuring genomic features of DCIS would
      predict association with invasive breast carcinoma (IBC). The long-term goal is
      to enhance standard clinicopathologic measures of low- versus high-risk DCIS and
      to enable risk-appropriate treatment. METHODS: We studied three common
      chromosomal copy number alterations (CNA) in IBC and designed fluorescence in
      situ hybridization-based assay to measure copy number at these loci in DCIS
      samples. Clinicopathologic data were extracted from the electronic medical
      records of Stanford Cancer Institute and linked to demographic data from the
      population-based California Cancer Registry; results were integrated with data
      from tissue microarrays of specimens containing DCIS that did not develop IBC
      versus DCIS with concurrent IBC. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was
      performed to describe associations of CNAs with these two groups of DCIS.
      RESULTS: We examined 271 patients with DCIS (120 that did not develop IBC and 151
      with concurrent IBC) for the presence of 1q, 8q24 and 11q13 copy number gains.
      Compared to DCIS-only patients, patients with concurrent IBC had higher
      frequencies of CNAs in their DCIS samples. On multivariable analysis with
      conventional clinicopathologic features, the copy number gains were significantly
      associated with concurrent IBC. The state of two of the three copy number gains
      in DCIS was associated with a risk of IBC that was 9.07 times that of no copy
      number gains, and the presence of gains at all three genomic loci in DCIS was
      associated with a more than 17-fold risk (P = 0.0013). CONCLUSIONS: CNAs have the
      potential to improve the identification of high-risk DCIS, defined by presence of
      concurrent IBC. Expanding and validating this approach in both additional cross
      sectional and longitudinal cohorts may enable improved risk stratification and
      risk-appropriate treatment in DCIS.

PMID- 26265213
TI  - The partly Aalen's model for recurrent event data with a dependent terminal
      event.
AB  - Recurrent event data are commonly observed in biomedical longitudinal studies. In
      many instances, there exists a terminal event, which precludes the occurrence of
      additional repeated events, and usually there is also a nonignorable correlation
      between the terminal event and recurrent events. In this article, we propose a
      partly Aalen's additive model with a multiplicative frailty for the rate function
      of recurrent event process and assume a Cox frailty model for terminal event
      time. A shared gamma frailty is used to describe the correlation between the two
      types of events. Consequently, this joint model can provide the information of
      temporal influence of absolute covariate effects on the rate of recurrent event
      process, which is usually helpful in the decision-making process for physicians.
      An estimating equation approach is developed to estimate marginal and association
      parameters in the joint model. The consistency of the proposed estimator is
      established. Simulation studies demonstrate that the proposed approach is
      appropriate for practical use. We apply the proposed method to a peritonitis
      cohort data set for illustration.

PMID- 26265212
TI  - Myosin VI and cardiomyopathy: Left ventricular hypertrophy, fibrosis, and both
      cardiac and pulmonary vascular endothelial cell defects in the Snell's waltzer
      mouse.
AB  - In mice and humans, loss of myosin VI (Myo6) function results in deafness, and
      certain Myo6 mutations also result in cardiomyopathies in humans. The current
      studies have utilized the Snell's waltzer (sv) mouse (a functional null mutation
      for Myo6) to determine if this mouse also exhibits cardiac defects and thus used
      to determine the cellular and molecular basis for Myo6-associated heart disease.
      Myo6 is expressed in mouse heart where it is predominantly expressed in vascular
      endothelial cells (VECs) based on co-localization with the VEC cell marker CD31.
      Sv/sv heart mass is significantly greater than that of sv/+ littermates, a result
      of left ventricle hypertrophy. The left ventricle of the sv/sv exhibits extensive
      fibrosis, both interstitial and perivascular, based on histologic staining, and
      immunolocalization of several markers for fibrosis including fibronectin,
      collagen IV, and the fibroblast marker vimentin. Myo6 is also expressed in lung
      VECs but not in VECs of intestine, kidney, or liver. Sv/sv lungs exhibit
      increased periaveolar fibrosis and enlarged air sacs. Electron microscopy of
      sv/sv cardiac and lung VECs revealed abnormal ultrastructure, including luminal
      protrusions and increased numbers of cytoplasmic vesicles. Previous studies have
      shown that loss of function of either Myo6 or its adaptor binding partner
      synectin/GIPC results in impaired arterial development due to defects in VEGF
      signaling. However, examination of synectin/GIPC-/- heart revealed no fibrosis or
      significantly altered VEC ultrastructure, suggesting that the cardiac and lung
      defects observed in the sv/sv mouse are not due to Myo6 function in arterial
      development.

PMID- 26265214
TI  - Survival outcomes of supportive care versus dialysis therapies for elderly
      patients with end-stage kidney disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - AIM: Elderly people comprise a large and growing proportion of the global
      dialysis population. Regional differences in rates of dialysis in the elderly
      suggest multiple factors influence treatment decision-making including beliefs
      about the relative benefits and harms of dialysis and supportive (non-dialysis)
      care. We therefore systematically reviewed the literature reporting survival of
      elderly patients treated with either treatment pathway. METHODS: Systematic
      review and meta-analysis of cohort studies or randomized controlled trials
      identified in MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled
      Trials published before July 2014. Survival by treatment modality was calculated.
      Subgroup analyses by study design, study size, patient age and cohort era were
      conducted. RESULTS: Eighty-nine studies published between 1976 and 2014 reported
      on 294 921 elderly end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients. There was a paucity
      of data for supportive care (724 patients or 0.2% of the total patients) and
      supportive care studies were susceptible to lead-time bias. One-year survival for
      elderly patients treated with undifferentiated dialysis was 73.0% (95% confidence
      interval (CI) 66.3-79.7%), 78.4% (95% CI 75.2-81.6) for haemodialysis and 77.9%
      (95% CI 73.8-81.9) for peritoneal dialysis. Supportive care patients had a 1-year
      survival of 70.6% (95% CI 63.3-78.0%). Residual heterogeneity remained within
      individual treatment modalities despite subgroup analyses. CONCLUSIONS: While the
      available literature demonstrates a broadly similar 1-year survival in elderly
      ESKD patients, it does not allow a confident estimate of the relative survival
      benefits of dialysis or supportive care. This uncertainty needs urgent attendance
      by further prospective data, which avoid bias and allow comparisons of quality of
      life and survival.

PMID- 26265215
TI  - Nanomolar aluminum induces expression of the inflammatory systemic biomarker C
      reactive protein (CRP) in human brain microvessel endothelial cells (hBMECs).
AB  - C-reactive protein (CRP; also known as pentraxin 1, PTX1), a 224 amino acid
      soluble serum protein organized into a novel pentameric ring-shaped structure, is
      a highly sensitive pathogenic biomarker for systemic inflammation. High CRP
      levels are found in practically every known inflammatory state, and elevated CRP
      levels indicate an increased risk for several common age-related human
      degenerative disorders, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and
      Alzheimer's disease (AD). While the majority of CRP is synthesized in the liver
      for secretion into the systemic circulation, it has recently been discovered that
      an appreciable amount of CRP is synthesized in highly specialized endothelial
      cells that line the vasculature of the brain and central nervous system (CNS).
      These highly specialized cells, the major cell type lining the human CNS
      vasculature, are known as human brain microvessel endothelial cells (hBMECs). In
      the current pilot study we examined (i) CRP levels in human serum obtained from
      AD and age-matched control patients; and (ii) analyzed the effects of nanomolar
      aluminum sulfate on CRP expression in primary hBMECs. The three major findings in
      this short communication are: (i) that CRP is up-regulated in AD serum; (ii) that
      CRP serum levels increased in parallel with AD progression; and (iii) for the
      first time show that nanomolar aluminum potently up-regulates CRP expression in
      hBMECs to many times its 'basal abundance'. The results suggest that aluminum
      induced CRP may in part contribute to a pathophysiological state associated with
      a chronic systemic inflammation of the human vasculature. 

PMID- 26265216
TI  - Extensive Four-Dimensional Chaos in a Mesoscopic Model of the
      Electroencephalogram.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In a previous work (Dafilis et al. in Chaos 23(2):023111, 2013),
      evidence was presented for four-dimensional chaos in Liley's mesoscopic model of
      the electroencephalogram. The study was limited to one parameter set of the model
      equations. FINDINGS: In this report we expand that result by presenting evidence
      for the extension of four-dimensional chaotic behavior to a large area of the
      biologically admissible parameter space. A two-parameter bifurcation analysis
      highlights the complexity of the dynamical landscape involved in the creation of
      such chaos. CONCLUSIONS: The extensive presence of high-order chaos in a well
      established physiological model of electrorhythmogenesis further emphasizes the
      applicability and relevance of mean field mesoscopic models in the description of
      brain activity at theoretical, experimental, and clinical levels.

PMID- 26265217
TI  - A Simple Mechanism for Beyond-Pairwise Correlations in Integrate-and-Fire
      Neurons.
AB  - The collective dynamics of neural populations are often characterized in terms of
      correlations in the spike activity of different neurons. We have developed an
      understanding of the circuit mechanisms that lead to correlations among cell
      pairs, but little is known about what determines the population firing statistics
      among larger groups of cells. Here, we examine this question for a simple, but
      ubiquitous, circuit feature: common fluctuating input arriving to spiking neurons
      of integrate-and-fire type. We show that this leads to strong beyond-pairwise
      correlations-that is, correlations that cannot be captured by maximum entropy
      models that extrapolate from pairwise statistics-as for earlier work with
      discrete threshold crossing (dichotomous Gaussian) models. Moreover, we find that
      the same is true for another widely used, doubly stochastic model of neural
      spiking, the linear-nonlinear cascade. We demonstrate the strong connection
      between the collective dynamics produced by integrate-and-fire and dichotomous
      Gaussian models, and show that the latter is a surprisingly accurate model of the
      former. Our conclusion is that beyond-pairwise correlations can be both broadly
      expected and possible to describe by simplified (and tractable) statistical
      models. 

PMID- 26265218
TI  - A cohort study: temporal trends in prevalence of antecedents, comorbidities and
      mortality in Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians with first heart failure
      hospitalization, 2000-2009.
AB  - BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Little is known about trends in risk factors and mortality
      for Aboriginal Australians with heart failure (HF). This population-based study
      evaluated trends in prevalence of risk factors, 30-day and 1-year all-cause
      mortality following first HF hospitalization among Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal
      Western Australians in the decade 2000-2009. METHODS: Linked-health data were
      used to identify patients (20-84 years), with a first-ever HF hospitalization.
      Trends in demographics, comorbidities, interventions and risk factors were
      evaluated. Logistic and Cox regression models were fitted to test and compare
      trends over time in 30-day and 1-year mortality. RESULTS: Of 17,379 HF patients,
      1,013 (5.8%) were Aboriginal. Compared with 2000-2002, the prevalence (as
      history) of myocardial infarction and hypertension increased more markedly in
      2006-2009 in Aboriginal (versus non-Aboriginal) patients, while diabetes and
      chronic kidney disease remained disproportionately higher in Aboriginal patients.
      Risk factor trends, including the Charlson comorbidity index, increased over time
      in younger Aboriginal patients. Risk-adjusted 30-day mortality did not change
      over the decade in either group. Risk-adjusted 1-year mortality (in 30-day
      survivors) was non-significantly higher in Aboriginal patients in 2006-2008
      compared with 2000-2002 (hazard ratio (HR) 1.44; 95% CI 0.85-2.41; p-trend =
      0.47) whereas it decreased in non-Aboriginal patients (HR 0.87; 95% CI 0.78-0.97;
      p-trend = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Between 2000 and 2009, the prevalence of HF
      antecedents increased and remained disproportionately higher in Aboriginal
      (versus non-Aboriginal) HF patients. Risk-adjusted 1-year mortality did not
      improve in Aboriginal patients over the period in contrast with non-Aboriginal
      patients. These findings highlight the need for better prevention and post-HF
      care in Aboriginal Australians.

PMID- 26265219
TI  - Diagnosis of primary secretory otitis media in the cavalier King Charles spaniel.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Primary secretory otitis media (PSOM) is a disease reported in the
      cavalier King Charles spaniel (CKCS). The diagnosis of PSOM has been made based
      only on visualization of a bulging tympanic membrane and mucus in the middle ear
      post-myringotomy. No additional tests have been evaluated for the diagnosis of
      PSOM; CKCSs with early disease may have been missed. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: The
      objective of this study was to compare otoscopy, tympanometry, pneumotoscopy and
      tympanic bulla ultrasonography, using computed tomography (CT) as the gold
      standard for the diagnosis of PSOM in the CKCS. ANIMALS: Sixty CKCSs with
      clinical signs suggestive of PSOM. METHODS: Otoscopy, CT scan, tympanic bulla
      ultrasonography, tympanometry and pneumotoscopy were performed; those CKCSs with
      a soft tissue density in the middle ear identified on CT had a myringotomy and
      middle ear flush. RESULTS: Forty-three (72%) CKCSs had PSOM (30 bilateral, 13
      unilateral). A large bulging pars flaccida was identified in only those CKCS with
      PSOM (specificity of 100%); however, only 21 of 73 ears with PSOM had a large
      bulging pars flaccida (sensitivity of 29%). Sensitivity and specificity for
      tympanometry, pneumotoscopy and tympanic bulla ultrasonography were (84%, 47%),
      (75%, 79%) and (67%, 47%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE:
      Based on these results a large bulging pars flaccida indicates the presence of
      PSOM, whereas a flat pars flaccida may be present in CKCS that have PSOM as well
      as those that do not. In CKCSs with a flat pars flaccida none of the above
      diagnostic tests can be recommended in place of CT scan for the diagnosis of
      PSOM.

PMID- 26265220
TI  - Prolongation of antibiotic treatment for cystic fibrosis pulmonary exacerbations.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pulmonary exacerbations frequently lead to an irrevocable loss of
      lung function in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Although extended antibiotic
      duration has not been shown to be associated with improved outcomes in CF
      overall, it is not known whether there is a subset of patients who may benefit
      from longer treatment courses. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study,
      using the Toronto CF Database from 1997 to 2012, of CF individuals with pulmonary
      exacerbations requiring intravenous antibiotic treatment. We investigated factors
      associated with improvement in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) in
      patients treated with <=14 days and >14 days of antibiotic treatment. RESULTS: A
      total of 538 pulmonary exacerbations in 253 patients were used for these
      analysis; 39% of these exacerbations fully recovered lung function at follow-up.
      Exacerbations were more frequently treated with >14 days of antibiotics in older
      patients with lower FEV1 at exacerbation and higher rates of B. cepacia complex
      infections. Subjects with exacerbations treated for >14 days had a significantly
      greater increase in FEV1 from day 14 to follow up compared to those with <=14
      days (p<0.001). On multivariable analysis, smaller changes from days 0 to 14 of
      antibiotics and treatment duration>14 days were associated with greater increases
      in FEV1 from day 14 to follow-up. In those who received >14 days of antibiotic
      therapy, smaller improvements in FEV1 change from day 0 to 14 and younger age at
      exacerbation were significantly associated with a greater FEV1 response from day
      14 to end of treatment. Antibiotic treatment >14 days was not associated with
      longer time to subsequent exacerbation. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights that
      in the treatment of pulmonary exacerbations, maximum lung function is not
      achieved within 14 days in all patients, and that there is continued improvement
      beyond this period.

PMID- 26265221
TI  - Interpersonal communication as an agent of normative influence: a mixed method
      study among the urban poor in India.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although social norms are thought to play an important role in
      couples' reproductive decisions, only limited theoretical or empirical guidance
      exists on how the underlying process works. Using the theory of normative social
      behavior (TNSB), through a mixed-method design, we investigated the role played
      by injunctive norms and interpersonal discussion in the relationship between
      descriptive norms and use of modern contraceptive methods among the urban poor in
      India. METHODS: Data from a household survey (N = 11,811) were used to test the
      underlying theoretical propositions, and focus group interviews among men and
      women were then conducted to obtain more in-depth knowledge about decision-making
      processes related to modern contraceptive use. RESULTS: Spousal influence and
      interpersonal communication emerged as key factors in decision-making, waning in
      the later years of marriage, and they also moderated the influence of descriptive
      norms on behaviors. Norms around contraceptive use, which varied by parity, are
      rapidly changing with the country's urbanization and increased access to health
      information. CONCLUSION: Open interpersonal discussion, community norms, and
      perspectives are integral in enabling women and couples to use modern family
      planning to meet their current fertility desires and warrant sensitivity in the
      design of family planning policy and programs.

PMID- 26265223
TI  - Ramucirumab for Colon Cancer and the Problem of Rising Prices Independent of
      Benefits.

PMID- 26265222
TI  - Supporting Option B+ scale up and strengthening the prevention of mother-to-child
      transmission cascade in central Malawi: results from a serial cross-sectional
      study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We established Safeguard the Family (STF) to support Ministry of
      Health (MoH) scale-up of universal antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV-infected
      pregnant and breastfeeding women (Option B+) and to strengthen the prevention of
      mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) cascade from HIV testing and counseling
      (HTC) through maternal ART provision and post-delivery early infant HIV diagnosis
      (EID). To these ends, we implemented the following interventions in 5 districts:
      1) health worker training and mentorship; 2) couples' HTC and male partner
      involvement; 3) women's psychosocial support groups; and 4) health and laboratory
      system strengthening for EID. METHODS: We conducted a serial cross-sectional
      study using facility-level quarterly (Q) program data and individual-level infant
      HIV-1 DNA PCR data to evaluate STF performance on PMTCT indicators for project
      years (Y) 1 (April-December 2011) through 3 (January-December 2013), and compared
      these results to national averages. RESULTS: Facility-level uptake of HTC, ART,
      infant nevirapine prophylaxis, and infant DNA PCR testing increased significantly
      from quarterly baselines of 66 % (n/N = 32,433/48,804), 23 % (n/N = 442/1,958), 1
      % (n/N = 10/1,958), and 52 % (n/N = 1,385/2,644) to 87 % (n/N = 39,458/45,324),
      96 % (n/N = 2,046/2,121), 100 % (n/N = 2,121/2,121), and 62 % (n/N =
      1,462/2,340), respectively, by project end (all p < 0.001). Quarterly HTC, ART,
      and infant nevirapine prophylaxis uptake outperformed national averages over
      years 2-3. While transitioning EID laboratory services to MoH, STF provided first
      time HIV-1 DNA PCR testing for 2,226 of 11,261 HIV-exposed infants (20 %) tested
      in the MoH EID program in STF districts from program inception (Y2) through Y3.
      Of these, 78 (3.5 %) tested HIV-positive. Among infants with complete
      documentation (n = 608), median age at first testing decreased from 112 days
      (interquartile range, IQR: 57-198) in Y2 to 76 days (IQR: 46-152) in Y3 (p <
      0.001). During Y3 (only year with national data for comparison), non
      significantly fewer exposed infants tested HIV-positive (3.6 %) at first testing
      in STF districts than nationally (4.1 %) (p = 0.4). CONCLUSIONS: STF
      interventions, integrated within the MoH Option B+ program, achieved favorable
      HTC, maternal ART, infant prophylaxis, and EID services uptake, and a low
      proportion of infants found HIV-infected at first DNA PCR testing. Continued
      investments are needed to strengthen the PMTCT cascade, particularly around EID.

PMID- 26265224
TI  - What Plagues Cancer: Does It Spread?

PMID- 26265225
TI  - Considering Efficacy and Cost, Where Does Ramucirumab Fit in the Management of
      Metastatic Colorectal Cancer?

PMID- 26265226
TI  - Is the endocrine research pipeline broken? A systematic evaluation of the
      Endocrine Society clinical practice guidelines and trial registration.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Very low quality (VLQ) evidence translates into very low confidence
      in the balance of risk and benefits based on the estimates drawn from the body of
      evidence. Consequently, this assessment highlights gaps in the research evidence,
      i.e. knowledge gaps, for important clinical questions. In this way, expert
      guideline panels identify priority knowledge gaps that, arguably, should inform
      the research agenda and prioritize scarce research economical resources. The
      extent to which the research agenda reflects the knowledge gaps identified in
      clinical practice guidelines is unknown. METHODS: A systematic evaluation of the
      Endocrine Society (ES) clinical practice guidelines portfolio from 2008 to 2014
      was conducted with the objectives to identify (1) recommendations in the ES
      clinical practice guidelines based on VLQ evidence reflecting knowledge gaps in
      endocrinology, and (2) active research designed to address these gaps by
      searching the clinical trial registry, clinicaltrials.gov, using terms describing
      patients (diseases), interventions, comparison, and outcomes. RESULTS: In 25 ES
      guidelines, we found 660 recommendations, of which 131 (20 %) were supported by
      VLQ evidence. Clinical trialists are attempting to answer 28 (21 %) of these
      knowledge gaps by performing 69 clinical trials. CONCLUSION: The research
      enterprise is addressing one in five knowledge gaps identified in clinical
      practice recommendations in endocrinology. These findings suggest an inefficiency
      in the allocation of very scarce research economical resources. Linking the
      research agenda to evidence gaps in clinical practice guidelines may improve both
      the efficiency of the research enterprise and the translation of evidence into
      more confident clinical practice.

PMID- 26265227
TI  - Simultaneous treatment of pterygium complicated with conjunctivochalasis:
      analysis of pterygium excision and conjunctival autotransplantation combined with
      sclera fixation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This prospective study investigated the safety and efficacy of a
      therapeutic method of treating pterygium complicated with conjunctivochalasis,
      using pterygium excision and conjunctival autotransplantation combined with
      sclera fixation, followed by therapeutic contact lens application. METHODS: Fifty
      seven patients (83 eyes) diagnosed as pterygium complicated with
      conjunctivochalasis, at our hospital from July 2011 to June 2012, were selected.
      Patients were treated with pterygium excision and conjunctival
      autotransplantation combined with sclera fixation surgery, then therapeutic
      bandage contact lenses were applied. The efficacy of simultaneous surgery was
      evaluated based on vision changes, tear dynamics, and other complications.
      Histopathological changes were investigated on removed bulbar conjunctival
      tissue, using hematoxylin eosin (HE) and Masson's trichrome staining. RESULTS:
      (1) Three months after the operation, the success of simultaneous surgery in the
      treatment of pterygium was 97.6 %, and the recurrence was 2.4 %. Based on
      subjective evaluation, the success of the simultaneous treatment of
      conjunctivochalasis was 95.2 %, and failure was 4.8 %. Based on objective
      evaluation, the success rate was 94.0 % and the recurrence rate was 6.0 %. (2)
      Visual acuity of the 83 eyes was significantly improved after surgery, and was
      statistically significant (X 2 = 10.29, P < 0.05). (3) Three months after
      surgery, the height and integrity of the tear meniscus, tear film break-up time,
      and chloramphenicol test results of the 83 eyes were significantly improved and
      there was a statistically significant difference (X 2 the height and integrity of
      tear meniscus = 147.24, X 2 tear film break-up time = 81.17, X 2 chloramphenicol
      test = 17.41, P < 0.01). (4) Complications after the operation such as
      granulation hyperplasia, constrictive fornix, oculomotor defect, and other
      complications were not observed. (5) Pathological observations, using HE and
      Masson's trichrome staining of removed bulbar conjunctival tissue, showed several
      pathological changes, including obvious squamous epithelial hyperplasia,
      parakeratosis, basal cell pigmentation, lamina propria hemorrhage, infiltration
      of lymphocytes, and reduction of elastic fibers and collagen fibers. CONCLUSION:
      Pterygium excision and conjunctival autotransplantation, combined with sclera
      fixation followed by therapeutic contact lens use was safe, effective, and
      suitable for simultaneous treatment of pterygium complicated with
      conjunctivochalasis.

PMID- 26265228
TI  - Advanced neuroimaging of cerebral palsy following extremely preterm birth.

PMID- 26265229
TI  - Evaluation of infectious bursal disease virus stability at different conditions
      of temperature and pH.
AB  - Infectious bursal disease (IBD) is one of the highly pathogenic viral diseases of
      poultry. The disease poses a serious threat to the economy of many developing
      countries where agriculture serves as the primary source of national income.
      Infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) belongs to the family Birnaviridae. The
      IBDV is well characterized to cause immunosuppression in poultry. The live
      attenuated vaccine is the only way to protect the chickens from IBDV infection.
      The ineffectiveness of vaccine is one of the major causes of IBDV outbreaks in
      field condition. In the present study, we discuss briefly about the biology of
      IBDV genome and its proteins under different conditions of temperature and pH in
      order to evaluate its infectivity under adverse physical conditions. Our results
      indicate that the IBDV is non-infective above 42  degrees C and unstable above 72
      degrees C. However, the change in pH does not significantly contribute to the
      IBDV stability. The study will be useful in estimating an optimum storage
      condition for IBDV vaccines without causing any deterioration in its viability
      and effectiveness. 

PMID- 26265230
TI  - Funding for medical education research should not be based on anticipated
      improvements to patient care.

PMID- 26265231
TI  - Genetic and platelet function testing of antiplatelet therapy for percutaneous
      coronary intervention: the ARCTIC-GENE study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The ARCTIC study randomized 2440 patients scheduled for stent
      implantation to a strategy of platelet function monitoring with drug adjustment
      in patients who had a poor response to antiplatelet therapy or to a conventional
      strategy without monitoring and drug adjustment. No significant improvement in
      clinical outcomes with platelet function monitoring was observed. OBJECTIVE: The
      purpose of this study is to assess the relationships between CYP2C19 genotypes,
      clopidogrel pharmacodynamic response, and clinical outcome. METHODS AND RESULTS:
      In the ARCTIC-GENE study, 1394 patients were genotyped for loss- and gain-of
      function CYP2C19 alleles. Randomization of treatment strategy was well balanced.
      Slow metabolizers identified as carriers of at least one loss-of-function allele
      CYP2C19*2 (n = 459) were more likely poor responders at randomization (41.6 vs.
      31.6%, p = 0.0112) and 14 days later (23.8 vs. 10.4%, p < 0.0001) and more
      frequently on prasugrel (11.5 vs. 8.1%, p = 0.039) as compared with rapid
      metabolizers (n = 935). Intensification of antiplatelet treatment did not differ
      between slow and rapid metabolizers according to the study algorithm based on
      platelet function only. The primary study outcome defined as the composite of
      death, myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, stroke, or urgent
      revascularization 1 year after stent implantation did not differ between slow and
      rapid metabolizers (HR 0.988, 95% CI [0.812;1.202], p = 0.90). Likewise, the
      primary safety outcome did not differ between rapid and slow metabolizer
      phenotype. CONCLUSIONS: The genetic clopidogrel profile was a good marker of
      platelet function response on clopidogrel but was not related to clinical outcome
      suggesting that the genetic added little to the pharmacodynamic information used
      in the study to adjust antiplatelet therapy. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00827411.

PMID- 26265232
TI  - Oral and inhaled p38 MAPK inhibitors: effects on inhaled LPS challenge in healthy
      subjects.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Inhaled LPS causes neutrophilic airway inflammation in healthy
      subjects. We compared the effects of p38 MAPK inhibitors and fluticasone
      propionate on the LPS response. METHODS: Three randomised, double-blind, placebo
      controlled, single dose crossover studies were performed. Active treatments were
      the oral p38 MAPK inhibitor PH-797804 30 mg (study 1), PH-797804 30 mg and the
      inhaled p38 MAPK inhibitor PF-03715455 20 mg (study 2) and inhaled fluticasone
      propionate 500 MUg (study 3). The primary endpoint was sputum neutrophil
      percentage. RESULTS: Sputum neutrophil percentage post-LPS challenge was
      significantly inhibited (15.1 and 15.3% reduction) by PH-797804 compared to
      placebo in studies 1 and 2 (p = 0.0096 and 0.0001, respectively), and by PF
      03715455 (8.0% reduction, p = 0.031); fluticasone propionate had no effect. PH
      797804 significantly inhibited the increase in inflammatory mediators (IL-6, MCP
      1, MIP1beta and CC16) in sputum supernatant, while PF-03715455 had no effect. PH
      797804 and PF-03715455 both inhibited IL-6, MCP-1, MIP1beta, CC16 and CRP levels
      in plasma, with PH-797804 having greater effects. Fluticasone propionate had no
      effect on sputum supernatant or plasma biomarkers. CONCLUSIONS: PH-797804 had the
      greatest impact on neutrophilic airway inflammation. Oral administration of p38
      MAPK inhibitors may optimise pulmonary anti-inflammatory effects.

PMID- 26265233
TI  - Trefoil factors: Gastrointestinal-specific proteins associated with gastric
      cancer.
AB  - Trefoil factor family (TFF), composed of TFF1, TFF2, and TFF3, is a cluster of
      secreted peptides characterized by trefoil domain (s) and C-terminal dimerization
      domain. TFF1, a gastric tumor suppressor, is a single trefoil peptide originally
      detected in breast cancer cell lines but expressed mainly in the stomach; TFF2, a
      candidate of gastric cancer suppressor with two trefoil domains, is abundant in
      the stomach and duodenal Brunner's glands; and TFF3 is another single trefoil
      peptide expressed throughout the intestine which can promote the development of
      gastric carcinoma. According to multiple studies, TFFs play a regulatory function
      in the mammals' digestive system, namely in mucosal protection and epithelial
      cell reconstruction, tumor suppression or promotion, signal transduction and the
      regulation of proliferation and apoptosis. Action mechanisms of TFFs remain
      unresolved, but the recent demonstration of a GKN (gastrokine) 2-TFF1 heterodimer
      implicates structural and functional interplay with gastrokines. This review aims
      to encapsulate the structural and biological characteristics of TFF. 

PMID- 26265234
TI  - Investigation of MDA-LDL (malondialdehyde-modified low-density lipoprotein) as a
      prognostic marker for coronary artery disease in patients with type 2 diabetes
      mellitus.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although increased circulating levels of malondialdehyde-modified low
      density lipoprotein (MDA-LDL) are associated with coronary artery disease (CAD),
      there is no direct evidence that increased MDA-LDL is a prognostic factor for
      CAD. METHODS: Forty-two patients (20 diabetic and 22 non-diabetic patients) who
      underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were enrolled, and their
      baseline MDA-LDL levels were determined by immunoassay. Follow-up coronary
      angiography was performed at 2 to 7 months post-PCI. The patients were then
      divided into 2 groups, with in-stent restenosis (ISR) (n=13) and without ISR
      (n=29), and the baseline MDA-LDL levels were compared. We also studied 34
      diabetics with CAD for up to 57 months until the onset of the next coronary
      event. RESULTS: In the diabetic patients, the mean MDA-LDL level was
      significantly higher in those with ISR than in those without ISR (151+/-61 vs.
      90+/-26 U/l, p=0.010). A baseline MDA-LDL value of 110 U/l for differentiating
      between diabetics with and without ISR was defined as the cut-off value. Kaplan
      Meier analysis demonstrated that a circulating MDA-LDL of >= 110 U/l correlated
      significantly with a higher prevalence of cardiac events than MDA-LDL <110 U/l
      (p=0.032). CONCLUSIONS: Circulating MDA-LDL is a useful prognostic marker for
      future cardiac event in diabetic patients with CAD.

PMID- 26265235
TI  - Rash in lapatinib-treated patients is not associated with human leukocyte antigen
      polymorphisms.
AB  - Rash is a common side effect of lapatinib treatment. Since human leukocyte
      antigen (HLA) alleles have been implicated in multiple drug-induced cutaneous
      reactions, this study investigated the association of HLA alleles with lapatinib
      induced rash. 1191 participants from a large lapatinib monotherapy trial
      underwent HLA genotyping, and allele carriage frequencies between rash cases and
      controls were compared. This analysis had adequate power to detect an association
      of common HLA alleles with rash, similar to those reported previously. No HLA
      alleles were significantly associated with lapatinib-induced rash, including the
      previously identified lapatinib hepatotoxicity biomarker HLA-DRB1*07:01 (p =
      0.87). The present study is consistent with the view that lapatinib-induced rash
      is not the consequence of HLA-restricted, immune-mediated mechanisms. 

PMID- 26265236
TI  - A Context-Aware Interactive Health Care System Based on Ontology and Fuzzy
      Inference.
AB  - In the present society, most families are double-income families, and as the long
      term care is seriously short of manpower, it contributes to the rapid development
      of tele-homecare equipment, and the smart home care system gradually emerges,
      which assists the elderly or patients with chronic diseases in daily life. This
      study aims at interaction between persons under care and the system in various
      living spaces, as based on motion-sensing interaction, and the context-aware
      smart home care system is proposed. The system stores the required contexts in
      knowledge ontology, including the physiological information and environmental
      information of the person under care, as the database of decision. The motion
      sensing device enables the person under care to interact with the system through
      gestures. By the inference mechanism of fuzzy theory, the system can offer advice
      and rapidly execute service, thus, implementing the EHA. In addition, the system
      is integrated with the functions of smart phone, tablet PC, and PC, in order that
      users can implement remote operation and share information regarding the person
      under care. The health care system constructed in this study enables the decision
      making system to probe into the health risk of each person under care; then, from
      the view of preventive medicine, and through a composing system and simulation
      experimentation, tracks the physiological trend of the person under care, and
      provides early warning service, thus, promoting smart home care. 

PMID- 26265237
TI  - A Kinect-Based System for Lower Limb Rehabilitation in Parkinson's Disease
      Patients: a Pilot Study.
AB  - This work brings together the emerging virtual reality techniques and the natural
      user interfaces to offer new possibilities in the field of rehabilitation. We
      have designed a rehabilitation game based on a low cost device (Microsoft
      Kinect(TM)) connected to a personal computer. It provides patients having
      Parkinson's Disease (PD) with a motivating way to perform several motor
      rehabilitation exercises to improve their rehabilitation. The experiment was
      tested on seven Parkinson's Disease patients and results demonstrated significant
      improvements in completion time score and in the 10 Meters Walk Test score.
      Nevertheless, additional research is needed to determine if this type of training
      has a long-term impact. Both the device and protocol were well accepted by
      subjects, being safe and easy to use. We conclude that our work provides a simple
      and suitable tool resulting in a more enriching rehabilitation process where
      motivation is highly encouraged in PD patients. Feedback coming from participants
      corroborate the hypothesis that the system can be applied not only in clinical
      rehabilitation centers but at home. 

PMID- 26265238
TI  - On the Effect of Previous Technological Experience on the Usability of a Virtual
      Rehabilitation Tool for the Physical Activation and Cognitive Stimulation of
      Elders.
AB  - We present and discuss our findings on the identified causes for the differences
      of the results of two usability studies on the borrowed use of Gesture Therapy, a
      virtual rehabilitation tool for the cognitive stimulation and physical activation
      of elders. The studies focused on usability aspects including perceived
      usefulness, ease of use, intention of use and user experience. In the first
      study, we used self-report techniques to gather data, and found that previous
      technological experience had a significant effect on the perceived anxiety of
      elders; while on the second study, we used indirect observation techniques to
      gather data, and found that previous technological experience had a significant
      effect on the perceived enjoyment of elders. After a further analysis of the
      video recordings of the playing sessions, we identified that elders developed two
      different approaches to their using the application (explore-and-learn and score
      and-compete), which could be related to their previous technological experience,
      and explain the identified differences. We observed that in the presence of
      problems, the response of participants was different depending on the adopted
      behavior. Based on this evidence, we distilled a set of preliminary guidelines to
      foster or inhibit certain behaviors and outcomes related to the effect of
      previous experience that were observed during our evaluation studies of virtual
      tools for the cognitive stimulation and physical activation of the elderly. 

PMID- 26265239
TI  - Perioperative Smartphone Apps and Devices for Patient-Centered Care.
AB  - Smartphones have grown in ubiquity and computing power, and they play an ever
      increasing role in patient-centered health care. The "medicalized smartphone" not
      only enables web-based access to patient health resources, but also can run
      patient-oriented software applications and be connected to health-related
      peripheral devices. A variety of patient-oriented smartphone apps and devices are
      available for use to facilitate patient-centered care throughout the continuum of
      perioperative care. Ongoing advances in smartphone technology and health care
      apps and devices should expand their utility for enhancing patient-centered care
      in the future. 

PMID- 26265240
TI  - Impact of inhalational exposure to ethanol fuel on the pharmacokinetics of
      verapamil, ibuprofen and fluoxetine as in vivo probe drugs for CYP3A, CYP2C and
      CYP2D in rats.
AB  - Occupational toxicology and clinical pharmacology integration will be useful to
      understand potential exposure-drug interaction and to shape risk assessment
      strategies in order to improve occupational health. The aim of the present study
      was to evaluate the effect of exposure to ethanol fuel on in vivo activities of
      cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoenzymes CYP3A, CYP2C and CYP2D by the oral
      administration of the probe drugs verapamil, ibuprofen and fluoxetine. Male
      Wistar rats exposed to filtered air or to 2000 ppm ethanol in a nose-only
      inhalation chamber during (6 h/day, 5 days/week, 6 weeks) received single oral
      doses of 10 mg/kg verapamil or 25 mg/kg ibuprofen or 10 mg/kg fluoxetine. The
      enantiomers of verapamil, norverapamil, ibuprofen and fluoxetine in plasma were
      analyzed by LC-MS/MS. The area under the curve plasma concentration versus time
      extrapolated to infinity (AUC(0-infinity)) was calculated using the Gauss
      Laguerre quadrature. Inhalation exposure to ethanol reduces the AUC of both
      verapamil (approximately 2.7 fold) and norverapamil enantiomers (>2.5 fold),
      reduces the AUC(0-infinity) of (+)-(S)-IBU (approximately 2 fold) and inhibits
      preferentially the metabolism of (-)-(R)-FLU. In conclusion, inhalation exposure
      of ethanol at a concentration of 2 TLV-STEL (6 h/day for 6 weeks) induces CYP3A
      and CYP2C but inhibits CYP2D in rats.

PMID- 26265241
TI  - Retinal vessel segmentation using multi-scale textons derived from keypoints.
AB  - This paper presents a retinal vessel segmentation algorithm which uses a texton
      dictionary to classify vessel/non-vessel pixels. However, in contrast to previous
      work where filter parameters are learnt from manually labelled image pixels our
      filter parameters are derived from a smaller set of image features that we call
      keypoints. A Gabor filter bank, parameterised empirically by ROC analysis, is
      used to extract keypoints representing significant scale specific vessel features
      using an approach inspired by the SIFT algorithm. We first determine keypoints
      using a validation set and then derive seeds from these points to initialise a k
      means clustering algorithm which builds a texton dictionary from another training
      set. During testing we use a simple 1-NN classifier to identify vessel/non-vessel
      pixels and evaluate our system using the DRIVE database. We achieve average
      values of sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 78.12%, 96.68% and 95.05%,
      respectively. We find that clusters of filter responses from keypoints are more
      robust than those derived from hand-labelled pixels. This, in turn yields textons
      more representative of vessel/non-vessel classes and mitigates problems arising
      due to intra and inter-observer variability. 

PMID- 26265242
TI  - Depression in elderly people living in rural Nigeria and its association with
      perceived health, poverty, and social network.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The relationship between late-life depression, poverty, social
      network, and perceived health is little studied in Africa; the magnitude of the
      problem remains largely unknown and there is an urgent need to research into this
      area. METHODS: We interviewed community dwelling elderly persons of two rural
      areas in Nigeria using Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Geriatric
      Depression Scale (GDS-30). Those who scored 11 and above on the GDS-30 were
      further interviewed using Geriatric Mental State Schedule (GMSS). Diagnosis of
      depression was based on the International Classification of Diseases 10th edition
      (ICD-10) and GMSS-Automated Geriatric Examination for Computer Assisted Taxonomy
      (GMMS-AGECAT). RESULTS: A total of 458 community dwelling elderly persons
      participated in the study of which 57% were females. Mean age of the participants
      was 73.65(+/-7.8) years (95% CI 72.93-74.37). The mean GDS-30 and MMSE scores
      were 4.15(+/-4.80) and 21.73(+/-4.67), respectively. A total of 59 and 58
      participants had depression based on ICD-10 criteria and GMSS-AGECAT,
      respectively. Agreement between ICD-10 and AGECAT diagnoses was kappa = 0.931. By
      multiple logistic regression analysis, late-life depression was significantly
      associated with financial difficulties (Odds ratio 4.52 and bereavement Odds
      ratio 2.70). CONCLUSION: Late-life depression in this cohort is associated with
      health and socio-economic factors that are worth paying attention to, in a region
      of economic deprivation and inadequate healthcare.

PMID- 26265243
TI  - Quadruplex-and-Mg(2+) Connection (QMC) of DNA.
AB  - This work highlights a novel method of coupling of nucleic acids through
      formation of an extraordinary stable, specific and fully reversible quadruplex
      and-Mg(2+) connection (QMC). QMC employs the monomolecular tetrahelical
      architecture of DNA and has two key components: (i) shape complementarity between
      QMC partners, which is introduced by specific modifications of the quadruplexes,
      and (ii) Mg(2+) ions. The on-rate of QMC formation is between 10(5)-10(6) M(-1)
      s(-1), while the off-rate is undetectable even at 80  degrees C. However, QMC
      dissociates rapidly upon removal of Mg(2+) ions (i.e., by EDTA). QMC is
      characterized by high specificity, as even a single-nucleotide modification of
      one of the connectors inhibits complex-formation. QMC has the potential to
      revolutionize biotechnology by introducing a new class of capture molecules with
      major advantages over traditional systems such as streptavidin-biotin. The
      advantages include reversibility, multiplexing, higher stability and specificity,
      longer shelf life and low cost. 

PMID- 26265244
TI  - Evaluation of the foetal time to death in mice after application of direct and
      indirect euthanasia methods.
AB  - Directive 2010/63/EU on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes
      requires that the killing of mammal foetuses during the last third of their
      gestational period should be accomplished through effective and humane methods.
      The fact that murine foetuses are resistant to hypoxia-mediated euthanasia
      renders the current euthanasia methods ineffective or humane for the foetuses
      when these methods are applied to pregnant female mice. We have assessed the time
      to death of foetuses after performing either indirect (dam euthanasia) or direct
      (via intraplacental injection--a new approach to euthanasia) euthanasia methods
      in order to determine a euthanasia method that is appropriate, ethical and
      efficient for the killing of mouse foetuses. The respective times to death of
      foetuses after performing the three most commonly used euthanasia methods (namely
      cervical dislocation, CO2inhalation and intraperitoneal sodium pentobarbital
      administration) were recorded. Absence of foetal heartbeat was monitored via
      ultrasound. We consider that the most effective and humane method of foetal
      euthanasia was the one able to achieve foetal death within the shortest possible
      period of time. Among the indirect euthanasia methods assessed, the
      administration of a sodium pentobarbital overdose to pregnant female mice was
      found to be the fastest for foetuses, with an average post-treatment foetal death
      of approximately 29.8 min. As for the direct euthanasia method assessed, foetal
      time to death after intraplacental injection of sodium pentobarbital was
      approximately 14 min. Significant differences among the different mouse strains
      employed were found. Based on the results obtained in our study, we consider that
      the administration of a sodium pentobarbital overdose by intraplacental injection
      to be an effective euthanasia method for murine foetuses.

PMID- 26265245
TI  - Electron transfer pathways in mixed-valence paracyclophane-bridged bis
      triarylamine radical cations.
AB  - A series of paracyclophane (PC) bridged mixed-valence (MV) bis-triarylamine
      radical cations with different ([2.2], [3.3], [4.4]) linkers, with and without
      additional ethynyl spacers, have been studied by quantum-chemical calculations
      (BLYP35-D3/TZVP/COSMO) of ground-state structures, thermal electron-transfer
      barriers, hyperfine couplings, and lowest-lying excited states. Such PC-bridged
      MV systems are important intra-molecular model systems for inter-molecular
      electron transfer (ET) via pi-stacked aromatics, since they allow enforcement of
      a more or less well-defined geometrical arrangement. Closely comparable ET
      barriers and electronic couplings for all [2.2] and [3.3] bridges are found for
      these class-II MV systems, irrespective of the use of pseudo-para and pseudo-meta
      connections. While the latter observation contradicts notions of quantum
      interference for off-resonant conduction through molecular wires, it agrees with
      the less intricate nodal structures of the highest occupied molecular orbitals.
      The ET in such MV systems may be more closely connected with hole conduction in
      the resonant regime. Computations on model cations, in which the [2.2] linkers
      have been truncated, confirm predominant through-space pi-pi electronic coupling.
      Systems with [4.4] PC bridges exhibit far more structural flexibility and
      concomitantly weaker electronic interactions between the redox centers.

PMID- 26265246
TI  - Factors Associated With the Prevalence of Prostate Cancer in Rural Saskatchewan:
      The Saskatchewan Rural Health Study.
AB  - PURPOSE: Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Canadian males,
      and it is the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths in men. Some
      studies suggest that occupational exposure may be associated with prostate
      cancer. However, the etiology of prostate cancer is ambiguous. The purpose of
      this study was to assess the rural occupational exposure, including farming, as a
      determinant of prostate cancer in rural men. We investigated the prevalence of
      prostate cancer and its putative relationship between rural exposures in the
      Saskatchewan province of Canada. METHODS: In 2010, a baseline mailed survey was
      conducted of 11,982 households located in 4 geographic regions (southwest,
      southeast, northwest, and northeast) of rural Saskatchewan, Canada. The
      questionnaires collected information on individual and contextual determinants
      from a rural population of men. In total 2,938 males older than 45 years were
      included in the logistic regression analysis. FINDINGS: The age-standardized
      prevalence of prostate cancer was 3.32%. Farm residence was a significant risk
      factor associated with prevalence of prostate cancer while farming occupation and
      duration were not. Men who were exposed to insecticides and fungicides together
      (OR [95% CI] = 2.23 [1.15-4.33], P = .02) at work showed an increased potential
      risk compared to the nonexposed. The effect of farm/nonfarm residence on
      prevalence of prostate cancer differed depending on personal smoking history and
      family history of cancer. CONCLUSION: Workplace exposure to insecticides and
      fungicides together were statistically significantly associated with prevalence
      of prostate cancer.

PMID- 26265247
TI  - Discovery of new feline paramyxoviruses in domestic cats with chronic kidney
      disease.
AB  - Paramyxoviruses constitute a large family of enveloped RNA viruses including
      important pathogens in veterinary and human medicine. Recently, feline
      paramyxoviruses, genus morbillivirus, were detected in cats from Hong Kong and
      Japan. Here we describe the discovery of several new feline paramyxoviruses.
      Infections with these diverse viruses were detected in urine samples from cats
      suffering from chronic kidney disease (CKD). No viral RNA was found in cats
      without clinical signs of uropathy highlighting an association between feline
      paramyxovirus (FPaV) infections and CKD. Phylogenetic analyses of the detected
      viruses showed that they represent at least two different species, one of them
      representing the feline morbilliviruses detected previously in Hong Kong and
      Japan. In addition, a new FPaV was detected sharing only 73 % homology on the
      nucleotide level of the viral L-gene to currently known paramyxoviral species.

PMID- 26265248
TI  - Isolation and sequence analysis of a canine distemper virus from a raccoon dog in
      Jilin Province, China.
AB  - Canine distemper virus (CDV) is a major pathogen not only in raccoon dogs but
      also in a variety of carnivorous animals, including domesticated animals,
      particularly if they have not been vaccinated. In this study, a wild-type strain
      of CDV was isolated from lung tissue from a raccoon dog kept at a fur farm in
      Jilin Province, China. Cytopathic effects typical of CDV infection were observed
      after three blind passages in Vero cells, yielding a virus titer of 10(4.6)
      TCID50/mL. Virus identification was carried out by RT-PCR, immunofluorescence,
      electron microscopy, and genome sequencing. The results showed that the isolated
      virus, termed the SY strain, corresponded to the Asia-1 genotype of CDV and has a
      genome of 15,690 nucleotides. This represents the first complete nucleotide
      sequence of a CDV strain circulating in raccoon dogs in China. 

PMID- 26265249
TI  - Buckling surgery and supplemental intravitreal bevacizumab or photocoagulation on
      stage 4 retinopathy of prematurity eyes.
AB  - PURPOSE: To report the results of scleral buckling (SB) with or without
      photocoagulation (PC) and intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) for stage 4 retinopathy
      of prematurity (ROP) eyes. METHODS: Forty-two eyes of 28 patients with SB and/or
      PC or IVB were studied. Twenty-nine eyes had stage 4A and 13 eyes had stage 4B
      ROP. Seventeen eyes underwent SB combined with additional intraoperative or
      postoperative treatments (combined group). Twenty-five eyes underwent SB without
      additional therapy (non-combined group). The concentrations of vascular
      endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the aqueous humor determined by enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay were compared between the two groups. The initial and final
      reattachment rates were also compared. RESULTS: The gestational age and birth
      weight were 25.0 +/- 2.0 weeks and 786 +/- 222 g in the combined group, and 25.5
      +/- 2.1 weeks and 899 +/- 315 g in the non-combined group. The postmenstrual age
      at the time of initial surgery was 38.0 +/- 1.9 in the combined and 44.1 +/- 4.0
      weeks in the non-combined group (P < 0.001). The initial reattachment rate was
      92% in stage 4A and 75% in stage 4B of ROP eyes in the combined group, and the
      rate was 93% in stage 4A and 33% in stage 4B of ROP eyes in the non-combined
      group. The mean VEGF concentration in aqueous humor was 1923 +/- 779 pg/ml in the
      combined group and 985 +/- 303 pg/ml in the non-combined group (P < 0.05).
      CONCLUSION: Our results show that the retinal reattachment rate after combined
      therapy was comparable to that in the non-combined group. We conclude that
      combined therapy may be effective even in ROP eyes with high activity.

PMID- 26265250
TI  - Oral-tolerization Prevents Immune Responses and Improves Transgene Persistence
      Following Gene Transfer Mediated by Adeno-associated Viral Vector.
AB  - Gene therapy represents a feasible strategy to treat inherited monogenic diseases
      and intramuscular (i.m.) injection of recombinant adeno-associated viral (AAV)
      vector is now recognized as a convenient and safe method of gene transfer.
      However, this approach is hampered by immune responses directed against the
      vector and against the transgenic protein. We used here to reproduce this
      situation a mouse model where robust immune responses are induced following
      injection of an AAV vector coding for an immunogenic transgenic protein. We show
      that prophylactic oral administration of the immunogenic protein before AAV
      mediated gene transfer completely prevented antibody formation and cytotoxic
      CD8(+) T-cell response. Consistently, prophylactic oral-tolerization considerably
      improved long-term transgene persistence and expression. Mechanistically,
      inhibition of the cytotoxic immune response involved abortive proliferation of
      antigen-specific cytotoxic CD8(+) T cells, upregulation of the PD-1
      immunoregulatory molecule, downregulation of the Bcl-2 antiapoptotic factor, and
      their deletion in the context of AAV-mediated gene transfer. Hence, gene therapy
      may represent an ideal situation where oral-tolerization can be adopted before or
      at the same time as vector injection to efficiently prevent deleterious immune
      responses directed against the transgenic protein. 

PMID- 26265251
TI  - Directed Alternative Splicing in Nijmegen Breakage Syndrome: Proof of Principle
      Concerning Its Therapeutical Application.
AB  - Over 90% of patients with Nijmegen breakage syndrome (NBS), a hereditary cancer
      disorder, are homoallelic for a 5 bp deletion in the NBN gene involved in the
      cellular response to DNA damage. This hypomorphic mutation leads to a carboxy
      terminal protein fragment, p70-nibrin, with some residual function. Average age
      at malignancy, typically lymphoma, is 9.7 years. NBS patients are hypersensitive
      to chemotherapeutic and radiotherapeutic treatments, thus prevention of cancer
      development is of particular importance. Expression of an internally deleted NBN
      protein, p80-nibrin, has been previously shown to be associated with a milder
      cellular phenotype and absence of cancer in a 62-year-old NBS patient. Here we
      show that cells from this patient, unlike other NBS patients, have DNA
      replication and origin firing rates comparable to control cells. We used here
      antisense oligonucleotides to enforce alternative splicing in NBS patient cells
      and efficiently generate the same internally deleted p80-nibrin protein.
      Injecting the same antisense sequences as morpholino oligomers (VivoMorpholinos)
      into the tail vein of a humanized NBS murine mouse model also led to efficient
      alternative splicing in vivo. Thus, proof of principle for the use of antisense
      oligonucleotides as a potential cancer prophylaxis has been demonstrated.

PMID- 26265252
TI  - Molecular Modeling Investigation of Folic Acid Conjugation to MDM2 Inhibitors for
      Enhanced Cellular Uptake and Target Binding.
AB  - The activation of tumor suppressor p53 protein through inhibition of its
      interaction with the oncogenic Murine Double Minute 2 (MDM2) protein presents a
      novel therapeutic strategy against cancer. Accordingly, several small-molecule
      inhibitors have been developed that mimic three hydrophobic groups of p53
      involved in p53-MDM2 binding and thus block the p53-binding pocket on MDM2.
      Interestingly, presence of a fourth, solvent-exposed hydrophilic moiety in these
      MDM2 inhibitors is shown to enhance their binding to MDM2 by protecting the
      inhibitor-MDM2 binding interface from surrounding solvent. In this context, we
      hypothesized that vitamin folic acid (FA) may prove to be suitable as the
      hydrophilic cover for enhancing activity of present MDM2 inhibitors. The proposed
      conjugation of FA to MDM2 inhibitors may also lead to their enhanced and
      selective uptake by cancer cells, owing to significantly higher expression of the
      FA receptors on cancer cells compared to normal cells. Therefore, based on our
      novel hypothesis we designed FA-conjugated MDM2 inhibitors and investigated their
      binding with MDM2 protein as well as the FA receptor. Specifically, a molecular
      modeling approach combining flexible receptor docking and molecular mechanics
      energy minimization calculations revealed highly favorable interactions of FA
      conjugated MDM2 inhibitors with both MDM2 protein and the FA receptor as compared
      to native crystal ligands. Furthermore, these binding interactions were found to
      be stable using 50,000 ps molecular dynamics simulations. In summary, the newly
      designed molecules of this kind, with better MDM2 target binding and enhanced
      cellular uptake potential, may prove highly useful against cancer and thus
      warrant further experimental investigations. 

PMID- 26265253
TI  - Ligand and Structure Based Models for the Identification of Beta 2 Adrenergic
      Receptor Antagonists.
AB  - Ligand bound beta 2 adrenergic receptor (beta2AR) crystal structures are in use
      for screening of compound libraries for identifying inducers and blockers.
      However, in case of G protein coupled receptors (GPCR), docking and binding
      energy (BE) calculations are not enough to discriminate agonist and antagonists.
      Absence of a reliable model for discriminating beta2AR antagonist is still a
      major hurdle. Docking of known antagonists and agonists into activated and ground
      state beta2AR revealed several key intermolecular interactions and H-bonding
      patterns, which in combination, emerged as a model for prediction of antagonists.
      Present study identifies an alternative binding orientation, within the binding
      pocket, for blockers and a minimum grid size to lessen the false positive
      predictions. Cluster analysis revealed structural variability among the
      antagonists and a conserved pattern in case of agonists. A combination of docking
      and structure activity relationship (SAR) model reliably discriminated
      antagonists. Based on key intermolecular interactions, a set of agonists and
      antagonists useful to SAR, quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR)
      and pharmacophore modeling, has also been proposed for identifying antagonists. 

PMID- 26265255
TI  - Molecular phylogeny of Percomorpha resolves Trichonotus as the sister lineage to
      Gobioidei (Teleostei: Gobiiformes) and confirms the polyphyly of Trachinoidei.
AB  - The percomorph fish clade Gobiiformes is a worldwide, tropical and temperate
      radiation with species occupying nearly all aquatic, and some semi-terrestrial,
      habitats. Early molecular phylogenetic studies led to the discovery of
      Gobiiformes, which contains Gobioidei, the gobies and sleepers, and a clade
      (Apogonoidei) consisting of Apogonidae and Kurtus, the cardinalfishes and
      nurseryfishes. Gobioidei is consistently resolved as monophyletic in molecular
      studies, and includes eight families whose members range from waterfall climbing
      stream gobies to several prominent lineages inhabiting coral reefs. The sister
      taxon to Gobioidei is also reliably resolved as Apogonoidei. Despite the
      consistent support for gobiiform monophyly in molecular studies, it is not known
      if percomorph lineages unsampled in molecular phylogenetic studies are closely
      related to Gobioidei or Apogonoidei. Here we assemble a large dataset of DNA
      sequence from ten protein-coding genes, sampling widely across Acanthomorpha and
      Percomorpha, including Gobioidei, Apogonidae, and Kurtus, along with
      representatives of all twelve families comprising the former Trachinoidei. The
      phylogenies inferred from the nuclear gene sequences show that Trachinoidei is
      polyphyletic, with constituent lineages spread widely among several major
      percomorph clades. Most notably, the sanddivers (Trichonotus) are resolved as the
      sister lineage of Gobioidei. This study clarifies the phylogenetic relationships
      of lineages previously classified in Trachinoidei, identifies Trichonotus as the
      sister lineage of gobies, provides a molecular phylogeny of the major lineages of
      Gobioidei, and offers suggested changes to percomorph classification. 

PMID- 26265254
TI  - A high-resolution physical map integrating an anchored chromosome with the BAC
      physical maps of wheat chromosome 6B.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A complete genome sequence is an essential tool for the genetic
      improvement of wheat. Because the wheat genome is large, highly repetitive and
      complex due to its allohexaploid nature, the International Wheat Genome
      Sequencing Consortium (IWGSC) chose a strategy that involves constructing
      bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC)-based physical maps of individual
      chromosomes and performing BAC-by-BAC sequencing. Here, we report the
      construction of a physical map of chromosome 6B with the goal of revealing the
      structural features of the third largest chromosome in wheat. RESULTS: We
      assembled 689 informative BAC contigs (hereafter reffered to as contigs)
      representing 91% of the entire physical length of wheat chromosome 6B. The
      contigs were integrated into a radiation hybrid (RH) map of chromosome 6B, with
      one linkage group consisting of 448 loci with 653 markers. The order and
      direction of 480 contigs, corresponding to 87% of the total length of 6B, were
      determined. We also characterized the contigs that contained a part of the
      nucleolus organizer region or centromere based on their positions on the RH map
      and the assembled BAC clone sequences. Analysis of the virtual gene order along
      6B using the information collected for the integrated map revealed the presence
      of several chromosomal rearrangements, indicating evolutionary events that
      occurred on chromosome 6B. CONCLUSIONS: We constructed a reliable physical map of
      chromosome 6B, enabling us to analyze its genomic structure and evolutionary
      progression. More importantly, the physical map should provide a high-quality and
      map-based reference sequence that will serve as a resource for wheat chromosome
      6B.

PMID- 26265256
TI  - Ancient Neotropical origin and recent recolonisation: Phylogeny, biogeography and
      diversification of the Riodinidae (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea).
AB  - We present the first dated higher-level phylogenetic and biogeographic analysis
      of the butterfly family Riodinidae. This family is distributed worldwide, but
      more than 90% of the c. 1500 species are found in the Neotropics, while the c.
      120 Old World species are concentrated in the Southeast Asian tropics, with minor
      Afrotropical and Australasian tropical radiations, and few temperate species.
      Morphologically based higher classification is partly unresolved, with genera
      incompletely assigned to tribes. Using 3666bp from one mitochondrial and four
      nuclear markers for each of 23 outgroups and 178 riodinid taxa representing all
      subfamilies, tribes and subtribes, and 98 out of 145 described genera of
      riodinids, we estimate that Riodinidae split from Lycaenidae about 96Mya in the
      mid-Cretaceous and started to diversify about 81Mya. The Riodinidae are
      monophyletic and originated in the Neotropics, most likely in lowland proto
      Amazonia. Neither the subfamily Euselasiinae nor the Nemeobiinae are monophyletic
      as currently constituted. The enigmatic, monotypic Neotropical genera Styx and
      Corrachia (most recently treated in Euselasiinae: Corrachiini) are highly
      supported as derived taxa in the Old World Nemeobiinae, with dispersal most
      likely occurring across the Beringia land bridge during the Oligocene. Styx and
      Corrachia, together with all other nemeobiines, are the only exclusively
      Primulaceae-feeding riodinids. The steadily increasing proliferation of the
      Neotropical Riodininae subfamily contrasts with the decrease in diversification
      in the Old World, and may provide insights into factors influencing the
      diversification rate of this relatively ancient clade of Neotropical insects. 

PMID- 26265257
TI  - Comparison of five methods for delimitating species in Ophion Fabricius, a
      diverse genus of parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae).
AB  - DNA taxonomy has been proposed as a method to quickly assess diversity and
      species limits in highly diverse, understudied taxa. Here we use five methods for
      species delimitation and two genetic markers (COI and ITS2) to assess species
      diversity within the parasitoid genus, Ophion. We searched for compensatory base
      changes (CBC's) in ITS2, and determined that they are too rare to be of practical
      use in delimiting species in this genus. The other four methods used both COI and
      ITS2, and included distance-based (threshold analysis and ABGD) and tree-based
      (GMYC and PTP) models. We compared the results of these analyses to each other
      under various parameters and tested their performance with respect to 11 Nearctic
      species/morphospecies and 15 described Palearctic species. We also computed
      barcode accumulation curves of COI sequences to assess the completeness of
      sampling. The species count was highly variable depending on the method and
      parameters used, ranging from 47 to 168 species, with more conservative estimates
      of 89-121 species. Despite this range, many of the Nearctic test species were
      fairly robust with respect to method. We concluded that while there was often
      good congruence between methods, GMYC and PTP were less reliant on arbitrary
      parameters than the other two methods and more easily applied to genetic markers
      other than COI. However, PTP was less successful at delimiting test species than
      was GMYC. All methods, as well as the barcode accumulation curves, indicate that
      several Palearctic species remain undescribed and that we have scarcely begun to
      appreciate the Nearctic diversity within this genus. 

PMID- 26265258
TI  - Parametric and non-parametric species delimitation methods result in the
      recognition of two new Neotropical woody bamboo species.
AB  - The Neotropical woody bamboo genus Otatea is one of five genera in the subtribe
      Guaduinae. Of the eight described Otatea species, seven are endemic to Mexico and
      one is also distributed in Central and South America. Otatea acuminata has the
      widest geographical distribution of the eight species, and two of its recently
      collected populations do not match the known species morphologically. Parametric
      and non-parametric methods were used to delimit the species in Otatea using five
      chloroplast markers, one nuclear marker, and morphological characters. The
      parametric coalescent method and the non-parametric analysis supported the
      recognition of two distinct evolutionary lineages. Molecular clock estimates were
      used to estimate divergence times in Otatea. The results for divergence time in
      Otatea estimated the origin of the speciation events from the Late Miocene to
      Late Pleistocene. The species delimitation analyses (parametric and non
      parametric) identified that the two populations of O. acuminata from Chiapas and
      Hidalgo are from two separate evolutionary lineages and these new species have
      morphological characters that separate them from O. acuminata s.s. The geological
      activity of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt and the Isthmus of Tehuantepec may
      have isolated populations and limited the gene flow between Otatea species,
      driving speciation. Based on the results found here, I describe Otatea
      rzedowskiorum and Otatea victoriae as two new species, morphologically different
      from O. acuminata. 

PMID- 26265259
TI  - Morphological and genetic analyses reveal a cryptic species complex in the
      echinoid Echinocardium cordatum and rule out a stabilizing selection explanation.
AB  - Preliminary analyses revealed the presence of at least five mitochondrial clades
      within the widespread sea urchin Echinocardium cordatum (Spatangoida). In this
      study, we analyzed the genetic (two mitochondrial and two nuclear sequence loci)
      and morphological characteristics (20 indices) from worldwide samples of this
      taxon to establish the species limits, morphological diversity and
      differentiation. Co-occurring spatangoid species were also analyzed with
      mitochondrial DNA. The nuclear sequences confirm that mitochondrial lineages
      correspond to true genetic entities and reveal that two clades (named A and B1)
      hybridize in their sympatry area, although a more closely related pair of clades
      (B1 and B2), whose distributions widely overlap, does not display hybridization.
      The morphology of all E. cordatum clade pairs was significantly differentiated,
      but no morphological diagnostic character was evidenced. By contrast, other
      spatangoid species pairs that diverged more recently than the E. cordatum clades
      display clear diagnostic characters. Morphological diversity thus appears
      responsible for the absence of diagnostic characters, ruling out stabilizing
      selection, a classical explanation for cryptic species. Alternative classical
      explanations are (i) environmental plasticity or (ii) a high diversity of genes
      determining morphology, maintained by varying environmental conditions. We
      suggest a new hypothesis that the observed morphological diversity is selectively
      neutral and reflects high effective population sizes in the E. cordatum complex.
      It is supported by the higher abundance of this taxon compared with other taxa, a
      trend for the genetic and morphological diversity to be correlated in Europe, and
      the higher genetic and morphological diversities found in clades of E cordatum
      (except B1) than in other spatangoid samples in Europe. However, the Pacific
      clades do not confirm these trends.

PMID- 26265261
TI  - Asymmetry in genitalia does not increase the rate of their evolution.
AB  - Left-right asymmetry is a frequently encountered phenomenon in the copulation
      organs of insects. While various causes have been proposed for genital asymmetry,
      we raise the question of whether asymmetry might facilitate, or even accelerate,
      morphological divergence of genitalia between species. We tested this hypothesis
      in the scarab chafer genus Schizonycha, which comprises species with symmetric as
      well as asymmetric male genitalia. Morphometric analyses were conducted in the
      context of their phylogeny, inferred from mitochondrial and nuclear ribosomal DNA
      sequence data (cox1, rrnL, and 28S) for a sample of 99 South African specimens,
      including 34 species and 5 outgroup taxa. Trees were reconstructed with maximum
      likelihood and Bayesian analysis. The extent of asymmetry and the variation of
      male copulation organs were analyzed with Generalized Procrustes analysis (GPA),
      by quantifying shape divergence of the parameres. We found a continuous
      transition in the degree of asymmetry among the investigated species. Ancestral
      state reconstruction revealed multiple origins and a high degree of evolutionary
      plasticity of paramere asymmetry in Schizonycha. However, no significant
      correlation between evolutionary rates of paramere shape divergence and the
      degree of paramere asymmetry was found, and so we conclude that asymmetric
      genitalia in Schizonycha do not increase the rate of genital shape divergence. 

PMID- 26265260
TI  - A hairy case: The evolution of filtering carnivorous Drusinae (Limnephilidae,
      Trichoptera).
AB  - The caddisfly subfamily Drusinae BANKS comprises roughly 100 species inhabiting
      mountain ranges in Europe, Asia Minor and the Caucasus. A 3-gene phylogeny of the
      subfamily previously identified three major clades that were corroborated by
      larval morphology and feeding ecologies: scraping grazers, omnivorous shredders
      and filtering carnivores. Larvae of filtering carnivores exhibit unique head
      capsule complexities, unknown from other caddisfly larvae. Here we assess the
      species-level relationships within filtering carnivores, hypothesizing that head
      capsule complexity is derived from simple shapes observed in the other feeding
      groups. We summarize the current systematics and taxonomy of the group, clarify
      the systematic position of Cryptothrix nebulicola, and present a larval key to
      filtering carnivorous Drusinae. We infer relationships of all known filtering
      carnivorous Drusinae and 34 additional Drusinae species using Bayesian species
      tree analysis and concatenated Bayesian phylogenetic analysis of 3805bp of
      sequence data from six gene regions (mtCOI5-P, mtCOI3-P, 16S mrDNA, CADH, WG, 28S
      nrDNA), morphological cladistics from 308 characters, and a total evidence
      analysis. All analyses support monophyly of the three feeding ecology groups but
      fail to fully resolve internal relationships. Within filtering carnivores,
      variation in head setation and frontoclypeus structure may be associated with
      progressive niche adaptation, with less complex species recovered at a basal
      position. We propose that diversification of complex setation and frontoclypeus
      shape represents a recent evolutionary development, hypothetically enforcing
      speciation and niche specificity within filtering carnivorous Drusinae. 

PMID- 26265262
TI  - Current status of robotic assisted radical cystectomy with intracorporeal ileal
      neobladder for bladder cancer.
AB  - To investigate the current status and feasibility of robotic neobladder diversion
      after robotic assisted radical cystectomy. A Medline search was conducted
      resulting in identification of 423 articles. After exclusion of ineligible
      studies, 3 case series and 5 case reports were considered with a total number of
      reported cases of 203. Although robotic intracorporeal neobladder reconstruction
      is in its starting phase, initial perioperative results seem to be comparable to
      open series. However, randomized studies are needed to confirm non-inferiority.

PMID- 26265264
TI  - Perinatal outcome after fetoscopic laser surgery for twin-to-twin transfusion
      syndrome in triplet pregnancies.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The introduction of fetoscopic laser surgery of placental anastomoses
      has led to a significant improvement of perinatal outcome of twin pregnancies
      affected by twin-to-twin-transfusion syndrome (TTTS). To quantify the perinatal
      outcome and neurological morbidity in triplet pregnancies complicated by TTTS,
      which were treated with fetoscopic laser surgery. SEARCH STRATEGY: Medline,
      Embase, Cinahl and Cochrane were searched. SELECTION CRITERIA: The outcomes
      observed were: fetal and perinatal survival, preterm birth and abnormal
      neurological outcome. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two authors reviewed all
      abstracts independently. Meta-analyses of proportions were used to combine data.
      MAIN RESULTS: Eight studies (126 triplet pregnancies, 104 dichorionic-triamniotic
      [DCTA] and 22 monochorionic-triamniotic [MCTA]) treated with fetoscopic laser
      surgery were included in this review. In DCTA and MCTA pregnancies, fetal losses
      were 18.9% and 28.9%, respectively; perinatal losses were 23.6% and 75.0%;
      preterm births <28 weeks of gestation were 16.9% and 37.1%; preterm births <32
      weeks of gestation were 50.0% and 69.5%; at least one fetus survived in 95.4% and
      88.9% of the pregnancies; at least two fetuses survived in 81.8% and 68.3% of the
      pregnancies; and in 55.9% and 48.4% pregnancies all triplets survived. Finally,
      the incidence of abnormal neurological outcomes ranged from 0 to 37% in DCTA and
      from 0 to 50% in MCTA triplets. CONCLUSIONS: Both DTCA and MCTA triplet
      pregnancies affected by TTTS are at high risk of adverse perinatal outcome.
      TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Both DTCA and MCTA triplet pregnancies affected by TTTS are
      at high risk of adverse perinatal outcome.

PMID- 26265265
TI  - Hidradenoma papilliferum associated with pregnancy: a case report.
AB  - We present the case of a 33-year-old female who developed a cystic nodule on the
      vulva during pregnancy. Immediately following Cesarean section, the lesion was
      biopsied and histologic examination revealed a dermal tumor composed of glandular
      structures arranged in a labyrinth pattern. The glandular structures displayed
      cytoplasmic vacuolization, large atypical nuclei, prominent nucleoli and
      scattered eosinophilic luminal secretions. Immunohistochemistry showed the tumor
      cells to be diffusely positive for CK7 and progesterone receptor with focal
      expression of mammaglobin and GCDFP-15. The tumor cells were negative for
      estrogen receptor and CK20. These histologic and immunophenotypic findings were
      consistent with hidradenoma papilliferum. Our unusual (and to our knowledge first
      reported) case demonstrates hidradenoma papilliferum in association with
      pregnancy and raises the possibility of cytologic atypia and lactational change
      being secondary to hormonal changes in pregnancy.

PMID- 26265266
TI  - Multiple Sclerosis is a multifaceted disease.

PMID- 26265263
TI  - Association between anti-Porphyromonas gingivalis or anti-alpha-enolase antibody
      and severity of periodontitis or rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease activity in
      RA.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Periodontitis (PD) has been reported to be associated with rheumatoid
      arthritis (RA). Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) is a gram-negative
      anaerobic bacterium that is recognized as one of the major pathogenic organisms
      in PD and is the only bacterium known to express peptidylarginine deiminase
      (PAD). Antibody against human alpha-enolase (ENO1) is one of the autoantibodies
      in RA. ENO1 is a highly conserved protein, and could be a candidate molecule for
      molecular mimicry between bacterial and human proteins. In the present study, we
      measured serum antibody against P. gingivalis and human ENO1 in patients with RA
      and investigated their association with the severity of PD or disease activity of
      RA. METHODS: Two hundred, forty-eight patients with RA and 85 age- and sex
      matched healthy controls were evaluated by rheumatologic and periodontal
      examinations. The serum levels of anti-P. gingivalis and anti-ENO1 antibodies
      were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Patients
      with RA had significantly higher levels of anti-P. gingivalis and anti-ENO1
      antibody titers than the controls (p = 0.002 and 0.0001, respectively). Anti-P.
      gingivalis antibody titers significantly correlated with anti-ENO1 antibody
      titers in RA patients (r = 0.30, p < 0.0001). There were significant correlations
      between anti-P. gingivalis antibody titers and the gingival index (GI), probing
      pocket depth (PPD), bleeding on probing (BOP) and clinical attachment level (CAL)
      (p = 0.038, 0.004, 0.004 and 0.002, respectively) in RA. Anti-P. gingivalis
      antibody titers were not correlated with disease activity score 28 (DAS28) or
      anti-CCP titer. However, anti-ENO1 antibody titers were significantly correlated
      not only with the periodontal indices, such as PPD, BOP, and CAL (p = 0.013,
      0.023 and 0.017, respectively), but also RA clinical characteristics, such as
      DAS28, anti-CCP titer, and ESR (p = 0.009, 0.015 and 0.001, respectively).
      CONCLUSION: Anti-P. gingivalis and anti-ENO1 antibody titers were correlated with
      the severity of PD in RA. Anti-ENO1 antibody titers, but not anti-P. gingivalis
      antibody titers, were further associated with RA disease activity.

PMID- 26265267
TI  - Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis is a good model of multiple sclerosis
      if used wisely.
AB  - Although multiple sclerosis is a uniquely human disease, many pathological
      features can be induced in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) models
      following induction of central nervous system-directed autoimmunity. Whilst it is
      an imperfect set of models, EAE can be used to identify pathogenic mechanisms and
      therapeutics. However, the failure to translate many treatments from EAE into
      human benefit has led some to question the validity of the EAE model. Whilst
      differences in biology between humans and other species may account for this, it
      is suggested here that the failure to translate may be considerably influenced by
      human activity. Basic science contributes to failings in aspects of experimental
      design and over-interpretation of results and lack of transparency and
      reproducibility of the studies. Importantly issues in trial design by
      neurologists and other actions of the pharmaceutical industry destine
      therapeutics to failure and terminate basic science projects. However animal,
      particularly mechanism-orientated, studies have increasingly identified useful
      treatments and provided mechanistic ideas on which most hypothesis-led clinical
      research is based. Without EAE and other animal studies, clinical investigations
      will continue to be "look-see" exercises, which will most likely provide more
      misses than hits and will fail the people with MS that they aim to serve. 

PMID- 26265268
TI  - EAE is not a useful model for demyelinating disease.
AB  - Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) is the commonest, readily induced,
      organspecific, autoimmune disorder of laboratory animals of its kind. It is an
      artificial disorder brought about by the immunisation of susceptible animals with
      brain antigens in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). Variations can be induced by
      altering the nature of the antigen and the conditions involving immunisation.
      Whilst it is often described as a demyelinating disease, in strict terms it is
      not, since the primary pathologic process is not demyelination but rather an
      encephalomyelitis that is immunologically induced. Rather, the prototype
      demyelinating disease is multiple sclerosis and its variants. In this paper, the
      central question we ask is whether the data gleaned from the EAE model
      contributes to our understanding of the pathological events in MS. Towards
      answering this, we describe the historical development of EAE and its hyperacute
      form, and discuss the findings studied extensively in the non-human primate which
      show that ordinary EAE is an exact model for ADEM in the human, and that the
      hyperacute form of EAE is represented by AHLE in the human. Additionally, we
      shall comment on the latest research on new variants of EAE, and explain our
      opinion regarding the use of EAE models in research aiming to understand the
      pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis. 

PMID- 26265269
TI  - A web-based decision support tool for prognosis simulation in multiple sclerosis.
AB  - A multiplicity of natural history studies of multiple sclerosis provides valuable
      knowledge of the disease progression but individualized prognosis remains
      elusive. A few decision support tools that assist the clinician in such task have
      emerged but have not received proper attention from clinicians and patients. The
      objective of the current work is to implement a web-based tool, conveying
      decision relevant prognostic scientific evidence, which will help clinicians
      discuss prognosis with individual patients. Data were extracted from a set of
      reference studies, especially those dealing with the natural history of multiple
      sclerosis. The web-based decision support tool for individualized prognosis
      simulation was implemented with NetLogo, a program environment suited for the
      development of complex adaptive systems. Its prototype has been launched online;
      it enables clinicians to predict both the likelihood of CIS to CDMS conversion,
      and the long-term prognosis of disability level and SPMS conversion, as well as
      assess and monitor the effects of treatment. More robust decision support tools,
      which convey scientific evidence and satisfy the needs of clinical practice by
      helping clinicians discuss prognosis expectations with individual patients, are
      required. The web-based simulation model herein introduced proposes to be a step
      forward toward this purpose. 

PMID- 26265270
TI  - Continuous prediction of secondary progression in the individual course of
      multiple sclerosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Prediction of the course of multiple sclerosis (MS) was traditionally
      based on features close to onset. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate predictors of the
      individual risk of secondary progression (SP) identified at any time during
      relapsing-remitting MS. METHODS: We analysed a database comprising an untreated
      MS incidence cohort (n=306) with five decades of follow-up. Data regarding
      predictors of all attacks (n=749) and demographics from patients (n=157) with at
      least one distinct second attack were included as covariates in a Poisson
      regression analysis with SP as outcome. RESULTS: The average hazard function of
      transition to SPMS was 0.046 events per patient year, showing a maximum at age
      33. Three covariates were significant predictors: age, a descriptor of the most
      recent relapse, and the interaction between the descriptor and time since the
      relapse. A hazard function termed "prediction score" estimated the risk of SP as
      number of transition events per patient year (range <0.01 to >0.15). CONCLUSIONS:
      The insights gained from this study are that the risk of transition to SP varies
      over time in individual patients, that the risk of SP is linked to previous
      relapses, that predictors in the later stages of the course are more effective
      than the traditional onset predictors, and that the number of potential
      predictors can be reduced to a few (three in this study) essential items. This
      advanced simplification facilitates adaption of the "prediction score" to other
      (more recent, benign or treated) materials, and allows for compact web-based
      applications (http://msprediction.com).

PMID- 26265271
TI  - Associations between onset age and disability in multiple sclerosis patients
      studied using MSSS and a progression model.
AB  - BACKGROUND: While many factors have been examined, male gender and older age at
      multiple sclerosis onset are among few variables consistently associated with
      increased disability. Interestingly, the association between onset age and
      disability may not be linear with some data suggesting a faster rate of
      accumulation of disability in patients aged more than 30 years at onset.
      OBJECTIVE: Explore the relationship between onset age and disability. METHODS: We
      studied 500 MS patients grouped by cut-offs in onset age. Disability was assessed
      using Multiple Sclerosis Severity Scale (MSSS) and, a model based on time to
      reach an Extended Disability Severity Score (EDSS) (progression model). Data were
      analyzed using linear and logistic regression. RESULTS: The association between
      disability (assessed by both MSSS and the progression model) and onset age was
      different in patients whose MS onset occurred after an age band of 30-35 years.
      Before this age range, changing age was not associated with changes in disability
      while during and after this age range, disability was increased. CONCLUSION: We
      found a significant change in the relationship between disability and onset age
      after about 31 years supporting the idea that while onset age does not define a
      sharp cut-off, it can help define subgroups of patients with differing rates of
      accumulation of disability.

PMID- 26265272
TI  - Physical and social environment and the risk of multiple sclerosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The incidence of multiple sclerosis (MS) in Denmark has doubled in
      women since 1970, whereas it has been almost unchanged in men. The rapid
      epidemiological changes suggest that environmental factors may modify the risk of
      MS. OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether occupational, physical, or social
      environmental influence the risk of MS differently in women than in men. METHODS:
      The cohort consists of all 1403 patients (939 women, 464 men) identified through
      Danish Multiple Sclerosis Registry aged 1-55 of years at clinical onset between
      2000 and 2004, and up to 25 control persons for each case, matched by sex, year
      of birth and residential municipality. The same cohort was previously used to
      investigate the influence of the reproductive factors on the risk of MS. RESULTS:
      By linkage to Danish population registers we found a slight albeit statistically
      significant excess for 6 female MS patients who had been employed in agriculture:
      OR 3.52; 95% CI 1.38-9.00, p=0.008 (0.046 when corrected for multiple
      significance) and a trend for exposure to outdoor work in 12 : OR 1.94, 95% CI
      1.06-3.55, p=0.03 (0.09 when corrected for multiple significance), but the
      numbers of cases were small, and the effects were not found in men. Educational
      level, housing conditions in youth, or the presence of children unrelated by
      blood in the household did not influence the risk of MS. CONCLUSIONS: Our study
      did not reveal any additional factors beyond the previously published childbirths
      which could explain the extent of the MS incidence increase in women.

PMID- 26265273
TI  - Outcomes of switching directly to oral fingolimod from injectable therapies:
      Results of the randomized, open-label, multicenter, Evaluate Patient OutComes
      (EPOC) study in relapsing multiple sclerosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Evaluate Patient OutComes (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
      NCT01216072) study was conducted in North America to assess patient- and
      physician-reported treatment satisfaction in patients with relapsing multiple
      sclerosis (MS) who received oral fingolimod for 6 months after switching from an
      injectable disease-modifying therapy (iDMT), without an intervening washout.
      METHODS: In this open-label, multicenter study, patients were randomized 3:1 to
      once-daily fingolimod 0.5mg or iDMT. The primary study objective was to evaluate
      differences in satisfaction measured using the Treatment Satisfaction
      Questionnaire for Medication v1.4. RESULTS: Of 1053 patients randomized, 790
      patients received fingolimod and 263 patients received iDMT. Treatment
      satisfaction improved significantly in patients who switched to fingolimod
      compared with those who continued iDMT. Patients also reported significant
      improvements in health-related quality of life, reduced depression, and reduced
      fatigue severity after a switch to fingolimod. No difference between the
      treatment groups was detected on the Patient Reported Indices for MS Activities
      scale. The safety profile of fingolimod was consistent with that reported in the
      pivotal phase 3 studies. The most commonly reported adverse events were more
      prevalent in patients who switched to fingolimod than in those who continued iDMT
      (headache: 12% vs 3%; fatigue: 12% vs 6%). No significant relationship between
      lymphocyte counts and infection rates was observed and there was no evidence of
      additive immune-system effects, which might be expected when switching to a
      different class of immunomodulatory therapy with no intervening washout.
      CONCLUSION: Patients who switched from iDMT to fingolimod had significant
      improvements in most self-reported outcomes compared with those who continued
      iDMT.

PMID- 26265274
TI  - First-dose effects of fingolimod after switching from injectable therapies in the
      randomized, open-label, multicenter, Evaluate Patient OutComes (EPOC) study in
      relapsing multiple sclerosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In pivotal phase 3 studies, fingolimod treatment initiation was
      associated with a transient reduction in heart rate (HR). Atrioventricular (AV)
      conduction delays, which were typically asymptomatic, were detected in a small
      minority of patients. OBJECTIVE: We report the first-dose effects of fingolimod
      in patients who switched from injectable therapies during the Evaluate Patient
      OutComes (EPOC) study (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01216072). METHODS: This
      was a phase 4, 6-month, randomized, active-comparator, open-label, multicenter
      study. It included over 900 fingolimod-treated patients with relapsing multiple
      sclerosis, with subgroups of individuals who were receiving common concomitant HR
      lowering medications or had pre-existing cardiac conditions (PCCs). Vital signs
      were recorded hourly for 6h post-dose. A 12-lead electrocardiogram was obtained
      at baseline and at 6h post-dose. RESULTS: A transient decrease in mean HR and
      blood pressure occurred within 6h of the first fingolimod dose. The incidence of
      symptomatic bradycardia was low (1%); eight patients reported dizziness and there
      was one case each of fatigue, palpitations, dyspnea, cardiac discomfort, and gait
      disturbance. These symptomatic events were typically mild or moderate in severity
      and all resolved spontaneously, without intervention or fingolimod
      discontinuation. CONCLUSION: First-dose effects in patients with PCCs and in
      those receiving concomitant HR-lowering medications were consistent with effects
      observed in the overall study population and with results from previous clinical
      trials. The EPOC study provides additional data demonstrating the transient and
      generally benign nature of fingolimod first-dose effects on HR and AV conduction
      in a large population that is more representative of patients encountered in
      routine clinical practice than in the pivotal trials.

PMID- 26265275
TI  - First-dose effects of fingolimod: Pooled safety data from three phase 3 studies.
AB  - Fingolimod treatment initiation is associated with a transient slowing of heart
      rate and atrioventricular conduction. This report presents first-dose fingolimod
      effects (0.5mg or 1.25mg) on cardiac parameters using phase 3 FREEDOMS, FREEDOMS
      II and TRANSFORMS pooled study data (n=3635 patients). Vital signs were recorded
      hourly for >=6h; 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) was obtained at baseline and at
      6h post-dose. Clinical events were graded at the first-dose administrator's
      discretion. At screening, on day 1 and at month 3, 1073 patients underwent 24-h
      ambulatory electrocardiogram monitoring. A transient decrease in mean measured
      heart rate occurred 4-5h after the first dose, with a maximum reduction of 8
      (fingolimod 0.5mg) and 11 beats per minute (fingolimod 1.25mg) below baseline.
      Symptomatic bradycardia at treatment initiation was reported in 0.6% (fingolimod
      0.5mg) and 2.1% (fingolimod 1.25mg) of patients; events were typically mild or
      moderate in severity, and most resolved spontaneously. Atrioventricular (AV)
      conduction delays were observed in a few patients (Wenckebach (Mobitz type I)
      second-degree AV block, fingolimod 0.5mg, 0.2%; 1.25mg, 1%: 2:1 AV block
      fingolimod, 0.5mg, 0%; 1.25mg, 0.2% on ECG 6-h post-dose). These were usually
      well tolerated and first occurred within 6h of dosing. Consistent with its
      effects on atrial myocytes, fingolimod treatment initiation induced a transient
      slowing of heart rate and AV conduction. However, symptomatic bradycardia and
      second-degree AV block were uncommon and did not require intervention. 

PMID- 26265276
TI  - CD20+inflammatory T-cells are present in blood and brain of multiple sclerosis
      patients and can be selectively targeted for apoptotic elimination.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A subset of T-cells expresses the B-cell marker CD20 and in
      rheumatoid arthritis secretes Interleukin (IL)-17. IL-17 secreting T-cells (Th17)
      have also been implicated in the inflammatory response in the central nervous
      system in multiple sclerosis (MS) and may be a potential target for elimination
      by biologic therapeutics. ScFvRit:sFasL comprises of a rituximab-derived antibody
      fragment scFvRit genetically fused to human soluble FasL that specifically
      eliminated T-cells. OBJECTIVE: To determine the presence and phenotype of CD20+T
      cells in blood and brain of MS patients. Second, to determine whether
      scFvRit:sFasL can selectively eliminate CD20+T-cells. After CD20-selective
      binding, scFvRit:sFasL is designed to trigger FasL-mediated activation-induced
      cell death of T-cells, but not B-cells. METHODS: Flow cytometry and
      immunohistochemistry were used to screen for CD20+inflammatory T-cells in MS
      blood and brain tissue. ScFvRit:sFasL pro-apoptotic activity was evaluated by
      Annexin-V/PI staining followed by flow cytometry assessment. RESULTS: Peripheral
      blood (n=11) and chronic but not active lesions of MS patient brains (n=5)
      contained CD20+inflammatory T-cells. Activated CD20+T-cells were predominantly
      CD4+and secreted both IL-17 and INF-gamma. ScFvRit:sFasL triggered CD20
      restricted FasL-mediated activation-induced cell death in peripheral blood CD20+T
      cells, but not CD20+B-cells. CONCLUSION: CD20+inflammatory T-cells are present in
      blood and chronic brain lesions of MS patients. ScFvRit:sFasL selectively
      eliminated CD20+T-cells and may eliminate pathogenic T-cells without B-cell
      depletion.

PMID- 26265277
TI  - Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome and natalizumab-Is it possible before
      removing the drug?
AB  - Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients treated with natalizumab have a significant
      reduction in annualized relapse rate; in these patients, a relapse is uncommon
      but not unexpected. In contrast, the appearance of a severe exacerbation is
      striking and requires the differential diagnosis with progressive multifocal
      leukoencephalopathy. Here, we describe a case of a 22-year-old woman with
      relapsing-remitting MS who developed an unexpected response after the patient's
      fifth natalizumab infusion with an aggressive radiological and clinical
      evolution. Changing the patient's treatment to fingolimod resulted in the absence
      of new clinical relapses and the absence of active lesions on brain magnetic
      resonance images (MRI) during the first 12 months of follow-up. We hypothesize
      that the appearance of natalizumab antibodies in this patient triggered
      lymphocyte migration to the central nervous system in a rebound phenomenon; this
      is similar to what occurs during immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome
      (IRIS) after removal of natalizumab. 

PMID- 26265278
TI  - P wave duration and dispersion and QT interval in multiple sclerosis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most frequent disorders of
      central nervous system, resulting in autonomic disturbances. Some
      electrocardiographic changes have been reported in these patients that can lead
      to arrhythmia. In this study we compared P wave duration and dispersion and QT
      interval of MS patients to healthy control subjects. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighty
      four multiple sclerosis patients and 84 healthy, age and sex-matched volunteers
      were included. A 12-lead electrocardiogram was undertaken in order to measure
      minimal and maximal P wave duration, P wave dispersion (PWD) and QT interval.
      RESULTS: In patient group, mean P wave duration, maximum P wave duration and PWD
      were significantly longer than control group. QT interval was longer in patient
      group but the difference was not significant. CONCLUSION: In this study, P wave
      duration and P wave dispersion was found to be higher in MS patients than healthy
      control subjects.

PMID- 26265280
TI  - Safety analysis of the oncological outcome after vein-preserving surgery for
      colorectal liver metastases detached from the main hepatic veins.
AB  - PURPOSE: Recent studies have reported that margins alone do not predict survival
      in patients with a positive chemotherapy response. The aim of this retrospective
      study is to analyze the surgical and oncological outcomes of patients who
      underwent chemotherapy and liver resection for colorectal liver metastases (CRLM)
      with lesions detached from the main hepatic veins, comparing the vein-preserving
      (VP) approach with traditional surgery. METHODS: Fourteen patients undergoing VP
      surgery from January 2006 to January 2013 were matched in a 1:2 ratio with a
      control group (CG) of 28 patients undergoing traditional resection. RESULTS: The
      median follow-up was 43 months. The radiological response was classified as
      'partial response' in eight VP patients and 11 controls (57 vs. 39 %, p = 0.249)
      and as 'stable disease' in three VP patients and 9 controls (21 vs. 32 %, p =
      0.465). Ten VP (71.4 %) and twenty CG patients (71.4 %) experienced tumor relapse
      (p = 0.99). No venous edge recurrences were recorded in the VP group, whereas
      1/13 (7.7 %) was observed in the control group (p = 0.99). The pathological
      response rate was 64 vs. 39 % (p = 0.037) in VP and CG patients, respectively.
      The 5-year recurrence-free survival rate was 24 % for VP patients and 25 % for CG
      patients (p = 0.431). CONCLUSION: In patients with a positive CT response, CRLM
      can be detached from the hepatic veins, as the oncological outcome is similar to
      that of a larger resection. The VP approach offers the possibility to enlarge the
      surgical indications, thus optimizing future surgical treatment chances.

PMID- 26265279
TI  - Comparison of the effectiveness of low pressure pneumoperitoneum with profound
      muscle relaxation during laparoscopic donor nephrectomy to optimize the quality
      of recovery during the early post-operative phase: study protocol for a
      randomized controlled clinical trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Since technique modifications of laparoscopic donor nephrectomy, e.g.
      retroperitoneoscopic donor nephrectomy or hand-assistance, have not shown
      significant benefit regarding safety or improvement of recovery, further research
      should focus on improving postoperative recovery. The use of low pressure
      pneumoperitoneum has shown to significantly reduce postoperative pain after
      laparoscopy. To facilitate the use of low pressure pneumoperitoneum, deep
      neuromuscular block will be used. METHODS/DESIGN: This trial is a phase IV,
      single center, double-blind, randomized controlled clinical trial in which 64
      patients will be randomized to: low pressure pneumoperitoneum (6 mmHg) and deep
      neuromuscular block or normal pressure pneumoperitoneum (12 mmHg) and deep
      neuromuscular block. Deep neuromuscular block is defined as post tetanic count <
      5. Primary outcome measurement will be Quality of Recovery-40 questionnaire
      (overall score) on day 1. DISCUSSION: This study is the first randomized study to
      assess the combination of low pressure pneumoperitoneum in combination with deep
      neuromuscular block from a patients' perspective. The study findings may also be
      applicable for other laparoscopic procedures. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was
      registered at trials.gov (NCT02146417) in July 2014.

PMID- 26265283
TI  - Virginity dilemma: Re-creating virginity through hymenoplasty in Iran.
AB  - Bridal virginity retains undeniable value in Iran's contemporary cultural
      landscape. Widely regarded as a sign of chastity and purity for unmarried girls,
      failure to prove virginity on the wedding night may have serious consequences for
      a girl. In this context, there has been a recent growth in the rate of hymen
      restoration surgery (hymenoplasty) due to an increase in the number of girls who
      engage in premarital sexual relationships. The present study attempts to
      elucidate the processes through which particular physical features come to be
      considered culturally meaningful, and explores the phenomenon of hymen
      reconstructing surgery from the perspective of young Tehrani girls and boys.
      Applying anthropological insights into gender roles, I explore how so-called
      'rebellious' Iranian girls find - through the surgical reconstruction of their
      hymen - a means to negotiate between dominant models of gender and their own
      subjective experiences. While their actions challenge the premarital sex taboo,
      Iranian girls who participate in hymen restoration surgery also conform to the
      values that require them to be a virgin at the time of marriage, thus reinforcing
      existing power relations. 

PMID- 26265281
TI  - Chiari I Malformation in Nephropathic Cystinosis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the relative incidence of Chiari I malformations in
      children with cystinosis compared with those in the general population. STUDY
      DESIGN: Magnetic resonance imaging scans were performed on 53 patients with
      nephropathic cystinosis and 120 controls, age range 3-18 years. RESULTS: Ten of
      53 (18.9%) patients with cystinosis had Chiari I or tonsillar ectopia, and only 2
      of 120 controls (1.6%) had a similar finding. At least 2 of the patients had
      symptoms or signs thought to be related to the malformation, and one had surgical
      decompression. Two had an associated cervical syrinx. CONCLUSIONS: Children with
      cystinosis have a 12-fold higher prevalence of Chiari I malformations than the
      general pediatric population. Chiari I malformations should be high on the
      differential diagnosis when individuals with cystinosis develop neurologic signs
      and symptoms, and magnetic resonance imaging scans should be performed on
      children with cystinosis who present with new-onset headache, ataxia,
      incontinence, or other unexplained neurologic symptoms.

PMID- 26265284
TI  - Long non-coding RNA HOTTIP promotes tumor growth and inhibits cell apoptosis in
      lung cancer.
AB  - Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide.
      Early diagnosis is the best defense against this threat and is therefore of vital
      importance. In this study, we investigated the role of long non-coding RNA HOTTIP
      in the tumor growth of lung cancer. Initially, we found that expression of HOTTIP
      was significantly elevated in 20 cases of lung cancer. HOTTIP was also
      differentially expressed in a consecutive of lung cancer cell lines. Furthermore,
      specific shRNA against HOTTIP was employed to deplete expression of HOTTIP in
      A549 cells and NCI-H446 cells. After successfully depletion of HOTTIP, cell
      proliferation and colony formation were significantly inhibited in vitro. Tumor
      growth in vivo was also suppressed after depletion of HOTTIP in a mouse model of
      lung cancer. Moreover, depletion of HOTTIP caused cell cycle arrest in G0/G1
      phase and induced significant cell apoptosis. Cell cycle regulators Cdc25C,
      Cyclin B1 and Cyclin D1 were decreased upon depletion of HOTTIP. Pro-apoptotic
      factor Bad was up-regulated, whereas anti-apoptotic factors Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL were
      down-regulated after HOTTIP ablation. These data suggest that lncRNA HOTTIP
      contributes to tumor growth in vivo and in vitro and inhibits cell apoptosis in
      lung cancer.

PMID- 26265285
TI  - A Fatality Related to Two Novel Hallucinogenic Compounds: 4-Methoxyphencyclidine
      and 4-Hydroxy-N-methyl-N-ethyltryptamine.
AB  - In this case report, we present an evaluation of postmortem concentration
      distribution of the hallucinogenic compound 4-methoxyphencyclidine (4-MeO-PCP) in
      a fatality principally attributed to this drug. Another hallucinogen, 4-hydroxy-N
      methyl-N-ethyltryptamine was also detected, but was not quantitated. A man--who
      had a history of recent 'strange' behavior--was found deceased, on his bed, in
      his locked room. Toxicology testing, which initially screened positive for
      phencyclidine (PCP) by ELISA, subsequently detected and confirmed the two
      hallucinogens by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. 4-MeO-PCP concentrations
      were then quantified by a specific secondary testing technique. The peripheral
      blood concentration was 8.2 mg/L compared with the central blood concentration of
      14 mg/L. The liver concentration was 120 mg/kg, the vitreous was 5.1 mg/L, the
      urine was 140 mg/L and the gastric contents contained 280 mg. PCP was not
      detected, but therapeutic concentrations of venlafaxine, olanzapine, lorazepam
      and hydroxyzine were confirmed. The cause of death was certified due to acute
      mixed drug intoxication, and the manner of death was certified as accident.

PMID- 26265282
TI  - Effects of Advancing Gestation and Non-Caucasian Race on Ductus Arteriosus Gene
      Expression.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To identify genes affected by advancing gestation and racial/ethnic
      origin in human ductus arteriosus (DA). STUDY DESIGN: We collected 3 sets of DA
      tissue (n = 93, n = 89, n = 91; total = 273 fetuses) from second trimester
      pregnancies. We examined four genes, with DNA polymorphisms that distribute along
      racial lines, to identify "Caucasian" and "non-Caucasian" DA. We used real time
      polymerase chain reaction to measure RNA expression of 48 candidate genes
      involved in functional closure of the DA, and used multivariable regression
      analyses to examine the relationships between advancing gestation, "non
      Caucasian" race, and gene expression. RESULTS: Mature gestation and non-Caucasian
      race are significant predictors for identifying infants who will close their
      patent DA when treated with indomethacin. Advancing gestation consistently
      altered gene expression in pathways involved with oxygen-induced constriction
      (eg, calcium-channels, potassium-channels, and endothelin signaling), contractile
      protein maturation, tissue remodeling, and prostaglandin and nitric oxide
      signaling in all 3 tissue sets. None of the pathways involved with oxygen-induced
      constriction appeared to be altered in "non-Caucasian" DA. Two genes, SLCO2A1 and
      NOS3, (involved with prostaglandin reuptake/metabolism and nitric oxide
      production, respectively) were consistently decreased in "non-Caucasian" DA.
      CONCLUSIONS: Prostaglandins and nitric oxide are the most important vasodilators
      opposing DA closure. Indomethacin inhibits prostaglandin production, but not
      nitric oxide production. Because decreased SLCO2A1 and NOS3 expression can lead
      to increased prostaglandin and decreased nitric oxide concentrations, we
      speculate that prostaglandin-mediated vasodilation may play a more dominant role
      in maintaining the "non-Caucasian" patent DA, making it more likely to close when
      inhibited by indomethacin.

PMID- 26265286
TI  - Metallic Profile of Whole Blood and Plasma in a Series of 99 Healthy Children.
AB  - In recent years, special emphasis has been put on heavy metals. Children are very
      sensitive to accumulation of metals. Furthermore, as regards elements, the
      reference values in children are scarce in the literature as it is difficult to
      obtain the large quantity of blood necessary to analyze many metals by the
      conventional atomic absorption spectrometry technique. An inductively coupled
      plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) procedure that uses a reduced sample of 0.3 mL
      whole blood or plasma is adapted to multielemental determinations. We applied a
      previously validated technique for adults that simultaneously quantifies 25
      elements by ICP-MS in whole blood and 23 in plasma in a series of 99 healthy
      children ranging from under 5 years to <18 years, without exposure to metal or
      drug-containing metals. The aims of the study were to compare metallic
      concentrations according to the age among children and metallic concentration
      differences between children and adults. The blood and plasma pediatric metallic
      profile is a practical useful tool for many purposes in clinical toxicology,
      forensic toxicology and any cases of metal environmental exposure. 

PMID- 26265287
TI  - Classification of unexpected infant deaths: what can we learn from international
      comparisons?

PMID- 26265288
TI  - Parental attitudes to clinical studies in healthy siblings.

PMID- 26265289
TI  - Altered topological properties in the heritable schizophrenic brain.

PMID- 26265290
TI  - Adjuvant radiotherapy in the treatment of gall bladder carcinoma: What is the
      current evidence.
AB  - Gall bladder carcinoma (GBC) is considered the fifth most common one of the most
      aggressive gastro intestinal tract malignancies. Owing to their large incidence
      randomised controlled trials have hardly been conducted to look into their
      optimum treatment. Over the years surgical resection has been considered the only
      curative treatment of these tumors. However, the outcome still remains guarded.
      The predominant pattern of failure is loco-regional followed by systemic. Hence,
      local adjuvant radiation has been used by different institutes with concurrent
      and adjuvant chemotherapy. The large retrospective series with their limitations
      showed improved survival in patients with regional spread or tumors infiltrating
      the liver when treated with adjuvant radiotherapy. In the present era with modern
      radiation techniques and target delineation radiation may further improve upon
      the impact without adding to the toxicity profile. Hence, radiation in gall
      bladder cancer needs a relook to optimize treatment outcome of such aggressive
      disease. 

PMID- 26265292
TI  - Hyperpolarized (6)Li as a probe for hemoglobin oxygenation level.
AB  - Hyperpolarization by dissolution dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) is a
      versatile technique to dramatically enhance the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)
      signal intensity of insensitive long-T1 nuclear spins such as (6)Li. The (6)Li
      longitudinal relaxation of lithium ions in aqueous solutions strongly depends on
      the concentration of paramagnetic species, even if they are present in minute
      amounts. We herein demonstrate that blood oxygenation can be readily detected by
      taking advantage of the (6)Li signal enhancement provided by dissolution DNP,
      together with the more than 10% decrease in (6)Li longitudinal relaxation as a
      consequence of the presence of paramagnetic deoxyhemoglobin.

PMID- 26265293
TI  - Dietary intake of iron, zinc, copper, and risk of Parkinson's disease: a meta
      analysis.
AB  - Although some studies have reported the associations between specific metal
      element intake and risk of Parkinson's disease (PD), the associations between
      specific metal element intake such as iron intake and PD are still conflicted. We
      aimed to determine whether intake of iron, zinc, and copper increases/decreases
      the risk of PD. PubMed, Embase, Web of Knowledge, and Google Scholar were
      searched. We pooled the multivariate-adjusted relative risks (RRs) or odds ratios
      using random effects. Study quality was evaluated by the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.
      Five studies including 126,507 individuals remained for inclusion, pooled RRs of
      Parkinson's disease for moderate dietary iron intake was 1.08 (95 % CI 0.61-1.93,
      P = 0.787), and for high dietary iron intake was (1.03, 95 % CI 0.83-1.30, P =
      0.766), respectively. The pooled RRs of Parkinson's disease for the highest
      compared with the lowest dietary iron intake were 1.47 (95 % CI 1.17-1.85, P =
      0.001) in western population and in males (RR = 1.43, 95 % CI 1.01-2.01, P =
      0.041). The pooled RRs of Parkinson's disease for moderate or high intake of
      zinc, and copper were not statistically different (P > 0.05). PD increased by 18
      % (RR 1.18, 95 % CI 1.02-1.37) for western population by every 10-mg/day
      increment in iron intake. Higher iron intake appears to be not associated with
      overall PD risk, but may be associated with risk of PD in western population. Sex
      may be a factor influencing PD risk for higher iron intake. However, further
      studies are still needed to confirm the sex-selective effects.

PMID- 26265294
TI  - Pediatric paroxysmal hemicrania: a case report and some clinical considerations.

PMID- 26265295
TI  - Short-term high-fat diet increases postprandial trimethylamine-N-oxide in humans.
AB  - The gut microbiota plays an obligatory role in the metabolism of nutrients
      containing trimethylamine moieties, such as L-carnitine and choline, leading to
      the production of the proatherogenic trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO). We
      hypothesized that a short-term, high-fat diet would increase fasting and
      postprandial plasma concentrations of TMAO in response to a high-fat meal
      challenge. Following a 2-week eucaloric control diet, 10 nonobese men (18-30
      years) consumed a eucaloric, high-fat diet (55% fat) for 5 days. Plasma TMAO was
      measured after a 12-hour fast and each hour after for 4 hours following a high
      fat meal (63% fat) at baseline and after the high-fat diet using ultraperformance
      liquid chromatography/ tandem mass spectrometry. Fasting plasma TMAO did not
      increase significantly following the high-fat diet (1.83 +/- 0.21 vs 1.6 +/- 0.24
      MUmol/L). However, plasma TMAO was higher at hour 1 (2.15 +/- 0.28 vs 1.7 +/-
      0.30 MUmol/L), hour 2 (2.3 +/- 0.29 vs 1.8 +/- 0.32 MUmol/L), hour 3 (2.4 +/-
      0.34 vs 1.58 +/- 0.19 MUmol/L), and hour 4 (2.51 +/- 0.33 vs 1.5 +/- 0.12
      MUmol/L) (all P < .05) following the high-fat diet as compared with the baseline
      postprandial response. In conclusion, a short-term, high-fat diet does not
      increase fasting plasma TMAO concentrations but appears to increase postprandial
      TMAO concentrations in healthy, nonobese, young men. Future studies are needed to
      determine the mechanisms responsible for these observations.

PMID- 26265296
TI  - Anthraquinone dyes for superhydrophobic cotton.
AB  - Water-repellent, self-cleaning and stain resistant textiles are of interest for
      industrial applications. Anthraquinone reactive dyes were covalently grafted onto
      cotton fabric surfaces obtaining bright colors with good wash-fastness properties
      and giving rise to breathable superhydrophobic textiles with self-cleaning
      properties. 

PMID- 26265297
TI  - Localized population divergence of vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus spp.) in South
      Africa: Evidence from mtDNA.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Vervet monkeys are common in most tree-rich areas of South Africa, but
      their absence from grassland and semi-desert areas of the country suggest
      potentially restricted and mosaic local population patterns that may have
      relevance to local phenotype patterns and selection. A portion of the
      mitochondrial DNA control region was sequenced to study patterns of genetic
      differentiation. METHODS: DNA was extracted, and mitochondrial DNA sequences were
      obtained from 101 vervet monkeys at 15 localities, which represent both an
      extensive (widely across the distribution range) and intensive (more than one
      troop at most of the localities) sampling strategy. Analyses utilized Arlequin
      3.1, MEGA 6, BEAST v1.5.2, and Network V3.6.1. RESULTS: The dataset contained 26
      distinct haplotypes, with six populations fixed for single haplotypes. Pairwise P
      distance among population pairs showed significant differentiation among most
      population pairs, but with nonsignificant differences among populations within
      some regions. Populations were grouped into three broad clusters in a maximum
      likelihood phylogenetic tree and a haplotype network. These clusters correspond
      to i) north-western, northern, and north-eastern parts of the distribution range
      as well as the northern coastal belt; ii) central areas of the country; and iii)
      southern part of the Indian Ocean coastal belt and adjacent inland areas.
      CONCLUSIONS: Apparent patterns of genetic structure correspond to current and
      past distribution of suitable habitat, geographic barriers to gene flow,
      geographic distance, and female philopatry. However, further work on nuclear
      markers and other genomic data are necessary to confirm these results.

PMID- 26265298
TI  - Imidazolin-2-ylidenaminophosphines as Highly Electron-Rich Ligands for Transition
      Metal Catalysts.
AB  - A variety of chemical transformations benefit from the use of strong electron
      donating ancillary ligands, such as alkylphosphines or N-heterocyclic carbenes
      when electron-rich metal centers are required. Herein, we describe a facile and
      highly modular access to monodentate and bidentate imidazolin-2-ylidenamino
      substituted phosphines. Evaluation of the phosphine's electronic properties
      substantiate that the formal replacement of alkyl or aryl groups by imidazolin-2
      ylidenamino groups dramatically enhance their donor ability beyond that of
      alkylphosphines and even N-heterocyclic carbenes. The new phosphines have been
      coordinated onto palladium(II) centers, and the beneficial effect of the novel
      substitution patterns has been explored by using the corresponding complexes in
      the palladium-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction of non-activated
      aryl chloride substrates. 

PMID- 26265299
TI  - Long-term trajectories of positive and negative symptoms in first episode
      psychosis: A 10year follow-up study in the OPUS cohort.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Knowledge about course of illness can help clinicians to develop
      effective interventions and improve treatment outcomes. The goal of this study
      was to construct positive and negative symptom trajectories based on structured
      clinical assessments collected over 10years within a cohort of people with first
      episode psychosis. METHOD: A cohort of 496 people with first episode psychosis
      (ICD-10, F20-28) originally recruited for the OPUS study (1998-2000) and treated
      in community psychiatric services were rated on clinical symptoms at 5 different
      occasions across ten years. Psychopathology was assessed using the Scales for
      Assessment of Positive and Negative Symptoms. Symptom trajectories were
      constructed using Latent Class Analysis. RESULTS: Five distinct trajectories were
      identified for positive symptoms (response - 47%, delayed response - 12%, relapse
      - 15%, non-response - 13% and episodic response - 13%). Four distinct
      trajectories were identified for negative symptoms (response - 28%, delayed
      response - 19%, relapse - 26% and non-response - 27%). Multivariable regression
      analysis of baseline characteristics identified that longer duration of untreated
      psychosis (OR 1.27-1.47, p<0.05) and substance abuse (OR 3.47-5.90, p<0.01) were
      associated with poorer positive symptom trajectories (higher levels of psychotic
      symptoms) while poor social functioning (OR 1.34-5.55, p<0.05), disorganized
      symptoms (OR 2.01-2.38, p<0.05) and schizophrenia diagnosis (OR 5.70-8.86,
      p<0.05) were associated with poorer negative symptom trajectories (higher levels
      of negative symptoms). A proportion of people displayed significant changes in
      symptoms several years after diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Trajectories of illness for
      positive and negative symptoms were heterogeneous among people with first episode
      psychosis. Positive symptoms showed a general pattern of reduction and
      stabilization over time while negative symptoms typically showed less variation
      over the ten years. Results have implications for the focus, timing and length of
      interventions in first episode psychosis.

PMID- 26265300
TI  - Obesity and anxiety during pregnancy and postpartum: A systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Obesity and anxiety during the perinatal period are common and
      associated with poor health outcomes for the mother and the child. Despite the
      well-documented health risks of both pregnancy obesity and anxiety, associations
      between the two have rarely been explored. With this review we aim to provide a
      systematic overview of the current state of evidence concerning associations
      between ante- and postnatal anxiety and pregnancy obesity, excessive gestational
      weight gain, and postpartum weight retention. METHODS: We conducted a systematic
      literature search in PubMed, Web of Science, and PsychINFO. RESULTS: 13 Records
      matched our inclusion criteria. Five out of seven studies focusing on pregnancy
      obesity and anxiety suggest a positive association with ante- or postnatal
      anxiety. Surprisingly, no study examined anxiety disorders according to DSM and
      it remains unknown whether anxiety symptomatology reaches clinical relevance.
      Results from a small number of life-style intervention studies (n=3) suggest that
      interventions could benefit from a stronger focus on mental health. There were
      not enough studies on associations between excessive gestational weight gain
      (n=2) or postpartum weight retention (n=3) and anxiety making it difficult to
      draw conclusions about possible associations. LIMITATION: The number of included
      studies is rather small and studies were included irrespective of the study
      quality which might limit the generalizability of the results. CONCLUSIONS: The
      majority of the included studies suggest that obese pregnant women might
      constitute a subgroup that is especially vulnerable for comorbid anxiety and in
      need of targeted psychological support. However, further high-quality studies,
      particularly including anxiety disorders, are needed.

PMID- 26265301
TI  - "Who Is My Neighbor?" Global Neurosurgery in a Non-Zero-Sum World.

PMID- 26265302
TI  - Profile of a Dictator. Could Hitler's Political Decisions Have Been Influenced by
      His State of Health?

PMID- 26265303
TI  - Neurosurgery Initiatives in Global Health.

PMID- 26265304
TI  - Excitatory orexinergic innervation of rat nucleus incertus--Implications for
      ascending arousal, motivation and feeding control.
AB  - Orexin/hypocretin peptides play a central role in the integrated control of
      feeding/reward and behavioural activation, principally via interactions with
      other neural systems. A brainstem area involved in behavioural activation is the
      nucleus incertus (NI), located in the posterior ventromedial central grey.
      Several studies have implicated NI in control of arousal/stress and
      reward/feeding responses. Orexin receptor mRNA expression identifies NI as a
      putative target of orexin modulation. Therefore, in this study we performed
      neural tract-tracing and immunofluorescence staining to characterise the
      orexinergic innervation of NI. Our results indicate a convergent innervation of
      the NI area by different orexin neuron populations, with an abundance of orexin-A
      containing axons making putative synaptic contacts with relaxin-3-positive NI
      neurons. The influence of orexin-A on NI neuron activity was investigated using
      patch-clamp recordings. Orexin-A depolarised the majority (64%) of recorded
      neurons and this effect was maintained in the presence of tetrodotoxin and
      glutamate and GABA receptor antagonists, indicating a likely postsynaptic action.
      Voltage-clamp experiments revealed that in 'type I' NI neurons comprising relaxin
      3-positive cells, orexin-A acted via L-type calcium channels, whereas in 'type
      II' relaxin-3-negative neurons, activation of a sodium/calcium exchanger was
      involved. A majority of the orexin-A sensitive neurons tested for the presence of
      orexin receptor mRNA, were OX2 mRNA-positive. Immunohistochemical staining for
      putative orexin receptors on NI neurons, confirmed stronger expression of OX2
      than OX1 receptors. Our data demonstrate a strong influence of orexin-A on NI
      neurons, consistent with an important role for this hypothalamic/tegmental
      circuit in the regulation of arousal/vigilance and motivated behaviours. 

PMID- 26265305
TI  - Sonography of the chest wall: A pictorial essay.
AB  - Ultrasound (US) is increasingly being used as the first-line imaging modality for
      investigating the chest wall for soft tissue and bony lesions. This article
      describes the technique used for the US examination, the relevant chest-wall
      anatomy, and the appearances on US scanning of pathologic entities either unique
      to or common in the region of the chest wall.

PMID- 26265307
TI  - Development of an enzymatic assay system of D-lactate using D-lactate
      dehydrogenase and a UV-LED fluorescent spectrometer.
AB  - In this study, we aimed to develop a new enzymatic assay system of d-lactate with
      good precision, accuracy, and sensitivity for the determination of D-lactate
      concentrations in rat serum. D-Lactate dehydrogenase (D-LDH) was utilized to
      catalyze D-lactate and NAD(+) to pyruvate and NADH, respectively. The generated
      NADH was excited by using a 340-nm UV-light-emitting diode (LED), and the
      fluorescence at 491 nm was detected to determine the concentration of D-lactate
      in rat serum. The optics, consisting of the sample cuvette, were set on three
      dimensional stages to receive the most intensive fluorescence signal into the
      spectrometer. The optimal conditions of the D-LDH reaction were pH 8.5 and 25 
      degrees C for 90 min. The results showed that the new D-lactate assay system had
      good linearity (R(2)=0.9964) in the calibration range from 5 to 150 MUM. Intra
      day and inter-day accuracies were in the range of 103.96-109.09% and 102.84
      104.59%, respectively, and the intra-day and inter-day precision was 4.28-6.82%
      and 4.04-12.40%, respectively. Finally, serum D-lactate concentrations determined
      by the proposed enzymatic assay system were compared with those obtained by a
      conventional HPLC method. The newly developed D-lactate assay system could detect
      10-15 samples in 90 min, whereas the HPLC method could detect only one sample
      over the same time period.

PMID- 26265306
TI  - Hypersensitivity to intravenous iron: classification, terminology, mechanisms and
      management.
AB  - Intravenous (IV) iron therapy is widely used in iron deficiency anaemias when
      oral iron is not tolerated or ineffective. Administration of IV-iron is
      considered a safe procedure, but severe hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs) can
      occur at a very low frequency. Recently, new guidelines have been published by
      the European Medicines Agency with the intention of making IV-iron therapy safer;
      however, the current protocols are still non-specific, non-evidence-based
      empirical measures which neglect the fact that the majority of IV-iron reactions
      are not IgE-mediated anaphylactic reactions. The field would benefit from new
      specific and effective methods for the prevention and treatment of these HSRs,
      and the main goal of this review was to highlight a possible new approach based
      on the assumption that IV-iron reactions represent complement activation-related
      pseudo-allergy (CARPA), at least in part. The review compares the features of IV
      iron reactions to those of immune and non-immune HSRs caused by a variety of
      other infused drugs and thus make indirect inferences on IV-iron reactions. The
      process of comparison highlights many unresolved issues in allergy research, such
      as the unsettled terminology, multiple redundant classifications and a lack of
      validated animal models and lege artis clinical studies. Facts and arguments are
      listed in support of the involvement of CARPA in IV-iron reactions, and the
      review addresses the mechanism of low reactogenic administration protocols (LRPs)
      based on slow infusion. It is suggested that consideration of CARPA and the use
      of LRPs might lead to useful new additions to the management of high-risk IV-iron
      patients. 

PMID- 26265308
TI  - Risk profile for osteoradionecrosis of the mandible in the IMRT era.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The risk for osteoradionecrosis (ORN) of the mandible is positively
      related to bone volume exposed to > ~ 60 Gy. We hypothesized that in combined
      treatment, surgery may also be a risk factor. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The impact of
      mandibular surgery on ORN in locally disease-free IMRT cohorts was
      retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Between October 2002 and October 2013, 531 of
      715 patients with oral cavity cancer (OCC), mesopharyngeal cancer (MC), or
      salivary gland tumor were treated with the mandible bone exposed to ~ > 60 Gy
      (mean follow-up, 38 months; 7-143 months). Of the 531 patients, 36 developed ORN
      (7 %; 1.5 % with grade 3-4). The ORN rate in definitive IMRT MC (16/227) and in
      postoperative IMRT OCC patients with no mandibular surgery (3/46) was 7 % each;
      in OCC patients with mandibular surgery the rate was 29 % (15/60, p = 0.002).
      Marginal or periosteal bone resection was found to be a high risk factor (39 %,
      vs. 7 % followed by segmental or no resection, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Marginal
      or periosteal bone resection of the mandible was identified as the highest ORN
      risk factor in our IMRT cohort.

PMID- 26265309
TI  - Mechanistic Understanding of the Plasmonic Enhancement for Solar Water Splitting.
AB  - H2 generation by solar water splitting is one of the most promising solutions to
      meet the increasing energy demands of the fast developing society. However, the
      efficiency of solar-water-splitting systems is still too low for practical
      applications, which requires further enhancement via different strategies such as
      doping, construction of heterojunctions, morphology control, and optimization of
      the crystal structure. Recently, integration of plasmonic metals to semiconductor
      photocatalysts has been proved to be an effective way to improve their
      photocatalytic activities. Thus, in-depth understanding of the enhancement
      mechanisms is of great importance for better utilization of the plasmonic effect.
      This review describes the relevant mechanisms from three aspects, including: i)
      light absorption and scattering; ii) hot-electron injection and iii) plasmon
      induced resonance energy transfer (PIRET). Perspectives are also proposed to
      trigger further innovative thinking on plasmonic-enhanced solar water splitting. 

PMID- 26265310
TI  - Dominance of a Rhizopogon sister species corresponds to forest age structure.
AB  - Rhizopogon vesiculosus and Rhizopogon vinicolor are sister species of
      ectomycorrhizal fungi that associate exclusively with Douglas-fir (DF). They form
      tuberculate mycorrhizas and they can be easily distinguished using molecular
      tools. We are not aware of studies relating their relative abundance in forests
      with different age classes. Our objective was to determine whether a change in
      the number or relative abundance of R. vesiculosus and R. vinicolor tubercules
      and genotypes was related to a change in the percent of DF in a regenerating
      phase (<50 years old). R. vesiculosus and R. vinicolor were located by excavating
      tuberculate mycorrhizas from the forest floor. A DNA Alu1 digest was used to
      distinguish between the two species. Microsatellite markers were used to identify
      genotypes. The number of R. vesiculosus tubercules correlated positively with an
      increasing proportion of DF in a regenerating phase, while the number of R.
      vinicolor tubercules was similar across all forest age structures. The number of
      R. vesiculosus genotypes did not correlate with forest age structure, whereas the
      number of R. vinicolor genotypes showed a negative relationship with an
      increasing proportion of DF in a regenerating phase. When the numbers of R.
      vesiculosus tubercules and genotypes were expressed as a relative abundance of
      the two species, there was a positive correlation with an increasing proportion
      of DF in a regenerating phase for both genotypes and tubercules. Our results
      suggest that the degree of DF regeneration or ecosystem factors related to DF
      regeneration affect the population dynamics of R. vesiculosus and R. vinicolor
      differently. 

PMID- 26265311
TI  - Pain-related anxiety mediates the relationship between depressive symptoms and
      pain interference in veterans with hepatitis C.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Depression and chronic pain are common in persons chronically infected
      with the hepatitis C virus (HCV), although little is known about the rate of co
      occurrence or mechanisms by which they are associated. We evaluated whether pain
      related anxiety mediates the relationship between depressive symptoms and pain
      related physical functioning in patients with HCV. METHODS: Patients with HCV
      (n=175) completed self-report measures assessing demographic characteristics,
      pain-related function and mental health. Path analyses examined direct effects of
      cognitive-affective and somatic symptoms of depression on pain interference and
      indirect effects of these relationships via four subscales of the Pain Anxiety
      Symptoms Scale-20. RESULTS: Cognitive-affective and somatic symptoms of
      depression were positively and significantly related to pain interference. Pain
      related anxiety mediated the relationship between both cognitive-affective and
      somatic symptoms of depression, and this mediation was predominantly accounted
      for by the escape-avoidance component of pain-related anxiety. CONCLUSIONS:
      Findings indicate a potential mediating role of pain-related anxiety,
      particularly escape-avoidance anxiety, on the relationship between depression and
      pain interference in patients with HCV. These findings suggest that escape
      avoidance anxiety may be a particularly germane target for treatment in patients
      with HCV and chronic pain, particularly when depression, with characteristic
      features of withdrawal and inhibition, is a comorbid condition.

PMID- 26265313
TI  - A community-based approach to new antibiotic discovery.
AB  - The Community for Open Antimicrobial Drug Discovery aims to tap into the
      potential of the millions of compounds distributed around laboratories globally
      to be a source of new antibiotic leads by offering free screening for
      antimicrobial properties, with no strings attached.

PMID- 26265314
TI  - 'I have the world's best job' - staff experience of the advantages of caring for
      older people.
AB  - RATIONALE: Besides a growing demand for safe high-quality care for older people,
      long-term care (LTC) often struggles to recruit appropriately qualified nursing
      staff. Understanding what LTC staff value in their work may contribute to a more
      comprehensive understanding of what can attract staff and support person-centred
      care. AIM: To explore staff experience of the advantages of working in LTC
      settings for older people. METHODS: Narrative descriptions of 85 LTC staff in
      Ireland, the Netherlands and Sweden on what they value in their work were
      analysed with qualitative content analysis. ETHICS: Ethical approval was obtained
      according to the requirements of each country, and participants provided informed
      consent prior to the individual interviews. FINDINGS: Working in LTC signifies
      bonding with the older people residing there, their next of kin and the team
      members. It means autonomy in one's daily tasks amalgamated with being a part of
      an affirmative team. Participants reported a sense of accomplishment and
      fulfilment; caring meant consideration and recognition of the older people and
      the relationships formed, which provided for professional and personal growth.
      The sharing of compassion between staff and residents indicated reciprocity of
      the relationship with residents. STUDY LIMITATIONS: The findings may be
      transferable to LTC in general although they address only the positive aspects of
      caring for older people and only the experiences of those staff who had consented
      to take part in the study. CONCLUSIONS: The findings add to what underpins the
      quality of care in nursing homes: compassion in the nurse-resident relationship
      and person-centred care in LTC. They indicate reciprocity in the relations formed
      that may contribute to the empowerment of older people, but further studies are
      needed to explore this in more detail.

PMID- 26265315
TI  - ACS Nano and Nano Letters, Partners in Leading Nanoscience and Nanotechnology.

PMID- 26265316
TI  - Phenytoin inhibits contractions of rat gastrointestinal and portal vein smooth
      muscle by inhibiting calcium entry.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Phenytoin is widely used as a second-line treatment for status
      epilepticus. Besides its well-known cardiac pro-arrhythmogenicity, side effects
      on other organ systems have received less attention. METHODS: This study
      investigates the effects of phenytoin on gastrointestinal tissue function using
      an in vitro model of smooth muscle preparations from rats by combining
      registrations of pharmacological effects on mechanical contractions, electric
      field potentials, and dynamic intravital fluorescence microscopy. KEY RESULTS:
      When added to the bathing solution at a concentration of 30 MUM, phenytoin
      reduced the frequency of spontaneous activity significantly in antrum and portal
      vein preparations to 72.2 +/- 36.5% (p = 0.022) and 80.7 +/- 24.4% (p = 0.037) of
      control values, respectively. At a concentration of 100 MUM, the height of
      spontaneous contractions declined to 9.8 +/- 19.6% (p = 0.005) (antrum), 15.7 +/-
      28.2% (p = 0.004) (portal vein), and 31.8 +/- 31.3% (p = 0.005) (colon) in
      comparison to the control conditions before the application of phenytoin.
      Depolarization triggered increases in calcium dependent fluorescence signals were
      reduced by 52.8 +/- 39.1% (p = 0.012) The inhibition of spontaneous activity
      caused by phenytoin was reduced in the presence of the L-type calcium channel
      agonist BAY K8644(-). CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: Phenytoin exerts strong
      inhibitory effects on the spontaneous and stimulated contractile activity of
      smooth muscles from both the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract. The
      mechanism underlying this effect is not related to the sodium channel blocking
      activity of phenytoin, but is rather caused by an inhibition of calcium entry
      through voltage dependent L-type calcium channels. The results of this study
      should raise vigilance to gastrointestinal complications in patients treated with
      phenytoin.

PMID- 26265317
TI  - Visible Light-Triggered On-Demand Drug Release from Hybrid Hydrogels and its
      Application in Transdermal Patches.
AB  - On-demand release from stimuli-responsive hydrogels has received great attention
      due to an increasing clinical need. Here, we have prepared spherical hydrogel
      beads showing visible light-induced volume change at body temper-ature. By spray
      injection of the monomer solution using the alginate templ-ating method, hybrid
      beads of several hundred micrometers, consisting of temperature-responsive poly(N
      isopropylacrylamide-co-vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone) hydrogel and magnetite
      nanoparticles (MNP), are produced. MNP dispersed in the hydrogel matrix absorbed
      visible light and generated heat, increasing the temperature of the matrix and
      resulting in shrinkage of the beads proportional to light intensity. It is
      demonstrated that light-induced volume change of dexamethasone-loaded hybrid
      beads result in on-demand and localized release of the drug by exposure to
      moderate visible light. As a potential application of the light-sensitive hybrid
      hydrogel beads, a transdermal patch is developed that incorporates drug-loaded
      hydrogel beads in multiple drug reservoirs, achieving enhanced release of a model
      drug when exposed to visible light. This platform should be applicable to on
      demand, sequential, and long-term release of drugs via light exposure.

PMID- 26265318
TI  - Studies of the mechanism of an antibacterial peptide (cecropinA-magainin) on
      methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus membranes.
AB  - As bacterial resistance becomes increasingly common, a new hybrid peptide,
      cecropinA-magainin (KWALSKEGPGKFLGKKKKF), has been developed that can kill a
      broad spectrum of bacteria without damaging human cells. The mechanism of
      antibacterial toxicity for the hybrid peptides is unknown. Herein, we investigate
      the localization of the hybrid peptide in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
      aureus (MRSA). The minimum inhibitory concentration was 64 ug/mL. The hybrid
      peptides could enhance the hydrophobicity of MRSA. Dye leakage experiments showed
      that the hybrid peptides caused dye leakage from liposomes. The hybrid peptides
      influenced the permeability of the outer membrane and plasma membrane of MRSA.
      After cecropinA-magainin treatment of MRSA, the membrane ultrastructure was
      damaged and the concentration of K+ increased. Ultimately, the peptide destroyed
      the integrity of the bacterial cell membrane, allowing the dye propidium iodide
      to enter the cytoplasm. Therefore, the hybrid antibacterial peptide can kill
      MRSA.

PMID- 26265319
TI  - More of me! Distinguishing self and reward bias using redundancy gains.
AB  - Participants show a perceptual bias favoring stimuli associated with the
      participants themselves over stimuli associated with other people. A major
      account of this self-bias effect is that self-related information is
      intrinsically rewarding, and that high-reward stimuli have enhanced perceptual
      processing. Here we used redundancy gains to examine the relations between self
      bias and reward, and whether self and reward biases modulate common levels of
      stimulus integration. We demonstrated that the self-association bias increases
      when more than one exemplar of the stimulus is presented (i.e., when participants
      are exposed to redundant stimuli). The larger self-bias effects for redundant
      than for single stimuli arose at both perceptual and conceptual levels of
      representation (respectively, for identical and nonidentical stimuli associated
      with the same category). In contrast, high-reward stimuli did not affect
      perceptual redundancy gains with identical shapes, but they did affect redundancy
      gains with nonidentical stimuli associated with the same category. The strong
      redundancy effects with self-related stimuli are consistent with self
      associations modulating stimulus integration at both perceptual and conceptual
      levels, whereas reward only modulated higher-level conceptual processes (with
      nonidentical stimuli). The data provide two novel theoretical advances, by
      showing that (i) self association modulates both early perceptual coding and
      higher-level conceptual coding, whereas reward only affects the higher-level
      process, and (ii) self bias can not be reduced simply to differential effects of
      reward. 

PMID- 26265312
TI  - Strategies to increase nitric oxide signalling in cardiovascular disease.
AB  - Nitric oxide (NO) is a key signalling molecule in the cardiovascular, immune and
      central nervous systems, and crucial steps in the regulation of NO
      bioavailability in health and disease are well characterized. Although early
      approaches to therapeutically modulate NO bioavailability failed in clinical
      trials, an enhanced understanding of fundamental subcellular signalling has
      enabled a range of novel therapeutic approaches to be identified. These include
      the identification of: new pathways for enhancing NO synthase activity; ways to
      amplify the nitrate-nitrite-NO pathway; novel classes of NO-donating drugs; drugs
      that limit NO metabolism through effects on reactive oxygen species; and ways to
      modulate downstream phosphodiesterases and soluble guanylyl cyclases. In this
      Review, we discuss these latest developments, with a focus on cardiovascular
      disease. 

PMID- 26265320
TI  - A Novel Arginase Inhibitor Derived from Scutellavia indica Restored Endothelial
      Function in ApoE-Null Mice Fed a High-Cholesterol Diet.
AB  - Elevated endothelial arginase activity decreases nitric oxide (NO) production by
      competing with the substrate l-arginine, previously reported, and reciprocally
      regulating endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity. Thus, arginase
      inhibitors may help treat vascular diseases associated with endothelial
      dysfunction. A screening of metabolites from medicinal plants revealed that (2S)
      5,2',5'-trihydroxy-7,8-dimethoxy flavanone (TDF) was a noncompetitive inhibitor
      of arginase. We investigated whether TDF reciprocally regulated endothelial NO
      production and its possible mechanism. TDF noncompetitively inhibited arginase I
      and II activity in a dose-dependent manner. TDF incubation decreased arginase
      activity and increased NO production in human umbilical vein endothelial cells
      and isolated mouse aortic vessels and reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS)
      generation in the endothelium of the latter. These TDF-mediated effects were
      associated with increased eNOS phosphorylation and dimerization but not with
      changes in protein content. Endothelium-dependent vasorelaxant responses to
      acetylcholine (Ach) were significantly increased in TDF-incubated aortic rings
      and attenuated by incubation with soluble guanylyl cyclase inhibitor.
      Phenylephrine-induced vasoconstrictor responses were markedly attenuated in TDF
      treated vessels from wild-type mice. In atherogenic-prone ApoE(-/-) mice, TDF
      attenuated the high-cholesterol diet (HCD)-induced increase in arginase activity,
      which was accompanied by restoration of NO production and reduction of ROS
      generation. TDF incubation induced eNOS dimerization and phosphorylation at
      Ser1177. In addition, TDF improved Ach-dependent vasorelaxation responses and
      attenuated U46619-dependent contractile responses but did not change sodium
      nitroprusside-induced vasorelaxation or N-NAME-induced vasoconstriction. The
      findings suggest that TDF may help treat cardiovascular diseases by reducing
      pathophysiology derived from HCD-mediated endothelial dysfunction. 

PMID- 26265321
TI  - The Prodrug 4-Chlorokynurenine Causes Ketamine-Like Antidepressant Effects, but
      Not Side Effects, by NMDA/GlycineB-Site Inhibition.
AB  - Currently approved antidepressant drug treatment typically takes several weeks to
      be effective. The noncompetitive N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist
      ketamine has shown efficacy as a rapid-acting treatment of depression, but its
      use is associated with significant side effects. We assessed effects following
      blockade of the glycineB co-agonist site of the NMDA receptor, located on the
      GluN1 subunit, by the selective full antagonist 7-chloro-kynurenic acid (7-Cl
      KYNA), delivered by systemic administration of its brain-penetrant prodrug 4
      chlorokynurenine (4-Cl-KYN) in mice. Following administration of 4-Cl-KYN, 7-Cl
      KYNA was promptly recovered extracellularly in hippocampal microdialysate of
      freely moving animals. The behavioral responses of the animals were assessed
      using measures of ketamine-sensitive antidepressant efficacy (including the 24
      hour forced swim test, learned helplessness test, and novelty-suppressed feeding
      test). In these tests, distinct from fluoxetine, and similar to ketamine, 4-Cl
      KYN administration resulted in rapid, dose-dependent and persistent
      antidepressant-like effects following a single treatment. The antidepressant
      effects of 4-Cl-KYN were prevented by pretreatment with glycine or the alpha
      amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor antagonist 2,3
      dihydroxy-6-nitro-7-sulfamoyl-benzo[f]quinoxaline-2,3-dione (NBQX). 4-Cl-KYN
      administration was not associated with the rewarding and psychotomimetic effects
      of ketamine, and did not induce locomotor sensitization or stereotypic behaviors.
      Our results provide further support for antagonism of the glycineB site for the
      rapid treatment of treatment-resistant depression without the negative side
      effects seen with ketamine or other channel-blocking NMDA receptor antagonists. 

PMID- 26265322
TI  - Profiling of the small RNA populations in human testicular germ cell tumors shows
      global loss of piRNAs.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Small non-coding RNAs play essential roles in gene regulation,
      however, the interplay between RNA groups, their expression levels and
      deregulations in tumorigenesis requires additional exploration. In particular, a
      comprehensive analysis of microRNA (miRNA), PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), and
      tRNA-derived small RNAs in human testis and testicular germ cell tumor (TGCT) is
      lacking. RESULTS: We performed small RNA sequencing on 22 human TGCT samples from
      5 histological subtypes, 3 carcinoma in situ, and 12 normal testis samples. miRNA
      was the most common group among the sequences 18-24 nt in length and showed
      histology-specific expression. In normal samples, most sequences 25-31
      nucleotides in length displayed piRNA characteristics, whereas a large proportion
      of the sequences 32-36 nt length was derived from tRNAs. Expression analyses of
      the piRNA population demonstrated global loss in all TGCT subtypes compared to
      normal testis. In addition, three 5' small tRNA fragments and 23 miRNAs showed
      significant (p < 10(-6)) differential expression in cancer vs normal samples.
      CONCLUSIONS: We have documented significant changes in the small RNA populations
      in normal adult testicular tissue and TGCT samples. Although components of the
      same pathways might be involved in miRNA, piRNA and tRNA-derived small RNA
      biogenesis, our results showed that the response to the carcinogenic process
      differs between these pathways, suggesting independent regulation of their
      biogenesis. Overall, the small RNA deregulation in TGCT provides new insight into
      the small RNA interplay.

PMID- 26265323
TI  - Causes of elevated intraocular pressure following implantation of phakic
      intraocular lenses for myopia.
AB  - The purpose of this study is to present the causes and visual acuity outcomes in
      patients with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) following implantable collamer
      lens (ICL) implantation. A chart review identified patients who developed high
      IOP at any postoperative examination and a minimum follow-up period of 3 months
      after ICL implantation. Data are reported out to 6 months postoperatively.
      Outcome measures included causes of elevated IOP, best-corrected visual acuity
      (BCVA) at last visit, number of glaucoma medications, other interventions, and
      glaucomatous damage. Elevated IOP occurred in 58 (10.8 %) of 534 eyes that
      received ICL. The mean age was 28 +/- 7.2 years. The preoperative IOP was 16.3 +/
      1.2 mmHg. Elevated IOP most commonly occurred on the first postoperative day
      (23/58 (39.7 %) eyes) due to retained viscoelastic. This was followed by steroid
      response in 22/58 (37.9 %) eyes at 2-4 weeks postoperatively. IOP elevation in 6
      (10.3 %) eyes was related to high ICL vault and pupillary block, and in 4 (6.9 %)
      eyes due to synechial angle closure. At last visit, BCVA was 20/40 or better in
      56/58 (96.6 %) eyes, and 5/58 (8.6 %) eyes remained on glaucoma medications due
      to persistent steroid response (2 eyes), synechial angle closure glaucoma (1
      eye), and other causes (2 eyes). One eye showed glaucomatous damage. Two eyes
      with high vault and elevated IOP underwent ICL explantation. There is a moderate
      risk of transiently developing elevated IOP after ICL implantation. Thorough
      removal of viscoelastic and use of anti-glaucoma medications during steroid use
      will reduce the majority of cases with postoperative IOP elevation. 

PMID- 26265324
TI  - Optical coherence tomography and pathological myopia: an update of the
      literature.
AB  - The purpose of this paper is to give an updated review of the last clinical
      entities in pathological myopia proposed by means of new generation optical
      coherence tomography (OCT), including enhanced depth imaging (EDI-OCT) and swept
      source OCT (SS-OCT). PubMed and Google engine search were carried out using the
      terms "pathological myopia" associated with "coherence tomography," "enhanced
      depth imaging," and "swept source OCT." Latest publications up to Jan 2015 about
      myopia-related complications, including open-angle chronic glaucoma,
      peripapillary retinal changes, acquired macular diseases, and choroidal
      neovascularization, have been reviewed. New OCT technologies have led to a
      greater insight in pathophysiology of high-grade myopia. However, further
      investigation is needed in order to prevent irreversible visual loss and optic
      nerve damage. 

PMID- 26265325
TI  - Structure and content components of self-management interventions that improve
      health-related quality of life in people with inflammatory bowel disease: a
      systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression.
AB  - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this review was to identify and categorise
      the components of the content and structure of effective self-management
      interventions for patients with inflammatory bowel disease. BACKGROUND:
      Inflammatory bowel diseases are chronic gastrointestinal disorders impacting
      health-related quality of life. Although the efficacy of self-management
      interventions has been demonstrated in previous studies, the most effective
      components of the content and structure of these interventions remain unknown.
      DESIGN: A systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression of randomised
      controlled trials was used. METHODS: A systematic search of six electronic
      databases, including Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane central register of controlled
      trials, Web of Science, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature
      and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, was conducted. Content analysis was
      used to categorise the components of the content and structure of effective self
      management interventions for inflammatory bowel disease. Clinically important and
      statistically significant beneficial effects on health-related quality of life
      were explored, by comparing the association between effect sizes and various
      components of self-management interventions such as the presence or absence of
      specific content and different delivery methods. RESULTS: Fifteen randomised
      controlled trials were included in this review. Distance or remote self
      management interventions demonstrated a larger effect size. However, there is no
      evidence for a positive effect associated with specific content component of self
      management interventions in adult patients with inflammatory bowel disease in
      general. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that self-management interventions have
      positive effects on health-related quality of life in patients with inflammatory
      bowel disease, and distance or remote self-management programmes had better
      outcomes than other types of interventions. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This
      review provides useful information to clinician and researchers when determining
      components of effective self-management programmes for patients with inflammatory
      bowel disease. More high-quality randomised controlled trials are needed to test
      the results.

PMID- 26265326
TI  - Development and initial validation of the Parental PELICAN Questionnaire (PaPEQu)
      -an instrument to assess parental experiences and needs during their child's end
      of-life care.
AB  - AIM: To develop and test the Parental PELICAN Questionnaire, an instrument to
      retrospectively assess parental experiences and needs during their child's end-of
      life care. BACKGROUND: To offer appropriate care for dying children, healthcare
      professionals need to understand the illness experience from the family
      perspective. A questionnaire specific to the end-of-life experiences and needs of
      parents losing a child is needed to evaluate the perceived quality of paediatric
      end-of-life care. DESIGN: This is an instrument development study applying mixed
      methods based on recommendations for questionnaire design and validation. METHOD:
      The Parental PELICAN Questionnaire was developed in four phases between August
      2012-March 2014: phase 1: item generation; phase 2: validity testing; phase 3:
      translation; phase 4: pilot testing. Psychometric properties were assessed after
      applying the Parental PELICAN Questionnaire in a sample of 224 bereaved parents
      in April 2014. Validity testing covered the evidence based on tests of content,
      internal structure and relations to other variables. RESULTS: The Parental
      PELICAN Questionnaire consists of approximately 90 items in four slightly
      different versions accounting for particularities of the four diagnostic groups.
      The questionnaire's items were structured according to six quality domains
      described in the literature. Evidence of initial validity and reliability could
      be demonstrated with the involvement of healthcare professionals and bereaved
      parents. CONCLUSION: The Parental PELICAN Questionnaire holds promise as a
      measure to assess parental experiences and needs and is applicable to a broad
      range of paediatric specialties and settings. Future validation is needed to
      evaluate its suitability in different cultures.

PMID- 26265327
TI  - Clinical usefulness and validity of robotic measures of reaching movement in
      hemiparetic stroke patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Various robotic technologies have been developed recently for
      objective and quantitative assessment of movement. Among them, robotic measures
      derived from a reaching task in the KINARM Exoskeleton device are characterized
      by their potential to reveal underlying motor control in reaching movements. The
      aim of this study was to examine the clinical usefulness and validity of these
      robot-derived measures in hemiparetic stroke patients. METHODS: Fifty-six
      participants with a hemiparetic arm due to chronic stroke were enrolled. The
      robotic assessment was performed using the Visually Guided Reaching (VGR) task in
      the KINARM Exoskeleton, which allows free arm movements in the horizontal plane.
      Twelve parameters were derived based on motor control theory. The following
      clinical assessments were also administered: the proximal upper limb section in
      the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA-UE(A)), the proximal upper limb part in the Stroke
      Impairment Assessment Set (SIAS-KM), the Modified Ashworth Scale for the affected
      elbow flexor muscles (MAS elbow), and seven proximal upper limb tasks in the Wolf
      Motor Function Test (WMFT). To explore which robotic measures represent deficits
      of motor control in the affected arm, the VGR parameters in the paretic arm were
      compared with those in the non-paretic arm using the Wilcoxon signed rank test.
      Then, to explore which VGR parameters were related to overall motor control
      regardless of the paresis, correlations between the paretic and non-paretic arms
      were examined. Finally, to investigate the relationships between the robotic
      measures and the clinical scales, correlations between the VGR parameters and
      clinical scales were investigated. Spearman's rank correlation coefficients were
      used for all correlational analyses. RESULTS: Eleven VGR parameters on the
      paretic side were significantly different from those on the non-paretic side with
      large effect sizes (|effect size| = 0.76-0.87). Ten VGR parameters correlated
      significantly with FMA-UE(A) (|r| = 0.32-0.60). Eight VGR parameters also showed
      significant correlations with SIAS-KM (|r| = 0.42-0.49), MAS elbow (|r| = 0.44
      0.48), and the Functional Ability Scale of the WMFT (|r| = 0.52-0.64).
      CONCLUSIONS: The robot-derived measures could successfully differentiate between
      the paretic arm and the non-paretic arm and were valid in comparison to the well
      established clinical scales.

PMID- 26265328
TI  - Sustained low influenza vaccination in health care workers after H1N1 pandemic: a
      cross sectional study in an Italian health care setting for at-risk patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite consistent recommendations by all Public Health Authorities
      in support of annual influenza vaccination for at-risk categories, there is still
      a low uptake of influenza vaccine in these groups including health care workers
      (HCWs). Aim of this observational two-phase study was to estimate the
      immunization rates for influenza in four subsequent seasons and for pandemic H1N1
      influenza in HCWs of a University Hospital, and to investigate its distribution
      pattern and the main determinants of immunization. Phase 1 data collection was
      performed in 2009-2010, during the peak of H1N1 pandemic. Phase 2 data
      collection, aimed to investigate seasonal influenza vaccination coverage in the
      three seasons after pandemic, was performed in 2012-2013. METHODS: The overall
      H1N1 vaccination rate was derived by the Hospital immunization registry. In 2010,
      the personnel of three Departments (Infectious Diseases, Pediatrics and
      Gynecology/Obstetrics) completed a survey on influenza. A second-phase analysis
      was performed in 2012 to investigate influenza vaccination coverage in three
      consecutive seasons. RESULTS: The first-phase survey showed a low coverage for
      influenza in all categories (17 %), with the lowest rate in nurses (8.1 %). A
      total of 37 % of health care workers received H1N1 vaccine, with the highest rate
      among physicians and the lowest in nurses. H1N1 vaccination was closely related
      to the Department, being higher in the Department of Infectious Diseases (53.7 %)
      and Pediatrics (42.4 %) than in Gynecology/Obstetrics (8.3 %). The second-phase
      survey showed the lowest rate of influenza vaccination in 2012/13 season. The
      main reasons for not being vaccinated were "Unsure of the efficacy of vaccine"
      and "Feel not at-risk of getting influenza or its complications". Despite
      recommendations, influenza vaccine uptake remains poor. CONCLUSION: Immunization
      is largely perceived as a personal protection rather than a measure needed to
      prevent disease spreading to at-risk patients. Compulsory vaccination against
      influenza should be considered as a possible strategy, at least in health
      institutions where at-risk patients are admitted.

PMID- 26265332
TI  - Correction.

PMID- 26265331
TI  - 2015 ACTERIA Prizes Awarded by EFIS.

PMID- 26265337
TI  - The Self-Presentation Motives for Physical Activity Questionnaire: Instrument
      Development and Preliminary Construct Validity Evidence.
AB  - With the aim of advancing the literature on impression management in physical
      activity settings, we developed a theoretically derived 2 by 2 instrument that
      was designed to measure different types of context-specific self-presentation
      motives. Following item generation and expert review (Study 1), the instrument
      was completed by 206 group exercise class attendees (Study 2) and 463 high school
      physical education students (Study 3). Our analyses supported the intended factor
      structure (i.e., reflecting acquisitive-agentic, acquisitive-communal, protective
      agentic, and protective-communal motives). We found some support for construct
      validity, and the self-presentation motives were associated with variables of
      theoretical and applied interest (e.g., impression motivation and construction,
      social anxiety, social and achievement goals, efficacy beliefs, engagement).
      Taken together, the results indicate that the Self-presentation Motives for
      Physical Activity Questionnaire (SMPAQ) may be useful for measuring various types
      of self-presentation motives in physical activity settings. 

PMID- 26265338
TI  - Patterns of Change in Psychological Variables Leading up to Competition in
      Superior Versus Inferior Performers.
AB  - The study explored patterns of change in a number of potentially performance
      related variables (i.e., fatigue, social support, self-efficacy, autonomous
      motivation, mental skills) during the lead-up to a competitive triathlon, and
      whether these patterns of change differed for relatively superior versus inferior
      performers. Forty-two triathletes completed an inventory measuring the study
      variables every other day during a 2-week period leading up to competition.
      Performance was assessed using participants' race time, and using a self
      referenced relative score compared with personal best times. Multilevel growth
      curve analyses revealed significant differences in growth trajectories over the 2
      week period in mental skills use, social support, and fatigue. The results
      provide novel insight into how athletes' fluctuating psychological state in the 2
      weeks before competition may be crucial in determining performance. 

PMID- 26265339
TI  - Antisocial and Prosocial Behavior in Sport: The Role of Motivational Climate,
      Basic Psychological Needs, and Moral Disengagement.
AB  - The purpose of this investigation was to examine whether the relationships
      between contextual factors and basic psychological needs were related to
      antisocial and prosocial behavior in sport. A two-study project employing
      Bayesian path analysis was conducted with competitive athletes (Study 1, n = 291;
      Study 2, n = 272). Coach and teammate autonomy-supportive climates had meaningful
      direct relations with need satisfaction and prosocial behavior. Coach and
      teammate controlling climates had meaningful direct relations with antisocial
      behavior. Need satisfaction was both directly and indirectly related with both
      prosocial and antisocial behavior, whereas moral disengagement was directly and
      indirectly related with antisocial behavior. Overall, these findings reflected
      substantial evidence from the literature on self-determination theory that
      autonomy-supportive motivational climates are important environmental influences
      for need satisfaction, and are important correlates of prosocial behavior in
      sport, whereas controlling coach and teammate climates, along with moral
      disengagement, were important correlates of antisocial behavior in sport. 

PMID- 26265340
TI  - The Art of Athlete Leadership: Identifying High-Quality Athlete Leadership at the
      Individual and Team Level Through Social Network Analysis.
AB  - This research aimed to introduce social network analysis as a novel technique in
      sports teams to identify the attributes of high-quality athlete leadership, both
      at the individual and at the team level. Study 1 included 25 sports teams (N =
      308 athletes) and focused on athletes' general leadership quality. Study 2
      comprised 21 sports teams (N = 267 athletes) and focused on athletes' specific
      leadership quality as a task, motivational, social, and external leader. The
      extent to which athletes felt connected with their leader proved to be most
      predictive for athletes' perceptions of that leader's quality on each leadership
      role. Also at the team level, teams with higher athlete leadership quality were
      more strongly connected. We conclude that social network analysis constitutes a
      valuable tool to provide more insight in the attributes of high-quality
      leadership both at the individual and at the team level. 

PMID- 26265341
TI  - Injury Risk Estimation Expertise: Cognitive-Perceptual Mechanisms of ACL-IQ.
AB  - Instrument-based biomechanical movement analysis is an effective injury screening
      method but relies on expensive equipment and time-consuming analysis. Screening
      methods that rely on visual inspection and perceptual skill for prognosticating
      injury risk provide an alternative approach that can significantly reduce cost
      and time. However, substantial individual differences exist in skill when
      estimating injury risk performance via observation. The underlying perceptual
      cognitive mechanisms of injury risk identification were explored to better
      understand the nature of this skill and provide a foundation for improving
      performance. Quantitative structural and process modeling of risk estimation
      indicated that superior performance was largely mediated by specific strategies
      and skills (e.g., irrelevant information reduction), and independent of domain
      general cognitive abilities (e.g., mental rotation, general decision skill).
      These cognitive models suggest that injury prediction expertise (i.e., ACL-IQ) is
      a trainable skill, and provide a foundation for future research and applications
      in training, decision support, and ultimately clinical screening investigations. 

PMID- 26265342
TI  - Perfectionism and Burnout in Junior Athletes: A Three-Month Longitudinal Study.
AB  - Perfectionism in sports has been shown to be associated with burnout in athletes.
      Whether perfectionism predicts longitudinal changes in athlete burnout, however,
      is still unclear. Using a two-wave cross-lagged panel design, the current study
      examined perfectionistic strivings, perfectionistic concerns, and athlete burnout
      in 101 junior athletes (mean age 17.7 years) over 3 months of active training.
      When structural equation modeling was employed to test a series of competing
      models, the best-fitting model showed opposite patterns for perfectionistic
      strivings and perfectionistic concerns. Whereas perfectionistic concerns
      predicted increases in athlete burnout over the 3 months, perfectionistic
      strivings predicted decreases. The present findings suggest that perfectionistic
      concerns are a risk factor for junior athletes contributing to the development of
      athlete burnout whereas perfectionistic strivings appear to be a protective
      factor. 

PMID- 26265343
TI  - Why the Three-Point Rule Failed to Sufficiently Reduce the Number of Draws in
      Soccer: An Application of Prospect Theory.
AB  - Incentives guide human behavior by altering the level of external motivation. We
      apply the idea of loss aversion from prospect theory (Kahneman & Tversky, 1979)
      to the point reward systems in soccer and investigate the controversial impact of
      the three-point rule on reducing the fraction of draws in this sport. Making use
      of the Poisson nature of goal scoring, we compared empirical results with
      theoretically deduced draw ratios from 24 countries encompassing 20 seasons each
      (N = 118.148 matches). The rule change yielded a slight reduction in the ratio of
      draws, but despite adverse incentives, still 18% more matches ended drawn than
      expected, t(23) = 11.04, p < .001, d = 2.25, consistent with prospect theory
      assertions. Alternative point systems that manipulated incentives for losses
      yielded reductions at or below statistical expectation. This provides support for
      the deduced concept of how arbitrary aims, such as the reduction of draws in the
      world's soccer leagues, could be more effectively accomplished than currently
      attempted. 

PMID- 26265344
TI  - Examining Movement-Specific Reinvestment and Performance in Demanding Contexts.
AB  - Two experiments examined the roles of the dimensions of movement-specific
      reinvestment (movement self-consciousness and conscious motor processing) on
      performance under demanding conditions. In Experiment 1, novice golfers practiced
      a golf putting task and were tested under low- and high-anxiety conditions.
      Conscious motor processing was not associated with putting proficiency or
      movement variability; however, movement self-consciousness was positively
      associated with putting proficiency and appeared to be negatively associated with
      variability of impact velocity in low-anxiety conditions, but not in high-anxiety
      conditions. Increased anxiety and effort possibly left few attention resources
      for movement self-consciousness under high anxiety. In Experiment 2, participants
      performed a quiet standing task in single- and dual-task conditions. Movement
      self-consciousness was positively associated with performance when attention
      demands were low (single task) but not when attention demands were high (dual
      task). The findings provide insight into the differential influence of the two
      dimensions of movement-specific reinvestment under demanding conditions. 

PMID- 26265345
TI  - Reappraising Threat: How to Optimize Performance Under Pressure.
AB  - Competitive situations often hinge on one pressurized moment. In these
      situations, individuals' psychophysiological states determine performance, with a
      challenge state associated with better performance than a threat state. But what
      can be done if an individual experiences a threat state? This study examined one
      potential solution: arousal reappraisal. Fifty participants received either
      arousal reappraisal or control instructions before performing a pressurized,
      single-trial, motor task. Although both groups initially displayed cardiovascular
      responses consistent with a threat state, the reappraisal group displayed a
      cardiovascular response more reflective of a challenge state (relatively higher
      cardiac output and/or lower total peripheral resistance) after the reappraisal
      manipulation. Furthermore, despite performing similarly at baseline, the
      reappraisal group outperformed the control group during the pressurized task. The
      results demonstrate that encouraging individuals to interpret heightened
      physiological arousal as a tool that can help maximize performance can result in
      more adaptive cardiovascular responses and motor performance under pressure. 

PMID- 26265346
TI  - Translating DPYD genotype into DPD phenotype: using the DPYD gene activity score.
AB  - The dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase enzyme (DPD, encoded by the gene DPYD) plays
      a key role in the metabolism of fluoropyrimidines. DPD deficiency occurs in 4-5%
      of the population and is associated with severe fluoropyrimidine-related
      toxicity. Several SNPs in DPYD have been described that lead to absent or reduced
      enzyme activity, including DPYD*2A, DPYD*13, c.2846A>T and c.1236G>A/haplotype
      B3. Since these SNPs differ in their effect on DPD enzyme activity, a
      differentiated dose adaption is recommended. We propose the gene activity score
      for translating DPYD genotype into phenotype, accounting for differences in
      functionality of SNPs. This method can be used to standardize individualized
      fluoropyrimidine dose adjustments, resulting in optimal safety and effectiveness.

PMID- 26265347
TI  - Proteomic analysis of aqueous humor proteins associated with cataract
      development.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cataract is one of the most common eye diseases that can further
      cause blindness. Discovering susceptibility factors contributing to cataract
      development is helpful in identifying predisposed patients and improving
      treatment efficacy. Although proteomics technology has been used in study of
      protein markers related to eye diseases, few were on studies of cataract
      development. METHODS: To explore cataract-associated susceptibility factors in
      aqueous humor (AH), a quantitative proteomics study using the iTRAQ methodology
      was employed to compare AH protein profiles between high myopia patients &
      controls, glaucoma surgery patients & controls, and vitrectomy surgery patients &
      controls, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 445 AH proteins were identified, and
      210 proteins were differentially expressed between myopia patients and controls,
      262 proteins were differentially expressed between glaucoma surgery patients and
      controls, and 161 proteins were differentially expressed between vitrectomy
      surgery patients and controls. Among the 445 identified proteins, 77 were
      considered to be cataract-associated, and 5 of the 77 proteins were randomly
      selected and confirmed by ELISA assay. Biological functions of these 77 proteins
      were annotated by GO/pathways analysis. Additionally, 17 proteins were found to
      be involved in protein-protein interaction networks, 5 of which were associated
      with nervous system disease and eye diseases including cataract. CONCLUSIONS: The
      identified candidate protein biomarkers associated with cataract development may
      lead to more insights into the underlying mechanisms of cataract disease.

PMID- 26265348
TI  - Optimising plasma levels of clozapine during metabolic interactions: a review and
      case report with adjunct rifampicin treatment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Clozapine is the only licensed medication for treatment-resistant
      schizophrenia. The metabolism of clozapine is affected by multiple
      pharmacokinetic interactions, so the co-administration of adjunct medications can
      have a significant clinical effect. The anti- tuberculosis medication rifampicin
      is a potent inducer of the cytochrome P450 system and therefore can cause a
      reduction in the plasma concentration of clozapine. There is limited clinical
      evidence regarding co-administration of these medications; in particular there is
      a lack of data regarding the effect on plasma clozapine levels, which is the key
      factor determining clinical efficacy. This is clinically relevant given evidence
      of an increased risk of tuberculosis in patients with schizophrenia. CASE
      PRESENTATION: We present a case of a 28 year old British man with a diagnosis of
      schizoaffective disorder who presented with persistent psychotic symptoms. He
      developed a systemic inflammatory condition, diagnosed as tuberculosis, and was
      commenced on a six month course of treatment that included rifampicin. This case
      presents comprehensive data to illustrate the effect on clozapine plasma levels
      of a complete course of tuberculosis therapy. CONCLUSION: This case report
      provides guidance to clinicians in managing drug interactions between clozapine
      and rifampicin to enable safe and effective treatment. The co-administration of
      these medications is likely to increase as the existing underuse of clozapine is
      recognised whilst the incidence of tuberculosis increases.

PMID- 26265349
TI  - Anaphylactoid reaction caused by sodium ceftriaxone in two horses experimentally
      infected by Borrelia burgdorferi.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lyme borreliosis is a disease transmitted by ticks to mammals,
      especially in horses and humans. Caused by a spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, it
      can result in lameness, arthritis, carditis, dermatitis and neurological signs.
      Anaphylactoid reactions are severe responses caused by direct action of
      substances (drugs, toxins), which can pose risks to life. Still poorly documented
      in horses, these reactions are caused by the effects of inflammatory mediators
      such as histamine, kinins and arachidonic acid metabolites. The last two are the
      most clinically relevant for the species. CASE PRESENTATION: The simultaneous
      occurrence of anaphylactoid reaction in two horses experimentally infected by
      Borrelia burgdorferi undergoing intravenous treatment with ceftriaxone sodium is
      reported. It was administered 4.7 * 10(8) spirochetes intradermal and
      subcutaneous applications in both horses to evaluate clinical aspects of the Lyme
      disease, 95 days before the application of sodium ceftriaxone. During the
      administration, one horse (a gelding) showed immediate and severe anaphylactoid
      symptoms such as urticaria, dyspnea, tachycardia, and eyelid edema, which were
      controlled by injecting dexamethasone. After 1 day, it expressed signs of
      abdominal discomfort, caused by severe bloat, which was treated surgically via
      celiotomy. Subsequently, this gelding had piroplasmosis and severe anemia,
      requiring treatment with an antimicrobial and blood transfusion. Second horse (a
      mare) showed signs of hypotension during the application of the antibiotic, which
      disappeared only when the application was interrupted. Days after the event, the
      mare developed moderate large colon bloat, which was treated with medication
      only. Subsequently the mare was evolved into the prodromal phase of laminitis in
      one of the forelimbs, which was treated for 10 days with non-steroidal anti
      inflammatory and rheology modifying drugs and cryotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: From the
      two cases presented here, it does appear that sodium ceftriaxone can induce
      anaphylactoid reactions in horses infected by Borrelia burgdorferi, which may
      evolve into colic syndrome, laminitis and the occurrence of opportunistic
      infections. However, further evidence should be collected in order to draw
      definite conclusions.

PMID- 26265350
TI  - Cavity lining after excavating caries lesions: meta-analysis and trial sequential
      analysis of randomized clinical trials.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: After removal of dentine caries lesions, cavity lining has been
      advocated. Non-clinical data support this approach, but clinical data are sparse
      and ambiguous. We aimed at evaluating the benefits and harms of cavity lining
      using meta-analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis. DATA: We included randomized
      clinical trials comparing restorations without versus with cavity lining for
      treating primary caries lesions. Only trials reporting failure (defined as need
      to re-retreat) after >=1 year follow-up were included. Trial selection, data
      extraction, and risk of bias assessment were conducted independently by two
      reviewers. We conducted random-effects intention-to-treat and per-protocol meta
      analyses, and Trial Sequential Analysis to control for random errors. SOURCES:
      Electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, CENTRAL) were systematically screened, and
      hand searches and cross-referencing performed. STUDY SELECTION: From 128 studies,
      three randomized trials (89/130 patients or teeth), all treating primary teeth,
      were included. The trials had high risk of bias. All trials compared no lining
      versus calcium hydroxide lining after selective caries removal followed by
      adhesive restoration. Follow-up was 36 to 53 months. Restoring the cavity without
      lining did not significantly affect the risk of failure (intention-to-treat
      relative risk (RR) (95% confidence interval) 0.71 (0.49-1.04), per-protocol RR
      0.52 (0.24-1.10). According to Trial Sequential Analysis, no firm evidence was
      reached. The quality of evidence was very low. CONCLUSIONS: Strong
      recommendations for using cavity liners are unsubstantiated, but firm evidence
      for omitting lining is also unavailable. Our findings apply only to primary teeth
      and calcium hydroxide liner. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Whilst lining is frequently
      performed in dental practice, very few randomized clinical trials investigated
      this issue. The three trials included in this review treated deciduous teeth and
      did not find lining with calcium hydroxide beneficial. Lining is not supported by
      sufficient clinical evidence.

PMID- 26265351
TI  - Heterocyclic Scaffolds in the Design of Peptidomimetic Integrin Ligands:
      Synthetic Strategies, Structural Aspects, and Biological Activity.
AB  - The integrin receptors represent valuable targets for therapeutic interventions;
      being overexpressed in many pathological states, their inhibition can be
      effective to treat a number of severe diseases. Since integrin functions are
      mediated by interactions with ECM protein ligands, the inhibition can be achieved
      by interfering with such interactions using small mimetics of the integrin-ligand
      recognition motifs (e.g. RGD, LDV, etc.). In this review, we focus on the
      antagonists with peptideheterocycle hybrid structures. The introduction of well
      designed scaffolds has met considerable success in the rational design of highly
      stable, bioavailable, and conformationally defined antagonists. Two main
      approaches are discussed herein. The first approach is the use of scaffolds
      external to the main recognition motifs, aimed at improving conformational
      definition. In the second approach, heterocyclic cores are introduced within the
      recognition motifs, giving access to libraries of 3D diverse candidate
      antagonists. 

PMID- 26265353
TI  - Current Understanding of the Mechanisms by which Membrane-Active Peptides
      Permeate and Disrupt Model Lipid Membranes.
AB  - Three classes of membrane active peptides (MAPs) are considered in this review:
      cell penetrating peptides (CPPs); anti-microbial peptides (AMPs), and amyloidal
      peptides. We summarize both experimental and theoretical results for several
      representative peptides in these different classes, which highlight commonalities
      in their interactions with model lipid membranes. While it is clear that no fixed
      set of mechanisms completely characterize any particular class of MAPs, there is
      certainly evidence that common mechanisms can be found within and between
      classes. For example, CPPs appear to undergo rapid translocation across lipid
      bilayers through small transient pores, which nevertheless appear not to cause
      persistent damage to membranes. On the other hand, AMPs also show evidence of
      rapid translocation, but associated with this, is membrane rupture to form large
      pores, which are subsequently stabilized by peptide adsorption to the pore edges.
      This disruption to the membrane is presumably responsible for cell death.
      Amyloidal peptides also show evidence of stable large pore formation, however,
      the mechanism for pore stabilization appears linked with their ability to form
      fibrils and prefibrillar aggregates and oligomers. There is some evidence that
      pores and membrane defects in fact act as nucleation sites for these structures.
      Where possible we have related the experimental and theoretical work to our own
      simulation findings in an effort to produce a comprehensive, albeit speculative
      picture for the mechanisms of action for this important group of peptides. 

PMID- 26265352
TI  - Research Advances in the Treatment of Melanoma by Treat Melanoma.
AB  - Melanoma is a highly malignant tumor. Prognoses of melanoma patients are often
      unsatisfactory due to poor operational and chemoradiational efficacy. Recently,
      researches for melanoma treatment have found multipeptide vaccines a favorite and
      possible breakthrough as they are stable in chemical property and easy to be
      synthesized, have no carcinogenecity and dispense with virus vector. Studies have
      shown that the immunogenicity of multipeptide vaccines could be enhanced by use
      of immunoadjuvants, joining dendritic cells (DCs), full-length or epitope
      superposited antigen peptides, costimulatory molecules and cellpenetrating
      peptides fusion, thereby improving anti-tumor effect. Certain achievements have
      been obtained in clinical treatment of melanoma by multipeptide vaccines, but
      problems including poor immunogenicity and human leukocyte antigen (HLA)
      phenotype restriction may require further study. 

PMID- 26265354
TI  - Peptide Bacteriocins--Structure Activity Relationships.
AB  - With the growing concerns in the scientific and health communities over
      increasing levels of antibiotic resistance, antimicrobial peptide bacteriocins
      have emerged as promising alternatives to conventional small molecule
      antibiotics. A substantial attention has recently focused on the utilization of
      bacteriocins in food preservation and health safety. Despite the fact that a
      large number of bacteriocins have been reported, only a few have been fully
      characterized and structurally elucidated. Since knowledge of the molecular
      structure is a key for understanding the mechanism of action and therapeutic
      effects of peptide, we centered our focus in this review on the structure
      activity relationships of bacteriocins with a particular focus in seven
      bacteriocins, namely, nisin, microcin J25, microcin B17, microcin C, leucocin A,
      sakacin P, and pediocin PA-1. Significant structural changes responsible for the
      altered activity of the recent bacteriocin analogues are discussed here. 

PMID- 26265355
TI  - Peptide modules for overcoming barriers of nucleic acids transport to cells.
AB  - Absence of safe and efficient methods of nucleic acids delivery is one of the
      major issues which limits the development of human gene therapy. Highly efficient
      viral vectors raise questions due to safety reasons. Among non-viral vectors
      peptide-based carriers can be considered as good candidates for the development
      of "artificial viruses"--multifunctional polyplexes that mimic viruses. Suggested
      strategy to obtain multifunctionality is to combine several peptide modules into
      one modular carrier. Different kinds of peptide modules are needed for successful
      overcoming barriers of nucleic acids transport into the cells. Design of such
      modules and establishment of structure-function relationships are issues of
      importance to researchers working in the field of nucleic acids delivery.

PMID- 26265356
TI  - Early and recent psychosocial stress and telomere length in older adults.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Psychosocial stress has been associated with an increased risk for
      mental and somatic health problems across the life span. Some studies in younger
      adults linked this to accelerated cellular aging, indexed by shortened telomere
      length (TL). In older adults, the impact of psychosocial stress on TL may be
      different due to the lifetime exposure to competing causes of TL-shortening. This
      study aims to assess whether early and recent psychosocial stressors (childhood
      abuse, childhood adverse events, recent negative life events, and loneliness)
      were associated with TL in older adults. METHODS: Data were from the Netherlands
      Study of Depression in Older Persons (NESDO) in which psychosocial stressors were
      measured in 496 persons aged 60 and older (mean age 70.6 (SD 7.4) years) during a
      face-to-face interview. Leukocyte TL was determined using fasting blood samples
      by performing quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and was expressed in
      base pairs (bp). RESULTS: Multiple regression analyses, adjusted for age, sex,
      and chronic diseases, showed that childhood abuse, recent negative life events
      and loneliness were unrelated to TL. Only having experienced any childhood
      adverse event was weakly but significantly negatively associated with TL.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our findings did not consistently confirm our hypothesis that
      psychosocial stress is associated with shorter TL in older adults. Healthy
      survivorship or other TL-damaging factors such as somatic health problems seem to
      dominate a potential effect of psychosocial stress on TL in older adults.

PMID- 26265357
TI  - Combination of Universal Mechanical Testing Machine with Atomic Force Microscope
      for Materials Research.
AB  - Surface deformation and fracture processes of materials under external force are
      important for understanding and developing materials. Here, a combined horizontal
      universal mechanical testing machine (HUMTM)-atomic force microscope (AFM) system
      is developed by modifying UMTM to combine with AFM and designing a height
      adjustable stabilizing apparatus. Then the combined HUMTM-AFM system is
      evaluated. Finally, as initial demonstrations, it is applied to analyze the
      relationship among macroscopic mechanical properties, surface nanomorphological
      changes under external force, and fracture processes of two kinds of
      representative large scale thin film materials: polymer material with high strain
      rate (Parafilm) and metal material with low strain rate (aluminum foil). All the
      results demonstrate the combined HUMTM-AFM system overcomes several disadvantages
      of current AFM-combined tensile/compression devices including small load force,
      incapability for large scale specimens, disability for materials with high strain
      rate, and etc. Therefore, the combined HUMTM-AFM system is a promising tool for
      materials research in the future. 

PMID- 26265358
TI  - Simulations of thermodynamics and kinetics on rough energy landscapes with
      milestoning.
AB  - We investigated by computational means the kinetics and stationary behavior of
      stochastic dynamics on an ensemble of rough two-dimensional energy landscapes.
      There are no obvious separations of temporal scales in these systems, which
      constitute a simple model for the behavior of glasses and some biomaterials. Even
      though there are significant computational challenges present in these systems
      due to the large number of metastable states, the Milestoning method is able to
      compute their kinetic and thermodynamic properties exactly. We observe two
      clearly distinguished regimes in the overall kinetics: one in which diffusive
      behavior dominates and another that follows an Arrhenius law (despite the absence
      of a dominant barrier). We compare our results with those obtained with an
      exactly-solvable one-dimensional model, and with the results from the rough one
      dimensional energy model introduced by Zwanzig. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. 

PMID- 26265359
TI  - Cinacalcet and Clinical Outcomes in Dialysis.
AB  - Secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) is a common complication of end-stage renal
      disease and is one of the most prominent causes of a markedly increased risk of
      death and cardiovascular disease in this patient population. Cinacalcet
      hydrochloride is a new option for the treatment of SHPT, and the efficacy and
      effectiveness to lower parathyroid hormone levels and to improve control of
      mineral metabolism, even in patients with severe disease, has been well
      established in many clinical trials and observational studies. Currently, the
      focus has moved to the impact of cinacalcet on hard clinical outcomes, and two
      randomized controlled trials, ADVANCE and EVOLVE, have been performed to assess
      the effects of cinacalcet on cardiovascular calcification and the risk of
      cardiovascular events and mortality, respectively. Although the primary analysis
      of both trials did not find significant effects of cinacalcet, the benefit of
      cinacalcet was suggested in the subanalyses in which the potential problems of
      the trials were taken into account. These positive results are consistent with
      experimental studies showing favorable effects of cinacalcet on bone metabolism
      and vascular calcification, providing plausibility to support the beneficial
      effects of cinacalcet. Definitive evidence is, however, still lacking, and
      further efforts should be made to establish the optimal role of cinacalcet in the
      treatment of SHPT.

PMID- 26265361
TI  - Authors' reply to Steele and colleagues.

PMID- 26265360
TI  - Antifungal activity of Brevibacillus laterosporus JX-5 and characterization of
      its antifungal components.
AB  - The establishment of safe and effective methods for controlling fungal disease is
      an urgent issue in agriculture and forestry. Microbiological control of plant
      disease is expected to achieve better results than use of chemically derived
      fungicides. This study aimed to establish Brevibacillus laterosporus JX-5 as a
      potential microbiological control agent of poplar canker. The bacterium was
      isolated from the poplar rhizosphere and demonstrated significant growth
      inhibition of several pathogenic fungi in vitro. The antifungal components of Br.
      laterosporus JX-5 were isolated and identified. The fermentation broth of Br.
      laterosporus JX-5 and its main antifungal component, designated as component B,
      reduced Botryosphaeria dothidea associated canker of the excised poplar branch by
      70 and 90%, respectively. Component B is considerably heat-stable, adaptable to a
      broad pH range, and UV-resistant. It could inhibit Bo. dothidea by permeating the
      fungal membrane, fracturing the nuclei, damaging the cell wall, and eventually
      killing the pathogenic fungus. The antifungal activity exhibited by Br.
      laterosporus JX-5 and its bioactive metabolic products indicate its feasibility
      as a potential biocontrol agent for plant diseases.

PMID- 26265362
TI  - Effect of country-of-origin contextual factors and length of stay on immigrants'
      substance use in Spain.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Factors explaining disparities in risk of substance use between
      immigrants and natives and between immigrant subgroups are poorly understood. We
      aimed to describe such disparities and identify some explanatory factors in
      Spain. METHODS: Participants were residents aged 15-64 years from 2005 to 07
      nationally representative surveys. Outcomes were prevalences of alcohol, tobacco,
      sedative-hypnotics, cannabis and other illegal substance use. Immigrants were
      recent if <5 years of Spanish stay and long term if >=10 years. Country-of-origin
      income per capita and population level of substance use were taken from
      international databases. Adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) and percent change
      from Poisson regression with robust variance were used to estimate risk
      disparities and effects of immigration variables. RESULTS: Most immigrants had
      lower substance use than natives, although it generally increased with increasing
      Spanish stay, especially for illegal substances. This lower risk could be
      partially explained by country-of-origin contextual factors as a lower level of
      income or substance use and religious or cultural factors such as Islam. By
      origin, recent immigrant aPRs and convergence-divergence risk patterns were,
      respectively, as follows: lower aPRs with upward convergence (often incomplete)
      toward natives' risk in immigrants from Muslim area, Eastern-Europe and Latin
      America excluding South-Cone, lower/similar aPRs with upward overtaking or
      divergent patterns in South-Cone Americans and similar/higher aPRs with stable or
      upward divergent patterns in Non-Eastern-Europeans. CONCLUSION: Spain is a host
      context that seems to facilitate increased substance use among immigrants, even
      those from countries with prevalences close to Spain. However, country-of-origin
      context is important in explaining disparities in substance use among immigrants.

PMID- 26265363
TI  - Association between second-hand smoking and acute coronary heart disease among
      Arab women with multiple risk factors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Active smoking is a well-established risk factor for coronary heart
      disease (CHD). However, the role of second-hand smoking (SHS) needs further
      investigation. We aimed to study the association between SHS and CHD in Arab
      women in Israel. METHODS: A matched case-control study among non-smoking Arab
      women. The case group included women discharged from hospital after having acute
      coronary event. The control group was women without CHD who were individually
      matched for age and type-2 diabetes. The women were interviewed with structured
      questionnaires on exposure to SHS and on attitudes towards such exposure, and
      underwent anthropometric measurements. RESULTS: A total of 146 women were
      included, the majority had type-2 diabetes (68.5%) and were overweight or obese
      (89.4% of cases and 93.2% of controls, P = 0.727). The prevalence of exposure to
      domestic-SHS after marriage was higher among the cases than controls (91.8% vs.
      53.4%, P < 0.001). After adjustment for hypertension, body mass index > 25 and
      family history, exposure to domestic-SHS after marriage was an independent risk
      factor for CHD (OR = 6.1, 95% CI 1.93-19.3). Compared with no exposure, the
      exposed for 2-6 h a day had an OR of 5.68 (1.48-21.73), and for >6 h a day the OR
      reached 26.12 (4.26-159.92). Women with CHD felt less comfortable voicing their
      concern about smoking near them and more highly agreed with prohibition of
      smoking. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to domestic-SHS is independently associated with
      CHD in Arab women, with a strong dose-response relationship, emphasizing the need
      for public health initiatives to reduce exposure to domestic-SHS.

PMID- 26265364
TI  - Will the trilogue on the EU Data Protection Regulation recognise the importance
      of health research?

PMID- 26265366
TI  - Breast Cancer Management Updates: Young and Older, Pregnant, or Male.
AB  - Every year, more and more patients fall into rare or extreme categories of breast
      cancer-young, elderly, pregnant, or male. Contributing factors may be improved
      risk assessment and screening techniques (especially of dense breast tissue),
      delayed childbearing, and the aging population. These patients can challenge
      usual medical decision making because of their unique situation. There might be a
      concern for the fetus, worry about future fertility, a question of local control
      in a man, or concern for overdiagnosis or overtreatment in an older patient.
      Because these populations are seldom included in the large breast cancer trials
      from which standard treatment recommendations are made, an update on management
      for young, elderly, pregnant, and male breast cancer patients may be helpful. 

PMID- 26265365
TI  - Breast-Conserving Surgery in Bilateral Breast Cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Bilateral breast cancer (BBC) may present as synchronous (SBC) or
      metachronous breast cancer (MBC). Optimal surgical management of BBC patients is
      not well-defined. In this study, we report on histopathology, treatment, and
      outcomes in BBC patients. METHODS: Upon Institutional Review Board approval, we
      identified BBC patients diagnosed and treated for invasive breast cancer between
      1999 and 2007. Retrospective chart review for demographics, histopathology,
      treatment, and outcomes was performed, and factors associated with BCS choice
      were collected. Contraindication to BCS was defined as any of the following one
      breast findings: multicentric disease, tumor considered too large for BCS, and a
      patient without a nominal breast size for acceptable cosmetic results. McNemar's
      test for matched pairs (binary variables) or the paired t test (continuous
      variables) were used to examine if a pathologic characteristic differed within a
      cancer pair. Kaplan-Meier methods estimated overall survival (OS). RESULTS: A
      total of 203 BBC patients (119 SBC, 84 MBC) comprised our study group.
      Histopathologic characteristics of the first and second cancers diagnosed in both
      the SBC and MBC patients were very similar in histologic type and molecular
      profiles. Overall, 57% of MBC patients underwent breast-conserving surgery (BCS)
      at initial diagnosis versus 34% of patients with SBC. BCS contraindications were
      similar in both groups: 16 (34%) MBC patients and 28 (36%) SBC patients. Kaplan
      Meier OS estimates at 5 and 10 years were 86 and 78% for MBC, and 87 and 77% for
      SBC patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: OS was excellent for both the MBC and
      SBC groups. Contraindications to BCS did not differ between groups. However,
      patients with SBC were less likely to undergo BCS compared with patients with MBC
      at the time of initial diagnosis.

PMID- 26265367
TI  - Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC): The
      Need for Accessible Data in Real Time.

PMID- 26265368
TI  - A Minimally Invasive Technique to Obtain Optimal Tumor Margins in Anatomically
      Confined Locations Using a Contoured Stapler.

PMID- 26265369
TI  - Injectable cryogel-based whole-cell cancer vaccines.
AB  - A biomaterial-based vaccination system that uses minimal extracorporeal
      manipulation could provide in situ enhancement of dendritic cell (DC) numbers, a
      physical space where DCs interface with transplanted tumour cells, and an
      immunogenic context. Here we encapsulate GM-CSF, serving as a DC enhancement
      factor, and CpG ODN, serving as a DC activating factor, into sponge-like
      macroporous cryogels. These cryogels are injected subcutaneously into mice to
      localize transplanted tumour cells and deliver immunomodulatory factors in a
      controlled spatio-temporal manner. These vaccines elicit local infiltrates
      composed of conventional and plasmacytoid DCs, with the subsequent induction of
      potent, durable and specific anti-tumour T-cell responses in a melanoma model.
      These cryogels can be delivered in a minimally invasive manner, bypass the need
      for genetic modification of transplanted cancer cells and provide sustained
      release of immunomodulators. Altogether, these findings indicate the potential
      for cryogels to serve as a platform for cancer cell vaccinations. 

PMID- 26265370
TI  - Loss of hippocampal function impairs pattern separation on a mouse touch-screen
      operant paradigm.
AB  - The hippocampus is heavily involved in the learning and memory processes
      necessary to successfully encode environmental stimuli and representations over
      time. Impairment of hippocampal function is associated with numerous
      neuropsychiatric diseases and can lead to detriments in the quality of life. In
      order to take full advantage of preclinical models of these disorders, there is a
      need for the development of more refined measures of clinically relevant
      hippocampal behaviors. While arena-based navigation tasks have provided
      fundamental information regarding the role of the hippocampus in spatial memory,
      the development of automated operant variants have had mixed results. Recently,
      an automated touch-screen paradigm has been shown to be highly sensitive to
      hippocampal function in the rat and eliminated mediating strategies that arose in
      previous tasks. Here we show that mice with lesions encompassing the entire
      ventral portion of the dorsal hippocampus are impaired on pattern separation
      behavior using a delayed nonmatching-to-location (TUNL) adapted for mice.
      Lesioned mice readily acquired the task at control rates when separations were
      maximal and delay periods were short while decreasing separations significantly
      impaired lesion mice. However, in contrast to previously reported results in the
      rat, consistently increasing delays did not significantly impair performance in
      the lesion group. Presentation of a variable delay within a session significantly
      impaired performance in lesion mice across delay periods. The current results
      demonstrate the utility of a touch-screen paradigm for measuring hippocampal
      dependent pattern separation in the mouse and establish the paradigm as an
      important platform for future studies in disease models. 

PMID- 26265371
TI  - Prognosis of spontaneous cervical artery dissection and transcranial Doppler
      findings associated with clinical outcomes.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We categorised spontaneous cervical artery dissection (sCAD) by
      radiological features and investigated factors associated with favourable
      outcomes. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed 128 patients with sCAD with a
      median follow-up duration of 25 months. Twenty-nine constituted the aneurysm
      group, 52 the stenotic group, and 47 the occlusive group. Various relevant
      factors, including National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores, type
      of antithrombotic therapy, stroke progression in the first week, and transcranial
      Doppler (TCD) flow-waveforms (in the occlusive subgroup) were analysed.
      Favourable outcomes were defined as a 1-year modified Rankin-Scale score of 0-1.
      Favourable anatomical outcomes were defined as a reversal of dissection
      associated stenosis during follow-up. RESULTS: The aneurysm and stenotic groups
      showed favourable outcomes, while the occlusive group outcomes were less
      favourable. In the stenotic group, anticoagulation, an NIHSS score >=4, and
      stroke progression were inversely associated with favourable long-term outcomes.
      Remarkably, in the occlusive group, flow abnormality more severe than minimal
      flow was associated with stroke progression, unfavourable long-term outcome, and
      arterial irreversibility. CONCLUSIONS: The outcome of sCAD depends on its
      radiological subtype. In the occlusive subtype, which is associated with the
      worst outcome, TCD flow analysis may predict acute stroke progression and long
      term outcome. KEY POINTS: * Outcomes in cervical artery dissection may be
      determined by radiological subtypes. * The aneurysm and stenotic groups had
      favourable outcomes. * The occlusive group had less favourable functional
      outcomes. * Flow-waveform analysis by TCD could predict functional and anatomical
      outcomes.

PMID- 26265372
TI  - Do labetalol and methyldopa have different effects on pregnancy outcome? Analysis
      of data from the Control of Hypertension In Pregnancy Study (CHIPS) trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare pregnancy outcomes, accounting for allocated group, between
      methyldopa-treated and labetalol-treated women in the CHIPS Trial (ISRCTN
      71416914) of 'less tight' versus 'tight' control of pregnancy hypertension.
      DESIGN: Secondary analysis of CHIPS Trial cohort. SETTING: International
      randomised controlled trial (94 sites, 15 countries). POPULATION OR SAMPLE: Of
      987 CHIPS recruits, 481/566 (85.0%) women treated with antihypertensive therapy
      at randomisation. Of 981 (99.4%) women followed to delivery, 656/745 (88.1%)
      treated postrandomisation. METHODS: Logistic regression to compare outcomes among
      women who took methyldopa or labetalol, adjusted for the influence of baseline
      factors. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: CHIPS primary (perinatal loss or high level
      neonatal care for >48 hours) and secondary (serious maternal complications)
      outcomes, birthweight <10th centile, severe maternal hypertension, pre-eclampsia
      and delivery at <34 or <37 weeks. RESULTS: Methyldopa and labetalol were used
      commonly at randomisation (243/987, 24.6% and 238/987, 24.6%, respectively) and
      post-randomisation (224/981, 22.8% and 433/981, 44.1%, respectively). Following
      adjusted analyses, methyldopa (versus labetalol) at randomisation was associated
      with fewer babies with birthweight <10th centile [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.48;
      95% CI 0.20-0.87]. Methyldopa (versus labetalol) postrandomisation was associated
      with fewer CHIPS primary outcomes (aOR 0.64; 95% CI 0.40-1.00), birthweight <10th
      centile (aOR 0.54; 95% CI 0.32-0.92), severe hypertension (aOR 0.51; 95% CI 0.31
      0.83), pre-eclampsia (aOR 0.55; 95% CI 0.36-0.85), and delivery at <34 weeks (aOR
      0.53; 95% CI 0.29-0.96) or <37 weeks (aOR 0.55; 95% CI 0.35-0.85). CONCLUSION:
      These nonrandomised comparisons are subject to residual confounding, but women
      treated with methyldopa (versus labetalol), particularly those with pre-existing
      hypertension, may have had better outcomes. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: There was no
      evidence that women treated with methyldopa versus labetalol had worse outcomes.

PMID- 26265373
TI  - Gamma-delta T-cell lymphoma arising in a long-standing cutaneous plaque.
AB  - The precise classification and characterization of primary cutaneous gamma-delta
      T-cell lymphoma (PCGD-TCL) has been hindered by clinical and morphologic features
      that overlap with other lymphomas, especially subcutaneous panniculitis-like T
      cell lymphoma (SPTCL). The recent World Health Organization/European Organization
      for Research and Treatment of Cancer (WHO/EORTC) classification distinguishes the
      more aggressive PCGD-TCL from the usually indolent SPTCL, however. We report a 30
      year-old woman with an indurated violaceous plaque on the left cheek that had
      been present for several years. Biopsies showed a dense lymphocytic infiltrate
      involving the subcutis and dermis that consisted mostly of small and medium-sized
      lymphocytes, some with irregular nuclear contours and dense chromatin. These
      cells were positive for TIA-1, TCR-gamma and CD8, but negative for beta-F1 and
      granzyme-B. Staging with positron emission tomography-computed tomography
      (PET/CT), CBC and bone marrow with flow cytometry identified lymphadenopathy as
      well as blood and marrow involvement by an abnormal TCRgd-positive T-cell
      proliferation (Ann Arbor Stage IV). The patient's history of a long-standing
      lesion in this case is unusual, in that gamma-delta T-cell lymphomas are
      typically rapidly progressive neoplasms. As such, it raises the possibility of
      'transformation' of a long-standing inflammatory process into an overt lymphoma.

PMID- 26265374
TI  - T-cell immunoglobulin mucin-3 expression in bladder urothelial carcinoma:
      Clinicopathologic correlations and association with survival.
AB  - BACKGROUND: T cell immunoglobulin mucin-3 (Tim-3) was initially recognized as a
      pivotal immune checkpoint inhibitor that maintains immune homeostasis and
      tolerance. Recently, Tim-3 has been demonstrated to play an important role in
      tumor-associated immune suppression and aberrant Tim-3 expression has been
      reported in several human malignancies. However, the role of Tim-3 in bladder
      urothelial carcinoma (BUC) remains largely unknown. The present study aims to
      investigate Tim-3 expression in BUC and analyze correlations with
      clinicopathologic outcomes and postoperative survival. METHODS: Tim-3 protein
      expressions were detected in paraffin embedded sections from 100 patients with
      BUC by immunohistochemistry. Expressions were correlated with clinicopathologic
      outcomes and postoperative survival. RESULTS: Tim-3 protein was over-expressed in
      bladder cancer cells, tumor infiltrating lymphocytes and endothelial cells from
      patients with BUC. The expression levels of Tim-3 were significantly correlated
      with advanced pathological grade and T stage. Moreover, another immune checkpoint
      molecule programmed death receptor-1(PD-1) was also over- expressed in BUC
      tissues and had a significant correlation with Tim-3. Multivariate analysis
      showed that Tim-3 expression, as well as PD-1 expression was both independent
      predictors of disease-free survival and overall survival in patients with BUC.
      CONCLUSION: Tim-3 over-expression implies adverse clinical outcomes for BUC,
      which suggests it is a potential prognostic biomarker and a novel therapeutic
      target in BUC.

PMID- 26265375
TI  - Commissioning for menopause specialist services: A local perspective: An internet
      based survey to assess the potential demand for menopause care in West Cheshire
      and the skills of local primary care clinicians in this field, with a view to
      informing future commissioning locally.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study explores the perceived volume of women affected by peri- or
      post-menopausal issues that present to primary care clinicians in West Cheshire,
      plus the self-reported confidence of those clinicians in managing the menopause,
      and whether or not they feel that they and their patients should have access to a
      specialist menopause service. STUDY DESIGN: Completion of an electronic survey.
      POPULATION: General practitioners and practice nurses working in West Cheshire.
      MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: To provide evidence for future local commissioning of
      menopause services. RESULTS: Ninety-one clinicians working within West Cheshire
      were sent an email request to complete the survey with 53 responses received
      (58%). The majority were general practitioners and were within the 35-54 year age
      range. The majority perceived that, each week in their clinical practice, they
      see between one and eight women who are affected by peri- or post-menopausal
      symptoms. Regarding their self-reported skills and knowledge in managing the
      menopause, almost half felt they had 'good' knowledge but 'recognised (they) had
      learning needs'. Seven of the 53 (13%) felt their skills were 'not good'. Two
      thirds of those clinicians who completed the survey felt that they and their
      patients should have access to a specialist menopause service locally.
      CONCLUSIONS: In the area covered by West Cheshire clinical commissioning group,
      there is no currently commissioned menopause service. This study has demonstrated
      that a substantial number of women present each week to clinicians working in
      this area who are felt to have peri- or post-menopausal symptoms. The clinicians
      have self-reported learning needs. Qualitative data from the survey would suggest
      training can be difficult to access. There is a clear need, both ethically and
      medically, for the commissioning of a West Cheshire specialist menopause service,
      with the proposed model being an integrated and holistic care model. Menopause
      care, and post-reproductive healthcare generally, provides an opportunity for
      collaboration and partnership working within an outcomes-based commissioning
      model. This study could be reviewed and replicated in other areas for comparison.

PMID- 26265376
TI  - Recent progress in gene therapy to deliver nucleic acids with multivalent
      cationic vectors.
AB  - Due to the potential use as transfecting agents of nucleic acids (DNA or RNA),
      multivalent cationic non-viral vectors have received special attention in the
      last decade. Much effort has been addressed to synthesize more efficient and
      biocompatible gene vectors able to transport nucleic acids into the cells without
      provoking an immune response. Among them, the mostly explored to compact and
      transfect nucleic acids are: (a) gemini and multivalent cationic lipids, mixed
      with a helper lipid, by forming lipoplexes; and (b) cationic polymers,
      polycations, and polyrotaxanes, by forming polyplexes. This review is focused on
      the progress and recent advances experimented in this area, mainly during the
      present decade, devoting special attention to the lipoplexes and polyplexes, as
      follows: (a) to its biophysical characterization (mainly electrostatics,
      structure, size and morphology) using a wide variety of experimental methods; and
      (b) to its biological activity (transfection efficacy and cytotoxicity) addressed
      to confirm the optimum formulations and viability of these complexes as very
      promising gene vectors of nucleic acids in nanomedicine. 

PMID- 26265377
TI  - Dermatoglyphics in hypertension: a review.
AB  - Hypertension is a major contributor to the global burden of disease and
      mortality. A major medical advancement would be a better means to ascertain which
      persons are at higher risk for becoming hypertensive beforehand. To that end,
      there have been a number of studies showing that certain dermatoglyphic markers
      are associated with hypertension. This association could be explained if the risk
      toward developing hypertension later on in life is somehow connected with fetal
      development of dermatoglyphics. It would be highly valuable from a clinical
      standpoint if this conjecture could be substantiated since dermatoglyphic markers
      could then be used for screening out individuals who might be at an elevated risk
      of becoming hypertensive. The aim of this review was to search for and appraise
      available studies that pertain to the association between hypertension and
      dermatoglyphics.A systematic literature search conducted using articles from
      MEDLINE (PubMed), Trip, Cochran, Google scholar, and gray literature until
      December 2014. Of the 37 relevant publications, 17 were included in the review.
      The review performed according to the preferred reporting items for systematic
      reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement.This review showed a fairly
      consistent finding of an increased frequency of whorl patterns along with a
      higher mean total ridge count in digital dermatoglyphic results in hypertensive
      samples compared to controls. However, it was imperative to discuss several
      limitations found in the studies that could make this association as yet
      unsettled. 

PMID- 26265378
TI  - ALOMYbase, a resource to investigate non-target-site-based resistance to
      herbicides inhibiting acetolactate-synthase (ALS) in the major grass weed
      Alopecurus myosuroides (black-grass).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Herbicide resistance in agrestal weeds is a global problem
      threatening food security. Non-target-site resistance (NTSR) endowed by
      mechanisms neutralising the herbicide or compensating for its action is
      considered the most agronomically noxious type of resistance. Contrary to target
      site resistance, NTSR mechanisms are far from being fully elucidated. A part of
      weed response to herbicide stress, NTSR is considered to be largely driven by
      gene regulation. Our purpose was to establish a transcriptome resource allowing
      investigation of the transcriptomic bases of NTSR in the major grass weed
      Alopecurus myosuroides L. (Poaceae) for which almost no genomic or transcriptomic
      data was available. RESULTS: RNA-Seq was performed from plants in one F2
      population that were sensitive or expressing NTSR to herbicides inhibiting
      acetolactate-synthase. Cloned plants were sampled over seven time-points ranging
      from before until 73 h after herbicide application. Assembly of over 159M high
      quality Illumina reads generated a transcriptomic resource (ALOMYbase) containing
      65,558 potentially active contigs (N50 = 1240 nucleotides) predicted to encode
      32,138 peptides with 74% GO annotation, of which 2017 were assigned to protein
      families presumably involved in NTSR. Comparison with the fully sequenced grass
      genomes indicated good coverage and correct representation of A. myosuroides
      transcriptome in ALOMYbase. The part of the herbicide transcriptomic response
      common to the resistant and the sensitive plants was consistent with the expected
      effects of acetolactate-synthase inhibition, with striking similarities observed
      with published Arabidopsis thaliana data. A. myosuroides plants with NTSR were
      first affected by herbicide action like sensitive plants, but ultimately overcame
      it. Analysis of differences in transcriptomic herbicide response between
      resistant and sensitive plants did not allow identification of processes directly
      explaining NTSR. Five contigs associated to NTSR in the F2 population studied
      were tentatively identified. They were predicted to encode three cytochromes P450
      (CYP71A, CYP71B and CYP81D), one peroxidase and one disease resistance protein.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our data confirmed that gene regulation is at the root of herbicide
      response and of NTSR. ALOMYbase proved to be a relevant resource to support NTSR
      transcriptomic studies, and constitutes a valuable tool for future research
      aiming at elucidating gene regulations involved in NTSR in A. myosuroides.

PMID- 26265379
TI  - Association Study of IL-4 -590 C/T and DDX39B -22 G/C Polymorphisms with the Risk
      of Late-Onset Alzheimer's Disease in Iranian Population.
AB  - Interleukin-4 (IL-4), an important anti-inflammatory cytokine, is elucidated to
      regulate amyloid beta-induced production of the inflammatory cytokines such as IL
      1 and IL-6. It is assumed that IL-4 may involve in the inflammation pathology of
      surrounding senile plaques in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. DEAD (Asp-Glu
      Ala-Asp) box polypeptide 39B (DDX39B), appears to be involved in regulation of
      the inflammatory cytokines which are in correlation with AD pathology. This study
      was conducted to investigate the two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), IL-4
      -590 C/T and DDX39B -22 G/C, association with the risk of late-onset AD (LOAD) in
      Iranian population. In the present study, therefore, a cohort of 153 LOAD cases
      and 153 age-matched unrelated, non-dementia control subjects were analyzed for
      the two polymorphisms by polymerase chain reaction- restriction fragment length
      polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Our results successfully demonstrate a protective
      association between the IL-4 -590 T allele, IL-4 -590 C/T heterozygous genotype
      (P= 0.01, OR= 0.53 and P= 0.041; OR= 0.56, respectively) and LOAD in Iranian
      population. A resemblance significant association was detected in female
      population when subjects were stratified by sex: the IL-4 -590 T allele (P= 0.02,
      OR= 0, 40) and the heterozygous genotype (P= 0.009, OR= 0.29). However, no
      significant association was observed between the DDX39B -22 G/C polymorphism in
      the cases and controls. Furthermore, it is clarified that the protective effect
      of IL-4 -590 is independent from APOE protective genotypes. Accordingly, the IL-4
      -590 T allele may be applied as a protective marker in the development of LOAD in
      Iranian population. 

PMID- 26265380
TI  - Regulation of carotid body oxygen sensing by hypoxia-inducible factors.
AB  - Oxygen (O2) sensing by the carotid body and its chemosensory reflex is critical
      for homeostatic regulation of breathing and blood pressure. Carotid body
      responses to hypoxia are not uniform but instead exhibit remarkable inter
      individual variations. The molecular mechanisms underlying variations in carotid
      body O2 sensing are not known. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) and HIF-2
      mediate transcriptional responses to hypoxia. This article reviews the emerging
      evidence that proper expression of the HIF-alpha isoforms is a key molecular
      determinant for carotid body O2 sensing. HIF-1alpha deficiency leads to a blunted
      carotid body hypoxic response, which is due to increased abundance of HIF-2alpha,
      elevated anti-oxidant enzyme activity, and a reduced intracellular redox state.
      Conversely, HIF-2alpha deficiency results in augmented carotid body sensitivity
      to hypoxia, which is due to increased abundance of HIF-1alpha, elevated pro
      oxidant enzyme activity, and an oxidized intracellular redox state. Double
      heterozygous mice with equally reduced HIF-1alpha and HIF-2alpha showed no
      abnormality in redox state or carotid body O2 sensing. Thus, mutual antagonism
      between HIF-alpha isoforms determines the redox state and thereby establishes the
      set point for hypoxic sensing by the carotid body. 

PMID- 26265381
TI  - Cavbeta2 transcription start site variants modulate calcium handling in newborn
      rat cardiomyocytes.
AB  - In the heart, the main pathway for calcium influx is mediated by L-type calcium
      channels, a multi-subunit complex composed of the pore-forming subunit CaV1.2 and
      the auxiliary subunits CaValpha2delta1 and CaVbeta2. To date, five distinct
      CaVbeta2 transcriptional start site (TSS) variants (CaVbeta2a-e) varying only in
      the composition and length of the N-terminal domain have been described, each of
      them granting distinct biophysical properties to the L-type current. However, the
      physiological role of these variants in Ca(2+) handling in the native tissue has
      not been explored. Our results show that four of these variants are present in
      neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. The contribution of those CaVbeta2 TSS variants on
      endogenous L-type current and Ca(2+) handling was explored by adenoviral-mediated
      overexpression of each CaVbeta2 variant in cultured newborn rat cardiomyocytes.
      As expected, all CaVbeta2 TSS variants increased L-type current density and
      produced distinctive changes on L-type calcium channel (LTCC) current activation
      and inactivation kinetics. The characteristics of the induced calcium transients
      were dependent on the TSS variant overexpressed. Moreover, the amplitude of the
      calcium transients varied depending on the subunit involved, being higher in
      cardiomyocytes transduced with CaVbeta2a and smaller in CaVbeta2d. Interestingly,
      the contribution of Ca(2+) influx and Ca(2+) release on total calcium transients,
      as well as the sarcoplasmic calcium content, was found to be TSS-variant
      dependent. Remarkably, determination of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and
      brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) messenger RNA (mRNA) abundance and cell size
      change indicates that CaVbeta2 TSS variants modulate the cardiomyocyte
      hypertrophic state. In summary, we demonstrate that expression of individual
      CaVbeta2 TSS variants regulates calcium handling in cardiomyocytes and,
      consequently, has significant repercussion in the development of hypertrophy. 

PMID- 26265382
TI  - Identification of proteins in hyperglycemia and stroke animal models.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Stroke is a major cause of disability and death in adults. Diabetes
      mellitus is a metabolic disorder that strongly increases the risk of severe
      vascular diseases. This study compared changes in proteins of the cerebral cortex
      during ischemic brain injury between nondiabetic and diabetic animals. METHODS:
      Adult male rats were injected with streptozotocin (40 mg/kg) via the
      intraperitoneal route to induce diabetes and underwent surgical middle cerebral
      artery occlusion (MCAO) 4 wk after streptozotocin treatment. Cerebral cortex
      tissues were collected 24 h after MCAO and cerebral cortex proteins were analyzed
      by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Several
      proteins were identified as differentially expressed between nondiabetic and
      diabetic animals. Among the identified proteins, we focused on the following
      metabolism-related enzymes: isocitrate dehydrogenase, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate
      dehydrogenase, adenosylhomocysteinase, pyruvate kinase, and glucose-6-phosphate
      isomerase (neuroleukin). Expression of these proteins was decreased in animals
      that underwent MCAO. Moreover, protein expression was reduced to a greater extent
      in diabetic animals than in nondiabetic animals. Reverse transcription-polymerase
      chain reaction analysis confirmed that the diabetic condition exacerbates the
      decrease in expression of metabolism-related proteins after MCAO. CONCLUSIONS:
      These results suggest that the diabetic condition may exacerbate brain damage
      during focal cerebral ischemia through the downregulation of metabolism-related
      proteins.

PMID- 26265383
TI  - Do patient safety indicators explain increased weekend mortality?
AB  - BACKGROUND: We sought to determine the differential role of patient safety
      indicator (PSI) events on mortality after weekend as compared with weekday
      admission. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated Agency for Healthcare Research and
      Quality PSI events within a cohort of patients with nonelective admissions.
      First, we identified all patients with a PSI based on day of admission (weekend
      versus weekday). Then, we evaluated the outcome of mortality after each PSI
      event. Finally, we entered age, sex, race, median household income, payer
      information, and Charlson comorbidity scores in regression models to develop risk
      ratios of weekend to weekday PSI events and mortality. RESULTS: There were
      28,236,749 patients evaluated with 428,685 (1.5%) experiencing one or more PSI
      events. The rate of PSI was the same for patients admitted on weekends as
      compared to weekdays (1.5%). However, the risk of mortality was 7% higher if a
      PSI event occurred to a patient admitted on a weekend as compared with a weekday.
      In addition, compared to patients admitted on weekdays, patients admitted on
      weekends had a 36% higher risk of postoperative wound dehiscence, 19% greater
      risk of death in a low-mortality diagnostic-related group, 19% increased risk of
      postoperative hip fracture, and 8% elevated risk of surgical inpatient death.
      CONCLUSIONS: Risk adjusted data reveal that PSI events are substantially higher
      among patients admitted on weekends. The considerable differences in death after
      PSI events in patients admitted on weekends as compared with weekdays indicate
      that responses to adverse events may be less effective on weekends.

PMID- 26265384
TI  - 'They wrote "gay" on her file': transgender Ugandans in HIV prevention and
      treatment.
AB  - This paper examines the ways in which HIV-related programmes for heterosexual
      Ugandans and also for men who have sex with men work to deny healthcare services
      to transgender people in Uganda. Contrary to current conventional wisdom, the
      study found that the widespread use of the term 'men who have sex with men'
      produces greater barriers to healthcare for queer Ugandans than identity
      categories such as 'lesbian' or 'transgender'. Interventions for men who have sex
      with men assume a male-identified sexual subject with agency over sexual
      practices, such as frequency of condom use. Based on two years of ethnographic
      research in Kampala, I suggest that the focus on individual sexual practices
      harms transgender people in two ways. First, current HIV prevention and treatment
      programmes fail to account for risk factors that accrue to both male and female
      transgender Ugandans due to the social enforcement of gender norms. Second, the
      term men who have sex with men directs attention towards stigmatised sexual
      practices, producing the neglect and abuse of non-heteronormative individuals. In
      the context of Ugandan healthcare, terms such as 'transgender' and kuchu instead
      focus attention on the dignity and humanity of the rights-bearing person. These
      findings emphasise how health practitioners must pay attention to emic categories
      in order to address the ways in which vulnerability is distributed along social
      vectors of difference. 

PMID- 26265385
TI  - Future therapy for hepatitis B virus infection.
AB  - We can now control hepatitis B virus infection by continuously administering
      nucleoside and nucleotide analogues such as entecavir and tenofovir. These drugs
      are generally safe and sufficiently effective, but future drugs are needed that
      can show off-treatment efficacy--in other words, eradication of latent hepatitis
      B virus DNA (covalently closed circular DNA) in the hepatocytes. This article is
      an overview of new drugs under development and some novel strategies to inhibit
      hepatitis B virus proliferation.

PMID- 26265386
TI  - Repurposing of anticancer drugs: in vitro and in vivo activities against
      Schistosoma mansoni.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Drug discovery for the neglected tropical disease schistosomiasis has
      a high priority. Anticancer drugs, especially protein kinase inhibitors, might
      serve as a starting point for drug discovery owing to the importance of protein
      kinases in helminth growth and development. Furthermore, the Schistosoma mansoni
      genome encodes several genes for targets of drugs marketed for human use,
      including several anticancer drugs. METHODS: In this study, we screened the
      approved oncology drug set of the National Cancer Institute's Developmental
      Therapeutic Program for antischistosomal activity. Drugs were tested in vitro
      against the larval and adult stage of S. mansoni. IC50 values and albumin binding
      were determined for active compounds. Lead compounds were tested in the chronic
      S. mansoni mouse model. RESULTS: Eleven of the 114 compounds tested revealed IC50
      values <= 10 MUM against both S. mansoni stages. Five of these lost activity
      against adult S. mansoni in the presence of serum albumin. Of 6 compounds studied
      in vivo, the highest activity was observed from two kinase inhibitors trametinib,
      and vandetanib, which reduced worm burden by 63.6 and 48.1% respectively, after a
      single oral dose of 400 mg/kg body weight. CONCLUSION: Our study has confirmed
      that oncology drugs possess antischistosomal activity. There is space for further
      investigation, including elucidation of the mechanisms of action of schistosome
      active cancer drugs, application of different treatment courses, and structure
      activity relationship studies for improving drug potency.

PMID- 26265387
TI  - Exploring sources of construct-relevant multidimensionality in psychiatric
      measurement: A tutorial and illustration using the Composite Scale of
      Morningness.
AB  - This paper illustrates a psychometric approach of broad relevance to psychiatric
      research instruments. Many instruments include indicators related to more than
      one source of true-score variance due to the: (1) assessment of conceptually
      adjacent constructs; (2) the presence of a global construct underlying answers to
      items designed to assess multiple dimensions. Exploratory structural equation
      modelling (ESEM) is naturally suited to the investigation of the first source,
      whereas bifactor models are particularly suited to the investigation of the
      second source. When both sources are present, bifactor-ESEM becomes the model of
      choice. To illustrate this framework, we use the responses of 1159 adults [655
      female, 504 male, mean age (Mage ) = 41.84] who completed the French Version of
      the Composite Scale of Morningness (CSM). We investigate the factor structure of
      the CSM, test the relations between CSM factors and body mass index, and verify
      the measurement invariance of the model across gender and age groups. Copyright
      (c) 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 26265388
TI  - Refinement of adsorptive coatings for fluorescent riboflavin-receptor-targeted
      iron oxide nanoparticles.
AB  - Flavin mononucleotide (FMN) is a riboflavin derivative that can be exploited to
      target the riboflavin transporters (RFTs) and the riboflavin carrier protein
      (RCP) in cells with high metabolic activity. In this study we present the
      synthesis of different FMN-coated ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide
      nanoparticles (USPIOs) and their efficiency as targeting contrast agents. Since
      FMN alone cannot stabilize the nanoparticles, we used adenosine phosphates--AMP,
      ADP and ATP--as spacers to obtain colloidally stable nanoparticles. Nucleotides
      with di- and triphosphate groups were intended to increase the USPIO charge and
      thus improve zeta potential and stability. However, all nanoparticles formed
      negatively charged clusters with similar properties in terms of zeta potential (
      28 +/- 2 mV), relaxivity (228-259 mM(-1) s(-1) at 3 T) and hydrodynamic radius
      (53-85 nm). Molecules with a higher number of phosphate groups, such as ADP and
      ATP, have a higher adsorption affinity towards iron oxide, which, instead of
      providing more charge, led to partial desorption and replacement of FMN. Hence,
      we obtained USPIOs carrying different amounts of targeting agent, which
      significantly influenced the nanoparticles' uptake. The nanoparticles' uptake by
      different cancer cells and HUVECs was evaluated photometrically and with MR
      relaxometry, showing that the cellular uptake of the USPIOs increases with the
      FMN amount on their surface. Thus, for USPIOs targeted with riboflavin
      derivatives the use of spacers with increasing numbers of phosphate groups does
      not improve either zeta potential or the particles' stability, but rather
      detaches the targeting moieties from their surface, leading to lower cellular
      uptake.

PMID- 26265389
TI  - Uterine prolapse and its impact on quality of life in the Jhaukhel-Duwakot Health
      Demographic Surveillance Site, Bhaktapur, Nepal.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Uterine prolapse (UP) is a reproductive health problem and public
      health issue in low-income countries including Nepal. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to
      identify the contributing factors and stages of UP and its impact on quality of
      life in the Jhaukhel-Duwakot Health Demographic Surveillance Site of Bhaktapur,
      Nepal. DESIGN: Our three-phase study used descriptive cross-sectional analysis to
      assess quality of life and stages of UP and case-control analysis to identify
      contributing factors. First, a household survey explored the prevalence of self
      reported UP (Phase 1). Second, we used a standardized tool in a 5-day screening
      camp to determine quality of life among UP-affected women (Phase 2). Finally, a 1
      month community survey traced self-reported cases from Phase 1 (Phase 3). To
      validate UP diagnoses, we reviewed participants' clinical records, and we used
      screening camp records to trace women without UP. RESULTS: Among 48 affected
      women in Phase 1, 32 had Stage II UP and 16 had either Stage I or Stage III UP.
      Compared with Stage I women (4.62%), almost all women with Stage III UP reported
      reduced quality of life. Decreased quality of life correlated significantly with
      Stages I-III. Self-reported UP prevalence (8.7%) included all treated and non
      treated cases. In Phase 3, 277 of 402 respondents reported being affected by UP
      and 125 were unaffected. The odds of having UP were threefold higher among
      illiterate women compared with literate women (OR=3.02, 95% CI 1.76-5.17), 50%
      lower among women from nuclear families compared with extended families (OR=0.56,
      95% CI 0.35-0.90) and lower among women with 1-2 parity compared to >5 parity
      (OR=0.33, 95% CI 0.14-0.75). CONCLUSIONS: The stages of UP correlated with
      quality of life resulting from varied perceptions regarding physical health,
      emotional stress, and social limitation. Parity, education, age, and family type
      associated with UP. Our results suggest the importance of developing policies and
      programs that are focused on early health care for UP. Through family planning
      and health education programs targeting women, as well as women empowerment
      programs for prevention of UP, it will be possible to restore quality of life
      related to UP.

PMID- 26265390
TI  - Clinicopathological factors associated with HER2 status in gastric cancer:
      results from a prospective multicenter observational cohort study in a Japanese
      population (JFMC44-1101).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Human epidermal growth factor (HER) 2 positivity and its association
      with clinicopathological factors remain unclear in Japanese gastric cancer (GC)
      patients. We performed a prospective, multicenter, observational cohort study to
      evaluate HER2 protein expression and gene amplification in Japanese metastatic
      and recurrent GC patients, and explored its correlations with clinicopathological
      features. METHODS: HER2 protein expression and gene amplification were centrally
      assessed in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded GC tissue by immunohistochemistry
      (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Patient information was
      collected, and associations between clinicopathological factors and HER2
      positivity (IHC score 3+ and/or FISH positive) and low HER2 expression (IHC score
      0/FISH positive or IHC score 1+/FISH positive) were examined. RESULTS: From
      September 2011 to June 2012, 1461 patients were registered across 157 sites, and
      the HER2 status of 1427 patients was evaluated. The rate of HER2 positivity was
      21.2 %, whereas the rate of high HER2 expression (IHC score 2+/FISH positive or
      IHC score 3+) was 15.6 % and that of low HER2 expression was 7.0 %. Multiple
      logistic regression analysis identified intestinal type, absence of peritoneal
      metastasis, and hepatic metastasis as significant independent factors related to
      HER2 positivity. The intestinal type was confirmed to be the GC subtype
      predominantly associated with lower HER2 expression. Sampling conditions
      including number of biopsy samples, formalin concentration, and formalin-fixation
      time did not significantly affect HER2 positivity. CONCLUSIONS: HER2 expression
      in Japanese patients was comparable to that in other populations examined.
      Intestinal type was an independent factor related to HER2 positivity and low HER2
      expression.

PMID- 26265392
TI  - An asymmetric allylic alkylation reaction of 3-alkylidene oxindoles.
AB  - An efficient asymmetric allylic alkylation reaction with respect to 3-alkylidene
      oxindoles and racemic Morita-Baylis-Hillman carbonate has been achieved by using
      a chiral biscinchona alkaloid catalyst, which delivers the gamma-substituted
      alkylideneoxindoles with a chiral tertiary center in moderate to good yields (up
      to 92%) and very good enantioselectivities (up to >99% ee). 

PMID- 26265391
TI  - Epstein-Barr virus infection serves as an independent predictor of survival in
      patients with lymphoepithelioma-like gastric carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis and clinicopathologic characteristics of Epstein
      Barr virus (EBV)-negative lymphoepithelioma-like gastric carcinoma (LELC) are
      still unclear. In addition, it remains controversial whether EBV infection itself
      affects the prognosis of LELC. METHODS: Between 1995 and 2011, 145 LELC patients
      (124 patients with EBV infection and 21 patients without EBV infection) underwent
      radical gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection. The clinicopathologic features
      and prognosis of EBV-negative LELC cases were compared with those of EBV-positive
      LELC cases. The median duration of follow-up after surgery was 55 months.
      Microsatellite instability (MSI) analysis was performed on 20 EBV-negative LELC
      cases. RESULTS: EBV-negative LELC accounted for 14.5 % of the total LELC cases.
      EBV-negative LELC was significantly associated with older age, female sex,
      advanced T stage, and advanced American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) tumor
      stage compared with EBV-positive LELC. In univariate analysis, patients with EBV
      negative LELC had significantly shorter overall, disease-specific, and recurrence
      free survival than those with EBV-positive LELC. The 5-year overall survival
      rates were 81.0 % for patients with EBV-negative LELC and 96.2 % for patients
      with EBV-positive LELC. In a Cox proportional hazards model, EBV infection, age,
      and AJCC tumor stage were identified as independent predictors of overall
      survival. MSI-high, MSI-low, and microsatellite-stable tumors accounted for 25,
      10, and 65 % of EBV-negative LELC cases, respectively. MSI status did not affect
      the prognosis of EBV-negative LELC cases. CONCLUSIONS: EBV infection serves as an
      independent predictor of survival in patients with LELC. EBV-negative LELC
      exhibited clinicopathologic features and prognosis distinct from those of EBV
      positive LELC.

PMID- 26265393
TI  - Tiwanaku influence and social inequality: A bioarchaeological, biogeochemical,
      and contextual analysis of the Larache cemetery, San Pedro de Atacama, Northern
      Chile.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To assess the relationship between the Tiwanaku polity and the
      individuals buried at the Middle Horizon (~AD500-1000) cemetery of Larache in
      northern Chile, a site that has been singled out as a potential elite foreign
      enclave. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We explore this association through the skeletal
      remains of 48 individuals interred at the cemetery of Larache using
      bioarchaeological, biogeochemical, and artifactual evidence. Data from cranial
      modification practices, violent injury, and the mortuary assemblage are used to
      explore culturally constructed elements of status and identity, radiogenic
      strontium isotope analyses provide us with a perspective on the geographic
      origins of these individuals, and stable carbon and nitrogen analyses allow
      discussion of paleodiet and access to resources. RESULTS: Radiogenic strontium
      isotope values show the presence of multiple first generation migrants at
      Larache. Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope data reveal significant differences
      among individuals. The mortuary context reveals a standard pattern for the oases
      but also includes a series of unusual burials with abundant gold and few other
      objects. Interestingly, both local and nonlocal individuals with different head
      shapes had access to the differentiated burial context; however nonlocal
      individuals appear to be the only ones with a heavily maize-based diet.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our evidence shows that Larache served as a burial place for a
      diverse, yet culturally integrated and potentially elite segment of the Atacameno
      population, but not a foreign enclave as had been postulated.

PMID- 26265394
TI  - Human and Tree Shrew Alpha-synuclein: Comparative cDNA Sequence and Protein
      Structure Analysis.
AB  - The synaptic protein alpha-synuclein (alpha-syn) is associated with a number of
      neurodegenerative diseases, and homology analyses among many species have been
      reported. Nevertheless, little is known about the cDNA sequence and protein
      structure of alpha-syn in tree shrews, and this information might contribute to
      our understanding of its role in both health and disease. We designed primers to
      the human alpha-syn cDNA sequence; then, tree shrew alpha-syn cDNA was obtained
      by RT-PCR and sequenced. Based on the acquired tree shrew alpha-syn cDNA
      sequence, both the amino acid sequence and the spatial structure of alpha-syn
      were predicted and analyzed. The homology analysis results showed that the tree
      shrew cDNA sequence matches the human cDNA sequence exactly except at nucleotide
      positions 45, 60, 65, 69, 93, 114, 147, 150, 157, 204, 252, 270, 284, 298, 308,
      and 324. Further protein sequence analysis revealed that the tree shrew alpha-syn
      protein sequence is 97.1 % identical to that of human alpha-syn. The secondary
      protein structure of tree shrew alpha-syn based on random coils and alpha-helices
      is the same as that of the human structure. The phosphorylation sites are highly
      conserved, except the site at position 103 of tree shrew alpha-syn. The predicted
      spatial structure of tree shrew alpha-syn is identical to that of human alpha
      syn. Thus, alpha-syn might have a similar function in tree shrew and in human,
      and tree shrew might be a potential animal model for studying the pathogenesis of
      alpha-synucleinopathies.

PMID- 26265395
TI  - Solvents Production from a Mixture of Glucose and Xylose by Mixed Fermentation of
      Clostridium acetobutylicum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
AB  - To overcome the xylose utilization defect in ethanol fermentation by wide-type
      Saccharomyces cerevisiae and alleviate the carbon catabolite repression (CCR) in
      acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) fermentation by Clostridium acetobutylicum, a novel
      mixed fermentation of S. cerevisiae and C. acetobutylicum was developed. When S.
      cerevisiae was inoculated 24 h earlier than C. acetobutylicum CH02, a higher
      solvents yield was achieved with 0.41 g/g, compared to 0.38 g/g in ABE
      fermentation, and when S. cerevisiae and C. acetobutylicum CH02 were inoculated
      simultaneously, a higher productivity was achieved with 0.32 g/L/h, compared to
      0.15 g/L/h in ABE fermentation. The total solvents yield was improved by the high
      ethanol yield from glucose. The CCR in mixed fermentation was alleviated when
      glucose was utilized quickly by S. cerevisiae, and therefore, the productivity
      was improved. This study suggests that mixed fermentation is an effective
      solvents production method from a mixture of glucose and xylose.

PMID- 26265396
TI  - Fe(II)-Co(II) Double Salt Incorporated Magnetic Hydrophobic Microparticles for
      Invertase Adsorption.
AB  - Invertase (beta-fructofuranoside fructohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.26) is an enzyme
      widely used in the food industry. Its main function is the formation of glucose
      and fructose through hydrolysis of sucrose. For the separation and purification
      of this commercially important enzyme from aqueous solutions, magnetic poly(2
      hydroxyethyl methacrylate-N-methacryloyl-L-tryptophan), m-poly(HEMA-MATrp)
      microparticles were developed. Magnetic properties of microparticles are provided
      using ferromagnetic Fe(II)-Co(II) double salt. Characterization studies of
      magnetic microparticles were conducted via vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM),
      Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy
      (SEM) analysis. Specific surface area of magnetic microparticles is 6.75 m(2)/g.
      Because of all experiments performed in this study, the adsorption capability of
      magnetic microparticles was optimized by variation of different conditions (pH,
      interaction time, initial invertase concentration, temperature, and ionic
      strength) and maximum adsorption capacity was determined as 992.64 mg invertase/g
      magnetic microparticles. 

PMID- 26265397
TI  - Neuroanatomical correlates of negative emotionality-related traits: A systematic
      review and meta-analysis.
AB  - Two central traits present in the most influential models of personality
      characterize the response to positive and, respectively, negative emotional
      events. Negative emotionality (NE)-related traits are linked to vulnerability to
      mood and anxiety disorders; this has fuelled a special interest in examining
      stable differences in brain morphology associated to these traits. Structural
      imaging methods including voxel-based morphometry, cortical thickness analysis
      and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) have yielded inconclusive and sometimes
      contradictory results. This review summarizes the findings reported to date
      through these methods and discusses them in relation to the functional imaging
      results. To detect topographic convergence between studies showing positive and,
      respectively, negative grey matter associations with NE-traits, activation
      likelihood estimation (ALE) meta-analyses of VBM studies were performed.
      Individuals scoring high on NE-related traits show consistent morphological
      differences in a left-lateralized circuit: higher grey matter volume (GMV) in
      amygdala and anterior parahippocampal gyrus and lower GMV in the orbitofrontal
      cortex extending into perigenual anterior cingulate cortex. Most DTI studies
      indicate reduced white matter integrity in various brain regions and tracts,
      particularly in the uncinate fasciculus and in cingulum bundle. These results
      show that the behavioural phenotype associated to NE traits is reflected in
      structural differences within the cortico-limbic system, suggesting alterations
      in information processing and transmission. The results are discussed from the
      perspective of neuron-glia interactions. Future directions are outlined based on
      recent developments in structural imaging techniques.

PMID- 26265398
TI  - Transparent and through thickness conductive polystyrene films using external
      magnetic fields for "Z" alignment of nickel nanoparticles.
AB  - A combination of transparency, electrical conductivity and flexibility is desired
      in the emerging flexible electronics industry for current and future
      applications. In this paper, we report the development of through thickness
      electrical conductivity in polystyrene films filled with nickel nanopowder by
      external magnetic field application. This process leads to the formation of
      nanocolumns of nickel spanning across the thickness direction while generating
      nanoparticle depleted regions in between. This leads to directionally dependent
      enhancement in optical light transmission particularly in the normal direction of
      the films. With the use of as little as 2 wt% (0.22 vol%) nickel we were able to
      achieve high through thickness conductivity under the influence of a magnetic
      field. While these films exhibit high through thickness conductivity they remain
      non-conductive in their planes as a result of the unique nanomorphology created
      which eliminates potential side branch formations. These films are anticipated to
      be used as electrodes for touch screens, electric dissipative materials for
      electronic packaging and other sensors. 

PMID- 26265399
TI  - Rescuer size impact on compression velocity/duty cycle and increased
      survival/favorable outcome.

PMID- 26265400
TI  - Late diagnosis of Wellens syndrome in a patient presenting with an atypical acute
      coronary syndrome.

PMID- 26265401
TI  - Internal versus external fixation of the anterior component in unstable fractures
      of the pelvic ring: pooled results from a systematic review.
AB  - PURPOSE: Improving reduction of the pelvic ring improves long-term functional
      outcomes for patients. It has been demonstrated that posterior internal fixation
      is necessary to adequately control fractures to the posterior ring and there is
      evidence that supplementing this with fixation of the anterior ring improves
      stability. It is accepted that internal fixation provides greater stability than
      external fixation of the anterior ring but long-term differences in radiographic
      and functional outcomes have not yet been quantified. METHODS: A search of
      electronic databases, reference lists and review articles from 1989 to 2015
      yielded 18 studies (n = 884) that met our inclusion criteria. We included studies
      that discussed pelvic ring injuries in adults, reported functional or
      radiological outcomes or complications by anterior ring intervention and exceeded
      14 patients. We excluded biomechanical and cadaver studies. RESULTS: Internal
      fixation of the anterior pelvic ring had better functional and radiographic
      outcomes. Residual displacement of >10 mm was less common with internal fixation
      (ER 0.12, 95 % CI 0.06-0.24) than external fixation (ER 0.31, 95 % CI 0.11-0.62).
      Unsatisfactory outcomes also occurred at a lower rate (ER 0.09, 95 % CI 0.03
      0.22) compared to external fixation (ER 0.32, 95 % CI 0.18-0.50). Losses of
      reduction (ER 0.02, 95 % CI 0.01-0.04 versus ER 0.07, 95 % CI 0.02-0.21),
      malunions (ER 0.03, 95 % CI 0.01-0.08 versus ER 0.07, 95 % CI 0.02-0.21) and
      delayed/non-unions (ER 0.02, 95 % CI 0.01-0.05 versus ER 0.04, 95 % CI 0.02
      0.07). CONCLUSIONS: Internal fixation of the anterior pelvic ring as
      supplementary fixation for unstable injuries to the pelvic ring appears to result
      in better radiographic and functional outcomes as well as fewer complications.
      However, data that separated outcomes and complications in relation to
      interventions of the anterior pelvic ring were limited. More studies looking
      specifically at outcomes in relation to the type of anterior ring intervention
      are needed.

PMID- 26265402
TI  - Artificial Protection Film on Lithium Metal Anode toward Long-Cycle-Life Lithium
      Oxygen Batteries.
AB  - An artificial while very stable solid electrolyte interphase film is formed on
      lithium metal using an electrochemical strategy. When this protected Li anode is
      first used in a Li-O2 battery, the film formed on the anode can effectively
      suppress the parasitic reactions on the Li anode/electrolyte interface and
      significantly enhance the cycling stability of the Li-O2 battery. 

PMID- 26265403
TI  - Accuracy of CT-based patient-specific guides for total knee arthroplasty in
      patients with post-traumatic osteoarthritis.
AB  - Published clinical trials who studied the accuracy of patient-specific guides
      (PSG) for total knee arthroplasty exclude patients with articular deformity of
      the knee joint. We prospectively analysed a series of 30 patients with post
      traumatic osteoarthritis of the knee joint with use of PSG. At 1 year post
      operative, the achieved biomechanical (HKA) axis and varus/valgus of the femur
      and tibia components were measured on anterior-posterior (AP) long-standing
      weight-bearing radiographs. Flexion/extension of the femoral and AP slope of the
      tibia component was measured on standard lateral radiographs. Percentages >3
      degrees  deviation of the pre-operative planned HKA axis and individual implant
      components were considered as outliers. Approved and used implant size, median
      blood loss (ml) and operation time (min) were obtained from the operation
      records. Pre- and 1-year post-operative patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs)
      were performed. Eighty-three per cent of the patients had a HKA axis restored <3
      degrees  of the pre-operative planned alignment. Varus/valgus outliers were 0.0
      and 6.7 % for the femoral and tibial components, respectively. Percentages of
      outliers of flexion/extension were 36.7 % for the femoral component and 10.0 %
      for the AP slope of the tibial component. Median blood loss was 300 ml (50-700),
      while operation time was 67 min (44-144). In 20 % of all cases, the approved
      implant size was changed into one size smaller. One-year post-operative PROMs
      improved significantly. We conclude that the accuracy of CT-based PSG is not
      impaired in patients with post-traumatic osteoarthritis and this modality can
      restore biomechanical limb alignment.

PMID- 26265404
TI  - Periosteal desmoplastic fibroma of the tibia in a 3-year-old child.
AB  - Desmoplastic fibroma is a rare benign fibrogenic, locally aggressive, primary
      bone tumor. It is the intraosseous counterpart of soft tissue aggressive
      fibromatosis. The lesion may very rarely appear as a superficial bone lesion
      arising from the periosteum; in such cases, a soft tissue mass with changes in
      the adjacent bone is evident. Periosteal lesions are very rare in the literature;
      diagnosis is usually based on the radiographic findings, and histological proof
      of the tumor origin is missing. A periosteal desmoplastic fibroma of the distal
      tibial metaphysis in a 3-year-old boy is presented. Radiographic investigation
      included plain radiographs and computed tomography imaging. Both demonstrated a
      soft tissue lesion involving the superficial bone tissues with non-aggressive
      looking borders and a pressure effect with a sclerotic rim in the bone. The
      lesion was excised, and the surgical as well as the histological findings
      indicated the diagnosis of a desmoplastic fibroma of bone arising from the
      periosteum. No recurrence was detected 5 years after surgery.

PMID- 26265405
TI  - Postoperative complications in obese children undergoing adenotonsillectomy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The incidence of obesity in the pediatric population is increasing. To
      date, data are limited regarding safety of adenotonsillectomy in this patient
      population. The purpose of this study is to assess perioperative outcomes of
      adenotonsillectomy in the obese pediatric patient. METHODS: A review of the 2012
      Kids' Inpatient Database (KID) was conducted to compare patients with clinical
      modification codes for adenotonsillectomy plus obesity to patients with clinical
      modification codes for adenotonsillectomy alone. Elements for comparison included
      patient demographics and concurrent discharge. An in depth review of risk factors
      associated with respiratory complications in obese patients was also conducted.
      RESULTS: A weighted total of 899 obese and 20,535 non-obese patients admitted
      after adenotonsillectomy were identified. When these two groups were compared,
      respiratory complications were found in 16.2% of obese and 9.6% of non-obese
      patients (p<0.0001). A diagnosis of respiratory failure or pulmonary
      insufficiency was statistically more common in obese patients when compared to
      non-obese patients (5.0% versus 3.0%, p=0.007). In obese patients, respiratory
      complications were associated with male gender, low income, and concomitant
      asthma on multivariate analysis (p=0.01, 0.004, and 0.007 respectively).
      CONCLUSION: Performing adenotonsillectomy on the obese pediatric patient is safe.
      When performing adenotonsillectomy on this patient population, one must be aware
      that respiratory events are the most common type of complication and risk of
      respiratory complications is higher in males, patients of low socioeconomic
      status, and patients with comorbid asthma, regardless of race or insurance
      status.

PMID- 26265406
TI  - Cell cycle: repurposing MYC and E2F in the absence of RB.

PMID- 26265407
TI  - Translation: competition at the ribosome exit site.

PMID- 26265408
TI  - Cell migration: EMT promotes contact inhibition of locomotion.

PMID- 26265409
TI  - Cross-sectional study of soluble selectins, fractions of circulating
      microparticles and their relationship to lung and skin involvement in systemic
      sclerosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Endothelial damage and activation may play central roles in the
      pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis (SSc) and are reflected by microparticles
      (MPs) and soluble selectins. The objective of this study was to determine if
      these potential biomarkers are associated with specific organ involvements or
      cutaneous subgroups of SSc patients. METHOD: MPs in platelet-poor plasma from 121
      patients with SSc, 79 and 42 with limited and diffuse cutaneous disease,
      respectively, were characterized by flow cytometry for their capacity to bind
      annexin V in combination with surface markers of either platelets (PMPs),
      leukocytes (LMPs) or endothelial cells (EMPs). Soluble E- and P-selectin levels
      were determined in plasma. By correlation analyses, this was held against
      involvement of skin, lung function, lung fibrosis, pulmonary artery hypertension,
      and serology. RESULTS: None of the markers were associated with cutaneous
      subgroups of SSc. Concentrations of annexin V non-binding EMPs and annexin V non
      binding LMPs were negatively correlated to pulmonary diffusing capacity (DLCO) (r
      = -0.28; p = 0.003; r = -0.26; p = 0.005) and forced vital capacity (FVC) (r = 
      0.24; p = 0.009; r = -0.29; p = 0.002), driven by patients with limited and
      diffuse cutaneous disease, respectively. Soluble E-selectin levels correlated
      negatively to DL(CO) (r = -0.21, p = 0.03) and FVC (r = -0.25; p = 0.007); and
      soluble P-selectin correlated negatively to DL(CO) (r = -0.23, p = 0.01).
      CONCLUSION: Negative correlations between annexin V non-binding EMP and LMP
      concentrations with lung function parameters (DL(CO) and FVC) differed between
      limited and diffuse cutaneous subsets of SSc, indicative of various pathogeneses
      of lung involvement in SSc, possibly with a differential role of MPs.

PMID- 26265410
TI  - "If I Were Nick": Men's Responses to an Interactive Video Drama Series to Support
      Smoking Cessation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Men continue to smoke in greater numbers than women; however, few
      interventions have been developed and tested to support men's cessation. Men tend
      to rely on quitting strategies associated with stereotypical manliness, such as
      willpower, stoicism, and independence, but they may lack the self-efficacy skills
      required to sustain a quit. In this paper, we describe the development of and
      reception to an interactive video drama (IVD) series, composed of 7 brief
      scenarios, to support and strengthen men's smoking cessation efforts. The value
      of IVD in health promotion is predicated on the evidence that viewers engage with
      the material when they are presented characters with whom they can personally
      identify. The video dramatizes the challenges unfolding in the life of the main
      character, Nick, on the first day of his quit and models the skills necessary to
      embark upon a sustainable quit. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to describe men's
      responses to the If I were Nick IVD series as part of a study of QuitNow Men, an
      innovative smoking cessation website designed for men. Specific objectives were
      to explore the resonance of the main character of the IVD series with end-users
      and explore men's perceptions of the effectiveness of the IVD series for
      supporting their quit self-management. METHODS: Seven brief IVD scenarios were
      developed, filmed with a professional actor, and uploaded to a new online smoking
      cessation website, QuitNow Men. A sample of 117 men who smoked were recruited
      into the study and provided baseline data prior to access to the QuitNow Men
      website for a 6-month period. During this time, 47 men chose to view the IVDs.
      Their responses to questions about the IVDs were collected in online surveys at 3
      month and 6-month time points and analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS:
      The majority of participants indicated they related to the main character, Nick.
      Participants who "strongly agreed" they could relate to Nick perceived
      significantly higher levels of support from the IVDs than the "neutral" and
      "disagree" groups (P<.001, d=2.0, P<.001, d=3.1). The "agree" and "neutral"
      groups were significantly higher on rated support from the videos than the
      "disagree" (P<.001, d=2.2, P=.01, d=1.5). Participants' perception of the main
      character was independent of participant age, education attainment, or previous
      quit attempts. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that IVD interventions may be an
      important addition to men's smoking cessation programs. Given that the use of IVD
      scenarios in health promotion is in its infancy, the positive outcomes from this
      study signal the potential for IVD and warrant ongoing evaluation in smoking
      cessation and, more generally, men's health promotion.

PMID- 26265411
TI  - [Persistence in the treatment of overactive bladder (OAB) with Mirabegron in a
      multicentre clinical study].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of this monitoring was to evaluate persistence in the
      treatment of patients with overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) using mirabegron.
      DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. SETTING: 10 gynecological and urological
      departments in CZE. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is an analysis of a prospective,
      multicenter monitoring which started in May 2014 and will continue for 1 year.
      This monitoring included patients 18 years old who have had symptoms of OAB for
      minimum 3 months. The patient check-up was performed 6 months (+/-2 weeks) after
      the first visit. The dosage of mirabegron was 50 mg per day. For the evaluation
      the treatment efficacy we employed the TS-VAS and PPBC. During the check-up it
      was ascertained how many patients discontinued the treatment with mirabegron, and
      reasons for this interruption were established. The statistics were calculated
      using the software SPSS 20.0. RESULTS: A prospective monitoring was performed on
      206 patients. Their mean age was 62.8 years (range 23-89); mean body mass index
      for the whole group of patients was 27.3. At the check-up 6 months post
      initiation of treatment it emerged that 55/206 (27%) patiens had discontinued the
      treatment. The reasons for discontinuation of treatment were: 24/55 (43%)
      insufficient treatment efficacy, 29/55 (53%) other reasons (the main reasons here
      were hospitalisation, surgery, gravidity) and 2/55 discontinued therapy because
      of side effects. The side effects were tachycardia, eye irritation, lower
      abdominal pain and vasculitis, and they were mild in nature. The termination of
      the study was 7/28 (25%) in the group of patients without previous treatment
      before mirabegron. Discontinuation of the treatment in the group of patients with
      previous anticholinergic treatment was 48/178 (27%). At the evaluation of the
      efficacy of the treatment during the check-up 6 months after initiation of
      treatment the mean TS-VAS was 77.5, a decrease of the scale of bothers evaluated
      by PPBC before treatment from a mean value of 3.56 to a value of 1.77.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our hypothesis, that persistence in treat-ment with mirabegron would
      be relatively high due to reduced side effects and better cure effect, was
      confirmed, and this is the reason for higher rates of persistence in the
      treatment at 6 months check-up (73%).

PMID- 26265412
TI  - [Benefits and the accuracy of the intra-operative frozen section at suspected
      ovarian tumours].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess benefits and the accuracy of the intra-operative frozen
      section for the operative strategy at suspected ovarian tumours. TYPE OF STUDY:
      Retrospective study. SETTING: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty
      of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University in Olomouc. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Intraoperative frozen section and final histopathology were compared in 53
      patients who underwent operative treatment for suspected ovarian neoplazma. The
      accuracy of the frozen section findings was evaluated according to the
      histopatological type of tumours and categories - benign, malignant and
      borderline tumours. CONCLUSION: In accordance with literature reports a good
      reliability of the frozen section as for the sensitivity, specificity, positive
      and negative predictive values were proved. The majority of errors occured in
      diagnosing mucinous and borderline tumours.

PMID- 26265413
TI  - [The importance of HE4 in differential diagnosis of endometrial cancer].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the use of human
      epididymis protein 4 (HE4) and cancer antigen 125 (CA 125) biomarkers in
      differential diagnosis of malignant and benign endometrial tumours in a
      population of Czech women. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Department of
      Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine at Masaryk University and Faculty
      Hospital in Brno. METHODS: Our prospective study includes 115 patients with
      endometrioid adenocarcinoma and 106 patients with benign endometrial tumours in
      the control group. They were diagnosed with endometrial biopsy in the period from
      7/2010 to 6/2013. The patients with cancer underwent definitive surgical
      treatment to determine the stage of disease. The median and ranges of serum
      levels were determined in relation to the histological result (benign vs
      malignant disease). Statistical analysis operates with logarithm values of
      markers because their distribution is not normal and uses logistic regression.
      RESULTS: While analysing two groups of patients with different histology, there
      was demonstrated a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05), only in HE4,
      by cut-off 48,5 pmol/l there was achieved sensitivity of 87.8%, specificity of
      56.6% and negative predictive value of 81.1%. COCLUSION: Diagnostic benefit of
      HE4 can be considered especially in patients with increased risk of endometrial
      cancer and in patients with serious internal co-morbidities. HE4 could help in
      combination with clinical and ultrasound finding in the differentiation of
      prognostically various groups of patients and in decision-making in relation to
      the individualization of the treatment plan. However, the optimal cut-off for HE4
      has not been solved yet, and to do so, it will require more research with larger
      studies and their comparative analysis..

PMID- 26265414
TI  - [Smoking in pregnancy - negative impacton mother and child Opinions on nicotine
      substitution].
AB  - Cigarette smoking (tobacco abuse) is legal in the Czech Republic and use of this
      drug is more or less tolerated there. Argumentation about economic benefits of
      the production and sale of tobacco products in this country is not responsibly
      given in context with the level of damage to health. The state does not
      consistently take into action restrictive measures to prevent this negative
      phenomenon. Even the medical community adopts an indifferent attitude. Although
      there have been found countless hard evidence about the harmful effects of
      smoking on the mother and fetus/baby. Even very small amounts of cigarettes has a
      negative impact on mother, placental perfusion and ultimately the child. The aim
      of the article is to describe the pathophysiology of tobacco abuse on mother and
      baby and to simultaneously open a space for discussion about the treatment of
      smokers during their pregnancy.

PMID- 26265415
TI  - [The issue of certain infectious diseases of pregnant women in everyday practice
      Part II. Viral infections].
AB  - OBJECT: Authors in their text are bringing the latest published findings on the
      impact of some of the most common infectious diseases on the course and outcome
      of pregnancies. DESIGN: Review. CONCLUSIONS: Recommendations for examination,
      treatment, and management of viral infection in pregnant women, especially from
      the view of a primary contact gynecologist.

PMID- 26265416
TI  - Polycystic ovary syndrome and metabolic syndrome.
AB  - Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous disorder, where the main
      clinical features include menstrual irregularities, sub-fertility,
      hyperandrogenism, and hirsutism. The prevalence of PCOS depends on ethnicity,
      environmental and genetic factors, as well as the criteria used to define it. On
      the other hand, metabolic syndrome is a constellation of metabolic disorders
      which include mainly abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, impaired glucose
      metabolism, hypertension and dyslipidaemia. These associated disorders directly
      increase the risk of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DMT2), coronary heart disease
      (CHD), cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and endometrial cancer. Many patients with
      PCOS have features of metabolic syndrome such as visceral obesity,
      hyperinsulinaemia and insulin resistance. These place patients with PCOS under
      high risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD), Type 2 diabetes (DMT2) and
      gynecological cancer, in particular, endometrial cancer. Metabolic syndrome is
      also increased in infertile women with PCOS. The aim of this review is to provide
      clear and up to date information about PCOS and its relationship with metabolic
      syndrome, and the possible interaction between different metabolic disorders. 

PMID- 26265417
TI  - Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the Pregnancy Physical Activity
      Questionnaire (PPAQ) to the Brazilian population.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the total activity performed by women with low-risk
      pregnancy as well as translate and pursue a cross-cultural adaptation of the
      Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ) to the Brazilian reality.
      DESIGN: We conducted a cross-sectional quantitative study including 305 women
      between 16 and 40 years of age with low-risk pregnancies. SETTING: The Department
      of Public Health, State University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Brazil. METHODS: We
      applied an adapted version of PPAQ to assess the levels of physical activity and
      the intensity in the metabolic equivalent task (MET), which could be
      distinguished as follows: sedentary (< 1.5 METs), light (1.5-3.0 METs), moderate
      activity (3.0-6.0 METs), and vigorous activity (>6.0 METs). The Kruskal-Wallis
      test was used to compare energy expenditure (MET) with socio-demographic
      variables. RESULTS: More than half of the participants performed activities that
      were classified as light (51.4%). If we group the activities that were
      categorized as sedentary and light, this value increases to 74.7%, showing a high
      prevalence of insufficiently active pregnant women. Lower energy expenditure was
      observed in the third gestational trimester among pregnant women with lower
      educational level, single women, and mixed-race women (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION:
      There is a prevalence of physical inactivity during the three trimesters of
      pregnancy. The results validate PPAQ for the Brazilian population to serve as a
      basis for future public policies focused on combating the health problems of
      mother-infant pairs.

PMID- 26265418
TI  - [Surrogacy, yes or no? Case report].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Case study of surrogacy which did not come up to client-couple's
      expectation. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: Department of Gynaecology and
      Obstetrics, Uherske Hradiste Hospital a. s., Uherske Hradiste. METHODOLOGY:
      Description of the case, case study. CONCLUSION: In the Czech Republic, missing
      legislation when subject matter is surrogacy does not allow to make a complex
      legal contract. This fact causes legal uncertainty to all participants.
      Irresponsible approach of doctors, surrogate mother, client-couple, and in the
      upshot care of disabled child at government expense can be results.

PMID- 26265419
TI  - [Different outcome in two case reports of births showing symptoms of amniotic
      fluid embolism in the years 2002 and 2012 in the district hospital of Decin].
AB  - This paper presents two case reports of amniotic fluid embolism quite identical
      in the onset of symptoms, 1,20 hr, respectively 1,40 hr after extraction of the
      fetus during delivery by caesarean section, both births were induced by
      prostaglandins. Both newborns were male. One patient died with autopsy providing
      evidence of massive pulmonary embolism, laboratory findings showed hemolysis. The
      second patient survived with neurological disorders, laboratory findings
      temporarily showed nonspecific antibodies. Both patients were subdued to
      hysterectomy, no trace of amniotic fluid components were found in the uterine
      vessels in either one of them. 

PMID- 26265420
TI  - Depressive symptoms and social demographic, stress and health risk behaviour
      among university students in 26 low-, middle- and high-income countries.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and association
      between depressive symptoms, sociodemographic, social and health risk variables
      among undergraduate students in 26 low, middle and high income countries. METHOD:
      Using anonymous questionnaires, data were collected from 20222 undergraduate
      university students (mean age 20.8, SD = 2.8) from 27 universities in 26
      countries in Africa, Asia, Caribbean and Latin America. RESULTS: Overall study
      participants had a prevalence of 24.0 % moderate and 12.8 % severe depressive
      symptoms. In multivariate logistic regression, demographic and social variables
      (being female gender, low organised religious activity, lack of social support
      and lack of personal control), stressful or traumatic life events (sexual
      violence and physical child abuse) and health risk behaviour (tobacco use,
      insufficient brushing of teeth, irregular sleep duration, increased salt intake,
      infrequent meals a day, heavy internet use and having sustained an injury) were
      associated with severe depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION: High rates of depressive
      symptoms were found. Several risk factors including social and health risk
      behaviour variables were identified which can be utilised in guiding
      interventions.

PMID- 26265424
TI  - Erratum.

PMID- 26265425
TI  - Highly Branched Poly(beta-Amino Esters): Synthesis and Application in Gene
      Delivery.
AB  - Highly branched poly(beta-amino esters) (HPAEs) are developed via a facile and
      controllable "A2+B3/B2" strategy successfully. As nonviral gene delivery vectors,
      the performance of HPAEs is superior to the well-studied linear counterpart as
      well as the leading commercial reagent Superfect. When combined with minicircle
      DNA construct, HPAEs can achieve ultrahigh gene transfection efficiency,
      especially in keratinocytes. 

PMID- 26265421
TI  - Self-selected intensity exercise in the treatment of major depression: A
      pragmatic RCT.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to determine the therapeutic effect of
      physical exercise for patients with unipolar depression. Participants took part
      in an 8-week walking/running aerobic exercise program at a local sports club.
      METHODS: Forty-six outpatients aged 18-65 years and diagnosed with mild to severe
      depression (ICD-10 criteria) were randomly assigned to an intervention group or
      wait list. Treatment as usual was continued. The Hamilton Rating Scale for
      Depression (HRSD-17) served as the main outcome measure. Secondary outcome
      measures were Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), Fitness Index (FI), and VO(2)
      max as estimated by Urho Kaleka Kekkonen or UKK 2-km Walk Test. RESULTS: Out of
      forty-six participants, 24% dropped out. Participants attended 58% of exercise
      sessions. All randomized participants were included in intention-to-treat (ITT)
      analysis. Analysis of covariance or ANCOVA showed a large reduction of depressive
      symptoms in HRSD-17 scores (Cohen's d: 1.8; mean change 8.2, p < .0001). BDI-II
      (Cohen's d: 0.50; mean change: 4.7, p = 0.09), FI scores (Cohen's d: 0.27; mean
      change: 5.3, p = 0.08), and VO2 max did not change significantly. CONCLUSIONS: We
      observed a large and clinically significant change in HRSD-17 scores. Moderate
      changes in BDI-II scores without clinical significance and small changes in
      physical fitness assessments were observed.

PMID- 26265426
TI  - Decementation Rates and the Peri-Implant Tissue Status of Implant-Supported Fixed
      Restorations Retained via Zinc Oxide Cement: A Retrospective 10-23-Year Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Long-term data on clinical outcomes of restorations attached to
      implants via zinc oxide (ZnO) cement have been sparse. PURPOSE: The purpose of
      this study was to retrospectively investigate decementation rates and peri
      implant tissue status of implant-supported fixed restorations retained by ZnO
      cement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1989 and 2003, 63 partially edentulous
      patients received 93 implants. Of these, 27 patients received 36 screwed single
      crowns (SC) and served as a control (C group). The other 36 patients had their
      restorations cemented using ZnO cement. They were subdivided into a SC group and
      a fixed dental prosthesis (FDP) group. After between 10 and 23 years (mean: 13.22
      +/- 3.21), all decementation events and peri-implant soft tissue status were
      evaluated using patient records. RESULTS: Decementation was assessed in 57
      implants supporting 30 SCs and 16 FDPs. Five cases of decementation (8.77%) were
      recorded after a mean of 9.27 +/- 7.05 years (range: 4.81-21.79). In the control
      group of vertically screwed SCs, five events of screw loosening (13.89%) were
      recorded in five patients (18.52%) after a mean of 5.84 +/- 5.96 years (range:
      0.56-15.05) within a 14.30 year observation period. No cases of peri-implantitis
      were observed in any group. The mean values of periodontal probing depths and
      bleeding on probing (BOP+) were 3.74 mm and 31.58%, respectively, for ZnO
      cemented restorations, versus 3.76 mm and 25%, respectively, for the C group. No
      significant correlations regarding technical/biologic complications between the
      groups were detected. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of this study, we
      conclude that the use of ZnO cement provides sufficient retention of implant
      supported fixed restorations over long periods without biologic complications in
      form of peri-implantitis.

PMID- 26265427
TI  - Gender differences in irritable bowel syndrome: the interpersonal connection.
AB  - BACKGROUND: While irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects women more than men, the
      reasons are unclear. Research on the female preponderance of IBS has focused on
      gender differences in sex-linked biological processes; much less attention has
      been paid to the role of psychosocial factors. Interpersonal difficulties may be
      one source of stress that may significantly impact on women with IBS. Because of
      the importance that women attach to relationships, we suspected they would be
      more reactive to interpersonal stress. METHODS: A total of 283 (M age = 41 years,
      F = 80%), Rome III-diagnosed IBS patients completed a test battery that included
      the IBS Symptom Severity Scale, McGill Pain Questionnaire, Inventory of
      Interpersonal Problems (IIP), interpersonal support evaluation list (social
      support), Negative Interactions Scale, Brief Symptom Inventory (distress), Beck
      Depression Inventory, Anxiety Sensitivity Inventory, and IBS-Quality of Life as
      part of baseline assessment of an NIH trial. KEY RESULTS: Males scored higher on
      two IIP scales reflecting a hostile-dominant interpersonal pattern, and reported
      less social support. The quality of relationship problems (more interpersonal
      difficulties, lower support) correlated with IBS symptom severity as measured
      mainly by gastroenterologists. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: Male, not female, IBS
      patients reported more interpersonal difficulties. Male patients-a population for
      whom little is known-are characterized by hostile-dominant interpersonal
      problems. This finding has clinical importance, given that relationship problems
      may influence MDs' estimation of IBS symptom severity and undermine the physician
      patient relationship.

PMID- 26265428
TI  - Expression and characterization of a cellobiohydrolase (CBH7B) from the
      thermophilic fungus Thielavia terrestris in Pichia pastoris.
AB  - The gene encoding a cellobiohydrolase 7B (CBH7B) of the thermophilic fungus
      Thielavia terrestris was identified, subcloned, and expressed in Pichia pastoris.
      CBH7B encoded 455 amino acid residues with a molecular mass of 51.8 kDa. Domain
      analysis indicated that CBH7B contains a family 7 glycosyl hydrolase catalytic
      core but lacks a carbohydrate-binding module. Purified CBH7B exhibited optimum
      catalytic activity at pH 5.0 and 55  degrees C with 4-methylumbelliferryl
      cellobioside as the substrate and retained 85% of its activity following 24 H
      incubation at 50  degrees C. Despite the lack of activity toward microcrystalline
      substrates, this enzyme worked synergistically with the commercial enzyme
      cocktail Cellic(r) CTec2 to enhance saccharification by 39% when added to a
      reaction mixture containing 0.25% alkaline pretreated oil palm empty fruit bunch
      (OPEFB). Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy
      suggested a reduction of lignin and crystalline cellulose in OPEFB samples
      supplemented with CBH7B. Scanning electron microscopy revealed greater
      destruction extent of OPEFB strands in samples supplemented with CBH7B as
      compared with the nonsupplemented control. Therefore, CBH7B has the potential to
      complement commercial enzymes in hydrolyzing lignocellulosic biomass.

PMID- 26265429
TI  - Language-specific memory for everyday arithmetic facts in Chinese-English
      bilinguals.
AB  - The role of language in memory for arithmetic facts remains controversial. Here,
      we examined transfer of memory training for evidence that bilinguals may acquire
      language-specific memory stores for everyday arithmetic facts. Chinese-English
      bilingual adults (n = 32) were trained on different subsets of simple addition
      and multiplication problems. Each operation was trained in one language or the
      other. The subsequent test phase included all problems with addition and
      multiplication alternating across trials in two blocks, one in each language.
      Averaging over training language, the response time (RT) gains for trained
      problems relative to untrained problems were greater in the trained language than
      in the untrained language. Subsequent analysis showed that English training
      produced larger RT gains for trained problems relative to untrained problems in
      English at test relative to the untrained Chinese language. In contrast, there
      was no evidence with Chinese training that problem-specific RT gains differed
      between Chinese and the untrained English language. We propose that training in
      Chinese promoted a translation strategy for English arithmetic (particularly
      multiplication) that produced strong cross-language generalization of practice,
      whereas training in English strengthened relatively weak, English-language
      arithmetic memories and produced little generalization to Chinese (i.e., English
      training did not induce an English translation strategy for Chinese language
      trials). The results support the existence of language-specific strengthening of
      memory for everyday arithmetic facts.

PMID- 26265430
TI  - Is mental effort exertion contagious?
AB  - The presence of another person can influence task performance. What is, however,
      still unclear is whether performance also depends on what this other person is
      doing. In two experiments, two participants (A and B) jointly performed a Simon
      task, and we selectively manipulated the difficulty of the task for participant A
      only. This was achieved by presenting A with 90% congruent trials (creating an
      easy task requiring low effort investment) or 10% congruent trials (creating a
      difficult task requiring high effort investment). Although this manipulation is
      irrelevant for the task of participant B, we nevertheless observed that B exerted
      more mental effort when participant A performed the difficult version of the
      task, compared to the easy version. Crucially, in Experiment 2 this was found to
      be the case even when participants could not see each other's stimuli. These
      results provide a first compelling demonstration that the exertion of effort is
      contagious.

PMID- 26265431
TI  - Ultrasonographic Median Nerve Changes After Repeated Wheelchair Transfers in
      Persons With Paraplegia: Relationship With Subject Characteristics and Transfer
      Skills.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Wheelchair users with spinal cord injuries are susceptible to
      peripheral neuropathies from overuse, yet no studies have established a
      relationship between median neuropathy and wheelchair transfers. A more thorough
      understanding of how transfers and technique contribute to pathologic conditions
      may guide interventions that curtail its development. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the
      effects of repeated transfers on ultrasound markers for carpal tunnel syndrome
      (CTS) in people with spinal cord injuries and to relate changes to subject
      characteristics and transfer skills. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, repeated measures.
      SETTING: Research laboratory and national wheelchair sporting events.
      PARTICIPANTS: A convenience sample of 30 wheelchair users with nonprogressive
      paraplegia were recruited via research registries and at the 2013 National
      Veterans Wheelchair Games and 2014 Paralyzed Veterans of America Buckeye Games.
      Participants were older than 18 years and could complete transfers independently
      within 30 seconds without use of their leg muscles. METHODS: Demographic
      questionnaires and physical examinations for CTS were completed. Quantitative
      ultrasound techniques were used to measure changes in the median nerve after a
      repeated-transfers protocol. The Transfer Assessment Instrument (TAI) was
      completed to quantify transfer ability. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Median nerve
      cross-sectional area at the level of the pisiform (PCSA) and swelling ratio (SR),
      transfer quality, and skills via the TAI. RESULTS: PCSA increased after repeated
      transfers (P < .025). Participants who used safe hand positions had a lower
      baseline SR (beta = -0.728; P < .01). Participants with a higher body weight had
      a lower baseline SR provided they performed higher quality transfers.
      Participants who scooted to the front of the seat prior to transferring (TAI item
      7; beta = 0.144; P < .05) and who weighed more (beta = 0.142; P < .05) exhibited
      greater increases in PCSA in response to transfers. CONCLUSIONS: An acute
      increase was observed in median nerve CSA at the pisiform after repeated
      wheelchair transfers. Changes were greater in persons with higher body weight and
      in persons who did not perform certain transfer skills correctly (according to
      the TAI). It is possible that these factors contribute to chronic injury and
      possibly CTS.

PMID- 26265432
TI  - Examining Early Behavioral Persistence as a Dynamic Process: Correlates and
      Consequences Spanning Ages 3-10 Years.
AB  - We investigated systematic changes in 3-year-olds' effortful persistence in a
      dyadic problem-solving context and explored their correlates (i.e., parenting
      behavior and demographic characteristics at 3 years) and consequences (i.e.,
      child externalizing behavior at 3, 6, and 10 years) within a sample of 241 middle
      income families (118 girls). Results indicated that children may be grouped into
      three classes based on their behavioral profiles of persistence. Children who
      were highly persistent over the course of the task were more likely to have
      higher levels of IQ and mothers who were observed to be more behaviorally
      responsive than those who showed consistently low levels of task-related
      behavior. Additionally, children who demonstrated stably low levels of
      persistence were rated by teachers to display more externalizing behavior at 6
      and 10 years than those in the other groups. Profiles of persistence did not
      predict concurrent levels of child externalizing behavior at the age of 3 years.
      The findings are discussed with respect to expanding the scope of research on
      child self-regulation by defining it as a time based construct and tracking its
      dynamic changes. 

PMID- 26265433
TI  - Emotional Intelligence and Nurse Recruitment: Rasch and confirmatory factor
      analysis of the trait emotional intelligence questionnaire short form.
AB  - AIM: To examine the construct validity of the Trait Emotional Intelligence
      Questionnaire Short form. BACKGROUND: Emotional intelligence involves the
      identification and regulation of our own emotions and the emotions of others. It
      is therefore a potentially useful construct in the investigation of recruitment
      and retention in nursing and many questionnaires have been constructed to measure
      it. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of existing dataset of responses to Trait
      Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire Short form using concurrent application of
      Rasch analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. METHOD: First year undergraduate
      nursing and computing students completed Trait Emotional Intelligence
      Questionnaire-Short Form in September 2013. Responses were analysed by
      synthesising results of Rasch analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. RESULTS:
      Participants (N = 938) completed Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire Short
      form. Rasch analysis showed the majority of the Trait Emotional Intelligence
      Questionnaire-Short Form items made a unique contribution to the latent trait of
      emotional intelligence. Five items did not fit the model and differential item
      functioning (gender) accounted for this misfit. Confirmatory factor analysis
      revealed a four-factor structure consisting of: self-confidence, empathy,
      uncertainty and social connection. All five misfitting items from the Rasch
      analysis belonged to the 'social connection' factor. CONCLUSIONS: The concurrent
      use of Rasch and factor analysis allowed for novel interpretation of Trait
      Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire Short form. Much of the response variation
      in Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire Short form can be accounted for by
      the social connection factor. Implications for practice are discussed.

PMID- 26265434
TI  - A metabolomics strategy to explore urinary biomarkers and metabolic pathways for
      assessment of interaction between Danhong injection and low-dose aspirin during
      their synergistic treatment.
AB  - The drug combination of Danhong injection (DHI) and low-dose aspirin (ASA) was
      frequently applied for the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular
      diseases. Due to the drug interactions, a lot of potential benefits and risks
      might exist side by side in the course of combination therapy. However, there had
      been no studies of interaction between DHI and ASA. Metabolomics was a powerful
      tool to explore endogenous biomarkers and metabolic pathways. In present study,
      metabolic profiling with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to
      quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF/MS) coupled with
      multivariate statistical analysis was performed to provide insight into
      understanding the interaction between DHI and low-dose ASA. Eleven potential
      biomarkers of three types were identified and seven metabolic pathways were
      constructed. The results showed that the interaction between DHI and low-dose ASA
      during synergistic treatment indeed affected some key endogenous biomarkers and
      metabolic pathways, which could not happen when DHI or low-dose ASA was used
      alone. The quality and quantity of endogenous metabolite were both influenced by
      interaction between DHI and low-dose ASA. In details, the amount of flavin
      mononucleotide, L-2, 4-diaminobutyric acid (DABA) and 4-aminohippuric acid were
      significantly increased. On the contrary, the amount of 3-methyluridine, 4, 6
      dihydroxyquinoline, cortolone-3-glucuronide, and serotonin were significantly
      decreased. Furthermore, O-phosphotyrosine, 3-methyl-2-butenal, indoxyl sulfate
      and dolichyl diphosphate were disappeared in urine. As to metabolic pathways,
      riboflavin metabolism, pentose and glucuronate interconversions, and tryptophan
      metabolism were all significantly influenced. The emerging alterations of
      biomarkers and metabolic pathways were associated with a lot of drugs and
      diseases based on literature researches, which might influence the co
      administration of other drugs or the treatments of relevant diseases. Our paper
      presented some hints to uncover the mechanism of interaction between DHI and low
      dose ASA, which would provide some references for application of DHI and low-dose
      ASA combination. 

PMID- 26265435
TI  - The effect of cognitive appraisal in middle-aged women stroke survivors and the
      psychological health of their caregivers: a follow-up study.
AB  - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study identified the factors that affect health-related
      quality of life at one and six months post-stroke in women who have undergone a
      mild stroke and that affect their informal caregivers' psychological health
      status. BACKGROUND: Middle-aged women perform the main care roles in a family.
      When they suffer a stroke, it upsets the equilibrium of their family life.
      DESIGN: This is a longitudinal design. METHODS: This prospective follow-up study
      recruited 41 middle-aged women stroke survivors (mean age = 54.95, SD = 9.63) and
      their informal caregivers (mean age = 41.56, SD = 15.93). The Short-Form Health
      Survey (SF-36) was used to assess stroke survivor's health-related quality of
      life, and the Chinese Health Questionnaire was used to measure the level of
      depression of the stroke survivor's informal caregiver. Data were analysed
      through descriptive statistics, Wilcoxon signed-rank tests and the generalised
      estimating equation approach for modelling repeatedly measures. RESULTS: All
      stroke survivors showed significant improvement in the physical component summary
      of the health-related quality of life at one and six months after stroke, but
      there was no significant difference in the mental component summary. In addition,
      there was no significant difference in the health of the informal caregivers of
      the women over time. Generalised estimating equation analysis showed that the
      most important determinant of mental component summary of health-related quality
      of life among women stroke survivors was cognitive appraisal. The informal
      caregivers' most important determinants of health status, as measured by level of
      depression, were their sense of coherence, burden and patients' mental component
      summary of the health-related quality of life. CONCLUSION: This study highlights
      the impact of cognitive appraisal in determining health-related quality of life
      of women stroke survivors and how it affects their caregivers' mental health.
      RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The findings of this study may contribute to home
      care nurses' understanding the importance of the psychosocial impact of the
      stroke for the survivor and their ability to help the surviving women to promote
      the confidence needed for self-care, which will contribute to their quality of
      life and affect their caregivers' health.

PMID- 26265436
TI  - Serotonergic gene variation in substance use pharmacotherapy: a systematic
      review.
AB  - Drug addiction is a serious disease with damaging effects on the brain and
      physical health. Despite the increase in the number of affected individuals,
      there are few effective pharmacological treatment options for substance use
      disorders. The study of the influence of an individual's genetic features on the
      treatment response may help to identify more efficacious treatment options. This
      systematic review focuses on the serotonergic system because of its relevant role
      in mood and impulse control disorders, and its contribution to the development
      and maintenance of drug use disorders. In particular, we examine the role of
      serotonergic genes in the response to pharmacotherapy for alcohol, cocaine and
      nicotine addiction. Current evidence suggests that genetic variability of the
      serotonergic biosynthesis enzyme tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (TPH2) and the
      serotonin transporter (SLC6A4) genes mediates the efficacy of several addiction
      treatments, such as ondansetron and disulfiram, and the antidepressants
      bupropion, nortriptyline and sertraline. 

PMID- 26265437
TI  - MicroRNA-1908 functions as a glioblastoma oncogene by suppressing PTEN tumor
      suppressor pathway.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate whether miRNA-1908 is an oncogene in human
      glioblastoma and find the possible mechanism of miR-1908. METHODS: We
      investigated the growth potentials of miRNA-1908-overexpressing SW-1783 cells in
      vitro and in vivo. In order to identify the target molecule of miRNA-1908, a
      luciferase reporter assay was performed, and the corresponding downstream
      signaling pathway was examined using immunohistochemistry of human glioblastoma
      tissues. We also investigated the miRNA-1908 expression in 34 patients according
      to the postoperative risk of recurrence. RESULTS: The overexpression of miRNA
      1908 significantly promoted anchorage-independent growth in vitro and
      significantly increased the tumor forming potential in vivo. MiRNA-1908
      significantly suppressed the luciferase activity of mRNA combined with the PTEN
      3'-UTR. Furthermore, the expression levels of miRNA-1908 were significantly
      increased in the patients with a high risk of recurrence compared to that
      observed in the low-risk patients, and this higher expression correlated with a
      poor survival. CONCLUSIONS: miRNA-1908 functions as an oncogene in glioblastoma
      by repressing the PTEN pathway. MiR-1908 is a potential new molecular marker for
      predicting the risk of recurrence and prognosis of glioblastoma.

PMID- 26265438
TI  - Alternative splicing of synuclein gamma in endometrial cancer: identification of
      a novel isoform.
AB  - Synuclein gamma (SNCG) is under consideration as a potential biomarker in cancer
      biology. Up to date four different SNCG variants are described. Due to growing
      evidence suggesting correlations between aberrant alternative splicing processes
      and cancer progression, we investigated the effects of peritumoural conditions on
      expression pattern of SNCG in endometrial cancer (EC) in vitro. Compared to
      breast cancer cell lines, mRNA expression levels of all known SNCG isoforms 1-4
      are significantly reduced in EC cell lines. We identified a novel alternatively
      spliced variant of isoform 2 (isoform 2 short) which is found highly expressed in
      EC cell lines. Hypoxia and acidosis trigger an up-regulation of isoform 2 short.
      EC cell lines are characterized by low SNCG protein levels under control
      conditions, but exhibit a significant increase triggered by hypoxia and acidosis.
      In addition we analysed the potential association between SNCG protein expression
      and clinico-pathological parameters in human EC samples. Our findings indicate a
      grade-dependent induction of SNCG protein expression in endometrial cancer. We
      identified for the first time a novel isoform of SNCG that is found specifically
      expressed in EC. Our results also strongly indicate the existence of a
      corresponding protein of isoform 2 short that potentially plays a critical role
      in EC cancer progression. 

PMID- 26265439
TI  - Metformin inhibits cell cycle progression of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia
      cells.
AB  - B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) was believed to result from clonal
      accumulation of resting apoptosis-resistant malignant B lymphocytes. However, it
      became increasingly clear that CLL cells undergo, during their life, iterative
      cycles of re-activation and subsequent clonal expansion. Drugs interfering with
      CLL cell cycle entry would be greatly beneficial in the treatment of this
      disease. 1, 1-Dimethylbiguanide hydrochloride (metformin), the most widely
      prescribed oral hypoglycemic agent, inexpensive and well tolerated, has recently
      received increased attention for its potential antitumor activity. We wondered
      whether metformin has apoptotic and anti-proliferative activity on leukemic cells
      derived from CLL patients. Metformin was administered in vitro either to
      quiescent cells or during CLL cell activation stimuli, provided by classical co
      culturing with CD40L-expressing fibroblasts. At doses that were totally
      ineffective on normal lymphocytes, metformin induced apoptosis of quiescent CLL
      cells and inhibition of cell cycle entry when CLL were stimulated by CD40-CD40L
      ligation. This cytostatic effect was accompanied by decreased expression of
      survival- and proliferation-associated proteins, inhibition of signaling pathways
      involved in CLL disease progression and decreased intracellular glucose available
      for glycolysis. In drug combination experiments, metformin lowered the apoptotic
      threshold and potentiated the cytotoxic effects of classical and novel antitumor
      molecules. Our results indicate that, while CLL cells after stimulation are in
      the process of building their full survival and cycling armamentarium, the
      presence of metformin affects this process. 

PMID- 26265440
TI  - A novel HMGA1-CCNE2-YAP axis regulates breast cancer aggressiveness.
AB  - High Mobility Group A1 (HMGA1) is an architectural chromatin factor that promotes
      neoplastic transformation and progression. However, the mechanism by which HMGA1
      exerts its oncogenic function is not fully understood. Here, we show that cyclin
      E2 (CCNE2) acts downstream of HMGA1 to regulate the motility and invasiveness of
      basal-like breast cancer cells by promoting the nuclear localization and activity
      of YAP, the downstream mediator of the Hippo pathway. Mechanistically, the
      activity of MST1/2 and LATS1/2, the core kinases of the Hippo pathway, are
      required for the HMGA1- and CCNE2-mediated regulation of YAP localization. In
      breast cancer patients, high levels of HMGA1 and CCNE2 expression are associated
      with the YAP/TAZ signature, supporting this connection. Moreover, we provide
      evidence that CDK inhibitors induce the translocation of YAP from the nucleus to
      the cytoplasm, resulting in a decrease in its activity. These findings reveal an
      association between HMGA1 and the Hippo pathway that is relevant to stem cell
      biology, tissue homeostasis, and cancer. 

PMID- 26265442
TI  - Heightened risk of preterm birth and growth restriction after a first-born son.
AB  - PURPOSE: In Scandinavia, delivery of a first-born son elevates the risk of
      preterm delivery and intrauterine growth restriction of the next-born infant.
      External validity of these results remains unclear. We test this hypothesis for
      preterm delivery and growth restriction using the linked California birth cohort
      file. We examined the hypothesis separately by race and/or ethnicity. METHODS: We
      retrieved data on 2,852,976 births to 1,426,488 mothers with at least two live
      births. Our within-mother tests applied Cox proportional hazards (preterm
      delivery, defined as less than 37 weeks gestation) and linear regression models
      (birth weight for gestational age percentiles). RESULTS: For non-Hispanic whites,
      Hispanics, Asians, and American Indian and/or Alaska Natives, analyses indicate
      heightened risk of preterm delivery and growth restriction after a first-born
      male. The race-specific hazard ratios for preterm delivery range from 1.07 to
      1.18. Regression coefficients for birth weight for gestational age percentile
      range from -0.73 to -1.49. The 95% confidence intervals for all these estimates
      do not contain the null. By contrast, we could not reject the null for non
      Hispanic black mothers. CONCLUSIONS: Whereas California findings generally
      support those from Scandinavia, the null results among non-Hispanic black mothers
      suggest that we do not detect adverse outcomes after a first-born male in all
      racial and/or ethnic groups.

PMID- 26265441
TI  - Phospho-T356RB1 predicts survival in HPV-negative squamous cell carcinoma of the
      head and neck.
AB  - Locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) that is not
      associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) has a poor prognosis in contrast to
      HPV-positive disease. To better understand the importance of RB1 activity in HPV
      negative SCCHN, we investigated the prognostic value of inhibitory CDK4/6
      phosphorylation of RB1 on threonine 356 (T356) in archival HPV-negative tumor
      specimens from patients who underwent surgical resection and adjuvant radiation.
      We benchmarked pT356RB1 to total RB1, Ki67, pT202/Y204ERK1/2, and TP53, as
      quantified by automatic quantitative analysis (AQUA), and correlated protein
      expression with tumor stage and grade. High expression of pT356RB1 but not total
      RB1 predicted reduced overall survival (OS; P = 0.0295), indicating the potential
      relevance of post-translational phosphorylation. Paired analysis of The Cancer
      Genome Atlas (TCGA) data for regulators of this RB1 phosphorylation identified
      loss or truncating mutation of negative regulator CDKN2A (p16) and elevated
      expression of the CDK4/6 activator CCND1 (cyclin D) as also predicting poor
      survival. Given that CDK4/6 inhibitors have been most effective in the context of
      functional RB1 and low expression or deletion of p16 in other tumor types, these
      data suggest such agents may merit evaluation in HPV-negative SCCHN, specifically
      in cases associated with high pT356RB1. 

PMID- 26265443
TI  - "We can lose our life for the abortion": exploring the dynamics shaping abortion
      care in peri-urban Yangon, Myanmar.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Induced abortion in Myanmar is severely legally restricted and
      permissible only to save a woman's life. As a result, unsafe abortion is common
      and contributes significantly to maternal mortality. Our overall study aimed to
      explore women's reproductive health needs in peri-urban Yangon, a dynamic series
      of townships on the periphery of the country's largest city characterized by poor
      infrastructure, slum settlements and a mobile, migrant population. In this paper,
      we focus specifically on the perceptions, opinions and experiences of both adult
      women and key informants with respect to induced abortion and postabortion care
      in peri-urban Yangon. STUDY DESIGN: In 2014, we conducted 18 key informant
      interviews with individuals working in reproductive health in peri-urban Yangon
      and seven focus group discussions with health service providers (n=2) and adult
      women (n=5). We analyzed these data for content and themes using a multiphased
      iterative approach. RESULTS: In peri-urban Yangon, unsafe abortion appears to be
      common and is largely provided by traditional birth attendants. Women use a range
      of mechanical, medication and traditional methods, often in combination.
      Postabortion care is available but misinformation and fear of harassment keep
      many women from accessing timely care. CONCLUSION: Efforts to reform the highly
      restrictive abortion law in Myanmar combined with implementation of harm
      reduction strategies have the potential to greatly improve a neglected area of
      women's health. Future research on the cost of unsafe abortion to the public
      sector could be instrumental in achieving legal and service delivery reform.
      IMPLICATIONS: Measures to increase access to safe, legal abortion care and reduce
      harm from unsafe abortion need to be expanded. Developing strategies to
      liberalize Myanmar's abortion law, raising awareness about misoprostol, training
      clinicians to provide woman-centered postabortion care and documenting the cost
      of unsafe abortion to the public sector appear warranted.

PMID- 26265444
TI  - Neuron matters: electric activation of neuronal tissue is dependent on the
      interaction between the neuron and the electric field.
AB  - In laboratory research and clinical practice, externally-applied electric fields
      have been widely used to control neuronal activity. It is generally accepted that
      neuronal excitability is controlled by electric current that depolarizes or
      hyperpolarizes the excitable cell membrane. What determines the amount of
      polarization? Research on the mechanisms of electric stimulation focus on the
      optimal control of the field properties (frequency, amplitude, and direction of
      the electric currents) to improve stimulation outcomes. Emerging evidence from
      modeling and experimental studies support the existence of interactions between
      the targeted neurons and the externally-applied electric fields. With cell-field
      interaction, we suggest a two-way process. When a neuron is positioned inside an
      electric field, the electric field will induce a change in the resting membrane
      potential by superimposing an electrically-induced transmembrane potential (ITP).
      At the same time, the electric field can be perturbed and re-distributed by the
      cell. This cell-field interaction may play a significant role in the overall
      effects of stimulation. The redistributed field can cause secondary effects to
      neighboring cells by altering their geometrical pattern and amount of membrane
      polarization. Neurons excited by the externally-applied electric field can also
      affect neighboring cells by ephaptic interaction. Both aspects of the cell-field
      interaction depend on the biophysical properties of the neuronal tissue,
      including geometric (i.e., size, shape, orientation to the field) and electric
      (i.e., conductivity and dielectricity) attributes of the cells. The biophysical
      basis of the cell-field interaction can be explained by the electromagnetism
      theory. Further experimental and simulation studies on electric stimulation of
      neuronal tissue should consider the prospect of a cell-field interaction, and a
      better understanding of tissue inhomogeneity and anisotropy is needed to fully
      appreciate the neural basis of cell-field interaction as well as the biological
      effects of electric stimulation. 

PMID- 26265445
TI  - Therapeutic drug monitoring and the conservative management of chronic
      tuberculous empyema: case report and review of the literature.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic tuberculous empyema (CTE) is a rare and unusual, low grade
      and protracted, infection of the pleural space resulting in marked thickening,
      even calcification of the visceral and parietal pleura. Historically its
      management has been extraordinarily challenging. Differential penetration of anti
      TB drugs into the pleural space has resulted in acquired drug resistance and
      surgery to remove the empyema or close a complicating bronchopleural fistula
      (BPF) has been technically difficult or unacceptably hazardous. On the basis of
      limited experience, the combination of tube thoracostomy or catheter drainage and
      high-end dosing of anti-TB drugs has been recommended as an initial approach to
      these lesions. Herein we report the first well documented case of closure of a
      BPF and cure of a CTE using this approach. The chances of a favorable outcome are
      improved, we suggest, by using therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) to guide high
      end drug dosing. CASE PRESENTATION: An 84 year old male immigrant to Canada from
      Croatia was diagnosed with a CTE after he developed a BPF. The diagnosis was made
      62 years after what was, in retrospect, an episode of tuberculous pleurisy. He
      was treated with computed tomography-guided catheter drainage and TDM-guided high
      end dosed anti-TB drugs (serum and pleural fluid drug concentrations) over a 10
      month period. Sustained closure of the BPF and mycobacteriologic cure of the CTE
      was achieved. Drug concentrations in the present case and all other reported
      cases are summarized and interpreted. CONCLUSION: When serum concentrations of
      the anti-TB drugs isoniazid, pyrazinamide and ethambutol at the high end of the
      normal range are achieved, pleural fluid concentrations at the low end of the
      normal range may be anticipated in CTE. Though highly protein bound drugs such as
      rifampin and moxifloxacin appear to penetrate CTEs less well, their free
      concentrations in the pleural space may be proportionately higher on account of
      lower protein concentrations. Interventional radiology and TDM increase the
      chances that conservative management of CTE will be successful.

PMID- 26265446
TI  - The Mathematical Theory of Diffusion and Reaction in Enzymes Immoblized
      Artificial Membrane. The Theory of the Non-Steady State.
AB  - In this paper, mathematical model pertaining to the decomposition of enzyme
      substrate complex in an artificial membrane is discussed. Here the transport
      through liquid membrane phases is considered. The model involves the system of
      non-linear reaction diffusion equations. The non-linear terms in this model are
      related to Michaelis-Menten reaction scheme. Approximate analytical expressions
      for the concentrations of substrate and product have been derived by solving the
      system of non-linear reaction diffusion equations using new approach of homotopy
      perturbation method for all values of Michaelis-Menten constant, diffusion
      coefficient, and rate constant. Approximate flux expression for substrate and
      product for non-steady-state conditions are also reported. A comparison of the
      analytical approximation and numerical simulation is also presented. The results
      obtained in this work are valid for the entire solution domain. 

PMID- 26265447
TI  - Multicentre randomized clinical trial to investigate the cost-effectiveness of an
      allogeneic single-donor fibrin sealant after coronary artery bypass grafting
      (FIBER Study).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Reduction of blood transfusion in cardiac surgery is an important
      target. The aim of this study was to investigate the cost-effectiveness of the
      use of CryoSeal(r), an allogeneic single-donor fibrin sealant, in patients
      undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS: This randomized
      clinical study involved seven cardiac surgery centres in the Netherlands.
      Patients undergoing elective isolated CABG with the use of at least one internal
      thoracic artery (ITA) graft were assigned randomly to receive either CryoSeal(r)
      (5 ml per ITA bed) or no CryoSeal(r). Primary efficacy endpoints were units of
      transfused red blood cells, fresh frozen plasma and platelet concentrates, and
      duration of intensive care unit stay. Secondary efficacy endpoints were 48-h
      blood loss, reoperation for bleeding, mediastinitis, 30-day mortality and
      duration of hospital stay. RESULTS: Between March 2009 and January 2012, 1445
      patients were randomized. The intention-to-treat (ITT) population comprised 1436
      patients; the per-protocol (PP) population 1292. In both the ITT and the PP
      analysis, no significant difference between the treatment groups was observed for
      any of the primary and secondary efficacy endpoints. In addition, no significant
      difference between the groups was seen in the proportion of transfused patients.
      Estimated CryoSeal(r) costs were ?822 (95 per cent c.i. ?808 to ?836) per
      patient, which translated to ?72,000 per avoided transfusion (unbounded 95 per
      cent c.i.). CONCLUSION: The use of the fibrin sealant CryoSeal(r) did not result
      in health benefits. Combined with the high cost per avoided transfusion, this
      study does not support the implementation of routine CryoSeal(r) use in elective
      isolated CABG. REGISTRATION NUMBER: NTR1386 ( http://www.trialregister.nl).

PMID- 26265448
TI  - Mimicking disruption of brain-immune system-joint communication results in
      collagen type II-induced arthritis in non-susceptible PVG rats.
AB  - The brain-immune system-joint communication is disrupted during collagen type II
      (CII) arthritis in DA rats. Since PVG rats are not susceptible to arthritis
      induction, comparison of hypothalamic and peripheral neuro-endocrine and immune
      responses between immunized DA and PVG rats might help to explain their different
      susceptibility to develop the disease. PVG and DA rats were immunized with CII.
      Corticosterone, neurotransmitters, anti-CII antibodies, and cytokine
      concentrations in plasma, and hypothalamic neurotransmitters and cytokines were
      determined by ELISA, Luminex, HPLC and RT-qPCR. Adrenalectomy or sham-operation
      was performed in PVG and DA rats 14 days before immunization. Basal plasma
      corticosterone and adrenaline concentrations were significantly higher, and
      plasma cytokines and hypothalamic noradrenaline were lower in PVG rats than in DA
      rats. While DA rats developed severe arthritis upon immunization (maximum score
      16), only 12 out of 28 PVG rats showed minimal symptoms (score 1-2). The density
      of sympathetic nerve fibers in arthritic joints of DA rats markedly decreased,
      but it remained stable in immunized PVG rats. The ratio corticosterone to IL
      1beta levels in plasma was markedly higher in immunized PVG rats than in
      arthritic DA rats. Adrenalectomy resulted in severe arthritis in PVG rats upon
      immunization with CII. While DA rats show an altered immune-brain communication
      that favors the development of arthritis, PVG rats express a protective neuro
      endocrine milieu, particularly linked to the basal tone of the HPA axis.
      Mimicking disruption of this axis elicits arthritis in non-susceptible PVG rats. 

PMID- 26265449
TI  - RAF-1 promotes survival of thyroid cancer cells harboring RET/PTC1 rearrangement
      independently of ERK activation.
AB  - Thyroid cancer (TC) is frequently associated with BRAF or RAS oncogenic mutations
      and RET/PTC rearrangements, with aberrant RAF-MEK-ERK and/or PI3K pathway
      activation. BRAF underlies ERK activation in most TC cells, but not in TPC-1
      cells with RET/PTC1 rearrangement. Here, we show that depletion of RAF-1, a RAF
      family member with a poorly defined role in TC, decreases proliferation and
      increases apoptosis in TPC-1 cells and, less significantly, in cells harboring a
      BRAF(V600E) or HRAS(G13R) mutations, but without affecting ERK activation. We
      further demonstrate that constitutive activation of ERKs in TPC-1 cells is not
      caused by mutations in 50 oncogenes and tumor suppressors prone to activate the
      ERK pathway, or affected by inhibition of BRAF, MEK1/2 or PI3K. Our data indicate
      that RAF-1 is important for the survival of TPC-1 cells independently of the
      classical MEK1/2-ERK activation, offering new perspectives on RET/PTC signaling
      and for the therapy of thyroid cancers.

PMID- 26265450
TI  - Gonadal soma-derived factor (gsdf), a TGF-beta superfamily gene, induces testis
      differentiation in the teleost fish Oreochromis niloticus.
AB  - The Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, is a gonochoristic teleost fish with an
      XX/XY genetic system and is an excellent model for gonadal sex differentiation.
      In the present study, we screened novel genes that were expressed predominantly
      in either XY or XX undifferentiated gonads during the critical period for
      differentiation of gonads into ovaries or testes using microarray screening. We
      focused on one of the isolated 12 candidate genes, #9475, which was an ortholog
      of gsdf (gonadal soma-derived factor), a member of the transforming growth factor
      beta superfamily. #9475/gsdf showed sexual dimorphism in expression in XY gonads
      before any other testis differentiation-related genes identified in this species
      thus far. We also overexpressed the #9475/gsdf gene in XX tilapia, and XX tilapia
      bearing the #9475/gsdf gene showed normal testis development, which suggests that
      #9475/gsdf plays an important role in male determination and/or differentiation
      in tilapia. 

PMID- 26265451
TI  - Comparison of Computerized Patients versus Live Moulaged Actors for a Mass
      casualty Drill.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Multiple modalities for simulating mass-casualty scenarios exist;
      however, the ideal modality for education and drilling of mass-casualty incident
      (MCI) triage is not established. Hypothesis/Problem Medical student triage
      accuracy and time to triage for computer-based simulated victims and live
      moulaged actors using the pediatric version of the Simple Triage and Rapid
      Treatment (JumpSTART) mass-casualty triage tool were compared, anticipating that
      student performance and experience would be equivalent. METHODS: The victim
      scenarios were created from actual trauma records from pediatric high-mechanism
      trauma presenting to a participating Level 1 trauma center. The student-reported
      fidelity of the two modalities was also measured. Comparisons were done using
      nonparametric statistics and regression analysis using generalized estimating
      equations. RESULTS: Thirty-three students triaged four live patients and seven
      computerized patients representing a spectrum of minor, immediate, delayed, and
      expectant victims. Of the live simulated patients, 92.4% were given accurate
      triage designations versus 81.8% for the computerized scenarios (P=.005). The
      median time to triage of live actors was 57 seconds (IQR=45-66) versus 80 seconds
      (IQR=58-106) for the computerized patients (P<.0001). The moulaged actors were
      felt to offer a more realistic encounter by 88% of the participants, with a
      higher associated stress level. CONCLUSION: While potentially easier and more
      convenient to accomplish, computerized scenarios offered less fidelity than live
      moulaged actors for the purposes of MCI drilling. Medical students triaged live
      actors more accurately and more quickly than victims shown in a computerized
      simulation.

PMID- 26265452
TI  - The effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in obese females with
      binge eating disorder: a protocol for a double-blinded, randomized, sham
      controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Binge eating disorder is a new category in DSM-5 and highly
      associated with higher body mass index. The neural mechanisms that underlie binge
      eating are of great interest in order to improve treatment interventions. Brain
      mechanisms underlying drug and food craving are suggested to be similar: for
      example, both are reported to be associated with increased neural activity in the
      orbitofrontal and anterior cingulate cortex, and a diminished regulatory
      influence from lateral prefrontal circuits. Several studies have begun to assess
      the potential benefits of brain stimulation in reducing craving and addictive
      behaviors. Data from a study of a one-off session of transcranial magnetic
      stimulation in healthy women identified as strong cravers and of individuals with
      bulimic-type eating disorders, reported a reduction in food craving and binge
      eating episodes. This provides support for a more extensive investigation of the
      potential therapeutic benefits of transcranial magnetic stimulation. Lastly,
      brain imaging studies and a dimensional approach, will improve understanding of
      the neural correlates of the disorders and of the mode of action of transcranial
      magnetic stimulation. METHODS/DESIGN: Sixty eligible obese females, with binge
      eating disorder, will be randomly allocated to receive 20 sessions of
      transcranial magnetic stimulation intervention (n = 30) or the sham transcranial
      magnetic stimulation intervention (n = 30) scattered 3 days/week. Thirty eligible
      controls will complete the baseline assessment. The primary outcome (number of
      binge eating episodes) will be assed at each treatment sessions, and 8 weeks
      after intervention completion (follow-up). It is hypothesized that mean weekly
      binge-eating episodes will be reduced in the intervention group, compared to the
      sham group, and that the effect will be maintained at follow-up. DISCUSSION:
      Despite the severity associated with Binge Eating Disorder, there are limited
      treatment options. This study is an important step in the development of more
      effective treatments. Importantly, the study is the first to investigating binge
      eating disorder using a dimensional approach, by looking at the different aspects
      of the disorder, such as behavioral factors, biological factors, brain circuits
      and chemistry. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials NCT02180984 . Registered in
      July 2014.

PMID- 26265453
TI  - Inhibition of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus replication in
      vitro using DNA-based short antisense oligonucleotides.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is caused by
      porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and is an
      economically important disease in swine-producing areas. The objective of this
      study was to screen for effective antisense oligonucleotides (AS-ONs) which could
      inhibit PRRSV replication in MARC-145 cells and in pulmonary alveolar macrophages
      (PAM). RESULTS: Nine short AS-ON sequences against the well-conserved regions of
      PRRSV (5'-UTR, NSP9, ORF5 and ORF7) were selected. When MARC-145 cells or PAM
      were infected with PRRSV followed by transfection with AS-ONs, four AS-ON
      sequences targeting 5'-UTR, ORF5 or NSP9 were found to be the most effective
      oligonucleotides in decreasing the cytopathic effect (CPE) induced by PRRSV
      infection. Quantitative PCR and indirect immunofluorescence staining confirmed
      that ORF7 levels were significantly reduced both at RNA and protein levels. The
      PRRSV titration data furthermore indicated that transfection with AS-ON YN8 could
      reduce the PRRSV titer by 1000-fold compared with controls. CONCLUSION: The
      results presented here indicate that DNA-based antisense oligonucleotides can
      effectively inhibit PRRSV replication in MARC-145 cells and in PAM. Furthermore,
      comparing with the reported hit rates (approximately 10-30 %), we achieved a
      higher success rate (44 %). The strategy we took to design the antisense
      sequences might be applied to select AS-ONs that more efficiently reduce the
      expression of target genes.

PMID- 26265454
TI  - Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 silencing inhibits tumor growth and lung metastasis
      in osteosarcoma.
AB  - The enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) methyltransferase is the catalytic subunit
      of polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), which acts as a transcription repressor
      via the trimethylation of lysine 27 of histone 3 (H3K27me3). EZH2 has been
      recognised as an oncogene in several types of tumors; however, its role in
      osteosarcoma has not been fully elucidated. Herein, we show that EZH2 silencing
      inhibits tumor growth and lung metastasis in osteosarcoma by facilitating re
      expression of the imprinting gene tumor-suppressing STF cDNA 3 (TSSC3). Our
      previous study showed that TSSC3 acts as a tumor suppressor in osteosarcoma. In
      this study, we found that EZH2 was abnormally elevated in osteosarcoma, and its
      overexpression was associated with poor prognosis in osteosarcoma. Silencing of
      EZH2 resulted in tumor growth inhibition, apoptosis and chemosensitivity
      enhancement. Moreover, suppression of EZH2 markedly inhibited tumor growth and
      lung metastasis in vivo. Furthermore, EZH2 knockdown facilitated the re
      expression of TSSC3 by reducing H3K27me3 in the promoter region. Cotransfection
      with siEZH2 and siTSSC3 could partially reverse the ability of siEZH2 alone. We
      have demonstrated that EZH2 plays a crucial role in tumor growth and distant
      metastasis in osteosarcoma; its oncogenic role is related to its regulation of
      the expression of TSSC3. 

PMID- 26265455
TI  - Biodegradation of paraffin wax by crude Aspergillus enzyme preparations for
      potential use in removing paraffin deposits.
AB  - Paraffin deposition problems have plagued the oil industry. Whist mechanical and
      chemical methods are problematic, microbiological method of paraffin removal is
      considered an alternative. However, studies have mainly investigated the use of
      bacteria, with little attention to the potential of fungi. The performance of six
      Aspergillus isolates to degrade paraffin wax was evaluated under laboratory
      conditions using solid enzyme preparations. The results showed that all the six
      enzyme preparations efficiently improved the solubility of paraffin wax in n
      hexane and degraded n-alkanes in paraffin wax. The degradation process was
      accompanied by dynamic production of gases (CO2 and H2 ) and organic acids
      (oxalate and propionate). The shape of wax crystals markedly changed after
      enzymatic degradation, with a rough surface and a loose structure. This study
      indicates that extracellular enzymes from Aspergillus spp. can efficiently
      degrade paraffin wax. These enzyme preparations have the potential for use in oil
      wells with paraffin deposition problems. 

PMID- 26265456
TI  - Pathological concentrations of homocysteine increases IL-1beta production in
      macrophages in a P2X7, NF-KB, and erk-dependent manner.
AB  - Elevated plasma levels of homocysteine (Hcy) are associated with the development
      of coronary artery disease (CAD), peripheral vascular disease, and
      atherosclerosis. Hyperhomocysteinemia is likely related to the enhanced
      production of pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-1beta. However, the
      mechanisms underlying the effects of Hcy in immune cells are not completely
      understood. Recent studies have established a link between macrophage
      accumulation, cytokine IL-1beta, and the advance of vascular diseases. The
      purpose of the present study is to investigate the effects of Hcy on IL-1beta
      secretion by murine macrophages. Hcy (100 MUM) increases IL-1beta synthesis via
      enhancement of P2X7 expression and NF-KB and ERK activation in murine
      macrophages. In addition, the antioxidant agent N-acetylcysteine (NAC) reduces NF
      kappaB activation, ERK phosphorylation, and IL-1beta production in Hcy-exposed
      macrophages, indicating the importance of ROS in this pro-inflammatory process.
      In summary, our results show that Hcy may be involved in the synthesis and
      secretion of IL-1beta via NF-KB, ERK, and P2X7 stimulation in murine macrophages.

PMID- 26265457
TI  - Coronary Stents: The Impact of Technological Advances on Clinical Outcomes.
AB  - Percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) were proposed in the late 1970s as an
      alternative to surgical coronary artery bypass grafting for the treatment of
      coronary artery disease. Important technological progress has been made since.
      Balloon angioplasty was replaced by bare metal stents, which allowed to
      permanently scaffold the coronary vessel avoiding acute recoil and abrupt
      occlusion. Thereafter, the introduction of early generation drug-eluting stents
      (DES) has significantly improved clinical outcomes, primarily by markedly
      reducing the risk of restenosis. New generation DES with thinner stent struts,
      novel durable or biodegradable polymer coatings, and new limus antiproliferative
      agents, have further improved upon the safety and efficacy profile of early
      generation DES. The present article aims to review the impact of technological
      advances on clinical outcomes in the field of PCI with coronary stents, and to
      provide a brief overview on clinical margins of improvement and unmet needs of
      available DES. 

PMID- 26265458
TI  - Solid Tumor Embolotherapy in Hepatic Arteries with an Anti-reflux Catheter
      System.
AB  - Unresectable hepatoma accounts for the majority of malignant liver tumor cases
      for which embolization therapy is considered a viable treatment option. However,
      the potential risk of aberrant particle deposition in non-target regions could
      cause severe side-effects, alongside diminished efficacy. A computational model
      has been developed to analyze the particle-hemodynamics before and after
      deployment of an FDA-approved anti-reflux catheter. The catheter features a
      retractable, porous cone-like tip designed to allow forward blood flow while
      preventing microsphere reflux. A patient-specific hepatic artery system, with
      different daughter branches connected to a liver tumor, was chosen as a
      representative test bed. In vitro as well as in vivo measurements were used to
      validate the computer simulation model. The model captures the effect of tip
      deployment on blood perfusion and pressure drop in an interactive manner under
      physiologically realistic conditions. A relationship between the pressure drop
      and embolization level was established, which can be used to provide clinicians
      with real-time information on the best infusion-stop point. However, the results
      show that the present procedure for embolization of downstream vessels which feed
      a tumor is quite arbitrary. Nevertheless, a method to recycle aberrant particles
      captured by the deployed tip was proposed to minimize side-effects. 

PMID- 26265459
TI  - In Situ Hydroxyapatite Content Affects the Cell Differentiation on Porous
      Chitosan/Hydroxyapatite Scaffolds.
AB  - Highly porous chitosan/hydroxyapatite composite structures with different weight
      ratios (100/0; 90/10; 80/20; 70/30; 60/40; 50/50; 40/60) have been prepared by
      precipitation method and freeze-gelation technique using calcite, urea phosphate
      and chitosan as starting materials. The composition of prepared composite
      scaffolds was characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis and Fourier transformed
      infrared spectroscopy, while morphology of scaffolds was imaged by scanning
      electron microscopy. Mercury intrusion porosimetry measurements of prepared
      scaffolds have shown different porosity and microstructure regarding to the HA
      content, along with SEM observations of scaffolds after being immersed in
      physiological medium. The results of swelling capacity and compressive strength
      measured in Dulbecco's phosphate buffer saline (DPBS) have shown higher values
      for composite scaffolds with lower in situ HA content. Viability, proliferation
      and differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells seeded on different scaffolds have been
      evaluated by live dead assay and confocal scan microscopy. Our results suggest
      that the increase of HA content enhance osteoblast differentiation confirming
      osteogenic properties of highly porous CS/HA scaffolds for tissue engineering
      applications in bone repair. 

PMID- 26265461
TI  - Autologous Transplantation in Elderly Multiple Myeloma Patients: Is the Procedure
      Cost Effective?

PMID- 26265460
TI  - Hydraulic Conductivity of Smooth Muscle Cell-Initiated Arterial Cocultures.
AB  - The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of arterial coculture
      conditions on the transport properties of several in vitro endothelial cell (EC)
      smooth muscle cell (SMC)-porous filter constructs in which SMC were grown to
      confluence first and then EC were inoculated. This order of culturing simulates
      the environment of a blood vessel wall after endothelial layer damage due to
      stenting, vascular grafting or other vascular wall insult. For all coculture
      configurations examined, we observed that hydraulic conductivity (L(p)) values
      were significantly higher than predicted by a resistances-in-series (RIS) model
      accounting for the L(p) of EC and SMC measured separately. The greatest increases
      were observed when EC were plated directly on top of a confluent SMC layer
      without an intervening filter, presumably mediated by direct EC-SMC contacts that
      were observed under confocal microscopy. The results are the opposite of a
      previous study that showed L(p) was significantly reduced compared to an RIS
      model when EC were grown to confluency first. The physiological,
      pathophysiological and tissue engineering implications of these results are
      discussed.

PMID- 26265462
TI  - The Effect of Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor on Immune-Modulatory
      Cytokines in the Bone Marrow Microenvironment and Mesenchymal Stem Cells of
      Healthy Donors.
AB  - Granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) is sometimes administered to donors
      before bone marrow (BM) harvest. G-CSF-primed (G-BM) and unprimed BM (U-BM)
      derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) were obtained from 16 healthy donors and
      were expanded in vitro. Their proliferative characteristics, morphology, and
      differentiation capacity were examined. Supernatants of the second passage of
      MSCs were evaluated for transforming growth factor beta1, hepatocyte growth
      factor, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels and compared with controls. The
      analyses of cytokines in the G-BM- and U-BM-derived MSCs supernatants revealed
      that PGE2 levels were significantly lower in the G-CSF-primed samples. These
      cytokines were also measured in BM plasma. The level of hepatocyte growth factor
      in G-BM plasma was significantly increased. The current study is the first to
      show the effects of G-CSF on the BM microenvironment of healthy human donors. The
      preliminary data suggest that G-BM- and U-BM-derived MSCs have similar
      morphologic/phenotypic properties and differentiation capacity but differ in
      their secretory capacity. Significant changes in cytokine levels of BM plasma in
      G-CSF-primed donors were also demonstrated. These findings suggest that BM MSCs
      and changes in the BM microenvironment may contribute to the effects of G-CSF on
      inflammation and immunomodulation. 

PMID- 26265463
TI  - Safety and Efficacy of Combination Antiretroviral Therapy in Human
      Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Adults Undergoing Autologous or Allogeneic
      Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation for Hematologic Malignancies.
AB  - The ability to continue combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) in human
      immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients undergoing hematopoietic cell
      transplantation (HCT) for treatment of hematologic malignancies is likely a
      critical factor in preventing the establishment of an HIV reservoir in
      transplanted stem cells. Thus, we studied the feasibility of continued
      antiretroviral therapy in our HIV-infected patients undergoing autologous or
      allogeneic transplantation. All HIV-infected adults undergoing HCT for
      hematologic malignancy at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center between 2006 and
      2014 were included; most were enrolled in a prospective clinical study to monitor
      HIV reservoirs after transplantation (NCT00968630 and NCT00112593). Non
      nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor or integrase-strand inhibitor-anchored
      antiretroviral therapy regimens were continued or selected before HCT by
      infectious disease physicians. Plasma HIV RNA was measured every other day for
      the first 2 weeks after transplantation and then every 2 weeks. Missed doses of
      cART and reasons for changing the cART regimen during the post-transplantation
      hospitalization were documented through review of inpatient pharmacy records.
      Seven autologous and 8 allogeneic transplantations were performed. In 9
      transplantations, the cART regimen was not altered after HCT and no doses were
      missed. In 2 patients who required alterations in their cART regimen because of
      development of acute renal failure (n = 1) and small bowel obstruction (n = 1)
      after HCT, enfuvirtide was used as a bridging component of the regimen. Plasma
      HIV RNA remained suppressed during the first 28 days in 12 of 15
      transplantations, and no patients had a plasma HIV RNA >1000 copies/mL during
      long-term follow up. Non-nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor- and
      integrase-strand inhibitor-based cART are safe and effective in HIV-infected
      persons during the peri-HCT period. Most patients undergoing HCT were able to
      continue cART without missed doses. Sustained HIV viremia and emergence of
      resistance were not detected.

PMID- 26265464
TI  - Visual attraction in Drosophila larvae develops during a critical period and is
      modulated by crowding conditions.
AB  - The development of social behavior is poorly understood. Many animals adjust
      their behavior to environmental conditions based on a social context. Despite
      having relatively simple visual systems, Drosophila larvae are capable of
      identifying and are attracted to the movements of other larvae. Here, we show
      that Drosophila larval visual recognition is encoded by the movements of nearby
      larvae, experienced during a specific developmental critical period. Exposure to
      moving larvae, only during a specific period, is sufficient for later visual
      recognition of movement. Larvae exposed to wild-type body movements, during the
      critical period, are not attracted to the movements of tubby mutants, which have
      altered morphology. However, exposure to tubby, during the critical period,
      results in tubby recognition at the expense of wild-type recognition indicating
      that this is true learning. Visual recognition is not learned in excessively
      crowded conditions, and this is emulated by exposure, during the critical period,
      to food previously used by crowded larvae. We propose that Drosophila larvae have
      a distinct critical period, during which they assess both social and resource
      conditions, and that this irreversibly determines later visually guided social
      behavior. This model provides a platform towards understanding the regulation and
      development of social behavior. 

PMID- 26265465
TI  - The effects of an exercise programme during pregnancy on health-related quality
      of life in pregnant women: a Norwegian randomised controlled trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether a customised exercise programme influences
      pregnant women's psychological wellbeing and general health perception reflecting
      health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in late pregnancy. DESIGN: A two-armed,
      two-centred randomised controlled trial. SETTING: Trondheim and Stavanger
      University Hospitals, Norway. POPULATION: A total of 855 healthy Caucasian
      pregnant women. METHODS: The intervention group was offered a 12-week exercise
      programme between 20 and 36 weeks of pregnancy. One weekly group session was led
      by physiotherapists, in addition women were encouraged to follow a home exercise
      programme at least twice a week. The exercise programme followed standard
      recommendations and included both aerobic and strength training. The control
      group received regular antenatal care. Pretests and post-tests were performed at
      18-22 and 32-36 weeks of pregnancy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: In the original study
      primary outcome was gestational diabetes mellitus, but in this report the primary
      outcome is HRQoL. The questionnaire Psychological General Wellbeing Index (PGWBI)
      was used to assess psychological wellbeing and self-perceived general health
      before and after the intervention. PGWBI contains six subscales and it is also
      possible to summarise all items to a global score. RESULTS: No association
      between antenatal exercise programme allocation and PGWBI (global score and
      subscales) was found. The study population was homogeneous and had high
      educational level. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that offering women an
      exercise programme during pregnancy does not seem to influence healthy pregnant
      women's psychological wellbeing and self-perceived general health. Further
      research is needed to investigate the effects of exercise in pregnancy on
      psychological wellbeing and self-perceived general health among women from
      different sociocultural subgroups. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Exercise in pregnancy does
      not influence healthy pregnant women's health-related quality of life.

PMID- 26265466
TI  - Granulomatous slack skin-like clinical findings in Sezary syndrome.
AB  - Granulomatous slack skin (GSS) is a very rare condition that has been described
      as a variant of mycosis fungoides. It is characterized by the development of
      bulky and pendulous skin folds in flexural areas that are histologically formed
      by atypical T lymphocytes, histiocytes and giant cells. We report the case of a
      37-year-old African-American female with history of Sezary syndrome (SS) that
      while on treatment for the disease and in a space of 1 month developed exorbitant
      slack folds in the axillae and cervical area mimicking GSS. The absence of giant
      cells and epithelioid granulomas in the biopsy ruled out this diagnosis. We
      report this peculiar SS presentation that clinically resembles GSS, but with
      histopathology that does not show the typical features of this condition. We also
      review the literature in regard to SS, GSS and granulomatous mycosis fungoides
      (GMF), particularly the existing criteria to differentiate these various
      entities.

PMID- 26265467
TI  - Elicitation effect of Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast extract on main health
      promoting compounds and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of butter
      lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.).
AB  - BACKGROUND: This paper presents a study on changes in the main phytochemical
      levels and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of lettuce caused by
      different doses and times of application of yeast extracts. RESULTS: Elicitation
      with yeast extract caused an increase in the total phenolic compounds and
      chlorophyll content, which varied according to the dose and time of spraying, but
      it did not have a positive impact on vitamin C, flavonoid and carotenoid content
      in lettuce. The best effect was achieved by double spraying with 1% yeast extract
      and by single spraying with 0.1% yeast extract. The increase in phytochemical
      content was positively correlated with the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory
      activity of the studied lettuce leaves. Chicoric acid seems to be the major
      contributor to these antioxidant activities. CONCLUSION: Yeast extract may be
      used as a natural, environmentally friendly and safe elicitor for improving the
      health-promoting qualities of lettuce. (c) 2015 Society of Chemical Industry.

PMID- 26265468
TI  - Connexin Type and Fluorescent Protein Fusion Tag Determine Structural Stability
      of Gap Junction Plaques.
AB  - Gap junctions (GJs) are made up of plaques of laterally clustered intercellular
      channels and the membranes in which the channels are embedded. Arrangement of
      channels within a plaque determines subcellular distribution of connexin binding
      partners and sites of intercellular signaling. Here, we report the discovery that
      some connexin types form plaque structures with strikingly different degrees of
      fluidity in the arrangement of the GJ channel subcomponents of the GJ plaque. We
      uncovered this property of GJs by applying fluorescence recovery after
      photobleaching to GJs formed from connexins fused with fluorescent protein tags.
      We found that connexin 26 (Cx26) and Cx30 GJs readily diffuse within the plaque
      structures, whereas Cx43 GJs remain persistently immobile for more than 2 min
      after bleaching. The cytoplasmic C terminus of Cx43 was required for stability of
      Cx43 plaque arrangement. We provide evidence that these qualitative differences
      in GJ arrangement stability reflect endogenous characteristics, with the caveat
      that the sizes of the GJs examined were necessarily large for these measurements.
      We also uncovered an unrecognized effect of non-monomerized fluorescent protein
      on the dynamically arranged GJs and the organization of plaques composed of
      multiple connexin types. Together, these findings redefine our understanding of
      the GJ plaque structure and should be considered in future studies using
      fluorescent protein tags to probe dynamics of highly ordered protein complexes. 

PMID- 26265469
TI  - Bacterial rotary export ATPases are allosterically regulated by the nucleotide
      second messenger cyclic-di-GMP.
AB  - The widespread second messenger molecule cyclic di-GMP (cdG) regulates the
      transition from motile and virulent lifestyles to sessile, biofilm-forming ones
      in a wide range of bacteria. Many pathogenic and commensal bacterial-host
      interactions are known to be controlled by cdG signaling. Although the
      biochemistry of cyclic dinucleotide metabolism is well understood, much remains
      to be discovered about the downstream signaling pathways that induce bacterial
      responses upon cdG binding. As part of our ongoing research into the role of cdG
      signaling in plant-associated Pseudomonas species, we carried out an affinity
      capture screen for cdG binding proteins in the model organism Pseudomonas
      fluorescens SBW25. The flagella export AAA+ ATPase FliI was identified as a
      result of this screen and subsequently shown to bind specifically to the cdG
      molecule, with a KD in the low micromolar range. The interaction between FliI and
      cdG appears to be very widespread. In addition to FliI homologs from diverse
      bacterial species, high affinity binding was also observed for the type III
      secretion system homolog HrcN and the type VI ATPase ClpB2. The addition of cdG
      was shown to inhibit FliI and HrcN ATPase activity in vitro. Finally, a
      combination of site-specific mutagenesis, mass spectrometry, and in silico
      analysis was used to predict that cdG binds to FliI in a pocket of highly
      conserved residues at the interface between two FliI subunits. Our results
      suggest a novel, fundamental role for cdG in controlling the function of multiple
      important bacterial export pathways, through direct allosteric control of export
      ATPase proteins. 

PMID- 26265471
TI  - Using NHS data on statin outcomes.

PMID- 26265470
TI  - Amino Acid Proximities in Two Sup35 Prion Strains Revealed by Chemical Cross
      linking.
AB  - Strains of the yeast prion [PSI] are different folding patterns of the same Sup35
      protein, which stacks up periodically to form a prion fiber. Chemical cross
      linking is employed here to probe different fiber structures assembled with a
      mutant Sup35 fragment. The photo-reactive cross-linker, p-benzoyl-l-phenylalanine
      (pBpa), was biosynthetically incorporated into bacterially prepared recombinant
      Sup(1-61)-GFP, containing the first 61 residues of Sup35, followed by the green
      fluorescent protein. Four methionine substitutions and two alanine substitutions
      were introduced at fixed positions in Sup(1-61) to allow cyanogen bromide
      cleavage to facilitate subsequent mass spectrometry analysis. Amyloid fibers of
      pBpa and Met/Ala-substituted Sup(1-61)-GFP were nucleated from purified yeast
      prion particles of two different strains, namely VK and VL, and shown to
      faithfully transmit specific strain characteristics to yeast expressing the wild
      type Sup35 protein. Intra- and intermolecular cross-linking were distinguished by
      tandem mass spectrometry analysis on fibers seeded from solutions containing
      equal amounts of (14)N- and (15)N-labeled protein. Fibers propagating the VL
      strain type exhibited intra- and intermolecular cross-linking between amino acid
      residues 3 and 28, as well as intra- and intermolecular linking between 32 and
      55. Inter- and intramolecular cross-linking between residues 32 and 55 were
      detected in fibers propagating the VK strain type. Adjacencies of amino acid
      residues in space revealed by cross-linking were used to constrain possible chain
      folds of different [PSI] strains.

PMID- 26265472
TI  - The zebrafish miR-462/miR-731 cluster is induced under hypoxic stress via hypoxia
      inducible factor 1alpha and functions in cellular adaptations.
AB  - Hypoxia, a unique and essential environmental stress, evokes highly coordinated
      cellular responses, and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) 1 in the hypoxia signaling
      pathway, an evolutionarily conserved cellular signaling pathway, acts as a master
      regulator of the transcriptional response to hypoxic stress. MicroRNAs (miRNAs),
      a major class of posttranscriptional gene expression regulators, also play
      pivotal roles in orchestrating hypoxia-mediated cellular adaptations. Here,
      global miRNA expression profiling and quantitative real-time PCR indicated that
      the up-regulation of the miR-462/miR-731 cluster in zebrafish larvae is induced
      by hypoxia. It was further validated that miR-462 and miR-731 are up-regulated in
      a Hif-1alpha-mediated manner under hypoxia and specifically target ddx5 and
      ppm1da, respectively. Overexpression of miR-462 and miR-731 represses cell
      proliferation through blocking cell cycle progress of DNA replication, and
      induces apoptosis. In situ detection revealed that the miR-462/miR-731 cluster is
      highly expressed in a consistent and ubiquitous manner throughout the early
      developmental stages. Additionally, the transcripts become restricted to the
      notochord, pharyngeal arch, liver, and gut regions from postfertilization d 3 to
      5. These data highlight a previously unidentified role of the miR-462/miR-731
      cluster as a crucial signaling mediator for hypoxia-mediated cellular adaptations
      and provide some insights into the potential function of the cluster during
      embryonic development.

PMID- 26265474
TI  - Evolving trends in cerebral amyloid angiopathy research themes: insights from
      medical subject heading analysis.

PMID- 26265475
TI  - Residential mobility and risk of major depressive episode among adolescents in
      the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Prior research identified associations between residential moves
      during adolescence and depression, but studies used small or nonrepresentative
      samples. The aim of this study was to examine the associations between
      residential moves and major depressive episode (MDE) in a large, nationally
      representative sample of adolescents in the USA. METHODS: This study analyzed
      data on 139 606 adolescents (12-17 years old) from the National Survey on Drug
      Use and Health, an annual cross-sectional survey from 2005 to 2012. We analyzed
      data on MDE prevalence within the past 12 months and residential moves within the
      past 5 years, using multivariable logistic regression models to control for
      observable covariates. RESULTS: Adolescents who moved at least once in the past 5
      years had 35% higher odds of MDE than those who did not (odds ratio, 1.35; 95%
      confidence interval, 1.28-1.43), with odds of MDE increasing as the number of
      moves increased. Associations were particularly strong among younger and higher
      income adolescents. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that adolescents who move often
      may be a vulnerable group in need of mental health screening and services. Next
      steps in research include longitudinal studies with data on preexisting mental
      health issues and childhood adverse events.

PMID- 26265473
TI  - Dissociations of spatial congruence effects across response measures: an
      examination of delta plots.
AB  - Spatial congruence ("Simon") effects on reaction time (RT) and response force
      (RF) were studied in two experiments requiring speeded choice responses to the
      color of a stimulus located irrelevantly to the left or right of fixation. In
      Experiment 1 with unimanual responses, both RT and incorrect-hand RF were
      sensitive to spatial congruence, and both showed larger Simon effects following a
      congruent trial than following an incongruent one. RT and incorrect-hand RF were
      dissociated in distributional (i.e., delta plot) analyses, however. As in
      previous studies, the Simon effect on RT was largest for the fastest responses
      and diminished as RT increased (i.e., decreasing delta plot). In contrast, Simon
      effects on RF did not decrease for slower responses; if anything, they increased
      slightly. In Experiment 2 participants made bimanual responses, allowing
      measurement of the spatial congruence effect for each trial. Responses were both
      faster and more forceful with the spatially congruent hand than with the
      spatially incongruent one, but neither of these effects decreased for slower
      responses. Overall, the results demonstrate that at least some motor-level
      effects of irrelevant spatial location persist for slower responses. 

PMID- 26265476
TI  - Evaluation of recruitment and selection for specialty training in public health:
      interim results of a prospective cohort study to measure the predictive validity
      of the selection process.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The recruitment process for public health specialty training includes
      an assessment centre (AC) with three components, Rust Advanced Numerical
      Reasoning Appraisal (RANRA), Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal (WGCT) and
      a Situation Judgement Test (SJT), which determines invitation to a selection
      centre (SC). The scores are combined into a total recruitment (TR) score that
      determines the offers of appointment. METHODS: A prospective cohort study using
      anonymous record linkage to investigate the association between applicant's
      scores in the recruitment process and registrar's progress through training
      measured by results of Membership Faculty Public Health (MFPH) examinations and
      outcomes of the Annual Review of Competence Progression (ARCP). RESULTS: Higher
      scores in RANRA, WGCT, AC, SC and TR were all significantly associated with
      higher adjusted odds of passing Part A MFPH exam at the first attempt. Higher
      scores in AC, SC and TR were significantly associated with passing Part B exam at
      the first attempt. Higher scores in SJT, AC and SC were significantly associated
      with satisfactory ARCP outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The current UK national recruitment
      and selection process for public health specialty training has good predictive
      validity. The individual components of the process are testing different skills
      and abilities and together they are providing additive value.

PMID- 26265477
TI  - Increase in socioeconomic inequalities in mortality in a Southern European
      region: a small-area ecological study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study sought to describe the total mortality trend by
      socioeconomic deprivation (SED) in the Madrid Autonomous Region, by sex and age
      group. METHODS: Cross-sectional ecological study by census tract, in two periods:
      1994-2000 (P1) with SED of 1996 census and 2001-07 (P2) with SED of 2001 census.
      We calculated the relative risks (RRs) and their 95% credibility intervals (95%
      CIs) by SED quintile (Q), taking the quintile of least deprivation as reference.
      Besag-York-Mollie ecological regression models and the Integrated Nested Laplace
      Approximation procedure were applied. The absolute differences in age
      standardized rates were compared by SED quintile. RESULTS: Inequalities decreased
      in young adults: among men aged 20-39 years, the RR in Q5 versus Q1 ranged from
      2.73 (95% CI, 2.51-3.02) in P1 to 1.93 (95% CI, 1.76-2.15) in P2, due to the
      greater improvement in the most underprivileged groups. In contrast, there was an
      increase in SED-related mortality in the 40-79 age group. Among men aged 40-59
      years, the RR in Q5 versus Q1 rose from 1.88 (95% CI, 1.76-2.02) in P1 to 2.29
      (95% CI, 2.17-2.43) in P2; the improvement was greater in the most privileged
      groups. CONCLUSION: In a context of an economic boom, inequalities were observed
      to increase among adults by a greater improvement in the most privileged groups.

PMID- 26265478
TI  - Non-invasive imaging in assessment of the asymptomatic diabetic patient: Is it of
      value?

PMID- 26265480
TI  - Evaluation of an educational website for parents of children with ADHD.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: ADHD is a relatively common neuro-developmental condition
      characterized by hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention. The provision of
      timely and accurate information about the condition and about strategies to
      manage it is vital especially because of widespread misconceptions about it. AIM:
      To see the effect of an educational website on (i) parental perceptions (ii)
      knowledge levels, and to obtain feedback to optimise user-experience. METHOD:
      Parents whose children had ADHD (or were close to diagnosis) were recruited.
      Following a 30-item baseline knowledge test parents/carers were directed to an
      educational website on ADHD. After this they were re-contacted for follow up
      testing and feedback. RESULTS: n=172, 14 were lost to follow up. Ninety-one (59.4
      %) participants were known to have accessed the website at follow up. The
      majority of carers accessed the website just once or twice (32.7%). Of those who
      did not access the website 65% cited a lack of time as the reason while 29% cited
      they were unable to access the internet at the time. The majority (74%) of those
      accessing the site were just browsing for general information. Parents showed
      increased knowledge post website use p=0.000. Of those accessing the website the
      majority (85.5%) felt it was relevant to them and would use it again (90.8%).
      Content analysis of open-ended feedback identified eight core themes including
      website appearance, content, functionality, perceptions, target audience,
      usability, usage patterns with areas for improvement noted in four areas.
      CONCLUSION: Websites can be used as an adjunct to information given at clinic.
      Although a majority of parents will access them, there are still barriers to
      access e.g. time. Websites do seem to improve parent/carer knowledge levels.

PMID- 26265479
TI  - Efficacy and safety of inhaled calcium lactate PUR118 in the ozone challenge
      model--a clinical trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The ozone challenge model can be used to assess the efficacy of anti
      inflammatory compounds in early phases of clinical drug development. PUR118, a
      calcium salt based formulation engineered in the iSPERSE(TM) dry powder delivery
      technology, is a novel anti-inflammatory drug for COPD. Here we evaluated the
      efficacy and safety of three doses of PUR118 in attenuating ozone-induced airway
      inflammation in healthy volunteers. METHODS: In a single-blind, phase 1B proof of
      concept study, 24 subjects were enrolled to sequentially receive three doses of
      PUR118 (5.5 mg, n = 18; 11.0 mg, n = 18; 2.8 mg, n = 16). Each dose was inhaled 3
      times (1, 13, 25 h, preceded by 2 puffs salbutamol) before the ozone exposure
      (250 ppb, 3 h intermittent exercise). Sputum was induced 3 h after the end of
      exposure. RESULTS: Sputum neutrophils, sputum CD14+ cells, as well as
      concentrations of IL1B, IL6, IL8, MMP9, and TNFA in sputum supernatant
      significantly increased after ozone exposure (n = 24). The percentage of sputum
      neutrophils (n = 12 who completed all treatments) did not change following
      treatment with different doses of PUR118. The high dose treatment group (n = 16)
      showed a decrease in the percentage and number of sputum macrophages (p <= 0.05)
      as well as a decrease in blood neutrophils (p = 0.04), and an increase in blood
      CD14 + cells (p = 0.04) compared to baseline. All dosages of PUR118 were safe and
      well tolerated. CONCLUSION: Ozone challenge resulted in the expected and
      significant increase of sputum inflammatory parameters. Treatment with multiple
      rising doses of PUR118 was safe and three applications within 25 h prior to the
      ozone challenge had small effects on ozone-induced airway inflammation. TRIAL
      REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01690949. Registered 12 September 2012.

PMID- 26265481
TI  - Changepoint detection in base-resolution methylome data reveals a robust
      signature of methylated domain landscape.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Base-resolution methylome data generated by whole-genome bisulfite
      sequencing (WGBS) is often used to segment the genome into domains with distinct
      methylation levels. However, most segmentation methods include many parameters to
      be carefully tuned and/or fail to exploit the unsurpassed resolution of the data.
      Furthermore, there is no simple method that displays the composition of the
      domains to grasp global trends in each methylome. RESULTS: We propose to use
      changepoint detection for domain demarcation based on base-resolution methylome
      data. While the proposed method segments the methylome in a largely comparable
      manner to conventional approaches, it has only a single parameter to be tuned.
      Furthermore, it fully exploits the base-resolution of the data to enable
      simultaneous detection of methylation changes in even contrasting size ranges,
      such as focal hypermethylation and global hypomethylation in cancer methylomes.
      We also propose a simple plot termed methylated domain landscape (MDL) that
      globally displays the size, the methylation level and the number of the domains
      thus defined, thereby enabling one to intuitively grasp trends in each methylome.
      Since the pattern of MDL often reflects cell lineages and is largely unaffected
      by data size, it can serve as a novel signature of methylome. CONCLUSIONS:
      Changepoint detection in base-resolution methylome data followed by MDL plotting
      provides a novel method for methylome characterization and will facilitate global
      comparison among various WGBS data differing in size and even species origin.

PMID- 26265482
TI  - Facility Mammography Volume in Relation to Breast Cancer Screening Outcomes.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To clarify the relationship between facility-level mammography
      interpretive volume and breast cancer screening outcomes. METHODS: We calculated
      annual mammography interpretive volumes from 2000-2009 for 116 facilities
      participating in the U.S. Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium (BCSC).
      Radiology, pathology, cancer registry, and women's self-report information were
      used to determine the indication for each exam, cancer characteristics, and
      patient characteristics. We examined the effect of annual total volume and
      percentage of mammograms that were screening on cancer detection rates using
      multinomial logistic regression adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, time since
      last mammogram, and BCSC registries. "Good prognosis" tumours were defined as
      screen-detected invasive cancers that were <15 mm, early stage, and lymph node
      negative at diagnosis. RESULTS: From 3,098,481 screening mammograms, 9,899
      cancers were screen-detected within one year of the exam. Approximately 80% of
      facilities had annual total interpretive volumes of >2,000 mammograms, and 42%
      had >5,000. Higher total volume facilities were significantly more likely to
      diagnose invasive tumours with good prognoses (odds ratio [OR] 1.32; 95%
      confidence interval [CI] 1.10-1.60, for total volume of 5,000-10,000/year v.
      1,000-2,000/year; p-for-trend <0.001). A concomitant decrease in tumours with
      poor prognosis was seen (OR 0.78; 95%CI 0.63-0.98 for total volume of 5,000
      10,000/year v. 1,000-2,000/year). CONCLUSIONS: Mammography facilities with higher
      total interpretive volumes detected more good prognosis invasive tumours and
      fewer poor prognosis invasive tumours, suggesting that women attending these
      facilities may be more likely to benefit from screening.

PMID- 26265483
TI  - Treatment with high dose of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents and mortality:
      analysis with a sequential Cox approach and a marginal structural model.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Anemia-correction trials indicated higher mortality rates in chronic
      kidney disease patients assigned to higher hemoglobin targets. The safety of the
      high erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) doses that these patients received
      has therefore been questioned. However, no trial that directly compares treatment
      with different ESA doses has been published. We thus aimed to estimate the effect
      of high ESA dose on mortality in an observational cohort of dialysis patients.
      METHODS: The Netherlands Cooperative Study on the Adequacy of Dialysis is a Dutch
      cohort study of incident dialysis patients in which ESA dose, comorbidities, and
      laboratory parameters were collected every 6 months. Mortality in patients with a
      high ESA dose (above median 6000 units/week) was compared with that in patients
      with no or low ESA dose with Cox regression analyses. To handle time-dependent
      confounding, a sequential Cox approach was used conditional on baseline
      covariates, with inverse probability of censoring weights (IPCW) for dependent
      censoring. Analyses were repeated with a marginal structural model (MSM) with
      inverse probability of treatment weights and IPCW. RESULTS: Hazard ratio (HR) for
      high ESA dose was 1.20 (95%CI 0.83-1.73) with a sequential Cox and 1.54 (95%CI
      1.08-2.18) with an MSM. Truncation of weights in the MSM did not affect
      estimates. To compare, conventional Cox analyses indicated a baseline adjusted HR
      of 1.66 (95%CI 1.20-2.31). CONCLUSION: Patients treated with high ESA dose have a
      1.2-1.5 increased risk of mortality. Our analyses support guidelines advising a
      conservative ESA dosing regimen, which carefully weighs the patients' benefits
      and risks.

PMID- 26265484
TI  - Equilibrium-phase MR angiography: Comparison of unspecific extracellular and
      protein-binding gadolinium-based contrast media with respect to image quality.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to compare contrast and image quality of whole-body
      equilibrium-phase high-spatial-resolution MR angiography using a non-protein
      binding unspecific extracellular gadolinium-based contrast medium with that of
      two contrast media with different protein-binding properties. 45 patients were
      examined using either 15 mL of gadobutrol (non-protein-binding, n = 15), 32 mL of
      gadobenate dimeglumine (weakly protein binding, n = 15) or 11 mL gadofosveset
      trisodium (protein binding, n = 15) followed by equilibrium-phase high-spatial
      resolution MR-angiography of four consecutive anatomic regions. The time elapsed
      between the contrast injection and the beginning of the equilibrium-phase image
      acquisition in the respective region was measured and was up to 21 min. Signal
      intensity was measured in two vessels per region and in muscle tissue. Relative
      contrast (RC) values were calculated. Vessel contrast, artifacts and image
      quality were rated by two radiologists in consensus on a five-point scale.
      Compared with gadobutrol, gadofosveset trisodium revealed significantly higher RC
      values only when acquired later than 15 min after bolus injection. Otherwise, no
      significant differences between the three contrast media were found regarding
      vascular contrast and image quality. Equilibrium-phase high-spatial-resolution MR
      angiography using a weakly protein-binding or even non-protein-binding contrast
      medium is equivalent to using a stronger protein-binding contrast medium when
      image acquisition is within the first 15 min after contrast injection, and allows
      depiction of the vasculature with high contrast and image quality. The protein
      binding contrast medium was superior for imaging only later than 15 min after
      contrast medium injection.

PMID- 26265486
TI  - Gas-phase dynamics in graphene growth by chemical vapour deposition.
AB  - Chemical vapour deposition on a Cu substrate is becoming a very important
      approach to obtain high quality graphene samples. Previous studies of graphene
      growth on Cu mainly focus on surface processes. However, recent experiments
      suggest that gas-phase dynamics also plays an important role in graphene growth.
      In this article, gas-phase processes are systematically studied using
      computational fluid dynamics. Our simulations clearly show that graphene growth
      is limited by mass transport under ambient pressures while it is limited by
      surface reactions under low pressures. The carbon deposition rate at different
      positions in the tube furnace and the concentration of different gas phase
      species are calculated. Our results confirm that the previously realized graphene
      thickness control by changing the position of the Cu foil is a result of gas
      phase methane decomposition reactions. 

PMID- 26265485
TI  - Food Shortage Causes Differential Effects on Body Composition and Tissue-Specific
      Gene Expression in Salmon Modified for Increased Growth Hormone Production.
AB  - Growth hormone (GH) transgenic salmon possesses markedly increased metabolic
      rate, appetite, and feed conversion efficiency, as well as an increased ability
      to compete for food resources. Thus, the ability of GH-transgenic fish to
      withstand periods of food deprivation as occurs in nature is potentially
      different than that of nontransgenic fish. However, the physiological and genetic
      effects of transgenic GH production over long periods of food deprivation remain
      largely unknown. Here, GH-transgenic coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) and
      nontransgenic, wild-type coho salmon were subjected to a 3-month food deprivation
      trial, during which time performance characteristics related to growth were
      measured along with proximate compositions. To examine potential genetic effects
      of GH-transgenesis on long-term food deprivation, a group of genes related to
      muscle development and liver metabolism was selected for quantitative PCR
      analysis. Results showed that GH-transgenic fish lose weight at an increased rate
      compared to wild-type even though proximate compositions remained relatively
      similar between the groups. A total of nine genes related to muscle physiology
      (cathepsin, cee, insulin-like growth factor, myostatin, murf-1, myosin, myogenin,
      proteasome delta, tumor necrosis factor) and five genes related to liver
      metabolism (carnitine palmitoyltransferase, fatty acid synthase, glucose-6
      phosphatase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, glucokinase) were shown to be
      differentially regulated between GH-transgenic and wild-type coho salmon over
      time. These genetic and physiological responses assist in identifying differences
      between GH-transgenic and wild-type salmon in relation to fitness effects arising
      from elevated growth hormone during periods of long-term food shortage.

PMID- 26265487
TI  - Ability of older people with dementia or cognitive impairment to manage medicine
      regimens: a narrative review.
AB  - Impaired cognition has a significant impact on a person's ability to manage their
      medicines. The aim of this paper is to provide a narrative review of contemporary
      literature on medicines management by people with dementia or cognitive
      impairment living in the community, methods for assessing their capacity to
      safely manage medicines, and strategies for supporting independent medicines
      management. Studies and reviews addressing medicines management by people with
      dementia or cognitive impairment published between 2003 and 2013 were identified
      via searches of Medline and other databases. The literature indicates that as
      cognitive impairment progresses, the ability to plan, organise, and execute
      medicine management tasks is impaired, leading to increased risk of unintentional
      non-adherence, medication errors, preventable medication-related hospital
      admissions and dependence on family carers or community nursing services to
      assist with medicines management. Impaired functional capacity may not be
      detected by health professionals in routine clinical encounters. Assessment of
      patients' (or carers') ability to safely manage medicines is not undertaken
      routinely, and when it is there is variability in the methods used. Self-report
      and informant report may be helpful, but can be unreliable or prone to bias.
      Measures of cognitive function are useful, but may lack sensitivity and
      specificity. Direct observation, using a structured, standardised performance
      based tool, may help to determine whether a person is able to manage their
      medicines and identify barriers to adherence such as inability to open medicine
      packaging. A range of strategies have been used to support independent medicines
      management in people with cognitive impairment, but there is little high-quality
      research underpinning these strategies. Further studies are needed to develop and
      evaluate approaches to facilitate safe medicines management by older people with
      cognitive impairment and their carers. 

PMID- 26265488
TI  - The taphonomy of blood components in decomposing bone and its relevance to
      physical anthropology.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The variation and persistence of blood components, in particular red
      blood cells (RBCs), within bone tissue during the decomposition process,
      especially at the early stages and in different taphonomic conditions, has never
      been thoroughly investigated, regardless of the fact that knowing how blood
      survives or degrades within bone could be of help in solving many anthropological
      issues, such as trauma analysis and interpretation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This
      research investigated the influence of time and taphonomy on the persistence and
      detectability of blood components in parietal bone fragments (of different post
      mortem periods and taphonomic conditions) through histological (Hematoxilin and
      Eosin, HE) and immunohistochemical (Glycophorin A, GYPA) analyses. RESULTS: The
      immunohistochemical investigation for GYPA showed the presence of RBCs under the
      form of erythrocyte debris or residues otherwise morphologically unidentifiable
      using only HE staining. Hence, while well-defined RBCs can be observed only in
      the first week of decomposition, afterward these structures can be detectable
      with certainty only by immunohistochemical analysis, which reveals discrete
      quantities of RBC residues also in dry bone (post mortem interval, or PMI, of 15
      years), but not in archaeological samples, in which the greater PMI and the
      different taphonomic conditions together could be the answer behind such
      difference. DISCUSSION: This study highlights the usefulness and potential of
      immunohistochemical detection of GYPA in RBC investigation and gives a realistic
      idea of the persistence and detectability of erythrocytes in different
      osteological taphonomic conditions, in contrast to results reported by some
      authors in literature. Another important result concerns the detection of RBC
      residues in dry bone, which opens the way to the possible use of RBCs in trauma
      interpretation.

PMID- 26265489
TI  - Evaluation of the Kots'iihtla ("We Light the Fire") Project: building resiliency
      and connections through strengths-based creative arts programming for Indigenous
      youth.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The creative arts - music, film, visual arts, dance, theatre, spoken
      word, literature, among others - are gradually being recognised as effective
      health promotion tools to empower, engage and improve the health and well-being
      in Indigenous youth communities. Arts-based programming has also had positive
      impacts in promoting health, mental wellness and resiliency amongst youth.
      However, often times the impacts and successes of such programming are not
      formally reported on, as reflected by the paucity of evaluations and reports in
      the literature. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate a creative
      arts workshop for Tlicho youth where youth explored critical community issues and
      found solutions together using the arts. We sought to identify the workshop's
      areas of success and challenge. Ultimately, our goal is to develop a community
      led, youth-driven model to strengthen resiliency through youth engagement in the
      arts in circumpolar regions. DESIGN: Using a mixed-methods approach, we conducted
      observational field notes, focus groups, questionnaires, and reflective practice
      to evaluate the workshop. Four youth and five facilitators participated in this
      process overall. RESULTS: Youth reported gaining confidence and new skills, both
      artistic and personal. Many youth found the workshop to be engaging, enjoyable
      and culturally relevant. Youth expressed an interest in continuing their
      involvement with the arts and spreading their messages through art to other youth
      and others in their communities. CONCLUSIONS: Engagement and participation in the
      arts have the potential to build resiliency, form relationships, and stimulate
      discussions for community change amongst youth living in the North.

PMID- 26265490
TI  - First report outside Eastern Europe of West Nile virus lineage 2 related to the
      Volgograd 2007 strain, northeastern Italy, 2014.
AB  - BACKGROUND: West Nile virus (WNV) is a Flavivirus transmitted to vertebrate hosts
      by mosquitoes, maintained in nature through an enzootic bird-mosquito cycle. In
      Europe the virus became of major public health and veterinary concern in the
      1990s. In Italy, WNV re-emerged in 2008, ten years after the previous outbreak
      and is currently endemic in many areas of the country. In particular, the
      northeastern part of Italy experience continuous viral circulation, with human
      outbreaks caused by different genovariants of WNV lineage 1, Western-European and
      Mediterranean subcluster, and WNV lineage 2, Hungarian clade. Alongside the WNV
      National Surveillance Program that has been in place since 2002, regional
      surveillance plans were implemented after 2008 targeting mosquitoes, animals and
      humans. FINDINGS: In July and September 2014, West Nile virus lineage 2 was
      detected in pools of Culex pipiens s.l. mosquitoes from northeastern Italy. Whole
      genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of two representative samples
      identified the presence of WNV lineage 2 related to the Volgograd 2007 strain
      (99.3 % nucleotide sequence identity), in addition to WNV lineage 2 Hungarian
      clade. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first evidence of the circulation of a WNV
      lineage 2 strain closely related to the Volgograd 2007 outside Eastern Europe,
      where it has caused large human outbreaks. This strain may pose a new threat to
      animal and human health in Italy.

PMID- 26265491
TI  - Thirty years of artificial intelligence in medicine (AIME) conferences: A review
      of research themes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Over the past 30 years, the international conference on Artificial
      Intelligence in MEdicine (AIME) has been organized at different venues across
      Europe every 2 years, establishing a forum for scientific exchange and creating
      an active research community. The Artificial Intelligence in Medicine journal has
      published theme issues with extended versions of selected AIME papers since 1998.
      OBJECTIVES: To review the history of AIME conferences, investigate its impact on
      the wider research field, and identify challenges for its future. METHODS: We
      analyzed a total of 122 session titles to create a taxonomy of research themes
      and topics. We classified all 734 AIME conference papers published between 1985
      and 2013 with this taxonomy. We also analyzed the citations to these conference
      papers and to 55 special issue papers. RESULTS: We identified 30 research topics
      across 12 themes. AIME was dominated by knowledge engineering research in its
      first decade, while machine learning and data mining prevailed thereafter.
      Together these two themes have contributed about 51% of all papers. There have
      been eight AIME papers that were cited at least 10 times per year since their
      publication. CONCLUSIONS: There has been a major shift from knowledge-based to
      data-driven methods while the interest for other research themes such as
      uncertainty management, image and signal processing, and natural language
      processing has been stable since the early 1990s. AIME papers relating to
      guidelines and protocols are among the most highly cited.

PMID- 26265492
TI  - Electro-acupuncture improves the social interaction behavior of rats.
AB  - Oxytocin (OXT) and arginine-vasopressin (AVP) are two closely related
      neuropeptides and implicated in the regulation of mammalian social behaviors. A
      prior clinical study in our laboratory suggested that electro-acupuncture (EA)
      alleviated social impairment in autistic children accompanied by changes of
      peripheral levels of OXT and AVP. However, it remains unclear whether EA
      stimulation had an impact on central OXT and AVP levels. In the present study,
      rats were subjected to a single session of EA (sEA) or repeated sessions of EA
      (rEA). Following the stimulation, mRNA levels and peptide levels of OXT/AVP
      systems were determined. The results showed that sEA led to region-specific up
      regulation of OXT and AVP mRNA levels in the hypothalamus where the peptides were
      produced, without affecting the content of OXT and AVP in the hypothalamus and
      peripheral blood. The rEA of 5 sessions in 9 days was given to the low socially
      interacting (LSI) rats. LSI rats that underwent rEA showed significant
      improvement of social behavior characterized by spending more time investigating
      the strange rats in the three-chamber sociability test. The improved sociability
      was accompanied by an up-regulation of mRNA and the peptide levels of OXT or AVP
      in SON of the hypothalamus as well as a significant increase of the serum level
      of AVP. It is concluded that activation of OXT/AVP systems may be associated with
      the pro-social effect caused by EA stimulation.

PMID- 26265493
TI  - Investigation of gender difference in human response to temperature step changes.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to examine gender difference in human response to
      temperature step changes. A total of three step-change conditions (S5: 32 
      degrees C-37  degrees C-32  degrees C, S11: 26  degrees C-37  degrees C-26 
      degrees C, and S15: 22  degrees C-37  degrees C-22  degrees C) were designed and
      a laboratory experiment with 12 males and 12 females was performed. Results of
      this study support our hypothesis that females differ from males in human
      response to sudden temperature changes from the perspectives of psychology,
      physiology and biomarkers. Females are more prone to show thermal dissatisfaction
      to cool environments while males are more likely to feel thermal discomfort in
      warm environments. It is logical that men have a stronger thermoregulation
      ability than women as male skin temperature change amplitude is smaller while the
      time to be stable for skin temperature is shorter than that of females after both
      up-steps and down-steps. In S15, males witnessed a more intensive decrease in
      RMSSD while females underwent a remarkable instant reduce in oral temperatures
      after the up-step. Marginal significance was observed in male IL-6 before and
      after the up-step in S15 while female IL-6 prominently increased after the down
      step in S15.

PMID- 26265494
TI  - Role of the heterojunctions in In2O3-composite SnO2 nanorod sensors and their
      remarkable gas-sensing performance for NO(x) at room temperature.
AB  - Establishing heterostructures, as a good strategy to improve gas sensing
      performance, has been studied extensively. In this research, In2O3-composite SnO2
      nanorod (ICTOs) heterostructures have been prepared via electrospinning, followed
      by calcination. It is found that In2O3 can improve the carrier density and oxygen
      deficiency of SnO2. In particular, the 3ICTO (Sn : In atom ratio of 25 : 0.3)
      nanorods with special particle distributions show an excellent sensing response
      towards different concentrations of NOx at room temperature. The highest sensing
      response is up to 8.98 for 100 ppm NOx with a fast response time of 4.67 s, which
      is over 11 times higher than that of pristine SnO2 nanorods at room temperature
      and the lowest detection limit is down to 0.1 ppm. More significantly, it
      presents good stability after 30 days for NOx of low concentration (0.1 ppm and
      0.5 ppm). In addition, the rational band structure model combined with the
      surface depletion model which describe the NOx gas sensing mechanism of 3ICTO are
      presented. The 3ICTO nanorods may be promising in the application of gas sensors.

PMID- 26265495
TI  - Protective efficacy of Nigella sativa seeds and oil against columnaris disease in
      fishes.
AB  - Columnaris disease, caused by the bacterium Flavobacterium columnare, is
      currently the most frequently reported bacterial disease affecting farm-raised
      channel catfish in the USA. Common treatments against the disease include the use
      of medicated feed that has led to emergent antibiotic resistant strains of F.
      columnare. Nigella sativa (Black cumin) is a medicinal herb commonly used by many
      cultures as a natural remedy for numerous disorders. Recently, we have discovered
      the antibacterial activity of N. sativa and its oil extract against F. columnare.
      In this study, we showed N. sativa oil (NSO) strongly inhibited the growth of all
      of the strains of F. columnare tested and yielded significantly larger zones of
      inhibition than those produced by oxytetracyclin. We tested the protective effect
      against columnaris disease in vivo by incorporating NSO (5%) or N. sativa seeds
      (NSS) (5%) into fish feeds. Fishes (Ictalurus punctatus and Danio rerio) fed
      amended diets displayed significantly lower mortality than those fed control
      diets. Per cent mortalities in control groups ranged from 77% to 44% and from 70%
      to 18% in zebrafish and channel catfish, respectively. A dose study using
      different NSS concentrations showed that 5% NSS offered the most protection
      against columnaris disease in channel catfish. 

PMID- 26265496
TI  - The Critical Role of the Staff Nurse in Antimicrobial Stewardship--Unrecognized,
      but Already There.
AB  - An essential participant in antimicrobial stewardship who has been unrecognized
      and underutilized is the "staff nurse." Although the role of staff nurses has not
      formally been recognized in guidelines for implementing and operating
      antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) or defined in the medical literature,
      they have always performed numerous functions that are integral to successful
      antimicrobial stewardship. Nurses are antibiotic first responders, central
      communicators, coordinators of care, as well as 24-hour monitors of patient
      status, safety, and response to antibiotic therapy. An operational analysis of
      inpatient admissions evaluates these nursing stewardship activities and analyzes
      the potential benefits of nurses' formal education about, and inclusion into,
      ASPs. 

PMID- 26265497
TI  - Effect of the 13-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine on Pneumococcal Meningitis
      in Children.

PMID- 26265498
TI  - The Impact of Age on the Efficacy of 13-valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine in
      Elderly.
AB  - In a post hoc analysis of the Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) immunization
      Trial in Adults the model-predicted 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
      efficacy for preventing vaccine-type specific CAP and Invasive Pneumococcal
      Disease declined from 65% to 40% for subjects being 65 and 75 year olds at the
      time of vaccination, respectively. 

PMID- 26265499
TI  - Postpartum Engagement in HIV Care: An Important Predictor of Long-term Retention
      in Care and Viral Suppression.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected women are at risk of
      virologic failure postpartum. We evaluated factors influencing retention in care
      and viral suppression in postpartum HIV-infected women. METHODS: We conducted a
      retrospective cohort analysis (2005-2011) of 695 deliveries involving 561 HIV
      infected women in Philadelphia. Multivariable logistic regression evaluated
      factors, including maternal age, race/ethnicity, substance use, antiretroviral
      therapy during pregnancy, timing of HIV diagnosis, previous pregnancy with HIV,
      adequacy of prenatal care, and postpartum HIV care engagement (>= 1 CD4 count or
      viral load [VL] test within 90 days of delivery), associated with retention in
      care (>= 1 CD4 count or VL test in each 6-month interval of the period with >= 60
      days between tests) and viral suppression (VL <= 200 copies/mL at the last
      measure in the period) at 1 and 2 years postpartum. RESULTS: Overall, 38% of
      women engaged in HIV care within 90 days postpartum; with 39% and 31% retained in
      care and virally suppressed, respectively, at 1 year postpartum, and 25% and 34%
      retained in care and virally suppressed, respectively, at 2 years postpartum. In
      multivariable analyses, women who engaged in HIV care within 90 days of delivery
      were more likely to be retained (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 11.38; 95% confidence
      interval [CI], 7.74-16.68) and suppressed (AOR, 2.60 [95% CI, 1.82-3.73]) at 1
      year postpartum. This association persisted in the second year postpartum for
      both retention (AOR, 6.19 [95% CI, 4.04-9.50]) and suppression (AOR, 1.40 [95%
      CI, 1.01-1.95]). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of postpartum HIV-infected women
      retained in care and maintaining viral suppression is low. Interventions seeking
      to engage women in care shortly after delivery have the potential to improve
      clinical outcomes.

PMID- 26265501
TI  - Medicine's social contract across borders.

PMID- 26265500
TI  - Evaluation of cytokine profile and HLA association in benznidazole related
      cutaneous reactions in patients with Chagas disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Benznidazole is the drug of choice for Chagas disease. The major
      drawback of this drug is the high adverse events rate, being cutaneous reactions
      the most frequent one, leading to definitive withdrawal of treatment in 15%-30%
      of patients. METHODS: Prospective observational study where adult Chagas disease
      patients accepting to receive benznidazole (100 mg/8 hours for 60 days) were
      included. The objective was to characterize the skin toxicity of benznidazole in
      patients with Chagas disease, determine the serum cytokine profile, and evaluate
      the potential association with specific HLA alleles and benznidazole
      concentration. Serum cytokine levels were measured at day 0, 15, and 60 of
      treatment. Class I and II HLA alleles were determined. When cutaneous reaction
      was detected, a skin biopsy was performed. Serum benznidazole concentration was
      determined at the time of cutaneous reaction, or at day 15 of treatment. RESULTS:
      Fifty-two patients were included, 20(38.5%) had cutaneous reaction, and median
      time of appearance was 9 days. Skin biopsies showed histopathological findings
      consistent with drug eruption. Patients with cutaneous drug-reaction had higher
      proportion of eosinophilia during treatment, and higher interleukin (IL)-5 and IL
      10 serum concentrations at day 15 of treatment than those without cutaneous
      reaction. Treatment interruption (that included moderate-severe cutaneous
      reactions) was more frequent in patients carrying HLA-B*3505 allele (45.5% vs
      15.4%, P = .033). No differences in benznidazole serum concentration were found.
      CONCLUSIONS: Benznidazole related cutaneous reaction rate is high, and it was
      produced by a delayed hypersensitivity reaction with a Th2 response. Carrying HLA
      B*3505 allele could be associated with moderate-severe cutaneous reaction.

PMID- 26265502
TI  - The relationship between smoking and unemployment: New avenues for
      interdisciplinary research.

PMID- 26265503
TI  - Colour, culture and placebo response.

PMID- 26265504
TI  - Sequences of talk about emotional concerns in follow-up consultations with
      adolescent childhood cancer survivors.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore practices regarding communication about emotional concerns
      in follow-up consultations with adolescent cancer survivors and pediatrician.
      METHOD: Seven video-taped follow-up consultations with adolescent survivors which
      contained many examples of emotional cues and concern were analyzed according to
      principles of conversation analysis. RESULTS: During talk about emotional
      concerns, a task-focused asymmetric pattern of pediatrician questions and patient
      responses was most often upheld. In a number of cases a gradual build-up of
      emotional expression from a weak hint to a more explicit expression of emotional
      concern was observed, often facilitated by the pediatricians. Most often work-up
      was relatively brief, sometimes with a brief positive reappraisal, but more
      comprehensive elaboration was also seen. Topic shifts were often abrupt.
      CONCLUSION: Pediatricians and patients used some of the same conventions as in
      everyday conversation during emotional talk in medical encounters. We observed
      shifts between informal talk and a typical task-focused mode. Conscious attention
      to such shifts and to the sequential nature of emotional talk could be helpful
      for doctors in designing their responses to patients' emotional concerns.
      PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Our findings may contribute to insight in how clinicians
      respond to emotional concerns in follow-up consultations and have implications
      for communication skills training.

PMID- 26265505
TI  - Emergent Functionality and Controllability in Few-Layer Metasurfaces.
AB  - Recent progress in metamaterial research has successfully exceeded the
      limitations imposed by conventional materials and optical devices, enabling the
      manipulation of electromagnetic waves as desired. The distinct characteristics
      and controlling abilities of metamaterials make them ideal candidates for novel
      photonics devices not only in traditional optics but also for biological
      detection, medical science, and metrology. However, the controllability and
      functionality of both single-layer metasurfaces and bulk metamaterials are not
      sufficient to meet the requirements of emerging technologies; hence, new
      solutions must be found. As such technologies advance, new functionalities will
      emerge as different or identical single-layer metasurfaces are combined. Thus,
      innovation in few-layer metasurfaces will become an increasingly important line
      of research. Here, these metasurfaces are classified according to their
      functionalities and the few-layer metasurfaces that have been proposed up to now
      are presented in a clear sequence. It is expected that, with further development
      in this area, few-layer metasurfaces will play an important role in the family of
      optical materials. 

PMID- 26265507
TI  - Neurotransmission: Sticking the brakes on.

PMID- 26265506
TI  - New insights into the biological role of the osmoregulated periplasmic glucans in
      pathogenic and symbiotic bacteria.
AB  - This review emphasizes the biological roles of the osmoregulated periplasmic
      glucans (OPGs). Osmoregulated periplasmic glucans occur in almost all alpha-,
      beta- and gamma-Proteobacteria. This polymer of glucose is required for full
      virulence. The roles of the OPGs are complex and vary depending on the species.
      Here, we outline the four major roles of the OPGs through four different
      pathogenic and one symbiotic bacterial models (Dickeya dadantii, Salmonella
      enterica, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Brucella abortus and Sinorhizobium meliloti).
      When periplasmic, the OPGs are a part of the signal transduction pathway and
      indirectly regulate genes involved in virulence. The OPGs can also be secreted.
      When outside of the cell, they interact directly with antibiotics to protect the
      bacterial cell or interact with the host cell to facilitate the invasion process.
      When OPGs are not found, as in the epsilon-Proteobacteria, OPG-like
      oligosaccharides are present. Their presence strengthens the evidence that OPGs
      play an important role in virulence. 

PMID- 26265512
TI  - Experience of knowledge and skills that are essential in self-managing a chronic
      condition - a focus group study among people with type 2 diabetes.
AB  - AIMS: The purpose of the study was to gain new knowledge about how people
      experience participating in diabetes self-management courses with other people
      with type 2 diabetes and how they perceive this influences their health and
      ability to self-manage the disease. METHODS: We conducted five focus groups with
      22 people with type 2 diabetes who had participated in a group-based diabetes
      self-management course. We systematically coded the data and analysed them using
      Knodel's method. FINDINGS: Participants gained more nuanced and specific
      knowledge by participating in a group setting. They increased their theoretical
      and practical understanding of how to handle diabetes in everyday life. The
      diabetes self-management course made the participants more aware of having a
      disease they had to take more seriously. Learning by being in the situation while
      guided by professionals was useful. In addition, the participation learned from
      each other by carrying out real tasks in a context with others struggling with
      similar treatment demands. They wished more room to perform practical tasks and
      more independent activity. Further, they suggested to make parts of the course
      accessible online. Still, it was noted that web-based solutions cannot replace
      the practical parts or the dialogue between the participants. They expressed both
      a need and a wish for a refresher course. CONCLUSION: This study underscored that
      the participants learned through concrete experience, and by trying out practical
      tasks by becoming part of the diabetes community. They felt safer regarding their
      own treatment by experiencing a variety of situations in real-life scenarios.

PMID- 26265513
TI  - Functional limitations and somatic diseases are independent predictors for
      incident depressive disorders in seniors: Findings from a nationwide longitudinal
      study.
AB  - PURPOSE: Few nationwide comprehensive studies analyzed the factors leading to the
      onset of depression in correlation with medical disease and other related factors
      concerning geriatric depression. This study examined medical diseases with other
      factors which lead to depression among the elderly. METHODS: This Taiwan-based
      longitudinal study examined a collection of 1467 seniors aged over 65. Subjects
      who fit this criteria were initially interviewed in 2003, and then four years
      later. Independent variables included baseline demographics, chronic medical
      illnesses, and the change of subjects' self-perceived health status, functional
      limitations including ADL, IADL and mobility limitation factors. The dependent
      variable was the symptoms of incident depression, as ascertained by the ten-item
      questionnaire during the later session. The logistic regression analyses were
      used to examine some of the predictors related to depressive disorders. RESULTS:
      The findings showed that heart conditions (adjusted OR=1.55, 95% CI: 1.12-2.15,
      p=0.008) and joint disorders (adjusted OR=1.51, 95% CI: 1.09-2.09, p=0.013), as
      well as functional limitations, particularly IADL (adjusted OR=1.81, 95% CI: 1.24
      2.65, p=0.002) and ADL (adjusted OR=1.77, 95% CI: 1.27-2.47, p=0.001) were
      independently associated with the onset of depression among the elderly
      population. CONCLUSION: These findings indicated that when classifying symptoms
      of depression in geriatric patients with several underlying medical diseases,
      keen attention should be directed to the type of medical disorders and the
      functional deterioration in terms of daily activities and autonomic capabilities.

PMID- 26265514
TI  - The Most Prevalent Causes of Deaths, DALYs, and Geriatric Syndromes in Iranian
      Elderly People Between 1990 and 2010: findings from the Global Burden of Disease
      study 2010.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The substantial increase in life expectancy during recent decades has
      left all countries with a high number of elderly people that have particular
      health needs. Health policy-makers must be aware of the most prevalent causes of
      deaths and DALYs in this age group, as well as geriatric syndromes, in order to
      provide appropriate care and allocate resources in an equitable manner. METHODS:
      The Global Burden of Disease study 2010 (GBD 2010), conducted by the institute
      for Health Metrics and Evaluation team, estimated the worldwide burden of
      diseases from 1990 to 2010. Its estimations were conducted on the basis of the
      proportion of deaths, the duration of symptoms and disability weights for
      sequelae, years lived with disability (YLDs), years of life lost (YLLs), and
      disability adjusted life years (DALYs) attributable to different diseases. In the
      present study, we extracted the data regarding the top five most prevalent causes
      of deaths, DALYs, and geriatric syndromes in the elderly based on the
      aforementioned GBD 2010, discussed the results using some tables and figures,
      reviewed the results, described the limitations of GBD 2010, and finally provided
      some recommendations as potential solutions. RESULTS: According to GBD 2010, the
      total number of deaths in Iran in 1990 was 321,627, of which 116,100 were in
      elderly people (those aged 60 years and above), meaning that 36.10% of all deaths
      occurred in the elderly. Among all diseases in this year, the first to third
      ranked causes of death were ischemic heart disease (IHD; 29.44%), neoplasms
      (13.52%), and stroke (7.24%). In comparison, the total number of deaths in Iran
      increased to 351,814 in 2010, with 213,116 of these occurring in the elderly
      (60.58% of deaths), but the most prevalent causes of death remained the same as
      in 1990. The highest 1990 DALYs rates were the result of IHD (21.56%), neoplasms
      (10.70%), and stroke (4.85%). IHD (22.77%), neoplasms (9.48%), and low back pain
      (LBP; 5.72%) were the most prevalent causes of DALYs in older Iranian adults in
      2010. The fourth and fifth ranked causes of deaths and DALYs in both 1990 and
      2010, both in Iran and globally, were different diseases and geriatric syndromes
      in the elderly Iranian population. CONCLUSION: The aged population of Iran is
      growing steadily, and there is a need for health policy-makers to create
      appropriate programs to meet the health needs of elderly people. Although GBD
      2010 results are useful in providing burden estimations at regional and national
      levels, each individual country should estimate its burden of diseases, injuries,
      and risk factors at a sub-national level to obtain further details regarding the
      health status of its people. As no comprehensive study regarding elderly people
      in Iran has previously been conducted, our study will be a major source for
      identifying the important causes of deaths, DALYs, and geriatric syndromes among
      this population.

PMID- 26265515
TI  - Burden of Drug and Alcohol Use Disorders in Iran: findings from the Global Burden
      of Disease Study 2010.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Due to its specific socio-cultural and geographical situation, Iran
      has a major public health problem in terms of drug and alcohol use. The aim of
      this study is to report and critique the burden of drug and alcohol use disorders
      in Iran, and to compare these measurements with similar findings. METHODS: This
      study used data for Iran for the years 1990, 2005, and 2010 derived from the
      Global Burden of Disease study (GBD 2010) conducted by the Institute for Health
      Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) in 2010. The burden of drug and alcohol use
      disorders was evaluated in terms of disability adjusted life years (DALYs), years
      of life lost to premature mortality (YLLs), and years lived with disability
      (YLDs). RESULTS: All rates were reported per 100,000 individuals. Death rates
      attributed to drug and alcohol use disorders were 7.7 and 0.16 for men, and 0.62
      and 0.02 for women, respectively. YLL rates regarding drug use disorders were
      351.8 and 24.8 for men and women, while these figures were 5.8 and 1.0 for
      alcohol use disorders for men and women, respectively. YLD rates of drug use
      disorders were 452.6 for men and 202.1 for women, and 105.8 for men and 23.7 for
      women for alcohol use disorders. DALY rates attributed to drug use disorders were
      804.5 for men and 227 for women, while these rates were 111.7 for men and 24.7
      for women, related to alcohol use disorders. CONCLUSION: Similar to the cases in
      many other countries, the burden of both drug and alcohol use disorders is higher
      for men than women in Iran. Although prevention policies and programs for drug
      and alcohol use are required for both genders, the need for drug and alcohol use
      intervention seems more urgent for men in Iran.

PMID- 26265516
TI  - Burden of Oral Diseases in Iran, 1990-2010: Findings from the Global Burden of
      Disease Study 2010.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Oral diseases, as a group of chronic diseases, are among the major
      public health problems that lead to disability throughout the world. The major
      part of burden of oral diseases is caused by dental caries, periodontal diseases,
      edentulism, mouth cancer, cleft lip, and cleft palate. The aim of the present
      paper is to report the global results for the burden of oral disease in Iran from
      1990 to 2010, derived from GBD study 2010 by sex and age. METHODS: The Global
      Burden of Disease Study 2010 (GBD 2010) was a systematic effort with a common
      framework to estimate disability adjusted life years (DALYs) for diseases in
      different parts of the world. Years of life lost due to premature mortality
      (YLLs) were assessed based on cause-of-death estimates and by means of a cause of
      death ensemble model (CODEm). Years of life lost due to disability (YLDs) were
      computed by multiplying the prevalence, the disability weight for a sequel, and
      the duration of symptoms. A systematic review of published and unpublished data
      was conducted to estimate disease distribution using a Bayesian meta-regression
      method (DisMod-MR). Disability weights were measured by collecting data from
      population-based surveys. In this paper, we describe the results of GBD 2010
      regarding oral diseases in Iran, critique the results, and provide some
      recommendations. RESULTS: Between 1990 and 2010 in Iran, an increase occurred in
      DALYs at all ages, attributed to dental caries (from 37,230 to 56,521) as well as
      periodontal diseases (from 21,482 to 43,308), and a decrease was found for
      edentulism (from 53,134 to 47,960). DALYs at all ages attributed to mouth cancer
      increased (from 5,597 to 7,771), while a decline was noted for cleft lip and
      cleft palate (from 6,157 to 5,034). The age-standardized DALY rates per 100,000
      population did not considerably change for dental caries and periodontal
      diseases, while edentulism showed a reduction. The corresponding DALY rate due to
      mouth cancer decreased, while it remained almost unchanged for cleft lip and
      cleft palate over this period. DALY rates per 100,000 population due to dental
      caries and edentulism were higher among Iranian women than for Iranian men at all
      ages, while Iranian men suffered from a higher burden of periodontal disease,
      mouth cancer, cleft lip, and cleft palate. The most significant burden due to
      dental caries and periodontal diseases was found in Iranians aged 15-49 and 50-69
      years, respectively and edentulism and mouth cancer led to the highest burden in
      Iranians older than 70 years of age. The highest burden caused by cleft lip and
      cleft palate occurred in children younger than 5 years old. CONCLUSION: The
      findings address the challenging changes in oral diseases and difficulties in
      responding to the urgent oral health needs in Iran. The burden of oral diseases
      should be considered as a priority in Iran. A need also exists to pay more
      attention to the oral health policies and principles of preventive oral care.
      Global analyses of disease burdens provide a useful framework to guide a suitable
      policy in response to disease changes. In fact, strong national and sub-national
      analyses will be required to provide more effective public health strategies.

PMID- 26265517
TI  - Tobacco Smoking Status and the Contribution to Burden of Diseases in Iran, 1990
      2010: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2010.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tobacco smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke in the indoor
      environment are major public health risks worldwide. The aim of this paper is to
      report and critique a global assessment of smoking prevalence, smoking
      attributable deaths, and disability adjusted life years (DALYs) extracted from
      GBD study 2010, by sex and age in Iran from 1990 to 2010. METHODS: The Global
      Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2010 estimated the distributions of exposure and
      relative risks per unit of exposure by systematically reviewing and analyzing
      published and unpublished data. These assessments were used, together with
      estimates of death and DALYs due to specific risk factors, to calculate the
      attributed burden for each risk factor exposure compared with the theoretical
      minimum-risk exposure. Uncertainties in the distribution of exposure, relative
      risks, and relevant outcomes were incorporated into estimates of attributable
      mortality and burden. In this study, our aim was to reformulate the GBD data,
      produce new graphs, and explain the results for Iran in greater detail. RESULTS:
      Between 1990 and 2010, the prevalence of tobacco smoking at all ages increased by
      1% in men and declined by 2% in women in Iran, but the overall prevalence in the
      general population was unchanged (12%). A reduction was observed in the age
      standardized death and DALY rates (per 100,000 population) attributed to tobacco
      smoking, including second-hand smoke. The attributed DALY rate was greater for
      Iranian men than for Iranian women. The highest rates of DALYs because of tobacco
      smoking were found in smoker men and women aged 70+, but exposure to second-hand
      smoke had the most significant burden in children under 5 years old. In 1990, the
      three leading disease burdens attributed to tobacco smoking, including second
      hand smoke, were ischemic heart disease; communicable, maternal, neonatal, and
      nutritional disorders; and chronic respiratory diseases. In 2010, three leading
      burden of diseases attributed to tobacco smoking belonged to ischemic heart
      disease, chronic respiratory disease, and, and cerebrovascular disease,
      respectively. CONCLUSION: Despite a reduction in the rate of tobacco smoking,
      including second-hand smoke, since 1990, smoking exposure remained the fifth
      leading risk factor for deaths and DALYs in Iran in 2010. Overall, our data
      clearly show the need for new efforts in Iran to reduce the mortality and burden
      attributed to tobacco smoking.

PMID- 26265518
TI  - Burden of Hemoglobinopathies (Thalassemia, Sickle Cell Disorders and G6PD
      Deficiency) in Iran, 1990-2010: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study
      2010.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hemoglobinopathies are known as the most common genetic disorders in
      Iran. The paper aims to provide global estimates of deaths and disability
      adjusted life years (DALYs) due to hemoglobinopathies in Iran by sex and age
      during 1990 to 2010 and describe the challenges due to limitations of the Global
      Burden of Disease Study 2010 (GBD 2010). METHODS: GBD 2010 estimates of the
      numbers of deaths and years of life lost (YLLs) due to premature mortality were
      calculated using the Cause of Death Ensemble model (CODEm). Years of life lost
      due to disability (YLDs) were computed by multiplication of prevalence, the
      disability weight for occurrence of sequelae, and the duration of symptoms.
      Prevalence was estimated through a systematic search of published and available
      unpublished data sources, with a Bayesian meta-regression model developed for GBD
      2010. Disability weights were produced using collected data from population-based
      surveys. Uncertainty from all inputs was incorporated into the computations of
      DALYs using simulation methods. We aim to prepare and criticize the results of
      GBD 2010 and provide some recommendations for reaching better conclusions about
      the burden of hemoglobinopathies in Iran. RESULTS: Between 1990 and 2010, the
      overall deaths attributed to hemoglobinopathies decreased from 0.51% to 0.36% of
      total deaths, with the corresponding burden declining from 1% to 0.82% of total
      DALYs. There was a reduction in deaths and DALYs rates for all ages and the rates
      attributed to all ages followed the same pattern in Iranian men and women. The
      highest DALYs for hemoglobinopathies, thalassemia, sickle cell disorder, and
      glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD-D) were found in those aged
      less than 5 years. The collective burden of all of these hemoglobin disorder was
      lower in 2010 than in 1990. CONCLUSION: Although the screening programs in Iran
      have been very successful in reducing the number of thalassemia patients between
      1990 to 2010, in order to provide a better estimation of the burden of hemoglobin
      disorders, it is necessary to perform a national and sub-national study of
      hemoglobinopathies using multiple national and sub-national surveys.

PMID- 26265519
TI  - Burden of Hepatitis C in Iran Between 1990 and 2010: findings from the Global
      Burden of Disease Study 2010.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the foremost cause of deaths attributable
      to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The Global Burden of Disease study
      2010 (GBD 2010) quantifies and compares the degree of health loss as a result of
      diseases, injuries, and risk factors by age, sex, and geography overtime. This
      study aimed to present and critique the burden of hepatitis C and its trend in
      Iran between 1990 and 2010 by using the GBD study 2010. METHODS: We used the
      results of GBD 2010 for Iran to measure rates and trends of mortality, causes of
      deaths, years of life lost (YLLs), years lived with disability (YLDs), and
      disability adjusted life years (DALYs) due to hepatitis C. Hepatitis C was
      defined as the presence of hepatitis C virus in the serum. Data were presented in
      three categories: acute hepatitis C, cirrhosis secondary to hepatitis C, and
      liver cancer secondary to hepatitis C. RESULTS: HCV infection (including the
      three categories of the study) led to 57.29, 59.92, and 66.45 DALYs (per 100,000
      population) in 1990, 2000, and 2010, respectively. DALYs and death rates showed a
      slight decreasing trend for HCV cirrhosis; however, DALYs and death rates
      increased for acute hepatitis and liver cancer due to patients with HCV. The
      majority of deaths and DALYs were in individuals aged 70 years and above in all
      three categories of HCV. YLLs made the greatest contributions to DALYs.
      CONCLUSION: DALYs due to HCV infection are increasing in Iran according to GBD
      2010; however, the estimations of DALYs using GBD 2010 are mostly from model
      based data and there are significant uncertainties for extrapolated data. In this
      regard, a comprehensive study such as the National and Subnational Burden of
      Diseases (NASBOD) study would be needed to estimate and calculate precisely
      prevalence and burden of HCV-related diseases at national and subnational levels.

PMID- 26265520
TI  - PolyPill for Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in an Urban Iranian Population
      with Special Focus on Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis: A Pragmatic Randomized
      Controlled Trial within a Cohort (PolyIran - Liver) - Study Protocol.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is among the most common causes of
      mortality in all populations. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis is a common finding in
      patients with CVD. Prevention of CVD in individual patients typically requires
      periodic clinical evaluation, as well as diagnosis and management of risk factors
      such as hypertension and hyperlipidemia. However, this is resource consuming and
      hard to implement, especially in developing countries. We designed a study to
      investigate the effects of a simpler strategy: a fixed-dose combination pill
      consisting of aspirin, valsartan, atorvastatin and hydrochlorthiazide (PolyPill)
      in an unselected group of persons aged over 50 years. DESIGN: The PolyIran-Liver
      study was performed in Gonbad city as an open label pragmatic randomized
      controlled trial nested within the Golestan Cohort Study. We randomly selected
      2,400 cohort study participants aged above 50 years, randomly assigned them to
      intervention or usual care and invited them to participate in an additional
      measurement study (if they met the eligibility criteria) to measure liver related
      outcomes. Those agreeing and randomized to the intervention arm were offered a
      daily single dose of PolyPill. We will follow participants for 5 years. The
      primary outcome is major cardiovascular events, secondary outcomes include all
      cause mortality and liver related outcomes: liver stiffness and liver enzyme
      levels. Cardiovascular outcomes and mortality will be determined from the cohort
      study and liver-related outcomes in those consenting to follow up. Analysis will
      be by allocated group. TRIAL STATUS: Between October and December 2011, 1,320
      intervention and 1,080 control participants were invited to participate in the
      additional measurement study. For all these participants, the major
      cardiovascular events will be determined using blind assessment of outcomes
      through the cohort study. In the intervention and control arms, 875 (66%) and 721
      (67%) respectively, met the eligibility criteria and agreed to participate in the
      additional measurement study. Liver related outcomes will be measured in these
      participants. Of the 1,320 participants randomized to the intervention, 787 (60%)
      accepted the PolyPill. CONCLUSION: The PolyIran-liver urban study will provide us
      with important information on the effectiveness of PolyPill on major
      cardiovascular events, all-cause mortality and liver related outcomes.
      (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT01245608).

PMID- 26265521
TI  - MicroRNA-21: Mechanisms of Oncogenesis and its Application in Diagnosis and
      Prognosis of Gastric Cancer.
AB  - Gastric cancer is a silent killer, claiming more than seven hundred thousand
      lives every year. This heavy burden creates an irrefutable need for accurate,
      noninvasive methods of population screening and early detection as well as
      disease monitoring and management. Gastric cancer is a multi-factorial disease
      with an uneven geographic distribution, mostly affecting the developing countries
      and Southeast Asia. The multi-dimensional roles of microRNAs in gene regulation
      and tumorigenesis have prompted investigators to explore their potentials in
      diagnosis and treatment of various cancers, including gastric cancer.  In this
      respect, miR-21 has attracted much attention as well as generating some
      controversies. Here, we aim to describe, in a chronological order, the numerous
      studies which have explored 1) the interactions of this oncomir with Helicobacter
      pylori infection, as a class I gastric carcinogen, 2) its potential mechanisms of
      oncogenicity, by various induction/inhibition assays, and 3) its application as a
      diagnostic/prognostic invasive (tissue) and non-invasive (circulating) biomarker.

PMID- 26265523
TI  - Bilateral Femoral Neck Fatigue Fracture due to Osteomalacia Secondary to Celiac
      Disease: Report of Three Cases.
AB  - Bilateral non traumatic femoral neck fatigue fracture is a rare condition usually
      occurring secondary to medical conditions such as pregnancy, pelvic irradiation,
      corticosteroid exposure, chronic renal failure and osteomalacia. In this report,
      we present three young female patients with bilateral femoral neck fracture
      secondary to osteomalacia. The underlying cause of osteomalacia was Celiac
      disease in all patients. The patients were treated with closed reduction and
      internal fixation with cannulated lag screws. They were free of pain and full
      weight bearing was achieved at three months. There were no complications,
      avascular necrosis and nonunion during the follow up period. In patients with
      bone pain, non traumatic fractures and muscle weakness, osteomalacia should be
      kept in mind and proper diagnostic work-up should be performed to identify the
      underlying cause of osteomalacia such as celiac disease. 

PMID- 26265522
TI  - Myeloid Antigen-positive T Cell Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia with t(14;18) and
      Trisomy 10: Report of a Case and Literature Review.
AB  - The chromosomal translocation t(14;18)(q32;q21) is commonly associated with
      neoplasms of follicular center cell origin and has also been reported in cases of
      chronic lymphocytic leukemia. However, T cell acute lymphoblastic (or
      lymphocytic) leukemia (T-ALL) with t(14;18)(q32;q21) has been rarely reported.
      Here, we report a case of myeloid antigen-positive T-ALL (My+T-ALL) with
      t(14;18)(q32;q21) and trisomy 10. This is the first reported case of My+T-ALL
      (L2) with such chromosomal abnormalities. Other published de novo ALL cases, with
      t(14;18)(q32;q21) and without a documented history of lymphoma, are summarized
      and reviewed in this report. The patient in this study was treated with remission
      induction therapy and intensive chemotherapy, followed by maintenance therapy. As
      of this writing, he has remained in remission for more than 3 years and has
      presented a better clinical outcome compared with other reported adult ALL
      patients with t(14;18)(q32;q21). 

PMID- 26265524
TI  - Refractory Hyperlactatemia with Organ Insufficiency in Lipid Storage Myopathy.
AB  - Lipid storage myopathy is a metabolic disorder characterized by abnormal lipid
      accumulation in muscle fibers and progressive muscle weakness. Here, we report
      the case of a 17-year-old woman with progressive muscle weakness, refractory
      hyperlactatemia, and multiple organ insufficiency. Severe pneumonia was the
      initial diagnosis. After anti-infective treatment, fluid resuscitation, and
      mechanical ventilation, the patient's symptoms improved but hyperlactatemia and
      muscle weakness persisted. She was empirically treated with carnitine.
      Biochemical tests, electromyography, and muscle biopsy confirmed lipid storage
      myopathy. After 7 weeks of treatment, the patient resumed normal daily life. An
      empirical treatment with carnitine may be beneficial for patients before an
      accurate diagnosis of lipid storage myopathy is made.

PMID- 26265525
TI  - A Brief History of Ancient Iranian Medicine.

PMID- 26265526
TI  - Professor Parviz Haghighi and His Role in Promotion of Academic Pathology at the
      Shiraz School of Medicine in Iran (1969-1979).

PMID- 26265527
TI  - Establishment of the National Network of WHO Collaborating Centres in Iran to
      Contribute to the National Public Health Needs.

PMID- 26265528
TI  - Mansour Haghshenas, MD.

PMID- 26265530
TI  - Determination of Milk Fat Adulteration with Vegetable Oils and Animal Fats by Gas
      Chromatographic Analysis.
AB  - This study assessed the potential application of gas chromatography (GC) in
      detecting milk fat (MF) adulteration with vegetable oils and animal fats and of
      characterizing samples by fat source. One hundred percent pure MF was adulterated
      with different vegetable oils and animal fats at various concentrations (0%, 10%,
      30%, 50%, 70%, and 90%). GC was used to obtain the fatty acid (FA) profiles,
      triacylglycerol (TG) contents, and cholesterol contents. The pure MF and the
      adulterated MF samples were discriminated based on the total concentrations of
      saturated FAs and on the 2 major FAs (oleic acid [C18:1n9c] and linoleic acid
      [C18:2n6c], TGs [C52 and C54], and cholesterol contents using statistical
      analysis to compared difference. These bio-markers enabled the detection of as
      low as 10% adulteration of non-MF into 100% pure MF. The study demonstrated the
      high potential of GC to rapidly detect MF adulteration with vegetable and animal
      fats, and discriminate among commercial butter and milk products according to the
      fat source. These data can be potentially useful in detecting foreign fats in
      these butter products. Furthermore, it is important to consider that several
      individual samples should be analyzed before coming to a conclusion about MF
      authenticity. 

PMID- 26265529
TI  - Hybrid flagellin as a T cell independent vaccine scaffold.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To extend the potency of vaccines against infectious diseases,
      vaccines should be able to exploit multiple arms of the immune system. One
      component of the immune system that is under-used in vaccine design is the subset
      of B cells known to be capable of responding to repetitive antigenic epitopes and
      differentiate into plasma cells even in the absence of T cell help (T
      independent, TI). RESULTS: To target vaccine responses from T-independent B
      cells, we reengineered a bacterial Flagellin (FliC) by replacing its exposed D3
      domain with a viral envelope protein from Dengue virus (DENV2). The resulting
      hybrid FliC protein (hFliC) was able to form stable filaments decorated with
      conformationally intact DENV2 envelope domains. These filaments were not only
      capable of inducing a T cell-dependent (TD) humoral antibody response, but also
      significant IgM and IgG3 antibody response in a helper T cell repertoire
      restricted transgenic mouse model. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide proof-of
      principle demonstration that a reengineered hybrid FliC could be used as a
      platform for polymeric subunit vaccines, enhancing T cell-dependent and possibly
      inducing T-independent antibody responses from B-1 B cells as well.

PMID- 26265531
TI  - Identification of 1H-indene-(1,3,5,6)-tetrol derivatives as potent pancreatic
      lipase inhibitors using molecular docking and molecular dynamics approach.
AB  - Pancreatic lipase is a potential therapeutic target to treat diet-induced obesity
      in humans, as obesity-related diseases continue to be a global problem. Despite
      intensive research on finding potential inhibitors, very few compounds have been
      introduced to clinical studies. In this work, new chemical scaffold 1H-indene
      (1,3,5,6)-tetrol was proposed using knowledge-based approach, and 36 inhibitors
      were derived by modifying its functional groups at different positions in
      scaffold. To explore binding affinity and interactions of ligands with protein,
      CDOCKER and AutoDock programs were used for molecular docking studies. Analyzing
      results of rigid and flexible docking algorithms, inhibitors C_12, C_24, and C_36
      were selected based on different properties and high predicted binding affinities
      for further analysis. These three inhibitors have different moieties placed at
      different functional groups in scaffold, and to characterize structural
      rationales for inhibitory activities of compounds, molecular dynamics simulations
      were performed (500 nSec). It has been shown through simulations that two
      structural fragments (indene and indole) in inhibitor can be treated as isosteric
      structures and their position at binding cleft can be replaced by each other.
      Taking into account these information, two lines of inhibitors can further be
      developed, each line based on a different core scaffold, that is, indene/indole.

PMID- 26265533
TI  - Erratum.

PMID- 26265532
TI  - Patient-Centered mHealth Living Donor Transplant Education Program for African
      Americans: Development and Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is a critical need to expand the pool of available kidneys for
      African Americans who are on the transplant wait-list due to the
      disproportionally lower availability of deceased donor kidneys compared with
      other races/ethnic groups. Encouraging living donation is one method to fill this
      need. Incorporating mHealth strategies may be a way to deliver educational and
      supportive services to African American transplant-eligible patients and improve
      reach to those living in remote areas or unable to attend traditional group
      session-based programs. Before program development, it is essential to perform
      formative research with target populations to determine acceptability and
      cultivate a patient-centered and culturally relevant approach to be used for
      program development. OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to investigate
      African American kidney transplant recipients' and kidney donors'/potential
      donors' attitudes and perceptions toward mobile technology and its viability in
      an mHealth program aimed at educating patients about the process of living kidney
      donation. METHODS: Using frameworks from the technology acceptance model and self
      determination theory, 9 focus groups (n=57) were administered to African
      Americans at a southeastern medical center, which included deceased/living donor
      kidney recipients and living donors/potential donors. After a demonstration of a
      tablet-based video education session and explanation of a group-based
      videoconferencing session, focus groups examined members' perceptions about how
      educational messages should be presented on topics pertaining to the process of
      living kidney donation and the transplantation. Questionnaires were administered
      on technology use and perceptions of the potential program communication
      platform. Transcripts were coded and themes were examined using NVivo 10
      software. RESULTS: Qualitative findings found 5 major themes common among all
      participants. These included the following: (1) strong support for mobile
      technology use; (2) different media formats were preferred; (3) willingness to
      engage in video chats, but face-to-face interaction sometimes preferred; (4)
      media needs to be user friendly; (5) high prevalence of technology access. Our
      results show that recipients were willing to spend more time on education than
      the donors group, they wanted to build conversation skills to approach others,
      and preferred getting information from many sources, whereas the donor group
      wanted to hear from other living donors. The questionnaires revealed 85% or more
      of the sample scored 4+ on a 5-point Likert scale, which indicates high degree of
      interest to use the proposed program, belief that other mHealth technologies
      would help with adherence to medical regimens, and doctors would make regimen
      adjustments quicker. In addition, high utilization of mobile technology was
      reported; 71.9% of the participants had a mobile phone and 43.9% had a tablet.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our study supports the use of an mHealth education platform for
      African Americans to learn about living donation. However, potential recipients
      and potential donors have differing needs, and therefore, programs should be
      tailored to each target audience.

PMID- 26265538
TI  - Effect of lentiviral vector overexpression alpha-calcitonin gene-related peptide
      on titanium implant osseointegration in alpha-CGRP-deficient mice.
AB  - alpha-Calcitonin gene-related peptide (alpha-CGRP) plays a significant
      pathophysiological role in bone development, metabolism and remodeling around
      dental implants. However, the half-life of alpha-CGRP in plasma is only 10min,
      which affects its long-time application and an alternative approach should be
      developed to deliver alpha-CGRP over long periods of time. The aim of this study
      is to investigate whether a lentiviral alpha-CGRP overexpression vector system
      can express this target-gene longer at peri-implant sites, thus enhancing
      osseointegration. Animals were divided to the following groups: alpha-CGRP-/-,
      alpha-CGRP-/- with lentivirus transfection and alpha-CGRP+/+ mice. IVIS Spectrum
      imaging observations identified the successful transfection of alpha-CGRP around
      experimental implants inserted in the femurs at 5days after injection.
      Histomorphometrical analysis indicated an increase of bone-implant contact (BIC)
      at 1-month healing in the transfection group. Moreover, real-time RT-PCR and
      western blot results of bone-related markers Runx2, Osterix, and BSP levels
      elevated in lentivirus-transfected mice at 21days, compared to the untreated
      alpha-CGRP-/- mice. There was no significant difference between the transfection
      group and alpha-CGRP+/+ group. Further alpha-CGRP protein detection confirmed the
      persistent expression of this transgene at 21days post-operatively. These results
      suggest that this lentiviral vector system expresses alpha-CGRP in an effective,
      appropriate and sustained manner, which might have a potential application in
      enhancing titanium implant osseointegration.

PMID- 26265539
TI  - Proliferation-coupled osteoclast differentiation by RANKL: Cell density as a
      determinant of osteoclast formation.
AB  - Although it is widely recognized that the osteoclast differentiation induced by
      RANKL is linked to the anti-proliferative activity of the cytokine, we report
      here that RANKL in the presence of M-CSF actually stimulates DNA synthesis and
      cell proliferation during the early proliferative phase (0-48 h) of
      osteoclastogenesis ex vivo, while the same cytokine exerts an anti-proliferative
      activity in the latter half (48-96 h). A tracing of the individual cells using
      Fucci cell cycle indicators showed that waves of active DNA synthesis in the S
      phase during the period 0-48 h are followed by cell-cycle arrest and cell fusion
      after 48 h. Inhibition of DNA synthesis with hydroxyurea (HU) during the first
      half almost completely inhibited osteoclastogenesis; however, the same HU-treated
      cells, when re-plated at 48 h at increasing cell densities, exhibited restored
      osteoclast formation, suggesting that a sufficient number of cells, rather than
      prior DNA synthesis, is the most critical requirement for osteoclast formation.
      In addition, varying either the number of bone marrow macrophages at the start of
      osteoclastogenic cultures or pre-osteoclasts halfway through the process had a
      substantial impact on the number of osteoclasts that finally formed, as well as
      the timing of the peak of osteoclast formation. Thus, caution should be exerted
      in the performance of any manipulative procedure, whether pharmacological or
      genetic, that affects the cell number prior to cell fusion. Such procedures can
      have a profound effect on the number of osteoclasts that form, the final outcome
      of "differentiation", leading to misinterpretation of the results.

PMID- 26265540
TI  - Teaching and learning in the Biosciences: the development of an educational
      programme to assist student nurses in their assessment and management of patients
      with wounds.
AB  - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this project was to develop an educational
      package for undergraduate student nurses that would provide them with the
      theoretical knowledge and clinical judgement skills to care for a patient with a
      wound. BACKGROUND: Internationally there is concern over the adequacy of
      preparation of undergraduate nurses for the clinical skill of wound care.
      Deficits have also been identified in the underpinning biological sciences needed
      for this skill. Expectations associated with wound management have altered
      significantly in the last two decades with decision making around wound care
      coming under the scope of practice of nurses. The treatment and care options for
      patients with wounds must be based on a sound knowledge of how wounds are formed
      and healed. If nurses do not have the evidence-based knowledge, it can affect
      wound healing adversely leading to increased patient suffering, pain and delayed
      healing. From an organisational perspective, delayed healing will increase the
      cost of care. DESIGN: This project used constructivism learning theory to provide
      a framework for the development of a wound care educational package for
      undergraduate Irish nurses in their penultimate year of training. METHODS:
      Collaboration was formed with key stake holders. Pertinent curriculum content was
      mapped. Learning strategies to suit the incoming student learning styles were
      incorporated into newly developed theoretical content and practical skill
      sessions. CONCLUSION: The developed educational programme will assist student
      nurses in their care of patients with wounds. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE:
      This study provides a model that can be followed to develop small units of the
      study to keep abreast of changes in health care delivery and the changing scope
      of practice of nurses. It also contributes to the debate on the teaching and
      learning of biosciences as it highlights the depth of biological knowledge
      required as a basis for good evidence-based nursing care.

PMID- 26265541
TI  - Discussing the putative role of obesity-associated genes in the etiopathogenesis
      of eating disorders.
AB  - In addition to the identification of mutations clearly related to Mendelian forms
      of obesity; genome-wide association studies and follow-up studies have in the
      last years pinpointed several loci associated with BMI. These genetic alterations
      are located in or near genes expressed in the hypothalamus that are involved in
      the regulation of eating behavior. Accordingly, it seems plausible that these
      SNPs, or others located in related genes, could also help develop aberrant
      conduct patterns that favor the establishment of eating disorders should other
      susceptibility factors or personality dimensions be present. However, and
      somewhat surprisingly, with few exceptions such as BDNF, the great majority of
      the genes governing these pathways remain untested in patients with anorexia
      nervosa, bulimia nervosa or binge-eating disorder. In the present work, we review
      the few existing studies, but also indications and biological concepts that point
      to these genes in the CNS as good candidates for association studies with eating
      disorder patients. 

PMID- 26265542
TI  - Seek, and Ye Shall Find: Comment on "Primary and Secondary Stabbing Headache".

PMID- 26265543
TI  - Cancer Prevalence among a Cross-sectional Survey of Female Orthopedic, Urology,
      and Plastic Surgeons in the United States.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Exposure to ionizing radiation from fluoroscopy performed during
      surgery, although low and within established limits, remains a health concern
      among surgeons. Estimates of breast cancer prevalence among women across surgery
      specialties with different patterns of fluoroscopy use are needed to evaluate
      this concern. METHODS: Female U.S. surgeons in urology, plastics, and orthopedics
      were identified using national directories and mailed surveys to collect
      information on occupational and medical history, including cancer diagnoses.
      Standardized prevalence ratios (SPRs) and 95% CIs were calculated by dividing the
      observed number of cancers among female surgeons in each specialty by the
      expected number, based on the gender-specific, age-specific, and race-specific
      cancer prevalence statistics in the general U.S. RESULTS: Standard fluoroscopy
      use more than once per week was common among urologists (54%) and orthopedists
      (37%); the same frequency of mini fluoroscopy use was only common among
      orthopedics (31%) and hardly ever used by urologists. Plastic surgeons reported
      very infrequent use of any fluoroscopy. For orthopedic surgeons, a significantly
      greater than expected prevalence of any cancer (SPR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.19-2.76) and
      breast cancer (SPR, 2.90; 95% CI, 1.66-4.71) were observed. There was no
      difference between the observed and expected prevalence of any cancer or breast
      cancer for urology or plastics. CONCLUSIONS: Using the first available cancer
      prevalence data comparing female surgeons across three specialties, we report
      that orthopedic surgeons have a greater than expected prevalence of cancer that
      may or may not be owing to occupational exposure to ionizing radiation.

PMID- 26265544
TI  - A functional tandem between transient receptor potential canonical channels 6 and
      calcium-dependent chloride channels in human epithelial cells.
AB  - TRPC6 plays important human physiological functions, notably in artery and
      arterioles constriction, in regulation of vascular volume and in bronchial muscle
      constriction. It is implicated in pulmonary hypertension, cardiovascular disease,
      and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and seems to play a role in cancer
      development. Previously, we identified Guanabenz, an alpha2-adrenergic agonist
      used for hypertension treatment (Wytensin(r)), as an activator of calcium
      dependent chloride channels (CaCC) in human Cystic Fibrosis (CF) nasal epithelial
      cells by transiently increasing [Ca2+]i via an influx of extracellular Ca2+. In
      this study, using assays to measure chloride channel activity, we show that
      guanabenz is an activator of CaCC in freshly dissociated human bronchial
      epithelial cells from three CF patients with various genotypes (F508del/F508del,
      F508del/R1066C, F508del/H1085R). We further characterised the effect of guanabenz
      and show that it is independent of alpha-adrenergic receptors, is inhibited by
      the TRPC family inhibitor SKF-96365 but not by the TRPV family inhibitor
      ruthenium red. Using western-blotting, Ca2+ measurements and iodide efflux assay,
      we found that TRPC1 siRNA has no effect on guanabenz induced responses whereas
      TRPC6 siRNA prevented the guanabenz-dependent Ca2+ influx and the CaCC-dependent
      activity stimulated by guanabenz. In conclusion, we show that TRPC6 channel is
      pivotal for the activation of CaCC by guanabenz through a alpha2-adrenergic
      independent pathway in human airway epithelial cells. We suggest propose a
      functional coupling between TRPC6 and CaCC and guanabenz as a potential TRPC6
      activator for exploring TRPC6 and CaCC channel functions and corresponding
      channelopathies.

PMID- 26265546
TI  - Studying host-microbiota interactions in Drosophila melanogaster.

PMID- 26265547
TI  - Awareness and practice patterns of family planning methods among antenatal women
      in Indian community: Are we hitting the bull's eye?
AB  - A questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey was undertaken to assess the
      awareness and practice patterns of family planning among the antenatal women in
      North India. The study included 400 respondents. Three-fourths of the respondents
      (74.2%, n = 297) were aware of family planning methods. Condoms were the most
      commonly used family planning method (78.2%), while intrauterine devices and oral
      contraceptive pills were used by 25.5% and 16.7% respondents, respectively. The
      main reasons cited for not using contraception were inadequate knowledge and fear
      of side-effects. Post counseling, 90.5% (n = 362) of the respondents clearly
      conveyed their desire to use one of the family planning methods in the postpartum
      period. Awareness and acceptance of family planning methods in the Indian
      community needs strengthening. Family planning counseling during antenatal check
      up is likely to increase the acceptance of family planning methods in the
      postpartum period. 

PMID- 26265548
TI  - Meta-analysis comparing early versus delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy for
      acute cholecystitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previous studies comparing early laparoscopic cholecystectomy (ELC)
      with delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy (DLC) for acute cholecystitis were
      incomplete. A meta-analysis was undertaken to compare the cost-effectiveness,
      quality of life, safety and effectiveness of ELC versus DLC. METHODS: PubMed,
      Embase, the Cochrane Library and Web of Science were searched for randomized
      clinical trials (RCTs) that compared ELC (performed within 7 days of symptom
      onset) with DLC (undertaken at least 1 week after symptoms had subsided) for
      acute cholecystitis. RESULTS: Sixteen studies reporting on 15 RCTs comprising
      1625 patients were included. Compared with DLC, ELC was associated with lower
      hospital costs, fewer work days lost (mean difference (MD) -11.07 (95 per cent
      c.i. -16.21 to -5.94) days; P < 0.001), higher patient satisfaction and quality
      of life, lower risk of wound infection (relative risk 0.65, 95 per cent c.i. 0.47
      to 0.91; P = 0.01) and shorter hospital stay (MD -3.38 (-4.23 to -2.52) days; P <
      0.001), but a longer duration of operation (MD 11.12 (4.57 to 17.67) min; P <
      0.001). There were no significant differences between the two groups in
      mortality, bile duct injury, bile leakage, conversion to open cholecystectomy or
      overall complications. CONCLUSION: For patients with acute cholecystitis, ELC
      appears as safe and effective as DLC. ELC might be associated with lower hospital
      costs, fewer work days lost, and greater patient satisfaction.

PMID- 26265549
TI  - Tone-language speakers show hemispheric specialization and differential cortical
      processing of contour and interval cues for pitch.
AB  - Electrophysiological studies demonstrate that the neural coding of pitch is
      modulated by language experience and the linguistic relevance of the auditory
      input; both rightward and leftward asymmetries have been observed in the
      hemispheric specialization for pitch. In music, pitch is encoded using two
      primary features: contour (patterns of rises and falls) and interval (frequency
      separation between tones) cues. Recent evoked potential studies demonstrate that
      these "global" (contour) and "local" (interval) aspects of pitch are processed
      automatically (but bilaterally) in trained musicians. Here, we examined whether
      alternate forms of pitch expertise, namely, tone-language experience (i.e.,
      Chinese), influence the early detection of contour and intervallic deviations
      within ongoing pitch sequences. Neuroelectric mismatch negativity (MMN)
      potentials were recorded in Chinese speakers and English-speaking nonmusicians in
      response to continuous pitch sequences with occasional global or local deviations
      in the ongoing melodic stream. This paradigm allowed us to explore potential
      cross-language differences in the hemispheric weighting for contour and interval
      processing of pitch. Chinese speakers showed differential pitch encoding between
      hemispheres not observed in English listeners; Chinese MMNs revealed a rightward
      bias for contour processing but a leftward hemispheric laterality for interval
      processing. In contrast, no asymmetries were observed in the English group.
      Collectively, our findings suggest tone-language experience sensitizes auditory
      brain mechanisms for the detection of subtle global/local pitch changes in the
      ongoing auditory stream and exaggerates functional asymmetries in pitch
      processing between cerebral hemispheres. 

PMID- 26265551
TI  - Animal models of recurrent or bipolar depression.
AB  - Animal models of mental disorders should ideally have construct, face, and
      predictive validity, but current animal models do not always satisfy these
      validity criteria. Additionally, animal models of depression rely mainly on
      stress-induced behavioral changes. These stress-induced models have limited
      validity, because stress is not a risk factor specific to depression, and the
      models do not recapitulate the recurrent and spontaneous nature of depressive
      episodes. Although animal models exhibiting recurrent depressive episodes or
      bipolar depression have not yet been established, several researchers are trying
      to generate such animals by modeling clinical risk factors as well as by
      manipulating a specific neural circuit using emerging techniques. 

PMID- 26265550
TI  - Cold stress protein RBM3 responds to temperature change in an ultra-sensitive
      manner in young neurons.
AB  - Extremely mild hypothermia to 36.0  degrees C is not thought to appreciably
      differ clinically from 37.0  degrees C. However, it is possible that 36.0 
      degrees C stimulates highly sensitive hypothermic signaling mechanism(s) and
      alters biochemistry. To the best of our knowledge, no such ultra-sensitive
      pathway/mechanisms have been described. Here we show that cold stress protein RNA
      binding motif 3 (RBM3) increases in neuron and astrocyte cultures maintained at
      33  degrees C or 36  degrees C for 24 or 48 h, compared to 37  degrees C
      controls. Neurons cultured at 36  degrees C also had increased global protein
      synthesis (GPS). Finally, we found that melatonin or fibroblast growth factor 21
      (FGF21) augmented RBM3 upregulation in young neurons cooled to 36  degrees C. Our
      results show that a 1  degrees C reduction in temperature can induce pleiotropic
      biochemical changes by upregulating GPS in neurons which may be mediated by RBM3
      and that this process can be pharmacologically mimicked and enhanced with
      melatonin or FGF21.

PMID- 26265552
TI  - A novel method for early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease based on pseudo Zernike
      moment from structural MRI.
AB  - Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder and the most
      common type of dementia among older people. The number of patients with AD will
      grow rapidly each year and AD is the fifth leading cause of death for those aged
      65 and older. In recent years, one of the main challenges for medical
      investigators has been the early diagnosis of patients with AD because an early
      diagnosis can provide greater opportunities for patients to be eligible for more
      clinical trials and they will have enough time to plan for future, medical and
      financial decisions. An established risk factor for AD is mild cognitive
      impairment (MCI) which is described as a transitional state between normal aging
      and AD patients. Hence an accurate and reliable diagnosis of MCI can be very
      effective and helpful for early diagnosis of AD. Therefore in this paper we
      present a novel and efficient method based on pseudo Zernike moments (PZMs) for
      the diagnosis of MCI individuals from AD and healthy control (HC) groups using
      structural MRI. The proposed method uses PZMs to extract discriminative
      information from the MR images of the AD, MCI, and HC groups. Two types of
      artificial neural networks, which are based on pattern recognition and learning
      vector quantization (LVQ) networks, were used to classify the information
      extracted from the MRIs. We worked with 500 MRIs from the database of the
      Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI 1 1.5T). The 1 slice of 500
      MRIs used in this study included 180 AD patients, 172 MCI patients, and 148 HC
      individuals. We selected 50 percent of the MRIs randomly for use in training the
      classifiers, 25 percent for validation and we used 25 percent for the testing
      phase. The technique proposed here yielded the best overall classification
      results between AD and MCI (accuracy 94.88%, sensitivity 94.18%, and specificity
      95.55%), and for pairs of the MCI and HC (accuracy 95.59%, sensitivity 95.89% and
      specificity 95.34%). These results were achieved using maximum order 30 of PZM
      and the pattern recognition network with the scaled conjugate gradient (SCG) back
      propagation training algorithm as a classifier. 

PMID- 26265553
TI  - Processing Cantonese lexical tones: Evidence from oddball paradigms.
AB  - Two event-related potential (ERP) experiments were conducted to investigate
      whether Cantonese lexical tones are processed with general auditory perception
      mechanisms and/or a special speech module. Two tonal features (f0 direction and
      f0 height deviation) were manipulated to reflect acoustic processing, and the
      contrast between syllables and hums was used to reveal the involvement of a
      speech module. Experiment 1 adopted a passive oddball paradigm to study a
      relatively early stage of tonal processing. Mismatch negativity (MMN) and novelty
      P3 (P3a) were modulated by the interaction between tonal feature and stimulus
      type. Similar interactions were found for N2 and P3 in Experiment 2, where more
      in-depth tonal processing was examined with an active oddball paradigm. Moreover,
      detecting tonal deviants of syllables elicited N1 and P2 that were not found in
      hum detection. Together, these findings suggest that the processing of lexical
      tone relies on both acoustic and linguistic processes from the early stage.
      Another noteworthy finding is the absence of brain lateralization in both
      experiments, which challenges the use of a lateralization pattern as evidence for
      processing lexical tones through a special speech module. 

PMID- 26265554
TI  - Unexpected observation of spatially separated Kondo scattering and ferromagnetism
      in Ta alloyed anatase TiO2 thin films.
AB  - We report the observation of spatially separated Kondo scattering and
      ferromagnetism in anatase Ta0.06Ti0.94O2 thin films as a function of thickness
      (10-200 nm). The Kondo behavior observed in thicker films is suppressed on
      decreasing thickness and vanishes below ~25 nm. In 200 nm film, transport data
      could be fitted to a renormalization group theory for Kondo scattering though the
      carrier density in this system is lower by two orders of magnitude, the magnetic
      entity concentration is larger by a similar magnitude and there is strong
      electronic correlation compared to a conventional system such as Cu with magnetic
      impurities. However, ferromagnetism is observed at all thicknesses with magnetic
      moment per unit thickness decreasing beyond 10 nm film thickness. The
      simultaneous presence of Kondo and ferromagnetism is explained by the spatial
      variation of defects from the interface to surface which results in a dominantly
      ferromagnetic region closer to substrate-film interface while the Kondo
      scattering is dominant near the surface and decreasing towards the interface.
      This material system enables us to study the effect of neighboring presence of
      two competing magnetic phenomena and the possibility for tuning them. 

PMID- 26265555
TI  - Changes and roles of membrane compositions in the adaptation of Saccharomyces
      cerevisiae to ethanol.
AB  - Bioethanol fermentation by Saccharomyces cerevisiae is often stressed by the
      accumulation of ethanol. Cell membrane is the first assaulting target of ethanol.
      Ethanol-adapted S. cerevisiae strains provide opportunity to shed light on
      membrane functions in the ethanol tolerance. This study aimed at clarifying the
      roles of cell membrane in the ethanol tolerance of S. cerevisiae through
      comparing membrane components between S. cerevisiae parental strain and ethanol
      adapted strains. A directed evolutionary engineering was performed to obtain the
      ethanol-adapted S. cerevisiae strains. The parental, ethanol-adapted M5 and M10
      strains were selected to be compared the percentage of viable cells after
      exposing to ethanol stress and cell membrane compositions (i.e., ergosterol,
      trehalose, and fatty acids). Compared with the parental strain, M5 or M10 strain
      had higher survival rate in the presence of 10% v/v ethanol. Compared with that
      in the parental strain, contents of trehalose, ergosterol, and fatty acids
      increased about 15.7, 12.1, and 29.3%, respectively, in M5 strain, and about
      47.5, 107.8, and 61.5%, respectively, in M10 strain. Moreover, expression
      differences of genes involved in fatty acids metabolisms among the parental, M5
      and M10 strains were analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction
      (qRT-PCR), and results demonstrated that M5 or M10 strain had higher expression
      of ACC1 and OLE1 than the parental strain. These results indicated that although
      being exposed to step-wise increased ethanol, S. cerevisiae cells might remodel
      membrane components or structure to adapt to the ethanol stress. 

PMID- 26265556
TI  - Evaluating sirolimus-based immunosuppression for the prevention of
      cytomegalovirus replication after liver transplantation.

PMID- 26265557
TI  - 2015 ATS conference sleep talks overshadowed by the discussion about ASV negative
      outcome in heart failure: sleep medicine highlights from the 2015 ATS annual
      conference in Denver.

PMID- 26265558
TI  - Serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in patients with obstructive sleep
      apnea with special reference to metabolic syndrome.

PMID- 26265559
TI  - Comparison of a simple obstructive sleep apnea screening device with standard in
      laboratory polysomnography.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common underdiagnosed sleep
      disorder. Various strategies have been employed to easily screen for OSA. The
      ApneaStrip(r) (AS - S.L.P. Ltd, Tel Aviv, Israel) is an FDA approved OSA
      screening device applied to the upper lip at home. We evaluated the performance
      of this device against simultaneous in-laboratory polysomnography (PSG) in a
      group of well-characterized OSA patients. METHODS: Diagnostic PSG was performed
      in 56 patients (29 M, 37 F; age 48.9 +/- 14.6 years; body mass index [BMI] 37.5
      +/- 9.0 kg/m(2); apnea-hypopnea index-events/h-[AHI] 32.8 +/- 22.9). The AS was
      applied and positioned to detect nasal and oral airflow. The AS gives a
      "positive" result for AHI >= 15. We examined the sensitivity and specificity of
      the AS against three thresholds derived from PSG: AHI >= 5, AHI >= 15 (company
      recommendation), and AHI >= 30. RESULTS: For PSG AHI >= 15, the sensitivity,
      specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV)
      of the AS were 80, 54.5, 87.8, and 40 %, respectively. For PSG AHI >= 5, the
      values were 75.1, 66.7, 97.1, and 13.3 %, respectively. For PSG AHI >= 30, the
      values were 86.9, 36.2, 48.8, and 80 %, respectively. There were no significant
      modifying effects of age, BMI, gender, hypertension, diabetes, lung disease, and
      heart disease. CONCLUSION: The AS has a high sensitivity for detection of OSA
      with AHI >= 15, but only modest specificity. The AS could be a useful component
      of an OSA screening program; however, negative results should be interpreted
      cautiously.

PMID- 26265560
TI  - A pathway underlying the impact of CPAP adherence on intimate relationship with
      bed partner in men with obstructive sleep apnea.
AB  - PURPOSE: Our aim was to determine the pathway underlying the effects of
      continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) adherence on intimate relationship
      with bed partner in men with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). We hypothesized that
      CPAP with good adherence affected the intimate relationship with bed partner
      directly and indirectly, and it was mediated through daytime sleepiness and
      activity level in men with OSA. METHODS: Data were obtained from an education
      program for enhancing CPAP adherence. Men who were newly diagnosed of OSA and
      CPAP therapy naive were recruited in a tertiary teaching hospital. RESULTS: Self
      reported quality of life [Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire], daytime
      sleepiness [Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS)], and negative emotion symptoms
      [depression, anxiety, stress scale] were assessed before and after CPAP treatment
      at 1-year assessment. Seventy-three men were included in the data analysis, with
      a mean +/- SD age of 52 +/- 10 years, body mass index of 29.0 +/- 5.2 kg/m(2),
      ESS of 9.5 +/- 5.6, and median [interquartile range(IR)] apnea and hypopnea index
      of 31 (21, 56) events/h. The median (IR) CPAP daily usage was 4.3(0, 6.1) h/day.
      From the path analysis, CPAP therapy was shown to improve intimate relationship
      directly (beta = 0.185) and indirectly (beta = 0.050) by reducing daytime
      sleepiness and increasing activity level. However, negative emotion symptoms were
      not the mediators between CPAP adherence and the intimate relationship.
      CONCLUSIONS: CPAP therapy with good adherence is related directly and indirectly
      to a better intimate relationship with bed partner in men with OSA. It was
      possibly attributed to reduced daytime sleepiness and increased activity level.

PMID- 26265561
TI  - Developmental windows of susceptibility for epigenetic inheritance through the
      male germline.
AB  - Exposure of developing male germ cells to environmental insults has been linked
      to adverse effects in the offspring. One mechanism by which germ cell defects may
      be passed intergenerationally is through perturbations in the epigenome at the
      level(s) of DNA methylation, histone post-translational modifications and/or
      small non-coding RNAs. Epigenetic programs are particularly dynamic in germ cells
      undergoing erasure, re-establishment and maintenance of patterns, events
      potentially susceptible to prenatal and/or postnatal exposures. In this review,
      we focus on the epigenetic events occurring at each phase of male germ cell
      development including the prenatal period covering primordial germ cells and
      prospermatogonia and the postnatal period covering mitotic spermatogonia, meiotic
      spermatocytes and post-meiotic haploid spermatids and spermatozoa. Strong
      barriers to the passage of abnormal epigenetic patterns between generations are
      erected at two times of genome-wide epigenomic reprogramming, first in the
      germline in primordial germ cells and second, post-fertilization, during
      preimplantation development. Evidence from high resolution profiling studies that
      not all epigenetic marks are erased during germ cell and embryonic reprogramming
      provides a potential explanation for the intergenerational inheritance of
      abnormal epigenetic marks that may affect offspring health. 

PMID- 26265562
TI  - Knee kinematics and joint moments during gait following anterior cruciate
      ligament reconstruction: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Abnormal gait after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR)
      may contribute to development and/or progression of knee osteoarthritis.
      OBJECTIVE: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of knee kinematics
      and joint moments during walking after ACLR. METHODS: We searched seven
      electronic databases and reference lists of relevant papers, for cross-sectional,
      human-based observational studies comparing knee joint kinematics and moments
      during level walking in individuals with ACLR, with the uninjured contralateral
      knee or healthy individuals as a control. Two independent reviewers appraised
      methodological quality (modified Downs and Black scale). Where possible, data
      were pooled by time post-ACLR (RevMan), otherwise narrative synthesis was
      undertaken. RESULTS: Thirty-four studies were included. Meta-analysis revealed
      significant sagittal plane deficits in ACLR knees. We found greater knee flexion
      angles (standardised mean difference: 1.06; 95% CI 0.39 to 1.74) and joint
      moments (1.61; 0.87 to 2.35) <6 months post-ACLR, compared to healthy controls.
      However, lower peak knee flexion angles were identified 1-3 years (-2.21; -3.16
      to -1.26) and >=3 years post-ACLR (-1.38, -2.14 to -0.62), and lower knee flexion
      moment 6-12 months post-ACLR (-0.76; -1.40 to -0.12). Pooled data provided strong
      evidence of no difference in peak knee adduction moment >3 years after ACLR (vs
      healthy controls) (0.09; -0.63 to 0.81). No transverse plane conclusions could be
      drawn. CONCLUSIONS: Sagittal plane biomechanics, rather than the knee adduction
      moment, appear to be more relevant post-ACLR. Better understanding of sagittal
      plane biomechanics is necessary for optimal post-operative recovery, and to
      potentially prevent early onset and progression of knee OA after ACLR. TRIAL
      REGISTRATION NUMBER: PROSPERO systematic review protocol registration number
      CRD4201400882 2.

PMID- 26265563
TI  - Does the presence of placental basal plate myometrial fibres increase the risk of
      subsequent morbidly adherent placenta: a case-control study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Antenatal diagnosis of morbidly adherent placenta has been shown to
      improve outcomes, but existing predictors lack sensitivity. Our objective was to
      determine whether the presence of myometrial fibres attached to the placental
      basal plate (BPMYO) in an antecedent pregnancy is associated with subsequent
      morbidly adherent placenta. DESIGN: A case-control study. SETTING: Departments of
      Obstetrics and Gynecology and Pathology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL,
      USA. SAMPLE: Women who had at least two pregnancies with placental pathological
      evaluation. METHODS: Cases were defined as women with evidence of morbidly
      adherent placenta (both clinically and pathologically) in their most recent
      pregnancy whereas women without evidence of morbidly adherent placenta served as
      controls. Pathological specimens of placentas from previous pregnancies were
      evaluated for BPMYO. The presence of BPMYO on a previous placenta was evaluated
      to determine whether it could be used to improve the antenatal diagnosis of
      morbidly adherent placenta. RESULTS: Of the 25 cases of morbidly adherent
      placenta, 19 (76%) had BPMYO present on their previous placenta compared with 41
      (41%) of controls (odds ratio 4.8, 95% CI 1.8-13.0). Adding BPMYO to a regression
      including other risk factors for morbidly adherent placenta (i.e. maternal age,
      number of previous caesarean sections, placenta praevia, previous multiple
      gestation, any previous curettage, and ultrasonographic suspicion of placenta
      accreta) significantly improved the sensitivity of antenatal diagnosis of
      morbidly adherent placenta (61% versus 39%, P < 0.001) without a change in
      specificity (97% versus 97%, P = 1.00). CONCLUSION: BPMYO on previous placental
      pathology is associated with an increased risk of morbidly adherent placenta in a
      subsequent pregnancy. These findings may shed light on the pathophysiology of
      accreta and inform future research on predictors of accreta. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT:
      Previous basal plate myometrium improves the ability to detect subsequent
      morbidly adherent placenta.

PMID- 26265565
TI  - Lipid labeling from acetate or glycerol in cultured embryos of Camelina sativa
      seeds: A tale of two substrates.
AB  - Studies on the metabolism of lipids in seeds frequently use radiolabeled acetate
      and glycerol supplied to excised developing seeds to track the biosynthesis of
      acyl and lipid head groups, respectively. Such experiments are generally
      restricted to shorter time periods and the results may not quantitatively reflect
      in planta rates. These limitations can be removed by using cultured embryos,
      provided they mimic growth and lipid deposition observed for embryos in planta.
      Mid-maturation embryos from Camelina sativa were cultured in vitro to assess the
      use of sufficient acetate or glycerol concentrations and labeling periods for
      stable isotope labeling and mass spectrometric detection. Maximum incorporation
      of exogenous acetate into fatty acids occurred at 1mM and above. This provides
      about 5% of the total carbon flux entering fatty acids, enough for (13)C
      isotopomer analysis while maintaining normal biosynthetic rates for over 24h.
      Labeling analysis indicates that acetate reports lipid metabolism uniformly
      across the embryo. At higher acetate concentrations with longer incubations, the
      rate of fatty acid synthesis is reduced and the composition of newly synthesized
      fatty acids changes. While the mole fractions of oleate that undergo Delta12
      desaturation or elongation are independent of biosynthetic flux, Delta15
      desaturation shows a bimodal dependence. These observations are consistent with
      changes occurring in planta over seed development. Incorporation rates of the
      glyceryl moiety into lipids saturates at about 0.5mM exogenous glycerol. At
      saturation, the exogenous glycerol almost completely replaces the endogenous
      supply of glycerol-3-phosphate without affecting net lipid accumulation or fatty
      acid composition. It is concluded that acetate and glycerol labeling of cultured
      C. sativa embryos can provide an accurate representation of lipid metabolism in
      embryos in vivo, and that in Camelina embryos glycerol-3-phosphate levels do not
      co-limit triacylglycerol synthesis. 

PMID- 26265566
TI  - Co-incidence or causality? Seizures after slow rTMS in stroke patients.

PMID- 26265567
TI  - Phytochemical Constituents and Biological Activities of Plants from the Genus
      Dryopteris.

PMID- 26265568
TI  - On the Quest of Dioxygen by Monomeric Sarcosine Oxidase. A Molecular Dynamics
      Investigation.
AB  - It is reported here on random acceleration molecular dynamics (RAMD) simulations
      with the 2GF3 bacterial monomeric sarcosine oxidase (MSOX), O2 , and furoic acid
      in place of sarcosine, solvated by TIP3 H2 O in a periodic box. An external tiny
      force, acting randomly on O2 , accelerated its relocation, from the center of
      activation between residue K265 and the si face of the flavin ring of the flavin
      adenine dinucleotide cofactor, to the surrounding solvent. Only three of the four
      O2 gates previously described for this system along a composite method technique
      were identified, while two more major O2 gates were found. The RAMD simulations
      also revealed that the same gate can be reached by O2 along different pathways,
      often involving traps for O2 . Both the residence time of O2 in the traps, and
      the total trajectory time for O2 getting to the solvent, could be evaluated. The
      new quick pathways discovered here suggest that O2 exploits all nearby
      interstices created by the thermal fluctuations of the protein, not having
      necessarily to look for the permanent large channel used for uptake of the FADH
      cofactor. To this regard, MSOX resembles closely KijD3 N-oxygenase. These
      observations solicit experimental substantiation, in a long term aim at
      discovering whether gates and pathways for the small gaseous ligands inside the
      proteins are under Darwinian functional evolution or merely stochastic control
      operates. 

PMID- 26265564
TI  - Photochemistry and Photobiology of the Spore Photoproduct: A 50-Year Journey.
AB  - Fifty years ago, a new thymine dimer was discovered as the dominant DNA
      photolesion in UV-irradiated bacterial spores [Donnellan, J. E. & Setlow R. B.
      (1965) Science, 149, 308-310], which was later named the spore photoproduct (SP).
      Formation of SP is due to the unique environment in the spore core that features
      low hydration levels favoring an A-DNA conformation, high levels of calcium
      dipicolinate that acts as a photosensitizer, and DNA saturation with small, acid
      soluble proteins that alters DNA structure and reduces side reactions. In vitro
      studies reveal that any of these factors alone can promote SP formation; however,
      SP formation is usually accompanied by the production of other DNA photolesions.
      Therefore, the nearly exclusive SP formation in spores is due to the combined
      effects of these three factors. Spore photoproduct photoreaction is proved to
      occur via a unique H-atom transfer mechanism between the two involved thymine
      residues. Successful incorporation of SP into an oligonucleotide has been
      achieved via organic synthesis, which enables structural studies that reveal
      minor conformational changes in the SP-containing DNA. Here, we review the
      progress on SP photochemistry and photobiology in the past 50 years, which
      indicates a very rich SP photobiology that may exist beyond endospores. 

PMID- 26265569
TI  - Phytochemical Analysis, Biological Activity, and Secretory Structures of Stachys
      annua (L.) L. subsp. annua (Lamiaceae) from Central Italy.
AB  - Stachys annua subsp. annua, well-known in central Italy as 'stregona annuale', is
      an annual, small, slightly-scented herb, commonly found in fields and
      uncultivated areas in almost all regions of Italy. In folk medicine, its aerial
      parts were used as anti-catarrhal, febrifuge, tonic, and vulnerary. In the
      present work, the chemical composition of the flowering aerial parts was studied.
      The hydrodistilled volatile oil, analysed by GC/MS, showed sesquiterpenoids as
      the major fraction (42.5%); phytol (9.8%), germacrene D (9.2%), and spathulenol
      (8.5%) were the most abundant constituents. The volatile oil was assayed for
      antioxidant and cytotoxic activity by DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and MTT methods. The
      cytotoxicity results against HCT116, A375, and MDA-MB 231 human tumor cell lines
      were significant, with IC50 values of 23.5, 37.2, and 41.5 MUg/ml, respectively,
      whereas the antioxidant power was negligible. The EtOH extract was composed
      mainly of three glycosidic flavonoids, namely 7-{[2-O-(6-O-acetyl-beta-D
      allopyranosyl)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl]oxy}-5,8-dihydroxy-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4H-1
      benzopyran-4-one (1), 7-{[6-O-acetyl-2-O-(6-O-acetyl-beta-D-allopyranosyl)-beta-D
      glucopyranosyl]oxy}-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-5,8-dihydroxy-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one
      (2), and 7-{[6-O-acetyl-2-O-(beta-D-allopyranosyl)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl]oxy}-2
      (3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-5,8-dihydroxy-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one (3). On the
      contrary, iridoids, considered chemotaxonomic markers of the genus Stachys, were
      absent in this species. Finally, the morphological and histochemical survey
      showed that glandular trichomes were composed of two main types, i.e. peltate
      type A and capitate types B and C giving positive response for both lipids and
      polyphenols. 

PMID- 26265570
TI  - HPTLC and GC/MS Study of Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids of Two Narcissus Species.
AB  - In this article, we report on the alkaloid profile and dynamic of alkaloid
      content and diversity in two Narcissus plants at different stages of development.
      The alkaloid profile of the two Narcissus species was investigated by GC/MS and
      HPTLC. Fifty eight Amaryllidaceae alkaloids were detected, and 25 of them were
      identified in the different organs of N. tazetta and N. papyraceus. The alkaloid
      3-O-methyl-9-O-demethylmaritidine is tentatively identified here for the first
      time from the Amaryllidaceae family, and four alkaloids (tazettamide,
      sternbergine, 1-O-acetyllycorine, 2,11-didehydro-2-dehydroxylycorine) are
      tentatively identified for the first time in the genus Narcissus. The different
      organs of the two species analyzed showed remarkable differences in their
      alkaloid pattern, type of biosynthesis, main alkaloid and number of alkaloids.
      Lycorine-type alkaloids dominated the alkaloid, metabolism in N. papyraceus,
      while alkaloids of narciclasine-, galanthamine- and homolycorine-types were found
      only in the species N. tazetta L. 

PMID- 26265571
TI  - Coleifolides A and B, Two New Sesterterpenoids from the Aerial Parts of
      Scutellaria coleifolia H.Lev.
AB  - Coleifolides A and B (1 and 2), two new sesterterpenoids with a beta-methyl
      alpha,beta-unsaturated-gamma-lactone moiety, were isolated from the aerial parts
      of Scutellaria coleifolia H.Lev. (Lamiaceae), together with three known
      compounds. Their structures were elucidated by NMR and MS examinations.
      Coleifolides A and B were concluded to be partially racemic compounds by the HPLC
      analysis using a chiral column or introduction of chiral derivatizing agents. The
      absolute configuration of the major isomer was determined by analyses of the CD
      spectrum as well as NMR data of (R)- and (S)-2-NMA derivatives. Coleifolides A
      and B are structurally similar to manoalide derivatives, previously isolated from
      marine sponges, and appear to be the first examples of this type of compounds
      being isolated from higher plants. 

PMID- 26265572
TI  - Volatiles as Chemosystematic Markers for Distinguishing Closely Related Species
      within the Pinus mugo Complex.
AB  - Headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) coupled to GC/MS analysis was
      used to identify the constituents of pine-needle volatiles differentiating three
      closely-related pine species within the Pinus mugo complex, i.e., P. uncinata
      Ramond ex DC., P. uliginosa G.E.Neumann ex Wimm., and P. mugo Turra. Moreover,
      chemosystematic markers were proposed for the three analyzed pine species. The
      major constituents of the pine-needle volatiles were alpha-pinene (28.4%) and
      bornyl acetate (10.8%) for P. uncinata, delta-car-3-ene (21.5%) and alpha-pinene
      (16.1%) for P. uliginosa, and alpha-pinene (20%) and delta-car-3-ene (18.1%) for
      P. mugo. This study is the first report on the application of the composition of
      pine-needle volatiles for the reliable identification of closely-related pine
      species within the Pinus mugo complex. 

PMID- 26265573
TI  - Diterpene Constituents of Euphorbia exigua L. and Multidrug Resistance Reversing
      Activity of the Isolated Diterpenes.
AB  - Phytochemical investigation of the MeOH extract obtained from the aerial parts of
      the annual weed Euphorbia exigua L. resulted in the isolation of two novel (1, 2)
      and one known (3) jatrophane diterpenes. Their structures were established by
      extensive 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopy and HR-ESI-MS. The isolated compounds were
      evaluated for multidrug resistance (MDR) reversing activity on human MDR gene
      transfected L5178 mouse lymphoma cells; and all three compounds were found to
      modulate the intracellular drug accumulation. 

PMID- 26265574
TI  - Lupane- and Friedelane-Type Triterpenoids from Celastrus stylosus.
AB  - Two new triterpenoids, 30-hydroxylup-20(29)-ene 3beta-caffeate (1) and 24-nor
      friedelan-6alpha,10-dihydroxy-1,2-dioxo-4,7-dien-29-oic acid (2), together with
      eight known compounds 3-10, were isolated from the roots of Celastrus stylosus.
      The structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic
      analyses. To the best of our knowledge, this represents the first study on the
      chemical constituents of C. stylosus. The antiproliferative activities of the
      triterpenoids against six human cancer cell lines (PANC-1, A549, PC-3, HepG2, SGC
      7901, and HCCLM3) were evaluated. Compounds 3, 4, and 10 exhibited comparable
      activities against PC-3 and HCCLM3 cell lines as the positive control taxol. 

PMID- 26265575
TI  - New Labdane Diterpenes and Their Glycoside Derivatives from the Roots of Isodon
      adenantha.
AB  - Two new labdane-type diterpenes (adenanthic acids A and B; 1 and 2, resp.) and
      three new labdane diterpene glycosides (adenanthosides A-C; 3-5, resp.) were
      isolated from the roots of Isodon adenantha, together with 23 known constituents
      including seven diterpenoids (6-12), eight triterpenoids (13-20), one lignan
      glycoside (21), six steroids (22-27), and one ceramide (28). Their structures
      were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including extensive 2D-NMR techniques.
      Cytotoxicity and antibacterial activities of the samples were measured by the MTT
      method and the filter paper disc agar diffusion method. But none of them showed
      significant activities. 

PMID- 26265576
TI  - (Chemotaxonomic) Implications of Postharvest/Storage-Induced Changes in Plant
      Volatile Profiles--the Case of Artemisia absinthium L. Essential Oil.
AB  - The plant volatile profile and the essential-oil chemical composition change
      during the storage of plant material. The objective of this study was to develop
      a mathematical model able to predict, explain, and quantify these changes.
      Mathematical equations, derived under the assumption that the essential oil
      contained within plant material could be treated as an ideal solution (Raoult's
      law), were applied for tracking of postharvest changes in the volatile profile of
      Artemisia absinthium L. (the essential oils were analyzed by GC-FID and GC/MS).
      Starting from a specific chemical composition of an essential-oil sample obtained
      from plant material after a short drying period (typically 5-10 d), and by using
      the equations derived from this model, one could easily predict evaporation
      induced changes in the volatile profile of the plant material. Based on the
      composition of the essential-oil sample obtained after a given storage time t, it
      is possible to identify those components that were involved in chemical
      reactions, both as reactants and possible products. The established model even
      allowed the recognition of pairs of transformation, i.e., 'daughter' products and
      their 'parent' compounds. The obtained results highlight that the essential-oil
      composition is highly dependent on the storage period of any plant material and
      urges caution in different types of phytochemical studies, especially
      chemotaxonomic ones, or practical application. 

PMID- 26265577
TI  - Three New Isomeric Indole Alkaloids from Nauclea officinalis.
AB  - Three new isomeric monoterpene indole alkaloids, naucleofficines I-III (1-3,
      resp.) were isolated from the stems (with bark) of Nauclea officinalis. Their
      structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods and single
      crystal diffraction analyses. The cytotoxic activities of 1-3 against human colon
      cancer, human gastric cancer, and human hepatoma cells were also investigated. 

PMID- 26265578
TI  - Biphenyl-Type Neolignan Derivatives from the Twigs of Magnolia denudata and Their
      Anti-Inflammatory Activity.
AB  - Two new biphenyl-type neolignan derivatives, 2-[2-(hydroxymethyl)-1-benzofuran-5
      yl]-4-(prop-2-en-1-yl)phenol (1) and 2'-ethoxy-5,5'-di(prop-2-en-1-yl)biphenyl-2
      ol (2), were isolated from the twigs of Magnolia denudata, together with six
      known compounds (3-8). The structures of 1 and 2 were determined through
      extensive 1D- and 2D-NMR and mass-spectrometric analyses. Magnolol (6) and
      honokiol (7) exhibited potent inhibition (IC50 values=4.4+/-0.2 and 0.71+/-0.13
      MUg/ml, resp.) of O$?rm{{_{2}^{{^?cdot} -}}}$ generation by human nutrophils in
      response to N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine/cytochalasin B
      (fMLP/CB). In addition, 2-[2-(hydroxymethyl)-1-benzofuran-5-yl]-4-(prop-2-en-1
      yl)phenol (1), 2'-ethoxy-5,5'-di(prop-2-en-1-yl)biphenyl-2-ol (2), magnolol (6),
      and vanillic acid (8) inhibited fMLP/CB-induced elastase release with IC50
      values=6.4+/-1.5, 2.4+/-0.4, 1.5+/-0.2, and 4.8+/-0.5 MUg/ml, respectively. 

PMID- 26265579
TI  - Fatty-Acid Composition of Seeds and Chemotaxonomic Evaluation of Sixteen
      Sapindaceae Species.
AB  - Circumscriptions for the Sapindaceae family and its infrafamilial relationships
      have been widely discussed. Certain groups are highly morphologically similar;
      thus, it is difficult to identify certain taxa. DNA Analyses have also indicated
      complex phylogenetic relationships, and it is difficult to relate such analyses
      to morphological data. Given the above concerns, this study aimed to investigate
      the fatty-acid profiles of the seed oils of 16 Sapindaceae species belonging to
      five tribes and to evaluate their potential chemotaxonomic significance. In
      total, eleven fatty acids were identified, and eicosenoic acid predominated in
      nine species. Multivariate analyses (principal component and cluster analyses) of
      the fatty-acid profiles of the seed oils allowed to separate them in two major
      clusters. The first cluster, characterized by oils with high eicosenoic acid
      levels, included all species belonging to the Paullinieae tribe (Cardiospermum,
      Paullinia, and Serjania species). In the second main cluster, the chemical
      similarity of the oils was lower, and the species belonged to different tribes.
      Nevertheless, the tree investigated Allophylus species (Thouinieae tribe)
      constituted a separate subcluster. Thus, the results showed that the fatty-acid
      composition of the seed oils of Sapindaceae species provide chemotaxonomic
      support for the separation of the Paullinieae tribe from the other tribes
      studied. 

PMID- 26265580
TI  - Five New Guaiane Sesquiterpenes from the Endophytic Fungus Xylaria sp. YM 311647
      of Azadirachta indica.
AB  - Five new guaiane sesquiterpenes, 1-5, were isolated from the culture broth of the
      endophytic fungus Xylaria sp. YM 311647, isolated from Azadirachta indica A.
      Juss. The structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of
      spectroscopic analyses, and their inhibitory activities against five pathogenic
      fungi were evaluated. All guaiane sesquiterpenes showed moderate or weak
      antifungal activities in a broth microdilution assay. 

PMID- 26265581
TI  - Editorial Comment: Jiangxienone, a New Compound with Potent Cytotoxicity against
      Tumor Cells from Traditional Chinese Medicinal Mushroom Cordyceps jiangxiensis.

PMID- 26265582
TI  - Use of faecal occult blood tests in symptomatic patients.

PMID- 26265583
TI  - Acute chest pain in contingency operations at a Role 1 facility.
AB  - Acute chest pain is a common medical presenting complaint which can be difficult
      to diagnose and treat outside of a fully equipped emergency department. In future
      contingency operations the number of personnel deployed is likely be smaller,
      with the medical cover appropriate for the population at risk, such that the
      deployed medical facilities will be smaller than the Role 3 unit with which we
      have become familiar over the last 10 years of operations in Afghanistan.
      Physician involvement in these smaller medical facilities is crucial to maintain
      clinical effect when dealing with patients presenting with disease and non-battle
      injury, which can often make up the majority of deployed healthcare work.
      Patients presenting with chest pain require rapid assessment and stabilisation
      prior to medical evacuation to a suitable definitive care unit. This article
      focuses on emergency acute chest pain presentations, non-cardiac causes of chest
      pain, risk reduction and how contingency will affect patient care. 

PMID- 26265584
TI  - Pathophysiological responses to a schistosome infection in a wild population of
      mourning doves (Zenaida macroura).
AB  - The blood trematode Gigantobilharzia huronensis typically infects passerine birds
      and has not been reported in other orders of wild birds. However, in the summer
      of 2011 in Tempe, Arizona, USA, mourning doves (Zenaida macroura; order:
      Columbiformes) were collected with infections of G. huronensis. This is the first
      report of a natural schistosome infection found in wild populations of doves. We
      sought to determine if G. huronensis infections alter the general body condition
      and physiology of doves, a seemingly unlikely host for this parasite.
      Specifically, we hypothesized that birds infected with schistosomes would exhibit
      reduced weight as well as increased markers of stress and immune system
      activation. Adult male mourning doves (n=14) were captured using walk-in style
      funnel traps. After weighing the birds, blood and mesenteric tissue samples were
      collected. We measured biomarkers of stress including circulating heat shock
      proteins (HSPs) 60 and 70, as well as oxidized lipoproteins in schistosome
      infected and non-infected birds. Indices of immune system reactivity were
      assessed using agglutination and lysis assays in addition to determining the
      leukocyte to erythrocyte ratios and prevalence of hemoparasite infections from
      blood smears. Schistosome-infected mourning doves had significantly increased
      oxidative stress and evidence of HSP70 mobilization. There was no evidence for
      weight loss in schistosome-infected birds nor evidence of significant immune
      system activation associated with schistosome infection. This may be a reflection
      of the small sample size available for the study. These findings suggest that
      schistosome infections have pathological effects in doves, but the lack of mature
      worms suggests that infected birds in this sampling may not have been suitable
      hosts for parasite maturation. 

PMID- 26265585
TI  - Head shape dimorphism in European glass eels (Anguilla anguilla).
AB  - The life cycle of the European eel (Anguilla anguilla) remained a mystery until
      the 20th century, when Schmidt discovered that the Sargasso Sea was its spawning
      area. However, many aspects of the eel's life cycle remain poorly understood.
      Among these is the bimodal distribution in head shape, with broad- and
      narrowheaded phenotypes reported in the yellow eel stage. Although this has been
      linked to dietary preferences of the yellow eels, very little is known about why,
      how and when this dimorphism arises during their ontogeny. To determine whether
      this dimorphism indeed appears in relation to trophic niche segregation, we
      examined head shape variation at an earlier ontogenetic stage, the glass eel
      stage, as at this stage eels are considered to be non-feeding. Head shape was
      studied in a large dataset, containing glass eels captured from the Yser river
      mouth, the Leopold Canal (Belgium) and from the rivers Severn, Trent and Parret
      (UK), by both taking measurements (head width/head length) and using an outline
      analysis. Our results show that there is already considerable variation in
      broadness and bluntness of the head at the glass eel stage. In most cases, equal
      support for a unimodal and bimodal head shape distribution is found, whereas some
      cases support head shape bimodality in glass eels, suggesting that glass eel head
      shape might be shifting from a unimodal to a bimodal distribution. This, in
      combination with the observation that variation in head width/head length ratios
      in non-feeding glass eels shows a similar range as in feeding yellow eels,
      indicates that head shape in European eel might be at least partially determined
      through other mechanisms than trophic segregation. 

PMID- 26265586
TI  - The estrogenic retina: The potential contribution to healthy aging and age
      related neurodegenerative diseases of the retina.
AB  - These last two decades have seen an explosion of clinical and epidemiological
      research, and basic research devoted to envisage the influence of gender and
      hormonal fluctuations in the retina/ocular diseases. Particular attention has
      been paid to age-related disorders because of the overlap of endocrine and
      neuronal dysfunction with aging. Hormonal withdrawal has been considered among
      risk factors for diseases such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and age-related
      macular disease (AMD), as well as, for Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease,
      or other neurodegenerative disorders. Sex hormones and aging have been also
      suggested to drive the incidence of ocular surface diseases such as dry eye and
      cataract. Hormone therapy has been approached in several clinical trials. The
      discovery that the retina is another CNS tissue synthesizing neurosteroids, among
      which neuroactive steroids, has favored these studies. However, the puzzling data
      emerged from clinical, epidemiological and experimental studies have added
      several dimensions of complexity; the current landscape is inherently limited to
      the weak information on the influence and interdependence of endocrine, paracrine
      and autocrine regulation in the retina, but also in the brain. Focusing on the
      estrogenic retina, we here review our knowledge on local 17beta-oestradiol (E2)
      synthesis from cholesterol-based neurosteroidogenic path and testosterone
      aromatization, and presence of estrogen receptors (ERalpha and ERbeta). The first
      cholesterol-limiting step and the final aromatase-limiting step are discussed as
      possible check-points of retinal functional/dysfunctional E2. Possible E2
      neuroprotection is commented as a group of experimental evidence on excitotoxic
      and oxidative retinal paradigms, and models of retinal neurodegenerative
      diseases, such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and AMD. These findings may
      provide a framework to support clinical studies, although further basic research
      is needed. 

PMID- 26265587
TI  - Reticulocyte parameters of delta beta thalassaemia trait, beta thalassaemia trait
      and iron deficiency anaemia.
AB  - AIMS: To analyse the differences in reticulocyte indices between delta beta
      thalassaemia trait (deltabeta-TT), beta thalassaemia trait (beta-TT) and iron
      deficiency anaemia (IDA), and to correlate those differences with the
      physiopathological features of these three types of microcytoses. METHODS: We
      performed a descriptive study of 428 samples (43 deltabeta-TT, 179 beta-TT and
      206 IDA) that were run on Advia 2120 analyser (Siemens). The following
      reticulocyte indices were assessed: absolute reticulocyte count (ARC), percentage
      of reticulocytes, mean corpuscular volume of reticulocytes (MCVr), haemoglobin
      content of reticulocytes (CHr), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration of
      reticulocytes, red blood cell distribution width of reticulocytes (RDWr),
      haemoglobin distribution width of reticulocytes (HDWr) and reticulocyte
      subpopulations based on their fluorescence according to mRNA (low (L-R), medium
      (M-R) and high (H-R)), MCV ratio and MCHC ratio. Correlation between fetal
      haemoglobin (HbF) and RDWr in patients with thalassaemia was evaluated. RESULTS:
      RDWr was significantly higher in deltabeta-TT compared with beta-TT (15.03% vs
      13.82%, p<0.001), and so were HDWr (3.65% vs 3.27%, p<0.001), CHr (23.68 vs 22.66
      pg, p<0.001) and MCVr (88.3 vs 85.5 fL, p<0.001). A good correlation was observed
      between HbF and RDWr (r=0.551, p<0.001). IDA subjects have more immature
      reticulocytes, but less ARC than beta-TT, suggesting a certain degree of
      inefficient erythropoiesis in IDA in comparison with beta-TT. CONCLUSIONS:
      Previously described differences between deltabeta-TT, beta-TT and IDA in the
      corpuscular indices of mature red blood cell can also be observed in
      reticulocytes. The degree of anisocytosis in reticulocytes from patients with
      thalassaemia is correlated with HbF.

PMID- 26265589
TI  - Efficacy of additional psychosocial intervention in reducing low birth weight and
      preterm birth in teenage pregnancy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - This systematic review aimed to assess the efficacy of psychosocial interventions
      in reducing risk of low birth weight (LBW) and preterm birth (PTB) in teenage
      pregnancy. Relevant studies were identified from Medline, Scopus, CINAHL, and
      CENTRAL databases. Randomized controlled trials investigating effect of
      psychosocial interventions on risk of LBW and PTB, compared to routine antenatal
      care (ANC) were eligible. Relative risks (RR) of LBW and PTB were pooled using
      inverse variance method. Mean differences of birth weight (BW) between
      intervention and control groups were pooled using unstandardized mean difference
      (USMD). Five studies were included in the review. Compared with routine ANC,
      psychosocial interventions significantly reduced risk of LBW by 40% (95%CI:
      8%,62%) but not for PTB (pooled RR = 0.67, 95%CI: 0.42,1.05). Mean BW of the
      intervention group was significantly higher than that of the control group with
      USMD of 200.63 g (95% CI: 21.02, 380.25). Results of our study suggest that
      psychosocial interventions significantly reduced risk of LBW in teenage
      pregnancy. 

PMID- 26265590
TI  - Brief report: A randomized controlled trial examining peer support and behavioral
      weight loss treatment.
AB  - Peer support among adolescents has been positively associated with heath
      behaviors; however, enhancing peer support for weight loss has rarely been
      studied among adolescents. This study examined whether a peer support training
      component delivered to enhance a standard weight loss program led to improved
      outcomes. Forty-one overweight adolescent females were randomly assigned to a
      Standard or Enhanced Peer Support intervention. The Enhanced group received in
      person peer support skills training and practiced skills using social networking.
      At 16 weeks, participants in the Enhanced condition reported significantly
      increased perceptions of friend support. Both groups demonstrated significant
      weight loss (6.4 lbs, +/- 8.3). Attendance and self-monitoring were associated
      with weight loss. Perceptions of peer support can be increased with a peer
      training component, but did not increase weight loss during the short term. 

PMID- 26265591
TI  - Development and Implementation of CHOICES Group to Reduce Drinking, Improve
      Contraception, and Prevent Alcohol-Exposed Pregnancies in American Indian Women.
AB  - Public health officials assert that prevention of alcohol-exposed pregnancies
      (AEP) should begin before conception, by reducing alcohol consumption in women at
      risk for or planning pregnancy, and/or preventing pregnancy in women who are
      drinking at risky levels. One such effort is the Oglala Sioux Tribe (OST) CHOICES
      Program. While the OST CHOICES Program has been successfully implemented, a
      community-based needs assessment determined that the OST CHOICES intervention
      should expand and be delivered in a group setting using group motivational
      interviewing (MI) techniques. After extensive group MI and CHOICES group
      trainings, recruitment for CHOICES Group began and within a ten month period, a
      total of twelve groups with non-pregnant American Indian women were held for this
      pilot intervention. Evaluations completed by participants indicated that CHOICES
      Group sessions positively engaged members, had low levels of anger or tension,
      and had average levels of avoidance of personal responsibility. An evaluation of
      the CHOICES Group leaders indicated strengths in certain MI skills, although
      improvement is needed in some core MI and group leadership skills. This is an
      important expansion of a successful AEP prevention program (CHOICES), as well as
      a novel application of MI, and recommendations and future plans for this
      intervention are outlined. 

PMID- 26265592
TI  - Nanoparticle-Loaded Protein-Polymer Nanodroplets for Improved Stability and
      Conversion Efficiency in Ultrasound Imaging and Drug Delivery.
AB  - A new formulation of volatile nanodroplets stabilized by a protein and polymer
      coating and loaded with magnetic nanoparticles is developed. The droplets show
      enhanced stability and phase conversion efficiency upon ultrasound exposure
      compared with existing formulations. Magnetic targeting, encapsulation, and
      release of an anticancer drug are demonstrated in vitro with a 40% improvement in
      cytotoxicity compared with free drug. 

PMID- 26265593
TI  - Paths and determinants for Penicillium janthinellum to resist low and high
      copper.
AB  - Copper (Cu) tolerance was well understood in fungi yeasts but not in filamentous
      fungi. Filamentous fungi are eukaryotes but unlike eukaryotic fungi yeasts, which
      are a collection of various fungi that are maybe classified into different taxa
      but all characterized by growth as filamentous hyphae cells and with a complex
      morphology. The current knowledge of Cu resistance of filamentous fungi is still
      fragmental and therefore needs to be bridged. In this study, we characterized Cu
      resistance of Penicillium janthinellum strain GXCR and its Cu-resistance
      decreasing mutants (EC-6 and UC-8), and conducted sequencing of a total of 6
      transcriptomes from wild-type GXCR and mutant EC-6 grown under control and
      external Cu. Taken all the results together, Cu effects on the basal metabolism
      were directed to solute transport by two superfamilies of solute carrier and
      major facilitator, the buffering free CoA and Acyl-CoA pool in the peroxisome, F
      type H(+)-transporting ATPases-based ATP production, V-type H(+)-transporting
      ATPases-based transmembrane transport, protein degradation, and alternative
      splicing of pre-mRNAs. Roles of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants in
      resistance to low and high Cu were defined. The backbone paths, signaling
      systems, and determinants that involve resistance of filamentous fungi to high Cu
      were determined, discussed and outlined in a model. 

PMID- 26265595
TI  - Inconsistencies in reporting risk information: a pilot analysis of online news
      coverage of West Nile Virus.
AB  - West Nile Virus (WNV) has been reported as one of the worst epidemics in US
      history. This study sought to understand how WNV news stories were framed and how
      risk information was portrayed from its 1999 arrival in the US through the year
      2012. The authors conducted a quantitative content analysis of online news
      articles obtained through Google News ( N = 428). The results of this analysis
      were compared to the CDC's ArboNET surveillance system. The following story
      frames were identified in this study: action, conflict, consequence, new
      evidence, reassurance and uncertainty, with the action frame appearing most
      frequently. Risk was communicated quantitatively without context in the majority
      of articles, and only in 2006, the year with the third-highest reported deaths,
      was risk reported with statistical accuracy. The results from the analysis
      indicated that at-risk communities were potentially under-informed as accurate
      risks were not communicated. This study offers evidence about how disease
      outbreaks are covered in relation to actual disease surveillance data.

PMID- 26265594
TI  - Developmental regulation of planar cell polarity and hair-bundle morphogenesis in
      auditory hair cells: lessons from human and mouse genetics.
AB  - Hearing loss is the most common and costly sensory defect in humans and genetic
      causes underlie a significant proportion of affected individuals. In mammals,
      sound is detected by hair cells (HCs) housed in the cochlea of the inner ear,
      whose function depends on a highly specialized mechanotransduction organelle, the
      hair bundle. Understanding the factors that regulate the development and
      functional maturation of the hair bundle is crucial for understanding the
      pathophysiology of human deafness. Genetic analysis of deafness genes in animal
      models, together with complementary forward genetic screens and conditional knock
      out mutations in essential genes, have provided great insights into the molecular
      machinery underpinning hair-bundle development and function. In this review, we
      highlight recent advances in our understanding of hair-bundle morphogenesis, with
      an emphasis on the molecular pathways governing hair-bundle polarity and
      orientation. We next discuss the proteins and structural elements important for
      hair-cell mechanotransduction as well as hair-bundle cohesion and maintenance. In
      addition, developmental signals thought to regulate tonotopic features of HCs are
      introduced. Finally, novel approaches that complement classic genetics for
      studying the molecular etiology of human deafness are presented. WIREs Dev Biol
      2016, 5:85-101. doi: 10.1002/wdev.202 For further resources related to this
      article, please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26265596
TI  - 'Picture me healthy': a pilot study using photovoice to explore health
      perceptions among migrant youth in Beijing, China.
AB  - Globalization has resulted in an influx of migrant families from rural provinces
      into the urban areas of China. Although the migrant population may live in the
      same cities as urban residents, they experience different lives because of
      restricted access to job opportunities, social services, and schools for
      children. Limited research exists with Chinese rural-to-urban migrant youth,
      particularly using community-based approaches. This study explored migrant
      youths' perceptions of their nutrition, physical activity, and health
      environment, using the community-based participatory research method of
      photovoice. Twelve migrant youth (6 boys and 6 girls) in Beijing, China,
      participated in two photovoice assignments focused on personal safety, nutrition,
      and physical activity. The photographs taken by the youth guided group
      discussions and semi-structured interviews. Inductive and deductive processes
      were used to identify codes (ideas emerging from text); similar codes were
      grouped into themes. Pedestrian safety was the most common personal safety
      concern. Another safety issue was the excess garbage in the community. Garbage
      was also a barrier to nutrition and physical activity as it was a food sanitation
      concern and limited the physical environments where children could play. Schools
      and community recreation centers were perceived as facilitators of physical
      activity. However, community centers were also a barrier as a limited number of
      them caused overcrowding, resulting in safety concerns. Photovoice enables youth
      to express their health perceptions. Our data provide interesting preliminary
      insight into the lives of Chinese migrant youth, which could help inform the
      development of interventions and advocate for positive environmental changes for
      this marginalized population.

PMID- 26265597
TI  - Elaboration, characteristics and advantages of biochars for the management of
      contaminated soils with a specific overview on Miscanthus biochars.
AB  - Biochars are products that are rich in carbon obtained by pyrolysis processes
      that consist in introducing a biomass (such as wood or manure) in a closed
      container and heating it with little or no available air. This paper reports the
      impacts of pyrolysis parameters on biochar characteristics. A preliminary
      examination of the scientific literature revealed that the type of feedstock, the
      temperature, the heating rate and the gas flow were the major parameters
      influencing the biochar characteristics. This review highlights the multitude of
      biochars that can be made and shows the importance of characterizing them before
      their use in soils. Then we assess how the input of biochars in soils can affect
      soil parameters. A review of the literature showed modifications on: i) the
      physical properties of soils (i.e. the modification in soil structure and water
      retention), ii) the chemical properties of soils (i.e. the modification of pH,
      cation exchange capacity, nutrient availability, the organic matter content) and
      iii) the biological properties (i.e. the changes in microbial and faunal
      communities). All these modifications can lead to an increase in crop
      productivity, which confirms the value of biochars as a soil amendment. Moreover,
      biochars can also provide an advantage for soil remediation. Indeed, biochars
      efficiently reduce the bioavailability of organic and inorganic pollutants. In
      addition, this review focuses on a specific plant that can be used to produce
      biochars: Miscanthus, a non-wood rhizomatous C4 perennial grass. Miscanthus
      presents advantages for biochar production due to: i) its lignocellulosic
      content, ii) its silicon content, which can mitigate environmental stresses
      (notably for plants grown on contaminated sites) and iii) the greater surface
      area of the Miscanthus biochars compared to the biochars produced with other
      feedstock. 

PMID- 26265598
TI  - Spray drift reduction techniques for vineyards in fragmented landscapes.
AB  - In intensive agricultural systems spray drift is one of the major potential
      diffuse pollution pathways for pesticides and poses a risk to the environment.
      There is also increasing concern about potential exposure to bystanders and
      passers-by, especially in fragmented landscapes like the Italian pre-Alps, where
      orchards and vineyards are surrounded by residential houses. There is thus an
      urgent need to do field measurements of drift generated by air-blast sprayer in
      vineyards, and to develop measures for its reduction (mitigation). A field
      experiment with an "event method" was conducted in north-eastern Italy in no-wind
      conditions, in the hilly area famed for Prosecco wine production, using an air
      blast sprayer in order to evaluate the potential spray drift from equipment and
      the effectiveness of some practical mitigation measures, either single or in
      combination. A definition of mitigation is proposed, and a method for the
      calculation of total effectiveness of a series of mitigation measures is applied
      to some what-if scenarios of interest. Results show that low-drift equipment
      reduced potential spray drift by 38% and that a fully developed vine curtain
      mitigated it by about 70%; when the last row was treated without air-assistance
      mitigation was about 74%; hedgerows were always very effective in providing
      mitigation of up to 98%. In conclusion, spray drift is not inevitable and can be
      markedly reduced using a few mitigation measures, most already available to
      farmers, that can be strongly recommended for environmental regulatory schemes
      and community-based participatory research. 

PMID- 26265599
TI  - Improved waste water treatment by bio-synthesized Graphene Sand Composite.
AB  - The photocatalytic and antibacterial properties of graphene biosynthesized from
      sugar and anchored on sand particles has been focused here. The morphology and
      composition of the synthesized Graphene Sand Composite (GSC) was investigated by
      means of X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM),
      Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDAX), Fourier Transform Infra-red
      Spectroscopy (FTIR) and UV-Visible spectroscopy. SEM images show wrinkly edges.
      This is characteristic of graphenic morphology. Three types of waste water
      samples namely, textile waste (TW), sugarcane industrial waste water (SW) and
      domestic waste water from a local purification center at Kodaikanal (KWW) were
      collected and treated. Adsorption experiments showed effective removal of
      impurities at 0.2 g of GSC. Photocatalytic activity was analyzed under visible
      and ultraviolet irradiation. The rate constant for TW increased to 0.0032/min for
      visible light irradiation from 0.0029/min under UV irradiation. SW showed similar
      improved activity with rate constant as 0.0023/min in visible irradiation
      compared to 0.0016/min under UV irradiation. For KWW enhanced activity was seen
      only in visible light irradiation with rate constant 0.0025/min. GSC showed an
      inhibition zone of 20 mm against the bacterium Escherichia coli. Results suggest
      development of economic and effective waste water management systems. 

PMID- 26265600
TI  - Arsenic and fluoride contaminated groundwaters: A review of current technologies
      for contaminants removal.
AB  - Chronic contamination of groundwaters by both arsenic (As) and fluoride (F) is
      frequently observed around the world, which has severely affected millions of
      people. Fluoride and As are introduced into groundwaters by several sources such
      as water-rock interactions, anthropogenic activities, and groundwater recharge.
      Coexistence of these pollutants can have adverse effects due to synergistic
      and/or antagonistic mechanisms leading to uncertain and complicated health
      effects, including cancer. Many developing countries are beset with the problem
      of F and As laden waters, with no affordable technologies to provide clean water
      supply. The technologies available for the simultaneous removal are akin to
      chemical treatment, adsorption and membrane processes. However, the presence of
      competing ions such as phosphate, silicate, nitrate, chloride, carbonate, and
      sulfate affect the removal efficiency. Highly efficient, low-cost and sustainable
      technology which could be used by rural populations is of utmost importance for
      simultaneous removal of both pollutants. This can be realized by using readily
      available low cost materials coupled with proper disposal units. Synthesis of
      inexpensive and highly selective nanoadsorbents or nanofunctionalized membranes
      is required along with encapsulation units to isolate the toxicant loaded
      materials to avoid their re-entry in aquifers. A vast number of reviews have been
      published periodically on removal of As or F alone. However, there is a dearth of
      literature on the simultaneous removal of both. This review critically analyzes
      this important issue and considers strategies for their removal and safe
      disposal. 

PMID- 26265601
TI  - Adsorption removal of antiviral drug oseltamivir and its metabolite oseltamivir
      carboxylate by carbon nanotubes: Effects of carbon nanotube properties and media.
AB  - This investigation evaluated the adsorption behavior of the antiviral drugs of
      oseltamivir (OE) and its metabolites (i.e., oseltamivir carboxylate (OC)) on
      three types of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) including single-walled CNT (SWCNT), multi
      walled CNT (MWCNT), and carboxylated SWCNT (SWCNT-COOH). CNTs can efficiently
      remove more than 90% of the OE and OC from aqueous solution when the initial
      concentration was lower than 10(-4) mmol/L. The Polanyi-Manes model depicted the
      adsorption isotherms of OE and OC on CNTs better than the Langmuir and Freundlich
      models. The properties of OE/OC and the characteristics of CNTs, particularly the
      oxygen functional groups (e.g., SWCNT-COOH) played important roles during the
      adsorption processes. OE showed a higher adsorption affinity than OC. By
      comparing the different adsorbates adsorption on each CNT and each adsorbate
      adsorption on different CNTs, the adsorption mechanisms of hydrophobic
      interaction, electrostatic interaction, van der Waals force, and H-bonding were
      proposed as the contributing factors for OE and OC adsorption on CNTs.
      Particularly, for verifying the contribution of electrostatic interaction, the
      changes of adsorption partition efficiency (Kd) of OE and OC on CNTs were
      evaluated by varying pH from 2 to 11 and the importance of isoelectric point
      (pHIEP) of CNTs on OE and OC adsorption was addressed. 

PMID- 26265602
TI  - From the Neonatal Resuscitation Program to Helping Babies Breathe: Global impact
      of educational programs in neonatal resuscitation.
AB  - Two educational programs in neonatal resuscitation, the Neonatal Resuscitation
      Program (NRP) and Helping Babies Breathe (HBB) have found widespread acceptance
      globally as practical tools to improve newborn survival and reduce death from
      perinatal asphyxia. The programs share a common scientific evidence base and both
      employ adult education principles with an emphasis on building skills. However,
      they differ in their target audience and context, their core content, and the
      methods used for knowledge translation. This review describes how the design of
      NRP transported it outside the USA to countries around the globe and how the
      program has contributed to improvements in care at multiple levels from the
      bedside to guidelines and research. It examines the gaps in the reach of NRP that
      stimulated the development of HBB and helped shape a different approach to
      education of health care providers in resource-limited settings. Implementation
      of HBB is summarized to date, and evidence provided of its effectiveness in
      reducing neonatal death and stillbirth. Finally, consideration of how the
      programs function together suggests their future potential to strengthen health
      systems and maximize the impact on the health of newborns. 

PMID- 26265603
TI  - Silent War to Emerging or Re-emerging Respiratory Infection Diseases Badly Kept
      in Mind.

PMID- 26265604
TI  - A Nomogram for Predicting the Likelihood of Obstructive Sleep Apnea to Reduce the
      Unnecessary Polysomnography Examinations.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The currently available polysomnography (PSG) equipments and
      operating personnel are facing increasing pressure, such situation may result in
      the problem that a large number of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients cannot
      receive timely diagnosis and treatment, we sought to develop a nomogram
      quantifying the risk of OSA for a better decision of using PSG, based on the
      clinical syndromes and the demographic and anthropometric characteristics.
      METHODS: The nomogram was constructed through an ordinal logistic regression
      procedure. Predictive accuracy and performance characteristics were assessed with
      the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristics and
      calibration plots, respectively. Decision curve analyses were applied to assess
      the net benefit of the nomogram. RESULTS: Among the 401 patients, 73 (18.2%) were
      diagnosed and grouped as the none OSA (apnea-hypopnea index [AHI] <5), 67 (16.7%)
      the mild OSA (5 <= AHI < 15), 82 (20.4%) the moderate OSA (15 <= AHI < 30), and
      179 (44.6%) the severe OSA (AHI >= 30). The multivariable analysis suggested the
      significant factors were duration of disease, smoking status, difficulty of
      falling asleep, lack of energy, and waist circumference. A nomogram was created
      for the prediction of OSA using these clinical parameters and was internally
      validated using bootstrapping method. The discrimination accuracies of the
      nomogram for any OSA, moderate-severe OSA, and severe OSA were 83.8%, 79.9%, and
      80.5%, respectively, which indicated good calibration. Decision curve analysis
      showed that using nomogram could reduce the unnecessary polysomnography (PSG) by
      10% without increasing the false negatives. CONCLUSIONS: The established clinical
      nomogram provides high accuracy in predicting the individual risk of OSA. This
      tool may help physicians better make decisions on PSG arrangement for the
      patients referred to sleep centers.

PMID- 26265605
TI  - Presence of Fragmented QRS Complexes in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea
      Syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a disease with increasing
      prevalence, which is mainly characterized by increased cardiopulmonary mortality
      and morbidity. It is well-known that OSAS patients have increased prevalence of
      cardiovascular diseases including coronary heart disease, heart failure, and
      arrhythmias. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of prolonged and
      fragmented QRS complexes, which have previously been associated with
      cardiovascular mortality, in OSAS patients. METHODS: Our study included 51
      patients (mean age 41.6 +/- 10.1 years) who were recently diagnosed with OSAS
      (apnea-hypopnea index [AHI] >=5 events/h) and never received therapy. The control
      group consisted of 34 volunteers (mean age 43.1 +/- 11.6 years) in whom OSAS was
      excluded (AHI <5 events/h). The longest QRS complexes was measured in the 12-lead
      electrocardiogram (ECG) and the presence of fragmentation in QRS complexes was
      investigated. RESULTS: Fragmented QRS frequency was significantly higher in
      patients with OSAS (n = 31 [61%] vs. n = 12 [35%], P = 0.021). QRS and QTc
      durations were also significantly longer in OSAS patients than controls (99.8 +/-
      13.9 ms vs. 84.7 +/- 14.3 ms, P < 0.001; 411.4 +/- 26.9 ms vs. 390.1 +/- 32.2 ms,
      P = 0.001, respectively). Analysis of the patient and controls groups combined
      revealed a weak-moderate correlation between AHI and QRS duration (r = 0.292, P =
      0.070). OSAS group had no correlation between AHI and QRS duration (r = -0.231, P
      = 0.203). CONCLUSIONS: In our study fragmented QRS frequency and QRS duration
      were found to increase in OSAS patients. Both parameters are related with
      increased cardiovascular mortality. Considering the prognostic importance of ECG
      parameters, it may be reasonable to recommend more detailed evaluation of OSAS
      patients with fragmented or prolonged QRS complexes with respect to presence of
      cardiovascular diseases.

PMID- 26265606
TI  - Obstructive Sleep Apnea Hypopnea Syndrome as a Reason for Active Management of
      Pulmonary Embolism.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) constitutes an
      independent factor for high warfarin dose for patients with pulmonary embolism
      (PE). The aim of this study was to investigate whether the 6-month
      anticoagulation treatment by warfarin is enough for patients with PE complicated
      by OSAHS. METHODS: We investigated 97 PE patients, 32 of them had OSAHS and 65
      non-OSAHS. Warfarin was administered for 6-month if no abnormal circumstances
      occurred. All patients were followed up for 18 months. Adverse events (AE)
      included death, major bleeding, hospitalization due to heart failure or pulmonary
      hypertension, and recurrence or aggravation of PE (including deep vein
      thrombosis). Recurrence rate of PE after warfarin cessation was compared between
      the two groups. RESULTS: OSAHS patients required a significantly higher dose of
      warfarin than their non-OSAHS counterparts (4.73 mg vs. 3.61 mg, P < 0.001).
      During warfarin treatment, no major bleeding and aggravation of PE occurred among
      OSAHS patients, and the rates of various AE were not significantly different
      between the OSAHS and non-OSAHS groups. PE recurrence was higher in OSAHS than
      non-OSAHS groups after withdrawal of warfarin (21.43% vs. 6.78%, P = 0.047).
      Compared with non-OSAHS patients, OSAHS group had lower international normalized
      ratio (INR) value but higher plasminogen on baseline and INR resumed to a
      relatively low level after warfarin discontinuation. CONCLUSIONS: OSAHS patients
      may present with hypercoagulation and relatively high-risk of recurrence of PE
      after cessation of 6-month warfarin treatment.

PMID- 26265607
TI  - Nonstent Combination Interventional Therapy for Treatment of Benign Cicatricial
      Airway Stenosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Benign cicatricial airway stenosis (BCAS) is a life-threatening
      disease. While there are numerous therapies, all have their defects, and stenosis
      can easily become recurrent. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and
      complications of nonstent combination interventional therapy (NSCIT) when used
      for the treatment of BCAS of different causes and types. METHODS: This study
      enrolled a cohort of patients with BCAS resulting from tuberculosis, intubation,
      tracheotomy, and other origins. The patients were assigned to three groups
      determined by their type of stenosis: Web-like stenosis, granulation stenosis,
      and complex stenosis, and all patients received NSCIT. The efficacy and
      complications of treatment in each group of patients were observed. The Chi
      square test, one-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA), and the paired t -test were
      used to analyze different parameters. RESULTS: The 10 patients with web-like
      stenosis and six patients with granulation stenosis exhibited durable remission
      rates of 100%. Among 41 patients with complex stenosis, 36 cases (88%)
      experienced remission and 29 cases (71%) experienced durable remission. When five
      patients with airway collapse were eliminated from the analysis, the overall
      remission rate was 97%. The average treatment durations for patients with web
      like stenosis, granulation stenosis, and complex stenosis were 101, 21, and 110
      days, respectively, and the average number of treatments was five, two, and five,
      respectively. CONCLUSIONS: NSCIT demonstrated good therapeutic efficacy and was
      associated with few complications. However, this approach was ineffective for
      treating patients with airway collapse or malacia.

PMID- 26265608
TI  - Esophageal Functional Changes in Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome and
      Their Impact on Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) and
      laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) disease have a high comorbidity rate, but the
      potential causal relation between the two diseases remains unclear. Our
      objectives were to investigate the esophageal functional changes in OSAHS
      patients and determine whether OSAHS affects LPR by affecting esophageal
      functions. METHODS: Thirty-six OSAHS patients and 10 healthy controls underwent
      24-h double-probed combined esophageal multichannel intraluminal impedance and pH
      monitoring simultaneously with polysomnography. High-resolution impedance
      manometry was applied to obtain a detailed evaluation of pharyngeal and
      esophageal motility. RESULTS: There were 13 OSAHS patients (36.1%) without LPR
      (OSAHS group) and 23 (63.9%) with both OSAHS and LPR (OSAHS and LPR group).
      Significant differences were found in the onset velocity of liquid swallows (OVL,
      P = 0.029) and the percent relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES)
      during viscous swallows (P = 0.049) between the OSAHS and control groups. The
      percent relaxation of LES during viscous swallows was found to be negatively
      correlated with upright distal acid percent time (P = 0.016, R = -0.507), and OVL
      was found to be negatively correlated with recumbent distal acid percent time (P
      = 0.006, R = -0.557) in the OSAHS and LPR group. CONCLUSIONS: OSAHS patients
      experience esophageal functional changes, and linear correlations were found
      between the changed esophageal functional parameters and reflux indicators, which
      might be the reason that LPR showed a high comorbidity with OSAHS and why the
      severity of the two diseases is correlated.

PMID- 26265609
TI  - P2X7 Receptor Antagonism Attenuates the Intermittent Hypoxia-induced Spatial
      Deficits in a Murine Model of Sleep Apnea Via Inhibiting Neuroinflammation and
      Oxidative Stress.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The mechanism of the neural injury caused by chronic intermittent
      hypoxia (CIH) that characterizes obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is not
      clearly known. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether P2X7 receptor
      (P2X7R) is responsible for the CIH-induced neural injury and the possible pathway
      it involves. METHODS: Eight-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were used. For each
      exposure time point, eight mice divided in room air (RA) and IH group were
      assigned to the study of P2X7R expression. Whereas in the 21 days-Brilliant Blue
      G (BBG, a selective P2X7R antagonist) study, 48 mice were randomly divided into
      CIH group, BBG-treated CIH group, RA group and BBG-treated RA group. The
      hippocampus P2X7R expression was determined by Western blotting and real-time
      polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The spatial learning was analyzed by Morris
      water maze. The nuclear factor kappa B (NFkappaB) and NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2)
      expressions were analyzed by Western blotting. The expressions of tumor necrosis
      factor alpha, interleukin 1beta (IL-beta), IL-18, and IL-6 were measured by real
      time PCR. The malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase levels were detected by
      colorimetric method. Cell damage was evaluated by Hematoxylin and Eosin staining
      and Terminal Transferase dUTP Nick-end Labeling method. RESULTS: The P2X7R mRNA
      was elevated and sustained after 3-day IH exposure and the P2X7R protein was
      elevated and sustained after 7-day IH exposure. In the BBG study, the CIH mice
      showed severer neuronal cell damage and poorer performance in the behavior test.
      The increased NFkappaB and NOX2 expressions along with the inflammation injury
      and oxidative stress were also observed in the CIH group. BBG alleviated CIH
      induced neural injury and consequent functional deficits. CONCLUSIONS: The P2X7R
      antagonism attenuates the CIH-induced neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and
      spatial deficits, demonstrating that the P2X7R is an important therapeutic target
      in the cognition deficits accompanied OSAS.

PMID- 26265610
TI  - Predictive Ability of the SYNergy Between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention with
      TAXus and Cardiac Surgery Score II for Long-term Mortality in Patients with Three
      vessel Coronary Artery Disease Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
      Treated with Second-generation Drug-eluting Stents.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The SYNergy between percutaneous coronary intervention with TAXus and
      cardiac surgery Score II (SS-II) can well predict 4-year mortality in patients
      with complex coronary artery disease (CAD), and guide decision-making between
      coronary artery bypass graft surgery and percutaneous coronary intervention
      (PCI). However, there is lack of data regarding the utility of the SS-II in
      patients with three-vessel CAD undergoing PCI treated with second-generation drug
      eluting stents (DES). The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the
      ability of the SS-II to predict long-term mortality in patients with three-vessel
      CAD undergoing PCI with second-generation DES. METHODS: Totally, 573 consecutive
      patients with de novo three-vessel CAD who underwent PCI with second-generation
      DES were retrospectively studied. According to the tertiles of the SS-II, the
      patients were divided into three groups: The lowest SS-II tertile (SS-II <=20),
      intermediate SS-II tertile (SS-II of 21-31), and the highest SS-II tertile (SS-II
      >=32). The survival curves of the different groups were estimated by the Kaplan
      Meier method. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression
      analyses were performed to evaluate the relationship between the SS-II and 5-year
      mortality. The performance of the SS-II with respect to predicting the rate of
      mortality was studied by calculating the area under the receiver operator
      characteristic (ROC) curve. The predictive ability of the SS-II for 5-year
      mortality was evaluated and compared with the SS alone. RESULTS: The overall SS
      II was 27.6 +/- 9.0. Among patients in the lowest, intermediate and the highest
      SS-II tertiles, the 5-year rates of mortality were 1.6%, 3.2%, and 8.6%,
      respectively (P = 0.003); the cardiac mortality rates were 0.5%, 1.9%, and 5.2%,
      respectively (P = 0.014). By multivariable analysis, adjusting for the potential
      confounders, the SS-II was an independent predictor of 5-year mortality (hazard
      ratio: 2.45, 95% confidence interval: 1.38-4.36; P = 0.002). The SS-II
      demonstrated a higher predictive accuracy for 5-year mortality compared with the
      SS alone (the area under the ROC curve was 0.705 and 0.598, respectively).
      CONCLUSION: The SS-II is an independent predictor of 5-year mortality in patients
      with three-vessel CAD undergoing PCI treated with second-generation DES, and
      demonstrates a superior predictive ability over the SS alone.

PMID- 26265611
TI  - CYP2C19*2 and Other Allelic Variants Affecting Platelet Response to Clopidogrel
      Tested by Thrombelastography in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To investigate the contributions of CYP2C19 polymorphisms to the
      various clopidogrel responses tested by thrombelastography (TEG) in Chinese
      patients with the acute coronary syndrome (ACS). METHODS: Patients were screened
      prospectively with ACS diagnose and were treated with clopidogrel and aspirin
      dual antiplatelet therapy. CYP2C19 loss of function (LOF) and gain of function
      (GOF) genotype, adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP)-channel platelet inhibition rate
      (PIR) tested by TEG and the occurrence of 3-month major adverse cardiovascular
      events and ischemic events were assessed in 116 patients. RESULTS: High on
      treatment platelet reactivity (HTPR) prevalence defined by PIR <30% by TEG in ADP
      channel was 32.76% (38/116). With respect to the normal wild type, CYP2C19*2, and
      *3 LOF alleles, and *17 GOF alleles, patients were classified into three
      metabolism phenotypes: 41.38% were extensive metabolizers (EMs), 56.90% were
      intermediate metabolizers (IMs), and 1.72% were poor metabolizers (PMs). Of the
      enrolled patients, 31.47%, 5.17%, and 0.43%, respectively, were carriers of *2,
      *3, and *17 alleles. The HTPR incidence differed significantly according to
      CYP2C19 genotypes, accounting for 18.75%, 41.54%, and 100.00% in EMs, IMs, and
      PMs, respectively. Eighteen (17.24%) ischemic events occurred during the 3-month
      follow-up, and there was a significant difference in ischemic events between HTPR
      group and nonhigh on-treatment platelet reactivity group. CONCLUSIONS: Genetic
      CYP2C19 polymorphisms are relative to the inferior, the antiplatelet activity
      after clopidogrel admission and may increase the incidence of ischemic events in
      patients with ACS.

PMID- 26265612
TI  - A Marked Increase in Obstetric Hysterectomy for Placenta Accreta.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Obstetric hysterectomy (OH) as a lifesaving measure to manage
      uncontrolled uterine hemorrhage appears to be increasing recently. The objective
      of this study was to determine the etiology and changing trends of OH and to
      identify those at particular risk of OH to enhance the early involvement of
      multidisciplinary intensive care. METHODS: A retrospective study was carried out
      in patients who had OH in China-Japan Friendship Hospital from 2004 to 2014.
      Maternal characteristics, preoperative evaluation, operative reports, and
      prenatal outcomes were studied in detail. RESULTS: There were 19 cases of OH
      among a total of 18,838 deliveries. Comparing the study periods between 2004-2010
      and 2011-2014, OH increased from 0.8/1000 (10/12,890) to 1.5/1000 (9/5948).
      Indications for OH have changed significantly during this study period with
      uterine atony decreasing from 50.0% (5/10) to 11.1% (1/9) (P < 0.05), and
      placenta accreta as the indication for OH has increased significantly from 20.0%
      (2/10) to 77.8% (7/9) (P < 0.05). Ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging
      (MRI) have been used to make an exact antepartum diagnosis of placenta accreta. A
      multidisciplinary management led to improved outcomes for patients with placenta
      accreta. CONCLUSION: As the multiple cesarean delivery rates have risen, there
      has been a dramatic increase in OH for placenta accreta. An advance antenatal
      diagnosis of ultrasonography, and MRI, and a multidisciplinary teamwork can
      maximize patients' safety and outcome.

PMID- 26265613
TI  - Comparison of Therapeutic Efficacy between Gastrectomy with Transarterial
      Chemoembolization Plus Systemic Chemotherapy and Systemic Chemotherapy Alone in
      Gastric Cancer with Synchronous Liver Metastasis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Systemic chemotherapy (SC) is the recommended treatment for gastric
      cancer with liver metastasis. However, the improvement in survival has been
      disappointing. The aim of this study was to compare the therapeutic efficacy of
      gastrectomy with transarterial chemoembolization plus SC (GTC) and SC alone for
      gastric cancer with synchronous liver metastasis. METHODS: From January 2008 to
      December 2013, 107 gastric cancer patients with synchronous liver metastasis
      attending the four participating centers were enrolled in this multicenter,
      ambispective, controlled cohort study. Patients who underwent GTC (n = 32) were
      compared with controls who were received SC alone (n = 75). The primary endpoints
      of the study were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). The
      secondary endpoints were response rate to treatment and treatment-related adverse
      effects. RESULTS: The median OS was 14.0 months (95% confidence interval [CI ]:
      13.1-14.9 months) in the GTC treatment group and 8.0 months (95% CI : 6.6-9.4
      months) in SC group, this difference being statistically significant (P < 0.001).
      The median PFS was significantly longer in the GTC than in the SC group (5
      months, 95% CI : 2.2-7.8 months vs. 3 months, 95% CI : 2.3-3.4 months,
      respectively) (P < 0.001). The rate of response to treatment was significantly
      better in the GTC than the SC group (59.4% vs. 37.4%, respectively) (P = 0.035).
      According to multivariate analysis, OS in patients receiving combination
      treatment was significantly correlated with the size (P = 0.037) and extent of
      liver metastases (P < 0.001). PFS was also correlated with the extent of liver
      metastases (P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: GTC is more effective than SC alone in
      patients with gastric cancer with synchronous liver metastasis. GTC therapy
      prolongs the survival of selected gastric cancer patients with synchronous liver
      metastasis.

PMID- 26265614
TI  - Home-based Early Intervention on Auditory and Speech Development in Mandarin
      speaking Deaf Infants and Toddlers with Chronological Aged 7-24 Months.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Early auditory and speech development in home-based early
      intervention of infants and toddlers with hearing loss younger than 2 years are
      still spare in China. This study aimed to observe the development of auditory and
      speech in deaf infants and toddlers who were fitted with hearing aids and/or
      received cochlear implantation between the chronological ages of 7-24 months, and
      analyze the effect of chronological age and recovery time on auditory and speech
      development in the course of home-based early intervention. METHODS: This
      longitudinal study included 55 hearing impaired children with severe and profound
      binaural deafness, who were divided into Group A (7-12 months), Group B (13-18
      months) and Group C (19-24 months) based on the chronological age. Categories
      auditory performance (CAP) and speech intelligibility rating scale (SIR) were
      used to evaluate auditory and speech development at baseline and 3, 6, 9, 12, 18,
      and 24 months of habilitation. Descriptive statistics were used to describe
      demographic features and were analyzed by repeated measures analysis of variance.
      RESULTS: With 24 months of hearing intervention, 78% of the patients were able to
      understand common phrases and conversation without lip-reading, 96% of the
      patients were intelligible to a listener. In three groups, children showed the
      rapid growth of trend features in each period of habilitation. CAP and SIR scores
      have developed rapidly within 24 months after fitted auxiliary device in Group A,
      which performed much better auditory and speech abilities than Group B (P < 0.05)
      and Group C (P < 0.05). Group B achieved better results than Group C, whereas no
      significant differences were observed between Group B and Group C (P > 0.05).
      CONCLUSIONS: The data suggested the early hearing intervention and home-based
      habilitation benefit auditory and speech development. Chronological age and
      recovery time may be major factors for aural verbal outcomes in hearing impaired
      children. The development of auditory and speech in hearing impaired children may
      be relatively crucial in thefirst year's habilitation after fitted with the
      auxiliary device.

PMID- 26265615
TI  - Rib Cartilage Assessment Relative to the Healthy Ear in Young Children with
      Microtia Guiding Operative Timing.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The optimal age at which to initiate for auricular reconstruction is
      controversial. Rib cartilage growth is closely related to age and determines the
      feasibility and outcomes of auricular reconstruction. We developed a method to
      guide the timing of auricular reconstruction in children with microtia ranging in
      age from 5 to 10 years. METHODS: Rib cartilage and the healthy ear were assessed
      using low-dose multi-slice computed tomography. The lengths of the eighth rib
      cartilage and the helix of the healthy ear (from the helical crus to the joint of
      the helix and the earlobe) were measured. Surgery was performed when the two
      lengths were approximately equal. RESULTS: The preoperative eighth rib
      measurements significantly correlated with the intraoperative measurements (P <
      0.05). From 5 to 10 years of age, eighth rib growth was not linear. In 76 (62.8%)
      of 121 patients, the eighth rib length was approximately equal to the helix
      length in the healthy ear; satisfactory outcomes were achieved in these patients.
      In 18 (14.9%) patients, the eighth rib was slightly shorter than the helix, helix
      fabrication was accomplished by adjusting the length of the helical crus of
      stent, and satisfactory outcomes were also achieved. Acceptable outcomes were
      achieved in 17 (14.0%) patients in whom helix fabrication was accomplished by
      cartilage splicing. In 9 (7.4%) patients with insufficient rib cartilage length,
      the operation was delayed. In one (0.8%) patient with insufficient rib cartilage
      length, which left no cartilage for helix splicing, the result was
      unsatisfactory. CONCLUSIONS: Eighth rib cartilage growth is variable. Rib
      cartilage assessment relative to the healthy ear can guide auricular
      reconstruction and personalize treatment in young patients with microtia.

PMID- 26265616
TI  - Follow-up of N400 in the Rehabilitation of First-episode Schizophrenia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The N400 component of event-related potentials (ERP) has recently
      drawn widespread attention at home and abroad. This study was to explore the
      relationship between N400 changes and risperidone treatment and rehabilitation
      infirst-episode schizophrenia (FES). METHODS: ERP component N400 was recorded by
      Guangzhou Runjie WJ-1 ERP instruments, in 58 FES before and 6 months, 15 months
      after risperidone treatment, and in 62 normal controls. The patients' syndromes
      were assessed by Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). And the stimuli
      are Chinese sentences with matching (congruent) or mismatching (incongruent)
      ending words. RESULTS: N400 latencies were prolonged, and amplitudes were
      decreased in Cz, Pz, Fz, C3, C4, in FES compared with in NC, before treatment.
      The prolonged N400 latencies and decreased amplitudes were negatively correlated
      with the patients' positive scale and total scale of PANSS. There are significant
      differences of N400 amplitudes and latencies in 6 months and 15 months follow-up
      after treatment. Before treatment, 6 months and 15 months after treatment, N400
      latencies are 446 +/- 35 ms, 440 +/- 37 ms, 414 +/- 31 ms (F = 9.72, P < 0.01) in
      incongruent situation; N400 amplitudes are 5.2 +/- 4.6 MUV, 5.7 +/- 4.8 MUV, 7.3
      +/- 5.0 MUV (F = 2.06, P > 0.05) in congruent situation, and 8.5 +/- 5.9 MUV,
      10.1 +/- 5.0 MUV, 11.9 +/- 7.0 MUV (F = 3.697, P < 0.05) in incongruent
      situation. CONCLUSIONS: N400 could be used to predict the effects of treatment of
      schizophrenia to some degree. The linguistic and cognitive impairment in
      schizophrenia can be improved by antipsychotic drugs.

PMID- 26265617
TI  - Reduction of Glucose Metabolism in Olfactory Bulb is an Earlier Alzheimer's
      Disease-related Biomarker in 5XFAD Mice.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Early diagnosis assumes a vital role in an effective treatment of
      Alzheimer's disease (AD). Most of the current studies can only make an AD
      diagnosis after the manifestation of typical clinical symptoms. The present study
      aimed to investigate typical and other biomarkers of AD to find a possible early
      biomarker. METHODS: A total of 14 5XFAD mice (at 3 and 6 months old), with 14 age
      matched wild-type (WT) mice as control, were enrolled in this case-control study.
      Morris water maze test was performed to evaluate the cognitive function; buried
      food pellet test and olfactory maze test were employed to investigate the
      olfactory function; immunofluorescence to detect amyloid deposition and positron
      emission tomography to examine 2-deoxy-2-(18F) fluoro-D-glucose ([18F]-FDG)
      uptake in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. RESULTS: With the increasing age,
      cognitive performance (P = 0.0262) and olfactory function were significantly
      deteriorated (day 1 P = 0.0012, day 2 P = 0.0031, day 3 P = 0.0160, respectively)
      and the (18F)-FDG uptake was markedly decreased in multi-cerebral regions
      including the olfactory bulb (P < 0.0001), hippocampus (P = 0.0121), and cerebral
      cortex (P < 0.0001). Of note, in 3-month-old 5XFAD mice, a significant decline of
      (18F)-FDG uptake in the olfactory bulb was found when compared with that of age
      matched WT mice (P = 0.023) while no significant difference was present when the
      uptakes in other cerebral regions were compared. CONCLUSIONS: The decline of
      (18F)-FDG uptake in the olfactory bulb occurs earlier than other incidents,
      serving as an earlier in vivo biological marker of AD in 5XFAD mice and making
      early diagnosis of AD possibly.

PMID- 26265618
TI  - Shikonin Promotes Skin Cell Proliferation and Inhibits Nuclear Factor-kappaB
      Translocation via Proteasome Inhibition In Vitro.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Shikonin is a major active chemical component extracted from
      Lithospermi Radix, an effective traditional herb in various types of wound
      healing. Shikonin can accelerate granulomatous tissue formation by the rat cotton
      pellet method and induce neovascularization in granulomatous tissue. The purpose
      of the study was to investigate its mechanism of action in human skin cells.
      METHODS: MTS assay was used to measure cell growth. The collagen type I (COL1 )
      mRNA expression and procollagen type I C-peptide (PIP) production were detected
      by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and
      enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Immunofluorescence and western
      blot analyses were carried out to investigate nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB)
      signaling pathway. Cell-based proteasome activity assay was used to determine
      proteasome activity. RESULTS: In this study, we found that 10 MUmol/L shikonin
      stimulated the growth of normal human keratinocytes and 1 MUmol/L shikonin
      promoted growth of human dermal fibroblasts. However, shikonin did not directly
      induce COL1 mRNA expression and PIP production in dermal fibroblasts in vitro. In
      addition, 1 MUmol/L shikonin inhibited translocation of NF-kappaB p65 from
      cytoplasm to nucleus induced by tumor necrosis factor-alpha stimulation in dermal
      fibroblasts. Furthermore, shikonin inhibited chymotrypsin-like activity of
      proteasome and was associated with accumulation of phosphorylated inhibitor
      kappaB-alpha in dermal fibroblasts. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that
      shikonin may promote wound healing via its cell growth promoting activity and
      suppress skin inflammation via inhibitory activity on proteasome. Thus, shikonin
      may be a potential therapeutic reagent both in wound healing and inflammatory
      skin diseases.

PMID- 26265619
TI  - Prophylactic Antitumor Effect of Mixed Heat Shock Proteins/Peptides in Mouse
      Sarcoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To develop a vaccine-based immunotherapy for sarcoma, we evaluated a
      mixture of heat shock proteins (mHSPs) as a vaccine for sarcoma treatment in a
      mouse model. Heat shock protein/peptides (HSP/Ps) are autoimmune factors that can
      induce both adaptive and innate immune responses; HSP/Ps isolated from tumors can
      induce antitumor immune activity when used as vaccines. METHODS: In this study,
      we evaluated the effects of mHSP/Ps on prophylactic antitumor immunity. We
      extracted mHSP/Ps, including HSP60, HSP70, GP96, and HSP110, from the mouse
      sarcoma cell lines S180 and MCA207 using chromatography. The immunity induced by
      mHSP/Ps was assessed using flow cytometry, ELISPOT, lactate dehydrogenase
      release, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Of S180 sarcoma-bearing
      mice immunized with mHSP/Ps isolated from S180 cells, 41.2% showed tumor
      regression and long-term survival, with a tumor growth inhibition rate of 82.3%
      at 30 days. Of MCA207 sarcoma-bearing mice immunized with mHSP/Ps isolated from
      MCA207 cells, 50% showed tumor regression and long-term survival with a tumor
      growth inhibition rate of 79.3%. All control mice died within 40 days. The
      proportions of natural killer cells, CD8+, and interferon-gamma-secreting cells
      and tumor-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte activity were increased in the
      immunized group. CONCLUSIONS: Vaccination with a polyvalent mHSP/P cancer vaccine
      can induce an immunological response and a marked antitumor response to
      autologous tumors. This mHSP/P vaccine exerted greater antitumor effects than did
      HSP70, HSP60, or tumor lysates alone.

PMID- 26265620
TI  - Epithelial Sodium and Chloride Channels and Asthma.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To focus on the asthmatic pathogenesis and clinical manifestations
      related to epithelial sodium channel (ENaC)/chlorine ion channel. DATA SOURCES:
      The data analyzed in this review were the English articles from 1980 to 2015 from
      journal databases, primarily PubMed and Google Scholar. The terms used in the
      literature search were: (1) ENaCs; cystic fibrosis (CF) transmembrane conductance
      regulator (CFTR); asthma/asthmatic, (2) ENaC/sodium salt; CF; asthma/asthmatic,
      (3) CFTR/chlorine ion channels; asthma/asthmatic, (4) ENaC/sodium
      channel/scnn1a/scnn1b/scnn1g/scnn1d/amiloride-sensitive/amiloride-inhibtable
      sodium channels/sodium salt; asthma/asthmatic,
      lung/pulmonary/respiratory/tracheal/alveolar, and (5) CFTR; CF; asthma/asthmatic
      (ti). STUDY SELECTION: These studies included randomized controlled trials or
      studies covering asthma pathogenesis and clinical manifestations related to
      ENaC/chlorine ion channels within the last 25 years (from 1990 to 2015). The data
      involving chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and CF obtained from individual
      studies were also reviewed by the authors. RESULTS: Airway surface liquid
      dehydration can cause airway inflammation and obstruction. ENaC and CFTR are
      closely related to the airway mucociliary clearance. Ion transporters may play a
      critical role in pathogenesis of asthmatic exacerbations. CONCLUSIONS: Ion
      channels have been the center of many studies aiming to understand asthmatic
      pathophysiological mechanisms or to identify therapeutic targets for better
      control of the disease.

PMID- 26265621
TI  - Commensal Microbiome Promotes Resistance to Local and Systemic Infections.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: In this review, to illustrate the resistance mechanism for pathogen
      insult, we discussed the role of the intestinal microbiome in promoting
      resistance to local gastrointestinal tract infections and to respiratory tract
      infections. DATA SOURCES: The review was based on data obtained from the
      published research articles. STUDY SELECTION: A total of 49 original articles
      were selected in accordance with our main objective to illustrate the resistance
      mechanism(s) by which commensal microbiota can contribute to host defense against
      local and systemic infections. RESULTS: Diverse microorganisms colonize human
      environmentally exposed surfaces such as skin, respiratory tract, and
      gastrointestinal tract. Co-evolution has resulted in these microbes with
      extensive and diverse impacts on multiple aspects of host biological functions.
      During the last decade, high-throughput sequencing technology developed has been
      applied to study commensal microbiota and their impact on host biological
      functions. By using pathogen recognition receptors pathway and nucleotide binding
      oligomerization domain-like receptors pathway, the commensal microbiome promotes
      resistance to local and systemic infections, respectively. To protect against the
      local infections, the microbiome functions contain the following: the competing
      for sites of colonization, direct production of inhibition molecules or depletion
      of nutrients needed for pathogens, and priming immune defenses against pathogen
      insult. At the same time, with the purpose to maintain homeostasis, the commensal
      bacteria can program systemic signals toward not only local tissue but also
      distal tissue to modify their function for infections accordingly. CONCLUSIONS:
      Commensal bacteria play an essential role in protecting against infections,
      shaping and regulating immune responses, and maintaining host immune homeostasis.

PMID- 26265622
TI  - Nipple-sparing Mastectomy in Breast Cancer: From an Oncologic Safety Perspective.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the oncologic safety of nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM)
      for breast cancer patients based on current literature. DATA SOURCES: A
      comprehensive literature search of Medline, Embase databases was conducted for
      studies published through March 2014. STUDY SELECTION: Our search criteria
      included English-language studies that focused on NSM at nipple-areola complex
      (NAC) involvement, patient selection, and recurrence. Prophylaxis NSM, case
      series or reports that based on very small population were excluded. In the end,
      42 studies concerning NSM and oncological safety were included into the review.
      RESULTS: NSM is a surgical procedure that allows the preservation of the skin and
      NAC in breast cancer patients or in patients with prophylactic mastectomy.
      However, the oncologic safety and patient selection criteria associated with NSM
      are still under debate. The incidence of NAC involvement of breast cancer in
      recent studies ranges from 9.5% to 24.6%, which can be decreased through careful
      patient selection. Tumour-nipple distance, tumour size, lymph node involvement
      and molecular characteristics can be evaluated preoperatively by clinical
      examinations, imaging studies and biopsies to predict the risk of NAC
      involvement. Currently, there is no available standard protocol for surgical
      approaches to NSM or pathological examination of NSM specimens. The local
      recurrence (ranges from 0% to 24%) of NSM is not significantly higher than that
      of traditional mastectomy in selected patients based on long-term follow-up. The
      role of radiotherapy in NSM is still controversial and is not universally
      accepted. CONCLUSIONS: NSM appears to be oncologically safe following careful
      patient selection and assessment of margins.

PMID- 26265623
TI  - Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy by Diode Laser with Highly Selective Clamping of
      Segmental Renal Arterial.

PMID- 26265624
TI  - Diagnosis and Management of 60 Children with Congenital Vascular Rings: A 10-year
      Experience: Corrigendum.

PMID- 26265625
TI  - Integrated Therapy for Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis in a Patient with Asthma
      and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Overlap Syndrome.

PMID- 26265626
TI  - Successful Ablation of Cavo-tricuspid Isthmus Dependent Atrial Flutter in a
      Patient with Senning Operation.

PMID- 26265627
TI  - Identification of a Novel Four and a Half LIM Domain 1 Mutation in a Chinese Male
      Presented with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and Mild Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy.

PMID- 26265628
TI  - Paraneoplastic Eosinophilia in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma.

PMID- 26265630
TI  - A Rapid, High-Quality, Cost-Effective, Comprehensive and Expandable Targeted Next
      Generation Sequencing Assay for Inherited Heart Diseases.
AB  - RATIONALE: Thousands of mutations across >50 genes have been implicated in
      inherited cardiomyopathies. However, options for sequencing this rapidly evolving
      gene set are limited because many sequencing services and off-the-shelf kits
      suffer from slow turnaround, inefficient capture of genomic DNA, and high cost.
      Furthermore, customization of these assays to cover emerging targets that suit
      individual needs is often expensive and time consuming. OBJECTIVE: We sought to
      develop a custom high throughput, clinical-grade next-generation sequencing assay
      for detecting cardiac disease gene mutations with improved accuracy, flexibility,
      turnaround, and cost. METHODS AND RESULTS: We used double-stranded probes
      (complementary long padlock probes), an inexpensive and customizable capture
      technology, to efficiently capture and amplify the entire coding region and
      flanking intronic and regulatory sequences of 88 genes and 40 microRNAs
      associated with inherited cardiomyopathies, congenital heart disease, and cardiac
      development. Multiplexing 11 samples per sequencing run resulted in a mean base
      pair coverage of 420, of which 97% had >20* coverage and >99% were concordant
      with known heterozygous single nucleotide polymorphisms. The assay correctly
      detected germline variants in 24 individuals and revealed several polymorphic
      regions in miR-499. Total run time was 3 days at an approximate cost of $100 per
      sample. CONCLUSIONS: Accurate, high-throughput detection of mutations across
      numerous cardiac genes is achievable with complementary long padlock probe
      technology. Moreover, this format allows facile insertion of additional probes as
      more cardiomyopathy and congenital heart disease genes are discovered, giving
      researchers a powerful new tool for DNA mutation detection and discovery.

PMID- 26265631
TI  - Risk factors identified for owner-reported feline obesity at around one year of
      age: Dry diet and indoor lifestyle.
AB  - Obesity is considered the second most common health problem in pet cats in
      developed countries. Previous studies investigating risk factors for feline
      obesity have been cross-sectional, where reverse causality cannot be ruled out.
      This study is the first to use prospective data from a large scale longitudinal
      study of pet cats ('Bristol Cats') to identify early-life risk factors for feline
      overweight/obesity at around one year of age. Data analysed were collected via
      three owner-completed questionnaires (for cats aged 2-4 months, 6.5-7 months and
      12.5-13 months) completed between May 2010 and August 2013. Owner-reported body
      condition scores (BCS) of cats at age 12.5-13 months, using the 5-point system,
      were categorised into a dichotomous variable: overweight/obese (BCS 4-5) and not
      overweight (BCS 1-3) and used as the dependent variable. Cat breed, neuter
      status, outdoor access, type of diet, frequency of wet and dry food fed and
      frequency of treats fed were analysed as potential risk factors. Of the 966 cats
      for which data were available, 7.0% were reported by their owners to be
      overweight/obese at 12.5-13 months of age. Descriptive data on type of diet fed
      at different cat ages suggest that a dry diet is the most popular choice for UK
      domestic cats. Significant potential explanatory variables from univariable
      logistic regression models were included in multivariable logistic regression
      models built using stepwise forward-selection. To account for potential
      hierarchical clustering of data due to multi-cat households these were extended
      to two-level random intercept models. Models were compared using Wald test p-
      values. Clustering had no impact on the analysis. The final multivariable
      logistic regression model identified two risk factors that were independently
      associated with an increased risk of feline obesity developing at 12.5-13 months
      of age: restricted or no outdoor access and feeding dry food as the only or major
      (>50%) type of food in the diet at age 12.5-13 months. The same relationship was
      revealed when only variables containing prospective data were included in the
      multivariable model. The study highlights the importance of a cat's early
      environment in the risk of obesity developing in early adulthood. The amount of
      food fed, opportunities for exercise and BCS of cats with no or restricted
      outdoor access and cats fed a dry diet should be monitored, especially whilst
      cats are aged below one year, to reduce the risk of overweight/obesity
      developing. 

PMID- 26265629
TI  - Serine Protease Activation Essential for Endothelial-Mesenchymal Transition in
      Vascular Calcification.
AB  - RATIONALE: Endothelial cells have the ability to undergo endothelial-mesenchymal
      transitions (EndMTs), by which they acquire a mesenchymal phenotype and stem cell
      like characteristics. We previously found that EndMTs occurred in the endothelium
      deficient in matrix gamma-carboxyglutamic acid protein enabling endothelial cells
      to contribute cells to vascular calcification. However, the mechanism responsible
      for initiating EndMTs is not fully understood. OBJECTIVE: To determine the role
      of specific serine proteases and sex determining region Y-box 2 (Sox2) in the
      initiation of EndMTs. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, we used in vivo and in
      vitro models of vascular calcification to demonstrate that serine proteases and
      Sox2 are essential for the initiation of EndMTs in matrix gamma-carboxyglutamic
      acid protein-deficient endothelium. We showed that expression of a group of
      specific serine proteases was highly induced in endothelial cells at sites of
      vascular calcification in Mgp null aortas. Treatment with serine protease
      inhibitors decreased both stem cell marker expression and vascular calcification.
      In human aortic endothelial cells, this group of serine proteases also induced
      EndMTs, and the activation of proteases was mediated by Sox2. Knockdown of the
      serine proteases or Sox2 diminished EndMTs and calcification. Endothelial
      specific deletion of Sox2 decreased expression of stem cell markers and aortic
      calcification in matrix gamma-carboxyglutamic acid protein-deficient mice.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that Sox2-mediated activation of specific serine
      proteases is essential for initiating EndMTs, and thus, may provide new
      therapeutic targets for treating vascular calcification.

PMID- 26265632
TI  - Court rules that FDA cannot restrict off-label marketing.

PMID- 26265633
TI  - Burning bright or burning out?

PMID- 26265634
TI  - Choroidal thickness profile in healthy Indian children.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose was to study choroidal thickness and its profile based on
      location in healthy Indian children using enhanced depth spectral-domain-optical
      coherence tomography (SD-OCT). METHODS: In this cross-sectional observational
      study 255 eyes of 136 children with no retinal or choroidal disease were
      consecutively scanned using enhanced depth SD-OCT. Eyes with any ocular disease
      or axial length (AXL) >25 mm or < 20 mm were excluded. A single observer measured
      choroidal thickness from the posterior edge of the retinal pigment epithelium to
      the choroid/sclera junction at 500-microns intervals up to 2500 microns temporal
      and nasal to the fovea. Generalized estimating equations were used to evaluate
      the correlation between choroidal thickness at various locations and age, AXL,
      gender and spherical equivalent (SEq). RESULTS: Mean age of the subjects was 11.9
      +/- 3.4 years (range: 5-18 years). There were 62 Females and 74 males. The mean
      AXL was 23.55 +/- 0.74 mm. Mean subfoveal choroidal thickness was 312.1 +/- 45.40
      MUm. Choroid was found to be thickest subfoveally, then temporally. Age, AXL and
      SEq showed a significant correlation with choroidal thickness, whereas gender did
      not affect choroidal thickness. CONCLUSION: Our study provides a valid normative
      database of choroidal thickness in healthy Indian children. This database could
      be useful for further studies evaluating choroidal changes in various
      chorioretinal disorders. Age and AXL are critical factors, which negatively
      correlated with choroidal thickness.

PMID- 26265636
TI  - Personal and practice profile of male and female ophthalmologists in India.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to study the practice pattern, personal
      profile, and work-family balance of male and female ophthalmologists in India.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted through 41 point questionnaire
      sent to the members of All India Ophthalmological Society dealing with practice
      profile and personal circumstances of ophthalmologists. RESULTS: Six hundred and
      twenty-two (8%) responses were obtained out of 7723 invitations sent. A total of
      452 were male and 170 were female ophthalmologists. Age group of 30-39 years was
      most common age of respondents (male 155; 35.3%; female 81; 47.6%). Larger number
      of male ophthalmologists (157; 34.7%) worked for more than 9 h a day than female
      ophthalmologists (41; 24.1%) (P = 0.01). Larger number of male ophthalmologists
      (229; 50.7%) earned more than Rs. 1 lakh/month than female ophthalmologists (55;
      32.4%) (P = 0.00001) More female ophthalmologists (21; 12.4%) than males (26;
      5.8%) said that they faced cultural, ethnic or gender bias at work place (P =
      0.002). Forty-four (25.9%) female and 54 (12%) male ophthalmologists said that
      they often curtailed their work for family needs (P = 0.0001). Two hundred and
      fifty-two (55.8%) male ophthalmologists and 78 (45.9%) female ophthalmologists
      considered their profession rewarding (P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Ophthalmology as a
      profession was considered rewarding by both male and female ophthalmologists.
      However, female ophthalmologists were curtailing their work for family needs and
      earning less than male ophthalmologists. Female ophthalmologists were also
      subject to gender bias at workplace. These issues need to be tackled to improve
      the work satisfaction of ophthalmology workforce.

PMID- 26265635
TI  - Foveal slope measurements in diabetic retinopathy: Can it predict development of
      sight-threatening retinopathy? Sankara Nethralaya Diabetic Retinopathy
      Epidemiology and Molecular Genetics Study (SN-DREAMS II, Report no 8).
AB  - AIM: The aim was to assess the foveal slope configuration in subjects with type 2
      diabetes in a population-based study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A subset of 668
      subjects from Sankara Nethralaya Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) Epidemiology and
      Molecular Genetics Study II, a population-based study, were included in the
      current study. All the subjects underwent comprehensive ophthalmic evaluation
      including spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Foveal thickness was
      assessed in five central early treatment DR study quadrants from the three
      dimensional scan and foveal slope was calculated in all the four quadrants.
      RESULTS: Subjects with sight-threatening DR (STDR) had significantly shallow
      foveal slope in inferior quadrant (STDR: 7.33 +/- 6.26 vs. CONTROLS: 10.31 +/-
      3.44; P = 0.021) when compared to controls and in superior (STDR: 7.62 +/- 5.81
      vs. no DR: 9.11 +/- 2.82; P = 0.033), inferior (STDR: 7.33 +/- 6.26 vs. no DR:
      8.81 +/- 2.81; P = 0.048), and temporal quadrants (STDR: 6.69 +/- 5.70 vs. no DR:
      7.97 +/- 2.33; P = 0.030) when compared to subjects with no DR. Foveal slope was
      significantly shallow among the older age groups in subjects with no DR (P <
      0.001) and non-STDR (P = 0.027). Average foveal slope in the diabetic subjects
      was independently and significantly correlated with increase in age (r = -0.241;
      P < 0.001) and central subfield thickness (r = -0.542; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION:
      Changes in foveal slope were seen with increasing age; however, in diabetes these
      segmental slope changes can be seen in late DR (STDR).

PMID- 26265637
TI  - Effect of biaxial versus coaxial microincision cataract surgery on optical
      quality of the cornea.
AB  - CONTEXT: Visual function is determined by a combination of the cornea, which has
      a larger effect and internal aberrations generated by the intraocular lens and
      those induced by the surgery. These corneal refractive changes are related to the
      location and size of the corneal incision. The smaller the incision, the lower
      the aberrations and the better the optical quality. AIMS: To compare the effect
      of uneventful coaxial versus biaxial microincision cataract surgery (MICS) on the
      corneal aberrations. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Retrospective interventional
      nonrandomized comparative case study comprised 40 eyes of 36 patients with
      primary senile cataract. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: They were divided into two groups:
      Group I (20 eyes) had operated by biaxial MICS and Group II (20 eyes) had
      operated by coaxial MICS. Each group were assessed by corneal topography and
      wavefront analysis over 6 mm pupil size preoperatively and 1-month
      postoperatively. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Statistical analysis was performed
      using SPSS for Windows (version 17.0.1, SPSS, Inc.). The paired t-test was used
      to compare the mean values of corneal aberrations preoperatively and 1-month
      postoperatively in each group. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in
      trefoil and quatrefoil in biaxial MICS (P = 0.063, 0.032 respectively) while
      other aberrations insignificantly changed. The coaxial MICS showed a significant
      increase in root mean square (RMS) of total high order aberrations (HOAs) (P =
      0.02) and coma (0.028), but not the others. In comparison to each other, there
      was the insignificant difference as regards astigmatism, RMS of individual and
      total HOAs. CONCLUSIONS: Coaxial and biaxial MICS are neutral on corneal
      astigmatism and aberrations.

PMID- 26265638
TI  - Outcome of different techniques of pterygium excision with conjunctival
      autografting in pediatric population: Our experience in central India.
AB  - AIM: To analyze surgical outcome of pterygium excision with conjunctival
      autografting in pediatric population <=16 years. SETTINGS AND DESIGN:
      Retrospective case series. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A case sheet review of 145
      patients (167 eyes) aged <=16 years consecutively presented with pterygium from
      April 2008 to August 2014 in the single center was done. Twenty-six eyes of 25
      children who underwent pterygium excision with conjunctival autograft were
      analyzed. Different techniques used to secure conjunctival autograft in a
      position were multiple interrupted 8-0 vicryl sutures, single 8-0 vicryl suture
      in the center of graft and sutureless glue free. Outcome measures were a failure
      of surgery and recurrence. RESULTS: Of the total 167 eyes, 26 eyes of 25
      children, mean age 13.07 +/- 3.08 years (range 7-16 years) were managed
      surgically with pterygium excision and conjunctival autograft. The rest of the
      patients were managed conservatively. In 18 eyes, the graft was secured with
      multiple sutures, in 6 eyes with a single suture, whereas in 2 eyes, sutureless
      glue-free graft opposition was done. Mean follow-up was 8.03 months. No case of
      graft retraction, graft dehiscence or graft displacement was found. Recurrence
      occurred in 6 eyes and managed surgically. CONCLUSIONS: Occurrence of pterygium
      is not uncommon in the pediatric population. A single suture or sutureless glue
      free technique may be good alternative for securing conjunctival autograft after
      pterygium excision in children.

PMID- 26265639
TI  - Cost-effectiveness analysis should continually assess competing health care
      options especially in high volume environments like cataract surgery.
AB  - CONTEXT: Cost-effectiveness analysis should continually assess competing health
      care options especially in high volume environments like cataract surgery. AIMS:
      To compare the cost effectiveness of phacoemulsification (PE) versus manual small
      incision cataract surgery (MSICS). SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Prospective randomized
      controlled trial. Tertiary care hospital setting. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total
      of 52 consenting patients with age-related cataracts, were prospectively
      recruited, and block randomized to PE or MSICS group. Preoperative and
      postoperative LogMAR visual acuity (VA), visual function-14 (VF-14) score and
      their quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were obtained, and the change in their
      values calculated. These were divided by the total cost incurred in the surgery
      to calculate and compare the cost effectiveness and cost utility. Surgery
      duration was also compared. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Two group comparison with
      Student's t-test. Significance set at P < 0.05; 95% confidence interval (CI)
      quoted where appropriate. RESULTS: Both the MSICS and PE groups achieved
      comparative outcomes in terms of change (difference in mean [95% CI]) in LogMAR
      VA (0.03 [-0.05-0.11]), VF-14 score (7.92 [-1.03-16.86]) and QALYs (1.14 [-0.89
      3.16]). However, with significantly lower costs (INR 3228 [2700-3756]), MSICS was
      more cost effective, with superior cost utility value. MSICS was also
      significantly quicker (10.58 min [6.85-14.30]) than PE. CONCLUSIONS: MSICS
      provides comparable visual and QALY improvement, yet takes less time, and is
      significantly more cost-effective, compared with PE. Greater push and penetration
      of MSICS, by the government, is justifiably warranted in our country.

PMID- 26265640
TI  - Evaluating the change in central corneal thickness in neonates (term and preterm)
      in Indian population and the factors affecting it.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: Central corneal thickness (CCT) of term and preterm infants
      in Indian population is not known. We did a prospective noninterventional study
      to measure the CCT in term and preterm infants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An
      ultrasonic pachymeter was used. The data regarding the date of birth, expected
      date of delivery, birth weight were recorded. The preterm and the term infants
      were followed up at 8 weeks, 20 weeks and at 1-year. RESULTS: A total of 85 (170
      eyes) children were included in the study. The mean age was 264.6 +/- 21.8 days
      postconception. The mean birth weight and CCT were 1834.4 +/- 512.1 g and 595.8
      +/- 72.4 MU respectively. A comparison of CCT on the basis postgestational age
      showed a mean thickness of 620.7 +/- 88.8 and 574.4 +/- 78.3 MU in the <260 days
      and >260 days age groups respectively. The difference was statistically
      significant (Student's test, P = 0.002). The CCT of preterm infants (<260 days)
      decreased from a mean value of 620.7 +/- 88.8 MU to 534.1 +/- 57.6 MU at the end
      of 1-year. CONCLUSION: We present the data of CCT in term and preterm infants in
      Indian population. We believe that the premature babies have slightly thicker
      corneas than mature term babies.

PMID- 26265641
TI  - Pars plana vitrectomy versus three intravitreal injections of bevacizumab for
      nontractional diabetic macular edema. A prospective, randomized comparative
      study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of pars plana
      vitrectomy (PPV) and removal of the internal limiting membrane (ILM) with three,
      monthly, intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) injections for refractory diabetic
      macular edema. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective, randomized,
      comparative, interventional study. Forty-four patients were enrolled and
      randomized in two groups. Twenty-two eyes enrolled in Group I received three IVB
      injections at monthly interval. Twenty-two eyes were enrolled in Group II which
      underwent PPV with ILM removal. The primary outcomes measured were: (1) Best
      corrected logMAR visual acuity (BCVA) using Snellen's visual acuity chart. (2)
      Central macular thickness (CMT) on optical coherence tomography. The secondary
      outcome measures were: Complication rates like (1) progression of lens opacities,
      (2) high intraocular pressure needing further treatment/procedure, (3)
      development of vitreous hemorrhage related to the procedure employed, (4) retinal
      detachment and (5) severe inflammation/endophthalmitis. RESULTS: In Group I
      (IVB): 3 (13.6%) eyes showed no change in BCVA; 3 (13.6%) eyes reported decrease
      in BCVA and 16 (72.8%) eyes showed improvement in BCVA; (P = 0.0181). In Group II
      (PPV): 4 (18.2%) eyes showed no change in BCVA; 5 (22.7%) eyes showed decrease
      and 13 (59.1%) eyes showed improvement in BCVA (P = 0.0281). Mean decrease in CMT
      in IVB group was 108.45 MU, whereas mean decrease in CMT in PPV group was 161.36
      MU. No major complications were seen in either group. CONCLUSION: Posttreatment
      decrease in CMT was more in PPV group and vision improvement more in IVB group.
      However, no statistically significant difference between the two methods was
      found.

PMID- 26265642
TI  - Impact of initial topical medical therapy on short-term quality of life in newly
      diagnosed patients with primary glaucoma.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of initial topical medical therapy on newly
      diagnosed glaucoma patients using the Indian Vision Function Questionnaire (IND
      VFQ33). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The IND-VFQ33 was used to evaluate the quality of
      life (QoL) in 62 newly diagnosed patients with moderate to severe primary
      glaucoma and 60 healthy controls. IND-VFQ33 is a 33 item QoL assessment tool with
      three domains: General functioning, psychosocial impact and visual symptoms. The
      glaucoma patients were started on medical therapy and the QoL assessment was
      repeated after 3 months. RESULTS: Glaucoma patients (mean age: 55.6 +/- 9.6
      years, range 40-77 years) and controls (mean age: 54.9 +/- 6.7 years, 42-73
      years) were matched with respect to age (P = 0.72), gender (P = 0.91) and
      literacy (P = 0.18). Glaucoma patients had significantly worse QoL as compared to
      controls at baseline across all the three domains (P < 0.001). 3 months after
      initiation of treatment, the overall QoL life significantly worsened from
      baseline with a decrease in general functioning (P < 0.001) and psychosocial
      impact (P = 0.041). Visual acuity in better eye significantly co-related to poor
      QoL at baseline (P < 0.001) and at 3 months (P = 0.04). In addition, the use of
      >2 topical medications significantly co-related to poor QoL at 3 months (P =
      0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation using the IND-VFQ33 revealed that newly diagnosed
      glaucoma patients have a significant worsening of QoL after initiation of topical
      ocular hypotensive therapy. This should be an important consideration when
      educating patients about the disease and its therapy.

PMID- 26265643
TI  - Cost-effectiveness of anti-oxidant vitamins plus zinc treatment to prevent the
      progression of intermediate age-related macular degeneration. A Singapore
      perspective.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine if providing high dose anti-oxidant vitamins and zinc
      treatment age-related eye disease study (AREDS formulation) to patients with
      intermediate age-related macular degeneration (AMD) aged 40-79 years from
      Singapore is cost-effective in preventing progression to wet AMD. METHODS: A
      hypothetical cohort of category 3 and 4 AMD patients from Singapore was followed
      for 5 calendar years to determine the number of patients who would progress to
      wet AMD given the following treatment scenarios: (a) AREDS formulation or placebo
      followed by ranibizumab (as needed) for wet AMD. (b) AREDS formulation or placebo
      followed by bevacizumab (monthly) for wet AMD. (c) AREDS formulation or placebo
      followed by aflibercept (VIEW I and II trial treatment regimen). Costs were
      estimated for the above scenarios from the providers' perspective, and cost
      effectiveness was measured by cost per disability-adjusted life year (DALY)
      averted with a disability weight of 0.22 for wet AMD. The costs were discounted
      at an annual rate of 3%. RESULTS: Over 5400 patients could be prevented from
      progressing to wet AMD cumulatively if AREDS formulation were prescribed. AREDS
      formulation followed by ranibizumab was cost-effective compared to placebo
      ranibizumab or placebo-aflibercept combinations (cost per DALY averted:
      SGD$23,662.3 and SGD$21,138.8, respectively). However, bevacizumab (monthly
      injections) alone was more cost-effective compared to AREDS formulation followed
      by bevacizumab. CONCLUSION: Prophylactic treatment with AREDS formulation for
      intermediate AMD patients followed by ranibizumab or for patients who progressed
      to wet AMD was found to be cost-effective. These findings have implications for
      intermediate AMD screening, treatment and healthcare planning in Singapore.

PMID- 26265644
TI  - Sinonasal carcinoma presenting as chronic sinusitis and sequential bilateral
      visual loss.
AB  - Sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma-related rhinogenic optic neuropathy is rare
      and may lead to visual loss. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first
      report of bilateral sequential visual loss induced by this etiology. It is
      important to differentiate between chronic sinusitis and malignancy on the basis
      of specific findings on magnetic resonance images. Surgical decompression with
      multidisciplinary therapy, including steroids, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, is
      indicated. However, no visual improvement was noted in this case, emphasizing the
      rapid disease progression and importance of early diagnosis and treatment. 

PMID- 26265645
TI  - Giant nevus of Ota.

PMID- 26265646
TI  - Microperimetry biofeedback training in a patient with bilateral myopic macular
      degeneration with central scotoma.
AB  - Microperimetry-1 (MP-1) evaluation and MP-1 biofeedback training were done in a
      case of bilateral myopic macular degeneration with a central scotoma. Fixation
      behavior, location and stability of preferred retinal locus, eye movement speed,
      and mean sensitivity were assessed. The mean retinal sensitivities before, after
      and at 1-year after training in the right eye were 2.9 dB, 2.9 dB and 3.7 dB and
      in the left eye were 3.5 dB, 3.7 dB and 1.8 dB. The fixation point in the 2
      degrees  gravitation circle, improved from 40% to 50% in the right eye and from
      43% to 67% in the left eye. The average eye speed before, after and at 1-year
      after training in right eye were 0.19 degrees /s, 0.26 degrees /s and 0.25
      degrees /s and in left eye were 0.36 degrees /s, 0.25 degrees /s and 0.27 degrees
      /s. Thus, biofeedback training using MP-1 can improve the visual function in
      patients with macular diseases and central scotoma. 

PMID- 26265647
TI  - Traumatic central serous chorioretinopathy.
AB  - Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSR) is well described in the literature, with
      recognized associations such as systemic steroid therapy and stress; the
      association of blunt trauma with CSR is highly unusual. A 44-year-old male
      developed CSR rapidly after blunt trauma to his left eye with a significant
      reduction in visual acuity to hand movements. Serial optical coherence tomography
      and fundus fluorescein angiography images are presented. The patient was managed
      conservatively and spontaneous resolution occurred by 2 months with an excellent
      visual outcome. There was no evidence of an alternative underlying pathology for
      the presentation and particularly no signs of posterior uveitis. Investigations
      for an underlying vascular, inflammatory or infectious cause were all negative.
      The patient had previously had CSR in his other eye, and this may indicate a
      potential predisposition to developing the condition, triggered by blunt trauma. 

PMID- 26265648
TI  - Mirtazapine-induced acute angle closure.
AB  - Acute angle closure (AAC) is an ocular emergency with symptoms including blurred
      vision, eye pain, headache, nausea, vomiting and reddening of the eye those
      results from increased intraocular pressure. This clinical condition can lead to
      permanent damage in vision, thus causing blindness by generating progressive and
      irreversible optic neuropathy if left untreated. There are several reasons of
      AAC, including several types of local and systemic medications; mainly
      sympathomimetics, cholinergics, anti-cholinergics, mydriatics, anti-histamines,
      antiepileptics like topiramate, tricyclic and tetracyclic antidepressants,
      serotonin reuptake inhibitors, antipsychotics, sulfa-based drugs and
      anticoagulants. Mirtazapine, a noradrenergic and specific serotonergic
      antidepressant, is an atypical antidepressant with a complex pharmacological
      profile. This case report describes a patient with major depressive disorder, who
      experienced AAC after the first dosage of mirtazapine treatment, and highlights
      the importance of close monitoring of individuals under antidepressant treatment
      particularly immediately after initiation of the drug. 

PMID- 26265649
TI  - Bilateral periorbital and cervicofacial emphysema following retinal surgery and
      fluid gas exchange in a case of inadvertent globe perforation.
AB  - Surgical emphysema is defined as gas or air trapped in the subcutaneous tissue
      plane. Here, we report a rare case of bilateral periorbital and cervicofacial
      subcutaneous emphysema following a vitreoretinal surgery for inadvertent globe
      perforation during the administration of peribulbar anesthesia. This condition,
      although self-resolving when restricted to the subcutaneous plane has the
      potential to spread into deeper tissue planes such as the retropharyngeal space.
      The presence of crepitus helps to distinguish it from angioneurotic edema.
      Ophthalmologists must be sensitive to the fact that surgical emphysema can be a
      very rare, but possible complication of an intraocular surgery following globe
      perforation. 

PMID- 26265650
TI  - Anterior segment ischemia following Hummelsheim procedure in a case of sixth
      nerve palsy.
AB  - A, 46-year-old Indian male, known hypertensive presented with left esotropia of
      25  prism diopters (PD) after head injury in a roadside accident 9 months back.
      The deviation was constant in nature and was associated with complaints of
      diplopia in left lateral gaze. Traumatic sixth nerve palsy was diagnosed. The
      patient underwent left medial rectus recession of 5 mm and a split-tendon
      transposition of the left superior and inferior recti to the lateral rectus
      insertion (Hummelsheim procedure). On the first postoperative day, the patient
      developed corneal edema and anterior chamber reaction of flare 2+ and cells 2+.
      The pupil was semi-dilated and was sluggishly reacting to light. Anterior segment
      ischemia was diagnosed, which was managed with topical and systemic steroids. 

PMID- 26265651
TI  - An innovative impression technique for fabrication of a custom made ocular
      prosthesis.
AB  - Various impression and fitting techniques have been described in the past for
      restoring ocular defects. The present article describes a new direct impression
      technique for recording and rehabilitating ocular defects, by custom-made ocular
      prosthesis. All the techniques described in the history, mainly concentrated in
      recording the tissue surface of the defect, which made it difficult to contour
      the palpebral surface resulting in the poor esthetics of the prosthesis. The
      present impression technique uses heavy bodied polyvinyl siloxane impression
      material, which facilitates accurate recording of the tissue surface and the
      palpebral surface of the defect, resulting in the fabrication of functionally and
      esthetically acceptable prosthesis. 

PMID- 26265652
TI  - Anesthetic dilemma in planning bilateral cataract surgery for an infant
      associated with congenital cardiac anomaly.
AB  - In a patient with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) and pulmonary atresia, treating the
      cardiac problem or the associated congenital illness is always a challenge. We
      describe the challenges and successful initial management of bilateral cataract
      to prevent visual loss in an infant with TOF with pulmonary atresia. 

PMID- 26265653
TI  - A case of syringocystadenoma papilliferum of eyelid with literature review.
AB  - Syringocystadenoma papilliferum can rarely affect eyelid skin. The lesion is
      frequently misdiagnosed as basal cell carcinoma or cyst or squamous cell
      carcinoma. We are presenting a case that was clinically diagnosed as basal cell
      carcinoma of eyelid but was later histologically diagnosed as syringocystadenoma
      papilliferum. 

PMID- 26265654
TI  - Orbital Chondroma: A rare mesenchymal tumor of orbit.
AB  - While relatively common in the skeletal system, cartilaginous tumors are rarely
      seen originating from the orbit. Here, we report a rare case of an orbital
      chondroma. A 27-year-old male patient presented with a painless hard mass in the
      superonasal quadrant (SNQ) of left orbit since 3 months. On examination, best
      corrected visual acuity of both eyes was 20/20, with normal anterior and
      posterior segment with full movements of eyeballs and normal intraocular
      pressure. Computerized tomography scan revealed well defined soft tissue density
      lesion in SNQ of left orbit. Patient was operated for anteromedial orbitotomy
      under general anesthesia. Mass was excised intact and sent for histopathological
      examination (HPE). HPE report showed lobular aggregates of benign cartilaginous
      cells with mild atypia suggesting of benign cartilaginous tumor - chondroma. Very
      few cases of orbital chondroma have been reported in literature so far. 

PMID- 26265655
TI  - Exudative retinal detachment following strabismus surgery in Sturge-Weber
      syndrome.
AB  - A 15-year-old boy with Sturge-Weber syndrome underwent strabismus surgery (oculus
      sinister [OS]) for the treatment of exotropia. The patient's visual acuity (OS)
      decreased to hand motion 10 days after the surgery. One month after the surgery,
      the patient's visual acuity decreased to light perception, and a fundus
      examination showed total exudative retinal detachment (OS). 

PMID- 26265656
TI  - Unicentric Castleman's disease in the orbit: A case report.
AB  - A 53-year-old man presented with a palpable mass on the left lower eyelid and
      occasional diplopia. Under suspicion of orbital lymphoma, an excisional biopsy
      was performed, and histopathology revealed Castleman's disease. Castleman's
      disease is a rare disorder of the lymphoid system, and only a few cases of
      Castleman's disease in the orbit have been reported. 

PMID- 26265657
TI  - Heavy eye syndrome: Role of recessions, resections, loop myopexy, and
      transplants.

PMID- 26265658
TI  - The muscle transplantation and loop myopexy in so-called heavy eye syndrome.

PMID- 26265659
TI  - Anti-Inflammatory Treatment With Colchicine in Acute Myocardial Infarction: A
      Pilot Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Inflammatory processes have been identified as key mediators of the
      deleterious effects of ischemia/reperfusion in ST-segment-elevation myocardial
      infarction. Colchicine is a substance with potent anti-inflammatory properties,
      suitable for safe use in patients with cardiovascular disease. The purpose of
      this study was to test the hypothesis that a short course of colchicine treatment
      could lead to reduced infarct size. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients presenting with
      ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction <=12 hours from pain onset (treated
      with primary percutaneous coronary intervention) were randomly assigned to
      colchicine or placebo for 5 days. The primary outcome parameter was the area
      under the curve of creatine kinase-myocardial brain fraction concentration. A
      subset of patients underwent cardiac MRI with late gadolinium enhancement 6 to 9
      days after the index ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction. One hundred
      fifty-one patients were included (60 in the MRI substudy). The area under the
      creatine kinase-myocardial brain fraction curve was 3144 (interquartile range
      [IQR], 1754-6940) ng.h(-1).mL(-1) in the colchicine group in comparison with 6184
      (IQR, 4456-6980) ng.h(-1).mL(-1) in controls (P<0.001). Indexed MRI-late
      gadolinium enhancement-defined infarct size was 18.3 (IQR, 7.6-29.9) mL/1.73 m(2)
      in the colchicine group versus 23.2 (18.5-33.4) mL/1.73 m(2) in controls
      (P=0.019). The relative infarct size (as a proportion to left ventricular
      myocardial volume) was 13.0 (IQR, 8.0-25.3) % and 19.8 (IQR, 13.7-29.8) %,
      respectively (P=0.034). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest a potential benefit of
      colchicine in ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction, but further clinical
      trials are necessary to draw secure conclusions, especially considering the fact
      that the present study was not powered to assess clinical end points. CLINICAL
      TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier:
      NCT01936285.

PMID- 26265660
TI  - A questionnaire-based survey on 3D image-guided brachytherapy for cervical cancer
      in Japan: advances and obstacles.
AB  - The purpose of this study is to survey the current patterns of practice, and
      barriers to implementation, of 3D image-guided brachytherapy (3D-IGBT) for
      cervical cancer in Japan. A 30-item questionnaire was sent to 171 Japanese
      facilities where high-dose-rate brachytherapy devices were available in 2012. In
      total, 135 responses were returned for analysis. Fifty-one facilities had
      acquired some sort of 3D imaging modality with applicator insertion, and computed
      tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were used in 51 and 3 of the
      facilities, respectively. For actual treatment planning, X-ray films, CT and MRI
      were used in 113, 20 and 2 facilities, respectively. Among 43 facilities where X
      ray films and CT or MRI were acquired with an applicator, 29 still used X-ray
      films for actual treatment planning, mainly because of limited time and/or
      staffing. In a follow-up survey 2.5 years later, respondents included 38
      facilities that originally used X-ray films alone but had indicated plans to
      adopt 3D-IGBT. Of these, 21 had indeed adopted CT imaging with applicator
      insertion. In conclusion, 3D-IGBT (mainly CT) was implemented in 22 facilities
      (16%) and will be installed in 72 (53%) facilities in the future. Limited time
      and staffing were major impediments. 

PMID- 26265661
TI  - Evaluation of equivalent dose from neutrons and activation products from a 15-MV
      X-ray LINAC.
AB  - A high-energy photon beam that is more than 10 MV can produce neutron
      contamination. Neutrons are generated by the [gamma,n] reactions with a high-Z
      target material. The equivalent neutron dose and gamma dose from activation
      products have been estimated in a LINAC equipped with a 15-MV photon beam. A
      Monte Carlo simulation code was employed for neutron and photon dosimetry due to
      mixed beam. The neutron dose was also experimentally measured using the Optically
      Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) under various conditions to compare with the
      simulation. The activation products were measured by gamma spectrometer system.
      The average neutron energy was calculated to be 0.25 MeV. The equivalent neutron
      dose at the isocenter obtained from OSL measurement and MC calculation was 5.39
      and 3.44 mSv/Gy, respectively. A gamma dose rate of 4.14 uSv/h was observed as a
      result of activations by neutron inside the treatment machine. The gamma spectrum
      analysis showed (28)Al, (24)Na, (54)Mn and (60)Co. The results confirm that
      neutrons and gamma rays are generated, and gamma rays remain inside the treatment
      room after the termination of X-ray irradiation. The source of neutrons is the
      product of the [gamma,n] reactions in the machine head, whereas gamma rays are
      produced from the [n,gamma] reactions (i.e. neutron activation) with materials
      inside the treatment room. The most activated nuclide is (28)Al, which has a half
      life of 2.245 min. In practice, it is recommended that staff should wait for a
      few minutes (several (28)Al half-lives) before entering the treatment room after
      the treatment finishes to minimize the dose received. 

PMID- 26265662
TI  - Urgent Call for Research on Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in Korea.

PMID- 26265663
TI  - The Economic Burden of Cancers Attributable to Metabolic Syndrome in Korea.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Metabolic syndrome is an important etiologic factor in the
      development of certain types of cancers. The economic cost of the treatment of
      cancer has been steadily increasing. We therefore estimated the economic burden
      of cancers attributable to metabolic syndrome in Korea. METHODS: We reviewed
      metabolic syndrome-related cancers and relative risk and then calculated
      population attributable fractions. We analyzed insurance claims data for
      metabolic syndrome-related cancers in 2012 in order to estimate the direct costs
      associated with these cancers, including hospitalization, outpatient visits,
      transportation costs, and caregivers' costs as well as indirect costs such as
      loss of productivity due to cancer treatment and premature death. RESULTS: In
      2012, 18,070 patients in Korea had cancers attributable to metabolic syndrome.
      The economic burden was USD 199.8 million and the direct and indirect costs were
      USD 124.5 million and USD 75.3 million, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We estimated
      the economic burden of cancers attributable to metabolic syndrome in Korea and
      the efforts are necessary to reduce this burden.

PMID- 26265664
TI  - Associations Between the Continuity of Ambulatory Care of Adult Diabetes Patients
      in Korea and the Incidence of Macrovascular Complications.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to identify association between the
      continuity of ambulatory care of diabetes patients in South Korea (hereafter
      Korea) and the incidence of macrovascular complications of diabetes, using claims
      data compiled by the National Health Insurance Services of Korea. METHODS: This
      study was conducted retrospectively. The subjects of the study were 43 002
      patients diagnosed with diabetes in 2007, who were over 30 years of age, and had
      insurance claim data from 2008. The macrovascular complications of diabetes
      mellitus were limited to ischemic heart disease and ischemic stroke. We compared
      the characteristics of the patients in whom macrovascular complications occurred
      from 2009 to 2012 to the characteristics of the patients who had no such
      complications. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess the effects of
      continuity of ambulatory care on diabetic macrovascular complications. The
      continuity of ambulatory diabetes care was estimated by metrics such as the
      medication possession ratio, the quarterly continuity of care and the number of
      clinics that were visited. RESULTS: Patients with macrovascular complications
      showed statistically significant differences regarding sex, age, comorbidities,
      hypertension, dyslipidemia and continuity of ambulatory diabetes care. Visiting a
      lower number of clinics reduced the odds ratio for macrovascular complications of
      diabetes. A medication possession ratio below 80% was associated with an
      increased odds ratio for macrovascular complications, but this result was of
      borderline statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes care by regular health
      care providers was found to be associated with a lower occurrence of diabetic
      macrovascular complications. This result has policy implications for the Korean
      health care system, in which the delivery system does not work properly.

PMID- 26265665
TI  - Dental Care Utilization for Examination and Regional Deprivation.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Receiving proper dental care plays a significant role in maintaining
      good oral health. We investigated the relationship between regional deprivation
      and dental care utilization. METHODS: Multilevel logistic regression was used to
      identify the relationship between the regional deprivation level and dental care
      utilization purpose, adjusting for individual-level variables, in adults aged 19+
      in the 2008 Korean Community Health Survey (n=220 258). RESULTS: Among Korean
      adults, 12.8% used dental care to undergo examination and 21.0% visited a dentist
      for other reasons. In the final model, regional deprivation level was associated
      with significant variations in dental care utilization for examination (p<0.001).
      However, this relationship was not shown with dental care utilization for other
      reasons in the final model. CONCLUSIONS: This study's findings suggest that
      policy interventions should be considered to reduce regional variations in rates
      of dental care utilization for examination.

PMID- 26265666
TI  - Correlations Between the Incidence of National Notifiable Infectious Diseases and
      Public Open Data, Including Meteorological Factors and Medical Facility
      Resources.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to investigate the relationship between the
      incidence of national notifiable infectious diseases (NNIDs) and meteorological
      factors, air pollution levels, and hospital resources in Korea. METHODS: We
      collected and stored 660,000 pieces of publicly available data associated with
      infectious diseases from public data portals and the Diseases Web Statistics
      System of Korea. We analyzed correlations between the monthly incidence of these
      diseases and monthly average temperatures and monthly average relative humidity,
      as well as vaccination rates, number of hospitals, and number of hospital beds by
      district in Seoul. RESULTS: Of the 34 NNIDs, malaria showed the most significant
      correlation with temperature (r=0.949, p<0.01) and concentration of nitrogen
      dioxide (r=-0.884, p<0.01). We also found a strong correlation between the
      incidence of NNIDs and the number of hospital beds in 25 districts in Seoul
      (r=0.606, p<0.01). In particular, Geumcheon-gu was found to have the lowest
      incidence rate of NNIDs and the highest number of hospital beds per patient.
      CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we conducted a correlational analysis of public data
      from Korean government portals that can be used as parameters to forecast the
      spread of outbreaks.

PMID- 26265667
TI  - Effects of Smoking on Menopausal Age: Results From the Korea National Health and
      Nutrition Examination Survey, 2007 to 2012.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Decreased fertility and impaired health owing to early menopause are
      significant health issues. Smoking is a modifiable health-related behavior that
      influences menopausal age. We investigated the effects of smoking-associated
      characteristics on menopausal age in Korean women. METHODS: This study used data
      from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2007 to
      2012. Menopausal age in relation to smoking was analyzed as a Kaplan-Meier
      survival curve for 11 510 women (aged 30 to 65 years). The risk of entering
      menopause and experiencing early menopause (before age 48) related to smoking
      were assessed using a Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: The menopausal age
      among smokers was 0.75 years lower than that among non-smokers (p<0.001). The
      results of the Cox proportional hazards model showed pre-correction and post
      correction risk ratios for entering menopause related to smoking of 1.26 (95%
      confidence interval [CI], 1.09 to 1.46) and 1.27 (95% CI, 1.10 to 1.47),
      respectively, and pre-correction and post-correction risk ratios for experiencing
      early menopause related to smoking of 1.36 (95% CI, 1.03 to 1.80) and 1.40 (95%
      CI, 1.05 to 1.85), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Smokers reached menopause earlier
      than non-smokers, and their risk for experiencing early menopause was higher.

PMID- 26265668
TI  - The effect of occupational farming on lung function development in young adults:
      a 15-year follow-up study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Longitudinal studies on the effect of farming on lung function in
      young participants are few. Our objective was to explore if exposure to farming
      impaired lung function in young adults. METHODS: We studied 1964 farming students
      and 407 controls in 1992/2004, and carried out follow-up in 2007/2008.
      Spirometry, skin prick test and bronchial hyper-responsiveness (BHR) were
      assessed, height and weight measured, and questionnaires covering health and
      occupation were collected. Cumulative dust and endotoxin exposures were estimated
      from modelled personal dust measurements. Lung function effect was expressed as
      change in z-score during follow-up using the Global Lung Initiative 2012 project
      prediction equations. Longitudinal data were available for 1134 young
      participants <=25 years at baseline. RESULTS: We found no differences in lung
      function Deltaz-scores between farmers and controls, however, adjusted
      multivariable linear regression showed a negative effect among current farmers on
      DeltazFEV1 (forced expiratory volume in 1 s; -0.12, p=0.006) and DeltazFEV1/FVC
      (forced vital capacity; -0.15, p=0.009) compared to ex-farmers. An interaction
      was found between sex and farming, showing that current farming suppresses
      DeltazFEV1 and DeltazFVC more among females. Smoking in farmers had a deleterious
      effect on DeltazFEV1, which was not seen in controls, though no significant
      interaction was found. Farm upbringing protected against impairment of lung
      function, and BHR at baseline had a deleterious effect on DeltazFEV1 only in
      those not raised on a farm. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that being a current farmer
      is associated with a negative effect on lung function, when compared to ex
      farmers, with females being more susceptible. Being raised on a farm protects
      against the adverse effect of BHR on change in lung function.

PMID- 26265669
TI  - Pleural mesothelioma and occupational and non-occupational asbestos exposure: a
      case-control study with quantitative risk assessment.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Casale Monferrato (north west Italy) is an area with an exceptionally
      high incidence of mesothelioma caused by asbestos contamination at work and in
      the general environment from the asbestos-cement Eternit plant that was
      operational until 1986. The purpose of this study was to quantify the association
      between pleural malignant mesothelioma (PMM) and asbestos cumulative exposure
      using individual assessment of environmental and domestic exposure, as well as of
      occupational exposure. METHODS: This population-based case-control study included
      cases of PMM diagnosed between January 2001 and June 2006 among residents in the
      Casale Monferrato Local Health Authority. Population controls were randomly
      sampled, matched by age and sex to cases. Cumulative exposure was estimated to
      account for the lifelong exposure history. Analyses were conducted using
      unconditional logistic regression models adjusting for gender, age at diagnosis
      and type of interview (direct or proxy respondents). RESULTS: 200 PMM cases of
      223 eligible cases (89.7%) and 348 (63%) of 552 eligible controls accepted to be
      interviewed. ORs increased with cumulative exposure index (p<0.0001) from 4.4 (CI
      95% 1.7 to 11.3) (<1 f/mL-years) to 62.1 (CI 95% 22.2 to 173.2) (>=10 f/mL
      years). Among subjects never occupationally exposed, corresponding ORs were 3.8
      (CI 95% 1.3 to 11.1) and 23.3 (CI 95% 2.9 to 186.9) (reference: background level
      of asbestos exposure). ORs of about 2, statistically significant, were observed
      for domestic exposure and for living in houses near buildings with large asbestos
      cement parts. CONCLUSIONS: Risk of PMM increased with cumulative asbestos
      exposure and also in analyses limited to subjects non-occupationally exposed. Our
      results also provide indication of risk associated with common sources of
      environmental exposure and are highly relevant for the evaluation of residual
      risk after the cessation of asbestos industrial use.

PMID- 26265670
TI  - Diminished pulmonary function in long-term workers exposed to cotton dust
      determined in a cross-sectional study in small Pakistani enterprises.
AB  - PURPOSE: While large cotton industry plants producing for the foreign market have
      undergone improvements of occupational hygiene lately, working conditions in
      power looms producing mainly for the local market are still poor. The respiratory
      health in workers of power looms has not been studied so far. METHODS: In a cross
      sectional study, 51 male cotton workers from power looms, 58 from large cotton
      factories and 52 controls were investigated by spirometry and a symptoms
      questionnaire. Spirometric measurements and respiratory symptoms were related to
      exposure duration in large and small factories by multivariate linear regression
      and logistic regression, respectively, with smoking, age and anthropometric
      parameters considered as confounders. RESULTS: Work duration in power looms was
      associated with declines in forced expiratory volume in 1 s, peak flow, maximum
      midexpiratory flow and forced expiratory flow 75 and an increased risk of
      obstruction (OR 1.09/year; 95% CI: 1.002 to 1.18) by applying the Global Lung
      Initiative equations. Except cough that was only associated with smoking, all
      respiratory symptoms (chest tightness, shortness of breath, fever) increased as a
      function of duration of exposure in power looms but not in large factories.
      CONCLUSIONS: Despite limitations inherent in the cross-sectional approach, there
      is evidence for workers in small weaving factories to face an increased risk of
      pulmonary function loss and respiratory symptoms. Industrial hygiene measures in
      these small enterprises should be encouraged. Failure to detect adverse
      respiratory outcomes from occupation in large factories could be due to a
      'survivor' (healthy worker) effect.

PMID- 26265671
TI  - The mental health of deployed UK maritime forces.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To establish the level of psychological symptoms and the risk factors
      for possible decreased mental health among deployed UK maritime forces. METHODS:
      A survey was completed by deployed Royal Navy (RN) personnel which measured the
      prevalence of common mental disorder (CMD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
      and potential alcohol misuse. Military and operational characteristics were also
      measured including exposure to potentially traumatic events, problems occurring
      at home during the deployment, unit cohesion, leadership and morale. Associations
      between variables of interest were identified using binary logistic regression to
      generate ORs and 95% CIs adjusted for a range of potential confounding variables.
      RESULTS: In total, 41.2% (n=572/1387) of respondents reported probable CMD, 7.8%
      (n=109/1389) probable PTSD and 17.4% (n=242/1387) potentially harmful alcohol
      use. Lower morale, cohesion, leadership and problems at home were associated with
      CMD; lower morale, leadership, problems at home and exposure to potentially
      traumatic events were associated with probable PTSD; working in ships with a
      smaller crew size was associated with potentially harmful alcohol use.
      CONCLUSIONS: CMD and PTSD were more frequently reported in the maritime
      environment than during recent land-based deployments. Rates of potentially
      harmful alcohol use have reduced but remain higher than the wider military.
      Experiencing problems at home and exposure to potentially traumatic events were
      associated with experiencing poorer mental health; higher morale, cohesion and
      better leadership with fewer psychological symptoms.

PMID- 26265672
TI  - A collaborative strategy to improve geriatric medical education.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Age-related demographic change is not being matched by a growth in
      relevant undergraduate medical education, in particular communication skills
      pertinent to elderly patients. To address this, a workshop for medical students
      focusing on important communication skills techniques for interacting with
      patients with dementia was designed by clinicians from the Geriatric, General
      Practice and Psychiatry departments at the University of Oxford. METHODS: One
      hundred and forty-four first-year clinical students (Year 4 of the 6-year course;
      Year 2 of the 4-year graduate-entry course) attended the teaching. One hundred
      and twenty-nine students returned feedback forms with 104 forms matched for
      individual performance before and after the session. Feedback forms assessed
      student-perceived confidence in communicating with patients with dementia before
      and after the session using a 4-point Likert scale with corresponding numerical
      value (low (1), medium (2), high (3), very high (4)). RESULTS: Using the Wilcoxon
      Signed-Rank Test on the 104 matched forms, student-perceived confidence was
      higher post-teaching intervention (median = 2.75) than pre-intervention (median =
      1.50). This difference was statistically significant with large effect size, Z = 
      8.47, P < 0.001, r = -0.59. Free-text comments focused on non-verbal
      communication skills teaching, suggesting that these sessions were most
      beneficial for topics hardest to teach in lecture-based approaches. CONCLUSION:
      The teaching aimed to promote patient-centred care and multidisciplinary
      collaborative practice, encourage student self-reflection and peer-assisted
      education and provide insight into the needs of patients with dementia. Student
      feedback indicated that these objectives had been met. This easily replicable
      teaching method provides a simple means of improving communication skills.

PMID- 26265673
TI  - Emergency care for frail older people-urgent AND important-but what works?

PMID- 26265674
TI  - Discharging older patients from the emergency department effectively: a
      systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: a decline in health state and re-attendance are common in people aged
      >=65 years following emergency department (ED) discharge. Diverse care models
      have been implemented to support safe community transition. This review examined
      ED community transition strategies (ED-CTS) and evaluated their effectiveness.
      METHODS: a systematic review and meta-analysis using multiple databases up to
      December 2013 was conducted. We assessed eligibility, methodological quality,
      risk of bias and extracted published data and then conducted random effects meta
      analyses. Outcomes were unplanned ED representation or hospitalisation,
      functional decline, nursing-care home admission and mortality. RESULTS: five
      experimental and four observational studies were identified for qualitative
      synthesis. ED-CTS included geriatric assessment with referral for post-discharge
      community-based assistance, with differences apparent in components and delivery
      methods. Four studies were included in meta-analysis. Compared with usual care,
      the evidence indicates no appreciable benefit for ED-CTS for unplanned ED re
      attendance up to 30 days (odds ratio (OR) 1.32, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.99
      1.76; n = 1,389), unplanned hospital admission up to 30 days (OR 0.90, 95% CI
      0.70-1.16; n = 1,389) or mortality up to 18 months (OR 1.04, 95% CI 0.83-1.29; n
      = 1,794). Variability between studies precluded analysis of the impact of ED-CTS
      on functional decline and nursing-care home admission. CONCLUSIONS: there is
      limited high-quality data to guide confident recommendations about optimal ED
      community transition strategies, highlighting a need to encourage better
      integration of researchers and clinicians in the design and evaluation process,
      and increased reporting, including appropriate robust evaluation of efficacy and
      effectiveness of these innovative models of care.

PMID- 26265675
TI  - Determinants of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in older Irish adults.
AB  - BACKGROUND: vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in older adults living in Northern
      Europe and is influenced by several factors which may vary significantly with
      age. OBJECTIVE: we aimed to investigate the determinants of 25-hydroxyvitamin D
      [25(OH)D] in older Irish adults and in particular to examine the effect of
      supplement use and surrogate markers of sun exposure. METHODS: subjects were non
      institutionalised community dwelling Irish adults aged over 60 years who were
      participants of a large cross-sectional study comprising three disease defined
      cohorts. Serum 25(OH)D was measured by liquid chromatography mass spectroscopy.
      Associations between 25(OH)D and potential confounders were explored in forward
      regression models in each cohort. RESULTS: the three cohorts comprised 1895, 1233
      and 1316 participants (respective mean ages 70.1, 71.0 and 80.4 years).
      Statistical models explained between a fifth to a third of the variation in
      25(OH)D. Supplement use and global solar radiation were positive predictors of
      25(OH)D in all cohorts whereas the only universal negative predictor was body
      mass index. Supplement use was associated with a mean increase in 25(OH)D of
      between 21.4 and 35.4 nmol/l. The other main predictors varied by cohort but
      included sun holiday travel, enjoyment of sunshine when outside, use of vitamin D
      fortified milk, smoking, oily fish and egg consumption and physical frailty.
      CONCLUSION: supplement use was the most important determinant of vitamin D
      status. Vitamin D fortified milk and spending time in the sun, even in the oldest
      old may also be useful strategies to improve 25(OH)D.

PMID- 26265676
TI  - Horizontal beam technique to document position of percutaneously inserted central
      venous catheters.

PMID- 26265677
TI  - Intrauterine inflammation, cerebral oxygen consumption and susceptibility to
      early brain injury in very preterm newborns.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In utero exposure to inflammation results in elevated cerebral oxygen
      consumption. This increased metabolic demand may contribute to the association
      between chorioamnionitis and intraventricular haemorrhage (P/IVH). We
      hypothesised that intrauterine inflammation imposes an elevated cerebral
      metabolic load and increased fractional oxygen extraction (cFTOE) with cFTOE
      further increased in the presence of early P/IVH. METHODS: Eighty-three infants
      <=30 weeks gestation were recruited. Exposure to intrauterine inflammation was
      determined by placental histology. Total internal carotid blood flow (Doppler
      ultrasound) and near infrared spectroscopy were measured and cerebral oxygen
      delivery (mcerbDO2), consumption (mcerbVO2) and cFTOE were calculated on days 1
      and 3 of life. Primary outcome was defined as death or P/IVH >grade II (cranial
      sonograph) by day 3. RESULTS: Infants exposed to intrauterine inflammation had
      higher total internal carotid blood flow (92 vs 63 mL/kg/min) and mcerbDO2 (13.7
      vs 10.1 mL/kg/min) than those not exposed to inflammation. Newborns with P/IVH
      had both higher oxygen consumption and extraction compared with those without
      sonographic injury regardless of exposure to intrauterine inflammation. Further,
      in preterms exposed to inflammation, those with P/IVH had higher consumption (6.1
      vs 4.8 mL/kg/min) and extraction than those without injury. These differences
      were observed only on day 1 of life. CONCLUSIONS: Although P/IVH is
      multifactorial in preterm newborns, it is likely that cerebral hypoxic-ischaemia
      plays a central pathophysiological role. These data provide a mechanistic insight
      into this process and suggests that the increased cerebral metabolic load imposed
      by the presence of inflammation results in a higher risk of critical hypoxic
      ischaemia in the preterm with increased susceptibility to significant P/IVH.

PMID- 26265678
TI  - Estimating umbilical catheter insertion depth in newborns using weight or body
      measurement: a randomised trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Incorrectly positioned umbilical venous and arterial catheters (UVC
      and UAC) are associated with increased rates of complications in newborns.
      Catheter insertion depth is often estimated using body surface measurement. We
      wished to determine whether estimating insertion depth of umbilical catheters
      using birth weight (BW), rather than surface measurements, results in more
      correctly positioned catheters. INTERVENTIONS/OUTCOME: Newborns were randomised
      to have UVC and UAC insertion depth estimated using formulae based on BW or using
      graphs based on shoulder-umbilicus length. The primary outcome was correct
      catheter tip position on X-ray determined by one radiologist masked to group
      assignment. RESULTS: UVC insertion was successful in 97/101 (96%) infants but the
      catheter was not advanced to the estimated depth in 22. There was no difference
      in the proportion of correctly positioned UVCs between groups (weight 16/51 (31%)
      vs measurement 13/46 (28%), p=0.826). The tips of 52 (54%) UVCs were in the
      portal venous system or too low on X-ray. Attempted UAC insertion was successful
      in 62/87 (71%) infants. More infants in the weight group had a correctly
      positioned UAC tip (weight 29/32 (91%) vs measurement 15/30 (50%), p=0.001).
      CONCLUSIONS: UVCs were often not inserted to the estimated depth, and their tips
      were in the portal venous system or too low on X-ray. Using BW to estimate
      insertion depth did not result in more correctly positioned UVCs. UAC insertion
      attempts were often unsuccessful, but when successful, using BW to estimate
      insertion depth resulted in more correctly positioned catheters. TRIAL
      REGISTRATION NUMBER: (ISRCTN17864069).

PMID- 26265679
TI  - Millennials at work: workplace environments of young adults and associations with
      weight-related health.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to describe the workplace environments
      of young adults and examine associations with diet, physical activity (PA) and
      body mass index (BMI). METHODS: Cross-sectional data were collected (2008-2009)
      from 1538 employed young adult participants in Project EAT (Eating and Activity
      among Teens and Young Adults), a diverse population-based sample. Survey measures
      assessed height, weight, diet, moderate-to-vigorous PA, transportation-related PA
      and perceptions of the workplace food and PA environments (eg, soda availability,
      coworker support). Healthful characteristics were summed to reflect overall
      workplace healthfulness. Modified Poisson regression analyses conducted in 2015
      identified associations between workplace food and PA environments and diet, PA
      and BMI. RESULTS: The healthfulness of workplace environments was suboptimal.
      Greater exposure to healthful workplace characteristics was related to more young
      adults engaged in favourable diet and PA behaviours and a lower prevalence
      obesity. For example, adjusted rates of obesity were 24% and 17% among those
      reporting low (<=1 characteristic) versus high (>=3 characteristics) exposure to
      healthful food environments, respectively (p<0.05). Workplace characteristics
      independently associated with weight-related outcomes included soda availability,
      proximity to a fast food outlet, living close to work and perceived ease of
      eating a healthy diet or being active at work. CONCLUSIONS: A more healthful
      workplace environment overall, including physical attributes and perceived social
      norms, may contribute to more favourable weight-related behaviours and lower
      prevalence of obesity among young adults. Employer-initiated and community
      initiated policies may represent one way to create healthier workplace
      environments for young adults.

PMID- 26265680
TI  - Methods to estimate maternal mortality: a global perspective.

PMID- 26265681
TI  - Speakers corner. To frack or not to frack? Why is that not a global public health
      question and how should public health practitioners address it?

PMID- 26265682
TI  - Technique to manage persistent leak from a prepyloric ulcer where a distal
      gastrectomy is not appropriate.
AB  - Perforated peptic ulcer disease remains a relatively frequent emergency surgery
      presentation. Persistent leak is the most common indication for return to
      theatre. We present a technique to manage patients in whom a more substantial
      resection is not possible. A 45-year-old woman underwent initial laparoscopic
      primary closure of a non-malignant perforated gastric ulcer. This subsequently
      leaked on return to the UK and had a further graham patch formed via a
      laparotomy. Unfortunately, the patch repair leaked and at reoperation a wedge
      excision or distal gastrectomy was not possible given the friability of the
      tissues and instability of the patient, a transgastric drain and perigastric
      drain were therefore placed. This created a controlled fistula, which was managed
      eventually as an outpatient. Transgastric drains in the context of the persistent
      perforated gastric ulcer leak are a safe way to manage the unstable patient with
      poor tissues where more substantial surgeries such as a distal gastrectomy are
      not possible. 

PMID- 26265683
TI  - Cytology Specimen Management, Triage and Standardized Reporting of Fine Needle
      Aspiration Biopsies of the Pancreas.
AB  - The recent advances in pancreas cytology specimen sampling methods have enabled a
      specific cytologic diagnosis in most cases. Proper triage and processing of the
      cytologic specimen is pivotal in making a diagnosis due to the need for ancillary
      testing in addition to cytological evaluation, which is especially true in the
      diagnosis of pancreatic cysts. Newly proposed terminology for pancreaticobiliary
      cytology offers a standardized language for reporting that aims to improve
      communication among patient caregivers and provide for increased flexibility in
      patient management. This review focuses on these updates in pancreas cytology for
      the optimal evaluation of solid and cystic lesions of the pancreas. 

PMID- 26265684
TI  - SALL4 Expression in Hepatocellular Carcinomas Is Associated with EpCAM-Positivity
      and a Poor Prognosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is increasing interest in hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC)
      expressing "stemness"-related markers, as they have been associated with
      aggressive behavior and poor prognosis. In this study, we investigated the
      usefulness of Sal-like protein 4 (SALL4), a recently proposed candidate marker of
      "stemness." METHODS: Immunohistochemical stains were performed for SALL4, K19,
      and epithelial cellular adhesion molecule (EpCAM) on tissue microarrays
      constructed from 190 surgically resected HCCs, and the results were correlated
      with the clinicopathological features and patient survival data. RESULTS: Nuclear
      SALL4 expression was observed in 39/190 HCCs (20.5%), while K19 and EpCAM were
      expressed in 30 (15.9%) and 92 (48.7%) HCCs, respectively. The nuclear expression
      was generally weak, punctate or clumped. SALL4 expression was significantly
      associated with a poor overall survival compared to SALL4-negative HCCs (p =
      .014) compared to SALL4-negative HCCs. On multivariate analysis adjusted for
      tumor size, multiplicity, vascular invasion, and pathological tumor stage, SALL4
      remained as a significant independent predictor of decreased overall survival (p=
      .004). SALL4 expression was positively correlated with EpCAM expression (p =
      .013) but not with K19 expression. HCCs that expressed both SALL4 and EpCAM were
      associated with significantly decreased overall survival, compared to those cases
      which were negative for both of these markers (p = .031). CONCLUSIONS: Although
      SALL4 expression was not significantly correlated with other clinicopathological
      parameters suggestive of tumor aggressiveness, SALL4 expression was an
      independent predictor of poor overall survival in human HCCs, and was also
      positively correlated with EpCAM expression.

PMID- 26265685
TI  - Membranous Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 Receptor (IGF1R) Expression Is Predictive
      of Poor Prognosis in Patients with Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR)-Mutant
      Lung Adenocarcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF1R) is a membrane receptor
      type tyrosine kinase that has attracted considerable attention as a potential
      therapeutic target, although its clinical significance in non-small cell lung
      cancer (NSCLC) is controversial. This study aimed to clarify the clinical
      significance of IGF1R expression in human NSCLC. METHODS: IGF1R protein
      expression was evaluated using immunohistochemistry in 372 patients with NSCLC
      who underwent curative surgical resection (146 squamous cell carcinomas [SqCCs]
      and 226 adenocarcinomas [ADCs]). We then analyzed correlations between expression
      of IGF1R and clinicopathological and molecular features and prognostic
      significance. RESULTS: Membranous and cytoplasmic IGF1R expression were
      significantly higher in SqCCs than in ADCs. In patients with SqCC, membranous
      IGF1R expression was associated with absence of vascular, lymphatic, and
      perineural invasion; lower stage; and better progression-free survival (PFS)
      (hazard ratio [HR], 0.586; p = .040). In patients with ADC, IGF1R expression did
      not have a significant prognostic value; however, in the subgroup of epidermal
      growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutant ADC, membranous IGF1R expression was
      associated with lymphatic and perineural invasion, solid predominant histology,
      and higher cancer stage and was significantly associated with worse PFS (HR,
      2.582; p = .009). CONCLUSIONS: Lung ADC and SqCC showed distinct IGF1R expression
      profiles that demonstrated prognostic significance. High membranous IGF1R
      expression was predictive of poor PFS in EGFR-mutant lung ADC, while it was
      predictive of better PFS in SqCC. These findings will help improve study design
      for subsequent investigations and select patients for future anti-IGF1R therapy.

PMID- 26265686
TI  - Mediastinal Glomus Tumor: A Case Report and Literature Review.
AB  - A glomus tumor in the mediastinum is very uncommon, and only five cases have been
      reported in the English literature. We recently encountered a 21-year-old woman
      with an asymptomatic mediastinal mass that measured 5.3 * 4.0 cm. Surgical
      excision was performed, and the tumor was finally diagnosed as mediastinal glomus
      tumor with an uncertain malignant potential. After reviewing this case and
      previous reports, we analyzed the clinicopathologic features associated with
      progression of such a tumor. 

PMID- 26265687
TI  - Indeterminate Dendritic Cell Tumor: A Case Report of a Rare Langerhans Cell
      Lineage Disease.

PMID- 26265688
TI  - Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma with Ductal Plate Malformation-like Feature
      Associated with Bile Duct Adenoma.

PMID- 26265689
TI  - Oncocytic Renal Cell Carcinoma with Tubulopapillary Growth Having a Fat
      Component.
AB  - We report a rare case of oncocytic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with
      tubulopapillary growth in the background of tuberculous end-stage kidney disease.
      Histology of the renal mass consisted of oncocytic cells forming solid, thin
      tubules and rare papillae. The tumor had abundant eosinophilic oncocytic cells
      containing occasional cytoplasmic Mallory body-like hyaline globules and a tiny
      focus of clear cells with intervening mature fat. Both the oncocytic cells and
      clear cells were immunoreactive for a-methylacyl-CoA racemase, vimentin,
      pancytokeratin, and CD10, and negative for transcription factor E3, CD15, human
      melanoma black 45, and c-kit. Mallory body-like hyaline globules were positive
      for CAM 5.2 and periodic acid-Schiff with or without diastase. Ultrastructurally,
      the tumor cells had abundant cytoplasmic mitochondria. The present case is a rare
      case of oncocytic RCC with tubulopapillary growth pattern. The case is unique in
      that the tumor was mixed with fat component, which is not common in RCC and thus
      can lead to misdiagnosis. 

PMID- 26265690
TI  - Double Para-testicular Cellular Angiofibroma and Synchronous Testicular
      Microlithiasis.

PMID- 26265691
TI  - Multifocal Polypoid Endometriosis Mimicking Malignancy in a Young Woman with a
      History of Hormonal Treatment.

PMID- 26265692
TI  - A rabbit model of antegrade selective cerebral perfusion with cardioplegic
      arrest.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Due to the weak ascending aorta, it is extremely challenging to
      establish an anterograde selective cerebral perfusion (ASCP) model in rabbits,
      especially when cardioplegic arrest is required. Herein, the aim of this study
      was to establish a rabbit ASCP model with cardiac arrest being easily performed
      and being similar to the clinical scenario. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-two
      adult New Zealand white rabbits were selected for ASCP model establishment and
      another 22 rabbits were utilized for blood donation. The cardiopulmonary bypass
      (CPB) circuit consisted of a roller pump, a membrane oxygenator, a heat-cooler
      system and a blood reservoir, which were connected by silicone tubing. The total
      priming volume of the circuit was 70 ml. Cannulations on the right and left
      subclavian arteries were used for arterial inflow and cardioplegia perfusion,
      respectively. Venous drainage was conducted through the right atrial appendage.
      ASCP was initiated by clamping the innominate artery; the flow rate was
      maintained 10 ml/kg/minute and sustained for 60 minutes. After 120 minutes of
      reperfusion, the rabbits were sacrificed. The mean arterial pressure, heart rate,
      electrocardiogram and urine output were monitored. Arterial blood samples were
      analyzed at the following time points: after anesthesia, immediately after CPB,
      after aorta cross-clamping and cardioplegia perfusion, 5 min after the re-opening
      of the aorta and at CPB termination. RESULTS: ASCP modeling was performed
      successfully on 18 rabbits and 4 rabbits unsuccessfully. Vital signs and blood
      gas indictors changed in an acceptable range throughout the experiments. One
      rabbit had ventricular fibrillation after re-opening of the ascending aorta.
      Obvious hemodilution occurred after the perfusion of cardioplegia, but the
      hematocrit improved after CPB termination. CONCLUSION: By using cannulation of
      the subclavian artery rather than the aorta and with a low priming volume, we
      established a modified rabbit model of ASCP with cardioplegic arrest. The model
      has excellent repeatability and operability, which is similar to the clinic
      process and is suitable for the study of cerebral, cardiac and renal protection.

PMID- 26265693
TI  - Prognostic and Chemotherapy Predictive Value of Gene-Expression Phenotypes in
      Primary Lung Adenocarcinoma.
AB  - PURPOSE: Primary lung adenocarcinoma remains a deadly disease. Gene-expression
      phenotypes (GEPs) in adenocarcinoma have potential to provide clinically relevant
      disease stratification for improved prognosis and treatment prediction, given
      appropriate clinical and methodologic validation. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: 2,395
      transcriptional adenocarcinoma profiles were assembled from 17 public cohorts and
      classified by a nearest centroid GEP classifier into three subtypes: terminal
      respiratory unit (TRU), proximal-proliferative, and proximal-inflammatory, and
      additionally scored by five transcriptional metagenes representing different
      biologic processes, including proliferation. Prognostic- and chemotherapy
      predictive associations of the subtypes were analyzed by univariate and
      multivariate analysis using overall survival or distant metastasis-free survival
      as endpoints. RESULTS: Overall, GEPs were associated with patient outcome in both
      univariate and multivariate analyses, although not in all individual cohorts. The
      prognostically relevant division was between TRU- and non-TRU-classified cases,
      with expression of proliferation-associated genes as a key prognostic component.
      In contrast, GEP classification was not predictive of adjuvant chemotherapy
      response. GEP classification showed stability to random perturbations of genes or
      samples and alterations to classification procedures (typically <10% of
      cases/cohort switching subtype). High classification variability (>20% of cases
      switching subtype) was observed when removing larger or entire fractions of a
      single subtype, due to gene-centering shifts not addressable by the classifier.
      CONCLUSIONS: In a large-scale evaluation, we show that GEPs add prognostic value
      to standard clinicopathologic variables in lung adenocarcinoma. Subject to
      classifier refinement and confirmation in prospective cohorts, GEPs have
      potential to affect the prognostication of adenocarcinoma patients through a
      molecularly driven disease stratification.

PMID- 26265694
TI  - Pretreatment microRNA Expression Impacting on Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal
      Transition Predicts Intrinsic Radiosensitivity in Head and Neck Cancer Cell Lines
      and Patients.
AB  - PURPOSE: Predominant causes of head and neck cancer recurrence after radiotherapy
      are rapid repopulation, hypoxia, fraction of cancer stem cells, and intrinsic
      radioresistance. Currently, intrinsic radioresistance can only be assessed by ex
      vivo colony assays. Besides being time-consuming, colony assays do not identify
      causes of intrinsic resistance. We aimed to identify a biomarker for intrinsic
      radioresistance to be used before start of treatment and to reveal biologic
      processes that could be targeted to overcome intrinsic resistance. EXPERIMENTAL
      DESIGN: We analyzed both microRNA and mRNA expression in a large panel of head
      and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell lines. Expression was measured on
      both irradiated and unirradiated samples. Results were validated using modified
      cell lines and a series of patients with laryngeal cancer. RESULTS: miRs, mRNAs,
      and gene sets that correlated with resistance could be identified from expression
      data of unirradiated cells. The presence of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition
      (EMT) and low expression of miRs involved in the inhibition of EMT were important
      radioresistance determinants. This finding was validated in two independent cell
      line pairs, in which the induction of EMT reduced radiosensitivity. Moreover, low
      expression of the most important miR (miR-203) was shown to correlate with local
      disease recurrence after radiotherapy in a series of patients with laryngeal
      cancer. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that EMT and low expression of EMT
      inhibiting miRs, especially miR-203, measured in pretreatment material, causes
      intrinsic radioresistance of HNSCC, which could enable identification and
      treatment modification of radioresistant tumors. Clin Cancer Res; 21(24); 5630-8.
      (c)2015 AACR.

PMID- 26265696
TI  - U-shaped mortality curve associated with platelet count among older people: a
      community-based cohort study.

PMID- 26265695
TI  - Depletion of the chromatin remodeler CHD4 sensitizes AML blasts to genotoxic
      agents and reduces tumor formation.
AB  - Chromodomain helicase DNA-binding protein 4 (CHD4) is an ATPase that alters the
      phasing of nucleosomes on DNA and has recently been implicated in DNA double
      stranded break (DSB) repair. Here, we show that depletion of CHD4 in acute
      myeloid leukemia (AML) blasts induces a global relaxation of chromatin that
      renders cells more susceptible to DSB formation, while concurrently impeding
      their repair. Furthermore, CHD4 depletion renders AML blasts more sensitive both
      in vitro and in vivo to genotoxic agents used in clinical therapy: daunorubicin
      (DNR) and cytarabine (ara-C). Sensitization to DNR and ara-C is mediated in part
      by activation of the ataxia-telangiectasia mutated pathway, which is
      preliminarily activated by a Tip60-dependent mechanism in response to chromatin
      relaxation and further activated by genotoxic agent-induced DSBs. This
      sensitization preferentially affects AML cells, as CHD4 depletion in normal
      CD34(+) hematopoietic progenitors does not increase their susceptibility to DNR
      or ara-C. Unexpectedly, we found that CHD4 is necessary for maintaining the tumor
      forming behavior of AML cells, as CHD4 depletion severely restricted the ability
      of AML cells to form xenografts in mice and colonies in soft agar. Taken
      together, these results provide evidence for CHD4 as a novel therapeutic target
      whose inhibition has the potential to enhance the effectiveness of genotoxic
      agents used in AML therapy. 

PMID- 26265697
TI  - GVHD-associated, inflammasome-mediated loss of function in adoptively transferred
      myeloid-derived suppressor cells.
AB  - Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a naturally occurring immune
      regulatory population associated with inhibition of ongoing inflammatory
      responses. In vitro generation of MDSCs from bone marrow has been shown to
      enhance survival in an acute model of lethal graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).
      However, donor MDSC infusion only partially ameliorates GVHD lethality. In order
      to improve the potential therapeutic benefit and ultimately survival outcomes, we
      set out to investigate the fate of MDSCs after transfer in the setting of acute
      GVHD (aGVHD). MDSCs transferred to lethally irradiated recipients of allogeneic
      donor hematopoietic grafts are exposed to an intense inflammatory environment
      associated with aGVHD, which we now show directly undermines their suppressive
      capacity. Under a conditioning regimen and GVHD inflammatory settings, MDSCs
      rapidly lose suppressor function and their potential to inhibit GVHD lethality,
      which is associated with their induced conversion toward a mature inflammasome
      activated state. We find even brief in vitro exposure to inflammasome-activating
      mediators negates the suppressive potential of cultured murine and human-derived
      MDSCs. Consistent with a role for the inflammasome, donor MDSCs deficient in the
      adaptor ASC (apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD), which
      assembles inflammasome complexes, conferred improved survival of mice developing
      GVHD compared with wild-type donor MDSCs. These data suggest the use of MDSCs as
      a therapeutic approach for preventing GVHD and other systemic inflammatory
      conditions will be more effective when combined with approaches limiting in vivo
      MDSC inflammasome activation, empowering MDSCs to maintain their suppressive
      potential. 

PMID- 26265698
TI  - Hydroxyurea with AKT2 inhibition decreases vaso-occlusive events in sickle cell
      disease mice.
AB  - Heterotypic cell-cell adhesion and aggregation mediate vaso-occlusive events in
      patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Although hydroxyurea (HU), an inducer of
      fetal hemoglobin, is the main therapy for treatment of SCD, it is unclear whether
      it has immediate benefits in acute vaso-occlusive events in SCD patients. Using
      real-time fluorescence intravital microscopy, we demonstrated that short-term
      coadministration of HU and Akti XII, an AKT2 inhibitor, efficiently reduced
      neutrophil adhesion and platelet-neutrophil aggregation in venules of Berkeley
      (SCD) mice challenged with tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) or
      hypoxia/reoxygenation. Importantly, compared with HU or Akti XII treatment alone,
      short-term treatment with both agents significantly improved survival in those
      mice. We found that the level of plasma nitric oxide species was elevated by HU
      but not Akti XII, AKT2 phosphorylation levels in activated neutrophils and
      platelets were reduced by Akti XII but not HU, and the expression of endothelial
      E-selectin and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 was decreased by either agent.
      Our results suggest that short-term coadministration of HU and Akti XII has
      immediate benefits for acute vaso-occlusive events and survival in SCD mice
      exceeding those seen for single therapy. 

PMID- 26265700
TI  - [Congratulations to including in MEDLINE of Korean Journal of Medical Education].

PMID- 26265699
TI  - Genetics of glucocorticoid-associated osteonecrosis in children with acute
      lymphoblastic leukemia.
AB  - Glucocorticoids are important therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and
      their major adverse effect is osteonecrosis. Our goal was to identify genetic and
      nongenetic risk factors for osteonecrosis. We performed a genome-wide association
      study of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in a discovery cohort comprising
      2285 children with ALL, treated on the Children's Oncology Group AALL0232
      protocol (NCT00075725), adjusting for covariates. The minor allele at SNP
      rs10989692 (near the glutamate receptor GRIN3A locus) was associated with
      osteonecrosis (hazard ratio = 2.03; P = 3.59 * 10(-7)). The association was
      supported by 2 replication cohorts, including 361 children with ALL on St. Jude's
      Total XV protocol (NCT00137111) and 309 non-ALL patients from Vanderbilt
      University's BioVU repository treated with glucocorticoids (odds ratio [OR] =
      1.87 and 2.26; P = .063 and .0074, respectively). In a meta-analysis, rs10989692
      was also highest ranked (P = 2.68 * 10(-8)), and the glutamate pathway was the
      top ranked pathway (P = 9.8 * 10(-4)). Osteonecrosis-associated glutamate
      receptor variants were also associated with other vascular phenotypes including
      cerebral ischemia (OR = 1.64; P = 2.5 * 10(-3)), and arterial embolism and
      thrombosis (OR = 1.88; P = 4.2 * 10(-3)). In conclusion, osteonecrosis was
      associated with inherited variations near glutamate receptor genes. Further
      understanding this association may allow interventions to decrease osteonecrosis.
      These trials are registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00075725 and
      #NCT00137111. 

PMID- 26265702
TI  - Efficient Endocytic Uptake and Maturation in Drosophila Oocytes Requires
      Dynamitin/p50.
AB  - Dynactin is a multi-subunit complex that functions as a regulator of the Dynein
      motor. A central component of this complex is Dynamitin/p50 (Dmn). Dmn is
      required for endosome motility in mammalian cell lines. However, the extent to
      which Dmn participates in the sorting of cargo via the endosomal system is
      unknown. In this study, we examined the endocytic role of Dmn using the
      Drosophila melanogaster oocyte as a model. Yolk proteins are internalized into
      the oocyte via clathrin-mediated endocytosis, trafficked through the endocytic
      pathway, and stored in condensed yolk granules. Oocytes that were depleted of Dmn
      contained fewer yolk granules than controls. In addition, these oocytes
      accumulated numerous endocytic intermediate structures. Particularly prominent
      were enlarged endosomes that were relatively devoid of Yolk proteins.
      Ultrastructural and genetic analyses indicate that the endocytic intermediates
      are produced downstream of Rab5. Similar phenotypes were observed upon depleting
      Dynein heavy chain (Dhc) or Lis1. Dhc is the motor subunit of the Dynein complex
      and Lis1 is a regulator of Dynein activity. We therefore propose that Dmn
      performs its function in endocytosis via the Dynein motor. Consistent with a role
      for Dynein in endocytosis, the motor colocalized with the endocytic machinery at
      the oocyte cortex in an endocytosis-dependent manner. Our results suggest a model
      whereby endocytic activity recruits Dynein to the oocyte cortex. The motor along
      with its regulators, Dynactin and Lis1, functions to ensure efficient endocytic
      uptake and maturation. 

PMID- 26265703
TI  - The Spontaneous Mutation Rate in the Fission Yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe.
AB  - The rate at which new mutations arise in the genome is a key factor in the
      evolution and adaptation of species. Here we describe the rate and spectrum of
      spontaneous mutations for the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, a key
      model organism with many similarities to higher eukaryotes. We undertook an ~1700
      generation mutation accumulation (MA) experiment with a haploid S. pombe,
      generating 422 single-base substitutions and 119 insertion-deletion mutations
      (indels) across the 96 replicates. This equates to a base-substitution mutation
      rate of 2.00 * 10(-10) mutations per site per generation, similar to that
      reported for the distantly related budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
      However, these two yeast species differ dramatically in their spectrum of base
      substitutions, the types of indels (S. pombe is more prone to insertions), and
      the pattern of selection required to counteract a strong AT-biased mutation rate.
      Overall, our results indicate that GC-biased gene conversion does not play a
      major role in shaping the nucleotide composition of the S. pombe genome and
      suggest that the mechanisms of DNA maintenance may have diverged significantly
      between fission and budding yeasts. Unexpectedly, CpG sites appear to be
      excessively liable to mutation in both species despite the likely absence of DNA
      methylation. 

PMID- 26265704
TI  - Obese Nondiabetic Pregnancies and High Maternal Glycated Hemoglobin at Delivery
      as an Indicator of Offspring and Maternal Postpartum Risks: The Prospective
      PEACHES Mother-Child Cohort.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We investigated whether obese pregnant women negative for gestational
      diabetes (GDM) still experience dysglycemia, as indicated by high glycated
      hemoglobin (Hb A1c) at delivery, and whether this impacts offspring and long-term
      maternal outcomes. METHODS: Data of 462 mother-child pairs of our prospective
      Programming of Enhanced Adiposity Risk in Childhood - Early Screening (PEACHES)
      cohort study were analyzed. Of 885 obese and normal-weight pregnancies
      prospectively enrolled after GDM testing according to the International
      Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups criteria, 462 GDM-negative
      mothers and their offspring were investigated. We assessed associations of
      maternal Hb A1c at delivery with large-for-gestational-age (LGA) birth weights,
      cord-blood C-peptide, and biomarkers of glucose metabolism and inflammation in
      obese mothers followed for 2.9 years (median) postpartum (n = 42). RESULTS:
      Cumulative distribution analysis in GDM-negative normal-weight women (n = 155)
      revealed that 12% had Hb A1c >=5.7% at delivery (high Hb A1c). Among obese GDM
      negative women (n = 307), 31.9% (95% CI, 26.7%-37.4%) equaled or exceeded this
      cutoff. In obese GDM-negative women with Hb A1c >=5.7% (n = 98) vs <5.7% (n =
      209) at delivery, newborns were more likely to be born LGA [adjusted odds ratio
      3.56 (95% CI, 1.64-8.02)], and mean cordblood serum C-peptide was increased by
      0.09 ng/mL (95% CI, 0.01-0.17 ng/mL). In the mothers at follow-up, mean
      postpartum Hb A1c, fasting glucose, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and
      fibrinogen concentrations were higher by 0.3% (95% CI, 0.1%-0.5%), 6.0 mg/dL (95%
      CI, 2.4-9.5 mg/dL), 6.8 mg/L (95% CI, 1.4-12.3 mg/L), and 74.9 mg/dL (95% CI,
      13.6-136.2 mg/dL), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Increased Hb A1c in obese GDM
      negative women at delivery indicates gestational dysglycemia, potentially
      conferring offspring and long-term maternal health risks. These findings should
      raise awareness as to careful monitoring of obese pregnancies. Measurement of Hb
      A1c at delivery could help select women who may need closer postpartum health
      checks.

PMID- 26265705
TI  - More people opt to use assisted dying laws for greater variety of reasons.

PMID- 26265707
TI  - Simple risk score for colon cancer identifies people likely to benefit from
      colonoscopy.

PMID- 26265706
TI  - Synthesis of efficient gene delivery systems by grafting pegylated
      alkylcarboxylate chains to PAMAM dendrimers: Evaluation of transfection
      efficiency and cytotoxicity in cancerous and mesenchymal stem cells.
AB  - The applications of polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers have attracted much
      attention in biomedicine specially non-viral gene delivery because of thier
      unique characteristics including hyperbranching, multivalency, and well-defined
      uniform globular three-dimensional structures. In the current study, in order to
      enhance the transfection efficiency and reduce the cytotoxicity of PAMAMs,
      bromoalkylcarboxylates with different chain length (2-bromoacetic, 6
      bromohexanoic, 10-bromodecanoic and 16-bromohexadecanoic acids) were covalently
      conjugated with 10% and 30% of primary amines of generation 4 and 5 (G4 and G5)
      of PAMAM dendrimers to increase the hydrophobicity of the carrier. At the next
      stage, the alkylcarboxylate-PAMAMs were pegylaed to further modify the PAMAM
      structures for biological applications. Obtained results demonstrated that the
      prepared PAMAM derivatives had particle size around 140 nm with net-positive
      surface charge. None of the prepared PAMAM-based non-viral vactors exhibited
      significant hemolytic activity and also cytotoxicity. Meanwhile decahexanoate
      PAMAM G4 [G4(16C-10%)] and decanoate-PAMAM G4 conjugated to polyethylene glycol
      (PEG) (G4[(10C-30%)(10C-PEG)]) showed highest transfection efficiency in murine
      neuroblastoma (Neuro-2a) cell line, interestingly only the latter had improved
      transfection efficiency in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). This study proved the
      potential utility of alkylcarboxylate-grafted PAMAM dendrimers (G4 and G5) with
      or without PEG modification for efficient gene transfer into cancerous cells as
      well as MSCs.

PMID- 26265708
TI  - Defining criteria for good environmental journalism and testing their
      applicability: An environmental news review as a first step to more evidence
      based environmental science reporting.
AB  - While the quality of environmental science journalism has been the subject of
      much debate, a widely accepted benchmark to assess the quality of coverage of
      environmental topics is missing so far. Therefore, we have developed a set of
      defined criteria of environmental reporting. This instrument and its
      applicability are tested in a newly established monitoring project for the
      assessment of pieces on environmental issues, which refer to scientific sources
      and therefore can be regarded as a special field of science journalism. The
      quality is assessed in a kind of journalistic peer review. We describe the
      systematic development of criteria, which might also be a model procedure for
      other fields of science reporting. Furthermore, we present results from the
      monitoring of 50 environmental reports in German media. According to these
      preliminary data, the lack of context and the deficient elucidation of the
      evidence pose major problems in environmental reporting.

PMID- 26265709
TI  - UK science press officers, professional vision and the generation of
      expectations.
AB  - Science press officers can play an integral role in helping promote expectations
      and hype about biomedical research. Using this as a starting point, this article
      draws on interviews with 10 UK-based science press officers, which explored how
      they view their role as science reporters and as generators of expectations.
      Using Goodwin's notion of 'professional vision', we argue that science press
      officers have a specific professional vision that shapes how they produce
      biomedical press releases, engage in promotion of biomedical research and make
      sense of hype. We discuss how these insights can contribute to the sociology of
      expectations, as well as inform responsible science communication.

PMID- 26265710
TI  - Representing climate change on public service television: A case study.
AB  - Publicly funded broadcasters with a track record in science programming would
      appear ideally placed to represent climate change to the lay public. Free from
      the constraints of vested interests and the economic imperative, public service
      providers are better equipped to represent the scientific, social and economic
      aspects of climate change than commercial media, where ownership conglomeration,
      corporate lobbyists and online competition have driven increasingly tabloid
      coverage with an emphasis on controversy. This prime-time snapshot of the
      Australian Broadcasting Corporation's main television channel explores how the
      structural/rhetorical conventions of three established public service genres - a
      science programme, a documentary and a live public affairs talk show - impact on
      the representation of anthropogenic climate change. The study findings note
      implications for public trust, and discuss possibilities for innovation in the
      interests of better public understanding of climate change.

PMID- 26265711
TI  - Political implications of science popularisation strategies: Frontiers of S
      cience.
AB  - This examination of the mediation strategies of a very popular factual science
      comic strip series from the 1960s and 1970s illustrates, in this case by
      highlighting the ways in which women were targeted as an audience, that science
      popularisations are always political. For that reason, they should not be
      evaluated merely in terms of scientific accuracy. I demonstrate tensions between
      the dissemination model of communication used in the distribution of science
      popularisations, on the one hand, with the advocacy of a dialogue model in their
      content, on the other. 

PMID- 26265712
TI  - Joint statement on redundant (duplicate) publication by the Editors of the
      undersigned cardio-thoracic journals.

PMID- 26265713
TI  - Cell-Based High-Throughput Luciferase Reporter Gene Assays for Identifying and
      Profiling Chemical Modulators of Endoplasmic Reticulum Signaling Protein, IRE1.
AB  - Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress activates three distinct signal transducers on
      the ER membrane. Inositol-requiring protein 1 (IRE1), the most conserved signal
      transducer, plays a key role in ER stress-mediated signaling. During ER stress,
      IRE1 initiates two discrete signaling cascades: the "adaptive" signaling cascade
      mediated by the XBP1 pathway and the "alarm" signaling cascade mediated by stress
      activated protein kinase pathways. Fine-tuning of the balance between the
      adaptive and alarm signals contributes significantly to cellular fate under ER
      stress. Thus, we propose that the design of high-throughput screening (HTS)
      assays to selectively monitor IRE1 mediated-signaling would be desirable for drug
      discovery. To this end, we report the generation of stable human neural cell
      lines and development of cell-based HTS luciferase (Luc) reporter gene assays for
      the identification of pathway-specific chemical modulators of IRE1. We
      implemented a cell-based Luc assay using a chimeric CHOP-Gal4 transcription
      factor in 384-well format for monitoring IRE1 kinase-mediated p38MAPK activation
      and an unfolded response pathway element (URPE)-Luc cell-based assay in 1536-well
      format for monitoring IRE1's RNase-mediated activation of XBP1. Chemical library
      screening was successfully conducted with both the CHOP/Gal4-Luc cells and UPRE
      Luc engineered cells. The studies demonstrate the feasibility of using these HTS
      assays for discovery of pathway-selective modulators of IRE1. 

PMID- 26265714
TI  - A 22 year old woman with bilateral panuveitis and parotid swelling.

PMID- 26265715
TI  - Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort Study (CRIC): Overview and Summary of Selected
      Findings.
AB  - The Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) Study is a United States
      multicenter, prospective study of racially and ethnically diverse patients with
      CKD. Although the original aims of the study were to identify novel predictors of
      CKD progression and to elucidate the risk and manifestations of cardiovascular
      disease among nearly 4000 individuals with CKD, the CRIC Study has evolved into a
      national resource for investigation of a broad spectrum of CKD-related topics.
      The study has produced >90 published scientific articles, promoted many young
      investigative careers in nephrology, and fostered international collaborations
      focused on understanding the global burden of CKD. The third phase of the CRIC
      Study will complete enrollment of 1500 additional study participants in 2015 and
      is designed to answer questions regarding morbidity and mortality in mild-to
      moderate CKD and to assess the burden of CKD in older persons. This review
      highlights some of the salient findings of the CRIC Study in the areas of race
      and ethnicity, CKD progression, CKD and cognition, and cardiovascular disease
      outcomes; it also outlines the ongoing and forthcoming opportunities for the
      global nephrology community to enhance its understanding of CKD and related
      complications through the study. 

PMID- 26265716
TI  - The Experiences of Korean Young Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer: A Photovoice
      Study.
AB  - Photovoice was used to understand the impact of childhood cancer on Korean young
      adult survivors. Seven survivors of childhood cancer (currently aged 20-27
      years), diagnosed before the age of 19 and with cancer treatment completed,
      participated in five sessions. The participants took photographs that captured
      their group's weekly topics and participated in discussions about their feelings
      and experiences. Fifty-six photo images with narratives on the survivors'
      experiences were produced on these four participant-selected themes:
      Relationships With Others, Stigma, Overcoming Difficulties, and The Future This
      study on Korean childhood cancer survivors sheds light on their perspectives
      about the impact of cancer. Using an innovative methodology that takes the
      participants' point of view, this study contributes to the literature on young
      adult cancer survivors' quality of life and their psychosocial adjustment. The
      results can inform educational programs and increase public awareness by
      providing survivors' schoolteachers and peers with knowledge about childhood
      cancer.

PMID- 26265717
TI  - Independent Co-Option of a Tailed Bacteriophage into a Killing Complex in
      Pseudomonas.
AB  - Competition between microbes is widespread in nature, especially among those that
      are closely related. To combat competitors, bacteria have evolved numerous
      protein-based systems (bacteriocins) that kill strains closely related to the
      producer. In characterizing the bacteriocin complement and killing spectra for
      the model strain Pseudomonas syringae B728a, we discovered that its activity was
      not linked to any predicted bacteriocin but is derived from a prophage. Instead
      of encoding an active prophage, this region encodes a bacteriophage-derived
      bacteriocin, termed an R-type syringacin. This R-type syringacin is striking in
      its convergence with the well-studied R-type pyocin of P. aeruginosa in both
      genomic location and molecular function. Genomic alignment, amino acid percent
      sequence identity, and phylogenetic inference all support a scenario where the R
      type syringacin has been co-opted independently of the R-type pyocin. Moreover,
      the presence of this region is conserved among several other Pseudomonas species
      and thus is likely important for intermicrobial interactions throughout this
      important genus. IMPORTANCE: Evolutionary innovation is often achieved through
      modification of complexes or processes for alternate purposes, termed co-option.
      Notable examples include the co-option of a structure functioning in locomotion
      (bacterial flagellum) to one functioning in protein secretion (type three
      secretion system). Similar co-options can occur independently in distinct
      lineages. We discovered a genomic region in the plant pathogen Pseudomonas
      syringae that consists of a fragment of a bacteriophage genome. The fragment
      encodes only the tail of the bacteriophage, which is lethal toward strains of
      this species. This structure is similar to a previously described structure
      produced by the related species Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The two structures,
      however, are not derived from the same evolutionary event. Thus, they represent
      independent bacteriophage co-options. The co-opted bacteriophage from P. syringae
      is found in the genomes of many other Pseudomonas species, suggesting ecological
      importance across this genus.

PMID- 26265718
TI  - Heat-Labile Enterotoxin IIa, a Platform To Deliver Heterologous Proteins into
      Neurons.
AB  - Cholera toxin (CT) and the related heat-labile enterotoxins (LT) of Escherichia
      coli have been implicated as adjuvants in human therapies, but reactivity upon
      intranasal delivery dampened efforts to develop other clinical applications.
      However, each CT family member variant has unique biological properties that may
      warrant development as therapeutic platforms. In the current study, a nontoxic
      variant of the heat-labile enterotoxin IIa (LTIIa) was engineered to deliver
      heterologous, functional proteins into the cytosol of neurons. As proof of
      principle, the LTIIa variant delivered two cargos into neurons. LTIIa delivered
      beta-lactamase efficiently into cells containing complex gangliosides, such as
      GD1b, as host receptors. LTIIa delivery of beta-lactamase was sensitive to
      brefeldin A, an inhibitor that collapses the Golgi compartment into the
      endoplasmic reticulum, but not sensitive to treatment with botulinum neurotoxin D
      (BoNT/D), an inhibitor of synaptic vesicle cycling. LTIIa delivered a single
      chain, anti-BoNT/A camelid antibody that inhibited SNAP25 cleavage during post
      BoNT/A exposure of neurons. Delivery of functional, heterologous protein cargos
      into neurons demonstrates the potential of LTII variants as platforms to deliver
      therapies to inactivate toxins and microbial infections and to reverse the
      pathology of human neurodegenerative diseases. IMPORTANCE: This study engineered
      a protein platform to deliver functional, heterologous proteins into neurons. The
      protein platform developed was a variant of the heat-labile enterotoxin IIa
      (LTIIa) which lacked the catalytic domain, yielding a nontoxic protein. As proof
      of principle, LTIIa variants delivered two functional proteins into neurons, beta
      lactamase and a camelid antibody. These studies show the utility of LTIIa
      variants to deliver therapies into neurons, which could be extended to inactivate
      toxins and microbial infections and potentially to reverse the progression of
      neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.

PMID- 26265720
TI  - Statins May Decrease the Fatality Rate of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome
      Infection.

PMID- 26265719
TI  - Structural and Functional Adaptation of Vancomycin Resistance VanT Serine
      Racemases.
AB  - Vancomycin resistance in Gram-positive bacteria results from the replacement of
      the D-alanyl-D-alanine target of peptidoglycan precursors with D-alanyl-D-lactate
      or D-alanyl-D-serine (D-Ala-D-Ser), to which vancomycin has low binding affinity.
      VanT is one of the proteins required for the production of D-Ala-D-Ser
      terminating precursors by converting L-Ser to D-Ser. VanT is composed of two
      domains, an N-terminal membrane-bound domain, likely involved in L-Ser uptake,
      and a C-terminal cytoplasmic catalytic domain which is related to bacterial
      alanine racemases. To gain insight into the molecular function of VanT, the
      crystal structure of the catalytic domain of VanTG from VanG-type resistant
      Enterococcus faecalis BM4518 was determined. The structure showed significant
      similarity to type III pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP)-dependent alanine racemases,
      which are essential for peptidoglycan synthesis. Comparative structural analysis
      between VanTG and alanine racemases as well as site-directed mutagenesis
      identified three specific active site positions centered around Asn696 which are
      responsible for the L-amino acid specificity. This analysis also suggested that
      VanT racemases evolved from regular alanine racemases by acquiring additional
      selectivity toward serine while preserving that for alanine. The 4-fold-lower
      relative catalytic efficiency of VanTG against L-Ser versus L-Ala implied that
      this enzyme relies on its membrane-bound domain for L-Ser transport to increase
      the overall rate of d-Ser production. These findings illustrate how vancomycin
      pressure selected for molecular adaptation of a housekeeping enzyme to a
      bifunctional enzyme to allow for peptidoglycan remodeling, a strategy
      increasingly observed in antibiotic-resistant bacteria. IMPORTANCE: Vancomycin is
      one of the drugs of last resort against Gram-positive antibiotic-resistant
      pathogens. However, bacteria have evolved a sophisticated mechanism which
      remodels the drug target, the D-alanine ending precursors in cell wall synthesis,
      into precursors terminating with D-lactate or D-serine, to which vancomycin has
      less affinity. D-Ser is synthesized by VanT serine racemase, which has two
      unusual characteristics: (i) it is one of the few serine racemases identified in
      bacteria and (ii) it contains a membrane-bound domain involved in L-Ser uptake.
      The structure of the catalytic domain of VanTG showed high similarity to alanine
      racemases, and we identified three specific active site substitutions responsible
      for L-Ser specificity. The data provide the molecular basis for VanT evolution to
      a bifunctional enzyme coordinating both transport and racemization. Our findings
      also illustrate the evolution of the essential alanine racemase into a vancomycin
      resistance enzyme in response to antibiotic pressure.

PMID- 26265721
TI  - A 1,000-Year-Old Antimicrobial Remedy with Antistaphylococcal Activity.
AB  - Plant-derived compounds and other natural substances are a rich potential source
      of compounds that kill or attenuate pathogens that are resistant to current
      antibiotics. Medieval societies used a range of these natural substances to treat
      conditions clearly recognizable to the modern eye as microbial infections, and
      there has been much debate over the likely efficacy of these treatments. Our
      interdisciplinary team, comprising researchers from both sciences and humanities,
      identified and reconstructed a potential remedy for Staphylococcus aureus
      infection from a 10th century Anglo-Saxon leechbook. The remedy repeatedly killed
      established S. aureus biofilms in an in vitro model of soft tissue infection and
      killed methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) in a mouse chronic wound model.
      While the remedy contained several ingredients that are individually known to
      have some antibacterial activity, full efficacy required the combined action of
      several ingredients, highlighting the scholarship of premodern doctors and the
      potential of ancient texts as a source of new antimicrobial agents. IMPORTANCE:
      While the antibiotic potential of some materials used in historical medicine has
      been demonstrated, empirical tests of entire remedies are scarce. This is an
      important omission, because the efficacy of "ancientbiotics" could rely on the
      combined activity of their various ingredients. This would lead us to
      underestimate their efficacy and, by extension, the scholarship of premodern
      doctors. It could also help us to understand why some natural compounds that show
      antibacterial promise in the laboratory fail to yield positive results in
      clinical trials. We have reconstructed a 1,000-year-old remedy which kills the
      bacteria it was designed to treat and have shown that this activity relies on the
      combined activity of several antimicrobial ingredients. Our results highlight (i)
      the scholarship and rational methodology of premodern medical professionals and
      (ii) the untapped potential of premodern remedies for yielding novel therapeutics
      at a time when new antibiotics are desperately needed.

PMID- 26265722
TI  - Dual-Use Research of Concern (DURC) Review at American Society for Microbiology
      Journals.

PMID- 26265723
TI  - Suitability of the Zenith p-Branch Standard Fenestrated Endovascular Graft for
      Treatment of Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the anatomic suitability of the Zenith pivot branch (p
      branch) fenestrated device in ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (rAAA).
      METHODS: Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) images of 206 patients (mean
      age 75+/-8 years; 175 men) with rAAA were evaluated in a dedicated 3-dimensional
      vascular workstation. All aneurysms found unsuitable for standard infrarenal
      repair were evaluated for Zenith p-branch suitability according to the
      Investigational Device Exemption protocol for both device configurations (A,
      pivot fenestrations at the same level; B, right renal fenestration located more
      cranially). RESULTS: The suitability of the p-branch (A or B configuration) for
      short neck aneurysms (<15 mm; n=89) was 49%; of the 26 different combinations of
      exclusion criteria, a mismatch between a renal artery takeoff and the positioning
      of the corresponding fenestration was the most common. For juxta- and pararenal
      aneurysms (neck length <10 mm; n=66), suitability was 48%. Suitability assessed
      by target vessel positioning only (excluding all other limiting factors) was 58%
      for short neck aneurysms (n=52) and 55% for juxta- and pararenal aneurysms
      (n=36). CONCLUSION: Approximately half of patients with short neck rAAAs would be
      suitable for the Zenith p-branch fenestrated device according to the instructions
      for use. In almost 60%, the pivot fenestrations can accommodate the corresponding
      target vessels. More studies are needed to confirm these findings.

PMID- 26265725
TI  - Putting a price on empathy: against incentivising moral enhancement.
AB  - Concerns that people would be disinclined to voluntarily undergo moral
      enhancement have led to suggestions that an incentivised programme should be
      introduced to encourage participation. This paper argues that, while such
      measures do not necessarily result in coercion or undue inducement (issues with
      which one may typically associate the use of incentives in general), the use of
      incentives for this purpose may present a taboo trade-off. This is due to
      empirical research suggesting that those characteristics likely to be affected by
      moral enhancement are often perceived as fundamental to the self; therefore, any
      attempt to put a price on such traits would likely be deemed morally unacceptable
      by those who hold this view. A better approach to address the possible lack of
      participation may be to instead invest in alternative marketing strategies and
      remove incentives altogether. 

PMID- 26265724
TI  - Hepatic encephalopathy due to liver cirrhosis.

PMID- 26265726
TI  - Antibiotics without prescription: more cons than pros.

PMID- 26265727
TI  - A High Omega-3 Fatty Acid Multinutrient Supplement Benefits Cognition and
      Mobility in Older Women: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Pilot
      Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mobility is a key determinant of frailty in older persons, and a
      variety of dietary factors, such as the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid
      (DHA), are positively associated with decreased frailty and improved mobility and
      cognition in older persons. METHODS: The effects of a multinutrient supplement on
      mobility and cognition were assessed in postmenopausal women (60-84 years).
      Participants received either Efalex Active 50+ (1g DHA, 160 mg eicosapentaenoic
      acid, 240 mg Ginkgo biloba, 60 mg phosphatidylserine, 20mg d-alpha tocopherol,
      1mg folic acid, and 20 ug vitamin B12 per day; N = 15) or placebo (N = 12) for 6
      months. Mobility was assessed by VICON 9 motion capture camera system
      synchronized with Kistler force plates, cognitive performance by computerized
      cognitive function tests, and blood fatty acid levels by pin-prick analysis.
      RESULTS: Significant effects of treatment were seen in two of the four cognitive
      tests, with shorter mean latencies in a motor screening task (p < .05) and more
      words remembered (p < .03), and one of the three primary mobility measures with
      improved habitual walking speed (p < .05). Compared with the placebo group,
      supplementation also resulted in significantly higher blood DHA levels (p < .02).
      CONCLUSIONS: In this pilot study, multinutrient supplementation improved
      cognition and mobility in able older females at clinically relevant levels,
      suggesting a potential role in reducing the decline to frailty.

PMID- 26265728
TI  - Identifying Sarcopenia in Metabolic Syndrome: Data from the Berlin Aging Study
      II.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of cardiovascular risk
      factors which has been linked with a decline in muscle mass. However, with a
      variety of sarcopenia definitions, it is unclear which approach is suitable to
      detect reduced muscle mass in subjects with MetS who are frequently characterized
      by an increased fat mass and higher body weight. METHODS: We analyzed cross
      sectional data of 1,402 (51.1% female; 69+/-3.7 years) old community-dwelling
      subjects of the Berlin Aging Study II. MetS was defined according to the
      guidelines of the International Diabetes Federation/American Heart
      Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (IDF/AHA/NHLBI, 2009).
      Sarcopenia was defined as suggested by Baumgartner et al. (low appendicular lean
      mass corrected for height, ALM/HT(2)) and according to standardized residuals
      following the approach suggested by Newman et al., which corrects appendicular
      lean mass (ALM) for weight and height. RESULTS: MetS was identified in 35% of the
      participants, 25.6% had sarcopenia according to ALM/HT(2), 20% according to the
      residual approach. We compared the two operational parameters and found that the
      majority of physical and metabolic parameters were more impaired and self
      reported difficulties in physical performance were greater in individuals defined
      sarcopenic according to residuals than subjects who were sarcopenic according to
      a low ALM/HT(2). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that an approach to define
      sarcopenia which corrects ALM both for height and weight is more suitable to
      detect increased physical limitations as well as higher metabolic impairment,
      compared to adjustment of ALM only for height.

PMID- 26265729
TI  - Tequila Regulates Insulin-Like Signaling and Extends Life Span in Drosophila
      melanogaster.
AB  - The aging process is a universal phenomenon shared by all living organisms. The
      identification of longevity genes is important in that the study of these genes
      is likely to yield significant insights into human senescence. In this study, we
      have identified Tequila as a novel candidate gene involved in the regulation of
      longevity in Drosophila melanogaster. We have found that a hypomorphic mutation
      of Tequila (Teq(f01792)), as well as cell-specific downregulation of Tequila in
      insulin-producing neurons of the fly, significantly extends life span. Tequila
      deficiency-induced life-span extension is likely to be associated with reduced
      insulin-like signaling, because Tequila mutant flies display several common
      phenotypes of insulin dysregulation, including reduced circulating Drosophila
      insulin-like peptide 2 (Dilp2), reduced Akt phosphorylation, reduced body size,
      and altered glucose homeostasis. These observations suggest that Tequila may
      confer life-span extension by acting as a modulator of Drosophila insulin-like
      signaling.

PMID- 26265730
TI  - Mortality is Written on the Face.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It is unknown whether facial or surrounding (eg, hair and clothing)
      cues have the strongest influence on the perceived age of subjects in
      photographic images, and which drives links between perceived age and survival.
      METHODS: In 2001, 187 Danish twin pairs (n = 374) aged 70+ years were
      photographed generating passport-type images. The faces of the twins in these
      images were swapped creating two new images per twin pair (748 images in total).
      Ten nurses rated the perceived age of the twin from the original and swapped
      facial images. The survival of the twins was determined through to the end of
      2013. RESULTS: Changing the face or its surrounding significantly changed the
      perceived age of the images, with only a marginal difference between their effect
      sizes (difference of 0.5 years, 95% confidence interval CI -0.1 to 1.1).
      Perceived age, adjusting for chronological age, and sex, was a predictor of
      survival up to 7 years (hazard ratio 1.17, 95% CI 1.10-1.25) and also 7-12 years
      (hazard ratio 1.06, 95% CI 1.00-1.12) after the photographs were taken. Where the
      older looking twin died first they had a significantly older looking face (1.4
      years older, 95% CI 0.3-2.6) but not surrounding (0.3 years older, 95% CI -0.8 to
      1.4) compared to where the older looking twin died second. CONCLUSIONS: Facial
      visual cues but not hair or clothing cues drive the link between perceived age
      and survival.

PMID- 26265731
TI  - Association of Urinary 6-Sulfatoxymelatonin (aMT6s) Levels and Objective and
      Subjective Sleep Measures in Older Men: The MrOS Sleep Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sleep and melatonin have been associated with healthy aging. In this
      study, we examine the association between melatonin levels and sleep among older
      men. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of a community-dwelling cohort of 2,821 men
      aged 65 years or older recruited from six U.S. centers. First morning void urine
      samples were collected to measure melatonin's major urinary metabolite, 6
      sulfatoxymelatonin (aMT6s). We also assessed objective and subjective sleep
      parameters. We used logistic regression models to calculate multivariate (MV)
      odds ratios (ORs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) adjusted for important
      demographic variables and comorbidities. RESULTS: In the overall sample, the only
      significant finding in fully adjusted models was that aMT6s levels were inversely
      associated with subjectively measured daytime sleepiness (sleepiness mean score
      of 5.79 in the top aMT6s quartile, and 6.26 in the bottom aMT6s quartile, MV OR,
      1.32; 95% CI, 0.95-1.84; p trend <= .02). When restricting to men without beta
      blocker use (a known melatonin suppressant), aMT6s levels were significantly
      associated with shorter sleep time, that is, less than 5 hours (MV OR, = 1.90;
      95% CI, 1.21-2.99; p trend = .01), and worse sleep efficiency, that is, less than
      70% (MV OR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.28-2.65; p trend < .001). aMT6s were not associated
      with subjective sleep quality or respiratory disturbance in any of our analyses.
      CONCLUSION: Lower nocturnal melatonin levels were associated with worsened
      daytime sleepiness, sleep efficiency, and shorter sleep time in older men. The
      role of circadian interventions, and whether melatonin levels are a modifiable
      risk factor for poor sleep in older men, warrants further study.

PMID- 26265733
TI  - Choice architecture interventions for increased vegetable intake and behaviour
      change in a school setting: a systematic review.
AB  - AIMS: The primary objective of this review is to assess the prevalence and
      quality of published studies on the effect of choice architectural nudge
      interventions promoting vegetable consumption among adolescents. Additionally,
      this review aims to identify studies estimating adolescents' attitude towards
      choice architectural nudge interventions. METHODS: Web of Science, Scopus and
      PubMed were searched systematically for experimental studies with a predefined
      search strategy in the period November-December 2013. Publications were included
      following predetermined inclusion criteria. Studies were evaluated as of high,
      moderate or weak quality. Finally, studies were grouped by the type of
      intervention and underwent a narrative synthesis. RESULTS: The search showed that
      only very few studies investigated the effects of choice architectural nudging
      interventions on vegetable consumption, and none of them had attitude towards
      behavioural interventions as an outcome measure. Twelve studies met the inclusion
      criteria. The results of the 12 studies were inconclusive, and the majority of
      studies were of weak or moderate quality. CONCLUSION: This review uncovers a gap
      in knowledge on the effect of choice architectural nudge interventions aiming to
      promote the intake of vegetables among adolescents in a school context. It also
      highlights that no previous studies have considered the attitudes towards choice
      architectural nudge interventions as a potential factor for their success - or
      lack thereof - in achieving the desired goal of increased vegetable consumption.

PMID- 26265732
TI  - Antihypertensive Use and Recurrent Falls in Community-Dwelling Older Adults:
      Findings From the Health ABC Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite wide-spread use of antihypertensives in older adults, the
      literature is unclear about their association with incident recurrent falls over
      time. METHODS: Health, Aging and Body Composition study participants (n = 2,948)
      who were well functioning at baseline (1997) were followed to Year 7 (2004). The
      main outcome was recurrent falls (>=2) in the ensuing 12 months. Antihypertensive
      use was examined as: (a) any versus none, (b) long- versus short-term (>=2 vs <2
      years), and by (c) summated standardized daily dose (SDD; 1 = maximum recommended
      daily dose for one antihypertensive), and (d) subclass. RESULTS: Controlling for
      potential demographic, health status/behavior and access to care confounders, we
      found no increase in risk of recurrent falls in antihypertensive users compared
      to nonusers (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.13; 95% CI = 0.88-1.46), or those
      taking higher SDDs or for longer durations. Only those using a loop diuretic were
      found to have a modest increased risk of recurrent falls (AOR = 1.50; 95% CI =
      1.11-2.03). CONCLUSIONS: Antihypertensive use overall was not statistically
      significantly associated with recurrent falls after adjusting for important
      confounders. Loop diuretic use may be associated with recurrent falls and needs
      further study.

PMID- 26265734
TI  - Alcohol service provision for older people in an area experiencing high alcohol
      use and health inequalities.
AB  - BACKGROUND: UK society is ageing. Older people who drink alcohol, drink more than
      those from previous generations, drink more frequently than other age groups and
      are more likely to drink at home and alone. Alcohol problems in later life
      however are often under-detected and under-reported meaning older people
      experiencing alcohol problems have high levels of unmet need. METHODS: This study
      sought to identify existing services within South of Tyne, North East England to
      capture the extent of service provision for older drinkers and identify any gaps.
      The Age UK definition of 'older people' (aged 50 and over) was used. Services
      were contacted by telephone, managers or their deputy took part in semi
      structured interviews. FINDINGS: Forty six service providers were identified.
      Only one provided a specific intervention for older drinkers. Others typically
      provided services for age 18+. Among providers, there was no definitive
      definition of an older person. Data collection procedures within many
      organisations did not enable them to confirm whether older people were accessing
      services. Where alcohol was used alongside other drugs, alcohol use could remain
      unrecorded. CONCLUSION: To enable alcohol services to meet the needs of older
      people, greater understanding is needed of the patterns of drinking in later
      life, the experiences of older people, the scale and scope of the issue and
      guidance as to the most appropriate action to take. An awareness of the issues
      related to alcohol use in later life also needs to be integrated into
      commissioning of other services that impact upon older people.

PMID- 26265735
TI  - White blood cell and platelet count as adjuncts to standard clinical evaluation
      for risk assessment in patients at low probability of acute aortic syndrome.
AB  - AIMS: Pre-test probability assessment is key in the approach to suspected acute
      aortic syndromes (AASs). However, most patients with AAS-compatible symptoms are
      classified at low probability, warranting further evaluation for decision on
      aortic imaging. White blood cell count, platelet count and fibrinogen explore
      pathophysiological pathways mobilized in AASs and are routinely assayed in the
      workup of AASs. However, the diagnostic performance of these variables for AASs,
      alone and as a bundle, is unknown. We tested the hypothesis that white blood cell
      count, platelet count and/or fibrinogen at presentation may be applied as
      additional tools to standard clinical evaluation for pre-test risk assessment in
      patients at low probability of AAS. METHODS AND RESULTS: This was a retrospective
      observational study conducted on consecutive patients managed in our Emergency
      Department from 2009 to 2014 for suspected AAS. White blood cell count, platelet
      count and fibrinogen were assayed during evaluation in the Emergency Department.
      The final diagnosis was obtained by computed tomography angiography. The pre-test
      probability of AAS was defined according to guidelines. Of 1210 patients with
      suspected AAS, 1006 (83.1%) were classified at low probability, and 271 (22.4%)
      were diagnosed with AAS. Within patients at low probability, presence of at least
      one alteration among white blood cell count >9*103/ul, platelet count <200*103/ul
      and fibrinogen <350 mg/dl was associated with a sensitivity of 95.5% (89.7-98.5%)
      and a specificity of 18.3% (15.6-21.2%). In patients at low probability, white
      blood cell count >9*103/ul and platelet count <200*103/ul were found as
      independent predictors of AAS beyond established clinical risk markers. Within
      patients at low probability, the estimated risk of AAS based on the number of
      alterations amongst white blood cell count >9*103/ul and platelet count
      <200*103/ul was 2.7% (1.2-5.7%) with zero alterations, 11.3% (8.8-14.3%) with one
      alteration and 31.9% (24.8-40%) with two alterations ( p<0.001). CONCLUSION: In
      addition to standard clinical evaluation, white blood cell count and platelet
      count may be used in patients at low pre-test probability to fine-tune risk
      assessment of AAS.

PMID- 26265736
TI  - Editor's Choice-The role of the emergency department in the management of acute
      heart failure: An international perspective on education and research.
AB  - Emergency departments are a major entry point for the initial management of acute
      heart failure (AHF) patients throughout the world. The initial diagnosis,
      management and disposition - the decision to admit or discharge - of AHF patients
      in the emergency department has significant downstream implications.
      Misdiagnosis, under or overtreatment, or inappropriate admission may place
      patients at increased risk for adverse events, and add costs to the healthcare
      system. Despite the critical importance of initial management, data are sparse
      regarding the impact of early AHF treatment delivered in the emergency department
      compared to inpatient or chronic heart failure management. Unfortunately,
      outcomes remain poor, with nearly a third of patients dying or re-hospitalised
      within 3 months post-discharge. In the absence of robust research evidence,
      consensus is an important source of guidance for AHF care. Thus, we convened an
      international group of practising emergency physicians, cardiologists and
      advanced practice nurses with the following goals to improve outcomes for AHF
      patients who present to the emergency department or other acute care setting
      through: (a) a better understanding of the pathophysiology, presentation and
      management of the initial phase of AHF care; (b) improving initial management by
      addressing knowledge gaps between best practices and current practice through
      education and research; and

PMID- 26265737
TI  - Injectable anaesthesia for adult cat and kitten castration: effects of
      medetomidine, dexmedetomidine and atipamezole on recovery.
AB  - Objectives Rapid recovery from injectable anaesthesia benefits cat shelter
      neutering programmes. The effects of medetomidine, dexmedetomidine and
      atipamezole on recovery were evaluated in adult cats and kittens (?6 months old).
      Methods One hundred healthy male cats (age range 2-66 months, weight range 0.7
      5.3 kg) admitted forneutering were randomly allocated to groups of 25.
      Anaesthesia was induced with 60 mg/m2 ketamine, 180 ug/m2 buprenorphine, 3 mg/m2
      midazolam and either 600 ug/m2 medetomidine (groups M and MA) or 300 ug/m2
      dexmedetomidine (groups D and DA) intramuscularly (IM). Groups MA and DA also
      received 1.5 mg/m2 atipamezole IM after 40 mins. Preparation time, surgical time,
      and times to sternal recumbency and standing were recorded. Data were analysed
      using the Kruskall-Wallis test, unpaired t-tests and ANOVA. Statistical
      significance was deemed to be P ?0.05. Results Groups did not differ
      significantly in age, body weight, preparation or surgical time. The time to
      sternal recumbency in group MA (64 +/- 34 mins) was less than in group M (129 +/-
      32 mins), and in group DA it was less than in group D (54 +/- 6 mins vs 110 +/-
      27 mins) ( P <0.001). There were no differences in duration of recovery to
      sternal recumbency between groups M and D or MA and DA. The time to standing in
      group MA (79 +/- 51 mins) was less than in group M (150 +/- 38 mins) ( P <0.001),
      and in group DA it was less than in group D (70 +/- 22 mins vs 126 +/- 27 mins) (
      P <0.01). Time to standing in group D (126 +/- 27 mins) was less than in group M
      (150 +/- 38 mins) (P <0.05). Time to standing in groups DA and MA were not
      different. Kittens recovered faster than adults after atipamezole. Minimal
      adverse effects were seen. Conclusions and relevance Atipamezole reliably reduced
      recovery time after anaesthesia incorporating either dexmedetomidine or
      medetomidine; however, the choice of dexmedetomidine or medetomidine had little
      effect. Recovery was faster in kittens.

PMID- 26265738
TI  - Slipped capital femoral epiphysis in 17 Maine Coon cats.
AB  - Objectives From May 2009 to January 2015, 208 Maine Coon cats presented to the
      Tierklinik Hollabrunn - a small animal referral and first-opinion centre - and 17
      (8.17%) cats were diagnosed with a slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE). Over
      the same time period, 29 (0.67%) of 4348 cats (all breeds) were diagnosed with
      SCFE. Methods Clinical and orthopaedic examinations and diagnostic imaging were
      performed on all affected Maine Coons. Age at first presentation, sex, body
      weight, body condition score (BCS), unilateral or bilateral manifestation of the
      disease, activity level and duration of lameness, age at neutering and known
      family history of disease were recorded. Sixteen of 17 Maine Coons were
      surgically treated. Surgically removed femoral tissue samples were histologically
      examined in 13 cases. Results The mean age at first presentation was 21.47
      months; male to female ratio was 16:1; mean body weight was 7.5 kg (range 5.3-9.3
      kg); and mean BCS was 5.06/9.0. Seven cats were bilaterally affected; the median
      duration of decreased activity level and lameness was 2 weeks; mean age at
      neutering was 7.7 months (range 3.0-12.0 months); and four cats were littermates.
      Fourteen femoral head and neck ostectomies, eight total hip replacements and one
      primary fixation were performed. All 13 histologically available samples
      confirmed the diagnosis of SCFE. Conclusions and relevance To date, SCFE has been
      reported only occasionally in Maine Coon cats. However, the results of this study
      showed that Maine Coons were approximately 12-fold more likely to develop SCFE
      than the overall population of cats presenting to the Tierklinik Hollabrunn over
      the same time period. Male sex, neutering, delayed physeal closure and breed
      specific high body weight may play an important role in the pathogenesis of SCFE
      in Maine Coon cats.

PMID- 26265739
TI  - Need for proper trial protocols to assess side effects of drugs.

PMID- 26265740
TI  - A case of pulmonary Serratia marcescens granuloma radiologically mimicking
      metastatic malignancy and tuberculosis infection.
AB  - Serratia marcescens is a saprophytic gram-negative bacillus capable of causing a
      wide range of infections. A 57-year-old female was admitted to our hospital for
      four weeks with community acquired pneumonia. A chest x-ray, six weeks after
      discharge, demonstrated multiple, bilateral 'cannon ball'-like opacities and
      mediastinal lymphadenopathy which were highly suspicious of disseminated
      malignancy or tuberculosis. The only symptom that this patient had was a
      productive cough. She had multiple commodities, but no specific immunodeficiency
      disorder. Interestingly, her sputum and bronchial washing samples grew S.
      marcescens. The computed tomography-guided lung biopsy demonstrated necrotic
      granulomatous changes. There was no pathological evidence of tuberculosis or
      fungal infection, malignancy or vasculitis. There are only a handful of reported
      cases of Serratia granulomas. Thus, we are reporting a rare instance of pulmonary
      Serratia marcescens granuloma radiologically mimicking metastatic malignancy and
      tuberculosis infection. 

PMID- 26265741
TI  - Combined Contribution of Increased Intestinal Permeability and Inhibited
      Deglycosylation of Ginsenoside Rb1 in the Intestinal Tract to the Enhancement of
      Ginsenoside Rb1 Exposure in Diabetic Rats after Oral Administration.
AB  - Panax ginseng is becoming a promising antidiabetic herbal medication. As the main
      active constituents of Panax ginseng, ginsenosides are well known, poorly
      absorbed chemicals. However, the pharmacokinetic behavior of ginsenosides under
      diabetic conditions is not fully understood. This study aimed to explore the
      alterations and potential mechanisms of pharmacokinetic behavior of ginsenoside
      Rb1 in diabetic rats compared with normal rats and rats fed a high-fat diet.
      Systemic exposure (area under the concentration-time curve extrapolated from zero
      to infinity) was significantly increased in diabetic rats after oral
      administration of Rb1. Oral bioavailability of Rb1 was significantly higher in
      diabetic rats (2.25%) compared with normal rats (0.90%) and rats fed a high-fat
      diet (0.78%). Further studies revealed that increased Rb1 exposure in diabetic
      rats may be mainly attributed to increased Rb1 absorption via the intestine and
      inhibited Rb1 deglycosylation by the intestinal microflora. Neither metabolic
      enzymes nor drug transporters displayed appreciable effects on Rb1 disposition.
      The transport of paracellular markers (fluorescein sodium and fluorescein
      isothiocyanate-dextran of 4 kDa) as well as Rb1 itself across the Caco-2
      monolayer cultured with diabetic serum was promoted, demonstrating that increased
      paracellular permeability of the Caco-2 monolayer may benefit intestinal Rb1
      absorption. In addition, Rb1 exposure was decreased in diabetic rats after Rb1
      intravenous administration, which may result from increased Rb1 urinary
      excretion. In conclusion, Rb1 oral exposure was significantly increased under
      diabetic conditions, which is of positive significance to clinical treatment. The
      potential mechanism may be associated with the combined contribution of increased
      gut permeability and inhibited deglycosylation of ginsenoside Rb1 by intestinal
      microflora. 

PMID- 26265742
TI  - Defining Human Pathways of Drug Metabolism In Vivo through the Development of a
      Multiple Humanized Mouse Model.
AB  - Variability in drug pharmacokinetics is a major factor in defining drug efficacy
      and side effects. There remains an urgent need, particularly with the growing use
      of polypharmacy, to obtain more informative experimental data predicting clinical
      outcomes. Major species differences in multiplicity, substrate specificity, and
      regulation of enzymes from the cytochrome P450-dependent mono-oxygenase system
      play a critical role in drug metabolism. To develop an in vivo model for
      predicting human responses to drugs, we generated a mouse, where 31 P450 genes
      from the Cyp2c, Cyp2d, and Cyp3a gene families were exchanged for their relevant
      human counterparts. The model has been improved through additional humanization
      for the nuclear receptors constitutive androgen receptor and pregnane X receptor
      that control the expression of key drug metabolizing enzymes and transporters. In
      this most complex humanized mouse model reported to date, the cytochromes P450
      function as predicted and we illustrate how these mice can be applied to predict
      drug-drug interactions in humans. 

PMID- 26265743
TI  - A Screen of Approved Drugs Identifies the Androgen Receptor Antagonist Flutamide
      and Its Pharmacologically Active Metabolite 2-Hydroxy-Flutamide as Heterotropic
      Activators of Cytochrome P450 3A In Vitro and In Vivo.
AB  - Once thought to be an artifact of microsomal systems, atypical kinetics with
      cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes have been extensively investigated in vitro and
      found to be substrate and species dependent. Building upon increasing reports of
      heterotropic CYP activation and inhibition in clinical settings, we screened a
      compound library of clinically approved drugs and various probe compounds to
      identify the frequency of heterotropism observed with different drug classes and
      the associated CYP enzymes thereof (1A2, 2C9, 2D6, and 3A4/5). Results of this
      screen revealed that the prescribed androgen receptor antagonist flutamide
      activated the intrinsic midazolam hydroxylase activity of CYP3A in human hepatic
      microsomes (66%), rat and human hepatocytes (36 and 160%, respectively), and in
      vivo in male Sprague-Dawley rats (>2-fold, combined area under the curve of
      primary rat in vivo midazolam metabolites). In addition, a screen of the
      pharmacologically active metabolite 2-hydroxy-flutamide revealed that this
      principle metabolite increased CYP3A metabolism of midazolam in human microsomes
      (30%) and hepatocytes (110%). Importantly, both flutamide and 2-hydroxy-flutamide
      demonstrated a pronounced increase in the CYP3A-mediated metabolism of commonly
      paired medications, nifedipine (antihypertensive) and amiodarone
      (antiarrhythmic), in multispecies hepatocytes (100% over baseline). These data
      serve to highlight the importance of an appropriate substrate and in vitro system
      selection in the pharmacokinetic modeling of atypical enzyme kinetics. In
      addition, the results of our investigation have illuminated a previously
      undiscovered class of heterotropic CYP3A activators and have demonstrated the
      importance of selecting commonly paired therapeutics in the in vitro and in vivo
      modeling of projected clinical outcomes. 

PMID- 26265744
TI  - Inhibition of Anthracycline Alcohol Metabolite Formation in Human Heart Cytosol:
      A Potential Role for Several Promising Drugs.
AB  - The clinical efficacy of anthracyclines (e.g., doxorubicin and daunorubicin) in
      cancer therapy is limited by their severe cardiotoxicity, the etiology of which
      is still not fully understood. The development of anthracycline-induced
      cardiomyopathy has been found to correlate with myocardial formation and
      accumulation of anthracycline secondary alcohol metabolites (e.g., doxorubicinol
      and daunorubicinol) that are produced by distinct cytosolic NADPH-dependent
      reductases. The aim of the current study is to identify chemical compounds
      capable of inhibiting myocardial reductases implied in anthracycline reductive
      metabolism in an attempt to decrease the production of cardiotoxic C-13 alcohol
      metabolites. Among the variety of tested compounds (metal chelators, radical
      scavengers, antioxidants, beta-blockers, nitrone spin traps, and lipid-lowering
      drugs), ebselen, cyclopentenone prostaglandins, nitric oxide donors, and short
      chain coenzyme Q analogs resulted in being effective inhibitors of both
      doxorubicinol and daunorubicinol formation. In particular, ebselen (as well as
      ebselen diselenide, its storage form in the cells) was the most potent inhibitor
      of cardiotoxic anthracycline alcohol metabolites with 50% inhibition of
      doxorubicinol formation at 0.2 mol Eq of ebselen with respect to doxorubicin
      concentration. The high efficacy, together with its favorable pharmacological
      profile (low toxicity, lack of adverse effects, and metabolic stability) portends
      ebselen as a promising cardioprotective agent against anthracycline-induced
      cardiotoxicity. 

PMID- 26265745
TI  - Immediate delivery in women with non-severe hypertensive disorders at 34-37
      weeks' gestation does not reduce maternal complications, and increases neonatal
      risks more than under expectant management.

PMID- 26265746
TI  - Intermittent electrical stimulation of the right cervical vagus nerve in salt
      sensitive hypertensive rats: effects on blood pressure, arrhythmias, and
      ventricular electrophysiology.
AB  - Hypertension (HTN) is the single greatest risk factor for potentially fatal
      cardiovascular diseases. One cause of HTN is inappropriately increased
      sympathetic nervous system activity, suggesting that restoring the autonomic
      nervous balance may be an effective means of HTN treatment. Here, we studied the
      potential of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) to treat chronic HTN and cardiac
      arrhythmias through stimulation of the right cervical vagus nerve in hypertensive
      rats. Dahl salt-sensitive rats (n = 12) were given a high salt diet to induce
      HTN. After 6 weeks, rats were randomized into two groups: HTN-Sham and HTN-VNS,
      in which VNS was provided to HTN-VNS group for 4 weeks. In vivo blood pressure
      and electrocardiogram activities were monitored continuously by an implantable
      telemetry system. After 10 weeks, rats were euthanized and their hearts were
      extracted for ex vivo electrophysiological studies using high-resolution optical
      mapping. Six weeks of high salt diet significantly increased both mean arterial
      pressure (MAP) and pulse pressure, demonstrating successful induction of HTN in
      all rats. After 4 weeks of VNS treatment, the increase in MAP and the number of
      arrhythmia episodes in HTN-VNS rats was significantly attenuated when compared to
      those observed in HTN-Sham rats. VNS treatment also induced changes in
      electrophysiological properties of the heart, such as reduction in action
      potential duration (APD) during rapid drive pacing, slope of APD restitution,
      spatial dispersion of APD, and increase in conduction velocity of impulse
      propagation. Overall, these results provide further evidence for the therapeutic
      efficacy of VNS in HTN and HTN-related heart diseases. 

PMID- 26265747
TI  - Methylglyoxal-derived hydroimidazolone residue of plasma protein can behave as a
      predictor of prediabetes in Spontaneously Diabetic Torii rats.
AB  - Prediabetes, typically defined as impaired glucose tolerance and/or impaired
      fasting blood glucose, is a high-risk state of developing diabetes. The
      association of diabetes-related metabolites with prediabetes has not been
      investigated intensively. This study aimed to get insights into the metabolic
      behaviors of some typical diabetes-related metabolites in plasma of male
      Spontaneously Diabetic Torii (SDT) rats during pathogenic progress of diabetes
      and to assess in vivo if the variation in these metabolites related to the
      progression of prediabetic stage. To address this question, SDT rats and Sprague
      Dawley (SD) rats as control were maintained from the age of 7 to 25 weeks. Five
      typical advanced glycation end products (AGEs) residue of plasma protein and
      their free adducts were determined by liquid chromatography with tandem mass
      detection over the duration of the investigation. The SDT rats exhibited impaired
      glucose tolerance since the age of 12 weeks and developed diabetes with
      significantly elevated fasting glucose levels after 22 weeks. At the prediabetic
      stage (12-21 weeks), no significant differences were observed on AGE-free adducts
      levels of SDT rats compared with SD rats. However, methylglyoxal-derived
      hydroimidazolone (MG-H1) residue contents of plasma protein were significantly
      elevated in SDT rats at the age of 16 weeks, whereas other AGE residues of plasma
      protein did not show marked difference. The present study has revealed
      significant increase in MG-H1 residue content of plasma protein at the
      prediabetic stage of a spontaneously diabetic rat model, irrespective of
      unaltered fasting blood glucose and constant plasma levels of other AGEs. 

PMID- 26265748
TI  - Perilipin 4 in human skeletal muscle: localization and effect of physical
      activity.
AB  - Perilipins (PLINs) coat the surface of lipid droplets and are important for the
      regulation of lipid turnover. Knowledge about the physiological role of the
      individual PLINs in skeletal muscle is limited although lipid metabolism is very
      important for muscle contraction. To determine the effect of long-term exercise
      on PLINs expression, 26 middle-aged, sedentary men underwent 12 weeks combined
      endurance and strength training intervention. Muscle biopsies from m. vastus
      lateralis and subcutaneous adipose tissue were taken before and after the
      intervention and total gene expression was measured with deep mRNA sequencing.
      PLIN4 mRNA exhibited the highest expression of all five PLINs in both tissues,
      and the expression was significantly reduced after long-term exercise in skeletal
      muscle. Moreover, PLIN4 mRNA expression levels in muscle correlated with the
      expression of genes involved in de novo phospholipid biosynthesis, with muscular
      content of phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine, and with the content
      of subsarcolemmal lipid droplets. The PLIN4 protein was mainly located at the
      periphery of skeletal muscle fibers, with higher levels in slow-twitch as
      compared to fast-twitch skeletal muscle fibers. In summary, we report reduced
      expression of PLIN4 after long-term physical activity, and preferential slow
      twitch skeletal muscle fibers and plasma membrane-associated PLIN4 location. 

PMID- 26265749
TI  - Systemic adaptation of lipid metabolism in response to low- and high-fat diet in
      Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).
AB  - Natural selection endows animals with the abilities to store lipid when food is
      abundant and to synthesize lipid when it is limited. However, the relevant
      adaptive strategy of lipid metabolism has not been clearly elucidated in fish.
      This study examined the systemic metabolic strategies of Nile tilapia to maintain
      lipid homeostasis when fed with low- or high-fat diets. Three diets with
      different lipid contents (1%, 7%, and 13%) were formulated and fed to tilapias
      for 10 weeks. At the end of the feeding trial, the growth rate, hepatic somatic
      index, and the triglyceride (TG) contents of serum, liver, muscle, and adipose
      tissue were comparable among three groups, whereas the total body lipid contents
      and the mass of adipose tissue increased with the increased dietary lipid levels.
      Overall quantitative PCR, western blotting and transcriptomic assays indicated
      that the liver was the primary responding organ to low-fat (LF) diet feeding, and
      the elevated glycolysis and accelerated biosynthesis of fatty acids (FA) in the
      liver is likely to be the main strategies of tilapia toward LF intake. In
      contrast, excess ingested lipid was preferentially stored in adipose tissue
      through increasing the capability of FA uptake and TG synthesis. Increasing
      numbers, but not enlarging size, of adipocytes may be the main strategy of Nile
      tilapia responding to continuous high-fat (HF) diet feeding. This is the first
      study illuminating the systemic adaptation of lipid metabolism responding to LF
      or HF diet in fish, and our results shed new light on fish physiology. 

PMID- 26265750
TI  - Lack of independent effect of type 2 diabetes beyond characteristic comorbidities
      and medications on small muscle mass exercising muscle blood flow and exercise
      tolerance.
AB  - Persons with type 2 diabetes (T2D) are believed to have reduced exercise
      tolerance; this may be partly due to impaired exercising muscle blood flow (MBF).
      Whether there is an impact of T2D on exercising MBF within the typical
      constellation of comorbidities (hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity) and their
      associated medications has not been investigated. We tested the hypothesis that
      small muscle mass exercise tolerance is reduced in persons with T2D versus
      Controls (matched for age, body mass index, fitness, comorbidities, non-T2D
      medications) and that this is related to blunted MBF. Eight persons with T2D and
      eight controls completed a forearm critical force (fCFimpulse) test as a measure
      of exercise tolerance (10-min intermittent maximal effort forearm contractions;
      the average contraction impulse in the last 30 sec quantified fCFimpulse).
      Forearm blood flow (FBF; ultrasound) and mean arterial pressure (MAP; finger
      photoplethysmography) were measured; forearm vascular conductance (FVK) was
      calculated. Data are means +/- SD, T2D versus Control. fCFimpulse was not
      different between groups (136.9 +/- 47.3  N.sec vs. 163.1 +/- 49.7 N.sec, P =
      0.371) nor was the ?FBF from rest to during exercise at fCFimpulse (502.9 +/-
      144.6 vs. 709.1 +/- 289.2 mL/min, P = 0.092), or its determinants ?FVK and ?MAP
      (both P > 0.05), although there was considerable interindividual variability.
      ?FBF was strongly related to fCFimpulse (r = 0.727, P = 0.002), providing support
      for the relationship between oxygen delivery and exercise tolerance. We conclude
      that small muscle mass exercising MBF and exercise tolerance are not impaired in
      representative persons with T2D versus appropriately matched controls. This
      suggests that peripheral vascular control impairment does not contribute to
      reduced exercise tolerance in this population. 

PMID- 26265751
TI  - Ovariectomy results in differential shifts in gut microbiota in low versus high
      aerobic capacity rats.
AB  - The increased risk for cardiometabolic disease with the onset of menopause is
      widely studied and likely precipitated by the decline in endogenous estradiol
      (E2), yet the precise mechanisms are unknown. The gut microbiome is involved in
      estrogen metabolism and has been linked to metabolic disease, suggesting its
      potential involvement in the postmenopausal phenotype. Furthermore, menopause
      associated risk factors, as well as gut ecology, are altered with exercise.
      Therefore, we studied microbial changes in an ovariectomized (OVX vs. Sham) rat
      model of high (HCR) and low (LCR) intrinsic aerobic capacity (n = 8-10/group) in
      relation to changes in body weight/composition, glucose tolerance, and liver
      triglycerides (TG). Nine weeks after OVX, HCR rats were moderately protected
      against regional adipose tissue gain and liver TG accumulation (P < 0.05 for
      both). Microbial diversity and number of the Bacteroidetes phylum were
      significantly increased in LCR with OVX, but unchanged in HCR OVX relative to
      Sham. Plasma short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), produced by bacteria in the gut and
      recognized as metabolic signaling molecules, were significantly greater in HCR
      Sham relative to LCR Sham rats (P = 0.05) and were decreased with OVX in both
      groups. These results suggest that increased aerobic capacity may be protective
      against menopause-associated cardiometabolic risk and that gut ecology, and
      production of signaling molecules such as SCFA, may contribute to the mediation. 

PMID- 26265752
TI  - Seasonal variation in muscle sympathetic nerve activity.
AB  - Epidemiologic data suggest there are seasonal variations in the incidence of
      severe cardiac events with peak levels being evident in the winter. Whether
      autonomic indices including muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) vary with
      season remains unclear. In this report, we tested the hypothesis that resting
      MSNA varies with the seasons of the year with peak levels evident in the winter.
      We analyzed the supine resting MSNA in 60 healthy subjects. Each subject was
      studied during two, three, or four seasons (total 237 visits). MSNA burst rate in
      the winter (21.0 +/- 6.8 burst/min, mean +/- SD) was significantly greater than
      in the summer (13.5 +/- 5.8 burst/min, P < 0.001), the spring (17.1 +/- 9.0
      burst/min, P = 0.03), and the fall (17.9 +/- 7.7 burst/min, P = 0.002). There was
      no significant difference in MSNA for other seasonal comparisons. The results
      suggest that resting sympathetic nerve activity varies along the seasons, with
      peak levels evident in the winter. We speculate that the seasonal changes in
      sympathetic activity may be a contribution to the previously observed seasonal
      variations in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. 

PMID- 26265753
TI  - Low-load resistance training during step-reduction attenuates declines in muscle
      mass and strength and enhances anabolic sensitivity in older men.
AB  - Step-reduction (SR) in older adults results in muscle atrophy and an attenuated
      rise in postprandial muscle protein synthesis (MPS): anabolic resistance. Knowing
      that resistance exercise (RT) can enhance MPS, we examined whether RT could
      enhance MPS following 2 weeks of SR. In addition, as we postulated that SR may
      impair feeding-induced vasodilation limiting nutrient delivery to muscle, we also
      examined whether citrulline (CIT), as an arginine and nitric oxide precursor,
      could attenuate muscle anabolic resistance accompanying SR. We used a unilateral
      leg model to compare older subjects' who had undergone SR to a loaded condition
      of SR plus RT (SR + RT). Thirty older men (70 +/- 1 years) underwent 14 days of
      SR (<1500 steps/day) with supplementation of either 5 g/day CIT or glycine
      placebo. Throughout SR, subjects performed unilateral low-load RT thrice weekly.
      We assessed muscle protein synthesis in the postabsorptive and postprandial state
      (20 g whey isolate plus 15 g glycine or as micellar-whey with 5 g CIT or 15 g
      glycine, n = 10/group). As MPS was similar after ingestion of either whey
      isolate, micellar-whey, or micellar-whey + CIT data related to different dietary
      groups were collapsed to compare SR and SR + RT legs. Subjects' daily steps were
      reduced by 80 +/- 2% during SR (P < 0.001) compared with baseline. Leg fat-free
      mass decreased with SR (-124 +/- 61 g) and increased in the SR + RT (+126 +/- 68
      g; P = 0.003). Myofibrillar FSR was lower (P < 0.0001) in the SR as compared with
      the SR + RT leg in the postabsorptive (0.026 +/- 0.001%/h vs. 0.045 +/- 0.001%/h)
      and postprandial states (0.055 +/- 0.002%/h vs. 0.115 +/- 0.003%/h). We conclude
      that low-load RT, but not supplementation with CIT, can attenuate the deleterious
      effects of SR in aging muscle. 

PMID- 26265754
TI  - Seasonal influence over serum and urine metabolic markers in submariners during
      prolonged patrols.
AB  - Within the framework of earlier publications, we have consistently dedicated our
      investigations to eliciting the effects of both seasonal vitamin D deficiency and
      submarine-induced hypercapnia on serum parameters for acid-base balance and bone
      metabolism in submariners over a 2-month winter (WP) or summer (SP) patrols. The
      latest findings reported herein, contribute further evidence with regard to
      overall physiological regulations in the same submariner populations that
      underwent past scrutiny. Hence, urine and blood samples were collected in WP and
      SP submariners at control prepatrol time as well as on submarine patrol days 20,
      41, and 58. Several urine and serum metabolic markers were quantified, namely,
      deoxypyridinoline (DPD), lactate, albumin, creatinine, nonesterified fatty acids
      (NEFA), and ionized sodium (Na(+)) or potassium (K(+)), with a view to assessing
      bone, muscle, liver, or kidney metabolisms. We evidenced bone metabolism
      alteration (urine DPD, calcium, and phosphorus) previously recorded in submarine
      crewmembers under prolonged patrols. We also highlighted transitory modifications
      in liver metabolism (serum albumin) occurring within the first 20 days of
      submersion. We further evidenced changes in submariners' renal physiology (serum
      creatinine) throughout the entire patrol time span. Measurements of ionic
      homeostasis (serum Na(+) and K(+)) displayed potential seasonal impact over
      active ionic pumps in submariners. Finally, there is some evidence that
      submersion provides beneficial conditions prone to fend off seasonal lactic
      acidosis (serum lactate) detected in WP submariners. 

PMID- 26265755
TI  - Impact of periconceptional and preimplantation undernutrition on factors
      regulating myogenesis and protein synthesis in muscle of singleton and twin fetal
      sheep.
AB  - In this study, we determined the effect of maternal undernutrition in the
      periconceptional (PCUN: ~80 days before to 6 days after conception) and
      preimplantation (PIUN: 0-6 days after conception) periods on the mRNA and protein
      abundance of key factors regulating myogenesis and protein synthesis, and on the
      relationship between the abundance of these factors and specific microRNA
      expression in the quadriceps muscle of singleton and twin fetal sheep at 135-138
      days of gestation. PCUN and PIUN resulted in a decrease in the protein abundance
      of MYF5, a factor which determines the myogenic lineage, in singletons and twins.
      Interestingly, there was a concomitant increase in insulin-like growth factor-1
      mRNA expression, a decrease in the protein abundance of the myogenic inhibitor,
      myostatin (MSTN), and an increase in the mRNA and protein abundance of the MSTN
      inhibitor, follistatin (FST), in the PCUN and PIUN groups in both singletons and
      twins. These promyogenic changes may compensate for the decrease in MYF5 protein
      abundance evoked by early embryonic undernutrition. PCUN and PIUN also increased
      the protein abundance of phosphorylated eukaryotic translation initiation factor
      binding protein 1 (EIF4EBP1; T70 and S65) in fetal muscle in singletons and
      twins. There was a significant inverse relationship between the expression of miR
      30a-5p, miR-30d-5p, miR-27b-3p, miR106b-5p, and miR-376b and the protein
      abundance of mechanistic target of rapamycin (MTOR), FST, or MYF5 in singletons
      or twins. In particular, the expression of miR-30a-5p was increased and MYF5
      protein abundance was decreased, in PCUN and PIUN twins supporting the conclusion
      that the impact of PCUN and PIUN is predominantly on the embryo. 

PMID- 26265756
TI  - Local chemerin levels are positively associated with DSS-induced colitis but
      constitutive loss of CMKLR1 does not protect against development of colitis.
AB  - Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a family of disorders including ulcerative
      colitis and Crohn's disease that are characterized by chronic and relapsing
      intestinal inflammation. Increased production of proinflammatory mediators,
      possibly combined with low expression of anti-inflammatory mediators, is thought
      to promote the development and progression of IBD. In the current study, we
      demonstrate that expression, secretion, and processing of chemerin, a potent
      chemoattractant for cells expressing chemokine-like receptor 1 (CMKLR1),
      increased in the cecum and colon along a gradient positively associated with the
      severity of inflammation in dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis. We also
      show that levels of circulating bioactive chemerin increased following DSS
      treatment. At both 6-8 and 14-16 weeks of age, CMKLR1 knockout mice developed
      signs of clinical illness more slowly than wild type and had changes in
      circulating cytokine levels, increased spleen weight, and increased local
      chemerin secretion following DSS treatment. However, knockout mice ultimately
      developed similar levels of clinical illness and local inflammation as wild type.
      Finally, contrary to previous reports, intraperitoneal injection of bioactive
      chemerin had no effect on the severity of DSS-induced colitis. This suggests that
      local chemerin levels have a greater impact than circulating levels in the
      pathogenesis of colitis. Considered altogether, bioactive chemerin represents a
      novel biomarker for IBD severity, although strategies to modulate endogenous
      chemerin signaling other than chronic CMKLR1 loss are necessary in order to
      exploit chemerin as a therapeutic target for the treatment of IBD. 

PMID- 26265757
TI  - Response to the letter: role of remote ischemic preconditioning against acute
      mountain sickness during early phase by Sikri and Chawla.

PMID- 26265758
TI  - Role of remote ischemic preconditioning against acute mountain sickness during
      early phase.

PMID- 26265759
TI  - The development of hepatic stellate cells in normal and abnormal human fetuses -
      an immunohistochemical study.
AB  - The precise embryological origin and development of hepatic stellate cells is not
      established. Animal studies and observations on human fetuses suggest that they
      derive from posterior mesodermal cells that migrate via the septum transversum
      and developing diaphragm to form submesothelial cells beneath the liver capsule,
      which give rise to mesenchymal cells including hepatic stellate cells. However,
      it is unclear if these are similar to hepatic stellate cells in adults or if this
      is the only source of stellate cells. We have studied hepatic stellate cells by
      immunohistochemistry, in developing human liver from autopsies of fetuses with
      and without malformations and growth restriction, using cellular Retinol Binding
      Protein-1 (cRBP-1), Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP), and alpha-Smooth
      Muscle Actin (alphaSMA) antibodies, to identify factors that influence their
      development. We found that hepatic stellate cells expressing cRBP-1 are present
      from the end of the first trimester of gestation and reduce in density throughout
      gestation. They appear abnormally formed and variably reduced in number in
      fetuses with abnormal mesothelial Wilms Tumor 1 (WT1) function, diaphragmatic
      hernia and in ectopic liver nodules without mesothelium. Stellate cells showed
      similarities to intravascular cells and their presence in a fetus with diaphragm
      agenesis suggests they may be derived from circulating stem cells. Our
      observations suggest circulating stem cells as well as mesothelium can give rise
      to hepatic stellate cells, and that they require normal mesothelial function for
      their development. 

PMID- 26265760
TI  - Altering Lignin Composition to Improve Biofuel Production.

PMID- 26265761
TI  - Conserved Gene Expression Programs in Developing Roots from Diverse Plants.
AB  - The molecular basis for the origin and diversification of morphological
      adaptations is a central issue in evolutionary developmental biology. Here, we
      defined temporal transcript accumulation in developing roots from seven vascular
      plants, permitting a genome-wide comparative analysis of the molecular programs
      used by a single organ across diverse species. The resulting gene expression maps
      uncover significant similarity in the genes employed in roots and their
      developmental expression profiles. The detailed analysis of a subset of 133 genes
      known to be associated with root development in Arabidopsis thaliana indicates
      that most of these are used in all plant species. Strikingly, this was also true
      for root development in a lycophyte (Selaginella moellendorffii), which forms
      morphologically different roots and is thought to have evolved roots
      independently. Thus, despite vast differences in size and anatomy of roots from
      diverse plants, the basic molecular mechanisms employed during root formation
      appear to be conserved. This suggests that roots evolved in the two major
      vascular plant lineages either by parallel recruitment of largely the same
      developmental program or by elaboration of an existing root program in the common
      ancestor of vascular plants.

PMID- 26265763
TI  - X-ray computed tomography to study rice (Oryza sativa L.) panicle development.
AB  - Computational tomography is an important technique for developing digital
      agricultural models that may help farmers and breeders for increasing crop
      quality and yield. In the present study an attempt has been made to understand
      rice seed development within the panicle at different developmental stages using
      this technique. During the first phase of cell division the Hounsfield Unit (HU)
      value remained low, increased in the dry matter accumulation phase, and finally
      reached a maximum at the maturation stage. HU value and seed dry weight showed a
      linear relationship in the varieties studied. This relationship was confirmed
      subsequently using seven other varieties. This is therefore an easy, simple, and
      non-invasive technique which may help breeders to select the best varieties. In
      addition, it may also help farmers to optimize post-anthesis agronomic practices
      as well as deciding the crop harvest time for higher grain yield. 

PMID- 26265764
TI  - Sparse estimation of gene-gene interactions in prediction models.
AB  - Current assessment of gene-gene interactions is typically based on separate
      parallel analysis, where each interaction term is tested separately, while less
      attention has been paid on simultaneous estimation of interaction terms in a
      prediction model. As the number of interaction terms grows fast, sparse
      estimation is desirable from statistical and interpretability reasons. There is a
      large literature on sparse estimation, but there is a natural hierarchy between
      the interaction and its corresponding main effects that requires special
      considerations. We describe random-effect models that impose sparse estimation of
      interactions under both strong and weak-hierarchy constraints. We develop an
      estimation procedure based on the hierarchical-likelihood argument and show that
      the modelling approach is equivalent to a penalty-based method, with the
      advantage of the models being more transparent and flexible. We compare the
      procedure with some standard methods in a simulation study and illustrate its
      application in an analysis of gene-gene interaction model to predict body-mass
      index.

PMID- 26265765
TI  - Comparison of bias-corrected covariance estimators for MMRM analysis in
      longitudinal data with dropouts.
AB  - In longitudinal clinical trials, some subjects will drop out before completing
      the trial, so their measurements towards the end of the trial are not obtained.
      Mixed-effects models for repeated measures (MMRM) analysis with "unstructured"
      (UN) covariance structure are increasingly common as a primary analysis for group
      comparisons in these trials. Furthermore, model-based covariance estimators have
      been routinely used for testing the group difference and estimating confidence
      intervals of the difference in the MMRM analysis using the UN covariance.
      However, using the MMRM analysis with the UN covariance could lead to convergence
      problems for numerical optimization, especially in trials with a small-sample
      size. Although the so-called sandwich covariance estimator is robust to
      misspecification of the covariance structure, its performance deteriorates in
      settings with small-sample size. We investigated the performance of the sandwich
      covariance estimator and covariance estimators adjusted for small-sample bias
      proposed by Kauermann and Carroll ( J Am Stat Assoc 2001; 96: 1387-1396) and
      Mancl and DeRouen ( Biometrics 2001; 57: 126-134) fitting simpler covariance
      structures through a simulation study. In terms of the type 1 error rate and
      coverage probability of confidence intervals, Mancl and DeRouen's covariance
      estimator with compound symmetry, first-order autoregressive (AR(1)),
      heterogeneous AR(1), and antedependence structures performed better than the
      original sandwich estimator and Kauermann and Carroll's estimator with these
      structures in the scenarios where the variance increased across visits. The
      performance based on Mancl and DeRouen's estimator with these structures was
      nearly equivalent to that based on the Kenward-Roger method for adjusting the
      standard errors and degrees of freedom with the UN structure. The model-based
      covariance estimator with the UN structure under unadjustment of the degrees of
      freedom, which is frequently used in applications, resulted in substantial
      inflation of the type 1 error rate. We recommend the use of Mancl and DeRouen's
      estimator in MMRM analysis if the number of subjects completing is ( n + 5) or
      less, where n is the number of planned visits. Otherwise, the use of Kenward and
      Roger's method with UN structure should be the best way.

PMID- 26265762
TI  - Manipulation of Guaiacyl and Syringyl Monomer Biosynthesis in an Arabidopsis
      Cinnamyl Alcohol Dehydrogenase Mutant Results in Atypical Lignin Biosynthesis and
      Modified Cell Wall Structure.
AB  - Modifying lignin composition and structure is a key strategy to increase plant
      cell wall digestibility for biofuel production. Disruption of the genes encoding
      both cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenases (CADs), including CADC and CADD, in
      Arabidopsis thaliana results in the atypical incorporation of
      hydroxycinnamaldehydes into lignin. Another strategy to change lignin composition
      is downregulation or overexpression of ferulate 5-hydroxylase (F5H), which
      results in lignins enriched in guaiacyl or syringyl units, respectively. Here, we
      combined these approaches to generate plants enriched in coniferaldehyde-derived
      lignin units or lignins derived primarily from sinapaldehyde. The cadc cadd and
      ferulic acid hydroxylase1 (fah1) cadc cadd plants are similar in growth to wild
      type plants even though their lignin compositions are drastically altered. In
      contrast, disruption of CAD in the F5H-overexpressing background results in
      dwarfism. The dwarfed phenotype observed in these plants does not appear to be
      related to collapsed xylem, a hallmark of many other lignin-deficient dwarf
      mutants. cadc cadd, fah1 cadc cadd, and cadd F5H-overexpressing plants have
      increased enzyme-catalyzed cell wall digestibility. Given that these CAD
      deficient plants have similar total lignin contents and only differ in the
      amounts of hydroxycinnamaldehyde monomer incorporation, these results suggest
      that hydroxycinnamaldehyde content is a more important determinant of
      digestibility than lignin content. 

PMID- 26265766
TI  - A vine copula mixed effect model for trivariate meta-analysis of diagnostic test
      accuracy studies accounting for disease prevalence.
AB  - A bivariate copula mixed model has been recently proposed to synthesize
      diagnostic test accuracy studies and it has been shown that it is superior to the
      standard generalized linear mixed model in this context. Here, we call trivariate
      vine copulas to extend the bivariate meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy
      studies by accounting for disease prevalence. Our vine copula mixed model
      includes the trivariate generalized linear mixed model as a special case and can
      also operate on the original scale of sensitivity, specificity, and disease
      prevalence. Our general methodology is illustrated by re-analyzing the data of
      two published meta-analyses. Our study suggests that there can be an improvement
      on trivariate generalized linear mixed model in fit to data and makes the
      argument for moving to vine copula random effects models especially because of
      their richness, including reflection asymmetric tail dependence, and
      computational feasibility despite their three dimensionality.

PMID- 26265767
TI  - An extended sequential goodness-of-fit multiple testing method for discrete data.
AB  - The sequential goodness-of-fit (SGoF) multiple testing method has recently been
      proposed as an alternative to the familywise error rate- and the false discovery
      rate-controlling procedures in high-dimensional problems. For discrete data, the
      SGoF method may be very conservative. In this paper, we introduce an alternative
      SGoF-type procedure that takes into account the discreteness of the test
      statistics. Like the original SGoF, our new method provides weak control of the
      false discovery rate/familywise error rate but attains false discovery rate
      levels closer to the desired nominal level, and thus it is more powerful. We
      study the performance of this method in a simulation study and illustrate its
      application to a real pharmacovigilance data set.

PMID- 26265768
TI  - Introducing the fit-criteria assessment plot - A visualisation tool to assist
      class enumeration in group-based trajectory modelling.
AB  - Background and objective Group-based trajectory modelling is a model-based
      clustering technique applied for the identification of latent patterns of
      temporal changes. Despite its manifold applications in clinical and health
      sciences, potential problems of the model selection procedure are often
      overlooked. The choice of the number of latent trajectories (class-enumeration),
      for instance, is to a large degree based on statistical criteria that are not
      fail-safe. Moreover, the process as a whole is not transparent. To facilitate
      class enumeration, we introduce a graphical summary display of several fit and
      model adequacy criteria, the fit-criteria assessment plot. Methods An R-code that
      accepts universal data input is presented. The programme condenses relevant group
      based trajectory modelling output information of model fit indices in automated
      graphical displays. Examples based on real and simulated data are provided to
      illustrate, assess and validate fit-criteria assessment plot's utility. Results
      Fit-criteria assessment plot provides an overview of fit criteria on a single
      page, placing users in an informed position to make a decision. Fit-criteria
      assessment plot does not automatically select the most appropriate model but
      eases the model assessment procedure. Conclusions Fit-criteria assessment plot is
      an exploratory, visualisation tool that can be employed to assist decisions in
      the initial and decisive phase of group-based trajectory modelling analysis.
      Considering group-based trajectory modelling's widespread resonance in medical
      and epidemiological sciences, a more comprehensive, easily interpretable and
      transparent display of the iterative process of class enumeration may foster
      group-based trajectory modelling's adequate use.

PMID- 26265769
TI  - Bias-corrected estimates for logistic regression models for complex surveys with
      application to the United States' Nationwide Inpatient Sample.
AB  - For complex surveys with a binary outcome, logistic regression is widely used to
      model the outcome as a function of covariates. Complex survey sampling designs
      are typically stratified cluster samples, but consistent and asymptotically
      unbiased estimates of the logistic regression parameters can be obtained using
      weighted estimating equations (WEEs) under the naive assumption that subjects
      within a cluster are independent. Despite the relatively large samples typical of
      many complex surveys, with rare outcomes, many interaction terms, or analysis of
      subgroups, the logistic regression parameters estimates from WEE can be markedly
      biased, just as with independent samples. In this paper, we propose bias
      corrected WEEs for complex survey data. The proposed method is motivated by a
      study of postoperative complications in laparoscopic cystectomy, using data from
      the 2009 United States' Nationwide Inpatient Sample complex survey of hospitals.

PMID- 26265770
TI  - Bayesian nonparametric mixed-effects joint model for longitudinal-competing risks
      data analysis in presence of multiple data features.
AB  - Recently, the joint analysis of longitudinal and survival data has been an active
      research area. Most joint models focus on survival data with only one type of
      failure. The research on joint modeling of longitudinal and competing risks
      survival data is sparse. Even so, many joint models for this type of data assume
      parametric function forms for both longitudinal and survival sub-models, thus
      limits their use. Further, the common data features that are usually observed in
      practice, such as asymmetric distribution and missingness in response,
      measurement errors in covariate, need to be taken into account for reliable
      parameter estimation. The statistical inference is complicated when all these
      factors are considered simultaneously. In the article, driven by a motivating
      example, we assume nonparametric function forms for the varying coefficients in
      both longitudinal and competing risks survival sub-models. We propose a Bayesian
      nonparametric mixed-effects joint model for the analysis of longitudinal
      competing risks data with asymmetry, missingness, and measurement errors.
      Simulation studies are conducted to assess the performance of the proposed
      method. We apply the proposed method to an AIDS dataset and compare a few
      candidate models under various settings. Some interesting results are reported.

PMID- 26265771
TI  - Unbiased estimation for response adaptive clinical trials.
AB  - Bayesian adaptive trials have the defining feature that the probability of
      randomization to a particular treatment arm can change as information becomes
      available as to its true worth. However, there is still a general reluctance to
      implement such designs in many clinical settings. One area of concern is that
      their frequentist operating characteristics are poor or, at least, poorly
      understood. We investigate the bias induced in the maximum likelihood estimate of
      a response probability parameter, p, for binary outcome by the process of
      adaptive randomization. We discover that it is small in magnitude and, under mild
      assumptions, can only be negative - causing one's estimate to be closer to zero
      on average than the truth. A simple unbiased estimator for p is obtained, but it
      is shown to have a large mean squared error. Two approaches are therefore
      explored to improve its precision based on inverse probability weighting and Rao
      Blackwellization. We illustrate these estimation strategies using two well-known
      designs from the literature.

PMID- 26265772
TI  - What Makes a Manuscript Holistic? Revisited and Still Relevant.

PMID- 26265774
TI  - Drug coated balloon angioplasty in elderly patients with small vessel coronary
      disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Coronary angioplasty in advanced age is associated with higher rate
      of comorbidities and complications. Drug coated balloon only angioplasty (DCBA)
      has emerged as an alternative to treat small vessel coronary disease (SVCD), of
      reference vessel diameters <2.8 mm, with shorter duration of dual antiplatelet
      (DAPT). This is the first study to assess the DCBA efficacy in an elderly
      population with SVCD. METHODS AND RESULTS: We performed a prospective study of
      447 patients (334 patients aged <75 and 113 patients aged ?75 years old) acquired
      from the SeQuent Please Small Vessel 'Paclitaxel-Coated Balloon Only' registry.
      In the older age group, more patients have hypertension (89% versus 77%; p =
      0.006), renal insufficiency (21% versus 6%; p < 0.001), atrial fibrillation (17%
      versus 7%; p = 0.001), and calcified lesions (33% versus 20%; p = 0.006). At 30
      days, there was one myocardial infarction requiring target lesion
      revascularization (TLR) in the younger group. No major adverse cardiac event
      (MACE) was observed in the older group. At 9 months, the MACE rate in the younger
      group was 4.2% and 6.1% in the older group (p = 0.453), with TLR rates at 3.9%
      and 3.0% (p = 0.704) respectively. There was no cardiac death observed.
      CONCLUSION: DBCA in the elderly with SVCD is as safe and effective compared with
      younger patients despite more complex anatomy and comorbidities.

PMID- 26265775
TI  - Multilayered Regulation of Ethylene Induction Plays a Positive Role in
      Arabidopsis Resistance against Pseudomonas syringae.
AB  - Ethylene, a key phytohormone involved in plant-pathogen interaction, plays a
      positive role in plant resistance against fungal pathogens. However, its function
      in plant bacterial resistance remains unclear. Here, we report a detailed
      analysis of ethylene induction in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) in response
      to Pseudomonas syringae pv tomato DC3000 (Pst). Ethylene biosynthesis is highly
      induced in both pathogen/microbe-associated molecular pattern (PAMP)-triggered
      immunity and effector-triggered immunity (ETI), and the induction is potentiated
      by salicylic acid (SA) pretreatment. In addition, Pst actively suppresses PAMP
      triggered ethylene induction in a type III secretion system-dependent manner. SA
      potentiation of ethylene induction is dependent mostly on MITOGEN-ACTIVATED
      PROTEIN KINASE6 (MPK6) and MPK3 and their downstream ACS2 and ACS6, two type I
      isoforms of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid synthases (ACSs). ACS7, a type
      III ACS whose expression is enhanced by SA pretreatment, is also involved. Pst
      expressing the avrRpt2 effector gene (Pst-avrRpt2), which is capable of
      triggering ETI, induces a higher level of ethylene production, and the elevated
      portion is dependent on SALICYLIC ACID INDUCTION DEFICIENT2 and NONEXPRESSER OF
      PATHOGENESIS-RELATED GENE1, two key players in SA biosynthesis and signaling.
      High-order ACS mutants with reduced ethylene induction are more susceptible to
      both Pst and Pst-avrRpt2, demonstrating a positive role of ethylene in plant
      bacterial resistance mediated by both PAMP-triggered immunity and ETI. 

PMID- 26265776
TI  - A Method of Accounting for Enzyme Costs in Flux Balance Analysis Reveals
      Alternative Pathways and Metabolite Stores in an Illuminated Arabidopsis Leaf.
AB  - Flux balance analysis of plant metabolism is an established method for predicting
      metabolic flux phenotypes and for exploring the way in which the plant metabolic
      network delivers specific outcomes in different cell types, tissues, and temporal
      phases. A recurring theme is the need to explore the flexibility of the network
      in meeting its objectives and, in particular, to establish the extent to which
      alternative pathways can contribute to achieving specific outcomes.
      Unfortunately, predictions from conventional flux balance analysis minimize the
      simultaneous operation of alternative pathways, but by introducing flux-weighting
      factors to allow for the variable intrinsic cost of supporting each flux, it is
      possible to activate different pathways in individual simulations and, thus, to
      explore alternative pathways by averaging thousands of simulations. This new
      method has been applied to a diel genome-scale model of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis
      thaliana) leaf metabolism to explore the flexibility of the network in meeting
      the metabolic requirements of the leaf in the light. This identified alternative
      flux modes in the Calvin-Benson cycle revealed the potential for alternative
      transitory carbon stores in leaves and led to predictions about the light
      dependent contribution of alternative electron flow pathways and futile cycles in
      energy rebalancing. Notable features of the analysis include the light-dependent
      tradeoff between the use of carbohydrates and four-carbon organic acids as
      transitory storage forms and the way in which multiple pathways for the
      consumption of ATP and NADPH can contribute to the balancing of the requirements
      of photosynthetic metabolism with the energy available from photon capture. 

PMID- 26265777
TI  - Genetic and Physical Interaction Studies Reveal Functional Similarities between
      ALBINO3 and ALBINO4 in Arabidopsis.
AB  - ALBINO3 (ALB3) is a well-known component of a thylakoid protein-targeting complex
      that interacts with the chloroplast signal recognition particle (cpSRP) and the
      cpSRP receptor, chloroplast filamentous temperature-sensitive Y (cpFtsY). Its
      protein-inserting function has been established mainly for light-harvesting
      complex proteins, which first interact with the unique chloroplast cpSRP43
      component and then are delivered to the ALB3 integrase by a GTP-dependent cpSRP
      cpFtsY interaction. In Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), a subsequently
      discovered ALB3 homolog, ALB4, has been proposed to be involved not in light
      harvesting complex protein targeting, but instead in the stabilization of the ATP
      synthase complex. Here, however, we show that ALB3 and ALB4 share significant
      functional overlap, and that both proteins are required for the efficient
      insertion of cytochrome f and potentially other subunits of pigment-bearing
      protein complexes. Genetic and physical interactions between ALB4 and ALB3, and
      physical interactions between ALB4 and cpSRP, suggest that the two ALB proteins
      may engage similar sets of interactors for their specific functions. We propose
      that ALB4 optimizes the insertion of thylakoid proteins by participating in the
      ALB3-cpSRP pathway for certain substrates (e.g. cytochrome f and the Rieske
      protein). Although ALB4 has clearly diverged from ALB3 in relation to the partner
      recruiting C-terminal domain, our analysis suggests that one putative cpSRP
      binding motif has not been entirely lost. 

PMID- 26265778
TI  - Inflammatory Markers Related to Microbial Translocation Among HIV-Infected
      Pregnant Women: A Risk Factor of Preterm Delivery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study was performed to assess the role of lipopolysaccharide
      modulators as a marker of microbial translocation among human immunodeficiency
      virus (HIV)-infected women during pregnancy and to evaluate their association
      with preterm delivery. METHODS: The study had a prospective cohort design and was
      performed at the Hospital Clinic in Barcelona, Spain. Thirty-six pregnant women
      with and 36 without HIV infection, matched on the basis of age and parity, were
      included. Maternal blood samples were obtained during the first trimester, during
      the third trimester, and at delivery. Levels of soluble CD14 (sCD14), human
      lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP), immunoglobulin M endotoxin core
      antibodies to lipopolysaccharide (EndoCAb), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) were
      determined. Fetal cord blood levels of sCD14, LBP, and IL-6 were determined.
      Results were compared between groups. RESULTS: First trimester sCD14 and LBP
      levels and third trimester sCD14 levels were significantly higher in the HIV
      infected group. HIV-infected women with preterm births and spontaneous preterm
      births had significantly increased levels of sCD14 throughout pregnancy and
      significantly increased levels of LBP during the first trimester, compared with
      HIV-infected women with delivery at term or with HIV-negative women. On
      multivariate analysis, an independent association was observed between first
      trimester sCD14 levels and preterm delivery among HIV-infected women.
      CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to assess inflammatory markers related to
      microbial translocation during pregnancy among HIV-infected women. Higher levels
      of sCD14 and LBP were observed in HIV-infected pregnant women and were associated
      with preterm delivery.

PMID- 26265779
TI  - Antiretroviral Therapy and Adverse Pregnancy Outcome: The Elephant in the Room?

PMID- 26265780
TI  - Antiretroviral Therapy in Relation to Birth Outcomes among HIV-infected Women: A
      Cohort Study.
AB  - Although the beneficial effects of antiretroviral (ARV) therapy for preventing
      mother-to-child transmission are indisputable, studies in developed and
      developing countries have reported conflicting findings on the association
      between ARV exposure and adverse birth outcomes. We conducted a prospective
      observational study at 10 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) care and treatment
      centers in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Multivariate log-binomial regression was used
      to investigate the associations between ARV use and adverse birth outcomes among
      HIV-negative HIV-exposed infants. Our findings demonstrate an increased risk of
      adverse birth outcomes associated with the use of highly active antiretroviral
      therapy during pregnancy. Further studies are needed to investigate the
      underlying mechanisms and identify the safest ARV regimens for use during
      pregnancy. 

PMID- 26265782
TI  - New editor of the breast section in Acta Radiologica/Acta Radiologica Open.

PMID- 26265781
TI  - Combined PI3K/Akt and Hsp90 targeting synergistically suppresses essential
      functions of alloreactive T cells and increases Tregs.
AB  - Acute graft-versus-host disease is still a major cause of transplant-related
      mortality after allogeneic stem cell transplantation. It requires
      immunosuppressive treatments that broadly abrogate T cell responses, including
      beneficial ones directed against tumor cells or infective pathogens. Inhibition
      of the heat shock protein of 90 kDa has been demonstrated to eliminate tumor
      cells, as well as alloreactive T cells while preserving antiviral T cell
      immunity. Here, we show that the suppressive effects of heat shock protein of 90
      kDa inhibition on alloreactive T cells were synergistically enhanced by
      concomitant inhibition of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, which is also strongly
      activated upon allogeneic stimulation. Molecular analyses revealed that this
      antiproliferative effect was mainly mediated by induction of cell-cycle arrest
      and apoptosis. In addition, we observed an increased proportion of activated
      regulatory T cells, which critically contribute to acute graft-versus-host
      disease control, upon combined heat shock protein of 90 kDa/Akt isoforms 1 and 2
      or heat shock protein of 90 kDa/PI3K/p110delta isoform inhibition. Moreover,
      antiviral T cell immunity was functionally preserved after combined heat shock
      protein of 90 kDa/Akt isoforms 1 and 2 inhibition. Taken together, our data
      suggest that the combined heat shock protein of 90 kDa/PI3K/Akt inhibition
      approach represents a reasonable dual strategy to suppress residual tumor growth
      and efficiently deplete alloreactive T cells and thus, provide a rationale to
      prevent and treat acute graft-versus-host disease selectively without impairing
      pathogen-specific T cell immunity. 

PMID- 26265787
TI  - Inner Workings: Using the atmosphere as a giant cosmic-ray detector.

PMID- 26265789
TI  - A retrospective cross-sectional study on the association between tobacco smoking
      and incidence of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and cardiovascular
      risk factors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cigarette smoking is a well-established risk factor for the
      development of coronary heart disease. However, the relationship between smoking
      and acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is less well
      described. OBJECTIVE: To determine the relative risk of acute STEMI in smokers
      and ex-smokers, compared with individuals who had never smoked. METHODS: This
      observational study studied all patients with STEMI undergoing percutaneous
      coronary intervention (PCI) in South Yorkshire, UK from 1 January 2009 to 6 April
      2012. Additional contemporary demographical data for the South Yorkshire
      population, supplied by the Office for National Statistics, allowed derivation of
      the incidence rate of STEMI in South Yorkshire-both overall and stratified by
      smoking status. Incidence rate ratios and population attributable risk (PAR) were
      calculated to quantify STEMI risk. RESULTS: There were 1715 STEMIs in 1680
      patients during the study period. Smoking status was obtained in 96.2% patients.
      The prevalence of smoking was 47.3% in patients with STEMI and 22.0% in the
      general population. In patients with STEMI, smokers were ~10 years younger, mean
      (SD) 57.2 (11.1) years, than never-smokers, 66.4 (12.1) years, and ex-smokers,
      67.9 (11.9) years. The age-standardised incident rate ratio of STEMI was 5.2 (4.5
      6.1) for current smokers and 1.1 (1.0-1.3) for ex-smokers, with the reference
      group being never-smokers for both. Almost 50% of STEMIs were attributable to
      smoking (PAR=48.3%). CONCLUSION: Cigarette smoking is associated with a fivefold
      increased risk of STEMI. Smoking cessation reduced this risk to a level similar
      to never-smokers.

PMID- 26265790
TI  - Digoxin: its role in contemporary medicine.
AB  - Digoxin has been a key therapeutic for heart failure and atrial tachyarrhythmias
      for over 200 years following Withering's groundbreaking work depicting the
      therapeutic benefit of the common botanical foxglove in his 1785 monograph. The
      use of digoxin preceded any randomised evidence or even basic understanding of
      its mechanism of action. Over the past two decades, there has been mounting
      evidence further challenging the safety and efficacy of digoxin, while multiple
      other therapies for both heart failure and atrial tachyarrhythmias have proven to
      be more effective and safe. Altogether, digoxin still has an important role in
      contemporary pharmacotherapeutics, though its role remains controversial and
      should be reserved for selective patients and clinical situations, with careful
      attention to serum concentrations.

PMID- 26265791
TI  - Inflammation-induced microvascular insulin resistance is an early event in diet
      induced obesity.
AB  - Endothelial dysfunction and vascular insulin resistance usually coexist and
      chronic inflammation engenders both. In the present study, we investigate the
      temporal relationship between vascular insulin resistance and metabolic insulin
      resistance. We assessed insulin responses in all arterial segments, including
      aorta, distal saphenous artery and the microvasculature, as well as the metabolic
      insulin responses in muscle in rats fed on a high-fat diet (HFD) for various
      durations ranging from 3 days to 4 weeks with or without sodium salicylate
      treatment. Compared with controls, HFD feeding significantly blunted insulin
      mediated Akt (protein kinase B) and eNOS [endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase]
      phosphorylation in aorta in 1 week, blunted vasodilatory response in small
      resistance vessel in 4 weeks and microvascular recruitment in as early as 3 days.
      Insulin-stimulated whole body glucose disposal did not begin to progressively
      decrease until after 1 week. Salicylate treatment fully inhibited vascular
      inflammation, prevented microvascular insulin resistance and significantly
      improved muscle metabolic responses to insulin. We conclude that microvascular
      insulin resistance is an early event in diet-induced obesity and insulin
      resistance and inflammation plays an essential role in this process. Our data
      suggest microvascular insulin resistance contributes to the development of
      metabolic insulin resistance in muscle and muscle microvasculature is a potential
      therapeutic target in the prevention and treatment of diabetes and its related
      complications.

PMID- 26265792
TI  - Modified high-intensity interval training reduces liver fat and improves cardiac
      function in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized controlled trial.
AB  - Although lifestyle changes encompassing weight loss and exercise remain the
      cornerstone of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) management, the effect
      of different types of exercise on NAFLD is unknown. This study defines the effect
      of modified high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on liver fat, cardiac
      function and metabolic control in adults with NAFLD. Twenty-three patients with
      NAFLD [age 54+/-10 years, body mass index (BMI) 31+/-4 kg/m(2), intra-hepatic
      lipid >5%) were assigned to either 12 weeks HIIT or standard care (controls).
      HIIT involved thrice weekly cycle ergometry for 30-40 min. MRI and spectroscopy
      were used to assess liver fat, abdominal fat and cardiac
      structure/function/energetics. Glucose control was assessed by oral glucose
      tolerance test and body composition by air displacement plethysmography. Relative
      to control, HIIT decreased liver fat (11+/-5% to 8+/-2% compared with 10+/-4% to
      10+/-4% P=0.019), whole-body fat mass (35+/-7 kg to 33+/-8 kg compared with 31+/
      9 kg to 32+/-9 kg, P=0.013), alanine (52+/-29 units/l to 42+/-20 units/l compared
      with 47+/-22 units/l to 51+/-24 units/l, P=0.016) and aspartate aminotransferase
      (AST; 36+/-18 units/l to 33+/-15 units/l compared with 31+/-8 units/l to 35+/-8
      units/l, P=0.017) and increased early diastolic filling rate (244+/-84 ml/s to
      302+/-107 ml/s compared with 255+/-82 ml/s to 251+/-82 ml/s, P=0.018). There were
      no between groups differences in glucose control. Modified HIIT reduces liver fat
      and improves body composition alongside benefits to cardiac function in patients
      with NAFLD and should be considered as part of the broader treatment regimen by
      clinical care teams. ISRCTN trial ID: ISRCTN78698481.

PMID- 26265793
TI  - Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarkers in Spinocerebellar Ataxia: A Pilot Study.
AB  - Neurodegenerative diseases, including the spinocerebellar ataxias (SCA), would
      benefit from the identification of reliable biomarkers that could serve as
      disease subtype-specific and stage-specific indicators for the development and
      monitoring of treatments. We analyzed the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) level of tau,
      alpha-synuclein, DJ-1, and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), proteins
      previously associated with neurodegenerative processes, in patients with the
      autosomal dominant SCA1, SCA2, and SCA6, and the sporadic disease multiple system
      atrophy, cerebellar type (MSA-C), compared with age-matched controls. We
      estimated disease severity using the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of
      Ataxia (SARA). Most proteins measured trended higher in disease versus control
      group yet did not reach statistical significance. We found the levels of tau in
      both SCA2 and MSA-C patients were significantly higher than control. We found
      that alpha-synuclein levels were lower with higher SARA scores in SCA1 and tau
      levels were higher with greater SARA in MSA-C, although this final correlation
      did not reach statistical significance after post hoc correction. Additional
      studies with larger sample sizes are needed to improve the power of these studies
      and validate the use of CSF biomarkers in SCA and MSA-C. 

PMID- 26265794
TI  - Clinical Applications of Natriuretic Peptides in Assessment of Valvular Heart
      Disease.
AB  - Biomarkers such as natriuretic peptides (NPs) have evolving clinical utility
      beyond the scope of heart failure. The role of NPs in the management of valvular
      heart disease is a growing area of investigation. NPs have much potential in the
      assessment of asymptomatic patients with hemodynamically significant valvular
      lesions who have traditionally been excluded from consideration of surgical
      intervention. NPs also have a role in the risk stratification of these patients
      as well as in routine surveillance and monitoring. Together with
      echocardiographic data and functional status, NPs are being incorporated into the
      management of valvular heart disease. In this review we examine the evidence for
      the role of natriuretic peptides in assessment of VHD. 

PMID- 26265796
TI  - Bilateral granular dystrophy: A clinicopathogenetic correlation after alcohol
      assisted debridement with phototherapeutic keratectomy.

PMID- 26265795
TI  - Serum GRP78 as a Tumor Marker and Its Prognostic Significance in Non-Small Cell
      Lung Cancers: A Retrospective Study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Glucose-regulated protein 78 (78 kDa, GRP78), which is also known
      as immunoglobulin heavy chain binding protein (BIP), is a major chaperone in the
      endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The expression and clinical significance of GRP78 in
      the serum of non-small cell lung cancer patients have not yet been clearly
      described. The aims of the present study were to investigate the expression of
      GRP78 in the serum of non-small cell lung cancer patients, the relationships with
      clinicopathological parameters, and the potential implications for survival.
      PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 163 peripheral blood samples from non-small cell
      lung cancer patients were prospectively collected at the Department of Thoracic
      Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer, China. Clinical characteristics data,
      including age, gender, stage, overall survival (OS) time, and relapse-free
      survival (RFS) time, were also collected. Serum GRP78 levels were measured using
      a commercially available ELISA kit. The associations between GRP78 levels and
      clinicopathological characteristics and survival were examined using Student's t
      test, Kaplan-Meier, or Cox regression analyses. RESULTS: The mean +/- standard
      error (SE) value of GRP78 was 326.5 +/- 49.77 pg/mL. This level was significantly
      lower compared with the level in late-stage non-small cell lung cancer patients
      (1227 +/- 223.6, p = 0.0001). There were no significant correlations with the
      clinicopathological parameters. No significant difference was found between high
      GRP78 expression and low GRP78 expression with regard to RFS (p = 0.1585).
      However, the OS of patients with higher GRP78 expression was significantly poorer
      (p = 0.0334). CONCLUSIONS: GRP78 was expressed in non-small cell lung cancer
      patients and was highly enriched in late-stage lung cancer. GRP78 may have an
      important role in the carcinogenesis of non-small cell lung cancer and may be a
      prognostic marker for non-small cell lung cancer.

PMID- 26265797
TI  - Lateral rectus palsy in a case of dengue fever.

PMID- 26265798
TI  - Onchocercoma in a United Nations Peacekeeper.

PMID- 26265799
TI  - A fatal case of staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome.

PMID- 26265800
TI  - Unusual presentation of mucinous adenocarcinoma in a post fistulectomy case.

PMID- 26265801
TI  - A rare complication of monochorionic twin pregnancy: Twin-reversed arterial
      perfusion (TRAP) sequence.

PMID- 26265802
TI  - An unusual case of axillary lymphadenopathy.

PMID- 26265803
TI  - Phacomatosis pigmentovascularis with Raynaud's phenomena.

PMID- 26265804
TI  - Role of multiplex reverse-transcriptase PCR for diagnosis of Acute myelosis in an
      infant with Down's syndrome.

PMID- 26265805
TI  - Cranio-thoraco-omphalopagus.

PMID- 26265806
TI  - Creating natural gingival profiles of missing anterior teeth using ovate pontic.

PMID- 26265807
TI  - Isolated unilateral IIIrd nerve palsy as the only sign of chronic subdural
      haematoma.

PMID- 26265808
TI  - Tumor emboli from intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma causing obstructive jaundice.

PMID- 26265809
TI  - A bolt from the blue: Lightning injuries.

PMID- 26265810
TI  - A rare tumour of pancreas in an incidentally discovered pancreatic lipoma.

PMID- 26265811
TI  - Two cases of anaphylaxis under anaesthesia with vecuronium.

PMID- 26265812
TI  - A rare case of leukemic presentation of blastoid variant of mantle cell lymphoma
      with isolated splenic involvement: Flowcytometric revelation.

PMID- 26265813
TI  - Masseteric cysticercosis with abscess formation: A diagnostic dilemma.

PMID- 26265814
TI  - Inverted papilloma of frontal sinus with intracranial extension.

PMID- 26265815
TI  - Hyperperfusion Syndrome after Carotid Artery Stenting.

PMID- 26265816
TI  - A case of systemic sarcoidosis with ocular presentation.

PMID- 26265817
TI  - Rehabilitation of a gunshot wound with dental implants.

PMID- 26265818
TI  - 'White cerebellar sign' in immediate postpartum period.

PMID- 26265819
TI  - Cerebellar vermian epidermal cyst.

PMID- 26265820
TI  - Angiomyxolipoma: Unusual swelling of oral cavity.

PMID- 26265821
TI  - Sjogren's syndrome presenting as hypokalemic paralysis.

PMID- 26265822
TI  - Vesicouterine fistula: Youssef's syndrome.

PMID- 26265823
TI  - Ortner's syndrome: A rare cause in an elderly smoker.

PMID- 26265824
TI  - Polycystic horseshoe kidney.

PMID- 26265825
TI  - Inherited Factor X (Stuart-Prower Factor) deficiency and its management.

PMID- 26265826
TI  - Pachydermoperiostosis - Mimic to acromegaly.

PMID- 26265827
TI  - Xanthogranulomatous appendicitis: Uncommon histological variant of a common
      entity.

PMID- 26265828
TI  - Salivary reservoir denture - A novel approach to battle xerostomia.

PMID- 26265829
TI  - Mature cystic teratoma of gall bladder - Where do they come from?

PMID- 26265830
TI  - Snake venom ophthalmia.

PMID- 26265831
TI  - Giant recurrent lipoma of trunk weighing eight kilograms.

PMID- 26265832
TI  - Spontaneous intra-abdominal bleed following oral anticoagulant therapy.

PMID- 26265833
TI  - Toxic anterior segment syndrome - A sequel of uneventful cataract surgery.

PMID- 26265834
TI  - Arthroscopic removal of intraarticular fracture fragment after fracture
      dislocation of hip.

PMID- 26265835
TI  - Fracture penis - Is it really an uncommon entity?

PMID- 26265836
TI  - Reinfection of Varicella zoster in a vaccinated adult.

PMID- 26265837
TI  - Benign fibrous histiocytoma of the ethmoids in an infant.

PMID- 26265838
TI  - An unusual case of acute methotrexate toxicity manifesting as ulcers on psoriatic
      plaques in an elderly male.

PMID- 26265839
TI  - Restoration of fractured endodontically treated mandibular first molar using
      custom made cast post and core.
AB  - The successful treatment of posterior tooth with substantial damage to the tooth
      structure not only depends on root canal treatment but also by prompt restoration
      of lost coronal tooth structure. Endodontically treated teeth undergo loss of
      tooth substance due to dental caries, endodontic therapy or previous restoration
      and changes in physical characteristics, such as a reduced modulus of elasticity,
      which often leads to increased fracture susceptibility when compared to
      unrestored vital teeth.(1) Restoration of endodontically treated posterior teeth
      is more challenging because of their additional functional requirements. The
      restorative treatment of such teeth includes the decision of whether or not a
      post should be used. Post is a dental material placed in the root of structurally
      insufficient tooth when additional retention is needed to retain the core and
      coronal restoration.(2,3) However, preparation of a post space adds a certain
      degree of risk to restorative procedure like perforations and root fracture,
      especially if an over sized post channel is prepared. 

PMID- 26265840
TI  - A case of transfusion related acute lung injury in a thalassemic child.

PMID- 26265841
TI  - Takayasu arteritis in pregnancy.

PMID- 26265842
TI  - Subcortical cysts in anterior temporal regions: Unusual imaging finding in
      congenital cytomegalovirus infection.

PMID- 26265843
TI  - Fatal massive hemoptysis: An autopsy study.

PMID- 26265844
TI  - A common but underreported entity of papulonecrotic tuberculid.

PMID- 26265845
TI  - Filariasis of the breast.

PMID- 26265846
TI  - Endovascular management of giant coronary artery aneurysm.

PMID- 26265847
TI  - Reticulate acropigmentation of Kitamura: A familial case with eyelid involvement.

PMID- 26265848
TI  - Prosthetic rehabilitation of a serving soldier with custom made ocular
      prosthesis.

PMID- 26265849
TI  - Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome.

PMID- 26265850
TI  - A case of familial hypercholesterolaemia Type IIa presenting with tuberous
      xanthomas.

PMID- 26265851
TI  - A rare case of idiopathic retinal vasculitis, aneurysms and neuroretinitis
      (IRVAN) syndrome.

PMID- 26265852
TI  - Bilateral sterile perforated corneal ulcer in an HIV case.

PMID- 26265853
TI  - Renal artery injury in paediatric blunt abdominal trauma.

PMID- 26265854
TI  - Open dislocation of fourth and fifth carpometacarpal joint - An easily missed
      injury.

PMID- 26265855
TI  - Frosted branch angiitis in a pregnant woman.

PMID- 26265856
TI  - Adult T cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia.

PMID- 26265857
TI  - Optical coherence tomography in the management of posterior scleritis.

PMID- 26265858
TI  - Severe anaphylactic reaction to diclofenac.

PMID- 26265859
TI  - Myxofibroma of the soft tissue of face.

PMID- 26265860
TI  - Interesting case of severe anterior uveitis caused by brimonidine eye drops.

PMID- 26265861
TI  - Anesthetic management of congenital lobar emphysema in a neonate.

PMID- 26265862
TI  - Rehabilitation of a case of partial rhinectomy with silicone nasal prosthesis.

PMID- 26265863
TI  - Post traumatic neovascularisation of a cataractous crystalline lens.

PMID- 26265864
TI  - A rare case of chronic idiopathic spinal epidural haematoma.

PMID- 26265865
TI  - Ethylene glycol poisoning.

PMID- 26265866
TI  - Cerebral sinovenous thrombosis in a child with homocystinuria.

PMID- 26265867
TI  - Conjunctival limbal autograft transplantation in pterygium surgery by natural
      haemostasis.

PMID- 26265868
TI  - Emergency surgical management of double penile fracture at a peripheral hospital.

PMID- 26265869
TI  - A rare case of intra-pericardial teratoma presenting as a mediastinal mass in an
      infant.

PMID- 26265870
TI  - Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas mimicking a pseudocyst of
      pancreas.

PMID- 26265871
TI  - A case of 'de novo' Histoid Hansen's disease.

PMID- 26265872
TI  - Hypercortisolism induced atypical central serous chorioretinopathy in pregnancy.

PMID- 26265873
TI  - An unusual case of human paragonimiasis.

PMID- 26265874
TI  - Interdisciplinary management of gingival recession associated with traumatic
      anterior malocclusion with orthodontics and periodontal plastic surgery.

PMID- 26265875
TI  - Pulse contour analysis guided management of a case of puerperal uterine inversion
      and hemorrhagic shock - 'Giving what it takes'.

PMID- 26265876
TI  - An interesting case of implantable contact lens.

PMID- 26265877
TI  - Spontaneous heterotopic pregnancy with tubal rupture and pregnancy progressing to
      term.

PMID- 26265878
TI  - Coexistence of filariasis with carcinoma breast - An incidental cytological
      finding.

PMID- 26265879
TI  - Catheter ablation of an elusive accessory pathway in Ebstein's anomaly -
      Innovative surrogate for electroanatomic mapping.

PMID- 26265880
TI  - Giant intra-articular extrasynovial osteochondroma of the Hoffa's fat pad.

PMID- 26265881
TI  - An uncommon case of primary iris cyst managed with Nd YAG laser.

PMID- 26265882
TI  - Spontaneous pneumomediastinum.

PMID- 26265883
TI  - Becker's nevus syndrome.

PMID- 26265884
TI  - Aspergilloma in a pre-existing unoperated pulmonary echinococcosis.

PMID- 26265885
TI  - Tonsillolith: A polymicrobial biofilm.

PMID- 26265886
TI  - Extrapyramidal symptoms after Fluoxetine.

PMID- 26265887
TI  - Referral Practices for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia: A Survey Study.
AB  - This study examined referring practices for cognitive behavioral therapy for
      insomnia (CBTI) by physicians at University of Michigan Hospitals and Weill
      Cornell Medical College of Cornell University. A five-item questionnaire was sent
      via email that inquired about the physician's patient load, number of patients
      complaining of insomnia, percent referred for CBTI, and impressions of what is
      the most effective method for improving sleep quality in their patients with
      insomnia. The questionnaire was completed by 239 physicians. More physicians
      believed a treatment other than CBTI and/or medication was most effective (N =
      83). "Sleep hygiene" was recommended by a third of the sample. The smallest
      number of physicians felt that CBTI alone was the most effective treatment (N =
      22). Additional physician education is needed. 

PMID- 26265888
TI  - miR-106a Is Downregulated in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of Chronic
      Hepatitis B and Associated with Enhanced Levels of Interleukin-8.
AB  - AIMS: This study aimed to investigate miR-106a expression in peripheral blood
      mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients and to analyze
      the function of miR-106a. MATERIALS AND METHODS: miR-106a expression levels in
      PBMCs from 40 healthy controls and 56 CHB patients were analyzed by quantitative
      real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The luciferase activity assays
      were used to determine whether miR-106a binds to 3'UTR of IL-8. miR-106a mimics
      and inhibitors were transfected into healthy PBMCs. IL-8 mRNA and protein levels
      were detected and determined by qRT-PCR and ELISA, respectively. RESULTS: The qRT
      PCR results suggested that the PBMC miR-106a levels were decreased in CHB
      patients. IL-8 was augmented in CHB patients and was inversely correlated with
      miR-106a levels. The luciferase activity assays indicated that IL-8 is a target
      of miR-106a. Exogenous expression of miR-106a could significantly repress IL-8
      expression at both mRNA and protein levels in PBMCs, whereas miR-106a inhibitor
      had the opposite effects. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggested that miR-106a is
      downregulated in PBMCs of CHB patients and that miR-106a may play an important
      role in CHB by targeting IL-8.

PMID- 26265889
TI  - Expression of Prostacyclin-Synthase in Human Breast Cancer: Negative Prognostic
      Factor and Protection against Cell Death In Vitro.
AB  - Endogenously formed prostacyclin (PGI2) and synthetic PGI2 analogues have
      recently been shown to regulate cell survival in various cell lines. To elucidate
      the significance of PGI2 in human breast cancer, we performed
      immunohistochemistry to analyze expression of prostacyclin-synthase (PGIS) in 248
      human breast cancer specimens obtained from surgical pathology files. We examined
      patients' 10-year survival retrospectively by sending a questionnaire to their
      general practitioners and performed univariate analysis to determine whether PGIS
      expression correlated with patient survival. Lastly, the effects of PGI2 and its
      analogues on cell death were examined in a human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7)
      and a human T-cell leukemia cell line (CCRF-CEM). PGIS expression was observed in
      tumor cells in 48.7% of samples and was associated with a statistically
      significant reduction in 10-year survival (P = 0.038; n = 193). Transient
      transfection of PGIS into MCF-7 cells exposed to sulindac increased cell
      viability by 50% and exposure to carbaprostacyclin protected against sulindac
      sulfone induced apoptosis in CCRF-CEM cells. Expression of PGIS is correlated
      with a reduced patient survival and protects against cell death in vitro,
      suggesting that PGIS is a potential therapeutic target in breast cancer. 

PMID- 26265890
TI  - Hemolytic uremic syndrome.
AB  - Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a clinical syndrome characterized by the triad
      of thrombotic microangiopathy, thrombocytopenia, and acute kidney injury.
      Hemolytic uremic syndrome represents a heterogeneous group of disorders with
      variable etiologies that result in differences in presentation, management and
      outcome. In recent years, better understanding of the HUS, especially those due
      to genetic mutations in the alternative complement pathway have provided an
      update on the terminology, classification, and treatment of the disease. This
      review will provide the updated classification of the disease and the current
      diagnostic and therapeutic approaches on the complement-mediated HUS in addition
      to STEC-HUS which is the most common cause of the HUS in childhood. 

PMID- 26265891
TI  - Mothers' views of milk banking: sample of Izmir.
AB  - AIM: The studies on human milk banking in Turkey, has being carried out at a
      hospital in Izmir province. There are different point of views about milk
      banking. The aim of the study is to determine the knowledge and the views of the
      mothers towards milk banking. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study is a cross
      sectional survey. The study was carried out with 404 mothers who gave birth in a
      two maternity hospitals and one university hospital in Izmir using the face-to
      face interview technique between March 2014 and June 2014. The study data were
      collected using a 30-item socio-demographic questionnaire. RESULTS: The mothers'
      mean age was 28.4 years (16-46 years). Of the mothers, 45.5% were primary school
      graduates, 80.2% were members of a nuclear family, 75.7% had less than three
      children, 63.4% gave birth by caesarean section and only 79.5 percent were able
      to breastfeed before being discharged. Of the mothers, 41.6% were aware of milk
      banking, 71.3% were willing to receive milk bank services and 68.8% were willing
      to donate breastmilk. 62.2% of those who did not want to make donation stated
      risk of contagion as a reason, 8.2% of the participants had worked as wet-nurse
      before. CONCLUSIONS: Most mothers revealed positive approaches and opinions about
      establishment of milk banking and milk donation. However, there were some
      concerns due to the risk of infectious diseases and religious beliefs. Efforts
      should be made to raise awareness and mothers should be informed about the
      importance of breast milk and breastfeeding so that milk banks can be regarded as
      an additional choice.

PMID- 26265892
TI  - The role of tissue harmonic imaging ultrasound combined with power Doppler
      ultrasound in the diagnosis of childhood febrile urinary tract infections.
AB  - AIM: This study assessed the ability of tissue harmonic imaging ultrasound
      combined with power Doppler ultrasound in the detection of childhood febrile
      urinary tract infections in comparison with the gold standard reference method:
      Tc-99m dimercaptosuccinicacid renal cortical scintigraphy. MATERIAL AND METHODS:
      This prospective study included 60 patients who were hospitalized with a first
      episode of febrile urinary tract infections. All children were examined with
      dimercaptosuccinicacid scan and tissue harmonic imaging ultrasound combined with
      power Doppler ultrasound within the first 3 days of admission. RESULTS: Signs
      indicative of acute infection were observed in 29 patients according to the
      results of tissue harmonic imaging ultrasound combined with power Doppler
      ultrasound while dimercaptosuccinicacid scan revealed abnormal findings in 33
      patients. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative
      predictive value of tissue harmonic imaging combined with power Doppler
      ultrasound using dimercaptosuccinicacid scintigraphy as the reference method in
      patients diagnosed with first episode febrile urinary tract infections were
      calculated as 57.58% (95% confidence interval: 40.81%-72.76%); 62.96% (95%
      confidence interval: 44.23%-78.47%); 65.52% (95% confidence interval: 52.04%
      77%); 54.84% (95% confidence interval: 41.54%-67.52%); respectively. CONCLUSIONS:
      Although current results exhibit inadequate success of power Doppler ultrasound,
      this practical and radiation-free method may soon be comprise a part of the
      routine ultrasonographic evaluation of febrile urinary tract infections of
      childhood if patients are evaluated early and under appropriate sedation.

PMID- 26265893
TI  - Diagnostic evaluation of our patients with hemophilia A: 17-year experience.
AB  - AIM: Hemophilia A is a rare inherited bleeding disorder resulting from factor
      VIII deficiency and is a group of diseases characterized by intra-articular and
      intramuscular bleeding. In this study, we aimed to retrospectively evaluate the
      treatment outcomes, demographic and clinical characteristics of our patients who
      were treated and followed up for last 17 years in our pediatric hematology unit
      with a diagnosis of Hemophilia A. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The medical records of 83
      patients who were diagnosed with Hemophilia A and followed up between 1997 and
      2014 in our hospital's pediatric hematology clinic were reviewed retrospectively.
      The demographic data, prophylaxis state, development of inhibitors and clinical
      characteristics of the patients were evaluated. RESULTS: When the complaints at
      presentation were examined, it was found that 27 (32%) patients had hemarthrosis,
      24 (29%) patients had ecchymosis and hematoma, 13 (16%) patients had prolonged
      bleeding after trauma or cut, 10 (12%) patients had gingival, mouth or nose
      bleeding, 4 (5%) patients had prolonged bleeding after circumcision, 4 (5%)
      patients had gastrointestinal bleeding, 1 (1%) patient had hematuria. Fifty (60%)
      patients were considered severe hemophilia A, 20 (24%) patients were considered
      moderate hemophilia A and 13 (16%) patients were considered mild hemophilia A
      according to factor activity. Among severe hemophilia A patients, primary
      prophylaxis was being administered in 2 (2%) patients and secondary prophylaxis
      was being administered in 40 (48%) patients. Inhibitor positivity was found in 8
      (10%) of these patients. It is found that hemophilic artropathy developed in 17
      patients and 8 of these 17 patients had undergone radioisotope synovectomy.
      CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of severe bleeding in hemophilia A patients should be
      performed in hospital and the presence of inhibitor must be investigated in cases
      of uncontrolled bleeding where adequate doses of factor concentrates have been
      administered for treatment. In order to decrease the development of inhibitor,
      prophlaxis should be suggested to patients rather than repetetive treatment when
      bleeding occurs. The radioactive synovectomy should not be overlooked in
      countries like ours in which factors can not be used adequately.

PMID- 26265894
TI  - Evaluation of blood cultures in a children's hospital located in Southeastern
      Anatolia.
AB  - AIM: Bloodstream infections in hospitalized patients are one of the most
      important causes of morbidity and mortality despite antimicrobial therapy. Early
      diagnosis and treatment of these infections is crucial. The aim of this study was
      to evaluate the distribution and antibiotic susceptibility of bacteria isolated
      from blood cultures in a children's hospital in the Southeastern Anatolia during
      an 18-month period. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 7 040 blood cultures which were sent
      from hospitalized patients in Gaziantep Children's Hospital between 01.07.2010
      and 01.01.2012 were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 7 040 blood cultures were
      evaluated in this study. Microbial growth was detected in 2075 (29.47%) blood
      cultures. The most frequently isolated bacteria were coagulase-negative
      staphylococci (%45.97) which were followed by Salmonella spp. (%7.8). 12.12% of
      enterococcal isolates were resistant to glycopeptide antibiotics. The most
      frequently isolated gram negative bacterium was Salmonella spp. 15.43% of
      Salmonella spp. showed decreased susceptibility against quinolones. The ESBL
      positivity rate of E. coli and K. pneumoniae strains was found to be 35.08% and
      57.14%, respectively. The imipenem resistance rate of P. aeruginosa was found to
      be 33.33%. The most common nonfermentative bacterium was S. maltophilia.
      CONCLUSIONS: The distribution of bacteria isolated from blood cultures and
      antibiotic resistance rates differ among different regions of Turkey. Different
      results obtained in our study may be related with regional tendencies to
      infections and patient population. Distribution of infectious agents and
      antibiotic resistance rates should be evaluated at regular intervals. This will
      lead to establishment of proper antibiotic usage policies in our country.

PMID- 26265895
TI  - Childhood mastocytosis: results of a single center.
AB  - AIM: We aimed to retrospectively evaluate histopathological, demographic and
      clinical findings of children with mastocytosis diagnosed with mastocytosis in
      our clinic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The files of 21 patients diagnosed with
      mastocytosis between 2000 and 2014 in our clinic were retrospectively analyzed.
      RESULTS: All patients had cutaneous mastocytosis, 19 patients had urticaria
      pigmentosa and 2 patients had mastocytoma. The male-female ratio was: 1/1.6. The
      median age for onset of disease was 12.1 months and the disease occured in the
      newborn period in 3 patients. While all patients had eruption, 10 patients had
      pruritis, 1 patient had a bullous formation, 1 patient had abdominal pain and 1
      patient had attacks of redness throughout the body and a sense of burning in the
      chest. Two patients had a positive familial history. The diagnosis was confirmed
      with skin biopsy in all patients. The median follow up time of the patients were
      5 years. The patients were treated with H1, H2 antihistaminics, local
      moisturizing creams and topical corticosteroid drugs. The lesions resolved
      completely in 4 patients who reached to puberty and 7 patients had marked
      improvement in a 5.5 year-follow-up period. Ten patients had stabile lesions in a
      3.6 year-follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Most cases of childhood mastocytosis are
      observed in the form of cutaneous mastocytosis. The prognosis is good; the
      disease limits itself and is prone to regress in the adolescent period.

PMID- 26265896
TI  - McCune Albright syndrome in association with excessive GH secretion: case report.
AB  - McCune-Albright Syndrome is a rare syndrome characterized with excessive function
      of peripheral endocrine organs and activating mutations of the stimulatory G
      protein alpha subunit are involved in the pathogenesis. The three main findings
      of the disease include hyperpigmented cafe au lait spots, fibrous dysplasia and
      increased endocrine functions and excessive secretion of growth hormone is
      observed in 21% of the patients. Clinical signs may be missed in these patients
      because of precocious puberty and craniofacial fibrous dysplasia. Since
      radiotherapy causes to sarcomatous changes and transsphenoidal surgery may cause
      to severe thickening in the cranial bones, they are not appropriate treatment
      options and medical treatment is recommended. Bromocriptine, cabergoline and
      octreotide or different combinations of these drugs are used in treatment and
      pegvisomant has also been used in recent years. Here, we present a male patient
      aged 12 years and 7 months to show gigantism as a rare clinical reflection of
      McCune-Albright Syndrome with an excessive height (197 cm), cafe au lait spots,
      growht hormone levels which could not be supressed with oral glucose tolerance
      test and increased prolactin levels. 

PMID- 26265897
TI  - A case of neonatal arterial thrombosis mimicking interrupted aortic arch.
AB  - Neonatal arterial thrombosis is a very rare entity with clinical findings
      resembling coarctation of aorta or interrupted aortic arch. A two day-old male
      newborn was admitted to a different hospital with difficulty in sucking and
      sleepiness. On echocardiographic examination, a diagnosis of interrupted aortic
      arch was made and he was treated with prostoglandin E2. When the patient
      presented to our center, physical examination revealed that his feet were
      bilaterally cold. The pulses were not palpable and there were ecchymotic regions
      in the lower extremities. Echocardiography ruled out interrupted aortic arch.
      Computerized tomographic angiography revealed a large thrombosis and total
      occlusion of the abdominal aorta. Since there was no response to treatment with
      tissue plasminogen activator, we performed thrombectomy. Homozygous Factor V
      Leiden and Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase mutations were found in this
      patient. Neonatal aortic thrombosis which is observed very rarely and fatal
      should be considered in the differential diagnosis of coarctation of aorta and
      interrupted aortic arch. 

PMID- 26265898
TI  - Kluyvera ascorbata infections in children: a case series.
AB  - Kluyvera is a relatively newly described member of the Enterobacteriaceae family
      that rarely causes infections in humans. In the pediatric population, it is
      described in association with clinically significant infections ranging from
      urinary tract infections to sepsis with multiorgan failure. Our aim is to
      determine the clinical significance of K. ascorbata infections in the pediatric
      population at our institution. We retrospectively analyzed clinical microbiology
      data as from 2006 and identified four clinically significant isolates in this
      period. The isolates were from four cases who presented with sepsis, bacteremia
      associated with central venous catheter, pyelonephritis and intraabdominal
      collection. The ages of these patients ranged between seven months to 17 years.
      All patients received prompt antimicrobial treatment on the basis of
      susceptibility testing and good clinical response was obtained in all patients.
      Successful treatment options include third-generation cephalosporins,
      aminoglycosides, betalactams with beta-lactamase inhibitors and carbapenems.
      Clinicians should be aware of the spectrum of disease and increasing clinical
      importance associated with this pathogen. 

PMID- 26265899
TI  - A rare case of cardiac anomaly: prenatally diagnosed ectopia cordis.
AB  - Ectopia cordis is a rare congenital malformation in which the heart is located
      partially or totally outside the thoracic cavity. The estimated prevalence of
      ectopia cordis is 5.5-7.9 per million births and it comprises 0.1% of congenital
      heart diseases. Ectopia cordis is associated with other congenital heart diseases
      and various tissue and organ disorders. Common cardiac anomalies associated with
      ectopia cordis include ventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect, pulmonary
      stenosis, right ventricular diverticulum, double right ventricular outflow tract
      and tetralogy of Fallot. Extracardiac anomalies associated with ectopia cordis
      reported in the literature include omphalocele, gastrochisis, cleft lip and
      palate, scollosis and central nervous system malformations. Here we report a
      newborn with ectopia cordis who was diagnosed prenatally. 

PMID- 26265900
TI  - Two important factors affecting the transition to breastfeeding in preterm
      infants: corrected age and periventricular leukomalacia.

PMID- 26265901
TI  - Validation of three pain scales among adult postoperative patients in Ghana.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pain assessment is an important component of pain management and
      health professionals require valid tools to assess pain to guide their pain
      management decisions. The study sought to select, develop, and validate context
      appropriate unidimensional pain scales for pain assessment among adult post
      operative patients. METHODS: A mixed methods design was adopted. The study was
      conducted at two hospitals in Accra, Ghana. The qualitative phase involved 17
      patients and 25 nurses, and the quantitative phase involved 150 post-operative
      patients. Qualitative data was collected iteratively through individual
      interviews and focus groups. RESULTS: Two existing pain scales (0-10 Numeric
      Rating Scale [NRS] and Wong-Baker FACES [FPS] scales) and one new pain scale
      (Colour-Circle Pain Scale-[CCPS]) were validated. The psychometric properties of
      the three scales were assessed when patients had fully recovered from anesthesia.
      The CCPS had higher scale preference than NRS and FPS. Convergent validity was
      very good and significant (0.70-0.75). Inter-rater reliability was high (0.923
      0.928) and all the scales were sensitive to change in the intensity or level of
      pain experienced before and after analgesia such as paracetamol and diclofenac
      suppositories, injectable pethidine, and oral tramadol had been administered.
      CONCLUSION: Using a valid tool for pain assessment gives the clinician an
      objective criterion for pain management. Due to the subjective nature of pain,
      consideration of socio-cultural factors for the particular context ensures that
      the appropriate tool is used.

PMID- 26265902
TI  - No difference in hypertension prevalence in smokers, former smokers and non
      smokers after adjusting for body mass index and age: a cross-sectional study from
      the Czech Republic, 2010.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Several hypotheses suggest a temporary increase in blood pressure
      following smoking cessation. This may be the result of endocrine changes (e.g.
      alteration in adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol levels in post-cessation
      period) and/or post-cessation weight gain. Our aim was to identify factors that
      may be associated with the diagnosis of hypertension after quitting smoking.
      METHODS: In 2010, we conducted a cross-sectional survey in a sample of 2065 Czech
      adults, chosen by quota selection and representative according to age, gender,
      education, region of residence and the size of settlement, aged 18 to 94 years.
      We examined the association between age, gender, body mass index, smoking status,
      and education with the hypertension diagnosis in their personal history. Data
      were compiled and weighed by age categories. Statistical significance was
      measured by Pearson Chi-square test at the level of significance 95 %. RESULTS:
      Diagnosis of hypertension was reported in 461 (22 %) subjects, with no difference
      by gender. Based on univariate analysis, former smokers were more likely than non
      smokers to be diagnosed for hypertension (OR 1.450 (1.110-1.900), p = 0.006).
      However, after adjusting for body mass index and age, the occurrence of
      hypertension diagnosis did not differ among non-smokers, smokers and former
      smokers (OR 0.760 for smokers, p = 0.082 and OR 1.020 for former smokers, p =
      0.915). CONCLUSION: We did not find any differences in hypertension diagnosis
      prevalence according to smoking status.

PMID- 26265903
TI  - Neuro-Behcet: Pons Involvement with Longitudinal Extension to Midbrain and
      Hypertrophic Olivary Degeneration.
AB  - A 21-year-old right-handed man developed progressive dysarthria and gait
      disturbance over 4 months (associated with intermittent hiccups). During that
      time, he also suffered from uveitis. A physical examination showed pseudobulbar
      and pyramidal signs and genital and oral ulcers. A brain MRI revealed an
      extensive lesion mainly located in the ventral pons, with an extension upwards to
      the midbrain. The inferior olivary nucleus also showed hyperintensity. After the
      treatment with intravenous methylprednisolone and pulses of cyclophosphamide, he
      improved. As observed on his MRI, his lesions also improved, except for an
      increase of the inferior olivary nucleus, consistent with hypertrophic olivary
      degeneration. Neuro-Behcet tropism for ventral brainstem explains the usual
      presentation with pyramidal syndrome. Hypertrophic olivary degeneration due to
      pons involvement could explain the hiccup attacks in a few known cases. 

PMID- 26265904
TI  - Corneal Hydrops in Pellucid Marginal Degeneration: A Case Series.
AB  - PURPOSE: To report an unusual presentation of pellucid marginal degeneration
      (PMD) and its management by using air injection and tension sutures. CASE REPORT:
      We report 2 cases with a history of acute pain and loss of vision. Examination
      revealed hydrops at the 6-9 o'clock meridian with Descemet's membrane detachment
      and tear at the same area and advanced PMD in the other eye. DISCUSSION: Air
      injection with suturing to treat the hydrops in PMD and crescentic excision with
      lamellar grafting instead of lamellar keratoplasty lead to better results than
      conservative management. CONCLUSION: Corneal hydrops and perforation in patients
      with PMD is a rare presentation and can be managed by tension sutures and air
      injection.

PMID- 26265905
TI  - A Case of Coats' Disease with Spontaneous Retinal Reattachment after Total
      Detachment.
AB  - PURPOSE: To report a case of Coats' disease in which spontaneous reattachment
      occurred after total retinal detachment. PATIENT AND METHODS: A young boy
      (patient age: 4 years and 11 months) presented with leukocoria in the left eye.
      Slit-lamp examination revealed total retinal detachment with abnormal retinal
      blood vessels and subretinal exudation just behind the lens. Computed tomography
      imaging showed no solid mass lesion in the intraocular space. Secondary total
      retinal detachment as a complication of Coats' disease was diagnosed. No light
      perception was detected, so we determined that surgical treatment was not
      indicated. RESULTS: Four months after the initial diagnosis, the retina showed
      complete reattachment with a large amount of subretinal hard exudate. Visual
      acuity remained unchanged, with no light perception. CONCLUSIONS: We speculate
      that the spontaneous retinal reattachment in the present case was caused by the
      decreased permeability of the abnormal retinal vessels and the good functional
      effect of the retinal pigment epithelium.

PMID- 26265906
TI  - Complete Visual Rehabilitation in a Patient with No Light Perception after
      Surgical Management of a Penetrating Open-Globe Injury: A Case Report.
AB  - Open-globe injuries with no light perception (NLP) carry a poor prognosis, and
      many ophthalmologists select a primary enucleation or evisceration as a result.
      We present a case of complete visual rehabilitation in a patient who presented
      with NLP after a zone III penetrating open-globe injury. We recommend patient
      counseling regarding decision making and management of ocular trauma with NLP,
      since timely intervention and close follow-ups may restore useful or complete
      vision even in severely traumatized eyes. 

PMID- 26265907
TI  - Optical Coherence Tomography in an Infant with Walker-Warburg Syndrome.
AB  - PURPOSE: Walker-Warburg syndrome (WWS) is a type of congenital muscular dystrophy
      (CMD) characterised by severe brain malformation, lissencephaly, and congenital
      eye abnormalities. Despite the coexistence of various eye abnormalities, results
      from optical coherence tomography (OCT) in WWS have not previously been reported.
      We herein report specific OCT findings in an infant with WWS. PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: The patient was a 14-day-old boy delivered by caesarean section at 38
      weeks and 4 days of gestation and with a birth weight of 2,543 g. A cranial MRI
      showed lissencephaly, hydrocephalus, an encephalocele, and cerebellar hypoplasia,
      consistent with the diagnosis of WWS. RESULTS: A bilateral ocular examination
      showed no abnormalities of the anterior eye segment. A fundus examination showed
      a persistent hyaloid artery in the vitreous cavity, a widespread loss of fundus
      pigmentation, transparent choroidal vessels (some choroidal vessel sections were
      visible), and the absence of a distinct macular reflex. OCT showed no foveal pit
      and an indistinct laminar structure of the retina. The infant subsequently
      developed congenital glaucoma and he then died of respiratory failure at the age
      of 8 months. CONCLUSIONS: WWS is associated with a high incidence of congenital
      eye abnormalities, and this infant showed findings consistent with WWS. OCT
      revealed a marked retinal dysplasia.

PMID- 26265908
TI  - Intraoperative Optical Coherence Tomography-Assisted 27-Gauge Vitrectomy in Eyes
      with Vitreoretinal Diseases.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To report intraoperative optical coherence tomography (iOCT)-assisted
      27-gauge microincision vitrectomy surgery (MIVS) in eyes with vitreoretinal
      disease. METHODS: A retrospective, interventional case series performed at a
      single center, including 6 eyes with retinal disease that underwent iOCT-assisted
      27-gauge MIVS. RESULTS: The advantages of iOCT were most notable when it was used
      to evaluate, in real time, different macular areas: the pre-macula, in
      vitreomacular traction or epiretinal membrane; the intra-macula, in macular edema
      or macular hole; and the sub-macula, in macular detachment. Real-time imaging and
      the minimization of shadows cast on the underlying tissues by the 27-gauge
      instrumentation made it possible to quickly select the best procedure at each
      critical juncture of the surgery. No patients experienced any complications.
      CONCLUSION: Real-time iOCT imaging during 27-gauge MIVS provided excellent
      intraoperative visualization of retinal tissues without causing significant
      obstructions to the surgeon. The positive feedback from the system allowed the
      surgeon to better judge the necessity of additional surgical procedures.

PMID- 26265909
TI  - Postsurgical Cystoid Macular Edema following Posterior Chamber Toric Phakic
      Intraocular Lens Implantation Surgery: A Case Report.
AB  - PURPOSE: To describe a case of cystoid macular edema (CME) developing after
      posterior chamber toric phakic intraocular lens (PIOL) implantation. METHODS:
      Case report. RESULTS: A 33-year-old male underwent implantation of toric
      implantable collamer lenses (ICL), a new generation of PIOLs, for both eyes.
      Preoperative best spectacle-corrected distance visual acuity (BCVA) was 20/25 in
      the right eye and 20/32 in the left eye, with a manifest refraction of -9.25 -4.0
      * 4 degrees  and -9.75 -4.25 * 171 degrees , respectively. On day 1
      postoperatively, the left eye had an uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) of
      20/60 with a refraction of +2.0 -3.5 * 11 degrees . Despite the rotation of the
      PIOL, the cylindrical refractive component persisted in the left eye with a
      refraction of +2.0 -3.5 * 11 degrees . Two weeks after the initial surgery, he
      presented with a decrease in his visual acuity in the left eye. The UDVA and BCVA
      were both 20/100 in the left eye with a refraction of +2.0 -4.25 * 3 degrees .
      Dilated fundus examination and macular optical coherence tomography revealed a
      CME in the left eye. Following topical nepafenac therapy and explantation of the
      ICL, we observed a complete resolution of the CME at 3 months with an improvement
      in BCVA to 20/32 in the left eye. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the
      first reported case of postsurgical CME following toric ICL implantation. In
      cases of phakic eyes with an intact posterior capsule, postsurgical CME can
      develop, thus highlighting the purpose of this report.

PMID- 26265910
TI  - Short Door-to-Needle Times in Acute Ischemic Stroke and Prospective
      Identification of Its Delaying Factors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The clinical benefit of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) in acute
      ischemic stroke is time dependent. Several studies report a short median door-to
      needle time (DNT; 20 min), mainly in large tertiary referral hospitals equipped
      with a level 1 emergency department, a dedicated stroke team available 24/7, and
      on-site neuroimaging facilities. Meanwhile, in daily practice, the majority of
      stroke patients are admitted to secondary care hospitals, and in practice, even
      the generous benchmark of the American Heart Association (a DNT of 60 min in >80%
      of the cases) is met for a minority of patients treated with IVT. The first
      objective of our study was to investigate if, in a secondary care teaching
      hospital rather than a tertiary referral hospital, similar short DNTs can be
      accomplished with an optimized IVT protocol. Our second objective was to
      prospectively identify factors that delay the DNT in this setting. METHODS: A
      multicenter, consecutive cohort study of patients treated with IVT in one of two
      secondary care teaching hospitals. In both hospitals, data of consecutive stroke
      patients as well as median DNTs and factors delaying this were prospectively
      assessed for each patient. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to
      evaluate associations between patient-related and logistic factors with a delayed
      (i.e. exceeding 30 min) DNT. RESULTS: In total, 1,756 patients were admitted for
      ischemic stroke during the study period. Out of these, 334 (19.0%) patients were
      treated with IVT. The median DNT was 25 min (interquartile range: 20-35). A total
      of 71% (n = 238) had a DNT below 30 min. In 63% of the patients treated with IVT
      the DNT was delayed by at least one factor. Patients without any delaying factor
      had a 10 min shorter median DNT compared to patients with at least one delaying
      factor (p < 0.001). The following factors were independently associated with a
      delayed DNT: uncertainty about symptom onset, uncontrolled blood pressure,
      fluctuating neurological deficit, other treatment before IVT, uncertainty about
      (anti-)coagulation status, other patient-related factors, and incorrect triage.
      CONCLUSIONS: Short median DNTs can also be accomplished in secondary care.
      Despite the short DNTs, several delaying factors were identified that could
      direct future improvement measures. This study supports the view that as a
      performance measure, the current DNT targets are no longer ambitious enough and
      it adds to the knowledge of factors delaying the DNT.

PMID- 26265911
TI  - Clinical Characteristics of Transient Ischemic Attack Patients with Atrial
      Fibrillation: Analyses of a Multicenter Retrospective Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an important risk factor for transient
      ischemic attack (TIA). However, little is known about the characteristics of TIA
      patients with AF. This study investigated the characteristics of such patients,
      using data from a retrospective, observational, multicenter study. METHODS: TIA
      patients admitted to 13 stroke centers in Japan within 7 days of onset between
      January 2008 and December 2009 were included. The present analyses compared
      baseline characteristics, clinical symptoms, findings from diffusion-weighted
      imaging (DWI), and clinical outcomes between patients with and without AF (AF and
      non-AF groups). RESULTS: A total of 464 patients (292 men; mean age 68.5 +/- 13.2
      years) were registered. Of these, 79 patients (17%) had AF. Patients in the AF
      group were older (73.9 +/- 9.1 vs. 67.4 +/- 13.6 years, p < 0.001) and more
      likely to show disturbance of consciousness (13 vs. 6%, p = 0.046) and aphasia (9
      vs. 3%, p = 0.007) than patients in the non-AF group. Although no difference in
      the overall DWI-positive rate was seen between the groups (28 vs. 20%, p =
      0.102), a single lesion (23 vs. 10%, p < 0.001), a lesion >=15 mm (11 vs. 4%, p =
      0.006), and a single lesion >=15 mm (11 vs. 2%, p < 0.001) on DWI were more
      frequent in the AF group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified
      increased age [odds ratio (OR) 1.04; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-1.07] and
      DWI single lesion >=15 mm (OR 5.67; 95% CI 1.92-16.7) as independently associated
      with the presence of AF. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, 17% of our TIA patients had
      AF. We found an association between the acute ischemic lesion pattern on DWI of a
      single lesion >=15 mm and AF in TIA patients. These results might lead to a
      better diagnosis of TIA patients with AF.

PMID- 26265912
TI  - Effect of the Interindividual Variability on Computational Modeling of
      Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation.
AB  - Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a neuromodulatory technique
      that delivers low intensity, direct current to cortical areas facilitating or
      inhibiting spontaneous neuronal activity. This paper investigates how normal
      variations in anatomy may affect the current flow through the brain. This was
      done by applying electromagnetic computational methods to human models of
      different age and gender and by comparing the electric field and current density
      amplitude distributions within the tissues. Results of this study showed that the
      general trend of the spatial distributions of the field amplitude shares some
      gross characteristics among the different human models for the same electrode
      montages. However, the physical dimension of the subject and his/her
      morphological and anatomical characteristics somehow influence the detailed field
      distributions such as the field values. 

PMID- 26265913
TI  - Impact of a Virtual Clinic in a Paediatric Cardiology Network on Northeast
      Brazil.
AB  - Introduction. Congenital heart diseases (CHD) affect approximately 1% of live
      births and is an important cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Despite
      that, there is a shortage of paediatric cardiologists in Brazil, mainly in the
      northern and northeastern regions. In this context, the implementation of virtual
      outpatient clinics with the aid of different telemedicine resources may help in
      the care of children with heart defects. Methods. Patients under 18 years of age
      treated in virtual outpatient clinics between January 2013 and May 2014 were
      selected. They were divided into 2 groups: those who had and those who had not
      undergone a screening process for CHD in the neonatal period. Clinical and
      demographic characteristics were collected for further statistical analysis.
      Results. A total of 653 children and teenagers were treated in the virtual
      outpatient clinics. From these, 229 had undergone a neonatal screening process.
      Fewer abnormalities were observed on the physical examination of the screened
      patients. Conclusion. The implementation of pediatric cardiology virtual
      outpatient clinics can have a positive impact in the care provided to people in
      areas with lack of skilled professionals. 

PMID- 26265914
TI  - Surgical and Pathological Changes after Radiofrequency Ablation of Thyroid
      Nodules.
AB  - Background. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been recently advocated as an
      effective technique for the treatment of symptomatic benign thyroid nodules. It
      is not known to what extent it may affect any subsequent thyroid surgery and/or
      histological diagnosis. Materials and Methods. RFA was performed on 64
      symptomatic Thy2 nodules (benign nodules) and 6 symptomatic Thy3 nodules
      (follicular lesions/follicular neoplasms). Two Thy3 nodules regrew after the
      procedure, and these patients accepted to undergo a total thyroidectomy. Here we
      present how RFA has affected the operation and the final pathological features of
      the surgically removed nodules. Results and Conclusions. RFA is effective for the
      treatment of Thy2 nodules, but it should not be recommended as first-line therapy
      for the treatment of Thy3 nodules (irrespective of their mutational status), as
      it delays surgery in case of malignancy. Moreover, it is unknown whether RFA
      might promote residual tumor progression or neoplastic progression of Thy3
      lesions. Nevertheless, here we show for the first time that one session of RFA
      does not affect subsequent thyroid surgery and/or histological diagnosis. 

PMID- 26265915
TI  - A Novel Mutation in the CYP11B1 Gene Causes Steroid 11beta-Hydroxylase Deficient
      Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia with Reversible Cardiomyopathy.
AB  - Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to steroid 11beta-hydroxylase deficiency
      is the second most common form of CAH, resulting from a mutation in the CYP11B1
      gene. Steroid 11beta-hydroxylase deficiency results in excessive
      mineralcorticoids and androgen production leading to hypertension, precocious
      puberty with acne, enlarged penis, and hyperpigmentation of scrotum of
      genetically male infants. In the present study, we reported 3 male cases from a
      Saudi family who presented with penile enlargement, progressive darkness of skin,
      hypertension, and cardiomyopathy. The elder patient died due to heart failure and
      his younger brothers were treated with hydrocortisone and antihypertensive
      medications. Six months following treatment, cardiomyopathy disappeared with
      normal blood pressure and improvement in the skin pigmentation. The underlying
      molecular defect was investigated by PCR-sequencing analysis of all coding exons
      and intron-exon boundary of the CYP11B1 gene. A novel biallelic mutation c.780
      G>A in exon 4 of the CYP11B1 gene was found in the patients. The mutation created
      a premature stop codon at amino acid 260 (p.W260 (*) ), resulting in a truncated
      protein devoid of 11beta-hydroxylase activity. Interestingly, a somatic mutation
      at the same codon (c.779 G>A, p.W260 (*) ) was reported in a patient with
      papillary thyroid cancer (COSMIC database). In conclusion, we have identified a
      novel nonsense mutation in the CYP11B1 gene that causes classic steroid 11beta
      hydroxylase deficient CAH. Cardiomyopathy and cardiac failure can be reversed by
      early diagnosis and treatment. 

PMID- 26265917
TI  - Comment on "Alternate Sequential Suture Tightening: A Novel Technique for
      Uncontrolled Postpartum Hemorrhage".

PMID- 26265916
TI  - The Impact of Subject Age, Gender, and Arch Length on Attitudes of Syrian
      Dentists towards Shortened Dental Arches.
AB  - Objective. This study aimed to investigate the impact of subject age, gender, and
      arch length on dentists' attitudes towards unrestored shortened dental arches.
      Materials and Methods. 93 Syrian dentists were interviewed and presented with 24
      scenarios for male and female subjects of different ages and shortened dental
      arches of varying length. Participants were asked to indicate on a standardized
      visual analogue scale how they would value the health of the mouth if the
      posterior space was left unrestored. Results. A value of 0.0 represented the
      worst possible health state for a mouth and 1.0 represented the best. The highest
      mean value (0.73) was assigned to a shortened dental arch with missing second
      molar teeth in the mouth of a 70-year-old subject. A 35-year-old female subject
      with an extremely shortened dental arch (all molar and premolar teeth are
      missing) attracted the lowest mean value (0.26). The statistical analysis
      indicated a significant decrease in the value placed on unrestored shortened
      dental arches as the number of remaining teeth decreased (p < 0.008). While
      subject gender had almost no impact on dentists' attitudes towards shortened
      dental arches, the scenarios for the older shortened dental arch subjects
      attracted significantly higher values compared to the scenarios for the younger
      subjects (p < 0.017). Conclusion. Subject age and arch length affect dentists'
      attitudes towards shortened dental arches, but subject gender does not. 

PMID- 26265918
TI  - Cattle Uterus: A Novel Animal Laboratory Model for Advanced Hysteroscopic Surgery
      Training.
AB  - In recent years, due to reduced training opportunities, the major shift in
      surgical training is towards the use of simulation and animal laboratories.
      Despite the merits of Virtual Reality Simulators, they are far from representing
      the real challenges encountered in theatres. We introduce the "Cattle Uterus
      Model" in the hope that it will be adopted in training courses as a low cost and
      easy-to-set-up tool. It adds new dimensions to the advanced hysteroscopic surgery
      training experience by providing tactile sensation and simulating intraoperative
      difficulties. It complements conventional surgical training, aiming to maximise
      clinical exposure and minimise patients' harm. 

PMID- 26265919
TI  - 16 Y/O Female with "Watermelon Stomach"?
AB  - Background. Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) also known as "watermelon
      stomach" (WS) is an uncommon cause of gastrointestinal (GI) blood loss. It
      typically presents in middle aged females. We are presenting a case of GAVE at an
      unusually early age with atypical symptoms. Case. A previously healthy 16 y/o
      Caucasian female presented to the ER with a one-month history of upper abdominal
      pain. Physical examination was benign except tenderness in the epigastric region.
      There were no significant findings on laboratory data. Upper endoscopy showed
      incidental findings of linear striae in the antrum indicative of GAVE but
      histology was equivocal. Discussion. GAVE is a poorly understood but treatable
      entity and an increasingly identifiable cause of chronic iron deficiency anemia
      or acute or occult upper GI bleeding. The pathophysiology of GAVE remains
      unclear. It is an endoscopic finding characterized by longitudinal columns of
      tortuous red ectatic vessels (watermelon stripes), pathognomonic for WS.
      Treatment options include endoscopic, pharmacologic, and surgical approaches.
      Failure to recognize GAVE can result in delayed treatment for years. Our patient
      with GAVE was unusually young and was diagnosed incidentally. Due to lack of
      anemia on laboratory examination we elected to monitor her clinically for any
      future development of anemia. 

PMID- 26265920
TI  - Review of Ethnobotanical, Phytochemical, and Pharmacological Study of Thymus
      serpyllum L.
AB  - Thymus serpyllum L. (wild thyme) is a perennial shrub, native to areas of
      northern and central Europe. Its aerial parts are most frequently used in
      ethnomedicine (mainly for treating illnesses and problems related to the
      respiratory and gastrointestinal systems), although recently its essential oils
      are becoming more popular as an important plant-derived product. The composition
      of these oils is affected by geographic region, the development stage of the
      plant, the harvest season, habitat, and climatic conditions. Wild thyme essential
      oil has an ever-growing number of uses in contemporary medicine due to its
      pharmacological properties: antioxidative, antimicrobial, and anticancerogenic
      activities. The antioxidative and antimicrobial properties of the essential oil
      are related to the synergistic and cumulative effect of its components. In terms
      of antitumor and cytotoxic activity, further research into the effects of
      essential oil is necessary, aimed at improving its cytotoxic effects, on the
      basis of which appropriate medicines can be formulated. Due to its
      pharmacological properties, the essential oil of wild thyme, a plant used in
      traditional medicine, represents an important natural resource for the
      pharmaceutical industry. In addition, it can be a source of natural antioxidants,
      nutritional supplements, or components of functional foods in the food industry. 

PMID- 26265922
TI  - Evidence-Based Patient Classification for Traditional Chinese Medicine.

PMID- 26265921
TI  - Updates on Nutraceutical Sleep Therapeutics and Investigational Research.
AB  - Approximately 50% of the population will suffer from a sleep disorder over the
      course of their lifetime. There is increasing interest in nutraceuticals for
      these conditions. The quality of the evidence for the safety and effectiveness of
      using these supplements to treat sleep disorders varies substantially. In this
      review, we discuss the data about the effectiveness and safety of six commonly
      used plant-based sleep therapeutics: caffeine, chamomile, cherries, kava kava, L
      tryptophan, marijuana, and valerian. We explore both historical uses of each
      substance and the current state of the literature. 

PMID- 26265923
TI  - Protective Effect of Ethanolic Extract of Grape Pomace against the Adverse
      Effects of Cypermethrin on Weanling Female Rats.
AB  - The adverse effect of cypermethrin on the liver and kidney of weanling female
      rats and the protective effect of ethanolic extract of grape pomace were
      investigated in the present study. Weanling female rats were given cypermethrin
      oral at a dose of 25 mg kg(-1) body weight for 28 consecutive days. An additional
      two Cyp-trated groups received extract at a dose of 100 and 200 mg kg(-1) body
      weight, respectively, throughout the experimental duration. Three groups more
      served as extract and control groups. Administration of Cyp resulted in a
      significant increase in serum marker enzymes, for example, aminotransferases (AST
      and ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and
      increases the level of urea nitrogen and creatinine. In contrast, Cyp caused
      significant decrease in levels of total protein and albumin and caused
      histopathological alterations in liver and kidneys of female rats.
      Coadministration of the extract to Cyp-treated female rats restored most of these
      biochemical parameters to within normal levels especially at high dose of
      extract. However, extract administration to Cyp-treated rats resulted in overall
      improvement in liver and kidney damage. This study demonstrated the adverse
      biohistological effects of Cyp on the liver and kidney of weanling female rats.
      The grape pomace extract administration prevented the toxic effect of Cyp on the
      above serum parameters. The present study concludes that grape pomace extract has
      significant antioxidant and hepatorenal protective activity. 

PMID- 26265924
TI  - The Mechanism Underlying the Antibacterial Activity of Shikonin against
      Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
AB  - Shikonin (SKN), a highly liposoluble naphthoquinone pigment isolated from the
      roots of Lithospermum erythrorhizon, is known to exert antibacterial, wound
      healing, anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic, and antitumor effects. The aim of
      this study was to examine SKN antibacterial activity against methicillin
      resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The SKN was analyzed in combination with
      membrane-permeabilizing agents Tris and Triton X-100, ATPase inhibitors sodium
      azide and N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, and S. aureus-derived peptidoglycan; the
      effects on MRSA viability were evaluated by the broth microdilution method, time
      kill test, and transmission electron microscopy. Addition of membrane
      permeabilizing agents or ATPase inhibitors together with a low dose of SKN
      potentiated SKN anti-MRSA activity, as evidenced by the reduction of MRSA cell
      density by 75% compared to that observed when SKN was used alone; in contrast,
      addition of peptidoglycan blocked the antibacterial activity of SKN. The results
      indicate that the anti-MRSA effect of SKN is associated with its affinity to
      peptidoglycan, the permeability of the cytoplasmic membrane, and the activity of
      ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters. This study revealed the potential of SKN
      as an effective natural antibiotic and of its possible use to substantially
      reduce the use of existing antibiotic may also be important for understanding the
      mechanism underlying the antibacterial activity of natural compounds. 

PMID- 26265925
TI  - Comparison of Volatile Components between Raw and Vinegar Baked Radix Bupleuri by
      GC-MS Based Metabolic Fingerprinting Approach.
AB  - Radix Bupleuri (RB), also named Chaihu in Chinese, is a commonly used herbal drug
      in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and the processing of RB with vinegar to
      prepare vinegar-baked Radix Bupleuri (VBRB) has a long history in the clinic of
      TCM. In the present study, GC-MS coupled with multivariate data analysis was
      applied to compare the volatile components between crude and two vinegar
      processed RBs. After vinegar baking, the oil yields were decreased significantly,
      and the chemical compositions were also changed greatly. The chemical changes
      included the disappearance or appearance, as well as the content increase or
      decrease of some volatile compounds. The oil yields of two different VBRBs showed
      no significant difference but differed markedly in their chemical compositions,
      suggesting that the type of vinegar exerted great impacts on the vinegar-baking
      process. Thus, the effect of different vinegars on processing should be further
      investigated to ensure the therapeutic effect and safety of VBRB in clinic. 

PMID- 26265926
TI  - Intake of Novel Red Clover Supplementation for 12 Weeks Improves Bone Status in
      Healthy Menopausal Women.
AB  - Objective. To investigate the effect by which daily consumption of a novel red
      clover (RC) extract influences bone health, inflammatory status, and
      cardiovascular health in healthy menopausal women. Design. A 12-week randomized,
      double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial involving 60 menopausal women receiving
      a daily dose of 150 mL RC extract containing 37.1 mg isoflavones (33.8 mg as
      aglycones) or placebo. Methods. Bone parameters were changes in bone mineral
      density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC), and T-score at the lumbar spine and
      femoral neck. Bone turnover (CTx) and inflammatory markers were measured in
      plasma and finally blood pressure (BP) was evaluated. Results. RC extract had
      positive effect on bone health, and only the women receiving the placebo
      experienced a decline in BMD (p < 0.01) at the lumbar spine. T-score at the
      lumbar spine only decreased in the placebo group (p < 0.01). CTx decreased in the
      RC group with -9.94 (+/-4.93)%, although not significant. Conclusion. Daily
      consumption of RC extract over a 12-week period was found to have a beneficial
      effect on bone health in menopausal women based on BMD and T-score at the lumbar
      spine and plasma CTx levels. No changes in BP or inflammation markers were found
      and no side effects were observed. 

PMID- 26265927
TI  - Erratum: Less functional variants of TLR-1/-6/-10 genes are associated with age.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s12979-015-0034-z.]. 

PMID- 26265928
TI  - Surveillance systems for neglected tropical diseases: global lessons from China's
      evolving schistosomiasis reporting systems, 1949-2014.
AB  - Though it has been a focus of the country's public health surveillance systems
      since the 1950s, schistosomiasis represents an ongoing public health challenge in
      China. Parallel, schistosomiasis-specific surveillance systems have been
      essential to China's decades-long campaign to reduce the prevalence of the
      disease, and have contributed to the successful elimination in five of China's
      twelve historically endemic provinces, and to the achievement of morbidity and
      transmission control in the other seven. More recently, an ambitious goal of
      achieving nation-wide transmission interruption by 2020 has been proposed. This
      paper details how schistosomiasis surveillance systems have been structured and
      restructured within China's evolving public health system, and how parallel
      surveillance activities have provided an information system that has been
      integral to the characterization of, response to, and control of the disease.
      With the ongoing threat of re-emergence of schistosomiasis in areas previously
      considered to have achieved transmission control, a critical examination of
      China's current surveillance capabilities is needed to direct future investments
      in health information systems and to enable improved coordination between systems
      in support of ongoing control. Lessons drawn from China's experience are applied
      to the current global movement to reduce the burden of helminthiases, where
      surveillance capacity based on improved diagnostics is urgently needed. 

PMID- 26265929
TI  - High-fructose and high-fat diet-induced insulin resistance enhances
      atherosclerosis in Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic rabbits.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Individuals with insulin resistance and resulting impaired glucose
      tolerance along with type 2 diabetes showed an increased prevalence of
      atherosclerosis. Our aim in this study was to address whether diet-induced
      insulin resistance plays any roles in the development of aortic and coronary
      atherosclerosis in hyperlipidemic rabbits. METHODS: We fed Watanabe heritable
      hyperlipidemic (WHHL) rabbits with a high-fructose and high-fat diet (HFFD) with
      restricted normal calories and compared the lesions of both aortic and coronary
      atherosclerosis with those of control WHHL rabbits fed a normal chow diet.
      RESULTS: HFFD-fed WHHL rabbits showed insulin resistance and impaired glucose
      tolerance accompanied by elevated plasma lipid levels and accumulation of adipose
      tissue even though their body weight was unchanged compared to the control
      rabbits. At 8 weeks, the aortic gross lesion area of HFFD-fed WHHL rabbits was
      increased by 40 % over the controls and their lesions were characterized by
      increased number of macrophages and smooth muscle cells. At 16 weeks, the lesions
      of HFFD-fed WHHL rabbits showed more advanced lesions such as lipid core
      formation and calcification. In addition, coronary atherosclerosis was
      significantly increased in HFFD-fed WHHL rabbits. CONCLUSIONS: These results
      suggest that insulin resistance accelerates lesion formation of atherosclerosis.

PMID- 26265930
TI  - Health of the corporate worker: health risk assessment among staff of a corporate
      organization in Ghana.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Health promotion at the workplace and for workers is important to
      promote workers' health, improve working environments and work practices. The
      goal of this analysis was to provide an example of health risk assessment
      conducted in a large media organization in Ghana for its workers and to identify
      correlates of health risks identified among different categories of workers.
      METHODS: This was a cross sectional study of the health risk of staff in a large
      corporate media organization in Accra, Ghana, conducted in 2012. In all 161
      members of staff were screened and records included in the analysis. An
      abstraction form was used to collect data on age and sex of staff, staff
      category, self-reported health risk, history of chronic disease and self-rated
      health status. Measurements included weight, height, Body Mass Index, fasting
      blood sugar, total cholesterol/ HDL cholesterol and blood pressure. Data were
      entered into SPSS version 21, and analyzed by simple frequencies, proportions and
      ratios. Measured health indices were analyzed by mean +/- standard deviation.
      Significant association between categorical outcome measures were determined with
      chi-square test at the 95 % confidence level. RESULTS: The sex characteristics of
      the workers indicated more males than females, male: female sex ratio of 2.3: 1.
      Close to half of the workers 66 (41.0 %) self-reported history of chronic disease
      and 40 (24.8 %) self-rated their overall state of health as poor. In all, 31.7 %
      of workers self-reported hypertension, while measured blood pressure indicated
      60.2 % prevalence of diastolic blood pressure. Prevalence of obesity was 63.8 %;
      49.1 % of staff had above normal total cholesterol levels and 12.4 % had blood
      glucose indicative of diabetes. Senior and management staff had relatively higher
      prevalence of obesity, high blood pressure, above normal cholesterol and fasting
      blood sugar levels. CONCLUSION: More staff were unaware of their individual
      health risks and the health risks were higher among senior staff and management
      members. Adoption of regular health educational and health promotion activities
      as well as health surveillance procedures is essential to improve health of
      workers and promote positive social climate at the work place.

PMID- 26265931
TI  - COP9-Signalosome deneddylase activity is enhanced by simultaneous neddylation:
      insights into the regulation of an enzymatic protein complex.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cullin-RING ubiquitin ligases (CRLs) are regulated by neddylation,
      which is a post translation modification of the Cullin family proteins.
      Neddylation of Cul1 activates the ligase through some means of biochemical
      mechanisms. The rate of neddylation and its extent are regulated by 2 opposing
      enzymatic processes: neddylation by an enzymatic cascade, and deneddylation by
      COP9-Signalosome (CSN) complex protein. The mechanism by which COP9-Signalosome
      catalytic activity is regulated is not well understood. METHODS: We set an in
      vitro neddylation and deneddylation reaction using as a source for specific
      COP9/Signalosome deneddylase activity either Hela cells extract or purified
      Signalosome. Neddylation reaction of either endogenic Cul1 from Hela cells
      extract or recombinant Cul1 was catalyzed by recombinant neddylation enzymes.
      Deneddylation rate was tested either simultaneous to neddylation or after
      termination of neddylation by using an ATP depleting reaction or by directly
      inhibiting the neddylation activation enzyme named APP-BP1/UBA3 by its specific
      inhibitor MLN-4924. RESULTS: We demonstrated that neddylation and deneddylation
      are catalytically engaged and that inhibition of Cul1 neddylation significantly
      causes a decline in the rate of COP9-Signalosome deneddylase activity. Since
      neddylation is an ATP consuming reaction we managed to isolate the 2 opposing
      processes which surprisingly caused a decline in COP9 activity. Using MLN-4924 we
      demonstrated that direct inhibition of neddylation negatively influences the rate
      of deneddylation. The hypothesis that phosphorylation controls deneddylation was
      ruled out by the fact that no change in the rate of deneddylation was exemplified
      while converting the use of ATP with AMP-PNP. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that
      deneddylation of Cul1 is positively regulated through direct simultaneous
      neddylation and is not dependent upon autophosphorylation. Defining the mechanism
      that regulates neddylation and deneddylation of Cullin proteins is important due
      to their effect on highly conserved cellular processes. We showed that minor
      changes in the degree of Cul1 neddylation linearly control the degree of p27
      conjugation to ubiquitin, which emphasizes the hypothetic physiologic
      significance of our findings.

PMID- 26265932
TI  - SOSORT Award Winner 2015: a multicentre study comparing the SPoRT and ART braces
      effectiveness according to the SOSORT-SRS recommendations.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Data comparing different braces for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis
      (AIS) are scant. The SRS criteria represent some guidelines for comparing results
      from different studies, but controlled studies are much more reliable. Recently,
      super-rigid braces have been introduced in clinical practice with the aim of
      replacing Risser and EDF casts. The aim of the present study is to compare the
      short-term radiographic results of two super-rigid braces, the ART and the SPORT
      (Sforzesco) brace. METHODS: A group of consecutive patients with Cobb >40 degrees
      , Risser 0-4, age >10 treated with the ART brace for 6 months were matched with a
      group of similar patients taken from a prospective database of patients treated
      with the Sforzesco brace. Patients were matched according to Cobb severity,
      pattern and localization of the curve. All patients had a full-time brace
      prescription (23-24 hours per day) and an indication to perform scoliosis
      specific exercises and were assessed radiographically both immediately in the
      brace and after 6 months of treatment out of brace. Curves were analyzed
      according to the pattern and localization taking into consideration both the in
      brace correction and the 6-month out-of-brace results. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: t
      test, ANOVA, linear regression, alpha set at 0.05. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients
      were included in the ART brace group, and 26 in the Sforzesco brace group. At
      baseline, no differences were noted for gender (3 males for each group), age
      (14.1 +/- 0.3 for ART vs 13.9 +/- 0.3 for Sforzesco), ATR (11.8 +/- 3.2 vs 11.5
      +/- 4.2 for thoracic curves and 7.8 +/- 4.0 vs 7.1 +/- 6.1 for
      lumbar/thoracolumbar), Cobb angle (44.8 +/- 2 vs 45.5 +/- 2 for thoracic; 43.8 +/
      2 vs 46.0 +/- 2 for lumbar/thoracolumbar) or Risser sign (median 2 for both
      groups). The in-brace correction was slightly better for the ART brace, but
      didn't reach statistical significance (24.3 +/- 8.5 vs 28.0 +/- 6.8 for thoracic;
      23.7 +/- 10.4 vs 29.9 +/- 4.2 for lumbar/thoracolumbar). At 6 months, results
      were similar both for thoracic (34.4 +/- 10.4 vs34.8 +/- 6.8) and for
      lumbar/thoracolumbar (32.8 +/- 10.8 vs 36.6 +/- 5.2). Also, with regard to the
      pattern, results were similar for double major and for thoracic, while there were
      not enough data for single lumbar to make a comparison. No differences for ATR
      were found (7.8 +/- 3.2 vs 8.6 +/- 2.9 for thoracic; 4.3 +/- 3.4 vs 4.3 +/- 3.7
      for lumbar/thoracolumbar). CONCLUSION: These two super-rigid braces showed
      similar short-term results, despite the better in-brace correction for lumbar
      curves shown by the ART brace. According to our data, the asymmetric design
      showed results similar to the symmetric one. After these preliminary data,
      further studies are needed to check end growth results and the impact of
      compliance, rigidity of curve, exercise and assessing quality of life.

PMID- 26265933
TI  - Erratum to: Inferring interaction type in gene regulatory networks using co
      expression data.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s13015-015-0054-4.]. 

PMID- 26265934
TI  - p16(INK4a)/Ki-67 dual stain cytology for cervical cancer screening in Thika
      district, Kenya.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The identification of suited early detection tests is one among the
      multiple requirements to reduce cervical cancer incidence in developing
      countries. METHODS: We evaluated p16(INK4a)/Ki-67 dual-stain cytology in a
      screening population in Thika district, Kenya and compared it to high-risk human
      papillomavirus (HR-HPV) DNA testing and visual inspection by acetic acid (VIA)
      and Lugol's iodine (VILI). RESULTS: Valid results for all tests could be obtained
      in 477 women. 20.9 % (100/477) were tested positive for HR-HPV DNA, 3.1 %
      (15/477) had positive VIA/VILI and 8.2 % (39/477) positive p16(INK4a)/Ki-67
      cytology. Of 22 women that showed up for colposcopy and biopsy, 6 women were
      diagnosed with CIN3 and two with CIN2. All women with CIN2/3 were negative in
      VIA/VILI screening and positive by HR-HPV DNA testing. But HPV was also positive
      in 91.7 % (11/12) of women with normal histology. p16(INK4a)/Ki-67 cytology was
      positive in all 6 women with CIN3, in one of the two CIN2 and in only 8.3 %
      (1/12) of women with normal histology. CONCLUSIONS: p16(INK4a)/Ki-67 cytology is
      an interesting test for further studies in developing countries, since our
      findings point to a lower fraction of false positive test results using
      p16(INK4a)/Ki-67 cytology compared to HPV DNA testing in a Kenyan screening
      population. VIA/VILI missed all histology-proven CIN2/3.

PMID- 26265935
TI  - Perceptions, attitude and use of family planning services in post conflict Gulu
      district, northern Uganda.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Northern Uganda was severely affected by two decades of civil war
      that led to the displacement and encampment of an estimated 1.6 million
      inhabitants. The objective of this study was to assess community perspectives,
      attitude and factors that influence use of family planning (FP) services in post
      conflict Gulu district. METHODS: We conducted a cross sectional study using
      multistage sampling technique. All three counties in the district were purposely
      selected. Two sub-counties per county and four parishes per sub-county were
      randomly selected. A total of 24 parishes (clusters) and 21 adult heads of
      households per cluster were randomly selected and interviewed. In total, 500
      adults 117 males (23.4 %) and 383 females (76.6 %) were interviewed. We conducted
      8 focus group discussions and 6 key informant interviews with family planning
      managers and service providers. Quantitative data were entered in EPI data and
      analyzed using STATA version 12. Qualitative data were analyzed manually using
      thematic content analysis. RESULTS: Contraceptive prevalence rate was 47.5 %.
      Communities perceive FP as acceptable, beneficial and geographically, temporally
      and financially accessible. Factors associated with FP use included age 26-35
      years (AOR 1.92, 95 % CI 1.18-3.10, p = 0.008), and 36-45 years (AOR 2.27, 95 %
      CI 1.21-4.25, p = 0.010), rural residence (AOR = 0.41, 95 % CI 0.24-0.71, p =
      0.001), cohabitation (AOR = 2.77, 95 % CI 1.15-6.65, p = 0.023), and being a
      farmer (AOR 0.59, 95 % CI 0.35-0.97, p = 0.037). The main reason for non-use of
      family planning was fear of side effects 88.2 %. The main source of FP services
      was government health facilities 94.2 %. CONCLUSION: Use of family planning is
      relatively high and communities view FP services as acceptable, beneficial and
      accessible. Family planning use is mainly determined by age, residence,
      occupation and marital status. Fear of side effects is the main impediment to FP
      use. There is need to increase awareness and effectively manage side effects of
      family planning in the settings.

PMID- 26265938
TI  - A tale of two specialties: primary care and public health.

PMID- 26265936
TI  - Parallel use of shake flask and microtiter plate online measuring devices (RAMOS
      and BioLector) reduces the number of experiments in laboratory-scale stirred tank
      bioreactors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Conventional experiments in small scale are often performed in a
      'Black Box' fashion, analyzing only the product concentration in the final
      sample. Online monitoring of relevant process characteristics and parameters such
      as substrate limitation, product inhibition and oxygen supply is lacking.
      Therefore, fully equipped laboratory-scale stirred tank bioreactors are hitherto
      required for detailed studies of new microbial systems. However, they are too
      spacious, laborious and expensive to be operated in larger number in parallel.
      Thus, the aim of this study is to present a new experimental approach to obtain
      dense quantitative process information by parallel use of two small-scale culture
      systems with online monitoring capabilities: Respiration Activity MOnitoring
      System (RAMOS) and the BioLector device. RESULTS: The same 'mastermix' (medium
      plus microorganisms) was distributed to the different small-scale culture
      systems: 1) RAMOS device; 2) 48-well microtiter plate for BioLector device; and
      3) separate shake flasks or microtiter plates for offline sampling. By adjusting
      the same maximum oxygen transfer capacity (OTRmax), the results from the RAMOS
      and BioLector online monitoring systems supplemented each other very well for all
      studied microbial systems (E. coli, G. oxydans, K. lactis) and culture conditions
      (oxygen limitation, diauxic growth, auto-induction, buffer effects). CONCLUSIONS:
      The parallel use of RAMOS and BioLector devices is a suitable and fast approach
      to gain comprehensive quantitative data about growth and production behavior of
      the evaluated microorganisms. These acquired data largely reduce the necessary
      number of experiments in laboratory-scale stirred tank bioreactors for basic
      process development. Thus, much more quantitative information is obtained in
      parallel in shorter time.

PMID- 26265939
TI  - The future London Journal of Primary Care.

PMID- 26265941
TI  - Can community-oriented primary care help GP commissioning?

PMID- 26265940
TI  - Developing a community-oriented health and well-being service for Cumbria,
      through clinical commissioning: personal reflections.
AB  - This article includes my observations as Director of Public Health in Cumbria of
      success factors of clinical commissioning after a five-year experiment. 

PMID- 26265942
TI  - NHS Future Forum.
AB  - Professor Steve Field led the Future Forum listening exercise during the pause in
      the progress of the Health and Social Care bill earlier this year. The Forum made
      a number of recommendations which led to significant amendments to the bill.
      Following this successful method of engagement, the Prime Minister David Cameron
      asked Professor Field to lead a second phase of the Forum looking at four new
      workstreams. The conclusions from three of the workstreams will inform the
      development of specific pieces of government policy, and in the case of the
      integration workstream consider wider issues about joined up care. 

PMID- 26265937
TI  - Artificial cell-cell communication as an emerging tool in synthetic biology
      applications.
AB  - Cell-cell communication is a widespread phenomenon in nature, ranging from
      bacterial quorum sensing and fungal pheromone communication to cellular crosstalk
      in multicellular eukaryotes. These communication modes offer the possibility to
      control the behavior of an entire community by modifying the performance of
      individual cells in specific ways. Synthetic biology, i.e., the implementation of
      artificial functions within biological systems, is a promising approach towards
      the engineering of sophisticated, autonomous devices based on specifically
      functionalized cells. With the growing complexity of the functions performed by
      such systems, both the risk of circuit crosstalk and the metabolic burden
      resulting from the expression of numerous foreign genes are increasing.
      Therefore, systems based on a single type of cells are no longer feasible.
      Synthetic biology approaches with multiple subpopulations of specifically
      functionalized cells, wired by artificial cell-cell communication systems,
      provide an attractive and powerful alternative. Here we review recent
      applications of synthetic cell-cell communication systems with a specific focus
      on recent advances with fungal hosts. 

PMID- 26265943
TI  - Improving the public health/primary care partnership: a perspective from NHS
      Hounslow.
AB  - The purpose of this article is to set out the importance of the public health
      role for clinical commissioning groups as they develop their role as
      commissioners and work to improve health and reduce inequalities. The article
      describes the experience of Public Health Hounslow that supports the local
      authority (Local Borough of Hounslow) and the emerging Hounslow Clinical
      Commissioning Group (HCCG). I review the roles of public health and primary care
      within the context of the current NHS reforms, and set out the rationale for the
      best ways to facilitate public health/primary care partnerships. 

PMID- 26265944
TI  - University-linked localities.
AB  - In this article, we propose that reframing the old concept of 'academic general
      practices' as 'university-linked localities' will help to integrate the work of
      those leading commissioning, education, research and public health. It will
      provide a 'playground' for different disciplines to creatively interact for the
      benefit of all. 

PMID- 26265945
TI  - West London Primary Care Consortium for Research and Innovation.

PMID- 26265946
TI  - Boundary spanning and health: invitation to a learning community.
AB  - Boundaries, which are essential for the healthy functioning of individuals and
      organisations, can become problematic when they limit creative thought and
      action. In this article, we present a framework for promoting health across
      boundaries and summarise preliminary insights from experience, conversations and
      reflection on how the process of boundary spanning may affect health. Boundary
      spanning requires specific individual qualities and skills. It can be facilitated
      or thwarted by organisational context. Boundary spanning often involves risk, but
      may reap abundant rewards. Boundary spanning is necessary to optimise health and
      health care. Exploring the process, the landscape and resources that enable
      boundary spanning may yield new opportunities for advancing health. We invite
      boundary spanners to join in a learning community to advance understanding and
      health. 

PMID- 26265947
TI  - A global perspective on the education and training of primary care and public
      health professionals.
AB  - Background There is a critical shortage of health workers globally, which is not
      just a problem for low- and middle-income countries, but needs to be tackled
      through shared action. At the same time, public policy around the world is
      responding to changing health needs, social trends and technological
      possibilities by placing ever greater emphasis on primary care and public health,
      the interconnections between them and their relationships with other disciplines.
      All these themes mean that a new approach to the education and training of health
      workers is required. Setting Global, but with relevance to the UK. Question The
      education and training of professionals in public health and primary care need to
      adapt to the changing epidemiological, social, technological and policy
      environment, as well as to health worker shortages and resource constraints.
      Methods This article brings together the results of reviews undertaken by the
      Global Health Workforce Alliance taskforce on scaling up the education and
      training of the health workforce and the Lancet Commission 'Health professionals
      for a new century - transforming education to strengthen health systems in an
      interdependent world' (of both of which the author was a member) with the
      author's own experiences working in Africa, Asia and North America as well as in
      the UK. Results There are obvious differences in the needs and capabilities of
      health systems in different countries, but whatever the context - and whether
      they are high-, low- or middle-income countries - there are many similarities in
      the approach that is needed to educate and train professional and non
      professional health workers, and a great deal that all countries can learn from
      each other. Conclusion/discussion As the NHS enters a new phase in the continuing
      development of general practitioners as commissioners and providers there is a
      need to look for insights from around the world and to develop a new approach to
      educating and training primary care and public health professionals which takes
      account of this global perspective and global learning. 

PMID- 26265948
TI  - Editorial response to Nigel Crisp: Is there consensus to re-design professional
      medical education?

PMID- 26265949
TI  - International sources of learning for the organisation of primary care.
AB  - This article explores the potential to learn from emerging international models
      of primary care organisation. It examines a series of exemplars from Southern
      Europe and Latin America which may help support moves towards a 'new localism' in
      the public management of primary care. Six lessons for the UK are identified. 

PMID- 26265950
TI  - Integrating primary care and public health: learning from the Brazilian way.
AB  - After a long history of vertical programming, specialisation and disintegration,
      general practitioners are now being urged to take on wider commissioning and
      public health responsibilities. The support structures are not in place, and
      integration of primary care with good public health practice is new territory.
      Innovation can be found in unlikely places. The Brazilian government has a 20
      year history of a nationwide, integrated, comprehensive, community health
      programme that seamlessly bridges two important interfaces - between the
      community and primary care, and between primary care and public health. Some
      elements of this approach could be translated into the UK and would likely bring
      about improved clinical care, cost savings, improved understanding of local
      epidemiological variations and therefore commissioning. Understanding this
      approach is the first step to a new way of integrated commissioning, spanning and
      not reinforcing traditional clinical domains. 

PMID- 26265951
TI  - Partnerships between primary healthcare and population health: preventing chronic
      disease in Australia.
AB  - In Australia, partnership working between public health and primary healthcare
      for the prevention and management of chronic disease has been developing
      incrementally since the 2003 consensus statement developed by the Joint Advisory
      Group of the General Practice Partnership Advisory Council and the National
      Public Health Partnership Group. Australia's first national primary healthcare
      strategy (2010) provides a new opportunity to further develop this partnership,
      including multidisciplinary team-working in general practice for chronic disease
      prevention, and a new primary care organisation to oversee population health
      planning and health promotion. The needs of vulnerable and disadvantaged groups
      will be a central focus of the new planning structures. However, major barriers
      continue to frustrate collaborative population based planning and service
      development. Conclusion The jury is still out on how effective the partnership
      between state funded public health service and the new nationally funded primary
      care organisations will be. There is significant overlap in their functions, but
      few formal mechanisms for collaboration have been as yet established. 

PMID- 26265952
TI  - Creating a patient-led NHS: some ethical and epistemological challenges.
AB  - This article responds to the Coalition government's recent Open Public Services
      White Paper and to proposals which call for the creation of a 'patient-led NHS'
      which will, wherever possible, seek to give patients direct control over the
      services they receive, through a greater degree of choice and participation. Its
      central contention is that affording patients greater influence over the
      consultation and commissioning processes will require the NHS to accommodate and
      respond to the beliefs, values and agendas of patients, as well as those of
      medical professionals and policy makers. Since it cannot be assumed that
      professionals and patients will share the same beliefs, values and agendas, the
      creation of a system of patient-led services has the potential to bring
      disagreement between professionals and patients to a head, particularly within
      the consultation and commissioning processes. Thus, a set of complex epistemic
      and ethical challenges accompanies the proposed creation of a 'patient-led NHS',
      greater awareness of which will be necessary for the successful implementation of
      such reforms. 

PMID- 26265953
TI  - An account of my life.
AB  - This is the eighth instalment of the autobiography of John Horder. It was
      originally written for his grandchildren to read. John is a founding father of
      modern general practice. He was doing his medical finals when the NHS was founded
      in 1948 and has been an active advocate of whole person, family and community
      oriented general practice ever since. He was one of the two founders of the
      Leeuwenhorst European Study Group that defined the job description of a general
      practitioner in 1974. He was president of the Royal College of General
      Practitioners between 1979 and 1982. He assisted the setting up of general
      practice educational bodies in several western European countries, especially
      Yugoslavia and Portugal. He has been a tireless supporter of inter-disciplinary
      learning and founded the Centre for the Advancement of Inter-professional
      Education (CAIPE) in 1987. He lives in Primrose Hill with his wife Elizabeth
      June, who was also his partner in general practice. Abridged by Layla Stock
      (Ealing PCT). 

PMID- 26265954
TI  - Reflection.

PMID- 26265955
TI  - Miasmatists and health reforms.

PMID- 26265956
TI  - General practitioners and fitness for work.

PMID- 26265957
TI  - Prenatal parental tobacco smoking, gene specific DNA methylation, and newborns
      size: the Generation R study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Deleterious effects of prenatal tobacco smoking on fetal growth and
      newborn weight are well-established. One of the proposed mechanisms underlying
      this relationship is alterations in epigenetic programming. We selected 506
      newborns from a population-based prospective birth cohort in the Netherlands.
      Prenatal parental tobacco smoking was assessed using self-reporting
      questionnaires. Information on birth outcomes was obtained from medical records.
      The deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) methylation of the growth genes IGF2DMR and H19
      was measured in newborn umbilical cord white blood cells. Associations were
      assessed between parental tobacco smoking and DNA methylation using linear mixed
      models and adjusted for potential confounders. RESULTS: The DNA methylation
      levels of IGF2DMR and H19 in the non-smoking group were median (90 % range), 54.0
      % (44.6-62.0), and 30.0 % (25.5-34.0), in the first trimester only smoking group
      52.2 % (44.5-61.1) and 30.8 % (27.1-34.1), and in the continued smoking group
      51.6 % (43.9-61.3) and 30.2 % (23.7-34.8), respectively. Continued prenatal
      maternal smoking was inversely associated with IGF2DMR methylation (beta = -1.03,
      95 % CI -1.76; -0.30) in a dose-dependent manner (P-trend = 0.030). This
      association seemed to be slightly more profound among newborn girls (beta = 
      1.38, 95 % CI -2.63; -0.14) than boys (beta = -0.72, 95 % CI -1.68; 0.24). H19
      methylation was also inversely associated continued smoking <5 cigarettes/day
      (beta = -0.96, 95 % CI -1.78; -0.14). Moreover, the association between maternal
      smoking and newborns small for gestational age seems to be partially explained by
      IGF2DMR methylation (beta = -0.095, 95 % CI -0.249; -0.018). Among non-smoking
      mothers, paternal tobacco smoking was not associated with IGF2DMR or H19
      methylation. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal smoking is inversely associated with IGF2DMR
      methylation in newborns, which can be one of the underlying mechanisms through
      which smoking affects fetal growth.

PMID- 26265958
TI  - Effect of an Echinacea-Based Hot Drink Versus Oseltamivir in Influenza Treatment:
      A Randomized, Double-Blind, Double-Dummy, Multicenter, Noninferiority Clinical
      Trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Echinacea has antiviral activity against influenza viruses in vitro
      and has traditionally been used for treatment of colds and flu. OBJECTIVES: This
      randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, multicenter, controlled clinical trial
      compared a new echinacea formulation with the neuraminidase inhibitor
      oseltamivir, the gold standard treatment for influenza. METHODS: Following
      informed consent, 473 patients with early influenza symptoms (<=48 hours) were
      recruited in primary care in the Czech Republic and randomized to either 5 days
      of oseltamivir followed by 5 days of placebo, or 10 days of an Echinacea purpurea
      based formulation called Echinaforce Hotdrink (A. Vogel Bioforce AG, Roggwil,
      Switzerland). The proportion of recovered patients (influenza symptoms rated as
      absent or mild in the evening) was analyzed for noninferiority between treatment
      groups using a generalized Wilcoxon test with significance level alpha = 0.05 (2
      sided) and using a CI approach in the per-protocol sample. RESULTS: Recovery from
      illness was comparable in the 2 treatment groups at 1.5% versus 4.1% after 1 day,
      50.2% versus 48.8% after 5 days, and 90.1% versus 84.8% after 10 days of
      treatment with Echinaforce Hotdrink and oseltamivir, respectively. Noninferiority
      was demonstrated for each day and overall (95% CI, 0.487-0.5265 by generalized
      Wilcoxon test). Very similar results were obtained in the group with
      virologically confirmed influenza virus infections and in a retrospective
      analysis during the peak influenza period. The incidence of complications was
      lower with Echinaforce Hotdrink than with oseltamivir (2.46% vs 6.45%; P = 0.076)
      and fewer adverse events (particularly nausea and vomiting) were observed with
      Echinaforce Hotdrink. CONCLUSIONS: Echinaforce Hotdrink is as effective as
      oseltamivir in the early treatment of clinically diagnosed and virologically
      confirmed influenza virus infections with a reduced risk of complications and
      adverse events. It appears to be an attractive treatment option, particularly
      suitable for self-care. Clinical trial identifier: Eudra-CT: 2010-021571-88.
      (Curr Ther Res Clin Exp. 2015; 77:66-72).

PMID- 26265959
TI  - Approach to Management of Intravascular Missile Emboli: Review of the Literature
      and Case Report.

PMID- 26265960
TI  - Poisonings with Suicidal Intent Aged 0-21 Years Reported to Poison Centers 2003
      12.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Few studies explore the clinical features of youth suicide by
      poisoning. The use of both social and clinical features of self-poisoning with
      suicidal intent could be helpful in enhancing existing and creating new
      prevention strategies. We sought to characterize self-poisonings with suicide
      intent in ages 0 to 21 years reported to three regional poison control centers
      from 2003-2012. METHODS: This study was a blinded retrospective review of
      intentional self-poisonings by those age 21 or younger captured by the Poison
      Information Control Network. Age, sex, substance(s) used, medical outcome,
      management site, clinical effects, and therapies were described using counts and
      percentages and analyzed using chi-square tests. We analyzed the medical outcome
      ranging from no effect to death using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Serious medical
      outcome was defined as death or major outcome. RESULTS: We analyzed a total of
      29,737 cases. The majority were females (20,945;70.5%), of whom 274 (1.3%) were
      pregnant. Most cases were 15-18 year olds (15,520;52.2%). Many experienced no
      effects (9,068;30.5%) or minor medical outcomes (8,612;29%). Males had more
      serious medical outcomes (p<0.0001), but females were more likely to be admitted
      to a critical care unit (p<0.0001). There were 17 deaths (0.06%), most in males
      (10;p=0.008). Of the 52 substances reported in the death cases, 12 (23.1%) were
      analgesics. In eight (47.1%) of the deaths, over two substances were used.
      Overall, drowsiness/lethargy (7,097;19.3%) and single-dose charcoal (8,815;16.3%)
      were frequently reported. Nearly 20% were admitted to critical care units
      (5,727;19.3%) and 28.7% went to psychiatric facilities (8,523). Of those admitted
      to hospitals (8,203), nearly 70% (5,727) required critical care units. Almost
      half <10 years old were evaluated and released (43;47.2%). Of the 114 reported
      substances for this population, 22.8% involved psychotropic medications, 15.8%
      analgesics, and 14% Attention Deficit-Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) medications.
      Analgesics (13,539;33.6%) were the most common medication category used by all
      age groups. Typically only one substance (20,549;69.1%) was used. CONCLUSION:
      Undiagnosed ADHD may be a potential underlying cause for self-harming behaviors
      in the very young. Gender-specific suicide prevention strategies may be more
      effective at identifying those at risk than traditional measures alone. Further
      study into admitting practices by emergency physicians is needed to understand
      the difference in critical care admission rates based on gender. Once identified
      to be at-risk for suicidal behavior, access to analgesics and psychotropics
      should be monitored by care-givers especially in those between the ages of 15-18.

PMID- 26265961
TI  - Prehospital Evaluation of Effusion, Pneumothorax, and Standstill (PEEPS): Point
      of-care Ultrasound in Emergency Medical Services.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: In the United States, there are limited studies regarding use of
      prehospital ultrasound (US) by emergency medical service (EMS) providers. Field
      diagnosis of life-threatening conditions using US could be of great utility. This
      study assesses the ability of EMS providers and students to accurately interpret
      heart and lung US images. METHODS: We tested certified emergency medical
      technicians (EMT-B) and paramedics (EMT-P) as well as EMT-B and EMT-P students
      enrolled in prehospital training programs within two California counties.
      Participants completed a pre-test of sonographic imaging of normal findings and
      three pathologic findings: pericardial effusion, pneumothorax, and cardiac
      standstill. A focused one-hour lecture on emergency US imaging followed. Post
      tests were given to all EMS providers immediately following the lecture and to a
      subgroup one week later. RESULTS: We enrolled 57 prehospital providers (19 EMT-B
      students, 16 EMT-P students, 18 certified EMT-B, and 4 certified EMT-P). The mean
      pre-test score was 65.2%+/-12.7% with mean immediate post-test score of 91.1%+/
      7.9% (95% CI [22%-30%], p<0.001). Scores significantly improved for all three
      pathologic findings. Nineteen subjects took the one-week post-test. Their mean
      score remained significantly higher: pre-test 65.8%+/-10.7%; immediate post-test
      90.5%+/-7.0% (95% CI [19%-31%], p<0.001), one-week post-test 93.1%+/-8.3% (95% CI
      [21%-34%], p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Using a small sample of EMS providers and
      students, this study shows the potential feasibility for educating prehospital
      providers to accurately identify images of pericardial effusion, pneumothorax,
      and cardiac standstill after a focused lecture.

PMID- 26265962
TI  - Recommendations from the Council of Residency Directors (CORD) Social Media
      Committee on the Role of Social Media in Residency Education and Strategies on
      Implementation.
AB  - Social media (SM) is a form of electronic communication through which users
      create online communities and interactive platforms to exchange information,
      ideas, messages, podcasts, videos, and other user-generated content. Emergency
      medicine (EM) has embraced the healthcare applications of SM at a rapid pace and
      continues to explore the potential benefit for education. Free Open Access
      Meducation has emerged from the ever-expanding collection of SM interactions and
      now represents a virtual platform for sharing educational media. This guidance
      document constitutes an expert consensus opinion for best practices in the use of
      SM in EM residency education. The goals are the following: 1) Recommend adoption
      of SM as a valuable graduate medical education (GME) tool, 2) Provide advocacy
      and support for SM as a GME tool, and 3) Recommend best practices of educational
      deliverables using SM. These guidelines are intended for EM educators and
      residency programs for the development and use of a program-specific SM presence
      for residency education, taking into account appropriate SM stewardship that
      adheres to institution-specific guidelines, content management, Accreditation
      Council for GME milestone requirements, and integration of SM in EM residency
      curriculum to enhance the learner's experience. Additionally, potential obstacles
      to the uptake of SM as an educational modality are discussed with proposed
      solutions.

PMID- 26265963
TI  - Demographic, Operational, and Healthcare Utilization Factors Associated with
      Emergency Department Patient Satisfaction.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The primary aim of this study was to determine which objectively
      measured patient demographics, emergency department (ED) operational
      characteristics, and healthcare utilization frequencies (care factors) were
      associated with patient satisfaction ratings obtained from phone surveys
      conducted by a third-party vendor for patients discharged from our ED. METHODS:
      This is a retrospective, observational analysis of data obtained between
      September 2011 and August 2012 from all English- and Spanish-speaking patients
      discharged from our ED who were contacted by a third-party patient satisfaction
      vendor to complete a standardized nine-item telephone survey by a trained phone
      surveyor. We linked data from completed surveys to the patient's electronic
      medical record to abstract additional demographic, ED operational, and healthcare
      utilization data. We used univariate ordinal logistic regression, followed by two
      multivariate models, to identify significant predictors of patient satisfaction.
      RESULTS: We included 20,940 patients for analysis. The overall patient
      satisfaction ratings were as follows: 1=471 (2%); 2=558 (3%); 3=2,014 (10%),
      4=5,347 (26%); 5=12,550 (60%). Factors associated with higher satisfaction
      included race/ethnicity (Non-Hispanic Black; Hispanic patients), age (patients
      >=65), insurance (Medicare), mode of arrival (arrived by bus or on foot), and
      having a medication ordered in the ED. Patients who felt their medical condition
      did not improve, those treated in our ED behavioral health area, and those
      experiencing longer wait times had reduced satisfaction. CONCLUSION: These
      findings provide a basis for development and evaluation of targeted interventions
      that could be used to improve patient satisfaction in our ED.

PMID- 26265964
TI  - Differences in Presentation and Management of Pediatric Facial Lacerations by
      Type of Health Insurance.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Limited data are available regarding differences in presentation
      and management of pediatric emergency department (PED) patients based on
      insurance status. The objective of the study was to assess the difference in
      management of pediatric facial lacerations based on medical insurance status.
      METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study with universal sampling of
      patients with facial lacerations who were treated in an urban PED (45K
      visits/year) over a one-year period. Demographic features and injury
      characteristics for patients with commercial (private) insurance and those with
      Medicaid or Medicare (public) insurance were compared. RESULTS: Of 1235 children
      included in the study, 667 (54%) had private insurance and 485 (39%) had public
      insurance. The two groups did not differ in age or gender, arrival by ambulance,
      location of injury occurrence, mechanism of injury, part of face involved, length
      or depth of laceration, use of local anesthetic, or method of repair but differed
      in acuity assigned at triage. Patients with public insurance were found less
      likely to have subspecialty consultation in bivariable (OR=0.41, 95% CI [0.24
      0.68]) and multivariable logistic regression analyses (OR=0.45, 95% CI [0.25
      0.78]). Patients with public insurance received procedural sedation significantly
      less often than those with private insurance (OR=0.48, 95% CI [0.29-0.76]). This
      difference was not substantiated in multivariable models (OR=0.74, 95% CI [0.40
      1.31]). CONCLUSION: Patients with public insurance received less subspecialty
      consultation compared to privately insured patients despite a similarity in the
      presentation and characteristics of their facial lacerations. The reasons for
      these disparities require further investigation.

PMID- 26265965
TI  - Predictors of Linkage to Care for Newly Diagnosed HIV-Positive Adults.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Linkage to care following a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
      diagnosis is critical. In the U.S. only 69% of patients are successfully linked
      to care, which results in delayed receipt of antiretroviral therapy leading to
      immune system dysfunction and risk of transmission to others. METHODS: We
      evaluated predictors of failure to link to care at a large urban healthcare
      center in Philadelphia in order to identify potential intervention targets. We
      conducted a cohort study between May 2007 and November 2011 at hospital
      affiliated outpatient clinics, emergency departments (EDs), and inpatient units.
      RESULTS: Of 87 patients with a new HIV diagnosis, 63 (72%) were linked to care:
      23 (96%) from the outpatient setting and 40 (63%) from the hospital setting (ED
      or inpatient) (p<0.01). Those who were tested in the hospital-based settings were
      more likely to be black (p=0.01), homeless (p=0.03), and use alcohol or drugs
      (p=0.03) than those tested in the outpatient clinics. Patients tested in the ED
      or inpatient units had a 10.9 fold (p=0.03) higher odds of failure to link
      compared to those diagnosed in an outpatient clinic. When testing site was
      controlled, unemployment (OR 12.2;p<0.01) and substance use (OR 6.4;p<0.01) were
      associated with failure to link. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate the
      comparative success of linkage to care in outpatient medical clinics versus
      hospital-based settings. This study both reinforces the importance of routine opt
      out HIV testing in outpatient practices, and demonstrates the need to better
      understand barriers to linkage.

PMID- 26265966
TI  - How do Medical Societies Select Science for Conference Presentation? How Should
      They?
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Nothing has been published to describe the practices of medical
      societies in choosing abstracts for presentations at their annual meetings. We
      surveyed medical societies to determine their practices, and also present a
      theoretical analysis of the topic. METHODS: We contacted a convenience sample of
      large U.S. medical conferences, and determined their approach to choosing
      abstracts. We obtained information from web sites, telephone, and email. Our
      theoretical analysis compares values-based and empirical approaches for scoring
      system development. RESULTS: We contacted 32 societies and obtained data on 28
      (response rate 88%). We excluded one upon learning that research was not
      presented at its annual meeting, leaving 27 for analysis. Only 2 (7%) made their
      abstract scoring process available to submitters. Reviews were blinded in most
      societies (21;78%), and all but one asked reviewers to recuse themselves for
      conflict of interest (96%). All required >=3 reviewers. Of the 24 providing
      information on how scores were generated, 21 (88%) reported using a single
      gestalt score, and three used a combined score created from pooled domain
      specific sub-scores. We present a framework for societies to use in choosing
      abstracts, and demonstrate its application in the development of a new scoring
      system. CONCLUSIONS: Most medical societies use subjective, gestalt methods to
      select research for presentation at their annual meetings and do not disclose to
      submitters the details of how abstracts are chosen. We present a new scoring
      system that is transparent to submitters and reviewers alike with an accompanying
      statement of values and ground rules. We discuss the challenges faced in
      selecting abstracts for a large scientific meeting and share the values and
      practical considerations that undergird the new system.

PMID- 26265967
TI  - Validation of ICD-9 Codes for Stable Miscarriage in the Emergency Department.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision (ICD-9)
      diagnosis codes have not been validated for identifying cases of missed abortion
      where a pregnancy is no longer viable but the cervical os remains closed. Our
      goal was to assess whether ICD-9 code "632" for missed abortion has high
      sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV) in identifying patients in the
      emergency department (ED) with cases of stable early pregnancy failure (EPF).
      METHODS: We studied females ages 13-50 years presenting to the ED of an urban
      academic medical center. We approached our analysis from two perspectives,
      evaluating both the sensitivity and PPV of ICD-9 code "632" in identifying
      patients with stable EPF. All patients with chief complaints "pregnant and
      bleeding" or "pregnant and cramping" over a 12-month period were identified. We
      randomly reviewed two months of patient visits and calculated the sensitivity of
      ICD-9 code "632" for true cases of stable miscarriage. To establish the PPV of
      ICD-9 code "632" for capturing missed abortions, we identified patients whose
      visits from the same time period were assigned ICD-9 code "632," and identified
      those with actual cases of stable EPF. RESULTS: We reviewed 310 patient records
      (17.6% of 1,762 sampled). Thirteen of 31 patient records assigned ICD-9 code for
      missed abortion correctly identified cases of stable EPF (sensitivity=41.9%), and
      140 of the 142 patients without EPF were not assigned the ICD-9 code
      "632"(specificity=98.6%). Of the 52 eligible patients identified by ICD-9 code
      "632," 39 cases met the criteria for stable EPF (PPV=75.0%). CONCLUSION: ICD-9
      code "632" has low sensitivity for identifying stable EPF, but its high
      specificity and moderately high PPV are valuable for studying cases of stable EPF
      in epidemiologic studies using administrative data.

PMID- 26265968
TI  - Importance of Decision Support Implementation in Emergency Department Vancomycin
      Dosing.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The emergency department (ED) plays a critical role in the
      management of life-threatening infection. Prior data suggest that ED vancomycin
      dosing is frequently inappropriate. The objective is to assess the impact of an
      electronic medical record (EMR) intervention designed to improve vancomycin
      dosing accuracy, on vancomycin dosing and clinical outcomes in critically ill ED
      patients. METHODS: Retrospective before-after cohort study of all patients
      (n=278) treated with vancomycin in a 60,000-visit Midwestern academic ED (March
      2008 and April 2011) and admitted to an intensive care unit. The primary outcome
      was the proportion of vancomycin doses defined as "appropriate" based on recorded
      actual body weight. We also evaluated secondary outcomes of mortality and length
      of stay. RESULTS: The EMR dose calculation tool was associated with an increase
      in mean vancomycin dose ([14.1+/-5.0] vs. [16.5+/-5.7] mg/kg, p<0.001) and a
      10.3% absolute improvement in first-dose appropriateness (34.3% vs. 24.0%,
      p=0.07). After controlling for age, gender, methicillin-resistant staphylococcus
      aureus infection, and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, 28
      day in-hospital mortality (odds ratio OR 1.72; 95% CI [0.76-3.88], p=0.12) was
      not affected. CONCLUSION: A computerized decision-support tool is associated with
      an increase in mean vancomycin dose in critically ill ED patients, but not with a
      statistically significant increase in therapeutic vancomycin doses. The impact of
      decision-support tools should be further explored to optimize compliance with
      accepted antibiotic guidelines and to potentially affect clinical outcome.

PMID- 26265969
TI  - Point-of-care Ultrasound to Identify Distal Ulnar Artery Thrombosis: Case of
      Hypothenar Hammer Syndrome.
AB  - Hypothenar hammer syndrome (HHS) is a rare condition of distal ulnar artery
      injury and thrombosis secondary to repetitive blunt trauma to the hypothenar
      area. We present a case of HHS for which point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) was
      used as the initial means of imaging, prompting management and disposition
      without further imaging studies ordered in the emergency department (ED). This
      case demonstrates the utility of POCUS to aid the Emergency Physician in the
      diagnosis and management of patients with extremity vascular issues in the ED,
      and details a rarely seen clinical entity in the ED. 

PMID- 26265970
TI  - Choledochal Cyst Mimicking Gallbladder with Stones in a Six-Year-Old with Right
      sided Abdominal Pain.
AB  - Choledochal cysts are rare but serious bile duct abnormalities are found in young
      children, usually during the first year of life.1 They require urgent surgical
      intervention due to the risk of developing cholangiocarcinoma.2 Clinicians should
      consider this diagnosis and perform a point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) when a
      child presents to the emergency department (ED) with findings of jaundice,
      abdominal pain, and the presence of an abdominal mass. We present the case of a
      six-year-old child presenting only with abdominal pain upon arrival to our ED and
      was ultimately diagnosed by POCUS to have a choledochal cyst.

PMID- 26265972
TI  - Esophageal Intubation of an Infant.

PMID- 26265971
TI  - Prochlorperazine-Induced Hemidystonia Mimicking Acute Stroke.
AB  - Prochlorperazine is frequently used in the treatment of refractory nausea and
      migraines. Known side effects include extrapyramidal symptoms such as akathisia
      and dystonia. We report a pregnant patient taking prochlorperazine for
      hyperemesis gravidarum who developed hemidystonia, which triggered an acute code
      stroke response from prehospital, emergency medicine and neurology providers. We
      suspect this report to be the first case of prochlorperazine-induced hemidystonia
      as a stroke mimic.

PMID- 26265973
TI  - Massive Hematochezia from Ascending Colonic Varices.

PMID- 26265974
TI  - Open Ring Sign Diagnostic of Multiple Sclerosis in the Emergency Department.

PMID- 26265975
TI  - Adult Intussusception Secondary to Inflammatory Fibroid Polyp.

PMID- 26265976
TI  - Leriche Syndrome Presenting with Multisystem Vaso-Occlusive Catastrophe.

PMID- 26265977
TI  - Norwegian Scabies.

PMID- 26265978
TI  - Comparison of Preloaded Bougie versus Standard Bougie Technique for Endotracheal
      Intubation in a Cadaveric Model.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: We compared intubating with a preloaded bougie (PB) against
      standard bougie technique in terms of success rates, time to successful
      intubation and provider preference on a cadaveric airway model. METHODS: In this
      prospective, crossover study, healthcare providers intubated a cadaver using the
      PB technique and the standard bougie technique. Participants were randomly
      assigned to start with either technique. Following standardized training and
      practice, procedural success and time for each technique was recorded for each
      participant. Subsequently, participants were asked to rate their perceived ease
      of intubation on a visual analogue scale of 1 to 10 (1=difficult and 10=easy) and
      to select which technique they preferred. RESULTS: 47 participants with variable
      experience intubating were enrolled at an emergency medicine intern airway
      course. The success rate of all groups for both techniques was equal (95.7%). The
      range of times to completion for the standard bougie technique was 16.0-70.2
      seconds, with a mean time of 29.7 seconds. The range of times to completion for
      the PB technique was 15.7-110.9 seconds, with a mean time of 29.4 seconds. There
      was a non-significant difference of 0.3 seconds (95% confidence interval -2.8 to
      3.4 seconds) between the two techniques. Participants rated the relative ease of
      intubation as 7.3/10 for the standard technique and 7.6/10 for the preloaded
      technique (p=0.53, 95% confidence interval of the difference -0.97 to 0.50).
      Thirty of 47 participants subjectively preferred the PB technique (p=0.039).
      CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in success or time to intubation
      between standard bougie and PB techniques. The majority of participants in this
      study preferred the PB technique. Until a clear and clinically significant
      difference is found between these techniques, emergency airway operators should
      feel confident in using the technique with which they are most comfortable.

PMID- 26265979
TI  - Rural Ambulatory Access for Semi-Urgent Care and the Relationship of Distance to
      an Emergency Department.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Availability of timely access to ambulatory care for semi-urgent
      medical concerns in rural and suburban locales is unknown. Further distance to an
      emergency department (ED) may require rural clinics to serve as surrogate EDs in
      their region, and make it more likely for these clinics to offer timely
      appointments. We determined the availability of urgent (within 48 hours) access
      to ambulatory care for non-established visiting patients, and assessed the effect
      of insurance and ability to pay cash on a patient's success in scheduling an
      appointment in rural and suburban Eastern United States. We also assessed how
      proximity to EDs and urgent care (UC) facilities influenced access to semi-urgent
      ambulatory appointments at primary care facilities. METHODS: The Appalachian
      Trail, which runs from Georgia to Maine, was used as a transect to select 190
      rural and suburban primary care clinics located along its entire length. We
      calculated their location and distance to the nearest hospital-based ED or UC via
      Google Earth. A sham patient representing a non-established visiting patient
      called each clinic over a four-month period (2013), requesting an appointment in
      the next 48 hours for one of three scripted clinical vignettes representing
      common semi-urgent ambulatory concerns. We randomized the scenarios and insurance
      statuses (insured vs. uninsured). Each clinic was contacted twice, once with the
      caller representing an insured patient, once with the caller representing an
      uninsured patient. When the caller was representing an uninsured patient, any
      required upfront payment was requested from each clinic. One hundred dollars was
      used as a cutoff between the uninsured as a distinction between those able to
      afford substantial upfront sums and those who could not. To determine if
      proximity to other sources of care impacted a clinic's ability to grant an
      appointment, distance to the nearest ED or UC was modeled as a dichotomous
      variable using 30 miles as the divider. RESULTS: Of 380 requests, 96 (25.3%)
      resulted in appointments within 48 hours. Insured patients and uninsured patients
      able to pay a substantial amount upfront (>$100) were more likely to book an
      appointment (p-value <0.001, OR 18, CI [5-154]). Of the 47 clinics that granted
      uninsured patients appointments 89.3% required some form of payment up front.
      Farther distances from an ED did not result in greater likelihood of an
      appointment (OR 1.7, CI [0.4-11.3]). Clinics located within 30 miles of an UC
      were more likely to grant an appointment (OR 2.45, CI [1.19-5.80]). CONCLUSION:
      Almost 75% of rural clinics were unable to grant a new appointment for a semi
      urgent health complaint. Lack of insurance and large upfront charges appear to be
      significant barriers to rural ambulatory care appointments. Greater distance from
      an ED does not improve a clinic's ability to see semi-urgent appointments.
      Clinics located near an UC were more likely to grant an appointment than clinics
      without close alternative outpatient healthcare options.

PMID- 26265981
TI  - Daily Oxygen/O3 Treatment Reduces Muscular Fatigue and Improves Cardiac
      Performance in Rats Subjected to Prolonged High Intensity Physical Exercise.
AB  - Rats receiving daily intraperitoneal administration of O2 and running on a
      treadmill covered an average distance of 482.8 +/- 21.8 m/week as calculated
      during 5-week observation. This distance was increased in rats receiving daily
      intraperitoneal administration of an oxygen/O3 mixture at a dose of 100; 150; and
      300 MUg/kg with the maximum increase being +34.5% at 300 MUg/kg and still present
      after stopping the administration of oxygen/O3. Oxygen/O3 decreased the mean
      arterial blood pressure (-13%), the heart rate (-6%), the gastrocnemius and
      cardiac hypertrophy, and fibrosis and reduced by 49% the left ventricular mass
      and relative wall thickness measurements. Systolic and diastolic functions were
      improved in exercised oxygen/O3 rats compared to O2 rats. Oxygen/O3 treatment led
      to higher MPI index starting from the dose of 150 MUg/kg (p < 0.05) and more
      effective (+14%) at a dose of 300 MUg/kg oxygen/O3. Oxygen/O3 dose-dependently
      increased the expression of the antioxidant enzymes Mn-SOD and GPx1 and of eNOS
      compared to the exercised O2 rats. The same doses resulted in decrease of LDH
      levels, CPK, TnI, and nitrotyrosine concentration in the heart and gastrocnemius
      tissues, arguing a beneficial effect of the ozone molecule against the fatigue
      induced by a prolonged high intensity exercise. 

PMID- 26265984
TI  - Oxidative Stress-Mediated Reperfusion Injury 2014.

PMID- 26265982
TI  - Plant Natural Products Calycosin and Gallic Acid Synergistically Attenuate
      Neutrophil Infiltration and Subsequent Injury in Isoproterenol-Induced Myocardial
      Infarction: A Possible Role for Leukotriene B4 12-Hydroxydehydrogenase?
AB  - Leukotriene B4 12-hydroxydehydrogenase (LTB4DH) catalyzes the oxidation of
      proinflammatory LTB4 into less bioactive 12-oxo-LTB4. We recently discovered that
      LTB4DH was induced by two different natural products in combination. We
      previously isolated gallic acid from Radix Paeoniae through a bioactivity-guided
      fractionation procedure. The purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that
      LTB4DH inducers may suppress neutrophil-mediated inflammation in myocardial
      infarction. We first isolated the active compound(s) from another plant, Radix
      Astragali, by the similar strategy. By evaluating LTB4DH induction, we identified
      calycosin and formononetin from Radix Astragali by HPLC-ESI-MS technique. We
      confirmed that gallic acid and commercial calycosin or formononetin could
      synergistically induce LTB4DH expression in HepG2 cells and human neutrophils.
      Moreover, calycosin and gallic acid attenuated the effects of LTB4 on the
      survival and chemotaxis of neutrophil cell culture. We further demonstrated that
      calycosin and gallic acid synergistically suppressed neutrophil infiltration and
      protected cardiac integrity in the isoproterenol-induced mice model of myocardial
      infarction. Calycosin and gallic acid dramatically suppressed isoproterenol
      induced increase in myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA)
      level. Collectively, our results suggest that LTB4DH inducers (i.e., calycosin
      and gallic acid) may be a novel combined therapy for the treatment of neutrophil
      mediated myocardial injury. 

PMID- 26265985
TI  - Dietary Polyphenols and Their Effects on Cell Biochemistry and Pathophysiology
      2014.

PMID- 26265983
TI  - Protective Effects of Kaempferol against Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury
      in Isolated Rat Heart via Antioxidant Activity and Inhibition of Glycogen
      Synthase Kinase-3beta.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of kaempferol
      against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats. METHOD: Left
      ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) and its maximum up/down rate (+/-dp/dt max)
      were recorded as myocardial function. Infarct size was detected with 2,3,5
      triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis was determined
      using terminal deoxynucleotidyl nick-end labeling (TUNEL). The levels of creatine
      kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide
      dismutase (SOD), glutathione/glutathione disulfide (GSH/GSSG) ratio, and tumor
      necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were determined using enzyme linked
      immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Moreover, total glycogen synthase kinase-3beta (GSK
      3beta), phospho-GSK-3beta (P-GSK-3beta), precaspase-3, cleaved caspase-3, and
      cytoplasm cytochrome C were assayed using Western blot analysis. RESULTS:
      Pretreatment with kaempferol significantly improved the recovery of LVDP and +/
      dp/dt max, as well as increased the levels of SOD and P-GSK-3beta and GSH/GSSG
      ratio. However, the pretreatment reduced myocardial infarct size and TUNEL
      positive cell rate, as well as decreased the levels of cleaved caspase-3,
      cytoplasm cytochrome C, CK, LDH, MDA, and TNF-alpha. CONCLUSION: These results
      suggested that kaempferol provides cardioprotection via antioxidant activity and
      inhibition of GSK-3beta activity in rats with I/R.

PMID- 26265986
TI  - What is the current role of endoscopy in primary sclerosing cholangitis?
AB  - Endoscopy has important roles in the management of primary sclerosing cholangitis
      (PSC), ranging from narrowing down the differential diagnoses, screening for
      complications, determining prognosis and therapy. While the need for a diagnostic
      endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) may be obviated by a
      positive magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), a negative MRCP does
      not exclude PSC and may therefore necessitate an ERCP, which is traditionally
      regarded as the gold standard. In this editorial we have not covered the
      endoscopic management of inflammatory bowel disease in the context of PSC nor of
      endoscopic surveillance and treatment of portal hypertension complicating PSC. 

PMID- 26265988
TI  - Duodenal adenoma surveillance in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis.
AB  - Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is a hereditary disorder caused by
      Adenomatous Polyposis Gene mutations that lead to the development of colorectal
      polyps with great malignant risk throughout life. Moreover, numerous extracolonic
      manifestations incorporate different clinical features to produce varied
      individual phenotypes. Among them, the occurrence of duodenal adenomatous polyps
      is considered an almost inevitable event, and their incidence rates increase as a
      patient's age advances. Although the majority of patients exhibit different
      grades of duodenal adenomatosis as they age, only a small proportion (1%-5%) of
      patients will ultimately develop duodenal carcinoma. Within this context, the aim
      of the present study was to review the data regarding the epidemiology,
      classification, genetic features, endoscopic features, carcinogenesis,
      surveillance and management of duodenal polyps in patients with FAP. 

PMID- 26265987
TI  - Rare gastrointestinal lymphomas: The endoscopic investigation.
AB  - Gastrointestinal lymphomas represent up to 10% of gastrointestinal malignancies
      and about one third of non-Hodgkin lymphomas. The most prominent histologies are
      mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
      However, the gastrointestinal tract can be the site of rarer lymphoma subtypes as
      a primary or secondary localization. Due to their rarity and the multifaceted
      histology, an endoscopic classification has not been validated yet. This review
      aims to analyze the endoscopic presentation of rare gastrointestinal lymphomas
      from disease diagnosis to follow-up, according to the involved site and lymphoma
      subtype. Existing, new and emerging endoscopic technologies have been examined.
      In particular, we investigated the diagnostic, prognostic and follow-up
      endoscopic features of T-cell and natural killer lymphomas, lymphomatous
      polyposis and mantle cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, plasma cell related
      disease, gastrointestinal lymphomas in immunodeficiency and Hodgkin's lymphoma of
      the gastrointestinal tract. Contrarily to more frequent gastrointestinal
      lymphomas, data about rare lymphomas are mostly extracted from case series and
      case reports. Due to the data paucity, a synergism between gastroenterologists
      and hematologists is required in order to better manage the disease. Indeed,
      clinical and prognostic features are different from nodal and extranodal or the
      bone marrow (in case of plasma cell disease) counterpart. Therefore, the approach
      should be based on the knowledge of the peculiar behavior and natural history of
      disease. 

PMID- 26265989
TI  - Uncommon complications of therapeutic endoscopic ultrasonography: What, why, and
      how to prevent.
AB  - There is an increasing role for endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided interventions
      in the treatment of many conditions. Although it has been shown that these types
      of interventions are effective and safe, they continue to be considered only as
      alternative treatments in some situations. This is in part due to the occurrence
      of complications with these techniques, which can occur even when performed by
      experienced endosonographers. Although common complications have been described
      for many procedures, it is also crucial to be aware of uncommon complications.
      This review describes rare complications that have been reported with several EUS
      guided interventions. EUS-guided biliary drainage is accepted as an alternative
      treatment for malignant biliary obstruction. Most of the uncommon complications
      related to this procedure involve stent malfunction, such as the migration or
      malposition of stents. Rare complications of EUS-guided pancreatic pseudocyst
      drainage can result from air embolism and infection. Finally, a range of uncommon
      complications has been reported for EUS-guided celiac plexus neurolysis,
      involving neural and vascular injuries that can be fatal. The goal of this review
      is to identify possible complications and promote an understanding of how they
      occur in order to increase general awareness of these adverse events with the
      hope that they can be avoided in the future. 

PMID- 26265990
TI  - New technologies and techniques to improve adenoma detection in colonoscopy.
AB  - Adenoma detection rate (ADR) is a key component of colonoscopy quality
      assessment, with a direct link between itself and future mortality from
      colorectal cancer. There are a number of potential factors, both modifiable and
      non-modifiable that can impact upon ADR. As methods, understanding and
      technologies advance, so should our ability to improve ADRs, and thus, reduce
      colorectal cancer mortality. This article will review new technologies and
      techniques that improve ADR, both in terms of the endoscopes themselves and
      adjuncts to current systems. In particular it focuses on effective techniques and
      behaviours, developments in image enhancement, advancement in endoscope design
      and developments in accessories that may improve ADR. It also highlights the key
      role that continued medical education plays in improving the quality of
      colonoscopy and thus ADR. The review aims to present a balanced summary of the
      evidence currently available and does not propose to serve as a guideline. 

PMID- 26265991
TI  - Current role of non-anesthesiologist administered propofol sedation in advanced
      interventional endoscopy.
AB  - Complex and lengthy endoscopic examinations like endoscopic ultrasonography
      and/or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography benefit from deep sedation,
      due to an enhanced quality of examinations, reduced discomfort and anxiety of
      patients, as well as increased satisfaction for both the patients and medical
      personnel. Current guidelines support the use of propofol sedation, which has the
      same rate of adverse effects as traditional sedation with benzodiazepines and/or
      opioids, but decreases the procedural and recovery time. Non-anesthesiologist
      administered propofol sedation has become an option in most of the countries, due
      to limited anesthesiology resources and the increasing evidence from prospective
      studies and meta-analyses that the procedure is safe with a similar rate of
      adverse events with traditional sedation. The advantages include a high quality
      of endoscopic examination, improved satisfaction for patients and doctors, as
      well as decreased recovery and discharge time. Despite the advantages of non
      anesthesiologist administered propofol, there is still a continuous debate
      related to the successful generalization of the procedures. 

PMID- 26265992
TI  - Endoscopic papillectomy: The limits of the indication, technique and results.
AB  - In the majority of cases, duodenal papillary tumors are adenomas or
      adenocarcinomas, but the endoscopy biopsy shows low accuracy to make the correct
      differentiation. Endoscopic ultrasonography and endoscopic retrograde
      cholangiopancreatography are important tools for the diagnosis, staging and
      management of ampullary lesions. Although the endoscopic papillectomy (EP)
      represent higher risk endoscopic interventions, it has successfully replaced
      surgical treatment for benign or malignant papillary tumors. The authors review
      the epidemiology and discuss the current evidence for the use of endoscopic
      procedures for resection, the selection of the patient and the preventive
      maneuvers that can minimize the probability of persistent or recurrent lesions
      and to avoid complications after the procedure. The accurate staging of ampullary
      tumors is important for selecting patients to EP or surgical treatment. Compared
      to surgery, EP is associated with lower morbidity and mortality, and seems to be
      a preferable modality of treatment for small benign ampullary tumors with no
      intraductal extension. The EP procedure, when performed by an experienced
      endoscopist, leads to successful eradication in up to 85% of patients with
      ampullary adenomas. EP is a safe and effective therapy and should be established
      as the first-line therapy for ampullary adenomas. 

PMID- 26265993
TI  - Gastric polyps: Association with Helicobacter pylori status and the pathology of
      the surrounding mucosa, a cross sectional study.
AB  - AIM: To assess the endoscopic characteristics of gastric polyps and their
      association with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) status in a predominantly
      Hispanic population. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of all
      esophagogastroduodenoscopies performed at our institution. Demographic,
      endoscopic and histopathological data were reviewed. Categorization of patients
      into Hispanic and Non-Hispanic was based on self-identification. Patients without
      resection/biopsy were not included in the analysis. Identification of polyps type
      was based on histological examination. One way analysis of variance was used to
      compare continuous variables among different polyp types and Fisher's exact test
      was used compare categorical variables among polyp types. Unadjusted and adjusted
      comparisons of demographic and clinical characteristics were performed according
      to the H. pylori status and polyp type using logistic regressions. RESULTS: Of
      7090 patients who had upper endoscopy, 335 patients had gastric polyps (4.7%).
      Resection or biopsy of gastric polyps was performed in 296 patients (88.4%) with
      a total of 442 polyps removed or biopsied. Of 296 patients, 87 (29%) had
      hyperplastic polyps, 82 (28%) had fundic gland polyps and 5 (1.7%) had
      adenomatous polyps. Hyperplastic polyps were significantly associated with
      positive H. pylori status compared with fundic gland polyps (OR = 4.621; 95%CI:
      1.92-11.13, P = 0.001). Hyperplastic polyps were also found to be significantly
      associated with portal hypertensive gastropathy compared with fundic gland polyps
      (OR = 6.903; 95%CI: 1.41-33.93, P = 0.0174). Out of 296 patients, 30 (10.1%) had
      a follow-up endoscopy with a mean duration of 26 +/- 16.3 mo. Interval
      development of cancer was not noted in any of the patients during follow up
      period. CONCLUSION: Gastric hyperplastic polyps were significantly associated
      with positive H. pylori status and portal hypertensive gastropathy as compared
      with fundic gland polyps.

PMID- 26265994
TI  - Glucose control in critical care.
AB  - Glycemic control among critically-ill patients has been a topic of considerable
      attention for the past 15 years. An initial focus on the potentially deleterious
      effects of hyperglycemia led to a series of investigations regarding intensive
      insulin therapy strategies that targeted tight glycemic control. As knowledge
      accumulated, the pursuit of tight glycemic control among critically-ill patients
      came to be seen as counterproductive, and moderate glycemic control came to
      dominate as the standard practice in intensive care units. In recent years, there
      has been increased focus on the importance of hypoglycemic episodes, glycemic
      variability, and premorbid diabetic status as factors that contribute to outcomes
      among critically-ill patients. This review provides a survey of key studies on
      glucose control in critical care, and aims to deliver perspective regarding
      glycemic management among critically-ill patients. 

PMID- 26265995
TI  - Interpretation of cardiovascular outcome trials in type 2 diabetes needs a
      multiaxial approach.
AB  - In cardiovascular (CV) diabetology a "one-size fits-all" approach needs caution
      as vasculopathy and CV manifestations in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) with
      short disease duration are different as compared to those with longer duration.
      This is of relevance when interpreting results of CV outcome trials as responses
      to any intervention aimed to reduce CV risk might be different in patients with
      established vasculopathy as compared to those without, where also the duration of
      the intervention may play a role. Additionally, the mode-of-action of the
      intervention and its assumed time to peak CV risk modulation need to be taken
      into account: an intervention with possibly immediate effects, like on blood
      pressure or other direct functional dynamic parameters such as endothelial
      function or renal hemodynamics, could likely provide a meaningful impact on CV
      outcomes over a shorter time span than interventions that primarily target
      pathways that work on atherosclerotic processes, organ-remodelling, or vessel
      integrity. We are now faced with CV outcome results to interpret from a plethora
      of outcomes trials in T2D, some of which are testing the CV risk modulation
      predominantly beyond glucose lowering, e.g., as is the case for several trials
      testing the newer therapy classes di-peptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors, glucagon
      like protein-1 receptor analogues and sodium glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors,
      and this paper reviews the data that support a call for a multiaxial approach to
      interpret these results. 

PMID- 26265996
TI  - Aloesin as a medical food ingredient for systemic oxidative stress of diabetes.
AB  - Diabetes is a chronic disease that requires a long term management where
      oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in disease progression and intensifying
      secondary complications. In spite of all the research on diabetes and recent
      advances in diabetes treatments, the reality is that there is no cure for
      diabetes and its devastating complications. While currently available anti
      diabetic therapies are effective in reducing blood glucose level, they are not
      without associated side effects when they are used for a long term applications.
      As a result, physicians and patients are inclining more towards to a safer
      therapy with less serious side effects in the form of medicinal foods and
      botanical alternatives that are suitable for chronic usage. Aloesin, an Aloe
      chromone, has previously been formulated with an aloe polysaccharide to give a
      composition called Loesyn, where it showed significant impact in reducing
      glycosylated hemoglobin, fasting blood glucose, fructosamine and plasma insulin
      level in humans. Radical scavenging activities of chromones and polysaccharides
      from Aloe have also been reported. Here we rationalize the relevance of use of
      Aloesin alone or in a standardized blend with Aloe polysaccharides, as a
      potential medical food to manage systemic oxidative stress and/or high blood
      glucose of diabetes. 

PMID- 26265997
TI  - Limited joint mobility syndrome in diabetes mellitus: A minireview.
AB  - Limited joint mobility syndrome (LJMS) or diabetic cheiroarthropathy is a long
      term complication of diabetes mellitus. The diagnosis of LJMS is based on
      clinical features: progression of painless stiffness of hands and fingers, fixed
      flexion contractures of the small hand and foot joints, impairment of fine motion
      and impaired grip strength in the hands. As the syndrome progresses, it can also
      affect other joints. It is important to properly diagnose such a complication as
      LJMS. Moreover, it is important to diagnose LJMS because it is known that the
      presence of LJMS is associated with micro- and macrovascular complications of
      diabetes. Due to the lack of curative treatment options, the suggested method to
      prevent or decelerate the development of LJMS is improving or maintaining good
      glycemic control. Daily stretching excercises of joints aim to prevent or delay
      progression of joint stiffness, may reduce the risk of inadvertent falls and will
      add to maintain quality of life. 

PMID- 26265998
TI  - Epigenetic profiles of pre-diabetes transitioning to type 2 diabetes and
      nephropathy.
AB  - AIM: To examine DNA methylation profiles in a longitudinal comparison of pre
      diabetes mellitus (Pre-DM) subjects who transitioned to type 2 diabetes mellitus
      (T2DM). METHODS: We performed DNA methylation study in bisulphite converted DNA
      from Pre-DM (n = 11) at baseline and at their transition to T2DM using Illumina
      Infinium HumanMethylation27 BeadChip, that enables the query of 27578 individual
      cytosines at CpG loci throughout the genome, which are focused on the promoter
      regions of 14495 genes. RESULTS: There were 694 CpG sites hypomethylated and 174
      CpG sites hypermethylated in progression from Pre-DM to T2DM, representing
      putative genes involved in glucose and fructose metabolism, inflammation,
      oxidative and mitochondrial stress, and fatty acid metabolism. These results
      suggest that this high throughput platform is able to identify hundreds of
      prospective CpG sites associated with diverse genes that may reflect differences
      in Pre-DM compared with T2DM. In addition, there were CpG hypomethylation changes
      associated with a number of genes that may be associated with development of
      complications of diabetes, such as nephropathy. These hypomethylation changes
      were observed in all of the subjects. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that some
      epigenomic changes that may be involved in the progression of diabetes and/or the
      development of complications may be apparent at the Pre-DM state or during the
      transition to diabetes. Hypomethylation of a number of genes related to kidney
      function may be an early marker for developing diabetic nephropathy.

PMID- 26266000
TI  - Congenital megaurethra in a fetus with Meckel syndrome and in a fetus with female
      pseudoermanphroditism. The first report of these occurrences.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: the purpose of this paper is to report the first case of megaurethra
      in a fetus with Meckel syndrome and in a fetus with femal pseudoermaphroditism.
      RESULTS: the former case refers to a fetus of 13 weeks gestation with the three
      following prominent anomalies, observed by transonic scan and confirmed by
      autopsy: congenital megaurethra, anal atresia, single umbelical artery. The
      latter case refers to a fetus of 18 weeks gestation. Autopsy confirmed penile
      malformation and revealed ovaries in the abdomen. The karyotype was 46,XX with
      normal molecular karytype. The megaurethra was discovered by sonography at 18
      weeks gestation. Autopsy confirmed penile malformation and revealed ovaries in
      the abdomen. The karyotype was 46,XX with normal molecular karyotype (Array-CGH,
      1 Mb of resolution). METHODS: transonic scan, autopsy, karyotype, array-CGH.
      CONCLUSIONS: the first prenatal cases of two genetic syndromes with megaurethra
      have been reported, concening respectively a fetus with Meckel syndrome and a
      fetus with femal pseudoermaphroditism. The latter was confirmed by both autopsy
      and the normal female 46,XX karyotype.

PMID- 26265999
TI  - Comparison between modified Misgav-Ladach and Pfannenstiel-Kerr techniques for
      Cesarean section: review of literature.
AB  - In the last decades cesarean section rates increased in many countries becoming
      the most performed intraperitoneal surgical procedure. Despite its worldwide
      spread, a general consensus on the most appropriate technique to use has not yet
      been reached. The operative technique performed is made chiefly on the basis of
      the individual experience and preference of operators, the characteristics of
      patients, timing and urgency of intervention. We compared the two most known and
      used techniques, modified Misgav-Ladach and traditional Pfannenstiel-Kerr, and
      analyzed their impact on primary, short- and long-term outcomes and outcome
      related to health service use. 

PMID- 26266001
TI  - Tubal primary metastatic choriocarcinoma coexistent with a viable early
      pregnancy: a case report.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: fallopian tube choriocarcinoma coexistent with viable intrauterine
      pregnancy is an extremely rare condition. CASE REPORT: we present the first case
      reported in literature of tubal choriocarcinoma coexistent with viable
      intrauterine pregnancy detected at early gestational age (20 weeks) and
      successfully managed by seriate monitoring of maternal and fetal health status
      until 31 weeks, then treated by cesarean section followed by etoposide,
      methotrexate, actinomycin D, cyclophosphamide, and vincristine (EMA-CO)
      chemotherapy protocol. CONCLUSIONS: the outcome was favorable for both the mother
      and her fetus.

PMID- 26266003
TI  - Comparative study of aCGH and Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) for chromosomal
      microdeletion and microduplication screening.
AB  - BACKGROUND: prenatal genetic diagnosis of rare disorders is undergoing in recent
      years a significant enhancement through the application of methods of massive
      parallel sequencing. Despite the quantity and quality of the data produced, just
      few analytical tools and software have been developed in order to identify
      structural and numerical chromosomal anomalies through NGS, mostly not compatible
      with benchtop NGS platform and routine clinical diagnosis. METHODS: we developed
      technical, bioinformatic, interpretive and validation pipelines for Next
      Generation Sequencing to identify SNPs, indels, aneuploidies, and CNVs (Copy
      Number Variations). RESULTS: we show a new targeted resequencing approach applied
      to prenatal diagnosis. For sample processing we used an enrichment method for
      4,813 genes library preparation; after sequencing our bioinformatic pipelines
      allowed both SNPs analysis for approximately thirty diseases or diseases family
      involved in fetus development and numerical chromosomal anomalies screening.
      CONCLUSIONS: results obtained are compatible with those obtained through the gold
      standard technique, aCGH array, moreover allowing identification of genes
      involved in chromosome deletions or duplications and exclusion of point mutation
      on allele not affected by chromosome aberrations.

PMID- 26266002
TI  - Retrospective study evaluating the performance of a first-trimester combined
      screening for trisomy 21 in an Italian unselected population.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: to assess the performance of a combined first-trimester screening for
      trisomy 21 in an unselected Italian population referred to a specialized private
      center for prenatal medicine. METHODS: a retrospective validation of first
      trimester screening algorithms [risk calculation based on maternal age and nuchal
      translucency (NT) alone, maternal age and serum parameters (free beta-hCG and
      PAPP-A) alone and a combination of both] for fetal aneuploidies evaluated in an
      unselected Italian population at Artemisia Fetal-Maternal Medical Centre in Rome.
      All measurements were performed between 11(+0) and 13(+6) weeks of gestation,
      between April 2007 and December 2008. RESULTS: of 3,610 single fetuses included
      in the study, we had a complete follow-up on 2,984. Fourteen of 17 cases of
      trisomy 21 were detected when a cut-off of 1:300 was applied [detection rate (DR)
      82.4%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 64.2-100; false-positive rate (FPR) 4.7%, 95%
      CI 3.9-5.4; false-negative rate (FNR) 17.6%, 95% CI 0-35.8%]. CONCLUSION: in our
      study population the detection rate for trisomy 21, using the combined risk
      calculation based on maternal age, fetal NT, maternal PAPP-A and free beta-hCG
      levels, was superior to the application of either parameter alone. The algorithm
      has been validated for first trimester screening in the Italian population.

PMID- 26266004
TI  - Antenatal diagnosis of Seckel Syndrome: a rare case report.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Seckel Syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder
      characterized by dwarfism, microcephaly and the absence of visceral
      malformations. CASE REPORT: we observed sonographic features of a Seckel
      Syndrome, in a patient during the 24th week of pregnancy. Her family history was
      negative for malformation and chromosomal disorders. The diagnosis was later
      confirmed by molecular tests. CONCLUSION: diagnosis should be made only by expert
      operators. Karyotype analysis is essential to confirm the diagnosis.

PMID- 26266005
TI  - Adenocarcinoma of Small Bowel.
AB  - Small bowel cancer is one of the rarest cancers in the gastrointestinal tract.
      The diagnosis is usually late and most patients presented with the advanced
      stage. Because of this rarity, there is limited data when making decisions for
      treatment and biological behavior. Most forms of the cancer occur in the duodenum
      with surgery being the treatment of choice if the cancer is operable.
      Chemotherapy has an accepted role in duodenal cancer, with the best form being
      regimen, which yields the best result in combination with capecitabin and
      oxaliplatin. Our case patient was present with liver metastasis and a huge mass
      in her first duodenal region so we were required to use chemotherapy and
      radiotherapy. Like other duodenal cancers, the metastasis decreased her survival
      and she died about 13 months after diagnosis. 

PMID- 26266006
TI  - Chronic Long Standing Shoulder Pain, Caused by Glomus Tumor.
AB  - Chronic shoulder pain can be caused by muscle, bone and joint inflammatory and
      tumoral lesions; however, chronic shoulder pain secondary to benign vascular
      tumor called glomus tumor is an extremely rare occurrence. To the best of our
      knowledge less than 15 cases of chronic shoulder pain have been reported
      secondary to glomus tumor. Herein we report our experience with a young lady who
      presented with chronic shoulder pain which turned out to be caused by a soft
      tissue glomus tumor. This case has also been unique because if its large size
      (about 5 cm in greatest diameter). 

PMID- 26266007
TI  - Large Malignant Phyllodes Tumor of the Breast with Metastases to the Lungs.
AB  - Phyllodes tumors of the breast account for less than 0.5% of breast cancers and
      present most commonly in women 45 to 49 years old. The importance in managing
      fibroepithelial lesions lies in distinguishing fibroadenomas, which are benign,
      from phyllodes tumors, which can be malignant and require complete surgical
      excision. We report the case of a 56-year-old female who presented with a rapidly
      enlarging mass in her right breast 18 cm in maximum dimension that completely
      effaced the breast and distorted the nipple. The patient underwent a successful
      total mastectomy after core biopsy revealed a diagnosis of phyllodes tumor.
      Surgical resection is the primary treatment modality; neoadjuvant and adjuvant
      therapies remain controversial. Here, we report the case of a large malignant
      phyllodes tumor metastatic to the lungs, review the literature, and discuss
      diagnostic modalities and adjunct nonsurgical therapies. 

PMID- 26266008
TI  - Amelanotic Melanoma Presenting with Plasmacytoid Morphology and BRAF V600
      Mutation.
AB  - Plasmacytoid melanoma is an unusual variant of malignant melanoma. The
      plasmacytoid morphology can be found in a variety of other malignancies including
      carcinomas, plasma cell neoplasms, lymphoproliferative disorders, and sarcomas.
      The authors report a rare case of plasmacytoid amelanotic malignant melanoma in a
      78-year-old man presenting with an enlarging palpable, erythematous mass on his
      left posterior shoulder. A fine needle aspirate showed atypical findings with
      single amelanotic cells with high nuclear to cytoplasmic ratio, mono- and multi
      nucleation with prominent nucleoli and intranuclear inclusions. Review of the
      excision and immunohistochemical analysis revealed the malignant plasmacytoid
      cells stained with vimentin, S-100, HMB-45, and other staining patterns
      consistent with melanoma. Initial evaluation was negative for other sites of
      disease. However, 4 months later, the patient was noted to have metastatic
      disease to his lungs and liver. Given that the tumor was noted to be BRAF V600R
      mutated, the patient was started on single agent dabrafenib. The plasmacytoid
      morphology can be found in a variety of malignancies. Melanoma should be
      considered in the differential diagnosis of any malignancy presenting with
      plasmacytoid features. 

PMID- 26266009
TI  - CD10 Positive Recurrent Undifferentiated Mammary Sarcoma in a Young Female: A
      Rare Case Report with Brief Review of Literature.
AB  - Undifferentiated mammary sarcoma is extremely rare and the diagnosis is made only
      after exclusion of metaplastic carcinomas and malignant phyllodes tumor. Mammary
      sarcomas mostly display specified entities like liposarcomas or angiosarcomas. A
      18-year-old female presented in 2010 with a right breast lump for which
      lumpectomy was done and on histopathological examination benign phyllodes tumor
      was diagnosed. In 2011, there was a recurrence at site of excised margin and on
      fine needle aspiration (FNA) the diagnosis of benign breast disease was made; a
      small biopsy was received for which diagnosis of myoepithelial lesion was given.
      Then, the whole mass was excised, but histopathological examination report could
      not be followed up. In 2013, she again presented with a mass arising from the
      previously excised margin; on FNA, it was diagnosed as malignant sarcomatous
      lesion. Microscopy showed spindle shaped cells in diffuse and fascicular pattern
      with plump ovoid nuclei; coarse chromatin and eosinophilic cytoplasm were seen.
      Few round to ovoid cells with eccentric nuclei and showing bi- or multi
      nucleation were present. Large area of necrosis and hemorrhage was present, too.
      No breast glands were found. Later on, diagnosis was confirmed on
      immunohistochemical examination. The case was considered worth due to the young
      age of the patient and lack of differentiation of the lesion in any specific type
      of sarcoma and CD10 positivity. 

PMID- 26266010
TI  - Gastric Metastasis of Triple Negative Invasive Lobular Carcinoma.
AB  - Invasive lobular carcinomas are the second most common type (5% to 15%) of
      invasive breast carcinomas. The most frequent sites of breast cancer metastasis
      are the local and distant lymph nodes, brain, lung, liver, and bones; metastasis
      to the gastrointestinal system, especially to the stomach, is rare. When a mass
      is detected in an unusual place in a patient with invasive lobular carcinoma, it
      should be kept in mind that such a mass may be either a second primary carcinoma
      or the metastasis of an invasive lobular carcinoma. In this report, we present a
      case of gastric metastasis from triple-negative invasive lobular breast cancer.
      It is important to make an accurate diagnosis by distinguishing gastric
      metastasis from breast cancer in order to select the best initial treatment for
      systemic diseases of breast cancer. Considering our case, healthcare
      professionals should take into account that cases with invasive lobular breast
      cancer may experience unusual metastases. 

PMID- 26266011
TI  - Breast Metastasis from Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma in a Male Patient: Case Report
      and Review of the Literature.
AB  - Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a rare malignancy that may metastasize to
      liver, lungs and bones. Breast is an unusual metastatic site for MTC and only 20
      female cases have been reported in the literature. We present a male patient in
      whom histological examination and immunohistochemistry of a breast mass were
      indicative of breast metastasis from MTC. A 67-year-old man with recent diagnosis
      of MTC and metastases to cervical and upper mediastinum lymph nodes was referred
      to our department for further treatment. At first evaluation, diagnostic imaging
      techniques showed lung and bone metastases and three months later the presence of
      liver metastases. Due to the extension of the disease, treatment with vandetanib
      was decided, but serious adverse events led to its interruption after two weeks.
      During follow-up, patient developed a painful swelling in the right breast.
      Ultrasound and mammography showed the presence of multiple masses to the right
      breast suspicious for malignancy. Core needle biopsy and histological examination
      of the specimen confirmed the presence of metastatic MTC. Palliative external
      beam irradiation was used to relieve local pain and, after one month, the patient
      died. Consequently, breast masses should be cautiously evaluated, mainly in the
      presence of a known primary malignancy. Histological and/or cytopathological
      examination are requisite diagnostic tools, while external beam irradiation and
      tyrosine kinase inhibitors may be used as palliative therapies in the concurrent
      presence of breast metastases from MTC. 

PMID- 26266012
TI  - Large Mid-Esophageal Granular Cell Tumor: Benign Versus Malignant.
AB  - Granular cell tumors are rare soft tissue neoplasms, among which only 2% are
      malignant, arising from nervous tissue. Here we present a case of a large
      esophageal granular cell tumor with benign histopathological features which
      metastasized to the liver, but showing on positron emission tomography
      computerized tomography standardized uptake value suggestive of a benign lesion. 

PMID- 26266013
TI  - Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology of Chondroid Tenosynovial Giant Cell Tumor of the
      Hand.
AB  - Giant cell tumor (GCT) of tendon sheath is a localized form of tenosynovial GCT,
      which preferentially affects the joints of hands and feet. Chondroid metaplasia
      is a rare phenomenon in tenosynovial GCT either in localized or diffuse types.
      The current case investigates the cytological and histopathological features of
      chondroid GCT of tendon sheath in a 22-year-old female presenting with wrist
      swelling. 

PMID- 26266014
TI  - Pediatric Metastatic Odontogenic Ghost Cell Carcinoma: A Multimodal Treatment
      Approach.
AB  - Odontogenic ghost cell carcinoma (OGCC) is a rare and aggressive tumor wherein
      optimal treatment remains uncertain. We report the first pediatric metastatic
      OGCC case treated with multimodal therapy: surgery, adjuvant chemoradiation, and
      adjuvant immunotherapy. Adjuvant therapy was utilized due to locally advanced
      disease with pathologic features indicative of high recurrence risk. This
      multimodal approach was modeled after management of primary head and neck cancer,
      where adjuvant chemoradiation and immunotherapy are associated with improved
      outcomes. Our patient is alive and disease free at 14 months indicating a
      potentially positive role for multimodal therapy in the management of OGCC. 

PMID- 26266015
TI  - An Unusual Presentation of Cystic Nephroma in an Adult Man.
AB  - Cystic nephroma (CN) is an uncommon, benign lesion of the kidney, whose clinical
      presentation is nonspecific with symptoms such as flack pain, hematuria and
      urinary tract infection. There are two peaks in the incidence of the tumor, with
      a bimodal distribution presenting in children between three months and two years,
      and in adults over 30-years of age. We report a case of CN in the middle part of
      the left kidney in a 66-year-old male that presented with a singular unilocular,
      well-circumscribed cyst containing numerous calcifications on the walls and with
      unremarkable thin or relatively thicker septa from the border with the renal
      parenchyma, but no solid components. Laparoscopic nephrectomy was performed.
      Images, histopathological and immunohistochemical features, that are potentially
      useful for refining this lesion, are discussed. 

PMID- 26266016
TI  - Digital Papillary Adenocarcinoma: Presentation, Natural History and Management.
AB  - Digital papillary adenocarcinoma (DPA) is a rare malignant tumor of the sweat
      glands that often presents as a solitary painless mass on the digits of the hands
      or feet. We present a rare case of DPA on the ankle in a 54 year-old African
      American man. Although the most common location for digital papillary
      adenocarcinoma is on the hands and feet, it can present in other locations.
      Treatment modalities and concerns such as the level of margin resection, degree
      of negative margins, and the need for a sentinel lymph node biopsy might be
      different if the tumor is encountered in locations other than the digits. In the
      following manuscript, we discuss the natural history of this rare tumor including
      a review of the current literature with emphasis on documented treatment
      strategies as well as the approach in treating patients with a unique
      presentation. 

PMID- 26266017
TI  - High Grade Leiomyosarcoma Mimicking a Recurrent Angiomyxoma in the Perineum.
AB  - Perineal leiomyosarcoma is an extremely rare and aggressive cancer with a high
      metastatic potential and no defined standard treatment. There are only a few
      (six) reported cases in the literature. We report the case of a 67-year-old woman
      with a perineal leiomyosarcoma arising at the same site of a previously resected
      superficial angiomyxoma. Initially, she was treated for a presumptive recurrence
      of angiomyxoma. As she did not respond to medical therapy, she underwent repeat
      surgical excision. Pathology revealed a high grade leiomyosarcoma, histologically
      strikingly distinct from the initial diagnosis. She received adjuvant local
      radiation therapy, and remains without evidence of recurrent disease 36 months
      after completion of all therapy. This is the first reported case of a high grade
      perineal leiomyosarcoma originating at the same site as a resected benign
      superficial angiomyxoma. Our case emphasizes the necessity of a prompt
      histological diagnosis in cases of presumed recurrent perineal angiomyxoma. 

PMID- 26266018
TI  - Trabecular Variant of Juvenile Aggressive Ossifying Fibroma.
AB  - Juvenile aggressive ossifying fibroma (JAOF) is an uncommon benign lesion which
      is distinctly aggressive in behavior with high tendency for recurrence. It
      appears in early age and in 79% of patients is diagnosed before 15. It has two
      histological variants: psammomatoid and trabecular, with the latter being less
      common with a stronger tendency to recur. In this article, we present a case of
      trabecular JAOF, in which treatment could not be given despite the availability
      of all requisites for surgery and good financial status, due to parental
      indifference and negligence. 

PMID- 26266019
TI  - Clinical Activity of Pazopanib in Metastatic Extraosseous Ewing Sarcoma.
AB  - We report a response to pazopanib in a 69-year-old man with heavily pre-treated
      metastatic extraosseous Ewing sarcoma in addition to molecular profiling of his
      tumor. To our knowledge, this case is the earliest to demonstrate activity of an
      oral multi-targeted kinase inhibitor in Ewing sarcoma. This case provides
      rationale for adding a Ewing sarcoma arm to SARC024, a phase II study of
      regorafenib, another multi-targeted kinase inhibitor, in patients with
      liposarcoma, osteosarcoma and Ewing and Ewing-like sarcomas (NCT02048371). This
      national multi-institutional study is ongoing. 

PMID- 26266020
TI  - Socio-Cultural Context and Feelings of Hatred and Revenge in War Veterans with
      Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder 15 Years after War in Kosovo.
AB  - We aimed to assess, in socio-cultural context, the level of hatred and revenge in
      war veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The sampling frame
      consisted of 215 Kosova War veterans, randomly selected. The Harvard Trauma
      Questionnaire was used to assess the prevalence of PTSD and Manchester Short
      Assessment of Life was used to assess social satisfactions. The participants were
      asked to declare the strength of feelings of hatred and revenge in the four
      preceding weeks by using four items scale: not at all, a little bit/sometimes, a
      lot and extremely. Willingness for action of veterans was assessed using three
      item scale: yes, no or maybe. A probability level of 0.05 was adopted to be
      considered as statistically significant for differences among groups. DSM-IV-TR
      criteria for PTSD (very similar to DSM-V) were met by 52.6% of veterans; the data
      have confirmed existence of thoughts and fantasies of revenge against opposing
      forces by 42.8% veterans; at the same level 42.8% manifested feelings of hatred.
      Fantasies of taking revenge a lot was recorded by 19.5% and extremely by 1.4% of
      veterans, while hateful thoughts at level a lot were likely expressed by 22.3%
      and extreme by 2.8% of veterans. It is important to note that 84.7% were
      confident to act based on their beliefs. Social-economic and cultural factors
      have played major role in the understanding of psychological problems of
      traumatized individuals with a direct impact on their ability to function
      socially. This study has confirmed the urgent need for the establishment of
      psychological rehabilitation programs as well as programs for the social and
      economic rehabilitation of War Veterans. 

PMID- 26266021
TI  - Diagnostic Stability of Acute and Transient Psychotic Disorders in Developing
      Country Settings: An Overview.
AB  - Acute and transient psychotic disorders (ATPD), introduced in the International
      Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) diagnostic system in 1992, are not receiving
      much attention in developing countries. Therefore, the main objective of this
      article is to review the literature related to the diagnostic stability of ATPD
      in developing countries. A PubMed search was conducted to review the studies
      concerned with this issue in the context of developing countries, as diagnostic
      stability is more of a direct test of validity of psychiatric diagnoses. Four
      publications were found. According to the literature search, the stability
      percentage of the ICD-10 ATPD diagnosis is 63-100%. The diagnostic shift is more
      commonly either towards bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, if any. Shorter
      duration of illness (<1 month) and abrupt onset (<48 hours) predict a stable
      diagnosis of ATPD. Based on available evidence, the diagnosis of ATPD appears to
      be relatively stable in developing countries. However, it is difficult to make a
      definitive conclusion, as there is a substantial lack of literature in developing
      country settings. 

PMID- 26266022
TI  - The Effects of Phosphatidylserine and Omega-3 Fatty Acid-Containing Supplement on
      Late Life Depression.
AB  - Late life depression is often associated with a poor response to antidepressants;
      therefore an alternative strategy for therapy is required. Although several
      studies have reported that phosphatidylserine (PS) may be effective for late life
      depression and that omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA have also proven beneficial
      for many higher mental functions, including depression, no concrete conclusion
      has been reached. This study was performed to clarify the effect of PS and omega
      3 fatty acid-containing supplement for late life depression by not only clinical
      evaluation but also salivary cortisol levels. Eighteen elderly subjects with
      major depression were selected for the study. In all, insufficient improvement
      had been obtained by antidepressant therapy for at least 6 months. The exclusion
      criteria from prior brain magnetic resonance images (MRI) included the presence
      of structural MRI findings compatible with stroke or other gross brain lesions or
      malformations, but not white matter hypersensitivities. They took a supplement
      containing PS 100 mg, DHA 119 mg and EPA 70 mg three times a day for 12 weeks.
      The effects of the supplement were assessed using the 17-item Hamilton depression
      scale (HAM-D17) and the basal levels and circadian rhythm of salivary cortisol.
      The study adopted them as indices because: salivary cortisol levels are high in
      patients with depression, their circadian rhythm related to salivary cortisol is
      often irregular, and these symptoms are alleviated as depression improves. The
      mean HAM-D17 in all subjects taking the supplement was significantly improved
      after 12 weeks of taking the supplement. These subjects were divided into 10 non
      responders and 8 responders. The basal levels and circadian rhythm of salivary
      cortisol were normalized in the responders while not in non-responders. PS and
      omega-3 fatty acids, or other elements of the supplement, may be effective for
      late life depression, associated with the correction of basal levels and
      circadian rhythm of salivary cortisol. 

PMID- 26266023
TI  - Balancing Life and Medical School.

PMID- 26266024
TI  - The Change of Music Preferences Following the Onset of a Mental Disorder.
AB  - A psychiatric population (n=123) was examined on how music preferences had
      changed after the onset of a mental disorder. Most patients did not change their
      previous music preference; this group of patients considered music helpful for
      their mental state, showed more attractivity and enforcement as personality
      traits and used music more for emotion modulation. Patients who experienced a
      preference shift reported that music had impaired them during the time of
      illness; these patients showed less ego-strength, less confidence and less
      enforcement and used music less for arousal modulation. A third subgroup stopped
      listening to music completely after the onset of the mental disorder; these
      patients attribute less importance to music and also reported that music had
      impaired their mental state. They showed more ego-strength and used music less
      for emotion modulation. The results suggest that the use of music in everyday
      life can be helpful as an emotion modulation strategy. However, some patients
      might need instructions on how to use music in a functional way and not a
      dysfunctional one. Psychiatrists and psychotherapists as well as music therapists
      should be aware of emotion modulation strategies, subjective valence of music and
      personality traits of their patients. Due to the ubiquity of music,
      psychoeducative instructions on how to use music in everyday life plays an
      increasing role in the treatment of mental illness. 

PMID- 26266025
TI  - Vagal Nerve Stimulation for the Treatment of Autism.

PMID- 26266026
TI  - Psychopathology and Urine Toxicology in Methadone Patients.
AB  - Several studies reported high rates of psychiatric commorbidity among methadone
      patients. We examined the relationships of measures of psychopathology to
      outcomes of screening urine tests for cocaine, opiates, and benzodiazepines in a
      sample of 56 methadone patients. They also completed the Symptom Check List-90
      Revised (SCL-90-R). The highest scales in the SCL-90-R profile of our patients
      were those indicating somatic discomfort, anger, phobic anxiety, paranoid
      ideation, and also obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms (scores above the
      39(th) percentile). The only significant correlations between urine tests and SCL
      90-R psychopathology were those involving benzodiazepines: patients with urine
      tests positive for benzodiazepines had lower social self-confidence (r=0.48),
      were more obsessive-compulsive (r=0.44), reported a higher level of anger
      (r=0.41), of phobic tendencies (r=40), of anxiety (r=0.39), and of paranoid
      tendencies (r=0.38), and also reported more frequent psychotic symptoms (r=0.43).

PMID- 26266027
TI  - Olanzapine-Induced Neutropenia.
AB  - Olanzapine-induced neutropenia is a rare adverse effect that is currently poorly
      described in literature. Although neutropenia is a known adverse effect of
      clozapine, it has been associated with the use of other antipsychotic medications
      like olanzapine. This case report describes and reviews a case of olanzapine
      induced neutropenia in a schizophrenic patient. Although the mechanism of
      antipsychotic-induced neutropenia is still debated, this report attempts to
      discuss current theories as well as supply evidence in literature of this rare
      but potentially dangerous adverse effect. 

PMID- 26266028
TI  - Musical Hallucinations in Schizophrenia.

PMID- 26266029
TI  - Coping Strategies and Locus of Control in Childhood Leukemia: A Multi-Center
      Research.
AB  - Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a very distressing experience for children
      and requires a special effort of adjustment. Therefore, it seems to be crucial to
      explore coping resources for the experienced risk condition. In this sense, the
      study focuses on coping strategies and locus of control in children with ALL
      during the treatment phase, and on their possible relation. The correlation
      between children and maternal coping strategies is also investigated. The
      participants involved were an experimental group of 40 children with ALL and
      their mothers, and 30 healthy children as the control group. The tools used were:
      the Child Behavioral Style Scale and the Monitor-Blunter Style Scale to assess
      the coping strategies of children and mothers; the locus of Control Scale for
      Children to analyze the children's perception of controlling the events. Both
      children with ALL and their mothers resorted to monitoring coping strategies with
      a statistically significant rate of occurrence (children: M=17.8, SD=3.8;
      mothers: M=10.48, SD=3.4). The data concerning the locus of control show this
      tendency towards internal causes (M=53.1, SD=4.7). There were statistically
      significant correlations between monitoring coping strategies and external locus
      of control (r=0.400, P<0.05). The results gained from the control group are
      almost equivalent. The outcomes show several interesting resources of the
      psychological functioning of children as well as of their mothers. 

PMID- 26266030
TI  - Risk Factors for Intestinal Obstruction After Ladd Procedure.
AB  - Intestinal obstruction is a common complication after Ladd procedure. Ninety
      three cases who had undergone the Ladd procedure between 1977 and 2013 treated at
      our own institution were retrospectively reviewed to identify the causes and risk
      factors for intestinal obstruction. The Ladd procedure has been performed without
      any intestinal fixing. Of the 87 cases who survived to discharge, intestinal
      obstruction was observed in 22 (25.3%). Among the cases with intestinal
      obstruction, 13 (59.1%) showed intestinal ischemia at the initial operation; this
      incidence was notably high, although it is low when only those cases with another
      concurrent surgical digestive disease are considered. All cases of intestinal
      obstruction were caused not by recurrent volvulus, but by adhesion between the
      intestine and the mesentery. Intestinal fixing is not required to prevent
      recurrent volvulus, but it is important to achieve adequate widening of the
      mesenteric base. The risk of intestinal obstruction after the Ladd procedure, on
      the other hand, is high. Moreover, patients with intestinal ischemia have an
      increased risk of intestinal obstruction. 

PMID- 26266031
TI  - Neonatal Sweet's Syndrome Associated with Rectovestibular Fistula with Normal
      Anus.
AB  - Sweet's syndrome, characterized by fever and a painful erythematous rash with a
      dermal neutrophilic infiltrate, develops primarily due to paraneoplastic
      phenomena in adults. Sweet's syndrome is very rare in neonates. We report a
      Japanese female neonate (age <2 months), who developed Sweet's syndrome with
      episodes of perineal infection in association with congenital rectovestibular
      fistula with normal anus. Sweet's syndrome was diagnosed basing on clinical
      features and histopathology of biopsied skin tissues. Rectovestibular fistula was
      confirmed after the signs of inflammation subsided and the rash disappeared. In
      the literature, we found another case of neonatal Sweet's syndrome associated
      with rectovestibular fistula in a Japanese female neonate. The perineal region
      should be screened for anomalies following diagnosis of Sweet's syndrome in
      neonates. 

PMID- 26266032
TI  - Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis After Plasmodium Vivax Infection: Case
      Report and Review of Literature.
AB  - Acute demyelinating encephalomyelitis (ADEM) usually occurs after viral
      infections or vaccination. Its occurrence after Plasmodium vivax infection is
      extremely uncommon. We report the case of an 8-year-old girl who had choreo
      athetoid movements and ataxia after recovery from P.vivax infection. Diagnosis of
      ADEM was made on the basis of magnetic resonance imaging findings. The child
      responded to corticosteroids with complete neurological recovery. 

PMID- 26266033
TI  - Paternal and Maternal Transition to Parenthood: The Risk of Postpartum Depression
      and Parenting Stress.
AB  - Transition to parenthood represents an important life event increasing
      vulnerability to psychological disorders. Postpartum depression and parenting
      distress are the most common psychological disturbances and a growing scientific
      evidence suggests that both mothers and fathers are involved in this
      developmental crisis. This paper aims to explore maternal and paternal experience
      of transition to parenthood in terms of parenting distress and risk of postpartum
      depression. Seventy-five couples of first-time parents were invited to compile
      the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and the Parenting Stress Index-Short
      Form in the first month of children life. Study sample reported very high levels
      of parenting distress and a risk of postpartum depression in 20.8% of mothers and
      5.7% of fathers. No significant correlation between parenting distress and the
      risk of postpartum depression emerged, both in mothers than in fathers group
      while maternal distress levels are related to paternal one. The first month after
      partum represents a critical phase of parents life and it could be considered a
      developmental crisis characterized by anxiety, stress and mood alterations that
      could have important repercussions on the child psycho-physical development. 

PMID- 26266034
TI  - A Novel Noonan Syndrome RAF1 Mutation: Lethal Course in a Preterm Infant.
AB  - Noonan syndrome is a relatively common and heterogeneous genetic disorder,
      associated with congenital heart defect in about 50% of the cases. If the defect
      is not severe, life expectancy is normal. We report a case of Noonan syndrome in
      a preterm infant with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and lethal outcome associated
      to acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by Adenovirus pneumonia. A novel
      mutation in the RAF1 gene was identified: c.782C>G (p.Pro261Arg) in
      heterozygosity, not described previously in the literature. Consequently, the
      common clinical course in this mutation and its respective contribution to the
      early fatal outcome is unknown. No conclusion can be established regarding
      genotype/phenotype correlation. 

PMID- 26266035
TI  - Reducing income-related inequalities in care and health: insights from Israel.
AB  - Amir Shmueli assessed income-related disparities in healthcare and health in
      Israel, extending earlier studies that focused primarily on education, ethnic or
      geographic differences. The new analysis finds that the poor are more likely to
      suffer from an array of chronic conditions, despite higher use of primary care
      and hospital services. The author suggests that lower use of preventive care,
      patient behaviors, and lack of adherence to physician recommendations likely
      contribute to the persistence of health disparities. However, the poor are more
      likely to work at jobs and live in neighborhoods or housing that put their health
      at risk. Policies will thus likely need to look beyond medical care to broader
      social services and workplace issues if the goal is to reduce disparities in
      disability and heart, lung, mental health and other chronic conditions. If
      Israeli databases include work and community attributes, it would be useful to
      include such information to enrich the baseline analysis and to assess the
      relative efficacy of Ministry of Health and sickness funds initiatives aimed at
      reducing health disparities. 

PMID- 26266036
TI  - GLP1 and glucagon co-secreting pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor presenting as
      hypoglycemia after gastric bypass.
AB  - Post-prandial hypoglycemia is frequently found after bariatric surgery. Although
      rare, pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNET), which occasionally are mixed
      hormone secreting, can lead to atypical clinical manifestations, including
      reactive hypoglycemia. Two years after gastric bypass surgery for the treatment
      of severe obesity, a 54-year-old female with previous type 2 diabetes, developed
      post-prandial sweating, fainting and hypoglycemic episodes, which eventually led
      to the finding by ultrasound of a 1.8-cm solid mass in the pancreatic head. The
      72-h fast test and the plasma chromogranin A levels were normal but octreotide
      scintigraphy showed a single focus of abnormal radiotracer uptake at the site of
      the nodule. There were no other clinical signs of hormone secreting pNET and
      gastrointestinal hormone measurements were not performed. The patient underwent
      surgical enucleation with complete remission of the hypoglycemic episodes.
      Histopathology revealed a well-differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma with low
      grade malignancy with positive chromogranin A and glucagon immunostaining. An
      extract of the resected tumor contained a high concentration of glucagon (26.707
      pmol/g tissue), in addition to traces of GLP1 (471 pmol/g), insulin (139 pmol/g)
      and somatostatin (23 pmol/g). This is the first report of a GLP1 and glucagon co
      secreting pNET presenting as hypoglycemia after gastric bypass surgery. Although
      pNET are rare, they should be considered in the differential diagnosis of the
      clinical approach to the post-bariatric surgery hypoglycemia patient. LEARNING
      POINTS: pNETs can be multihormonal-secreting, leading to atypical clinical
      manifestations.Reactive hypoglycemic episodes are frequent after gastric
      bypass.pNETs should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hypoglycemia
      after bariatric surgery.

PMID- 26266037
TI  - Determination of toxic (Pb, Cd) and essential (Zn, Mn) metals in canned tuna fish
      produced in Iran.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Metal pollution of waterways directly affects human health and can
      impact the food chain. Seafood living in polluted water can accumulate trace
      metals. The purpose of this study was to analyze the toxic metals Pb and Cd and
      the dietary essential metals Zn and Mn in 120 cans of tuna species from four
      different brands processed in Iran and purchased in 2012. RESULTS: The mean level
      of metals for each brands of canned fish obtained in mg/kg were as follows:
      yellowfin tuna (Pb: 0.19 +/- 0.015, Zn: 5.77 +/- 4.17, Mn: 0.08 +/- 0.07, Cd:
      0.15 +/- 0.12), Kilka (Pb: 0.95 +/- 0.88, Zn: 30.47 +/- 29.82, Mn: 1.01 +/- 0.73,
      Cd: 0.07 +/- 0.05), Kawakawa (Pb: 0.28 +/- 0.23, Zn: 6.77 +/- 5.21, Mn: 0.17 +/-
      0.12, Cd: 0.12 +/- 0.09), longtail tuna (Pb: 1.59 +/- 1.56, Zn: 7.44 +/- 6.11,
      Mn: 0.04 +/- 0.03, Cd: 0.06 +/- 0.04). Pb, Zn and Cd levels were generally higher
      than the FAO/WHO permissible limits (Pb: 0.50 mg/kg, Zn: 50.0 mg/kg and Cd: 0.50
      mg/kg) and the European Union acceptable dietary limits. CONCLUSIONS: Based on
      the United States Environmental Protection Agency health criteria, there is no
      health risk associated with Mn concentration in the samples analyzed. The limits
      of detection of the method for Pb, Zn, Mn and Cd in mg/kg were 0.01, 0.5, 0.01
      and 0.01, respectively. The result of the one-way analysis of variance suggested
      significant variations (p < 0.05) in the concentration of the metals in the
      different types of canned fish with the following being outside of compliance
      levels.

PMID- 26266038
TI  - Strategic internal covalent cross-linking of TNF produces a stable TNF trimer
      with improved TNFR2 signaling.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Soluble TNF superfamily (TNFSF) ligands are less stable and less
      active than their transmembrane (tm) analogues. This is a problem for the
      therapeutic use of recombinant TNFSF ligands in diverse diseases including cancer
      and autoimmunity. Creating TNFSF ligand analogues with improved targeting of
      their respective receptors is important for research and therapeutic purposes.
      FINDINGS: Covalent internal cross-linking of TNF monomers by double mutations,
      S95C/G148C, results in stable trimers with improved TNFR2 function. The resulting
      mutein induced the selective death of autoreactive CD8 T cells in type-1 diabetic
      patients and demonstrates targeted proliferation and expansion of human CD4
      Tregs. CONCLUSIONS: Stable TNF trimers, created by internal covalent cross
      linking, show improved signaling. The high structural homology within the TNF
      superfamily provides an opportunity to extend internal cross-linking to other TNF
      superfamily proteins to produce active trimers with improved stability and
      receptor signaling, and with potential applications for cancer, autoimmunity,
      infections, and transplantation.

PMID- 26266039
TI  - Implications of miscoding urological procedures in an era of financial austerity 
      'Every Penny Counts'.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to find out any inaccuracy in coding of elective
      urology procedures and associated financial implications. DESIGN: Retrospective
      audit and re-audit. SETTINGS: Introduction of payment by results was introduced
      in the NHS in England in 2002. This meant that hospitals are paid on individual
      patient basis according to their human resource group (HRG) rather than a block
      contract. Current coding system uses office of population census and surveys
      classification. These along with other variables determine the final human
      resource group code defining final payment. PARTICIPANTS: None. MAIN OUTCOME
      MEASURE: Retrospective analysis of coding for all inpatient urological procedures
      was performed over a period of two months. All documented Office of Population
      Census and Surveys codes were recorded and reviewed by urology trainee along with
      the head of professional coders. As a result of first analysis the deficiencies
      were identified and revised Office of Population Census and Surveys codes were
      used to generate the final human resource group codes. After six months a re
      audit was done. RESULTS: In the initial study, 121 cases were reviewed. Twenty
      per cent of these cases were miscoded. The revised Office of Population Census
      and Surveys codes led to change of final human resource group code and hence
      recovery of a payment of L10,716. Analysis after six months showed a considerable
      improvement with incorrect coding reduced to 11%. CONCLUSION: Our findings
      highlight potential discrepancies in coding which can lead to significant
      financial loss. It is important that surgeons involve and train the coding
      department so that coding errors can be avoided. This will put us in better
      position to deal with Nicolson Challenge.

PMID- 26266040
TI  - A case of HIV ulcer.
AB  - HIV-associated ulcers must be distinguished from idiopathic anal fissures in HIV
      positive patients and from other sexually transmitted diseases that cause
      anogenital ulcers as the treatments differ. 

PMID- 26266041
TI  - Orf - an orphan disease?
AB  - Human orf should be considered based on a typical presentation with erythematous
      papule/nodule to avoid unnecessary over-treatment. 

PMID- 26266042
TI  - Chronic kidney disease in congenital heart disease patients: a narrative review
      of evidence.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Patients with congenital heart disease have a number of risk
      factors for the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD). It is well known
      that CKD has a large negative impact on health outcomes. It is important
      therefore to consider that patients with congenital heart disease represent a
      population in whom long-term primary and secondary prevention strategies to
      reduce CKD occurrence and progression could be instituted and significantly
      change outcomes. There are currently no clear guidelines for clinicians in terms
      of renal assessment in the long-term follow up of patients with congenital heart
      disease. Consolidation of knowledge is critical for generating such guidelines,
      and hence is the purpose of this view. This review will summarize current
      knowledge related to CKD in patients with congenital heart disease, to highlight
      important work that has been done to date and set the stage for further
      investigation, development of prevention strategies, and re-evaluation of
      appropriate renal follow-up in patients with congenital heart disease. SOURCES OF
      INFORMATION: The literature search was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar.
      FINDINGS: Current epidemiological evidence suggests that CKD occurs in patients
      with congenital heart disease at a higher frequency than the general population
      and is detectable early in follow-up (i.e. during childhood). Best evidence
      suggests that approximately 30 to 50 % of adult patients with congenital heart
      disease have significantly impaired renal function. The risk of CKD is higher
      with cyanotic congenital heart disease but it is also present with non-cyanotic
      congenital heart disease. Although significant knowledge gaps exist, the sum of
      the data suggests that patients with congenital heart disease should be followed
      from an early age for the development of CKD. IMPLICATIONS: There is an
      opportunity to mitigate CKD progression and negative renal outcomes by
      instituting interventions such as stringent blood pressure control and reduction
      of proteinuria. There is a need to invest time, thought and money to fill
      existing knowledge gaps to improve health outcomes in this population. This
      review should serve as an impetus for generation of follow-up guidelines of
      kidney health evaluation in patients with congenital heart disease.

PMID- 26266043
TI  - Comparison of Measurement of Central Corneal Thickness with Spectral Domain
      Optical Coherence Tomography and Standard Ultrasonic Pachymeter in Premature
      Infants.
AB  - Purpose. To evaluate the repeatability of measurement of central corneal
      thickness (CCT) by spectral domain optical coherence (SD-OCT) in premature
      infants and compare it to CCT measurement by ultrasonic pachymetry (USP).
      Methods. Three CCT measurements of the left eyes of 50 premature infants were
      obtained by SD-OCT using the iVue system. 10 CCT measurements of each 28 left
      eyes of 28 infants were obtained by USP using the Pacscan 300P system. Bland
      Altman plots were developed and the limit of agreement (LoA) was determined to
      compare the mean of the SD-OCT and USP measurements. Results. No statistically
      significant difference was found among the 3 CCT measurements by SD-OCT. Both USP
      and SD-OCT have been performed for only left eyes of 28 of the 50 babies. Those
      results have been compared with each other. A statistically significant
      difference was found between the mean CCT measurements by SD-OCT and USP (p <
      0.05). The LoA between the SD-OCT and USP measurements ranged from 11.4 to -64.1.
      Conclusions. CCT can be measured using the iVue SD-OCT system with a high level
      of repeatability. Although measurement of CCT by SD-OCT and USP is highly
      correlated, the 2 systems cannot be used interchangeably in premature infants. 

PMID- 26266044
TI  - The Fundus Autofluorescence Spectrum of Punctate Inner Choroidopathy.
AB  - Purpose. To investigate the fundus autofluorescence (FAF) spectrum of punctate
      inner choroidopathy (PIC). Methods. This is a retrospective observational case
      series of 27 consecutive patients with PIC admitted from October 2013 to March
      2015, who underwent short-wavelength- (SW-) and near-infrared- (NIR-) FAF
      imaging, spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), fluorescein
      angiography (FA), and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA). Results. There were
      three primary findings on the FAF imaging of patients with PIC. First, active PIC
      lesions revealed hypoautofluorescent spots with hyperautofluorescent margin.
      After the lesions regressed, the hyperautoflurescent margin faded. Second,
      subclinical and most of the atrophic PIC lesions appeared to be
      hypoautofluorescent spots. But subclinical PIC lesions were more distinctive on
      NIR-FAF imaging than on SW-FAF imaging. Third, hypoautofluorescent spots of PIC
      lesions coexisted with hyperautofluorescent patches on SW-FAF imaging. These
      hyperautofluorescent patches were demonstrated to be multiple evanescent white
      dot syndrome (MEWDS) or acute zonal occult outer retinopathy (AZOOR) lesions by
      subsequent multimodal imaging and faded during follow-up examinations.
      Conclusion. FAF imaging helps in noninvasively tracking the evolution of PIC
      lesions and identifying the combined MEWDS or AZOOR lesions, complementary to SD
      OCT and angiographic studies. 

PMID- 26266045
TI  - Short-Term Intraocular Pressure Elevations after Combined Phacoemulsification and
      Implantation of Two Trabecular Micro-Bypass Stents: Prednisolone versus
      Loteprednol.
AB  - Objective. To compare the effects of prednisolone and of loteprednol after
      combined phacoemulsification and trabecular micro-bypass stent implantation
      (phaco-iStent). Methods. Patients who underwent phaco-iStent between April 2013
      and November 2014 were identified by retrospective chart review. Postoperatively,
      they received either prednisolone (n = 38) or loteprednol (n = 58). Baseline data
      was compared. Primary outcomes including intraocular pressure (IOP) and number of
      glaucoma medications (NGM) were analyzed at preoperative visit, postoperative day
      1, weeks 1-2, weeks 3-4, and months 2-3. Results. Both groups had similar
      preoperative parameters (p > 0.05). The mean IOP spike occurred at postoperative
      weeks 1-2 with an increase of 2.21 +/- 7.30 mmHg in the loteprednol group and
      2.54 +/- 9.28 mmHg in the prednisolone group. It decreased by weeks 3-4 in both
      groups and continued to improve at months 2-3. NGM showed significant reduction
      (p < 0.0001) after the surgery and remained stable in both groups. No significant
      group effect or time-group interaction in IOP and NGM evolution was detected (p >
      0.05). The proportions of patients needing paracentesis were similar between the
      two groups. Conclusion. Similar early IOP elevations after combined phaco-iStent
      occurred with both prednisolone and loteprednol. Facilitated glucocorticoid
      infusion, altered aqueous humor outflow, and local inflammation may be
      contributing factors. 

PMID- 26266046
TI  - Pain Sensitisation in Women with Active Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Comparative Cross
      Sectional Study.
AB  - Objectives. In some rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, joint pain persists
      without signs of inflammation. This indicates that central pain sensitisation may
      play a role in the generation of chronic pain in a subgroup of RA. Our aim was to
      assess the degree of peripheral and central pain sensitisation in women with
      active RA compared to healthy controls (HC). Methods. 38 women with active RA
      (DAS28 > 2.6) and 38 female HC were included in, and completed, the study.
      Exclusion criteria were polyneuropathy, pregnancy, and no Danish language. Cuff
      Pressure Algometry measurements were carried out on the dominant lower leg. Pain
      threshold, pain tolerance, and pain sensitivity during tonic painful stimulation
      were recorded. Results. Women with active RA had significantly lower pain
      threshold (p < 0.01) and pain tolerance (p < 0.01) than HC. The mean temporal
      summation- (TS-) index in RA patients was 0.98 (SEM: 0.09) and 0.71 (SEM: 0.04)
      in HC (p < 0.01). Conclusion. Patients with active RA showed decreased pressure
      pain threshold compared to HC. In addition, temporal summation of pressure-pain
      was increased, indicating central pain sensitization, at least in some patients.
      Defining this subgroup of patients may be of importance when considering
      treatment strategies. 

PMID- 26266047
TI  - Aloe vera Gel: Effective Therapeutic Agent against Multidrug-Resistant
      Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates Recovered from Burn Wound Infections.
AB  - Objective. Aloe vera is an herbal medicinal plant with biological activities,
      such as antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic ones, and
      immunomodulatory properties. The purpose of this study was investigation of in
      vitro antimicrobial activity of A. vera gel against multidrug-resistant (MDR)
      Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from patients with burn wound infections.
      Methods. During a 6-month study, 140 clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa were
      collected from patients admitted to the burn wards of a hospital in Tehran, Iran.
      Antimicrobial susceptibility test was carried out against the pathogens using the
      A. vera gel and antibiotics (imipenem, gentamicin, and ciprofloxacin). Results.
      The antibiogram revealed that 47 (33.6%) of all isolates were MDR P. aeruginosa.
      The extract isolated from A. vera has antibacterial activity against all of
      isolates. Also, 42 (89.4%) isolates were inhibited by A. vera gel extract at
      minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) <= 200 ug/mL. MIC value of A. vera gel for
      other isolates (10.6%) was 800 ug/mL. All of MDR P. aeruginosa strains were
      inhibited by A. vera at similar MIC50 and MIC90 200 ug/mL. Conclusion. Based on
      our results, A. vera gel at various concentrations can be used as an effective
      antibacterial agent in order to prevent wound infection caused by P. aeruginosa. 

PMID- 26266048
TI  - Prognosis of Acute Kidney Injury and Hepatorenal Syndrome in Patients with
      Cirrhosis: A Prospective Cohort Study.
AB  - Background/Aims. Acute kidney injury is a common problem for patients with
      cirrhosis and is associated with poor survival. We aimed to examine the
      association between type of acute kidney injury and 90-day mortality. Methods.
      Prospective cohort study at a major US liver transplant center. A nephrologist's
      review of the urinary sediment was used in conjunction with the 2007 Ascites Club
      Criteria to stratify acute kidney injury into four groups: prerenal azotemia,
      hepatorenal syndrome, acute tubular necrosis, or other. Results. 120 participants
      with cirrhosis and acute kidney injury were analyzed. Ninety-day mortality was
      14/40 (35%) with prerenal azotemia, 20/35 (57%) with hepatorenal syndrome, 21/36
      (58%) with acute tubular necrosis, and 1/9 (11%) with other (p = 0.04 overall).
      Mortality was the same in hepatorenal syndrome compared to acute tubular necrosis
      (p = 0.99). Mortality was lower in prerenal azotemia compared to hepatorenal
      syndrome (p = 0.05) and acute tubular necrosis (p = 0.04). Ten participants (22%)
      were reclassified from hepatorenal syndrome to acute tubular necrosis because of
      granular casts on urinary sediment. Conclusions. Hepatorenal syndrome and acute
      tubular necrosis result in similar 90-day mortality. Review of urinary sediment
      may add important diagnostic information to this population. Multicenter studies
      are needed to validate these findings and better guide management. 

PMID- 26266049
TI  - Fingolimod Treatment in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Patients: A
      Prospective Observational Multicenter Postmarketing Study.
AB  - Objective. The aim of this prospective observational multicenter postmarketing
      study was to evaluate fingolimod efficacy in a real world clinical setting.
      Methods. One hundred forty-two subjects with relapsing-remitting multiple
      sclerosis (RRMS) were enrolled in three multiple sclerosis centers throughout
      Central and Southern Italy between January 2011 and September 2013. After
      enrollment, regular visits and EDSS assessment were scheduled every 3 months, and
      MRI scan was obtained every 12 months. Patients were followed up from 1 to 33
      months (mean 14.95 +/- 9.15 months). The main efficacy endpoints included the
      proportion of patients free from clinical relapses, from disability progression,
      from magnetic resonance imaging activity, and from any disease activity. Results.
      Out of 142 patients enrolled in the study, 88.1% were free from clinical relapse
      and 69.0% were free from disability progression; 68.5% of patients remained free
      from new or newly enlarging T2 lesions and 81.7% of patients were free from
      gadolinium enhancing lesions. Overall the proportion of patients free from any
      disease activity was 41.9%. Conclusions. Our data in a real world cohort are
      consistent with previous findings that yield convincing evidence for the efficacy
      of fingolimod in patients with RRMS. 

PMID- 26266050
TI  - Locoregional Recurrence Risk in Breast Cancer Patients with Estrogen Receptor
      Positive Tumors and Residual Nodal Disease following Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy and
      Mastectomy without Radiation Therapy.
AB  - Among breast cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and
      mastectomy, locoregional recurrence (LRR) rates are unclear in women with ER+
      tumors treated with adjuvant endocrine therapy without postmastectomy radiation
      (PMRT). To determine if PMRT is needed in these patients, we compared LRR rates
      of patients with ER+ tumors (treated with adjuvant endocrine therapy) with women
      who have non-ER+ tumors. 85 consecutive breast cancer patients (87 breast tumors)
      treated with NAC and mastectomy without PMRT were reviewed. Patients were divided
      by residual nodal disease (ypN) status (ypN+ versus ypN0) and then stratified by
      receptor subtype. Among ypN+ patients (n = 35), five-year LRR risk in patients
      with ER+, Her2+, and triple negative tumors was 5%, 33%, and 37%, respectively (p
      = 0.02). Among ypN+/ER+ patients, lymphovascular invasion and grade three disease
      increased the five-year LRR risk to 13% and 11%, respectively. Among ypN0
      patients (n = 52), five-year LRR risk in patients with ER+, Her2+, and triple
      negative tumors was 7%, 22%, and 6%, respectively (p = 0.71). In women with ER+
      tumors and residual nodal disease, endocrine therapy may be sufficient adjuvant
      treatment, except in patients with lymphovascular invasion or grade three tumors
      where PMRT may still be indicated. 

PMID- 26266051
TI  - Assessment of MRI Issues at 3 Tesla for a New Metallic Tissue Marker.
AB  - Purpose. To assess the MRI issues at 3 Tesla for a metallic tissue marker used to
      localize removal areas of tissue abnormalities. Materials and Methods. A newly
      designed, metallic tissue marker (Achieve Marker, CareFusion, Vernon Hills, IL)
      used to mark biopsy sites, particularly in breasts, was assessed for MRI issues
      which included standardized tests to determine magnetic field interactions (i.e.,
      translational attraction and torque), MRI-related heating, and artifacts at 3
      Tesla. Temperature changes were determined for the marker using a gelled-saline
      filled phantom. MRI was performed at a relatively high specific absorption rate
      (whole body averaged SAR, 2.9-W/kg). MRI artifacts were evaluated using T1
      weighted, spin echo and gradient echo pulse sequences. Results. The marker
      displayed minimal magnetic field interactions (2-degree deflection angle and no
      torque). MRI-related heating was only 0.1 degrees C above background heating
      (i.e., the heating without the tissue marker present). Artifacts seen as
      localized signal loss were relatively small in relation to the size and shape of
      the marker. Conclusions. Based on the findings, the new metallic tissue marker is
      acceptable or "MR Conditional" (using current labeling terminology) for a patient
      undergoing an MRI procedure at 3 Tesla or less. 

PMID- 26266052
TI  - Computer-Assisted Diagnosis of the Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea Syndrome: A Review.
AB  - Automatic diagnosis of the Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea Syndrome (SAHS) has become an
      important area of research due to the growing interest in the field of sleep
      medicine and the costs associated with its manual diagnosis. The increment and
      heterogeneity of the different techniques, however, make it somewhat difficult to
      adequately follow the recent developments. A literature review within the area of
      computer-assisted diagnosis of SAHS has been performed comprising the last 15
      years of research in the field. Screening approaches, methods for the detection
      and classification of respiratory events, comprehensive diagnostic systems, and
      an outline of current commercial approaches are reviewed. An overview of the
      different methods is presented together with validation analysis and critical
      discussion of the current state of the art. 

PMID- 26266055
TI  - Mesalazine-Induced Myopericarditis in a Patient with a Recent Diagnosis of
      Crohn's Disease: Apropos of a Case.
AB  - Mesalazine- (5-aminosalicylic acid-) containing products are a well-known
      treatment for inflammatory bowel disease, often as first line. Myocarditis is
      recognized as a very rare possible side effect of this drug treatment. We present
      a case of mesalazine-induced myopericarditis that was successfully improved by
      immediate cessation of the medication. 

PMID- 26266053
TI  - Effect of Prolonged Moderate Exercise on the Changes of Nonneuronal Cells in
      Early Myocardial Infarction.
AB  - Myocardial infarction (MI) is one of the leading causes of death in developed
      countries and it is characterized by several associated symptomatologies and poor
      quality of life. Recent data showed a possible interaction between infarction and
      brain inflammation and activity. Previous studies have demonstrated the
      beneficial effect of exercise training on deterioration in cardiac function after
      MI. In this study we analyzed in sedentary and trained rats the microglia and
      astrocytes 48 hours after MI in PVN, thalamus, prefrontal cortex, and hippocampus
      through immunofluorescence approach. We found significant changes in specific
      microglia phenotypes in the brain areas analyzed together with astrocytes
      activation. Prolonged exercise normalized these morphological changes of
      microglia and astrocytes in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and thalamus but
      not in the PVN. Our data suggest that there is an early brain reaction to
      myocardial infarction induction, involving nonneuronal cells, that is attenuated
      by the prolonged exercise. 

PMID- 26266056
TI  - Biventricular Noncompaction Cardiomyopathy in an Adult with Unique Facial
      Dysmorphisms: Case Report and Brief Review.
AB  - Left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) is a rare cardiomyopathy that is believed
      it to arise from an arrest in embryonic endomyocardial development. More recent
      studies suggest that it can be acquired later on in life sporadically. It may be
      accompanied by life-threatening complications, which are most commonly heart
      failure, arrhythmias, and thromboembolic events. We report a case of
      biventricular noncompaction cardiomyopathy in a 36-year-old man presenting for
      the first time with clinical heart failure as well as atrial arrhythmia.
      Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) revealed LVNC with depressed ejection
      fraction (EF). Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) further revealed a left
      atrial appendage thrombus as well as right ventricular noncompaction involvement.
      His physical exam was unique for a characteristic facial dysmorphisms pattern and
      developmental delays reminiscent of the earliest descriptions of LVNC in the
      pediatric population and it was rarely described in adult patients. This unique
      presentation underscores the importance of a better understanding of the genetics
      and natural course of LVNC. This will help us to elucidate the uncertainty
      surrounding its clinical management, discussed in a brief review of the
      literature following the case. 

PMID- 26266054
TI  - Withaferin A Inhibits Nuclear Factor-kappaB-Dependent Pro-Inflammatory and Stress
      Response Pathways in the Astrocytes.
AB  - Several lines of evidence suggest that astrocytes play a key role in modulating
      the immune responses of the central nervous system (CNS) to infections, injuries,
      or pathologies. Yet, their contribution to these processes remains mostly
      elusive. Astroglia are endowed with a wide range of toll-like receptors (TLR) by
      which they can sense infectious agents as well as endogenous danger signals
      released by damaged cells. Here we demonstrate that the activation of astrocytic
      TLR4 by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge can promote nuclear factor
      kappaB (NF-kappaB)-dependent induction of pro-inflammatory and stress response
      mediators, particularly Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNFalpha), cyclooxygenase 2
      (COX-2), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Since the steroid lactone
      Withaferin A was described to inhibit NF-kappaB activity in different cell types,
      we next determined the impact of this natural compound towards the identified
      astrocytic signalling pathway. Innate immune activation was induced by
      stimulation of the LPS/TLR4 axis in spinal cord astrocytes. We provide evidence
      that both pre-treating and post-treating the cells with Withaferin A attenuate
      astrocytic NF-kappaB activity as well as the consequent production of TNFalpha,
      COX-2, and iNOS induced by stimulation of the LPS/TLR4 pathway. This study
      suggests that Withaferin A may be an eligible candidate for the treatment of
      neuroinflammatory and stress conditions characterized by an important astrocytic
      input. 

PMID- 26266057
TI  - Canine Gouging: A Taboo Resurfacing in Migrant Urban Population.
AB  - Cosmopolitan cities have become a pool of migrants from different parts of the
      world, who carry their cultural beliefs and superstitions with them around the
      globe. Canine gouging is a kind of infant oral mutilation (IOM) which is widely
      practiced among rural population of Africa where the primary tooth bud of the
      deciduous canine is enucleated. The belief is that the life threatening illnesses
      in children like vomiting, diarrhoea, and fevers are caused by worms which infest
      on tooth buds. This case report is of a 15-year-old Somalian born boy, who
      presented at the dental institute with intermittent pain in his lower right
      permanent canine which was associated with a discharging intra oral buccal sinus.
      The tooth was endodontically treated and then restored with composite. General
      dental practitioners need to be vigilant when encountered with tooth presenting
      unusual morphology, unilateral missing tooth, and shift in the midline due to
      early loss of deciduous/permanent canines. Identification of any such dental
      mutilation practice will need further counselling of the individual and family
      members. It is the duty of every dental professional to educate and safeguard the
      oral and dental health of general public. 

PMID- 26266058
TI  - A Rare Presentation of Transfusional Hemochromatosis: Hypogonadotropic
      Hypogonadism.
AB  - Hemochromatosis is a disease caused by extraordinary iron deposition in
      parenchymal cells leading to cellular damage and organ dysfunction. beta
      thalassemia major is one of the causes of secondary hemochromatosis due to
      regular transfusional treatment for maintaining adequate levels of hemoglobin.
      Hypogonadism is one of the potential complications of hemochromatosis, usually
      seen in patients with a severe iron overload, and it shows an association with
      diabetes and cirrhosis in adult patients. We describe a patient with mild
      transfusional hemochromatosis due to beta-thalassemia major, presenting with
      central hypogonadism in the absence of cirrhosis or diabetes. Our case showed an
      atypical presentation with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism without severe
      hyperferritinemia, cirrhosis, or diabetes. With this case, we aim to raise
      awareness of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in patients with intensive transfused
      thalassemia major even if not severe hemochromatosis so that hypogonadism related
      complications, such as osteoporosis, anergia, weakness, sexual dysfunction, and
      infertility, could be more effectively managed in these patients. 

PMID- 26266059
TI  - A Novel Endoscopic Method to Relieve Food Impaction Using an Inflatable Balloon.
AB  - Food impaction in the esophagus is a relatively common medical emergency. Most of
      these food impactions are relieved spontaneously. But for complete esophageal
      food impactions or impactions not relieved spontaneously, traditional endoscopic
      methods like using a Roth net, polypectomy snare, or rat or alligator tooth
      forceps are used to gently manipulate the food material into the stomach.
      However, these methods may not work in certain circumstances. We present a case
      of proximal esophageal food impaction that was relieved using an inflatable
      balloon after the conventional methods proved unsuccessful. 

PMID- 26266060
TI  - Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome: A Paradoxical Cannabis Effect.
AB  - Despite well-established antiemetic properties of marijuana, there has been
      increasing evidence of a paradoxical effect in the gastrointestinal tract and
      central nervous system, given rise to a new and underrecognized clinical entity
      called the Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome. Reported cases in the medical
      literature have established a series of patients exhibiting a classical triad of
      symptoms: cyclic vomiting, chronic marijuana use, and compulsive bathing. We
      present a case of a 29-year-old man whose clinical presentation strongly
      correlates with cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome. Despite a diagnosis of
      exclusion, this syndrome should be considered plausible in the setting of a
      patient with recurrent intractable vomiting and a strong history of cannabis use
      as presented in this case. 

PMID- 26266061
TI  - A Rare Cause of Acute Abdomen: Perforation of Double Meckel's Diverticulum.
AB  - Meckel's diverticulum is the most common congenital anomaly of the
      gastrointestinal tract. In this report, we aimed to represent a case of
      intestinal perforation, caused by double Meckel's diverticulum, which is a very
      rare entity in surgical practice. The patient was a 20-year-old Caucasian man,
      admitted to hospital with complaints of abdominal pain, nausea, and vomitting
      during the last 3 days. Physical examination indicated tenderness, rebound, and
      guarding in the right lower quadrant of abdomen. Abdominal X-ray revealed a few
      air-liquid levels in the left upper quadrant. In the operation, 2 Meckel's
      diverticula were observed, one at the antimesenteric side, at 70 cm distance to
      the ileocecal valve, approximately in 3 cm size, and the other between the
      mesenteric and antimesenteric sides, approximately in 5 cm size. The first one
      had been perforated at the tip and wrapped with omentum. A 30 cm ileal resection,
      including both diverticula with end-to-end anastomosis, was performed. The
      diagnosis of symptomatic Meckel's diverticulum is considerably hard, especially
      when it is complicated. Diverticulectomy or segmentary resections are therapeutic
      options. In patients with acute abdomen clinic, Meckel's diverticulum and its
      complications should be kept in mind, and the intestines should be observed for
      an extra diverticulum for caution although it is a very rare condition. 

PMID- 26266062
TI  - Coccidioidomycosis Masquerading as Eosinophilic Ascites.
AB  - Endemic to the southwestern parts of the United States, coccidioidomycosis, also
      known as "Valley Fever," is a common fungal infection that primarily affects the
      lungs in both acute and chronic forms. Disseminated coccidioidomycosis is the
      most severe but very uncommon and usually occurs in immunocompromised
      individuals. It can affect the central nervous system, bones, joints, skin, and,
      very rarely, the abdomen. This is the first case report of a patient with
      coccidioidal dissemination to the peritoneum presenting as eosinophilic ascites
      (EA). A 27-year-old male presented with acute abdominal pain and distention from
      ascites. He had eosinophilia of 11.1% with negative testing for stool studies,
      HIV, and tuberculosis infection. Ascitic fluid exam was remarkable for low serum
      ascites albumin gradient (SAAG), PMN count >250/mm(3), and eosinophils of 62%.
      Abdominal imaging showed thickened small bowel and endoscopic testing negative
      for gastric and small bowel biopsies. He was treated empirically for spontaneous
      bacterial peritonitis, but no definitive diagnosis could be made until
      coccidioidal serology returned positive. We noted complete resolution of symptoms
      with oral fluconazole during outpatient follow-up. Disseminated
      coccidioidomycosis can present in an atypical fashion and may manifest as
      peritonitis with low SAAG EA. The finding of EA in an endemic area should raise
      the suspicion of coccidioidal dissemination. 

PMID- 26266063
TI  - 12q14 Microdeletions: Additional Case Series with Confirmation of a Macrocephaly
      Region.
AB  - To date, there have been only a few reports of patients carrying a microdeletion
      in chromosome 12q14. These patients usually present with pre- and postnatal
      growth retardation, and developmental delay. Here we report on two additional
      patients with both genotype and phenotype differences. Similar to previously
      published cases, one patient has haploinsufficiency of the HMGA2 gene and shows
      severe short stature and developmental delay. The second patient is only one of a
      handful without the loss of the HMGA2 gene and shows a much better growth
      profile, but with absolute macrocephaly. This patient's deletion is unique and
      hence defines a likely macrocephaly locus that contributes to the general
      phenotype characterising the 12q14 syndrome. 

PMID- 26266064
TI  - Pulmonary Limited MPO-ANCA Microscopic Polyangiitis and Idiopathic Lung Fibrosis
      in a Patient with a Diagnosis of IgA Nephropathy.
AB  - We present a case of a male patient with chronic renal insufficiency, due to
      crescentic glomerulonephritis with IgA deposits, who successively developed
      (idiopathic) thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and MPO-ANCA microscopic polyangiitis
      (MPA) with pulmonary fibrosis. The patient presented with cough, weight loss, and
      dyspnea on exertion. CT imaging and pulmonary function tests were compatible with
      interstitial pneumonitis with pulmonary fibrosis. Laboratory results showed high
      MPO-ANCA titers; the urinary sediment was bland. The patient was treated
      successfully with cyclophosphamide and methyl-prednisolone. This unique case
      illustrates the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges of an unusual presentation
      of microscopic polyangiitis presenting first as isolated kidney disease with
      recurrence in the form of pneumonitis without renal involvement, in association
      with renal IgA deposits and ITP as coexisting autoimmune conditions. 

PMID- 26266065
TI  - Endoscopic Transnasal Approach for Cholesterol Granuloma of the Petrous Apex.
AB  - Cholesterol granulomas are rare round or ovoid cysts. They contain cholesterol
      crystals surrounded by foreign bodies of giant cells and are characterized by
      chronic inflammation. Large cholesterol granuloma can compress surrounding tissue
      especially cranial nerves. There are several types of surgery for the resection
      of cholesterol granuloma. We describe 4 cases of cholesterol granuloma operated
      on via transnasal endoscopic approach. In this report, we describe radiologic and
      pathologic features of this lesion and explain the advantages and disadvantages
      of transsphenoidal endoscopic approach for these rare lesions. 

PMID- 26266066
TI  - A Case of Giant Uterine Lipoleiomyoma Simulating Malignancy.
AB  - Introduction. Uterine leiomyoma is the most common benign pathology in women and
      lipoleiomyoma is an extremely rare and specific type of leiomyoma. Here, we
      report an unusual case of giant pedunculated subserous lipoleiomyoma misdiagnosed
      preoperatively as leiomyosarcoma. Case. A 45-year-old woman admitted to our
      gynecology outpatient clinic for complaints of abdominal distention, tiredness,
      and pelvic pain for the last 6 months. Sonography and abdominal magnetic
      resonance imaging (MRI) showed a giant semisolid mass that filled whole abdominal
      cavity from pelvis to subdiaphragmatic area. A primary diagnosis of uterine
      sarcoma or ovarian malignancy was made. On operation, total abdominal
      hysterectomy with a pedunculated mass of size 30 * 23 * 12 cm and weighing 5.4 kg
      and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy were performed. The histopathology revealed a
      lipoleiomyoma with extensive cystic and fatty degeneration without any
      malignancy. Discussion. The diagnosis of leiomyoma is done usually with pelvic
      ultrasound but sometimes it is difficult to reach a correct diagnosis especially
      in cases of giant and pedunculated lipoleiomyoma that included fatty tissue which
      may mimick malignancy. Conclusion. Subserous pedunculated giant lipoleiomyoma
      should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma or ovarian
      malignancy. 

PMID- 26266067
TI  - Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma in a 69-Year-Old Woman Receiving Glucagon-Like Peptide
      2 Therapy.
AB  - A 69-year-old woman was diagnosed with alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS) of the
      nasopharynx. She has a history of catastrophic thromboembolic event in the
      abdomen that caused short-gut syndrome and dependence on total parenteral
      nutrition (TPN) twelve hours per day. She was treated for short-gut syndrome with
      teduglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) analog, which led to reduction of
      TPN requirements. However, a few months later, she developed metastatic alveolar
      rhabdomyosarcoma. Though a causative relationship is unlikely between the peptide
      and ARMS due to the brief time course between teduglutide therapy and sarcoma
      diagnosis, neoplastic growth may have been accelerated by the GLP-2 analog,
      causing release of IGF-1. The transmembrane receptor for IGF-1 is frequently
      overexpressed in ARMS and is implicated in cell proliferation and metastatic
      behavior. This case describes a rare incidence of metastatic alveolar
      rhabdomyosarcoma in a sexagenarian and possibly the first case reported
      associated with the use of teduglutide. Teduglutide was discontinued due to a
      potential theoretical risk of acceleration of sarcoma growth, and the patient's
      rhabdomyosarcoma is in remission following sarcoma chemotherapy. 

PMID- 26266068
TI  - Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Caused by Tumoral Calcinosis.
AB  - We present a case of carpal tunnel syndrome caused by systemic tumoral
      calcinosis. A 54-year-old woman experienced hand numbness that persisted for nine
      months. She had no family history or medical problem. A plain radiograph of her
      right wrist showed a calcified mass on the volar side of the wrist joint. The
      patient also experienced pain in her contralateral wrist joint and both right and
      left shoulders, which had calcification on radiography around the joint. Her
      condition was diagnosed as carpal tunnel syndrome caused by systemic tumoral
      calcinosis and a resection biopsy was performed. Histopathological analysis of
      the biopsied specimen showed basophile deposition inside the fibrous connective
      tissue. At 14 months after the treatment, she no longer had pain or numbness in
      her fingers and there was no recurrence of the mass. This patient's condition is
      considered as a case of nonfamilial, systemic primary tumoral calcinosis. Since
      incomplete resection leads to a recurrence of the lesion, a follow-up radiography
      examination is needed to monitor symptom recurrence. 

PMID- 26266069
TI  - Fracture of the Modular Neck in Total Hip Arthroplasty.
AB  - Modularity of the components in total hip arthroplasty has had an increase in
      popularity in the last decades. We present the case of a 53-year-old man with a
      history of avascular necrosis of the femoral head due to a hypophyseal adenoma. A
      total hip modular arthroplasty was implanted. Three and a half years after the
      surgery the patient attended the emergency room due to acute left hip pain with
      no prior traumatism. Radiological examination confirmed a fracture of the modular
      neck. A revision surgery was performed finding an important pseudotumoral well
      organized periprosthetic tissue reaction. Through an extended trochanteric
      osteotomy the femoral component was removed, and a straight-stem revision
      prosthesis implanted. There are several potential advantages when using
      modularity in total hip arthroplasty that surgeons may benefit from, but
      complications have arisen and must be addressed. Various circumstances such as
      large femoral head with a long varus neck, corrosion, patient's BMI, and activity
      level may participate in creating the necessary environment for fatigue failure
      of the implant. 

PMID- 26266070
TI  - An Isolated Phlebolith on the Lip: An Unusual Case and Review of the Literature.
AB  - Background. Calcified thrombi are a common finding, especially in the pelvic
      veins. There are generally multiple thrombi, and they are generally associated
      with vascular malformations. Design. Herein we report a rare case of a single
      labial phlebolith, not associated with any other vascular lesion. We aim to alert
      clinicians to the possibility of the occurrence of vascular thrombi in the mouth
      and to describe the clinical and histological characteristics of such lesions in
      order to simplify the diagnosis and treatment. Furthermore, we have reviewed the
      English-language literature published since 1970 reporting oral (including
      masticatory muscles) phleboliths. Results. Twenty-nine cases of phleboliths have
      been reported in the literature since 1970. Only three of the reported
      phleboliths were solitary and not associated with other vascular lesions, as in
      the case presented here. Conclusion. Although phleboliths not associated with
      other vascular lesions are not common, clinicians should be aware of the
      existence of this pathology and include it as differential diagnosis of oral
      lesions. 

PMID- 26266071
TI  - Oral Myiasis Caused by Cochliomyia hominivorax in a Disabled Person.
AB  - Myiasis is a parasitic disease caused by developing maggots of fly species, which
      can infect humans. Patients with special needs, especially those with severe
      neuropsychomotor limitations, may have oral manifestations of this disease. Here,
      we present a clinical case in which a disabled person was affected by oral
      myiasis caused by Cochliomyia hominivorax. Maggots were found in two ulcerated
      lesions, a 2 cm diameter lesion in the maxilla and a 6 cm diameter lesion in the
      mandible. Forty-five maggots were removed during inspection, whereas 75 maggots
      were surgically removed under general anesthesia with nasotracheal intubation.
      Dipyrone, ivermectin, and clindamycin were prescribed, and the patient remained
      hospitalized for 3 days. Seven days after surgical intervention, no maggots were
      observed. Our study emphasizes that dentists must recognize the symptoms and
      behaviors of parasitic diseases that affect the oral cavity. 

PMID- 26266072
TI  - Clozapine-Induced Myocarditis: A Case Report of an Adolescent Boy with
      Intellectual Disability.
AB  - Background. Although known for its efficacy in treatment-resistant schizophrenia,
      the usage of clozapine has been limited due to concerns over potential adverse
      effects. Myocarditis, one potential fatal complication, can develop at any point
      during treatment but has been most commonly observed 2-3 weeks after clozapine
      initiation. Objective. A case of acute clozapine-induced myocarditis is
      described, highlighting the history, onset, and treatment course of presentation.
      There is a need to raise awareness of this potential complication, especially in
      the pediatric population. Results. 17-year-old Puerto Rican boy, with history of
      schizophrenia, disorganized type (treatment resistant), and intellectual
      disability, developed myocarditis on the thirteenth day following clozapine
      commencement. Initial presenting symptoms included tachycardia, lethargy, and
      vague gastrointestinal distress. Patient fully recovered after supportive medical
      care and clozapine discontinuation. Conclusions. Myocarditis is a known potential
      complication of clozapine initiation; however, due to its limited usage in the
      pediatric population, reported cases are limited. There is a need to establish
      evidence-based monitoring guidelines for clozapine usage, particularly in the
      pediatric population where the presentation may be atypical and clinical
      suspicion may be overlooked. 

PMID- 26266073
TI  - Embolic Stroke as the Initial Manifestation of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.
AB  - We present a case of a 21-year-old African-American female with no significant
      medical history, who presented to the emergency department with a one-week
      history of blurry and double vision. Ophthalmology evaluation revealed bilateral
      retinal artery occlusion. Further workup with imaging of the brain was consistent
      with an ischemic stroke. Hereditary hypercoagulable workup was unremarkable and
      initial testing for antiphospholipid syndrome was positive. She underwent
      transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE), which showed severe mitral regurgitation
      and thickening of mitral valve leaflets consistent with Libman-Sacks
      endocarditis. Autoimmune workup was positive for IF-ANA, anti-RNP, and anti-Smith
      antibody. She fulfilled 4/11 of the ACR criteria and met 5 of the SLICC (Systemic
      Lupus International Collaborating Clinics) criteria for lupus (nonscaring
      alopecia, thrombocytopenia, positive ANA, and positive anti-Smith and positive
      anti-phospholipid antibodies). This case highlights the importance of early
      recognition of underlying connective tissue diseases and timely management of
      these diseases in young patients with no previous manifestations of diseases. 

PMID- 26266074
TI  - Single Incision Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy for Gallbladder Duplication.
AB  - Duplication of the gallbladder is a rare congenital anomaly of the gallbladder,
      with an estimated prevalence of 1-3 per 3800 individuals. Unless properly
      diagnosed preoperatively, it can lead to biliary tract injuries and postoperative
      complications which may require reoperative surgeries. While previously reported
      cases have been treated with conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC),
      treatment with single incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) has not been reported
      yet. We herein present the case of a 58-year-old female with gallbladder
      duplication who was successfully treated with SILS cholecystectomy. 

PMID- 26266075
TI  - Duodenal Obstruction as First Presentation of Metastatic Breast Cancer.
AB  - The metastatic breast cancer to the duodenum is rare in spite of common breast
      cancer. In this paper, we are reporting a rare case of 50-year-old lady who
      presented with intestinal obstruction as result of metastatic breast cancer which
      completely responds to chemotherapy. The tumor presents again as brain metastasis
      after stop of Herceptin due to cardiac toxicity. 

PMID- 26266076
TI  - Insights into the respiratory tract microbiota of patients with cystic fibrosis
      during early Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonization.
AB  - Pseudomonas aeruginosa plays a major role in cystic fibrosis (CF) progression.
      Therefore, it is important to understand the initial steps of P. aeruginosa
      infection. The structure and dynamics of CF respiratory tract microbial
      communities during the early stages of P. aeruginosa colonization were
      characterized by pyrosequencing and cloning-sequencing. The respiratory
      microbiota showed high diversity, related to the young age of the CF cohort (mean
      age 10 years). Wide inter- and intra-individual variations were revealed. A
      common core microbiota of 5 phyla and 13 predominant genera was found, the
      majority of which were obligate anaerobes. A few genera were significantly more
      prevalent in patients never infected by P. aeruginosa. Persistence of an
      anaerobic core microbiota regardless of P. aeruginosa status suggests a major
      role of certain anaerobes in the pathophysiology of lung infections in CF. Some
      genera may be potential biomarkers of pulmonary infection state. 

PMID- 26266077
TI  - An in vivo morphometry study on the standard transsylvian trajectory for mesial
      temporal lobe epilepsy surgery.
AB  - A safe and appropriate surgical approach to the medial temporal structure is a
      prerequisite to perform surgeries for temporal lobe epilepsy. We used in vivo
      morphometry to identify the standard direction for entry into the inferior horn
      of the lateral ventricle via the Sylvian fissure: an important initial step in
      performing transsylvian selective amygdalohippocampectomy. 3D magnetic resonance
      images obtained from 28 patients without intra-parenchymal lesions were re
      oriented to demonstrate all points in the Talairach space of the brain. The limen
      insulae and the midpoint between the hippocampal sulcus and the innominate sulcus
      on the coronal slice through the posterior edge of the amygdala were defined as
      the start and target points, respectively. We evaluated the direction of the
      vector between these two points and its validity in the brain of 12 patients with
      temporal lobe epilepsy. The direction of the mean approach vector was 52.4
      degrees  posteriorly and 16.2 degrees  inferiorly. The mean approach vector on
      the axial plane showed the approximate parallelism with the sphenoid ridge in
      individual cases. The computer simulation revealed that our average approach
      vector correctly entered the inferior horn of the lateral ventricle in all
      temporal lobe epilepsy brains. In vivo morphometry may contribute to the further
      development of safe and minimally-invasive neurosurgical procedures. 

PMID- 26266078
TI  - Chronic hyperglycemia increases the risk of lateral epicondylitis: the Locomotive
      Syndrome and Health Outcome in Aizu Cohort Study (LOHAS).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although humeral epicondylitis is a common health problem, there have
      been no reports that describe its prevalence in Japanese general population, and
      relatively little is known about its etiology and associated risk factors.
      QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: This study aimed to clarify the prevalence of humeral
      epicondilitis in Japanese general population, and investigate the associated risk
      factors using the data from a cross-sectional study of the Locomotive Syndrome
      and Health Outcome in Aizu Cohort Study (LOHAS). METHODS: A total of 1,777
      participants who participated in health checkups conducted at rural area in Japan
      in 2010 were enrolled. The prevalence of lateral and medial epicondylitis was
      investigated. Logistic regression models were performed to examine the
      relationship between lateral epicondylitis and correlated factors such as
      occupational status, smoking and alcohol preferences, and medical
      characteristics. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of lateral and medial
      epicondylitis was 2.5 % and 0.3 %, respectively. A shortened version of the
      disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (The QuickDASH) score was
      significantly higher in subjects with lateral epicondylitis than in those without
      (15.0 +/- 12.7 vs 8.5 +/- 11.1). Subjects with definite chronic hyperglycemia
      (HbA1c >= 6.5) showed a 3.37-times higher risk of lateral epicondylitis than
      those with favorable glycemic control (HbA1c < 5.5) (95 % confidence interval
      (CI) 1.16-8.56). Age and sex, as well as occupational status, smoking and alcohol
      preference, and other metabolic factors were not significantly related to higher
      risk of lateral epicondylitis. CONCLUSIONS: Lateral epicondylitis influences
      activities of daily living. Chronic hyperglycemia might be one of the risk factor
      for lateral epicondylitis. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Chronic hyperglycemia is
      significantly associated with lateral epicondylitis.

PMID- 26266079
TI  - Virulence of Candida albicans isolated from HIV infected and non infected
      individuals.
AB  - Candida sp contributes 33.1 % of fungal infections among HIV patients. Among the
      species of the genus Candida, Candida albicans is the most frequently isolated
      from HIV patients. This study aimed to analyze putative virulence factors of C.
      albicans isolated from oral cavities of HIV infected patients and healthy
      individuals. Twenty isolates from HIV infected patients and fourteen from healthy
      individuals were analyzed for phenotypic switching, cell growth rate, hyphae
      formation, hemolytic activity and biofilm formation characteristics. The
      frequency of phenotypic switching was low in both groups. The cell growth rate of
      C. albicans from HIV infected patients were significantly higher than those from
      healthy individuals (p < 0.001). After 48 h incubation, the concentration of C.
      albicans isolated from HIV infected patients was 8.6 * 10(6) cells/ml while the
      concentration of C. albicans isolated from healthy individuals was 7.8 * 10(6)
      cells/ml. After 72 h incubation, the concentration of C. albicans isolated from
      HIV infected patients was 9.5 * 10(6) cells/ml while the concentration of C.
      albicans isolated from healthy individuals was 8.2 * 10(6) cells/ml. In contrast,
      the hemolytic activity of C. albicans isolated from healthy individuals were
      significantly higher compared to those from HIV infected patients (p < 0.001) at
      both aerobic (6 vs. 3.5 mm) and anaerobic (3.8 vs. 1.3 mm) conditions. The
      percentages of hyphae forming cells were higher in C. albicans collected from HIV
      infected patients (27.5 %) compared to the healthy individual group (14.7 %).
      However, this trend was not statistically significant (p = 0.1). Candida albicans
      isolated from HIV infected patients have similar ability to develop biofilms
      compared to those from healthy individuals. (OR = 4.2; 95 % CI 0.724-26.559). The
      virulence factors of C. albicans isolated from HIV infected patients were not
      significantly different from those of healthy individuals. The results add new
      insights into the contribution of virulence factors in the pathogenesis of C.
      albicans infection in HIV infected patients. 

PMID- 26266080
TI  - Migraine treatment: a chain of adverse effects.
AB  - This clinical vignette presents a 14 years old female, with a past medical
      history relevant only for migraine with typical aura of less than monthly
      frequency, complaining of a severe unilateral headache with rising intensity for
      the previous 4 h, associated with nausea, vomiting, photophobia and phonophobia.
      This episode of migraine with aura in a patient with recurrent migraine was
      complicated by side effects of medical diagnostic and therapeutic procedures
      (extrapyramidal symptoms, delirium, post-lumbar puncture headache, hospital
      admission) all of which could have been prevented-quaternary prevention. This
      case illustrates several important messages in migraine management: (1) use of
      acetaminophen is not based in high-quality evidence and better options exist; (2)
      among youngsters, domperidone should be preferred over metoclopramide because it
      does not cross the blood-brain barrier; (3) moderate to severe migraine crisis
      can be managed with triptans in teenagers over 12 years old; (4) it is important
      to recognize adverse drug effects; (5) harmful consequences of medical
      interventions do occur; (6) the school community must be informed about chronic
      diseases of the young. 

PMID- 26266081
TI  - Dancing cheek to cheek: Cryptococcus neoformans and phagocytes.
AB  - Meningoencephalitis caused by Cryptococcus neoformans (Cn) has become one of the
      leading causes of mortality in AIDS patients. Understanding the interactions
      between Cn and phagocytes is fundamental in exploring the pathogenicity of
      cryptococcal meningoencephalitis. Cn may be extracellular or contained in the
      monocytes, macrophages, neutrophils, dendritic cells and even endothelial cells.
      The internalized Cn may proliferate inside the host cells, or cause the lysis of
      host cells, or leave the host cells via non-lytic exocytosis, or even hijack the
      host cells (Trojan horse) for the brain dissemination, which are regulated by
      microbe factors and also immune molecules. Coexistence of protective and
      deleterious roles of phagocytes in the progression of cryptococcosis warrant
      further investigation. 

PMID- 26266082
TI  - Evaluating the reliability of the Attitudes to Randomized Trial Questionnaire
      (ARTQ) in a predominantly African American sample.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the reliability of the Attitudes to Randomized Trial
      Questionnaire (ARTQ) in measuring perceptions of cancer clinical trials in a
      predominantly African American (AA) sample in South Carolina (SC). METHODS:
      Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Cronbach's alpha estimates were used to
      assess the reliability of the ARTQ in a convenience sample of 315 participants
      (81.4 % AA) who were recruited from 2008 to 2013, and who live in eleven
      different counties in South Carolina with high rates of racial disparities in
      cancer mortality rates. RESULTS: Slightly more than half of the 315 participants
      had at least a college education (77.9 %), 84.8 % were female, and 53.1 % had an
      annual income of $40,000 or more. In this study, PCA confirmed that the ARTQ is
      unidimensional. Cronbach's alpha for the ARTQ was 0.86. CONCLUSION: The ARTQ
      displayed strong evidence of high statistical reliability. This analysis has
      great implications for future research because it represents the first test of
      reliability of the ARTQ in a predominantly African American sample and lays the
      groundwork for use of the ARTQ in future studies in diverse populations.

PMID- 26266083
TI  - Simulation-based training for determination of brain death by pediatric
      healthcare providers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Low competency for determination of brain death (BD) and
      unfamiliarity with Japanese BD (JBD) criteria among pediatricians were
      highlighted in previous nationwide studies. Because the JBD criteria were amended
      in 2010 to allow organ donation from pediatric brain-dead donors, we created a 2
      day training course to assess knowledge and improve skill in the determination
      and diagnosis of pediatric BD. METHODS: The course consisted of two modules: a
      multistation round session and a group discussion session, and was bookended by a
      before and after 20-question test. In the multistation round session,
      participants rotated between stations staffed by expert faculty members. For
      hands-on skill development, we used the Sim Junior 3GTM simulation mannequin
      (Laerdal Medical, Wappingers Falls, NY, USA) for structured simulations. In the
      group discussion session, we implemented simulation-based role playing to
      practice decision making in prepared scenarios of complicated clinical
      situations. We investigated the participants' impressions of the course by self
      scoring and questionnaires. RESULTS: Of 147 pediatric healthcare providers from
      multiple specialties who participated in this course, 145 completed the entire
      process. The course was evaluated in three aspects with self-scoring and
      questionnaires: (1) value (4.58 +/- 0.64; range 1-5); (2) time schedule (2.40 +/-
      0.61; range 1-3); and (3) difficulty (2.89 +/- 0.43; range 1-5). Finally,
      participants scored the entire course program (9.64 +/- 1.69; range 1-11).
      Various positive feedbacks were obtained from a total of 93 participants. Post
      test scores (83.6 %) were significantly higher than pre-test scores (62.9 %).
      CONCLUSION: This simulation-based course represents an effective method to train
      pediatric healthcare providers in determining BD in Japan and may improve
      baseline knowledge of BD among participants.

PMID- 26266084
TI  - The effects of distal interlocking screws on torsional stability in three-part
      intertrochanteric hip fractures.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Many surgeons currently use long cephomedullary nails for the
      treatment of intertrochanteric fractures. The optimal indications for deploying
      distal interlocks are still debatable. This study examined the torsional
      biomechanical properties of 3-part intertrochanteric femur fractures in a
      cadaveric bone model using two different distal fixation strategies, an unlocked
      long cephalomedullary nail versus a dynamically locked nail. Our hypothesis is
      that a long cephalomedullary nail does not require distal locking fixation when
      used for treatment of a 3-part intertrochanteric fracture. METHODS: Five matched
      pairs of cadaveric femora were randomly assigned to one of two distal fixation
      treatment groups; a single distal interlock screw placed in the dynamic
      orientation or no distal fixation. A 3-part intertrochanteric fracture was
      produced. Specimens were potted and mounted in a double gimbal fixture
      facilitating unconstrained motion in the sagittal and coronal planes. Specimens
      were cyclically loaded dynamically in both internal and external rotation. Range
      of motion, internal and external rotation stiffness, torsion stiffness, torsion
      yield and ultimate torsion magnitude were calculated. RESULTS: The samples
      instrumented with a distal locking screw reported statistically greater external
      rotational stiffness than the unlocked samples in nondestructive testing. The
      results of the destructive data demonstrated no statistical difference between
      the locked and unlocked group with regard to yield torque (p = 0.282), peak
      torque (p = 0.340), stiffness (p = 0.220), displacement at yield torque (p =
      0.0605), and displacement at peak torque (p = 0.280). CONCLUSION: Distal locking
      of a long cephalomedullary nail increases the stiffness of the nail-femur
      construct in a 3-part biomechanical fracture model. However, our testing
      illustrates that an unlocked construct will tolerate at least equal stress before
      catastrophic failure in a torsional loading model.

PMID- 26266085
TI  - Cardiorenal syndrome type 5: in vitro cytotoxicity effects on renal tubular cells
      and inflammatory profile.
AB  - Background. Cardiorenal Syndrome Type 5 (CRS Type 5) reflects concomitant cardiac
      and renal dysfunctions in the setting of a wide spectrum of systemic disorders.
      Our aim was to study in vitro effects of CRS Type 5 plasma on renal tubular cells
      (RTCs), in terms of cellular death and the characterization of inflammatory
      plasma profile in these patients. Material and Methods. We enrolled 11 CRS Type 5
      patients from ICU and 16 healthy controls. Plasma from patients and controls was
      incubated with renal tubular cells (RTCs) and cell death was evaluated. Plasma
      cytokines were detected. Results. RTCs incubated with CRS Type 5 plasma showed
      significantly higher apoptosis and necrosis with respect to controls. Plasma
      cytokine profile of CRS Type 5 patients was significantly different from
      controls: we observed the production of pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators in
      these patients. Caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9 were activated in cells
      treated with CRS Type 5 plasma compared to controls. Conclusions. Our results
      underline the cytotoxic effect of CRS Type 5 mediators on RTC viability, probably
      due to the activation of both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways of apoptosis and
      to the deregulation of cytokine release. The consequence may be the damage of
      distant organs which lead to the worsening of condition of patients. 

PMID- 26266086
TI  - High percentage of ADAM-10 positive melanoma cells correlates with paucity of
      tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes but does not predict prognosis in cutaneous
      melanoma patients.
AB  - ADAM-10 (CDw156, CD156c, and kuzbanian) is a protein belonging to a superfamily
      of metalloproteases, enzymes capable of degrading the extracellular matrix. ADAMs
      have also been shown to be primarily involved in ectodomain cleavage. The aim of
      the study was to assess the expression and intracellular location of ADAM-10 in
      104 primary skin melanomas and 16 metastatic lesions from regional lymph nodes.
      Also, prognostic significance of ADAM-10 expression in primary tumor cells and
      metastatic lesion cells was evaluated during 5-year observation. It was revealed
      that high expression of ADAM-10 positive cells was strictly related with lower
      intensity of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (P = 0.037), which suggests that ADAM
      10 regulates immunoresponse in melanoma initiation and progression. No
      statistically significant correlations were found between ADAM-10 expression in
      primary tumor cells and nodal metastases and other histopathological parameters
      analyzed. Decreased immunoreactivity of ADAM-10 in cancer cells from regional
      lymph nodes was correlated with worse prognosis; however this correlation was
      statistically nonsignificant (P = 0.065). Review of the literature shows that our
      study is the first one ever to describe the significance of ADAM-10 expression in
      correlation with detailed histopathological parameters of the primary tumor and
      data on long-term survival of cutaneous melanoma patients. 

PMID- 26266087
TI  - Glucagon-to-insulin ratio is pivotal for splanchnic regulation of FGF-21 in
      humans.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF-21) is a liver-derived
      metabolic regulator induced by energy deprivation. However, its regulation in
      humans is incompletely understood. We addressed the origin and regulation of FGF
      21 secretion in humans. METHODS: By determination of arterial-to-venous
      differences over the liver and the leg during exercise, we evaluated the organ
      specific secretion of FGF-21 in humans. By four different infusion models
      manipulating circulating glucagon and insulin, we addressed the interaction of
      these hormones on FGF-21 secretion in humans. RESULTS: We demonstrate that the
      splanchnic circulation secretes FGF-21 at rest and that it is rapidly enhanced
      during exercise. In contrast, the leg does not contribute to the systemic levels
      of FGF-21. To unravel the mechanisms underlying the regulation of exercise
      induced hepatic release of FGF-21, we manipulated circulating glucagon and
      insulin. These studies demonstrated that in humans glucagon stimulates splanchnic
      FGF-21 secretion whereas insulin has an inhibitory effect. CONCLUSIONS:
      Collectively, our data reveal that 1) in humans, the splanchnic bed contributes
      to the systemic FGF-21 levels during rest and exercise; 2) under normo
      physiological conditions FGF-21 is not released from the leg; 3) a dynamic
      interaction of glucagon-to-insulin ratio regulates FGF-21 secretion in humans.

PMID- 26266088
TI  - Glucose intolerance induced by blockade of central FGF receptors is linked to an
      acute stress response.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Central administration of ligands for fibroblast growth factor
      receptors (FGFRs) such as fibroblast growth factor-19 (FGF19) and FGF21 exert
      glucose-lowering effects in rodent models of obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D).
      Conversely, intracerebroventricular (icv) administration of the non-selective
      FGFR inhibitor (FGFRi) PD173074 causes glucose intolerance, implying a
      physiological role for neuronal FGFR signaling in glucose homeostasis. The
      current studies were undertaken to identify neuroendocrine mechanisms underlying
      the glucose intolerance induced by pharmacological blockade of central FGFRs.
      METHODS: Overnight fasted, lean, male, Long-Evans rats received icv injections of
      either PD173074 or vehicle (Veh) followed 30 min later by performance of a
      frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test (FSIGT). Minimal model
      analysis of glucose and insulin data from the FSIGT was performed to estimate
      insulin-dependent and insulin-independent components of glucose disposal. Plasma
      levels of lactate, glucagon, corticosterone, non-esterified free fatty acids
      (NEFA) and catecholamines were measured before and after intravenous (iv) glucose
      injection. RESULTS: Within 20 min of icv PD173074 injection (prior to the FSIGT),
      plasma levels of lactate, norepinephrine and epinephrine increased markedly, and
      each returned to baseline rapidly (within 8 min) following the iv glucose bolus.
      In contrast, plasma glucagon levels were not altered by icv FGFRi at either time
      point. Consistent with a previous report, glucose tolerance was impaired
      following icv PD173074 compared to Veh injection and, based on minimal model
      analysis of FSIGT data, this effect was attributable to reductions of both
      insulin secretion and the basal insulin effect (BIE), consistent with the
      inhibitory effect of catecholamines on pancreatic beta-cell secretion. By
      comparison, there were no changes in glucose effectiveness at zero insulin (GEZI)
      or the insulin sensitivity index (SI). To determine if iv glucose (given during
      the FSIGT) contributed to the rapid resolution of the sympathoadrenal response
      induced by icv FGFRi, we performed an additional study comparing groups that
      received iv saline or iv glucose 30 min after icv FGFRi. Our finding that
      elevated plasma catecholamine levels returned rapidly to baseline irrespective of
      whether rats subsequently received an iv bolus of saline or glucose indicates
      that the rapid reversal of sympathoadrenal activation following icv FGFRi was
      unrelated to the subsequent glucose bolus. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of acute
      inhibition of central FGFR signaling to impair glucose tolerance likely involves
      a stress response associated with pronounced, but transient, sympathoadrenal
      activation and an associated reduction of insulin secretion. Whether this effect
      is a true consequence of FGFR blockade or involves an off-target effect of the
      FGFR inhibitor requires additional study.

PMID- 26266089
TI  - Knockout of STAT3 in skeletal muscle does not prevent high-fat diet-induced
      insulin resistance.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Increased signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3)
      signaling has been implicated in the development of skeletal muscle insulin
      resistance, though its contribution, in vivo, remains to be fully defined.
      Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine whether knockout of skeletal
      muscle STAT3 would prevent high-fat diet (HFD)-induced insulin resistance.
      METHODS: We used Cre-LoxP methodology to generate mice with muscle-specific
      knockout (KO) of STAT3 (mKO). Beginning at 10 weeks of age, mKO mice and their
      wildtype/floxed (WT) littermates either continued consuming a low fat, control
      diet (CON; 10% of calories from fat) or were switched to a HFD (60% of calories
      from fat) for 20 days. We measured body composition, energy expenditure, oral
      glucose tolerance and in vivo insulin action using hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic
      clamps. We also measured insulin sensitivity in isolated soleus and extensor
      digitorum longus muscles using the 2-deoxy-glucose (2DOG) uptake technique.
      RESULTS: STAT3 protein expression was reduced ~75-100% in muscle from mKO vs. WT
      mice. Fat mass and body fat percentage did not differ between WT and mKO mice on
      CON and were increased equally by HFD. There were also no genotype differences in
      energy expenditure or whole-body fat oxidation. As determined, in vivo
      (hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps) and ex vivo (2DOG uptake), skeletal muscle
      insulin sensitivity did not differ between CON-fed mice, and was impaired
      similarly by HFD. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that STAT3 activation
      does not underlie the development of HFD-induced skeletal muscle insulin
      resistance.

PMID- 26266090
TI  - A novel crosstalk between Alk7 and cGMP signaling differentially regulates brown
      adipocyte function.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Obesity is an enormous burden for patients and health systems world
      wide. Brown adipose tissue dissipates energy in response to cold and has been
      shown to be metabolically active in human adults. The type I transforming growth
      factor beta (TGFbeta) receptor Activin receptor-like kinase 7 (Alk7) is highly
      expressed in adipose tissues and is down-regulated in obese patients. Here, we
      studied the function of Alk7 in brown adipocytes. METHODS: Using pharmacological
      and genetic tools, Alk7 signaling pathway and its effects were studied in murine
      brown adipocytes. Brown adipocyte differentiation and activation was analyzed.
      RESULTS: Alk7 is highly upregulated during differentiation of brown adipocytes.
      Interestingly, Alk7 expression is increased by cGMP/protein kinase G (PKG)
      signaling, which enhances brown adipocyte differentiation. Activin AB effectively
      activates Alk7 and SMAD3 signaling. Activation of Alk7 in brown preadipocytes
      suppresses the master adipogenic transcription factor PPARgamma and
      differentiation. Stimulation of Alk7 during late differentiation of brown
      adipocytes reduces lipid content and adipogenic marker expression but enhances
      UCP1 expression. CONCLUSIONS: We found a so far unknown crosstalk between cGMP
      and Alk7 signaling pathways. Tight regulation of Alk7 is required for efficient
      differentiation of brown adipocytes. Alk7 has differential effects on adipogenic
      differentiation and the development of the thermogenic program in brown
      adipocytes.

PMID- 26266092
TI  - Corrigendum to "Nuclear Factor-Y is an adipogenic factor that regulates leptin
      gene expression"[Mol Metab 4 (2015) 392-405].
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2015.02.002.]. 

PMID- 26266091
TI  - Macrophages are essential for CTGF-mediated adult beta-cell proliferation after
      injury.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Promotion of endogenous beta-cell mass expansion could facilitate
      regeneration in patients with diabetes. We discovered that the secreted protein
      CTGF (aka CCN2) promotes adult beta-cell replication and mass regeneration after
      injury via increasing beta-cell immaturity and shortening the replicative
      refractory period. However, the mechanism of CTGF-mediated beta-cell
      proliferation is unknown. Here we focused on whether CTGF alters cells of the
      immune system to enhance beta-cell replication. METHODS: Using mouse models for
      50% beta-cell ablation and conditional, beta-cell-specific CTGF induction, we
      assessed changes in immune cell populations by performing immunolabeling and gene
      expression analyses. We tested the requirement for macrophages in CTGF-mediated
      beta-cell proliferation via clodronate-based macrophage depletion. RESULTS: CTGF
      induction after 50% beta-cell ablation increased both macrophages and T-cells in
      islets. An upregulation in the expression of several macrophage and T-cell
      chemoattractant genes was also observed in islets. Gene expression analyses
      suggest an increase in M1 and a decrease in M2 macrophage markers. Depletion of
      macrophages (without changes in T cell number) blocked CTGF-mediated beta-cell
      proliferation and prevented the increase in beta-cell immaturity. CONCLUSIONS:
      Our data show that macrophages are critical for CTGF-mediated adult beta-cell
      proliferation in the setting of partial beta-cell ablation. This is the first
      study to link a specific beta-cell proliferative factor with immune-mediated beta
      cell proliferation in a beta-cell injury model.

PMID- 26266093
TI  - Acute acalculous cholecystitis complicating chemotherapy for acute myeloblastic
      leukemia.
AB  - Acute acalculous cholecystitis is a rare complication in the treatment of acute
      myeloblastic leukemia. Diagnosis of acute acalculous cholecystitis remains
      difficult during neutropenic period. We present two acute myeloblastic leukemia
      patients that developed acute acalculous cholecystitis during chemotherapy
      induced neutropenia. They suffered from fever, vomiting and acute pain in the
      epigastrium. Ultrasound demonstrated an acalculous gallbladder. Surgical
      management was required in one patient and conservative treatment was attempted
      in the other patient. None treatment measures were effective and two patients
      died. Acute acalculous cholecystitis is a serious complication in neutropenic
      patients. Earlier diagnosis could have expedited the management of these
      patients. 

PMID- 26266094
TI  - Pseudo-Guillain-Barre syndrome masking acute myeloid leukemia relapse: Brief
      report and review.
AB  - Central nervous system (CNS) relapse is not a rare presentation in acute myeloid
      leukemia (AML) as its incidence ranges between 2% and 9%. It manifests with
      meningeal leukemia, cranial nerve palsies or cerebral mesenchymal myeloid
      sarcoma. We herein report the case of a 69 year-old female that presented a
      pseudo-Guillain-Barre syndrome masking an AML CNS relapse. Her symptoms
      completely resolved upon administration of a tailored treatment. This case
      suggests that puzzling neurological manifestations in patients with a history of
      AML should be considered as a CNS recurrence and investigated accordingly even in
      the context of normal imaging findings. 

PMID- 26266095
TI  - Chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia: Not always a reassuring diagnosis.
AB  - Primary resistance to tyrosine-kinase inhibitors (TKIs) is quite uncommon in
      chronic-phase Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) and related to still poorly
      understood mechanisms, as ABL mutations are rarely detected in primary resistant
      patients. We report the challenging case of a CML patient who was resistant to
      multiple TKIs because of different emerging ABL mutations and became pregnant
      while on Nilotinib therapy despite repeated and clear discouragement to conceive.
      She decided to continue with her pregnancy, showing an admirable and incredible
      perseverance in the pursuit of her personal aims. 

PMID- 26266097
TI  - Genetic basis of cystinosis in Tunisian patients: Identification of novel
      mutation in CTNS gene.
AB  - Nephropathic cystinosis (NC) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by
      defective transport of cystine across the lysosomal membrane and resulting in
      renal, ophthalmic, and other organ abnormalities. Mutations in the CTNS gene
      cause a deficiency of the transport protein, cystinosin. This study was performed
      to investigate mutations of the CTNS gene in three Tunisian families with NC.
      Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), ARMS multiplex PCR and direct sequencing were
      performed for molecular characterization of the CTNS gene in 3 unrelated Tunisian
      patients and their parents. Based on family history, prenatal diagnosis (PND) was
      performed in fetal DNA isolated from chorionic villi obtained at 10-12  weeks of
      gestation. None of the patients showed the most common 57-kb deletion in
      heterozygous or homozygous status. One patient was homozygous for the previously
      reported mutation c.1515G > A (p.G308R). One patient presented the novel gross
      deletion of 20,327 bp. One was homozygote for the previously reported mutation
      c.771_793del (p.Gly258Serfs*30). In addition, eight polymorphisms were identified
      in the 3 patients and their parents. The prenatal diagnosis in one family showed
      that the fetus DNA was heterozygous for the c.771_793del (p.Gly258Serfs*30)
      mutation. This study expands the mutational and population spectrum of NC,
      representing the first molecular diagnosis of NC in Tunisian population. The
      mutation screening of the CTNS gene was used for prenatal diagnosis to prevent
      and/or limit this inheritable disease in our country where the families are
      particularly large and have a high rate of consanguinity. 

PMID- 26266098
TI  - Oligometastatic disease, the curative challenge in radiation oncology.
AB  - The concept of oligometastatic disease was first described by Hellman and
      Weichselbaum in 1995. The mere insight of this concept led to the hypothesis that
      this disease may be cured using local ablative weapons. Surgery has already
      demonstrated this hypothesis. Surgery limitations, either technical or due to
      refusal or associated comorbidity, have led to implement alternative ablative
      options such as stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). SBRT evolved from
      (stereotactic radiosurgery) because of the need to irradiate extracranial lesions
      and has been shown to be safe and effective. SBRT achieves local control rates
      ranging from 70%-90%, but highly variable survival rates depending on the group
      analyzed. Series with heterogeneous metastatic sites and tumor origin have
      reported 20% survival rates at 2-3 years, similar to those achieved with surgery.
      Despite its excellent results, SBRT still faces significant clinical challenges.
      Its optimal integration with systemic treatment is unknown, and response
      assessment is very difficult. However, the greatest challenge lies in selection
      of patients most likely to remain oligometastatic, those who will most benefit
      from the technique. Biomarkers, molecular signatures, that accurately predict the
      biological behavior of malignancy are needed. The expression profile of specific
      miRNAs has been shown to have a potential in this regard. 

PMID- 26266096
TI  - Individual classification of ADHD children by right prefrontal hemodynamic
      responses during a go/no-go task as assessed by fNIRS.
AB  - While a growing body of neurocognitive research has explored the neural
      substrates associated with attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), an
      objective biomarker for diagnosis has not been established. The advent of
      functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), which is a noninvasive and
      unrestrictive method of functional neuroimaging, raised the possibility of
      introducing functional neuroimaging diagnosis in young ADHD children. Previously,
      our fNIRS-based measurements successfully visualized the hypoactivation pattern
      in the right prefrontal cortex during a go/no-go task in ADHD children compared
      with typically developing control children at a group level. The current study
      aimed to explore a method of individual differentiation between ADHD and
      typically developing control children using multichannel fNIRS, emphasizing how
      spatial distribution and amplitude of hemodynamic response are associated with
      inhibition-related right prefrontal dysfunction. Thirty ADHD and thirty typically
      developing control children underwent a go/no-go task, and their cortical
      hemodynamics were assessed using fNIRS. We explored specific regions of interest
      (ROIs) and cut-off amplitudes for cortical activation to distinguish ADHD
      children from control children. The ROI located on the border of inferior and
      middle frontal gyri yielded the most accurate discrimination. Furthermore, we
      adapted well-formed formulae for the constituent channels of the optimized ROI,
      leading to improved classification accuracy with an area under the curve value of
      85% and with 90% sensitivity. Thus, the right prefrontal hypoactivation assessed
      by fNIRS would serve as a potentially effective biomarker for classifying ADHD
      children at the individual level. 

PMID- 26266099
TI  - Concurrent chemoradiation for high-risk prostate cancer.
AB  - There are estimated to be 220800 cases of prostate cancer diagnosed in 2015,
      making up 26% of all cancer diagnoses. Fortunately, adenocarcinoma of the
      prostate is often a highly treatable malignancy. Even though the majority of
      prostate cancer patients present with localized disease, prostate cancer still
      accounts for over 27000 deaths a year. There is a subset of patients that are
      likely to recur after locoregional treatment that is thought of as a "high-risk"
      population. This more aggressive subset includes patients with clinical stage
      greater than T2b, Gleason score greater than 7, and prostate specific antigen
      greater than 20 ng/dL. The rate of biochemical relapse in this high risk group is
      32%-70% within five years of definitive focal therapy. Given these discouraging
      outcomes, attempts have been made to improve cure rates by radiation dose
      escalation, addition of androgen depravation therapy, and addition of
      chemotherapy either sequentially or concurrently with radiation. One method that
      has been shown to improve clinical outcomes is the addition of chemotherapy to
      radiotherapy for definitive treatment. Concurrent chemoradiation with 5
      fluorouracil, estramustine phosphate, vincristine, docetaxel, and paclitaxel has
      been studied in the phase I and/or II setting. These trials have identified the
      maximum tolerated dose of chemotherapy and radiation that can be safely delivered
      concurrently and established the safety and feasibility of this technique. This
      review will focus on the addition of concurrent chemotherapy to radiotherapy in
      the definitive management of high-risk prostate cancer. 

PMID- 26266100
TI  - Concise review on the safety of exercise on symptoms of lymphedema.
AB  - Lymphedema is an atypical accumulation of high-protein fluid located just beneath
      the skin, which often occurs in the arm or leg. Exercising with lymphedema was
      traditionally considered to be unsafe. However, recent research indicates that
      exercise may be beneficial to individuals with lymphedema. Studies indicate that
      exercise can improve the range of motion and strength of the afflicted limb(s),
      as well as overall fitness and functional quality of life, and can be performed
      without exacerbating symptoms of lymphedema. 

PMID- 26266101
TI  - Is there a role for epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors
      in epidermal growth factor receptor wild-type non-small cell lung cancer?
AB  - Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer with a
      world-wide annual incidence of around 1.3 million. The majority of patients are
      diagnosed with advanced disease and survival remains poor. However, relevant
      advances have occurred in recent years through the identification of biomarkers
      that predict for benefit of therapeutic agents. This is exemplified by the
      efficacy of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors
      for the treatment of EGFR mutant patients. These drugs have also shown efficacy
      in unselected populations but this point remains controversial. Here we have
      reviewed the clinical data that demonstrate a small but consistent subgroup of
      EGFR wild-type patients with NSCLC that obtain a clinical benefit from these
      drugs. Moreover, we review the biological rationale that may explain this benefit
      observed in the clinical setting. 

PMID- 26266102
TI  - Isolated limb infusion chemotherapy with or without hemofiltration for recurrent
      limb melanoma.
AB  - AIM: To better define the efficacy and the safety of intra-arterial infusion
      performed with or without hemofiltration for recurrent limb melanoma. METHODS:
      Patients with the following characteristics were included in the study: recurrent
      limb melanoma not indicated for surgical resection, measurable disease in the
      extremity, > 18 years, performances status (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group )
      was 0-1 and life expectancy of at least 6 mo. Twenty nine consecutive patients
      were enrolled in the study. Patients underwent fluoroscopic placement of
      angiographic arterial and venous catheters to infuse the drug in the artery
      [isolated limb infusion (ILI)], and to stop the out flow (venous). Melphalan was
      rapidly infused into the isolated limb via the arterial catheter after the
      inflation of venous balloon catheter. Then the circulation of the limb was
      completely blocked with a pneumatic cuff at the root of the limb. Haemofiltration
      (HF) was available only in the main center, and was performed with an
      extracorporeal perfusion system, in order to reduce high systemic toxic peaks of
      drug. RESULTS: Thirty seven ILI were done in 29 cases (31 ILI-HF and 6 ILI)
      between 2001 and 2014 at Ancona and Pesaro Hospitals, Italy. Clinical outcomes
      were monitored 30 d after treatment. Eleven patients (38%) received infusion of
      melphalan alone, 7 (24%) melphalan associated to mitomicin C and 7 (24%)
      melphalan associated to cisplatin, the remaining 4 were treated with cisplatin,
      melphalan and epirubicin or cisplatin and mitomicin C. The overall response rate
      was 66%, in particular, 3 patients (10%) were complete responders and 16 (56%)
      were partial responders; whereas 7 patients (24%) had stable disease, and 3 (10%)
      showed progressive disease. Limb toxicity was assessed adopting Wieberdink scale,
      with evidence of 90% of low grade (I and II) toxicity. CONCLUSION: ILI-HF and ILI
      are effective and safe treatments for recurrent non-resectable limb melanoma.
      They present evidence of favorable clinical benefit and is effective in delaying
      progression.

PMID- 26266103
TI  - Comparative analysis of the effectiveness of abiraterone before and after
      docetaxel in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.
AB  - AIM: To study the efficacy and safety of abiraterone in patients with and without
      prior chemotherapy. METHODS: The databases including PubMed and abstracts
      presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology meetings up to April 2014
      were systematically searched. Eligible studies included randomized controlled
      trials (RCTs) in which abiraterone plus prednisone was compared to placebo plus
      prednisone in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) patients.
      The summary incidence, relative risk, hazard ratio and 95%CI were calculated
      using random or fixed-effects models. Heterogeneity test was performed to test
      between-study differences in efficacy and toxicity. RESULTS: A total of two phase
      III RCTs were included in our analysis, with metastatic CPRC patients before (n =
      1088) and after chemotherapy (n = 1195). Prior chemotherapy did not significantly
      alter the effect of abiraterone on overall survival (P = 0.92) and prostate
      specific antigen (PSA) progression-free survival (P = 0.13), but reduced its
      effect on radiographic-progression-free survival (P = 0.04), objective response
      rate (P < 0.001), and PSA response rate (P < 0.001). Prior chemotherapy
      significantly increased the specific risk of fluid retention and edema (P <
      0.001) and hypokalemia (P < 0.001), but decreased the risk of all-grade
      hypertension (P < 0.001) attributable to abiraterone. There was no significant
      difference of cardiac disorders associated with abiraterone between the two
      settings (P = 0.58). CONCLUSION: Prior chemotherapy may reduce the effectiveness
      of abiraterone in patients with metastatic CRPC.

PMID- 26266104
TI  - Second-line treatments for advanced gastric cancer: Interpreting outcomes by
      network meta-analysis.
AB  - AIM: To study the effectiveness of second-line treatments for advancer gastric
      cancer by application of Bayesian network meta-analysis. METHODS: Our search
      covered the literature up to February 2015. The following 6 treatments were
      evaluated: (1) irinotecan (camptothecins); (2) paclitaxel (taxanes class); (3)
      docetaxel (taxanes); (4) everolimus (mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors);
      (5) ramucirumab (vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 inhibitors); (6)
      ramucirumab + paclitaxel. Our methodology was based on standard models of
      Bayesian network meta-analysis. The reference treatment was best supportive care
      (BSC). The end-point was overall survival. Median survival was the outcome
      measure along with 95% credible intervals. RESULTS: Our search identified a total
      of 7 randomized controlled trials. These trials included 2298 patients (in 15
      treatment arms) in whom a total of 6 active treatments were evaluated as well as
      BSC. There were 21 head-to-head comparisons (6 direct, 15 indirect). The
      difference in survival between each of two active treatments (paclitaxel and
      ramucirumab + paclitaxel) vs BSC was statistically significant, while the other 4
      showed no statistical difference. In the 6 head-to-head comparisons between
      active treatments, no significant survival difference was demonstrated.
      CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that both paclitaxel monotherapy and ramucirumab
      + paclitaxel determine a significant prolongation in survival as compared with
      BSC.

PMID- 26266105
TI  - Morphometrical Analysis of Developing Cochlear Ganglion Neurons: A Light
      Microscopic Fetal Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: The cochlear or spiral ganglion neurons are the initial
      bridge between the external world of sound and its discernment in the brain. As
      the developing human fetal cochlea is known to start functioning in mid
      gestational period, its anatomical details when compared with adults could vary
      with each gestational age. The aim of current study was to assess morphometrical
      parameter of developing human fetal cochlear ganglion neurons and comparison of
      data in each gestational period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten aborted human fetuses
      from 14th to 28th weeks of gestation were procured from Department of Obstetrics
      and Gynaecology of associated hospital, after obtaining ethical clearance and
      were processed for studying under light microscope. Area of neurons from each
      gestational age was measured on histophotomicrographs using image Proplus
      software. Standard statistical method was used to calculate area range and
      percentage of small and large ganglion neurons. RESULTS: The neuronal area
      increased progressively in successively higher gestation age fetuses. In the
      fetus belonging to lowest gestational age the area ranged from 4-37MUm2 while in
      highest gestational age fetus its range was 10-58.3MUm2. The small ganglion
      neurons were higher in 14 weeks (65.5%) fetuses and 16-20 weeks (81.03%) fetuses,
      while in higher gestational age fetuses' large ganglion neuronal population was
      higher (62-66%). CONCLUSION: A baseline morphometrical representation of fetal
      cochlear ganglion neurons could be of relevance in advanced human experimental
      studies on effect of neurotrophic factors in human fetuses with congenital
      deafness. It has been found that these factors directly influence neuronal
      maturation assessed by progressive increase in soma size and survival.

PMID- 26266106
TI  - Body Donation after Death: The Mental Setup of Educated People.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Without dissection of cadavers teaching and learning of anatomy is
      nearly difficult; there remains a gap between the practical knowledge and the
      gathered theoretical knowledge. But there is a scarcity in the availability of
      the donated bodies for the sake of medical education. On the other hand a large
      number of people in our country are in waiting list for organ transplantation
      which could be overcome by deceased organ donation. AIM: Aim of the study was to
      evaluate the awareness regarding body donation after death. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among medical students,
      engineering students and doctors in Indian population. Total 300 participants
      were answered the questionnaire providing information about the knowledge and
      attitude towards body and organ donation. RESULT: 46.33% of entire study group
      had strongly positive attitude about cadaveric organ donation and 17% had no idea
      about this. 18% of total participants were unwilling for body donation after
      death. CONCLUSION: The present study has been done elaborately to find out the
      different barriers for body or organ donation. It is clear from the study that
      though there is high level of awareness, nobody has filled up the pledge form
      till now. It indicates that there is a gap between the knowledge and motivation
      for organ and body donation after death which has to be overcome by proper
      guidance and education. Media and other voluntary organisations could take an
      important role for this purpose.

PMID- 26266107
TI  - Variation in Tendinous Intersections of Rectus Abdominis Muscle in North Indian
      Population with Clinical Implications.
AB  - AIM OF THE STUDY: Incisions through the abdominal wall are based on anatomical
      principles and Rectus abdominis muscle provides an excellent myocutaneous flap.
      The present work was proposed to identify variations in numbers and location of
      tendinous intersections of the Rectus Abdominis muscle in the cadavers as a guide
      to the surgical procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted on 54
      cadavers of North Indian origin allotted to undergraduate medical student for
      Anatomy dissection classes. Manual dissection was done to identify tendinous
      intersections of the Rectus Abdominis muscle with reference to number and
      location. RESULTS: In the present study one cadaver had five tendinous
      intersections (1.85%), one cadaver had four tendinous intersections (1.85%) and
      52 cadavers had three tendinous intersections (96.29%). CONCLUSION: The present
      study is an effort to provide data about the anatomical variation in numbers and
      location of tendinous intersections of the Rectus Abdomini muscles. Rectus
      abdominis muscle provides an excellent myocutaneous flap because the muscle belly
      is separated from surrounding tissue within the rectus sheath. This study is
      representative of a small study of the human population and only serves to
      illustrate the variations in the anatomy of the tendinous intersections. More
      extensive studies are required to establish a definitive pattern among local
      populations to serve as a guide for surgical procedures.

PMID- 26266108
TI  - Aberrant Dual Origin of the Dorsal Scapular Nerve and Its Communication with Long
      Thoracic Nerve: An Unusual Variation of the Brachial Plexus.
AB  - Pre and post-fixed variations at roots of the brachial plexus have been well
      documented, however little is known about the variations that exist in the
      branches which arise from the brachial plexus. In this paper, we describe about
      one such rare variation related to the dorsal scapular and the long thoracic
      nerve, which are the branches arising from the roots of the brachial plexus. The
      variation was found during routine dissection. The dorsal scapular nerve, which
      routinely arises from the fifth cervical nerve root (C5), was seen to receive
      contributions from C5 as well as sixth cervical nerve (C6), while the long
      thoracic nerve arose from C6 and seventh cervical nerves (C7) only. Furthermore
      along with variations in origin of the dorsal scapular and long thoracic nerves,
      the brachial plexus was seen to exist as a prefixed plexus receiving a
      contribution from C4 nerve root. An aberrant communicating branch between the
      dorsal scapular and long thoracic nerve was also identified. Knowledge about the
      course and anatomy of such variations can be vital for understanding the
      aetiology of various conditions such as winging of scapula, interscapular pain,
      administration of cervical nerve blocks, surgeries and for effective management
      of regions and muscles supplied by dorsal scapular and long thoracic nerve. 

PMID- 26266109
TI  - The Ossified Bifid Superior Transverse Scapular Ligament Causing a Double
      Suprascapular Foramen: A Case Report.
AB  - Ossified bifid superior transverse scapular ligament causing a double
      suprascapular foramen is a very rare finding. This ossified ligament reduces the
      suprascapular space by half of its original size. It is one of the precipitating
      factors of suprascapular nerve entrapment. Here we describe a double
      suprascapular foramen in a dry left scapula of Indian origin. There were two bony
      bars bridging the suprascapular notch thereby making two foramina. The bony bars
      were 'V' shaped with its apex attached to the lateral side of the suprascapular
      notch. The upper foramen was large and triangular whereas the lower foramen was
      small and oval. Considering the shape of the foramen and the 'V' shaped
      attachment of the bony bars, we conclude it to be due to the ossification of
      bifid superior transverse scapular ligament. A double suprascapular foramen
      should always be kept in mind while diagnosing and treating suprascapular nerve
      entrapment. Knowledge about the double suprascapular foramen would be useful to
      orthopaedic surgeons who perform decompression for suprascapular nerve entrapment
      through arthroscopy and open procedures. 

PMID- 26266110
TI  - Variant Branching Pattern of Superior Thyroid Artery and Its Clinical Relevance:
      A Case Report.
AB  - Thyroid surgeries are most common neck surgeries; hence thorough knowledge of the
      blood supply of this gland to the surgeons is of immense importance to prevent
      any alarming haemorrhage. We report a rare unilateral branching pattern of
      superior thyroid artery (STA) on right side during routine dissection on an adult
      male cadaver in the Department of Anatomy, A.I.I.M.S, New Delhi. Left superior
      thyroid artery was normal. The common trunk (CT) arose from anterior surface of
      right external carotid artery (ECA) just above the bifurcation of common carotid
      artery (CCA) soon dividing into five branches i.e., infrahyoid, superior
      laryngeal, superior thyroid, cricothyroid and sternocleidomastoid artery. This
      variant branching pattern of STA is very rare. The inferior thyroid arteries did
      not show any unusual distribution. Knowledge of such arterial variations related
      to the thyroid gland is immensely helpful to the surgeons to avoid damage of the
      vital organs in this region. 

PMID- 26266111
TI  - Impact of Admission Time on Treatment and Outcome of Stroke in Patients Admitted
      to Tertiary Care Hospital: A Pilot Study from Central India.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Admission of patients within window period has been linked with
      efficacy of treatment outcome and recovery. The present study examined the
      effects of early vs delayed admission on functional outcome of Acute Ischemic
      Stroke (AIS) as well as added value of stroke markers in such patients admitted
      to a tertiary care hospital in Central India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hundred and
      four patients admitted to Neurology department of Central India Institute of
      Medical Sciences were grouped as early referrals (within 24 hour admission) and
      late referrals (after 24 hour admission) based on onset of symptoms and time of
      admission. Baseline data, throm bolysis eligibility, hospital and long term
      outcomes were determined in early and later referrals. Stroke markers NSE, S-100
      betabeta and ITIH4 peptides were also screened in patients who were further
      categorized as improved and expired /dependent during hospital outcome. Outcome
      of death /dependency in both groups was analysed using multivariate regression
      analysis. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to determine the rate of stroke
      mortality in hospital and over 12 and 15 month period. RESULTS: Hospital outcome
      indicated higher percentage (90%) of improved cases in early referrals as opposed
      to 79% observed in late referrals. Similarly, the ratio of dependency was
      slighter higher in late referrals (18%) as compared to early referral (6%) cases.
      The long term outcome at 12 and 18 months showed more or less similar ratio of
      death/dependency in early (23%, 9%) and late referrals (32%,24%) respectively.
      Multivariate analysis revealed no significant impact of risk confounders at long
      term and short term outcome in both groups. Analysis of stroke marker revealed
      better prognosis with significant association between ITIH4 peptides and NSE & S
      100 betabeta level with level of improvement in early referrals. CONCLUSION:
      Early admission of AIS patients is associated with better hospital outcome.
      However admission time has no major impact on long term outcome in AIS patients.
      Moreover, stroke markers such ITIH4, can be used as a predictor of stroke outcome
      and may have prognostic importance in AIS cases in future.

PMID- 26266112
TI  - Erythrocyte Antioxidant Defenses Against Cigarette Smoking in Ischemic Heart
      Disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cigarette smoke promotes atherogenesis by producing oxygen-derived
      free radicals. AIM: The present study was conducted to determine the effect of
      cigarette smoking on lipid peroxidation and erythrocyte antioxidant status in
      ischemic heart disease (IHD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 327 male subjects
      were enrolled for this study, divided into two groups consisting of 200 patients,
      who were consecutively admitted for IHD in the intensive cardiac care unit (ICCU)
      of a Government Hospital and 127 age matched male healthy subjects. Both the
      groups were subsequently categorised into smokers and non smokers sub groups
      depending upon the smoking history {>/= 20 pack years of smoking; (20 cigarettes
      per day for one year constitutes one pack year)}. All 327 subjects were
      investigated for lipid profile, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and the antioxidant
      enzymes catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase
      (GPX). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The differences in the parameters between the groups
      were tested for significance by one way ANOVA using the SPSS software version 19.
      A p-value of < 0.001 was considered to be significant statistically. Multiple
      comparisons were made between all the four groups by Post Hoc Tukey test.
      RESULTS: There was highly significant difference (p<0.001) observed in GPX
      activity, in comparison to CAT and SOD (p=0.032, p=0.009) between smokers vs non
      smokers in control group as well as patient group. The plasma MDA levels were
      found to be increased significantly (p<0.001) in IHD patients, who smoked as
      compared to those who did not. CONCLUSION: Chronic smoking enhances erythrocyte
      lipid peroxidation in IHD patients with concomitant failure of both plasma and
      erythrocyte antioxidant defense mechanisms. Along with conventional lipid markers
      and plasma MDA levels, the erythrocyte GPX activity was observed to be a better
      marker of oxidative stress, in chronic smokers, who are at risk of developing
      IHD.

PMID- 26266113
TI  - Effect of Sub Maximal Dynamic and Static Exercises on QTc interval in Healthy
      Young Men.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The QTc interval depends largely on cardiac repolarization since
      the duration of cardiac depolarization is fairly constant in the normal heart.
      QTc at rest as well as during exercise has many clinical implications. In this
      study, we have compared the relative effects of dynamic and static exercise on
      QTc. AIM: To measure QTc interval in young men at rest and also assess how it is
      further modulated by submaximal dynamic and static exercises. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: This observational study was conducted in the Department of Physiology
      on 30 non-obese young men randomly selected from the students of our institute
      after obtaining the consent and institutional ethical clearance. Continuous blood
      pressure monitoring and ECG recording was done in the subjects. Baseline (pre
      exercise), post submaximal dynamic (Harvard's step test) and post submaximal
      static exercise (hand-grip exercise) recordings of ABP and ECG were taken for
      analysis. The measured QT interval was corrected for heart rate using the formula
      of Bazett et al., {QTc=QT/RR(1/2)}.Statistical analysis was done using Graph pad
      Prism 5 software (California, USA). The baseline and post-exercise data were
      compared using paired t-test. A p<0.05 was taken to be statistical significant.
      RESULTS: There were statistically significant increases in HR, SBP, DBP and QTc
      interval after dynamic exercise in comparison to the baseline values (p<0.05).
      Significant increase in HR (p<0.05) with no significant change in QTc and other
      cardiovascular parameters were recorded following static exercise (p>0.05).
      CONCLUSION: Significant increase in QTc interval was observed after dynamic
      exercise, however, no change in QTc was observed following static exercise, and
      hence we conclude that static exercises may not be useful in assessing the
      cardiovascular status of an individual or in predicting cardiovascular events.

PMID- 26266114
TI  - Fibrinolytic Activity of Blood and its Determinants in Healthy Medical Students.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Decreased fibrinolytic activity results in longer fibrinolysis time
      of blood and an increased propensity for hypercoagulable states of blood.
      Subjects with less fibrinolytic activity are prone to coronary artery disease,
      stroke and thromboembolic phenomena. AIM: The study aims to identify the impact
      of gender, dietary habits, body mass index, physical activity level and menstrual
      cycle on fibrinolytic activity in healthy subjects. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Cross
      sectional study on randomly selected 206 healthy medical students aged 17 to 23
      years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Anthropometric measurements, dietary habits,
      physical activity level and menstrual history were obtained. Fibrinolysis time of
      fasting venous blood sample was determined by Euglobulin Lysis Time (ELT) method.
      RESULTS: Highly significant gender difference was noted in mean fibrinolytic
      activity (p=0.002). Mean fibrinolytic activity also showed a significant
      relationship with BMI (p=0.001) and with different phases of menstrual cycle in
      females (p=0.004). However, such relationship was not observed with diet and
      physical activity (p>0.05) in boys and girls. CONCLUSION: Gender difference, body
      mass index and menstrual cycle phases have influences on the fibrinolytic
      activity of blood. This might be due to cyclical changes in the sex hormones
      levels, endometrium-derived plasmin and plasminogen activators and excess
      production of plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-I) in visceral
      adipocytes.

PMID- 26266115
TI  - Effect of Yoga Practice on Levels of Inflammatory Markers After Moderate and
      Strenuous Exercise.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of yoga practice and exercise
      challenge on Tumour Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-alpha), Interleukin-6 (IL-6)
      levels and lipid profile. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred and eighteen
      subjects participated in the study. One hundred and nine volunteers (51 males and
      58 females) in the age group of 20 to 60 years, who practiced yoga regularly for
      over five years for a period of one hour daily, performed a bout of moderate
      exercise and a bout of strenuous exercise as per Standardized Shuttle Walk test
      protocol. Anthropometrically matched, age matched and gender matched subjects,
      who did not practice yoga (non-yoga group) were chosen as controls (non-yoga,
      n=109). The non-yoga group also performed similar exercises. The blood samples of
      both the groups were collected before and after the exercises. TNF-alpha and IL-6
      was analysed before and after the exercise by Sandwich ELISA (Enzyme Linked
      Immunosorbent Assay). RESULTS: Resting plasma TNF-alpha concentration was
      significantly higher in non-yoga group when compared to yoga group (p<0.05).
      There was an increase in TNF-alpha levels in both the groups in response to
      strenuous exercise. There was no gender difference in TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels
      before and after exercise in yoga and non-yoga groups. CONCLUSION: Regular
      practice of yoga lowers basal TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels. It also reduces the
      extent of increase of TNF-alpha and IL-6 to a physical challenge of moderate
      exercise and strenuous exercise. There is no significant gender difference in the
      TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels. Regular practice of yoga can protect the individual
      against inflammatory diseases by favourably altering pro-inflammatory cytokine
      levels.

PMID- 26266116
TI  - Role of Perceptual Factors on Endurance Profiles on Treadmill Exercise.
AB  - CONTEXT: It is common practice to unravel signs of possible cardiac ischemia by
      exposing the heart to graded degrees of exercise stress on treadmill under close
      monitoring and terminating it at safe limit. The safe limit of exercise duration
      and intensity is based on subjects who report a sense of exhaustion or appearance
      of any defined adverse sign whichever is earlier. Commonly, endurance is
      determined by subjective perception of distress leading to discontinuation of
      exercise. AIM: Scope of favourable manipulation of perception of stress was
      evaluated to extend the duration of exercise, and thereby the endurance.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: The indices of endurance such as duration of exercise, the
      distance covered and equivalents of O2 consumption (METs) as well as
      Cardiovascular adaptational changes of 30 young healthy male medical students are
      compared between two sets of conditions; {1} Routine treadmill exercise without
      intervention (Mode A) and later {2} same exercise repeated with individualized
      musical experience to favourably distract the perception of stress (Mode B).
      RESULT: It has been conclusively demonstrated that perceptual modification of
      stress in Mode B caused significant improvement in endurance profiles, reflected
      by sustenance of longer duration of exercise, correspondingly greater cumulative
      distance covered and greater METs. Cardiovascular parameters of heart rate and
      blood pressure rise are comparatively less in Mode B, though not significant. The
      extent of cardiac stress evaluated by Rate-Pressure (R-P) product is also lesser
      spite of longer duration of exercise, pointing to better cardiovascular
      adaptational changes under states of perceptual modification (Mode B).
      CONCLUSION: Its relevance to day-to-day physical activities including exercise is
      obviously to make them enjoyable, rather than monotonous, for maximal benefit to
      health and endurance.

PMID- 26266117
TI  - Inflammation During Gestation Induced Spatial Memory and Learning Deficits:
      Attenuated by Physical Exercise in Juvenile Rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Gestational infections induced inflammation (GIII) is a cause of
      various postnatal neurological deficits in developing countries. Such intra
      uterine insults could result in persistent learning-memory disabilities. There
      are no studies elucidating the efficacy of adolescence exercise on spatial
      learning- memory abilities of young adult rats pre-exposed to inflammatory insult
      during fetal life. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The present study addresses the efficacy
      of physical (running) exercise during adolescent period in attenuating spatial
      memory deficits induced by exposure to GIII in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Pregnant Wistar dams were randomly divided into control and lipopolysaccharide
      (LPS) groups, injected intra peritoneally (i.p) with saline (0.5ml) or
      lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (0.5mg/kg) on alternate days from gestation day 14 (GD
      14) till delivery. After parturition, pups were divided into 3 groups (n=6/group)
      a) Sham control and LPS group divided into 2 subgroups- b) LPS and c) LPS
      exercise group. Running exercise was given only to LPS exercise group during
      postnatal days (PNDs) 30 to 60 (15min/day). Spatial learning and memory
      performance was assessed by Morris water maze test (MWM), on postnatal day 61 to
      67 in all groups. RESULTS: Young rats pre-exposed to GIII and subjected to
      running exercise through juvenile period displayed significant decrease in
      latency to reach escape platform and spent significant duration in target
      quadrant in MWM test, compared to age matched LPS group. Results of the current
      study demonstrated that exercise through juvenile/adolescent period effectively
      mitigates gestational inflammation-induced cognitive deficits in young adult
      rats. CONCLUSION: Inflammation during gestation impairs offspring's spatial
      memory and learning abilities. Whereas, early postnatal physical exercise
      attenuates, to higher extent, cognitive impairment resulted from exposure to LPS
      induced inflammation during intrauterine growth period.

PMID- 26266118
TI  - Fungal Culture Positivity in Patients with Perforation Peritonitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Perforation peritonitis is the most common surgical emergency. A
      large number of microorganisms have been cultured from the abdominal fluid
      obtained from patients with gastrointestinal perforation peritonitis. The present
      study was undertaken to determine the frequency of positive fungal culture in
      perforation peritonitis as Candida co-infection is reported to be a bad
      prognostic factor in these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The intraoperative
      specimens of abdominal fluid collected during laparotomy from 140 consecutive
      patients of gastro-intestinal perforation were analysed by microbial culture for
      bacteria and fungi. Their antimicrobial susceptibility was also studied. RESULTS:
      The mean presenting age of the patients was 35 years and 120 (85.7%) of them were
      males. Aerobic Gram Negative Bacilli (AGNB) were observed in 82 (79.6%) of the
      culture positive abdominal fluid specimens, of which 58 (70.7%) were Escherichia
      coli. Gram negative bacteria were most frequently isolated from colorectal
      perforation (100%) while Gram positive bacteria were from upper gastrointestinal
      perforation (47.2%). Candida was cultured in as many as 68 of 140 (48.6%)
      specimens. Its prevalence was highest in patients with gastroduodenal perforation
      (70.5%) and was altogether absent in patients having appendicular perforation.
      CONCLUSION: High prevalence of fungal culture positivity of peritoneal fluid of
      patients of perforation peritonitis shows that along with the bacterial culture,
      fungal cultures should always be asked for in such patients. Adequate and timely
      antimicrobial treatment including treatment of fungal infection could help reduce
      mortality in this group of patients.

PMID- 26266119
TI  - Molecular Characterization and Resistant Spectrum of Enterococci Isolated from a
      Haematology Unit in China.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The present study screened clinical isolates of E. faecalis and E.
      faecium to determine resistant spectrum and the potential virulence genes
      characterization among them of haematology patients. METHODS: Clinical
      Enterococci isolates were obtained from a haematology unit in a tertiary care
      hospital in China. RESULTS: Among 125 isolates available for the investigation,
      46 were identified as E. faecium, and 79 were E. faecalis. Urine was the most
      common source (82, 65.6%). E. faecium isolates were more resistant than E.
      faecalis. Among E. faecium, maximum resistance was seen against PEN 93.5% and AMP
      93.5% followed by CIP 87%. Eight vancomycin-resistant E. faecium (VREfm) isolates
      were obtained, positive for vanA genotype. Of 125 Enterococci isolates, 67(53.6%)
      were acm, and 42.4%, 25.6%, 25.6%, 24.8%, 23.2%, 20.8%, 10.4% and 7.2% of
      isolates were positive for esp, cylL-A, asa 1, cylL-S, cpd, cylL-L, gel-E and
      ace, respectively. E. faecalis isolates have more virulence genes (VGs) than E.
      faecium. MLST analysis of VREfm identified three different STs (ST17, ST78 and
      ST203). CONCLUSION: The study provides the molecular characterization and
      resistant spectrum of Enterococci isolated from a haematology unit in China.
      Molecular analysis showed that all VREfm isolates belonged to pandemic clonal
      complex-17(CC17), associated with hospital-related isolates. Therefore,
      determining resistant spectrum and virulence characterization is crucial for the
      prevention and control of the spread of nosocomial infections caused by
      Enterococci in the haematology unit.

PMID- 26266120
TI  - Prevalence of MLSB Resistance and Observation of erm A & erm C Genes At A
      Tertiary Care Hospital.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The increasing resistance to macrolide, lincosamide, streptogramin B
      (MLSB) agents among Staphylococcus aureus is becoming a challenge to
      microbiologist. Clindamycin has been a useful drug for treatment of infection
      caused by the staphylococcus aureus, but change in clindamycin sensitivity
      pattern due to various mechanisms is leading to therapeutic failure. One of the
      important mechanisms is mediation of resistance by erm genes. Staphylococcus
      strains which have erm genes show inducible clindamycin resistance that cannot be
      determined by routine disk diffusion test resulting in treatment failure. AIM:
      This study was aimed to detect the prevalence of MLSBi and MLSBc resistance and
      observation of erm A & erm C genes among MLSBi isolates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A
      total 500 Staphylococcus aureus were isolated; they were checked by disk
      induction test (D- Test). Those isolates which showed inducible clindamycin
      resistance were randomly selected and subjected to PCR for the observation of erm
      A and erm C genes. RESULTS: Prevalence of MLSBi and MLSBc isolates were almost
      similar that is 10.8% and 11.6% respectively. MLSBi isolates showed more
      resistance to drugs when compared to MLSBc isolates. Neither of MLSBi and MLSBc
      isolates was resistant to Vancomycin and Linezolid. Inducible clindamycin was
      mainly due to presence of erm A gene. CONCLUSION: D- test should be mandatory at
      every microbiology laboratory and should be used in routine antibiotic procedure
      which will minimize the misuse of drug ultimately minimize the risk of treatment
      failure. PCR should be performed for the detection of genes responsible for
      erythromycin resistance as it is a quick and most sensitive method.

PMID- 26266121
TI  - Necrotizing Fasciitis of Hand By Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
      (MRSA) - A Sinister.
AB  - Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is an aggressive and life-threatening infection of
      skin and soft tissue characterized by widespread fascial necrosis, leads to gross
      morbidity and mortality if left untreated. Although MRSA has become a common
      isolate associated with skin and soft tissue infections globally over the past
      few years, monomicrobial MRSA NF has been reported only in a few studies. Our
      case represents the development of NF followed by trivial trauma salvaged with
      daptomycin and amputation of the affected limb. Prompt diagnosis and surgical
      management with empiric MRSA cover in areas where community acquired MRSA (CA
      MRSA) is endemic for suspected cases of necrotizing fasciitis can prevent the
      dreaded consequences. 

PMID- 26266122
TI  - Biofilm Production Correlating with Multidrug Resistance Among Clinical Isolates
      of Acinetobacter baumannii.

PMID- 26266123
TI  - Antifungal Breakpoints of Non-albicans Candida Clinical Isolates in Vitek-2
      Compact.

PMID- 26266124
TI  - Giant Platelets in Platelet Donors - A Blessing in Disguise?
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Inherited thrombocytopenias, including inherited giant platelet
      disorders (IGPD) are relatively rare, but their prevalence is probably
      underestimated. Harris platelet syndrome, the most common IGPD reported from
      Indian subcontinent, mostly from eastern part, is characterised by a low platelet
      count, high mean platelet volume (MPV) and absence of bleeding. AIM: A short
      study was conducted to assess the prevalence of giant platelets in voluntary
      donors of single donor platelets (SDP) and analyse the effect of transfusion of
      such SDPs in patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Voluntary donors of SDPs were
      screened as per standard guidelines prior to the procedure. A complete blood
      count (including MPV) along with a peripheral smear was done. A total of 45
      donors were screened for plateletpheresis. Following plateletpheresis from these
      donors, a platelet count from the collection bag was done after one hour. The SDP
      was transfused as a single unit or divided into two and transfused to the same
      patient at two different occasions, as per clinical need. Platelet counts on
      pateints were done after one hour and the platelet recovery was noted. RESULTS:
      Out of the 45 donors who were screened, 30 (66.67%) were found to have giant
      platelets. It was observed that the pre procedure platelet counts in donors
      having giant platelets were relatively low (1.5 -1.7 lacs) and so also the
      platelet yield (2.7-3x10(11)) compared to donors who did not, but the post
      transfusion platelet recovery was greater. CONCLUSION: Since presence of giant
      platelets has been seen to be common in the Eastern part of India, a peripheral
      smear examination should always be considered during screening of
      plateletpheresis donors to avoid rejecting donors with giant platelets whose
      platelet counts are given falsely low by autoanalysers.

PMID- 26266125
TI  - Helicobacter pylori Associated Gastritis in Northern Maharashtra, India: A
      Histopathological Study of Gastric Mucosal Biopsies.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) are of major concern today because
      of its causal relationships with gastrointestinal diseases. It represents one of
      the most common and medically important infections worldwide. H.pylori plays a
      key role in the aetiology of chronic gastritis, duodenal ulcer, gastric carcinoma
      and MALT lymphoma. There is paucity of literature regarding the morphological
      changes in H.pylori associated gastritis. AIM: We undertake this study to find
      out the association and prevalence of H.pylori associated gastritis by
      histopathological methods in North Maharashtra, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A
      total 310 patients with various upper gastrointestinal disorders were included in
      this study over the period of 19 months from July 2013 to January 2015. The
      detailed clinical history was taken and patients were subjected to video
      gastroscopy. Each biopsy was studied with Haematoxylin and Eosin/Giemsa method.
      RESULTS: The prevalence of H.pylori was high in third to fourth decades. Out of
      310 patients of gastrocopy, 144 were H.pylori positive by Haematoxylin and
      Eosin/Giemsa method. Morphological changes specific for H.pylori was noted as
      atrophy and irregular gastric mucosa, lymphoid aggregates and reactive atypia.
      Male patient were outnumbered by female patients. CONCLUSION: Histopathological
      evaluation is the gold standard for diagnosing H.pylori infection. Prevalence of
      H.pylori in the present study was 46.5% in patients undergoing videogastroscopic
      biopsies for gastritis and vague upper gastrointestinal symptoms. Furthermore and
      large scale studies are required to establish the diagnostic modalities for
      H.pylori associated gastritis to prevent morbidity and mortality.

PMID- 26266126
TI  - Diagnosis of Salivary Gland Lesions By Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology and Its
      Histopathological Correlation in A Tertiary Care Center of Southern India.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Salivary glands may enlarge either due to inflammation or neoplastic
      conditions and the diagnosis is possible by fine needle aspiration cytology
      (FNAC). AIM: The present study was undertaken to determine utility of FNAC in the
      diagnosis of salivary gland lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective
      study, a total of 186 FNACs of salivary gland lesions were retrieved and
      evaluated. Of these, 146 cases had follow-up histopathological diagnosis. FNAC
      diagnoses were compared to histopathological diagnoses. RESULTS: The parotid
      glands were more commonly involved than others. Among the various diagnostic
      categories used in FNAC reports, Non neoplastic category was seen in 24 (16.4%),
      benign category in 86 (58.9%) and malignant category in 30 (20.6%) and
      unsatisfactory category in 6 (4.1%) of 146 cases. The overall sensitivity,
      specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of
      FNAC in the diagnosis of salivary gland lesions were 86.6%, 94.6%, 93.6%, 88.3%,
      and 94.6% respectively. CONCLUSION: The present study concluded that FNAC in the
      diagnosis of salivary gland lesions is highly sensitive, specific and accurate
      method. Hence, FNAC is a useful, quick and reliable diagnostic tool. It also
      appears to be a safe, cost effective and minimally invasive procedure, which
      provides information for management of salivary gland lesions.

PMID- 26266127
TI  - Spectrum of Oral Lesions in A Tertiary Care Hospital.
AB  - AIM: The present study was undertaken to study the spectrum and pattern of
      various oral cavity lesions in a tertiary care hospital in Rohilkhand region of
      Uttar Pradesh, India. BACKGROUND: Oral cavity is one of the most common sites for
      tumour and tumour like lesions especially in males. It has been observed that
      benign lesions are more common than malignant ones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A
      retrospective study was carried out in a tertiary care hospital during the period
      of two years from June 2012 to May 2014. The study included 133 cases of oral
      cavity lesions. The parameters included in the study were age, gender, site of
      the lesion and histopathological diagnosis. Special stains and
      Immunohistochemical markers were applied as and when required. Data collected
      were analysed. RESULTS: A total of 133 cases were included in the present study.
      The age ranged from 8 to 80 years. Males were affected more often than females
      with a Male: Female ratio of 3.3:1. The most common involved site was tongue 39
      (29.32%) followed by tonsil in 30 (22.56%), buccal mucosa 27(20.32%), floor of
      mouth 14 (10.53%), palate 12(9.02%), lower lip 8 (6.02%), upper lip 2(1.50%) and
      vestibule in 1 (0.75%) cases. Of the 133 cases, 63 cases (47.36%) were malignant,
      52 non-neoplastic (39.10%) and 18 cases (13.53%) of benign neoplasias. The
      various lesions included - Squamous cell carcinoma, Verrucous carcinoma,
      Carcinoma-in-situ, Leukoplakia, Fibroma, Lipoma, Squamous cell papilloma,
      Lymphoid hyperplasia, Pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia, Haemangioma, Schwannoma,
      Atypical Pleomor -phic adenoma, Pleomorphic adenoma, Epidermal cyst, Retention
      cyst, Parasitic infestation, Tubercular pathology, Granulation tissue, Chronic
      Sialadenitis and Chronic non-specific inflammatory pathology. A larger
      epidemiopathological study in this region needs to be carried out for detailed
      statistical analysis. CONCLUSION: Benign lesions were the predominant pathology.
      Squamous cell carcinoma was the commonest malignant lesion. Histopathological
      typing of the lesion is mandatory to confirm or rule out malignancy and is
      essential for the rational management thus avoiding mutilating surgery.

PMID- 26266128
TI  - Lymphomas in Ile-Ife, Nigeria: Immunohistochemical Characterization and Detection
      of Epstein-Barr virus Encoded RNA.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The proper histopathological characterization of malignant lymphomas
      requires the use of immunohistochemistry along with other molecular pathology
      techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Malignant lymphomas histologically diagnosed
      in our hospital were reclassified according to the WHO scheme using
      immunohistochemistry while in-situ hybridization was performed for the detection
      of Epstein-Barr virus encoded RNA. RESULTS: There were 83 cases of lymphoma. The
      male to female ratio was 1.9:1 while the overall mean age was 41.7 years. Non
      Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) constituted about 79.5% of cases. The majority of cases
      (98.8%) were B-cell lymphomas. Nine subtypes of lymphomas were identified with
      diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (56.4% of which were of the germinal centre type)
      constituting the largest group (47.0%). Intermediate and high grade subtypes were
      more common. The majority of cases (72.3%) were nodal lymphomas with cervical
      lymph node being the commonest site (48.2%). Only classical Hodgkin lymphoma (HL)
      (20.5%) was seen of which the mixed cellularity subtype was the most common.
      Epstein Barr virus (EBV) encoded ribonucleic acid was detected in 7 cases (8.4%)
      including 4 cases of HL, 2 cases of Burkitt lymphoma and the only case of
      plasmablastic lymphoma. About five cases were reclassified as non-lymphoid
      malignant lesions. CONCLUSION: Immunohistochemistry is vital to the proper
      classification of lymphomas even in a resource poor environment. Although nine
      subtypes of lymphomas were identified, diffuse large B-cell lymphomas formed the
      largest single group. Epstein-Barr virus probably plays an important role in
      lymphomatogenesis in this environment. A larger multicentre study is required to
      prove this.

PMID- 26266129
TI  - Intramuscular Hibernoma: A Rare Tumour in Buttock.
AB  - Hibernomas are benign tumours of brown fat that does not recur after complete
      excision. These tumours are found most often in adults and most commonly in
      thigh. Four morphologic variants of hibernoma are identified: typical, myxoid,
      spindle cell, and lipoma-like. The most common histologic type is typical
      variant. In this report, we present the clinical, morphological features and
      discuss the differential diagnosis of a typical variant of intramuscular
      hibernoma. 

PMID- 26266130
TI  - Non Functional Unilateral Adrenal Myelolipoma, A Case Report.
AB  - Adrenal myelolipoma is characterized by presence within the adrenal gland of
      mature adipose tissue and active bone marrow elements. Owing to their non
      functional nature most cases are incidental, either at autopsy or through
      computer tomography scan. Occasionally the lesions attain a large size to become
      clinically apparent. We present a case of a 58-year-old female with mass per
      abdomen. Preoperative computer tomography scan of abdomen, hormonal and urine
      analysis showed features of non functional adrenal myelolipoma. Gross specimen
      consists of unilateral ovoid mass, external surface having capsule with adherent
      fat and areas of congestion. Microscopic examination showed well encapsulated
      tumour tissue composed of mature adipose tissue with major blood forming elements
      like myeloid, erythroid and megakaryocytic series. The diagnosis was confirmed by
      histopathological examination of right sided adrenalectomy specimen. 

PMID- 26266131
TI  - Mature Mediastinal Teratoma.
AB  - A teratoma is a tumour with tissue or organ components resembling normal
      derivatives of more than one germ layer. We present a case of mediastinal mature
      teratoma as they have a low incidence rate. A 45-year-old female presented with
      right sided chest pain and paroxysmal attacks of dry cough and fever. A diagnosis
      of pulmonary hydatid cyst was made on computed tomography (CT) examination.
      Microscopic study revealed a tumour composed of elements from all the three germ
      layers. A diagnosis of mature mediastinal teratoma was made which is the second
      common site for germ cell tumours. 

PMID- 26266132
TI  - Mixed Mucinous and Infiltrating Carcinoma Occurring in Male Breast- Study of
      Clinico-Pathological Features: A Rare Case Report.
AB  - Mucinous carcinoma is a less common histologic variant of breast cancer. Cases of
      mucinous carcinomas in male breast are extremely rare. Here, we describe a case
      of mixed mucinous carcinoma i.e. mucinous carcinoma with infiltrating ductal
      carcinoma component and showing apocrine differentiation in a 73-year-old man.
      This uncommon tumour entity has dismal prognosis and treatment depends largely on
      the tumour type, size, lymph node involvement and hormonal status. 

PMID- 26266133
TI  - Evaluation of Workload and its Impact on Satisfaction Among Pharmacy Academicians
      in Southern India.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the level of workload among
      pharmacy academicians working in public and private sector universities in India.
      The study also aimed to assess the satisfaction of academicians towards their
      workload. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted for a
      period of 2 months among pharmacy academicians in Karnataka state of Southern
      India. Convenience sampling was used to select a sample and was contacted via
      email and/or social networking sites. Questionnaire designed by thorough review
      literature was used as a tool to collect data on workload (teaching, research,
      extracurricular services) and satisfaction. RESULTS: Of 214 participants, 95
      returned the filled questionnaire giving the response rate of 44.39%. Private
      sector academicians had more load of teaching (p=0.046) and they appeared to be
      less involved in research activities (p=0.046) as compared to public sector
      academicians. More than half of the respondents (57.9%) were satisfied with their
      workload with Assistant Professors were least satisfied as compared to Professors
      (p=0.01). CONCLUSION: Overall, private sector academicians are more burdened by
      teaching load and also are less satisfied of their workload. Revision of private
      universities policies may aid in addressing this issue.

PMID- 26266134
TI  - Clinical Assessment of Weight Gain with Atypical Antipsychotics - Blonanserin vs
      Amisulpride.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Atypical antipsychotics appear to have the greatest potential to
      induce weight gain. Antipsychotic-induced weight gain is the one of main cause of
      non-compliance and discontinuation of treatment, often resulting in the relapse
      of psychosis. OBJECTIVE: To compare the weight gain between amisulpride and
      blonanserin treatment, in persons with psychosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty
      six subjects with psychosis attending psychiatry department at KR Hospital,
      Mysore were randomized into two equal groups. After obtaining informed consent,
      subjects of group I received amisulpride tablets 200 mg BD, and group II received
      blonanserin tablets 4 mg BD, for eight weeks. Body weight, Body Mass Index (BMI)
      and Waist Hip Ratio (WHR) were measured at baseline, 4 weeks and 8 weeks.
      RESULTS: The mean weight gain with amisulpride at 4 weeks was 2.73 kg (5.21%) and
      at 8 weeks was 4.34 kg (8.28%) from the baseline. The mean weight gain with
      blonanserin at 4 weeks was 1.77 kg (3.46%) and at 8 weeks was 3.46 kg (6.75%)
      from the baseline. The mean BMI increase at 8 weeks with amisulpride was 1.66 +/-
      0.56 and with blonanserin was 1.34 +/- 0.77. The mean WHR increase at 8 weeks
      with amisulpride was 0.036 +/- 0.026 and with blonanserin was 0.029 +/- 0.020.
      There was statistically significant increase in weight, BMI and WHR associated
      with both blonanserin and amisulpride at 8 weeks. But there was no statistically
      significant difference in those parameters between blonanserin and amisulpride,
      at eight weeks. CONCLUSION: Even though there was no significant difference in
      the weight gain caused by blonanserin, in comparison with amisulpride, both these
      drugs individually caused significant weight gain at 8 weeks, which is in
      contrast with the earlier studies, which needs to be further evaluated.

PMID- 26266135
TI  - A Study on the Dispensing Pattern of Over the Counter Drugs in Retail Pharmacies
      in Sarjapur Area, East Bangalore.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Over the counter drugs (OTC) are sold without the prescription of a
      registered medical practitioner. There are reports that OTC drug market in India
      is on the rise. This is attributed to the rising cost of health care, difficulty
      in accessing healthcare, and an alarming tendency to self manage symptoms. The
      outcome of this is OTC related adverse effects, abuse, and hospitalizations.
      Literature on OTC is sparse. Hence this study was undertaken to evaluate the
      dispensing pattern of OTC drugs in retail pharmacies in Sarjapur area, East
      Bangalore. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted in 3 retail pharmacies
      in Sarjapur area, Bangalore East. The duration of the study was for a period of
      10 days from August 1st to August 10th 2014. The common complaints for which the
      patients frequented the pharmacies were observed and recorded .The investigator
      personally interviewed the patients between 6pm to 9pm, near the respective
      pharmacies. During this study period around 216 patients visited pharmacies
      without prescription. The drugs supplied to 216 patients by private pharmacies
      without prescription was recorded. Data was analysed by descriptive statistics
      using Microsoft Excel. RESULTS AND OBSERVATIONS: Most commonly dispensed OTC
      drugs were analgesics (26.8%). The other categories of medications dispensed were
      antihistamines (15.2%), antacids (14.8%), antibiotics (10%), antipyretics (7.8%),
      Oral contraceptive (OC pills) (5.09%) and others (20%). The commonly dispensed
      antibiotics were Cefadroxil (250mg) for dental infection and Levofloxacin (500mg)
      for upper respiratory tract infection. The most common complaint for the use of
      OTC drugs was pain (25%). It was noted that 55.09% of the dispensed drugs
      belonged to schedule H. However, 13% patients were aware regarding the harmful
      effects of drugs. CONCLUSION: The use of OTC drugs is alarmingly high in
      Bangalore East. Pharmacists have to be trained and educated regarding rationale
      dispensing of drugs. The need for promoting the appropriate use of drugs in the
      Indian health care system is important. This can be achieved through educational,
      regulatory and managerial strategies.

PMID- 26266136
TI  - Ofloxacin Induced Cutaneous Reactions in Children.
AB  - Cutaneous adverse effects to antimicrobials are a major health problem. Though
      majority of them are mild and self-limiting, severe variants like Steven Johnson
      Syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are not uncommon. Ofloxacin, a
      fluoroquinolone widely used for the treatment of urinary tract infections, acute
      bacterial diarrheas, enteric fever, STDs and other soft tissue infections either
      as a single drug or in combination with other drugs. Earlier a case of
      mucocutaneous maculopapular rash with oral ofloxacin and was reported in an
      adult. In the present hospital set up there were few reports of such reactions to
      adults. Here we report three different variants of reactions associated with oral
      ofloxacin in chlidren. Early detection of cutaneous lesions and immediate
      withdrawal of the offending drug can prevent progression of such reactions to
      their severe variants as well as morbidity and mortality. 

PMID- 26266137
TI  - Add-on Effect of Levetiracetam on Cognitive Activity of Carbamazepine and
      Topiramate Treated Healthy Rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Many antiseizure drugs are used for non-epileptic indications like
      bipolar disorder, anxiety, neuropathic pain, prophylaxis of migraine, etc.
      Cognitive problems are known with many of these agents in epileptic situations
      but not to that extent in other situations. The antiepileptic Levetiracetam has
      been shown to improve a range of cognitive abilities. OBJECTIVE: To study the
      effect of levetiracetam, carbamazepine, topiramate and co-administration of
      levetiracetam with carbamazepine and topiramate on cognition in healthy rats.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Wistar albino rats of either sex were randomly assigned to
      6 groups (n=6). Treatment groups: I - Normal saline; II, III & IV- Levetiracetam
      (180mg/kg), Carbamazepine (50mg/kg) and Topiramate (20mg/kg) respectively; V & VI
      Levetiracetam + Carbamazepine and VI- Levetiracetam + Topiramate respectively
      orally for 21 days. Morris Water Maze was used to study the spatial learning and
      memory in rats and the change in Escape transfer latency (ETL) was recorded to
      see the effect of drugs on it. Data analyzed by ANOVA followed by Dunnett's post
      hoc test. RESULTS: Twenty one days drug treatment significantly increased the ETL
      in rats treated with Topiramate (p=0.0001) and combination of Levetiracetam and
      Topiramate (p<0.0001) from their baseline values. At the same time, there was
      significant reduction in the time spent in target quadrant in Topiramate group
      (p= 0.033) and the combination group of Topiramate + Levetiracetam (p=0.026). No
      significant change was observed in the other groups when tested for both these
      parameters. CONCLUSION: Topiramate causes impairment of spatial memory in healthy
      rats after 21 days exposure and its combination with Levetiracetam could not
      overcome this cognitive deficit.

PMID- 26266138
TI  - Mental Foramen in Prediction of Age.

PMID- 26266139
TI  - Ebola Virus Disease (The Killer Virus): Another Threat to Humans and
      Bioterrorism: Brief Review and Recent Updates.
AB  - Ebola virus disease (EVD) described as "one of the world's most virulent
      diseases" by WHO was popularly known as Ebola haemorrhagic fever in the past. It
      is usually considered a severe and deadly illness when humans are concerned. EVD
      outbreaks have shown to have a very high fatality rate ranging from 50 - 90% with
      a reported occurrence primarily seen near the tropical rainforests of remote
      villages in Central and West Africa. The virus is transmitted to people from wild
      animals and within the human community through human-to-human contact. Natural
      host for Ebola virus is not yet conclusively identified but the most probable
      host appears to be the fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family. Five subspecies of
      Ebola virus are recognized till date, with Zaire Ebola virus being the most
      aggressive of all varieties and recording up to 90% mortality. All Ebola forms
      are highly contagious and hence have been classed as Category A Priority
      Pathogens by WHO. Severely ill patients warrant intensive support therapy.
      Medical workers working in affected areas need to undertake extensive measures to
      prevent contracting the disease. Till date, no particular anti-viral therapy has
      demonstrated effectiveness in Ebola virus infection. Also, no vaccine for use in
      humans is yet approved by the regulatory bodies. If Ebola was actually misused as
      a biological weapon, it could be a serious threat. Idea behind this article is to
      briefly review the history and present recent updates on Ebola virus, its
      pathogenesis and possible hopes for treatment. 

PMID- 26266140
TI  - The Clinical Utility of Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials in Patients of
      Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo.
AB  - CONTEXT: Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials (VEMP) is an emerging tool to
      diagnose Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). The clinical utility of
      VEMP has been reported only in small accord in Indian literature. AIM: To study
      the latency and amplitude of VEMP in patients with BPPV and compare it with that
      of normal subjects. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: The study included two groups. Group one
      (control group) were 18 normal subjects. Group two (test group) were 15 subjects
      with unilateral BPPV. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Those subjects who fulfilled the
      selection criteria based on case history and audiological assessment were taken
      for the VEMP recording. The VEMP response consist of positive and negative
      successive waves (pI-nI), with latency values in adults about 13 and 23
      milliseconds respectively. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Data was analysed using
      Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 12 (Chicago, IL, USA).
      Unpaired t-test was employed to measure the statistical difference between
      control group and test group. RESULTS: The difference in n23 and the peak to peak
      amplitude between the ipsilateral and contralateral ears of the test group were
      statistically significant, whereas such a difference in the p13 latency turned
      out to be statistically insignificant. It should be noted that, out of 15
      patients in the test group, five patients showed only artifact tracer recordings
      in both the ears which is considered as no response. The heterogeneity of the
      results extended from absence of VEMP to prolongation of both p13, n23;
      prolongation of p13 alone; and even side to side variations. CONCLUSION: Absent
      response from the ipsilateral ear, prolonged latency of n23 and decreased peak to
      peak amplitude (p13, n23), indicates the disease pathology. However, large sample
      size is required to draw further conclusions and to consolidate the usage of VEMP
      in the diagnosis of BPPV.

PMID- 26266141
TI  - Large Plunging Ranula Presenting as Isolated Neck Swelling: Steps in Diagnosis
      and Surgical Steps in Management.
AB  - Ranula is a salivary gland cyst which typically present as localized superficial
      swelling over the floor of mouth. Complex or plunging ranulas develop when the
      mucus extravasation extends through or around the mylohyoid muscle, deeper into
      the neck, and present with neck lump along with or without swelling over floor of
      mouth. We report a case of large plunging ranula presenting as an isolated large
      neck mass in a 38-year-old female patient. The steps in diagnosis and surgical
      steps in management of the pathology are systematically described. 

PMID- 26266142
TI  - Ewing's Sarcoma Multifocal Metastases to Temporal and Occipital Bone: A Rare
      Presentation.
AB  - Ewing's sarcoma (ES) is a common malignant bone tumour seen to involve long
      bones, flat pelvic bones and ribs and vertebrae in majority of cases. Here, we
      present a rare case of aggressive primary ES of pelvic bones with multifocal
      metastases to temporal bone and occipital bone. The patient presented with facial
      palsy and an occipital swelling, and was referred for chemotherapy. 

PMID- 26266144
TI  - An Unusual Traumatic Lamellar Laceration of Cornea.
AB  - Lamellar laceration of the cornea may occur following ocular trauma. The
      management of lamellar laceration will depend on whether the lacerated corneal
      flaps are displaced or undisplaced. We hereby report an unusual case of large
      traumatic lamellar corneal laceration in right eye in a 14-year-old girl
      presenting with diminution of vision. Slit lamp biomicroscopic examination showed
      partial thickness corneal flap of 11.5mm X 7mm from 11o'clock to 6 o'clock
      position with 3 mm superonasal displacement associated with stromal folds and
      shifting of inferior limbus and conjunctiva. Surgery was the appropriate option
      which included visualization of inferior limbus by incising conjunctiva,
      repositioning of displaced corneal flap and securing it with sutures. Immediate
      examination and proper surgical management of lamellar corneal injuries results
      in good visual outcome and prevention of complications like fibrous ingrowth and
      infection. 

PMID- 26266143
TI  - Nasal Foreign Body, Dislodged and Lost - Can the Adenoids Help?
AB  - Foreign body in the nasal cavity is one of the most common paediatric
      otolaryngology emergencies and needs to be promptly addressed. The incidence of
      nasal foreign body getting dislodged secondary to unsuccessful attempts to take
      it out is quite high and can be potentially dangerous as it might cause fatal
      airway compromise. The chances of it getting impacted and retained in the
      nasopharynx are practical, although such cases are seldom encountered for
      primarily nasal foreign bodies. Nevertheless, the nasopharynx should always be
      looked for as a site of impaction of hidden foreign objects. Presence of enlarged
      adenoids could be of help as it may prevent accidental lodgement of displaced
      foreign body in the airway, but might also result in difficulty in locating and
      retrieving the foreign body because it acts as an anchor-pad with its grooves and
      crevasses. This report presents a rare, interesting case of a child with enlarged
      adenoids anchoring a metallic ring and describes the clinical presentations and
      relevant management of a nasal foreign body dislodged and lost in the
      nasopharynx. 

PMID- 26266145
TI  - Clinical Profile of Diabetic Ketoacidosis: A Prospective Study in a Tertiary Care
      Hospital.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Diabetic ketoacidosis, a well-known and major acute metabolic
      complication classically occurs in young patients with type 1 diabetes. However,
      it may occur in patients with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus too. OBJECTIVE: Aim of
      this study was to look into the clinical profile, precipitating factors and
      clinical outcome in the patients presenting with Diabetic ketoacidosis in the
      Emergency of a Tertiary care hospital. DESIGN: The study was a prospective study
      conducted over a period of two years in Kasturba Medical College, Manipal
      Karnataka, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical profile of 60 diabetic patients
      admitted in the Emergency with the diagnosis of Diabetic ketoacidosis were
      analysed. RESULTS: Out of 60 patients, 12 were of Type 1 and 48 were Type 2
      Diabetes Mellitus. Mean duration of diabetes was 8.65 years. Only 14 (23.3%)
      patients were taking regular treatment for Diabetes Mellitus whereas 32 (53.33%)
      patients were on irregular treatment and eight (13.33%) were not on any treatment
      at all. Among 12 Type 1 Diabetic patients, six patients were freshly diagnosed to
      be diabetic when they presented with Diabetic ketoacidosis complication. Nausea
      and vomiting (63.33%) were the most common symptoms of these patients. Infections
      (73.33%) were the most common precipitating factor for Diabetic ketoacidosis.
      Mean fluid requirement on first day of therapy was 3.51 liters. Mortality of 10%
      was seen. CONCLUSION: Diabetic ketoacidosis is a fatal acute metabolic
      complication of Diabetes Mellitus with heterogeneous clinical presentation. Early
      diagnosis and treatment can avoid morbidity & mortality.

PMID- 26266146
TI  - AGE-Related Differences of Novel Atherosclerotic Risk Factors and Angiographic
      Profile Among Gujarati Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients.
AB  - CONTEXT: Although numerous risk factors have been established to predict the
      development of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), the risk factor profile may be
      different between the younger and older individuals. AIM: To analyse the
      frequency and pattern of atherogenic risk factors and angiographic profiles in
      age-stratified Gujarati patients with ACS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: ACS patients
      undergoing coronary angiography at U.N. Mehta Institute of Cardiology and
      Research, Gujarat, India between January 2008 and December 2012 were classified
      in to two age groups with 40y as cut-off. Patients were assessed for conventional
      risk factors (diabetes mellitus, dyslipidaemia, hypertension, smoking, obesity),
      novel risk factors (high sensitivity C-reactive protein, lipoprotein (a),
      homocysteine), and angiographic profiles.The statistical difference between two
      age groups was determined by Student's t-test for continuous variables and Chi
      square or Fisher's exact test for categorical variables. RESULTS: A total of 200
      patients, 100 patients <=40 y of age and 100 patients >40 y of age, were
      evaluated. Older patients had higher frequency of hypertension (32 vs. 16%,
      p=0.008), while family history of coronary artery disease was more common among
      younger patients (19 vs. 9%, p=0.041). The incidence of diabetes, dyslipidaemia,
      smoking and tobacco chewing did not vary significantly between the two groups.
      Total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were
      significantly higher in the younger group (p<0.05). Lipoprotein (a), homocysteine
      and high-sensitivity C reactive protein levels were comparable between two age
      groups. Multi-vessel coronary artery disease was more common among older group.
      The most commonly affected coronary artery was the left anterior descending
      artery among younger patients (44%) and the left circumflex artery among older
      patients (38.1%). CONCLUSION: Young patients with ACS had different
      atherosclerotic risk profile and less extensive coronary artery disease as
      compared to older counterparts. Emphasis should be given on diagnosis and
      management of major modifiable risk factors.

PMID- 26266147
TI  - Association of Thyroid Function with Severity of Coronary Artery Disease in
      Euthyroid Patients.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Thyroid hormone exerts multiple effects on the heart and vascular
      system. Variations of free T3 have been linked to coronary artery disease. We
      conducted a study to observe whether there is a relationship between the
      variation of the serum thyroid hormone levels (TSH, FT3 and FT4) and the presence
      and severity of CAD in the euthyroid patients. AIM: To study association of serum
      TSH, FT4 and FT3 levels within the normal range with presence and severity of
      coronary artery disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 100 euthyroid patients
      with stable angina, who underwent coronary angiography were enrolled in the
      study. Coronary artery disease was defined as >50% stenosis in the luminal
      diameter in at least one major epicardial coronary artery. The Gensini scoring
      system was used to define the severity of the CAD and serum TSH, FT3 and FT4
      levels were measured by the chemiluminescence method. RESULTS: Single vessel
      disease was found in 23%, double vessel disease in 15% and triple vessel disease
      in 17% of patients. TSH and FT4 levels were also comparable between the groups.
      Normal coronary group had significantly higher mean FT3 values than triple vessel
      disease (p=0.004) and FT3 levels showed an inverse relation with Gensini score
      (Pearson's correlation =- 0.30) (p =0.002). A level of FT3 <= 2.7 predicted the
      severity of CAD with a 70% sensitivity and 60% specificity (area under curve
      (AUC): 0.755, p=0.001). CONCLUSION: In the absence of primary thyroid disease and
      acute coronary syndrome, the occurrence of CAD is associated with lower serum
      levels of FT3. FT3 and not the FT4 and TSH levels may be used as an indicator of
      increased risk for severe CAD. The present study clearly shows the existence of a
      strong association between the reduction of biologically active T3 and severity
      of coronary artery disease. However, low T3 state could be at first interpreted
      as just a biological risk factor of severe coronary artery disease; only the
      demonstration of beneficial effects on cardiovascular, end points of long term T3
      replacement in CAD patients with low T3 state can answer this fundamental issue.

PMID- 26266148
TI  - Assessment of the Presence of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Patients with Diabetes
      Mellitus, Hypothyroidism and Acromegaly.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is one of the most common entrapment
      neuropathies of the upper limbs. It results from compromised median nerve
      function of the wrist that is caused by increased pressure in the carpal tunnel.
      Repetitive use of the hand and wrist, obesity, pregnancy, rheumatoid diseases,
      trauma and endocrinopathies are some of the risk factors for CTS. AIM: The
      purpose of this study was to find out whether patients with diabetes mellitus
      (DM), hypothyroidism and acromegaly have an increased incidence of carpal tunnel
      syndrome compared to each other and normal population. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Patients were assigned into three groups as follows: patients with type II DM n:
      100, patients with hypothyroidism n:48 and patients with acromegaly n:36. In
      addition, 50 healthy individuals were included in the study as control subjects.
      Patients were asked if they had any pain, symptoms of paraesthesia and numbness.
      Patients with peripheral neuropathy were excluded from the study. Boston Symptom
      Severity Scale and Functional Capacity Scale were used to assess symptom severity
      and functional capacity. CTS was investigated by performing electrophysiological
      study for both hands. RESULTS: The incidence of CTS was significantly higher in
      all three groups compared to the control group (p>0.05). In addition, the
      incidence of CTS was significantly higher in the DM group compared to the
      hypothyroid and acromegaly groups (p<0.001). The incidence of bilateral CTS in
      the DM group was significantly higher compared to both hypothyroid and acromegaly
      groups and the control group (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: CTS has a higher incidence in
      DM, hypothyroid and acromegaly patients compared to healthy individuals.
      Clinicians should be careful about development of CTS in DM, hypothyroidism and
      acromegaly. They should adopt a multidisciplinary approach and co-operate with
      the psychiatrist.

PMID- 26266149
TI  - Hypovitaminosis D and Other Risk Factors of Femoral Neck Fracture in South Indian
      Postmenopausal Women: A Pilot Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Non-communicable diseases like hip fractures are a significant
      problem in a developing country like India. The risk factors for hip fractures
      vary according to local practices and the availability of preventive health care
      delivery systems. There is paucity of data on risk factors for hip fracture in
      the south Indian population. AIM: This study was undertaken to assess risk
      factors associated with femoral neck (FN) fracture in South Indian postmenopausal
      women along with subsequent one year mortality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One
      hundred four postmenopausal women with FN fracture and 104 age and BMI matched
      controls were included. Sedative use, visual impairment and other relevant risk
      factors were assessed. Bone biochemistry and Bone Mineral Density (BMD) were
      evaluated. A telephonic interview was done at the end of one year to ascertain
      the well-being. RESULTS: Sedative use, visual impairment, low FN BMD and vitamin
      D deficiency (<20 ng/ml) were seen more in fracture subjects compared to controls
      (p<=0.05). At the end of one year, 20% of the fracture subjects and 5% of the
      controls had died (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Risk factors identified in our study are
      potentially correctable, and needs special attention in an Indian context to
      prevent hip fractures.

PMID- 26266150
TI  - Retinal Hemorrhages in Severe Non-cerebral Plasmodium vivax Malaria in an Adult.
AB  - Malaria is the most important parasitic diseases of humans and one of the leading
      causes of morbidity and mortality in tropical countries. Earlier Plasmodium vivax
      was considered as a benign infection, but now it is recognized as a cause of
      severe malarial disease. It causes severe malarial disease similar to those as
      Plasmodium falciparum including cerebral malaria, severe anaemia, severe
      thrombocytopenia, hepatic dysfunction, shock, acute respiratory distress syndrome
      (ARDS), acute renal failure, and pulmonary oedema. Malarial retinopathy includes
      retinal whitening, vessel changes, retinal hemorrhages and papilledema. However,
      retinal hemorrhages are very rare in Plasmodium vivax infestation. Hereby, we
      report a case of 30-year-old man, who presented with fever with chills and
      diminution of vision. He was found to have Plasmodium vivax infection with
      retinal hemorrhages. He was treated successfully with artisunate, primaquine and
      doxycycline, completely recovered after one month. 

PMID- 26266151
TI  - Multiple Amoebic Liver Abscess As Initial Manifestation in Hiv Sero-Positive
      Male.
AB  - Amoebic liver abscess is the most frequent extra-intestinal manifestation of
      Entamoeba histolytica infection. Immunosuppression is known to predispose to
      amoebic liver abscess. Although amoebic liver abscess is seen more commonly in
      patients of Human-Immunodeficiency virus (HIV), first presentation of HIV sero
      positive patient as multiple liver abscess is quite uncommon.The author reports
      an unusual case of multiple liver abscesses in an HIV seropositive patient. This
      middle aged male with history of multiple unprotected sexual encounters presented
      with spasmodic abdominal pain, fever, diarrhoea and weight loss along with
      generalised ill-health and painful liver enlargement. HIV-1 serology was found to
      be reactive. Imaging revealed an enlarged liver with multiple, irregular,
      hypoechoic foci characteristic of abscesses. Amoebic aetiology was later
      confirmed by percutaneous aspiration and microscopy. Administration of
      appropriate chemotherapeutics along with institution of antiretroviral therapy
      led to both clinical resolution as well as disappearance of lesions. 

PMID- 26266153
TI  - Unusual Presentation of Dengue Fever-Cerebral Venous Thrombosis.
AB  - Dengue infection can present as febrile illness with thrombocytopenia, dengue
      shock syndrome and dengue haemorrhagic fever. Neurological manifestation of
      dengue infection is more predominant in endemic region. Here, we report a case
      with unusual neurological presentation of dengue infection. A 16-year-old boy
      presented with fever for two week duration, headache and double vision involving
      left eye for two days. He had multiple erythematous rashes all over the body on
      3rd day and treated conservatively. On examination he had bilateral papilloedema,
      left eye restricted abduction. His investigation revealed thrombocytopenia and
      positive dengue serology. His MRI brain with venogram showed bilateral transverse
      sinus thrombosis. Hence he was diagnosed as cerebral venous thrombosis due to
      dehydration with underlying dengue infection. He was hydrated and managed
      conservatively. On 3rd day his double vision started improving. His repeat MR
      Venogram was done after two week duration, which revealed recanalisation of
      bilateral transverse sinus. 

PMID- 26266152
TI  - A Challenging Diagnosis of Fluctuating Dyspnea: Myasthenia Gravis.
AB  - Isolated respiratory muscles weakness is an unusual presentation of Myasthenia
      Gravis (MG). We present a case of 49-year-old male with undiagnosed MG who
      presented with fluctuating dyspnea on exertion and at rest. There was no
      peripheral muscle involvement, diagnostic tests and standard electromyography was
      normal, and the serologic tests were negative. The repetitive nerve stimulation
      and Single Fiber Electromyography revealed the diagnosis of MG. Interestingly the
      patient did not have sufficient therapeutic response on first line agents and
      required immunoglobulins and corticosteroids due to respiratory muscle
      involvement. Since skeletal muscle weakness is a cardinal feature of MG, dyspnea
      may be fluctuating as in our patient causing further difficulty in diagnosis as
      the pulmonary function tests performed during remission may be normal. This
      presentation highlights the need to consider MG in the differential diagnosis of
      unexplained dyspnea on exertion/rest. 

PMID- 26266154
TI  - An Unusual Case of Foreign Body Aspiration Masquerading as Pulmonary
      Eosinophilia.
AB  - Foreign body aspiration into the airways is a common occurrence in inebriated
      conditions, paediatric age group and or loss of cough reflex. Acute symptoms,
      often times are recognized and medical assistance is sought. Subtle aspirations,
      unrecognized and stationed for longer time in the abode of airways pose
      variegated clinical picture. The authors present herewith an unsuspected case of
      Areca nut in a middle-aged woman mimicking eosinophilic pneumonia. 

PMID- 26266155
TI  - Which one is Worse? Acute Myocarditis and Co-existing Non-compaction
      Cardiomyopathy in the Same Patient.

PMID- 26266156
TI  - Unusual Cause of Bilateral Pleural Effusion.

PMID- 26266157
TI  - Efficacy of Collagen Particles in Chronic Non Healing Ulcers.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Chronic foot ulcers will lead to a significant and prolonged stress
      to the patients. Pain and discomfort that may be acute or continuous is the usual
      complaint in chronic non healing ulcers that may even exacerbate with change of
      the dressings. The end process in any wound healing is wound contracture and scar
      formation. Collagen plays an important role in this stage of wound healing.
      Collagen particles were used in chronic non healing ulcer management to prove
      their efficacy when compared with conventional dressing in a study conducted by
      us. OBJECTIVE: To compare the healing process in non healing ulcers using
      collagen particles with those of conventional method of dressing (betadine).
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: It was a non randomized, prospective study conducted for a
      period of October 2012 to October 2014 in hospitals belonging to Kasturba medical
      college. Non concurrent pre and post comparative study; between collagen group
      and conventional dressing group. A total of 110 patients with chronic ulcers were
      included; each group comprising 55 patients. RESULTS: There was a significant
      decrease in wound size with a mean difference of 37.29 in experimental group when
      compared to 14.29 in control group. CONCLUSION: Collagen dressing is effective in
      management of chronic non healing ulcers when compared to conventional betadine
      dressing. It heals by forming an early granulation tissue and thus reducing the
      length of hospital stay.

PMID- 26266158
TI  - Comparative Study of Prolene Hernia System and Lichtenstein Method for Open
      Inguinal Hernia Repair.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Prolene Hernia System (PHS) is a bi-layered polypropylene mesh with a
      connector that combines the anterior and posterior inguinal hernia repair, but
      still not very popular in this part of the country. Hence a prospective &
      randomized comparative study was undertaken to compare PHS with the already
      popular Lichtenstein Hernia Repair (LHR) and determine the post-operative
      outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Total 67 inguinal hernia repairs were randomly
      assigned to either PHS or LHR method, and data was collected regarding various
      outcome measures like duration of surgery, post-operative pain, requirement of
      analgesia, return to normal activity, and early and late complications. RESULTS:
      Mean duration of surgery was significantly higher for PHS group than LHR group
      (65.4 min vs 51.26 min, p-value <0.0001). Significant difference was noted
      between the PHS and LHR group in terms of moderate to severe post-operative pain
      (15.15% vs 41.18%,p-value 0.018), time of requirement of analgesia (3.7 vs 4.6
      days, p-value 0.024), and time to return to normal activity (2.7 vs 3.4 days, p
      value 0.023), all in favour of the former technique. No intra-operative
      complication was noted in either of the groups. 5 patients had early
      complications in PHS group and 6 in LHR group, but this was statistically not
      significant. The average time of follow-up for the study was 7.8 month, ranging
      from 1 to 18 months. Chronic inguinal pain was noted in 1 and 2 patients
      respectively in PHS and LHR group, again statistically not significant. No
      recurrence was noted in both the groups till the time of follow-up. CONCLUSION:
      PHS is a safe and better alternative to the time honored Lichtenstein hernia
      repair with the added advantage of strengthening whole of myopectineal orifice,
      and virtually eliminating any risk of recurrence.

PMID- 26266159
TI  - 'Tamsulosin and Darifenacin' Versus 'Tamsulosin Monotherapy' for 'BPH with
      Accompanying Overactive Bladder'.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy/safety of 'tamsulosin and darifenacin' (TD) vs.
      'tamsulosin and placebo' (TP) for patients with symptomatic benign prostrate
      hyperplasia (BPH) with accompanying overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: This study included symptomatic patients of BPH with one or more of
      the following OAB symptoms; micturition frequency >8, nocturnal frequency > 2,
      urgency > 1 per 24 hour between November 2012 and February 2014. After protocol
      approval by ethics committee and obtaining informed consent, patients were
      randomly assigned to receive tamsulosin 0.4mg plus placebo (TP) (n=30) or
      tamsulosin 0.4 mg plus darifenacin 7.5 mg (TD) (n=30) for 8 weeks. The mean
      change from baseline in urinary frequency and incontinence episodes/24 hour
      (primary end points), and nocturnal frequency; mean change in PVR and changes in
      IPSS (secondary end points) were compared between groups at 0/eight week using
      voiding diary and ultrasonography. RESULTS: The mean change in frequency,
      incontinence, nocturnal frequency/24 hour and IPSS (International prostrate
      symptom score) were (-4.83 vs. -3.93, p=0.023), (-1.50 vs. 1.08, p=0.001), (-2.20
      vs. -1.87, p<0.001) and (-7.90 vs. -6.27, p<0.001) in the TD/TP group
      respectively (significant). Apart from some minor side effects (12 vs. 9) all
      interventions appeared to be safe and well tolerated. The mean change in the PVR
      (Postvoid residual) was marginal (+10.84ml and -16.93) and the incidence of
      urinary retention was 13% and 3% in the TD and TP groups respectively (p=0.35).
      CONCLUSION: Treatment with tamsulosin and darifenacin for 8 weeks is an effective
      and safe treatment modality in select patients of BPH with accompanying OAB
      symptoms.

PMID- 26266160
TI  - Comparison of Clinical Presentation and Risk Factors in Diabetic and Non-Diabetic
      Females with Urinary Tract Infection Assessed as Per the European Association of
      Urology Classification.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Diabetes has been known to cause severe complicated UTI as a result
      of its various changes in the genitourinary system. This study of UTI in diabetic
      females enables us to know the pattern of infections, their causative organisms
      and severity, particularly with reference to European Association of Urology
      (EUA) guidelines for UTI 2015. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a prospective
      single centre study done over a period of one year at Dayanand Medical College
      and Hospital on a total of 151 diabetic (Group A) and non-diabetic (Group B)
      female patients with diagnosis of UTI. A thorough history of the patients was
      taken which included looking for the anatomical level of infections, host risk
      factors; extra urogenital risk factors and nephropathy disease were assessed. All
      patients were adequately investigated. The UTI was classified according to the
      EAU classification for UTI, and an effort was made to find out the frequent class
      of UTI in this study group. RESULTS: A total of 151 females which included 70
      diabetic (Group A) and 81 non diabetic (Group B) females were studied. The most
      common symptom was fever in both the groups. UTI was classified as per the EAU
      grades of UTI. In group A, the number of patients having severity grade from 1 to
      6 were 47, 9, 4, 2, 4, and 4 respectively. The most common clinical presentation
      in both the groups was cystitis followed by pyelonephritis and urosepsis. In
      group B, the number of patients having severity grade from 1 to 6 were 66, 4, 5,
      5, 0 and 1 respectively. Most common organism was E-coli, which was susceptible
      to most of the antibiotics. CONCLUSION: UTI in diabetic and non-diabetic female
      patients have different patterns. Uncontrolled diabetes was more commonly
      associated with severe UTI like pyelonephritis and emphysematous pyelonephritis.
      E. coli was most common isolate in either group, followed by klebsiella and
      Pseudomonas. Candida was isolated only from the diabetic population. Therefore,
      the most common type of UTI as per the EAU classification in both diabetic and
      non diabetic female was CY-1R: E. coli(a): 'simple cystitis but recurrent with
      susceptibility to standard antibiotics', in our study.

PMID- 26266161
TI  - The Impact of High Surgical Volume on Outcomes From Laparoscopic (Totally Extra
      Peritoneal) Inguinal Hernia Repair.
AB  - PURPOSE: Laparoscopic hernia repair is characterised by a steep learning curve
      for the surgeon, and proficiency and outcomes are dependent on experience. The
      aim of this study was to compare laparoscopic totally extra peritoneal (TEP)
      inguinal hernia repair outcomes conducted by a single surgeon as experience
      changed over time. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical records of 100 consecutive
      patients who underwent laparoscopic TEP inguinal hernia repair (n=113 hernias) at
      Kent and Canterbury Hospital by a single laparoscopic surgeon over a four-year
      period were reviewed for postoperative outcomes. Outcomes were compared with a
      previous cohort of patients undergoing TEP repair in the preceding three years.
      RESULTS: One patient experienced chronic postoperative pain, but there were no
      recurrences, wound infections, haematomas, or conversions compared to three
      recurrences, three conversions to open operations, one haematoma, and one episode
      of postoperative pain in the preceding period. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic TEP
      inguinal hernia repair can be further improved with surgical proficiency and high
      surgical volumes.

PMID- 26266162
TI  - Clinical and Radiological Outcome in Cases of Posterolateral Fusion with
      Instrumentation for Lumbar Spondylolisthesis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Lumbar Spondylolisthesis as a cause of low back pain and lower limb
      radiculopathy has been treated using varied surgical options. The role of
      laminectomy for decompression of neural elements and stabilization using
      instrumentation in the form of pedicle screws and rod construct has been a well
      established and time tested treatment modality. AIM AND OBJECTIVES: This study
      analyses the role of laminectomy and instrumentation in obtaining clinical and
      radiologically favourable outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data was analysed from
      the case records for the duration from January 2010 to March 2014. The study
      analyses the influence of lumbar decompression (laminectomy) and transpedicular
      instrumentation using titanium pedicle screws and intertransverse process iliac
      crest graft on patients with degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis and spinal
      stenosis. CONCLUSION: Decompression primarily relieves radicular symptoms and
      neurogenic claudication whereas fusion primarily relieves back pain by
      elimination of instability. The addition of posterolateral instrumentation
      (pedicle screws) enhances the ability to obtain a solid arthrodesis.
      Posterolateral instrumentation enables improved functional outcome, better
      patient satisfaction and less back and lower limb symptomatology. This is
      irrespective of bony arthrodesis or pseudoarthrosis, at least in the short term
      follow-up.

PMID- 26266163
TI  - Clinico-Epidemiological Study and Treatment Outcome of Multinodular Goitre at A
      Tertiary Care Hospital.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Thyroid enlargement has been a common problem encountered in general
      surgical practice. Thyroid being an endocrine gland, its involvement has a
      diverse issue from a meagre cosmetic problem to a more concerned malignancy. AIM:
      This study was conducted to study the age and sex distribution along with the
      mode of presentation of Multinodular Goitre (MNG). The incidence of malignancy
      and the surgical complications in the study population were also studied.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this descriptive study, patients diagnosed with MNG
      from January 2011 to July 2012 were chosen from the in-patient of our teaching
      hospital. One hundred such patients who qualified to undergo surgery were
      included in the study after a detailed history and clinical examination. Patients
      underwent Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) for preoperative pathological
      diagnosis and the goitre was confirmed to be benign. Patients diagnosed with
      malignancy were excluded from the study. Following thyroidectomy, the thyroid
      specimens were subjected to histopathological examination. RESULTS: Among the 100
      cases of MNG, 59% patients belonged to 3rd and 4th decade of life, 90% patients
      were females, 82% presented before 5yrs. The most common symptom at presentation
      was swelling (100%). Among the patients 80% were in euthyroid state, 19% were
      hyperthyroid and 1% hypothyroid. Most of the patients were treated with sub-total
      thyroidectomy (59%), followed by total (20%), near total (11%), and
      Hemithyroidectomy (10%). Following surgery complications like stridor and
      laryngeal oedema (3%), wound infection (2%), hypocalcemia (2%), haemorrhage (1%)
      and seroma (1%) were noted. On Histopathological examination (HPE) of the
      surgical specimen, 3% were reported to be malignant. CONCLUSION: As noted by this
      study, Multinodular Goitre is more common among females in the third and fourth
      decades. Patients can present with various complaints. MNG can present as
      hyperthyroid, hypothyroid but mostly in euthyroid state. The indication for
      surgery in patients with MNG includes cosmesis, hyperthyroidism, local
      compressive symptoms and most importantly malignancy. Subtotal thyroidectomy is
      the preferred surgery, but a trend towards total and near total thyroidectomy is
      noticeably replacing the old belief in subtotal thyroidectomy.

PMID- 26266165
TI  - Spontaneous Resolution of Non Traumatic Chronic Subdural Haematoma Despite
      Continued Antiplatelet Therapy: A Case Report.
AB  - Spontaneous resolution of traumatic chronic subdural haematoma (CSDH) has been
      reported in literature. However, those with non traumatic CSDH are exceedingly
      rare and none reported with continued antiplatelet therapy where it itself is an
      aetiological agent for development of non traumatic CSDH. A 50-year-old male
      presented to us with a non haemorrhagic cerebellar infarct with a concomitant
      CSDH without history of any trauma. Patient's PT/INR, Bleeding time and Clotting
      time were normal. Patient was started on antiplatelet therapy (Tablet Aspirin 150
      mg OD) for the acute infarct. MR Brain at 1 month showed an increased size of
      CSDH. However patient denied surgical evacuation hence we continued conservative
      line of management, however we continued anti-platelet therapy with close
      neurological and coagulation profile monitoring that remained within normal range
      throughout the period of observation. CT at 5(th) month showed complete
      resolution of CSDH. Patient was on antiplatelet drugs throughout the period of
      observation. Our case argues about the role of antiplatelet therapy in patients
      with CSDH with contrary lesions requiring anticoagulation. 

PMID- 26266164
TI  - A Prospective Randomized Trial of Open Wound Treatment vs Occlusive Dressings in
      Elective Surgical Cases with Respect to Surgical Site Infections.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Surgical wounds heal by primary intention in all the elective and
      emergency surgical procedures. Current practice is to place dressing over the
      closed wound before the patient leaves the sterile environment of the operating
      theatre. Dressing is a material applied to protect a wound and favour its
      healing. However, to leave wound open in direct contact to environment following
      any procedure by just applying some ointment on it, the so called open wound
      treatment is still controversial one. In the present study we have compared open
      wound treatment vs occlusive dressings in elective surgical cases with respect to
      surgical site infections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was conducted
      on 100 patients admitted for elective general surgery after taking written
      informed consent. Patients were divided randomly in to two equal groups each
      comprising of 50 patients. In Group A, patients had occlusive dressing till
      removal of stitches and in Group B, patients wounds were kept exposed to
      environment after the surgical procedure. RESULTS: In present study we observed
      total 7% of postoperative wounds were infected of all the clean and clean
      contaminated wounds we studied. In Group A, patients had occlusive dressing and
      these patients had 8% infection rate whereas in Group B patients, wounds were
      kept exposed to environment and these patients had 6% infection rate. CONCLUSION:
      It is hereby concluded that in the elective surgical cases there is no harm in
      leaving the wounds open postoperatively. This method not only helps in arresting
      the infective pathology at a lesser stage but also saves surgeon's time and
      patient's money.

PMID- 26266166
TI  - A Rare SOL of the Liver: Diagnostic and Management Dilemma.
AB  - Aetiology and clinical presentation of space occupying lesions (SOL) of liver are
      varied. It can be solid, cystic or heterogenous. Usually liver abscess presents
      as a symptomatic cystic SOL in a sick patient. Here, we are reporting a case of
      giant liver abscess presenting as simple benign cyst with corroborative image
      findings of simple cyst. He had significant co-morbid illness and jaundice on
      clinical evaluation. Liver abscess was not a differential diagnosis from clinical
      history. None of the haematological and biochemical parameters were suggestive of
      liver abscess. It was an intra-operative surprise to find such a huge liver
      abscess with 2 liters of pus, which was drained. We report this case because of
      its unusual presentation and associated findings. 

PMID- 26266167
TI  - Intraabdominal Pseudocyst Developed after Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt: A Case
      Report.
AB  - Abdominal pseudocyst is a rare complication developing after ventriculoperitoneal
      shunt treatment. It is more commonly seen particularly in children. The
      underlying pathogenesis may be associated with repeat revisions or infections.
      Morphologically, it has no complete cyst wall, presenting only with a
      pseudocapsule among the intestinal loops, around the lower shunt tip. The
      principal problem appears to be the reduced peritoneal absorption capacity. The
      treatment is complicated and difficult. In this report, we present an 8-year-old
      abdominal pseudocyst case with a history of many shunt revisions. 

PMID- 26266168
TI  - Retroperitoneal Accessory Spleen Presented As Metastatic Suprarenal Tumour- A
      Diagnostic Dilemma.
AB  - Accessory spleen may be formed during defective embryonic development. The
      retroperitoneal accessory spleen is a rare clinical entity and metastasis of
      renal carcinoma into this entity is extremely rare. We are presenting a case of a
      50-year-old male patient who was admitted with complaints of left lower abdominal
      lump and pain. The computed tomography revealed a 7*4 cm mass at upper pole of
      left kidney. To rule out malignancy, we planned for surgical exploration.
      Suprarenal mass was densely adherent to left kidney so left nephouroureterectomy
      with suprarenal mass was performed. On histopathology examination left kidney
      showed transitional cell carcinoma with metastasis into suprarenal mass that was
      found to be an accessory spleen. Diagnosis was made retrospectively by
      histopathological observation. So this case highlights the difficulty in
      differentiation of these masses from malignant adrenal tumours. 

PMID- 26266169
TI  - Do We Still Need to Perform Routine Histological Examination of Appendectomy
      Specimens?

PMID- 26266170
TI  - Prevalence; Characteristics and Management of Endometriosis Amongst Infertile
      Women: A One Year Retrospective Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Endometriosis appears to affect every aspect of a women's
      reproductive system resulting in infertility and spontaneous pregnancy loss. This
      study aims to find out the prevalence & clinical characteristics of endometriosis
      amongst infertile women. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A Hospital based retrospective
      study over a period of one year. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It is a retrospective
      study conducted in the gynaecology department in Institute of Kidney Diseases &
      Research Centre; Ahmedabad from April 2012 to March 2013 amongst women with a
      primary complaint of infertility (Primary/Secondary).A total of 372 patients
      underwent diagnostic hysterolaparoscopy and of these 180 patients who had
      laparoscopic evidence of endometriosis was included in the study. All of these
      patients and their findings were analysed with respect to the clinical signs and
      symptoms. The outcome after appropriate management was analysed in subsequent
      follow up. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: All collected data was entered into the SPSS
      version 20. Categorical data are expressed in frequency or percentage. Chi-Square
      test and Fisher-Exact test has been performed to carry out p-value for
      categorical data. P-value <0.05 shows statistically significant difference.
      RESULTS: The frequency of endometriosis among women with infertility subjected to
      diagnostic hysterolaparoscopy was found to be 48.38%. Statistical significant
      association with severity of disease was associated with symptoms like
      dysmenorrhea, chronic pelvic pain, restricted uterine mobility and adnexal
      tenderness. (p <0.01) Ultrasound finding of endometrioma with ground glas
      appearance also had statistical significant association with staging of disease
      (p <0.01). CONCLUSION: Endometriosis amongst infertile women is increasingly
      being detected due to greater use of laparoscopy in evaluation of
      infertility.Though most signs do not correlate with severity of disease however
      the presence of restricted uterine mobility, adnexal tenderness & chronic pelvic
      pain should always raise the suspicion of endometriosis. Laparoscopy remains the
      gold standard for diagnosing and staging endometriosis.

PMID- 26266171
TI  - Uranium-Toxicity and Uranium-Induced Osteosarcoma Using A New Regimen and Surgery
      : A First-Time Experience.
AB  - Uranium isotopes have always been problematic to mankind since many centuries.
      Different studies all over the world have been unable to reveal causal
      relationship between uranium and its toxic effects on kidneys, bone and lungs. In
      this case report, we present a rare association of uranium toxicity with renal
      dysfunction and possibility of induction of osteosarcoma by an unknown mechanism.
      The presentation of the 12-year-old patient was reduction in urine output along
      with joint pains, seemed like that of diabetes mellitus, as he was already on
      insulin. The patient later diagnosed to have uranium toxicity. This case is an
      instance of strong association between medicine and public health. With complete
      history, physical examination and required investigations, all common causes like
      NSAID toxicity, aminoglycoside toxicity and exacerbation of diabetes were ruled
      out. Uranium investigations were done lastly based on the toxicology report of
      drinking water (South African toxicologist, Caron Smith). In the management
      strategy, the new regimen CBMIDA, supported by studies in Europe, was used.
      However, to our surprise, joint symptoms tracked their way to a diagnosis of
      osteosarcoma, which was later operated upon by our orthopaedic surgery team.
      Histopathologically, it was found to be a chondroblastic type of osteosarcoma. 

PMID- 26266172
TI  - Two Pelvic Digits on Same Side: Double Trouble?
AB  - Pelvic digit is a rare congenital anomaly of pelvis usually discovered
      incidentally on plain radiography. It usually develops in the soft tissue
      adjacent to the normal skeletal tissue. Its importance lays in its
      differentiation from heterotopic ossification, osteochondroma, Fong's disease and
      traumatic avulsion injuries of pelvis to avoid any unnecessary investigations and
      interventions. Here, we report a 32-year-old male presenting with complain of
      pain in right hip, was subjected to radiographic examination and two pelvic
      digits were noticed arising from the iliac bone in addition to features of
      osteoarthritis of hip joint. The symptomatology was attributed to osteoarthritis
      of hip after thorough physical examination and imaging investigations. 

PMID- 26266173
TI  - Jumbo Cutter for Removal of A Bent Femoral Interlocking Nail: A Cost Effective
      Method.
AB  - Closed diaphyseal femoral shaft fractures can be treated with multiple surgical
      options. It is more challenging to remove a bent nail than a broken one because
      it is difficult to retrieve the bent nail through the intramedullary canal.
      Various authors have published their techniques for removal of bent femoral
      interlocking nail. This article describes a simple technique using Jumbo cutter
      for sectioning and removal of bent interlocking nail. This technique will help
      orthopaedic surgeons to remove bent nail without using any specialised metal
      cutting instruments. 

PMID- 26266174
TI  - Sacral Agenesis with Neurogenic Bladder Dysfunction-A Case Report and Review of
      the Literature.
AB  - Sacral agenesis (part of the caudal regression syndrome) is a rare and severe
      sacral developmental abnormality. It is a congenital malformation of unknown
      aetiology with possible involvement of genetic and teratogenic factors. It is
      described by various degrees of developmental failure, the most extreme and rare
      being sirenomelia or mermaid syndrome. The associated malformations comprise
      anorectal, vertebral, urological, genital, and lower limb anomalies.
      Approximately 15-20% mothers of these children have insulin dependent diabetes
      mellitus. The case is being reported for its rarity and educative value because
      prognosis is good in isolated sacral agenesis. 

PMID- 26266175
TI  - Clinico-radiological Approach to a Rare Case of Early Clavicle Tuberculosis: A
      Case Discussion Based Review of Differential Diagnosis.
AB  - A patient of 41 years of age presented with insidious onset atraumatic swelling
      arising from medial end of right clavicle with apparently normal radiograph.
      Initial computed tomography ascribed it to benign bony pathology requiring no
      specific treatment but patient did not respond to symptomatic management. FNAC
      done elsewhere was inconclusive, with no bacteria on Gram's staining and negative
      bacterial culture and AFB smear examinations. Patient had possible exposure to
      tuberculosis and Mantoux skin test done which showed significant induration.
      Possible differential diagnoses related to clavicle including infective,
      neoplastic, rheumatological, degenerative and idiopathic conditions considered.
      Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed focal periosteal reaction with marrow
      signal changes with sparing of sternoclavicular joint. Correlation between
      patient's history, clinical findings and investigations done and diagnosis of
      isolated clavicle tuberculosis was made. Patient showed good response to anti
      tubercular chemotherapy. Repeat MRI showed resolution of initial imaging
      findings. At the end of 2 years patient was completely symptom free. 

PMID- 26266176
TI  - Risk Factors for Discontinuation of Exclusive Breastfeeding by One Month of
      Postnatal Age Among High Risk Newborns: An Institution Based Case Control Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Beyond one month of age, there is generally a drop in the proportion
      of mothers providing exclusive breastfeeding to their infants. Infants with
      morbidities during neonatal period have been observed to be at higher risk of
      discontinuation. OBJECTIVE: To enumerate the prevalent factors behind
      discontinuation of breastfeeding among high risk newborns by first month of life.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: A case control study conducted at high risk newborn
      followup clinic of a teaching medical institute in northern India between January
      and May 2013. Infants were divided on the basis of continuation (controls) or
      discontinuation (cases) of exclusive breastfeeding at one month of age. The socio
      demographic factors along with maternal and neonatal medical factors were
      compared among groups. RESULTS: During the study period, 112 newborns were
      screened. Forty seven cases and thirty eight controls were enrolled and finally
      evaluated. Female gender of newborn, less educated mothers and large families
      were observed to be associated with discontinuation of exclusive breastfeeding
      during first month of life among high risk newborns. Requirement of parenteral
      fluids during hospital stay emerged as the only independent medical reason.
      CONCLUSION: As in healthy newborns, the socio-cultural factors overshadow the
      medical reasons for discontinuation of exclusive breastfeeding during first month
      of life among high risk newborns.

PMID- 26266177
TI  - Root-Cause Analytical Survey for Measles Outbreak: Vaccination or Vaccine?- A
      Study From Madhepura District, Bihar, India.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Though measles is a vaccine preventable disease, outbreaks still
      continue to occur because of poor immunization coverage rate at the national
      level. OBJECTIVE: To report the survey results of an outbreak of measles in
      Puraini village of Madhepura district in Bihar, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      This cross-sectional survey was conducted among children aged 6 months to 12
      years during an outbreak of measles in December 2008. WHO case definition
      criteria was used to define active measles cases. Demographic data, immunization
      status, and disease outcome among the cases was obtained by pre-structured
      questionnaires. Blood samples from 5 cases were sent for laboratory confirmation.
      RESULTS: A total of 52 cases and 8 deaths were reported with an attack rate of
      28% and case fatality rate of 15.4%. Out of 35% cases of post-measles
      complications, dysentery with pneumonia was the most common. Anti-measles IgM
      antibody tested positive in all the 5 serum samples sent for confirmation. No
      child had received measles vaccination in the past, and the reasons were lack of
      awareness, lack of faith on vaccination, and unavailability of health workers.
      CONCLUSION: This survey calls for strengthening of disease surveillance and
      routine immunization coverage to achieve measles control in these communities.
      This has important public health implication for the whole country regarding
      measles elimination in near-future.

PMID- 26266178
TI  - Clinical Risk Index for Babies (CRIB II) Scoring System in Prediction of
      Mortality in Premature Babies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Clinical Risk Index for Babies scoring system (CRIB II) score is a
      recently developed tool to predict initial risk of mortality amongst low birth
      weight babies, the utility of which is scarce in many developing countries.
      OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficiency of CRIB II score as a tool to predict the
      risk for neonatal mortality among the LBW babies admitted to neonatal intensive
      care unit (NICU) at a tertiary care facility Kasr El-Aini paediatric hospital,
      Cairo, Egypt. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective cohort study design where 113
      neonates, admitted during the first 24 hours to the NICU of Kasr El-Aini
      Hospital, from November 2013 till May 2014 were included. On admission, history
      taking, neonatal examination, arterial blood gas analysis and variables of CRIB
      II score were done. Subjects were followed up from admission till discharge or
      death. RESULTS: Male to female ratio was 1.1:1. Gestational age ranged from 25-32
      weeks, the birth weight ranged from 700-1500 gm with mean of 1134.5 (+/- 202).
      CRIB II score ranged from 1-19 with a mean of 9.9 (+/- 4.0). The total mortality
      in the included cohort was 34.5% (31/113). Significant positive correlations were
      found between gestational age, birth weight, temperature, excess base, CRIB II
      score and the occurrence of mortality and with progressive increase in mortality
      with increasing CRIB II score (p=0.001). CRIB II score >= 11, gestational age <=
      28 and birth weight <= 1100 were all found to be significantly associated with
      neonatal mortality. Area under ROC curve for CRIB II, gestational age and birth
      weight were found to be (0.968, 0.900 and 0.834) respectively. CRIB II score with
      cutoff point of >= 11 was the most sensitive (94.9%) with the predictive value
      (74.0%) and specificity (82.4%) compared to birth weight and gestational age.
      CRIB II score showed good calibration to predict neonatal mortality as
      demonstrated with Hosmer-lemeshow goodness of fit test (p= 0.952). CONCLUSION:
      CRIB II score is a valid tool of initial risk assessment in LBW, predicting
      outcome more accurately than birth weight or gestational age alone. It is easily
      applicable and should replace the traditional models as predictor of neonatal
      outcome.

PMID- 26266179
TI  - Normal Bowel Pattern in Children and Dietary and Other Precipitating Factors in
      Functional Constipation.
AB  - AIM: To study the bowel pattern of children in general population and children
      with habit constipation with respect to food habits and regarding psychosocial
      aspect of toileting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective descriptive study was
      done in the Institute of child health and hospital for children, Chennai, with
      two groups, Functional constipation group and Normal bowel pattern group. The
      functional group included the children with the age group of 2-12 years, of
      either sex who fulfilled the ROME III criteria for constipation. Normal bowel
      pattern group had school children of age group 6-12 years of age and 2-5-year-old
      children attending OPD for minor ailments. The demographic profile, socioeconomic
      status, complaints, psychosocial aspects affecting bowel pattern and diet chart
      were collected and recorded from the parents in proforma. Stool frequency and
      type of stool passed were recorded for a week, with Bristol stool chart. RESULTS:
      A total of 523 and 131 children were analysed for normal bowel pattern and
      functional constipation respectively. Data analysis done using SPSS version 15.
      The prevalence of functional constipation was noted in 13.5% with female
      preponderance and in the age group of 2-4 years. CONCLUSION: Constipation
      continues to be a problem, mostly under recognised in older population.
      Psychosocial factors had a significant effect on functional constipation.
      Skipping breakfast, early toilet training, low intake of vegetables and fruits
      were other factors of significance leading to constipation.

PMID- 26266180
TI  - Screening for Hearing Impairment in High Risk Neonates: A Hospital Based Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hearing loss very early in life can have multiple deleterious effects
      on the new born most commonly being related to attainment of speech and language.
      Also, it can affect social, emotional and academic achievement of the child.Early
      identification of hearing impairment has been shown to improve prognosis and
      hence screening programs have been widely and strongly advocated. AIMS AND
      OBJECTIVES: To estimate the incidence of neonatal hearing loss in high risk
      neonates admitted in tertiary level teaching hospital and to determine the risk
      factors predictive of hearing impairment in them. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It was a
      prospective study over a period of one year. We screened high risk neonates for
      hearing impairment admitted to NICU using Brain stem Auditory Evoked Response
      (BAER).The morphology of the response and wave and interwave latencies was
      examined in respect to age-appropriate forms. Follow up BAER after one month was
      performed in cases where initial BAER was abnormal. Babies who tested abnormal on
      the follow-up were referred for detailed audiology diagnostic work up. RESULTS: A
      total of 200 cases comprising 118 males (59%) and 82 females (41%) were enrolled.
      On initial BAER testing, 18 (15.25%) males and 14 (17%) female neonates had
      hearing loss. Whereas 7 males (70%) and 3 females (30%) had hearing loss out of
      the total 10 hearing loss cases in the Follow up-BAER testing. Two out of the 6
      neonates with birth weight <1500g had hearing loss in the follow up of BAER
      testing. Use of ototoxic medications, hyperbilirubinemia requiring exchange
      transfusion, perinatal asphyxia and bacterial meningitis were the major risk
      factors occurring in 45%, 30% and 26% and 10%. Five neonates had unilateral
      hearing loss and the rest five (5%) had bilateral impairment.Meningitis was the
      significant independent clinical risk factors for predicting hearing impairment
      in high risk neonates.The risk of BAER increased cumulatively with BAER
      abnormality rate of 4.2%, 22.2% and 33.3% with one two and three risk factors
      respectively. CONCLUSION: The overall incidence of hearing loss in initial BERA
      testing was 16%, in males it was 15.25% in males and in 17% in females,only 62.5%
      of neonates had a persistent abnormal BAER, with male gender a significant risk
      factor for this. The incidence of hearing loss increased with number of risk
      factors. The study highlights that although universal hearing screening programs
      are warranted; most newborns with a detected hearing loss can be identified based
      on the risk factors. Thus, a targeted approach for hearing screening may be more
      feasible in resource limited settings.

PMID- 26266181
TI  - Tuberculosis and Acute Deep Vein Thrombosis in a Paediatric Case.
AB  - Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) may be associated with tuberculosis infection. DVT in
      tuberculosis (TB) is implicated to the release of inflammatory cytokines,
      decrease synthesis of anti-coagulant proteins and increased fibrinogen levels.
      Drugs may also predispose to the hyper-coaguability. DVT may correlate with the
      severity of mycobacterium infection. We report a case of DVT in an 11-year-old
      child with sputum positive pulmonary tuberculosis. The patient was put on low
      molecular weight heparin after Doppler documentation of thrombosis of left
      femoral vein. She was then put on oral warfarin with complete resolution of the
      thrombosis. A clinician should be aware of this rare but dangerous association of
      tuberculosis and must not delay in early diagnosis and intervention. 

PMID- 26266182
TI  - Sinonasal Neoplasia - Clinicopathological Profile And Importance of Computed
      Tomography.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nasal cavity and Paranasal sinus malignancies are very rare, in which
      maxillary sinus is the commonest, followed by ethmoid, frontal and sphenoid
      sinus. Computed Tomography (CT) & Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) play a key
      role in diagnosis, staging and management of paranasal sinuses and nasal
      pathologies. Multiplanar imaging in CT helps better imaging of critical
      anatomical areas. Aim of our study was to study the incidence, clinical features,
      CT features and its importance in the management of sinonasal neoplasms.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study was carried out in a tertiary care
      hospital of MP, India. Consecutive 40 histologically proven cases of sinonasal
      neoplasia who visited the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Radiotherapy are
      included in our study. Demography and clinical features were recorded. Cases of
      nasal and paranasal sinus masses diagnosed on CT attending ENT and Radiotherapy
      OPD or admitted in the Radiotherapy ward forms the material of this study. This
      included patients of both sexes and all ages. Histopathological examination was
      asked to confirm the diagnosis made on CT. RESULTS: There were total 40 cases of
      sinonasal neoplasia among which 24 were benign. Almost all the benign cases were
      seen in the age group <40 y with mean age of 20 y and most of the malignant cases
      were seen in the age group above 40 y with mean age of 55 y. In our study we
      found male preponderance with male female ratio of 4:1 in both benign and
      malignant conditions. The commonest presenting symptoms of the patients with
      sinonasal masses in our study was nasal obstruction (75%) and nasal discharge
      (67.5%) followed by nasal mass (65%), epistaxis (62.5%) and headache (60%).
      Angiofibroma and papilloma were the commonest benign lesions. Commonest malignant
      lesion was squamous cell carcinoma. Of the malignant Sinonasal tumours studied in
      our series, maxillary sinus was involved in 13, ethmoid sinuses and nasal cavity
      in 10 cases each, and frontal sinuses in 2 cases. CONCLUSION: Contrast enhanced
      computed tomography with multiplanar reconstruction is an excellent modality for
      imaging sinonasal masses. CT can define the character of the sinonasal mass, thus
      differentiating benign from malignant. CT helps better imaging of critical
      anatomical areas and helpful in planning treatment procedures such as surgery and
      radiotherapy.

PMID- 26266183
TI  - Is the Mean Platelet Volume in Patients with Acute Cholecystitis an Inflammatory
      Marker?
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Acute cholecystitis is an inflammatory disease of the gallbladder.
      Ultrasonography (US) is the initial and the most valuable method in the diagnosis
      of acute cholecystitis. Also, laboratory findings are used to support the
      diagnosis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of
      mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet (PLT) counts in patients with acute
      cholecystitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January to August 2014, the medical
      records of patients were reviewed for the diagnosis of acute cholecystitis. The
      study included 60 age-matched patients with acute cholecystitis and 60 healthy
      individuals as a control group. Patients with a chronic disease were excluded
      from the study. Over all, patients with acute cholecystitis and patients in the
      control group were evaluated for their MPV, PLT count, platelet distribution
      width (PDW), platelet crit (PCT) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in a
      complete blood count (CBC). RESULTS: The MPV values were found to be
      significantly lower in the acute cholecystitis group when compared to the control
      group. The PDW and PCT were found to be significantly higher in the acute
      cholecystitis group when compered to the control group. When a correlation test
      was performed, MPV was negatively correlated with PLT and PCT counts. CONCLUSION:
      US is the initial and the most important imaging method for diagnosing and
      evaluating the biliary system. Also, laboratory findings such as WBC, ESR and CRP
      support the diagnosis but may have some undesirable limitations. However, MPV is
      an acute phase reactant that does not require an additional cost because it is
      already worked in the CBC. Therefore, MPV can be used as a marker in diagnosing
      inflammatory diseases.

PMID- 26266184
TI  - Is MRI Necessary for Skeletal Evaluation in Sickle Cell Disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: More than 50% of the world's cases of sickle cell anaemia are in
      India with an estimated population of 1.27 billion as against estimated world's
      population of 7.24 billion. AIM: MRI of 103 patients of sickle cell disease were
      evaluated to assess the skeletal changes in proven cases of sickle cell disease
      and to find the incidence of bony infarcts in such patients. The conversion of
      red marrow to yellow marrow in these patients were also studied. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Sickle cell patients with musculoskeletal pain as well as asymptomatic
      sickle cell patients were evaluated by MRI. The standard sequences used wereT1WI,
      T2WI, STIR, T1WI + Gd Contrast. RESULTS: Persistent Red marrow was seen in axial
      and appendicular skeleton (62 cases). Extramedullary haematopoiesis was found in
      4 cases, avascular necrosis of femur head (32 cases) and bone infarcts (46 cases)
      were also observed in our study. Osteomyelitis, septic arthritis and tubercular
      infections were associated with sickle cell disease in our study. CONCLUSION: MRI
      is very sensitive in detecting early stages of avascular necrosis, red marrow
      persistence, extramedullary haematopoiesis, changes of arthritis, infections and
      joint effusion.

PMID- 26266185
TI  - Diagnostic Utility of Conventional Radiography in Head Injury.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Head injury is the frequent cause of morbidity and mortality and
      frequently encountered in emergency department. Radiological examination of the
      skull is an indispensable part in the management of patients suffering from head
      trauma. AIM: To determine the accuracy of X-ray in detecting skull fractures,
      comparing the same with autopsy and CT evaluation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The
      medico-legal cases that died of traumatic head injury and brought for autopsy
      over a period of two years were included in the study. Only those cases were
      selected who had underwent both X-ray and CT evaluation prior to death. RESULTS:
      When compared with autopsy, X-ray missed 19.1% of fractures while 11.9% fractures
      missed in contrast to CT scan. CONCLUSION: Skull X-ray is of little benefit when
      a CT scan is obtained. It has no added advantage over CT scan. Whenever there is
      facility of CT scan is available, the patient of head injury should not underwent
      X-ray as it can only delay the diagnosis of an associated intracranial injury and
      exposes the already traumatised patient to harmful radiations.

PMID- 26266186
TI  - Spontaneous Tracheal Rupture in a Case of Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD): A Case
      Report.
AB  - Spontaneous tracheal rupture is one of the rare life threatening conditions.
      Tracheal lacerations are generally secondary to cervical or chest trauma or
      occurring as a complication of endotracheal intubation. Only two cases of
      spontaneous tracheal rupture are reported, in adults, one due to acquired
      tracheobronchomalacia and other due to long term steroid use. We hereby report a
      very rare case of spontaneous tracheal rupture in young male patient of
      interstitial lung disease (ILD) who was on steroids for two months and developed
      spontaneous subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum. Tracheal rupture was
      diagnosed on unenhanced computed tomography (CT) and reconstructed virtual
      bronchoscopic images. Patient subsequently died due to cardiac arrest. 

PMID- 26266187
TI  - Grave Complication of Pharyngitis: Lemierre syndrome.
AB  - Fusobacterium necrophorum is the causative agent in the pharyngitis. After
      invasion of the oropharyngeal mucosa by the organism leads to the development of
      the grave complications like superficial thrombophlebitis of internal jugular
      vein, septic emboli in the lung and coagulopathy. A 23-year-old male presented
      with chief complaints of sore throat, headache and high grade fever with past
      history of upper respiratory tract infection one month ago. On examination, he
      had high grade fever, tachycardia, hypotension and tender cervical lymph nodes.
      Oropharyngeal mucosa appeared ooedematous and congested. Leucocytosis with raised
      ESR was present. Blood culture positive for Fusobacterium necrophorum. Dilated
      right IJV with the hypoechoic thrombosis seen on Ultrasonography & Doppler.
      Patient was diagnosed as a case of Lemierre syndrome secondary to oropharyngeal
      infection was made. He was treated with intravenous imipenem and metronidazole,
      and then shifted to oral amoxicillin. After completion of full course of the
      therapy of 6 weeks, patient was improved clinically and all routine blood
      investigations were normalized. Blood culture was negative for Fusobacterium
      necrophorum. No evidence of thrombosis within the right internal jugular vein on
      Doppler. 

PMID- 26266188
TI  - Spontaneous Chest Wall Interstitial Emphysema Secondary to Chronic Empyema
      Thoracis.
AB  - Spontaneous extension of air from the pleural space to the chest wall, also
      referred to as pneumothorax necessitans (PN), is a rare occurrence. Few of such
      cases have been reported in the literature, some appear to have a pattern of
      extension from pleural cavity to chest wall. Clinical conditions known to
      predispose to this complication are pneumothorax, empyema thoracis and
      tuberculosis of the pleural space or rib. We report a case of PN arising as
      complication of postpneumonectomy empyema (PPE) secondary to broncho-pleural
      fistula. Imaging features are highlighted emphasizing the likely pattern of
      spread. 

PMID- 26266189
TI  - Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Metastases to the Kidneys: Is It Common?

PMID- 26266190
TI  - Fluid Administration Before Caesarean Delivery: Does Type and Timing Matter?
AB  - BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of fluid preloading is in doubt, so co-loading has
      been attempted to reduce the incidence of spinal anaesthesia induced hypotension
      in caesarean patients. AIM: To compare crystalloid preloading, colloid preloading
      and colloid co-loading for prevention of maternal hypotension in caesarean
      delivery. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Study conducted in tertiary level hospital on 90
      ASA I/II term parturients posted for elective caesarean section. Patients were
      randomly allocated to three Groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Group A (n=30) was
      given 10 ml/kg of 6% hydroxyethyl starch (HES) 20 minutes prior to spinal
      anaesthesia, Group B (n=30) was given 10 ml/kg of 6% HES by rapid infusion in 10
      minutes immediately after spinal anaesthesia and Group C (n=30) was given 10
      ml/kg of Ringer's Lactate 20 minutes prior to spinal anaesthesia.
      Intraoperatively, Heart rate, systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressure were
      recorded every five minutes. Episodes of hypotension were recorded and treated
      with bolus of 5 mg of ephedrine and total amount of ephedrine was noted. Adverse
      effects, if any were recorded. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: ANNOVA for Quantitative
      Analysis and chi-Square test and Z-test for Qualitative Analysis. RESULTS:
      Baseline parameters were similar in all the three Groups. Heart rate decreased
      from the baseline in all the three Groups, however, mean heart rate was highest
      in Group C. Heart rate was statistically similar in Groups A and B. MAP decreased
      in all three Groups from baseline, however, highest fall was recorded in Group C
      whereas, MAP was statistically similar in Groups A and B. Incidence of
      hypotension was 66.66% in Group C as compared to 36.66% in Groups A and 40% in
      Group B respectively. Group C patients received 5.33+/-4.54 mg of ephedrine as
      compared to 2.00+/-2.82 mg in Group A and 2.33+/-3.14 mg in Group B. Thus, the
      incidence of hypotension and ephedrine consumption was significantly higher in
      Group C as compared to Groups A and B whereas, this difference was statistically
      not significant among Groups A and B. CONCLUSION: Colloid preloading and co
      loading are equally effective and both are superior to crystalloid preloading for
      prevention of maternal hypotension in caesarean section patients.

PMID- 26266191
TI  - The Effect of Whole Body Massage on the Process and Physiological Outcome of
      Trauma ICU Patients: A Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: Hospitalization of traumatic patients in the Intensive Care
      Unit (ICU) and their critical condition can cause haemodynamic instabilities and
      deterioration in the level of consciousness. The study aimed to investigate the
      effect of whole body massage on the vital signs, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores
      and arterial blood gases (ABG) in trauma ICU patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In
      a randomized, double-blind trial, 108 trauma ICU patients received whole body
      massage {experimental group (n=54)}, or routine care {control group (n=54)}. The
      patients vital signs; systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure
      (DBP), respiratory rate (RR), pulse rate (PR), Temperature (T), GCS score and ABG
      parameters were measured by a nurse at the same time in both groups before the
      intervention and 1 hour and 3 hours after the intervention with a checklist. The
      patient in experimental group received full body massage in 45 minute by a family
      member. RESULTS: According to the findings, significant differences were observed
      between experimental and control groups in SBP 1 hour and 3 hours after
      intervention (p< 0.001), DBP, RR and PR 1 hour after intervention (p<0.001) and
      GCS 1 hour and 3 hours after intervention (p<0.05). Of ABG parameters,
      significant differences were observed between experimental and control groups in
      O2 saturation (p<0.001), PH (p<0.001) and pO2 (p<0.05). No significant
      differences between experimental and control groups in Temperature, pCO2 and HCO3
      (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: With respect to this study, massage therapy is a safe and
      effective treatment in intensive care units to reduce patient's physical and
      psychological problems. Therefore the use of massage therapy is recommended to
      clinical practice as a routine method.

PMID- 26266192
TI  - The Incidence of Severe Diarrhea with Transdermal Fentanyl Patch: An Uncommon
      Event.
AB  - Cancer pain is a major problem for the health care providers. One of the most
      important aspects of cancer pain is palliative care management. Recently,
      different research finding shows the efficacy of opioid analgesics such as
      fentanyl transdermal patch in chronic pain management. Transdermal Fentanyl
      patches may cause side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, itching, life
      threatening or serious breathing difficulties and diarrhea, mainly during the
      first 72 h of patient's treatment initiation and any time when the drug's dose is
      increased. We report three case reports of severe diarrhea without most common
      side effects associated with Fentanyl patches during first 72 h of patient's
      treatment. 

PMID- 26266193
TI  - Anaesthesia for a "Scalped" Patient.
AB  - Trichilemmal carcinoma of scalp is a rare malignant tumour of scalp. A 52-year
      old female presented with an extensive ulcerative lesion of the scalp. As the
      location of the tumour was in the occipital region and there was loss of bony
      skull in the region, this case became challenging. This patient was managed in
      the left lateral which was a difficult situation for even the experienced
      Anaesthesiologist. Intravenous access was acquired, central venous catheter (CVC)
      was placed in the right internal jugular vein under ultrasonography (USG)
      guidance and intubation was carried out in the lateral position. After the
      procedure, patient was again returned to the left lateral position. The trachea
      was extubated in the lateral position once the patient was awake, after thorough
      reversal of neuromuscular blockade. Patient had an uneventful postoperative
      period. This case report highlights the management of an unusual case of
      Trichilemmal carcinoma of the scalp. 

PMID- 26266194
TI  - Acute Pulmonary Oedema: A Post-Operative Complication Due to Neostigmine and Post
      Obstructive Pulmonary Oedema in a Case of Tonsillectomy.
AB  - Acute pulmonary oedema has been described in relation to perioperative period.
      The aetiology may be multifactorial and its management poses a challenge to the
      anaesthesiologist. Its occurrence in a normal healthy person with no other
      medical history makes the diagnosis difficult. The causes of pulmonary oedema are
      cardiac failure, fluid overload, airway obstruction, acid aspiration, gas
      embolism, anaesthetic drugs, sepsis, anaphylactic reaction and reaction to blood
      & blood products. Early detection, prompt management by an anaesthesiologist will
      help to prevent further postoperative complications. We report a case of 9-year
      old male child, posted for tonsillectomy under general anaesthesia, who developed
      acute pulmonary oedema following extubation after reversal with neostigmine and
      how we managed it successfully. 

PMID- 26266195
TI  - Assesment of Heart Rate Variability As A Measure of Cardiac Autonomic Status in
      Psychiatric Patients Exposed to Chemical Irritants.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: However, little is known about the cardiac autonomic
      activity due to chemicals in psychiatric patients. Therefore, the objective of
      this study was to assess the effect of chemical irritants on the ANS of the
      person and measure that in the form of Heart Rate Variability (HRV), a
      noninvasive method to estimate the cardiac autonomic activity. The autonomic
      nervous system can significantly compromised by use of chemical irritants.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional hospital based study was conducted in
      which 33 patients (mean age: 29.94 years) of depression/anxiety were compared
      with 37 age matched controls (mean age: 28.10). The patients who were diagnosed
      as either depressed or anxious by the psychiatry were included in the study group
      by random sampling. Out of these 8 patients gave positive history of odour use.
      Thirty seven age matched healthy persons were taken as controls. Grading of
      patients was done according to DSMV-IV criteria and short- term HRV was recorded.
      Five minute HRV recording was done and time domain and frequency domain indices
      of HRV were assessed using RMS Polyearite D. The result in case and control
      groups was compared. RESULTS: We have reported a poor HRV compared to control
      group in patients of depression/anxiety as reflected by NN50 values (p< 0.05).
      Although not significant the trend shows a better HRV control in almost all the
      time domain and frequency domain parameters in controls compared to cases.
      Regarding the history of use of chemical irritants the trend showed a poor HRV
      control in these cases compared to the patients who did not give any such
      history. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that impaired cardiac autonomic nerve
      function characterized by sympathetic over activity may occur in
      depression/phobic patients. The study also proves a poor HRV in psychiatric
      subjects with history of use of odoriferous substances.

PMID- 26266196
TI  - A Comparative Study of Efficacy and Safety of Agomelatine and Escitalopram in
      Major Depressive Disorder.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a mental disorder characterized by
      episodes of depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure, feeling of guilt or low
      self-esteem, loss of energy, altered sleep patterns and difficulty in
      concentration. OBJECTIVE: This study was carried out to compare the efficacy and
      safety of Agomelatine with Escitalopram in the treatment of major depressive
      disorder. DESIGN AND SETTING: This is a prospective study conducted at Outpatient
      Department of Psychiatry, GSL Medical College & General hospital, Rajahmundry,
      India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with newly diagnosed major depressive
      disorder (DSM-IV-TR) with minimum score of 20 in Hamilton depression rating scale
      were randomly assigned Agomelatine (25-50 mg/day) or Escitalopram (10-20 mg/day)
      for a period of 8 weeks. The main efficacy outcome considered was the mean change
      of HAM-D17 score from baseline to end of therapy. Secondary outcome measures were
      Clinical Global Impressions-improvement (CGI) and severity (CGI-S) rating scales.
      STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Student t-test was used for comparing the groups and chi
      square test was used for assessing the qualitative variables. For all statistical
      analysis p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The drugs
      under study effectively reduced depressive symptoms at all the time points. The
      percentage of responders at 8weeks (last post baseline value) was 65.38% with
      Agomelatine and 57.40% with Escitalopram. The difference between the drugs was
      statistically not significant in all evaluations (p>0.05). The mean CGI-S and CGI
      I scores were decreased in both the groups (p<0.05) and there was no
      statistically significant difference between the groups at any assessment during
      the study period. Both the treatment groups showed favourable safety profile.
      CONCLUSION: The study results supported that Agomelatine is therapeutically
      similar to Escitalopram in terms of antidepressant effect.

PMID- 26266197
TI  - Sociodemographic Pattern of Depression in Urban Settlement of Karachi, Pakistan.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Depression is a global issue prevalent among developing countries
      like Pakistan as compared to developed countries. We conducted a study to assess
      the prevalence and identify the significant predictors of depression in an elite
      urban settlement in Karachi, Pakistan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross
      sectional study was done in the elitist residential area of Karachi; Defence
      Housing Authority (DHA). Four hundred and twenty three participants were included
      by going to their residences. Self-administered questionnaires were handed out
      after taking informed consent. Level of depression was assessed by Patient Health
      Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Data were entered and analysed in Predictive Analytical
      Software v. 18.0. RESULTS: The mean and median total score of the scale were 5.9
      +/- 5.4 and 4 (7) respectively with minimum score 0 and maximum 27. In this
      sequence, 139 (32.86%) respondents were identified to be depressed. It was found
      that females were slight more depressed than males (p = 0.063). Regression Model
      identified only gender and marital status as significant predictors of
      depression. Having a female gender increased 0.658 times chance of being
      depressed (p = 0.047). Unmarried person had 0.296 times more likely to be
      depressed (p = 0.019). Boredom was considered as significant factor of depression
      by the participants (p< 0.0001). Odds ratio signified depression occurred 0.310
      times more if one was bored. DISCUSSION: Depression should be considered as a
      major public health issue for the city. Public awareness should be done in all
      parts of the city in an attempt to reduce depression especially among the female
      gender.

PMID- 26266198
TI  - Acute Psychosis after Recent Isoniazid Initiation.
AB  - Isoniazid as part of Directly Observed Treatment-Short course (DOTS) regimen is
      universally used. Although, associated psychosis in certain cases is documented
      earlier, type of symptoms and onset of symptoms remains highly variable. We
      describe a case of 54-year-old female on anti-tubercular therapy with onset of
      psychosis within three days of Isoniazid initiation characterised by agitation,
      loosening of association, echolalia with spontaneous remission after drug
      stoppage. This case highlights the importance of remaining vigilant and
      considering isoniazid as possible causative agent for psychosis even within days
      of its intiation and avoiding delay in management. 

PMID- 26266199
TI  - Use of 90 degrees  Hopkin's Telescopic Examination as an OPD Tool to Clinically
      Evaluate and Record Oral Cavity Lesions: Our Experience in Early Detection,
      Especially in Patients with Limited Mouth Opening.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Restricted mouth opening due to premalignant lesions like oral sub
      mucous fibrosis, malignancies of oral cavity and postoperative status is very
      common in Indian patients. It is very difficult to evaluate, document and biopsy
      the lesions due to inability to access, vast area and diversity of premalignant
      lesions and subject variations. 90 degrees  Hopkin's slender out-patient
      examination telescope was found useful tool in this. AIM: The aim of the study
      was to evaluate the use of magnified view and reach of a slender telescope to
      document and examine the oral cavity for any premalignant and malignant lesions,
      especially for patients with restricted mouth opening and to study its impact on
      management. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 90(0) Hopkin's telescope was used to
      evaluate and document oral cavity examination in the Out Patients Department
      (OPD). The data of first 2000 patients was analysed. RESULTS: Difficult to reach
      areas, where mouth opening was severely restricted was the significant subset. A
      total of 1394 patients approached OPD for primary diagnosis at our tertiary
      cancer care centre. Six hundred and six patients were the ones in follow up after
      treatment in form of Surgery, Chemotherapy or Radiotherapy, or combination. Five
      twenty three patients (of 1394) with mouth opening <= 20mm formed the study
      group. Telescope guided biopsies were also taken in 50 patients from 56 sites.
      Serial recordings were compared objectively in premalignant, treatment evaluation
      and close watch groups. An increase of 5.6% in rate of diagnosis of malignancy
      was made possible with the help of telescopic examination in patients with mouth
      opening <= 20mm. CONCLUSION: A 90(0) Hopkin's telescopic examination is a useful
      tool to evaluate and record oral cavity lesions, especially in patients with
      restricted mouth openings. It is a useful tool for screening high risk group,
      giving definite advantage of objective evaluation and recording of the lesion. It
      can also be used to objectively evaluate response of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy
      and as a teaching tool for the fellows.

PMID- 26266200
TI  - Radiobiological Response of Cervical Cancer Cell Line in Low Dose Region:
      Evidence of Low Dose Hypersensitivity (HRS) and Induced Radioresistance (IRR).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Purpose of the present study was to examine the response of cervical
      cancer cell line (HeLa cell line) to low dose radiation using clonogenic assay
      and mathematical modeling of the low dose response by Joiner's induced repair
      model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Survival of HeLa cells following exposure to single
      and fractionated low doses of gamma (gamma)-ray, 6 MV, and 15 MV photon was
      measured by clonogenic assay. RESULTS: HeLa cell line demonstrated marked low
      dose response consisting of an area of HRS and IRR in the dose region of <1 Gy.
      The two gradients of the low dose region (alphas and alphar) were distinctly
      different with a transition dose (Dc) of 0.28-0.40 cGy. CONCLUSION: HeLa cell
      line demonstrates marked HRS and IRR with distinct transition dose. This may form
      the biological basis of the clinical study to investigate the chemo potentiating
      effect of low dose radiation in cervical cancer.

PMID- 26266201
TI  - Preliminary Experience and Morbidity Analysis of Cytoreductive Surgery with
      Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC) from a Tertiary Cancer
      Center in India.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) can arise directly from peritoneum
      (primary) or from regional spread of gastrointestinal and gynecological
      malignancies. It is often considered a terminal event. CRS/HIPEC procedure
      provides encouraging outcomes in select sub-set of patients with PC. In this
      study we present our initial experience of this combined procedure from a
      tertiary cancer care center in India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2014
      to January 2015, 13 patients underwent CRS + HIPEC procedure at our center.
      Preoperative assessment for cytoreduction was done using contrast CT-scan of the
      abdomen and staging laparoscopy. All procedures were performed by the same
      surgical team. After cytoreduction, HIPEC was performed by closed method.
      RESULTS: Median patient age was 52 and median PCI was 13.5 (5-21). Ovarian
      cancers were commonest origin of PC in our series. All patients had a complete
      cytoreduction with a median operative time of 8.3 hours. Postoperative ileus was
      the commonest adverse event. In the immediate postoperative period, major
      complications were observed in 23% (3/13) of our patients (1. intra-abdominal
      abscess 2. Septicemia and liver function derangement 3. Bowel obstruction which
      required a re-operation. Median hospital stay was 12 days (range 9-45 days) and
      there was no perioperative mortality. CONCLUSION: Our initial results indicate
      that CRS + HIPEC procedure can be performed with acceptable morbidity and no
      mortality. Appropriate case selection by a multi-disciplinary team is vital to
      achieve complete cytoreduction and optimize outcomes.

PMID- 26266202
TI  - Pre-radiotherapy Haemoglobin Level is A Prognosticator in Locally Advanced Head
      and Neck Cancers Treated with Concurrent Chemoradiation.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Radiation plays a major role in treatment of locoregional control
      of Head and Neck Squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Anaemia is considered a
      contributor to intra-tumour hypoxia and tumour resistance to ionizing radiation
      and most evidences are from developed world, we prospectively investigated the
      exact role of anaemia in treatment outcome of Stage III/IVA HNSCC in our patient
      population. AIM OF THE STUDY: Primary end point: To analyse the Pre-Radiotherapy
      haemoglobin level and early response of treatment in stage III/IVA HNSCC and to
      determine the relationship of Pre-Radiotherapy haemoglobin level with other
      prognostic factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This non-interventional single blinded
      randomized study enrolled patients attending the OPD consecutively, who met our
      eligibility criteria. INCLUSION CRITERIA: HNSCC patients of Stage III/IVA aged
      >=18 years and <= 70 years with ECOG status of 1or 2 and willing for concurrent
      chemoradiation and at least 6 weeks of follow up. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: 1) Previous
      history of treatment for malignancy or radiation in head and neck site. 2)
      Patients with other fatal and non-fatal pre-morbid or co-morbid conditions that
      can affect the outcome or the overall survival. Patients with Pre-radiotherapy
      haemoglobin status < 10 g/dl were given haematinic support and/or blood
      transfusion. All patients received concurrent chemotherapy (weekly cisplatin) and
      radiation in conventionally fractionated dose of 66Gy. Early treatment responses
      were evaluated with Revised RECIST version 1.1 and Data analysis using SPSS
      version 17.0. RESULTS: Ninety one patients enrolled had mean age of 55.63 (range:
      32-69), a median of 56 and mode of 60. Seventy one were males (78%) and 20
      females (22%) with a performance status of ECOG 1 in 43 (47%) patients and ECOG 2
      in 48 (53%); Pre-RT Hb level of <10.7 g/dl in 38 (42%) patients and >=10.7 in 53
      (58%) patients; Pre-RT Hb level was <12 g/dl in 67 (74%) patients and >=12 in 24
      (26%) patients. Tumour sites were - Nasopharynx 7 (8 %), Oral Cavity 18 (20 %),
      Oropharynx 32 (35 %), Hypopharynx 23 (25 %) and Larynx 11 (12 %). Twenty five
      (27%) had Grade 2 mucositis and 66 (73%) had Grade 3 mucositis. Fifty eight (64%)
      patients completed treatment with NO breaks and 33 (36%) with treatment breaks
      for >=5 days. Pre-radiotherapy haemoglobin >= 10.7 g/dl (p < 0.001), ECOG
      performance status (p = 0.0002), Treatment interruptions for > 5 days (p =
      <0.0001), Mucositis reaction (p = <0.0001) showed statistical significance with
      outcome of response. CONCLUSION: The study found that performance status, pre-RT
      haemoglobin level, radiotherapy interruptions > 5 days and non-development of
      grade III mucositis was found to be significantly associated with good loco
      regional control. Haemoglobin level >=10.7 g/dl was associated with better
      treatment outcome, higher performance status, fewer treatment interruptions and
      lesser degree of mucositis. Transfusion did not affect the outcome. Definitive
      conclusions and recommendations need further expansion of our study for better
      statistical power.

PMID- 26266203
TI  - An Atypical Case of POEMS Syndrome with an Osteolytic Bone Lesion.
AB  - POEMS syndrome is a rare multisystem disorder with an underlying plasma cell
      dyscrasia associated with Polyneuropathy, Organomegaly, Endocrinopathy,
      Monoclonal gammopathy and Skin changes. Usually it is associated with sclerotic
      bone lesions. It usually manifests in 5(th)-6(th) decade of life with a mean
      survival period of eight years. We report an unusual case of a 28-year-old male
      diagnosed with POEMS syndrome and had a lytic bone lesion the in sternum. 

PMID- 26266204
TI  - Tumour Angiogenesis and Angiogenic Inhibitors: A Review.
AB  - Angiogenesis is a complex process depending on the coordination of many
      regulators and there by activating angiogenic switch. Recent advances in
      understanding of angiogenic mechanism have lead to the development of several
      anti-angiogenic and anti-metastatic agents that use the strategy of regulation of
      angiogenic switch. Antiangiogenic therapy is a form of treatment not cure for
      cancer and represents a highly effective strategy for destroying tumour because
      vascular supply is the fundamental requirement for growth of tumour. Because of
      the quiescent nature of normal adult vasculature, angiogenic inhibitors are
      expected to confer a degree of specificity when compared to nonspecific
      modalities of chemo and radiotherapy, so it has the advantage of less toxicities,
      does not induce drug resistance and deliver a relatively non toxic, long term
      treatment of tumour. 

PMID- 26266205
TI  - Evaluation of Musculoskeletal Disorders in Dentists and Application of DMAIC
      Technique to Improve the Ergonomics at Dental Clinics and Meta-Analysis of
      Literature.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) result in discomfort, pain and
      illness that can result in disruption or impairment of dental practice. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study consisting of 60 dentists was carried out to
      determine musculoskeletal work related pain in major cities of Northern India.
      The study was planned in two phases. In the first phase, the subjects were given
      questionnaire related to the musculoskeletal pain happened over the last twelve
      months. In the second phase of study, improvement was carried out by recommending
      the subjects to implement ergonomics at their workplace. After three months
      subjects were again approached and given questionnaire about the musculoskeletal
      disorders. DMAIC (define, measure, analyse, improve and control) methodology of
      six sigma strategy was used to access the MSDs. Chi-square test was used for the
      analysis and a p-value of less than or equal to 0.05 was considered statistically
      significant. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of musculoskeletal problems in the
      present study was found to be 68.3%. After three months only 23 respondents
      applied ergonomics at their work place, prevalence of pain was reduced in neck
      from 47.8% to 21.7% out of total 23 respondents, shoulder pain 39.1% to 17.3%,
      pain in elbows from 26% to 21.7%, as well as in other locomotor organs. The p
      value was significant with p <0.05. CONCLUSION: MSD represents a major
      occupational health issue for dentists in India as well as worldwide and result
      revealed necessitates the need of workshops to create awareness of ergonomics as
      effective measures for reducing MSD among dentists.

PMID- 26266206
TI  - A Comparative Analysis of Antimicrobial Property of Wine and Ozone with Calcium
      Hydroxide and Chlorhexidine.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The antibacterial properties of wine and ozone have been established
      but their antibacterial efficacies against endodontic pathogens are yet to be
      ascertained. AIM: The purpose of this study is to comparatively evaluate the
      antibacterial property of ozonated water, white wine (14%) and de-alcoholised
      white wine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: S.mutans and E.faecalis were subcultured and
      inoculated in a nutrient broth for 24 hours. The following groups were
      formulated: Group 1A:2% Chlorhexidine (Control group); Group 1B:White wine; Group
      1C:Dealcoholised white wine; Group 1D:Ozonated water; Group 2A: Ca(OH)2 +
      Chlorhexidine (Control group); Group 2B: White wine + Ca(OH)2; Group 2C:De
      alcoholised White wine + Ca(OH)2 + chlorhexidine; Group 2D:White wine + Ca(OH)2 +
      chlorhexidine and group 2E: Dealcoholised white wine + Ca(OH)2 + chlorhexidine.
      The samples were allowed to diffuse into the culture medium for two hours, later
      the S. mutans were streaked on to the blood agar medium and the E. faecalis were
      streaked on to the Muller Hilton agar medium and incubated for 48 hours at 370C
      the zone of inhibition was measured after 48 hours. RESULTS: There was no growth
      of microorganisms seen with ozonated water. Chlorhexidine showed large zone of
      inhibition compared to the other groups. White wine has better antimicrobial
      property than de-alcoholised white wine, but when mixed with calcium hydroxide
      the dealcoholised white wine has better action against the microorganisms.
      CONCLUSION: Ozonated water has the best antibacterial property and the
      antibacterial action of Calcium hydroxide is enhanced when it is mixed with de
      alcoholised white wine.

PMID- 26266207
TI  - Is Oral Health of the Sugar Mill Workers Being Compromised?
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Occupational environment has an immense influence on the general as
      well as oral health. The specific exposure to sugar and its byproducts might
      influence the dental health of sugar mill workers. AIM AND OBJECTIVES: The
      present study was conducted to assess and compare the oral health status of
      production line workers and administration staff working in the sugar mills of
      Western Uttar Pradesh. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was
      conducted in four Government aided and four Private sugar mills of West Uttar
      Pradesh, India among the production line workers and administration staff.
      Multistage random sampling methodology was employed to select total of 600 sugar
      mill factory workers (449 production line workers and 151 administration staff).
      The oral health status of the study subjects was assessed using the modified WHO
      Oral health survey Performa 1997. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: SPSS 19 Version was used
      for statistical analysis. Mean, Standard Deviation and proportions were
      calculated for each clinical parameter. Student t-test and Chi-square analysis
      was done to analyse inter group comparison. RESULTS: Mean DMFT for production and
      non production line workers was 7.67+/- 2.99 and 0.15 +/- 1.34 (p= 0.001)
      respectively. 80.17% of production line workers had maximum CPI score 2 in
      contrast to 63.57% of administration staff (p=0.324). CONCLUSION: The dental
      health was found to be debilitated among the production line workers of Sugar
      mill as compared to the Administrative staff. It is therefore recommended to
      raise the awareness among the sugar mill workers regarding the same.

PMID- 26266208
TI  - Evaluation of Fluoride Retention Due to Most Commonly Consumed Estuarine Fishes
      Among Fish Consuming Population of Andhra Pradesh as a Contributing Factor to
      Dental Fluorosis: A Cross-Sectional Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Fluoride in drinking water is known for both beneficial and
      detrimental effects on health. The principal sources of fluoride include water,
      some species of vegetation, certain edible marine animals, dust and industrial
      processes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the fluoride retention of
      most commonly consumed estuarine fishes among fish consuming population of Andhra
      Pradesh. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate
      the amount of fluoride retention due to ten most commonly consumed estuarine
      fishes as a contributing factor to Fluorosis by SPADNS Spectrophotometric method.
      The presence and severity of dental fluorosis among fish consuming population was
      recorded using Community Fluorosis Index. Statistical analysis was done using
      MedCalc v12.2.1.0 software. RESULTS: For Sea water fishes, the fluoride levels in
      bone were maximum in Indian Sardine (4.22 ppm). Amongst the river water fishes,
      the fluoride levels in bone were maximum in Catla (1.51 ppm). Also, the mean
      total fluoride concentrations of all the river fishes in skin, muscle and bone
      were less (0.86 ppm) as compared to the sea water fishes (2.59 ppm). It was
      unveiled that sea fishes accumulate relatively large amounts of Fluoride as
      compared to the river water fishes. The mean Community Fluorosis Index was found
      to be 1.06 amongst a sampled fish consuming population. Evaluation by Community
      Index for Dental fluorosis (CFI) suggested that fluorosis is of medium public
      health importance. CONCLUSION: It was analysed that bone tends to accumulate more
      amount of fluoride followed by muscle and skin which might be due to the
      increased permeability and chemical trapping of fluoride inside the tissues. The
      amount of fluoride present in the fishes is directly related to the severity of
      fluorosis amongst fish consuming population, suggesting fishes as a contributing
      factor to fluorosis depending upon the dietary consumption.

PMID- 26266209
TI  - Impact of Untreated Traumatic Injuries to Anterior Teeth on the Oral Health
      Related Quality of Life As Assessed By Video Based Smiling Patterns in Children.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to assess the correlation between the oral
      health status, oral health related quality of life and the evaluations of their
      smiles as assessed by the children, their parents, and through measurements of
      the children's videotaped smiles and compare the smiling patterns in children
      suffering from untreated traumatic injuries to anterior teeth and control group.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty eight children of the age 5-15 years of both sexes
      were selected for the study and categorized into experimental group and control
      group. The experimental group consisted of 29 children with untreated trauma to
      one or more anterior teeth while the control group consisted of 29 children with
      good oral health. Oral examination of all children was done to include in study
      groups. Children and parents participating in the study responded to two separate
      Oral Health Related Quality of Life questionnaires for children and parents
      respectively. The children were asked to watch a funny cartoon show and a video
      was made while the children watched the show. The video was cropped into still
      images at 25 predetermined points. Width and openness of the children's mouth and
      number of teeth shown were measured during the taped sessions to assess the
      children's video-based smiling patterns. RESULTS: The children's self evaluation
      scores had statistically significant correlation with their smiling patterns, the
      number of traumatized teeth and the parental assessment of their children's oral
      health. Children with trauma to anterior teeth had more impacts on their smiling
      pattern compared to control group. CONCLUSION: Children suffering from trauma to
      anterior teeth had more effects on the emotions, the self confidence and social
      interaction than children without any traumatic injury.

PMID- 26266210
TI  - Orthodontic Treatment Provided by General Dentists with Different Types of
      Appliances in Chattishgarh, India.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The study was done to determine the quantity of orthodontics and the
      type of appliance used for orthodontic treatment by general dentist. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: A total of 410 dentists completely participated in the study. The
      study included questions to know the positive effects of orthodontic treatment
      done by general dentists and their opinions and qualities regarding the provision
      of treatment. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Statistical analysis was done using SPSS
      version of 16.0 was used at p <= 0.05. RESULTS: One forty six (35.6%) dentists
      answered that they practice orthodontic treatment to their patients, of which
      most were providing removable appliances (39.5%). There was a significant
      difference between the groups toward the benefits of orthodontic treatment
      according to experience of service and locality. General dentist were providing
      this treatment mainly in the mixed dentition period i.e. 96(65.8%). Most of the
      participants gave positive response regarding expansion of their syllabus related
      to orthodontics. CONCLUSION: A significant difference in response to the benefits
      of the treatment were seen according to experience and are of practice and most
      of the participants showed positive response increasing their courses in
      orthodontics at undergraduate level.

PMID- 26266211
TI  - Assessment of Periodontal Status of Konda Reddy Tribe in Bhadrachalam, Khammam
      District, India.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Though great strides have been taken globally in the fight against
      oral diseases, problems persist especially among poor, disadvantaged and socially
      marginalised communities like tribes. Konda Reddies are one of the most primitive
      tribes of Bhadrachalam who because of their isolation, inaccessibility to dental
      resources and lack of dental knowledge follow traditional methods of oral hygiene
      practices, which are found to be inadequate to maintain oral health. AIM AND
      OBJECTIVES: To assess the periodontal status of Konda reddy tribes residing in
      Bhadrachalam of Khammam district, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Based on
      availability and accessibility the tribes were gathered using convenient sampling
      method. The total study population consisted of 500 subjects. Using a preformed
      Performa the oral hygiene practices and periodontal status was recorded using CPI
      index. RESULTS: The total study population was 500, comprising of 225 males and
      275 females in the age group ranging from 20- >70 years. The mean number of
      sextants with healthy condition were 0.04+/-0.19; calculus 4.69+/-1.21; pockets 4
      5 mm 0.91+/-0.91 and pockets >6mm 0.02+/-0.15. CONCLUSION: Poor oral hygiene and
      periodontal status was seen among the tribes. Under these circumstances, the
      implementation of a basic oral health care programme for these tribes is a high
      priority.

PMID- 26266212
TI  - A Unique Bonding Technique for Immediate Orthognathic Surgery.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: A challenge in orthodontics is achieving ideal bracket position
      which determines treatment results and finishing. A new bonding method is done
      indirectly on the cast and bonded directly on the teeth, but it does not require
      conventional trays to carry the brackets to the teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Heavy sized archwires like 0.019"x0.025" or 0.018" SS are bent to the
      malocclusion to generate a template which comprises of an Bracket -Archwire
      Assembly (BAA). This assembly is transferred onto the teeth using the molar bands
      with tubes which serves as a jig for proper orientation of the BAA, then the
      adhesive is cured at one shot to complete the bonding procedure. RESULTS: Two
      surgical cases successfully bonded with this technique is presented in this
      article. CONCLUSION: This bonding method finds specific advantages in surgical
      orthodontics - when the surgeon decides on a surgery-first treatment objective,
      management of single or a couple of periodontally extruded teeth, management of
      impacted teeth and in patients needing fixed functional appliance immediately
      before the completion of growth spurt.

PMID- 26266213
TI  - A Comparison of Masticatory Performance and Efficiency of Complete Dentures Made
      with High Impact and Flexible Resins: A Pilot Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In patients with extensive tooth loss, restoration of masticatory
      function and aesthetics is main concern for a prosthodontist. AIM OF STUDY: This
      study aimed to evaluate and compare differences in masticatory efficiency of
      patients treated with complete dentures made with either high impact or flexible
      resins. SETTING AND DESIGN: The sample size consisted of 10 study subjects. Two
      sets of dentures first conventional followed by flexible dentures were fabricated
      for each subject and both the sets of dentures were accessed for masticatory
      performance and efficiency. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study compared the
      masticatory performance and efficiency of dentures by means of standardized mesh
      sieves. Masticatory efficiency was calculated by recording the total number of
      chewing cycles and time required to completely swallow a standardized food item.
      A patient satisfaction questionnaire was given and evaluated. STATISTICAL
      ANALYSIS USED: The statistical analyses were performed using Z-test of Proportion
      and Paired t-test. RESULTS: The masticatory performance ratio was found to be
      more for hard food in conventional dentures. The values of masticatory
      performance ratios for soft food, time and number of masticatory strokes were
      indicating better masticatory efficiency of conventional dentures. CONCLUSION:
      Though masticatory efficiency and performance were found to be better for
      patient's dentures made with Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), a statistically
      significant number of patients reported that the flexible dentures were more
      satisfying than the conventional dentures.

PMID- 26266214
TI  - Influence of Vitamin D & Calcium Supplementation in the Management of
      Periodontitis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: It has long been recognized that vitamin D is a hormone and were
      many studies reporting that patients in periodontal maintenance programs taking
      vitamin D and calcium supplementation had a trend for better periodontal health
      compared to patients not taking supplementation. AIM: To evaluate the effect of
      vitamin D and calcium supplementation in reducing gingival inflammation, using
      clinical parameters like gingival index (GI), oral hygiene index-simplified
      (OHIS), probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL) and bone
      density (BD). Also, to assess whether calcium and vitamin D oral supplementation
      influences alveolar Bone Density (BD). DESIGN AND SETTINGS: A nonrandomised
      clinical trial done in Amrita School of dentistry, Kochi, India. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Group A taking vitamin D (250IU/day) and calcium (500 mg/day)
      supplementation, and Group B were not taking oral supplementation. All subjects
      had at least one or more teeth with chronic moderate periodontitis. Digital
      Orthopantomogram images were taken to assess bone density. Data were collected at
      baseline and three months. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: OHI-S, GI, PPD, CAL, and
      Bone Densities (BD) were calculated per group. Karl Pearson Coefficient of
      correlation was used to test correlation of bone density with GI and OHI -S.
      Intergroup comparison of parameters were done using Independent two Sample t
      test. Intragroup comparison of parameters at recall interval was done using
      Paired sample t-test. The results were considered statistically significant when
      p-value was <0.05. RESULTS: Both Groups showed significant change in the
      periodontal parameters and bone density after three months and intragroup
      comparison showed highly significant results for vitamin D group in relation to
      GI, OHI S and bone density. CONCLUSION: Calcium and vitamin D supplementation has
      got a positive effect on periodontal health and it can be used as an adjunct to
      non surgical periodontal therapy.

PMID- 26266215
TI  - Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen in Premalignancy and Oral Squamous Cell
      Carcinoma.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Cancer has multifactorial aetiology and is a multistep process
      involving initiation, promotion and tumour progression. Cellular proliferation is
      one of the important indicators for the biologic aggressiveness of a malignant
      lesion. The dysregulated proliferation may be a significant change to determine
      the potential prognosis of various malignant tumours. AIM: The aim of this study
      was to evaluate the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) as an
      indicator for clinical aggressiveness in oral premalignancy and squamous cell
      carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 50 blocks were taken from the
      Department of Oral Pathology which was diagnosed previously histopathologically.
      It comprised of normal oral mucosa (10), dysplasia (10) and grades of oral
      squamous cell carcinoma (30) of patients between the age group of 40-60 years.
      From each block, sections of 4 micro metre thicknesses were prepared and placed
      on poly- L lysine coated slides. These sections were immunohistochemically
      stained with monoclonal proliferating cell antibody (PC10). The stained slides
      were evaluated by a single examiner for cell count. RESULTS: A comparison between
      study groups and controls showed a probability value (p-value) < 0.05.
      Significant increase in the proliferative index from the normal to oral squamous
      cell carcinoma was noticed. Poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma showed
      maximum proliferative index followed by moderately differentiated, well
      differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, dysplasia and normal mucosa. CONCLUSION:
      Present study concluded that PCNA index can be used to assess the proliferation
      and aggressiveness in dysplasia and different grades oral squamous cell
      carcinoma.

PMID- 26266216
TI  - Maternal Dental Anxiety and its Effect on Caries Experience Among Children in
      Udaipur, India.
AB  - CONTEXT: Dental caries is a common oral disease among children. There are various
      factors that influence caries development. Parents and family environment
      influence oral health behaviours among children. Dental Anxiety is a common
      hindrance in seeking dental treatment. Mothers' dental anxiety may act as a
      barrier to seek professional advice about their children's caries experience.
      AIM: To evaluate dental anxiety among mothers and its possible relationship with
      caries experience in their children in Udaipur city, India. SETTING AND DESIGN:
      The sample was selected from those attending Darshan Dental College and Hospital,
      Udaipur for dental treatment. The study period was from June 2014 to November
      2014. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was designed. A total of
      187 mother-child pairs were recruited for the study. The children's age ranged
      from 3-14 years. Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS), Hindi version, was used to
      evaluate dental anxiety among the mothers that categorizes the dental anxiety
      into five levels. Demographic detail such as age, educational level, and family
      income was also collected. The World Health Organization (WHO) criteria was
      utilized for the diagnosis of dental caries in children. DMFT (Decayed, missing
      and filled teeth) and DMFS (Decayed, missing and filled surfaces) scores were
      then calculated. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Statistical Package for Social Sciences
      (SPSS) version 20.0 was used to interpret data. Maternal anxiety scores taken as
      mean MDAS were compared with various independent variables. Statistical tests
      were used to compare maternal anxiety and children's caries experience. A p value
      equal or less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. RESULTS:
      Almost half (49.7%) of the mothers reported as being 'fairly anxious' or 'very
      anxious'. There was a significant (p=.001) difference in maternal dental anxiety
      level in relation to age of the children. Mothers of younger children reported
      higher anxiety scores. Similarly, mothers with lesser education and lesser family
      income reported higher anxiety scores. The mean decayed score in children of very
      anxious mothers and phobic mothers was significantly (p=.001) higher as compared
      to the children of the mothers with lower anxiety levels. CONCLUSION: There was a
      strong positive association between maternal dental anxiety and children's dental
      caries experience.

PMID- 26266217
TI  - A Study to Assess and Correlate Osteoporosis and Periodontitis in Selected
      Population of Maharashtra.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis is a systemic bone disorder characterized by decreased
      bone mass and increased risk for fracture. It has been proposed as a possible
      risk factor for periodontal disease progression. Recent literature has shown
      periodontitis to be a risk indicator for osteoporosis, suggesting a possible two
      way relationship. However the association between these two diseases still
      remains unclear leading to a scope of further research in this area. AIM: The aim
      of the present study was to assess and Correlate the severity of osteoporosis and
      periodontitis by using variables like probing pocket depth, clinical attachment
      loss, plaque index, body mass index and bone mineral density. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: A total of 65 subjects aged between 45-75 years suffering from
      periodontitis were considered. All subjects were assessed for periodontal disease
      severity by plaque index (PI), probing pocket depth (PPD) and clinical attachment
      loss (CAL). The bone mineral density (BMD) of patients was assessed using dual
      energy X- ray absorptiometry (DXA) at lumbar spine (L1 - L4). The severity of
      periodontal disease was correlated with severity of osteoporosis. Descriptive
      statistics like frequency and percentage were calculated for all the variables.
      Chi-square test was performed to assess the association between the study
      variables. RESULT: Among the entire group 78.46% had high plaque index score, and
      the severity of periodontitis increased with increase in plaque index score
      showing a statistical significance. Osteopenia was observed in 25.33% of the
      subjects, out of whom 63.15% suffered from severe periodontitis. Osteoporosis was
      observed in 17.33% of the subjects, and all the subjects (100%) suffered from
      severe periodontitis. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study suggest that
      increasing severity of periodontitis increased the risk of osteoporosis and vice
      versa. We conclude that there is a definite association between periodontitis and
      osteoporosis.

PMID- 26266218
TI  - Enhancing the Dental Professional's Responsiveness Towards Domestic Violence; A
      Cross-Sectional Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Dentists may be the first health care professionals to treat patients
      who have experienced Oro-facial trauma resulting from Domestic violence (DV).
      Hence, as a national health concern, it challenges the social responsibility of a
      dentist in bringing down its prevalence. OBJECTIVE: To assess the knowledge of
      Domestic violence among dentists of Karnataka. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross
      sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among dentists of Karnataka to know
      their knowledge, its relation to dentistry and measures they practice to bring
      down the prevalence of DV victims. RESULTS: Overall knowledge about DV was very
      less among the dentists & out of 64% who said the dentist has a role in bringing
      down the prevalence, 28% reported the need for training. CONCLUSION: Based on
      analysis of the data, dentists were interested and would benefit from additional
      education opportunities concerning recognizing, referring and managing patients
      who may be the victim of domestic violence in order to enhance their role.

PMID- 26266219
TI  - Comparison of the Effect of Dentin Bonding, Dentin Sealing Agents on the
      Microleakage of Provisional Crowns Fabricated with Direct and Indirect Technique
      An Invitro Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Postoperative sensitivity after temporization is a common complaint
      in Fixed Partial Denture patients. It is caused by weak and ill fitting temporary
      restorations which results in microleakage. This can be controlled by providing
      good temporary restorations and by coating the exposed dentinal tubules of the
      prepared tooth with dentin bonding agent or dental varnish. AIM: The purpose of
      the study was to determine the effect of dentin-bonding, dentin sealing agents on
      the microleakage of temporary crowns made by tooth colored auto polymerizing
      resin fabricated with direct and indirect technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Thirty premolar and molar human teeth were collected which were extracted
      recently was used for the study. The teeth were marked and divided into 3 groups
      each containing 10 nos. They were individually mounted with self-cure acrylic
      resin. It was then mounted on a milling machine and crown preparations done.
      Temporary crowns were fabricated by direct and indirect method with two types of
      materials. In group A (Control group), the temporary crowns fabricated with both
      direct and indirect method were cemented directly with temporary luting cement.
      In group B dentine-bonding agent (solobond M) was applied once to the prepared
      surface of each tooth specimen before the cementation of temporary crowns where
      as in case of group C a single layer of dental varnish is applied prior to crown
      cementation. The entire specimens were immersed in 1% methylene blue and allowed
      to undergo thermal treatment. It was then sectioned in a hard tissue microtome.
      Each section was evaluated for dye penetration into the dentin tubules by
      comparing it with a visual scale. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: SPSS Version 13 software
      was used for non-parametric data analysis by a qualified statistician. P-values
      less than 0.05 (p-value<0.05) were considered to be statistically significant.
      RESULTS: Group B (Dentin Bonding Agent) specimens cemented with crowns fabricated
      in direct technique showed the least amount of microleakage when compared with
      group A and group C. Group C (Dental Varnish) specimen showed comparatively more
      amount of microleakage than that of group B. Group A (control group) specimens
      showed the maximum amount of microleakage. CONCLUSION: The application of a
      single layer of Dental varnish appears to be of no significant benefit when
      compared to crowns cemented with the application of Dentin bonding agent on the
      tooth surface. The application of a single layer of Dentin bonding agent
      (Solobond M) and temporary crowns fabricated with direct technique may be of some
      benefit for crown preparations as an interim measure prior to the luting of final
      crown.

PMID- 26266220
TI  - Survival of Implants in Immediate Extraction Sockets of Anterior Teeth: Early
      Clinical Results.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aims and objectives of this study were placement of implants in
      freshly extracted sockets of anterior teeth and to evaluate the implant
      stability, peri-implant radiolucency and gingival inflammation around implant
      over a short period of 30 months. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 12 patients
      (8 male and 4 female), ranging in the age from 20 to 50 years, from March 2007 to
      June 2007, were evaluated for immediate implant placement into 22 fresh
      extraction sockets. Only maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth/roots (central
      incisors, lateral incisors and canines) were considered for replacement with
      implants. One piece implant with integrated abutment and integrated surface, non
      submerged, threaded and tapered at apical 5 mm, sand-blasted and acid etched
      surfaced implants (HI-TEC TRX-OP Implants of Life Care Company) were used.
      RESULTS: The mobility was not present in any of the implants at all the follow up
      visits. There were 2 implants at 6 month, 1 implant at 12 month, 1 implant at 18
      month visits, showing peri-implant radiolucency at some sites at bone to implant
      contact site. Severe gingival inflammation was not observed in any of the implant
      site. At every follow-up visit, every implant met the criteria of success and
      none was found to be failed over a 30 months duration i.e. 100% success rate was
      achieved by implants in immediate extraction socket. CONCLUSION: The success rate
      of implant survival in this study was found 100%. These implants have fulfilled
      all the criteria of implant success and based on the defined criteria, the
      success rate of implants placed in immediate extraction sockets of anterior teeth
      compared favorably with the conventional implants. The early results of the
      present study showed that high survival rates with the implants in immediate
      extraction sockets can be achieved.

PMID- 26266221
TI  - Invitro Antifungal Evaluation of Denture Soft Liner Incorporated with Tea Tree
      Oil: A New Therapeutic Approach Towards Denture Stomatitis.
AB  - AIM: Adherence and colonization of candida on denture soft liners is the most
      important contributing factor in development of denture stomatitis. This invitro
      study is undertaken to investigate whether the incorporation of tea tree oil into
      denture soft liners would inhibit the growth of candida albicans. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Each 10 specimen disks incorporated with tea tree oil into soft liners
      (St) and without tea tree oil (S) were prepared. Both the tea tree oil daily.
      These disks were inoculated with candida albicans suspension for assessment of
      fungal growth and were rinsed with sterile water to remove loosely attached
      surface organisms. The attached yeasts were measured by inoculating them on
      saboraud's agar. Treated and control disks were stored in distilled water for 1,
      30, 60 days and washed daily with wet cotton. Data between treated and control
      disks were compared by applying t-test. RESULTS: The mean colony forming units
      (CFU) per mm(2) for specimens without tea tree oil after water storage and wash
      with wet cotton for 1, 30 and 60 days was 7.1 * 10(6), 6.5 * 10(6), 6.8 * 10(6),
      respectively and for specimens with tea tree oil CFU decreased significantly to
      2.1 * 10(6), 2.8 * 10(6), 3.1 * 10(6) after 1, 30 and 60 days. Treated disks were
      effective in controlling the growth of C.albicans for two months following water
      storage. CONCLUSION: Addition of tea tree oil to denture soft liner significantly
      reduced growth of C.albicans suggesting a new form of intra oral effective
      antifungal management for denture stomatitis.

PMID- 26266222
TI  - Oral Cysticercosis- A Diagnostic Dilemma.
AB  - Cysticercosis, a helminthic disease commonly seen in India, Latin America,
      Eastern Europe and Southern Africa, results from extraintestinal encystation of
      the larval form of Taenia solium. It is a condition in which man acts as
      intermediate host instead of definitive host. The most frequent sites of
      cysticercosis are subcutaneous layers, brain, muscles, heart, liver, lungs, and
      peritoneum. Oral cysticercosis is considered rare and cause cystic swellings or
      nodules in the mouth and a precise clinical diagnosis is not usually established.
      Here, we report a case of oral cysticercosis in a 32-year-old female occurring in
      the mentalis muscle presenting as asymptomatic nodule. 

PMID- 26266223
TI  - Surgical Management of a Non-healing Intra-alveolar Root Fracture Associated with
      Pulpal Calcification and Root Resorption: A Case Report.
AB  - Radicular fractures are very challenging to address due to various complications
      like periodontal communication, increased mobility, and continued pulpal
      infection leading to necrosis and its long term sequelae like root resorption and
      pulp canal obliteration. This paper present a case of a long standing horizontal
      mid root fracture with root resorption and pulp canal obliteration, which was
      preserved functionally and aesthetically by surgical approach using MTA (mineral
      trioxide aggregate) and PRF (platelet rich fibrin). 

PMID- 26266224
TI  - Retrieval of Iatrogenically Pushed Pulp Stone From Middle Third of Root Canal in
      Permanent Maxillary Central Incisor: A Case Report.
AB  - The pulp stones are the discrete nodular calcified masses commonly existing in
      coronal and occasionally in radicular pulp, placed freely, attached or embedded
      into the dentine. The present case report revealed the iatrogenic pushing of pulp
      stone and blockage of root canal that caused endodontic failure. The case
      enlightens the proper use of ultrasonic instruments with irrigating solutions to
      manage the calcifications in root canal for successful endodontic therapy. 

PMID- 26266225
TI  - A Nonsyndromic Autosomal Dominant Oligodontia with A Novel Mutation of PAX9-A
      Clinical and Genetic Report.
AB  - Oligodontia is congenital absence of one or more teeth which has familial
      abnormality and attributable to various mutations or polymorphisms of genes often
      associated with malformative syndromes. The present case reports a rare case of
      non syndromic oligodontia in an 8-year-old girl with missing 14 permanent teeth
      excluding third molars in mixed dentition. It is a rare finding which has not
      been frequently documented in Indian children. Mutations in MSX1 and PAX9 have
      been described in families in which inherited oligodontia characteristically
      involves permanent incisors, lateral incisors, premolars and molars. Our study
      analysed one large family with dominantly inherited oligodontia clinically and
      genetically. This phonotype is distinct from oligodontia phenotypes associated
      with mutations in PAX9. Sequencing of the PAX9 revealed a novel mutation in the
      paired domain of the molecule. The multiple sequence alignment and SNP analysis
      of the PAX9 exon 2 revealed two mutations. 

PMID- 26266226
TI  - Polymorphous Low Grade Adenocarcinoma of Retromolar Region - A Rare Case Report
      with Distinct Clinical Manifestations.
AB  - Polymorphous low grade adenocarcinoma (PLGA) is a rare, low-grade malignancy of
      minor salivary glands accounting for 2% of salivary gland tumours. The most
      common sites are palate (60%), lip, buccal mucosa, alveolar ridge and base of the
      tongue with retromolar region being very rare (0.5%). It is considered to be a
      low grade malignancy with indolent nature. Very few cases with metastatic spread
      to lymph nodes and lung have been reported in literature. This report of PLGA is
      a rare case presenting in an uncommon location (retromolar area) with suspected
      lymph node and lung metastases. 

PMID- 26266227
TI  - An Unusual Complication with Use of Lignocaine: A Case Report.
AB  - Allergic responses to lignocaine (amide local anaesthesia) used in dentistry is
      extremely rare. It is widely used by Oral Maxillofacial surgeons to carry out
      various procedures safely, comfortably and efficiently. It is important for the
      practitioners to be aware that allergic reactions though very rare, can occur
      after injection of lignocaine intradermally for allergy testing. A proper
      diagnosis and management of such allergic reaction is very essential to avoid
      undesired consequences. We report a case of a 50-year-old male who suffered
      itching and generalized skin reaction within 5 minutes after administration of
      test dose of lignocaine intradermally for allergy testing. Clinical presentation,
      Diagnosis & management of such allergic reaction are discussed. As local
      anaesthetic agents are commonly used drugs in day to day practice clinicians are
      encouraged to be familiar with the presentation of various allergic reactions and
      there management. 

PMID- 26266228
TI  - Primary Malignant Mixed Germ Cell Tumour with Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the
      Mandible; A Rare Entity.
AB  - Germ cell Tumours (GCT) are neoplasm derived from germ cells. GCT usually occurs
      inside the gonads. Extragonadal GCT's are rare. Most common GCT associated with
      head and neck region are the teratomas. Of the few teratomas found in the head
      and neck, malignant transformation of a teratomatous element is very uncommon,
      and primary bone involvement within the head and neck is even rare. We present a
      case of primary malignant mixed germ cell Tumour involving the mandible, the
      present case presented malignant transformation of the epithelial component
      showing foci of squamous cell carcinoma within the GCT. 

PMID- 26266229
TI  - Rare Case of Spindle Cell Haemangioma.
AB  - Spindle cell haemangioma (SCH) is a benign vascular lesion which usually occurs
      on distal extremities. It was previously regarded as haemangioendothelioma and
      was initially perceived to be low grade angiosarcoma.They are characterized by
      cavernous blood vessels and spindle cell proliferation. It is now considered as a
      reactive lesion and conservative surgical excision is preferred treatment.
      Intraoral occurrence is rare; hence we present a case of SCH in a 33-year-old
      male that presented as a swelling below the tongue. Histopathology showed well
      circumscribed proliferating spindle cells attached to vessel walls, dilated
      vascular spaces. The lesion was positive for CD31 and CD34 markers suggesting it
      to be of endothelial cell origin. 

PMID- 26266230
TI  - Primary Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma Arising in the Tongue Accompanied by Ataxia
      telangiectasia: A Case Report.
AB  - Ataxia-telangiectasia (AT) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder that is
      characterized by progressive cerebellar ataxia, telangiectasia, immunodeficiency,
      and a predisposition to leukemia/lymphoma. Here we report a rare case of lymphoma
      of the tongue accompanied by AT. Tumour extirpation was performed and diffuse
      large B-cell lymphoma was diagnosed following pathologic examination. A whole
      body survey showed no other enlarged lymph nodes or tumour. The female patient
      then received a modified dosage of COPAD (cyclophosphamide, vinblastine,
      pirarubicin, and prednisolone) plus rituximab to avoid severe complications. As
      of follow-up after 3 years and 5 months, she remains in complete remission.
      Patients showing AT need careful surveillance and long-term continuous follow-up.

PMID- 26266231
TI  - Aesthetic Management of Fluoresced Teeth with Ceramic Veneers and Direct
      Composite Bonding - An Overview and A Case Presentation.
AB  - Tooth discolouration is a common problem and affects people of all ages. Apart
      from the conventional treatment modalities for the same, newer options are
      available today with better techniques and materials. The present case report
      describes a 17-year-old girl who had stained and pitted teeth, attributable to
      dental fluorosis and she desired aesthetic treatment for the same. The pros and
      cons of all treatment options were carefully weighed and a multistep treatment
      process involving ceramic veneers and direct bonding were planned. The execution
      of the planned treatment yielded a good aesthetic and functional outcome. 

PMID- 26266232
TI  - Juvenile Nasopharyngeal Angiofibroma Extending into the Oral Cavity: A Rare
      Entity.
AB  - Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA) is a rare vascular tumour which is
      benign but locally aggressive and occurs invariably in young and adolescent
      males. It seldom involves the oral cavity but has the tendency to invade the
      adjacent structures. Its characteristic features include slow progression,
      aggressive growth & an increased rate of persistence and recurrence due to its
      location in inaccessible areas. In literature, very few cases of JNA have been
      reported with extension into the oral cavity. Here, a case of JNA with extension
      into the oral cavity has been discussed who reported to our institute. 

PMID- 26266233
TI  - Management of Radicular Cyst Using Platelet-Rich Fibrin & Iliac Bone Graft - A
      Case Report.
AB  - Radicular cyst is one of the most commonly occurring cyst in the oral cavity it
      is usually preceded by trauma or an infectious condition which is followed by
      enlargement. In recent times there are several treatment procedures that are
      being applied in order to improve the postoperative condition and to accelerate
      the process of healing and regeneration in the affected site. A 22-year-old
      patient reported to our OPD with the chief complaint of swelling on the left side
      of the face since 2-3 months, on investigating it was diagnosed as Radicular cyst
      which was initially treated by endodontic treatment of the involved tooth
      followed by enucleation of the cyst further an apicoectomy was done. Finally a
      PRF and iliac crest graft was placed for aesthetic rehabilitation with 21. 

PMID- 26266234
TI  - Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Induced Head & Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A
      Comprehensive Retrospect.
AB  - Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma accounts for the sixth most common
      malignancy occurring worldwide with tobacco and alcohol being the two well
      established risk factors. In the recent years, substantial evidence has been
      obtained that Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) associated head and neck cancers are on
      the rise. This article provides an insight into the structure of HPV genome,
      molecular pathogenesis, detection methods and clinical implications of HPV
      positive Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. 

PMID- 26266235
TI  - Mitigation of Fluorosis - A Review.
AB  - Fluoride is required for normal development and growth of the body. It is found
      in plentiful quantity in environment and fluoride content in drinking water is
      largest contributor to the daily fluoride intake. The behaviour of fluoride ions
      in the human organism can be regarded as that of "double-edged sword". Fluoride
      is beneficial in small amounts but toxic in large amounts. Excessive consumption
      of fluorides in various forms leads to development of fluorosis. Fluorosis is
      major health problem in 24 countries, including India, which lies in the
      geographical fluoride belt. Various technologies are being used to remove
      fluoride from water but still the problem has not been rooted out. The purpose of
      this paper is to review the available treatment modalities for fluorosis,
      available technologies for fluoride removal from water and ongoing fluorosis
      mitigation programs based on literature survey. Medline was the primary database
      used in the literature search. Other databases included: PubMed, Web of Science,
      Google Scholar, WHO, Ebscohost, Science Direct, Google Search Engine, etc. 

PMID- 26266236
TI  - OPN -Revisited.
AB  - Osteopontin (OPN), a matrix extracellular glyco-phosphoprotein is found in
      various tissues such as epithelium lined tissues, kidney, bone and teeth .It is
      also detected in all body fluids including blood and breast milk. OPN plays role
      in a number of physiological and pathologic events such as cell adhesion,
      migration and cell survival, angiogenesis, apoptosis, inflammation and wound
      healing. This review summarizes the current data of the biological activities of
      OPN in the development of tumour, its progression and metastasis. 

PMID- 26266237
TI  - Partial Edentulism and its Correlation to Age, Gender, Socio-economic Status and
      Incidence of Various Kennedy's Classes- A Literature Review.
AB  - Partial edentulism, one or more teeth missing is an indication of healthy
      behaviour of dental practices in the society and attitude towards dental and oral
      care. The pattern of partial edentulism has been evaluated in many selected
      populations in different countries by different methods. Most of the studies have
      evaluated partial edentulism by surveying of Removable Partial Dentures (RPDs),
      patients visiting clinics, clinical records and population in particular
      locality. The objective of the study is to review the prevalence of partial
      edentulousness and its correlation to age,gender, arch predominance, socio
      economic factors and incidence of various Kennedy's Classes. Key observations
      drawn from the review are as below. There is no gender correlation for partial
      edentulism.Prevalence of partial edentulism is more common in mandibular arch
      than maxillary arch.Younger adults have more Class III and IV RPDs. Elders have
      more distal extension RPDs Class I and II. 

PMID- 26266239
TI  - A Rare Case of Low Flow Vascular Malformation of Head and Neck Region Presenting
      with Multiple Phleboliths.

PMID- 26266238
TI  - Flowable Resin Composites: A Systematic Review and Clinical Considerations.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Little is known about flowable composite materials. Most literature
      mentions conventional composite materials at large, giving minimal emphasis to
      flowables in particular. This paper briefly gives an in depth insight to the
      multiple facets of this versatile material. AIM: To exclusively review the most
      salient features of flowable composite materials in comparison to conventional
      composites and to give clinicians a detailed understanding of the advantages,
      drawbacks, indications and contraindications based on composition and
      physical/mechanical properties. METHODOLOGY:  DATA SOURCES: A thorough literature
      search from the year 1996 up to January 2015 was done on PubMed Central, The
      Cochrane Library, Science Direct, Wiley Online Library, and Google Scholar. Grey
      literature (pending patents, technical reports etc.) was also screened. The
      search terms used were "dental flowable resin composites". SEARCH STRATEGY: After
      omitting the duplicates/repetitions, a total of 491 full text articles were
      assessed. As including all articles were out of the scope of this paper. Only
      relevant articles that fulfilled the reviewer's objectives {mentioning
      indications, contraindications, applications, assessment of
      physical/mechanical/biological properties (in vitro/ in vivo /ex vivo)} were
      considered. A total of 92 full text articles were selected. CONCLUSION: Flowable
      composites exhibit a variable composition and consequently variable mechanical/
      physical properties. Clinicians must be aware of this aspect to make a proper
      material selection based on specific properties and indications of each material
      relevant to a particular clinical situation.

PMID- 26266240
TI  - Use of the Open Coil Space Regainer for Tooth Movement Prior to Prosthodontic
      Treatment.

PMID- 26266241
TI  - Bilateral Paramolar Tubercles on the Distobuccal Surfaces of Mandibular Primary
      First Molars: A Rare Occurrence.

PMID- 26266242
TI  - Shear Bond Strength - New Reports.

PMID- 26266243
TI  - Successful Treatment of Idiopathic Eosinophilic Peritonitis by Oral
      Corticosteroid Therapy in a Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis Patient.
AB  - Eosinophilic peritonitis is a well-described complication of peritoneal dialysis
      and is often associated with either a reaction to the dialysis system constituent
      (tubing, sterilant or solution) or an underlying bacterial or fungal reaction. We
      report a case of eosinophilic peritonitis, which is treated by oral prednisone
      acetate therapy. A 43-year-old female patient developed end-stage renal disease
      and underwent continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis for 2.5 years. The
      patient received 2,000 ml of 1.5% dialysis solution (PD2) with three exchanges
      daily and 2,000 ml of 2.5% PDF overnight (PD2). She went to the consultation
      because of a constant turbid peritoneal dialysis effluent for 3 months without
      abdominal pain. Repeated peritoneal effluent samples showed an elevated white
      blood cell count of 500 cells/mm(3), with 87% eosinophils. The peripheral blood
      test revealed a white blood cell count of 3.8 * 10(9)/l, with 32.2% eosinophils.
      Etiology like bacterial and fungal infection was excluded by peritoneal fluid
      culture. Turbidness persisted in spite of diagnostic antibiotic treatment. Given
      the fact that we found a significant elevation of eosinophils in the peripheral
      blood and an absolute increase in the eosinophil count of >30/mm(3) in dialysis
      fluid (up to 400/mm(3) in our patient), obvious dialysate effluent turbidness,
      negative results of repeated peritoneal fluid cultures, inefficacy of antibiotic
      therapy, and negativity of serum tumor and immunological markers, we drew the
      conclusion that the patient had idiopathic eosinophilic peritonitis. Oral
      corticosteroid was administered at once (20 mg prednisone acetate daily), which
      was gradually weaned off and stopped over an 8-week period. Afterwards, the
      dialysis effluent became clear, and the cytological analysis showed that the
      white blood cell count decreased to 1 * 10(6)/l, with no eosinophils. This case
      reminds us that the diagnosis of eosinophilic peritonitis should be considered
      when repeated cultures are always negative and the turbidness of peritoneal
      dialysis effluent persists in spite of an antibiotic therapy. 

PMID- 26266244
TI  - Peritoneal-Pleural Leaks Demonstrated by CT Peritoneography.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Acute hydrothorax is an uncommon complication of peritoneal
      dialysis (PD). Currently, there is no specific diagnostic method. Although it is
      not a life-threatening complication, hydrothorax often requires interrupting or
      quitting PD. Misdiagnosis often leads to more serious consequences. CASE
      PRESENTATION: A 49-year-old woman (height 163 cm, weight 58 kg, BMI 21.82), who
      started PD 3 months previously, suddenly presented with acute dyspnea and a right
      pleural effusion. Blood routine examination, serum albumin and a series of
      laboratory tests were immediately performed. Except for the serum creatinine, all
      of the other tests were within normal range. Thoracentesis was performed to
      obtain pleural fluid specimens; there was also no evidence of a tumor or
      inflammation. Congestive heart failure, infection and hypoalbuminemia were
      excluded as well. Because PD-associated pleural leakage was suspected,
      computerized tomography (CT) peritoneography was performed next. The first CT
      scan showed that the CT value of pleural effusion was 6 Hounsfield units (HU). On
      the evening of the same day, 100 ml ionic contrast medium was mixed with 2 l
      dialysate and infused into the peritoneal cavity. The next morning, a CT scan was
      performed again. The CT value of pleural effusion at the same site increased to
      40 HU. At the end, pleural leakage was clearly diagnosed. Subsequently, she
      received temporary hemodialysis and a small dose of automated PD. After 3 months,
      she successfully returned to PD without any recurrence of hydrothorax.
      CONCLUSION: Although similar case reports are not rare, this report provided a
      simple and effective method for diagnosing pleural leakage. Furthermore,
      noninvasive treatment of pleural effusion will also get a satisfactory outcome.

PMID- 26266245
TI  - Automated Peritoneal Dialysis is Suitable for Polycystic Kidney Disease Patients
      with End-Stage Renal Disease.
AB  - A female patient with polycystic kidney disease (PKD) was treated with automated
      peritoneal dialysis when she reached end-stage renal disease. The patient has
      been doing very well on automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) for almost 6 years
      without peritonitis or abdominal hernias. Intra-abdominal pressures are lower in
      the supine position than in an erect or sitting position. Larger volumes of
      dialysate are better tolerated while the patient is supine, as during nocturnal
      APD. Therefore, APD is an option of the renal replacement therapy for patients
      with PKD. 

PMID- 26266246
TI  - Refractory Abdominal Pain in a Hemodialysis Patient.
AB  - Nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI) is a rare disorder. Failure of an early
      diagnosis may cause progressive intestinal ischemia, leading to abdominal pain,
      sepsis, and death. Patients with end-stage renal disease are among the highest
      risk populations for developing this lethal complication. The key to a correct
      diagnosis at an early stage is a high index of suspicion in predisposed patients.
      In our case, we present a 62-year-old female undergoing maintenance hemodialysis
      for 8 years; she complained of abdominal pain after hemodialysis in the last 3
      months; NOMI was suspected after a CT angiography. She partially recovered after
      multiple clinical interventions such as decreased ultrafiltration, an increased
      dose of low molecular-weight heparin and the use of vasoactive drugs. In
      conclusion, NOMI can be reversible if it is diagnosed as early as possible and
      after the necessary diagnostic measurements are initiated. 

PMID- 26266247
TI  - Drug-Immune Thrombocytopenia with Thrombosis versus Heparin-Induced
      Thrombocytopenia: A Critical Clinical Controversy.
AB  - Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a type of drug-induced immune
      thrombocytopenia (DITP). DITP is a rare and challenging clinical issue,
      especially when it is associated with thrombosis. A 62-year-old woman was
      admitted to our institution with end-stage renal failure. She received heparin
      for hemodialysis. Six days later, she became febrile and was treated with
      vancomycin and amikacin antibiotics. Two days after starting the vancomycin, she
      developed severe thrombocytopenia with extensive gangrenous deep vein thrombosis
      in her right leg, which required a below-the-knee amputation. The HIT test
      yielded positive results when heparin was already stopped, but her platelet count
      did not regenerate even after 3 months of heparin-free treatment. Courses of
      vancomycin treatment were given during several febrile episodes over the long
      period of severe thrombocytopenia. The patient was given both anti-immune
      thrombocytopenia and anticoagulant treatments because of both severe persistent
      thrombocytopenia and recurrent thrombotic episodes. The patient died as a result
      of severe thrombocytopenia, recurrent infection, and blood loss from the
      amputation site. Vancomycin is known to cause DITP, thrombosis, and immune
      complexes. DITP is a bleeding disorder, whereas HIT is a controversial thrombotic
      disorder. HIT tests can be influenced by cross-reacting antibodies and many other
      factors. Thus, there is no single method that can be considered 100% effective in
      confirming the HIT diagnosis. Anticoagulants must be used with great caution in
      patients with suspected DITP. Treatment of HIT-positive cases requires both
      clinical correlation and experience rather than reliance on HIT tests alone. 

PMID- 26266248
TI  - Improvement in Gemcitabine-Induced Thrombotic Microangiopathy with Rituximab in a
      Patient with Ovarian Cancer: Mechanistic Considerations.
AB  - Gemcitabine is a potent and widely used anticancer drug. We report a case of
      gemcitabine-induced thrombotic microangiopathy (GCI-TMA), a known but not widely
      recognized complication of gemcitabine use, and our experience of treating GCI
      TMA with rituximab. A 74-year-old woman was referred to our clinic for an
      evaluation of worsening renal function. She has recently been treated for ovarian
      cancer (diagnosed in 2011) with surgery (tumor debulking and bilateral salpingo
      oophorectomy) along with cisplatin chemotherapy in 2012, followed by
      carboplatin/doxorubicin in 2013 and recent therapy for resistant disease with
      gemcitabine. Laboratory tests showed anemia, normal platelets and elevated
      lactate dehydrogenase. A peripheral smear revealed numerous schistocytes, and a
      kidney biopsy showed acute as well as chronic TMA. The patient continued on
      gemcitabine therapy, and treatment with plasma exchange was started. Since there
      was no response to treatment even after 5 sessions of plasma exchange, one dose
      of rituximab was given, which was associated with a drop in the creatinine level
      to 2 mg/dl. The pathogenesis of renal injury could be the effect of direct injury
      to the endothelium mediated by cytokines. Usual treatment includes withdrawing
      the drug and initiation of treatment with plasmapheresis with or without
      steroids. In cases resistant to plasmapheresis, treatment with rituximab can be
      tried. The mechanism of action of rituximab might be due to the reduced
      production of B-cell-dependent cytokines that drive endothelial dysfunction by
      depleting B cells. Patients receiving gemcitabine chemotherapy should be
      monitored for the development of TMA, and early treatment with plasma exchange
      along with rituximab might benefit these patients who already have a bad
      prognosis. 

PMID- 26266249
TI  - ANCA-Negative Pauci-Immune Crescentic Glomerulonephritis Linked with Non-Small
      Cell Carcinoma of the Lung.
AB  - The association between malignancy and glomerular disease has been appreciated
      for decades [Baschinsky et al., Am J Kidney Dis 2000;36:E24]. Several types of
      glomerular injury in patients with cancer have been recognized [Morikawa et al.,
      CEN Case Rep 2013;2:158-164; Baschinsky et al., Am J Kidney Dis 2000;36:E24]. The
      most common association is between nephrotic syndrome and carcinoma [Baschinsky
      et al., Am J Kidney Dis 2000;36:E24]. We report a case of anti-neutrophil
      cytoplasmic antibody-negative crescentic glomerulonephritis associated with lung
      cancer. To the best of our knowledge, only 1 other case of ANCA-negative pauci
      immune crescentic glomerulonephritis associated with lung cancer has been
      reported [Baschinsky et al., Am J Kidney Dis 2000;36:E24]. 

PMID- 26266251
TI  - A New Era of Laparoscopic Revision of Kasai Portoenterostomy for the Treatment of
      Biliary Atresia.
AB  - PURPOSE: Kasai portoenterostomy is the standard therapy for biliary atresia (BA).
      If Kasai is unsuccessful, there is controversy over whether revision of Kasai
      restores adequate biliary drainage. Although there are several reports of
      laparoscopic Kasai (Lap-Kasai), none has described laparoscopic revision (Lap
      revision). The purposes of this study were to evaluate the feasibility and
      efficacy of Lap-revision. METHODS: 65 patients underwent open Kasai between
      November 2001 and November 2013, and 12 patients underwent Lap-Kasai between
      December 2013 to January 2015. The indications for revision included bile flow
      cessation and recurrent cholangitis. Clinical data were compared between open and
      laparoscopic revisions of Kasai. RESULTS: Open revision of Kasai was performed in
      20 patients after open Kasai, and Lap-revision was performed in 4 patients after
      Lap-Kasai. Lap-revision was completed without conversion or major complication in
      any patient. The bilirubin level was normalized by Lap-revision in all four
      patients, and three of them were alive with their native liver. Open and
      laparoscopic revisions of Kasai were comparable in terms of the operation time,
      blood loss, and surgical outcomes. CONCLUSION: Lap-revision is a feasible and
      effective method for the treatment of BA and might herald a new era for the
      treatment of this disease.

PMID- 26266250
TI  - Genetics of Human and Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy.
AB  - Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death in both humans and dogs.
      Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) accounts for a large number of these cases, reported
      to be the third most common form of cardiac disease in humans and the second most
      common in dogs. In human studies of DCM there are more than 50 genetic loci
      associated with the disease. Despite canine DCM having similar disease
      progression to human DCM studies into the genetic basis of canine DCM lag far
      behind those of human DCM. In this review the aetiology, epidemiology, and
      clinical characteristics of canine DCM are examined, along with highlighting
      possible different subtypes of canine DCM and their potential relevance to human
      DCM. Finally the current position of genetic research into canine and human DCM,
      including the genetic loci, is identified and the reasons many studies may have
      failed to find a genetic association with canine DCM are reviewed. 

PMID- 26266252
TI  - A Novel Noninvasive Method for Measuring Fatigability of the Quadriceps Muscle in
      Noncooperating Healthy Subjects.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Critical illness is associated with muscle weakness leading to long
      term functional limitations. OBJECTIVES: To assess the reliability of a novel
      method for evaluating fatigability of the quadriceps muscle in noncooperating
      healthy subjects. METHODS: On two occasions, separated by seven days,
      nonvoluntary isometric contractions (twitch and tetanic) of the quadriceps
      femoris muscle evoked by transcutaneous electrical muscle stimulation were
      recorded in twelve healthy adults. For tetanic contractions, the Fatigue Index
      (ratio of peak torque values) and the slope of the regression line of peak torque
      values were primary outcome measures. For twitch contractions, maximum peak
      torque and rise time were calculated. Relative (intraclass correlation, ICC3.1)
      and absolute (standard error of measurement, SEM) reliability were assessed and
      minimum detectable change was calculated using a 95% confidence interval
      (MDC95%). RESULTS: The Fatigue Index (ICC3.1, 0.84; MDC95%, 0.12) and the slope
      of the regression line (ICC3.1, 0.99; MDC95%, 0.03) showed substantial relative
      and absolute reliability during the first 15 and 30 contractions, respectively.
      CONCLUSION: This method for assessing fatigability of the quadriceps muscle
      produces reliable results in healthy subjects and may provide valuable data on
      quantitative changes in muscle working capacity and treatment effects in patients
      who are incapable of producing voluntary muscle contractions.

PMID- 26266253
TI  - Effect of Fluoride-Modified Titanium Surface on Early Adhesion of Irradiated
      Osteoblasts.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to investigate the effect of fluoride-modified
      titanium surface on adhesion of irradiated osteoblasts. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Fluoride-modified surface was obtained and the morphology, roughness, and
      chemical composition of the surface were evaluated by scanning electron
      microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy,
      respectively. The adhesion of irradiated osteoblast-like cells, in terms of
      number, area, and fluorescence intensity on the titanium surface, was evaluated
      using immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: Numerous nanosize pits were seen only
      in the F-TiO surface. The pits were more remarkable and uniform on F-TiO surface
      than on TiO surface; however, the amplitude of peaks and bottoms on F-TiO surface
      appeared to be smaller than on TiO surface. The Sa value and Sdr percentage of
      TiO surfaces were significantly higher than those of F-TiO surface. The
      concentrations of main elements such as titanium, oxygen, and carbon were similar
      on both surfaces. The number of irradiated osteoblasts adhered on the control
      surface was larger than on fluoride-modified surface. Meanwhile, the cells on the
      fluoride-modified surface formed more actin filaments. CONCLUSIONS: The fluoride
      modified titanium surface alters the adhesion of irradiated osteoblasts. Further
      studies are needed to investigate the proliferation, differentiation, maturation,
      gene expression, and cytokine production of irradiated osteoblasts on fluoride
      modified titanium surface.

PMID- 26266254
TI  - Prevalence and Prognostic Value of Early Repolarization in Low Risk Surgical
      Patients.
AB  - Recent epidemiological studies documented that early repolarization may be
      associated with increased risk of serious cardiac events, including cardiac
      death. Little is known about the prognostic significance of this pattern in low
      risk surgical patients. This retrospective study included 3028 patients over 18
      years of age and with ASA class I and II risk, undergoing noncardiac elective
      surgery. We followed the patients for one year. Early repolarization in
      preoperative ECG was found in 219 patients (7.2%) and patients with early
      repolarization were more likely to be male and younger. Newly observed cardiac
      events were significantly higher in the early repolarization group (1.37% versus
      0.21%; P = 0.003). Multivariate regression analysis reveals that early
      repolarization (odds ratio: 6.019, P = 0.013) significantly increased newly
      observed cardiac events. Our retrospective study suggests that low risk surgical
      patients with early repolarization have statistically higher opportunity of newly
      observed cardiac events within one year after surgery. 

PMID- 26266255
TI  - The Impact of Endometriosis on the Health of Women.

PMID- 26266256
TI  - Sepsis and AKI in Clinical Emergency Room Patients: The Role of Urinary NGAL.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Few studies have investigated the predictive properties of urinary
      (u) NGAL as an AKI marker in septic population. OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated
      the efficacy of uNGAL as predictor of AKI and death in septic patients admitted
      to the clinical emergency room (ER). METHODOLOGY: We prospectively studied
      patients with sepsis admitted to the ER. Urine was analyzed for NGAL within the
      first 24 hours after admission (classified as NGAL1), between 24 and 48 h
      (NGAL2), and at moment of AKI diagnosis (NGAL3). RESULTS: Among 168 septic
      patients admitted to ER, 72% developed AKI. The uNGAL and its relationship with
      creatinine (Cr) were high in septic patients but statistically higher in those
      with sepsis and AKI. The uNGAL1 and uNGAL2, as well as uNGAL1/uCr1 and
      uNGAL2/uCr2, were good predictors for AKI (AUC-ROC 0.73, 0.70, 0.77, and 0.84,
      resp.). The uNGAL1 and uNGAL1/uCr1 were poor predictors for death (AUC-ROC 0.66
      and 0.68, resp.), whereas uNGAL2 and uNGAL2/uCr2 were better predictors (AUC-ROC
      0.70 and 0.81, resp.). CONCLUSION: The uNGAL is highly sensitive but nonspecific
      predictor of AKI and death in septic patients admitted into ER.

PMID- 26266257
TI  - Expression Profile of Sonic Hedgehog Pathway Members in the Developing Human
      Fetal Brain.
AB  - The Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) pathway plays a central role in the developing mammalian
      CNS. In our study, we aimed to investigate the spatiotemporal SHH pathway
      expression pattern in human fetal brains. We analyzed 22 normal fetal brains for
      Shh, Patched, Smoothened, and Gli1-3 expression by immunohistochemistry. In the
      telencephalon, strongest expression of Shh, Smoothened, and Gli2 was found in the
      cortical plate (CP) and ventricular zone. Patched was strongly upregulated in the
      ventricular zone and Gli1 in the CP. In the cerebellum, SHH pathway members were
      strongly expressed in the external granular layer (EGL). SHH pathway members
      significantly decreased over time in the ventricular and subventricular zone and
      in the cerebellar EGL, while increasing levels were found in more superficial
      telencephalic layers. Our findings show that SHH pathway members are strongly
      expressed in areas important for proliferation and differentiation and indicate a
      temporal expression gradient in telencephalic and cerebellar layers probably due
      to decreased proliferation of progenitor cells and increased differentiation. Our
      data about the spatiotemporal expression of SHH pathway members in the developing
      human brain serves as a base for the understanding of both normal and
      pathological CNS development. 

PMID- 26266258
TI  - Cardamonin Regulates miR-21 Expression and Suppresses Angiogenesis Induced by
      Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor.
AB  - Cardamonin has promising potential in cancer prevention and therapy by
      interacting with proteins and modifying the expressions and activities, including
      factors of cell survival, proliferation, and angiogenesis. In our precious study,
      we have demonstrated that cardamonin suppressed vascular endothelial growth
      factor- (VEGF-) induced angiogenesis as evaluated in the mouse aortic ring assay.
      It is also known that microRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in angiogenesis.
      Herein, we hypothesized whether antiangiogenesis effect of cardamonin in human
      umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) triggered by VEGF was associated with
      miRNAs. We found that cardamonin reduced the miR-21 expression induced by VEGF in
      HUVECs. Treatment with miR-21 mimics abolished the effects of cardamonin on VEGF
      induced cell proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis in HUVECs. However,
      treatment with miR-21 inhibitors presented the opposite effects, indicating the
      vital role of miR-21 in this process. Our study provides a new insight of the
      preliminary mechanism of anti-VEGF-induced angiogenesis by cardamonin in HUVECs. 

PMID- 26266259
TI  - Radiologic Evaluation of Compressive Osseointegration for the Fixation of
      Reconstruction Prostheses after Tumor Resection.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: In pursuance of thoroughly understanding and facilitating the
      evaluation of the radiological changes in the preloaded bone by Compliant Pre
      Stress osseointegration (Compress Biomet, Warsaw, Indiana) a new staging method
      was created depicting four stages. METHODS: Two cohorts (10 and 17 patients
      resp., not-receiving and receiving chemotherapy) were compared in terms of
      progression of osseointegration. Based on the changes at the bone-metal interface
      seen on rontgenorgrams four stages were defined: stage 0: immediate postoperative
      status, no ingrowth, or noncalcified callus; stage 1: early mineralization,
      calcified callus; stage 2: mature mineralization; and stage 3: hypertrophy at the
      level of the pins. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the two
      cohorts. Group 2, which was significantly younger than group 1 (p < 0.001),
      presented a delayed initial rate of bone formation and reached stage 1 at 6
      months instead of 3 months like group 1. The children from the group 2
      demonstrated a visible rebound ingrowth. CONCLUSION: Despite the fact that the
      staging fails to demonstrate a statistical difference, it is rather simple and
      can be used for future studies.

PMID- 26266260
TI  - Comparison of the Effect of Vaginal Zataria multiflora Cream and Oral
      Metronidazole Pill on Results of Treatments for Vaginal Infections including
      Trichomoniasis and Bacterial Vaginosis in Women of Reproductive Age.
AB  - Effect of Zataria multiflora on bacterial vaginosis and Trichomonas vaginalis is
      shown in vivo and in vitro. We compare the effectiveness of Zataria multiflora
      cream and oral metronidazole pill on results of treatment for vaginal infections
      including Trichomonas and bacterial vaginosis; these infections occur
      simultaneously. The study included 420 women with bacterial vaginosis,
      Trichomonas vaginalis, or both infections together, who were randomly divided
      into six groups. Criteria for diagnosis were wet smear and Gram stain. Vaginal
      Zataria multiflora cream and placebo pill were administered to the experiment
      groups; the control group received oral metronidazole pill and vaginal placebo
      cream. Comparison of the clinical symptoms showed no significant difference in
      all three vaginitis groups receiving metronidazole pill and vaginal Zataria
      multiflora cream. However, comparison of the wet smear test results was
      significant in patients with trichomoniasis and bacterial vaginosis associated
      with trichomoniasis in the two treatment groups (p = 0.001 and p = 0.01). Vaginal
      Zataria multiflora cream had the same effect of oral metronidazole tablets in
      improving clinical symptoms of all three vaginitis groups, as well as the
      treatment for bacterial vaginosis. It can be used as a drug for treatment of
      bacterial vaginosis and elimination of clinical symptoms of Trichomonas
      vaginitis. 

PMID- 26266261
TI  - MicroRNA and Cardiovascular Disease.

PMID- 26266262
TI  - Right-to-Left Shunt Does Not Increase the Incidence of Silent Lacunar Infarcts in
      Patients with Migraine.
AB  - Right-to-left shunt (RLS) is associated with cryptogenic stroke and migraine.
      Herein we investigated the relationship between RLS and silent lacunar infarcts
      in patients with migraine. A total of 263 patients with migraine who met
      eligibility criteria were enrolled from January 2010 to December 2011, among
      which 127 subjects fell into RLS group. Baseline demographics were comparable
      between RLS and non-RLS groups (P > 0.05). The incidence of silent lacunar
      infarcts in RLS group was not significantly different from that of the non-RLS
      group (25.2% versus 21.3%, P > 0.05). Furthermore, we found that the incidence of
      silent lacunar infarcts in permanent and latent RLS subgroups was comparable with
      non-shunt RLS subgroup (28.6% versus 24% versus 21.3%, P > 0.05). Similarly, the
      incidence of silent lacunar infarcts in the non-RLS group, mild-shunt group, and
      large-shunt group was also comparable (21.3% versus 23.8% versus 29.3%, P >
      0.05). In addition, RLS did not increase the incidence of silent lacunar infarcts
      in migraine patients with elder age (< 50 years age group: 15.8% versus 17.9%; >=
      50 years age group: 53.1% versus 37.5%, both P > 0.05). In conclusion, RLS does
      not increase the incidence of silent lacunar infarcts in patients with migraine.
      Further prospective studies are warranted to validate this finding.

PMID- 26266263
TI  - Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Atherosclerosis Using CD81-Targeted Microparticles
      of Iron Oxide in Mice.
AB  - The goal of this study is to investigate the feasibility of using CD81- (Cluster
      of Differentiation 81 protein-) targeted microparticles of iron oxide (CD81-MPIO)
      for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the murine atherosclerosis. CD81-MPIO and
      IgG- (Immunoglobulin G-) MPIO were prepared by covalently conjugating,
      respectively, with anti-CD81 monoclonal and IgG antibodies to the surface of the
      tosyl activated MPIO. The relevant binding capability of the MPIO was examined by
      incubating them with murine bEnd.3 cells stimulated with phenazine methosulfate
      (PMS) and its effect in shortening T2 relaxation time was also examined. MRI in
      apolipoprotein E-deficient mice was studied in vivo. Our results show that CD81
      MPIO, but not IgG-MPIO, can bind to the PMS-stimulated bEnd.3 cells. The T2
      relaxation time was significantly shortened for stimulated bEnd.3 cells when
      compared with IgG-MPIO. In vivo MRI in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice showed
      highly conspicuous areas of low signal after CD81-MPIO injection. Quantitative
      analysis of the area of CD81-MPIO contrast effects showed 8.96- and 6.98-fold
      increase in comparison with IgG-MPIO or plain MPIO, respectively (P < 0.01).
      Histological assay confirmed the expression of CD81 and CD81-MPIO binding onto
      atherosclerotic lesions. In conclusion, CD81-MPIO allows molecular assessment of
      murine atherosclerotic lesions by magnetic resonance imaging. 

PMID- 26266265
TI  - Biometrics and Biosecurity 2014.

PMID- 26266266
TI  - Skin Regeneration, Repair, and Reconstruction.

PMID- 26266267
TI  - Beyond Culture and Language: Access to Diabetes Preventive Health Services among
      Somali Women in Norway.
AB  - Despite the high prevalence of type 2 diabetes in some immigrant and refugee
      communities in Norway, there is very little information available on their
      utilization of diabetes prevention interventions, particularly for women from
      Somali immigrant communities. A qualitative study of 30 Somali immigrant women
      aged 25 years and over was carried out in the Oslo area. Unstructured interviews
      were used to explore women's knowledge of diabetes, their access to preventive
      health facilities, and factors impeding their reception of preventive health
      programs targeted for the prevention of type 2 diabetes. The study participants
      were found to have a good knowledge of diabetes. They knew that a sedentary
      lifestyle and unhealthy diet are among the risk factors for diabetes. Regardless
      of their knowledge, participants reported a sedentary lifestyle accompanied with
      the consumption of an unhealthy diet. This was attributed to a lack of access to
      tailored physical activity services and poor access to health information.
      Considering gender-exclusive training facilities for Somali immigrant women and
      others with similar needs, in addition to access to tailored health information
      on diet, may encourage Somali women to adopt a healthy lifestyle, and it will
      definitely contribute to a national strategy for the prevention of diabetes. 

PMID- 26266268
TI  - Type 1 Diabetes Modifies Brain Activation in Young Patients While Performing
      Visuospatial Working Memory Tasks.
AB  - In recent years, increasing attention has been paid to the effects of Type 1
      Diabetes (T1D) on cognitive functions. T1D onset usually occurs during childhood,
      so it is possible that the brain could be affected during neurodevelopment. We
      selected young patients of normal intelligence with T1D onset during
      neurodevelopment, no complications from diabetes, and adequate glycemic control.
      The purpose of this study was to compare the neural BOLD activation pattern in a
      group of patients with T1D versus healthy control subjects while performing a
      visuospatial working memory task. Sixteen patients and 16 matched healthy control
      subjects participated. There was no significant statistical difference in
      behavioral performance between the groups, but, in accordance with our
      hypothesis, results showed distinct brain activation patterns. Control subjects
      presented the expected activations related to the task, whereas the patients had
      greater activation in the prefrontal inferior cortex, basal ganglia, posterior
      cerebellum, and substantia nigra. These different patterns could be due to
      compensation mechanisms that allow them to maintain a behavioral performance
      similar to that of control subjects. 

PMID- 26266264
TI  - Animal Models for the Study of Rodent-Borne Hemorrhagic Fever Viruses:
      Arenaviruses and Hantaviruses.
AB  - Human pathogenic hantaviruses and arenaviruses are maintained in nature by
      persistent infection of rodent carrier populations. Several members of these
      virus groups can cause significant disease in humans that is generically termed
      viral hemorrhagic fever (HF) and is characterized as a febrile illness with an
      increased propensity to cause acute inflammation. Human interaction with rodent
      carrier populations leads to infection. Arenaviruses are also viewed as potential
      biological weapons threat agents. There is an increased interest in studying
      these viruses in animal models to gain a deeper understating not only of viral
      pathogenesis, but also for the evaluation of medical countermeasures (MCM) to
      mitigate disease threats. In this review, we examine current knowledge regarding
      animal models employed in the study of these viruses. We include analysis of
      infection models in natural reservoirs and also discuss the impact of strain
      heterogeneity on the susceptibility of animals to infection. This information
      should provide a comprehensive reference for those interested in the study of
      arenaviruses and hantaviruses not only for MCM development but also in the study
      of viral pathogenesis and the biology of these viruses in their natural
      reservoirs. 

PMID- 26266269
TI  - Microbiome and Asthma: What Have Experimental Models Already Taught Us?
AB  - Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease that imposes a substantial burden on
      patients, their families, and the community. Although many aspects of the
      pathogenesis of classical allergic asthma are well known by the scientific
      community, other points are not yet understood. Experimental asthma models,
      particularly murine models, have been used for over 100 years in order to better
      understand the immunopathology of asthma. It has been shown that human microbiome
      is an important component in the development of the immune system. Furthermore,
      the occurrence of many inflammatory diseases is influenced by the presence of
      microbes. Again, experimental models of asthma have helped researchers to
      understand the relationship between the microbiome and respiratory inflammation.
      In this review, we discuss the evolution of murine models of asthma and approach
      the major studies involving the microbiome and asthma. 

PMID- 26266271
TI  - Numerical Algorithm for Delta of Asian Option.
AB  - We study the numerical solution of the Greeks of Asian options. In particular, we
      derive a close form solution of Delta of Asian geometric option and use this
      analytical form as a control to numerically calculate Delta of Asian arithmetic
      option, which is known to have no explicit close form solution. We implement our
      proposed numerical method and compare the standard error with other classical
      variance reduction methods. Our method provides an efficient solution to the
      hedging strategy with Asian options. 

PMID- 26266270
TI  - Aeromonas salmonicida Infection Only Moderately Regulates Expression of Factors
      Contributing to Toll-Like Receptor Signaling but Massively Activates the Cellular
      and Humoral Branches of Innate Immunity in Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).
AB  - Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are known to detect a defined spectrum of microbial
      structures. However, the knowledge about the specificity of teleost Tlr factors
      for distinct pathogens is limited so far. We measured baseline expression
      profiles of 18 tlr genes and associated signaling factors in four immune-relevant
      tissues of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss. Intraperitoneal injection of a
      lethal dose of Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. salmonicida induced highly increased
      levels of cytokine mRNAs during a 72-hour postinfection (hpi) period. In
      contrast, only the fish-specific tlr22a2 and the downstream factor irak1 featured
      clearly increased transcript levels, while the mRNA concentrations of many other
      tlr genes decreased. Flow cytometry quantified cell trafficking after infection
      indicating a dramatic influx of myeloid cells into the peritoneum and a belated
      low level immigration of lymphoid cells. T and B lymphocytes were differentiated
      with RT-qPCR revealing that B lymphocytes emigrated from and T lymphocytes
      immigrated into head kidney. In conclusion, no specific TLR can be singled out as
      a dominant receptor for A. salmonicida. The recruitment of cellular factors of
      innate immunity rather than induced expression of pathogen receptors is hence of
      key importance for mounting a first immune defense against invading A.
      salmonicida. 

PMID- 26266272
TI  - Smart branched polymer drug conjugates as nano-sized drug delivery systems.
AB  - Polymer-drug conjugates represent excellent nanopharmaceutical candidates, as
      they offer multiple advantages related to their intrinsic characteristics. Many
      of the said characteristics are provided by the covalent bonding between the drug
      and the polymer. However, their clinical development has been slow and only one
      polymer-drug conjugate has reached the market, thus there remains an urgent need
      for the development of new and smart polymeric systems. Desirable characteristics
      of these new systems include higher molecular weight and degree of homogeneity,
      predictable conformations in solution, multivalency, and increased drug loading
      capacity, amongst others. With these aims in mind, branched polymers are ideal
      candidates due to their unique rheological, mechanical, and biomedical properties
      derived from their structure, inaccessible for linear polymers. Within this
      review, the synthetic strategies developed and the main efforts towards branched
      polymer implementation as carriers for polymer-drug conjugates will be addressed.

PMID- 26266273
TI  - Producing a road map that enables plants to cope with future climate change.

PMID- 26266274
TI  - Answer to comment.

PMID- 26266275
TI  - Retraction notice to "Clinical effectiveness of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in
      advanced gastric cancer: An updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled
      trials" [Eur J Surg Oncol 40 (10) (October 2014) 1321-1330].

PMID- 26266276
TI  - Misleading acute promyelocytic leukemia morphology.

PMID- 26266277
TI  - Response to Dr. Richard Belley MD, CCFP, B.Sc; Dr. Dominique Buteau MD, CCFP(EM);
      Dr. Marie-Ludivine Chateau-Degat PhD.

PMID- 26266278
TI  - Reply.

PMID- 26266279
TI  - Sir Terry Pratchett: shaking hands with Death.

PMID- 26266280
TI  - Author response:.

PMID- 26266281
TI  - Letter to the Editor: Abrupt CMS Decision May Threaten Hundreds of Thousands of
      Wound Care Patients With Potential Limb Loss.

PMID- 26266282
TI  - Successful Pedicled Anterolateral Thigh Flap Reconstruction for a Recurrent
      Ischial Pressure Ulcer: A Case With Multiple Recurrences Over a 7-year Follow-up.
AB  - Ischial pressure ulcers are difficult ulcers to treat and have a low treatment
      success rate compared to sacral and trochanteric ulcers; regional flap failure
      further complicates the treatment. Reported here is a case of a 65-year-old man
      who experienced a spinal injury with paraplegia due to trauma 20 years ago. The
      patient experienced a recurrent ischial ulcer since 2007, and underwent several
      types of flap reconstruction with poor outcomes over a 7-year period. Therefore,
      the chosen intervention was a pedicled anterolateral thigh (pALT) fasciocutaneous
      flap reconstruction for the ischial ulcer via a subcutaneous route. Over the 10
      month follow-up, the recurrent ischial ulcer healed without wound dehiscence.
      Island pALT reconstruction appears to be an alternative technique for treating
      recurrent ischial pressure ulcers. Though reconstruction of ischial ulcers via
      the pALT technique has been described previously, this may be the first case
      report to describe pALT flap in a patient with recurrent ischial ulcers after
      failed reconstructions using a gluteus maximus flap, V-Y advancement flap, and
      hatchet flap.Ischial pressure ulcers are difficult to treat and have a low
      treatment success rate1 compared to sacral and trochanteric ulcers. In addition,
      there are many different techniques that can be used to treat ischial pressure
      ulcers, including primary wound closure, gluteus maximus flaps, V-Y advancement
      flaps, or inferior gluteal artery perforator flaps. However, several experts have
      recently described using the pedicled anterolateral thigh (pALT) flap for
      reconstruction of recurrent ischial pressure ulcers.1,2 In the presented case,
      the authors followed a single patient with paraplegia with a recurrent ischial
      ulcer who had undergone several types of wound treatment over a 7-year period.
      The indurated ulcer was ultimately resolved by pALT reconstruction.

PMID- 26266283
TI  - New species of Rhyacodrilus (Annelida: Clitellata: Rhyacodrilinae) of North
      America, with re-description of R. sodalis (Eisen, 1879).
AB  - Six new Nearctic species of the aquatic oligochaete genus Rhyacodrilus (Annelida,
      Clitellata, Rhyacodrilinae), are described, five (R. saelonae sp. n., R.
      quileuticus sp. n., R. clio sp. n., R. alcyoneus sp. n. and R. longichaeta sp.
      n.) from western and one (R. propiporus sp. n.) from eastern North America. The
      taxonomy of the most common Rhyacodrilus species reported in the Nearctic region
      has been based largely on chaetal characters, which has generated certain
      confusion. The new species give a new perspective on the genus Rhyacodrilus in
      North America, suggesting a much higher diversity than previously expected. The
      description of R. longichaeta sp. n. questions the taxonomic status of R. montana
      (Brinkhurst), which is here regarded as species inquirenda. The taxonomic status
      of R. sodalis (Eisen) is discussed based on characters of the reproductive
      system, the existing Lake Tahoe neotype series is invalidated, and a neotype is
      described from Eisen's type locality. Based on the discussion of the characters
      of the genus Rhyacodrilus, the genus Stochidrilus Martinez-Ansemil et al. is
      proposed as a junior synonym of that genus. The presence of the widely reported
      species R. coccineus has not been confirmed in the study collections, although
      the species requires a sound revision. A key to the species bearing hair chaetae
      is provided, based mainly on features of the reproductive system.

PMID- 26266284
TI  - Typtonomenaeusformosanus gen. et sp. nov., a new sponge-associated pontoniine
      shrimp (Crustacea: Decapoda: Palaemonidae: Pontoniinae) from northern Taiwan.
AB  - A new genus and species of sponge-associated pontoniine shrimps (Crustacea:
      Decapoda: Palaemonidae: Pontoniinae) is described from northern part of Formosa
      Island (Taiwan). The new species can be clearly recognized by convex robust nail
      like apices on dactyli of both pereiopods II--a unique morphological structure
      among pontoniine shrimps. Morphological differences from all known sponge
      associated pontoniine genera are discussed.

PMID- 26266285
TI  - A new species of the spider genus Taczanowskia (Araneae, Araneidae) from Mexico.
AB  - A new species of the spider genus Taczanowskia, T. gustavoi n. sp. is described
      from Chiapas, Mexico. This finding extends the distribution of Taczanowskia
      species, hitherto known only from South America to Southern Mexico. T. gustavoi
      n. sp. can be differentiated from all other species in this genus by having more
      than six tubercles in the dorsum of its opisthosoma. This species is included in
      an earlier determination key for all previously known Taczanowskia species.

PMID- 26266286
TI  - A new species and records of Diolenius Thorell, 1870 (Araneae: Salticidae) from
      New Guinea.
AB  - Diolenius sarniensis sp. nov. is recorded, described and illustrated from New
      Guinea.

PMID- 26266287
TI  - Three new species of Pauropoda (Myriapoda) from Brazil with description of a new
      genus in Diplopauropodidae, Adelphopauropus.
AB  - Three new species of Pauropoda are described from Brazil, Allopauropus prolongus
      n.sp. and Decapauropus glomeratus n.sp. in Pauropodidae, and Adelphopauropus
      ichtyematos n. gen., n. sp. in Diplopauropodidae.

PMID- 26266288
TI  - Lethocerus patruelis (Stal, 1855) in Italy: a recent introduction or a natural
      westward spread? (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Nepomorpha: Belostomatidae).
AB  - The paper provides new records and a critical review of the previous citations of
      Lethocerus patruelis (Stal, 1855) from Italy. The status of the species in Italy,
      and whether its presence can be related to a recent introduction or to a natural
      westward spread, is discussed, but further observations are needed to assess its
      effective status in the country. The dates of description for this species and of
      L. niloticus (Stal, 1855) are corrected, since they have up to the present time
      been incorrectly stated as 1854.

PMID- 26266289
TI  - Two new species of Fibuloides (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) from eastern Thailand.
AB  - Two new species of Fibuloides are described from eastern Thailand: F. tratensis
      Jaikla and Pinkaew, n.sp., and F. bulla Jaikla and Pinkaew, n.sp. Males of F.
      tratensis have modified labial palpi with specialized scales that have not been
      reported for other Tortricidae. Descriptions and illustrations of adults and
      genitalia are provided for the two new species collected from Trat Agroforestry
      Research and Training Station, eastern Thailand.

PMID- 26266290
TI  - A note on Conchodytes kempi Bruce 1989 (Crustacea, Palaemonidae, Pontoniinae),
      with the designation of C. kempoides sp. nov..

PMID- 26266291
TI  - Gyraulus elenae sp. n.--a new Planorbid snail from Eastern Turkey (Mollusca:
      Gastropoda: Planorbidae).

PMID- 26266292
TI  - Rusingeria nom. nov, a new substitute name for Usingeria Coetzee & Segerman, 1992
      (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Cimicidae).
AB  - Rusingeria nom. nov. is established as a new substitute name for Usingeria
      Coetzee & Segerman, 1992 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Cimicidae), which is junior
      homonym of Usingeria Schouteden, 1952 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Aradidae). The
      following new combination is proposed: Rusingeria transvaalensis (Coetzee &
      Segerman, 1992), comb. nov., for Usingeria transvaalensis Coetzee & Segerman,
      1992.

PMID- 26266293
TI  - A new subgenus Wraseellus of the genus Pterostichus Bonelli (Coleoptera,
      Carabidae, Pterostichini) and new species descriptions.
AB  - A new subgenus Wraseiellus new subgenus (type species: Pterostichus andrewesi
      Jedlicka 1931) of the genus Pterostichus from China is described. Eight species
      and one subspecies are recognized in the new subgenus including three new species
      and one new subspecies: Pt. (Wraseiellus) comatus new species (Guangxi:
      Maoershan, N25.87 degrees , E110.42 degrees ), Pt. (Wraseiellus) crassiapex new
      species (Hubei: Tiechanghuang, N30.75 degrees , E110.30 degrees ), Pt.
      (Wraseiellus) pseduodiversus new species (Yunnan: Luguhu, N27.63 degrees ,
      E100.82 degrees ), Pt. (Wraseiellus) stictopleurus cangshanensis new subspecies
      (Yunnan: Cangshan, N25.63 degrees , E100.14 degrees ). Feronia crebrepunctata
      Straneo, 1937 is newly proposed as junior synonym of Pterostichus meyeri
      Jedlicka, 1934. A key to all known species and subspecies, images of habitus and
      genitalia, and distribution maps are provided.

PMID- 26266294
TI  - Systematics of the weevil genus Mecinus Germar, 1821 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae).
      II. Phylogenetic analysis based on adult morphological characters and host plant
      information.
AB  - A phylogenetic analysis of all species belonging to the weevil genus Mecinus
      Germar, 1821 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Curculioninae: Mecinini) was carried
      out. Mecinus are exclusively Palaearctic and feed on Plantaginaceae belonging to
      the tribes Plantagineae and Antirrhineae. Based on a cladistic analysis of six
      outgroup and 47 ingroup taxa, and 31 adult morphological and three ecological
      characters, the monophyly of Mecinus appears strongly supported. In this genus
      six species groups and one monobasic group were recognized. Many species are
      morphologically similar to one another and lack phylogenetically useable
      apomorphies; thus for practical convenience these species, which produce highly
      polytomic topologies, have been treated as the M. pascuorum and the M. elongatus
      complexes. However, a large assemblage of species, characterized by elongate body
      shape, appears well supported. This includes the M. collaris, M. circulatus, M.
      heydenii and M. janthinus groups together with the M. simus group where a
      reversal to the primitive oval body shape in some species is presumed. Other well
      supported groups are the M. paratychioides and M. marina groups that appear more
      related to species of the M. pascuorum complex than to the main clade of elongate
      species. Optimizing host plant preferences onto the morphological phylogeny
      indicates that feeding on Plantagineae was the plesiomorphic condition for the
      genus Mecinus. All species feeding on Antirrhineae, which represent a minority,
      are included in two well supported groups, tht M. heydenii and M. janthinus
      groups, which however do not share unequivocal morphological synapomorphies. In
      general there are no strict relationships between groups of weevils and their
      specific feeding habits, since larvae of closely related species adopt different
      strategies, such as seed predators, stem borers or gall inducers. Similarly no
      distinct biogeographic pattern of Mecinus has been observed in light of the
      phylogeny.

PMID- 26266295
TI  - Chirostylidae of Australia's western continental margin (Crustacea : Decapoda:
      Anomura), with the description of five new species.
AB  - Five new species from the squat lobster family Chirostylidae are described from
      the continental margin of western Australia: Uroptychus albus sp. nov.,
      Uroptychus bardi sp. nov., Uroptychus jawi sp. nov., Uroptychus taylorae sp.
      nov., and Uroptychus worrorra sp. nov. New records of Indo-West Pacific species
      for Australia are: Gastroptychus brachyterus Baba, 2005, Gastroptychus
      investigatoris Alcock, 1899, Uroptychodes grandirostris (Yokoya, 1933),
      Uroptychodes inortenseni (Van Dam, 1939), Uroptychus scandens Benedict, 1902,
      Uroptychus ciliatus (Van Dam, 1933) and Uroptychus vandamae Baba, 1988. New
      distributional records are given for species previously recorded from Australia:
      Uroptychus flindersi Ahyong & Poore, 2004, Uroptychus hesperius Ahyong & Poore,
      2004, Uroptychusjoloensis Van Dam, 1939, Uroptychus nigricapillis Alcock, 1901,
      and Uroptychus spinirostris (Ahyong & Poore, 2004). These new records expand the
      number of chirostylid species in Australia from 34 to 46. Keys to Australian
      species of the genera Gastroptychus, Uroptychodes and Uroptychus are provided.

PMID- 26266296
TI  - Review of the genus Loxocephala Schaum, 1850 (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha:
      Eurybrachidae) with aescription of three new species from China.
AB  - The genus Loxocephala Schaum, 1850 is reviewed. Three new species: L. rugosa sp.
      nov., L. verticalis sp. nov. and L. mangkangensis sp. nov. are described from
      China. L., perpunctata Jacobi, 1944 and L. sinica Chou & Huang, 1985 are given
      supplementary descriptions. In addition, according to the male genitalia, L.
      sinica sichuanensis Chou & Huang, 1985 is upgraded to species level: L.
      sichuanensis Chou & Huang, 1985 stat. nov. A key to all the known species of the
      genus is provided.

PMID- 26266297
TI  - A taxonomical review of the Gnathophausia (Crustacea, Lophogastrida), with new
      records from the northern mid-Atlantic ridge.
AB  - Taxonomy of 11 species contained within the Lophogastrida genus Gnathophausia is
      presented. We report new records of G. affinis, G. gigas, G. ingens, and G. zoea
      from the Atlantic Ocean between Iceland and the Azores. We also describe a new
      species, G. bergstadi that resembles G. zoea, but differs in having a heart
      shaped apex on the telson and having the lower later keels of the carapace not
      fusing with the upper lateral keels. Gnathophausia is found to be most abundant
      at bathyal depths. G. zoea, G. gigas, and G. ingens are reported distributed
      throughout the world's oceans. G. affinis and G. bergstadi are confined to
      Atlantic water masses, whereas G. childressi, G. longispina, and G. elegans, are
      found in the Pacific. A more limited distribution in tropical regions of the
      world's oceans is observed in G gracilis, and also G. fagei and G. scapularis
      that are confined to the South China Sea and Indian Ocean, respectively. We
      include an identification key and known distribution of all accepted
      Gnathophausia species.

PMID- 26266298
TI  - Two new species of genus Apsilochorema Ulmer (Trichoptera: Hydrobiosidae) from
      India.
AB  - Two new species of Apsilochorema (Trichoptera: Hydrobiosidae) from India are
      described, Apsilochorema (Archichorema) kashnirensis sp. nov. and Apsilochorema
      (Archichorema) meyi sp. nov., bringing to 12 the number of species in the genus
      known from the country.

PMID- 26266299
TI  - Revision of the European species of Calotelea Westwood (Hymenoptera:
      Platygastroidea).
AB  - The European species of Calotelea are reviewed: previously known species are
      redescribed; two new species are described: Calotelea carbonaria n. sp. and
      Calotelea laminata n. sp.; and a key to all species is given. Calotelea affinis
      Kozlov & Kononova is a junior synonym of Calotelea elegans (Masi) syn. nov. and
      Calotelea ruficollis (Szelenyi) is transferred to Calliscelio comb. nov.
      Calotelea laminata n. sp. is the first species of Calotelea belonging to the
      ocularis group to be recorded from Europe. A morphometric analysis is made of the
      metasoma of females of all European species of Calotelea.

PMID- 26266300
TI  - A new species of Pseudoleptochelia Lang, 1973 (Crustacea: Peracarida: Tanaidacea:
      Leptocheliidae) from the Northwest Atlantic with observations on the status of
      the genus.
AB  - Pseudoleptocheliajuliae n. sp. is described from Puerto Rican waters in depths
      from 1 to 28 m. The new species and P. fairgo from western Australia are the only
      members of the genus as defined in this revision that have a distinct process on
      the posterior margin of the cheliped carpus. The male of P. juliae is
      distinguished from that of P. fairgo by this process being sub-acute and having a
      distinctly narrower propodus. Lang's generic diagnosis for the female of
      Pseudoleptochelia is incorrect, which has led to confusion. Based in examination
      of Mediterranean specimens attributed to the type species P. anomala (Sars),
      Pseudoleptochelia is rediagnosed to contain seven species; P. anomala; P. fairgo;
      . juliae; P. magna; P. mortenseni; P. occiporta; and P. straddi., The genus is
      reviewed and discussed and the taxonomic status for the remaining nine species
      previously assigned to the genus is re-evaluated. Pseudoleptochelia shares
      similarities with the more recently described Pacific genera Konarus and
      Parakonarus and to a lesser extent to the highly derived genus Makraleptochelia.

PMID- 26266301
TI  - Three new species of Collembola from soils of Mediterranean cork-oak forests of
      Sicily (Italy).
AB  - Three new species of soil Collembola from cork-oak (Quercus suber) forests
      located in eastern Sicily (Italy) are described Neonaphorura alicatai sp. nov.,
      Friesea guarinoi sp. nov. and Arrhopalites antonioi sp. nov..

PMID- 26266302
TI  - Two new species of Cardiodectes Wilson, 1917 (Copepoda: Siphonostomatoida:
      Pennellidae) from gobiid fishes (Actinopterygii: Perciformes) in the western
      Pacific Ocean.
AB  - Two new species of the genus Cardiodectes Wilson, 1917 (Siphonostonatoida:
      Pennellidae) are described based on females from gobiid fishes (Actinopterygii:
      Perciformes) in coastal waters of the Pacific Ocean. Both new species belong to
      the 'rubosus' group sharing a trunk without an abdomen. Cardiodectes bellwoodi n.
      sp. parasitizes Istigobius nigroocellatus (Gunther) in Australian waters and
      differs from members of the 'rubosus' group by having a trunk length less than
      twice its width, and a pair of large anterior lobes with branched processes.
      Cardiodectes shini n. sp. is similar to C. asper Uyeno & Nagasawa but is
      distinguishable by the presence of a well-developed, bilobed process between the
      bases of the maxillae, and by the cephalothorax bearing only two pairs of lobes.

PMID- 26266303
TI  - Review of the systematic status of Sceloporus arenicolus Degenhardt and Jones,
      1972 with an estimate of divergence time.
AB  - The sagebrush lizards (Sceloporus graciosus group) consist of four taxa (S.
      graciosus graciosus, S. graciosus gracilis, S. graciosus vandenburgianus, and S.
      arenicolus) distributed in western North America. Of these, S. arenicolus is
      morphologically, behaviorally, and ecologically distinct as well as
      geographically disjunct from the other taxa, occurring only in the Mescalero
      Monahans Sandhills of southeastern New Mexico and adjacent Texas. Sceloporus
      arenicolus is a taxon of concern because of its small range and habitat
      alteration due to land use practices. Understanding evolutionary relationships
      among members of the S. graciosus group, and especially S. arenicolus, has
      important implications for conservation. We examine the phylogenetic relationship
      of S. arenicolus relative to the three recognized subspecies of S. graciosus at
      mitochondrial and nuclear loci for populations sampled throughout the ranges of
      these taxa. Additionally, we estimate the divergence time and clade age of S.
      arenicolus. We find that the S. graciosus group is in need of major taxonomic
      revision, and also confirm that S. arenicolus is a genetically distinct and
      divergent lineage. These results bear important consequences for conservation and
      management.

PMID- 26266304
TI  - New water mite species of the genus Piona Koch, 1842 (Acari, Hydrachnidia:
      Pionidae) from Northeastern Russia.
AB  - Descriptions of two new water mite species, Piona inagadanensis (male, female,
      deutonymph), Piona anadyrensis (male, female, deutonymph) and one new subspecies
      P interrupta interruptella (female) from standing waters of the Magadan Province
      and Chukotka of Russia are presented.

PMID- 26266305
TI  - New species and taxonomic rearrangements of Anostostomatid Crickets (Orthoptera:
      Stenopelmatoidea: Anostostomatidae) from the Neotropics.
AB  - This paper describes and illustrates a new species of the genus Anabropsis
      (Anostostomatidae: Anabropsinae) from Colombia, we group the species of this
      genus were grouped into three groups: Mexicana, Alata and Aptera. A brief review
      of the genus Apotetainenus (Anostostomatidae: Lutosinae) is also given including
      a new species from the Colombian rainforest; also A. clipeatus is redescribed and
      a new distribution data are provided. Finally A. politus (Brunner, 1915) is
      designated as synonym of A. clipeatus.

PMID- 26266306
TI  - Eriophyoid mites (Acari: Prostigmata: Eriophyidae) associated with Compositae in
      Iran.
AB  - Five species of eriophyoid mites were identified during surveys of mite fauna
      associated with plant species of the family Compositae from Southwest of East
      Azerbaijan province during 2010 and 2011. Two of them, Aceria virgatae n. sp.
      from Centaurea virgata Lam. and Aceria xeranthenzis n. sp. from Xeranthemumn
      squarrosum Boiss., were found to be new to science. No damage symptoms were
      observed on their host plants. Aceria xeranthemis n. sp. is the first eriophyoid
      collected from the plant genus Xeranthenun. Aculops centaureae (Farkas, 1960)
      from Centaurea albonitens Turrill and Aceria cichorii Petanovic et al. 2000 from
      Cichorium intybus L. are new records for Iranian mite fauna. The deutogyne female
      of Aceria anthocoptes (Nalepa) was recorded for the first time in Iran, too. A
      key to the species collected on Compositae in Iran is given.

PMID- 26266307
TI  - A new miniature species of Characidium Reinhardt (Ostariophysi: Characiformes:
      Crenuchidae) from the headwaters of the rio Araguaia, Brazil.
AB  - Characidium inirim is described from the rio das Mortes, rio Araguaia basin in
      Central Brazil. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by having an
      incomplete lateral line, a conspicuous dark longitudinal stripe and dark
      transverse bars not extending ventrally to the lateral line, and by lacking the
      adipose fin and the dark caudal blotch. A phylogenetic hypothesis based on the
      available data on the phylogenetic relationships of the subfamily Characidiinae
      is presented. Results suggest that the new species is closely related to C.
      bahiensis, C. interruptum, C. lagosantense, C. nupelia, C. lanei, C. laterale, C.
      occidentale, C. orientale, C. rachovii, C. stigmosun, C. vestigipinne and C.
      xavante.

PMID- 26266308
TI  - New species of Pyrrhulina (Ostariophysi: Characiformes: Lebiasinidae) from the
      Brazilian Shield, with comments on a putative monophyletic group of species in
      the genus.
AB  - Pyrrhulina marilynae, new species, is described. The new species can be
      distinguished among congeners mainly by presenting a conspicuous, dark, zigzag
      shaped primary stripe, extending to distal end of median caudal-fin rays,
      reduction of the number of precaudal vertebrae, absence of postecleithrum 2, and
      nine principal rays on caudal-fin dorsal lobe. The putative relationship of the
      new species with Pyrrhulina australis, P. vittata and P. zigzag, three small
      sized species of the genus, is discussed.

PMID- 26266309
TI  - The genus Hecabolus Curtis 1834 (Braconidae: Doryctinae) in South America, with
      description of six new species.
AB  - Six new species of the doryctinae wasp genus Hecabolus Curtis 1834 (Braconidae)
      are described from Brazil and Venezuela: H. assis sp. nov., H. julianoi sp. nov.,
      H. robustus sp. nov., H. seniaridus sp. nov., H. shimborii sp. nov., and H.
      sulmatogrossensis sp. nov. A key to the nine described species of Hecabolus is
      provided.

PMID- 26266310
TI  - Two new species of Glossosoma subgenus Glossosoma (Trichoptera: Glossosomatidae)
      from India.
AB  - Two new species of the genus Glossosoma (Glossosoma) Curtis are described and
      illustrated: G. (G.) dirangense sp. nov, and G. (G.) sikkimnense sp. nov. from
      Dirang (Arunachal Pradesh) and Lachen (Sikkim), respectively. Glossosoma (G.)
      dirangense most closely resembles G. (G.) mnoselyi Kimmins 1953, but the males of
      these species can be distinguished by differences in the shapes of abdominal
      segments IX and X. Glossosoma (G.) sikkimense most closely resembles G. (G.)
      fissumn Martynov 1935 and G. (G.) caudatum Martynov 1931, but the male of G. (G.)
      sikkimense can be distinguished from these other species by differences in the
      shapes of abdominal segment X, sternite VI ventral process, and the phallus.

PMID- 26266311
TI  - Two new species of caddisflies (Trichoptera: Hydroptilidae, Psychomyiidae) from
      central and south Spain.

PMID- 26266312
TI  - Revision of Breda and proposal of a new genus (Araneae: Salticidae).
AB  - The genus Breda Peckham & Peckham, 1894 is revised and nine valid species are
      redescribed and illustrated. The monotypic Paradescanso Vellard, 1924 is
      established as a new junior synonym of the genus. Breda modesta (Taczanowski,
      1878) comb. nov. is transferred from Balmaceda Peckham & Peckham. The following
      synonymies are also established: Paradescansofallax Vellard, 1924 = Breda
      apicalis Simon, 1901 syn. nov.; B. quinquedentata Badcock, 1932 = B. apicalis
      Simon, 1901 syn. nov.; B. leucoprocta Mello-Leitao, 1940 = B. modesta
      (Taczanowski, 1878) syn. nov.; B. spinimanu (Mello-Leitao, 1941) = B. modesta
      (Taczanowski, 1878) syn. nov. The females of B. bicruciata (Mello-Leitao, 1943)
      and B. bistriata (C.L. Koch, 1846) are described and illustrated for the first
      time, as well as the male of B. lubomirskii (Taczanowski, 1878). Both sexes of
      Breda akypueruna sp. nov. and males of B. nanica sp. nov. and B. paraensis sp.
      nov., all three from the Amazon, are described and illustrated, increasing the
      present member list up to 13 species. Druzia gen. nov. is proposed to include
      B.flavostriata Simon, 1901. The Australian "Breda" jovialis (L. Koch, 1879) is
      tentatively transferred to Ocrisiona Simon.

PMID- 26266313
TI  - Morphology and molecular phylogeny of Macrobrachium snpurii, a new species of the
      genus Macrobrachium Bate, 1868 from Kerala, India.
AB  - Macrobrachium snpurii sp. nov., collected from the Karamana River, in the lower
      reaches of Western Ghats, is described and illustrated. DNA barcoding using
      Cytochrome B gene sequences has elucidated the taxonomic status of the new
      species and the NJ tree reveals that M. snpurii sp. nov., is phylogenetically
      close to M. idella idella. However, morphometric and meristic features of the
      species share certain characters with M. idella idella, M. patheinense and M.
      tratense, while it diverges remarkably from these three species in distinctive
      diagnostic characters: rostral formula 12-14/4 with 2 postorbital teeth; carapace
      smooth with distal end of rostrum directed upwards; chelae with 2 proximal
      denticles both in the movable and immovable fingers. A wide gap present in the
      distal part of the chelae, when fingers are closed. Movable finger, longer than
      the immovable and distal end of fingers inwardly hook-like; palm more pigmented
      than fingers and telson extends beyond the level of the outer lateral spine of
      uropodal exopod. A pair of plumose setae is present between the inner pair of
      movable spines of telson.

PMID- 26266314
TI  - Review of the marine isopod crustacean genus Hansenium Serov and Wilson, 1995
      (Asellota: Stenetriidae) from tropical Australia and Papua New Guinea, with
      description of a new genus.
AB  - The genus Hansenium is revised and a new diagnosis presented. A neotype is
      designated for the type species Hansenium hanseni (Muller, 1991), and the genus
      is restricted to the type species and Hansenium remocarpus Kensley and Schotte,
      2002. Machatrium gen. nov. and the following species are described: Machatrium
      falcensis sp. nov. (type species), Machatrium thungku sp. nov. from Lizard
      Island, Great Barrier Reef; Machatrium wongat sp. nov. from Madang, Papua New
      Guinea, Machatrium tropex (Bolstad and Kensley, 1999), comb. nov. also from
      Madang, Papua New Guinea; a further five species are transferred from Hansenium
      to Machatrium gen. nov. The remaining species of Hansenium are retained as
      incertae sedis in their existing combination (11 species), reallocated to other
      genera (1 species) or regarded as species inquirenda (3 species). The principal
      differentiating characters of Hansenium, Machatrium gen. nov. and Stene triumn
      Haswell, 1881, are the pseudorostrum being short and trapezoid or long and
      anteriorly narrowed, morphology of the male pereopod 1, notably the shape of the
      propodus inferior margin, presence or absence of a process on the inferodistal
      margin of the merus and carpus; and the apex of the appendix masculina being
      acute or blunt, with or without a concavity and with or without terminal setae.

PMID- 26266315
TI  - Revision of the Japanese Ablabesmyia (Diptera: Chironomidae: Tanypodinae), with
      descriptions of three new species.
AB  - The Japanese species of Ablabesmyia Johannsen are reviewed on the basis of the
      type material and the specimens obtained recently. Four species of the subgenus
      Ablabesmyia, A. (A.) monilis (Linnaeus), A. (A.) amamisimplex Sasa, A.
      (A.)jogancornua Sasa et Okazawa and A. (A.) prorasha Kobayashi et Kubota, are
      recognized as valid. The adults, male and female, and the immature stages, pupa
      and larva, of the first species and the adult males of the remaining are
      redescribed, while the female adults and both immature stages of A. (A.)
      amamisimplex and A. (A.) jogancornua, and both immature stages of A. (A.)
      prorasha are described here for the first time. Reexamination of the holotypes of
      A. (A.) amamisimplex and A. (A.) jogancornua has shown that the respective
      original descriptions contain errors in some diagnostic aspects, which are
      corrected in this study. In addition, the male and female adults, pupa and larva
      of a new species of the subgenus Karelia Roback, A. (K.) nakarchenkoi n. sp., and
      the male adults of two new species, A. (K.) lata n. sp. and A. (K.) perexilis n.
      sp., are described and illustrated.

PMID- 26266316
TI  - Cryptic speciation within Asthenodipsas vertebralis (Boulenger, 1900) (Squamata:
      Pareatidae), the description of a new species from Peninsular Malaysia, and the
      resurrection of A. tropidonotus (Lidth de Jude, 1923) from Sumatra: an
      integrative taxonomic analysis.
AB  - A review of the taxonomic status of the Asian Slug Snake, Asthenodipsas
      vertebralis (Boulenger, 1900) based on an integrative taxonomic approach using
      molecular, morphological, color pattern, and ecological data indicate it is
      composed of three well supported monophyletic lineages: (1) Pulau Tioman and
      Fraser's Hill, Pahang and Bukit Larut, Perak; Peninsular Malaysia; (2) its sister
      lineage from Northern Sumatra; and (3) the remaining basal lineage from
      Peninsular Malaysia. Furthermore, we consider the high sequence divergence (6.3%
      10.2%) between these lineages (especially in areas of sympatry) and discrete
      differences in their morphology, color pattern, and microhabitat preference as
      evidence they are not conspecific. As such, we resurrect the name A. tropidonotus
      (Lidth de Jeude, 1923) for the Sumatra populations, restrict the name A.
      vertebralis to the populations from Pulau Tioman, Genting Highlands, Fraser's
      Hill, Gunung Benom, and Bukit Larut that contain terrestrial, banded adults; and
      consider A. lasgalenensis sp. nov. to be restricted to the populations from
      Fraser's Hill, Cameron Highlands, and Bukit Larut that contain arboreal, unbanded
      adults.

PMID- 26266317
TI  - Description and host interactions of a new species of Exetasis Walker (Diptera:
      Acroceridae), with a key to species of the genus.
AB  - Exetasis jujuyensis Gillung sp. nov. (Acroceridae) is described from Argentina
      and a dichotomous key to species of Exetasis Walker is provided. Detailed
      observations are presented on the effect of fly larval development on the
      behavior of the host spider (Acanthoscurria sternalis Pocock (Theraphosidae)).

PMID- 26266318
TI  - Two new subspecies of the leaf-tailed gecko Phyllurus ossa (Lacertilia:
      Carphodactylidae) from mid-eastern Queensland, Australia.
AB  - Following the discovery of a new population of Phyllurus ossa on Whitsunday
      Island in the Cumberland Island Group, eastern Queensland, we conducted both
      genetic and morphological analyses to assess differences between all known
      populations. The analyses revealed three genetically distinct, morphologically
      diagnosable, geographical units. The differences are such that we recognise these
      as subspecies: Phyllurus ossa ossa restricted to the Mt Ossa/Mt Pelion/ Mt
      Charlton/ St Helens Gap area; P. ossa hobsoni subsp. nov. on Mt Dryander and in
      the Conway Range and P. ossa tamoya subsp. nov. currently only known from
      Whitsunday Island. There are now 11 recognised taxa in Phyllurus. The three P.
      ossa subspecies are narrowly distributed and closely associated with exposed rock
      in low to mid-elevation vine forests. Their current distributions are shaped by
      past climate change that progressively contracted and fragmented the distribution
      of rainforests in eastern Australia. The recognition of these subspecies has land
      management/conservation implications.

PMID- 26266319
TI  - Three new species of Caridina (Decapoda: Atyidae) from Central Sulawesi and Buton
      Island, Indonesia, and a checklist of the islands' endemic species.
AB  - Three atyid shrimp species of the genus Caridina Milne Edwards, 1837, Caridina
      boehmei n. sp., C. laroeha and C. butonensis n. sp., are described from the
      Indonesian islands Sulawesi and Buton. Caridina boehinei n. sp. differs from its
      apparently next congener C. sulawesi Cai & Ng, 2009 by the shape of the
      spinulation of the male sexual appendages. Caridina laroeha resembles C. mahalona
      and C. opaensis, but can be distinguished by the length and armature of the
      rostrum, the length ratio of segments of the third maxilliped and the number of
      spinules on the uropodal diaeresis. Caridina butonensis n. sp. resembles to C.
      boehmei n. sp. and C. opaensis but can be distinguished by its peculiar truncated
      rostrum and by a more reduced podobranch on the second maxilliped.

PMID- 26266320
TI  - Madeira's ptyctimous mites (Acari, Oribatida).
AB  - In the material recently collected in Madeira, 16 species of ptyctimous mites
      have been found. A new species of Austrophthiracarus rabacalensis Niedbala sp.
      nov. has been described. The presence of P. globosus and S. (R.) ortizi, reported
      earlier from Madeira has not been confirmed, but P. anonymus and P. montanus, so
      far not reported from this island, have been found. All 16 species identified in
      the material from Madeira studied occur in the Palaearctic Region; four of them
      are endemites, seven occur in western Palaearctic, four are panpalaearctic, while
      one is a semicosmopolitan. Morphological analysis has revealed a high similarity
      of two endemic species of Madeira with two European species: Steganacarus
      (Steganacarus) crassisetosus is similar to Steganacarus (Steganacarus)
      applicatus, while Steganacarus (Steganacarus) similis to Steganacarus
      (Steganacarus) spinosus. DNA-barcode analysis using COI and D2 28S rDNA sequences
      confirmed the species status of these four species. The phylogenetic analyses of
      COI amino acid data and D2 28S rDNA sequences suggest a closer relationship
      between S. (S.) crassisetosus and S. (S.) applicatus, pointing to a great genetic
      distance between S. (S.) spinosus and the other species of Steganacarus
      (Steganacarus).

PMID- 26266321
TI  - Nine new species of Soesilarishius from Brazil (Araneae: Salticidae:
      Euophryinae).
AB  - Nine new species of Soesilarishius Makhan, 2007 are described from Brazil,
      raising the genus member list up to 20 species. Soesilarishius chaplini sp. nov.,
      S. paxiuba sp. nov. and S. muiratinga sp. nov. are described from the state of
      Para. Soesilarishius bicrescens sp. nov., S. excentricus sp. nov. and S.
      flagellator sp. nov. are described from the state of Piaui. Soesilarishius
      inacrochelis sp. nov. and S. cearensis sp. nov. are described from the state of
      Ceara. Soesilarishius tabernarius sp. nov. is described from the state of Bahia.
      Both sexes are described for the new species, except for S. inuiratinga, S.
      bicrescens, S. excentricus and S. tabernarius, whose females remain unknown.

PMID- 26266322
TI  - [Establishment of malaria early warning system in Jiangsu Province IV
      Implementation of key measures to eliminate malaria in Jiangsu Province in 2013].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To promote the malaria control process in the malaria elimination
      stage in Jiangsu Province. METHODS: The data from the network reporting system of
      medical institutions, the disease prevention and control institutions at all
      levels, and the special reports system of parasitic diseases were collected and
      analyzed statistically. RESULTS: There were 341 malaria cases directly reported
      from the Jiangsu provincial network in 2013. All were laboratory-confirmed cases.
      Except one case of blood transfusion infection, the rest were imported malaria
      cases abroad. All the malaria cases were reported after diagnosis within 24 hours
      through the directly reported network, and the implementation rate was 100%. All
      the malaria cases had an epidemiological investigation within 3 days with the
      implementation rate of 100%; in which 334 (97.95%) cases were investigated within
      2 days. All the cases had an epidemical investigation and disposition within 7
      days with the implementation rate of 100%, in which 319 cases (93.55%) were
      completed within 5 days. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation rate of malaria
      elimination work mode has reached 100% in Jiangsu Province in 2013, and there are
      no local infected malaria cases for two consecutive years. However, the
      inspection and supervision of case investigation and epidemic investigation and
      disposal are still need to he strengthened.

PMID- 26266323
TI  - Substrate effects on the monovacancies of silicene: studied from first principle
      methods.
AB  - The geometrical structures and electronic properties of defective silicene with
      monovacancies (MVs), placed on two different substrates, a h-BN sheet and an
      Ag(111) surface, have been investigated using the first-principles method. It is
      found that due to the weak van der Waals interaction from the h-BN sheet, there
      exists two kinds of MVs in the Si|h-BN composite, i.e., the self-healing MV-1 and
      MV-2 with a closed five- and nine-membered (5-9) pair of rings, with the former
      as the ground state MV, which is the same as in the case of the free-standing
      silicene with MVs. The electronic bands around the Fermi level of the Si|h-BN
      composite with the Si MVs are all induced by the Si atoms, leading to a
      nonmagnetically metallic ground state. But the Ag(111) substrate has a stronger
      coupling with the Si adlayer, leading to the existence of three kinds of
      inequivalent Si atoms, greatly changing the MV structures and the stability of
      the defective silicene adlayer, as well as its corresponding electronic
      structures. For example, the symmetric-like MVs are found to always be the stable
      MV structures in the Si|Ag(111) composite, no matter which type of inequivalent
      Si atom is removed from it. The Ag substrate has a dominant contribution to the
      electronic bands of the defective Si|Ag(111) composite with the Si MVs. Even so,
      some characteristic bands induced by the Si MV defects could still be found. 

PMID- 26266324
TI  - Sarcopenia impairs survival in patients with potentially curable hepatocellular
      carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A reduction in skeletal muscle mass (sarcopenia) independently
      predicts poor survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) undergoing
      treatment with curative intent. Whether this is due to an increased risk of
      recurrence and disease specific death, or due to an increased risk of
      postoperative morbidity and mortality is currently unclear. In this study, we
      investigate the association between sarcopenia and death in a cohort of HCC
      patients undergoing treatment with curative intent. METHODS: Patients undergoing
      surgical resection or radiofrequency ablation for lesions <= 3 cm between 2002
      and 2013 were identified. Clinicopathological characteristics, CT-assessed
      sarcopenia and outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 90 patients, 52 (57.8%)
      were found to be sarcopenic. Sarcopenic patients had a limited overall survival
      (median: 33 months vs. non-sarcopenic median: 105 months; P = 0.002), but not
      disease-free survival. Sarcopenia was an independent predictor for overall
      survival in multivariate Cox-regression analysis (HR 3.756; P = 0.001). Major
      complications (32.7% vs. 13.2%, P = 0.033) and treatment-related mortality (17.3%
      vs. 2.6%, P = 0.029) were more frequent in sarcopenic patients. CONCLUSION:
      Sarcopenia impairs survival in patients with potentially curable hepatocellular
      carcinoma, mainly due to an increase in treatment-related mortality.

PMID- 26266325
TI  - Construction of tissue microarrays from core needle biopsies - a systematic
      literature review.
AB  - In some clinical circumstances, core needle biopsy (CNB) may be the only source
      of material from cancer tissue for diagnostic use. The volume of tissue available
      in a CNB is low, and opportunities for research use can therefore be limited. The
      tissue microarray (TMA) principle, if applied to the use of CNBs, could
      facilitate research studies in circumstances where CNB specimens are available.
      However, various challenges are expected in applying such a technique in CNBs,
      which has limited their use in research. We therefore conducted a systematic
      review of the literature on this subject. A systematic search was carried out
      with CINAHL, EMBASE, the Cochrane library, and MEDLINE, to identify studies that
      have primarily developed methods for constructing TMAs from CNBs. Eight studies
      were found to meet the inclusion criteria; six of these employed the vertical
      rearrangement technique, and two used multiple layers of biopsy tissue.
      Representation of the CNB was significantly influenced by the quantity of tumour
      cells present in the original biopsy and the degree of heterogeneity of biomarker
      expression. This review shows that technologies have been developed to enable
      construction of TMAs from CNBs. However, challenges remain to improve
      amplification and representation. 

PMID- 26266326
TI  - Fine-Tuning of Magnetic Properties in Nickel(II) Trinuclear EMACs via
      Modifications of Equatorial Ligands.
AB  - The relationship between equatorial ligands structures and magnetic response of
      [Ni3]6+ extended metal atom chain core has been investigated. The distances
      between metal ions in Ni metal strings are largely predefined by framework
      provided through equatorial ligands. The equatorial ligands thus have primary
      influence on the magnitude of magnetic coupling between terminal high spin
      centers. Since the sigma channel has greatest contribution to J, the variations
      in Ni-Ni bond lengths have immediate and strong effect on magnetic properties.
      The secondary, yet important role is played by ligand field strength and
      nucleophilicity. It has been shown that energy difference between singly occupied
      sigma-type MOs composed of d(z2) of terminal ions and doubly occupied sigma-type
      MO evolved from d(z2) of the central ion in antiferromagnetic state solution is
      inversely proportional to magnitude of J. Hence, the alignment between energies
      of d(z2) orbitals on HS and LS centers directly affected by ligand field strength
      governs the magnetic response. Moreover, the greater basicity of lone pairs
      coordinating terminal metal atoms correlates with the larger absolute value of
      magnetic coupling constant.

PMID- 26266327
TI  - Troponin T and NT ProBNP Levels in Gestational, Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetic
      Mothers and Macrosomic Infants.
AB  - This study compares NT proBNP and troponin T levels in umbilical cord arterial
      blood and postnatal echocardiographic findings for infants of gestational and
      pregestational diabetic mothers and macrosomic infants. Twenty-seven infants of
      pregestational diabetic mothers, 61 infants of gestational diabetic mothers and
      37 macrosomic infants of nondiabetic mothers were prospectively enrolled in this
      study along with a control group of 58 healthy infants of mothers without any
      pregestational or gestational disorders as the control group. All enrollees were
      born after 34 weeks of gestation. For this study, umbilical cord blood was drawn
      during delivery to determine NT proBNP and troponin T levels. Echocardiography
      was performed 24-72 h after the delivery. Umbilical cord troponin T and NT proBNP
      levels were found to be higher in the diabetic and macrosomic groups than in the
      control group (all of them p < 0.001). NT proBNP levels were positively
      correlated with interventricular septum thickness in the pregestational and
      gestational infants of diabetic mothers groups (r = 0.564 and r = 0.560,
      respectively, p < 0.01). Both pregestational and gestational diabetic mothers
      were divided into two groups according to HbA1c levels in the third trimester as
      good (<6.1 %) and suboptimal (>6.1 %) metabolic control. In the good and
      suboptimal metabolic control diabetic groups, NT proBNP levels were also
      positively correlated with interventricular septum thickness (r = 0.536 and r =
      0.576, respectively, p < 0.01). In the suboptimal metabolic control diabetic
      group, NT proBNP was only found to be positively correlated with the left
      ventricular mass index (r = 0.586, p < 0.01). While there was no correlation in
      the myocardial performance index between infants of diabetic mothers and the
      control group, the myocardial performance index of macrosomic infants was lower
      than that of the control group (p = 0.017). Cardiac biomarkers (NT proBNP and
      troponin T) were elevated in infants of diabetic mothers and macrosomic infants.
      While there was a positive correlation between NT proBNP levels and cardiac
      structure in infants of pregestational and gestational diabetic mothers, there
      was no relationship between NT proBNP levels and cardiac function.

PMID- 26266328
TI  - Progression of Aortic Regurgitation After Different Repair Techniques for
      Congenital Aortic Valve Stenosis.
AB  - We sought to characterize the incidence of AR progression and determine risk
      factors for AR progression in a consecutive series of infants and children after
      surgical correction of congenital aortic valvular and supravalvular stenosis. N =
      30 patients underwent repair of the aortic valve for isolated congenital aortic
      valve stenosis (n = 14, 47 %) or combined with aortic regurgitation (AR, n = 16,
      53%). N = 27 (90%) had a valvular and n = 3 patients (10%) presented with
      supravalvular pathology of their aortic valve. In n = 16 patients (53%) a
      bicuspid and in n = 2 (6%) patients, a unicuspid valve was present. Comparative
      survival was analyzed using the Cox model and log-rank calculations. Log-rank
      calculations were performed for variables reaching statistical significance in
      order to identify differences in survival between groups. Commissurotomy was
      performed in n = 20 patients, patch implantation in n = 4, cusp shaving in n = 8,
      cusp prolapse correction in n = 3, and cusp augmentation in n = 4 patients. In
      patients with combined dysfunction and preoperative AR, AR was successfully
      reduced by the initial procedure, and postoperatively the overall median AR grade
      was 1+ (range 0-2.5+, p = 0.001, for AR reduction among patients with any grade
      of preoperative AR). By the time of follow-up echocardiography, the median AR
      grade had significantly progressed toward 1.5+ (p = 0.004). At the time of mid
      term follow-up at 3.2 years, none of the patients had moderate or severe AR
      grades >2.5+. Patients with a monocuspid aortic valve and patients who had some
      kind of patch implantation into their cusps or commissures or shaving of
      thickened cusps were more likely to present with progression of aortic
      regurgitation. Monocuspid aortic valve and patch implantation, as well as cusp
      shaving, are probably linked to AR progression. The standard procedure of
      commissurotomy results in an absolute rate of AR progression of 40 % over a
      medium-term follow-up period.

PMID- 26266329
TI  - Consider a Nongenetic Pathogenesis of Noncompaction.

PMID- 26266330
TI  - Highly Transparent Dual-Sensitized Titanium Dioxide Nanotube Arrays for
      Spontaneous Solar Water Splitting Tandem Configuration.
AB  - Vertically aligned one-dimensional (1D) titanium dioxide (TiO2) arrays on
      transparent conducting oxide (TCO) substrates, which can act as host electron
      transport materials for low bandgap materials, were synthesized via a
      hydrothermal reaction combined with a controlled chemical etching process. By
      controlling the chemical etching conditions, we can maximize the light
      transmission properties of the 1D TiO2 arrays, which is beneficial for the front
      electrode in photoelectrochemical (PEC) tandem configurations. As a result, dual
      sensitization to form 1D TiO2@CdS@CdSe (CdS and CdSe coated 1D TiO2) results in
      excellent photocurrent density, as well as transparency, and the resulting
      material is able to pass unabsorbed photons through the front electrode into the
      rear bias solar cell. Owing to the improved light transmission in combination
      with the increased specific surface area of the obtained 1D TiO2 arrays from the
      controlled etching process, a high-efficiency PEC tandem device with ~2.1% was
      successfully fabricated for unassisted hydrogen evolution. Efficient PEC tandem
      device was fabricated for unassisted solar hydrogen generation using highly
      transparent composite electrode composed of dual sensitization to form 1D
      TiO2@CdS@CdSe. 

PMID- 26266331
TI  - Theoretical spectroscopic studies on chemical and electronic structures of
      arginylglycine.
AB  - The energy differences between canonical and zwitterionic isomers of
      arginylglycine (ArgGly) at the CCSD/aug-cc-pVDZ level are too small (less than 1
      kcal mol(-1)) to determine the dominant form in the gas phase from the energetic
      point of view. First-principles simulations have been performed for near-edge X
      ray absorption fine-structure (NEXAFS) spectra and X-ray photoelectron spectra
      (XPS) at C, N and O K-edges, as well as for infrared (IR) spectra of neutral
      ArgGly. Noticeable spectral differences were found which enable the unambiguous
      identification of different neutral groups. We thus demonstrate X-ray
      spectroscopy as a powerful technique to study the conformation dependent chemical
      and electronic properties of neutral ArgGly. 

PMID- 26266332
TI  - Fluorescence Behaviour and Singlet Oxygen Production of Aluminium Phthalocyanine
      in the Presence of Upconversion Nanoparticles.
AB  - NaYF4:Yb/Er/Gd upconversion nanoparticles (UCNP) were synthesised and the
      photoemission stabilised by embedding them in electrospun fibers. The
      photophysical behaviour of chloro aluminium tetrasulfo phthalocyanine (ClAlTSPc)
      was studied in the presence of UCNPs when the two are mixed in solution. The
      fluorescence quantum yield value of ClAlTSPc decreased in the presence of UCNPs
      due to the heavy atom effect of UCNPs. This effect also resulted in increase in
      triplet quantum yields for ClAlTSPc in the presence of UCNPs. The fluorescence
      lifetimes for UCNPs were shortened at 658 nm in the presence of ClAlTSPc when the
      former was embedded in fiber and suspended in a dimethyl sulfoxide solution of
      the latter. A clear singlet oxygen generation by ClAlTSPc though Forster
      resonance energy transfer was demonstrated using a singlet oxygen quencher, 1,3
      diphenylisobenzofuran. 

PMID- 26266333
TI  - Rigid Coumarins: a Complete DFT, TD-DFT and Non Linear Optical Property Study.
AB  - The electronic structures and photophysical properties of rigid coumarin dyes
      have been studied by using quantum chemical methods. The ground-state geometries
      of these dyes were optimized using the Density Functional Theory (DFT) methods.
      The lowest singlet excited state was optimized using Time -Dependent Density
      Functional Theory [TD-B3LYP/6-31G(d)]. On the basis of ground- and excited-state
      geometries, the absorption and emission spectra have been calculated using the
      DFT and TD-DFT method. All the calculations were carried out in gas phase and in
      acetonitrile medium. The results show that the absorption maxima and fluorescence
      emission maxima calculated using the Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory is
      in good agreement with the available experimental results. To understand the Non-
      Linear Optical properties of coumarin dyes we computed dipole moment (MU),
      electronic polarizability (alpha), mean first hyperpolarizability (betao) and
      second hyperpolarizability (gamma) using B3LYP density functional theory method
      in conjunction with 6-31G(d) basis set. 

PMID- 26266334
TI  - Adenosine Triphosphate-Triggered Release of Macromolecular and Nanoparticle Loads
      from Aptamer/DNA-Cross-Linked Microcapsules.
AB  - The synthesis of stimuli-responsive DNA microcapsules acting as carriers for
      different payloads, and being dissociated through the formation of aptamer-ligand
      complexes is described. Specifically, stimuli-responsive anti-adenosine
      triphosphate (ATP) aptamer-cross-linked DNA-stabilized microcapsules loaded with
      tetramethylrhodamine-modified dextran (TMR-D), CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs), or
      microperoxidase-11 (MP-11) are presented. In the presence of ATP as trigger, the
      microcapsules are dissociated through the formation of aptamer-ATP complexes,
      resulting in the release of the respective loads. Selective unlocking of the
      capsules is demonstrated, and CTP, GTP, or TTP do not unlock the pores. The ATP
      triggered release of MP-11 from the microcapsules enables the MP-11-catalyzed
      oxidation of Amplex UltraRed by H2O2 to the fluorescent product resorufin. 

PMID- 26266335
TI  - Imaging nano-objects by linear and nonlinear optical absorption microscopies.
AB  - Absorption based microscopy measurements are emerging as important tools for
      studying nanomaterials. This review discusses the three most common techniques
      for performing these experiments: transient absorption microscopy, photothermal
      heterodyne imaging, and spatial modulation spectroscopy. The focus is on the
      application of these techniques to imaging and detection, using examples taken
      from the authors' laboratory. The advantages and disadvantages of the three
      methods are discussed, with an emphasis on the unique information that can be
      obtained from these experiments, in comparison to conventional emission or
      scattering based microscopy experiments. 

PMID- 26266336
TI  - Asymmetry in elite rowers: effect of ergometer design and stroke rate.
AB  - Between limb movement asymmetries and foot force production asymmetries are
      thought to be detrimental for both rower's performance and risk of injury,
      particularly when rowing frequently on ergometers. Several ergometers with
      different designs can be used by rowers as part of their indoor training. Hence,
      this study aimed to compare asymmetries in lower limb joint kinematics and foot
      force production with respect to ergometer design and rowing intensity. A new
      symmetry index was proposed to assess these asymmetries in elite rowers during a
      test on three ergometers. Additionally, the asymmetry in lower limb length was
      assessed to investigate its relationship with kinematic and kinetic asymmetries.
      Parameters describing medium (5-10%) or high (>10%) asymmetries were compared
      between rowing ergometers and intensities. Results indicated medium asymmetries
      for the ankle joint angle and hip-knee joint accelerations and high asymmetries
      for the resultant force and the ankle joint acceleration associated with a low
      inter-stroke variability. Kinetic asymmetry was neither correlated to kinematic
      asymmetry nor with lower limb length asymmetry. The use of a mobile ergometer led
      to higher joint acceleration asymmetries. Further studies are necessary to
      investigate the relation between these findings and muscular adaptations that may
      increase the risk of lower-back injury.

PMID- 26266337
TI  - High-frequency sensorineural hearing loss in children.
AB  - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Determine the prevalence of high-frequency sensorineural
      hearing loss (HFSNHL) in our hearing loss population and a diagnostic algorithm
      for these patients. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series. METHODS: We
      identified patients diagnosed with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) at our
      pediatric tertiary care institution from 1981 to 2010. Based on audiometric
      profiles, these patients were subdivided into those with a flat SNHL
      configuration and those with HFSNHL. Imaging and genetic testing data and data
      regarding age at diagnosis, laterality, and risk factors were obtained for both
      groups. Comparisons were then made between the two groups. RESULTS: Of 2,867
      patients included in the study, 7.6% had HFSNHL. Age at diagnosis was
      significantly higher in HFSNHL patients (8.3 years vs. 6.1 years; P < .0001).
      These patients also had a significantly higher proportion of unilateral versus
      bilateral loss (49.1% vs. 26.1%; P < .0001); unilateral losses were also less
      severe. Genetic testing showed no significant difference between groups in the
      proportion of patients tested or in those who tested positive. Similarly, imaging
      data revealed no difference in the proportion of patients tested in the two
      groups; however, overall diagnostic yield was significantly higher in flat SNHL
      patients (29.5% vs.17.3; P = .02). CONCLUSIONS: The positive predictive value of
      simple genetic testing is similar to that of imaging studies. However, given cost
      differences between genetic testing and imaging, it is prudent to perform genetic
      testing as the initial diagnostic test. Determination of whether high-throughput,
      multigene diagnostic platforms offer an added benefit in the evaluation of
      children requires further study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4. Laryngoscope, 126:1236
      1240, 2016.

PMID- 26266338
TI  - Residential and occupational exposure to pesticides may increase risk for
      cutaneous melanoma: a case-control study conducted in the south of Brazil.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Incidences of primary cutaneous melanoma (CM) have risen over the
      last few decades, mainly among populations of White European extraction. Some
      risk factors for melanoma have been clearly established, but other potential risk
      factors, such as exposure to pesticides, are currently under study. METHODS: A
      case-control study on melanoma was conducted during 2012 and 2013 at three
      dermatological reference centers in Porto Alegre, Brazil. A total of 191 CM
      patients and sex- and age-matched control subjects were enrolled in the study.
      Data on domestic and occupational use of pesticides and the risk factors already
      established for CM were collected. Multivariate logistic regression was used to
      study the association between exposure to pesticides and melanoma risk. RESULTS:
      Subjects exposed to pesticides had twice the level of risk for melanoma (odds
      ratio [OR] 2.03, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03-6.89). When pesticides were
      used indoors for >10 years, the risk for CM increased further (OR 2.84, 95% CI
      1.56-5.33). A high frequency of indoor use of pesticides (four or more times per
      year) was associated with a 44% increase in the risk for melanoma (OR 1.44, 95%
      CI 1.11-3.49). The domestic use of pesticides outdoors was not associated with
      increased risk. Subjects exposed to pesticides at an occupational level were at
      four times greater risk than subjects who were not occupationally exposed (OR
      4.23, 95% CI 1.94-6.31). CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that the general
      use of pesticides, particularly indoor domestic use, frequently and over a long
      period, may be an independent environmental risk factor for CM.

PMID- 26266340
TI  - Hydrogen segregation and its roles in structural stability and metallization:
      silane under pressure.
AB  - We present results from first-principles calculations on silane (SiH4) under
      pressure. We find that a three dimensional P-3 structure becomes the most stable
      phase above 241 GPa. A prominent structural feature, which separates the P-3
      structure from previously observed/predicted SiH4 structures, is that a fraction
      of hydrogen leaves the Si-H bonding environment and forms segregated H2 units.
      The H2 units are sparsely populated in the system and intercalated with a
      polymeric Si-H framework. Calculations of enthalpy of formation suggest that the
      P-3 structure is against the decomposition into Si-H binaries and/or the
      elemental crystals. Structural stability of the P-3 structure is attributed to
      the electron-deficient multicenter Si-H-Si interactions when neighboring silicon
      atoms are linked together through a common hydrogen atom. Within the multicenter
      bonds, electrons are delocalized and this leads to a metallic state, possibly
      also a superconducting state, for SiH4. An interesting outcome of the present
      study is that the enthalpy sum of SiH4 (P-3 structure) and Si (fcc structure)
      appears to be lower than the enthalpy of disilane (Si2H6) between 200 and 300 GPa
      (for all previously predicted crystalline forms of Si2H6), which calls for a
      revisit of the stability of Si2H6 under high pressure. 

PMID- 26266339
TI  - The usefulness of immunotherapy in pediatric neurodegenerative disorders: A
      systematic review of literature data.
AB  - Immunotherapeutic strategies to treat neurodegenerative disorders have inspired
      the scientific community. The aim of our review is to address the translational
      aspects of neuroimmunology to describe the efficacy of immunotherapy in the
      treatment of pediatric neurodegenerative disorders. In the studies we analyzed
      IVIG were found to be efficient in the treatment of post-streptococcal
      neurodegenerative disorders, even if in PANDAS, plasma-exchange (PE) showed a
      higher efficiency. IVIG were also successfully used in ADEM and Guillan-Barre
      syndrome. In Sydenham Chorea the use of methylprednisolone was found in most
      cases as efficient as IVIG, while in Tourette's Syndrome, Colecoxib was
      successfully used in one patient. Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis seems to respond
      better to immunosuppressant agents (Mitoxantrone, Cyclophosphamide, Natalizumab),
      as well as Neuromyelitis optica (Rituximab, Mycofenolate). The importance of this
      review relies in the attempt to draw standardized guidelines for immunotherapy in
      pediatric neurodegeneratve disorders. 

PMID- 26266341
TI  - Expression profile of critical genes involved in FGF signaling pathway in the
      developing human primary dentition.
AB  - Mammalian tooth development is regulated by paracrine signal molecules of several
      conserved family interactions between epithelium and mesenchyme. The expression
      patterns and regulative roles of FGF signaling have been extensively studied in
      the mouse odontogenesis; however, that is not well known in human tooth
      development. In order to unveil the molecular mechanisms that regulate human
      tooth morphogenesis, we examined the expression patterns of the critical
      molecules involved in FGF signaling pathway in the developing human tooth germ by
      in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, and real-time RT-PCR, including FGF
      ligands, receptors, and intracellular transducer. We found overlapping but
      distinct expression pattern of FGF ligands and receptors in the different stages
      and components. Expression of FGF4, FGF7, FGF8, and FGF9 persists widespread in
      human tooth mesenchyme, which is quite different to that of in mouse. FGFR1 may
      be the major receptor in regulate mechanisms of FGF signals in human tooth
      development. Real-time RT-PCR indeed confirmed the results of in situ
      hybridization. Results of K-Ras, p-ERK1/2, p-p38, p-JNK, and p-PDK1 expression
      reveal spatial and temporal patterns of FGF signaling during morphogenesis and
      organogenesis of human tooth germ. Activity of the FGF signaling transducer
      protein in human tooth germ was much higher than that of in mouse. Our results
      provided important FGF singling information in the developing process, pinpoint
      to the domains where the downstream target genes of FGF signaling can be sought,
      and enlightened our knowledge about the nature of FGF signaling in human tooth
      germ. 

PMID- 26266342
TI  - Histone Peptide Recognition by KDM5B-PHD1: A Case Study.
AB  - A detailed understanding of the energetic contributions to histone peptide
      recognition would be valuable for a better understanding of chromatin anchoring
      mechanisms and histone diagnostic design. Here, we probed the energetic
      contributions to recognize the same unmodified histone H3 by three different
      plant homeodomain (PHD) H3K4me0 readers: hKDM5B-PHD1 (first PHD finger of
      hKDM5B), hBAZ2A-PHD, and hAIRE-PHD1. The energetic contributions of residues
      differ significantly from one complex to the next. For example, H3K4A
      substitution completely aborts the formation of the hAIRE-histone peptide
      complex, while it has only a small destabilizing effect on binding of the other
      readers, even though H3K4 methylation disrupts all three complexes. Packing
      density suggests that methylation of more tightly packed Lys/Arg residues can
      disrupt binding, even if the energetic contribution is small. The binding
      behavior of hKDM5B-PHD1 and hBAZ2A-PHD is similar, and like PHD H3R2 readers,
      both possess a pair of Asp residues in the treble clef for interaction with H3R2.
      PHD subtype sequences, especially the tandem PHD-PHD fingers, show enrichment in
      the treble clef Asp residues, suggesting that it is a subtype-specific property.
      These Asp residues make significant energetic contributions to the formation of
      the hKDM5B-histone peptide complex, suggesting that there are interactions in
      addition to those reported in the recent NMR structure. However, the presence of
      the treble clef Asp in PHD sequences may not always be sufficient for histone
      peptide binding. This study showcases reader-histone peptide interactions in the
      context of residue conservation, energetic contributions, interfacial packing,
      and sequence-based reader subtype predictability.

PMID- 26266343
TI  - Bivalirudin Anticoagulant Therapy With or Without Platelet Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa
      Inhibitors During Transcatheter Coronary Interventional Procedures: A Meta
      Analysis.
AB  - The safety and effectiveness of using the direct thrombin inhibitor bivalirudin
      during transcatheter coronary interventional procedures remains uncertain.This
      study aimed to systematically assess anticoagulation with bivalirudin alone or
      bivalirudin plus glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa inhibitors (bivalirudin-based
      anticoagulant therapy) in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention
      (PCI) procedures by a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
      (RCTs).Systematical searches of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were
      conducted. RCTs comparing bivalirudin-based anticoagulant therapy with a
      comparable heparin therapy in patients undergoing PCI were eligible. Risk ratios
      (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) served as summary statistics.A total of
      38,096 patients from 17 RCTs were randomized to the bivalirudin group (n =
      18,878) or heparin group (n = 19,218) in the meta-analysis. No significant
      differences in death, myocardial infarction or reinfarction, ischemia-driven
      revascularization, or in-stent thrombosis were observed between the 2 groups (all
      P > 0.05). Notably, bivalirudin-based therapy showed a highly significant 34%
      decrease in the incidence of major bleeding (RR = 0.66; 95% CI 0.54-0.81; P <
      0.001) and a 28% reduction in the need for blood transfusion (RR = 0.72; 95% CI
      0.56-0.91; P < 0.01). Meta-regression analyses demonstrated that additional
      administration of GP IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitors (P = 0.01), especially
      eptifibatide (P = 0.001) and tirofiban (P = 0.002), was likely to increase the
      major bleeding risk associated with bivalirudin.Bivalirudin, in comparison to
      heparin, is associated with a markedly lower risk of major bleeding, and the
      additional use of GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors may weaken this benefit. 

PMID- 26266344
TI  - Tracheobronchial Stenoses in Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis (Wegener's): A
      Report on 26 Cases.
AB  - Tracheobronchial stenoses (TBSs) are potentially severe manifestations of
      granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener's) (GPA) that usually respond poorly to
      corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents. We describe 26 GPA patients with
      >=1 tracheal (mainly subglottic, SGS) and/or bronchial stenosis(ses)
      (BS(s)).Sixteen patients had solitary SGS and 10 had >=1 BS(s). The male/female
      sex ratio was 9:17, and the median age at GPA diagnosis was 32 years (3:13 and 28
      years, respectively, for SGS patients). Antineutrophil cytoplasm antibodies were
      proteinase 3-positive in 65.5% of the patients (50% of those with SGS).Despite
      conventional GPA therapy, 62% patients experienced >=1 stenosis relapse(s) (81%
      of SGS patients, for a total of 1-8 relapses per patient). None of the several
      systemic or endoscopic treatments prevented future relapses. Cyclophosphamide
      induction therapy was effective in 4/6 patients with BS(s) and in 1 patient with
      SGS among the 7 treated. After many relapses, rituximab achieved remission in 3/4
      SGS patients. Endoscopic treatments (dilation, laser, corticosteroid injection,
      etc.) had only transient efficacy. Other GPA manifestations relapsed
      independently of TBSs. One SGS patient died of acute respiratory distress
      syndrome.Our findings confirmed that TBSs are severe GPA manifestations that
      evolve independently of other organ involvements and do not respond to
      conventional systemic regimens. As previously described, our population was
      younger and comprised more females than usual GPA patients, especially those with
      SGS.The small number of patients and the wide variety of local and systemic
      treatments prevent us from drawing definitive conclusions about the contribution
      of each procedure. However, cyclophosphamide seemed to effectively treat BSs, but
      not SGS, and rituximab may be of interest for SGS management. 

PMID- 26266345
TI  - Genetic Association Studies Reporting on Variants in the C-Reactive Protein Gene
      and Coronary Artery Disease: A Meta-Analysis.
AB  - C-reactive protein (CRP) is a commonly used inflammatory marker and elevated CRP
      levels are shown to increase the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). Sequence
      variations in the CRP gene believed to influence the protein levels have been
      extensively investigated in CAD community. Most of the published studies,
      however, have reported mixed findings. The objective of the present study was to
      examine the associations of CRP variants (+942G>C, -717A>G, +1444C>T) with
      genetic risk of CAD by use of a meta-analysis.The human case-control studies were
      identified through online search, hand search, and contacting the authors of
      original articles. We performed both random-effect and fixed-effect meta-analysis
      to estimate CAD risk (odds ratios, OR). This analysis combined 16 studies in
      total. We found +942G>C was not associated with CAD risk when all data were
      pooled together, nor did we find a significant association in subgroup analyses.
      Meta-analysis of +1444C>T studies showed a similar trend. However, a borderline
      association with CAD risk was revealed for -717A>G (random-effect: OR = 0.53, 95%
      CI = 0.28-1.00 for the homozygous model; random-effect: OR = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.26
      1.00 for the recessive model).These data suggest that the CRP gene variants
      examined may not modulate CAD risk. 

PMID- 26266346
TI  - Clinical Spectrum Time Course in Anti Jo-1 Positive Antisynthetase Syndrome:
      Results From an International Retrospective Multicenter Study.
AB  - Anti Jo-1 antibodies are the main markers of the antisynthetase syndrome (ASSD),
      an autoimmune disease clinically characterized by the occurrence of arthritis,
      myositis, and interstitial lung disease (ILD). These manifestations usually co
      occur (for practical purpose complete forms) in the same patient, but cases with
      only 1 or 2 of these findings (for practical purpose incomplete forms) have been
      described. In incomplete forms, the ex novo occurrence of further manifestations
      is possible, although with frequencies and timing not still defined. The aim of
      this international, multicenter, retrospective study was to characterize the
      clinical time course of anti Jo-1 positive ASSD in a large cohort of patients.
      Included patients should be anti Jo-1 positive and with at least 1 feature
      between arthritis, myositis, and ILD. We evaluated the differences between
      complete and incomplete forms, timing of clinical picture appearance and analyzed
      factors predicting the appearance of further manifestations in incomplete ASSD.
      Finally, we collected 225 patients (58 males and 167 females) with a median
      follow-up of 80 months. At the onset, complete ASSD were 44 and incomplete 181.
      Patients with incomplete ASSD had frequently only 1 of the classic triad findings
      (110 cases), in particular, isolated arthritis in 54 cases, isolated myositis in
      28 cases, and isolated ILD in 28 cases. At the end of follow-up, complete ASSD
      were 113, incomplete 112. Only 5 patients had an isolated arthritis, only 5 an
      isolated myositis, and 15 an isolated ILD. During the follow-up, 108 patients
      with incomplete forms developed further manifestations. Single main feature onset
      was the main risk factor for the ex novo appearance of further manifestation. ILD
      was the prevalent ex novo manifestation (74 cases). In conclusion, ASSD is a
      condition that should be carefully considered in all patients presenting with
      arthritis, myositis, and ILD, even when isolated. The ex novo appearance of
      further manifestations in patients with incomplete forms is common, thus
      indicating the need for an adequate clinical and instrumental follow-up.
      Furthermore, the study clearly suggested that in ASSD multidisciplinary approach
      involving Rheumatology, Neurology, Pneumology, and Internal Medicine specialists
      is mandatory. 

PMID- 26266347
TI  - A Cohort Study of Myocardial Perfusion Imaging in Veteran Patients Without
      Symptoms: Contributing Factors and Results of Testing.
AB  - Myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) is commonly used to detect ischemia. Concerns
      about silent ischemia may encourage orders for MPI in asymptomatic patients.
      Factors contributing to this practice are poorly described and the clinical
      utility is questionable.We conducted a single center retrospective cohort
      investigation on Veterans who underwent MPI between December 2010 and July 2011.
      We gathered data on symptoms, baseline characteristics, results of MPI, and
      cardiovascular events within 1 year. MPI were categorized using 2009 appropriate
      use criteria (AUC).Of 592 patients, 127 (21.5%) had no symptoms at the time of
      MPI. Comparing symptomatic and asymptomatic patients, no differences were
      observed in baseline characteristics except abnormal ECG, more common in
      asymptomatic patients (n = 86, 67.7% vs. n = 232, 49.9% for symptomatic patients,
      P < 0.0001). Asymptomatic MPI were more commonly inappropriate (n = 26, 21.5% vs.
      n = 31, 6.7% for appropriate/uncertain, P < 0.0001). Detection of ischemia
      between patients with and without symptoms was not different (P = 0.86); however,
      among asymptomatic MPI that also demonstrated ischemia, none were inappropriate
      (n = 10 appropriate, n = 7 uncertain). In multivariate regression, 2 factors were
      associated with asymptomatic status, abnormal ECG (odds ratio [OR] 2.29, 95%
      confidence interval [CI] 1.5-3.49) and age over the median (OR 0.63, 95% CI: 0.41
      0.95).A substantial portion of MPI tests are ordered for patients without
      symptoms. When compared to symptomatic patients, MPI for asymptomatic patient
      were more commonly inappropriate; however, the prevalence of ischemia was
      similar. MPI may be clinically relevant in some asymptomatic patients and
      decisions to test should be based on the AUC. 

PMID- 26266348
TI  - Gadolinium Ethoxybenzyl Diethylenetriamine Pentaacetic Acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA)
      Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Multidetector-Row Computed Tomography for
      the Diagnosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
AB  - The purpose of this meta-analysis was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of
      gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA)
      enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and multidetector-row computed
      tomography (MDCT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Medline, Cochrane, EMBASE,
      and Google Scholar databases were searched until July 4, 2014, using combinations
      of the following terms: gadoxetic acid disodium, Gd-EOB-DTPA, multidetector CT,
      contrast-enhanced computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. Inclusion
      criteria were as follows: confirmed diagnosis of primary HCC by histopathological
      examination of a biopsy specimen; comparative study of MRI using Gd-EOB-DTPA and
      MDCT for diagnosis of HCC; and studies that provided quantitative outcome data.
      The pooled sensitivity and specificity of the 2 methods were compared, and
      diagnostic accuracy was assessed with alternative-free response receiver
      operating characteristic analysis.Nine studies were included in the meta
      analysis, and a total of 1439 lesions were examined. The pooled sensitivity and
      specificity for 1.5T MRI were 0.95 and 0.96, respectively, for 3.0T MRI were 0.91
      and 0.96, respectively, and for MDCT were 0.74 and 0.93, respectively. The pooled
      diagnostic odds ratio for 1.5T and 3.0T MRI was 242.96, respectively, and that of
      MDCT was 33.47. To summarize, Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI (1.5T and 3.0T) has better
      diagnostic accuracy for HCC than MDCT. 

PMID- 26266350
TI  - CT-Guided Percutaneous Radiofrequency Thermocoagulation for Recurrent Trigeminal
      Neuralgia After Microvascular Decompression: A Cohort Study.
AB  - This article evaluates the long-term outcomes of computed tomography (CT)-guided
      percutaneous radiofrequency thermocoagulation (PRT) for patients with recurrent
      trigeminal neuralgia (TN) after microvascular decompression (MVD).This is a
      retrospective study of 41 patients with intractable TN who after MVD underwent CT
      guided PRT procedures between 2002 and 2012.The mean length of follow-up after
      PRT was 44.4 months. Immediate pain relief was in 37 patients (90.2%); the
      percentage of patients who remained in "excellent" or "good" pain relief
      condition after CT-guided PRT procedure was 85% at 1 year, 80% at 2 years, 51% at
      5 years, and 41% at 10 years. Six patients received the second PRT and all
      achieved "excellent" or "good" pain relief. In total, 34 of these patients
      (82.9%) received multi-PRT procedure and remained satisfied with their pain
      relief during the follow-up period. Postoperative complications included facial
      numbness in 36 patients, limited eyes opening in 1 patient, ear paresthesia in 1
      patient, no tears in 1 patient, and taste hypesthesia in 1 patient; these
      symptoms were all improved in the process of follow-up and their life had not
      severely affected. No mortality was observed during and after CT-guided PRT
      procedures.CT-guided PRT should be considered as an alternative treatment for
      patients with recurrent TN after MVD. 

PMID- 26266351
TI  - Association of Zinc Finger, C3HC-Type Containing 1 (ZC3HC1) rs11556924 Genetic
      Variant With Hypertension in a Finnish Population, the TAMRISK Study.
AB  - In a recent genome-wide association study, the zinc finger, C3HC-type containing
      1 (ZC3HC1) polymorphism was strongly associated with coronary artery disease
      (CAD) by an unknown mechanism. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9
      (PCSK9) is related with CAD through low-density lipoprotein (LDL) metabolism. The
      association of both of the above genetic variants with hypertension was studied
      in a Finnish 50-year-old cohort.A total of 325 hypertensive cases and 444
      nonhypertensive controls were obtained from the Tampere adult population
      cardiovascular risk study. Samples were genotyped for ZC3HC1 rs11556924 and PCSK9
      rs11206510 polymorphisms using Competitive Allele Specific PCR technique. A
      subpopulation that had available follow-up data from ages of 40, 45, and 50 years
      was also analyzed.ZC3HC1 rs11556924 (C > T) genotype CC was associated with
      hypertension compared with the T-allele carriers (P = 0.013). PCSK9 rs11206510 (T
      > C) genotype was not associated with hypertension. Its major TT-genotype was
      associated with higher total cholesterol (P = 0.044) and LDL (P = 0.029) compared
      with the C-allele.We report for the first time that ZC3HC1 rs11556924 was
      associated with essential hypertension in 50-year-old patients. Although PCSK9
      rs11206510 was not associated with hypertension, our study confirms its
      association with serum cholesterol levels. 

PMID- 26266349
TI  - A New Insight Into Sudden Cardiac Death in Young People: A Systematic Review of
      Cases of Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy.
AB  - Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) causes sudden cardiac death and has garnered
      increased attention worldwide in recent years. However, few studies have clearly
      classified the risk factors for this disease, including gender, race and
      morbidity, as well as the physical and mental stressors that can exacerbate the
      disease, particularly in young patients. To better analyze the characteristics of
      young TTC patients, we performed a systematic review of reported cases involving
      young patients.A computer-assisted search was performed using prominent
      electronic medical information sources to identify literature published between
      January 1965 and December 2013. Relevant studies containing clinical data of
      young TTC patients were included.Ninety-six records that included information
      about 104 cases were ultimately selected for our review. Several of the following
      results were noted: First, physical stress was more likely to exacerbate TTC than
      was mental stress in young patients. Second, more female than male TTC patients
      were noted among both young patients and the general population. Third, ethnicity
      appears to play no role in the disease, as no significant differences were noted
      among individuals of different races with respect to clinical characteristics,
      morbidity or stressors. Fourth, the clinical manifestations of TTC were similar
      to those of other cardiac diseases, including coronary heart disease. However,
      TTC may be detected using the combination of echocardiography and
      ventriculography.Clinicians should consider TTC if young patients present with
      symptoms similar to those of coronary heart disease so that harmful treatments
      such as coronary artery stent placement may be avoided. Moreover, the answers to
      questions regarding the clinical diagnostic criteria, etiology, pathophysiology,
      and the management of this syndrome in youth remain unclear; therefore, further
      research is needed. 

PMID- 26266352
TI  - Esophageal Perforation and Acute Bacterial Mediastinitis: Other Causes of Chest
      Pain That Can Be Easily Missed.
AB  - Esophageal perforation is a rare condition that is commonly missed. Male gender
      and alcohol use are predisposing risk factors. Most of the cases are iatrogenic
      or traumatic; nonetheless, spontaneous cases are not uncommon. It typically
      occurs after vomiting or straining as the increased intra-abdominal pressure
      transmits into the esophagus and results in the tear. One of the main
      complications is acute bacterial mediastinitis from contamination with esophageal
      flora. This condition can be life-threatening because it is very frequently
      misdiagnosed and appropriate management is often delayed.A 49-year-old man
      presented with worsening sudden-onset interscapular back pain that then changed
      to chest pain with odynophagia and was found to have fever and leukocytosis.Chest
      computed tomography revealed signs of mediastinitis with possible esophageal
      perforation. He reported symptoms started 2 days ago after lifting of heavy
      objects. Empiric antimicrobial was begun with conservative management and
      avoidance of oral intake. Barium esophagram and esophagogastroduodenoscopy
      revealed no signs of perforation or inflammation. His symptoms resolved and he
      gradually resumed oral intake. Blood cultures grew Methicillin-sensitive
      Staphylococcus aureus and he was discharged on appropriate antibiotics for 4
      weeks. He did well on follow-up 3 months after hospitalization.The case
      highlights the importance of considering esophageal etiologies of chest pain. 

PMID- 26266353
TI  - Fatal Events in Cancer Patients Receiving Anticoagulant Therapy for Venous
      Thromboembolism.
AB  - In cancer patients treated for venous thromboembolism (VTE), including deep-vein
      thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), analyzing mortality associated with
      recurrent VTE or major bleeding is needed to determine the optimal duration of
      anticoagulation.This was a cohort study using the Registro Informatizado de
      Enfermedad TromboEmbolica (RIETE) Registry database to compare rates of fatal
      recurrent PE and fatal bleeding in cancer patients receiving anticoagulation for
      VTE.As of January 2013, 44,794 patients were enrolled in RIETE, of whom 7911
      (18%) had active cancer. During the course of anticoagulant therapy (mean, 181 +/
      210 days), 178 cancer patients (4.3%) developed recurrent PE (5.5 per 100
      patient-years; 95% CI: 4.8-6.4), 194 (4.7%) had recurrent DVT (6.2 per 100
      patient-years; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.3-7.1), and 367 (8.9%) bled (11.3
      per 100 patient-years; 95% CI: 10.2-12.5). Of 4125 patients initially presenting
      with PE, 43 (1.0%) died of recurrent PE and 45 (1.1%) of bleeding; of 3786
      patients with DVT, 19 (0.5%) died of PE, and 55 (1.3%) of bleeding. During the
      first 3 months of anticoagulation, there were 59 (1.4%) fatal PE recurrences and
      77 (1.9%) fatal bleeds. Beyond the third month, there were 3 fatal PE recurrences
      and 23 fatal bleeds.In RIETE cancer patients, the rate of fatal recurrent PE or
      fatal bleeding was much higher within the first 3 months of anticoagulation
      therapy. 

PMID- 26266354
TI  - Association Between Alcohol Consumption and the Risk of Barrett's Esophagus: A
      Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies.
AB  - The association between alcohol consumption and Barrett's esophagus (BE) remained
      uncertain and controversial in the previous studies. We performed a meta-analysis
      of observational studies to clarify the association.We searched PubMed, Web of
      Science, and Embase for studies on alcohol consumption and risk of BE published
      before February 2015. A total of 20 studies reporting the association between
      alcohol consumption and the risk of BE were identified. Subgroup analyses, meta
      regression analyses, sensitivity analyses, and publication bias tests were also
      performed. Several results from individual studies were pooled using a dose
      response meta-analysis.A total of 20 studies involving 45,181 participants and
      4432 patients of BE were included in the meta-analysis. No association was found
      between alcohol consumption and BE (relative risk [RR] = 1.10, 95% confidence
      interval [CI] 0.96-1.27, I = 48.60%) in our study. In subgroup analysis, alcohol
      consumption was associated with an increased risk of BE in men (RR = 1.35, 95% CI
      1.13-1.61, I = 0.00%) and Asian population (RR = 1.60, 95% CI 1.03-2.49, I =
      60.60%). In beverage-specific consumption analysis, liquor was associated with an
      increased risk of BE (RR = 1.16, 95% CI 1.02-1.32, I = 0.00%). Multivariate meta
      regression analysis suggested that geographic area, and adjusted age, sex, body
      mass index, and smoke, might explain 70.75% of the heterogeneity between the
      studies. We also found the inverse association (RR = 0.84, 95% CI 0.72-0.98, I =
      0.00%) between alcohol consumption and BE among subjects when compared with
      population controls.Overall, there was no significant association between alcohol
      consumption and BE. Alcohol consumption may be a risk factor of BE in men and
      Asian population, and liquor consumption may also increase the risk of BE.
      Significant inverse association was observed between alcohol consumption and BE,
      for comparisons with population controls. 

PMID- 26266356
TI  - Braun Enteroenterostomy Following Pancreaticoduodenectomy: A Systematic Review
      and Meta-Analysis.
AB  - Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) holds high postoperative morbidity. How to resolve
      this issue is challenged. An additional anastomosis (Braun enteroenterostomy)
      following PD may decrease the postoperative morbidity, but holds conflicting
      results. The objective of this study is to investigate the advantages and
      disadvantages of Braun enteroenterostomy in PD.Clinical studies compared
      perioperative outcomes between the Braun group and the non-Braun group following
      PD before December 21, 2014 were retrieved and filtered from PubMed, EMBASE, Web
      of Science, the Cochrane Library, and Chinese electronic databases (VIP database,
      WanFang database, and CNKI database). Relevant data were extracted according to
      predesigned sheets. Blood loss, operating time, and postoperative mortality and
      morbidity were evaluated using odds ratio (OR), weighted mean difference, or
      standard mean difference (SMD).Ten studies concerning 1614 patients were
      included. No significant differences between the Braun and the non-Braun group
      were identified in mortality (OR: 0.65, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.26-1.60),
      intraoperative blood loss (SMD: -0.035, 95% CI: -0.253 to 0.183), postoperative
      pancreatic fistula (POPF) (OR: 0.67, 95% CI: 0.35-1.67), bile leakage (OR: 0.537,
      95% CI: 0.287-1.004), postoperative gastrointestinal hemorrhage (OR: 1.17, 95%
      CI: 0.578-2.385), intraabdominal abscesses (OR: 0.793, 95% CI: 0.444-1.419),
      wound complications (OR: 0.806, 95% CI: 0.490-1.325), and hospital stay (SMD: 
      0.098, 95% CI: -0.23 to 0.033). Braun enteroenterostomy extended operating time
      (SMD: 0.39, 95% CI: 0.02-0.78), but it was associated with lower reoperation rate
      (OR: 0.380, 95% CI: 0.149-0.968), lower morbidity rate (OR: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.49
      0.91), lower clinically relevant delayed gastric emptying (Grades B and C) (OR:
      0.375, 95% CI: 0.164-0.858), lower nasogastric tube reinsertion (OR: 0.436, 95%
      CI: 0.232-0.818), and less postoperative vomiting (OR: 0.444, 95% CI: 0.262
      0.755).Braun enteroenterostomy can be safely performed during PD. It is
      beneficial for patients and could be recommended in PD from the current published
      data.PROSPERO registration number: CRD42015016198. 

PMID- 26266355
TI  - Pseudo-Peritoneal Carcinomatosis Presentation of a Crystal-Storing Histiocytosis
      With an Unmutated Monoclonal kappa Light Chain.
AB  - Crystal-storing histiocytosis (CSH) is a rare complication of monoclonal
      gammopathies caused by accumulation of crystalline material inside macrophages,
      and it may result in a variety of clinical manifestations depending on the
      involved organs. Although immunoglobulin kappa light chains (LCs) seem to be the
      most frequent pathogenic component, very few molecular data are currently
      available.A 69-year-old man presented with a very poor performance status.
      Remarkable features were mesenteric lymph node enlargement and proteinuria,
      including a monoclonal kappa LC. Light and electron microscopy studies revealed
      the presence of crystals within macrophages in the lymph nodes, bone marrow, and
      kidney, leading to the diagnosis of CSH. The pathogenic kappa LC variable domain
      sequence was identical to the germline Vk3-2001/Jk201 gene segments, without any
      somatic mutation, suggesting an extra-follicular B cell proliferation.The patient
      was successfully treated with 4 cycles of bortezomib and dexamethasone. After a
      12-month follow-up, he remains in hematological and renal remission.CSH may
      present as pseudo-peritoneal carcinomatosis and relate to a monoclonal kappa LC
      encoded by an unmutated gene. Bortezomib-based therapy proved efficacious in this
      case. 

PMID- 26266357
TI  - Cardiac Rehabilitation in Real Life.
AB  - Participation in cardiac rehabilitation programs (CRPs) improves prognosis in
      patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). However, not much is known about the
      effectiveness of CRP in real life. The aim of this analysis was to identify
      factors related to the referral to CRP following hospitalization for CAD and
      estimate the effectiveness of the programs in real life.Medical records of 1061
      consecutive patients aged <=80 years, hospitalized due to an acute coronary
      syndrome or for a myocardial revascularization procedure in 5 hospitals serving
      the city and surrounding counties, were reviewed and 611 patients were
      interviewed 6-18 months posthospitalization.Of 611 patients participating in the
      interview, 212 (34.7%) were referred following the hospitalization to a center
      providing CRP. Age, hospitalization in a teaching hospital, and index diagnosis
      were independently related to being granted a referral. Among the referred
      patients, 86.3% participated in the CRP. Participation in CRP was related to the
      lower probability of having high total cholesterol (23% vs 32%, P < 0.05),
      fasting glucose (11% vs 18%, P = 0.05), HbA1c (8% vs 16%, P = 0.05), and body
      mass index (27% vs 37%, P < 0.05). Generally, the effect of the CRP was
      significant in participants with a higher education, but not in those with a low
      education level. Other factors were not significantly related to the
      effectiveness of CRP.This study shows that CRPs are effective, but underused in
      Poland. The participant's education level may influence the effectiveness of CRP.
      Therefore, in order to increase the impact of CRP, the content of such programs
      should vary depending on the education level of the participants. 

PMID- 26266358
TI  - Risk Factors for Pterygium in Korea: The Korean National Health and Nutrition
      Examination Survey V, 2010-2012.
AB  - The aim of this study is to report general and age-specific risk factors for
      pterygium prevalence in the Korean population.This in an observational case
      series study.Data from total 24,812 participants (age 40 years or older) from the
      Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys conducted from 2010 to
      2012 were retrieved. After applying exclusion criteria, data from 13,204
      participants (821 with pterygium and 12,383 without) were used for univariate and
      multivariate analyses. General risk factors were identified and participants were
      grouped by decade: 40 s, 50 s, 60 s, 70 s, and 80+. Age-specific risk factors
      were investigated for each group.After univariate analysis, 2 multiple regression
      models were constructed. Model 1: age + sex + spherical equivalent (SE) + sun
      exposure hours + occupation (indoor vs outdoor) + residency area (rural vs urban)
      + education level; model 2: age + sex + SE + sun exposure hours. In model 1,
      older age (odds ratio [OR]: 1.05 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05-1.06), male
      gender (OR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.01-1.61), and longer sun exposure hours (OR: 1.47,
      95% CI: 1.11-1.94) were significant risk factors for pterygium prevalence whereas
      higher level of education (elementary school vs college, OR: 3.98, 95% CI: 2.24
      7.06) and urban residency (vs rural residency, OR: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.45-0.70) were
      protective factors. Higher SE (OR 1.11, 95% CI: 1.03-1.19) refractive error was
      considered a risk factor when using model 2 for the analysis. Age-specific risk
      factors were different in each age group. Male gender was associated with higher
      pterygium prevalence in younger age groups while longer sun exposure (5+
      hours/day) increased pterygium prevalence in older age groups.Previously
      characterized risk factors were also found in this large population study.
      However, we found that risk factors may vary according to the age group. Myopic
      eyes were found to have lower prevalence than hyperopic eyes. 

PMID- 26266359
TI  - Intraoperative Management of an Incidentally Identified Ectopic Ureter Inserting
      Into the Prostate of a Patient Undergoing Radical Prostatectomy for Prostate
      Cancer: A Case Report.
AB  - Congenital variations in urinary tract anatomy present unique surgical challenges
      when they present without prior knowledge. Ectopic ureters occur as a rare
      anatomic variation of the urinary tract and are often associated with duplicated
      renal collecting systems. While the condition is uncommon, even more atypical is
      its discovery and subsequent diagnosis during surgical intervention for treatment
      of localized prostate cancer.We describe the intraoperative management of a
      unique case of bilateral ectopic ureters, with a right-sided ureter inserting
      into the prostate of a 54-year-old male undergoing robotic-assisted radical
      prostatectomy. While unknown at the time of surgery, this right-sided ureter was
      associated with a nonfunctioning right upper renal moiety of a duplex renal
      collecting system. This aberration was discovered intraoperatively and confirmed
      with imaging, and a robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy with right distal
      ureterectomy was performed. 

PMID- 26266360
TI  - Evidence for Chronic Kidney Disease-Mineral and Bone Disorder Associated With
      Metabolic Pathway Changes.
AB  - Abnormalities in the levels of calcium, phosphorus, and parathyroid hormone (PTH)
      in serum are typical for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). They are
      used routinely to predict the onset of CKD-mineral and bone disorder (MBD).
      However, CKD-MBD associated with metabolic pathway imbalance is not well
      understood.The objective of the study was to identify endogenous metabolic
      signatures in patients with intact PTH using mass spectrometry-based
      metabolomics. This study was a cross-sectional study. Ultra performance liquid
      chromatography-Quadrupole Time-of-Flight/mass spectrometry-based metabolic
      profiling was employed to analyze serum samples from 19 disease controls (DCs)
      (intact parathyroid hormone [iPTH] 150-300 pg/mL) and 19 secondary
      hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) patients (iPTH >300 pg/mL) (the training data set) to
      identify metabolic biomarkers for CKD-MBD. Then, another set of samples including
      19 DCs (iPTH 150-300 pg/mL) and 19 SHPT patients (iPTH >300 pg/mL) (the test data
      set) were used to validate the potential biomarkers identified.Metabolic
      profiling analyses revealed different patterns of endogenous metabolites between
      the SHPT and the DC groups. A total of 32 unique metabolites were identified and
      30 metabolites were elevated in the iPTH compared with control serum pools.
      Cytidine and L-phenylalanine were downregulated in the SHPT patients. The
      metabolic signatures identified were assessed respectively by an internal 10-fold
      cross validation with an accuracy of 91.4% and an external validation with an
      accuracy of 71.1%, a sensitivity of 73.7%, and a specificity of 68.4%.Mass
      spectrometry-based metabolomic analyses for SHPT patients promises immense
      potential for early diagnosis and therapy monitoring. Our results indicated that
      the onset of CKD-MBD is associated with pathway changes of protein synthesis and
      metabolism, amino acid metabolism, energy metabolism, and steroid hormone
      metabolism, with obvious promise for better understanding the pathogenesis of
      this disease. Several metabolic biomarkers were identified, which warrant further
      development. 

PMID- 26266361
TI  - IgG4-Related Disease: Results From a Multicenter Spanish Registry.
AB  - IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a rare entity consisting of inflammation and
      fibrosis that has been described in multiple organs. Concrete diagnostic criteria
      have been established recently and there is a lack of large series of patients.To
      describe the clinical presentation, histopathological characteristics, treatment
      and evolution of a series of IgG4-RD Spanish patients.A retrospective multicenter
      study was performed. Twelve hospitals across Spain included patients meeting the
      current 2012 consensus criteria on IgG4-RD diagnosis.Fifty-five patients were
      included in the study, 38 of whom (69.1%) were male. Median age at diagnosis was
      53 years. Thirty (54.5%) patients were included in the Histologically Highly
      Suggestive IgG4-RD group and 25 (45.5%) in the probable IgG4-RD group. Twenty-six
      (47.3%) patients had more than 1 organ affected at presentation. The most
      frequently affected organs were: retroperitoneum, orbital pseudotumor, pancreas,
      salivary and lachrymal glands, and maxillary sinuses.Corticosteroids were the
      mainstay of treatment (46 patients, 83.6%). Eighteen patients (32.7%) required
      additional immunosuppressive agents. Twenty-four (43.6%) patients achieved a
      complete response and 26 (43.7%) presented a partial response (<50% of
      regression) after 22 months of follow-up. No deaths were attributed directly to
      IgG4-RD and malignancy was infrequent.This is the largest IgG4-RD series reported
      in Europe. Patients were middle-aged males, with histologically probable IgG4-RD.
      The systemic form of the disease was frequent, involving mainly sites of the head
      and abdomen. Corticosteroids were an effective first line treatment, sometimes
      combined with immunosuppressive agents. Neither fatalities nor malignancies were
      attributed to IgG4-RD. 

PMID- 26266362
TI  - Efficacy of Adenosine in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction Undergoing
      Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A PRISMA-Compliant Meta-Analysis.
AB  - Whether adenosine offers cardioprotective effects when used as an adjunctive
      therapy for patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) undergoing primary
      percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains controversial.To evaluate, via
      meta-analysis, the efficacy of adenosine in patients with AMI undergoing
      PCI.Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in Medline, Embase, and the
      Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials.RCTs of patients with AMI
      undergoing primary PCI, comparing adenosine treatment and placebo groups and
      reporting mortality, thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grade,
      myocardial blush grade (MBG), re-infarction, left-ventricular ejection fraction
      (LVEF), ST-segment elevation resolution (STR), recurrent angina, or heart failure
      (HF).Risk of bias was assessed by the Cochrane guidelines and publication bias by
      Egger's test. For studies reported in multiple publications, the most complete
      publication was used. Arms using different dosing schedules were merged. Mean
      differences (MDs) or risk ratios (RRs) were determined.Data were extracted from
      15 RCTs involving 1736 patients. Compared with placebo, adenosine therapy was
      associated with fewer occurrences of heart failure (RR: 0.65, 95% confidence
      interval [CI]: 0.43-0.97, P[REPLACEMENT CHARACTER]=[REPLACEMENT CHARACTER]0.03)
      and no-reflow (TIMI flow grade <3, RR: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.45-0.85, P[REPLACEMENT
      CHARACTER]=[REPLACEMENT CHARACTER]0.003; MBG[REPLACEMENT CHARACTER]=[REPLACEMENT
      CHARACTER]0-1, RR: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.67-0.98, P[REPLACEMENT CHARACTER]=[REPLACEMENT
      CHARACTER]0.03), more occurrences of STR (RR: 1.19, 95% CI: 1.07-1.31,
      P[REPLACEMENT CHARACTER]<[REPLACEMENT CHARACTER]0.00001), but no overall
      improvement of LVEF (MD: 2.29, 95% CI: -0.09 to 4.67, P[REPLACEMENT
      CHARACTER]=[REPLACEMENT CHARACTER]0.06). Adenosine improved LVEF in the
      intravenous subgroup and the regular-dose intracoronary (IC) subgroup (0.24
      2.25[REPLACEMENT CHARACTER]mg) compared with placebo (MD: 2.68, 95% CI: 0.66
      4.70, P[REPLACEMENT CHARACTER]=[REPLACEMENT CHARACTER]0.009). Adenosine was
      associated with a poorer LVEF in the high-dose (4-6[REPLACEMENT CHARACTER]mg) IC
      subgroup (MD: -2.40; 95% CI: -4.72 to -0.09, P[REPLACEMENT
      CHARACTER]=[REPLACEMENT CHARACTER]0.04). There was no significant evidence that
      adenosine reduced rates of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality or re
      infarction after PCI.Adenosine dosage and administration routes, baseline
      profiles, and endpoints differed among included RCTs. Performance, publication,
      and reporting biases remain possible.Adenosine therapy appears to improve several
      outcomes in patients with AMI after PCI, but there is no evidence that adenosine
      can reduce mortality rates. 

PMID- 26266363
TI  - Application Value of a 6-Type Classification System for Common Hepatic Artery
      Absence During Laparoscopic Radical Resections for Gastric Cancer: A Large-Scale
      Single-Center Study.
AB  - The common hepatic artery (CHA) is an important blood vessel that must be
      vascularized during D2 lymphadenectomies for gastric cancer. When the CHA is
      absent, the risk of vascular injury increases.To explore the anatomic
      classification of CHA absence and its application value in laparoscopic radical
      resections for gastric cancer.Clinical data were collected prospectively from
      2170 gastric cancer patients from June 2007 to December 2013, and the data were
      analyzed retrospectively. The anatomy of CHA absence was assessed synthetically
      by combining preoperative CT scans and intraoperative images, which were
      classified according to the anatomy of replaced hepatic arteries (RHAs) and were
      grouped into the early-year group (2007-2011) and the later-year group (2012
      2013) based on the year in which the operation was performed.CHA absence was
      noted in 38 cases (1.8%) and was classified into 6 types: type I (replaced CHA
      [RCHA] from the superior mesenteric artery [SMA] with retropancreatic course,
      28), type II (RCHA from the SMA with circumambulated course, 1), type III (RCHA
      from the aortic artery, 1), type IV (replaced left hepatic artery [RLHA] from the
      left gastric artery [LGA] and replaced right hepatic artery [RRHA] from the SMA,
      5), type V (RLHA from the LGA and RRHA from the celiac artery, 2), and type VI
      (RLHA from the aberrant gastroduodenal artery and RRHA from the SMA, 1). Of the
      38 cases, 17 cases (44.7%) belong to the early-year group, and 21 cases (55.3%)
      belong to the later-year group. The vascular injury rate was significantly lower
      in the later-year group than in the early-year group (4.8% [1/21] vs 41.2%
      [7/17], P = 0.005]. Additionally, the alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate
      aminotransferase (AST), and total bilirubin (TBIL) values were significantly
      lower in the later-year group than in the early-year group on postoperative day 3
      (all P < 0.05).A 6-type anatomic classification system can be used to demonstrate
      variations in features resulting from CHA absence in detail. Knowledge regarding
      a patient's classification is helpful for surgeons, and vascular injury and liver
      function damage may be reduced in patients who are properly classified prior to
      surgery. 

PMID- 26266364
TI  - Symptomatic Atherosclerotic Disease and Decreased Risk of Cancer-Specific
      Mortality: A Prospective, Population-Based Study (NEDICES).
AB  - The few studies that have assessed the association between symptomatic
      atherosclerotic disease and risk of cancer have had conflicting results. In
      addition, these studies ascertained participants either from treatment settings
      (ie, service-based studies) or by using a records linkage system (ie, medical
      records of patients evaluated at clinics or hospitals) and, therefore, were prone
      to selection bias. Our purpose was to estimate the risk of cancer mortality in a
      large population-based sample of elderly people, comparing participants with
      symptomatic atherosclerotic disease (atherosclerotic stroke and coronary disease)
      to their counterparts without symptomatic atherosclerotic disease (ie, controls)
      in the same population.In this population-based, prospective study (Neurological
      Disorders of Central Spain, NEDICES), 5262 elderly community-dwelling
      participants with and without symptomatic atherosclerotic disease were identified
      and followed for a median of 12.1 years, after which the death certificates of
      those who died were reviewed.A total of 2701 (53.3%) of 5262 participants died,
      including 314 (68.6%) of 458 participants with symptomatic atherosclerotic
      disease and 2387 (49.7%) of 4804 controls. Cancer mortality was reported
      significantly less often in those with symptomatic atherosclerotic disease
      (15.6%) than in controls (25.6%) (P < 0.001). In an unadjusted Cox model, risk of
      cancer-specific mortality was decreased in participants with symptomatic
      atherosclerotic disease (HR = 0.74, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.55-0.98, P =
      0.04) vs. those without symptomatic atherosclerotic disease (reference group). In
      an adjusted Cox model, HR = 0.58; 95% CI, 0.38-0.89; P = 0.01.This population
      based, prospective study suggests that there is an inverse association between
      symptomatic atherosclerotic disease and risk of cancer mortality. 

PMID- 26266365
TI  - Ossified Posterior Longitudinal Ligament With Massive Ossification of the
      Anterior Longitudinal Ligament Causing Dysphagia in a Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal
      Hyperostosis Patient.
AB  - Descriptive case report.To report a case of a diffuse idiopathic skeletal
      hyperostosis (DISH) patient with both massive ossification of the anterior
      longitudinal ligament (OALL) leading to severe dysphagia as well as ossification
      of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) causing mild cervical myelopathy,
      warranting not only an anterior approach but also a posterior one.Although DISH
      can cause massive OALL in the cervical spine, severe dysphagia resulting from
      DISH is a rare occurrence. OALLs are frequently associated with OPLL. Treatment
      for a DISH patient with OPLL in setting of OALL-caused dysphagia is largely
      unknown.A 70-year-old man presented with severe dysphagia with mild cervical
      myelopathy. Neurological examination showed mild spastic paralysis and hyper
      reflex in his lower extremities. Plane radiographs and computed tomography of the
      cervical spine revealed a discontinuous massive OALL at C4-5 and continuous type
      OPLL at C2-6. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed pronounced spinal cord
      compression due to OPLL at C4-5. Esophagram demonstrated extrinsic compression
      secondary to OALL at C4-5.We performed posterior decompressive laminectomy with
      posterior lateral mass screw fixation, as well as both resection of OALL and
      interbody fusion at C4-5 by the anterior approach. We performed posterior
      decompressive laminectomy with posterior lateral mass screw fixation, as well as
      both resection of OALL and interbody fusion at C4-5 by the anterior approach.
      Severe dysphagia markedly improved without any complications.We considered that
      this patient not only required osteophytectomy and fusion by the anterior
      approach but also required decompression and spinal fusion by the posterior
      approach to prevent both deterioration of cervical myelopathy and recurrence of
      OALL after surgery. 

PMID- 26266366
TI  - MicroRNA Expression Profile Reveals miR-17-92 and miR-143-145 Cluster in
      Synchronous Colorectal Cancer.
AB  - The expression of abnormal microRNA (miRNA, miR) is a ubiquitous feature of
      colorectal cancer (CRC). The pathological features and clinical behaviors of
      synchronous CRC have been comprehensively described; however, the expression
      profile of miRNA and small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA) in synchronous CRC has not been
      elucidated. In the present study, the expression profile of miRNA and snoRNA in 5
      synchronous CRCs, along with the matched normal colorectal tissue was evaluated
      by microarray. Function and pathway analyses of putative targets, predicted from
      miRNA-mRNA interaction, were performed. Moreover, we analyzed clinicopathological
      and molecular characteristics of 22 patients with synchronous CRC and 579
      solitary CRCs in a retrospective cohort study. We found a global dysregulation of
      miRNAs, including an oncogenic miR-17-92 cluster and oncosuppressive miR-143-145
      cluster, and snoRNAs in synchronous CRC. Differential miRNA rather than snoRNA
      expression was robust enough to distinguish synchronous cancer from normal
      mucosa. Function analysis of putative targets suggested that miRNA clusters may
      modulate multiple effectors of oncogenic pathways involved in the pathogenesis of
      synchronous CRC. A comparison of normal mucosa between synchronous and solitary
      CRC suggested a differential genetic background of synchronous CRC from solitary
      CRC during carcinogenesis. Compared with solitary cancer patients, synchronous
      cases exhibited multiple extra-colonic cancers (P = 0.012), coexistence of
      adenoma (P = 0.012), microsatellite instability (P = 0.024), and less glucose
      transporter 1 (P = 0.037). Aberrant miRNA expression profiles could potentially
      be used as a diagnostic tool for synchronous CRC. Our findings represent the
      first comprehensive miRNA and snoRNA expression signatures for synchronous CRC,
      implicating that the miRNAs and snoRNAs may present therapeutic targets for
      synchronous CRC. 

PMID- 26266367
TI  - The Lumbar Spine as a Dynamic Structure Depicted in Upright MRI.
AB  - Spinal canal stenosis is a dynamic phenomenon that becomes apparent during spinal
      loading. Current diagnostic procedures have considerable short comings in
      diagnosing the disease to full extend, as they are performed in supine situation.
      Upright MRI imaging might overcome this diagnostic gap.This study investigated
      the lumbar neuroforamenal diameter, spinal canal diameter, vertebral body
      translation, and vertebral body angles in 3 different body positions using
      upright MRI imaging.Fifteen subjects were enrolled in this study. A dynamic MRI
      in 3 different body positions (at 0 degrees  supine, 80 degrees  upright, and 80
      degrees  upright + hyperlordosis posture) was taken using a 0.25 T open
      configuration scanner equipped with a rotatable examination bed allowing a true
      standing MRI.The mean diameter of the neuroforamen at L5/S1 in 0 degrees 
      position was 8.4 mm on the right and 8.8 mm on the left, in 80 degrees  position
      7.3 mm on the right and 7.2 mm on the left, and in 80 degrees  position with
      hyperlordosis 6.6 mm (P < 0.05) on the right and 6.1 mm on the left (P <
      0.001).The mean area of the neuroforamen at L5/S1 in 0 degrees  position was
      103.5 mm on the right and 105.0 mm on the left, in 80 degrees  position 92.5 mm
      on the right and 94.8 mm on the left, and in 80 degrees  position with
      hyperlordosis 81.9 mm on the right and 90.2 mm on the left.The mean volume of the
      spinal canal at the L5/S1 level in 0 degrees  position was 9770 mm, in 80 degrees
      position 10600 mm, and in 80 degrees  position with hyperlordosis 9414 mm.The
      mean intervertebral translation at level L5/S1 was 8.3 mm in 0 degrees  position,
      9.9 mm in 80 degrees  position, and 10.1 mm in the 80 degrees  position with
      hyperlordosis.The lordosis angle at level L5/S1 was 49.4 degrees  in 0 degrees 
      position, 55.8 degrees  in 80 degrees  position, and 64.7 mm in the 80 degrees 
      position with hyperlordosis.Spinal canal stenosis is subject to a dynamic
      process, that can be displayed in upright MRI imaging. The range of anomalies is
      clinically relevant and dynamic positioning of the patient during MRI can provide
      essential diagnostic information which are not attainable with other methods. 

PMID- 26266368
TI  - Botulinum Toxin Injection for Spastic Scapular Dyskinesia After Stroke: Case
      Series.
AB  - Spastic scapular dyskinesia after stroke is rare, which causes impaired shoulder
      active range of motion (ROM). To date, there has been no report about botulinum
      toxin injection to spastic periscapular muscles. This study presents botulinum
      toxin A injection for management of spastic periscapular muscles after stroke in
      2 cases.This is a retrospective study of 2 cases of spastic scapular dyskinesia
      after stroke. Spasticity of periscapular muscles including rhomboid and lower
      trapezius was diagnosed by physical examination and needle electromyographic
      study. Botulinum toxin was injected into the spastic periscapular muscles under
      ultrasound imaging guidance.During the 3-week follow-up visit after injection,
      both patients showed increased shoulder active ROM, without any sign of scapular
      destabilization.The results suggest that botulinum toxin injection to spastic
      periscapular muscles can increase shoulder active ROM without causing scapular
      destabilization in patients with poststroke spastic scapular dyskinesia. 

PMID- 26266369
TI  - Zolpidem Use Associated With Increased Risk of Pyogenic Liver Abscess: A Case
      Control Study in Taiwan.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to explore the association between zolpidem use and
      pyogenic liver abscess in Taiwan.This was a population-based case-control study
      using the database of the Taiwan National Health Insurance Program since 2000 to
      2011. We identified 1325 patients aged 20 to 84 years with the first-attack of
      pyogenic liver abscess as the cases, and 5082 patients without pyogenic liver
      abscess matched with sex, age, comorbidities, and index year of hospitalization
      for pyogenic liver abscess as the controls. Patients whose last remaining 1
      tablet for zolpidem was noted <=7 days before the date of admission for pyogenic
      liver abscess were defined as current use of zolpidem. Patients whose last
      remaining 1 tablet for zolpidem was noted >7 days before the date of admission
      for pyogenic liver abscess were defined as late use of zolpidem. Patients who
      never received 1 prescription for zolpidem were defined as never use of zolpidem.
      A multivariable unconditional logistic regression model was used to measure the
      odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) to explore the association
      between zolpidem use and pyogenic liver abscess.After adjustment for possible
      confounding variables, the adjusted OR of pyogenic liver abscess was 3.89 for
      patients with current use of zolpidem (95% CI 2.89, 5.23), when compared with
      those with never use of zolpidem. The adjusted OR decreased to 0.85 for those
      with late use of zolpidem (95% CI 0.70, 1.03), but without statistical
      significance.Current use of zolpidem is associated with the increased risk of
      pyogenic liver abscess. Physicians should take the risk of pyogenic liver abscess
      into account when prescribing zolpidem. 

PMID- 26266370
TI  - An Attempt to Evaluate Selected Aspects of "Bone-Fat Axis" Function in Healthy
      Individuals and Patients With Pancreatic Cancer.
AB  - Recently, much attention has been paid to a potential biochemical cross-talk
      between the metabolism of the adipose tissue (AT) and bone (marrow), termed "bone
      fat axis." We hypothesized that selected substances, participating in this
      "dialog," are associated with body mass and peripheral trafficking of bone marrow
      derived stem cells (BMSCs) in both healthy individuals and patients with obesity
      associated malignancies such as pancreatic adenocarcinoma.We performed an
      analysis of the systemic levels of selected substances involved in the regulation
      of bone (marrow) homeostasis (parathormone, calcitonin, osteopontin, osteonectin,
      stem cell factor [SCF], and fibroblast growth factor-23) in 35 generally healthy
      volunteers and 35 patients with pancreatic cancer. Results were correlated with
      the absolute number of circulating BMSCs and body mass values. Additionally,
      subcutaneous and visceral/omental AT levels of the aforementioned molecules were
      analyzed in lean and overweight/obese individuals.Intensified steady-state
      trafficking of only Lin-CD45 + CD133 + hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells was
      observed in overweight/obese individuals and this was associated with BMI values
      and elevated levels of both osteonectin and SCF, which also correlated with BMI.
      In comparison to healthy individuals, patients with cancer had significantly
      higher osteopontin levels and lower values of both osteonectin and
      osteonectin/osteopontin ratio. While no significant correlation was observed
      between BMI and the number of circulating BMSCs in patients with cancer,
      peripheral trafficking of CD34 + KDR + CD31 + CD45-endothelial progenitor cells
      and CD105 + STRO-1 + CD45-mesenchymal stem cells was associated with the
      osteonectin/osteopontin ratio, which also correlated with BMI (r = 0.52; P <
      0.05). AT levels of the examined substances were similar to those measured in the
      plasma, except for osteonectin, which was about 10 times lower.Our study
      highlights the potential role of osteonectin, osteopontin, and SCF as
      communication signals between the bone (marrow) and AT in both healthy
      individuals and patients with pancreatic cancer. We postulate that these
      molecules may be overlooked biochemical players linking body mass and BMSCs with
      obesity-associated cancer development and/or progression in humans. 

PMID- 26266371
TI  - Clinical Correlation Between Tumor Maximal Standardized Uptake Value in Metabolic
      Imaging and Metastatic Tumor Characteristics in Advanced Non-small Cell Lung
      Cancer.
AB  - This study aimed to elucidate whether the maximal standardized uptake value
      (SUVmax) of primary tumors in metabolic imaging correlated with pathological or
      metastatic characteristics and whether it was prognostic in stage IV nonsmall
      cell lung cancer (NSCLC).We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 412
      eligible patients between June 2007 and January 2013. All enrolled patients
      fulfilled the following criteria: they were newly diagnosed with stage IV NSCLC
      without any previous treatment and had undergone a systemic evaluation, including
      18(F)-Fluoro-2-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography, to
      assess synchronous metastatic sites. Patient and tumor characteristics were
      analyzed, and clinical correlations between SUVmax and metastatic features were
      investigated.The median age of the study population was 65 years (range, 30-94),
      and 259 (62.9%) patients were male. The median SUVmax was statistically higher in
      males, in tumors with squamous cell histology, and in poorly differentiated
      tumors. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that SUVmax >= 11.4
      (top 30 percentiles) were significantly correlated with positive lymph node
      status (odds ratio [OR] 3.473), abdomen/pelvis metastasis (OR 1.949), and the
      absence of bone metastasis (OR 0.399) in the subgroup of nonsquamous NSCLC (n =
      343). In Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, overall survival was significantly lower
      among cohorts with high SUVmax (>=11.4) than with low SUVmax (<11.4) (P < 0.001,
      median 7.4 months vs 12.1 months).The tumors with different SUVmax have
      distinctive metastatic and biological features in stage IV NSCLC. The underlying
      mechanisms of this unique metabolic biology need to be resolved in future
      studies. 

PMID- 26266372
TI  - Reversible Severe Eosinophilic Endomyocardial Fibrosis During Pregnancy: A Case
      Report.
AB  - Idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is a condition of unknown origin
      characterized by clinical manifestations attributable to eosinophilia and
      eosinophilic infiltration of tissues. Cardiac involvement is rare and threatening
      accounting for 33% to 43% of death in HES. Management of pregnant patients with
      HES is challenging and have rarely been reported, particularly in the setting of
      heart failure.We here report on the case of a 29-year-old woman with HES who
      developed severe endomyocardial fibrosis with heart failure during pregnancy.
      Outcome was favorable under treatment with prednisone and azathioprine.This case
      illustrates a favorable outcome of endomyocardial fibrosis during pregnancy. 

PMID- 26266373
TI  - A Retrospective Study of Survivors of Endovascular Coiling for Posterior and
      Anterior Aneurysms: Medical and Patient Perspectives.
AB  - This article documents the longer-term medical and psychosocial outcomes of
      patients referred for endovascular coiling.There is limited research
      investigating outcome following endovascular coiling for posterior compared to
      anterior circulation aneurysms, and minimal understanding of how medical outcomes
      relate to patient experiences of treatment and quality of life.We studied a
      consecutive cohort of 80 patients referred Australia wide for endovascular
      coiling between 1995 and 2003 (49% posterior; 76% ruptured; 69% women, mean age
      51.5 years). We used a mixed methods approach, assessing medical outcome with the
      Modified Rankin Scale (MRS) in 61 patients (76%), and health-related quality of
      life and psychosocial functioning using the EuroQol questionnaire and a
      qualitative semistructured interview in 49 patients (61%).Despite the high
      proportion of posterior aneurysms, the majority of patients (80%) showed good
      medical outcomes as indicated by regained independence of activities of daily
      living (MRS score <=3). Patients with unruptured aneurysms were significantly
      more likely to show good outcomes (P < 0.04), whereas aneurysm location
      (posterior, anterior, or mixed) showed no significant effect. In patients with
      good medical outcomes, greater functional disability was associated with
      neurological complications surrounding treatment (P < 0.05). Good outcomes
      correlated with higher EuroQol ratings (P < 0.001) and the experience of less
      change after treatment (P < 0.001), although psychosocial adjustment issues were
      reported by most of the patients, including those with no medical symptoms.These
      results support the long-term efficacy of endovascular coiling, particularly for
      posterior circulation aneurysms. They have implications for guiding clinicians
      and patients in their choice of treatment, as well as the provision of
      psychological counseling for patient adjustment issues posttreatment. 

PMID- 26266374
TI  - Risk of Reverse Seroconversion of Hepatitis B Virus Surface Antigen in Rituximab
      Treated Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Patients: A Large Cohort Retrospective Study.
AB  - Rituximab causes hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation in HBV surface antigen
      (HBsAg)-seronegative patients with CD20-positive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma
      (CD20 NHL), especially for those seropositive to the antibody of core antigen
      (anti-HBc). Clinical hepatitis usually develops after reverse seroconversion of
      HBsAg (HBV-RS), indicated by the reappearance of HBsAg in serum. Because of the
      relatively high prevalence of anti-HBc seropositivity in unvaccinated HBsAg
      seronegative adults in an HBV hyperendemic area, we aimed to investigate
      additional factors influencing the development of rituximab-associated HBV
      RS.Between January 2000 and December 2010, unvaccinated HBsAg-seronegative adults
      with CD20 NHL who had received rituximab-containing therapy but not anti-HBV
      agents were enrolled. Patients with and without HBV-RS were compared in terms of
      clinical factors and treatments including the number of cycles of rituximab
      therapy, and transplantation. Competing risk regression was used to identify the
      factors associated with HBV-RS.For the 482 patients enrolled, the serological
      status of anti-HBc was available in 75.9%, with a seropositivity rate of 86.6%.
      At the last follow-up, a total of 33 (6.85%) patients had HBV-RS, with 95.8% anti
      HBc seropositive, 78.9% anti-HBs seropositive, and none anti-HCV seropositive.
      HBV-RS patients have received more cycles (>=6) and prolonged durations of
      rituximab therapy, and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The overall
      survival was not different between patients with and those without HBV-RS. At the
      time of HBV-RS, a total of 25 (78.1%) patients had hepatitis flare, especially
      when HBV-RS appeared during/after induction therapy (100%, 10 of 10). Three
      (9.1%) patients had fulminant hepatitis, resulting in death in 1 (3%) patient. A
      higher rituximab cycle intensity was associated with a higher rate of hepatitis
      flare at the time of HBV-RS. When death in the absence of HBV-RS was considered
      as the competing risk, the univariate and multivariate regression analyses showed
      that several factors were independently associated with the development of HBV
      RS, including anti-HCV seronegativity, histological subtype of posttransplant
      lymphoproliferative disorders, >=6 cycles of rituximab therapy, and succeeding
      hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.The findings of our study identify
      additional factors influencing the development of rituximab-associated HBV-RS in
      HBsAg-seronegative adults with CD20 NHL. 

PMID- 26266375
TI  - Fetus in Fetu in the Scrotal Sac: Case Report and Literature Review.
AB  - Fetus in fetu (FIF) is a rare congenital anomaly. The most common site at which
      FIF occurs is the retroperitoneum. The mechanisms underlying the development of
      FIF have not been fully elucidated. The monozygotic twin theory postulates that
      FIF results from the unequal division of the totipotent cells of the blastocyst.
      However, the monozygotic twin theory does not explain all cases of FIF.Herein, we
      describe the clinical characteristics of a 20-day-old infant with scrotal sac
      swelling. Ultrasonography and computed tomography revealed the presence of a mass
      consistent with a FIF rather than a teratoma. Surgical removal and a subsequent
      pathological evaluation demonstrated that the anencephalic fetus exhibited limb
      buds adjacent to a palpable vertebral column, supporting the diagnosis of FIF.
      The infant had an uneventful recovery and was discharged on the fifth
      postoperative day. In the present report, the pathogenesis, presentation,
      diagnosis, and management of FIF, as well as new concepts emerging in this area
      of research, are discussed.Although the majority of cases of FIF may be diagnosed
      preoperatively, FIF should be distinguished from teratoma because the latter has
      substantial malignant potential. The recommended treatment for FIF is complete
      resection. To confirm the diagnosis of FIF, pathological examination,
      karyotyping, serologic marker assessment, and DNA restriction site mapping should
      be performed after removing the mass. Although FIF is thought to be a benign
      disorder, follow-up is necessary as a precaution against malignant recurrence,
      which has been described once. 

PMID- 26266376
TI  - Effect of Intraoperative and Postoperative Infusion of Dexmedetomidine on the
      Quality of Postoperative Analgesia in Highly Nicotine-Dependent Patients After
      Thoracic Surgery: A CONSORT-Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Trial.
AB  - Smoking is one of the most common addictions in the world. Nicotine inhalation
      could increase the risk of cardiorespiratory diseases. However, the solution that
      improved postoperative analgesia for highly nicotine-dependent patients
      undergoing thoracic surgery has not been specifically addressed.This CONSORT
      prospective, randomized, double-blinded, controlled trial investigated the
      efficacy of combination of dexmedetomidine and sufentanil for highly nicotine
      (Fagerstrom test of nicotine dependence >=6)-dependent patients after thoracic
      surgery.One hundred seventy-four male patients who underwent thoracic surgery
      were screened between February 2014 and November 2014, and a total of forty-nine
      were excluded. One hundred thirty-two highly nicotine-dependent male patients who
      underwent thoracic surgery and received postoperative patient-controlled
      intravenous analgesia were divided into 3 groups after surgery in this double
      blind, randomized study: sufentanil (0.02 MUg/kg/h, Group S), sufentanil plus
      dexmedetomidine (0.02 MUg/kg/h each, Group D1), or sufentanil (0.02 MUg/kg/h)
      plus dexmedetomidine (0.04 MUg/kg/h) (Group D2). The patient-controlled analgesia
      (PCA) program was programmed to deliver a bolus dose of 2 ml, with background
      infusion of 2 ml/h and a lockout of 5 min, 4-hour limit of 40 ml, as our
      retrospective study. The primary outcome measure was the cumulative amount of
      self-administered sufentanil; the secondary outcome measures were pain intensity
      (numerical rating scale, NRS), level of sedation (LOS), Bruggrmann comfort scale
      (BCS), functional activity score (FAS), and concerning adverse effects.The amount
      of self-administered sufentanil were lower in group D2 compared with S and D1
      groups during the 72 hours after surgery (P < 0.05), whereas the total dosage and
      dosage per body weight of sufentanil were significantly lower in D1 group than
      that of S group only at 4, 8, and 16 hours after surgery (P < 0.05). Compared
      with S group, the NRS scores at rest at 1, 4, and 8 hours after surgery and with
      coughing at 4, 8, 16, and 24 hours after surgery were significantly lower in D2
      group (P < 0.05). However, compared with D1 group, the NRS scores both at rest
      and with coughing at 4 and 8 hours after surgery were significantly lower in D2
      group (P < 0.05). The NRS scores both at rest and with coughing show that there
      were no significant differences between D1 group and S group at each time point
      after surgery (P > 0.05). LOS of group D2 was higher than S and D1 groups at 1
      hour after surgery (P < 0.05), BCS of group D2 was higher than S and D1 groups at
      4, 8, and 16 hours after surgery (P < 0.05), and FAS of group D2 was higher than
      S and D1 groups at 48 and 72 hours after surgery (P < 0.05). The number of rescue
      analgesia during 72 hours after surgery in D2 group was lower than S and D1
      groups (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences among the 3 groups in
      terms of baseline clinical characteristics and postoperative adverse effects
      except for itching (P > 0.05).Among the tested patient-controlled analgesia
      options, the addition of dexmedetomidine (0.04 MUg/kg/h) and sufentanil (0.02
      MUg/kg/h) showed better analgesic effect and greater patient satisfaction without
      other clinically relevant side effects for highly nicotine-dependent patients
      during the initial 72 hours after thoracic surgery. TRIAL REGISTRATION:
      chictr.org (ChiCTR-TRC-14004191).

PMID- 26266377
TI  - Does Tenascin have Clinical Implications in Pathological Grade of Glioma
      Patients?: A Systematic Meta-Analysis.
AB  - Tenascin (TN) is an extracellular oligomeric glycoprotein that participates in
      the adhesion of cells to extracellular matrixc (ECM). Studies have shown that the
      expression levels of TN are upregulated in a variety of cancers, including colon
      cancer, lung cancer, brain tumor, and breast cancer. However, the implications
      and utilities of TN in clinical grading and prognosis of glioma patients were
      seldom reported and the effects of its pathway are still unclear and
      controversial. Thus, it is essential to carry out a meta-analysis to draw a
      convincing conclusion.A literature search was carried out up to April 2015. Data
      was collected using a purpose-designed form including glioma's WHO grade, etc.
      Differences were expressed as odds ratios (ORs) or standard mean differences
      (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Galbr figure, Cochran's Q test, and I
      test were all performed to judge the heterogeneity between included studies. To
      examine the stability of the pooled results, a sensitivity analysis was
      performed. Potential publication bias was assessed by visual inspection of funnel
      plot. As this meta-analysis, as a systematic review, does not involve animal
      experiments or direct human trials, there is no need to conduct special ethic
      review and the ethical approval is not necessary.In this meta-analysis, 8
      eligible studies involving 456 patients were incorporated. Six studies with
      dichotomous data revealed TN overexpression in glioma tissues and/or surrounding
      neoplastic vessels was closely associated with high WHO grade (III + IV) (odds
      ratio 3.398, 95% confidence interval 1.933, 5.974; P = 0.000); three continuous
      data studies showed there were close statistical associations between TN and WHO
      grade (SMD -2.114, 95% CI -2.580, -1.649; P = 0.000) too. Sensitivity analysis
      indicated a statistically robust result. No publication bias was revealed.Our
      meta-analysis suggests that TN expression is potentially associated with higher
      WHO grade of gliomas. More evidences on the basis of the evidence-based medicine
      are needed to prove it. 

PMID- 26266378
TI  - The Clinicopathologic and Prognostic Significance of Gross Classification on
      Solitary Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Hepatectomy.
AB  - The prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is extremely high in China.
      We aimed to investigate the clinicopathologic and prognostic significance of
      gross classification on solitary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after
      hepatectomy.A total of 144 patients with solitary HCC who underwent hepatectomy
      were identified retrospectively. Based on the gross appearance, the tumors were
      divided into single nodular (SN), single nodular with extranodular growth (SNEG),
      confluent multinodular (CMN), and infiltrative types. Clinicopathologic variables
      and survival information were compared among patients with those 4 types.The 144
      tumors composed of 25 SN, 34 SNEG, 33 CMN, and 52 infiltrative types. The serum
      alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level and HBV infection rate of infiltrative type were
      significantly higher than other 3 types. The disease-free and overall survival
      times of infiltrative type were significantly shorter than other 3 types.
      Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that gross classification,
      microvascular invasion, and T stage were independent risk factors.In Chinese
      patients with solitary HCC, the infiltrative type accounted for a much higher
      proportion compared with other regions of the world. Infiltrative HCC had higher
      serum AFP level, HBV infection, and microvascular invasion rates with poorer
      prognosis compared with other 3 types. 

PMID- 26266379
TI  - A Taiwanese Nationwide Cohort Study Shows Interferon-Based Therapy for Chronic
      Hepatitis C Reduces the Risk of Chronic Kidney Disease.
AB  - Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a risk factor for chronic kidney disease
      (CKD). However, it remains unclear whether interferon-based therapy (IBT) for HCV
      was associated with reduced risk of CKD.From the Taiwan National Health Insurance
      Research Database, we identified 919 patients who received 3 months or more of
      IBT as our treated cohort. This cohort was propensity score-matched 1:4 with 3676
      controls who had never received IBT for HCV infection (untreated cohort).
      Cumulative incidences of and hazard ratios (HRs) for CKD were calculated after
      adjusting for competing mortality.In the matched HCV cohort, the risk of CKD was
      significantly lower in the treated cohort (7-year cumulative incidence, 2.6%; 95%
      confidence interval [CI], 0.7%-6.9%) than in the untreated cohort (4%; 95% CI,
      3.5%-5.2%) (P < 0.001), with an adjusted HR of 0.42 (95% CI, 0.20-0.92; P =
      0.03). The results also held in the overall HCV cohort. The number needed to
      treat for 1 fewer CKD at 7 years was 58. The reduced risk of CKD was greatest
      (0.35; 0.14-0.87; P = 0.024) in HCV-infected patients who received 6 months or
      more of IBT. Multivariable stratified analysis verified that greater risk
      reduction of CKD was present in HCV-infected patients with hyperlipidemia,
      diabetes, hypertension, and those without coronary heart disease.In conclusion,
      IBT, especially for 6 or more months, is associated with reduced risk of CKD in
      HCV-infected patients. Hyperlipidemia, diabetes, hypertension, and coronary heart
      disease can modify this association. 

PMID- 26266380
TI  - Examining the Association Between Quadriceps Strength and Cognitive Performance
      in the Elderly.
AB  - Emerging evidences showed impaired muscle strength was prevalent in older adults
      with mild cognition impairment or dementia. However, little was known about the
      role of quadriceps strength in the cognition decline among older population. The
      objective of our study was to investigate the relation between quadriceps
      strength and cognitive performance. Using data from the National Health and
      Nutrition Examination Survey (1999-2002), a total of 1799 participants aged >=60
      years were enrolled in the study. Every subject completed a household interview,
      digit symbol substitution test (DSST), physical performances, and a questionnaire
      regarding personal health. Estimation of relationship between quadriceps strength
      and cognition was using multiple linear regression and quartile-based analysis
      with an extended-model approach for covariates adjustment. In a model adjusted
      for demographics, chronic diseases, health behaviors, and levels of folate and
      vitamin B12, the level of quadriceps strength was significantly associated with
      the scores of DSST. The beta coefficient interpreted as change of DSST scores for
      each Newton increment in quadriceps strength comparing participants in the
      highest quartile of quadriceps strength to those in the lowest quartile was 5.003
      (95% confidence interval, 2.725-7.281, P < 0.001). The trends of incremental DSST
      score across increasing quartiles of quadriceps strength were statistically
      significant (all P for trend <0.001). Higher quadriceps strength was associated
      with better cognitive performance. 

PMID- 26266381
TI  - Recurrence Risk Factors Analysis for Stage I Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.
AB  - Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Even early
      stage patients might encounter disease recurrence with relative high risk.
      Effective postoperative therapy is based on an accurate assessment of treatment
      failure after surgery. The aim of this study is to construct a disease-free
      survival (DFS) prediction model and stratify patients into different risk score
      groups.A total of 356 pathological stage I patients (7th American Joint Committee
      on Cancer) who underwent lung resection from January 2005 through June 2011 were
      retrospectively reviewed. Of these patients, 63 patients were eliminated for this
      study. A total of 293 p-stage I patients were included for further univariate and
      multivariate analysis. Clinical, surgical, and pathological factors associated
      with high risk of recurrence were analyzed, including age, gender, smoking
      status, additional primary malignancy (APM), operation method, histology,
      visceral pleural invasion, angiolymphatic invasion, tumor necrosis, and tumor
      size.Of the 293 p-stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients examined,
      143 were female and 150 were male, with a mean age of 62.8-years old (range: 25
      83-years old). The 5-year DFS and overall survival rates after surgery were 58.9%
      and 75.3%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, current smoker (hazards ratio
      [HR]: 1.63), APM (HR: 1.86), tumor size (HR: 1.54, 2.03), nonanatomic resections
      (HR: 1.81), adenocarcinoma histology (HR: 2.07), visceral pleural invasion (HR:
      1.54), and angiolymphatic invasion (HR: 1.53) were found to be associated with a
      higher risk of tumor recurrence. The final model showed a fair discrimination
      ability (C-statistic = 0.68). According to the difference risk group, we found
      patients with intermediate or higher risk group had a higher distal relapse
      tendency as compared with low risk group (P = 0.016, odds ratio: 3.31, 95%
      confidence interval: 1.21-9.03).Greater than 30% of disease recurrences occurred
      after surgery for stage I NSCLC patients. That is why we try to establish an
      effective DFS predicting model based on clinical, pathological, and surgical
      covariates. However, our initial results still need to be validated and refined
      into greater population for better application in clinical use. 

PMID- 26266382
TI  - Pars Plana Vitrectomy and Evisceration Resulting in Death Due to Misdiagnosis of
      Retinoblastoma in Children: A Review of 3 Cases.
AB  - Retinoblastoma is a curable intraocular malignancy in children. However, in
      clinical practice, retinoblastoma can sometimes be misdiagnosed and mismanaged,
      leading to extraocular extension and even death. In this report, a series of 3
      cases are related that emphasize the conditions and consequences resulting from
      misdiagnosis and mismanagement of retinoblastoma. The clinical features, imaging
      findings, histopatholigical examination, and management in 3 case reports of
      children with misdiagnosed retinoblastoma are presented. Two of the cases
      received pars plana vitrectomy after being misdiagnosed with Coats disease or
      ocular blunt trauma, whereas the third case received evisceration after being
      misdiagnosed with suppurative endophthalmitis. When the diagnosis of
      retinoblastoma had been confirmed after a second surgery was performed in our
      hospital, only 2 of the cases received adjuvant orbital radiotherapy. All 3 cases
      died of systemic tumor metastases. Intraocular surgical procedures should be
      avoided in any equivocal case until the possibility of latent retinoblastoma is
      eliminated.We strongly recommend that early enucleation be executed as soon as
      possible followed by postoperative adjuvant therapy under conditions wherein an
      intraocular surgery was inadvertently performed in an eye with retinoblastoma. 

PMID- 26266383
TI  - Durability of Nucleos(t)ide Analogues Treatment in Patients With Chronic
      Hepatitis B.
AB  - Long-term nucleos(t)ide analogues (NUCs) treatment is usually required for
      patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). However, whether discontinuation of NUCs
      is possible in selected patients remains debated. The aim of this study was to
      assess the durability of NUCs and predictors of sustained response after
      cessation of NUCs.Ninety-three CHB patients (29 HBeAg-positive and 64 HBeAg
      negative) from 2 medical centers in Taiwan with discontinuation of NUCs after a
      median of 3 years' treatment were retrospectively reviewed. Fifteen (51.7%) HBeAg
      positive and 57 (89.1%) HBeAg-negative patients achieved APASL treatment
      endpoints. Virological relapse (VR) and clinical relapse (CR) were defined
      according to APASL guidelines.Achieving APASL endpoint was associated with longer
      median time to CR in HBeAg-positive patients, but not in HBeAg-negative cases.
      The cumulative 1-year VR and CR rates were 55.3% and 14.4% in HBeAg-positive
      patients, and 77.7% and 41.9% in HBeAg-negative patients, respectively. In HBeAg
      negative patients, baseline HBV DNA >10 IU/mL was the only predictor of VR
      (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.277, P = 0.019) and CR (HR = 3.378, P = 0.014). HBsAg >200
      IU/mL at the end of treatment (EOT) was associated with CR (HR = 3.573, P =
      0.023) in patients developing VR. HBeAg-negative patients with low baseline viral
      loads and low HBsAg levels at EOT had minimal risk of CR after achieving APASL
      treatment endpoint (P = 0.016).The VR rate is high, but the risk of CR is low
      within 1 year with consolidation treatment after HBeAg seroconversion. Longer
      consolidation treatment to reduce the risk of VR should be considered in HBeAg
      positive patients. As high risk of VR and CR, cessation of NUCs therapy could be
      considered only in selected HBeAg-negative patients. 

PMID- 26266384
TI  - Hospital Blood Transfusion Patterns During Major Noncardiac Surgery and Surgical
      Mortality.
AB  - We retrospectively examined intraoperative blood transfusion patterns at US
      veteran's hospitals through description of national patterns of intraoperative
      blood transfusion by indication for transfusion in the elderly; assessment of
      temporal trends in the use of intraoperative blood transfusion; and relationship
      of institutional use of intraoperative blood transfusion to hospital 30-day risk
      adjusted postoperative mortality rates.Limited data exist on the pattern of
      intraoperative blood transfusion by indication for transfusion at the hospital
      level, and the relationship between intraoperative transfusion rates and
      institutional surgical outcomes.Using the Department of Veterans Affairs Surgical
      Quality Improvement Program database, we assigned 424,015 major noncardiac
      operations among elderly patients (>=65 years) in 117 veteran's hospitals, from
      1997 to 2009, into groups based on indication for intraoperative blood
      transfusion according to literature and clinical guidelines. We then examined
      institutional variations and temporal trends in surgical blood use based on these
      indications, and the relationship between these institutional patterns of
      transfusion and 30-day postoperative mortality.Intraoperative transfusion
      occurred in 38,056/424,015 operations (9.0%). Among the 64,390 operations with an
      indication for transfusion, there was wide variation (median: 49.9%, range: 8.7%
      76.2%) in hospital transfusion rates, a yearly decline in transfusion rates
      (average 1.0%/y), and an inverse relationship between hospital intraoperative
      transfusion rates and hospital 30-day risk-adjusted mortality (adjusted mortality
      of 9.8 +/- 2.8% vs 8.3 +/- 2.1% for lowest and highest tertiles of hospital
      transfusion rates, respectively, P = 0.02). In contrast, for the 225,782
      operations with no indication for transfusion, there was little variation in
      hospital transfusion rates (median 0.7%, range: 0%-3.4%), no meaningful temporal
      change in transfusion (average 0.0%/y), and similar risk-adjusted 30-day
      mortality across all tertiles of hospital transfusion rates.Among patients >=65
      years with an indication for intraoperative transfusion, intraoperative
      transfusion patterns varied widely across hospitals and declined through the 1997
      to 2009 study period. Hospitals with higher transfusion rates in these patients
      have lower risk-adjusted 30-day postoperative mortality rates. 

PMID- 26266385
TI  - Improvement of Short-Term Outcomes for High-Risk Bleeding Peptic Ulcers With
      Addition of Argon Plasma Coagulation Following Endoscopic Injection Therapy: A
      Randomized Controlled Trial.
AB  - A second endoscopic method together with injection therapy is recommended to
      treat high-risk bleeding peptic ulcers. This study investigated whether
      additional argon plasma coagulation (APC) treatment could influence hemostatic
      efficacy following endoscopic injection therapy to treat high-risk bleeding
      ulcers.From October 2010 to January 2012, eligible patients with high-risk
      bleeding ulcers were admitted to our hospital. They prospectively randomly
      underwent either APC therapy along with distilled water injection or distilled
      water injection alone. Episodes of rebleeding were retreated with endoscopic
      combination therapy. Patients in whom retreatment was ineffective underwent
      emergency surgery or transarterial embolization (TAE).A total of 116 enrolled
      patients were analyzed. The hemostatic efficacy in 58 patients treated with APC
      along with distilled water injection was compared with that in 58 patients
      treated with distilled water injection alone. The 2 treatment groups were similar
      with respect to all baseline characteristics. Initial hemostasis was accomplished
      in 56 patients treated with combined therapy, and 55 patients treated with
      distilled water injection therapy (97% vs 95%, P = 0.648). Bleeding recurred in 2
      patients treated with combined therapy, and 9 patients treated with distilled
      water injection (3.6% vs 16%, P = 0.029). Treatment method was the only
      independent prognostic factor for recurrent bleeding (odds ratio 0.17; 95%
      confidence interval 0.03-0.84; P = 0.029). The 2 groups did not differ
      significantly in hospital stay, TAE, surgery, and mortality.Endoscopic therapy
      with APC following distilled water injection is more effective than distilled
      water injection alone for preventing rebleeding of peptic ulcer. 

PMID- 26266386
TI  - Dexmedetomidine in Postoperative Analgesia in Patients Undergoing Hysterectomy: A
      CONSORT-Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Trial.
AB  - Both dexmedetomidine and sufentanil modulate spinal analgesia by different
      mechanisms, and yet no human studies are available on their combination for
      analgesia during the first 72 hours after abdominal hysterectomy.This CONSORT
      prospective, randomized, double-blinded, controlled trial sought to evaluate the
      safety and efficacy of the combination of dexmedetomidine and sufentanil in
      intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) for 72 hours after abdominal
      hysterectomy.Ninety women undergoing total abdominal hysterectomy were divided
      into 3 equal groups that received sufentanil (Group C; 0.02 MUg/kg/h), sufentanil
      plus dexmedetomidine (Group D1; 0.02 MUg/kg/h, each), or sufentanil (0.02
      MUg/kg/h) plus dexmedetomidine (0.05 MUg/kg/h) (Group D2) for 72 hours after
      surgery in this double-blinded, randomized study. The primary outcome measure was
      the postoperative sufentanil consumption, whereas the secondary outcome measures
      were pain intensity (visual analogue scale), requirement of narcotic drugs during
      the operation, level of sedation, Bruggrmann comfort scale, and concerning
      adverse effects.The postoperative sufentanil consumption was significantly lower
      in Groups D1 and D2 than in Group C during the observation period (P < 0.05), but
      lower in Group D2 than in Group D1 at 24, 48, and 72 hours after surgery (P <
      0.05). The heart rate after intubation and incision was lower in Groups D1 and D2
      than in Group C (P < 0.05). On arrival at the recovery room, Groups D1 and D2 had
      lower mean blood pressure than Group C (P < 0.05). The intraoperative requirement
      of sevoflurane was 30% lesser in Groups D1 and D2 than in Group C. The sedation
      levels were greater in Groups D1 and D2 during the first hour (P < 0.05).
      Compared with Groups C and D1, Group D2 showed lower levels of the overall
      incidence of nausea and vomiting (P < 0.05).Among the tested PCA options, the
      addition of dexmedetomidine (0.05 MUg/kg/h) and sufentanil (0.02 MUg/kg/h) showed
      better analgesic effect and greater patient satisfaction without other clinically
      relevant side effects for patients undergoing hysterectomy during the first 72
      hours after abdominal hysterectomy. 

PMID- 26266387
TI  - Comparative Effects of Dexmedetomidine and Propofol on US-Guided Radiofrequency
      Ablation of Hepatic Neoplasm Under Monitored Anesthesia Care: A Randomized
      Controlled Study.
AB  - Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a useful and safe procedure for
      treating hepatic neoplasm. However, liver RFA causes severe pain, which thereby
      increases the demand for monitored anesthesia care (MAC). Here, we compared the
      efficacy and safety of propofol and dexmedetomidine, which are commonly
      administered during MAC when performing RFA to assess hepatic neoplasm.In this
      randomized controlled trial, 40 patients were randomly allocated to 2 groups for
      elective RFA. Patients received either dexmedetomidine (group D) or propofol
      (group P). Both groups received the continuous infusion of remifentanil for pain
      control. The primary outcomes were opioid consumption and differences in partial
      pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2) between pre- and postprocedure RFA.
      In addition, hemodynamic parameters, patient satisfaction, and interventional
      radiologist satisfaction were determined.There were significant differences in
      opioid consumption (50.1 +/- 16.8 ng/kg/min [group D] vs 71.2 +/- 18.7 ng/kg/min
      [group P]; P = 0.001) and delta PaCO2 (10.4 +/- 6.4 mm Hg vs 17.2 +/- 9.2 mm Hg,
      respectively; P = 0.016). Moreover, respiratory rates were significantly
      different between groups during RFA (P < 0.001). However, blood pressure and
      heart rate did not significantly change during RFA. Neither patient nor
      interventional radiologist satisfaction was significantly different between
      groups.Dexmedetomidine provides better respiratory stability and reduces opioid
      consumption in comparison with propofol when administered under MAC when
      performing RFA for hepatic neoplasm. 

PMID- 26266388
TI  - Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on the Influence of Surgeon Specialization on
      Outcomes Following Appendicectomy in Children.
AB  - The aim of this study is to assess the influence of surgeon specialization on
      outcomes following appendicectomy in children.General surgeons and pediatric
      surgeons manage appendicitis in children; however, the influence of
      subspecialization on outcomes remains unclear.Two authors searched Medline and
      Embase to identify relevant studies. Eligible studies were comparative and
      provided data on children who had appendicectomy while under the care of general
      or pediatric surgical teams. Two authors initially screened titles and abstracts
      and then full text manuscripts were evaluated. Data were extracted by 2 authors
      using an electronic spreadsheet. Pooled risk ratios and pooled mean differences
      were used in analyses.We identified 9 relevant studies involving 50,963 children
      who were managed by general surgery teams and 15,032 children who were managed by
      pediatric surgery teams. A normal appendix was removed in 4660/48,105 children
      treated by general surgery units and in 889/14,760 children treated by pediatric
      units (pooled risk ratio 1.79; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.26-2.54; P =
      0.001). Children managed in general units had shorter mean hospital stays
      compared with children managed in pediatric units (pooled mean difference -0.70
      days; 95%CI -1.09 to -0.30; P = 0.0005). There were no significant differences
      regarding wound infections, intra-abdominal abscesses, readmissions, or
      mortality.We found that children who were managed by specialized pediatric
      surgery teams had lower rates of negative appendicectomy although mean length of
      stay was longer. Our article is based upon a group of heterogeneous and mostly
      retrospective studies and therefore there is little external validity. Further
      studies are needed. 

PMID- 26266389
TI  - Understanding the Racial and Ethnic Differences in Cost and Mortality Among
      Advanced Stage Prostate Cancer Patients (STROBE).
AB  - The aims of the study were to understand the racial/ethnic differences in cost of
      care and mortality in Medicare elderly with advanced stage prostate cancer.This
      retrospective, observational study used SEER-Medicare data. Cohort consisted of
      10,509 men aged 66 or older and diagnosed with advanced-stage prostate cancer
      between 2001and 2004. The cohort was followed retrospectively up to 2009.
      Racial/ethnic variation in cost was analyzed using 2 part-models and quantile
      regression. Step-wise GLM log-link and Cox regression was used to study the
      association between race/ethnicity and cost and mortality. Propensity score
      approach was used to minimize selection bias.Pattern of cost and mortality varies
      between racial/ethnic groups. Compared with other racial/ethnic groups, non
      Hispanic white patients had higher unadjusted costs in treatment and follow-up
      phases. Quintile regression results indicated that in treatment phase, Hispanics
      had higher costs in the 95th quantile and non-Hispanic blacks had lower cost in
      the 95th quantile, compared with non-Hispanic white men. In terminal phase non
      Hispanic blacks and Hispanics had higher cost. After controlling for treatment,
      all-cause and prostate cancer-specific mortality was not significant for non
      Hispanic black men, compared with non-Hispanic white men. However, for Asians,
      mortality remained significantly lower compared with non-Hispanic white men.In
      conclusion, relationship between race/ethnicity, cost of care, and mortality is
      intricate. For non-Hispanic black men, disparity in mortality can be attributed
      to treatment differences. To reduce racial/ethnic disparities in prostate cancer
      care and outcomes, tailored policies to address underuse, overuse, and misuse of
      treatment and health services are necessary. 

PMID- 26266390
TI  - Increasing Receipt of High-Tech/High-Cost Imaging and Its Determinants in the
      Last Month of Taiwanese Patients With Metastatic Cancer, 2001-2010: A
      Retrospective Cohort Study.
AB  - One strategy for controlling the skyrocketing costs of cancer care may be to
      target high-tech/high-cost imaging at the end of life (EOL). This population
      based study investigated receipt of high-tech/high-cost imaging and its
      determinants for Taiwanese patients with metastatic cancer in their last month of
      life.Individual patient-level data were linked with encrypted identification
      numbers from computerized administrative data in Taiwan, that is, the National
      Register of Deaths Database, Cancer Registration System database, and National
      Health Insurance claims datasets, Database of Medical Care Institutions Status,
      and national census statistics (population/household income). We identified
      receipt of computerized tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI),
      positron emission tomography (PET), and radionuclide bone scans (BSs) for 236,911
      Taiwanese cancer decedents with metastatic disease, 2001 to 2010. Associations of
      patient, physician, hospital, and regional factors with receiving CT, MRI, and
      bone scan in the last month of life were evaluated by multilevel generalized
      linear-mixed models.Over one-third (average [range]: 36.11% [33.07%-37.31%]) of
      patients with metastatic cancer received at least 1 high-tech/high-cost imaging
      modality in their last month (usage rates for CT, MRI, PET, and BS were 31.05%,
      5.81%, 0.25%, and 8.15%, respectively). In 2001 to 2010, trends of receipt
      increased for CT (27.96-32.22%), MRI (4.34-6.70%), and PET (0.00-0.62%), but
      decreased for BS (9.47-6.57%). Facilitative determinants with consistent trends
      for at least 2 high-tech/high-cost imaging modalities were male gender, younger
      age, married, rural residence, lung cancer diagnosis, dying within 1 to 2 years
      of diagnosis, not under medical oncology care, and receiving care at a teaching
      hospital with a larger volume of terminally ill cancer patients and greater EOL
      care intensity. Undergoing high-tech/high-cost imaging at EOL generally was not
      associated with regional characteristics, healthcare resources, and EOL care
      intensity.To more effectively use high-tech/high-cost imaging at EOL, clinical
      and financial interventions should target nonmedical oncologists/hematologists
      affiliated with teaching hospitals that tend to aggressively treat high volumes
      of terminally ill cancer patients, thereby avoiding unnecessary EOL care spending
      and transforming healthcare systems into affordable high-quality cancer care
      delivery systems. 

PMID- 26266391
TI  - Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Are at an Increased Risk of Gout But
      This Is Not Due to Diabetes: A Population-Based Cohort Study.
AB  - The relationship between type 2 diabetes and gout is complex. The objective of
      this study was to understand the role of diabetes itself and its comorbidities
      within the association between type 2 diabetes and gout.We conducted a
      retrospective cohort study using the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink
      (CPRD) GOLD. Persons with type 2 diabetes were identified as persons on a
      noninsulin antidiabetic drug (NIAD) between 2004 and 2012, and were matched to 1
      control based on age, sex, and general practice. We estimated gout risk in NIAD
      users using Cox regression analysis. All analyses were stratified for sex.In
      total, 221,117 NIAD users were identified. NIAD users had an increased risk of
      gout (hazard ratio (HR) 1.48; 95% CI 1.41-1.54). This association was stronger in
      women (HR 2.23; 95% CI 2.07-2.41) compared with men (HR 1.19; 95% CI 1.13-1.26).
      After adjustments for BMI, eGFR, hypertension, renal transplantation, diuretics,
      statins, low-dose aspirin, ciclosporin, and tacrolimus, the risk disappeared in
      women (HR 1.01; 95% CI 0.92-1.11) and reversed in men (HR 0.61; 95% CI 0.58-0.66)
      (P for interaction <0.001). When stratifying gout risk according to HbA1c in male
      and female NIAD users, we found an inverse association between raising HbA1c and
      incident gout in men only. Further adjustment gave similar results.Individuals
      with type 2 diabetes are at increased risk of gout. This is not due to diabetes
      itself, but to the comorbid conditions. Diabetes itself is apparently associated
      with a decreased risk of gout, especially in men. 

PMID- 26266392
TI  - Interrelationships Between Ki67, HER2/neu, p53, ER, and PR Status and Their
      Associations With Tumor Grade and Lymph Node Involvement in Breast Carcinoma
      Subtypes: Retrospective-Observational Analytical Study.
AB  - Various predictive and prognostic factors could affect breast carcinoma behavior,
      but to date no definitive correlation has been established between them and
      breast carcinoma subtypes. The present study was conducted to examine the
      interrelationships of these predictive and prognostic factors as well as their
      effects on breast carcinoma subtypes.The archives of all patients with breast
      carcinoma (from 2008 to 2014) were studied. Patients' data were extracted using a
      checklist that included age, histology type, size and grade of tumor, lymph node
      involvement, estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) status, along
      with the overexpression of human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER2/neu) and
      the rate of Ki67 and p53 mutations. All data were analyzed by SPSS-17 software
      with chi and Fisher exact tests, as well as the least significant difference
      pairwise comparison test.A total of 566 patients' records were included in this
      study. The mean age of patients was 50 +/- 12.9 with an age range of 17 to 98
      years. A meaningful correlation was found between age and the type of tumor (P =
      0.001). Infiltrating lobular carcinoma had a higher ER positivity between groups
      (85.7%), whereas noninvasive carcinomas had a higher PR positivity (67%). In
      addition, a meaningful correlation was detected between the type and grade of
      tumor (P = 0.001). No meaningful relationship was observed between the type of
      tumor and HER2/neu overexpression and number of lymph nodes involved. Between the
      groups, medullary carcinoma had the highest Ki67 index (P = 0.007). Meaningful
      correlation was found between the grade of tumor and lymph node involvement (P =
      0.005) and also with HER2/neu overexpression (P = 0.002). Higher grades had
      greater positivity in Ki67 index and p53 mutation rates (P = 0.002, P = 0.01).
      HER2/neu positive tumors had a higher Ki67 index (P = 0.03).Higher Ki67 index
      tumors showed more HER2/neu overexpression, larger size, and more lymph node
      involvement compared with other types and maybe considered aggressive. Moreover,
      in young patients with breast carcinoma, the rates of Ki67 with the
      overexpression of HER2/neu and p53 mutations are higher, and it shows a more
      aggressive behavior than other tumors assessed in this age group. 

PMID- 26266393
TI  - Rituximab for the Treatment of IgG4-Related Tubulointerstitial Nephritis: Case
      Report and Review of the Literature.
AB  - Immunoglobulin type gamma 4 (IgG4)-related disease is a relatively newly
      described clinical entity characterized by a distinctive histopathological
      appearance, increased numbers of IgG4 positive plasma cells and often, but not
      always, elevated serum IgG4 concentrations. The most common renal manifestation
      of IgG4-related disease is tubulointerstitial nephritis marked with proteinuria,
      hematuria, decreased kidney function, hypocomplementemia, and radiologic
      abnormalities. Renal biopsy characteristics include dense lymphoplasmacytic
      tubulointerstitial nephritis that stains for IgG4, storiform fibrosis, and immune
      complex deposition in the interstitium and along tubule basement membranes.
      Treatment traditionally consists of prolonged glucocorticoids but cases
      refractory to glucocorticoids have been reported.We report a case of a 58-year
      old Caucasian man who presented with fatigue, 50 pound weight loss, dyspnea,
      lymphadenopathy, and nephromegaly. The patient was first misdiagnosed as chronic
      interstitial nephritis secondary to renal sarcoid and was treated with repeated
      doses of prednisone. On his third relapse, he underwent a repeat renal biopsy and
      a diagnosis of IgG4-tubulointerstitial nephritis was confirmed. He was refractory
      to treatment with prednisone. The patient received Rituximab and had prompt
      sustained improvement in renal function. At 1 year post Rituximab treatment, his
      serum creatinine remains at baseline and imaging study revealed reduction in his
      kidney size.This is the first case report using Rituximab as a steroid sparing
      option for refractory IgG4-tubulointerstitial nephritis. More information is
      needed on the long-term effects of using of B-cell depleting agents for
      glucocorticoid resistant IgG4-tubulointerstitial nephritis. 

PMID- 26266394
TI  - Frequency-Specific Alterations of Local Synchronization in Idiopathic Generalized
      Epilepsy.
AB  - Recurrently and abnormally hypersynchronous discharge is a striking feature of
      idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE). Resting-state functional magnetic
      resonance imaging has revealed aberrant spontaneous brain synchronization,
      predominately in low-frequency range (<0.1 Hz), in individuals with IGE. Little
      is known, however, about these changes in local synchronization across different
      frequency bands. We examined alterations to frequency-specific local
      synchronization in terms of spontaneous blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD)
      fluctuations across 5 bands, spanning 0 to 0.25 Hz. Specifically, we compared
      brain activity in a large cohort of IGE patients (n = 86) to age- and sex-matched
      normal controls (n = 86). IGE patients showed decreased local synchronization in
      low frequency (<0.073 Hz), primarily in the default mode network (DMN). IGE
      patients also exhibited increased local synchronization in high-frequency (>0.073
      Hz) in a "conscious perception network," which is anchored by the pregenual and
      dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, as well as the bilateral insular cortices,
      possibly contributing to impaired consciousness. Furthermore, we found frequency
      specific alternating local synchronization in the posterior portion of the DMN
      relative to the anterior part, suggesting an interaction between the disease and
      frequency bands. Importantly, the aberrant high-frequency local synchronization
      in the middle cingulate cortex was associated with disease duration, thus linking
      BOLD frequency changes to disease severity. These findings provide an overview of
      frequency-specific local synchronization of BOLD fluctuations, and may be helpful
      in uncovering abnormal synchronous neuronal activity in patients with IGE at
      specific frequency bands. 

PMID- 26266395
TI  - Unintentional Injuries in Preschool Age Children: Is There a Correlation With
      Parenting Style and Parental Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Symptoms.
AB  - Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death among children. Previous
      research has shown that most of the injuries occur in and around the home.
      Therefore, parents have a key role in the occurrence and prevention of injuries.
      In this study, we examined the relationship among home injuries to children and
      parental attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, parental
      attitudes, and children's behavioral problems.Forty children who were admitted to
      the emergency department because of home injuries constitute the study group. The
      control group also consisted of 40 children, who were admitted for mild throat
      infections. The parents filled out questionnaires assessing parental ADHD, child
      behavioral problems, and parenting attitudes.Scores were significantly higher for
      both internalizing disorders and externalizing disorders in study groups. We also
      found that ADHD symptoms were significantly higher among fathers of injured
      children compared with fathers of control groups. Democratic parenting was also
      found to correlate with higher numbers of injuries.Parenting style, as well as
      the psychopathology of both the parents and children, is important factors in
      children's injuries. A child psychiatrist visit following an emergency procedure
      may help to prevent further unintentional injuries to the child. 

PMID- 26266396
TI  - Intrathoracic Benign Goiter Imaged by 18F-FDG-PET: A Case Report.
AB  - A 55-year-old woman was referred for a suspicion of mediastinal tumor through
      plain X-ray photography (X-P). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a 3 cm
      diameter tumor which seemed to connect to the thyroid and projected into the
      mediastinum. A fine needle aspiration biopsy was tried but could not reach a
      conclusive diagnosis. Thereby, fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission
      tomography (F-FDG-PET) was performed and a high accumulation was revealed with
      standardized uptake value (SUV) of 3.8. Thus, the right lobe excision procedure
      was enforced. The obtained tumor was continuous to the right lobe as expected.
      Microscopically, the encapsulated tumor consisted of atypical large-sized
      follicles without malignant characteristics. Thus, histological diagnosis was
      follicular thyroid adenoma.Thus, follicular adenoma of thyroid could present
      negative iodine-123-radioisotope (I-RI) uptake and positive F-FDG-PET
      accumulation. 

PMID- 26266397
TI  - Cardiac Dextroversion after Right Lower Lobe Lobectomy.

PMID- 26266398
TI  - In Situ Synthesis of Catalytic Active Au Nanoparticles onto Gibbsite-Polydopamine
      Core-Shell Nanoplates.
AB  - We report a facile method to synthesize anisotropic platelike gibbsite-polymer
      core-shell particles. Dopamine is self-polymerized on the surface of gibbsite
      nanoplates and forms a homogeneous layer on it. Transmission electron microscopy
      characterization of the resulting latexes demonstrates the formation of well
      defined platelike core-shell particles. Reaction time and ultrasonification are
      found to be important factors to control the thickness of the polymer shell and
      avoid aggregation. Good control over the platelike morphology and 100%
      encapsulation efficiency have been achieved via this novel route. The resulting
      well-defined gibbsite-polydamine (G-PDA) core-shell nanoplates show excellent
      colloidal stability and can form opal-like columnar crystal with iridescent Bragg
      reflection after modest centrifugation. In addition, G-PDA core-shell nanoplates
      can serve both as reductant and stabilizer for the generation of Au nanoparticles
      (NPs) in situ. Au NPs with tunable size have been formed on the G-PDA particle
      surface, which show efficient catalytic activity for the reduction of 4
      nitrophenol and Rhodamine B (RhB) in the presence of borohydride. Such
      nanocatalysts can be easily deposited on silicon substrate by spin-coating due to
      the large contact area of platelike G-PDA particles and the strong adhesive
      behavior of the PDA layer. The substrate-deposited nanocatalyst can be easily
      recycled which show excellent reusability for the reduction of RhB. 

PMID- 26266399
TI  - A smart device for label-free and real-time detection of gene point mutations
      based on the high dark phase contrast of vapor condensation.
AB  - A smart device for label-free and real-time detection of gene point mutation
      related diseases was developed based on the high dark phase contrast of vapor
      condensation. The main components of the device included a Peltier cooler and a
      mini PC board for image processing. Heat from the hot side of the Peltier cooler
      causes the fluid in a copper chamber to evaporate, and the vapor condenses on the
      surface of a microarray chip placed on the cold side of the cooler. The high dark
      phase contrast of vapor condensation relative to the analytes on the microarray
      chip was explored. Combined with rolling circle amplification, the device
      visualizes less-to-more hydrophilic transitions caused by gene trapping and DNA
      amplification. A lung cancer gene point mutation was analysed, proving the high
      selectivity and multiplex analysis capability of this low-cost device. 

PMID- 26266401
TI  - Intense pulsed light, near infrared pulsed light, and fractional laser
      combination therapy for skin rejuvenation in Asian subjects: a prospective multi
      center study in China.
AB  - Ablative skin rejuvenation therapies have limitations for Asian people, including
      post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and long down time. Non-ablative lasers are
      safer but have limited efficacy. This study is to investigate the safety and
      efficacy of a combination therapy consisting of intense pulsed light (IPL), near
      infrared (NIR) light, and fractional erbium YAG (Er:YAG) laser for skin
      rejuvenation in Asian people. This study recruited 113 subjects from six sites in
      China. Subjects were randomly assigned to a full-face group, who received
      combination therapy, and split-face groups, in which one half of the face
      received combination therapy and the other half received IPL monotherapy. Each
      subject received five treatment sessions during a period of 90 days. Subjects
      were followed up at 1 and 3 months post last treatment. Three months after last
      treatment, the full-face group (n = 57) had a global improvement rate of 29 % and
      29 % for wrinkles, 32 % for skin texture, 33 % for pigment spots, 28 % for pore
      size, respectively. For patients in the split-face groups (n = 54), monotherapy
      side had a global improvement rate of 23 % and 20 % for wrinkles, 27 % for skin
      texture, 25 % for pigment spots, 25 % for pore size, respectively. Both
      combination therapy and monotherapy resulted in significant improvements at the
      follow-up visits compared to baseline (P < 0.001). Combination therapy showed
      significantly greater improvements compared to monotherapy at two follow-up
      visits (P < 0.05). Combination therapy is a safe and more effective strategy than
      IPL monotherapy for skin rejuvenation in Asian people.

PMID- 26266400
TI  - Daily and annual cycles in thermoregulatory behaviour and cardio-respiratory
      physiology of black and white tegu lizards.
AB  - This study was designed to determine the manner in which metabolism is suppressed
      during dormancy in black and white tegu lizards (Tupinambis merianae). To this
      end, heart rate (fH), respiration rate (fR), and deep body temperature (Tb) were
      continuously monitored in outdoor enclosures by radio-telemetry for nine months.
      There was a continuous decline in nighttime breathing and heart rate, at constant
      Tb, throughout the late summer and fall suggestive of an active metabolic
      suppression that developed progressively at night preceding the entrance into
      dormancy. During the day, however, the tegus still emerged to bask. In May, when
      the tegus made a behavioural commitment to dormancy, Tb (day and night) fell to
      match burrow temperature, accompanied by a further reduction in fH and fR. Tegus,
      under the conditions of this study, did arouse periodically during dormancy.
      There was a complex interplay between changes in fH and Tb associated with the
      direct effects of temperature and the indirect effects of thermoregulation,
      activity, and changes in metabolism. This interplay gave rise to a daily
      hysteresis in the fH/Tb relationship reflective of the physiological changes
      associated with warming and cooling as preferred Tb alternated between daytime
      and nighttime levels. The shape of the hysteresis curve varied with season along
      with changes in metabolic state and daytime and nighttime body temperature
      preferences.

PMID- 26266402
TI  - Absorption-Enhancing Effects of Bile Salts.
AB  - Bile salts are ionic amphiphilic compounds with a steroid skeleton. Among the
      most important physiological properties of bile salts are lipid transport by
      solubilization and transport of some drugs through hydrophobic barriers. Bile
      salts have been extensively studied to enhance transepithelial permeability for
      different marker molecules and drugs. They readily agglomerate at concentrations
      above their critical micelle concentration (CMC). The mechanism of absorption
      enhancement by bile salts appears to be complex. The aim of the present article
      was to review bile salt structure and their application as absorption enhancers
      and the probable mechanism for increasing permeation based on previous studies. 

PMID- 26266403
TI  - Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Heterocarpin from the Salt Marsh Plant Corydalis
      heterocarpa in LPS-Induced RAW 264.7 Macrophage Cells.
AB  - The inhibitory effect of three chromones 1-3 and two coumarins 4-5 on the
      production of nitric oxide (NO) was evaluated in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophage
      cells. Among the compounds tested heterocarpin (1), a furochromone, significantly
      inhibited its production in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, heterocarpin
      suppressed prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production and expression of cytokines such as
      inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), tumor necrosis
      factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). 

PMID- 26266404
TI  - Wnt3a Promotes the Vasculogenic Mimicry Formation of Colon Cancer via Wnt/beta
      Catenin Signaling.
AB  - Our previous study provided evidence that non-canonical Wnt signaling is involved
      in regulating vasculogenic mimicry (VM) formation. However, the functions of
      canonical Wnt signaling in VM formation have not yet been explored. In this
      study, we found the presence of VM was related to colon cancer histological
      differentiation (p < 0.001), the clinical stage (p < 0.001), and presence of
      metastasis and recurrence (p < 0.001). VM-positive colon cancer samples showed
      increased Wnt3a expression (p < 0.001) and beta-catenin nuclear expression (p <
      0.001) compared with the VM-negative samples. In vitro, over-regulated Wnt3a
      expression in HT29 colon cancer cells promoted the capacity to form tube-like
      structures in the three-dimensional (3-D) culture together with increased
      expression of endothelial phenotype-associated proteins such as VEGFR2 and VE
      cadherin. The mouse xenograft model showed that Wnt3a-overexpressing cells grew
      into larger tumor masses and formed more VM than the control cells. In addition,
      the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling antagonist Dickkopf-1(Dkk1) can reverse the
      capacity to form tube-like structures and can decrease the expressions of VEGFR2
      and VE-cadherin in Wnt3a-overexpressing cells. Taken together, our results
      suggest that Wnt/beta-catenin signaling is involved in VM formation in colon
      cancer and might contribute to the development of more accurate treatment
      modalities aimed at VM.

PMID- 26266405
TI  - Evaluation and Management of Neurogenic Bladder: What Is New in China?
AB  - Neurogenic bladder (NB) or neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD), a
      dysfunction of the urinary bladder and urethra due to disease of the central
      nervous system or peripheral nerves, is a major global medical and social
      problem. Numerous nervous system abnormalities, such as: stroke, Alzheimer's and
      Parkinson's diseases, traumatic spinal cord injury, spinal cord tumors,
      congenital spina bifida, and diabetes, can cause NB/NLUTD. There are two major
      types of bladder control problems associated with NB/NLUTD: the bladder becomes
      either overactive or underactive depending on the nature, level, and extent of
      nerve damage. This review specifically focuses on the diagnosis and management of
      NB/NLUTD in China as well as on recent efforts to treat this disease. 

PMID- 26266406
TI  - Role of Pharmacogenetics in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Outcome in
      Children.
AB  - Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is an established therapeutic
      procedure for several congenital and acquired disorders, both malignant and
      nonmalignant. Despite the great improvements in HSCT clinical practices over the
      last few decades, complications, such as graft vs. host disease (GVHD) and
      sinusoidal obstructive syndrome (SOS), are still largely unpredictable and remain
      the major causes of morbidity and mortality. Both donor and patient genetic
      background might influence the success of bone marrow transplantation and could
      at least partially explain the inter-individual variability in HSCT outcome. This
      review summarizes some of the recent studies on candidate gene polymorphisms in
      HSCT, with particular reference to pediatric cohorts. The interest is especially
      focused on pharmacogenetic variants affecting myeloablative and immunosuppressive
      drugs, although genetic traits involved in SOS susceptibility and transplant
      related mortality are also reviewed. 

PMID- 26266407
TI  - ALS-Linked P56S-VAPB Mutation Impairs the Formation of Multinuclear Myotube in
      C2C12 Cells.
AB  - Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rapidly progressive neurodegenerative
      disorder that affects upper and lower motor neurons. Since motor neurons target
      skeletal muscles, the maintenance system of muscles is disturbed in ALS; however,
      the mechanism by which this occurs is unknown. In the present study, we
      investigated the effects of ALS-associated P56S-vesicle-associated membrane
      protein-associated protein B (VAPB) (P56S-VAPB) on the IRE1-XBP1 pathway, which
      is involved in the unfolded protein response (UPR) of the mouse myoblast cell
      line (C2C12 cells). Experiments with C2C12 cells transfected with wild-type wt
      VAPB and P56S-VAPB expression vectors showed reduced myotube formation and
      aberrant myonuclear position in cells expressing P56S-VAPB. Activity of the IRE1
      XBP1 pathway in the cells visualized with the ERAI system revealed that the
      pathway was disrupted in cells expressing P56S-VAPB, whereas the IRE1-XBP1
      pathway activity was enhanced in the differentiation process of normal C2C12
      cells. These results suggest that disruption of the IRE1-XBP1 pathway is a cause
      for the reduced myotube formation in P56S-VAPB-expressing cells. The expression
      level of the VAPB protein has been reported to be reduced in the neurons of
      patients with ALS. Therefore, it is expected that the IRE1-XBP1 pathway is also
      impaired in muscle tissues of patients with ALS, which causes a disturbance in
      the muscle maintenance system. 

PMID- 26266408
TI  - Bioactive Compounds of Blueberries: Post-Harvest Factors Influencing the
      Nutritional Value of Products.
AB  - Blueberries, besides having commonly-recognized taste properties, are also a
      valuable source of health-promoting bioactive compounds. For several decades,
      blueberries have gained in popularity all over the world, and recent years have
      seen not only an increase in fresh consumption, but also in the importance of
      blueberries for the processing industry. Blueberry processing mostly consists of
      freezing and juicing. Recently, more attention has been drawn to dewatering and
      drying, which are promising areas for developing novel blueberry products.
      Processing affects each biologically-active compound in a different way, and it
      is still unknown what changes those compounds undergo at the molecular level
      after the application of different processing technologies. This work presents
      the most recent state of knowledge about the pre-treatment and processing methods
      applied to blueberries and their influence on the content of biologically-active
      compounds. The presentation of methods is preceded by a brief overview of the
      characteristics of the blueberry species, a description of the chemical
      composition of the fruit and a short note about the main growing areas,
      production volumes and the management of fruit crops. 

PMID- 26266410
TI  - Distributed Wireless Monitoring System for Ullage and Temperature in Wine
      Barrels.
AB  - This paper presents a multipurpose and low cost sensor for the simultaneous
      monitoring of temperature and ullage of wine in barrels in two of the most
      important stages of winemaking, that being fermentation and maturation. The
      distributed sensor subsystem is imbedded within the bung of the barrel and runs
      on battery for a period of at least 12 months and costs around $27 AUD for all
      parts. In addition, software was designed which allows for the remote
      transmission and easy visual interpretation of the data for the winemaker. Early
      warning signals can be sent when the temperature or ullage deviates from a
      winemakers expectations so remedial action can be taken, such as when topping is
      required or the movement of the barrels to a cooler cellar location. Such
      knowledge of a wine's properties or storage conditions allows for a more precise
      control of the final wine quality. 

PMID- 26266409
TI  - Changes of the Cytoplasmic Proteome in Response to Alcoholic Hepatotoxicity in
      Rats.
AB  - Proteomic analyses have already been used in a number of hepatological studies
      and provide important information. However, few reports have focused on changes
      in the cytoplasmic proteome. The present study therefore aimed to evaluate
      changes in cytoplasmic proteome of rats in response to alcoholic hepatotoxicity.
      Rats were fed a Liber-DeCarli liquid diet containing ethanol for four weeks.
      Cytoplasmic proteins except mitochondrial proteins from the livers of these
      animals were investigated using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass
      spectrometry. Alcohol induced a decrease in body weight gain and an increase in
      alanine transaminase (ALT), cholesterol, and phospholipid levels.
      Histopathological observations revealed hepatic damage characterized by necrosis
      and fatty change in alcohol-treated group at week 2, which continues until week
      4. Our proteomic analysis revealed that 25 proteins were differentially expressed
      in the ethanol-fed group. Of these, 12 cytoplasmic proteins are being reported
      for the first time. Taken together, our results provide further insights into the
      disease mechanism and therapeutic information of alcoholic liver disease. 

PMID- 26266411
TI  - A Scalable Context-Aware Objective Function (SCAOF) of Routing Protocol for
      Agricultural Low-Power and Lossy Networks (RPAL).
AB  - In recent years, IoT (Internet of Things) technologies have seen great advances,
      particularly, the IPv6 Routing Protocol for Low-power and Lossy Networks (RPL),
      which provides a powerful and flexible routing framework that can be applied in a
      variety of application scenarios. In this context, as an important role of IoT,
      Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) can utilize RPL to design efficient routing
      protocols for a specific application to increase the ubiquity of networks with
      resource-constrained WSN nodes that are low-cost and easy to deploy. In this
      article, our work starts with the description of Agricultural Low-power and Lossy
      Networks (A-LLNs) complying with the LLN framework, and to clarify the
      requirements of this application-oriented routing solution. After a brief review
      of existing optimization techniques for RPL, our contribution is dedicated to a
      Scalable Context-Aware Objective Function (SCAOF) that can adapt RPL to the
      environmental monitoring of A-LLNs, through combining energy-aware, reliability
      aware, robustness-aware and resource-aware contexts according to the composite
      routing metrics approach. The correct behavior of this enhanced RPL version
      (RPAL) was verified by performance evaluations on both simulation and field
      tests. The obtained experimental results confirm that SCAOF can deliver the
      desired advantages on network lifetime extension, and high reliability and
      efficiency in different simulation scenarios and hardware testbeds. 

PMID- 26266412
TI  - The Balanced Cross-Layer Design Routing Algorithm in Wireless Sensor Networks
      Using Fuzzy Logic.
AB  - Recently, the cross-layer design for the wireless sensor network communication
      protocol has become more and more important and popular. Considering the
      disadvantages of the traditional cross-layer routing algorithms, in this paper we
      propose a new fuzzy logic-based routing algorithm, named the Balanced Cross-layer
      Fuzzy Logic (BCFL) routing algorithm. In BCFL, we use the cross-layer parameters'
      dispersion as the fuzzy logic inference system inputs. Moreover, we give each
      cross-layer parameter a dynamic weight according the value of the dispersion. For
      getting a balanced solution, the parameter whose dispersion is large will have
      small weight, and vice versa. In order to compare it with the traditional cross
      layer routing algorithms, BCFL is evaluated through extensive simulations. The
      simulation results show that the new routing algorithm can handle the multiple
      constraints without increasing the complexity of the algorithm and can achieve
      the most balanced performance on selecting the next hop relay node. Moreover, the
      Balanced Cross-layer Fuzzy Logic routing algorithm can adapt to the dynamic
      changing of the network conditions and topology effectively. 

PMID- 26266413
TI  - Secure and Authenticated Data Communication in Wireless Sensor Networks.
AB  - Securing communications in wireless sensor networks is increasingly important as
      the diversity of applications increases. However, even today, it is equally
      important for the measures employed to be energy efficient. For this reason, this
      publication analyzes the suitability of various cryptographic primitives for use
      in WSNs according to various criteria and, finally, describes a modular, PKI
      based framework for confidential, authenticated, secure communications in which
      most suitable primitives can be employed. Due to the limited capabilities of
      common WSN motes, criteria for the selection of primitives are security, power
      efficiency and memory requirements. The implementation of the framework and the
      singular components have been tested and benchmarked in our testbed of IRISmotes.

PMID- 26266414
TI  - Multi-Sensor Approach for the Monitoring of Halitosis Treatment via Lactobacillus
      brevis (CD2)-Containing Lozenges--A Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled
      Clinical Trial.
AB  - The aim of this randomized clinical trial was to evaluate whether a recently
      described multi-sensor approach called BIONOTE((r)) is accurate enough to verify
      the efficacy of treatment of patients with halitosis. A treatment with
      Lactobacillus brevis (CD2)-containing lozenges, compared with placebo was tested.
      The BIONOTE((r)) was compared with traditional techniques used to detect
      halitosis: OralChromaTM and two calibrated odor judges enrolled for the
      organoleptic assessments. Twenty patients (10 treated and 10 placebo), suffering
      from active phase halitosis were included in the study. Treatment consisted of
      Lactobacillus brevis (CD2)-containing lozenges or placebo, 4 tablets/day for 14
      days. t0 was before the beginning of the study; t1 was day 7 and t2 was day 14.
      The effectiveness of treatment was assessed through: (1) Rosenberg score; (2)
      Winkel tongue coating index (WTCI) anterior and posterior; (2) OralChromaTM; (3)
      the new developed multi-sensor approach, called BIONOTE((r)) (test technique).
      Only the WTCI anterior revealed statistically significant changes between t0 and
      t2 data (p = 0.014) in the treated group. Except for the WTCI anterior, all
      diagnostic methods revealed the lack of effectiveness for halitosis of a 14-days
      treatment with Lactobacillus brevis (CD2)-containing lozenges. The BIONOTE((r))
      multisensor system seems accurate in addition to OralChromaTM to assess the
      initial condition of halitosis and its mitigation during treatment. 

PMID- 26266415
TI  - Structure-Activity Relationships of the Bioactive Thiazinoquinone Marine Natural
      Products Thiaplidiaquinones A and B.
AB  - In an effort to more accurately define the mechanism of cell death and to
      establish structure-activity relationship requirements for the marine
      meroterpenoid alkaloids thiaplidiaquinones A and B, we have evaluated not only
      the natural products but also dioxothiazine regioisomers and two precursor
      quinones in a range of bioassays. While the natural products were found to be
      weak inducers of ROS in Jurkat cells, the dioxothiazine regioisomer of
      thiaplidiaquinone A and a synthetic precursor to thiaplidiaquinone B were found
      to be moderately potent inducers. Intriguingly, and in contrast to previous
      reports, the mechanism of Jurkat cell death (necrosis vs. apoptosis) was found to
      be dependent upon the positioning of one of the geranyl sidechains in the
      compounds with thiaplidiaquinone A and its dioxothiazine regioisomer causing
      death dominantly by necrosis, while thiaplidiaquinone B and its dioxothiazine
      isomer caused cell death via apoptosis. The dioxothiazine regioisomer of
      thiaplidiaquinone A exhibited more potent in vitro antiproliferative activity
      against human tumor cells, with NCI sub-panel selectivity towards melanoma cell
      lines. The non-natural dioxothiazine regioisomers were also more active in
      antiplasmodial and anti-farnesyltransferase assays than their natural product
      counterparts. The results highlight the important role that natural product total
      synthesis can play in not only helping understand the structural basis of
      biological activity of natural products, but also the discovery of new bioactive
      scaffolds. 

PMID- 26266416
TI  - The Willingness-to-Pay for General Practitioners in Contractual Service and
      Influencing Factors among Empty Nesters in Chongqing, China.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In 2012, a pilot health policy of contractual service relations
      between general practitioners and patients was implemented in China. Due to the
      decline in body and cognitive function, as well as the lack of family care and
      narrow social support networks, the demand of health services among the elderly
      is much higher than that among the general population. This study aims to probe
      into the empty nesters' willingness-to-pay for general practitioners using a
      contractual service policy, investigating empty nesters' payment levels for the
      service, and analyze the main factors affecting the willingness of empty-nesters'
      general practitioners using contractual service supply cost. METHODS: This cross
      sectional study adopted a multistage stratified sampling method to survey 865,
      city empty nesters (six communities in three districts of one city) aged 60-85
      years. A condition value method was used to infer the distribution of the
      willingness-to-pay; Cox's proportional hazards regression model was used to
      analyze the influencing factors of willingness-to-pay. RESULTS: More than seventy
      percent (76.6%) of the empty nesters in this city were willing to pay general
      practitioners using contract service in Chongqing. The level of willingness-to
      pay for the surveyed empty nesters was 34.1 yuan per year. The median value was
      22.1 yuan per year, which was below the Chongqing urban and rural cooperative
      medical insurance individual funding level (60 yuan per year) in 2013. Cox's
      proportional hazards regression model analysis showed that the higher the
      education level was, the worse the self-reported health status would be,
      accompanied by higher family per capita income, higher satisfaction of community
      health service, and higher willingness-to-pay empty nesters using a contract
      service. Women had a higher willingness-to-pay than men. CONCLUSIONS: The
      willingness-to-pay for general practitioners by contractual service is high among
      city empty nesters in Chongqing, thus, individual financing is feasible. However,
      people are willing to pay less than half of the current personal financing of
      cooperative medical insurance of urban and rural residents. Education level,
      family per capita income, and self-reported health status are the main factors
      affecting the cost sharing intention for general practitioners using contract
      service supply. According to the existing situation of different empty nesters,
      it is important to perfect the design of general practitioners using a
      contractual service policy system, according to differentiated personal financing
      levels.

PMID- 26266418
TI  - eEF1A Interacts with the NS5A Protein and Inhibits the Growth of Classical Swine
      Fever Virus.
AB  - The NS5A protein of classical swine fever virus (CSFV) is involved in the RNA
      synthesis and viral replication. However, the NS5A-interacting cellular proteins
      engaged in the CSFV replication are poorly defined. Using yeast two-hybrid
      screen, the eukaryotic elongation factor 1A (eEF1A) was identified to be an NS5A
      binding partner. The NS5A-eEF1A interaction was confirmed by
      coimmunoprecipitation, glutathione S-transferase (GST) pulldown and laser
      confocal microscopy assays. The domain I of eEF1A was shown to be critical for
      the NS5A-eEF1A interaction. Overexpression of eEF1A suppressed the CSFV growth
      markedly, and conversely, knockdown of eEF1A enhanced the CSFV replication
      significantly. Furthermore, eEF1A, as well as NS5A, was found to reduce the
      translation efficiency of the internal ribosome entry site (IRES) of CSFV in a
      dose-dependent manner, as demonstrated by luciferase reporter assay. Streptavidin
      pulldown assay revealed that eEF1A could bind to the CSFV IRES. Collectively, our
      results suggest that eEF1A interacts with NS5A and negatively regulates the
      growth of CSFV. 

PMID- 26266417
TI  - Replication and Inhibitors of Enteroviruses and Parechoviruses.
AB  - The Enterovirus (EV) and Parechovirus genera of the picornavirus family include
      many important human pathogens, including poliovirus, rhinovirus, EV-A71, EV-D68,
      and human parechoviruses (HPeV). They cause a wide variety of diseases, ranging
      from a simple common cold to life-threatening diseases such as encephalitis and
      myocarditis. At the moment, no antiviral therapy is available against these
      viruses and it is not feasible to develop vaccines against all EVs and HPeVs due
      to the great number of serotypes. Therefore, a lot of effort is being invested in
      the development of antiviral drugs. Both viral proteins and host proteins
      essential for virus replication can be used as targets for virus inhibitors. As
      such, a good understanding of the complex process of virus replication is pivotal
      in the design of antiviral strategies goes hand in hand with a good understanding
      of the complex process of virus replication. In this review, we will give an
      overview of the current state of knowledge of EV and HPeV replication and how
      this can be inhibited by small-molecule inhibitors. 

PMID- 26266421
TI  - Ultrasound-Guided Injection of Botulinum Toxin Type A for Piriformis Muscle
      Syndrome: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.
AB  - Piriformis muscle syndrome (PMS) is caused by prolonged or excessive contraction
      of the piriformis muscle associated with pain in the buttocks, hips, and lower
      limbs because of the close proximity to the sciatic nerve. Botulinum toxin type A
      (BoNT-A) reduces muscle hypertonia as well as muscle contracture and pain
      inhibiting substance P release and other inflammatory factors. BoNT-A injection
      technique is important considering the difficult access of the needle for deep
      location, the small size of the muscle, and the proximity to neurovascular
      structures. Ultrasound guidance is easy to use and painless and several studies
      describe its use during BoNT-A administration in PMS. In the present review
      article, we briefly updated current knowledge regarding the BoNT therapy of PMS,
      describing also a case report in which this syndrome was treated with an
      ultrasound-guided injection of incobotulinumtoxin A. Pain reduction with an
      increase of hip articular range of motion in this patient with PMS confirmed the
      effectiveness of BoNT-A injection for the management of this syndrome. 

PMID- 26266420
TI  - Homocysteine Metabolism Gene Polymorphisms (MTHFR C677T, MTHFR A1298C, MTR A2756G
      and MTRR A66G) Jointly Elevate the Risk of Folate Deficiency.
AB  - Folate deficiency is strongly associated with cardiovascular disease. We aimed to
      explore the joint effect of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T
      and A1298C, methionine synthase (MTR) A2756G, and methionine synthase reductase
      (MTRR) A66G polymorphisms on folate deficiency in a Chinese hypertensive
      population. A total of 480 subjects aged 28-75 were enrolled in this study from
      September 2005-December 2005 from six hospitals in different Chinese regions.
      Known genotypes were detected by PCR-RFLP methods and serum folate was measured
      by chemiluminescence immunoassay. Our results showed that MTHFR 677TT and MTR
      2756AG + GG were independently associated with a higher risk of folate deficiency
      (TT vs. CC + CT, p < 0.001 and AG + GG vs. AA p = 0.030, respectively). However,
      the MTHFR A1298C mutation may confer protection by elevating the serum folate
      level (p = 0.025). Furthermore, patients carrying two or more risk genotypes
      showed higher odds of folate deficiency than null risk genotype carriers,
      especially those carrying four risk genotypes. These findings were verified by
      generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction (p = 0.0107) and a cumulative
      effects model (p = 0.001). The results of this study have shown that interactions
      among homocysteine metabolism gene polymorphisms lead to dramatic elevations in
      the folate deficiency risk. 

PMID- 26266419
TI  - Development of the Intervention Materials for the HomeStyles Obesity Prevention
      Program for Parents of Preschoolers.
AB  - Home environment is key to the development of obesity-preventing behaviors during
      childhood, yet few resources help preschool parents address factors at home
      associated with obesity risk. This paper describes creation of materials for an
      in-home intervention (HomeStyles) with this population. An advisory group of
      stakeholders and target audience members determined salient factors affecting
      childhood obesity to address in-home and developed program materials. The Social
      Cognitive Theory, Faith's Core Behavior Change Strategies to Treat Childhood
      Obesity, Adult Learning Theory and motivational interviewing techniques guided
      development of 12 guides targeting strategies parents can use to shape the home
      environment. Interviews were conducted to determine effectiveness of the guides.
      Cognitive testing of guide design (n = 251) and content (n = 261) occurred in
      English and Spanish in New Jersey and Arizona with parents and home visitation
      staff who would present the guides. Interviews investigated perceptions of
      content usefulness and parent comprehension. Findings were also examined in light
      of theoretical underpinnings. Both home visitation staff and parents felt the
      guides were very readable and useful. Parents appreciated use of motivational
      interviewing techniques and Adult Learning Theory. Current research is testing
      these guides through an in-home, randomized control trial. 

PMID- 26266423
TI  - Treatment of Regional Metastatic Melanoma of Unknown Primary Origin.
AB  - (1) BACKGROUND: The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the
      recurrence and survival rates of metastatic melanoma of unknown primary origin
      (MUP), in order to further refine current recommendations for the surgical
      treatment; (2) METHODS: Medical data of all MUP patients registered between 2000
      and 2011, were analyzed. Seventy-eight patients were categorized in either lymph
      node (axilla, groin, head-and neck) or subcutaneous MUP. Axillary node MUPs were
      generally treated with dissections of levels I-III, inguinal node MUPs with
      combined superficial and deep groin dissections, and head-and-neck node MUPs with
      neck dissections to various extents, based on lymph drainage patterns.
      Subcutaneous lesions were excised with 1-2 cm margins. The primary outcome was
      treatment outcomes in terms of (loco)regional recurrence and survival rates; (3)
      RESULTS: Lymph node MUP recurred regionally in 11% of patients, with an overall
      recurrence rate of 45%. In contrast, subcutaneous MUP recurred locally in 65% of
      patients with an overall recurrence rate of 78%. This latter group had a
      significantly shorter disease-free interval than patients with lymph node MUP (p
      = 0.000). In the entire study population, 5-year and 10-year overall survival
      rates were 56% and 47% respectively, with no differences observed between the
      various subgroups; (4) CONCLUSION: The relatively low regional recurrence rate
      after regional lymph node dissection (11%) supports its current status as
      standard surgical treatment for lymph node MUP. Subcutaneous MUP, on the
      contrary, appears to recur both locally (65%) and overall (78%) at a
      significantly higher rate, suggesting a different biological behavior. However,
      wide local excision remains the best available option for this specific group. 

PMID- 26266422
TI  - Molecular Targeted Intervention for Pancreatic Cancer.
AB  - Pancreatic cancer (PC) remains one of the worst cancers, with almost uniform
      lethality. PC risk is associated with westernized diet, tobacco, alcohol,
      obesity, chronic pancreatitis, and family history of pancreatic cancer. New
      targeted agents and the use of various therapeutic combinations have yet to
      provide adequate treatments for patients with advanced cancer. To design better
      preventive and/or treatment strategies against PC, knowledge of PC pathogenesis
      at the molecular level is vital. With the advent of genetically modified animals,
      significant advances have been made in understanding the molecular biology and
      pathogenesis of PC. Currently, several clinical trials and preclinical
      evaluations are underway to investigate novel agents that target signaling
      defects in PC. An important consideration in evaluating novel drugs is
      determining whether an agent can reach the target in concentrations effective to
      treat the disease. Recently, we have reported evidence for chemoprevention of PC.
      Here, we provide a comprehensive review of current updates on molecularly
      targeted interventions, as well as dietary, phytochemical, immunoregulatory, and
      microenvironment-based approaches for the development of novel therapeutic and
      preventive regimens. Special attention is given to prevention and treatment in
      preclinical genetically engineered mouse studies and human clinical studies. 

PMID- 26266424
TI  - The Human Factors and Ergonomics of P300-Based Brain-Computer Interfaces.
AB  - Individuals with severe neuromuscular impairments face many challenges in
      communication and manipulation of the environment. Brain-computer interfaces
      (BCIs) show promise in presenting real-world applications that can provide such
      individuals with the means to interact with the world using only brain waves.
      Although there has been a growing body of research in recent years, much relates
      only to technology, and not to technology in use-i.e., real-world assistive
      technology employed by users. This review examined the literature to highlight
      studies that implicate the human factors and ergonomics (HFE) of P300-based BCIs.
      We assessed 21 studies on three topics to speak directly to improving the HFE of
      these systems: (1) alternative signal evocation methods within the oddball
      paradigm; (2) environmental interventions to improve user performance and
      satisfaction within the constraints of current BCI systems; and (3) measures and
      methods of measuring user acceptance. We found that HFE is central to the
      performance of P300-based BCI systems, although researchers do not often make
      explicit this connection. Incorporation of measures of user acceptance and
      rigorous usability evaluations, increased engagement of disabled users as test
      participants, and greater realism in testing will help progress the advancement
      of P300-based BCI systems in assistive applications. 

PMID- 26266426
TI  - Bio-Inspired Aquaporinz Containing Double-Skinned Forward Osmosis Membrane
      Synthesized through Layer-by-Layer Assembly.
AB  - We demonstrated a novel AquaporinZ (AqpZ)-incorporated double-skinned forward
      osmosis (FO) membrane by layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly strategy. Positively
      charged poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI) and negatively charged poly(sodium 4
      styrenesulfonate) (PSS) were alternately deposited on both the top and bottom
      surfaces of a hydrolyzed polyacrylonitrile (H-PAN) substrate. Subsequently, an
      AqpZ-embedded 1,2-dioleloyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC)/1,2-dioleoyl-3
      trimethylammonium- propane (chloride salt) (DOTAP) supported lipid bilayer (SLB)
      was formed on PSS-terminated (T-PSS) membrane via vesicle rupture method. The
      morphology and structure of the biomimetic membranes were characterized by in
      situ atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier
      transform infrared spectrometer using the attenuated total reflection technique
      (ATR-FTIR), and contact angle. Moreover, the FO performance of the resultant
      membrane was measured by using 2 M MgCl2 solution as draw solution and deionized
      (DI) water as feed solution, respectively. The membrane with a protein-to-lipid
      weight ratio (P/L) of 1/50 exhibits 13.2 L/m(2)h water flux and 3.2 g/m(2)h
      reversed flux by using FO mode, as well as 15.6 L/m(2)h water flux and 3.4
      L/m(2)h reversed flux for PRO mode (the draw solution is placed against the
      active layer). It was also shown that the SLB layer of the double-skinned FO
      membrane can increase the surface hydrophilicity and reduce the surface
      roughness, which leads to an improved anti-fouling performance against humic acid
      foulant. The current work introduced a new method of fabricating high performance
      biomimetic FO membrane by combining AqpZ and a double-skinned structure based on
      LbL assembly. 

PMID- 26266425
TI  - Can Stabilization and Inhibition of Aquaporins Contribute to Future Development
      of Biomimetic Membranes?
AB  - In recent years, the use of biomimetic membranes that incorporate membrane
      proteins, i.e., biomimetic-hybrid membranes, has increased almost exponentially.
      Key membrane proteins in these systems have been aquaporins, which selectively
      permeabilize cellular membranes to water. Aquaporins may be incorporated into
      synthetic lipid bilayers or to more stable structures made of block copolymers or
      solid-state nanopores. However, translocation of aquaporins to these alien
      environments has adverse consequences in terms of performance and stability.
      Aquaporins incorporated in biomimetic membranes for use in water purification and
      desalination should also withstand the harsh environment that may prevail in
      these conditions, such as high pressure, and presence of salt or other chemicals.
      In this respect, modified aquaporins that can be adapted to these new
      environments should be developed. Another challenge is that biomimetic membranes
      that incorporate high densities of aquaporin should be defect-free, and this can
      only be efficiently ascertained with the availability of completely inactive
      mutants that behave otherwise like the wild type aquaporin, or with effective non
      toxic water channel inhibitors that are so far inexistent. In this review, we
      describe approaches that can potentially be used to overcome these challenges. 

PMID- 26266427
TI  - Phase 3 Randomized Double-Masked Study of Efficacy and Safety of Once-Daily 0.77%
      Olopatadine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution in Subjects With Allergic
      Conjunctivitis Using the Conjunctival Allergen Challenge Model.
AB  - PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy and safety of a novel once-daily 0.77%
      olopatadine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution in subjects with allergic
      conjunctivitis (AC) using the conjunctival allergen challenge (CAC) model.
      METHODS: In this 5-week, multicenter, double-masked, phase 3, randomized trial,
      subjects aged >=18 years with a history of AC and a confirmed positive bilateral
      CAC response were randomized 2:2:2:1 to receive olopatadine 0.77%, olopatadine
      0.2%, olopatadine 0.1%, or vehicle, respectively, following a single topical dose
      in each eye. The primary objective was superiority of olopatadine 0.77% over all
      comparators on ocular itching according to a 0 to 4 scale (0 = none and 4 =
      incapacitating itch) at 24-hour duration of action and over vehicle only at the
      onset of action (3, 5, and 7 minutes after CAC for both). RESULTS: In total, 345
      subjects were randomized. Olopatadine 0.77% was superior to the vehicle at
      alleviating ocular itching at all post-CAC time points at the onset of action and
      at 24 hours (difference in means: -0.9 to -1.5; P < 0.0001). Superiority in
      relieving ocular itching was also demonstrated for olopatadine 0.77% versus
      olopatadine 0.2% and 0.1% at 24 hours (difference in means: -0.3 to -0.5; P <
      0.05). Additionally, olopatadine 0.77% significantly improved conjunctival
      redness and total redness compared with all comparators at the onset of action
      (differences in means: -0.3 to -0.6 and -0.8 to -2.0, respectively; both P <
      0.05). No safety concerns for olopatadine 0.77% were identified. CONCLUSIONS:
      Olopatadine 0.77% demonstrated a rapid onset and prolonged duration of action. It
      was superior to all comparators in alleviating AC-associated ocular itching with
      a favorable safety profile.Clinical Trial Registration-URL:
      http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01743027.

PMID- 26266428
TI  - Inhibition of Pathologic Corneal Neovascularization by Topical Application of a
      Novel Peptide In Vivo.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the antiangiogenic effect of topical application of H
      KI20, a novel 20-amino acid peptide from the hepatocyte growth factor, on 2
      animal models of corneal neovascularization (NV), and its possible toxic effects
      on the cornea and conjunctiva. METHODS: The antiangiogenic effect of topical H
      KI20 in vivo was studied on corneal NV induced by a mouse corneal micropocket
      assay and rat intrastromal suture model. In each model, H-KI20, scrambled control
      peptide H-KI20S, bevacizumab, and phosphate buffer solution (PBS) were applied
      topically 4 times a day. Corneal NV was examined, photographed, and analyzed.
      Histological analysis of the corneas was performed. Tear film breakup time and
      gross and histological examinations were used to study the possible toxicity of
      topical H-KI20. RESULTS: Topical application of H-KI20 significantly inhibited
      corneal NV induced by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and intrastromal
      suture (P < 0.01 vs. the PBS group), and the area of corneal NV was suppressed by
      80.3% and 83.6%, respectively (PBS group as 100%). No significant difference was
      found between 1.0 mg/mL H-KI20 and 10 mg/mL bevacizumab (P > 0.05). Both
      hematoxylin and eosin and CD34 staining revealed fewer new blood vessels in the H
      KI20 and bevacizumab groups. Tear film breakup time and histological examinations
      showed that H-KI20 had no obvious toxic effects on the cornea and conjunctiva in
      vivo. CONCLUSIONS: The novel peptide H-KI20 is an effective and safe inhibitor of
      corneal NV. It may provide a promising alternative for ocular topical
      antiangiogenic therapy.

PMID- 26266429
TI  - Comparison of Tear Meniscus Height Measurements Obtained With the Keratograph and
      Fourier Domain Optical Coherence Tomography in Dry Eye.
AB  - PURPOSE: To study the repeatability and reproducibility of tear meniscus height
      (TMH) measurements obtained with a keratograph and Fourier domain optical
      coherence tomography (FD-OCT) and to assess their agreement in patients with dry
      eye. METHODS: Sixty-four eyes with dry eye were analyzed by the Schirmer test,
      tear breakup time test, and fluorescein corneal staining. The TMH was measured 3
      times using both devices by 2 different examiners. The repeatability and
      reproducibility of measurements were assessed by within-subject standard
      deviation (Sw), repeatability (2.77 Sw), coefficient of variation (CoV), and
      intraclass correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The TMH measured with the
      keratograph and FD-OCT was 0.232 +/- 0.074 mm and 0.308 +/- 0.129 mm,
      respectively (P < 0.01). A close correlation was found between the TMH measured
      with the keratograph and FD-OCT (r = 0.343). There was a negative correlation
      between the mean TMH and differences in the TMH measured with the keratograph and
      FD-OCT (r = 0.359). Both measurements correlated with the Schirmer test score,
      tear breakup time, and corneal staining score with P < 0.01. Intraexaminer CoV,
      2.77 Sw, and intraclass correlation coefficient of the TMH were <6.5%, <0.059 mm,
      and >0.986, respectively, and interexaminer CoV and 2.77 Sw were 5.58% and 0.039
      mm, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Although the TMH measured with the keratograph
      tended to be lower than that measured with FD-OCT, the TMH measured with the
      keratograph closely correlated with the TMH measured with FD-OCT and conventional
      tests and had good repeatability and reliability.

PMID- 26266430
TI  - Contralateral Eye Comparison Between Femtosecond Small Incision Intrastromal
      Lenticule Extraction at Depths of 100 and 160 MUm.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare the visual results, higher-order aberrations, and corneal
      biomechanical properties of femtosecond small incision lenticule extraction
      (SMILE) at depths of 100 and 160 MUm. METHODS: A prospective comparative
      interventional clinical trial of a series of patients who underwent SMILE. In the
      right eye, a refractive lenticule was created at a depth of 100 MUm, and in the
      left eye, a depth of 160 MUm was used. Manifest refraction, uncorrected visual
      acuity, total high-order aberrations (THOA), and corneal biomechanical properties
      of both eyes were evaluated 1 month postoperatively. RESULTS: Thirty patients
      with bilaterally stable refractive errors were included in this study. One month
      postoperatively, mean corneal hysteresis was 9.71 +/- 0.68 in the right eyes and
      9.97 +/- 0.77 in the left eyes, whereas the mean corneal resistant factor was
      9.13 +/- 1.04 and 9.31 +/- 0.92 in the right and left eyes, respectively. Both
      corneal hysteresis and corneal resistant factor showed statistically
      significantly higher values in the left eyes (lenticule at a depth of 160 MUm).
      No statistically significant differences were found between the right and the
      left eyes regarding manifest refraction, uncorrected visual acuity, and THOA.
      CONCLUSIONS: Creating the refractive lenticule at a depth of 160 MUm in SMILE had
      less effect on the corneal biomechanics than did creating a lenticule at a depth
      of 100 MUm with no statistically significant differences in the refractive
      outcome and THOA between both groups.

PMID- 26266431
TI  - Management of Ocular Neuropathic Pain With Vitamin B12 Supplements: A Case
      Report.
AB  - PURPOSE: To report the case of a 28-year-old patient with persistent bilateral
      burning pain and foreign body sensation in both eyes for the past 1 year. The
      patient showed a poor response to 0.05% cyclosporine eye drops and frequent
      instillations of artificial tears. Ocular examination showed few superficial
      punctate epithelial defects, well-positioned laser in situ keratomileusis
      (performed 5 years ago with symptomless recovery) flaps, and clear interfaces
      bilaterally, with a tear film breakup time of 7 and 8 seconds in the right and
      left eyes, respectively. The results of Schirmer tests, confocal microscopy,
      corneal esthesiometry, and meibography were normal for both eyes. The patient was
      incidentally diagnosed with vitamin B12 deficiency, with a serum vitamin B12
      value of 90 pg/mL (reference range, 236-911 pg/mL), during routine laboratory
      tests. In view of weak correlation between signs and symptoms, a putative
      diagnosis of ocular neuropathic pain secondary to vitamin B12 deficiency was
      made. METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: The patient was treated with parenteral
      vitamin B12, and topical therapy was continued without any changes. The patient
      experienced dramatic improvement with a decrease in symptoms within 3 weeks of
      administering vitamin B12 supplements and was symptom-free in the absence of any
      topical medication 6 months after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin B12 deficiency,
      although common in India, has not been reported to be associated with ocular
      symptoms, including pain and mimicking those seen in severe dry eye. Vitamin B12
      deficiency should be considered in the differential diagnosis of ocular
      neuropathic pain and dry eye in patients presenting with recalcitrant ocular
      neuropathic pain.

PMID- 26266432
TI  - Fluctuations of Corneal Sensitivity in Dry Eye Syndromes--A Longitudinal Pilot
      Study.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to observe corneal sensitivity (CoS)
      longitudinally in patients with dry eye and to evaluate the correlation between
      CoS, severity, and the etiology of dry eye syndrome (DES). METHODS: In this
      prospective study, 46 patients with DES were examined on 4 occasions within 3
      months. CoS was measured by the Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer. Tear films were
      evaluated for lipid layer thickness, breakup time, fluorescein and lissamine
      green staining, and Schirmer test. Patients were classified into etiologic
      subgroups: hormonal, immunologic, toxic, neural, and environmental. For
      statistical statistics, Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used. RESULTS:
      Serial data curves of CoS demonstrated pronounced variability of values. CoS and
      SICCA scores were negatively correlated (r = -0.454, P = 0.007). The Schirmer
      test and CoS were positively correlated (r = 0.363, P = 0.013). The environmental
      group had the highest CoS values (5.5). There was no significant difference in
      CoS neither between nerve-induced and nonnerve-induced DES groups (P = 0.858) nor
      within the subgroups (P = 0.118). During 3 months, CoS increased in all patients
      (4.8-5.1). The DES severity was negatively correlated with CoS, indicating a
      reduction of neural function in severe DES. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed
      diminished CoS in severe dry eye although there was a high variability of CoS.
      This supports the hypothesis of different states of compensation as the disease
      continues and an association of CoS with different causes of dry eye. However, no
      statistical differences were found between etiological subgroups.

PMID- 26266433
TI  - Tenonplasty Combined With Free Oral Buccal Mucosa Autografts for Repair of
      Sclerocorneal Melt Caused by Chemical Burns.
AB  - PURPOSE: To describe a surgical technique for repair of an intractable
      sclerocorneal melt caused by a serious chemical burn. METHODS: This study
      includes a technique description and review of 3 representative cases. RESULTS:
      The combination of tenonplasty with a free oral buccal mucosa autograft was used
      in 3 patients with sclerocorneal melts caused by chemical burns. Promising
      results were found in each of them. The area of the sclerocorneal melt healed
      successfully after surgery, and the integrities of the eyeballs were salvaged.
      CONCLUSIONS: This technique provides a new method for surgical repair of an
      intractable sclerocorneal melt caused by a chemical burn.

PMID- 26266434
TI  - Corneal Cross-Linking for Brittle Cornea Syndrome.
AB  - PURPOSE: To describe corneal cross-linking (CXL) as a treatment option for
      brittle cornea syndrome (BCS). METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: Ethical decision
      making enabled bilateral sequential transepithelial CXL in an 11-year-old girl
      with BCS. Postoperative courses were uneventful with a bilateral stromal
      demarcation line, unchanged corneal transparency, constant endothelial cell
      density, and stable topography 2 years after intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Modified
      CXL can safely be performed in patients with BCS. Ethical review may be helpful
      for interventions deviating from standard practice.

PMID- 26266435
TI  - Herpes Simplex Virus Disease of the Anterior Segment in Children.
AB  - PURPOSE: To analyze the clinical presentation, characteristics, treatment,
      recurrences, and final outcomes and complications of herpes simplex virus (HSV)
      disease of the anterior segment in patients aged 17 years or younger. METHODS:
      This is an observational and retrospective study with review of the medical
      records of all the children diagnosed with herpes simplex infection of the
      anterior segment at an ophthalmologic referral center, from 2002 to 2012. The
      diagnosis was made on the basis of the history and examination of patients and in
      specific cases by viral culture and the polymerase chain reaction. Main outcome
      measurements included final visual acuity, bilateral disease, and recurrence.
      Recurrent disease was analyzed with Kaplan-Meier curves. RESULTS: A total of 103
      patients were included with a median age at presentation of 9 years. Of them, 6
      had bilateral and simultaneous disease. The median follow-up time was 18 months
      (range, 18 days-12 years). The most common clinical manifestations were
      epithelial dendritic keratitis in 42 eyes (38.5%) and interstitial keratitis in
      39 eyes (35.7%), with 15 patients presenting multiple forms of HSV disease. The
      median final visual acuity in the group of patients was 20/40. Recurrent disease
      was evident in 42 (38.5%) of the eyes, with a median recurrence time of 15 months
      (95% confidence interval, 8.1-26.2 months). CONCLUSIONS: In this study,
      epithelial dendritic and interstitial keratitis were the most frequent forms of
      disease in the pediatric population with HSV of the anterior segment. A high rate
      of recurrent disease was present.

PMID- 26266436
TI  - Transepithelial Versus Epithelium-Off Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking for
      Progressive Keratoconus: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare the safety and efficacy of transepithelial with epithelium
      off corneal cross-linking for progressive keratoconus. METHODS: In a prospective
      clinical trial, 70 patients with progressive keratoconus were randomized to
      undergo corneal cross-linking with intact epithelium (n = 34) or after
      deepithelialization (n = 36). The main outcome measure was a change in the
      maximum K reading (K(max)). RESULTS: With 3-year follow-up, K(max) decreased in
      the epithelium-off group with a mean of 2.4 D and no patient showed evidence of
      progression. In the transepithelial group, K(max) increased by a mean of 1.1 D,
      and 20 patients (55%) showed progression of keratoconus. CONCLUSIONS: In this
      study, epithelium-off was significantly more effective than transepithelial
      corneal cross-linking in halting the progression of keratoconus (P < 0.0001).

PMID- 26266437
TI  - Ocular Surface Epithelialization Pattern After Simple Limbal Epithelial
      Transplantation: An In Vivo Observational Study.
AB  - PURPOSE: To study the in vivo pattern of ocular surface epithelialization after
      simple limbal epithelial transplantation (SLET). METHODS: A retrospective
      interventional case series was performed at a cornea and anterior segment
      services of a referral tertiary care center between June 2012 and March 2015.
      Patients with unilateral limbal stem cell deficiency who underwent SLET and whose
      medical records had serial and detailed photographic documentation of ocular
      surface healing were reviewed. The outcome measures consisted of the pattern of
      ocular surface epithelialization, time taken for complete ocular surface
      epithelialization, and assessment of the possible variations in the explants'
      characteristics in vivo. RESULTS: Five patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria.
      Mean age was 30.8 years, the male:female ratio was 4:1. Mean follow-up after the
      SLET period was 10.8 months. A 2-line improvement in visual acuity was seen in 3
      of 5 patients. The mean number of explants was 11.4 (range, 5-19). The first
      clinical evidence of proliferation of the corneal epithelium from the limbal
      explants was seen on the second day in all patients, and ocular surface
      epithelialization was complete in all cases within 14 days. The explants
      disappeared within 1 to 2 months in all but 1 case (24 weeks). Variations were
      seen in explant activity with the size and age of the explants. CONCLUSIONS: The
      in vivo pattern of ocular surface epithelialization after SLET appears to be
      similar to in vitro epithelialization observed after CLET. The observations in
      this study provide a lead for performing further laboratory and clinical research
      in SLET.

PMID- 26266438
TI  - Corneal Transplantation in the Developing World: Lessons Learned and Meeting the
      Challenge.
AB  - PURPOSE: To describe the current state of corneal blindness (CB) and corneal
      transplantation in the developing world. METHODS: Information on corneal
      transplantation was obtained from published articles, direct communication with
      corneal specialists in developing countries, data sourced from eye banks in the
      United States and abroad, and personal experience. RESULTS: CB is the fourth
      leading cause of global blindness. Most of those with CB live in India and
      Africa. Many developing countries lack sustainable eye banks, and there is a
      shortage of corneal transplant surgeons. India has started programs to address
      both these issues, whereas Africa seems the least prepared. Brazil and the
      Philippines have also made significant progress in eye banking. In addition,
      studies indicate a role for the use of a keratoprosthesis in select settings.
      Several international organizations and academic centers have targeted these
      system-wide deficiencies. CONCLUSIONS: There are an unacceptable number of people
      with cornea blindness in the developing world. Programs have been initiated to
      address eye bank sustainability and to increase surgeon capacity. However, much
      more work and effort will be needed to improve the current statistics.

PMID- 26266439
TI  - Response to "Pachymetry-Guided Intrastromal Air Injection ("Pachy-Bubble") for
      Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty: Results of the First 110 Cases".

PMID- 26266440
TI  - Acute toxicity of binary-metal mixtures of copper, zinc, and nickel to Pimephales
      promelas: Evidence of more-than-additive effect.
AB  - Metal mixture toxicity has been studied for decades. However, the results are not
      consistent, and thus ecological risk assessment and regulation of mixtures has
      been difficult. The objective of the present study was to use a systematic
      experimental design to characterize the toxicity of binary-metal mixture of Cu,
      Zn, and Ni to Pimephales promelas, typically to determine whether the effect of
      these binary-metal mixtures on P. promelas is more-than-additive. Standard 96-h
      toxicity tests were conducted with larval P. promelas based on US Environmental
      and Protection Agency methods to determine metal mixture effects. All experiments
      were conducted in synthetic moderately hard water with no addition of dissolved
      organic matter. Three different effect analysis approaches, the MixTox model, the
      Finney model, and the toxic unit method, were used for comparison. The results
      indicate that the toxicity of Cu+Zn, Cu+Ni, and Zn+Ni mixtures to P. promelas was
      more-than-additive. Among the 3 mixtures, the effect of the Cu+Ni mixture was the
      most profound. The results of the present study are useful for applications to
      models such as the metal mixture biotic ligand model. More research should be
      conducted to determine the mechanisms of acute and chronic toxicity of metal
      mixtures.

PMID- 26266441
TI  - The NMC may be doing better, but it's still failing.

PMID- 26266442
TI  - The BJN Award: recognising the role of unpaid nurses.

PMID- 26266443
TI  - Safeguarding the welfare of children: what is the nurse's role?
AB  - Everyone who works with children, including teachers, GPs, other medical
      professionals and the police, has a responsibility to keep children safe and
      protect them from harm. Simply put, safeguarding children is everyone's
      responsibility. Children should be protected from maltreatment and any impairment
      that may affect their health and development. In addition, we all have to ensure
      that children grow up with safe and effective care. At particular risk, and
      therefore in particular need of safeguarding, are children who are disabled; who
      have educational or other specific additional needs; and who bear signs of child
      abuse, substance abuse, or domestic violence. Under the Children Act 1989, local
      authorities are required to provide services for children in need for the
      purposes of safeguarding and promoting their welfare. Nurses are well-placed to
      identify children and young people who may be at risk, and to act to safeguard
      them. Nurses and other health professionals should be familiar with local
      referral arrangements, usually to children's social care. 

PMID- 26266444
TI  - Impact of commissioning weight-loss surgery for bariatric patients.
AB  - Obesity is a major UK public health issue that is increasingly costly to an
      individual's personal health, the NHS and society. It requires an immediate
      intervention, as well as a long-term strategy to decrease the rising rates of
      obesity. NHS England (2013) has published a policy to commission bariatric
      surgery for carefully selected individuals according to National Institute for
      Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines (NICE, 2006). This has been shown to
      be a clinically and cost effective weight-loss treatment option (Picot et al,
      2009), but is invasive and expensive compared with non-surgical weight-loss
      programmes. In addition, there remains inequality in access to bariatric care
      services across England, thereby preventing potentially eligible patients from
      getting the treatment they need. Further clarity is required regarding the
      commissioning responsibilities across the four tiers of the obesity care
      services. This clarity would help to achieve a more 'joined-up' clinical pathway
      that is focused at a local level to improve access. However, there is criticism
      that too much funding is currently being invested in the provision of bariatric
      surgery when it could be better spent on national roll-out programmes for
      intensive lifestyle interventions that promote more sustainable weight loss
      across England.

PMID- 26266445
TI  - Learning to nurse: combining simulation with key theory.
AB  - Following a recent Nursing and Midwifery Council revalidation of a university
      undergraduate nursing programme, simulation skills sessions and anatomy and
      physiology theory were integrated into one unit (module). This was done in order
      to integrate the basis for patient assessment and care provision with the
      anatomical and physiological theory and thereby enhance student learning and
      nursing practice. Students evaluated the new unit well and valued the close link
      between theory and practice simulation. Improvements were seen in the simulation
      skills sessions as students were better able to apply their underlying theory to
      their actions. Learning was enhanced as both simulation and theory were seen as
      more meaningful to practice and patient care. 

PMID- 26266446
TI  - Making a connection: the key to humanised care.

PMID- 26266447
TI  - Being equipped to care for patients at risk of self-harm and suicide.

PMID- 26266448
TI  - Valuing the workforce: staff wellbeing and patient care.

PMID- 26266449
TI  - Mental health care beyond prison.

PMID- 26266450
TI  - The Care Quality Commission hospital inspection process.

PMID- 26266451
TI  - Looking to other countries for lessons learned.

PMID- 26266452
TI  - Legal regulation of the management of waste.
AB  - Healthcare providers such as hospitals and clinics have a duty of care under the
      Environmental Protection Act 1990 and its regulations to ensure that the waste
      they produce does not cause pollution or present a hazard to health. Nurses are
      well placed to ensure that the trust they work for discharge that duty. In this
      article, Richard Griffith outlines the legislation regulating the safe management
      and disposal of waste and considers how the law applies to nurses. 

PMID- 26266453
TI  - Relationships: from staff nurse to nurse consultant. Part 11: with yourself.

PMID- 26266454
TI  - Telling the truth--it's complicated.

PMID- 26266455
TI  - Single-molecule protein sequencing through fingerprinting: computational
      assessment.
AB  - Proteins are vital in all biological systems as they constitute the main
      structural and functional components of cells. Recent advances in mass
      spectrometry have brought the promise of complete proteomics by helping draft the
      human proteome. Yet, this commonly used protein sequencing technique has
      fundamental limitations in sensitivity. Here we propose a method for single
      molecule (SM) protein sequencing. A major challenge lies in the fact that
      proteins are composed of 20 different amino acids, which demands 20 molecular
      reporters. We computationally demonstrate that it suffices to measure only two
      types of amino acids to identify proteins and suggest an experimental scheme
      using SM fluorescence. When achieved, this highly sensitive approach will result
      in a paradigm shift in proteomics, with major impact in the biological and
      medical sciences. 

PMID- 26266456
TI  - Molecular dynamics study of interfacial thermal transport between silicene and
      substrates.
AB  - In this work, the interfacial thermal transport across silicene and various
      substrates, i.e., crystalline silicon (c-Si), amorphous silicon (a-Si),
      crystalline silica (c-SiO2) and amorphous silica (a-SiO2) are explored by
      classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. A transient pulsed heating
      technique is applied in this work to characterize the interfacial thermal
      resistance in all hybrid systems. It is reported that the interfacial thermal
      resistances between silicene and all substrates decrease nearly 40% with
      temperature from 100 K to 400 K, which is due to the enhanced phonon couplings
      from the anharmonicity effect. Analysis of phonon power spectra of all systems is
      performed to interpret simulation results. Contradictory to the traditional
      thought that amorphous structures tend to have poor thermal transport
      capabilities due to the disordered atomic configurations, it is calculated that
      amorphous silicon and silica substrates facilitate the interfacial thermal
      transport compared with their crystalline structures. Besides, the coupling
      effect from substrates can improve the interface thermal transport up to 43.5%
      for coupling strengths chi from 1.0 to 2.0. Our results provide fundamental
      knowledge and rational guidelines for the design and development of the next
      generation silicene-based nanoelectronics and thermal interface materials. 

PMID- 26266457
TI  - Oxidative stress, antioxidants and periodontal disease.

PMID- 26266458
TI  - Surfactants as Promising Media for the Preparation of Crystalline Inorganic
      Materials.
AB  - Given that surfactants can control the shape and size of micro-/nanoparticles,
      they should be able to direct the growth of bulk crystals. This Minireview
      summarizes recent developments in the application of surfactants for the
      preparation of new crystalline inorganic materials, including chalcogenides,
      metal-organic frameworks, and zeolite analogues. The roles of surfactants in
      different reaction systems are discussed. 

PMID- 26266459
TI  - Treatment strategies for severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT) (<0.1
      million/mL) patients.
AB  - Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) using spermatozoa from patients with
      severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermia is still a challenge. Although spermatozoa
      are available, lower fertilisation rates as well as compromised pregnancy rates
      are observed after ICSI. We aimed at identifying respective parameters in the pre
      values of ejaculate samples used for couple counselling. The clinical pre-values
      of 121 patients and their corresponding 228 ICSI cycles performed between 2002
      and 2010 were retrospectively analysed. Patients were divided into three groups:
      (i) group 1 (G1, n = 51) where all patients showed at least once <0.1 million/mL
      and ICSI was performed using ejaculate alone; (ii) group 2 (G2, n = 14) patients
      had once <0.1 Mill/mL or azoospermia and a testicular biopsy before start of
      ICSI; (iii) group 3 (G3, n = 56) patients were azoospermic and directed
      immediately to testicular sperm extraction (TESE). The pre-values of G2 differed
      significantly from G1 in terms of volume and motility. Lutenizing hormone (LH)
      and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) values were equal in G1 and G2, but showed
      significant differences in comparison to G3. Testis volume was significantly
      higher in G3. In the corresponding ICSI cycles, the percentage of cancelled
      embryo transfers was highest in G3. We did not find any correlations of hormonal
      markers or sperm pre-values with the success rates of ICSI. In our patient
      cohort, spermatozoa retrieved either from ejaculate or testicular biopsies have
      nearly identical chances in achieving pregnancies. Patients in need of TESE
      before ICSI have significantly lower sperm counts. However, it is not possible to
      calculate threshold values as indicator for TESE. 

PMID- 26266460
TI  - Good Neighbors: Shared Challenges and Solutions Toward Increasing Value at
      Academic Medical Centers and Universities.
AB  - Academic medical centers (AMCs) and universities are experiencing increasing
      pressure to enhance the value they offer at the same time that they are facing
      challenges related to outcomes, controlling costs, new competition, and
      government mandates. Yet, rarely do the leaders of these academic neighbors work
      cooperatively to enhance value. In this Perspective the author, a former
      university regional campus president with duties in an AMC as an academic
      physician, shares his insights into the shared challenges these academic
      neighbors face in improving the value of their services in complex environments.
      He describes the successes some AMCs have had in generating revenues from new
      clinical programs that reduce the overall cost of care for larger populations. He
      also describes how several universities have taken a comprehensive approach to
      reduce overhead and administrative costs. The author identifies six themes
      related to successful value improvement efforts and provides examples of
      successful strategies used by AMCs and their university neighbors to improve the
      overall value of their programs. He concludes by encouraging leaders of AMCs and
      universities to share information about their successes in value improvements
      with each other, to seek additional joint value enhancement efforts, and to
      market their value improvements to the public. 

PMID- 26266462
TI  - Making Value-Based Payment Work for Academic Health Centers.
AB  - Under fee-for-service payment systems, physicians and hospitals can be
      financially harmed by delivering higher-quality, more efficient care. The author
      describes how current "value-based purchasing" initiatives fail to address the
      underlying problems in fee-for-service payment and can be particularly
      problematic for academic health centers (AHCs). Bundled payments, warranties, and
      condition-based payments can correct the problems with fee-for-service payments
      and enable physicians and hospitals to redesign care delivery without causing
      financial problems for themselves. However, the author explains several specific
      actions that are needed to ensure that payment reforms can be a "win-win-win" for
      patients, purchasers, and AHCs: (1) disconnecting funding for teaching and
      research from payment for service delivery, (2) providing predictable payment for
      essential hospital services, (3) improving the quality and efficiency of care at
      AHCs, and (4) supporting collaborative relationships between AHCs and community
      providers by allowing each to focus on their unique strengths and by paying AHC
      specialists to assist community providers in diagnosis and treatment. With
      appropriate payment reforms and a commitment by AHCs to redesign care delivery,
      medical education, and research, AHCs could provide the leadership needed to
      improve care for patients, lower costs for health care purchasers, and maintain
      the financial viability of both AHCs and community providers. 

PMID- 26266461
TI  - The Creation of Standard-Setting Videos to Support Faculty Observations of
      Learner Performance and Entrustment Decisions.
AB  - Entrustable professional activities (EPAs) provide a framework to standardize
      medical education outcomes and advance competency-based assessment. Direct
      observation of performance plays a central role in entrustment decisions;
      however, data obtained from these observations are often insufficient to draw
      valid high-stakes conclusions. One approach to enhancing the reliability and
      validity of these assessments is to create videos that establish performance
      standards to train faculty observers. Little is known about how to create videos
      that can serve as standards for assessment of EPAs.The authors report their
      experience developing videos that represent five levels of performance for an EPA
      for patient handoffs. The authors describe a process that begins with mapping the
      EPA to the critical competencies needed to make an entrustment decision. Each
      competency is then defined by five milestones (behavioral descriptors of
      performance at five advancing levels). Integration of the milestones at each
      level across competencies enabled the creation of clinical vignettes that were
      converted into video scripts and ultimately videos. Each video represented a
      performance standard from novice to expert. The process included multiple
      assessments by experts to guide iterative improvements, provide evidence of
      content validity, and ensure that the authors successfully translated behavioral
      descriptions and vignettes into videos that represented the intended performance
      level for a learner. The steps outlined are generalizable to other EPAs, serving
      as a guide for others to develop videos to train faculty. This process provides
      the level of content validity evidence necessary to support using videos as
      standards for high-stakes entrustment decisions. 

PMID- 26266463
TI  - Interweaving Curriculum Committees: A New Structure to Facilitate Oversight and
      Sustain Innovation.
AB  - Undergraduate medical education curricula have increased in complexity over the
      past 25 years; however, the structures for administrative oversight of those
      curricula remain static. Although expectations for central oversight of medical
      school curricula have increased, individual academic departments often expect to
      exert control over the faculty and courses that are supported by the department.
      The structure of a governance committee in any organization can aid or inhibit
      that organization's functioning. In 2013, following a major curriculum change in
      2007, the Emory University School of Medicine (EUSOM) implemented an "interwoven"
      configuration for its curriculum committee to better oversee the integrated
      curriculum. The new curriculum committee structure involves a small executive
      committee and 10 subcommittees. Each subcommittee performs a specific task or
      oversees one element of the curriculum. Members, including students, are
      appointed to two subcommittees in a way that each subcommittee is composed of
      representatives from multiple other subcommittees. This interweaving facilitates
      communication between subcommittees and also encourages members to become experts
      in specific tasks while retaining a comprehensive perspective on student
      outcomes. EUSOM's previous structure of a single committee with members
      representing individual departments did not promote cohesive management. The
      interwoven structure aligns neatly with the goals of the integrated curriculum.
      Since the restructuring, subcommittee members have been engaged in discussions
      and decisions on many key issues and expressed satisfaction with the format. The
      new structure corresponds to EUSOM's educational goals, although the long-term
      impact on student outcomes still needs to be assessed.

PMID- 26266464
TI  - The Merits and Challenges of Three-Year Medical School Curricula: Time for an
      Evidence-Based Discussion.
AB  - The debate about three-year medical school curricula has resurfaced recently,
      driven by rising education debt burden and a predicted physician shortage. In
      this Perspective, the authors call for an evidence-based discussion of the merits
      and challenges of three-year curricula. They examine published evidence that
      suggests that three-year curricula are viable, including studies on three-year
      curricula in (1) U.S. medical schools in the 1970s and 1980s, (2) two Canadian
      medical schools with more than four decades of experience with such curricula,
      and (3) accelerated family medicine and internal medicine programs. They also
      briefly describe the new three-year programs that are being implemented at eight
      U.S. medical schools, including their own. Finally, they offer suggestions
      regarding how to enhance the discussion between the proponents of and those with
      concerns about three-year curricula. 

PMID- 26266465
TI  - Pharmaceutical Role Expansion and Developments in Pharmacist-Physician
      Communication.
AB  - Expanded clinical pharmacist professional roles in the team-based patient
      centered medical home (PCMH) primary care environment require cooperative and
      collaborative relationships among pharmacists and primary care physicians (PCPs),
      but many PCPs have not previously worked in such a direct fashion with
      pharmacists. Additional roles, including formulary control, add further elements
      of complexity to the clinical pharmacist-PCP relationship that are not well
      described. Our objective was to characterize the nature of clinical pharmacist
      PCP interprofessional collaboration across seven federally funded hospitals and
      associated primary care clinics, following pharmacist placement in primary care
      clinics and incorporation of expanded pharmacist roles. In-depth and
      semistructured interviews were conducted with 25 practicing clinical pharmacists
      and 17 PCPs. Qualitative thematic analysis revealed three major themes: (1) the
      complexities of electronic communication (particularly electronic nonformulary
      requests) as contributing to interprofessional tensions or misunderstandings for
      both groups, (2) the navigation of new roles and traditional hierarchy, with
      pharmacists using indirect communication to prevent PCP defensiveness to
      recommendations, and (3) a preference for onsite colocation for enhanced
      communication and professional relationships. Clinical pharmacists' indirect
      communication practices may hold important implications for patient safety in the
      context of medication use, and it is important to foster effective communication
      skills and an environment where all team members across hierarchies can feel
      comfortable speaking up to reduce error when problems are suspected. Also, the
      lack of institutional communication about managing drug formulary issues and
      related electronic nonformulary request processes was apparent in this study and
      merits further attention for both researchers and practitioners. 

PMID- 26266466
TI  - Maternal Psychological Control, Use of Supportive Parenting, and Childhood
      Depressive Symptoms.
AB  - The current study, operating from a stress-process framework, examined the
      interactive effects of supportive parenting practices (i.e., mothers' use of
      positive communication, positive parenting, and parental involvement) and
      maternal psychological control on mother- and child-reported child depressive
      symptoms in a community-recruited sample of 9-12 year-olds. Discrepancies between
      reports of depressive symptoms were also examined. Maternal psychological control
      was uniquely associated with child-, not mother-, reported depressive symptoms.
      Parental involvement was uniquely associated with mother-, not child-, reported
      depressive symptoms. Positive parent-child communication was associated with both
      reports of child depressive symptoms at the bivariate level, but not when unique
      associations were examined. Positive parenting was unrelated to either report of
      depressive symptoms. No interaction effects were detected. The current findings
      highlight the differential importance of parenting practices on child depressive
      symptoms, and also indicate the necessity of gathering both parent and child
      reports of symptomatology and family functioning. 

PMID- 26266467
TI  - The Association Between Socioeconomic Disadvantage and Attention
      Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A Systematic Review.
AB  - This systematic review examines associations between parental socioeconomic
      disadvantage and childhood attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
      Socioeconomic status (SES) was measured by parental income, education, occupation
      and marital status. Results were mixed by measure of SES with no one aspect being
      differentially related to ADHD. 42 studies were included in the review, of which
      35 found a significant univariate association between socioeconomic disadvantage
      and ADHD. Meta-analyses of dimensions of SES and their association with ADHD
      indicate that children in families of low SES are on average 1.85-2.21 more
      likely to have ADHD than their peers in high SES families. In spite of
      substantial between-study heterogeneity, there is evidence for an association
      between socioeconomic disadvantage and risk of ADHD measured in different ways.
      This is likely mediated by factors linked to low SES such as parental mental
      health and maternal smoking during pregnancy.

PMID- 26266468
TI  - Ilizarov bone transport as a treatment of congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia:
      a long-term follow-up study.
AB  - PURPOSE: Most studies on congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia (CPT) report on
      the short-term union rate and refracture rate but do not take into account the
      long-term outcome. This review includes patients treated with an Ilizarov bone
      transport, who all reached skeletal maturity. It describes long-term results and
      highlights any prognostic factors that could predict the final outcome. METHODS:
      The records of patients with CPT treated with an Ilizarov bone transport in our
      institution were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 12 consecutive
      patients were studied. The mean follow-up was 24.5 years (range 6-39 years).
      Primary consolidation was seen in ten patients (83 %). Half of these patients had
      a refracture. At final follow-up, eight patients experienced union and four
      remained un-united, of whom one had an amputation. CONCLUSIONS: The present data
      confirm a good primary healing rate. However, tibial union at final follow-up was
      only seen in 67 %, indicating that refracture is the main issue. United bone is
      often of inferior biological and mechanical quality, so lifetime protection with
      intramedullary devices, braces or a combination of both is recommended.

PMID- 26266469
TI  - Two-photon absorption properties and (1)O2 generation ability of Ir complexes: an
      unexpected large cross section of [Ir(CO)2Cl(4-(para-di-n
      butylaminostyryl)pyridine)].
AB  - The new complexes cis-[Ir(CO)2Cl(4-(para-di-n-butylaminostyryl)pyridine)] () and
      [Ir(cyclometallated-2-phenylpyridine)2(4,4'-(para-di-n-butylaminostyryl)-2,2'
      bipyridine)][PF6] () were synthesized and fully characterized along with the
      known complex Ir(cyclometallated-2-phenylpyridine)2(5-Me-1,10
      phenanthroline)][PF6] (). Remarkably, complex , with an Ir(i) centre, displays
      fluorescence - as opposed to the phosphorescence typical of many Ir(iii)
      complexes - with a modestly high quantum yield in solution, opening a new route
      for the design of iridium-based emitters which should not be limited to the +3
      oxidation state. It is also characterized by an unexpectedly large two-photon
      absorption (TPA) cross section, an order of magnitude higher than that previously
      reported for Ir(iii) or Pt(ii) complexes. The great potential of cyclometallated
      Ir(iii) complexes for photodynamic therapy was confirmed, with and showing a good
      singlet oxygen generation ability, coupled with a modest TPA activity for . 

PMID- 26266470
TI  - Disseminated Cutaneous Cytomegalovirus Infection Following Total Body Electron
      Beam Irradiation for Mycosis Fungoides.

PMID- 26266471
TI  - [Education and continuing education - modern media for teaching and continuing
      education in surgery].

PMID- 26266472
TI  - [Hand amputation - what is loss of a hand worth?].

PMID- 26266473
TI  - [Inguinal Hernia Repair According to Desarda - Implementation of a Mesh-Free
      Method in a German University Hospital].
AB  - Inguinal hernia repair shows a clear tendency towards mesh-based as well as
      laparoscopic approaches. This is widely reflected in data-based statistics and
      guidelines. In contrast we have initiated and hereby illustrate the surgical
      method according to Desarda using autologous fascia to repair inguinal hernia. 

PMID- 26266474
TI  - [Editorial].

PMID- 26266475
TI  - [Economic Analysis of Treatment Courses for Patients Over the Age of 80 Years at
      a Surgical Maximum Care Centre].
AB  - BACKGROUND: The demographic change in Germany with an aging population and the
      resulting necessity of adequate surgical care for older patients was lately
      discussed with concern. One major aspect is the estimated higher treatment costs
      in the care of the elderly. MATERIALS AND METHODS: InEK data from all cases of
      patients over the age of 80, who were treated and discharged from 2008 to 2012 as
      inpatients at the Department of General, Visceral, Vascular and Thoracic Surgery
      at the Charite - Universitatsmedizin Berlin, Campus Mitte, were analysed. Of a
      total of 13,612 patients 626 patients were over the age of 80. Their lengths of
      stay, mode of discharge and discharge management as well as costs and
      reimbursements according to the relevant diagnosis-related groups were analysed.
      RESULTS: Cases of elderly patients amounted to a stable 5 % of all cases from
      2008 until 2012. Their mean length of stay was 14 (median, 9), range, 1-129 days.
      80 % of patients could be regularly discharged, 9 % died, 8 % were transferred to
      another hospital, 2 % discharged into a nursing home and 1 % into a
      rehabilitation centre. The elderly patients had a patient clinical complexity
      level of mean 2.84. Costs per day amounted to a mean 778 (median: 627) ?, range:
      306-7740 ?, total costs to 10,686 (median: 5140) ?, range: 368-186,059 ?. The
      mean deficit was 491 (median: 176) ? per patient, range: - 30,470-75,144 ?. The
      discharge management was significantly different in comparison to patients under
      the age of 80 with respect to avoidance of discharge at the weekend. CONCLUSION:
      Patients over the age of 80 are a relevant group in surgery. They have an
      increased perioperative risk, but patients should not be denied surgery solely
      because of their age. The perioperative management of the elderly has to be of
      maximum standardised quality. From an economic perspective it can be stated that
      elderly patients currently pose no exceptional financial risk to a surgical
      department, but contribute relevantly to the turnover, whereby special attention
      has to be paid to an early structured discharge management.

PMID- 26266476
TI  - Median lethal concentration of formaldehyde and its genotoxic potential in
      bullfrog tadpoles (Lithobates catesbeianus).
AB  - In order to avoid that contaminated frog farms animals escaping in the
      environment and become potential vector of emergent diseases, studies with
      disinfection protocol are strictly necessary. The formaldehyde is one of the
      compounds tested in fungal disinfection protocols and also used in aquaculture.
      This study aimed to determine the median lethal concentration (LC50-96h) of
      formaldehyde in bullfrog tadpoles and to evaluate the possible genotoxic effects
      in acute exposition. Accordingly, the animals were exposed to formaldehyde in the
      concentrations of 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18 mg L(-1), and after 96 h blood samples
      were drawn for the micronucleus (MN) test. The LC50-96h was 10.53 mg L(-1), and
      the MN frequency increased in proportion to the formaldehyde concentrations, with
      an estimated frequency in the negative control being 1.35 MN/individual. We
      concluded that formaldehyde is genotoxic to tadpoles of bullfrogs in the tested
      concentrations, and the choice of this chemical should be contemplated before its
      use in animals in captivity.

PMID- 26266477
TI  - The Moderating Role of English Proficiency in the Association Between Immigrant
      Chinese Mothers' Authoritative Parenting and Children's Outcomes.
AB  - The authors' objective was to investigate the association between Chinese
      immigrant mothers' authoritative parenting and their children's socioemotional
      and behavioral difficulties. Participants were 136 first-generation Chinese
      immigrant mothers with 3-5-year-old children residing in the United States.
      Authoritative parenting was associated with lower socioemotional and behavioral
      difficulties in children as reported by preschool teachers. Further moderation
      analyses revealed that immigrant mothers' English proficiency moderated the
      association between authoritative parenting and children's difficulties.
      Specifically, authoritative parenting was significantly associated with fewer
      total difficulties only for children with mothers who reported higher English
      proficiency. 

PMID- 26266478
TI  - Ethical principles and standards for the conduct of biomedical research and
      publication.

PMID- 26266479
TI  - Obstructive sleep apnoea and dementia: is there a link?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Obstructive sleep apnoea is a common sleep disturbance in people of
      all ages, while dementia is an increasing entity among the ageing population of
      the world. Recent studies have established a link between sleep apnoea and
      cognitive decline. This literature review explores this relationship and examines
      the mechanisms, neurobiology and treatment modalities. DESIGN: The study was
      conducted with the use of narrative literature overview. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS:
      While there are numerous studies that establish a clear relationship between
      obstructive sleep apnoea, cognitive decline and dementia, more work is needed in
      understanding the mechanism and processes involved. A detailed understanding of
      pathophysiology of sleep and the relationship with cognitive decline will be
      vital in addressing the possibility of averting a likely reversible cause of
      dementia or cognitive decline.

PMID- 26266480
TI  - Effective Bone Regeneration Using Thermosensitive Poly(N-Isopropylacrylamide)
      Grafted Gelatin as Injectable Carrier for Bone Mesenchymal Stem Cells.
AB  - In this study, thermosensitive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) was grafted
      onto gelatin via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The chemical
      structure of PNIPAAm-grafted gelatin (Gel-PNIPAAm) was confirmed by XPS, ATR-IR,
      and (1)H NMR characterizations. Gel-PNIPAAm aqueous solution exhibited sol-to-gel
      transformation at physiological temperature, and was studied as injectable
      hydrogel for bone defect regeneration in a cranial model. The hydrogel was
      biocompatible and demonstrated the ability to enhance bone regeneration in
      comparison with the untreated group (control). With the incorporation of rat bone
      mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) into the hydrogel, the bone regeneration rate was
      further significantly enhanced. As indicated by micro-CT, histological (H&E and
      Masson) and immunohistochemical (osteocalcin and osteopontin) staining, newly
      formed woven bone tissue was clearly detected at 12 weeks postimplantation in the
      hydrogel/BMSCs treated group, showing indistinguishable boundary with surrounding
      host bone tissues. The results suggested that the thermosensitive Gel-PNIPAAm
      hydrogel was an excellent injectable delivery vehicle of BMSCs for in vivo bone
      defect regeneration. 

PMID- 26266481
TI  - Forecasting methodologies for Ganoderma spore concentration using combined
      statistical approaches and model evaluations.
AB  - High concentration levels of Ganoderma spp. spores were observed in Worcester,
      UK, during 2006-2010. These basidiospores are known to cause sensitization due to
      the allergen content and their small dimensions. This enables them to penetrate
      the lower part of the respiratory tract in humans. Establishment of a link
      between occurring symptoms of sensitization to Ganoderma spp. and other
      basidiospores is challenging due to lack of information regarding spore
      concentration in the air. Hence, aerobiological monitoring should be conducted,
      and if possible extended with the construction of forecast models. Daily mean
      concentration of allergenic Ganoderma spp. spores in the atmosphere of Worcester
      was measured using 7-day volumetric spore sampler through five consecutive years.
      The relationships between the presence of spores in the air and the weather
      parameters were examined. Forecast models were constructed for Ganoderma spp.
      spores using advanced statistical techniques, i.e. multivariate regression trees
      and artificial neural networks. Dew point temperature along with maximum
      temperature was the most important factor influencing the presence of spores in
      the air of Worcester. Based on these two major factors and several others of
      lesser importance, thresholds for certain levels of fungal spore concentration,
      i.e. low (0-49 s m(-3)), moderate (50-99 s m(-3)), high (100-149 s m(-3)) and
      very high (150 < n s m(-3)), could be designated. Despite some deviation in
      results obtained by artificial neural networks, authors have achieved a
      forecasting model, which was accurate (correlation between observed and predicted
      values varied from r s = 0.57 to r s = 0.68).

PMID- 26266482
TI  - Effect of passive heat stress on arterial stiffness in smokers versus non
      smokers.
AB  - In non-smokers, passive heat stress increases shear stress and vasodilation,
      decreasing arterial stiffness. Smokers, who reportedly have arterial dysfunction,
      may have similar improvements in arterial stiffness with passive heat stress.
      Therefore, we examined the effects of an acute bout of whole-body passive heat
      stress on arterial stiffness in smokers vs. non-smokers. Thirteen smokers (8.8 +/
      5.5 [median = 6] cigarettes per day for > 4 years) and 13 non-smokers matched
      for age, mass, height, and exercise habits (27 +/- 8 years; 78.8 +/- 15.4 kg;
      177.6 +/- 6.7 cm) were passively heated to 1.5  degrees C core temperature (T C)
      increase. At baseline and each 0.5  degrees C T C increase, peripheral (pPWV) and
      central pulse wave velocity (cPWV) were measured via Doppler ultrasound. No
      differences existed between smokers and non-smokers for any variables (all p > 
      .05), except cPWV slightly increased from baseline (526.7 +/- 81.7 cm . s(-1)) to
      1.5  degrees C DeltaT C (579.7 +/- 69.8 cm . s(-1); p < 0.005), suggesting heat
      stress acutely increased central arterial stiffness. pPWV did not change with
      heating (grand mean: baseline = 691.9 +/- 92.9 cm . s(-1); 1.5  degrees C DeltaT
      C = 691.9 +/- 79.5 cm . s(-1); p > 0.05). Changes in cPWV and pPWV during heating
      correlated (p < 0.05) with baseline PWV in smokers (cPWV: r = -0.59; pPWV: r = 
      0.62) and non-smokers (cPWV: r = -0.45; pPWV: r = -0.77). Independent of smoking
      status, baseline stiffness appears to mediate the magnitude of heating-induced
      changes in arterial stiffness.

PMID- 26266483
TI  - Relationships of self-identified cold tolerance and cold-induced vasodilatation
      in the finger.
AB  - This study was conducted to investigate relationships of self-identified cold
      tolerance and cold-induced vasodilatation (CIVD) in the finger. Nine males and 34
      females participated in the following 2 tests: a CIVD test and a self-reported
      survey. The CIVD test was conducted 30-min cold-water immersion (3.8 +/- 0.3 
      degrees C) of the middle finger at an air temperature of 27.9 +/- 0.1  degrees C.
      The self-reported questionnaire consisted of 28 questions about whole and local
      body cold and heat tolerances. By a cluster analysis on the survey results, the
      participants were divided into two groups: high self-identified cold tolerance
      (HSCT, n = 25) and low self-identified cold tolerance (LSCT, n = 18). LSCT had
      lower self-identified cold tolerance (P < 0.001), preferred hot thermal
      stimulation (P = 0.006), and wore heavier clothing during daily life (P < 0.001)
      than HSCT. LSCT had significantly lower maximal finger temperatures (T max) (P =
      0.040), smaller amplitude (P = 0.029), and delayed onset time of CIVD (P = 0.080)
      when compared to HSCT. Some questions examining the self-identified cold or heat
      tolerance had relationships with cold tolerance index, T max, and amplitude (P <
      0.1). These results indicate that self-identified cold tolerance classified
      through a standardized survey could be a good index to predict physiological cold
      tolerance.

PMID- 26266484
TI  - Ethnic and geographic variations in HPV prevalence and genotype distribution in
      north-western Yunnan, China.
AB  - The prevalence and genotype distribution of human papillomavirus (HPV) vary
      throughout the world. To assess the prevalence and genotype distribution of HPV
      among three ethnic groups in two geographic locations in north-western Yunnan, we
      recruited 522 women in Shangri-le (n = 255) and Lijiang (n = 267). PCR
      amplification of HPV DNA was performed on cervical cells from these women using
      two consensus primer systems (MY09/11 and GP5/6). Amplified-HPV DNA was genotyped
      using the HPV GenoArray test. Geographically, the HPV prevalence was
      significantly higher (P = 0.002) among Shangri-le women than among Lijiang women.
      Infections with high-risk (HR)-HPV and with multiple HPV genotypes were also
      significantly more common (P = 0.001) among women in Shangri-le than women in
      Lijiang. Additionally, the prevalence of overall, HR-HPV, and single genotype HPV
      infections was significantly higher (P = 0.001) among Tibetan women than among
      Naxi and Han women. HPV-16 and HPV-33 were significantly more frequent in Shangri
      le women compared with Lijiang (P = 0.006) women. In addition, HPV-16 (9.81%) and
      HPV-33 (5.88%) were significantly more prevalent in Tibetan women than in Naxi
      and Han women. Here, for the first time, we highlight the significant variation
      in the prevalence and genotype distribution of HPV in various populations in the
      north-western region of Yunnan Province.

PMID- 26266485
TI  - A pigmented skin lesion on the back.

PMID- 26266486
TI  - Expression of Cocaine and Amphetamine Regulated Transcript (CART) in the Porcine
      Intramural Neurons of Stomach in the Course of Experimentally Induced Diabetes
      Mellitus.
AB  - In the present study, the effect of streptozotocin-induced diabetes on the
      cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript-like immunoreactive (CART-LI)
      enteric nervous structures was investigated within the porcine stomach. To induce
      diabetes, the pigs were administered intravenously streptozotocin at a dose of
      150 mg/kg of body weight. A significant decrease of the number of CART-LI
      perikarya was observed in the myenteric plexus of the gastric antrum, corpus, and
      pylorus in the experimental group. In contrast, submucous plexus was devoid of
      CART-positive neuronal cells both in control and experimental animals. In the
      control group, the highest densities of CART-LI nerve fibers were observed in the
      circular muscle layer of antrum and slightly less nerve fibers were present in
      the muscle layer of corpus and pylorus. In turn, submucous layer of all studied
      stomach regions revealed relatively smaller number of CART-positive nerve fibers.
      Diabetes caused statistically significant decrease in the expression of CART-LI
      nerve fibers only in the antrum circular muscle layer. Also, no changes in the
      CART-like immunoreactivity in the intraganglionic nerve fibers were observed. The
      obtained results suggest that acute hyperglycemia produced significant reduction
      of the CART expression in enteric perikarya throughout entire stomach as well as
      decrease of density the CART-LI fibers in circular muscle layer of the antrum.
      Additionally, we suggest that CART might be involved in the regulation of stomach
      function especially in the gastric motility.

PMID- 26266487
TI  - The Interplay of Akt and ERK in Abeta Toxicity and Insulin-Mediated Protection in
      Primary Hippocampal Cell Culture.
AB  - It is not known if insulin prevents Abeta-induced cell death, MAPK, and Akt
      activity in isolated hippocampal cell culture. This study was aimed to explore
      the effect of insulin on Abeta-induced cell death and ERK and Akt signaling
      alteration in isolated hippocampal cell culture. Additionally, it was desirable
      to assess if there is any interaction between these two pathways. The hippocampal
      cells were derived from fetuses at the embryonic day 18-19. The cells were
      treated with different drugs, and MTT assay, morphological assessments, and
      Western blot were done. Insulin prevented Abeta-induced cell death and caspase-3
      cleavage. Abeta-induced toxicity was aligned with decrement of the phosphorylated
      Akt (pAkt) which was prevented by insulin. The PI3 kinase inhibitor, LY294002,
      decreased pAkt and abolished the protective effect of insulin. Abeta exposure
      increased phosphorylated ERK (pERK) in parallel with cell death and apoptosis.
      Insulin-inhibited ERK activation (phosphorylation) induced by Abeta and PD98059
      (as ERK inhibitor) did not affect the protective effect of insulin. One of the
      interesting finding of this study was the interplay of Akt and ERK in Abeta
      toxicity and insulin-mediated protection; meaning that there is an inverse
      relation between pERK and pAkt, in a way that PI3-Akt pathway inhibition leads to
      pERK increment while ERK inhibition causes Akt phosphorylation (activation). This
      study showed, for the first time, that insulin protects against Abeta toxicity in
      isolated hippocampal cell culture via modulating Akt and ERK phosphorylation and
      also revealed an interaction between those signals in Abeta toxicity and insulin
      mediated protection.

PMID- 26266488
TI  - TCTP Expression After Rat Spinal Cord Injury: Implications for Astrocyte
      Proliferation and Migration.
AB  - Translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) is a ubiquitous and highly
      conserved protein which plays a role in cell proliferation and growth, apoptosis,
      and cell cycle regulation. However, its expression and function in spinal cord
      injury (SCI) are still unknown. Here, we demonstrated that expression of TCTP was
      dynamic changed after acute spinal cord injury. Our results showed that TCTP
      gradually increased, reached a peak at 3 day, and then declined to basal levels
      at 14 days after spinal cord injury. Upregulation of TCTP was accompanied with an
      increase in the levels of proliferation proteins such as PCNA. Immunofluorescent
      labeling also showed that TCTP located in astrocytes and traumatic SCI induced
      TCTP colocalizated with PCNA. These results indicated that TCTP might play an
      important role in astrocyte proliferation. To further probe the role of TCTP,
      TCTP-specific siRNA-transfected astrocytes showed significant decrease of primary
      astrocyte proliferation. Surprisingly, TCTP knockdown also reduced primary
      astrocyte migration, as the reorganization of microtubules and F-actin was
      disturbed after siRNA transfection. All above indicated that TCTP might play a
      crucial role in astrocyte proliferation and migration. Collectively, our data
      suggested that TCTP might play important roles in CNS pathophysiology after SCI.

PMID- 26266489
TI  - Assessment of the utility of contact-based restraints in accelerating the
      prediction of protein structure using molecular dynamics simulations.
AB  - Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation is a well-established tool for the
      computational study of protein structure and dynamics, but its application to the
      important problem of protein structure prediction remains challenging, in part
      because extremely long timescales can be required to reach the native structure.
      Here, we examine the extent to which the use of low-resolution information in the
      form of residue-residue contacts, which can often be inferred from bioinformatics
      or experimental studies, can accelerate the determination of protein structure in
      simulation. We incorporated sets of 62, 31, or 15 contact-based restraints in MD
      simulations of ubiquitin, a benchmark system known to fold to the native state on
      the millisecond timescale in unrestrained simulations. One-third of the
      restrained simulations folded to the native state within a few tens of
      microseconds-a speedup of over an order of magnitude compared with unrestrained
      simulations and a demonstration of the potential for limited amounts of
      structural information to accelerate structure determination. Almost all of the
      remaining ubiquitin simulations reached near-native conformations within a few
      tens of microseconds, but remained trapped there, apparently due to the
      restraints. We discuss potential methodological improvements that would
      facilitate escape from these near-native traps and allow more simulations to
      quickly reach the native state. Finally, using a target from the Critical
      Assessment of protein Structure Prediction (CASP) experiment, we show that
      distance restraints can improve simulation accuracy: In our simulations,
      restraints stabilized the native state of the protein, enabling a reasonable
      structural model to be inferred.

PMID- 26266491
TI  - Electron-Transport Properties of Few-Layer Black Phosphorus.
AB  - We perform the first-principles computational study of the effect of number of
      stacking layers and stacking style of the few-layer black phosphorus (BPs) on the
      electronic properties, including transport gap, current-voltage (i-v) relation,
      and differential conductance. Our computation is based on the nonequilibrium
      Green's function approach combined with density functional theory calculations.
      Specifically, we compute electron-transport properties of monolayer BP, bilayer
      BP, and trilayer BP as well as bilayer BPs with AB-, AA-, or AC-stacking. We find
      that the stacking number has greater influence on the transport gap than the
      stacking type. Conversely, the stacking type has greater influence on i-v curve
      and differential conductance than on the transport gap. This study offers useful
      guidance for determining the number of stacking layers and the stacking style of
      few-layer BP sheets in future experimental measurements and for potential
      applications in nanoelectronic devices. 

PMID- 26266490
TI  - Widening the Product Profile of Carbon Dioxide Reduction by Vanadium Nitrogenase.
AB  - Two reaction systems based on vanadium nitrogenase were previously shown to
      reduce CO2 to hydrocarbons: 1) an enzyme-based system that used both components
      of V nitrogenase for ATP-dependent reduction of CO2 to <=C2 hydrocarbons; and 2)
      a cofactor-based system that employed SmI2 to supply electrons to the isolated V
      cluster for an ATP-independent reduction of CO2 to <=C3 hydrocarbons. Here, we
      report ATP-independent reduction of CO2 to hydrocarbons by a reaction system
      comprising Eu(II) DTPA and the VFe protein of V nitrogenase. Combining features
      of both enzyme- and cofactor-based systems, this system exhibits improved C-C
      coupling and a broader product profile of <=C4 hydrocarbons. The C-C coupling
      does not employ CO2 -derived CO, and it is significantly enhanced in D2 O. These
      observations afford initial insights into the characteristics of this unique
      reaction and provide a potential template for future design of catalysts to
      recycle the greenhouse gas CO2 into useful products. 

PMID- 26266493
TI  - Liquid-Liquid Phase Transition and Its Phase Diagram in Deeply-Cooled Heavy Water
      Confined in a Nanoporous Silica Matrix.
AB  - Using neutron diffraction technique, we measure the average density of the heavy
      water confined in a nanoporous silica matrix, MCM-41, over the pressure
      temperature plane. The result suggests the existence of a line of liquid-liquid
      phase transition with its end point at 1.29 +/- 0.34 kbar and 213 +/- 3 K in a
      fully hydrated sample. This point would be the liquid-liquid critical point
      (LLCP) according to the "liquid-liquid critical point" scenario. The phase
      diagram of the deeply cooled confined heavy water is then discussed. Moreover, in
      a partially hydrated sample, the phase transition completely disappears. This
      result shows that it is the free water part, rather than the bound water part, of
      the confined water that undergoes a liquid-liquid transition. 

PMID- 26266492
TI  - Residual CTAB Ligands as Mass Spectrometry Labels to Monitor Cellular Uptake of
      Au Nanorods.
AB  - Gold nanorods have numerous applications in biomedical research, including
      diagnostics, bioimaging, and photothermal therapy. Even though surfactant removal
      and surface conjugation with antifouling molecules such as polyethylene glycol
      (PEG) are required to minimize nonspecific protein binding and cell uptake, the
      reliable characterization of these processes remains challenging. We propose here
      the use of laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (LDI-MS) to study the
      ligand exchange efficiency of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)-coated
      nanorods with different PEG grafting densities and to characterize nanorod
      internalization in cells. Application of LDI-MS analysis shows that residual CTAB
      consistently remains adsorbed on PEG-capped Au nanorods. Interestingly, such
      residual CTAB can be exploited as a mass barcode to discern the presence of
      nanorods in complex fluids and in vitro cellular systems, even at very low
      concentrations. 

PMID- 26266494
TI  - Surface Plasmon-Coupled Directional Enhanced Raman Scattering by Means of the
      Reverse Kretschmann Configuration.
AB  - Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is a unique analytical technique that
      provides fingerprint spectra, yet facing the obstacle of low collection
      efficiency. In this study, we demonstrated a simple approach to measure surface
      plasmon-coupled directional enhanced Raman scattering by means of the reverse
      Kretschmann configuration (RK-SPCR). Highly directional and p-polarized Raman
      scattering of 4-aminothiophenol (4-ATP) was observed on a nanoparticle-on-film
      substrate at 46 degrees  through the prism coupler with a sharp angle
      distribution (full width at half-maximum of ~3.3 degrees ). Because of the
      improved collection efficiency, the Raman scattering signal was enhanced 30-fold
      over the conventional SERS mode; this was consistent with finite-difference time
      domain simulations. The effect of nanoparticles on the coupling efficiency of
      propagated surface plasmons was investigated. Possessing straightforward
      implementation and directional enhancement of Raman scattering, RK-SPCR is
      anticipated to simplify SERS instruments and to be broadly applicable to
      biochemical assays. 

PMID- 26266495
TI  - The "Metric" System: Yet More Chaos in Scholarly Publishing.

PMID- 26266496
TI  - Neither Two-State nor Three-State: Dimerization of Lambda Cro Repressor.
AB  - Lambda Cro repressor is one of the best studied dimeric transcription factors.
      However, there has still been an unsettled debate for decades about whether it is
      a two-state dimer or three-state dimer. We provide a new mechanism model that can
      reconcile these seemingly conflicting (mutually exclusive) experimental results.
      From simulations with all-atom structure-based model, we observe that the
      dimerization process of Lambda Cro repressor starts from one folded monomer with
      one unfolded monomer. Intrasubunit folding and intersubunit binding are partially
      coupled, in a fly casting manner. 

PMID- 26266497
TI  - Electronic Structure of Sodium Superoxide Bulk, (100) Surface, and Clusters using
      Hybrid Density Functional: Relevance for Na-O2 Batteries.
AB  - Clarifying the electronic structure of sodium superoxide (NaO2) is a key step in
      understanding the electrochemical behavior of Na-O2 batteries. Here we report a
      density functional theory study to explore the effect of atomic structure and
      morphology on the electronic properties of different model systems: NaO2 bulk,
      (100) surface, and small (NaO2)n clusters (n = 3-8). We found that a correct
      description of the open-shell 2p electrons of O2(-) requires the use of a hybrid
      functional, which reveals a clear insulating nature of all of the investigated
      systems. This sheds light onto the capacity limitations of pure NaO2 as a
      discharge product and highlights the need for developing new strategies to
      enhance its electron transport in the optimization of Na-O2 cells. 

PMID- 26266498
TI  - Theoretical Insights into a CO Dimerization Mechanism in CO2 Electroreduction.
AB  - In this work, we present DFT simulations that demonstrate the ability of Cu to
      catalyze CO dimerization in CO2 and CO electroreduction. We describe a previously
      unreported CO dimer configuration that is uniquely stabilized by a charged water
      layer on both Cu(111) and Cu(100). Without this charged water layer at the metal
      surface, the formation of the CO dimer is prohibitively endergonic. Our
      calculations also demonstrate that dimerization should have a lower activation
      barrier on Cu(100) than Cu(111), which, along with a more exergonic adsorption
      energy and a corresponding higher coverage of *CO, is consistent with
      experimental observations that Cu(100) has a high activity for C-C coupling at
      low overpotentials. We also demonstrate that this effect is present with cations
      other than H(+), a finding that is consistent with the experimentally observed pH
      independence of C2 formation on Cu. 

PMID- 26266499
TI  - Evolution of Hydrogen Dynamics in Amorphous Ice with Density.
AB  - The single-particle dynamics of hydrogen atoms in several of the amorphous ices
      are reported using a combination of deep inelastic neutron scattering (DINS) and
      inelastic neutron scattering (INS). The mean kinetic energies of the hydrogen
      nuclei are found to increase with increasing density, indicating the weakening of
      hydrogen bonds as well as a trend toward steeper and more harmonic hydrogen
      vibrational potential energy surfaces. DINS shows much more pronounced changes in
      the O-H stretching component of the mean kinetic energy going from low- to high
      density amorphous ices than indicated by INS and Raman spectroscopy. This
      highlights the power of the DINS technique to retrieve accurate ground-state
      kinetic energies beyond the harmonic approximation. In a novel approach, we use
      information from DINS and INS to determine the anharmonicity constants of the O-H
      stretching modes. Furthermore, our experimental kinetic energies will serve as
      important benchmark values for path-integral Monte Carlo simulations. 

PMID- 26266500
TI  - Single-Particle Spectroscopic Study on Fluorescence Enhancement by Plasmon
      Coupled Gold Nanorod Dimers Assembled on DNA Origami.
AB  - Metal-enhanced fluorescence has attracted much attention due to its scientific
      importance and lots of potential applications. Plasmon coupled metal
      nanoparticles have been demonstrated to further improve the enhancement effects.
      Conventional studies of metal-enhanced fluorescence on the bulk systems are
      complicated by the ensemble average effects over many critical factors with large
      variations. Here, fluorescence enhancement of ATTO-655 by a plasmon coupled gold
      nanorod dimer fixed on a DNA origami nanobreadboard was studied on the single
      particle level. A series of gold nanorod dimers with linear orientation and
      different gap distances ranging from 6.1 to 26.0 nm were investigated to explore
      the plasmon coupling effect on fluorescence enhancement. The results show that
      the dimer with the smallest gap (6.1 nm) gives the highest enhancement (470
      fold), and the enhancement gradually decreases as the gap distance increases and
      eventually approaches that from a monomer (120-fold). This trend is consistent
      with the numerical calculation results. This study indicates that plasmon
      coupling in gold nanorod dimers offers further increased excitation efficiency to
      achieve large fluorescence enhancement. 

PMID- 26266501
TI  - Critical Au Concentration for the Stabilization of Au-Cu Nanoparticles on Rutile
      against Dissociation under Oxygen.
AB  - Controlling aging of catalysts is of crucial importance to preserve their
      properties, in particular for bimetallic nanoparticles (NPs) where reaction can
      modify the composition. Herein, we have studied the stability upon oxygen
      exposure of gold-copper NPs supported on rutile. We have used in situ scanning
      tunneling microscopy to follow the evolution of individual Au, Cu and Au-Cu NPs
      with various compositions grown on the TiO2(110) surface, during each step from
      their nucleation to their modification with oxygen. We demonstrated a direct
      relation between the stability of the nanoparticles and their Au concentration.
      Whereas pure Cu nanoparticles dissociate under O2, Au-Cu NPs containing at least
      20% Au are stable. This is explained by a modification of the local density of
      states of Cu atoms upon alloying. 

PMID- 26266502
TI  - Directed Assembly of Optoplasmonic Hybrid Materials with Tunable Photonic
      Plasmonic Properties.
AB  - Optoplasmonic materials are metallo-dielectric hybrid structures that combine
      metallic and dielectric components in defined geometries in which plasmonic and
      photonic modes synergistically interact. These beneficial interactions can be
      harnessed by integrating plasmonic nanoantennas into defined photonic
      environments generated, for instance, by discrete optical resonators or extended
      systems of diffractively coupled nanoparticles. Optoplasmonic structures
      facilitate photonic-plasmonic mode coupling and offer degrees of freedom for
      creating optical fields with predefined amplitude and phase in space and time
      that are absent in conventional photonic or plasmonic structures. This
      Perspective reviews the fundamental electromagnetic mechanisms underlying
      selected optoplasmonic approaches with an emphasis on materials available through
      template-guided self-assembly strategies. 

PMID- 26266503
TI  - Tuning the Flight Length of Molecules Diffusing on a Hydrophobic Surface.
AB  - Transport at solid-liquid interfaces is critical to self-assembly, biosensing,
      and heterogeneous catalysis, but surface diffusion remains difficult to
      characterize and rationally manipulate, due to the inherent heterogeneity of
      adsorption on solid surfaces. Using single-molecule tracking, we characterized
      the diffusion of a fluorescent long-chain surfactant on a hydrophobic surface,
      which involved periods of confinement alternating with bulk-mediated "flights".
      The concentration of methanol in solution was varied to tune the strength of the
      hydrophobic surface-molecule interaction. The frequency of confinement had a
      nonmonotonic dependence on methanol concentration that reflected the relative
      influence of anomalously strong adsorption sites. By carefully accounting for the
      effect of this surface heterogeneity, we demonstrated that flight lengths
      increased monotonically as the hydrophobic attraction decreased, in agreement
      with theoretical predictions for bulk-mediated surface diffusion. The theory
      provided an accurate description of surface diffusion, despite the system being
      heterogeneous, and can be leveraged to optimize molecular search and assembly
      processes. 

PMID- 26266505
TI  - Band Gap Reduction in ZnO and ZnS by Creating Layered ZnO/ZnS Heterostructures.
AB  - Wurtzite-type zinc oxide (ZnO) and zinc sulfide (ZnS) have electronic band gaps
      that are too large for light-harvesting applications. Using screened hybrid
      density-functional methods, we show that the band gaps of ZnO and ZnS can be
      dramatically reduced by creating layered ZnO/ZnS bulk heterostructures in which m
      contiguous monolayers of ZnO alternate with n contiguous monolayers of ZnS. In
      particular, the band gap decreases by roughly 40% upon substitution of every
      tenth monolayer of ZnS with a monolayer of ZnO (and vice versa) and becomes as
      low as 1.5 eV for heterostructures with m = 3 to m = 9 contiguous monolayers of
      ZnO alternating with n = 10 - m monolayers of ZnS. The predicted band gaps of
      layered ZnO/ZnS heterostructures span the entire visible spectrum, which makes
      these materials suitable for photovoltaic device engineering. 

PMID- 26266504
TI  - Ion-Induced Dipole Interactions and Fragmentation Times: Calpha-Cbeta Chromophore
      Bond Dissociation Channel.
AB  - The fragmentation times corresponding to the loss of the chromophore (Calpha
      Cbeta bond dissociation channel) after photoexcitation at 263 nm have been
      investigated for several small peptides containing tryptophan or tyrosine. For
      tryptophan-containing peptides, the aromatic chromophore is lost as an ionic
      fragment (m/z 130), and the fragmentation time increases with the mass of the
      neutral fragment. In contrast, for tyrosine-containing peptides the aromatic
      chromophore is always lost as a neutral fragment (mass = 107 amu) and the
      fragmentation time is found to be fast (<20 ns). These different behaviors are
      explained by the role of the postfragmentation interaction in the complex formed
      after the Calpha-Cbeta bond cleavage. 

PMID- 26266506
TI  - Best Practices for Operando Battery Experiments: Influences of X-ray Experiment
      Design on Observed Electrochemical Reactivity.

PMID- 26266507
TI  - Multifaceted Excited State of CH3NH3PbI3. Charge Separation, Recombination, and
      Trapping.
AB  - A need to understand the excited-state behavior of organic-inorganic hybrid
      perovskites, such as CH3NH3PbI3, has arisen due to the rapid development of
      perovskite solar cells. The photoinduced processes leading to the efficient
      charge separation observed in these materials remain somewhat elusive. This
      Perspective presents an overview of the initial attempts to characterize the
      excited-state and charge recombination dynamics in the prototypical material
      CH3NH3PbI3. While much has been accomplished in designing high-efficiency solar
      cells, the multifaceted nature of the CH3NH3PbI3 excited state offers ample
      challenges for the photovoltaic community to better comprehend. Building on this
      foundation may enable us to tackle the stability concerns that have shadowed the
      rise of perovskite solar cells. Furthermore, a better understanding of the
      excited-state properties can provide insight into the specific properties that
      have thrust this material to the forefront of photovoltaic research. 

PMID- 26266508
TI  - Ultrafast Intersystem-Crossing Dynamics and Breakdown of the Kasha-Vavilov's Rule
      of Naphthalenediimides.
AB  - The fluorescence quantum yield of a red naphthalenediimide dye (rNDI) with amino
      and Br core substituents has been found to decrease by a factor of almost 2 by
      going from S1 <- S0 to S2 <- S0 excitation. Time-resolved spectroscopic
      measurements reveal that this deviation from the Kasha-Vavilov's rule is due to
      an ultrafast, < 200 fs, intersystem-crossing (ISC) from the S2 state to the
      triplet manifold, due to the pipi* -> npi* character of the transition and to the
      presence of the heavy Br atom. In non-core substituted naphthalenediimide (pNDI),
      ISC is slower, ~2 ps, and was found to be reversible on a time scale shorter than
      that of vibrational cooling. The fluorescence and triplet quantum yields of rNDI,
      thus, can be substantially changed by a simple variation of the excitation
      wavelength. 

PMID- 26266509
TI  - Looking Inside the Perchlorinated Trityl Radical/Metal Spinterface through
      Spectroscopy.
AB  - We report on a spectroscopic multitechnique approach to study the metal/radical
      spinterface formed by a perchlorinated trityl radical derivative and either gold
      or silver. The spectroscopic fingerprint of their paramagnetic properties could
      be determined by comparison with their diamagnetic precursor and by DFT
      calculations. Thanks to the presented approach, we could gain unprecedented
      insight into the radical-metal interaction and how this latter perturbs the spin
      polarization and consequently the magnetoelectronic properties of the radical
      adlayer. Knowledge of the factors influencing the spinterface is an essential
      tool toward the tailoring of the properties of spin-based electronic devices. 

PMID- 26266510
TI  - Discovery of a Missing Link: Detection and Structure of the Elusive Disilicon
      Carbide Cluster.
AB  - The rotational spectrum of the elusive but fundamentally important silicon
      carbide SiCSi has been detected using sensitive microwave techniques aided by
      high-level ab initio methods. Its equilibrium structure has been determined to
      very high precision using isotopic substitution and vibrational corrections
      calculated quantum-chemically: it is an isosceles triangle with a Si-C bond
      length of 1.693(1) A, and an apex angle of 114.87(5) degrees . Now that all four
      Si(m)C(n) clusters with m + n = 3 have been observed experimentally, their
      structure and chemical bonding can be rigorously compared. Because Si2C is so
      closely linked to other Si-bearing molecules that have been detected in the
      evolved carbon star IRC+10216, it is an extremely promising candidate for
      detection with radio telescopes.

PMID- 26266511
TI  - Photonic-Plasmonic Devices Created by Templated Self-Assembly.

PMID- 26266512
TI  - Background-Free Fourth-Order Sum Frequency Generation Spectroscopy.
AB  - The recently developed 2D sum frequency generation spectroscopy offers new
      possibilities to analyze the structure and structural dynamics of interfaces in a
      surface-specific manner. Its implementation, however, has so far remained limited
      to the pump-probe geometry, with its inherent restrictions. Here we present 2D
      SFG experiments utilizing a novel noncollinear geometry of four incident laser
      pulses generating a 2D SFG response, analogous to the triangle geometry applied
      in bulk-sensitive 2D infrared spectroscopy. This approach allows for background
      free measurements of fourth-order nonlinear signals, which is demonstrated by
      measuring the fourth-order material response from a GaAs (110) surface. The
      implementation of phase-sensitive detection and broadband excitation pulses
      allows for both highest possible time resolution and high spectral resolution of
      the pump axis of a measured 2D SFG spectrum. To reduce the noise in our spectra,
      we employ a referencing procedure, for which we use noncollinear pathways and
      individual focusing for the signal and local oscillator beams. The 2D spectra
      recorded from the GaAs (110) surface show nonzero responses for the real and
      imaginary component, pointing to contributions from resonant electronic pathways
      to the chi((4)) response. 

PMID- 26266513
TI  - Same-View Nano-XAFS/STEM-EDS Imagings of Pt Chemical Species in Pt/C Cathode
      Catalyst Layers of a Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell.
AB  - We have made the first success in the same-view imagings of 2D nano-XAFS and
      TEM/STEM-EDS under a humid N2 atmosphere for Pt/C cathode catalyst layers in
      membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) of polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs)
      with Nafion membrane to examine the degradation of Pt/C cathodes by anode gas
      exchange cycles (start-up/shut-down simulations of PEFC vehicles). The same-view
      imaging under the humid N2 atmosphere provided unprecedented spatial information
      on the distribution of Pt nanoparticles and oxidation states in the Pt/C cathode
      catalyst layer as well as Nafion ionomer-filled nanoholes of carbon support in
      the wet MEA, which evidence the origin of the formation of Pt oxidation species
      and isolated Pt nanoparticles in the nanohole areas of the cathode layer with
      different Pt/ionomer ratios, relevant to the degradation of PEFC catalysts. 

PMID- 26266514
TI  - Residue-Specific Force Field (RSFF2) Improves the Modeling of Conformational
      Behavior of Peptides and Proteins.
AB  - A recent report of (3)J(HNHalpha) scalar coupling constants for hundreds of two
      residue peptides has provided an important opportunity to test simulation force
      fields for proteins. Here, we compare the abilities of three derivatives of the
      Amber ff99SB force field to reproduce these data. We report molecular dynamics
      (MD) simulations of 256 two-residue peptides and show that the recently developed
      residue-specific force field (RSFF2) produces a dramatic improvement in the
      agreement with experimental (3)J(HNHalpha) coupling constants. We further show
      that RSFF2 also appears to produce a modest improvement in reproducing the
      (3)J(HNHalpha) coupling constants of five model proteins. Perhaps surprisingly,
      an analysis of neighboring residue effects (NREs) on the (3)J(HNHalpha) coupling
      constants of the two-residue peptides indicates little difference between the
      force fields' abilities to reproduce experimental NREs. We speculate that this
      might indicate limitations in the force fields' descriptions of nonbonded
      interactions between adjacent side chains or with terminal capping groups.

PMID- 26266515
TI  - Transformation of Au144(SCH2CH2Ph)60 to Au133(SPh-tBu)52 Nanomolecules:
      Theoretical and Experimental Study.
AB  - Ultrastable gold nanomolecule Au144(SCH2CH2Ph)60 upon etching with excess tert
      butylbenzenethiol undergoes a core-size conversion and compositional change to
      form an entirely new core of Au133(SPh-tBu)52. This conversion was studied using
      high-resolution electrospray mass spectrometry which shows that the core size
      conversion is initiated after 22 ligand exchanges, suggesting a relatively high
      stability of the Au144(SCH2CH2Ph)38(SPh-tBu)22 intermediate. The Au144 -> Au133
      core size conversion is surprisingly different from the Au144 -> Au99 core
      conversion reported in the case of thiophenol, -SPh. Theoretical analysis and ab
      initio molecular dynamics simulations show that rigid p-tBu groups play a crucial
      role by reducing the cluster structural freedom, and protecting the cluster from
      adsorption of exogenous and reactive species, thus rationalizing the kinetic
      factors that stabilize the Au133 core size. This 144-atom to 133-atom
      nanomolecule's compositional change is reflected in optical spectroscopy and
      electrochemistry. 

PMID- 26266516
TI  - Angle-Dependent Ionization of Small Molecules by Time-Dependent Configuration
      Interaction and an Absorbing Potential.
AB  - The angle-dependence of strong field ionization of O2, N2, CO2, and CH2O has been
      studied theoretically using a time-dependent configuration interaction approach
      with a complex absorbing potential (TDCIS-CAP). Calculation of the ionization
      yields as a function of the direction of polarization of the laser pulse produces
      three-dimensional surfaces of the angle-dependent ionization probability. These
      three-dimensional shapes and their variation with laser intensity can be
      interpreted in terms of ionization from the highest occupied molecular orbital
      (HOMO) and lower lying orbitals, and the Dyson orbitals for the ground and
      excited states of the cations. 

PMID- 26266517
TI  - Toward the Ultra-incompressible Carbon Materials. Computational Simulation and
      Experimental Observation.
AB  - The common opinion that diamond is the stiffest material is disproved by a number
      of experimental studies where the fabrication of carbon materials based on
      polymerized fullerenes with outstanding mechanical stiffness was reported. Here
      we investigated the nature of this unusual effect. We present a model constituted
      of compressed polymerized fullerite clusters implemented in a diamond matrix with
      bulk modulus B0 much higher than that of diamond. The calculated B0 value depends
      on the sizes of both fullerite grain and diamond environment and shows close
      correspondence with measured data. Additionally, we provide results of
      experimental study of atomic structure and mechanical properties of ultrahard
      carbon material supported the presented model. 

PMID- 26266518
TI  - Highs and Lows in English Attachment.
AB  - Grillo and Costa (2014) claim that Relative-Clause attachment ambiguity
      resolution is largely dependent on whether or not a Pseudo-Relative
      interpretation is available. Data from Italian, and other languages allowing
      Pseudo-Relatives, support this hypothesis. Pseudo-Relative availability, however,
      covaries with the semantics of the main predicate (e.g., perceptual vs. stative).
      Experiment 1 assesses whether this predicate distinction alone can account for
      prior attachment results by testing it with a language that disallows Pseudo
      Relatives (i.e. English). Low Attachment was found independent of Predicate-Type.
      Predicate-Type did however have a minor modulatory role. Experiment 2 shows that
      English, traditionally classified as a Low Attachment language, can demonstrate
      High Attachment with sentences globally ambiguous between a Small-Clause and a
      reduced Relative-Clause interpretation. These results support a grammatical
      account of previous effects and provide novel evidence for the parser's
      preference of a Small-Clause over a Restrictive interpretation,
      crosslinguistically. 

PMID- 26266521
TI  - Impurities in Illicit Drug Preparations: Amphetamine and Methamphetamine.
AB  - In this review, attention is paid to chromatographic and mass spectral properties
      of already identified impurities found to be present in frequently abused drug
      preparations of illegal origin of amphetamine and methamphetamine. The most
      commonly employed methods of synthesis of drugs of this type are briefly
      described. Special emphasis is given to the Leuckart route, found to be the
      preferred method, in the illicit production of amphetamine. Furthermore, some
      isolation and preconcentration methods for the contaminants are discussed. The
      importance of identifying impurities present in amphetamine or methamphetamine
      cannot be overestimated. These impurities originate mostly from the improper
      purification in the end stage of the different syntheses used in the clandestine
      manufacture of the substances; it is possible to differentiate between the
      several kinds of illegal drug preparations, synthesized by various methods, by
      means of so-called "route specific" impurities. Finally, a survey is given of the
      impurities already known to be present in amphetamine and methamphetamine,
      together with their mass spectral and some chromatographic properties. 

PMID- 26266520
TI  - Antitumoral activity of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in patients with non-small
      cell lung cancer harbouring rare epidermal growth factor receptor mutations.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) have been
      reported as predictive markers of tumour response to tyrosine kinase inhibitors
      (TKIs) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Although the "common"
      EGFR mutations have been associated with response to EGFR-TKIs, the correlation
      with response to treatment for many other rare mutations is still unclear. The
      aim of this study was to investigate the clinical significance of rare and
      complex mutations, and the efficacy of EGFR-TKIs in this selected group of
      patients. METHODS: Three hundred and thirty patients with stage IIIB/IV NSCLC
      (106 females aged 62.5 +/- 1.1 years; 224 males aged 68.0 +/- 0.6 years) were
      enrolled in the study. Formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue samples were
      screened for mutations using a high resolution melting technique, followed by
      Sanger sequencing of exons 18-21 of the EGFR-gene. Mutation status was also
      tested using the Roche Cobas((r)) EGFR mutation test. RESULTS: EGFR mutations
      were detected in 31 tumours (9.4 %). Eleven cases carried novel mutations, six of
      these patients were treated with erlotinib or gefitinib. A response rate (RR) of
      50.0 % was obtained in the group with rare EGFR mutations, the PFS was 3.0 months
      [standard deviation (STD) = 5.4 months]. The RR to EGFR-TKIs in patients with
      conventional EGFR mutations was 85 % with a median PFS of 10.5 months (STD = 3.6
      months). CONCLUSION: We reported six patients with rare EGFR mutations of unknown
      clinical significance and their association with EGFR-TKIs. Report of cases
      harbouring rare mutations can support the decision making progress in this subset
      of patients.

PMID- 26266519
TI  - High frequency and poor prognosis of late childhood BCR-ABL-positive and MLL-AF4
      positive ALL define the need for advanced molecular diagnostics and improved
      therapeutic strategies in pediatric B-ALL in Pakistan.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Fusion oncogenes (FOs) resulting from chromosomal abnormalities have
      an important role in leukemogenesis in pediatric B cell acute lymphoblastic
      leukemia (ALL). The most common FOs are BCR-ABL, MLL-AF4, ETV6-RUNX1, and TCF3
      PBX1, all of which have important prognostic and drug selection implications.
      Moreover, frequencies of FOs have ethnic variations. We studied Pakistani
      frequencies of FOs, clinical pattern, and outcome in pediatric B-ALL. METHODS:
      FOs were studied in 188 patients at diagnosis using reverse transcriptase
      polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and interphase fluorescent in situ
      hybridization (FISH). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 17 (SPSS Inc.,
      Chicago, IL, USA). RESULTS: FOs were detected in 87.2 % of patients. Mean overall
      survival was 70.9 weeks, 3-year survival was 31.9 %, and 3-year relapse-free
      survival was 18.1 %. Four patients died of drug toxicities. ETV6-RUNX1 (19.14 %)
      had better survival (110.9 weeks; p = 0.03); TCF3-PBX1 (2.1 %) was associated
      with inferior outcome and higher central nervous system (CNS) relapse risk; MLL
      AF4 (18.1 %) was more common in the 8- to 15-year age group (24/34; p = 0.001)
      and was associated with organomegaly, low platelet count, and poor survival; and
      BCR-ABL (47.9 %) was associated with older age (7-15 years, 52/90), lower
      remission rates, shorter survival (43.73 +/- 4.24 weeks) and higher white blood
      cell count. Overall, MLL-AF4 and BCR-ABL were detected in 66 % of B-ALL,
      presented in later childhood, and were associated with poor prognosis and
      inferior survival. CONCLUSIONS: This study reports the highest ethnic frequency
      of BCR-ABL FO in pediatric ALL, and is consistent with previous reports from our
      region. Poor prognosis BCR-ABL and MLL-AF4 was detected in two-thirds of
      pediatric B-ALL and is likely to be the reason for the already reported poor
      survival of childhood ALL in South-East Asia. Furthermore, MLL-AF4, usually most
      common in infants, presented in later childhood in most of the ALL patients,
      which was one of the unique findings in our study. The results presented here
      highlight the need for mandatory inclusion of molecular testing for pediatric ALL
      patients in clinical decision making, together with the incorporation of tyrosine
      kinase inhibitors, as well as hematopoietic stem cell transplantation facilities,
      to improve treatment outcome for patients in developing countries.

PMID- 26266522
TI  - Morphine and Codeine in Biological Fluids: Approaches to Source Differentiation.
AB  - Heroin, morphine, and codeine are among the most abused opiate analgesics today.
      Analysis of individuals' urines for morphine and codeine is sued as an indication
      of prior ingestion of these dugs. Poppy seeds and products containing poppy seeds
      are found to have small amounts of morphine and codeine (usually less than 200 ug
      morphine/g seeds and much less codeine), which is enough to produce a positive
      urine test for opiates. This manuscript reviews current data on the analysis of
      various poppy seed products and urine specimens from individuals ingesting these
      products. A brief review of the metabolism and elimination of these drugs is
      presented, with general guidelines for differentiation of poppy seed use versus
      condone, morphine, or heroin abuse. 

PMID- 26266523
TI  - Personal Identification of the Human Skull: Superimposition and Radiographic
      Techniques.
AB  - This paper constitutes a review of the literature and an evaluation of the
      anatomical relationships between skull and face, along with a discussion of the
      methodology involved in the various superimposition techniques used in forensic
      science. In addition, some unique anatomical traits and pathological findings are
      reviewed, with the hope that the information will find efficient use in the
      personal identification of unknown skulls. 

PMID- 26266524
TI  - Pretreatment of Latent Prints for Laser Development.
AB  - The pretreatment procedures for laser detection of latent fingerprints is
      reviewed. The general features of laser detection and the operational aspects of
      the examination of physical evidence for laser fingerprint detection are
      enumerated in the initial sections. The literature review is divided into various
      pretreatment approaches. Cited studies prior to 1981 are primarily concerned with
      the demonstration of the viability of laser fingerprint detection, whereas work
      post-1981 addresses issues of compatibility with the traditional methods of
      fingerprint development, examination of difficult surfaces, and the routine
      implementation of laser detection by law enforcement agencies. Related topics of
      research, review articles, conference reports, case examinations, the research
      support climate, and future trends are also briefly addressed. 

PMID- 26266525
TI  - The Use of Lectins in Forensic Science.
AB  - Lectins or receptor specific proteins have found a wide range of applications in
      biology and biochemistry as well as other life sciences. The original
      applications of these reagents in blood banking have been adapted to the unusual
      working conditions encountered by forensic scientists and lectins have been very
      useful in the analysis of blood and semen stains. First isolated as crude
      extracts from seeds, lectins are found in other plant parts as well and in a wide
      variety of invertebrate species. These reagents are now purified and
      characterized and have become versatile tools used to identify and group blood
      and other fluids both in clinical settings and in the often contaminated stains
      found at crime scenes. Human blood group antigens, especially the ABH antigens,
      have been extensively studied using these reagents, and the results have been
      extended to non-human blood group systems. Other applications include species
      determination and characterization. A review of the literature shows many papers
      delineating novel uses of lectins in the area of forensic serology. 

PMID- 26266526
TI  - Structure and dynamics of a protein-surfactant assembly studied by ion-mobility
      mass spectrometry and molecular dynamics simulations.
AB  - The structure and dynamics of a protein-surfactant assembly studied by ion
      mobility mass spectrometry (IMS) and vacuum molecular dynamics (MD) simulations
      is reported. Direct evidence is provided for the ability of the surfactant
      dodecyl-beta-D-maltoside (DDM) to prevent charge-induced unfolding of the
      membrane protein (PagP) in the gas-phase. Restraints obtained by IMS are used to
      map the surfactant positions onto the protein surface. Surfactants occupying more
      exposed positions at the apexes of the beta-barrel structure are most in-line
      with the experimental observations. MD simulations provide additional evidence
      for this assembly organization through surfactant inversion and migration on the
      protein structure in the absence of solvent. Surfactant migration entails a net
      shift from apolar membrane spanning regions to more polar regions of the protein
      structure with the DDM molecule remaining attached to the protein via headgroup
      interactions. These data provide evidence for the role of protein-DDM headgroup
      interactions in stabilizing membrane protein structure from gas-phase unfolding. 

PMID- 26266527
TI  - Building Evidence for Global Surgery One Experience at a Time.

PMID- 26266528
TI  - Controlling Short-Range Interactions by Tuning Surface Chemistry in HDPE/Graphene
      Nanoribbon Nanocomposites.
AB  - Unique dispersion states of nanoparticles in polymeric matrices have the
      potential to create composites with enhanced mechanical, thermal, and electrical
      properties. The present work aims to determine the state of dispersion from the
      melt-state rheological behavior of nanocomposites based on carbon nanotube and
      graphene nanoribbon (GNR) nanomaterials. GNRs were synthesized from nitrogen
      doped carbon nanotubes via a chemical route using potassium permanganate and some
      second acids. High-density polyethylene (HDPE)/GNR nanocomposite samples were
      then prepared through a solution mixing procedure. Different nanocomposite
      dispersion states were achieved using different GNR synthesis methods providing
      different surface chemistry, interparticle interactions, and internal
      compartments. Prolonged relaxation of flow induced molecular orientation was
      observed due to the presence of both carbon nanotubes and GNRs. Based on the
      results of this work, due to relatively weak interactions between the polymer and
      the nanofillers, it is expected that short-range interactions between nanofillers
      play the key role in the final dispersion state. 

PMID- 26266529
TI  - Adequacy of nutritional intake among older men living in Sydney, Australia:
      findings from the Concord Health and Ageing in Men Project (CHAMP).
AB  - Previous research shows that older men tend to have lower nutritional intakes and
      higher risk of under-nutrition compared with younger men. The objectives of this
      study were to describe energy and nutrient intakes, assess nutritional risk and
      investigate factors associated with poor intake of energy and key nutrients in
      community-dwelling men aged >=75 years participating in the Concord Health and
      Ageing in Men Project - a longitudinal cohort study on older men in Sydney,
      Australia. A total of 794 men (mean age 81.4 years) had a detailed diet history
      interview, which was carried out by a dietitian. Dietary adequacy was assessed by
      comparing median intakes with nutrient reference values (NRV): estimated average
      requirement, adequate intake or upper level of intake. Attainment of NRV of total
      energy and key nutrients in older age (protein, Fe, Zn, riboflavin, Ca and
      vitamin D) was incorporated into a 'key nutrients' variable dichotomised as
      'good' (>=5) or 'poor' (<=4). Using logistic regression modelling, we examined
      associations between key nutrients with factors known to affect food intake.
      Median energy intake was 8728 kJ (P5=5762 kJ, P95=12 303 kJ), and mean BMI was
      27.7 (sd 4.0) kg/m2. Men met their NRV for most nutrients. However, only 1 % of
      men met their NRV for vitamin D, only 19 % for Ca, only 30 % for K and only 33 %
      for dietary fibre. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that only
      country of birth was significantly associated with poor nutritional intake.
      Dietary intakes were adequate for most nutrients; however, only half of the
      participants met the NRV of >=5 key nutrients. 

PMID- 26266530
TI  - Tg in Adults as a Sensitive Biomarker of Iodine Status: A 5-Year Follow up
      Population Study in Different Levels of Iodine Intake Regions.
AB  - This study was to evaluate the usefulness of serum thymoglobulin (Tg) in adults
      to assess iodine status through a 5-year cohort study which was conducted in
      three regions with different levels of iodine intake: mild deficiency, more than
      adequate, and excess, from 1999 to 2004 in China. A total of 3099 subjects over
      14 years old with normal serum levels of Tg in 1999 were eligible, of whom 2448
      were followed in 2004. Serum levels of thyroid hormones and thyroid
      autoantibodies as well as urine iodine were measured, and B-mode ultrasonography
      of the thyroid was performed. A general linear model was performed to determine
      the determinant factors of serum Tg. Among subjects with mildly deficient iodine
      intake, those with more than adequate intake, and those with excessive intake,
      the baseline levels of serum Tg were substantially different (7.5MUg/L, 5.9MUg/L,
      and 6.8MUg/L respectively, P<0.01), which were associated with age, sex, the rate
      of positive TgAb, abnormal thyroid volume, abnormal TSH, and positive personal
      history of thyroid diseases. The data from 1856 subjects with normal range of
      thyroid parameters but no personal history of thyroid diseases were analyzed to
      clarify the effect of iodine intake on Tg. Among these three regions, the serum
      Tg levels were substantially different in both 1999 and 2004, with a similar
      pattern for increased Tg (DeltaTg) (3.1MUg/L, 2.5MUg/L and 3.5MUg/L respectively,
      P<0.01). The general linear model analysis revealed that age, Tg, and baseline
      TSH levels were the determinants of DeltaTg besides iodine intake. In conclusion,
      serum Tg in adults, resulting from a time-accumulative effect of iodine exposure,
      is a useful biomarker of regional iodine intake.

PMID- 26266531
TI  - Relationship between eating disturbance and dementia severity in patients with
      Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Eating is one of the most important daily activities in managing
      patients with dementia. Although various eating disturbance occur as dementia
      progresses, to our knowledge, most of the studies focused on a part of eating
      disturbance such as swallowing and appetite. There have been few comprehensive
      studies including eating habits and food preference in patients with Alzheimer's
      disease (AD). The aims of this study were to investigate almost all eating
      disturbance and to examine the relationship of eating disturbance to dementia
      stage in AD. METHODS: A total of 220 patients with AD and 30 normal elderly (NE)
      subjects were recruited. Eating disturbance was assessed by a comprehensive
      questionnaire that had been previously validated. Potential relationships between
      the characteristics of eating disturbance and dementia stage as classified by the
      Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) were assessed. RESULTS: Overall, 81.4% of patients
      with AD showed some eating and swallowing disturbance, whereas only 26.7% of the
      NE subjects had such a disturbance. Even in an early stage, patients with AD had
      many types of eating disturbance; "Appetite change" was shown in nearly half of
      the mild AD patients (49.5%). In the moderate stage, the scores of "change of
      eating habits and food preference" were highest, and in the severe stage
      "swallowing disturbance" became critical. CONCLUSION: In AD, the relationship of
      dementia stage to eating disturbance differs according to the type of eating
      disturbance. The relationships between various eating disturbance and the
      severity of dementia should be considered.

PMID- 26266532
TI  - Remediation of nitrobenzene contaminated soil by combining surfactant enhanced
      soil washing and effluent oxidation with persulfate.
AB  - The combination of surfactant enhanced soil washing and degradation of
      nitrobenzene (NB) in effluent with persulfate was investigated to remediate NB
      contaminated soil. Aqueous solution of sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (SDBS, 24.0
      mmol L-1) was used at a given mass ratio of solution to soil (20:1) to extract NB
      contaminated soil (47.3 mg kg-1), resulting in NB desorption removal efficient of
      76.8%. The washing effluent was treated in Fe2+/persulfate and Fe2+/H2O2 systems
      successively. The degradation removal of NB was 97.9%, being much higher than
      that of SDBS (51.6%) with addition of 40.0 mmol L-1 Fe2+ and 40.0 mmol L-1
      persulfate after 15 min reaction. The preferential degradation was related to the
      lone pair electron of generated SO4*-, which preferably removes electrons from
      aromatic parts of NB over long alkyl chains of SDBS through hydrogen abstraction
      reactions. No preferential degradation was observed in *OH based oxidation
      because of its hydrogen abstraction or addition mechanism. The sustained SDBS
      could be reused for washing the contaminated soil. The combination of the
      effective surfactant-enhanced washing and the preferential degradation of NB with
      Fe2+/persulfate provide a useful option to remediate NB contaminated soil. 

PMID- 26266533
TI  - Fat and carbohydrate intake over three generations modify growth, metabolism and
      cardiovascular phenotype in female mice in an age-related manner.
AB  - Environmental challenges such as a high fat diet during pregnancy can induce
      changes in offspring growth, metabolism and cardiovascular function. However,
      challenges that are sustained over several generations can induce progressive
      compensatory metabolic adjustments in young adults. It is not known if such
      effects persist during ageing. We investigated whether diets with different fat
      and carbohydrate contents over three generations modifies markers of ageing.
      Female C57BL/6 F0 mice were fed diets containing 5% or 21% fat (w/w) throughout
      pregnancy and lactation. Female offspring were fed the same diet as their dams
      until the F3 generation. In each generation, body weight, 24-hour food intake
      were recorded weekly, and plasma metabolites were measured by colorimetric
      assays, blood pressure by tail cuff plethysmography and vasoconstriction by
      myography on postnatal day 90 or 456. There was little effect of diet or
      generation on phenotypic markers in day 90 adults. There was a significant
      increase in whole body, liver and heart weight with ageing (d456) in the F3 21%
      fat group compared to the F1 and F3 5% groups. Fasting plasma glucose
      concentration was significantly increased with ageing in the 5% group in the F3
      generation and in the 21% group in both generations. There was a significant
      effect of diet and generation on ex-vivo vasoconstriction in ageing females.
      Differences in dietary fat may induce metabolic compensation in young adults that
      persist over three generations. However, such compensatory effects decline during
      ageing.

PMID- 26266534
TI  - Correction: Analysis of Deregulated microRNAs and Their Target Genes in Gastric
      Cancer.

PMID- 26266535
TI  - Global Gene Expression Profiling through the Complete Life Cycle of Trypanosoma
      vivax.
AB  - The parasitic flagellate Trypanosoma vivax is a cause of animal trypanosomiasis
      across Africa and South America. The parasite has a digenetic life cycle, passing
      between mammalian hosts and insect vectors, and a series of developmental forms
      adapted to each life cycle stage. Each point in the life cycle presents radically
      different challenges to parasite metabolism and physiology and distinct host
      interactions requiring remodeling of the parasite cell surface. Transcriptomic
      and proteomic studies of the related parasites T. brucei and T. congolense have
      shown how gene expression is regulated during their development. New methods for
      in vitro culture of the T. vivax insect stages have allowed us to describe global
      gene expression throughout the complete T. vivax life cycle for the first time.
      We combined transcriptomic and proteomic analysis of each life stage using RNA
      seq and mass spectrometry respectively, to identify genes with patterns of
      preferential transcription or expression. While T. vivax conforms to a pattern of
      highly conserved gene expression found in other African trypanosomes, (e.g.
      developmental regulation of energy metabolism, restricted expression of a
      dominant variant antigen, and expression of 'Fam50' proteins in the insect
      mouthparts), we identified significant differences in gene expression affecting
      metabolism in the fly and a suite of T. vivax-specific genes with predicted cell
      surface expression that are preferentially expressed in the mammal ('Fam29, 30,
      42') or the vector ('Fam34, 35, 43'). T. vivax differs significantly from other
      African trypanosomes in the developmentally-regulated proteins likely to be
      expressed on its cell surface and thus, in the structure of the host-parasite
      interface. These unique features may yet explain the species differences in life
      cycle and could, in the form of bloodstream-stage proteins that do not undergo
      antigenic variation, provide targets for therapy. 

PMID- 26266536
TI  - Population genetics and new insight into range of CAG repeats of spinocerebellar
      ataxia type 3 in the Han Chinese population.
AB  - Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3), also called Machado-Joseph disease (MJD),
      is one of the most common SCAs worldwide and caused by a CAG repeat expansion
      located in ATXN3 gene. Based on the CAG repeat numbers, alleles of ATXN3 can be
      divided into normal alleles (ANs), intermediate alleles (AIs) and expanded
      alleles (AEs). It was controversial whether the frequency of large normal alleles
      (large ANs) is related to the prevalence of SCA3 or not. And there were huge
      chaos in the comprehension of the specific numbers of the range of CAG repeats
      which is fundamental for genetic analysis of SCA3. To illustrate these issues, we
      made a novel CAG repeat ladder to detect CAG repeats of ATXN3 in 1003 unrelated
      Chinese normal individuals and studied haplotypes defined by three single
      nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) closed to ATXN3. We found that the number of CAG
      repeats ranged from 13 to 49, among them, 14 was the most common number. Positive
      skew, the highest frequency of large ANs and 4 AIs which had never been reported
      before were found. Also, AEs and large ANs shared the same haplotypes defined by
      the SNPs. Based on these data and other related studies, we presumed that de novo
      mutations of ATXN3 emerging from large ANs are at least one survival mechanisms
      of mutational ATXN3 and we can redefine the range of CAG repeats as: ANs<=44, 45
      <=AIs <=49 and AEs>=50. 

PMID- 26266537
TI  - Spatiotemporal Spike Coding of Behavioral Adaptation in the Dorsal Anterior
      Cingulate Cortex.
AB  - The frontal cortex controls behavioral adaptation in environments governed by
      complex rules. Many studies have established the relevance of firing rate
      modulation after informative events signaling whether and how to update the
      behavioral policy. However, whether the spatiotemporal features of these neuronal
      activities contribute to encoding imminent behavioral updates remains unclear. We
      investigated this issue in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) of monkeys
      while they adapted their behavior based on their memory of feedback from past
      choices. We analyzed spike trains of both single units and pairs of
      simultaneously recorded neurons using an algorithm that emulates different
      biologically plausible decoding circuits. This method permits the assessment of
      the performance of both spike-count and spike-timing sensitive decoders. In
      response to the feedback, single neurons emitted stereotypical spike trains whose
      temporal structure identified informative events with higher accuracy than mere
      spike count. The optimal decoding time scale was in the range of 70-200 ms, which
      is significantly shorter than the memory time scale required by the behavioral
      task. Importantly, the temporal spiking patterns of single units were predictive
      of the monkeys' behavioral response time. Furthermore, some features of these
      spiking patterns often varied between jointly recorded neurons. All together, our
      results suggest that dACC drives behavioral adaptation through complex
      spatiotemporal spike coding. They also indicate that downstream networks, which
      decode dACC feedback signals, are unlikely to act as mere neural integrators.

PMID- 26266538
TI  - c-Myc Alters Substrate Utilization and O-GlcNAc Protein Posttranslational
      Modifications without Altering Cardiac Function during Early Aortic Constriction.
AB  - Hypertrophic stimuli cause transcription of the proto-oncogene c-Myc (Myc). Prior
      work showed that myocardial knockout of c-Myc (Myc) attenuated hypertrophy and
      decreased expression of metabolic genes after aortic constriction. Accordingly,
      we assessed the interplay between Myc, substrate oxidation and cardiac function
      during early pressure overload hypertrophy. Mice with cardiac specific, inducible
      Myc knockout (MycKO-TAC) and non-transgenic littermates (Cont-TAC) were subjected
      to transverse aortic constriction (TAC; n = 7/group). Additional groups underwent
      sham surgery (Cont-Sham and MycKO-Sham, n = 5 per group). After two weeks,
      function was measured in isolated working hearts along with substrate fractional
      contributions to the citric acid cycle by using perfusate with 13C labeled mixed
      fatty acids, lactate, ketone bodies and unlabeled glucose and insulin. Cardiac
      function was similar between groups after TAC although +dP/dT and -dP/dT trended
      towards improvement in MycKO-TAC versus Cont-TAC. In sham hearts, Myc knockout
      did not affect cardiac function or substrate preferences for the citric acid
      cycle. However, Myc knockout altered fractional contributions during TAC. The
      unlabeled fractional contribution increased in MycKO-TAC versus Cont-TAC, whereas
      ketone and free fatty acid fractional contributions decreased. Additionally,
      protein posttranslational modifications by O-GlcNAc were significantly greater in
      Cont-TAC versus both Cont-Sham and MycKO-TAC. In conclusion, Myc alters substrate
      preferences for the citric acid cycle during early pressure overload hypertrophy
      without negatively affecting cardiac function. Myc also affects protein
      posttranslational modifications by O-GlcNAc during hypertrophy, which may
      regulate Myc-induced metabolic changes.

PMID- 26266539
TI  - Molecular Evolution of PvMSP3alpha Block II in Plasmodium vivax from Diverse
      Geographic Origins.
AB  - Block II of Plasmodium vivax merozoite surface protein 3alpha (PvMSP3alpha) is
      conserved and has been proposed as a potential candidate for a malaria vaccine.
      The present study aimed to compare sequence diversity in PvMSP3a block II at a
      local microgeographic scale in a village as well as from larger geographic
      regions (countries and worldwide). Blood samples were collected from asymptomatic
      carriers of P. vivax in a village at the western border of Thailand and
      PvMSP3alpha was amplified and sequenced. For population genetic analysis, 237
      PvMSP3alpha block II sequences from eleven P. vivax endemic countries were
      analyzed. PvMSP3alpha sequences from 20 village-level samples revealed two length
      variant types with one type containing a large deletion in block I. In contrast,
      block II was relatively conserved; especially, some non-synonymous mutations were
      extensively shared among 11 parasite populations. However, the majority of the
      low-frequency synonymous variations were population specific. The conserved
      pattern of nucleotide diversity in block II sequences was probably due to
      functional/structural constraints, which were further supported by the tests of
      neutrality. Notably, a small region in block II that encodes a predicted B cell
      epitope was highly polymorphic and showed signs of balancing selection,
      signifying that this region might be influenced by the immune selection and may
      serve as a starting point for designing multi-antigen/stage epitope based
      vaccines against this parasite.

PMID- 26266540
TI  - Ethanol upregulates NMDA receptor subunit gene expression in human embryonic stem
      cell-derived cortical neurons.
AB  - Chronic alcohol consumption may result in sustained gene expression alterations
      in the brain, leading to alcohol abuse or dependence. Because of ethical concerns
      of using live human brain cells in research, this hypothesis cannot be tested
      directly in live human brains. In the present study, we used human embryonic stem
      cell (hESC)-derived cortical neurons as in vitro cellular models to investigate
      alcohol-induced expression changes of genes involved in alcohol metabolism
      (ALDH2), anti-apoptosis (BCL2 and CCND2), neurotransmission (NMDA receptor
      subunit genes: GRIN1, GRIN2A, GRIN2B, and GRIN2D), calcium channel activity
      (ITPR2), or transcriptional repression (JARID2). hESCs were differentiated into
      cortical neurons, which were characterized by immunostaining using antibodies
      against cortical neuron-specific biomarkers. Ethanol-induced gene expression
      changes were determined by reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain
      reaction (RT-qPCR). After a 7-day ethanol (50 mM) exposure followed by a 24-hour
      ethanol withdrawal treatment, five of the above nine genes (including all four
      NMDA receptor subunit genes) were highly upregulated (GRIN1: 1.93-fold, P =
      0.003; GRIN2A: 1.40-fold, P = 0.003; GRIN2B: 1.75-fold, P = 0.002; GRIN2D: 1.86
      fold, P = 0.048; BCL2: 1.34-fold, P = 0.031), and the results of GRIN1, GRIN2A,
      and GRIN2B survived multiple comparison correction. Our findings suggest that
      alcohol responsive genes, particularly NMDA receptor genes, play an important
      role in regulating neuronal function and mediating chronic alcohol consumption
      induced neuroadaptations. 

PMID- 26266542
TI  - Fine-Scale Cartography of Human Impacts along French Mediterranean Coasts: A
      Relevant Map for the Management of Marine Ecosystems.
AB  - Ecosystem services provided by oceans and seas support most human needs but are
      threatened by human activities. Despite existing maps illustrating human impacts
      on marine ecosystems, information remains either large-scale but rough and
      insufficient for stakeholders (1 km2 grid, lack of data along the coast) or fine
      scale but fragmentary and heterogeneous in methodology. The objectives of this
      study are to map and quantify the main pressures exerted on near-coast marine
      ecosystems, at a large spatial scale though in fine and relevant resolution for
      managers (one pixel = 20 x 20 m). It focuses on the French Mediterranean coast
      (1,700 km of coastline including Corsica) at a depth of 0 to 80 m. After
      completing and homogenizing data presently available under GIS on the bathymetry
      and anthropogenic pressures but also on the seabed nature and ecosystem
      vulnerability, we provide a fine modeling of the extent and impacts of 10
      anthropogenic pressures on marine habitats. The considered pressures are man-made
      coastline, boat anchoring, aquaculture, urban effluents, industrial effluents,
      urbanization, agriculture, coastline erosion, coastal population and fishing. A
      1:10 000 continuous habitat map is provided considering 11 habitat classes. The
      marine bottom is mostly covered by three habitats: infralittoral soft bottom,
      Posidonia oceanica meadows and circalittoral soft bottom. Around two thirds of
      the bottoms are found within medium and medium high cumulative impact categories.
      Seagrass meadows are the most impacted habitats. The most important pressures (in
      area and intensity) are urbanization, coastal population, coastal erosion and man
      made coastline. We also identified areas in need of a special management
      interest. This work should contribute to prioritize environmental needs, as well
      as enhance the development of indicators for the assessment of the ecological
      status of coastal systems. It could also help better apply and coordinate
      management measures at a relevant scale for biodiversity conservation.

PMID- 26266541
TI  - Differential Effects of Sodium Butyrate and Lithium Chloride on Rhesus Monkey
      Trophoblast Differentiation.
AB  - Trophoblast differentiation during early placental development is critical for
      successful pregnancy and aberrant differentiation causes preeclampsia and early
      pregnancy loss. During the first trimester, cytotrophoblasts are exposed to low
      oxygen tension (equivalent to~2%-3% O2) and differentiation proceeds along an
      extravillous pathway (giving rise to invasive extravillous cytotrophoblasts) and
      a villous pathway (giving rise to multinucleated syncytiotrophoblast).
      Interstitial extravillous cytotrophoblasts invade the decidua, while endovascular
      extravillous cytotrophoblasts are involved in re-modelling uterine spiral
      arteries. We tested the idea that sodium butyrate (an epigenetic modulator)
      induces trophoblast differentiation in early gestation rhesus monkey trophoblasts
      through activation of the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway. The results show that
      syncytiotrophoblast formation was increased by butyrate, accompanied by nuclear
      accumulation of beta-catenin, and increased expression of EnvV2 and galectin-1
      (two factors thought to be involved in trophoblast fusion). Surprisingly, the
      expression of GCM1 and syncytin-2 was not affected by sodium butyrate. When
      trophoblasts were incubated with lithium chloride, a GSK3 inhibitor that mimics
      Wnt activation, nuclear accumulation of beta-catenin also occurred but
      differentiation into syncytiotrophoblast was not observed. Instead the cells
      differentiated to mononucleated spindle-shaped cells and showed molecular and
      behavioral characteristics of endovascular trophoblasts. Another highly specific
      inhibitor of GSK3, CHIR99021, failed to induce endovascular trophoblast
      characteristics. These observations suggest that activation of the Wnt/beta
      catenin pathway correlates with both trophoblast differentiation pathways, but
      that additional factors determine specific cell fate decisions. Other experiments
      suggested that the differential effects of sodium butyrate and lithium chloride
      might be explained by their effects on TNFalpha production. The results provide
      valuable tools to manipulate trophoblast differentiation in vitro and to better
      understand the differentiation pathways that occur during early gestation.

PMID- 26266543
TI  - Behavior and Body Patterns of the Larger Pacific Striped Octopus.
AB  - Over thirty years ago anecdotal accounts of the undescribed Larger Pacific
      Striped Octopus suggested behaviors previously unknown for octopuses. Beak-to
      beak mating, dens shared by mating pairs, inking during mating and extended
      spawning were mentioned in publications, and enticed generations of cephalopod
      biologists. In 2012-2014 we were able to obtain several live specimens of this
      species, which remains without a formal description. All of the unique behaviors
      listed above were observed for animals in aquaria and are discussed here. We
      describe the behavior, body color patterns, and postures of 24 adults maintained
      in captivity. Chromatophore patterns of hatchlings are also shown. 

PMID- 26266545
TI  - iMAR: An Interactive Web-Based Application for Mapping Herbicide Resistant Weeds.
AB  - Herbicides are the major weed control tool in most cropping systems worldwide.
      However, the high reliance on herbicides has led to environmental issues as well
      as to the evolution of herbicide-resistant biotypes. Resistance is a major
      concern in modern agriculture and early detection of resistant biotypes is
      therefore crucial for its management and prevention. In this context, a timely
      update of resistance biotypes distribution is fundamental to devise and implement
      efficient resistance management strategies. Here we present an innovative web
      based application called iMAR (interactive MApping of Resistance) for the mapping
      of herbicide resistant biotypes. It is based on open source software tools and
      translates into maps the data reported in the GIRE (Italian herbicide resistance
      working group) database of herbicide resistance at national level. iMAR allows an
      automatic, easy and cost-effective updating of the maps a nd provides two
      different systems, "static" and "dynamic". In the first one, the user choices are
      guided by a hierarchical tree menu, whereas the latter is more flexible and
      includes a multiple choice criteria (type of resistance, weed species, region,
      cropping systems) that permits customized maps to be created. The generated
      information can be useful to various stakeholders who are involved in weed
      resistance management: farmers, advisors, national and local decision makers as
      well as the agrochemical industry. iMAR is freely available, and the system has
      the potential to handle large datasets and to be used for other purposes with
      geographical implications, such as the mapping of invasive plants or pests.

PMID- 26266544
TI  - Differentiate or Die: 3-Bromopyruvate and Pluripotency in Mouse Embryonic Stem
      Cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pluripotent embryonic stem cells grown under standard conditions
      (ESC) have a markedly glycolytic profile, which is shared with many different
      types of cancer cells. Thus, some therapeutic strategies suggest that
      pharmacologically shifting cancer cells towards an oxidative phenotype, using
      glycolysis inhibitors, may reduce cancer aggressiveness. Given the metabolic
      parallels between cancer and stemness would chemotherapeutical agents have an
      effect on pluripotency, and could a strategy involving these agents be envisioned
      to modulate stem cell fate in an accessible manner? In this manuscript we
      attempted to determine the effects of 3-bromopyruvate (3BrP) in pluripotency.
      Although it has other intracellular targets, this compound is a potent inhibitor
      of glycolysis enzymes thought to be important to maintain a glycolytic profile.
      The goal was also to determine if we could contribute towards a pharmacologically
      accessible metabolic strategy to influence cell differentiation.
      METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Mouse embryonic stem cells (mESC) grown under
      standard pluripotency conditions (in the presence of Leukemia Inducing Factor-
      LIF) were treated with 3BrP. As a positive control for differentiation other
      mESCs were grown without LIF. Overall our results demonstrate that 3BrP
      negatively affects pluripotency, forcing cells to become less glycolytic and with
      more active mitochondria. These changes in metabolism are correlated with
      increased differentiation, even under pluripotency conditions (i.e. in the
      presence of LIF). However, 3BrP also significantly impaired cell function, and
      may have other roles besides affecting the metabolic profile of mESCs.
      CONCLUSIONS/FINDINGS: Treatment of mESCs with 3BrP triggered a metabolic switch
      and loss of pluripotency, even in the presence of LIF. Interestingly, the
      positive control for differentiation allowed for a distinction between 3BrP
      effects and changes associated with spontaneous differentiation/loss of
      pluripotency in the absence of LIF. Additionally, there was a slight
      differentiation bias towards mesoderm in the presence of 3BrP. However, the side
      effects on cellular function suggest that the use of this drug is probably not
      adequate to efficiently push cells towards specific differentiation fates.

PMID- 26266546
TI  - Antihypertensive Effect of a Combination of Uracil and Glycerol Derived from
      Lactobacillus plantarum Strain TWK10-Fermented Soy Milk.
AB  - We previously demonstrated that angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) could be
      inhibited by soy milk that had been fermented with the Lactobacillus plantarum
      strain TWK10, suggesting great potential for the development of antihypertensive
      products. In this work, the bioactive ACE inhibitors in TWK10-fermented soy milk
      water extracts were isolated, and a combination of uracil and glycerol (CUG) was
      identified as one of the ACE inhibitors. We then examined the physiological
      effects of CUG treatment in short-term and long-term studies using spontaneously
      hypertensive rats (SHRs) as an experimental model. The results revealed that the
      fermented soy milk extracts and CUG decreased blood pressure by 11.97 +/- 3.71 to
      19.54 +/- 9.54 mmHg, 8 h after oral administration, and exhibited
      antihypertensive effects in SHRs in a long-term study. In addition, CUG was shown
      to decrease blood pressure by suppressing either the renin activity or the ACE
      activity and, thus, decreasing the downstream vasoconstricting peptide
      angiotensin II and the hormone aldosterone. CUG also promoted nitric oxide
      production, resulting in vasodilation and further improvement to hypertension.
      This important finding suggests that TWK10-fermented soy milk and its functional
      ingredients, uracil and glycerol, exhibit antihypertensive effects via multiple
      pathways and provide a healthier and more natural antihypertensive functional
      food. 

PMID- 26266547
TI  - Stepwise Expansion of Pd Chains from Binuclear Palladium(I) Complexes Supported
      by Tetraphosphine Ligands.
AB  - Reaction of [Pd2(XylNC)6]X2 (X = PF6, BF4) with a linear tetraphosphine, meso
      bis[(diphenylphosphinomethyl)phenylphosphino]methane (dpmppm), afforded binuclear
      Pd(I) complexes, [Pd2(MU-dpmppm)2]X2 ([2]X2), through an asymmetric dipalladium
      complex, [Pd2(MU-dpmppm)(XylNC)3](2+) ([1](2+)). Complex [2](2+) readily reacted
      with [Pd(0)(dba)2] (2 equiv) and an excess of isocyanide, RNC (R = 2,6-xylyl
      (Xyl), tert-butyl ((t)Bu)), to generate an equilibrium mixture of [Pd4(MU
      dpmppm)2(RNC)2](2+) ([3'](2+)) + RNC ? [Pd4(MU-dpmppm)2(RNC)3](2+) ([3](2+)),
      from which [Pd4(MU-dpmppm)2(XylNC)3](2+) ([3a](2+)) and [Pd4(MU
      dpmppm)2((t)BuNC)2](2+) ([3b'](2+)) were isolated. Variable-temperature UV-vis
      and (31)P{(1)H} and (1)H NMR spectroscopic studies on the equilibrium mixtures
      demonstrated that the tetrapalladium complexes are quite fluxional in the
      solution state: the symmetric Pd4 complex [3b'](2+) predominantly existed at
      higher temperatures (>0  degrees C), and the equilibrium shifted to the
      asymmetric Pd4 complex [3b](2+) at a low temperature (~-30  degrees C). The
      binding constants were determined by UV-vis titration at 20  degrees C and
      revealed that XylNC is of higher affinity to the Pd4 core than (t)BuNC. In
      addition, both isocyanides exhibited higher affinity to the electron deficient
      [Pd4(MU-dpmppmF2)2(RNC)2](2+) ([3F'](2+)) than to [Pd4(MU-dpmppm)2(RNC)2](2+)
      ([3'](2+)) (dpmppmF2 = meso-bis[{di(3,5
      difluorophenyl)phosphinomethyl}phenylphosphino]methane). When [2]X2 was treated
      with [Pd(0)(dba)2] (2 equiv) in the absence of RNC in acetonitrile, linearly
      ordered octapalladium chains, [Pd8(MU-dpmppm)4(CH3CN)2]X4 ([4]X4: X = PF6, BF4),
      were generated through a coupling of two {Pd4(MU-dpmppm)2}(2+) fragments. Complex
      [2](2+) was also proven to be a good precursor for Pd2M2 mixed-metal complexes,
      yielding [Pd2Cl(Cp*MCl) (Cp*MCl2)(MU-dpmppm)2](2+) (M = Rh ([5](2+)), Ir
      ([6](2+)), and [Au2Pd2Cl2(dpmppm-H)2](2+) ([7](2+)) by treatment with [Cp*MCl2]2
      and [AuCl(PPh3)], respectively. Complex [7](2+) contains an unprecedented
      PC(sp(3))P pincer ligand with a PCPCPCP backbone, dpmppm-H of deprotonated
      dpmppm. The present results demonstrated that the binuclear Pd(I) complex [2](2+)
      was a quite useful starting material to extend the palladium chains and to
      construct Pd-involved heteromultinuclear systems. 

PMID- 26266548
TI  - Plasmonic mass and Johnson-Nyquist noise.
AB  - The fluctuation-dissipation theorem relates the thermal noise spectrum of a
      conductor to its linear response properties, with the ohmic resistance arising
      from the electron scattering being the most notable linear response property. But
      the linear response also includes the collective inertial acceleration of
      electrons, which should in principle influence the thermal noise spectrum as
      well. In practice, this effect would be largely masked by the Planck quantization
      for traditional conductors with short electron scattering times. But recent
      advances in nanotechnology have enabled the fabrication of conductors with
      greatly increased electron scattering times, with which the collective inertial
      effect can critically affect the thermal noise spectrum. In this paper we
      highlight this collective inertial effect-that is, the plasmonic effect-on the
      thermal noise spectrum under the framework of semiclassical electron dynamics,
      from both fundamental microscopic and practical modeling points of view. In
      graphene, where non-zero collective inertia arises from zero single-electron
      effective mass and where both electron and hole bands exist together, the thermal
      noise spectrum shows rich temperature and frequency dependencies, unseen in
      traditional conductors. 

PMID- 26266549
TI  - A Conformational Shift in the Dissociated Cholera Toxin A1 Subunit Prevents
      Reassembly of the Cholera Holotoxin.
AB  - Cholera toxin (CT) consists of a catalytic A1 subunit, an A2 linker, and a
      homopentameric cell-binding B subunit. The intact holotoxin moves by vesicle
      carriers from the cell surface to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) where CTA1 is
      released from the rest of the toxin. The dissociated CTA1 subunit then shifts to
      an unfolded conformation, which triggers its export to the cytosol by a process
      involving the quality control system of ER-associated degradation (ERAD). We
      hypothesized that the unfolding of dissociated CTA1 would prevent its non
      productive reassociation with CTA2/CTB5. To test this prediction, we monitored
      the real-time reassociation of CTA1 with CTA2/CTB5 by surface plasmon resonance.
      Folded but not disordered CTA1 could interact with CTA2/CTB5 to form a stable,
      functional holotoxin. Our data, thus, identified another role for the intrinsic
      instability of the isolated CTA1 polypeptide in host-toxin interactions: in
      addition to activating the ERAD translocation mechanism, the spontaneous
      unfolding of free CTA1 at 37  degrees C prevents the non-productive reassembly of
      a CT holotoxin in the ER. 

PMID- 26266550
TI  - The evolution of carrying capacity in constrained and expanding tumour cell
      populations.
AB  - Cancer cells are known to modify their micro-environment such that it can sustain
      a larger population, or, in ecological terms, they construct a niche which
      increases the carrying capacity of the population. It has however been argued
      that niche construction, which benefits all cells in the tumour, would be
      selected against since cheaters could reap the benefits without paying the cost.
      We have investigated the impact of niche specificity on tumour evolution using an
      individual based model of breast tumour growth, in which the carrying capacity of
      each cell consists of two components: an intrinsic, subclone-specific part and a
      contribution from all neighbouring cells. Analysis of the model shows that the
      ability of a mutant to invade a resident population depends strongly on the
      specificity. When specificity is low selection is mostly on growth rate, while
      high specificity shifts selection towards increased carrying capacity. Further,
      we show that the long-term evolution of the system can be predicted using
      adaptive dynamics. By comparing the results from a spatially structured versus
      well-mixed population we show that spatial structure restores selection for
      carrying capacity even at zero specificity, which poses a solution to the niche
      construction dilemma. Lastly, we show that an expanding population exhibits
      spatially variable selection pressure, where cells at the leading edge exhibit
      higher growth rate and lower carrying capacity than those at the centre of the
      tumour. 

PMID- 26266551
TI  - Activity in mice of recombinant BCG-EgG1Y162 vaccine for Echinococcus granulosus
      infection.
AB  - Cystic hydatid disease is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by Echinococcus
      granulosus which is distributed worldwide. The disease is difficult to treat with
      surgery removal is the only cure treatment. In the high endemic areas,
      vaccination of humans is believed a way to protect communities from the disease.
      In this study we vaccinated BALB/c mice with rBCG-EgG1Y162, and then detected the
      level of IgG and IgE specifically against the recombinant protein by ELISA, rBCG
      EgG1Y162 induced strong and specific cellular and humoral immune responses. In
      vitro study showed that rBCG-EgG1Y162 vaccine not only promote splenocytes
      proliferation but also active T cell. In addition, the rBCG-EgG1Y162 induced a
      protection in the mice against secondary infection of Echinococcus granulosus. 

PMID- 26266553
TI  - Outcomes of Surgical Treatment of Posterolateral Instability of the Knee.
AB  - The purpose of this review is to assess the outcomes of surgical treatment of
      posterolateral instability of the knee in an evidence-based manner. The majority
      of the existing outcomes literature on posterolateral instability consists of
      small, level IV case series and level III retrospective studies. Outcomes of
      surgical treatment of posterolateral instability of the knee are difficult to
      compare because of the heterogeneous presentation of posterolateral corner (PLC)
      injuries, the variability of their associated injuries, and their relative
      rarity. As such, three common types of surgical intervention for posterolateral
      instability are explored separately in this article, including acute repair,
      acute reconstruction, and chronic reconstruction. In general, the current
      literature supports early anatomic repair of all soft tissues and concomitant PLC
      reconstruction; however, because of the variability of posterolateral injury,
      surgical treatment options should be tailored to the patient, depending on the
      severity and chronicity of the posterolateral instability, as well as the
      associated injuries present. 

PMID- 26266552
TI  - When and How Is Patella Tracking Best Assessed in Total Knee Arthroplasty
      Surgery?
AB  - Much emphasis has been placed on the role of patella resurfacing in total knee
      arthroplasty (TKA), yet the impact of soft tissue balancing has frequently been
      understated. The authors used a novel system to precisely assess patellofemoral
      joint (PFJ) tracking intraoperatively, to determine the impact of both
      retinacular reconstruction and tourniquet use on PFJ kinematics. PFJ kinematics
      assessed intraoperatively for 20 consecutive TKA patients. Measurements were
      recorded using both the "no thumb technique" and following reconstruction of the
      retinaculum with two positional sutures. The tourniquet was deflated and both
      measurements were repeated. Tourniquet inflation was not found to have a
      significant impact on the patella tracking (mean translation 0.9 mm, p = 0.15).
      Patella retinacular reconstruction generated a significant medialization of the
      patella by a mean of 5.5 mm (p < 0.0001) when compared with the traditional
      retinacular open "no thumb technique." The use of a tourniquet has been shown to
      have no effect on patella tracking. Reconstruction of the patella retinaculum
      markedly improves patella tracking, generating a mean medialization of 15%. The
      authors advocate the routine use of two positional sutures to restore the patella
      retinaculum, before trialing the patella component, as a reproducible means of
      assessing the PFJ kinematics. 

PMID- 26266554
TI  - Competition Between H2SO4(-)(CH3)3N and H2SO4-H2O Interactions: Theoretical
      Studies on the Clusters [(CH3)3N].(H2SO4).(H2O)(3-7).
AB  - The role of the nucleation of sulfuric acid with amines in aerosol formation and
      its implications for environment is one of the fundamental unsettled questions in
      atmospheric chemistry. We have investigated the cluster of
      [(CH3)3N].(H2SO4).(H2O)n (n = 3-7) by molecular dynamics to obtain
      configurational sampling combination with CAM-B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) level to locate
      the global and many local minima for each cluster size. According to the binding
      energies at the method of MP2/6-311++G(d,p), the total binding energies decrease
      with the increasing of the water molecules. For each global minimum, the average
      binding energies decrease from n = 3 to 4, then increase slowly. The protons of
      H2SO4 are preferred to transfer to the (CH3)3N to form ion-pair HSO4(-) and
      (CH3)3NH(+), and the (CH3)3NH(+) ions are coordinated at the first hydrated shell
      of HSO4(-) when n is between 3 and 5 and coordinated at the second or third
      hydrated shell when n is larger than 5.

PMID- 26266555
TI  - Monitoring Assembly of Virus Capsids with Nanofluidic Devices.
AB  - Virus assembly is a coordinated process in which typically hundreds of subunits
      react to form complex, symmetric particles. We use resistive-pulse sensing to
      characterize the assembly of hepatitis B virus core protein dimers into T = 3 and
      T = 4 icosahedral capsids. This technique counts and sizes intermediates and
      capsids in real time, with single-particle sensitivity, and at biologically
      relevant concentrations. Other methods are not able to produce comparable real
      time, single-particle observations of assembly reactions below, near, and above
      the pseudocritical dimer concentration, at which the dimer and capsid
      concentrations are approximately equal. Assembly reactions across a range of
      dimer concentrations reveal three distinct patterns. At dimer concentrations as
      low as 50 nM, well below the pseudocritical dimer concentration of 0.5 MUM, we
      observe a switch in the ratio of T = 3 to T = 4 capsids, which increases with
      decreasing dimer concentration. Far above the pseudocritical dimer concentration,
      kinetically trapped, incomplete T = 4 particles assemble rapidly, then slowly
      anneal into T = 4 capsids. At all dimer concentrations tested, T = 3 capsids form
      more rapidly than T = 4 capsids, suggesting distinct pathways for the two forms. 

PMID- 26266557
TI  - Relieving the pressure at LNS 2015.

PMID- 26266556
TI  - The Role of Short-Chain Fatty Acids, Produced by Anaerobic Bacteria, in the
      Cystic Fibrosis Airway.
AB  - RATIONALE: Anaerobic bacteria are present in large numbers in the airways of
      people with cystic fibrosis (PWCF). In the gut, anaerobes produce short-chain
      fatty acids (SCFAs) that modulate immune and inflammatory processes. OBJECTIVES:
      To investigate the capacity of anaerobes to contribute to cystic fibrosis (CF)
      airway pathogenesis via SCFAs. METHODS: Samples of 109 PWCF were processed using
      anaerobic microbiological culture with bacteria present identified by 16S RNA
      sequencing. SCFA levels in anaerobic supernatants and bronchoalveolar lavage
      (BAL) were determined by gas chromatography. The mRNA and/or protein expression
      of two SCFA receptors, GPR41 and GPR43, in CF and non-CF bronchial brushings and
      16HBE14o(-) and CFBE41o(-) cells were evaluated using reverse transcription
      polymerase chain reaction, Western blot analysis, laser scanning cytometry, and
      confocal microscopy. SCFA-induced IL-8 secretion was monitored by ELISA.
      MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Fifty-seven (52.3%) of 109 PWCF were anaerobe
      positive. Prevalence increased with age, from 33.3% to 57.7% in PWCF younger (n =
      24) and older (n = 85) than 6 years of age. All evaluated anaerobes produced
      millimolar concentrations of SCFAs, including acetic, propionic, and butyric
      acids. SCFA levels were higher in BAL samples of adults than in those of
      children. GPR41 levels were elevated in CFBE41o(-) versus 16HBE14o(-) cells; CF
      versus non-CF bronchial brushings; and 16HBE14o(-) cells after treatment with
      cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator inhibitor CFTR(inh)-172, CF
      BAL, or inducers of endoplasmic reticulum stress. SCFAs induced a dose-dependent
      and pertussis toxin-sensitive IL-8 response in bronchial epithelial cells, with a
      higher production of IL-8 in CFBE41o(-) than in 16HBE14o(-) cells. CONCLUSIONS:
      This study illustrates that SCFAs contribute to excessive production of IL-8 in
      CF airways colonized with anaerobes via up-regulated GPR41.

PMID- 26266558
TI  - Managing the problem of excess exudate.
AB  - Wound healing is a normal response to injury and is initiated after the integrity
      of the skin has been interrupted. The management of exudate in practice can be
      challenging, as there are clinical situations where the patient's wound may
      produce copious amounts of exudate. It is therefore important that excess wound
      exudate is accurately assessed and diagnosed and subsequently managed effectively
      to relieve the significant burden it places on those who suffer with the problem.
      This article will look at the effect of Exufiber((r)) in the management of three
      wounds with different aetiologies. 

PMID- 26266559
TI  - Is there a difference between debridement and desloughing?

PMID- 26266560
TI  - An observational evaluation of a new foam adhesive dressing.
AB  - Following the work of Winter demonstrating the benefits of moist wound healing,
      there has been a constant stream of wound care products launched into the market
      to support this concept. This article will describe the findings of an
      observational evaluation to observe, document and analyse the clinical
      effectiveness of a new foam adhesive dressing, UrgoTul(r) Absorb Border (Urgo
      Medical). The main objective of the evaluation was to define the parameters to
      allow data capture that would demonstrate the clinical effectiveness of the
      dressing. Parameters studied and analysed included atraumatic pain-free dressing
      changes; ease of dressing application; comfort and conformability; exudate
      management; ability of the dressing to stay in place; and peri-wound skin
      management. A total of 25 patients with wounds suitable to be dressed using the
      evaluation product were recruited following a full documented wound assessment by
      the tissue viability nurse. Participants were selected across the organisation
      from acute hospital wards and outpatient departments, care homes, wound care
      clinics and the participants' own homes. Digital photography was used to
      demonstrate improvement or deterioration of the wound bed and surrounding skin,
      and images were assessed by non-participating clinicians to confirm documented
      observations made within the evaluation. The dressing was found to be clinically
      effective in both chronic and acute wound types, and had an excellent level of
      participant acceptance.

PMID- 26266562
TI  - A 7-day NHS service for all?

PMID- 26266561
TI  - A clinical in-market evaluation of an alginate fibre dressing.
AB  - Practice nurses working in GP surgeries are responsible for caring for patients
      with both acute and chronic wounds. The management of wounds is challenging and
      it is important to achieve and maintain an optimum healing environment. As
      practice nurses play an integral part in managing both acute and chronic wounds
      within a community setting, it is essential that they can make informed decisions
      as to which products to use. A clinical in-market evaluation of 23 patients was
      carried out to assess the performance of ActivHeal Aquafiber(r) in clinical
      practice. Overall, the dressing performed well in respect of fluid handling and
      durability. The dressing addressed patient needs in terms of easy application and
      removal, prevention of leakage and wound progression.

PMID- 26266563
TI  - MRSA decontamination using octenidine-based products.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections are an
      increasing problem worldwide with a high risk of severe illness and mortality in
      hospitalised patients. Patients with chronic wounds are at particular risk of
      developing MRSA infections. As octenidine-based products have shown promising
      success in decontamination in the past, the aim of the present study was to
      determine its efficacy, safety, and tolerability in decontaminating hospitalised
      MRSA-positive patients. METHODS: From 1 April 2011 until 9 November 2012, 36
      patients were screened MRSA-positive at the Republican Vilnius University
      Hospital, Vilnius, Lithuania. At least three swab tests were performed for each
      patient to screen for MRSA, one from each nostril and one from the perineum. In
      patients with wounds, an additional swab was taken from the wound surface. In the
      affected patients octenidine-based products were used in one or two cycles of 7
      days each. In addition, adverse events were recorded and the tolerability was
      assessed using a 4-point scale ranging from 'very good' to 'poor'. RESULTS:
      Complete decontamination was achieved in 24 patients (67%) following treatment
      with the octenidine-based products. None of the patients experienced side-effects
      or secondary symptoms such as skin irritation or allergic reactions during the
      course of the study. In addition, octenidine was very well tolerated in the
      majority of patients (n=31; 86%). CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate that
      octenidine-based products are highly efficient in the multifaceted
      decontamination of hospitalised MRSA-positive patients. Having a range of
      products that can be used for full body decontamination (including the scalp and
      nasal passages) is of particular significance when developing an MRSA
      decontamination protocol, as multiple parts of the body can be affected. Combined
      with a favourable safety and tolerability profile, octenidine-based products thus
      represent a good choice in multifaceted MRSA decontamination regimes, which are
      necessary to curb the increasing problem of severe infections.

PMID- 26266564
TI  - How I got Leg Club up and running.

PMID- 26266565
TI  - Tissue Viability Nurse of the Year. BJN Award Runner Up. Nottingham CityCare
      Tissue Viability Service.

PMID- 26266566
TI  - Managing venous leg ulcers using compression therapy and dressings.
AB  - Patient comfort and satisfaction with both compression therapy and wound care are
      critical to the success of venous leg ulcer treatment. This study observed 22
      patients with venous leg ulcers treated over 12 weeks with two-layer compression
      hosiery and a range of wound dressings. The mean duration of the ulcers was 10.5
      months and 48% had a history of recurrent ulcers. Half the ulcers healed within
      12 weeks; there was an increase in the proportion of patients reporting 'no
      impairment' to their mobility, but it was not significant. The ease of donning
      the two-layer hosiery was rated as excellent or good at 86% of control visits and
      the ease of doffing at 78%. In 95% of cases the clinicians said they would use
      the same combination of products again and 73% of patients were satisfied with
      it. 

PMID- 26266567
TI  - Zinc-impregnated and odour-control two-layer compression.
AB  - This article presents the results of 40 patients using two versions of a new two
      layer compression system in a large primary care organisation. The evaluation was
      undertaken to explore the following areas formulary inclusion consideration: ease
      of use, clinical acceptability, clinical outcome and additional patient benefits
      of an alternative new low-profile bandage system containing zinc (n=30) and odour
      control properties (n=10). 

PMID- 26266568
TI  - Tissue viability services for intravenous drug users.

PMID- 26266569
TI  - The expense of exudate management.

PMID- 26266570
TI  - Reducing the pollution risk of pesticide using nano networks induced by
      irradiation and hydrothermal treatment.
AB  - Traditional pesticides (TP) often do not adhere tightly to crop foliage. They can
      easily enter the surrounding environment through precipitation and
      volatilization. This can result in the pollution of the surrounding soil, water,
      and air. To reduce pesticide pollution, we developed a loss-control pesticide
      (LCP) by adding attapulgite with a nano networks structure fabricated using high
      energy electron beam (HEEB) irradiation and hydrothermal treatment to TP. HEEB
      irradiation effectively dispersed originally aggregated attapulgite through
      modified thermal, charge, and physical effects. Hydrothermal treatment further
      enhanced the dispersion of attapulgite to form nano porous networks via thermal
      and wet expansion effects, which are beneficial for pesticide binding. An LCP has
      improved retention on crop leaf surfaces. It has a higher adhesion capacity,
      reduced leaching and volatilization, and extended residual activity compared with
      the TP formulation. The treatment increases the residual activity of pesticides
      on crop foliage and decreases environmental pollution. 

PMID- 26266571
TI  - Monitoring Demineralization and Subsequent Remineralization of Human Teeth at the
      Dentin-Enamel Junction with Atomic Force Microscopy.
AB  - Using atomic force microscopy, we monitored the nanoscale surface morphology of
      human teeth at the dentin-enamel junction after performing successive
      demineralization steps with an acidic soft drink. Subsequently, we studied the
      remineralization process with a paste containing calcium and phosphate ions.
      Repeated atomic force microscopy imaging of the same sample areas on the sample
      allowed us to draw detailed conclusions regarding the specific mechanism of the
      demineralization process and the subsequent remineralization process. The about 1
      MUm-deep grooves that are caused by the demineralization process were
      preferentially filled with deposited nanoparticles, leading to smoother enamel
      and dentine surfaces after 90 min exposure to the remineralizing agent. The
      deposited material is found to homogeneously cover the enamel and dentine
      surfaces in the same manner. The temporal evolution of the surface roughness
      indicates that the remineralization caused by the repair paste proceeds in two
      distinct successive phases. 

PMID- 26266572
TI  - Hydrogen-Deuterium Exchange Mass Spectrometry Reveals Unique Conformational and
      Chemical Transformations Occurring upon [4Fe-4S] Cluster Binding in the Type 2 L
      Serine Dehydratase from Legionella pneumophila.
AB  - The type 2 L-serine dehydratase from Legionella pneumophila (lpLSD) contains a
      [4Fe-4S](2+) cluster that acts as a Lewis acid to extract the hydroxyl group of L
      serine during the dehydration reaction. Surprisingly, the crystal structure shows
      that all four of the iron atoms in the cluster are coordinated with protein
      cysteinyl residues and that the cluster is buried and not exposed to solvent. If
      the crystal structure of lpLSD accurately reflects the structure in solution,
      then substantial rearrangement at the active site is necessary for the substrate
      to enter. Furthermore, repair of the oxidized protein when the cluster has
      degraded would presumably entail exposure of the buried cysteine ligands. Thus,
      the conformation required for the substrate to enter may be similar to those
      required for a new cluster to enter the active site. To address this, hydrogen
      deuterium exchange combined with mass spectrometry (HDX MS) was used to probe the
      conformational changes that occur upon oxidative degradation of the Fe-S cluster.
      The regions that show the most significant differential HDX are adjacent to the
      cluster location in the holoenzyme or connect regions that are adjacent to the
      cluster. The observed decrease in flexibility upon cluster binding provides
      direct evidence that the "tail-in-mouth" conformation observed in the crystal
      structure also occurs in solution and that the C-terminal peptide is coordinated
      to the [4Fe-4S] cluster in a precatalytic conformation. This observation is
      consistent with the requirement of an activation step prior to catalysis and the
      unusually high level of resistance to oxygen-induced cluster degradation.
      Furthermore, peptide mapping of the apo form under nonreducing conditions
      revealed the formation of disulfide bonds between C396 and C485 and possibly
      between C343 and C385. These observations provide a picture of how the cluster
      loci are stabilized and poised to receive the cluster in the apo form and the
      requirement for a reduction step during cluster formation.

PMID- 26266573
TI  - Sustained Changes of Treg and Th17 Cells During Interferon-alpha Therapy in
      Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B.
AB  - Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is a worldwide infectious disease caused by hepatitis B
      virus (HBV). HBV mainly damages liver cells through immune response. The purpose
      of this study was to determine whether there were dynamic changes of Treg and
      Th17 cells and to judge the value of these indicators to antiviral treatment.
      Twenty-two CHB patients and selected 30 healthy adults were enrolled. Results
      showed that the expression of Treg (5.72+/-0.46 vs. 4.42+/-0.17, p=0.0019) and
      Th17 (3.94+/-0.64 vs. 2.66+/-3.12, p=0.0436) cells was significantly increased in
      CHB patients, as well as the level of interleukin-17 (IL-17) (16.88+/-5.37 vs.
      8.59+/-3.31; p=0.004). Then, we monitored longitudinally the impact of the
      treatment with interferon-alpha and found that the suppression of viral
      replication induced by interferon-alpha resulted in a decrease in Treg, Th17
      cells, and IL-17; we also found that the percentage of Treg and Th17 cells went
      up without clear evidence of clinical autoimmune disease at the end of treatment.
      Thus, Treg and Th17 cells might play an important role in interferon-alpha
      treatment to eliminate HBV. The level of changes may be served to determine the
      antiviral efficacy of interferon-alpha therapy. 

PMID- 26266575
TI  - 3d-4f {Co(II)3Ln(OR)4} Cubanes as Bio-Inspired Water Oxidation Catalysts.
AB  - Although the {CaMn4O5} oxygen evolving complex (OEC) of photosystem II is a major
      paradigm for water oxidation catalyst (WOC) development, the comprehensive
      translation of its key features into active molecular WOCs remains challenging.
      The [Co(II)3Ln(hmp)4(OAc)5H2O] ({Co(II)3Ln(OR)4}; Ln = Ho-Yb, hmp = 2
      (hydroxymethyl)pyridine) cubane WOC series is introduced as a new springboard to
      address crucial design parameters, ranging from nuclearity and redox-inactive
      promoters to operational stability and ligand exchange properties. The
      {Co(II)3Ln(OR)4} cubanes promote bioinspired WOC design by newly combining Ln(3+)
      centers as redox-inactive Ca(2+) analogues with flexible aqua-/acetate ligands
      into active and stable WOCs (max. TON/TOF values of 211/9 s(-1)). Furthermore,
      they open up the important family of 3d-4f complexes for photocatalytic
      applications. The stability of the {Co(II)3Ln(OR)4} WOCs under photocatalytic
      conditions is demonstrated with a comprehensive analytical strategy including
      trace metal analyses and solution-based X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS)
      investigations. The productive influence of the Ln(3+) centers is linked to
      favorable ligand mobility, and the experimental trends are substantiated with
      Born-Oppenheimer molecular dynamics studies. 

PMID- 26266574
TI  - Sources of Health Information Among Select Asian American Immigrant Groups in New
      York City.
AB  - Health information can potentially mitigate adverse health outcomes among ethnic
      minority populations, but little research has examined how minorities access
      health information. The aim of this study was to examine variations in the use of
      health information sources among Asian American (AA) subgroups and to identify
      differences in characteristics associated with the use of these sources. We
      analyzed data from a foreign-born community sample of 219 Asian Indians, 216
      Bangladeshis, 484 Chinese, and 464 Koreans living in New York City. Results found
      that use of health information sources varied by AA subgroup. Print media source
      use, which included newspapers, magazines, and/or journals, was highest among
      Chinese (84%), Koreans (75%), and Bangladeshis (80%), while radio was most
      utilized by Chinese (48%) and Koreans (38%). Television utilization was highest
      among Bangladeshis (74%) and Koreans (64%). Koreans (52%) and Chinese (40%) were
      most likely to use the Internet to access health information. Radio use was best
      explained by older age and longer time lived in the United States, while print
      media were more utilized by older individuals. Results also highlighted
      differences in native-language versus non-native-language media sources for
      health information by subgroup. Media sources can be used as a vehicle to
      disseminate health information among AAs. 

PMID- 26266576
TI  - Enhanced Detection of Low-Abundance Host Cell Protein Impurities in High-Purity
      Monoclonal Antibodies Down to 1 ppm Using Ion Mobility Mass Spectrometry Coupled
      with Multidimensional Liquid Chromatography.
AB  - The enormous dynamic range of proteinaceous species present in protein
      biotherapeutics poses a significant challenge for current mass spectrometry (MS)
      based methods to detect low-abundance HCP impurities. Previously, an HCP assay
      based on two-dimensional chromatographic separation (high pH/low pH) coupled to
      high-resolution quadrupole time-of-flight (QTOF) mass spectrometry and developed
      in the author's laboratory has been shown to achieve a detection limit of about
      50 ppm (parts per milion) for the identification and quantification of HCPs
      present in monoclonal antibodies following Protein A purification.1 To improve
      the HCP detection limit we have explored the utility of several new analytical
      techniques for HCP analysis and thereby developed an improved liquid
      chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) methodology for enhanced detection of
      HCPs. The new method includes (1) the use of a new charge-surface-modified (CSH)
      C18 stationary phase to mitigate the challenges of column saturation, peak
      tailing, and distortion that are commonly observed in the HCP analysis; (2) the
      incorporation of traveling-wave ion mobility (TWIM) separation of coeluting
      peptide precursors, and (3) the improvement of fragmentation efficiency of low
      abundance HCP peptides by correlating the collision energy used for precursor
      fragmentation with their mobility drift time. As a result of these improvements,
      the detection limit of the new methodology was greatly improved, and HCPs present
      at a concentration as low as 1 ppm (1 ng HCP/mg mAb) were successfully identified
      and quantified. The newly developed method was applied to analyze two high-purity
      mAbs (NIST mAb and Infliximab) expressed in a murine cell line. For both samples,
      low-abundance HCPs (down to 1 ppm) were confidently identified, and the
      identities of the HCPs were further confirmed by targeted MS/MS experiments. In
      addition, the performance of the assay was evaluated by an interlaboratory study
      in which three independent laboratories performed the same HCP assay on the mAb
      sample. The reproducibility of this assay is also discussed. 

PMID- 26266577
TI  - All-polymer photonic sensing platform based on whispering-gallery mode
      microgoblet lasers.
AB  - We present an all-polymer photonic sensing platform based on whispering-gallery
      mode microgoblet lasers integrated into a microfluidic chip. The chip is entirely
      made from polymers, enabling the use of the devices as low-cost disposables. The
      microgoblet cavities feature quality factors exceeding 10(5) and are fabricated
      from poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) using spin-coating, mask-based optical
      lithography, wet chemical etching, and thermal reflow. In contrast to silica
      based microtoroid resonators, this approach replaces technically demanding vacuum
      based dry etching and serial laser-based reflow techniques by solution-based
      processing and parallel thermal reflow. This enables scaling to large-area
      substrates, and hence significantly reduces device costs. Moreover, the
      resonators can be fabricated on arbitrary substrate materials, e.g., on
      transparent and flexible polymer foils. Doping the microgoblets with the organic
      dye pyrromethene 597 transforms the passive resonators into lasers. Devices have
      lasing thresholds below 0.6 nJ per pulse and can be efficiently pumped via free
      space optics using a compact and low-cost green laser diode. We demonstrate that
      arrays of microgoblet lasers can be readily integrated into a state-of-the-art
      microfluidic chip replicated via injection moulding. In a proof-of-principle
      experiment, we show the viability of the lab-on-a-chip via refractometric
      sensing, demonstrating a bulk refractive index sensitivity (BRIS) of 10.56 nm per
      refractive index unit. 

PMID- 26266578
TI  - Document Examination: Applications of Image Processing Systems.
AB  - Dealing with images is a familiar business for an expert in questioned documents:
      microscopic, photographic, infrared, and other optical techniques generate images
      containing the information he or she is looking for. A recent method for
      extracting most of this information is digital image processing, ranging from the
      simple contrast and contour enhancement to the advanced restoration of blurred
      texts. When combined with a sophisticated physical imaging system, an image
      pricessing system has proven to be a powerful and fast tool for routine non
      destructive scanning of suspect documents. This article reviews frequent
      applications, comprising techniques to increase legibility, two-dimensional
      spectroscopy (ink discrimination, alterations, erased entries, etc.), comparison
      techniques (stamps, typescript letters, photo substitution), and densitometry.
      Computerized comparison of handwriting is not included. 

PMID- 26266579
TI  - Forensic Science Applications of Ion Mobility Spectrometry.
AB  - The potential of ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) as a sensitive method for
      detecting hidden explosives and contraband drugs has been recognized since the
      advent of the technique twenty years ago. The IMS performed extremely well in
      laboratory studies of single-component chemical systems, and detection limits of
      sub-part-per-billion were reported for explosive vapor. However, in order to
      overcome the problems encountered in monitoring vapors in the ambient atmosphere,
      special means were needed to increase the sensitivity and specificity of IMS
      instruments. It took over a decade until single purpose IMS instruments were
      developed. These portable (or even hand-held) instruments are presently being
      tested as monitors for detection and identification of drugs or explosives, with
      sensitivity and specify that are unrivaled by other techniques. 

PMID- 26266580
TI  - Urinary Excretion of Commonly Abused Drugs Following Uncommon Means of
      Administration.
AB  - Although abused drugs are administered most often by preferred routes,
      unconventional routes also may be employed. In addition, unsuspected drug
      exposure can occur by "unusual" routes, e.g., oral ingestion, passive inhalation,
      transcutaneous absorption, and in utero exposure. Urine testing is often used to
      document recent drug exposure. Much of the scientific literature on urine testing
      concerns studies of conventional routes of drug administration. This article
      reviews current data on urine testing following unconventional means of
      administration of drugs of abuse. In each section, a brief review of the
      principles involved in each unusual route is followed by a discussion of studies
      and case reports in which urine was tested for drugs of abuse. Special mention is
      made of the danger of passive inhalation to small children and in utero exposure
      to fetuses. It is hoped that this review will sensitize those involved in
      interpretation of urine test data to the many possible ways drugs can enter the
      human organism. 

PMID- 26266581
TI  - The Use of Microspectrophotometry in the Examination of Paints.
AB  - With a brief introduction to paint, pigments, color measurement and micro
      spectrophotometers, this article reviews some of the early applications of
      microspectrophotometric techniques in forensic science. Practical problems
      involved in making colour measurements are considered together with the
      experimental procedures which have been used. The uses which forensic scientists
      have made of both visible reflectance spectra and colour measurements in casework
      are discussed, and the advantages over visual comparisons are illustrated.
      Emphasis is also placed on the use of colour measurements on paint samples
      recovered from the scene for identifying vehicles involved in hit-and-run
      accidents. This approach shows advantages in speed as well as specificity over
      visual comparison. Area which are likely to prove valuable in the future are
      identified. It seems likely that the use of microtomed thin sections will extend
      the range of applications of microspectrophotometric techniques for paint
      examination. 

PMID- 26266582
TI  - Chemical Shielding Anisotropies for Chloroform Exchanging between a Free Site and
      a Complex with Cryptophane-D: A Cross-Correlated NMR Relaxation Study.
AB  - The case of (13)C-labeled chloroform exchanging between a free site in solution
      and the encaged site within the cryptophane-D cavity is investigated using the
      measurements of longitudinal cross-correlated relaxation rates, involving the
      interference of the dipole-dipole and chemical shielding anisotropy interactions.
      A compact theoretical expression is provided, along with an experimental
      protocol, based on INEPT (insensitive nuclei enhanced by polarization)-enhanced
      double-quantum-filtered inversion recovery measurements. The analysis of the
      build-up curves results in a set of cross-correlated relaxation rates for both
      the (13)C and (1)H spins at the two sites. It is demonstrated that the results
      can be given a consistent interpretation in terms of molecular-level properties,
      such as rotational correlation times, the Lipari-Szabo order parameter, and
      interaction strength constants. The analysis yields the bound-site carbon-13
      chemical shielding anisotropy, DeltasigmaC = -58 +/- 8 ppm, in good agreement
      with most recent liquid-crystal measurements and the corresponding proton
      shielding anisotropy, DeltasigmaH = 14 +/- 2 ppm. 

PMID- 26266583
TI  - An unusual density evolution between SrCdB2O5 polymorphs.
AB  - Owing to the effect of atomic vibrations, a high-temperature phase usually
      features a relatively smaller density when compared with a low-temperature phase.
      In this work, a new SrCdB2O5 phase has been discovered. According to the
      crystallization temperature from low to high, the new SrCdB2O5 phase can be
      regarded as the high-temperature beta-SrCdB2O5 phase. The density of beta
      SrCdB2O5 is obviously larger than that of alpha-SrCdB2O5, meanwhile beta-SrCdB2O5
      is energetically favored. This unusual density evolution phenomenon has been
      investigated. In addition, the Pb(2+)-doped compounds, PbxSr1-xCdB2O5 (x = 0.125,
      0.25, 0.375, 0.5), have also been investigated by powder refinement. 

PMID- 26266584
TI  - Conformation-Selective Resonant Photoelectron Spectroscopy via Dipole-Bound
      States of Cold Anions.
AB  - Molecular conformation is important in chemistry and biochemistry. Conformers
      connected by low energy barriers can only be observed at low temperatures and are
      difficult to be separated. Here we report a new method to obtain conformation
      selective spectroscopic information about dipolar molecular radicals via dipole
      bound excited states of the corresponding anions cooled in a cryogenic ion trap.
      We observed two conformers of cold 3-hydroxyphenoxide anions [m-HO(C6H4)O(-)] in
      high-resolution photoelectron spectroscopy and measured different electron
      affinities, 18,850(8) and 18,917(5) cm(-1), for the syn and anti 3-hydroxyphenoxy
      radicals, respectively. We also observed dipole-bound excited states for m
      HO(C6H4)O(-) with different binding energies for the two conformers due to the
      different dipole moments of the corresponding 3-hydroxyphenoxy radicals.
      Excitations to selected vibrational levels of the dipole-bound states result in
      conformation-selective photoelectron spectra. This method should be applicable to
      conformation-selective spectroscopic studies of any anions with dipolar neutral
      cores.

PMID- 26266585
TI  - Distinguishing the Effects of Bond-Length Alternation versus Bond-Order
      Alternation on the Nonlinear Optical Properties of pi-Conjugated Chromophores.
AB  - Understanding the relationships between the molecular nonlinear optical (NLO)
      properties and the bond-length alternation (BLA) or pi-bond-order alternation
      (BOA) along the molecular backbone of linear pi-conjugated systems has proven
      widely useful in the development of NLO organic chromophores and materials. Here,
      we examine model polymethines to elucidate the reliability of these
      relationships. While BLA is solely a measure of molecular geometric structure,
      BOA includes information pertaining to the electronic structure. As a result, BLA
      is found to be a good predictor of NLO properties only when optimized geometries
      are considered, whereas BOA is more broadly applicable. Proper understanding of
      the distinction between BLA and BOA is critical when designing computational
      studies of NLO properties, especially for molecules in complex environments or in
      nonequilibrium geometries. 

PMID- 26266586
TI  - Porous Carbon Mat as an Electrochemical Testing Platform for Investigating the
      Polysulfide Retention of Various Cathode Configurations in Li-S Cells.
AB  - Two optimized cathode configurations (a porous current collector and an
      interlayer) are utilized to determine the better architecture for improving the
      cycle stability and reversibility of lithium-sulfur (Li-S) cells. The
      electrochemical analysis on the upper-plateau discharge capacity (QH) and the
      lower-plateau discharge capacity (QL) is introduced for assessing, respectively,
      the polysulfide retention and the electrochemical reactivity of the cell. The
      analysis results in line with the expected materials chemistry principles suggest
      that the interlayer configuration offers stable cell performance for sulfur
      cathodes. The significance of the interlayer is to block the free migration of
      the dissolved polysulfides, which is a key factor for immobilizing and
      continuously utilizing the active material in sulfur cathodes. Accordingly, the
      carbon mat interlayers provide sulfur cathodes with a high discharge capacity of
      864 mA h g(-1) at 1 C rate with a high capacity retention rate of 61% after 400
      cycles. 

PMID- 26266587
TI  - Conformation of Capping Ligands on Nanoplates: Facet-Edge-Induced Disorder and
      Self-Assembly-Related Ordering Revealed by Sum Frequency Generation Spectroscopy.
AB  - Surface-curvature-amplified conformational disorder in alkyl capping ligands has
      been observed previously when the nanoparticle radii approach the ligand length.
      Herein, sum frequency generation studies on oleic-acid-capped nanoplates show
      that even on faceted surfaces with dimensions tens of times greater than the
      ligand length a significant proportion of gauche defects exist in the capping
      layer. The molecular disorder on the nanosized facets is attributed to a facet
      edge effect, which is diminished when increasing the facet size or assembling the
      nanofacets side to side. This feature is further explored to probe the self
      assembly dynamics of nanoplates. 

PMID- 26266588
TI  - Nonepitaxial Thin-Film InP for Scalable and Efficient Photocathodes.
AB  - To date, some of the highest performance photocathodes of a photoelectrochemical
      (PEC) cell have been shown with single-crystalline p-type InP wafers, exhibiting
      half-cell solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiencies of over 14%. However, the
      high cost of single-crystalline InP wafers may present a challenge for future
      large-scale industrial deployment. Analogous to solar cells, a thin-film approach
      could address the cost challenges by utilizing the benefits of the InP material
      while decreasing the use of expensive materials and processes. Here, we
      demonstrate this approach, using the newly developed thin-film vapor-liquid-solid
      (TF-VLS) nonepitaxial growth method combined with an atomic-layer deposition
      protection process to create thin-film InP photocathodes with large grain size
      and high performance, in the first reported solar device configuration generated
      by materials grown with this technique. Current-voltage measurements show a
      photocurrent (29.4 mA/cm(2)) and onset potential (630 mV) approaching single
      crystalline wafers and an overall power conversion efficiency of 11.6%, making TF
      VLS InP a promising photocathode for scalable and efficient solar hydrogen
      generation. 

PMID- 26266589
TI  - Calculating NMR Chemical Shifts for Paramagnetic Metal Complexes from First
      Principles.
AB  - Paramagnetic effects on NMR shifts (pNMR) for paramagnetic metal complexes are
      calculated from first-principles, without recourse to spin Hamiltonian
      parameters. A newly developed code based on complete active space (CAS) and
      restricted active space (RAS) techniques in conjunction with treating spin-orbit
      (SO) coupling via state interaction is applied to (13)C NMR shifts of actinyl
      tris-carbonate complexes, specifically [UO2(CO3)3](5-) and [NpO2(CO3)3](4-). The
      experimental pNMR shifts as well as the sizable difference of the (13)C NMR shift
      for these iso-electronic species are well reproduced by the calculations.
      Approximations to the pNMR shift equations using spin Hamiltonian parameters or
      the magnetic susceptibility are calculated for the same systems at the same level
      of theory, and it is shown how the approximations relate to the ab initio data. 

PMID- 26266590
TI  - Fluctuating Dynamics of Nanoscale Chemical Oscillations: Theory and Experiments.
AB  - Chemical oscillations are observed in a variety of reactive systems, including
      biological cells, for the functionality of which they play a central role.
      However, at such scales, molecular fluctuations are expected to endanger the
      regularity of these behaviors. The question of the mechanism by which robust
      oscillations can nevertheless emerge is still open. In this work, we report on
      the experimental investigation of nanoscale chemical oscillations observed during
      the NO2 + H2 reaction on platinum, using field electron microscopy. We show that
      the correlation time and the variance of the period of oscillations are connected
      by a universal constraint, as predicted theoretically for systems subjected to a
      phenomenon called phase diffusion. These results open the way to a better
      understanding, modeling, and control of nanoscale oscillators. 

PMID- 26266591
TI  - Directing Anisotropic Assembly of Metallic Nanoclusters by Exploiting Linear Trio
      Interactions and Quantum Size Effects: Au Chains on Ag(100) Thin Films.
AB  - Discovery and understanding of mechanisms for kinetically controlled growth of
      metal nanoclusters can be enabled by realistic atomistic-level modeling with ab
      initio kinetics. KMC simulation of such a model for Au deposition on Ag(100)
      films reveals the formation of single-atom-wide Au chains below 275 K, even
      though 2D islands are thermodynamically preferred. Chain formation is shown to
      reflect a combination of strong linear trio attractions guiding assembly and a
      weak driving force and slow rate of transformation of 1D chains to 2D islands (or
      sometimes irreversible rounding of adatoms from chain sides to ends). Behavior
      can also be tuned by quantum size effects: chain formation predominates on 2
      monolayer Ag(100) films supported on NiAl(100) at 250 K for low coverages but not
      on 1- or 3-monolayer films, and longer chains form than on bulk Ag(100). Our
      predictive kinetic modeling shows the potential for simulation-guided discovery
      and analysis of novel self-assembly processes. 

PMID- 26266592
TI  - Environmental Effects on the Photophysics of Organic-Inorganic Halide
      Perovskites.
AB  - The photophysical properties of films of organic-inorganic lead halide
      perovskites under different ambient conditions are herein reported. We
      demonstrate that their luminescent properties are determined by the interplay
      between photoinduced activation and darkening processes, which strongly depend on
      the atmosphere surrounding the samples. We have isolated oxygen and moisture as
      the key elements in each process, activation and darkening, both of which involve
      the interaction with photogenerated carriers. These findings show that
      environmental factors play a key role in the performance of lead halide
      perovskites as efficient luminescent materials. 

PMID- 26266593
TI  - Organic-Inorganic Composites of Semiconductor Nanocrystals for Efficient
      Excitonics.
AB  - Nanocomposites of colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals integrated into conjugated
      polymers are the key to soft-material hybrid optoelectronics, combining
      advantages of both plastics and particles. Synergic combination of the favorable
      properties in the hybrids of colloidal nanocrystals and conjugated polymers
      offers enhanced performance and new functionalities in light-generation and light
      harvesting applications, where controlling and mastering the excitonic
      interactions at the nanoscale are essential. In this Perspective, we highlight
      and critically consider the excitonic interactions in the organic-inorganic
      nanocomposites to achieve highly efficient exciton transfer through rational
      design of the nanocomposites. The use of strong excitonic interactions in
      optoelectronic devices can trigger efficiency breakthroughs in hybrid
      optoelectronics. 

PMID- 26266594
TI  - Ultrafast Dynamics of Carboxy-Hemoglobin: Two-Dimensional Infrared Spectroscopy
      Experiments and Simulations.
AB  - This Letter presents a comparison between experimental and simulated 2D mid
      infrared spectra of carboxy-hemoglobin in the spectral region of the carbon
      monoxide stretching mode. The simulations rely on a fluctuating potential energy
      surface that includes both the effect of heme and the protein surroundings
      computed from molecular dynamics simulations. A very good agreement between
      theory and experiment is obtained with no adjustable parameters. The simulations
      show that the effect of the distal histidine through the hydrogen bond is strong
      and is directly responsible for the slow decay of the frequency-frequency
      correlation function on a 10 ps time scale. This study confirms that fluctuations
      in carboxy-hemoglobin are more inhomogeneous than those in the more frequently
      studied carboxy-myoglobin. The comparison between simulations and experiments
      brings valuable information on the complex relation between protein structure and
      spectral diffusion. 

PMID- 26266595
TI  - Ferroelectric Polarization of CH3NH3PbI3: A Detailed Study Based on Density
      Functional Theory and Symmetry Mode Analysis.
AB  - Ferroelectricity in halide perovskites currently represents a crucial issue, as
      it may have an important role for the enhancement of solar cells efficiency.
      Simulations of ferroelectric properties based on density functional theory are
      conceptually more demanding compared with "conventional" inorganic ferroelectrics
      due to the presence of both organic and inorganic components in the same
      compound. Here we present a detailed study focused on the prototypical CH3NH3PbI3
      perovskite. By using density functional theory combined with symmetry mode
      analysis, we disentangle the contributions of the methylammonium cations and the
      role of the inorganic framework, therefore suggesting possible routes to enhance
      the polarization in this compound. Our estimate of the polarization for the
      tetragonal phase at low temperature is ~4.42 MUC/cm(2), which is substantially
      lower than that of traditional perovskite oxides. 

PMID- 26266596
TI  - Toward Controlled Growth of Helicity-Specific Carbon Nanotubes.
AB  - The underlying mechanisms for the nucleation of carbon nanotubes as well as their
      helicity, remain elusive. Here, using van der Waals dispersion force calculations
      implemented within density functional theory, we study the cap formation,
      believed to be responsible for the chirality of surface-catalyzed carbon
      nanotubes. We find the energetics associated with growth along different facets
      to be independent of the surface orientation and that the growth across an edge
      along the axis of the metal particle leads to a perfect honeycomb lattice in a
      curved geometry. The formation of defects in the graphene matrix, which bend the
      carbon plane, requires that two or more graphene embryos with significantly
      different growth axis merge. Such scenario is only possible at the front- or back
      end of the metal particle where growth symmetry is broken. The graphene embryos
      reconstruct their hexagonal structure into pentagons, heptagons, and octagons
      counterpart to accommodate the tube curvature. 

PMID- 26266597
TI  - Pedestrian Guide to Symmetry Properties of the Reference Cubic Structure of 3D
      All-Inorganic and Hybrid Perovskites.

PMID- 26266598
TI  - Mechanism of Decomposition of Surface Ethoxy Species to Ethene and Acidic OH
      Groups on H-ZSM-5.
AB  - The reaction mechanism of the decomposition of ethoxy species to ethene and
      acidic OH groups on H-ZSM-5 was studied by IR spectroscopy using isotope-labeled
      ethanol. The concerted mechanism occurring on both the ethoxy (acid) site and the
      counterpart lattice oxygen was suggested by GC-MS analysis of evolved d2-ethene
      and IR observation of the recovery of OH s groups on acid sites from the
      decomposition of CH3CD2O- ethoxy species. The concerted mechanism was further
      confirmed by the estimation of activation energy for decomposition of CH3CH2O-,
      CH3CD2O-, and CD3CD2O- ethoxy species, 122 +/- 3, 125 +/- 3, and 140 +/- 5 kJ
      mol(-1), respectively, where the kinetic isotope effect was observed for the
      cleavage of the CH or CD bond of the methyl group of the ethoxy species. 

PMID- 26266599
TI  - Stabilization of Mixed Frenkel-Charge Transfer Excitons Extended Across Both
      Strands of Guanine-Cytosine DNA Duplexes.
AB  - The photoreactive pathways that may lead to DNA damage depend crucially upon the
      nature of the excited electronic states. The study of alternating guanine
      cytosine duplexes by fluorescence spectroscopy and quantum mechanical
      calculations identifies a novel type of excited states that can be populated
      following UVB excitation. These states, denoted High-energy Emitting Long-lived
      Mixed (HELM) states, extend across both strands and arise from mixing between
      cytosine Frenkel excitons and guanine-to-cytosine charge transfer states. They
      emit at energies higher than pipi* states localized on single bases, survive for
      several nanoseconds, are sensitive to the ionic strength of the solution, and are
      strongly affected by the structural transition from the B form to the Z form.
      Their impact on the formation of lesions of the genetic code needs to be
      assessed. 

PMID- 26266600
TI  - Nanostructured Metal Carbides for Aprotic Li-O2 Batteries: New Insights into
      Interfacial Reactions and Cathode Stability.
AB  - The development of nonaqueous Li-oxygen batteries, which relies on the reversible
      reaction of Li + O2 to give lithium peroxide (Li2O2), is challenged by several
      factors, not the least being the high charging voltage that results when carbon
      is typically employed as the cathode host. We report here on the remarkably low
      3.2 V potential for Li2O2 oxidation on a passivated nanostructured metallic
      carbide (Mo2C), carbon-free cathode host. Online mass spectrometry coupled with X
      ray photoelectron spectroscopy unequivocally demonstrates that lithium peroxide
      is simultaneously oxidized together with the Li(x)MoO3-passivated conductive
      interface formed on the carbide, owing to their close redox potentials. The
      process rejuvenates the surface on each cycle upon electrochemical charge by
      releasing Li(x)MoO3 into the electrolyte, explaining the low charging potential.

PMID- 26266601
TI  - Exploiting Fast Exciton Diffusion in Dye-Doped Polymer Nanoparticles to Engineer
      Efficient Photoswitching.
AB  - Photoswitching of bright fluorescent nanoparticles opens new possibilities for
      bioimaging with superior temporal and spatial resolution. However, efficient
      photoswitching of nanoparticles is hard to achieve using Forster resonance energy
      transfer (FRET) to a photochromic dye, because the particle size is usually
      larger than the Forster radius. Here, we propose to exploit the exciton diffusion
      within the FRET donor dyes to boost photoswitching efficiency in dye-doped
      polymer nanoparticles. To this end, we utilized bulky hydrophobic counterions
      that prevent self-quenching and favor communication of octadecyl rhodamine B dyes
      inside a polymer matrix of poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide). Among tested
      counterions, only perfluorinated tetraphenylborate that favors the exciton
      diffusion enables high photoswitching efficiency (on/off ratio ~20). The
      switching improves with donor dye loading and requires only 0.1-0.3 wt % of a
      diphenylethene photochromic dye. Our nanoparticles were validated both in
      solution and at the single-particle level. The proposed concept paves the way to
      new efficient photoswitchable nanomaterials.

PMID- 26266602
TI  - Less Is More: The Case of Metal Cocatalysts.
AB  - We provide evidence that for a multielectron reaction such as hydrogen reduction,
      the photocatalyst design should include only a single cocatalytic site per each
      segment of the semiconductor capable of light excitation. This is to ensure that
      intermediates are formed at close proximity. These findings are demonstrated by
      evaluating the efficiency for hydrogen production over a nanoparticle-based
      photocatalyst consisting of Pt-decorated CdSe@CdS rods. Rods decorated with a
      single Pt catalyst were found to be the most active for hydrogen production, with
      QE of 27%, while rods having two reduction sites reached QE of only 18% and rods
      with multiple sites showed very low activity. The advantage of using a single
      catalytic site became negligible when the rods were employed in catalyzing a
      single electron reaction. We believe the implications of this finding are of
      significance for the proper design of photocatalysts aimed at solar-to-fuel
      energy conversion. 

PMID- 26266603
TI  - Molecular Design for Tuning Work Functions of Transparent Conducting Electrodes.
AB  - In this Perspective, we provide a brief background on the use of aromatic
      phosphonic acid modifiers for tuning work functions of transparent conducting
      oxides, for example, zinc oxide (ZnO) and indium tin oxide (ITO). We then
      introduce our preliminary results in this area using conjugated phosphonic acid
      molecules, having a substantially larger range of dipole moments than their
      unconjugated analogues, leading to the tuning of ZnO and ITO electrodes over a 2
      eV range as derived from Kelvin probe measurements. We have found that these work
      function changes are directly correlated to the magnitude and the direction of
      the computationally derived molecular dipole of the conjugated phosphonic acids,
      leading to the predictive power of computation to drive the synthesis of new and
      improved phosphonic acid ligands. 

PMID- 26266604
TI  - Catechol and HCl Adsorption on TiO2(110) in Vacuum and at the Water-TiO2
      Interface.
AB  - Coadsorbed water is often unavoidable in electrochemistry and low-temperature
      catalysis. In addition, water influences the adsorption of biomolecules on
      surfaces. We use ab initio DFT molecular dynamics and ground-state calculations
      to study the adsorption of HCl and catechol on the rutile TiO2(110) surface and
      at a water-rutile interface. We find that a coadsorbed water film reduces the
      adsorption energy of both catechol and HCl significantly because water molecules
      must be displaced from the surface before catechol or HCl can adsorb. The
      adsorption energy of catechol (or HCl) at the water-rutile interface can be
      estimated as the adsorption energy in vacuum minus the energy to remove two water
      molecules (respectively, one water molecule) from the rutile surface in vacuum
      and place them in liquid water. This estimate predicts the effect of a surface
      water film on adsorption without the need of molecular dynamics. 

PMID- 26266605
TI  - Single Nanoparticle-Based Heteronanojunction as a Plasmon Ruler for Measuring
      Dielectric Thin Films.
AB  - Nondestructive, noninvasive and accurate measurement of thin film thicknesses on
      dielectric substrates is challenging. In this work a ruler for measuring thin
      film thicknesses utilizes the heteronanojunction construct formed between a
      plasmonic nanoparticle and a high refractive index nonplasmonic substrate. The
      high near-field sensitivity in the nanojunction renders it suitable for measuring
      the thickness of intervening dielectric thin films. We demonstrate this by
      controlling the thickness of dielectric spacer layers created by overgrowing SiO2
      thin films on commercially available silicon substrates. While Rayleigh (using
      dark-field) scattering measurements show that the spectral response is well
      correlated to the thickness of SiO2 spacer layers the distance-dependence is much
      steeper with surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). Good agreement between 3D
      simulations and experimental results confirm the plasmon ruler construct's
      sensitivity to the dielectric thin film spacing. Thus, we postulate that this
      single nanoparticle based heteronanojunction configuration can serve as a
      convenient and simple ruler in metrology of thin films as well as a platform for
      SERS-based detection even in cases where plasmonically active films are not a
      suitable substrate. 

PMID- 26266606
TI  - Methane Activation by Iron-Carbide Cluster Anions FeC6(-).
AB  - Laser-ablation-generated and mass-selected iron-carbide cluster anions FeC6(-)
      were reacted with CH4 in a linear ion trap reactor under thermal collision
      conditions. The reactions were characterized by mass spectrometry and density
      functional theory calculations. Adsorption product of FeC6CH4(-) was observed in
      the experiments. The identified large kinetic isotope effect suggests that CH4
      can be activated by FeC6(-) anions with a dissociative adsorption manner, which
      is further supported by the reaction mechanism calculations. The large dipole
      moment of FeC6(-) (19.21 D) can induce a polarization of CH4 and can facilitate
      the cleavage of C-H bond. This study reports the CH4 activation by transition
      metal carbide anions, which provides insights into mechanistic understanding of
      iron-carbon centers that are important for condensed-phase catalysis. 

PMID- 26266607
TI  - Crystal Morphologies of Organolead Trihalide in Mesoscopic/Planar Perovskite
      Solar Cells.
AB  - The crystal morphology of organolead trihalide perovskite (OTP) light absorbers
      can have profound influence on the perovskite solar cells (PSCs) performance.
      Here we have used a combination of conventional transmission electron microscopy
      (TEM) and high-resolution TEM (HRTEM), in cross-section and plan-view, to
      characterize the morphologies of a solution-processed OTP (CH3NH3PbI3 or MAPbI3)
      within mesoporous TiO2 scaffolds and within capping and planar layers. Studies of
      TEM specimens prepared with and without the use of focused ion beam (FIB) show
      that FIBing is a viable method for preparing TEM specimens. HRTEM studies, in
      conjunction with quantitative X-ray diffraction, show that MAPbI3 perovskite
      within mesoporous TiO2 scaffold has equiaxed grains of size 10-20 nm and
      relatively low crystallinity. In contrast, the grain size of MAPbI3 perovskite in
      the capping and the planar layers can be larger than 100 nm in our PSCs, and the
      grains can be elongated and textured, with relatively high crystallinity. The
      observed differences in the performance of planar and mesoscopic-planar hybrid
      PSCs can be attributed in part to the striking differences in their perovskite
      grain morphologies. 

PMID- 26266608
TI  - Disentangling the Contribution of Multiple Isomers to the Infrared Spectrum of
      the Protonated Water Heptamer.
AB  - We use infrared/infrared double-resonance population labeling (IR(2)MS(2))
      spectroscopy in the spectral region of the free and hydrogen-bonded OH stretching
      fundamentals (2880-3850 cm(-1)) to identify the number and to isolate the
      vibrational signatures of individual isomers contributing to the gas-phase IR
      spectra of the cryogenically cooled protonated water clusters H(+)(H2O)n.H2/D2
      with n = 7-10. For n = 7, four isomers are identified and assigned. Surprisingly,
      the IR(2)MS(2) spectra of the protonated water octa-, nona-, and decamer show no
      evidence for multiple isomers. The present spectra support the prediction that
      the quasi-2D to 3D structural transition occurs in between n = 8 and 9 in the
      cold cluster regime. However, the same models have difficulty explaining the
      remarkable size dependence of the isomer population reported here. 

PMID- 26266609
TI  - Two-Dimensional Vanadium Carbide (MXene) as Positive Electrode for Sodium-Ion
      Capacitors.
AB  - Ion capacitors store energy through intercalation of cations into an electrode at
      a faster rate than in batteries and within a larger potential window. These
      devices reach a higher energy density compared to electrochemical double layer
      capacitor. Li-ion capacitors are already produced commercially, but the
      development of Na-ion capacitors is hindered by lack of materials that would
      allow fast intercalation of Na-ions. Here we investigated the electrochemical
      behavior of 2D vanadium carbide, V2C, from the MXene family. We investigated the
      mechanism of Na intercalation by XRD and achieved capacitance of ~100 F/g at 0.2
      mV/s. We assembled a full cell with hard carbon as negative electrode, a known
      anode material for Na ion batteries, and achieved capacity of 50 mAh/g with a
      maximum cell voltage of 3.5 V. 

PMID- 26266610
TI  - Water on the MgO(001) Surface: Surface Reconstruction and Ion Solvation.
AB  - The interaction of water with the MgO(001) surface under ambient conditions is
      investigated by density functional theory combined with statistical
      thermodynamics. For water loadings of more than one monolayer, we show that the
      standard structure model, a fully hydroxylated surface, needs to be revised.
      Reconstructed surfaces, involving hydrated/hydroxylated Mg(2+) ions above the
      surface, are more stable. These findings provide a consistent picture for surface
      hydroxylation between low and high water coverage that is in agreement with
      available XPS data. 

PMID- 26266611
TI  - Trend of Perovskite Solar Cells: Dig Deeper to Build Higher.

PMID- 26266612
TI  - Pancake pi-pi Bonding Goes Double: Unexpected 4e/All-Sites Bonding in Boron- and
      Nitrogen-Doped Phenalenyls.
AB  - Chemical bonding interactions are the main driving force for the formation of
      molecules and materials from atoms. The two-electron/multicenter pancake pi-pi
      bonding found in phenalenyl (PLY, 1) radical pi-dimers is intriguing due to its
      unconventional nature of covalent bonding for molecular aggregations and its
      propensity to induce unique optical, electronic, and magnetic properties. By
      using high-level quantum chemistry calculations, we show that the B- or N-doped
      PLYs (2 and 4), usually considered closed-shell and therefore trifling, can be
      rendered open-shell singlet by proper edge substitutions (3 and 5). The resulting
      two unpaired valence electrons on each molecular unit contribute to the formation
      of a genuine pancake-shaped 4e/all-sites double pi-pi bonding upon intermolecular
      pi-dimerization, in contrast to the 2e/half-sites single pi-pi bonding in the
      parent PLY pi-dimers. The unusual double pi-pi bonding motif discovered in these
      PLY analogues may broaden the landscape of, and find new applications for,
      intermolecular covalent bonding interactions. 

PMID- 26266613
TI  - Photoinduced Reversible Structural Transformations in Free-Standing CH3NH3PbI3
      Perovskite Films.
AB  - In the pursuit to better understand the mechanisms of perovskite solar cells we
      performed Raman and photoluminescence measurements of free-standing CH3NH3PbI3
      films, comparing dark with working conditions. The films, grown on a glass
      substrate and sealed by a thin glass coverslip, were measured subsequent to dark
      and white-light pretreatments. The extremely slow changes we observe in both the
      Raman and photoluminescence cannot be regarded as electronic processes, which are
      much faster. Thus, the most probable explanation is of slow photoinduced
      structural changes. The CH3NH3PbI3 transformation between the dark and the light
      structures is reversible, with faster rates for the changes under illumination.
      The results seem to clarify several common observations associated with solar
      cell mechanisms, like performance improvement under light soaking. More important
      is the call for solar-cell-related investigation of CH3NH3PbI3 to take the
      photoinduced structural changes into consideration when measuring and
      interpreting the results. 

PMID- 26266614
TI  - LHCII Populations in Different Quenching States Are Present in the Thylakoid
      Membranes in a Ratio that Depends on the Light Conditions.
AB  - LHCII is the major antenna complex of plants and algae, where it is involved in
      light harvesting and photoprotection. Its properties have been extensively
      studied in vitro, after isolation of the pigment-protein complex from the
      membranes, but are these properties representative for LHCII in the thylakoid
      membrane? In this work, we have studied LHCII in the cells of the green alga C.
      reinhardtii acclimated to different light conditions in the absence of the other
      components of the photosynthetic apparatus. We show that LHCII exists in the
      membranes in different fluorescence quenching states, all having a shorter
      excited-state lifetime than isolated LHCII in detergent. The ratio between these
      populations depends on the light conditions, indicating that the light is able to
      regulate the properties of the complexes in the membrane. 

PMID- 26266615
TI  - Design and Preparation of Supported Au Catalyst with Enhanced Catalytic
      Activities by Rationally Positioning Au Nanoparticles on Anatase.
AB  - A synergistic effect between individual components is crucial for increasing the
      activity of metal/metal oxide catalysts. The greatest challenge is how to control
      the synergistic effect to obtain enhanced catalytic performance. Through density
      functional theory calculations of model Au/TiO2 catalysts, it is suggested that
      there is strong interaction between Au nanoparticles and Ti species at the
      edge/corner sites of anatase, which is favorable for the formation of stable
      oxygen vacancies. Motivated by this theoretical analysis, we have rationally
      prepared Au nanoparticles attached to edge/corner sites of anatase support
      (Au/TiO2-EC), confirmed by their HR-TEM images. As expected, this strong
      interaction is well characterized by Raman, UV-visible, and XPS techniques. Very
      interestingly, compared with conventional Au catalysts, Au/TiO2-EC exhibits
      superior catalytic activity in the oxidations using O2. Our approach to
      controlling Au nanoparticle positioning on anatase to obtain enhanced catalytic
      activity offers an efficient strategy for developing more novel supported metal
      catalysts. 

PMID- 26266616
TI  - Identification of Trap States in Perovskite Solar Cells.
AB  - Thermally stimulated current (TSC) measurements are used to characterize
      electronic trap states in methylammonium lead iodide perovsite solar cells.
      Several TSC peaks were observed over the temperature range from 20 K to room
      temperature. To elucidate the origins of these peaks, devices with various
      organic charge transport layers and devices without transport layers were tested.
      Two peaks appear at very low temperatures, indicating shallow trap states that
      are mainly attributed to the PCBM/C60 electron transport bilayer. However, two
      additional peaks appear at higher temperatures, that is, they are deeper in
      energy, and are assigned to the perovskite layer. At around T = 163 K, a sharp
      peak, also present in the dark TSC measurements, is assigned to the orthorhombic
      tetragonal phase transition in the perovskite. However, a peak at around T = 191
      K is assigned to trap states with activation energies of around 500 meV but with
      a rather low concentration of 1 * 10(21) m(-3). 

PMID- 26266617
TI  - Efficient Carrier Separation and Intriguing Switching of Bound Charges in
      Inorganic-Organic Lead Halide Solar Cells.
AB  - We fabricated a mesoporous perovskite solar cell with a ~14% conversion
      efficiency, and we investigated its beneficial grain boundary properties of the
      perovskite solar cells through the use of scanning probe microscopy. The
      CH3NH3Pb(I0.88,Br0.12)3 showed a significant potential barrier bending at the
      grain boundary and induced passivation. The potential difference value in the x =
      0.00 sample is ~50 mV, and the distribution of the positive potential is lower
      than that of the x = 0.12 sample. We also investigated the polarization and
      hysteretic properties of the perovskite thin films by measuring the local
      piezoresponse. Specifically, the charged grain boundaries play a beneficial role
      in electron-hole depairing and in suppressing recombination in order to realize
      high-efficiency perovskite solar cells. 

PMID- 26266618
TI  - Crystalline LiN5 Predicted from First-Principles as a Possible High-Energy
      Material.
AB  - The search for stable polymeric nitrogen and polynitrogen compounds has attracted
      great attention due to their potential applications as high-energy-density
      materials. Here we report a theoretical prediction of an interesting LiN5 crystal
      through first-principles calculations and unbiased structure searching
      techniques. Theoretical calculations reveal that crystalline LiN5 is
      thermodynamically stable at pressures above 9.9 GPa, and remains metastable at
      ambient conditions. The metastability of LiN5 stems from the inherent stability
      of the N5(-) anions and strong anion-cation interactions. It is therefore
      possible to synthesize LiN5 by compressing solid LiN3 and N2 gas under high
      pressure and quench recover the product to ambient conditions. To the best of our
      knowledge, this is the first time that stable N5(-) anions are predicted in
      crystalline states. The weight ratio of nitrogen in LiN5 is nearly 91%, placing
      LiN5 as a promising high-energy material. The decomposition of LiN5 is expected
      to be highly exothermic, releasing an energy of approximately 2.72 kJ.g(-1). The
      present results open a new avenue to synthesize polynitrogen compounds and
      provide a key perspective toward the understanding of novel chemical bonding in
      nitrogen-rich compounds. 

PMID- 26266619
TI  - Beyond Shockley-Queisser: Molecular Approaches to High-Efficiency Photovoltaics.
AB  - Molecular materials afford abundant flexibility in the tunability of physical and
      electronic properties. As such, they are ideally suited to engineering low-cost,
      flexible, light-harvesting materials that break away from the single-threshold
      paradigm. Single-threshold solar cells are capable of harvesting a maximum of
      33.7% of incident sunlight, whereas two-threshold cells are capable of energy
      harvesting efficiencies exceeding 45%. In this Perspective, we provide the
      theoretical background with which upper efficiency limits for various multiple
      threshold solar cell architectures may be calculated and review and discuss
      various reports that employ processes such as triplet-triplet annihilation and
      singlet fission in multiple-threshold devices comprised of molecular materials. 

PMID- 26266620
TI  - Effect of Ultrahigh Stiffness of Defective Graphene from Atomistic Point of View.
AB  - Well-known effects of mechanical stiffness degradation under the influence of
      point defects in macroscopic solids can be controversially reversed in the case
      of low-dimensional materials. Using atomistic simulation, we showed here that a
      single-layered graphene film can be sufficiently stiffened by monovacancy defects
      at a tiny concentration. Our results correspond well with recent experimental
      data and suggest that the effect of mechanical stiffness augmentation is mainly
      originated from specific bonds distribution in the surrounded monovacancy defects
      regions. We showed that such unusual mechanical response is the feature of
      presence of specifically monovacancies, whereas other types of point defects such
      as divacancy, 555-777 and Stone-Wales defects, lead to the ordinary degradation
      of the graphene mechanical stiffness. 

PMID- 26266621
TI  - Radical Reactivity in the Condensed Phase: Intermolecular versus Intramolecular
      Reactions of Alkoxy Radicals.
AB  - Condensed-phase alkoxy (RO) radicals can undergo unimolecular (e.g.,
      intramolecular H atom abstraction) reactions as well as bimolecular
      (intermolecular H atom abstraction) reactions, though the competition between
      these two channels is not well constrained. Here, we examine this branching by
      generating RO radicals from the photolysis of a large alkyl nitrite (C20H41ONO)
      in hexanes and nebulizing the mixture into an aerosol mass spectrometer for
      analysis. Product ions associated with unimolecular (isomerization) reactions
      were observed to increase upon photolysis. However, no formation of the C20
      alcohol (C20H41OH, the expected product from RO + RH reactions) was observed,
      suggesting that bimolecular reactions are at most a minor channel for this
      condensed-phase system (involving saturated hydrocarbons). This result, combined
      with previous studies of liquid-phase RO radicals carried out at higher
      concentrations, suggests that when 1,5-H atom abstraction reactions are facile
      (i.e., in which a 1,5-H atom shift from a secondary or tertiary carbon can
      occur), this channel will dominate over bimolecular reactions. 

PMID- 26266622
TI  - Crucial Role of Nuclear Dynamics for Electron Injection in a Dye-Semiconductor
      Complex.
AB  - We investigate the electron injection from a terrylene-based chromophore to the
      TiO2 semiconductor bridged by a recently proposed phenyl-amide-phenyl molecular
      rectifier. The mechanism of electron transfer is studied by means of quantum
      dynamics simulations using an extended Huckel Hamiltonian. It is found that the
      inclusion of the nuclear motion is necessary to observe the photoinduced electron
      transfer. In particular, the fluctuations of the dihedral angle between the
      terrylene and the phenyl ring modulate the localization and thus the electronic
      coupling between the donor and acceptor states involved in the injection process.
      The electron propagation shows characteristic oscillatory features that correlate
      with interatomic distance fluctuations in the bridge, which are associated with
      the vibrational modes driving the process. The understanding of such effects is
      important for the design of functional dyes with optimal injection and
      rectification properties. 

PMID- 26266623
TI  - C60 as an Efficient n-Type Compact Layer in Perovskite Solar Cells.
AB  - Organic-inorganic halide perovskite solar cells have rapidly evolved over the
      last 3 years. There are still a number of issues and open questions related to
      the perovskite material, such as the phenomenon of anomalous hysteresis in
      current-voltage characteristics and long-term stability of the devices. In this
      work, we focus on the electron selective contact in the perovskite solar cells
      and physical processes occurring at that heterojunction. We developed efficient
      devices by replacing the commonly employed TiO2 compact layer with fullerene C60
      in a regular n-i-p architecture. Detailed spectroscopic characterization allows
      us to present further insight into the nature of photocurrent hysteresis and
      charge extraction limitations arising at the n-type contact in a standard device.
      Furthermore, we show preliminary stability data of perovskite solar cells under
      working conditions, suggesting that an n-type organic charge collection layer can
      increase the long-term performance. 

PMID- 26266624
TI  - Determination of ion pairing on capping structures of gold nanoparticles by phase
      extraction.
AB  - As nanoparticles with different capping structures in solution phases have found
      widespread applications of wide interest, understanding how the capping structure
      change influences their presence in phases or solutions is important for gaining
      full control over both the intended nanoactivity and the unintended nanotoxicity.
      This report describes a simple and effective phase extraction method for
      analyzing the degree of ion pairing in the capping molecular structure of
      nanoparticles. Gold nanoparticles of a few nanometers diameter with a mixed
      monolayer capping structure consisting of both hydrophobic and hydrophilic and
      reactive groups were studied as a model system, and a quantitative model was
      derived based on chemical equilibria in a two-phase system, and used to assess
      the experimental data for phase extraction by cationic species. In contrast to
      the traditional perception of 100% ion pairing, only a small fraction (~20%) of
      the negatively-charged groups was found to be responsible for the phase
      extraction. The viability of using this phase extraction method for analyzing the
      degree of ion-pairing in the capping molecular structure of different
      nanoparticles is also discussed, which has implications for the control of the
      nanoactivity and nanotoxicity of molecularly-capped or bio-conjugated
      nanoparticles. 

PMID- 26266625
TI  - Mechanism of anisotropic surface self-diffusivity at the prismatic ice-vapor
      interface.
AB  - Predictive theoretical models for mesoscopic roughening of ice require improved
      understanding of attachment kinetics occurring at the ice-vapor interface. Here,
      we use classical molecular dynamics to explore the generality and mechanics of a
      transition from anisotropic to isotropic self-diffusivity on exposed prismatic
      surfaces. We find that self-diffusion parallel to the crystallographic a-axis is
      favored over the c-axis at sub-melt temperatures below about -35  degrees C, for
      three different representations of the water-water intermolecular potential. In
      the low-temperature anisotropic regime, diffusion results from interstitial
      admolecules encountering entropically distinct barriers to diffusion in the two
      in-plane directions. At higher temperatures, isotropic self-diffusion occurring
      deeper within the quasi-liquid layer becomes the dominant mechanism, owing to its
      larger energy of activation. 

PMID- 26266626
TI  - John A. 'Jack' Smith, MD (Aug. 25, 1937-March 21, 2015).

PMID- 26266628
TI  - Strategies for Optimal MAC Parameters Tuning in IEEE 802.15.6 Wearable Wireless
      Sensor Networks.
AB  - Wireless body area networks (WBAN) has penetrated immensely in revolutionizing
      the classical heath-care system. Recently, number of WBAN applications has
      emerged which introduce potential limits to existing solutions. In particular,
      IEEE 802.15.6 standard has provided great flexibility, provisions and
      capabilities to deal emerging applications. In this paper, we investigate the
      application-specific throughput analysis by fine-tuning the physical (PHY) and
      medium access control (MAC) parameters of the IEEE 802.15.6 standard. Based on
      PHY characterizations in narrow band, at the MAC layer, carrier sense multiple
      access collision avoidance (CSMA/CA) and scheduled access protocols are
      extensively analyzed. It is concluded that, IEEE 802.15.6 standard can satisfy
      most of the WBANs applications throughput requirements by maximum achieving 680
      Kbps. However, those emerging applications which require high quality audio or
      video transmissions, standard is not able to meet their constraints. Moreover,
      delay, energy efficiency and successful packet reception are considered as key
      performance metrics for comparing the MAC protocols. CSMA/CA protocol provides
      the best results to meet the delay constraints of medical and non-medical WBAN
      applications. Whereas, the scheduled access approach, performs very well both in
      energy efficiency and packet reception ratio. 

PMID- 26266629
TI  - Discovery of gamma-MnP4 and the Polymorphism of Manganese Tetraphosphide.
AB  - A new polymorph of MnP4 was prepared by reaction of the elements via chemical
      vapor transport with iodine as transporting agent. The crystal structure was
      refined using single-crystal diffraction data (space group Cc, no. 9, a =
      5.1049(8) A, b = 10.540(2) A, c = 10.875(2) A, beta = 93.80(2) degrees ). The
      phase is called gamma-MnP4 as it is isostructural with gamma-FeP4. It is the
      fourth reported binary polymorph in the MnP4 system, all of which are stacking
      variants of nets built with manganese and phosphorus atoms. In gamma-MnP4, there
      are two Mn-Mn distances (2.93 and 3.72 A) arising from a Peierls-like distortion
      effectively forming Mn2 dumbbells in the structure. Magnetic and electrical
      conductivity measurements show diamagnetism and a small anisotropic band gap (100
      200 meV) with significantly enhanced conductivity along the crystallographic a
      axis. Calculations of the electronic and vibrational (phonon) structures show the
      P-P and Mn-P bonds within the nets are mainly responsible for the stability of
      the phase. The similar bonding motifs of the polymorphs give rise to the
      existence of numerous dynamically stable variants. The calculated Helmholtz
      energy shows the polymorph formation to be closely tied to temperature with the 6
      MnP4 structure favorable at low temperatures, the 2-MnP4 favorable between
      approximately 800 and 2000 K, and 8-MnP4 preferred at high temperatures. 

PMID- 26266627
TI  - Posttraumatic stress disorder and alcohol misuse among women: effects of ethnic
      minority stressors.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to examine the relationship between adult
      onset posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and subsequent alcohol use outcomes
      (frequent heavy drinking, alcohol abuse, and alcohol dependence) in non-Hispanic
      white, non-Hispanic black, and Hispanic US women, and whether this relationship
      was moderated by ethnic minority stressors (discrimination and acculturation).
      METHODS: The study sample was drawn from two waves of the National Epidemiologic
      Surveys of Alcohol and Related Conditions, employing time-dependent data to
      conduct multiple extended Cox regression. RESULTS: Women with PTSD were over 50 %
      more likely than those without PTSD to develop alcohol dependence [adjusted
      hazards ratio (aHR) 1.55; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.15, 2.08]. Hispanic and
      black women were at lower risk of most alcohol outcomes than white women. In race
      /ethnic-specific analyses, however, PTSD only predicted alcohol abuse among
      Hispanic women (aHR 3.02; CI 1.33, 6.84). Higher acculturation was positively
      associated with all alcohol outcomes among Hispanic women and discrimination was
      associated with AUD among Hispanic and black women. Acculturation and
      discrimination modified the effect of PTSD on AUD among Hispanic women: PTSD
      predicted alcohol dependence among those with low acculturation (aHR 10.2; CI
      1.27, 81.80) and alcohol abuse among those without reported discrimination (aHR
      6.39; CI 2.76, 16.49). CONCLUSIONS: PTSD may influence the development of
      hazardous drinking, especially among Hispanic women. The influence of PTSD on
      alcohol outcomes is most apparent, however, when ethnic minority stressors are
      not present.

PMID- 26266630
TI  - Teneligliptin improves left ventricular diastolic function and endothelial
      function in patients with diabetes.
AB  - Incretin hormones have been reported to have cytoprotective actions in addition
      to their glucose-lowering effects. We evaluated whether teneligliptin, a novel
      dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor, affects left ventricular (LV) function
      in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Twenty-nine T2DM patients not
      receiving any incretin-based drugs were enrolled and prescribed with
      teneligliptin for 3 months. Compared to baseline levels, hemoglobin A1c levels
      decreased (7.6 +/- 1.0 % to 6.9 +/- 0.7 %, p < 0.01) and 1,5-anhydro-D-glucitol
      levels increased (9.6 +/- 7.2 MUg/mL to 13.5 +/- 8.7 MUg/mL, p < 0.01) after
      treatment. Clinical parameters, including body mass index and blood pressure, did
      not show any difference before and after treatment. Three months after treatment,
      there were improvements in LV systolic and diastolic function [LV ejection
      fraction, 62.0 +/- 6.5 % to 64.5 +/- 5.0 %, p = 0.01; peak early diastolic
      velocity/basal septal diastolic velocity (E/e') ratio, 13.3 +/- 4.1 to 11.9 +/-
      3.3, p = 0.01]. Moreover, there was an improvement in endothelial function
      (reactive hyperemia peripheral arterial tonometry [RH-PAT] index; 1.58 +/- 0.47
      to 2.01 +/- 0.72, p < 0.01). There was a significant negative correlation between
      changes in the E/e' ratio and RH-PAT values. Furthermore, circulating adiponectin
      levels increased (27.0 +/- 38.5 pg/mL to 42.7 +/- 33.2 pg/mL, p < 0.01) without
      changes in patient body weight. Teneligliptin treatment was associated with
      improvements in LV function and endothelial functions, and an increase in serum
      adiponectin levels. These results support the cardio-protective effects of
      teneligliptin in T2DM patients and increase in serum adiponectin levels. 

PMID- 26266631
TI  - Surgical management of left ventricular thrombus following severe dehydration.
AB  - We experienced a case involving a left ventricular ball-like thrombus caused by
      severe following a 150 mile cycling road race. The patient had lower-limb
      arterial obstruction due to systemic thromboembolism on admission with no
      significant embolism, including the cerebral arteries, were detected. Left
      ventricular wall motion was good with no evidence of left and right coronary
      artery occlusion; therefore, we performed emergency left ventricular
      thrombectomy. Although there are many reports of left ventricular thrombus
      following acute myocardial infarction, dehydration is a very rare cause. Herein,
      we describe the surgical and management approaches to the treatment of left
      ventricular thrombectomy in this case. 

PMID- 26266632
TI  - Antiplatelet therapy in Takotsubo cardiomyopathy: does it improve cardiovascular
      outcomes during index event?
AB  - Plasma catecholamines may play an important role in Takotsubo cardiomyopathy
      (TCM) pathophysiology. Patients with disproportionately high catecholamine
      responses to stressful events are prone to worse clinical outcomes.
      Catecholamines stimulate platelet activation and, therefore, may determine the
      clinical presentation and outcomes of TCM. We conducted a retrospective,
      descriptive study TCM patients admitted between 2003 and 2013 to Einstein Medical
      Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA and Danbury Hospital, Danbury, CT, USA. A total of
      206 patients met Modified Mayo TCM criteria. Using a multiple logistic model, we
      tested whether aspirin, dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) aspirin + clopidogrel,
      beta blocker, statin, or ACE inhibitor use were independent predictors of major
      adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) during the index hospitalization. MACE was
      defined as in-hospital heart failure, in-hospital death, stroke or respiratory
      failure requiring mechanical ventilation. Incidence of in-hospital heart failure
      was 26.7 %, in-hospital death was 7.3 %, stroke was 7.3 % and MACE was 42.3 %. In
      a multiple logistic regression model (adjusted for gender, race, age, physical
      stressor, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, smoking history, body mass
      index, initial left ventricular ejection fraction, single antiplatelet therapy,
      DAPT, beta blocker, statin, and ACE inhibitor) aspirin and DAPT at the time of
      hospitalization were independent predictors of a lower incidence of MACE during
      the index hospitalization (aspirin: OR 0.4, 95 % CI (0.16-0.9), P = 0.04; DAPT:
      OR 0.23; 95 % CI (0.1-0.55); P < 0.01. Physical stressor itself was also found to
      be an independent predictor of worse MACE: OR 5.1; 95 % CI (2.4-11.5); P < 0.01.
      In our study, aspirin and DAPT were independent predictors of a lower incidence
      of MACE during hospitalization for TCM. Prospective clinical trials are needed to
      confirm the findings of this study. 

PMID- 26266633
TI  - Prevalence, implication, and determinants of worsening renal function after
      surgery for congenital heart disease.
AB  - Accumulating data in adults indicate the prognostic importance of worsening renal
      function (WRF) during treatment of acute heart failure. Venous congestion appears
      to play a dominant role in WRF; however, data regarding WRF in children with
      congenital heart disease (CHD) are limited. The present study was conducted to
      elucidate the prevalence and characteristics of WRF after surgery for CHD in
      children. We also tested our hypothesis that, similar to adult heart failure,
      venous congestion is an important determinant of WRF independent of cardiac
      output in this population. Fifty-five consecutive pediatric patients who
      underwent cardiovascular surgery for CHD were studied (median age 0.7 years;
      range 3 days to 17 years). The degree of WRF was assessed by the difference
      between the maximum levels of postoperative serum creatinine (Cr) and
      preoperative serum Cr. There was a high prevalence of WRF in the present cohort:
      an increase in Cr level was observed in 47 patients (85 %) and a Cr increase
      >=0.3 mg/dL was seen in 23 (42 %). Importantly, WRF was significantly associated
      with a worse clinical outcome of a longer stay in the intensive care unit and
      hospital (both p < 0.05), even after controlling for age and operative factors.
      In addition, multivariate regression analysis revealed that central venous
      pressure, rather than cardiac output, was an independent determinant of WRF.
      Postoperative management to relieve venous congestion may help ameliorate or
      prevent WRF and thereby improve outcomes in patients with CHD. 

PMID- 26266634
TI  - Comparison of clinical characteristics in patients with Takayasu arteritis with
      and without concomitant tuberculosis.
AB  - Because of frequent tuberculosis in patients with Takayasu arteritis (TA), a
      possible relationship between TA and tuberculosis has been proposed. However,
      there are no studies to date that have examined clinical manifestations in
      patients diagnosed with TA with or without tuberculosis. Two hundred sixty-seven
      patients were diagnosed with TA according to the 1990 American College of
      Rheumatology criteria between September 1994 and April 2014. Patients with TA
      were classified into groups with or without tuberculosis. Among the 267 patients
      with TA studied, 47 patients (17.7 %) who had a history of previous treatment of
      tuberculosis (34 patients), concurrent diagnosis of tuberculosis with TA (10
      patients), or diagnosis of tuberculosis during the follow-up period for TA (3
      patients) were included in the group with tuberculosis. The group with
      tuberculosis comprised of 33 patients (70.2 %) with pulmonary tuberculosis, 12
      patients (25.5 %) with tuberculous lymphadenitis, and 2 patients (4.3 %) with
      tuberculosis of the skin and colon, respectively. Comorbid disease and patients'
      signs and symptoms were not significantly different between TA patients with and
      without tuberculosis. Additionally, the site of disease involvement in
      angiographic findings and distribution of angiographic type were similar between
      the two groups. In conclusion, tuberculosis including tuberculous lymphadenitis
      was frequently observed in patients with TA. Clinical features and angiographic
      findings in TA were not different according to the presence or absence of
      concomitant tuberculosis. 

PMID- 26266635
TI  - Larger low voltage zone in endocardial unipolar map compared with that in
      epicardial bipolar map indicates difficulty in eliminating ventricular
      tachycardia by catheter ablation.
AB  - Patients with ischemic and non-ischemic cardiomyopathy often have substrate for
      ventricular tachycardia (VT) in the endocardium (ENDO), epicardium (EPI), and/or
      intramural. Although it has been reported that the ENDO unipolar (UNI) voltage
      map is useful in detecting EPI substrate, its feasibility to detect intramural
      scarring and its usefulness in radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) remain
      unclear. To assess the relationship between the left ventricle (LV) ENDO UNI
      voltage map and the LV EPI bipolar (BIP) voltage map, and to determine the
      usefulness of the ENDO UNI voltage map to guide RFCA for VT in patients with
      cardiomyopathy undergoing combined ENDO- and EPI RFCA. Eleven patients with VT
      undergoing detailed ENDO and EPI electroanatomical mapping of the LV were
      included (mean age 59 +/- 11 years, 9 men). We assessed the value of the LV ENDO
      UNI voltage map in identifying EPI and/or intramural substrate in these 11
      patients with non-ischemic or ischemic cardiomyopathy. The underlying heart
      disease was dilated cardiomyopathy in 4 patients, cardiac sarcoidosis in 3,
      hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in 2, and ischemic heart disease in 2 patients. The
      mean LV ejection fraction was 24 +/- 7 %. The low voltage zone (LVZ) was defined
      as <1.5 mV for LV ENDO BIP electrograms (EGMs), <8.3 mV for LV ENDO UNI EGMs, and
      <1.0 mV for LV EPI BIP EGMs. The surface area of each LVZ was measured. We also
      measured the LVZ of the spatial overlap between ENDO UNI and EPI BIP voltage maps
      using the transparency mode on CARTO software. We performed RFCA at the ENDO and
      EPI based on activation and/or substrate maps, targeting the LVZ and/or abnormal
      EGMs. The LVZ was present in the LV ENDO BIP voltage map in 10 of 11 patients (42
      +/- 33 cm(2)), and in the LV ENDO UNI voltage map in 10 of 11 patients (72 +/- 45
      cm(2)). The LVZ was present in the EPI BIP voltage map in 9 of 11 patients (70 +/
      61 cm(2)), and the LVZ in the ENDO UNI voltage map was also seen in all 9
      patients. The location of the LVZ in the EPI BIP map matched that in 45 +/- 28 %
      of ENDO UNI voltage maps. The LVZ in the ENDO UNI voltage map was larger than
      that in the EPI BIP voltage map in 6 of 11 patients, and RFCA failed in 5 of
      these 6 patients. In the remaining 5 patients with a smaller LVZ in the ENDO UNI
      voltage map compared with the EPI BIP voltage map or no LVZ both at ENDO UNI and
      EPI BIP voltage map, VT was successfully eliminated in 4 of 5 patients. The LV
      ENDO UNI voltage map is useful in detecting EPI substrate in patients with
      cardiomyopathy. A larger LVZ in the ENDO UNI voltage map compared to that in the
      EPI BIP voltage map may indicate the presence of intramural substrate, which
      leads to difficulty in eliminating VT, even with combined ENDO- and EPI RFCA. 

PMID- 26266636
TI  - Towards high throughput screening of electrochemical stability of battery
      electrolytes.
AB  - High throughput screening of solvents and additives with potential applications
      in lithium batteries is reported. The initial test set is limited to carbonate
      and phosphate-based compounds and focused on their electrochemical properties.
      Solvent stability towards first and second reduction and oxidation is reported
      from density functional theory (DFT) calculations performed on isolated solvents
      surrounded by implicit solvent. The reorganization energy is estimated from the
      difference between vertical and adiabatic redox energies and found to be
      especially important for the accurate prediction of reduction stability. A
      majority of tested compounds had the second reduction potential higher than the
      first reduction potential indicating that the second reduction reaction might
      play an important role in the passivation layer formation. Similarly, the second
      oxidation potential was smaller for a significant subset of tested molecules than
      the first oxidation potential. A number of potential sources of errors introduced
      during screening of the electrolyte electrochemical properties were examined. The
      formation of lithium fluoride during reduction of semifluorinated solvents such
      as fluoroethylene carbonate and the H-transfer during oxidation of solvents were
      found to shift the electrochemical potential by 1.5-2 V and could shrink the
      electrochemical stability window by as much as 3.5 V when such reactions are
      included in the screening procedure. The initial oxidation reaction of ethylene
      carbonate and dimethyl carbonate at the surface of the completely de-lithiated
      LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 high voltage spinel cathode was examined using DFT. Depending on
      the molecular orientation at the cathode surface, a carbonate molecule either
      exhibited deprotonation or was found bound to the transition metal via its
      carbonyl oxygen. 

PMID- 26266637
TI  - Targeted Therapy in Biliary Tract Cancers.
AB  - OPINION STATEMENT: A paradigm shift towards molecular-based, personalized cancer
      therapeutics has occurred in recent years and a number of targeted drugs have
      emerged. Various targeted therapies like erlotinib, trastuzumab, and cetuximab
      have been approved in lung, breast, and colon cancers, respectively. Numerous
      clinical trials involving targeted drugs in biliary tract cancers are currently
      in progress, though none have been approved for this disease. Biliary tract
      cancers are divided into separate entities both anatomically and in terms of
      pathogenesis but are grouped together in most trials given their rarity.
      Combination chemotherapy involving cisplatin and gemcitabine is the current
      standard of care in the metastatic setting. In this review, we will discuss the
      various molecular pathways implicated in biliary tract cancers and potential
      therapeutic targets.

PMID- 26266638
TI  - Factors governing the immunosuppressive effects of multipotent mesenchymal
      stromal cells in vitro.
AB  - Multipotent mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) are of great interest to
      researchers because of the unique properties, such as enhanced proliferation,
      paracrine activity and multilineage differentiation. Their non-immunogenicity, in
      combination with immunomodulatory properties, opens up the opportunity for the
      allogeneic application of MSCs. The MSC immunomodulatory capacity is currently
      being actively studied in vitro using various experimental designs. However, the
      results are not always univocal. It was found that the outcome of the
      stromal/immune cell interaction depends on experimental conditions. In this
      review we considered the impact of different factors, such as the ratio of
      stromal/immune cells, interaction time, the path of immune cell activation, etc.
      on the MSC immunomodulation. We also accentuated the importance of local milieu,
      in particular, oxygen tension, for the realization of MSC immunosuppressive
      activity. 

PMID- 26266639
TI  - Current status of local treatment for early rectal cancer in Japan: a
      questionnaire survey by the 81st Congress of the Japanese Society for Cancer of
      the Colon and Rectum (JSCCR) in 2014.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this questionnaire survey was to assess the change in
      treatment modality over time and the current status of clinical outcomes of local
      treatment in Japanese patients with pathological T1 (pT1) rectal tumors. METHODS:
      A questionnaire survey was conducted by the 81st Congress of the Japan Society
      for Cancer of the Colon and Rectum. Clinical and pathological outcomes of all
      eligible patients undergoing local treatment were retrospectively collected from
      the medical records of each participating hospital. RESULTS: A total of 1371 pT1
      patients from January 2006 to December 2008 (Period A), and 659 patients in 2013
      (Period B) were registered. Approximately 70 % of patients underwent radical
      surgery in both periods. The rate of patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery
      increased from 46.5 % in Period A to 84.7 % in Period B. The indications for
      local excision were comparable with those for endoscopic intervention in 78 % of
      institutions. The rate of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) increased from
      20.1 % in Period A to 37.9 % in Period B, whereas local excision decreased from
      36.9 to 24.1 %. Few patients received adjuvant therapy, and approximately 40 % of
      patients underwent additional surgery in both periods. Local recurrence was
      observed in 9.2 % of patients in Period A, with the median follow-up period being
      59 months. Eighty-two percent of patients with local recurrence underwent salvage
      surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Local treatment with various modalities was properly
      performed for early rectal cancer. The number of less invasive modalities, such
      as laparoscopic surgery and ESD, increased between study periods.

PMID- 26266641
TI  - Erratum to: Gender differences in colorectal cancer survival in Japan.

PMID- 26266640
TI  - Phase I dose escalation study of amrubicin plus paclitaxel in previously treated
      advanced non-small cell lung cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We conducted a phase I dose escalation study to determine the maximum
      tolerated dose (MTD), the recommended dose (RD) and the safety profile of
      amrubicin (AMR) plus paclitaxel (PTX) combination regimen for patients with
      previously treated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: PTX
      was administered at a fixed dose of 150 mg/m(2)/day on day 1 and AMR was
      intravenously administered at a starting dose of 25 mg/m(2)/day on days 1-3, and
      this was repeated every 4 weeks. Doses of each drug were planned as follows-level
      0, 20/150; level 1, 25/150; level 2, 30/150; level 3, 30/180 AMR mg/m(2) per
      day/PTX mg/m(2) per day. RESULTS: Twelve patients were enrolled in this study.
      The dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) of the regimen was assessed during the first
      cycle. At level 1, all three patients developed a DLT due to grade 4 neutropenia
      lasting >4 days, grade 4 thrombocytopenia and grade 3 febrile neutropenia.
      Therefore, level 1 was considered the MTD and level 0 was selected as the RD.
      Objective responses were seen in two patients (response rate 16.7 %). Overall
      disease control rate was 91.7 %. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of AMR and PTX is a
      feasible and well-tolerated regimen for the treatment of patients with previously
      treated advanced NSCLC. Although our study included a small number of patients,
      encouraging disease control and progression-free survival were achieved at the
      recommended doses. Further clinical trials are warranted.

PMID- 26266642
TI  - Relationship between quality of life instruments and phonatory function in
      tracheoesophageal speech with voice prosthesis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The use of tracheoesophageal speech with voice prosthesis (T-E
      speech) after total laryngectomy has increased recently as a method of
      vocalization following laryngeal cancer. Previous research has not investigated
      the relationship between quality of life (QOL) and phonatory function in those
      using T-E speech. This study aimed to demonstrate the relationship between
      phonatory function and both comprehensive health-related QOL and QOL related to
      speech in people using T-E speech. METHODS: The subjects of the study were 20
      male patients using T-E speech after total laryngectomy. At a visit to our
      clinic, the subjects underwent a phonatory function test and completed three
      questionnaires: the MOS 8-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-8), the Voice
      Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10), and the Voice-Related Quality of Life (V-RQOL)
      Measure. RESULTS: A significant correlation was observed between the physical
      component summary (PCS), a summary score of SF-8, and VHI-10. Additionally, a
      significant correlation was observed between the SF-8 mental component summary
      (MCS) and both VHI-10 and VRQOL. Significant correlations were also observed
      between voice intensity in the phonatory function test and both VHI-10 and V
      RQOL. Finally, voice intensity was significantly correlated with the SF-8 PCS.
      CONCLUSIONS: QOL questionnaires and phonatory function tests showed that, in
      people using T-E speech after total laryngectomy, voice intensity was correlated
      with comprehensive QOL, including physical and mental health. This finding
      suggests that voice intensity can be used as a performance index for speech
      rehabilitation.

PMID- 26266643
TI  - Electron Capture Dissociation of Sodium-Adducted Peptides on a Modified
      Quadrupole/Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer.
AB  - Electron capture dissociation (ECD), which generally preserves the position of
      labile post-translational modifications, can be a powerful method for de novo
      sequencing of proteins and peptides. In this report, ECD product-ion mass spectra
      of singly and doubly sodiated, nonphosphorylated, and phosphorylated peptides are
      presented and compared with the ECD mass spectra of their protonated
      counterparts. ECD of doubly charged, singly sodiated peptides yielded essentially
      the same sequence information as was produced by the corresponding doubly
      protonated peptides. The presence of several sodium binding sites on the
      polypeptide backbone, however, resulted in more complicated spectra. This
      situation is aggravated by the zwitterionic equilibrium of the free acid peptide
      precursors. The product-ion spectra of doubly and triply charged peptides
      possessing two sodium ions were further complicated by the existence of isomers
      created by the differential distribution of sodium binding sites. Triply charged,
      phosphorylated precursors containing one sodium, wherein the sodium is attached
      exclusively to the PO4 group, were found to be as useful for sequence analysis as
      the fully protonated species. Although sodium adducts are generally minimized
      during sample preparation, it appears that they can nonetheless provide useful
      sequence information. Additionally, they enable straightforward identification of
      a peptide's charge state, even on low-resolution instruments. The experiments
      were carried out using a radio frequency-free electromagnetostatic cell
      retrofitted into the collision-induced dissociation (CID) section of a hybrid
      quadrupole/time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometer. Graphical Abstract ?. 

PMID- 26266645
TI  - Treatment of Enamel Surfaces After Bracket Debonding: Case Reports and Long-term
      Follow-ups.
AB  - After bracket debonding, residual bonded material may be observed on the enamel
      surface. When not properly removed, this residual material can interfere with the
      surface smoothness of the enamel, potentially resulting in staining at the
      resin/enamel interface and contributing to biofilm accumulation. Clinical case
      reports demonstrate clinical procedures to remove residual bonded material after
      bracket debonding. A water-cooled fine tapered 3195 FF diamond bur was used to
      remove the residual bonded material. Subsequently, the enamel surface was treated
      with Opalustre microabrasive compound. After one week, overnight dental bleaching
      was initiated using 10% carbamide peroxide in custom-formed trays for four weeks.
      The enamel microabrasion technique was found to be effective for polishing the
      enamel surface and for reestablishing the dental esthetics associated with dental
      bleaching. Longitudinal clinical controls of other clinical cases are presented. 

PMID- 26266646
TI  - Effect of High-Fluoride Dentifrice on Enamel Erosion Adjacent to Restorations In
      Vitro.
AB  - AIM: This in vitro study analyzed the antierosive potential of a high-fluoride
      dentifrice on enamel adjacent to restorations. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Enamel
      blocks (6 * 6 * 3 mm) from bovine incisor teeth were restored with three
      different restorative materials (resin, conventional glass ionomer cement, and
      resin-modified glass ionomer cement) and treated with dentifrices containing 0,
      1100, or 5000 ppm F. After restorative procedures, initial surface Vickers
      hardness of the blocks were obtained. The specimens were submitted to pH cycles
      (4 * 90 seconds in soft drink) and treatments for five days. Between the
      challenges and overnight, the blocks remained in artificial saliva. At the end of
      the experiment, the final hardness was assessed and the percentage of surface
      mineral loss (%SML) was calculated. A 3 * 3 factorial design was used to conduct
      statistical analysis. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance and t-test, with
      significance level fixed at 5%. RESULTS: High-fluoride dentifrice decreased
      demineralization caused by erosive challenge regardless of the restorative
      material used (p<0.001). Likewise, the blocks restored with conventional glass
      ionomer cement showed lower values of SML irrespective of dentifrice used
      (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Use of a high-fluoride dentifrice on teeth restored with
      conventional glass ionomer cement offers additional protection against enamel
      erosion.

PMID- 26266647
TI  - Influence of Adhesive Core Buildup Designs on the Resistance of Endodontically
      Treated Molars Restored With Lithium Disilicate CAD/CAM Crowns.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the influence of adhesive core buildup designs (4-mm
      buildup, 2-mm buildup, and no buildup/endocrown) on the fatigue resistance and
      failure mode of endodontically treated molar teeth restored with lithium
      disilicate computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) complete
      crowns placed with self-adhesive cement. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Forty-five
      extracted molars were decoronated at the level of the cementoenamel junction and
      endodontically treated. Specimens received different Filtek Z100 adhesive core
      buildups (4-mm buildup; 2-mm buildup; and no buildup endocrown preparation) and
      were restored with Cerec 3 CAD/CAM lithium disilicate crowns (IPS e.max CAD). The
      intaglio surfaces of restorations (n=15) were conditioned by hydrofluoric acid
      etching and silane, and prepared teeth were treated with airborne-particle
      abrasion, followed by cementation with RelyX Unicem 2 Automix. Specimens were
      then subjected to cyclic isometric loading at 10 Hz, beginning with a load of 200
      N (*5000 cycles), followed by stages of 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1200, and 1400 N at
      a maximum of 30,000 cycles each. Specimens were loaded until failure or to a
      maximum of 185,000 cycles. The chewing cycle was simulated by an isometric
      contraction (load control) applied through a 10-mm in diameter composite resin
      sphere (Filtek Z100). Surviving specimens were axially loaded until failure or to
      a maximum load of 4500 N (crosshead speed 0.5 mm/min). The failure mode was
      assessed, and fractures were designated as catastrophic (tooth/root fracture that
      would require tooth extraction) or reparable (cohesive or cohesive/adhesive
      fracture of restoration only). Groups were compared using the life table survival
      analysis (log-rank test at p=0.05). Surviving specimens were loaded to failure
      and compared with one-way analysis of variance. RESULTS: The survival rates after
      the fatigue test were 100%, 93%, and 100% for 4-mm, 2-mm, and no buildup
      (endocrown), respectively and were not statistically different (only one specimen
      failed with a 2-mm buildup under a crown that cohesively fractured at 1,400 N).
      Postfatigue load to failure averaged 3181 N for 4-mm buildups (15 specimens),
      3759 N for 2-mm buildups (12 specimens), and 3265 N for endocrowns (14
      specimens). The 2-mm buildups were associated with higher loads to failure than
      endocrowns and 4-mm buildups, but no differences were found between 4-mm buildups
      and endocrowns (p<0.05.) One endocrown and 2 restorations with a 2-mm buildup
      survived the load-to-failure test (at 4500 N). Only catastrophic fractures
      occurred after the load-to-failure test. CONCLUSIONS: The buildup design
      influenced the performance of endodontically treated molars restored with lithium
      disilicate CAD/CAM complete crowns placed with self-adhesive resin cement. The 2
      mm buildups were associated with higher loads to failure than the endocrown and
      the 4-mm buildup, but all restoration designs survived far beyond the normal
      range of masticatory forces.

PMID- 26266648
TI  - CAD/CAM Polymer vs Direct Composite Resin Core Buildups for Endodontically
      Treated Molars Without Ferrule.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the restoration of broken
      down endodontically treated molars without ferrule effect using glass ceramic
      crowns on different composite resin core buildups. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Forty
      five decoronated endodontically treated teeth (no ferrule) were restored with a
      semidirect buildup using an experimental computer-aided design/computer-aided
      manufacturing (CAD/CAM) high-performance polymer (HPP group) or with light-curing
      composite core buildups of Tetric EvoCeram with (TECP group) or without (TEC
      group) a glass-fiber-reinforced post. All teeth were prepared to receive bonded
      glass ceramic crowns (Empress CAD luted with Variolink II) and were subjected to
      accelerated fatigue testing. Cyclic isometric loading was applied to the palatal
      cusp at an angle of 30 degrees  and a frequency of 5 Hz, beginning with a load of
      200 N (*5000 cycles) and followed by stages of 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1200, and
      1400 N at a maximum of 30,000 cycles each. Specimens were loaded until failure or
      to a maximum of 185,000 cycles. Groups were compared using the life-table
      survival analysis (log rank test at p=0.05). Average fracture loads and number of
      survived cycles were compared with one-way analysis of variance (Scheffe post hoc
      at p=0.05). RESULTS: None of the tested specimen withstood all 185,000 load
      cycles. There was a significant difference in mean fracture load, survived
      cycles, and survival; the HPP group (fracture load 975.27N+/-182.74) was
      significantly higher than the TEC (716.87N+/-133.43; p=0.001) and TECP (745.67+/
      156.34; p=0.001) groups, and the TEC and TECP groups showed no difference
      (p=0.884). Specimens in the TECP group were affected by an initial failure
      phenomenon (wide gap at the margin between the buildup/crown assembly and the
      root). CONCLUSIONS: Semidirect core buildup made from high-performance polymer
      enhanced the performance of all-ceramic leucite-reinforced glass ceramic crowns
      compared with direct light-curing composite resin buildups. The use of a fiber
      reinforced post system did not influence the fatigue strength of all-ceramic
      crowns.

PMID- 26266649
TI  - Effect of Bleaching Agents on the Nanohardness of Tooth Enamel, Composite Resin,
      and the Tooth-Restoration Interface.
AB  - This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the nanohardness of tooth enamel, composite
      resin, dental adhesive, and enamel hybrid layer exposed to 35% hydrogen peroxide
      based bleaching agents and analyze the tooth-restoration interface using scanning
      electron microscopy (SEM). This study used 40 crowns of bovine incisors, which
      were embedded in epoxy resin. A 2 * 2 * 2-mm cavity was prepared in the medial
      third of the flattened buccal surface of each tooth and restored (two-step etch
      and-rinse Adper Single Bond 2 + nanocomposite resin Filtek Z350 XT). The
      specimens were polished and divided into four groups (n=10), corresponding to
      each bleaching agent used (TB: Total Blanc Office, pH=7.22-6.33; HPB: Whiteness
      HP Blue, pH=8.89-8.85; HP: Whiteness HP, pH=6.65-6.04; PO: Pola Office, pH=3.56
      3.8), applied in accordance with manufacturer protocols. The nanohardness of the
      substrates was measured before and immediately after the bleaching procedure and
      after 7-day storage in artificial saliva with an Ultra-Microhardness Tester (DUH
      211S, Shimadzu). Loads used were 100 mN for tooth enamel and composite resin and
      10 mN for adhesive and enamel hybrid layer. For SEM analysis, epoxy replicas were
      prepared through high-precision impressions of the specimens. For nanohardness,
      the statistical tests two-way analysis of variance and Tukey (p<0.05) revealed
      that the agent with the lowest pH value (PO) was the only one to decrease the
      nanohardness of enamel and the enamel hybrid layer immediately after its
      application; however, after 7-day storage in artificial saliva, the nanohardness
      levels of these substrates returned to their original values. SEM analysis
      revealed small gaps between tooth enamel and adhesive after the exposure to all
      bleaching agents; however, the most evident gap in the tooth-restoration
      interface was observed immediately after application of agent PO. No bleaching
      agent used changed the nanohardness of the composite resin and adhesive layer. 

PMID- 26266644
TI  - How Does p73 Cause Neuronal Defects?
AB  - The p53-family member, p73, plays a key role in the development of the central
      nervous system (CNS), in senescence, and in tumor formation. The role of p73 in
      neuronal differentiation is complex and involves several downstream pathways.
      Indeed, in the last few years, we have learnt that TAp73 directly or indirectly
      regulates several genes involved in neural biology. In particular, TAp73 is
      involved in the maintenance of neural stem/progenitor cell self-renewal and
      differentiation throughout the regulation of SOX-2, Hey-2, TRIM32 and Notch. In
      addition, TAp73 is also implicated in the regulation of the differentiation and
      function of postmitotic neurons by regulating the expression of p75NTR and GLS2
      (glutamine metabolism). Further still, the regulation of miR-34a by TAp73
      indicates that microRNAs can also participate in this multifunctional role of p73
      in adult brain physiology. However, contradictory results still exist in the
      relationship between p73 and brain disorders, and this remains an important area
      for further investigation.

PMID- 26266650
TI  - Effect of Different Light Sources and Enamel Preconditioning on Color Change,
      H2O2 Penetration, and Cytotoxicity in Bleached Teeth.
AB  - This study evaluated the effects of acid etching of the enamel and the
      combination of different light sources (halogen light, light-emitting diodes
      [LEDs], and LED/Laser) and the bleaching product on color change, penetration of
      hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and cytotoxicity over time. The color change (DeltaE)
      and the amount of H2O2 that permeated the tooth tissue were analyzed using a
      spectrophotometer. Cell metabolism and morphology were evaluated using the
      methylthiazol tetrazolium assay and scanning electron microscopy, respectively.
      The DeltaE values and H2O2 permeation were not significantly different under any
      of the experimental conditions. Tooth whitening significantly reduced cell
      metabolism, regardless of whether a light source was used. Preconditioning the
      enamel did not influence the cellular metabolism in any group. In conclusion,
      combining the bleaching product with different light sources and/or
      preconditioning the enamel resulted in few significant changes in color,
      transenamel and transdentinal penetration of H2O2, or cytotoxicity and cell
      morphology. 

PMID- 26266651
TI  - Effect of Restorative System and Thermal Cycling on the Tooth-Restoration
      Interface - OCT Evaluation.
AB  - The present study evaluated the tooth/noncarious cervical lesion restoration
      interface when using different adhesive systems and resin composites, submitted
      to thermal cycling (TC), using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Noncarious
      cervical lesion (NCCL) preparations (0.7 mm depth * 2 mm diameter) were performed
      on 60 human third molars and randomly divided into six groups, according to the
      adhesive system and resin composite used: group 1 = Adper Single Bond 2 (SB2) +
      Aelite LS Posterior (AP); group 2 = SB2 + Venus Diamond (VD); group = SB2 +
      Filtek Z250XT (Z250); group 4 = Clearfil SE Bond (CSE) + AP; group 5 = CSE + VD;
      group 6 = CSE + Z250. Selective enamel etching was performed for 30 seconds on
      groups 4, 5, and 6, while groups 1, 2, and 3 were etched for 30 seconds in enamel
      and 15 seconds in dentin. All groups were evaluated using OCT before and after TC
      (n=10). Images were analyzed using Image J software; enamel and dentin margins
      were separately evaluated. Data from OCT were submitted to PROC MIXED for
      repeated measurements and Tukey Kramer test (alpha = 0.05). No marginal gaps were
      observed in etched enamel, either before or after TC, for all adhesive and resin
      composite systems. A significant interaction was found between adhesive system
      and TC for the dentin groups; after TC, restorations with CSE showed smaller gaps
      at the dentin/restoration interface compared with SB2 for all resin composites.
      Increased gap percentages were noticed after TC compared with the gaps before TC
      for all groups. In conclusion, TC affected marginal integrity only in dentin
      margins, whereas etched enamel margins remained stable even after TC. Dentin
      margins restored with CSE adhesive system showed better marginal adaptation than
      those restored with SB2. Resin composites did not influence marginal integrity of
      NCCL restorations.

PMID- 26266652
TI  - Resin Bonding to a Hybrid Ceramic: Effects of Surface Treatments and Aging.
AB  - The aim of this study was to verify the effects of different surface treatments
      on the microtensile bond strength between resin cement and a hybrid ceramic.
      Thirty-two hybrid ceramic slices (8 * 10 * 3 mm) were produced and allocated
      among four groups according to the surface treatment: Cont = no treatment, HA =
      10% hydrofluoric acid applied for 60 seconds, PA = 37% phosphoric acid applied
      for 60 seconds and CJ = air abrasion with silica particle coated alumina (Cojet
      Sand, 3M ESPE, 30 MUm/2.8 bar). As a control group, eight blocks of feldspathic
      ceramic (8 * 10 * 3 mm) were etched by hydrofluoric acid for 60 seconds (VMII).
      After the surface treatments, the ceramic slices were silanized (except the Cont
      group) and adhesively cemented to composite resin blocks (8 * 10 * 3 mm ) with a
      load of 750 g (polymerized for 40 seconds each side). The cemented blocks were
      cut into beams (bonded surface area of ~1 mm(2)). Half of the beams were aged
      (thermocycling of 5 degrees C-55 degrees C/6000 cycles + water storage at 37
      degrees C/60 days), and the other half were tested immediately after being cut.
      Data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests (non-aged groups) and by one
      way analysis of variance and Tukey test (aged groups; alpha=0.05%). The mode of
      failure was classified by stereomicroscopy. The surface treatment significantly
      affected the bond strength in each set of groups: non-aged (p=0.001) and aged
      (p=0.001). Before being aged, samples in the CJ, HA, and PA groups achieved the
      highest bond strength values. However, after being aged, only those in the HA
      group remained with the highest bond strength values. Adhesive failure was found
      most often. In conclusion, hydrofluoric acid etching should be used for surface
      conditioning of the studied hybrid ceramic.

PMID- 26266653
TI  - Marginal Integrity of Bulk Versus Incremental Fill Class II Composite
      Restorations.
AB  - Bulk-fill composites have been introduced to facilitate the placement of deep
      direct resin composite restorations. This study aimed at analyzing the cervical
      marginal integrity of bulk-fill vs incremental and open-sandwich class II resin
      composite restorations after thermomechanical cycling using replica scanning
      electron microscopy (SEM) and ranking according to the World Dental Federation
      (FDI) criteria. Box-only class II cavities were prepared in 91 maxillary
      premolars with the gingival margin placed 1 mm above and below the cemento-enamel
      junction. Eighty-four premolars were divided into self-etch and total-etch
      groups, then subdivided into six restorative subgroups (n=7): 1-Tetric Ceram HB
      (TC) was used incrementally and in the open-sandwich technique with 2-Tetric
      EvoFlow (EF) and 3-Smart Dentin Replacement (SD). Bulk-fill restoratives were 4
      SonicFill (SF), 5-Tetric N-Ceram Bulk Fill (TN), and 6-Tetric EvoCeram Bulk Fill
      (TE). In subgroups 1-5, Tetric N-Bond self-etch and Tetric N-Bond total-etch
      adhesives were used, whereas in subgroup 6, AdheSE self-etch and ExciTE F total
      etch were used. One more group (n=7) was restored with Filtek P90 Low Shrink
      Posterior Restorative (P9) only in combination with its self-etch P90 System
      Adhesive. Materials were manipulated and light cured (20 seconds, 1600 mW/cm(2)),
      and restorations were artificially aged by thermo-occlusal load cycling.
      Polyvinyl-siloxane impressions were taken and poured with epoxy resin. Resin
      replicas were examined by SEM (200*) for marginal sealing, and percentages of
      perfect margins were analyzed. Moreover, samples were examined using loupes
      (3.5*) and explorers and categorized according to the FDI criteria. Results were
      statistically analyzed (SEM by Kruskal-Wallis test and FDI by chi-square test)
      without significant differences in either the replica SEM groups (p=0.848) or the
      FDI criteria groups (p>0.05). The best SEM results at the enamel margin were in
      TC+EF/total-etch and SF/total-etch and at the cementum margins were in SF/total
      etch and TE/self-etch, while the worst were in TC/self-etch at both margins.
      According to FDI criteria, the best was TE/total-etch at the enamel margin, and
      the poorest was P9/self-etch at the cementum margin. Groups did not differ
      significantly, and there was a strong correlation in results between replica SEM
      and FDI ranking.

PMID- 26266654
TI  - Influence of Light-curing Parameters on Biofilm Development and Flexural Strength
      of a Silorane-based Composite.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences in biological
      and mechanical performances of a silorane-based and a methacrylate-based
      composite. Another aim was to assess the influence of light-curing time and light
      curing intensity on in vitro biofilm formation and flexural strength of the two
      tested composites. METHODS: Experiment 1: 432 specimens obtained from a silorane
      based composite and from a standard methacrylate-based composite were divided
      into six groups and light-cured for 10, 20, 30, 40, 60, or 80 seconds, using one
      of two light-curing intensities, 400 mW/cm(2) or 800 mW/cm(2). At 24 hours, a
      monospecific Streptococcus mutans biofilm adherent to the surfaces of the samples
      was obtained. Then, a colorimetric technique (MTT assay) was used to evaluate the
      adherent viable biomass. Two samples per group were observed using confocal laser
      scanning microscopy. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey tests were used to
      analyze the results (p<0.05). Experiment 2: 192 bar-shaped specimens were
      obtained and light-cured as in the previous experiment. A three-point bend test
      using a universal testing machine was performed to obtain flexural strength
      values. ANOVA and Tukey tests were used to analyze the results (p<0.05). RESULTS:
      In experiment 1, a highly significant difference (p<0.0001) in biofilm
      development was shown between silorane-based and methacrylate-based composites.
      In fact, the silorane-based composite exhibited better biological performance.
      Significant differences were also found between the two light-curing intensities
      (p<0.018) and for curing times (p<0.0001): silorane-based composite light-cured
      for 80 seconds at 800 mW/cm(2) light-curing intensity showed the lowest biofilm
      development. In experiment 2, a significant difference in flexural strength
      (p<0.0318) was only found between the different composites. Nevertheless, both
      resin composites showed flexural strength values in accordance with International
      Organization for Standardization guidelines even after 10 seconds of light-curing
      time. CONCLUSIONS: Silorane-based composite was less prone to biofilm development
      compared with a methacrylate-based composite. Acceptable flexural strength values
      for both composites were obtained after 10 seconds of light-curing time.

PMID- 26266655
TI  - Fatigue Resistance of Y-TZP/Porcelain Crowns is Not Influenced by the
      Conditioning of the Intaglio Surface.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of
      treatments of the intaglio surface of Y-TZP frameworks and luting agents on the
      fatigue resistance of all-ceramic crowns. METHODS: A research design was chosen
      that attempted to reduce the likelihood of Hertzian cracking and to increase the
      probability of fracture initiation at the intaglio surface of the framework.
      Ninety identical preparations were machined in a dentin-like epoxy composite.
      Each preparation was restored with a Y-TZP framework made by a CAD/CAM system and
      veneered using feldspathic ceramic. Prior to cementation the intaglio surface of
      the ceramic was treated using one of four treatments: 1) cleaning with isopropyl
      alcohol; 2) application of an overglaze; 3) sandblasting with 125 MUm aluminum
      oxide powder; and 4) sandblasting with 30 MUm silica powder (CJ). One of three
      luting cements were used: 1) zinc phosphate; 2) glass ionomer; and 3) adhesive
      resin cement (PN). All three cements were tested against frameworks that were
      alcohol cleaned. Only the PN cements were tested against frameworks that had been
      sandblasted or glazed. Altogether, six groups of 15 specimens each were tested.
      Fatigue resistance was evaluated using stepwise loads at 1.4 Hz until failure:
      5000 cycles at maximum load of 200 N, followed by 10,000 cycles at maximum loads
      of 800, 1000, 1200, and 1400 N. The cement thickness and failure modes were
      analyzed using a stereomicroscope and scanning electron microscopy. The results
      were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier and Mantel-Cox log rank tests (5%), a one
      way analysis of variance, Tukey multiple comparison test, and Weibull
      nonparametric test. RESULTS: The predominant failure mode was chipping of the
      veneer. The crowns cemented with the adhesive resin cement exhibited chipping
      failure at higher mean loads than did crowns cemented with cements that usually
      do not bond strongly with dentin. When the adhesive cement was used, glazing and
      sandblasting intaglio framework surface treatments exhibited lower mean loads at
      chipping than did crowns whose intaglio surface was only cleaned with alcohol.
      Weibull analysis indicated that all specimens had a high ratio of late-to-early
      failures. CONCLUSIONS: The fatigue experiment produced a pattern of failures that
      is very similar to that observed in clinical trials of Y-TZP crowns that are
      veneered with feldspathic porcelain. Crowns cemented with an adhesive resin
      cement exhibited chipping at a significantly higher mean load than those cemented
      with luting cements that do not usually form strong bonds with dentin. When
      cemented with adhesive resin cement, glazing or sandblasting the intaglio surface
      of the framework significantly reduced the mean fatigue loads at which chipping
      of veneers occurred, as compared to crowns whose intaglio surface had only been
      cleaned with alcohol. For this cement glazing or sandblasting the intaglio
      surface of the crown is not recommended.

PMID- 26266656
TI  - Influence of Staining Solution and Bleaching on Color Stability of Resin Used for
      Caries Infiltration.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the color stability of
      Icon-infiltrated white spot lesions after staining and the bleaching effect on
      the infiltrated and stained surfaces. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Enamel-dentin
      specimens (N=30, 5 * 5 * 3 mm, 1-mm enamel + 2-mm dentin thickness) were prepared
      from bovine incisors and randomly allocated into three groups (n=10): control,
      demineralized, and infiltrated. Artificial enamel subsurface lesions were created
      using 50 mL of 0.05 M acetate buffer solution. Specimens were produced by Icon
      application in enamel caries-like lesions, according to the manufacturer's
      instruction. Baseline color readings were assessed using a spectrophotometer, and
      CIE L*a*b* measurements of each specimen were performed using a white background.
      To simulate extrinsic dietary staining, specimens were placed into a 4-mL coffee
      infusion, three times daily for 15 minutes, for 14 days. After the staining
      procedure, color measurements were performed again. Then, bleaching procedures
      were performed using 16% carbamide peroxide gel for four hours daily for 21 days,
      and a final color assessment was performed. To compare the baseline and final
      measurements, t-test was used (alpha =0.05). The statistical comparison between
      the groups was performed using the one-way analysis of variance and Tukey tests
      (alpha =0.05). RESULTS: Coffee staining provided a significant reduction of L*
      values and an increase of a* and b* in all groups (control, decayed, and
      infiltrated). The bleaching procedure provided a significant increase in L* and
      decrease of a* and b* values in all groups. There was no significant difference
      in DeltaE values between decayed and infiltrated groups before bleaching, and
      after bleaching, the infiltrated group showed the lowest DeltaE values.
      CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that enamel infiltrated with Icon presents
      significant alteration of color after staining when compared with sound enamel.
      However, if there is discoloration of the infiltrant, the bleaching treatment can
      be used successfully.

PMID- 26266657
TI  - Strengthening of Porcelain Provided by Resin Cements and Flowable Composites.
AB  - This study evaluated the effect of mechanical properties of resin-based luting
      agents on the strength of resin-coated porcelain. The luting agents tested were
      two flowable resin composites (Filtek Z350 Flow and Tetric-N Flow), a light-cured
      resin cement (Variolink Veneer [VV]), and a dual-cured resin cement (Variolink
      II) in either light-cured (base paste) or dual-cured (base + catalyst pastes
      [VD]) mode. Flexural strength (sigmaf) and modulus of elasticity (Ef) of the
      luting agents were measured in three-point bending mode (n=5). Porcelain discs
      (Vita VM7) were tested either untreated (control) or acid etched, silanized, and
      coated with the luting agents. Biaxial flexural strength (sigmabf) of the
      porcelain discs was tested using a ball-on-ring setup (n=30). The sigmabf of the
      resin-coated specimens was calculated at z-axial positions for multilayer
      specimens in the ball-on-ring test: position z = 0 (ceramic surface at the bonded
      interface) and position z = -t2 (luting agent surface above ring). The sigmaf and
      Ef data were subjected to analysis of variance and the Student-Newman-Keuls test
      (alpha=0.05). A Weibull analysis was performed for sigmabf data. Weibull modulus
      (m) and characteristic strength (sigma0) were calculated. Linear regression
      analyses investigated the relationship between mechanical properties of the
      luting agents and the strengthening of porcelain. VD had higher and VV had lower
      mechanical strength than the other materials. At z = 0, all resin-coated groups
      had higher sigmabf than the control group. No significant differences between the
      luting agents were observed for sigmabf and sigma0. At z = -t2, VD had the
      highest sigmabf and sigma0, whereas VV had the poorest results. No significant
      differences in m were observed across groups. A linear increase in flexural
      strength of the porcelain was associated with increased sigmaf and Ef of the
      luting agents at position z = -t2. In conclusion, resin coating and use of luting
      agents with better physical properties generally improved the mechanical
      performance of porcelain.

PMID- 26266658
TI  - Preventive effects of amino-acid-rich elemental diet Elental(r) on chemotherapy
      induced oral mucositis in patients with colorectal cancer: a prospective pilot
      study.
AB  - PURPOSE: The prospective pilot study was designed to evaluate the preventive
      effects of amino-acid-rich elemental diet (ED), Elental((r)), on chemotherapy
      induced oral mucositis in patients with colorectal cancer. The factors
      influencing its efficacy are also investigated. METHODS: A total of 22 eligible
      patients with colorectal cancer experiencing grade 1-3 oral mucositis during
      treatment with fluorouracil-based chemotherapy entered the current study. Their
      average age was 67 years. There were 10 male and 12 female. The PS was 0 in the
      majority of patients. Patients received two courses of the same chemotherapy
      regimen and Elental((r)) concurrently after recovery to grade 0 or 1 oral
      mucositis. RESULTS: FOLFOX6 + bevacizumab in 8 patients, FOLFIRI + bevacizumab in
      8 patients, FOLFIRI + panitumumab in 1 patient, FOLFIRI in 1 patient, XELOX +
      bevacizumab in 2 patients, and S-1 + cetuximab in 2 patients were used as first
      line (16 cases) or as second-line (6 cases) chemotherapy. Dose reduction of 5
      fluorouracil (5-FU) or oral fluoropyrimidine was performed in the 2 patients
      achieving grade 3 oral mucositis and in the 3 patients achieving grade 2 oral
      mucositis. The maximum grade of oral mucositis decreased in 18 of the 22 patients
      during the first treatment course with Elental((r)) (p = 0.0002) and in 20 of the
      22 patients in the second course (p < 0.0001). Multivariate analyses found that
      the dose reduction in 5-FU or oral fluoropyrimidine, ED intake, and the prior
      administration of ED were each a significant factor for the preventive efficacy
      on oral mucositis. CONCLUSION: The amino-acid-rich elemental diet Elental((r))
      may be useful as a countermeasure for 5-FU-based chemotherapy-induced oral
      mucositis in patients with colorectal cancer.

PMID- 26266659
TI  - Elemental diet plus glutamine for the prevention of mucositis in esophageal
      cancer patients receiving chemotherapy: a feasibility study.
AB  - PURPOSE: We investigated the effect of glutamine (Gln) and an elemental diet (ED)
      on chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis in esophageal cancer patients. METHODS:
      Thirty patients were randomized to the control group (no treatment: n = 10), Gln
      group (oral intake of 8910 mg Gln/day: n = 10), or Gln plus ED group (total oral
      intake of 8862 mg Gln/day, including the Gln in ED: n = 10). Oral administration
      of Gln and ED began 1 week before chemotherapy and continued during treatment.
      Oral mucositis was evaluated during 2 cycles of chemotherapy using Common
      Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v3.0. RESULTS: The incidence of grade >=2
      oral mucositis was 60 % in the control group, 70 % in the Gln group, and 10 % in
      the Gln plus ED group. Gln plus ED showed a significant preventive effect on the
      development and severity of oral mucositis. By multivariate analysis, Gln plus ED
      and cancer stage were independent factors affecting chemotherapy-induced oral
      mucositis. The percentage of change in body weight and diamine oxidase activity
      from before chemotherapy was higher in the Gln plus ED group than in the control
      group. CONCLUSIONS: Oral administration of Gln plus ED may prevent chemotherapy
      induced oral mucositis in esophageal cancer patients.

PMID- 26266660
TI  - Understanding domains of health-related quality of life concerns of Singapore
      Chinese patients with advanced cancer: a qualitative analysis.
AB  - PURPOSE: Quality of life concerns in patients with advanced diseases might be
      different from other patients and are shaped by sociocultural context. The
      objective of this qualitative study was to identify domains and themes of health
      related quality of life (HRQoL) that Chinese patients with advanced cancer in
      Singapore considered relevant and important. METHODS: English- and Chinese
      speaking patients with advanced solid cancer were recruited from a tertiary
      cancer center and a community-based hospice for in-depth interview or focused
      group discussion. Thematic analysis was used to identify subthemes, themes, and
      domains from the transcripts. RESULTS: Forty-six ethnic Chinese (aged 26-86, 48%
      male) participated in the study. Six domains of HRQoL concerns were identified:
      pain and suffering, physical health, social health, mental health, financial well
      being, and spiritual health. Pain and suffering are not limited to the physical
      domain, reflecting the multidimensional nature of this concept. Pain and
      suffering must also be understood within the cultural context. Healthcare
      relations (i.e., social health), existential well-being and religious well-being
      (i.e., spiritual health), and suffering (i.e., pain and suffering) are not fully
      captured in the existing HRQoL instruments. In addition, financial issues and the
      practice of secrecy in interpersonal relationships emerged as unique features
      possibly arising from our sociocultural context and healthcare financing
      landscape. CONCLUSION: Socioculturally specific issues not measured by the
      existing HRQoL instruments for use in patients with advanced cancers or terminal
      diseases were found in our study. These are non-physical pain and suffering,
      meaning of illness, meaning of death, financial issues, and practice of secrecy
      in interpersonal relationships.

PMID- 26266661
TI  - Post-transcriptional regulation tends to attenuate the mRNA noise and to increase
      the mRNA gain.
AB  - Post-transcriptional regulation is ubiquitous in prokaryotic and eukaryotic
      cells, but how it impacts gene expression remains to be fully explored. Here, we
      analyze a simple gene model in which we assume that mRNAs are produced in a
      constitutive manner but are regulated post-transcriptionally by a decapping
      enzyme that switches between the active state and the inactive state. We derive
      the analytical mRNA distribution governed by a chemical master equation, which
      can be well used to analyze the mechanism of how post-transcription regulation
      influences the mRNA expression level including the mRNA noise. We demonstrate
      that the mean mRNA level in the stochastic case is always higher than that in the
      deterministic case due to the stochastic effect of the enzyme, but the size of
      the increased part depends mainly on the switching rates between two enzyme
      states. More interesting is that we find that in contrast to transcriptional
      regulation, post-transcriptional regulation tends to attenuate noise in mRNA. Our
      results provide insight into the role of post-transcriptional regulation in
      controlling the transcriptional noise. 

PMID- 26266663
TI  - Improved disease-free survival and overall survival after fluorescence-guided
      surgery of liver metastasis in an orthotopic nude mouse model.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In the present study, we sought to determine if fluorescence-guided
      surgery (FGS) would improve survival compared to standard bright light surgery
      (BLS) in an experimental colorectal liver metastasis nude mouse model. METHODS:
      Orthotopic nude-mouse models of human HT-29-GFP colon cancer liver metastasis
      were established in the left lobe of the liver of mice. Fourteen mice with a
      single liver metastasis were randomized into FGS or BLS groups of seven each. FGS
      of liver metastasis was performed using a hand-held portable fluorescence imaging
      system (Dino-Lite) to visualize the GFP fluorescence of the metastasis. The BLS-
      and FGS-treated mice were followed by weekly fluorescence imaging in order to
      detect recurrence. RESULTS: The bright fluorescence of GFP provided sufficient
      illumination to accurately distinguish the margins of the metastasis within the
      liver. Recurrence occurred in multiple sites including the liver, lung, and other
      organs in the BLS-treated mice but was significantly reduced in FGS-treated mice.
      The FGS-treated mice had significantly prolonged disease-free survival (P =
      0.001) and overall survival (P = 0.027) compared to BLS-treated mice. CONCLUSION:
      The results of the present report demonstrate the feasibility and efficacy of FGS
      for liver metastasis and suggest its important clinical potential.

PMID- 26266664
TI  - Gleason and Fuhrman no longer make the grade.
AB  - Grading is an important prognostic parameter for prostate adenocarcinoma and
      renal cell carcinoma (RCC); however, the most frequently used classifications
      fail to account for advances in our understanding of the diagnostic features,
      classification and/or behaviour of these tumours. In 2005 and 2014, the
      International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) proposed changes to Gleason
      scoring with the adoption of the ISUP grading for prostate cancer in 2014 (grade
      1, score 3 + 3; grade 2, score 3 + 4; grade 3, score 4 + 3; grade 4, score 8;
      grade 5, score 9-10). Internationally the Fuhrman grading system is widely
      employed despite criticisms related to its application, validity, and
      reproducibility. In 2012, the ISUP established a grading system for RCC (grade 1,
      the nucleolus is not seen or is inconspicuous and basophilic at *400
      magnification; grade 2, nucleoli are eosinophilic and clearly visible at *400
      magnification; grade 3, nucleoli are clearly visible at *100 magnification; grade
      4, tumours show extreme pleomorphism or rhabdoid and/or sarcomatoid morphology).
      This grading has been validated for clear cell RCC and papillary RCC. It was
      further recommended that chromophobe RCC not be graded. For other morphotypes of
      RCC, ISUP grading has not been validated as a prognostic parameter, but can be
      used for descriptive purposes. 

PMID- 26266665
TI  - Effect of three different chin-down maneuvers on swallowing pressure in healthy
      young adults.
AB  - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To determine the effects of three different chin-down
      maneuvers on swallowing pressure (SP) in healthy young adults using high
      resolution manometry (HRM). STUDY DESIGN: Repeated measures with subjects serving
      as their own controls. METHODS: Twenty-six healthy subjects (average age 26.4
      [range 21-35] years) swallowed 5 mL of cold water to examine the maximum
      swallowing pressure (MSP) at the velopharynx, meso-hypopharynx, and upper
      esophageal sphincter (UES), and to determine the duration of lowered SP at the
      UES using HRM. The subjects swallowed in the neutral position as a control and in
      the following three chin-down positions: 1) head flexion (HF); 2) neck flexion
      (NF); and 3) combined head and neck flexion (HFNF). RESULTS: The MSP at the
      velopharynx and meso-hypopharynx did not significantly differ among the three
      chin-down positions. Upon swallowing in the NF posture, the MSP was significantly
      lower (P < 0.0001) at the UES, and the duration of the lowered SP at the UES was
      significantly prolonged (P = 0.0010) compared to the neutral position. In
      comparison, the duration of lowered SP at the UES was significantly (P = 0.0001)
      shorter in the HF position than in the neutral position. Moreover, the HFNF
      position significantly (P = 0.0276) lowered the MSP at the UES compared to the
      control position. CONCLUSION: In young healthy adults, NF maneuver resulted in
      significantly lower MSP and longer duration of the lowered swallowing pressure at
      the UES, which might assist bolus passage through the UES. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3b.

PMID- 26266666
TI  - Acute postoperative pain in children.

PMID- 26266667
TI  - Reply to: Acute postoperative pain in children.

PMID- 26266669
TI  - Filament-Assisted Impulsive Raman Spectroscopy of Ozone and Nitrogen Oxides.
AB  - The filament-assisted impulsive Raman spectra of ozone, nitric oxide, and
      nitrogen dioxide are presented. The Raman response as a function of ozone
      concentration scales as N(2), where N is the number of oscillators in the
      interaction region. The system described has a detection limit of ~300 ppm for
      gas-phase ozone. Ozone produced via the strong field chemistry occurring within
      the filament pump was also detected. The measurements reveal spectral
      interference in the Raman features. Simulations show the spectral fringing
      results from interference of the Raman signal with pump-induced cross-phase
      modulation. The fringes are used to classify the symmetric mode of the low
      concentration filament-generated ozone. 

PMID- 26266670
TI  - Multiple cutaneous lymphoproliferative disorders showing a retained tumor clone
      by T-cell receptor gene rearrangement analysis: a case series of four patients
      and review of the literature.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mycosis fungoides (MF) is the most common primary cutaneous T-cell
      lymphoma (CTCL), followed by CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorders, including
      lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP) and primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma
      (pcALCL). The objective was to report on a series of patients with different
      types of CTCL at different times in their clinical course, with a focus on
      clonality studies. METHODS: Four patients with multiple diagnoses of CTCLs were
      identified. The clinical information, treatment interventions, and histopathology
      were reviewed. T-cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangement studies were performed on
      all available specimens. RESULTS: The four patients carried diagnoses of: (1)
      pcALCL and MF; (2) pcALCL, LyP, and pcALCL; (3) LyP, MF, and pcALCL; (4) LyP,
      pcALCL, and MF; each with characteristic presentation and histopathologic
      findings. The results of the TCR polymerase chain reaction showed that all tumors
      expressed and retained a TCR clone(s) as follows: (1) biallelic clone; (2) single
      clone; (3) biallelic clone with additional clone; and (4) single clone,
      respectively. CONCLUSION: We report a series of four cases of individual patients
      with coexisting diagnoses of some combination of MF, LyP, and pcALCL, whose
      lesions presented in nontraditional sequence and demonstrated a retained clone by
      gene rearrangement analysis.

PMID- 26266671
TI  - Infrared Colloidal Quantum Dot Photovoltaics via Coupling Enhancement and
      Agglomeration Suppression.
AB  - Materials optimized for single-junction solar spectral harvesting, such as
      silicon, perovskites, and large-band-gap colloidal quantum dot solids, fail to
      absorb the considerable infrared spectral energy that lies below their respective
      band gap. Here we explore through modeling and experiment the potential for
      colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) to augment the performance of solar cells by
      harnessing transmitted light in the infrared. Through detailed balance modeling,
      we identify the CQD band gap that is best able to augment wafer-based, thin-film,
      and also solution-processed photovoltaic (PV) materials. The required quantum
      dots, with an excitonic peak at 1.3 MUm, have not previously been studied in
      depth for solar performance. Using computational studies we find that a new
      ligand scheme distinct from that employed in better-explored 0.95 MUm band gap
      PbS CQDs is necessary; only via the solution-phase application of a short
      bromothiol can we prevent dot fusion during ensuing solid-state film treatments
      and simultaneously offer a high valence band-edge density of states to enhance
      hole transport. Photoluminescence spectra and transient studies confirm the
      desired narrowed emission peaks and reduced surface-trap-associated decay.
      Electronic characterization reveals that only through the use of the bromothiol
      ligands is strong hole transport retained. The films, when used to make PV
      devices, achieve the highest AM1.5 power conversion efficiency yet reported in a
      solution-processed material having a sub-1 eV band gap. 

PMID- 26266672
TI  - [Hometreatment- an effective alternative to inpatient treatment in child and
      adolescent psychiatry?].
AB  - In many countries hometreatment (HT) offers a cost-effective alternative to
      hospitalization for children and adolescents with mental health problems
      requiring intensive mental healthcare. However, the database on HT varies as HT
      may refer to different models and settings of intensive outpatient treatment. In
      Germany HT is not used routinely in mental healthcare in child and adolescent
      psychiatry, therefore the data on HT in Germany, especially in child and
      adolescent psychiatry, are scarce although funding for studies investigating the
      effectiveness of HT is available. This review represents a comprehensive search
      in electronic databases (1980-2014) of literature on HT. It provides as well an
      overview of the underlying concepts of and the present evidence for HT. In
      addition, the evidence base on HT for specific child and adolescent mental health
      disorders is reviewed. Future prospects for the development of HT in Germany
      facing the upcoming change in health service commissioning (PEPP =
      "pauschalierendes Entgeltsystem in Psychiatric und Psychosomatik>>) are
      discussed, as HT in child and adolescent psychiatry, when accurately indicated,
      can be a valid alternative to inpatient treatment.

PMID- 26266673
TI  - [The methodological assessment and qualitative evaluation of psychometric
      performance tests based on the example of modern tests that assess reading and
      spelling skills].
AB  - This article looks at a means of objectively evaluating the quality of
      psychometric tests. This approach enables users to evaluate psychometric tests
      based on their methodological characteristics, in order to decide which
      instrument should be used. Reading and spelling assessment tools serve as
      examples. The paper also provides a review of German psychometric tests for the
      assessment of reading and spelling skills. This method facilitates the
      identification of psychometric tests.of high methodological quality which can be
      used for the assessment of reading and spelling skills. Reading performance
      should ideally be assessed with the following instruments: ELFE 1-6, LGVT 6-12,
      LESEN 6-7, LESEN 8-9, or WLLP-R. The tests to be used for the evaluation of
      spelling skills are DERET 1-2+, DERET 3-4+, WRT 1+, WRT 2+, WRT 3+, WRT 4+ or HSP
      1-10.

PMID- 26266674
TI  - Diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis in coexistence with leprosy.
AB  - Cutaneous leishmaniasis and leprosy are diseases both caused by intracellular
      pathogens that represent a major health predicament even today. Both these
      diseases have some characteristics in common, such as the involvement of
      mucocutaneous tissue, a course with a chronic granulomatous response, a broad
      clinical spectrum in relation to the host's immunity, and they often affect the
      poor population in tropical countries. Co-infection of the two diseases, although
      known to occur, is rarely encountered and reported. Even though new cases of
      leprosy are diagnosed in the region of coastal Karnataka of India, cutaneous
      leishmaniasis is rarely reported. We hereby describe a patient who presented with
      concurrent leprosy and diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis.

PMID- 26266675
TI  - Inhibin B, AMH, but not INSL3, IGF1 or DHEAS support differentiation between
      constitutional delay of growth and puberty and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.
AB  - In pre-pubertal boys >= 14 years, the differentiation between constitutional
      delay of growth and puberty (CDGP) and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH) is
      challenging, as current diagnostic tools have limitations in sensitivity and
      specificity. The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of markers of
      gonadal activity, growth axis activation and adrenarche in differentiation
      between pre-pubertal CDGP and HH. This retrospective study was carried out
      between 2006 and 2015 in an academic out-patient referral centre. The clinical
      data of 94 boys, aged 13.9-23.2 years and referred for "pubertal delay" were
      reviewed. Definite diagnoses were established on initial work-up and clinical
      follow-up: 24 boys were diagnosed with HH, 22 boys with CDGP, pre-pubertal (PP
      CDGP) at referral and 28 boys with CDGP, early pubertal at referral (EP CDGP),
      the latter serving as control group. Twenty patients were excluded from
      evaluation because of previous sex steroid treatment or associated chronic
      disease. Inhibin B and AMH were measured in all (n = 74); INSL3, IGF1, IGFBP3 and
      DHEAS in a subset of patients (n = 45) in serum of first presentation. Inhibin B
      and AMH were higher in boys with PP CDGP than in boys with HH: inhibin B: 87.6 +/
      42.5 vs. 19.8 +/- 13.9 pg/mL; p < 0.001; AMH: 44.9 +/- 27.1 vs. 15.4 +/- 8.3
      ng/mL; p < 0.001. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) for the diagnosis of
      PPCDGP vs. HH (inhibin B >= 28.5 pg/mL): sensitivity: 95%, specificity: 75%; AUC:
      0.955. In combination with an AMH cut-off >=20 ng/mL the specificity increased to
      83%. INSL3, IGF1, IGFBP3 and DHEAS levels were not different. In boys with EP
      CDGP, inhibin B and IGF1 levels were highest (138.7 +/- 59.9 pg/mL/289.7 +/- 117
      ng/mL), whereas AMH levels were lowest (11.7 +/- 9.1 ng/mL). Sertoli cell markers
      are helpful for establishing a prognosis, whether a boy with pubertal delay will
      enter puberty spontaneously, whereas Leydig cell, growth and adrenal markers are
      not. 

PMID- 26266676
TI  - A Desulfonylative Approach in Oxidative Gold Catalysis: Regiospecific Access to
      Donor-Substituted Acyl Gold Carbenes.
AB  - Donor-substituted acyl gold carbenes are challenging to access selectively by
      gold-promoted intermolecular oxidation of internal alkynes as the opposite
      regioisomers frequently predominate. By using alkynyl sulfones or sulfonates as
      substrates, the oxidative gold catalysis in the presence of substituted pyridine
      N-oxides offers regiospecific access to acyl/aryl, acyl/alkenyl, and acyl/alkoxy
      gold carbenes by in situ expulsion of sulfur dioxide. The intermediacies of these
      reactive species are established by their reactivities, including undergoing
      further oxidation by the same oxidant, cyclopropanation of styrenes, engaging in
      a [3+2] cycloaddition with alpha-methylstyrene, and conversion into dienones.

PMID- 26266678
TI  - Calcifying Fibrous Pseudotumor of the Pleura.

PMID- 26266677
TI  - Observed surface lysine acetylation of human carbonic anhydrase II expressed in
      Escherichia coli.
AB  - Acetylation of surface lysine residues of proteins has been observed in
      Escherichia coli (E. coli), an organism that has been extensively utilized for
      recombinant protein expression. This post-translational modification is shown to
      be important in various processes such as metabolism, stress-response,
      transcription, and translation. As such, utilization of E. coli expression
      systems for protein production may yield non-native acetylation events of surface
      lysine residues. Here we present the crystal structures of wild-type and a
      variant of human carbonic anhydrase II (hCA II) that have been expressed in E.
      coli and exhibit surface lysine acetylation and we speculate on the effect this
      has on the conformational stability of each enzyme. Both structures were
      determined to 1.6 A resolution and show clear electron density for lysine
      acetylation. The lysine acetylation does not distort the structure and the
      surface lysine acetylation events most likely do not interfere with the
      biological interpretation. However, there is a reduction in conformational
      stability in the hCA II variant compared to wild type (~ 4 degrees C decrease).
      This may be due to other lysine acetylation events that have occurred but are not
      visible in the crystal structure due to intrinsic disorder. Therefore, surface
      lysine acetylation events may affect overall protein stability and
      crystallization, and should be considered when using E. coli expression systems.

PMID- 26266679
TI  - A new impact factor: what we are proud of and where we are heading.

PMID- 26266680
TI  - Late-onset systemic lupus erythematosus: clinical manifestations, course, and
      prognosis.

PMID- 26266681
TI  - CHA2DS2-VASc: towards a universal risk assessment in cardiovascular diseases?

PMID- 26266682
TI  - Abnormal serum free light chain ratio does not always indicate monoclonal
      gammopathy.

PMID- 26266683
TI  - Mortality in end-stage renal disease: the importance of the genetic background.

PMID- 26266684
TI  - In search for a biochemical marker of overhydration in hemodialysis: the "magic
      bullet" yet to be found.

PMID- 26266685
TI  - NT-proBNP: a biomarker with new potential application.

PMID- 26266686
TI  - Warning: hijacked journals.

PMID- 26266687
TI  - Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Based on Controllable-Layer Graphene Shells
      Directly Synthesized on Cu Nanoparticles for Molecular Detection.
AB  - Graphene shells with a controllable number of layers were directly synthesized on
      Cu nanoparticles (CuNPs) by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) to fabricate a
      graphene-encapsulated CuNPs (G/CuNPs) hybrid system for surface-enhanced Raman
      scattering (SERS). The enhanced Raman spectra of adenosine and rhodamine 6G (R6G)
      showed that the G/CuNPs hybrid system can strongly suppress background
      fluorescence and increase signal-to-noise ratio. In four different types of SERS
      systems, the G/CuNPs hybrid system exhibits more efficient SERS than a
      transferred graphene/CuNPs hybrid system and pure CuNPs and graphene substrates.
      The minimum detectable concentrations of adenosine and R6G by the G/CuNPs hybrid
      system can be as low as 10(-8) and 10(-10)  M, respectively. The excellent linear
      relationship between Raman intensity and analyte concentration can be used for
      molecular detection. The graphene shell can also effectively prevent surface
      oxidation of Cu nanoparticles after exposure to ambient air and thus endow the
      hybrid system with a long lifetime. This work provides a basis for the
      fabrication of novel SERS substrates. 

PMID- 26266688
TI  - Spatiotemporal closure of fractional laser-ablated channels imaged by optical
      coherence tomography and reflectance confocal microscopy.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and reflectance
      confocal microscopy (RCM) offer high-resolution optical imaging of the skin,
      which may provide benefit in the context of laser-assisted drug delivery. We
      aimed to characterize postoperative healing of ablative fractional laser (AFXL)
      induced channels and dynamics in their spatiotemporal closure using in vivo OCT
      and RCM techniques. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: The inner forearm of
      healthy subjects (n = 6) was exposed to 10,600 nm fractional CO2 laser using 5
      and 25% densities, 120 MUm beam diameter, 5, 15, and 25 mJ/microbeam. Treatment
      sites were scanned with OCT to evaluate closure of AFXL-channels and RCM to
      evaluate subsequent re-epithelialization. RESULTS: OCT and RCM identified laser
      channels in epidermis and upper dermis as black, ablated tissue defects
      surrounded by characteristic hyper-and hyporeflective zones. OCT imaged
      individual laser channels of the entire laser grid, and RCM imaged epidermal
      cellular and structural changes around a single laser channel to the depth of the
      dermoepidermal junction (DEJ) and upper papillary dermis. OCT images visualized a
      heterogeneous material in the lower part of open laser channels, indicating
      tissue fluid. By OCT the median percentage of open channels was evaluated at
      several time points within the first 24 hours and laser channels were found to
      gradually close, depending on the used energy level. Thus, at 5 mJ/microbeam, 87%
      (range 73-100%) of channels were open one hour after laser exposure, which
      declined to 27% (range 20-100%) and 20% (range 7-93%) at 12 and 24 hours after
      laser exposure, respectively. At 25 mJ/microbeam, 100% (range 100-100%) of
      channels were open 1 hour after laser exposure while 53% (range 33-100%) and 40%
      (range 0-100%) remained open at 12 and 24 hours after exposure. Median depth and
      width of open channels decreased over time depending of applied energy. RCM
      verified initial re-epithelialization from day 2 for all energy levels used.
      Morphology of ablation defects by OCT and RCM corresponded to histological
      assessments. CONCLUSIONS: OCT and RCM enabled imaging of AFXL-channels and their
      spatiotemporal closure. Laser channels remained open up to 24 hours post laser,
      which may be important for the time perspective to deliver topical substances
      through AFXL channels.

PMID- 26266689
TI  - Comment on "MALDI-MS Imaging Analysis of Fungicide Residue Distributions on Wheat
      Leaf Surfaces".

PMID- 26266690
TI  - Response to Comment on "MALDI-MS Imaging Analysis of Fungicide Residue
      Distributions on Wheat Leaf Surfaces".

PMID- 26266691
TI  - Fate of PBDEs during food processing: Assessment of formation of mixed
      chlorinated/brominated diphenyl ethers and brominated dioxins/furans.
AB  - The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of food processing on PBDE levels,
      in particular influence of heat treatment on degradation of PBDEs, including
      possible formation of chlorinated diphenyl ethers or brominated dioxins/furans as
      degradation products. It was shown that PBDEs heated in the presence of chlorine
      (from either organic or inorganic sources) formed mixed chlorinated/brominated
      diphenyl ethers. However, no PCDEs were formed in the presence of lipids. Lipid
      medium increased stability of PBDEs exposed to UV irradiation. Profile of
      congeners formed in result of the debromination reaction was significantly
      different than profiles observed by some other authors in aliphatic organic
      solvents. Grilling processes increased concentrations (calculated on the fresh
      product basis) of the studied compounds by 4-8/22-34% for electric/coal grill,
      respectively. Depending on the congener and on the applied heat treatment, PBDE
      mass in pork meat after grilling dropped by 26-53%. No detectable quantities of
      either brominated dioxins or furans were formed during thermal processing of food
      containing typical levels of PBDEs. 

PMID- 26266692
TI  - Mutations Proximal to Sites of Autoproteolysis and the alpha-Helix That Co-evolve
      under Drug Pressure Modulate the Autoprocessing and Vitality of HIV-1 Protease.
AB  - N-Terminal self-cleavage (autoprocessing) of the HIV-1 protease precursor is
      crucial for liberating the active dimer. Under drug pressure, evolving mutations
      are predicted to modulate autoprocessing, and the reduced catalytic activity of
      the mature protease (PR) is likely compensated by enhanced conformational/dimer
      stability and reduced susceptibility to self-degradation (autoproteolysis). One
      such highly evolved, multidrug resistant protease, PR20, bears 19 mutations
      contiguous to sites of autoproteolysis in retroviral proteases, namely clusters 1
      3 comprising residues 30-37, 60-67, and 88-95, respectively, accounting for 11 of
      the 19 mutations. By systematically replacing corresponding clusters in PR with
      those of PR20, and vice versa, we assess their influence on the properties
      mentioned above and observe no strict correlation. A 10-35-fold decrease in the
      cleavage efficiency of peptide substrates by PR20, relative to PR, is reflected
      by an only ~4-fold decrease in the rate of Gag processing with no change in
      cleavage order. Importantly, optimal N-terminal autoprocessing requires all 19
      PR20 mutations as evaluated in vitro using the model precursor TFR-PR20 in which
      PR is flanked by the transframe region. Substituting PR20 cluster 3 into TFR-PR
      (TFR-PR(PR20-3)) requires the presence of PR20 cluster 1 and/or 2 for
      autoprocessing. In accordance, substituting PR clusters 1 and 2 into TFR-PR20
      affects the rate of autoprocessing more drastically (>300-fold) compared to that
      of TFR-PR(PR20-3) because of the cumulative effect of eight noncluster mutations
      present in TFR-PR20(PR-12). Overall, these studies imply that drug resistance
      involves a complex synchronized selection of mutations modulating all of the
      properties mentioned above governing PR regulation and function. 

PMID- 26266693
TI  - Managing Stigma: Disclosure-Response Communication Patterns in Pro-Anorexic
      Websites.
AB  - Pro-anorexic websites are a popular online venue for individuals with anorexia,
      but recent research suggests that they play a role of "online negative enabling
      support groups" because they can undermine recovery and encourage negative
      behaviors by validating pro-anorexic views. By analyzing 22,811 messages from
      5,590 conversations from the Pro-Ana Nation online discussion board forum, this
      study examines communicative mechanisms of online negative enabling support
      through language analysis of disclosure-response sequences, changes in the
      language of the initial discloser within an interaction exchange, and the role of
      responses in eliciting those changes. The findings show that initiating
      disclosures containing stigma-related emotion words, anorexia-specific content,
      and sociorelational content are typically met with negatively valenced responses
      from other members of the pro-anorexic community. Moreover, although the act of
      revealing stigmatized information has some cathartic effects, disclosers use
      more, not fewer, stigma-related emotion words when they receive negatively
      valenced responses. These results provide insight into communicative dynamics and
      effects of online negative enabling support through validation of the pro
      anorexic identity and the dangerous cycle of stigma escalation in disclosure
      response exchanges on pro-anorexic online communities. 

PMID- 26266694
TI  - A [2 + 3] Reductive Cyclodimerization of Quinoline by SmI2.
AB  - Pyridine and its derivatives are rather difficult to reduce, and the products
      often undergo a very fast reoxidation to regain aromaticity. The reduction of
      quinoline by SmI2 results in an instantaneous [2 + 3] cyclization reaction,
      forming a bridged seven-membered ring within a polycyclic system. 

PMID- 26266695
TI  - Enhanced Electroresponse of Alkaline Earth Metal-Doped Silica/Titania Spheres by
      Synergetic Effect of Dispersion Stability and Dielectric Property.
AB  - A series of alkaline earth metal-doped hollow SiO2/TiO2 spheres (EM-HST) are
      prepared as electrorheological (ER) materials via sonication-mediated etching
      method with various alkaline earth metal hydroxides as the etchant. The EM-HST
      spheres are assessed to determine how their hollow interior and metal-doping
      affects the ER activity. Both the dispersion stability and the dielectric
      properties of these materials are greatly enhanced by the proposed one-step
      etching method, which results in significant enhancement of ER activity. These
      improvements are attributed to increased particle mobility and interfacial
      polarization originating from the hollow nature of the EM-HST spheres and the
      effects of EM metal-doping. In particular, Ca-HST-based ER fluid exhibits ER
      performance which is 7.1-fold and 3.1-fold higher than those of nonhollow
      core/shell silica/titania (CS/ST) and undoped hollow silica/titania (HST)-based
      ER fluids, respectively. This study develops a versatile and simple approach to
      enhancing ER activity through synergetic effects arising from the combination of
      dispersion stability and the unique dielectric properties of hollow EM-HST
      spheres. In addition, the multigram scale production described in this experiment
      can be an excellent advantage for practical and commercial ER application. 

PMID- 26266696
TI  - Erythema Multiforme Associated with Respiratory Disease in a Commercial Breeding
      Pig Herd.
AB  - This study describes an erythema multiforme (EM) in breeding sows, after their
      mixing in the group housing system. Sows at 30-35 days of gestation showed red
      and raised skin areas, depression, anorexia, fever, respiratory problems, and
      increased return to estrus. Blood and nasal samples from diseased sows were
      examined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay for respiratory pathogens. Hematological and biochemical
      analyses were performed on the blood samples. From diseased sows, vaginal swabs
      for microbiological examinations and samples at slaughterhouse for gross and
      microscopic examinations were collected. Samples from the complete gestation and
      lactation feed were examined for mycotoxins. All sampled sows were seropositive
      for Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (App) and porcine reproductive and
      respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). No viremia for PRRSV and porcine circovirus
      type 2 were detected. All nasal samples were positive for Streptococcus suis, one
      for Swine Influenza Virus and one for App, Hemophilus parasuis, and S. suis. In
      all vaginal swabs, Escherichia coli and Streptococcus spp. were detected.
      Diseased sows had moderate leukocytosis, mild anemia, and thrombocytopenia. No
      mycotoxins were detected in feed. Histopathological examination revealed
      increased vascularization of the superficial and middle dermis. EM was likely due
      to illness caused by viral and bacterial infections. This study suggests that
      stress caused by the sows' mixing might have triggered the problem. 

PMID- 26266697
TI  - Determination of iron content and dispersity of intact ferritin by
      superconducting tunnel junction cryodetection mass spectrometry.
AB  - Ferritin is a common iron storage protein complex found in both eukaryotic and
      prokaryotic organisms. Although horse spleen holoferritin (HS-HoloFt) has been
      widely studied, this is the first report of mass spectrometry (MS) analysis of
      the intact form, likely because of its high molecular weight ~850 kDa and broad
      iron-core mass distribution. The 24-subunit ferritin heteropolymer protein shell
      consists of light (L) and heavy (H) subunits and a ferrihydrite-like iron core.
      The H/L heterogeneity ratio of the horse spleen apoferritin (HS-ApoFt) shell was
      found to be ~1:10 by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass
      spectrometry. Superconducting tunneling junction (STJ) cryodetection matrix
      assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight MS was utilized to determine
      the masses of intact HS-ApoFt, HS-HoloFt, and the HS-HoloFt dimer to be ~505 kDa,
      ~835 kDa, and ~1.63 MDa, respectively. The structural integrity of HS-HoloFt and
      the proposed mineral adducts found for both purified L and H subunits suggest a
      robust biomacromolecular complex that is internally stabilized by the iron-based
      core. However, cross-linking experiments of HS-HoloFt with glutaraldehyde,
      unexpectedly, showed the complete release of the iron-based core in a one-step
      process revealing a cross-linked HS-ApoFt with a narrow fwhm peak width of 31.4
      kTh compared to 295 kTh for HS-HoloFt. The MS analysis of HS-HoloFt revealed a
      semiquantitative description of the iron content and core dispersity of 3400 +/-
      1600 (2sigma) iron atoms. Commercially prepared HS-ApoFt was estimated to still
      contain an average of 240 iron atoms. These iron abundance and dispersity results
      suggest the use of STJ cryodetection MS for the clinical analysis of iron
      deficient/overload diseases. 

PMID- 26266699
TI  - Efficiency optimisation of proteins on a chip.
AB  - This study elucidates that the protein reorientation on a chip can be changed by
      an external electric field (EEF) and optimised for achieving strong effective
      binding between proteins. Protein A and its binding protein immunoglobulin G
      (IgG) were used as an example, in addition to an anticancer peptide (CB1a) and
      its antibody (anti-CB1a). The binding forces (BFs) were measured by atomic force
      microscopy (AFM) with EEFs applied at different angles (EEF degrees ). The
      optimal angle (OA) of the EEF (OAEEF degrees ) corresponding to the maximum
      binding force (BFmax) was obtained. The results showed that the BFmax values
      between IgG/Protein A and anti-CB1a/CB1a were 6424.2 +/- 195.3 pN (OAEEF degrees 
      = 45 degrees ) and 729.1 +/- 33.2 pN (OAEEF degrees  = 22.5 degrees ),
      respectively. Without an EEF, the BF values were only 730.0 +/- 113.9 pN and
      337.3 +/- 35.0 pN, respectively. Based on these observations, we concluded that
      the efficient optimisation of protein-protein interaction on a chip is essential.
      This finding is applicable to the industrial fabrication of all protein chips. 

PMID- 26266698
TI  - Iron(II) Active Species in Iron-Bisphosphine Catalyzed Kumada and Suzuki-Miyaura
      Cross-Couplings of Phenyl Nucleophiles and Secondary Alkyl Halides.
AB  - While previous studies have identified FeMes2(SciOPP) as the active catalyst
      species in iron-SciOPP catalyzed Kumada cross-coupling of mesitylmagnesium
      bromide and primary alkyl halides, the active catalyst species in cross-couplings
      with phenyl nucleophiles, where low valent iron species might be prevalent due to
      accessible reductive elimination pathways, remains undefined. In the present
      study, in situ Mossbauer and magnetic circular dichroism spectroscopic studies
      combined with inorganic syntheses and reaction studies are employed to evaluate
      the in situ formed iron species and identify the active catalytic species in iron
      SciOPP catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura and Kumada cross-couplings of phenyl nucleophiles
      and secondary alkyl halides. While reductive elimination to form Fe(eta(6)
      biphenyl)(SciOPP) occurs upon reaction of FeCl2(SciOPP) with phenyl nucleophiles,
      this iron(0) species is not found to be kinetically competent for catalysis.
      Importantly, mono- and bis-phenylated iron(II)-SciOPP species that form prior to
      reductive elimination are identified, where both species are found to be reactive
      toward electrophile at catalytically relevant rates. The higher selectivity
      toward the formation of cross-coupled product observed for the monophenylated
      species combined with the undertransmetalated nature of the in situ iron species
      in both Kumada and Suzuki-Miyaura reactions indicates that Fe(Ph)X(SciOPP) (X =
      Br, Cl) is the predominant reactive species in cross-coupling. Overall, these
      studies demonstrate that low-valent iron is not required for the generation of
      highly reactive species for effective aryl-alkyl cross-couplings. 

PMID- 26266701
TI  - In situ ATR-FTIR study of H2O and D2O adsorption on TiO2 under UV irradiation.
AB  - The adsorption of water and deuterium oxide on TiO2 surfaces was investigated in
      the dark as well as under UV(A) irradiation using in situ ATR-FTIR spectroscopy
      under oxygen and oxygen free conditions. Adsorption of H2O-D2O mixtures revealed
      an isotopic exchange reaction occurring onto the surface of TiO2 in the dark.
      Under UV(A) irradiation, the amount of both OH and OD groups was found to be
      increased by the presence of molecular oxygen. Furthermore, the photocatalytic
      formation of hydroperoxide under oxygenated condition has been recorded utilizing
      Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transformed Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy
      which appeared as new band at 3483 cm(-1). Different possible mechanisms are
      discussed in terms of the source of hydroxyl groups formed and/or hydration water
      on the TiO2 surface for the photocatalytic reaction and photoinduced
      hydrophilicity. 

PMID- 26266700
TI  - Diels-Alder Hydrogels for Controlled Antibody Release: Correlation between Mesh
      Size and Release Rate.
AB  - Eight-armed PEG, molecular mass 10 kDa, was functionalized with furyl and
      maleimide groups, respectively; the obtained macromonomers were cross-linked via
      Diels-Alder chemistry. The mesh size (xi) of the prepared hydrogels was
      determined by swelling studies, rheology, and low field NMR spectroscopy. The in
      vitro release of fluorescein isothiocyanate labeled dextrans (FDs) and
      bevacizumab was investigated. The average mesh size (xiavg) increased from 5.8 +/
      0.1 nm to 56 +/- 13 nm during degradation, as determined by swelling studies.
      The result of the rheological measurements (8.0 nm) matched the initial value of
      xiavg. Low field NMR spectroscopy enabled the determination of the mesh size
      distribution; the most abundant mesh size was found to be 9.2 nm. In combination
      with the hydrodynamic radius of the molecule (Rh), the time-dependent increase of
      xiavg was used to predict the release profiles of incorporated FDs applying an
      obstruction-scaling model. The predicted release profiles matched the
      experimentally determined release profiles when Rh < xiavg. However, significant
      deviations from the theoretical predictions were observed when Rh >= xiavg, most
      likely due to the statistical distribution of xi in real polymer networks. The
      release profile of bevacizumab differed from those of equivalently sized FDs. The
      delayed release of bevacizumab was most likely a result of the globular structure
      and rigidity of the protein. The observed correlation between xi and the release
      rate could facilitate the design of controlled release systems for antibodies. 

PMID- 26266702
TI  - Graphene scavenges free radicals to synergistically enhance structural properties
      in a gamma-irradiated polyethylene composite through enhanced interfacial
      interactions.
AB  - A unique strategy for scavenging free radicals in situ on exposure to gamma
      irradiation in polyethylene (PE) nanocomposites is presented. Blends of ultra
      high molecular weight PE and linear low-density PE (PEB) and their nanocomposites
      with graphene (GPEB) were prepared by melt mixing to develop materials for
      biomedical implants. The effect of gamma irradiation on the microstructure and
      mechanical properties was systematically investigated. The neat blend and the
      nanocomposite were subjected to gamma-ray irradiation in order to improve the
      interfacial adhesion between PE and graphene sheets. Structural and thermal
      characterization revealed that irradiation induced crosslinking and increased the
      crystallinity of the polymer blend. The presence of graphene further enhanced the
      crystallinity via crosslinks between the polymer matrix and the filler on
      irradiation. Graphene was found to scavenge free radicals as confirmed by
      electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. Irradiation of graphene-containing
      polymer composites resulted in the largest increase in modulus and hardness
      compared to either irradiation or addition of graphene to PEB alone. This study
      provides new insight into the role of graphene in polymer matrices during
      irradiation and suggests that irradiated graphene-polymer composites could emerge
      as promising materials for use as articulating surfaces in biomedical implants. 

PMID- 26266703
TI  - Analysis and Differentiation of Photocopy Toners.
AB  - The identification and classification of photocopiers presents particular
      problems for the document examiner. While comparison of defect marks serves to
      identify copies produced on an individual office copy machine, it is often
      necessary to eliminate large numbers of machines as possible sources before
      commencing this detailed examination. Differentiation of toners offers an
      effective means of achieving this elimination. This review describes the chemical
      and physical properties of different toners and how these properties can be used
      for toner discrimination. The chemical composition of bulk toners is outlined
      together with assessment of the chemical techniques, infrared spectroscopy,
      pyrolysis mass spectroscopy and energy dispersive x-ray analysis, which have been
      successfully applied to the analysis of toners removed from copy papers. The
      different physical properties of toners on paper are related to both their
      composition and the methods used to fuse toners to the paper. Simple observations
      such as color, texture and surface appearance, made visible by low power
      microscopy, offer much discrimination; more can be achieved from examination of
      magnetic properties and from the use of scanning electron microscopy to study
      surface morphology. Finally the effectiveness of each technique is assessed and a
      sequential approach to toner analysis suggested. 

PMID- 26266704
TI  - Hair Protein Polymorphism and Its Application to Forensic Science Hair
      Comparison.
AB  - Hair protein is keratin, a hard protein which is naturally insoluble and
      resistant to attack by proteolytic enzymes. Keratin exhibits a lot of
      heterogeneity when it is reduced at the disulfide cross linkages. This nature of
      heterogeneity can provide forensic scientists who are engaged in hair comparison
      with information concerning species identification as well as individual
      discrimination. In this review the hair protein variation based on genetic or
      acquired origin are discussed critically with special reference to forensic hair
      comparison. 

PMID- 26266705
TI  - Methods for the Determination of Shooting Distance.
AB  - The review deals with scientific methods for determining shooting distance. The
      different procedures are explained, their advantages and disadvantages are
      discussed. The methods are divided into chemographical processes and
      spectroscopic techniques. Special emphasis is given to the methods proven to be
      especially useful in daily work, but methods used in basic research are briefly
      described as well. Furthermore, attention is paid to newly developed ammunitions.
      In addition, a survey is given on the chemical elements found in gunshot
      residences (GSR). 

PMID- 26266706
TI  - Specimen Adulteration in Drug Urinalysis.
AB  - Data from samples adulterated with a variety of substances have been described
      with respect to their effects on a number of testing methodologies. Several
      substances have been shown to produce false negative results while others cause
      positive results in the screening test. Some adulterants cause samples to be
      negative because the drug, or metabolites, of interest is changed or destroyed
      while others effect the assay itself. No evidence exists to suggest that an
      adulterant can cause a false positive result if good forensic procedures are
      followed including confirmation of initial positive results using a second
      methodology based on a different chemical principle such as gas
      chromatography/mass spectrometry. 

PMID- 26266707
TI  - Changes in the Microenvironment of Nitroxide Radicals around the Glass Transition
      Temperature.
AB  - For structural characterization by pulsed EPR methods, spin-labeled
      macromolecules are routinely studied at cryogenic temperatures. The equilibration
      of the conformational ensemble during shock-freezing occurs to a good
      approximation at the glass transition temperature (Tg). In this work, we used X
      band power saturation continuous wave (cw) EPR to obtain information on the glass
      transition temperatures in the microenvironment of nitroxide radicals in solvents
      or bound to different sites in proteins. The temperature dependence of the
      saturation curve of nitroxide probes in pure glycerol or ortho-terphenyl showed
      detectable transitions at the respective Tg values, with the latter solvent
      characterized by a sharper change of the saturation properties, according to its
      higher fragility. In contrast, nitroxide probes in a glycerol/water mixture
      showed a discontinuity in the saturation properties close to the expected glass
      transition temperature, which made the determination of Tg complicated. Low
      temperature W-band cw EPR and W-band ELDOR-detected NMR experiments demonstrated
      that the discontinuity is due to local rearrangements of H-bonds between water
      molecules and the nitroxide reporter group. The change in the network of H-bonds
      formed between the nitroxide and water molecules that occurs around Tg was found
      to be site-dependent in spin-labeled proteins. This effect can therefore be
      modulated by neighboring residues with different steric hindrances and/or charge
      distributions and possibly by the glycerol enrichment on protein surfaces. In
      conclusion, if the thermal history of the sample is carefully reproduced, the
      nitroxide probe is extremely sensitive in reporting site-specific changes in the
      H-bonding to water molecules close to Tg and local glass transition temperatures
      in spin-labeled macromolecules. 

PMID- 26266708
TI  - New findings and the current controversies for water oxidation by a copper(ii)
      azo complex: homogeneous or heterogeneous?
AB  - In this paper, new findings for the water-oxidizing activity of [(L)Cu(II)(NO3)],
      (L = (E)-3-(pyridin-2-yldiazenyl)naphthalen-2-ol (HL)) under both electro-water
      oxidation conditions and in the presence of cerium(iv) ammonium nitrate are
      reported. 

PMID- 26266710
TI  - The Role of Ligand Packing Frustration in Body-Centered Cubic (bcc) Superlattices
      of Colloidal Nanocrystals.
AB  - This paper addresses the assembly of body centered-cubic (bcc) superlattices of
      organic ligand-coated nanocrystals. First, examples of bcc superlattices of
      dodecanethiol-capped Au nanocrystals and oleic acid-capped PbS and PbSe
      nanocrystals are presented and examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM)
      and grazing incidence small-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS). These superlattices
      tend to orient on their densest (110) superlattice planes and exhibit a
      significant amount of {112} twinning. The same nanocrystals deposit as monolayers
      with hexagonal packing, and these thin films can coexist with thicker bcc
      superlattice layers, even though there is no hexagonal plane in a bcc lattice.
      Both the preference of bcc in bulk films over the denser face-centered cubic
      (fcc) superlattice structure and the transition to hexagonal monolayers can be
      rationalized in terms of packing frustration of the ligands. A model is presented
      to calculate the difference in entropy associated with capping ligand packing
      frustration in bcc and fcc superlattices. 

PMID- 26266709
TI  - Sister chromatid decatenation: bridging the gaps in our knowledge.
AB  - Faithful chromosome segregation is critical in preventing genome loss or damage
      during cell division. Failure to properly disentangle catenated sister chromatids
      can lead to the formation of bulky or ultrafine anaphase bridges, and ultimately
      genome instability. In this review we present an overview of the current state of
      knowledge of how sister chromatid decatenation is carried out, with particular
      focus on the role of TOP2A and TOPBP1 in this process. 

PMID- 26266712
TI  - Diffusion-Induced Shape Evolution in Multinary Semiconductor Nanostructures.
AB  - The classical mechanism of crystal growth for architecting different
      nanomaterials in solution, although widely studied, is mainly restricted to
      binary semiconductor systems. However, this method is not applicable to multinary
      nanomaterials, which have multivalent cations possessing different reactivity
      under identical reaction conditions. Hence, the shape architectures of these
      nanostructures, which require a more sophisticated approach, remain relatively
      unexplored compared to those of binary semiconductors. Owing to the importance of
      the multinary materials, which are emerging as excellent green materials for both
      light harvesting and light emission, we investigated the diffusion-rate
      controlled formation of ternary AgGaSe2 nanostructures and studied their
      heterostructures with noble metals. Controlling the changes in the rate of
      diffusion of the Ag ions resulted in the formation of tadpole-shaped AgGaSe2
      ternary nanostructures. In situ study by collecting a sequential collection of
      samples has been carried out, and the conversion of amorphous Ga-selenide to
      crystalline AgGaSe2 has been monitored. In addition, heterostructures of tadpole
      AgGaSe2 with noble metals, Au and Pt, were designed, and their photocatalytic
      behaviors were studied. 

PMID- 26266711
TI  - Two-Color Nonlinear Spectroscopy for the Rapid Acquisition of Coherent Dynamics.
AB  - There has been considerable recent interest in the observation of coherent
      dynamics in photosynthetic systems by 2D electronic spectroscopy (2DES). In
      particular, coherences that persist during the "waiting time" in a 2DES
      experiment have been attributed to electronic, vibrational, and vibronic origins
      in various systems. The typical method for characterizing these coherent dynamics
      requires the acquisition of 2DES spectra as a function of waiting time,
      essentially a 3DES measurement. Such experiments require lengthy data acquisition
      times that degrade the signal-to-noise of the recorded coherent dynamics. We
      present a rapid and high signal-to-noise pulse-shaping-based approach for the
      characterization of coherent dynamics. Using chlorophyll a, we demonstrate that
      this method retains much of the information content of a 3DES measurement and
      provides insight into the physical origin of the coherent dynamics,
      distinguishing between ground and excited state coherences. It also enables high
      resolution determination of ground and excited state frequencies. 

PMID- 26266713
TI  - Impact of Electrocatalyst Activity and Ion Permeability on Water-Splitting
      Photoanodes.
AB  - Electrocatalyst (EC)-modified semiconductor (SC) photoelectrodes are key elements
      of solar water-splitting systems. The SC|EC interface affects the composite
      photoelectrode behavior but is poorly understood. We uncover the role of EC
      activity and SC|EC interface properties using a range of metal (Ni, Fe, Ni-Fe,
      Co, Ir) oxide or (oxy)hydroxide ECs deposited on model single-crystal n-TiO2
      photoanodes. The impedance and photoelectrochemical response of the system was
      nearly independent of EC oxygen evolution activity if the catalyst was deposited
      electrochemically as an ion-permeable (oxy)hydroxide or hydrous oxide. When dense
      oxides (e.g., ion-impermeable) ECs were used, the response depended strongly on
      the EC. These data demonstrate that the EC and SC interface structures are more
      important than the EC activity in determining the composite photoanode response,
      confirming recent SC|EC interface simulations for ion-permeable ECs. These
      results thus inform the design of high-performance water-oxidizing photoanodes
      with direct SC|EC interfaces. 

PMID- 26266714
TI  - Conformationally Gated Charge Transfer in DNA Three-Way Junctions.
AB  - Molecular structures that direct charge transport in two or three dimensions
      possess some of the essential functionality of electrical switches and gates. We
      use theory, modeling, and simulation to explore the conformational dynamics of
      DNA three-way junctions (TWJs) that may control the flow of charge through these
      structures. Molecular dynamics simulations and quantum calculations indicate that
      DNA TWJs undergo dynamic interconversion among "well stacked" conformations on
      the time scale of nanoseconds, a feature that makes the junctions very different
      from linear DNA duplexes. The studies further indicate that this conformational
      gating would control charge flow through these TWJs, distinguishing them from
      conventional (larger size scale) gated devices. Simulations also find that
      structures with polyethylene glycol linking groups ("extenders") lock
      conformations that favor CT for 25 ns or more. The simulations explain the
      kinetics observed experimentally in TWJs and rationalize their transport
      properties compared with double-stranded DNA. 

PMID- 26266715
TI  - Thermodynamics of Methane Adsorption on Copper HKUST-1 at Low Pressure.
AB  - Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) can be engineered as natural gas storage
      materials by tuning the pore structures and surface properties. Here we report
      the direct measurement of CH4 adsorption enthalpy on a paddlewheel MOF (Cu HKUST
      1) using gas adsorption calorimetry at 25  degrees C at low pressures (below 1
      bar). In this pressure region, the CH4-CH4 intermolecular interactions are
      minimized and the energetics solely reflects the CH4-MOF interactions. Our
      results suggest moderately exothermic physisorption with an enthalpy of -21.1 +/-
      1.1 kJ/mol CH4 independent of coverage. This calorimetric investigation
      complements previous computational and crystallographic studies by providing zero
      coverage enthalpies of CH4 adsorption. The analysis of the new and literature
      data suggests that in initial stages of adsorption the CH4-HKUST-1 interaction
      tends to be more sensitive to the pore dimension than to the guest
      polarizability, suggesting a less specific chemical binding role for the open Cu
      site. 

PMID- 26266716
TI  - Optical and Electronic Properties of Nonconcentric PbSe/CdSe Colloidal Quantum
      Dots.
AB  - Lead chalcogenide colloidal quantum dots are attractive candidates for
      applications operating in the near infrared spectral range. However, their
      function is forestalled by limited stability under ambient conditions. Prolonged
      temperature-activated cation-exchange of Cd(2+) for Pb(2+) forms PbSe/CdSe
      core/shell heterostructures, unveiling a promising surface passivation route and
      a method to modify the dots' electronic properties. Here, we follow early stages
      of an-exchange process, using spectroscopic and structural characterization
      tools, as well as numerical calculations. We illustrate that preliminary-exchange
      stages involve the formation of nonconcentric heterostructures, presumably due to
      a facet selective reaction, showing a pronounced change in the optical properties
      upon the increase of the degree of nonconcentricity or/and plausible creation of
      core/shell interfacial alloying. However, progressive-exchange stages lead to
      rearrangement of the shell segment into uniform coverage, providing tolerance to
      oxygen exposure with a spectral steadiness already on the formation of a
      monolayer shell. 

PMID- 26266717
TI  - Biological Water or Rather Water in Biology?

PMID- 26266718
TI  - How Important Is the Organic Part of Lead Halide Perovskite Photovoltaic Cells?
      Efficient CsPbBr3 Cells.
AB  - Hybrid organic-inorganic lead halide perovskite photovoltaic cells have already
      surpassed 20% conversion efficiency in the few years that they have been
      seriously studied. However, many fundamental questions still remain unanswered as
      to why they are so good. One of these is "Is the organic cation really necessary
      to obtain high quality cells?" In this study, we show that an all-inorganic
      version of the lead bromide perovskite material works equally well as the organic
      one, in particular generating the high open circuit voltages that are an
      important feature of these cells. 

PMID- 26266719
TI  - Does Infrared Multiphoton Dissociation of Vinyl Chloride Yield Cold Vinylidene?
AB  - Velocity map imaging of the infrared multiphoton dissociation of vinyl chloride
      shows the formation of HCl in rotational levels below J = 10 that are associated
      with the three-center elimination pathway. The total translational energy release
      is observed to peak at 3-5 kcal/mol, which is consistent with the low reverse
      barrier predicted for the formation of HCl with vinylidene coproducts. Direct
      dynamics trajectory studies from the three-center transition state reproduce the
      observed distributions and show that the associated vinylidene is formed with
      only modest rotational excitation, precluding Coriolis-induced mixing among the
      excited vibrational levels of acetylene that would lead to distribution of
      vinylidene character into many vibrationally mixed acetylene vibrational levels.
      The results suggest that infrared multiphoton dissociation of vinyl chloride is
      an efficient route to synthesis of stable, cold vinylidene. 

PMID- 26266720
TI  - Time-Resolved Photoelectron Spectroscopy of Dissociating 1,2-Butadiene Molecules
      by High Harmonic Pulses.
AB  - Using 42 nm high harmonic pulses, the dissociation dynamics of 1,2-butadiene was
      investigated by time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy (TRPES), enabling us to
      observe dynamical changes of multiple molecular orbitals (MOs) with higher
      temporal resolution than conventional light sources. Because each lower-lying
      occupied MO has particular spatial electron distribution, the structural dynamics
      of photochemical reaction can be revealed. On the femtosecond time scale, a short
      lived excited state with a lifetime of 37 +/- 15 fs and the coherent oscillation
      of the photoelectron yield stimulated by Hertzberg-Teller coupling were observed.
      Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations in the electronically excited state find
      three relaxation pathways from the vertically excited structure in S1 to the
      ground state, and one of them is the dominant relaxation pathway, observed as the
      short-lived excited state. On the picosecond time scale, the photoelectron yields
      related to the C-C bond decreased upon photoexcitation, indicating C-C bond
      cleavage. 

PMID- 26266721
TI  - Light-Induced Increase of Electron Diffusion Length in a p-n Junction Type
      CH3NH3PbBr3 Perovskite Solar Cell.
AB  - High band gap, high open-circuit voltage solar cells with methylammonium lead
      tribromide (MAPbBr3) perovskite absorbers are of interest for spectral splitting
      and photoelectrochemical applications, because of their good performance and ease
      of processing. The physical origin of high performance in these and similar
      perovskite-based devices remains only partially understood. Using cross-sectional
      electron-beam-induced current (EBIC) measurements, we find an increase in carrier
      diffusion length in MAPbBr3(Cl)-based solar cells upon low intensity (a few
      percent of 1 sun intensity) blue laser illumination. Comparing dark and
      illuminated conditions, the minority carrier (electron) diffusion length
      increases about 3.5 times from Ln = 100 +/- 50 nm to 360 +/- 22 nm. The EBIC
      cross section profile indicates a p-n structure between the n-FTO/TiO2 and p
      perovskite, rather than the p-i-n structure, reported for the iodide derivative.
      On the basis of the variation in space-charge region width with varying bias,
      measured by EBIC and capacitance-voltage measurements, we estimate the net-doping
      concentration in MAPbBr3(Cl) to be 3-6 * 10(17) cm(-3). 

PMID- 26266722
TI  - In Search for the Best Environment for Single Molecule Studies: Photostability of
      Single Terrylenediimide Molecules in Various Polymer Matrices.
AB  - Photobleaching is the main limiting factor in single molecule studies by optical
      techniques. We investigated the dependence of photostability of terrylene diimide
      (TDI) derivative on its environment using confocal fluorescence microscopy. Seven
      different polymers were tested. Depending on the matrix, photobleaching quantum
      yields vary by 2 orders of magnitude. Their values correlate with parameters
      characterizing oxygen mobility in polymers: diffusion coefficient and
      permeability. Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)
      exhibit the lowest photodestruction quantum yields. Additional enhancement of
      photostability can be achieved by aging of PVC or by flushing the sample with
      nitrogen, which confirms the involvement of oxygen in photodestruction. Different
      character of the time traces of the intensity of emission from single TDI
      molecules is observed for different polymer matrices, ranging from intense
      blinking in the least stable polycarbonate, to practically no blinking in the
      most stable PVC. These results suggest a photodegradation mechanism involving
      self-sensitized photooxidation in oxygen complexes of TDI. 

PMID- 26266723
TI  - Electric-Field Tunable Band Offsets in Black Phosphorus and MoS2 van der Waals p
      n Heterostructure.
AB  - The structural and electronic properties of black phosphorus/MoS2 (BP/MoS2) van
      der Waals (vdW) heterostructure are investigated by first-principles
      calculations. It is demonstrated that the BP/MoS2 bilayer is a type-II p-n vdW
      heterostructure, and thus the lowest energy electron-hole pairs are spatially
      separated. The band gap of BP/MoS2 can be significantly modulated by external
      electric field, and a transition from semiconductor to metal is observed. It gets
      further support from the band edges of BP and MoS2 in BP/MoS2 bilayer, which show
      linear variations with E?. BP/MoS2 bilayer also exhibits modulation of its band
      offsets and band alignment by E?, resulting in different spatial distribution of
      the lowest energy electron-hole pairs. Our theoretical results may inspire much
      interest in experimental research of BP/MoS2 vdW heterostructures and would open
      a new avenue for application of the heterostructures in future nano- and
      optoelectronics. 

PMID- 26266724
TI  - Modulating Exciton Dynamics in Composite Nanocrystals for Excitonic Solar Cells.
AB  - Quantum dots (QDs) represent one of the most promising materials for third
      generation solar cells due to their potential to boost the photoconversion
      efficiency beyond the Shockley-Queisser limit. Composite nanocrystals can
      challenge the current scenario by combining broad spectral response and tailored
      energy levels to favor charge extraction and reduce energy and charge
      recombination. We synthesized PbS/CdS QDs with different compositions at the
      surface of TiO2 nanoparticles assembled in a mesoporous film. The ultrafast
      photoinduced dynamics and the charge injection processes were investigated by
      pump-probe spectroscopy. We demonstrated good injection of photogenerated
      electrons from QDs to TiO2 in the PbS/CdS blend and used the QDs to fabricate
      solar cells. The fine-tuning of chemical composition and size of lead and cadmium
      chalcogenide QDs led to highly efficient PV devices (3% maximum photoconversion
      efficiency). This combined study paves the way to the full exploitation of QDs in
      next-generation photovoltaic (PV) devices. 

PMID- 26266725
TI  - Ferroelectric Graphene-Perovskite Interfaces.
AB  - Owing to their record-breaking energy conversion efficiencies, hybrid
      organometallic perovskites have emerged as the most promising light absorbers and
      ambipolar carrier transporters for solution-processable solar cells.
      Simultaneously, due to its exceptional electron mobility, graphene represents a
      prominent candidate for replacing transparent conducting oxides. Thus, it is
      possible that combining these wonder materials may propel the efficiency toward
      the Schokley-Queisser limit. Here, using first-principles calculations on
      graphene-CH3NH3PbI3 interfaces, we find that graphene suppresses the octahedral
      tilt in the very first perovskite monolayer, leading to a nanoscale ferroelectric
      distortion with a permanent polarization of 3 mC/m(2). This interfacial
      ferroelectricity drives electron extraction from the perovskite and hinders
      electron-hole recombination by keeping the electrons and holes separated. The
      interfacial ferroelectricity identified here simply results from the interplay
      between graphene's planar structure and CH3NH3PbI3's octahedral connectivity;
      therefore, this mechanism may be effective in a much broader class of
      perovskites, with potential applications in photovoltaics and photocatalysis. 

PMID- 26266726
TI  - Enhanced Carrier Lifetimes of Pure Iodide Hybrid Perovskite via Vapor
      Equilibrated Re-Growth (VERG).
AB  - Solution deposition of planar films of the hybrid perovskite (HP) methylammonium
      (MA) lead iodochloride (MAPbI3-xClx) often results in very low surface coverage,
      small grain size, and high density of defects, particularly for the pure iodide
      HP. These decrease the optoelectronic quality of MAPbI3 (minority lifetimes all
      less than 10 ns) and creates pinholes that may result in shunt pathways that
      severely degrade the efficiency of photovoltaic devices. The poor morphology is
      usually attributed to the formation of large disconnected grains of PbI2 that
      nucleate first and set the morphology of the final HP layer. As a result, many
      use PbCl2 as a lead source. The PbCl2 is less soluble, forms smaller grains, and
      promotes more continuous HP films. Here, we show a highly reproducible deposition
      method for pure iodide MAPbI3 that yields continuous films with large grain sizes
      and minority carrier lifetimes greater than 200 ns. The method consists of
      thermal evaporation of PbI2 and a post-deposition Vapor-Equilibrated Re-Growth
      (VERG) step at 110  degrees C in a closed vessel. 

PMID- 26266727
TI  - Magnetic Particle Imaging Tracers: State-of-the-Art and Future Directions.
AB  - Magnetic particle imaging (MPI) is an emerging imaging modality with promising
      applications in diagnostic imaging and guided therapy. The image quality in MPI
      is strongly dependent on the nature of its iron oxide nanoparticle-based tracers.
      The selection of potential MPI tracers is currently limited, and the underlying
      physics of tracer response is not yet fully understood. An in-depth understanding
      of the magnetic relaxation processes that govern MPI tracers, gained through
      concerted theoretical and experimental work, is crucial to the development of
      optimized MPI tracers. Although tailored tracers will lead to improvements in
      image quality, tailored relaxation may also be exploited for biomedical
      applications or more flexible image contrast, as in the recent demonstration of
      color MPI. 

PMID- 26266728
TI  - Interplay between Static and Dynamic Energy Transfer in Biofunctional
      Upconversion Nanoplatforms.
AB  - Clarification of the energy-transfer (ET) mechanism is of vital importance for
      constructing efficient upconversion nanoplatforms for biological/biomedical
      applications. Yet, most strategies of optimizing these nanoplatforms were
      casually based on a dynamic ET assumption. In this work, we have modeled
      quantitatively the shell-thickness-dependent interplay between dynamic and static
      ET in nanosystems and validated the model in a typical biofunctional upconversion
      nanoplatform composed of NaYF4:Er, Yb/NaYF4 upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs),
      and energy-acceptor photosensitizing molecule Rose Bengal (RB). It was determined
      that with a proper thickness shell, the energy transferred via dynamic ET as well
      as static ET in this case could be significantly improved by ~4 and ~9 fold,
      respectively, compared with the total energy transferred from bare core UCNPs.
      Our results shall form the bedrock in designing highly efficient ET-based
      biofunctional nanoplatforms. 

PMID- 26266729
TI  - Cryogenic Spectroscopy and Quantum Molecular Dynamics Determine the Structure of
      Cyclic Intermediates Involved in Peptide Sequence Scrambling.
AB  - Collision-induced dissociation (CID) is a key technique used in mass spectrometry
      based peptide sequencing. Collisionally activated peptides undergo statistical
      dissociation, forming a series of backbone fragment ions that reflect their amino
      acid (AA) sequence. Some of these fragments may experience a "head-to-tail"
      cyclization, which after proton migration, can lead to the cyclic structure
      opening in a different place than the initially formed bond. This process leads
      to AA sequence scrambling that may hinder sequencing of the initial peptide. Here
      we combine cryogenic ion spectroscopy and ab initio molecular dynamics
      simulations to isolate and characterize the precise structures of key
      intermediates in the scrambling process. The most stable peptide fragments show
      intriguing symmetric cyclic structures in which the proton is situated on a C2
      symmetry axis and forms exceptionally short H-bonds (1.20 A) with two backbone
      oxygens. Other nonsymmetric cyclic structures also exist, one of which is
      protonated on the amide nitrogen, where ring opening is likely to occur. 

PMID- 26266730
TI  - Nanotube-Enabled Vesicle-Vesicle Communication: A Computational Model.
AB  - Cell-to-cell communications via the tunneling nanotubes or gap junction channels
      are vital for the development and maintenance of multicellular organisms. Instead
      of these intrinsic communication pathways, how to design artificial communication
      channels between cells remains a challenging but interesting problem. Here, we
      perform dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulations to analyze the
      interaction between rotational nanotubes (RNTs) and vesicles so as to provide a
      novel design mechanism for cell-to-cell communication. Simulation results have
      demonstrated that the RNTs are capable of generating local disturbance and
      promote vesicle translocation toward the RNTs. Through ligand pattern designing
      on the RNTs, we can find a suitable nanotube candidate with a specific ligand
      coating pattern for forming the RNT-vesicle network. The results also show that a
      RNT can act as a bridged channel between vesicles, which facilitates substance
      transfer. Our findings provide useful guidelines for the molecular design of
      patterned RNTs for creating a synthetic channel between cells. 

PMID- 26266731
TI  - CO2 Capture and Conversion on Rutile TiO2(110) in the Water Environment: Insight
      by First-Principles Calculations.
AB  - The conversion of CO2 by the virtue of sunlight has the great potential to
      produce useful fuels or valuable chemicals while decreasing CO2 emission from the
      traditional fossil fuels. Here, we use the first-principles calculations combined
      with the periodic continuum solvation model (PCSM) to explore the adsorption and
      reactivity of CO2 on rutile TiO2(110) in the water environment. The results
      exhibit that both adsorption structures and reactivity of CO2 are greatly
      affected by water coadsorption on rutile TiO2(110). In particular, the solvation
      effect can change the most stable adsorption configuration of CO2 and H2O on
      rutile TiO2(110). In addition, the detailed conversion mechanism of CO2 reduction
      is further explored in the water environment. The results reveal that the
      solvation effect cannot only greatly decrease the energy barrier of CO2 reduction
      but also affect the selectivity of the reaction processes. These results
      presented here show the importance of the aqueous solution, which should be
      helpful to understand the detailed reaction processes of photocatalysts. 

PMID- 26266733
TI  - Photoexcited Carrier Dynamics of In2S3 Thin Films.
AB  - Indium sulfide (In2S3) is a promising absorber base for substitutionally doped
      intermediate band photovoltaics (IBPV); however, the dynamics of charge carriers
      traversing the electronic density of states that determine the optical and
      electronic response of thin films under stimuli have yet to be explored. The
      kinetics of photophysical processes in In2S3 grown by oxygen-free atomic layer
      deposition are deduced from photoconductivity, photoluminescence (PL), and
      transient absorption spectroscopy. We develop a map of excited-state dynamics for
      polycrystalline thin films including a secondary conduction band ~2.1 eV above
      the first, plus sulfur vacancy and indium interstitial defect levels resulting in
      long-lived (~100 ns) transients. Band-edge recombination produces PL and
      stimulated emission, which both intensify and red-shift as deposition temperature
      and grain size increase. The effect of rapid conduction band electron relaxation
      (<30 ps) and deep defect levels on IBPV employing In2S3-based absorbers is
      finally considered. 

PMID- 26266734
TI  - Unusual Activity Trend for CO Oxidation on Pd(x)Au(140-x)@Pt Core@Shell
      Nanoparticle Electrocatalysts.
AB  - A theoretical and experimental study of the electrocatalytic oxidation of CO on
      PdxAu140-x@Pt dendrimer-encapsulated nanoparticle (DEN) catalysts is presented.
      These nanoparticles are comprised of a core having an average of 140 atoms and a
      Pt monolayer shell. The CO oxidation activity trend exhibits an unusual koppa
      shape as the number of Pd atoms in the core is varied from 0 to 140. Calculations
      based on density functional theory suggest that the koppa-shaped trend is driven
      primarily by structural changes that affect the CO binding energy on the surface.
      Specifically, a pure Au core leads to deformation of the Pt shell and a
      compression of the Pt lattice. In contrast, Pd, from the pure Pd cores, tends to
      segregate on the DEN surface, forming an inverted configuration having Pt within
      the core and Pd in the shell. With a small addition of Au, however, the alloy
      PdAu cores stabilize the core@shell structures by preventing Au and Pd from
      escaping to the particle surface. 

PMID- 26266732
TI  - Biomolecular Crowding Arising from Small Molecules, Molecular Constraints,
      Surface Packing, and Nano-Confinement.
AB  - The effect of macromolecular crowding on the structure, dynamics, and reactivity
      of biomolecules is well established and the relevant research has been
      extensively reviewed. Herein, we focus our discussion on crowding effects arising
      from small cosolvent molecules and densely packed surface conditions. In
      addition, we highlight recent efforts that capitalize on the excluded volume
      effect for various tailored biochemical and biophysical applications.
      Specifically, we discuss how a targeted increase in local mass density can be
      exploited to gain insight into the folding dynamics of the protein of interest
      and how confinement via reverse micelles can be used to study a range of
      biophysical questions, from protein hydration dynamics to amyloid formation. 

PMID- 26266735
TI  - Examining Substrate-Induced Plasmon Mode Splitting and Localization in Truncated
      Silver Nanospheres with Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy.
AB  - Motivated by the need to study the size dependence of nanoparticle-substrate
      systems, we present a combined experimental and theoretical electron energy loss
      spectroscopy (EELS) study of the plasmonic spectrum of substrate-supported
      truncated silver nanospheres. This work spans the entire classical range of
      plasmonic behavior probing particles of 20-1000 nm in diameter, allowing us to
      map the evolution of localized surface plasmons into surface plasmon polaritons
      and study the size dependence of substrate-induced mode splitting. This work
      constitutes the first nanoscopic characterization and imaging of these effects in
      truncated nanospheres, setting the stage for the systematic study of plasmon
      mediated energy transfer in nanoparticle-substrate systems. 

PMID- 26266736
TI  - Salt-Induced Universal Slowing Down of the Short-Time Self-Diffusion of a
      Globular Protein in Aqueous Solution.
AB  - The short-time self-diffusion D of the globular model protein bovine serum
      albumin in aqueous (D2O) solutions has been measured comprehensively as a
      function of the protein and trivalent salt (YCl3) concentration, noted cp and cs,
      respectively. We observe that D follows a universal master curve D(cs,cp) = D(cs
      = 0,cp) g(cs/cp), where D(cs = 0,cp) is the diffusion coefficient in the absence
      of salt and g(cs/cp) is a scalar function solely depending on the ratio of the
      salt and protein concentration. This observation is consistent with a universal
      scaling of the bonding probability in a picture of cluster formation of patchy
      particles. The finding corroborates the predictive power of the description of
      proteins as colloids with distinct attractive ion-activated surface patches. 

PMID- 26266737
TI  - Electrostatic Interactions Influence Protein Adsorption (but Not Desorption) at
      the Silica-Aqueous Interface.
AB  - High-throughput single-molecule total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy
      was used to investigate the effects of pH and ionic strength on bovine serum
      albumin (BSA) adsorption, desorption, and interfacial diffusion at the aqueous
      fused silica interface. At high pH and low ionic strength, negatively charged BSA
      adsorbed slowly to the negatively charged fused silica surface. At low pH and low
      ionic strength, where BSA was positively charged, or in solutions at higher ionic
      strength, adsorption was approximately 1000 times faster. Interestingly, neither
      surface residence times nor the interfacial diffusion coefficients of BSA were
      influenced by pH or ionic strength. These findings suggested that adsorption
      kinetics were dominated by energy barriers associated with electrostatic
      interactions, but once adsorbed, protein-surface interactions were dominated by
      short-range nonelectrostatic interactions. These results highlight the ability of
      single-molecule techniques to isolate elementary processes (e.g., adsorption and
      desorption) under steady-state conditions, which would be impossible to measure
      using ensemble-averaging methods. 

PMID- 26266738
TI  - Ten Reasons Why Peer Review Makes Sense.

PMID- 26266739
TI  - Controlling Charge Carrier Overlap in Type-II ZnSe/ZnS/CdS Core-Barrier-Shell
      Quantum Dots.
AB  - We describe the synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of colloidal
      ZnSe/ZnS/CdS nanocrystals, which exhibit a type-II electronic structure and wave
      function overlap that is strongly dependent on the thickness of the ZnS barrier.
      Barrier thickness is controlled by both the amount of deposited material and the
      reaction and annealing temperature of CdS shell growth. The results show that a
      single monolayer of ZnS mitigates the overlap significantly, while four and more
      monolayers effectively suppress band edge absorption and emission. Transient
      absorption spectra reveal a broad distribution of excitons with mixed S and P
      symmetry, which become allowed due to alloy formation and contribute to charge
      carrier relaxation across the barrier. We present a model of the core/shell
      interface based on cation diffusion, which allows one to estimate the extent of
      the diffusion layer from optical spectra. 

PMID- 26266740
TI  - Genesis of Delaminated-Zeolite Morphology: 3-D Characterization of Changes by
      STEM Tomography.
AB  - Zeolite delamination increases the external surface area available for catalyzing
      the conversion of bulky molecules, but a fundamental understanding of the
      delamination process remains unknown. Here we report morphological changes
      accompanying delamination on the length scale of individual zeolite clusters
      determined by 3-D imaging in scanning transmission electron microscopy. The
      results are tomograms that demonstrate delamination as it proceeds on the
      nanoscale through two distinct key steps: a chemical treatment that leads to a
      swelled material and a subsequent calcination that leads to curling and peeling
      off of delaminated zeolite sheets over hundreds of nanometers. These results
      characterize the direct, local, 3-D morphological changes accompanying
      delaminated materials synthesis and, with corroboration by mercury porosimetry,
      provide unique insight into the morphology of these materials, which is difficult
      to obtain with any other technique. 

PMID- 26266741
TI  - Impact of Ga-V Codoping on Interfacial Electron Transfer in Dye-Sensitized TiO2.
AB  - The improvement of charge transfer between an organic molecule and a
      semiconductor is an important and challenging goal in the fields of photovoltaics
      and photocatalysis. In this work, we present a time-dependent density functional
      theory investigation of the impact of Ga-V codoping of TiO2 on the excited-state
      electron injection from perylene-3-carboxylic acid. The doping is shown to raise
      the charge-transfer efficiency for the highest possible surface dye uptake by
      ~16%. The strength of the effect depends on the dopant-pair-dye separation,
      dopant concentration, and distribution of Ga, V atoms in TiO2. The doping of the
      superficial level turns out to be more favorable than those in the bulk. The
      changes in electron injection dynamics are attributed to the modification of
      accepting semiconductor levels and hybridization profile between molecular and
      semiconductor states. 

PMID- 26266742
TI  - Structural Evidence of Amyloid Fibril Formation in the Putative Aggregation
      Domain of TDP-43.
AB  - TDP-43 can form pathological proteinaceous aggregates linked to ALS and FTLD.
      Within the putative aggregation domain, engineered repeats of residues 341-366
      can recruit endogenous TDP-43 into aggregates inside cells; however, the nature
      of these aggregates is a debatable issue. Recently, we showed that a coil to beta
      hairpin transition in a short peptide corresponding to TDP-43 residues 341-357
      enables oligomerization. Here we provide definitive structural evidence for
      amyloid formation upon extensive characterization of TDP-43(341-357) via
      chromophore and antibody binding, electron microscopy (EM), solid-state NMR, and
      X-ray diffraction. On the basis of these findings, structural models for TDP
      43(341-357) oligomers were constructed, refined, verified, and analyzed using
      docking, molecular dynamics, and semiempirical quantum mechanics methods.
      Interestingly, TDP-43(341-357) beta-hairpins assemble into a novel parallel beta
      turn configuration showing cross-beta spine, cooperative H-bonding, and tight
      side-chain packing. These results expand the amyloid foldome and could guide the
      development of future therapeutics to prevent this structural conversion. 

PMID- 26266743
TI  - First-Principles Investigation of Nanopore Sequencing Using Variable Voltage Bias
      on Graphene-Based Nanoribbons.
AB  - In this study, we examine the mechanism of nanopore-based DNA sequencing using a
      voltage bias across a graphene nanoribbon. Using density function theory and a
      nonequilibrium Green's function approach, we determine the transmission spectra
      and current profile for adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine, and uracil as a
      function of bias voltage in an energy minimized configuration. Utilizing the
      transmission current, we provide a general methodology for the development of a
      three nanopore graphene-based device that can be used to distinguish between the
      various nucleobases for DNA/RNA sequencing. From our analysis, we deduce that it
      is possible to use different transverse currents across a multinanopore device to
      differentiate between nucleobases using various voltages of 0.5, 1.3, and 1.6 V.
      Overall, our goal is to improve nanopore design to further DNA/RNA nucleobase
      sequencing and biomolecule identification techniques. 

PMID- 26266744
TI  - Large-Size CH3NH3PbBr3 Single Crystal: Growth and In Situ Characterization of the
      Photophysics Properties.
AB  - We reported a facile single-solution fabrication method to grow large-scale
      CH3NH3PbBr3 hybrid perovskite single crystal at room temperature. The obtained
      single crystal in this experiment was 14 * 14 mm. The sample's in situ
      photophysics properties under dark and illumination, including the surface
      morphology, work function, surface current distribution, microcosmic I-V curves,
      as well as the polarization behavior, were in situ characterized by integrated
      utilization of a scanning probe microscopy, respectively. Piezoresponse force
      microscopy (PFM) phase angles indicated the existence of "polarization" in
      CH3NH3PbBr3 lattice. Interestingly, the "polarization effect" was enhanced by the
      plus light source. Moreover, a surface potential shift as large as 200 mV was
      observed under the condition of the illumination on and off. This research is
      proposed to provide an opportunity to take a fresh look at the architectural
      design and photovoltaic performance origin of the hybrid perovskite solar cells. 

PMID- 26266745
TI  - Non-Contact Local Conductance Mapping of Individual Graphene Oxide Sheets during
      the Reduction Process.
AB  - We used electrostatic force microscopy (EFM) to investigate local conducting
      states of atomically thin individual graphene oxide (GO) sheets and monitor the
      spatial evolution of their conducting properties during the reduction process.
      Because of the thinness of the GO sheets and finite carrier density, the electric
      field is partially screened in the reduced GO, which is manifested in the EFM
      phase signals. We found inhomogeneous oxidation states in as-prepared GO sheets
      and followed the evolution of reduction process in the individual GO sheets
      during both thermal and chemical reduction. We also compared the EFM measurement
      results with simultaneous IV characteristics to assess correlations between two
      measurements. 

PMID- 26266746
TI  - Rate-Dependent Nucleation and Growth of NaO2 in Na-O2 Batteries.
AB  - Understanding the oxygen reduction reaction kinetics in the presence of Na ions
      and the formation mechanism of discharge product(s) is key to enhancing Na-O2
      battery performance. Here we show NaO2 as the only discharge product from Na-O2
      cells with carbon nanotubes in 1,2-dimethoxyethane from X-ray diffraction and
      Raman spectroscopy. Sodium peroxide dihydrate was not detected in the discharged
      electrode with up to 6000 ppm of H2O added to the electrolyte, but it was
      detected with ambient air exposure. In addition, we show that the sizes and
      distributions of NaO2 can be highly dependent on the discharge rate, and we
      discuss the formation mechanisms responsible for this rate dependence. Micron
      sized (~500 nm) and nanometer-scale (~50 nm) cubes were found on the top and
      bottom of a carbon nanotube (CNT) carpet electrode and along CNT sidewalls at 10
      mA/g, while only micron-scale cubes (~2 MUm) were found on the top and bottom of
      the CNT carpet at 1000 mA/g, respectively. 

PMID- 26266747
TI  - Anomalous Capacitance Maximum of the Glassy Carbon-Ionic Liquid Interface through
      Dilution with Organic Solvents.
AB  - We use electrochemical impedance spectroscopy to measure the effect of diluting a
      hydrophobic room temperature ionic liquid with miscible organic solvents on the
      differential capacitance of the glassy carbon-electrolyte interface. We show that
      the minimum differential capacitance increases with dilution and reaches a
      maximum value at ionic liquid contents near 5-10 mol% (i.e., ~1 M). We provide
      evidence that mixtures with 1,2-dichloroethane, a low-dielectric constant
      solvent, yield the largest gains in capacitance near the open circuit potential
      when compared against two traditional solvents, acetonitrile and propylene
      carbonate. To provide a fundamental basis for these observations, we use a coarse
      grained model to relate structural variations at the double layer to the
      occurrence of the maximum. Our results reveal the potential for the enhancement
      of double-layer capacitance through dilution. 

PMID- 26266748
TI  - Ultrafast Exciton Dynamics in InGaN/GaN and Rh/Cr2O3 Nanoparticle-Decorated
      InGaN/GaN Nanowires.
AB  - Ultrafast exciton and charge-carrier dynamics in InGaN/GaN nanowires (NWs) with
      and without Rh/Cr2O3 nanoparticle (NP) decoration have been investigated using
      femtosecond transient absorption (TA) techniques with excitation at 415 nm and
      white-light probe (450-700 nm). By comparing the TA profiles between InGaN/GaN
      and InGaN/GaN-Rh/Cr2O3 NWs, an additional decay component on the medium time
      scale (~50 ps) was identified with Rh/Cr2O3 decoration, which is attributed to
      interfacial charge transfer from InGaN/GaN NWs to Rh/Cr2O3 NPs, desired for light
      energy conversion applications. This is consistent with reduced photoluminescence
      (PL) of the NWs by the Rh/Cr2O3 NPs. A kinetic model was developed to explain the
      TA results and gain further insight into the exciton and charge-carrier dynamics.

PMID- 26266749
TI  - Reagent-free and portable detection of Bacillus anthracis spores using a
      microfluidic incubator and smartphone microscope.
AB  - Bacillus anthracis is the causative agent of anthrax and can be contracted by
      humans and herbivorous mammals by inhalation, ingestion, or cutaneous exposure to
      bacterial spores. Due to its stability and disease potential, B. anthracis is a
      recognized biothreat agent and robust detection and viability methods are needed
      to identify spores from unknown samples. Here we report the use of smartphone
      based microscopy (SPM) in combination with a simple microfluidic incubation
      device (MID) to detect 50 to 5000 B. anthracis Sterne spores in 3 to 5 hours.
      This technique relies on optical monitoring of the conversion of the ~1 MUm
      spores to the filamentous vegetative cells that range from tens to hundreds of
      micrometers in length. This distinguishing filament formation is unique to B.
      anthracis as compared to other members of the Bacillus cereus group. A unique
      feature of this approach is that the sample integrity is maintained, and the
      vegetative biomass can be removed from the chip for secondary molecular analysis
      such as PCR. Compared with existing chip-based and rapid viability PCR methods,
      this new approach reduces assay time by almost half, and is highly sensitive,
      specific, and cost effective. 

PMID- 26266750
TI  - Characterization and cross-protection evaluation of M949_1603 gene deletion
      Riemerella anatipestifer mutant RA-M1.
AB  - Riemerella anatipestifer infection causes high mortality for ducks which results
      in major economic losses in the duck industry. In this study, we identified a
      mutant strain RA-M1 by Tn4351 transposon mutagenesis, in which the M949_1603 gene
      encoding glycosyl transferase was inactivated. PCR analysis revealed that
      M949_1603 gene is specifically existed in R. anatipestifer serotype 1 strains. RA
      M1 presented no reactivity to the anti-lipopolysaccharide (LPS) MAb in an
      indirect ELISA. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS
      PAGE) followed by Western blotting demonstrated that RA-M1 LPS had a deficiency
      in ladder-like binding pattern to rabbit antiserum against R. anatipestifer
      serotype 1 strain CH3, indicating that the O-antigen structure of RA-M1 was
      changed. RA-M1 showed significant attenuated virulence in ducks and higher
      sensitivity to normal duck serum, compared with its parent strain CH3.
      Furthermore, cross-protection of RA-M1 for R. anatipestifer serotypes 1, 2, and
      10 strains was evaluated. Ducks that received two immunizations with inactivated
      RA-M1 vaccine were 100% protected from challenge with R. anatipestifer serotype 1
      strain WJ4, serotype 2 strain Yb2, and serotype 10 strain HXb2. No changes were
      observed in the liver, heart, or spleen samples from the protected ducks during
      autopsy and histological examination. Furthermore, vaccination generated high
      antibody titers of 1:12,800 against serotypes 1, 2, and 10 strains and enhanced
      production of interleukin 2 (IL-2) and IL-4 in ducks. These results suggested
      that M949_1603 gene is associated with serotype 1 O-antigen biosynthesis, and
      mutant RA-M1 could be used as a novel cross-protection vaccine candidate to
      protect ducks against R. anatipestifer infection.

PMID- 26266751
TI  - Diversity of hydrolases from hydrothermal vent sediments of the Levante Bay,
      Vulcano Island (Aeolian archipelago) identified by activity-based metagenomics
      and biochemical characterization of new esterases and an arabinopyranosidase.
AB  - A metagenomic fosmid expression library established from environmental DNA (eDNA)
      from the shallow hot vent sediment sample collected from the Levante Bay, Vulcano
      Island (Aeolian archipelago) was established in Escherichia coli. Using activity
      based screening assays, we have assessed 9600 fosmid clones corresponding to
      approximately 350 Mbp of the cloned eDNA, for the lipases/esterases/lactamases,
      haloalkane and haloacid dehalogenases, and glycoside hydrolases. Thirty-four
      positive fosmid clones were selected from the total of 120 positive hits and
      sequenced to yield ca. 1360 kbp of high-quality assemblies. Fosmid inserts were
      attributed to the members of ten bacterial phyla, including Proteobacteria,
      Bacteroidetes, Acidobateria, Firmicutes, Verrucomicrobia, Chloroflexi,
      Spirochaetes, Thermotogae, Armatimonadetes, and Planctomycetes. Of ca. 200
      proteins with high biotechnological potential identified therein, we have
      characterized in detail three distinct alpha/beta-hydrolases (LIPESV12_9,
      LIPESV12_24, LIPESV12_26) and one new alpha-arabinopyranosidase (GLV12_5). All
      LIPESV12 enzymes revealed distinct substrate specificities tested against 43
      structurally diverse esters and 4 p-nitrophenol carboxyl esters. Of 16 different
      glycosides tested, the GLV12_5 hydrolysed only p-nitrophenol-alpha-(L)
      arabinopyranose with a high specific activity of about 2.7 kU/mg protein. Most of
      the alpha/beta-hydrolases were thermophilic and revealed a high tolerance to, and
      high activities in the presence of, numerous heavy metal ions. Among them, the
      LIPESV12_24 was the best temperature-adapted, retaining its activity after 40 min
      of incubation at 90  degrees C. Furthermore, enzymes were active in organic
      solvents (e.g., >30% methanol). Both LIPESV12_24 and LIPESV12_26 had the GXSXG
      pentapeptides and the catalytic triads Ser-Asp-His typical to the representatives
      of carboxylesterases of EC 3.1.1.1.

PMID- 26266752
TI  - The complicated substrates enhance the microbial diversity and zinc leaching
      efficiency in sphalerite bioleaching system.
AB  - This study used an artificial enrichment microbial consortium to examine the
      effects of different substrate conditions on microbial diversity, composition,
      and function (e.g., zinc leaching efficiency) through adding pyrite (SP group),
      chalcopyrite (SC group), or both (SPC group) in sphalerite bioleaching systems.
      16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis showed that microbial community structures and
      compositions dramatically changed with additions of pyrite or chalcopyrite during
      the sphalerite bioleaching process. Shannon diversity index showed a
      significantly increase in the SP (1.460), SC (1.476), and SPC (1.341) groups
      compared with control (sphalerite group, 0.624) on day 30, meanwhile, zinc
      leaching efficiencies were enhanced by about 13.4, 2.9, and 13.2%, respectively.
      Also, additions of pyrite or chalcopyrite could increase electric potential (ORP)
      and the concentrations of Fe3+ and H+, which were the main factors shaping
      microbial community structures by Mantel test analysis. Linear regression
      analysis showed that ORP, Fe3+ concentration, and pH were significantly
      correlated to zinc leaching efficiency and microbial diversity. In addition, we
      found that leaching efficiency showed a positive and significant relationship
      with microbial diversity. In conclusion, our results showed that the complicated
      substrates could significantly enhance microbial diversity and activity of
      function.

PMID- 26266753
TI  - Proteomic insights into metabolic adaptation to deletion of metE in
      Saccharopolyspora spinosa.
AB  - Saccharopolyspora spinosa can produce spinosad as a major secondary metabolite,
      which is an environmentally friendly agent for insect control. Cobalamin
      independent methionine synthase (MetE) is an important enzyme in methionine
      biosynthesis, and this enzyme is probably closely related to spinosad production.
      In this study, its corresponding gene metE was inactivated, which resulted in a
      rapid growth and glucose utilisation rate and almost loss of spinosad production.
      A label-free quantitative proteomics-based approach was employed to obtain
      insights into the mechanism by which the metabolic network adapts to the absence
      of MetE. A total of 1440 proteins were detected from wild-type and DeltametE
      mutant strains at three time points: stationary phase of DeltametE mutant strain
      (S1DeltametE , 67 h), first stationary phase of wild-type strain (S1WT, 67 h) and
      second stationary phase of wild-type strain (S2WT, 100 h). Protein expression
      patterns were determined using an exponentially modified protein abundance index
      (emPAI) and analysed by comparing S1DeltametE /S1WT and S1DeltametE /S2WT.
      Results showed that differentially expressed enzymes were mainly involved in
      primary metabolism and genetic information processing. This study demonstrated
      that the role of MetE is not restricted to methionine biosynthesis but rather is
      involved in global metabolic regulation in S. spinosa.

PMID- 26266754
TI  - Improvement in the thermostability of a type A feruloyl esterase, AuFaeA, from
      Aspergillus usamii by iterative saturation mutagenesis.
AB  - Feruloyl or ferulic acid esterase (Fae, EC 3.1.1.73) catalyzes the hydrolysis of
      ester bonds between polysaccharides and phenolic acid compounds in xylan side
      chain. In this study, the thermostability of a type A feruloyl esterase (AuFaeA)
      from Aspergillus usamii was increased by iterative saturation mutagenesis (ISM).
      Two amino acids, Ser33 and Asn92, were selected for saturation mutagenesis
      according to the B-factors analyzed by B-FITTER software and DeltaDeltaG values
      predicted by PoPMuSiC algorithm. After screening the saturation mutagenesis
      libraries constructed in Pichia pastoris, 15 promising variants were obtained.
      The best variant S33E/N92-4 (S33E/N92R) produced a T m value of 44.5  degrees C,
      the half-lives (t1/2) of 35 and 198 min at 55 and 50  degrees C, respectively,
      corresponding to a 4.7  degrees C, 2.33- and 3.96-fold improvement compared to
      the wild type. Additionally, the best S33 variant S33-6 (S33E) was thermostable
      at 50  degrees C with a t1/2 of 82 min, which was 32 min longer than that of the
      wild type. All the screened S33E/N92 variants were more thermostable than the
      best S33 variant S33-6 (S33E). This work would contribute to the further studies
      on higher thermostability modification of type A feruloyl esterases, especially
      those from fungi. The thermostable feruloyl esterase variants were expected to be
      potential candidates for industrial application in prompting the enzymic
      degradation of plant biomass materials at elevated temperatures.

PMID- 26266755
TI  - Photosynthetic aeration in biological wastewater treatment using immobilized
      microalgae-bacteria symbiosis.
AB  - Chlorella vulgaris encapsulated in alginate beads were added into a bioreactor
      treating synthetic wastewater using Pseudomonas putida. A symbiotic CO2/O2 gas
      exchange was established between the two microorganisms for photosynthetic
      aeration of wastewater. During batch operation, glucose removal efficiency in the
      bioreactor improved from 50% in 12 h without aeration to 100% in 6 h, when the
      bioreactor was aerated photosynthetically. During continuous operation, the
      bioreactor was operated at a low hydraulic retention time of 3.3 h at feed
      concentrations of 250 and 500 mg/L glucose. The removal efficiency at 500 mg/L
      increased from 73% without aeration to 100% in the presence of immobilized
      microalgae. The initial microalgae concentration was critical to achieve adequate
      aeration, and the removal rate increased with increasing microalgae
      concentration. The highest removal rate of 142 mg/L-h glucose was achieved at an
      initial microalgae concentration of 190 mg/L. Quantification of microalgae growth
      in the alginate beads indicated an exponential growth during symbiosis,
      indicating that the bioreactor performance was limited by oxygen production
      rates. Under symbiotic conditions, the chlorophyll content of the immobilized
      microalgae increased by more than 30%. These results indicate that immobilized
      microalgae in symbiosis with heterotrophic bacteria are promising in wastewater
      aeration.

PMID- 26266756
TI  - Growth in children with choledochal malformations: effect of the Roux loop.
AB  - PURPOSE: Excision and biliary reconstruction using a Roux loop is the current
      standard for choledochal malformation (CM). This is un-physiological, delivering
      bile beyond the duodenum and excluding a significant length of the jejunum from
      intestinal absorption. We investigated whether this had an effect on post
      operative growth. METHODS: Retrospective case-note analysis of children
      surgically treated for CM. Growth variables were converted to standard deviation
      scores (SDS) and compared against population norms. P < 0.05 was significant.
      RESULTS: From 1994 to 2014, 135 children (<16 years) were identified. Median age
      at surgery was 3.3 (IQR 1.5-7) years. Morphology included: type 1 Cystic (n = 54,
      40%), type 1 Fusiform (n = 58, 43%) and type 4 (intra and extra-hepatic) (n = 22,
      16%). There was pre-operative growth failure [median weight SDS = -0.4 (-1.2 -
      0.4), P = 0.0004] with a similar trend for height [SDS = -0.38 (-1.2 - 0.5), P =
      0.08)]. This correlated with presentation bilirubin (r s = -0.24, P = 0.004), GGT
      (r s = -0.27, P = 0.002) and AST (r s = -0.27, P = 0.002) but not morphology (P =
      0.82) or presentation (P = 0.4). Median follow-up was 1.9 (0.6-4.7) years, during
      which time both height (P = 0.73) and weight (P = 0.45) reverted to normal.
      CONCLUSION: This is the first report of growth in children with CM following a
      Roux-loop reconstruction and showed pre-operative growth failure probably
      attributed to a period of biliary obstruction but catch-up growth when corrected.

PMID- 26266757
TI  - The Hot and the Cold: Radiofrequency Versus Cryoballoon Ablation for Atrial
      Fibrillation.
AB  - Catheter ablation is superior to antiarrhythmic drugs in maintaining sinus rhythm
      for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Pulmonary vein (PV) isolation is the
      cornerstone of any AF ablation procedure. Conventionally, this is achieved by
      performing point by point lesions using radiofrequency (RF) energy. However, this
      is technically challenging, time consuming and is associated with a number of
      complications. Long-term durability of PV isolation is also a concern. To address
      these issues, 'one-shot' energy delivery systems and alternative energy sources
      have been developed. The cryoballoon system has emerged as the most commonly used
      alternative to point by point RF technology. In this paper, we compare the
      technology, biophysics and clinical data of cryoballoon to conventional RF
      ablation for AF. The safety and efficacy of cryoballoon compared to RF ablation
      is critically reviewed. We conclude by looking at future applications of this
      technology. 

PMID- 26266759
TI  - Amplification of mutated NRAS leading to congenital melanoma in neurocutaneous
      melanocytosis.
AB  - The mechanisms behind malignant progression in patients with giant nevi are
      largely unknown. Here, we aim to describe novel genetic findings and explain
      possible mechanisms resulting in the most severe form of neurocutaneous
      melanocytosis. Detailed histological (biopsy and post-mortem) studies, tissue
      culture, and high-resolution cytogenetic analysis, including chromosome and array
      comparative genomic hybridization, Ion AmpliSeq Cancer Panel, and Sanger
      sequencing, were performed on tissues from a white male who succumbed at 17
      months of age to congenital melanoma associated with a bathing-trunk nevus. We
      also used quantitative PCR to quantitatively assess the expression of NRAS among
      normal cells, including fibroblast and melanocytes, as well as melanoma cells
      from our patient. Full autopsy documented tumors in the brain, spinal cord, lung,
      liver, testis, bone marrow, and, retrospectively, in the placenta. Next
      generation sequencing and chromosome microarray in our patient revealed novel
      findings, including duplication of a mutated NRAS gene, leading to an aggressive
      clinical course and disseminated disease. Quantitative PCR showed a five-fold
      increase in NRAS expression in the melanoma cell line when compared with normal
      melanocytes. Finally, three amino acid-changing germline variants were detected:
      homozygous TP53 p.P72R, heterozygous KIT p.M541L, and homozygous KDR (VEGFR2)
      p.Q472H. These genes are involved in malignancy and other potentially relevant
      pathways, such as mast cell and melanocytic signaling, as well as angiogenesis.
      These findings provide novel insights into the biology of congenital melanocytic
      proliferations, showing that amplification of mutated NRAS seems to represent a
      new genetic mechanism leading to melanoma in the context of neurocutaneous
      melanocytosis. 

PMID- 26266760
TI  - Single cell metastatic phenotyping using pulsed nanomechanical indentations.
AB  - The existing approach to characterize cell biomechanical properties typically
      utilizes switch-like models of mechanotransduction in which cell responses are
      analyzed in response to a single nanomechanical indentation or a transient pulsed
      stress. Although this approach provides effective descriptors at population
      level, at a single-cell-level, there are significant overlaps in the
      biomechanical descriptors of non-metastatic and metastatic cells which precludes
      the use of biomechanical markers for single cell metastatic phenotyping. This
      study presents a new promising marker for biosensing metastatic and non
      metastatic cells at a single-cell-level using the effects of a dynamic
      microenvironment on the biomechanical properties of cells. Two non-metastatic and
      two metastatic epithelial breast cell lines are subjected to a pulsed stresses
      regimen exerted by atomic force microscopy. The force-time data obtained for the
      cells revealed that the non-metastatic cells increase their resistance against
      deformation and become more stiffened when subjected to a series of
      nanomechanical indentations. On the other hand, metastatic cells become slightly
      softened when their mechanical microenvironment is subjected to a similar
      dynamical changes. This distinct behavior of the non-metastatic and metastatic
      cells to the pulsed stresses paradigm provided a signature for single-cell-level
      metastatic phenotyping with a high confidence level of ~95%. 

PMID- 26266758
TI  - The Concept of Qailulah (Midday Napping) from Neuroscientific and Islamic
      Perspectives.
AB  - Napping/siesta during the day is a phenomenon, which is widely practised in the
      world. However, the timing, frequency, and duration may vary. The basis of
      napping is also diverse, but it is mainly done for improvement in alertness and
      general well-being. Neuroscience reveals that midday napping improves memory,
      enhances alertness, boosts wakefulness and performance, and recovers certain
      qualities of lost night sleep. Interestingly, Islam, the religion of the Muslims,
      advocates midday napping primarily because it was a practice preferred by Prophet
      Muhammad (pbuh). The objectives of this review were to investigate and compare
      identical key points on focused topic from both neuroscientific and Islamic
      perspectives and make recommendations for future researches.

PMID- 26266761
TI  - Optical filter selection for high confidence discrimination of strongly
      overlapping infrared chemical spectra.
AB  - Optical filter-based chemical sensing techniques provide a new avenue to develop
      low-cost infrared sensors. These methods utilize multiple infrared optical
      filters to selectively measure different response functions for various
      chemicals, dependent on each chemical's infrared absorption. Rather than
      identifying distinct spectral features, which can then be used to determine the
      identity of a target chemical, optical filter-based approaches rely on measuring
      differences in the ensemble response between a given filter set and specific
      chemicals of interest. Therefore, the results of such methods are highly
      dependent on the original optical filter choice, which will dictate the
      selectivity, sensitivity, and stability of any filter-based sensing method.
      Recently, a method has been developed that utilizes unique detection vector
      operations defined by optical multifilter responses, to discriminate between
      volatile chemical vapors. This method, comparative-discrimination spectral
      detection (CDSD), is a technique which employs broadband optical filters to
      selectively discriminate between chemicals with highly overlapping infrared
      absorption spectra. CDSD has been shown to correctly distinguish between similar
      chemicals in the carbon-hydrogen stretch region of the infrared absorption
      spectra from 2800-3100 cm(-1). A key challenge to this approach is how to
      determine which optical filter sets should be utilized to achieve the greatest
      discrimination between target chemicals. Previous studies used empirical
      approaches to select the optical filter set; however this is insufficient to
      determine the optimum selectivity between strongly overlapping chemical spectra.
      Here we present a numerical approach to systematically study the effects of
      filter positioning and bandwidth on a number of three-chemical systems. We
      describe how both the filter properties, as well as the chemicals in each set,
      affect the CDSD results and subsequent discrimination. These results demonstrate
      the importance of choosing the proper filter set and chemicals for comparative
      discrimination, in order to identify the target chemical of interest in the
      presence of closely matched chemical interferents. These findings are an integral
      step in the development of experimental prototype sensors, which will utilize
      CDSD. 

PMID- 26266762
TI  - Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers.
AB  - Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) is increasingly used in laryngeal/hypopharyngeal
      cancer surgery. Ablative procedures described in these anatomical sites include:
      (i) supraglottic laryngectomy, (ii) total laryngectomy, (iii) glottic cordectomy,
      and (iv) partial pharyngectomy. TORS supraglottic laryngectomy remains the most
      commonly performed of these procedures. Initial oncologic and functional outcomes
      with these procedures are promising and comparable to other treatment options. As
      robotic instrumentation technology advances a rise in TORS
      laryngeal/hypopharyngeal surgery is anticipated.

PMID- 26266764
TI  - Tomographic reconstruction of ionospheric electron density during the storm of 5
      6 August 2011 using multi-source data.
AB  - The insufficiency of data is the essential reason for ill-posed problem existed
      in computerized ionospheric tomography (CIT) technique. Therefore, the method of
      integrating multi-source data is proposed. Currently, the multiple satellite
      navigation systems and various ionospheric observing instruments provide abundant
      data which can be employed to reconstruct ionospheric electron density (IED). In
      order to improve the vertical resolution of IED, we do research on IED
      reconstruction by integration of ground-based GPS data, occultation data from the
      LEO satellite, satellite altimetry data from Jason-1 and Jason-2 and ionosonde
      data. We used the CIT results to compare with incoherent scatter radar (ISR)
      observations, and found that the multi-source data fusion was effective and
      reliable to reconstruct electron density, showing its superiority than CIT with
      GPS data alone. 

PMID- 26266763
TI  - Angiopoietin-1 improves endothelial progenitor cell-dependent neovascularization
      in diabetic wounds.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The diabetic phenotype of wound healing is in part characterized by
      impaired neovascularization and deficient endothelial progenitor cell (EPC)
      recruitment. Angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) is a potent mobilizer of EPCs from the bone
      marrow (BM). A suggested mechanism for EPC mobilization from the BM is mediated
      by matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) and stem cell factor (SCF). Taken together,
      we hypothesized that overexpression of Ang-1 in diabetic wounds will recruit EPCs
      and improve neovascularization and wound healing. METHODS: An endothelial lineage
      BM-labeled murine model of diabetes was developed to track BM-derived EPCs. FVBN
      mice were lethally irradiated and then reconstituted with BM from syngeneic
      Tie2/LacZ donor mice. Diabetes was induced with streptozotocin. Dorsal wounds in
      BM-transplanted mice were treated with Ad-Ang-1, Ad-GFP, or phosphate-buffered
      saline. At day 7 after injury, wounds were harvested and analyzed. A similar
      experiment was conducted in EPC mobilization deficient MMP-9 -/- mice to
      determine whether the effects of Ang-1 were EPC-dependent. RESULTS:
      Overexpression of Ang-1 resulted in greatly improved re-epithelialization,
      neovascularization, and EPC recruitment in diabetic BM-transplanted wounds at day
      7. Ang-1 treatment resulted in increased serum levels of proMMP-9 and SCF but had
      no effect on vascular endothelial growth factor levels. According to our FACS
      results, peripheral blood EPC (CD34(+)/Cd133(+)/Flk1(+)) counts at day 3 after
      wounding showed impaired EPC mobilization in MMP-9 -/- mice compared with those
      of wild-type controls. EPC mobilization was rescued by SCF administration,
      validating this model for EPC-mobilization-deficient mechanistic studies. In MMP
      9 -/- mice, Ad-Ang-1 accelerated re-epithelialization in a similar manner, but
      had no effect on neovascularization. CONCLUSION: Our results show that Ang-1
      administration results in improved neovascularization which is dependent on EPC
      recruitment and has direct effects on wound re-epithelialization. These data may
      represent a novel strategy to correct the phenotype of impaired diabetic
      neovascularization and may improve diabetic wound healing.

PMID- 26266765
TI  - Metformin and epithelial ovarian cancer therapeutics.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ovarian cancer is one of the most common lethal gynecological
      malignancies world-wide. Despite an initial 70-80% response rate, most patients
      relapse within 1-2 years and develop chemo-resistance. Hence, the identification
      of novel drugs or the repositioning of known drugs to re-sensitize ovarian cancer
      cells to existing chemotherapy regimens is needed. Here, we evaluated the effect
      of metformin (an anti-diabetic drug) on ovarian cancer cells, based on its
      putative effect on other solid tumors. METHODS: Primary cultures of epithelial
      ovarian cancer cells established from ascitic fluids of untreated ovarian cancer
      patients and the SKOV-3 ovarian cancer-derived cell line were used. The
      respective cells were treated with metformin, carboplatin and paclitaxel alone
      and its various combinations and their effects, including the ability to induce
      apoptosis, were examined. Concomitantly, the cells were assessed for the
      expression of several apoptosis-related mRNAs and proteins using quantitative
      real time PCR, flowcytometry and Western blotting. RESULTS: We found that
      metformin induced apoptosis in the ovarian cancer cells tested, and provoked a
      cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 and S-phase. Metformin induced apoptosis by down
      regulating Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL expression, and up-regulating Bax and Cytochrome c
      expression. We also found that the apoptosis induction by metformin could be
      enhanced by a combinatorial use of carboplatin and/or paclitaxel. CONCLUSIONS:
      Our data indicate that metformin can induce apoptosis in both primary ovarian
      cancer cells and in SKOV-3 cells. When metformin was combined with carboplatin or
      paclitaxel, an increased apoptotic activity was observed, implicating a chemo
      adjuvant potential.

PMID- 26266766
TI  - Prospective study of cyclophosphamide, thiotepa, carboplatin combined with
      adoptive DC-CIK followed by metronomic cyclophosphamide therapy as salvage
      treatment for triple negative metastatic breast cancers patients (aged <45).
AB  - BACKGROUND: The recent immunotherapy treatment on triple-negative breast cancer
      (TNBC) leads to the breakthrough assignation. In this study, we have tried the
      new combinations of specific chemo with DC-CIKs immunotherapy to treat those
      patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-three metastatic anthracyclines and
      taxanes pretreated TNBC younger (mean 41.5 years) patients were initially
      mobilized with cyclophosphamide (3 g/m(2)) for the preparation of CD34(+)
      peripheral blood mononuclear cells as the resources for generating DC/CIKs and
      marrow function supports. All cases were subsequently experienced 2 cycles of
      chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide 3 g/m(2), thiotepa 150 mg/m(2), and
      carboplatin AUC = 6, Q4w. The patients then received 3 infusions of DC-CIKs at
      the chemo intervals and followed by maintenance therapy with oral
      cyclophosphamide 50 mg daily. The endpoints were progression-free survival and
      overall survival. RESULTS: The partial response rate was 13.0 %, stable and
      progressive disease rates were 56.5 and 30.4 %, respectively. The median PFS was
      13.5 months (95 % confidence interval (CI) 10.1-16.9 months) and OS was 15.2
      months (95 % CI 12.5-18.1 months). The most common serious adverse events were
      neutropenia (100.0 %) and anemia (69.7 %) but without treatment-related
      mortality. CONCLUSION: These data suggested that such combination therapy model
      be effective and safe for younger metastatic TNBC exposure to previous
      anthracyclines and taxanes based adjuvant chemotherapy.

PMID- 26266767
TI  - Implantation of autologous muscle-derived stem cells in treatment of fecal
      incontinence: results of an experimental pilot study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to present results of the implantation of
      autologous myoblasts into the external anal sphincter (EAS) in ten patients with
      fecal incontinence. METHODS: After anatomical and functional assessment of the
      patients' EAS, a vastus lateralis muscle open biopsy was performed. Stem cells
      were extracted from the biopsy specimens and cultured in vitro. Cell suspensions
      were then administered to the EAS. Patients were scheduled for follow-up visits
      in 6-week intervals. Total follow-up was 12 months. RESULTS: All biopsy and cell
      implantation procedures were performed without complications. Nine of the
      patients completed a full 12-month follow-up. There was subjective improvement in
      six patients (66.7 %). In manometric examinations 18 weeks after implantation,
      squeeze anal pressures and high-pressure zone length increased in all patients,
      with particularly significant sphincter function recovery in five patients (55.6
      %). Electromyographic (EMG) examination showed an increase in signal amplitude in
      all patients, detecting elevated numbers of propagating action potentials. Twelve
      months after implantation two patients experienced deterioration of continence,
      which was also reflected in the deterioration of manometric and EMG parameters.
      The remaining four patients (44.4 %) still described their continence as better
      than before implantation and retained satisfactory functional examination
      parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Implantation of autologous myoblasts gives good short
      term results not only in a subjective assessment, but also in objective
      functional tests. It seems that this promising technology can improve the quality
      of life of patients with fecal incontinence, but further study is required to
      achieve better and more persistent results.

PMID- 26266768
TI  - Stable admission rate for acute asthma in Danish children since 1977.
AB  - Childhood asthma is consistently reported to have increased in recent decades in
      most westernized countries, but it is unknown if this increase is similar across
      severities. We aimed to study the time-trend of acute hospital admission and
      readmission for asthma of school-aged children in the recent 35 years in Denmark.
      We analyzed time-trends in the national incidence rate of hospitalization for
      acute severe asthma in children aged 5-15 in Denmark during the 35-year period
      1977-2012 in the Danish national registry. Only in-patient admissions with a
      principal diagnosis of asthma (ICD-8: 493** or ICD-10: J45** or J46**) were
      included. Among children with asthma hospitalizations, we investigated the risk
      of readmission beyond 1 month of first admission. Admissions were summarized as
      rates per thousand person years at risk. The overall time-trend is stable with a
      rate of one admission per year per thousand children at risk and a per-year
      incidence rate ratio 0.999 [95 % CI 0.997-1.001]. The rate of any readmission
      decreased from approximately 20 per thousand children in the eighties to less
      than 10 in the early nineties before stabilizing at around 10 per thousand
      children from mid-nineties and onwards. During 35 years of nation-wide follow-up,
      we find a highly stable incidence rate of first hospital admission for acute
      severe asthma in children. Moreover, rates of readmission halved during the
      seventies and stabilized in the last twenty years. In conclusion, our data
      suggest that the reported increase in childhood asthma is mainly due to less
      severe cases.

PMID- 26266769
TI  - Answer to the letter to the editor of S. Zhang et al. concerning "Continuous
      wound infusion of ropivacaine for the control of pain after thoracolumbar spinal
      surgery: a randomized clinical trial" (by Xu B, et al. (2015) Eur Spine J; 24:
      doi:10.1007/s00586-015-3979-x).

PMID- 26266770
TI  - A case of fourth atlanto-axial facet joint: anatomical description.
AB  - PURPOSE: To report a rare fourth atlanto-axial joint. METHODS: A cadaveric
      specimen of a young male adult from occiput to C4 was dissected for anatomical
      study of craniocervical region. A true fourth atlanto-axial joint was confirmed.
      Its morphological characteristics were described. RESULTS: The fourth
      atlantoaxial joint is rarely seen. The possible embryogenesis is discussed. This
      case raises an anatomical possibility of a new variant in this region.
      CONCLUSIONS: A unique case with an anatomically proven fourth atlantoaxial joint
      is reported. This anomaly can lead to misdiagnosis. CT scan coupled with MRI can
      facilitate accurate diagnosis.

PMID- 26266772
TI  - Answer to the Letter to the Editor of L. P. Ardigo et al. concerning "The
      validity and reliability of "Spinal Mouse" assessment of spinal curvatures in the
      frontal plane in pediatric adolescent idiopathic thoracolumbar curves" by
      Livanelioglu A, Kaya F, Nabiyev V, Demirkiran G, Firat T (2015) Eur Spine J Apr
      22 [Epub ahead of print].

PMID- 26266771
TI  - Symptomatic adjacent segment degeneration at the L3-4 level after fusion surgery
      at the L4-5 level: evaluation of the risk factors and 10-year incidence.
AB  - PURPOSE: There have been few studies on revision surgery for clinically
      symptomatic adjacent segment degeneration (CASD). We aimed to find the incidence
      of revision surgery due to CASD and to analyze the factors that affected CASD at
      the L3-4 level after L4-5 or L4-5-S1 level fusion surgery over a long-term follow
      up period. METHODS: Between January 2001 and October 2009, fusion surgeries were
      performed on 401 patients with spondylolisthesis at the L4-5 or L4-5-S1 level;
      378 patients were followed up for a minimum of 2 years. We assessed CASD-free
      survival using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. We also analyzed factors affecting
      the development of CASD, including sex, age, pelvic incidence, overall lordosis,
      segmental lordosis, lamina inclination angle, facet tropism, and the extent of
      disc and facet degeneration. Isthmic spondylolisthesis treated using total
      laminectomy or degenerative spondylolisthesis treated using subtotal laminectomy
      and interbody fusion (IBF) or posterolateral fusion (PLF) were also included in
      the risk factor analysis. The difference in disc height before and after initial
      surgery was also analyzed, as was inclusion of the sacrum in the fusion level.
      RESULTS: Fusion extension surgery was performed on 33 of these patients due to
      CASD at the L3-4 level during the follow-up period. Kaplan-Meier survival
      analysis indicated 3-, 5-, and 10-year disease-free survival rates of 99.20,
      96.71, and 76.93 %. Statistically significant factors affecting CASD included old
      age, low overall lordosis, low segmental lordosis, progression of facet
      degeneration, total laminectomy-treated isthmic spondylolisthesis, and PLF-alone
      rather than IBF alone or IBF + PLF. CONCLUSION: We determined six significant
      factors affecting CASD development. Among these risk factors, facet degeneration,
      isthmic-type spondylolisthesis, and the type of fusion show higher hazard ratios
      and seem to be clinically more relevant than the other three factors (age,
      overall lordosis, and segmental lordosis).

PMID- 26266773
TI  - Prevalence of tuberculosis in post-mortem studies of HIV-infected adults and
      children in resource-limited settings: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Tuberculosis (TB) is estimated to be the leading cause of HIV-related
      deaths globally. However, since HIV-associated TB frequently remains
      unascertained, we systematically reviewed autopsy studies to determine the true
      burden of TB at death. METHODS: We systematically searched Medline and Embase
      databases (to end 2013) for literature reporting on health facility-based autopsy
      studies of HIV-infected adults and/or children in resource-limited settings.
      Using forest plots and random-effects meta-analysis, we summarized the TB
      prevalence found at autopsy and used meta-regression to explore variables
      associated with autopsy TB prevalence. RESULTS: We included 36 eligible studies,
      reporting on 3237 autopsies. Autopsy TB prevalence was extremely heterogeneous
      (range 0-64.4%), but was markedly higher in adults [pooled prevalence 39.7%, 95%
      confidence interval (CI) 32.4-47.0%] compared to children (pooled prevalence
      4.5%, 95% CI 1.7-7.4%). Post-mortem TB prevalence varied by world region, with
      pooled estimates in adults of 63.2% (95% CI 57.7-68.7%) in South Asia (n = 2
      studies); 43.2% (95% CI 38.0-48.3) in sub-Saharan Africa (n = 9 studies); and
      27.1% (95% CI 16.0-38.1%) in the Americas (n = 5 studies). Autopsy prevalence
      positively correlated with contemporary estimates of national TB prevalence. TB
      in adults was disseminated in 87.9% (82.2-93.7%) of cases and was considered the
      cause of death in 91.4% (95% CI 85.8-97.0%) of TB cases. Overall, TB was the
      cause of death in 37.2% (95% CI 25.7-48.7%) of adult HIV/AIDS-related deaths. TB
      remained undiagnosed at death in 45.8% (95% CI 32.6-59.1%) of TB cases.
      CONCLUSIONS: In resource-limited settings, TB accounts for approximately 40% of
      facility-based HIV/AIDS-related adult deaths. Almost half of this disease remains
      undiagnosed at the time of death. These findings highlight the critical need to
      improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of HIV-associated TB globally.

PMID- 26266774
TI  - Muscle fatigue resistance in the rat hindlimb in vivo from low dietary intakes of
      tuna fish oil that selectively increase phospholipid n-3 docosahexaenoic acid
      according to muscle fibre type.
AB  - Dietary fish oil (FO) modulates muscle O2 consumption and contractile function,
      predictive of effects on muscle fatigue. High doses unattainable through human
      diet and muscle stimulation parameters used engender uncertainty in their
      physiological relevance. We tested the hypothesis that nutritionally relevant FO
      doses can modulate membrane fatty acid composition and muscle fatigue. Male
      Sprague-Dawley rats were randomised to control (10% olive oil (OO) by weight) or
      low or moderate FO diet (LowFO and ModFO) (HiDHA tuna fish oil) for 15 weeks
      (LowFO: 0.3% FO, 9.7% OO, 0.25% energy as EPA+DHA; ModFO: 1.25% FO, 8.75% OO,
      1.0% energy as EPA+DHA). Hindlimb muscle function was assessed under anaesthesia
      in vivo using repetitive 5 s burst sciatic nerve stimulation (0.05 ms, 7-12 V, 5
      Hz, 10 s duty cycle, 300 s). There were no dietary differences in maximum
      developed muscle force. Repetitive peak developed force fell to 50% within 62
      (SEM 10) s in controls and took longer to decline in FO-fed rats (LowFO 110 (SEM
      15) s; ModFO 117 (sem 14) s) (P<0.05). Force within bursts was better sustained
      with FO and maximum rates of force development and relaxation declined more
      slowly. The FO-fed rats incorporated higher muscle phospholipid DHA-relative
      percentages than controls (P<0.001). Incorporation of DHA was greater in the fast
      twitch gastrocnemius (Control 9.3 (SEM 0.8) %, LowFO 19.9 (SEM 0.4), ModFO 24.3
      (SEM 1.0)) than in the slow-twitch soleus muscle (Control 5.1 (SEM 0.2), LowFO
      14.3 (SEM 0.7), ModFO 18.0 (SEM 1.4)) (P<0.001), which was comparable with the
      myocardium, in line with muscle fibre characteristics. The LowFO and ModFO diets,
      emulating human dietary and therapeutic supplement intake, respectively, both
      elicited muscle membrane DHA enrichment and fatigue resistance, providing a
      foundation for translating these physiological effects to humans.

PMID- 26266775
TI  - Monitoring heart rate variability to assess experimentally induced pain using the
      analgesia nociception index: A randomised volunteer study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pain assessment using a numerical rating scale (NRS) is considered
      good clinical practice, but objective assessment in noncommunicating patients is
      still a challenge. A potential solution is to monitor changes in heart rate
      variability transformed into the analgesia nociception index (ANI), that offers a
      noninvasive means of pain quantification. OBJECTIVES: The aim was to measure
      magnitudes, descending slopes and time courses of ANI following expected and
      unexpected painful, nonpainful and sham experimental stimuli and compare these
      with pain intensity as assessed by NRS in conscious human volunteers. We expected
      a negative correlation between ANI and NRS after painful stimuli. DESIGN:
      Randomised stimuli and placebo-controlled, single-blinded study. SETTING:
      Experimental pain simulation laboratory, Bochum, Germany. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty
      healthy male students, (mean +/- standard deviation; 24.2 +/- 1.9 years)
      recruited via local advertising, were consecutively included. INTERVENTION: ANI
      values were continuously recorded. After resting, four stimuli were applied in a
      random order on the right forearm (unexpected and expected electrical pain,
      expected nonpainful and sham stimuli). Blinded volunteers were asked to rate all
      four stimuli on NRS. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ANI means (0-100), amplitudes,
      maxima, minima and slopes with NRS pain intensity scores (0-10). RESULTS: Resting
      alert volunteers showed ANI values of 82.05 +/- 10.71. ANI decreased after a
      random stimulus (maximal decrease of 25.0 +/- 7.3%), but different kinds of
      stimuli evoked similar results. NRS scores (median; interquartiles) were
      significantly (P = 0.008) higher after expected (5.25; 3.5-6.75) compared with
      unexpected (4.50; 3.0-5.0) pain stimuli. No correlation was found between ANI and
      NRS. CONCLUSION: ANI did not allow a differentiation of painful, nonpainful or
      sham stimuli in alert volunteers. Therefore, ANI does not exclusively detect
      nociception, but may be modified by stress and emotion. Thus, we conclude that
      ANI is not a specific, robust measure for assessment of pain intensity.

PMID- 26266776
TI  - Podocyte and endothelial injury in focal segmental glomerulosclerosis: an
      ultrastructural analysis.
AB  - Podocyte injury contributes to the development of focal segmental
      glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). Endocapillary hypercellularity, which is one of the
      pathological characteristics of FSGS, suggests that glomerular endothelial injury
      may also be involved in the pathogenesis of FSGS. In electron micrographs of
      patients with FSGS (n = 43), we conducted morphometric measurements of foot
      process width (FPW) and podocyte detachment (PD) as markers of podocyte injury
      and subendothelial widening (SW) of the glomerular basement membrane as a marker
      of endothelial injury and compared them to those in patients with minimal change
      nephrotic syndrome (MCNS; n = 11) and control kidney donors (n = 5). Associations
      between ultrastructural and clinical parameters were analyzed according to the
      FSGS variants defined by the Columbia classification. FPW was significantly
      higher in the FSGS group than that in the MCNS and control groups, particularly
      in the collapsing, tip, and cellular variants of FSGS. Percentage of glomerular
      basement membrane (GBM) length showing PD and SW was significantly increased in
      the FSGS group, especially in the collapsing, cellular, and not otherwise
      specified variants. In FSGS, FPW was inversely correlated with disease duration,
      but not with proteinuria. Finally, the percentage of GBM length with SW
      significantly correlated with clinical parameters indicative of poor prognosis,
      such as lower remission rate and lower estimated glomerular filtration rate at
      the final observation. Quantitative measurement of podocyte and endothelial
      injury by electron microscopy might be useful for evaluating histological
      activity and predicting prognosis in FSGS.

PMID- 26266777
TI  - Primary thymic cholesteroloma: a clinicopathological correlation of four cases of
      an unusual benign lesion.
AB  - Four cases of an unusual thymic lesion characterized by the presence of extensive
      cholesterol cleft granulomata are presented. The patients were four men between
      the ages of 58 and 71 years (average 64.5 years). The anterior mediastinal masses
      were discovered during radiological evaluation, in one patient for cardiac
      disease and one for Barrett's esophagus. Another patient was symptomatic with
      cough and dyspnea while the fourth was asymptomatic and the lesion was discovered
      during routine chest imaging. Complete surgical resection was performed in all
      four patients. The resected lesions were described as tumor-like masses measuring
      between 2 and 6 cm in greatest diameter. Histologically, all cases showed
      identical features, mainly the presence of cholesterol cleft granulomata in an
      alveolar-like growth pattern. Foreign body-type giant cells and an inflammatory
      reaction were identified in all cases as well as the presence of remnants of
      thymic tissue. Clinical follow-up in these patients showed that all are alive and
      well without evidence of recurrence. The current cases highlight an unusual
      tumoral thymic lesion that can be clinically confused for an aggressive tumor and
      that will require complete surgical resection for definitive diagnosis.

PMID- 26266778
TI  - [Progress in genetic research of human height].
AB  - It is well known that both environmental and genetic factors contribute to adult
      height variation in general population. However, heritability studies have shown
      that the variation in height is more affected by genetic factors. Height is a
      typical polygenic trait which has been studied by traditional linkage analysis
      and association analysis to identify common DNA sequence variation associated
      with height, but progress has been slow. More recently, with the development of
      genotyping and DNA sequencing technologies, tremendous achievements have been
      made in genetic research of human height. Hundreds of single nucleotide
      polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with human height have been identified and
      validated with the application of genome-wide association studies (GWAS)
      methodology, which deepens our understanding of the genetics of human growth and
      development and also provides theoretic basis and reference for studying other
      complex human traits. In this review, we summarize recent progress in genetic
      research of human height and discuss problems and prospects in this research area
      which may provide some insights into future genetic studies of human height. 

PMID- 26266779
TI  - [The biological functions and regulations of competing endogenous RNA].
AB  - Recent studies demonstrate that RNA species could regulate each other by
      competing for shared microRNA response elements (MREs). This regulatory model is
      called competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA). Currently, the identified ceRNAs cover
      coding and non-coding RNAs. The latter includes pseudogene transcripts, long non
      coding RNAs (lncRNAs), circular RNAs (circRNAs) and so on. In this review, we
      summarize the biological functions of regulatory networks consisting of various
      types of ceRNAs and their roles in the pathological and physiological processes.
      Additionally, several factors that may regulate ceRNAs were discussed.

PMID- 26266780
TI  - [Recent progress in gene mapping through high-throughput sequencing technology
      and forward genetic approaches].
AB  - Traditional gene mapping using forward genetic approaches is conducted primarily
      through construction of a genetic linkage map, the process of which is tedious
      and time-consuming, and often results in low accuracy of mapping and large
      mapping intervals. With the rapid development of high-throughput sequencing
      technology and decreasing cost of sequencing, a variety of simple and quick
      methods of gene mapping through sequencing have been developed, including direct
      sequencing of the mutant genome, sequencing of selective mutant DNA pooling,
      genetic map construction through sequencing of individuals in population, as well
      as sequencing of transcriptome and partial genome. These methods can be used to
      identify mutations at the nucleotide level and has been applied in complex
      genetic background. Recent reports have shown that sequencing mapping could be
      even done without the reference of genome sequence, hybridization, and genetic
      linkage information, which made it possible to perform forward genetic study in
      many non-model species. In this review, we summarized these new technologies and
      their application in gene mapping.

PMID- 26266781
TI  - [Plastid genome engineering: novel optimization strategies and applications].
AB  - The plastid genome engineering system allows site-specific modifications via two
      homologous recombination events. It is much safer, more precise and efficient
      compared with the nuclear transformation system. This technology can be applied
      to the basic research to expand plastid genome function analysis, and it also
      provides an excellent platform for not only high-level production of recombinant
      proteins but also plant breeding. In this review, we summarize the state of the
      art and progresses in this field. We focus on novel breeding strategies in
      transformation system improvement and new tools to enhance plastid transgene
      expression levels. In addition, we highlight selected applications in resistance
      engineering and quality improvement via metabolic engineering. We believe that by
      overcoming current technological limitations in the plastid transformation system
      can another green revolution for crop breeding beckon.

PMID- 26266782
TI  - [The roles of epigenetics and protein post-translational modifications in
      bacterial antibiotic resistance].
AB  - The increasing antibiotic resistance is now threatening to take us back to a pre
      antibiotic era. Bacteria have evolved diverse resistance mechanisms, on which in
      depth research could help the development of new strategies to control antibiotic
      resistant infections. Epigenetic alterations and protein post-translational
      modifications (PTMs) play important roles in multiple cellular processes such as
      metabolism, signal transduction, protein degradation, DNA replication regulation
      and stress response. Recent studies demonstrated that epigenetics and PTMs also
      play vital roles in bacterial antibiotic resistance. In this review, we summarize
      the regulatory roles of epigenetic factors including DNA methylation and
      regulatory RNAs as well as PTMs such as phosphorylation and succinylation in
      bacterial antibiotic resistance, which may provide innovative perspectives on
      selecting antibacterial targets and developing antibiotics.

PMID- 26266783
TI  - [Functional analysis of autism-associated NRXN1beta gene promoter].
AB  - Neurexins are neuron-specific synaptic proteins, and abnormal structure of
      Neurexin1beta is closely associated with autism. To characterize the minimal
      promoter of autism-associated NRXN1beta gene and identify functional elements
      regulating its transcription, luciferase reporter plasmids containing different
      regulatory regions upstream of NRXN1beta gene were constructed. After
      transfecting HEK293 cells with these plasmids, the minimal promoter region of
      NRXN1beta gene was determined by detecting the transcriptional activity of
      luciferase reporter genes while the corresponding functional elements that
      significantly enhance or inhibit the activity of reporter genes were further
      screened out. To identify cis-acting elements, continuous nucleotide mutation
      within the functional regions and adjacent DNA sequences were generated using
      site-directed mutagenesis techniques and then transcriptional regulatory elements
      in corresponding regions were analyzed using transcription factor binding
      prediction tool. Our results showed for the first time that the minimal promoter
      region of human NRXN1beta gene is located between positions -88 and +156 (
      88/+156); two regions -88/-73 and +156/+149 enhance while the region +229/+419
      inhibits promoter activity. The region -84/-63 significantly enhances promoter
      activity as cis-acting elements, suggesting the presence of DBP and ABF1
      transcription factor binding sites in this region.

PMID- 26266784
TI  - [A genome-wide association study on body weight traits of Jinghai yellow
      chicken].
AB  - Body weight traits are important economic characters of broilers. This study was
      carried out to screen for molecular markers and candidate genes that can be used
      to improve the body weight traits. A herd of 400 female Jinghai yellow chickens
      were measured for body weights from 0 to 14 weeks of age. Genome-wide association
      study (GWAS) was carried out using specific-locus amplified fragment sequencing
      (SLAF-seq) technology to detect SNPs associated with body weight traits of
      Jinghai yellow chicken. Finally, 100 SNPs that associated with body weight traits
      were detected. The results showed that effects of 15 SNPs reached 5% Bonferroni
      genome-wide significance and 85 SNPs reached potential genome-wide significance.
      Genes in the candidate regions with 1 Mb windows (SNP position+/-0.5 Mb)
      surrounding each significant SNP were screened. Finally, nine candidate genes
      were obtained, among which four genes of FAM124A (Family with sequence similarity
      124A), QDPR (Quinoid dihydropteridine reductase), WDR1 (WD repeat domain 1) and
      SLC2A9 (Solute carrier family 2 (facilitated glucose transporter), member 9)
      might be important candidate genes influencing body weight traits of Jinghai
      yellow chicken. Furthermore, it was also found that most SNPs associated with mid
      and late growth and body weights were intensively located in the region of 75.6
      80.7 Mb on chromosome 4. Our study thus provides a basis for genetic
      understanding of the Jinghai yellow chicken body weight traits.

PMID- 26266785
TI  - [Effects of transgenic cotton expressing chitinase and glucanase genes on the
      diversity of soil bacterial community].
AB  - The transgenic cotton expressing chitinase and glucanase genes was studied using
      nontransgenic cotton as a control. Specifically, the effects of exogenous genes
      on bacterial community diversity in rhizospheres of cotton at stages of seedling,
      budding, boll forming and boll opening were evaluated through comparing the
      number of cultivable bacteria and analyzing 16S rRNA gene clone libraries. The
      results showed that the number of cultivable bacteria was not affected by
      exogenous genes but the cotton growth period, and the number peaked at the stage
      of boll forming with vigorous metabolism. The 16S rRNA gene clone library
      prepared from soil bacteria in rhizospheres of transgenic and nontransgenic
      cotton at different stages contained 2400 clones which covered 283 genera. Among
      them, Acidobacterium was the most dominant group which contained 642 clones,
      followed by unclassified bacterium and Flavisolibacter. Compared with
      nontransgenic cotton, the rhizosphere bacterial diversity of transgenic cotton
      exhibited lower level at the same growth stage, however, their common bacterial
      communities increased with growth and development. Our results suggest that
      chitinase and glucanase genes decrease the rhizosphere bacterial diversity at
      distinct degrees, however, the difference of bacterial diversity between
      transgenic and nontransgenic cotton reduces gradually with the extension of
      cultivation period.

PMID- 26266786
TI  - [Transcriptome analysis of Dunaliella viridis].
AB  - In order to understand the gene information, function, haloduric pathway
      (glycerolipid metabolism) and related key genes for Dunaliella viridis, we used
      Illumina HiSeqTM 2000 high-throughput sequencing technology to sequence its
      transcriptome. Trinity soft was used to assemble the data to form transcripts.
      Based on the Clusters of Orthologous Groups (COG), Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto
      Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG ) databases, we carried out functional
      annotation and classification, pathway annotation, and the opening reading
      fragment (ORF) sequence prediction of transcripts. The key genes in the
      glycerolipid metabolism were analyzed. The results suggested that 81,593
      transcripts were found, and 77,117 ORF sequences were predicted, accounting for
      94.50% of all transcripts. COG classification results showed that 16,569
      transcripts were assigned to 24 categories. GO classification annotated 76,436
      transcripts. The number of transcripts for biologcial processes was 30,678,
      accounting for 40.14% of all transcripts. KEGG pathway analysis showed that
      26,428 transcripts were annotated to 317 pathways, and 131 pathways were related
      to metabolism, accounting for 41.32% of all annotated pathways. Only one
      transcript was annotated as coding the key enzyme dihydroxyacetone kinase
      involved in the glycerolipid pathway. This enzyme could be related to glycerol
      biosynthesis under salt stress. This study further improved the gene information
      and laid the foundation of metabolic pathway research for Dunaliella viridis.

PMID- 26266787
TI  - [The study of tomato fruit weight quantitative trait locus and its application in
      genetics teaching].
AB  - The classical research cases, which have greatly promoted the development of
      genetics in history, can be combined with the content of courses in genetics
      teaching to train students' ability of scientific thinking and genetic analysis.
      The localization and clone of gene controlling tomato fruit weight is a pioneer
      work in quantitative trait locus (QTL) studies and represents a complete process
      of QTL research in plants. Application of this integrated case in genetics
      teaching, which showed a wonderful process of scientific discovery and the
      fascination of genetic research, has inspired students' interest in genetics and
      achieved a good teaching effect.

PMID- 26266788
TI  - In response to A new theory on the pathogenesis of acquired cholesteatoma:
      Mucosal traction.

PMID- 26266789
TI  - A new dawn for critical care research.

PMID- 26266790
TI  - Adrenomedullin binding improves catecholamine responsiveness and kidney function
      in resuscitated murine septic shock.
AB  - PURPOSE: Adrenomedullin (ADM) has been referred to as a double-edged sword during
      septic shock: On one hand, ADM supplementation improved organ perfusion and
      function, attenuated systemic inflammation, and ultimately reduced tissue
      apoptosis and mortality. On the other hand, ADM overproduction can cause
      circulatory collapse and organ failure due to impaired vasoconstrictor response
      and reduced myocardial contractility. Since most of these data originate from un
      resuscitated shock models, we tested the hypothesis whether the newly developed
      anti-ADM antibody HAM1101 may improve catecholamine responsiveness and thus
      attenuate organ dysfunction during resuscitated murine, cecal ligation and
      puncture (CLP)-induced septic shock. METHODS: Immediately after CLP, mice
      randomly received vehicle (phosphate-buffered saline, n = 11) or HAM1101 (n = 9;
      2 MUg.g(-1)). Fifteen hours after CLP, animals were anesthetized, mechanically
      ventilated, instrumented, and resuscitated with hydroxyethylstarch and continuous
      i.v. norepinephrine to achieve normotensive hemodynamics (mean arterial pressure
      > 50 to 60 mmHg). RESULTS: HAM1101 pretreatment reduced the norepinephrine
      infusion rates required to achieve hemodynamic targets, increased urine flow,
      improved creatinine clearance, and lowered neutrophil gelatinase-associated
      lipocalin blood levels, which coincided with reduced expression of the inducible
      nitric oxide synthase and formation of peroxynitrite (nitrotyrosine
      immunostaining) in the kidney and aorta, ultimately resulting in attenuated
      systemic inflammation and tissue apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: During resuscitated
      murine septic shock, early ADM binding with HAM1101 improved catecholamine
      responsiveness, blunted the shock-related impairment of energy metabolism,
      reduced nitrosative stress, and attenuated systemic inflammatory response, which
      was ultimately associated with reduced kidney dysfunction and organ injury.

PMID- 26266791
TI  - Epitope specificity of anti-Adrenomedullin antibodies determines efficacy of
      mortality reduction in a cecal ligation and puncture mouse model.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Adrenomedullin (ADM), a circulating vasodilatory peptide, plays an
      important role in the development of sepsis-associated hemodynamic and
      microcirculatory disorders. While administration of exogenous ADM had beneficial
      effects in several septic animal models, elevated ADM concentrations are
      associated with a bad outcome. This prompted us to test the effect of various
      anti-ADM antibodies in a cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) mouse model. METHODS:
      To gain new potential compounds for the treatment or prevention of septic shock
      we followed an alternative strategy to influence the ADM system: High-affinity
      anti-ADM antibodies with different epitope specificities were developed and their
      antagonist activity in vitro and their ability to reduce mortality in a CLP mouse
      model were assessed. RESULTS: An anti-ADM antibody directed against the N
      terminus substantially increased the survival of mice in a CLP model (HR = 0.077
      (CI = 0.0189 to 0.315), p = 0.0004), whereas other antibodies with similar
      affinities but different epitope specificities were much less potent. The
      efficacious antibody, in contrast to an anti-C-terminal antibody, only partially
      inhibited ADM agonist activity in vitro. Healthy mice were not negatively
      affected by the N-terminal antibody. CONCLUSIONS: An anti-N-terminal ADM
      antibody, as opposed to antibodies with other epitope specificities, strongly
      reduces mortality in CLP mice.

PMID- 26266792
TI  - Acid-base changes after fluid bolus: sodium chloride vs. sodium octanoate.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study aims to test the hypothesis that fluid loading with sodium
      chloride (150 mmol Na and 150 mmol Cl) or sodium octanoate (150 mmol Na, 100 mmol
      Cl, and 50 mmol octanoate) would lead to different acid-base changes. DESIGN: We
      performed a double-blind crossover experimental study. SETTING: The study was
      done at a University Physiology Laboratory. SUBJECTS: Eight Merino ewes were used
      as subjects. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: We randomly assigned animals to a
      rapid intravenous infusion (1 L over 30 min) of either normal saline (NS) or
      sodium octanoate solution (OS). We collected blood samples at 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 6
      h after the start of the infusion for blood gas analyses and biochemistry. We
      calculated strong ion difference apparent (SIDa), effective strong ion
      difference, and strong ion gap (SIG). Animals in the NS group developed metabolic
      acidification immediately after fluid administration (pH 7.49 to 7.42, base
      excess 3.0 to -1.6 mEq/L), while the OS group did not (pH 7.47 to 7.51, base
      excess 1.1 to 1.4 mEq/L; P < 0.001). Additionally, the OS group had higher SIDa
      (36.2 vs. 33.2 mEq/L) and SIG (7.4 vs. 6.2 mEq/L) at the end of the infusion.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide further evidence that acidification induced by
      intravenous fluid loading is dependent on fluid composition and challenges the
      paradigm of the so-called dilutional acidosis.

PMID- 26266793
TI  - Activated protein C ameliorates impaired renal microvascular oxygenation and
      sodium reabsorption in endotoxemic rats.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: We aimed to test whether continuous recombinant human activated
      protein C (APC) administration would be able to protect renal oxygenation and
      function during endotoxemia in order to provide more insight into the role of
      coagulation and inflammation in the development of septic acute kidney injury.
      METHODS: In anesthetized, mechanically ventilated Wistar rats, endotoxemia was
      induced by lipopolysaccharide administration (10 mg/kg i.v. over 30 min). One
      hour later, the rats received fluid resuscitation with 0 (LPS + FR group; n = 8),
      10 (APC10 group; n = 8), or 100 (APC100 group; n = 8) MUg/kg/h APC for 2 h. Renal
      microvascular oxygenation in the cortex and medulla were measured using
      phosphorimetry, and renal creatinine clearance rate and sodium reabsorption were
      measured as indicators of renal function. Statistical significance of differences
      between groups was tested using two-way ANOVA with Bonferroni post hoc tests.
      RESULTS: APC did not have notable effects on systemic and renal hemodynamic and
      oxygenation variables or creatinine clearance. The changes in renal microvascular
      oxygenation in both the cortex (r = 0.66; p < 0.001) and medulla (r = 0.80; p <
      0.001) were correlated to renal sodium reabsorption. CONCLUSION: Renal sodium
      reabsorption is closely correlated to renal microvascular oxygenation during
      endotoxemia. In this study, fluid resuscitation and APC supplementation were not
      significantly effective in protecting renal microvascular oxygenation and renal
      function. The specific mechanisms responsible for these effects of APC warrant
      further study.

PMID- 26266795
TI  - A mouse is not a rat is not a man: species-specific metabolic responses to sepsis
      - a nail in the coffin of murine models for critical care research?

PMID- 26266794
TI  - The metabolic phenotype of rodent sepsis: cause for concern?
AB  - PURPOSE: Rodent models of sepsis are frequently used to investigate
      pathophysiological mechanisms and to evaluate putative therapeutic strategies.
      However, preclinical efficacy in these models has failed to translate to the
      clinical setting. We thus questioned the representativeness of such models and
      herein report a detailed comparison of the metabolic and cardiovascular
      phenotypes of long-term faecal peritonitis in fluid-resuscitated rats and mice
      with similar mortality profiles. METHODS: We conducted prospective laboratory
      controlled studies in adult male Wistar rats and C57 black mice. Animals were
      made septic by intraperitoneal injection of faecal slurry. Rats received
      continuous intravenous fluid resuscitation, whereas mice received intermittent
      fluid boluses subcutaneously. Sham-treated animals served as controls. Survival
      was assessed over 72 h. In separate studies, whole body metabolism (O2
      consumption, CO2 production) was measured over 24 h with echocardiography
      performed at early (6 h) and established (24 h) phases of sepsis. Blood gas
      analysis was performed at 6 h (rats) and 24 h (rats, mice). RESULTS: Similar
      survival curves were seen in both rodent models with approximately 75% mortality
      at 72 h. In mice, sepsis caused severity-dependent falls in core temperature and
      global metabolism. Oxygen consumption in severely septic mice fell by 38% within
      2 h, and 80% at 22 h compared with baseline values. This was only partially
      restored by external warming. By contrast, septic rats maintained core
      temperature; only severely affected animals showed a pre-mortem decline in oxygen
      consumption. Significant myocardial dysfunction was seen in mice during early and
      established sepsis, whereas peak velocity and other hemodynamic variables in rats
      were similar at 6 h and significantly worse by 24 h in severely septic animals
      only. CONCLUSIONS: Markedly differing metabolic and cardiovascular profiles were
      seen in long-term fluid-resuscitated rat and mouse models of bacterial sepsis
      despite similar mortality. The mouse model, in particular, does not represent the
      human condition. We urge caution in applying findings in murine models to septic
      patients, both with regard to our understanding of pathophysiology and the
      failure to translate preclinical efficacy into successful clinical trials.

PMID- 26266796
TI  - IL-1beta processing in mechanical ventilation-induced inflammation is dependent
      on neutrophil factors rather than caspase-1.
AB  - PURPOSE: Mechanical ventilation can cause ventilator-induced lung injury,
      characterized by a sterile inflammatory response in the lungs resulting in tissue
      damage and respiratory failure. The cytokine interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) is
      thought to play an important role in the pathogenesis of ventilator-induced lung
      injury. Cleavage of the inactive precursor pro-IL-1beta to form bioactive IL
      1beta is mediated by several types of proteases, of which caspase-1, activated
      within the inflammasome, is the most important. Herein, we studied the roles of
      IL-1beta, caspase-1 and neutrophil factors in the mechanical ventilation-induced
      inflammatory response in mice. METHODS: Untreated wild-type mice, IL-1alphabeta
      knockout and caspase-1 knockout mice, pralnacasan (a selective caspase-1
      inhibitor)-treated mice, anti-keratinocyte-derived chemokine (KC)-treated mice
      and cyclophosphamide-treated neutrophil-depleted wild-type mice were ventilated
      using clinically relevant ventilator settings (tidal volume 8 ml/kg). The lungs
      and plasma were collected to determine blood gas values, cytokine profiles and
      neutrophil influx. RESULTS: Mechanical ventilation resulted in increased
      pulmonary concentrations of IL-1beta and KC and increased pulmonary neutrophil
      influx compared with non-ventilated mice. Ventilated IL-1alphabeta knockout mice
      did not demonstrate this increase in cytokines. No significant differences were
      observed between wild-type and caspase-1-deficient or pralnacasan-treated mice.
      In contrast, in anti-KC antibody-treated mice and neutropenic mice, inflammatory
      parameters decreased in comparison with ventilated non-treated mice. CONCLUSIONS:
      Our results illustrate that IL-1 is indeed an important cytokine in the
      inflammatory cascade induced by mechanical ventilation. However, the
      inflammasome/caspase-1 appears not to be involved in IL-1beta processing in this
      type of inflammatory response. The attenuated inflammatory response observed in
      ventilated anti-KC-treated and neutropenic mice suggests that IL-1beta processing
      in mechanical ventilation-induced inflammation is mainly mediated by neutrophil
      factors.

PMID- 26266797
TI  - Effects of the PPAR-beta/delta agonist GW0742 during resuscitated porcine septic
      shock.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In un-resuscitated rodent models of septic shock, the peroxisome
      proliferator-activated receptor-beta/delta (PPAR-beta/delta) agonist GW0742
      improved visceral organ function. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis whether
      GW0742 would attenuate kidney injury during long-term, resuscitated, porcine
      polymicrobial septic shock. METHODS: Six, 12, and 18 h after the induction of
      fecal peritonitis by inoculation of autologous feces, anesthetized, mechanically
      ventilated, and instrumented male pigs with pre-existing atherosclerosis
      resulting from familial hypercholesteremia and atherogenic diet randomly received
      either vehicle (dimethyl sulfoxide, n = 12) or GW0742 (n = 10). Resuscitation
      comprised hydroxyethyl starch and norepinephrine infusion titrated to maintain
      mean arterial pressure at baseline values. RESULTS: Despite aggressive fluid
      resuscitation, fecal peritonitis was associated with arterial hypotension
      requiring norepinephrine infusion, ultimately resulting in progressive lactic
      acidosis and acute kidney injury. GW0742 did not beneficially affect any
      parameter of systemic and regional hemodynamics, gas exchange, metabolism, or
      organ function. The parameters of inflammation, oxidative and nitrosative stress,
      and organ injury (post-mortem analysis for histomorphology and markers of
      apoptosis) were not influenced either. Immunohistochemistry of pre-shock kidney
      biopsies from a previous study in this swine strain showed markedly lower PPAR
      beta/delta receptor expression than in healthy animals. CONCLUSIONS: In swine
      with pre-existing atherosclerosis, the PPAR-beta/delta agonist GW0742 failed to
      attenuate septic shock-induced circulatory failure and kidney dysfunction, most
      likely due to reduced receptor expression coinciding with cardiovascular and
      metabolic co-morbidity.

PMID- 26266798
TI  - Malignant perivascular epithelioid cell tumour with rhabdomyosarcomatous
      differentiation of the pelvic cavity.

PMID- 26266799
TI  - HbA1c alone is a poor indicator of cardiometabolic risk in middle-aged subjects
      with pre-diabetes but is suitable for type 2 diabetes diagnosis: a cross
      sectional study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Glycated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) measurement is recommended as an
      alternative to fasting plasma glucose (FPG) for the diagnosis of pre-diabetes and
      type 2 diabetes. However, evidence suggests discordance between HbA1c and FPG. In
      this study we examine a range of metabolic risk features, pro-inflammatory
      cytokines, acute-phase response proteins, coagulation factors and white blood
      cell counts to determine which assay more accurately identifies individuals at
      increased cardiometabolic risk. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional
      study involving a random sample of 2,047 men and women aged 46-73 years. Binary
      and multinomial logistic regression were employed to examine risk feature
      associations with pre-diabetes [either HbA1c levels 5.7-6.4% (39-46 mmol/mol) or
      impaired FPG levels 5.6-6.9 mmol/l] and type 2 diabetes [either HbA1c levels
      >6.5% (>48 mmol/mol) or FPG levels >7.0 mmol/l]. Receiver operating
      characteristic curve analysis was used to evaluate the ability of HbA1c to
      discriminate pre-diabetes and diabetes defined by FPG. RESULTS: Stronger
      associations with diabetes-related phenotypes were observed in pre-diabetic
      subjects diagnosed by FPG compared to those detected by HbA1c. Individuals with
      type 2 diabetes exhibited cardiometabolic profiles that were broadly similar
      according to diagnosis by either assay. Pre-diabetic participants classified by
      both assays displayed a more pro-inflammatory, pro-atherogenic, hypertensive and
      insulin resistant profile. Odds ratios of having three or more metabolic syndrome
      features were also noticeably increased (OR: 4.0, 95% CI: 2.8-5.8) when compared
      to subjects diagnosed by either HbA1c (OR: 1.4, 95% CI: 1.2-1.8) or FPG (OR: 3.0,
      95% CI: 1.7-5.1) separately. CONCLUSIONS: In middle-aged Caucasian-Europeans,
      HbA1c alone is a poor indicator of cardiometabolic risk but is suitable for
      diagnosing diabetes. Combined use of HbA1c and FPG may be of additional benefit
      for detecting individuals at highest odds of type 2 diabetes development.

PMID- 26266800
TI  - 7, 8-Dihydroxyflavone Protects an Endothelial Cell Line from H2O2 Damage.
AB  - 7, 8-dihydroxyflavone (7, 8-DHF), a selective agonist for TrkB receptors, has
      been well studied for its neurotrophic functions. However, its roles outside the
      neural tissues have scarcely been studied as yet. In this study, we investigated
      the protecting roles of 7, 8-DHF in EA.hy926 cells, a human umbilic vein
      endothelial cell line which was exposed to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). We found
      that 7, 8-DHF significantly protected the cells from being damaged by H2O2
      through suppression of apoptosis, attenuation of inflammatory factor releasing
      and inhibition of reactive oxygen species generation. The potent biological
      effects of 7, 8-DHF were probably executed via its binding to TrkB receptors
      because the receptor specific antagonist ANA-12 significantly blocked its
      protecting effects. The protecting roles of 7, 8-DHF in EA.hy926 cells suggest
      that it will be a promising compound to be developed into a health product that
      definitely benefits endothelial functions and prevents cardiovascular diseases.

PMID- 26266801
TI  - A comparison of the biological effects of 125I seeds continuous low-dose-rate
      radiation and 60Co high-dose-rate gamma radiation on non-small cell lung cancer
      cells.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To compare the biological effects of 125I seeds continuous low-dose
      rate (CLDR) radiation and 60Co gamma-ray high-dose-rate (HDR) radiation on non
      small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A549, H1299 and BEAS
      2B cells were exposed to 125I seeds CLDR radiation or 60Co gamma-ray HDR
      radiation. The survival fraction was determined using a colony-forming assay. The
      cell cycle progression and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry (FCM). The
      expression of the apoptosis-related proteins caspase-3, cleaved-caspase-3, PARP,
      cleaved-PARP, BAX and Bcl-2 were detected by western blot assay. RESULTS: After
      irradiation with 125I seeds CLDR radiation, there was a lower survival fraction,
      more pronounced cell cycle arrest (G1 arrest and G2/M arrest in A549 and H1299
      cells, respectively) and a higher apoptotic ratio for A549 and H1299 cells than
      after 60Co gamma-ray HDR radiation. Moreover, western blot assays revealed that
      125I seeds CLDR radiation remarkably up-regulated the expression of Bax, cleaved
      caspase-3 and cleaved-PARP proteins and down-regulated the expression of Bcl-2
      proteins in A549 and H1299 cells compared with 60Co gamma-ray HDR radiation.
      However, there was little change in the apoptotic ratio and expression of
      apoptosis-related proteins in normal BEAS-2B cells receiving the same treatment.
      CONCLUSIONS: 125I seeds CLDR radiation led to remarkable growth inhibition of
      A549 and H1299 cells compared with 60Co HDR gamma-ray radiation; A549 cells were
      the most sensitive to radiation, followed by H1299 cells. In contrast, normal
      BEAS-2B cells were relatively radio-resistant. The imbalance of the Bcl-2/Bax
      ratio and the activation of caspase-3 and PARP proteins might play a key role in
      the anti-proliferative effects induced by 125I seeds CLDR radiation, although
      other possibilities have not been excluded and will be investigated in future
      studies.

PMID- 26266802
TI  - Reliability and Validity Study of Clinical Ultrasound Imaging on Lateral
      Curvature of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Non-ionizing radiation imaging assessment has been advocated for the
      patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). As one of the radiation-free
      methods, ultrasound imaging has gained growing attention in scoliosis assessment
      over the past decade. The center of laminae (COL) method has been proposed to
      measure the spinal curvature in the coronal plane of ultrasound image. However,
      the reliability and validity of this ultrasound method have not been validated in
      the clinical setting. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the reliability and validity of
      clinical ultrasound imaging on lateral curvature measurements of AIS with their
      corresponding magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements. METHODS: Thirty
      curves (ranged 10.2 degrees -68.2 degrees ) from sixteen patients with AIS were
      eligible for this study. The ultrasound scan was performed using a 3-D ultrasound
      unit within the same morning of MRI examination. Two researchers were involved in
      data collection of these two examinations. The COL method was used to measure the
      coronal curvature in ultrasound image, compared with the Cobb method in MRI. The
      intra- and inter-rater reliability of the COL method was evaluated by intra-class
      correlation coefficient (ICC). The validity of this method was analyzed by paired
      Student's t-test, Bland-Altman statistics and Pearson correlation coefficient.
      The level of significance was set as 0.05. RESULTS: The COL method showed high
      intra- and inter-rater reliabilities (both with ICC (2, K) >0.9, p<0.05) to
      measure the coronal curvature. Compared with Cobb method, COL method showed no
      significant difference (p<0.05) when measuring coronal curvature. Furthermore,
      Bland-Altman method demonstrated an agreement between these two methods, and
      Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) was high (r>0.9, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The
      ultrasound imaging could provide a reliable and valid measurement of spinal
      curvature in the coronal plane using the COL method. Further research is needed
      to validate the proposed ultrasound measurement in larger clinical trial and to
      optimize the ultrasound scanning and measuring procedure.

PMID- 26266803
TI  - Regeneration patterns of European oak species (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.,
      Quercus robur L.) in dependence of environment and neighborhood.
AB  - Quercus robur L. (pedunculate oak) and Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl. (sessile
      oak) are two European oak species of great economic and ecological importance.
      Even though both oaks have wide ecological amplitudes of suitable growing
      conditions, forests dominated by oaks often fail to regenerate naturally. The
      regeneration performance of both oak species is assumed to be subject to a
      variety of variables that interact with one another in complex ways. The novel
      approach of this research was to study the effect of many ecological variables on
      the regeneration performance of both oak species together and identify key
      variables and interactions for different development stages of the oak
      regeneration on a large scale in the field. For this purpose, overstory and
      regeneration inventories were conducted in oak dominated forests throughout
      southern Germany and paired with data on browsing, soil, and light availability.
      The study was able to verify the assumption that the occurrence of oak
      regeneration depends on a set of variables and their interactions. Specifically,
      combinations of site and stand specific variables such as light availability,
      soil pH and iron content on the one hand, and basal area and species composition
      of the overstory on the other hand. Also browsing pressure was related to oak
      abundance. The results also show that the importance of variables and their
      combinations differs among the development stages of the regeneration. Light
      availability becomes more important during later development stages, whereas the
      number of oaks in the overstory is important during early development stages. We
      conclude that successful natural oak regeneration is more likely to be achieved
      on sites with lower fertility and requires constantly controlling overstory
      density. Initially sufficient mature oaks in the overstory should be ensured. In
      later stages, overstory density should be reduced continuously to meet the
      increasing light demand of oak seedlings and saplings. 

PMID- 26266804
TI  - Extinction events can accelerate evolution.
AB  - Extinction events impact the trajectory of biological evolution significantly.
      They are often viewed as upheavals to the evolutionary process. In contrast, this
      paper supports the hypothesis that although they are unpredictably destructive,
      extinction events may in the long term accelerate evolution by increasing
      evolvability. In particular, if extinction events extinguish indiscriminately
      many ways of life, indirectly they may select for the ability to expand rapidly
      through vacated niches. Lineages with such an ability are more likely to persist
      through multiple extinctions. Lending computational support for this hypothesis,
      this paper shows how increased evolvability will result from simulated extinction
      events in two computational models of evolved behavior. The conclusion is that
      although they are destructive in the short term, extinction events may make
      evolution more prolific in the long term. 

PMID- 26266805
TI  - Does Interdisciplinary Research Lead to Higher Citation Impact? The Different
      Effect of Proximal and Distal Interdisciplinarity.
AB  - This article analyses the effect of degree of interdisciplinarity on the citation
      impact of individual publications for four different scientific fields. We
      operationalise interdisciplinarity as disciplinary diversity in the references of
      a publication, and rather than treating interdisciplinarity as a monodimensional
      property, we investigate the separate effect of different aspects of diversity on
      citation impact: i.e. variety, balance and disparity. We use a Tobit regression
      model to examine the effect of these properties of interdisciplinarity on
      citation impact, controlling for a range of variables associated with the
      characteristics of publications. We find that variety has a positive effect on
      impact, whereas balance and disparity have a negative effect. Our results further
      qualify the separate effect of these three aspects of diversity by pointing out
      that all three dimensions of interdisciplinarity display a curvilinear (inverted
      U-shape) relationship with citation impact. These findings can be interpreted in
      two different ways. On the one hand, they are consistent with the view that,
      while combining multiple fields has a positive effect in knowledge creation,
      successful research is better achieved through research efforts that draw on a
      relatively proximal range of fields, as distal interdisciplinary research might
      be too risky and more likely to fail. On the other hand, these results may be
      interpreted as suggesting that scientific audiences are reluctant to cite
      heterodox papers that mix highly disparate bodies of knowledge--thus giving less
      credit to publications that are too groundbreaking or challenging.

PMID- 26266806
TI  - Uncovering the differential molecular basis of adaptive diversity in three
      Echinochloa leaf transcriptomes.
AB  - Echinochloa is a major weed that grows almost everywhere in farmed land. This
      high prevalence results from its high adaptability to various water conditions,
      including upland and paddy fields, and its ability to grow in a wide range of
      climates, ranging from tropical to temperate regions. Three Echinochloa crus
      galli accessions (EC-SNU1, EC-SNU2, and EC-SNU3) collected in Korea have shown
      diversity in their responses to flooding, with EC-SNU1 exhibiting the greatest
      growth among three accessions. In the search for molecular components underlying
      adaptive diversity among the three Echinochloa crus-galli accessions, we
      performed de novo assembly of leaf transcriptomes and investigated the pattern of
      differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Although the overall composition of the
      three leaf transcriptomes was well-conserved, the gene expression patterns of
      particular gene ontology (GO) categories were notably different among the three
      accessions. Under non-submergence growing conditions, five protein categories
      (serine/threonine kinase, leucine-rich repeat kinase, signaling-related,
      glycoprotein, and glycosidase) were significantly (FDR, q < 0.05) enriched in up
      regulated DEGs from EC-SNU1. These up-regulated DEGs include major components of
      signal transduction pathways, such as receptor-like kinase (RLK) and calcium
      dependent protein kinase (CDPK) genes, as well as previously known abiotic stress
      responsive genes. Our results therefore suggest that diversified gene expression
      regulation of upstream signaling components conferred the molecular basis of
      adaptive diversity in Echinochloa crus-galli. 

PMID- 26266807
TI  - Analytical Bias in the Measurement of Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentrations
      Impairs Assessment of Vitamin D Status in Clinical and Research Settings.
AB  - Measured serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations vary depending on the type of
      assay used and the specific laboratory undertaking the analysis, impairing the
      accurate assessment of vitamin D status. We investigated differences in serum 25
      hydroxyvitamin D concentrations measured at three laboratories (laboratories A
      and B using an assay based on liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and
      laboratory C using a DiaSorin Liaison assay), against a laboratory using an assay
      based on liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry that is certified to the
      standard reference method developed by the National Institute of Standards and
      Technology and Ghent University (referred to as the 'certified laboratory').
      Separate aliquots from the same original serum sample for a subset of 50
      participants from the Ausimmune Study were analysed at the four laboratories.
      Bland-Altman plots were used to visually check agreement between each laboratory
      against the certified laboratory. Compared with the certified laboratory, serum
      25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations were on average 12.4 nmol/L higher at
      laboratory A (95% limits of agreement: -17.8,42.6); 12.8 nmol/L higher at
      laboratory B (95% limits of agreement: 0.8,24.8); and 10.6 nmol/L lower at
      laboratory C (95% limits of agreement: -48.4,27.1). The prevalence of vitamin D
      deficiency (defined here as 25-hydroxyvitamin D <50 nmol/L) was 24%, 16%, 12% and
      41% at the certified laboratory, and laboratories A, B, and C, respectively. Our
      results demonstrate considerable differences in the measurement of 25
      hydroxyvitamin D concentrations compared with a certified laboratory, even
      between laboratories using assays based on liquid chromatography-tandem mass
      spectrometry, which is often considered the gold-standard assay. To ensure
      accurate and reliable measurement of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations,
      all laboratories should use an accuracy-based quality assurance system and,
      ideally, comply with international standardisation efforts. 

PMID- 26266808
TI  - A Study of the Vaginal Microbiome in Healthy Canadian Women Utilizing cpn60-Based
      Molecular Profiling Reveals Distinct Gardnerella Subgroup Community State Types.
AB  - The vaginal microbiota is important in women's reproductive and overall health.
      However, the relationships between the structure, function and dynamics of this
      complex microbial community and health outcomes remain elusive. The objective of
      this study was to determine the phylogenetic range and abundance of prokaryotes
      in the vaginal microbiota of healthy, non-pregnant, ethnically diverse,
      reproductive-aged Canadian women. Socio-demographic, behavioural and clinical
      data were collected and vaginal swabs were analyzed from 310 women. Detailed
      profiles of their vaginal microbiomes were generated by pyrosequencing of the
      chaperonin-60 universal target. Six community state types (CST) were delineated
      by hierarchical clustering, including three Lactobacillus-dominated CST (L.
      crispatus, L. iners, L. jensenii), two Gardnerella-dominated (subgroups A and C)
      and an "intermediate" CST which included a small number of women with microbiomes
      dominated by seven other species or with no dominant species but minority
      populations of Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Peptoniphilus, E. coli and various
      Proteobacteria in co-dominant communities. The striking correspondence between
      Nugent score and deep sequencing CST continues to reinforce the basic premise
      provided by the simpler Gram stain method, while additional analyses reveal
      detailed cpn60-based phylogeny and estimated abundance in microbial communities
      from vaginal samples. Ethnicity was the only demographic or clinical
      characteristic predicting CST, with differences in Asian and White women (p =
      0.05). In conclusion, this study confirms previous work describing four cpn60
      based subgroups of Gardnerella, revealing previously undescribed CST. The data
      describe the range of bacterial communities seen in Canadian women presenting
      with no specific vaginal health concerns, and provides an important baseline for
      future investigations of clinically important cohorts.

PMID- 26266809
TI  - Distinct Time Course of the Decrease in Hepatic AMP-Activated Protein Kinase and
      Akt Phosphorylation in Mice Fed a High Fat Diet.
AB  - AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) plays an important role in insulin
      resistance, which is characterized by the impairment of the insulin-Akt signaling
      pathway. However, the time course of the decrease in AMPK and Akt phosphorylation
      in the liver during the development of obesity and insulin resistance caused by
      feeding a high fat diet (HFD) remains controversial. Moreover, it is unclear
      whether the impairment of AMPK and Akt signaling pathways is reversible when
      changing from a HFD to a standard diet (SD). Male ddY mice were fed the SD or HFD
      for 3 to 28 days, or fed the HFD for 14 days, followed by the SD for 14 days. We
      examined the time course of the expression and phosphorylation levels of AMPK and
      Akt in the liver by immunoblotting. After 3 days of feeding on the HFD, mice
      gained body weight, resulting in an increased oil red O staining, indicative of
      hepatic lipid accumulation, and significantly decreased AMPK phosphorylation, in
      comparison with mice fed the SD. After 14 days on the HFD, systemic insulin
      resistance occurred and Akt phosphorylation significantly decreased.
      Subsequently, a change from the HFD to SD for 3 days, after 14 days on the HFD,
      ameliorated the impairment of AMPK and Akt phosphorylation and systemic insulin
      resistance. Our findings indicate that AMPK phosphorylation decreases early upon
      feeding a HFD and emphasizes the importance of prompt lifestyle modification for
      decreasing the risk of developing diabetes.

PMID- 26266811
TI  - Severe Rhabdomyolysis Associated with Staphylococcus aureus Acute Endocarditis
      Requiring Surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Rhabdomyolysis has multiple etiologies with unclear mechanisms;
      however, rhabdomyolysis caused by Staphylococcus aureus infection is rare. CASE
      REPORT: A case report of severe rhabdomyolysis in a patient who presented with
      endocarditis caused by methicillin-susceptible S. aureus and review of relevant
      literature. RESULTS: The patient had a history of cardiac surgery for tetralogy
      of Fallot. He was admitted to the hospital because of fever and digestive
      symptoms. Respiratory and hemodynamic status deteriorated rapidly, leading to
      admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) for mechanical ventilation and
      vasopressor support. Laboratory tests disclosed severe rhabdomyolysis with a
      serum concentration of creatine kinase that peaked at 49,068 IU/L; all blood
      cultures grew methicillin-susceptible S. aureus. Antibiotic therapy was
      amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, ciprofloxacin, and gentamicin initially and was
      changed subsequently to oxacillin, clindamycin, and gentamicin. Transesophageal
      echocardiography showed vegetation on the pulmonary valve, thus confirming the
      diagnosis of acute endocarditis. Viral testing and computed tomography (CT) scan
      ruled out any obvious alternative etiology for rhabdomyolysis. Bacterial analysis
      did not reveal any specificity of the staphylococcal strain. The patient improved
      with antibiotics and was discharged from the ICU on day 26. He underwent redux
      surgery for valve replacement on day 53. CONCLUSIONS: Staphylococcal endocarditis
      should be suspected in cases of severe unexplained rhabdomyolysis with acute
      infectious symptoms.

PMID- 26266810
TI  - The PD-1/B7-H1 pathway modulates the natural killer cells versus mouse glioma
      stem cells.
AB  - PURPOSE: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most malignant primary type of
      brain tumor in adults. There has been increased focus on the immunotherapies to
      treat GBM patients, the therapeutic value of natural killer (NK) cells is still
      unknown. Programmed death-1 (PD-1) is a major immunological checkpoint that can
      negatively regulate the T-cell-mediated immune response. We tested the
      combination of the inhibiting the PD-1/B7H1 pathway with a NK-cell mediated
      immune response in an orthotopic mouse model of GBM. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Mouse
      glioma stem cells (GL261GSCs) and mouse NK cells were isolated and identified. A
      lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay was perfomed to detect the cytotoxicity of NK
      cells against GL261GSCs. GL261GSCs were intracranially implanted into mice, and
      the mice were stratified into 3 treatment groups: 1) control, 2) NK cells
      treatment, and 3) PD-1 inhibited NK cells treatment group. Overall survival was
      quantified, and animal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed to
      determine tumor growth. The brains were harvested after the mice were euthanized,
      and immunohistochemistry against CD45 and PCNA was performed. RESULTS: The mouse
      NK cells were identified as 90% CD3- NK1.1+CD335+ by flow cytometric analysis. In
      the LDH assay, the ratios of the damaged GL261GSCs, with the E:T ratios of 2.5:1,
      5:1, and 10:1, were as follows: 1) non-inhibited group: 7.42%, 11.31%, and 15.1%,
      2) B7H1 inhibited group: 14.75%, 18.25% and 29.1%, 3) PD-1 inhibited group:
      15.53%, 19.21% and 29.93%, 4) double inhibited group: 33.24%, 42.86% and 54.91%.
      In the in vivo experiments, the mice in the PD-1 inhibited NK cells treatment
      group and IL-2-stimulated-NK cells treatment group displayed a slowest tumor
      growth (F = 308.5, P<0.01) and a slower tumor growth compared with control group
      (F = 118.9, P<0.01), respectively. The median survival of the mice in the three
      groups were as follows: 1) conrol group: 29 days, 2) NK cells treatment group: 35
      days (P = 0.0012), 3) PD-1 inhibited NK cells treatment group: 44 days (P =
      0.0024). Immunologic data of PCNA-positive cell ratios and CD45-positive cell
      ratios of the tumor specimens in the three groups were as follows: 1) control
      group: 65.72% (PCNA) and 0.92% (CD45), 2) NK treatment group: 27.66% (PCNA) and
      13.46% (CD45), and 3) PD-1 inhibited NK cells treatment group: 13.66% (PCNA) and
      23.66% (CD45) (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The results demonstrated that blockade of PD
      1/B7H1 pathway could promote mouse NK cells to kill the GL261GSCs, and the PD-1
      inhibited NK cells could be a feasible immune therapeutic approach against GBM.

PMID- 26266812
TI  - Recurrent desquamative vulvovaginitis in a young woman.

PMID- 26266813
TI  - Expression of PD-L1 on CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Regulatory T Cells of Patients with
      Chronic HBV Infection and Its Correlation with Clinical Parameters.
AB  - Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a pivotal role in suppressing specific antiviral
      immune responses during the progression of chronic hepatitis B virus infection
      (CHB) as well as tumorigenesis. Programmed death-1 ligand-1 (PD-L1) expressed on
      Tregs can transduce an inhibitory signal into effector T cells through
      interacting with programmed death-1 (PD-1). However, in CHB patients, the
      clinical significance of PD-L1 expression on Tregs has not been clearly
      described. This study investigated the frequency of circulating Tregs and PD-L1
      expression on Tregs and analyzed their correlations with clinical parameters. The
      data show that both the frequency of CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ Tregs and PD-L1 expression
      on Tregs in the peripheral blood increased significantly in CHB patients when
      compared with healthy controls. At the same time, it is shown that PD-L1
      expression on Tregs was positively correlated with the percentage of Tregs in CHB
      patients. Moreover, the results demonstrated that both Treg frequency and PD-L1
      expression on Tregs positively correlated with the levels of alanine
      aminotransaminase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), both of which are
      indicators of the extent of liver injury. Taken together, these findings suggest
      that PD-L1 on Tregs might contribute to progression of hepatitis B virus
      infection through mediating the inhibitory function of Tregs. Thereby, blockade
      of interaction between Treg-expressing PD-L1 and PD-1 on effector T cells may be
      adopted as a potential therapeutic approach in CHB. 

PMID- 26266814
TI  - Efficient Estimation of Mutation Rates during Individual Development by
      Minimization of Chi-Square.
AB  - Mutation primarily occurs when cells divide and it is highly desirable to have
      knowledge of the rate of mutations for each of the cell divisions during
      individual development. Recently, recessive lethal or nearly lethal mutations
      which were observed in a large mutation accumulation experiment using Drosophila
      melanogaster suggested that mutation rates vary significantly during the germline
      development of male Drosophila melanogaster. The analysis of the data was based
      on a combination of the maximum likelihood framework with numerical assistance
      from a newly developed coalescent algorithm. Although powerful, the likelihood
      based framework is computationally highly demanding which limited the scope of
      the inference. This paper presents a new estimation approach by minimizing chi
      square statistics which is asymptotically consistent with the maximum likelihood
      method. When only at most one mutation in a family is considered the minimization
      of chi-square is simplified to a constrained weighted minimum least square method
      which can be solved easily by optimization theory. The new methods effectively
      eliminates the computational bottleneck of the likelihood. Reanalysis of the
      published Drosophila melanogaster mutation data results in similar estimates of
      mutation rates. The new method is also expected to be applicable to the analysis
      of mutation data generated by next-generation sequencing technology.

PMID- 26266815
TI  - Correction: Biofilm Formation As a Response to Ecological Competition.

PMID- 26266816
TI  - Correction: Let-7, Mir-98 and Mir-181 as Biomarkers for Cancer and Schizophrenia.

PMID- 26266818
TI  - Effects of Immersion Solvent on Photovoltaic and Photophysical Properties of
      Porphyrin-Sensitized Solar Cells.
AB  - Memory effects in self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of zinc porphyrin carboxylic
      acid on TiO2 electrodes have been demonstrated for the first time by evaluating
      the photovoltaic and electron transfer properties of porphyrin-sensitized solar
      cells prepared by using different immersion solvents sequentially. The structure
      of the SAM of the porphyrin on the TiO2 was maintained even after treating the
      porphyrin monolayer with different neat immersion solvents (memory effect),
      whereas it was altered by treatment with solutions containing different
      porphyrins (inverse memory effect). Infrared spectroscopy shows that the
      porphyrins in the SAM on the TiO2 could be exchanged with the same or analogous
      porphyrin, leading to a change in the structure of the porphyrin SAM. The memory
      and inverse memory effects are well correlated with a change in porphyrin
      geometry, mainly the tilt angle of the porphyrin along the long molecular axis
      from the surface normal on the TiO2, as well as with kinetics of electron
      transfer between the porphyrin and TiO2. Such a new structure-function
      relationship for DSSCs will be very useful for the rational design and
      optimization of photoelectrochemical and photovoltaic properties of molecular
      assemblies on semiconductor surfaces. 

PMID- 26266817
TI  - SNAP23 Regulates Endothelial Exocytosis of von Willebrand Factor.
AB  - Endothelial exocytosis regulates vascular thrombosis and inflammation. The
      trafficking and release of endothelial vesicles is mediated by SNARE (Soluble NSF
      Attachment protein REceptors) molecules, but the exact identity of endothelial
      SNAREs has been unclear. Three SNARE molecules form a ternary complex, including
      isoforms of the syntaxin (STX), vesicle-associated membrane protein (VAMP), and
      synaptosomal-associated protein (SNAP) families. We now identify SNAP23 as the
      predominant endothelial SNAP isoform that mediates endothelial exocytosis of von
      Willebrand Factor (VWF). SNAP23 was localized to the plasma membrane. Knockdown
      of SNAP23 decreased endothelial exocytosis, suggesting it is important for
      endothelial exocytosis. SNAP23 interacted with the endothelial exocytic
      machinery, and formed complexes with other known endothelial SNARE molecules.
      Taken together, these data suggest that SNAP23 is a key component of the
      endothelial SNARE machinery that mediates endothelial exocytosis. 

PMID- 26266820
TI  - The Nanoscale Basis of CO2 Trapping for Geologic Storage.
AB  - Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is likely to be a critical technology to achieve
      large reductions in global carbon emissions over the next century. Research on
      the subsurface storage of CO2 is aimed at reducing uncertainties in the efficacy
      of CO2 storage in sedimentary rock formations. Three key parameters that have a
      nanoscale basis and that contribute uncertainty to predictions of CO2 trapping
      are the vertical permeability kv of seals, the residual CO2 saturation Sg,r in
      reservoir rocks, and the reactive surface area ar of silicate minerals. This
      review summarizes recent progress and identifies outstanding research needs in
      these areas. Available data suggest that the permeability of shale and mudstone
      seals is heavily dependent on clay fraction and can be extremely low even in the
      presence of fractures. Investigations of residual CO2 trapping indicate that CO2
      induced alteration in the wettability of mineral surfaces may significantly
      influence Sg,r. Ultimately, the rate and extent of CO2 conversion to mineral
      phases are uncertain due to a poor understanding of the kinetics of slow
      reactions between minerals and fluids. Rapidly improving characterization
      techniques using X-rays and neutrons, and computing capability for simulating
      chemical interactions, provide promise for important advances. 

PMID- 26266821
TI  - A Population Health Perspective on Suicide Research and Prevention.

PMID- 26266819
TI  - Quantitative measurement of transmitters in individual vesicles in the cytoplasm
      of single cells with nanotip electrodes.
AB  - The quantification of vesicular transmitter content is important for studying the
      mechanisms of neurotransmission and malfunction in disease, and yet it is
      incredibly difficult to measure the tiny amounts of neurotransmitters in the
      attoliter volume of a single vesicle, especially in the cell environment. We
      introduce a novel method, intracellular vesicle electrochemical cytometry. A
      nanotip conical carbon-fiber microelectrode was used to electrochemically measure
      the total content of electroactive neurotransmitters in individual nanoscale
      vesicles in single PC12 cells as these vesicles lysed on the electrode inside the
      living cell. The results demonstrate that only a fraction of the quantal
      neurotransmitter content is released during exocytosis. These data support the
      intriguing hypothesis that the vesicle does not open all the way during the
      normal exocytosis process, thus resulting in incomplete expulsion of the
      vesicular contents. 

PMID- 26266823
TI  - Ultrafast Dynamics of o-Nitrophenol: An Experimental and Theoretical Study.
AB  - The photolysis of o-nitrophenol (o-NP), a typical push-pull molecule, is of
      current interest in atmospheric chemistry as a possible source of nitrous acid
      (HONO). To characterize the largely unknown photolysis mechanism, the dynamics of
      the lowest lying excited singlet state (S1) of o-NP was investigated by means of
      femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy in solution, time-resolved
      photoelectron spectroscopy (TRPES) in the gas phase and quantum chemical
      calculations. Evidence of the unstable aci-nitro isomer is provided both in the
      liquid and in the gas phase. Our results indicate that the S1 state displays
      strong charge transfer character, which triggers excited state proton transfer
      from the OH to the NO2 group as evidenced by a temporal shift of 20 fs of the
      onset of the photoelectron spectrum. The proton transfer itself is found to be
      coupled to an out-of-plane rotation of the newly formed HONO group, finally
      leading to a conical intersection between S1 and the ground state S0. In
      solution, return to S0 within 0.2-0.3 ps was monitored by stimulated emission. As
      a competitive relaxation channel, ultrafast intersystem crossing to the upper
      triplet manifold on a subpicosecond time scale occurs both in solution and in the
      gas phase. Due to the ultrafast singlet dynamics, we conclude that the much
      discussed HONO split-off is likely to take place in the triplet manifold. 

PMID- 26266825
TI  - The Conundrum of Training in Global Surgery: Are We There Yet?

PMID- 26266824
TI  - Symmetry Controlled, Genetic Presentation of Bioactive Proteins on the P22 Virus
      like Particle Using an External Decoration Protein.
AB  - Viruses use spatial control of constituent proteins as a means of manipulating
      and evading host immune systems. Similarly, precise spatial control of proteins
      encapsulated or presented on designed nanoparticles has the potential to
      biomimetically amplify or shield biological interactions. Previously, we have
      shown the ability to encapsulate a wide range of guest proteins within the virus
      like particle (VLP) from Salmonella typhimurium bacteriophage P22, including
      antigenic proteins from human pathogens such as influenza. Expanding on this
      robust encapsulation strategy, we have used the trimeric decoration protein (Dec)
      from bacteriophage L as a means of controlled exterior presentation on the mature
      P22 VLP, to which it binds with high affinity. Through genetic fusion to the C
      terminus of the Dec protein, either the 17 kDa soluble region of murine CD40L or
      a minimal peptide designed from the binding region of the "self-marker" CD47 was
      independently presented on the P22 VLP capsid exterior. Both candidates retained
      function when presented as a Dec-fusion. Binding of the Dec domain to the P22
      capsid was minimally changed across designed constructs, as measured by surface
      plasmon resonance, demonstrating the broad utility of this presentation strategy.
      Dec-mediated presentation offers a robust, modular means of decorating the
      exposed exterior of the P22 capsid in order to further orchestrate responses to
      internally functionalized VLPs within biological systems. 

PMID- 26266826
TI  - Ulcerated plaque on the buttock of a nonagenarian woman.

PMID- 26266827
TI  - Role of B Cell-Activating Factor in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
AB  - RATIONALE: B cell-activating factor (BAFF) plays a major role in activation of B
      cells and in adaptive humoral immune responses. In chronic obstructive pulmonary
      disease (COPD), lymphoid follicles have been associated with disease severity,
      and overexpression of BAFF has been demonstrated within lymphoid follicles of
      patients with severe COPD. OBJECTIVES: To investigate expression and localization
      of BAFF in the lungs of patients with COPD and to study the role of BAFF in COPD
      by antagonizing BAFF in a mouse model of chronic cigarette smoke (CS) exposure.
      METHODS: We quantified and localized BAFF expression in lungs of never-smokers,
      smokers without COPD, and patients with COPD and in lungs of air- or CS-exposed
      mice by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, ELISA,
      immunohistochemistry, and confocal imaging. Next, to investigate the role of BAFF
      in COPD, we antagonized BAFF by prophylactic or therapeutic administration of a
      soluble fusion protein of the BAFF-receptor, BAFFR-Fc, in mice exposed to air or
      CS for 24 weeks and evaluated several hallmarks of COPD and polarization of lung
      macrophages. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: BAFF expression was significantly
      increased in lungs of patients with COPD and CS-exposed mice. BAFF staining in
      lymphoid follicles was observed around B cells, CD4(+) cells, dendritic cells,
      follicular dendritic cells, and fibroblastic reticular cells. Prophylactic and
      therapeutic administration of BAFFR-Fc in mice reduced pulmonary B-cell numbers
      and prevented CS-induced formation of lymphoid follicles and increases in
      immunoglobulin levels. Interestingly, prophylactic BAFFR-Fc administration
      significantly attenuated pulmonary inflammation and destruction of alveolar
      walls. Moreover, antagonizing BAFF altered the phenotype of alveolar and
      interstitial macrophages. CONCLUSIONS: BAFF is significantly increased in lungs
      of patients with COPD and is present around both immune and stromal cells within
      lymphoid follicles. Antagonizing BAFF in CS-exposed mice attenuates pulmonary
      inflammation and alveolar destruction.

PMID- 26266828
TI  - Liposomal formulation for co-delivery of paclitaxel and lapatinib, preparation,
      characterization and optimization.
AB  - Paclitaxel (PTX) is one of the most promising natural anticancer agents with a
      wide therapeutic range which is limited by its hydrophobic nature, low
      therapeutic index and more importantly, the emergence of multidrug resistance
      (MDR). Lapatinib (LPT) is a dual tyrosine kinase inhibitor with a significant
      potential to inhibit p-glycoproteins which form one of the main groups of
      proteins responsible for efflux pump mediated MDR. To overcome the PTX related
      MDR, a novel liposomal formulation was optimized for co-delivery of PTX and LPT
      by applying the D-optimal response surface methodology. The encapsulation
      efficiency (EE%) of the optimized formulation for LPT and PTX was 52 +/- 3% and
      68 +/- 5, respectively. The optimized formulation showed a narrow size
      distribution with the average of 235 +/- 12 nm. The transmission electron
      microscopy image showed that liposomes were round in shape and discrete. The
      release profile exhibited 93% and 71% drug release for PTX and LPT after 40 h in
      the sink condition. The differential scanning calorimetry analysis indicated the
      conversion of both drugs from crystalline state to molecular state in the
      optimized lyophilized formulation. The cytotoxicity of the prepared formulation
      was studied against 4T1 murine mammary cells. The liposomal formulation showed
      better cytotoxicity in comparison to the binary mixture of free drugs. 

PMID- 26266829
TI  - Long Distance Truck Drivers and the Structural Context of Health: A Culture
      Centered Investigation of Indian Truckers' Health Narratives.
AB  - Long-distance truck drivers (truckers) in India have been identified as a "high
      risk" group for the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and are consequently the targets of
      prevention and education-based interventions. While such interventions have
      addressed risk at the level of individual behavior, little attention has been
      paid to the structural barriers to health for truckers. Research among truckers
      in India has ignored the economic, social, and cultural context of health. In
      this article, I employ the culture-centered approach (CCA) to health
      communication in documenting truckers' narratives of health, which are innately
      connected to social and institutional structures around their lives. The data
      included 36 narrative interviews that I conducted as part of my fieldwork with
      Indian truckers, in addition to field notes and a reflexive journal. Through a
      reflexive analysis of these narratives, I present three themes: (a) the everyday
      violence of trucking, (b) health as sacrifice, and (c) migration and HIV/AIDS. I
      discuss how communication interventions can attend to the relationship between
      trucker health and the structural barriers they encounter. 

PMID- 26266830
TI  - Reliability and Validity of Cutaneous Sarcoidosis Outcome Instruments Among
      Dermatologists, Pulmonologists, and Rheumatologists.
AB  - Importance: Dermatologists, pulmonologists, and rheumatologists study and treat
      patients with sarcoidosis with cutaneous manifestations. The validity of
      cutaneous sarcoidosis outcome instruments for use across medical specialties
      remains unknown. Objective: To assess the reliability and validity of cutaneous
      sarcoidosis outcome instruments for use by dermatologists and nondermatologists
      treating sarcoidosis. Design, Setting, and Participants: We performed a cross
      sectional study evaluating the use of the Cutaneous Sarcoidosis Activity and
      Morphology Instrument (CSAMI) and Sarcoidosis Activity and Severity Index (SASI)
      to assess cutaneous sarcoidosis disease severity and the Physician's Global
      Assessment (PGA) as a reference instrument. Four dermatologists, 3
      pulmonologists, and 4 rheumatologists evaluated facial cutaneous sarcoidosis in
      13 patients treated at a cutaneous sarcoidosis clinic in a 1-day study on October
      24, 2014; data analysis was performed from November through December 2014. Main
      Outcomes and Measures: Interrater and intrarater reliability and convergent
      validity, with correlation with quality-of-life measures as the secondary
      outcome. Results: All instruments demonstrated excellent intrarater reliability.
      Interrater reliability (reported as intraclass correlation coefficient [95% CI])
      was good for the CSAMI Activity scale (0.69 [0.51-0.87]) and PGA (0.66 [0.47
      0.85]), weak for the CSAMI Damage scale (0.26 [0.11-0.52]), and excellent for the
      modified Facial SASI (0.78 [0.63-0.91]). The CSAMI Activity scale and modified
      Facial SASI showed moderate correlations (95% CI) with the PGA (0.67 [0.57-0.75]
      and 0.57 [0.45-0.66], respectively). The CSAMI Activity scale but not the
      modified Facial SASI showed significant correlations (95% CI) with quality-of
      life instruments, such as the Dermatology Life Quality Index (Spearman rank
      correlation, 0.70 [0.25-0.90]) and the Skin Stigma raw score of the Sarcoidosis
      Assessment Tool (Pearson product moment correlation, 0.56 [0.01-0.85]).
      Conclusions and Relevance: The CSAMI and SASI were reliable and valid in
      assessing cutaneous sarcoidosis among our diverse group of specialists. The CSAMI
      Activity score also correlated with quality-of-life measures and suggested
      construct validity. These results lend credibility to expand the use of the CSAMI
      and SASI by dermatologists and nondermatologists in assessing cutaneous
      sarcoidosis disease activity.

PMID- 26266831
TI  - The T-Box factor TBX3 is important in S-phase and is regulated by c-Myc and
      cyclin A-CDK2.
AB  - The transcription factor, TBX3, is critical for the formation of, among other
      structures, the heart, limbs and mammary glands and haploinsufficiency of the
      human TBX3 gene result in ulnar-mammary syndrome which is characterized by
      hypoplasia of these structures. On the other hand, the overexpression of TBX3 is
      a feature of a wide range of cancers and it has been implicated in several
      aspects of the oncogenic process. This includes its ability to function as an
      immortalizing gene and to promote proliferation through actively repressing
      negative cell cycle regulators. Together this suggests that TBX3 levels may need
      to be tightly regulated during the cell cycle. Here we demonstrate that this is
      indeed the case and that TBX3 mRNA and protein levels peak at S-phase and that
      the TBX3 protein is predominantly localized to the nucleus of S-phase cells. The
      increased levels of TBX3 in S-phase are shown to occur transcriptionally through
      activation by c-Myc at E-box motifs located at -1210 and -701 bps and post
      translationally by cyclin A-CDK2 phosphorylation. Importantly, when TBX3 is
      depleted by shRNA the cells accumulate in S-phase. These results suggest that
      TBX3 is required for cells to transit through S-phase and that this function may
      be linked to its role as a pro-proliferative factor. 

PMID- 26266832
TI  - Biosilica-Entrapped Enzymes Studied by Using Dynamic Nuclear-Polarization
      Enhanced High-Field NMR Spectroscopy.
AB  - Enzymes are used as environmentally friendly catalysts in many industrial
      applications, and are frequently immobilized in a matrix to improve their
      chemical stability for long-term storage and reusability. Recently, it was shown
      that an atomic-level description of proteins immobilized in a biosilica matrix
      can be attained by examining their magic-angle spinning (MAS) NMR spectra.
      However, even though MAS NMR is an excellent tool for determining structure, it
      is severely hampered by sensitivity. In this work we provide the proof of
      principle that NMR characterization of biosilica-entrapped enzymes could be
      assisted by high-field dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP).

PMID- 26266833
TI  - Leveraging the Mechanism of Oxidative Decay for Adenylate Kinase to Design
      Structural and Functional Resistances.
AB  - Characterization of the mechanisms underlying hypohalous acid (i.e., hypochlorous
      acid or hypobromous acid) degradation of proteins is important for understanding
      how the immune system deactivates pathogens during infections and damages human
      tissues during inflammatory diseases. Proteins are particularly important
      hypohalous acid reaction targets in pathogens and in host tissues, as evidenced
      by the detection of chlorinated and brominated oxidizable residues. While a
      significant amount of work has been conducted for reactions of hypohalous acids
      with a range of individual amino acids and small peptides, the assessment of
      oxidative decay in full-length proteins has lagged in comparison. The most
      rigorous test of our understanding of oxidative decay of proteins is the rational
      redesign of proteins with conferred resistances to the decay of structure and
      function. Toward this end, in this study, we experimentally determined a putative
      mechanism of oxidative decay using adenylate kinase as the model system. In turn,
      we leveraged this mechanism to rationally design new proteins and experimentally
      test each system for oxidative resistance to loss of structure and function. From
      our extensive assessment of secondary structure, protein hydrodynamics, and
      enzyme activity upon hypochlorous acid or hypobromous acid challenge, we have
      identified two key strategies for conferring structural and functional
      resistance, namely, the design of proteins (adenylate kinase enzymes) that are
      resistant to oxidation requires complementary consideration of protein stability
      and the modification (elimination) of certain oxidizable residues proximal to
      catalytic sites. 

PMID- 26266834
TI  - Peripheral natural killer cell and allo-stimulated T-cell function in kidney
      transplant recipients associate with cancer risk and immunosuppression-related
      complications.
AB  - Reducing immunosuppression has been proposed as a means of preventing cancer in
      kidney transplant recipients but this can precipitate graft rejection. Here we
      tested whether anti-tumor natural killer (NK) cell and allo-responsive T-cell
      function in kidney transplant recipients may predict cancer risk and define risk
      of rejection. NK cell function was measured by the release of lactate
      dehydrogenase and T-cell allo-response by interferon-gamma quantification using a
      panel of reactive T-cell enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) in 56 kidney
      transplant recipients with current or past cancer and 26 kidney transplant
      recipients without cancer. NK function was significantly impaired and the allo
      response was significantly lower in kidney transplant recipients with cancer.
      With prospective follow-up, kidney transplant recipients with poor NK cell
      function had a hazard ratio of 2.1 (95% confidence interval 0.97-5.00) for the
      combined end point of metastatic cancer, cancer-related death, or septic death.
      Kidney transplant recipients with low interferon-gamma release were also more
      likely to reach this combined end point. Thus, posttransplant monitoring of allo
      immunity and NK cell function is useful for assessing the risk of over
      immunosuppression for the development of malignancy and/or death from cancer or
      sepsis.

PMID- 26266835
TI  - Rapid, high-fluence multi-pass q-switched laser treatment of tattoos with a
      transparent perfluorodecalin-infused patch: A pilot study.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Perfluorodecalin (PFD) has previously been shown to
      rapidly dissipate the opaque, white micro-bubble layer formed after exposure of
      tattoos to Q-switched lasers [1]. The current pilot study was conducted to
      qualitatively determine if the use of a transparent PFD-infused silicone patch
      would result in more rapid clearance of tattoos than conventional through-air
      techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Black or dark blue tattoos were divided into
      two halves in a single-site IRB-approved study with 17 subjects with Fitzpatrick
      skin types I-III. One half of each tattoo served as its own control and was
      treated with one pass of a standard Q-switched Alexandrite laser (755 nm). The
      other half of the tattoo was treated directly through a transparent
      perfluorodecalin (PFD) infused patch (ON Light Sciences, Dublin, CA). The rapid
      whitening reduction effect of the Patch routinely allowed three to four laser
      passes in a total of approximately 5 minutes. Both sides were treated at highest
      tolerated fluence, but the optical clearing, index-matching, and epidermal
      protection properties of the PFD Patch allowed significantly higher fluence
      compared to the control side. Standard photographs were taken at baseline,
      immediately prior to treatment with the PFD Patch in place, and finally before
      and after each treatment session. Treatments were administered at 4- to 6-week
      intervals. RESULTS: In a majority of subjects (11 of 17), tattoos treated through
      a transparent PFD-infused patch showed more rapid tattoo clearance with higher
      patient and clinician satisfaction than conventional treatment. In no case did
      the control side fade faster than the PFD Patch side. No unanticipated adverse
      events were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Rapid multi-pass treatment of tattoos with
      highest tolerated fluence facilitated by a transparent PFD-infused patch clears
      tattoos more rapidly than conventional methods.

PMID- 26266836
TI  - Low-temperature plasma ionization differential ion mobility spectrometry.
AB  - A low-temperature plasma (LTP) was used as an ionization source for differential
      ion mobility spectrometry (DMS) for the first time. This ionization source
      enhances the potential of DMS as a miniaturized system for on-site rapid
      monitoring. The effects of experimental parameters (e.g., discharge/carrier gas
      composition and flow rate, applied voltage) on the analysis of model aromatic
      compounds were investigated and discussed. It was found that the nature of
      reactant ion positive (RIP) is dependent on the discharge/carrier gas
      composition. The best response to the analyte was achieved when pure nitrogen was
      used as the discharge/carrier gas. The ability to perform analysis with zero
      helium consumption is especially attractive in view of the potential application
      of LTP-DMS for online (and on-site) monitoring. Analytical performance was
      determined with six environmentally relevant model compounds (benzene, toluene,
      ethylbenzene, p-xylene, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, and naphthalene) using LTP and
      directly compared to APPI and APCI ((63)Ni) ionization sources. When LTP was
      coupled to DMS, calculated LOD values were found to be in the range of 35-257 ng
      L(-1) (concentration in the carrier gas). These values are competitive with those
      calculated for two DMS equipped with traditional ionization sources (APPI,
      (63)Ni). The obtained results are promising enough to ensure the potential of LTP
      as ionization source for DMS. 

PMID- 26266837
TI  - Investigation of the Binding Profiles of AZD2184 and Thioflavin T with Amyloid
      beta(1-42) Fibril by Molecular Docking and Molecular Dynamics Methods.
AB  - Detecting deposits of amyloid beta fibrils in the brain is of paramount
      importance for an early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. A number of PET tracers
      have been developed for amyloid imaging, but many suffer from poor specificity
      and large signal to background ratio. Design of tracers with specificity and
      improved binding affinity requires knowledge about various potential binding
      sites in the amyloid beta fibril available for the tracers and the nature of the
      local microenvironment of these sites. In this study we investigate the local
      structure of fibrils using two important probes, namely, thioflavin T (a
      fluorescent probe) and AZD2184 (a PET tracer). The target structures for amyloid
      beta(1-42) fibril are based on reported NMR solution models. By explicitly
      considering the effect of fibril flexibility on the available binding sites for
      all these models, the binding affinity of these probes has been investigated. The
      binding profiles of AZD2184 and thioflavin T were studied by molecular docking
      and molecular dynamics simulation methods. The two compounds were found to bind
      at the same sites of the fibril: three of which are within the fibril, and one is
      on the two sides of the Met35 residue on the surface. The binding affinity of
      AZD2184 and thioflavin T is found to be higher at the core sites than on the
      surface due to more contact residues. The binding affinity of AZD2184 is much
      higher than that of thioflavin T at every site due to electrostatic interaction
      and spatial restriction, which is in good agreement with experimental
      observation. However, the structural change of thioflavin T is much more
      significant than that of AZD2184, which is the chemical basis for its usage as a
      fluorescent probe. The ramifications of these results for the design and
      optimization of PET radioligands and fluorescent probes are briefly discussed. 

PMID- 26266839
TI  - The Application of Chemical Derivatization in Forensic Drug Chemistry for Gas and
      High-Performance Liquid Chromatographic Methods of Analysis.
AB  - The analyses of solid-dosage forensic drug samples can be enhanced by chemical
      derivatization followed by gas chromatography or high-performance liquid
      chromatography. Using these techniques permits improved detection and
      chromatography of some illicit drugs and their manufacturing by-products. This
      review focuses on the use of chemical derivatization in conjunction with gas
      chromatography-flame ionization detection, gas chromatography-electron capture
      detection, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, high-performance liquid
      chromatography-ultraviolet detection and high-performance liquid chromatography
      fluorescence detection in the analysis of illicit drug samples. These drugs
      include the amphetamines, barbiturates, cannabis, fentanyls, opium, and
      hallucinogens. Discussion on sensitivity enhancement and determination of
      enantiomeric composition using gas chromatography and high-performance liquid
      chromatography is included. An entire section is devoted to the chemical
      derivatization and chromatographic analyses of manufacturing by-products found in
      illicit amphetamine and methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine samples. This review
      also includes a section that describes practical elements and experimental design
      associated with chemical derivatization-chromatographic analyses.. 

PMID- 26266838
TI  - Predicting asthma morbidity in children using proposed markers of Th2-type
      inflammation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Assessment of inflammation is becoming a common practice in the
      clinical work-up of children with persistent asthma. Biomarkers of Th2-mediated
      inflammation include blood eosinophils (B-Eos), exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO),
      total serum IgE (S-IgE), and serum periostin. The aim of this study was to
      investigate the associations between asthma morbidity and increased levels of
      these biomarkers in pediatric asthma. METHODS: School-age children (n = 96) with
      various manifestations of persistent asthma were included in this nationwide
      Swedish study. The protocol included the asthma control test, Juniper's quality
      of life questionnaire (QoL), assessment of pulmonary function, bronchial
      hyperresponsiveness, height-adjusted FeNO, blood sampling for S-IgE, B-Eos, and
      periostin, and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the lungs. RESULTS:
      Children with both high levels of height-adjusted FeNO and B-Eos were younger (p
      = 0.001), had more often severe asthma (p = 0.015), were more allergic (p <
      0.001), had a reduced asthma control (p = 0.035), reduced QoL (p = 0.035), more
      exacerbations (p = 0.004), reduced FEV1/FVC (p = 0.001), and increased bronchial
      hyperresponsiveness (p < 0.001) as well as greater bronchial wall thickening on
      HRCT (p = 0.022) compared to those with low levels of both biomarkers. Grouping
      children according to high and low serum periostin levels did not relate to
      differences in clinical characteristics and biomarkers. CONCLUSIONS: Assessment
      of both local and systemic Th2-mediated inflammation by the analysis of easily
      attainable biomarkers such as exhaled NO and blood eosinophils has a high
      predictive value for the identification of children with the highest asthma
      morbidity. Adjusting FeNO values according to the individual child's height
      increases the clinical usefulness of this biomarker.

PMID- 26266840
TI  - Genetic Markers in Human Bone Tissue.
AB  - The use of genetic markers in bone and tissues as a method of human
      identification is reviewed in detail. Methods for the identification of human
      remains and the case situations requiring them are described. Some of the
      previous work on tissue and bone ABO grouping from both anthropological and
      medicolegal perspectives is reviewed; and some results from our own studies that
      have produced a highly reliable bone grouping procedure are presented. Some of
      our work and that of others on the typing of other classical genetic marker
      systems in bone is included. Recent work on DNA polymorphism typing and some
      actual and potential forensic applications of bone (and tissue) deoxyribonucleic
      acid (DNA) typing are discussed. 

PMID- 26266841
TI  - Stability of Drugs of Abuse in Biological Specimens.
AB  - Knowledge about the stability of drugs in biological specimens is critical to
      proper interpretation of test results. Literature pertaining to the stability of
      drugs of abuse in blood, urine, saliva, and tissue specimens is reviewed in this
      article. Ethanol-related information are also included as it is an abused drug
      and its stability in blood and urine has been the subject of many studies. Other
      drug classes for which literature data were reviewed are barbiturates,
      benzodiazepines, cannabinoids, cocaine and benzoylecgonine, lysergic acid
      diethylamide, and phencyclidine. Stability characteristics for these drug classes
      depend on the drug, the specimen pH, and storage temperature. 

PMID- 26266843
TI  - Understanding platelet dysfunction in sepsis.

PMID- 26266844
TI  - Electrochemical Barriers Made Simple.
AB  - A major challenge in the theoretical treatment of electrochemical charge transfer
      barriers is that simulations are performed at constant charge, which leads to
      dramatic potential shifts along the reaction path. Real electrochemical systems,
      however, operate at constant potential, which corresponds to a hypothetical model
      system of infinite size. Previous studies of hydrogen evolution have relied on a
      computationally costly scheme that extrapolates the barriers calculated on
      increasingly larger cells, and extension of this scheme to more complex reactions
      would be prohibitively costly. We present a new method to determine constant
      potential reaction energetics for simple charge transfer reactions that requires
      only (1) a single barrier calculation in an electrochemical environment and (2)
      the corresponding surface charge at the initial, transition, and final states.
      This method allows for a tremendous reduction in the computational resources
      required to determine electrochemical barriers and paves the way for a rigorous
      DFT-based kinetic analysis of electrochemical reactions beyond hydrogen
      evolution. 

PMID- 26266845
TI  - Correction to "Two-Dimensional Metal Dichalcogenides and Oxides for Hydrogen
      Evolution: A Computational Screening Approach".

PMID- 26266842
TI  - Predictive value for weakness and 1-year mortality of screening electrophysiology
      tests in the ICU.
AB  - PURPOSE: Muscle weakness in long-stay ICU patients contributes to 1-year
      mortality. Whether electrophysiological screening is an alternative diagnostic
      tool in unconscious/uncooperative patients remains unknown. We aimed to determine
      the diagnostic properties of abnormal compound muscle action potential (CMAP),
      sensory nerve action potential (SNAP), and spontaneous electrical activity (SEA)
      for Medical Research Council (MRC)-defined weakness and their predictive value
      for 1-year mortality. METHODS: Data were prospectively collected during the
      EPaNIC trial (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00512122). First, sensitivity, specificity,
      positive (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV) of abnormal CMAP, SNAP, and
      SEA for weakness were determined. Subsequently, association between 1-year
      mortality and abnormal findings on electrophysiological screening was assessed by
      univariate and multivariate analyses correcting for weakness and other risk
      factors and the prediction model involved only a development phase. RESULTS: A
      total of 730 patients were electrophysiologically screened of whom 432 were
      tested for weakness. On day 8, normal CMAP excluded weakness with a high NPV
      (80.5 %). By day 15, abnormal SNAP and the presence of SEA had a high PPV (91.7
      and 80.0 %, respectively). Only a reduced CMAP on day 8 was associated with
      higher 1-year mortality [35.6 vs 15.2 % (p < 0.001)]. This association remained
      significant after correction for weakness and other risk factors [OR 2.463 (95 %
      CI 1.113-5.452), p = 0.026]. Also among conscious/cooperative patients without
      weakness, reduced CMAP was independently associated with a higher likelihood of
      death occurring during 1 year [HR 2.818 (95 % CI 1.074-7.391), p = 0.035].
      CONCLUSIONS: The diagnostic properties of electrophysiological screening vary
      over time. Abnormal CMAP documented early during critical illness carries
      information about longer-term outcome, which should be further investigated
      mechanistically.

PMID- 26266846
TI  - Ultrafast Hole Trapping and Relaxation Dynamics in p-Type CuS Nanodisks.
AB  - CuS nanocrystals are potential materials for developing low-cost solar energy
      conversion devices. Understanding the underlying dynamics of photoinduced
      carriers in CuS nanocrystals is essential to improve their performance in these
      devices. In this work, we investigated the photoinduced hole dynamics in CuS
      nanodisks (NDs) using the combination of transient optical (OTA) and X-ray (XTA)
      absorption spectroscopy. OTA results show that the broad transient absorption in
      the visible region is attributed to the photoinduced hot and trapped holes. The
      hole trapping process occurs on a subpicosecond time scale, followed by carrier
      recombination (~100 ps). The nature of the hole trapping sites, revealed by XTA,
      is characteristic of S or organic ligands on the surface of CuS NDs. These
      results not only suggest the possibility to control the hole dynamics by tuning
      the surface chemistry of CuS but also represent the first time observation of
      hole dynamics in semiconductor nanocrystals using XTA.

PMID- 26266847
TI  - High-Efficiency Polycrystalline Thin Film Tandem Solar Cells.
AB  - A promising way to enhance the efficiency of CIGS solar cells is by combining
      them with perovskite solar cells in tandem devices. However, so far, such tandem
      devices had limited efficiency due to challenges in developing NIR-transparent
      perovskite top cells, which allow photons with energy below the perovskite band
      gap to be transmitted to the bottom cell. Here, a process for the fabrication of
      NIR-transparent perovskite solar cells is presented, which enables power
      conversion efficiencies up to 12.1% combined with an average sub-band gap
      transmission of 71% for photons with wavelength between 800 and 1000 nm. The
      combination of a NIR-transparent perovskite top cell with a CIGS bottom cell
      enabled a tandem device with 19.5% efficiency, which is the highest reported
      efficiency for a polycrystalline thin film tandem solar cell. Future developments
      of perovskite/CIGS tandem devices are discussed and prospects for devices with
      efficiency toward and above 27% are given. 

PMID- 26266848
TI  - Versatile Single-Layer Sodium Phosphidostannate(II): Strain-Tunable Electronic
      Structure, Excellent Mechanical Flexibility, and an Ideal Gap for Photovoltaics.
AB  - Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed to study the
      structural, mechanical, electrical, optical properties, and strain effects in
      single-layer sodium phosphidostannate(II) (NaSnP). We find the exfoliation of
      single-layer NaSnP from bulk form is highly feasible because the cleavage energy
      is comparable to graphite and MoS2. In addition, the breaking strain of the NaSnP
      monolayer is comparable to other widely studied 2D materials, indicating
      excellent mechanical flexibility of 2D NaSnP. Using the hybrid functional method,
      the calculated band gap of single-layer NaSnP is close to the ideal band gap of
      solar cell materials (1.5 eV), demonstrating great potential in future
      photovoltaic application. Furthermore, strain effect study shows that a moderate
      compression (2%) can trigger indirect-to-direct gap transition, which would
      enhance the ability of light absorption for the NaSnP monolayer. With sufficient
      compression (8%), the single-layer NaSnP can be tuned from semiconductor to
      metal, suggesting great applications in nanoelectronic devices based on strain
      engineering techniques. 

PMID- 26266849
TI  - Charge-Transfer Dynamics of Fluorescent Dye-Sensitized Electrodes under Applied
      Biases.
AB  - The development of dye-sensitized solar cells requires an in-depth understanding
      of the interfacial charge-transfer dynamics that take place between dye
      sensitizers and semiconductors. Here, we describe a prototype system to probe
      these dynamics by monitoring in real time the fluorescence of two organic
      sensitizers, a perylene and a squaraine, bound to a SnO2 semiconductor thin film
      as a function of potentiostatic control of the Fermi level. The two different
      sensitizer fluorophores characterized by vastly different redox potentials
      undergo similar fluorescence modulation with applied bias, an indication that the
      density of states of the semiconductor largely influences the charge-transfer
      dynamics while energetics play a minimal role. We further show that the rate of
      photodegradation of the perylene sensitizer with applied bias provides a suitable
      marker to study the rate of charge injection and charge recombination. Taken
      together, our results demonstrate a suitable platform to visualize and study
      charge-transfer dynamics on films and constitute a step toward achieving single
      molecule resolution in our quest to decipher the static and dynamic heterogeneity
      of charge-transfer dynamics in dye-sensitized photoanodes. 

PMID- 26266850
TI  - Vertical and Bidirectional Heterostructures from Graphyne and MSe2 (M = Mo, W).
AB  - Vertical and lateral heterostructures with atomically clean and sharp interfaces
      have opened up new realms in materials science, device physics and engineering.
      Herein, inspired by recent experiments, the unprecedented bidirectional
      heterostructures (BDHs) of gamma-graphyne@MoSe2/WSe2 as well as gamma
      graphyne@MoSe2 and gamma-graphyne@WSe2 are proposed and examined on the basis of
      first-principles calculations. Our results reveal that a novel wrinkled gamma
      graphyne with narrowed energy gap and strong binding strength is achieved on the
      planar and smooth substrate in gamma-graphyne@MoSe2/WSe2. The direct-indirect
      band gap crossover is also found in terms of interlayer coupling. Furthermore, we
      demonstrate that electron-hole pairs can be spatially separated, and the carrier
      mobility would be benefited from the absorbed gamma-graphyne in the BDHs. These
      results provide not only new insights into the physical and chemical properties
      of the vertical and bidirectional heterostructures, but also a new strategy for
      fabricating unprecedented 2D nanomaterials with exciting properties. 

PMID- 26266851
TI  - Alternative Excitonic Structure in the Baseplate (BChl a-CsmA Complex) of the
      Chlorosome from Chlorobaculum tepidum.
AB  - In the photosynthetic green sulfur bacterium Chlorobaculum tepidum, the baseplate
      mediates excitation energy transfer from the light-harvesting chlorosome to the
      Fenna-Matthews-Olson (FMO) complex and subsequently toward the reaction center
      (RC). Literature data suggest that the baseplate is a 2D lattice of BChl a-CsmA
      dimers. However, recently, it has been proposed, using 2D electronic spectroscopy
      (2DES) at 77 K, that at least four excitonically coupled BChl a are in close
      contact within the baseplate structure [ Dostal , J. ; et al., J. Phys. Chem.
      Lett. 2014 , 5 , 1743 ]. This finding is tested via hole burning (HB)
      spectroscopy (5 K). Our results indicate that the four excitonic states
      identified by 2DES likely correspond to contamination of the baseplate with the
      FMO antenna and possibly the RC. In contrast, HB reveals a different excitonic
      structure of the baseplate chromophores, where excitation is transferred to a
      localized trap state near 818 nm via exciton hopping, which leads to emission
      near 826 nm. 

PMID- 26266852
TI  - Strong Negative Temperature Dependence of the Simplest Criegee Intermediate CH2OO
      Reaction with Water Dimer.
AB  - The kinetics of the reaction of CH2OO with water vapor was measured directly with
      UV absorption at temperatures from 283 to 324 K. The observed CH2OO decay rate is
      second order with respect to the H2O concentration, indicating water dimer
      participates in the reaction. The rate coefficient of the CH2OO reaction with
      water dimer can be described by an Arrhenius expression k(T) = A exp(-Ea/RT) with
      an activation energy of -8.1 +/- 0.6 kcal mol(-1) and k(298 K) = (7.4 +/- 0.6) *
      10(-12) cm(3) s(-1). Theoretical calculations yield a large negative temperature
      dependence consistent with the experimental results. The temperature dependence
      increases the effective loss rate for CH2OO by a factor of ~2.5 at 278 K and
      decreases by a factor of ~2 at 313 K relative to 298 K, suggesting that
      temperature is important for determining the impact of Criegee intermediate
      reactions with water in the atmosphere.

PMID- 26266853
TI  - Applicability of the Caldeira-Leggett Model to Vibrational Spectroscopy in
      Solution.
AB  - Formulating a rigorous system-bath partitioning approach remains an open issue.
      In this context, the famous Caldeira-Leggett model that enables quantum and
      classical treatment of Brownian motion on equal footing has enjoyed popularity.
      Although this model is by any means a useful theoretical tool, its ability to
      describe anharmonic dynamics of real systems is often taken for granted. In this
      Letter, we show that the mapping between a molecular system under study and the
      model cannot be established in a self-consistent way, unless the system part of
      the potential is taken effectively harmonic. Mathematically, this implies that
      the mapping is not invertible. This "invertibility problem" is not dependent on
      the peculiarities of particular molecular systems and is rooted in the
      anharmonicity of the system part of the Caldeira-Leggett model potential. 

PMID- 26266855
TI  - Defects at the Two-Dimensional Limit.

PMID- 26266854
TI  - Hexagonal BC3: A Robust Electrode Material for Li, Na, and K Ion Batteries.
AB  - We have investigated the stability, maximum intercalation capacity, and voltage
      profile of alkali metal intercalated hexagonal BC3 (MxBC3), for 0 < x <= 2 and M
      = Li, Na, and K. Our calculations, based on dispersion-corrected density
      functional theory, show that these intercalation compounds are stable with
      respect to BC3 and their bulk metal counterparts. Moreover, we found that among
      all MxBC3 considered, the maximum stable capacity corresponds to an x value of
      1.5, 1, and 1.5 for Li, Na, and K, respectively. These values are associated with
      large gravimetric capacities of 572 mA h/g for Na and 858 mA h/g for Li and K.
      Importantly, we show that metal intercalated hexagonal BC3 has the advantage of a
      small open-circuit voltage variation of approximately 0.49, 0.12, and 0.16 V for
      Li, Na, and K, respectively. Our results suggest that BC3 can become a robust
      alternative to graphitic electrodes in metal ion batteries, thus encouraging
      further experimental work. 

PMID- 26266856
TI  - Flexoelectricity in Carbon Nanostructures: Nanotubes, Fullerenes, and Nanocones.
AB  - We report theoretical analysis of the electronic flexoelectric effect associated
      with nanostructures of sp(2) carbon (curved graphene). Through the density
      functional theory calculations, we establish the universality of the linear
      dependence of flexoelectric atomic dipole moments on local curvature in various
      carbon networks (carbon nanotubes, fullerenes with high and low symmetry, and
      nanocones). The usefulness of such dependence is in the possibility to extend the
      analysis of any carbon systems with local deformations with respect to their
      electronic properties. This result is exemplified by exploring of flexoelectric
      effect in carbon nanocones that display large dipole moment, cumulative over
      their surface yet surprisingly scaling exactly linearly with the length, and with
      sine-law dependence on the apex angle, dflex ~ L sin(alpha). Our study points out
      the opportunity of predicting the electric dipole moment distribution on complex
      graphene-based nanostructures based only on the local curvature information.

PMID- 26266857
TI  - Perovskite Solar Cells with Large-Area CVD-Graphene for Tandem Solar Cells.
AB  - Perovskite solar cells with transparent contacts may be used to compensate for
      thermalization losses of silicon solar cells in tandem devices. This offers a way
      to outreach stagnating efficiencies. However, perovskite top cells in tandem
      structures require contact layers with high electrical conductivity and optimal
      transparency. We address this challenge by implementing large-area graphene grown
      by chemical vapor deposition as a highly transparent electrode in perovskite
      solar cells, leading to identical charge collection efficiencies. Electrical
      performance of solar cells with a graphene-based contact reached those of solar
      cells with standard gold contacts. The optical transmission by far exceeds that
      of reference devices and amounts to 64.3% below the perovskite band gap. Finally,
      we demonstrate a four-terminal tandem device combining a high band gap graphene
      contacted perovskite top solar cell (Eg = 1.6 eV) with an amorphous/crystalline
      silicon bottom solar cell (Eg = 1.12 eV). 

PMID- 26266858
TI  - What Is the Price of Open-Source Software?

PMID- 26266859
TI  - Negative Linear Compressibility in Organic Mineral Ammonium Oxalate Monohydrate
      with Hydrogen Bonding Wine-Rack Motifs.
AB  - Negative linear compressibility (NLC) is a relatively uncommon phenomenon and
      rarely studied in organic systems. Here we provide the direct evidence of the
      persistent NLC in organic mineral ammonium oxalate monohydrate under high
      pressure using synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and
      density functional theory (DFT) calculation. Synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction
      measurement reveals that ammonium oxalate monohydrate shows both positive and
      negative linear compressibility along b-axis before 11.5 GPa. The red shift of
      the external Raman modes and abnormal changes of several selected internal modes
      in high-pressure Raman spectra further confirmed the NLC. DFT calculations
      demonstrate that the N-H...O hydrogen bonding "wine-rack" motifs result in the
      NLC along b-axis in ammonium oxalate monohydrate. We anticipate the high-pressure
      study of ammonium oxalate monohydrate may represent a promising strategy for
      accelerating the pace of exploitation and improvement of NLC materials especially
      in organic systems. 

PMID- 26266860
TI  - Energy Transfer in Silicon Nanocrystal Solids Made from All-Inorganic Colloidal
      Silicon Nanocrystals.
AB  - Energy transfer between silicon (Si) nanocrystals (NCs) in Si-NC solids was
      demonstrated by photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. Clear differences of PL
      spectra and the decay rates between solutions and solids of Si-NCs were observed.
      The change in the PL properties caused by the formation of solids could be
      explained by the energy transfer from small to large NCs in the size
      distribution. In order to obtain further evidence of NC-to-NC energy transfer,
      the size distribution was intentionally modified by mixing solutions of NCs with
      different size distributions. NC solids made from the mixed solutions exhibited
      significantly different PL spectral shape and decay rates from those made from
      unmixed solutions, providing clear evidence of NC-to-NC energy transfer in Si-NC
      solids. 

PMID- 26266861
TI  - Bringing Far-Field Subdiffraction Optical Imaging to Electronically Coupled
      Optoelectronic Molecular Materials Using Their Endogenous Chromophores.
AB  - We demonstrate that subdiffraction resolution can be achieved in fluorescence
      imaging of functional materials with densely packed, endogenous, electronically
      coupled chromophores by modifying stimulated emission depletion (STED)
      microscopy. This class of chromophores is not generally compatible with STED
      imaging due to strong two-photon absorption cross sections. Yet, we achieve 90 nm
      resolution and high contrast in images of clusters of conjugated polymer
      polyphenylenevinylene-derivative nanoparticles by modulating the excitation
      intensity in the material. This newfound capability has the potential to
      significantly broaden the range of fluorophores that can be employed in super
      resolution fluorescence imaging. Moreover, solution-processed optoelectronics and
      photosynthetic or other naturally luminescent biomaterials exhibit complex energy
      and charge transport characteristics and luminescence variations in response to
      nanoscale heterogeneity in their complex, physical structures. Our discovery will
      furthermore transform the current understanding of these materials' structure
      function relationships that have until now made them notoriously challenging to
      characterize on their native, subdiffraction scales. 

PMID- 26266862
TI  - Modulation of the Hydrogen Bonding Structure of Water by Renal Osmolytes.
AB  - Osmolytes are an integral part of living organism, e.g., the kidney uses
      sorbitol, trimethylglycine, taurine and myo-inositol to counter the deleterious
      effects of urea and salt. Therefore, knowing that the osmolytes' act either
      directly to the protein or mediated through water is of great importance. Our
      experimental and computational results show that protecting osmolytes, e.g.,
      trimethylglycine and sorbitol, significantly modulate the water H-bonding network
      structure, although the magnitude and spatial extent of osmolyte-induced
      perturbation greatly vary. In contrast, urea behaves neutrally toward local water
      H-bonding network. Protecting osmolytes studied here show strong concentration
      dependent behaviors (vibrational frequencies and lifetimes of two different
      infrared (IR) probes), while denaturant does not. The H-bond donor and/or
      acceptor (OH/NH) in a given osmolyte molecule play a critical role in defining
      their action. Our findings highlight the significance of the alteration of H
      bonding network of water under biologically relevant environment, often
      encountered in real biological systems. 

PMID- 26266863
TI  - Tribochemical Decomposition of Light Ionic Hydrides at Room Temperature.
AB  - Tribochemical decomposition of magnesium hydride (MgH2) induced by deformation at
      room temperature was studied on a micrometric scale, in situ and in real time.
      During deformation, a near-full depletion of hydrogen in the micrometric affected
      zone is observed through an instantaneous (t < 1 s) and huge release of hydrogen
      (3-50 nmol/s). H release is related to a nonthermal decomposition process. After
      deformation, the remaining hydride is thermally decomposed at room temperature,
      exhibiting a much slower rate than during deformation. Confocal-microRaman
      spectroscopy of the mechanically affected zone was used to characterize the
      decomposition products. Decomposition was enhanced through the formation of the
      distorted structure of MgH2 with reduced crystal size by mechanical deformation. 

PMID- 26266864
TI  - Same but Different: Dipole-Stabilized Shape Resonances in CuF(-) and AgF(.).
AB  - Electron attachment to closed-shell molecules is a gateway to various important
      processes in the gas and condensed phases. The properties of an electron-attached
      state, such as its energy and lifetime as well as the character of the molecular
      orbital to which the electron is attached, determine the fate of the anion. In
      this experimental and theoretical study of copper and silver fluoride anions, we
      introduce a new type of metastable anionic state. Abrupt changes in photoelectron
      angular distributions point to the existence of autodetaching states. Equation-of
      motion coupled-cluster singles and doubles calculations augmented by a complex
      absorbing potential identify some of these states as Sigma and Pi dipole
      stabilized resonances, a new type of shape resonance. In addition, these
      molecules support valence and dipole-bound states and a Sigma resonance of charge
      transfer character. By featuring five different types of anionic states, they
      provide a vehicle for studying fundamental properties of anions and for
      validating new theoretical approaches for metastable states.

PMID- 26266865
TI  - Phosphorene: Fabrication, Properties, and Applications.
AB  - Phosphorene, the single- or few-layer form of black phosphorus, was recently
      rediscovered as a two-dimensional layered material holding great promise for
      applications in electronics and optoelectronics. Research into its fundamental
      properties and device applications has since seen exponential growth. In this
      Perspective, we review recent progress in phosphorene research, touching upon
      topics on fabrication, properties, and applications; we also discuss challenges
      and future research directions. We highlight the intrinsically anisotropic
      electronic, transport, optoelectronic, thermoelectric, and mechanical properties
      of phosphorene resulting from its puckered structure in contrast to those of
      graphene and transition-metal dichalcogenides. The facile fabrication and novel
      properties of phosphorene have inspired design and demonstration of new
      nanodevices; however, further progress hinges on resolutions to technical
      obstructions like surface degradation effects and nonscalable fabrication
      techniques. We also briefly describe the latest developments of more
      sophisticated design concepts and implementation schemes that address some of the
      challenges in phosphorene research. It is expected that this fascinating material
      will continue to offer tremendous opportunities for research and development for
      the foreseeable future. 

PMID- 26266866
TI  - Graphene-Based Membranes for Molecular Separation.
AB  - In comparison with traditional chemical separation processes, membrane separation
      is much simpler and more efficient. An ideal membrane for molecular separation
      should be as thin as possible to maximize its solvent flux, be mechanically
      robust to prevent it from fracture, and have well-defined pore sizes to guarantee
      its selectivity. Graphene is an excellent platform for developing size-selective
      membranes because of its atomic thickness, high mechanical strength, and chemical
      inertness. In this Perspective, we review the recent advancements on the
      fabrication of nanoporous graphene membranes and graphene oxide membranes (GOMs)
      for molecular separation. The methods of fabricating these membranes are
      summarized, and the mechanisms of molecular separation based on these two types
      of graphene membranes are compared. The challenges of synthesizing and
      transferring large-area nanoporous graphene membranes and engineering the
      performances of GOMs are discussed. 

PMID- 26266867
TI  - Bright Fraction of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes through Correlated Fluorescence
      and Topography Measurements.
AB  - Correlated measurements of fluorescence and topography were performed for
      individual single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) on quartz using epifluorescence
      confocal microscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Surprisingly, only ~11% of
      all SWNTs in DNA-wrapped samples were found to be highly emissive on quartz,
      suggesting that the ensemble fluorescence quantum yield is low because only a
      small population of SWNTs fluoresces strongly. Qualitatively similar conclusions
      were obtained from control studies using a sodium cholate surfactant system. To
      accommodate AFM measurements, excess surfactant was removed from the substrate.
      Though individual SWNTs on nonrinsed and rinsed surfaces displayed differences in
      fluorescence intensities and line widths, arising from the influence of the local
      environment on individual SWNT optical measurements, photoluminescence data from
      both samples displayed consistent trends.

PMID- 26266868
TI  - Dielectric Anomaly in Ice near 20 K: Evidence of Macroscopic Quantum Phenomena.
AB  - H2O is one of the most important substances needed in sustaining life; but not
      much is known about its ground state. Here a previously unidentified anomaly is
      identified in the form of a minimum in the imaginary part of the dielectric
      constant with respect to temperature near 20 K, while the real part remains
      monotonic. Isothermal dispersion and absorption measurements show coinciding
      results. For the case of heavy ice (D2O), no anomaly was identified, confirming
      an apparent isotope effect. Concerted quantum tunneling of protons is believed to
      be the main cause behind the reported anomaly. Our findings identify another
      system that exhibits macroscopic quantum phenomena that rarely occur in nature. 

PMID- 26266869
TI  - Nd(3+)-Sensitized Ho(3+) Single-Band Red Upconversion Luminescence in Core-Shell
      Nanoarchitecture.
AB  - A strategy to achieve 808 nm excited single-band red upconversion luminescence of
      Ho(3+) via the core-shell nanoarchitecture design was provided. Specifically, the
      synthesized Yb/Ho/Ce: NaGdF4@Yb/Nd: NaYF4 active-core@active-shell nanoparticles
      were evidenced to enable high-content doping of Nd(3+) (~10 mol %) in the shell
      layer and, thus, markedly enhance red upconversion emission from Ho(3+)
      activators in the core with the assistance of spatially confined doping of Nd(3+)
      ions and efficient energy transfer of Nd(3+) -> Yb(3+)(shell) -> Yb(3+)(core) ->
      Ho(3+). Importantly, introducing Ce(3+) into the core was beneficial to the
      competition of radiation transitions from the two intermediate excited states of
      Ho(3+): (5)S2,(5)F4 (green-emitting) and Ho(3+): (5)F5 (red-emitting), which
      induced great enhancement in the red to green intensity ratio and ultimately
      intense single-band red upconversion emission. We believe that this preliminary
      study will provide an important advance in developing luminescent markers
      suitable for biolabeling applications. 

PMID- 26266870
TI  - Temperature-Dependent Permeability of the Ligand Shell of PbS Quantum Dots Probed
      by Electron Transfer to Benzoquinone.
AB  - This paper describes an increase in the yield of collisionally gated photoinduced
      electron transfer (electron transfer events per collision) from oleate-capped PbS
      quantum dots (QDs) to benzoquinone (BQ) with increasing temperature (from 0 to 50
      degrees C), due to increased permeability of the oleate adlayer of the QDs to
      BQ. The same changes in intermolecular structure of the adlayer that increase its
      permeability to BQ also increase its permeability to the solvent, toluene,
      resulting in a decrease in viscous drag and an apparent increase in the diffusion
      coefficient of the QDs, as measured by diffusion-ordered spectroscopy (DOSY) NMR.
      Comparison of NMR and transient absorption spectra of QDs capped with flexible
      oleate with those capped with rigid methylthiolate provides evidence that the
      temperature dependence of the permeability of the oleate ligand shell is due to
      formation of transient gaps in the adlayer through conformational fluctuations of
      the ligands. 

PMID- 26266871
TI  - Ab Initio Study of BiFeO3: Thermodynamic Stability Conditions.
AB  - BiFeO3 is investigated intensively, mainly as a multiferroic material. In this
      paper, the state-of-the-art ab initio hybrid functional approach with atomic
      basis sets was employed for a study of the stability range of BiFeO3 with respect
      to its decomposition into binary oxides and elementary metals, as a function of
      temperature and oxygen partial pressure. The calculated atomic and electronic
      structure of BiFeO3 was compared with previous LDA+U calculations using plane
      wave basis sets. Based on performed calculations, the phase diagram was
      constructed, which allows us to predict the stability region of stoichiometric
      BiFeO3. 

PMID- 26266873
TI  - Optical detection of glucose and glycated hemoglobin using etched fiber Bragg
      gratings coated with functionalized reduced graphene oxide.
AB  - An enhanced optical detection of D-glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c ) has
      been established in this study using etched fiber Bragg gratings (eFBG) coated
      with aminophenylboronic acid (APBA)-functionalized reduced graphene oxide (RGO).
      The read out, namely the shift in Bragg wavelength (DeltalambdaB ) is highly
      sensitive to changes that occur due to the adsorption of glucose (or HbA1c )
      molecules on the eFBG sensor coated with APBA-RGO complex through a five-membered
      cyclic ester bond formation between glucose and APBA molecules. A limit of
      detection of 1 nM is achieved with a linear range of detection from 1 nM to 10 mM
      in the case of D-glucose detection experiments. For HbA1c , a linear range of
      detection varying from 86 nM to 0.23 mM is achieved. The observation of only 4 pm
      (picometer) change in DeltalambdaB even for the 10 mM lactose solution confirms
      the specificity of the APBA-RGO complex coated eFBG sensors to glucose molecules.

PMID- 26266874
TI  - PRESTO polarization transfer to quadrupolar nuclei: implications for dynamic
      nuclear polarization.
AB  - We show both experimentally and numerically on a series of model systems that in
      experiments involving transfer of magnetization from (1)H to the quadrupolar
      nuclei under magic-angle-spinning (MAS), the PRESTO technique consistently
      outperforms traditionally used cross polarization (CP), affording more
      quantitative intensities, improved lineshapes, better overall sensitivity, and
      straightforward optimization. This advantage derives from the fact that PRESTO
      circumvents the convoluted and uncooperative spin dynamics during the CP transfer
      under MAS, by replacing the spin-locking of quadrupolar nuclei with a single
      central transition selective 90 degrees  pulse and using a symmetry-based
      recoupling sequence in the (1)H channel. This is of particular importance in the
      context of dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) NMR of quadrupolar nuclei, where
      the efficient transfer of enhanced (1)H polarization is desired to obtain the
      highest sensitivity. 

PMID- 26266872
TI  - New Insights into the Roles of Nogo-A in CNS Biology and Diseases.
AB  - Nogos have become a hot topic for its well-known number Nogo-A's big role in
      clinical matters. It has been recognized that the expression of Nogo-A and the
      receptor NgR1 inhibit the neuron's growth after CNS injuries or the onset of the
      MS. The piling evidence supports the notion that the Nogo-A is also involved in
      the synaptic plasticity, which was shown to negatively regulate the strength of
      synaptic transmission. The occurrence of significant schizophrenia-like
      behavioral phenotypes in Nogo-A KO rats also added strong proof to this
      conclusion. This review mainly focuses on the structure of Nogo-A and its
      corresponding receptor-NgR1, its intra- and extra-cellular signaling, together
      with its major physiological functions such as regulation of migration and
      distribution and its related diseases like stroke, AD, ALS and so on. 

PMID- 26266875
TI  - Protein-protein interactions generate hidden feedback and feed-forward loops to
      trigger bistable switches, oscillations and biphasic dose-responses.
AB  - Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) defined as reversible association of two
      proteins to form a complex, are undoubtedly among the most common interaction
      motifs featured in cells. Recent large-scale proteomic studies have revealed an
      enormously complex interactome of the cell, consisting of tens of thousands of
      PPIs with numerous signalling hubs. PPIs have functional roles in regulating a
      wide range of cellular processes including signal transduction and post
      translational modifications, and de-regulation of PPIs is implicated in many
      diseases including cancers and neuro-degenerative disorders. Despite the
      ubiquitous appearance and physiological significance of PPIs, our understanding
      of the dynamic and functional consequences of these simple motifs remains
      incomplete, particularly when PPIs occur within large biochemical networks. We
      employ quantitative, dynamic modelling to computationally analyse salient dynamic
      features of the PPI motifs and PPI-containing signalling networks varying in
      topological architecture. Our analyses surprisingly reveal that simple reversible
      PPI motifs, when being embedded into signalling cascades, could give rise to
      extremely rich and complex regulatory dynamics in the absence of explicit
      positive and negative feedback loops. Our work represents a systematic
      investigation of the dynamic properties of PPIs in signalling networks, and the
      results shed light on how this simple event may potentiate diverse and intricate
      behaviours in vivo. 

PMID- 26266876
TI  - On-chip surface modified nanostructured ZnO as functional pH sensors.
AB  - Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures are promising candidates as electronic components
      for biological and chemical applications. In this study, ZnO ultra-fine nanowire
      (NW) and nanoflake (NF) hybrid structures have been prepared by Au-assisted
      chemical vapor deposition (CVD) under ambient pressure. Their surface morphology,
      lattice structures, and crystal orientation were investigated by scanning
      electron microscopy (SEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron
      microscopy (TEM). Two types of ZnO nanostructures were successfully integrated as
      gate electrodes in extended-gate field-effect transistors (EGFETs). Due to the
      amphoteric properties of ZnO, such devices function as pH sensors. We found that
      the ultra-fine NWs, which were more than 50 MUm in length and less than 100 nm in
      diameter, performed better in the pH sensing process than NW-NF hybrid structures
      because of their higher surface-to-volume ratio, considering the Nernst equation
      and the Gouy-Chapman-Stern model. Furthermore, the surface coating of (3
      Aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) protects ZnO nanostructures in both acidic
      and alkaline environments, thus enhancing the device stability and extending its
      pH sensing dynamic range. 

PMID- 26266878
TI  - Genetic markers of recurrence in colorectal cancer.
AB  - Colorectal cancer (CRC) worldwide belongs to one of the most frequent cancers
      affecting both genders. Surgery and 5-fluorouracil-based adjuvant chemotherapy
      are recommended for patients with high-risk stage II and stage III colon
      carcinoma. Mutations of genes encoding for specific proteins may have an impact
      on the time to recurrence. These proteins act over specific signaling pathways,
      are implicated in metabolic processes and regulate the cell cycle. Though many
      retrospective studies show strong associations between genetic mutations and the
      clinical outcome of patients with CRC, currently no validated biomarkers are used
      in clinical routine settings. Therefore, large prospective validation studies
      should be carried out in order to strengthen the position of genetic mutations in
      personalized treatment of patients with CRC. 

PMID- 26266879
TI  - Radiosurgery for mesial temporal lobe epilepsy.

PMID- 26266877
TI  - Ketamine for rapid reduction of suicidal ideation: a randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Suicide is a devastating public health problem and very few
      biological treatments have been found to be effective for quickly reducing the
      intensity of suicidal ideation (SI). We have previously shown that a single dose
      of ketamine, a glutamate N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, is
      associated with a rapid reduction in depressive symptom severity and SI in
      patients with treatment-resistant depression. METHOD: We conducted a randomized,
      controlled trial of ketamine in patients with mood and anxiety spectrum disorders
      who presented with clinically significant SI (n = 24). Patients received a single
      infusion of ketamine or midazolam (as an active placebo) in addition to standard
      of care. SI measured using the Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation (BSI) 24 h post
      treatment represented the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included the
      Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale--Suicidal Ideation (MADRS-SI) score at
      24 h and additional measures beyond the 24-h time-point. RESULTS: The
      intervention was well tolerated and no dropouts occurred during the primary 7-day
      assessment period. BSI score was not different between the treatment groups at 24
      h (p = 0.32); however, a significant difference emerged at 48 h (p = 0.047).
      MADRS-SI score was lower in the ketamine group compared to midazolam group at 24
      h (p = 0.05). The treatment effect was no longer significant at the end of the 7
      day assessment period. CONCLUSIONS: The current findings provide initial support
      for the safety and tolerability of ketamine as an intervention for SI in patients
      who are at elevated risk for suicidal behavior. Larger, well-powered studies are
      warranted.

PMID- 26266880
TI  - Abducent nerve palsy treated by microvascular decompression: a case report and
      review of the literature.
AB  - Too few cases of isolated abducent nerve palsy caused by neurovascular
      compression syndrome have been reported. We here report on a case of abducent
      nerve palsy caused by neurovascular compression syndrome that was successfully
      treated by microvascular decompression (MVD). A 46-year-old male presented with a
      6-month history of right-sided persistent abducent nerve palsy. High-resolution
      magnetic resonance imaging revealed a neurovascular contact of the vertebral
      artery with the right abducent nerve. MVD was performed via a retrosigmoid
      craniotomy, with remarkable improvement of the palsy. Our report suggests that
      MVD might be considered as an optional treatment if the symptoms progress or
      persist.

PMID- 26266881
TI  - New Insights into the Conversion of Versicolorin A in the Biosynthesis of
      Aflatoxin B1.
AB  - A crucial and enigmatic step in the complex biosynthesis of aflatoxin B1 is the
      oxidative rearrangement of versicolorin A to demethylsterigmatocystin. This step
      is thought to proceed by an oxidation-reduction-oxidation sequence, in which the
      NADPH-dependent oxidoreductase AflM catalyzes the enclosed reduction step. AflM
      from Aspergillus parasiticus, after heterologous production in E. coli and
      purification, however, catalyzed the reduction of the hydroquinoid form of the
      starting compound versicolorin A (25% conversion) to a so far unknown product of
      aflatoxin biosynthesis. The asymmetric reduction of emodin hydroquinone to (R)
      3,8,9,10-tetrahydroxy-6-methyl-3,4-dihydroanthracen-1(2H)-one (up to 82% for
      AflM) has also been observed in previous studies using MdpC from Aspergillus
      nidulans (monodictyphenone biosynthetic gene cluster). The first (nonenzymatic)
      reduction of emodin to emodin hydroquinone, for example with sodium dithionite,
      is obligatory for the enzymatic reduction by AflM or MdpC. These results imply an
      unprecedented role of AflM in the complex enzymatic network of aflatoxin
      biosynthesis. 

PMID- 26266882
TI  - Testicular myxosporidiasis and ultrastructural characteristics of Myxobolus
      bufonis (Myxobolidae) infecting the Egyptian toad Bufo regularis (Bufonidae). A
      light and electron microscopic study.
AB  - The phylum Myxozoa comprises more than 2180 species, almost all of which are
      considered to be obligate parasites of aquatic fishes and amphibians. They are
      dangerous pathogens responsible for severe economic losses. From March to
      September 2014, 40 adult male Bufo regularis (Bufonidae) captured from different
      areas at Giza province, Egypt, were surveyed for myxosporean parasitic infection.
      Of these, 22 (55%) were infected by histozoic plasmodia, which produced spores
      after rupture belonging to Myxosporidia. The present investigation introduced a
      new data for the recorded parasite observed by light and transmission electron
      microscopy. The infection was diagnosed as large clusters of macroscopic
      plasmodia embedded in the testicular tissue causing distortion at the site of
      infection. The host reaction was manifested by the encapsulation of the plasmodia
      with a thick layer of connective tissue. Plasmodia were whitish in color,
      elliptical to ovoid in shape measuring 0.54 +/- 0.2 (0.34-0.63) mm in diameter.
      The spores were subspherical, reaching 7.1 +/- 0.2 (6.2-8.4) MUm in length and
      6.3 +/- 0.2 (5.8-7.0) MUm in width with two equal-sized polar capsules regularly
      arranged at the anterior pole of each spore. They were 3.4 +/- 0.2 (3.0-4.2) MUm
      in length and 1.9 +/- 0.2 (1.6-2.4) in width with 6-8 turns of polar filaments.
      Ultrastructural analysis showed that the plasmodia were surrounded by a plasma
      membrane with numerous projections and pinocytotic channels extended toward the
      host cell. The generative cells and the different developmental stages were
      arranged at the periphery of the plasmodia while immature and mature spores were
      centrally arranged. Sporogenesis, capsulogenesis, valvogenesis, and spore
      maturation of the present parasite were also described.

PMID- 26266883
TI  - Development of a multiplex PCR for identification of Dictyocaulus lungworms in
      domestic and wild ruminants.
AB  - Dictyocaulus lungworms are the causative agents of parasitic bronchitis
      (dictyocaulosis) characterised by coughing and severe lung pathology in domestic
      and wild ruminants. The objective of this study was to design a simple molecular
      test that could detect of lungworm DNA from both adult and larval lungworms and
      could distinguish between the most common Dictyocaulus species found in cattle
      and in some species of wild ruminants. A multiplex PCR test with four novel
      primers targeting species-specific regions of the second internal transcribed
      spacer (ITS2) was designed based on our own sequence data as well as on available
      sequence information in GenBank. After PCR amplification of lungworms from
      European bison (Bison bonasus), cattle (Bos taurus), moose (Alces alces), red
      deer (Cervus elaphus) and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), products were analysed
      with gel electrophoresis. This resulted in three specific bands of different size
      depending on the species analysed. Dictyocaulus viviparus collected from cattle
      or European bison resulted in a ca. 560 bp band, D. capreolus collected from roe
      deer produced a band ca. 400 bp and the longest DNA band (ca. 660 bp) was
      obtained with DNA from Dictyocaulus sp. collected from red deer and moose.
      Dictyocaulus eckerti bands with expected size of 714 bp were not observed in our
      study. The multiplex method produced consistent results with samples from both
      Sweden and Poland and overcame the limitations of traditional techniques based on
      differences in morphological features of parasites at different life stages. 

PMID- 26266884
TI  - First acidic macro-mesocellular aluminosilicate monolithic foams "SiAl(HIPE)" and
      their catalytic properties.
AB  - A new type of acidic macrocellular and mesoporous silica-alumina foam is obtained
      via a one pot alkaline sol-gel route coupled with a concentrated emulsion-based
      templating technique. The mixed oxide monolith exhibits high surface acidity,
      translating into excellent performance in the acid-catalyzed dehydration of
      bioethanol to ethene. 

PMID- 26266885
TI  - Concurrent use of strontium-89 with external beam radiotherapy for multiple bone
      metastases: early experience.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to consider the safety and efficacy
      of concurrent use of strontium-89 (Sr-89) with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT)
      for multiple bone metastases, including lesions that require urgent therapy.
      METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of a consecutive series of patients
      who received Sr-89 for multiple bone metastases. Forty-five patients with
      multiple bone metastases received Sr-89 injection. Since 17 of the 45 patients
      had osteolytic bone lesions requiring emergent EBRT, they underwent concurrent
      use of Sr-89 with EBRT (concurrent group). The remaining 28 patients, none of
      whom had osteolytic lesions requiring urgent EBRT, were given Sr-89 injection
      only (singularity group). The injection of Sr-89 was to be given during EBRT, or
      on the day before the first day of EBRT. The dose of EBRT was 30 Gy in 10
      fractions or 40 Gy in 20 fractions. Adverse events were evaluated according to
      hematological toxicity as measured by the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse
      Events (V4.0). To assess efficacy, we checked changes in the pain scale and
      analgesic drug dosages, and the presence or absence of serious complications from
      bone metastases. RESULTS: Fifteen of 17 patients (88.2%) in the concurrent group
      and 17 of 28 patients (60.7%) in the singularity group reported bone pain relief.
      A statistically significant difference was found between the two groups, and
      severe complications (spinal cord compression and pathological fracture) from
      bone metastases could be prevented in all patients in the concurrent group.
      Severe hematological toxicity (grade 3 or higher) was not observed in the two
      groups. There was no statistical difference between the two groups. No one
      required additional intervention. The adverse events were tolerable. CONCLUSIONS:
      The results of our study suggest that concurrent use of Sr-89 with EBRT for
      multiple bone metastases can be performed safely if it is carried out with care,
      and that it may be an effective therapy in cases requiring emergency treatment.

PMID- 26266886
TI  - Patterns and Perceptions of Dextromethorphan Use in Adult Members of an Online
      Dextromethorphan Community.
AB  - Dextromethorphan (DXM) is a widely available antitussive that has, at elevated
      dose levels, euphoric and dissociative effects. This article presents the
      reported patterns and preferences of DXM use, and perceptions of DXM use among
      adult members of an online DXM community. Analyses were conducted of quantitative
      and qualitative responses from nine female and 43 male individuals, aged 18-63
      years old. All respondents reported illegal and DXM drug use, beginning, on
      average, at 15.7 and 17.1 years of age, respectively. The majority of respondents
      first heard about DXM online or from a friend, preferred to use DXM alone,
      ingested substances concurrently with DXM to modify its effects, had not been to
      an emergency room or arrested because of their DXM use, and used DXM for its
      dissociative and mind-altering effects. DXM was perceived as safe and in no need
      of further regulation with only 14% of respondents mentioning DXM's addictive
      qualities. Findings from this sample of adult DXM users reveal a sophisticated
      subculture in which users report using DXM specifically to induce changes to
      their mental state and use a variety of substances to modify or enhance DXM's
      effects. 

PMID- 26266887
TI  - Dosimetry of bone metastases in targeted radionuclide therapy with alpha-emitting
      (223)Ra-dichloride.
AB  - PURPOSE: Ra-dichloride is an alpha-emitting radiopharmaceutical used in the
      treatment of bone metastases from castration-resistant prostate cancer. Image
      based dosimetric studies remain challenging because the emitted photons are few.
      The aim of this study was to implement a methodology for in-vivo quantitative
      planar imaging, and to assess the absorbed dose to lesions using the MIRD
      approach. METHODS: The study included nine Caucasian patients with 24 lesions (6
      humeral head lesions, 4 iliac wing lesions, 2 scapular lesions, 5 trochanter
      lesions, 3 vertebral lesions, 3 glenoid lesions, 1 coxofemoral lesion). The
      treatment consisted of six injections (one every 4 weeks) of 50 kBq per kg body
      weight. Gamma-camera calibrations for (223)Ra included measurements of
      sensitivity and transmission curves. Patients were statically imaged for 30 min,
      using an MEGP collimator, double-peak acquisition, and filtering to improve the
      image quality. Lesions were delineated on (99m)Tc-MDP whole-body images, and the
      ROIs superimposed on the (223)Ra images after image coregistration. The activity
      was quantified with background, attenuation, and scatter correction. Absorbed
      doses were assessed deriving the S values from the S factors for soft-tissue
      spheres of OLINDA/EXM, evaluating the lesion volumes by delineation on the CT
      images. RESULTS: In 12 lesions with a wash-in phase the biokinetics were assumed
      to be biexponential, and to be monoexponential in the remainder. The optimal
      timing for serial acquisitions was between 1 and 5 h, between 18 and 24 h,
      between 48 and 60 h, and between 7 and 15 days. The error in cumulated activity
      neglecting the wash-in phase was between 2 % and 12 %. The mean effective half
      life (T 1/2eff) of (223)Ra was 8.2 days (range 5.5-11.4 days). The absorbed dose
      (D) after the first injection was 0.7 Gy (range 0.2-1.9 Gy. Considering the
      relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of alpha particles (RBE = 5), D RBE = 899
      mGy/MBq (range 340-2,450 mGy/MBq). The percent uptake of (99m)Tc and (223)Ra
      (activity extrapolated to t = 0) were significantly correlated. CONCLUSION: The
      feasibility of in vivo quantitative imaging in (223)Ra therapy was confirmed. The
      lesion uptake of (223)Ra-dichloride was significantly correlated with that of
      (99m)Tc-MDP. The D RBE to lesions per unit administered activity was much higher
      than that of other bone-seeking radiopharmaceuticals, but considering a standard
      administration of 21 MBq (six injections of 50 kBq/kg to a 70-kg patient), the
      mean cumulative value of D RBE was about 19 Gy, and was therefore in the range of
      those of other radiopharmaceuticals. The macrodosimetry of bone metastases in
      treatments with (223)Ra-dichloride is feasible, but more work is needed to
      demonstrate its helpfulness in predicting clinical outcomes.

PMID- 26266888
TI  - Accuracy of bone SPECT/CT for identifying hardware loosening in patients who
      underwent lumbar fusion with pedicle screws.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the accuracy of
      bone SPECT (single photon emission computed tomography)/CT (computed tomography)
      in diagnosing loosening of fixation material in patients with recurrent or
      persistent back pain that underwent lumbar arthrodesis with pedicle screws using
      surgery and clinical follow-up as gold standard METHODS: A total of 48 patients
      (median age 49 years, range 21-81 years; 17 men) who had undergone lumbar spinal
      arthrodesis were included in this retrospective analysis. SPECT/CT results were
      compared to the gold standard of surgical evaluation or clinical follow-up.
      Positive SPECT/CT results were considered true positives if findings were
      confirmed by surgery or if clinical and other examinations were completely
      consistent with the positive SPECT/CT finding. They were considered false
      positives if surgical evaluation did not find any loose pedicle screws or if
      symptoms subsided with non-surgical therapy. Negative SPECT/CT scans were
      considered true negatives if symptoms either improved without surgical
      intervention or remained stable over a minimum follow-up period of 6 months.
      Negative SPECT/CT scans were determined to be false negatives if surgery was
      still required and loosening of material was found. RESULTS: The median length of
      time from primary surgery to bone SPECT/CT referral was 29.5 months (range 12-192
      months). Median follow-up was 18 months (range 6-57) for subjects who did not
      undergo surgery. Thirteen of the 48 patients were found to be positive for
      loosening on bone SPECT/CT. Surgical evaluation (8 patients) and clinical follow
      up (5 patients) showed that bone SPECT/CT correctly predicted loosening in 9 of
      13 patients, while it falsely diagnosed loosening in 4 patients. Of 35 negative
      bone SPECT/CT scans, 12 were surgically confirmed. In 18 patients, bone SPECT/CT
      revealed lesions that could provide an alternative explanation for the symptoms
      of pain (active facet degeneration in 14 patients, and disc and sacroiliac
      osteodegeneration in 7 patients and 1 patient, respectively). Overall sensitivity
      and specificity for the detection of loosening were 100 % and 89.7 %,
      respectively. The positive and negative predictive values were 69 % and 100 %,
      respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective analysis suggests that bone
      SPECT/CT bone is a highly sensitive and specific tool for the exclusion of screw
      loosening in patients who present with recurrent low back pain after having
      undergone lumbar arthrodesis. In addition, it can identify other potential causes
      of recurrent low back pain in this patient population.

PMID- 26266889
TI  - Axonal Injury in Stroke: A Forensic Neuropathology Perspective.
AB  - The use of beta-amyloid precursor protein (beta-APP) immunocytochemistry is
      standard practice in forensic neuropathology to assess the presence and severity
      of traumatic axonal injury. However, axonal injury has many causes, in addition
      to trauma. The principal complicating factor in interpretation is where traumatic
      brain injury is associated with brain swelling or hemorrhage, resulting in
      ischemic axonal injury. Although it has been claimed that different patterns of
      beta-APP immunoreactivity are seen in trauma, as opposed to hypoxia-ischemia,
      there have been few systematic studies of beta-APP immunostaining patterns in
      ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. This study investigated staining patterns in 96
      cases of stroke with no history of head injury and found complex staining
      patterns, some of which were indistinguishable from those said to be specific for
      trauma. A questioning approach to the assessment of beta-APP immunostaining
      patterns in cases of head injury is proposed to ensure that the possibility of
      some or much of the staining being due to ischemia has been excluded, before
      concluding that the axonal injury identified is traumatic in causation. 

PMID- 26266890
TI  - Sudden Death and Primary Leptomeningeal Melanocytosis: A Case Report With an
      Autopsy Diagnosis.
AB  - Meningeal melanocytoma is a rare benign pigmented tumor. It develops from
      melanocytes normally present in the meninges of the posterior fossa and medulla.
      It is an extra-axial tumor that manifests because of compression of adjacent
      structures. Although classified as a benign tumor, it can cause sudden death by
      several mechanisms. We report a rare case of meningeal melanocytoma and discuss
      the mechanism of death. A 21-year-old man with a previous history of recurrent
      lipothymia was admitted to the emergency department because of generalized
      seizures. Death occurred despite resuscitation. A medico-legal autopsy was
      performed. External examination of the body showed nonspecific asphyxia signs
      without any violence evidence. Necropsy noticed a brain edema with a dark color
      of the meninges especially in the frontal part. Histological examination
      concluded to diffuse meningeal melanocytoma with cerebral edema.

PMID- 26266891
TI  - A Fatal Case of Cervical Hemorrhage After Fine Needle Aspiration and Core Needle
      Biopsy of the Thyroid Gland.
AB  - Fine needle aspiration (FNA) and core needle biopsy (CNB) are recognized to be
      safe, useful, and inexpensive diagnostic tools for the evaluation of thyroid
      nodules. However, complications can arise during the procedure, albeit rarely and
      typically minor in nature. We report here an unusual fatal case of massive
      hematoma of the neck after FNA and CNB that may have caused airway obstruction. A
      68-year-old Japanese woman underwent both procedures and was found dead at home
      later the same day. Although severe complications of FNA or CNB such as major
      bleeds or deaths are rarely reported, clinicians and forensic pathologists should
      be cognizant that complications can arise. 

PMID- 26266892
TI  - A low-cost transcervical laryngeal injection trainer.
AB  - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To develop a low-cost, easy-to-construct model for
      education in transcervical laryngeal injection techniques. To validate the
      simulator among both fellowship-trained laryngologists and otolaryngology
      resident learners. STUDY DESIGN: Survey. METHODS: A transcervical laryngeal
      injection model was constructed. Fourteen otolaryngology residents used the model
      to practice vocal fold injection techniques. Survey feedback was obtained from
      all residents. RESULTS: Most learners agreed or strongly agreed that the
      simulator was easy to use (93%), was a good method to learn transcervical
      laryngeal injection technique (79%), improved their confidence with the procedure
      (78%), and could be applied to patients (72%). One hundred percent of the
      learners agreed or strongly agreed that they would recommend the simulator to
      other learners. CONCLUSION: Residents can be taught transcervical laryngeal
      injection techniques with a low-cost, easily constructed simulator prior to
      treating patients. This allows for a low-stress environment in which the learner
      can practice injection techniques. Resident feedback about the transcervical
      laryngeal injection simulator was very positive, including unanimous
      recommendation for use in other learners. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: N/A.

PMID- 26266893
TI  - Effects of ECM protein micropatterns on the migration and differentiation of
      adult neural stem cells.
AB  - The migration and differentiation of adult neural stem cells (aNSCs) are believed
      to be strongly influenced by the spatial distribution of extracellular matrix
      (ECM) proteins in the stem cell niche. In vitro culture platform, which involves
      the specific spatial distribution of ECM protein, could offer novel tools for
      better understanding of aNSC behavior in the spatial pattern of ECM proteins. In
      this work, we applied soft-lithographic technique to design simple and
      reproducible laminin (LN)-polylysine cell culture substrates and investigated how
      aNSCs respond to the various spatial distribution of laminin, one of ECM proteins
      enriched in the aNSC niche. We found that aNSC preferred to migrate and attach to
      LN stripes, and aNSC-derived neurons and astrocytes showed significant difference
      in motility towards LN stripes. By changing the spacing of LN stripes, we were
      able to control the alignment of neurons and astrocytes. To the best of our
      knowledge, this is the first time to investigate the differential cellular
      responses of aNSCs on ECM protein (LN) and cell adhesive synthetic polymer (PDL)
      using surface micropatterns. Our findings would provide a deeper understanding in
      astrocyte-neuron interactions as well as ECM-stem cell interactions. 

PMID- 26266894
TI  - Comparison between Monte Carlo simulation and measurement with a 3D polymer gel
      dosimeter for dose distributions in biological samples.
AB  - In this research, we used a 135 MeV/nucleon carbon-ion beam to irradiate a
      biological sample composed of fresh chicken meat and bones, which was placed in
      front of a PAGAT gel dosimeter, and compared the measured and simulated
      transverse-relaxation-rate (R2) distributions in the gel dosimeter. We
      experimentally measured the three-dimensional R2 distribution, which records the
      dose induced by particles penetrating the sample, by using magnetic resonance
      imaging. The obtained R2 distribution reflected the heterogeneity of the
      biological sample. We also conducted Monte Carlo simulations using the PHITS code
      by reconstructing the elemental composition of the biological sample from its
      computed tomography images while taking into account the dependence of the gel
      response on the linear energy transfer. The simulation reproduced the
      experimental distal edge structure of the R2 distribution with an accuracy under
      about 2 mm, which is approximately the same as the voxel size currently used in
      treatment planning. 

PMID- 26266895
TI  - Melanoma survival: sex does matter, but we do not know how.
AB  - The objective of this study was to provide further insights into the prognostic
      role of female sex in skin melanoma. The prognostic effect of sex in a population
      based case series of 3900 skin melanomas in central Italy has been evaluated
      considering the possible confounding role of many demographic and clinical
      variables (age, period of diagnosis, Breslow's thickness, Clark level,
      ulceration, lymph node status, metastasis, histological type, skin site, and
      pathological T and N). Multiple imputations, according to chained equations, have
      been used for imputing incomplete values. A Cox proportional hazards model on the
      risk of death caused by melanoma was fitted. Univariate and multivariate effects
      of sex and of other variables were computed. The 5-year cause-specific survival
      was 87% (95% confidence interval: 86-89%) for women and 80% (78-82%) for men.
      Women had higher rates at any time since diagnosis. After adjustment for other
      confounders, women had a 34% reduced risk compared with men of dying from skin
      melanoma (hazard ratio=0.66, 95% confidence interval: 0.56-0.79). The present
      study confirmed a strong protective effect of female sex on skin melanoma
      mortality. The protective factor is still unknown.

PMID- 26266896
TI  - Addition of nitrite enhances the electrochemical defluorination of 2
      fluoroaniline.
AB  - This study introduces a novel approach that uses the interaction of pollutants
      with added nitrite to produce diazonium salts, which cause in situ self-assembly
      of the pollutants on carbon electrodes, to improve their 2-fluoroaniline (2-FA)
      defluorination and removal performance. The 2-FA degradation performance,
      electrode properties, electrochemical properties and degradation pathway were
      investigated. The reactor containing NO2(-) achieved a 2-FA removal efficiency of
      90.1% and a defluorination efficiency of 38% within 48 h, 1.4 and 2.3 times
      higher than the corresponding results achieved without NO2(-), respectively. The
      residual NO2(-) was less than 0.5mg/L in the reactor containing added NO2(-),
      which would not cause serious secondary pollution. Scanning electron microscopy
      (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results proved that the carbon
      anode surface was successfully modified with benzene polymer, and electrochemical
      tests confirmed that the electrochemical activity of the modified anode was
      enhanced significantly. The C-F bond was weakened by the effect of the positive
      charge of the benzenediazonium groups, and the high electrochemical activity of
      the carbon anode enhanced the electrochemical performance of the system to
      accelerate defluorination. Thus, the present electrical method involving nitrite
      nitrogen is very promising for the treatment of wastewater containing
      fluoroaniline compounds.

PMID- 26266897
TI  - Applying the Back-Propagation Neural Network model and fuzzy classification to
      evaluate the trophic status of a reservoir system.
AB  - The trophic state index, and in particular, the Carlson Trophic State Index
      (CTSI), is critical for evaluating reservoir water quality. Despite its common
      use in evaluating static water quality, the reliability of the CTSI may decrease
      when water turbidity is high. Therefore, this study examines the reliability of
      the CTSI and uses the Back-Propagation Neural Network (BPNN) model to create a
      new trophic state index. Fuzzy theory, rather than binary logic, is implemented
      to classify the trophic status into its three grades. The results show that
      compared to the CTSI with traditional classification, the new index with fuzzy
      classification can improve trophic status evaluation with high water turbidity. A
      reliable trophic state index can correctly describe reservoir water quality and
      allow relevant agencies to address proper water quality management strategies for
      a reservoir system. 

PMID- 26266898
TI  - Integrating three tools for the environmental assessment of the Pardo River,
      Brazil.
AB  - There is a growing need for strategic assessment of environmental conditions in
      river basins around the world. In spite of the considerable water resources,
      Brazil has been suffering from water quality decrease in recent years. Pardo
      River runs through Minas Gerais and Sao Paulo, two of the most economically
      important states in Brazil, and is being currently promoted as a future drinking
      water source. This study aimed at integrating three different tools to conduct a
      hydromorphological assessment focused on the spatial complexity, connectivity,
      and dynamism of the Pardo River, Brazil. Twelve sampling stretches were evaluated
      in four sampling campaigns, in dry and rainy seasons. In each stretch, permanent
      preservation areas (PPAs), hydromorphological integrity by rapid assessment
      protocol (RAP), and physicochemical parameters were qualified. The kappa
      coefficient was used to assess statistical agreement among monitoring tools. The
      PPA analysis showed that in all stretches, the vegetation was modified. RAP
      results revealed environmental deterioration in stretches located near human
      activities and less variability of substrates available for aquatic fauna and
      sediment deposition as well. Low values for dissolved oxygen in the river mouth
      were noted in the rainy season. Electrical conductivity was higher in stretches
      near sugarcane crops. The poor agreement (k<0.35) between the RAP and
      physicochemical parameters indicates that the tools generate different and
      complementary information, while they are not replaceable. Potential changes of
      the hydromorphological characteristics and variations in physicochemical
      indicators must be related to extensive PPA modification.

PMID- 26266899
TI  - Occurrence and significance of polychlorinated biphenyls in water, sediment pore
      water and surface sediments of Umgeni River, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
AB  - The Umgeni River is one of the main sources of water in KwaZulu-Natal, South
      Africa; however; there is currently a lack of information on the presence and
      distribution of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in its sediment, sediment pore
      water and surface water. This study aims to determine the occurrence and
      significance of selected PCBs in the surface water, sediment pore water and
      surface sediment samples from the Umgeni River. Liquid-liquid and soxhlet
      extractions were used for water or pore water, and sediments, respectively.
      Extracts were cleaned up using a florisil column and analysed by gas
      chromatography-mass spectrometry. The total concentrations of eight
      polychlorinated biphenyls were 6.91-21.69 ng/mL, 40.67-252.30 ng/mL and 102.60
      427.80 ng/g (dry weight), in unfiltered surface water, unfiltered sediment pore
      water and surface sediments, respectively. The percentage contributions of
      various matrices were 4, 36 and 60 % for unfiltered surface water, unfiltered
      pore water and sediment, respectively. The highest concentrations of PCBs were
      found in water, pore water and sediment collected from sampling sites close to
      the Northern Wastewater Treatment Works. The highest chlorinated biphenyl, PCB
      180, was the most abundant at almost all sampling sites. To our knowledge, this
      is the first report on occurrence of polychlorinated biphenyls in the Umgeni
      River water, pore water and sediment system and our results provide valuable
      information regarding the partitioning of the PCBs between the water and sediment
      systems as well as the organic chemical quality of the water.

PMID- 26266901
TI  - Adrenomedullin: its double-edged sword during sepsis slices yet again.

PMID- 26266900
TI  - Low expression of equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 is associated with poor
      prognosis in chemotherapy-naive pT2 gallbladder adenocarcinoma patients.
AB  - AIMS: Equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (ENT1) is the major transporter of
      the chemotherapeutic drug gemcitabine, the current therapy for advanced
      gallbladder cancer (GBC). ENT1 expression has been proposed as a predictive
      marker for gemcitabine-treated pancreatic cancer patients. The aim of study was
      to explore the value of ENT1 measurement in chemotherapy-naive patients with
      advanced GBC. MATERIALS AND RESULTS: Immunohistochemistry for ENT1 was performed
      on 214 GBC samples from patients who had never undergone co-adjuvant or neo
      adjuvant chemotherapy. Advanced GBC cases were divided into groups with low or
      high ENT1 expression. Kaplan-Meier tests were used for survival analyses. The Cox
      regression method was used to assess the association of ENT1 expression with
      overall survival (OS). Low ENT1 expression was associated with younger patient
      age (P = 0.03) and moderate-to-poor histological differentiation (P = 0.01). pT2
      patients with low ENT1 expression had shorter median survival (17.3 versus 28.7
      months) and lower OS (17.3% versus 33.3%, P < 0.05) than patients with high ENT1
      expression. Low ENT1 expression was an independent prognostic factor for OS (P =
      0.036). CONCLUSIONS: ENT1 is a prognostic marker for pT2 GBC patients. Additional
      studies are needed to determine whether ENT1 has predictive value for gemcitabine
      response in GBC.

PMID- 26266902
TI  - Unilateral mechanical asymmetry: positional effects on lung volumes and
      transpulmonary pressure.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ventilated patients with asymmetry of lung or chest wall mechanics
      may be vulnerable to differing lung stresses or strains dependent on body
      position. Our purpose was to examine transpulmonary pressure (P TP) and end
      expiratory lung volume (functional residual capacity (FRC)) during body
      positioning changes in an animal model under the influence of positive end
      expiratory pressure (PEEP) or experimental pleural effusion (PLEF). METHODS:
      Fourteen deeply anesthetized swine were studied including tracheostomy,
      thoracostomy, and esophageal catheter placement. Animals were ventilated at V T =
      10 ml/kg, frequency of 15, I/E = 1:2, and FIO2 = 0.5. The animals were randomized
      to supine, prone, right lateral, left lateral, and semi-Fowler positions with a
      PEEP of 1 cm H2O (PEEP1) or a PEEP of 10 cm H2O (PEEP10) applied. Experimental
      PLEF was generated by 10 ml/kg saline instilled into either pleural space. P TP
      and FRC were determined in each condition. RESULTS: No significant differences in
      FRC were found among the four horizontal positions. Compared to horizontal
      positioning, semi-Fowler's increased FRC (p < 0.001) by 56% at PEEP1 and 54% at
      PEEP10 without PLEF and by 131% at PEEP1 and 98% at PEEP10 with PLEF. Inspiratory
      or expiratory P TP showed insignificant differences across positions at both
      levels of PEEP. Consistently negative end-expiratory P TP at PEEP1 increased to
      positive values with PEEP10. CONCLUSIONS: FRC did not differ among horizontal
      positions; however, semi-Fowler's positioning significantly raised FRC. P TP
      proved insensitive to mechanical asymmetry. While end-expiratory P TP was
      negative at PEEP1, applying PEEP10 caused a transition to positive P TP,
      suggestive of reopening of initially compressed lung units.

PMID- 26266903
TI  - A novel echocardiographic imaging technique, intracatheter echocardiography, to
      guide veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation cannulae placement in a
      validated ovine model.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Echocardiography plays a fundamental role in cannulae insertion and
      positioning for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Optimal access and
      return cannulae orientation is required to prevent recirculation. The aim of this
      study was to compare a novel imaging technique, intracatheter echocardiography
      (iCATHe), with conventional intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) to guide
      placement of ECMO access and return venous cannulae. METHODS: Twenty sheep were
      commenced on veno-venous ECMO (VV ECMO). Access and return ECMO cannulae were
      positioned using an ICE-guided technique. Following the assessment of cannulae
      position, the ICE probe was then introduced inside the cannulae, noting location
      of the tip. After 24 h, the sheep were euthanized and cannulae position was
      determined at post mortem. The two-tailed McNemar test was used to compare iCATHe
      with ICE cannulae positioning. RESULTS: ICE and iCATHe imaging was possible in
      all 20 sheep commenced on ECMO. There was no significant difference between the
      two methods in assessing access cannula position (proportion correct for each
      90%, incorrect 10%). However, there was a significant difference between ICE and
      iCATHe success rates for the return cannula (p = 0.001). Proportion correct for
      iCATHe and ICE was 80% and 15% respectively. iCATHe was 65% more successful (95%
      CI 27% to 75%) at predicting the placement of the return cannula. There were no
      complications related to the ICE or iCATHe imaging. CONCLUSION: iCATHe is a safe
      and feasible imaging technique to guide real-time VV ECMO cannulae placement and
      improves accuracy of return cannula positioning compared to ICE.

PMID- 26266904
TI  - Acute organ injury is associated with alterations in the cell-free plasma
      transcriptome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite a genomic revolution in biological sciences, clinical
      medicine has yet to integrate diagnostics based upon gene expression into
      practice. While commonly used plasma protein assays rely on organ-specific
      origins, nearly all nucleic acid in whole blood is derived from white blood cells
      limiting their utility to diagnose non-immune disorders. The aim of the study was
      to use cell-free plasma to define circulating messenger RNA sequences diagnostic
      of acute organ injury, including myocardial infarction (MI) and acute kidney
      injury (AKI). METHODS: In healthy human subjects (N = 4) and patients with acute
      MI (N = 4), we characterized the concentration and nature of circulating plasma
      RNA through spectrophotometry and chromatography. Through reverse transcriptase
      polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of amplicons up to 939 base pairs, we
      determined whether this mRNA was intact but of insufficient quantity to sequence.
      In mice, we induced an acute anterior myocardial infarction through 1 h of
      ischemia followed by reperfusion of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery. We
      compared the cell-free plasma transcriptome using cDNA microarray in sham
      operated mice compared to ischemia upon reperfusion and at 1 and 4 h. To
      determine organ specificity, we compared this profile to acute ischemia
      reperfusion of the kidney. RESULTS: In humans, there is more plasma RNA in those
      with acute MI than in healthy controls. In mice, ischemia-reperfusion of the LAD
      artery resulted in a time-dependent regulation of 589 circulating mRNA
      transcripts with less than a 5% overlap in sequences from acute ischemia
      reperfusion injury of the kidney. CONCLUSIONS: The mRNA derived from cell-free
      plasma defines organ injury in a time and injury-specific pattern.

PMID- 26266905
TI  - Bis maltolato oxovanadium (BMOV) and ischemia/reperfusion-induced acute kidney
      injury in rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to test the potential protective
      effects of the organic vanadium salt bis (maltolato) oxovanadium (BMOV; 15 mg/kg)
      in the context of renal ischemia/reperfusion (30 min of ischemia) and its effects
      on renal oxygenation and renal function in the acute phase of reperfusion (up to
      90 min post-ischemia). METHODS: Ischemia was established in anesthetized and
      mechanically ventilated male Wistar rats by renal artery clamping. Renal
      microvascular and venous oxygenation were measured using phosphorimetry.
      Creatinine clearance rate, sodium reabsorption, and renal oxygen handling
      efficiency were considered markers for renal function. RESULTS: The main findings
      were that BMOV did not affect the systemic and renal hemodynamic and oxygenation
      variables and partially protected renal sodium reabsorption. CONCLUSIONS:
      Pretreatment with the organic vanadium compound BMOV did not protect the kidney
      from I/R injury.

PMID- 26266906
TI  - Administration of intrapulmonary sodium polyacrylate to induce lung injury for
      the development of a porcine model of early acute respiratory distress syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The loss of alveolar epithelial and endothelial integrity is a
      central component in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS); however,
      experimental models investigating the mechanisms of epithelial injury are
      lacking. The purpose of the present study was to design and develop an
      experimental porcine model of ARDS by inducing lung injury with intrapulmonary
      administration of sodium polyacrylate (SPA). METHODS: The present study was
      performed at the Centre for Comparative Medicine, University of British Columbia,
      Vancouver, British Columbia. Human alveolar epithelial cells were cultured with
      several different concentrations of SPA; a bioluminescence technique was used to
      assess cell death associated with each concentration. In the anesthetized pig
      model (female Yorkshire X pigs (n = 14)), lung injury was caused in 11 animals
      (SPA group) by injecting sequential aliquots (5 mL) of 1% SPA gel in aqueous
      solution into the distal airway via a rubber catheter through an endotracheal
      tube. The SPA was dispersed throughout the lungs by manual bag ventilation. Three
      control animals (CON group) underwent all experimental procedures and
      measurements with the exception of SPA administration. RESULTS: The mean (+/- SD)
      ATP concentration after incubation of human alveolar epithelial cells with 0.1%
      SPA (0.92 +/- 0.27 MUM/well) was approximately 15% of the value found for the
      background control (6.30 +/- 0.37 MUM/well; p < 0.001). Elastance of the
      respiratory system (E RS) and the lung (E L) increased in SPA-treated animals
      after injury (p = 0.003 and p < 0.001, respectively). Chest wall elastance (E CW)
      did not change in SPA-treated animals. There were no differences in E RS, E L, or
      E CW in the CON group when pre- and post-injury values were compared. Analysis of
      bronchoalveolar lavage fluid showed a significant shift toward neutrophil
      predominance from before to after injury in SPA-treated animals (p < 0.001) but
      not in the CON group (p = 0.38). Necropsy revealed marked consolidation and
      congestion of the dorsal lung lobes in SPA-treated animals, with light-microscopy
      evidence of bronchiolar and alveolar spaces filled with neutrophilic infiltrate,
      proteinaceous debris, and fibrin deposition. These findings were absent in
      animals in the CON group. Electron microscopy of lung tissue from SPA-treated
      animals revealed injury to the alveolar epithelium and basement membranes,
      including intra-alveolar neutrophils and fibrin on the alveolar surface and
      intravascular fibrin (microthrombosis). CONCLUSIONS: In this particular porcine
      model, the nonimmunogenic polymer SPA caused a rapid exudative lung injury. This
      model may be useful to study ARDS caused by epithelial injury and inflammation.

PMID- 26266907
TI  - Uncontrolled sepsis: a systematic review of translational immunology studies in
      intensive care medicine.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The design of clinical immunology studies in sepsis presents several
      fundamental challenges to improving the translational understanding of pathologic
      mechanisms. We undertook a systematic review of bed-to-benchside studies to test
      the hypothesis that variable clinical design methodologies used to investigate
      immunologic function in sepsis contribute to apparently conflicting laboratory
      data, and identify potential alternatives that overcome various obstacles to
      improve experimental design. METHODS: We performed a systematic review of the
      design methodology employed to study neutrophil function (respiratory burst),
      monocyte endotoxin tolerance and lymphocyte apoptosis in the intensive care
      setting, over the past 15 years. We specifically focussed on how control samples
      were defined, taking into account age, gender, ethnicity, concomitant therapies,
      timing of sample collection and the criteria used to diagnose sepsis. RESULTS: We
      identified 57 eligible studies, the majority of which (74%) used case-control
      methodology. Healthy volunteers represented the control population selected in
      83% of studies. Comprehensive demographic data on age, gender and ethnicity were
      provided in <=48% of case control studies. Documentation of diseases associated
      with immunosuppression, malignancy and immunomodulatory therapies was rare. Less
      than half (44%) of studies undertook independent adjudication for the diagnosis
      of sepsis while 68% provided microbiological data. The timing of sample
      collection was defined by highly variable clinical criteria. By contrast,
      surgical studies avoided many such confounders, although only one study in
      surgical patients monitored the study group for development of sepsis.
      CONCLUSIONS: We found several important and common limitations in the clinical
      design of translational immunologic studies in human sepsis. Major elective
      surgery overcame many of these methodological limitations. The failure of
      adequate clinical design in mechanistic studies may contribute to the lack of
      translational therapeutic progress in intensive care medicine.

PMID- 26266908
TI  - The effect of vitamin C on plasma volume in the early stage of sepsis in the rat.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previous experimental studies have shown that vitamin C has several
      beneficial effects in sepsis and burns, such as decreased tissue oedema, improved
      endothelial barrier function and decreased transcapillary leakage of plasma
      markers. It has still not been investigated, though, if vitamin C has any impact
      specifically on plasma volume. The present study aims at testing the hypothesis
      that vitamin C decreases plasma volume loss in sepsis. METHODS: Anaesthetized
      male adult Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this prospective randomized study.
      All experiments were carried out at a university hospital laboratory. Sepsis was
      induced by caecal ligation and incision. After 3 h, vitamin C was given either as
      a bolus dose (66 mg/kg) followed by a continuous infusion (33 mg/kg/h) (n = 9),
      or as a single bolus dose (200 mg/kg) (n = 9). A sham group (n = 9) underwent the
      same surgical procedure, but no vitamin C was given. Plasma volume was measured
      ((125)I-dilution technique) at baseline, at 3 h after end of initiation of sepsis
      and at the end of the experiment 3 h later. Arterial blood samples for analyses
      of electrolytes, blood gases, haematocrit and lactate were taken at the same time
      points. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in plasma volumes or the
      physiological parameters analysed between any of the three groups at any time
      point. There was a significantly larger urine production in the single bolus dose
      group (200 mg/kg) compared to the sham group. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin C treatment
      did not decrease the loss of plasma volume in the septic rat. The diuretic effect
      of vitamin C was in accordance with previous studies.

PMID- 26266910
TI  - Assessment of ventilation inhomogeneity during mechanical ventilation using a
      rapid-response oxygen sensor-based oxygen washout method.
AB  - PURPOSE: Ventilatory inhomogeneity indexes in critically ill mechanically
      ventilated patients could be of importance to optimize ventilator settings in
      order to reduce additional lung injury. The present study compared six
      inhomogeneity indexes calculated from the oxygen washout curves provided by the
      rapid oxygen sensor of the LUFU end-expiratory lung volume measurement system.
      METHODS: Inhomogeneity was tested in a porcine model before and after induction
      of acute lung injury (ALI) at four different levels of positive end-expiratory
      pressure (PEEP; 15, 10, 5 and 0 cm H2O). The following indexes were assessed:
      lung clearance index (LCI), mixing ratio, Becklake index, multiple breath
      alveolar mixing inefficiency, moment ratio and pulmonary clearance delay.
      RESULTS: LCI, mixing ratio, Becklake index and moment ratio were comparable with
      previous reported values and showed acceptable variation coefficients at baseline
      with and without ALI. Moment ratio had the highest precision, as calculated by
      the variation coefficients. LCI, Becklake index and moment ratio showed
      comparable increases in inhomogeneity during decremental PEEP steps before and
      after ALI. CONCLUSIONS: The advantage of the method we introduce is the combined
      measurement of end-expiratory lung volume (EELV) and inhomogeneity of lung
      ventilation with the LUFU fast-response medical-grade oxygen sensor, without the
      need for external tracer gases. This can be combined with conventional breathing
      systems. The moment ratio and LCI index appeared to be the most favourable for
      integration with oxygen washout curves as judged by high precision and agreement
      with previous reported findings. Studies are under way to evaluate the indexes in
      critically ill patients.

PMID- 26266909
TI  - Statins, fibrates, thiazolidinediones and resveratrol as adjunctive therapies in
      sepsis: could mitochondria be a common target?
AB  - Through their pleiotropic actions, statins, fibrates, thiazolidinediones and
      resveratrol can target multiple mechanisms involved in sepsis. Their actions on
      mitochondrial function are of interest in a pathological state where bioenergetic
      failure may play a key role in the development of organ dysfunction. We review
      these four drug groups as potential adjunctive therapies in sepsis with a
      particular focus upon mitochondria. Systematic review of clinical and
      experimental trials was done with a literature search using the PubMed database.
      Search terms included statins, fibrates, thiazolidinediones, resveratrol,
      mitochondria, sepsis, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, inflammation,
      oxidative stress and organ dysfunction. With the exception of statins, most of
      the compelling evidence for the use of these agents in sepsis comes from the
      experimental literature. The agents all exert anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant
      properties, plus protective effects against mitochondrial dysfunction and
      stimulation of mitochondrial biogenesis. Improved outcomes (organ dysfunction,
      survival) have been reported in a variety of sepsis models. Notably, positive
      outcome effects were more commonly seen when the agents were given as pre- rather
      than post-treatment of sepsis. Statins, fibrates, thiazolidinediones and
      resveratrol prevent sepsis-induced injury to organs and organelles with outcome
      improvements. Their effects on mitochondrial function may be integral in offering
      this protection. Definitive clinical trials are needed to evaluate their utility
      in septic patients or those at high risk of developing sepsis. 

PMID- 26266911
TI  - Reliability of the nitrogen washin-washout technique to assess end-expiratory
      lung volume at variable PEEP and tidal volumes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: End-expiratory lung volume measurement by the nitrogen washin-washout
      technique (EELVWI-WO) may help titrating positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP)
      during acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Validation of this technique
      has been previously performed using computed tomography (EELVCT), but at mild
      PEEP levels, and relatively low fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2), which may
      have insufficiently challenged the validity of this technique. The aims of this
      study were (1) to evaluate the reliability of EELVWI-WO measurements at different
      PEEP and V T during experimental ARDS and (2) to evaluate trending ability of
      EELVWI-WO to detect EELV changes over time. METHODS: ARDS was induced in 14
      piglets by saline lavage. Optimal PEEP was selected during a decremental PEEP
      trial, based on best compliance, best EELVWI-WO, or a PEEP-FiO2 table. Eight V T
      (4 to 20 mL . kg(-1)) were finally applied at optimal PEEP. EELVWI-WO and EELVCT
      were determined after ARDS onset, at variable PEEP and V T. RESULTS: EELVWI-WO
      underestimated EELVCT with a non-constant linear bias, as it decreased with
      increasing EELV. Limits of agreement for bias were +/-398 mL. Bias between
      methods was greater at high PEEP, and further increased when high PEEP was
      combined with low V T. Concordance rate of EELV changes between consecutive
      measurements was fair (79%). Diagnostic accuracy was good for detection of
      absolute EELV changes above 200 mL (AUC = 0.79). CONCLUSIONS: The reliability of
      the WI-WO technique is critically dependent on ventilatory settings, but
      sufficient to accurately detect EELV change greater than 200 mL.

PMID- 26266912
TI  - Mechanical ventilation with heliox in an animal model of acute respiratory
      distress syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Heliox has a lower density and higher diffusion capacity compared to
      oxygen-in-air. We hypothesized that heliox ventilation allows for a reduction in
      minute volume ventilation and inspiratory pressures needed for adequate gas
      exchange in an animal model of an acute lung injury. METHODS: After intratracheal
      instillation of lipopolysaccharide (10 mg/kg), adult rats were randomized to
      ventilation with either a gas mixture of helium/oxygen (50:50%) or oxygen/air
      (50:50%). They were mechanically ventilated according to the ARDSnet
      recommendations with tidal volumes of 6 ml/kg and monitored with a
      pneumotachometer. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was analyzed for markers of lung
      injury, and embedded lung sections were histologically scored for lung injury.
      RESULTS: Heliox limited the increase in driving pressures needed to achieve
      preset tidal volumes, with a concomitant decrease in loss of compliance. Heliox
      did neither allow for reduced minute volume ventilation in this model nor improve
      gas exchange. Also, heliox did not reduce lung injury. CONCLUSIONS: Heliox
      modestly improved respiratory mechanics but did not improve lung injury in this
      rat model of acute respiratory distress syndrome.

PMID- 26266913
TI  - A standardized model of brain death, donor treatment, and lung transplantation
      for studies on organ preservation and reconditioning.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We set a model of brain death, donor management, and lung
      transplantation for studies on lung preservation and reconditioning before
      transplantation. METHODS: Ten pigs (39.7 +/- 5.9 Kg) were investigated. Five
      animals underwent brain death and were treated as organ donors; the lungs were
      then procured and cold stored (Ischemia). Five recipients underwent left lung
      transplantation and post-reperfusion follow-up (Graft). Cardiorespiratory and
      metabolic parameters were collected. Lung gene expression of cytokines (tumor
      necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta), interleukin-6
      (IL-6), interferon gamma (IFNgamma), high mobility group box-1 (HMGB-1)),
      chemokines (chemokine CC motif ligand-2 (CCL2-MCP-1), chemokine CXC motif ligand
      10 (CXCL-10), interleukin-8 (IL-8)), and endothelial activation markers
      (endothelin-1 (EDN-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell
      adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), selectin-E (SELE)) was assessed by real-time
      polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: Tachycardia and hypertension occurred
      during brain death induction; cardiac output rose, systemic vascular resistance
      dropped (P < 0.05), and diabetes insipidus occurred. Lung-protective ventilation
      strategy was applied: 9 h after brain death induction, PaO2 was 192 +/- 12 mmHg
      at positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) 8.0 +/- 1.8 cmH2O and FiO2 of 40%; wet
      to-dry ratio (W/D) was 5.8 +/- 0.5, and extravascular lung water (EVLW) was 359
      +/- 80 mL. Procured lungs were cold-stored for 471 +/- 24 min (Ischemia) at the
      end of which W/D was 6.1 +/- 0.9. Left lungs were transplanted and reperfused
      (warm ischemia 98 +/- 14 min). Six hours after controlled reperfusion, PaO2 was
      192 +/- 23 mmHg (PEEP 8.7 +/- 1.5 cmH2O, FiO2 40%), W/D was 5.6 +/- 0.4, and EVLW
      was 366 +/- 117 mL. Levels of IL-8 rose at the end of donor management (BD, P <
      0.05); CCL2-MCP-1, IL-8, HMGB-1, and SELE were significantly altered after
      reperfusion (Graft, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We have set a standardized,
      reproducible pig model resembling the entire process of organ donation that may
      be used as a platform to test in vivo and ex vivo strategies of donor lung
      optimization before transplantation.

PMID- 26266914
TI  - Moderately high frequency ventilation with a conventional ventilator allows
      reduction of tidal volume without increasing mean airway pressure.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to explore if positive-pressure ventilation
      delivered by a conventional ICU ventilator at a moderately high frequency (HFPPV)
      allows a safe reduction of tidal volume (V T) below 6 mL/kg in a porcine model of
      severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and at a lower mean airway
      pressure than high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV). METHODS: This is a
      prospective study. In eight pigs (median weight 34 [29,36] kg), ARDS was induced
      by pulmonary lavage and injurious ventilation. The animals were ventilated with a
      randomized sequence of respiratory rates: 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, followed by HFOV
      at 5 Hz. At each step, V T was adjusted to allow partial pressure of arterial
      carbon dioxide (PaCO2) to stabilize between 57 and 63 mmHg. Data are shown as
      median [P25th,P75th]. RESULTS: After lung injury, the PaO2/FiO2 (P/F) ratio was
      92 [63,118] mmHg, pulmonary shunt 26 [17,31]%, and static compliance 11 [8,14]
      mL/cmH2O. Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) was 14 [10,17] cmH2O. At 30
      breaths/min, V T was higher than 6 (7.5 [6.8,10.2]) mL/kg, but at all higher
      frequencies, V T could be reduced and PaCO2 maintained, leading to reductions in
      plateau pressures and driving pressures. For frequencies of 60 to 150/min, V T
      progressively fell from 5.2 [5.1,5.9] to 3.8 [3.7,4.2] mL/kg (p < 0.001). There
      were no detrimental effects in terms of lung mechanics, auto-PEEP generation,
      hemodynamics, or gas exchange. Mean airway pressure was maintained constant and
      was increased only during HFOV. CONCLUSIONS: During protective mechanical
      ventilation, HFPPV delivered by a conventional ventilator in a severe ARDS swine
      model safely allows further tidal volume reductions. This strategy also allowed
      decreasing airway pressures while maintaining stable PaCO2 levels.

PMID- 26266915
TI  - Genetic and pharmacologic inhibition of Tpl2 kinase is protective in a mouse
      model of ventilator-induced lung injury.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mechanical stress induced by injurious ventilation leads to pro
      inflammatory cytokine production and lung injury. The extracellular-signal
      regulated-kinase, ERK1/2, participates in the signaling pathways activated upon
      mechanical stress in the lungs to promote the inflammatory response. Tumor
      progression locus 2 (Tpl2) is a MAP3kinase that activates ERK1/2 upon cytokine or
      TLR signaling, to induce pro-inflammatory cytokine production. The role of Tpl2
      in lung inflammation, and specifically in the one caused by mechanical stress has
      not been investigated. The aim of the study was to examine if genetic or
      pharmacologic inhibition of Tpl2 could ameliorate ventilator-induced lung injury.
      METHODS: Adult male wild-type and Tpl2-deficient mice were ventilated with normal
      or high tidal volume for 4 h. Additional wild-type mice were treated with a Tpl2
      inhibitor either before or 30 min after initiation of high tidal ventilation. Non
      ventilated mice of both genotypes served as controls. The development of lung
      injury was evaluated by measuring lung mechanics, arterial blood gases,
      concentrations of proteins, IL-6, and MIP-2 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid
      (BALF) and by lung histology. Data were compared by Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric
      test and significance was defined as p < 0.05. RESULTS: Mechanical ventilation
      with normal tidal volume induced a mild increase of IL-6 in BALF in both strains.
      High tidal volume ventilation induced lung injury in wild-type mice,
      characterized by decreased lung compliance, increased concentrations of proteins,
      IL-6 and MIP-2 in BALF, and inflammatory cell infiltration on histology. All
      indices of lung injury were ameliorated in Tpl2-deficient mice. Wild-type mice
      treated with the Tpl2 inhibitor, either prior of after the initiation of high
      tidal volume ventilation were protected from the development of lung injury, as
      indicated by preserved lung compliance and lower BALF concentrations of proteins
      and IL-6, than similarly ventilated, untreated wild-type mice. CONCLUSIONS:
      Genetic and pharmacologic inhibition of Tpl2 is protective in a mouse model of
      ventilator-induced lung injury, ameliorating both high-permeability pulmonary
      edema and lung inflammation.

PMID- 26266916
TI  - Relevance of induced and accidental hypothermia after trauma-haemorrhage-what do
      we know from experimental models in pigs?
AB  - Recent experimental research has either focused on the role of accidental
      hypothermia as part of the lethal triad after trauma or tried to elucidate the
      effects of therapeutically induced hypothermia on the posttraumatic course.
      Induced hypothermia seems to reduce the mortality in experimental models of
      trauma-haemorrhage. As potential mechanisms, a decrease of cellular metabolism,
      beneficial effects on haemodynamic function and an attenuation of the
      inflammatory response have been described. However, negative side effects of
      hypothermia have to be considered, such as impairment of the coagulatory function
      and immunosuppressive effects. Furthermore, the optimal strategy for the
      induction of hypothermia (magnitude, duration, timing, cooling rate, etc.) and
      subsequent rewarming remains unclear. Nevertheless, this piece of information is
      essential before considering hypothermia as a treatment strategy for severely
      injured patients. This review aims to elaborate the differences between
      accidental and induced hypothermia and to summarize the current knowledge of the
      potential therapeutic use of induced hypothermia suggested in porcine models of
      trauma-haemorrhage. 

PMID- 26266917
TI  - Regulation of lung oxidative damage by endogenous superoxide dismutase in sepsis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The purpose of this research is to study the relationship between
      superoxide dismutase (SOD) and lung redox state in an animal model of sepsis.
      METHODS: Sepsis was induced in rats by the cecal ligation and perforation model
      (CLP). After 3, 6, and 12 h, CLP protein content and expression of SOD1, SOD2,
      and SOD3 were evaluated, and SOD activity was assessed. Oxidative damage was
      determined by quantifying nitrotyrosine content. Lung localization of SOD3 was
      performed by immunohistochemistry. The protective effect of a SOD mimetic on
      oxidative damage, inflammation, and lung permeability was assessed 12 and 24 h
      after sepsis induction. RESULTS: Lung levels of SOD1 decreased 3 and 12 h after
      sepsis, but SOD2 and SOD3 increased, as well as SOD activity. These alterations
      were not associated with changes in sod gene expression. Nitrotyrosine levels
      increased 3 and 12 h after sepsis. The administration of a SOD mimetic decreased
      nitrotyrosine and proinflammatory cytokine levels and improved lung permeability.
      CONCLUSIONS: SOD2 and SOD3 increased after sepsis induction, but this was
      insufficient to protect the lung. Treatments based on SOD mimetics could have a
      role in lung injury associated with sepsis.

PMID- 26266918
TI  - 'Chronomics' in ICU: circadian aspects of immune response and therapeutic
      perspectives in the critically ill.
AB  - Complex interrelations exist between the master central clock, located in the
      suprachiasmatic nuclei of the hypothalamus, and several peripheral clocks, such
      as those found in different immune cells of the body. Moreover, external factors
      that are called 'timekeepers', such as light/dark and sleep/wake cycles, interact
      with internal clocks by synchronizing their different oscillation phases.
      Chronobiology is the science that studies biologic rhythms exhibiting recurrent
      cyclic behavior. Circadian rhythms have a duration of approximately 24 h and can
      be assessed through chronobiologic analysis of time series of melatonin,
      cortisol, and temperature. Critically ill patients experience severe circadian
      deregulation due to not only the lack of effective timekeepers in the intensive
      care unit (ICU) environment but also systemic inflammation. The latter has been
      found in both animal and human studies to disrupt circadian rhythmicity of all
      measured biomarkers. The aims of this article are to describe circadian
      physiology during acute stress and to discuss the effects of ICU milieu upon
      circadian rhythms, in order to emphasize the value of considering circadian
      immune disturbance as a potential tool for personalized treatment. Thus, besides
      neoplastic processes, critical illness could be linked to what has been referred
      as 'chronomics': timing and rhythm. In addition, different therapeutic
      perspectives will be presented in association with environmental approaches that
      could restore circadian connection and hasten physical recovery. 

PMID- 26266919
TI  - Effects of glycemic control on glucose utilization and mitochondrial respiration
      during resuscitated murine septic shock.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study aims to test the hypothesis whether lowering glycemia
      improves mitochondrial function and thereby attenuates apoptotic cell death
      during resuscitated murine septic shock. METHODS: Immediately and 6 h after cecal
      ligation and puncture (CLP), mice randomly received either vehicle or the anti
      diabetic drug EMD008 (100 MUg . g(-1)). At 15 h post CLP, mice were anesthetized,
      mechanically ventilated, instrumented and rendered normo- or hyperglycemic
      (target glycemia 100 +/- 20 and 180 +/- 50 mg . dL(-1), respectively) by infusing
      stable, non-radioactive isotope-labeled (13)C6-glucose. Target hemodynamics was
      achieved by colloid fluid resuscitation and continuous i.v. noradrenaline, and
      mechanical ventilation was titrated according to blood gases and pulmonary
      compliance measurements. Gluconeogenesis and glucose oxidation were derived from
      blood and expiratory glucose and (13)CO2 isotope enrichments, respectively;
      mathematical modeling allowed analyzing isotope data for glucose uptake as a
      function of glycemia. Postmortem liver tissue was analyzed for HO-1, AMPK,
      caspase-3, and Bax (western blotting) expression as well as for mitochondrial
      respiratory activity (high-resolution respirometry). RESULTS: Hyperglycemia
      lowered mitochondrial respiratory capacity; EMD008 treatment was associated with
      increased mitochondrial respiration. Hyperglycemia decreased AMPK
      phosphorylation, and EMD008 attenuated both this effect as well as the expression
      of activated caspase-3 and Bax. During hyperglycemia EMD008 increased HO-1
      expression. During hyperglycemia, maximal mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation
      rate was directly related to HO-1 expression, while it was unrelated to AMPK
      activation. According to the mathematical modeling, EMD008 increased the slope of
      glucose uptake plotted as a function of glycemia. CONCLUSIONS: During
      resuscitated, polymicrobial, murine septic shock, glycemic control either by
      reducing glucose infusion rates or EMD008 improved glucose uptake and thereby
      liver tissue mitochondrial respiratory activity. EMD008 effects were more
      pronounced during hyperglycemia and coincided with attenuated markers of
      apoptosis. The effects of glucose control were at least in part due to the up
      regulation of HO-1 and activation of AMPK.

PMID- 26266920
TI  - Can computer simulators accurately represent the pathophysiology of individual
      COPD patients?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Computer simulation models could play a key role in developing novel
      therapeutic strategies for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
      (COPD) if they can be shown to accurately represent the pathophysiological
      characteristics of individual patients. METHODS: We evaluated the capability of a
      computational simulator to reproduce the heterogeneous effects of COPD on
      alveolar mechanics as captured in a number of different patient datasets.
      RESULTS: Our results show that accurately representing the pathophysiology of
      individual COPD patients necessitates the use of simulation models with large
      numbers (up to 200) of compartments for gas exchange. The tuning of such complex
      simulation models 'by hand' to match patient data is not feasible, and thus we
      present an automated approach based on the use of global optimization algorithms
      and high-performance computing. Using this approach, we are able to achieve
      extremely close matches between the simulator and a range of patient data
      including PaO2, PaCO2, pulmonary deadspace fraction, pulmonary shunt fraction,
      and ventilation/perfusion (<Vdot>/Q) curves. Using the simulator, we computed
      combinations of ventilator settings that optimally manage the trade-off between
      ensuring adequate gas exchange and minimizing the risk of ventilator-associated
      lung injury for an individual COPD patient. CONCLUSIONS: Our results
      significantly strengthen the credibility of computer simulation models as
      research tools for the development of novel management protocols in COPD and
      other pulmonary disease states.

PMID- 26266921
TI  - Brain function in iNOS knock out or iNOS inhibited (l-NIL) mice under endotoxic
      shock.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Microcirculatory dysfunction due to excessive nitric oxide production
      by the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is often seen as a motor of sepsis
      related organ dysfunction. Thus, blocking iNOS may improve organ function. Here,
      we investigated neuronal functional integrity in iNOS knock out (-/-) or l-NIL
      treated wild-type (wt) animals in an endotoxic shock model. METHODS: Four groups
      of each 10 male mice (28 to 32 g) were studied: wt, wt + lipopolysaccharide (LPS)
      (5 mg/kg body weight i.v.), iNOS(-/-) + LPS, wt + LPS + l-NIL (5 mg/kg body
      weight i.p. 30 min before LPS). Electric forepaw stimulation was performed before
      LPS/vehicle and then at fixed time points repeatedly up to 4.5 h. N1-P1 potential
      amplitudes as well as P1 latencies were calculated from EEG recordings.
      Additionally, cerebral blood flow was registered using laser Doppler. Blood gas
      parameters, mean arterial blood pressure, and glucose and lactate levels were
      obtained at the beginning and the end of experiments. Moreover, plasma IL-6, IL
      10, CXCL-5, ICAM-1, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and nitrate/nitrite levels
      were determined. RESULTS: Decline in blood pressure, occurrence of cerebral
      hyperemia, acidosis, and increase in lactate levels were prevented in both iNOS
      blocked groups. SEP amplitudes and NSE levels remained in the range of controls.
      Effects were related to a blocked nitrate/nitrite level increase whereas IL-6,
      ICAM-1, and IL-10 were similarly induced in all sepsis groups. Only CXCL-5
      induction was lower in both iNOS-blocked groups. CONCLUSIONS: Despite similar
      hyper-inflammatory responses, iNOS inhibition strategies appeared
      neurofunctionally protective possibly by stabilizing macro- as well as
      microcirculation. Overall, our data support modern sepsis guidelines recommending
      early prevention of microcirculatory failure.

PMID- 26266922
TI  - Effect of PEEP on breath sound power spectra in experimental lung injury.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Acute lung injury (ALI) is known to be associated with the emergence
      of inspiratory crackles and enhanced transmission of artificial sounds from the
      airway opening to the chest wall. Recently, we described the effect of ALI on the
      basic flow-induced breath sounds, separated from the crackles. In this study, we
      investigated the effects of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) on these
      noncrackling basic lung sounds augmented during ALI. METHODS: Lung sounds were
      recorded in six anesthetized, intubated, and mechanically ventilated pigs at
      three locations bilaterally on the chest wall. Recordings were obtained before
      and after induction of lung injury with oleic acid and during application of
      incremental positive end-expiratory pressure. RESULTS: Oleic acid injections
      caused severe pulmonary edema predominately in the dependent-lung regions.
      Inspiratory spectral power of breath sounds increased in all lung regions over a
      frequency band from 150 to 1,200 Hz, with further power augmentation in dependent
      lung areas at higher frequencies. Incremental positive end-expiratory pressure
      reversed the spectral power augmentation seen with ALI, reducing it to pre-injury
      levels with PEEP of 10 and 15 cmH2O in all lung regions at all frequencies. The
      application of positive end-expiratory pressure to normal lungs attenuated
      spectral power slightly and only over a band from 150 to 1,200 Hz. CONCLUSIONS:
      We confirm a gravity-related spectral amplitude increase of basic flow-induced
      breath sounds recorded over lung regions affected by permeability-type pulmonary
      edema and show that such changes are reversible by alveolar recruitment with
      PEEP.

PMID- 26266923
TI  - The renal compartment: a hydraulic view.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The hydraulic behavior of the renal compartment is poorly understood.
      In particular, the role of the renal capsule on the intrarenal pressure has not
      been thoroughly addressed to date. We hypothesized that pressure and volume in
      the renal compartment are not linearly related, similar to other body
      compartments. METHODS: The pressure-volume curve of the renal compartment was
      obtained by injecting fluid into the renal pelvis and recording the rise in
      intrarenal pressure in six anesthetized and mechanically ventilated piglets,
      using a catheter Camino 4B(r) inserted into the renal parenchyma. RESULTS: In
      healthy kidneys, pressure has a highly nonlinear dependence on the injected
      volume, as revealed by an exponential fit to the data (R (2) = 0.92). On the
      contrary, a linear relation between pressure and volume is observed in
      decapsulated kidneys. We propose a biomechanical model for the renal capsule that
      is able to explain the nonlinear pressure-volume dependence for moderate volume
      increases. CONCLUSIONS: We have presented experimental evidence and a theoretical
      model that supports the existence of a renal compartment. The mechanical role of
      the renal capsule investigated in this work may have important implications in
      elucidating the role of decompressive capsulotomy in reducing the intrarenal
      pressure in acutely injured kidneys.

PMID- 26266924
TI  - A simple and easy in vitro model to test the efficacy of IV lines' needleless
      connectors against contamination.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hub colonization after manipulation is responsible for 29% to 60% of
      catheter-related bloodstream infections (C-RBSI). Prevention can be achieved by
      the use of hub connectors, but its efficacy is generally based on instillation of
      high concentrations of microorganisms, which do not reflect the real
      contamination in daily practice. Our purpose was to create an in vitro model
      lasting long enough to be used for the comparison of the efficacy between various
      connectors against contamination simulating the real daily handling. METHODS: The
      model consisted of 40 blood culture bottles with an inserted cannula with a
      needle-free closed connector. Twice a day, each line was manipulated while
      instilling 1 mL of two different fluids (saline and propofol). We manipulated the
      bottles as follows: ten bottles with clean gloves and disinfecting connectors
      with alcohol (controls), ten bottles with hands (no gloves), ten bottles with
      gloves impregnated with a 0.5 McFarland (MF) solution of Staphylococcus aureus
      (SA), and ten bottles with gloves impregnated with a 0.05 MF solution of SA. The
      bottles were incubated in a BACTEC System at 37 degrees C under continuous
      agitation up to 10 days. When a bottle turned positive, 100 MUL of the fluid was
      cultured and incubated followed by microorganism identification using standard
      procedures. RESULTS: Overall, all bottles in the control group were negative at
      the end of the incubation time. In the three contamination experiments, almost
      all (38/40) bottles were positive during the incubation time. We only found
      differences regarding the median time to positivity (interquartile range (IQR))
      between saline and propofol in the manipulation with SA 0.05 MF: 240 h (154.82 to
      360.00) vs. 66 h (58.01 to 69.11), p = 0.008. CONCLUSIONS: A daily connector
      handling with 0.05 McFarland S. aureus solution while instilling saline proved to
      be a useful model lasting long enough to be used for the comparison of the
      efficacy of different types of closed needleless connectors against
      contamination.

PMID- 26266925
TI  - Effects of atrial natriuretic peptide on inter-organ crosstalk among the kidney,
      lung, and heart in a rat model of renal ischemia-reperfusion injury.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is a common cause of acute
      kidney injury and a frequent occurrence in critically ill patients. Renal IRI
      releases proinflammatory cytokines within the kidney that induce crosstalk
      between the kidney and other organ systems. Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) has
      anti-inflammatory as well as natriuretic effects and serves important functions
      as a regulator of blood pressure, fluid homeostasis, and inflammation. The
      objective of the present study was to elucidate whether ANP post-treatment
      attenuates kidney-lung-heart crosstalk in a rat model of renal IRI. METHODS: In
      experiment I, a rat model of unilateral renal IRI with mechanical ventilation was
      prepared by clamping the left renal pedicle for 30 min. Five minutes after
      clamping, saline or ANP (0.2 MUg/kg/min) was infused. The hemodynamics, arterial
      blood gases, and plasma concentrations of lactate and potassium were measured at
      baseline and at 1, 2, and 3 h after declamping. The mRNA expression and
      localization of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, and IL
      6 in the kidney, lung, and heart were examined. In experiment II, a rat model of
      bilateral renal IRI without mechanical ventilation was prepared by clamping
      bilateral renal pedicles for 30 min. Thirty minutes after clamping, lactated
      Ringer's (LR) solution or ANP (0.2 MUg/kg/min) was infused. Plasma concentrations
      of TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-1beta were determined at baseline and at 3 h after
      declamping. RESULTS: In unilateral IRI rats with mechanical ventilation, ANP
      inhibited the following changes induced by IRI: metabolic acidosis; pulmonary
      edema; increases in lactate, creatinine, and potassium; and increases in the mRNA
      expression of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-6 in the kidney and lung and IL-1beta
      and IL-6 in the heart. It also attenuated the histological localization of TNF
      alpha, IL-6, and nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB in the kidney and lung. In bilateral
      IRI rats without mechanical ventilation, ANP attenuated the IRI-induced increases
      of the plasma concentrations of potassium, IL-1beta, and IL-6. CONCLUSIONS: Renal
      IRI induced injury in remote organs including the lung and the contralateral
      kidney. ANP post-treatment ameliorated injuries in these organs by direct tissue
      protective effect and anti-inflammatory effects, which potentially inhibited
      inter-organ crosstalk.

PMID- 26266926
TI  - Macro- and micronutrient disposition in an ex vivo model of extracorporeal
      membrane oxygenation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) circuits have been shown
      to sequester circulating blood compounds such as drugs based on their
      physicochemical properties. This study aimed to describe the disposition of macro
      and micronutrients in simulated ECMO circuits. METHODS: Following baseline
      sampling, known quantities of macro- and micronutrients were injected post
      oxygenator into ex vivo ECMO circuits primed with the fresh human whole blood and
      maintained under standard physiologic conditions. Serial blood samples were then
      obtained at 1, 30 and 60 min and at 6, 12 and 24 h after the addition of
      nutrients, to measure the concentrations of study compounds using validated
      assays. RESULTS: Twenty-one samples were tested for thirty-one nutrient
      compounds. There were significant reductions (p < 0.05) in circuit concentrations
      of some amino acids [alanine (10%), arginine (95%), cysteine (14%), glutamine
      (25%) and isoleucine (7%)], vitamins [A (42%) and E (6%)] and glucose (42%) over
      24 h. Significant increases in circuit concentrations (p < 0.05) were observed
      over time for many amino acids, zinc and vitamin C. There were no significant
      reductions in total proteins, triglycerides, total cholesterol, selenium, copper,
      manganese and vitamin D concentrations within the ECMO circuit over a 24-h
      period. No clear correlation could be established between physicochemical
      properties and circuit behaviour of tested nutrients. CONCLUSIONS: Significant
      alterations in macro- and micronutrient concentrations were observed in this
      single-dose ex vivo circuit study. Most significantly, there is potential for
      circuit loss of essential amino acid isoleucine and lipid soluble vitamins (A and
      E) in the ECMO circuit, and the mechanisms for this need further exploration.
      While the reductions in glucose concentrations and an increase in other macro-
      and micronutrient concentrations probably reflect cellular metabolism and
      breakdown, the decrement in arginine and glutamine concentrations may be
      attributed to their enzymatic conversion to ornithine and glutamate,
      respectively. While the results are generally reassuring from a macronutrient
      perspective, prospective studies in clinical subjects are indicated to further
      evaluate the influence of ECMO circuit on micronutrient concentrations and
      clinical outcomes.

PMID- 26266927
TI  - Early brain injury linearly correlates with reduction in cerebral perfusion
      pressure during the hyperacute phase of subarachnoid hemorrhage.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It is unclear how complex pathophysiological mechanisms that result
      in early brain injury (EBI) after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) are triggered. We
      investigate how peak intracranial pressure (ICP), amount of subarachnoid blood,
      and hyperacute depletion of cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) correlate to the
      onset of EBI following experimental SAH. METHODS: An entire spectrum of various
      degrees of SAH severities measured as peak ICP was generated and controlled using
      the blood shunt SAH model in rabbits. Standard cardiovascular monitoring, ICP,
      CPP, and bilateral regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) were continuously
      measured. Cells with DNA damage and neurodegeneration were detected using
      terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) and Fluoro
      jade B (FJB). RESULTS: rCBF was significantly correlated to reduction in CPP
      during the initial 15 min after SAH in a linear regression pattern (r (2) = 0.68,
      p < 0.001). FJB- and TUNEL-labeled cells were linearly correlated to reduction in
      CPP during the first 3 min of hemorrhage in the hippocampal regions (FJB: r (2) =
      0.50, p < 0.01; TUNEL: r (2) = 0.35, p < 0.05), as well as in the basal cortex
      (TUNEL: r (2) = 0.58, p < 0.01). EBI occurred in animals with severe (relative
      CPP depletion >0.4) and moderate (relative CPP depletion >0.25 but <0.4) SAH.
      Neuronal cell death was equally detected in vulnerable and more resistant brain
      regions. CONCLUSIONS: The degree of EBI in terms of neuronal cell degeneration in
      both the hippocampal regions and the basal cortex linearly correlates with
      reduced CPP during hyperacute SAH. Temporary CPP reduction, however, is not
      solely responsible for EBI but potentially triggers processes that eventually
      result in early brain damage.

PMID- 26266928
TI  - Validation of computed tomography for measuring lung weight.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lung weight characterises severity of pulmonary oedema and predicts
      response to mechanical ventilation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the
      accuracy of quantitative analysis of thorax computed tomography (CT) for
      measuring lung weight in pigs with or without pulmonary oedema. METHODS: Thirty
      six pigs were mechanically ventilated with different tidal volumes and positive
      end-expiratory pressures that did or did not induce pulmonary oedema. After 54 h,
      they underwent thorax CT (CT in vivo ) and were then sacrificed and
      exsanguinated. Fourteen pigs underwent a second thorax CT (CTpost-exsang.) after
      exsanguination. Lungs were excised and weighed with a balance (balancepost
      exsang.). Agreement between lung weights measured with the balance (considered as
      reference) and those estimated by quantitative analysis of CT was assessed with
      Bland-Altman plots. RESULTS: One animal unexpectedly died before CT in vivo . In
      35 pigs, lung weight measured with balancepost-exsang. was 371 +/- 184 g and that
      estimated with CT in vivo was 481 +/- 189 g (p < 0.001). Bias between methods was
      -111 g (-35%) and limits of agreement were -176 (-63%) and -46 g (-8%).
      Measurement error was similar in animals with (-112 +/- 45 g; n = 11) or without
      (-110 +/- 27 g; n = 24) pulmonary oedema (p = 0.88). In 14 pigs with thorax CT
      after exsanguination, lung weight measured with balancepost-exsang. was 342 +/-
      165 g and that estimated with CTpost-exsang. was 352 +/- 160 g (p = 0.02). Bias
      between methods was -9 g (-4%) and limits of agreement were -36 (-11%) and 17 g
      (3%). Measurement errors were similar in pigs with (-1 +/- 26 g; n = 11) or
      without (-12 +/- 7 g; n = 3) pulmonary oedema (p = 0.12). CONCLUSIONS: Compared
      to the balance, CT obtained in vivo constantly overestimated the lung weight, as
      it included pulmonary blood (whereas the balance did not). By contrast, CT
      obtained after exsanguination provided accurate and reproducible results.

PMID- 26266929
TI  - Systemic and renal hemodynamic effects of intra-arterial radiocontrast.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Decreased renal blood flow (RBF) and vasoconstriction are considered
      major mechanisms of contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CIAKI). To understand
      the severity and duration of such putative effects, we measured systemic and
      renal hemodynamics after intra-arterial radiocontrast administration. The
      subjects were six Merino ewes. The setting was a university-affiliated research
      institute. This is a randomized cross-over experimental study. METHODS: Transit
      time flow probes were implanted on the pulmonary and left renal arteries 2 weeks
      before experimentation. We simulated percutaneous coronary intervention by
      administering five intra-arterial boluses of 0.5 mL/kg saline (control) or
      radiocontrast (iodixanol) to a total of 2.5 mL/kg over 1 h. Cardiac output (CO),
      heart rate, mean arterial pressure (MAP), RBF, renal vascular conductance (RVC),
      urine output (UO), creatinine clearance (CrCl), and fractional excretion of
      sodium (FENa) were measured. RESULTS: In the first 8 h after intra-arterial
      administration of radiocontrast, CO, total peripheral conductance (TPC), and
      heart rate (HR) increased compared with those after normal saline administration.
      Thereafter, CO and TPC were similar between the two groups, but HR remained
      higher with radiocontrast (p < 0.001). After a short (30 min) period of renal
      vasoconstriction with preserved RBF secondary to an associated increase in MAP,
      RBF and RVC showed an earlier and greater increase (vasodilatation) with
      radiocontrast (p < 0.001) and remained higher during the first 2 days.
      Radiocontrast initially increased urine output (p < 0.001) and FENa (p = 0.003).
      However, the overall daily urine output decreased in the radiocontrast-treated
      animals at 2 days (p < 0.001) and 3 days (p = 0.006). Creatinine clearance was
      not affected. CONCLUSIONS: In healthy animals, intra-arterial radiocontrast
      increased RBF, induced renal vasodilatation, and caused a delayed period of
      oliguria. Our findings suggest that sustained reduction in RBF and renal
      vasoconstriction may not occur in normal large mammals after intra-arterial
      radiocontrast administration.

PMID- 26266930
TI  - Contrast-enhanced ultrasound evaluation of renal microcirculation in sheep.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) is a novel imaging modality
      to estimate microvascular perfusion. We aimed to assess renal cortical
      microcirculatory changes by CEUS during pharmacologically or mechanically induced
      modifications of renal blood flow (RBF) in experimental animals. METHODS: We
      implanted invasive transit-time Doppler flow probes and a vascular occluder
      around the renal artery in six Merino sheep. After induction of general
      anaesthesia, renal CEUS studies with destruction-replenishment sequences were
      performed at baseline and after different interventions aimed at modifying RBF.
      First, we administered angiotensin II (AngII) to achieve a 25% (AngII 25%) and
      50% (AngII 50%) decrease in RBF. Then, we applied mechanical occlusion of the
      renal artery until RBF decreased by 25% (Occl 25%) and 50% (Occl 50%) of the
      baseline. Finally, a single dose of 25 mg of captopril was administered. CEUS
      sequences were analysed offline with dedicated software and perfusion indices
      (PI) calculated. RESULTS: Pharmacological reduction of RBF with AngII was
      associated with a 62% (range: 68 decrease to 167 increase) increase (AngII 25%)
      and a 5% increase in PI (range: 92% decrease to 53% increase) (AngII 50%) in PI.
      Mechanical occlusion of the renal artery was associated with a 2% (range: 43%
      decrease to 2% increase) decrease (Occl 25%) and a 67% (range: 63% decrease to a
      120% increase) increase (Occl 50%) in PI. The administration of captopril was
      associated with a 8% (range: 25% decrease to a 101% increase) decrease in PI.
      Pooled changes in PI failed to reach statistical significance. The study was
      limited by the difficulty to obtain high quality images. CONCLUSIONS: CEUS
      derived parameters were highly heterogeneous in this sheep model. The current
      protocol and model did not allow the evaluation of the correlation between macro
      and microcirculation assessment by CEUS.

PMID- 26266931
TI  - Sepsis-induced acute kidney injury by standardized colon ascendens stent
      peritonitis in rats - a simple, reproducible animal model.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Up to 50% of septic patients develop acute kidney injury (AKI). The
      pathomechanism of septic AKI is poorly understood. Therefore, we established an
      innovative rodent model to characterize sepsis-induced AKI by standardized colon
      ascendens stent peritonitis (sCASP). The model has a standardized focus of
      infection, an intensive care set up with monitoring of haemodynamics and
      oxygenation resulting in predictable impairment of renal function, AKI parameters
      as well as histopathology scoring. METHODS: Anaesthetized rats underwent the
      sCASP procedure, whereas sham animals were sham operated and control animals were
      just monitored invasively. Haemodynamic variables and blood gases were
      continuously measured. After 24 h, animals were reanesthetized; cardiac output
      (CO), inulin and PAH clearances were measured and later on kidneys were
      harvested; and creatinine, urea, cystatin C and neutrophil gelatinase-associated
      lipocalin (NGAL) were analysed. Additional sCASP-treated animals were
      investigated after 3 and 9 days. RESULTS: All sCASP-treated animals survived,
      whilst ubiquitous peritonitis and significantly deteriorated clinical and
      macrohaemodynamic sepsis signs after 24 h (MAP, CO, heart rate) were obvious.
      Blood analyses showed increased lactate and IL-6 levels as well as leucopenia.
      Urine output, inulin and PAH clearance were significantly decreased in sCASP
      compared to sham and control. Additionally, significant increase in cystatin C
      and NGAL was detected. Standard parameters like serum creatinine and urea were
      elevated and sCASP-induced sepsis increased significantly in a time-dependent
      manner. The renal histopathological score of sCASP-treated animals deteriorated
      after 3 and 9 days. CONCLUSIONS: The presented sCASP method is a standardized,
      reliable and reproducible method to induce septic AKI. The intensive care set up,
      continuous macrohaemodynamic and gas exchange monitoring, low mortality rate as
      well as the opportunity of detailed analyses of kidney function and impairments
      are advantages of this setup. Thus, our described method may serve as a new
      standard for experimental investigations of septic AKI.

PMID- 26266932
TI  - Rice bran prevents high-fat diet-induced inflammation and macrophage content in
      adipose tissue.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The inflammatory process associated with obesity mainly arises from
      white adipose tissue (WAT) alterations. In the last few years, nutritional-based
      strategies have been positioned as promising alternatives to pharmacological
      approaches against these pathologies. Our aim was to determine the potential of a
      rice bran enzymatic extract (RBEE)-supplemented diet in the prevention of
      metabolic, biochemical and functional adipose tissue and macrophage changes
      associated with a diet-induced obesity (DIO) in mice. METHODS: C57BL/6J mice were
      fed high-fat diet (HF), 1 and 5 % RBEE-supplemented high-fat diet (HF1 % and HF5
      %, respectively) and standard diet as control. Serum cardiometabolic parameters,
      adipocytes size and mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory biomarkers and macrophage
      polarization-related genes from WAT and liver were evaluated. RESULTS: RBEE
      administration significantly decreased insulin resistance in obese mice. Serum
      triglycerides, total cholesterol, glucose, insulin, adiponectin and nitrites from
      treated mice were partially restored, mainly by 1 % RBEE-enriched diet. The
      incremented adipocytes size observed in HF group was reduced by RBEE treatment,
      being 1 % more effective than 5 % RBEE. Pro-inflammatory biomarkers in WAT such
      as IL-6 and IL-1beta were significantly decreased in RBEE-treated mice.
      Adiponectin, PPARgamma, TNF-alpha, Emr1 or M1/M2 levels were significantly
      restored in WAT from HF1 % compared to HF mice. CONCLUSIONS: RBEE-supplemented
      diet attenuated insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and morphological and functional
      alterations of adipose tissue in DIO mice. These benefits were accompanied by a
      modulating effect in adipocytes secretion and some biomarkers associated with
      macrophage polarization. Therefore, RBEE may be considered an alternative
      nutritional complement over metabolic syndrome and its complications.

PMID- 26266933
TI  - FAH domain containing protein 1 (FAHD-1) is required for mitochondrial function
      and locomotion activity in C. elegans.
AB  - The fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase (FAH) protein superfamily of metabolic enzymes
      comprises a diverse set of enzymatic functions, including beta-diketone
      hydrolases, decarboxylases, and isomerases. Of note, the FAH superfamily includes
      many prokaryotic members with very distinct functions that lack homologs in
      eukaryotes. A prokaryotic member of the FAH superfamily, referred to as Cg1458,
      was shown to encode a soluble oxaloacetate decarboxylase (ODx). Based on sequence
      homologies to Cg1458, we recently identified human FAH domain containing protein
      1 (FAHD1) as the first eukaryotic oxaloacetate decarboxylase. The physiological
      functions of ODx in eukaryotes remain unclear. Here we have probed the function
      of fahd-1, the nematode homolog of FAHD1, in the context of an intact organism.
      We found that mutation of fahd-1 resulted in reduced brood size, a deregulation
      of the egg laying process and a severe locomotion deficit, characterized by a
      reduced frequency of body bends, reduced exploratory movements and reduced
      performance in an endurance exercise test. Notably, mitochondrial function was
      altered in the fahd-1(tm5005) mutant strain, as shown by a reduction of
      mitochondrial membrane potential and a reduced oxygen consumption of fahd
      1(tm5005) animals. Mitochondrial dysfunction was accompanied by lifespan
      extension in worms grown at elevated temperature; however, unlike in mutant worms
      with a defect in the electron transport chain, the mitochondrial unfolded protein
      response was not upregulated in worms upon inactivation of fahd-1. Together these
      data establish a role of fahd-1 to maintain mitochondrial function and
      consequently physical activity in nematodes. 

PMID- 26266934
TI  - Microevolution of Anthrax from a Young Ancestor (M.A.Y.A.) Suggests a Soil-Borne
      Life Cycle of Bacillus anthracis.
AB  - During an anthrax outbreak at the Pollino National Park (Basilicata, Italy) in
      2004, diseased cattle were buried and from these anthrax-foci Bacillus anthracis
      endospores still diffuse to the surface resulting in local accumulations. Recent
      data suggest that B. anthracis multiplies in soil outside the animal-host body.
      This notion is supported by the frequent isolation of B. anthracis from soil
      lacking one or both virulence plasmids. Such strains represent an evolutionary
      dead end, as they are likely no longer able to successfully infect new hosts.
      This loss of virulence plasmids is explained most simply by postulating a soil
      borne life cycle of the pathogen. To test this hypothesis we investigated
      possible microevolution at two natural anthrax foci from the 2004 outbreak. If
      valid, then genotypes of strains isolated from near the surface at these foci
      should be on a different evolutionary trajectory from those below residing in
      deeper-laying horizons close to the carcass. Thus, the genetic diversity of B.
      anthracis isolates was compared conducting Progressive Hierarchical Resolving
      Assays using Nucleic Acids (PHRANA) and next generation Whole Genome Sequencing
      (WGS). PHRANA was not discriminatory enough to resolve the fine genetic
      relationships between the isolates. Conversely, WGS of nine isolates from near
      surface and nine from near-carcass revealed five isolate specific SNPs, four of
      which were found only in different near-surface isolates. In support of our
      hypothesis, one surface-isolate lacked plasmid pXO1 and also harbored one of the
      unique SNPs. Taken together, our results suggest a limited soil-borne life cycle
      of B. anthracis.

PMID- 26266935
TI  - Child Allergic Symptoms and Well-Being at School: Findings from ALSPAC, a UK
      Cohort Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Eczema and asthma are common conditions in childhood that can
      influence children's mental health. Despite this, little is known about how these
      conditions affect the well-being of children in school. This study examines
      whether symptoms of eczema or asthma are associated with poorer social and mental
      well-being in school as reported by children and their teachers at age 8 years.
      METHODS: Participants were from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and
      Children. Measures of child well-being in school were child-reported (n = 6626)
      and teacher reported (n = 4366): children reported on their enjoyment of school
      and relationships with peers via a self-complete questionnaire; teachers reported
      child mental well-being using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire
      [binary outcomes were high 'internalizing' (anxious/depressive) and
      'externalizing' (oppositional/hyperactive) problems (high was >90th percentile)].
      Child rash and wheeze status were maternally reported and symptoms categorised
      as: 'none'; 'early onset transient' (infancy/preschool only); 'persistent'
      (infancy/preschool and at school age); and 'late onset' (school age only).
      RESULTS: Children with persistent (OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.63) and late onset
      (OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.02 to 2.14) rash were more likely to report being bullied, and
      children with persistent wheeze to feel left out (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.84).
      Late onset rash was associated with high teacher-reported internalising
      behaviours (OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.02 to 2.54), and persistent rash with high
      externalising behaviours (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.84). Child sleep and maternal
      mental health explained some of the associations with teacher-reported mental
      well-being. CONCLUSION: Symptoms of eczema or asthma can adversely affect a
      child's social and mental well-being at primary school. This suggests
      interventions, such as additional support or education of peers, should begin at
      early stages in schooling.

PMID- 26266936
TI  - In vitro glycoengineering of IgG1 and its effect on Fc receptor binding and ADCC
      activity.
AB  - The importance and effect of Fc glycosylation of monoclonal antibodies with
      regard to biological activity is widely discussed and has been investigated in
      numerous studies. Fc glycosylation of monoclonal antibodies from current
      production systems is subject to batch-to-batch variability. If there are
      glycosylation changes between different batches, these changes are observed not
      only for one but multiple glycan species. Therefore, studying the effect of
      distinct Fc glycan species such as galactosylated and sialylated structures is
      challenging due to the lack of well-defined differences in glycan patterns of
      samples used. In this study, the influence of IgG1 Fc galactosylation and
      sialylation on its effector functions has been investigated using five different
      samples which were produced from one single drug substance batch by in vitro
      glycoengineering. This sample set comprises preparations with minimal and maximal
      galactosylation and different levels of sialylation of fully galactosylated Fc
      glycans. Among others, Roche developed the glycosyltransferase enzyme
      sialyltransferase which was used for the in vitro glycoengineering activities at
      medium scale. A variety of analytical assays, including Surface Plasmon Resonance
      and recently developed FcgammaR affinity chromatography, as well as an optimized
      cell-based ADCC assay were applied to investigate the effect of Fc
      galactosylation and sialylation on the in vitro FcgammaRI, IIa, and IIIa receptor
      binding and ADCC activity of IgG1. The results of our studies do not show an
      impact, neither positive nor negative, of sialic acid- containing Fc glycans of
      IgG1 on ADCC activity, FcgammaRI, and RIIIa receptors, but a slightly improved
      binding to FcgammaRIIa. Furthermore, we demonstrate a galactosylation-induced
      positive impact on the binding activity of the IgG1 to FcgammaRIIa and
      FcgammaRIIIa receptors and ADCC activity. 

PMID- 26266937
TI  - New Caledonian crows rapidly solve a collaborative problem without cooperative
      cognition.
AB  - There is growing comparative evidence that the cognitive bases of cooperation are
      not unique to humans. However, the selective pressures that lead to the evolution
      of these mechanisms remain unclear. Here we show that while tool-making New
      Caledonian crows can produce collaborative behavior, they do not understand the
      causality of cooperation nor show sensitivity to inequity. Instead, the
      collaborative behavior produced appears to have been underpinned by the transfer
      of prior experience. These results suggest that a number of possible selective
      pressures, including tool manufacture and mobbing behaviours, have not led to the
      evolution of cooperative cognition in this species. They show that causal
      cognition can evolve in a domain specific manner-understanding the properties and
      flexible uses of physical tools does not necessarily enable animals to grasp that
      a conspecific can be used as a social tool. 

PMID- 26266938
TI  - Kharon1 null mutants of Leishmania mexicana are avirulent in mice and exhibit a
      cytokinesis defect within macrophages.
AB  - In a variety of eukaryotes, flagella play important roles both in motility and as
      sensory organelles that monitor the extracellular environment. In the parasitic
      protozoan Leishmania mexicana, one glucose transporter isoform, LmxGT1, is
      targeted selectively to the flagellar membrane where it appears to play a role in
      glucose sensing. Trafficking of LmxGT1 to the flagellar membrane is dependent
      upon interaction with the KHARON1 protein that is located at the base of the
      flagellar axoneme. Remarkably, while Deltakharon1 null mutants are viable as
      insect stage promastigotes, they are unable to survive as amastigotes inside host
      macrophages. Although Deltakharon1 promastigotes enter macrophages and transform
      into amastigotes, these intracellular parasites are unable to execute cytokinesis
      and form multinucleate cells before dying. Notably, extracellular axenic
      amastigotes of Deltakharon1 mutants replicate and divide normally, indicating a
      defect in the mutants that is only exhibited in the intra-macrophage environment.
      Although the flagella of Deltakharon1 amastigotes adhere to the phagolysomal
      membrane of host macrophages, the morphology of the mutant flagella is often
      distorted. Additionally, these null mutants are completely avirulent following
      injection into BALB/c mice, underscoring the critical role of the KHARON1 protein
      for viability of intracellular amastigotes and disease in the animal model of
      leishmaniasis. 

PMID- 26266939
TI  - Following the trail: factors underlying the sudden expansion of the Egyptian
      mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon) in Portugal.
AB  - Species range-limits are influenced by a combination of several factors. In our
      study we aimed to unveil the drivers underlying the expansion of the Egyptian
      mongoose in Portugal, a carnivore that was confined to southern Portugal and
      largely increased its range during the last three decades. We evaluated the
      expansion of the species in three periods (1980-1990, 1990-2000 and 2000-2010),
      by projecting the presence/absence data of the species in each temporal range and
      proposed four hypotheses to explain this sudden expansion associated to changes
      in the barrier effects of human infrastructure and topographic features, and in
      the availability of suitable areas due to climate change or land use. An
      exploratory analysis was made using Spearman rank correlation, followed by a
      hierarchical partitioning analysis to select uncorrelated potential explanatory
      variables associated with the different hypotheses. We then ran Generalized
      Linear Models (GLM) for every period for each hypothesis and for every
      combination of hypotheses. Our main findings suggest that dynamic transitions of
      land-use coupled with temperature and rainfall variations over the decades are
      the main drivers promoting the mongoose expansion. The geographic barriers and
      the human infrastructures functioned as barriers for mongoose expansion and have
      shaped its distribution. The expansion of the Egyptian mongoose across the
      Portuguese territory was due to a variety of factors. Our results suggest a rapid
      shift in species range in response to land-use and climate changes, underlining
      the close link between species ranges and a changing environment. 

PMID- 26266940
TI  - A reddish nodule with viscous fluid secretion. Solid-cystic hidradenoma (SCH).

PMID- 26266942
TI  - Silver-coated endotracheal tubes for prevention of ventilator-associated
      pneumonia in critically ill patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is one of the most common
      nosocomial infections in intubated and mechanically ventilated patients.
      Endotracheal tubes (ETTs) appear to be an independent risk factor for VAP. Silver
      coated ETTs slowly release silver cations. It is these silver ions that appear to
      have a strong antimicrobial effect. Because of this antimicrobial effect of
      silver, silver-coated ETTs could be an effective intervention to prevent VAP in
      people who require mechanical ventilation for 24 hours or longer. OBJECTIVES: Our
      primary objective was to investigate whether silver-coated ETTs are effective in
      reducing the risk of VAP and hospital mortality in comparison with standard non
      coated ETTs in people who require mechanical ventilation for 24 hours or longer.
      Our secondary objective was to ascertain whether silver-coated ETTs are effective
      in reducing the following clinical outcomes: device-related adverse events,
      duration of intubation, length of hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) stay,
      costs, and time to VAP onset. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Central
      Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; 2014 Issue 10, MEDLINE, EMBASE, EBSCO
      CINAHL, and reference lists of trials. We contacted corresponding authors for
      additional information and unpublished studies. We did not impose any
      restrictions on the basis of date of publication or language. The date of the
      last search was October 2014. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included all randomized
      controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-randomized trials that evaluated the effects
      of silver-coated ETTs or a combination of silver with any antimicrobial-coated
      ETTs with standard non-coated ETTs or with other antimicrobial-coated ETTs in
      critically ill people who required mechanical ventilation for 24 hours or longer.
      We also included studies that evaluated the cost-effectiveness of silver-coated
      ETTs or a combination of silver with any antimicrobial-coated ETTs. DATA
      COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors (GT, HV) independently extracted the
      data and summarized study details from all included studies using the specially
      designed data extraction form. We used standard methodological procedures
      expected by The Cochrane Collaboration. We performed meta-analysis for outcomes
      when possible. MAIN RESULTS: We found three eligible randomized controlled
      trials, with a total of 2081 participants. One of the three included studies did
      not mention the amount of participants and presented no outcome data. The 'Risk
      of bias' assessment indicated that there was a high risk of detection bias owing
      to lack of blinding of outcomes assessors, but we assessed all other domains to
      be at low risk of bias. Trial design and conduct were generally adequate, with
      the most common areas of weakness in blinding. The majority of participants were
      included in centres across North America. The mean age of participants ranged
      from 61 to 64 years, and the mean duration of intubation was between 3.2 and 7.7
      days. One trial comparing silver-coated ETTs versus non-coated ETTs showed a
      statistically significant decrease in VAP in favour of the silver-coated ETT (1
      RCT, 1509 participants; 4.8% versus 7.5%, risk ratio (RR) 0.64, 95% confidence
      interval (CI) 0.43 to 0.96; number needed to treat for an additional beneficial
      outcome (NNTB) = 37; low-quality evidence). The risk of VAP within 10 days of
      intubation was significantly lower with the silver-coated ETTs compared with non
      coated ETTs (1 RCT, 1509 participants; 3.5% versus 6.7%, RR 0.51, 95% CI 0.31 to
      0.82; NNTB = 32; low-quality evidence). Silver-coated ETT was associated with
      delayed time to VAP occurrence compared with non-coated ETT (1 RCT, 1509
      participants; hazard ratio 0.55, 95% CI 0.37 to 0.84). The confidence intervals
      for the results of the following outcomes did not exclude potentially important
      differences with either treatment. There were no statistically significant
      differences between groups in hospital mortality (1 RCT, 1509 participants; 30.4%
      versus 26.6%, RR 1.09, 95% CI 0.93 to 1.29; low-quality evidence); device-related
      adverse events (2 RCTs, 2081 participants; RR 0.65, 95% CI 0.37 to 1.16; low
      quality evidence); duration of intubation; and length of hospital and ICU stay.
      We found no clinical studies evaluating the cost-effectiveness of silver-coated
      ETTs. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: This review provides limited evidence that silver
      coated ETT reduces the risk of VAP, especially during the first 10 days of
      mechanical ventilation.

PMID- 26266941
TI  - Comprehensive Assessment of Host Responses to 5-Fluorouracil-Induced Oral
      Mucositis through Transcriptomic Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy plays an important role in current cancer therapy;
      however, several problems remain unsolved on the issue of host-therapeutics
      interaction. The purpose of this study was to investigate the host responses
      after 5-flurouracil (5-FU) administration and to find the target genes and their
      relationship with other cytokines in the 5-FU-induced oral mucositis (OM) mouse
      model through transcriptomic analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six 6 to 8
      week-old male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into the control group and 5-FU
      treated group. In the 5-FU group, mice received 5-FU (100 mg/kg,
      intraperitoneally) on day 1, day 8, day 15, day 22, and day 29, respectively. We
      evaluated the oral mucosal change under macroanalysis and histological
      examination at indicated periods, and then applied transcriptomic analysis of
      gene expression profile and Immunohistochemical stain to identify the target
      molecules related to 5-FU-induced OM. RESULTS: The most prominent histological
      change in this model was observed in the fifth week. The gene expression of Bone
      gamma-carboxyglutamate protein, related sequence 1 (Bglap-rs1) (-12.69-fold) and
      Chitinase 3-like 4 (Chi3l4) (-6.35-fold) were significantly down-regulated in
      this phase. The quantitative real-time PCR results also revealed the expression
      levels were 0.62-fold in Bglap-rs1 and 0.13-fold in Chi3l4 compared with the
      control group. Immunohistochemical stain showed significant expression of cluster
      of differentiation 11b (p<0.01), interleukin-1beta (p<0.001) and tumor necrosis
      factor-alpha (p<0.05), and down-regulation of Bglap-rs1 (p<0.01) compared with
      the control group. By Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis,
      there were twenty-three pathways significantly participated in this study
      (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Through comprehensively transcriptomic analysis and IHC
      stain, we discovered several valuable pathways, verified the main pro
      inflammatory cytokines, and revealed two significantly down-regulated genes in
      the 5-FU-induced OM model. These findings highlighted the way of seeking
      effective therapeutic agents for chemotherapy-induced OM in future.

PMID- 26266943
TI  - Induction of Neural Progenitor-Like Cells from Human Fibroblasts via a Genetic
      Material-Free Approach.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A number of studies generated induced neural progenitor cells (iNPCs)
      from human fibroblasts by viral delivering defined transcription factors.
      However, the potential risks associated with gene delivery systems have limited
      their clinical use. We propose it would be safer to induce neural progenitor-like
      cells from human adult fibroblasts via a direct non-genetic alternative approach.
      METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Here, we have reported that seven rounds of TAT
      SOX2 protein transduction in a defined chemical cocktail under a 3D sphere
      culture gradually morphed fibroblasts into neuroepithelial-like colonies. We were
      able to expand these cells for up to 20 passages. These cells could give rise to
      cells that expressed neurons and glia cell markers both in vitro and in vivo.
      CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: These results show that our approach is beneficial for
      the genetic material-free generation of iNPCs from human fibroblasts where small
      chemical molecules can provide a valuable, viable strategy to boost and improve
      induction in a 3D sphere culture.

PMID- 26266944
TI  - HCV Infection and Interferon-Based Treatment Induce p53 Gene Transcription in
      Chronic Hepatitis C Patients.
AB  - It is suggested that the tumor suppressor p53 gene, classified as an interferon
      stimulated gene, is implicated in the interferon (IFN)-mediated innate immunity
      against viruses. This study aimed to examine the transcriptional response of the
      p53 gene to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and IFN-based therapy in chronic
      hepatitis C (CHC) patients. The study included 65 CHC patients (HCV genotype 1),
      treated with pegylated IFN-alpha and ribavirin, and 51 healthy individuals. p53
      gene expression was quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction in
      peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Analyses were performed before and at
      weeks 4 and 12 of treatment. p53 gene expression was significantly upregulated in
      CHC patients compared with healthy controls and at week 4 of therapy. No
      significant differences in p53 mRNA expression between rapid virologic
      responders, complete early virologic responders, and nonresponders were observed.
      No significant correlation was found between p53 gene expression and viral load.
      The results obtained indicate that HCV infection and IFN-based treatment induces
      p53 gene transcription in PBMCs. The p53 gene may therefore play a role in HCV
      infection but is not directly involved in treatment-induced HCV elimination.
      Moreover, variations in p53 gene expression do not determine on-treatment
      response in patients with chronic HCV genotype 1 infection. 

PMID- 26266945
TI  - A Hamster Model of Diet-Induced Obesity for Preclinical Evaluation of Anti
      Obesity, Anti-Diabetic and Lipid Modulating Agents.
AB  - AIM: Unlike rats and mice, hamsters develop hypercholesterolemia, and
      hypertriglyceridemia when fed a cholesterol-rich diet. Because hyperlipidemia is
      a hallmark of human obesity, we aimed to develop and characterize a novel diet
      induced obesity (DIO) and hypercholesterolemia Golden Syrian hamster model.
      METHODS AND RESULTS: Hamsters fed a highly palatable fat- and sugar-rich diet
      (HPFS) for 12 weeks showed significant body weight gain, body fat accumulation
      and impaired glucose tolerance. Cholesterol supplementation to the diet evoked
      additional hypercholesterolemia. Chronic treatment with the GLP-1 analogue,
      liraglutide (0.2 mg/kg, SC, BID, 27 days), normalized body weight and glucose
      tolerance, and lowered blood lipids in the DIO-hamster. The dipeptidyl peptidase
      4 (DPP-4) inhibitor, linagliptin (3.0 mg/kg, PO, QD) also improved glucose
      tolerance. Treatment with peptide YY3-36 (PYY3-36, 1.0 mg/kg/day) or neuromedin U
      (NMU, 1.5 mg/kg/day), continuously infused via a subcutaneous osmotic minipump
      for 14 days, reduced body weight and energy intake and changed food preference
      from HPFS diet towards chow. Co-treatment with liraglutide and PYY3-36 evoked a
      pronounced synergistic decrease in body weight and food intake with no lower
      plateau established. Treatment with the cholesterol uptake inhibitor ezetimibe
      (10 mg/kg, PO, QD) for 14 days lowered plasma total cholesterol with a more
      marked reduction of LDL levels, as compared to HDL, indicating additional
      sensitivity to cholesterol modulating drugs in the hyperlipidemic DIO-hamster. In
      conclusion, the features of combined obesity, impaired glucose tolerance and
      hypercholesterolemia in the DIO-hamster make this animal model useful for
      preclinical evaluation of novel anti-obesity, anti-diabetic and lipid modulating
      agents.

PMID- 26266946
TI  - Mobilizing Community Resources to Enhance Postdischarge Support for Breastfeeding
      in Massachusetts (USA): Results of a Catalyst Grant Approach.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Massachusetts Department of Public Health's (MDPH) Mass in Motion
      Program (MiM) facilitates the adoption of community-level strategies that promote
      healthy weight in 52 municipalities. MiM provided the platform for enhancing
      postdischarge continuity of care for breastfeeding. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed
      to improve the continuity of breastfeeding care and support for mothers by
      enhancing postdischarge care infrastructure and supportive contacts for women and
      families. METHODS: The MDPH awarded catalyst grants to community-based
      organizations (CBOs) that facilitated the formation of teams for improving
      breastfeeding support. The effort focused on populations that often experience
      disparities in breastfeeding outcomes such as minority women and women receiving
      Medicaid. The Added Value Model of Community Coalitions was used to qualitatively
      assess effect across multiple levels of the socioecological model of influence.
      RESULTS: Six communities were awarded grants to enhance or convene Breastfeeding
      Continuity-of-Care Teams consisting of at least 3 CBOs, including 1 maternity
      hospital, the local Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants,
      and Children, and the local MiM representative. Teams implemented customized
      plans with performance indicators to create and strengthen infrastructure for
      supportive contacts with breastfeeding mothers. The project included Baby Cafe
      pilots in 3 additional MiM communities. Across all grantee communities, there was
      an average total increase of 491 contacts with mothers per month, an improvement
      of 8.5% over baseline. The project created 153 added value outcomes of community
      collaboration at 5 levels in the socioecological framework. CONCLUSION: The
      project demonstrated how cross-sector, coordinated efforts focused on vulnerable
      populations can leverage local strengths to establish/enhance breastfeeding
      support services customized to local needs.

PMID- 26266947
TI  - Breastfeeding Resources in Maternity Hospitals and Birth Centers in the
      Commonwealth of Massachusetts (USA): A Content Analysis of Discharge Packets.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Few studies have analyzed patient education materials provided at
      discharge. To the best of our knowledge, there are no comprehensive studies
      analyzing and reporting the content of breastfeeding discharge packets within the
      United States. OBJECTIVE: This study analyzed the extent to which patient
      education materials provided at discharge from maternity facilities in
      Massachusetts cover topics that support successful breastfeeding. METHODS: We
      collected discharge packets from all 48 maternity hospitals/birth centers. Topics
      for analysis were based on recommendations associated with the Baby-Friendly
      Hospital Initiative and content identified for discharge packets generally.
      Materials were reviewed independently and scored according to 39 criteria that we
      assembled from various sources for optimal breastfeeding information at
      discharge. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to explore if any
      hospital characteristics predicted presence of breastfeeding education topics in
      written information provided at discharge. RESULTS: An average of 25.4 of 39
      criteria (65.2%, ranging from 30.7%-97.4%) were included in packets submitted by
      all 48 facilities. Exploratory multivariate analyses did not show relationships
      of hospital characteristics to contents of packets. Each facility received a 2
      page report noting strengths, suggestions for improvement, and individual scores
      on all 39 criteria. CONCLUSION: Discharge packet contents varied widely; whereas
      some institutions' information met and/or exceeded recommended content, others
      were limited and/or missing information. These analyses provide a thorough review
      of discharge packet content for all facilities in Massachusetts; however, further
      study is needed to identify the implications of such variation for breastfeeding
      outcomes.

PMID- 26266948
TI  - Bcl-2 is required for the survival of doublecortin-expressing immature neurons.
AB  - In the adult brain only a small proportion of the neural stem and progenitor
      cells (NPCs) and their progeny survive to become mature neurons in the
      hippocampus. Recent studies have elucidated the roles for members of the B-cell
      lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) family of proteins in regulating the survival of NPCs and
      their progeny at different stages of maturation, yet the requirement of Bcl-2
      during this process remains unknown. Here we report that inducible removal of Bcl
      2 from nestin-expressing neural stem/progenitor cells and their progeny resulted
      in a reduction in the survival of doublecortin-expressing cells in the absence of
      changing the number of radial-glial stem cells or dividing NPCs. The requirement
      of Bcl-2 for the survival of maturing NPCs was confirmed by removal of Bcl-2
      through infecting NPCs using a retroviral strategy that resulted in the complete
      loss of Bcl-2 null cells by 30-day post-viral injection. Furthermore, we observed
      that the function of Bcl-2 in the adult-generated neurons was dependent on the
      Bcl-2-associated X (BAX) protein, since Bcl-2 null NPCs were rescued in BAX
      knockout mice. These results indicate that Bcl-2 is an essential regulator in the
      survival of doublecortin-expressing immature neurons through a mechanism that is
      upstream of BAX.

PMID- 26266949
TI  - Knowledge on HPV Vaccine and Cervical Cancer Facilitates Vaccine Acceptability
      among School Teachers in Kitui County, Kenya.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Vaccines against human papillomavirus (HPV) infection have the
      potential to reduce the burden of cervical cancer. School-based delivery of HPV
      vaccines is cost-effective and successful uptake depends on school teachers'
      knowledge and acceptability of the vaccine. The aim of this study is to assess
      primary school teachers' knowledge and acceptability of HPV vaccine and to
      explore facilitators and barriers of an ongoing Gavi Alliance-supported
      vaccination program in Kitui County, Kenya. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional,
      mixed methods study in Central Division of Kitui County where the Ministry of
      Health is offering the quadrivalent HPV vaccine to grade four girls. Data on
      primary school teachers' awareness, knowledge and acceptability of HPV vaccine as
      well as facilitators and barriers to the project was collected through self
      administered questionnaires and two focus group discussions. RESULTS: 339
      teachers (60% female) completed the survey (62% response rate) and 13
      participated in 2 focus group discussions. Vaccine awareness among teachers was
      high (90%), the level of knowledge about HPV and cervical cancer among teachers
      was moderate (48%, SD = 10.9) and females scored higher than males (50% vs. 46%,
      p = 0.002). Most teachers (89%) would recommend the vaccine to their daughter or
      close relatives. Those who would recommend the vaccine had more knowledge than
      those who would not (p = <0.001). The main barriers were insufficient information
      about the vaccine, poor accessibility of schools, absenteeism of girls on vaccine
      days, and fear of side effects. CONCLUSIONS: Despite low to moderate levels of
      knowledge about HPV vaccine among school teachers, vaccine acceptability is high.
      Teachers with little knowledge on HPV vaccine are less likely to accept the
      vaccine than those who know more; this may affect uptake if not addressed.
      Empowering teachers to be vaccine champions in their community may be a feasible
      way of disseminating information about HPV vaccine and cervical cancer.

PMID- 26266950
TI  - Gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) is selectively decreased in the roux-limb of
      dietary obese mice after RYGB surgery.
AB  - Gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP, glucose-dependent insulinotropic
      polypeptide) is expressed by intestinal K cells to regulate glucose-induced
      insulin secretion. The impact of Roux-en Y bypass (RYGB) surgery on blood GIP is
      highly contraversial. This study was conducted to address the mechanism of
      controversy. GIP mRNA was examined in the intestine, and serum GIP was determined
      using Luminex and ELISA in diet-induced obese (DIO) mice. The assays were
      conducted in RYGB mice in fasting and fed conditions. Food preference, weight
      loss and insulin sensitivity were monitored in RYGB mice. In DIO mice, GIP mRNA
      was increased by 80% in all sections of the small intestine over the lean
      control. The increase was observed in both fasting and fed conditions. After RYGB
      surgery, the food-induced GIP expression was selectively reduced in the Roux
      limb, but not in the biliopancreatic and common limbs of intestine in fed
      condition. Lack of stimulation by glucose or cholesterol contributed to the
      reduction. Jejunal mucosa of Roux-limb exhibited hypertrophy, but villous surface
      was decreased by the undigested food. Serum GIP (total) was significantly higher
      in the fasting condition, but not in the fed condition due to attenuated GIP
      response to food intake in RYGB mice. The GIP alteration was associated with chow
      diet preference, sustained weight loss and insulin sensitization in RYGB mice.
      RYGB increased serum GIP in the fasting, but not in the fed conditions. The loss
      of food-induced GIP response in Roux-limb of intestine likely contributes to the
      attenuated serum GIP response to feeding. 

PMID- 26266951
TI  - Definition of Eight Mulberry Species in the Genus Morus by Internal Transcribed
      Spacer-Based Phylogeny.
AB  - Mulberry, belonging to the order Rosales, family Moraceae, and genus Morus, has
      received attention because of both its economic and medicinal value, as well as
      for its important ecological function. The genus Morus has a worldwide
      distribution, however, its taxonomy remains complex and disputed. Many studies
      have attempted to classify Morus species, resulting in varied numbers of
      designated Morus spp. To address this issue, we used information from internal
      transcribed spacer (ITS) genetic sequences to study the taxonomy of all the
      members of generally accepted genus Morus. We found that intraspecific 5.8S rRNA
      sequences were identical but that interspecific 5.8S sequences were diverse. M.
      alba and M. notabilis showed the shortest (215 bp) and the longest (233 bp) ITS1
      sequence length, respectively. With the completion of the mulberry genome, we
      could identify single nucleotide polymorphisms within the ITS locus in the M.
      notabilis genome. From reconstruction of a phylogenetic tree based on the
      complete ITS data, we propose that the Morus genus should be classified into
      eight species, including M. alba, M. nigra, M. notabilis, M. serrata, M.
      celtidifolia, M. insignis, M. rubra, and M. mesozygia. Furthermore, the
      classification of the ITS sequences of known interspecific hybrid clones into
      both paternal and maternal clades indicated that ITS variation was sufficient to
      distinguish interspecific hybrids in the genus Morus.

PMID- 26266952
TI  - Correction: A New Method for Estimating the Number of Undiagnosed HIV Infected
      Based on HIV Testing History, with an Application to Men Who Have Sex with Men in
      Seattle/King County, WA.

PMID- 26266953
TI  - The Beta Cell in Its Cluster: Stochastic Graphs of Beta Cell Connectivity in the
      Islets of Langerhans.
AB  - Pancreatic islets of Langerhans consist of endocrine cells, primarily alpha, beta
      and delta cells, which secrete glucagon, insulin, and somatostatin, respectively,
      to regulate plasma glucose. beta cells form irregular locally connected clusters
      within islets that act in concert to secrete insulin upon glucose stimulation.
      Due to the central functional significance of this local connectivity in the
      placement of beta cells in an islet, it is important to characterize it
      quantitatively. However, quantification of the seemingly stochastic
      cytoarchitecture of beta cells in an islet requires mathematical methods that can
      capture topological connectivity in the entire beta-cell population in an islet.
      Graph theory provides such a framework. Using large-scale imaging data for
      thousands of islets containing hundreds of thousands of cells in human organ
      donor pancreata, we show that quantitative graph characteristics differ between
      control and type 2 diabetic islets. Further insight into the processes that shape
      and maintain this architecture is obtained by formulating a stochastic theory of
      beta-cell rearrangement in whole islets, just as the normal equilibrium
      distribution of the Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process can be viewed as the result of the
      interplay between a random walk and a linear restoring force. Requiring that
      rearrangements maintain the observed quantitative topological graph
      characteristics strongly constrained possible processes. Our results suggest that
      beta-cell rearrangement is dependent on its connectivity in order to maintain an
      optimal cluster size in both normal and T2D islets. 

PMID- 26266955
TI  - Recurrent pustules on an infant's scalp with neonatal onset.

PMID- 26266954
TI  - Optimizing stimulation and analysis protocols for neonatal fMRI.
AB  - The development of brain function in young infants is poorly understood. The core
      challenge is that infants have a limited behavioral repertoire through which
      brain function can be expressed. Neuroimaging with fMRI has great potential as a
      way of characterizing typical development, and detecting abnormal development
      early. But, a number of methodological challenges must first be tackled to
      improve the robustness and sensitivity of neonatal fMRI. A critical one of these,
      addressed here, is that the hemodynamic response function (HRF) in pre-term and
      term neonates differs from that in adults, which has a number of implications for
      fMRI. We created a realistic model of noise in fMRI data, using resting-state
      fMRI data from infants and adults, and then conducted simulations to assess the
      effect of HRF of the power of different stimulation protocols and analysis
      assumptions (HRF modeling). We found that neonatal fMRI is most powerful if block
      durations are kept at the lower range of those typically used in adults (full
      on/off cycle duration 25-30s). Furthermore, we show that it is important to use
      the age-appropriate HRF during analysis, as mismatches can lead to reduced power
      or even inverted signal. Where the appropriate HRF is not known (for example due
      to potential developmental delay), a flexible basis set performs well, and allows
      accurate post-hoc estimation of the HRF. 

PMID- 26266956
TI  - Who Smells? Forecasting Taste and Odor in a Drinking Water Reservoir.
AB  - Taste and odor problems can impede public trust in drinking water and impose
      major costs on water utilities. The ability to forecast taste and odor events in
      source waters, in advance, is shown for the first time in this paper. This could
      allow water utilities to adapt treatment, and where effective treatment is not
      available, consumers could be warned. A unique 24-year time series, from an
      important drinking water reservoir in Saskatchewan, Canada, is used to develop
      forecasting models of odor using chlorophyll a, turbidity, total phosphorus,
      temperature, and the following odor producing algae taxa: Anabaena spp.,
      Aphanizemenon spp., Oscillatoria spp., Chlorophyta, Cyclotella spp., and
      Asterionella spp. We demonstrate, using linear regression and random forest
      models, that odor events can be forecast at 0-26 week time lags, and that the
      models are able to capture a significant increase in threshold odor number in the
      mid-1990 s. Models with a fortnight time-lag show a high predictive capacity
      (R(2) = 0.71 for random forest; 0.52 for linear regression). Predictive skill
      declines for time lags from 0 to 15 weeks, then increases again, to R(2) values
      of 0.61 (random forest) and 0.48 (linear regression) at a 26-week lag. The random
      forest model is also able to provide accurate forecasting of TON levels requiring
      treatment 12 weeks in advance-93% true positive rate with a 0% false positive
      rate. Results of the random forest model demonstrate that phytoplankton taxonomic
      data outperform chlorophyll a in terms of predictive importance.

PMID- 26266957
TI  - Failure to Rescue Metric in Lung Surgery: A Needed Breath of Fresh Air.

PMID- 26266958
TI  - Chibby functions to preserve normal ciliary morphology through the regulation of
      intraflagellar transport in airway ciliated cells.
AB  - Airway cilia provide the coordinated motive force for mucociliary transport,
      which prevents the accumulation of mucus, debris, pollutants, and bacteria in our
      respiratory tracts. As airway cilia are constantly exposed to the environment
      and, hence, are an integral component of the pathogenesis of several congenital
      and chronic pulmonary disorders, it is necessary to understand the molecular
      mechanisms that control ciliated cell differentiation and ciliogenesis. We have
      previously reported that loss of the basal body protein Chibby (Cby) results in
      chronic upper airway infection in mice due to a significant reduction in the
      number of airway cilia. In the present work, we demonstrate that Cby is required
      for normal ciliary structure and proper distribution of proteins involved in the
      bidirectional intraflagellar transport (IFT) system, which consists of 2 distinct
      sub-complexes, IFT-A and IFT-B, and is essential for ciliary biogenesis and
      maintenance. In fully differentiated ciliated cells, abnormal paddle-like cilia
      with dilated ciliary tips are observed in Cby-/- airways and primary cultures of
      mouse tracheal epithelial cells (MTECs). In addition, IFT88, an IFT-B sub-complex
      protein, robustly accumulates within the dilated tips of both multicilia in Cby-/
      MTECs and primary cilia in Cby-/- mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs).
      Furthermore, we show that only IFT-B components, including IFT20 and IFT57, but
      not IFT-A and Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) proteins, amass with IFT88 in these
      distended tips in Cby-/- ciliated cells. Taken together, our findings suggest
      that Cby plays a role in the proper distribution of IFT particles to preserve
      normal ciliary morphology in airway ciliated cells. 

PMID- 26266961
TI  - Development of low density azithromycin-loaded polycaprolactone microparticles
      for pulmonary delivery.
AB  - CONTEXT: The development of low-density polymeric microparticles may be a useful
      approach to deliver antibiotics such as azithromycin into the lung. OBJECTIVE:
      The aim of this study was to develop azithromycin-loaded low density
      polycaprolactone microparticles by the double emulsion/solvent evaporation
      method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Microparticles were prepared and characterized
      according to their physicochemical properties, drug loading, and drug release
      profiles. A full 23 factorial design was used to evaluate the effect of some
      independent variables on the drug loading and aerodynamic diameter of the
      particles. An in silico pulmonary deposition model was used to predict the lung
      deposition profiles for the formulations. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The resulting
      particles presented drug loading up to 23.1% (wt%) and mean geometric diameters
      varying from 4.0 um to 15.4 um. Bulk and tapped densities were low, resulting in
      good or excellent flow properties. SEM images showed spherical particles with a
      smooth surface. However, hollow inner structures were observed, which may explain
      the low values of bulk density. The estimated aerodynamic diameters ranged from
      2.3 um to 8.9 um. The in silico pulmonary deposition profiles indicated, for some
      formulations, that a significant fraction of the particles would be deposited in
      the deeper lung regions. CONCLUSIONS: Statistical analysis demonstrated that not
      only drug loading but also the aerodynamic diameter of the microparticles is
      greatly affected by the preparation conditions. Overall, the results indicated
      that the low-density azithromycin-loaded microparticles with a relatively high
      respirable fraction may be obtained for the local treatment of lung infections.

PMID- 26266959
TI  - Minireview: Progesterone Regulation of Proliferation in the Normal Human Breast
      and in Breast Cancer: A Tale of Two Scenarios?
AB  - Progesterone (P), which signals through the P receptor (PR), is critical in
      normal development of the breast, but its signaling axis is also a major driver
      of breast cancer risk. Here we review recent advances in the understanding of P
      signaling in the normal human breast, with a focus on the importance of the
      balance between autocrine and paracrine signaling. To date, most data (which
      derive largely from mouse models or human breast cancer cell line studies) have
      demonstrated that the vast majority of PR+ cells appear to act as "sensor" cells,
      which respond to P stimulation by translating these hormonal cues into paracrine
      signals. However, growing evidence suggests that, dependent on the cellular
      context, P may also signal in an autocrine manner in a subset of cells in the
      normal mouse mammary gland and human breast. It has been suggested that it may be
      dysregulation of this autocrine signaling, resulting in a "switch" from a
      predominance of paracrine signaling to autocrine signaling in PR+ cells, which is
      an early event during breast tumorigenesis. This review summarizes current
      evidence in the literature that demonstrates the mechanisms through which P acts
      in the normal human breast, as well as highlighting the important questions that
      remain unanswered. 

PMID- 26266960
TI  - Age-related increased prevalence of asthma and nasal polyps in chronic
      rhinosinusitis and its association with altered IL-6 trans-signaling.
AB  - We report that S100 proteins were reduced in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis
      (CRS). S100A8/9, which is important in epithelial barrier function, was
      particularly decreased in elderly patients with CRS. Epithelial expression of
      S100A8/9 is partly regulated by the IL-6 trans-signaling pathway. The goal of
      this study was to investigate whether or not age-related reduction of S100A8/9 in
      CRS is associated with blunting of IL-6 trans-signaling. The levels of IL-6,
      soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R), soluble gp130 (sgp130), and S100A8/9 from control
      subjects (n = 10), and patients with CRS without nasal polyps (n = 13) and those
      with CRS with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) (n = 14), were measured by ELISA. Age-related
      differences in the level of each protein were investigated. Normal human
      bronchial epithelial cells were cultured in air-liquid interface and stimulated
      with IL-6/sIL-6R and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha with or without the
      addition of sgp130, a natural inhibitor of IL-6 trans-signaling. There was a
      significant age-related decline in S100A8/9 and an increase in sgp130 in nasal
      tissue samples from patients with CRSwNP, although there was no age-related
      difference in IL-6/sIL-6R production. Additionally, expression of the S100A8/9
      gene and protein was increased significantly by IL-6/sIL-6R plus TNF-alpha in
      normal human bronchial epithelial cells. This increase was blocked by sgp130.
      These results suggest that increased sgp130 in older patients may inhibit IL-6
      trans-signaling, impair barrier function, and decrease S1008/9 production in
      elderly patients with CRSwNP. Restoration of barrier function by targeting sgp130
      may be a novel treatment strategy.

PMID- 26266962
TI  - Preparation of hydrogel embedded polymer-growth factor conjugated nanoparticles
      as a diabetic wound dressing.
AB  - CONTEXT: Growth factors act in an integrated manner to promote the wound-healing
      process. However, probably due to early inactivation of these molecules in the
      wound site, their topical administration scarcely leads to a significant
      improvement in chronic wound repair. OBJECTIVES: With the aim of identifying
      improved therapeutics, a sodium carboxymethyl chitosan-recombinant human
      epidermal growth factor conjugate (NaCMCh-rhEGF) was developed. It is believed
      that conjugation will protect rhEGF against proteolysis and will mediate rhEGF
      release by alpha-amylase. MATERIAL AND METHODS: As hydrogels possess most of the
      desirable characteristics of an ideal dressing, we used our previously described
      chitosan-based hydrogel as a carrier for NaCMCh-rhEGF nanoparticles to make a
      novel wound dressing system. To evaluate the biological activity of NaCMCh-rhEGF
      and free rhEGF, the proliferation of fibroblasts was measured using a
      colorimetric assay. Additionally the stability of conjugated and free rhEGF
      against proteases was estimated. RESULT AND DISCUSSION: In vitro results revealed
      that the conjugated form exhibited more stability against proteolysis and also
      preserved its biological activity. Furthermore, in vivo studies were performed
      using an excision wound model on diabetic rats. After 15 d, the wound area in
      NaCMCh-rhEGF-hydrogel dressing group was significantly smaller than other groups
      and showed histological parameters equal to positive wound control group.
      CONCLUSION: A polymer conjugated rhEGF was developed that was more stable against
      proteases and reserved the biological activity of the drug. This dressing appears
      to be a competent candidate for chronic wound healing.

PMID- 26266963
TI  - Risk assessment of supply chain for pharmaceutical excipients with AHP-fuzzy
      comprehensive evaluation.
AB  - As the essential components in formulations, pharmaceutical excipients directly
      affect the safety, efficacy, and stability of drugs. Recently, safety incidents
      of pharmaceutical excipients posing seriously threats to the patients highlight
      the necessity of controlling the potential risks. Hence, it is indispensable for
      the industry to establish an effective risk assessment system of supply chain. In
      this study, an AHP-fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model was developed based on
      the analytic hierarchy process and fuzzy mathematical theory, which
      quantitatively assessed the risks of supply chain. Taking polysorbate 80 as the
      example for model analysis, it was concluded that polysorbate 80 for injection
      use is a high-risk ingredient in the supply chain compared to that for oral use
      to achieve safety application in clinic, thus measures should be taken to control
      and minimize those risks.

PMID- 26266964
TI  - New trimethyl chitosan-based composite nanoparticles as promising antibacterial
      agents.
AB  - In the present study, densely dispersed silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were
      rapidly green synthesized in the presence of Rumex dentatus aqueous extract,
      followed by UV-irradiation reduction. The Ag NPs were characterized using UV-vis
      spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, and TEM. Then, the Ag NPs were incorporated into
      interpenetrating polymeric networks based on cationic trimethyl chitosan (TMCS)
      and anionic poly(acrylamide-co-sodium acrylate) copolymer to develop a new series
      of composite nanoparticles as potential antibacterial agents. Both TMCS and
      poly(acrylamide-co-sodium acrylate) were prepared in the study, and characterized
      using FTIR, DSC, and SEM. The synthesized Ag NPs showed high purity and uniform
      particle size distribution with particle size ranged between 5 and 30 nm. The
      composite nanoparticles demonstrated homogeneous spherical shape with size in the
      range of 378-402 nm. Both Ag NPs and the composite nanoparticles showed promising
      bactericidal activity as compared with the control. Moreover, the antibacterial
      activity of the composite nanoparticles increased along with increasing the
      concentrations of Ag NPs and the TMCS.

PMID- 26266965
TI  - Use of the Flory-Huggins theory to predict the solubility of nifedipine and
      sulfamethoxazole in the triblock, graft copolymer Soluplus.
AB  - CONTEXT: Drug dispersed in a polymer can improve bioavailability; dispersed
      amorphous drug undergoes recrystallization. Solid solutions eliminate amorphous
      regions, but require a measure of the solubility. OBJECTIVE: Use the Flory
      Huggins Theory to predict crystalline drugs solubility in the triblock, graft
      copolymer Soluplus(r) to provide a solid solution. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Physical mixtures of the two drugs with similar melting points but different
      glass forming ability, sulfamethoxazole and nifedipine, were prepared with
      Soluplus(r) using a quick technique. Drug melting point depression (MPD) was
      measured using differential scanning calorimetry. The Flory-Huggins Theory
      allowed: (1) interaction parameter, chi, calculation using MPD data to provide a
      measure of drug-polymer interaction strength and (2) estimation of the free
      energy of mixing. A phase diagram was constructed with the MPD data and glass
      transition temperature (Tg) curves. RESULTS: The interaction parameters with
      Soluplus(r) and the free energy of mixing were estimated. Drug solubility was
      calculated by the intersection of solubility equations and that of MPD and Tg
      curves in the phase diagram. DISCUSSION: Negative interaction parameters
      indicated strong drug-polymer interactions. The phase diagram and solubility
      equations provided comparable solubility estimates for each drug in Soluplus(r).
      Results using the onset of melting rather than the end of melting support the use
      of the onset of melting. CONCLUSION: The Flory-Huggins Theory indicates that
      Soluplus(r) interacts effectively with each drug, making solid solution formation
      feasible. The predicted solubility of the drugs in Soluplus(r) compared favorably
      across the methods and supports the use of the onset of melting.

PMID- 26266966
TI  - Six-coordinate Group 13 complexes: the role of d orbitals and electron-rich multi
      center bonding.
AB  - Bonding in six-coordinate complexes based on Group 13 elements (B, Al, Ga, In,
      Tl) is usually considered to be identical to that in transition-metal analogues.
      We herein demonstrate through sophisticated electronic-structure analyses that
      the bonding in these Group 13 element complexes is fundamentally different and
      better characterized as electron-rich hypervalent bonding with essentially no
      role for the d orbitals. This characteristic is carried through to the molecular
      properties of the complex. 

PMID- 26266967
TI  - The Enduring Search for the Koplik Spots of Psychosis.

PMID- 26266968
TI  - Strong Tunable Visible Absorption Predicted for Polysilo-acenes Using TDDFT
      Calculations.
AB  - The optical properties of polysilo-acenes with two to six fused rings are studied
      using time-dependent density functional theory. We show that there are three
      spectral features in the absorption spectra analogous to alpha, beta, and p-band
      peaks known for carbon-based acenes. The beta peak is the most prominent feature
      in each spectrum, which appears in the visible region. Both alpha and beta peaks
      originate due to identical transitions that are polarized along the long axis of
      the system. The constructive interaction of quasi-degenerate configurations gives
      rise to the strong beta peak, while their destructive interaction results in the
      alpha peak with a low oscillator strength. Because the constructive interaction
      of configurations is characteristic of plasmons in acenes and noble metal
      nanoparticles, the beta peak can be identified as plasmonic for polysilo-acenes.
      The strong visible absorption and the potential for use in existing Si-technology
      affirm the interest in polysilo-acenes. 

PMID- 26266969
TI  - Early-Life Environmental Exposures and Height, Hypertension, and Cardiovascular
      Risk Factors Among Older Adults in India.
AB  - Environmental exposures like rainfall and temperature influence infectious
      disease exposure and nutrition, two key early-life conditions linked to later
      life health. However, few tests of whether early-life environmental exposures
      impact adult health have been performed, particularly in developing countries.
      This study examines the effects of experiencing rainfall and temperature shocks
      during gestation and up through the first four years after birth on measured
      height, hypertension, and other cardiovascular risk factors using data on adults
      aged 50 and above (N = 1,036) from the 2007-2008 World Health Organization Study
      on Global Ageing and Adult Health (SAGE) and district-level meteorological data
      from India. Results from multivariate logistic regressions show that negative
      rainfall shocks during gestation and positive rainfall shocks during the
      postbirth period increase the risk of having adult hypertension and CVD risk
      factors. Exposure to negative rainfall shocks and positive temperature shocks in
      the postbirth period increases the likelihood of falling within the lowest height
      decile. Prenatal shocks may influence nutrition in utero, while postnatal shocks
      may increase exposure to infectious diseases and malnutrition. The results
      suggest that gestation and the first two years after birth are critical periods
      when rainfall and temperature shocks take on increased importance for adult
      health. 

PMID- 26266970
TI  - Early-Life Conditions, Rapid Demographic Changes, and Older Adult Health in the
      Developing World.
AB  - The demographic transition of the 1930s-1960s dramatically improved life
      expectancy in some developing countries. Cohorts born during this time are
      increasingly characterized by their survivorship of poor early-life conditions,
      such as poor nutrition and infectious diseases. As a result, they are potentially
      more susceptible to the effects of these conditions at older ages. This study
      examines this conjecture by comparing obesity, diabetes, and hypertension in
      older adults born in the beginning portion of the 1930s-1960s across different
      mortality regimes using a subset of harmonized cross-national data from seven low
      and middle-income countries (RELATE, n = 16,836). Using birthplace and height as
      indicators of early-life conditions, the results show (1) higher prevalence of
      obesity and diabetes and higher likelihood of obesity, diabetes, and hypertension
      in middle-income countries, but (2) no convincing evidence to indicate stronger
      effects of early-life conditions on health in these countries. However, shorter
      adults living in urban areas were more likely to be obese, indicating the overall
      importance of early-life conditions and the potential negative impact of urban
      exposures during adulthood. Obesity results may foreshadow the health of future
      cohorts born in the later portion of the 1930s-1960s as they reach older ages
      (60+). 

PMID- 26266971
TI  - Babies of the War: The Effect of War Exposure Early in Life on Mortality
      Throughout Life.
AB  - There is increasing evidence that circumstances very early in our lives, and
      particularly during pregnancy, can affect our health for the remainder of life.
      Studies that have looked at this relationship have often used extreme situations,
      such as famines that occurred during wartime. Here we investigate whether less
      extreme situations during World War II also affected later-life mortality for
      cohorts born in Belgium, France, The Netherlands, and Norway. We argue that these
      occupied countries experienced a considerable deterioration in daily life
      situations and show that this resulted in strongly increased mortality rates and
      lower probabilities of survival until age 55 among civilian populations who had
      been prenatally exposed to wartime circumstances. However, this mortality effect
      among the prenatally exposed is entirely concentrated in the first years of life,
      particularly infanthood. Once we condition on having survived the first years of
      life, those who had been prenatally exposed do not have higher mortality rates.
      This suggests that "culling" is important and that effects found in earlier
      studies may have been biased downward substantially. 

PMID- 26266972
TI  - Breakfast Skipping, Extreme Commutes, and the Sex Composition at Birth.
AB  - A growing body of literature has shown that environmental exposures in the period
      around conception can affect the sex ratio at birth through selective attrition
      that favors the survival of female conceptuses. Glucose availability is
      considered a key indicator of the fetal environment, and its absence as a result
      of meal skipping may inhibit male survival. We hypothesize that breakfast
      skipping during pregnancy may lead to a reduction in the fraction of male births.
      Using time use data from the United States we show that women with commute times
      of 90 minutes or longer are 20 percentage points more likely to skip breakfast.
      Using U.S. census data we show that women with commute times of 90 minutes or
      longer are 1.2 percentage points less likely to have a male child under the age
      of 2. Under some assumptions, this implies that routinely skipping breakfast
      around the time of conception leads to a 6 percentage point reduction in the
      probability of a male child. Skipping breakfast during pregnancy may therefore
      constitute a poor environment for fetal health more generally. 

PMID- 26266973
TI  - Effects of Birth Month on Child Health and Survival in Sub-Saharan Africa.
AB  - Birth month is broadly predictive of both under-5 mortality rates and stunting
      throughout most of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Observed factors, such as mother's
      age at birth and educational status, are correlated with birth month but are not
      the main factors underlying the relationship between birth month and child
      health. Accounting for maternal selection via a fixed-effects model attenuates
      the relationship between birth month and health in many SSA countries. In the
      remaining countries, the effect of birth month may be mediated by environmental
      factors. This study found that birth month effects on mortality typically do not
      vary across age intervals; the differential mortality rates by birth month are
      evident in the neonatal period and continue across age intervals. The male-to
      female sex ratio at birth did not vary by birth month, which suggests that in
      utero exposures are not influencing fetal loss, and that therefore the birth
      month effects are not likely a result of selective survival during the in utero
      period. In one-third of the sample, the birth month effects on stunting
      diminished after the age of 2 years; therefore, some children were able to catch
      up. Policies to improve child health should target pregnant women and infants and
      must take seasonality into account. 

PMID- 26266974
TI  - Highly Efficient Thermal and Light-Induced Spin-State Switching of an Fe(II)
      Complex in Direct Contact with a Solid Surface.
AB  - Spin crossover (SCO) complexes possess a bistable spin state that reacts
      sensitively to changes in temperature or excitation with light. These effects
      have been well investigated in solids and solutions, while technological
      applications require the immobilization and contacting of the molecules at
      surfaces, which often results in the suppression of the SCO. We report on the
      thermal and light-induced SCO of [Fe(bpz)2phen] molecules in direct contact with
      a highly oriented pyrolytic graphite surface. We are able to switch on the
      magnetic moment of the molecules by illumination with green light at T = 6 K, and
      off by increasing the temperature to 65 K. The light-induced switching process is
      highly efficient leading to a complete spin conversion from the low-spin to the
      high-spin state within a submonolayer of molecules. [Fe(bpz)2phen] complexes
      immobilized on weakly interacting graphite substrates are thus promising
      candidates to realize the vision of an optically controlled molecular logic unit
      for spintronic devices. 

PMID- 26266975
TI  - PIK3CA(H1047R) induces multipotency and multi-lineage mammary tumours.
AB  - The adult mouse mammary epithelium contains self-sustained cell lineages that
      form the inner luminal and outer basal cell layers, with stem and progenitor
      cells contributing to its proliferative and regenerative potential. A key issue
      in breast cancer biology is the effect of genomic lesions in specific mammary
      cell lineages on tumour heterogeneity and progression. The impact of transforming
      events on fate conversion in cancer cells of origin and thus their contribution
      to tumour heterogeneity remains largely elusive. Using in situ genetic lineage
      tracing and limiting dilution transplantation, we have unravelled the potential
      of PIK3CA(H1047R), one of the most frequent mutations occurring in human breast
      cancer, to induce multipotency during tumorigenesis in the mammary gland. Here we
      show that expression of PIK3CA(H1047R) in lineage-committed basal Lgr5-positive
      and luminal keratin-8-positive cells of the adult mouse mammary gland evokes cell
      dedifferentiation into a multipotent stem-like state, suggesting this to be a
      mechanism involved in the formation of heterogeneous, multi-lineage mammary
      tumours. Moreover, we show that the tumour cell of origin influences the
      frequency of malignant mammary tumours. Our results define a key effect of
      PIK3CA(H1047R) on mammary cell fate in the pre-neoplastic mammary gland and show
      that the cell of origin of PIK3CA(H1047R) tumours dictates their malignancy, thus
      revealing a mechanism underlying tumour heterogeneity and aggressiveness. 

PMID- 26266976
TI  - Switching on elusive organometallic mechanisms with photoredox catalysis.
AB  - Transition-metal-catalysed cross-coupling reactions have become one of the most
      used carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bond-forming reactions in chemical
      synthesis. Recently, nickel catalysis has been shown to participate in a wide
      variety of C-C bond-forming reactions, most notably Negishi, Suzuki-Miyaura,
      Stille, Kumada and Hiyama couplings. Despite the tremendous advances in C-C
      fragment couplings, the ability to forge C-O bonds in a general fashion via
      nickel catalysis has been largely unsuccessful. The challenge for nickel-mediated
      alcohol couplings has been the mechanistic requirement for the critical C-O bond
      forming step (formally known as the reductive elimination step) to occur via a
      Ni(III) alkoxide intermediate. Here we demonstrate that visible-light-excited
      photoredox catalysts can modulate the preferred oxidation states of nickel
      alkoxides in an operative catalytic cycle, thereby providing transient access to
      Ni(III) species that readily participate in reductive elimination. Using this
      synergistic merger of photoredox and nickel catalysis, we have developed a highly
      efficient and general carbon-oxygen coupling reaction using abundant alcohols and
      aryl bromides. More notably, we have developed a general strategy to 'switch on'
      important yet elusive organometallic mechanisms via oxidation state modulations
      using only weak light and single-electron-transfer catalysts.

PMID- 26266978
TI  - Biodiversity: Multiple origins of mountain life.

PMID- 26266977
TI  - The ubiquitin kinase PINK1 recruits autophagy receptors to induce mitophagy.
AB  - Protein aggregates and damaged organelles are tagged with ubiquitin chains to
      trigger selective autophagy. To initiate mitophagy, the ubiquitin kinase PINK1
      phosphorylates ubiquitin to activate the ubiquitin ligase parkin, which builds
      ubiquitin chains on mitochondrial outer membrane proteins, where they act to
      recruit autophagy receptors. Using genome editing to knockout five autophagy
      receptors in HeLa cells, here we show that two receptors previously linked to
      xenophagy, NDP52 and optineurin, are the primary receptors for PINK1- and parkin
      mediated mitophagy. PINK1 recruits NDP52 and optineurin, but not p62, to
      mitochondria to activate mitophagy directly, independently of parkin. Once
      recruited to mitochondria, NDP52 and optineurin recruit the autophagy factors
      ULK1, DFCP1 and WIPI1 to focal spots proximal to mitochondria, revealing a
      function for these autophagy receptors upstream of LC3. This supports a new model
      in which PINK1-generated phospho-ubiquitin serves as the autophagy signal on
      mitochondria, and parkin then acts to amplify this signal. This work also
      suggests direct and broader roles for ubiquitin phosphorylation in other
      autophagy pathways. 

PMID- 26266981
TI  - Organic chemistry: Light opens pathways for nickel catalysis.

PMID- 26266980
TI  - SEC14L2 enables pan-genotype HCV replication in cell culture.
AB  - Since its discovery in 1989, efforts to grow clinical isolates of the hepatitis C
      virus (HCV) in cell culture have met with limited success. Only the JFH-1 isolate
      has the capacity to replicate efficiently in cultured hepatoma cells without cell
      culture-adaptive mutations. We hypothesized that cultured cells lack one or more
      factors required for the replication of clinical isolates. To identify the
      missing factors, we transduced Huh-7.5 human hepatoma cells with a pooled
      lentivirus-based human complementary DNA (cDNA) library, transfected the cells
      with HCV subgenomic replicons lacking adaptive mutations, and selected for stable
      replicon colonies. This led to the identification of a single cDNA, SEC14L2, that
      enabled RNA replication of diverse HCV genotypes in several hepatoma cell lines.
      This effect was dose-dependent, and required the continuous presence of SEC14L2.
      Full-length HCV genomes also replicated and produced low levels of infectious
      virus. Remarkably, SEC14L2-expressing Huh-7.5 cells also supported HCV
      replication following inoculation with patient sera. Mechanistic studies suggest
      that SEC14L2 promotes HCV infection by enhancing vitamin E-mediated protection
      against lipid peroxidation. This provides a foundation for development of in
      vitro replication systems for all HCV isolates, creating a useful platform to
      dissect the mechanisms by which cell culture-adaptive mutations act. 

PMID- 26266982
TI  - Cell biology: Tagged tags engage disposal.

PMID- 26266983
TI  - Structural biology: Lipid gymnastics.

PMID- 26266984
TI  - Structure and mechanism of an active lipid-linked oligosaccharide flippase.
AB  - The flipping of membrane-embedded lipids containing large, polar head groups is
      slow and energetically unfavourable, and is therefore catalysed by flippases, the
      mechanisms of which are unknown. A prominent example of a flipping reaction is
      the translocation of lipid-linked oligosaccharides that serve as donors in N
      linked protein glycosylation. In Campylobacter jejuni, this process is catalysed
      by the ABC transporter PglK. Here we present a mechanism of PglK-catalysed lipid
      linked oligosaccharide flipping based on crystal structures in distinct states, a
      newly devised in vitro flipping assay, and in vivo studies. PglK can adopt inward
      and outward-facing conformations in vitro, but only outward-facing states are
      required for flipping. While the pyrophosphate-oligosaccharide head group of
      lipid-linked oligosaccharides enters the translocation cavity and interacts with
      positively charged side chains, the lipidic polyprenyl tail binds and activates
      the transporter but remains exposed to the lipid bilayer during the reaction. The
      proposed mechanism is distinct from the classical alternating-access model
      applied to other transporters. 

PMID- 26266979
TI  - Evolution of endemism on a young tropical mountain.
AB  - Tropical mountains are hot spots of biodiversity and endemism, but the
      evolutionary origins of their unique biotas are poorly understood. In varying
      degrees, local and regional extinction, long-distance colonization, and local
      recruitment may all contribute to the exceptional character of these communities.
      Also, it is debated whether mountain endemics mostly originate from local lowland
      taxa, or from lineages that reach the mountain by long-range dispersal from cool
      localities elsewhere. Here we investigate the evolutionary routes to endemism by
      sampling an entire tropical mountain biota on the 4,095-metre-high Mount Kinabalu
      in Sabah, East Malaysia. We discover that most of its unique biodiversity is
      younger than the mountain itself (6 million years), and comprises a mix of
      immigrant pre-adapted lineages and descendants from local lowland ancestors,
      although substantial shifts from lower to higher vegetation zones in this latter
      group were rare. These insights could improve forecasts of the likelihood of
      extinction and 'evolutionary rescue' in montane biodiversity hot spots under
      climate change scenarios. 

PMID- 26266986
TI  - Non-invasive prenatal testing for aneuploidy: a systematic review of Internet
      advertising to potential users by commercial companies and private health
      providers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The development of non-invasive prenatal testing has increased
      accessibility of fetal testing. Companies are now advertising prenatal testing
      for aneuploidy via the Internet. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this systematic review of
      websites advertising non-invasive prenatal testing for aneuploidy was to explore
      the nature of the information being provided to potential users. METHODS: We
      systematically searched two Internet search engines for relevant websites using
      the following terms: 'prenatal test', 'antenatal test', 'non-invasive test',
      'noninvasive test', 'cell-free fetal DNA', 'cffDNA', 'Down syndrome test' or
      'trisomy test'. We examined the first 200 websites identified through each
      search. Relevant web-based text was examined, and key topics were identified,
      tabulated and counted. To analyse the text further, we used thematic analysis.
      MAIN RESULTS: Forty websites were identified. Whilst a number of sites provided
      balanced, accurate information, in the majority supporting evidence was not
      provided to underpin the information and there was inadequate information on the
      need for an invasive test to definitely diagnose aneuploidy. CONCLUSIONS: The
      information provided on many websites does not comply with professional
      recommendations. Guidelines are needed to ensure that companies offering prenatal
      testing via the Internet provide accurate and comprehensible information.

PMID- 26266985
TI  - Reactivation of multipotency by oncogenic PIK3CA induces breast tumour
      heterogeneity.
AB  - Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer in women and consists of heterogeneous
      types of tumours that are classified into different histological and molecular
      subtypes. PIK3CA and P53 (also known as TP53) are the two most frequently mutated
      genes and are associated with different types of human breast cancers. The
      cellular origin and the mechanisms leading to PIK3CA-induced tumour heterogeneity
      remain unknown. Here we used a genetic approach in mice to define the cellular
      origin of Pik3ca-derived tumours and the impact of mutations in this gene on
      tumour heterogeneity. Surprisingly, oncogenic Pik3ca(H1047R) mutant expression at
      physiological levels in basal cells using keratin (K)5-CreER(T2) mice induced the
      formation of luminal oestrogen receptor (ER)-positive/progesterone receptor (PR)
      positive tumours, while its expression in luminal cells using K8-CReER(T2) mice
      gave rise to luminal ER(+)PR(+) tumours or basal-like ER(-)PR(-) tumours.
      Concomitant deletion of p53 and expression of Pik3ca(H1047R) accelerated tumour
      development and induced more aggressive mammary tumours. Interestingly,
      expression of Pik3ca(H1047R) in unipotent basal cells gave rise to luminal-like
      cells, while its expression in unipotent luminal cells gave rise to basal-like
      cells before progressing into invasive tumours. Transcriptional profiling of
      cells that underwent cell fate transition upon Pik3ca(H1047R) expression in
      unipotent progenitors demonstrated a profound oncogene-induced reprogramming of
      these newly formed cells and identified gene signatures characteristic of the
      different cell fate switches that occur upon Pik3ca(H1047R) expression in basal
      and luminal cells, which correlated with the cell of origin, tumour type and
      different clinical outcomes. Altogether our study identifies the cellular origin
      of Pik3ca-induced tumours and reveals that oncogenic Pik3ca(H1047R) activates a
      multipotent genetic program in normally lineage-restricted populations at the
      early stage of tumour initiation, setting the stage for future intratumoural
      heterogeneity. These results have important implications for our understanding of
      the mechanisms controlling tumour heterogeneity and the development of new
      strategies to block PIK3CA breast cancer initiation. 

PMID- 26266989
TI  - Determination of Drugs of Abuse and Their Stereoisomers by Circular Dichroism.
AB  - More than half of the total drugs in the world are optically active, yet this
      physical property is all but ignored as an experimental means in drug analysis.
      Part of the reason may well be that, until recently, regulatory agencies have not
      required the verification of the absolute stereochemical configuration of a drug
      molecule. In a forensic context, isomeric confirmations are limited to the
      recognition of different habits in routine microcrystalline tests. Chirality
      confirmation is a new regulation introduced by the U.S. Food and Drug
      Administration for new drug submissions in the pharmaceutical sciences and a
      rapid, relatively routine procedure is needed. Of the three possible chiroptical
      detectors that might be used, circular dichroism (CD) has the greatest potential
      for selectivity and breadth of application with a minimum of sample preparation.
      The method, once perfected, will be equally invaluable to forensic analyses.
      Analytical results are reported for a number of drugs of abuse, both enantiomers
      and diastereoisomers. Chiroptical detection methods are critically compared with
      chromatographic option. 

PMID- 26266988
TI  - Comprehensive size-determination of whole virus vaccine particles using gas-phase
      electrophoretic mobility macromolecular analyzer, atomic force microscopy, and
      transmission electron microscopy.
AB  - Biophysical properties including particle size distribution, integrity, and shape
      of whole virus vaccine particles at different stages in tick-borne encephalitis
      (TBE) vaccines formulation were analyzed by a new set of methods. Size-exclusion
      chromatography (SEC) was used as a conservative sample preparation for vaccine
      particle fractionation and gas-phase electrophoretic mobility macromolecular
      analyzer (GEMMA) for analyzing electrophoretic mobility diameters of isolated TBE
      virions. The derived particle diameter was then correlated with molecular weight.
      The diameter of the TBE virions determined after SEC by GEMMA instrumentation was
      46.8 +/- 1.1 nm. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and transmission electron
      microscopy (TEM) were implemented for comparison purposes and to gain
      morphological information on the virion particle. Western blotting (Dot Blot) as
      an immunological method confirmed biological activity of the particles at various
      stages of the developed analytical strategy. AFM and TEM measurements revealed
      higher diameters with much higher SD for a limited number of virions, 60.4 +/-
      8.5 and 53.5 +/- 5.3 nm, respectively. GEMMA instrumentation was also used for
      fractionation of virions with specifically selected diameters in the gas-phase,
      which were finally collected by means of an electrostatic sampler. At that point
      (i.e., after particle collection), AFM and TEM showed that the sampled virions
      were still intact, exhibiting a narrow size distribution (i.e., 59.8 +/- 7.8 nm
      for AFM and 47.5 +/- 5.2 nm for TEM images), and most importantly, dot blotting
      confirmed immunological activity of the collected samples. Furthermore dimers and
      virion artifacts were detected, too. 

PMID- 26266990
TI  - Forensic Identification of Explosives by Mass Spectrometry and Allied Techniques.
AB  - In forensic analysis of explosives, analytical methods are required that combine
      good separation characteristics with highly specific and sensitive detection. Two
      novel techniques, liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) and tandem mass
      spectrometry (MS/MS) have such specifications. These are now well-established
      analytical techniques for separation and identification of mixtures and for trace
      analysis of selected components. The principles and instrumentation of LC/MS and
      MS/MS are described, as well as their applications, in forensic identification of
      explosives residues and detection of hidden explosives. 

PMID- 26266991
TI  - A Historical and Comparative Review of the Reception of Forensic Medical and
      Scientific Evidence under Different Systems of Law.
AB  - The purpose of this paper is to review the historical basis for the substantial
      differences which exist between the two main systems of law (common law and civil
      law) in the reception of forensic medical and scientific evidence by courts of
      law, and in the medico-legal investigation of sudden deaths in the community. The
      historical reasons for these differences are explained, and the relevant merits
      of procedures for presenting expert evidence in the courts of common law and
      civil law countries are discussed. The early appearance of forensic medical and
      scientific evidence in continental European (civil law) courts is contrasted with
      its long delayed introduction into common law countries. Special attention is
      given to the role of such evidence in the routine investigation of sudden death,
      which now serves an important public health function. The paper concludes by
      pointing to the paradox that the civil law countries have succeeded in ensuring
      that their courts of law receive the best forensic medical and scientific
      evidence, whilst at the same time failing to ensure that sudden deaths of
      unexplained cause are adequately investigated. 

PMID- 26266992
TI  - The Interaction of Ethanol with Drugs.
AB  - Ethanol is perhaps the most widely used drug in society today. Its reactions in
      the human body are varied and complex but mainly it depresses the central nervous
      system, which in turn causes a deleterious effect on psychomotor functions. When
      any of several classes of drugs is introduced into the body along with ethanol,
      each drug can affect the other's absorption, distribution, metabolism, and
      excretion. The toxic effects of the drug combination may be potentiated,
      depending upon several factors such as whether the ingested level of ethanol was
      acute or chronic, and the pharmacodynamics of the second drug. 

PMID- 26266993
TI  - Methods of Fire Debris Preparation for Detection of Accelerants.
AB  - Forensic scientists use various techniques to separate accelerants from fire
      debris samples before instrumental identification of added fuels. Among the
      choices available, traditional micro-distillation, steam distillation, vacuum
      distillation, headspace, heated headspace, and several vapor
      adsorption/desorption methods provide various advantages and disadvantages. This
      communication reviews the development of these techniques from the 1950s and
      comparison studies performed. 

PMID- 26266994
TI  - The impact of pain on systemic rheumatic diseases.
AB  - Pain is associated with the different types of rheumatic syndromes because it is
      often the most troubling symptom of patients affected by any of these diseases.
      Some risk factors clearly play a major role in the clinical expression of pain
      and related syndromes, including genetics, age, gender, co-morbidities, traumas
      and psychological patterns, but there are no specific clinical, laboratory or
      neuroimaging markers that can indicate why and when a patient's localised pain
      will become chronic and widespread. Any type of pain must be treated not only
      appropriately, but also rapidly because the likelihood of developing some form of
      chronic pain is related to the duration of the peripheral pain stimulus. Chronic
      pain inevitably has a major impact on patients' quality of life because the loss
      of function undermines their ability to do everyday activities. Pain can be most
      effectively treated by carefully selecting various pharmacological and non
      pharmacological interventions based on the characteristics of the pain itself,
      disease factors, psychological coping abilities, and lifestyle. 

PMID- 26266995
TI  - Diagnosing and treating chronic musculoskeletal pain based on the underlying
      mechanism(s).
AB  - Until recently, most clinicians considered chronic pain to be typically due to
      ongoing peripheral nociceptive input (i.e., damage or inflammation) in the region
      of the body where the individual is experiencing pain. Clinicians are generally
      aware of a few types of pain (e.g., headache and phantom limb pain) where chronic
      pain is not due to such causes, but most do not realize there is not a single
      chronic pain state where any radiographic, surgical, or pathological description
      of peripheral nociceptive damage has been reproducibly shown to be related to the
      presence or severity of pain. The primary reason for this appears to be that both
      the peripheral and central nervous systems play a critical role in determining
      which nociceptive input being detected by sensory nerves in the peripheral
      tissues will lead to the perception of pain in humans. This manuscript reviews
      some of the latest findings regarding the neural processing of pain, with a
      special focus on how clinicians can use information gleaned from the history and
      physical examination to assess which mechanisms are most likely to be responsible
      for pain in a given individual, and tailors therapy appropriately. A critical
      construct is that, within any specific diagnostic category (e.g., fibromyalgia
      (FM), osteoarthritis (OA), and chronic low back pain (CLBP) are specifically
      reviewed), individual patients may have markedly different peripheral/nociceptive
      and neural contributions to their pain. Thus, just as low back pain has long been
      acknowledged to have multiple potential mechanisms, so also is this true of all
      chronic pain states, wherein some individuals will have pain primarily due to
      peripheral nociceptive input, whereas in others peripheral (e.g., peripheral
      sensitization) or central nervous system factors ("central sensitization" or
      "centralization" of pain via augmented pain processing in spinal and brain) may
      be playing an equally or even more prominent role in their pain and other
      symptoms. 

PMID- 26266996
TI  - Update on the genetics of the fibromyalgia syndrome.
AB  - Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), a condition characterized by chronic widespread pain
      and tenderness, is a complex condition considered to represent a paradigm of
      centralized pain. FMS has demonstrated a clear familial aggregation, and hence it
      is considered to have a genetic background. Multiple candidate-gene studies have
      been conducted in this field, focusing on target genes that play a role in the
      transmission and processing of pain. While many of these have focused in the past
      on markers related to neurotransmitter systems such as catecholamines (catechol-O
      methyltransferase (COMT)) and serotonin, novel target genes have recently
      emerged. In addition, genome-wide sequencing scanning (genome-wide association
      study (GWAS)) is increasingly being harnessed for the study of chronic pain,
      including FMS. Micro RNAs are another novel field of research related to
      posttranscriptional inhibition of gene expression, which are currently regarding
      the pathogenesis of FMS. 

PMID- 26266997
TI  - Neuroimaging of chronic pain.
AB  - Chronic pain is an important public health problem, and there is a need to
      understand the mechanisms that lead to pain chronification. From a
      neurobiological perspective, the mechanisms contributing to the transition from
      acute to subacute and chronic pain are heterogeneous and are thought to take
      place at various levels of the peripheral and central nervous system. In the past
      decade, brain imaging studies have shed light on neural correlates of pain
      perception and pain modulation, but they have also begun to disentangle neural
      mechanisms that underlie chronic pain. This review summarizes important and
      recent findings in pain research using magnetic resonance tomography. Especially
      new developments in functional, structural and neurochemical imaging such as
      resting-state connectivity and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) spectroscopy, which
      have advanced our understanding of chronic pain and which can potentially be
      integrated in clinical practice, will be discussed. 

PMID- 26266998
TI  - Pain in systemic inflammatory rheumatic diseases.
AB  - The sometimes intense, persistent and disabling pain associated with rheumatoid
      arthritis (RA) and spondyloarthritis frequently has a multifactorial,
      simultaneously central and peripheral origin, and it may be due to currently
      active inflammation or joint damage and tissue destruction caused by a previous
      inflammatory condition. The symptoms of inflammatory pain symptoms can be
      partially relieved by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, but many patients
      continue to experience moderate pain due to alterations in central pain
      regulation mechanisms, as in the case of the chronic widespread pain (CWP)
      characterising fibromyalgia. The importance of distinguishing CWP from
      inflammatory pain is underlined by the fact that drugs such as tumour necrosis
      factor inhibitors are expensive, and direct costs are higher in patients with
      concomitant CWP than in those without. The management of pain requires a
      combination approach that includes pharmacological analgesia, and biological and
      non-biological treatments because, although joint replacement surgery can
      significantly improve RA-related pain, it may only be available to patients with
      the most severe advanced disease. 

PMID- 26266999
TI  - Pain in systemic connective tissue diseases.
AB  - Pain is frequent in patients with connective tissue diseases (CTDs), particularly
      those affected by systemic sclerosis (SSc) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
      in which it is virtually ubiquitous and can have different causes. The SLE
      classification criteria include pain associated with musculoskeletal involvement,
      which are frequently the initial symptom of SLE and can include arthralgia,
      arthritis and/or myalgia. Chronic widespread pain, the cornerstone of
      fibromyalgia (FM), is also frequently associated with CTDs. Chronic pain has a
      considerable impact on mental health, and the professional and family lives of
      patients. It can be due to many disorders, but there are few reports concerning
      its prevalence during the course of other diseases. It is essential to identify
      the origin of pain in CTDs in order to avoid dangerous over-treatment in patients
      with co-existing widespread pain. Effective pain management is a primary goal of
      patient care, although it has not been investigated in detail in patients with
      SSc.

PMID- 26267000
TI  - Pain in primary Sjogren's syndrome.
AB  - Joint and muscle pain are commonly observed in patients with primary Sjogren's
      syndrome (pSS). Different types of pain can be distinguished, that is, articular
      pain, neuropathic pain and widespread pain. Articular pain is due to more or less
      evident synovitis, usually involving peripheral joints such as hand joints,
      wrists, knees and ankles. Drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, or lupus
      synovitis, are also employed for articular involvement in pSS. Pure sensory
      neuropathies and, more often, small fibre neuropathies are responsible for
      neuropathic pain in pSS. This is usually localised in the legs and arms with a
      characteristic glove or sock distribution. Widespread pain, often assuming the
      features of fibromyalgia, has also been reported in patients with pSS. The
      pathological mechanisms underlying both neuropathic pain and widespread
      (fibromyalgia) pain in pSS have not been so far completely clarified. 

PMID- 26267001
TI  - The words of pain in complex regional pain syndrome.
AB  - Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) encompasses a wide range of painful
      conditions, but it is characterised by continuing (spontaneous and/or evoked)
      limb pain that is seemingly disproportionate in time or degree to the usual
      course of any known trauma or other lesion. The pain is regional, with distal
      predominance usually but not related to a specific nerve territory or dermatome,
      and it is usually associated with abnormal sensory, motor, sudomotor, vasomotor
      and/or trophic findings. The complexity of the aetiopathogenetic factors making
      up the clinical picture of CRPS is mirrored by the inconsistency of almost all of
      the monotherapies used to treat it so far. Motor and sensory symptoms
      significantly interfere with the patients' daily function and quality of life,
      and almost all of them report substantial disability in their working and
      recreational activities, mood and mobility. 

PMID- 26267002
TI  - Pain management in cryoglobulinaemic syndrome.
AB  - Cryoglobulinaemic syndrome (CS) includes clinical signs and symptoms that range
      from the classic triad of Meltzer and Franklin (purpura, weakness and
      arthralgias) to multiple organ involvement, and it may be characterised by
      nociceptive or neuropathic pain. Both types of pain use the same pathways and
      neurotransmitters, but nociceptive pain has an adaptive system and biological
      function whereas neuropathic pain does not. Managing CS means dealing with often
      very different clinical patterns, activity and severity with the aim of
      preventing irreversible organ damage, reducing pain, improving the patients'
      quality of life and reducing social costs. However, treatment is still largely
      empirical, and it is often delayed. The Italian Group for the Study of
      Cryoglobulinaemia (GISC) strongly recommended a low-antigen-content diet and
      colchicine for all symptomatic CS patients. Patients with mild-moderate symptoms
      (such as purpura, weakness, arthralgia and initial neuropathy) have been treated
      with low or medium doses of steroids, and, in the presence of chronic hepatitis C
      virus (HCV)-related hepatitis, an attempt has been made to eradicate HCV with
      pegylated interferon plus ribavirin. In the case of severe or rapidly progressive
      disease (glomerulonephritis, neuropathy, leg ulcers, widespread vasculitis or
      hyperviscosity syndrome), more aggressive treatment should be used (e.g., high
      doses of corticosteroids, plasma exchange plus cyclophosphamide or rituximab).
      Pain management in CS therefore depends on the type of pain (nociceptive,
      neuropathic or mixed), the characteristics of the patients and their co
      morbidities. Drug therapy should be carefully monitored in order to obtain prompt
      and beneficial results. 

PMID- 26267003
TI  - Osteoarthritis pain.
AB  - Osteoarthritis (OA) represents one of the most frequently occurring painful
      conditions. Pain is the major OA symptom, involving both peripheral and central
      neurological mechanisms. OA pain is initiated from free axonal endings located in
      the synovium, periosteum bone, and tendons, but not in the cartilage. The
      nociceptive message involves not only neuromediators and regulating factors such
      as neuronal growth factor (NGF) but also central modifications of pain pathways.
      OA pain is a mixed phenomenon where nociceptive and neuropathic mechanisms are
      involved in both the local and central levels. OA pain perception is influenced
      by multiple environmental, psychological, or constitutional factors, and OA pain
      intensity is not correlated with joint degradation. OA pain may present with
      different clinical features: constant and intermittent pain, with or without a
      neuropathic component, and with or without central sensitization. Finally, OA
      pain should be considered as a complex and not unique pain condition, where
      precise clinical assessment may drive specific therapeutic approaches. 

PMID- 26267004
TI  - Molecular mechanisms of pain in crystal-induced arthritis.
AB  - Crystal-induced arthritis (CIA) is characterized by an intense inflammatory
      reaction triggered by the deposition of monosodium urate, calcium pyrophosphate,
      and basic calcium phosphate crystals in articular and periarticular tissues.
      Severe, acute pain constitutes the most important clinical symptom in patients
      affected by these diseases. Pain along with redness, warmness, swelling, and
      stiffness in the affected joint arises abruptly in gout and disappears when the
      acute phase of the attack resolves. While an acute joint attack caused by calcium
      pyrophosphate crystals can mimic a gout flare, basic calcium phosphate crystal
      arthritis gives rise to a series of clinical manifestations, the most severe of
      which are calcific periarthritis, mostly asymptomatic, and a highly destructive
      arthritis known as Milwaukee shoulder syndrome, which is characterized by painful
      articular attacks. Pain development in CIA is mediated by several inflammatory
      substances that are formed after cell injury by crystals. The most important of
      these molecules, which exert their effects through different receptor subtypes
      present in both peripheral sensory neurons and the spinal cord, are
      prostaglandins, bradykinin, cytokines (in particular, interleukin (IL)-1beta),
      and substance P. The pharmacological treatment of pain in CIA is strictly
      associated with the treatment of acute phases and flares of the disease, during
      which crystals trigger the inflammatory response. According to international
      guidelines, colchicines, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and/or
      corticosteroids are first-line agents for the systemic treatment of acute CIA,
      while biologics, namely anti-IL-1beta agents, should be used only in particularly
      refractory cases. 

PMID- 26267005
TI  - "Real-life" treatment of chronic pain: Targets and goals.
AB  - Treating chronic pain is a complex challenge. While textbooks and medical
      education classically categorize pain as originating from peripheral
      (nociceptive), neuropathic, or centralized origins, in real life each and every
      patient may present a combination of various pain sources, types, and mechanisms.
      Moreover, individual patients may evolve and develop differing types of pain
      throughout their clinical follow-up, further emphasizing the necessity to
      maintain clinical diligence during the evaluation and follow-up of these
      patients. Rational treatment of patients suffering from chronic pain must attempt
      at deconstructing complex pain cases, identifying variegate pain generators, and
      targeting them with appropriate interventions, while incorporating both
      pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies, rather than focusing on the
      total pain level, which represents an integral of all pain types. Failing to
      recognize the coexistence of different types of pain in an individual patient and
      escalating medications only on the basis of total pain intensity are liable to
      lead to both ineffective control of pain and increased untoward effects. In the
      current review, we outline strategies for deconstructing complex pain and
      therapeutic suggestions. 

PMID- 26267007
TI  - Meta-analyses of pain studies: What we have learned.
AB  - Meta-analysis is a statistical procedure that integrates the results of at least
      two independent studies. The biggest threats to meta-analysis are publication
      bias due to missing studies with negative results and low-quality evidence due to
      methodological limitations imposed by included studies. Tools to improve the
      quality of meta-analysis have been developed by the Cochrane Collaboration and by
      the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA).
      Meta-analyses of trials have demonstrated that pain responses in patients with
      chronic pain, following treatment, are not normally distributed but have a
      bimodal distribution with the majority of patients having either very little or
      very good pain relief. The benefit can be detected within 2-4 weeks following
      drug administration. Further, the efficacy of drug and physical treatments is
      hampered by high placebo response rates, with modest average benefits with active
      treatments over placebo in both parallel and crossover design trials. 

PMID- 26267006
TI  - Physical exercise as non-pharmacological treatment of chronic pain: Why and when.
AB  - Chronic pain broadly encompasses both objectively defined conditions and
      idiopathic conditions that lack physical findings. Despite variance in origin or
      pathogenesis, these conditions are similarly characterized by chronic pain, poor
      physical function, mobility limitations, depression, anxiety, and sleep
      disturbance, and they are treated alone or in combination by pharmacologic and
      non-pharmacologic approaches, such as physical activity (aerobic conditioning,
      muscle strengthening, flexibility training, and movement therapies). Physical
      activity improves general health, disease risk, and progression of chronic
      illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. When
      applied to chronic pain conditions within appropriate parameters (frequency,
      duration, and intensity), physical activity significantly improves pain and
      related symptoms. For chronic pain, strict guidelines for physical activity are
      lacking, but frequent movement is preferable to sedentary behavior. This gives
      considerable freedom in prescribing physical activity treatments, which are most
      successful when tailored individually, progressed slowly, and account for
      physical limitations, psychosocial needs, and available resources. 

PMID- 26267008
TI  - Psychological aspects of chronic musculoskeletal pain.
AB  - Chronic musculoskeletal pain, by its very nature, is associated with negative
      emotions and psychological distress. There are individual differences in
      personality, coping skills, behavioral adaptation, and social support that
      dramatically alter the psychological outcomes of patients with chronic pain.
      Patients who have an aspect of central pain amplification associated with
      mechanical or inflammatory pain and patients with fibromyalgia (FM) are likely to
      exhibit higher levels of psychological distress and illness behaviors. This
      manuscript discusses several different constructs for the association between
      chronic pain, central pain amplification, and psychological distress. The first
      key question addresses mechanisms shared in common between chronic pain and mood
      disorders, including the individual factors that influence psychological
      comorbidity, and the second addresses how pain affects mood and vice versa.
      Finally, the utility of cognitive behavioral approaches in the management of
      chronic pain symptoms is discussed. 

PMID- 26267009
TI  - Multidisciplinary treatment for rheumatic pain.
AB  - Chronic pain experienced by patients with rheumatic conditions is recognized to
      contribute importantly to suffering. Multidisciplinary pain clinics that adhere
      to the biopsychosocial concept of pain management provide an effective treatment
      strategy for many with chronic pain. Other than for low back pain and
      fibromyalgia, little attention has been given to the specific experience of
      treating those with rheumatic diseases in such a setting. It is, however,
      reasonable to suggest that many patients with chronic rheumatic pain could
      benefit from exposure to a multidisciplinary pain treatment programme that
      incorporates components of education, exercise and activity, as well as
      psychological techniques and support. Although the specifics of such a treatment
      will require defining, rheumatologists can look forward to expanded care for
      their patients with chronic rheumatic pain, and they should be encouraged to
      become more involved in these clinics. 

PMID- 26267010
TI  - How to measure chronic pain: New concepts.
AB  - The assessment of chronic pain and its impact on physical, emotional and social
      functions requires the use of multidimensional qualitative and health-related
      quality of life instruments, but there is still little agreement concerning what
      these may be or which approach to adopt. Increasing focus on patient-reported
      outcomes in medicine has had the positive effect of giving prominence to the
      views and experiences of patients with chronic pain, and the ecological momentary
      assessment (EMA) approach allows patients' symptoms to be assessed in their
      natural environment in real time without the need for recall. Computerised EMA
      symptom diaries are now generally regarded as the 'gold standard' in the field of
      pain medicine, and they have recently attracted increasing attention as an
      essential component of health-care monitoring systems based on the information
      and communication technology. A web/Internet-based diary and patient terminal
      seem to provide a ubiquitous, easy-to-use and cost-efficient solution for patient
      centred data acquisition. In addition, telemonitoring is increasingly seen as an
      effective means of supporting shared decision-making as it can inform patients
      about typical symptoms, treatment options and prognosis, and it is widely
      accepted as an additional source of information. This article reviews some of the
      instruments used to assess chronic pain, including newly developed and well
      established validated multidimensional instruments and health-care monitoring
      systems based on information and communication technology, and it discusses their
      advantages and limitations. 

PMID- 26267011
TI  - Discovery and Development of Pyridine-bis(imine) and Related Catalysts for Olefin
      Polymerization and Oligomerization.
AB  - For over 40 years following the polyolefin catalyst discoveries of Hogan and
      Banks (Phillips) and Ziegler (Max Planck Institute), chemists traversed the
      periodic table searching for new transition metal and lanthanide-based olefin
      polymerization systems. Remarkably, none of these "hits" employed iron, that is,
      until three groups independently reported iron catalysts for olefin
      polymerization in the late 1990's. The history surrounding the discovery of these
      catalysts was only the beginning of their uniqueness, as the ensuing years have
      proven these systems remarkable in several regards. Of primary importance are the
      pyridine-bis(imine) ligands (herein referred to as PDI), which produced iron
      catalysts that are among the world's most active for ethylene polymerization,
      demonstrated "staying power" despite over 15 years of ligand improvement efforts,
      and generated highly active polymerization systems with cobalt, chromium, and
      vanadium. Although many ligands have been employed in iron-catalyzed
      polymerization, the PDI family has thus far provided the most information about
      iron's capabilities and tendencies. For example, iron systems tend to be highly
      selective for ethylene over higher olefins, making them strong candidates for
      producing highly crystalline polyethylene, or highly linear alpha-olefins. Iron
      PDI polymerizes propylene with 2,1-regiochemistry via a predominantly isotactic,
      chain end control mechanism. Because the first insertion proceeds via 1,2
      regiochemistry, iron (and cobalt) PDI systems can be tailored to make highly
      linear dimers of alpha-olefins by "head-to-head" coupling, resulting from a
      switch in regiochemistry after the first insertion. Finally, PDI ligands, while
      not being surpassed in activity, have inspired the development of related ligand
      families and complexes, such as pendant donor diimines (PDD), which are also
      highly efficient at producing linear alpha-olefins. This Account will detail a
      variety of oligomerization and polymerization results achieved with PDI and PDD
      catalysts. Our studies on ligand modification are discussed, but numerous ligands
      have been synthesized by others. Computational approaches, identification of
      catalyst active sites, noninnocent ligand studies, commercialization efforts, and
      other outstanding research are only briefly mentioned, at most. The reader is
      directed to review articles where appropriate, in order to address the cursory
      treatment of these areas. 

PMID- 26267012
TI  - Management of hip fractures in older people in Beijing: a retrospective audit and
      comparison with evidence-based guidelines and practice in the UK.
AB  - Despite the high burden of hip fracture in China, there is limited information on
      its management. This study investigated the management of hip fractures in a
      Beijing tertiary hospital and compared practice with that in 180 hospitals in the
      UK. The findings show a significant gap exists between the countries.
      INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to determine if the management of
      older people with hip fractures in a Beijing tertiary hospital is comparable with
      the UK best practice guidelines for hip fracture management and the UK National
      Hip Fracture Database 2012, obtained from 180 hospitals. METHODS: A retrospective
      audit was undertaken in a large tertiary care hospital in Beijing. Data were
      compared with the National Hip Fracture Database 2012 collected in 180 hospitals
      in the UK on the proportion of patients managed according to the UK Blue Book
      standards. RESULTS: Sixty-six percent of patients were admitted to an orthopaedic
      ward within 24 h of fracture, while 100 % of patients in the UK were admitted to
      an orthopaedic ward within 24 h of arrival to an accident and emergency
      department. Only 8 % of patients received surgery within 48 h of admission
      compared with 83 % in the UK; 10 % received no surgery compared with 2.5 % in the
      UK; and 27 % received orthogeriatrician assessment compared with 70 % in the UK.
      New pressure ulcers developed in 2 % of patients compared with 3.7 % of those in
      the UK; whereas, 0.3 % of patients were assessed for osteoporosis treatment and
      3.8 % received falls assessment, and comparable figures for the UK were 94 and 92
      %, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Significant gaps exist in hip fracture management
      in the Beijing hospital compared with the best practice achieved in 180 UK
      hospitals, highlighting the need to implement and evaluate proactive strategies
      to increase the uptake of best practice hip fracture care in China.

PMID- 26267013
TI  - Fibrosis markers, hip fracture risk, and bone density in older adults.
AB  - We examined whether blood levels of two markers of fibrosis (transforming growth
      factor beta one (TGF-beta1) and procollagen type III N-terminal propeptide
      (PIIINP)) are related to hip fracture risk and to bone mineral density (BMD). TGF
      beta1 levels were associated with lower hip fracture risk in women and with lower
      BMD in men. PIIINP levels were not associated with either outcome. INTRODUCTION:
      TGF-beta1 serves several roles in bone formation and resorption. A consequence of
      TGF-beta1 activation is the production of PIIINP, a marker of collagen III
      deposition. Here, we explore whether these two biomarkers are related to incident
      hip fracture and bone mineral density (BMD) and whether their associations are
      modified by systemic inflammation, as measured by C-reactive protein (CRP)
      levels. METHODS: Participants were from the Cardiovascular Health Study (mean age
      78 years; mean follow-up 8.3 years). We included 1681 persons with measured
      levels of TGF-beta1 (149 hip fractures) and 3226 persons with measured levels of
      PIIINP (310 hip fractures). RESULTS: Among women, higher TGF-beta1 levels were
      associated with lower hip fracture risk (HR, per doubling, 0.78 [95 % CI 0.61,
      0.91]). Among men, TGF-beta1 levels were associated with hip fracture risk in a
      non-linear manner, but among those with elevated CRP levels, doubling was
      associated with increased risk of fracture (HR 2.22 [1.20, 4.08]) (p = 0.02,
      interaction between low and high CRP and TGF-beta1 on fracture risk). TGF-beta1
      levels had no significant association with total hip or total body BMD in women
      but were significantly associated with lower BMD in men. There were no
      associations of PIIINP levels with hip fracture risk or BMD in men or women.
      CONCLUSIONS: TGF-beta1 levels appear to be associated with bone-related
      phenotypes in a sex-specific manner. The reasons for these differences between
      men and women regarding TGF-beta1 levels and hip fracture risk and bone density
      require further investigation.

PMID- 26267014
TI  - The gene expression profiling of hepatocellular carcinoma by a network analysis
      approach shows a dominance of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) between
      hub nodes.
AB  - We have analyzed the transcriptomic data from patients with hepatocellular
      carcinoma (HCC) after viral HCV infection at the various stages of the disease by
      means of a networking analysis using the publicly available E-MTAB-950 dataset.
      The data was compared with those obtained in our group from HepG2 cells, a cancer
      cell line that lacks the viral infection. By sequential pruning of data, and also
      taking into account the data from cells of healthy patients as blanks, we were
      able to obtain a distribution of hub genes for the various stages that
      characterize the disease and finally, we isolated a metabolic sub-net specific to
      HCC alone. The general picture is that the basic organization to energetically
      and metabolically sustain the cells in both the normal and diseased conditions is
      the same, but a complex cluster of sub-networks controlled by hub genes drives
      the HCC progression with high metabolic flexibility and plasticity. In
      particular, we have extracted a sub-net of genes strictly correlated to other hub
      genes of the network from HepG2 cells, but specific for the HCC and mainly
      devoted to: (i) control at chromatin levels of cell division; (ii) control of
      ergastoplasmatic stress through protein degradation and misfolding; (iii) control
      of the immune response also through an increase of mature T-cells in the thymus.
      This sub-net is characterized by 26 hub genes coding for intrinsically disordered
      proteins with a high ability to interact with numerous molecular partners.
      Moreover, we have also noted that periphery molecules, that is, with one or very
      few interactions (e.g., cytokines or post-translational enzymes), which do not
      have a central role in the clusters that make up the global metabolic network,
      essentially have roles as information transporters. The results evidence a strong
      presence of intrinsically disordered proteins with key roles as hubs in the sub
      networks that characterize the various stages of the disease, conferring a
      structural plasticity to the net nodes but an inherent functional versatility to
      the whole metabolic net. Thus, our present article provides a novel way of
      targeting the intrinsic disorder in HCC networks to dampen the cancer effects and
      provides new insight into the potential mechanisms of HCC. Taken together, the
      present findings suggest novel targets to design strategies for drug design and
      may support a rational intervention in the pharmacotherapy of HCC and other
      associated diseases. 

PMID- 26267015
TI  - Ethnic differences in peanut allergy patterns in South African children with
      atopic dermatitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The prevalence of peanut allergy in South Africa is unknown, but
      previously thought to be low, particularly in black South Africans. This study
      aimed to determine the prevalence of component patterns and predictive values of
      screening tests in peanut allergy in South African children with atopic
      dermatitis (AD). METHODOLOGY: This was a prospective, observational study in a
      pediatric university hospital in Cape Town. Children with AD, aged 6 months to 10
      years, were recruited randomly. They were assessed for sensitization and allergy
      to peanut by questionnaire, skin prick tests (SPT), Immuno Solid Phase Allergen
      Chip test, ImmunoCAP component tests to Ara h 1, 2, 3, 8, and 9, and incremental
      food challenges. RESULTS: A total of 100 participants (59 black Africans and 41
      of mixed race) were enrolled, median age 42 months. There was a high and
      comparable rate of peanut sensitization in both black African (41%) and mixed
      race patients (50%), but a significantly lower prevalence of peanut allergy in
      the black African group (15% vs. 38%, p = 0.01). The component Ara h 2 was the
      most useful in differentiating allergy from tolerance in both ethnic groups, but
      had a significantly lower predictive value for peanut allergy in blacks (53%) vs.
      mixed race (93%). Overall, SPT and Ara h 2 produced the highest area under the
      receiver operating characteristic curve. A total of 95% positive predictive
      values (PPV) for SPT, peanut-specific IgE, and Ara h 2 levels varied
      significantly between the two ethnic groups. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of peanut
      allergy is high in South African children with AD, but significantly lower in
      blacks compared to mixed race patients. The component Ara h 2 is useful for
      differentiating allergy from tolerance in both ethnic groups. Ninety-five% PPV
      for peanut allergy tests may need to be revised by ethnic group.

PMID- 26267016
TI  - Molecular Catalysis of the Electrochemical and Photochemical Reduction of CO2
      with Earth-Abundant Metal Complexes. Selective Production of CO vs HCOOH by
      Switching of the Metal Center.
AB  - Molecular catalysis of carbon dioxide reduction using earth-abundant metal
      complexes as catalysts is a key challenge related to the production of useful
      products--the "solar fuels"--in which solar energy would be stored. A direct
      approach using sunlight energy as well as an indirect approach where sunlight is
      first converted into electricity could be used. A Co(II) complex and a Fe(III)
      complex, both bearing the same pentadentate N5 ligand (2,13-dimethyl-3,6,9,12,18
      pentaazabicyclo[12.3.1]octadeca-1(18),2,12,14,16-pentaene), were synthesized, and
      their catalytic activity toward CO2 reduction was investigated. Carbon monoxide
      was formed with the cobalt complex, while formic acid was obtained with the iron
      based catalyst, thus showing that the catalysis product can be switched by
      changing the metal center. Selective CO2 reduction occurs under electrochemical
      conditions as well as photochemical conditions when using a photosensitizer under
      visible light excitation (lambda > 460 nm, solvent acetonitrile) with the Co
      catalyst. In the case of the Fe catalyst, selective HCOOH production occurs at
      low overpotential. Sustained catalytic activity over long periods of time and
      high turnover numbers were observed in both cases. A catalytic mechanism is
      suggested on the basis of experimental results and preliminary quantum chemistry
      calculations.

PMID- 26267017
TI  - Luminescence properties of some monomeric and dimeric cycloplatinated(ii)
      complexes containing biphosphine ligands.
AB  - The starting complexes [PtCl(C^N)(dmso)], in which C^N is either ppy = 2
      phenylpyridinate, , or bhq = 7,8-benzo[h]quinolinate, , were prepared by a known
      method using the reaction of [PtCl2(dmso)2] with ppyH or bhqH, respectively, in
      toluene under reflux conditions. The reaction of [PtCl(C^N)(dmso)], or , with 1
      equiv. of a number of biphosphine ligands, P^P, gave the cationic monomeric
      complexes [Pt(ppy)(P^P)]Cl, for which P^P is either 1,2
      bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe), , 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane (dppp),
      , or bis(diphenylphosphino)methane (dppm), ; the bhq analogous complex
      [Pt(bhq)(dppe)]Cl, , was prepared similarly. However, the complex
      [Pt(ppy)(dfppe)]Cl, , in which dfppe is 1,2
      bis(dipentafluorophenylphosphino)ethane, was prepared by the reaction of with
      excess amount of dfppe. When each of the starting complexes [PtCl(C^N)(dmso)], or
      , were reacted with 0.5 equiv. of any of the P^P ligands, the dimeric complexes
      [Pt2Cl2(ppy)2(MU-P^P)], , or [Pt2Cl2(bhq)2(MU-P^P)], , were formed. The complexes
      were fully characterized using multinuclear ((1)H and (31)P) NMR spectroscopy and
      elemental analysis. The structures of typical complexes , , , and were also
      confirmed by X-ray crystallography. The effect of ligands on the luminescent
      properties of the complexes was investigated and DFT calculations were performed
      to confirm the assignments. 

PMID- 26267018
TI  - Toward an Enhancement of the Photoactivity of Multiphotochromic Dimers Using
      Plasmon Resonance: A Theoretical Study.
AB  - Building dimers of organic photochromic compounds paves the way to
      multifunctional switches, but such architectures often undergo partial
      photoreactivity only. Combining photochromism of molecules and plasmon resonance
      of gold nanoparticles (NPs) is known to affect the photochromism of monomers, yet
      the impact on multimers remains unknown. Here we propose a theoretical study of
      dimers of dithienylethenes by the mean of a hybrid calculation scheme (discrete
      interaction model/quantum mechanics). We aim to assess how the optical properties
      of multiphotochromes are tuned by the influence of the plasmon resonances. We
      show that, for a typical chemisorption orientation on the NP, the absorption
      bands responsible for the photochromism are significantly enhanced for both the
      doubly open and mixed closed-open isomers of the dyad, hinting that plasmon
      resonance could be used to boost the generally poor photoactivity of
      dithienylethene dyads. 

PMID- 26267020
TI  - Does the Prostatic Urethral Lift Change the BPH Treatment Paradigm?

PMID- 26267019
TI  - Neuroinformatics Software Applications Supporting Electronic Data Capture,
      Management, and Sharing for the Neuroimaging Community.
AB  - Accelerating insight into the relation between brain and behavior entails
      conducting small and large-scale research endeavors that lead to reproducible
      results. Consensus is emerging between funding agencies, publishers, and the
      research community that data sharing is a fundamental requirement to ensure all
      such endeavors foster data reuse and fuel reproducible discoveries. Funding
      agency and publisher mandates to share data are bolstered by a growing number of
      data sharing efforts that demonstrate how information technologies can enable
      meaningful data reuse. Neuroinformatics evaluates scientific needs and develops
      solutions to facilitate the use of data across the cognitive and neurosciences.
      For example, electronic data capture and management tools designed to facilitate
      human neurocognitive research can decrease the setup time of studies, improve
      quality control, and streamline the process of harmonizing, curating, and sharing
      data across data repositories. In this article we outline the advantages and
      disadvantages of adopting software applications that support these features by
      reviewing the tools available and then presenting two contrasting neuroimaging
      study scenarios in the context of conducting a cross-sectional and a multisite
      longitudinal study.

PMID- 26267021
TI  - Legends in Urology.

PMID- 26267022
TI  - Delivering better care and value in urological procedures.

PMID- 26267023
TI  - Estimating high-risk castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) using electronic
      health records.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Canadian guidelines define castration-resistant prostate cancer
      (CRPC) at high risk of developing metastases using PSA doubling time (PSADT) < 8
      months, whereby men may be offered more frequent bone scans/imaging. We evaluated
      PSA data from nonmetastatic (M0) prostate cancer patients treated at urology and
      oncology clinics across the United States (US) to describe the proportion and
      characteristics of patients who met CRPC and high-risk criteria. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: We identified M0 prostate cancer patients aged = 18 years receiving
      androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in 2011 from electronic health records (EHR),
      covering 129 urology and 64 oncology practices across the US. We estimated the
      proportion of prostate cancer patients with evidence of CRPC (consecutive rising
      PSAs) and subsets that may be at high risk (using several PSA and PSADT cut
      points). RESULTS: Among 3121 M0 prostate cancer patients actively treated with
      ADT, 1188 (38%) had evidence of CRPC. Of these, 712 (60%) qualified as high risk
      in 2011 based on PSADT < 8 months (equivalent to = 8 months in these data). Men =
      65 years were more likely to have evidence of CRPC than younger men, although
      younger men were more likely to have evidence of high-risk disease. CRPC was more
      common among men receiving ADT in the oncology setting than the urology setting
      (48% versus 37%). CONCLUSIONS: In this large EHR study with patient-level PSA
      data, 38% of men with M0 prostate cancer treated with ADT had CRPC. Approximately
      60% of M0 CRPC patients may experience a PSADT of < 8 months. These findings
      require validation in a Canadian patient population.

PMID- 26267024
TI  - Changing trends in utilization of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in muscle-invasive
      bladder cancer.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: To reassess use of perioperative chemotherapy in muscle-invasive
      bladder cancer (MIBC) following implementation of monthly multidisciplinary
      meetings to facilitate optimal oncologic treatment. We previously reported from
      2003 to 2008 17% of eligible patients with bladder cancer received cisplatin
      based neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) at our institution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A
      retrospective review of all patients who underwent radical cystectomy (RC)
      between 2008 and 2012 was performed. Information on clinical and pathologic
      stage, renal function, perioperative chemotherapy (CTX) use and oncologic
      outcomes was collected. Rationale for utilization decisions was obtained from
      physician encounter notes. Primary outcome was use of CTX among eligible
      patients. Secondary measures were type of CTX, pathologic and survival outcomes.
      RESULTS: Among 261 patients undergoing RC for bladder cancer, 162 were eligible
      for NAC. Overall 40.7% (n = 66) received NAC, and 86.4% were given platinum.
      Patients given NAC were younger and had more advanced clinical stage. The degree
      of chronic kidney disease (CKD) (0-3) did not impact likelihood of receiving NAC.
      NAC patients were more likely to be downstaged to non-muscle-invasive disease
      (21.2% versus 7.3% p < 0.01) or have a complete pathologic response (12.1% versus
      3.1% p = 0.025). Receipt of NAC did not affect oncologic outcomes. Following RC
      22.3% of high risk patients (n = 112) received adjuvant chemotherapy (AC).
      CONCLUSIONS: Our use of cisplatin-based NAC improved from 17% to 35% and overall
      utilization of NAC increased from 22% to 41%. NAC led to improved pT0 rates and
      increased pathologic downstaging. The degree of CKD (0-3) did not impact
      likelihood of receiving NAC. AC use decreased in part due to higher utilization
      of NAC.

PMID- 26267025
TI  - Single instillation of mitomycin C plus bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) versus BCG
      alone in high grade non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: This study sought to determine if the addition of perioperative
      mitomycin C (MMC) to treatment with bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) after
      transurethral resection (TURBT) is superior to TURBT plus BCG alone in high grade
      non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data for 719
      patients diagnosed with NMIBC at the University of Pennsylvania Health System
      between 1977 and 2009 was reviewed retrospectively. Of these patients, 120 had
      high grade disease and were treated with either BCG alone or with a single
      instillation of 40 mg of MMC perioperatively in addition to BCG and were thus
      included in our study. The primary endpoints of this study included recurrence
      free survival, overall and disease-free survival as assessed via Kaplan-Meier
      analysis. RESULTS: Of the 120 patients identified who received treatment for high
      grade NMIBC, 97 were treated with BCG alone and 23 received a single instillation
      of perioperative MMC in addition to BCG. There were no statistically significant
      differences noted in demographic or pathologic variables. Patients were followed
      for a median of 4.5 years and a maximum of 21.8 years, with no differences
      demonstrated in recurrence-free survival (p = 0.75), overall survival (p = 0.93)
      or disease-free survival (p = 0.76). Both lack of lymphovascular invasion and BCG
      maintenance therapy reached significance as independent predictors of recurrence
      free survival (p = 0.19 and p = 0.28). CONCLUSIONS: While our study indicates
      that perioperative MMC likely offers little benefit in regards to recurrence or
      survival in high grade NMIBC, at this point in time, a larger scale, randomized,
      controlled trial is needed to adequately address this question.

PMID- 26267026
TI  - Minimally invasive post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for
      nonseminoma.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: We present our experience with minimally-invasive retroperitoneal
      lymph node dissection (MI-RPLND) in the post-chemotherapy (PC) setting for
      residual masses in patients with nonseminoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nineteen men
      who underwent PC MI-RPLND (14--laparoscopic, 5--robotic) for low-volume residual
      disease (no more than 5 clinically enlarged retroperitoneal masses, size < 5 cm,
      no adjacent organ or vascular invasion) between 2006 and 2011 were identified.
      Clinicodemographic information and pathological outcomes were reported. RESULTS:
      Median age of our study population was 32 (interquartile range [IQR]: 28-39).
      Most patients presented with clinical stage II disease (63%) and were categorized
      as good risk (90%) by the International Germ Cell Consensus Classification.
      Median size of residual masses on PC imaging was 2.1 cm (IQR: 1.7-3). Full
      template bilateral RPLND was completed in 53% of cases, and modified left-sided
      RPLND in 47%. Median operative time was 370 minutes (IQR: 320-420), and median
      estimated blood loss was 300 cc (IQR: 150-450). Median length of stay was 3 days
      (IQR: 2-3). Five patients (26%) experienced a postoperative 30 day complication,
      but none were higher than Clavien grade II. On final pathology, median number of
      lymph nodes removed was 12 (IQR: 8-23), and 8 patients (42%) had residual
      teratoma. No patient experienced a recurrence at median follow up of 24 months
      (IQR: 5-76). CONCLUSIONS: PC MI-RPLND is a feasible option in a select group of
      patients with acceptable patient morbidity and short-term outcomes. Longer follow
      up is required to determine the oncologic efficacy of this approach.

PMID- 26267027
TI  - Significance of cystoscopic bladder trabeculations in women undergoing
      midurethral sling.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: To determine the significance of bladder trabeculations seen on
      preoperative cystoscopy prior to midurethral sling surgery with respect to lower
      urinary tract symptoms and sling outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This
      retrospective study included women with preoperative cystoscopy who underwent
      midurethral slings for urinary incontinence from 2006-2009. Cystoscopic findings
      of bladder trabeculations, as well as pre and postoperative urinary symptoms were
      recorded. Patients with and without bladder trabeculations were compared with
      respect to baseline characteristics, lower urinary tract symptoms, and sling
      outcomes. RESULTS: Of the 241 women included in the study, 14.9% had
      trabeculations on preoperative cystoscopy. At baseline, women with trabeculations
      were more likely to be older (64.8 years versus 57.8 years, p < 0.01), and have
      lower mean maximum cystometric capacity (341 mL +/- 136 versus 436 mL +/- 148, p
      < 0.01), compared to those without trabeculations. More women with trabeculations
      had mixed incontinence (p < 0.01) and less pure stress incontinence (p < 0.01)
      preoperatively. There was no difference between women with and without
      trabeculations with respect to pre and postoperative symptoms of urgency,
      frequency, and nocturia. Women with preoperative trabeculations were more likely
      to have preoperative treatment with anticholinergics (p = 0.02) and had a three
      times higher risk of postoperative sling failure (HR 2.95 [CI 1.11-7.85], p =
      0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative cystoscopic bladder trabeculations are
      associated with significantly higher rate of midurethral sling failure.
      Trabeculations were not associated with pre or postoperative lower urinary tract
      symptoms.

PMID- 26267028
TI  - The UroCuff test: a non-invasive alternative to pressure flow studies in adult
      males with lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to bladder outlet obstruction.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: To assure that patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS)
      benefit from interventions, urologists must practice careful selection of
      surgical candidates. Currently, 15%-30% of men do not benefit optimally from
      these invasive and potentially morbid procedures. Success rates following
      transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) are higher if bladder outlet
      obstruction (BOO) is confirmed prior to the procedure by invasive pressure flow
      studies (PFS). However, PFS may not be performed because of many reasons. We
      report a study of a non-invasive method of assessing BOO. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      The UroCuff test was compared to invasive urodynamic studies in adult males with
      lower urinary tract symptoms. Patients undergoing PFS for LUTS presumed to be due
      to BOO were recruited from a single site to perform a penile cuff test (UroCuff)
      at the same time as PFS. Standard PFS were performed followed immediately by a
      penile cuff test in the same test setting. The results were compared using basic
      statistical analysis. RESULTS: A total of 19 men were evaluated by both PFS and
      UroCuff evaluation. Using PFS as the gold standard, the positive predictive value
      of the UroCuff penile cuff test to diagnose BOO was found to be 92%. The
      sensitivity of the UroCuff test for detecting BOO was 75%. When compared to PFS,
      patients preferred the UroCuff 100% of the time. CONCLUSIONS: The UroCuff test is
      accurate in predicting BOO when compared to conventional invasive pressure flow
      studies in men with LUTS. It is well tolerated and preferred over invasive
      pressure flow studies.

PMID- 26267029
TI  - '7-flap' perineal urethrostomy: an effective option for obese men with devastated
      urethras.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: To present an updated experience using our previously reported
      lateral perineal '7-flap' technique for perineal urethrostomy (PU), highlighting
      its role in a variety of patients with advanced urethral stricture disease.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients who underwent 7-flap PU from 2009-2013 were
      reviewed. PU was constructed by advancing a "7"-shaped laterally based perineal
      skin flap into a spatulated, amputated bulbomembranous urethra. The contralateral
      side of the amputated proximal urethra was then matured to the advanced perineal
      skin. Patients were stratified by body mass index (BMI) and outcomes were
      compared. RESULTS: Among 748 patients undergoing urethroplasty during the study
      period, 22 men (2.9%; mean age 61, range 31-80) received a 7-flap PU for advanced
      stricture disease (mean follow up 32 months). A majority of patients (14/22, 64%)
      were obese (BMI = 30). Disease etiologies consisted primarily of lichen sclerosus
      (9/22, 41%) while 6/22 (27%) had failed prior urethral reconstructions elsewhere.
      Mean operative time was 108 min (range 54-214), mean estimated blood loss (EBL)
      was 76 cc (30-200), and all patients were discharged immediately after surgery.
      Urethrostomy creation was possible in all patients regardless of BMI (mean 33,
      range 22-43), and there were no differences with regards to EBL (p = 0.71),
      operative time (p = 0.38), or success rate (p = 0.76) in obese versus non-obese
      patients undergoing 7-flap PU. Nearly all patients (21/22, 95%) are voiding
      spontaneously on follow up without the need for any additional procedure.
      CONCLUSION: In our updated experience, performance of 7-flap urethrostomy has
      resulted in durable long term success with acceptable performance in technically
      challenging cases.

PMID- 26267030
TI  - Robot-assisted renal tumor enucleo-resection in patients with a solitary kidney.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Nephron-sparing surgery is most crucial for patients with a small
      renal mass in a solitary kidney. Historically, a minimally invasive approach in
      this setting has been discouraged. Tumor enucleo-resection, long established in
      the management of hereditary renal tumor syndromes, is currently being evaluated
      as a viable surgical technique in the sporadic renal cell carcinoma (RCC)
      population. This approach may significantly reduce or eliminate the need for
      hilar clamping. We sought to evaluate our experience with robot-assisted enucleo
      resection partial nephrectomy (EN-RAPN) in patients with solitary kidneys.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Records of patients with a solitary kidney requiring
      partial nephrectomy performed with robot-assisted enucleo-resection technique at
      four academic institutions between 2010 and 2013 were reviewed. Baseline
      demographic, perioperative and pathological data were collected. Functional and
      early operative outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Twelve patients underwent EN
      RAPN with a median age of 68 years (range 55-80) and follow up duration of 12.55
      months (IQR: 5.25, 18.88). Median warm ischemia time was 5.5 minutes (IQR: 0,
      13.25) with 6/12 (50%) done off-clamp (zero warm ischemia). Ten (83.3%) patients
      were pT1a and clear cell was the predominant pathology (9 patients, 75%).
      Surgical margins were negative in all patients. No patient experienced renal loss
      or required dialysis. Pre and postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate
      (eGFR) at last follow up was similar (54.3, 48.9, Delta-7.0%; p = 0.313).
      CONCLUSIONS: Robot-assisted enucleo-resection partial nephrectomy in patients
      with a solitary kidney appears safe and feasible in our early experience. This
      approach may be utilized to maximize renal preservation and minimize hilar
      clamping in this setting.

PMID- 26267031
TI  - Alpha blocker monotherapy versus combination therapy with antimuscarinics in men
      with persistent LUTS refractory to alpha-adrenergic treatment: patterns of
      persistence.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) associated with
      benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) often present with voiding and storage
      symptoms, which may require combination therapy with an alpha blocker and an
      antimuscarinic (AM). This study compared treatment persistence in LUTS/BPH
      patients on alpha blocker monotherapy with those using combination alpha blocker
      and AM therapy (AB/AM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of
      anonymized patient longitudinal prescription reimbursement claims data. All
      patients who had claims for any of four alpha blocker medications and six AM
      agents during an index period from April 1, 2011 to March 31, 2012 were included.
      For the combination therapy group, the effect of adherence with the AM medication
      on persistence to the alpha blocker was examined. RESULTS: Patients on AB/AM
      combination therapy remained on alpha blockers for longer than those on alpha
      blocker monotherapy (p = 0.04); 92.4% were persistent at 3 months versus 89.0%,
      and at 1 year 50.8% were persistent versus 49.6%, respectively. The highest
      number of days on therapy was reported for tamsulosin plus solifenacin. As
      confirmed by multivariate analysis, patients with the highest adherence to AM
      medication (= 80%) persisted on alpha blockers for longer than those with the
      lowest (< 50%) adherence (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Patients taking an AM in
      combination with an alpha blocker showed greater persistence with alpha blocker
      treatment over a 1 year period. When an AM is combined with an alpha blocker in
      patients with LUTS/BPH, the additional medication burden does not have a negative
      impact on persistence and may even improve it.

PMID- 26267032
TI  - Pediatric emphysematous cystitis: a report and review of a rare diagnosis in
      children.
AB  - An 11-year-old female with spastic quadriplegia was seen in the emergency room
      with abdominal pain, vomiting and anorexia. Labs revealed possible pancreatitis
      and signs of a urinary tract infection. A CT scan was performed to assess her
      abdominal pain and demonstrated circumferential air within the bladder wall.
      Following cultures being drawn, she was started on broad spectrum antibiotics.
      Her urine eventually grew Klebsiella Pneumoniae. Follow up imaging 2 weeks later
      demonstrated resolution of the air. Emphysematous cystitis is an exceedingly rare
      condition in the pediatric population, with this report representing the second
      case within the literature. 

PMID- 26267033
TI  - Femoral hernias in the pediatric patient: a case report and review of the
      literature.
AB  - We report a case of a femoral hernia in a 9-year-old male. Femoral hernias in
      children are rare and a diagnostic challenge. Definitive treatment is with
      surgical repair. 

PMID- 26267034
TI  - Primary renal extra-osseous osteosarcoma.
AB  - Primary renal extra-osseous osteosarcoma is an exceedingly rare and deadly kidney
      neoplasm with only 27 reported cases to date. Extra-osseous osteosarcoma is a
      mesenchymal sarcoma that produces osteoid, but has no skeletal or periosteal
      involvement and most commonly arises in the lower extremities. Yet, it can arise
      in other locations such as the kidney. Extra-osseous osteosarcoma behaves as a
      separate entity from osseous osteosarcoma and should be treated as such. The
      treatment is surgical resection. Five year overall survival is 46% for local and
      10% for metastatic disease. Additionally, 45%-50% of patients experience disease
      recurrence. We present a 77-year-old woman who underwent work up for recurrent
      gross hematuria and subsequently underwent radical nephroureterectomy for
      presumed upper tract urothelial cell carcinoma. However, pathologic analysis
      revealed a diagnosis of primary renal extra-osseous osteosarcoma. She is alive
      with no evidence of disease 30 months after surgery. 

PMID- 26267035
TI  - Penoscrotal lymphedema associated with metastatic renal cell carcinoma.
AB  - A 64-year-old male presented with lower back pain, radiating in a sciatic-type
      distribution, swelling in his lower abdomen and right leg, and edema of the
      scrotum and penile shaft. A sonogram and CT imaging indicated an enhancing mass
      in the right kidney and a spinal metastasis. The right lower extremity and
      penoscrotal lymphedema was caused by lymphatic obstruction due to a sacral
      metastasis of renal cell carcinoma. He was treated with cytoreductive
      nephrectomy, radiation and a systemic tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Pelvic imaging
      is suggested to determine whether malignant lymphatic obstruction is present when
      presented with idiopathic penoscrotal edema. 

PMID- 26267036
TI  - The case of the shrinking testis.
AB  - We report the case of a man with idiopathic lymphocytic orchitis (LO) manifested
      by undifferentiated testicular pain and atrophy. Conventional investigation
      results were unremarkable. Oral ciprofloxacin only improved the pain temporarily.
      Scrotal exploration surgery was performed to exclude acute testicular torsion and
      a biopsy was taken during surgery for histological examination. Histology
      revealed severe LO with reduced spermatogenesis. A trial of oral steroids was
      initially effective but the effect was temporary. Due to chronic pain, he
      eventually underwent unilateral orchidectomy. Histology confirmed the initial
      diagnosis of LO. He was pain-free postoperatively. Idiopathic LO is a rarely
      reported cause of testicular atrophy. 

PMID- 26267037
TI  - Acupuncture for hot flashes in men treated with androgen deprivation therapy.
AB  - In men with advanced carcinoma of the prostate being treated with androgen
      deprivation therapy (ADT), hot flashes can be a significant side effect of the
      treatment. In this paper we describe using acupuncture as a complementary
      alternative therapy for treatment of hot flashes in men. 

PMID- 26267038
TI  - Is Postpartum Depression a Distinct Disorder?
AB  - The nosology of postpartum depression (PPD) is controversial. We review the
      evidence and arguments for and against the recognition of PPD as a distinct
      disorder and discuss the etiopathogenic and diagnostic validity of PPD as a
      distinct disorder, including its utility and indications for further research.
      Although multiple epidemiological and clinical studies have found that depression
      is more common following childbirth than at other times in a woman's life, there
      is conflicting evidence for the validity of PPD as a distinct disorder. PPD is
      likely to be a complex phenotype, encompassing several disorders with different
      disease pathways. It is plausible that for a sub-group of vulnerable women,
      childbirth triggers episodes of depression. However, even within this group, the
      mechanisms underpinning the mood disturbances are likely complex and
      heterogeneous. The distinction between depression occurring in the perinatal
      period and depression at other times is important for both research and clinical
      practice. Research should differentiate between episodes that begin during
      pregnancy and postpartum, as the pathogenetic factors involved may differ and
      require specialized treatment. 

PMID- 26267039
TI  - Evaluation of DNA methyltransferase activity and inhibition via chiroplasmonic
      assemblies of gold nanoparticles.
AB  - Circular dichroism spectroscopy has been explored for detection of
      methyltransferase activity and inhibition based on DNA-induced chiroplasmonic
      assemblies of gold nanoparticles and endonuclease HpaII. Good accuracy, precision
      and sensitivity are obtained in complex matrices such as human serum samples,
      which is significant for clinical diagnosis and drug development. 

PMID- 26267040
TI  - The potential versus current state of water splitting with hematite.
AB  - This review describes the potential of hematite as a photoanode material for
      photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. The current understanding of key loss
      mechanisms of hematite are introduced and correlated to performance enhancement
      strategies. The significant voltage loss associated with overcoming the
      competitive water oxidation and surface state recombination has recently been
      surmounted through a combination of high temperature annealing and surface
      modification with water oxidation catalysts. Substantial efforts have been made
      at nanostructuring electrodes to increase the charge separation efficiency
      without sacrificing light absorption. Even in optimized nanostructured
      electrodes, however, charge separation continues to be the primary barrier to
      achieving efficient water splitting with hematite. Specifically, significant
      depletion region recombination results in voltage dependant photocurrent which
      constrains the fill factor. Thus, future directions to enhance the efficiency of
      hematite electrodes are discussed with an emphasis on circumventing depletion
      region recombination. 

PMID- 26267041
TI  - Stacking fault related luminescence in GaN nanorods.
AB  - Optical and structural properties are presented for GaN nanorods (NRs) grown in
      the [0001] direction on Si(111) substrates by direct-current reactive magnetron
      sputter epitaxy. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) reveals clusters of dense
      stacking faults (SFs) regularly distributed along the c-axis. A strong emission
      line at ~3.42 eV associated with the basal-plane SFs has been observed in
      luminescence spectra. The optical signature of SFs is stable up to room
      temperatures with the activation energy of ~20 meV. Temperature-dependent time
      resolved photoluminescence properties suggest that the recombination mechanism of
      the 3.42 eV emission can be understood in terms of multiple quantum wells self
      organized along the growth axis of NRs. 

PMID- 26267042
TI  - Targeting tumor vasculature: expanding the potential of DNA cancer vaccines.
AB  - Targeting the tumor vasculature with anti-angiogenesis modalities is a bona fide
      validated approach that has complemented cancer treatment paradigms. Tumor
      vasculature antigens (TVA) can be immunologically targeted and offers multiple
      theoretical advantages that may enhance existing strategies against cancer. We
      focused on tumor endothelial marker 1 (TEM1/CD248) as a model TVA since it is
      broadly expressed on many different cancers. Our DNA-based vaccine approach
      demonstrated that CD248 can be effectively targeted immunologically; anti-tumor
      responses were generated in several mouse models; and CD8(+)/CD4(+) T cell
      responses were elicited against peptides derived from CD248 protein. Our work
      supports our contention that CD248 is a novel immunotherapeutic target for cancer
      treatment and highlights the efficient, safe and translatable use of DNA-based
      immunotherapy. We next briefly highlight ongoing investigations targeting CD248
      with antibodies as a diagnostic imaging agent and as a therapeutic antibody in an
      early clinical trial. The optimal approach for generating effective DNA-based
      cancer vaccines for several tumor types may be a combinatorial approach that
      enhances immunogenicity such as combination with chemotherapy. Additional
      combination approaches are discussed and include those that alleviate the
      immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment induced by myeloid-derived suppressor
      cells and T regulatory cells. Targeting the tumor vasculature by CD248-based
      immunological modalities expands the armamentarium against cancer. 

PMID- 26267043
TI  - Immune checkpoint targeting as anti-cancer immunotherapy: promises, questions,
      challenges and the need for predictive biomarkers at ASCO 2015.
AB  - Immunotherapy targeting "immune checkpoints" first made the headlines at the ASCO
      (American Society of Clinical Oncology) Annual Meeting in 2013, took centre stage
      at 2014 and consolidated its position as a potentially curative first-line
      therapy as reflected by the presentations at ASCO 2015. For the first time,
      previously refractory cancers are proving amenable to treatment, but still only a
      fraction, usually a minority, of patients respond. The hunt for factors
      predicting responses and for biomarkers to monitor treatment was a major theme of
      this year's meeting, as briefly discussed in this Editorial. 

PMID- 26267044
TI  - Polymorphisms in SLCO1B3 and NR1I2 as genetic determinants of hematotoxicity of
      carboplatin and paclitaxel combination.
AB  - AIM: The goal of our study was to assess the impact of patients' genetic
      background on their sensitivity to carboplatin/paclitaxel hematotoxicity.
      PATIENTS & METHODS: Parameters describing sensitivity to neutropenia and to
      thrombocytopenia of 201 patients were extracted from a previous
      pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamics analysis, in order to assess their association
      with 52 candidates SNPs in 18 genes. RESULTS: Carriers of a T allele of SLCO1B3
      rs4149117 were 19% less sensitive to thrombocytopenia than the homozygotes for
      the G allele (p = 0.00279). Carriers of two copies of the ATG haplotypes of NR1I2
      rs1523130, rs3814055 and rs1523127 were 19% less sensitive to thrombocytopenia
      than those harboring other haplotypes (p = 0.025). CONCLUSION: Our results
      revealed the importance of SLCO1B3 and NR1I2 in the sensitivity to
      carboplatin/paclitaxel thrombocytopenia.

PMID- 26267045
TI  - Predictors of Relapse and Dropout During a 12-Week Relapse Prevention Program for
      Methamphetamine Users.
AB  - In this research, the possible neuropsychological predictors of relapse and
      dropout of group cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for methamphetamine (MA)
      users were explored. Participants were 42 MA users sentenced by the judicial
      system to take part in an out-patient relapse prevention program for MA abuse and
      dependence that employs a CBT model once a week over the course of 12 weeks.
      Baseline neuropsychological functions were evaluated with the Conners' Continuous
      Performance Test, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Iowa Gambling Task, and Barratt
      Impulsiveness Scale. All participants had to submit to urine drug tests every
      week. Of the 42 participants, 69.0% had a MA positive urine screening result at
      least once throughout the program (relapse), while 40.5% dropped out of the
      treatment program prior to its completion. Short duration of MA abstinence at
      baseline and poor attention predicted relapse. Predictors of dropout included
      being unmarried and having risky decision making. Findings may be helpful for
      clinicians, who can screen for the aforementioned risk factors and provide
      strategies for high-risk patients to help prevent relapse and dropout among MA
      users in treatment programs. 

PMID- 26267046
TI  - Two novel herbicide candidates affect Arabidopsis thaliana growth by inhibiting
      nitrogen and phosphate absorption.
AB  - Both 2-[(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetoxy](methy)lmethyl-5,5-dimethyl-1,3,2
      dioxaphosphinan-2-one (termed as IIa) and 2-[(4-chloro-2-methyl-phenoxy)
      acetoxy](methyl)methyl-5,5-dimethyl-1,3,2-dioxaphosphinan-2-one (termed as IIr)
      are novel herbicide candidates that positively affect herbicidal activity via the
      introduction of a phosphorus-containing heterocyclic ring. This report
      investigated the mechanism of IIa and IIr on weed control in the model plant
      Arabidopsis thaliana at physiological, ultrastructural and molecular levels. IIa
      and IIr significantly inhibited the growth of A. thaliana and altered its root
      structure by inhibiting energy metabolism and lipid or protein biosynthesis.
      These compounds also significantly affected the absorption of nitrogen and
      phosphorus by down-regulating the transcripts of nitrate transporter-related
      genes, ammonium transporter-related genes and phosphorus transporter-related
      genes. 

PMID- 26267047
TI  - Proteomic analysis on zoxamide-induced sensitivity changes in Phytophthora
      cactorum.
AB  - Zoxamide is an important fungicide for oomycete disease management. In this
      study, we established the baseline sensitivity of Phytophthora cactorum to
      zoxamide and assessed the risk of developing resistance to zoxamide using
      ultraviolet irradiation and fungicide taming methods. All 73 studied isolates
      were sensitive to zoxamide, with effective concentrations for 50% inhibition of
      mycelial growth ranging from 0.04 to 0.29 mg/L and mean of 0.15 mg/L. Stable
      zoxamide-resistant mutants of P. cactorum were not obtained from four arbitrarily
      selected isolates by either treating mycelial cultures with ultraviolet
      irradiation or adapting mycelial cultures to the addition of increasing zoxamide
      concentrations. However, the sensitivity of the isolates to zoxamide could be
      easily reduced by successive zoxamide treatments. In addition to displaying
      decreased sensitivity to zoxamide, these isolates also showed decreased
      sensitivity to the fungicides flumorph and cymoxanil. Proteomic analysis
      indicated that some proteins involved in antioxidant detoxification, ATP
      dependent multidrug resistance, and anti-apoptosis activity, are likely
      responsible for the induced decrease in the sensitivity of P. cactorum to
      zoxamide compared to controls. Further semi-quantitative PCR analysis
      demonstrated that the gene expression profiles of most of above proteins were
      consistent with the proteomic analysis. Based on the above results, P. cactorum
      shows low resistance risk to zoxamide; however, the fungicidal effect of zoxamide
      might be decreased due to induced resistance when this fungicide is continuously
      applied. 

PMID- 26267048
TI  - Evaluation of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status on fenvalerate, nitrate
      and their co-exposure in Bubalus bubalis.
AB  - The toxic effects of pesticides and minerals have been explored in different
      species, but still there is paucity of information regarding their combined
      toxicological effects. The present investigation reports oxidative stress induced
      by oral subacute exposure to fenvalerate (1 mg/kg) and sodium nitrate (20 mg/kg)
      alone, as well as in combination daily for 21 days in buffalo calves. Fenvalerate
      exposure produced significant elevation in lipid peroxidation (LPO), glutathione
      peroxidase (GPx), while it produced significant decline in blood glutathione
      (GSH) levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). No significant
      alteration was evidenced in nitric oxide (NOx) levels. Oral exposure to sodium
      nitrate produced significant inclination in LPO and NOx, while on the other hand
      significant depreciation in SOD and CAT with no significant change in GPx
      activity. Combined exposure to fenvalerate and sodium nitrate produced severe
      effects with an appreciably more prominent elevation in extent of LPO and decline
      in blood GSH levels. 

PMID- 26267049
TI  - RETRACTED: Glyphosate herbicide induces genotoxic effect and physiological
      disturbances in Bulinus truncatus snails.
AB  - Herbicides are being used in agriculture for controlling noxious weed. Glyphosate
      is a herbicide that is widely applied to cereal crops in Egypt and is used in
      controlling a very broad spectrum of weeds. The present study was designed to
      investigate the response of the snail Bulinus truncatus as a bioindicator for
      physiological and molecular aspects of B. truncatus snails after exposure to
      sublethal concentrations of glyphosate for two weeks. In treating snails, glucose
      concentration (GL) in the haemolymph as well as lactate (LT) in soft tissues of
      treated snails increased, while glycogen (GN), pyruvate (PV), total protein (TP),
      nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) levels in snail's tissues decreased. The activities
      of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione reductase (GR),
      thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), glycogen phosphorylase (GP), glucose-6-phosphatase
      (G-6-Pase), succinic dehydrogenase (SDH) and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) enzymes
      in homogenate of snail's tissues were reduced in response to the treatment with
      the herbicide, while lipid peroxide (LP), sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) and
      transaminases (GOT and GPT) activity increased (P < 0.001). The changes in the
      number, position and intensity of DNA bands induced by glyphosate herbicide may
      be attributed to the fact that the herbicide can induce genotoxicity through DNA
      damage. Thus, the present result indicated that the genotoxicity products at low
      concentration and for long time treatment showed the hazard of herbicide
      addiction on man's life.

PMID- 26267050
TI  - Photosynthetic and antioxidative alterations in coffee leaves caused by
      epoxiconazole and pyraclostrobin sprays and Hemileia vastatrix infection.
AB  - Coffee leaf rust (CLR), caused by Hemileia vastatrix, is a major disease
      affecting coffee production worldwide. In this study, an in-depth analysis of the
      photosynthetic performance of coffee leaves challenged or not with H. vastatrix
      and sprayed with either epoxiconazole (EPO) or pyraclostrobin (PYR) was performed
      by combining chlorophyll a fluorescence images, photosynthetic pigment pools and
      the activities of chitinase (CHI), beta-1,3-glucanase (GLU), peroxidase (POX) and
      catalase (CAT). The CLR severity was higher in the control plants, but reduced in
      plants sprayed with both PYR and EPO. Also, the CLR severity was reduced in
      plants sprayed with PYR compared with plants sprayed with EPO. Plants sprayed
      with either EPO or PYR showed maximal photosystem II quantum efficiency (Fv/Fm)
      values ranging from 0.78 to 0.80, which were quite similar to those obtained with
      inoculated plants (values ranging from 0.74 to 0.77). The decreases in the Fv/Fm
      ratio values and parallel increases in the F0 values in the inoculated plants,
      which were not observed in the control plants (sprayed with water) and were
      confirmed by images of the initial fluorescence (F0) and Fv/Fm parameters in the
      regions of the leaf tissue containing pustules and in the asymptomatic leaf
      tissue, indicated that photosynthesis was negatively impacted. When effective
      photosystem II quantum yield (Y(II)) values approached zero with a high
      photosynthetic photon flux density, high values of quantum yield of regulated
      energy dissipation (Y(NPQ)) in association with a high carotenoid concentration
      were noted in the inoculated plants sprayed either with PYR or EPO. The increased
      CLR severity in inoculated plants in contrast to inoculated plants sprayed with
      either PYR or EPO was associated with greater POX activity and a reduced
      photosynthetic pigment concentration. POX and CAT activities were increased in
      inoculated plants sprayed with either EPO or PYR when compared with control
      plants. CHI and GLU activities were maintained at high levels in the leaves of
      inoculated plants, regardless of the fungicide sprayed, indicating that CHI and
      GLU are less important for coffee resistance against CLR. The results of the
      present study clearly demonstrated that plants sprayed with either EPO or PYR
      showed milder CLR symptoms with adequate photosynthetic performance and optimal
      conditioning of their antioxidant systems. 

PMID- 26267051
TI  - ACCase mutations in Avena sterilis populations and their impact on plant fitness.
AB  - Avena sterilis (sterile oat) populations originating from wheat-growing regions
      of Greece, developed resistance to fenoxaprop, clodinafop and other herbicides.
      The partial ACCase gene sequence revealed six point mutations (Ile-1781-Leu, Trp
      1999-Cys, Trp-2027-Cys, Ile-2041-Asn, Asp-2078-Gly, and Cys-2088-Arg) in 24 out
      of the 26 resistant (R) populations, confirming the molecular mechanism of
      resistance to ACCase-inhibiting herbicides. However, DNA sequence of two R
      populations did not reveal any known ACCase mutations, suggesting possible
      presence of unknown mutation or metabolism-based mechanism of resistance. The Cys
      2088-Arg mutation is the first record for ACCase mutant conferring target-site
      resistance in A. sterilis worldwide. The evaluation of 12 R and 6 susceptible (S)
      populations under non-competitive field conditions did not indicate consistent
      mean growth rate differences, whereas the pot evaluation of the same (12 R and 6
      S) populations grown in competition with wheat or in pure stands showed
      significant growth (fresh weight and panicle number) differences between six S
      populations and between six R populations containing the same ACCase mutation
      (Ile-2041-Asn). Finally, one S and five R (Trp-1999-Cys, Trp-2027-Cys, Ile-2041
      Asn, Asp-2078-Gly, and Cys-2088-Arg) populations grown under field competitive
      conditions indicated fresh weight and panicle number differences in competition
      with other populations as compared with pure stands. These findings suggest
      clearly that the inconsistent fitness differences between R and S A. sterilis
      populations are not related with the ACCase resistance trait but they may result
      from other non-resistance fitness traits selected in their different geographical
      locations. 

PMID- 26267052
TI  - Mosquito larvicidal and pupaecidal potential of prodigiosin from Serratia
      marcescens and understanding its mechanism of action.
AB  - Mosquitoes spread lethal diseases like malaria and dengue fever to humans.
      Considering mosquito vector control as one of the best alternatives to reduce new
      infections, here we have analyzed the effect of purified pigment prodigiosin
      extracted from Serratia marcescens (NMCC 75) against larval and pupal stages of
      Aedes aegypti and Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes. Mosquito larvicidal activities
      of purified prodigiosin revealed LC50 values of 14 +/- 1.2, 15.6 +/- 1.48, 18 +/-
      1.3, 21 +/- 0.87 ug/ml against early IInd, IIIrd, IVth instar and pupal stages of
      Ae. aegypti, respectively. LC50 values for An. stephensi were found to be 19.7 +/
      1.12, 24.7 +/- 1.47, 26.6 +/- 1.67, 32.2 +/- 1.79 ug/ml against early IInd,
      IIIrd, IVth instar and pupae of An. stephensi, respectively. Further
      investigations toward understanding modes of action revealed variations in the
      activities of esterases, acetylcholine esterases, phosphatases, proteases and
      total proteins in the fourth instar larvae of Ae. aegypti indicating intrinsic
      difference in biochemical features due to prodigiosin treatment. Although there
      was no inhibition of enzymes like catalase and oxidase but may have profound
      inhibitory effect on carbonic anhydrase or H(+)-V-ATPase which is indicated by
      change in the pH of midgut and caeca of mosquito larvae. This reduced pH may be
      possibly due to the proton pump inhibitory activity of prodigiosin. Pure
      prodigiosin can prove to be an important molecule for mosquito control at larval
      and pupal stages of Ae. aegypti and An. stephensi. This is the first report on
      the mosquito pupaecidal activity of prodigiosin and its possible mechanism of
      action. 

PMID- 26267054
TI  - Instar-dependent systemic RNA interference response in Leptinotarsa decemlineata
      larvae.
AB  - RNA interference (RNAi) is a promising approach to control Leptinotarsa
      decemlineata. In this study, RNAi efficiency by double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)
      targeting S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase (LdSAHase) was compared among L.
      decemlineata first- to fourth-instar larvae. Ingesting dsLdSAHase successfully
      decreased the target gene expression, caused lethality, inhibited growth and
      impaired pupation in an instar- and concentration-dependent manner. To study the
      role of Dicer2 and Argonaute2 genes in RNAi efficiency, we identified LdDcr2a,
      LdDcr2b, LdAgo2a and LdAgo2b. Their expression levels were higher in young larvae
      than those in old ones. Exposure to dsegfp for 6 h significantly elevated
      LdDcr2a, LdDcr2b, LdAgo2a and LdAgo2b mRNA levels in the first-, second-, third-
      and fourth-instar larvae. When the exposure periods were extended, however, the
      expression levels were gradually reduced. Continuous exposure for 72 h
      significantly repressed the expression of LdAgo2a and LdAgo2b in the first,
      second and third larval instars, and the four genes in final instars. Moreover,
      we found that dsLdSAHase-caused LdSAHase suppressions and larval mortalities were
      influenced by previous dsegfp exposure: 12 h of previous exposure increased
      LdSAHase silencing and mortality of the final instar larvae, whereas 72 h of
      exposure reduced LdSAHase silencing and mortality. Thus, it seems the activities
      of core RNAi-machinery proteins affect RNAi efficiency in L. decemlineata. 

PMID- 26267053
TI  - Molecular characterization of a ryanodine receptor gene from Spodoptera exigua
      and its upregulation by chlorantraniliprole.
AB  - Chlorantraniliprole is a novel diamide insecticide that targets the insect
      ryanodine receptor, a Ca(2+) release channel. Spodoptera exigua is a significant
      insect pest, and chlorantraniliprole is the most popular diamide insecticide used
      against this pest. To better understand the effects of diamides on RyR expression
      and [Ca(2+)], we isolated the SeRyR cDNA and investigated changes in SeRyR
      expression as a result of the application of chlorantraniliprole. The full-length
      cDNAs of SeRyR contain an open reading frame (ORF) of 15,357 bp with a predicted
      protein consisting of 5118 amino acids. SeRyR shares 77-92% identity with other
      insect RyR isoforms and 45-47% identity with vertebrate RyR isoforms.
      Furthermore, the relative expression abundances of RyR mRNA extracted from S.
      exigua fat body cells after 24 h of culture in 0.1, 1, 10, 100 nM, 1 uM and 100
      uM of chlorantraniliprole changed 1.04-, 0.89-, 1.83-, 2.58-, 4.03- and 3.12-fold
      compared to blank control, respectively. The regression equation for the relative
      expression levels of SeRyR after 24 h as a function of the chlorantraniliprole
      concentration was Y = 0.6455 + 0.8188LgX, R(2) = 0.97093 for the cell line IOZCAS
      Spex-II. These results outline the effects of chlorantraniliprole on the
      expression of SeRyR and provide a basis for the discovery of a compound that may
      exhibit selective insect activity. 

PMID- 26267055
TI  - NADPH oxidase mediated maneb- and paraquat-induced oxidative stress in rat
      polymorphs: Crosstalk with mitochondrial dysfunction.
AB  - Oxidative stress is a key factor in Parkinson's disease (PD) pathogenesis.
      Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase and impaired
      mitochondrion regulate oxidative stress-mediated maneb (MB)- and paraquat (PQ)
      induced Parkinsonism. However, their contribution in the MB- and PQ-induced
      toxicity in polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) is still elusive. The study
      investigated the role of NADPH oxidase and mitochondria in MB- and/or PQ-induced
      oxidative stress in the PMNs and the crossing point between the two. Animals were
      treated with MB and/or PQ for 1-3 weeks along with respective controls. In a few
      sets of experiments, rats were treated with/without NADPH oxidase inhibitor,
      apocynin, an hour prior to MB and/or PQ treatment. PMNs of MB and/or PQ treated
      animals were also treated with/without carbonyl cyanide 3-chlorophenylhydrazone
      (CCCP) to assess the role of the mitochondria in superoxide and total free
      radical productions. MB and/or PQ were found to increase the level of total
      reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide radicals, catalytic activity and
      expression of NADPH oxidase and superoxide dismutase (SOD1/2) and mitochondrial
      ROS content in a time dependent manner. Conversely, catalase activity and
      mitochondrial membrane potential were attenuated. Apocynin alleviated MB- and/or
      PQ-induced changes in total ROS, superoxide radicals, expression/catalytic
      activity of NADPH oxidase and SOD1/2 along with the mitochondrial ROS and
      membrane potential. CCCP also inhibited ROS and superoxide levels in the PMNs of
      MB and/or PQ-treated animals. The results demonstrate the involvement of NADPH
      oxidase and mitochondrial dysfunction in MB and PQ-induced oxidative stress in
      PMNs and a plausible crosstalk between them. 

PMID- 26267056
TI  - Status of insecticide resistance and selection for imidacloprid resistance in the
      ladybird beetle Propylaea japonica (Thunberg).
AB  - Field populations or strains of Propylaea japonica collected from four places in
      southern China (Guangzhou, Nanning, Guilin, and Yuxi) were tested for
      susceptibility to four insecticides (abamectin, imidacloprid, beta-cypermethrin,
      and chlorpyrifos) by the Petri-dish Potter tower method and compared with an
      insecticide-susceptible strain. Concentrations that proved lethal for 50% of the
      tested individuals (LC50) were estimated by probit analysis, and resistance
      factors (RF) were calculated at the LC50 level, which ranged from 1.6 to 10.1,
      depending on the insecticide. In addition, the Guangzhou strain formed the
      original population for imidacloprid resistance selection. After selection for 20
      generations, the resistance had increased 39.3-fold. Fitness analysis in terms of
      such traits as fecundity, days to maturity, and survival showed that although
      both resistant and susceptible populations developed at comparable rates, the
      resistant strain was less fecund (it laid fewer eggs and a smaller proportion of
      those eggs hatched and resulted in adults), attaining a fitness score of only
      0.56 relative to the susceptible strain. These observations suggest that it is
      possible to detect strains of P. japonica highly resistant to insecticides under
      laboratory conditions, and that resistance to imidacloprid carries considerable
      fitness costs to P. japonica. The study served to expand our understanding of the
      impact of imidacloprid resistance on biological parameters of P. japonica in more
      detail and to facilitate the deployment of natural enemies resistant to
      insecticides in integrated pest management. 

PMID- 26267057
TI  - An antenna-biased carboxylesterase is specifically active to plant volatiles in
      Spodoptera exigua.
AB  - Odorant-degrading enzymes (ODEs) in sensillar lymph are proposed to play
      important roles in the maintenance of the sensitivity of the olfactory sensilla,
      by timely degrading the odorants that have already fulfilled the activation of
      the odorant receptor (OR). Here we reported the cloning and characterization of
      an ODE gene (SexiCXE10) from the polyphagous insect pest Spodoptera exigua.
      SexiCXE10 is a carboxylesterase (CXE) gene, encoding a protein with 538 amino
      acid residues, and bearing typical characteristics of Carboxyl/cholinesterase
      (CCE, EC 3.1.1.1.) gene family. Tissue-temporal expression pattern by qPCR
      revealed that the SexiCXE10 mRNA was highly antenna biased, and maintained at
      high level throughout the adult stage. Further fluorescence in situ hybridization
      demonstrated that SexiCXE10 mRNA signal was detected under sensilla basiconica
      and short and long sensilla trichodea. Finally, enzymatic study using purified
      recombinant enzyme showed that SexiCXE10 had high activity specifically for ester
      plant volatiles with 7-10 carbon atoms, while no activity was found with S.
      exigua sex pheromone components and plant volatiles with more carbon atoms. In
      addition, SexiCXE10 displayed lower activity at acidic pH (pH 5.0), while higher
      activity was found at neutral and alkaline conditions (pH 6.5-9.0). Our results
      suggest that SexiCXE10 may play an important role in the degradation of the host
      plant volatiles, and thus contributes to the high sensitivity of the olfactory
      system in S. exigua. Meanwhile, the CXE would be a potential target for
      developing behavioral antagonists and pesticides against S. exigua. 

PMID- 26267058
TI  - More than just one: multiplicity of Hirudins and Hirudin-like Factors in the
      Medicinal Leech, Hirudo medicinalis.
AB  - Blood-sucking leeches like the medicinal leech, Hirudo medicinalis, have been
      used for medical purposes since ancient times. During feeding, medicinal leeches
      transfer a broad range of bioactive substances into the host's wound to prevent
      premature hemostasis and blood coagulation. Hirudin is probably the best known of
      these substances. Despite its long history of investigation, recombinant
      production and clinical use, there still exist conflicting data regarding the
      primary structure of hirudin. Entirely unclear is the potential biological
      significance of three different subtypes and many isoforms of hirudins that have
      been characterized so far. Furthermore, there is only incomplete information on
      their cDNA sequences and no information at all on gene structures and DNA
      sequences are available in the databases. Our efforts to fill these gaps revealed
      the presence of multiple hirudin-encoding genes in the genome of Hirudo
      medicinalis. We have strong evidence for the expression of all three subtypes of
      hirudin within individual leeches and for the expression of additional hirudins
      or hirudin-like factors that may have different biological functions and may be
      promising candidates for new drugs. 

PMID- 26267059
TI  - Altered Mucin and Glycoprotein Expression in Dry Eye Disease.
AB  - PURPOSE: Mucins are among the many important constituents of a healthy tear film.
      Mucins secreted and/or associated with conjunctival goblet cells, ocular mucosal
      epithelial cells, and the lacrimal gland must work together to create a stable
      tear film. Although many studies have explored the mechanism(s) whereby mucins
      maintain and protect the ocular surface, the effects of dry eye on the structure
      and function of ocular mucins are unclear. Here, we summarize current findings
      regarding ocular mucins and how they are altered in dry eye. METHODS: We
      performed a literature review of studies exploring the expression of mucins
      produced and/or associated with tissues that comprise the lacrimal functional
      unit and how they are altered in dry eye. We also summarize new insights on the
      immune-mediated effects of aqueous tear deficiency on ocular surface mucins that
      we discovered using a mouse model of dry eye. RESULTS: Although consistent
      decreases in MUC5AC and altered expression of membrane-bound mucins have been
      noted in both Sjogren and non-Sjogren dry eye, many reports of altered mucins in
      dry eye are contradictory. Mechanistic studies, including our own, suggest that
      changes in the glycosylation of mucins rather than the proteins themselves may
      occur as the direct result of local inflammation induced by proinflammatory
      mediators, such as interleukin-1. CONCLUSIONS: Altered expression of ocular
      mucins in dry eye varies considerably from study to study, likely attributed to
      inherent difficulties in analyzing small-volume tear samples, as well as
      differences in tear collection methods and disease severity in dry eye cohorts.
      To better define the functional role of ocular mucin glycosylation in the
      pathogenesis of dry eye disease, we propose genomic and proteomic studies along
      with biological pathway analysis to reveal novel avenues for exploration.

PMID- 26267060
TI  - Longitudinal Evaluation of Visual Function in Multiple Sclerosis.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate longitudinal changes of visual function in relapsing
      remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). METHODS: Multifocal visual evoked potential
      (mfVEP), contrast sensitivity (CS), and Humphrey visual fields (HVFs) were
      obtained at two visits (mean follow-up, 1.5 [+/-0.9] years) in both eyes of 57
      RRMS patients (53 eyes with optic neuritis [ON]: 14 ON within 6 months of first
      visit [ON < 6 months] and 39 ON >= 6 months; 57 non-ON). Longitudinal changes
      were assessed using mfVEP amplitude (log signal-to-noise ratio [logSNR]),
      latency, CS, and HVF mean deviation based on established 95% tolerance limits of
      test-retest variability. RESULTS: A significant percentage of eyes in the ON < 6
      months group exceeded 95% tolerance limits for mfVEP logSNR (21%, p < 0.05),
      latency (35%, p < 0.01), and CS (31% p < 0.001); more improved than worsened over
      time (14% vs. 7% for logSNR, 21% vs. 14% for latency, and 31% vs. 0% for CS).
      Multifocal visual evoked potential latency decreased in 11% of non-ON eyes and in
      10% of eyes in the ON >= 6 months group, and increased in 21% and 10%,
      respectively (p < 0.01 for all). Latency changes correlated negatively with
      baseline latency (r = -0.43 and -0.45 for non-ON and ON >= 6 months; p = 0.0008).
      Although a nonsignificant percentage of non-ON and ON >= 6 months eyes exceeded
      tolerance limits for logSNR, CS, or HVF, logSNR and latency changes correlated,
      and both measures correlated with changes in CS (r = 0.47 to 0.79, p < 0.01).
      CONCLUSIONS: Multifocal visual evoked potential, particularly latency, is
      potentially useful for assessing neuroprotective and remyelinating strategies in
      RRMS.

PMID- 26267061
TI  - The development of bioactive peptides from dietary proteins as a dipeptidyl
      peptidase IV inhibitor for the management of type 2 diabetes.
AB  - One of the new approaches to the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)
      consists of orally administered dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) inhibitors.
      These synthetic drug inhibitors are reported to have some side effects and that
      subsequently limits their applications. There is a growing interest to develop
      natural DPP-IV inhibitors that will be potent without undesirable side effects.
      Many in vitro and some in vivo studies have highlighted the potential of food
      derived peptides functioning as effective DPPIV inhibitors. Bioactive peptides
      within original food-derived proteins are inactive but can be activated by being
      released during food processing (by enzymatic hydrolysis or fermentation) or
      during gastrointestinal digestion. Hence, the utilization of computer-aided
      techniques as screening tools may be helpful in predicting the potential of food
      proteins as precursors of DPP-IV inhibitory peptides. This paper reviews the
      current literature on DPP-IV inhibitory peptides, focusing on their in vitro
      activity and in vivo antidiabetic effects. In addition, the feasibility of
      various in silico approaches is also summarized in this review. 

PMID- 26267062
TI  - Postpartum depression among visible and invisible sexual minority women: a pilot
      study.
AB  - PURPOSE: Significant numbers of sexual minority women are choosing to parent.
      Despite this, there is limited research on postpartum depression (PPD) with
      sexual minority mothers and less research considering differences within sexual
      minority women in the experience of PPD. This research examines two questions to
      address this gap in research: (1) Do experiences of PPD symptoms vary between
      different subgroups of sexual minority women, and (2) Which recruitment
      strategies effectively address the challenge of recruiting sexual minority women
      who are pregnant? METHODS: Two Canadian studies recruited participants via
      consecutive or convenience sampling from midwifery clinics and hospital sites.
      Participants completed prenatal and postnatal measures of PPD symptoms, social
      support, and perceived discrimination. RESULTS: Considering our first question,
      we found an interaction effect between past sexual behavior and current partner
      gender. Women currently partnered with men reported higher scores on the
      Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale when their sexual history included partners
      of more than one gender, whereas this effect was not found among women who were
      currently partnered with women or not partnered. Regarding our second question,
      most sexual minority participants recruited through convenience sampling were
      partnered with women and identified as lesbian or queer, while most participants
      recruited through consecutive sampling were partnered with men and identified as
      bisexual. CONCLUSIONS: Women whose sexual histories include more than one gender
      and are currently partnered with men may be at a higher risk for PPD symptoms.
      Recruitment method may influence the type of sample recruited for perinatal
      mental health research among sexual minority women.

PMID- 26267063
TI  - Anonymous birth law saves babies--optimization, sustainability and public
      awareness.
AB  - The aims of this study are to assess the impact of Austria's anonymous birth law
      from the time relevant statistical records are available and to evaluate the use
      of hatches versus anonymous hospital delivery. This study is a complete census of
      police-reported neonaticides (1975-2012) as well as anonymous births including
      baby hatches in Austria during 2002-2012. The time trends of neonaticide rates,
      anonymous births and baby hatches were analysed by means of Poisson and logistic
      regression model. Predicted and observed rates were derived and compared using a
      Bayesian Poisson regression model. Predicted numbers of neonaticides for the
      period of the active awareness campaign, 2002-2004, were more than three times
      larger than the observed number (p = 0.0067). Of the 365 women who benefitted
      from this legislation, only 11.5% chose to put their babies in a baby hatch.
      Since the law was introduced, a significant decreasing tendency of numbers of
      anonymous births (p = 047) was observed, while there was significant increase of
      neonaticide rates (p = 0.0001). The implementation of the anonymous delivery law
      is associated with a decrease in the number of police-reported neonaticides. The
      subsequent significantly decreasing numbers of anonymous births with an
      accompanying increase of neonaticides represents additional evidence for the
      effectiveness of the measure.

PMID- 26267064
TI  - Quercetin Protects Mice from ConA-Induced Hepatitis by Inhibiting HMGB1-TLR
      Expression and Down-Regulating the Nuclear Factor Kappa B Pathway.
AB  - The dietary flavonoid quercetin has hepatoprotective effects. We analyzed the
      effects of quercetin on concanavalin A (ConA)-induced hepatitis in mice and its
      underlying molecular mechanisms of action. Mice were administered quercetin (50
      mg/kg body weight, i.p.) or vehicle 30 min before intravenous administration of
      ConA. Quercetin pretreatment significantly reduced the ConA-induced elevations in
      plasma aminotransferase concentrations and liver necrosis, as well as reducing
      serum concentrations of the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor
      (TNF)-alpha, interferon-gamma, and interleukin-4. Quercetin pretreatment also
      reduced expression of high-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) and toll-like
      receptor (TLR)-2 and TLR-4 messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein in liver tissues.
      Quercetin pretreatment significantly inhibited degradation of inhibitory kappa B
      alpha and modulated ConA-induced nuclear translocation in the liver of nuclear
      factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) p65. These results demonstrate that quercetin protects
      against ConA-mediated hepatitis in mice by attenuating the HMGB1-TLRs-NF-kappaB
      signaling pathway. 

PMID- 26267066
TI  - Simulated heat waves affected alpine grassland only in combination with drought.
AB  - The Alpine region is warming fast, and concurrently, the frequency and intensity
      of climate extremes are increasing. It is currently unclear whether alpine
      ecosystems are sensitive or resistant to such extremes. We subjected Swiss alpine
      grassland communities to heat waves with varying intensity by transplanting
      monoliths to four different elevations (2440-660 m above sea level) for 17 d.
      Half of these were regularly irrigated while the other half were deprived of
      irrigation to additionally induce a drought at each site. Heat waves had no
      significant impacts on fluorescence (Fv /Fm , a stress indicator), senescence and
      aboveground productivity if irrigation was provided. However, when heat waves
      coincided with drought, the plants showed clear signs of stress, resulting in
      vegetation browning and reduced phytomass production. This likely resulted from
      direct drought effects, but also, as measurements of stomatal conductance and
      canopy temperatures suggest, from increased high-temperature stress as water
      scarcity decreased heat mitigation through transpiration. The immediate responses
      to heat waves (with or without droughts) recorded in these alpine grasslands were
      similar to those observed in the more extensively studied grasslands from
      temperate climates. Responses following climate extremes may differ in alpine
      environments, however, because the short growing season likely constrains
      recovery.

PMID- 26267065
TI  - The Metabolome in Finnish Carriers of the MYBPC3-Q1061X Mutation for Hypertrophic
      Cardiomyopathy.
AB  - AIMS: Mutations in the cardiac myosin-binding protein C gene (MYBPC3) are the
      most common genetic cause of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) worldwide. The
      molecular mechanisms leading to HCM are poorly understood. We investigated the
      metabolic profiles of mutation carriers with the HCM-causing MYBPC3-Q1061X
      mutation with and without left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and non-affected
      relatives, and the association of the metabolome to the echocardiographic
      parameters. METHODS AND RESULTS: 34 hypertrophic subjects carrying the MYBPC3
      Q1061X mutation, 19 non-hypertrophic mutation carriers and 20 relatives with
      neither mutation nor hypertrophy were examined using comprehensive
      echocardiography. Plasma was analyzed for molecular lipids and polar metabolites
      using two metabolomics platforms. Concentrations of branched chain amino acids,
      triglycerides and ether phospholipids were increased in mutation carriers with
      hypertrophy as compared to controls and non-hypertrophic mutation carriers, and
      correlated with echocardiographic LVH and signs of diastolic and systolic
      dysfunction in subjects with the MYBPC3-Q1061X mutation. CONCLUSIONS: Our study
      implicates the potential role of branched chain amino acids, triglycerides and
      ether phospholipids in HCM, as well as suggests an association of these
      metabolites with remodeling and dysfunction of the left ventricle.

PMID- 26267067
TI  - The Pathogenic Role of Low Range Repeats in SCA17.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: SCA17 is an autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia with expansion of
      the CAG/CAA trinucleotide repeats in the TATA-binding protein (TBP) gene. SCA17
      can have various clinical presentations including parkinsonism, ataxia, chorea
      and dystonia. SCA17 is diagnosed by detecting the expanded CAG repeats in the TBP
      gene; however, in the literature, pathologic repeat numbers as low as 41 overlap
      with normal repeat numbers. METHODS: The subjects in this study included patients
      with involuntary movement disorders such as cerebellar ataxia, parkinsonism,
      chorea and dystonia who visited Seoul National University Hospital between Jan.
      2006 and Apr. 2014 and were screened for SCA17. Those who were diagnosed with
      other genetic diseases or nondegenerative diseases were excluded. DNA from
      healthy subjects who did not have a family history of parkinsonism, ataxia,
      psychiatric symptoms, chorea or dystonia served as the control. In total, 5242
      chromosomes from 2099 patients and 522 normal controls were analyzed. RESULTS:
      The total number of patients included in the analysis was 2099 (parkinsonism,
      1706; ataxia, 345; chorea, 37; and dystonia, 11). In the normal control, up to 44
      repeats were found. In the 44 repeat group, there were 7 (0.3%) patients and 1
      (0.2%) normal control. In 43 repeat group, there were 8 (0.4%) patients and 2
      (0.4%) normal controls. In the 42 repeat group, there were 16 (0.8%) patients and
      3 (0.6%) normal controls. In 41 repeat group, there were 48 (2.3%) patients and 8
      (1.5%) normal controls. Considering the overlaps and non-significant differences
      in allelic frequencies between the patients and the normal controls with low
      expansions, we could not determine a definitive cutoff value for the pathologic
      CAG repeat number of SCA17. CONCLUSION: Because the statistical analysis between
      the normal controls and patients with low range expansions failed to show any
      differences so far, we must consider that clinical cases with low range
      expansions could be idiopathic movement disorders showing coincidental CAG/CAA
      expansions. Thus, we need to reconsider the pathologic role of low range
      expansions (41-42). Long term follow up and comprehensive investigations using
      autopsy and imaging studies in patients and controls with low range expansions
      are necessary to determine the cutoff value for the pathologic CAG repeat number
      of SCA17.

PMID- 26267068
TI  - Automatic tissue segmentation of head and neck MR images for hyperthermia
      treatment planning.
AB  - A hyperthermia treatment requires accurate, patient-specific treatment planning.
      This planning is based on 3D anatomical models which are generally derived from
      computed tomography. Because of its superior soft tissue contrast, magnetic
      resonance imaging (MRI) information can be introduced to improve the quality of
      these 3D patient models and therefore the treatment planning itself. Thus, we
      present here an automatic atlas-based segmentation algorithm for MR images of the
      head and neck. Our method combines multiatlas local weighting fusion with
      intensity modelling. The accuracy of the method was evaluated using a leave-one
      out cross validation experiment over a set of 11 patients for which manual
      delineation were available. The accuracy of the proposed method was high both in
      terms of the Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) and the 95th percentile Hausdorff
      surface distance (HSD) with median DSC higher than 0.8 for all tissues except
      sclera. For all tissues, except the spine tissues, the accuracy was approaching
      the interobserver agreement/variability both in terms of DSC and HSD. The
      positive effect of adding the intensity modelling to the multiatlas fusion
      decreased when a more accurate atlas fusion method was used.Using the proposed
      approach we improved the performance of the approach previously presented for H&N
      hyperthermia treatment planning, making the method suitable for clinical
      application.

PMID- 26267069
TI  - Altered Fronto-Temporal Functional Connectivity in Individuals at Ultra-High-Risk
      of Developing Psychosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The superior temporal gyrus (STG) is one of the key regions
      implicated in psychosis, given that abnormalities in this region are associated
      with an increased risk of conversion from an at-risk mental state to psychosis.
      However, inconsistent results regarding the functional connectivity strength of
      the STG have been reported, and the regional heterogeneous characteristics of the
      STG should be considered. METHODS: To investigate the distinctive functional
      connection of each subregion in the STG, we parcellated the STG of each
      hemisphere into three regions: the planum temporale, Heschl's gyrus, and planum
      polare. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging was obtained from 22
      first-episode psychosis (FEP) patients, 41 individuals at ultra-high-risk for
      psychosis (UHR), and 47 demographically matched healthy controls. RESULTS:
      Significant group differences (in seed-based connectivity) were demonstrated in
      the left planum temporale and from both the right and left Heschl's gyrus seeds.
      From the left planum temporale seed, the FEP and UHR groups exhibited increased
      connectivity to the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. In contrast, the
      FEP and UHR groups demonstrated decreased connectivity from the bilateral
      Heschl's gyrus seeds to the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex. The enhanced
      connectivity between the left planum temporale and right dorsolateral prefrontal
      cortex was positively correlated with positive symptom severity in individuals at
      UHR (r = .34, p = .03). CONCLUSIONS: These findings corroborate the fronto
      temporal connectivity disruption hypothesis in schizophrenia by providing
      evidence supporting the altered fronto-temporal intrinsic functional connection
      at earlier stages of psychosis. Our data indicate that subregion-specific
      aberrant fronto-temporal interactions exist in the STG at the early stage of
      psychosis, thus suggesting that these aberrancies are the neural underpinning of
      proneness to psychosis.

PMID- 26267070
TI  - Spalt-like transcription factor 4 immunopositivity is associated with epithelial
      cell adhesion molecule expression in combined hepatocellular carcinoma and
      cholangiocarcinoma.
AB  - AIM: Combined hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CC) (cHCC
      CC) is a rare biphasic liver cancer. Recent studies have demonstrated that cHCC
      CC originates from hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs). Spalt-like transcription
      factor 4 (SALL4) is a marker for a progenitor subclass of HCC with an aggressive
      phenotype. However, little has been revealed about SALL4 expression in cHCC-CC.
      The aims of this study were to report SALL4 immunopositivity and the results of
      clinicopathological analysis in cHCC-CC, and to examine the two different nuclear
      immunostaining patterns for SALL4. METHODS AND RESULTS: We defined the diffuse
      finely granular nuclear immunostaining pattern as immunopositive for SALL4; this
      was observed in eight (8.9%) of 90 cHCC-CCs. SALL4 immunopositivity was
      significantly associated with immunopositivity for alpha-fetoprotein, glypican 3,
      and epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM). There was no relationship between
      SALL4 immunopositivity and prognosis. We confirmed SALL4 mRNA expression in
      samples with a punctuate/clumped immunostaining pattern, which showed a
      significantly lower rate of immunopositivity for EpCAM than those with a diffuse
      finely granular pattern. CONCLUSIONS: SALL4 immunopositivity is not a prognostic
      factor in cHCC-CC; however, it is associated with alpha-fetoprotein, glypican 3
      and EpCAM immunopositivity, indicating the mechanism of carcinogenesis. Further
      study is necessary to interpret the immunostaining pattern for SALL4.

PMID- 26267072
TI  - A system-wide approach from the community to the hospital for improving
      neurologic outcomes in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: In the present study, we aimed to determine the effects of a system
      wide approach from the community to the hospital in improving the neurologic
      outcomes in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients within Sungbuk in
      Korea. METHODS: This study used a before-after design. In 2011, compression-only
      cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for citizens, a state-wide standard
      dispatcher assisted-CPR protocol, medical control for regional emergency medical
      service (EMS), provision of high-quality advanced cardiac life support (ACLS)
      with capnography and extracorporeal CPR, and the standard postcardiac arrest care
      protocol were implemented in the system-wide CPR program. CPR provision and
      outcomes were compared between the 2009-2010 and the 2012-2013 periods. A
      multivariate logistic regression model for good outcome of OHCA was used to
      identify interventions with a significant impact. RESULTS: In total, 581 adult
      nontraumatic OHCA patients who received resuscitation attempts from 2009 to 2013
      were selected for the analysis of CPR provision and outcomes. CPR provision
      improved significantly, as indicated by the following results from 2009-2010 to
      2012-2013: from 15.9 to 50.4% for bystander CPR (P<0.001), 6.0 to 0% for the
      proportion of no documented arrest rhythm by EMS (P=0.004), 41.4 to 62.2% for
      ACLS with capnography (P=0.008), 1.4 to 10.5% for extracorporeal CPR (P=0.052),
      3.7 to 34.4% for successful therapeutic hypothermia in coma patients (P<0.001),
      and 61.5 to 87.1% for immediate coronary angiography for presumed cardiac
      etiology (P=0.005). Moreover, the proportion of OHCA patients who received early
      EMS activation, bystander CPR, appropriate attempt of defibrillation at the
      prehospital level, high-quality ACLS, and standard postcardiac arrest care
      increased from 0.5% in 2009-2010 to 8.5% in 2012-2013 (P<0.001). The rates of
      discharge with a good neurologic outcome improved from 3.3% in 2009-2010 to 8.5%
      in 2012-2013 (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The system-wide CPR program was associated
      with enhancements in CPR performance at both the prehospital and the hospital
      level, and yielded improved neurologic outcomes in OHCA patients in a small
      region.

PMID- 26267071
TI  - A Pilot Study on Clinical and Neuroimaging Characteristics of Chinese Posterior
      Cortical Atrophy: Comparison with Typical Alzheimer's Disease.
AB  - Posterior cortical atrophy (PCA) is a clinicoradiologic neurodegenerative
      syndrome characterized by predominant impairment of higher visual functions.
      Neuroimaging and neuropathological studies show that PCA is probably an atypical
      presentation of Alzheimer's disease. However, in China PCA has rarely been
      studied and remains largely unknown. Our study therefore aimed to analyze the
      clinical manifestations and patterns of cerebral atrophy, amyloid beta deposition
      and regional glucose metabolism in Chinese PCA patients, comparing them directly
      with those of typical Alzheimer's disease (TAD). Seven PCA patients, 6 TAD
      patients and 5 controls underwent neuropsychological assessment, MRI scan, 11C
      PIB PET scan and 18F-FDG PET scan. Cerebral atrophy including ventricular
      enlargement, posterior atrophy and medial temporal lobe atrophy were evaluated
      with MRI. The uptake of 11C-PIB was quantified at the voxel level using the
      standardized uptake value ratio. Comparisons of regional cerebral glucose
      metabolism were calculated with statistical parametric mapping. PCA patients
      showed significant impairment on visuospatial function in neuropsychological
      assessment. And PCA patients showed more severe posterior atrophy and less severe
      left medial temporal lobe atrophy compared with TAD patients. The data from 11C
      PIB PET scanning showed that amyloid beta deposition in PCA was comparable to
      TAD. Moreover, in PCA the results from 18F-FDG PET scanning revealed significant
      hypometabolism in the temporoparietooccipital region and identified specific
      hypometabolism in the right occipital lobe, compared with TAD. Our study thus
      provides a preliminary view of PCA in Chinese patients. A further study with a
      larger number of subjects would be recommended to confirm these findings.

PMID- 26267073
TI  - Associations between perceived discrimination and health status among frequent
      Emergency Department users.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Frequent Emergency Department (ED) users are vulnerable individuals
      and discrimination is usually associated with increased vulnerability. The aim of
      this study was to investigate frequent ED users' perceptions of discrimination
      and to test whether they were associated with increased vulnerability. METHODS:
      In total, 250 adult frequent ED users were interviewed in Lausanne University
      Hospital. From a previously published questionnaire, we assessed 15 dichotomous
      sources of perceived discrimination. Vulnerability was assessed using health
      status: objective health status (evaluation by a healthcare practitioner
      including somatic, mental health, behavioral, and social issues - dichotomous
      variables) and subjective health status [self-evaluation including health-related
      quality of life (WHOQOL) and quality of life (EUROQOL) - mean-scores]. We
      computed the prevalence rates of perceived discrimination and tested associations
      between perceived discrimination and health status (Fischer's exact tests, Mann
      Whitney U-tests). RESULTS: A total of 35.2% of the frequent ED users surveyed
      reported at least one source of perceived discrimination. Objective health status
      was not significantly related to perceived discrimination. In contrast,
      experiencing perceived discrimination was associated with worse subjective health
      status (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Frequent ED users are highly likely to report
      perceived discrimination during ED use, and this was linked to a decrease in
      their own rating of their health. Hence, discrimination should be taken into
      account when providing care to such users as it may constitute an additional risk
      factor for this vulnerable population. Perceived discrimination may also be of
      concern to professionals seeking to improve practices and provide optimal care to
      frequent ED users.

PMID- 26267074
TI  - Effects of a media campaign on resuscitation performance of bystanders: a manikin
      study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Cardiac arrest is associated with a poor outcome if cardiopulmonary
      resuscitation (CPR) is delayed. Nevertheless, CPR performance by laypersons in
      witnessed cardiac arrest is frequently poor. The present study evaluated the
      effect of a media campaign on CPR performance. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: CPR
      performance of 1000 individuals who did not have any medical background was
      evaluated using a resuscitation manikin. The media campaign consisted of flyers,
      posters, and electronic advertisement. Five hundred individuals were evaluated
      before the media campaign and 500 individuals after the media campaign. Age and
      male/female ratio were comparable within each of the groups. Premedia campaign
      performance was compared with postmedia campaign performance with respect to
      chest compressions and ventilation metrics. RESULTS: Chest compression depth and
      total compression work were significantly higher after the media campaign: median
      depth 51 mm postcampaign versus 45 mm precampaign (P<0.001), median cumulative
      compression work postcampaign 4176 versus 2462 mm precampaign (P<0.001). Tidal
      volumes and ventilation work were significantly lower following the media
      campaign, but did not differ between participants who had acknowledged exposure
      to the campaign and those who did not. Ventilation performance was generally poor
      across the two groups both before and after the media campaign. CONCLUSION: A
      simple and cost-efficient media campaign appears to enhance the performance of
      chest compressions. Ventilation performance and the rate of CPR performance were
      not increased by the campaign.

PMID- 26267075
TI  - Testicular torsion and the acute scrotum: current emergency management.
AB  - The acute scrotum is a challenging condition for the treating emergency physician
      requiring consideration of a number of possible diagnoses including testicular
      torsion. Prompt recognition of torsion and exclusion of other causes may lead to
      organ salvage, avoiding the devastating functional and psychological issues of
      testicular loss and minimizing unnecessary exploratory surgeries. This review
      aims to familiarize the reader with the latest management strategies for the
      acute scrotum, discusses key points in diagnosis and management and evaluates the
      strengths and drawbacks of history and clinical examination from an emergency
      perspective. It outlines the types and mechanisms of testicular torsion, and
      examines the current and possible future roles of labwork and radiological
      imaging in diagnosis. Emergency departments should be wary of younger males
      presenting with the acute scrotum. 

PMID- 26267076
TI  - Opportunities and barriers to cardiopulmonary resuscitation training in English
      secondary schools.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation rates and survival from out-of-hospital
      cardiac arrest are poor in the UK compared with areas abroad that deliver
      mandatory training to all school children. We sought to identify barriers to
      training and develop a strategy to enable delivery of this training. METHODS:
      Qualitative analysis, comprising semistructured interviews and group discussions,
      covering 14 schools in the metropolitan borough of Calderdale in West Yorkshire.
      RESULTS: Only three schools out of 14 were delivering training to entire year
      groups. Barriers include lack of resources, lack of training for teachers and
      difficulty in initiating a programme. Strategies were developed to overcome these
      barriers with the result that four additional schools are now teaching a whole
      year group. There is no single solution and bespoke plans may be needed for each
      school. CONCLUSION: The establishment of cardiopulmonary resuscitation training
      in secondary schools in the UK is achievable. The commonly perceived barriers to
      establishment of training are all surmountable, but solving them does not
      necessarily ensure universal coverage. Support from healthcare professionals, in
      particular public health, is essential to ensure that the training is as
      widespread as possible. Mandatory inclusion of this training on the school
      curriculum, as seen in other countries, would result in significantly improved
      survival rates from out-of-hospital cardiorespiratory arrest. Solutions to
      improve training have been proposed, which could be used in other parts of Europe
      where such training is not a mandatory requirement.

PMID- 26267077
TI  - Juvenile osteochondritis dissecans of the talus: predictors of conservative
      treatment failure.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The ideal treatment for juvenile osteochondritis dissecans of the
      talus (ODT) is still unclear. To determine predictors of failure of conservative
      treatment, children admitted for ODT were retrospectively analyzed. METHODS:
      Patient files were analyzed to search for children treated for an ODT between
      2000 and 2011. X-rays and MRI at baseline were evaluated for grading of lesions
      and the patient history was obtained. Final follow-up evaluation was performed
      via questionnaire and complementary telephone interview. Outcome was measured
      using the AOFAS and the Olerud/Molander scores. Conservative treatment consisted
      of out of sports and modification of activity under full weight-bearing. In case
      of persisting pain, full load removal on crutches was initiated. For further
      analysis, two groups were formed: (1) successful conservative treatment; (2)
      converted to surgical therapy. A logistic regression was used to determine
      potential predictors of conservative treatment failure. RESULTS: Seventy-seven
      lesions in 67 children with a mean age of 11.4 years (range 4-15 years) at the
      time of diagnosis were identified. Every patient received conservative treatment
      as a first-line treatment after diagnosis of ODT except for one single patient
      with a grade IV lesion at time of diagnosis who received operative treatment
      directly after diagnosis. Sixty-one percent of the lesions failed conservative
      treatment. A higher age as well as a grade III lesion at time of diagnosis was
      predictive for failure of the conservative treatment (p = 0.03 and p = 0.02,
      respectively). Regarding the functional outcome, a higher grade lesion in general
      was predictive for an inferior outcome as measured by clinical score. CONCLUSION:
      Grade III ODT especially in older children leads significantly more often to
      treatment failure when treated non-surgically. No other predictors for treatment
      failure could be identified. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III (retrospective
      comparative study).

PMID- 26267078
TI  - Chemotherapy-induced neutropenia and febrile neutropenia in patients with
      gynecologic malignancy.
AB  - Chemotherapy-induced neutropenia is a common complication in cancer treatment. In
      this study, we investigated chemotherapy-induced neutropenia that was recently
      detected in all patients with gynecologic malignancy. Between January 2009 and
      December 2011, we examined cases of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia reported in
      our hospital. We analyzed the incidence and clinical features of chemotherapy
      induced neutropenia and febrile neutropenia in patients with gynecologic
      malignancy. During the study period, we administered over 1614 infusions (29
      regimens) to 291 patients. The median age of the patients was 60 years (range 24
      84 years). Chemotherapy-induced neutropenia occurred in 147 (50.5%) patients over
      378 (23.4%) chemotherapy cycles. Febrile neutropenia occurred in 20 (6.9%)
      patients over 25 (1.5%) cycles. The mean duration of neutropenia and fever was
      3.6 days (range 1-12 days) and 3.4 days (range 1-9 days), respectively. The
      source of fever was unexplained by examination or cultures in 14 (56.0%) cycles.
      There were two cases of neutropenia-related death. Chemotherapy-induced
      neutropenia was associated with older age (over 70 years) (P<0.0001), less than
      five previous chemotherapy cycles (P=0.02), disseminated disease (P=0.03),
      platinum-based regimens (P<0.0001), taxane-containing regimens (P<0.0001), and
      combined therapy (P<0.0001). Febrile neutropenia was associated with poor
      performance status (P<0.0001), no previous chemotherapy (P<0.05), disseminated
      disease (P<0.0001), and distant metastatic disease (P=0.03). Neither chemotherapy
      induced neutropenia nor febrile neutropenia was associated with bone marrow
      metastases or previous radiotherapy. By identifying risk factors for febrile
      neutropenia, such as performance status, no previous chemotherapy, disseminated
      disease, and distant metastatic disease, the safe management of chemotherapy
      induced neutropenia may be possible in patients with gynecologic malignancy. 

PMID- 26267079
TI  - Endonasal identification of the orbital apex.
AB  - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To describe anatomical landmarks for endoscopic endonasal
      approaches to the orbital apex and to measure the distances between those
      landmarks. METHODS: In this anatomic study, the nasal fossae of 30 adult fresh
      cadavers were dissected (n = 60 half-skulls). One double-injected orbit was
      carefully dissected, mainly focusing on the neurovascular structures. The orbital
      apex was dissected under endoscopic endonasal visualization in all cases. The
      distances between the ethmoidal crest and choanal arch to the optic canal (OC)
      and superior orbital fissure (SOF) were measured and recorded. RESULTS: The
      sample was predominantly male (63.3%, 19/30 cadavers). The following correlations
      between measurements according to side were observed: ethmoidal crest to OC, r =
      0.748 (P = 0.0001); ethmoidal crest to SOF, r = 0.785 (P = 0.0001); choanal arch
      to OC, r = 0.835 (P = 0.0001); choanal arch to SOF, r = 0.820 (P = 0.0001).
      CONCLUSIONS: In the cadavers studied in this sample, the ethmoidal crest and
      choanal arch were relevant structures and exhibited consistent measurements.
      Spearman correlation coefficients were greater than 0.7, which is indicative of
      good correlation between measurements obtained in the skull halves of each
      cadaver. Comparison of the measurements obtained in different sides showed
      similar values, with no statistically significant differences in the distances
      between any of the proposed anatomic landmarks.

PMID- 26267080
TI  - Results of hepatic and renal function tests to different CO2 pneumoperitoneum
      conditions: An experimental capnoperitoneum study in dogs.
AB  - Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the most commonly used insufflation gas to provide
      exposure in the abdominal cavity during laparoscopic surgery. This study
      investigated the results of hepatic and renal function tests after different
      capnoperitoneum intraabdominal pressures in dogs. Twenty-four beagle dogs (12
      males and 12 females) were used (n = 6 dogs). The intraabdominal pressure was
      maintained for 60 minutes, and urinalysis, hepatic and renal function tests were
      carried out at designed times. No surgery was performed on any of the dogs during
      the capnoperitoneum. In this study, whether low or high pressure, significant
      increases of gamma-glutamyltransferase, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate
      aminotransferase and creatinine levels were observed after pneumoperitoneum.
      However, our results showed a trend toward higher serum concentrations of some
      enzymes in dogs at an insufflation pressure of 15 mmHg compared to that of the
      other groups, although these differences did not reach statistical significance.
      Therefore, low pressure capnoperitoneum should be considered for dogs with
      compromised splanchnic function, particularly those undergoing prolonged
      laparoscopic surgery. 

PMID- 26267081
TI  - Expression of inflammation-associated genes in circulating leukocytes and
      activity of indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase in dairy cattle with acute puerperal
      metritis and bacteremia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether expression of genes associated with
      inflammation and activity of indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) correlated with
      disease status and prevalence of bacteremia in post-partum dairy cattle with and
      without acute puerperal metritis (APM). PROCEDURES: Blood was collected from
      cattle with APM and control cattle matched by parity and days in milk. Leukocytes
      were isolated and expression of 6 genes was quantified. Activity of IDO was
      measured in serum with higher performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). RESULTS:
      The relative expression of IL-1beta in cattle with APM was significantly lower
      than that in controls. IDO activity was not significantly different between
      bacteremic and non-bacteremic cattle CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The
      expression of IL-1beta was lower in cattle with APM. The lower levels of IL-1beta
      expression in PBMCs of cattle with APM suggest impaired inflammatory responses
      and may contribute to the development of the disease in this population of
      animals.

PMID- 26267082
TI  - Evaluation of mean echogenicity of tendons and ligaments of the metacarpal region
      in neonatal foals: A preliminary study.
AB  - The aims of this research were to evaluate mean echogenicity (ME) of the deep and
      superficial digital flexor tendons (DDFT and SDFT), the interosseous muscle (IM),
      and the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon (ALDDFT) of the
      metacarpal region in neonatal foals, and determine the effect of sex, side and
      body weight on this quantitative ultrasonographic evaluation. Thirteen
      orthopedically sound neonatal foals were examined. Four areas of study (1A, 1B,
      2A, 2B) were identified. Transverse scans of the DDFT, SDFT, IM and ALDDFT were
      obtained, recorded, and analyzed. The most echogenic structures were the ALDDFT
      and DDFT, while the SDFT was significantly less echogenic than all other
      structures (P<0.05). No influence of sex, forelimb, or body weight was observed.
      The echogenicity of the tenodesmic structures of foals partially overlapped that
      reported in the metacarpal region in adult horses, except for IM. 

PMID- 26267083
TI  - Systemic leukopenia, evaluation of laminar leukocyte infiltration and laminar
      lesions in horses with naturally occurring colic syndrome.
AB  - The present study was aimed at identifying laminar lesions and leukocyte
      infiltration in hoof laminar tissue of horses with colic syndrome and its
      correlation with the total leukocyte count before death. Six healthy horses were
      used as control group (CG), and eighteen horses with lethal gastrointestinal
      disease were divided into two groups: leukopenic group (LG) with seven leukopenic
      horses, and non-leukopenic group (NLG) with 11 horses with total leukocyte count
      within reference range for the species. Leukocyte infiltration was examined by
      immunohistochemistry. Laminar lesions were observed in both LG and NLG, with no
      differences in severity between them. LG showed increase of the leukocyte
      infiltration in the hoof laminar tissue, when compared to CG and NLG. Horses with
      severe colic syndrome (LG and NLG) developed intense laminar lesions without
      clinical signs of laminitis, with increased leukocyte infiltration. However, the
      LG demonstrated an even higher increase of leukocyte infiltration compared to
      both CG and NLG. 

PMID- 26267084
TI  - Concomitance and interactions of pathogens in the Iberian wolf (Canis lupus).
AB  - With the aim of improving our understanding of their epidemiological features,
      exposure to or presence of Canine Parvovirus (CPV), Canine Distemper Virus (CDV),
      Leishmania infantum and Sarcoptes scabiei were studied in 88 wild wolves from
      Asturias (Northern Spain) by means of long-term (2004-2010) serological and
      molecular data. Individual and population factors and the possible interactions
      between them were also statistically analyzed for better understanding the
      contact/presence of studied pathogens. The overall seroprevalence values were
      19%, 61%, 20% and 0% for CDV, CPV, S. scabiei and Leishmania, respectively, while
      a 46% of studied wolves showed Leishmania genetic material presence. Sarcoptic
      mange, CDV and CPV showed higher seroprevalence values in the areas with higher
      wolf densities, and a positive association between CDV and S. scabiei antibody
      responses was detected. Reported data highlight the need of considering
      concomitant pathogens and their possible interactions for a better understanding
      of diseases and their management in wildlife. 

PMID- 26267085
TI  - Serum concentrations of canine interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein in
      healthy dogs after incubation using an autologous serum processing system.
AB  - The objectives of this study were to optimize and validate a canine IL-1RA ELISA
      using commercially available reagents and to determine the effect of an
      autologous serum processing system (IRAP II) on IL-1RA concentrations in canine
      serum. The clinical detection limit of the optimized ELISA was 188.8 to 39,965.6
      pg/mL. The observed-to-expected ratio (O:E) for three serial dilutions for four
      serum samples ranged from 109.6 to 132.2%. The O:E for four serum samples spiked
      with four concentrations of canine IL-1 RA ranged from 98.7 to 114.3%.
      Coefficients of variances for intra- and interassay variability ranged from 1.4
      to 3.0 and 6.3 to 9.8, respectively. The ELISA was sensitive, linear, accurate,
      precise, and reproducible. Mean+/-SD serum concentration of IL-1RA in 12 healthy
      dogs was 396.6+/-208.0 pg/mL. There was a significant increase in IL-1RA when
      blood was incubated in the IRAP II system (15,955.0+/-6421.0 pg/mL, P<0.0001).

PMID- 26267086
TI  - A conformational epitope mapped in the bovine herpesvirus type 1 envelope
      glycoprotein B by phage display and the HSV-1 3D structure.
AB  - The selected dodecapeptide (1)DRALYGPTVIDH(12) from a phage-displayed peptide
      library and the crystal structure of the envelope glycoprotein B (Env gB) from
      Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 (HSV-1) led us to the identification of a new
      discontinuous epitope on the Bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BoHV-1) Env gB. In silico
      analysis revealed a short BoHV-1 gB motif ((338)YKRD(341)) within a epitope
      region, with a high similarity to the motifs shared by the dodecapeptide N
      terminal region ((5)YxARD(1)) and HSV-1 Env gB ((326)YARD(329)), in which the
      (328)Arg residue is described to be a neutralizing antibody target. Besides the
      characterization of an antibody-binding site of the BoHV-1 Env gB, we have
      demonstrated that the phage-fused peptide has the potential to be used as a
      reagent for virus diagnosis by phage-ELISA assay, which discriminated BoHV-1
      infected serum samples from negative ones. 

PMID- 26267087
TI  - Torque teno sus virus 1 (TTSuV1) and 2 (TTSuV2) viral loads in serum of
      postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS)-affected and healthy pigs in
      Brazil.
AB  - Associations between Torque teno sus viruses (TTSuVs) and the occurrence of
      postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) have been reported with
      controversial results. Currently, no studies have been performed comparing
      simultaneously viral loads of TTSuVs and PCV2. To examine the role for TTSuVs in
      PMWS-affected animals, a SYBR Green-based quantitative PCR (qPCR) was designed to
      detect and quantify TTSuV1, TTSuV2 and PCV2 genomes in swine sera. TTSuV1 genome
      loads were significantly higher in healthy adults than in young and SPF animals
      (p<0.05) suggesting that the prevalence of TTSuV1 infection increases with age
      and bears no association with PMWS. Regarding TTSuV2, no significant variation
      was detected in viral loads within any of the groups. As expected, PCV2 genome
      loads were higher in PMWS-affected swine than in healthy or SPF animals
      (p<0.001). These findings provide clear evidence to indicate that neither TTSuV1
      nor TTSuV2 viral loads have any correlation with the occurrence of PMWS. 

PMID- 26267088
TI  - Evaluation of MALDI-ToF as a method for the identification of bacteria in the
      veterinary diagnostic laboratory.
AB  - Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionisation-Time of Flight (MALDI-ToF) Mass
      Spectrometry with Bruker MALDI Biotyper software was evaluated as a method for
      identifying veterinary bacteria. For 620 isolates (~100 bacterial species),
      identification by MALDI-ToF and non-16S rDNA methods (mainly
      phenotypic/biochemical) agreed to species-level (95.3%) and to species/genus
      level (100%), but in the absence of 16S rDNA as a gold standard. For a further
      panel of 107 anaerobes and 234 aerobes (~100 bacteria species) using 16S rDNA
      results as the gold standard, MALDI-ToF/biochemical tests showed 97.8/96.6%
      species-level and 99.6/93.5% genus-level agreement for aerobes and 95.3/93.6%
      species-level and 100/95.3% genus-level agreement for anaerobes compared to the
      gold standard. Where results were obtained from direct spots, direct spots
      overlaid with formic acid and extracts, 89.4% of 180 aerobes and 90.1% of 152
      anaerobes were identified by MALDI-ToF. MALDI-ToF was shown to be a rapid and
      reliable method to identify veterinary bacteria. 

PMID- 26267089
TI  - In vitro and in vivo screening of native lactic acid bacteria toward their
      selection as a probiotic in broiler chickens.
AB  - Among 360 isolates from the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of broilers, eleven
      isolates which showed in vitro probiotic properties were identified and selected
      for further tests. After the in vitro screening, three strains were chosen for
      the in vivo study of persistence of fresh cultures and then one strain was
      selected for the in vivo study of persistence of lyophilized culture. Lyophilized
      Lactobacillus salivarius DSPV 001P was capable of persisting in broilers during a
      complete rearing, even 28 days following cessation of administration. L.
      salivarius DSPV 001P administered to broilers and recovered from GIT was compared
      by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) to ensure that the same genotype was
      persistently identified. A combination of in vitro and in vivo screening of
      native lactic acid bacteria (LAB) described in this study may offer a method for
      selecting the most suitable strain for potential application as a broiler
      probiotic supplement.

PMID- 26267090
TI  - Evaluation of chemokines CXCL8 and CCL2, serotonin, and vascular endothelial
      growth factor serum concentrations in healthy dogs from seven breeds with
      variable predisposition for canine idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
AB  - The West Highland white terrier (WHWT) is particularly prone to canine idiopathic
      pulmonary fibrosis (CIPF). We hypothesized that higher circulating concentrations
      of chemokines CXCL8, CCL2, serotonin (5-HT), or vascular endothelial growth
      factor (VEGF) could serve as predisposing factors for CIPF development in the
      WHWT breed. Serum samples from 103 healthy dogs of seven different breeds
      variably predisposed to CIPF were collected. Serum CXCL8 concentrations were
      higher in healthy WHWT compared with each of the other groups of healthy dogs.
      Serum CCL2 concentrations were higher in healthy WHWT and Maltese compared with
      King Charles spaniels and Malinois Belgian shepherds. No relevant inter-breed
      differences were observed for serum 5-HT concentrations regarding CIPF
      predisposition. VEGF values from 89.3% of samples tested were below the kit
      detection limit. In conclusion, high CXCL8 blood concentrations and possibly CCL2
      concentrations might be related to the breed predisposition of the WHWT for CIPF
      and warrants further investigations. 

PMID- 26267092
TI  - In vitro acaricidal properties of Semecarpus anacardium fruit and Datura
      stramonium leaf extracts against acaricide susceptible (IVRI-I line) and
      resistant (IVRI-V line) Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus.
AB  - In an attempt to identify plants having anti-tick properties, the 95% ethanolic
      and 50% hydro-ethanolic extracts of the fruits of Semecarpus anacardium and
      leaves of Datura stramonium were evaluated against reference tick lines of
      Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus. The 95% ethanolic extracts of S. anacardium
      and D. stramonium caused 50% and 20% mortality, respectively, within 72 h of
      treatment by adult immersion test. The LC90 value of the ethanolic fruit extract
      of S. anacardium was determined as 13.5% (CI 12.05-15.12). The extract was also
      found efficacious (73.3%+/-3.3%) against the multi-acaricide-resistant IVRI-V
      line of R.(B.) microplus. The S. anacardium extract significantly affected the
      reproductive physiology of treated ticks by inhibiting the oviposition and was
      found safe. The HPTLC fingerprinting profile revealed the presence of
      pyrocatechol as a marker compound. The acaricidal property of S. anacardium
      against chemical acaricide-resistant R. (B.) microplus was discussed.

PMID- 26267091
TI  - Characteristics of invasion-reduced hilA gene mutant of Salmonella Enteritidis in
      vitro and in vivo.
AB  - Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (Salmonella Enteritidis) is a facultative
      intracellular pathogen that causes huge losses in poultry industry and also food
      poisoning in humans due to its being a food-borne pathogen. Functions of Invasion
      related genes need to be explored, as invasion is a key step for Salmonella
      infection. In this study, a transposon mutant library of Salmonella Enteritidis
      isolate SM6 was constructed and screened for the invasion-related genes via
      incubation with Caco-2 cells. Three stably attenuated mutants were identified for
      significantly reduced invasion with insertions all in hilA (hyperinvasive locus
      A) gene. We constructed and evaluated the hilA deletion mutant in vivo and in
      vitro. SM6?hilA showed significantly reduced ability to invade Caco-2 cells and
      decreased pathogenicity in chicks. However, the bacterial load and pathological
      damage in the cecum were significantly higher than those in the SM6 in vivo.
      Present results provide new evidences for pathogenicity research on Salmonella
      Enteritidis. 

PMID- 26267093
TI  - Application of acute phase protein measurements in meat extract collected during
      routine veterinary inspection at abattoirs.
AB  - The possible application of acute phase protein measurements of meat extract in
      porcine carcass inspection at abattoir, under routine conditions, was studied.
      Concentrations of two acute phase proteins, C-reactive protein and haptoglobin,
      were quantified in 357 samples from carcasses subjected to official veterinary
      inspection at slaughterhouses. Carcasses were classified according to their
      sanitary status in five groups of animals ranging from healthy animals, without
      any organ alteration (group 1), to completely condemned carcasses with gross
      alteration in several organic systems (group 5). The concentration of both acute
      phase proteins appeared significantly higher in groups 2 to 5 in comparison to
      group 1. Sensitivity of these proteins to detect animals with organ alterations
      was 86% when the values of both proteins were taken into account. The
      quantification of the levels of acute phase proteins could be of help during
      routine veterinary meat inspection by offering an objective tool for active
      disease detection. 

PMID- 26267094
TI  - Effect of various dietary regimens on oral challenge with Mycobacterium avium
      subsp. paratuberculosis in a rabbit model.
AB  - Rabbits are susceptible to infection by Mycobacterium avium subspecies
      paratuberculosis (MAP) in both wildlife and experimental conditions. Under the
      hypotheses that nutrient balance might influence the establishment of infection,
      we designed an experiment where MAP intestinal colonization was assessed under
      three dietary regimens: high fiber, high protein, and regular diet in New Zealand
      white rabbits submitted to oral challenge with MAP. Lowest weight gain (F=5.17,
      p=0.024), higher tissue culture positivity rates (X(2)=7.43, p=0.024) and
      especially extended MAP-compatible lesions (F=5.78, p=0.017) were detected in the
      regular diet. Taken altogether, results indicate that paratuberculosis infection
      was achieved affecting mostly regular diet animals and showing that dietary
      changes may modulate the course of the infection. 

PMID- 26267095
TI  - Dietary effects of Spirulina platensis on hematological and serum biochemical
      parameters of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).
AB  - This study evaluated the effects of diets containing 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10% of
      Spirulina platensis on hematological and serum biochemical parameters of rainbow
      trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Fish (n=180; 101+/-8 g) were randomly divided into
      fifteen 300 L fiberglass tanks in triplicates for a period of ten weeks. The RBC,
      WBC, hemoglobin, total protein and albumin levels increased significantly in the
      groups supplemented with S. platensis. Dietary inclusion of S. platensis had no
      significant effects on hematocrit, cholesterol, triglyceride and lactate of the
      blood. HDL-cholesterol was larger in rainbow trout fed 10% S. platensis in
      comparison with the other diets, whereas LDL-cholesterol significantly decreased
      with increasing of S. platensis inclusion. Cortisol and glucose significantly
      decreased with increasing of S. platensis inclusion. The present results
      demonstrate that inclusion of 10% S. platensis can be introduced as an
      immunostimulant in rainbow trout diets.

PMID- 26267096
TI  - Retrospective seroepidemiological investigations against Morbillivirus,
      Toxoplasma gondii and Brucella spp. in cetaceans stranded along the Italian
      coastline (1998-2014).
AB  - This study reports the results of seroepidemiological investigations carried out
      against Morbillivirus, Toxoplasma gondii and Brucella spp. on blood serum samples
      collected from 70 cetacean specimens found stranded along the Italian coastline
      between 1998 and 2014. A total number of 23 serum samples (32.8%) obtained from
      Stenella coeruleoalba, Tursiops truncatus, Balaenoptera physalus and Globicephala
      melas harboured anti-Morbillivirus neutralizing antibodies. Ten sera (16%)
      collected from S. coeruleoalba and T. truncatus were found positive against T.
      gondii, while no antibodies against Brucella spp. were found. These data reveal
      that stranded cetaceans provide a unique opportunity for monitoring the health
      status of free-ranging animals living in the Mediterranean Sea, in order to
      investigate the level of exposure of cetacean populations to selected infectious
      agents representing a serious threat for aquatic mammals. 

PMID- 26267097
TI  - Cloning and expression of mink (Neovison vison) interferon-gamma gene and
      development of an antiviral assay.
AB  - Minks (Neovison vison) farming is under a threat of a variety of viral infections
      with increasingly growing number of breeding in Northeastern and Western China.
      While interferon is effective in controlling viral infection, IFN among different
      species rarely share high homology enough to provide cross protective effect on
      inhibition of virus replication. We cloned, sequenced, phlogenetically analyzed
      and expressed the miIFN-gamma gene in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. The anti
      vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) activity of miIFN-gamma protein was tested in
      MDCK cells using in vitro cytopathic inhibition assay. The recombinant miIFN
      gamma could inhibit VSV replication in MDCK cells, which was confirmed by that
      pre-incubation of rabbit anti-miIFN-gamma antibodies with miIFN-gamma abrogated
      the miIFN-gamma protective effect. Our findings implicated that the miIFN-gamma
      gene may be a potential counter measure against viral infection in the mink
      farming. 

PMID- 26267098
TI  - Plasma cytokine levels in dogs undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass.
AB  - Currently, there are no reports of inflammatory responses to CPB in dogs. We
      investigated the time course of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine levels during
      and after CPB. ANIMALS: The study group included 11 dogs that underwent mitral
      valve repair with CPB, and the control group included 7 healthy dogs that
      underwent ovariohysterectomy. METHODS: Blood samples from the study group dogs
      were collected before, during and after surgery and analyzed for plasma levels of
      interleukin-6 (IL-6), tissue necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-10
      (IL-10), white blood cells (WBC), and C-reactive protein (CRP). Each inflammatory
      parameter was also compared with that of the control group dogs. RESULTS: After
      CPB, plasma levels of IL-6, WBC counts, and CRP levels were significantly higher
      than preoperative levels, and IL-6 levels in the study group were significantly
      higher than those in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: CPB induces a systemic
      inflammatory response in dogs.

PMID- 26267099
TI  - Cloning and distribution of neuropeptide W and its receptors in pigs.
AB  - Neuropeptide W (NPW), a novel hypothalamic peptide, is an endogenous ligand for
      the orphan G protein-coupled receptors GPR7 (NPBWR1) and GPR8 (NPBWR2). Although
      several studies have implicated NPW in the regulation of feeding and energy
      metabolism in many species, the precise physiological function of NPW in pigs
      remains unclear. In this study, we cloned and sequenced NPW, GPR7, and GPR8 cDNA
      from pigs. NPW, GPR7, and GPR8 mRNA expression was quantified in the pig brain
      and peripheral tissues by semiquantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain
      reaction. Immunohistochemistry showed that NPW protein expression was limited in
      the brain and abundant in peripheral tissues. These results suggest that NPW is
      involved in the regulation of various physiological functions in pigs. The
      molecular and morphological data from this study provide a basis for further
      research on the functions of NPW in pigs. 

PMID- 26267100
TI  - Short communication: Proteomic characterization of tuberculin purified protein
      derivative from Mycobacterium bovis.
AB  - Bovine tuberculin purified protein derivative (bPPD) is used as an intradermal
      test (IT) reagent to detect bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in most countries.
      Identification of bPPD proteins is critical to understanding the immunological
      reaction of IT at the molecular level. While bPPD from the United Kingdom (UK)
      and Brazil (BR) have been recently defined at the proteomic level, bPPD from the
      Republic of Korea (KR) has not yet been analyzed. Here, bPPD KR proteome was
      examined for the first time. In total, 271 proteins were identified, including
      Mycobacterium bovis-specific proteins Mb0854c and Mb2898, and 42 known T cell
      antigens. On comparing with proteomes of bPPD UK and BR, 33 proteins were found
      to be common among all three bPPDs, of which 15 proteins were T cell antigens. M.
      bovis-specific antigens with T cell activity in bPPD may be novel candidates for
      use as alternatives to currently available bPPD in diagnostics. 

PMID- 26267101
TI  - Apoptosis like cell death in Raillietina echinobothrida induced by resveratrol.
AB  - Northeast India is geographically nestled as one of the biodiversity hotspots,
      rich in traditionally used medicinal plants. Resveratrol, a naturally occurring
      phytoalexin found in berries, peanuts, grapes, red wine and also in numerous
      anthelmintic plants, has attracted wide interest because of its diverse
      pharmacological characteristics. Recently, anthelmintic potential of the compound
      is established. The present study was carried out to understand the possible
      mechanism of action of resveratrol on poultry tapeworm Raillietina
      echinobothrida. Resveratrol showed excellent cestocidal activity in a dose
      dependent manner as revealed through 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5
      diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction assay. The progressive
      ultrastructural alterations followed by complete disruption of nuclear membrane,
      chromosomal condensation and in situ DNA fragmentation confirm the occurrence of
      apoptosis like cell death. Increased pro-apoptotic caspase activity and
      significant decreases in mitochondrial membrane potential in R. echinobothrida
      exposed to resveratrol confirm the involvement of mitochondria in the process of
      apoptosis. 

PMID- 26267102
TI  - Do umbilical outpouchings affect the behaviour or clinical condition of pigs
      during 6 h housing in a pre-transport pick-up facility?
AB  - This study focused on behavioural and clinical effects of umbilical outpouchings
      (UOs) in pigs. Matched pairs of pigs with UOs (diameter 12 cm; range 4-20;
      diagnosed p.m. as hernia or non-hernia) and controls (N=28) were compared during
      a 6-h stay in a pick-up facility. Overall, skin lesion scores were increased
      after the 6-h stay. Behaviour of the UO-pigs differed from the controls (a
      shorter latency to lie down (P<0.05) and decreased aggression (P<0.05)). Pigs
      with umbilical hernia showed e.g. increased sitting (P<0.05) and decreased lying
      (P<0.05) compared to pigs with non-hernia UOs. No effects of the size of the OUs
      were found. These results are among the first to establish knowledge about UO
      pigs and suggest that a stay in a pick-up facility can be challenging for pig
      welfare. The behavioural findings suggest that UO-pigs, and especially pigs with
      hernia, may be less fit for mixing and housing in barren environments.

PMID- 26267103
TI  - Cadmium exposure and consequence for the health and productivity of farmed
      ruminants.
AB  - This paper reviews Cd exposure and consequences for the health and productivity
      of farmed ruminants. In farmed ruminants, Cd exposure may be associated with a
      number of different activities, including industrial processing, mining, and
      agricultural practices, and is also higher in soils in some geographic regions.
      Cd kidney concentrations increase with age and Cd exposure. Although Cd toxicity
      in farmed ruminants has been demonstrated experimentally, there are no published
      reports of naturally occurring Cd toxicity in farmed ruminants. Clinical signs of
      Cd intoxication are unlikely with a daily dietary Cd intake of less than 5 mg/kg
      feed, which is 5-10 times higher than the maximum permitted Cd concentration in
      ruminant feed in the European Union. In farmed ruminants, Cd levels in tissue are
      largely dependent on the Cd content of diet. However, many factors affect Cd
      availability, relating to soils, plants and the presence of other trace elements
      including Ca, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Se and Zn. Experimental studies have highlighted
      the ability of Cd to alter trace element status, and the protective effect of
      good mineral status, however, there remain gaps in knowledge of the impact of
      these interactions on the health and productivity of farmed animals.

PMID- 26267104
TI  - Effects of a synovial flap and gelatin/beta-tricalcium phosphate sponges loaded
      with mesenchymal stem cells, bone morphogenetic protein-2, and platelet rich
      plasma on equine osteochondral defects.
AB  - This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a synovial flap and gelatin/beta
      tricalcium phosphate (GT) sponge loaded with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), bone
      morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), and platelet rich plasma (PRP) for repairing of
      osteochondral defects in horses. Osteochondral defects were created on the medial
      condyle of both femurs (n=5). In the test group, a GT sponge loaded with MSCs,
      BMP-2, and PRP (GT/MSCs/BMP-2/PRP) was inserted into the defect and then covered
      with a synovial flap. In the control group, the defect was treated only with the
      GT/MSCs/BMP-2/PRP. The test group showed significantly higher macroscopic scores
      than the control group. In addition, hyaline cartilaginous tissue was detected in
      the test group in areas larger than those in the control group. This study
      demonstrated that the combination of a synovial flap and GT sponge loaded with
      MSCs, BMP-2, and PRP promoted osteochondral regeneration in an equine model. 

PMID- 26267105
TI  - Validation of behavioural indicators used to assess unconsciousness in sheep.
AB  - The validity of behavioural indicators to assess unconsciousness under different
      slaughter conditions is under (inter)national debate. The aim of this study was
      to validate eyelid-, withdrawal-, threat reflex and rhythmic breathing as
      indicators to assess unconsciousness in sheep. Sheep were monitored during
      repeated propofol anaesthesia (n=12) and during non-stunned slaughter (n=22).
      Changes in the EEG and behavioural indices of consciousness/unconsciousness were
      assessed and compared in sheep. Threat reflex and rhythmic breathing correlated
      with EEG activity during propofol anaesthesia whilst absence of non-rhythmic
      breathing or threat reflex indicated unconsciousness. None of the behavioural
      indicators correlated with EEG activity during non-stunned slaughter. Absence of
      regular breathing and eyelid reflex was observed 00:27+/-00:12 min and 00:59+/
      00:17 min (mean+/-SD) respectively after animals were considered unconscious,
      indicating that absence of regular breathing and eyelid reflex are distinctly
      conservative indicators of unconsciousness during non-stunned slaughter in sheep.

PMID- 26267106
TI  - Suitability of a Salmonella control programme based on serology in slaughter
      heavy pigs.
AB  - The key component of most European pig Salmonella control programmes is the
      classification of herds according to seroprevalence at slaughter. The objectives
      of this study were to estimate the true Salmonella seroprevalence, and
      investigate the association between the true status of infection and serology in
      slaughter heavy pigs. Blood of 3340 pigs was collected and tested with ELISA.
      From 385 pigs, also lymph nodes and cecal content were collected for
      bacteriology. Analysis was performed in a Bayesian framework. Results showed that
      a large proportion of pigs was serologically positive (herd seroprevalence 93%
      and within-herd seroprevalence higher than 81% in half of herds at cut-off 10
      OD%). The association between the true status of infection and serology was not
      significant, and therefore the classification of heavy pig herds according to
      seroprevalence at slaughter would not be suitable to reduce the risk of
      introducing Salmonella into the food chain. 

PMID- 26267107
TI  - Serum detection of IgG antibodies against Demodex canis by western blot in
      healthy dogs and dogs with juvenile generalized demodicosis.
AB  - The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of canine immunoglobulins
      (Ig) G against Demodex proteins in the sera of healthy dogs and of dogs with
      juvenile generalized demodicosis (CanJGD) with or without secondary pyoderma.
      Demodex mites were collected from dogs with CanJGD. Protein concentration was
      measured and a western blot technique was performed. Pooled sera from healthy
      dogs reacted mainly with antigen bands ranging from 55 to 72 kDa. Pooled sera
      from dogs with CanJGD without secondary pyoderma reacted either with 10 kDa
      antigen band or 55 to 72 kDa bands. Pooled sera from dogs with CanJGD with
      secondary pyoderma reacted only with a 10 kDa antigen band. The results of this
      study suggest that both healthy dogs and dogs with CanJGD develop a humoral
      response against different proteins of Demodex canis.

PMID- 26267108
TI  - Morphological and behavioral convergence in extinct and extant bugs: the
      systematics and biology of a new unusual fossil lace bug from the eocene.
AB  - The bug Gyaclavator kohlsi Wappler, Guilbert, Wedmann et Labandeira, gen. et sp.
      nov., represents a new extinct genus of lace bugs (Insecta: Heteroptera:
      Tingidae) occurring in latest early Eocene deposits of the Green River Formation,
      from the southern Piceance Basin of Northwestern Colorado, in North America.
      Gyaclavator can be placed within the Tingidae with certainty, perhaps it is
      sistergroup to Cantacaderinae. If it belongs to Cantacaderinae, it is the first
      fossil record of this group for North America. Gyaclavator has unique,
      conspicuous antennae bearing a specialized, highly dilated distiflagellomere,
      likely important for intra- or intersex reproductive competition and attraction.
      This character parallels similar antennae in leaf-footed bugs (Coreidae), and
      probably is associated with a behavioral convergence as well. 

PMID- 26267109
TI  - Erratum: Cloning, overexpression and biocatalytic exploration of a novel Baeyer
      Villiger monooxygenase from Aspergillus fumigatus Af293.

PMID- 26267110
TI  - Construction of a biodynamic model for Cry protein production studies.
AB  - Mathematical models have been used from growth kinetic simulation to gen
      regulatory networks prediction for B. thuringiensis culture. However, this
      culture is a time dependent dynamic process where cells physiology suffers
      several changes depending on the changes in the cell environment. Therefore,
      through its culture, B. thuringiensis presents three phases related with the
      predominance of three major metabolic pathways: vegetative growth (Embded
      Meyerhof-Parnas pathway), transition (gamma-aminobutiric cycle) and sporulation
      (tricarboxylic acid cycle). There is not available a mathematical model that
      relates the different stages of cultivation with the metabolic pathway active on
      each one of them. Therefore, in the present study, and based on published data, a
      biodynamic model was generated to describe the dynamic of the three different
      phases based on their major metabolic pathways. The biodynamic model is used to
      study the interrelation between the different culture phases and their
      relationship with the Cry protein production. The model consists of three
      interconnected modules where each module represents one culture phase and its
      principal metabolic pathway. For model validation four new fermentations were
      done showing that the model constructed describes reasonably well the dynamic of
      the three phases. The main results of this model imply that poly-beta
      hydroxybutyrate is crucial for endospore and Cry protein production. According to
      the yields of dipicolinic acid and Cry from poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate, calculated
      with the model, the endospore and Cry protein production are not just
      simultaneous and parallel processes they are also competitive processes. 

PMID- 26267111
TI  - Inhibitory effects of H-Ras/Raf-1-binding affibody molecules on synovial cell
      function.
AB  - Affibody molecules specific for H-Ras and Raf-1 were evaluated for their ability
      to inhibit synovial cell function. Affibody molecules targeting H-Ras (Zras122,
      Zras220, and Zras521) or Raf-1 (Zraf322) were introduced into the MH7A synovial
      cell line using two delivery methods: transfection with plasmids encoding the
      affibody molecules or direct introduction of affibody protein using a cell
      penetrating peptide reagent. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)
      production by MH7A cells were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay after
      stimulation with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). Cell proliferation was
      also analyzed. Phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) was
      analyzed by western blot. All affibody molecules could inhibit IL-6 and PGE2
      production in TNF-alpha-stimulated MH7A cells. The inhibitory effect was stronger
      when affibody molecules were delivered as proteins via a cell-penetrating peptide
      reagent than when plasmid-DNA encoding the affibody moelcules was transfected
      into the cells. Plasmid-expressed Zras220 inhibited phosphorylation of ERK in TNF
      alpha-stimulated MH7A cells. Protein-introduced Zraf322 inhibited the production
      of IL-6 and PGE2 and inhibited cell proliferation in MH7A cells. These findings
      suggest that affibody molecules specific for H-Ras and Raf-1 can affect
      intracellular signal transduction through the MAP kinase pathway to inhibit cell
      proliferation and production of inflammatory mediators by synovial cells. 

PMID- 26267112
TI  - Improved production of poly(lactic acid)-like polyester based on metabolite
      analysis to address the rate-limiting step.
AB  - The biosynthesis of poly(lactic acid) (PLA)-like polymers, composed of >99 mol%
      lactate and a trace amount of 3-hydroxybutyrate, in engineered Corynebacterium
      glutamicum consists of two steps; the generation of the monomer substrate lactyl
      coenzyme A (CoA) and the polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) synthase-catalyzed
      polymerization of lactyl-CoA. In order to increase polymer productivity, we
      explored the rate-limiting step in PLA-like polymer synthesis based on
      quantitative metabolite analysis using liquid chromatography mass spectroscopy
      (LC-MS). A significant pool of lactyl-CoA was found during polymer synthesis.
      This result suggested that the rate-limitation occurred at the polymerization
      step. Accordingly, the expression level of PHA synthase was increased by means of
      codon-optimization of the corresponding gene that consequently led to an increase
      in polymer content by 4.4-fold compared to the control. Notably, the codon
      optimization did not significantly affect the concentration of lactyl-CoA,
      suggesting that the polymerization reaction was still the rate-limiting step upon
      the overexpression of PHA synthase. Another important finding was that the
      generation of lactyl-CoA was concomitant with a decrease in the acetyl-CoA level,
      indicating that acetyl-CoA served as a CoA donor for lactyl-CoA synthesis. These
      results show that obtaining information on the metabolite concentrations is
      highly useful for improving PLA-like polymer production. This strategy should be
      applicable to a wide range of PHA-producing systems. 

PMID- 26267113
TI  - Sulfobacillus thermosulfidooxidans strain Cutipay enhances chalcopyrite
      bioleaching under moderate thermophilic conditions in the presence of chloride
      ion.
AB  - Currently more than 90% of the world's copper is obtained through sulfide mineral
      processing. Among the copper sulfides, chalcopyrite is the most abundant and
      therefore economically relevant. However, primary copper sulfide bioleaching is
      restricted due to high ionic strength raffinate solutions and particularly
      chloride coming from the dissolution of ores. In this work we describe the
      chalcopyrite bioleaching capacity of Sulfobacillus thermosulfidooxidans strain
      Cutipay (DSM 27601) previously described at the genomic level (Travisany et al.
      (2012) Draft genome sequence of the Sulfobacillus thermosulfidooxidans Cutipay
      strain, an indigenous bacterium isolated from a naturally extreme mining
      environment in Northern Chile. J Bacteriol 194:6327-6328). Bioleaching assays
      with the mixotrophic strain Cutipay showed a strong increase in copper recovery
      from chalcopyrite concentrate at 50 degrees C in the presence of chloride ion, a
      relevant inhibitory element present in copper bioleaching processes. Compared to
      the abiotic control and a test with Sulfobacillus acidophilus DSM 10332, strain
      Cutipay showed an increase of 42 and 69% in copper recovery, respectively,
      demonstrating its high potential for chalcopyrite bioleaching. Moreover, a
      genomic comparison highlights the presence of the 2-Haloacid dehalogenase
      predicted-protein related to a potential new mechanism of chloride resistance in
      acidophiles. This novel and industrially applicable strain is under patent
      application CL 2013-03335. 

PMID- 26267114
TI  - L-citrulline production by metabolically engineered Corynebacterium glutamicum
      from glucose and alternative carbon sources.
AB  - L-citrulline plays an important role in human health and nutrition and is an
      intermediate of the L-arginine biosynthetic pathway. L-citrulline is a by-product
      of L-arginine production by Corynebacterium glutamicum. In this study, C.
      glutamicum was engineered for overproduction of L-citrulline as major product
      without L-arginine being produced as by-product. To this end, L-arginine
      biosynthesis was derepressed by deletion of the arginine repressor gene argR and
      conversion of L-citrulline towards L-arginine was avoided by deletion of the
      argininosuccinate synthetase gene argG. Moreover, to facilitate L-citrulline
      production the gene encoding a feedback resistant N-acetyl L-glutamate kinase
      argB (fbr) as well as the gene encoding L-ornithine carbamoylphosphate
      transferase argF were overexpressed. The resulting strain accumulated 44.1 +/-
      0.5 mM L-citrulline from glucose minimal medium with a yield of 0.38 +/- 0.01
      g[Symbol: see text]g(-1) and a volumetric productivity of 0.32 +/- 0.01 g[Symbol:
      see text]l(-1)[Symbol: see text]h(-1). In addition, production of L-citrulline
      from the alternative carbon sources starch, xylose, and glucosamine could be
      demonstrated. 

PMID- 26267115
TI  - Enhanced ethanol production and reduced glycerol formation in fps1? mutants of
      Saccharomyces cerevisiae engineered for improved redox balancing.
AB  - Ethanol is by volume the largest fermentation product. During ethanol production
      by Saccharomyces cerevisiae about 4-5% of the carbon source is lost to glycerol
      production. Different approaches have been proposed for improving the ethanol
      yield while reducing glycerol production. Here we studied the effect of reducing
      glycerol export/formation through deletion of the aquaglyceroporin gene FPS1
      together with expressing gapN encoding NADP(+)-dependent non-phosphorylating
      glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase from Streptococcus mutans and
      overexpressing the ATP-NADH kinase gene UTR1 from S. cerevisiae. This strategy
      will allow reducing the redox balance problem observed when the glycerol pathway
      is blocked, and hereby improve ethanol production. We found that our strategy
      enabled increasing the ethanol yield by 4.6% in the case of the best producing
      strain, compared to the reference strain, without any major effect on the
      specific growth rate. 

PMID- 26267116
TI  - ESEA: Discovering the Dysregulated Pathways based on Edge Set Enrichment
      Analysis.
AB  - Pathway analyses are playing an increasingly important role in understanding
      biological mechanism, cellular function and disease states. Current pathway
      identification methods generally focus on only the changes of gene expression
      levels; however, the biological relationships among genes are also the
      fundamental components of pathways, and the dysregulated relationships may also
      alter the pathway activities. We propose a powerful computational method, Edge
      Set Enrichment Analysis (ESEA), for the identification of dysregulated pathways.
      This provides a novel way of pathway analysis by investigating the changes of
      biological relationships of pathways in the context of gene expression data.
      Simulation studies illustrate the power and performance of ESEA under various
      simulated conditions. Using real datasets from p53 mutation, Type 2 diabetes and
      lung cancer, we validate effectiveness of ESEA in identifying dysregulated
      pathways. We further compare our results with five other pathway enrichment
      analysis methods. With these analyses, we show that ESEA is able to help uncover
      dysregulated biological pathways underlying complex traits and human diseases via
      specific use of the dysregulated biological relationships. We develop a freely
      available R-based tool of ESEA. Currently, ESEA can support pathway analysis of
      the seven public databases (KEGG; Reactome; Biocarta; NCI; SPIKE; HumanCyc;
      Panther). 

PMID- 26267118
TI  - Urban environment and well-being: cross-cultural studies on Perceived Residential
      Environment Quality Indicators (PREQIs).
AB  - Architectural and environmental psychology literature has shown the importance of
      urban design in provoking stress feelings or enhancing well-being and quality of
      life. The aim of this contribution is to show the main results of a set of cross
      cultural survey studies concerning the perceived quality of urban features at the
      neighbourhood level. A questionnaire was used including the extended or the short
      version of the 11 scales measuring Perceived Residential Environment Quality
      Indicators (PREQIs), which cover architectural, social, functional, and
      contextual aspects. Both versions of PREQIs showed a similar factorial structure
      and a good (or at least acceptable) reliability across different geographical
      contexts, even though some differences emerged in those countries that are more
      distant from the Western linguistic and cultural milieu. The development of tools
      like PREQIs should increase a "user-centred" vision on urban issues. 

PMID- 26267117
TI  - Oxygen-18 Kinetic Isotope Effects of Nonheme Iron Enzymes HEPD and MPnS Support
      Iron(III) Superoxide as the Hydrogen Abstraction Species.
AB  - Nonheme iron oxygenases that carry out four-electron oxidations of substrate have
      been proposed to employ iron(III) superoxide species to initiate this reaction
      [Paria, S.; Que, L.; Paine, T. K. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2011, 50, 11129]. Here we
      report experimental evidence in support of this proposal. (18)O KIEs were
      measured for two recently discovered mononuclear nonheme iron oxygenases:
      hydroxyethylphosphonate dioxygenase (HEPD) and methylphosphonate synthase (MPnS).
      Competitive (18)O KIEs measured with deuterated substrates are larger than those
      measured with unlabeled substrates, which indicates that C-H cleavage must occur
      before an irreversible reductive step at molecular oxygen. A similar observation
      was previously used to implicate copper(II) superoxide in the H-abstraction
      reactions catalyzed by dopamine beta-monooxygenase [Tian, G. C.; Klinman, J. P.
      J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1993, 115, 8891] and peptidylglycine alpha-hydroxylating
      monooxygenase [Francisco, W. A.; Blackburn, N. J.; Klinman, J. P. Biochemistry
      2003, 42, 1813]. 

PMID- 26267119
TI  - Effects of a One Year Reusable Contraceptive Vaginal Ring on Vaginal Microflora
      and the Risk of Vaginal Infection: An Open-Label Prospective Evaluation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A contraceptive vaginal ring (CVR) containing Nestorone(r) (NES) and
      ethinyl estradiol (EE) that is reusable for 1- year (13 cycles) is under
      development. This study assessed effects of this investigational CVR on the
      incidence of vaginal infections and change in vaginal microflora. METHODS: There
      were 120 women enrolled into a NES/EE CVR Phase III trial and a microbiology sub
      study for up to 1- year of cyclic product use. Gynecological examinations were
      conducted at baseline, the first week of cycle 6 and last week of cycle 13 (or
      during early discontinuation visits). Vaginal swabs were obtained for wet mount
      microscopy, Gram stain and culture. The CVR was removed from the vagina at the
      last study visit and cultured. Semi-quantitative cultures for Lactobacillus,
      Gardnerella vaginalis, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia
      coli, anaerobic gram negative rods (GNRs), Candida albicans and other yeasts were
      performed on vaginal and CVR samples. Vaginal infections were documented
      throughout the study. RESULTS: Over 1- year of use, 3.3% of subjects were
      clinically diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis, 15.0% with vulvovaginal
      candidiasis, and 0.8% with trichomoniasis. The detection rate of these three
      infections did not change significantly from baseline to either Cycle 6 or 13.
      Nugent scores remained stable. H2O2-positive Lactobacillus dominated vaginal
      flora with a non-significant prevalence increase from 76.7% at baseline to 82.7%
      at cycle 6 and 90.2% at cycle 13, and a median concentration of 107 colony
      forming units (cfu) per gram. Although anaerobic GNRs prevalence increased
      significantly, the median concentration decreased slightly (104 to 103cfu per
      gram). There were no significant changes in frequency or concentrations of other
      pathogens. High levels of agreement between vaginal and ring surface microbiota
      were observed. CONCLUSION: Sustained use of the NES/EE CVR did not increase the
      risk of vaginal infection and was not disruptive to the vaginal ecosystem. TRIAL
      REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00263341, NCT00455156.

PMID- 26267120
TI  - Connective tissue adaptations in the fingers of performance sport climbers.
AB  - This study investigates the changes of the connective tissue in the fingers of
      performance sport climbers resulting after a minimum of 15 years of climbing.
      Evaluation was performed by ultrasonography on the palmar side of the fingers
      (Dig) II-V to measure the thickness of the A2 and A4 annular pulleys, the flexor
      digitorum superficialis (FDS) and profundus (FDP) tendons and the palmar plates
      (PP's) of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) as well as distal interphalangeal
      (DIP) joint in sagittal and axial direction. Totally, 31 experienced male sport
      climbers (mean age 37y, 30-48y grade French scale median 8b, range 7b+ to 9a+)
      participated in the study. The control-group consisted of 20 male non-climbers
      (age 37y, 30-51y). The A2 and A4 pulleys in climbers were all significantly
      thicker (A2 Dig III 62%, Dig IV 69%; A4 Dig III 69%, Dig IV 76%) as compared to
      non-climbers pulleys. All PP's of the DIP joints were also significantly thicker,
      particularly at Dig III and IV (76 and 67%), whereas the PP's at PIP joints were
      only scarce significant for three joints. Differences of the diameter of the
      flexor tendons were less distinct (1-21%) being significant only over the middle
      phalanx. High load to the fingers of rock climbers after a minimum of 15 years of
      climbing years induced considerable connective tissue adaptions in the fingers,
      most distinct at the flexor tendon pulleys and joint capsule (PP) of the DIP
      joints and well detectable by ultrasound.

PMID- 26267121
TI  - Retiform hemangioendothelioma treated with conservative therapy: report of a case
      and review of the literature.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Retiform hemangioendothelioma (RH) is a locally aggressive vascular
      tumor. Wide surgical excision with tumor-free margins is the standard treatment
      strategy. However, surgical excision is not an option for lesions near critical
      anatomical structures, such as those on the face. We report the case of a patient
      with retiform hemangioendothelioma that responded to non-surgical treatments.
      METHODS: We describe the case of a 72-year-old male patient with a retiform
      hemangioendothelioma on the face that responded to a combination of pulsed dye
      laser, local corticosteroid injection, and application of imiquimod cream. In
      addition, we reviewed past case reports of patients with retiform
      hemangioendothelioma. RESULTS: Thirty-five cases that describe the management of
      RH, including the present case, have been reported. Review of the cases indicate
      a relatively low disease-free survival rate in cases that underwent surgical
      excision as the initial therapy for retiform hemangioendothelioma. CONCLUSION:
      Surgical excision might not be the best therapeutic option. Local control with
      conservative therapy is an acceptable strategy for lesions in anatomical regions
      including the face.

PMID- 26267122
TI  - Extent of lymph node dissection for adenocarcinoma of the stomach.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The impact of lymphadenectomy extent on the survival of patients with
      primary resectable gastric carcinoma is debated. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to
      systematically review and meta-analyze the evidence on the impact of the three
      main types of progressively more extended lymph node dissection (that is, D1, D2
      and D3 lymphadenectomy) on the clinical outcome of patients with primary
      resectable carcinoma of the stomach. The primary objective was to assess the
      impact of lymphadenectomy extent on survival (overall survival [OS], disease
      specific survival [DSS] and disease free survival [DFS]). The secondary aim was
      to assess the impact of lymphadenectomy on post-operative mortality. SEARCH
      METHODS: We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE and EMBASE until 2001, including references
      from relevant articles and conference proceedings. We also contacted known
      researchers in the field. For the updated review, CENTRAL, MEDLINE and EMBASE
      were searched from 2001 to February 2015. SELECTION CRITERIA: We considered
      randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the three main types of lymph node
      dissection (i.e., D1, D2 and D3 lymphadenectomy) in patients with primary non
      metastatic resectable carcinoma of the stomach. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two
      authors independently extracted data from the included studies. Hazard ratios
      (HR) and relative risks (RR) along with their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were
      used to measure differences in survival and mortality rates between trial arms,
      respectively. Potential sources of between-study heterogeneity were investigated
      by means of subgroup and sensitivity analyses. The same two authors independently
      assessed the risk of bias of eligible studies according to the standards of the
      Cochrane Collaboration and the quality of the overall evidence based on the GRADE
      (Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) criteria. MAIN
      RESULTS: Eight RCTs (enrolling 2515 patients) met the inclusion criteria. Three
      RCTs (all performed in Asian countries) compared D3 with D2 lymphadenectomy: data
      suggested no significant difference in OS between these two types of lymph node
      dissection (HR 0.99, 95% CI 0.81 to 1.21), with no significant difference in
      postoperative mortality (RR 1.67, 95% CI 0.41 to 6.73). Data for DFS were
      available only from one trial and for no trial were DSS data available. Five RCTs
      (n = 3 European; n = 2 Asian) compared D2 to D1 lymphadenectomy: OS (n = 5; HR
      0.91, 95% CI 0.71 to 1.17) and DFS (n=3; HR 0.95, 95% CI 0.84 to 1.07) findings
      suggested no significant difference between these two types of lymph node
      dissection. In contrast, D2 lymphadenectomy was associated with a significantly
      better DSS compared to D1 lymphadenectomy (HR 0.81, 95% CI 0.71 to 0.92), the
      quality of the body of evidence being moderate; however, D2 lymphadenectomy was
      also associated with a higher postoperative mortality rate (RR 2.02, 95% CI 1.34
      to 3.04). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: D2 lymphadenectomy can improve DSS in patients
      with resectable carcinoma of the stomach, although the increased incidence of
      postoperative mortality reduces its therapeutic benefit.

PMID- 26267123
TI  - Assessment of liver fibrosis by variable flip angle T1 mapping at 3.0T.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the possibility of using a variable flip angle (VFA) T1
      mapping technique to diagnose liver fibrosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Liver
      fibrosis was induced in rabbits by repetitive administration of carbon
      tetrachloride (CCl4 ). T1 -weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was
      performed in 29 animals (liver fibrosis, n = 18; control, n = 11) using a series
      of nonenhanced liver acquisition volume acceleration (LAVA) with VFAs at 3.0T.
      Hepatic T1 relaxation times were measured via regions of interest, which were
      correlated with subsequent histologic confirmation. The results of T1 mapping in
      assessment of liver fibrosis were compared with that of apparent diffusion
      coefficient (ADC) values. RESULTS: The mean T1 relaxation time of the control
      group was the lowest (250.07 +/- 88.12 msec), followed by the nonadvanced
      fibrosis group (387.83 +/- 166.58 msec) and the advanced fibrosis group (496.90
      +/- 291.24 msec). T1 relaxation time measurements differed significantly between
      the liver fibrosis group and control group (P < 0.05), with a trend of increased
      mean T1 relaxation times as the fibrotic stage increased. Statistically
      significant differences were observed between the control group and the
      nonadvanced fibrosis group (P < 0.05), however with much overlap between the less
      severe stages. In discriminating between the control group and liver fibrosis
      group, stage F0-1 (control and stage F1) and stage F2-3, stage F0-2 (control and
      stage F1-2) and stage F3, area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC)
      curves were 0.803 (cutoff value 273.01 msec), 0.712 (cutoff value 371.54 msec),
      and 0.696 (cutoff value 276.99 msec), respectively. No difference was found
      between T1 relaxation times and ADC values in assessment of liver fibrosis in our
      study. CONCLUSION: VFA T1 mapping may become a noninvasive imaging tool for the
      diagnosis of liver fibrosis.

PMID- 26267124
TI  - Commentary on Sources of Ostracism Research.
AB  - This article briefly introduces and provides commentary on this special issue,
      "Investigating How Individuals Feel Ostracizing Others" in the Journal of Social
      Psychology. This commentary uses first-person recollections from early ostracism
      studies to help frame the special issue in the larger scope of ostracism
      research. Modern ostracism research started in the early 1990s and hundreds of
      studies have advanced our understanding of this phenomenon. However, the
      preponderance of research has focused on the target of ostracism (those being
      ostracized) and relied primarily on a single method in experimental studies. The
      present special issue includes articles that employed a variety of research
      approaches and focused exclusively on the sources (those who do the ostracism).
      Finally, this commentary invites researchers to more fully investigate this
      understudied aspect of a common phenomenon that people are likely to engage in
      regularly. 

PMID- 26267125
TI  - Ostracizing for a Reason: A Novel Source Paradigm for Examining the Nature and
      Consequences of Motivated Ostracism.
AB  - Ostracism, a complex social phenomenon, involves both targets (ostracized
      individuals) and sources (ostracizers). The current experiment redressed a gap in
      the ostracism literature by devising a novel, three-phase paradigm to investigate
      motivated ostracizing. In the current study, 83 females were assigned to one of
      four conditions during a Cyberball game: motivated sources chose to ostracize an
      obnoxious fellow player, induced sources ostracized a fellow player at the behest
      of the experimenter, targets were ostracized, and included participants received
      the ball proportionately. Analysis of participants' primary needs, emotions,
      ratings of their co-players, and behavior toward their co-players indicated that
      being the target of ostracism was a robustly aversive experience. Both motivated
      and induced sources reported fortified control. Moreover, a motive for
      ostracizing influenced source experience: induced sources experienced greater
      levels of negative moral emotion and behaved more prosocially toward their target
      than motivated sources. The flexibility and demonstrated impact of this novel
      paradigm adds to the toolkit available to researchers interested in expanding
      insight into the psychological processes underlying, and the motivational and
      behavioral outcomes of being, a source of ostracism. 

PMID- 26267126
TI  - Ostracism in Everyday Life: The Effects of Ostracism on Those Who Ostracize.
AB  - Ostracism is a negative interpersonal experience that has been studied primarily
      in laboratory settings. Moreover, these studies have focused primarily on how
      people feel when they have been ostracized. The present study extended this
      research by investigating ostracism as it occurs in daily life, focusing on how
      people feel about ostracizing someone. Using a method modeled after the Rochester
      Interaction Record (RIR), for two weeks, 64 participants (adults residing in the
      community) described what happened each time they ostracized someone. The
      questions in the diary were based on Williams's (2001) need-threat model of
      ostracism. Most ostracism episodes were directed toward people of equal status,
      and participants reported lower levels of belonging but higher levels of control
      after ostracizing someone. Punitive ostracism was associated with more positive
      outcomes for the source than when people ostracized someone for other reasons. 

PMID- 26267127
TI  - Who Would Do That? A Theory-Based Analysis of Narratives of Sources of Family
      Ostracism.
AB  - There are many benefits derived from families, but not all family members are
      loving and accepting. Family members may act as sources of ostracism (people or
      groups who ostracize another person/group). We suggest sources engage in family
      ostracism for extended periods, their motives fit with prior theoretical models,
      and trait-level forgiveness may help understand source behavior. We analyzed data
      from 63 narratives and questionnaires to investigate the motives, power dynamics,
      and psychological correlates of sources of family ostracism. We found sources of
      ostracism are often of equal status to the targets of ostracism, and termination
      often occurs informally or is prompted by major changes in the family (e.g.,
      birth, move). Also, sources of ostracism are often targets themselves suggesting
      family ostracism may be reciprocal in nature. Our findings support existing
      theory, but suggest ostracism in families has unique dynamics not captured in
      laboratory designs. 

PMID- 26267128
TI  - Righting the Wrong: Reparative Coping After Going Along With Ostracism.
AB  - Most of the focus within the ostracism literature concerns the negative effects
      on the ostracized and how they cope following ostracism. Research is now
      beginning to illuminate negative psychological effects for ostracizers, yet no
      studies to date have examined their coping responses. This study continues this
      line of inquiry focusing on experiences of going along with ostracism, both by
      employing a face-to-face interaction and by exploring prosocial versus antisocial
      coping reactions in ostracizers. Results reveal that compared to those in a
      neutral condition, compliant ostracizers suffered because ostracizing someone
      else frustrated their psychological needs for autonomy and relatedness. Further,
      when given the chance, ostracizers were more inclusive of the person they
      previously ostracized. Discussion considers important avenues for future research
      as well as implications of results. 

PMID- 26267129
TI  - The Role of Burden and Deviation in Ostracizing Others.
AB  - Ostracism (being excluded and ignored) is a painful experience, so why do
      individuals ostracize others? Previous research suggests individuals often
      ostracize those who are deviate, but not always. We posit that there may be two
      types of deviation, burdensome and non-burdensome, and the former is most likely
      to be ostracized. Study 1 manipulated burdensome deviation by programming a group
      member to perform more slowly (8 or 16 sec.) than others (4 sec.) in a virtual
      ball-toss game. Participants perceived slower players as more burdensome and
      deviate than normal speed players. Additionally, participants ostracized (gave
      fewer ball tosses to) the slowest player. Study 2 examined participant responses
      to both burdensome deviation (8- and 16-sec. players) and non-burdensome
      deviation (goth appearance). Participants again perceived the slower players to
      be burdensome and deviate, and ostracized them. They perceived the goth player to
      be deviate but not burdensome and did not ostracize this player. 

PMID- 26267130
TI  - Atimia: A New Paradigm for Investigating How Individuals Feel When Ostracizing
      Others.
AB  - To date, researchers studying ostracism (being excluded and ignored) focused on
      examining the consequences of ostracism. However, researchers have not yet
      systematically investigated why individuals ostracize others. One impediment to
      this research is lacking multiple means to successfully induce individuals to be
      sources, those who ostracize others. Using Cyberball, researchers found
      participants ostracized a player delaying the game. To aid in systematic research
      on sources, we developed the game Atimia. In Atimia, players took turns solving
      remote associate word items and we varied the performance of a computer
      controlled player to perform equal to or significantly worse than the group.
      Without prompting, participants ostracized a poor- versus equal-performing player
      more and found the poor-performing player burdensome, less likable, and less
      desirable to work with on a future task. Study outcomes suggest Atimia is a
      viable paradigm for investigating sources of ostracism. 

PMID- 26267131
TI  - How Does the Source of Rejection Perceive Innocent Victims?
AB  - Prior studies have consistently revealed a strong positive association between
      general just-world beliefs and victim blaming. The present research aims to
      extend the literature by testing whether an act of social rejection overrides the
      influence of general just-world beliefs on victim blaming. Building upon the
      theory of moral compensation that people are more prosocial after behaving
      undesirably, we predicted that people should be less likely to blame an innocent
      victim after rejecting another person and that general just-world beliefs were
      not associated with victim blaming among the sources of rejection. To test these
      predictions, participants first completed a measure of general just-world beliefs
      and then recalled a past incident in which they rejected or accepted another
      person. They then read a scenario about school bullying and made attributions for
      the victim's suffering. The results supported our predictions and the
      implications of the study are discussed. 

PMID- 26267132
TI  - Insufficient Justification for Exclusion Prompts Compensatory Behavior.
AB  - This experiment examined participants' compensatory behavior toward an excluded
      stranger. Participants engaged in a four-person social introductions task and
      rank-ordered each other member of the group; the lowest ranked person was
      excluded from a subsequent game. Using a 2 * 2 design, participants were randomly
      assigned to a justification condition (insufficient vs. sufficient) and to an
      exclusion responsibility condition (responsible for exclusion vs. exclusion by
      random selection). Results revealed that after limited introductions (i.e.,
      insufficient justification for one's ranking decision), being responsible for the
      exclusion prompted compensatory behavior toward the excluded stranger. However,
      after extended introductions (i.e., sufficient justification of one's ranking
      decision), participants did not compensate the excluded person. These results
      suggest that insufficient justification for exclusion may lead to compensatory
      behavior, when one is responsible for the exclusion. 

PMID- 26267133
TI  - Measurement of separase proteolytic activity in single living cells by a
      fluorogenic flow cytometry assay.
AB  - ESPL1/Separase, an endopeptidase, is required for centrosome duplication and
      separation of sister-chromatides in anaphase of mitosis. Overexpression and
      deregulated proteolytic activity of Separase as frequently observed in human
      cancers is associated with the occurrence of supernumerary centrosomes,
      chromosomal missegregation and aneuploidy. Recently, we have hypothesized that
      increased Separase proteolytic activity in a small subpopulation of tumor cells
      may serve as driver of tumor heterogeneity and clonal evolution in chronic
      myeloid leukemia (CML). Currently, there is no quantitative assay to measure
      Separase activity levels in single cells. Therefore, we have designed a flow
      cytometry-based assay that utilizes a Cy5- and rhodamine 110 (Rh110)-biconjugated
      Rad21 cleavage site peptide ([Cy5-D-R-E-I-M-R]2-Rh110) as smart probe and
      intracellular substrate for detection of Separase enzyme activity in living
      cells. As measured by Cy5 fluorescence the cellular uptake of the fluorogenic
      peptide was fast and reached saturation after 210 min of incubation in human
      histiocytic lymphoma U937 cells. Separase activity was recorded as the intensity
      of Rh110 fluorescence released after intracellular peptide cleavage providing a
      linear signal gain within a 90-180 min time slot. Compared to conventional cell
      extract-based methods the flow cytometric assay delivers equivalent results but
      is more reliable, bypasses the problem of vague loading controls and unspecific
      proteolysis associated with whole cell extracts. Especially suited for the
      investigaton of blood- and bone marrow-derived hematopoietic cells the flow
      cytometric Separase assay allows generation of Separase activity profiles that
      tell about the number of Separase positive cells within a sample i.e. cells that
      currently progress through mitosis and about the range of intercellular variation
      in Separase activity levels within a cell population. The assay was used to
      quantify Separase proteolytic activity in leukemic cell lines and peripheral
      blood samples from leukemia patients. 

PMID- 26267135
TI  - A recurrent vesiculobullous eruption on the head, trunk, and extremities. Bullous
      Sweet's syndrome.

PMID- 26267134
TI  - New Mechanisms of Flucytosine Resistance in C. glabrata Unveiled by a
      Chemogenomics Analysis in S. cerevisiae.
AB  - 5-Flucytosine is currently used as an antifungal drug in combination therapy, but
      fungal pathogens are rapidly able to develop resistance against this drug,
      compromising its therapeutic action. The understanding of the underlying
      resistance mechanisms is crucial to deal with this problem. In this work, the S.
      cerevisiae deletion mutant collection was screened for increased resistance to
      flucytosine. Through this chemogenomics analysis, 183 genes were found to confer
      resistance to this antifungal agent. Consistent with its known effect in DNA, RNA
      and protein synthesis, the most significant Gene Ontology terms over-represented
      in the list of 5-flucytosine resistance determinants are related to DNA repair,
      RNA and protein metabolism. Additional functional classes include carbohydrate
      and nitrogen-particularly arginine-metabolism, lipid metabolism and cell wall
      remodeling. Based on the results obtained for S. cerevisiae as a model system,
      further studies were conducted in the pathogenic yeast Candida glabrata. Arginine
      supplementation was found to relieve the inhibitory effect exerted by 5
      flucytosine in C. glabrata. Lyticase susceptibility was found to increase within
      the first 30min of 5-flucytosine exposure, suggesting this antifungal drug to act
      as a cell wall damaging agent. Upon exponential growth resumption in the presence
      of 5-flucytosine, the cell wall exhibited higher resistance to lyticase,
      suggesting that cell wall remodeling occurs in response to 5-flucytosine.
      Additionally, the aquaglyceroporin encoding genes CgFPS1 and CgFPS2, from C.
      glabrata, were identified as determinants of 5-flucytosine resistance. CgFPS1 and
      CgFPS2 were found to mediate 5-flucytosine resistance, by decreasing 5
      flucytosine accumulation in C. glabrata cells.

PMID- 26267136
TI  - The Mechanism by which 146-N-Glycan Affects the Active Site of Neuraminidase.
AB  - One of the most conserved glycosylation sites of neuraminidase (NA) is 146-N
      glycan. This site is adjacent to the 150-cavity of NA, which is found within the
      active site and thought to be a target for rational drug development against the
      antiviral resistance of influenza. Here, through a total of 2.4 MUs molecular
      dynamics (MD) simulations, we demonstrated that 146-N-glycan can stabilize the
      conformation of the 150-loop that controls the volume of the 150-cavity.
      Moreover, with 146-N-glycan, our simulation result was more consistent with
      crystal structures of NAs than simulations conducted without glycans. Cluster
      analysis of the MD trajectories showed that 146-N-glycan adopted three distinct
      conformations: monomer-bridged, dimer-bridged and standing. Of these
      conformations, the dimer-bridged 146-N-glycan was the most stable one and
      contributed to stabilization of the 150-loop conformation. Furthermore, our
      simulation revealed that various standing conformations of 146-N-glycan could
      block the entrance of the binding pocket. This result was consistent with
      experimental data and explained the relatively low activity of inhibitors with
      flexible substituents toward the 150-cavity. Together, our results lead us to
      hypothesize that rigid and hydrophobic substituents could serve as better
      inhibitors targeting the 150-cavity. 

PMID- 26267137
TI  - Spatial and Temporal Characteristics of Historical Oil and Gas Wells in
      Pennsylvania: Implications for New Shale Gas Resources.
AB  - Recent large-scale development of oil and gas from low-permeability
      unconventional formations (e.g., shales, tight sands, and coal seams) has raised
      concern about potential environmental impacts. If left improperly sealed, legacy
      oil and gas wells colocated with that new development represent a potential
      pathway for unwanted migration of fluids (brine, drilling and stimulation fluids,
      oil, and gas). Uncertainty in the number, location, and abandonment state of
      legacy wells hinders environmental assessment of exploration and production
      activity. The objective of this study is to apply publicly available information
      on Pennsylvania oil and gas wells to better understand their potential to serve
      as pathways for unwanted fluid migration. This study presents a synthesis of
      historical reports and digital well records to provide insights into spatial and
      temporal trends in oil and gas development. Areas with a higher density of wells
      abandoned prior to the mid-20th century, when more modern well-sealing
      requirements took effect in Pennsylvania, and areas where conventional oil and
      gas production penetrated to or through intervals that may be affected by new
      Marcellus shale development are identified. This information may help to address
      questions of environmental risk related to new extraction activities. 

PMID- 26267138
TI  - Guidelines for the Treatment of Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: Are They Used?

PMID- 26267139
TI  - Bocavirus Infection in Otherwise Healthy Children with Respiratory Disease.
AB  - To evaluate the role of human bocavirus (hBoV) as a causative agent of
      respiratory disease, the importance of the viral load in respiratory disease type
      and severity and the pathogenicity of the different hBoV species, we studied all
      hBoV-positive nasopharyngeal samples collected from children who attended an
      emergency room for a respiratory tract infection during three winters (2009-2010,
      2011-2012, and 2013-2014). Human bocavirus was detected using the respiratory
      virus panel fast assay and real-time PCR. Of the 1,823 nasopharyngeal samples,
      104 (5.7%) were positive for hBoV; a similar prevalence was observed in all three
      periods studied. Among hBoV-infected children, 53.8% were between 1-2 years old,
      and hBoV was detected alone in 57/104 (54.8%) cases. All of the detected hBoV
      strains belonged to genotype 1. The median hBoV load was significantly higher in
      samples containing strains with both the N546H and T590S mutations compared to
      other samples (p<0.05). Children with a single hBoV-1 infection more frequently
      had upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) than those who were co-infected
      (37.0% vs 17.8%, respectively, p = 0.04). The duration of hospitalization was
      longer among children with high viral loads than that observed among children
      with low viral loads (8.0 +/-2.2 days vs 5.0 +/-1.5 days, respectively, p =
      0.03), and the use of aerosol therapy was more frequent among children with high
      viral loads than among those with low viral loads (77.1% vs 55.7%, respectively,
      p = 0.04). This study shows that hBoV is a relatively uncommon but stable
      infectious agent in children and that hBoV1 seems to be the only strain detected
      in Italy in respiratory samples. From a clinical point of view, hBoV1 seems to
      have in the majority of healthy children relatively low clinical relevance.
      Moreover, the viral load influences only the duration of hospitalization and the
      use of aerosol therapy without any association with the site of the respiratory
      disease.

PMID- 26267140
TI  - Malignant Ureteral Obstruction: Functional Duration of Metallic versus Polymeric
      Ureteral Stents.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ureteral obstruction caused by extrinsic compression is often
      associated with intra-abdominal cancers. Internal drainage with ureteral stents
      is typically the first-line therapy to relieve such obstructions. Novel designs
      of ureteral stents made of different materials have been invented to achieve
      better drainage. In this study, we described the functional outcomes of a
      Resonance metallic ureteral stent (Cook Medical, Bloomington, Indiana, USA) in
      patients with malignant ureteral obstruction and compare the functional duration
      of Resonance stents with regular polymeric stents in the same cohort. METHODS:
      Cancer patients who received polymeric stents and subsequent Resonance stents for
      ureteral obstruction between July 2009 and November 2012 were included in a chart
      review. Stent failure was detected by clinical symptoms, imaging studies, and
      renal function tests. The functional durations of each stent were calculated, and
      possible factors affecting stent patency were investigated. RESULTS: A total of
      50 stents were successfully inserted into 50 ureteral units in 42 patients with
      malignant ureteral obstruction. There were 7 antegrade stents and 43 retrograde
      stents. There were no major complications. Stent-related symptoms were similar in
      both kinds of stents. After polymeric stents were replaced with Resonance
      metallic stents, hydronephrosis subsided or remained stable in 90% (45/50) of the
      ureteral units. Serum creatinine decreased or remained stable in 90% (38/42) of
      these patients. The Resonance stent exhibited a mean increase in functional
      duration of 4 months compared with the polymeric stents (p<0.0001), and 50%
      (25/50) of the Resonance stents exhibited a significant increase in functional
      duration (more than 3 months). Pre-operative serum creatinine < 2 was associated
      with a substantial increase in stent duration. CONCLUSIONS: Resonance stents are
      effective and safe in relieving malignant ureteral obstructions after polymeric
      stents failure. Resonance stents can provide a longer functional duration than
      polymeric stents and should be offered as an option for internal drainage.

PMID- 26267141
TI  - Evaluation of Integrated Community Case Management in Eight Districts of Central
      Uganda.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Evidence is limited on whether Integrated Community Case Management
      (iCCM) improves treatment coverage of the top causes of childhood mortality
      (acute respiratory illnesses (ARI), diarrhoea and malaria). The coverage impact
      of iCCM in Central Uganda was evaluated. METHODS: Between July 2010 and December
      2012 a pre-post quasi-experimental study in eight districts with iCCM was
      conducted; 3 districts without iCCM served as controls. A two-stage household
      cluster survey at baseline (n = 1036 and 1042) and end line (n = 3890 and 3844)
      was done in the intervention and comparison groups respectively. Changes in
      treatment coverage and timeliness were assessed using difference in differences
      analysis (DID). Mortality impact was modelled using the Lives Saved Tool.
      FINDINGS: 5,586 Village Health Team members delivered 1,907,746 treatments to
      children under age five. Use of oral rehydration solution (ORS) and zinc
      treatment of diarrhoea increased in the intervention area, while there was a
      decrease in the comparison area (DID = 22.9, p = 0.001). Due to national stock
      outs of amoxicillin, there was a decrease in antibiotic treatment for ARI in both
      areas; however, the decrease was significantly greater in the comparison area
      (DID = 5.18; p<0.001). There was a greater increase in Artemisinin Combination
      Therapy treatment for fever in the intervention areas than in the comparison area
      but this was not significant (DID = 1.57, p = 0.105). In the intervention area,
      timeliness of treatments for fever and ARI increased significantly higher in the
      intervention area than in the comparison area (DID = 2.12, p = 0.029 and 7.95,
      p<0.001, respectively). An estimated 106 lives were saved in the intervention
      area while 611 lives were lost in the comparison area. CONCLUSION: iCCM
      significantly increased treatment coverage for diarrhoea and fever, mitigated the
      effect of national stock outs of amoxicillin on ARI treatment, improved
      timeliness of treatments for fever and ARI and saved lives.

PMID- 26267142
TI  - Custom 4-Plex DiLeu Isobaric Labels Enable Relative Quantification of Urinary
      Proteins in Men with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS).
AB  - The relative quantification of proteins using liquid chromatography mass
      spectrometry (LC-MS) has allowed researchers to compile lists of potential
      disease markers. These complex quantitative workflows often include isobaric
      labeling of enzymatically-produced peptides to analyze their relative abundances
      across multiple samples in a single LC-MS run. Recent efforts by our lab have
      provided scientists with cost-effective alternatives to expensive commercial
      labels. Although the quantitative performance of these dimethyl leucine (DiLeu)
      labels has been reported using known ratios of complex protein and peptide
      standards, their potential in large-scale proteomics studies using a clinically
      relevant system has never been investigated. Our work rectifies this oversight by
      implementing 4-plex DiLeu to quantify proteins in the urine of aging human males
      who suffer from lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Protein abundances in 25
      LUTS and 15 control patients were compared, revealing that of the 836 proteins
      quantified, 50 were found to be differentially expressed (>20% change) and
      statistically significant (p-value <0.05). Gene ontology (GO) analysis of the
      differentiated proteins showed that many were involved in inflammatory responses
      and implicated in fibrosis. While confirmation of individual protein abundance
      changes would be required to verify protein expression, this study represents the
      first report using the custom isobaric label, 4-plex DiLeu, to quantify protein
      abundances in a clinically relevant system.

PMID- 26267143
TI  - A Bayesian Attractor Model for Perceptual Decision Making.
AB  - Even for simple perceptual decisions, the mechanisms that the brain employs are
      still under debate. Although current consensus states that the brain accumulates
      evidence extracted from noisy sensory information, open questions remain about
      how this simple model relates to other perceptual phenomena such as flexibility
      in decisions, decision-dependent modulation of sensory gain, or confidence about
      a decision. We propose a novel approach of how perceptual decisions are made by
      combining two influential formalisms into a new model. Specifically, we embed an
      attractor model of decision making into a probabilistic framework that models
      decision making as Bayesian inference. We show that the new model can explain
      decision making behaviour by fitting it to experimental data. In addition, the
      new model combines for the first time three important features: First, the model
      can update decisions in response to switches in the underlying stimulus. Second,
      the probabilistic formulation accounts for top-down effects that may explain
      recent experimental findings of decision-related gain modulation of sensory
      neurons. Finally, the model computes an explicit measure of confidence which we
      relate to recent experimental evidence for confidence computations in perceptual
      decision tasks. 

PMID- 26267145
TI  - Effects of age and cognition on a cross-cultural paediatric adaptation of the
      Sniffin' Sticks Identification Test.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To study the effects of age and cognition on the performance of
      children aged 3 to 18 years on a culturally adapted version of the 16 item smell
      identification test from Sniffin' Sticks (SS16). METHODS: A series of pilots were
      conducted on 29 children aged 3 to 18 years old and 23 adults to produce an
      adapted version of the SS16 suitable for Brazilian children (SS16-Child). A final
      version was applied to 51 children alongside a picture identification test (PIT
      SS16-Child) to access cognitive abilities involved in the smell identification
      task. In addition 20 adults performed the same tasks as a comparison group.
      RESULTS: The final adapted SS16-Child was applied to 51 children with a mean age
      of 9.9 years (range 3-18 years, SD=4.25 years), of which 68.3% were girls. There
      was an independent effect of age (p<0.05) and PIT-SS16-Child (p<0.001) on the
      performance on the SS16-Child, and older children reached the ceiling for scoring
      in the cognitive and olfactory test. Pre-school children had difficulties
      identifying items of the test. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONS: A cross-culturally adapted
      version of the SS16 can be used to test olfaction in children but interpretation
      of the results must take age and cognitive abilities into consideration.

PMID- 26267144
TI  - Mucosal B Cells Are Associated with Delayed SIV Acquisition in Vaccinated Female
      but Not Male Rhesus Macaques Following SIVmac251 Rectal Challenge.
AB  - Many viral infections, including HIV, exhibit sex-based pathogenic differences.
      However, few studies have examined vaccine-related sex differences. We compared
      immunogenicity and protective efficacy of monomeric SIV gp120 with oligomeric SIV
      gp140 in a pre-clinical rhesus macaque study and explored a subsequent sex bias
      in vaccine outcome. Each immunization group (16 females, 8 males) was primed
      twice mucosally with replication-competent Ad-recombinants encoding
      SIVsmH4env/rev, SIV239gag and SIV239nefDelta1-13 and boosted twice
      intramuscularly with SIVmac239 monomeric gp120 or oligomeric gp140 in MF59
      adjuvant. Controls (7 females, 5 males) received empty Ad and MF59. Up to 9
      weekly intrarectal challenges with low-dose SIVmac251 were administered until
      macaques became infected. We assessed vaccine-induced binding, neutralizing, and
      non-neutralizing antibodies, Env-specific memory B cells and plasmablasts/plasma
      cells (PB/PC) in bone marrow and rectal tissue, mucosal Env-specific antibodies,
      and Env-specific T-cells. Post-challenge, only one macaque (gp140-immunized)
      remained uninfected. However, SIV acquisition was significantly delayed in
      vaccinated females but not males, correlated with Env-specific IgA in rectal
      secretions, rectal Env-specific memory B cells, and PC in rectal tissue. These
      results extend previous correlations of mucosal antibodies and memory B cells
      with protective efficacy. The gp140 regimen was more immunogenic, stimulating
      elevated gp140 and cyclic V2 binding antibodies, ADCC and ADCP activities, bone
      marrow Env-specific PB/PC, and rectal gp140-specific IgG. However, immunization
      with gp120, the form of envelope immunogen used in RV144, the only vaccine trial
      to show some efficacy, provided more significant acquisition delay. Further over
      40 weeks of follow-up, no gp120 immunized macaques met euthanasia criteria in
      contrast to 7 gp140-immunized and 2 control animals. Although males had higher
      binding antibodies than females, ADCC and ADCP activities were similar. The
      complex challenge outcomes may reflect differences in IgG subtypes, Fc
      glycosylation, Fc-R polymorphisms, and/or the microbiome, key areas for future
      studies. This first demonstration of a sex-difference in SIV vaccine-induced
      protection emphasizes the need for sex-balancing in vaccine trials. Our results
      highlight the importance of mucosal immunity and memory B cells at the SIV
      exposure site for protection. 

PMID- 26267146
TI  - Hypoxia-induced DNp73 stabilization regulates Vegf-A expression and tumor
      angiogenesis similar to TAp73.
AB  - P73, the homolog of p53, exists in 2 major forms: either as a pro-apoptotic TAp73
      or an amino-terminally truncated DNp73, the latter lacking the first
      transactivation domain. While TAp73s tumor suppressive functions have been
      established, DNp73 is an anti-apoptotic protein conferring chemoresistance and is
      associated with poor survival. However, both forms are variably overexpressed in
      many human cancers. In this context, we have recently demonstrated that TAp73 is
      stabilized by hypoxia, a tumor-relevant condition that is associated with cell
      survival, via HIF-1alpha-mediated suppression of Siah1 E3 ligase that degrades
      TAp73. Consequently, hypoxic signals lead to TAp73-mediated activation of several
      angiogenic genes and blood vessel formation, thereby supporting tumorigenesis. We
      show here that, similar to TAp73, DNp73 is stabilized by hypoxia in a HIF-1alpha
      dependent manner, which otherwise is degraded by Siah1. Moreover, DNp73 is
      capable of inducing the expression of Vegf-A, the prototypic angiogenic gene, and
      loss of DNp73 expression results in reduction in tumor vasculature and size.
      These data therefore indicate a common mode of regulation for both p73 forms by
      hypoxia, resulting in the promotion of angiogenesis and tumor growth,
      highlighting common functionality of these antagonistic proteins under specific
      physiological contexts. 

PMID- 26267147
TI  - A novel FoxD3 Variant Is Associated With Vitiligo and Elevated Thyroid Auto
      Antibodies.
AB  - CONTEXT: Vitiligo frequently coincides with autoimmune endocrinopathies,
      particularly Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT). Genetic susceptibility may underlie
      this coincident occurrence. One candidate region is the autoimmunity
      susceptibility locus on chromosome 1, which encompasses forkhead transcription
      factor D3 (FoxD3), a gene involved in embryonal melanogenesis. We identified a
      promotor variant (rs78645479) in an index case of vitiligo + HT + candidiasis and
      evaluated its clinical and functional relevance. DESIGN: We genotyped 281
      patients with variable autoimmune endocrinopathies: HT, Graves' disease (GD),
      type 1 diabetes (T1D), Addison's disease (AD), autoimmune polyglandular syndrome
      (APS), and/or vitiligo and 1858 controls. Furthermore, we experimentally assessed
      the effect of the variant on promotor activity and assessed the expression of
      FoxD3 in human thyroid tissue samples. RESULTS: Patients with vitiligo had a
      higher frequency of the risk allele (30%) compared with healthy controls (18.2%).
      In addition, the variant was associated with the incidence of elevated anti-TPO
      antibodies and anti-Tg antibodies, but not with TSH, FT3, or FT4 levels and also
      not with GD, T1D, AD, or APS. Functionally, the variant increased transcriptional
      activity in Jurkat and in Hek293 cells. We confirmed gene expression of FoxD3 in
      human thyroid tissue, which seemed elevated in thyroid tissue samples of some
      patients with GD and nonautoimmune goiter but not in patients with HT.
      CONCLUSION: In addition to a possible association of rs78645479 in FoxD3 with
      vitiligo, our data on the association of this FoxD3 variant with thyroid
      autoantibodies suggest a potential involvement of FoxD3 in thyroid
      immunoregulation.

PMID- 26267149
TI  - The application of antitumor drug-targeting models on liver cancer.
AB  - Hepatocarcinoma animal models, such as the induced tumor model, transplanted
      tumor model, gene animal model, are significant experimental tools for the
      evaluation of targeting drug delivery system as well as the pre-clinical studies
      of liver cancer. The application of antitumor drug-targeting models not only
      furnishes similar biological characteristics to human liver cancer but also
      offers guarantee of pharmacokinetic indicators of the liver-targeting
      preparations. In this article, we have reviewed some kinds of antitumor drug
      targeting models of hepatoma and speculated that the research on this field would
      be capable of attaining a deeper level and expecting a superior achievement in
      the future.

PMID- 26267148
TI  - Flow Cytometric Analysis of Myeloid Cells in Human Blood, Bronchoalveolar Lavage,
      and Lung Tissues.
AB  - Clear identification of specific cell populations by flow cytometry is important
      to understand functional roles. A well-defined flow cytometry panel for myeloid
      cells in human bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and lung tissue is currently lacking.
      The objective of this study was to develop a flow cytometry-based panel for human
      BAL and lung tissue. We obtained and performed flow cytometry/sorting on human
      BAL cells and lung tissue. Confocal images were obtained from lung tissue using
      antibodies for cluster of differentiation (CD)206, CD169, and E cadherin. We
      defined a multicolor flow panel for human BAL and lung tissue that identifies
      major leukocyte populations. These include macrophage (CD206(+)) subsets and
      other CD206(-) leukocytes. The CD206(-) cells include: (1) three monocyte
      (CD14(+)) subsets, (2) CD11c(+) dendritic cells (CD14(-), CD11c(+), HLA-DR(+)),
      (3) plasmacytoid dendritic cells (CD14(-), CD11c(-), HLA-DR(+), CD123(+)), and
      (4) other granulocytes (neutrophils, mast cells, eosinophils, and basophils).
      Using this panel on human lung tissue, we defined two populations of pulmonary
      macrophages: CD169(+) and CD169(-) macrophages. In lung tissue, CD169(-)
      macrophages were a prominent cell type. Using confocal microscopy, CD169(+)
      macrophages were located in the alveolar space/airway, defining them as alveolar
      macrophages. In contrast, CD169(-) macrophages were associated with
      airway/alveolar epithelium, consistent with interstitial-associated macrophages.
      We defined a flow cytometry panel in human BAL and lung tissue that allows
      identification of multiple immune cell types and delineates alveolar from
      interstitial-associated macrophages. This study has important implications for
      defining myeloid cells in human lung samples.

PMID- 26267150
TI  - Selective and Regenerative Carbon Dioxide Capture by Highly Polarizing Porous
      Carbon Nitride.
AB  - Energy-efficient CO2 capture is a stringent demand for green and sustainable
      energy supply. Strong adsorption is desirable for high capacity and selective
      capture at ambient conditions but unfavorable for regeneration of adsorbents by a
      simple pressure control process. Here we present highly regenerative and
      selective CO2 capture by carbon nitride functionalized porous reduced graphene
      oxide aerogel surface. The resultant structure demonstrates large CO2 adsorption
      capacity at ambient conditions (0.43 mmol.g(-1)) and high CO2 selectivity against
      N2 yet retains regenerability to desorb 98% CO2 by simple pressure swing. First
      principles thermodynamics calculations revealed that microporous edges of
      graphitic carbon nitride offer the optimal CO2 adsorption by induced dipole
      interaction and allows excellent CO2 selectivity as well as facile
      regenerability. This work identifies a customized route to reversible gas capture
      using metal-free, two-dimensional carbonaceous materials, which can be extended
      to other useful applications. 

PMID- 26267152
TI  - Coverage Dependence of Methanol Dissociation on TiO2(110).
AB  - Although the photochemistry of methanol on TiO2(110) has been widely investigated
      as a prototypical model of the photocatalytic reaction of organic molecules, the
      most fundamental question of the adsorption state of methanol on TiO2(110) is
      still unclear. We have investigated the adsorption of methanol on TiO2(110) using
      sum frequency generation vibrational spectroscopy (SFG-VS) and density functional
      theory (DFT) calculations. The SFG results indicate the dissociation of methanol
      is highly dependent on the coverage. The DFT calculations suggest that the
      methanol prefers the partially dissociated structure at low coverage, whereas the
      second layer methanol, which is hydrogen-bonded to the bridge-bonded oxygen site,
      largely blocks the dissociation of the first layer methanol. Our results not only
      resolves a long-standing debate regarding the adsorption state of methanol on
      TiO2(110) but also provides a detailed insight into the adsorption structure and
      sheds light on the photochemistry on this surface at the molecular level.

PMID- 26267153
TI  - [Cr(ddpd)2](3+): A Molecular, Water-Soluble, Highly NIR-Emissive Ruby Analogue.
AB  - Bright, long-lived emission from first-row transition-metal complexes is very
      challenging to achieve. Herein, we present a new strategy relying on the rational
      tuning of energy levels. With the aid of the large N-Cr-N bite angle of the
      tridentate ligand ddpd (N,N'-dimethyl-N,N'-dipyridine-2-ylpyridine-2,6-diamine)
      and its strong sigma-donating capabilities, a very large ligand-field splitting
      could be introduced in the chromium(III) complex [Cr(ddpd)2](3+), that shifts the
      deactivating and photoreactive (4)T2 state well above the emitting (2)E state.
      Prevention of back-intersystem crossing from the (2)E to the (4)T2 state enables
      exceptionally high near-infrared phosphorescence quantum yields and lifetimes for
      this 3d metal complex. The complex [Cr(ddpd)2](BF4)3 is highly water-soluble and
      very stable towards thermal and photo-induced substitution reactions and can be
      used for fluorescence intensity- and lifetime-based oxygen sensing in the NIR.

PMID- 26267151
TI  - Association of Thalamic Dysconnectivity and Conversion to Psychosis in Youth and
      Young Adults at Elevated Clinical Risk.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Severe neuropsychiatric conditions, such as schizophrenia, affect
      distributed neural computations. One candidate system profoundly altered in
      chronic schizophrenia involves the thalamocortical networks. It is widely
      acknowledged that schizophrenia is a neurodevelopmental disorder that likely
      affects the brain before onset of clinical symptoms. However, no investigation
      has tested whether thalamocortical connectivity is altered in individuals at risk
      for psychosis or whether this pattern is more severe in individuals who later
      develop full-blown illness. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether baseline
      thalamocortical connectivity differs between individuals at clinical high risk
      for psychosis and healthy controls, whether this pattern is more severe in those
      who later convert to full-blown illness, and whether magnitude of thalamocortical
      dysconnectivity is associated with baseline prodromal symptom severity. DESIGN,
      SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: In this multicenter, 2-year follow-up, case-control
      study, we examined 397 participants aged 12-35 years of age (243 individuals at
      clinical high risk of psychosis, of whom 21 converted to full-blown illness, and
      154 healthy controls). The baseline scan dates were January 15, 2010, to April
      30, 2012. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Whole-brain thalamic functional
      connectivity maps were generated using individuals' anatomically defined thalamic
      seeds, measured using resting-state functional connectivity magnetic resonance
      imaging. RESULTS: Using baseline magnetic resonance images, we identified
      thalamocortical dysconnectivity in the 243 individuals at clinical high risk for
      psychosis, which was particularly pronounced in the 21 participants who converted
      to full-blown illness. The pattern involved widespread hypoconnectivity between
      the thalamus and prefrontal and cerebellar areas, which was more prominent in
      those who converted to full-blown illness (t(173) = 3.77, P < .001, Hedge g =
      0.88). Conversely, there was marked thalamic hyperconnectivity with sensory motor
      areas, again most pronounced in those who converted to full-blown illness (t(173)
      = 2.85, P < .001, Hedge g = 0.66). Both patterns were significantly correlated
      with concurrent prodromal symptom severity (r = 0.27, P < 3.6 * 10(-8), Spearman
      rho = 0.27, P < 4.75 * 10(-5), 2-tailed). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Thalamic
      dysconnectivity, resembling that seen in schizophrenia, was evident in
      individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis and more prominently in those who
      later converted to psychosis. Dysconnectivity correlated with symptom severity,
      supporting the idea that thalamic connectivity may have prognostic implications
      for risk of conversion to full-blown illness.

PMID- 26267156
TI  - Virus genotypes and responses of serum-specific antibodies in children with
      primary mumps and mumps reinfection.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Research on children with mumps reinfection after natural infection
      is limited; there are currently no studies on virus-specific antibody responses
      in paired sera or genotyping of isolated viruses. METHODS: This study included
      281 children (147 boys and 134 girls, age: 1.2-15.9 y) with primary mumps (240),
      mumps reinfection after natural infection (9), mumps after previous vaccination
      (26), and vaccine-associated mumps (6). We measured mumps-specific serum
      antibodies and analyzed isolated virus genes. RESULTS: During acute illness,
      series-specific IgM and IgG titers exceeded cutoff values in 240 and 232 children
      with primary mumps, respectively. During convalescence, IgM antibodies were
      positive in seven and negative in two of nine children with mumps reinfection
      occurring after natural infection; among 26 previously vaccinated children, 13
      were positive and 13 negative. Mumps viruses were isolated from viral cultures
      from 42 of the 51 children. Except for 6 vaccine-associated cases, all remaining
      36 cases of isolated mumps virus were identified as genotype G. CONCLUSION: These
      results suggest that measurement of IgM antibody on any day of acute illness may
      be indicative of primary mumps but may be inconsistent for diagnosing mumps
      reinfection after natural infection or previous vaccination.

PMID- 26267157
TI  - Chromatographic Analysis of Inks for Forensic Science Applications.
AB  - This article reviews the use of chromatography for the separation and comparison
      of ink components. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) is the standard
      chromatographic procedure presently employed for the comparison of inks. Thin
      layer chromatography systems are described for the separation of different types
      of ink. The greater sensitivity and resolution offered by high performance liquid
      chromatography (HPLC) make it an attractive alternative to TLC for ink analysis,
      and recent work in this field is also outlined. Both techniques have been used
      for the measurement of changes occurring in the composition of inks with time, as
      a means of determining the age of an ink. Related analytical techniques, recent
      research, and future trends in ink analysis are also described. 

PMID- 26267155
TI  - Comparison of biomarkers for systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Differentiation of systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA)
      fever from other childhood fevers is often delayed due to the lack of reliable,
      specific biomarkers. We hypothesized that PD-L1 expression is dysregulated in
      SJIA monocytes and compared it to other candidate SJIA biomarkers. METHODS: This
      pilot study enrolled children with fever without source and compared PD-L1
      expression on myeloid cells to C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation
      rate, leukocyte counts, S100A12, S100A8, S100A9, calprotectin, and procalcitonin.
      Logistic regression models were fit to test SJIA diagnosis with each marker used
      as an independent predictor. Receiver operating characteristic curves and area
      under curve were calculated. Gene expression profiling on a subset of samples was
      performed. RESULTS: Twenty subjects (10 active SJIA, 10 febrile non-SJIA) were
      enrolled. S100 proteins were significantly elevated in SJIA with >80% sensitivity
      and >90% specificity. PD-L1 expression was significantly lower in SJIA. Other
      markers were not specific for SJIA. On exploratory gene analysis, 106 genes were
      significant for SJIA association, and several of these are associated with immune
      response pathways. CONCLUSION: In this small cohort, S100 proteins were specific
      diagnostic biomarkers for SJIA in children with fever. Decreased PD-L1 surface
      expression on circulating myeloid cells in SJIA suggests possible mechanism for
      loss of peripheral immune regulation.

PMID- 26267154
TI  - The role of Th17 and Treg responses in the pathogenesis of RSV infection.
AB  - The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) represents the leading cause of viral
      bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children worldwide and is associated with high
      morbidity, hospitalization rate, and significant mortality rates. The immune
      response elicited by RSV is one of the main factors contributing to the
      pathogenesis of the disease. Two subsets of the cellular immune response, the T
      helper 17 cell (Th17) and the regulatory T-cell (Treg), and more particularly the
      balance between these two subsets, might play a significant role in the
      pathogenesis of the RSV infection. The developmental pathways of Th17 and Treg
      cells are closely and reciprocally interconnected and plasticity has been
      demonstrated from Treg toward Th17. During an RSV infection, the functions of
      both subsets are opposed to one another regarding viral clearance and clinical
      severity. Th17 and Treg cells offer a promising new view on the pathogenesis of
      an RSV infection and deserve further exploration. 

PMID- 26267158
TI  - Forensic Identification of Explosives by Mass Spectrometry and Allied Techniques.
AB  - A review of the reported methods for the recovery of fingerprints from the skin
      of crime victims along with the efficacy of those methods is presented. The
      fundamental problems of retrieval of latent fingerprints from the skin are
      discussed together with the methods reported in the literature, which include
      electronography, iron powder-Dakty foil, iodine-silver plate transfer,
      Kromekote(r) lift, and laser detection, along with several less frequently used
      techniques. The limited successes achieved with these reported methods during
      actual casework are discussed; they are limited because they are often found to
      refer only to idealized research conditions. At present, the use of high-powered
      light sources such as lasers seems to be the only technique that may be useful
      for revealing fingerprints on skin when investigating a case. 

PMID- 26267159
TI  - Forensic Analysis of Lubricants.
AB  - Lubricants are found everywhere as a matter of course, and thus would also likely
      be found at the scene of a crime. Many fields of applications for lubricants
      exist and numerous formulations can be used within a single field. In addition,
      the composition of a lubricant changes significantly during its use. These facts
      are an illustration that lubricants, especially those that have been used, will
      have features that may possess high evidential value. Most studies on lubricants
      deal with wear monitoring, monitoring of the degradation of lubricants, and
      chemical analysis of the base oil and additives. The methods used require sample
      sizes in the range of 0.5 g and can give an indication of the brand and its
      application. In contrast, the studies dealing with forensic problems utilize
      spectroscopic methods that require sample sizes in the microgram range, and can
      only compare samples. Their main drawback is that the sample matrix may have an
      adverse effect on the analysis. Analyses using a combination of chromatographic
      and spectroscopic methods for the detection of special compound classes require
      more sample but are not as affected by the matrix. Using the methods reviewed
      here, the forensic scientist may be able to identify the brand and application if
      the sample size exceeds 0.5 g or may compare samples if the size is very low. 

PMID- 26267160
TI  - Sample Differentiation: Cocaine Example.
AB  - Since the analyses of drug samples in crime laboratories are often associated
      with investigations, potential differentiations of test samples are frequently
      requested and explored. Cocaine sample differentiation requires the determination
      of synthetic or natural origin. Synthetic samples are characterized by the
      presence of optical isomers, certain diastereoisomers and other by-products, and
      chemical residues used in synthesis. Samples derived from a natural origin (coca
      leaves) are characterized by the presence of certain natural products or their
      derivatives that are carried through the overall process and by residual
      chemicals reflecting the treatment procedures. Various approaches and analytical
      data available in the literature concerning the differentiation of cocaine
      samples are reviewed. Each sample must carry its own "signature"; however, true
      sample "individualization" cannot be accomplished using the technologies commonly
      available and used in crime laboratories, and is not usually needed.
      Alternatively, "classifying" cocaine samples in certain categories or groups can
      be accomplished routinely and often provides adequate information for
      investigatory purposes. 

PMID- 26267161
TI  - Solid Phase Extraction of Abused Drugs.
AB  - The current standard for acceptable practice in forensic urine drug testing, as
      reflected in both National Institute for Drug Abuse (NIDA) and military
      guidelines, requires an initial immunoassay followed by gas chromatography/mass
      spectrometry (GC/MS) confirmation. The GC/MS confirmatory procedures mandate
      extraction of the drug from the urine matrix, followed in most cases by chemical
      derivatization, prior to injection into the gas chromatograph. Classically, the
      extraction step has been accomplished using liquid-liquid techniques, but in
      recent years, the use of solid phase chromatographic techniques has become
      increasingly popular. Numerous companies now market solid phase columns that are
      designed specifically for extraction of drugs, some of them containing as many as
      three different components for extracting acidic, basic, and neutral drugs. A
      survey of NIDA laboratories, conducted specifically for this review article,
      revealed that 40 to 50% of the extraction procedures currently performed involved
      the use of solid phase cartridges. This article reviews chromatographic
      separation techniques in general, specific products that are currently available
      on the market, the performance of those products, and examines the results of the
      survey of NIDA-certified laboratories. 

PMID- 26267162
TI  - Publication rate of studies presented at veterinary anaesthesia specialty
      meetings during the years 2003-2008.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess publication rates, factors predicting publication, and
      discrepancies between conference abstracts and subsequent full-text publications
      of abstracts from the veterinary meetings of the American College of Veterinary
      Anesthesiologists and the Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists from 2003 to
      2008. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: A total of 607 abstracts
      were identified and a database search (Scopus, PubMed, CAB) was conducted to
      identify matching publications. Authors of nonmatching abstracts were contacted
      to participate in a confidential online survey. Risk ratios were used to assess
      factors predicting publication and these were tested for significance (p < 0.05)
      using Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: The overall publication rate was 63.3% and
      the mean (+/- SD) time to publication was 25 +/- 19 months. Factors significantly
      associated with subsequent full publication (i.e. publication of a full
      manuscript in a peer-reviewed journal) were continent of origin (North America),
      study design (experimental studies), specialty (analgesia) and the presence of a
      source of funding. The principal reasons why studies remained unpublished were
      lack of time and responsibility lying with co-authors. Minor changes compared
      with the original abstract were found in 71.6% of all publications. Major changes
      were noted in 34.6% and the outcome of the study changed in 7.6%. CONCLUSIONS AND
      CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These data suggest that some of the abstracts reported
      preliminary findings. Therefore, caution is warranted when quoting abstracts as
      references in scientific publications. To date, major veterinary journals have
      not issued recommendations in their author guidelines addressing the use of
      abstracts as a reference. The authors propose the inclusion of such a statement
      in author guidelines.

PMID- 26267163
TI  - Inhibitory effects of Lactobacillus fermentum on microbial growth and biofilm
      formation.
AB  - Beneficial effects of Lactobacilli have been reported, and lactic bacteria are
      employed for conservation of foods. Therefore, the effects of a Lactobacillus
      fermentum strain were analyzed regarding inhibitory effects on staphylococci,
      Candida albicans and enterotoxigenic enterobacteria by transmission electron
      microscopy (TEM). TEM of bacterial biofilms was performed using cocultures of
      bacteriocin-producing L. fermentum 97 with different enterotoxigenic strains:
      Staphylococcus epidermidis expressing the ica gene responsible for biofilm
      formation, Staphylococcus aureus producing enterotoxin type A, Citrobacter
      freundii, Enterobacter cloaceae, Klebsiella oxytoca, Proteus mirabilis producing
      thermolabile and thermostable enterotoxins determined by elt or est genes, and
      Candida albicans. L. fermentum 97 changed morphological features and suppressed
      biofilm formation of staphylococci, enterotoxigenic enterobacteria and Candida
      albicans; a marked transition to resting states, a degradation of the cell walls
      and cytoplasm, and a disruption of mature bacterial biofilms were observed, the
      latter indicating efficiency even in the phase of higher cell density. 

PMID- 26267164
TI  - Impact of exopolysaccharide production on functional properties of some
      Lactobacillus salivarius strains.
AB  - The aim of this work was to characterize functional properties of Lactobacillus
      salivarius strains isolated from chicken feces. Detection of genes responsible
      for exopolysaccharide (EPS) production revealed that all strains harbored a
      dextransucrase gene, but p-gtf gene was only detected in strain E4. Analysis of
      EPS production levels showed significant alterations among strains tested.
      Biofilm formation was found to be medium composition dependant, and there was a
      negative correlation with biofilm formation and EPS production. Autoaggregation
      properties and coaggregation of L. salivarius strains with chicken pathogens were
      appeared to be specific at strain level. An increment in bacterial adhesion to
      chicken gut explants was observed in L. salivarius strains with the reduction in
      EPS production levels. This study showed that strain-specific properties can
      determine the functional properties of L. salivarius strains, and the
      interference of these properties might be crucial for final selection of these
      strains for technological purposes. 

PMID- 26267165
TI  - Deciphering the reaction between a hydrated electron and a hydronium ion at
      elevated temperatures.
AB  - The formation of a H atom in liquid water from the reaction of a hydrated
      electron with a hydronium cation is a very challenging subject in chemical
      processes. Here picosecond pulse radiolysis measurements are performed at
      elevated temperatures, up to 350  degrees C, of acidic H2O and D2O solutions (up
      to 0.1 mol L(-1) HClO4) with the aim of investigating several issues related to
      this reaction. First, the red shift of the solvated electron absorption band in
      D2O with increasing temperature is found to be affected by the presence of D3O(+)
      in solution. The modified absorption spectra demonstrate the formation of a
      transient pair between D3O(+) and solvated electrons at elevated temperature (200
      250  degrees C) when the concentration of D3O(+) is higher than 0.05 mol L(-1).
      For higher temperatures at 300 and 350  degrees C when the rate constant is
      almost diffusion controlled, the pair is no longer observable. Second, the
      presolvated electron in D2O is not scavenged up to 250  degrees C in solution
      containing 0.1 mol L(-1) D3O(+). Third, the decays in the picosecond range
      obtained under different conditions show that the rate constants are strongly
      affected by the temperature and by ionic strength. The model with an equation of
      log(k/k0) = 2A(I)(0.5)/1 + b(I)(0.5) gives a good fit of the experimental results
      by taking into account the variation of ionic strength, I, and, in particular, by
      considering the temperature dependence of the constant A. 

PMID- 26267166
TI  - Unexpected Swelling of Stiff DNA in a Polydisperse Crowded Environment.
AB  - We investigate the conformations of DNA-like stiff chains, characterized by
      contour length (L) and persistence length (lp), in a variety of crowded
      environments containing monodisperse soft spherical (SS) and spherocylindrical
      (SC) particles, a mixture of SS and SC, and a milieu mimicking the composition of
      proteins in the Escherichia coli cytoplasm. The stiff chain, whose size modestly
      increases in SS crowders up to phi ~ 0.1, is considerably more compact at low
      volume fractions (phi <= 0.2) in monodisperse SC particles than in a medium
      containing SS particles. A 1:1 mixture of SS and SC crowders induces greater
      chain compaction than the pure SS or SC crowders at the same phi, with the effect
      being highly nonadditive. We also discover a counterintuitive result that the
      polydisperse crowding environment, mimicking the composition of a cell lysate,
      swells the DNA-like polymer, which is in stark contrast to the size reduction of
      flexible polymers in the same milieu. Trapping of the stiff chain in a
      fluctuating tube-like environment created by large-sized crowders explains the
      dramatic increase in size and persistence length of the stiff chain. In the
      polydisperse medium, mimicking the cellular environment, the size of the DNA (or
      related RNA) is determined by L/lp. At low L/lp, the size of the polymer is
      unaffected, whereas there is a dramatic swelling at an intermediate value of
      L/lp. We use these results to provide insights into recent experiments on
      crowding effects on RNA and also make testable predictions. 

PMID- 26267168
TI  - Effects of the NFL's Amendments to the Free Kick Rule on Injuries during the 2010
      and 2011 Seasons.
AB  - Recognizing the chronic health effects associated with playing football, the
      National Football League (NFL) has enacted policies and rules aimed at improving
      player health and safety. Prior to the 2011 season, amendments to the Free Kick
      rule were implemented, whereby the restraining line was moved from the 30- to the
      35-yard line and all kicking team players other than the kicker were required to
      line up no more than 5 yards behind their restraining line. The objective of this
      analysis was to evaluate the effects of these rule changes on injury rates. Data
      for injuries occurring on special teams plays during the 2010 and 2011 NFL
      seasons were obtained from publically available NFL gamebooks and injury reports.
      Injury rates for kickoff plays across seasons were statistically compared using
      incidence rate ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals. To evaluate whether
      injury rate changes could be attributable to the rule amendments, comparisons
      were made with punt injury rates (presumably unaffected by the Free Kick rule
      changes) and distributions of potential confounders were assessed across seasons.
      Incidence of injuries occurring on kickoff plays fell from 2010 to 2011 (RR:
      0.45, 95% CI: 0.28-0.73), although on kickoff plays where the ball was returned,
      this decrease became non-significant (RR: 0.67, 95% CI: 0.41-1.08). While the
      incidence of head injuries decreased by approximately 3-fold during kickoff
      plays, this change was not statistically significant (RR: 0.33, 95% CI: 0.09
      1.21). No difference was observed in injury incidence during punts between the
      two seasons, and the distribution of confounding factors was largely uniform
      across seasons. The observed decrease in injuries occurring during kickoffs was
      likely directly attributable to the Free Kick rule amendments, principally from
      the increased frequency of touchbacks. The absence of a significant change in
      head injuries during kickoffs was unexpected, but may be attributable to small
      sample size. Despite the injury rate reductions, the rule changes likely had
      little effect on player safety during active gameplay. 

PMID- 26267167
TI  - Interaction between lanthanide ions and Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells.
AB  - Lanthanides are a group of non-essential elements with important imaging and
      therapeutic applications. Although trivalent lanthanide ions (Ln3+) are used as
      potent blockers of Ca2+ channels, the systematic studies correlating Ln3+
      accumulation and toxicity to Ca2+ channel blocking activity are scarce. In this
      study, we made use of the eukaryotic model Saccharomyces cerevisiae to
      investigate the correlation between Ln3+ accumulation, their toxicity and their
      capacity to block the exogenous stress-induced Ca2+ influx into the cytosol. It
      was found that the Ln3+ blocked the Ca2+ entry into the yeast cells only when
      present at concentration high enough to allow rapid binding to cell surface. At
      lower concentrations, Ln3+ were taken up by the cell, but Ca2+ blockage was no
      longer achieved. At 1 mM concentration, all ions from the Ln3+ series could block
      Ca2+ entry into cytosol with the exception of La3+, and to a lesser extent, Pr3+
      and Nd3+. The plasma membrane Ca2+-channel Cch1/Mid1 contributed to La3+ and Gd3+
      entry into the cells, with a significant preference for La3+. The results open
      the possibility to obtain cells loaded with controlled amounts and ratios of
      Ln3+.

PMID- 26267169
TI  - Imaging Charge Transfer State Excitations in Polymer/Fullerene Solar Cells with
      Time-Resolved Electrostatic Force Microscopy.
AB  - We demonstrate nanoscale imaging of charge transfer state photoexcitations in
      polymer/fullerene bulk heterojunction solar cells using time-resolved
      electrostatic force microscopy (trEFM). We compare local trEFM charging rates and
      external quantum efficiencies (EQE) for both above-gap and below-gap excitation
      of the model system poly[2-methoxy-5-(3',7'-dimethyloctyloxy)-1,4
      phenylenevinylene] (MDMO-PPV) and [6,6]-phenyl C61 butyric acid methyl ester
      (PCBM). We show that the local trEFM charging rate correlates with device EQE for
      both above-gap and below-gap photoexcitation, demonstrating that EFM methods have
      sufficient sensitivity to detect the low EQEs associated with CT state formation,
      a result that could be useful for probing weak subgap excitations in
      nanostructured materials such as quantum dot and organometal halide perovskite
      solar cells. Further, we use trEFM to map spatial variations in EQE arising from
      subgap CT excitation in organic photovoltaics (OPVs) and find that the local
      distribution of photocurrent arising from these states is nearly identical to the
      spatial variation in EQE from above-gap singlet excitation. These results are
      consistent with recent work showing that both above-gap and below-gap excitation
      have similar internal quantum efficiency. 

PMID- 26267170
TI  - Subpicosecond to Second Time-Scale Charge Carrier Kinetics in Hematite-Titania
      Nanocomposite Photoanodes.
AB  - Water splitting with hematite is negatively affected by poor intrinsic charge
      transport properties. However, they can be modified by forming heterojunctions to
      improve charge separation. For this purpose, charge dynamics of TiO2:alpha-Fe2O3
      nanocomposite photoanodes are studied using transient absorption spectroscopy to
      monitor the evolution of photogenerated charge carriers as a function of applied
      bias voltage. The bias affects the charge carrier dynamics, leading to trapped
      electrons in the submillisecond time scale and an accumulation of holes with a
      lifetime of 0.4 +/- 0.1 s. By contrast, slower electron trapping and only few
      long-lived holes are observed in a bare hematite photoanode. The decay of the
      long-lived holes is 1 order of magnitude faster for the composite photoanodes
      than previously published for doped hematite, indicative of higher catalytic
      efficiency. These results illustrate the advantages of using composite materials
      to overcome poor charge carrier dynamics, leading to a 30-fold enhancement in
      photocurrent. 

PMID- 26267171
TI  - Reactivity of Hydrated Electron in Finite Size System: Sodium Pickup on Mixed N2O
      Water Nanoparticles.
AB  - We investigate the reactivity of hydrated electron generated by alkali metal
      deposition on small water particles with nitrous oxide dopant by means of mass
      spectrometry and ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. The mixed nitrous
      oxide/water clusters were generated in a molecular beam and doped with Na atoms
      in a pickup experiment, and investigated by mass spectrometry using two different
      ionization schemes: an electron ionization (EI), and UV photoionization after the
      Na doping (NaPI). The NaPI is a soft-ionization nondestructive method, especially
      for water clusters provided that a hydrated electron es- is formed in the
      cluster. The missing signal for the doped clusters indicates that the hydrated
      electron is not present in the N2O containing clusters. The simulations reveal
      that the hydrated electron is formed, but it immediately reacts with N2O, forming
      first N2O- radical anion, later O-, and finally an OH* and OH- pair.

PMID- 26267172
TI  - Curvature-Induced Anomalous Enhancement in the Work Function of Nanostructures.
AB  - An analytical theory to estimate the electronic work function in curved
      geometries is formulated under Thomas-Fermi approximation. The work function is
      framed as the work against the electrostatic self-capacitive energy. The
      contribution of surface curvature is characterized by mean and Gaussian curvature
      (through multiple scattering expansion). The variation in work function of metal
      and semimetal nanostructures is shown as the consequence of surface radius of
      curvature comparable to electronic screening length. For ellipsoidal particles,
      the maximum value of work function is observed at the equator and poles for
      oblate and prolate particles, respectively, whereas triaxial ellipsoid shows
      nonuniform distribution of the work function over the surface. Similarly, theory
      predicts manifold increase in the work function for a particle with atomic scale
      roughness. Finally, the theory is validated with experimental data, and it is
      concluded that the work function of a nanoparticle can be tailored through its
      shape. 

PMID- 26267173
TI  - Effect of Chromophore Potential Model on the Description of Exciton-Phonon
      Interactions.
AB  - System-bath interactions in nonadiabatic simulations are often depicted by first
      performing molecular dynamics calculations and then by evaluating excitation
      energies at the trajectory snapshots. Usually, molecular mechanics models and
      quantum chemical calculations are used in a mixed manner toward a trade-off
      between efficiency and accuracy. Here we investigate how this mixing scheme
      affects that depiction by using various potential energy surfaces (PESs) of
      coumarin-153 chromophore, with the help of interpolated PESs that can closely
      match the accuracies of quantum chemical calculations. We find that although
      spectral densities are computed only with second stage data the PES
      characteristics during the first sampling stage can still prevail in the
      densities, with limited influences on related reorganization energies. Our
      results suggest that using the mixed scheme can be acceptable when dynamics is
      mainly governed by the integrated effect of all phonon modes, but care must be
      taken for understanding detailed effects from individual modes. 

PMID- 26267174
TI  - Microscopic Origin of the Hofmeister Effect in Gelation Kinetics of Colloidal
      Silica.
AB  - The gelation kinetics of silica nanoparticles is a central process in physical
      chemistry, yet it is not fully understood. Gelation times are measured to
      increase by over 4 orders of magnitude, simply changing the monovalent salt
      species from CsCl to LiCl. This striking effect has no microscopic explanation
      within current paradigms. The trend is consistent with the Hofmeister series,
      pointing to short-ranged solvation effects not included in the standard colloidal
      (DLVO) interaction potential. By implementing a simple form for short-range
      repulsion within a model that relates the gelation timescale to the colloidal
      interaction forces, we are able to explain the many orders of magnitude
      difference in the gelation times at fixed salt concentration. The model allows us
      to estimate the magnitude of the non-DLVO hydration forces, which dominate the
      interparticle interactions on the length scale of the hydrated ion diameter. This
      opens the possibility of finely tuning the gelation time scale of nanoparticles
      by just adjusting the background electrolyte species. 

PMID- 26267175
TI  - Effects of Solute-Solvent Hydrogen Bonding on Nonaqueous Electrolyte Structure.
AB  - We investigate the source of Raman background signal commonly misidentified as
      fluorescence in nonaqueous electrolytes via a variety of spectroscopies (Raman,
      fluorescence, NMR) and find evidence of hydrogen-bonding interactions. This
      hydrogen bonding gives rise to broadband anharmonic vibrational modes and
      suggests that anions play an important and underappreciated role in the structure
      of nonaqueous electrolytes. Controlling electrolyte structure has important
      applications in advancing in operando spectroscopy measurements as well as
      understanding the stability of high concentration electrolytes for next
      generation electrochemical energy storage devices. 

PMID- 26267176
TI  - Exploration of Metal Chloride Uptake for Improved Performance Characteristics of
      PbSe Quantum Dot Solar Cells.
AB  - We explored the uptake of metal chloride salts with +1 to +3 metals of Na(+),
      K(+), Zn(2+), Cd(2+), Sn(2+), Cu(2+), and In(3+) by PbSe QD solar cells. We also
      compared CdCl2 to Cd acetate and Cd nitrate treatments. PbSe QD solar cells
      fabricated with a CdCl2 treatment are stable for more than 270 days stored in
      air. We studied how temperature and immersion times affect optoelectronic
      properties and photovoltaic cell performance. Uptake of Cd(2+) and Zn(2+)
      increase open circuit voltage, whereas In(3+) and K(+) increase the photocurrent
      without influencing the spectral response or first exciton peak position. Using
      the most beneficial treatments we varied the bandgap of PbSe QD solar cells from
      0.78 to 1.3 eV and find the improved VOC is more prevalent for lower bandgap QD
      solar cells. 

PMID- 26267177
TI  - Science in the Age of Digital Networking.

PMID- 26267178
TI  - Density and Compressibility of Liquid Water and Ice from First-Principles
      Simulations with Hybrid Functionals.
AB  - We determined the equilibrium density and compressibility of water and ice from
      first-principles molecular dynamics simulations using gradient-corrected (PBE)
      and hybrid (PBE0) functionals. Both functionals predicted the density of ice to
      be larger than that of water, by 15 (PBE) and 35% (PBE0). The PBE0 functional
      yielded a lower density of both ice and water with respect to PBE, leading to
      better agreement with experiment for ice but not for liquid water. Approximate
      inclusion of dispersion interactions on computed molecular-dynamics trajectories
      led to a substantial improvement of the PBE0 results for the density of liquid
      water, which, however, resulted to be slightly lower than that of ice. 

PMID- 26267179
TI  - Probing Interfacial Water on Nanodiamonds in Colloidal Dispersion.
AB  - The structure of interfacial water layers around nanoparticles dispersed in an
      aqueous environment may have a significant impact on their reactivity and on
      their interaction with biological species. Using transmission soft X-ray
      absorption spectroscopy in liquid, we demonstrate that the unoccupied electronic
      states of oxygen atoms from water molecules in aqueous colloidal dispersions of
      nanodiamonds have a different signature than bulk water. X-ray absorption
      spectroscopy can thus probe interfacial water molecules in colloidal dispersions.
      The impacts of nanodiamond surface chemistry and concentration on interfacial
      water electronic signature are discussed. 

PMID- 26267180
TI  - Infrared Spectroscopic Study of Vibrational Modes in Methylammonium Lead Halide
      Perovskites.
AB  - The organic cation and its interplay with the inorganic lattice underlie the
      exceptional optoelectronic properties of organo-metallic halide perovskites.
      Herein we report high-quality infrared spectroscopic measurements of
      methylammonium lead halide perovskite (CH3NH3Pb(I/Br/Cl)3) films and single
      crystals at room temperature, from which the dielectric function in the
      investigated spectral range is derived. Comparison with electronic structure
      calculations in vacuum of the free methylammonium cation allows for a detailed
      peak assignment. We analyze the shifts of the vibrational peak positions between
      the different halides and infer the extent of interaction between organic moiety
      and the surrounding inorganic cage. The positions of the NH3(+) stretching
      vibrations point to significant hydrogen bonding between the methylammonium and
      the halides for all three perovskites. 

PMID- 26267181
TI  - Exciton Mobility in Organic Photovoltaic Heterojunctions from Femtosecond
      Stimulated Raman.
AB  - Exciton mobility is crucial to organic photovoltaic (OPV) efficiency, but
      accurate, quantitative measures and therefore precise understanding of this
      process are currently lacking. Here, we exploit the unique capabilities of
      femtosecond stimulated Raman spectroscopy (FSRS) to disentangle the signatures of
      the bulk and interfacial donor response in a bulk heterojunction composed of
      poly[2-methoxy-5-(3',7'-dimethyloctyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene] (MDMO-PPV) and
      phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM). Surprisingly, we find that donor
      excitons are very mobile for the first ~300 fs following excitation (before
      thermalization) even though their overall lifetime is significantly longer (170
      ps). A sharp decrease in mobility occurs after the system relaxes out of the
      Franck-Condon (FC) region. From this observation we predict that any polymer
      lacking a significant resonance Raman effect and fluorescence Stokes shift,
      indicating slow FC relaxation and small reorganization energy, will make an
      efficient OPV material. 

PMID- 26267182
TI  - Differential Microscopic Mobility of Components within a Deep Eutectic Solvent.
AB  - From macroscopic measurements of deep eutectic solvents such as glyceline (1:2
      molar ratio of choline chloride to glycerol), the long-range translational
      diffusion of the larger cation (choline) is known to be slower compared to that
      of the smaller hydrogen bond donor (glycerol). However, when the diffusion
      dynamics are analyzed on the subnanometer length scale, we find that the
      displacements associated with the localized diffusive motions are actually larger
      for choline. This counterintuitive diffusive behavior can be understood as
      follows. The localized diffusive motions confined in the transient cage of
      neighbor particles, which precede the cage-breaking long-range diffusion jumps,
      are more spatially constrained for glycerol than for choline because of the
      stronger hydrogen bonds the former makes with chloride anions. The implications
      of such differential localized mobility of the constituents should be especially
      important for applications where deep eutectic solvents are confined on the
      nanometer length scale and their long-range translational diffusion is strongly
      inhibited (e.g., within microporous media). 

PMID- 26267183
TI  - Pathways for H2 Activation on (Ni)-MoS2 Catalysts.
AB  - The activation of H2 and H2S on (Ni)MoS2/Al2O3 leads to the formation of SH
      groups with acid character able to protonate 2,6-dimethylpyridine. The variation
      in concentrations of SH groups induced by H2 and H2S adsorption shows that both
      molecules dissociate on coordinatively unsaturated cations and neighboring S(2-).
      In the studied materials, one sulfur vacancy and four SH groups per 10 metal
      atoms exist at the active edges of MoS2 under the conditions studied. H2-D2
      exchange studies show that Ni increases the concentration of active surface
      hydrogen by up to 30% at the optimum Ni loading, by increasing the concentration
      of H2 and H2S chemisorption sites. 

PMID- 26267184
TI  - Thermal Recovery of Colloidal Quantum Dot Ensembles Following Photoinduced
      Dimming.
AB  - Colloidal CdSe quantum dot (QD) core ensembles were photodimmed and allowed to
      recover in the dark using ambient thermal energy at a range of temperatures.
      Nonlinear thermal recovery is well described by a stretched exponential function,
      and further analysis yields an underlying probability distribution of rate
      constants. Casting the rate constants as a collection of first-order activated
      processes provides an activation barrier probability distribution with
      significant density at room-temperature thermal energy that peaks at 200 meV
      before decaying to zero. This treatment for the recovery transition intuitively
      describes the distributed kinetics observed and complements commonly proposed
      blinking mechanisms. 

PMID- 26267185
TI  - Family of Oxygen-Oxygen Radial Distribution Functions for Water.
AB  - In a typical X-ray diffraction experiment, the elastically scattered intensity,
      I(Q), is the experimental observable. I(Q) contains contributions from both
      intramolecular as well as intermolecular correlations embodied in the scattering
      factors, HOO(Q) and HOH(Q), with negligible contributions from HHH(Q). Thus, to
      accurately define the oxygen-oxygen radial distribution function, gOO(r), a model
      of the electron density is required to accurately weigh the HOO(Q) component
      relative to the intramolecular and oxygen-hydrogen correlations from the total
      intensity observable. In this work, we carefully define the electron density
      model and its underlying assumptions and more explicitly utilize two restraints
      on the allowable gOO(r) functions, which must conform to both very low
      experimental errors at high Q and the need to satisfy the isothermal
      compressibility at low Q. Although highly restrained by these conditions, the
      underdetermined nature of the problem is such that we present a family of gOO(r)
      values that provide equally good agreement with the high-Q intensity and
      compressibility restraints and with physically correct behavior at small r. 

PMID- 26267186
TI  - Charge and Nuclear Dynamics Induced by Deep Inner-Shell Multiphoton Ionization of
      CH3I Molecules by Intense X-ray Free-Electron Laser Pulses.
AB  - In recent years, free-electron lasers operating in the true X-ray regime have
      opened up access to the femtosecond-scale dynamics induced by deep inner-shell
      ionization. We have investigated charge creation and transfer dynamics in the
      context of molecular Coulomb explosion of a single molecule, exposed to
      sequential deep inner-shell ionization within an ultrashort (10 fs) X-ray pulse.
      The target molecule was CH3I, methane sensitized to X-rays by halogenization with
      a heavy element, iodine. Time-of-flight ion spectroscopy and coincident ion
      analysis was employed to investigate, via the properties of the atomic fragments,
      single-molecule charge states of up to +22. Experimental findings have been
      compared with a parametric model of simultaneous Coulomb explosion and charge
      transfer in the molecule. The study demonstrates that including realistic charge
      dynamics is imperative when molecular Coulomb explosion experiments using short
      pulse facilities are performed. 

PMID- 26267187
TI  - Quantum Chemical Insight into the LiF Interlayer Effects in Organic Electronics:
      Reactions between Al Atom and LiF Clusters.
AB  - It is well known that the aluminum cathode performs dramatically better when a
      thin lithium fluoride (LiF) layer inserted in organic electronic devices. The
      doping effect induced by the librated Li atom via the chemical reactions
      producing AlF3 as byproduct was previously proposed as one of possible
      mechanisms. However, the underlying mechanism discussion is quite complicated and
      not fully understood so far, although the LiF interlayer is widely used. In this
      paper, we perform theoretical calculations to consider the reactions between an
      aluminum atom and distinct LiF clusters. The reaction pathways of the Al-(LiF)n
      (n = 2, 4, 16) systems were discovered and the energetics were theoretically
      evaluated. The release of Li atom and the formation of AlF3 were found in two
      different chemical reaction routes. The undissociated Al-(LiF)n systems have
      chances to change to some structures with loosely bound electrons. Our findings
      about the interacted Al-(LiF)n systems reveal new insights into the LiF
      interlayer effects in organic electronics applications. 

PMID- 26267188
TI  - Highly Anisotropic Dirac Fermions in Square Graphynes.
AB  - We predict a family of 2D carbon (C) allotropes, square graphynes (S-graphynes)
      that exhibit highly anisotropic Dirac fermions, using first-principle
      calculations within density functional theory. They have a square unit-cell
      containing two sizes of square C rings. The equal-energy contour of their 3D band
      structure shows a crescent shape, and the Dirac crescent has varying Fermi
      velocities from 0.6 * 10(5) to 7.2 * 10(5) m/s along different k directions. Near
      the Fermi level, the Dirac crescent can be nicely expressed by an extended 2D
      Dirac model Hamiltonian. Furthermore, tight-binding band fitting reveals that the
      Dirac crescent originates from the next-nearest-neighbor interactions between C
      atoms. S-graphynes may be used to build new 2D electronic devices taking
      advantages of their highly directional charge transport. 

PMID- 26267189
TI  - All-Atom Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Protein Translocation through an alpha
      Hemolysin Nanopore.
AB  - Nanopore sensing is attracting the attention of a large and varied scientific
      community. One of the main issues in nanopore sensing is how to associate the
      measured current signals to specific features of the molecule under
      investigation. This is particularly relevant when the translocating molecule is a
      protein and the pore is sufficiently narrow to necessarily involve unfolding of
      the translocating protein. Recent experimental results characterized the
      cotranslocational unfolding of Thioredoxin (Trx) passing through an alpha
      hemolisin pore, providing evidence for the existence of a multistep process. In
      this study we report the results of all-atom molecular dynamics simulations of
      the same system. Our data indicate that Trx translocation involves two main
      barriers. The first one is an unfolding barrier associated with a translocation
      intermediate where the N-terminal region of Trx is stuck at the pore entrance in
      a conformation that strongly resembles the native one. After the abrupt unfolding
      of the N-terminal region, the Trx enters the alpha-hemolisin vestibule. During
      this stage, the constriction is occupied not only by the translocating residue
      but also by a hairpin-like structure forming a tangle in the constriction. The
      second barrier is associated with the disentangling of this region. 

PMID- 26267191
TI  - Transformation Chemistry of Gold Nanoclusters: From One Stable Size to Another.
AB  - Controlling nanoparticles with atomic precision has long been a major dream of
      nanochemists. This dream has first been realized in the case of gold
      nanoparticles. We previously discussed a size-focusing methodology for the
      syntheses of atomically precise gold nanoclusters protected by thiolate ligands
      (referred to as Aun(SR)m, where n and m represent the exact numbers of gold atoms
      and surface ligands). This methodology led to molecularly pure nanoclusters such
      as Au25(SR)18, Au38(SR)24, Au144(SR)60, and many others in recent work. In this
      Perspective article, we shall further discuss a new methodology for controlling
      the size and structure of nanoclusters through ligand-exchange-induced
      transformation of Aun(SR)m nanoclusters. Notable examples include the
      transformations of Au25(SR)18 to Au28(SR')20, Au38(SR)24 to Au36(SR')24, and
      Au144(SR)60 to Au133(SR')52. Total structures of the new nanoclusters have also
      been attained. The transformation processes are remarkable and resemble the
      organic transformation chemistry. We have also achieved mechanistic understanding
      on the transformation process, and a disproportionation mechanism has been for
      the first time identified. This new methodology (i.e., ligand-exchange-induced
      size/structure transformation, LEIST for short) has not only demonstrated the
      important role of thiolate ligand in the transformation chemistry of clusters but
      also paved the way for creating an expanded "library" of Aun(SR)m nanoclusters
      for exploration of their magic sizes, structures, properties, and applications. 

PMID- 26267190
TI  - Exciton Binding Energy and the Nature of Emissive States in Organometal Halide
      Perovskites.
AB  - Characteristics of nanoscale materials are often different from the corresponding
      bulk properties providing new, sometimes unexpected, opportunities for
      applications. Here we investigate the properties of 8 nm colloidal nanoparticles
      of MAPbBr3 perovskites and contrast them to the ones of large microcrystallites
      representing a bulk. X-ray spectroscopies provide an exciton binding energy of
      0.32 +/- 0.10 eV in the nanoparticles. This is 5 times higher than the value of
      bulk crystals (0.084 +/- 0.010 eV), and readily explains the high fluorescence
      quantum yield in nanoparticles. In the bulk, at high excitation concentrations,
      the fluorescence intensity has quadratic behavior following the Saha-Langmuir
      model due to the nongeminate recombination of charges forming the emissive
      exciton states. In the nanoparticles, a linear dependence is observed since the
      excitation concentration per particle is significantly less than one. Even the
      bulk shows linear emission intensity dependence at lower excitation
      concentrations. In this case, the average excitation spacing becomes larger than
      the carrier diffusion length suppressing the nongeminate recombination. From
      these considerations we obtain the charge carrier diffusion length in MAPbBr3 of
      100 nm. 

PMID- 26267192
TI  - Pulling and Stretching a Molecular Wire to Tune its Conductance.
AB  - A scanning tunnelling microscope is used to pull a polythiophene wire from a
      Au(111) surface while measuring the current traversing the junction. Abrupt
      current increases measured during the lifting procedure are associated with the
      detachment of molecular subunits, in apparent contradiction with the expected
      exponential decrease of the conductance with wire length. Ab initio simulations
      reproduce the experimental data and demonstrate that this unexpected behavior is
      due to release of mechanical stress in the wire, paving the way to mechanically
      gated single-molecule electronic devices. 

PMID- 26267193
TI  - Coherent Nuclear Wave Packets in Q States by Ultrafast Internal Conversions in
      Free Base Tetraphenylporphyrin.
AB  - Persistence of vibrational coherence in electronic transition has been noted
      especially in biochemical systems. Here, we report the dynamics between
      electronic excited states in free base tetraphenylporphyrin (H2TPP) by time
      resolved fluorescence with high time resolution. Following the photoexcitation of
      the B state, ultrafast internal conversion occurs to the Qx state directly as
      well as via the Qy state. Unique and distinct coherent nuclear wave packet
      motions in the Qx and Qy states are observed through the modulation of the
      fluorescence intensity in time. The instant, serial internal conversions from the
      B to the Qy and Qx states generate the coherent wave packets. Theory and
      experiment show that the observed vibrational modes involve the out-of-plane
      vibrations of the porphyrin ring that are strongly coupled to the internal
      conversion of H2TPP. 

PMID- 26267194
TI  - Fostered Thermomagnetic Stabilities and Boosted Mechanical Reliability Related to
      High Trapped Field in Composite Bulk YBa2Cu3O(7-delta) Cryomagnets.
AB  - In the quest of YBa2Cu3O(7-delta) (Y123) bulk superconductors providing strong
      magnetic fields without failure, it is of paramount importance to achieve high
      thermal stabilities to safeguard the magnetic energy inside them during the
      trapping-field process, and sufficient mechanical reliability to withstand the
      stresses derived from the Lorenz force. Herein, we experimentally demonstrate a
      temperature rise induced by dissipative flux motion inside an Y123 thin-wall
      superconductor, and a significant thermal exchange in a composite bulk Y123
      cryomagnet realized by embedding this superconductor with high thermal
      conductivity metal network. It resulted in stimulating the maximum trapped field
      Bm, which reached 6.46 T on 15.9 mm-diameter single disk superconductor after
      magnetization by field cooling to 17 K under 7 T, leading to an improvement of
      18% compared to the thin-wall superconductor. The composite cryomagnet
      particularly revealed the potential to trap stronger fields if larger magnetic
      activation is available. By virtue of the pore-free and crack-free microstructure
      of this cryomagnet, its strength sigmaR was estimated to be 363 MPa, the largest
      one obtained so far for Y123 bulk superconductors, thus suggesting a striking
      mechanical reliability that seems to be sufficient to sustain stresses derived
      from trapped fields stronger than any values hitherto reported.

PMID- 26267195
TI  - Quenching of Charge Transfer in Nitrobenzene Induced by Vibrational Motion.
AB  - Although nitrobenzene is the smallest nitro-aromatic molecule, the nature of its
      electronic structure is still unclear. Most notably, the lowest-energy absorption
      band was assessed in numerous studies providing conflicting results regarding its
      charge-transfer character. In this study, we employ a combination of molecular
      dynamics and quantum chemical methods to disentangle the nature of the lowest
      energy absorption band of nitrobenzene. Surprisingly, the charge-transfer
      transition from the benzene moiety to the nitro group is found to be quenched by
      a flow of charge into the opposite direction induced by vibrational motion.
      Beyond clarifying the charge-transfer character of nitrobenzene, we show that the
      widely used approach of analyzing the ground-state minimum-energy geometry
      provides completely wrong conclusions. 

PMID- 26267196
TI  - Ice Nucleation Properties of Oxidized Carbon Nanomaterials.
AB  - Heterogeneous ice nucleation is an important process in many fields, particularly
      atmospheric science, but is still poorly understood. All known inorganic ice
      nucleating particles are relatively large in size and tend to be hydrophilic.
      Hence it is not obvious that carbon nanomaterials should nucleate ice. However,
      in this paper we show that four different readily water-dispersible carbon
      nanomaterials are capable of nucleating ice. The tested materials were
      carboxylated graphene nanoflakes, graphene oxide, oxidized single walled carbon
      nanotubes and oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes. The carboxylated graphene
      nanoflakes have a diameter of ~30 nm and are among the smallest entities observed
      so far to nucleate ice. Overall, carbon nanotubes were found to nucleate ice more
      efficiently than flat graphene species, and less oxidized materials nucleated ice
      more efficiently than more oxidized species. These well-defined carbon
      nanomaterials may pave the way to bridging the gap between experimental and
      computational studies of ice nucleation. 

PMID- 26267197
TI  - Impact of Space-Charge Layers on Sudden Death in Li/O2 Batteries.
AB  - The performance of Li/O2 batteries is thought to be limited by charge transport
      through the solid Li2O2 discharge product. Prior studies suggest that electron
      tunneling is the main transport mechanism through thin, compact Li2O2 deposits.
      The present study employs a new continuum transport model to explore an
      alternative scenario, in which charge transport is mediated by polaron hopping.
      Unlike earlier models, which assume a uniform carrier concentration or local
      electroneutrality, the possibility of nonuniform space charge is accounted for at
      the Li2O2/electrolyte and Li2O2/electrode interfaces, providing a more realistic
      picture of transport in Li2O2 films. The temperature and current-density
      dependences of the discharge curves predicted by the model are in good agreement
      with flat-electrode experiments over a wide range of rates, supporting the
      hypothesis that polaron hopping contributes significantly to charge transport.
      Exercising the model suggests that this mechanism could explain the observed
      enhancement in cell performance at elevated temperature and that performance
      could be further improved by tuning the interfacial orientation of Li2O2
      crystallites. 

PMID- 26267198
TI  - Tuning Properties in Silver Clusters.
AB  - The properties of Ag nanoclusters are not as well understood as those of their
      more precious Au cousins. However, a recent surge in the exploration of
      strategies to tune the physicochemical characteristics of Ag clusters addresses
      this imbalance, leading to new insights into their optical, luminescence, crystal
      habit, metal-core, ligand-shell, and environmental properties. In this
      Perspective, we provide an overview of the latest strategies along with a brief
      introduction of the theoretical framework necessary to understand the properties
      of silver nanoclusters and the basis for their tuning. The advances in cluster
      research and the future prospects presented in this Perspective will eventually
      guide the next large systematic study of nanoclusters, resulting in a single
      collection of data similar to the periodic table of elements. 

PMID- 26267199
TI  - Formation of Positively Charged Liquid Helium Clusters in Supercritical Helium
      and their Solidification upon Compression.
AB  - Positively charged ions were produced in supercritical helium at temperatures
      from 6 to 10 K and up to 2 MPa using a corona discharge. Their mobility was
      measured via current-voltage curves, and the hydrodynamic radius was derived
      using Stokes law. An initial increase and subsequent decrease of hydrodynamic
      radius was observed and interpreted in terms of growth, compression and
      solidification of ion clusters. The mobility was modeled using a van der Waals
      type thermodynamic state equation for the ion-in-helium mixed system and a
      temperature-dependent Millikan-Cunningham factor, describing experimental data
      both in the Knudsen and the Stokes flow region. Regions of maximum hydrodynamic
      radius and large compressibility were interpreted as boiling points. These points
      were modeled over a large range of pressures and found to match the Frenkel line
      of pure helium up to 0.7 MPa, reflecting similarity of density fluctuations in
      pure supercritical helium and gas-liquid phase transitions of ionic helium
      clusters. 

PMID- 26267200
TI  - Spatial Localization of Excitons and Charge Carriers in Hybrid Perovskite Thin
      Films.
AB  - The fundamental photophysics underlying the remarkably high-power conversion
      efficiency of organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite-based solar cells has been
      increasingly studied using complementary spectroscopic techniques. However, the
      spatially heterogeneous polycrystalline morphology of the photoactive layers
      owing to the presence of distinct crystalline grains has been generally neglected
      in optical measurements; therefore, the reported results are typically averaged
      over hundreds or even thousands of such grains. Here we apply femtosecond
      transient absorption microscopy to spatially and temporally probe ultrafast
      electronic excited-state dynamics in pristine methylammonium lead tri-iodide
      (CH3NH3PbI3) thin films and composite structures. We found that the electronic
      excited-state relaxation kinetics are extremely sensitive to the sample location
      probed, which was manifested by position-dependent decay time scales and
      transient signals. Analysis of transient absorption kinetics acquired at distinct
      spatial positions enabled us to identify contributions of excitons and free
      charge carriers. 

PMID- 26267201
TI  - Revealing the Mechanism of the Viscous-to-Elastic Crossover in Liquids.
AB  - In this work, we report on inelastic X-ray scattering experiments combined with
      the molecular dynamics simulations on deeply supercritical Ar. The presented
      results unveil the mechanism and regimes of sound propagation in the liquid
      matter and provide compelling evidence for the adiabatic-to-isothermal
      longitudinal sound propagation transition. We introduce a Hamiltonian predicting
      low-frequency transverse sound propagation gaps, which is confirmed by
      experimental findings and molecular dynamics calculations. As a result, a
      universal link is established between the positive sound dispersion (PSD)
      phenomenon and the origin of transverse sound propagation revealing the viscous
      to-elastic crossover in liquids. The PSD and transverse phononic excitations
      evolve consistently with theoretical predictions. Both can be considered as a
      universal fingerprint of the dynamic response of a liquid, which is also
      observable in a subdomain of supercritical phase. The simultaneous disappearance
      of both these effects at elevated temperatures is a manifestation of the Frenkel
      line. We expect that these findings will advance the current understanding of
      fluids under extreme thermodynamic conditions. 

PMID- 26267202
TI  - Controlling Exciton Diffusion and Fullerene Distribution in Photovoltaic Blends
      by Side Chain Modification.
AB  - The influence of crystallinity on exciton diffusion and fullerene distribution
      was investigated by blending amorphous and semicrystalline copolymers. We
      measured exciton diffusion and fluorescence quenching in such blends by
      dispersing fullerene molecules into them. We find that the diffusion length is
      more than two times higher in the semicrystalline copolymer than in the amorphous
      copolymer. We also find that fullerene preferentially mixes into disordered
      regions of the polymer film. This shows that relatively small differences in
      molecular structure are important for exciton diffusion and fullerene
      distribution. 

PMID- 26267203
TI  - Deuteration of Perylene Enhances Photochemical Upconversion Efficiency.
AB  - Photochemical upconversion via triplet-triplet annihilation is a promising
      technology for improving the efficiency of photovoltaic devices. Previous studies
      have shown that the efficiency of upconversion depends largely on two rate
      constants intrinsic to the emitting species. Here, we report that one of these
      rate constants can be altered by deuteration, leading to enhanced upconversion
      efficiency. For perylene, deuteration decreases the first order decay rate
      constant by 16 +/- 9% at 298 K, which increases the linear upconversion response
      by 45 +/- 21% in the low excitation regime. 

PMID- 26267204
TI  - Journal Impact Factor and the Real Impact of Your Paper.

PMID- 26267205
TI  - Absorption and Magnetic Circular Dichroism Analyses of Giant Zeeman Splittings in
      Diffusion-Doped Colloidal Cd(1-x)Mn(x)Se Quantum Dots.
AB  - Impurity ions can transform the electronic, magnetic, or optical properties of
      colloidal quantum dots. Magnetic impurities introduce strong dopant-carrier
      exchange coupling that generates giant Zeeman splittings (DeltaEZ) of excitonic
      excited states. To date, DeltaEZ in colloidal doped quantum dots has primarily
      been quantified by analysis of magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) intensities and
      absorption line widths (sigma). Here, we report DeltaEZ values detected directly
      by absorption spectroscopy for the first time in such materials, using colloidal
      Cd(1-x)Mn(x)Se quantum dots prepared by diffusion doping. A convenient method for
      decomposing MCD and absorption data into circularly polarized absorption spectra
      is presented. These data confirm the widely applied MCD analysis in the low
      field, high-temperature regime, but also reveal a breakdown at low temperatures
      and high fields when DeltaEZ/sigma approaches unity, a situation not previously
      encountered in doped quantum dots. This breakdown is apparent for the first time
      here because of the extraordinarily large DeltaEZ and small sigma achieved by
      nanocrystal diffusion doping.

PMID- 26267206
TI  - Charge Carriers in Planar and Meso-Structured Organic-Inorganic Perovskites:
      Mobilities, Lifetimes, and Concentrations of Trap States.
AB  - Efficient solar cells have been obtained using thin films of solution-processed
      organic-inorganic perovskites. However, there remains limited knowledge about the
      relationship between preparation route and optoelectronic properties. We use
      complementary time-resolved microwave conductivity (TRMC) and photoluminescence
      (PL) measurements to investigate the charge carrier dynamics in thin planar films
      of CH3NH3PbI(3-x)Cl(x), CH3NH3PbI3, and their meso-structured analogues. High
      mobilities close to 30 cm(2)/(V s) and microsecond-long lifetimes are found in
      thin films of CH3NH3PbI(3-x)Cl(x), compared to lifetimes of only a few hundred
      nanoseconds in CH3NH3PbI3 and meso-structured perovskites. We describe our TRMC
      and PL experiments with a global kinetic model, using one set of kinetic
      parameters characteristic for each sample. We find that the trap density is less
      than 5 * 10(14) cm(-3) in CH3NH3PbI(3-x)Cl(x), 6 * 10(16) cm(-3) in the
      CH3NH3PbI3 thin film and ca. 10(15) cm(-3) in both meso-structured perovskites.
      Furthermore, our results imply that band-to-band recombination is enhanced by the
      presence of dark carriers resulting from unintentional doping of the perovskites.
      Finally, our general approach to determine concentrations of trap states and dark
      carriers is also highly relevant to other semiconductor materials.

PMID- 26267207
TI  - Understanding the Interaction between Low-Energy Electrons and DNA Nucleotides in
      Aqueous Solution.
AB  - Reactions that can damage DNA have been simulated using a combination of
      molecular dynamics and density functional theory. In particular, the damage
      caused by the attachment of a low energy electron to the nucleobase. Simulations
      of anionic single nucleotides of DNA in an aqueous environment that was modeled
      explicitly have been performed. This has allowed us to examine the role played by
      the water molecules that surround the DNA in radiation damage mechanisms. Our
      simulations show that hydrogen bonding and protonation of the nucleotide by the
      water can have a significant effect on the barriers to strand breaking reactions.
      Furthermore, these effects are not the same for all four of the bases. 

PMID- 26267208
TI  - Two-Dimensional Indium Selenides Compounds: An Ab Initio Study.
AB  - We use first-principle calculations to investigate the electronic structure of
      InSe and In2Se3. The interlayer binding energy is found to be in the same range
      as for other 2D systems, and the monolayers are found to be dynamically stable,
      which suggest the possibility to obtain them as isolated layers. The GW
      approximation including spin-orbit is used to obtain the bandgaps, which are in
      the range relevant for application in electronics. Also, it is shown that an
      electric field perpendicular to the layers can induce a semiconductor to metal
      transition in this family of compounds. 

PMID- 26267209
TI  - Spontaneous Oxidation of Ni Nanoclusters on MgO Monolayers Induced by Segregation
      of Interfacial Oxygen.
AB  - We report the study of Ni nanoclusters deposited on MgO/Ag(100) ultrathin films
      (one monolayer) at T = 200 K. We show by STM analysis and DFT calculations that
      in the limit of low Ni coverage the formation of nanoclusters of four to six
      atoms occurs and that these aggregates are flat rather than 3D, as expected for
      Ni tetramers, pentamers, or hexamers. Both the shape of the clusters and the
      interatomic distance between neighboring Ni atoms are indicative that the
      nanoparticles do not consist of pure metal atoms but that a NiyOx structure has
      formed thanks to the availability of atomic oxygen accumulated at the MgO/Ag
      interface, with Ni clusters acting as oxygen pumps. Besides being of relevance in
      view of the use of metal nanoclusters in catalysis and other applications, this
      finding gives a further proof of the peculiar behavior of ultrathin oxide films. 

PMID- 26267210
TI  - Dynamics of a One-Dimensional Holstein Polaron with the Hierarchical Equations of
      Motion Approach.
AB  - Dynamics of a one-dimensional Holstein molecular crystal model is investigated by
      making use of the hierarchical equations of motion (HEOM) introduced by Tanimura
      and Kubo [J. Phys. Soc. Jpn. 1989, 104, 101]. Our extended, numerically exact
      HEOM approach is capable of treating exciton-phonon coupling in a nonperturbative
      manner and is applicable to any temperature. It is revealed that strong exciton
      phonon coupling leads to excitonic localization, while a large exciton transfer
      integral facilitates exciton transport. Temperature effects on excitonic
      scattering have also been examined. A proof of concept, our work also serves as a
      benchmark for future comparisons with other numerical approaches to Holstein
      polaron dynamics. 

PMID- 26267211
TI  - Tyrosine Photophysics During the Early Stages of beta-Amyloid Aggregation Leading
      to Alzheimer's.
AB  - We have monitored the formation of toxic beta-amyloid oligomers leading to
      Alzheimer's disease by detecting changes in the fluorescence decay of intrinsic
      tyrosine. A new approach based on the non-Debye model of fluorescence kinetics
      resolves the complexity of the underlying photophysics. The gradual disappearance
      of nonmonotonic fluorescence decay rates, at the early stages of aggregation as
      larger, tighter-packed oligomers are formed, is interpreted in terms of tyrosine
      peptide dielectric relaxation influencing the decay. The results demonstrate the
      potential for a new type of fluorescence lifetime sensing based on dual excited
      state/dielectric relaxation, with application across a broad range of biological
      molecules. The results also reconcile previously conflicting models of protein
      intrinsic fluorescence decay based on rotamers or dielectric relaxation by
      illustrating conditions under which both are manifest. 

PMID- 26267212
TI  - Boron Subphthalocyanines as Triplet Harvesting Materials within Organic
      Photovoltaics.
AB  - Singlet fission, the generation of two excited triplet states from a single
      absorbed photon, is currently an area of significant interest to photovoltaic
      researchers. In this Letter, we outline how a polychlorinated boron
      subphthalocyanine, previously hypothesized to be an effective harvester of
      singlet fission derived triplets from pentacene, is relatively efficient at
      facilitating the process. As expected, we found a major increase in photocurrent
      generation at the expense of device voltage. For a direct point of comparison, we
      also have paired the same polychlorinated boron subphthalocyanine with alpha
      sexithiophene to probe the alternative technique of complementary absorption
      engineering. The sum of these efforts have let us present new guidelines for the
      molecular design of boron subphthalocyanine for organic photovoltaic
      applications. 

PMID- 26267213
TI  - Reduction-induced facile isomerisation of metallacarboranes: synthesis and
      crystallographic characterisation of 4-Cp-4,1,2-closo-CoC2B9H11.
AB  - One-electron reduction of 3-Cp-3,1,2-closo-CoC2B9H11 followed by heating to
      reflux in DME (b.p. 85  degrees C) induces isomerisation to 4-Cp-4,1,2-closo
      CoC2B9H11, a compound previously only synthesised at much higher temperatures
      (>380  degrees C). The 4,1,2-isomer has been thoroughly characterised both
      spectroscopically and crystallographically. 

PMID- 26267214
TI  - Ultralow Friction of Steel Surfaces Using a 1,3-Diketone Lubricant in the Thin
      Film Lubrication Regime.
AB  - Ultralow friction (coefficient of friction MU ~ 0.005) is observed when two steel
      surfaces are brought into sliding contact in the presence of a particular 1,3
      diketone lubricant (1-(4-ethyl phenyl) nonane-1,3-dione). We investigate the
      friction process of such a system both experimentally and theoretically and show
      that the superlubricity is caused by a novel, unique mechanism: The formation of
      iron-1,3-diketonato complexes during frictional contact leads to a self-limiting,
      tribochemical polishing process while at the same time a self-assembled monolayer
      of the diketone is formed on the employed steel surfaces. This polishing process
      reduces the contact pressure and at the same time leads to formation of a
      boundary lubricant layer. During sliding the system transits from the original
      boundary lubrication regime toward hydrodynamic lubrication. Conductivity
      measurements across the friction gap during sliding show that the lubricant layer
      present in the gap between the two shearing surfaces is a only few 10 nanometers
      thick, so that the molecules experience under typical sliding conditions shear
      rates of a few 10(6) s(-1). Simulations show that under such strong shear the
      molecules become strongly oriented in the friction gap and the effective
      viscosity in sliding direction is significantly reduced so that the system is in
      the thin film lubrication regime and superlubricity is observed. The results of
      the experiments suggest that such diketones are promising lubricants to achieve a
      decrease of energy loss and frictional damage in steel based mechanical devices. 

PMID- 26267215
TI  - Prevalence and detection of neuropsychiatric adverse effects during hepatitis C
      treatment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Current treatment combinations for chronic hepatitis C virus
      infection still include pegylated interferon and ribavirin despite the new
      therapeutic options available. Interferon-based treatments are associated with a
      high incidence of adverse effects. Central nervous system events are among the
      most frequent adverse drug reactions and their influence on treatment adherence
      and effectiveness is controversial. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to
      evaluate neuropsychiatric adverse effects of interferon-based treatment for
      chronic hepatitis C in standard multidisciplinary clinical practice. Risk factors
      for these adverse effects and their impact on adherence and sustained viral
      response were also evaluated. Setting Ambulatory care pharmacy in coordination
      with the liver unit and the infectious diseases unit at a 650-bed tertiary
      university hospital. METHODS: We included all consecutive patients with chronic
      hepatitis C who completed treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin
      between 2005 and 2013. All patients underwent a multidisciplinary follow-up
      during treatment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Neuropsychiatric adverse effects were
      evaluated in relation to severity, management and outcome. The presence of
      anxiety and depression was evaluated by means of specific tests. RESULTS: A total
      of 717 treatments in 679 patients were included. During treatment, we detected
      1679 neuropsychiatric adverse effects in 618 patients (86.2 %), generating 1737
      clinical interventions. Fifty-seven (3.3 %) neuropsychiatric adverse effects were
      severe and 2 (0.1 %) were life-threatening (suicidal attempts). Most
      neuropsychiatric adverse effects (1555 events, 92.6 %) resolved without sequelae.
      Psychiatric medication was required in 289 patients (40.3 %). Sustained viral
      response was achieved in 400 cases (55.8 %) and was associated with adherence (OR
      = 1.942, 95 % CI = 1.235-3.052, p = 0.004). A multivariate analysis did not show
      any relationship between neuropsychiatric adverse effects and treatment adherence
      or sustained viral response. A psychiatric history was a strong risk factor for
      depression, anxiety and other psychiatric disorders during treatment. CONCLUSION:
      Neuropsychiatric adverse effects during interferon-based treatments in patients
      with chronic hepatitis C were common but mostly mild or moderate. Early detection
      and accurate multidisciplinary management avoided treatment discontinuation,
      ensuring adherence and attaining sustained viral response. The identified risk
      factors could be used to determine patients eligible for interferon-free
      combinations, thus optimizing health system economics.

PMID- 26267217
TI  - Enhancer additivity and non-additivity are determined by enhancer strength in the
      Drosophila embryo.
AB  - Metazoan genes are embedded in a rich milieu of regulatory information that often
      includes multiple enhancers possessing overlapping activities. In this study, we
      employ quantitative live imaging methods to assess the function of pairs of
      primary and shadow enhancers in the regulation of key patterning genes-knirps,
      hunchback, and snail-in developing Drosophila embryos. The knirps enhancers
      exhibit additive, sometimes even super-additive activities, consistent with
      classical gene fusion studies. In contrast, the hunchback enhancers function sub
      additively in anterior regions containing saturating levels of the Bicoid
      activator, but function additively in regions where there are diminishing levels
      of the Bicoid gradient. Strikingly sub-additive behavior is also observed for
      snail, whereby removal of the proximal enhancer causes a significant increase in
      gene expression. Quantitative modeling of enhancer-promoter interactions suggests
      that weakly active enhancers function additively while strong enhancers behave
      sub-additively due to competition with the target promoter. 

PMID- 26267216
TI  - Predicting effective microRNA target sites in mammalian mRNAs.
AB  - MicroRNA targets are often recognized through pairing between the miRNA seed
      region and complementary sites within target mRNAs, but not all of these
      canonical sites are equally effective, and both computational and in vivo UV
      crosslinking approaches suggest that many mRNAs are targeted through non
      canonical interactions. Here, we show that recently reported non-canonical sites
      do not mediate repression despite binding the miRNA, which indicates that the
      vast majority of functional sites are canonical. Accordingly, we developed an
      improved quantitative model of canonical targeting, using a compendium of
      experimental datasets that we pre-processed to minimize confounding biases. This
      model, which considers site type and another 14 features to predict the most
      effectively targeted mRNAs, performed significantly better than existing models
      and was as informative as the best high-throughput in vivo crosslinking
      approaches. It drives the latest version of TargetScan (v7.0; targetscan.org),
      thereby providing a valuable resource for placing miRNAs into gene-regulatory
      networks. 

PMID- 26267218
TI  - Biomechanical comparison of bionic, screw and Endobutton fixation in the
      treatment of tibiofibular syndesmosis injuries.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The two prevalent fixation methods in the treatment of syndesmosis
      injuries, the rigid screw fixation and flexible Endobutton fixation, are not
      without issues; thus, we have designed a novel bionic fixation method which
      combines the features of both rigid and flexible fixations. The aim of this study
      was to compare the biomechanical properties of the bionic fixation to the screw
      and Endobutton fixations. METHODS: Six normal fresh-frozen legs from amputation
      surgery were used. After initial tests of intact syndesmosis, screw, bionic and
      Endobutton fixations were performed sequentially for each specimen. Axial loading
      as well as rotation torque were applied, in five different ankle positions:
      neutral position, dorsiflexion, plantar flexion, varus, and valgus. The
      displacement of the syndesmosis and the tibial strain were analysed using a
      biomechanical testing system. RESULTS: Whether receiving axial loading or
      rotation torque, in most situations (neutral position, dorsiflexion, varus,
      plantar flexion with low loading, valgus with high loading, internal and external
      rotation), the bionic group and Endobutton group had comparable displacements,
      and there was no significant difference among the intact, bionic, and Endobutton
      groups; whereas the displacements of the screw group were smaller than any of the
      other three groups. Results of the tibial strain were similar with that of the
      displacement. CONCLUSIONS: The bionic fixation at least equals the performance of
      Endobutton fixation; it also allows more physiologic movement of the syndesmosis
      when compared to the screw fixation and may serve as a viable option for the
      fixation of the tibiofibular syndesmosis.

PMID- 26267219
TI  - Rupatadine is effective in the treatment of chronic spontaneous urticaria in
      children aged 2-11 years.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recommendations in current guidelines for the treatment of chronic
      spontaneous urticaria (CSU) in infants and children are mostly based on
      extrapolation of data obtained in adults. This study reports the efficacy and
      safety of rupatadine, a modern H1 and PAF antagonist recently authorized in
      Europe for children with allergic rhinitis and CSU. METHODS: A double-blind,
      randomized, parallel-group, multicentre, placebo-controlled compared study to
      desloratadine was carried out in children aged 2-11 years with CSU, with or
      without angio-oedema. Patients received either rupatadine (1 mg/ml), or
      desloratadine (0.5 mg/ml) or placebo once daily over 6 weeks. A modified 7-day
      cumulative Urticaria Activity Score (UAS7) was employed as the primary end-point.
      RESULTS: The absolute change of UAS7 at 42 days showed statistically significant
      differences between active treatments vs. placebo (-5.5 +/- 7.5 placebo, -11.8 +/
      8.7 rupatadine and -10.6 +/- 9.6 desloratadine; p < 0.001) and without
      differences between antihistamines compounds. There was a 55.8% decrease for
      rupatadine followed by desloratadine (-48.4%) and placebo (-30.3%). Rupatadine
      but not desloratadine was statistically superior to placebo in reduction of
      pruritus (-57%). Active treatments also showed a statistically better improvement
      in children's quality of life compared to placebo. Adverse events were uncommon
      and non-serious in both active groups. CONCLUSION: Rupatadine is effective and
      well tolerated in the relief of urticaria symptoms, improving quality of life
      over 6 weeks in children with CSU. This is the first study using a modified UAS
      to assess severity and efficacy outcome in CSU in children.

PMID- 26267220
TI  - The roles of nanocarriers on pigment epithelium-derived factor in the
      differentiation of human cardiac stem cells.
AB  - Over the past decade, adult stem cells have attracted great attention because of
      their ability to potentially regenerate desired tissues or entire organs. With
      the emergence of nanomaterial-based gene therapy, adult stem cells have been
      considered as a proper tool for the biomedical field. In this study, we utilized
      organically modified silica (ORMOSIL) nanoparticles to deliver small interfering
      RNA (siRNA) against pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) and induce the
      differentiation of human cardiac stem cells (CSCs). We found that the down
      regulation of PEDF can inhibit the proliferation of human CSCs and induce cell
      differentiation. To further study the mechanism, we have tested the Notch
      signalling pathway genes, Hes1 and Hes5, and found that their expressions were
      inhibited by the PEDF down-regulation. Furthermore, with the restoration of PEDF,
      both the proliferation of human CSCs and expressions of Hes1 and Hes5 were
      recovered. Our results suggest for the first time the use of ORMOSIL as
      nanocarriers for the delivery of PEDF siRNA in human CSCs, and demonstrated the
      cooperation between PEDF and the Notch signalling pathway in maintaining the self
      renewal and pluripotency of stem cells. PEDF as the essential controller in
      differentiation may be a promising target for the regulation of cardiac
      homeostasis and damage repair, which opens new treatment strategies using
      nanomaterials for heart disease therapy. 

PMID- 26267221
TI  - Kupffer-cell-expressed transmembrane TNF-alpha is a major contributor to
      lipopolysaccharide and D-galactosamine-induced liver injury.
AB  - Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha exists in two bioactive forms, a 26-kDa
      transmembrane form (tmTNF-alpha) and a 17-kDa soluble form (sTNF-alpha). sTNF
      alpha has been recognized as a key regulator of hepatitis; however, serum sTNF
      alpha disappears in mice during the development of severe liver injury, and high
      levels of serum sTNF-alpha do not necessarily result in liver damage.
      Interestingly, in a mouse model of acute hepatitis, we have found that tmTNF
      alpha expression on Kupffer cells (KCs) significantly increases when mice develop
      severe liver injury caused by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/D-galactosamine (D-gal),
      and the level of tmTNF-alpha expression is positively related to the activity of
      serum transaminases. Therefore, we hypothesized that KC-expressed tmTNF-alpha
      constitutes a pathomechanism in hepatitis and have explored the role of tmTNF
      alpha in this disease model. Here, we have compared the impact of KCs(tmTNFlow)
      and KCs(tmTNFhigh) on acute hepatitis in vivo and ex vivo and have further
      demonstrated that KCs(tmTNFhigh), rather than KCs(tmTNFlow), not only exhibit an
      imbalance in secretion of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, favoring
      inflammatory response and exacerbating liver injury, but also induce
      hepatocellular apoptosis via tmTNF-alpha and the expression of another pro
      apoptotic factor, Fas ligand. Our data suggest that KC(tmTNFhigh) is a major
      contributor to liver injury in LPS/D-gal-induced hepatitis. 

PMID- 26267222
TI  - Mechanism of Li intercalation/deintercalation into/from the surface of LiCoO2.
AB  - Mechanism of Li diffusion at the LiCoO2(101[combining overline]4) surface and in
      bulk LiCoO2 is studied using density functional theory calculations. We find that
      there is almost no barrier for the diffusion of Li between the two topmost
      surface layers. The results show that Li intercalation occurs by the diffusion of
      Li ions from the first layer to the divacancy of Li sites created by removal of
      two neighboring Li ions in the first and second layer. However, Li
      deintercalation occurs by the diffusion of Li ions from the second layer to the
      missing row of topmost Li sites. The energy barrier for the process of
      intercalation/deintercalation of Li between the second and third surface layers
      is also lower than that in the bulk. This finding indicates that nanosized LiCoO2
      with a large surface area/volume ratio is a promising cathode material for fast
      charging/discharging Li-ion batteries. 

PMID- 26267223
TI  - Transmission-less attenuation estimation from time-of-flight PET histo-images
      using consistency equations.
AB  - In positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, attenuation correction with
      accurate attenuation estimation is crucial for quantitative patient studies.
      Recent research showed that the attenuation sinogram can be determined up to a
      scaling constant utilizing the time-of-flight information. The TOF-PET data can
      be naturally and efficiently stored in a histo-image without information loss,
      and the radioactive tracer distribution can be efficiently reconstructed using
      the DIRECT approaches. In this paper, we explore transmission-less attenuation
      estimation from TOF-PET histo-images. We first present the TOF-PET histo-image
      formation and the consistency equations in the histo-image parameterization, then
      we derive a least-squares solution for estimating the directional derivatives of
      the attenuation factors from the measured emission histo-images. Finally, we
      present a fast solver to estimate the attenuation factors from their directional
      derivatives using the discrete sine transform and fast Fourier transform while
      considering the boundary conditions. We find that the attenuation histo-images
      can be uniquely determined from the TOF-PET histo-images by considering boundary
      conditions. Since the estimate of the attenuation directional derivatives can be
      inaccurate for LORs tangent to the patient boundary, external sources, e.g. a
      ring or annulus source, might be needed to give an accurate estimate of the
      attenuation gradient for such LORs. The attenuation estimation from TOF-PET
      emission histo-images is demonstrated using simulated 2D TOF-PET data. 

PMID- 26267224
TI  - Dissecting ancestry genomic background in substance dependence genome-wide
      association studies.
AB  - AIMS: To understand the role of ancestral genomic background in substance
      dependence (SD) genome-wide association studies (GWAS), we analyzed population
      diversity at genetic loci associated with SD traits and evaluated its effect on
      GWAS outcomes. MATERIALS & METHODS: We investigated 24 genes with variants
      associated with SD by GWAS; and 82 loci with putative subordinate roles with
      respect to SD-associated genes. RESULTS: We observed high ancestry-related
      frequency differences in common functional alleles in GWAS relevant genes and
      their interactive partners. Common functional alleles with high frequency
      differences demonstrated significant effects on the GWAS outcomes. CONCLUSION:
      Population differences in SD GWAS outcomes seem not to be influenced by general
      variation across the genome, but by ancestry-related local haplotype structures
      at SD-associated loci.

PMID- 26267225
TI  - Female Urethral Diverticulum: Current Diagnosis and Management.
AB  - While urethral diverticulum (UD) affects less than 20 per 1,000,000 women
      overall, it is thought to represent 1.4% of women with incontinence presenting to
      urology practices. It is hypothesized to evolve from periurethral glands that
      become obstructed, infected, and dilated over time, and patients typically
      present with dyspareunia, bothersome lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), and/or
      recurrent UTIs. In many patients, a periurethral mass can be appreciated on exam.
      In recent years, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become the imaging test of
      choice for diagnosis of UD, but ultrasound (US) is a readily available
      alternative and provides good specificity at a lower cost. Surgical excision of
      the diverticulum with tension-free, water-tight, three-layer closure continues to
      be the mainstay of treatment of UD with most studies reporting cure rates of
      >90%. Concomitant treatment of preexisting stress incontinence with autologous
      fascial pubovaginal sling can be used at the time of diverticulectomy to avoid a
      secondary procedure. However, since secondary anti-incontinence procedures are
      needed in only a small number of patients, up-front stress incontinence treatment
      may result in significant overtreatment, and staged anti-incontinence procedures
      continue to be a reasonable option for patients with persistent bothersome stress
      urinary incontinence (SUI) after diverticulectomy.

PMID- 26267226
TI  - What is the Need for Prostatic Biomarkers in Prostate Cancer Management?
AB  - Discriminating patients with a low risk of progression from those with lethal
      prostate cancer is one of the main challenges in prostate cancer management.
      Indeed, such discrimination is essential if we aim to avoid overtreatment in men
      with indolent disease and to improve survival in those men with lethal disease.
      We are reporting on the current literature on such prognostic tools that are now
      available, their clinical role and their limitations in individualizing care.
      There is an urgent need to incorporate such genomic tools into new platform-based
      clinical trial structures to further develop and validate prognostic and
      predictive biomarkers and provide prostate cancer patients with an effective and
      cost-efficient access to new drugs in the setting of personalized treatment. 

PMID- 26267227
TI  - Room temperature Coulomb blockade effects in Au nanocluster/pentacene single
      electron transistors.
AB  - Single-electron transistors incorporating single ~1 nm gold nanocluster (AuNCs)
      and pentacene as a complex charge transport system have been used to study the
      quantum Coulomb blockade and its single electron tunnelling behaviour at room
      temperature (RT) (300 K). Monodisperse ultra-small (0.86 +/- 0.30 nm) AuNCs were
      deposited by the tilted-target sputtering technique into 12 nm nanogaps
      fabricated by high-resolution e-beam lithography. Tunnelling resistance was
      modulated to ~10(9) Omega by addition of a pentacene layer, allowing clear
      observation of quantum staircases and Coulomb oscillations with on/off current
      modulation ratio of ~100 in RT current-voltage measurements. The electron
      addition energy and average quantized energy level spacing were found to be 282
      and 80.4 meV, respectively, which are significantly larger than the thermal
      energy at 300 K (25.9 meV). 

PMID- 26267228
TI  - Development of the Superaltricial Monk Parakeet (Aves, Psittaciformes): Embryo
      Staging, Growth, and Heterochronies.
AB  - Knowledge about the embryonic stages of birds is important in answering many
      questions about development and evolution. We give the first description of 41
      embryological stages of the monk parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus) on the basis of
      external morphology and comparison with the chicken. We also provide measurements
      of some external morphological characters (i.e. body mass, crown-rump, beak,
      forelimb, and third toe lengths) and perform comparisons with other precocial and
      altricial birds with the aim of identifying heterochronous developmental
      features. The following differences in the development of characters in the monk
      parakeet when compared with other birds were found: (1) delay of the feathers
      primordia, (2) wing buds initially greater than leg buds, (3) forelimbs and
      hindlimbs with similar relative size, (4) retroversion of the toe IV, (5) ventral
      curvature of the upper jaw, (6) positive regressions between stages and beak
      length with acceleration and higher values and III toe lengths with deceleration
      and lower values in the monk parakeet compared to the chicken. The growth pattern
      of the monk paraket Myiopsitta monachus could be influenced by some heterochronic
      processes like post-displacement, acceleration and/or deceleration. Results of
      this research allow the standard identification of stages in different species of
      parrots, recognize similarities and differences between precocial (the chicken)
      and altricial species (Myiopsitta), and provide planning data for future studies.

PMID- 26267230
TI  - Corrigendum to: Genetic associations of leukoaraiosis indicate pathophysiological
      mechanisms in white matter lesions etiology.

PMID- 26267229
TI  - Integrated in silico and experimental methods revealed that Arctigenin inhibited
      angiogenesis and HCT116 cell migration and invasion through regulating the H1F4A
      and Wnt/beta-catenin pathway.
AB  - Arctigenin (ARG) has been previously reported to exert diverse biological
      activities including anti-proliferation, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral, etc.
      In the current study, the anti-metastasis and anti-angiogenesis activities of ARG
      were investigated. To further understand how ARG played these bioactivities,
      proteomic approaches were used to profile the proteome changes in response to ARG
      treatment using 2DE-MS/MS. Using these approaches, a total of 50 differentially
      expressed proteins were identified and clustered. Bioinformatics analysis
      suggested that multiple signalling pathways were involved. Moreover, ARG induced
      anti-metastatic and anti-angiogenesis activities were mainly accompanied by a
      deactivation of the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway in HCT116 cells. 

PMID- 26267231
TI  - Compact and stable SNAP ligand-conjugated quantum dots as a fluorescent probe for
      single-molecule imaging of dynein motor protein.
AB  - Compact SNAP ligand-conjugated quantum dots (<10 nm) with high colloidal
      stability over a wide range of pH (5-9) have been synthesized as fluorescent
      probe for the single-molecule imaging of dynein motor protein. 

PMID- 26267233
TI  - Adult-onset congenital thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura caused by a novel
      compound heterozygous mutation of the ADAMTS13 gene.
AB  - Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a life-threatening disease,
      characterized by microangiopathic hemolytic anaemia and thrombocytopenia,
      resulting in neurologic and/or renal abnormalities. We report a 49-year-old
      patient with a history of thrombotic events, renal failure, and thrombocytopenia.
      Blood analysis demonstrated no ADAMTS13 activity in the absence of antibodies
      against ADAMTS13. The complete ADAMTS13 gene was sequenced, and two mutations
      were identified: one mutation on exon 24 (Arg1060Asp), which had previously been
      described, and a mutation on exon 27 (Met1260IlefsX34), which has not been
      reported. For these mutations, compound heterozygosity appears to be necessary to
      cause TTP, as family members of the patient display only one of the mutations and
      all displayed normal ADAMTS13 activity.

PMID- 26267232
TI  - The longitudinal analysis of large granular lymphocytosis in patients with
      Philadelphia chromosome-positive leukemia treated with dasatinib.
AB  - Dasatinib, a 2nd-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), can specifically
      induce large granular lymphocytes (LGL) in some patients with Philadelphia
      chromosome (Ph)-positive leukemia. To investigate the properties of the induced
      LGLs, we performed prospective and longitudinal analyses. From Feb 2011 to Jan
      2013, a total of 17 patients with Ph-positive leukemia who were previously
      untreated or refractory to imatinib were enrolled. T cell receptor (TCR)
      gamma/delta gene rearrangements and phenotypic profiles of lymphocytes were
      examined before and during administration of dasatinib. LGL lymphocytosis was
      observed in half of the dasatinib-treated cases (LGL+ group), showing a relation
      to increased achievement of complete cytogenetic response within 6 months. The
      phenotypes of the increased lymphocytes were revealed to be mostly natural killer
      cells. In the LGL+ group, clonal TCR-gamma gene rearrangements were frequently
      detected at diagnosis (six of nine cases) and persisted during therapy, compared
      with only two of eight in the LGL- group. The proportion of regulatory T cells to
      CD4+ T cells at diagnosis was lower in the LGL+ compared with the LGL- group
      (median 4.2 vs. 6.6 %), and this disparity was sustained throughout the
      therapeutic period. These results demonstrate that immunological condition at
      diagnosis may affect LGL lymphocytosis in some dasatinib-treated patients.

PMID- 26267234
TI  - Erratum to: Bone geometry, bone mineral density, and micro-architecture in
      patients with myelofibrosis: a cross-sectional study using DXA, HR-pQCT, and bone
      turnover markers.

PMID- 26267235
TI  - SNAPPE II Score As a Predictor of Survival in Neonates with Congenital
      Diaphragmatic Hernia: A Single Center Experience.
AB  - Introduction Prediction of mortality and morbidity in newborns with congenital
      diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is too complex for practical use and may not be
      accurate. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of the
      CDH Study Group equation and Score of Neonatal Acute Physiology Perinatal
      Extension (SNAPPE) II score to predict short-term outcomes of newborns with CDH.
      Materials and Methods Fifty-two neonates were admitted with CDH at Children's
      Hospital of Michigan from November 2001 to July 2009. Retrospective chart
      analysis was performed. Predicted survival rates were calculated using the
      equation published by the CDH Study Group in 2001. SNAPPE II scores were also
      obtained within 12 hours of admission. Statistical analysis was performed using
      SPSS statistical package. Results Thirty out of 52 (58%) neonates survived to
      discharge. SNAPPE II score was significantly lower (p < 0.0001) in survivors (20
      +/- 15) versus nonsurvivors (41 +/- 16). When neonates were stratified according
      to the CDH Study Group, low-risk patients had a survival rate of 68% (predicted
      84%), moderate-risk patients had a survival rate of 43% (predicted 57%), and high
      risk patients had a survival rate of 33% (predicted 36%). A total of 83% of the
      newborns who survived were operated within 48 hours of life, while only 17% of
      the nonsurvivors were operated within 48 hours of life. Conclusion SNAPPE II
      scores were better predictors of mortality than the CDH Study Group equation
      published in 2001. Further exploration is warranted to evaluate validity of
      survival advantage for those who were operated within 48 hours of life. A future
      study of combination of prenatal and postnatal factors may help in improved
      outcomes of the newborns with CDH. 

PMID- 26267236
TI  - Body location and tail regeneration effects on osteoderms morphology-are they
      useful tools for systematic, paleontology, and skeletochronology in diploglossine
      lizards (squamata, anguidae)?
AB  - Although diploglossine osteoderms were mentioned in several systematic and
      paleontological studies, their morphological variability in single specimens or
      within species remains paradoxically undescribed. This is mainly the effect of
      the lack of attention paid hitherto to the morphological and histological
      characteristics of the tail osteoderms. This study demonstrated that a previously
      undescribed morphological variability exists in these osteoderms, especially in
      those resulting from tail regeneration. Indeed, regenerated osteoderms display a
      plesiomorphic anguid morphology that was previously considered to be absent in
      Diploglossinae. We also provide the first histological description of
      diploglossine osteoderms and new information about the obvious differences in
      growth dynamic between regenerated and nonregenerated osteoderms. These new data
      raise questions about the usefulness of diploglossine osteoderms in systematic,
      paleontological, and skeletochronological studies. Our study shows that the exact
      position on the trunk or on a regenerated or nonregenerated tail of each studied
      osteoderm must be known in order to avoid mistakes related to their important
      interspecies and intraspecies variability.

PMID- 26267237
TI  - Childhood Predictors and Adult Life Success of Adolescent Delinquency Abstainers.
AB  - While much is known about adolescent delinquency, considerably less attention has
      been given to adolescent delinquency abstention. Understanding how or why some
      adolescents manage to abstain from delinquency during adolescence is informative
      for understanding and preventing adolescent (minor) delinquency. Using data from
      the Cambridge Study in Delinquent Development (N = 411 males) to compare
      abstainers, self-report delinquents and convicted delinquents we found five
      childhood factors (ages 8-10) that predicted adolescent abstention (ages 10-18).
      First, we find that adolescent abstainers possess characteristics opposite to
      those of convicted delinquents (namely, abstainers are high on honesty,
      conformity and family income). However, we also found that abstainers also share
      some childhood characteristics with convicted delinquents (namely, low popularity
      and low school achievement). A latent class analysis indicated that the mixed
      factors predicting abstention can be accounted for by two groups of abstainers:
      an adaptive group characterized by high honesty, and a maladaptive group
      characterized by low popularity and low school achievement. Further, validation
      of these two types of abstainers using data collected at age 48 suggested that
      adaptive abstainers outperform all other adolescents in general life success,
      whereas maladaptive abstainers only fare better than delinquent adolescents in
      terms of lower substance use and delinquency later in life. 

PMID- 26267238
TI  - The Role of Parent Psychopathology in Emotion Socialization.
AB  - This study examined the relation between parent psychopathology symptoms and
      emotion socialization practices in a sample of mothers and fathers of preschool
      aged children with behavior problems (N = 109, M age = 44.60 months, 50 % male).
      Each parent completed a self-report rating scale of their psychopathology
      symptoms and audio-recorded naturalistic interactions with their children, which
      were coded for reactions to child negative affect. Results supported a spillover
      hypothesis for mothers. Specifically, mothers who reported greater overall
      psychopathology symptoms, anxiety symptoms, substance use, and borderline and
      Cluster A personality symptoms were more likely to exhibit non-supportive
      reactions. Additionally, mothers who reported greater anxiety and Cluster A
      personality symptoms were more likely to not respond to child negative affect.
      Compensatory and crossover hypotheses were also supported. Partners of mothers
      who reported high levels of anxiety were more likely to use supportive reactions
      to child negative affect. In contrast, partners of mothers who reported high
      levels of borderline and Cluster A personality symptoms and overall
      psychopathology symptoms were more likely to show non-supportive reactions. With
      the exception of borderline personality symptoms, fathers' psychopathology was
      unrelated to parental responses to child negative affect. Results highlight the
      importance of maternal psychopathology in parental emotion socialization
      practices. 

PMID- 26267239
TI  - A comparative public health and budget impact analysis of pneumococcal vaccines:
      The French case.
AB  - In 2002, a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) was introduced to French infants
      and toddlers. A change has been witnessed in the incidence of pneumococcal
      diseases in adults: the incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) of
      serotypes covered by PCV decreased, and serotypes not covered by PCV increased.
      This study aimed to quantify the public health and budget impact of pneumococcal
      vaccination strategies in at-risk adults in France over 5 years. A previously
      published population-based Markov model was adapted to the French situation. At
      risk adults received either PPV23 (pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine; for the
      immunocompetent) or PCV13 (for the immunosuppressed). The strategy was compared
      to PCV13 alone. Uncertainty was addressed using extreme scenario analyses.
      Between 2014 and 2018, vaccination with PPV23/PCV13 led to a higher reduction in
      terms of IPD and non-bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia cases avoided in most
      scenarios analyzed when compared to PCV13 alone. For budget impact, none of the
      scenarios was in favor of PCV13. Under conservative coverage assumptions, the
      total incremental budget impact ranged from ? 39.8 million to ? 69.3 million if
      PCV13 were to replace PPV23 in the immunocompetent. With the epidemiological
      changes of pneumococcal diseases and the broader serotype coverage of PPV23, the
      current program remains an optimal strategy from public health perspective. Given
      the additional budget required for the use of PCV13 alone and its uncertain
      public health benefits, vaccination with PPV23 remains the preferred strategy. 

PMID- 26267240
TI  - Ethnic variation in colorectal cancer risk following a positive faecal occult
      blood test in an English bowel cancer screening programme centre.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The literature on colorectal cancer (CRC) screening and
      ethnic diversity is dominated by studies from the USA. There are no such
      published data from the UK bowel cancer screening programme (BCSP) population.
      The Wolverhampton Bowel Cancer Screening Centre serves a population of 900,000 in
      the Black Country and South Staffordshire. South Asians (SA) comprise 9% of the
      population. We aimed to determine the effects of ethnicity and sex on the risk
      for cancer or adenoma detected by colonoscopy following a positive faecal occult
      blood test over a 5-year period (2007-2011). METHODS: Data were collected from
      the prospectively maintained BCSP cohort. South Asian patients were identified
      and compared with those of non-South Asian ethnicity, and colonoscopy outcomes
      were determined. RESULTS: A total of 3552 participants underwent BCSP colonoscopy
      (non-South Asian=3363; SA=189). There were 271 cancers (7.6%) detected within the
      non-South Asian group and seven cancers (0.2%) in the South Asian population
      (P<0.05). The probability of colon cancer is higher [odds ratio (OR)=3.84,
      P<0.05] in non-South Asians compared with South Asians. Patients in the 65-70
      year age group have the highest risk (OR=1.60; P<0.05) for CRC. During the study
      1313 adenomas were detected. A total of 771 high-risk and intermediate-risk
      adenomas were detected in the non-South Asian group, and 14 were detected in the
      South Asian group. The risk of adenoma in non-South Asians is six times higher
      than in South Asians (OR=5.99, P<0.001) following positive faecal occult blood
      testing. CONCLUSION: There are fewer colorectal cancers in South Asians compared
      with the non-South Asian population in this regional study. This is the first
      such study in the BCSP population.

PMID- 26267241
TI  - Lemur Biorhythms and Life History Evolution.
AB  - Skeletal histology supports the hypothesis that primate life histories are
      regulated by a neuroendocrine rhythm, the Havers-Halberg Oscillation (HHO).
      Interestingly, subfossil lemurs are outliers in HHO scaling relationships that
      have been discovered for haplorhine primates and other mammals. We present new
      data to determine whether these species represent the general lemur or
      strepsirrhine condition and to inform models about neuroendocrine-mediated life
      history evolution. We gathered the largest sample to date of HHO data from
      histological sections of primate teeth (including the subfossil lemurs) to assess
      the relationship of these chronobiological measures with life history-related
      variables including body mass, brain size, age at first female reproduction, and
      activity level. For anthropoids, these variables show strong correlations with
      HHO conforming to predictions, though body mass and endocranial volume are
      strongly correlated with HHO periodicity in this group. However, lemurs (possibly
      excepting Daubentonia) do not follow this pattern and show markedly less
      variability in HHO periodicity and lower correlation coefficients and slopes.
      Moreover, body mass is uncorrelated, and brain size and activity levels are more
      strongly correlated with HHO periodicity in these animals. We argue that lemurs
      evolved this pattern due to selection for risk-averse life histories driven by
      the unpredictability of the environment in Madagascar. These results reinforce
      the idea that HHO influences life history evolution differently in response to
      specific ecological selection regimes.

PMID- 26267242
TI  - Novel Penicillin Analogues as Potential Antimicrobial Agents; Design, Synthesis
      and Docking Studies.
AB  - A number of penicillin derivatives (4a-h) were synthesized by the condensation of
      6-amino penicillinic acid (6-APA) with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as
      antimicrobial agents. In silico docking study of these analogues was performed
      against Penicillin Binding Protein (PDBID 1CEF) using AutoDock Tools 1.5.6 in
      order to investigate the antimicrobial data on structural basis. Penicillin
      binding proteins function as either transpeptidases or carboxypeptidases and in
      few cases demonstrate transglycosylase activity in bacteria. The excellent
      antibacterial potential was depicted by compounds 4c and 4e against Escherichia
      coli, Staphylococcus epidermidus and Staphylococcus aureus compared to the
      standard amoxicillin. The most potent penicillin derivative 4e exhibited same
      activity as standard amoxicillin against S. aureus. In the enzyme inhibitory
      assay the compound 4e inhibited E. coli MurC with an IC50 value of 12.5 MUM. The
      docking scores of these compounds 4c and 4e also verified their greater
      antibacterial potential. The results verified the importance of side chain
      functionalities along with the presence of central penam nucleus. The binding
      affinities calculated from docking results expressed in the form of binding
      energies ranges from -7.8 to -9.2kcal/mol. The carboxylic group of penam nucleus
      in all these compounds is responsible for strong binding with receptor protein
      with the bond length ranges from 3.4 to 4.4 A. The results of present work ratify
      that derivatives 4c and 4e may serve as a structural template for the design and
      development of potent antimicrobial agents.

PMID- 26267243
TI  - Effect of repeated tracheostomy tube reprocessing on biofilm formation.
AB  - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To determine the effect of repeated reprocessing of
      pediatric tracheostomy tubes (TTs) on biofilm formation. STUDY DESIGN: In vitro
      microbiological study. METHODS: Pediatric, uncuffed, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) TTs
      from two different manufacturers (Tracoe Mini and Shiley) were reprocessed
      mechanically with household detergent and soaked in sodium hypochlorite (bleach).
      Two TTs of each brand were reprocessed 0 (control), 10, or 20 times. Twenty 2-mm
      coupons were then obtained from each TT, immersed in human mucus, and cultured
      with either Staphylococcus aureus or Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Biofilm formation
      was evaluated with bacterial counts. RESULTS: Bacterial counts of S. aureus for
      both brands were significantly higher on the TTs that were reprocessed 20 times
      compared to those that were not reprocessed (Tracoe: P = .040, Shiley: P  < 
      .0001) or those that were reprocessed 10 times (Tracoe: P = .022, Shiley: P =
      .0002). There was no difference between controls and TTs reprocessed 10 times
      (Tracoe: P = .76, Shiley: P = .24). P. aeuruginosa counts were not significantly
      different among the varying numbers of reprocessing cycles for either Tracoe or
      Shiley TTs (P = .08 and P = .97, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Repeated
      reprocessing of PVC TTs with detergent and bleach paradoxically promotes S.
      aureus biofilm development, possibly due to degradation of the tube surface that
      facilitates bacterial attachment. Further investigation is needed to determine
      the optimal technique and limits of reprocessing TTs in clinical practice. LEVEL
      OF EVIDENCE: NA.

PMID- 26267245
TI  - Utility of Three-dimensional Echocardiography for Implantation of a Left
      Ventricular Assist Device.

PMID- 26267244
TI  - Concurrence of Intraoperative Hypotension, Low Minimum Alveolar Concentration,
      and Low Bispectral Index Is Associated with Postoperative Death.
AB  - BACKGROUND: An intraoperative concurrence of mean arterial pressure less than 75
      mmHg, minimum alveolar concentration less than 0.8, and bispectral index less
      than 45 has been termed a "triple low" state. An association between triple low
      and postoperative mortality has been reported but was not replicated in a
      subsequent study. The authors pooled existing data from clinical trials to
      further evaluate the purported association in an observational study. METHODS:
      This retrospective observational study included 13,198 patients from three
      clinical trials: B-Unaware, BAG-RECALL, and Michigan Awareness Control Study.
      Patients with greater than 15 not necessarily consecutive minutes of triple low
      were propensity matched to controls with similar characteristics and
      comorbidities. A multivariable Cox proportional hazards model was used to
      evaluate the association between triple low duration and postoperative mortality.
      RESULTS: Thirty-day mortality was 0.8% overall, 1.9% in the triple low cohort,
      and 0.4% in the nontriple low cohort (odds ratio, 5.16; 95% CI, 4.21 to 6.34).
      After matching and adjusting for comorbidities, cumulative duration of triple low
      was significantly associated with an increased risk of mortality at 30 days
      (hazard ratio, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.07 to 1.11, per 15 min) and 90 days (hazard ratio,
      1.09; 95% CI, 1.08 to 1.11, per 15 min). CONCLUSION: There is a weak independent
      association between the triple low state and postoperative mortality, and the
      propensity-matched analysis does not suggest that this is an epiphenomenon.

PMID- 26267247
TI  - Study of Nonlinear MHD Tribological Squeeze Film at Generalized Magnetic Reynolds
      Numbers Using DTM.
AB  - In the current article, a combination of the differential transform method (DTM)
      and Pade approximation method are implemented to solve a system of nonlinear
      differential equations modelling the flow of a Newtonian magnetic lubricant
      squeeze film with magnetic induction effects incorporated. Solutions for the
      transformed radial and tangential momentum as well as solutions for the radial
      and tangential induced magnetic field conservation equations are determined. The
      DTM-Pade combined method is observed to demonstrate excellent convergence,
      stability and versatility in simulating the magnetic squeeze film problem. The
      effects of involved parameters, i.e. squeeze Reynolds number (N1), dimensionless
      axial magnetic force strength parameter (N2), dimensionless tangential magnetic
      force strength parameter (N3), and magnetic Reynolds number (Rem) are illustrated
      graphically and discussed in detail. Applications of the study include automotive
      magneto-rheological shock absorbers, novel aircraft landing gear systems and
      biological prosthetics.

PMID- 26267248
TI  - Selectivity of Organic Products to Trichogramma pretiosum Riley (Hymenoptera:
      Trichogrammatidae).
AB  - The selectivity of various entomopathogens and one insecticide (chlorpyrifos =
      positive control) to Trichogramma pretiosum Riley (Hymenoptera:
      Trichogrammatidae) was evaluated in the laboratory, using the protocol
      established by the Working Group on "Pesticides and Beneficial Organisms" of the
      IOBC. The evaluated parameters were parasitism (%), adult emergence (%), and
      product repellency to the parasitoid when sprayed on host eggs prior to
      parasitism (free-choice and no-choice tests). Most of the studied entomopathogens
      (Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki, Bacillus thuringiensis var. aizawai,
      Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, and Trichoderma harzianum) had no
      effects on biological parameters and were classified as harmless to T. pretiosum.
      Emergence of parasitoids (progeny viability) was reduced, but remained above 90%,
      when host eggs were sprayed with Baculovirus anticarsia prior to parasitism in
      the free-choice test, and B. anticarsia was therefore considered harmless.
      Chlorpyrifos (positive control) caused high adult parasitoid mortality in all
      bioassays. While T. pretiosum and the tested entomopathogens may be used
      simultaneously in integrated pest management programs, the use of chlorpyrifos
      should be avoided. 

PMID- 26267246
TI  - Characterization of Novel Factors Involved in Swimming and Swarming Motility in
      Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium.
AB  - Salmonella enterica utilizes flagellar motility to swim through liquid
      environments and on surfaces. The biosynthesis of the flagellum is regulated on
      various levels, including transcriptional and posttranscriptional mechanisms.
      Here, we investigated the motility phenotype of 24 selected single gene deletions
      that were previously described to display swimming and swarming motility effects.
      Mutations in flgE, fliH, ydiV, rfaG, yjcC, STM1267 and STM3363 showed an altered
      motility phenotype. Deletions of flgE and fliH displayed a non-motile phenotype
      in both swimming and swarming motility assays as expected. The deletions of
      STM1267, STM3363, ydiV, rfaG and yjcC were further analyzed in detail for
      flagellar and fimbrial gene expression and filament formation. A DeltaydiV mutant
      showed increased swimming motility, but a decrease in swarming motility, which
      coincided with derepression of curli fimbriae. A deletion of yjcC, encoding for
      an EAL domain-containing protein, increased swimming motility independent on
      flagellar gene expression. A DeltaSTM1267 mutant displayed a hypermotile
      phenotype on swarm agar plates and was found to have increased numbers of
      flagella. In contrast, a knockout of STM3363 did also display an increase in
      swarming motility, but did not alter flagella numbers. Finally, a deletion of the
      LPS biosynthesis-related protein RfaG reduced swimming and swarming motility,
      associated with a decrease in transcription from flagellar class II and class III
      promoters and a lack of flagellar filaments.

PMID- 26267249
TI  - Free and bound excitonic effects in Al0.5Ga0.5N/Al0.35Ga0.65N MQWs with different
      Si-doping levels in the well layers.
AB  - Free exciton (FX) and bound exciton (BX) in Al0.5Ga0.5N/Al0.35Ga0.65N multiple
      quantum wells (MQWs) with different Si-doping levels in the well layers are
      investigated by photoluminescence (PL) spectra. Low temperature (10 K) PL spectra
      identify a large binding energy of 87.4 meV for the BX in undoped sample, and
      63.6 meV for the BX in Si-doped (2 * 10(18 ) cm(-3)) sample. They are attributed
      to O-bound and Si-bound excitons, respectively. The large binding energies of BX
      are assumed to originate from the strong quantum confinement in the quantum
      wells, which also leads to a stronger FX PL peak intensity in comparison with BX
      at 10 K. Si-doping is found to suppress the FX quenching by reducing threading
      dislocation density (TDD) in the well layers, leading to a significant
      improvement of IQE from 33.7% to 45%.

PMID- 26267250
TI  - Critical Population Spotlight: HIV and the Garifuna of Honduras--Comment on
      Gandhi et al. "Migration, Multiple Sexual Partnerships, and Sexual Concurrency in
      the Garifuna Population of Honduras".

PMID- 26267252
TI  - Factors Associated to a Reactive Result of Rapid-HIV Test in Socio-culturally
      Adapted Services in Primary Care in Spain.
AB  - The Services of Prevention and Early diagnosis of HIV in Madrid (Spain) are set
      in selected primary care centers. Cultural mediators targeted to vulnerable
      groups (economic immigrants, MSM, sex workers...) perform risk assessment and
      counselling. Between 2010 and 2014 they performed 6 039 rapid-HIV test, 27.8 % in
      MSM, 41.2 % in men who have sex exclusively with women (MSW) and 31.0 % in women;
      35.7 % in immigrants, mainly from Latin America. A reactive result was more
      common among MSM (6.0 %) compared to women (0.6 %) and MSW (0.5 %). In MSM it was
      associated to being immigrant and to antecedents of sexually transmitted
      infections (STI). Among MSW the factors associated to a reactive result were:
      seropositivity of sexual partner and heroine consumption, and in women:
      infrequent use of condoms, seropositivity of sexual partner and antecedents of
      STI. Preventive interventions to reduce risk of HIV transmission and for early
      detection should be adapted and targeted to high risk population. 

PMID- 26267253
TI  - Mediation analysis of an effective sexual health promotion intervention for
      Spanish adolescents.
AB  - The objective of this study is to determinate the factors that mediate in the
      self-reported consistent condom use over the 24-months post-intervention period
      in adolescents who received COMPAS, a sexual health promotion intervention
      targeted to Spanish adolescents. Twelve high schools located in Spain were
      randomized to an intervention or a control group with baseline, immediate-post,
      12 and 24-month post-intervention assessments. Self-reported consistent condom
      use by 24 months post-intervention was the primary outcome. Based on the theory
      of planned behavior, we identified which theory-based variables mediated the
      intervention's effect on consistent condom use. Serial multiple mediation
      analysis indicated that attitudes toward condom use, when there are obstacles to
      use it, and self-efficacy mediated the COMPAS's effect in increasing consistent
      condom use. This is the first study that identifies the theoretical constructs
      that mediate the efficacy of a school-based intervention to promote sexual health
      in adolescents from Spain. 

PMID- 26267251
TI  - Running Backwards: Consequences of Current HIV Incidence Rates for the Next
      Generation of Black MSM in the United States.
AB  - Black men who have sex with men (MSM) in the United States are disproportionately
      impacted by HIV. To better understand this public health problem, we reviewed the
      literature to calculate an estimate of HIV incidence among Black MSM. We used
      this rate to model HIV prevalence over time within a simulated cohort, which we
      subsequently compared to prevalence from community-based samples. We searched all
      databases accessible through PubMed, and Conference on Retroviruses and
      Opportunistic Infections abstracts for HIV incidence estimates among Black MSM.
      Summary HIV incidence rates and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated
      using random effects models. Using the average incidence rate, we modeled HIV
      prevalence within a simulated cohort of Black MSM (who were all HIV-negative at
      the start) from ages 18 through 40. Based on five incidence rates totaling 2898
      Black MSM, the weighted mean incidence was 4.16 % per year (95 % CI 2.76-5.56).
      Using this annual incidence rate, our model predicted that 39.94 % of Black MSM
      within the simulated cohort would be HIV-positive by age 30, and 60.73 % by 40.
      Projections were similar to HIV prevalence found in community-based samples of
      Black MSM. High HIV prevalence will persist across the life-course among Black
      MSM, unless effective prevention and treatment efforts are increased to
      substantially reduce HIV transmission among this underserved and marginalized
      population.

PMID- 26267254
TI  - Estimation of the number of female sex workers in Yangon and Mandalay, Myanmar.
AB  - While it is known that HIV prevalence is higher among key affected populations,
      such as female sex workers (FSW), the sizes of these populations are difficult to
      estimate. This study aimed to estimate the numbers of FSW in the two largest
      cities of Myanmar using multiple data-driven methods. A total of 778 FSW (450 in
      Yangon, 328 in Mandalay) were recruited though time-location sampling during
      November and December 2013. Five multiplier methods and a modified wisdom of the
      crowds method were applied within the surveys to calculate the number of FSW in
      each city. The median of the methods estimated a population size of FSW in Yangon
      at 4992 (acceptable upper and lower bounds: 4482-5753) and 3315 (2992-3368) in
      Mandalay. These estimates translate to a population prevalence of FSW among adult
      women (age 18-49 years) of 0.35 % (0.32-0.40 %) in Yangon and 0.77 % (0.69-0.84
      %) in Mandalay. 

PMID- 26267256
TI  - Performance characteristics of Parkour practitioners: Who are the traceurs?
AB  - Parkour is a modern physical activity that consists of using the environment,
      mostly urban, as a playground of obstacles. The aims of this study were (i) to
      investigate age, anthropometric and training characteristics of Parkour
      practitioners, called 'traceurs' and (ii) to assess jump performances and
      muscular characteristics of traceurs, compared to those of gymnasts and power
      athletes. The mean age of the population of traceurs studied (n = 130) was 19.4
      +/- 4.3 years, women represented 12.4% of the total field and mean training
      volume was 8.1 +/- 0.5 hours/week. Vertical and long jump performances were
      analysed on smaller samples of participants (four groups, n = 15 per group); and
      eccentric (-90 degrees  s(-1), -30 degrees  s(-1)), concentric (30 degrees  s(
      1), 90 degrees  s(-1)) and isometric knee extensors torques were evaluated by
      means of an isokinetic dynamometer. Traceurs showed greater (P < .01) drop jump
      performance (64.9 +/- 1.5 cm) than gymnasts (60.9 +/- 1.1 cm) and greater (P <
      .001) counter movement jump with arms (59.2 +/- 1.5 cm) than power athletes (53.0
      +/- 1.4 cm). Standing long jump performances were greater (P < .05) for traceurs
      (282.7 +/- 5.2 cm) compared to other athletes (gymnasts: 273.9 +/- 7.3 cm; power
      athletes: 261.3 +/- 6.7 cm). Eccentric knee extension torques were greater (P <
      .05) for traceurs compared to other athletes. This study revealed that Parkour
      training induces major development of jump and muscular skills. The use of such
      training has several practical applications as it provides a better resistance to
      high eccentric load and helps reinforce musculoskeletal structures. 

PMID- 26267257
TI  - Disseminated coccidioidomycosis masquerading as a ruptured epidermal inclusion
      cyst in a healthy young adult from Philadelphia.

PMID- 26267255
TI  - Weak protein interactions and pH- and temperature-dependent aggregation of human
      Fc1.
AB  - The Fc (fragment crystallizable) is a common structural region in immunoglobulin
      gamma (IgG) proteins, IgG-based multi-specific platforms, and Fc-fusion platform
      technologies. Changes in conformational stability, protein-protein interactions,
      and aggregation of NS0-produced human Fc1 were quantified experimentally as a
      function of pH (4 to 6) and temperature (30 to 77  degrees C), using a
      combination of differential scanning calorimetry, laser light scattering, size
      exclusion chromatography, and capillary electrophoresis. The Fc1 was O
      glycosylated at position 3 (threonine), and confirmed to correspond to the intact
      IgG1 by comparison with Fc1 produced by cleavage of the parent IgG1. Changing the
      pH caused large effects for thermal unfolding transitions, but it caused
      surprisingly smaller effects for electrostatic protein-protein interactions. The
      aggregation behavior was qualitatively similar across different solution
      conditions, with soluble dimers and larger oligomers formed in most cases.
      Aggregation rates spanned approximately 5 orders of magnitude and could be
      divided into 2 regimes: (i) Arrhenius, unfolding-limited aggregation at
      temperatures near or above the midpoint-unfolding temperature of the CH2 domain;
      (ii) a non-Arrhenius regime at lower temperatures, presumably as a result of the
      temperature dependence of the unfolding enthalpy for the CH2 domain. The non
      Arrhenius regime was most pronounced for lower temperatures. Together with the
      weak protein-protein repulsions, these highlight challenges that are expected for
      maintaining long-term stability of biotechnology products that are based on human
      Fc constructs.

PMID- 26267258
TI  - The removal of chromium (VI) and lead (II) from groundwater using sepiolite
      supported nanoscale zero-valent iron (S-NZVI).
AB  - In this study, the synthesis and characterization of sepiolite-supported
      nanoscale zero-valent iron particles (S-NZVI) was investigated for the
      adsorption/reduction of Cr(VI) and Pb(II) ions. Nanoscale zero-valent iron (NZVI)
      supported on sepiolite was successfully used to remove Cr(VI) and Pb(II) from
      groundwater with high efficiency. The removal mechanism was proposed as a two
      step interaction including both the physical adsorption of Cr(VI) and Pb(II) on
      the surface or inner layers of the sepiolite-supported NZVI particles and the
      subsequent reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) and Pb(II) to Pb(0) by NZVI. The
      immobilization of the NZVI particles on the surface of sepiolite could help to
      overcome the disadvantage of NZVI particles, which have strong tendency to
      agglomerate into larger particles, resulting in an adverse effect on both the
      effective surface area and reaction performance. The techniques of XRD, XPS, BET,
      Zeta potential, and TEM were used to characterize the S-NZVI and interaction
      between S-NZVI and heavy metals. The appropriate S-NZVI dosage was 1.6 g L(-1).
      The removal efficiency of Cr(VI) and Pb(II) by S-NZVI was not affected to any
      considerable extent by the presence of co-existing ions, such as H2PO4(-), SiO3(2
      ), Ca(2+) and HCO3(-). The Cr(VI) and Pb(II) removal kinetics followed a pseudo
      first-order rate expression, and both Langmuir isotherm model and Freundlich
      isotherm model were proposed. The results suggested that supporting NZVI on
      sepiolite had the potential to become a promising technique for in situ heavy
      metal-contaminated groundwater remediation.

PMID- 26267259
TI  - The skin of Commerson's dolphins (Cephalorhynchus commersonii) as a biomonitor of
      mercury and selenium in Subantarctic waters.
AB  - The skin of bycaught Commerson's dolphins was tested for mercury (Hg) and
      selenium (Se) biomonitoring in Subantarctic environments. The correlation of
      levels detected in the skin with those found in internal tissues - lung, liver,
      kidney and muscle - was assessed to evaluate how skin represents internal Hg and
      Se distribution for monitoring purposes. Mercury in skin had a concentration
      range of 0.68-3.11 MUg g(-1) dry weight (DW), while Se had a higher concentration
      range of 74.3-124.5 MUg g(-1) DW. There was no significant correlation between
      selenium levels in any of the analyzed tissues. Thus, the skin selenium
      concentration did not reflect the tissular Se levels and did not provide
      information for biomonitoring. The lack of correlation is explained by the
      biological role of Se, provided that each tissue regulates Se levels according to
      physiological needs. However, the skin Hg level had significant positive
      correlation with the levels in internal tissues (ANOVA p<0.05), particularly with
      that of muscle (R(2)=0.79; ANOVA p=0.0008). Thus, this correlation permits the
      estimation of Hg content in muscle based on the multiplication of skin biopsy
      levels by a factor of 1.85. Mercury bioindication using skin biopsies is a non
      lethal approach that allows screening of a large number of specimens with little
      disturbance and makes possible an adequate sampling strategy that produces
      statistically valid results in populations and study areas. The correlation
      between Hg levels in the skin and internal tissues supports the use of the
      epidermis of Commerson's dolphins for Hg biomonitoring in the waters of the
      Subantarctic, which is a poorly studied region regarding Hg levels, sources and
      processes.

PMID- 26267260
TI  - From thought to action: young parents' reasons for participation in parenting
      support groups at child welfare centers.
AB  - In this article the focus is on young parents' engagement process in relation to
      participation in parenting support groups carried out at child welfare centers.
      This qualitative study focuses not only on young parents' reasons for
      participating or not participating in parenting support groups during different
      phases in their engagement process, but also on examining the circumstances that
      may contribute to such changes. The results show that these reasons can be
      divided into four categories: the staff, other participants, the social network,
      and practical circumstances. It also appears that these reasons change between
      different phases of their engagement process. Primarily three different
      circumstances contributed to variation in parents' reasons: difficulty in
      predicting the value of participation, increased closeness in relationships with
      staff and other parents, and the specific life phase in which young parents find
      themselves. The results have important implications for policy makers and
      practitioners in their work in formulating and updating parenting support; they
      also indicate what may be important to focus on in the recruitment of young
      parents, and also what may be crucial in regard to them completing their
      engagement in parent support groups. 

PMID- 26267262
TI  - Severe pain in the fingertip.

PMID- 26267261
TI  - Molecular systematics of the Cape Parrot (Poicephalus robustus): implications for
      taxonomy and conservation.
AB  - The taxonomic position of the Cape Parrot (Poicephalus robustus robustus) has
      been the focus of much debate. A number of authors suggest that the Cape Parrot
      should be viewed as a distinct species separate from the other two P. robustus
      subspecies (P. r. fuscicollis and P. r. suahelicus). These recommendations were
      based on morphological, ecological, and behavioural assessments. In this study we
      investigated the validity of these recommendations using multilocus DNA analyses.
      We genotyped 138 specimens from five Poicephalus species (P. cryptoxanthus, P.
      gulielmi, P. meyeri, P. robustus, and P. rueppellii) using 11 microsatellite
      loci. Additionally, two mitochondrial (cytochrome oxidase I gene and 16S
      ribosomal RNA) and one nuclear intron (intron 7 of the beta-fibrinogen gene)
      markers were amplified and sequenced. Bayesian clustering analysis and pairwise
      FST analysis of microsatellite data identified P. r. robustus as genetically
      distinct from the other P. robustus subspecies. Phylogenetic and molecular clock
      analyses on sequence data also supported the microsatellite analyses, placing P.
      r. robustus in a distinct clade separate from the other P. robustus subspecies.
      Molecular clock analysis places the most recent common ancestor between P. r.
      robustus and P. r. fuscicollis / P. r. suahelicus at 2.13 to 2.67 million years
      ago. Our results all support previous recommendations to elevate the Cape Parrot
      to species level. This will facilitate better planning and implementation of
      international and local conservation management strategies for the Cape Parrot. 

PMID- 26267263
TI  - Layered Double Hydroxides: Proposal of a One-Layer Cation-Ordered Structure Model
      of Monoclinic Symmetry.
AB  - Layered double hydroxides are obtained by partial isomorphous substitution of
      divalent metal ions by trivalent metal ions in the structure of mineral brucite,
      Mg(OH)2. The widely reported three-layer polytype of rhombohedral symmetry,
      designated as polytype 3R1, is actually a one-layer polytype of monoclinic
      symmetry (space group C2/m, a = 5.401 A, b = 9.355 A, c = 11.02 A, beta = 98.89
      degrees ). This structure has a cation-ordered metal hydroxide layer defined by a
      supercell a = ?3 * a0; b = 3 * a0 (a0 = cell parameter of the cation-disordered
      rhombohedral cell). Successive layers are translated by (1/3, 0, 1) relative to
      one another. When successive metal hydroxide layers are translated by (2/3, 0, 1)
      relative to one another, the resultant crystal, also of monoclinic symmetry,
      generates a powder pattern corresponding to the polytype hitherto designated as
      3R2. This structure model not only removes all the anomalies intrinsic to the
      widely accepted cation-disordered structure but also abides by Pauling's rule
      that forbids trivalent cations from occupying neighboring sites and suggests that
      it is unnecessary to invoke rhombohedral symmetry when the metal hydroxide layer
      is cation ordered. These results have profound implications for the correct
      description of polytypism in this family of layered compounds. 

PMID- 26267264
TI  - Trends in the Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity among Chinese Preschool
      Children from 2006 to 2014.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine the trends in the prevalence of overweight and obesity
      among preschool children from 2006 to 2014. METHODS: A total of 145,078 children
      aged 3-6 years from 46 kindergartens finished the annual health examination in
      Tianjin, China. Height, weight and other information were obtained using
      standardized methods. Z-scores for weight, height, and BMI were calculated based
      on the standards for the World Health Organization (WHO) child growth standards.
      RESULTS: From 2006 to 2014, mean values of height z-scores significantly
      increased from 0.34 to 0.54, mean values of weight z-scores kept constant, and
      mean values of BMI z-scores significantly decreased from 0.40 to 0.23. Mean
      values of height z-scores, weight z-scores, and BMI z-scores slightly decreased
      among children from 3 to 4 years old, and then increased among children from 4 to
      6 years old. Between 2006 and 2014, there were no significant changes in
      prevalence of overweight (BMI z-scores >2 SD) and obesity (BMI z-scores >3 SD)
      among 3-4 years children. However, prevalence of obesity (BMI z-scores >2 SD)
      increased from 8.8% in 2006 to 10.1% in 2010, and then kept stable until 2014
      among 5-6 years children. Boys had higher prevalence of obesity than girls.
      CONCLUSIONS: Mean values of BMI z-scores decreased from 2006 to 2014 among
      Chinese children aged 3-6 years old due to the significant increase of height z
      scores. Prevalence of obesity increased from 2006 to 2010, and then kept stable
      until 2014 among children aged 5-6 years. The prevalence of obesity was higher in
      boys than in girls.

PMID- 26267265
TI  - Effect of Gastric Bypass vs Duodenal Switch on High-Density Lipoprotein
      Cholesterol Level.

PMID- 26267266
TI  - Modeling and mapping the probability of occurrence of invasive wild pigs across
      the contiguous United States.
AB  - Wild pigs (Sus scrofa), also known as wild swine, feral pigs, or feral hogs, are
      one of the most widespread and successful invasive species around the world. Wild
      pigs have been linked to extensive and costly agricultural damage and present a
      serious threat to plant and animal communities due to their rooting behavior and
      omnivorous diet. We modeled the current distribution of wild pigs in the United
      States to better understand the physiological and ecological factors that may
      determine their invasive potential and to guide future study and eradication
      efforts. Using national-scale wild pig occurrence data reported between 1982 and
      2012 by wildlife management professionals, we estimated the probability of wild
      pig occurrence across the United States using a logistic discrimination function
      and environmental covariates hypothesized to influence the distribution of the
      species. Our results suggest the distribution of wild pigs in the U.S. was most
      strongly limited by cold temperatures and availability of water, and that they
      were most likely to occur where potential home ranges had higher habitat
      heterogeneity, providing access to multiple key resources including water,
      forage, and cover. High probability of occurrence was also associated with
      frequent high temperatures, up to a high threshold. However, this pattern is
      driven by pigs' historic distribution in warm climates of the southern U.S.
      Further study of pigs' ability to persist in cold northern climates is needed to
      better understand whether low temperatures actually limit their distribution. Our
      model highlights areas at risk of invasion as those with habitat conditions
      similar to those found in pigs' current range that are also near current
      populations. This study provides a macro-scale approach to generalist species
      distribution modeling that is applicable to other generalist and invasive
      species. 

PMID- 26267267
TI  - Imaging Electrogenerated Chemiluminescence at Single Gold Nanowire Electrodes.
AB  - We report electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) generated at single gold
      nanowire electrodes supported on tin-doped indium oxide. Unlike other single
      nanoparticle electrochemical characterization techniques, ECL provides a
      massively parallel direct readout of electrochemical activity on individual
      nanoparticle electrodes without the need for extrinsic illumination or a scanning
      electrochemical probe. While ECL is not observed from as-purchased nanowires due
      to the surfactant layer, by removing the layer and coating the nanowires with a
      polymer blend, ECL from single nanowire electrodes is readily measured. With an
      increase in polymer thickness, an increase in ECL image quality and
      reproducibility over multiple redox cycles is observed. The polymer coating also
      provides a strategy for stabilizing gold nanoparticle electrodes against complete
      surface oxidation in aqueous environments. 

PMID- 26267268
TI  - Genetics of Growth Reaction Norms in Farmed Rainbow Trout.
AB  - Rainbow trout is farmed globally under diverse uncontrollable environments. Fish
      with low macroenvironmental sensitivity (ES) of growth is important to thrive and
      grow under these uncontrollable environments. The ES may evolve as a correlated
      response to selection for growth in one environment when the genetic correlation
      between ES and growth is nonzero. The aims of this study were to quantify
      additive genetic variance for ES of body weight (BW), defined as the slope of
      reaction norm across breeding environment (BE) and production environment (PE),
      and to estimate the genetic correlation (rg(int, sl)) between BW and ES. To
      estimate heritable variance of ES, the coheritability of ES was derived using
      selection index theory. The BW records from 43,040 rainbow trout performing
      either in freshwater or seawater were analysed using a reaction norm model. High
      additive genetic variance for ES (9584) was observed, inferring that genetic
      changes in ES can be expected. The coheritability for ES was either -0.06
      (intercept at PE) or -0.08 (intercept at BE), suggesting that BW observation in
      either PE or BE results in low accuracy of selection for ES. Yet, the rg(int, sl)
      was negative (-0.41 to -0.33) indicating that selection for BW in one environment
      is expected to result in more sensitive fish. To avoid an increase of ES while
      selecting for BW, it is possible to have equal genetic gain in BW in both
      environments so that ES is maintained stable.

PMID- 26267270
TI  - Swelling of Polyelectrolyte Multilayers: The Relation Between, Surface and Bulk
      Characteristics.
AB  - The odd-even effect, i.e., the influence of the outermost layer of
      polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) on their swelling behavior, is investigated.
      For that purpose poly(styrene sodium sulfonate) (PSS)/poly(diallyl
      dimethylammonium chloride) (PDADMAC) polyelectrolyte multilayers are studied in
      air with 1% relative humidity (RH), 30% RH, 95% RH, and in liquid water by
      ellipsometry, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and X-ray reflectometry (XRR). Since
      the total amount of water uptake in swollen PEMs is divided into two fractions,
      the void water and the swelling water, a correct evaluation of the odd-even
      effect is only possible if both fractions are examined separately. In order to
      allow measuring samples over a larger thickness regime the investigation of a
      larger amount of samples is required. Therefore, the concept of separating void
      water from swelling water using neutron reflectometry is for the first time
      transferred to ellipsometry. The subsequent analysis of swelling water, void
      water, and roughness revealed the existence of two types of odd-even effects: an
      odd-even effect which addresses only the surface of the PEM (surface-odd-even
      effect) and an odd-even effect which addresses also the bulk of the PEM (bulk-odd
      even effect). The appearance of both effects is dependent on the environment; the
      surface-odd-even effect is only detectable in humid air while the bulk-odd-even
      effect is only detectable in liquid water. The bulk-odd-even effect is related to
      the osmotic pressure between the PEM and the surrounding water. A correlation
      between the amount of void water and both odd-even effects is not found. The
      amount of void water is independent of the terminated layer and the thickness of
      PEMs. 

PMID- 26267269
TI  - Impact of Selection for Digestive Efficiency on Microbiota Composition in the
      Chicken.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Feed efficiency and its digestive component, digestive efficiency,
      are key factors in the environmental impact and economic output of poultry
      production. The interaction between the host and intestinal microbiota has a
      crucial role in the determination of the ability of the bird to digest its food
      and to the birds' feed efficiency. We therefore investigated the phenotypic and
      genetic relationships between birds' efficiency and the composition of the cecal
      microbiota in a F2 cross between broiler lines divergently selected for their
      high or low digestive efficiency. METHODS: Analyses were performed on 144 birds
      with extreme feed efficiency values at 3 weeks, with feed conversion values of
      1.41+/-0.05 and 2.02+/-0.04 in the efficient and non-efficient groups,
      respectively. The total numbers of Lactobacillus, L. salivarius, L. crispatus, C.
      coccoides, C. leptum and E. coli per gram of cecal content were measured.
      RESULTS: The two groups mainly differed in larger counts of Lactobacillus, L.
      salivarius and E. coli in less efficient birds. The equilibrium between bacterial
      groups was also affected, efficient birds showing higher C. leptum, C. coccoides
      and L. salivarius to E. coli ratios. The heritability of the composition of
      microbiota was also estimated and L. crispatus, C. leptum, and C. coccoides to E.
      coli ratios were moderately but significantly heritable (0.16 to 0.24). The
      coefficient of fecal digestive use of dry matter was genetically and positively
      correlated with L. crispatus, C. leptum, C. coccoides (0.50 to 0.76) and
      negatively with E. coli (-0.66). Lipid digestibility was negatively correlated
      with E. coli (-0.64), and AMEn positively correlated with C. coccoides and with
      the C. coccoides to Lactobacillus ratio (0.48 to 0.64). We also detected 14
      Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) for microbiota on the host genome, mostly on C.
      leptum and Lactobacillus. The QTL for C. leptum on GGA6 was close to genome-wide
      significance. This region mainly includes genes involved in anti-inflammatory
      responses and in the motility of the gastrointestinal tract.

PMID- 26267271
TI  - Antagonist Xist and Tsix co-transcription during mouse oogenesis and maternal
      Xist expression during pre-implantation development calls into question the
      nature of the maternal imprint on the X chromosome.
AB  - During the first divisions of the female mouse embryo, the paternal X-chromosome
      is coated by Xist non-coding RNA and gradually silenced. This imprinted X
      inactivation principally results from the apposition, during oocyte growth, of an
      imprint on the X-inactivation master control region: the X-inactivation center
      (Xic). This maternal imprint of yet unknown nature is thought to prevent Xist
      upregulation from the maternal X (X(M)) during early female development. In order
      to provide further insight into the X(M) imprinting mechanism, we applied single
      cell approaches to oocytes and pre-implantation embryos at different stages of
      development to analyze the expression of candidate genes within the Xic. We show
      that, unlike the situation pertaining in most other cellular contexts, in early
      growing oocytes, Xist and Tsix sense and antisense transcription occur
      simultaneously from the same chromosome. Additionally, during early development,
      Xist appears to be transiently transcribed from the X(M) in some blastomeres of
      late 2-cell embryos concomitant with the general activation of the genome
      indicating that X(M) imprinting does not completely suppress maternal Xist
      transcription during embryo cleavage stages. These unexpected transcriptional
      regulations of the Xist locus call for a re-evaluation of the early functioning
      of the maternal imprint on the X-chromosome and suggest that Xist/Tsix antagonist
      transcriptional activities may participate in imprinting the maternal locus as
      described at other loci subject to parental imprinting. 

PMID- 26267272
TI  - Alcohol Involvement in Sexual Behaviour and Adverse Sexual Health Outcomes from
      26 to 38 Years of Age.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Research on alcohol and sexual behaviour has focused on young adults
      or high-risk groups, showing alcohol use contributing to riskier sexual choices.
      Adults now in their late thirties have been exposed to heavier drinking norms
      than previously, raising questions about effects on sexual wellbeing. We examined
      self-reported use and consequences of alcohol in sexual contexts, and its
      association with usual drinking pattern at age 38, and also associations of heavy
      drinking occasion (HDO) frequency with number of sexual partners, sexually
      transmitted infections (STIs), and terminations of pregnancy (TOPs), from 26-32
      and 32-38 years of age. METHODS: Members of the Dunedin Study birth cohort
      answered computer-presented questions about sexual behaviour and outcomes, and
      interviewer-administered alcohol consumption questions, at age 26, 32 and 38
      years. RESULTS: Response level was >90% at each assessment. At 38, drinking
      before or during sex in the previous year was common (8.2% of men; 14.6% of women
      reported "usually/always"), and unwanted consequences were reported by 13.5% of
      men and 11.9% of women, including regretted sex or failure to use contraception
      or condoms. Frequent heavy drinkers were more likely to "use alcohol to make it
      easier to have sex" and regret partner choice, particularly women. Heavy drinking
      frequency was strongly associated with partner numbers for men and women at 32,
      but only for women at 38. Significantly higher odds of STIs amongst the heaviest
      drinking men, and TOPs amongst the heaviest drinking women were seen at 32-38.
      CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol involvement in sex continues beyond young adulthood where it
      has been well documented, and is common at 38. Women appear to be more affected
      than men, and heavy drinking is associated with poorer outcomes for both.
      Improving sexual health and wellbeing throughout the life course needs to take
      account of the role of alcohol in sexual behaviour.

PMID- 26267273
TI  - Synergistic Integration of Layer-by-Layer Assembly of Photosensitizer and Gold
      Nanorings for Enhanced Photodynamic Therapy in the Near Infrared.
AB  - A layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly strategy was used to incorporate high
      concentrations of Al(III) phthalocyanine chloride tetrasulfonic acid (AlPcS4)
      photosensitizer (PS) onto plasmonic Au nanorings (Au NRs) for increasing the
      cellular uptake of AlPcS4 and subsequently enhancing the efficacy of photodynamic
      therapy (PDT) of human breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) in the near-infrared
      (NIR) range. Au NRs with two layers of AlPcS4 (Au NR/(AlPcS4)2) markedly
      increased the cellular internalization of AlPcS4 and elevated the generation of
      reactive oxygen species (ROS). Quenching the photosensitivity of AlPcS4 on the Au
      NR surface during the uptake and then significant ROS formation only upon PS
      release inside the cellular compartment made it possible to achieve a high PDT
      specificity and efficacy. PDT of breast cancer cells following 4 h of incubation
      with various formula revealed the following cell destruction rate: ~10% with free
      AlPcS4, ~23% with singly layered Au NR/(AlPcS4)1 complex, and ~50% with doubly
      layered Au NR/(AlPcS4)2. Incubation with Au NR/(AlPcS4)2 for an additional 2 h
      resulted in ~85% cell killing, more than 8-fold increase compared to AlPcS4
      alone. Together, integration of LbL of PS with Au NRs holds a significant promise
      for PDT therapeutic treatment of a variety of cancers. 

PMID- 26267274
TI  - Viral Glycoprotein Complex Formation, Essential Function and Immunogenicity in
      the Guinea Pig Model for Cytomegalovirus.
AB  - Development of a cytomegalovirus (CMV) vaccine is a major public health priority
      due to the risk of congenital infection. A key component of a vaccine is thought
      to be an effective neutralizing antibody response against the viral glycoproteins
      necessary for cell entry. Species specificity of human CMV (HCMV) precludes
      direct studies in an animal model. The guinea pig is the only small animal model
      for congenital cytomegalovirus infection. Analysis of the guinea pig CMV (GPCMV)
      genome indicates that it potentially encodes homologs to the HCMV glycoproteins
      (including gB, gH, gL, gM, gN and gO) that form various cell entry complexes on
      the outside of the virus: gCI (gB); gCII (gH/gL/gO); gCIII (gM/gN). The gB
      homolog (GP55) has been investigated as a candidate subunit vaccine but little is
      known about the other homolog proteins. GPCMV glycoproteins were investigated by
      transient expression studies which indicated that homolog glycoproteins to gN and
      gM, or gH, gL and gO were able to co-localize in cells and generate respective
      homolog complexes which could be verified by immunoprecipitation assays. ELISA
      studies demonstrated that the individual complexes were highly immunogenic in
      guinea pigs. The gO (GP74) homolog protein has 13 conserved N-glycosylation sites
      found in HCMV gO. In transient expression studies, only the glycosylated protein
      is detected but in virus infected cells both N-glycosylated and non-glycosylated
      gO protein were detected. In protein interaction studies, a mutant gO that lacked
      N-glycosylation sites had no impact on the ability of the protein to interact
      with gH/gL which indicated a potential alternative function associated with these
      sites. Knockout GPCMV BAC mutagenesis of the respective glycoprotein genes (GP55
      for gB, GP75 for gH, GP115 for gL, GP100 for gM, GP73 for gN and GP74 for gO) in
      separate reactions was lethal for virus regeneration on fibroblast cells which
      demonstrated the essential nature of the GPCMV glycoproteins. The gene knockout
      results were similar to HCMV, except in the case of the gO homolog, which was non
      essential in epithelial tropic virus but essential in lab adapted GPCMV. Overall,
      the findings demonstrate the similarity between HCMV and GPCMV glycoproteins and
      strengthen the relevance of this model for development of CMV intervention
      strategies.

PMID- 26267275
TI  - Generalization of Auditory Sensory and Cognitive Learning in Typically Developing
      Children.
AB  - Despite the well-established involvement of both sensory ("bottom-up") and
      cognitive ("top-down") processes in literacy, the extent to which auditory or
      cognitive (memory or attention) learning transfers to phonological and reading
      skills remains unclear. Most research has demonstrated learning of the trained
      task or even learning transfer to a closely related task. However, few studies
      have reported "far-transfer" to a different domain, such as the improvement of
      phonological and reading skills following auditory or cognitive training. This
      study assessed the effectiveness of auditory, memory or attention training on far
      transfer measures involving phonological and reading skills in typically
      developing children. Mid-transfer was also assessed through untrained auditory,
      attention and memory tasks. Sixty 5- to 8-year-old children with normal hearing
      were quasi-randomly assigned to one of five training groups: attention group
      (AG), memory group (MG), auditory sensory group (SG), placebo group (PG; drawing,
      painting), and a control, untrained group (CG). Compliance, mid-transfer and far
      transfer measures were evaluated before and after training. All trained groups
      received 12 x 45-min training sessions over 12 weeks. The CG did not receive any
      intervention. All trained groups, especially older children, exhibited
      significant learning of the trained task. On pre- to post-training measures (test
      retest), most groups exhibited improvements on most tasks. There was significant
      mid-transfer for a visual digit span task, with highest span in the MG, relative
      to other groups. These results show that both sensory and cognitive (memory or
      attention) training can lead to learning in the trained task and to mid-transfer
      learning on a task (visual digit span) within the same domain as the trained
      tasks. However, learning did not transfer to measures of language (reading and
      phonological awareness), as the PG and CG improved as much as the other trained
      groups. Further research is required to investigate the effects of various
      stimuli and lengths of training on the generalization of sensory and cognitive
      learning to literacy skills.

PMID- 26267276
TI  - Male Homosexual Preference: Where, When, Why?
AB  - Male homosexual preference (MHP) has long been of interest to scholars studying
      the evolution of human sexuality. Indeed, MHP is partially heritable, induces a
      reproductive cost and is common. MHP has thus been considered a Darwinian
      paradox. Several questions arise when MHP is considered in an evolutionary
      context. At what point did MHP appear in the human evolutionary history? Is MHP
      present in all human groups? How has MHP evolved, given that MHP is a
      reproductively costly trait? These questions were addressed here, using data from
      the anthropological and archaeological literature. Our detailed analysis of the
      available data challenges the common view of MHP being a "virtually universal"
      trait present in humans since prehistory. The conditions under which it is
      possible to affirm that MHP was present in past societies are discussed.
      Furthermore, using anthropological reports, the presence or absence of MHP was
      documented for 107 societies, allowing us to conclude that evidence of the
      absence of MHP is available for some societies. A recent evolutionary hypothesis
      has argued that social stratification together with hypergyny (the hypergyny
      hypothesis) are necessary conditions for the evolution of MHP. Here, the link
      between the level of stratification and the probability of observing MHP was
      tested using an unprecedented large dataset. Furthermore, the test was performed
      for the first time by controlling for the phylogenetic non-independence between
      societies. A positive relationship was observed between the level of social
      stratification and the probability of observing MHP, supporting the hypergyny
      hypothesis.

PMID- 26267279
TI  - Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 as a New Approach to Fighting Fear.

PMID- 26267277
TI  - Incomplete Neutralization and Deviation from Sigmoidal Neutralization Curves for
      HIV Broadly Neutralizing Monoclonal Antibodies.
AB  - The broadly neutralizing HIV monoclonal antibodies (bnMAbs) PG9, PG16, PGT151,
      and PGT152 have been shown earlier to occasionally display an unusual virus
      neutralization profile with a non-sigmoidal slope and a plateau at <100%
      neutralization. In the current study, we were interested in determining the
      extent of non-sigmoidal slopes and plateaus at <100% for HIV bnMAbs more
      generally. Using both a 278 panel of pseudoviruses in a CD4 T-cell
      (U87.CCR5.CXCR4) assay and a panel of 117 viruses in the TZM-bl assay, we found
      that bnMAbs targeting many neutralizing epitopes of the spike had neutralization
      profiles for at least one virus that plateaued at <90%. Across both panels the
      bnMAbs targeting the V2 apex of Env and gp41 were most likely to show
      neutralization curves that plateaued <100%. Conversely, bnMAbs targeting the high
      mannose patch epitopes were less likely to show such behavior. Two CD4 binding
      site (CD4bs) Abs also showed this behavior relatively infrequently. The
      phenomenon of incomplete neutralization was also observed in a large peripheral
      blood mononuclear cells (PBMC)-grown molecular virus clone panel derived from
      patient viral swarms. In addition, five bnMAbs were compared against an 18-virus
      panel of molecular clones produced in 293T cells and PBMCs and assayed in TZM-bl
      cells. Examples of plateaus <90% were seen with both types of virus production
      with no consistent patterns observed. In conclusion, incomplete neutralization
      and non-sigmoidal neutralization curves are possible for all HIV bnMAbs against a
      wide range of viruses produced and assayed in both cell lines and primary cells
      with implications for the use of antibodies in therapy and as tools for vaccine
      design. 

PMID- 26267278
TI  - One Size Doesn't Fit All - RefEditor: Building Personalized Diploid Reference
      Genome to Improve Read Mapping and Genotype Calling in Next Generation Sequencing
      Studies.
AB  - With rapid decline of the sequencing cost, researchers today rush to embrace
      whole genome sequencing (WGS), or whole exome sequencing (WES) approach as the
      next powerful tool for relating genetic variants to human diseases and
      phenotypes. A fundamental step in analyzing WGS and WES data is mapping short
      sequencing reads back to the reference genome. This is an important issue because
      incorrectly mapped reads affect the downstream variant discovery, genotype
      calling and association analysis. Although many read mapping algorithms have been
      developed, the majority of them uses the universal reference genome and do not
      take sequence variants into consideration. Given that genetic variants are
      ubiquitous, it is highly desirable if they can be factored into the read mapping
      procedure. In this work, we developed a novel strategy that utilizes genotypes
      obtained a priori to customize the universal haploid reference genome into a
      personalized diploid reference genome. The new strategy is implemented in a
      program named RefEditor. When applying RefEditor to real data, we achieved
      encouraging improvements in read mapping, variant discovery and genotype calling.
      Compared to standard approaches, RefEditor can significantly increase genotype
      calling consistency (from 43% to 61% at 4X coverage; from 82% to 92% at 20X
      coverage) and reduce Mendelian inconsistency across various sequencing depths.
      Because many WGS and WES studies are conducted on cohorts that have been
      genotyped using array-based genotyping platforms previously or concurrently, we
      believe the proposed strategy will be of high value in practice, which can also
      be applied to the scenario where multiple NGS experiments are conducted on the
      same cohort. The RefEditor sources are available at
      https://github.com/superyuan/refeditor. 

PMID- 26267283
TI  - Corrigendum: Vacancy-controlled ultrastable nanoclusters in nanostructured
      ferritic alloys.

PMID- 26267280
TI  - Conflict bear translocation: investigating population genetics and fate of bear
      translocation in Dachigam National Park, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
AB  - The Asiatic black bear population in Dachigam landscape, Jammu and Kashmir is
      well recognized as one of the highest density bear populations in India.
      Increasing incidences of bear-human interactions and the resultant retaliatory
      killings by locals have become a serious threat to the survivorship of black
      bears in the Dachigam landscape. The Department of Wildlife Protection in Jammu
      and Kashmir has been translocating bears involved in conflicts, henceforth
      'conflict bears' from different sites in Dachigam landscape to Dachigam National
      Park as a flagship activity to mitigate conflicts. We undertook this study to
      investigate the population genetics and the fate of bear translocation in
      Dachigam National Park. We identified 109 unique genotypes in an area of ca. 650
      km2 and observed bear population under panmixia that showed sound genetic
      variability. Molecular tracking of translocated bears revealed that mostly bears
      (7 out of 11 bears) returned to their capture sites, possibly due to homing
      instincts or habituation to the high quality food available in agricultural
      croplands and orchards, while only four bears remained in Dachigam National Park
      after translocation. Results indicated that translocation success was most likely
      to be season dependent as bears translocated during spring and late autumn
      returned to their capture sites, perhaps due to the scarcity of food inside
      Dachigam National Park while bears translocated in summer remained in Dachigam
      National Park due to availability of surplus food resources. Thus, the current
      management practices of translocating conflict bears, without taking into account
      spatio-temporal variability of food resources in Dachigam landscape seemed to be
      ineffective in mitigating conflicts on a long-term basis. However, the study
      highlighted the importance of molecular tracking of bears to understand their
      movement patterns and socio-biology in tough terrains like Dachigam landscape. 

PMID- 26267284
TI  - Spheroid and Tissue Assembly via Click Chemistry in Microfluidic Flow.
AB  - Proper cell-cell contact and communication are essential for the correct
      development and survival of higher order organisms. In order to study complex
      cell interactions that occur in vivo, model systems that are able to recapitulate
      3D cell-cell interactions in vitro are key to advancing new biotechnologies,
      therapeutics, and tissue engineering applications. Herein, we show a new strategy
      to rapidly and efficiently generate complex multiple cell line containing
      spheroids and tissues in microfluidic flow without the use of scaffolds,
      molecular biology, or metabolic biosynthesis. The method relies on the
      integration of microfluidics, liposome fusion, bio-orthogonal chemistry, and cell
      surface engineering to rapidly click coculture cell assemblies in flow. We
      demonstrate this strategy by assembling various combinations of cell types with
      an interfacial cell to cell click chemistry in microfluidic flow to generate a
      range of spheroid types and oriented tissue multilayers. 

PMID- 26267285
TI  - Application of Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography in Forensic Science.
AB  - In this review the range of evidentiary materials that may be successfully
      examined by pyrolysis gas chromatography is emphasized. Initial sections briefly
      discuss the main types of commercially available pyrolyzers, i.e., inductively
      heated devices (Curie point), those employing resistive heating, and furnace
      pyrolyzers. Sample introduction methods and the effects of various pyrolysis
      parameters are also considered. Applications to various types of samples,
      including paint, fibers, rubber and plastic traces, adhesives, photocopy toners,
      and hair, are then reviewed. 

PMID- 26267286
TI  - Development in the Detection and Identification of Explosive Residues.
AB  - In the past 2 decades, developments in the sensitivity and selectivity of
      instrument detectors have significantly improved the detection limits for
      explosives, particularly nitrated organic compounds. Significant improvements
      have also been made in clean up and recovery procedures for explosive residues.
      Methods which also have met the criterion of proven effectiveness in identifying
      explosive components in "real-world" residues from test explosions have been
      incorporated into systematic analysis protocols for explosive residues. This
      article first reviews developments in the application of both traditional and
      novel methods to analysis of unreacted explosives and explosive residues.
      Compounds used to formulate commercial, military, and "homemade" explosives are
      then cross-referenced to the analytical methods that have been specifically
      applied to them, both as pure chemicals and in explosive mixtures. The subsequent
      focus is on the combinations of methods used to systematically analyze and
      positively identify residues from improvised explosive devices, from handswabs
      derived from persons suspected of handling explosives, and from organic gunshot
      residue. Technology is available to positively identify virtually any unreacted
      explosive in residue, but no one method can detect all components of all
      explosives. Investigators and the courts are best served by well-equipped
      forensic science laboratories staffed with scientists who have gained experience
      by the successful analysis of post-blast residues from an explosives range and
      have comprehensive reference collections of physical material, analytical data,
      and literature. The greatest progress has been made with respect to nitrated
      organic compounds, but the new generation of commercial explosive slurries and
      emulsions which are primarily formulated with inorganic salts and non-nitrated
      organic compounds offer an ongoing challenge. 

PMID- 26267287
TI  - Important Considerations in the Interpretation of Forensic Urine Drug Test
      Results.
AB  - With sound analytical methodology, good laboratory practice, and intact specimen
      chain-of-custody, test result interpretation is the final element dictating the
      action to be taken following drug urinalysis. From a technical viewpoint, false
      test results may be reported as a result of adulteration, including the
      alteration of metabolic process through the intentional use of foreign material,
      or the outright addition of adulterants to specimens. Unintended exposure through
      contact or inhalation may result in the detection of targeted drug analytes at
      low levels, while the use of certain licit food and medicinal items, such as a
      salad dressing, a bagel containing poppy seeds, and Tylenol(r) III, may produce
      positive results using commonly reporting cutoff levels. For those specimens that
      test positively, the following factors should be considered when interpreting the
      meaning of a quantitative result: analyte stability, urine water content, and
      time lapse between drug exposure and specimen collection. 

PMID- 26267288
TI  - Recovery and Stability of DNA in Samples of Forensic Science Significance.
AB  - The ability to recover sufficient amounts of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from
      various biological evidentiary samples for individualization purposes is
      discussed. The chemistry and stability of DNA under various conditions is
      reviewed. The recovery of nondegraded DNA bears directly on the ability to
      successfully analyze such samples by restriction fragment length polymorphism
      analysis, as well as by methods utilizing the polymerase chain reaction (PCR),
      which includes (1) reverse dot-blot hybridization using allele-specific
      oligonucleotide probes and (2) allele-specific fragment length polymorphism
      analysis, steroids with A-ring modifications, steroids with an extra ring, and
      steroids with B-ring and C-ring modifications. Common metabolic pathways are
      noted and summarized. 

PMID- 26267289
TI  - Nanosized ethosomes-based hydrogel formulations of methoxsalen for enhanced
      topical delivery against vitiligo: formulation optimization, in vitro evaluation
      and preclinical assessment.
AB  - The present investigation aimed for the development and characterization of
      ethosomes-based hydrogel formulations of methoxsalen for enhanced topical
      delivery and effective treatment against vitiligo. The ethosomes were prepared by
      central composite design (CCD) and characterized for various quality attributes
      like vesicle shape, size, zeta potential, lamellarity, drug entrapment and drug
      leaching. The optimized ethosomes were subsequently incorporated int Carbopol(r)
      934 gel and characterized for drug content, rheological behavior, texture
      profile, in vitro release, ex vivo skin permeation and retention, skin
      photosensitization and histopathological examination. Ethosomes were found to be
      spherical and multilamellar in structures having nanometric size range with
      narrow size distribution, and high encapsulation efficiency. Ethosomal
      formulations showed significant skin permeation and accumulation in the epidermal
      and dermal layers. The fluorescence microscopy study using 123 Rhodamine
      exhibited enhanced permeation of the drug-loaded ethosomes in the deeper layers
      of skin. Also, the developed formulation showed insignificant phototoxicity and
      erythema vis-a-vis the conventional cream. The results were cross-validated using
      histopathological examination of skin segments. In a nutshell, the ethosomes
      based hydrogel formulation was found to be a promising drug delivery system
      demonstrating enhanced percutaneous penetration of methoxsalen with reduced
      phototoxicity and erythema, thus leading to improved patient compliance for the
      treatment against vitiligo.

PMID- 26267290
TI  - Quantum-Chemical Calculation of Carbododecahedron Formation in Carbon Plasma.
AB  - The ground state of the molecule consisting of 10 carbon atoms in C10(rg) "ring"
      conformation and the energy of its metastable C10(st) "star" conformation are
      reported. The reaction coordinate for the isomeric transition C10(st) -> C10(rg)
      was calculated using density functional theory (DFT) with UB3LYP/6-31G(d,p). It
      was established that a 5-fold symmetry axis is conserved in this isomeric
      transition. The total energy of the ring isomer is by 10.33 eV (9.16 eV as zero
      point energy corrected) lower than that of the star isomer. The energy barrier
      for the transition from the metastable star state to the ring state is 2.87 eV
      (3.57 eV as zero-point energy corrected). An analysis of possible chemical
      reactions in carbon plasma involving C10(st) and C10(rg) and leading to the
      formation of C20 fullerenes was performed. It was revealed that the presence of
      the C10(st) conformation in the reaction medium is a necessary condition for C20
      fullerene formation. It was shown that the presence of hydrogen atoms in carbon
      plasma and UV radiation accelerate the C10(st) -> C10(rg) transition and thus
      suppress the C20 fullerene formation.

PMID- 26267291
TI  - Liver receptor homolog-1 is a critical determinant of methyl-pool metabolism.
AB  - Balance of labile methyl groups (choline, methionine, betaine, and folate) is
      important for normal liver function. Quantitatively, a significant use of labile
      methyl groups is in the production of phosphatidylcholines (PCs), which are
      ligands for the nuclear liver receptor homolog-1 (LRH-1). We studied the role of
      LRH-1 in methyl-pool homeostasis and determined its metabolic effects using the
      methionine and choline-deficient (MCD) diet, which depletes methyl groups and
      results in a deleterious decrease in the PC-to-phosphatidylethanolamine ratio. We
      found that MCD diet-fed, liver-specific LRH-1 knockout mice (Lrh-1(-/-) ) do not
      show the expected decreased methyl-pool and PC/phosphatidylethanolamine ratio and
      are resistant to the hepatitis and fibrosis normally induced by the diet.
      Adaptive responses observed in wild-type mice on the MCD diet were also observed
      in Lrh-1(-/-) mice on a normal diet. This includes reduced expression of the
      highly active glycine-n-methyltransferase and the biliary phospholipid floppase
      multidrug-resistance protein 2 (Mdr2/Abcb4), resulting in reduced consumption of
      methyl groups and biliary PC secretion. In vitro studies confirm that Gnmt and
      Mdr2 are primary LRH-1 target genes. Additional similarities between hepatic gene
      expression profiles in MCD diet-fed wild-type and untreated Lrh-1(-/-) mice
      suggest that methyl-pool deficiency decreases LRH-1 activity, and this was
      confirmed by in vitro functional results in cells maintained in MCD medium.
      CONCLUSION: LRH-1 is a novel transcriptional regulator of methyl-pool balance;
      when the methyl-pool is depleted, decreased LRH-1 transactivation suppresses
      expression of key genes to minimize loss of labile methyl groups. (Hepatology
      2016;63:95-106).

PMID- 26267292
TI  - Sedative and cardiopulmonary effects of xylazine alone or in combination with
      methadone, morphine or tramadol in sheep.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cardiopulmonary and sedative effects of xylazine alone
      or in combination with methadone, morphine or tramadol in sheep. STUDY DESIGN:
      Experimental, prospective, crossover, randomized, blinded study. ANIMALS: Six
      Santa Ines breed sheep (females) aged 12 +/- 8 months and weighing 39.5 +/- 7.4
      kg. METHODS: Sheep were sedated with each of four treatments in a randomized,
      crossover design, with a minimum washout period of 7 days between treatments.
      Treatments were: X [xylazine (0.1 mg kg(-1))]; XM [xylazine (0.1 mg kg(-1)) and
      methadone (0.5 mg kg(-1))]; XMO [xylazine (0.1 mg kg(-1)) and morphine (0.5 mg
      kg(-1))], and XT [xylazine (0.1 mg kg(-1)) and tramadol (5 mg kg(-1))]. Each drug
      combination was mixed in the syringe and injected intravenously. Sedation, heart
      rate (HR), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), rectal temperature (RT degrees C),
      respiratory rate (fR), arterial blood gases and electrolytes were measured before
      drug administration (T0) and then at 15 minute intervals for 120 minutes (T15
      T120). RESULTS: Heart rate significantly decreased in all treatments compared
      with T0. PaCO2 values in XM and XMO were higher at all time points compared with
      T0. In treatments X and XM, pH, bicarbonate (HCO3-) and base excess were
      increased at all time points compared with T0. PaO2 was significantly decreased
      at T15-T75 in XM, at all time points in XMO, and at T15 and T30 in XT. Sedation
      at T15 and T30 in XM and XMO was greater than in the other treatments.
      CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The combinations of methadone, morphine or
      tramadol with xylazine resulted in cardiopulmonary changes similar to those
      induced by xylazine alone in sheep. The combinations provided better sedation,
      principally at 15 minutes and 30 minutes following administration.

PMID- 26267294
TI  - The Mechanism of Iron(II)-Catalyzed Asymmetric Mukaiyama Aldol Reaction in
      Aqueous Media: Density Functional Theory and Artificial Force-Induced Reaction
      Study.
AB  - Density functional theory (DFT), combined with the artificial force-induced
      reaction (AFIR) method, is used to establish the mechanism of the aqueous
      Mukaiyama aldol reactions catalyzed by a chiral Fe(II) complex. On the bases of
      the calculations, we identified several thermodynamically stable six- or seven
      coordinate complexes in the solution, where the high-spin quintet state is the
      ground state. Among them, the active intermediates for the selectivity
      determining outer-sphere carbon-carbon bond formation are proposed. The
      multicomponent artificial force-induced reaction (MC-AFIR) method found key
      transition states for the carbon-carbon bond formation, and explained the
      enantioselectivity and diastereoselectivity. The overall mechanism consists of
      the coordination of the aldehyde, carbon-carbon bond formation, the rate
      determining proton transfer from water to aldehyde, and dissociation of
      trimethylsilyl group. The calculated full catalytic cycle is consistent with the
      experiments. This study provides important mechanistic insights for the
      transition metal catalyzed Mukaiyama aldol reaction in aqueous media. 

PMID- 26267293
TI  - FTY720 and two novel butterfly derivatives exert a general anti-inflammatory
      potential by reducing immune cell adhesion to endothelial cells through
      activation of S1P(3) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase.
AB  - Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a key lipid regulator of a variety of cellular
      responses including cell proliferation and survival, cell migration, and
      inflammatory reactions. Here, we investigated the effect of S1P receptor
      activation on immune cell adhesion to endothelial cells under inflammatory
      conditions. We show that S1P reduces both tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha- and
      lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated adhesion of Jurkat and U937 cells to an
      endothelial monolayer. The reducing effect of S1P was reversed by the S1P1+3
      antagonist VPC23019 but not by the S1P1 antagonist W146. Additionally, knockdown
      of S1P3, but not S1P1, by short hairpin RNA (shRNA) abolished the reducing effect
      of S1P, suggesting the involvement of S1P3. A suppression of immune cell adhesion
      was also seen with the immunomodulatory drug FTY720 and two novel butterfly
      derivatives ST-968 and ST-1071. On the molecular level, S1P and all FTY720
      derivatives reduced the mRNA expression of LPS- and TNF-alpha-induced adhesion
      molecules including ICAM-1, VCAM-1, E-selectin, and CD44 which was reversed by
      the PI3K inhibitor LY294002, but not by the MEK inhibitor U0126.In summary, our
      data demonstrate a novel molecular mechanism by which S1P, FTY720, and two novel
      butterfly derivatives acted anti-inflammatory that is by suppressing gene
      transcription of various endothelial adhesion molecules and thereby preventing
      adhesion of immune cells to endothelial cells and subsequent extravasation. 

PMID- 26267295
TI  - The performance of methallyl nickel complexes and boron adducts in the catalytic
      activation of ethylene: a conceptual DFT perspective.
AB  - In this work, global and local descriptors of chemical reactivity and selectivity
      are used to explain the differences in reactivities toward ethylene of methallyl
      nickel complexes and their B(C6F5)3 and BF3 adducts. DFT calculations were used
      to explain why nickel complexes alone are inactive in ethylene polymerization
      while their boron adducts can activate it. It is shown that chemical potential,
      hardness, electrophilicity and molecular electrostatic potential surfaces
      describe fairly well the reactivity and selectivity of these organometallic
      systems toward ethylene. Experimental data indicates that addition of a borane
      molecule to nickel complexes changes dramatically their reactivity-behavior that
      is confirmed computationally. Our results show that bare complexes are unable to
      activate ethylene-a Lewis base-because they also behave as Lewis bases. The
      addition of the co-catalyst-a Lewis acid-turns the adducts into Lewis acids,
      making them active towards ethylene.

PMID- 26267296
TI  - Interaction of YD2 and TiO2 in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs): a density
      functional theory study.
AB  - The interaction of the dye YD2 with a cluster of (anatase-phase) TiO2 (which is
      utilized in dye-sensitized solar cells, DSSCs) and electron injection by the dye
      into the cluster were studied by performing density functional theory (DFT)
      calculations at the B3LYP, PBE, and TPSS levels of theory, including dispersion
      effects. We studied and quantified the interaction of the metallomacrocycle with
      the TiO2 cluster and the electronic spectrum of the complex. TDDFT calculations
      using the B3LYP functional were found to be the most suitable for describing the
      observed absorption energy bands of YD2 and YD2-TiO2. Our calculations show that
      the diarylamino groups act as electron donors in the photon-induced injection
      that occurs in DSSCs. The free-energy changes that take place during electron
      injection support the good performance of YD2 on TiO2 clusters.

PMID- 26267297
TI  - A comparative molecular dynamics study of thermophilic and mesophilic beta
      fructosidase enzymes.
AB  - Arabidopsis thaliana cell wall invertase 1 (AtcwINV1) and Thermotoga maritima
      beta-fructosidase (BfrA) are among the best structurally studied members of the
      glycoside hydrolase family 32. Both enzymes hydrolyze sucrose as the main
      substrate but differ strongly in their thermal stability. Mesophilic AtcwINV1 and
      thermophilic BfrA have divergent sequence similarities in the N-terminal five
      bladed beta-propeller catalytic domain (31 %) and the C-terminal beta-sandwich
      domain (15 %) of unknown function. The two enzymes were subjected to 200 ns
      molecular dynamics simulations at 300 K (27  degrees C) and 353 K (80  degrees
      C). Regular secondary structure regions, but not loops, in AtcwINV1 and BfrA
      showed no significant fluctuation differences at both temperatures. BfrA was more
      rigid than AtcwINV1 at 300 K. The simulation at 353 K did not alter the
      structural stability of BfrA, but did increase the overall flexibility of
      AtcwINV1 exhibiting the most fluctuating regions in the beta-propeller domain.
      The simulated heat treatment also increased the gyration radius and hydrophobic
      solvent accessible surface area of the plant enzyme, consistent with the initial
      steps of an unfolding process. The preservation of the conformational rigidity of
      BfrA at 353 K is linked to the shorter size of the protein loops. Shortening of
      BfrA loops appears to be a key mechanism for thermostability.

PMID- 26267299
TI  - Catalytic mechanisms of Au11 and Au11-nPt n (n=1-2) clusters: a DFT investigation
      on the oxidation of CO by O2.
AB  - The oxidation of CO catalyzed by clusters of Au11, Au10Pt and Au9Pt2 was
      investigated using the M06 functional suite of the density functional theory. Au
      and Pt atoms were described with the double-zeta valence basis set Los Alamos
      National Laboratory 2-double-z (LanL2DZ), whereas the standard 6-311++G(d,p)
      basis set was employed for the C and O atoms. Our theoretical model showed that
      (1) after coordination to Au and Au-Pt cluster, O2 and CO are apparently
      activated, and Mulliken charges show that the gold atoms in the active sites of
      Au11 are negatively charged; (2) Au-Pt clusters with 11 atoms can effectively
      catalyze the oxidation of CO by O2; (3) Au11 exhibits good catalytic performance
      for the oxidation of CO; (4) oxidation of CO occurs preferably on the Au-Pt
      active sites in Pt-doped clusters, and the single-center mechanisms are more
      favorable energetically than the two-center mechanisms; (5) after adsorption, an
      O2 molecule oxidates two CO molecules via stepwise mechanisms; and (6) the
      catalytic processes are highly exothermic.

PMID- 26267298
TI  - Computational design, functional analysis and antigenic epitope estimation of a
      novel hybrid of 12 peptides of hirudin and reteplase.
AB  - Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are leading causes of morbidity and
      mortality for human beings, and thrombosis is the major risk factor. Thrombolytic
      therapy has been testified to be the most effective approach to cure thrombosis
      related diseases. In clinical treatment, we often adopt a combination therapeutic
      regimen of both thrombolytic and anticoagulant agents to prevent the recurrence
      of thrombosis. Thus, a novel hybrid (HV12p-rPA) comprised of the C-terminal 12
      residues of hirudin-PA (HV12p) and reteplase (rPA) was designed. The three
      dimensional structure of this hybrid was mimicked based on homology modeling and
      refined with dynamics simulation by utilizing Amber12.0 software. The function of
      the hybrid was analyzed by structure comparison and the root mean square
      deviation (RMSD) of Calpha atoms between the hybrid and native rPA was
      calculated. The results showed that HV12p, which was located in the N-terminus of
      the hybrid, was far from the rPA segment of the hybrid and had no influence on
      the conformational stability of the rPA domain. The RMSD of Calpha atoms of these
      superimposed proteins was about 40A, implying that the hybrid had a similar
      spatial conformation to that of native rPA. Additionally, the antigenic epitopes
      of the hybrid were predicted by estimations of Hopp-Wood hydrophilicity, Janin
      accessibility, Zimmermane-Simha polarity, Bhaskaran-Ponnuswamy flexibility, as
      well as secondary structure analysis and Kolaskar-Tongaonkar antigenicity
      prediction. The results showed that the most likely antigenic determinants were
      located at or near regions 148-152, 257-262 and 321-330.

PMID- 26267300
TI  - Water-soluble Ir(iii) complexes of deprotonated N-methylbipyridinium ligands:
      fluorine-free blue emitters.
AB  - New blue or blue-green emitting iridium complexes have been synthesised with
      cyclometalating ligands derived from the 1-methyl-3-(2'-pyridyl)pyridinium
      cation. Efficient luminescence is observed in MeCN or aqueous solutions, with a
      large range of lifetimes in the MUs region and relatively high quantum yields. 

PMID- 26267301
TI  - Profiling stainless steel welding processes to reduce fume emissions, hexavalent
      chromium emissions and operating costs in the workplace.
AB  - Nine gas metal arc welding (GMAW) processes for stainless steel were assessed for
      fume generation rates, fume generation rates per g of electrode consumed, and
      emission rates for hexavalent chromium (Cr(6+)). Elemental manganese, nickel,
      chromium, iron emissions per unit length of weld, and labor plus consumables
      costs were similarly measured. Flux-cored arc welding and shielded metal arc
      (SMAW) processes were also studied. The objective was to identify the best
      welding processes for reducing workplace exposures, and estimate costs for all
      processes. Using a conical chamber, fumes were collected, weighed, recovered, and
      analyzed by inductively coupled atomic emission spectroscopy for metals, and by
      ion chromatography for Cr(6+). GMAW processes used were Surface Tension Transfer,
      Regulated Metal Deposition, Cold Metal Transfer, short-circuit, axial spray, and
      pulsed spray modes. Flux-cored welding used gas shielding; SMAW used E308 rods.
      Costs were estimated as dollars per m length of a 1/4 in (6.3 mm) thick
      horizontal butt weld; equipment costs were estimated as ratios of new equipment
      costs to a 250 ampere capacity SMAW welding machine. Results indicate a broad
      range of fume emission factors for the processes studied. Fume emission rates per
      g of electrode were lowest for GMAW processes such as pulsed-spray mode (0.2
      mg/g), and highest for SMAW (8 mg fume/g electrode). Emission rates of Cr(6+)
      ranged from 50-7800 ug/min, and Cr(6+) generation rates per g electrode ranged
      from 1-270 ug/g. Elemental Cr generation rates spanned 13-330 ug/g. Manganese
      emission rates ranged from 50-300 ug/g. Nickel emission rates ranged from 4-140
      ug/g. Labor and consumables costs ranged from $3.15 (GMAW pulsed spray) to $7.40
      (SMAW) per meter of finished weld, and were measured or estimated for all 11
      processes tested. Equipment costs for some processes may be as much as five times
      the cost of a typical SMAW welding machine. The results show that all of the GMAW
      processes in this study can substantially reduce fume, Cr(6+), manganese and
      costs relative to SMAW, the most commonly used welding process, and several have
      exceptional capabilities for reducing emissions. 

PMID- 26267302
TI  - Wetting of Surfaces Made of Hydrophobic Cavities.
AB  - Templated electrodeposition through a close packed, monolayer array of 3 MUm
      polystyrene spheres followed by removal of the template by dissolution in an
      organic solvent was used to fabricate sphere segment void (SSV) surfaces in gold
      with heights up to 1.5 MUm. These surfaces were made hydrophobic by treating with
      1-dodecanethiol. Contact angle measurements show that the wetting behavior of
      these surfaces change significantly with film thickness. The apparent advancing
      contact angle increases from 110 degrees  for the flat 1-dodecanethiol-coated
      gold surface to 150 degrees  for the film with a close-packed array of
      hemispherical cavities, in good agreement with the behavior predicted by the
      simple Cassie-Baxter equation. In contrast, the apparent receding angles have
      significantly smaller values in all cases, and water droplets are strongly pinned
      at the surface. Thus, these surfaces demonstrate "rose petal" behavior, in which
      a large apparent advancing contact angle, typical of a superhydrophobic surface,
      is accompanied by significant contact angle hysteresis. Observation of the shapes
      of drops on the surface during evaporation-driven recession shows that the drops
      adopt a dodecagonal shape, in which the drop perimeter is selectively pinned
      along the ?10? and ?11? directions on the hexagonally close-packed surface. 

PMID- 26267304
TI  - Hypothalamic-pituitary sarcoidosis with vision loss and hypopituitarism: case
      series and literature review.
AB  - PURPOSE: Hypothalamic-pituitary (HP) neurosarcoidosis (NS) accounts for 0.5 %
      cases of sarcoidosis and 1 % of HP masses. Correlative data on endocrine and
      neurological outcomes is lacking. METHODS: Retrospective case series and
      literature review of presentation, treatment and outcome of HP NS. RESULTS: Our
      series includes 4 men, ages 34-59, followed for a median of 7.3 years (range 1.5
      17). All had optic neuropathy, multiple pituitary hormone abnormalities (PHAs)
      and other organ involvement by sarcoidosis (lung, sino-nasal, brain/spine and
      facial nerve). Two patients had central diabetes insipidus and one impaired
      thirst with polydipsia. After treatment with high-dose glucocorticoids, optic
      neuropathy improved in one case and stabilized in the others. After treatment, HP
      lesions improved radiologically, but PHAs persisted in all cases. Review of four
      published series on HP NS in addition to ours yielded 46 patients, age 37 +/-
      11.8 years, 65 % male. PHAs consisted of anterior hypopituitarism (LH/FSH 88.8 %,
      TSH 67.4 %, GH 50.0 %, ACTH 48.8 %), hyperprolactinemia (48.8 %) and diabetes
      insipidus (65.2 %). PHAs were the first sign of disease in 54.3 % patients.
      Vision problems occurred in 28.3 % patients, but optic neuropathy was not well
      documented in previous series. Most patients (93.5 %) received high-dose
      glucocorticoids followed by taper; 50 % also received other immunomodulators,
      including methotrexate, mycophenolate mofetil, cyclosporine, azathioprine,
      infliximab and hydrochloroquine. Only 13 % patients showed improvement in PHAs.
      All-cause mortality was 8.7 %. CONCLUSION: HP NS is a serious disease requiring
      multidisciplinary treatment and lifelong follow-up. Prospective multicentric
      studies are needed to determine a more standardized approach to HP NS and outline
      predictors of disease outcome.

PMID- 26267303
TI  - Extended transsphenoidal approach for pituitary adenomas invading the cavernous
      sinus using multiple complementary techniques.
AB  - PURPOSE: Transsphenoidal surgery is the treatment of choice for most pituitary
      adenomas (PA), except prolactinomas. Difficulties achieving radical resection
      with this method are encountered in patients with PAs invading the cavernous
      sinus (CS), due to the inability of the standard transsphenoidal approach to
      expose all tumors adequately. This study analyzed methods to resect PAs invading
      the CS and factors influencing the degree of tumor resection and occurrence of
      complications. METHODS: Outcomes were retrospectively analyzed in 52 patients
      with PA invading the CS who underwent surgery via the extended transsphenoidal
      approach utilizing multiple techniques, including microscopy, endoscopy,
      neuronavigation, and intraoperative Doppler ultrasonography. RESULTS: Gross-total
      resection (GTR) was achieved in 33 patients (63.5 %). GTR rate was significantly
      higher in patients with Knosp Grade 3 than Knosp Grade 4 (92.3 vs. 53.8 %) and in
      patients undergoing initial surgery than reoperation (77.1 vs. 35.3 %). One
      patient (2.9 %) undergoing initial surgery experienced transient cranial nerve
      palsy, without other postoperative complications. Postoperative complications
      were significantly higher after reoperation. Firm tumor consistency was
      significantly more frequent in patients undergoing reoperation than initial
      surgery (52.9 vs. 8.6 %). CONCLUSION: Extended transsphenoidal surgery
      incorporating multiple complementary techniques was highly effective for PAs
      invading the CS. Postoperative complications rates were relatively low,
      especially for patients undergoing initial surgery and those with Knosp Grade 3
      tumors. Total resection of PAs invading the CS remains challenging, especially in
      patients undergoing reoperation or having firm tumors.

PMID- 26267305
TI  - Anatomical variations of the celiac trunk: cadaveric and radiological study.
AB  - PURPOSE: The celiac trunk (CT) is a vascular structure of the upper abdomen which
      gives off the left gastric artery (LGA), the splenic artery and the common
      hepatic artery. This study aims to compare the vascular patterns of the CT of two
      different samples (cadaveric and radiological) and to propose a simple
      classification of CT variations based on previous studies and our results.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: To perform this study we examined 43 adult cadavers, 24
      males and 19 females, ages ranged from 69 to 92. In addition, we analysed 596
      MDCT (multidetector computed tomographic) angiography examinations of 430 males
      and 166 females, ages ranged from 42 to 82. RESULTS: According to the
      classification proposed, results were divided into Type I or complete CT (578/639
      cases, 90.5 %), Type II or incomplete CT (61/639 cases, 9.5 %), Type III or
      absence of CT and Type IV or celiacomesenteric trunk with no cases reported. Type
      I was divided into Type Ia or bifurcated trunk with LGA arising first (368/639
      cases, 57.6 %), Type Ib or trifurcated trunk (205/639 cases, 32.1 %) and Type Ic
      or tetrafurcated trunk with an extra branch (5/639 cases, 0.8 %). Type II
      included hepatosplenic (29/639 cases, 4.5 %), gastroplenic (32/639, 5 %) and
      hepatogastric trunks (0/639, 0 %) which represented Types IIa, IIb and IIc
      respectively. CONCLUSIONS: No significant differences were found between the
      cadaveric and radiological samples. Gender did not appear to be related to any
      variability of the structures either. A new, simple and complete classification
      of the anatomical variations of the CT is proposed.

PMID- 26267307
TI  - Reduced matrix rigidity promotes neonatal cardiomyocyte dedifferentiation,
      proliferation and clonal expansion.
AB  - Cardiomyocyte (CM) maturation in mammals is accompanied by a sharp decline in
      their proliferative and regenerative potential shortly after birth. In this
      study, we explored the role of the mechanical properties of the underlying matrix
      in the regulation of CM maturation. We show that rat and mouse neonatal CMs
      cultured on rigid surfaces exhibited increased myofibrillar organization, spread
      morphology, and reduced cell cycle activity. In contrast, compliant elastic
      matrices induced features of CM dedifferentiation, including a disorganized
      sarcomere network, rounding, and conspicuous cell-cycle re-entry. The rigid
      matrix facilitated nuclear division (karyokinesis) leading to binucleation, while
      compliant matrices promoted CM mitotic rounding and cell division (cytokinesis),
      associated with loss of differentiation markers. Moreover, the compliant matrix
      potentiated clonal expansion of CMs that involves multiple cell divisions. Thus,
      the compliant microenvironment facilitates CM dedifferentiation and proliferation
      via its effect on the organization of the myoskeleton. Our findings may be
      exploited to design new cardiac regenerative approaches. 

PMID- 26267308
TI  - Difluorenyl carbo-Benzenes: Synthesis, Electronic Structure, and Two-Photon
      Absorption Properties of Hydrocarbon Quadrupolar Chromophores.
AB  - The synthesis, crystal and electronic structures, and one- and two-photon
      absorption properties of two quadrupolar fluorenyl-substituted tetraphenyl carbo
      benzenes are described. These all-hydrocarbon chromophores, differing in the
      nature of the linkers between the fluorenyl substituents and the carbo-benzene
      core (C-C bonds for 3 a, C-C=C-C expanders for 3 b), exhibit quasi-superimposable
      one-photon absorption (1PA) spectra but different two-photon absorption (2PA)
      cross-sections sigma2PA. Z-scan measurements (under NIR femtosecond excitation)
      indeed showed that the C=C expansion results in an approximately twofold increase
      in the sigma2PA value, from 336 to 656 GM (1 GM = 10(-50) cm(4) s molecule(-1)
      photon(-1)) at lambda = 800 nm. The first excited states of Au and Ag symmetry
      accounting for 1PA and 2PA, respectively, were calculated at the TDDFT level of
      theory and used for sum-over-state estimations of sigma2PA(lambdai), in which
      lambdai = 2 hc/Ei, h is Planck's constant, c is the speed of light, and Ei is the
      energy of the 2PA-allowed transition. The calculated sigma2PA values of 227 GM at
      687 nm for 3 a and 349 GM at 708 nm for 3 b are in agreement with the Z-scan
      results.

PMID- 26267306
TI  - Aven recognition of RNA G-quadruplexes regulates translation of the mixed lineage
      leukemia protooncogenes.
AB  - G-quadruplexes (G4) are extremely stable secondary structures forming stacks of
      guanine tetrads. DNA G4 structures have been extensively studied, however, less
      is known about G4 motifs in mRNAs, especially in their coding sequences. Herein,
      we show that Aven stimulates the mRNA translation of the mixed lineage leukemia
      (MLL) proto-oncogene in an arginine methylation-dependent manner. The Aven RGG/RG
      motif bound G4 structures within the coding regions of the MLL1 and MLL4 mRNAs
      increasing their polysomal association and translation, resulting in the
      induction of transcription of leukemic genes. The DHX36 RNA helicase associated
      with the Aven complex and was required for optimal translation of G4 mRNAs.
      Depletion of Aven led to a decrease in synthesis of MLL1 and MLL4 proteins
      resulting in reduced proliferation of leukemic cells. These findings identify an
      Aven-centered complex that stimulates the translation of G4 harboring mRNAs,
      thereby promoting survival of leukemic cells. 

PMID- 26267309
TI  - Impact of Human Rhinovirus Types and Viral Load on the Severity of Illness in
      Hospitalized Children With Lower Respiratory Tract Infections.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Human rhinovirus (HRV) is not only responsible for at least one-half
      of all common colds but also associated with bronchitis, bronchiolitis, pneumonia
      and acute asthma exacerbation. However, the impact of different HRV types and
      viral load on disease severity has not been thoroughly elucidated. METHODS: From
      January 2012 to September 2014, 1742 nasopharyngeal aspirate specimens from
      hospitalized children with lower respiratory tract infections were analyzed by
      quantitative HRV-specific real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Among
      these 1742 children, HRV (407/1742, 23%) was the second most common viral agent
      after respiratory syncytial virus. HRV-A, HRV-B, HRV-C and HRV untyped were
      detected in 229 (56%), 27 (7%), 100 (25%) and 51 (13%) specimens, respectively.
      Children except who experienced wheezing were more common in the HRV-C detection
      group than in the HRV-A detection group; there were no other significant
      differences between the 2 groups, including the percent of children diagnosed
      with severe diseases. Logistic regression models demonstrated that there was no
      difference in disease severity among HRV types. In HRV-A detection group, in
      children younger than 2 years, the viral load was higher in the severe group than
      in the nonsevere group; but in the HRV-C detection group, there was no
      difference. CONCLUSIONS: HRV was frequently present in hospitalized children with
      lower respiratory tract infections in Chongqing, China. The disease severity for
      HRV-C and HRV-A was similar. A high load of HRV-A in the lower respiratory tract
      might be connected with disease severity in children younger than 2 years.

PMID- 26267310
TI  - Etiology and Incidence of Pleural Empyema in South African Children.
AB  - BACKGROUND: South Africa introduced the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
      (PCV7) in 2009 and PCV13 in 2011. The etiology and incidence of childhood empyema
      in an 8-year period overlapping the introduction of PCV was investigated.
      METHODS: Children younger than 12 years admitted with empyema at a tertiary
      pediatric hospital in Cape Town, South Africa, from December 2006 to December
      2011 (cohort A) and January 2012 to December 2014 (cohort B) were investigated.
      Pathogens were identified by culture of pleural fluid and blood. In addition,
      polymerase chain reaction targeting bacterial pathogens and Streptococcus
      pneumoniae serotypes was conducted on pleural fluid in a subset of patients
      enrolled 2009-2011. RESULTS: Cohort A: 142 children were prospectively enrolled,
      with a median age of 17 months (interquartile range 8-43). Most (92%) children
      were unimmunized with PCV. S. pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus were the most
      common culture-identified pathogens (each 25 of 142; 18%); polymerase chain
      reaction of pleural fluid increased yield of S. pneumoniae detection by 31% [26
      of 54 (48%) vs. 9 of 54 (17%), P < 0.001]. Serotypes were identified for 24 of 26
      (92%) patients with S. pneumoniae, of which 22 of 24 (92%) were included in
      PCV13. Cohort B: 22 patients were retrospectively identified. No pathogen was
      found in 12 of 22 (54.5%) patients and S. pneumoniae in 1 patient (4.5%). Empyema
      incidence declined by 50% in cohort B compared with that of cohort A (4.2 vs.
      10.4 cases per 1000 pneumonia admissions; risk ratio: 0.5; 95% confidence
      incidence: 0.3-0.7). CONCLUSION: S. pneumoniae is the commonest cause of
      childhood empyema in South Africa. PCV has been highly effective at reducing
      empyema incidence in South African children.

PMID- 26267311
TI  - Understanding the lateral dose response functions of high-resolution photon
      detectors by reverse Monte Carlo and deconvolution analysis.
AB  - The purpose of the present study is to understand the mechanism underlying the
      perturbation of the field of the secondary electrons, which occurs in the
      presence of a detector in water as the surrounding medium. By means of 'reverse'
      Monte Carlo simulation, the points of origin of the secondary electrons
      contributing to the detector's signal are identified and associated with the
      detector's mass density, electron density and atomic composition. The spatial
      pattern of the origin of these secondary electrons, in addition to the formation
      of the detector signal by components from all parts of its sensitive volume,
      determines the shape of the lateral dose response function, i.e. of the
      convolution kernel K(x,y) linking the lateral profile of the absorbed dose in the
      undisturbed surrounding medium with the associated profile of the detector's
      signal. The shape of the convolution kernel is shown to vary essentially with the
      electron density of the detector's material, and to be attributable to the
      relative contribution by the signal-generating secondary electrons originating
      within the detector's volume to the total detector signal. Finally, the
      representation of the over- or underresponse of a photon detector by this density
      dependent convolution kernel will be applied to provide a new analytical
      expression for the associated volume effect correction factor. 

PMID- 26267312
TI  - Not the Last Word: Choosing Wisely.

PMID- 26267313
TI  - Threat processing: models and mechanisms.
AB  - The experience of fear is closely linked to the survival of species. Fear can be
      conceptualized as a brain state that orchestrates defense reactions to threats.
      To avoid harm, an organism must be equipped with neural circuits that allow
      learning, detecting, and rapidly responding to threats. Past experience with
      threat can transform neutral stimuli present at the time of experience into
      learned threat-related stimuli via associative learning. Pavlovian threat
      conditioning is the central experimental paradigm to study associative learning.
      Once learned, these stimulus-response associations are not always expressed
      depending on context or new experiences with the conditioned stimuli. Neural
      circuits mediating threat learning have the inherent plasticity to adapt to
      changing environmental threats. Encounters devoid of danger pave the way for
      extinction or reconsolidation to occur. Extinction and reconsolidation can both
      lead to changes in the expression of threat-induced defense responses, but differ
      in stability and have a different neural basis. This review presents the
      behavioral models and the system-level neural mechanisms in animals and humans of
      threat learning and modulation.

PMID- 26267314
TI  - The blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier--first evidence for an active transport of
      organic mercury compounds out of the brain.
AB  - Exposure to organic mercury compounds promotes primarily neurological effects.
      Although methylmercury is recognized as a potent neurotoxicant, its transfer into
      the central nervous system (CNS) is not fully evaluated. While methylmercury and
      thiomersal pass the blood-brain barrier, limited data are available regarding the
      second brain regulating interface, the blood-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) barrier.
      This novel study was designed to investigate the effects of organic as well as
      inorganic mercury compounds on, and their transfer across, a porcine in vitro
      model of the blood-CSF barrier for the first time. The barrier system is
      significantly more sensitive towards organic Hg compounds as compared to
      inorganic compounds regarding the endpoints cytotoxicity and barrier integrity.
      Whereas there are low transfer rates from the blood side to the CSF side, our
      results strongly indicate an active transfer of the organic mercury compounds out
      of the CSF. These results are the first to demonstrate an efflux of organic
      mercury compounds regarding the CNS and provide a completely new approach in the
      understanding of mercury compounds specific transport. 

PMID- 26267315
TI  - A high precision apparatus for intracellular thermal response at single-cell
      level.
AB  - In this work, a nanoprobe that is highly thermo-sensitive to tiny temperature
      changes was prepared based on a thermocouple metal junction. A series of electro
      element apparatuses were integrated to accomplish single-cell temperature
      measurement. The temperature measurement probe (TMP) was constructed by tungsten
      (W), polyurethane (PU), and platinum (Pt). The tip size of TMP was characterized
      at less than 500 nm, and the tip angle was between 10 and 20 degrees  with the
      resistance in the range of 500 to 1500 Omega. The single-cell temperature
      measurement probes were calibrated and calculated with a Seebeck coefficient
      ranging from 6 to 8 MUV  degrees C(-1) at a precision of 0.1  degrees C.
      Monitoring the temperature at a single-cell level by inserting the TMP in marine
      lung epithelia (MLE)-12 cells displayed that the stimulation of
      lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and cobalt chloride induced different single-cell
      temperature fluctuation. This investigation could help reveal complex cellular
      functions and develop novel diagnoses. 

PMID- 26267316
TI  - Mechanisms of Enhanced Electrocatalytic Activity for Oxygen Reduction Reaction on
      High-Index Platinum n(111)-(111) Surfaces.
AB  - Oxygen reduction reactions (ORRs) on high-index planes of Pt n(111)-(111) were
      studied by density functional theory (DFT). The stepped surfaces, where n = 2, 3,
      and 4, showed that O2, O, and OH exhibited higher binding energies along the step
      compared to the terrace plane. The Pt atoms along the step can become distorted
      through the binding of the O and OH, where the shift in position of the Pt atoms
      is the largest along the stepped sites, hence forming stronger bonds with O
      atoms. One of the two O atoms produced from the bond dissociation of O2 will push
      the other one down a step with lower binding energies, consequently reducing the
      energy required for the protonation reaction (O + H(+) -> OH, and OH + H(+) ->
      H2O). The quicker recovery back to the clean Pt surface would therefore improve
      the catalytic properties of Pt nanoparticles, especially those with exposure to
      high-indexed facets. 

PMID- 26267317
TI  - The role of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and IL-8 receptors in platinum response in high
      grade serous ovarian carcinoma.
AB  - Platinum based drugs are the cornerstone of chemotherapy for ovarian cancer,
      however the development of chemoresistance hinders its success. IL-8 is involved
      in regulating several pro-survival pathways in cancer. We studied the expression
      of IL-8 and IL-8 receptors in platinum sensitive and resistant cell lines. Using
      qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry, both platinum sensitive (PEA1, PEO14) and
      resistant (PEA2, PEO23) show increased expression of IL-8 and IL-8 receptors. IL
      8RA shows nuclear and cytoplasmic expression, whilst IL-8RB is present solely in
      the cytoplasm. Knockdown of IL-8 increased sensitivity to cisplatin in platinum
      sensitive and reversed platinum resistance in resistant cell lines, decreased the
      expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and decreased inhibitory phosphorylation of
      pro-apoptotic Bad. IL-8 receptor antagonist treatment also enhanced platinum
      sensitivity. Nuclear localisation of IL-8RA was only detected in platinum
      resistant tumours. Inhibition of IL-8 signalling can enhance response in platinum
      sensitive and resistant disease. Nuclear IL-8RA may have potential as a biomarker
      of resistant disease.

PMID- 26267318
TI  - DNA repair prognostic index modelling reveals an essential role for base excision
      repair in influencing clinical outcomes in ER negative and triple negative breast
      cancers.
AB  - Stratification of oestrogen receptor (ER) negative and triple negative breast
      cancers (TNBCs) is urgently needed. In the current study, a cohort of 880 ER-
      (including 635 TNBCs) was immuno-profiled for a panel of DNA repair proteins
      including: Pol beta, FEN1, APE1, XRCC1, SMUG1, PARP1, BRCA1, ATR, ATM, DNA-PKcs,
      Chk1, Chk2, p53, and TOPO2. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models (with
      backward stepwise exclusion of these factors, using a criterion of p < 0.05 for
      retention of factors in the model) were used to identify factors that were
      independently associated with clinical outcomes. XRCC1 (p = 0.002), pol beta (p =
      0.032) FEN1 (p = 0.001) and BRCA1 (p = 0.040) levels were independently
      associated with poor BCSS. Subsequently, DNA repair index prognostic (DRPI)
      scores for breast cancer specific survival (BCSS) were calculated and two
      prognostic groups (DRPI-PGs) were identified. Patients in prognostic group 2
      (DRPI-PG2) have higher risk of death (p < 0.001). Furthermore, in DRPI-PG2
      patients, exposure to anthracycline reduced the risk of death [(HR (95% CI) =
      0.79 (0.64-0.98), p = 0.032) by 21-26%. In addition, DRPI-PG2 patients have
      adverse clinicopathological features including higher grade, lympho-vascular
      invasion, Her-2 positive phenotype, compared to those in DRPI-PG1 (p < 0.01).
      Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves indicated that the DRPI
      outperformed the currently used prognostic factors and adding DRPI to lymph node
      stage significantly improved their performance as a predictor for BCSS [p <
      0.00001, area under curve (AUC) = 0.70]. BER strongly influences pathogenesis of
      ER- and TNBCs. The DRPI accurately predicts BCSS and can also serve as a valuable
      prognostic and predictive tool for TNBCs. 

PMID- 26267319
TI  - RTVP-1 promotes mesenchymal transformation of glioma via a STAT-3/IL-6-dependent
      positive feedback loop.
AB  - Glioblastomas (GBMs), the most aggressive primary brain tumors, exhibit increased
      invasiveness and resistance to anti-tumor treatments. We explored the role of
      RTVP-1, a glioma-associated protein that promotes glioma cell migration, in the
      mesenchymal transformation of GBM. Analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)
      demonstrated that RTVP-1 expression was higher in mesenchymal GBM and predicted
      tumor recurrence and poor clinical outcome. ChiP analysis revealed that the RTVP
      1 promoter binds STAT3 and C/EBPbeta, two master transcription factors that
      regulate mesenchymal transformation of GBM. In addition, IL-6 induced RTVP-1
      expression in a STAT3-dependent manner. RTVP-1 increased the migration and
      mesenchymal transformation of glioma cells. Similarly, overexpression of RTVP-1
      in human neural stem cells induced mesenchymal differentiation, whereas silencing
      of RTVP-1 in glioma stem cells (GSCs) decreased the mesenchymal transformation
      and stemness of these cells. Silencing of RTVP-1 also increased the survival of
      mice bearing GSC-derived xenografts. Using gene array analysis of RTVP-1 silenced
      glioma cells we identified IL-6 as a mediator of RTVP-1 effects on the
      mesenchymal transformation and migration of GSCs, therefore acting in a positive
      feedback loop by upregulating RTVP-1 expression via the STAT3 pathway.
      Collectively, these results implicate RTVP-1 as a novel prognostic marker and
      therapeutic target in GBM. 

PMID- 26267320
TI  - Development and exploitation of a novel mutant androgen receptor modelling
      strategy to identify new targets for advanced prostate cancer therapy.
AB  - The persistence of androgen receptor (AR) signalling in castrate-resistant
      prostate cancer (CRPC) highlights the unmet clinical need for the development of
      more effective AR targeting therapies. A key mechanism of therapy-resistance is
      by selection of AR mutations that convert anti-androgens to agonists enabling the
      retention of androgenic signalling in CRPC. To improve our understanding of these
      receptors in advanced disease we developed a physiologically-relevant model to
      analyse the global functionality of AR mutants in CRPC. Using the bicalutamide
      activated AR(W741L/C) mutation as proof of concept, we demonstrate that this
      mutant confers an androgenic-like signalling programme and growth promoting
      phenotype in the presence of bicalutamide. Transcriptomic profiling of AR(W741L)
      highlighted key genes markedly up-regulated by the mutant receptor, including
      TIPARP, RASD1 and SGK1. Importantly, SGK1 expression was found to be highly
      expressed in the KUCaP xenograft model and a CRPC patient biopsy sample both of
      which express the bicalutamide-activated receptor mutant. Using an SGK1
      inhibitor, AR(W741L) transcriptional and growth promoting activity was reduced
      indicating that exploiting functional distinctions between receptor isoforms in
      our model may provide new and effective therapies for CRPC patients.

PMID- 26267321
TI  - The PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is a potential predictor of distinct invasive and
      migratory capacities in human ovarian cancer cell lines.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To explore the genetic and molecular events that control subclones
      exhibiting distinct invasive/migratory capacities derived from human epithelial
      ovarian cancer (EOC) cell line A2780 and SKOV3. METHODS: Single-cell subclones
      were isolated and established that were derived from the SKOV3 and A2780 cell
      lines through limiting dilution methodology. Transwell insert assays and MTT
      assays were performed to screen and identify the subclones exhibiting the highest
      and the lowest invasive/migratory capacities, and the selected subclones were
      renamed as A-H (A2780 high), A-L (A2780 low), S-H (SKOV3 high), and S-L (SKOV3
      low). Their biological characteristics were evaluated. RNA-Seq was conducted on
      the targeted subclones. RESULTS: Compared with their corresponding counterparts,
      A-H/S-H cells exhibited significantly higher invasive/migratory capacities (P <
      0.001 and = 0.001, respectively). A-H/S-H cells displayed a clear reduction in
      doubling time (P = 0.004 and 0.001, respectively), and a significant increase in
      the percentage of cells in S phase (P = 0.004 and 0.022, respectively).
      Additionally, the apoptotic rates of A-H/S-H cells were significantly lower than
      those of A-L/S-L cells (P = 0.002 and 0.026, respectively). At both mRNA and
      protein levels, caspase-3 and caspase-7 expression were reduced but Bcl-2
      expression was increased in A-H/S-H cells. The TrkB (anoikis-related) and Beclin1
      (autophagy-related) levels were consistently high and low, respectively, in both
      A-H/S-H cells. Resistance to chemotherapy in vitro and higher capacities on tumor
      formation in vivo was presented in both A-H/S-H cells. PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway
      components, PIK3CA, PIK3CD, AKT3, ECM1, GPCR, mTOR and PRKCB were increased but
      that the Nur77 and PTEN were decreased in A-H/S-H cells, identified by RNA-Seq
      and consistently confirmed by RT-PCR and Western blot analyses. CONCLUSIONS:
      Heterogeneous cell subpopulations exhibiting distinct invasive and migratory
      capacities co-exist within the SKOV3 and A2780 cell lines. PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway
      activation is associated with higher invasive and migratory capacities in
      subpopulations of human ovarian cancer cell lines. Inhibiting this pathway may be
      useful for the chemoprevention or treatment of EOC.

PMID- 26267322
TI  - IKK inhibition increases bortezomib effectiveness in ovarian cancer.
AB  - Ovarian cancer is associated with increased expression of the pro-angiogenic
      chemokine interleukin-8 (IL-8, CXCL8), which induces tumor cell proliferation,
      angiogenesis, and metastasis. Even though bortezomib (BZ) has shown remarkable
      anti-tumor activity in hematological malignancies, it has been less effective in
      ovarian cancer; however, the mechanisms are not understood. We have recently
      shown that BZ unexpectedly induces the expression of IL-8 in ovarian cancer cells
      in vitro, by IkappaB kinase (IKK)-dependent mechanism. Here, we tested the
      hypothesis that IKK inhibition reduces the IL-8 production and increases BZ
      effectiveness in reducing ovarian tumor growth in vivo. Our results demonstrate
      that the combination of BZ and the IKK inhibitor Bay 117085 significantly reduces
      the growth of ovarian tumor xenografts in nude mice when compared to either drug
      alone. Mice treated with the BZ/Bay 117085 combination exhibit smallest tumors,
      and lowest levels of IL-8. Furthermore, the reduced tumor growth in the
      combination group is associated with decreased tumor levels of S536P-p65 NFkappaB
      and its decreased recruitment to IL-8 promoter in tumor tissues. These data
      provide the first in vivo evidence that combining BZ with IKK inhibitor is
      effective, and suggest that using IKK inhibitors may increase BZ effectiveness in
      ovarian cancer treatment. 

PMID- 26267323
TI  - Enhanced detection and comprehensive in situ phenotypic characterization of
      circulating and disseminated heteroploid epithelial and glioma tumor cells.
AB  - Conventional strategy of anti-EpCAM capture and immunostaining of cytokeratins
      (CKs) to detect circulating tumor cells (CTCs) is limited by highly heterogeneous
      and dynamic expression or absence of EpCAM and/or CKs in CTCs. In this study, a
      novel integrated cellular and molecular approach of subtraction enrichment (SE)
      and immunostaining-FISH (iFISH) was successfully developed. Both large or small
      size CTCs and circulating tumor microemboli (CTM) in various biofluid samples
      including cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of cancer patients and patient-derived
      xenograft (PDX) mouse models were efficiently enriched and comprehensively
      identified and characterized by SE-iFISH. Non-hematopoietic CTCs with heteroploid
      chromosome 8 were detected in 87-92% of lung, esophageal and gastric cancer
      patients. Characterization of CTCs performed by CK18-iFISH showed that CK18, the
      dual epithelial marker and tumor biomarker, was strong positive in only 14% of
      lung and 24% of esophageal CTCs, respectively. Unlike conventional methodologies
      restricted only to the large and/or both EpCAM and CK positive CTCs, SE-iFISH
      enables efficient enrichment and performing in situ phenotypic and karyotypic
      identification and characterization of the highly heterogeneous CTC subtypes
      classified by both chromosome ploidy and the expression of various tumor
      biomarkers. Each CTC subtype may possess distinct clinical significance relative
      to tumor metastasis, relapse, therapeutic drug sensitivity or resistance, etc. 

PMID- 26267325
TI  - A sulfonated polyaniline with high density and high rate Na-storage performances
      as a flexible organic cathode for sodium ion batteries.
AB  - A Na-rich cathode is developed by grafting the electron-withdrawing -SO3Na group
      on polyaniline chains. Due to the immobile doping and effective activation of the
      sulfonate group, this polymer demonstrates a high capacity (133 mA h g(-1)) and
      excellent cyclability through a cation-exchange reaction, offering a low cost and
      sustainable cathode for SIBs. 

PMID- 26267327
TI  - Genetics of Apparently Sporadic Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma in a Chinese
      Population.
AB  - Identification of germline mutation in patients with apparently sporadic
      pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas is crucial. Clinical indicators, which
      include young age, bilateral or multifocal, extra-adrenal, malignant, or
      recurrent tumors, predict the likelihood of harboring germline mutation in
      Caucasian subjects. However, data on the prevalence of germline mutation, as well
      as the applicability of these clinical indicators in Chinese, are lacking. We
      conducted a cross-sectional study at a single endocrine tertiary referral center
      in Hong Kong. Subjects with pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas were evaluated
      for the presence of germline mutations involving 10 susceptibility genes, which
      included NF1, RET, VHL, SDHA, SDHB, SDHC, SDHD, TMEM 127, MAX, and FH genes.
      Clinical indicators were assessed for their association with the presence of
      germline mutations. Germline mutations, 2 being novel, were found in 24.4% of the
      41 Chinese subjects recruited and 11.4% among those with apparently sporadic
      presentation. The increasing number of the afore-mentioned clinical indicators
      significantly correlated with the likelihood of harboring germline mutation in
      one of the 10 susceptibility genes. (r=0.757, p=0.026). The presence of 2 or more
      clinical indicators should prompt genetic testing for germline mutations in
      Chinese subjects. In conclusion, our study confirmed that a significant
      proportion of Chinese subjects with apparently sporadic pheochromocytoma and
      paraganglioma harbored germline mutations and these clinical indicators
      identified from Caucasians series were also applicable in Chinese subjects. This
      information will be of clinical relevance in the design of appropriate genetic
      screening strategies in Chinese populations. 

PMID- 26267326
TI  - Metallothionein differentially affects the host response to Listeria infection
      both with and without an additional stress from cold-restraint.
AB  - Acute stress alters anti-bacterial defenses, but the neuroimmunological
      mechanisms underlying this association are not yet well understood.
      Metallothionein (MT), a cysteine-rich protein, is a stress response protein that
      is induced by a variety of chemical, biological, and psychological stressors, and
      MT has been shown to influence immune activities. We investigated MT's role in
      the management of anti-bacterial responses that occur during stress, using a
      C57BL/6 (B6) strain that has targeted disruptions of the Mt1 and Mt2 genes (B6
      MTKO), and a B6 strain that has additional copies of Mt (B6-MTTGN). The well
      characterized listeriosis model was used to examine immune mechanisms that are
      altered by a 1-h stress treatment (cold-restraint, CR) administered just prior to
      bacterial infection. Intriguingly, MT gene doses both greater and lower than that
      of wild-type (WT) B6 mice were associated with improved host defenses against
      Listeria monocytogenes (LM). This augmented protection was diminished by CR
      stress in the MTKO mice, but transgenic mice with additional MT copies had no CR
      stress-induced increase in their listerial burden. During the transition from
      innate to adaptive immunity, on day 3 after infection, oxidative burst and
      apoptosis were assessed by flow cytometric methods, and cytokine transcription
      was measured by real-time quantitative PCR. MT gene expression and CR-stress
      affected the expression of IL-6 and TNFalpha. Additionally, these genetic and
      environmental modulations altered the generation of ROS responses as well as the
      number of apoptotic cells in livers and spleens. Although the level of MT altered
      the listerial response, MT expression was equally elevated by listerial infection
      with or without CR stress. These results indicate the ability of MT to regulate
      immune response mechanisms and demonstrate that increased amounts of MT can
      eliminate the immunosuppression induced by CR. 

PMID- 26267328
TI  - Selenium Supplementation and the Effects on Reproductive Outcomes, Biomarkers of
      Inflammation, and Oxidative Stress in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
AB  - Selenium supplementation could be effective on reproductive outcomes, biomarkers
      of inflammation, and oxidative stress among women with polycystic ovary syndrome
      (PCOS). The aim of the study was to determine the effects of selenium
      supplementation on reproductive outcomes, biomarkers of inflammation, and
      oxidative stress in PCOS patients. The present randomized double-blind, placebo
      controlled trial was conducted on 64 women aged 18-40 years old with PCOS at the
      clinic affiliated to Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran. The
      participants were randomly assigned to 2 groups receiving either 200 MUg selenium
      daily (n=32) or placebo (n=32) for 8 weeks. Hormonal profiles, biomarkers of
      inflammation, and oxidative stress were measured and compared both before and
      after the treatment. After 8 weeks of intervention, pregnancy rate in the
      selenium group was higher than in the placebo group: 18.8 (6/32) vs. 3.1% (1/32),
      p=0.04. In addition, alopecia (40.6 vs. 9.4%, p=0.004) and acne (46.9 vs. 12.5 %,
      p=0.003) decreased following the consumption of selenium supplements compared
      with placebo. Additionally, patients who received selenium supplements had
      significantly decreased serum dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels (p=0.02),
      hirsutism (modified Ferriman-Gallwey scores) (p<0.001), serum high sensitivity C
      reactive protein (hs-CRP) (p=0.02), and plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels
      (p=0.01) compared with placebo. We did not observe any significant effects of
      taking selenium supplements on other hormonal profiles, nitric oxide (NO), and
      other biomarkers of oxidative stress. Taken together, selenium supplementation
      for 8 weeks among PCOS women had beneficial effects on reproductive outcomes,
      DHEA, hs-CRP, and MDA levels. Supporting Information for this article is
      available online at http://www.thieme-connect.de/products. 

PMID- 26267324
TI  - Molecular classification of gastric cancer: Towards a pathway-driven targeted
      therapy.
AB  - Gastric cancer (GC) is the third leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide.
      Although surgical resection is a potentially curative approach for localized
      cases of GC, most cases of GC are diagnosed in an advanced, non-curable stage and
      the response to traditional chemotherapy is limited. Fortunately, recent advances
      in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms that mediate GC hold great
      promise for the development of more effective treatment strategies. In this
      review, an overview of the morphological classification, current treatment
      approaches, and molecular alterations that have been characterized for GC are
      provided. In particular, the most recent molecular classification of GC and
      alterations identified in relevant signaling pathways, including ErbB, VEGF,
      PI3K/AKT/mTOR, and HGF/ MET signaling pathways, are described, as well as
      inhibitors of these pathways. An overview of the completed and active clinical
      trials related to these signaling pathways are also summarized. Finally, insights
      regarding emerging stem cell pathways are described, and may provide additional
      novel markers for the development of therapeutic agents against GC. The
      development of more effective agents and the identification of biomarkers that
      can be used for the diagnosis, prognosis, and individualized therapy for GC
      patients, have the potential to improve the efficacy, safety, and cost
      effectiveness for GC treatments. 

PMID- 26267329
TI  - Reply: To PMID 26031848.

PMID- 26267330
TI  - Re-conceptualizing ASD Within a Dimensional Framework: Positive, Negative, and
      Cognitive Feature Clusters.
AB  - Introduction of the National Institute of Mental Health's Research Domain
      Criteria and revision of diagnostic classification for Autism Spectrum Disorder
      in the latest diagnostic manual call for a new way of conceptualizing
      heterogeneous ASD features. We propose a novel conceptualization of ASD,
      borrowing from the schizophrenia literature in clustering ASD features along
      positive, negative, and cognitive dimensions. We argue that this dimensional
      conceptualization can offer improved ability to classify, diagnose, and treat, to
      apply and predict response to treatment, and to explore underlying neural and
      genetic alterations that may contribute to particular feature clusters. We
      suggest the proposed conceptualization can advance the field in a manner that may
      prove clinically and biologically useful for understanding and addressing
      heterogeneity within ASD. 

PMID- 26267331
TI  - Collective intelligence meets medical decision-making: the collective outperforms
      the best radiologist.
AB  - While collective intelligence (CI) is a powerful approach to increase decision
      accuracy, few attempts have been made to unlock its potential in medical decision
      making. Here we investigated the performance of three well-known collective
      intelligence rules ("majority", "quorum", and "weighted quorum") when applied to
      mammography screening. For any particular mammogram, these rules aggregate the
      independent assessments of multiple radiologists into a single decision (recall
      the patient for additional workup or not). We found that, compared to single
      radiologists, any of these CI-rules both increases true positives (i.e., recalls
      of patients with cancer) and decreases false positives (i.e., recalls of patients
      without cancer), thereby overcoming one of the fundamental limitations to
      decision accuracy that individual radiologists face. Importantly, we find that
      all CI-rules systematically outperform even the best-performing individual
      radiologist in the respective group. Our findings demonstrate that CI can be
      employed to improve mammography screening; similarly, CI may have the potential
      to improve medical decision-making in a much wider range of contexts, including
      many areas of diagnostic imaging and, more generally, diagnostic decisions that
      are based on the subjective interpretation of evidence. 

PMID- 26267332
TI  - A 2009 cross-sectional survey of procedures for post-mortem management of highly
      infectious disease patients in 48 isolation facilities in 16 countries: data from
      EuroNHID.
AB  - PURPOSE: The handling of human remains may pose a risk for transmission of highly
      infectious agents. The use of appropriate biosafety measures is very important in
      case of management of patients deceased from highly infectious diseases (HIDs),
      such as Ebola virus disease. This paper presents the capabilities and resources
      in this field in 16 European countries, and suggests indications for the safe
      post-mortem management of HID patients. METHODS: The European Network for Highly
      Infectious Diseases conducted in 2009 a survey in 48 isolation facilities in 16
      European countries. A set of standardized checklists, filled during on-site
      visits, have been used for data collection. RESULTS: Thirty-nine facilities
      (81.2%) reported to have written procedures for the management of human remains,
      and 27 (56.2%) for the performance of autopsies in HID patients. A Biosafety
      Level 3 autopsy room was available in eight (16.6%) facilities, other technical
      devices for safe autopsies were available in nine (18.7%). Overall, four
      facilities (8.3%) reported to have all features explored for the safe management
      of human remains. Conversely, in five (10.4%) none of these features were
      available. CONCLUSIONS: The level of preparedness of surveyed isolation
      facilities in the field of post-mortem management in case of HIDs was not
      satisfactory, and improvements are needed.

PMID- 26267333
TI  - Optical spectroscopic determination of human meniscus composition.
AB  - This study investigates the correlation between the composition of human meniscus
      and its absorption spectrum in the visible (VIS) and near infrared (NIR) spectral
      range. Meniscus samples (n = 24) were obtained from nonarthritic knees of human
      cadavers with no history of joint diseases. Specimens (n = 72) were obtained from
      three distinct sections of the meniscus, namely; anterior, center, posterior.
      Absorption spectra were acquired from each specimen in the VIS and NIR spectral
      range (400-1,100 nm). Following spectroscopic probing, the specimens were
      subjected to biochemical analyses to determine the matrix composition, that is
      water, hydroxyproline, and uronic acid contents. Multivariate analytical
      techniques, including principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least
      squares (PLS) regression, were then used to investigate the correlation between
      the matrix composition and it spectral response. Our results indicate that the
      optical absorption of meniscus matrix is related to its composition, and this
      relationship is optimal in the NIR spectral range (750-1,100 nm). High
      correlations (R(2) (uronic)  = 86.9%, R(2) (water)  = 83.8%, R(2)
      (hydroxyproline)  = 81.7%, p < 0.0001) were obtained between the spectral
      predicted and measured meniscus composition, thus suggesting that spectral data
      in the NIR range can be utilized for estimating the matrix composition of human
      meniscus. In conclusion, optical spectroscopy, particularly in the NIR spectral
      range, is a potential method for evaluating the composition of human meniscus.
      This presents a promising technique for rapid and nondestructive evaluation of
      meniscus integrity in real-time during arthroscopic surgery.

PMID- 26267334
TI  - Lung Cancer Onset in Wild Type Mice Following Bone Marrow Reconstitution with
      kras(v12) Cells.
AB  - A role for bone-marrow-derived cells (BMDCs) in tissue repair and malignancy
      onset has been proposed, but their contribution is still debated. We tested the
      ability of BMDCs containing the inducible kras(V12) oncogene to initiate lung
      adenocarcinoma. For our experimental strategy, we reconstituted lethally
      irradiated wild type mice with BMDCs carrying inducible kras(V12) and
      subsequently induced oncogene expression by 4-OHT administration. Epithelial lung
      lesions, from adenoma to adenocarcinomas, appeared at successive time points.
      These results show that lung tumors were derived from donor BMDCs and indicate a
      direct involvement of bone marrow cells in the development of epithelial cancers.

PMID- 26267335
TI  - Sinobacterium norvegicum sp. nov., isolated from great scallop (Pecten maximus)
      broodstock and emended description of Sinobacterium caligoides.
AB  - Six isolates were recovered from great scallop (Pecten maximus) broodstock in a
      hatchery in Bergen, Norway. The strains were thoroughly characterized by a
      polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences
      indicated that these strains are related to the genus Sinobacterium, showing
      sequence similarities between 96.97 and 97.63 % with the only species of the
      genus, Sinobacterium caligoides. Phenotypic characterization showed that the
      strains are typical marine halophiles, Gram negative, aerobic chemoorganotrophs,
      and allowed their differentiation from the closely related taxa. The G+C content
      of the novel strains was 52.2 +/- 1 mol% and the predominant fatty acids were
      C16:0, C16:1 omega7c/C16:1 omega6c and C18:1 omega7c. The value for DNA-DNA
      relatedness between strain 3CM4(T) and the S. caligoides type strain LMG 25705(T)
      was 46  %. Hybridization values between strain 3CM4(T) and the other scallop
      isolates ranged from 82 to 93.6 %. Based on all data collected, the six scallop
      strains represent a novel species of the genus Sinobacterium, for which the name
      Sinobacterium norvegicum sp. nov., is proposed with strain 3CM4(T) (=CECT
      8267(T); =CAIM 1884(T)) as type strain.

PMID- 26267336
TI  - Sup35 methionine oxidation is a trigger for de novo [PSI(+)] prion formation.
AB  - The molecular basis by which fungal and mammalian prions arise spontaneously is
      poorly understood. A number of different environmental stress conditions are
      known to increase the frequency of yeast [PSI(+)] prion formation in agreement
      with the idea that conditions which cause protein misfolding may promote the
      conversion of normally soluble proteins to their amyloid forms. A recent study
      from our laboratory has shown that the de novo formation of the [PSI(+)] prion is
      significantly increased in yeast mutants lacking key antioxidants suggesting that
      endogenous reactive oxygen species are sufficient to promote prion formation. Our
      findings strongly implicate oxidative damage of Sup35 as an important trigger for
      the formation of the heritable [PSI(+)] prion in yeast. This review discusses the
      mechanisms by which the direct oxidation of Sup35 might lead to structural
      transitions favoring conversion to the transmissible amyloid-like form. This is
      analogous to various environmental factors which have been proposed to trigger
      misfolding of the mammalian prion protein (PrP(C)) into the aggregated scrapie
      form (PrP(Sc)). 

PMID- 26267337
TI  - Comparative Study for Efficacy and Safety of Adenoidectomy according to the
      Surgical Method: A Prospective Multicenter Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: There have been several operative techniques for
      adenoidectomy and their efficacy and morbidity are different according to the
      technique. This prospective multicenter study was aimed to compare the efficacy
      and morbidity of coblation adenoidectomy (CA) with those of power-assisted
      adenoidectomy. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective multi-institutional study. METHODS:
      Children who underwent CA, power-assisted adenoidectomy with cauterization
      (PAA+C) or without cauterization (PAA-C) due to adenoid hypertrophy were enrolled
      from 13 hospitals between July 2013 and June 2014. Mean operation time, degree of
      intraoperative bleeding and postoperative bleeding rate were evaluated. RESULTS:
      A total of 388 children (mean age +/- standard deviation = 6.6 +/- 2.5 years; 245
      males and 143 females) were included. According to the adenoidectomy technique,
      the children were classified into 3 groups: (1) CA (n = 116); (2) PAA+C (n =
      153); and (3) PAA-C (n = 119). Significant differences were not found in age and
      sex among three groups. In the CA group, mean operation time was significantly
      shorter (P < 0.001) and degree of intraoperative bleeding was significantly less
      (P < 0.001) compared to PAA+C or PAA-C group. Delayed postoperative bleeding rate
      of PAA-C group was significantly higher than that of CA or PAA+C group (P =
      0.016). CONCLUSIONS: This prospective multicenter study showed that CA was
      superior to PAA in terms of mean operation time and degree of intraoperative
      bleeding.

PMID- 26267338
TI  - Soil Microbial Community Structure and Metabolic Activity of Pinus elliottii
      Plantations across Different Stand Ages in a Subtropical Area.
AB  - Soil microbes play an essential role in the forest ecosystem as an active
      component. This study examined the hypothesis that soil microbial community
      structure and metabolic activity would vary with the increasing stand ages in
      long-term pure plantations of Pinus elliottii. The phospholipid fatty acids
      (PLFA) combined with community level physiological profiles (CLPP) method was
      used to assess these characteristics in the rhizospheric soils of P. elliottii.
      We found that the soil microbial communities were significantly different among
      different stand ages of P. elliottii plantations. The PLFA analysis indicated
      that the bacterial biomass was higher than the actinomycic and fungal biomass in
      all stand ages. However, the bacterial biomass decreased with the increasing
      stand ages, while the fungal biomass increased. The four maximum biomarker
      concentrations in rhizospheric soils of P. elliottii for all stand ages were
      18:1omega9c, 16:1omega7c, 18:3omega6c (6,9,12) and cy19:0, representing measures
      of fungal and gram negative bacterial biomass. In addition, CLPP analysis
      revealed that the utilization rate of amino acids, polymers, phenolic acids, and
      carbohydrates of soil microbial community gradually decreased with increasing
      stand ages, though this pattern was not observed for carboxylic acids and amines.
      Microbial community diversity, as determined by the Simpson index, Shannon-Wiener
      index, Richness index and McIntosh index, significantly decreased as stand age
      increased. Overall, both the PLFA and CLPP illustrated that the long-term pure
      plantation pattern exacerbated the microecological imbalance previously described
      in the rhizospheric soils of P. elliottii, and markedly decreased the soil
      microbial community diversity and metabolic activity. Based on the correlation
      analysis, we concluded that the soil nutrient and C/N ratio most significantly
      contributed to the variation of soil microbial community structure and metabolic
      activity in different stand ages of P. elliottii plantations.

PMID- 26267339
TI  - Muscle activation, blood lactate, and perceived exertion responses to changing
      resistance training programming variables.
AB  - Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE: 0-10) during resistance training with varying
      programming demands were examined. Blood lactate (BLa) and muscle activation
      (using surface electromyography: EMG) were measured as potential mediators of RPE
      responses. Participants performed three sets of single arm (preferred side) bicep
      curls at 70% of 1 repetition maximum over 4 trials: Trial (A) 3 sets * 8
      repetitions * 120 s recovery between sets; (B) 3 sets * 8 repetitions * 240 s
      recovery; (C) 3 sets * maximum number of repetitions (MNR) * 120 s recovery; (D)
      3 sets * MNR * 240 s recovery. Overall body (RPE-O) and active muscle (RPE-AM)
      perceptual responses were assessed following each set in each trial. Biceps
      brachii and brachioradialis muscle EMG was measured during each set for each
      trial. RPE-O and RPE-AM were not different between Trial A (3.5 +/- 1 and 6 +/-
      1, respectively) and Trial B (3.5 +/- 1 and 5.5 +/- 1, respectively) (p < .05).
      However, RPE-AM was significantly greater in Trial C (7.5 +/- 1.5) and Trial D
      (7.5 +/- 1.5) than in Trial B (p < .05). There were no significant differences in
      muscle activation or BLa between trials; however, work rate (tonnage/min) was
      greater in Trials C and D compared to Trial B. In conclusion, BLa and muscle
      activation were not related to RPE, but resistance training variables, such as
      work rate, may impact on RPE when intensity (%1RM) and the number of sets
      completed remain constant. 

PMID- 26267340
TI  - Of orange and yellow eyelids.

PMID- 26267341
TI  - Robust Gene-Gene Interaction Analysis in Genome Wide Association Studies.
AB  - Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have successfully discovered hundreds of
      associations between genetic variants and complex traits. Most GWAS have focused
      on the identification of single variants. It has been shown that most of the
      variants that were discovered by GWAS could only partially explain disease
      heritability. The explanation for this missing heritability is generally believed
      to be gene-gene (GG) or gene-environment (GE) interactions and other structural
      variants. Generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction (GMDR) has been proven
      to be reasonably powerful in detecting GG and GE interactions; however, its
      performance has been found to decline when outlying quantitative traits are
      present. This paper proposes a robust GMDR estimation method (based on the L
      estimator and M-estimator estimation methods) in an attempt to reduce the effects
      caused by outlying traits. A comparison of robust GMDR with the original MDR
      based on simulation studies showed the former method to outperform the latter.
      The performance of robust GMDR is illustrated through a real GWA example
      consisting of 8,577 samples from the Korean population using the Homeostasis
      Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) level as a phenotype. Robust
      GMDR identified the KCNH1 gene to have strong interaction effects with other
      genes on the function of insulin secretion.

PMID- 26267348
TI  - Adverse childhood experiences, depression and mental health barriers to work
      among low-income women.
AB  - Recent research has connected childhood abuse to decreased physical and mental
      health for low-income women in Utah. Further, mental health has established a
      link to employment problems. This study conducted a secondary analysis of data
      collected from individuals accessing public assistance to investigate the
      relationships among retrospective self-reports of childhood emotional, physical
      and sexual abuse and prospective indicators of mental health and mental health
      barriers to work. Logistic regression models found strong relationships between
      childhood abuse and increased odds of depression and mental health barriers to
      work. Path models highlight the relative importance of depression for those
      reporting mental health as the biggest barrier to work. Recommendations for
      social workers, public health professionals, and program administrators are
      provided. 

PMID- 26267349
TI  - In Vitro Biocompatibility of Surface-Modified Porous Alumina Particles for HepG2
      Tumor Cells: Toward Early Diagnosis and Targeted Treatment.
AB  - Porous alumina photoluminescence-inherent particles are produced and proposed for
      the development of biomarkers detectors and localized treatment of HepG2 cells.
      Nanoporous alumina particles (NPAPs) are amorphous, consist of hexagonally
      ordered nanometric pores in an alumina matrix, have high chemical stability in
      physiological pH, and exhibit a high inherent photoluminescence in the visible
      spectrum independently of their size, selectable from nanometers to tens of
      micrometers. The surface of NPAPs is chemically modified using two different
      functionalization methods, a multistep method with (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane
      (APTES) and glutaraldehyde (GLTA) and a novel simplified-step method with silane
      PEG-NHS. Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy analysis confirmed the proper
      surface modification of the particles for both functionalization methods. HepG2
      cells were cultured during different times with growing concentrations of
      particles. The analysis of cytotoxicity and cell viability of HepG2 cells
      confirmed the good biocompatibility of NPAPs in all culture conditions. The
      results prove the suitability of NPAPs for developing new label-free biomarker
      detectors and advantageous carriers for localized drug delivery. 

PMID- 26267350
TI  - Ferromagnetic Order, Strong Magnetocrystalline Anisotropy, and Magnetocaloric
      Effect in the Layered Telluride Fe(3-delta)GeTe2.
AB  - The ternary transition-metal compound Fe(3-delta)GeTe2 is formed for 0 < delta <
      0.3. X-ray diffraction and Mossbauer spectroscopy reveal its layered crystal
      structure with occasional Fe vacancies in the Fe2 site, whereas no Fe atoms
      occupy the interlayer space, so that only van der Waals interactions exist
      between adjacent layers. We explore magnetic behavior and ensuing functional
      properties of Fe(2.9)GeTe2 via neutron diffraction, thermodynamic and transport
      measurements, Mossbauer spectroscopy, and electronic structure calculations.
      Below T(C) = 225 K, Fe(2.9)GeTe2 is ferromagnetically ordered with the magnetic
      moments of 1.95(5) and 1.56(4) MU(B) at T = 1.5 K, both directed along c, which
      is the magnetic easy axis. Electronic structure calculations confirm this
      magnetic structure and reveal a remarkably high easy-axis anisotropy of 4.2
      meV/f.u. Mossbauer spectra reveal the magnetic ordering too, although a drastic
      influence of Fe vacancies on quadrupolar splittings and local magnetic fields has
      been observed. A moderate magnetocaloric effect with the magnetic entropy change
      upon the ferromagnetic ordering transition, -DeltaS ~ 1.1 J.kg(-1).K(-1) at 5 T,
      is found.

PMID- 26267351
TI  - Surgical Care of Pediatric Patients in the Humanitarian Setting: The Medecins
      Sans Frontieres Experience, 2012-2013.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Little is known about the scope of practice and outcomes in pediatric
      surgery performed by humanitarian organizations in resource-poor settings and
      conflict zones. This study provides the largest report to date detailing such
      data for a major nongovernmental organization providing humanitarian surgical
      relief support in these settings. OBJECTIVE: To characterize pediatric surgical
      care provision by a major nongovernmental organization in specialized
      humanitarian settings and conflict zones. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A
      retrospective cohort study was conducted from August 15, 2014, to March 9, 2015,
      of 59,928 surgical interventions carried out from January 1, 2012, to December
      31, 2013, by the Medecins Sans Frontieres Operational Centre Paris (MSF-OCP)
      program in 20 locations, including South Sudan, Yemen, Syria, Gaza, Pakistan,
      Nigeria, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, and the
      Philippines. Surgical interventions were primarily for general surgical,
      traumatic, and obstetric emergencies and were categorized by mechanism, type of
      intervention, American Society of Anesthesia risk classification, and urgency of
      intervention. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Operative indications, type of
      intervention, and operative case mortality. RESULTS: Among all age groups, 59,928
      surgical interventions were performed in dedicated trauma, obstetric, and
      reconstructive centers for 2 years. Nearly one-third of interventions (18,040
      [30.1%]) involved preteen patients (aged <13 years) and 4571 (7.6%) involved
      teenaged patients (aged 13-17 years). The proportion of violence-related injuries
      in the preteen group was significantly lower than in the teenage group (4.8% vs
      17.5%; P < .001). Burns (50.1%), other accidental injuries (16.4%), and
      infections (23.4%) composed the bulk of indications in the preteen group.
      Interventions in the teenage group were principally caused by trauma-related
      injuries (burns, 22.9%; traffic accidents, 10.1%; gunshot wounds, 8.0%). Crude
      perioperative case mortality rates were 0.07% in the preteen group, 0.15% in the
      teenage group, and 0.22% in the adult group (>17 years) (P = .001). One-third of
      the cases (33.4%) were deemed urgent, while most of the remaining cases (57.7%)
      were deemed semielective (surgical intervention to be performed within 48 hours).
      CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: When examining surgical interventions in a population
      of pediatric patients cared for in the specialized setting of humanitarian aid
      and conflict zones, burns, other accidental injuries, and infection composed the
      bulk of indications in the preteen group; interventions in the teenage group were
      principally caused by trauma-related injuries. Crude perioperative case mortality
      rates in the preteen group were significantly lower than in the adult group.
      Further work is needed to examine long-term outcomes of pediatric operations in
      these settings and to guide context-specific surgical program development.

PMID- 26267352
TI  - Artificial Photosynthesis on TiO2-Passivated InP Nanopillars.
AB  - Here, we report photocatalytic CO2 reduction with water to produce methanol using
      TiO2-passivated InP nanopillar photocathodes under 532 nm wavelength
      illumination. In addition to providing a stable photocatalytic surface, the TiO2
      passivation layer provides substantial enhancement in the photoconversion
      efficiency through the introduction of O vacancies associated with the
      nonstoichiometric growth of TiO2 by atomic layer deposition. Plane wave-density
      functional theory (PW-DFT) calculations confirm the role of oxygen vacancies in
      the TiO2 surface, which serve as catalytically active sites in the CO2 reduction
      process. PW-DFT shows that CO2 binds stably to these oxygen vacancies and CO2
      gains an electron (-0.897e) spontaneously from the TiO2 support. This calculation
      indicates that the O vacancies provide active sites for CO2 absorption, and no
      overpotential is required to form the CO2(-) intermediate. The TiO2 film
      increases the Faraday efficiency of methanol production by 5.7* to 4.79% under an
      applied potential of -0.6 V vs NHE, which is 1.3 V below the E(o)(CO2/CO2(-)) = 
      1.9 eV standard redox potential. Copper nanoparticles deposited on the TiO2 act
      as a cocatalyst and further improve the selectivity and yield of methanol
      production by up to 8-fold with a Faraday efficiency of 8.7%. 

PMID- 26267353
TI  - Up-down hand position switch may delay the fatigue of non-dominant hand position
      rescuers and improve chest compression quality during cardiopulmonary
      resuscitation: a randomized crossover manikin study.
AB  - Previous studies have shown improved external chest compression (ECC) quality and
      delayed rescuer fatigue when the dominant hand (DH) was in contact with the
      sternum. However, many rescuers prefer placing the non-dominant hand (NH) in
      contact with the sternum during ECC. We aimed to investigate the effects of up
      down hand position switch on the quality of ECC and the fatigue of rescuers
      during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). After completion of a review of the
      standard adult basic life support (BLS) course, every candidate performed 10
      cycles of single adult CPR twice on an adult manikin with either a constant hand
      position (CH) or a switched hand position (SH) in random order at 7-day
      intervals. The rescuers' general characteristics, hand positions, physiological
      signs, fatigue appearance and ECC qualities were recorded. Our results showed no
      significant differences in chest compression quality for the DH position rescuers
      between the CH and SH sessions (p>0.05, resp.). And also no significant
      differences were found for Borg score (p = 0.437) or cycle number (p = 0.127) of
      fatigue appearance after chest compressions between the two sessions. However,
      for NH position rescuers, the appearance of fatigue was delayed (p = 0.046), with
      a lower Borg score in the SH session (12.67 +/- 2.03) compared to the CH session
      (13.33 +/- 1.95) (p = 0.011). Moreover, the compression depth was significantly
      greater in the SH session (39.3 +/- 7.2 mm) compared to the CH session (36.3 +/-
      8.1 mm) (p = 0.015). Our data suggest that the up-down hand position switch
      during CPR may delay the fatigue of non-dominant hand position rescuers and
      improve the quality of chest compressions. 

PMID- 26267354
TI  - Behavioral and electrophysiological analysis of general anesthesia in 3
      background strains of Drosophila melanogaster.
AB  - General anesthetics achieve behavioral unresponsiveness via a mechanism that is
      incompletely understood. The study of genetic model systems such as the fruit fly
      Drosophila melanogaster is crucial to advancing our understanding of how
      anesthetic drugs render animals unresponsive. Previous studies have shown that
      wild-type control strains differ significantly in their sensitivity to general
      anesthetics, which potentially introduces confounding factors for comparing
      genetic mutations placed on these wild-type backgrounds. Here, we examined a
      variety of behavioral and electrophysiological endpoints in Drosophila, in both
      adult and larval animals. We characterized these endpoints in 3 commonly used fly
      strains: wild-type Canton Special (CS), and 2 commonly used white-eyed strains,
      isoCJ1 and w(1118). We found that CS and isoCJ1 show remarkably similar
      sensitivity to isoflurane across a variety of behavioral and electrophysiological
      endpoints. In contrast, w(1118) is resistant to isoflurane compared to the other
      2 strains at both the adult and larval stages. This resistance is however not
      reflected at the level of neurotransmitter release at the larval neuromuscular
      junction (NMJ). This suggests that the w(1118) strain harbors another mutation
      that produces isoflurane resistance, by acting on an arousal pathway that is most
      likely preserved between larval and adult brains. This mutation probably also
      affects sleep, as marked differences between isoCJ1 and w(1118) have also
      recently been found for behavioral responsiveness and sleep intensity measures. 

PMID- 26267355
TI  - Synthesis and evaluation of chloramphenicol homodimers: molecular target,
      antimicrobial activity, and toxicity against human cells.
AB  - As fight against antibiotic resistance must be strengthened, improving old drugs
      that have fallen in reduced clinical use because of toxic side effects and/or
      frequently reported resistance, like chloramphenicol (CAM), is of special
      interest. Chloramphenicol (CAM), a prototypical wide-spectrum antibiotic has been
      shown to obstruct protein synthesis via binding to the bacterial ribosome. In
      this study we sought to identify features intensifying the bacteriostatic action
      of CAM. Accordingly, we synthesized a series of CAM-dimers with various linker
      lengths and functionalities and compared their efficiency in inhibiting peptide
      bond formation in an Escherichia coli cell-free system. Several CAM-dimers
      exhibited higher activity, when compared to CAM. The most potent of them,
      compound 5, containing two CAM bases conjugated via a dicarboxyl aromatic linker
      of six successive carbon-bonds, was found to simultaneously bind both the
      ribosomal catalytic center and the exit-tunnel, thus revealing a second,
      kinetically cryptic binding site for CAM. Compared to CAM, compound 5 exhibited
      comparable antibacterial activity against MRSA or wild-type strains of
      Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecium and E. coli, but intriguingly
      superior activity against some CAM-resistant E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa
      strains. Furthermore, it was almost twice as active in inhibiting the growth of T
      leukemic cells, without affecting the viability of normal human lymphocytes. The
      observed effects were rationalized by footprinting tests, crosslinking analysis,
      and MD-simulations. 

PMID- 26267356
TI  - Analysis of the Molecular Dialogue Between Gray Mold (Botrytis cinerea) and
      Grapevine (Vitis vinifera) Reveals a Clear Shift in Defense Mechanisms During
      Berry Ripening.
AB  - Mature grapevine berries at the harvesting stage (MB) are very susceptible to the
      gray mold fungus Botrytis cinerea, while veraison berries (VB) are not. We
      conducted simultaneous microscopic and transcriptomic analyses of the pathogen
      and the host to investigate the infection process developed by B. cinerea on MB
      versus VB, and the plant defense mechanisms deployed to stop the fungus
      spreading. On the pathogen side, our genome-wide transcriptomic data revealed
      that B. cinerea genes upregulated during infection of MB are enriched in
      functional categories related to necrotrophy, such as degradation of the plant
      cell wall, proteolysis, membrane transport, reactive oxygen species (ROS)
      generation, and detoxification. Quantitative-polymerase chain reaction on a set
      of representative genes related to virulence and microscopic observations further
      demonstrated that the infection is also initiated on VB but is stopped at the
      penetration stage. On the plant side, genome-wide transcriptomic analysis and
      metabolic data revealed a defense pathway switch during berry ripening. In
      response to B. cinerea inoculation, VB activated a burst of ROS, the salicylate
      dependent defense pathway, the synthesis of the resveratrol phytoalexin, and cell
      wall strengthening. On the contrary, in infected MB, the jasmonate-dependent
      pathway was activated, which did not stop the fungal necrotrophic process. 

PMID- 26267357
TI  - Accuracy and reliability of 3D stereophotogrammetry: A comparison to direct
      anthropometry and 2D photogrammetry.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of three-dimensional (3D)
      stereophotogrammetry by comparing it with the direct anthropometry and digital
      photogrammetry methods. The reliability of 3D stereophotogrammetry was also
      examined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six profile and four frontal parameters were
      directly measured on the faces of 80 participants. The same measurements were
      repeated using two-dimensional (2D) photogrammetry and 3D stereophotogrammetry
      (3dMDflex System, 3dMD, Atlanta, Ga) to obtain images of the subjects. Another
      observer made the same measurements for images obtained with 3D
      stereophotogrammetry, and interobserver reproducibility was evaluated for 3D
      images. Both observers remeasured the 3D images 1 month later, and intraobserver
      reproducibility was evaluated. Statistical analysis was conducted using the
      paired samples t-test, intraclass correlation coefficient, and Bland-Altman
      limits of agreement. RESULTS: The highest mean difference was 0.30 mm between
      direct measurement and photogrammetry, 0.21 mm between direct measurement and 3D
      stereophotogrammetry, and 0.5 mm between photogrammetry and 3D
      stereophotogrammetry. The lowest agreement value was 0.965 in the Sn-Pro
      parameter between the photogrammetry and 3D stereophotogrammetry methods.
      Agreement between the two observers varied from 0.90 (Ch-Ch) to 0.99 (Sn-Me) in
      linear measurements. For intraobserver agreement, the highest difference between
      means was 0.33 for observer 1 and 1.42 mm for observer 2. CONCLUSIONS:
      Measurements obtained using 3D stereophotogrammetry indicate that it may be an
      accurate and reliable imaging method for use in orthodontics.

PMID- 26267358
TI  - Tissue regeneration and biomineralization in sea urchins: role of Notch signaling
      and presence of stem cell markers.
AB  - Echinoderms represent a phylum with exceptional regenerative capabilities that
      can reconstruct both external appendages and internal organs. Mechanistic
      understanding of the cellular pathways involved in regeneration in these animals
      has been hampered by the limited genomic tools and limited ability to manipulate
      regenerative processes. We present a functional assay to investigate mechanisms
      of tissue regeneration and biomineralization by measuring the regrowth of
      amputated tube feet (sensory and motor appendages) and spines in the sea urchin,
      Lytechinus variegatus. The ability to manipulate regeneration was demonstrated by
      concentration-dependent inhibition of regrowth of spines and tube feet by
      treatment with the mitotic inhibitor, vincristine. Treatment with the gamma
      secretase inhibitor DAPT resulted in a concentration-dependent inhibition of
      regrowth, indicating that both tube feet and spine regeneration require
      functional Notch signaling. Stem cell markers (Piwi and Vasa) were expressed in
      tube feet and spine tissue, and Vasa-positive cells were localized throughout the
      epidermis of tube feet by immunohistochemistry, suggesting the existence of
      multipotent progenitor cells in these highly regenerative appendages. The
      presence of Vasa protein in other somatic tissues (e.g. esophagus, radial nerve,
      and a sub-population of coelomocytes) suggests that multipotent cells are present
      throughout adult sea urchins and may contribute to normal homeostasis in addition
      to regeneration. Mechanistic insight into the cellular pathways governing the
      tremendous regenerative capacity of echinoderms may reveal processes that can be
      modulated for regenerative therapies, shed light on the evolution of
      regeneration, and enable the ability to predict how these processes will respond
      to changing environmental conditions. 

PMID- 26267359
TI  - Large-Scale Transcriptome Analysis in Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.) under Ascochyta
      fabae Infection.
AB  - Faba bean is an important food crop worldwide. However, progress in faba bean
      genomics lags far behind that of model systems due to limited availability of
      genetic and genomic information. Using the Illumina platform the faba bean
      transcriptome from leaves of two lines (29H and Vf136) subjected to Ascochyta
      fabae infection have been characterized. De novo transcriptome assembly provided
      a total of 39,185 different transcripts that were functionally annotated, and
      among these, 13,266 were assigned to gene ontology against Arabidopsis. Quality
      of the assembly was validated by RT-qPCR amplification of selected transcripts
      differentially expressed. Comparison of faba bean transcripts with those of
      better-characterized plant genomes such as Arabidopsis thaliana, Medicago
      truncatula and Cicer arietinum revealed a sequence similarity of 68.3%, 72.8% and
      81.27%, respectively. Moreover, 39,060 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and
      3,669 InDels were identified for genotyping applications. Mapping of the sequence
      reads generated onto the assembled transcripts showed that 393 and 457
      transcripts were overexpressed in the resistant (29H) and susceptible genotype
      (Vf136), respectively. Transcripts involved in plant-pathogen interactions such
      as leucine rich proteins (LRR) or plant growth regulators involved in plant
      adaptation to abiotic and biotic stresses were found to be differently expressed
      in the resistant line. The results reported here represent the most comprehensive
      transcript database developed so far in faba bean, providing valuable information
      that could be used to gain insight into the pathways involved in the resistance
      mechanism against A. fabae and to identify potential resistance genes to be
      further used in marker assisted selection.

PMID- 26267361
TI  - Ultra-wide bandwidth with enhanced microwave absorption of electroless Ni-P
      coated tetrapod-shaped ZnO nano- and microstructures.
AB  - A viable lightweight absorber is the current need for stealth technology as well
      as microwave absorption. Several microwave absorbers have been developed, but it
      is still a challenge to fabricate an absorber that facilitates microwave
      absorption in broad bandwidth or covers the maximum portion of the frequency
      range 2-18 GHz, the commonly used range for radar and other applications.
      Therefore, it is highly required to develop a wide bandwidth absorber that can
      provide microwave absorption in the most part of the frequency range 2-18 GHz
      while simultaneously being lightweight and can be fabricated in desired bulk
      quantities by the cost-effective synthesis methods. In this paper, an attempt has
      been made to design an ultra-wide bandwidth absorber with enhanced microwave
      absorption response by using nickel-phosphorus coated tetrapod-shaped ZnO (Ni-P
      coated T-ZnO). In the Ni-P coated T-ZnO absorber, ZnO acts as a good dielectric
      contributor, while Ni as a magnetic constituent to obtain a microwave absorbing
      composite material, which has favorable absorption properties. Ni-P coated ZnO
      nano-microstructures are synthesized by a simple and scalable two-step process.
      First, tetrapod-shaped ZnO (T-ZnO) structures have been grown by the flame
      transport synthesis (FTS) approach in a single step process and then they have
      been coated with Ni-P by an electroless coating technique. Their morphology,
      degree of crystallinity and existing phases were studied in detail by scanning
      electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray
      diffraction (XRD) techniques. The complex permittivity and permeability of the
      "as-fabricated" T-ZnO and Ni-P coated T-ZnO have been measured in the frequency
      range of 4-14 GHz and their microwave absorption properties are computed using
      the coaxial transmission-reflection method. The strongest reflection loss (RL)
      peak value of -36.41 dB has been obtained at a frequency of ~8.99 GHz with
      coating thickness of 3.4 mm for the Ni-P coated T-ZnO sample with a broad
      bandwidth of 10.0 GHz (RL < -10 dB) in the frequency range of 4.0-14.0 GHz. 

PMID- 26267360
TI  - Improving Cancer Chemoradiotherapy Treatment by Dual Controlled Release of
      Wortmannin and Docetaxel in Polymeric Nanoparticles.
AB  - Combining molecularly targeted agents and chemotherapeutics is an emerging
      strategy in cancer treatment. We engineered sub-50 nm diameter diblock copolymer
      nanoparticles (NPs) that can sequentially release wortmannin (Wtmn, a cell
      signaling inhibitor) and docetaxel (Dtxl, genotoxic anticancer agent) to cancer
      cells. These NPs were studied in chemoradiotherapy, an important cancer treatment
      paradigm, in the preclinical setting. We demonstrated that Wtmn enhanced the
      therapeutic efficacy of Dtxl and increased the efficiency of radiotherapy (XRT)
      in H460 lung cancer and PC3 prostate cells in culture. Importantly, we showed
      that NPs containing both Wtmn and Dtxl release the drugs in a desirable
      sequential fashion to maximize therapeutic efficacy in comparison to
      administering each drug alone. An in vivo toxicity study in a murine model
      validated that NPs containing both Dtxl and Wtmn do not have a high toxicity
      profile. Lastly, we demonstrated that Dtxl/Wtmn-coencapsulated NPs are more
      efficient than each single-drug-loaded NPs or a combination of both single-drug
      loaded NPs in chemoradiotherapy using xenograft models. Histopathological studies
      and correlative studies support that the improved therapeutic efficacy is through
      changes in signaling pathways and increased tumor cell apoptosis. Our findings
      suggest that our nanoparticle system led to a dynamic rewiring of cellular
      apoptotic pathways and thus improve the therapeutic efficiency. 

PMID- 26267362
TI  - Differential Structural Development of Adult-Born Septal Hippocampal Granule
      Cells in the Thy1-GFP Mouse, Nuclear Size as a New Index of Maturation.
AB  - Adult neurogenesis is frequently studied in the mouse hippocampus. We examined
      the morphological development of adult-born, immature granule cells in the
      suprapyramidal blade of the septal dentate gyrus over the period of 7-77 days
      after mitosis with BrdU-labeling in 6-weeks-old male Thy1-GFP mice. As Thy1-GFP
      expression was restricted to maturated granule cells, it was combined with
      doublecortin-immunolabeling of immature granule cells. We developed a novel
      classification system that is easily applicable and enables objective and direct
      categorization of newborn granule cells based on the degree of dendritic
      development in relation to the layer specificity of the dentate gyrus. The
      structural development of adult-generated granule cells was correlated with age,
      albeit with notable differences in the time course of development between
      individual cells. In addition, the size of the nucleus, immunolabeled with the
      granule cell specific marker Prospero-related homeobox 1 gene, was a stable
      indicator of the degree of a cell's structural maturation and could be used as a
      straightforward parameter of granule cell development. Therefore, further studies
      could employ our doublecortin-staging system and nuclear size measurement to
      perform investigations of morphological development in combination with
      functional studies of adult-born granule cells. Furthermore, the Thy1-GFP
      transgenic mouse model can be used as an additional investigation tool because
      the reporter gene labels granule cells that are 4 weeks or older, while very
      young cells could be visualized through the immature marker doublecortin. This
      will enable comparison studies regarding the structure and function between young
      immature and older matured granule cells.

PMID- 26267363
TI  - Cortical Granule Exocytosis Is Mediated by Alpha-SNAP and N-Ethilmaleimide
      Sensitive Factor in Mouse Oocytes.
AB  - Cortical granule exocytosis (CGE), also known as cortical reaction, is a calcium-
      regulated secretion that represents a membrane fusion process during meiotic cell
      division of oocytes. The molecular mechanism of membrane fusion during CGE is
      still poorly understood and is thought to be mediated by the SNARE pathway;
      nevertheless, it is unkown if SNAP (acronym for soluble NSF attachment protein)
      and NSF (acronym for N-ethilmaleimide sensitive factor), two key proteins in the
      SNARE pathway, mediate CGE in any oocyte model. In this paper, we documented the
      gene expression of alpha-SNAP, gamma-SNAP and NSF in mouse oocytes. Western blot
      analysis showed that the expression of these proteins maintains a similar level
      during oocyte maturation and early activation. Their localization was mainly
      observed at the cortical region of metaphase II oocytes, which is enriched in
      cortical granules. To evaluate the function of these proteins in CGE we set up a
      functional assay based on the quantification of cortical granules metaphase II
      oocytes activated parthenogenetically with strontium. Endogenous alpha-SNAP and
      NSF proteins were perturbed by microinjection of recombinant proteins or
      antibodies prior to CGE activation. The microinjection of wild type alpha-SNAP
      and the negative mutant of alpha-SNAP L294A in metaphase II oocytes inhibited CGE
      stimulated by strontium. NEM, an irreversibly inhibitor of NSF, and the
      microinjection of the negative mutant NSF D1EQ inhibited cortical reaction. The
      microinjection of anti-alpha-SNAP and anti-NSF antibodies was able to abolish CGE
      in activated metaphase II oocytes. The microinjection of anti-gamma SNAP antibody
      had no effect on CGE. Our findings indicate, for the first time in any oocyte
      model, that alpha-SNAP, gamma-SNAP, and NSF are expressed in mouse oocytes. We
      demonstrate that alpha-SNAP and NSF have an active role in CGE and propose a
      working model. 

PMID- 26267364
TI  - In vivo photoacoustic flowmetry at depths of the diffusive regime based on saline
      injection.
AB  - We propose a saline injection-based method to quantify blood flow velocity in
      vivo with acoustic-resolution photoacoustic tomography. By monitoring the saline
      blood interface propagating in the blood vessel, the flow velocity can be
      resolved. We first demonstrated our method in phantom experiments, where a root
      mean square error of prediction of 0.29  mm/s was achieved. By injecting saline
      into a mouse tail vein covered with 1 mm chicken tissue, we showed that the flow
      velocity in the tail vein could be measured at depths, which is especially
      pertinent to monitoring blood flow velocity in patients undergoing intravenous
      infusion.

PMID- 26267365
TI  - Hybrid Structure of the Type 1 Pilus of Uropathogenic Escherichia coli.
AB  - Type 1 pili are filamentous protein assemblies on the surface of Gram-negative
      bacteria that mediate adhesion to host cells during the infection process. The
      molecular structure of type 1 pili remains elusive on the atomic scale owing to
      their insolubility and noncrystallinity. Herein we describe an approach for
      hybrid-structure determination that is based on data from solution-state NMR
      spectroscopy on the soluble subunit and solid-state NMR spectroscopy and STEM
      data on the assembled pilus. Our approach is based on iterative modeling driven
      by structural information extracted from different sources and provides a general
      tool to access pseudo atomic structures of protein assemblies with complex
      subunit folds. By using this methodology, we determined the local conformation of
      the FimA pilus subunit in the context of the assembled type 1 pilus, determined
      the exact helical pilus architecture, and elucidated the intermolecular
      interfaces contributing to pilus assembly and stability with atomic detail.

PMID- 26267366
TI  - An Evaluation of the Italian Version of the Yale Food Addiction Scale in Obese
      Adult Inpatients Engaged in a 1-Month-Weight-Loss Treatment.
AB  - Addiction is a compulsive need for and use of a specific substance leading to a
      habit, tolerance, and psychophysiological symptoms. Excessive food consumption is
      similar to that of substance addiction. Some individuals who have trouble losing
      weight display addictive eating symptoms. To investigate food addiction in a
      sample of obese adults referred to hospital for a 1-month-weight-loss treatment.
      The Italian version of the Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS-16) was used as a
      screening tool in 88 obese inpatients. The construct validity of the YFAS-16 was
      assessed by testing its correlations with measures of binge eating (Binge Eating
      Scale), impulsiveness (Barratt Impulsiveness Scale), and emotional dysregulation
      (Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale). 34.1% of our sample was diagnosed
      with YFAS food addiction. Such diagnosis was also supported by strong
      associations between FA and psychological and behavioral features, typically
      descriptive of classic addiction. Patients who endorsed the YFAS-16 criteria for
      food addiction (FA) had significantly higher binge eating levels, greater
      emotional dysregulation, and nonacceptance of negative feelings; they lacked goal
      oriented behavior, had little impulse control, had difficulty in emotion
      recognition, and attentional impulsivity; and they were unable to concentrate and
      lacked inhibitory control behavior, unlike participants who did not meet the FA
      criteria. Further research is needed to support the reliability of the YFAS-16.
      This measure has the potential to be applied in epidemiological research,
      estimating the prevalence of FA within the Italian population and to assess new
      treatments' efficacy for obese patients with food addiction symptoms seeking
      weight-loss treatments. 

PMID- 26267368
TI  - Dendrimer-Linked Antifreeze Proteins Have Superior Activity and Thermal Recovery.
AB  - By binding to ice, antifreeze proteins (AFPs) depress the freezing point of a
      solution and inhibit ice recrystallization if freezing does occur. Previous work
      showed that the activity of an AFP was incrementally increased by fusing it to
      another protein. Even larger increases in activity were achieved by doubling the
      number of ice-binding sites by dimerization. Here, we have combined the two
      strategies by linking multiple outward-facing AFPs to a dendrimer to
      significantly increase both the size of the molecule and the number of ice
      binding sites. Using a heterobifunctional cross-linker, we attached between 6 and
      11 type III AFPs to a second-generation polyamidoamine (G2-PAMAM) dendrimer with
      16 reactive termini. This heterogeneous sample of dendrimer-linked type III
      constructs showed a greater than 4-fold increase in freezing point depression
      over that of monomeric type III AFP. This multimerized AFP was particularly
      effective at ice recrystallization inhibition activity, likely because it can
      simultaneously bind multiple ice surfaces. Additionally, attachment to the
      dendrimer has afforded the AFP superior recovery from heat denaturation. Linking
      AFPs together via polymers can generate novel reagents for controlling ice growth
      and recrystallization. 

PMID- 26267372
TI  - Analysis of Drugs in Unconventional Samples.
AB  - Forensic scientists have long detected the presence of drugs in biological
      materials using body fluids such as urine, blood, and/or tissues. In recent
      years, remarkable advances in sensitive analytical techniques have prompted the
      analysis of drugs in unconventional biological samples such as hair, nail,
      saliva, and sweat. These samples are easily collected, although drug levels are
      often lower than the corresponding urine, blood, or tissue levels. This article
      reviews studies on the detection of drugs of abuse in hair, nail, saliva, and
      sweat. Preparation or pretreatment of samples, analytical procedures, and the
      interpretation of analytical results are discussed concomitantly.. 

PMID- 26267367
TI  - Flexibility and extracellular opening determine the interaction between ligands
      and insect sulfakinin receptors.
AB  - Despite their fundamental importance for growth, the mechanisms that regulate
      food intake are poorly understood. Our previous work demonstrated that insect
      sulfakinin (SK) signaling is involved in inhibiting feeding in an important model
      and pest insect, the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum. Because the
      interaction of SK peptide and SK receptors (SKR) initiates the SK signaling, we
      have special interest on the structural factors that influence the SK-SKR
      interaction. First, the three-dimensional structures of the two T. castaneum SKRs
      (TcSKR1 and TcSKR2) were generated from molecular modeling and they displayed
      significance in terms of the outer opening of the cavity and protein flexibility.
      TcSKR1 contained a larger outer opening of the cavity than that in TcSKR2, which
      allows ligands a deep access into the cavity through cell membrane. Second,
      normal mode analysis revealed that TcSKR1 was more flexible than TcSKR2 during
      receptor-ligand interaction. Third, the sulfated SK (sSK) and sSK-related
      peptides were more potent than the nonsulfated SK, suggesting the importance of
      the sulfate moiety. 

PMID- 26267373
TI  - The Current Legal Status of Drug Testing and Its Implications.
AB  - Current U.S. law on drug testing is reviewed in this article. The widespread
      practices of drug abuse and drug testing in the United States are reviewed in the
      initial section. Legal questions are posed concerning constitutional rights and
      the rights organized labor has won in the courts during the last century. Federal
      appellate case law, federal and state statutory law, and military law on drug
      testing issues are examined in the context of their impact on public, private,
      criminal justice, and military sectors of American society. Future legal trends
      on drug testing are predicted in the conclusion. 

PMID- 26267374
TI  - Development and Current Status of Skull-Image Superimposition - Methodology and
      Instrumentation.
AB  - This article presents a review of the literature and an evaluation on the
      development and application of skull-image superimposition technology - both
      instrumentation and methodology - contributed by a number of scholars since 1935.
      Along with a comparison of the methodologies involved in the two superimposition
      techniques - photographic and video - the author characterized the techniques in
      action and the recent advances in computer image superimposition processing
      technology. The major disadvantage of conventional approaches is its relying on
      subjective interpretation. Through painstaking comparison and analysis, computer
      image processing technology can make more conclusive identifications by direct
      testing and evaluating the various programmed indices. 

PMID- 26267375
TI  - Impurities in Illicit Drug Preparations: 3,4-(Methylenedioxy)amphetamine and 3,4
      (Methylenedioxy)methylamphetamine.
AB  - Attention is given here to the mass spectral data of impurities present in
      illicit drug preparations of 3,4-(methylenedioxy)amphetamine and 3,4
      (methylenedioxy)methylamphetamine. These "designer" drugs, having emphatic
      properties, were synthesized following well-known procedures such as the
      reductive amination route, the Leuckart reaction, and the nitropropene and the
      bromopropane routes. Based on the structure elucidation of impurities -
      especially those so-called "route specific" ones - present in these illicit drug
      preparations conclusions can be drawn about the method of preparation of a drug
      sample. Furthermore, on the basis of this kind of information methods can be
      developed for the comparison of drug samples, by which questions about the origin
      of drug samples can be solved (commonly known as the signature method). 

PMID- 26267376
TI  - Assessments of Thioridazine as a Helper Compound to Dicloxacillin against
      Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus: In Vivo Trials in a Mouse
      Peritonitis Model.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The rise in antimicrobial resistance is a major global concern and
      requires new treatment strategies. The use of helper compounds, such as
      thioridazine (TDZ), an antipsychotic drug, in combination with traditional
      antibiotics must be investigated. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to
      investigate the efficacy of TDZ as a helper compound for dicloxacillin (DCX)
      against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in vivo, and compare
      the combination treatment of DCX+TDZ with vancomycin (VAN). METHODS: Mice were
      inoculated with an intraperitoneal (IP) injection of MRSA (108 CFU) and treated
      in a 12-hour cycle for 48 hours. By termination, bacterial quantities in a
      peritoneal flush, spleen and kidneys were obtained. In the main trial the drugs
      were administered subcutaneously in five treatment groups: 1) DCX, 2) TDZ, 3)
      DCX+TDZ, 4) VAN, 5) SALINE. Additional smaller studies with IP administration and
      higher subcutaneous dosages (*1.5 and *4) of the drugs were subsequently
      performed. RESULTS: In the main trial no significant differences were found
      between DCX+TDZ and DCX or TDZ alone (p>=0.121-0.999). VAN performed
      significantly better than DCX+TDZ on all bacteriological endpoints (p<0.001).
      Higher subcutaneous dosages of DCX and TDZ improved the antibacterial efficacy,
      but the combination treatment was still not significantly better than
      monotherapy. IP drug administration of DCX+TDZ revealed a significantly better
      antibacterial effect than DCX or TDZ alone (p<0.001) but not significantly
      different from VAN (p>0.999). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, TDZ did not prove to be
      a viable helper compound for dicloxacillin against MRSA in subcutaneous systemic
      treatment. However, IP-administration of DCX+TDZ, directly at the infection site
      resulted in a synergetic effect, with efficacy comparable to that of VAN.

PMID- 26267377
TI  - A hybrid color space for skin detection using genetic algorithm heuristic search
      and principal component analysis technique.
AB  - Color is one of the most prominent features of an image and used in many skin and
      face detection applications. Color space transformation is widely used by
      researchers to improve face and skin detection performance. Despite the
      substantial research efforts in this area, choosing a proper color space in terms
      of skin and face classification performance which can address issues like
      illumination variations, various camera characteristics and diversity in skin
      color tones has remained an open issue. This research proposes a new three
      dimensional hybrid color space termed SKN by employing the Genetic Algorithm
      heuristic and Principal Component Analysis to find the optimal representation of
      human skin color in over seventeen existing color spaces. Genetic Algorithm
      heuristic is used to find the optimal color component combination setup in terms
      of skin detection accuracy while the Principal Component Analysis projects the
      optimal Genetic Algorithm solution to a less complex dimension. Pixel wise skin
      detection was used to evaluate the performance of the proposed color space. We
      have employed four classifiers including Random Forest, Naive Bayes, Support
      Vector Machine and Multilayer Perceptron in order to generate the human skin
      color predictive model. The proposed color space was compared to some existing
      color spaces and shows superior results in terms of pixel-wise skin detection
      accuracy. Experimental results show that by using Random Forest classifier, the
      proposed SKN color space obtained an average F-score and True Positive Rate of
      0.953 and False Positive Rate of 0.0482 which outperformed the existing color
      spaces in terms of pixel wise skin detection accuracy. The results also indicate
      that among the classifiers used in this study, Random Forest is the most suitable
      classifier for pixel wise skin detection applications. 

PMID- 26267378
TI  - Implicit Goalkeeper Influences on Goal Side Selection in Representative Penalty
      Kicking Tasks.
AB  - In well-controlled lab situations, marginal displacements of the goalkeeper on
      the goal line affect goal side selection of penalty takers implicitly, that is,
      without the penalty takers being consciously aware of the displacement. Whether
      this effect is retained in more representative real-life situations with
      competing goalkeepers and penalty takers has not been verified. In the current
      study, penalty takers were instructed to position the goalkeepers at the centre
      of the goal. They then performed penalty kicks adopting either a keeper
      independent or a keeper dependent strategy, while goalkeepers actually attempted
      to save the ball by strategically diving early or late. Analyses of trials in
      which penalty takers failed to place the goalkeeper in the centre of the goal
      (although they incorrectly believed they placed the goalkeeper at the centre of
      the goal) showed that implicit influences of the goalkeeper's position on goal
      side selection were overridden by the (conscious) perception of the direction of
      the goalkeeper's dive, but only if the penalty takers deliberately monitored the
      goalkeeper's action and the goalkeeper committed early enough for penalty takers
      to respond. In all other combinations of penalty kick and goalkeeper strategies
      more than 60% of the kicks were directed to the side of the goal with more space.
      Most importantly, however, the current study shows that influences of implicit
      perception on the penalty takers' decision making are rather pervasive
      considering that many supraliminal sources of information were available. That
      is, the current study demonstrates that implicit perception retains its influence
      on decision-making even if other (stronger) stimuli are also present.

PMID- 26267379
TI  - Morphological Characterization of the Action Potential Initiation Segment in GnRH
      Neuron Dendrites and Axons of Male Mice.
AB  - GnRH neurons are the final output neurons of the hypothalamic network controlling
      fertility in mammals. In the present study, we used ankyrin G
      immunohistochemistry and neurobiotin filling of live GnRH neurons in brain slices
      from GnRH-green fluorescent protein transgenic male mice to examine in detail the
      location of action potential initiation in GnRH neurons with somata residing at
      different locations in the basal forebrain. We found that the vast majority of
      GnRH neurons are bipolar in morphology, elaborating a thick (primary) and thinner
      (secondary) dendrite from opposite poles of the soma. In addition, an axon-like
      process arising predominantly from a proximal dendrite was observed in a
      subpopulation of GnRH neurons. Ankyrin G immunohistochemistry revealed the
      presence of a single action potential initiation zone ~27 MUm in length primarily
      in the secondary dendrite of GnRH neurons and located 30 to 140 MUm distant from
      the cell soma, depending on the type of process and location of the cell body. In
      addition to dendrites, the GnRH neurons with cell bodies located close to
      hypothalamic circumventricular organs often elaborated ankyrin G-positive axon
      like structures. Almost all GnRH neurons (>90%) had their action potential
      initiation site in a process that initially, or ultimately after a hairpin loop,
      was coursing in the direction of the median eminence. These studies indicate that
      action potentials are initiated in different dendritic and axonal compartments of
      the GnRH neuron in a manner that is dependent partly on the neuroanatomical
      location of the cell body. 

PMID- 26267380
TI  - Inhibitory Effect of the Noncamptothecin Topoisomerase I Inhibitor LMP-400 on
      Female Mice Models and Human Pheochromocytoma Cells.
AB  - Metastatic pheochromocytoma continues to be an incurable disease, and treatment
      with conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy offers limited efficacy. In the present
      study, we evaluated a novel topoisomerase I inhibitor, LMP-400, as a potential
      treatment for this devastating disease. We found a high expression of
      topoisomerase I in human metastatic pheochromocytoma, providing a basis for the
      evaluation of a topoisomerase 1 inhibitor as a therapeutic strategy. LMP-400
      inhibited the cell growth of established mouse pheochromocytoma cell lines and
      primary human tumor tissue cultures. In a study performed in athymic female mice,
      LMP-400 demonstrated a significant inhibitory effect on tumor growth with two
      drug administration regimens. Furthermore, low doses of LMP-400 decreased the
      protein levels of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1alpha), one of a family of
      factors studied as potential metastatic drivers in these tumors. The HIF-1alpha
      decrease resulted in changes in the mRNA levels of HIF-1 transcriptional targets.
      In vitro, LMP-400 showed an increase in the growth-inhibitory effects in
      combination with other chemotherapeutic drugs that are currently used for the
      treatment of pheochromocytoma. We conclude that LMP-400 has promising antitumor
      activity in preclinical models of metastatic pheochromocytoma and its use should
      be considered in future clinical trials. 

PMID- 26267382
TI  - Extreme food-plant specialisation in Megabombus bumblebees as a product of long
      tongues combined with short nesting seasons.
AB  - Megabombus bumblebees have unusually long tongues and are generally more
      specialised than other bumblebees in their choice of food plants. The phylogeny
      of Megabombus bumblebees shows that speciation was concentrated in two periods.
      Speciation in the first period (ca 4.25-1.5 Ma) is associated with the late rise
      of the Hengduan Mountains at the eastern end of the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau.
      Speciation in the second period (1.2-0.3 Ma) is associated with climatic cooling
      in the northern forests. The most extreme food-specialist species belong to the
      second period, which may point to climate as a factor in specialisation. These
      extreme specialist species occur either in the far north (Bombus consobrinus), or
      at high elevations (Bombus gerstaeckeri), in situations where long tongues
      coincide with the shortest nesting seasons. Species with the longest tongues but
      occurring further south (even at high elevations) use a broader range of food
      plants. 

PMID- 26267383
TI  - Design and Synthesis of Non-Peptide, Selective Orexin Receptor 2 Agonists.
AB  - Orexins are a family of neuropeptides that regulate sleep/wakefulness, acting on
      two G-protein-coupled receptors, orexin receptors 1 (OX1R) and 2 (OX2R). Genetic
      and pharmacologic evidence suggests that orexin receptor agonists, especially
      OX2R agonist, will be useful for mechanistic therapy of the sleep disorder
      narcolepsy/cataplexy. We herein report the discovery of a potent (EC50 on OX2R is
      0.023 MUM) and OX2R-selective (OX1R/OX2R EC50 ratio is 70) agonist, 4'-methoxy
      N,N-dimethyl-3'-[N-(3-{[2-(3-methylbenzamido)ethyl]amino}phenyl)sulfamoyl]-(1,1'
      biphenyl)-3-carboxamide 26. 

PMID- 26267384
TI  - Recent advances in the chemical physics of nanoalloys.

PMID- 26267381
TI  - Molecular Basis of Gene-Gene Interaction: Cyclic Cross-Regulation of Gene
      Expression and Post-GWAS Gene-Gene Interaction Involved in Atrial Fibrillation.
AB  - Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia at the clinic.
      Recent GWAS identified several variants associated with AF, but they account for
      <10% of heritability. Gene-gene interaction is assumed to account for a
      significant portion of missing heritability. Among GWAS loci for AF, only three
      were replicated in the Chinese Han population, including SNP rs2106261 (G/A
      substitution) in ZFHX3, rs2200733 (C/T substitution) near PITX2c, and rs3807989
      (A/G substitution) in CAV1. Thus, we analyzed the interaction among these three
      AF loci. We demonstrated significant interaction between rs2106261 and rs2200733
      in three independent populations and combined population with 2,020 cases/5,315
      controls. Compared to non-risk genotype GGCC, two-locus risk genotype AATT showed
      the highest odds ratio in three independent populations and the combined
      population (OR=5.36 (95% CI 3.87-7.43), P=8.00*10-24). The OR of 5.36 for AATT
      was significantly higher than the combined OR of 3.31 for both GGTT and AACC,
      suggesting a synergistic interaction between rs2106261 and rs2200733. Relative
      excess risk due to interaction (RERI) analysis also revealed significant
      interaction between rs2106261 and rs2200733 when exposed two copies of risk
      alleles (RERI=2.87, P<1.00*10-4) or exposed to one additional copy of risk allele
      (RERI=1.29, P<1.00*10-4). The INTERSNP program identified significant genotypic
      interaction between rs2106261 and rs2200733 under an additive by additive model
      (OR=0.85, 95% CI: 0.74-0.97, P=0.02). Mechanistically, PITX2c negatively
      regulates expression of miR-1, which negatively regulates expression of ZFHX3,
      resulting in a positive regulation of ZFHX3 by PITX2c; ZFHX3 positively regulates
      expression of PITX2C, resulting in a cyclic loop of cross-regulation between
      ZFHX3 and PITX2c. Both ZFHX3 and PITX2c regulate expression of NPPA, TBX5 and
      NKX2.5. These results suggest that cyclic cross-regulation of gene expression is
      a molecular basis for gene-gene interactions involved in genetics of complex
      disease traits. 

PMID- 26267385
TI  - A note from the Editor's desk.

PMID- 26267386
TI  - Advanced and In Situ Analytical Methods for Solar Fuel Materials.
AB  - In situ and operando techniques can play important roles in the development of
      better performing photoelectrodes, photocatalysts, and electrocatalysts by
      helping to elucidate crucial intermediates and mechanistic steps. The development
      of high throughput screening methods has also accelerated the evaluation of
      relevant photoelectrochemical and electrochemical properties for new solar fuel
      materials. In this chapter, several in situ and high throughput characterization
      tools are discussed in detail along with their impact on our understanding of
      solar fuel materials. 

PMID- 26267387
TI  - How we approach a patient with symptoms of leukostasis requiring emergent
      leukocytapheresis.
AB  - Hyperleukocytosis can induce leukostasis, which can lead to vascular obstructions
      (usually in the lungs and central nervous system), tumor lysis syndrome, and
      disseminated intravascular coagulation. Although it has not been conclusively
      shown to improve long-term outcome, leukocytapheresis may be used as part of the
      management of hyperleukocytosis with or without leukostasis to rapidly reduce the
      white blood cell (WBC) burden. Since leukocytapheresis only temporarily decreases
      the WBC count, early initiation of more definite therapy, such as hydroxyurea
      and/or chemotherapy, is essential. In this article, clinical assessment of the
      patient's clinical status to determine the need for leukocytapheresis as well as
      a general guideline for management of the technical aspects and complications of
      the procedure are discussed. 

PMID- 26267388
TI  - Controlling dimensionality via a dual ligand strategy in Ln-thiophene-2,5
      dicarboxylic acid-terpyridine coordination polymers.
AB  - Eleven new lanthanide (Ln = Nd-Lu)-thiophene-2,5-dicarboxylic acid (25-TDC)
      2,2':6',2''-terpyridine (terpy) coordination polymers () which employ a dual
      ligand strategy have been synthesized hydrothermally and structurally
      characterized by single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction. Two additional
      members of the series ( and ) were made with Ce(3+) and Pr(3+) and characterized
      via powder X-ray diffraction only. The series is comprised of three similar
      structures wherein differences due to the lanthanide contraction manifest in
      Ln(3+) coordination number as well as the number of bound and solvent water
      molecules within the crystal lattice. Structure type I (Ce(3+)-Sm(3+)) contains
      two nine-coordinate Ln(3+) metal centers each with a bound water molecule.
      Structure type II (Eu(3+)-Ho(3+)) features a nine and an eight coordinate Ln(3+)
      metal along with one bound and one solvent water molecule. Structure type III
      (Er(3+)-Lu(3+)) includes two eight-coordinate Ln(3+) metal centers with both
      water molecules residing in the lattice. Assembly into supramolecular 3D networks
      via pi-pi interactions is observed for all three structure types, whereas
      structure types II and III also feature hydrogen-bonding interactions via the
      well-known C-HO and O-HO synthons. Visible and near-IR luminescence studies were
      performed on compounds , , , and at room temperature. As a result characteristic
      near-IR luminescent bands of Pr(3+), Nd(3+), Sm(3+), and Yb(3+) as well as
      visible bands of Sm(3+) were observed. 

PMID- 26267389
TI  - Multistep Molecular Dynamics Simulations Identify the Highly Cooperative Activity
      of Melittin in Recognizing and Stabilizing Membrane Pores.
AB  - The prototypical antimicrobial peptide, melittin, is well-known for its ability
      to induce pores in zwitterionic model lipid membranes. However, the mechanism by
      which melittin accomplishes this is not fully understood. We have conducted all
      atom and coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations which suggest that
      melittin employs a highly cooperative mechanism for the induction of both small
      and large membrane pores. The process by which this peptide induces membrane
      pores appears to be driven by its affinity to membrane defects via its N-terminus
      region. In our simulations, a membrane defect was deliberately created through
      either lipid flip-flop or the reorientation of one adsorbed melittin peptide. In
      a cooperative response, other melittin molecules also inserted their N-termini
      into the created defect, thus lowering the overall free energy. The insertion of
      these peptide molecules ultimately allowed the defect to develop into a small
      transmembrane pore, with an estimated diameter of ~1.5 nm and a lifetime of the
      order of tens of milliseconds. In the presence of a finite membrane tension, we
      show that this small pore can act as a nucleation site for the stochastic rupture
      of the lipid bilayer, so as to create a much larger pore. We found that a
      threshold membrane tension of 25 mN/m was needed to create a ruptured pore.
      Furthermore, by actively accumulating at its edge, adsorbed peptides are able to
      cooperatively stabilize this larger pore. The defect-mediated pore formation
      mechanism revealed in this work may also apply to other amphipathic membrane
      active peptides. 

PMID- 26267390
TI  - The Family Check Up and Adolescent Depression: An Examination of Treatment
      Responders and Non-Responders.
AB  - The Family Check Up (FCU) is a family-centered intervention for reducing
      children's problem behavior through improving parenting skills and family
      interactions. Although the FCU was designed to prevent conduct problems, we have
      also found the program to be effective in preventing escalating symptoms of
      depression in early adolescence. The current analyses examine heterogeneous
      patterns of response to treatment in an effort to identify factors associated
      with differential response to family intervention. We examined heterogeneity in
      trajectories of youth-reported depressive symptoms from grades 6 to 9, using a
      Latent Growth Mixture Modeling framework to identify patterns of treatment
      response and non-response. Three symptom trajectories were identified, including
      the following: (1) a large class exhibiting stable, low symptom levels, (2) a
      class exhibiting high and stable depressive symptoms, and (3) a class exhibiting
      low initial symptoms that increased over time. Significant intervention effects
      were identified only among the third class, as a preventive effect on depression
      from 7th to 9th grade for youth with low initial symptoms. No effect of
      intervention was observed in the other two classes. Comparisons of classes 2 and
      3 suggested that class 3 members were more likely to be females with high
      baseline antisocial behavior, but lower initial levels of depression. The
      findings suggest the importance of exploring heterogeneity within a prevention
      design, as well as the importance of tailored approaches to the prevention of
      adolescent depression.

PMID- 26267391
TI  - Characterization of the superoxide dismutase genes of the halophyte Suaeda
      maritima in Japan and Egypt.
AB  - KEY MESSAGE: Suaeda maritima varieties native to Japan and Egypt were cultured
      under aseptic conditions. The varieties differed in genetic distance but
      exhibited similar expression profiles of superoxide dismutase isozyme genes. The
      expression characteristics of superoxide dismutase (SOD; EC 1.15.1.1) isozyme
      genes from halophytic Suaeda marit ima plants native to Japan and Egypt were
      analyzed using young plants grown under aseptic conditions. A phylogenetic tree
      based on internal transcribed spacer sequences suggested that Egyptian S.
      maritima is related to European and India S. maritima, while Japanese S. maritima
      belongs to a separate clade. An in-gel SOD activity staining assay revealed that
      leaves from both the Egyptian and Japanese varieties showed high levels of CuZn
      SOD and Fe-SOD activity, but no Mn-SOD activity; conversely, stems from both
      varieties showed Mn-SOD activity as well as other SOD isozyme activities. In
      Japanese S. maritima leaves, SOD activity was increased by incubation in growth
      medium containing 400 mM NaCl, while Egyptian S. maritima leaves showed elevated
      SOD activity in the absence of high salt. Genes encoding Mn-SOD and Fe-SOD were
      isolated from both plant types. RT-PCR analysis revealed that all SOD isozyme
      encoding genes were expressed at the same levels in leaves from both plant types
      grown in normal or high-salt medium. In contrast, the expression of genes
      encoding choline monooxygenase and betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase, which are
      involved in betacyanin biosynthesis, was increased in high-salt medium. In leaves
      of Japanese S. maritima plants, Fe deficiency without high salt exposure
      preferentially decreased Fe-SOD activity. On the other hand, Fe deficiency with
      high salt exposure decreased not only Fe-SOD activity but also CuZn-SOD activity,
      suggesting that Fe availability is involved in the up-regulation of SOD isozymes
      mediating salt tolerance.

PMID- 26267392
TI  - CRISPR EATING on a Low Budget.
AB  - In this issue of Developmental Cell, Lane et al. (2015) describe a simplified,
      inexpensive technique named "CRISPR EATING" for generating complex guide RNA
      libraries suitable for CRISPR/Cas9-based applications ranging from genome
      visualization and manipulation to genetic screens. 

PMID- 26267394
TI  - In Situ Synthesis of Porous Carbons by Using Room-Temperature, Atmospheric
      Pressure Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma as High-Performance Adsorbents for
      Solid-Phase Microextraction.
AB  - A one-step, template-free method is described to synthesize porous carbons (PCs)
      in situ on a metal surface by using a room-temperature, atmospheric-pressure
      dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma. This method not only features high
      efficiency, environmentally friendliness, and low cost and simple equipment, but
      also can conveniently realize large-area synthesis of PCs by only changing the
      design of the DBD reactor. The synthesized PCs have a regulated nestlike
      morphology, and thus, provide a high specific surface area and high pore volume,
      which result in excellent adsorption properties. Its applicability was
      demonstrated by using a PC-coated stainless-steel fiber as a solid-phase
      microextraction (SPME) fiber to preconcentrate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
      (PAHs) prior to analysis by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection
      (GC-FID). The results showed that the fiber exhibited excellent enrichment
      factors (4.1*10(4) to 3.1*10(5)) toward all tested PAHs. Thus, the PC-based SPME
      GC-FID provides low limits of detection (2 to 20 ng L(-1)), good precision
      (<7.8%), and good recoveries (80-115%) for ultra-sensitive determination of PAHs
      in real water samples. In addition, the PC-coated fiber could be stable enough
      for more than 500 replicate extraction cycles.

PMID- 26267393
TI  - Organ Size Control: Lessons from Drosophila.
AB  - Of fundamental interest to biologists is how organs achieve a reproducible size
      during development. Studies of the developing Drosophila wing have provided many
      key insights that will help give a conceptual understanding of the process beyond
      the fly. In the wing, there is evidence for both "top-down" mechanisms, in which
      signals emanating from small subsets of cells direct global proliferation, and
      "bottom-up" mechanisms, in which the final size is an emergent property of local
      cell-cell interactions. Mechanical forces also appear to have an important role
      along with the Hippo pathway, which may integrate multiple types of inputs to
      regulate the extent of growth. 

PMID- 26267395
TI  - Cartilage Regeneration in the Head and Neck Area: Combination of Ear or Nasal
      Chondrocytes and Mesenchymal Stem Cells Improves Cartilage Production.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cartilage tissue engineering can offer promising solutions for
      restoring cartilage defects in the head and neck area and has the potential to
      overcome limitations of current treatments. However, to generate a construct of
      reasonable size, large numbers of chondrocytes are required, which limits its
      current applicability. Therefore, the authors evaluate the suitability of a
      combination of cells for cartilage regeneration: bone marrow-derived mesenchymal
      stem cells and ear or nasal chondrocytes. METHODS: Human bone marrow-derived
      mesenchymal stem cells were encapsulated in alginate hydrogel as single-cell-type
      populations or in combination with bovine ear chondrocytes or nasal chondrocytes
      at an 80:20 ratio. Constructs were either cultured in vitro or implanted directly
      subcutaneously into mice. Cartilage formation was evaluated with biochemical and
      biomechanical analyses. The use of a xenogeneic coculture system enabled the
      analyses of the contribution of the individual cell types using species-specific
      gene-expression analyses. RESULTS: In vivo, human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal
      stem cells/bovine ear chondrocytes or human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem
      cells/bovine nasal chondrocytes contained amounts of cartilage components similar
      to those of constructs containing chondrocytes only (i.e., bovine ear and nasal
      chondrocytes). In vitro, species-specific gene-expression analyses demonstrated
      that aggrecan was expressed by the chondrocytes only, which suggests a more
      trophic role for human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Furthermore,
      the additional effect of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells was
      more pronounced in combination with bovine nasal chondrocytes. CONCLUSIONS: By
      supplementing low numbers of bovine ear or nasal chondrocytes with human bone
      marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells, the authors were able to engineer
      cartilage constructs with properties similar to those of constructs containing
      chondrocytes only. This makes the procedure more feasible for future
      applicability in the reconstruction of cartilage defects in the head and neck
      area because fewer chondrocytes are required.

PMID- 26267396
TI  - Physical and Functional Ability Recovery Patterns and Quality of Life after
      Immediate Autologous Latissimus Dorsi Breast Reconstruction: A 1-Year Prospective
      Observational Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The authors evaluated arm and shoulder function and quality of life
      prospectively after breast reconstruction with the latissimus dorsi flap.
      METHODS: Muscle strength was checked by manual muscle test and range of motion
      preoperatively and then at five postoperative time points: week 2, week 6, month
      3, month 6, and month 12. Functional disability and quality of life were also
      measured by the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire and the
      36-Item Short-Form Health Survey. The assessments were performed preoperatively
      and then at three postoperative time-points (i.e., months 3, 6, and 12).
      Statistical analysis was performed by repeated-measures analysis of variance.
      RESULTS: Thirty-one patients were included for analysis. All manual muscle test
      and range-of-motion scale scores at postoperative week 2 decreased significantly
      compared with preoperative scores. After postoperative month 3, scores for both
      manual muscle test and range of motion nearly recovered to preoperative status.
      However, functional disability, according to the Disabilities of the Arm,
      Shoulder and Hand instrument, was increased considerably after latissimus dorsi
      flap surgery, and a substantial amount of disability remained 1 year
      postoperatively. The mental component of the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey
      improved consistently for 1 year postoperatively, whereas the physical component
      decreased significantly until the sixth month postoperatively and was still lower
      than the preoperative score at postoperative month 12. CONCLUSIONS: One year
      after latissimus dorsi flap surgery, shoulder strength and range of motion
      returned to baseline. However, functional disability and deteriorated physical
      aspects of quality of life persisted.

PMID- 26267397
TI  - Assessing the Impact of Blood Loss in Cranial Vault Remodeling: A Risk Assessment
      Model Using the 2012 to 2013 Pediatric National Surgical Quality Improvement
      Program Data Sets.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Most cranial vault remodeling for craniosynostosis is associated with
      substantial blood loss necessitating transfusion. The transfusion of over 25
      ml/kg of red blood cells has long been considered an important safety threshold
      and has been proposed as a potential marker of health care quality, despite a
      lack of evidence. The authors sought to ascertain risk factors for transfusion in
      cranial vault remodeling and to quantify the effect of transfusion volume on
      postoperative complications. METHODS: Patients who underwent complex cranial
      vault remodeling for craniosynostosis were identified from the Pediatric National
      Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Multivariate regression models
      were used to identify independent risk factors for transfusion and to assess its
      impact on subsequent outcomes. RESULTS: One thousand fifty-nine patients met
      inclusion criteria. Seven hundred seventy-seven patients (73.4 percent) required
      a transfusion and 520 patients (49.1 percent) required a transfusion in excess of
      25 ml/kg. Neither transfusion nor transfusion volume in excess of 25 ml/kg had a
      significant effect on postoperative outcomes. Therefore, the authors sought to
      determine a more meaningful threshold. The top 20 percent of transfusion volumes
      were greater than or equal to 45.28 ml/kg. Recursive partitioning generated a
      threshold of 62.52 ml/kg, which independently predicted a greater number of
      complications and was associated with higher odds ratios than the quintile
      method. A threshold of 60 ml/kg was chosen for simplicity and was independently
      predictive of overall complications, medical complications, and increased length
      of stay. CONCLUSIONS: Transfusion is common in complex cranial vault remodeling.
      Currently described occurrence thresholds do not accurately convey postoperative
      risk. Transfusion in excess of 60 ml/kg significantly increases risk for
      complications and length of stay in cranial vault remodeling.

PMID- 26267398
TI  - The Plastic Surgery Hand Curriculum.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Designing an effective hand rotation for plastic surgery residents is
      difficult. The authors address this limitation by elucidating the critical
      components of the hand curriculum during plastic surgery residency. METHODS: Hand
      questions on the Plastic Surgery In-Service Training Exam for six consecutive
      years (2008 to 2013) were characterized by presence of imaging, vignette setting,
      question taxonomy, answer domain, anatomy, and topic. Answer references were
      quantified by source and year of publication. RESULTS: Two hundred sixty-six
      questions were related to hand surgery (22.7 percent of all questions; 44.3 per
      year) and 61 were accompanied by an image (22.9 percent). Vignettes tended to be
      clinic- (50.0 percent) and emergency room-based (35.3 percent) (p < 0.001).
      Questions required decision-making (60.5 percent) over interpretation (25.9
      percent) and recall skills (13.5 percent) (p < 0.001). Answers focused on
      interventions (57.5 percent) over anatomy/pathology (25.2 percent) and diagnoses
      (17.3 percent) (p < 0.001). Nearly half of the questions focused on the digits.
      The highest yield topics were trauma (35.3 percent), reconstruction (24.4
      percent), and aesthetic and functional problems (14.2 percent). The Journal of
      Hand Surgery (American volume) (20.5 percent) and Plastic and Reconstructive
      Surgery (18.0 percent) were the most-cited journals, and the median publication
      lag was 7 years. Green's Operative Hand Surgery was the most-referenced textbook
      (41.8 percent). CONCLUSIONS: These results will enable trainees to study hand
      surgery topics with greater efficiency. Faculty can use these results to ensure
      that tested topics are covered during residency training. Thus, a benchmark is
      established to improve didactic, clinical, and operative experiences in hand
      surgery.

PMID- 26267399
TI  - The Use of Pulse Oximetry for Objective Quantification of Vascular Injuries in
      the Hand.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Efficient identification of dysvascular finger(s) following trauma is
      critical for triaging surgical care and optimizing patient outcomes. The authors
      designed a study evaluating an objective measure of digital hypoxia followed by
      surgical exploration and correlation with vascular injury. METHODS: Patients with
      lacerating or penetrating trauma to the hand or digits were examined. A pulse
      oximeter was applied to the injured digit, and the oxygen saturation was
      recorded. The nonparametric Wilcoxon rank sum test was used to assess for
      differences in pulse oximetry for digits with and without an ischemic-type injury
      that required repair. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were used
      to determine cut-points. RESULTS: Twenty patients with digital lacerations were
      enrolled, with a total of 49 digit measurements of pulse oximetry. Twelve
      dysvascular injuries requiring repair or amputation were confirmed in the
      operating room. There was a significant difference in pulse oximetry measurement
      in digits with (76 percent; 95 percent CI, 64 to 87 percent) and without (98
      percent; 95 percent CI, 97 to 99 percent) ischemic injury (p < 0.001). Injured
      digits ranged in pulse oximetry values from 53 to 92 percent. CONCLUSIONS: Pulse
      oximetry is widely available and offers an objective measure of tissue
      oxygenation. No digit with a pulse oximetry value of at least 95 percent had an
      ischemic injury, and all digits with a pulse oximetry value of 84 percent or
      lower required operative vascular treatment. Based on these data, pulse oximetry
      should be adopted as a routine measure for the evaluation and communication of a
      potentially dysvascular digit.

PMID- 26267400
TI  - Comparison of Outcomes following Autologous Breast Reconstruction Using the DIEP
      and Pedicled TRAM Flaps: A 12-Year Clinical Retrospective Study and Literature
      Review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There are few studies that compare the deep inferior epigastric
      artery perforator (DIEP) flap to the pedicled transverse rectus abdominis
      myocutaneous (pTRAM) flap for use in reconstructive breast surgery. The authors
      examined four factors that aid in decision-making: donor-site morbidity, need for
      surgery related to abdominal morbidity, operative time, and complications.
      METHODS: This is a retrospective review of patients undergoing breast
      reconstruction using the DIEP or pTRAM flap at the University of British Columbia
      between 2002 and 2013. The authors compared operative time and abdomen- and flap
      related complications in both groups. RESULTS: Reconstruction was performed in
      507 patients; 25.6 percent received DIEP flaps (n = 183 breasts) and 74.4 percent
      underwent pTRAM flap surgery (n = 444 breasts). Pedicled TRAM flap patients were
      more likely to require abdominal closure with mesh (44.2 percent versus 8.1
      percent; p < 0.001); 21.2 percent of them had a postoperative bulge and/or hernia
      versus 3.1 percent of DIEP flap patients; and 12.7 percent of pTRAM flap patients
      required surgery for hernia/bulge. Controlling for confounders, there were five
      times the odds of a hernia/bulge in the pTRAM flap group. DIEP flap surgery was
      234 minutes longer than pTRAM flap surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The benefits of the
      pTRAM flap may be offset by the need to correct abdominal wall complications.
      DIEP flap reconstruction had lower donor complications but increased operative
      time. A cost analysis is needed to determine the most economical procedure.
      CLINCIAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, III.

PMID- 26267401
TI  - Risk of Thromboembolus after Application of Different Tissue Glues during
      Microvascular Anastomosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tissue glues are a useful tool for hemostasis and a potential tool
      for microvascular anastomosis. The hemostatic power and thrombotic risk of these
      surgical aids have been the subject of debate, but studies regarding
      thromboembolic risks of tissue glues are lacking. METHODS: The authors compared
      the thromboembolic risk of three different tissue glues (six interrupted sutures
      complemented with fibrin, FloSeal, or TachoSil) against a control group (12
      interrupted sutures) in the aorta-filter model in the rat. Each group consisted
      of 10 rats, examined 4 hours and 14 days postoperatively (total n = 80) using a
      structured protocol to assess the patency and condition of the filter, amount of
      thromboembolic material, and histologic appearance of the vessel wall. RESULTS:
      In total, 160 anastomoses were performed in 80 rats. The overall patency rate for
      the groups was 90 percent (control), 35 percent (fibrin glue), 25 percent
      (FloSeal), and 10 percent (TachoSil). All experimental groups had significantly
      faster mean anastomotic times and less blood loss compared with the control
      group. Patency rates were reduced and thromboembolic material was significantly
      increased in all experimental groups. Histologically, the use of tissue glue
      reduced the incidence of irritation of the internal elastic lamina and was
      associated with an increased incidence of fibrocyte infiltration of the media,
      hypercellularity of the adventitia, and adventitial neovascularization and
      lymphangiogenesis. CONCLUSION: The application of tissue glues in microvascular
      anastomosis reduces the time needed for anastomosis but was associated with a
      statistically significant increase in thromboembolism.

PMID- 26267402
TI  - Nutrient acquisition across a dietary shift: fruit feeding butterflies crave
      amino acids, nectivores seek salt.
AB  - Evolutionary dietary shifts have major ecological consequences. One likely
      consequence is a change in nutrient limitation-some nutrients become more
      abundant in the diet, others become more scarce. Individuals' behavior should
      change accordingly to match this new limitation regime: they should seek out
      nutrients that are deficient in the new diet. We investigated the relationship
      between diet and responses to nutrients using adult Costa Rican butterflies with
      contrasting feeding habits, testing the hypothesis that animals will respond more
      positively to nutrients that are scarcer in their diets. Via literature searches
      and our own data, we showed that nitrogen and sodium are both at lower
      concentration in nectar than in fruit. We therefore assessed butterflies'
      acceptance of sodium and four nitrogenous compounds that ranged in complexity
      from inorganic nitrogen (ammonium chloride) to protein (albumin). We captured
      wild butterflies, offered them aqueous solutions of each substance, and recorded
      whether they accepted (drank) or rejected each substance. Support for our
      hypothesis was mixed. Across the sexes, frugivores were four times more likely to
      accept amino acids (hydrolyzed casein) than nectivores, in opposition to
      expectation. In males, nectivores accepted sodium almost three times more
      frequently than frugivores, supporting expectations. Together, these results
      suggest that in butterflies, becoming frugivorous is associated with an increased
      receptivity to amino acids and decreased receptivity to sodium. Nectivory and
      frugivory are widespread feeding strategies in organisms as diverse as insects,
      birds, and bats; our results suggest that these feeding strategies may put
      different pressures on how animals fulfill their nutritional requirements. 

PMID- 26267403
TI  - Environmental tolerances of rare and common mangroves along light and salinity
      gradients.
AB  - Although mangroves possess a variety of morphological and physiological
      adaptations for life in a stressful habitat, interspecific differences in
      survival and growth under different environmental conditions can shape their
      local and geographic distributions. Soil salinity and light are known to affect
      mangrove performance, often in an interactive fashion. It has also been
      hypothesized that mangroves are intrinsically shade intolerant due to the high
      physiological cost of coping with saline flooded soils. To evaluate the
      relationship between stress tolerance and species distributions, we compared
      responses of seedlings of three widespread mangrove species and one narrow
      endemic mangrove species in a factorial array of light levels and soil salinities
      in an outdoor laboratory experiment. The more narrowly distributed species was
      expected to exhibit a lower tolerance of potentially stressful conditions. Two of
      the widespread species, Avicennia germinans and Lumnitzera racemosa, survived and
      grew well at low-medium salinity, regardless of light level, but performed poorly
      at high salinity, particularly under high light. The third widespread species,
      Rhizophora mangle, responded less to variation in light and salinity. However, at
      high salinity, its relative growth rate was low at every light level and none of
      these plants flushed leaves. As predicted, the rare species, Pelliciera
      rhizophorae, was the most sensitive to environmental stressors, suffering
      especially high mortality and reduced growth and quantum yield under the combined
      conditions of high light and medium-high salinity. That it only thrives under
      shaded conditions represents an important exception to the prevailing belief that
      halophytes are intrinsically constrained to be shade intolerant. 

PMID- 26267405
TI  - GEANT4 for breast dosimetry: parameters optimization study.
AB  - Mean glandular dose (MGD) is the main dosimetric quantity in mammography. MGD
      evaluation is obtained by multiplying the entrance skin air kerma (ESAK) by
      normalized glandular dose (DgN) coefficients. While ESAK is an empirical
      quantity, DgN coefficients can only be estimated with Monte Carlo (MC) methods.
      Thus, a MC parameters benchmark is needed for effectively evaluating DgN
      coefficients. GEANT4 is a MC toolkit suitable for medical purposes that offers to
      the users several computational choices. In this work we investigate the GEANT4
      performances testing the main PhysicsLists for medical applications. Four
      electromagnetic PhysicsLists were implemented: the linear attenuation
      coefficients were calculated for breast glandularity 0%, 50%, 100% in the
      energetic range 8-50 keV and DgN coefficients were evaluated. The results were
      compared with published data. Fit equations for the estimation of the G-factor
      parameter, introduced by the literature for converting the dose delivered in the
      heterogeneous medium to that in the glandular tissue, are proposed and the
      application of this parameter interaction-by-interaction or retrospectively is
      discussed. G4EmLivermorePhysicsList shows the best agreement for the linear
      attenuation coefficients both with theoretical values and published data.
      Moreover, excellent correlation factor (r2>0.99) is found for the DgN
      coefficients with the literature. The final goal of this study is to identify,
      for the first time, a benchmark of parameters that could be useful for future
      breast dosimetry studies with GEANT4.

PMID- 26267404
TI  - Roots rather than shoot residues drive soil arthropod communities of arable
      fields.
AB  - Soil food webs are driven by plant-derived carbon (C) entering the soil
      belowground as rhizodeposits or aboveground via leaf litter, with recent research
      pointing to a higher importance of the former for driving forest soil food webs.
      Using natural abundance stable isotopes of wheat (C3 plant) and maize (C4 plant),
      we followed and quantified the incorporation of shoot residue- and root-derived
      maize C into the soil animal food web of an arable field for 1 year, thereby
      disentangling the importance of shoot residue- versus root-derived resources for
      arable soil food webs. On average, shoot residue-derived resources only
      contributed less than 12% to soil arthropod body C, while incorporation of root
      derived resources averaged 26% after 2 months of maize crop and increased to 32%
      after 1 year. However, incorporation of root-derived maize C did not consistently
      increase with time: rather, it increased, decreased or remained constant
      depending on species. Further, preference of shoot residue- or root-derived
      resources was also species-specific with about half the species incorporating
      mainly root-derived C, while only a few species preferentially incorporated shoot
      residue-derived C, and about 40% incorporated both shoot residue- as well as root
      derived C. The results highlight the predominant importance of root-derived
      resources for arable soil food webs and suggest that shoot residues only form an
      additional resource of minor importance. Variation in the use of plant-derived C
      between soil arthropod species suggests that the flux of C through soil food webs
      of arable systems can only be disentangled by adopting a species-specific
      approach.

PMID- 26267406
TI  - Candida rugosa Lipase Immobilized onto Acid-Functionalized Multi-walled Carbon
      Nanotubes for Sustainable Production of Methyl Oleate.
AB  - The chemical production of methyl oleate using chemically synthesized fatty acid
      alcohols and other toxic chemicals may lead to significant environmental hazards
      to mankind. Being a highly valuable fatty acid replacement raw material in
      oleochemical industry, the mass production of methyl oleate via environmentally
      favorable processes is of concern. In this context, an alternative technique
      utilizing Candida rugosa lipase (CRL) physically adsorbed on multi-walled carbon
      nanotubes (MWCNTs) has been suggested. In this study, the acid-functionalized
      MWCNTs prepared using a mixture of HNO3 and H2SO4 (1:3 v/v) was used as support
      for immobilizing CRL onto MWCNTs (CRL-MWCNTs) as biocatalysts. Enzymatic
      esterification was performed and the efficiency of CRL-MWCNTs was evaluated
      against the free CRL under varying conditions, viz. temperature, molar ratio of
      acid/alcohol, solvent log P, and enzyme loading. The CRL-MWCNTs resulted in 30
      110 % improvement in the production of methyl oleate over the free CRL. The CRL
      MWCNTs attained its highest yield (84.17 %) at 50  degrees C, molar ratio of
      acid/alcohol of 1:3, 3 mg/mL of enzyme loading, and iso-octane (log P 4.5) as
      solvent. Consequently, physical adsorption of CRL onto acid-functionalized MWCNTs
      has improved the activity and stability of CRL and hence provides an
      environmentally friendly means for the production of methyl oleate.

PMID- 26267407
TI  - Oxytocin enables novelty seeking and creative performance through upregulated
      approach: evidence and avenues for future research.
AB  - Oxytocin is an evolutionary ancient hypothalamic neuropeptide well known for its
      role in reproduction, social bonding, and group affiliation. Recent work has
      linked oxytocin in humans to creative cognition--the ability to produce insights,
      ideas, and problem solutions that are original and potentially useful. Here we
      review this literature, focusing on the relationship between (1) single
      nucleotide polymorphisms in the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene; endogenous
      oxytocin from blood plasma, and intranasal administration of oxytocin (vs
      placebo), and (2) creativity-related traits (e.g., novelty seeking, extraversion,
      and openness to experience), and behaviors (e.g., exploration, divergent
      thinking, original ideation, and problem solving). Findings are interpreted in
      the context of the dual pathway to creativity model and except for OXTR: (1)
      reveal a weak to moderate but consistent association between oxytocin and
      creativity, which emerges because (2) oxytocin enables the cognitive flexibility
      pathway more than persistent information processing. Findings can be best
      understood in terms of oxytocin's putative effects on dopaminergic activity and
      concomitant approach tendency.

PMID- 26267408
TI  - A diffusive ink transport model for lipid dip-pen nanolithography.
AB  - Despite diverse applications, phospholipid membrane stacks generated by dip-pen
      nanolithography (DPN) still lack a thorough and systematic characterization that
      elucidates the whole ink transport process from writing to surface spreading,
      with the aim of better controlling the resulting feature size and resolution. We
      report a quantitative analysis and modeling of the dependence of lipid DPN
      features (area, height and volume) on dwell time and relative humidity. The ink
      flow rate increases with humidity in agreement with meniscus size growth,
      determining the overall feature size. The observed time dependence indicates the
      existence of a balance between surface spreading and the ink flow rate that
      promotes differences in concentration at the meniscus/substrate interface.
      Feature shape is controlled by the substrate surface energy. The results are
      analyzed within a modified model for the ink transport of diffusive inks. At any
      humidity the dependence of the area spread on the dwell time shows two diffusion
      regimes: at short dwell times growth is controlled by meniscus diffusion while at
      long dwell times surface diffusion governs the process. The critical point for
      the switch of regime depends on the humidity. 

PMID- 26267409
TI  - Controlled MoS2 layer etching using CF4 plasma.
AB  - A few-layered molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) thin film grown by plasma enhanced
      chemical vapor deposition was etched using a CF4 inductively coupled plasma, and
      the possibility of controlling the MoS2 layer thickness to a monolayer of MoS2
      over a large area substrate was investigated. In addition, damage and
      contamination of the remaining MoS2 layer surface after etching and a possible
      method for film recovery was also investigated. The results from Raman
      spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy showed that one monolayer of MoS2 was
      etched by exposure to a CF4 plasma for 20 s after an initial incubation time of
      20 s, i.e., the number of MoS2 layers could be controlled by exposure to the CF4
      plasma for a certain processing time. However, XPS data showed that exposure to
      CF4 plasma induced a certain amount of damage and contamination by fluorine of
      the remaining MoS2 surface. After exposure to a H2S plasma for more than 10 min,
      the damage and fluorine contamination of the etched MoS2 surface could be
      effectively removed. 

PMID- 26267410
TI  - Nonintuitive Diabatic Potential Energy Surfaces for Thioanisole.
AB  - Diabatization of potential energy surfaces is a technique that enables convenient
      molecular dynamics simulations of electronically nonadiabatic processes, but
      diabatization itself is nonunique and can be inconvenient; the best methods to
      achieve diabatization are still under study. Here, we present the diabatization
      of two electronic states of thioanisole in the S-CH3 bond stretching and C-C-S-C
      torsion two-dimensional nuclear coordinate space containing a conical
      intersection. We use two systematic methods: the (orbital-dependent) 4-fold way
      and the (orbital-free) Boys localization diabatization method. These very
      different methods yield strikingly similar diabatic potential energy surfaces
      that cross at geometries where the adiabatic surfaces are well separated and do
      not exhibit avoided crossings, and the contours of the diabatic gap and diabatic
      coupling are similar for the two methods. The validity of the diabatization is
      supported by comparing the nonadiabatic couplings calculated from the diabatic
      matrix elements to those calculated by direct differentiation of the adiabatic
      states. 

PMID- 26267411
TI  - Biomimetic synthesis of Tramadol.
AB  - Tramadol has recently been isolated from the roots and bark of Nauclea latifolia.
      A plausible biosynthetic pathway has been proposed and the product-precursor
      relationship has been probed by (13)C position-specific isotope analysis. By
      further exploring this pathway, we demonstrate that a key step of the proposed
      pathway can be achieved using mild conditions that mimic in vivo catalysis. 

PMID- 26267412
TI  - Survival benefit of anti-HER2 therapy after whole-brain radiotherapy in HER2
      positive breast cancer patients with brain metastasis.
AB  - AIM: We aimed to assess the survival benefit of epidermal growth factor receptor
      2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer patients with brain metastasis (BM) after whole
      brain radiotherapy (WBRT) in combination with systemic treatments, especially
      anti-HER2 therapy. METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed the overall
      survival (OS) of 60 HER2-positive breast cancer patients with BM after WBRT in
      combination with systemic treatments. Among them, 42 patients received
      chemotherapy while 18 patients did not receive after WBRT. With regard to anti
      HER2 therapy, after WBRT, 17 patients received anti-HER2 treatment without prior
      adjuvant trastuzumab-based therapy, 7 patients received anti-HER2 treatment with
      prior adjuvant trastuzumab-based therapy, and 36 patients did not receive further
      anti-HER2 treatment. All patients were followed up regularly until January 23,
      2013. RESULTS: The median OS of patients with BM was 12 months. Patients who
      received anti-HER2 therapy and chemotherapy after WBRT had significantly better
      survival compared with patients who did not receive further treatment. Patients
      who received anti-HER2 treatment after WBRT but did not receive adjuvant
      trastuzumab-based therapy for early breast cancer had better OS, followed by
      patients who received anti-HER2 agent both in adjuvant treatment and after WBRT
      and patients who did not receive anti-HER2 treatment. Multivariate analysis
      showed that Karnofsky Performance Status, control of extracranial metastases,
      chemotherapy after WBRT, and anti-HER2 therapy combined with WBRT were all
      independent predictors for OS. CONCLUSION: Both chemotherapy and anti-HER2
      therapy after WBRT could improve OS. Moreover, patients without prior exposure to
      adjuvant anti-HER2 treatment may have survival benefit superior to those of
      patients with prior exposure.

PMID- 26267413
TI  - [The Hypereosinophilic Syndromes in Childhood].
AB  - The hypereosinophilic syndromes are rare disorders in childhood and require
      extensive differential diagnostic considerations. In the last years the earlier
      "idiopathic HES" called syndromes could be differentiated into molecular
      biologically, immunophenotypically and clinically more characterized
      heterogeneous diseases with high therapeutic and prognostic relevance. Nowadays
      the term HES summarizes diseases, which go hand in hand with a local or systemic
      hypereosinophilia (HE) connected with an organ damage. Depending on the cause of
      the HE one differentiates primary/neoplastic HES (HESN) from secondary/reactive
      HES (HESR). The latter develops reactively in connection with allergies,
      parasitosis, medications, neoplasia or a clonal increase of T-lymphocytes among
      others. With HESN the HE results from a clonal increase of eosinophilic
      granulocytes. While for some subgroups of the HESN (among others FIP1L1-PDGFRA
      fusion gene) the administration of a tyrosine kinase inhibitor is a new and
      effective therapy option, glucocorticoids still represent the medication of first
      choice for many not PDGFRA associated variants. Different immunomodulatory drugs
      or cytostatic agents are necessary to allow dose reduction of glucocorticoids.
      The promising therapy with anti-IL-5 antibodies is still not approved in infancy,
      could however become a treatment option in the future. Due to the present lack of
      knowledge about the HES in infancy the establishment of a register should be
      aimed for the treatment of HES in infancy. 

PMID- 26267414
TI  - Effect of silica on porosity, strength, and toughness of pressureless sintered
      calcium phosphate-zirconia bioceramics.
AB  - The preparation of dense, high-strength calcium phosphate-zirconia (CaP-ZrO2)
      composed bioceramics is realized via versatile pressureless sintering by adding
      silica nanoparticles. Two different weight ratios of HAp:ZrO2, 9:1 and 1:1, are
      used with varying silica contents from 5 to 20 wt%. After sintering at 1200 
      degrees C, the phase composition, microstructure, porosity, biaxial bending
      strength, and fracture toughness as well as SBF in vitro bioactivity are
      characterized. We show that the addition of silica altered the crystal phase
      composition, inhibiting the formation of non-favourable cubic ZrO2. Furthermore,
      SiO2 addition leads to an increase of the biaxial bending strength, and the
      fracture toughness of CaP-ZrO2-containing materials. With the addition of 20 wt%
      silica we find the highest characteristic strength (268 MPa) and toughness (2.3  
      +/-   0.1 MPam(0.5)) at  <1% porosity. Both mechanical properties are 2 times
      higher than those of pure hydroxyapatite. At the same time we observe for the
      very same composition similar bioactivity to that of pure hydroxyapatite. 

PMID- 26267415
TI  - Protective effect of vagotomy suggests source organ for Parkinson disease.

PMID- 26267416
TI  - Lower Brain-Derived Neurotropic Factor Levels in Untreated Adolescents With First
      Episode Psychosis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) is known to play a role in the
      pathogenesis of schizophrenia. However, the relationship between early onset
      schizophrenia and BDNF has not been extensively studied. The aim of the study was
      to compare the levels of BDNF between adolescent patients with first-episode
      psychosis (FEP) and the healthy control subjects. METHOD: The study was conducted
      in the Department of Child Psychiatry at Dicle University. A total of 26
      adolescent patients aged between 11 and 17 years who had not received previous
      therapy and whose conditions were diagnosed with psychosis according to the
      Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, and 26 age
      and sex-matched healthy adolescent control subjects were included. Kiddie
      Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia, Present and Lifetime version,
      and the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale were conducted with all participants.
      The clinical global impression was used to evaluate disease severity. The BDNF
      levels were measured in the serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method.
      RESULTS: The mean (SD) age was 14.6 (1.6) years in both FEP group (male/female,
      11/15) and the control group (P > 0.05). The FEP group had significantly lower
      serum BDNF levels (2.0 +/- 1.9 ng/mL) compared with the control group (3.4 +/-
      3.0 ng/mL, P = 0.03). There was no significant relationship between BDNF
      concentration and the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (positive and negative
      scores) scores (r = -0.14, P = 0.74 and r = 0.49, P = 0.22, respectively). There
      was no significant relationship between the duration of untreated psychosis and
      serum BDNF levels (r = -0.22, P = 0.32). CONCLUSIONS: High incidence of
      schizophrenia in patients with FEP suggests a relationship between BDNF levels
      and the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. We suggest that BDNF may be a useful
      neurobiological marker of early onset schizophrenia.

PMID- 26267417
TI  - Exploring Genetic Variability at PI, GSK3, HPA, and Glutamatergic Pathways in
      Lithium Response: Association With IMPA2, INPP1, and GSK3B Genes.
AB  - Lithium is considered the first-line treatment in bipolar disorder, although
      response could range from an excellent response to a complete lack of response.
      Response to lithium is a complex phenotype in which different factors, part of
      them genetics, are involved. In this sense, the aim of this study was to
      investigate the potential association of genetic variability at genes related to
      phosphoinositide, glycogen synthetase kinase-3 (GSK3), hypothalamic-pituitary
      adrenal, and glutamatergic pathways with lithium response. A sample of 131
      bipolar patients (99 type I, 32 type II) were grouped and compared according to
      their level of response: excellent responders (ER), partial responders (PR), and
      nonresponders (NR). Genotype and allele distributions of the rs669838 (IMPA2),
      rs909270 (INNP1), rs11921360 (GSK3B), and rs28522620 (GRIK2) polymorphisms
      significantly differed between ER, PR, and NR. When we compared the ER versus
      PR+NR, the logistic regression showed significant association for rs669838-C
      (IMPA2; P = 0.021), rs909270-G (INPP1; P = 0.009), and rs11921360-A (GSK3B; P =
      0.004) with lithium nonresponse. Haplotype analysis showed significant
      association for the haplotypes rs3791809-rs4853694-rs909270 (INPP1) and rs1732170
      rs11921360-rs334558 (GSK3B) and lithium response. Our study is in line with
      previous studies reporting association between genetic variability at these genes
      and lithium response, pointing to an effect of IMPA2, INPP1, and GSK3B genes to
      lithium response in bipolar disorder patients. Further studies with larger
      samples are warranted to assess the strength of the reported associations.

PMID- 26267418
TI  - Antidepressants in Type II Versus Type I Bipolar Depression: A Randomized
      Discontinuation Trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We sought to test the hypothesis that antidepressants (ADs) may show
      preferential efficacy and safety among patients with type II bipolar disorder
      (BD, BD-II) more than patients with type I BD (BD-I). METHODS: Patients with
      Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, BD-I (n =
      21) and BD-II (n = 49) in acute major depressive episodes were treated with ADs
      plus mood stabilizers to euthymia sustained for 2 months and then randomized
      openly to continue or discontinue ADs for up to 3 years. Outcomes were episode
      recurrences and changes in standardized symptom ratings. RESULTS: In follow-up
      averaging 1.64 years, both subgroups showed improvement in depressive episode
      frequency with AD continuation, but contrary to the hypothesis, more improvement
      was seen in BD-I than in BD-II (for type II, mean [standard deviation] decrease
      in depressive episodes per year, 0.21 [0.26]; for type I, mean (SD) decrease,
      0.35 [0.15]). Subjects with BD-II who continued on ADs had slightly more
      depressive, but fewer manic/hypomanic, episodes than subjects with BD-I. No
      notable differences were seen in either group in time to a recurrence of mood
      episodes or total time-in-remission. CONCLUSIONS: The findings do not confirm the
      hypothesis that long-term AD treatment in patients with BP-II has better outcomes
      than in patients with BD-I, except somewhat lower risk of manic/hypomanic
      episodes.

PMID- 26267419
TI  - Effectiveness and Predictors of Continuation of Paliperidone Palmitate Long
      Acting Injection Treatment: A 12-Month Naturalistic Cohort Study.
AB  - Antipsychotic long-acting injectable (LAI) medication has an important place as a
      treatment option in schizophrenia with evolving evidence to support clinical
      benefit over oral medication. Paliperidone palmitate is recently licensed as an
      LAI. We studied a naturalistic cohort of all identifiable patients who initiated
      paliperidone LAI in a specific United Kingdom region (Sussex) from first
      availability up to January 2013 (n = 179). Favorably, 60% of the cohort continued
      paliperidone LAI beyond 12 months from initiation. Schizophrenia diagnosis was
      significantly associated with 12-month continuation on univariate analysis (65%
      continuation rate at 12 months in this diagnostic subgroup). No baseline
      variables were identified as independently associated with 12-month continuation.
      However, fewer inpatient days after initiation (odds ratio [OR], 1.01; 95%
      confidence interval [CI], 1.003-1.011; P = 0.002), dose adjustment up or down
      (OR, 3.46; 95% CI, 1.26-9.51; P = 0.016), and a higher maintenance dose (OR,
      8.31; 95% CI, 1.84-37.51; P = 0.006) during treatment course were all
      independently associated with continuation on multivariate analysis. Our findings
      support the importance of a collaborative approach with the LAI recipient in
      treatment decision making to enhance treatment effectiveness.

PMID- 26267420
TI  - The Effect of Clozapine on Hematological Indices: A 1-Year Follow-Up Study.
AB  - Clozapine is the antipsychotic of choice for treatment-resistant schizophrenia
      and is linked to a need for mandatory hematological monitoring. Besides
      agranulocytosis, other hematological aberrations have resulted in premature
      termination in some cases. Considering clozapine's role in immunomodulation, we
      proceeded to investigate the impact of clozapine on the following 3 main
      hematological cell lines: red blood cells, platelets, white blood cells (WBCs),
      and its differential counts. Data were extracted from patients initiated on
      clozapine between January 2009 and December 2010 at a single hospital. Patients
      with a preclozapine complete blood count, who were receiving clozapine during the
      1-year follow-up period, were included in the present investigation. Counts of
      red blood cells, platelets, WBC, and its differential including neutrophils,
      lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils were extracted and
      trajectories plotted. One hundred one patients were included in this study and 66
      remained on clozapine at the end of 1 year. There was a synchronized but
      transient increase in WBC, neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils, and
      platelets beginning as early as the first week of clozapine treatment. There were
      no cases of agranulocytosis reported in this sample, and five developed
      neutropenia. A spike in neutrophils immediately preceded the onset of neutropenia
      in three of the five. The cumulative incidence rates were 48.9% for neutrophilia,
      5.9% for eosinophilia, and 3% each for thrombocytosis and thrombocytopenia. Early
      hematological aberrations are visible across a range of cell lines, primarily of
      the myeloid lineage. These disturbances are transient and are probably related to
      clozapine's immunomodulatory properties. We do not suggest discontinuing
      clozapine as a consequence of the observed aberrations.

PMID- 26267421
TI  - Remission Rate and Functional Outcomes During a 6-Month Treatment With Osmotic
      Release Oral-System Methylphenidate in Children With Attention
      Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.
AB  - Many definitions have been used to evaluate remission in patients with attention
      deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in different studies resulting with varied
      remission rates. This open-label, multicenter study investigated the remission
      rate in Chinese children (n = 239; aged 6-16 years) with a diagnosis of ADHD
      (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition), treated
      with osmotic-release oral-system methylphenidate at doses of 18, 36, and 54 mg,
      once daily. Two definitions of remission were used: (1) (primary end point):
      average scores of SNAP-IV (Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham, Fourth Edition) items of 1
      or less (0-3 rating scale for each item) according to the subtype of ADHD
      (inattentive [1-9], hyperactive-impulsive [10-18], and combined type [1-18]), and
      (2) total score of SNAP-IV items 1 to 18 of 18 or less, at week 8. The study
      consisted of screening/baseline, titration/open-label treatment (8 weeks), and
      extended observation (up to 24 weeks) phases. Secondary efficacy assessments were
      Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (clinical efficacy), Behavior Rating
      Inventory of Executive Function Scale (BRIEF; executive function behaviors), and
      Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scale (social function). Validity of remission
      was assessed by comparing the function measures (BRIEF and Weiss's) between
      patients who achieved remission and those who did not. At week 8, 69.3% (151/218)
      of patients achieved remission by definition 1, and 73.2% (161/220) by definition
      2. At weeks 8 and 24, the remission group had significantly lower BRIEF, Weiss's,
      and Clinical Global Impression-Improvement scores (P < 0.001 for all) compared
      with the nonremission group. Overall, treatment with osmotic-release oral-system
      methylphenidate was well tolerated, with increased remission rates in children
      with ADHD.

PMID- 26267422
TI  - A retrospective classification of diagnoses in terms of DSM-5 for patients
      included in randomized controlled trials of Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761((r)).
AB  - When the early trials of Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761((r)) were conducted,
      different terms were used to denote ageing-associated neurocognitive disorders.
      With the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
      Disorders (DSM-5), a taxonomy covering dementia and pre-dementia stages of such
      disorders became available. DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for neurocognitive
      disorders (NCDs) were applied to patients with any type of ageing-associated
      cognitive impairment, including dementia, enrolled in randomized controlled
      clinical trials of EGb 761((r)), taking into account the reported inclusion and
      exclusion criteria and patient characteristics at baseline. For 23 of 31 trials
      (74 %), the inclusion diagnoses could be classified as NCD in accordance with DSM
      5. Thirteen trials enrolled patients with major NCD, four trials enrolled
      patients with mild NCD and six trials enrolled patients with NCD, who could not
      be classified unambiguously as having mild or major NCD. Although various terms
      were formerly used for neurocognitive disorders, the patients enrolled in the
      majority of clinical trials with EGb 761((r)) could be classified retrospectively
      using modern DSM-5 diagnostic criteria. 

PMID- 26267423
TI  - Clinical Effectiveness of Moisturizers in Atopic Dermatitis and Related
      Disorders: A Systematic Review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Moisturizers are widely used for atopic dermatitis (AD) and related
      conditions, but available evidence of their effectiveness has not been reviewed
      in a systematic fashion. OBJECTIVES: Our objective was to investigate the
      effectiveness of emollients, as a group and individually, in the treatment of AD
      and related conditions, by means of a systematic review. DATA SOURCES: Studies
      indexed in MEDLINE and/or Embase before 16 January 2015. STUDY ELIGIBILITY
      CRITERIA: Controlled clinical studies comparing the clinical effect of a
      moisturizer against its vehicle, another moisturizer, or no treatment were
      eligible. For the outcomes transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and stratum corneum
      hydration, uncontrolled before-after designs were also eligible. PARTICIPANTS:
      Participants were patients with AD, irritant hand dermatitis, and/or ichthyosis
      vulgaris. RESULTS: Out of the 595 publications initially identified, 45 (48
      studies, 3262 patients) were eligible for inclusion. A vast majority of studies
      indicate that moisturizers have beneficial effects on clinical symptoms [SCORAD
      (SCORing Atopic Dermatitis) reductions ranging from 0 to 2.7 points], TEWL (range
      0 to -12.2 g/m(2)h) and stratum corneum hydration (range +8 to +100%). Direct
      comparisons between individual moisturizers are still scarce, but the clinical
      effect appears to be much more well-documented for urea and glycerin than, for
      example, propylene glycol, lactate, ceramide, and aluminum chlorohydrate.
      Compared with urea studies, glycerin studies were more often associated with a
      high risk of bias. LIMITATIONS: Due to differences in study designs and outcome
      measures, a quantitative meta-analytic approach was not deemed feasible, and
      formal indicators of publication bias such as funnel plots could not be used.
      However, a large number of moderately sized studies with positive outcomes could
      be compatible with selective publishing of favourable results. CONCLUSIONS: The
      clinical effect of moisturizers is well-documented. Urea-based preparations may
      be preferable as a first-line treatment, but there is an unmet need for well
      powered comparisons between individual moisturizers.

PMID- 26267424
TI  - Quality of Life and Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Long-Term Treated Dermatitis
      Herpetiformis Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study in Finland.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) is a cutaneous manifestation of celiac
      disease. Both conditions are treated with a restrictive life-long gluten-free
      diet (GFD). Treated celiac disease patients have been shown to have more severe
      gastrointestinal symptoms and inferior quality of life compared with healthy
      controls, but evidence regarding quality of life in DH is lacking. OBJECTIVE: The
      aim was to evaluate whether long-term GFD-treated DH patients suffer from
      persistent gastrointestinal symptoms and if they experience a drawdown in quality
      of life. METHODS: Gastrointestinal symptoms and quality of life were assessed in
      78 long-term GFD-treated DH patients using the validated Gastrointestinal Symptom
      Rating Scale, Psychological General Well-Being and Short Form 36 Health Survey
      questionnaires. The findings were compared with 110 healthy controls, population
      based reference values and 371 treated celiac disease controls. RESULTS: The
      median age of the DH patients at the time of the study was 57 years, and 51 %
      were male. Significant differences in gastrointestinal symptoms or quality of
      life were not detected when treated DH patients were compared with healthy
      controls, but treated DH patients had less severe gastrointestinal symptoms and
      increased quality of life compared with celiac disease controls. Female DH
      patients had more severe gastrointestinal symptoms and reduced vitality compared
      with male DH patients. The presence of skin symptoms and the adherence to or
      duration of GFD did not have any influence on gastrointestinal symptoms or
      quality of life. CONCLUSION: We conclude that long-term GFD-treated DH patients
      do not suffer from the burden of dietary treatment and have a quality of life
      comparable to that of controls.

PMID- 26267425
TI  - Influence of increasing construct constraint in the presence of posterolateral
      deficiency at knee replacement: A biomechanical study.
AB  - When faced with posterolateral corner (PLC) deficiency, surgeons must choose a
      total knee replacement (TKR) construct that provides the appropriate level of
      constraint. This should match the internal constraint of the device to the soft
      tissue host laxity pattern. Little guidance is available peroperatively, with
      factors influencing final component choice remaining ill defined. This study
      aimed to quantify the effect of PLC insufficiency on the "envelope of laxity"
      (EoL) after TKR and the effect of increasingly component constraint upon knee
      behavior through a functional arc of flexion. Using computer navigation, mixed
      effect modeling and loaded cadaveric legs--laxity was quantified under separate
      states: the native knee, after implantation of a posterior stabilized (PS)-TKR,
      after sectioning the lateral (fibular) collateral ligament and popliteus tendon
      (PS-TKR-PLC), and after re-implantation with a semi-constrained "total
      stabilized" knee replacement (TS-TKR). Laxity was quantified from 0 to 110
      degrees  of flexion for anterior draw, varus-valgus, and internal-external
      rotation. Implantation of the PS-TKR was consistently associated with increased
      constraint when compared to the native knee. PLC sectioning led to significantly
      increased laxity during varus stress from mid to deep flexion. Revision to a TS
      TKR construct restored constraint mimicking that of the primary state but only
      for the arc of motion 0-90 degrees . In a posterolateral deficient state, a fixed
      bearing semi-constrained TS-TKR restored the knee to near normal kinematics but
      this was only achieved from an arc of motion 0-90 degrees  of flexion. At higher
      flexion angles, there remained an unfavorable laxity pattern with varus stress
      opening.

PMID- 26267426
TI  - The equal effectiveness of different defensive strategies.
AB  - Plants have evolved a variety of defensive strategies to resist herbivory, but at
      the interspecific level, the relative effectiveness of these strategies has been
      poorly evaluated. In this study, we compared the level of herbivory between
      species that depend on ants as indirect defenders and species that rely primarily
      on their own direct defenses. Using a dataset of 871 species and 1,405 data
      points, we found that in general, ant-associated species had levels of herbivory
      equal to those of species that are unattractive to ants; the pattern was
      unaffected by plant life form, climate and phylogenetic relationships between
      species. Interestingly, species that offer both food and nesting spaces for ants
      suffered significantly lower herbivory compared to species that offer either food
      or nesting spaces only or no reward for ants. A negative relationship between
      herbivory and latitude was detected, but the pattern can be changed by ants.
      These findings suggest that, at the interspecific level, the effectiveness of
      different defensive strategies may be equal. Considering the effects of herbivory
      on plant performance and fitness, the equal effectiveness of different defensive
      strategies may play an important role in the coexistence of various species at
      the community scale. 

PMID- 26267427
TI  - Improving access and timeliness of care for veterans with head and neck squamous
      cell carcinoma: A multidisciplinary team's approach.
AB  - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: With the prevalence of head and neck squamous cell
      carcinoma (HNSCC) nearly twice as high in veterans (6%) than general populations
      (3%), the noted problems of long waits and access to care in United States
      Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals across the country are pressing. We examined
      primary outcome measures of timeliness and access to care for our patients with
      HNSCC assessing a multidisciplinary team approach at our VA hospital. STUDY
      DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. METHODS: Our patients newly diagnosed with
      HNSCC were identified from two 24-month periods: diagnosis before (group 1, 2005
      2006) and after (group 2, 2008-2009) implementing our multidisciplinary team in
      2007. No significant differences in age (P = .13) or disease stage (P = .18)
      occurred between groups. Primary and secondary outcomes (i.e., treatment
      modality, imaging, completion of treatment, survival) were compared. RESULTS:
      Timeliness to care improved for all measures. Improvement was significant for
      times from consult placed to seen in clinic (27.5-16.5 days; P < 0.0001) and from
      positive biopsy reported to date of initiating definitive treatment (35-27 days;
      P = 0.04). Pretreatment consults to various services represented by the
      multidisciplinary team increased from one to four (P < 0.0001). Two-year
      mortality was approximately the same between group 1 (33%) and group 2 (36%) (P =
      0.035). Five-year mortality was slightly better in group 2 (50%) versus group 1
      (61%), although not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Our veteran population
      with HNSCC had improved timeliness and access to care with our multidisciplinary
      approach. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4. Laryngoscope, 126:627-631, 2016.

PMID- 26267428
TI  - Methane oxidation in a biofilter (Part 2): A lab-scale experiment for model
      calibration.
AB  - In this study an experimental study on a biological methane oxidation column
      presented with the aim to calibrate a mathematical model developed in an earlier
      study. The column was designed to reproduce at lab-scale a real biofilter trying
      to consider the more probable landfill boundary conditions. Although the methane
      oxidation efficiency in the column was lower than the expected (around 35%), an
      appropriate model implementation showed an acceptable agreement between the
      outcomes data of the model simulation and the experimental data (with Theil's
      Inequality Coefficient value of 0.08). A calibrated model allows a better
      management of the biofilter performance in terms of methane oxidation.

PMID- 26267429
TI  - Litter quality indirectly influences community composition, reproductive mode and
      trophic structure of oribatid mite communities: a microcosm experiment.
AB  - Our knowledge of the assembly processes of species-rich oribatid mite communities
      is fairly limited. Also, very little information is available on the effects of
      habitat factors on these processes. In this paper, the role of litter quality in
      pattern formation was investigated in a microcosm experiment using the "home
      field advantage" approach. Native (home) and foreign (away) types of
      microarthropod assemblages were extracted from three types of litter samples
      (Turkey oak, Scots pine and black locust tree), and transferred alive into 'home'
      and 'away' samples, which have been defaunated and reinoculated with
      microorganisms to form microcosms. Microarthropods were extracted from the
      microcosms after incubation for 3-12 months. In addition to species
      identification and abundance records, some chemical properties of the litter were
      measured. We hypothesized that oribatid mite communities deteriorate, the
      proportion of parthenogenetic individuals decreases and the proportion of
      omnivorous individuals increases in 'away' microcosms in contrast to 'home'
      systems. Pine and oak litter were favourable for all the three types of oribatid
      communities since their community traits in these types of litter were found to
      be similar to 'home' litter. Black locust litter was favourable only for its
      native oribatid community in the long run. The proportion of parthenogenetic
      individuals partly supported our hypothesis, mainly in black locust litter. The
      relative abundance of omnivorous individuals did not differ significantly between
      treatments. Litter quality is likely to influence oribatid mite assemblages only
      indirectly.

PMID- 26267430
TI  - Influenza vaccine effectiveness in the tropics: moderate protection in a case
      test-negative analysis of a hospital-based surveillance population in Bangkok
      between August 2009 and January 2013.
AB  - Influenza in the tropics occurs year round with peaks that correspond variably to
      temperate regions. However, data on influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) in the
      tropics is sparse. We report on the effectiveness of influenza vaccine to prevent
      medically attended laboratory confirmed influenza from sentinel surveillance
      conducted at a Thai military medical facility in Bangkok, Thailand from August
      2009 to January 2013. Patients >=6 months old presenting with influenza-like
      illness underwent combined nasal/throat swabs which were tested by influenza RT
      PCR. A case test-negative study design was used to evaluate VE. Of 2999 samples
      available for analysis,1059 (35.3%) were PCR-positive (cases) and 1940 (64.6%)
      were PCR-negative (test-negative controls). Five hundred and seven (16.9%) of
      these patients reported being vaccinated within the previous 12 months. Periods
      of high and low influenza activity were defined based on publicly available Thai
      Ministry of Public Health data. Overall VE adjusted for age and epiweek was found
      to be 50.1% (95%CI: 35.0, 61.9%). The May to April adjusted VE for year 2010,
      2011 and 2012 was 57.7% (95%CI: 33.7, 73.8%), 57.1% (95% CI: 35.2, 68.3%) and
      37.6% (95% CI: 3.5, 62.9%).During high influenza activity in years with the same
      vaccine formulation, the adjusted VE was 54.9% (95%CI: 38.9, 66.9%). VE appeared
      to be much higher during high versus low influenza activity periods. The adjusted
      point estimate for VE was highest in the 18-49 year age group (76.6%) followed by
      6-23 months (58.1%) and 2-17 years (52.5%). Adjusted estimates were not done for
      those >=50 years of age due to small numbers. VE in patients with underlying
      disease was 75.5% compared to 48.0% in those without. Our findings demonstrate
      moderate protection by influenza vaccination and support the utility of influenza
      vaccination in the tropics including in very young children and those with
      underlying disease. 

PMID- 26267431
TI  - Methotrexate ultraviolet reactivation reaction in the setting of voriconazole
      induced phototoxicity.

PMID- 26267433
TI  - Connecting evolution, medicine, and public health.

PMID- 26267432
TI  - Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 promotes epithelial cell transformation and breast
      tumourigenesis via induction of PIN1 gene expression.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) is an aminopeptidase that
      is widely expressed in different cell types. Recent studies suggested that DPP4
      plays an important role in tumour progression in several human malignancies. Here
      we have examined the mechanisms by which up-regulation of DPP4 expression causes
      epithelial transformation and mammary tumourigenesis. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH:
      Expression of DPP4 and the peptidylprolyl cis/trans isomerase, NIMA-interacting 1
      (PIN1), and the cytotoxic effects of combined treatment with sitagliptin and
      juglone were investigated by immunohistochemistry, immunoblotting, real-time PCR,
      TUNEL and soft agar assays, using MCF7 cells. The effects of sitagliptin on
      tumour development in vivo were studied in the syngeneic 4T1 metastatic breast
      cancer model. KEY RESULTS: Activity of the transcription factor E2F1 induced by
      EGF was enhanced by DPP4, thus increasing PIN1 expression. Furthermore, DPP4
      enhanced MEK/ERK and JNK/c-Jun signalling induced by EGF, inducing AP-1 activity
      and epithelial cell transformation. In contrast, DPP4 silencing or DPP4
      inhibition in MCF7 cells inhibited PIN1 expression via E2F1 activity induced by
      EGF, decreasing colony formation and inducing DNA fragmentation. In the syngeneic
      4T1 metastatic breast cancer model, DPP4 overexpression increased tumour
      development, whereas treatment with sitagliptin and/or juglone suppressed it.
      Consistent with these observations, DPP4 levels were positively correlated with
      PIN1 expression in human breast cancer. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: DPP4
      promoted EGF-induced epithelial cell transformation and mammary tumourigenesis
      via induction of PIN1 expression, suggesting that sitagliptin targeting of DPP4
      could be a treatment strategy in patients with breast cancer.

PMID- 26267434
TI  - How are we made?: Even well-controlled experiments show the complexity of our
      traits.

PMID- 26267436
TI  - Rethinking the dispersal of Homo sapiens out of Africa.
AB  - Current fossil, genetic, and archeological data indicate that Homo sapiens
      originated in Africa in the late Middle Pleistocene. By the end of the Late
      Pleistocene, our species was distributed across every continent except
      Antarctica, setting the foundations for the subsequent demographic and cultural
      changes of the Holocene. The intervening processes remain intensely debated and a
      key theme in hominin evolutionary studies. We review archeological, fossil,
      environmental, and genetic data to evaluate the current state of knowledge on the
      dispersal of Homo sapiens out of Africa. The emerging picture of the dispersal
      process suggests dynamic behavioral variability, complex interactions between
      populations, and an intricate genetic and cultural legacy. This evolutionary and
      historical complexity challenges simple narratives and suggests that hybrid
      models and the testing of explicit hypotheses are required to understand the
      expansion of Homo sapiens into Eurasia. 

PMID- 26267438
TI  - Crystal Structure Analysis of La2Ni6CoD(x) During Deuterium Absorption Process.
AB  - The crystal structures of La2Ni6CoD(x) (x = 5.2 and 9.6) were determined by in
      situ neutron diffraction along the P-C isotherm. La2Ni6CoD(5.2) (phase I) was
      found to be orthorhombic with lattice parameters a = 0.500670(2) nm, b =
      0.867211(4) nm, and c = 2.99569(7) nm. The 10 deuterium sites were located in the
      MgZn2-type and CaCu5-type cells, with deuterium contents of 0.95 D/M and 0.39
      D/M, respectively. The full deuteride La2Ni6CoD(9.6) (phase II) was monoclinic
      with lattice parameters a = 0.516407(3) nm, b = 0.894496(6) nm, c = 3.11206(1)
      nm, and beta = 90.15(1) degrees . The phase II had 11 sites for deuterium
      occupation. The deuterium contents of the MgZn2-type and the CaCu5-type cell were
      1.63 D/M and 0.78 D/M, respectively. The sequence of phase transformation of
      La2Ni6Co was hexagonal, followed by orthorhombic (phase I), and then monoclinic
      (phase II), for the first absorption process. The phase transformation resulted
      in lowered symmetry and the variation of deuterium atom occupation.

PMID- 26267435
TI  - Led by the nose: Olfaction in primate feeding ecology.
AB  - Olfaction, the sense of smell, was a latecomer to the systematic investigation of
      primate sensory ecology after long years in which it was considered to be of
      minor importance. This view shifted with the growing understanding of its role in
      social behavior and the accumulation of physiological studies demonstrating that
      the olfactory abilities of some primates are on a par with those of olfactory
      dependent mammals such as dogs and rodents. Recent years have seen a
      proliferation of physiological, behavioral, anatomical, and genetic
      investigations of primate olfaction. These investigations have begun to shed
      light on the importance of olfaction in the process of food acquisition. However,
      integration of these works has been limited. It is therefore still difficult to
      pinpoint large-scale evolutionary scenarios, namely the functions that the sense
      of smell fulfills in primates' feeding ecology and the ecological niches that
      favor heavier reliance on olfaction. Here, we review available behavioral and
      physiological studies of primates in the field or captivity and try to elucidate
      how and when the sense of smell can help them acquire food. 

PMID- 26267439
TI  - Developmental Trajectories of Social Skills during Early Childhood and Links to
      Parenting Practices in a Japanese Sample.
AB  - This study used data from a nationwide survey in Japan to model the developmental
      course of social skills during early childhood. The goals of this study were to
      identify longitudinal profiles of social skills between 2 and 5 years of age
      using a group-based trajectory approach, and to investigate whether and to what
      extent parenting practices at 2 years of age predicted developmental trajectories
      of social skills during the preschool period. A relatively large sample of boys
      and girls (N > 1,000) was assessed on three social skill dimensions (Cooperation,
      Self-control, and Assertion) at four time points (ages 2, 3, 4, and 5), and on
      four parenting practices (cognitive and emotional involvement, avoidance of
      restriction and punishment, social stimulation, and social support for parenting)
      at age 2. The results indicated that for each social skill dimension, group-based
      trajectory models identified three distinct trajectories: low, moderate, and
      high. Multinomial regression analysis revealed that parenting practice variables
      showed differential contributions to development of child social skills.
      Specifically, Cooperation and Assertion were promoted by cognitive and emotional
      involvement, Self-control by social stimulation, and Assertion by avoidance of
      restriction and punishment. Abundant social support for parenting was not
      associated with higher child social skills trajectories. We found heterogeneity
      in developmental profiles of social skills during the preschool ages, and we
      identified parenting practices that contributed to different patterns of social
      skills development. We discussed the implications of higher-quality parenting
      practices on the improvement of child social skills across early childhood.

PMID- 26267440
TI  - Lung Cancer Resection at Hospitals With High vs Low Mortality Rates.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Wide variations in mortality rates exist across hospitals following
      lung cancer resection; however, the factors underlying these differences remain
      unclear. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate perioperative outcomes in patients who underwent
      lung cancer resection at hospitals with very high and very low mortality rates
      (high-mortality hospitals [HMHs] and low-mortality hospitals [LMHs]) to better
      understand the factors related to differences in mortality rates after lung
      cancer resection. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: In this retrospective cohort
      study, 1279 hospitals that were accredited by the Commission on Cancer were
      ranked on a composite measure of risk-adjusted mortality following major cancer
      resections performed from January 1, 2005, through December 31, 2006. We
      collected data from January 1, 2006, through December 31, 2007, on 645 lung
      resections in 18 LMHs and 25 HMHs. After adjusting for patient characteristics,
      we used hierarchical logistic regression to examine differences in the incidence
      of complications and "failure-to-rescue" rates (defined as death following a
      complication). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Rates of adherence to processes of
      care, incidence of complications, and failure to rescue following complications.
      RESULTS: Among 645 patients who received lung resections (441 in LMHs and 204 in
      HMHs), the overall unadjusted mortality rates were 1.6% (n = 7) vs 10.8% (n = 22;
      P < .001) for LMHs and HMHs, respectively. Following risk adjustment, the
      difference in mortality rates was attenuated (1.8% vs 8.1%; P < .001) but
      remained significant. Overall, complication rates were higher in HMHs (23.3% vs
      15.6%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.79; 95% CI, 0.99-3.21), but this difference
      was not significant. The likelihood of any surgical (aOR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.26
      2.00) or cardiopulmonary (aOR, 1.23; 95% CI, 0.70-2.16) complications was similar
      between LMHs and HMHs. However, failure-to-rescue rates were significantly higher
      in HMHs (25.9% vs 8.7%; aOR, 6.55; 95% CI, 1.44-29.88). CONCLUSIONS AND
      RELEVANCE: Failure-to-rescue rates are higher at HMHs, which may explain the
      large differences between hospitals in mortality rates following lung cancer
      resection. This finding emphasizes the need for better understanding of the
      factors related to complications and their subsequent management.

PMID- 26267441
TI  - Sustaining Our Nation's Seniors through Federal Food and Nutrition Programs.
AB  - Food insecurity is a pressing issue in the United States where one in six people
      suffer from hunger. The older adult population faces unique challenges to
      receiving adequate nutrition. The federal government currently employs four food
      and nutrition programs that target the senior population in an effort to address
      their specific needs. These are the Congregate Meals and Home Delivered Meals
      Programs (provided through the Older Americans Act), and the Senior Farmers'
      Market Nutrition Program and Child and Adult Care Food Program (provided by the
      United States Department of Agriculture). As the older adult population continues
      to grow, it will be important to evaluate and improve these programs and the
      social policies related to them. This manuscript describes each policy in depth,
      considers economic and political elements that have shaped each policy, describes
      the level of program success, and offers suggestions for future research and
      program development. 

PMID- 26267442
TI  - A Descriptive Study of the Fluid Intake, Hydration, and Health Status of
      Rehabilitation Inpatients without Dysphagia Following Stroke.
AB  - Adequate hydration is important for all people, particularly when hospitalized
      with illness. Individuals with dysphagia following stroke are considered to be at
      risk of inadequate fluid intake and, therefore, dehydration, but there is little
      information about the fluid intake or hydration of individuals without dysphagia
      poststroke. This cohort study measured the average beverage intake, calculated
      the urea/creatinine ratio as a measure of hydration, and documented specific
      health outcomes of 86 people without dysphagia poststroke who were inpatients in
      rehabilitation centers. Participants drank on average 1504 ml per day (SD 359
      ml), which typically represented 67% of their estimated daily requirement.
      Approximately 44% of the participants in the sample were dehydrated based on a
      blood urea nitrogen/creatinine ratio >20:1. Sixteen percent of participants were
      diagnosed with one or more of the health outcomes of dehydration/hypernatremia,
      urinary tract infection, or constipation. A greater level of dependence was
      associated with poorer beverage intake and higher risk of an adverse health
      outcome. Those in the older/elderly age range (particularly older women) and
      those with poor mobility were most at risk of poor hydration. This study
      highlights that patients in rehabilitation facilities poststroke, even without
      dysphagia, may be at risk of suboptimal fluid intake and hydration. 

PMID- 26267443
TI  - Dietary Protein and Vitamin D Intake and Risk of Falls: A Secondary Analysis of
      Postmenopausal Women from the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures.
AB  - More than 90% of hip fractures in older Americans result from a fall. Inadequate
      intake of dietary protein and vitamin D are common in older adults, and diets in
      low these could contribute to loss of muscle mass and strength or coordination,
      in turn increasing the risk of falling. The objective of the study was to
      evaluate the relationship between protein and vitamin D intake with the
      occurrence of falls in older women in the Study of Osteoporotic Fracture, a
      prospective cohort of more than 4000 postmenopausal women participating from
      January 1997 to September 1998. Incident falls were ascertained for one year.
      Protein and vitamin D intake was assessed by a food frequency questionnaire;
      associations with a reported fall were estimated with logistic regression,
      adjusted for fall-related covariates and energy. Protein and vitamin D were
      modeled separately because of high correlation (rho = 0.55, P < 0.001). A total
      of 1429 women reported a fall within one year. In separate, unadjusted models
      dietary protein (per 1 g/kg increase) and vitamin D (per 100 International Unit
      (IU) increase) significantly increased the odds ratio (OR) of falling (OR 1.35
      95% CI 1.15-1.59, OR 1.11 95% CI 1.03-1.19, respectively). Once fall-related
      covariates were added to each model, dietary protein and vitamin D were
      noncontributory to falls. While we could find no direct association between
      vitamin D and protein intake and fall prevention, adequate intake of these two
      nutrients are critical for musculoskeletal health in older adults. 

PMID- 26267444
TI  - Food Insecurity and Health Outcomes Among Older Adults: The Role of Cost-Related
      Medication Underuse.
AB  - The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between food security
      and cost-related medication underuse among older adults (persons aged 65 years
      and older) in the United States; and to determine if this relationship differs by
      sex, chronic disease status, and type of health insurance. Data are from a
      combined sample of older adults in the 2011 and 2012 National Health Interview
      Survey (N = 10,401). Both bivariate and multivariate analyses show a dose
      response relationship between food insecurity and cost-related medication
      underuse among the elderly--increasing likelihood of cost-related medication
      underuse with increasing severity of food insecurity (P < 0.001). This
      association is not conditional on sex, chronic disease status, or type of health
      insurance. However, females and those with a chronic condition are more likely to
      report cost-related medication underuse than males and those without a chronic
      condition respectively; and older adults with Medicare and Medicaid or other
      public insurance are less likely to report cost-related medication underuse than
      older adults with only Medicare.

PMID- 26267445
TI  - Distilling a Visual Network of Retinitis Pigmentosa Gene-Protein Interactions to
      Uncover New Disease Candidates.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a highly heterogeneous genetic visual
      disorder with more than 70 known causative genes, some of them shared with other
      non-syndromic retinal dystrophies (e.g. Leber congenital amaurosis, LCA). The
      identification of RP genes has increased steadily during the last decade, and the
      30% of the cases that still remain unassigned will soon decrease after the advent
      of exome/genome sequencing. A considerable amount of genetic and functional data
      on single RD genes and mutations has been gathered, but a comprehensive view of
      the RP genes and their interacting partners is still very fragmentary. This is
      the main gap that needs to be filled in order to understand how mutations relate
      to progressive blinding disorders and devise effective therapies. METHODOLOGY: We
      have built an RP-specific network (RPGeNet) by merging data from different
      sources: high-throughput data from BioGRID and STRING databases, manually curated
      data for interactions retrieved from iHOP, as well as interactions filtered out
      by syntactical parsing from up-to-date abstracts and full-text papers related to
      the RP research field. The paths emerging when known RP genes were used as baits
      over the whole interactome have been analysed, and the minimal number of
      connections among the RP genes and their close neighbors were distilled in order
      to simplify the search space. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to the analysis of single
      isolated genes, finding the networks linking disease genes renders powerful
      etiopathological insights. We here provide an interactive interface, RPGeNet, for
      the molecular biologist to explore the network centered on the non-syndromic and
      syndromic RP and LCA causative genes. By integrating tissue-specific expression
      levels and phenotypic data on top of that network, a more comprehensive
      biological view will highlight key molecular players of retinal degeneration and
      unveil new RP disease candidates.

PMID- 26267446
TI  - Application of a Hybrid Forest Growth Model to Evaluate Climate Change Impacts on
      Productivity, Nutrient Cycling and Mortality in a Montane Forest Ecosystem.
AB  - Climate change introduces considerable uncertainty in forest management planning
      and outcomes, potentially undermining efforts at achieving sustainable practices.
      Here, we describe the development and application of the FORECAST Climate model.
      Constructed using a hybrid simulation approach, the model includes an explicit
      representation of the effect of temperature and moisture availability on tree
      growth and survival, litter decomposition, and nutrient cycling. The model also
      includes a representation of the impact of increasing atmospheric CO2 on water
      use efficiency, but no direct CO2 fertilization effect. FORECAST Climate was
      evaluated for its ability to reproduce the effects of historical climate on
      Douglas-fir and lodgepole pine growth in a montane forest in southern British
      Columbia, Canada, as measured using tree ring analysis. The model was
      subsequently used to project the long-term impacts of alternative future climate
      change scenarios on forest productivity in young and established stands. There
      was a close association between predicted sapwood production and measured tree
      ring chronologies, providing confidence that model is able to predict the
      relative impact of annual climate variability on tree productivity. Simulations
      of future climate change suggest a modest increase in productivity in young
      stands of both species related to an increase in growing season length. In
      contrast, results showed a negative impact on stemwood biomass production
      (particularly in the case of lodgepole pine) for established stands due to
      increased moisture stress mortality.

PMID- 26267448
TI  - Fetal Tissue Fallout.

PMID- 26267447
TI  - Expression of dengue virus NS3 protein in Drosophila alters its susceptibility to
      infection.
AB  - We developed a Drosophila model in which the dengue virus NS3 protein is
      expressed in a tissue specific and inducible manner. Dengue virus NS3 is a
      multifunctional protein playing a major role during viral replication. Both
      protease and helicase domains of NS3 are interacting with human and insect host
      proteins including innate immune components of the host machinery. We
      characterized the NS3 transgenic flies showing that NS3 expression did not affect
      fly development. To further study the links between NS3 and the innate immune
      response, we challenge the flies with gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.
      Interestingly, the Drosophila transgenic flies expressing NS3 were more
      susceptible to bacterial infections than control flies. However ubiquitous or
      immune-specific NS3 expression affected neither the life span nor the response to
      a non-infectious stress of the flies. In conclusion, we generated a new in vivo
      system to study the functional impact of DENV NS3 protein on the innate immune
      response. 

PMID- 26267449
TI  - Caring for Our Transgender Troops--The Negligible Cost of Transition-Related
      Care.

PMID- 26267450
TI  - Civil Rights and Health--Beyond Same-Sex Marriage.

PMID- 26267451
TI  - Planned Parenthood at Risk.

PMID- 26267455
TI  - High-Speed Electrochemical Imaging.
AB  - The design, development, and application of high-speed scanning electrochemical
      probe microscopy is reported. The approach allows the acquisition of a series of
      high-resolution images (typically 1000 pixels MUm(-2)) at rates approaching 4
      seconds per frame, while collecting up to 8000 image pixels per second, about
      1000 times faster than typical imaging speeds used up to now. The focus is on
      scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM), but the principles and
      practicalities are applicable to many electrochemical imaging methods. The
      versatility of the high-speed scan concept is demonstrated at a variety of
      substrates, including imaging the electroactivity of a patterned self-assembled
      monolayer on gold, visualization of chemical reactions occurring at single wall
      carbon nanotubes, and probing nanoscale electrocatalysts for water splitting.
      These studies provide movies of spatial variations of electrochemical fluxes as a
      function of potential and a platform for the further development of high speed
      scanning with other electrochemical imaging techniques. 

PMID- 26267454
TI  - Budgetary impact of treating acute promyelocytic leukemia patients with first
      line arsenic trioxide and retinoic acid from an Italian payer perspective.
AB  - The objective of this study was to estimate the net cost of arsenic trioxide
      (ATO) added to all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) compared to ATRA plus chemotherapy
      when used in first-line acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) treatment for low to
      intermediate risk patients from the perspective of the overall Italian healthcare
      systemA Markov model was developed with 3 health states: stable disease, disease
      event and death. Each month, patients could move from stable to disease event or
      die from either state. After a disease event, patients discontinued initial
      treatment and switched to the other regimen as second-line therapy. Treatment
      regimens, efficacy and adverse events were derived from published sources and
      expert opinion; unit costs were collected from standard Italian sources. Clinical
      outcomes and costs for pre-ATO and post-ATO scenarios were combined with
      population and product utilization information to calculate the total budgetary
      impact using a 3-year time horizon; one-way sensitivity analyses were conducted.
      Three-year cumulative pharmacy costs for ATO+ATRA were ?46,700 per-patient versus
      ?6,500 for ATRA+chemotherapy; however, medical costs for ATO+ATRA were ?12,300
      per-patient versus ?30,200 for ATRA+chemotherapy. The total budgetary impact was
      estimated to be an additional ?127,300, ?312,500 and ?477,800 in the first,
      second and third years, respectively. The model was most sensitive to changes in
      the cost of the ATO+ATRA regimen during the consolidation phase. Budgetary impact
      models are valuable to payers making formulary decisions regarding the access and
      affordability of new medicines. The cost of treatment analysis showed that
      pharmacy costs for ATO+ATRA were higher than for ATRA+chemotherapy, while all
      other evaluated costs were lower for ATO+ATRA treated patients. The average
      budgetary impact was ?305,900 per year overall, representing a 3.5% increase.
      Further research is needed to determine the cost-effectiveness of ATO+ATRA
      compared to the current first-line standard of care in APL. 

PMID- 26267456
TI  - Decomposition of multilayer benzene and n-hexane films on vanadium.
AB  - Reactions of multilayer hydrocarbon films with a polycrystalline V substrate have
      been investigated using temperature-programmed desorption and time-of-flight
      secondary ion mass spectrometry. Most of the benzene molecules were dissociated
      on V, as evidenced by the strong depression in the thermal desorption yields of
      physisorbed species at 150 K. The reaction products dehydrogenated gradually
      after the multilayer film disappeared from the surface. Large amount of oxygen
      was needed to passivate the benzene decomposition on V. These behaviors indicate
      that the subsurface sites of V play a role in multilayer benzene decomposition.
      Decomposition of the n-hexane multilayer films is manifested by the desorption of
      methane at 105 K and gradual hydrogen desorption starting at this temperature,
      indicating that C-C bond scission precedes C-H bond cleavage. The n-hexane
      dissociation temperature is considerably lower than the thermal desorption
      temperature of the physisorbed species (140 K). The n-hexane multilayer
      morphology changes at the decomposition temperature, suggesting that a liquid
      like phase formed after crystallization plays a role in the low-temperature
      decomposition of n-hexane. 

PMID- 26267453
TI  - Determinants of adherence to treatment in hypertensive patients of African
      descent and the role of culturally appropriate education.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In Western countries, better knowledge about patient-related
      determinants of treatment adherence (medication and lifestyle) is needed to
      improve treatment adherence and outcomes among hypertensive ethnic minority
      patients of African descent. OBJECTIVE: To identify patient-related determinants
      of adherence to lifestyle and medication recommendations among hypertensive
      African Surinamese and Ghanaian patients with suboptimal treatment results
      (SBP>=140) living in the Netherlands and how culturally appropriate hypertension
      education (CAHE) influenced those determinants. METHODS: This study analysed data
      of 139 patients who participated in the CAHE trial. Univariate logistic
      regression analysis was used to measure the association between patient-related
      determinants (medication self-efficacy, beliefs about medication and
      hypertension, social support, and satisfaction with care) and treatment
      adherence. We also tested whether CAHE influenced the determinants. RESULTS:
      Medication self-efficacy and social support were associated with medication
      adherence at baseline. At six months, more medication self-efficacy and fewer
      concerns about medication use were associated with improved medication adherence.
      Self-efficacy was also associated with adherence to lifestyle recommendations at
      baseline. CAHE influenced patients' illness perceptions by creating more
      understanding of hypertension, its chronic character, and more concerns about the
      associated risks. CONCLUSION: In this high-risk population, health care providers
      can support medication adherence by paying attention to patients' medication self
      efficacy, the concerns they may have about medication use and patients'
      perceptions on hypertension. The CAHE intervention improved patients' perception
      on hypertension.

PMID- 26267457
TI  - Baseline Hematologic Results for Free-ranging White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium
      simum) in Kruger National Park, South Africa.
AB  - Complete blood counts (n = 115) and red blood cell analytes (n = 80) were
      assessed in free-ranging white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) from Kruger
      National Park (KNP), South Africa. Blood was collected from healthy animals
      immobilized between February and September 2009-11 for management purposes. Our
      objectives were to establish baselines for KNP's white rhinoceros population and
      to compare results based on sex and age group. Significant differences in total
      white blood cells, total eosinophils, and hemoglobin were found between adult and
      subadult rhinoceros. Female rhinoceros had significantly higher total white blood
      cells and lower hemoglobin compared with males. Hematologic analytes were similar
      to those published for other rhinoceros populations, although the impact of
      capture and sampling methods, nutritional status, and habitat should be
      considered when comparing data. This baseline hematology for healthy free-ranging
      white rhinoceros in KNP may be useful in assessing health status for
      translocation and medical interventions, including treatment of poaching cases.

PMID- 26267459
TI  - Rabies Virus Infection in Ferret Badgers (Melogale moschata subaurantiaca) in
      Taiwan: A Retrospective Study.
AB  - Fifteen ferret badgers (Melogale moschata subaurantiaca), collected 2010-13 and
      stored frozen, were submitted for rabies diagnosis by direct fluorescent antibody
      test and reverse transcription PCR. We detected seven positive animal samples,
      including some from 2010, which indicated that the ferret badger population in
      Taiwan had been affected by rabies prior to 2010. 

PMID- 26267460
TI  - Serologic Evidence for Babesia bigemina Infection in Wild Yak (Bos mutus) in
      Qinghai Province, China.
AB  - Piroplasmosis, caused by tick-borne protozoan parasites of the genera Theileria
      and Babesia, is one of the most economically important infections of domestic
      ruminants in China. We evaluated the prevalence of antibodies to Babesia bigemina
      in wild yaks (Bos mutus) from Qinghai Province, China. Of 91 samples, 24% had
      detectable B. bigemina antibodies, and significant differences in prevalence were
      observed between those older than 5 yr and those younger than 5 yr. We collected
      1,679 ticks belonging to two Ixodid genera from the infested wild yaks. The most
      prevalent tick species was Dermacentor nuttalli (48.1%), followed by
      Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis (33.3%) and Dermacentor silvarum (18.6%). These
      results indicated that B. bigemina is most likely endemic in the study area, and
      active surveillance programs for piroplasmosis are needed for monitoring animal
      health status. 

PMID- 26267461
TI  - Direct Detection of Escherichia coli Virulence Genes by Real-Time PCR in Fecal
      Samples from Bats in Brazil.
AB  - Guano samples from 412 Brazilian bats were screened with real-time PCR for the
      virulence genes (eae, est, elt, stx1, stx2, ehxA, invA, bfpA, aggR) representing
      five intestinal pathotypes of Escherichia coli. From 82 pooled samples, 22%
      contained Escherichia coli DNA, and eae, est, bfpA, aggR were detected. 

PMID- 26267462
TI  - Interactions between the Avian Parasite, Philornis downsi (Diptera: Muscidae) and
      the Galapagos Flycatcher, Myiarchus magnirostris Gould (Passeriformes:
      Tyrannidae).
AB  - An incidental observation of the fly Philornis downsi parasitizing a Galapagos
      Flycatcher (Myiarchus magnirostris) nest has revealed new insights into the
      searching behavior and biology of this invasive fly parasite and its interactions
      with endemic landbirds in the Galapagos Islands. Observations suggest that P.
      downsi relies on olfactory cues, or olfactory cues combined with the activity of
      adult birds, to locate nests and that flies continue to visit nests when chicks
      are >3 d old. At least 200 eggs were laid by P. downsi in different parts of the
      nest and >40 early-instar larvae were found inside the head of one chick, with
      additional larvae found in the base of the nest. Parasitism was the likely cause
      of mortality of both chicks found in or near the nest. This description of P.
      downsi parasitizing chicks of M. magnirostris highlights the vulnerability of
      this endemic bird species to this invasive fly.

PMID- 26267463
TI  - A Serosurvey for Brucellosis in Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) in Sardinia, Italy.
AB  - Porcine brucellosis is a zoonotic disease caused by Brucella suis and hosted by
      pigs (Sus scrofa). Both domestic pigs and wild boars are affected. We measured
      the prevalence of antibody to Brucella spp. in wild boars in Sardinia, Italy.
      During 1 November 2009 to 31 January 2010, we collected 570 serum samples from
      legally hunted wild boars and tested them using a commercial competitive enzyme
      linked immunosorbent assay. Sex and age class of the sampled wild boars were also
      recorded. Thirty-five samples were positive for an apparent antibody prevalence
      of 6.1%. Antibody prevalences did not differ between sexes or among age classes. 

PMID- 26267464
TI  - COMPARISON OF MODIFIED FLOTAC AND BAERMANN TECHNIQUES FOR QUANTIFYING LUNGWORM
      LARVAE IN FREE-RANGING BIGHORN SHEEP (OVIS CANADENSIS) FECES, MONTANA, USA.
AB  - Lungworms are important parasites of wildlife and host infection status is often
      evaluated using coprologic techniques, most commonly the Baermann method.
      Recently, the FLOTAC(r) has emerged as a new tool for diagnosing lungworm
      infections, and methodologic comparison studies in domestic species suggest that
      this method outperforms many other established techniques. We compared a modified
      FLOTAC with the beaker-modified (bm)-Baermann to evaluate the relative
      performance of the two techniques for counting lungworm larvae in bighorn sheep
      (Ovis canadensis) feces. Both methods generated equivalent larval counts and both
      were highly repeatable. The major difference between the two methods was that the
      FLOTAC was poorer at detecting mixed infections. The ultimate choice between
      using the FLOTAC and bm-Baermann methods for quantifying lungworm larvae in
      wildlife studies may depend on the specific nature of the research questions
      being addressed, balanced by practical constraints. 

PMID- 26267465
TI  - Sampling of Sea Ducks for Influenza A Viruses in Alaska during Winter Provides
      Lack of Evidence for Epidemiologic Peak of Infection.
AB  - Sampling of sea ducks for influenza A viruses in Alaska during winter provided no
      evidence for an epidemiologic peak of infection. Isolates were recovered,
      however, that provide information on viral diversity and dispersal that may not
      be realized through sampling efforts focused on other avian taxa. 

PMID- 26267468
TI  - Moritz Kaposi: A Notable Name in Dermatology.

PMID- 26267469
TI  - Buzzwords in Dermatology: Opening a Can of Worms.

PMID- 26267470
TI  - Dermatology and the American Experience in Space.

PMID- 26267471
TI  - Error in Author Name Tagging.

PMID- 26267472
TI  - Error in Figure Label and Caption.

PMID- 26267473
TI  - Length-based assessment of coral reef fish populations in the main and
      northwestern Hawaiian islands.
AB  - The coral reef fish community of Hawaii is composed of hundreds of species,
      supports a multimillion dollar fishing and tourism industry, and is of great
      cultural importance to the local population. However, a major stock assessment of
      Hawaiian coral reef fish populations has not yet been conducted. Here we used the
      robust indicator variable "average length in the exploited phase of the
      population ([Formula: see text])", estimated from size composition data from
      commercial fisheries trip reports and fishery-independent diver surveys, to
      evaluate exploitation rates for 19 Hawaiian reef fishes. By and large, the
      average lengths obtained from diver surveys agreed well with those from
      commercial data. We used the estimated exploitation rates coupled with life
      history parameters synthesized from the literature to parameterize a numerical
      population model and generate stock sustainability metrics such as spawning
      potential ratios (SPR). We found good agreement between predicted average lengths
      in an unfished population (from our population model) and those observed from
      diver surveys in the largely unexploited Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Of 19
      exploited reef fish species assessed in the main Hawaiian Islands, 9 had SPRs
      close to or below the 30% overfishing threshold. In general, longer-lived species
      such as surgeonfishes, the redlip parrotfish (Scarus rubroviolaceus), and the
      gray snapper (Aprion virescens) had the lowest SPRs, while short-lived species
      such as goatfishes and jacks, as well as two invasive species (Lutjanus kasmira
      and Cephalopholis argus), had SPRs above the 30% threshold. 

PMID- 26267474
TI  - The Effect of DNA Sequence Directionality on G-Quadruplex Folding.
AB  - Sequence inversion in G-rich DNA from 5'->3' to 3'->5' exerts a substantial
      effect on the number of structures formed, while the type of G-quadruplex fold is
      in fact determined by the presence of K(+) or Na(+) ions. The melting
      temperatures of G-quadruplexes adopted by oligonucleotides with sequences in the
      5'->3' direction are higher than those of their 3'->5' counterparts with both KCl
      and NaCl. CD, UV, and NMR spectroscopy demonstrates the importance of primary
      sequence for the structural diversity of G-quadruplexes. The changes introduced
      by mere sequence reversal of the G-rich DNA segment have a substantial impact on
      the polymorphic nature of the resulting G-quadruplexes and their potential
      physiological roles. The insights resulting from this study should enable
      extension of the empirical rules for the prediction of G-quadruplex topology. 

PMID- 26267475
TI  - Glucocorticoid Receptor-DNA Dissociation Kinetics Measured in Vitro Reveal
      Exchange on the Second Time Scale.
AB  - The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is a member of the steroid receptor family of
      ligand-activated transcription factors. Recent live cell imaging studies have
      revealed that interactions of GR with chromatin are highly dynamic, with average
      receptor residence times of only seconds. These findings were surprising because
      early kinetic studies found that GR-DNA interactions in vitro were much slower,
      having calculated residence times of minutes to hours. However, these latter
      analyses were conducted at a time when it was possible to work with only either
      partially purified holoreceptor or its purified but isolated DNA binding domain.
      Noting these limitations, we reexamined GR-DNA dissociation kinetics using a
      highly purified holoreceptor shown to be amenable to rigorous study. We first
      observe that GR-DNA interactions in vitro are not slow as previously thought but
      converge with in vivo behavior, having residence times of only seconds to tens of
      seconds. This rapid exchange is seen at six individual response elements and the
      multisite MMTV promoter used in live cell imaging. Second, GR dissociation rates
      are identical for all response elements. Thus, previously observed differences in
      receptor affinity toward these sequences are not due to differences in off rate
      but in on rate. Finally, dissociation kinetics are biphasic in character. A
      minimal kinetic model consistent with the data is that in which DNA-bound GR
      interconverts between states on a second time scale, with dissociation occurring
      via a multistep process. We speculate that receptor interconversion in this time
      frame can be recognized by the coregulatory proteins that interact with GR,
      leading to unique transcriptional responses. 

PMID- 26267476
TI  - Progeny Clustering: A Method to Identify Biological Phenotypes.
AB  - Estimating the optimal number of clusters is a major challenge in applying
      cluster analysis to any type of dataset, especially to biomedical datasets, which
      are high-dimensional and complex. Here, we introduce an improved method, Progeny
      Clustering, which is stability-based and exceptionally efficient in computing, to
      find the ideal number of clusters. The algorithm employs a novel Progeny Sampling
      method to reconstruct cluster identity, a co-occurrence probability matrix to
      assess the clustering stability, and a set of reference datasets to overcome
      inherent biases in the algorithm and data space. Our method was shown successful
      and robust when applied to two synthetic datasets (datasets of two-dimensions and
      ten-dimensions containing eight dimensions of pure noise), two standard
      biological datasets (the Iris dataset and Rat CNS dataset) and two biological
      datasets (a cell phenotype dataset and an acute myeloid leukemia (AML) reverse
      phase protein array (RPPA) dataset). Progeny Clustering outperformed some popular
      clustering evaluation methods in the ten-dimensional synthetic dataset as well as
      in the cell phenotype dataset, and it was the only method that successfully
      discovered clinically meaningful patient groupings in the AML RPPA dataset. 

PMID- 26267477
TI  - Item Anomaly Detection Based on Dynamic Partition for Time Series in Recommender
      Systems.
AB  - In recent years, recommender systems have become an effective method to process
      information overload. However, recommendation technology still suffers from many
      problems. One of the problems is shilling attacks-attackers inject spam user
      profiles to disturb the list of recommendation items. There are two
      characteristics of all types of shilling attacks: 1) Item abnormality: The rating
      of target items is always maximum or minimum; and 2) Attack promptness: It takes
      only a very short period time to inject attack profiles. Some papers have
      proposed item anomaly detection methods based on these two characteristics, but
      their detection rate, false alarm rate, and universality need to be further
      improved. To solve these problems, this paper proposes an item anomaly detection
      method based on dynamic partitioning for time series. This method first
      dynamically partitions item-rating time series based on important points. Then,
      we use chi square distribution (chi2) to detect abnormal intervals. The
      experimental results on MovieLens 100K and 1M indicate that this approach has a
      high detection rate and a low false alarm rate and is stable toward different
      attack models and filler sizes.

PMID- 26267478
TI  - Maize Domestication and Anti-Herbivore Defences: Leaf-Specific Dynamics during
      Early Ontogeny of Maize and Its Wild Ancestors.
AB  - As a consequence of artificial selection for specific traits, crop plants
      underwent considerable genotypic and phenotypic changes during the process of
      domestication. These changes may have led to reduced resistance in the cultivated
      plant due to shifts in resource allocation from defensive traits to increased
      growth rates and yield. Modern maize (Zea mays ssp. mays) was domesticated from
      its ancestor Balsas teosinte (Z. mays ssp. parviglumis) approximately 9000 years
      ago. Although maize displays a high genetic overlap with its direct ancestor and
      other annual teosintes, several studies show that maize and its ancestors differ
      in their resistance phenotypes with teosintes being less susceptible to herbivore
      damage. However, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Here we
      addressed the question to what extent maize domestication has affected two
      crucial chemical and one physical defence traits and whether differences in their
      expression may explain the differences in herbivore resistance levels. The
      ontogenetic trajectories of 1,4-benzoxazin-3-ones, maysin and leaf toughness were
      monitored for different leaf types across several maize cultivars and teosinte
      accessions during early vegetative growth stages. We found significant
      quantitative and qualitative differences in 1,4-benzoxazin-3-one accumulation in
      an initial pairwise comparison, but we did not find consistent differences
      between wild and cultivated genotypes during a more thorough examination
      employing several cultivars/accessions. Yet, 1,4-benzoxazin-3-one levels tended
      to decline more rapidly with plant age in the modern maize cultivars. Foliar
      maysin levels and leaf toughness increased with plant age in a leaf-specific
      manner, but were also unaffected by domestication. Based on our findings we
      suggest that defence traits other than the ones that were investigated are
      responsible for the observed differences in herbivore resistance between teosinte
      and maize. Furthermore, our results indicate that single pairwise comparisons may
      lead to false conclusions regarding the effects of domestication on defensive and
      possibly other traits. 

PMID- 26267480
TI  - Survey of microbial contamination and characterization of Escherichia coli in
      kiwifruit orchards in Shaanxi, China, 2013.
AB  - The aim of the study was to survey three foodborne pathogens in kiwifruit
      orchards as a continuous monitoring program. A total of 193 samples were
      collected from 11 kiwifruit orchards in Shaanxi province in October 2013. Among
      the 193 samples, 68 Escherichia coli isolates were recovered, while no
      Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella was recovered. All E. coli isolates were
      characterized by antimicrobial susceptibility testing, detection of virulence
      genes, and the ability to produce biofilm formation. The isolates were further
      examined by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. E. coli isolates
      displayed resistance most frequently to tetracycline (48.5%). Two E. coli
      isolates (2.9%) were positive for the eae gene (the intimin gene). All E. coli
      isolates lacked the ability to make biofilm formation. Multilocus sequence typing
      analysis demonstrated that one isolate in kiwifruit orchards shared the same
      sequence type with a human clinical isolate. RAPD results showed a close
      relationship among E. coli isolates from fresh fruit, fallen fruit, soil, air,
      and irrigation water. This study could provide a further understanding of
      microbial contamination in kiwifruit orchards based on our previous study and
      help growers take appropriate measures for prevention. 

PMID- 26267479
TI  - Alzheimer's Disease-Related Protein Expression in the Retina of Octodon degus.
AB  - New studies show that the retina also undergoes pathological changes during the
      development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). While transgenic mouse models used in
      these previous studies have offered insight into this phenomenon, they do not
      model human sporadic AD, which is the most common form. Recently, the Octodon
      degus has been established as a sporadic model of AD. Degus display age-related
      cognitive impairment associated with Abeta aggregates and phosphorylated tau in
      the brain. Our aim for this study was to examine the expression of AD-related
      proteins in young, adult and old degus retina using enzyme-linked or fluorescence
      immunohistochemistry and to quantify the expression using slot blot and western
      blot assays. Abeta4G8 and Abeta6E10 detected Abeta peptides in some of the young
      animals but the expression was higher in the adults. Abeta peptides were observed
      in the inner and outer segment of the photoreceptors, the nerve fiber layer (NFL)
      and ganglion cell layer (GCL). Expression was higher in the central retinal
      region than in the retinal periphery. Using an anti-oligomer antibody we detected
      Abeta oligomer expression in the young, adult and old retina. Immunohistochemical
      labeling showed small discrete labeling of oligomers in the GCL that did not
      resemble plaques. Congo red staining did not result in green birefringence in any
      of the animals analyzed except for one old (84 months) animal. We also
      investigated expression of tau and phosphorylated tau. Expression was seen at all
      ages studied and in adults it was more consistently observed in the NFL-GCL.
      Hyperphosphorylated tau detected with AT8 antibody was significantly higher in
      the adult retina and it was localized to the GCL. We confirm for the first time
      that Abeta peptides and phosphorylated tau are expressed in the retina of degus.
      This is consistent with the proposal that AD biomarkers are present in the eye.

PMID- 26267481
TI  - Kinetics of IO Production in the CH2I + O2 Reaction Studied by Cavity Ring-Down
      Spectroscopy.
AB  - Cavity ring-down spectroscopy was used to study the kinetics of formation of IO
      radicals in the reaction of CH2I + O2 in a flow cell at 52 +/- 3 Torr total
      pressure of N2 diluent and a temperature of 295 K. CH2I was produced by
      photolysis of CH2I2 at 355 nm and IO probed on the A(2)Pi3/2-X(2)Pi3/2 (3,0) and
      (3,1) bands at 435.70 and 448.86 nm, respectively. The rates of formation of
      IO(v" = 0) and IO(v" = 1) were measured as a function of O2 number density using
      either conventional transient absorption or the simultaneous kinetic and ring
      down technique, respectively. IO(v" = 1) was found to be formed with a
      significantly larger rate constant, but reached far smaller peak concentrations
      than IO(v" = 0). Kinetic modeling supports the conclusion that IO(v" = 0) is
      produced both directly and through secondary chemistry, most probably involving
      the initial formation of the Criegee intermediate CH2OO and subsequent reaction
      with I atoms, while IO(v" = 1) is produced exclusively via a direct mechanism. We
      propose that the reaction mechanism (direct or indirect) depends upon the degree
      of initial excitation of the photolytically produced CH2I reagent.

PMID- 26267482
TI  - Evaluating the Effects of Land Use Planning for Non-Point Source Pollution Based
      on a System Dynamics Approach in China.
AB  - Urbanization is proceeding rapidly in several developing countries such as China.
      This accelerating urbanization alters the existing land use types in a way that
      results in more Non-Point Source (NPS) pollution to local surface waters.
      Reasonable land use planning is necessary. This paper compares seven planning
      scenarios of a case study area, namely Wulijie, China, from the perspective of
      NPS pollution. A System Dynamics (SD) model was built for the comparison to
      adequately capture the planning complexity. These planning scenarios, which were
      developed by combining different land use intensities (LUIs) and construction
      speeds (CSs), were then simulated. The results show that compared to scenario S1
      (business as usual) all other scenarios will introduce more NPS pollution (with
      an incremental rate of 22%-70%) to Wulijie. Scenario S6 was selected as the best
      because it induced relatively less NPS pollution while simultaneously maintaining
      a considerable development rate. Although LUIs represent a more critical factor
      compared to CSs, we conclude that both LUIs and CSs need to be taken into account
      to make the planning more environmentally friendly. Considering the power of SD
      in decision support, it is recommended that land use planning should take into
      consideration findings acquired from SD simulations. 

PMID- 26267483
TI  - Discovery of 4-Amino-8-quinoline Carboxamides as Novel, Submicromolar Inhibitors
      of NAD-Hydrolyzing Enzyme CD38.
AB  - Starting from the micromolar 8-quinoline carboxamide high-throughput screening
      hit 1a, a systematic exploration of the structure-activity relationships (SAR) of
      the 4-, 6-, and 8-substituents of the quinoline ring resulted in the
      identification of approximately 10-100-fold more potent human CD38 inhibitors.
      Several of these molecules also exhibited pharmacokinetic parameters suitable for
      in vivo animal studies, including low clearances and decent oral bioavailability.
      Two of these CD38 inhibitors, 1ah and 1ai, were shown to elevate NAD tissue
      levels in liver and muscle in a diet-induced obese (DIO) C57BL/6 mouse model.
      These inhibitor tool compounds will enable further biological studies of the CD38
      enzyme as well as the investigation of the therapeutic implications of NAD
      enhancement in disease models of abnormally low NAD. 

PMID- 26267485
TI  - Progress toward the Quantitative Analysis of PAHs Adsorbed on Soot by Laser
      Desorption/Laser Ionization/Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry.
AB  - Ex situ analyses of substances extracted from flames provide useful albeit mostly
      qualitative information on the formation process of soot and on the impact of
      exhausts on the environment. An experimental setup based on the coupling of laser
      desorption, laser ionization and time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LD/LI/ToF-MS)
      is presented in past works as an alternative means to more traditional techniques
      like gas chromatography (GC) to characterize the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
      (PAHs) content of soot. In this paper, we go one step further in the
      understanding of the laser desorption/laser ionization dynamics and propose a
      combined experimental/simulation approach: we estimate the limit of detection of
      LD/LI/ToF-MS as low as [0.2, 2.8] fmol per laser pulse and we make quantitative
      predictions on the concentration of PAHs desorbed from soot. In particular,
      external calibration with model samples where PAHs are adsorbed on black carbon
      at known concentrations allows us to link the concentration of PAHs desorbed and
      detected by photoionization ToF-MS to the concentration of PAHs adsorbed on soot.
      The comparison of data obtained from the analysis of flame sampled soot with
      standard commercial GC-MS run in parallel validates the approach and defines
      limits and potentialities of both techniques. 

PMID- 26267484
TI  - Survey of sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in an environmentally protected area
      in Brazil.
AB  - Brazil is one of the most important endemic areas for leishmaniasis worldwide.
      Protected areas that are tourist attractions likely present an important risk of
      transmission of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). Furthermore, with the geographical
      expansion of visceral leishmaniasis (VL), several studies have recorded the
      occurrence of its vector, Lutzomyia longipalpis, and cases of human and canine VL
      in such tourist areas. The Parque Estadual do Sumidouro is an environmentally
      protected area located in the Brazilian Cerrado biome and in an important area
      endemic for leishmaniasis in the state of Minas Gerais. The purpose of this study
      was to monitor the sand fly fauna in areas of tourist activity in the park.
      Sampling was performed every month, from September 2011 to August 2013, using CDC
      light traps at six sites of differing environmental characteristics. Sampled
      specimens were identified following Galati (2003), and females were submitted to
      molecular techniques for the detection and identification of Leishmania DNA. A
      total of 4,675 sand fly specimens of 25 species belonging to nine genera were
      collected. The most abundant species were Micropygomyia quinquefer, Lutzomyia
      renei and Pintomyia pessoai, although only Pi. pessoai is implicated in the
      transmission of Leishmania braziliensis. The species accumulation curve reached
      saturation on the 16th sampling event. Species richness, diversity and evenness
      differed among the sampled areas. The seasonal curve was not determined by a
      single unique species, and no single species was the most abundant in all
      environments sampled. The main vector of Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum,
      Lutzomyia longipalpis, accounted for only 5.35% of the specimens collected.
      Proven or suspected vectors of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis were recorded,
      and one female of the cortellezzii complex tested positive for Le. braziliensis
      DNA. Even with a low infection rate (0.62%), these data indicate the circulation
      of the parasite and reinforce the need for entomological and epidemiological
      surveillance in the park and its surroundings. 

PMID- 26267486
TI  - MCF-7 Human Breast Cancer Cells Form Differentiated Microtissues in Scaffold-Free
      Hydrogels.
AB  - Three-dimensional (3D) cultures are increasing in use because of their ability to
      represent in vivo human physiology when compared to monolayer two-dimensional
      (2D) cultures. When grown in 3D using scaffold-free agarose hydrogels, MCF-7
      human breast cancer cells self-organize to form directionally-oriented
      microtissues that contain a luminal space, reminiscent of the in vivo structure
      of the mammary gland. When compared to MCF-7 cells cultured in 2D monolayer
      culture, MCF-7 microtissues exhibit increased mRNA expression of luminal
      epithelial markers keratin 8 and keratin 19 and decreased expression of basal
      marker keratin 14 and the mesenchymal marker vimentin. These 3D MCF-7
      microtissues remain responsive to estrogens, as demonstrated by induction of
      known estrogen target mRNAs following exposure to 17beta-estradiol. Culture of
      MCF-7 cells in scaffold-free conditions allows for the formation of more
      differentiated, estrogen-responsive structures that are a more relevant system
      for evaluation of estrogenic compounds than traditional 2D models. 

PMID- 26267487
TI  - Beneficial effects of hyperbaric oxygen on edema in rat hippocampus following
      traumatic brain injury.
AB  - Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy helps alleviate secondary injury following brain
      trauma [traumatic brain injury (TBI)], although the mechanisms remain unclear. In
      this study, we assessed recovery of post-TBI spatial learning and memory in rats
      using the Morris water maze (MWM) and measured changes in apparent diffusion
      coefficient in the hippocampus by diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) to evaluate
      possible therapeutic effects of HBO on TBI-associated brain edema. DWIs were
      obtained 8, 24, 48 h, 7 days, and 14 days post-TBI. Daily HBO therapy
      significantly improved post-TBI MWM performance and reduced edema in the
      ipsilateral hippocampus, suggesting that the therapeutic efficacy of HBO is
      mediated, at least in part, by a reduction in brain edema.

PMID- 26267489
TI  - Editor's perspectives--August 2015.

PMID- 26267488
TI  - New Routes to Phylogeography: A Bayesian Structured Coalescent Approximation.
AB  - Phylogeographic methods aim to infer migration trends and the history of sampled
      lineages from genetic data. Applications of phylogeography are broad, and in the
      context of pathogens include the reconstruction of transmission histories and the
      origin and emergence of outbreaks. Phylogeographic inference based on bottom-up
      population genetics models is computationally expensive, and as a result faster
      alternatives based on the evolution of discrete traits have become popular. In
      this paper, we show that inference of migration rates and root locations based on
      discrete trait models is extremely unreliable and sensitive to biased sampling.
      To address this problem, we introduce BASTA (BAyesian STructured coalescent
      Approximation), a new approach implemented in BEAST2 that combines the accuracy
      of methods based on the structured coalescent with the computational efficiency
      required to handle more than just few populations. We illustrate the potentially
      severe implications of poor model choice for phylogeographic analyses by
      investigating the zoonotic transmission of Ebola virus. Whereas the structured
      coalescent analysis correctly infers that successive human Ebola outbreaks have
      been seeded by a large unsampled non-human reservoir population, the discrete
      trait analysis implausibly concludes that undetected human-to-human transmission
      has allowed the virus to persist over the past four decades. As genomics takes on
      an increasingly prominent role informing the control and prevention of infectious
      diseases, it will be vital that phylogeographic inference provides robust
      insights into transmission history. 

PMID- 26267490
TI  - Autofluorescence imaging in recurrent oral squamous cell carcinoma.
AB  - The survival of patients with oral cancer is decreased by locoregional recurrence
      after an initial multimodal treatment. In order to identify lesions in the oral
      cavity for a possible recurrence, clinical evaluation as well as MRI or CT
      scanning is advised. The evaluation of mucosa lesions is hampered by changes
      related to radio- and chemotherapy as well as reconstruction with tissue flaps.
      Several techniques for easier identification of tissue abnormalities in the oral
      cavity have been advocated as adjuncts in order to facilitate identification.
      Especially methods using altered tissue fluorescence have gained much interest
      during the last decade. The aim of our prospective study was to evaluate
      fluorescence properties of undiagnosed mucosa lesions with the VELscope device in
      patients with multimodal treated oral cancer prior to histological confirmation.
      In total, 41 patients with a history of oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) (19
      females and 22 males) with undiagnosed mucosa lesions where included in the
      study. After clinical evaluation, examination and documentation using the
      VELscope(r) device were performed. Then, an incisional biopsy was performed. An
      autofluorescence loss indicating a malignant or dysplastic mucosa condition could
      be detected in six patients (14.6 %); however, only one OSCC and one SIN revealed
      a complete autofluorescence loss. In four patients, OSCC was present in lesions
      with retained autofluorescence. Sensitivity and specificity for the VELscope(r)
      examination to identify malignant oral lesions by autofluorescence were 33.3 and
      88.6 %, respectively. The positive and negative predictive values were 33.3 and
      88.6 %, respectively. No statistical correlation between gender and lesion
      appearance versus autofluorescence loss could be detected. In contrast to mucosa
      lesions in patients with no prior treatment, the autofluorescence evaluation with
      the VELscope reveals no additional information in our analysis. Accordingly,
      invasive biopsies as gold standard are still needed to get sufficient evidence
      regarding potential malignancy in patients after multimodal treatment for oral
      cancer. 

PMID- 26267491
TI  - How long is too long in contemporary peer review? Perspectives from authors
      publishing in conservation biology journals.
AB  - Delays in peer reviewed publication may have consequences for both assessment of
      scientific prowess in academics as well as communication of important information
      to the knowledge receptor community. We present an analysis on the perspectives
      of authors publishing in conservation biology journals regarding their opinions
      on the importance of speed in peer-review as well as how to improve review times.
      Authors were invited to take part in an online questionnaire, of which the data
      was subjected to both qualitative (open coding, categorizing) and quantitative
      analyses (generalized linear models). We received 637 responses to a total of
      6,547 e-mail invitations sent. Peer-review speed was generally perceived as slow,
      with authors experiencing a typical turnaround time of 14 weeks while their
      perceived optimal review time is six weeks. Male and younger respondents seem to
      have higher expectations of review speed than females and older respondents.
      Majority of participants attributed lengthy review times to the 'stress' on the
      peer-review system (i.e., reviewer and editor fatigue), while editor persistence
      and journal prestige were believed to speed up the review process. Negative
      consequences of lengthy review times appear to be greater for early career
      researchers and can also have impact on author morale (e.g. motivation or
      frustration). Competition among colleagues were also of concern to respondents.
      Incentivizing peer review was among the top suggested alterations to the system
      along with training graduate students in peer review, increased editorial
      persistence, and changes to the norms of peer-review such as opening the peer
      review process to the public. It is clear that authors surveyed in this study
      view the peer-review system as under stress and we encourage scientists and
      publishers to push the envelope for new peer review models. 

PMID- 26267492
TI  - Distinct vasopressin content in the hypothalamic supraoptic and paraventricular
      nucleus of rats exposed to low and high ambient temperature.
AB  - Both high and low ambient temperature represent thermal stressors that, among
      other physiological responses, induce activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary
      adrenal (HPA) axis and secretion of arginine-vasopressin (AVP). The exposure to
      heat also leads to disturbance of osmotic homeostasis. Since AVP, in addition to
      its well-known peripheral effects, has long been recognized as a hormone involved
      in the modulation of HPA axis activity, the aim of the present study was to
      elucidate the hypothalamic AVP amount in the acutely heat/cold exposed rats. Rats
      were exposed to high (+38 degrees C) or low (+4 degrees C) ambient temperature
      for 60min. Western blot was employed for determining hypothalamic AVP levels, and
      the difference in its content between supraoptic (SON) and paraventricular
      nucleus (PVN) was detected using immunohistochemical analysis. The results showed
      that exposure to both high and low ambient temperature increased hypothalamic AVP
      levels, although the increment was higher under heat conditions. On the other
      hand, patterns of AVP level changes in PVN and SON were stressor-specific, given
      that exposure to cold increased the AVP level in both nuclei, while heat exposure
      affected the PVN AVP content alone. In conclusion, our results revealed that cold
      and heat stress influence hypothalamic AVP amount with different intensity.
      Moreover, different pattern of AVP amount changes in the PVN and SON indicates a
      role of this hormone not only in response to heat as an osmotic/physical threat,
      but to the non-osmotic stressors as well. 

PMID- 26267493
TI  - Effect of heat stress-induced production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species
      on NADPH oxidase and heme oxygenase-1 mRNA levels in avian muscle cells.
AB  - Heat stress is a major factor inducing oxidative disturbance in cells. In the
      present study, we investigated the mechanism of overproduction of reactive oxygen
      species (ROS) in cultured avian muscle cells in response to heat stress, and also
      focused attention on the interaction of mitochondrial superoxide anions with
      altered NADPH oxidase (NOX), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO
      1) mRNA levels in heat-stressed cells. Exposure of cells to heat stress
      conditions (41 degrees C, 6h) resulted in increased mitochondrial superoxide and
      intracellular ROS levels, and increased carbonyl protein content as compared with
      that of normal cells (37 degrees C). The mitochondrial uncoupler 2,4
      dinitrophenol lowered intracellular ROS levels in heat-stressed cells. Heat
      stress increased NOX4 mRNA and decreased HO-1 mRNA levels, while SOD1 and SOD2
      mRNA levels remained relatively stable in heat-stressed cells. Addition of the
      superoxide scavenger 4-hydroxy TEMPO to the culture medium of heat-stressed cells
      restored mitochondrial superoxide and intracellular ROS levels as well as NOX4
      and HO-1 mRNA levels to near-normal values. We suggest that mitochondrial
      superoxide production could play an influential role in augmenting oxidative
      damage to avian muscle cells, possibly via the up-regulation of NOX4 and down
      regulation of HO-1 in heat-stressed avian muscle cells. 

PMID- 26267494
TI  - Potential for thermal tolerance to mediate climate change effects on three
      members of a cool temperate lizard genus, Niveoscincus.
AB  - Climatic changes are predicted to be greater in higher latitude and mountainous
      regions but species specific impacts are difficult to predict. This is partly due
      to inter-specific variance in the physiological traits which mediate
      environmental temperature effects at the organismal level. We examined variation
      in the critical thermal minimum (CTmin), critical thermal maximum (CTmax) and
      evaporative water loss rates (EWL) of a widespread lowland (Niveoscincus
      ocellatus) and two range restricted highland (N. microlepidotus and N. greeni)
      members of a cool temperate Tasmanian lizard genus. The widespread lowland
      species had significantly higher CTmin and CTmax and significantly lower EWL than
      both highland species. Implications of inter-specific variation in thermal
      tolerance for activity were examined under contemporary and future climate change
      scenarios. Instances of air temperatures below CTmin were predicted to decline in
      frequency for the widespread lowland and both highland species. Air temperatures
      of high altitude sites were not predicted to exceed the CTmax of either highland
      species throughout the 21st century. In contrast, the widespread lowland species
      is predicted to experience air temperatures in excess of CTmax on 1 or 2 days by
      three of six global circulation models from 2068-2096. To estimate climate change
      effects on activity we reran the thermal tolerance models using minimum and
      maximum temperatures selected for activity. A net gain in available activity time
      was predicted under climate change for all three species; while air temperatures
      were predicted to exceed maximum temperatures selected for activity with
      increasing frequency, the change was not as great as the predicted decline in air
      temperatures below minimum temperatures selected for activity. We hypothesise
      that the major effect of rising air temperatures under climate change is an
      increase in available activity period for both the widespread lowland and
      highland species. The consequences of a greater available activity period will
      depend on the extent to which changes in climate alters other related factors,
      such as the nature and level of competition between the respective species. 

PMID- 26267495
TI  - Molecular characterization and expression analysis of hsp60 gene homologue of
      sheep blowfly, Lucilia cuprina.
AB  - The 60kDa heat shock protein (Hsp60) or chaperonin is one among the highly
      conserved families of heat shock proteins, known to be involved in variety of
      cellular activities, including protein folding, thermal protection, etc. In this
      study we sequence characterized hsp60 gene homologue of Lucilia cuprina, isolated
      and cloned from the genomic library as well as by genomic PCR, followed by RACE-
      PCR. The L. cuprina hsp60 gene/protein expression pattern was analyzed in various
      tissues, either at normal temperature (25+/-1 degrees C) or after exposure to
      heat stress (42 degrees C). The analysis of nucleotide sequence of Lchsp60 gene
      revealed absence of intron and the nuclear localizing signal (NLS). The deduced
      amino acid sequence showed presence of unique conserved sequences, such as those
      for mitochondrial localization, ATP binding, etc. Unlike Drosophila, Lucilia
      showed presence of only one isoform, i.e., hsp60A. Phylogenetic analysis of hsp60
      gene homologues from different species revealed Lchsp60 to have >88.36% homology
      with D. melanogaster, 76.86% with L. sericata, 58.31% with mice, 57.99% with rat,
      and 57.72% with human. Expression analysis using Real Time PCR and fluorescence
      imaging showed significant enhancement in the expression level of Lchsp60 upon
      heat stress in a tissue specific manner, indicating its likely role in thermo
      tolerance as well as in normal cellular activities. 

PMID- 26267496
TI  - A prediction model for ocular damage - Experimental validation.
AB  - With the increasing number of laser applications in medicine and technology,
      accidental as well as intentional exposure of the human eye to laser sources has
      become a major concern. Therefore, a prediction model for ocular damage (PMOD) is
      presented within this work and validated for long-term exposure. This model is a
      combination of a raytracing model with a thermodynamical model of the human and
      an application which determines the thermal damage by the implementation of the
      Arrhenius integral. The model is based on our earlier work and is here validated
      against temperature measurements taken with porcine eye samples. For this
      validation, three different powers were used: 50mW, 100mW and 200mW with a spot
      size of 1.9mm. Also, the measurements were taken with two different sensing
      systems, an infrared camera and a fibre optic probe placed within the tissue. The
      temperatures were measured up to 60s and then compared against simulations. The
      measured temperatures were found to be in good agreement with the values
      predicted by the PMOD-model. To our best knowledge, this is the first model which
      is validated for both short-term and long-term irradiations in terms of
      temperature and thus demonstrates that temperatures can be accurately predicted
      within the thermal damage regime. 

PMID- 26267497
TI  - Correction of the heat loss method for calculating clothing real evaporative
      resistance.
AB  - In the so-called isothermal condition (i.e., Tair [air temperature]=Tmanikin
      [manikin temperature]=Tr [radiant temperature]), the actual energy used for
      moisture evaporation detected by most sweating manikins was underestimated due to
      the uncontrolled fabric 'skin' temperature Tsk,f (i.e., Tsk,f<Tmanikin). Thus, it
      must be corrected before being used to compute the clothing real evaporative
      resistance. In this study, correction of the real evaporative heat loss from the
      wet fabric 'skin'-clothing system was proposed and experimentally validated on a
      'Newton' sweating manikin. The real evaporative resistance of five clothing
      ensembles and the nude fabric 'skin' calculated by the corrected heat loss method
      was also reported and compared with that by the mass loss method. Results
      revealed that, depending on the types of tested clothing, different amounts of
      heat were drawn from the ambient environment. In general, a greater amount of
      heat was drawn from the ambient environment by the wet fabric 'skin'-clothing
      system in lower thermal insulation clothing than that in higher insulation
      clothing. There were no significant differences between clothing real evaporative
      resistances calculated by the corrected heat loss method and those by the mass
      loss method. It was therefore concluded that the correction method proposed in
      this study has been successfully validated. 

PMID- 26267498
TI  - Thermal ecology of the post-metamorphic Andean toad (Rhinella spinulosa) at
      elevation in the monte desert, Argentina.
AB  - Rhinella spinulosa is an anuran toad species distributed latitudinal and
      altitudinal (1200-5000m) from Peru to Argentina, inhabiting mountain valleys in
      the Andes. Considering the broad range of habitats where they live, it is
      important to understand the thermal physiological mechanisms, thermal tolerances
      and physiological adaptations for surviving in rigorous environments. We
      investigated the thermal parameters (field body temperature, selected body
      temperature, locomotor performance in field and laboratory conditions, and
      thermal extremes) during diurnal activity for a population of juvenile, post
      metamorphosed toads (Rhinella spinulosa) from the Monte Desert of San Juan,
      Argentina. Post-metamorphic toads are active from approximately 1100-1900 (in
      contrast to nocturnal adult toads). Our findings show that these toads have a
      wide thermal tolerance range, ranging from a critical thermal maximum of 36.9
      degrees C to crystallization temperatures below 0 degrees C. During their active
      period, toads always showed suboptimal thermal conditions for locomotion. Despite
      the suboptimal condition for the locomotion, diurnal activity is likely to confer
      thermal advantages, allowing them to search for food and increase digestion and
      growth rates. We also found that the toads are capable of super-cooling, which
      prevents mortality from freezing when the environmental temperatures drop below 0
      degrees C. The environmental temperatures are below zero at night, when toads are
      inactive and take refuge under rocks. In summary, this toad population
      demonstrates high thermal plasticity, as shown by a relatively high level of
      activity sustained over a wide range of ambient temperature (~35 degrees C).
      These thermal adaptations allow this species of juvenile toads to inhabit a wide
      range of altitudes and latitudes. 

PMID- 26267499
TI  - Seasonal metabolic variation over two years in an Afrotropical passerine bird.
AB  - Seasonal trends in metabolic parameters are well established in avian populations
      from highly seasonal environments, however, seasonal trends in metabolism of
      birds from lower latitudes (and of Afrotropical birds in particular) are not well
      understood. We investigated seasonal trends in metabolism for a small (10-12g)
      Afrotropical bird, the Cape White-eye (Zosterops virens), using flow-through
      respirometry in two summers and two winters. There was no seasonal difference in
      body mass between consecutive seasons. The lower critical limit of
      thermoneutrality was lower in winter (23 degrees C) than in summer (28 degrees
      C), as expected for a small Afrotropical bird. In the first year of the study,
      mean whole animal basal metabolic rate (BMR) of Cape White-eyes was significantly
      lower in winter than in summer, while in the second year of the study this trend
      was reversed, and in the middle two seasons there was no significant difference
      in BMR. Differences in mean temperature and mean rainfall between seasons could
      not account for the seasonal trends in BMR. We conclude that seasonal trends in
      avian BMR may vary between years, within a population. 

PMID- 26267500
TI  - Use of finite element analysis to optimize probe design for double sensor method
      based thermometer.
AB  - Body temperature is an essential vital sign for assessing physiological
      functions. The double sensor method-based thermometer is a promising technology
      that may be applicable to body temperature monitoring in daily life. It
      continuously estimates deep tissue temperature from the intact skin surface.
      Despite its considerable potential for monitoring body temperature, its key
      design features have not been investigated. In this study, we considered four
      design factors: the cover material, insulator material, insulator radius, and
      insulator height. We also evaluated their effects on the performance of the
      double sensor thermometer in terms of accuracy, initial waiting time, and the
      ability to track changes in body temperature. The probe material and size
      influenced the accuracy and initial waiting time. Finite element analysis
      revealed that four thermometers of different sizes composed of an aluminum cover
      and foam insulator provided high accuracy (<0.1 degrees C) under various ambient
      temperatures and blood perfusion rates: R=20mm, H=5mm; R=15mm, H=10mm; R=20mm,
      H=10mm; and R=15mm, H=15mm. The initial waiting time was approximately 10min with
      almost the same traceability of temperature change. Our findings may provide
      thermometer manufacturers with new insights into probe design and help them
      fabricate thermometers optimized for specific applications. 

PMID- 26267501
TI  - The effectiveness of common thermo-regulatory behaviours in a cool temperate
      grasshopper.
AB  - Behavioural thermoregulation has the potential to alleviate the short-term
      impacts of climate change on some small ectotherms, without the need for changes
      to species distributions or genetic adaptation. We illustrate this by measuring
      the effect of behaviour in a cool temperate species of grasshopper (Phaulacridium
      vittatum) over a range of spatial and temporal scales in laboratory and natural
      field experiments. Microhabitat selection at the site scale was tested in free
      ranging grasshoppers and related to changing thermal quality over a daily period.
      Artificial warming experiments were then used to measure the temperature at which
      common thermoregulatory behaviours are initiated and the subsequent reductions in
      body temperature. Behavioural means such as timing of activity, choice of
      substrates with optimum surface temperatures, shade seeking and postural
      adjustments (e.g. stilting, vertical orientation) were found to be highly
      effective at maintaining preferred body temperature. The maximum voluntarily
      tolerated temperature (MVT) was determined to be 44 degrees C+/-0.4 degrees C,
      indicating the upper bounds of thermal flexibility in this species. Behavioural
      thermoregulation effectively enables small ectotherms to regulate exposure to
      changing environmental temperatures and utilize the spatially and temporally
      heterogeneous environments they occupy. Species such as the wingless grasshopper,
      although adapted to cool temperate conditions, are likely to be well equipped to
      respond successfully to coarse scale climate change. 

PMID- 26267502
TI  - Do gravid female Anolis nebulosus thermoregulate differently than males and non
      gravid females?
AB  - In lizards, the role of gravid oviparous females in controlling the temperature
      experienced by developing embryos prior to oviposition has been rarely examined.
      In particular, relatively little is known about the effect of gravidity on the
      thermal ecology of female Anolis lizards. Here we examine the thermal ecology of
      Anolis nebulosus from Nayarit, Mexico, with a particular goal of comparing the
      thermal ecology of gravid females to that of non-gravid females and males. The
      thermal efficiency (E) of gravid female A. nebulosus (E=0.782) was higher than in
      males (E=0.464), and to a lesser extent, non-gravid females (E=0.637), despite no
      significant differences observed in body, air, operative, or set point
      temperatures among males, gravid females, and non-gravid females. Gravid females
      had smaller differences between body temperatures and set point temperatures
      (db), but did not differ in the difference between operative temperature and set
      point temperature (de). Gravid females used sun-shade and shaded microhabitats
      proportionately more than males and non-gravid females, and rarely used sunny
      microhabitats. Our results suggest that gravid A. nebulosus are using a different
      and more efficient thermoregulatory strategy than other adults in the population.
      Such efficient thermoregulation is possibly related to females attempting to
      provide a thermal environment that is conducive to the development of embryos in
      eggs prior to oviposition. 

PMID- 26267503
TI  - Thermal dependence of sprint performance in the lizard Psammodromus algirus along
      a 2200-meter elevational gradient: Cold-habitat lizards do not perform better at
      low temperatures.
AB  - Sprint speed has a capital relevance in most animals' fitness, mainly for fleeing
      from predators. Sprint performance is maximal within a certain range of body
      temperatures in ectotherms, whose thermal upkeep relies on exogenous thermal
      sources. Ectotherms can respond to diverse thermal environments either by
      shifting their thermal preferences or maintaining them through different adaptive
      mechanisms. Here, we tested whether maximum sprint speed of a lizard that shows
      conservative thermal ecology along a 2200-meter elevational gradient differs with
      body temperature in lizards from different elevations. Lizards ran faster at
      optimum than at suboptimum body temperature. Notably, high-elevation lizards were
      not faster than mid- and low-elevation lizards at suboptimum body temperature,
      despite their low-quality thermal environment. This result suggests that both
      preferred body temperature and thermal dependence of speed performance are co
      adapted along the elevational gradient. High-elevation lizards display a number
      of thermoregulatory strategies that allow them to achieve high optimum body
      temperatures in a low thermal-quality habitat and thus maximize speed
      performance. As for reproductive condition, we did not find any effect of it on
      sprint speed, or any significant interaction with elevation or body temperature.
      However, strikingly, gravid females were significantly slower than males and non
      gravid females at suboptimum temperature, but performed similarly well at optimal
      temperature. 

PMID- 26267504
TI  - Thermoregulatory strategies in an aquatic ectotherm from thermally-constrained
      habitats: An evaluation of current approaches.
AB  - Many ectotherms employ diverse behavioral adjustments to effectively buffer the
      spatio-temporal variation in environmental temperatures, whereas others remain
      passive to thermal heterogeneity. Thermoregulatory studies are frequently
      performed on species living in thermally benign habitats, which complicate
      understanding of the thermoregulation-thermoconformity continuum. The need for
      new empirical data from ectotherms exposed to thermally challenging conditions
      requires the evaluation of available methods for quantifying thermoregulatory
      strategies. We evaluated the applicability of various thermoregulatory indices
      using fire salamander larvae, Salamandra salamandra, in two aquatic habitats, a
      forest pool and well, as examples of disparate thermally-constrained
      environments. Water temperatures in the well were lower and less variable than in
      the pool. Thermal conditions prevented larvae from reaching their preferred body
      temperature range in both water bodies. In contrast to their thermoregulatory
      abilities examined in a laboratory thermal gradient, field body temperatures only
      matched the mean and range of operative temperatures, showing thermal passivity
      of larvae in both habitats. Despite apparent thermoconformity, thermoregulatory
      indices indicated various strategies from active thermoregulation, to
      thermoconformity, and even thermal evasion, which revealed their limited
      applicability under thermally-constrained conditions. Salamander larvae abandoned
      behavioral thermoregulation despite varying opportunities to increase their body
      temperature above average water temperatures. Thermoconformity represents a
      favored strategy in these ectotherms living in more thermally-constrained
      environments than those examined in previous thermoregulatory studies. To
      understand thermal ecology and its impact on population dynamics, the
      quantification of thermoregulatory strategies of ectotherms in thermally
      constrained habitats requires the careful choice of an appropriate method to
      avoid misleading results. 

PMID- 26267505
TI  - A stringent test of the thermal coadaptation hypothesis in flour beetles.
AB  - Whole-organism performance depends on body temperature and ectotherms have
      variable body temperatures. The thermal coadaptation hypothesis posits that
      thermal reaction norms have coevolved with thermal preference such that organisms
      attain optimal performance under a narrow range of body temperatures commonly
      experienced in the wild. Since thermal reaction norms are often similar,
      researchers interested in the effects of temperature on fitness often use one
      easily measured thermal reaction norm, such as locomotor performance, and assume
      it is a good proxy for fitness when testing the thermal coadaptation hypothesis.
      The extent to which this assumption holds, however, is often untested. In this
      study, we provide a stringent test of the thermal coadaptation hypothesis in red
      and in confused flour beetles by comparing the thermal reaction norm for
      reproductive output to the preferred body temperature range. We also test the
      assumption that locomotor performance can serve as a proxy for the thermal
      reaction norm for reproductive output, a more ultimate index of fitness. In both
      species, we measured the number of eggs laid, righting time, and sprint speed at
      eight temperatures, as well as the thermal preference in a thermal gradient. The
      number of eggs laid increased with female sprint speed and with male righting
      time, and all three performances had similar thermal reaction norms, with 80% of
      the maximum achieved between 23 and 37 degrees C. Red flour beetles had preferred
      body temperatures that matched the optimal temperature for performance; confused
      flour beetles had lower preferred body temperature than the optimal temperature
      for performance. We found support for the assumption that locomotor performance
      can serve as a proxy for reproductive output in flour beetles, but we only found
      evidence for thermal coadaptation in one of the two species. 

PMID- 26267506
TI  - Metabolic efficiency in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae in relation to temperature
      dependent growth and biomass yield.
AB  - Canonized view on temperature effects on growth rate of microorganisms is based
      on assumption of protein denaturation, which is not confirmed experimentally so
      far. We develop an alternative concept, which is based on view that limits of
      thermal tolerance are based on imbalance of cellular energy allocation.
      Therefore, we investigated growth suppression of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae
      in the supraoptimal temperature range (30-40 degrees C), i.e. above optimal
      temperature (Topt). The maximal specific growth rate (MUmax) of biomass, its
      concentration and yield on glucose (Yx/glc) were measured across the whole
      thermal window (5-40 degrees C) of the yeast in batch anaerobic growth on
      glucose. Specific rate of glucose consumption, specific rate of glucose
      consumption for maintenance (mglc), true biomass yield on glucose (Yx/glc(true)),
      fractional conservation of substrate carbon in product and ATP yield on glucose
      (Yatp/glc) were estimated from the experimental data. There was a negative linear
      relationship between ATP, ADP and AMP concentrations and specific growth rate at
      any growth conditions, whilst the energy charge was always high (~0.83). There
      were two temperature regions where mglc differed 12-fold, which points to the
      existence of a 'low' (within 5-31 degrees C) and a 'high' (within 33-40 degrees
      C) metabolic mode regarding maintenance requirements. The rise from the low to
      high mode occurred at 31-32 degrees C in step-wise manner and it was accompanied
      with onset of suppression of MUmax. High mglc at supraoptimal temperatures
      indicates a significant reduction of scope for growth, due to high maintenance
      cost. Analysis of temperature dependencies of product formation efficiency and
      Yatp/glc revealed that the efficiency of energy metabolism approaches its lower
      limit at 26-31 degrees C. This limit is reflected in the predetermined
      combination of Yx/glc(true), elemental biomass composition and degree of
      reduction of the growth substrate. Approaching the limit implies a reduction of
      the safety margin of metabolic efficiency. We hypothesize that a temperature
      increase above Topt (e.g. >31 degrees C) triggers both an increment in mglc and
      suppression of MUmax, which together contribute to an upshift of Yatp/glc from
      the lower limit and thus compensate for the loss of the safety margin. This trade
      off allows adding 10 more degrees to Topt and extends the thermal window up to 40
      degrees C, sustaining survival and reproduction in supraoptimal temperatures.
      Deeper understanding of the limits of thermal tolerance can be practically
      exploited in biotechnological applications. 

PMID- 26267507
TI  - Effects of graduated compression stockings on skin temperature after running.
AB  - High skin temperatures reduce the thermal gradient between the core and the skin
      and they can lead to a reduction in performance and increased risk of injury.
      Graduated compression stockings have become popular among runners in the last
      years and their use may influence the athlete's thermoregulation. The aim of this
      study was to investigate the effects of graduated compression stockings on skin
      temperature during running in a moderate indoor environment. Forty-four runners
      performed two running tests lasting 30min (10min of warm-up and 20min at 75% of
      their maximal aerobic speed) with and without graduated compressive stockings.
      Skin temperature was measured in 12 regions of interest on the lower limb by
      infrared thermography before and after running. Heart rate and perception of
      fatigue were assessed during the last minute of the running test. Compression
      stockings resulted in greater increase of temperature (p=0.002 and ES=2.2, 95% CI
      [0.11-0.45 degrees C]) not only in the body regions in contact (tibialis
      anterior, ankle anterior and gastrocnemius) but also in the body regions that
      were not in contact with the garment (vastus lateralis, abductor and
      semitendinosus). No differences were observed between conditions in heart rate
      and perception of fatigue (p>0.05 and ES<0.8). In conclusion, running with
      graduated compression stockings produces a greater increase of skin temperature
      without modifying the athlete's heart rate and perception of fatigue. 

PMID- 26267508
TI  - A novel personal cooling system (PCS) incorporated with phase change materials
      (PCMs) and ventilation fans: An investigation on its cooling efficiency.
AB  - Personal cooling systems (PCS) have been developed to mitigate the impact of
      severe heat stress for humans working in hot environments. It is still a great
      challenge to develop PCSs that are portable, inexpensive, and effective. We
      studied the performance of a new hybrid PCS incorporating both ventilation fans
      and phase change materials (PCMs). The cooling efficiency of the newly developed
      PCS was investigated on a sweating manikin in two hot conditions: hot humid (HH,
      34 degrees C, 75% RH) and hot dry (HD, 34 degrees C, 28% RH). Four test scenarios
      were selected: fans off with no PCMs (i.e., Fan-off, the CONTROL), fans on with
      no PCMs (i.e., Fan-on), fans off with fully solidified PCMs (i.e., PCM+Fan-off),
      and fans on with fully solidified PCMs (i.e., PCM+Fan-on). It was found that the
      addition of PCMs provided a 54~78min cooling in HH condition. In contrast, the
      PCMs only offered a 19-39min cooling in HD condition. In both conditions, the
      ventilation fans greatly enhanced the evaporative heat loss compared with Fan
      off. The hybrid PCS (i.e., PCM+Fan-on) provided a continuous cooling effect
      during the three-hour test and the average cooling rate for the whole body was
      around 111 and 315W in HH and HD conditions, respectively. Overall, the new
      hybrid PCS may be an effective means of ameliorating symptoms of heat stress in
      both hot-humid and hot-dry environments. 

PMID- 26267509
TI  - Simultaneous estimation of size, radial and angular locations of a malignant
      tumor in a 3-D human breast - A numerical study.
AB  - This article reports a numerical study pertaining to simultaneous estimation of
      size, radial location and angular location of a malignant tumor in a 3-D human
      breast. The breast skin surface temperature profile is specific to a tumor of
      specific size and location. The temperature profiles are always the Gaussian one,
      though their peak magnitudes and areas differ according to the size and location
      of the tumor. The temperature profiles are obtained by solving the Pennes bioheat
      equation using the finite element method based solver COMSOL 4.3a. With
      temperature profiles known, simultaneous estimation of size, radial location and
      angular location of the tumor is done using the curve fitting method. Effect of
      measurement errors is also included in the study. Estimations are accurate, and
      since in the inverse analysis, the curve fitting method does not require solution
      of the governing bioheat equation, the estimation is very fast. 

PMID- 26267510
TI  - Thermal ecology of the fiddler crab Uca panacea: Thermal constraints and
      organismal responses.
AB  - Temperature is one of the primary environmental variables limiting organismal
      performance, fitness, and species distributions. Yet, understanding temperature
      effects requires thorough exploration of thermal constraints and organismal
      responses that can translate to fitness and non-lethal long-term consequences
      under both constant and changing thermal regimes. We examined the thermal ecology
      of the fiddler crab Uca panacea, including critical thermal limits, thermal
      sensitivity of locomotion, operative environmental temperatures, preferred body
      temperatures, and acclimation ability. Operative environmental temperatures
      frequently reached the critical thermal maximum (41.8+/-0.8 degrees C, mean +/-
      s.e.m.), especially in unvegetated microhabitats, indicating the need for
      behavioral thermoregulation to maintain diurnal activity patterns. Preferred body
      temperatures (21.1-28.6 degrees C) were substantially below the thermal optimum
      (30-40 degrees C), although further research is needed to determine the driver of
      this mismatch. Critical thermal limits shifted 2-4 degrees C in response to
      exposure to low (20 degrees C) or high (35 degrees C) temperatures, with full
      acclimation occurring in approximately 9d. This capacity for rapid acclimation,
      combined with the capacity for behavioral thermoregulation, is a strong candidate
      mechanism that explains the broad habitat use and could help explain the
      successful pantropical distribution of fiddler crabs. 

PMID- 26267511
TI  - Seasonal variation in thermal tolerance, oxygen consumption, antioxidative
      enzymes and non-specific immune indices of Indian hill trout, Barilius bendelisis
      (Hamilton, 1807) from central Himalaya, India.
AB  - We studied the season dependent thermal tolerance, oxygen consumption,
      respiratory burst response and antioxidative enzyme activities in juveniles of
      Barilius bendelisis. The critical thermal maximum (CTmax), lethal thermal maximum
      (LTmax), critical thermal minimum (CTmin) and lethal thermal minimum (LTmin) were
      significantly different at five different seasons viz. winter (10.64 degrees C),
      spring (16.25 degrees C), summer (22.11 degrees C), rainy (20.87 degrees C) and
      autumn (17.77 degrees C). The highest CTmax was registered in summer (36.02
      degrees C), and lowest CTmin was recorded during winter (2.77 degrees C). Water
      temperature, dissolved oxygen and pH were strongly related to CTmax, LTmax, CTmin
      and LTmin suggesting seasonal acclimatization of B. bendelisis. The thermal
      tolerance polygon area of the B. bendelisis juveniles within the range of
      seasonal temperature (10.64-22.11 degrees C) was calculated as 470.92 degrees
      C(2). Oxygen consumption rate was significantly different (p<0.05) between
      seasons with maximum value during summer (57.66mgO2/kg/h) and lowest in winter
      (32.60mgO2/kg/h). Total white blood cell count including neutrophil and monocytes
      also showed significant difference (p<0.05) between seasons with maximum value
      during summer and minimum number in winter and were found correlated to
      temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH and respiratory burst activity. Respiratory
      burst activity of blood phagocytes significantly differed (p<0.05) among seasons
      with higher value during summer (0.163 OD540nm) and minimum in winter season
      (0.054 OD540nm). The activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione-s
      transferase both in liver and gill, also varied significantly (p<0.05) during
      different seasons. Overall results of this study suggest that multiple
      environmental factors play a role in seasonal acclimation in B. bendelisis, which
      modulate the thermal tolerance, oxygen consumption, respiratory burst activity
      and status of anti-oxidative potential in wild environment. 

PMID- 26267512
TI  - Human thermal physiological and psychological responses under different heating
      environments.
AB  - Anecdotal evidence suggests that many residents of severely cold areas of China
      who use floor heating (FH) systems feel warmer but drier compared to those using
      radiant heating (RH) systems. However, this phenomenon has not been verified
      experimentally. In order to validate the empirical hypothesis, and research the
      differences of human physiological and psychological responses in these two
      asymmetrical heating environments, an experiment was designed to mimic FH and RH
      systems. The subjects participating in the experiment were volunteer college
      students. During the experiment, the indoor air temperature, air speed, relative
      humidity, globe temperature, and inner surface temperatures were measured, and
      subjects' heart rate, blood pressure and skin temperatures were recorded. The
      subjects were required to fill in questionnaires about their thermal responses
      during testing. The results showed that the subjects' skin temperatures, heart
      rate and blood pressure were significantly affected by the type of heating
      environment. Ankle temperature had greatest impact on overall thermal comfort
      relative to other body parts, and a slightly cool FH condition was the most
      pleasurable environment for sedentary subjects. The overall thermal sensation,
      comfort and acceptability of FH were higher than that of RH. However, the
      subjects of FH felt drier than that of RH, although the relative humidity in FH
      environments was higher than that of the RH environment. In future environmental
      design, the thermal comfort of the ankles should be scrutinized, and a FH cool
      condition is recommended as the most comfortable thermal environment for office
      workers. Consequently, large amounts of heating energy could be saved in this
      area in the winter. The results of this study may lead to more efficient energy
      use for office or home heating systems. 

PMID- 26267513
TI  - Source term prediction in a multilayer tissue during hyperthermia.
AB  - One of the major challenges in the use of hyperthermia to treat cancer is
      determining the desired heating power of external source in such a way that the
      thermal injury is confined to the unhealthy tissue. In this study, an inverse
      method based on the sequential method is proposed to estimate the desired heating
      power as a function of time for a successful hyperthermia treatment. In order to
      simulate the measured temperature, the direct problem is solved for a multilayer
      skin tissue to obtain the temperature data at the skin surface. These data are
      employed in the inverse problem to estimate the heating power of external source.
      Two examples are considered to examine the accuracy of the inverse analysis. In
      addition, the effect of measurement errors is investigated. Results show that the
      proposed inverse algorithm is able to determine the desired heating power of
      external source accurately, even in the presence of measurement errors. However,
      for noisy data, more temperature measurements are required to achieve reliable
      results. 

PMID- 26267514
TI  - Could human cold adaptation decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease?
AB  - The impact of repeated exposure to cold and cold adaptation on human
      cardiovascular health is not fully understood. The aim of the study was to
      determine the effect of cold adaptation on cardiovascular risk factors, thyroid
      hormones and the capacity of humans to reset the damaging effect of oxidative
      stress. Ten well cold-adapted winter swimmers (CA) and 16 non-adapted controls
      (CON) were enroled in this experiment to test whether cold adaptation could
      influence the parameters of lipoprotein metabolism, cholesterol efflux capacity
      (CEC), homocysteine, thyroid hormones, antioxidant defence markers (reduced
      glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1), glutathione reductase (GR),
      catalase (CAT) and paraoxonase 1 (PON1)) and oxidative stress markers
      (concentration of conjugated dienes (CD)). A decreased apolipoprotein
      B/apolipoprotein A1 (ApoB/ApoA1) ratio was found in the CA group (p<0.05), but
      other lipoprotein parameters, including CEC, did not differ significantly. Plasma
      homocysteine was lower in CA subjects in comparison with controls (p<0.05).
      Higher triiodothyronine (T3) values were observed in the CA compared to the CON
      (p<0.05) group, but TSH and other thyroid hormones did not differ between both
      groups. CA subjects had lower activity of GPX1 (p<0.05), lower concentrations of
      CD (p<0.05) and increased activities of PON1 (p<0.001) compared to CON subjects.
      A trend for decreased activity of CAT (p=0.06) in CA compared to CON groups was
      also observed, but GSH levels did not differ significantly. Zn concentration was
      higher in the CA group than in the CON group (p<0.001). Human cold adaptation can
      influence oxidative stress markers. Trends towards the improvement of
      cardiovascular risk factors in cold-adapted subjects also indicate the positive
      effect of cold adaptation on cardio-protective mechanisms. 

PMID- 26267515
TI  - Differential expression patterns among heat-shock protein genes and thermal
      responses in the whitefly Bemisia tabaci (MEAM 1).
AB  - There is convincing evidence that heat-shock proteins (HSP) are upregulated by
      stress conditions in insects; however, the relative contribution of each HSP gene
      to the heat-shock response remains unclear. Here we considered the whitefly
      Bemisia tabaci (MEAM 1), a phloem feeder and invasive species whose molecular
      stress response is an important mechanism for overcoming heat stress. We assessed
      the expression of the hsp23, 40, 70 and 90 genes at the mRNA level when submitted
      to heat shocks of 40 and 44 degrees C/1h (control at 25 degrees C). For this, we
      evaluated a set of available and suitable reference genes in order to perform
      data normalization using the real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR)
      technique, and then confirmed the production of HSP70 protein based on Western
      blot. Results were compared with the hardening capacity of B. tabaci, measured by
      fitness components as a response to heat shocks, using 40 degrees C as the
      induction temperature. Three of the four genes (hsp23, 70 and 90) were
      upregulated by heat stress at mRNA, showing differential expression patterns.
      Hsp70 expression was confirmed at the protein level. Hardening significantly
      increased fitness following heat stress, suggesting that HSPs may contribute to
      hardening capacity in B. tabaci. Potential role of each gene in the heat-shock
      response for whiteflies is discussed. 

PMID- 26267516
TI  - Energy expenditure of the spotted snow skink, Niveoscincus ocellatus, at two
      climatic extremes of its distribution range.
AB  - The study of energy expenditure between populations of a wide ranging ectothermic
      species may provide an insight into how organisms respond to variation in
      environmental conditions. In this study, the energy expenditure of male spotted
      snow skinks, Niveoscincus ocellatus, living at the two extremes of the species'
      distribution range (warm lowland versus cold alpine site) was measured using the
      doubly labelled water method. Males at the cold alpine site expended more energy
      per gram per hour compared to their counterparts living at the warm lowland site.
      Lizards living at high altitude were active at lower temperatures compared with
      those at the low altitude site, which resulted in a longer activity time for the
      highland population. However, the differences in energy expenditure cannot be
      explained only by these differences in activity time. We further suggest that at
      the cold alpine site, lizards compensated for the low temperatures by elevating
      their metabolism which subsequently increased their energy expenditure. An
      elevated metabolic rate combined with modified thermoregulatory behaviour is
      likely an important mechanism allowing N. ocellatus to cope with the cold
      environments at high altitude sites. 

PMID- 26267518
TI  - Acid-base balance disturbances in plasma exchange depend on the replacement fluid
      used.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Metabolic alkalosis occurs as a direct result of plasma exchange (PE)
      because of metabolism of citrate. However, we observed a decrease of serum pH and
      bicarbonate after PE when albumin was used as replacement fluid. STUDY DESIGN AND
      METHODS: The acid-base balance in 2730 PEs using different replacement fluids
      (albumin, fresh-frozen plasma [FFP], or both) was measured, and absolute changes
      (Delta) in acid-base balance were compared. The frequency of adverse effects
      (AEs) before and after using prophylactic administration of sodium bicarbonate
      was compared. RESULTS: A decrease of serum pH and bicarbonate was observed after
      PEs when albumin was used as replacement fluid (Delta pH = -0.06 +/- 0.04; Delta
      bicarbonate = -4.03 +/- 2.29 mmol/L; Delta base excess = -2.54 +/- 3.82 mmol/L).
      An increase of serum pH and bicarbonate was observed after PEs when FFP was used
      as replacement fluid (Delta pH = +0.04 +/- 0.05; Delta bicarbonate = +3.6 +/-
      3.68 mmol/L; Delta base excess = +1.62 +/- 4.51 mmol/L). The prophylactic
      administration of sodium bicarbonate corrected partially the decrease of serum pH
      and bicarbonate after finishing PEs when albumin was used as replacement fluid
      (Delta pH = -0.04 +/- 0.04; Delta bicarbonate = -3.1 +/- 2.47 mmol/L; Delta base
      excess = -3.35 +/- 3.06 mmol/L). The frequency of AEs after using prophylactic
      administration of sodium bicarbonate was lower in comparison with the frequency
      of AEs before using prophylactic administration of sodium bicarbonate (2.0% vs.
      4.8%; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: A decrease of serum pH and bicarbonate appeared in
      patients after PEs when albumin was used as replacement fluid; it was corrected
      partially with prophylactic administration of sodium bicarbonate, and it was
      associated with fewer AEs.

PMID- 26267517
TI  - Activating Mutations in PIK3CA Lead to Widespread Modulation of the Tyrosine
      Phosphoproteome.
AB  - The human oncogene PIK3CA is frequently mutated in human cancers. Two hotspot
      mutations in PIK3CA, E545K and H1047R, have been shown to regulate widespread
      signaling events downstream of AKT, leading to increased cell proliferation,
      growth, survival, and motility. We used quantitative mass spectrometry to profile
      the global phosphotyrosine proteome of isogenic knock-in cell lines containing
      these activating mutations, where we identified 824 unique phosphopeptides.
      Although it is well understood that these mutations result in hyperactivation of
      the serine/threonine kinase AKT, we found a surprisingly widespread modulation of
      tyrosine phosphorylation levels of proteins in the mutant cells. In the tyrosine
      kinome alone, 29 tyrosine kinases were altered in their phosphorylation status.
      Many of the regulated phosphosites that we identified were located in the kinase
      domain or the canonical activation sites, indicating that these kinases and their
      downstream signaling pathways were activated. Our study demonstrates that there
      is frequent and unexpected cross-talk that occurs between tyrosine signaling
      pathways and serine/threonine signaling pathways activated by the canonical PI3K
      AKT axis. 

PMID- 26267519
TI  - The inhibitory effect of vitamin K on RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation
      and bone resorption.
AB  - To further understand the correlation between vitamin K and bone metabolism, the
      effects of vitamins K1, menaquinone-4 (MK-4), and menaquinone-7 (MK-7) on RANKL
      induced osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption were comparatively
      investigated. Vitamin K2 groups (MK-4 and MK-7) were found to significantly
      inhibit RANKL-medicated osteoclast cell formation of bone marrow macrophages
      (BMMs) in a dose-dependent manner, without any evidence of cytotoxicity. The mRNA
      expression of specific osteoclast differentiation markers, such as c-Fos, NFATc1,
      OSCAR, and TRAP, as well as NFATc1 protein expression and TRAP activity in RANKL
      treated BMMs were inhibited by vitamin K2, although MK-4 exhibited a
      significantly greater efficiency compared to MK-7. In contrast, the same dose of
      vitamin K1 had no inhibitory effect on RANKL-induced osteoclast cell formation,
      but increased the expression of major osteoclastogenic genes. Interestingly,
      vitamins K1, MK-4 and MK-7 all strongly inhibited osteoclastic bone resorption (p
      < 0.01) in a dose dependent manner. These results suggest that vitamins K1, MK-4
      and MK-7 have anti-osteoporotic properties, while their regulation effects on
      osteoclastogenesis are somewhat different. 

PMID- 26267520
TI  - Clinical feasibility of a myocardial signal intensity threshold-based semi
      automated cardiac magnetic resonance segmentation method.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To assess the accuracy and efficiency of a threshold-based, semi
      automated cardiac MRI segmentation algorithm in comparison with conventional
      contour-based segmentation and aortic flow measurements. METHODS: Short-axis cine
      images of 148 patients (55 +/- 18 years, 81 men) were used to evaluate left
      ventricular (LV) volumes and mass (LVM) using conventional and threshold-based
      segmentations. Phase-contrast images were used to independently measure stroke
      volume (SV). LV parameters were evaluated by two independent readers. RESULTS:
      Evaluation times using the conventional and threshold-based methods were 8.4 +/-
      1.9 and 4.2 +/- 1.3 min, respectively (P < 0.0001). LV parameters measured by the
      conventional and threshold-based methods, respectively, were end-diastolic volume
      (EDV) 146 +/- 59 and 134 +/- 53 ml; end-systolic volume (ESV) 64 +/- 47 and 59 +/
      46 ml; SV 82 +/- 29 and 74 +/- 28 ml (flow-based 74 +/- 30 ml); ejection
      fraction (EF) 59 +/- 16 and 58 +/- 17%; and LVM 141 +/- 55 and 159 +/- 58 g.
      Significant differences between the conventional and threshold-based methods were
      observed in EDV, ESV, and LVM mesurements; SV from threshold-based and flow-based
      measurements were in agreement (P > 0.05) but were significantly different from
      conventional analysis (P < 0.05). Excellent inter-observer agreement was
      observed. CONCLUSIONS: Threshold-based LV segmentation provides improved accuracy
      and faster assessment compared to conventional contour-based methods. KEY POINTS:
      * Threshold-based left ventricular segmentation provides time-efficient
      assessment of left ventricular parameters * The threshold-based method can
      discriminate between blood and papillary muscles * This method provides improved
      accuracy compared to aortic flow measurements as a reference.

PMID- 26267521
TI  - Silver Enhancement for Transmission Electron Microscopy Imaging of Antibody
      Fragment-Gold Nanoparticles Conjugates Immobilized on Ordered Mesoporous Silica.
AB  - Ordered mesoporous silica (OMS) materials are receiving great attention as
      possible carriers for valuable but unstable drugs as, for example, therapeutic
      proteins. A key issue is to prove that the therapeutic protein is effectively
      able to penetrate the pores of OMS during the adsorption step. Here, we
      immobilized an antibody fragment [F(ab')GAMIgG] conjugated with ultrasmall gold
      nanoparticles (GNPs) onto amino-functionalized SBA-15 (SBA-NH2) mesoporous
      silica. The aim of this work is the visualization of the location of the
      conjugates adsorbed onto SBA-NH2 with transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
      Because of the ultrasmall size of GNPs (<1 nm), we use the silver enhancement
      procedure to amplify their size. In this procedure, ultrathin sections of
      conjugate-loaded SBA-NH2 particles are prepared by a ultramicrotome sectioning
      technique. The ultrasmall GNPs located on the top side of the 70-90 nm thick
      slices act as microcrystallization nucleation sites for the deposition of reduced
      metallic silver. Consequently, the ultrasmall GNPs increase their size. This
      allows for the direct imaging of the conjugates adsorbed. We clearly localize the
      F(ab')GAMIgG-GNPs conjugates either on the external surface of the particles or
      inside the mesopores of SBA-NH2 through TEM. 

PMID- 26267522
TI  - Nonnutritive Sweeteners in Breast Milk.
AB  - Nonnutritive sweeteners (NNS), including saccharin, sucralose, aspartame, and
      acesulfame-potassium, are commonly consumed in the general population, and all
      except for saccharin are considered safe for use during pregnancy and lactation.
      Sucralose (Splenda) currently holds the majority of the NNS market share and is
      often combined with acesulfame-potassium in a wide variety of foods and
      beverages. To date, saccharin is the only NNS reported to be found in human
      breast milk after maternal consumption, while there is no apparent information on
      the other NNS. Breast milk samples were collected from 20 lactating volunteers,
      irrespective of their habitual NNS intake. Saccharin, sucralose, and acesulfame
      potassium were present in 65% of participants' milk samples, whereas aspartame
      was not detected. These data indicate that NNS are frequently ingested by nursing
      infants, and thus prospective clinical studies are necessary to determine whether
      early NNS exposure via breast milk may have clinical implications. 

PMID- 26267523
TI  - The impact of comorbid chronic conditions on quality of life in type 2 diabetes
      patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence, impact and dose-response relationship of
      comorbid chronic conditions on quality of life of type 2 diabetes patients.
      RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Cross-sectional data of 1676 type 2 diabetes
      patients, aged 31-96 years, and treated in primary care, were analyzed. Quality
      of life (QoL) was measured using the mental component summary (MCS) and the
      physical component summary (PCS) scores of the Short Form-12. Diagnosis of type 2
      diabetes was obtained from medical records and comorbidities from self-reports.
      RESULTS: Only 361 (21.5%) of the patients reported no comorbidities. Diabetes
      patients with comorbidities showed significantly lower mean difference in PCS [
      8.5; 95% confidence interval (CI) -9.8 to -7.3] and MCS scores (-1.9; 95% CI -3.0
      to -0.9), compared to diabetes patients without. Additional adjustments did not
      substantially change these associations. Both MCS and PCS scores decrease
      significantly with the number of comorbid conditions, yet most pronounced
      regarding physical QoL. Comorbidities that reduced physical QoL most
      significantly were retinopathy, heart diseases, atherosclerosis in abdomen or
      legs, lung diseases, incontinence, back, neck and shoulder disorder,
      osteoarthritis and chronic rheumatoid arthritis, using the backwards stepwise
      regression procedure. CONCLUSION: Comorbidities are highly prevalent among type 2
      diabetes patients and have a negative impact on the patient's QoL. A strong dose
      response relationship between comorbidities and physical QoL was found. Reduced
      physical QoL is mainly determined by musculoskeletal and cardiovascular
      disorders.

PMID- 26267524
TI  - Development of an item bank for computerized adaptive test (CAT) measurement of
      pain.
AB  - PURPOSE: Patient-reported outcomes should ideally be adapted to the individual
      patient while maintaining comparability of scores across patients. This is
      achievable using computerized adaptive testing (CAT). The aim here was to develop
      an item bank for CAT measurement of the pain domain as measured by the EORTC QLQ
      C30 questionnaire. METHODS: The development process consisted of four steps: (1)
      literature search, (2) formulation of new items and expert evaluations, (3)
      pretesting and (4) field-testing and psychometric analyses for the final
      selection of items. RESULTS: In step 1, we identified 337 pain items from the
      literature. Twenty-nine new items fitting the QLQ-C30 item style were formulated
      in step 2 that were reduced to 26 items by expert evaluations. Based on
      interviews with 31 patients from Denmark, France and the UK, the list was further
      reduced to 21 items in step 3. In phase 4, responses were obtained from 1103
      cancer patients from five countries. Psychometric evaluations showed that 16
      items could be retained in a unidimensional item bank. Evaluations indicated that
      use of the CAT measure may reduce sample size requirements with 15-25% compared
      to using the QLQ-C30 pain scale. CONCLUSIONS: We have established an item bank of
      16 items suitable for CAT measurement of pain. While being backward compatible
      with the QLQ-C30, the new item bank will significantly improve measurement
      precision of pain. We recommend initiating CAT measurement by screening for pain
      using the two original QLQ-C30 pain items. The EORTC pain CAT is currently
      available for "experimental" purposes.

PMID- 26267525
TI  - LEUKEMIC OPTIC NERVE INFILTRATION IN A PATIENT WITH ACUTE LYMPHOBLASTIC LEUKEMIA.
AB  - PURPOSE: To describe the clinical presentation and imaging features of a patient
      with acute lymphoblastic leukemia that was complicated by optic nerve leukemic
      infiltration. METHODS: A 36-year-old man with history of acute lymphoblastic
      leukemia on treatment presented with decreased vision and optic nerve leukemic
      infiltrates. RESULTS: At presentation, ocular examination revealed decreased
      visual acuity at hand movement close to face in his right eye and 20/120 in his
      left eye. Fundus examination showed a pale optic disk with blurred margins and
      multiple flame-shaped and dot and blot retinal hemorrhages in his right eye and
      disk edema with whitish leukemic infiltrates over it with few dot and blot
      retinal hemorrhages in his left eye. The patient was referred to the treating
      oncologist, and curative orbital radiotherapy was administered. Vision improved
      dramatically to 20/40 in the right eye and to 20/20 in the left eye. He again
      reported with complaints of blurring of vision in the left eye after 1 month.
      Visual acuity was 20/20, but fundus revealed severe disk edema with whitish
      leukemic infiltrates. We diagnosed as relapse of leukemic optic nerve
      infiltration and referred to the treating oncologist for further management.
      CONCLUSION: Isolated optic nerve relapse of leukemic infiltration is of paramount
      importance to early diagnosis, as vision can be saved if treatment is initiated
      promptly.

PMID- 26267526
TI  - DEVELOPMENT OF EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS UVEITIS AFTER REMISSION OF PRIMARY
      VITREORETINAL LYMPHOMA.
AB  - PURPOSE: To describe a case of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) uveitis that occurred
      after the treatment and remission of primary vitreoretinal lymphoma (PVRL).
      METHODS: Descriptive case report. Complete ophthalmologic evaluation, cytology,
      polymerase chain reaction, cytokine analysis of aqueous humor, and diagnostic
      vitrectomy were performed. RESULTS: A 66-year-old Caucasian woman developed
      uveitis in the same eye 20 months after remission of PVRL. Empiric chemotherapy
      failed to treat the suspected PVRL recurrence, and aqueous humor cytology showed
      an absence of malignant cells. Qualitative polymerase chain reaction of aqueous
      humor confirmed the presence of EBV. Treatment for EBV resulted in remission of
      the uveitis. CONCLUSION: The authors describe a rare case of EBV uveitis that was
      preceded by PVRL. It is important to consider EBV in cases where suspected
      recurrence of PVRL does not respond to appropriate treatment.

PMID- 26267527
TI  - AN UNUSUAL PRESENTATION OF CHOROIDAL SARCOIDOSIS AND ITS MULTIMODAL IMAGING.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to report a case of a Filipino woman with
      a history of breast cancer who presented with unilateral choroidal infiltration,
      which led to the diagnosis of sarcoidosis. METHODS: Case report and literature
      review. RESULTS: A 64-year-old Filipino woman with a history of breast cancer
      presented with unilateral choroidal nodules. Her blood tests were negative for
      common causes of choroidal infiltration (angiotensin-converting enzyme, lysozyme,
      Treponema pallidum particle agglutination), and Mantoux skin test and a chest x
      ray were negative. Her diagnosis could only be made by biopsy of the two
      hypermetabolic paratracheal nodes seen on the positron emission tomography
      computed tomography. CONCLUSION: Choroidal infiltration may be the presenting
      feature of sarcoidosis even in ethnicities known to have very low incidence of
      the disease. If the chest x-ray is negative and the clinical suspicion warrants
      it, a CT or positron emission tomography-computed tomography of the thorax may be
      helpful in identifying nonhilar mediastinal lymphadenopathy. As in our case, fine
      needle aspiration biopsy of these nodes may lead to confirmation of the
      diagnosis.

PMID- 26267528
TI  - PIPPing on AKT1: How Many Phosphatases Does It Take to Turn off PI3K?
AB  - In this issue of Cancer Cell, Ooms and colleagues show that the lipid phosphatase
      PIPP/INPP5J, frequently inactivated in triple-negative breast cancers, functions
      as a tumor suppressor by specifically modulating the activity of AKT1 in the
      context of oncogenic PI3K signaling, leading to inhibition of metastatic
      dissemination. 

PMID- 26267529
TI  - A Kinase Divided.
AB  - In this issue of Cancer Cell, Herrero and colleagues identify an anti-tumorigenic
      small molecule that blocks ERK dimerization, but neither its catalytic activity
      nor its phosphorylation by MEK. These findings demonstrate that targeting protein
      dimerization could be a therapeutic avenue for inhibiting kinase signaling
      pathways associated with lower drug resistance. 

PMID- 26267530
TI  - ROR1C Regulates Differentiation of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells.
AB  - Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) play a major role in cancer. MDSC
      expansion is closely associated with tumor progression, but molecular mechanisms
      of this expansion remain poorly understood. In this issue of Cancer Cell, Strauss
      and colleagues describe the roles of the nuclear receptor ROR1C in the regulation
      of MDSC differentiation and expansion. 

PMID- 26267531
TI  - Tumor Heterogeneity: Focus on the Leaves, the Trees, or the Forest?
AB  - Molecular studies of intra-tumor heterogeneity (ITH) are revealing a large amount
      of DNA-based variation in many individual tumors. In a recent publication by
      Yates and colleagues, the ITH of breast tumors was examined and shown to have
      important implications for the development of resistant disease, metastasis, and
      clinical sequencing efforts.

PMID- 26267532
TI  - Intercepting Cancer Communiques: Exosomes as Heralds of Malignancy.
AB  - In clinical oncology, detecting and treating disease as early as possible is the
      brass ring to be grasped. Does a new test based on circulating exosomes bring it
      closer for patients with pancreas cancer? 

PMID- 26267533
TI  - The Inositol Polyphosphate 5-Phosphatase PIPP Regulates AKT1-Dependent Breast
      Cancer Growth and Metastasis.
AB  - Metastasis is the major cause of breast cancer mortality. Phosphoinositide 3
      kinase (PI3K) generated PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 activates AKT, which promotes breast
      cancer cell proliferation and regulates migration. To date, none of the inositol
      polyphosphate 5-phosphatases that inhibit PI3K/AKT signaling have been reported
      as tumor suppressors in breast cancer. Here, we show depletion of the inositol
      polyphosphate 5-phosphatase PIPP (INPP5J) increases breast cancer cell
      transformation, but reduces cell migration and invasion. Pipp ablation
      accelerates oncogene-driven breast cancer tumor growth in vivo, but paradoxically
      reduces metastasis by regulating AKT1-dependent tumor cell migration. PIPP mRNA
      expression is reduced in human ER-negative breast cancers associated with reduced
      long-term outcome. Collectively, our findings identify PIPP as a suppressor of
      oncogenic PI3K/AKT signaling in breast cancer. 

PMID- 26267534
TI  - Small Molecule Inhibition of ERK Dimerization Prevents Tumorigenesis by RAS-ERK
      Pathway Oncogenes.
AB  - Nearly 50% of human malignancies exhibit unregulated RAS-ERK signaling;
      inhibiting it is a valid strategy for antineoplastic intervention. Upon
      activation, ERK dimerize, which is essential for ERK extranuclear, but not for
      nuclear, signaling. Here, we describe a small molecule inhibitor for ERK
      dimerization that, without affecting ERK phosphorylation, forestalls
      tumorigenesis driven by RAS-ERK pathway oncogenes. This compound is unaffected by
      resistance mechanisms that hamper classical RAS-ERK pathway inhibitors. Thus, ERK
      dimerization inhibitors provide the proof of principle for two understudied
      concepts in cancer therapy: (1) the blockade of sub-localization-specific sub
      signals, rather than total signals, as a means of impeding oncogenic RAS-ERK
      signaling and (2) targeting regulatory protein-protein interactions, rather than
      catalytic activities, as an approach for producing effective antitumor agents. 

PMID- 26267536
TI  - Long-Pentraxin 3 Derivative as a Small-Molecule FGF Trap for Cancer Therapy.
AB  - The fibroblast growth factor (FGF)/FGF receptor (FGFR) system plays a crucial
      role in cancer by affecting tumor growth, angiogenesis, drug resistance, and
      escape from anti-angiogenic anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy. The
      soluble pattern recognition receptor long-pentraxin 3 (PTX3) acts as a multi-FGF
      antagonist. Here we demonstrate that human PTX3 overexpression in transgenic mice
      driven by the Tie2 promoter inhibits tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis
      in heterotopic, orthotopic, and autochthonous FGF-dependent tumor models. Using
      pharmacophore modeling of the interaction of a minimal PTX3-derived FGF-binding
      pentapeptide with FGF2, we identified a small-molecule chemical (NSC12) that acts
      as an extracellular FGF trap with significant implications in cancer therapy. 

PMID- 26267535
TI  - ERK2-Dependent Phosphorylation of CSN6 Is Critical in Colorectal Cancer
      Development.
AB  - Biomarkers for predicting prognosis are critical to treating colorectal cancer
      (CRC) patients. We found that CSN6, a subunit of COP9 signalosome, is
      overexpressed in CRC samples and that CSN6 overexpression is correlated with poor
      patient survival. Mechanistic studies revealed that CSN6 is deregulated by
      epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling, in which ERK2 binds directly
      to CSN6 Leu163/Val165 and phosphorylates CSN6 at Ser148. Furthermore, CSN6
      regulated beta-Trcp and stabilized beta-catenin expression by blocking the
      ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, thereby promoting CRC development. High CSN6
      expression was positively correlated with ERK2 activation and beta-catenin
      overexpression in CRC samples, and inhibiting CSN6 stability with cetuximab
      reduced colon cancer growth. Taken together, our study's findings indicate that
      the deregulation of beta-catenin by ERK2-activated CSN6 is important for CRC
      development. 

PMID- 26267538
TI  - RORC1 Regulates Tumor-Promoting "Emergency" Granulo-Monocytopoiesis.
AB  - Cancer-driven granulo-monocytopoiesis stimulates expansion of tumor promoting
      myeloid populations, mostly myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and tumor
      associated macrophages (TAMs). We identified subsets of MDSCs and TAMs based on
      the expression of retinoic-acid-related orphan receptor (RORC1/RORgamma) in human
      and mouse tumor bearers. RORC1 orchestrates myelopoiesis by suppressing negative
      (Socs3 and Bcl3) and promoting positive (C/EBPbeta) regulators of granulopoiesis,
      as well as the key transcriptional mediators of myeloid progenitor commitment and
      differentiation to the monocytic/macrophage lineage (IRF8 and PU.1). RORC1
      supported tumor-promoting innate immunity by protecting MDSCs from apoptosis,
      mediating TAM differentiation and M2 polarization, and limiting tumor
      infiltration by mature neutrophils. Accordingly, ablation of RORC1 in the
      hematopoietic compartment prevented cancer-driven myelopoiesis, resulting in
      inhibition of tumor growth and metastasis. 

PMID- 26267537
TI  - Characterization of a Steroid Receptor Coactivator Small Molecule Stimulator that
      Overstimulates Cancer Cells and Leads to Cell Stress and Death.
AB  - By integrating growth pathways on which cancer cells rely, steroid receptor
      coactivators (SRC-1, SRC-2, and SRC-3) represent emerging targets in cancer
      therapeutics. High-throughput screening for SRC small molecule inhibitors (SMIs)
      uncovered MCB-613 as a potent SRC small molecule "stimulator" (SMS). We
      demonstrate that MCB-613 can super-stimulate SRCs' transcriptional activity.
      Further investigation revealed that MCB-613 increases SRCs' interactions with
      other coactivators and markedly induces ER stress coupled to the generation of
      reactive oxygen species (ROS). Because cancer cells overexpress SRCs and rely on
      them for growth, we show that we can exploit MCB-613 to selectively induce
      excessive stress in cancer cells. This suggests that over-stimulating the SRC
      oncogenic program can be an effective strategy to kill cancer cells.

PMID- 26267539
TI  - Iodine(III)-Mediated Diazidation and Azido-oxyamination of Enamides.
AB  - In this study we demonstrate that the combination of bis(tert
      butylcarbonyloxy)iodobenzene and lithium azide in acetonitrile allows the
      diazidation of various enamide substrates. The azido-oxyamination of the same
      substrates can be carried out in the presence of 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine N
      oxide (TEMPO). Control experiments strongly suggest that this latter process
      occurs through a shift in nature of the in situ generated electrophilic species
      from a radical to a cation. Finally, the versatility of the novel compounds
      synthesized was also assessed by running various selective reactions on them. 

PMID- 26267540
TI  - The Feasibility and Outcome of Oro-esophageal Tube Feeding in Patients with
      Various Etiologies.
AB  - The oro-esophageal tube (OE tube) is widely used in dysphagia patients although
      its success rate for transition to oral feeding is reported only in stroke
      patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and outcome of OE
      tube feeding for patients with dysphagia resulting from various etiologies. The
      authors reviewed the medical records of 1995 dysphagic patients that had
      undergone videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) in a tertiary hospital from
      April 2002 through December 2009. Of these, 97 patients were recommended to use
      OE tube feeding based on the VFSS findings. Follow-up VFSS were performed on 54
      patients. The mean duration of tube use at the time of follow-up VFSS was 274
      days. We evaluated clinical information including age, sex, diet, etiology of
      dysphagia, location of lesions, duration of intervention, and complications of OE
      tube feeding. Initially, all 54 patients were fed using the OE tube. After their
      last follow-up evaluation, 19 patients (35.2 %) resumed full oral feeding without
      the OE tube, 12 patients (22.2 %) used partial OE tube feeding, and 23 patients
      (42.6 %) continued OE tube feeding only. Full oral feeding was achieved again
      most often in brain tumor, stroke, and head and neck cancer patients (54.5, 27.3,
      and 20.0 %, respectively). Mild adverse events, such as blood-tinged sputum,
      nausea, dyspepsia, and regurgitation of food, were reported in 4 patients. OE
      tube feeding is a feasible feeding method also in conditions other than stroke
      such as brain tumors, and head and neck cancers. 

PMID- 26267542
TI  - Phylogenetic, Morphological, and Pathogenic Characterization of Alternaria
      Species Associated with Fruit Rot of Blueberry in California.
AB  - Fruit rot caused by Alternaria spp. is one of the most important factors
      affecting the postharvest quality and shelf life of blueberry fruit. The aims of
      this study were to characterize Alternaria isolates using morphological and
      molecular approaches and test their pathogenicity to blueberry fruit. Alternaria
      spp. isolates were collected from decayed blueberry fruit in the Central Valley
      of California during 2012 and 2013. In total, 283 isolates were obtained and five
      species of Alternaria, including Alternaria alternata, A. tenuissima, A.
      arborescens, A. infectoria, and A. rosae, were identified based on DNA sequences
      of the plasma membrane ATPase, Alt a1 and Calmodulin gene regions in combination
      with morphological characters of the culture and sporulation. Of the 283
      isolates, 61.5% were identified as A. alternata, 32.9% were A. arborescens, 5.0%
      were A. tenuissima, and only one isolate of A. infectoria and one isolate of A.
      rosae were found. These fungi were able to grow at temperatures from 0 to 35
      degrees C, and mycelial growth was arrested at 40 degrees C. Optimal radial
      growth occurred between 20 to 30 degrees C. Pathogenicity tests showed that all
      five Alternaria spp. were pathogenic on blueberry fruit at 0, 4, and 20 degrees
      C, with A. alternata, A. arborescens, and A. tenuissima being the most virulent
      species, followed by A. infectoria and A. rosae. Previously A. tenuissima has
      been reported to be the primary cause of Alternaria fruit rot of blueberry
      worldwide. Our results indicated that the species composition of Alternaria
      responsible for Alternaria fruit rot in blueberry can be dependent on
      geographical region. A. alternata, A. arborescens, A. infectoria, and A. rosae
      are reported for the first time on blueberry in California. This is also the
      first report of A. infectoria and A. rosae infecting blueberry fruit. 

PMID- 26267541
TI  - Evaluation of swallowing function after supracricoid laryngectomy as a primary or
      salvage procedure.
AB  - The primary functional issues following conservative therapy for advanced
      laryngeal cancer concern swallowing. Here, we evaluated the recovery of
      swallowing after supracricoid partial laryngectomy (SCL) in patients with primary
      or recurrent laryngeal cancer. We evaluated the swallowing recovery in 27 SCL
      patients through oropharyngoesophageal scintigraphy, and we evaluated their
      quality of life using EORTC questionnaires. Four patients underwent total
      laryngectomy during follow-up. Patients who retained their larynges were able to
      feed without nutritional support and without tracheostoma. The only significantly
      different parameter between the primary and salvage cases was the time elapsed to
      the removal of nasogastric/PEG tubes, which was longer in salvage cases. SCL has
      been demonstrated as a valuable option for primary and recurrent laryngeal cancer
      patients. The present data demonstrate good functional results, particularly in
      terms of swallowing after previous treatments and in primary settings. The
      combination of oropharyngoesophageal scintigraphy and questionnaires appears to
      be an adequate, standardizable approach to assessing swallowing function after
      SCL. 

PMID- 26267543
TI  - Inheritance of Resistance to Powdery Mildew Race 1W in Watermelon.
AB  - Powdery mildew caused by Podosphaera xanthii is a major disease of watermelon in
      Israel. In this study, 291 accessions of Citrullus spp. were evaluated for
      resistance against P. xanthii race 1W. Only eight accessions exhibited high level
      of resistance. Inheritance of resistance against P. xanthii race 1W was studied
      by crossing three resistant accession of Citrullus lanatus var. citroides BIU
      119, PI 189225, or PI 482312 with the susceptible cultivar 'Malali' or 'Sugar
      Baby'. Parents, F1, F2, and back cross progenies were evaluated for resistance in
      growth chambers at the cotyledon stage and the 4-leaf stage and in the field, at
      the 15-leaf stage. Resistance at the cotyledon stage was controlled by a single,
      partially dominant gene, whereas at the 4-leaf stage or the 15-leaf stage
      resistance was controlled by three complimentary, partially dominant genes.
      Crosses made among these resistant accessions revealed that BIU 119 and PI 189225
      carry the same genes for resistance, whereas PI 482312 shares two out of three
      genes with both BIU 119 and PI 189225. A breeding line with high resistance level
      and good fruit qualities was developed from BIU 119 * HA5500. 

PMID- 26267544
TI  - The Future of Imaging.

PMID- 26267545
TI  - Invisalign treatment of Class III malocclusion with lower-incisor extraction.

PMID- 26267546
TI  - The Herbst appliance 32 years after treatment.

PMID- 26267547
TI  - A customized appliance for molar uprighting and space regaining.

PMID- 26267548
TI  - Coordinated logopedic and lingual-orthodontic treatment of an open-bite case.

PMID- 26267549
TI  - Management of maxillary central incisor fenestration with a 2 x 2 appliance.

PMID- 26267550
TI  - Treatment of pseudo-class III malocclusion with a modified reverse twin block and
      fixed appliances.

PMID- 26267551
TI  - Clinical value of pulse wave velocity: a promising marker for arterial stiffness.

PMID- 26267552
TI  - In vitro and in vivo corrosion of the novel magnesium alloy Mg-La-Nd-Zr:
      influence of the measurement technique and in vivo implant location.
AB  - For the evaluation of new magnesium-based alloys, many different in vitro and in
      vivo methods are used. It was the aim of the current study to perform in vitro
      and in vivo corrosion studies of the new alloy Mg-La-Nd-Zr for its evaluation as
      a promising new degradable material and to compare commonly used evaluation
      methods. Die casted and subsequent extruded cylindrical pins (O1.5 mm; length 7
      mm, [Formula: see text]) were implanted subcutaneously ([Formula: see text]),
      intramuscular ([Formula: see text]) and intramedullary ([Formula: see text]) in
      female Lewis rats with a postoperative follow up of 8 weeks; subsequent MU
      computed tomographical analyses (XTremeCT and MUCT80) were performed as well as
      weight analysis prior to and after implantation. Cubes (5 mm  *  4 mm  *  4 mm;
      surface area, 1.12 cm(2); [Formula: see text]) were used for in vitro corrosion
      (HBSS and RPMI 1640 + 10% FBS medium) and cytocompatibility studies (L929 cells).
      First of all it could be stated that implant location strongly influences the in
      vivo corrosion rate. In particular, intramedullary implanted pins corroded faster
      than pins in a subcutaneous or intramuscular environment. Considering the
      different evaluation methods, the calculated ex vivo MUCT-based corrosion rates
      resulted in comparable values to the corrosion rates calculated by the weight
      loss method, especially after chromatic acid treatment of the explanted pins. The
      in vitro methods used tend to show similar corrosion rates compared to in vivo
      corrosion, especially when a RPMI medium was used, and therefore are suitable to
      predict corrosion trends prior to in vivo studies. Regarding cytocompatibility,
      the novel magnesium alloy Mg-La-Nd-Zr showed sufficient cell viability and
      therefore can be considered as a promising alloy for further applications. 

PMID- 26267553
TI  - Modulation and the Underlying Mechanism of T Cells in Thymus of Mice by Oral
      Administration of Sodium Fluoride.
AB  - The underlying mechanism of thymic T cell regulation has been a hot topic of
      research in recent years. Fluoride is toxic at high concentrations and fluoride
      toxicity to thymic T cells was assessed in our study. To explore T cell responses
      to excess fluoride, different concentrations of fluoride were uptake by mice for
      6 weeks. The expression of genes, including Foxn1, Cbx4, DLL4, and IL-7 gene,
      associated with the development and differentiation of T cells in thymic
      epithelial cells(TECs) was lower in the experimental groups than that in the
      control group. The percentages of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells that decreased with
      the fluoride administration were confirmed by flow cytometry. The mRNA levels of
      immunoregulatory cytokines IL-2 and IL-10, which participate in T cell
      proliferation, also declined in the experimental groups as compared with the
      control group. Expression of the T cell function-related genes CD2, PTPRC, CD69,
      and CD101, which are involved in thymic function in mice, decreased with the
      fluoride administration. Our findings suggest that the administration of high
      concentrations of fluoride to mice induces a decrease in CD4(+) and CD8(+) thymus
      T cells by harming TECs leading to the dysfunction of the thymus by altering the
      expression of T cell function-related genes and immunoregulatory cytokine
      production. 

PMID- 26267554
TI  - Prosody and language comprehension.
AB  - This review provides a summary of the most recent advances on the study of how
      prosody is used during language comprehension. Prosody is characterized as an
      abstract structure composed of discrete tonal elements aligned with the segmental
      composition of the sentence organized in constituents of increasing size, and
      this structure is influenced by the phonological, syntactic, and informational
      structures of the sentence. Here, we discuss evidence that listeners are affected
      by prosody when establishing those linguistic structures. Prosody has been shown
      to influence the segmentation of the utterance into syllables and words, and, in
      some cases, whether a syllable or word is judged to be present or not. The
      literature on how prosody informs the structural relationship between words and
      phrases is also discussed, contrasting views that assume a direct (albeit
      probabilistic) link between syntax and prosody with those that posit a complex
      interface between syntax and prosodic structure. Finally, the role of prosody in
      conveying important aspects pertaining to the sentence's information structure
      (i.e., which parts of the sentence's meaning are highlighted and brought forward
      to the discourse, which ones are presupposed and left in the background, which
      attitudes are being conveyed about the concepts or propositional content) has
      long been recognized. Current research focuses on which prosodic elements
      contribute to marking the dimensions (or semantic primitives) of the information
      structure.

PMID- 26267556
TI  - Cadmium potentiates toxicity of cypermethrin in zebrafish.
AB  - Co-occurrence of pesticides such as synthetic pyrethroids and metals in aquatic
      ecosystems raises concerns over their combined ecological effects. Cypermethrin,
      1 of the top 5 synthetic pyrethroids in use, has been extensively detected in
      surface water. Cadmium (Cd) has been recognized as 1 of the most toxic metals and
      is a common contaminant in the aquatic system. However, little information is
      available regarding their joint toxicity. In the present study, combined toxicity
      of cypermethrin and Cd and the underlying mechanisms were investigated. Zebrafish
      embryos and adults were exposed to the individual contaminant or binary mixtures.
      Co-exposure to cypermethrin and Cd produced synergistic effects on the occurrence
      of crooked body, pericardial edema, and noninflation of swim bladder. The
      addition of Cd significantly potentiated cypermethrin-induced spasms and caused
      more oxidative stress in zebrafish larvae. Cypermethrin-mediated induction of
      transcription levels and catalytic activities of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme
      were significantly down-regulated by Cd in both zebrafish larvae and adults.
      Chemical analytical data showed that in vitro elimination of cypermethrin by
      CYP1A1 was inhibited by Cd. The addition of Cd caused an elevation of in vivo
      cypermethrin residue levels in the mixture-exposed adult zebrafish. These results
      suggest that the enhanced toxicity of cypermethrin in the presence of Cd results
      from the inhibitory effects of Cd on CYP-mediated biotransformation of this
      pesticide. The authors' findings provide a deeper understanding of the
      mechanistic basis accounting for the joint toxicity of cypermethrin and Cd.

PMID- 26267557
TI  - Quantum dot/methylene blue FRET mediated NIR fluorescent nanomicelles with large
      Stokes shift for bioimaging.
AB  - Here we present a novel large Stokes shifting NIR fluorescent nanomicelle through
      the encapsulation of a quantum dot/methylene blue FRET pair, which is employed as
      an excellent contrast reagent for NIR fluorescence bioimaging. 

PMID- 26267558
TI  - Synthesis and Optical Properties of PbSe Nanorods with Controlled Diameter and
      Length.
AB  - The synthesis of PbSe nanorods with low branching (<1%), high aspect ratios (up
      to ~16), and controlled lengths and diameters was demonstrated via the removal of
      water and oleic acid from the synthesis precursors. It was determined that the
      proper combination of reaction time and temperature allows for the control of
      PbSe nanorod length and diameter and therefore control over their electronic
      states, as probed through absorbance and photoluminescence measurements. Similar
      to PbSe nanowires, nanorods display higher Stokes shifts than for spherical
      nanocrystals due to intrananorod diameter fluctuations. 

PMID- 26267559
TI  - Tailoring the strain in Si nano-structures for defect-free epitaxial Ge over
      growth.
AB  - We investigate the structural properties and strain state of Ge nano-structures
      selectively grown on Si pillars of about 60 nm diameter with different SiGe
      buffer layers. A matrix of TEOS SiO2 surrounding the Si nano-pillars causes a
      tensile strain in the top part at the growth temperature of the buffer that
      reduces the misfit and supports defect-free initial growth. Elastic relaxation
      plays the dominant role in the further increase of the buffer thickness and
      subsequent Ge deposition. This method leads to Ge nanostructures on Si that are
      free from misfit dislocations and other structural defects, which is not the case
      for direct Ge deposition on these pillar structures. The Ge content of the SiGe
      buffer is thereby not a critical parameter; it may vary over a relatively wide
      range. 

PMID- 26267560
TI  - Assessment of Head Shape by Craniofacial Teams: Structuring Practice Parameters
      to Optimize Efficiency.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Since the initiation of the "Back to Sleep Campaign" by the
      American Academy of Pediatrics in 1992, the incidence of referrals for positional
      plagiocephaly has increased by 600%. Although patients with positional
      plagiocephaly rarely require operative intervention, they often do require
      treatment with cranial molding helmets or positioning changes. The increased
      volume of patients makes the task of separating cases of craniosynostosis from
      positional head shape problems more difficult. The authors sought to determine
      how providers are handling this increased workload of head shape abnormality
      patients, especially with respect to the largest practices. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: An electronic survey was created and distributed to members of the
      American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons and the American Cleft Palate
      Association (ACPA). Practices were categorized by head shape patient volume as
      low (<4 new patients/month), medium (5-20 new patients/month), and high (>21 new
      patients/month). A Pearson's chi test was used to determine characteristics that
      differed significantly with practice volume. RESULTS: Response rate was 6.6%,
      with 88 responses. Regarding head shape evaluation, 17.6% of practices used a
      laser scanner (portable or stationary), 35.3% used caliper anthropometric
      measurements, 28.5% used two-dimensional digital photography, and 9.4% used three
      dimensional digital photography. In high-volume centers, 80% had a dedicated head
      shape clinic (P < 0.0005), 33.3% used a stationary laser scanner (P = 0.023), and
      53.3% used a licensed independent provider (LIP) such as a nurse practitioner or
      physician assistant in the initial evaluation of head shape abnormalities (P =
      0.032). Although using a multidisciplinary clinic was not a significant
      difference amongst groups, the most common additional provider in
      multidisciplinary clinic was orthotics (68%). CONCLUSIONS: High-volume practices
      are significantly more likely to use LIPs, stationary laser scanners, and plain
      films, as well as organizing head shape abnormality patients into a dedicated
      clinic.

PMID- 26267561
TI  - Tracheal Resection With Primary Anastomosis.
AB  - The aim of our study was to present our retrospective experience in the single
      stage surgical reconstruction of 21 tracheal stenosis (TS) patients during the
      last 17 years, considering the characteristics of the treated stenosis, surgical
      procedures performed, and postoperative outcomes and complications. All
      demographic and clinical data were collected retrospectively. Chest and neck
      computed tomography (CT) scans were performed to assess the stenosis, including
      length, location, and glottic involvement. The stenotic area was evaluated
      endoscopically according to an adapted Myer and Cotton grading scale. The
      aetiology of the (TS) was intubation related in 18 patients and idiopathic in
      three patients. The duration of intubation was 13.00 +/- 6.83 days (range, 1 hour
      to 27 days). According to the Myers-Cotton classification, mean stage of stenosis
      for the study group was 3.33 +/- 0.66 (range, 2-4). Mean length of the stenosis
      was 2.05 +/- 0.80 (range, 1-3.5) cm. The mean number of stenotic segment involved
      was 3.67 +/- 1.24 (range, 2-6). Mean follow-up for the study group, excluding two
      patients who died in the postoperative period, was 57 (range, 12-326) months. Of
      the 19 patients who survived, postoperative decannulation was achieved in 16
      patients (76.19%), and decannulation was not achieved in 3 patients (14.29%) who
      are still on a T-tube. Of the 16 patients who are decannulated successfully,
      additional procedures were applied in 9 patients. Segmental resection with
      primary anastomosis is an effective method and can be used as the first option in
      selected patients of (TS).

PMID- 26267562
TI  - Family of Crouzon Syndrome Represents the Evolution of the Frontofacial Monobloc
      Advancement Technique: From Immediate Movement to Monobloc Distraction to
      Monobloc Bipartition Distraction.
AB  - Crouzon syndrome (CS) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by
      premature fusion of cranial sutures, midface and supraorbital ridge retrusion,
      exorbitism, and in some clinical scenarios strabismus, parrot-beaked nose, short
      upper lip and hypertelorbitism. Treatment of CS is overlapped with the beginning
      of craniofacial surgery and is grounded on morphologic and functional objectives.
      The authors reported on the outcomes and complications of family members (mother
      and 2 siblings) with CS, who were operated on by different techniques of
      frontofacial advancement and have attained skeletal maturity. Operations were
      performed in different moments throughout the last 3 decades of craniofacial
      surgery history. A 10-year-old Crouzon progenitor underwent a monobloc osteotomy
      with acute advancement, using rigid fixation and bone grafting in the osteotomy
      sites. An 8-year-old Crouzon daughter underwent gradual lengthening of a monobloc
      segment, using an external, institutionally made distracter device. In addition,
      a 10-year-old Crouzon son underwent gradual lengthening of a monobloc segment
      associated to facial bipartition, using an internal distracter device. After 30
      years, the mother presented a mild relapse on the orbit level, but her children
      had satisfactory stable outcomes. The family members with CS have undergone
      different modifications of the monobloc approach based on different chronological
      momentum, from acute monobloc advancement, to monobloc distraction, to monobloc
      facial bipartition distraction. 

PMID- 26267563
TI  - Isolated Unilateral Frontosphenoidal Craniosynostosis: A Rare Cause of Anterior
      Plagiocephaly.
AB  - Isolated unilateral frontosphenoidal synostosis is a rare and often misdiagnosed
      cause of synostotic frontal plagiocephaly. It is important to distinguish the
      various synostotic causes of frontal plagiocephaly from deformational frontal
      plagiocephaly because operative intervention is required in synostotic
      plagiocephaly to avoid progressive deformity, whereas deformational plagiocephaly
      typically improves without surgery. This study reports a patient with a unique
      case of anterior plagiocephaly caused by left-sided frontosphenoidal
      craniosynostosis. The workup should include a thorough history and clinical
      examination followed by computed tomography scan with three-dimensional
      reconstruction. Frontosphenoidal synostosis should be suspected in the absence of
      a coronal synostosis in a child with anterior unilateral plagiocephaly and
      treated surgically. Good aesthetic and functional results occur with prompt
      diagnosis and early surgical correction. 

PMID- 26267564
TI  - Periosteal Transposition Flap for Graft Coverage and Ridge Preservation in the
      Aesthetic Zone.
AB  - Implant treatment in esthetic zone has been challenging for a long time. To
      achieve the best results optimum amounts of alveolar bone and soft tissue
      especially attached gingiva is needed. We presented the use of inverted
      periosteal flap which is a periosteal transposition flap in an esthetic zone.
      This flap may play a significant role in ridge augmentation and socket
      preservation in the esthetic zone and could be considered as an alternative for
      other local flaps. This flap provides sufficient-soft tissue coverage and reduces
      the risk of dehiscence. 

PMID- 26267565
TI  - Functional Sharing of the Upper Orbicularis Oris Muscle for the Reconstruction of
      the Lower Lip.
AB  - The lip reconstruction is a very controversial topic in plastic surgery and many
      flaps have been described for this purpose. Despite all of the interventions,
      some patients still have problems such as drooling and gingival show that
      decrease their quality of life. In this study, the authors report a patient whose
      lower lip was resected totally for squamous cell carcinoma. His lip was
      reconstructed with radial forearm flap and the patient was referred to our clinic
      with the aforementioned complaints. A portion of the orbicularis oris muscle of
      the upper lip was designed as a bipedicled flap, and it was transposed to the
      lower lip to make the initial flap functional. After the operation, the
      sphincteric function of the lip was better, and the problems as drooling and
      gingival show were absent. In conclusion, this flap can be a good option to make
      the initial nonfunctional flaps (such as radial forearm flap), functional in the
      aspect of lower lip reconstruction. It has a function, and it is concordant with
      the principle of "reconstructing like with like." The native muscle tissue of the
      upper lip can be transferred partially to maintain physiologic oral competency. 

PMID- 26267566
TI  - Dental Extractions Management in Bernard-Soulier Syndrome.

PMID- 26267567
TI  - Bone Healing in the Surgical Treatment of Dentigerous Cysts in Critically Ill
      Patients.

PMID- 26267568
TI  - An Experimental Model Design for Photoaging.
AB  - Autologous adipose-derived stem cells have shown great promise in applications
      that treat photodamaged skin. Adipose-derived stem cells also have an antiwrinkle
      effect; consequently, they have become a topic of primary interest. Nude mice
      have been used extensively in studies of adipose-derived stem cells, human dermal
      fibroblasts, and other filler injections. However, a nude mouse model of
      photoaging has not yet been developed. Thus, we attempted to develop a nude mouse
      model of photoaging in this study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen, 5-week-old
      female BALB/c nude mice were irradiated with ultraviolet-B rays, 6 times a week
      for 6 weeks. The minimum erythema dose was established before the mice underwent
      ultraviolet irradiation to minimize the inflammation of the irradiated skin and
      to determine the initial irradiation dosage. The mean sizes of the wrinkled areas
      of skin and the mean depths of the wrinkles were compared between the study
      groups using replica analysis. Skin biopsies were performed on the 6th and 10th
      weeks of the study. RESULTS: The mean sizes of the wrinkled areas of skin and the
      mean depths of the wrinkles increased significantly in the ultraviolet-B
      irradiated nude mice compared with the nonirradiated mice, and the thicknesses of
      the epidermis and dermis of the skin from the upper and lower back were
      significantly greater after ultraviolet-B irradiation up to the 6th week of
      treatment (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the ultraviolet-B-irradiated group
      demonstrated reduced collagen fiber levels. CONCLUSIONS: We have successfully
      developed a nude mouse model for research into photoaging, and these results
      indicate that the nude mouse is a suitable model for investigating the
      development of photoaging.

PMID- 26267569
TI  - Reconstruction of Complex Facial Defects Using Cervical Expanded Flap
      Prefabricated by Temporoparietal Fascia Flap.
AB  - Reconstruction of complex facial defects using cervical expanded flap
      prefabricated by temporoparietal fascia flap. BACKGROUND: Complex facial defects
      are required to restore not only function but also aesthetic appearance, so it is
      vital challenge for plastic surgeons. Skin grafts and traditional flap transfer
      cannot meet the reconstructive requirements of color and texture with recipient.
      The purpose of this sturdy is to create an expanded prefabricated temporoparietal
      fascia flap to repair complex facial defects. METHODS: Two patients suffered
      severe burns on the face underwent complex facial resurfacing with prefabricated
      cervical flap. The vasculature of prefabricated flap, including the superficial
      temporal vessel and surrounding fascia, was used as the vascular carrier. The
      temporoparietal fascia flap was sutured underneath the cervical subcutaneous
      tissue, and expansion was begun in postoperative 1 week. After 4 to 6 months of
      expansion, the expander was removed, facial scars were excised, and cervical
      prefabricated flap was elevated and transferred to repair the complex facial
      defects. RESULTS: Two complex facial defects were repaired successfully by
      prefabricated temporoparietal fascia flap, and prefabricated flaps survived
      completely. On account of donor site's skin was thinner and expanded too fast, 1
      expanded skin flap was rupture during expansion, but necrosis was not occurred
      after the 2nd operation. Venous congestion was observed in 1 patient, but after
      dressing, flap necrosis was not happened. Donor site was closed primarily.
      Postoperative follow-up 6 months, the color, texture of prefabricated flap was
      well-matched with facial skin. CONCLUSION: This method of expanded prefabricated
      flap may provide a reliable solution to the complex facial resurfacing.

PMID- 26267570
TI  - Chondrosarcoma of the Laryngeal Thyroid Cartilage.
AB  - Chondrosarcoma of the larynx is a rare tumor, accounting for 0.07% to 2% of all
      laryngeal cancers. Nevertheless, it represents the most frequent nonepithelial
      neoplasm of the laryngeal region.Laryngeal chondrosarcomas are usually
      characterized by slow growth and low metastatic potential.The exact
      etiopathogenesis of chondrosarcoma is still debated. Diagnosis can be difficult
      given the slow rate of growth and nonspecific patient symptoms at
      presentation.Because of its rarity, literature about laryngeal chondrosarcoma is
      mainly made up of case reports and small case series.Therefore, it is important
      to add any information regarding this pathology.The aim of this article was to
      present and discuss a new case of chondrosarcoma located in the thyroid cartilage
      in a 63-year-old woman. 

PMID- 26267571
TI  - Effects of Vertical Movement of the Anterior Nasal Spine on the Maxillary
      Stability After LeFort I Osteotomy for Pitch Correction.
AB  - Few reports have so far evaluated the maxillary stability after LeFort I
      osteotomy (L-1) for pitch correction. In the current study, the authors assessed
      the SN-PP (palatal plane) to evaluate the skeletal stability after osteotomy with
      clockwise or counter-clockwise rotation and investigated the effects of anterior
      nasal spine (ANS) and posterior nasal spine (PNS) movement on the stability of
      the SN-PP.The SN-PP and the positions of ANS, PNS, and point A were measured on
      lateral cephalograms before surgery (T1), immediately after surgery (T2), and
      more than 1 year after surgery (T3).All measured angle and points were stable in
      4 cases of counter-clockwise rotation. In the 16 cases of clockwise rotation, T3
      T2 of SN-PP, ANS, and point A was -2.05 degrees , -2.56 mm, and -1.64 mm, when
      the SN-PP increased more than 4 degrees  after osteotomy. When the ANS moved
      downward more than 3 mm, the ANS and point A relapsed significantly by 2.75 and
      2.31 mm, while the SN-PP relapsed 1.61 degrees  more than 1 year after
      surgery.When the SN-PP increased by more than 4 degrees  or the ANS moved
      downward by more than 3 mm, the authors suggest shifting the PNS upward instead
      of moving the ANS downward.

PMID- 26267572
TI  - Clinical Characteristics and Surgical Treatment of Intraorbital Foreign Bodies in
      a Tertiary Eye Center.
AB  - PURPOSE: Intraorbital foreign body is relatively rare and therefore is often
      misdiagnosed in clinical practice. The purpose of this report is to summarize the
      clinical features of intraorbital foreign bodies and their surgical management.
      METHODS: A retrospective study of clinical cases. Clinical manifestations,
      imaging findings, and surgical treatments in patients with intraorbital foreign
      bodies, who were seen at the Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center of Sun Yat-sen
      University between January 2002 and July 2013, were retrospectively reviewed.
      RESULTS: Of the 22 cases reviewed, 19 were men and 3 women with a mean age of
      22.2 years. Patients <=14 years of age accounted for 45.5% of the cases. The
      right orbit was affected in 10 patients and the left in 12 patients. Organic
      intraorbital foreign bodies comprised 72.7% of the patients. Foreign body
      locations within the orbit were superior (40.9%), medial (27.3%), lateral
      (18.2%), and inferior (9.1%). Half of the patients presented with preoperative
      visual impairments and 45.5% with limited motility/strabismus and ptosis. Orbital
      imaging revealed that organic foreign bodies consisted of a strip, rod-like high
      density image surrounding soft tissue on CT scan and hypointense on both T1WI and
      T2WI with MRI images. Complete removal of the intraorbital foreign body was
      accomplished by anterior orbitotomy in 21 patients and lateral orbitotomy in the
      remaining patients. Removal was achieved in a single surgery for 21 patients
      whereas 2 surgeries were required for the remaining patients. No postoperative
      complications were reported in any of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Intraorbital
      foreign bodies requiring surgical removal mostly involved organic foreign bodies.
      These were most commonly found in male children. Orbital imaging played a
      critical role for an accurate presurgical diagnosis. Anterior orbitotomy provided
      the best surgical outcomes.

PMID- 26267573
TI  - Endotine Midface for Soft Tissue Suspension in Zygoma Fracture.
AB  - Treatment of zygomatic fractures necessitates dissection beneath the soft tissues
      of the cheek. Inadequate resuspension may lead to deformities, including cheek
      ptosis, lower lid ectropion, and lateral canthal dystopia. The authors present
      their experience using a biodegradable suspension device for cheek flap
      resuspension. Patients who received open reduction for unilateral zygomatic
      fracture between January, 2006 and December, 2013 at a single center were
      included in the study. Patients could choose whether or not to have Endotine
      midface inserted. Patients rated satisfaction on facial symmetry. Computed
      tomography (CT) at 15 months was assessed for soft tissue thickness at the level
      of the midpoint of the nasolabial fold on each side. Photographs at 15 months
      were viewed by 3 blinded plastic surgeons and rated for cheek drooping. The
      results for all 3 parameters were compared between the Endotine group and the
      control group. A total of 83 patients were included (43 in the Endotine group and
      39 in the control group). Patient satisfaction scores were statistically higher
      (P = 0.03) in the Endotine group (3.70 +/- 0.76) than the control group (2.85 +/-
      0.96). Computed tomography soft tissue thickness score ratio between affected and
      unaffected side was significantly lower (P < 0.001) in the Endotine group than
      the ratio in the control group. Photography evaluation score difference between
      affected and unaffected side for the Endotine group (0.70 +/- 0.77) was
      significantly (P = 0.041) smaller than the control group (1.92 +/- 1.24).
      Endotine midface is easy to apply and effective in repositioning the elevated
      cheek flap in zygomatic fracture patients.

PMID- 26267574
TI  - Experimental Research on Intranasally Administered Dexmedetomidine.

PMID- 26267575
TI  - Classification and Management of Metopic Craniosynostosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In the craniofacial surgery literature, there is a wide disparity of
      opinions regarding the management of nonsyndromic metopic synostosis. With the
      lack of level I evidence to support a particular regimen, we aimed to elucidate
      the current state of practice among craniofacial surgeons with the hope of
      establishing a standard of care. METHODS: A survey was sent to 102 craniofacial
      surgeons. The survey featured 2 parts: clinical scenarios and questions regarding
      the following: primary indication for surgery, preference of timing, and choice
      of operative intervention for patients presenting with nonsyndromic isolated
      metopic synostosis. Surgeons were also queried regarding preoperative,
      intraoperative, and postoperative protocols. RESULTS: The total response rate was
      72% (73/102) for the clinical scenarios and 63% (64/102) for the complete survey.
      There was a large discrepancy when classifying and managing mild metopic
      synostosis, with between 16% and 35% of surgeons electing to operate on a mild
      case. All surgeons agreed to operate on moderate and severe cases. For 95% of
      respondents, skull deformity was the primary indication for treatment of
      craniosynostosis. Open surgical management was most commonly performed at 6
      months (29%) of age. Open frontal orbital advancement was the most commonly
      performed procedure in mild (27%), moderate (77%), and severe (89%) cases.
      Endoscopic approaches were more likely to be used in milder cases by 19% of
      surgeons. CONCLUSION: Our survey demonstrates that there is a wide disparity of
      opinion among craniofacial surgeons regarding the diagnosis and management of
      mild nonsyndromic metopic synostosis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic, level 5.

PMID- 26267576
TI  - Pediatric Cranial Vault Fractures: Analysis of Demographics, Injury Patterns, and
      Factors Predictive of Mortality.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pediatric cranial vault fractures are a unique subset of injuries
      that pose distinct management and treatment challenges. They are anatomically
      distinct from their adult counterparts with potential implications on the
      development of the brain and craniofacial skeleton, and require unique
      considerations for management and treatment outcomes.A detailed analysis of the
      characteristics and outcomes of pediatric cranial vault fractures remains
      understudied in this population. Thus, the aim of this study was to characterize
      the demographics, injury patterns, operative interventions, concomitant injuries,
      and factors predictive of mortality in pediatric patients sustaining cranial
      vault fractures. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients less than 18 years
      of age presenting to the emergency department of a pediatric level I trauma
      center between 2000 and 2005 with skull fractures was performed. All patients
      were included regardless of treating specialty, treatment modality, or inpatient
      status. Patients were stratified into 3 groups (age < = 5 yrs, 5.1-11 yrs, and
      >11 yrs). ZIP codes were mapped using ArcGIS 10.2 Software (ESRI Inc, Redlands,
      CA) with ZIP code shapefiles from ESRI's ArcGIS Online. Socioeconomic and
      demographic variables at the ZIP code level were linked to each geocoded location
      using the United States Census Bureau summary files, and spatial clusters of
      injury were performed using GeoDa to conduct a test of local indicator of spatial
      autocorrelation. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS version 17
      (SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL). RESULTS: A total of 923 consecutive patients met the
      inclusion criteria for the study. Caucasian (P < 0.001) males (P = 0.055) were
      most likely to sustain cranial vault fractures. The average age at injury was
      5.97 years. Falls (53.7%) were the most common cause of injury across all age
      groups, followed by collisions (20.8%), with falls being more common in the
      youngest age group (< = 5 yrs), and collisions being more common in the older age
      groups. Direct objects to the head had the highest rate of surgical intervention
      (P < 0.001). Parietal bone fractures were more frequent in the youngest age
      group, while frontal and temporal bone fractures were more common in the older
      age groups. Increasing age was an independent predictor of the need for surgical
      intervention (P < 0.0001). The overall incidence of blindness and hearing loss
      was low, and increased with increasing age. Patients with fractures as a result
      of violent mechanisms were more likely to come from highly impoverished zip
      codes, compared with patients with nonviolent mechanisms of injury (19.6% versus
      8%). Overall mortality was low (2.9%). Temporal bone fractures had the greatest
      risk of mortality (P < 0.001) with age > = 5 years being an independent predictor
      of mortality (P < 0.001). Victims of falls, and patients with associated
      gastrointestinal or musculoskeletal injuries, had a statistically significant
      increased chance of survival, whereas victims of collisions and patients with
      concomitant cervical spine, cardiothoracic, or respiratory injuries had a
      significantly increased risk of death. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric cranial vault
      fracture injury patterns are significantly correlated with demographics,
      mechanisms of injury, presence and type of concomitant injuries, need for
      surgical intervention, and mortality. Although the need for operative
      intervention and overall mortality is low, these variables play significant roles
      in portending prognosis, and an understanding of the metrics presented herein
      will enable practitioners optimize management and treatment in this unique
      patient population.

PMID- 26267577
TI  - Distinguishing Goldenhar Syndrome from Craniofacial Microsomia.
AB  - Goldenhar syndrome is characterized by the typical features of craniofacial
      microsomia (CFM) with the addition of epibulbar dermoids and vertebral anomalies.
      The aim of this study is to examine the objective differences between patients
      carrying a diagnosis of Goldenhar syndrome to those diagnosed with CFM. Thus, we
      performed an Institutional Review Board-approved retrospective chart review on
      all patients who presented with a diagnosis of CFM or Goldenhar syndrome from
      January 1990 to December 2012. Demographic, diagnosis, OMENS+ classification,
      accompanying diagnoses, and radiographic data were collected. For subjective
      analysis, subgroups were designed based on the diagnosis Goldenhar syndrome or
      CFM per history. For objective analysis, subgroups were designed based on the
      presence of epibulbar dermoids and/or vertebral anomalies. The cohorts were
      compared with respect to associated medical abnormalities and severity of CFM
      features. One hundred thirty eight patients met inclusion criteria. Epibulbar
      dermoids and vertebral anomalies were seen in 17% and 34% of the patients,
      respectively. Only 10 patients (7.2%) had both epibulbar dermoids and vertebral
      anomalies. The subjective "Goldenhar" group (N = 44, 32%) was found to have a
      higher percentage of bilaterally affected patients (P = 0.001), a more severe
      mandibular deformity (P = <0.001), a more severe soft tissue deformity (P =
      0.01), and a higher incidence of macrostomia (P = 0.003). In the objective
      subgroup analysis, the only significant difference was found in the degree of
      soft tissue deficiency (P = 0.049). The diagnostic criteria of Goldenhar syndrome
      remain unclear, thereby making clinical use of the term "Goldenhar"
      inconsequential. Goldenhar syndrome is over diagnosed subjectively in patients
      who show more severe CFM features.

PMID- 26267578
TI  - Comparison of Direct and Digital Measures of Cranial Vault Asymmetry for
      Assessment of Plagiocephaly.
AB  - Measurement of cranial vault asymmetry (CVA) is a common feature in the treatment
      of patients with deformational plagiocephaly (DP). In many cases, this measure is
      the primary marker of improvement. CVA is typically measured with calipers and is
      subject to interrater variability. There is little research comparing results of
      calipers with those of three-dimensional (3D) photogrammetry.Fifty nine visits
      were made by 51 children previously diagnosed with DP. Thirty eight were male and
      13 were female. Thirty one of the visits included a 3D photograph. Direct
      measures were obtained by 2 experienced anthropometrists and included head
      length, width, circumference, and CVA. Their results were compared to digital
      measures including measures unobtainable with calipers, asymmetry of head
      circumference and global asymmetry.The interrater reliability of all caliper
      measures was excellent (intraclass correlation coefficients > 0.94). Caliper and
      digital measures of length, width, cephalic index, and circumference were
      strongly correlated (R > 0.90). There was a consistent bias, caliper measures
      being 1 to 4 mm shorter than their digital analogues. Caliper measured CVA was
      highly correlated (R > 0.90) with the directly corresponding digital measures. It
      was poorly correlated with measures of overall hemispheric asymmetry (R <
      0.10).The cranial measurements of children with DP taken independently by 2
      experienced anthropometrists showed excellent interrater reliability. Caliper
      measures are consistently smaller than the digital measures, presumably due to
      pressure of the calipers and/or the use of skullcaps during photography. Like
      circumference and other assessments, cranial vault asymmetry measures correlate
      well with their analogous digital measurements. 

PMID- 26267579
TI  - Frontal Encephalocele Associated With a Bilateral Tessier Number Three Cleft and
      Fraser Syndrome.
AB  - Oblique craniofacial clefts and encephaloceles are each rare conditions, and only
      a few instances of these findings in combination have been described. Each
      pathologic entity presents a unique reconstructive challenge. The authors report
      the case of a male infant who presented with a large right frontoencephalocele
      and bilateral Tessier number 3 clefts. A review of the pertinent literature,
      including specific considerations related to perioperative management and
      technical aspects of the surgical approach, is discussed. 

PMID- 26267580
TI  - Calvarial Regeneration With Use of Acellular Dermal Matrix in Aplasia Cutis
      Congenita.
AB  - Aplasia cutis congenital (ACC) is a rare congenital anomaly, most commonly
      affecting the scalp, with a variable penetrance ranging from a small (<2 cm) area
      of missing skin to large defects characterized by absent skin, subcutaneous
      tissue, calvarium, and dura. Calvarial reconstruction in ACC can be challenging.
      Due to exposed neurologic structures, in large defects, ACC has a high mortality
      rate. A stable reconstruction is optimally achieved shortly after birth to
      minimize complications. Herein the authors present a case of a neonate with an
      extensive (4.5 * 7 cm) cutis aplasia defect associated with absent skin,
      subcutaneous tissue, calvarium, dura, and with exposed cortical surface and
      sagittal sinus. This defect was successfully reconstructed in a single stage with
      the use of an acellular dermal matrix/skin graft construct. The acelluar dermal
      matrix served as a scaffold for tissue ingrowth, promoting regeneration of the
      bony calvarium as well as soft tissue. At 18-month follow-up, the patient
      exhibits a 50% smaller calvarial defect as well as stable skin coverage. 

PMID- 26267581
TI  - Reconstruction With Modified Face Lift and Orbicularis Oculi V-Y Advancement Flap
      for Sebaceous Carcinoma on Temple Area.
AB  - Extraocular sebaceous carcinoma that occurs on sebaceous gland is a rare
      malignant cancer with unknown causes and nonspecific clinical characters, but
      with distinct pathology and immunohistochemical finding. In Kangnam Sacred Heart
      Hospital, there was a case that the result of preoperative punch biopsy was
      squamous cell carcinoma and malignant proliferating trichilemmal tumor, but that
      of postoperative permanent biopsy was sebaceous carcinoma. The type of tumor,
      differentiation, location, and aesthetic results are considered to get both
      recurrence-safe and aesthetically pleasing result. Various flaps were considered,
      and modified face-lift flap, forehead rotation flap, orbicularis oculi V-Y
      advancement flap were planned. There were no sign of recurrence of cancer or
      functional and aesthetical deformities 6 months after the surgery. 

PMID- 26267582
TI  - Electromyographic Evaluation of Temporalis Muscle Following Temporalis Tendon
      Transfer (Facial Reanimation) Surgery.
AB  - Facial paralysis is a significant functional and aesthetic handicap. Many
      techniques have been defined for facial reanimation. The aim of the study was to
      evaluate postoperative electromyographical (EMG) activity of temporalis muscle to
      assess the potential neural impairments related to the surgical procedure.
      METHODOLOGY: Four patients with facial paralysis were operated with the
      temporalis muscle tendon transfer technique. Simultaneous surface
      electromyographic (sEMG) activity at first postoperative year from the bilateral
      temporalis and masseter muscles was obtained at mandibular rest position and then
      during maximal clenching. RESULTS: Patients were followed for a minimum period of
      18 months. Surface electromyographic evaluations during passive state revealed
      similar values for the operated and contralateral side. Measurements during
      active "clench-smiling" of the jaw revealed similar amplitudes for both muscles
      of the operated side in all cases except case #2. Case #2 revealed lower values
      for both measurements of temporalis and masseter muscles of the operated side
      compared with the contralateral side. Dissonant results of case #2 can be the
      consequence of impaired temporalis muscle activity because of the tension on the
      muscle as a consequence of overcorrection. CONCLUSION: Temporalis muscle transfer
      to the perioral region does not hinder contractility of the muscle as long as the
      facial deformity is not overcorrected.

PMID- 26267583
TI  - Characteristics of Maxillary Morphology in Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate
      Patients Compared to Normal Subjects and Skeletal Class III Patients.
AB  - This study is to investigate the anatomical features of maxillae in unilateral
      cleft lip and palate (UCLP) patients with maxillary retrusion. Additionally, the
      dissimilarities of retruded maxillae between the UCLP patients and the skeletal
      class III patients were compared. Craniofacial measurements were carried out
      among 32 UCLP adult patients with maxillary retrusion (GC), 24 adult patients in
      class III (SNA < 80 degrees , ANB < 0 degrees ) patients (GIII), and 32 normal
      controls (GN). The authors measured the width and length of the maxillae, as well
      as their relative positions to the coronal plane passing through basion. The
      independent sample group t test was performed, and P < 0.05 was regarded as
      statistically significant. In the GC group, the anterior and posterior maxillary
      length (A1-P3M?CP and P3M-P6M?CP) and overall maxillary length (A1-P6M?CP) at the
      dental level, the interdental widths of the maxillae, the maxillary volume (GM),
      and the volume consisting of maxilla and maxillary sinus (GT) significantly
      reduced compared with the GN group (P < 0.05). The distances from the points on
      the maxillae to the coronal plane (A1?CP, P3M?CP, and P6M?CP) in the GC and GIII
      groups were smaller than those in the GN group (P < 0.05). In summary, for the
      UCLP patients, the decreased prominence of maxillary complex could be mainly
      caused by the shortened maxillary length; meanwhile, posterior position of the
      maxillary body may have some influence on the maxillary protrusion. While for the
      class III patients, maxillary retrusion was resulted from malposition and
      malmorphology on an equal basis.

PMID- 26267584
TI  - Double-Opposing Unilobar Rotation Flaps in the Reconstruction of Moderate-to
      Large Defects of the Scalp.
AB  - Closure of medium-to-large-size defects of the scalp are often associated with
      unacceptable aesthetic results, wound break down, alopecia, and excessive
      scarring. The authors present 2 cases of double-opposing unilobar rotation flaps
      for the reconstruction of large, that is, at least 7 cm diameter, full thickness
      defects of the scalp. Unlike previously described double flap closures of scalp
      defects, the double-opposing unilobar rotation flap design are true rotation
      flaps, which require a Burow triangle excisions and which have a versatility in
      both width and length of design to accommodate closure of large defects of the
      scalp. Some of the advantages of this technique are the retention of hair-bearing
      skin without distortion of the follicle position, an aesthetically pleasing scar,
      minimal tension at the wound closure site, and the versatility as well as
      simplicity of the technique.

PMID- 26267585
TI  - Effect of Restraining Devices on Facial Fractures in Motor Vehicle Collisions.
AB  - The aim of this systematic review is to summarize and critically evaluate the
      evidence for or against the effectiveness of restraining devices on facial
      fractures in motor vehicle collisions (MVCs).In a PubMed search, the search terms
      "facial bone fracture and seat belt," "facial bone fracture and air bag," and
      "facial bone fracture and restraining" were used. The authors abstracted the odds
      ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) from each study. Weighted mean
      differences and 95% CIs were also calculated. The statistical analysis was
      performed with Review Manager (The Nordic Cochrane Centre).The authors found 30
      potentially relevant articles, of which 6 articles met our inclusion criteria.
      Five studies were subgrouped, and a meta-analysis of these data suggested
      beneficial effects of seat belts on decreasing facial fractures in MVCs (n =
      15,768,960, OR, 0.46, 95% CI = 0.35-0.60). Three studies were subgrouped, and a
      meta-analysis of these data suggested that there were beneficial effects of seat
      belts and air bags on decreasing facial fractures in MVCs (n = 15,768,021, OR,
      0.59, 95% CI = 0.47-0.74). Four studies were subgrouped, and a meta-analysis of
      these data suggested there were no significant effects of an air bag on
      decreasing facial fracture in MVCs (n = 15,932,259, OR, 1.00, 95% CI = 0.72
      1.39).A seat belt alone (OR, 0.46) or a seat belt and an air bag (OR, 0.59) were
      effective to decrease facial fractures in MVCs. However, air bags alone had no
      significant effect (OR, 1.00). In using air bags, seat belt should be applied
      together to prevent facial fractures in motor vehicle injuries.

PMID- 26267586
TI  - Recurrent Lymphoepithelial Carcinoma of the Parotid Gland.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lymphoepithelial carcinomas (LECs) are rare tumors of parotid gland.
      Although few cases were reported in literature, there is no reported recurrent
      case. METHOD: The authors report a case of recurrent LEC after 8 months of
      primary surgery. Total parotidectomy and selective neck dissection surgery were
      performed. Radiation therapy after surgery was planned. Patient had partial
      facial weakness in the early postoperative period that was getting better with
      follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: In the diagnosis of LECs of parotid region,
      nasopharyngeal carcinomas must be excluded. If LECs are not treated properly,
      recurrences may occur.

PMID- 26267587
TI  - Clinicopathologic, Cone-Beam Computed Tomographic, and Surgical Findings in a
      Unique Maxillary Hybrid Odontogenic Tumor.

PMID- 26267588
TI  - Mandibular Osteomyelitis Caused by Periodontal Treatment in HIV Patient.

PMID- 26267589
TI  - Dielectric discontinuity in equilibrium block copolymer micelles.
AB  - The surface tension between the hydrophobic core and the solvent is known to play
      a major role in the self-assembly of diblock copolymer micelles in solution.
      Coulombic forces are also very important in the case of aggregates with weakly
      charged coronas. The aggregation number and morphology are often tuned by the
      addition of electrolytes to the solution via electrostatic screening and an
      eventual change in solvent quality. However, when the surface tension is low
      enough, dielectric discontinuity between the core and the solvent becomes
      important enough in comparison to other mechanisms, driving the surface tension
      at the same time it screens electrostatic interactions in the corona. Below, we
      demonstrate the importance of this effect for micelles with neutral and weakly
      charged coronas. 

PMID- 26267590
TI  - Pharmacokinetics, safety, and cardiovascular tolerability of phenylephrine HCl
      10, 20, and 30 mg after a single oral administration in healthy volunteers.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Phenylephrine HCl 10 mg has been used as a nasal
      decongestant for over 50 years, yet only limited pharmacokinetic and metabolic
      data are available. The purpose of this study was to evaluate single-dose
      pharmacokinetics and safety of phenylephrine HCl 10, 20, and 30 mg and to assess
      cardiovascular tolerability compared with baseline and placebo in healthy
      volunteers. METHODS: Twenty-eight adults were enrolled in this randomized, double
      blind, placebo-controlled, single-dose, four-treatment crossover study. Subjects
      remained housed for 6 days to permit time-matched, serial measurements of pulse,
      blood pressure, and electrocardiograms (ECGs) for baseline and complete
      treatments on consecutive days. After fasting overnight, subjects were dosed with
      oral phenylephrine HCl 10, 20, or 30 mg or placebo. Pharmacokinetic blood samples
      were collected over 7 h, whereas pulse, blood pressure, and ECGs were measured
      over 12 h. Urine was collected over each 24-h period to quantify phenylephrine
      and metabolites. RESULTS: After oral administration, phenylephrine was rapidly
      absorbed with median times to maximum plasma concentrations (t max) from 0.33 to
      0.5 h. For phenylephrine HCl 10, 20, and 30 mg, the mean (standard deviation)
      maximum concentration (C max) was 1354 (954), 2959 (2122), and 4492 (1978) pg/mL,
      and total systemic exposure [area under the plasma concentration-time curve from
      time zero to infinity (AUCinfinity)] was 955.8 (278.5), 2346 (983.8), and 3900
      (1764) pg.h/mL, respectively. Both parameters increased disproportionally with
      increasing dose, as beta >1 in the power model. Negligible amounts of
      phenylephrine and phenylephrine glucuronide were excreted in urine. With
      increasing dose, percentages by dose of phenylephrine sulfate decreased, whereas
      percentages of 3-hydroxymandelic acid increased. Eight subjects reported nine
      mild adverse events; one (somnolence) was deemed to be treatment related. Means
      of time-matched differences in pulse and blood pressure from baseline showed
      similar fluctuations over 12 h among phenylephrine HCl doses and placebo,
      although small differences in systolic pressure were observed during the initial
      2 h. No apparent dose-related effects were observed for Fridericia-corrected QT
      interval (QTcF) values, and individual changes from time-matched baseline
      (DQTcF). CONCLUSIONS: Maximum and total systemic exposures following singe doses
      of phenylephrine HCl 10, 20, and 30 mg increased disproportionally with
      increasing dose. Safety and cardiovascular tolerability were comparable among
      doses and placebo.

PMID- 26267591
TI  - Caring from Afar: Asian H1B Migrant Workers and Aging Parents.
AB  - With the growth in engineering/technology industries, the United States has seen
      an increase in the arrival of highly skilled temporary migrant workers on H1B
      visas from various Asian countries. Limited research exists on how these groups
      maintain family ties from afar including caring for aging parents. This study
      explores the experiences and challenges that Asian H1B workers face when
      providing care from a distance. A total of 21 Chinese/Taiwanese, Korean, and
      Indian H1B workers participated in in-depth qualitative interviews. Key findings
      indicate that despite distance, caring relationships still continue through
      regular communications, financial remittances, and return visits, at the same
      time creating emotional, psychological, and financial challenges for the workers.
      Findings highlight the need for further research in understanding how the decline
      of aging parent's health impacts the migrants' adjustment and health in the
      United States. 

PMID- 26267592
TI  - Comparison of patients' confidence in office, ambulatory, and home blood pressure
      measurements as methods of assessing for hypertension.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Uncertainty exists when relying on office (clinic) blood pressure (BP)
      measurements to diagnose hypertension. Home BP monitoring and ambulatory BP
      monitoring (ABPM) provide measurements that are more strongly associated with
      cardiovascular disease. The degree to which patients exhibit uncertainty about
      office BP measurements is unknown, as is whether they would have less uncertainty
      about other BP measurement methods. We therefore assessed people's confidence in
      methods of BP measurement, comparing perceptions about office BP monitoring, home
      BP monitoring, and ABPM techniques. METHODS: We surveyed adults who were 30 years
      or older (n=193), all whom had undergone office BP measurements, two sessions of
      24-h ABPM, and two 5-day periods of home BP monitoring. Respondents were asked to
      indicate their level of confidence on a 1 to 9 scale that BP measurements
      represented their 'usual' BP. RESULTS: Respondents had least confidence that
      assessments of BP made by office measurements (median 6) represented usual BP and
      greater confidence that assessments made by home BP monitoring (median 7,
      P<0.0001 vs. office) and ABPM (median 8, P<0.0001 vs. office) did so. Confidence
      levels did not vary significantly by BP levels, age, sex, race, or education
      level. CONCLUSION: The finding that patients do not have a great deal of
      confidence in office BP measurements, but have a higher degree of confidence in
      home BP and ambulatory BP assessment methods may be helpful in guiding strategies
      to diagnose hypertension and improve antihypertensive medication adherence.

PMID- 26267593
TI  - Heart rate variability assessment with fingertip photoplethysmography and polar
      RS800cx as compared with electrocardiography in obese adolescents.
AB  - AIM: This study investigated the accuracy and reliability of short-term resting
      heart rate variability (HRV) assessment by fingertip photoplethysmography (PPG)
      and using a cardiofrequencimeter (Polar RS800cx) in obese adolescents. Obesity in
      adolescents may be related to autonomic dysfunction due to insulin resistance
      and/or increased central fat. This fact may affect the accuracy and reliability
      of the evaluation of autonomic activity at rest. METHODS: Fourteen adolescents
      (15+/-2 years) classified as obese and exhibiting insulin resistance underwent
      the following procedures: (a) anthropometric measurements, and (b) two 25-min HRV
      recordings in a supine position conducted simultaneously using ECG, PPG, and
      Polar RS800cx. RESULTS: The results showed significant correlations between HRV
      markers obtained using Polar RS800cx and PPG and those obtained from ECG, with
      coefficients of determination (R) and intraclass correlation coefficients ranging
      from 0.60 to 0.98 (P-value ranging from 0.03 to 0.05) and 0.70 to 0.99 (P-value
      ranging from 0.01 to 0.05), respectively. The technical error of measurement and
      intraclass correlation coefficients for test-retest reliability ranged from 8.9
      to 45.8% and 0.38 to 0.68 for ECG, 8.0 to 30.5% and 0.29 to 0.61 for Polar
      RS800cx, and 7.2 to 54.6% and 0.45 to 0.64 for PPG, respectively. CONCLUSION: HRV
      indices calculated by Polar RS800cx and PPG appear to be as accurate and
      reproducible as data from ECG when evaluating the autonomic control of heart rate
      at rest in obese adolescents.

PMID- 26267594
TI  - Adverse Childhood Events are Related to the Prevalence of Asthma and Chronic
      Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder Among Adult Women in Hawaii.
AB  - PURPOSE: In the US, women surpass men in the prevalence of lung diseases. Limited
      studies exist on the association of adverse childhood events (ACEs) to asthma and
      chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) particularly among women and
      cohorts of understudied populations (e.g., Pacific Islanders). This study
      evaluated the ACEs-asthma and ACEs-COPD relationships among women in Hawaii and
      the contribution of poor health factors (smoking, binge drinking, and obesity) in
      these associations. METHODS: Using data from 3363 women in the Behavioral Risk
      Factor Surveillance System-Hawaii, we assessed how self-reported ACEs [count and
      type (household dysfunction, and physical, verbal and sexual abuse)] relate to
      asthma and COPD. Multivariable log-binomial regression, accounting for the
      sampling design, and model adjustments for socio-demographics, healthcare access,
      emotional support, current smoking, binge drinking, and BMI status were used to
      generate prevalence ratios. RESULTS: For every increase in ACE count, the
      likelihood for asthma increased by 7 % (CI = 1.02-1.13), and for COPD, by 21 %
      (CI = 1.12-1.31) accounting for socio-demographics, healthcare access, and
      emotional support. Verbal abuse was also associated with greater likelihood for
      asthma independent of these covariates (PR = 1.43, CI = 1.14-1.79). Household
      dysfunction (PR = 1.82, CI = 1.15-2.82) and physical (PR = 2.01, CI = 1.20-3.37),
      verbal (PR = 2.24, CI = 1.38-3.65) and sexual (PR = 1.81, CI = 1.10-2.97) abuse
      were all associated with COPD using similar adjustments. Additional adjustment
      for smoking, binge drinking, and BMI status did not impact the ACE-asthma
      associations and only modestly attenuated the ACE-COPD relationships.
      CONCLUSIONS: Primary and secondary prevention of ACEs may optimize the health of
      young girls in Hawaii, and reduce the burden of asthma and COPD among women in
      the state.

PMID- 26267595
TI  - Long-Term Survival After Lung Transplantation in Patients with Silicosis and
      Other Occupational Lung Disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Survival after lung transplantation (LTx) for patients with
      occupational lung disease (OLD) is not well studied. METHODS: The United Network
      for Organ Sharing (UNOS) database was queried from 2005 to 2013 to assess
      survival after LTx in patients with silicosis and non-silicotic OLD compared to
      non-OLD patients. RESULTS: Of 7273 adult LTx recipients, 7227 (24 with silicosis
      and 29 with non-silicotic OLD) were included in our univariate and Kaplan-Meier
      function analysis and 6370 for multivariate Cox models. Univariate Cox models did
      not identify survival differences in silicosis (HR 0.717; 95 % CI 0.358-1.435; p
      = 0.347) and non-silicotic OLDs (HR 0.934; 95 % CI 0.486-1.798; p = 0.839).
      Kaplan-Meier function analysis did not identify a survival disadvantage for
      either silicosis or non-silicotic OLD (log-rank test: chi (2) 0.93, p = 0.627).
      Patients with non-silicotic OLD were at risk for worse survival for the first 2.5
      years post-transplant; however, at the conclusion of the study, this group had
      the highest survival rate. Multivariate Cox models confirmed no increased risk
      for mortality for silicosis (HR 1.264; 95 % CI 0.631-2.534; p = 0.509) and non
      silicotic OLD (HR 1.114; 95 % CI 0.578-2.147; p = 0.747). CONCLUSION: Long-term
      survival for adult patients with silicosis and non-silicotic OLD after LTx is not
      significantly different compared to the general lung transplant population.

PMID- 26267596
TI  - Dry Lung as a Physical Model in Studies of Aerosol Deposition.
AB  - A new physical model was developed to evaluate the deposition of micro- and
      nanoaerosol particles (NAPs) into the lungs as a function of size and charges.
      The model was manufactured of a dry, inflated swine lung produced by Nasco
      company (Fort Atkinson, WI). The dry lung was cut into two lobes and a conductive
      tube was glued into the bronchial tube. The upper 1-2-mm-thick layer of the lung
      lobe was removed with a razor blade to expose the alveoli. The lobe was further
      enclosed into a plastic bag and placed within a metalized plastic box. The
      probability of aerosol deposition was calculated by comparing the size
      distribution of NAPs passed through the lung with that of control, where aerosol
      passed through a box bypassing the lung. Using this new lung model, it was
      demonstrated that charged NAPs are deposited inside the lung substantially more
      efficiently than neutral ones. It was also demonstrated that deposition of
      neutral NAPs well fits prediction of the Multiple-Path Particle Dosimetry (MPPD)
      model developed by the Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA). 

PMID- 26267597
TI  - Sustained release of bioactive protein from a lyophilized tissue-engineered
      construct promotes the osteogenic potential of mesenchymal stem cells.
AB  - Tissue-engineered constructs (TECs) seeded with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)
      represent a therapy for large bone defects. However, massive cell death in TECs
      in the early postimplantation period prompted us to investigate the
      osteoinductive mechanism of TECs. Previous studies demonstrated that stem cell
      extracts retained equivalent levels of bioactive proteins and exhibited an
      osteoinductive nature similar to that of intact cells. These data led us to
      hypothesize that despite the massive cell death in TECs, devitalized MSC-derived
      proteins remain on the scaffolds and are released to improve cell function. Here,
      TECs were prepared using demineralized bone matrix seeded with human umbilical
      cord Wharton's jelly-derived MSCs (hWJMSCs), and the cells seeded in TECs were
      devitalized by lyophilizing the TECs. Scanning electron microscopy, BCA protein
      assays, quantitative cytokine array analysis and immunofluorescent staining
      indicated that approximately 3 mg/cm(3) of total protein and 49 types of
      cytokines derived from hWJMSCs were preserved in the lyophilized TECs (LTECs).
      The sustainable release of total protein and cytokines from LTECs lasted for more
      than 2 weeks. The released protein improved the osteogenic behavior of and gene
      expression in MSCs. Furthermore, the lyophilized hWJMSC-derived proteins had
      immunoregulatory properties similar to those of live MSCs in mixed lymphocyte
      reactions. Collectively, we present a novel perspective on the osteoinductive
      mechanism of TECs and introduce LTECs as new systems for delivering multiple
      cytokines to enhance MSC behavior.

PMID- 26267598
TI  - Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses identify a role for chlorophyll
      catabolism and phytoalexin during Medicago nonhost resistance against Asian
      soybean rust.
AB  - Asian soybean rust (ASR) caused by Phakopsora pachyrhizi is a devastating foliar
      disease affecting soybean production worldwide. Understanding nonhost resistance
      against ASR may provide an avenue to engineer soybean to confer durable
      resistance against ASR. We characterized a Medicago truncatula-ASR pathosystem to
      study molecular mechanisms of nonhost resistance. Although urediniospores formed
      appressoria and penetrated into epidermal cells of M. truncatula, P. pachyrhizi
      failed to sporulate. Transcriptomic analysis revealed the induction of
      phenylpropanoid, flavonoid and isoflavonoid metabolic pathway genes involved in
      the production of phytoalexin medicarpin in M. truncatula upon infection with P.
      pachyrhizi. Furthermore, genes involved in chlorophyll catabolism were induced
      during nonhost resistance. We further characterized one of the chlorophyll
      catabolism genes, Stay-green (SGR), and demonstrated that the M. truncatula sgr
      mutant and alfalfa SGR-RNAi lines showed hypersensitive-response-like enhanced
      cell death upon inoculation with P. pachyrhizi. Consistent with transcriptomic
      analysis, metabolomic analysis also revealed the accumulation of medicarpin and
      its intermediate metabolites. In vitro assay showed that medicarpin inhibited
      urediniospore germination and differentiation. In addition, several triterpenoid
      saponin glycosides accumulated in M. truncatula upon inoculation with P.
      pachyrhizi. In summary, using multi-omic approaches, we identified a correlation
      between phytoalexin production and M. truncatula defense responses against ASR. 

PMID- 26267599
TI  - The efficacy of the interferon-gamma release assay for diagnosing cervical
      tuberculous lymphadenitis: A prospective controlled study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The whole-blood interferon (IFN)-gamma release assay
      (IGRA) has been studied mainly for diagnosing latent tuberculosis (TB). We
      prospectively evaluated its diagnostic usefulness in patients with suspected
      cervical TB lymphadenitis. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. METHODS: An
      IGRA was performed in subjects with suspected TB lymphadenitis. To evaluate the
      diagnostic performance of the IGRA, we calculated the sensitivity and specificity
      of culture, radiologic imaging, polymerase chain reaction testing, fine needle
      aspiration, and excisional biopsy. RESULT: Of the 271 adult patients with
      suspected TB lymphadenitis, 42 were diagnosed with the disease. The overall
      sensitivity and specificity of the IGRA were 78.8% and 95.5%, respectively. When
      the cutoff value of IFN-gamma was set to 0.26 IU/mL, it met the inclusion
      criteria for suspicious TB lymphadenitis, with sensitivity and specificity of
      83.3% and 95.1%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The IGRA is useful in diagnosing TB
      lymphadenitis, with high sensitivity and specificity. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

PMID- 26267600
TI  - A prospective randomized controlled trial assessing the efficacy of adjunctive
      hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa.
AB  - Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) appears to enhance wound healing, increase
      bactericidal activity, and act synergistically with a number of antibiotics. The
      aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of HBOT as an adjunctive therapy
      in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) treated with a combination of
      systemic rifampicin and clindamycin. The study was a prospective, single-center,
      single-dose, open-label, randomized controlled clinical study of HBOT in patients
      with moderate to severe HS. Efficacy was measured by modified Sartorius score
      (SS), HS Severity Index (HSSI), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), and a
      visual analog scale (VAS) before treatment and after the completion of 4 and 10
      weeks of treatment. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein
      (CRP) levels were also measured. Forty-three patients were enrolled in the study.
      More patients in the HBOT than in the control group showed a decrease of >=50%
      from baseline parameters at week 10 for SS (100%), HSSI (100%), DLQI (95.5%), VAS
      (100%), ESR (100%), and CRP (72.7%). Clinically and statistically significant
      improvements from baseline were observed at 4 and 10 weeks in HSSI (P = 0.009 at
      both), SS (P = 0.021 at both), and DLQI (P = 0.044 at week 4, P = 0.009 at week
      10). Adjunctive HBOT was considered to be effective in significantly improving
      antibiotic treatment of HS. The treatment was well tolerated, and no unexpected
      safety issues were identified. 

PMID- 26267601
TI  - Chlorin e6-Encapsulated Polyphosphoester Based Nanocarriers with Viscous Flow
      Core for Effective Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer.
AB  - Lack of effective treatment results in the low survival for patients with
      pancreatic cancer, and photodynamic therapy (PDT) with photosensitizers has
      emerged as an effective therapeutic option for treatment of various tumors by
      light-generated cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) to induce cell apoptosis
      or necrosis. However, the poor solubility, rapid blood clearance, and weak
      internalization of the photosensitizer seriously inhibit its anticancer efficacy.
      To overcome these obstacles, a polyphosphoester-based nanocarrier (NP-PPE) is
      employed as the carrier of the hydrophobic photosensitizer, chlorin e6 (Ce6), for
      photodynamic therapy. The Ce6-encapsulated nanocarrier (NP-PPE/Ce6) significantly
      promoted the cellular internalization of Ce6, enhanced the generation of ROS in
      the tumor cells after irradiation. Therefore, the cellular phototoxicity of NP
      PPE/Ce6 against BxPC-3 pancreatic cancer cells was markedly enhanced than that of
      free Ce6 in vitro. Furthermore, NP-PPE/Ce6 improved accumulation of Ce6 in tumor
      tissue and treatment with NP-PPE/Ce6 significantly enhanced antitumor efficacy in
      human BxPC-3 pancreatic cancer xenografts. These results suggest that using a
      polyphosphoester-based nanocarrier as the delivery system for a photosensitizer
      has great potential for PDT of pancreatic cancer. 

PMID- 26267602
TI  - Methane oxidation in a biofilter (Part 1): Development of a mathematical model
      for designing and optimization.
AB  - The aim of this work is the evaluation of the efficiency of such a biofilter,
      through the application of a mathematical model which describes the biological
      oxidation process. This mathematical model is able to predict the efficiency of
      the system under varying operating conditions. Literature data have been used in
      order to build the model. The factors that mostly affect the process and which
      actually regulate the entire process have been highlighted in this work.
      Specifically, it was found that temperature, flow and methane concentration are
      the most important parameters that influence the system. The results obtained
      from the mathematical model showed also that the biofilter system is simple to
      implement and manage and allows the achievement of high efficiency of methane
      oxidation. In the optimal conditions for temperature (between 20-30 degrees C),
      residence time (between 0.7-0.8 h) and methane molar fraction (between 20-25%)
      the efficiency of methane oxidation could be around 50%. 

PMID- 26267603
TI  - The research conundrum of acute appendicitis.

PMID- 26267604
TI  - Patterns of early resuscitation associated with mortality after penetrating
      injuries.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Penetrating injuries are rare in European populations so their
      management represents a particular challenge. The aim was to assess early
      therapeutic aspects that are associated with favourable outcomes in patients with
      penetrating trauma. METHODS: Patients with penetrating injuries documented from
      2009 to 2013 in the TraumaRegister DGU(r) were analysed. Patients with a primary
      admission and an Injury Severity Score (ISS) of at least 9 were included. The
      Revised Injury Severity Classification (RISC) II score was used for mortality
      prediction, and a standardized mortality ratio (SMR) calculated per hospital.
      Hospitals with favourable outcome (SMR below 1) were compared with those with
      poor outcome (SMR 1 or more). RESULTS: A total of 50 centres had favourable
      outcome (1242 patients; observed mortality rate 15.7 per cent) and 34 centres had
      poor outcome (918 patients; observed mortality rate 24.4 per cent). Predicted
      mortality rates according to RISC-II were 20.4 and 20.5 per cent respectively.
      Mean(s.d.) ISS values were 22(14) versus 21(14) (P = 0.121). Patients in the
      favourable outcome group had a significantly shorter time before admission to
      hospital and a lower intubation rate. They received smaller quantities of
      intravenous fluids on admission to the emergency room, but larger amounts of
      fresh frozen plasma, and were more likely to receive haemostatic agents. A higher
      proportion of patients in the favourable outcome group were treated in a level I
      trauma centre. Independent risk factors for hospital death following penetrating
      trauma identified by multivariable analysis included gunshot injury mechanism and
      treatment in non-level I centres. CONCLUSION: Among penetrating traumas, gunshot
      injuries pose an independent risk of death. Treatment of penetrating trauma in a
      level I trauma centre was significantly and independently associated with lower
      hospital mortality.

PMID- 26267605
TI  - Experimental study of the characteristics of a novel mesh suture (Br J Surg 2015;
      102: 1285-1292).

PMID- 26267607
TI  - Randomized clinical trial of mast cell inhibition in patients with a medium-sized
      abdominal aortic aneurysm.

PMID- 26267610
TI  - Combined Mossbauer Spectral and Density Functional Study of an Eight-Coordinate
      Iron(II) Complex.
AB  - The iron-57 Mossbauer spectra of the eight-coordinate complex,
      [Fe(L(N4))2](BF4)2, where L(N4) is the tetradentate N(1)(E),N(2)(E)-bis[(1-methyl
      1H-imidazol-2-yl)methylene]-1,2-benzenediimine ligand, have been measured between
      4.2 and 295 K and fit with a quadrupole doublet. The fit at 4.2 K yields an
      isomer shift, delta(Fe), of 1.260(1) mm/s and a quadrupole splitting, DeltaE(Q),
      of 3.854(2) mm/s, values that are typical of a high-spin iron(II) complex. The
      temperature dependence of the isomer shift yields a Mossbauer temperature,
      Theta(M), of 319(27) K and the temperature dependence of the logarithm of the
      Mossbauer spectral absorption area yields a Debye temperature, Theta(D), of
      131(6) K, values that are indicative of high-spin iron(II). Nonrelativistic
      single point density functional calculations with the B3LYP functional, the full
      6-311++G(d,p) basis set, and the known X-ray structures for [Mn(L(N4))2](2+),
      [Mn(L(N4))2](ClO4)2, 1, [Fe(L(N4))2](2+), and [Fe(L(N4))2](BF4)2, 2, yield small
      electric field gradients for the manganese(II) complexes and electric field
      gradients and s-electron densities at the iron-57 nuclide that are in good to
      excellent agreement with the Mossbauer spectral parameters. The structure of 2
      with a distorted square-antiprism C1 iron(II) coordination symmetry exhibits four
      different Fe-N(imid) bonds to the imidazole nitrogens with an average bond
      distance of 2.253(2) A and four different Fe-N(imine) bonds to the benzenediimine
      nitrogens, with an average bond distance of 2.432(2) A; this large difference
      yields the large observed DeltaE(Q). An optimization of the [Fe(L(N4))2](2+)
      structure leads to a highly symmetric eight-coordination environment with S4
      symmetry and four equivalent Fe-N(imid) bond distances of 2.301(2) A and four
      equivalent Fe-N(imine) bond distances of 2.487(2) A. In contrast, an optimization
      of the [Mn(LN4)2](2+) structure leads to an eight-coordination manganese(II)
      environment with D(2d) symmetry and four equivalent Mn-N(imid) bond distances of
      2.350(3) A and four equivalent Mn-N(imine) bond distances of 2.565(3) A.

PMID- 26267609
TI  - Macrophage-tumor cell fusions from peripheral blood of melanoma patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: While the morbidity and mortality from cancer are largely
      attributable to its metastatic dissemination, the integral features of the
      cascade are not well understood. The widely accepted hypothesis is that the
      primary tumor microenvironment induces the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition
      in cancer cells, facilitating their escape into the bloodstream, possibly
      accompanied by cancer stem cells. An alternative theory for metastasis involves
      fusion of macrophages with tumor cells (MTFs). Here we culture and characterize
      apparent MTFs from blood of melanoma patients. METHODS: We isolated enriched CTC
      populations from peripheral blood samples from melanoma patients, and cultured
      them. We interrogated these cultured cells for characteristic BRAF mutations, and
      used confocal microscopy for immunophenotyping, motility, DNA content and
      chromatin texture analyses, and then conducted xenograft studies using nude mice.
      FINDINGS: Morphologically, the cultured MTFs were generally large with many
      pseudopod extensions and lamellipodia. Ultrastructurally, the cultured MTFs
      appeared to be macrophages. They were rich in mitochondria and lysosomes, as well
      as apparent melanosomes. The cultured MTF populations were all heterogeneous with
      regard to DNA content, containing aneuploid and/or high-ploidy cells, and they
      typically showed large sheets (and/or clumps) of cytoplasmic chromatin. This
      cytoplasmic DNA was found within heterogeneously-sized autophagic vacuoles, which
      prominently contained chromatin and micronuclei. Cultured MTFs uniformly
      expressed pan-macrophage markers (CD14, CD68) and macrophage markers indicative
      of M2 polarization (CD163, CD204, CD206). They also expressed melanocyte-specific
      markers (ALCAM, MLANA), epithelial biomarkers (KRT, EpCAM), as well as the pro
      carcinogenic cytokine MIF along with functionally related stem cell markers
      (CXCR4, CD44). MTF cultures from individual patients (5 of 8) contained melanoma
      specific BRAF activating mutations. Chromatin texture analysis of deconvoluted
      images showed condensed DNA (DAPI-intense) regions similar to focal regions
      described in stem cell fusions. MTFs were readily apparent in vivo in all human
      melanomas examined, often exhibiting even higher DNA content than the cultured
      MTFs. When cultured MTFs were transplanted subcutaneously in nude mice, they
      disseminated and produced metastatic lesions at distant sites. CONCLUSIONS AND
      HYPOTHESIS: Apparent MTFs are present in peripheral blood of patients with
      cutaneous melanomas, and they possess the ability to form metastatic lesions when
      transplanted into mice. We hypothesize that these MTFs arise at the periphery of
      primary tumors in vivo, that they readily enter the bloodstream and invade
      distant tissues, secreting cytokines (such as MIF) to prepare "niches" for
      colonization by metastasis initiating cells.

PMID- 26267611
TI  - Management of pediatric renal tumor: Past and future trials of the Japan Wilms
      Tumor Study Group.
AB  - The Japan Wilms Tumor Study group (JWiTS) was founded in 1996 to improve outcomes
      for children with renal tumor in Japan, and a nationwide multicenter cooperative
      study was initiated thereafter. JWiTS-1 (1996-2005) was analyzed, and JWiTS-2
      (2005-2014) is now under analysis; the following problems have been identified
      and used to decide future study protocol: (i) there has been a decline in
      survival rate for patients with rhabdoid tumor of the kidney (RTK) and new
      treatment strategies are required; (ii) the survival rate for bilateral Wilms
      tumors (BWT) has improved, but results for renal preservation are unsatisfactory;
      (iii) the prognosis of stage IV favorable nephroblastoma is very good, suggesting
      that the current protocols provide overtreatment, particularly for patients with
      lung metastasis; and (iv) no effective biological risk factors exist for
      predicting the outcome of Wilms tumor, and a study of the genetic changes of
      these tumors is necessary to determine biological markers for use in risk
      classification. To solve these issues, the development of a new risk
      classification of pediatric renal tumors is required. In addition, different
      study protocols should be developed according to the risk-based classification of
      the patients. Further, a new study protocol for BWT began in 2015, and new study
      protocols are being prepared for RTK, and for Wilms tumor with lung metastasis.
      In addition, an analysis of biological markers with regard to risk classification
      is to be performed. Furthermore, to create new protocols for patients with rare
      renal tumors, international collaboration with Children's Oncology Group and
      International Society of Pediatric Oncology is necessary. 

PMID- 26267612
TI  - A Consortium Approach to Surgical Education in a Developing Country: Educational
      Needs Assessment.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Surgical disease is a global health priority, and improving surgical
      care requires local capacity building. Single-institution partnerships and
      surgical missions are logistically limited. The Alliance for Global Clinical
      Training (hereafter the Alliance) is a consortium of US surgical departments that
      aims to provide continuous educational support at the Muhimbili University of
      Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (MUHAS). To our knowledge,
      the Alliance is the first multi-institutional international surgical
      collaboration to be described in the literature. OBJECTIVE: To assess if the
      Alliance is effectively responding to the educational needs of MUHAS and
      Muhimbili National Hospital surgeons. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: During
      an initial 13-month program (July 1, 2013, to August 31, 2014), faculty and
      resident teams from 3 US academic surgical programs rotated at MUHAS as
      physicians and teachers for 1 month each. To assess the value of the project, we
      administered anonymous surveys. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Anonymous surveys
      were analyzed on a 5-point Likert-type scale. Free-text answers were analyzed for
      common themes. RESULTS: During the study period, Alliance members were present at
      MUHAS for 8 months (1 month each). At the conclusion of the first year of
      collaboration, 15 MUHAS faculty and 22 MUHAS residents completed the survey. The
      following 6 areas of educational needs were identified: formal didactics,
      increased clinical mentorship, longer-term Alliance presence, equitable
      distribution of teaching time, improved coordination and language skills, and
      reciprocal exchange rotations at US hospitals. The MUHAS faculty and residents
      agreed that Alliance members contributed to improved patient care and resident
      education. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: A multi-institutional international
      surgical partnership is possible and leads to perceived improvements in patient
      care and resident learning. Alliance surgeons must continue to focus on training
      Tanzanian surgeons. Improving the volunteer surgeons' Swahili-language skills
      would be an asset. Future efforts should provide more teaching coverage,
      equitably distribute educational support among all MUHAS surgeons, and
      collaboratively develop a formal surgical curriculum.

PMID- 26267613
TI  - Facile Synthesis of 3-N-Alkyl Pyrimidin-2,4-diones from N-Sulfonyloxy Maleimides
      and Amines.
AB  - Reaction of variously substituted N-trifluoromethanesulfonyloxy maleimides with
      primary amines in the presence of potassium carbonate in DMF at room temperature
      results in the formation of 3-N-alkyl pyrimidin-2,4-diones in good yield. 

PMID- 26267614
TI  - Cytogenetic and Molecular Data Suggest Deuterodon pedri Eigenmann, 1907
      (Teleostei: Characidae) Is a Member of an Ancient Coastal Group.
AB  - The genus Deuterodon has been taxonomically recently redefined. Seven of its
      species have been included in this genus, whereas three others are regarded as
      Incertae Sedis in Characidae. One of latter is Deuterodon pedri, an endemic
      species from Santo Antonio River in Minas Gerais. Cytogenetic and molecular data
      on 21 specimens of D. pedri allowed to reevaluate the phylogenetic position of
      this taxon. The specimens showed karyotypic formula 12m+12sm+20st+6a, low
      heterochromatin content, nucleolar organizer regions present in two chromosome
      pairs, and 10 and 2 labeled regions by fluorescence in situ hybridization with
      18S and 5S probes respectively, a karyotype similar to Deuterodon stigmaturus.
      The phylogenetic tree generated by a cytochrome oxidase subunit I fragment
      revealed that D. pedri and Deuterodon singularis are closely related and are the
      sister-group of Deuterodon parahybae, Deuterodon iguape, Astyanax giton, Astyanax
      intermedius, Astyanax ribeirae, Astyanax scabripinnis, and Probolodus
      heterostomus. The same arrangement was partially recovered with the nuclear gene
      RAG2. Our data indicate the genus Deuterodon is not monophyletic and that it is
      closely related to other species that occur in Brazil coastal basins. 

PMID- 26267615
TI  - Combining the Estimated Date of HIV Infection with a Phylogenetic Cluster Study
      to Better Understand HIV Spread: Application in a Paris Neighbourhood.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To relate socio-demographic and virological information to
      phylogenetic clustering in HIV infected patients in a limited geographical area
      and to evaluate the role of recently infected individuals in the spread of HIV.
      METHODS: HIV-1 pol sequences from newly diagnosed and treatment-naive patients
      receiving follow-up between 2008 and 2011 by physicians belonging to a health
      network in Paris were used to build a phylogenetic tree using neighbour-joining
      analysis. Time since infection was estimated by immunoassay to define recently
      infected patients (very early infected presenters, VEP). Data on socio
      demographic, clinical and biological features in clustered and non-clustered
      patients were compared. Chains of infection structure was also analysed. RESULTS:
      547 patients were included, 49 chains of infection containing 108 (20%) patients
      were identified by phylogenetic analysis. analysis. Eighty individuals formed
      pairs and 28 individuals were belonging to larger clusters. The median time
      between two successive HIV diagnoses in the same chain of infection was 248 days
      [CI = 176-320]. 34.7% of individuals were considered as VEP, and 27% of them were
      included in chains of infection. Multivariable analysis showed that belonging to
      a cluster was more frequent in VEP and those under 30 years old (OR: 3.65, 95 CI
      1.49-8.95, p = 0.005 and OR: 2.42, 95% CI 1.05-5.85, p = 0.04 respectively). The
      prevalence of drug resistance was not associated with belonging to a pair or a
      cluster. Within chains, VEP were not grouped together more than chance predicted
      (p = 0.97). CONCLUSIONS: Most newly diagnosed patients did not belong to a chain
      of infection, confirming the importance of undiagnosed or untreated HIV infected
      individuals in transmission. Furthermore, clusters involving both recently
      infected individuals and longstanding infected individuals support a substantial
      role in transmission of the latter before diagnosis.

PMID- 26267617
TI  - Parameter-free continuous drift-diffusion models of amorphous organic
      semiconductors.
AB  - Continuous drift-diffusion models are routinely used to optimize organic
      semiconducting devices. Material properties are incorporated into these models
      via dependencies of diffusion constants, mobilities, and injection barriers on
      temperature, charge density, and external field. The respective expressions are
      often provided by the generic Gaussian disorder models, parametrized on
      experimental data. We show that this approach is limited by the fixed range of
      applicability of analytic expressions as well as approximations inherent to
      lattice models. To overcome these limitations we propose a scheme which first
      tabulates simulation results performed on small-scale off-lattice models,
      corrects for finite size effects, and then uses the tabulated mobility values to
      solve the drift-diffusion equations. The scheme is tested on DPBIC, a state of
      the art hole conductor for organic light emitting diodes. We find a good
      agreement between simulated and experimentally measured current-voltage
      characteristics for different film thicknesses and temperatures. 

PMID- 26267616
TI  - Associations between the Genetic Polymorphisms of Osteopontin Promoter and
      Susceptibility to Cancer in Chinese Population: A Meta-Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: Several studies have been conducted to examine the
      associations between osteopontin (OPN) promoter gene SPP1 polymorphisms with
      human cancers in Chinese population, but the results remain inconsistent. The aim
      of this meta-analysis is to clarify the associations between SPP1 polymorphisms
      and cancer susceptibility. METHODS: All eligible case-control studies published
      up to March 2015 were identified by searching PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and
      Cochrane Library without language restrictions. Pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95%
      confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated using fixed- or random-effect model.
      RESULTS: A total of 11 case-control studies were included; of those, there were
      eleven studies (3130 cases and 3828 controls) for -443T>C polymorphism, ten
      studies (3019 cases and 3615 controls) for -156G>GG polymorphism, eight studies
      (2258 cases and 2846 controls) for -66T>G polymorphism. Overall, no evidence
      indicated that the -443 T>C polymorphism was associated with cancer risk (OR =
      0.93, 95%CI 0.62-1.38 for dominant model, OR = 1.06, 95%CI 0.73-1.55 for
      recessive model, OR = 0.88, 95%CI 0.62-1.26 for CT vs TT model, OR = 1.03, 95%CI
      0.61-1.73 for CC vs TT model). While, a significantly increase risk was found for
      -156 G>GG polymorphism (OR = 1.22, 95%CI 1.10-1.35 for dominant model, OR = 1.25,
      95%CI 1.10-1.41 for recessive model, OR = 1.18, 95%CI 1.06-1.32 for GGG vs GG
      model, OR = 1.35, 95%CI 1.09-1.68 for GGGG vs GG model). For -66T>G polymorphism,
      we found a decrease risk of cancer (OR = 0.84, 95% CI 0.71-0.98 for dominant
      model), but this result changed (OR = 0.93, 95% CI 0.77-1.12 for dominant model)
      when we excluded a study. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis suggests that in Chinese
      population the -156G>GG polymorphism of SPP1 might be a risk factor for human
      cancers, while -443T>C mutation is not associated with cancer risk. For -66T>G
      polymorphism, it may be a protective factor for human cancers.

PMID- 26267618
TI  - The Paternalism Preference--Choosing Unshared Decision Making.

PMID- 26267619
TI  - Innovation as Discipline, Not Fad.

PMID- 26267620
TI  - Differential Taxes for Differential Risks--Toward Reduced Harm from Nicotine
      Yielding Products.

PMID- 26267621
TI  - High HLA-DP Expression and Graft-versus-Host Disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Transplantation of hematopoietic cells from unrelated donors can cure
      blood disorders but carries a significant risk of acute graft-versus-host disease
      (GVHD). The risk is higher when the recipient and donor are HLA-DPB1-mismatched,
      but the mechanisms leading to GVHD are unknown. The HLA-DPB1 regulatory region
      variant rs9277534 is associated with HLA-DPB1 expression. We tested the
      hypothesis that the GVHD risk correlates with the rs9277534 allele linked to the
      mismatched HLA-DPB1 in the recipient. METHODS: We genotyped rs9277534 in 3505
      persons to define rs9277534-DPB1 haplotypes. Among 1441 recipients of transplants
      from HLA-A,B,C,DRB1,DQB1-matched unrelated donors with only one HLA-DPB1
      mismatch, linkage of the rs9277534 A and G alleles to the mismatched HLA-DPB1 was
      determined. HLA-DPB1 expression was assessed by means of a quantitative
      polymerase-chain-reaction assay. The risk of acute GVHD among recipients whose
      mismatched HLA-DPB1 allele was linked to rs9277534G (high expression) was
      compared with the risk among recipients whose mismatched HLA-DPB1 allele was
      linked to rs9277534A (low expression). RESULTS: The mean HLA-DPB1 expression was
      lower with rs9277534A than with rs9277534G. Among recipients of transplants from
      donors with rs9277534A-linked HLA-DPB1, the risk of acute GVHD was higher for
      recipients with rs9277534G-linked HLA-DPB1 mismatches than for recipients with
      rs9277534A-linked HLA-DPB1 mismatches (hazard ratio, 1.54; 95% confidence
      interval [CI], 1.25 to 1.89; P<0.001), as was the risk of death due to causes
      other than disease recurrence (hazard ratio, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.57; P=0.05).
      CONCLUSIONS: The risk of GVHD associated with HLA-DPB1 mismatching was influenced
      by the HLA-DPB1 rs9277534 expression marker. Among recipients of HLA-DPB1
      mismatched transplants from donors with the low-expression allele, recipients
      with the high-expression allele had a high risk of GVHD. (Funded by the National
      Institutes of Health and others.).

PMID- 26267625
TI  - IMAGES IN CLINICAL MEDICINE. Constipation Associated with a Lipoma.

PMID- 26267624
TI  - Ischemic Limb Gangrene with Pulses.

PMID- 26267626
TI  - CASE RECORDS of the MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL. Case 25-2015. An 8-Year-Old
      Girl with a Chest-Wall Mass and a Pleural Effusion.

PMID- 26267627
TI  - Immunogenetics of HLA-DP--A New View of Permissible Mismatches.

PMID- 26267628
TI  - Cardiac Troponin and Risk Stratification in Ischemic Heart Disease.

PMID- 26267623
TI  - A Randomized Trial of Intrapartum Fetal ECG ST-Segment Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It is unclear whether using fetal electrocardiographic (ECG) ST
      segment analysis as an adjunct to conventional intrapartum electronic fetal heart
      rate monitoring modifies intrapartum and neonatal outcomes. METHODS: We performed
      a multicenter trial in which women with a singleton fetus who were attempting
      vaginal delivery at more than 36 weeks of gestation and who had cervical dilation
      of 2 to 7 cm were randomly assigned to "open" or "masked" monitoring with fetal
      ST-segment analysis. The masked system functioned as a normal fetal heart-rate
      monitor. The open system displayed additional information for use when uncertain
      fetal heart-rate patterns were detected. The primary outcome was a composite of
      intrapartum fetal death, neonatal death, an Apgar score of 3 or less at 5
      minutes, neonatal seizure, an umbilical-artery blood pH of 7.05 or less with a
      base deficit of 12 mmol per liter or more, intubation for ventilation at
      delivery, or neonatal encephalopathy. RESULTS: A total of 11,108 patients
      underwent randomization; 5532 were assigned to the open group, and 5576 to the
      masked group. The primary outcome occurred in 52 fetuses or neonates of women in
      the open group (0.9%) and 40 fetuses or neonates of women in the masked group
      (0.7%) (relative risk, 1.31; 95% confidence interval, 0.87 to 1.98; P=0.20).
      Among the individual components of the primary outcome, only the frequency of a 5
      minute Apgar score of 3 or less differed significantly between neonates of women
      in the open group and those in the masked group (0.3% vs. 0.1%, P=0.02). There
      were no significant between-group differences in the rate of cesarean delivery
      (16.9% and 16.2%, respectively; P=0.30) or any operative delivery (22.8% and
      22.0%, respectively; P=0.31). Adverse events were rare and occurred with similar
      frequency in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Fetal ECG ST-segment analysis used as
      an adjunct to conventional intrapartum electronic fetal heart-rate monitoring did
      not improve perinatal outcomes or decrease operative-delivery rates. (Funded by
      the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human
      Development and Neoventa Medical; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01131260.).

PMID- 26267629
TI  - Taking Patients' Narratives about Clinicians from Anecdote to Science.

PMID- 26267630
TI  - Primary PCI with or without Thrombectomy.

PMID- 26267631
TI  - Primary PCI with or without Thrombectomy.

PMID- 26267632
TI  - Primary PCI with or without Thrombectomy.

PMID- 26267633
TI  - Primary PCI with or without Thrombectomy.

PMID- 26267634
TI  - Primary PCI with or without Thrombectomy.

PMID- 26267635
TI  - Primary PCI with or without Thrombectomy.

PMID- 26267622
TI  - Troponin and Cardiac Events in Stable Ischemic Heart Disease and Diabetes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cardiac troponin concentrations are used to identify patients who
      would benefit from urgent revascularization for acute coronary syndromes. We
      hypothesized that they might be used in patients with stable ischemic heart
      disease to identify those at high risk for cardiovascular events who might also
      benefit from prompt coronary revascularization. METHODS: We measured the cardiac
      troponin T concentration at baseline with a high-sensitivity assay in 2285
      patients who had both type 2 diabetes and stable ischemic heart disease and were
      enrolled in the Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation in Type 2
      Diabetes trial. We tested for an association between the troponin T concentration
      and a composite end point of death from cardiovascular causes, myocardial
      infarction, or stroke; we then evaluated whether random assignment to prompt
      revascularization reduced the rate of the composite end point in patients with an
      abnormal troponin T concentration (>=14 ng per liter) as compared with those with
      a normal troponin T concentration (<14 ng per liter). RESULTS: Of the 2285
      patients, 2277 (99.6%) had detectable (>=3 ng per liter) troponin T
      concentrations and 897 (39.3%) had abnormal troponin T concentrations at
      baseline. The 5-year rate of the composite end point was 27.1% among the patients
      who had had abnormal troponin T concentrations at baseline, as compared with
      12.9% among those who had had normal baseline troponin T concentrations. In
      models that were adjusted for cardiovascular risk factors, severity of diabetes,
      electrocardiographic abnormalities, and coronary anatomy, the hazard ratio for
      the composite end point among patients with abnormal troponin T concentrations
      was 1.85 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.48 to 2.32; P<0.001). Among patients
      with abnormal troponin T concentrations, random assignment to prompt
      revascularization, as compared with medical therapy alone, did not result in a
      significant reduction in the rate of the composite end point (hazard ratio, 0.96;
      95% CI, 0.74 to 1.25). CONCLUSIONS: The cardiac troponin T concentration was an
      independent predictor of death from cardiovascular causes, myocardial infarction,
      or stroke in patients who had both type 2 diabetes and stable ischemic heart
      disease. An abnormal troponin T value of 14 ng per liter or higher did not
      identify a subgroup of patients who benefited from random assignment to prompt
      coronary revascularization. (Funded by the National Institutes of Health and
      Roche Diagnostics; BARI 2D ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00006305.).

PMID- 26267636
TI  - Antibiotics for Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Adults.

PMID- 26267637
TI  - Antibiotics for Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Adults.

PMID- 26267638
TI  - Antibiotics for Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Adults.

PMID- 26267639
TI  - Antibiotics for Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Adults.

PMID- 26267640
TI  - Antibiotics for Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Adults.

PMID- 26267642
TI  - IMAGES IN CLINICAL MEDICINE. Hemoptysis Associated with Paragonimus westermani.

PMID- 26267641
TI  - Pelvic Inflammatory Disease.

PMID- 26267643
TI  - INTERACTIVE MEDICAL CASE. A Man with Bizarre Behavior.

PMID- 26267644
TI  - Transcriptomic Analysis of Paeonia delavayi Wild Population Flowers to Identify
      Differentially Expressed Genes Involved in Purple-Red and Yellow Petal
      Pigmentation.
AB  - Tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa Andrews) is a very famous traditional ornamental
      plant in China. P. delavayi is a species endemic to Southwest China that has
      aroused great interest from researchers as a precious genetic resource for flower
      color breeding. However, the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms of
      flower pigmentation in this plant is limited, hindering the genetic engineering
      of novel flower color in tree peonies. In this study, we conducted a large-scale
      transcriptome analysis based on Illumina HiSeq sequencing of cDNA libraries
      generated from yellow and purple-red P. delavayi petals. A total of 90,202
      unigenes were obtained by de novo assembly, with an average length of 721 nt.
      Using Blastx, 44,811 unigenes (49.68%) were found to have significant similarity
      to accessions in the NR, NT, and Swiss-Prot databases. We also examined COG, GO
      and KEGG annotations to better understand the functions of these unigenes.
      Further analysis of the two digital transcriptomes revealed that 6,855 unigenes
      were differentially expressed between yellow and purple-red flower petals, with
      3,430 up-regulated and 3,425 down-regulated. According to the RNA-Seq data and
      qRT-PCR analysis, we proposed that four up-regulated key structural genes,
      including F3H, DFR, ANS and 3GT, might play an important role in purple-red petal
      pigmentation, while high co-expression of THC2'GT, CHI and FNS II ensures the
      accumulation of pigments contributing to the yellow color. We also found 50
      differentially expressed transcription factors that might be involved in
      flavonoid biosynthesis. This study is the first to report genetic information for
      P. delavayi. The large number of gene sequences produced by transcriptome
      sequencing and the candidate genes identified using pathway mapping and
      expression profiles will provide a valuable resource for future association
      studies aimed at better understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying flower
      pigmentation in tree peonies.

PMID- 26267645
TI  - A Risk Assessment Tool to Predict Sustained PTSD Symptoms Among Women Reporting
      Abuse.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nationally and worldwide, 30% or more of women are likely to have
      experienced intimate partner violence. Maternal mental health symptoms predict
      child function. When mothers have sustained posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD),
      their children at are risk for growth and developmental delays and poor
      behavioral outcomes that may adversely affect the course of their lives. While
      many who experience trauma will recover without intervention, a significant
      proportion will experience PTSD, with negative consequences for their personal
      lives and the lives of their families. Early identification of those at high risk
      for PTSD symptoms will support early interventions to prevent PTSD and its
      negative consequences. METHODS: This paper describes the development of a tool
      that can predict PTSD symptoms at 8 months in mothers who are primarily of low
      socioeconomic status and primarily members of underrepresented groups. The tool
      consists of four key measures. CONCLUSIONS: Using this tool to identify mothers
      at high risk for sustained PTSD and entering them into early intervention
      programs may protect mothers and their children from negative outcomes and
      promote their health and wellbeing.

PMID- 26267648
TI  - CO Oxidation Promoted by the Gold Dimer in Au2 VO3 (-) and Au2 VO4 (-) Clusters.
AB  - Investigations on the reactivity of atomic clusters have led to the
      identification of the elementary steps involved in catalytic CO oxidation, a
      prototypical reaction in heterogeneous catalysis. The atomic oxygen species O(.-)
      and O(2-) bonded to early-transition-metal oxide clusters have been shown to
      oxidize CO. This study reports that when an Au2 dimer is incorporated within the
      cluster, the molecular oxygen species O2 (2-) bonded to vanadium can be activated
      to oxidize CO under thermal collision conditions. The gold dimer was doped into
      Au2 VO4 (-) cluster ions which then reacted with CO in an ion-trap reactor to
      produce Au2 VO3 (-) and then Au2 VO2 (-) . The dynamic nature of gold in terms of
      electron storage and release promotes CO oxidation and O-O bond reduction. The
      oxidation of CO by atomic clusters in this study parallels similar behavior
      reported for the oxidation of CO by supported gold catalysts.

PMID- 26267649
TI  - Ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD) assisted delivery of shRNA
      against PHD2 into H9C2 cells.
AB  - Gene therapy has great potential for human diseases. Development of efficient
      delivery systems is critical to its clinical translation. Recent studies have
      shown that microbubbles in combination with ultrasound (US) can be used to
      facilitate gene delivery. An aim of this study is to investigate whether the
      combination of US-targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD) and polyethylenimine
      (PEI) (UTMD/PEI) can mediate even greater gene transfection efficiency than UTMD
      alone and to optimize ultrasonic irradiation parameters. Another aim of this
      study is to investigate the biological effects of PHD2-shRNA after its
      transfection into H9C2 cells. pEGFP-N1 or eukaryotic shPHD2-EGFP plasmid was
      mixed with albumin-coated microbubbles and PEI to form complexes for
      transfection. After these were added into H9C2 cells, the cells were exposed to
      US with various sets of parameters. The cells were then harvested and analyzed
      for gene expression. UTMD/PEI was shown to be highly efficient in gene
      transfection. An US intensity of 1.5 W/cm2, a microbubble concentration of
      300MUl/ml, an exposure time of 45s, and a plasmid concentration of 15MUg/ml were
      found to be optimal for transfection. UTMD/PEI-mediated PHD2-shRNA transfection
      in H9C2 cells significantly down regulated the expression of PHD2 and increased
      expression of HIF-1alpha and downstream angiogenesis factors VEGF, TGF-beta and
      bFGF. UTMD/PEI, combined with albumin-coated microbubbles, warrants further
      investigation for therapeutic gene delivery. 

PMID- 26267650
TI  - The physiological response of two green calcifying algae from the Great Barrier
      Reef towards high dissolved inorganic and organic carbon (DIC and DOC)
      availability.
AB  - Increasing dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) concentrations associated with ocean
      acidification can affect marine calcifiers, but local factors, such as high
      dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations through sewage and algal blooms,
      may interact with this global factor. For calcifying green algae of the genus
      Halimeda, a key tropical carbonate producer that often occurs in coral reefs, no
      studies on these interactions have been reported. These data are however urgently
      needed to understand future carbonate production. Thus, we investigated the
      independent and combined effects of DIC (pCO2 402 MUatm/ pHtot 8.0 and 996 MUatm/
      pHtot 7.7) and DOC (added as glucose in 0 and 294 MUmol L-1) on growth,
      calcification and photosynthesis of H. macroloba and H. opuntia from the Great
      Barrier Reef in an incubation experiment over 16 days. High DIC concentrations
      significantly reduced dark calcification of H. opuntia by 130 % and led to net
      dissolution, but did not affect H. macroloba. High DOC concentrations
      significantly reduced daily oxygen production of H. opuntia and H. macroloba by
      78 % and 43 %, respectively, and significantly reduced dark calcification of H.
      opuntia by 70%. Combined high DIC and DOC did not show any interactive effects
      for both algae, but revealed additive effects for H. opuntia where the
      combination of both factors reduced dark calcification by 162 % compared to
      controls. Such species-specific differences in treatment responses indicate H.
      opuntia is more susceptible to a combination of high DIC and DOC than H.
      macroloba. From an ecological perspective, results further suggest a reduction of
      primary production for Halimeda-dominated benthic reef communities under high DOC
      concentrations and additional decreases of carbonate accretion under elevated DIC
      concentrations, where H. opuntia dominates the benthic community. This may reduce
      biogenic carbonate sedimentation rates and hence the buffering capacity against
      further ocean acidification. 

PMID- 26267651
TI  - Electrostatic Energetics of Bacillus subtilis Ribonuclease P Protein Determined
      by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance-Based Histidine pKa Measurements.
AB  - The pKa values of ionizable groups in proteins report the free energy of site
      specific proton binding and provide a direct means of studying pH-dependent
      stability. We measured histidine pKa values (H3, H22, and H105) in the unfolded
      (U), intermediate (I), and sulfate-bound folded (F) states of RNase P protein,
      using an efficient and accurate nuclear magnetic resonance-monitored titration
      approach that utilizes internal reference compounds and a parametric fitting
      method. The three histidines in the sulfate-bound folded protein have pKa values
      depressed by 0.21 +/- 0.01, 0.49 +/- 0.01, and 1.00 +/- 0.01 units, respectively,
      relative to that of the model compound N-acetyl-l-histidine methylamide. In the
      unliganded and unfolded protein, the pKa values are depressed relative to that of
      the model compound by 0.73 +/- 0.02, 0.45 +/- 0.02, and 0.68 +/- 0.02 units,
      respectively. Above pH 5.5, H22 displays a separate resonance, which we have
      assigned to I, whose apparent pKa value is depressed by 1.03 +/- 0.25 units,
      which is ~0.5 units more than in either U or F. The depressed pKa values we
      observe are consistent with repulsive interactions between protonated histidine
      side chains and the net positive charge of the protein. However, the pKa
      differences between F and U are small for all three histidines, and they have
      little ionic strength dependence in F. Taken together, these observations suggest
      that unfavorable electrostatics alone do not account for the fact that RNase P
      protein is intrinsically unfolded in the absence of ligand. Multiple factors
      encoded in the P protein sequence account for its IUP property, which may play an
      important role in its function. 

PMID- 26267652
TI  - Social exclusion changes histone modifications H3K4me3 and H3K27ac in liver
      tissue of wild house mice.
AB  - Wild house mice form social hierarchies with aggressive males defending
      territories, in which females, young mice and submissive adult males share nests.
      In contrast, socially excluded males are barred from breeding groups, have
      numerous bite wounds and patches of thinning fur. Since their feeding times are
      often disrupted, we investigated whether social exclusion leads to changes in
      epigenetic marks of metabolic genes in liver tissue. We used chromatin
      immunoprecipitation and quantitative PCR to measure enrichment of two activating
      histone marks at 15 candidate loci. The epigenetic profiles of healthy males
      sampled from nest boxes differed significantly from the profiles of ostracized
      males caught outside of nests and showing bite wounds indicative of social
      exclusion. Enrichment of histone-3 lysine-4 trimethylation (H3K4me3) changed
      significantly at genes Cyp4a14, Gapdh, Nr3c1, Pck1, Ppara, and Sqle. Changes at
      histone-3 lysine-27 acetylation (H3K27ac) marks were detected at genes Fasn,
      Nr3c1, and Plin5. A principal components analysis separated the socialized from
      the ostracized mice. This was independent of body weight for the H3K4me3 mark,
      and partially dependent for H3K27ac. There was no separation, however, between
      healthy males that had been sampled from two different nests. A hierarchical
      cluster analysis also separated the two phenotypes, which was independent of body
      weight for both markers. Our study shows that a period of social exclusion during
      adult life leads to quantitative changes in histone modification patterns in
      mouse liver tissue. Similar epigenetic changes might occur during the development
      of stress-induced metabolic disorders in humans. 

PMID- 26267653
TI  - Anomalous High-Energy Waterfall-Like Electronic Structure in 5 d Transition Metal
      Oxide Sr2IrO4 with a Strong Spin-Orbit Coupling.
AB  - The low energy electronic structure of Sr2IrO4 has been well studied and
      understood in terms of an effective Jeff = 1/2 Mott insulator model. However,
      little work has been done in studying its high energy electronic behaviors. Here
      we report a new observation of the anomalous high energy electronic structure in
      Sr2IrO4. By taking high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission measurements on
      Sr2IrO4 over a wide energy range, we have revealed for the first time that the
      high energy electronic structures show unusual nearly-vertical bands that extend
      over a large energy range. Such anomalous high energy behaviors resemble the high
      energy waterfall features observed in the cuprate superconductors. While strong
      electron correlation plays an important role in producing high energy waterfall
      features in the cuprate superconductors, the revelation of the high energy
      anomalies in Sr2IrO4, which exhibits strong spin-orbit coupling and a moderate
      electron correlation, points to an unknown and novel route in generating exotic
      electronic excitations. 

PMID- 26267654
TI  - Seroprevalence of IgG1 and IgG4 class antibodies against Mycobacterium avium
      subsp. paratuberculosis in Japanese population.
AB  - Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) is the established causative
      agent of Johne's disease in cattle and other ruminants, and it has also been
      speculated to be a putative etiological agent of several human autoimmune
      diseases. It is acknowledged that dairy products deriving from infected animals
      play a role (could be vehicles) in exposing humans to MAP. MAP could stimulate
      the human immune system by means of their complex antigen (in the case of lipids,
      multivalent antigens) and may modulate it, acting as adjuvant molecules such as
      Freund's complete adjuvant. The immune system might be abnormally stimulated by
      the constant presence of MAP antigens (for example, in the dairy products), and
      this might be particularly relevant in genetically predisposed individuals.
      However, there is limited understanding about the current human exposure to MAP.
      The present study analyzed the antibody recognition profile of MAP lipophilic
      antigens in a cohort of 126 healthy Japanese. We measured the serum levels of
      total immunoglobulin G (IgG) and subclasses targeting MAP surface antigens
      through ethanol vortex indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (EVELISA) by
      using serum absorbed with Mycobacterium phlei. Elevated IgG (especially IgG1 and
      IgG4) responses were observed in 14% of the sera. To assess the specificity of
      EVELISA, the same samples were analyzed by means of a commercially available
      Johnelisa II kit. It was noteworthy that a high degree of correlation was
      observed when comparing the two methodologies (rs=0.7, p<0.0001). Moreover, in
      order to investigate the specificity of the binding, inhibition assay experiments
      were carried out also searching for antibodies against Bacillus Calmette-Guerin
      antigens, but no cross-reaction was observed. The result obtained represents the
      first evidence implying that the Japanese population is exposed to MAP, and
      additionally the existence of a foodborne chain of exposure that transmits MAP
      antigens to humans. 

PMID- 26267655
TI  - Controlling tunnelling in methane loss from acetone ions by deuteration.
AB  - Energetic acetone cations decay by methane or methyl radical loss. Although the
      methane-loss barrier to form the ketene cation is higher and the activation
      entropy is lower, it has a significant branching ratio at low energies thanks to
      quantum tunnelling. H-atom tunnelling can be selectively quenched and the methane
      loss channel suppressed quantitatively by deuteration. 

PMID- 26267656
TI  - A Novel Method for Inducing Amastigote-To-Trypomastigote Transformation In Vitro
      in Trypanosoma cruzi Reveals the Importance of Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate
      Receptor.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Trypanosoma cruzi is a parasitic protist that causes Chagas disease,
      which is prevalent in Latin America. Because of the unavailability of an
      effective drug or vaccine, and because about 8 million people are infected with
      the parasite worldwide, the development of novel drugs demands urgent attention.
      T. cruzi infects a wide variety of mammalian nucleated cells, with a preference
      for myocardial cells. Non-dividing trypomastigotes in the bloodstream infect host
      cells where they are transformed into replication-capable amastigotes. The
      amastigotes revert to trypomastigotes (trypomastigogenesis) before being shed out
      of the host cells. Although trypomastigote transformation is an essential process
      for the parasite, the molecular mechanisms underlying this process have not yet
      been clarified, mainly because of the lack of an assay system to induce
      trypomastigogenesis in vitro. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Cultivation of
      amastigotes in a transformation medium composed of 80% RPMI-1640 and 20% Grace's
      Insect Medium mediated their transformation into trypomastigotes. Grace's Insect
      Medium alone also induced trypomastigogenesis. Furthermore, trypomastigogenesis
      was induced more efficiently in the presence of fetal bovine serum.
      Trypomastigotes derived from in vitro trypomastigogenesis were able to infect
      mammalian host cells as efficiently as tissue-culture-derived trypomastigotes
      (TCT) and expressed a marker protein for TCT. Using this assay system, we
      demonstrated that T. cruzi inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (TcIP3R)-an
      intracellular Ca2+ channel and a key molecule involved in Ca2+ signaling in the
      parasite-is important for the transformation process. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE:
      Our findings provide a new tool to identify the molecular mechanisms of the
      amastigote-to-trypomastigote transformation, leading to a new strategy for drug
      development against Chagas disease.

PMID- 26267657
TI  - Characterization of the MUC1-C Cytoplasmic Domain as a Cancer Target.
AB  - Mucin 1 (MUC1) is a heterodimeric protein that is aberrantly expressed in diverse
      human carcinomas and certain hematologic malignancies. The oncogenic MUC1
      transmembrane C-terminal subunit (MUC1-C) functions in part by transducing growth
      and survival signals from cell surface receptors. However, little is known about
      the structure of the MUC1-C cytoplasmic domain as a potential drug target. Using
      methods for structural predictions, our results indicate that a highly conserved
      CQCRRK sequence, which is adjacent to the cell membrane, forms a small pocket
      that exposes the two cysteine residues for forming disulfide bonds. By contrast,
      the remainder of the MUC1-C cytoplasmic domain has no apparent structure,
      consistent with an intrinsically disordered protein. Our studies thus focused on
      targeting the MUC1 CQCRRK region. The results show that L- and D-amino acid
      CQCRRK-containing peptides bind directly to the CQC motif. We further show that
      the D-amino acid peptide, designated GO-203, blocks homodimerization of the MUC1
      C cytoplasmic domain in vitro and in transfected cells. Moreover, GO-203 binds
      directly to endogenous MUC1-C in breast and lung cancer cells. Colocalization
      studies further demonstrate that GO-203 predominantly binds to MUC1-C at the cell
      membrane. These findings support the further development of agents that target
      the MUC1-C cytoplasmic domain CQC motif and thereby MUC1-C function in cancer
      cells.

PMID- 26267658
TI  - In Vitro Activity of Epigallocatechin Gallate and Quercetin Alone and in
      Combination versus Clinical Isolates of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus
      aureus.
AB  - Topical infections can become life threatening in immunocompromised patients.
      However, fewer treatments are available as multi-drug-resistant bacteria become
      more common. The natural compounds epigallocatechin gallate (1) and quercetin (2)
      alone and in combination were tested as potential antimicrobial clinical
      therapies. Strong antimicrobial activity was produced by 1 alone against
      methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and activity was significantly
      increased in the presence of 2. A synergistic interaction was observed between
      the two compounds. Kill kinetics indicate the combination is bactericidal over 24
      h. 

PMID- 26267659
TI  - Stevens Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis: Maternal and Foetal
      Outcomes in Twenty-Two Consecutive Pregnant HIV Infected Women.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN)
      form a spectrum of a rare and life-threatening cutaneous drug reaction. SJS/TEN
      in pregnancy poses largely unknown risk factors and outcomes for both the mother
      and foetus compared to the general population. METHODS: We conducted a study of
      consecutive pregnant women admitted to single tertiary referral centre in South
      Africa with SJS/TEN over a 3 year period. They were all managed by the same
      medical team using the same protocols. We evaluated their underlying illnesses,
      offending drugs and the course of pregnancy and outcomes to determine factors
      influencing maternal and foetal outcomes. RESULTS: We identified twenty-two women
      who developed SJS/TEN while pregnant, all of them HIV-infected. Their median age
      was 29 years. The majority 16/22 (73%) had SJS, the milder variant of the disease
      affecting < 10% body surface area. Nevirapine was the offending drug in 21/22
      (95%) cases. All 22 of the mothers survived with 3/22 (14%) developing postpartum
      sepsis. Pregnancy outcomes were known in 18/22 women and 9/18 (50%) babies were
      delivered by caesarean section. There were 2 foetal deaths at 21 and 31 weeks
      respectively and both were associated with post-partum sepsis. Postnatal
      complications occurred in 5 cases, 3 involving the respiratory system and the
      other two being low birth weight deliveries. Eight placentae and one foetus were
      sent for histology and none showed macroscopic or microscopic features of
      SJS/TEN. On follow-up, only 12/20 children were tested for HIV at 6 weeks post
      delivery and none of them were HIV-infected. All had received prophylactic ARVs
      including nevirapine. CONCLUSIONS: TEN, the severe form of the disease, was
      associated with poorer foetal outcomes. SJS/TEN-associated mortality is not
      increased in HIV-infected pregnant women. Maternal SJS/TEN does not seem to
      commonly manifest in the foetus.

PMID- 26267660
TI  - Detection of retinal changes in idiopathic Parkinson's disease using high
      resolution optical coherence tomography and heidelberg retina tomography.
AB  - PURPOSE: The study was performed to analyse the retina of patients with
      Parkinson's disease (PD) for morphological changes compared to healthy controls
      (HC) using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and confocal
      scanning laser ophthalmoscopy. METHODS: We enrolled 108 patients with idiopathic
      PD and 165 HC. All study participants underwent an ophthalmological examination
      to exclude ophthalmological disorder potentially interfering with the retinal
      analyses. Peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness and macular
      thickness and volume were measured by a SD-OCT device (Heidelberg Spectralis((r))
      ). Stereometric parameters of the optic disc were acquired by Heidelberg Retina
      Tomograph (HRT III). RESULTS: The RNFL thickness did not significantly differ
      between patients with PD and HC. The thickness of the central minimum and the
      centre of the macular area were significantly reduced in patients with PD, while
      the total macular volume did not significantly differ between the groups.
      Furthermore, we noted an inverse correlation between the central minimum
      thickness and the disease severity (assessed by the Hoehn and Yahr scale). HRT
      data showed no significant differences. CONCLUSION: The HRT device and the RNFL
      measurements of the SD-OCT did not prove to be a clinically valid diagnostic tool
      to distinguish eyes of patients with PD and HC. However, the macular region and
      especially the foveola (central minimum) with the highest density of
      photoreceptor cells seem to be more sensitive and might be potential biomarkers.

PMID- 26267661
TI  - Voxel-Wise Perfusion Assessment in Cerebral White Matter with PCASL at 3T; Is It
      Possible and How Long Does It Take?
AB  - PURPOSE: To establish whether reliable voxel-wise assessment of perfusion in
      cerebral white matter (WM) is possible using arterial spin labeling (ASL) at 3T
      in a cohort of healthy subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pseudo-continuous ASL
      (PCASL) with background suppression (BS) optimized for WM measurements was
      performed at 3T in eight healthy male volunteers aged 25-41. Four different
      labeling schemes were evaluated by varying the labeling duration (LD) and post
      labeling delay (PLD). Eight slices with voxel dimension 3.75x3.75x5 mm3 were
      acquired from the anterosuperior aspect of the brain, and 400 image/control pairs
      were collected for each run. Rigid head immobilization was applied using
      individually fitted thermoplastic masks. For each voxel in the resulting ASL time
      series, the time needed to reach a 95% significance level for the ASL signal to
      be higher than zero (paired t-test), was estimated. RESULTS: The four protocols
      detected between 88% and 95% (after Bonferroni correction: 75% and 88%) of WM
      voxels at 95% significance level. In the most efficient sequence, 80% was reached
      after 5 min and 95% after 53 min (after Bonferroni correction 40% and 88%
      respectively). For all protocols, the fraction of significant WM voxels increased
      in an asymptotic fashion with increasing scan time. A small subgroup of voxels
      was shown to not benefit at all from prolonged measurement. CONCLUSION:
      Acquisition of a significant ASL signal from a majority of WM voxels is possible
      within clinically acceptable scan times, whereas full coverage needs
      prohibitively long scan times, as a result of the asymptotic trajectory.

PMID- 26267662
TI  - Long-term objective esthetic outcome after breast-conserving therapy.
AB  - The prediction of unfavorable long-term esthetic outcome (AO) is important for
      patient consultation. We aimed to analyze variables characterizing the
      improvement and impairment of AO over time after breast-conserving surgery. A
      subgroup of a prospective, monocenter cohort study was analyzed to evaluate the
      results of the BCCT.core software (Breast Cancer Conservative Treatment.cosmetic
      results) which was used to objectively assess the AO before (n = 356), shortly
      after (n = 294) and in median 3 years after surgery (n = 356). We analyzed
      potential influencing factors (such as body mass index, (y)pT-stage, weight of
      resected specimen, etc.) on the AO using logistic regression analyses (n = 256).
      Finally, we tried to characterize groups of patients with improving or impaired
      AO over time (n = 294). Predictors for an unfavorable AO were an axillary
      lymphadenectomy (OR = 4.05), a tumor in the 12 o'clock position (OR = 2.22), a
      tumor stage larger or equal to (y)pT2 stage (OR = 2.11), and a surgical specimen
      weight >75 g (OR = 2.71). Patients with lower specimen weight were more likely to
      improve in the long-term follow-up (p = 0.018), whereas patients with a higher
      (y)pT-stage tended to become impaired with time. Although overall AO decreased
      over time, nearly half of the patients with an unfavorable AO shortly after
      surgery improved in the long-term follow-up. Predictors of unfavorable AO can be
      used in patient consultation preoperatively to prepare them for the postsurgical
      period and/or to recommend surgical alternatives (e.g., more complex oncoplastic
      techniques). Knowledge of improvement and impairment may help patients and
      physicians in the postsurgical consultation setting.

PMID- 26267663
TI  - Navigation surgery for intraoperative sentinel lymph node detection using
      Indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence real-time imaging in breast cancer.
AB  - A new sensitive fluorescence imaging system was developed for the real-time
      identification of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) in patients with early breast
      cancer. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of a color charge
      coupled device camera system for the intraoperative detection of SLNs and to
      determine its clinical efficacy and sensitivity in patients with operable breast
      cancer. We assessed a total of 168 patients diagnosed with or suspected of having
      early-stage breast cancer without metastasis in SLNs. The intraoperative
      detection of SLNs was performed using the conventional Indigo Carmine dye
      (indigotindisulfonate sodium) technique combined with a new Indocyanine green
      (ICG) imaging system (HyperEye Medical System: HEMS, MIZUHO IKAKOGYO, Japan) to
      map SLNs, in which the lymphatic vessels and SLNs were visualized
      transcutaneously with illuminating ICG fluorescence. Between January 2012 and May
      2013, SLNs were successfully identified in all 168 patients (detection rate:
      100%). By histopathology, the sensitivity was 93.8% for the detection of the
      metastatic involvement of SLNs (15 of 16 nodal-positive patients). After a median
      follow-up of 30.5 months, none of the patients presented with axillary
      recurrence. These results suggest that the HEMS imaging system is a feasible and
      effective method for the detection of SLNs in breast cancer. Furthermore, the
      HEMS device permitted the transcutaneous visualization of lymphatic vessels under
      light conditions, thus facilitating the identification and detection of SLNs
      without affecting the surgical procedure, together with a high sensitivity and
      specificity.

PMID- 26267664
TI  - Measurement of lipid accumulation in Chlorella vulgaris via flow cytometry and
      liquid-state 1H NMR spectroscopy for development of an NMR-traceable flow
      cytometry protocol.
AB  - In this study, we cultured Chlorella vulgaris cells with a range of lipid
      contents, induced via nitrogen starvation, and characterized them via flow
      cytometry, with BODIPY 505/515 as a fluorescent lipid label, and liquid-state 1H
      NMR spectroscopy. In doing so, we demonstrate the utility of calibrating flow
      cytometric measurements of algal lipid content using triacylglyceride (TAG, also
      known as triacylglycerol or triglyceride) content per cell as measured via
      quantitative 1H NMR. Ensemble-averaged fluorescence of BODIPY-labeled cells was
      highly correlated with average TAG content per cell measured by bulk NMR, with a
      linear regression yielding a linear fit with r2 = 0.9974. This correlation
      compares favorably to previous calibrations of flow cytometry protocols to lipid
      content measured via extraction, and calibration by NMR avoids the time and
      complexity that is generally required for lipid quantitation via extraction. Flow
      cytometry calibrated to a direct measurement of TAG content can be used to
      investigate the distribution of lipid contents for cells within a culture. Our
      flow cytometry measurements showed that Chlorella vulgaris cells subjected to
      nitrogen limitation exhibited higher mean lipid content but a wider distribution
      of lipid content that overlapped the relatively narrow distribution of lipid
      content for replete cells, suggesting that nitrogen limitation induces lipid
      accumulation in only a subset of cells. Calibration of flow cytometry protocols
      using direct in situ measurement of TAG content via NMR will facilitate rapid
      development of more precise flow cytometry protocols, enabling investigation of
      algal lipid accumulation for development of more productive algal biofuel
      feedstocks and cultivation protocols. 

PMID- 26267665
TI  - Regional Distribution and Evolution of Gray Matter Damage in Different
      Populations of Multiple Sclerosis Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Both gray-matter (GM) atrophy and lesions occur from the earliest
      stages of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and are one of the major determinants of long
      term clinical outcomes. Nevertheless, the relationship between focal and diffuse
      GM damage has not been clarified yet. Here we investigate the regional
      distribution and temporal evolution of cortical thinning and how it is influenced
      by the local appearance of new GM lesions at different stages of the disease in
      different populations of MS patients. METHODS: We studied twenty MS patients with
      clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), 27 with early relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS,
      disease duration <5 years), 29 with late RRMS (disease duration >= 5 years) and
      20 with secondary-progressive MS (SPMS). The distribution and evolution of
      regional cortical thickness and GM lesions were assessed during 5-year follow-up.
      RESULTS: The results showed that new lesions appeared more frequently in
      hippocampus and parahippocampal gyri (9.1%), insula (8.9%), cingulate cortex
      (8.3%), superior frontal gyrus (8.1%), and cerebellum (6.5%). The aforementioned
      regions showed the greatest reduction in thickness/volume, although (several)
      differences were observed across subgroups. The correlation between the
      appearance of new cortical lesions and cortical thinning was stronger in CIS (r2
      = 50.0, p<0.001) and in early RRMS (r2 = 52.3, p<0.001), compared to late RRMS
      (r2 = 25.5, p<0.001) and SPMS (r2 = 6.3, p = 0.133). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude
      that GM atrophy and lesions appear to be different signatures of cortical disease
      in MS having in common overlapping spatio-temporal distribution patterns.
      However, the correlation between focal and diffuse damage is only moderate and
      more evident in the early phase of the disease.

PMID- 26267666
TI  - Improved clinical course of autologous skeletal myoblast sheet (TCD-51073)
      transplantation when compared to a propensity score-matched cardiac
      resynchronization therapy population.
AB  - We recently reported a multi-center, single-arm, phase II study that evaluated
      the efficacy and safety of autologous skeletal myoblast sheet (TCD-51073)
      transplantation. The advantage of this procedure over a control group has not yet
      been analyzed. Seven patients with advanced heart failure due to ischemic
      etiology (TCD-51073 group, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III; left
      ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <35 %) refractory to optimal medical and
      coronary revascularization therapy, received TCD-51073 at 3 study centers between
      2012 and 2013 with a 2-year follow-up period. As previously reported, 112
      patients received cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) with follow-up at the
      University of Tokyo Hospital between 2007 and 2014. Of them, 21 patients were
      selected for the control group by propensity score matching. No significant
      difference in baseline variables between the groups was observed. LVEF and NYHA
      class improved significantly in the TCD-51073 group during the 6-month study
      period (p < 0.05). During the 2-year follow-up, 7 patients (33 %) in the CRT
      group and no patient in the TCD-51073 group died due to cardiac disease or
      received VAD implantation (p = 0.128 by the log-rank test). In conclusion,
      transplantation of TCD-51073 is clinically advantageous in facilitating LV
      reverse remodeling, improving HF symptoms, and preventing cardiac death in
      patients with ischemic etiology when compared to background-matched patients
      receiving CRT.

PMID- 26267667
TI  - Reducing Human-Tsetse Contact Significantly Enhances the Efficacy of Sleeping
      Sickness Active Screening Campaigns: A Promising Result in the Context of
      Elimination.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Control of gambiense sleeping sickness, a neglected tropical disease
      targeted for elimination by 2020, relies mainly on mass screening of populations
      at risk and treatment of cases. This strategy is however challenged by the
      existence of undetected reservoirs of parasites that contribute to the
      maintenance of transmission. In this study, performed in the Boffa disease focus
      of Guinea, we evaluated the value of adding vector control to medical surveys and
      measured its impact on disease burden. METHODS: The focus was divided into two
      parts (screen and treat in the western part; screen and treat plus vector control
      in the eastern part) separated by the Rio Pongo river. Population census and
      baseline entomological data were collected from the entire focus at the beginning
      of the study and insecticide impregnated targets were deployed on the eastern
      bank only. Medical surveys were performed in both areas in 2012 and 2013.
      FINDINGS: In the vector control area, there was an 80% decrease in tsetse
      density, resulting in a significant decrease of human tsetse contacts, and a
      decrease of disease prevalence (from 0.3% to 0.1%; p=0.01), and an almost nil
      incidence of new infections (<0.1%). In contrast, incidence was 10 times higher
      in the area without vector control (>1%, p<0.0001) with a disease prevalence
      increasing slightly (from 0.5 to 0.7%, p=0.34). INTERPRETATION: Combining medical
      and vector control was decisive in reducing T. b. gambiense transmission and in
      speeding up progress towards elimination. Similar strategies could be applied in
      other foci.

PMID- 26267669
TI  - Dense Deposition of Gold Nanoclusters Utilizing a Porphyrin/Inorganic Layered
      Material Complex as the Template.
AB  - We examined the deposition of gold clusters through the reduction of a gold
      precursor sensitized by nonaggregated, assembled porphyrin molecules on an
      inorganic layered material surface in order to develop a novel strategy for
      constructing assemblies of gold clusters. Visible light irradiation on
      nonaggregated, assembled porphyrin on the inorganic surface in the presence of
      the gold precursor and an electron donor induced the deposition of gold NPs on
      the surface of the inorganic layered material. Uniform gold clusters, with an
      average diameter of 1.5 nm, were deposited on the surface without aggregation.
      The average interparticle distance between adjacent gold clusters (center to
      center) was 2.3 nm, which agrees well with the average intermolecular distance of
      the nonaggregated, assembled porphyrin molecules on the inorganic surface. Thus,
      the generated gold clusters appear to reflect the nonaggregated, assembled
      structure of the porphyrin molecules on the inorganic surface. This method,
      termed the photosensitized template reduction (PTR) method, is a useful and novel
      technique for the deposition of metal nanoparticles on the surfaces of supporting
      materials. 

PMID- 26267668
TI  - Parents' and professionals' perceptions on causes and treatment options for
      Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in a multicultural context on the Kenyan Coast.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore parents' and professionals' perceived causes and treatment
      of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) on the Kenyan Coast. METHODS: In-depth
      interviews and focus group discussions using guiding questions were utilized in
      data collection. One hundred and three participants, who included parents of
      children with ASD, special needs teachers, clinicians, and social workers from
      diverse cultural background, participated in this study. The interviews and focus
      groups were recorded, transcribed verbatim and then translated to English. Themes
      were generated using content analysis. RESULTS: Preternatural causes were
      mentioned and included evil spirits, witchcraft, and curses. Biomedical causes
      comprised infections, drug abuse, birth complications, malnutrition, and genetic
      related problems. Treatment varied from traditional and spiritual healing to
      modern treatment in health facilities, and included consultations with
      traditional healers, offering prayers to God, and visits to hospitals.
      CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that regardless of cultural backgrounds, people
      on the Kenyan Coast have similar views on perceived causes and treatment of ASD.
      These findings provide valuable conceptual understanding for professionals when
      planning and implementing community based rehabilitation interventions targeting
      children with ASD within a local context.

PMID- 26267670
TI  - Intraoperative and surgical specimen (ex vivo) ultrasound in the assessment of
      margins at partial nephrectomy.
AB  - PURPOSE: To correlate the accuracy of intraoperative and surgical specimen (ex
      vivo) ultrasound (US) with pathological margin status at partial nephrectomy.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients undergoing partial nephrectomy for T1 renal
      tumours in the period May 2010-January 2014 at a single institution who had
      intraoperative specimen US were included. PN was performed by standardised
      technique with intraoperative tumour localisation. Following excision, surgical
      specimen (ex vivo) US was performed and the margin status was compared to the
      final histopathological analysis. The specificity of US to identify margin status
      was calculated as was the correlation between the ultrasonographic and final
      pathological margin. RESULTS: Forty-five patients were included (median age 61
      years). Mean tumour size was 28.1 +/- 10 mm, and 89 % were renal cell carcinomas
      with the remainder being oncocytomas. Forty-four cases had negative surgical
      margins on pathological analysis, and US had a specificity of 100 %. There was a
      strong correlation between the margin as measured on US and final analysis
      (Pearson's r = 0.86, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Results show that intraoperative,
      surgical specimen (ex vivo) US control of resection margins in patients
      undergoing PN is feasible and efficient. It represents a promising tool to ensure
      margin negativity during PN.

PMID- 26267671
TI  - Li17Sb13S28: A New Lithium Ion Conductor and addition to the Phase Diagram Li2S
      Sb2S3.
AB  - Li17Sb13S28 was synthesized by solid-state reaction of stoichiometric amounts of
      anhydrous Li2S and Sb2S3. The crystal structure of Li17Sb13S28 was determined
      from dark-red single crystals at room temperature. The title compound
      crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/m (no. 12) with a=12.765(2) A,
      b=11.6195(8) A, c=9.2564(9) A, beta=119.665(6) degrees , V=1193.0(2) A(3), and
      Z=4 (data at 20  degrees C, lattice constants from powder diffraction). The
      crystal structure contains one cation site with a mixed occupation by Li and Sb,
      and one with an antimony split position. Antimony and sulfur form slightly
      distorted tetragonal bipyramidal [SbS5E] units (E=free electron pair). Six of
      these units are arranged around a vacancy in the anion substructure. The lone
      electron pairs E of the antimony(III) cations are arranged around these
      vacancies. Thus, a variant of the rock salt structure type with ordered vacancies
      in the anionic substructure results. Impedance spectroscopic measurements of
      Li17Sb13S28 show a specific conductivity of 2.9*10(-9) Omega(-1) cm(-1) at 323 K
      and of 7.9*10(-6) Omega(-1) cm(-1) at 563 K, the corresponding activation energy
      is EA=0.4 eV below 403 K and EA=0.6 eV above. Raman spectra are dominated by the
      Sb-S stretching modes of the [SbS5] units at 315 and 341 cm(-1) at room
      temperature. Differential thermal analysis (DTA) measurements of Li17Sb13S28
      indicate peritectic melting at 854 K.

PMID- 26267672
TI  - Causes and consequences of habitat fragmentation in river networks.
AB  - Increases in river fragmentation globally threaten freshwater biodiversity.
      Rivers are fragmented by many agents, both natural and anthropogenic. We review
      the distribution and frequency of these major agents, along with their effects on
      connectivity and habitat quality. Most fragmentation research has focused on
      terrestrial habitats, but theories and generalizations developed in terrestrial
      habitats do not always apply well to river networks. For example, terrestrial
      habitats are usually conceptualized as two-dimensional, whereas rivers often are
      conceptualized as one-dimensional or dendritic. In addition, river flow often
      leads to highly asymmetric effects of barriers on habitat and permeability. New
      approaches tailored to river networks can be applied to describe the network-wide
      effects of multiple barriers on both connectivity and habitat quality. The net
      effects of anthropogenic fragmentation on freshwater biodiversity are likely
      underestimated, because of time lags in effects and the difficulty of generating
      a single, simple signal of fragmentation that applies to all aquatic species. We
      conclude by presenting a decision tree for managing freshwater fragmentation, as
      well as some research horizons for evaluating fragmented riverscapes.

PMID- 26267673
TI  - Phase Transition of Glycolipid Membranes Studied by Coarse-Grained Simulations.
AB  - Glycolipids are important components of biological membranes. High concentrations
      of glycolipids are particularly found in lipid rafts, which take part in many
      physiological phenomena. This different partitioning and interaction pattern of
      glycolipids in the membrane as compared to those of phospholipids are likely due
      to their different chemical structures: the polar regions of glycosphingolipids
      can be even larger than for their hydrophobic moieties, giving rise to a rich
      conformational landscape. Here we study the influence of glycosphingolipids
      galactosylceramide (GCER) and monosialotetrahexosylganglioside (GM1) on the
      structural and thermodynamic properties of a phospholipid (DPPC) bilayer. Using
      the method of coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulation we show that both
      glycolipids increase the phase-transition temperature of phospholipid membranes
      and that the extent of this increase depends on the headgroup size and structure.
      GM1 shows a strong tendency to form mixed clusters with phospholipids, thereby
      stabilizing the membrane. In contrast, GCER is dispersed in the membrane. By
      occupying the interstitial space between phospholipids it causes a tighter
      packing of the lipids in the membrane. 

PMID- 26267674
TI  - Neurological and neurocognitive functions from intrauterine methylmercury
      exposure.
AB  - In the 1950s, large-scale food poisoning caused by methylmercury was identified
      in Minamata, Japan. Although severe intrauterine exposure cases (ie, congenital
      Minamata disease patients) are well known, possible impacts of methylmercury
      exposure in utero among residents, which is likely at lower levels than in
      congenital Minamata disease patients, are rarely explored. In 2014, the authors
      examined neurological and neurocognitive functions among 18 exposed participants
      in Minamata, focusing on fine motor, visuospatial construction, and executive
      functions. More than half of the participants had some fine motor and
      coordination difficulties. In addition, several participants had lower
      performance for neurocognitive function tests (the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure
      test and Keio version of the Wisconsin card sorting test). These deficits imply
      diffuse brain damage. This study suggests possible neurological and
      neurocognitive impacts of prenatal exposure to methylmercury among exposed
      residents of Minamata.

PMID- 26267675
TI  - Selenium-containing polysaccharides from Ziyang green tea ameliorate high
      fructose diet induced insulin resistance and hepatic oxidative stress in mice.
AB  - The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of selenium-containing tea
      polysaccharides (Se-GTP) from a new variety of selenium-enriched Ziyang green tea
      against high fructose (HF)-induced insulin resistance and hepatic oxidative
      stress in mice. Healthy male Kunming mice were fed 20% high fructose water and
      administered 200, 400 and 800 mg per kg bw Se-GTP for 8 weeks. Mice fed HF in
      drinking water displayed significant insulin resistance, hepatic steatosis and
      oxidative stress observed by hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia, as well as
      increases in hepatic non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) and malonaldehyde (MDA).
      The administration of Se-GTP at 400 and 800 mg per kg bw significantly improved
      insulin sensitivity, and reduced liver steatosis and oxidative stress damage, and
      brought back the antioxidants and hepatic lipids towards near-normal values. In
      the oral glucose tolerance test, the administration of Se-GTP at 400 and 800 mg
      per kg bw had reduced plasma glucose concentrations after 30 min of glucose
      loading in HF-fed mice, suggesting that Se-GTP improved glucose intolerance.
      Histopathological examination indicated that the impaired pancreatic/hepatic
      tissues were effectively restored in HF-fed mice following the Se-GTP treatment.
      This is the first report showing that Se-GTP can ameliorate the high fructose
      induced insulin resistance and hepatic oxidative injury. 

PMID- 26267677
TI  - CT Dose Optimization in Pediatric Radiology: A Multiyear Effort to Preserve the
      Benefits of Imaging While Reducing the Risks.
AB  - The marked increase in radiation exposure from medical imaging, especially in
      children, has caused considerable alarm and spurred efforts to preserve the
      benefits but reduce the risks of imaging. Applying the principles of the Image
      Gently campaign, data-driven process and quality improvement techniques such as
      process mapping and flowcharting, cause-and-effect diagrams, Pareto analysis,
      statistical process control (control charts), failure mode and effects analysis,
      "lean" or Six Sigma methodology, and closed feedback loops led to a multiyear
      program that has reduced overall computed tomographic (CT) examination volume by
      more than fourfold and concurrently decreased radiation exposure per CT study
      without compromising diagnostic utility. This systematic approach involving
      education, streamlining access to magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasonography,
      auditing with comparison with benchmarks, applying modern CT technology, and
      revising CT protocols has led to a more than twofold reduction in CT radiation
      exposure between 2005 and 2012 for patients at the authors' institution while
      maintaining diagnostic utility.

PMID- 26267676
TI  - Platelet abnormalities in nephrotic syndrome.
AB  - Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is a common kidney disease associated with a
      significantly increased risk of thrombotic events. Alterations in plasma levels
      of pro- and anti-coagulant factors are involved in the pathophysiology of venous
      thrombosis in NS. However, the fact that the risk of both venous and arterial
      thrombosis is elevated in NS points to an additional role for blood platelets.
      Increased platelet counts and platelet hyperactivity have been observed in
      nephrotic children. Platelet hyperaggregability, increased release of active
      substances, and elevated surface expression of activation-dependent platelet
      markers have been documented. The mechanisms underlying those platelet
      alterations are multifactorial and are probably due to changes in plasma levels
      of platelet-interfering proteins and lipid changes, as a consequence of
      nephrosis. The causal relationship between platelet alterations seen in NS and
      the occurrence of thromboembolic phenomena remains unclear. Moreover, the
      efficiency of prophylactic treatment using antiplatelet agents for the prevention
      of thrombotic complications in nephrotic patients is also unknown. Thus,
      antiplatelet medication is currently not generally recommended for routine
      prophylactic therapy.

PMID- 26267678
TI  - PERIPAPILLARY RETINAL PIGMENT EPITHELIUM CHANGES IN AGE-RELATED MACULAR
      DEGENERATION.
AB  - PURPOSE: To describe peripapillary retinal pigment epithelium changes observed in
      patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and evaluate their
      prevalence. METHODS: This study is a prospective, monocentric, comparative case
      series including 104 consecutive patients with AMD, and 34 patients who are more
      than 60 years old and consulting for other conditions (control group). Color and
      fundus autofluorescence images centered on the optic disk were taken and graded
      by 2 independent readers from 0 to 4: 0, absent; 1, uneven background; 2, focal
      hyperautofluorescent dots and spots; 3, light reticular pattern; 4, dense
      reticular pattern. Statistical analysis was performed to correlate the presence
      of peripapillary retinal pigment epithelium changes with age, sex, and AMD
      subtype. RESULTS: Peripapillary retinal pigment epithelium changes were observed
      in 76/104 AMD eyes (73.0%) and were significantly more frequent than in eyes with
      other conditions (14/34, 41.1%, P = 0.002), whereas groups did not differ for age
      (P = 0.14). Grade >=2 peripapillary retinal pigment epithelium changes were more
      frequently observed in patients with AMD than in controls (41.3 vs. 17.6%, P =
      0.013). No differences were found between patients with AMD having peripapillary
      retinal pigment epithelium changes and other patients for age distribution (P =
      0.14), sex ratio (P = 0.34), or AMD type (P = 0.57). CONCLUSION: Peripapillary
      retinal pigment epithelium changes were more frequent in patients with AMD than
      in controls, and when present, they were of higher grade. Peripapillary retinal
      pigment epithelium changes significance is not yet understood and needs further
      evaluation.

PMID- 26267679
TI  - Predictive modeling of synergistic effects in nanoscale ion track formation.
AB  - Molecular dynamics techniques in combination with the inelastic thermal spike
      model are used to study the coupled effects of the inelastic energy loss due to
      21 MeV Ni ion irradiation with pre-existing defects in SrTiO3. We determine the
      dependence on pre-existing defect concentration of nanoscale track formation
      occurring from the synergy between the inelastic energy loss and the pre-existing
      atomic defects. We show that the size of nanoscale ion tracks can be controlled
      by the concentration of pre-existing disorder. This work identifies a major gap
      in fundamental understanding on the role of defects in electronic energy
      dissipation and electron-lattice coupling. 

PMID- 26267680
TI  - [Screening and functional analysis of microRNA expression in HPV16-positive
      squamous carcinoma of the cervix ?in the Uygur of southern Xinjiang].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the differential expression of microRNA (miRNA) in HPV16
      positive squamous carcinoma of the cervix in the Uygur of southern Xinjiang and
      to predict the target genes of the miRNAs.? METHODS: Samples of HPV16-positive
      squamous carcinoma of the cervix from 5 Uygurs were collected for miRNA
      microarray assay. The differentially expressed miRNAs were selected for further
      verification by real-time quantitative RT-PCR. The software, including
      targetscan, miRwalk, miRanda and pictar, were used to predict the target genes of
      the verified miRNAs.? RESULTS: Eighteen differentially expressed miRNAs were
      identified by miRNA microarray assay. The significantly differentially expressed
      miRNA-138 and miRNA-720 were verified by real-time quantitative RT-PCR. According
      to the prediction, the target genes for miRNA-138 were EZH2, LYPLA1, ARHGEF3,
      CLNS1A, EIF4EBP1, GNAI2, LIMK1, RHOC, ROCK2, SLC20A1, TERT, and H2AFX, while for
      miRNA-720 were EZH2, AGAP2, SPOCK2, FGF14, HNRNPA2B1, QKI, FOXG1, ACVR1B, DNMT3A,
      EPHB2, LATS2, KRAS, CCND2, NBN, ENAM, AMELX, PRNP, and CALB1.? CONCLUSION: miR
      138 and miR-720 are the down-regulated target miRNAs in HPV16-positive squamous
      carcinoma of the cervix in the Uygur of southern Xinjiang. The common target gene
      for miR-138 and miR-720 is EZH2, which might be related to cervical squamous
      carcinoma invasion and metastasis.

PMID- 26267681
TI  - [Geographical distribution of MTHFR and MTRR gene polymorphisms among the Han
      women in Zhengzhou city].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the genotype distribution of 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate
      reductase (MTHFR) and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate-homocysteine methyltransferase
      reductase (MTRR) among Chinese Han women in Zhengzhou. ? METHODS: A total of 1
      253 women were recruited from Zhengzhou city. The genotype of MTHFR C677T, A1298C
      and MTRR A66G was detected to analyze the distribution of gene polymorphisms and
      to compare them with the published data from other Han women.? RESULTS: The
      frequency of the MTHFR 1298CC genotypes (1.3%) in Zhengzhou was lower than that
      in Xiangtan (4.8%), Yanbian (3.8%), Zhenjiang (3.5%), Jingzhou (3.2%), Kunming
      (2.7%), Deyang (6.3%), Huizhou (7.2%) and Wulumuqi (3.4%) (all P<0.05). The
      difference in allele frequency was significant compared with that in Yantai,
      Yanbian, Wulumuqi, Zhenjiang, Jingzhou, Kunming, Dezhou, Xiangtan or Huizhou (all
      P<0.05). The frequency of the MTRR 66GG genotypes (5.4%) in Zhengzhou was lower
      than that in Deyang (8.2%) (P<0.01) and allele frequency between them was
      significant difference (P<0.05). ? CONCLUSION: The gene polymorphism of MTHFR
      A1298C and MTRR A66G among the Han women in Zhengzhou is statistically different
      from that in some regions of China.

PMID- 26267682
TI  - [Non-thermal effect of high-intensity focused ultrasound on ultrastructure and
      apoptosis in rabbit hepatic VX2 tumors].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To observe the micromorphological changes of ultrastructure, apoptosis
      related proteins expression and tumor cell apoptosis after ablation with the high
      intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), and to explore the mechanisms responsible
      for the thermal and non-thermal effect.? METHODS: Forty rabbits with hepatic VX2
      tumors were randomly divided into a thermal group (n=20) and a non-thermal group
      (n=20), and were subjected to HIFU ablation with thermal or non-thermal
      condition, respectively. Five animals in each group were sacrificed on the 1st,
      3rd, 7th or 14th day after the ablation. The changes of ultrastructure, apoptosis
      related proteins expression and tumor cell apoptosis were detected.? RESULTS: The
      results of transmission electron microscope (TEM) revealed more severe injury on
      tissue and cells in the non-thermal group than that in the thermal group. The
      changes of apoptosis-related proteins expression and tumor cell apoptosis in
      transient zone were significantly different in comparison with that in the
      ablated area or peripheral area between the two groups. The expression of
      vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was at low level on the 1st and 3rd day
      and elevated gradually on the 7th and 14th day, with no significant difference
      (all P>0.05). The expression of caspase-3 reached peak on the 3rd day and
      decreased on the 7th and 14th day. It was significantly higher in the non-thermal
      group than that in the thermal group on the 3rd and 7th day (all P<0.05). The
      expression of NF-kappaB was elevated from the 3rd day and reached peak on the 7th
      day while decreased on the 14th day. There was no significant difference at every
      time point between the 2 groups (all P>0.05). The apoptosis index in the non
      thermal group and the thermal group on the 3rd and 7th day were (28.60+/-1.14)%
      vs (21.80+/-1.92)% and (21.00+/-1.58)% vs (14.80+/-1.48)%, respectively. It was
      higher in the non-thermal group than that in the thermal group (both P<0.01).?
      CONCLUSION: Both the thermal and the non-thermal effect of HIFU can induce
      apoptosis in transient zone, but the latter have a stronger effect.

PMID- 26267684
TI  - [Changes in CD40 expression in the pallium and hippocampus in epileptic rats].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of inflammatory molecule CD40 in the
      pallium and hippocampus of rats after status epilepticus (SE).? METHODS: The
      expression of CD40 in the pallium, the different areas of hippocampus and the
      different cells from the lithium-pilocarpine epileptic rats at different time
      points were examined by immunohistochemistry and double-immunofluorescent
      labeling.? RESULTS: After SE, CD40 expression was obviously inhibited, especially
      in hippocampus. CD40 was mainly expressed in the activated microglia. CD40
      positive cells reached a peak at the 3rd day and returned to a slightly higher
      level at the 7th day after SE compared with the level before SE.? CONCLUSION:
      Elevation of CD40 expression in the activated microglia can promote inflammatory
      injury of rat's hippocampus, suggesting that CD40 induced-signal pathway is
      involved in inflammatory injury in the hippocampus after SE.

PMID- 26267683
TI  - [Fuzheng Huayu recipe promotes the fenestration of capillarization in liver
      sinusoidal endothelial cells].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of Fuzheng Huayu (FZHY) recipe on the
      fenestration of capillarization in liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs).?
      METHODS: Ten Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were fed with 0.46 g/kg FZHY powder by
      intragastric administration. Two hours later, a second gavage were given to the
      rats. The serum from rat heart at 1 hour after second gavage was collected (FZHY
      group, n=10). Another ten SD rats was administrated with distilled water through
      the same process and served as the control (control group, n=10). The serum from
      both groups were separately diluted with Dulbecco minimum essential medium (DMEM)
      for 10% and served as the culture medium for LSECs. At the different conditions,
      the vWF and CD31 expressions were detected by immunocytochemistry and Western
      blot, while the changes of LSECs fenestrae structure were observed under scanning
      electron microscopy.? RESULTS: 1) Immunocytochemistry and Western blot showed
      that the vWF and CD31 protein levels were lower in LSECs in the FZHY group than
      those in the control group. The gray levels of vWF and CD31 protein were 0.548+/
      0.020 and 0.262+/-0.010 in the FZHY group, and 0.845+/-0.090 and 0.383+/-0.010 in
      the control group respectively, with statistical significant difference (t=5.18,
      9.61, both P<0.05). 2) The results from scanning electron microscopy showed that
      the fenestration of LSECs was closed and almost lost in the control group, but
      many fenestra appeared in the LSECs in the FZHY group.? CONCLUSION: FZHY recipe
      can suppress the expression of vWF and CD31, increase the fenestrae on the LSECs
      surface and reverse the capillarization of LSECs.

PMID- 26267685
TI  - [Effect of alprostadil on serum level of miRNA-155 ?in uremic patients].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the serum levels of microRNA-155 (miR-155) and
      interleukin-6 (IL-6) in uremic dialysis patients and to evaluate the effect of
      alprostadil (A) on them.? METHODS: A total of 81 chronic kidney disease (CKD)
      uremic patients were divided into 4 groups: the peritoneal dialysis group (PD
      group, n=20), the peritoneal dialysis plus alprostadil group (PD+A group, n=20),
      the hemodialysis group (HD group, n=21), the hemodialysis plus alprostadil group
      (HD+A group, n=20). Sixteen healthy people were taken as the normal control (NC)
      group. The peripheral blood of all objects were collected for serum preparation.
      The expression of miRNA-155 was determined by real-time qPCR and the serum level
      of IL-6 was measured by ELISA. Experimental and clinical data of all the objects
      were collected.? RESULTS: Serum levels of miRNA-155 and IL-6 were increased in
      all dialysis patients groups compared with NC group (P<0.05); miRNA-155
      expression in PD+A group was down-regulated compared with PD group or HD group
      (P<0.05); the levels of IL-6 in PD+A and HD+A group were significantly decreased
      compared with PD group or HD group (P<0.05). Correlation analysis showed that
      serum level of miR-155 was positively correlated with the level of IL-6 as well
      as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), while miR-155 was negatively
      correlated with HDL and albumin (P<0.01). Linear stepwise regression analysis
      indicated that serum miR-155 was independently associated with albumin and hs
      CRP.? CONCLUSION: Serum miRNA-155 and IL-6 in uremic dialysis patients were
      remarkably increased compared to healthy objects. Serum miRNA-155 was positively
      correlated with the level of IL-6 as well as hs-CRP, while miR-155 was negatively
      correlated with HDL and albumin. Alprostadil could ameliorate the inflammatory
      conditions of uremic dialysis patients by inhibition of the IL-6 expression.
      Serum miRNA-155 may be a novel target for the treatment of uremic dialysis
      patients.

PMID- 26267686
TI  - [Association of metabolic syndrome with serum cystatin C in people undergoing
      health examination].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and
      cystatin C in people undergoing healthy examination.? METHODS: A total of 6 783
      subjects were analyzed. They were divided into MetS group (n=1 578), metabolic
      disturbance (MetD) group (n=3 617) and healthy control (HC) group (n=1 588). The
      general information, anthropometry, blood sample and urine sample were collected
      for all the subjects. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify
      risk factors for MetS and analysis of covariance was used to investigate the
      correlation between the number of metabolic disturbance components and cystatin
      C.? RESULTS: Compared with the HC group, the level of cystatin C significantly
      increased in MetS and MetD group; compared with MetD group, the level of cystatin
      C significantly increased in MetS group (P<0.05). After correction by age, sex,
      smoking, alcohol intake, menopause, waist circumference, body mass index, blood
      pressure, plasma cholesterol, fasting plasma glucose, estimated glomerular
      filtration rate, serum uric acid, microalbuminria, high sensitive C-reaction
      protein and homocysteine, the cystatin C was closely related with MetS (OR=1.951,
      95% CI 1.265-3.009, P<0.05). Similarly, the OR value of risk with MetS was
      increased with the quartile of cystatin C level (P<0.05). In addition, with the
      increase in metabolic disturbance components, the level of cystatin C was also
      increased significantly (P<0.01).? CONCLUSION: Serum cystatin C in our study was
      significantly associated with MetS. Moreover, the level of cystatin C may be
      correlated with severity of MetD.

PMID- 26267687
TI  - [Screening time and schedule for outpatients with acute fatty liver of
      pregnancy].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To identify the screening time and prepare a screening schedule for
      outpatients with acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP).? METHODS: AFLP patients
      who admitted to Xiangya Hospital and the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South
      University, Hunan, China between November, 2006 and December, 2013, were
      retrospectively studied. The diagnosis of 78 AFLP patients met the domestic
      clinical and laboratory criteria and the Swansea criteria. Clinical and
      laboratory data obtained on admission were used for analysis. Contrastive
      analysis was conducted within our data and other large medical centers or general
      hospitals. ? RESULTS: The difference between domestic clinical and laboratory
      criteria and Swansea criteria in diagnosing AFLP patients in the 2 hospitals
      mentioned above was significant (P<0.05). The maternal mortality was 14.10%
      (11/78) and perinatal mortality was 17.95 % (14/78). The mean gestational age at
      delivery was 35.6 weeks. Based on the clinical and laboratory data, more than 85%
      of AFLP patients showed abnormal levels of transaminase, bilirubin, and white
      blood cells, as well as coagulation dysfunction. Gastrointestinal symptoms, such
      as abdominal pain and vomiting, jaundice, renal impairment and ascites or bright
      liver on ultrasound scan, were showed in 50%-85% of AFLP patients. Less than 50%
      of patients suffered from low blood sugar, high blood ammonia or hepatic
      encephalopathy.? CONCLUSION: The 34th gestation week might be important time for
      screening AFLP outpatients. Gastrointestinal symptoms, blood routine, liver
      function, and coagulant function tests are recommended as the first grade
      screening indicators. Renal function, blood sugar test, and abdominal ultrasound
      could be the second grade screening indicators for AFLP outpatients.

PMID- 26267688
TI  - [Echocardiographic diagnosis for ventricular non-compaction cardiomyopathy in
      foetus and the pathologically comparative study].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the echocardiographic diagnosis for ventricular non
      compaction cardiomyopathy (NCCM) in foetus and to analyze the pathologic features
      of NCCM.? METHODS: A total of 9 patients with fetal NCCM were examined by
      prenatal echocardiography from 2004 to 2013, which was compared with postnatal
      echocardiography or autopsy to analyze the fetal characteristic of myocardial
      ultrastructure.? RESULTS: The results of echocardiography displayed an excessive
      muscle trabecular meshwork and muscle trabecular crypt, and the ventricular
      myocardium and non-compaction/compaction ratio was >=2.0. Among the 9 fetuses of
      NCCM, 6 fetuses were involved in left ventricle, 2 in both left and right
      ventricles and 1 in right ventricle. Two fetuses were confirmed by postnatal
      echocardiography, the remaining 7 patients were chosen to terminate their
      pregnancies, which were confirmed by autopsy later. Muscle biopsies revealed the
      abnormal myocardial mitochondria, sarcomeres and myocardial fibrosis.?
      CONCLUSION: It is feasible to accurately diagnose NCCM by prenatal
      echocardiography. Fetal NCCM most often involves the left ventricle, but it can
      involve the right ventricle or both, too. The myocardial ultrastructure of fetal
      NCCM possesses certain unique characteristics, such as the low maturation of the
      mitochondria, sarcomeres and myocardial fibers.

PMID- 26267689
TI  - [Relationship between the ischemic ST-T changes in ECG and the coronary artery
      diseases].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analyze the relationship between the ischemic ST-T changes in
      electrocardiogram (ECG) and the coronary artery diseases based on the perspective
      of diagnostics.? METHODS: A total of 341 patients, who underwent coronary
      angiography in Department of Cardiology of Xiangya Hospital, Central South
      University from June 2013 to April 2014, were enrolled for this study. The
      internationally recognized diagnostic criteria for ischemic ST-T changes in ECG
      and the Judkins diagnostic criteria for coronary angiography were applied,
      respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of ECG were analyzed.? RESULTS:
      There were more ischemic ST-T changes in women than that in men (P<0.01).
      Ischemic changes in coronary angiography were not significantly different between
      male and female patients (P>0.05). For ischemic diagnostic tests by ECG ST-T, the
      total sensitivity and specificity was 83.6% and 54.4%, respectively. The
      sensitivity and specificity was 82.3% and 68.0% or 85.0% and 28.2% in the male or
      female group, respectively. ? CONCLUSION: Ischemic ST-T changes in ECG possess
      important value in the diagnosis of the coronary artery diseases. The sensitivity
      of ECG in the diagnosis of myocardial ischemia in women was higher than that in
      men, whereas the specificity of ECG in the diagnosis of myocardial ischemia in
      men was higher than that in women.

PMID- 26267690
TI  - [Analysis of pulmonary dysfunction of 1 953 coal miners ?in Hunan Province].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of dust exposure, type of work, age, length of
      service and duration of dust exposure on pulmonary function in coal miners by
      pulmonary function tests.? METHODS: A total of 1 953 coal miners, who received
      occupational healthy examination and pulmonary function tests during June, 2013
      and August, 2014 in Hunan Prevention and Treatment Institute, were enrolled for
      this study.? RESULTS: A total of 1 302 miners (66.7%) displayed pulmonary
      dysfunction, including 1 139 with mild dysfunction (58.3%) and 163 with moderate
      or more serious dysfunction (8.3%). The risk factors for pulmonary dysfunction
      were age (OR=1.329, 95% CI: 1.196-1.620), dust exposure duration (OR=1.267, 95%
      CI: 1.136-1.413) and type of works (mining workers OR=1.156, 95% CI: 1.033-1.293;
      all P<0.05).? CONCLUSION: The incidence rate of pulmonary dysfunction in coal
      miners is relatively high in Hunan Province. Most of them are mild dysfunction.
      The incidence rate of pulmonary dysfunction in mining works is statistically
      higher than that in other work types. Older workers and long duration-exposed
      workers are more likely to have pulmonary dysfunction.

PMID- 26267691
TI  - Prognostic value of statin for cancer patients: ?A Meta-analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To systematically evaluate the effect of statins on prognosis for
      patients with cancers.? METHODS: Literature on PubMed, EMbase and Cochrane
      library was screened from the establishment of databases to March, 2015 to find
      relevant studies. Random-effects models were used to calculate the pooled hazard
      ratios (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the association between statin
      use and all-cause mortality and cancer-specific mortality.? RESULTS: A total of
      25 studies covered 523 193 patients were identified and included in this Meta
      analysis. The pooled effect showed that statin application was associated with a
      reduction in all-cause mortality in cancer patients (HR, 0.82; 95% CI: 0.76 to
      0.89). A significantly decreased mortality in prostate cancer was revealed in
      subgroup by cancer sites (HR, 0.66; 95% CI: 0.52 to 0.83). In addition,
      sensitivity analysis demonstrated a weakened association between statin
      application and all-cause mortality after excluding the studies with shorter
      follow-up duration (HR, 0.91; 95% CI: 0.75 to 1.10).? CONCLUSION: A beneficial
      effect of statin on all-cause mortality and cancer-specific mortality is
      presented in patients with cancer. However, further studies are needed to confirm
      the long term effect.

PMID- 26267692
TI  - [Meta-analysis of endoscopic axillary lymph node dissection versus conventional
      open excision for breast cancer].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the surgical outcome and the clinical value between
      endoscopic axillary lymph node dissection and conventional open excision in the
      treatment of breast cancer. ? METHODS: A computer-based online search of Medline,
      PubMed, Embase, Ovid, Cochrane Library, Vip, Wanfang, CNKI and Chinese Biological
      Medicine Database was performed, and conference literatures were manually
      searched. Using the Cochrane Collaboration guidelines, all randomized controlled
      trials comparing endoscopic axillary lymph node dissection and conventional open
      excision were systematically reviewed. The Cochrane Collaboration's RevMan 5.0
      software was used for data analysis. ? RESULTS: A total of 25 studies involving 3
      028 patients were included. The results of Meta-analyses showed that there were
      no significant difference in the number of lymph nodes harvested and recurrence
      between endoscopic axillary lymph node dissection and conventional open excision
      (P>0.05). The operative time of endoscopic axillary lymph node dissection was
      longer than that of conventional open excision. However, it was superior to open
      excision in the rate of complication and intra-operative blood loss (P<0.05).?
      CONCLUSION: As a minimally invasive surgery technique to treat breast cancer,
      endoscopic axillary lymph node dissection might be a promising replacement for
      conventional axillary lymph node dissection.

PMID- 26267694
TI  - [Relationship between perioperative blood transfusion and post-operative hospital
      infection in patients with closed traumatic brain injury].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between allogeneic transfusion and
      hospital infections in patients with closed traumatic brain injury in the
      perioperative period.? METHODS: The clinical data of 181 patients with open brain
      surgery suffering closed brain injury in Changsha Central Hospital from February,
      2012 to December, 2013 were retrospectively collected. The patients were divided
      into a mild and moderate brain injury group (n=83) and a severe brain injury
      group (n=98) according to evaluation system of Glasgow coma scale (GCS). They
      were also divided into a autologous transfusion plus mild and moderate brain
      injury group (n=14), a autologous transfusion plus severe brain injury group
      (n=10); an allogeneic transfusion plus mild and moderate brain injury group
      (n=31), an allogeneic transfustion plus severe brain injury group (n=70); a non
      transfusion plus mild and moderate brain injury group (n=38) and a non
      transfusion plus severe brain injury group (n=18) according to the transfusion
      styles. The hospital infection of all the patients was examined.? RESULTS: The
      rate of hospital infection was significantly higher in the severe brain injury
      group than that in the mild and moderate brain injury group (P<0.05). The rate of
      post-operative hospital infection in the allogeneic transfusion plus severe brain
      injury group was also significantly higher than that in the autologous
      transfusion plus severe brain injury group (P<0.05). Similarly, the rate of post
      operative hospital infection in the allogeneic transfusion plus mild and moderate
      brain injury group is higher than that in the non-transfusion plus mild and
      moderate brain injury group (P<0.05).? CONCLUSION: The allogeneic transfusion at
      perioperative period may be one of the risk factors for post-operative hospital
      infection in the closed brain injury patients. The more severe the injury is, the
      higher risk the hospital infection will be.

PMID- 26267693
TI  - [Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in patients ?undergoing cardiac surgery].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia
      (HIT) in patients undergoing cardiac surgery and to evaluate the risk factors for
      the generation of HIT-antibody.? METHODS: A total of 315 patients undergoing
      cardiac surgery in the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Xiangya Hospital
      between December, 2013 and July, 2014 were enrolled for this study. Among them,
      120, 154 and 41 were for surgery of congenital heart defect, valve and coronary
      artery bypass graft, respectively. There were 170 male patients and 69 patients
      were under 18 years old. Platelet counts, HIT-antibody and concentration of
      platelet factor 4 (PF4) were tested before and after the surgery. Diagnosis of
      HIT was based on "4Ts" (Pretest Clinical Scoring System). ? RESULTS: HIT was
      diagnosed in 11 patients (3.5%, 11/315). And thromboembolic events occurred in 2
      of 11 patients with HIT. The positive ratio for HIT-antibody was 36.5% (115/315).
      The coronary artery disease patients had a higher incidence of HIT than that of
      either the valve disease or the congenital heart defect (17.1%, 7/41 versus 1.9%,
      3/154 or 0.8%, 1/120; P<0.05). The congenital heart defect patients had a higher
      positive ratio for HIT-antibody than that of both the valve disease and the
      coronary artery disease. The valve disease patients had a higher positive ratio
      for HIT-antibody than that of the coronary artery disease (51.7%, 62/120 versus
      30.5%, 47/154 versus 14.6%, 6/41; P<0.05). Major postoperative complications
      occurred more frequently in HIT patients (36.4%, 4/11 versus 10.5%, 32/304;
      P<0.05). Age was a risk factor for HIT (P=0.030, OR=1.083, 95% CI 1.008-1.163).
      Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) (P=0.037, OR=3.113, 95% CI 1.071-9.050) and age
      (P<0.001, OR=0.970, 95% CI 0.959-0.982) were risk factors for HIT-antibody.?
      CONCLUSION: The incidence of HIT is low during cardiac surgery, but HIT is a
      highly risk factor for the major postoperative complications. More attentions
      should be paid to these severe complications and the risk factors for HIT.

PMID- 26267695
TI  - [Preliminary clinical observation for platelet-rich fibrin in site preservation].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect on site preservation with self platelet
      rich fibrin (PRF) in posterior dental areas after extraction.? METHODS: Thirty
      patients who asked to extract posterior teeth and were ready for dental
      implantation were enrolled. PRF was implanted immediately in alveolar fossa after
      extraction. Cone beam computer tomography (CBCT) images were taken after 4-6
      months and the changes in height and width of alveolar bone were observed.?
      RESULTS: There was no statistical difference in the height and width between the
      alveolar bone treated with PRF after the extraction of tooth and the bone
      condition before the extraction of tooth.? CONCLUSION: The site preservative
      technology with PRF could maintain the mass of alveolar bone in posterior dental
      areas, which provide a better bone condition for later dental implantation.

PMID- 26267696
TI  - [WEE1, histone and tumor].
AB  - WEE1 is an important factor for histone transcription, chromosome condensation
      and regulation of cell cycle progression. WEE1 kinase can phosphorylate Cdc2 and
      down-regulate Cdc2 kinase activity. It can regulate G2 to M phase transition and
      cell mitosis. It plays a key role in chromosome condensation delay and histone
      synthesis, suggesting the important functions of WEE1 in the occurrence and
      development in cancer. At present, a multiple WEE1 inhibitors have been
      discovered. A great progress has been made in combination of WEE1 inhibitors with
      DNA damage treatment (chemotherapy or radiotherapy), which makes WEE1 an
      important target in cancer treatment. 

PMID- 26267697
TI  - [Advances in the relationship between leptin and hypertensive-left ventricular
      hypertrophy].
AB  - Leptin is a protein hormone produced mainly by obese gene and secreted by adipose
      tissue and exerts the biological effects through leptin receptors. With the
      progress in research on the function and receptor signal transduction related
      leptin and leptin resistance, it has been found that leptin is associated with
      the development and progression of many cardiovascular diseases, such as
      hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy. Some studies have reported that
      leptin resistance is the pathologic basis for a variety of cardiovascular
      diseases. This paper will briefly review the advances in the study of correlation
      between leptin and hypertensive-left ventricular hypertrophy (HLVH), focusing on
      the relationship between leptin and various factors related to HLVH, such as
      sympathetic nervous system, renin angiotensin aldosterone system, growth factors,
      inflammatory factors and insulin resistance. 

PMID- 26267698
TI  - [Advances in clinical application of quantitative susceptibility mapping in
      central nervous system].
AB  - Susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) is a magnetic resonance technology with a
      high resolution, three-dimensional gradient echo and fully velocity compensated
      sequence. It is also sensitive to substance with different magnetisability. Based
      on the quantitative reconstruction of SWI, quantitative susceptibility mapping
      (QSM) has been used in monitoring the change of intravenous iron, calcium,
      microbleeds and oxygen content. This article summarizes principle of QSM and the
      latest progress of QSM application in the diseases of central nervous system. 

PMID- 26267699
TI  - [Five-case report for transvenous epicardial pacemaker implantation via coronary
      sinus in patients after prosthetic tricuspid valve replacement].
AB  - Five patients after prosthetic tricuspid valve, who received pacemaker
      implantation via coronary sinus during Oct, 2011 and Jul, 2014, were enrolled.
      Pacemakers were implanted via coronary vein in 5 patients without complications.
      The stimulation thresholds keep stable and symptoms (such as short breath and
      fatigue) were disappeared during the follow-up. For patients after tricuspid
      valve replacement, implantation of pacemaker via coronary sinus provides a safe
      and invasive approach and avoids opening the chest again. 

PMID- 26267700
TI  - A frame-supported ultrathin electrospun polymer membrane for transplantation of
      retinal pigment epithelial cells.
AB  - We report on the design and fabrication of a frame-supported nanofibrous membrane
      for the transplantation of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, which is a
      promising therapeutic option for the treatment of degenerative retinal disorders.
      The membranous cell carrier prepared from 640 nm-thick poly(DL-lactide) fibres
      uniquely combines high porosity, large pore size and low thickness, to maximize
      the nutrient supply to the transplanted cells in the subretinal space and thus to
      enhance the therapeutic effect of the transplantation. The carrier was prepared
      by electrospinning, which made it easy to embed a 95 MUm-thick circular
      supporting frame 2 mm in diameter. Implantations into enucleated porcine eyes
      showed that the frame enabled the ultrathin membrane to be handled without
      irreversible folding, and allowed the membrane to regain its flat shape when
      inserted into the subretinal space. We further demonstrated that the minimum
      membrane thickness compatible with the surgical procedure and instrumentation
      employed here was as low as 4 MUm. Primary porcine RPE cells cultivated on the
      membranes formed a confluent monolayer, expressed RPE-specific differentiation
      markers and showed transepithelial resistance close to that of the native RPE.
      Most importantly, the majority of the RPE cells transplanted into the subretinal
      space remained viable. The ultrathin, highly porous, and surgically convenient
      cell carrier presented here has the potential to improve the integration and the
      functionality of transplanted RPE cells. 

PMID- 26267701
TI  - Review on the effects of influenza vaccination during pregnancy on preterm
      births.
AB  - Pregnant women are considered to be susceptible to severe influenza illness and
      are recommended as a priority group to be targeted for influenza vaccination in
      countries with vaccination programs. Increased rates of poor birth outcomes have
      also been temporally associated with influenza infection, especially when
      pandemics strains emerge. Even though the primary purpose for influenza
      vaccination during pregnancy is to decrease the risk of influenza infection in
      the women, other potential benefits include protection of their young infants
      against influenza illness and possibly improving birth outcomes. The 2009
      influenza A/H1N1 pandemic highlighted the importance of influenza vaccination
      during pregnancy, after pregnant women were identified as a group with heightened
      morbidity and mortality during the pandemic. A few studies conducted before the
      2009/10 season and a large number of reports during and after the 2009 pandemic
      have assessed the association between maternal influenza vaccination and birth
      outcomes. Although these studies indicate that influenza vaccination is safe for
      both the mother and the fetus, there are conflicting data on the effect of
      vaccination in improving preterm birth rates. We reviewed the 2 published
      randomized control trials and other observational studies that explored the
      relationship between maternal influenza vaccination and preterm births. 

PMID- 26267702
TI  - New and emerging models of human intelligence.
AB  - In the last decade, new models of human intelligence have altered the theoretical
      landscape in psychometrics and cognitive science. In the current article, we
      provide an overview of key distinguishing features of these new models. Compared
      to 20th century models of intelligence, the new models proposed in the 21st
      century are unique for three primary reasons; (1) new models interpret the
      general factor, or g, as an emergent property reflecting the pattern of positive
      correlations observed among test scores, not as a causal latent variable, and
      therefore challenge the notion of general ability, (2) new models bridge
      correlational and experimental psychology and account for inter-individual
      differences in behavior in terms of intra-individual psychological processes, and
      (3) new models make novel predictions about the neural correlates of intelligent
      behavior.

PMID- 26267703
TI  - The Effects of Ketogenic Diet on Seizures, Cognitive Functions, and Other
      Neurological Disorders in Classical Phenotype of Glucose Transporter 1 Deficiency
      Syndrome.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to characterize patients who were
      diagnosed with glucose transporter protein 1 deficiency syndrome (Glut1D), and
      also to assess the efficacy of ketogenic diet (KD) therapy on seizure control,
      cognitive functions, and other neurological disorders. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We
      studied six unrelated patients with the classical phenotype of Glut1D, focusing
      on clinical and laboratory features, the KD therapy and outcome over the 25-month
      follow-up period. RESULTS: Five patients became seizure-free with the onset of
      ketosis, and anticonvulsants were discontinued. Other neurological features such
      as ataxia, spasticity, and dystonia showed a less striking improvement than
      seizure control. There was no significant change in the intelligence quotient
      (IQ) level or microcephaly. In all patients, alertness, concentration,
      motivation, and activity resulted in a moderate improvement of variable degree.
      The early-onset adverse effects of KD were observed in five patients. The KD
      regimen failed in one patient, therefore, his diet was changed with an
      alternative to KD. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with KD resulted in a marked
      improvement in seizures and cognitive functions but its effect appeared to be
      less striking on the other neurological disorders of the patients. When the
      classic KD is not tolerated, an alternative to KD may be helpful.

PMID- 26267704
TI  - Idiopathic Acute Transverse Myelitis in Children: A Retrospective Series.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Acute transverse myelitis (ATM) is a focal inflammatory disorder of
      the spinal cord, resulting in motor, sensory, and autonomic dysfunction. In this
      study, we delineate the clinical manifestations, neuroimaging characteristics,
      and outcome-associated risk factors in children with idiopathic ATM. METHODS: We
      retrospectively reviewed the medical charts and neuroimages in nine children aged
      younger than 18 years diagnosed with ATM between January 2006 and August 2014.
      RESULTS: The mean onset age was 5 years and 9 months. Infectious prodromes were
      observed in six patients. Leg weakness was observed in all patients, autonomic
      sphincter dysfunction was observed in seven patients, and sensory deficits on
      admission were observed only in four patients. The diagnosis was delayed in
      patients younger than 5.5 years compared with older children. The adverse
      outcomes cannot be predicted by the course of the disease, the laboratory
      findings, nor the extent of magnetic resonance imaging-detected spinal lesions;
      however, these outcomes can be predicted by poor early response to
      corticosteroids and the requirement of additional treatments (p < 0.05).
      CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of ATM is challenging in young children. Children with
      ATM who responded early to corticosteroids had more favorable outcomes than those
      who required additional therapies.

PMID- 26267706
TI  - In Silico Analysis for Five Major Cereal Crops Phytocystatins.
AB  - Five major cereal crops such as rice, wheat, maize, barley and sorghum are
      continuously threatened by a multitude of pathogens and other disorders.
      Cystatins offers a pivotal role in deciding the promising plant response. The use
      of bioinformatics tools for phylogenetic relationships of five major cereal crop
      (rice, wheat, maize, barley and sorghum) phytocystatins based on amino acid
      sequence information was elucidated, and their secondary and tertiary structures
      were investigated for structural comparisons. Twenty-eight distinct
      phytocystatins from 28 plant species were investigated. Phytocystatins could be
      divided into five distinct phylogenetic groups. Five major cereal crops their
      structural features were highly conserved, and their amino acid sequence
      similarities ranged from 48 to 86 %. A new highly conserved amino acid sequence
      motif, YEAKxWxKxF, in the C-terminal end being unique to phytocystatins was
      identified. The predicted 3D homology models showed a high conservation of the
      general central structure of the phytocystatins, i.e., the 4-5 anti-parallel
      [Formula: see text]-sheets, wrapping halfway round a single central [Formula: see
      text]-helix and particularly the three active site regions, the N-terminal, the
      first and second hairpin loops. Any structural differences seem to be mainly in
      the length of the N- and C-terminal, the length of the second hairpin loop and
      the fifth [Formula: see text]-sheet. Via docking experiments, small
      heterogeneities were observed in the vicinity of the OC-I active sites that
      seemed to be influential in the binding process and stability of the resultant
      inhibitor-protease complex.

PMID- 26267707
TI  - PGWD: Integrating Personal Genome for Warfarin Dosing.
AB  - Warfarin is a drug normally used in the prevention of thrombosis and the
      formation of blood clots. The dosage of warfarin is strongly affected by genetic
      variants of CYP2C9 and VKORC1 genes. Current technologies for detecting the
      variants of these genes are mainly based on real-time PCR. In recent years, due
      to the rapidly dropping cost of whole genome sequencing and genotyping, more and
      more people get their whole genome sequenced or genotyped. However, current
      software for warfarin dosing prediction is based on low-throughput genetic
      information from either real-time PCR or melting curve methods. There is no
      bioinformatics tool available that can take the high-throughput genome sequencing
      data as input and determine the accurate dosage of warfarin. Here, we present
      PGWD, a web tool that analyzes personal genome sequencing data and integrates
      with clinical information for warfarin dosing. 

PMID- 26267708
TI  - QM/MM MD and Free Energy Simulation Study of Methyl Transfer Processes Catalyzed
      by PKMTs and PRMTs.
AB  - Methyl transfer processes catalyzed by protein lysine methyltransferases (PKMTs)
      and protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) control important biological
      events including transcriptional regulation and cell signaling. One important
      property of these enzymes is that different PKMTs and PRMTs catalyze the
      formation of different methylated product (product specificity). These different
      methylation states lead to different biological outcomes. Here, we review the
      results of quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics molecular dynamics and free
      energy simulations that have been performed to study the reaction mechanism of
      PKMTs and PRMTs and the mechanism underlying the product specificity of the
      methyl transfer processes. 

PMID- 26267705
TI  - Epigenetics and Primary Biliary Cirrhosis: a Comprehensive Review and
      Implications for Autoimmunity.
AB  - Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease that
      develops based upon the interaction of genetic and environmental factors. Recent
      genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified dozens of predisposing
      variants including HLA, IL12A, and CTLA4 but have been disappointed in
      identifying a "smoking gun." These discoveries highlight the importance of the
      genetic background involved in immunological dysregulation. Although concordance
      rate of PBC in monozygotic (MZ) twins is among the highest reported in autoimmune
      disorders, incomplete disease concordance in twins associated with differentially
      expressed genes has been demonstrated. However, little is understood about how
      environmental aspects contribute to the disease and why middle-aged women are
      more susceptible. As a result, epigenetic factors, which convert signals
      indicating environmental changes into dynamic and heritable alterations of
      transcriptional potential, are getting increased attention by researchers in both
      basic and clinical studies. Among epigenetic mechanisms, the instability and
      skewed gene expression in the X chromosome may account for the female
      preponderance in PBC. In addition, transcriptional regulation of histone
      modification and DNA methylation underscores potential involvement in disease
      pathogenesis. High-throughput techniques are being used to identify epigenetic
      regulators. In this review, we attempt to outline recent progress regarding
      epigenetics in PBC and other autoimmune diseases. 

PMID- 26267709
TI  - Textile dyes induce toxicity on zebrafish early life stages.
AB  - Textile manufacturing is one of the most polluting industrial sectors because of
      the release of potentially toxic compounds, such as synthetic dyes, into the
      environment. Depending on the class of the dyes, their loss in wastewaters can
      range from 2% to 50% of the original dye concentration. Consequently,
      uncontrolled use of such dyes can negatively affect human health and the
      ecological balance. The present study assessed the toxicity of the textile dyes
      Direct Black 38 (DB38), Reactive Blue 15 (RB15), Reactive Orange 16 (RO16), and
      Vat Green 3 (VG3) using zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos for 144 h
      postfertilization (hpf). At the tested conditions, none of the dyes caused
      significant mortality. The highest RO16 dose significantly delayed or inhibited
      the ability of zebrafish embryos to hatch from the chorion after 96 hpf. From 120
      hpf to 144 hpf, all the dyes impaired the gas bladder inflation of zebrafish
      larvae, DB38 also induced curved tail, and VG3 led to yolk sac edema in zebrafish
      larvae. Based on these data, DB38, RB15, RO16, and VG3 can induce malformations
      during embryonic and larval development of zebrafish. Therefore, it is essential
      to remove these compounds from wastewater or reduce their concentrations to safe
      levels before discharging textile industry effluents into the aquatic
      environment.

PMID- 26267710
TI  - Atmospheric-pressure chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry (APGC/MS/MS) an
      alternative to high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS) for the
      determination of dioxins.
AB  - The use of a new atmospheric-pressure chemical ionization source for gas
      chromatography (APGC) coupled with a tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry (MS/MS)
      system, as an alternative to high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), for the
      determination of PCDDs/PCDFs is described. The potential of using atmospheric
      pressure chemical ionization (APCI) coupled to a tandem quadrupole analyzer has
      been validated for the identification and quantification of dioxins and furans in
      different complex matrices. The main advantage of using the APCI source is the
      soft ionization at atmospheric pressure, which results in very limited
      fragmentation. APCI mass spectra are dominated by the molecular ion cluster, in
      contrast with the high energy ionization process under electron ionization (EI).
      The use of the molecular ion as the precursor ion in MS/MS enhances selectivity
      and, consequently, sensitivity by increasing the signal-to-noise ratios (S/N).
      For standard solutions of 2,3,7,8-TCDD, injections of 10 fg in the splitless mode
      on 30- or 60-m-length, 0.25 mm inner diameter (id), and 25 MUm film thickness low
      polarity capillary columns (DB5MS type), signal-to-noise (S/N) ratios of >10:1
      were routinely obtained. Linearity was achieved in the region (correlation
      coefficient of r(2) > 0.998) for calibration curves ranging from 100 fg/MUL to
      1000 pg/MUL. The results from a wide variety of complex samples, including
      certified and standard reference materials and samples from several QA/QC
      studies, which were previously analyzed by EI HRGC/HRMS, were compared with the
      results from the APGC/MS/MS system. Results between instruments showed good
      agreement both in individual congeners and toxic equivalence factors (TEQs). The
      data show that the use of APGC in combination with MS/MS for the analysis of
      dioxins has the same potential, in terms of sensitivity and selectivity, as the
      traditional HRMS instrumentation used for this analysis. However, the APCI/MS/MS
      system, as a benchtop system, is much easier to use. 

PMID- 26267711
TI  - Nonspecific transcription factor binding can reduce noise in the expression of
      downstream proteins.
AB  - Transcription factors (TFs) interact with a multitude of binding sites on DNA and
      partner proteins inside cells. We investigate how nonspecific binding/unbinding
      to such decoy binding sites affects the magnitude and time-scale of random
      fluctuations in TF copy numbers arising from stochastic gene expression. A
      stochastic model of TF gene expression, together with decoy site interactions is
      formulated. Distributions for the total (bound and unbound) and free (unbound) TF
      levels are derived by analytically solving the chemical master equation under
      physiologically relevant assumptions. Our results show that increasing the number
      of decoy binding sides considerably reduces stochasticity in free TF copy
      numbers. The TF autocorrelation function reveals that decoy sites can either
      enhance or shorten the time-scale of TF fluctuations depending on model
      parameters. To understand how noise in TF abundances propagates downstream, a TF
      target gene is included in the model. Intriguingly, we find that noise in the
      expression of the target gene decreases with increasing decoy sites for linear TF
      target protein dose-responses, even in regimes where decoy sites enhance TF
      autocorrelation times. Moreover, counterintuitive noise transmissions arise for
      nonlinear dose-responses. In summary, our study highlights the critical role of
      molecular sequestration by decoy binding sites in regulating the stochastic
      dynamics of TFs and target proteins at the single-cell level. 

PMID- 26267712
TI  - Non-Band-Gap Photoexcitation of Hydroxylated TiO2.
AB  - The photochemistry of TiO2 has been studied intensively since it was discovered
      that TiO2 can act as a photocatalyst. Nevertheless, it has proven difficult to
      establish the detailed charge-transfer processes involved, partly because the
      excited states involved are difficult to study. Here we present evidence of the
      existence of hydroxyl-induced excited states in the conduction band region. Using
      two-photon photoemission, we show that stepwise photoexcitation from filled band
      gap states lying 0.8 eV below the Fermi level of rutile TiO2(110) excites
      hydroxyl-induced states 2.73 eV above the Fermi level that has an onset energy of
      ~3.1 eV. The onset is shifted to lower energy by the coadsorption of molecular
      water, which suggests a means of tuning the energy of the excited state. 

PMID- 26267713
TI  - Treatment of Hypertrophic Osteoarthropathy With Underlying Pulmonary
      Adenocarcinoma Using Zoledronic Acid.

PMID- 26267714
TI  - Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva.

PMID- 26267715
TI  - Listeria Meningoencephalitis in a Patient With Rheumatoid Arthritis on Anti
      Interleukin 6 Receptor Antibody Tocilizumab.

PMID- 26267716
TI  - Dual-Energy Computed Tomography Demonstrating Destructive Calcium Pyrophosphate
      Deposition Disease of the Distal Radioulnar Joint Mimicking Tophaceous Gout.
AB  - Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition (CPPD) disease is a common etiology of
      crystalline arthropathy; however, it can manifest in multiple patterns such as
      acute calcium pyrophosphate (CPP) crystal arthritis, osteoarthritis with CPPD,
      and chronic CPP crystal inflammatory arthritis. Tumoral or tophaceous-like CPPD
      is a rare manifestation that is occasionally mistaken for gouty tophus or a soft
      tissue malignancy. Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) is a new imaging
      modality currently utilized in assessing monosodium urate crystal deposition;
      however, its value in CPPD is uncertain. We describe a case using DECT to
      diagnose tumoral CPPD mimicking tophaceous gout versus recurrence of a previous
      synovial sarcoma. The imaging findings on DECT prevented unnecessary surgery to
      assess for possible malignancy, allowing for the prompt diagnosis of tumoral
      CPPD. Further studies should be performed to determine the role of DECT in
      assessing for crystalline deposition disease other than gout. 

PMID- 26267717
TI  - Anti-Citrullinated Peptide Antibodies in Tophaceous Gout: Prevalence in a
      Polynesian Population.

PMID- 26267718
TI  - Intestinal Flora Modification of Arthritis Pattern in Spondyloarthropathy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The reactive form of spondyloarthropathy appears inducible by
      exposure to agents of infectious diarrhea, but do those organisms represent the
      tip of the iceberg, as indicated by renewed interest in gastrointestinal flora?
      Prevalence of spondyloarthropathy (20% of chimpanzees [Pan] and 28% of gorillas)
      is independent of subspecies and species, respectively. However, there are major
      differences in arthritis patterns, a characteristic shared with humans.
      OBJECTIVES: Do patterns of arthritis correlate with gastrointestinal flora? Could
      such associated modifications be in the form of disease induction or represent
      protective effectors (at least against the extent of peripheral arthritis)?
      METHODS: The skeletons of 2 chimpanzee subspecies (79 Pan troglodytes troglodytes
      and 26 Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) and 2 gorilla species (99 Gorilla gorilla
      and 38 Gorilla beringei) adults were examined, and arthritis pattern noted. Feces
      of Eastern (P. schweinfurthii and G. beringei) and Western (great apes collected
      in their normal ranges) apes were assessed for 16S rRNA c and its character.
      RESULTS: Patterns of arthritis recognized on examination of skeletons showed
      geographic variation in skeletal distribution. East African apes (P. troglodytes
      schweinfurthii and G. beringei) had pauciarticular arthritis and frequent
      sacroiliac disease, whereas West African apes (P. troglodytes troglodytes and G.
      gorilla) had polyarticular peripheral joint disease with minimal sacroiliac
      involvement. DNA evidence revealed that Corynebactericeae were prominently
      represented in great apes with polyarticular disease, whereas Dietzia and
      Bifidobacterium exposure correlated with reduced peripheral joint arthritis
      distribution. CONCLUSIONS: Suggestions of a protective effect (in this case,
      limiting extent of peripheral arthritis, but not the disease itself) offered by
      these organisms are well represented by documented effects in other diseases (eg,
      tuberculosis) in the zoologic record. Perhaps it is this disease-modifying
      character that reduces the extent of the peripheral erosive disease, while
      increasing propensity to axial (sacroiliac) disease. A potential role for
      probiotic organisms in management of arthritis in humans is suggested, as has
      been documented for tuberculosis, gastrointestinal disorders, and food allergies.

PMID- 26267719
TI  - Eculizumab Induces Sustained Remission in a Patient With Refractory Primary
      Catastrophic Antiphospholipid Syndrome.
AB  - Catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS) is fatal in approximately 44% of
      patients in whom the diagnosis is made, thus demonstrating the inadequacy of
      current medical therapy. In this report, we discuss a 47-year-old man with a
      known history of primary antiphospholipid syndrome, who presented with CAPS after
      undergoing cholecystectomy and a treatment-refractory early relapse after
      development of colitis. Given the potential therapeutic efficacy of complement
      inhibition in antiphospholipid syndrome, the patient was administered eculizumab,
      a terminal complement inhibitor. Progressive clinical improvement and laboratory
      improvement were observed upon initiation of eculizumab. He has remained in
      remission for over 16 months of follow-up while on eculizumab. In conclusion,
      this case represents successful use of eculizumab for the treatment of primary
      CAPS. 

PMID- 26267720
TI  - New Frontiers in Psoriasis Treatment.

PMID- 26267721
TI  - Randomized Pilot Clinical Trial of Tofacitinib Solution for Plaque Psoriasis:
      Challenges of the Intra-Subject Study Design.
AB  - Intra-subject, left-right, randomized, controlled study designs are often used
      for proof-of-concept studies in dermatology. This design was used to evaluate the
      safety and efficacy of a topical solution of tofacitinib (NCT00678561), a small
      molecule Janus kinase inhibitor under investigation for the topical and oral
      treatment of patients with chronic plaque psoriasis. Eighty-one patients, each
      with matched left and right target plaques, were randomized to 2%, 0.2%, or 0.02%
      tofacitinib or vehicle solution once or twice daily. Patients treated one plaque
      as per their randomization group (2%, 0.2%, 0.02% tofacitinib, or vehicle
      solution), and used vehicle to treat the contralateral plaque for 4 weeks. Except
      during clinic visits, study drug applications were performed unsupervised outside
      the clinical trial site. Intra-subject, vehicle-adjusted mean percent change from
      baseline in Target Plaque Severity Score at week 4 (primary efficacy endpoint)
      was not significantly different from baseline for any treatment group (P values
      of 0.28-0.68). However, skin biopsy analyses detected tofacitinib in both
      tofacitinib- and vehicle-treated plaques of some patients, suggesting cross
      contamination or solution misapplication. Lack of efficacy with tofacitinib
      relative to vehicle may be due to the intra-subject study design with
      unsupervised applications. These findings have potential implications for future
      intra-subject studies of topical treatments.

PMID- 26267722
TI  - Emerging Oral Immunomodulators for the Treatment of Psoriasis: A Review of Phase
      III Clinical Trials for Apremilast and Tofacitinib.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Increased knowledge of the molecular regulatory mechanisms that
      contribute to the pathogenesis of psoriasis and other inflammatory diseases has
      created new opportunities for the development of targeted drug therapy for
      inflammatory conditions. Two new oral medications, apremilast and tofacitinib,
      have been developed for their immunomodulatory properties, and their potential
      efficacy in treating psoriasis is being evaluated. METHODS: We reviewed phase III
      randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial results for apremilast and
      tofacitinib for efficacy and safety in psoriasis. RESULTS: Psoriasis Area and
      Severity Index (PASI) 75 after 16 weeks for apremilast was between 28.8% and
      33.1%. PASI 75 was 39.5% after 12 weeks on tofacitinib 5 mg, and 63.6% after 12
      weeks on tofacitinib 10 mg. Common side effects for both drugs included
      nasopharyngitis and upper respiratory tract infections. Gastrointestinal
      disturbance was common for apremilast. Dyslipidemia and infections were more
      common with tofacitinib than placebo. CONCLUSION: Both new oral medications,
      apremilast and tofacitinib, appear to be effective in treating psoriasis

PMID- 26267723
TI  - Reproducible Novel Transcriptional Differences Between Psoriatic Lesional and Non
      Lesional Skin Show Increased Inflammation and Metabolism.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a common but complex chronic inflammatory skin Disease.
      Array-based studies can help identify therapeutic targets. OBJECTIVE: To
      reproducibly assess single-gene transcriptional changes in psoriatic skin.
      METHODS: We evaluated 210 top candidate genes from a first psoriasis study group
      (population 1), and then confirmed differential expression in a second
      independent psoriasis study group (population 2). RESULTS: One hundred and thirty
      eight differentially expressed genes were replicated in the 2 studies, of which
      57 have not previously been reported as associated with psoriasis. This is
      significantly greater than the 10 expected false positives. Lesional skin vs
      uninvolved areas showed inflammatory and cell regulation changes. CONCLUSION:
      Previously undescribed psoriasis-associated genes revealed in this study may
      provide potential future targets for development and assessment of novel
      therapeutic agents for psoriasis.

PMID- 26267724
TI  - Essential Truths for the Care and Management of Moderate-to-Severe Psoriasis.
AB  - Psoriasis is a systemic inflammatory disease. Effective management requires
      treatment with agents targeting inflammation in skin, joints, and other tissues.
      Biologics for psoriasis are directed at more specific targets, have a better
      safety profile, are better tolerated, and are more effective than conventional
      systemic agents. Despite these advances, many patients with psoriasis remain
      undertreated, and overall patient satisfaction remains low. The dichotomy between
      ideal therapeutic outcomes and suboptimal outcomes (which are currently
      commonplace) is likely largely due to misperceptions about psoriasis and biologic
      treatments. This article discusses these misperceptions, including the notions
      that psoriasis is a benign disorder, and that conventional systemic therapies are
      safer than biologics and adequate for most patients with moderate-to-severe
      disease. We present practical and evidence-based discussions to refute these
      misconceptions and provide useful resources for providers and patients that
      support access to advanced therapies. We believe that biologics represent optimal
      treatment for most patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis, and until more
      effective approaches are generated, these efficacious and target-specific
      approaches should become the standard of care.

PMID- 26267725
TI  - Effect of Field Treatment of Actinic Keratosis With Ingenol Mebutate Gel on the
      Identification of Lesions for Biopsy.
AB  - Actinic keratoses (AKs) are premalignant skin lesions caused by cumulative
      ultraviolet-light exposure that may progress to invasive squamous cell carcinoma
      (SCC). As the clinical presentation of AKs varies widely, only a histopathologic
      analysis of a biopsied sample can eliminate or confirm a diagnosis of invasive
      SCC. Reducing the burden of AK with a combination of lesion-directed and field
      directed treatments may help to identify persistent, suspicious lesions that
      require further evaluation. We present 10 cases of SCC that were identified and
      histologically confirmed in 7 patients after complete or substantial clearance of
      AKs by sequential treatment of sun-damaged skin with cryosurgery and ingenol
      mebutate.

PMID- 26267727
TI  - Desoximetasone 0.25% Spray for the Relief of Scaling in Adults With Plaque
      Psoriasis.
AB  - Data from two Phase 3, double-blind, randomized, vehicle-controlled parallel
      studies were evaluated to determine the efficacy and safety of twice daily
      desoximetasone 0.25% spray for the treatment of plaque psoriasis. In addition to
      global disease assessments, scaling assessments were performed at baseline and at
      weeks 1, 2, and 4. To qualify for inclusion, subjects were required to have a
      clinical diagnosis of stable plaque psoriasis involving >=10% of the body surface
      area (BSA), a combined target lesion severity score (TLSS) of >=7 for the target
      lesion, a plaque elevation score of >=3 (moderate) for the target lesion, and a
      Physician Global Assessment (PGA) score of 3 (moderate) or 4 (severe) at baseline
      for the overall disease severity. At the baseline visit, the mean proportions of
      BSA affected by psoriasis were 17% (range 10% to 86%) in the desoximetasone 0.25%
      spray group and 16% (range 10% to 70%) in the vehicle spray group. Approximately
      90% of the patients in each group had moderate to very severe scaling at
      baseline. Desoximetasone 0.25% spray was effective with significant improvements
      in overall severity and was well tolerated, with dryness, irritation, and
      pruritus at the application site being the only reported adverse events occurring
      in >1% of patients, each of which occurred in less than 3% of patients. As a
      large proportion of psoriasis patients (94%) have reported being bothered by
      scaling, the relief of scaling was examined in these studies. At week 1, 69.7% of
      patients on desoximetasone 0.25% spray had scaling that was considered clear /
      almost clear / mild compared with 48.3% for those on vehicle spray ( P = .0027).
      By week 4, the proportion of patients with clear / almost clear / mild scaling
      had risen to 83.9% in the desoximetasone 0.25% spray group (P < .0001). After
      four weeks of treatment, 66.4% of patients in the topical corticosteroid group
      had an overall improvement of at least two grades of disease severity. This
      demonstrates that desoximetasone 0.25% spray provided fast and effective relief
      of scaling in patients with plaque psoriasis affecting 10% to 86% of their BSA.

PMID- 26267726
TI  - Secukinumab Improves Physical Function in Subjects With Plaque Psoriasis and
      Psoriatic Arthritis: Results from Two Randomized, Phase 3 Trials.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Interleukin (IL)-17A is a key cytokine in the pathogenesis of
      psoriatic disease of the skin and joints. In phase 3 trials, secukinumab, a fully
      human anti-IL-17A monoclonal antibody, demonstrated robust efficacy in psoriasis,
      with rapid onset, high response rates, and durable response. OBJECTIVE: To
      evaluate the efficacy of secukinumab in subjects with psoriasis and concomitant
      psoriatic arthritis (PsA) with respect to psoriasis symptoms and physical
      function, we conducted pre-specified subanalyses of the phase 3 FIXTURE and
      ERASURE trials. METHODS: The 52-week FIXTURE and ERASURE trials randomized
      subjects with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis to subcutaneous secukinumab 300
      or 150 mg (Baseline, weeks 1, 2, 3, every 4 weeks from week 4 until week 48),
      etanercept 50 mg (twice weekly through week 12, once weekly thereafter through
      week 51; FIXTURE only), or placebo. In this analysis, changes in Health
      Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI) and PASI 75 responses were
      assessed in subpopulations with concomitant PsA (n=196, FIXTURE; n=171, ERASURE).
      RESULTS: Physical functioning (mean change from Baseline in HAQ-DI) was greater
      with secukinumab 300 mg vs. placebo at week 12 in both trials (FIXTURE, -0.41 vs.
      0.02/P=0.0001; ERASURE, -0.35 vs. -0.08/P=0.0003); corresponding values were 
      0.29 for etanercept and -0.19 for secukinumab 150 mg in FIXTURE and -0.18 for
      secukinumab 150 mg in ERASURE. Greater responses were seen in subjects with
      greater Baseline disability (HAQ-DI >=05). Week 12 PASI 75 responses were higher
      with secukinumab 300 mg/150 mg vs. placebo in FIXTURE (72%/59% vs. 2%) and
      ERASURE (68%/70% vs. 4%; all P<0.0001) and with secukinumab 300 mg vs. etanercept
      (72% vs 39%; P=0.0084). CONCLUSION: Secukinumab 300 mg produced significant
      improvement in psoriasis and physical functioning in subjects with concomitant
      PsA. ClinicalTrials.gov numbers: NCT01358578 (FIXTURE); NCT01365455 (ERASURE)

PMID- 26267728
TI  - Erythema of Rosacea: Validation of Patient's Self-Assessment Grading Scale.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Facial erythema is a primary feature of rosacea. Currently, no
      validated scales exist that can accurately capture a patient's self-assessment of
      their own facial erythema. During phase 2 studies for brimonidine tartrate gel, a
      5-point numeric rating scale was developed as a tool to allow subjects to provide
      an independent assessment of visible changes to the facial erythema associated
      with their rosacea. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to validate the
      revised patient's self-assessment (PSA) scale and evaluate it for statistical
      reliability and validity in quantification of facial erythema of rosacea.
      METHODS: The validity of the PSA scale was evaluated by assessing the test-retest
      reliability, construct validity, and known-groups validity based on the data
      collected during a Phase 2b study on brimonidine gel for the treatment of
      persistent facial erythema of rosacea. RESULTS: Based on the results of this
      evaluation, this PSA scale demonstrated test-retest reliability, construct
      validity, and known-groups validity. LIMITATIONS: Study results are most
      generalizable to those with moderate to severe erythema. CONCLUSION: The PSA is
      an appropriate scale to assess facial erythema associated with rosacea.

PMID- 26267730
TI  - The Presence of an Air Gap Between the Nail Plate and Nail Bed in Onychomycosis
      Patients: Treatment Implications for Topical Therapy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Transungual nail penetrance has traditionally been considered to be
      the only route of delivery for topical antifungals in onychomycosis. Subungual
      penetrance may be an alternate route of delivery. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the
      ability of efinaconazole vehicle solution to reach the site of toenail
      onychomycosis through application to the hyponychium or hyponychium and dorsal
      nail surface, and assess the impact of the air gap between the nail plate and
      nail bed. METHODS: Twenty-three participants with moderate to severe,
      mycologically-confirmed onychomycosis were enrolled (mean age, 48.5 years). Two
      separate applications of vehicle solution containing fluorescein for
      visualization were applied at the hyponychium or hyponychium and dorsal nail
      surface. Affected nails were later clipped to allow examination of the nail bed
      and further examination of the ventral surface of the nail. Spread of formulation
      was assessed under visible and UV light conditions by photographing target
      toenails after vehicle application and after nail clipping. RESULTS: There was a
      positive correlation between the size of the air gap and degree of affected nail
      involvement (R2=0.064). Assessments under both visible and UV light indicated
      that the vehicle had spread to the site of infection, with deposition of
      fluorescein wherever vehicle had reached, irrespective of application methodology
      or size of air gap. Nail clippings also indicated absorption into the ventral
      surface of the nail plate. LIMITATIONS: The relative contributions of subungual
      versus transungual application of drug to the nail plate to the efficacy of
      efinaconazole topical solution, 10% in treating onychomycosis were not assessed.
      CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the low surface tension vehicle developed
      for efinaconazole topical solution, 10% can reach the site of infection by
      application to the hyponychium, dorsal or ventral nail surface and nail folds.
      This multidirectional approach to drug delivery at the site of fungal infection
      may contribute to the magnitude of efficacy seen in clinical trials.

PMID- 26267729
TI  - Biologic and Conventional Systemic Therapies Show Similar Safety and Efficacy in
      Elderly and Adult Patients With Moderate to Severe Psoriasis.
AB  - BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Despite the aging population, few studies have documented
      the treatment of geriatric psoriasis. The purpose of this study is to compare the
      efficacy, safety, and prescribing patterns of biologics and conventional systemic
      medications in elderly versus adult psoriasis. METHODS: All patient visits coded
      for psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis (ICD-9 696.1 or 696.0) at the Tufts Medical
      Center General Dermatology Clinic from January 1, 2008, to March 1, 2015 were
      included in this retrospective cohort study. The outcome measure used was the
      validated simple-measure for assessing psoriasis activity (S-MAPA), the product
      of the physician's global assessment and the body surface area. RESULTS: 194
      patients who underwent 278 treatment courses were included in the study. 48
      patients were included in the elderly cohort (>= 65 years old) and 146 in the
      adult cohort (18-64 years old). There was no significant difference in S-MAPA
      improvement at 12 weeks between the two cohorts when treated with biologics
      (42.92% improvement in adults, 48.77% in elderly; P=0.498) or conventional
      systemics (43.96% and 51.82%, respectively; P=0.448). Within the elderly cohort,
      there was no significant difference in efficacy of biologics versus conventional
      systemics at any time point. Topical prescription rates were significantly higher
      in the elderly cohort ( P=0.004) while biologic prescription rates were
      significantly lower ( P=0.014) despite the same baseline S-MAPA in both age
      groups. For both biologics and conventional systemics, there was no statistically
      significant intergroup difference in the rate of adverse events ( P=0.322 for
      biologics; P=0.581 for conventional systemics) or infection ( P=0.753 for
      biologics; P=0.828 for conventional systemics). Within the elderly cohort, there
      was a higher rate of adverse events with conventional systemic treatment than
      with biologic treatment ( P=0.033). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides preliminary
      evidence to suggest that biologic and conventional systemic therapies are
      similarly safe and effective in the elderly and non-elderly cohorts. Within the
      elderly population, biologics may be a safer option than conventional systemic
      agents.

PMID- 26267731
TI  - Efficacy of Adalimumab Compared With Methotrexate or Placebo Stratified by
      Baseline BMI in a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial in Patients With Psoriasis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: In the Comparative Study of Humira vs Methotrexate vs Placebo In
      Psoriasis Patients (CHAMPION) study, significantly more patients achieved >=75%
      improvement in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI75) and >=90%
      improvement (PASI90) after 16 weeks of treatment with adalimumab (80 mg at week
      0, then 40 mg every other week starting at week 1) compared with methotrexate (up
      to 25 mg/week orally) or placebo. In this exploratory analysis, the efficacy of
      adalimumab was evaluated in a subset of the CHAMPION patient population
      stratified by baseline body mass index (BMI). METHODS: PASI responses and
      Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scores through 16 weeks of treatment were
      examined by baseline BMI category (<25 kg/m2 [normal], 25 to <30 kg/m2
      [overweight], and >=30 kg/m2 [obese]) in patients with psoriasis with a baseline
      PASI total score >=12. Treatment differences between the adalimumab and the
      methotrexate or placebo groups were compared using Fisher's exact test for PASI
      responses and 1-way analysis of variance for DLQI scores. RESULTS: In all BMI
      categories, adalimumab treatment led to significantly greater rates of PASI75/90
      responses at weeks 12 and 16 compared with methotrexate or placebo (P<0.05 for
      all). In normal weight, overweight, and obese patients at week 16, the respective
      PASI75 response rates were 85.0%, 85.7%, and 61.3% with adalimumab; 43.3%, 29.3%,
      and 26.1% with methotrexate; and 28.6%, 16.7%, and 0% with placebo. PASI90
      response rates were 70.0%, 53.6%, and 35.5% with adalimumab; 26.7%, 7.3%, and
      8.7% with methotrexate; and 9.5%, 16.7%, and 0% with placebo. Across all BMI
      subgroups, the greatest decreases in DLQI scores from baseline occurred in the
      adalimumab group. CONCLUSION: Significantly higher PASI75/90 response rates and
      more pronounced improvements in DLQI scores at week 16 were identified in
      patients treated with adalimumab, compared with methotrexate or placebo,
      regardless of baseline BMI category.

PMID- 26267732
TI  - Prognostic Factors for Complete Cure Following Treatment of Mild and Moderate
      Toenail Onychomycosis With Efinaconazole Topical Solution 10.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To identify those patients who are more likely to achieve treatment
      success with efinaconazole topical solution 10% based on clinical improvement and
      mycological status during treatment. METHODS: A subgroup analysis of patients,
      aged 18 to 70 years, randomized to receive efinaconazole topical solution 10% or
      vehicle from 2 identical multicenter, double-blind, vehicle-controlled 48-week
      studies evaluating safety and efficacy. The primary end point, complete cure rate
      (0% clinical involvement of target toenail, and both negative potassium hydroxide
      examination and fungal culture) at week 52 was evaluated based on mycologic cure
      at week 24, and the degree of clinical improvement in nail involvement at week
      12. RESULTS: Over a quarter (25.1%) of patients treated with efinaconazole
      topical solution 10% who could demonstrate at least 10% improvement in affected
      nail involvement by week 12 progressed to complete cures at week 52. Similarly,
      21.7% of patients who demonstrated mycologic cure at week 24 achieved complete
      cures at week 52. CONCLUSIONS: Early clinical improvement and mycologic clearance
      may help to predict treatment success with efinaconazole topical solution 10%.

PMID- 26267733
TI  - Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha Inhibitor Use in Psoriasis Patients With a First
      degree Relative With Multiple Sclerosis.
AB  - Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha inhibitors are currently the gold standard for
      treating moderate to severe plaque psoriasis and other immune-mediated diseases.
      The presence of previously existing demyelinating disease is amongst the
      contraindications to their use. However, controversy surrounds the use of TNF
      alpha inhibitors in patients who are more predisposed to developing multiple
      sclerosis (MS), specifically first-degree relatives of MS patients. In fact, the
      major guidelines committees' recommendations on this issue by the American
      Academy of Dermatology, the British Association of Dermatologists, and the
      European S3-Guidelines are not consistent. The data we present suggest that the
      number needed to treat is at least an order of magnitude smaller than the number
      needed to harm across all comparisons of anti-TNF-alpha agents and first-degree
      relative relationships. Based on these data, physicians could weigh the treatment
      options available and work closely with neurological colleagues when prescribing
      anti-TNF-alpha therapy in this patient population rather than practicing absolute
      prohibition of anti-TNF-alpha agents in patients who have a first-degree relative
      with MS.

PMID- 26267734
TI  - Systemic Treatment of Recalcitrant Pediatric Psoriasis: A Case Series and
      Literature Review.
AB  - BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: No systemic drugs are approved by the Food and Drug
      Administration to treat pediatric psoriasis due to a lack of supporting data. The
      purpose of this study is to present cases demonstrating the use of systemic drugs
      in pediatric psoriasis. METHODS: In this case series, data were collected on
      patients <= 18 years old with moderate-to-severe psoriasis treated with systemic
      medications (traditional systemic drugs or biologics) from 2008 through 2014.
      Efficacy was measured using the validated simple measure for assessing psoriasis
      activity (S-MAPA), and the product of the body surface area and Physician Global
      Assessment. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients aged 5 to 18 years were eligible, and
      56 treatment courses were analyzed. Methotrexate (MTX) was the most frequently
      prescribed systemic (70%), followed by etanercept (59%). Clearance rates were
      highest on biologic medications (67% for etanercept and adalimumab, 33% for
      ustekinumab). Phototherapy, cyclosporine, and MTX were less effective in clearing
      psoriasis, although they were successful in improving S-MAPA >= 50% from baseline
      100%, 67%, and 36% of the time, respectively. The most common adverse events were
      sunburn for patients on narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy (14%),
      gastrointestinal intolerance and minor infections for patients on MTX (16% each),
      and minor infections for patients on etanercept (25%) and adalimumab (33%). The
      most common reasons for discontinuation were secondary failure (38% for
      etanercept, 33% for adalimumab) or lack of response (37% for MTX, 33% for
      cyclosporine). CONCLUSION: Although phototherapy, MTX, and cyclosporine are
      effective for controlling resistant pediatric psoriasis, concerns about long-term
      safety or inconvenience have led people to consider biologics in their place.
      However, there is a lack of literature on the use of biologics in pediatric
      psoriasis. These cases attest to the safety and efficacy of etanercept,
      adalimumab, and ustekinumab in pediatric psoriasis, expanding the treatment
      repertoire and guiding dermatologists in better managing recalcitrant pediatric
      psoriasis.

PMID- 26267735
TI  - The Use of Methotrexate, Alone or in Combination With Other Therapies, for the
      Treatment of Palmoplantar Psoriasis.
AB  - Palmoplantar psoriasis is a chronic debilitating type of psoriasis. Treatment
      options for this disease are poorly studied. This chart review evaluated the use
      of methotrexate alone and in combination with 7 other systemic therapies in 48
      patients with palmoplantar psoriasis. The findings demonstrate that methotrexate
      is a relatively well-tolerated and effective treatment for palmoplantar
      psoriasis, amenable as either monotherapy or in combination with other systemic
      agents.

PMID- 26267736
TI  - Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitor Primary Failure Predicts Decreased Ustekinumab
      Efficacy in Psoriasis Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Additional studies are needed to examine the efficacy of ustekinumab
      in psoriasis patients who have previously been exposed to tumor necrosis factor
      inhibitors (TNFi). OBJECTIVE: To examine the predictive effect of TNFi primary
      failure and the number of TNFi exposures on the efficacy of ustekinumab in
      psoriasis treatment. METHODS: This retrospective study examined 44 psoriasis
      patients treated at the Tufts Medical Center Department of Dermatology between
      January 2008 and July 2014. Patients were selected if they were treated with
      ustekinumab and had >= 1 previous TNFi exposure. The following subgroups were
      compared: patients with vs without a previous TNFi primary failure, and patients
      with one vs multiple previous TNFi exposures. The efficacy measure used was the
      previously validated Simple Measure for Assessing Psoriasis Activity (S-MAPA),
      which is calculated by the product of the body surface area and physician global
      assessment. The primary outcome was the percentage improvement S-MAPA from course
      baseline at week 12 of ustekinumab treatment. Secondary outcomes were the
      psoriasis clearance, primary failure, and secondary failure rates with
      ustekinumab treatment. RESULTS: Patients with a previous TNFi primary failure had
      a significantly lower percentage improvement in S-MAPA score at week 12 of
      ustekinumab treatment compared with patients without TNFi primary failure (36.2%
      vs 61.1%, P=.027). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that this relationship was
      independent of patient demographics and medical comorbidities. Patients with
      multiple TNFi exposures had a non-statistically significant lower percentage S
      MAPA improvement at week 12 (40.5% vs 52.9%, P=.294) of ustekinumab treatment
      compared with patients with a single TNFi exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Among psoriasis
      patients previously exposed to TNFi, a history of a previous TNFi primary failure
      predicts a decreased response to ustekinumab independent of patient demographics
      and medical comorbidities.

PMID- 26267737
TI  - Pulmonary Cryptococcosis in the Setting of Tofacitinib Therapy for Psoriasis.
AB  - Tofacitinib is a novel drug that inhibits the JAK-STAT signaling pathway. It has
      been approved for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis and it is under
      investigation for the treatment of psoriasis and other inflammatory disorders. We
      report a case of pulmonary cryptococcosis in an otherwise immunocompetent patient
      taking tofacitinib for psoriasis. We hypothesized that tofacitinib contributed to
      this infection through inhibition of cytokines required for differentiation of T
      cells and suppression of macrophage activation. As dermatologists begin to use
      this drug they should be aware of the potential for cryptococcocal infection,
      because delay of diagnosis may increase the risk of a life-threatening outcome.

PMID- 26267738
TI  - Pemphigoid Gestationis: A Case Report and Review of Management.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pemphigoid gestationis (PG) is a rare pruritic autoimmune dermatosis
      associated with several adverse fetal outcomes. An appropriate pharmacotherapy
      regimen reduces these risks while also providing symptomatic relief. CASE: A
      woman in her second trimester presented with an intensely pruritic
      vesiculobullous rash diagnosed as PG. She was started on prednisone and gradually
      tapered to an appropriate maintenance dose until her uncomplicated delivery of a
      full-term healthy newborn. CONCLUSION: Proper management of PG requires a
      suitable pharmacotherapy regimen, close observation, and collaboration with a
      multi-disciplinary treatment team. These steps are crucial to reduce maternal
      morbidity, lessen fetal risk, and adequately prepare for the possibility of
      unfavorable obstetric outcomes.

PMID- 26267739
TI  - Emotional Lability in Patients with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder:
      Impact of Pharmacotherapy.
AB  - Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurobehavioral disorder
      defined by persistent inattention and/or hyperactivity and impulsivity. These
      symptoms occur more frequently and are more severe in individuals with ADHD
      compared with those at a similar developmental level without ADHD, and can be
      conceptualized as deficits in executive functioning (EF). EF includes domains of
      metacognition and inhibition, which influence the ability to regulate responses
      elicited by emotional stimuli. EF deficits can lead to emotional lability (EL),
      which is characterized by sudden changes in emotion and behaviors of
      inappropriately high intensity that may include sudden bouts of anger, dysphoria,
      sadness, or euphoria. EL is common and estimated to occur in about 3.3-10% of the
      population. Recent estimates of EL prevalence in children and adolescents with
      ADHD range from 38 to 75%. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
      Disorders, Fifth Edition does not include EL in diagnostic criteria for ADHD, but
      does include ADHD-associated features of low frustration tolerance, irritability,
      or mood lability. The neurobiological basis of EL is not well understood, but
      brain imaging studies support dividing EF into "cool" cognitive networks
      encompassing attention and planning activities, and "hot" motivational networks
      involved in temporal discounting, reward processing, and reward anticipation.
      Dysfunction in "hot" networks is thought to be related to EL. EL symptoms are
      associated with more severe ADHD and co-morbidities, have significant impact on
      functioning, and may respond to treatment with medications frequently used to
      treat ADHD. Treatment outcomes and areas for future research are discussed.

PMID- 26267740
TI  - Prediction of improvement in left atrial function index after catheter ablation
      for atrial fibrillation.
AB  - PURPOSE: Although left atrial function index is reportedly a possible predictor
      of hospitalization for heart failure and of stroke irrespective of the presence
      or not of atrial fibrillation (AF), the effects of catheter ablation on left
      atrial function index have not yet been reported. METHODS: We performed catheter
      ablation on 55 patients (age 56.6 +/- 9.6 years; 44 men; 30 with paroxysmal and
      25 with persistent, long-standing AF) and evaluated them by transthoracic
      echocardiography preoperatively and 3 monthly for 12-24 months after catheter
      ablation. We then compared clinical characteristics and echocardiographic
      variables before catheter ablation between two groups: the 42 subjects with the
      most recent left atrial function index <30 and the 13 in which it was >=30.
      RESULTS: Left atrial function index improved after catheter ablation in both
      groups, plateauing 6 months after the procedure. Univariate analysis showed
      statistically significant differences in the prevalence of chronic AF and left
      atrial emptying fraction, diameter, and maximum and minimum volume (prevalence of
      chronic AF, p < 0.05; others, p < 0.01) between the groups. Multivariate analysis
      showed that only maximum left atrial volume predicts left atrial function index
      after catheter ablation (p < 0.05). In addition, we used ROC analysis to
      calculate a cutoff value for LA maximum volume as a good predictor and found that
      a good cutoff value was 63.5 mL, the sensitivity and specificity being 0.75 and
      0.75, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Catheter ablation improves left atrial function
      index. However, in patients with left atrial maximum volume of over 63.5 mL on
      echocardiography, the index did not recover to within the normal range after
      catheter ablation.

PMID- 26267741
TI  - Right ventricular failure after left ventricular assist devices.
AB  - Most patients with advanced systolic dysfunction who are assessed for a left
      ventricular assist device (LVAD) also have some degree of right ventricular (RV)
      dysfunction. Hence, RV failure (RVF) remains a common complication of LVAD
      placement. Severe RVF after LVAD implantation is associated with increased peri
      operative mortality and length of stay and can lead to coagulopathy, altered drug
      metabolism, worsening nutritional status, diuretic resistance, and poor quality
      of life. However, current medical and surgical treatment options for RVF are
      limited and often result in significant impairments in quality of life. There has
      been continuing interest in developing risk models for RVF before LVAD
      implantation. This report reviews the anatomy and physiology of the RV and how it
      changes in the setting of LVAD support. We will discuss proposed mechanisms and
      describe biochemical, echocardiographic, and hemodynamic predictors of RVF in
      LVAD patients. We will describe management strategies for reducing and managing
      RVF. Finally, we will discuss the increasingly recognized and difficult to manage
      entity of chronic RVF after LVAD placement and describe opportunities for future
      research. 

PMID- 26267742
TI  - The failing heart is a major source of circulating FGF23 via oncostatin M
      receptor activation.

PMID- 26267743
TI  - Heart transplantation of Middle Eastern patients in the United States: A brief
      report from the UNOS database.

PMID- 26267744
TI  - Bacteremic Inquilinus limosus empyema in an Australian lung transplant patient
      with cystic fibrosis.

PMID- 26267745
TI  - Association of total serum antioxidant capacity with the Tei index in
      echocardiography in patients with microvascular angina.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Cardiac syndrome X (CSX) is a condition characterized by exercise
      induced chest pain that occurs considering a normal coronary angiogram. We aimed
      to investigate the total serum antioxidant capacity (TAC) and biventricular
      global functions using echocardiography in patients with CSX. PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: The study population included 55 patients with typical anginal symptoms
      and a positive exercise stress test, or ischemia in myocardial perfusion
      scintigraphy and normal coronary arteries detected angiographically, and 49
      healthy volunteers with atypical chest pain and a negative stress test. TAC was
      assessed from blood samples. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed for the
      entire study population. The Tei index was calculated using the formula
      IVCT+IVRT/ET. RESULTS: TAC was found to be significantly lower in the CSX group
      compared with the control group (0.70+/-0.37 vs. 1.5+/-0.30, respectively,
      P<0.001). The Tei index was significantly higher in patients with CSX than the
      control group (0.60+/-0.18 vs. 0.42+/-0.12, respectively, P<0.001).There was a
      significant and inverse relationship between TAC and the Tei index (r=-0.41,
      P<0.001). When we divided the study population according to the normal range of
      TAC into the decreased TAC group (<1.30 mmol/l), the normal TAC group (1.30-1.77
      mmol/l), and the increased TAC group (>1.77 mmol/l), it was found that the Tei
      index was higher in the decreased TAC group compared with the other groups
      (0.66+/-0.18 vs. 0.49+/-0.10 and 0.46+/-0.13 mmol/l, P<0.001, respectively).
      CONCLUSION: Our study suggested that TAC was significantly decreased in CSX
      patients and decreased antioxidant levels were related to impaired Tei index in
      echocardiography in patients with microvascular angina.

PMID- 26267746
TI  - Epicardial adipose tissue thickness can be used to predict major adverse cardiac
      events.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Increase in epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) thickness is associated
      with subclinical and manifest coronary artery disease. In addition, it is
      associated with the severity and extent of coronary atherosclerosis. We aimed to
      investigate whether increased EAT thickness is associated with adverse
      cardiovascular outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two hundred consecutive patients
      who were admitted with stable angina pectoris, unstable angina pectoris or acute
      myocardial infarction (MI), and had undergone coronary angiography were included
      and followed for revascularization, nonfatal MI, hospitalization for heart
      failure and cardiovascular death for 26 (5-30) months. RESULTS: There were
      significantly more revascularizations, nonfatal MI and cardiovascular death in
      patients with an initial EAT thickness more than 7 mm (P<0.001 for all).
      Significant predictors of cardiovascular death were identified as an EAT
      thickness more than 7 mm [hazard ratio (HR) 1.9, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.4
      8.3, P=0.039] and diabetes (HR 3.42, 95% CI 0.7-17.5, P=0.014) in the
      multivariate Cox regression analysis. Event-free survival for cardiovascular
      death in the EAT up to 7 mm group was 97.9%, whereas it was 90.7% in the EAT more
      than 7 mm group (P=0.021). In addition, significant predictors of MI were
      identified as an EAT thickness more than 7 mm (HR 2.4, 95% CI 0.6-10.0, P=0.021)
      and diabetes (HR 3.4, 95% CI 1.0-11.2, P=0.04). Event-free survival for MI in the
      EAT up to 7 mm group was 96.4%, whereas it was 68.2% in the EAT more than 7 mm
      group (P=0.001). CONCLUSION: Increase in EAT thickness independently predicts
      adverse cardiac events including MI and cardiovascular death.

PMID- 26267747
TI  - Effects of liposomal prostaglandin E1 on periprocedural myocardial injury in
      patients with unstable angina undergoing an elective percutaneous coronary
      intervention.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to explore whether intravenous
      administration of liposomal prostaglandin E1 (lipo-PGE1) can reduce the incidence
      of periprocedural myocardial injury (PMI) in patients with unstable angina
      undergoing an elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: In this randomized-controlled study, a total of 219 patients were
      randomly assigned to a lipo-PGE1 group (n=110) and a control group (n=109).
      Patients in the lipo-PGE1 group received 20 MUg/day of lipo-PGE1 diluted in 10 ml
      of normal saline through an intravenous injection over 5 min starting at 3 days
      before PCI and continuing for 4 days after PCI. In the control group, 10 ml of
      normal saline was administered using the same method. The primary end point was
      the occurrence of PMI defined as an elevation of cardiac troponin I above the
      upper limit of normal within 24 h after the procedure. The secondary end points
      were (i) changes in inflammatory factors including plasma high-sensitivity C
      reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and interleukin 6 before and at 24
      h after PCI; (ii) the incidence of major adverse cardiac events in the patients
      during hospitalization and 30 days of follow-up after discharge, including
      cardiac deaths, severe heart failure, malignant arrhythmias, and target vessel
      revascularization. RESULTS: Within 24 h after PCI, the incidence of PMI was
      significantly lower in the lipo-PGE1 group compared with that in the control
      group (20 vs. 36.69%, P=0.009). Although the procedure induced a significant
      increase in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and
      interleukin 6 levels, the values were significantly lower in the lipo-PGE1 group
      than those in the control group at 24 h after PCI (P<0.05). The proportion of
      thrombolysis in myocardial infarction grade 3 in the lipo-PGE1 group was higher
      than that in the control group (92.72 vs. 82.56%, P=0.037). There were no
      significant differences between the lipo-PGE1 group and the control group in the
      incidence of major adverse cardiac events during hospitalization and 30 days of
      follow-up (2.1 vs. 4%, P=0.72). Multivariate logistic analysis showed that lipo
      PGE1 was an independent protective factor against PMI (odds ratio 0.385, 95%
      confidence interval 0.195-0.760, P=0.006). CONCLUSION: Intravenous lipo-PGE1 can
      reduce the incidence of PMI following elective PCI in patients with unstable
      angina. The benefit of lipo-PGE1 may be associated with the effects of anti
      inflammation as well as improvement in coronary microvascular perfusion.

PMID- 26267748
TI  - Elevated serum fibrinogen levels and risk of contrast-induced acute kidney injury
      in patients undergoing a percutaneous coronary intervention for the treatment of
      acute coronary syndrome.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) is a common
      complication of diagnostic and therapeutic catheterizations, especially in the
      setting of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Fibrinogen is a well-known
      cardiovascular risk factor. We evaluated whether serum fibrinogen level is
      associated independently with CI-AKI in patients with ACS who underwent a
      percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: Patients (n=710, aged 61 +/-
      13, 69% men) were classified into two groups: CI-AKI and non-CI-AKI. CI-AKI was
      defined as an increase of at least 0.5 mg/dl or at least 25% in the serum
      creatinine level within 72 h following PCI. RESULTS: CI-AKI occurred in 75
      (10.6%) patients. We found significantly higher serum fibrinogen levels in
      patients who developed CI-AKI than in those who did not (498 +/- 152 vs. 386 +/-
      96 mg/dl, P<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that serum
      fibrinogen level (odds ratio 1.006, 95% confidence interval 1.003-1.009,
      P<0.001), age, glomerular filtration rate, female sex, and white blood cell count
      were correlated with the development of CI-AKI. CONCLUSION: Serum fibrinogen
      level is associated independently with a higher risk of CI-AKI in patients with
      ACS undergoing PCI.

PMID- 26267749
TI  - Coronary spasm revascularized with a bioresorbable vascular scaffold.

PMID- 26267750
TI  - Measurement of retinal wall-to-lumen ratio by adaptive optics retinal camera: a
      clinical research.
AB  - PURPOSE: To measure the wall-to-lumen ratio (WLR) and the cross-sectional area of
      the vascular wall (WCSA) of retinal arterioles by an Adaptive Optics (AO) retinal
      camera. METHODS: Forty-seven human subjects were examined and their medical
      history was explored. WLR and WCSA were measured on the basis of retinal
      arteriolar wall thickness (VW), lumen diameter (LD) and vessel diameter (VD)
      assessed by rtx1 Adaptive Optics retinal camera. WLR was calculated by the
      formula [Formula: see text]. Arterio-venous ratio (AVR) and microvascular
      abnormalities were attained by quantitative and qualitative assessment of fundus
      photographs. Influence of age, arterial hypertension, body mass index (BMI) and
      retinal microvascular abnormalities on the WLR was examined. An age-adjusted WLR
      was created to test influences on WLR independently of age. Considering WLR and
      WCSA, a distinction between eutrophic and hypertrophic retinal remodeling
      processes was possible. RESULTS: The intra-observer variability (IOV) was 6 % +/-
      0.9 for arteriolar wall thickness and 2 % +/- 0.2 for arteriolar wall thickness
      plus vessel lumen. WLR depended significantly on the wall thickness (r = 0.715; p
      < 0.01) of retinal arterioles, but was independent of the total vessel diameter
      (r = 0.052; p = 0.728). WLR correlated significantly with age (r = 0.769; p <
      0.01). Arterial hypertension and a higher BMI were significantly associated with
      an increased age-adjusted WLR. WLR correlated significantly with the stage of
      microvascular abnormalities. 55 % of the hypertensive subjects and 11 % of the
      normotensive subjects showed eutrophic remodeling, while hypertrophic remodeling
      was not detectable. WLR correlated inversely with AVR. AVR was independent of the
      arteriolar wall thickness, age and arterial hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: The
      technique of AO retinal imaging allows a direct measurement of the retinal vessel
      wall and lumen diameter with good intra-observer variability. Age, arterial
      hypertension and an elevated BMI level are significantly associated with an
      increased WLR. The wall-to-lumen ratio measured by AO can be used to detect
      structural retinal microvascular alterations in an early stage of remodeling
      processes.

PMID- 26267751
TI  - Age-dependency of ocular parameters: a cross sectional study of young and elderly
      healthy subjects.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of aging on ocular parameters, including
      intraocular pressure (IOP), measured with different tonometry methods in healthy
      young (HY) and healthy elderly (HE) subjects and to study the effect of corneal
      parameters on tonometry methods. METHODS: In this prospective, cross-sectional
      study, fifty eyes of 50 HY subjects (28 females, 22-31 years of age) and 43 eyes
      of 43 HE subjects (22 females, 64-79) were included. IOP was measured with four
      tonometry methods in a standardized order: ocular response analyser (ORA),
      dynamic contour tonometry (DCT), applanation resonance tonometry (ART) and
      Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT). Other measurements included axial length
      (AL), central corneal thickness (CCT), corneal curvature (CC), anterior chamber
      volume (ACV), corneal hysteresis (CH) and corneal resistance factor (CRF).
      RESULTS: The mean IOP (HY/HE; mmHg +/- standard deviation (SD)) was 12.2 +/-
      2.2/14.1 +/- 3.5 with GAT. IOP was significantly higher (difference +/- standard
      error) in HE compared to HY measured with an ORA (+3.1 mmHg +/- 0.6), GAT (+1.9
      +/- 0.6) and DCT (+1.6 +/- 0.6). No significant difference was found in IOP
      measured with ART. CH and ACV were significantly lower in HE compared to HY.
      There was no difference between the groups in CCT, CC, AL or CRF. No tonometry
      method was dependant on CCT or CC. CONCLUSIONS: IOP measured with an ORA and via
      DCT and GAT was higher in HE compared to HY Swedish subjects, while IOP measured
      with ART did not differ between the groups. In these homogeneous groups,
      tonometry methods were independent of CCT and CC.

PMID- 26267752
TI  - Lamina cribrosa depth according to the level of axial length in normal and
      glaucomatous eyes.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare the lamina cribrosa (LC) depth of the optic nerve head in
      normal and glaucomatous eyes over a wide range of axial length (AXL). METHODS: A
      total of 402 eyes, including 210 normal and 192 glaucomatous eyes, were imaged by
      spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Normal and glaucomatous eyes were
      each divided into three subgroups according to the level of AXL; long (> 26 mm),
      mid-level (23-26 mm), and short (< 23 mm). Visual field mean deviation (VF MD),
      LC thickness, and LC depth were compared between normal and glaucomatous eyes in
      each of the AXL subgroups. These parameters were also compared between normal and
      glaucomatous eyes in the three AXL subgroups. Factors associated with LC depth in
      each AXL subgroup were evaluated by univariate and multivariate regression
      analyses. RESULTS: A comparison of the three AXL subgroups in normal eyes showed
      that the LC was thinnest in the long AXL subgroup (short; 189.7 +/- 24.1 MUm, mid
      level; 179.9 +/- 34.3 MUm, long; 149.2 +/- 36.2 MUm, p < 0.001), but LC depth did
      not differ significantly in the three subgroups (short; 527.1 +/- 144.4 MUm, mid
      level; 578.2 +/- 163.5 MUm, long; 594.4 +/- 187.5 MUm, p = 0.144). In
      glaucomatous eyes, glaucoma severity assessed by VF MD did not differ
      significantly among the three AXL subgroups (short; -6.99 +/- 8.50 dB, mid-level;
      -6.40 +/- 7.64 dB, long; -4.61 +/- 5.22 dB, p = 0.168). However, LC depth was
      greater in the long than in the short AXL subgroup (679.5 +/- 192.7 MUm and 555.9
      +/- 134.1 MUm, respectively, p = 0.004), although neither subgroup differed
      significantly in LC depth from the mid-level AXL subgroup (611.8 +/- 162.3 MUm, p
      = 0.385, p = 0.090). LC thickness was significantly different between normal and
      glaucomatous eyes (p < 0.001). LC depth was not different between normal and
      glaucomatous eyes in both short and mid-level AXL subgroups (p = 0.297, 0.222),
      but differed in the long AXL subgroup (p = 0.022). The presence of glaucoma was
      associated with greater LC depth only in the long AXL subgroup (p = 0.012).
      CONCLUSIONS: LC depth may vary according to the level of AXL in glaucomatous eyes
      with a similar level of glaucoma severity, with the greatest LC depth found in
      eyes with long AXL. Those findings suggest that glaucomatous optic disc cupping
      would manifest differently according to the level of AXL.

PMID- 26267753
TI  - Symmetry warrants rational cooperation by co-action in Social Dilemmas.
AB  - Is it rational for selfish individuals to cooperate? The conventional answer
      based on analysis of games such as the Prisoners Dilemma (PD) is that it is not,
      even though mutual cooperation results in a better outcome for all. This
      incompatibility between individual rationality and collective benefit lies at the
      heart of questions about the evolution of cooperation, as illustrated by PD and
      similar games. Here, we argue that this apparent incompatibility is due to an
      inconsistency in the standard Nash framework for analyzing non-cooperative games
      and propose a new paradigm, that of the co-action equilibrium. As in the Nash
      solution, agents know that others are just as rational as them and taking this
      into account lead them to realize that others will independently adopt the same
      strategy, in contrast to the idea of unilateral deviation central to Nash
      equilibrium thinking. Co-action equilibrium results in better collective outcomes
      for games representing social dilemmas, with relatively "nicer" strategies being
      chosen by rational selfish individuals. In particular, the dilemma of PD gets
      resolved within this framework, suggesting that cooperation can evolve in nature
      as the rational outcome even for selfish agents, without having to take recourse
      to additional mechanisms for promoting it. 

PMID- 26267754
TI  - Subfunctionalization of arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferases in the sea bass
      Dicentrarchus labrax: two-ones for one two.
AB  - Melatonin is an important component of the vertebrates circadian system,
      synthetized from serotonin by the successive action of the arylalkylamine N
      acetyltransferase (Aanat: serotonin->N-acetylserotonin) and acetylserotonin-O
      methyltransferase (Asmt: N-acetylserotonin->melatonin). Aanat is responsible for
      the daily rhythm in melatonin production. Teleost fish are unique because they
      express two Aanat genes, aanat1 and aanat2, mainly expressed in the retina and
      pineal gland, respectively. In silico analysis indicated that the teleost
      specific whole-genome duplication generated Aanat1 duplicates (aanat1a and
      aanat1b); some fish express both of them, while others express either one of the
      isoforms. Here, we bring the first information on the structure, function, and
      distribution of Aanat1a and Aanat1b in a teleost, the sea bass Dicentrarchus
      labrax. Aanat1a and Aanat1b displayed a wide and distinct distribution in the
      nervous system and peripheral tissues, while Aanat2 appeared as a pineal enzyme.
      Co-expression of Aanats with asmt was found in the pineal gland and the three
      retinal nuclear layers. Enzyme kinetics indicated subtle differences in the
      affinity and catalytic efficiency of Aanat1a and Aanat1b for indolethylamines and
      phenylethylamines, respectively. Our data are consistent with the idea that
      Aanat2 is a pineal enzyme involved in melatonin production, while Aanat1 enzymes
      have a broader range of functions including melatonin synthesis in the retina,
      and catabolism of serotonin and dopamine in the retina and other tissues. The
      data are discussed in light of the recently uncovered roles of N-acetylserotonin
      and N-acetyldopamine as antioxidants, neuroprotectants, and modulators of cell
      proliferation and enzyme activities. 

PMID- 26267755
TI  - Subcutaneous mycoses in coastal Karnataka in south India.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Subcutaneous mycoses are chronic, localized infections of the skin
      and subcutaneous tissue which occur following traumatic implantation of the
      etiological agent. The causative organisms are soil saprophytes of regional
      epidemiology with varying ability to adapt to the tissue environment and elicit
      disease. OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to evaluate the various types of
      subcutaneous mycoses, including actinomycotic mycetomas, in south coastal
      Karnataka, India. METHODS: Between January 2005 and January 2013, a total of 25
      patients were diagnosed with subcutaneous mycoses based on a detailed clinical
      history and presentation, histopathology, and culture of organisms. RESULTS:
      Chromoblastomycosis was the infection most commonly seen (n = 16 patients, 64%),
      followed by mycetoma (n = 4, 16%), sporotrichosis (n = 4, 16%), and
      rhinoentomophthoromycosis (n = 1, 4%). The extremities were the most common site
      of involvement, with the lower limb being most affected (64%). Males were more
      commonly afflicted (64%) than females (36%). Most patients were agricultural
      workers, although preceding trauma was noted in only three patients. The majority
      of patients responded well to therapy and were disease-free on follow-up.
      CONCLUSIONS: Subcutaneous mycoses are a rare group of disorders.
      Chromoblastomycosis is the most frequent subcutaneous fungal infection in south
      India. Morphologically, chromomoblastomycoses present as verrucous, ulcerative,
      nodular, or eczematous lesions. Clinical diagnosis is important as culture is
      often negative. The incidence of infection is higher among rubber tappers. It is
      important to clinically differentiate chromoblastomycosis from tuberculosis
      verrucosa cutis. Most of the subcutaneous mycoses respond well to treatment, with
      the exception of rhinoentomophthoromycosis, which is a rare form of deep mycosis
      with associated mutilation. Eumycetomas are not observed in this part of India.

PMID- 26267756
TI  - Do people use the shortest path? An empirical test of Wardrop's first principle.
AB  - Most recent route choice models, following either the random utility maximization
      or rule-based paradigm, require explicit enumeration of feasible routes. The
      quality of model estimation and prediction is sensitive to the appropriateness of
      the consideration set. However, few empirical studies of revealed route
      characteristics have been reported in the literature. This study evaluates the
      widely applied shortest path assumption by evaluating routes followed by
      residents of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. Accurate Global
      Positioning System (GPS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) data were
      employed to reveal routes people used over an eight to thirteen week period. Most
      people did not choose the shortest path. Using three weeks of that data, we find
      that current route choice set generation algorithms do not reveal the majority of
      paths that individuals took. Findings from this study may guide future efforts in
      building better route choice models. 

PMID- 26267757
TI  - Single Turnover Reveals Oxygenated Intermediates in Toluene/o-Xylene
      Monooxygenase in the Presence of the Native Redox Partners.
AB  - Toluene/o-xylene monooxygenase (ToMO) is a non-heme diiron protein that activates
      O2 for subsequent arene oxidation. ToMO utilizes four protein components, a
      catalytic hydroxylase, a regulatory protein, a Rieske protein, and a reductase.
      O2 activation and substrate hydroxylation in the presence of all four protein
      components is examined. These studies demonstrate the importance of native
      reductants by revealing reactivity unobserved when dithionite and mediators are
      used as the reductant. This reactivity is compared with that of other O2
      activating diiron enzymes. 

PMID- 26267758
TI  - Synergistic Effects of Binary-Solvent Annealing for Efficient Polymer-Fullerene
      Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cells.
AB  - Conjugated polymer-fullerene-based bulk-heterojunction (BHJ) organic solar cells
      (OSCs) have attracted tremendous attention over the past two decades because of
      their potential to develop low-cost and easy methods to produce energy from
      light. The complicated microstructure and morphology with randomly organized
      architecture of these polymer-fullerene-based active layers (ALs) is a key factor
      that limits photovoltaic performance. In this study, a binary-solvent annealing
      (BSA) approach was established to improve the poly(3-hexylthiophene):indene-C60
      bisadduct-based AL for efficient BHJ-type OSCs by varying the second solvents
      with different boiling points (BP). Thus, we were able to change the evaporation
      behavior of cosolvents and consequently obtain the various microstructural
      properties of the AL. An in-depth study was conducted on the solvent-evaporation
      driven morphology of the active layer under various cosolvent conditions and its
      effect on the photovoltaic parameters of OSCs. Under the BSA processes, we found
      that the specimens with low-BP second solvents allows us to observe a more ideal
      AL for increasing photon absorption and efficient charge transport and collection
      at the respective electrodes, resulting in enhanced PCE of the corresponding
      OSCs. By contrast, the specimens with high-BP second solvents exhibit random
      microstructures, which are detrimental to charge transport and collection and
      lead to diminished PCE of the corresponding OSCs. By appropriately selecting the
      composition of a binary solvent, BSA can be employed as an easy method for the
      effective manipulation of the microstructures of ALs. BSA is a promising
      technique for the performance enhancement of not only OSCs but also other
      organic/polymeric-based electronic devices. 

PMID- 26267759
TI  - Electronic Excited States of Tungsten(0) Arylisocyanides.
AB  - W(CNAryl)6 complexes containing 2,6-diisopropylphenyl isocyanide (CNdipp) are
      powerful photoreductants with strongly emissive long-lived excited states. These
      properties are enhanced upon appending another aryl ring, e.g.,
      W(CNdippPh(OMe2))6; CNdippPh(OMe2) = 4-(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-2,6
      diisopropylphenylisocyanide (Sattler et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2015, 137, 1198
      1205). Electronic transitions and low-lying excited states of these complexes
      were investigated by time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT); the lowest
      triplet state was characterized by time-resolved infrared spectroscopy (TRIR)
      supported by density functional theory (DFT). The intense absorption band of
      W(CNdipp)6 at 460 nm and that of W(CNdippPh(OMe2))6 at 500 nm originate from
      transitions of mixed pipi*(C=N-C)/MLCT(W -> Aryl) character, whereby W is
      depopulated by ca. 0.4 e(-) and the electron-density changes are predominantly
      localized along two equatorial molecular axes. The red shift and intensity rise
      on going from W(CNdipp)6 to W(CNdippPh(OMe2))6 are attributable to more extensive
      delocalization of the MLCT component. The complexes also exhibit absorptions in
      the 300-320 nm region, owing to W -> C=N MLCT transitions. Electronic absorptions
      in the spectrum of W(CNXy)6 (Xy = 2,6-dimethylphenyl), a complex with orthogonal
      aryl orientation, have similar characteristics, although shifted to higher
      energies. The relaxed lowest W(CNAryl)6 triplet state combines pipi* excitation
      of a trans pair of C=N-C moieties with MLCT (0.21 e(-)) and ligand-to-ligand
      charge transfer (LLCT, 0.24-0.27 e(-)) from the other four CNAryl ligands to the
      axial aryl and, less, to C=N groups; the spin density is localized along a single
      Aryl-N=C-W-C=N-Aryl axis. Delocalization of excited electron density on outer
      aryl rings in W(CNdippPh(OMe2))6 likely promotes photoinduced electron-transfer
      reactions to acceptor molecules. TRIR spectra show an intense broad bleach due to
      nu(C=N), a prominent transient upshifted by 60-65 cm(-1), and a weak down-shifted
      feature due to antisymmetric C=N stretch along the axis of high spin density. The
      TRIR spectral pattern remains unchanged on the femtosecond-nanosecond time scale,
      indicating that intersystem crossing and electron-density localization are
      ultrafast (<100 fs).

PMID- 26267760
TI  - Linearly distributed indurated plaques on the left arm of an 8-year-old girl.

PMID- 26267761
TI  - In reference to A new theory on the pathogenesis of acquired cholesteatoma:
      Mucosal traction.

PMID- 26267762
TI  - Considering the Role of Physical Therapists Within the Treatment and
      Rehabilitation of Individuals With Eating Disorders: An International Survey of
      Expert Clinicians.
AB  - PURPOSE: Recent research has demonstrated that physical therapy may benefit the
      physical and mental health of people with eating disorders (EDs). Because this is
      a new and developing field, this study aimed to investigate the experience,
      practices and knowledge of international physical therapy experts to inform
      clinical practice, education and research. METHODS: An international cross
      sectional survey design was undertaken with experienced physical therapists
      within the field of EDs. Physical therapist responses were analysed with
      descriptive statistics and thematic analysis as appropriate. RESULTS: Twenty
      eight international physical therapists participated. On average, participants
      had 6.9 years (95% confidence interval: 3.1-10.7, n = 27) of clinical experience
      working in ED settings and devoted approximately 39.3% (95% confidence interval:
      23.8-54.8, n = 27) of their time to treating individuals with EDs. Participants
      reported that physical therapy interventions have a diverse range of benefits on
      the physical, mental and disease-specific factors (e.g. binges) in people with
      EDs. The key role of physical therapists includes improving body awareness,
      especially during physical activity combined with psycho-education about healthy
      doses of physical activity. Physical therapists were able to identify a range of
      barriers and facilitators to physical activity in people with EDs. DISCUSSION:
      This paper provides a first step towards understanding the role and value of
      physical therapists working with individuals with EDs. Copyright (c) 2015 John
      Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 26267764
TI  - What Surgeons Can Learn From the Emerging Science of Implementation.

PMID- 26267763
TI  - Evolutionary origin of Tbr2-expressing precursor cells and the subventricular
      zone in the developing cortex.
AB  - The subventricular zone (SVZ) is greatly expanded in primates with gyrencephalic
      cortices and is thought to be absent from vertebrates with three-layered,
      lissencephalic cortices, such as the turtle. Recent work in rodents has shown
      that Tbr2-expressing neural precursor cells in the SVZ produce excitatory neurons
      for each cortical layer in the neocortex. Many excitatory neurons are generated
      through a two-step process in which Pax6-expressing radial glial cells divide in
      the VZ to produce Tbr2-expressing intermediate progenitor cells, which divide in
      the SVZ to produce cortical neurons. We investigated the evolutionary origin of
      SVZ neural precursor cells in the prenatal cerebral cortex by testing for the
      presence and distribution of Tbr2-expressing cells in the prenatal cortex of
      reptilian and avian species. We found that mitotic Tbr2(+) cells are present in
      the prenatal cortex of lizard, turtle, chicken, and dove. Furthermore, Tbr2(+)
      cells are organized into a distinct SVZ in the dorsal ventricular ridge (DVR) of
      turtle forebrain and in the cortices of chicken and dove. Our results are
      consistent with the concept that Tbr2(+) neural precursor cells were present in
      the common ancestor of mammals and reptiles. Our data also suggest that the
      organizing principle guiding the assembly of Tbr2(+) cells into an anatomically
      distinct SVZ, both developmentally and evolutionarily, may be shared across
      vertebrates. Finally, our results indicate that Tbr2 expression can be used to
      test for the presence of a distinct SVZ and to define the boundaries of the SVZ
      in developing cortices.

PMID- 26267766
TI  - [Presentation].

PMID- 26267765
TI  - High-content, full genome siRNA screen for regulators of oncogenic HRAS-driven
      macropinocytosis.
AB  - Uptake of nutrients, such as glucose and amino acids, is critical to support cell
      growth and is typically mediated by cell surface transporters. An alternative
      mechanism for the bulk uptake of nutrients from the extracellular space is
      macropinocytosis, a nonclathrin, and nonreceptor-mediated endocytic process, in
      which extracellular fluid is taken up into large intracellular vesicles called
      macropinosomes. Oncogenic transformation leads to the increased metabolic
      activity of tumor cells, and in the Ras-driven tumor part of this enhanced
      activity is the stimulation of macropinocytosis. To measure oncogene-dependent
      macropinocytosis, we used HeLa cells expressing oncogenic HRAS(G12D) driven from
      a Tet-regulated promoter. Upon oncogenic HRAS expression, the cells undergo
      metabolic changes that include the elevation of macropinocytosis. We detected
      macropinocytosis through the uptake of lysine-fixable tetramethyl rhodamine (TMR)
      Dextran (70 kDa) from the cell media into nascent intracellular macropinosomes.
      These macropinosomes were quantified by image-based high-content analysis, with
      the size, intensity, and position of macropinosomes measured. Using this model
      system, we ran a full genome-wide siRNA screen (siGenomeTM; GE) to identify genes
      involved in controlling oncogenic HRAS-dependent macropinocytosis. Hits from the
      primary screen were confirmed with siRNA reagents from a different library (GE,
      OTP), which allowed us to mitigate potential off-target effects. Candidate genes
      from this screen include known regulators of macropinocytosis as well as novel
      targets. 

PMID- 26267767
TI  - [Nutritional problems of female adolescents].
AB  - Feeding in infancy is necessary to allow proper growth and development. Health of
      these early stages of life may influence the development of many diseases in the
      future (atherosclerosis, osteoporosis, hypertension, obesity ...). Furthermore
      habits set in childhood will endure throughout life. Therefore, getting adequate
      dietary and health patterns in childhood is vital. In adolescence occur a number
      of changes: rapid growth, development of secondary sexual characteristics,
      changes in body composition, ... that will be a challenge when getting or keeping
      that adequate feeding and habits. In female population requirements of different
      micronutrients are increased (mainly iron) and also higher energy requirement
      than in later stages of life occurs. However, adolescents are the main population
      at risk for developing eating disorders, which can pose serious problems to meet
      these nutritional requirements to achieve optimal development. These features and
      others, such as pregnant adolescents, are what make them a population that should
      be taken special care from nutritional point of view. 

PMID- 26267768
TI  - [Intake of vitamins D and K, and their impact on health in female population].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Vitamins D and K are essential for maintaining bone and its
      deficiency has been associated with several chronic diseases. OBJECTIVES: To know
      the intake of vitamins D and K in female population and analyze their involvement
      on health. METHODS: Literature research regarding the topic. RESULTS: Intake of
      vitamin D in the Spanish female population from 17 to 60 years is lower than the
      estimated average requirement in the 95.5% of the studied participants and 30.2%
      of the Spanish population does not meet the established adequate intake for
      vitamin K. Several studies have emphasized the importance of maintaining optimal
      nutrition status of vitamin D for its role in the maintenance of bone, but also
      for its involvement in body weight control and prevention of diseases
      (cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer). Vitamin K deficiency is also
      associated with decreased bone density and increased cardiovascular risk besides
      exerting a protective effect against type 2 diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: In female
      population, the intake of vitamin K, but especially vitamin D, is often lower
      than recommended. Since a worse nutritional status in these vitamins is
      associated with damage in bone health, weight control, as well as an increased
      risk of several diseases, it seems appropriate to monitor and improve their
      intake.

PMID- 26267769
TI  - [Nutritional problems in Spanish women; Results from the ANIBES Study].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Women have proved vulnerable with regard to their nutritional
      status at all stages of life and in a variety of physiological situations. In
      response to the need for more up-to-date and accurate information about the
      determinants of nutritional status and the quantification of diet specifically,
      the ANIBES (Anthropometry, Intake and Energy Balance in Spain) study was carried
      out among a representative group of Spaniards aged 9 to 75. OBJECTIVE: To
      describe and evaluate some of the results available on energy intake and food
      sources from the ANIBES Study related to Spanish women. METHODS: Using a
      representative sample (n = 2009, 996 women/1013 men) of the Spanish population (9
      75 years old), the following studies were conducted: anthropometry, diet (using
      new technology--tablet computers), physical activity (using accelerometry and a
      validated questionnaire), and perceptions regarding different aspects related to
      food, nutrition, physical activity and energy balance. RESULTS: Energy intake was
      1660 +/- 426.7 kcal/d, significantly lower than among males. When analysed by age
      group, only girls (9-12 years old) and adolescents (13-17 years old) meet the
      recent recommendations established by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
      In particular, the average energy intake among older women (65-75 years old),
      1476 +/- 359.9 kcal/d, is problematic with regard to adequate nutritional
      density. The caloric profile is unbalanced (17% E from protein; 41.2% from
      carbohydrates; 38.7% from lipids) for all age groups. The main source of energy
      comes from grains and their derivatives (27%), meat products and their
      derivatives (14.1%), oils and fats (13.1%) and milk and its derivatives (12.4%).
      DISCUSSION: The results are presented in tables and charts in accordance with
      their potential repercussions for the nutritional quality of the Spanish female
      diet to day, and compared with other Spanish and European studies.

PMID- 26267770
TI  - [Physical and sedentary activity as modulating factors of the nutritional
      status].
AB  - Sedentary behavior and physical exercise seem to influence the nutritional status
      of the population independently. In this sense, sedentary behavior is associated
      inversely with healthy eating patterns and directly with BMI, body fat, risk of
      chronic diseases and psychological problems. By contrast, regular exercise is
      associated with a healthier diet and health benefits as the prevention or
      reduction of excess weight and disease prevention. However, it seems difficult to
      completely compensate, sedentary behavior and risk factors for health, with
      physical activity. To improve the nutritional status and health of the population
      would be advisable to increase non-sedentary behaviors and decrease the time
      spent in front of the screen. Also, it is encouraged to exercise regularly. 

PMID- 26267771
TI  - [Wholegrain cereals and sanitary benefits].
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Dietary guidelines indicate that to get a proper nutrition is
      recommended eating 3 or more servings per day of whole grain. However, the
      recommendation is little known in the Spanish population, and almost the entire
      population doesn't fulfill it. Therefore, the aim of this review is to analyze
      the nutritional and health benefits associated with the consumption of whole
      grain cereals and the potential benefits related to the meeting of this
      guideline. METHODS: Literature search regarding the topic. RESULTS: Whole grain
      cereals are rich in carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins and minerals, and its
      contribution to the average diet helps to achieve current recommended intakes and
      nutritional goals, so its consumption in the recommended amount supposes a
      nutritional benefit. Moreover, several studies indicate that increased
      consumption of whole grain cereal is associated with protection against various
      chronic degenerative diseases (cardiovascular, diabetes, cancer and metabolic
      syndrome), assisting in the maintenance of digestive health and body weight.
      These results may be due to the contribution of nutrients, fiber and
      phytochemicals of these foods, as well as the displacement of the diet of other
      products with a less desirable nutritional profile, taking into account the
      composition of the average Spanish diet. In fact, the consumption of whole grain
      cereals has been linked with a possible improvement in the intestinal microbiota
      and antioxidant protection. In spite of these advantages, cereal consumption is
      looked with suspicion by many individuals, especially those concerned about
      weight control and additional benefits associated to consumption of whole grain
      cereals are not known. CONCLUSIONS: Whole grain cereals should be daily consumed
      in amounts of 3 or more servings/day, to achieve the nutritional and health
      benefits described in numerous investigations. More outreach is needed to ensure
      that the guideline is known and it's applied.

PMID- 26267773
TI  - Role of eggs consumption in women at different life stages.
AB  - Although women need less energy than men, their recommended dietary intakes for
      some nutrients are similar or even higher. Some physiological situations can
      highlight those differences, such as growth, pregnancy, lactation and menopause.
      Nutritional deficiencies may impact on growth, fertility, pregnancy and newborn
      health, so in this context eggs are a food of great interest because of its
      essential and highly bioavailable nutrients, while providing few calories. In
      addition, and bearing in mind that life expectancy for women is generally higher
      than that of men, the likelihood of suffering chronic diseases and for a longer
      time is high. In this sense, eggs are very nutritive food, inexpensive and easy
      to prepare, easy to chew and digest, and are especially suitable for women in old
      age or more fragile situations. Nutrients and bioactive substances provided by
      eggs can help prevent chronic diseases and improve the health of women in the
      last stages of their life. 

PMID- 26267772
TI  - [Benefits of moderate beer consumption at different stages of life of women].
AB  - Beer is a natural beverage low calorie, low degree of alcohol, no fats or sugars
      and a significant amount of carbohydrates, vitamins, and proteins. Beneficial
      health qualities are based on the presence in the beer of antioxidant compounds
      (polyphenols), which reduce the presence of free radicals in the organism, and
      phytoestrogens, elements biosimilars to natural estrogens. In pregnant women,
      beer, obviously alcohol-free, presents elements in its composition that differ it
      from other fermented beverages as it is the folic acid, vitamin necessary to
      prevent defects of the neural tube in the fetus or regulate homocysteine. With
      regard to breastfeeding, beer alcohol-free supplementation increases the
      antioxidant activity in breast milk and therefore reduces the oxidative stress of
      the newborn after birth In menopause, the presence of antioxidants, vitamins,
      nutrients, and dietetic fiber, as well as phytoestrogens, is highly beneficial in
      the prevention of pathologies arising from the decline in estrogens. Osteoporosis
      also is effectively combated by the beer. The intake of beer, favors a greater
      bone mass in women, irrespective of their gonadal status. 

PMID- 26267774
TI  - [Positive effects of wheat bran for digestive health; scientific evidence].
AB  - Wheat bran (ST) is very rich in insoluble fiber, consisting mainly arabinoxylans
      and, to a lesser extent, cellulose and beta-glucans, as well as vitamins,
      minerals and antioxidants polyphenolic. The ST is involved in the regulation of
      gastrointestinal physiology and health: delayed gastric emptying and intestinal
      transit speeds and increases fecal bulk. The ST has an effect on faecal bulking
      greater than other grains such as oats or vegetables and fruits. However, phytic
      acid present in the bran may reduce the absorption of certain minerals (Ca, Mg,
      Fe and Zn), due to formation phytate-mineral complexes. Different studies have
      shown that consumption of bran has protective effect against different diseases:
      cardiovascular, obesity and some gastrointestinal diseases, including
      constipation, diverticular disease and colorectal cancer, among others. In Spain
      the consumption of fiber (18 g/day on average) is below the recommended (30
      g/day), so the increased consumption of foods with wheat bran help achieve this
      recommendation and reduce the incidence of diseases associated a low intake of
      fiber.

PMID- 26267775
TI  - [Nutritional factors in preventing osteoporosis].
AB  - Osteoporosis, main risk factor for suffering fragility fractures, is an important
      public health problem which has undoubted social, health and economic impact; but
      mainly causes pain, functional limitation and severe alterations in the patient's
      quality of life. Its current prevalence is very high and a further increase is
      expected due to a higher life expectancy and the progressive ageing of the
      population. In the prevention of osteoporosis, the main goal is to prevent
      fragility fractures; for this reason, it is necessary to: 1) promote bone
      formation in youth, to get sufficient bone mass peak, 2) reduce bone loss in
      adulthood, especially after menopause, 3) maintain bone health throughout life,
      and 4) prevent falls. There is enough evidence that multifactorial strategies
      (assessment of risk factors, healthy lifestyle habits, smoking cessation,
      moderation in alcohol consumption, physical exercise, outdoor activity with
      prudent exposure to sunlight, and a varied and balanced diet), are effective in
      the population at risk. Regarding factors for the prevention of osteoporosis,
      current recommendations are: increased consumption of calcium, phosphorus,
      magnesium and fluoride; provide adequate vitamin D (even with fortified food if
      necessary); consumption of foods rich in omega-3 acids; reduction of salt and
      prepared ready meals; sufficient but moderate intake of protein and, in the
      absence of intolerance, promote the consumption of milk and dairy products,
      especially yogurt and fermented milk products. 

PMID- 26267776
TI  - [Microbiota in women; clinical applications of probiotics].
AB  - The main function of vaginal microbiota is to protect the mucosa against the
      colonization and growth of pathogenic microorganisms. This microbiota is modified
      by hormonal activity. Its maximum concentration and effectiveness occurs during
      the fertile period, where there is a predominance of lactobacilli. When it is
      reduced (microbiota dysbiosis) leads to bacterial vaginosis and candida vaginitis
      which are common diseases in women. Consequently, instillation of lactobacilli in
      the vagina has beneficial effects on the symptomatology and prognosis of these
      illnesses. Breast milk is one of the key factors in the development of gut
      microbiota of the infant. There is an enteric-breast circulation, which is higher
      at the end of pregnancy and during breastfeeding. This circulation could explain
      the modulation of the breast microbiota by using probiotics. It could have a
      positive impact not only for the health of the mother, who would reduce the
      incidence of mastitis, but also for their infant. The use of probiotics is a
      hopeful alternative in various gynecological pathologies. However, it's is
      necessary first some well-designed, randomized trials with standardized methods
      and with a significant number of patients in order to confirm its benefits and
      allow us its use in protocols. 

PMID- 26267777
TI  - [An overview of the beneficial effects of hydrolysed collagen intake on joint and
      bone health and on skin ageing].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Hydrolysate Collagen (HC) consists of small peptides with a
      molecular weight lower than 5.000 Da. produced from gelatinization and subsequent
      enzymatic hydrolysis of native collagen which is found in rich collagenic animal
      tissues. There is much evidence about the HC ingestion positive effect over
      degenerative joint and bones diseases. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article is to
      review the present scientific studies about HC and to evaluate the HC ingestion
      therapeutical effects on some collagenic tissues as cartilage, bones and skin.
      RESULTS: Up to date, there are more than 60 scientific studies (in vitro, in
      vivo, clinics and on bioavailability) about HC ingestion efficacy on reducing
      collagen damage and loss consequences as joint pain and erosion (osteoarthritis),
      bone density loss (osteoporosis) and skin ageing. CONCLUSIONS: Preclinical
      studies show that HC stimulates collagenic tissue regeneration by increasing not
      only collagen synthesis but minor components (glycosaminoglycans and hyaluronic
      acid) synthesis as well. Clinical studies show that HC continual ingestion helps
      to reduce and prevent joint pain, bone density loss and skin ageing. These
      results as well as its high level of tolerance and safety make HC ingestion
      attractive for a long-term use in bone and joint degenerative diseases and in
      fight against skin ageing.

PMID- 26267778
TI  - [Nutrition and cancer].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: It is known how diet plays an important role either in cancer
      occurrence or its prevention. METHODS: A complete revision on the literature has
      been performed trying to gain knowledge on the diets that can prevent for cancer
      occurrence, or those that can cause malignancies. RESULTS: Fruits and vegetables
      are the foods that can prevent from cancer disease, soya and fishes also have
      demonstrated as preventive from some types of malignancies. Clear factors causing
      cancer are red meat and processed meat, dairy products and alcohol. The
      protective roles of vitamins, antioxidants and micronutrients still have to be
      deeply investigated. Obesity is a clear risk factor for cancer, calorie reduction
      has been proposed as a factor that has protective properties in laboratory
      studies, but this has to be demonstrated in a clinical scenario. CONCLUSION: The
      diet surveillance and an adequate selection of foods can be a useful and cheap
      method for malignant disease prevention in the general population.

PMID- 26267779
TI  - Speciation and persistence of doxycycline in the aquatic environment:
      Characterization in terms of steady state kinetics.
AB  - The aim of the present work was to establish the kinetics for the degradation of
      doxycycline in the aquatic environment with a view to arriving at a kinetic model
      that can be used to predict the persistence of antibiotic with confidence. The
      degradation of doxycycline in both water and sediment phases of aquatic microcosm
      experiments, as well as in distilled water control experiments, was studied over
      a period of 90 days. An initial 21% loss due to adsorption by the sediment was
      observed in the microcosm experiment soon after charging. Biphasic zero-order
      linear rates of degradation, attributed to microbial degradation of the free and
      sediment or colloidal particle-adsorbed antibiotic, were observed for both water
      phase (2.3 * 10(-2) and 4.5 * 10(-3) MUgg(-1) day(-1)) and sediment phase (7.9 *
      10(-3) and 1.5 * 10(-3) MUgg(-1) day(-1)) of the microcosm experiment. The
      covered distilled water control experiment exhibited a monophasic zero-order
      linear rate (1.9 * 10(-3) MUgg(-1) day(-1)) attributed to hydrolysis, while the
      distilled water experiment exposed to natural light exhibited biphasic liner
      rates attributed to a combination of hydrolysis and photolysis (2.9 * 10(-3)
      MUgg(-1) day(-1)) and to microbial degradation (9.8 * 10(-3) MUgg(-1) day(-1)). A
      kinetic model that takes into account hydrolysis, photolysis, microbial
      degradation as well as sorption/desorption by colloidal and sediment particles is
      presented to account for the observed zero-order kinetics. The implications of
      the observed kinetics on the persistence of doxycycline in the aquatic
      environment are discussed.

PMID- 26267780
TI  - Studies of biosorption of Pb2+, Cd2+ and Cu2+ from aqueous solutions using
      Adansonia digitata root powders.
AB  - The potentials of Adansonia digitata root powders (ADRP) for adsorption of
      Pb(2+), Cd(2+) and Cu(2+) from aqueous solutions was investigated. Physico
      chemical analysis of the adsorbent (ADRP) shows that hydroxyl, carbonyl and amino
      groups were predominant on the surface of the adsorbent. Scanning Electron
      Microscope (SEM) image revealed its high porosity and irregular pores in the
      adsorbent while the Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrum showed the major element
      with 53.0% Nitrogen, 23.8% carbon, 9.1% calcium, 7.5% potassium and 6.6%
      magnesium present. The found optimal conditions were: initial concentration of
      the metal ions = 0.5 mg/L, pH = 5, contact time = 90 min, adsorbent dose = 0.4 g
      and particle size = 32 um. Freundlich isotherm showed good fit for the adsorption
      of Pb(2+), Cd(2+) and Cu(2+). Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherm revealed that the
      adsorption processes were physisorption Cd(II) and Cu(II) but chemisorption with
      respect to Pb(II) ions. The kinetics and thermodynamic studies showed that Pseudo
      second order and chemisorptions provided the best fit to the experimental data of
      Pb (II) ions only. Batch desorption result show that desorption in the acidic
      media for the metal ions were more rapid and over 90% of the metal ions were
      recovered from the biomass.

PMID- 26267781
TI  - Physical Absorption Of CO2 in Protic and Aprotic Ionic Liquids: An Interaction
      Perspective.
AB  - The physical absorption of CO2 by protic and aprotic ionic liquids such as 1
      ethyl-3-methyl-imidazolium tetrafluoroborate was examined at the molecular level
      using symmetry adapted perturbation theory (SAPT) and density functional
      techniques through comparison of interaction energies of noncovalently bound
      complexes between the CO2 molecule and a series of ionic liquid ions and ion
      pairs. These energies were contrasted with those for complexes with model amines
      such as methylamine, dimethylamine, and trimethylamine. Detailed analysis of the
      five fundamental forces that are responsible for stabilization of the complexes
      is discussed. It was confirmed that the nature of the anion had a greater effect
      upon the physical interaction energy in non functionalized ionic liquids, with
      dispersion forces playing an important role in CO2 solubility. Hydrogen bonding
      with protic cations was shown to impart additional stability to the noncovalently
      bound CO2...IL complex through inductive forces. Two solvation models, the
      conductor-like polarizable continuum model (CPCM) and the universal solvation
      model (SMD), were used to estimate the impact of solvent effects on the CO2
      binding. Both solvent models reduced interaction energies for all types of ions.
      These interaction energies appeared to favor imidazolium cations and carboxylic
      and sulfonic groups as well as bulky groups (e.g., NTf2) in anions for the
      physical absorption of CO2. The structure-reactivity relationships determined in
      this study may help in the optimization of the physical absorption process by
      means of ionic liquids. 

PMID- 26267785
TI  - Incorrectly Classified Article.

PMID- 26267782
TI  - Cell traction in collective cell migration and morphogenesis: the chase and run
      mechanism.
AB  - Directional collective cell migration plays an important role in development,
      physiology, and disease. An increasing number of studies revealed key aspects of
      how cells coordinate their movement through distances surpassing several cell
      diameters. While physical modeling and measurements of forces during collective
      cell movements helped to reveal key mechanisms, most of these studies focus on
      tightly connected epithelial cultures. Less is known about collective migration
      of mesenchymal cells. A typical example of such behavior is the migration of the
      neural crest cells, which migrate large distances as a group. A recent study
      revealed that this persistent migration is aided by the interaction between the
      neural crest and the neighboring placode cells, whereby neural crest chase the
      placodes via chemotaxis, but upon contact both populations undergo contact
      inhibition of locomotion and a rapid reorganization of cellular traction. The
      resulting asymmetric traction field of the placodes forces them to run away from
      the chasers. We argue that this chase and run interaction may not be specific
      only to the neural crest system, but could serve as the underlying mechanism for
      several morphogenetic processes involving collective cell migration. 

PMID- 26267786
TI  - Error in Funding/Support.

PMID- 26267787
TI  - Acid-Mediated Formation of Radicals or Baeyer-Villiger Oxidation from Criegee
      Adducts.
AB  - The acid-mediated reaction of ketones with hydroperoxides generates radicals, a
      process with reaction conditions similar to those of the Baeyer-Villiger
      oxidation but with an outcome resembling the formation of hydroxyl radicals via
      ozonolysis in the atmosphere. The Baeyer-Villiger oxidation forms esters from
      ketones, with the preferred use of peracids. In contrast, alkyl hydroperoxides
      and hydrogen peroxide react with ketones by condensation to form alkenyl
      peroxides, which rapidly undergo homolytic O-O bond cleavage to form radicals.
      Both reactions are believed to proceed via Criegee adducts, but the electronic
      nature of the peroxide residue determines the subsequent reaction pathways. DFT
      calculations and experimental results support the idea that, unlike previously
      assumed, the Baeyer-Villiger reaction is not intrinsically difficult with alkyl
      hydroperoxides and hydrogen peroxide but rather that the alternative radical
      formation is increasingly favored.

PMID- 26267788
TI  - Splenectomy Improves Hemostatic and Liver Functions in Hepatosplenic
      Schistosomiasis Mansoni.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Schistosomiasis mansoni is a chronic liver disease, in which some
      patients (5-10%) progress to the most severe form, hepatosplenic schistosomiasis.
      This form is associated with portal hypertension and splenomegaly, and often
      episodes of gastrointestinal bleeding, even with liver function preserved.
      Splenectomy is a validated procedure to reduce portal hypertension following
      digestive bleeding. Here, we evaluate beneficial effects of splenectomy on blood
      coagulation factors and liver function tests in hepatosplenic schistosomiasis
      mansoni compared to non-operated patients. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Forty
      five patients who had undergone splenectomy surgery were assessed by laboratory
      analyses and ultrasound examination and compared to a non-operated group (n =
      55). Blood samples were obtained for liver function tests, platelet count and
      prothrombin time. Coagulation factors (II, VII, VIII, IX and X), protein C and
      antithrombin IIa, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 were measured by routine
      photometric, chromogenic or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, while
      hyperfibrinolysis was defined by plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 levels. Both
      groups had similar age, gender and pattern of periportal fibrosis. Splenectomized
      patients showed significant reductions in portal vein diameter, alkaline
      phosphatase and bilirubin levels compared to non-operated patients, while for
      coagulation factors there were significant improvement in prothrombin, partial
      thromboplastin times and higher levels of factor VII, VIII, IX, X, protein C and
      plasminogen activator inhibitor-1. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: This study shows that
      the decrease of flow pressure in portal circulation after splenectomy restores
      the capacity of hepatocyte synthesis, especially on the factor VII and protein C
      levels, and these findings suggest that portal hypertension in patients with
      hepatosplenic schistosomiasis influences liver functioning and the blood
      coagulation status.

PMID- 26267789
TI  - Enhancing Macrophage Drug Delivery Efficiency via Co-Localization of Cells and
      Drug-Loaded Microcarriers in 3D Resonant Ultrasound Field.
AB  - In this study, a novel synthetic 3D molecular transfer system which involved the
      use of model drug calcein-AM-encapsulated poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)
      microspheres (CAPMs) and resonant ultrasound field (RUF) with frequency of 1 MHz
      and output intensity of 0.5 W/cm2 for macrophage drug delivery was explored. We
      hypothesized that the efficiency of CAPMs-mediated drug delivery aided by RUF can
      be promoted by increasing the contact opportunities between cells and the
      micrometer-sized drug carriers due to effects of acoustic radiation forces
      generated by RUF. Through the fluoromicroscopic and flow cytometric analyses, our
      results showed that both DH82 macrophages and CAPMs can be quickly brought to
      acoustic pressure nodes within 20 sec under RUF exposure, and were consequently
      aggregated throughout the time course. The efficacy of cellular uptake of CAPMs
      was enhanced with increased RUF exposure time where a 3-fold augmentation (P <
      0.05) was obtained after 15 min of RUF exposure. We further demonstrated that the
      enhanced CAPM delivery efficiency was mainly contributed by the co-localization
      of cells and CAPMs resulting from the application of the RUF, rather than from
      sonoporation. In summary, the developed molecular delivery approach provides a
      feasible means for macrophage drug delivery.

PMID- 26267790
TI  - Structural Basis for Substrate and Oxygen Activation in Homoprotocatechuate 2,3
      Dioxygenase: Roles of Conserved Active Site Histidine 200.
AB  - Kinetic and spectroscopic studies have shown that the conserved active site
      residue His200 of the extradiol ring-cleaving homoprotocatechuate 2,3-dioxygenase
      (FeHPCD) from Brevibacterium fuscum is critical for efficient catalysis. The
      roles played by this residue are probed here by analysis of the steady-state
      kinetics, pH dependence, and X-ray crystal structures of the FeHPCD position 200
      variants His200Asn, His200Gln, and His200Glu alone and in complex with three
      catecholic substrates (homoprotocatechuate, 4-sulfonylcatechol, and 4
      nitrocatechol) possessing substituents with different inductive capacity.
      Structures determined at 1.35-1.75 A resolution show that there is essentially no
      change in overall active site architecture or substrate binding mode for these
      variants when compared to the structures of the wild-type enzyme and its
      analogous complexes. This shows that the maximal 50-fold decrease in kcat for
      ring cleavage, the dramatic changes in pH dependence, and the switch from ring
      cleavage to ring oxidation of 4-nitrocatechol by the FeHPCD variants can be
      attributed specifically to the properties of the altered second-sphere residue
      and the substrate. The results suggest that proton transfer is necessary for
      catalysis, and that it occurs most efficiently when the substrate provides the
      proton and His200 serves as a catalyst. However, in the absence of an available
      substrate proton, a defined proton-transfer pathway in the protein can be
      utilized. Changes in the steric bulk and charge of the residue at position 200
      appear to be capable of altering the rate-limiting step in catalysis and,
      perhaps, the nature of the reactive species. 

PMID- 26267792
TI  - Attenuation of post-infarction remodeling in rats by sustained myocardial growth
      hormone administration.
AB  - Prevention of left ventricular remodeling is an important therapeutic target post
      myocardial infarction. Experimentally, treatment with growth hormone (GH) is
      beneficial, but sustained local administration has not been thoroughly
      investigated. We studied 58 rats (322 +/- 4 g). GH was administered via a
      biomaterial-scaffold, following in vitro and in vivo evaluation of degradation
      and drug-release curves. Treatment consisted of intra-myocardial injection of
      saline or alginate-hydrogel, with or without GH, 10 min after permanent coronary
      artery ligation. Echocardiographic and histologic remodeling-indices were
      examined 3 weeks post-ligation, followed by immunohistochemical evaluation of
      angiogenesis, collagen, macrophages and myofibroblasts. GH-release completed at 3
      days and alginate-degradation at ~7 days. Alginate + GH consistently improved
      left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic diameters, ventricular
      sphericity, wall tension index and infarct-thickness. Microvascular-density and
      myofibroblast-count in the infarct and peri-infarct areas were higher after
      alginate + GH. Macrophage-count and collagen-content did not differ between
      groups. Early, sustained GH-administration enhances angiogenesis and
      myofibroblast-activation and ameliorates post-infarction remodeling.

PMID- 26267791
TI  - Two single amino acid substitutions in the intervening region of Newcastle
      disease virus HN protein attenuate viral replication and pathogenicity.
AB  - Among the proteins encoded by Newcastle disease virus (NDV), the attachment
      protein (HN) is an important determinant of virulence and pathogenicity. HN has
      been molecularly characterized at the protein level; however, the relationship
      between the molecular character of HN and the animal pathotype it causes has not
      been well explored. Here, we revisited the intervening region (IR) of the HN
      stalk and extended the known biological functions of HN. Three distinct
      substitutions (A89Q, P93A, and L94A) in the IR of genotype VII NDV (G7 strain) HN
      protein were analyzed. The A89Q and L94A mutations weakened the fusion promotion
      activity of HN to 44% and 41% of that of wild type, respectively, whereas P93A
      decreased the neuraminidase activity to 21% of the parental level. At the virus
      level, P93A and L94A-bearing viruses displayed impaired receptor recognition
      ability, neuraminidase activity, and fusion-promoting activity, all of which led
      to virus attenuation. In addition, the L94A-mutated virus showed a dramatic
      decline in replication and was attenuated in cells and in chickens. Our data
      demonstrate that the HN biological activities and functions modulated by these
      specific amino acids in the IR are associated with NDV replication and
      pathogenicity. 

PMID- 26267793
TI  - Photochromic Diarylethenes with Heterocyclic Aromatic Rings: Correlation between
      Thermal Bistability and Geometrical Characters of Transition States.
AB  - We present a density functional theory study on the thermal bistability of a
      number of photochromic diarylethenes, with emphasis on the free energy barrier of
      the ground-state ring-opening process. We found that the free energy barrier is
      correlated with the geometrical and vibrational character of the transition
      state, in particular the distance between the two reactive carbon atoms, the out
      of-plane angles of the methyl groups at the reactive carbon atoms, and the
      imaginary vibrational frequency. Based on these relationships we propose a linear
      fitting expression for the free energy barrier in terms of the three
      aforementioned transition-state quantities and obtained a correlation coefficient
      of R(2) = 0.971. In this way quantum chemical calculations may provide insight
      and structure-property relationships, which can be applied in the development of
      novel photochromic materials. 

PMID- 26267794
TI  - Organisational Factors Induce Prolonged Emergency Department Length of Stay in
      Elderly Patients--A Retrospective Cohort Study.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess the association of patient and organisational factors
      with emergency department length of stay (ED-LOS) in elderly ED patients (226565
      years old) and in younger patients (<65 years old). METHODS: A retrospective
      cohort study of internal medicine patients visiting the emergency department
      between September 1st 2010 and August 31st 2011 was performed. All emergency
      department visits by internal medicine patients 226565 years old and a random
      sample of internal medicine patients <65 years old were included. Organisational
      factors were defined as non-medical factors. ED-LOS is defined as the time
      between ED arrival and ED discharge or admission. Prolonged ED-LOS is defined as
      >=75th percentile of ED-LOS in the study population, which was 208 minutes.
      RESULTS: Data on 1782 emergency department visits by elderly patients and 597
      emergency department visits by younger patients were analysed. Prolonged ED-LOS
      in elderly patients was associated with three organisational factors: >1
      consultation during the emergency department visit (odds ratio (OR) 3.2, 95%
      confidence interval (CI) 2.3-4.3), a higher number of diagnostic tests (OR 1.2,
      95% CI 1.16-1.33) and evaluation by a medical student or non-trainee resident
      compared with a medical specialist (OR 4.2, 95% CI 2.0-8.8 and OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.4
      3.9). In younger patients, prolonged ED-LOS was associated with >1 consultation
      (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.4-4.6). Factors associated with shorter ED-LOS were arrival
      during nights or weekends as well as a high urgency level in elderly patients and
      self-referral in younger patients. CONCLUSION: Organisational factors, such as a
      higher number of consultations and tests in the emergency department and a lower
      seniority of the physician, were the main aspects associated with prolonged ED
      LOS in elderly patients. Optimisation of the organisation and coordination of
      emergency care is important to accommodate the needs of the continuously growing
      number of elderly patients in a better way.

PMID- 26267795
TI  - Impact of placental Plasmodium falciparum malaria on the profile of some
      oxidative stress biomarkers in women living in Yaounde, Cameroon.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Impact of the pathophysiology of Plasmodium falciparum placental
      malaria (PM) on the profile of some oxidative stress biomarkers and their
      relationship with poor pregnancy outcomes in women remain unknown. METHODS:
      Between 2013 and 2014, peripheral blood and placenta tissue from 120 Cameroonian
      women at delivery were assessed for maternal haemoglobin and, parasitaemia
      respectively. Parasite accumulation in the placenta was investigated
      histologically. The levels of oxidative stress biomarkers Malondialdehyde (MDA),
      Nitric Oxide (NO), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT) and Gluthatione
      (GSH) in the supernatant of teased placenta tissues were determined by
      Colorimetric enzymatic assays. RESULTS: Parasitaemia was inversely related to
      haemoglobin levels and birth weight (P <0.001 and 0.012, respectively). The level
      of lipid peroxide product (MDA) was significantly higher in the malaria infected
      (P = 0.0047) and anaemic (P = 0.024) women compared to their non-infected and non
      anaemic counterparts, respectively. A similar trend was observed with SOD levels,
      though not significant. The levels of MDA also correlated positively with
      parasitaemia (P = 0.0024) but negatively with haemoglobin levels (P = 0.002).
      There was no association between parasitaemia, haemoglobin level and the other
      oxidative stress biomarkers. From histological studies, levels of MDA associated
      positively and significantly with placenta malaria infection and the presence of
      malaria pigments. The levels of SOD, NO and CAT increased with decreasing
      leukocyte accumulation in the intervillous space. Baby birth weight increased
      significantly with SOD and CAT levels, but decreased with levels of GSH.
      CONCLUSIONS: Placental P. falciparum infection may cause oxidative stress of the
      placenta tissue with MDA as a potential biomarker of PM, which alongside GSH
      could lead to poor pregnancy outcomes (anaemia and low birth weight). This
      finding contributes to the understanding of the pathophysiology of P. falciparum
      placental malaria in women.

PMID- 26267796
TI  - Conservation hotspots for the turtles on the high seas of the Atlantic Ocean.
AB  - Understanding the distribution of bycaught sea turtles could inform conservation
      strategies and priorities. This research analyses the distribution of turtles
      caught as longline fisheries bycatch on the high seas of the Atlantic Ocean. This
      research collected 18,142 bycatch observations and 47.1 million hooks from large
      scale Taiwanese longline vessels in the Atlantic Ocean from June 2002 to December
      2013. The coverage rates were ranged from 0.48% to 17.54% by year. Seven hundred
      and sixty-seven turtles were caught, and the major species were leatherback
      (59.8%), olive ridley (27.1%) and loggerhead turtles (8.7%). Most olive ridley
      (81.7%) and loggerhead (82.1%) turtles were hooked, while the leatherbacks were
      both hooked (44.0%) and entangled (31.8%). Depending on the species, 21.4% to
      57.7% were dead when brought onboard. Most of the turtles were caught in tropical
      areas, especially in the Gulf of Guinea (15 degrees N-10 degrees S, 30 degrees W
      10 degrees E), but loggerheads were caught in the south Atlantic Ocean (25
      degrees S-35 degrees S, 40 degrees W-10 degrees E and 30 degrees S-40 degrees S,
      55 degrees W-45 degrees W). The bycatch rate was the highest at 0.030 per 1000
      hooks for leatherbacks in the tropical area. The bycatch rates of olive ridley
      ranged from 0 to 0.010 per thousand hooks. The loggerhead bycatch rates were
      higher in the northern and southern Atlantic Ocean and ranged from 0.0128 to
      0.0239 per thousand hooks. Due to the characteristics of the Taiwanese deep-set
      longline fleet, bycatch rates were lower than those of coastal longline
      fisheries, but mortality rates were higher because of the long hours of
      operation. Gear and bait modification should be considered to reduce sea turtle
      bycatch and increase survival rates while reducing the use of shallow hooks would
      also be helpful. 

PMID- 26267797
TI  - Consumption of dental treatment in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, a
      register study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the consumption of dental
      treatment among patients with Crohn's disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC)
      compared to age and gender matched control groups. DESIGN: The study group
      comprised 2085 patients with CD and 3161 with UC from the Uppsala-Orebro region
      and from the Stockholm region. The patients in the cohort were diagnosed between
      1960 and 1989. Patients up to 70 years of age were included in the study. The two
      patients groups were compared to age- and gender-matched, randomly selected
      control groups from the same geographic area comprising a corresponding number of
      participants. RESULTS: CD patients had significantly higher total number of
      procedures registered (p < 0.000). The difference was most pronounced for
      removable dentures (+65%), fillings in front teeth (+52%) and endodontic
      treatment (+46%) when Crohn's patients were compared to controls (p<0.001). The
      corresponding figures for UC patients were also a significantly higher total
      number of procedures (p < 0.005), more clinical examinations (p<0.000), fillings
      in canines and incisors (p < 0.001) and fillings in bicuspids and molars (p <
      0.000). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrate that CD and UC individuals use more
      dental treatment compared to an age-gender matched control group, and more caries
      related treatments. The difference was most pronounced for restorative treatment
      in patients with Crohn's.

PMID- 26267798
TI  - Effect of Chemical Structure on Polymer-Templated Growth of Graphitic
      Nanoribbons.
AB  - Graphene nanoribbon (GNR) is an important candidate for future nanoelectronics
      due to its high carrier mobility and dimension-controlled band gap. Polymer
      templated growth is a promising method toward high quality and massive production
      of GNRs. However, the obtained GNRs so far are still quite defective. In order to
      rationally control the crystallinity of the synthesized GNRs, herein we
      systematically investigate the effect of polymer chemical structure on their
      templated growth of GNRs. We studied the morphology/dimensions, composition,
      graphitization degree, and electrical conductivity of GNRs derived from four
      different types of electrospun polymers. The four polymers polystyrene (PS),
      poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), polyvinylphenol (PVP), and Novolac (a phenolic resin)
      are chosen to investigate the effect of metal binding and the effect of aromatic
      moieties. We found that metal-binding functional groups are crucial for obtaining
      uniform and continuous GNRs. On the other hand, a polymer with aromatic moieties
      leads to a higher sp(2) percentage in the resulting GNRs, showing a higher
      graphitization degree and electrical conductivity. 

PMID- 26267799
TI  - Discovery of Novel, Potent, and Specific Cell-Death Inducers in the Jurkat Acute
      Lymphoblastic Leukemia Cell Line.
AB  - The limited clinical efficacy of many cancer therapeutics has initiated intense
      research efforts toward the discovery of novel chemical entities in this field.
      In this study, 31 hit candidates were selected from nearly 800,000 database
      compounds in a ligand-based virtual screening campaign. In turn, three of these
      hits were found to have (sub)micromolar potencies in proliferation assays with
      the Jurkat acute lymphatic leukemic cell line. In this assay, the three hits were
      found to exhibit higher potency than clinically tested cell-death inducers (GDC
      0152, AT-406, and birinapant). Importantly, antiproliferative activity toward non
      cancer peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was found to be marginal.
      Further biological characterization demonstrated the cell-death-inducing
      properties of these compounds. Biological testing of hit congeners excluded a
      nonspecific, toxic effect of the novel structures. Altogether, these findings may
      have profound relevance for the development of clinical candidates in tumor
      therapy.

PMID- 26267800
TI  - Correction: Brain Extraction Using Label Propagation and Group Agreement:
      Pincram.

PMID- 26267801
TI  - Diagnostic Support for Selected Paediatric Pulmonary Diseases Using Answer
      Pattern Recognition in Questionnaires Based on Combined Data Mining Applications-
      A Monocentric Observational Pilot Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Clinical symptoms in children with pulmonary diseases are frequently
      non-specific. Rare diseases such as primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), cystic
      fibrosis (CF) or protracted bacterial bronchitis (PBB) can be easily missed at
      the general practitioner (GP). OBJECTIVE: To develop and test a questionnaire
      based and data mining-supported tool providing diagnostic support for selected
      pulmonary diseases. METHODS: First, interviews with parents of affected children
      were conducted and analysed. These parental observations during the pre
      diagnostic time formed the basis for a new questionnaire addressing the parents'
      view on the disease. Secondly, parents with a sick child (e.g. PCD, PBB) answered
      the questionnaire and a data base was set up. Finally, a computer program
      consisting of eight different classifiers (support vector machine (SVM),
      artificial neural network (ANN), fuzzy rule-based, random forest, logistic
      regression, linear discriminant analysis, naive Bayes and nearest neighbour) and
      an ensemble classifier was developed and trained to categorise any given new
      questionnaire and suggest a diagnosis. For estimating the diagnostic accuracy, we
      applied ten-fold stratified cross validation. RESULTS: All questionnaires of
      patients suffering from CF, asthma (AS), PCD, acute bronchitis (AB) and the
      healthy control group were correctly diagnosed by the fusion algorithm. For the
      pneumonia (PM) group 19/21 (90.5%) and for the PBB group 17/18 (94.4%) correct
      diagnoses could be reached. The program detected the correct diagnoses with an
      overall sensitivity of 98.8%. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analyses
      confirmed the accuracy of this diagnostic tool. Case studies highlighted the
      applicability of the tool in the daily work of a GP. CONCLUSION: For children
      with symptoms of pulmonary diseases a questionnaire-based diagnostic support tool
      using data mining techniques exhibited good results in arriving at diagnostic
      suggestions. In the hands of a doctor, this tool could be of value in arousing
      awareness for rare pulmonary diseases such as PCD or CF.

PMID- 26267802
TI  - Optimal first-line chemotherapeutic treatment in patients with locally advanced
      or metastatic esophagogastric carcinoma: triplet versus doublet chemotherapy: a
      systematic literature review and meta-analysis.
AB  - There is a debate whether triplet or doublet chemotherapy should be used as a
      first-line treatment in patients with advanced or metastatic esophagogastric
      cancer. Therefore, here we will review the available literature to assess the
      efficacy and safety of triplet versus doublet chemotherapy as a first-line
      treatment in patients with advanced esophagogastric cancer. We searched MEDLINE,
      Embase, and CENTRAL (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) between 1980
      and March 2015 for randomized controlled phase II and III trials comparing
      triplet with doublet chemotherapy and abstracts of major oncology meetings from
      1990 to 2014. Twenty-one studies with a total of 3475 participants were included
      in the meta-analysis for overall survival. An improvement in overall survival
      (OS) (hazard ratio (HR) 0.90, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.83-0.97) and
      progression-free survival (PFS) (HR 0.80, 95% CI 0.69-0.93) was observed in favor
      of triplet. In addition, the use of triplet was associated with better objective
      response rate (ORR) (risk ratio 1.25, 95% CI 1.09-1.44) compared to doublet. The
      risks of grade 3-4 thrombocytopenia (6.2 vs 3.8%), infection (10.2 vs 6.4%), and
      mucositis (9.7 vs 4.7%) were statistically significantly increased with triplet
      compared to doublet. This review shows that first-line triplet therapy is
      superior to doublet therapy in patients with advanced esophagogastric cancer.
      However, the survival benefit is limited and the risks of grade 3-4
      thrombocytopenia, infection, and mucositis are increased.

PMID- 26267803
TI  - The importance of radiotherapy on diffuse large B cell lymphoma treatment: a
      current review.
AB  - Diffuse large B cell lymphoma is recognized as a heterogeneous group of
      hematological malignancies; two main subtypes germinal center B and activated B
      cells are well defined although 15% of patients remain with unclassifiable
      disease. R-CHOP treatment has proven to provide very effective results in limited
      or advanced stage of the disease. However, treatment solely involving R-CHOP
      submits the patient to possible chemotherapy-induced toxicities, which may be
      avoided with the use of radiotherapy. Patients with early stage localized disease
      or who are particularly unresponsive to chemotherapy may be more suitable for
      mixed modality treatment with R-CHOP and consolidative radiotherapy. Although
      radiotherapy is being slowly phased out by other treatment strategies including
      chemotherapy and therapeutic drugs, it is still a highly important method of
      treatment. The different forms of radiotherapy can be used alongside these "new
      age" treatment strategies to further improve prognostic outcomes and overall
      survival rates. The establishment of radiotherapy as a treatment strategy
      provides a highly beneficial prognostic advantage in early stage, localized
      disease.

PMID- 26267804
TI  - Activity-Based Proteomic Profiling of Deubiquitinating Enzymes in Salmonella
      Infected Macrophages Leads to Identification of Putative Function of UCH-L5 in
      Inflammasome Regulation.
AB  - Although protein ubiquitination has been shown to regulate multiple processes
      during host response to Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium infection,
      specific functions of host deubiquitinating enzymes remain unknown in this
      bacterial infection. By using chemical proteomics approach, in which
      deubiquitinating enzymes were labeled by an active-site probe and analyzed by
      quantitative proteomics, we identified novel deubiquitinases in chicken
      macrophages based on their reactivity with the probe. Also, we detected down
      regulation of UCH-L3, and USP4 as well as up-regulation of USP5 and UCH-L5
      deubiquitinating enzymes in macrophages infected with Salmonella Typhimurium. We
      showed that decrease in either UCH-L5 activity, or in UCH-L5 protein amount in
      chicken and human macrophages infected or stimulated with LPS/nigericin, led to
      decreased IL-1beta release. These data point towards a putative role of UCH-L5 in
      inflammasome regulation during Salmonella infection. Because inflammasome
      activation is important in innate resistance to these bacteria, one would expect
      that naturally occurring or therapeutically induced alteration in UCH-L5
      activation would influence disease outcome and could represent a target for new
      therapeutic approaches.

PMID- 26267805
TI  - Hint-seeking behaviour of western scrub-jays in a metacognition task.
AB  - Metacognitive processes during memory retrieval can be tested by examining
      whether or not animals can assess their knowledge state when they are faced with
      a memory test. In a typical foraging task, food is hidden in one of the multiple
      tubes and the subjects are given an opportunity to check the contents of the
      tubes before choosing the one that they thought contained food. Following the
      findings from our previous study that western scrub-jays (Aphelocoma californica)
      can make prospective metacognition judgements, this study tested the scrub-jays'
      concurrent metacognition judgements. In a series of experiments, uncertainty
      about the food location was induced in three ways: by making the baiting process
      visibly unavailable, by inserting a delay between the baiting and food retrieval,
      and by moving the location of the bait. The jays looked into the tubes more often
      during the conditions that were consistent with high uncertainty. In addition,
      their looking behaviour was associated not with the sight of food but with
      information about the location of the food. These findings suggest that the jays
      can differentiate the states of knowing and not knowing about certain information
      and take appropriate action to complement their missing knowledge. 

PMID- 26267806
TI  - Microsomal Triglyceride Transfer Protein (MTP) Associates with Cytosolic Lipid
      Droplets in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes.
AB  - Lipid droplets are intracellular energy storage organelles composed of a
      hydrophobic core of neutral lipid, surrounded by a monolayer of phospholipid and
      a diverse array of proteins. The function of the vast majority of these proteins
      with regard to the formation and/or turnover of lipid droplets is unknown. Our
      laboratory was the first to report that microsomal triglyceride transfer protein
      (MTP), a lipid transfer protein essential for the assembly of triglyceride-rich
      lipoproteins, was expressed in adipose tissue of humans and mice. In addition,
      our studies suggested that MTP was associated with lipid droplets in both brown
      and white fat. Our observations led us to hypothesize that MTP plays a key role
      in lipid droplet formation and/or turnover. The objective of these studies was to
      gain insight into the function of MTP in adipocytes. Using molecular,
      biochemical, and morphologic approaches we have shown: 1) MTP protein levels
      increase nearly five-fold as 3T3-L1 cells differentiate into adipocytes. 2) As
      3T3-L1 cells undergo differentiation, MTP moves from the juxtanuclear region of
      the cell to the surface of lipid droplets. MTP and perilipin 2, a major lipid
      droplet surface protein, are found on the same droplets; however, MTP does not co
      localize with perilipin 2. 3) Inhibition of MTP activity has no effect on the
      movement of triglyceride out of the cell either as a lipid complex or via
      lipolysis. 4) MTP is found associated with lipid droplets within hepatocytes from
      human fatty livers, suggesting that association of MTP with lipid droplets is not
      restricted to adipocytes. In summary, our data demonstrate that MTP is a lipid
      droplet-associated protein. Its location on the surface of the droplet in
      adipocytes and hepatocytes, coupled with its known function as a lipid transfer
      protein and its increased expression during adipocyte differentiation suggest a
      role in lipid droplet biology. 

PMID- 26267807
TI  - Flow-Based Assembly of Layer-by-Layer Capsules through Tangential Flow
      Filtration.
AB  - Layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly on nano- and microparticles is of interest for a
      range of applications, including catalysis, optics, sensors, and drug delivery.
      One current limitation is the standard use of manual, centrifugation-based
      (pellet/resuspension) methods to perform the layering steps, which can make
      scalable, highly controllable, and automatable production difficult to achieve.
      Here, we develop a fully flow-based technique using tangential flow filtration
      (TFF) for LbL assembly on particles. We demonstrate that multilayered particles
      and capsules with different sizes (from micrometers to submicrometers in
      diameter) can be assembled on different templates (e.g., silica and calcium
      carbonate) using several polymers (e.g., poly(allylamine hydrochloride),
      poly(styrenesulfonate), and poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride)). The full
      system only contains fluidic components routinely used (and automated) in
      industry, such as pumps, tanks, valves, and tubing in addition to the TFF filter
      modules. Using the TFF LbL system, we also demonstrate the centrifugation-free
      assembly, including core dissolution, of drug-loaded capsules. The well
      controlled, integrated, and automatable nature of the TFF LbL system provides
      scientific, engineering, and practical processing benefits, making it valuable
      for research environments and potentially useful for translating LbL assembled
      particles into diverse applications. 

PMID- 26267808
TI  - Prostate cancer gene 3 (PCA3) is of additional predictive value in patients with
      PI-RADS grade III (intermediate) lesions in the MR-guided re-biopsy setting for
      prostate cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) improves diagnostic
      accuracy in re-biopsies of men with prostate cancer (PC) suspicion, but
      predictive value is limited despite the use of the new Prostate Imaging Reporting
      and Data System (PI-RADS). Prognostic value of the PC-specific biomarker prostate
      cancer gene 3 (PCA3) added to the PI-RADS score was evaluated. METHODS: The study
      was a retrospective analysis of the institutional database for men with MR-guided
      biopsy (MR-GB) for suspicious lesion in mpMRI and who had an additional pre-MR-GB
      PCA3 testing for ongoing PC suspicion. All men had >= 1 negative ultrasound GB.
      Lesions were retrospectively scored by PI-RADS in three MRI sequences (T2w, DCE,
      and DWI). PCA3 was analyzed with cutoffs of 25 and 35. The prognostic value of
      mpMRI and PCA3 and the additional value of both were explored. RESULTS: Tumor
      detection rate (49 men, mean PSA 10 ng/ml, lesion size 40 mm(2)) was 45 % (22/49
      patients). In the subgroup of PI-RADS IV degrees , 17/17 patients had PC; in PI
      RADS III degrees  (intermediate) 5/15 had PC, and all 5 had a PCA3 > 35. PCA3 >
      35 had no additional prognostic value in the whole cohort. Out of the 10/15 PC
      negative patients (PI-RADS III degrees ), PCA3 was < 35 in 6. The inclusion of
      PCA3 value in PI-RADS III degrees  patients improved predictive accuracy to 91.8
      %. CONCLUSION: MpMRI and subsequent grading to PI-RADS significantly improves PC
      detection in the re-biopsy setting. The diagnostic uncertainty in the PI-RADS
      intermediate group can be ameliorated by the addition of PCA3 cutoff of 35 to
      avoid potential unnecessary biopsies.

PMID- 26267809
TI  - A simple and effective method for vegetative propagation of an endangered
      medicinal plant Salacia oblonga Wall.
AB  - Salacia oblonga Wall. is an endangered medicinal plant whose conservation is
      urgently needed, as it is extensively used in the Indian Ayurvedic system of
      medicine to treat diabetes mellitus. This study shows an easy, effective and
      simple method of conserving genetic identity and producing elite clones of S.
      oblonga through vegetative propagation. Vegetative propagation was achieved using
      roots (R), stems with leaves (SL) and stems without leaves (S) with different
      concentrations (0-500 ppm) of indole butyric acid (IBA). Explants S and SL showed
      maximum shooting response with 300 ppm IBA and explant R showed maximum response
      with 200 ppm IBA. 

PMID- 26267810
TI  - Callicarpa longissima extract, carnosol-rich, potently inhibits melanogenesis in
      B16F10 melanoma cells.
AB  - Cosmetic industries focus on developing materials and resources that regulate
      skin pigmentation. Melanin, the major pigment in human skin, protects the skin
      against damage from ultraviolet light. An ethanolic extract of the leaves of
      Callicarpa longissima inhibits melanin production in B16F10 mouse melanoma cells
      by suppressing microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) gene
      expression. Following purification and analysis using liquid chromatography-mass
      spectrometry (LC-MS), NMR, and biochemical assays, carnosol was determined to be
      responsible for the major inhibitory effect of the C. longissima extract on
      melanin production. Carnosol is an oxidative product of carnosic acid, whose
      presence in the extract was also confirmed by an authentic reference. The
      carnosol and carnosic acid content in the extract was approximately 16% (w/w).
      These results suggest that C. longissima is a novel, useful, and attractive
      source of skin-whitening agents.

PMID- 26267812
TI  - Single-Crystal-to-Single-Crystal Transition in an Enantiopure [7]Helquat Salt:
      The First Observation of a Reversible Phase Transition in a Helicene-Like
      Compound.
AB  - Here it is reported that crystals of an enantiopure [7]helquat salt undergo
      reversible thermal solid-solid phase transition at 404 K. Differential scanning
      calorimetry (DSC), capillary electrophoresis (CE), and X-ray diffraction analysis
      were used to unravel the mechanistic details of this process. The single-crystal
      to-single-crystal course enabled direct monitoring of the structural changes by
      in situ variable-temperature X-ray diffraction, thus providing the first direct
      evidence of a solid phase transition in a helicene-like compound. 

PMID- 26267811
TI  - 1-Methyl-D-tryptophan potentiates TGF-beta-induced epithelial-mesenchymal
      transition in T24 human bladder cancer cells.
AB  - Immune escape and metastasis are the hallmarks of several types of cancer
      including bladder cancer. One of the mechanisms involved in these processes has
      been linked to indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO). Although IDO is classically
      recognized for its immunomodulatory property, it has presented nonimmunological
      effects in some tumors. TGF-beta1 is believed to contribute to carcinoma
      development by modulating immunossupressive molecules, including IDO. In
      addition, TGF-beta1 induces the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which is
      a critical step in the tumor invasiveness and metastasis. We investigated the
      role of MT and IDO modulation in the induction of EMT by TGF-beta1 in T24 human
      bladder carcinoma cells. When T24 cells were incubated with the IDO inhibitor
      (MT, 1-methyl-D-tryptophan), with TGF-beta1, and with MT+TGF-beta1, a significant
      decrease of IDO expression and activity was observed. In addition, downregulation
      of e-cadherin and upregulation of n-cadherin and EMT transcription factors were
      induced by the treatments, confirming the induction of EMT. siRNA-mediated
      knockdown of IDO decreased e-cadherin expression, but had no effect on EMT
      transcription factors. In the scratch-wound assay, the heightened migration
      process was intensified when the cells were incubated with MT+TGF-beta1. These
      effects were associated with a robust inhibition of Akt activation. After
      inoculation of T24 cells under the kidney capsule of Balb/c nude, the cells were
      positive for IDO in the center of the cell infiltrate, being negative in the
      periphery, where EMT is high. In conclusion, inhibition of IDO by TGF-beta1 and
      MT is associated with EMT in T24 human bladder carcinoma cells. MT has
      potentiating effect in TGF-beta1-induced EMT, independently of IDO. This
      nonimmunological effect of MT should be considered if IDO is the target to avoid
      immune escape in bladder cancer. 

PMID- 26267813
TI  - Effects of Land Use on Lake Nutrients: The Importance of Scale, Hydrologic
      Connectivity, and Region.
AB  - Catchment land uses, particularly agriculture and urban uses, have long been
      recognized as major drivers of nutrient concentrations in surface waters.
      However, few simple models have been developed that relate the amount of
      catchment land use to downstream freshwater nutrients. Nor are existing models
      applicable to large numbers of freshwaters across broad spatial extents such as
      regions or continents. This research aims to increase model performance by
      exploring three factors that affect the relationship between land use and
      downstream nutrients in freshwater: the spatial extent for measuring land use,
      hydrologic connectivity, and the regional differences in both the amount of
      nutrients and effects of land use on them. We quantified the effects of these
      three factors that relate land use to lake total phosphorus (TP) and total
      nitrogen (TN) in 346 north temperate lakes in 7 regions in Michigan, USA. We used
      a linear mixed modeling framework to examine the importance of spatial extent,
      lake hydrologic class, and region on models with individual lake nutrients as the
      response variable, and individual land use types as the predictor variables. Our
      modeling approach was chosen to avoid problems of multi-collinearity among
      predictor variables and a lack of independence of lakes within regions, both of
      which are common problems in broad-scale analyses of freshwaters. We found that
      all three factors influence land use-lake nutrient relationships. The strongest
      evidence was for the effect of lake hydrologic connectivity, followed by region,
      and finally, the spatial extent of land use measurements. Incorporating these
      three factors into relatively simple models of land use effects on lake nutrients
      should help to improve predictions and understanding of land use-lake nutrient
      interactions at broad scales. 

PMID- 26267815
TI  - Controlled Self-Assembly of Hexagonal Nanoparticle Patterns on Nanotopographies.
AB  - Diblock copolymer micelle nanolithography (BCML) is a versatile and efficient
      method to cover large surface areas with hexagonally ordered arrays of metal
      nanoparticles, in which the nanoparticles are equally spaced. However, this
      method falls short of providing a controlled allocation of such regular
      nanoparticle arrays with specific spacing into micropatterns. We present here a
      quick and high-throughput method to generate quasi-hexagonal nanoparticle
      structures with well-defined interparticle spacing on segments of nanotopographic
      Si substrates. The topographic height of these segments plays a dominant role in
      dictating the spacing between the gold nanoparticles, as the nanoparticle
      arrangement is controlled by immersion forces and by their self-assembly within
      the segments. Our novel strategy of employing a single-step BCML routine is a
      highly promising method for the fabrication of regular gold nanopatterns in
      micropatterns for a wide range of applications. 

PMID- 26267814
TI  - Tsetse Control and Gambian Sleeping Sickness; Implications for Control Strategy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Gambian sleeping sickness (human African trypanosomiasis, HAT)
      outbreaks are brought under control by case detection and treatment although it
      is recognised that this typically only reaches about 75% of the population.
      Vector control is capable of completely interrupting HAT transmission but is not
      used because it is considered too expensive and difficult to organise in resource
      poor settings. We conducted a full scale field trial of a refined vector control
      technology to determine its utility in control of Gambian HAT. METHODS AND
      FINDINGS: The major vector of Gambian HAT is the tsetse fly Glossina fuscipes
      which lives in the humid zone immediately adjacent to water bodies. From a series
      of preliminary trials we determined the number of tiny targets required to reduce
      G. fuscipes populations by more than 90%. Using these data for model calibration
      we predicted we needed a target density of 20 per linear km of river in riverine
      savannah to achieve >90% tsetse control. We then carried out a full scale, 500
      km2 field trial covering two HAT foci in Northern Uganda to determine the
      efficacy of tiny targets (overall target density 5.7/km2). In 12 months, tsetse
      populations declined by more than 90%. As a guide we used a published HAT
      transmission model and calculated that a 72% reduction in tsetse population is
      required to stop transmission in those settings. INTERPRETATION: The Ugandan
      census suggests population density in the HAT foci is approximately 500 per km2.
      The estimated cost for a single round of active case detection (excluding
      treatment), covering 80% of the population, is US$433,333 (WHO figures). One year
      of vector control organised within the country, which can completely stop HAT
      transmission, would cost US$42,700. The case for adding this method of vector
      control to case detection and treatment is strong. We outline how such a
      component could be organised.

PMID- 26267816
TI  - Health outcomes in US children with abdominal pain at major emergency departments
      associated with race and socioeconomic status.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Over 9.6 million ED visits occur annually for abdominal pain in the
      US, but little is known about the medical outcomes of these patients based on
      demographics. We aimed to identify disparities in outcomes among children
      presenting to the ED with abdominal pain linked to race and SES. METHODS: Data
      from 4.2 million pediatric encounters of abdominal pain were analyzed from 43
      tertiary US children's hospitals, including 2.0 million encounters in the
      emergency department during 2004-2011. Abdominal pain was categorized as
      functional or organic abdominal pain. Appendicitis (with and without perforation)
      was used as a surrogate for abdominal pain requiring emergent care. Multivariate
      analysis estimated likelihood of hospitalizations, radiologic imaging, ICU
      admissions, appendicitis, appendicitis with perforation, and time to surgery and
      hospital discharge. RESULTS: Black and low income children had increased odds of
      perforated appendicitis (aOR, 1.42, 95% CI, 1.32- 1.53; aOR, 1.20, 95% CI 1.14 -
      1.25). Blacks had increased odds of an ICU admission (aOR, 1.92, 95% CI 1.53 -
      2.42) and longer lengths of stay (aHR, 0.91, 95% CI 0.86 - 0.96) than Whites.
      Minorities and low income also had lower rates of imaging for their appendicitis,
      including CT scans. The combined effect of race and income on perforated
      appendicitis, hospitalization, and time to surgery was greater than either
      separately. CONCLUSIONS: Based on race and SES, disparity of health outcomes
      exists in the acute ED setting among children presenting with abdominal pain,
      with differences in appendicitis with perforation, length of stay, and time until
      surgery.

PMID- 26267817
TI  - Immunogenicity and sustainability of the immune response in Brazilian HIV-1
      infected individuals vaccinated with inactivated triple influenza vaccine.
AB  - HIV-infected individuals have a higher risk of serious illnesses following
      infection by infection with influenza. Although anti-influenza vaccination is
      recommended, immunosuppression may limit their response to active immunization.
      We followed-up a cohort of HIV-infected individuals vaccinated against influenza
      to assess the immunogenicity and sustainability of the immune response to
      vaccination. Individuals were vaccinated 2011 with inactivated triple influenza
      vaccine (TIV), and they had received in 2010 the monovalent anti-A(H1N1)pdm09
      vaccine. The sustainability of the immune response to A(H1N1)pdm09 at 12 months
      after monovalent vaccination fell, both in individuals given two single or two
      double doses. For these individuals, A(H1N1)pdm09 component from TIV acted as a
      booster, raising around 40% the number of seroprotected individuals. Almost 70%
      of the HIV-infected individuals were already seroprotected to A/H3N2 at baseline.
      Again, TIV boosted over 90% the seroprotection to A/H3N2. Anti-A/H3N2 titers
      dropped by 20% at 6 months after vaccination. Pre-vaccination seroprotection rate
      to influenza B (victoria lineage) was the lowest among those tested,
      seroconversion rates were higher after vaccination. Seroconversion/protection
      after TIV vaccination did not differ significantly across categories of clinical
      and demographic variables. Anti-influenza responses in Brazilian HIV-infected
      individuals reflected both the previous history of virus circulation in Brazil
      and vaccination.

PMID- 26267818
TI  - Protective effects of tartary buckwheat flavonoids on high TMAO diet-induced
      vascular dysfunction and liver injury in mice.
AB  - This study was performed to investigate the liver and vascular changes in high
      trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) diet-fed mice, and the possible vasoprotective and
      hepatoprotective effects of purified tartary buckwheat flavonoid fraction (TBF).
      HPLC analysis revealed that the content of rutin and quercetin presented in TBF
      was 53.6% and 37.2%, respectively, accounting for 90.8% of TBF. Mice fed 1.5%
      TMAO in drinking water for 8 weeks significantly displayed vascular dysfunction
      and liver damage (p < 0.01). The administration of TBF at 400 and 800 mg per kg
      bw significantly elevated plasma NO and eNOS concentrations, and serum HDL-C and
      PGI2 levels, and lowered serum TC, TG, LDL-C, ET-1 and TX-A2 levels of TMAO-fed
      mice. TBF also reduced serum AST and ALT activities, and hepatic NEFA and MDA
      levels, and increased the hepatic GSH-Px and SOD activities in TMAO-fed mice,
      which were consistent with the observations of the histological alterations of
      the liver. This report firstly showed that dietary TMAO might cause liver damage
      and TBF prevented TMAO-induced vascular dysfunction and hepatic injury. 

PMID- 26267819
TI  - [Treatment of elderly with chronic pain in geriatric care and pain therapy
      facilities in Germany. Survey results].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Even though there are no satisfactory data available on the
      prevalence of chronic pain in the elderly, it is certainly a common problem in
      Germany. The goal of this study is to provide information on the treatment of
      elderly patients with chronic pain in geriatric care and pain therapy facilities
      in Germany. METHOD: Throughout Germany geriatric and pain clinics were asked by
      email about their treatment practice of patients with chronic pain. The questions
      related to four types of patients sharing the same chronic pain characteristics
      and comorbidities but differing with respect to cognitive and physical
      impairment. The questions were divided into the following areas: equipment,
      staff, patient care, documentation, and cooperation. RESULTS: Replies from a
      total of 85 institutions were evaluated. The response rates were approximately 5
      % for geriatric units and 10 % for pain units. More patients with chronic pain
      are treated in geriatrics units than in pain therapy facilities due to larger
      capacities. Although all four types of patients are treated in both types of
      facilities, the functionally more competent patients are more common in pain
      therapy facilities. In geriatrics, the inverse relationship was found.
      Differences exist in the staff structure and qualification, frequency and
      refinement of individual and group therapies, assessments used, teamwork,
      documentation, and cooperation with outpatient care. CONCLUSION: Due to the
      differences between geriatric and pain management departments shown in all
      investigated areas, an exchange between these two cross-sectional subjects could
      help to improve inpatient, outpatient and intersectoral treatment of elderly
      patients with chronic pain.

PMID- 26267820
TI  - National Trends in Ambulatory Surgery for Intervertebral Disc Disorders and
      Spinal Stenosis: A 12-Year Analysis of the National Surveys of Ambulatory
      Surgery.
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: A descriptive epidemiology study. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study
      is to investigate changes in the utilization of ambulatory surgical procedures
      performed for intervertebral disc disorders and spinal stenosis between 1994 and
      2006 in the United States. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Understanding trends in
      the utilization of ambulatory spine surgery may improve health care delivery in
      the Unites States. Epidemiologic studies evaluating national practice patterns
      for ambulatory spine surgery are limited. METHODS: The National Survey of
      Ambulatory Surgery conducted in 1994, 1996, and 2006 by the Centers for Disease
      Control and Prevention was analyzed to identify surgically managed patients with
      intervertebral disc disorders and spinal stenosis. Patients were divided into 1
      of 3 groups: discectomy, laminectomy, or fusion. The data were analyzed for
      trends in demographics, treatment, and utilization. RESULTS: Between 1994 and
      2006, the number of procedures increased by 540% for intervertebral disc
      disorders (6.1/100 000 capita to 34.2/100 000 capita) and 926% for spinal
      stenosis (0.38/100 000 capita to 3.46 per 100 000 capita). Intervertebral fusions
      increased from 5% of outpatient spine surgeries in 1994 to 17% in 2006. The
      utilization of freestanding ambulatory facilities as the location of surgery
      increased 340% for intervertebral disc disorders and more than 2000% for
      stenosis. Private insurance was the largest compensator, representing 91% of
      cases in 2006. An increasing proportion of females underwent surgery for
      intervertebral disc disorders and stenosis at these ambulatory facilities over
      this time period. Lumbar disc displacement remained the most common diagnosis at
      each time point. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of ambulatory surgery for intervertebral
      disc disorders and spinal stenosis increased dramatically between 1994 and 2006
      based upon the National Survey of Ambulatory Surgery data, which are the most up
      to-date ambulatory surgery data available. These findings may aid policy-makers
      and caregivers in allocating health care resources to ensure the delivery of
      quality patient care. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: N/A.

PMID- 26267821
TI  - Immediate Effects of Use of Recombinant Bone Morphogenetic Protein in Children
      Having Spinal Fusion and Refusion Procedures in United States.
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study of Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS).
      OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to estimate the prevalence of
      complications in children who had insertion of recombinant human bone
      morphogenetic protein (rhBMP) at the time of spinal fusion procedures (SFP) and
      to examine if the use of rhBMP is associated with an increased risk of
      complications. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Use of rhBMP for SFP has been
      associated with conflicting safety profile reports in adults. METHODS: NIS (years
      2004-2010) was used. All patients with age  < 18 years who had a SFP during
      hospitalization with or without insertion of rhBMP were selected. Complications
      were selected based on a literature review of studies examining outcomes of SFP.
      Association between insertion of rhBMP and occurrence of complications was
      examined by multivariable logistic regression models. RESULTS: Of the 72,898
      children who underwent SFP, 7.1% children had insertion of rhBMP. Overall
      complication rate was 14.34% (15.2% in rhBMP group and 14.3% in no-rhBMP group).
      There was no statistically significant difference in the overall complication
      rate [odds ratio (OR) = 1.08, 95% confidence intervals (CI) = 0.89-1.30] or among
      14 different complications between rhBMP and no-rhBMP groups. Children who had
      rhBMP were associated with higher odds for "other infections" (OR = 2.09, 95% CI
      = 1.26-3.48, P = 0.004) when compared with their counterparts. CONCLUSION:
      Despite the lack of Food and Drug Administration approval, rhBMP was not
      infrequently used in pediatric SFP. In this large retrospective study using
      administrative data, the use of rhBMP in children during SFP was not associated
      with higher risks for majority of assessed complications with the exception of
      "other infections". Future studies must examine the long-term impact of use of
      rhBMP in children with SFP. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

PMID- 26267822
TI  - Change in Abdominal Morphology After Surgical Correction of Thoracolumbar
      Kyphosis Secondary to Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Computed Tomographic Study.
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: A computed tomographic study. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the change
      in abdominal morphology in surgically treated patients with ankylosing
      spondylitis (AS) and thoracolumbar kyphosis. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Severe
      thoracolumbar kyphosis in patients with AS exerts pressure on the abdominal
      cavity and subsequently causes intra-abdominal complications. Several spinal
      osteotomy techniques have been widely used to correct AS-related thoracolumbar
      kyphosis. To date, the changed abdominal morphology in patients with AS
      undergoing surgical correction of thoracolumbar kyphosis has not been addressed.
      METHODS: A total of 29 patients with AS undergoing lumbar pedicle subtraction
      osteotomy for correction of thoracolumbar kyphosis were retrospectively reviewed.
      Computed tomographic scans of the spine were used to measure the longitudinal,
      transverse, and anterior-posterior diameters of the abdominal cavity.
      Furthermore, the abdominal cavity was considered as an ellipsoid structure,
      thereby allowing calculation of its volume. Radiographical evaluations included
      global kyphosis (GK), thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis (LL), and angle of
      fusion levels (AFL). RESULTS: The longitudinal diameter of abdominal cavity
      significantly increased (P < 0.01), whereas the transverse and anterior-posterior
      diameters of the abdominal cavity did not change, postoperatively (P > 0.05).
      Significant changes in GK, LL, and AFL were observed (P < 0.01). The abdominal
      cavity volume (ACV) increased by an average of 652  mL. The change in ACV was
      significantly correlated with the changes in GK (r = 0.453, P = 0.014), LL (r =
      0.42, P = 0.023), and AFL (r = 0.388, P = 0.037). CONCLUSION: The increased ACV
      after correction of thoracolumbar kyphosis was quantitatively confirmed by this
      study. Thus, the improvement in digestive function after correction of
      thoracolumbar kyphosis secondary to AS, which has been previously documented, may
      be because of an increase in ACV. Moreover, spine surgeons should be aware of the
      potential risk for the development of abdominal complications caused by the
      lengthening of longitudinal diameter of the abdominal cavity. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:
      3.

PMID- 26267823
TI  - Primary Versus Revision Surgery in the Setting of Adult Spinal Deformity: A
      Nationwide Study on 10,912 Patients.
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of a prospectively collected database.
      OBJECTIVE: This study compares patient demographics, incidence of comorbidities,
      procedure-related complications, and mortality following primary versus revision
      adult spinal deformity surgery SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA.: Although adult spinal
      deformity (ASD) surgery has been extensively investigated, no previous study has
      provided nationwide estimates of patient characteristics and procedure-related
      complications for primary versus revision spinal deformity surgery comparatively.
      METHODS: Nationwide Inpatient Sample data collected between 2001 and 2010 was
      analyzed. Discharges with procedural codes for anterior and/or posterior thoracic
      and/or lumbar spinal fusion and refusion were included for patients aged 25+ and
      4+ levels fused with any diagnoses specific for scoliosis. Patient demographics,
      comorbidity, and procedure-related complications incidence were determined for
      primary versus revision cohorts. Multivariate analysis reported as (OR [95% CI]).
      RESULTS: Discharges for 9133 primary and 850 revision cases were identified.
      Patients differed on the basis of demographic and hospital data. Average
      comorbidity indices for the cohorts were similar (P = 0.580), as was in-hospital
      mortality (P = 0.163). The incidence of procedure-related complications was
      higher for the revision cohort (46.96 % vs. 71.97%, P = 0.001). The mean hospital
      course for the revision cohort was longer (6.37 vs. 7.13 days, P < 0.0001).
      Revisions had an increased risk of complications involving the nervous system
      (1.34[1.10-1.6]), hematoma/seroma formation (2.31[1.92-2.78]), accidental vessel
      or nerve puncture (1.44[1.29-1.61]), wound dehiscence (2.18[1.48-3.21]), postop
      infection (3.10[2.50-3.85]), and ARDS complications (1.43[1.28-1.60]). The
      primary cohort had a decreased risk for GI (0.65[0.55-0.76]) and GU complications
      (0.71[0.51-0.99]). CONCLUSION: Relative to primary cases, those undergoing
      revision correction of spinal deformity have a higher risk of many procedure
      related complications with a longer hospital course despite similar baseline
      comorbidity burden and the in-hospital mortality rate. This study provides
      clinically useful data for surgeons to educate patients at risk for morbidity and
      mortality and direct future research to improve outcomes.

PMID- 26267824
TI  - Surgical Stabilization Improves Survival of Spinal Fractures Related to
      Ankylosing Spondylitis.
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: National registry cohort study. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study
      was to investigate the effect of surgical stabilization on survival of spinal
      fractures related to ankylosing spondylitis (AS). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA:
      Spinal fractures related to AS are associated with considerable morbidity and
      mortality. Multiple studies suggest a beneficial effect of surgical stabilization
      in these patients. METHODS: In the Swedish patient registry, all patients treated
      in an inpatient facility are registered with diagnosis and treatment codes. The
      Swedish mortality registry collects date and cause of death for all fatalities.
      Registry extracts of all patients with AS and spinal fractures including date of
      death and treatment were prepared and analyzed for epidemiological purposes.
      RESULTS: Seventeen thousand two hundred ninety-seven individual patients with AS
      were admitted to treatment facilities in Sweden between 1987 and 2011. Nine
      hundred ninety patients with AS (age 66 +/- 14 years) had 1131 spinal fractures,
      of which 534 affected cervical, 352 thoracic, and 245 lumbar vertebrae. Thirteen
      percent had multiple levels of injuries during the observed period. Surgically
      treated patients had a greater survival than those treated nonsurgically [hazard
      ratio (HR) 0.79, P = 0.029]. Spinal cord injury was the major factor contributing
      to mortality in this cohort (HR 1.55, P < 0.001). The proportion of surgically
      treated spinal fractures increased linearly during the last decades (r = 0.92, P
      < 0.001) and was 64% throughout the observed years. CONCLUSIONS: Spinal cord
      injury threatened the survival of patients with spinal fractures related to AS.
      Even though surgical treatment is associated with a considerable complication
      rate, it improved the survival of spinal fractures related to AS. LEVEL OF
      EVIDENCE: 3.

PMID- 26267825
TI  - Treating Huge Tear-Drop Fracture of Axis With Trapezoidal Bone: A Case Report and
      Literature Review.
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: Case report and review of relevant literature. OBJECTIVE: To
      discuss the surgical strategies and clinical outcome of managing huge tear drop
      fracture of axis. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Teardrop fracture of axis is rarely
      seen, especially the huge type. The surgical technique is demanding because of
      the special anatomical structure and difficulty with bone grafting. Moreover, the
      surgical approach is controversial in the literature. METHODS: A 51-year-old male
      patient suffered from neck pain after falling from the bicycle, neck movement was
      limited with no neurological compromise. X-ray suggested huge tear-drop fracture
      of anterior-inferior corner of axis, narrowing of C2/3 intervertebral disc.
      Fusion with self-designed tricortical trapezoidal iliac bone was performed.
      RESULTS: Treating huge teardrop fracture of axis by anterior bone grafting with
      self-designed tricortical trapezoidal iliac bone is effective and stable. A 3
      month follow-up showed fusion was achieved, upper cervical curvature was
      restored, and neck pain disappeared. CONCLUSION: Self-designed tricortical
      trapezoidal iliac bone provided adequate fusion area of bone grafting, restoring
      the normal intervertebral height and cervical alignment, and the midterm outcome
      is satisfactory. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 5.

PMID- 26267826
TI  - Comparison of Surgical Outcomes Between Anterior Fusion and Posterior Fusion in
      Patients With AIS Lenke Type 1 or 2 that Underwent Selective Thoracic Fusion 
      Long-term Follow-up Study Longer Than 10 Postoperative Years.
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective comparative study. OBJECTIVE: We compared the
      outcomes between patients treated either by selective thoracic anterior (ASF) or
      posterior spinal fusion (PSF), with a minimum 10-year follow-up. SUMMARY OF
      BACKGROUND DATA: A retrospective long-term follow-up study was conducted to
      compare PSF (P group) and ASF (A group) with Lenke type 1 or 2. There were no
      significant differences in the correction rate and incidence of degenerative
      discs (DDs) on the lumbar area. Loss of correction was greater in the A group.
      METHODS: The inclusion criteria were female, AIS Lenke type 1 or 2, minimum 10
      year follow-up, MRI check-up at 5 years and 10 years postop. The number of
      patients, age, and curve types at the time of surgery were matched in both
      groups. Complications, pulmonary function, and SRS-30 were also evaluated.
      RESULTS: P group: adding-on (AO) occurred in 14 patients. Two patients
      demonstrated progression of scoliosis >5 degrees  during follow-up. Degenerative
      discs occurred in 43% of patients at 10 years postop. There were significant
      differences in the %VC and FVC before surgery and at the final visit (P < 0.05).
      A group: AO occurred in 16 patients. Eleven showed progression of scoliosis >5
      degrees . Degenerative disc was recognized in 53% of the patients. There was no
      significant difference in the pulmonary function. There was a significant
      difference in selfimage score in the SRS-30 between the two groups (P < 0.05).
      CONCLUSION: Correction of scoliosis was significantly better ASF than PSF
      immediately postop. Greater loss of correction occurred with ASF at postop 10
      years. Although shorter segments could be fused by ASF, there was no significant
      difference in the incidence of DDs. Pulmonary function test results improved in
      the P group and were restored in the A group during the perioperative period.

PMID- 26267827
TI  - Minimally Invasive Pedicle Screw Fixation Using Intraoperative 3-dimensional
      Fluoroscopy-based Navigation (CAMISS Technique) for Hangman Fracture.
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective comparative cohort series. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the
      accuracy and feasibility of minimally invasive surgical (MIS) techniques
      incorporating with intraoperative 3-dimensional fluoroscopy-based navigation
      (ITFN) for treating Hangman fracture. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: MIS screw
      fixation for Hangman fracture can decrease iatrogenic soft-tissue injury, but
      increase the risk of instrumentation-related complications due to lack of
      anatomical landmarks. With the advantages of obtaining intraoperative real-time
      images, automatic registration, and 3-dimensional views, the ITFN system seems to
      be an inherent partner for MIS. METHODS: 20 patients with Hangman fracture
      underwent C2-C3 pedicle screw fixation using ITFN. 6 patients used MIS technique,
      with the other 14 patients using conventional open technique. Operative time and
      blood loss were recorded. The accuracy of screw positions was studied by
      postoperative CT scan. Neck pain visual analogue score (VAS) was evaluated and
      the fusion status was ascertained in 6-month follow-up. RESULTS: The average
      operative time was 134.2 +/- 8.0 minutes in computer-assisted orthopaedics
      surgery (CAOS)-MIS group and 139.3 +/- 25.8 minutes in CAOS-open group (P >
      0.01). The blood loss was 66.7 +/- 25.8 mL in CAOS-MIS group and 250.0 +/- 141.4
      mL in CAOS-open group (P < 0.01). A total of 80 screws were inserted. No screw
      related neurovascular injury was observed. 83.3% (20/24) screws in CAOS-MIS group
      and 89.3% (50/56) screws in CAOS-open group were grade 1 screw (P > 0.01). No
      grade 3 screw was detected in both groups. Compared with the CAOS-open group (1.7
      +/- 0.6), neck pain VAS in 6-month follow-up in CAOS-MIS group (0.3 +/- 0.5) was
      significantly lower (P < 0.01). Solid fusion was demonstrated in all the cases.
      CONCLUSION: The integration of these 2 techniques MIS and ITFN, we call "computer
      assisted minimally invasive spinal surgery," is proved to be feasible and safe
      for treating Hangman fracture with the advantage of significantly reduced
      iatrogenic soft tissue injury. So we think CAMISS technique represents the most
      recent modification of spine surgery.

PMID- 26267828
TI  - The Successful Practice of Evidence-based Medicine May Be Contingent Upon the
      Methods We Use to Measure Our Interventions.

PMID- 26267829
TI  - Single-Cell Analyses of ESCs Reveal Alternative Pluripotent Cell States and
      Molecular Mechanisms that Control Self-Renewal.
AB  - Analyses of gene expression in single mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) cultured
      in serum and LIF revealed the presence of two distinct cell subpopulations with
      individual gene expression signatures. Comparisons with published data revealed
      that cells in the first subpopulation are phenotypically similar to cells
      isolated from the inner cell mass (ICM). In contrast, cells in the second
      subpopulation appear to be more mature. Pluripotency Gene Regulatory Network
      (PGRN) reconstruction based on single-cell data and published data suggested
      antagonistic roles for Oct4 and Nanog in the maintenance of pluripotency states.
      Integrated analyses of published genomic binding (ChIP) data strongly supported
      this observation. Certain target genes alternatively regulated by OCT4 and NANOG,
      such as Sall4 and Zscan10, feed back into the top hierarchical regulator Oct4.
      Analyses of such incoherent feedforward loops with feedback (iFFL-FB) suggest a
      dynamic model for the maintenance of mESC pluripotency and self-renewal.

PMID- 26267830
TI  - A Quantitative Proteomic Analysis of Hemogenic Endothelium Reveals Differential
      Regulation of Hematopoiesis by SOX17.
AB  - The in vitro derivation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) from pluripotent stem
      cells (PSCs) is complicated by the existence of multiple overlapping embryonic
      blood cell programs called primitive, erythromyeloid progenitor (EMP), and
      definitive. As HSCs are only generated during the definitive stage of
      hematopoiesis, deciphering the regulatory pathways that control the emergence of
      this program and identifying markers that distinguish it from the other programs
      are essential. To identify definitive specific pathways and marker sets, we used
      label-free proteomics to determine the proteome of embryo-derived and mouse
      embryonic stem cell-derived VE-CADHERIN(+)CD45(-) definitive hematopoietic
      progenitors. With this approach, we identified Stat1 as a marker that
      distinguishes the definitive erythroid lineage from the primitive- and EMP
      derived lineages. Additionally, we provide evidence that the generation of the
      Stat1(+) definitive lineage is dependent on Sox17. These findings establish an
      approach for monitoring the emergence of definitive hematopoiesis in the PSC
      differentiation cultures.

PMID- 26267831
TI  - Metrology Standards for Quantitative Imaging Biomarkers.
AB  - Although investigators in the imaging community have been active in developing
      and evaluating quantitative imaging biomarkers (QIBs), the development and
      implementation of QIBs have been hampered by the inconsistent or incorrect use of
      terminology or methods for technical performance and statistical concepts.
      Technical performance is an assessment of how a test performs in reference
      objects or subjects under controlled conditions. In this article, some of the
      relevant statistical concepts are reviewed, methods that can be used for
      evaluating and comparing QIBs are described, and some of the technical
      performance issues related to imaging biomarkers are discussed. More consistent
      and correct use of terminology and study design principles will improve clinical
      research, advance regulatory science, and foster better care for patients who
      undergo imaging studies.

PMID- 26267833
TI  - Molecular dynamics simulation of the conductivity mechanism of nanorod filled
      polymer nanocomposites.
AB  - We adopted molecular dynamics simulation to study the conductive property of
      nanorod-filled polymer nanocomposites by focusing on the effects of the
      interfacial interaction, aspect ratio of the fillers, external shear field,
      filler-filler interaction and temperature. The variation of the percolation
      threshold is anti N-type with increasing interfacial interaction. It decreases
      with an increase in the aspect ratio. At an intermediate filler-filler
      interaction, a minimum percolation threshold appears. The percolation threshold
      decreases to a plateau with temperature. At low interfacial interaction, the
      effect of an external shear field on the homogeneous probability is negligible;
      however, the directional probability increases with shear rate. Moreover, the
      difference in conductivity probabilities is reduced for different interfacial
      interactions under shear. Under shear, the decrease or increase of conductivity
      probability depends on the initial dispersion state. However, the steady-state
      conductivity is independent of the initial state for different interfacial
      interactions. In particular, the evolution of the conductivity network structure
      under shear is investigated. In short, this study may provide rational tuning
      methods to obtain nanorod-filled polymer nanocomposites with high conductivity. 

PMID- 26267832
TI  - Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation of Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastases:
      Factors Affecting Outcomes--A 10-year Experience at a Single Center.
AB  - PURPOSE: To identify predictors of oncologic outcomes after percutaneous
      radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of colorectal cancer liver metastases (CLMs) and to
      describe and evaluate a modified clinical risk score (CRS) adapted for ablation
      as a patient stratification and prognostic tool. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This
      study consisted of a HIPAA-compliant institutional review board-approved
      retrospective review of data in 162 patients with 233 CLMs treated with
      percutaneous RFA between December 2002 and December 2012. Contrast material
      enhanced CT was used to assess technique effectiveness 4-8 weeks after RFA.
      Patients were followed up with contrast-enhanced CT every 2-4 months. Overall
      survival (OS) and local tumor progression-free survival (LTPFS) were calculated
      from the time of RFA by using the Kaplan-Meier method. Log-rank tests and Cox
      regression models were used for univariate and multivariate analysis to identify
      predictors of outcomes. RESULTS: Technique effectiveness was 94% (218 of 233).
      Median LTPFS was 26 months. At univariate analysis, predictors of shorter LTPFS
      were tumor size greater than 3 cm (P < .001), ablation margin size of 5 mm or
      less (P < .001), high modified CRS (P = .009), male sex (P = .03), and no history
      of prior hepatectomy (P = .04) or hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (P =
      .01). At multivariate analysis, only tumor size greater than 3 cm (P = .01) and
      margin size of 5 mm or less (P < .001) were independent predictors of shorter
      LTPFS. Median and 5-year OS were 36 months and 31%. At univariate analysis,
      predictors of shorter OS were tumor size larger than 3 cm (P = .005),
      carcinoembryonic antigen level greater than 30 ng/mL (P = .003), high modified
      CRS (P = .02), and extrahepatic disease (EHD) (P < .001). At multivariate
      analysis, tumor size greater than 3 cm (P = .006) and more than one site of EHD
      (P < .001) were independent predictors of shorter OS. CONCLUSION: Tumor size of
      less than 3 cm and ablation margins greater than 5 mm are essential for
      satisfactory local tumor control. Tumor size of more than 3 cm and the presence
      of more than one site of EHD are associated with shorter OS.

PMID- 26267834
TI  - The role of the body in social cognition.
AB  - In this review, we discuss the actual and active dependence of social cognitive
      processes on the body, i.e., that part of the organism beyond the central nervous
      system. In particular, we will discuss mirror mechanisms, and assess the extent
      to which the body is recruited during these processes. We show that for emotion
      mirroring, this dependency is well-documented, but for action mirroring far less
      so. By reviewing these mechanisms and processes while contrasting body from
      brain, and social from general cognition, we show that both contrasts are
      arbitrary and problematic and that any study of cognitive processes, both social
      and general, should take the body into account.

PMID- 26267836
TI  - Pardon My French.

PMID- 26267835
TI  - Detection of Common, Emerging and Uncommon VP4, and VP7 Human Group A Rotavirus
      Genotypes from Urban Sewage Samples in Uruguay.
AB  - Environmental approach has proven to be a useful tool for epidemiological studies
      demonstrating through environmental studies the diversity of viruses circulating
      in a given population. The aim of this study was to perform a phylogenetic
      characterization of the group A rotavirus (RVA) glycoprotein (G)- and protease
      sensitive (P)-genotypes obtained from sewage samples (n = 116) collected in six
      cities of Uruguay during March 2011 to April 2013. A worldwide standardized semi
      nested multiplex RT-PCR (SNM RT-PCR) protocol directed against VP4 and VP7 genes
      were conducted for RVA detection and consensual DNA fragments were submitted to
      nucleotide sequencing. P and/or G genotype was successfully determined by
      phylogenetic analysis in 61% (n = 37) of the positive samples obtained by SNM RT
      PCR (n = 61). The RVA genotypes were as follow: G1 (n = 2), G2 (n = 14), G3 (n =
      5), G12 (n = 2), P[4] (n = 4), P[8] (n = 16), and P[3] (n = 2). Interestingly,
      through phylogenetic analysis, emerging, and uncommon human genotypes could be
      detected. Results obtained from the comparison of RVA genotypes detected in the
      current study and Uruguayan RVA strains previously described for contemporary
      clinical pediatric cases showed that monitoring sewage may be a good screening
      option for a rapid and economical overview of the circulating genotypes in the
      surrounding human population and a useful approximation to study RVA epidemiology
      in a future vaccine monitoring program. The present study represents the first
      report in Uruguay that describes the phylogenetic diversity of RVA from urban
      sewage samples.

PMID- 26267837
TI  - Enzyme induction and histopathology elucidate aryl hydrocarbon receptor-mediated
      versus non-aryl hydrocarbon receptor-mediated effects of Aroclor 1268 in American
      mink (Neovison vison).
AB  - Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentrations reported in preferred prey and
      blubber of bottlenose dolphins from the Turtle-Brunswick River estuary (Georgia,
      USA) suggest the potential for adverse effects. However, PCBs in Turtle-Brunswick
      River estuary dolphins are primarily derived from Aroclor 1268, and predicting
      toxic effects of Aroclor 1268 is uncertain because of the mixture's unique
      composition and associated physiochemical characteristics. These differences
      suggest that toxicity benchmarks for other PCB mixtures may not be relevant to
      dolphins exposed to Aroclor 1268. American mink (Neovison vison) were used as a
      surrogate model for cetaceans to characterize mechanisms of action associated
      with Aroclor 1268 exposure. Mink share similarities in phylogeny and life history
      with cetaceans and are characteristically sensitive to PCBs, making them an
      attractive surrogate species for marine mammals in ecotoxicity studies. Adult
      female mink and a subsequent F1 generation were exposed to Aroclor 1268 through
      diet, and effects on enzyme induction, histopathology, thyroid hormone
      regulation, hematology, organ weights, and body condition index were compared to
      a negative control and a 3,3',4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB 126)-positive
      control. Aroclor 1268 dietary exposure concentrations ranged from 1.8 ug/g wet
      weight to 29 ug/g wet weight. Anemia, hypothyroidism, and hepatomegaly were
      observed in mink exposed to Aroclor 1268 beyond various dietary thresholds.
      Cytochrome P450 induction and squamous epithelial proliferation jaw lesions were
      low in Aroclor 1268 treatments relative to the positive control. Differences in
      enzyme induction and the development of squamous epithelial proliferation jaw
      lesions between Aroclor 1268 treatments and the positive control, coupled with
      effects observed in Aroclor 1268 treatments not observed in the positive control,
      indicate that mechanisms additional to the aryl hydrocarbon receptor-mediated
      pathway are associated with Aroclor 1268 exposure.

PMID- 26267838
TI  - Knowledge of healthcare professionals about rights of patient's images.
AB  - Objective To assess knowledge of healthcare professionals about capture and
      reproduction of images of patients in a hospital setting. Methods A cross
      sectional and observational study among 360 healthcare professionals (nursing
      staff, physical therapists, and physicians), working at a teaching hospital in
      the city of Sao Paulo (SP). A questionnaire with sociodemographic information was
      distributed and data were correlated to capture and reproduction of images at
      hospitals. Results Of the 360 respondents, 142 had captured images of patients in
      the last year, and 312 reported seeing other professionals taking photographs of
      patients. Of the participants who captured images, 61 said they used them for
      studies and presentation of clinical cases, and 168 professionals reported not
      knowing of any legislation in the Brazilian Penal Code regarding collection and
      use of images. Conclusion There is a gap in the training of healthcare
      professionals regarding the use of patient's images. It is necessary to include
      subjects that address this theme in the syllabus of undergraduate courses, and
      the healthcare organizations should regulate this issue. 

PMID- 26267839
TI  - Does Koopmans' Paradigm for 1-Electron Oxidation Always Hold? Breakdown of IP/Eox
      Relationship for p-Hydroquinone Ethers and the Role of Methoxy Group Rotation.
AB  - Koopmans' paradigm states that electron loss occurs from HOMO, thus forming the
      basis for the observed linear relationships between HOMO/IP, HOMO/Eox, and
      IP/Eox. In cases where a molecule undergoes dramatic structural reorganization
      upon 1-electron oxidation, the IP/Eox relationship does not hold, and the origin
      of which is not understood. For example, X-ray crystallography of the neutral and
      cation radicals of bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-annulated p-hydroquinone ethers ((T)HE
      and (M)HE) showed that they undergo electron-transfer-induced conformational
      reorganization and show breakdown of the IP/Eox relationship. DFT calculations
      revealed that Koopmans' paradigm still holds true because the electron-transfer
      induced subtle conformational reorganization, responsible for the breakdown of
      IP/Eox relationship, is also responsible for the reordering of HOMO and HOMO-1.
      Perceived failure of Koopmans' paradigm in cases of (T)HE and (M)HE assumes that
      both vertical and adiabatic electron detachments involve the same HOMO; however,
      this study demonstrates that the vertical ionization and adiabatic oxidation
      occur from different molecular orbitals due to reordering of HOMO/HOMO-1. The
      underpinnings of this finding will spur widespread interest in designing next
      generation molecules beyond HQEs, whose electronic structures can be modulated by
      electron-transfer-induced conformation reorganization. 

PMID- 26267840
TI  - Protein resonance assignment at MAS frequencies approaching 100 kHz: a
      quantitative comparison of J-coupling and dipolar-coupling-based transfer
      methods.
AB  - We discuss the optimum experimental conditions to obtain assignment spectra for
      solid proteins at magic-angle spinning (MAS) frequencies around 100 kHz. We
      present a systematic examination of the MAS dependence of the amide proton T 2'
      times and a site-specific comparison of T 2' at 93 kHz versus 60 kHz MAS
      frequency. A quantitative analysis of transfer efficiencies of building blocks,
      as they are used for typical 3D experiments, was performed. To do this, we
      compared dipolar-coupling and J-coupling based transfer steps. The building
      blocks were then combined into 3D experiments for sequential resonance
      assignment, where we evaluated signal-to-noise ratio and information content of
      the different 3D spectra in order to identify the best assignment strategy. Based
      on this comparison, six experiments were selected to optimally assign the model
      protein ubiquitin, solely using spectra acquired at 93 kHz MAS. Within 3 days of
      instrument time, the required spectra were recorded from which the backbone
      resonances have been assigned to over 96%.

PMID- 26267841
TI  - Quantitative label-free and real-time surface-enhanced Raman scattering
      monitoring of reaction kinetics using self-assembled bifunctional nanoparticle
      arrays.
AB  - Although surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has proven to be an effective
      tool for label-free monitoring of catalytic reactions, quantitative
      characterization of reaction kinetics via this technique remains challenging
      owing to the difficulty in integrating catalytic and plasmonic activities into a
      single platform. In this work, we report on an easy access to highly sensitive
      plasmonic nanoarrays for direct and label-free monitoring of a gold-catalyzed
      reaction by SERS. The hierarchically structured three-dimensional assemblies,
      which consist of small gold catalyst nanoparticles distributed on a self
      assembled monolayer of larger gold nanoparticles, were formed through a simple
      and rapid stepwise interfacial self-assembling process (fabrication time <10
      min). The well-defined interparticle distances (<1 nm) lead to efficient
      plasmonic coupling and ensure both catalytic and SERS-active sites exposed to the
      environment. Such a versatile bifunctional platform thus allows quantitative
      determination of the rate constant and activation energy of the catalytic
      reaction with SERS. 

PMID- 26267842
TI  - Experiences and Lessons From Implementing Cohort Event Monitoring Programmes for
      Antimalarials in Four African Countries: Results of a Questionnaire-Based Survey.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Cohort event monitoring (CEM) is an intensive method of post
      marketing surveillance for medicines safety. The method is based on prescription
      event monitoring, which began in the 1970s, and has since been adapted by WHO for
      monitoring the safety of medicines used in Public Health Programmes. CEM aims to
      capture all adverse events that occur in a defined group of patients after
      starting treatment with a specific medicine during the course of routine clinical
      practice. OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to describe the experiences of
      National Pharmacovigilance Centres (NCs) that have used CEM to monitor
      artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) for uncomplicated malaria in the
      African setting, to raise awareness of some of the challenges encountered during
      implementation and to highlight aspects of the method that require further
      consideration. METHOD: A questionnaire-based survey was conducted to capture the
      experiences of NCs that have implemented CEM for active post-marketing
      surveillance of antimalarial medicines in sub-Saharan Africa. Six NCs were
      identified as having implemented CEM programmes and were invited to participate
      in the survey; five NCs indicated willingness to participate and were sent the
      questionnaire to complete. RESULTS: Four NCs responded to the survey-Ghana,
      Kenya, Nigeria and Zimbabwe-providing information on the implementation of a
      total of six CEM programmes. Their experiences indicate that CEM has helped to
      build pharmacovigilance capacity within the participating NCs and at the
      monitoring sites, and that healthcare providers (HCPs) are generally willing to
      participate in implementing the CEM method. All of the programmes took longer
      than expected to complete: contributing factors included a prolonged enrolment
      period and unexpectedly slow data entry. All of the programmes exceeded their
      budget by 11.1-63.2 %. Data management was identified as a challenge for all
      participating NCs. CONCLUSIONS: The reported experiences of four NCs that have
      undertaken CEM studies on ACTs indicate that CEM has helped to build
      pharmacovigilance capacity within NCs and monitoring sites and that HCPs are
      willing to participate in CEM programmes; however, the method was found to be
      labour intensive and data management was identified as a challenge. Reducing the
      workload associated with CEM, particularly in relation to data management, and
      integrating the method into the routine work of HCPs and NCs should be considered
      for future implementation.

PMID- 26267843
TI  - Characterisation of peripheral blood mononuclear cell microRNA in hepatitis B
      related acute-on-chronic liver failure.
AB  - Hepatitis B-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF) is a life
      threatening condition and the mechanisms of its development and progression
      remain unclear. The aim of this study was to define the characteristics of
      peripheral blood mononuclear cell microRNAs in patients with HBV-ACLF. In this
      study, novel microRNA (miRNA) biomarkers of peripheral blood mononuclear cells
      (PBMCs) in patients with HBV-ACLF were characterised by high-throughput
      sequencing and validated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT
      PCR). The results showed 78 miRNAs were significantly differentially expressed in
      patients with HBV-ACLF compared to patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and
      healthy controls. Among patients with HBV-ACLF, 17 dysregulated miRNAs increased
      or decreased more than 4-fold, of which eight miRNAs had higher expression levels
      than median level. qRT-PCR validation demonstrated that six miRNAs (hsa-miR-21
      5p, hsa-miR-34c-5p, hsa-miR-143-3p, hsa-miR-143-5p, hsa-miR-374a-3p and hsa-miR
      542-3p) may be useful as novel biomarkers for the diagnosis of HBV-ACLF. Five
      novel miRNAs (L-miR-1~5) were detected and two (L-miR-1 and L-miR-3) were
      significantly differentially expressed in patients with HBV-ACLF. CONCLUSIONS:
      The miRNA expression profile of PBMCs is altered in patients with HBV-ACLF, and a
      signature of six miRNAs may be a promising biomarker for HBV-ACLF progression.

PMID- 26267844
TI  - Assessment of gastric emptying in children: Establishment of control values
      utilizing a standardized vegetarian meal.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: Disorders of gastric emptying constitute an important group
      of conditions in children. The diagnostic gold standard is scintigraphy, and
      recommendations for standardization have been published with adult normative
      data. Pediatric literature lacks standardized age specific normative values. Our
      aim was to establish normal values of solid phase gastric emptying utilizing
      scintigraphy in children (5-18 years) using the recommended imaging protocol and
      standardized meal. METHODS: Gastric emptying was assessed by scintigraphy of a
      (99m) Tc-labeled vegetarian meal. Image acquisition was dynamic for first hour
      and static at 2, 3, and 4 h. Results were reported as percent intragastric
      retention; lag phase defined as time to 5% emptying. RESULTS: Thirty (17 boys)
      healthy children, mean ages of 9.5 +/- 3.1 (range 5 to 16) years, were enrolled.
      Median values (5th and 95th percentiles) for percent gastric retention at 30 min,
      1, 2, 3 and 4 h were 90% (76 and 100%), 77% (56 and 96%), 33% (10 and 71%), 16%
      (3 and 44%), and 7% (0.5 and 22%). The median (5th and 95th percentiles) lag
      phase was 18 min (6 and 60 min). Lag phase had no correlation with gastric
      retention at 4 h. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides valuable normative ranges for
      solid phase gastric emptying in children. Using adult normative data in children
      may be inappropriate.

PMID- 26267845
TI  - Leg pain and rash in a man with prior bariatric surgery.

PMID- 26267847
TI  - Clinical report: inherited deletion of chromosome 12q21.31q21.32 associated with
      a distinct phenotype and intellectual disability.

PMID- 26267846
TI  - Individual substitution mutations in the AID C terminus that ablate IgH class
      switch recombination.
AB  - Activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) is essential for class switch
      recombination (CSR) and somatic hypermutation (SHM) of Ig genes. The C terminus
      of AID is required for CSR but not for SHM, but the reason for this is not
      entirely clear. By retroviral transduction of mutant AID proteins into aid-/-
      mouse splenic B cells, we show that 4 amino acids within the C terminus of mouse
      AID, when individually mutated to specific amino acids (R190K, A192K, L196S,
      F198S), reduce CSR about as much or more than deletion of the entire C terminal
      10 amino acids. Similar to DeltaAID, the substitutions reduce binding of UNG to
      Ig SMU regions and some reduce binding of Msh2, both of which are important for
      introducing S region DNA breaks. Junctions between the IgH donor switch (S)MU and
      acceptor Salpha regions from cells expressing DeltaAID or the L196S mutant show
      increased microhomology compared to junctions in cells expressing wild-type AID,
      consistent with problems during CSR and the use of alternative end-joining,
      rather than non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ). Unlike deletion of the AID C
      terminus, 3 of the substitution mutants reduce DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs)
      detected within the SMU region in splenic B cells undergoing CSR. Cells
      expressing these 3 substitution mutants also have greatly reduced mutations
      within unrearranged SMU regions, and they decrease with time after activation.
      These results might be explained by increased error-free repair, but as the C
      terminus has been shown to be important for recruitment of NHEJ proteins, this
      appears unlikely. We hypothesize that SMU DNA breaks in cells expressing these C
      terminus substitution mutants are poorly repaired, resulting in destruction of
      SMU segments that are deaminated by these mutants. This could explain why these
      mutants cannot undergo CSR. 

PMID- 26267848
TI  - Spin Isomers and Ligand Isomerization in a Three-Coordinate Cobalt(I) Carbonyl
      Complex.
AB  - Hemilabile ligands, which have one donor that can reversibly bind to a metal, are
      widely used in transition-metal catalysts to create open coordination sites. This
      change in coordination at the metal can also cause spin-state changes. Here, we
      explore a cobalt(I) system that is poised on the brink of hemilability and of a
      spin-state change and can rapidly interconvert between different spin states with
      different structures ("spin isomers"). The new cobalt(I) monocarbonyl complex
      L(tBu)Co(CO) (2) is a singlet ((1)2) in the solid state, with an unprecedented
      diketiminate binding mode where one of the C?C double bonds of an aromatic ring
      completes a pseudo-square-planar coordination. Dissolving the compound gives a
      substantial population of the triplet ((3)2), which has exceptionally large
      uniaxial zero-field splitting due to strong spin-orbit coupling with a low-lying
      excited state. The interconversion of the two spin isomers is rapid, even at low
      temperature, and temperature-dependent NMR and electronic absorption spectroscopy
      studies show the energy differences quantitatively. Spectroscopically validated
      computations corroborate the presence of a low minimum-energy crossing point
      (MECP) between the two potential energy surfaces and elucidate the detailed
      pathway through which the beta-diketiminate ligand "slips" between bidentate and
      arene-bound forms: rather than dissociation, the cobalt slides along the aromatic
      system in a pathway that balances strain energy and cobalt-ligand bonding. These
      results show that multiple spin states are easily accessible in this hemilabile
      system and map the thermodynamics and mechanism of the transition. 

PMID- 26267849
TI  - Volumetric nasal cavity analysis in children with unilateral and bilateral cleft
      lip and palate.
AB  - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Children with cleft lip and palate (CLP) often suffer from
      nasal obstruction that may be related to effects on nasal volume. The objective
      of this study was to compare side:side volume ratios and nasal volume in patients
      with unilateral (UCLP) and bilateral (BCLP) clefts with age-matched controls.
      STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study using three-dimensional (3D) nasal
      airway reconstructions. METHODS: We analyzed 20 subjects (age range = 7-12 years)
      with UCLP and BCLP from a regional craniofacial center who underwent cone beam
      computed tomography (CT) prior to alveolar grafting. Ten multislice CT images
      from age-matched controls were also analyzed. Mimics software (Materialise,
      Plymouth, MI) was used to create 3D reconstructions of the main nasal cavity and
      compute total and side-specific nasal volumes. Subjects imaged during active
      nasal cycling phases were excluded. RESULTS: There was no statistically
      significant difference in affected:unaffected side volume ratios in UCLP (P =
      .48) or left:right ratios in BCLP (P = .25) when compared to left:right ratios in
      controls. Mean overall nasal volumes were 9,932 +/- 1,807, 7,097 +/- 2,596, and
      6,715 +/- 2,115 mm(3) for control, UCLP, and BCLP patients, respectively, with
      statistically significant volume decreases for both UCLP and BCLP subjects from
      controls (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to analyze total nasal
      volumes in BCLP patients. Overall nasal volume is compromised in UCLP and BCLP by
      approximately 30%. Additionally, our finding of no major difference in side:side
      ratios in UCLP and BCLP compared to controls conflicts with pre-existing
      literature, likely due to exclusion of actively cycling scans and our measurement
      of the functional nasal cavity. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3b. Laryngoscope, 126:1475
      1480, 2016.

PMID- 26267851
TI  - Effect of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation on Plantar Flexor Muscle
      Spasticity and Walking Speed in Stroke Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Spasticity is a major disabling symptom in patients post
      stroke. Although studies have demonstrated that transcutaneous electrical nerve
      stimulation (TENS) can reduce spasticity, the duration of single session TENS is
      a subject of debate. The purpose of this study was to determine the
      sustainability of the effects of TENS applied over common peroneal nerve in the
      reduction of ankle plantar-flexor spasticity and improving gait speed in patients
      post stroke. METHODS: Thirty patients (11 women and 19 men) (mean age of 46.46
      years) were randomly assigned to group 1 (task oriented exercises), group 2 (TENS
      for 30 min and task oriented exercises) and group 3 (TENS for 60 min and task
      oriented exercises) for a period of five sessions per week for 6 weeks. All
      patients were assessed for ankle plantar-flexor spasticity, passive ankle dorsi
      flexion range of motion, clonus and timed up and go test at the time of
      recruitment to study, at 3 and 6 weeks of therapeutic intervention. RESULTS: The
      overall results of the study suggest that there was a decrease in ankle plantar
      flexor spasticity, ankle clonus and timed up and go score in all the groups. A
      greater reduction of spasticity was seen in TENS groups (groups 2 and 3) when
      compared to control. No significant improvement was found in timed up and go test
      (TUG) scores between groups. CONCLUSION: Both 30 min and 60 min of application of
      TENS are effective in reducing spasticity of ankle plantar flexors, improving
      walking ability and increase the effectiveness of task related training. Based on
      the effect size, we would recommend a longer duration application for the
      reduction of spasticity. Copyright (c) 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 26267852
TI  - Pruritic, Pink Scaling Plaques on the Face and Trunk. Pemphigus erythematosus.

PMID- 26267853
TI  - Effect of Three Interventions on Contact Lens Comfort in Symptomatic Wearers: A
      Randomized Clinical Trial.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate whether carrying out various interventions part way
      through the day influences comfort in symptomatic daily disposable (DD) contact
      lens wearers. METHODS: A subject-masked, randomized, controlled clinical trial
      was conducted in thirty symptomatic soft lens wearers who wore their habitual DD
      contact lenses bilaterally for 12 h on two separate days. Five hours after lens
      application, one of the following three interventions or a control was performed
      on each eye: replacing the existing lens with a new lens; removing and reapplying
      the same lens; performing a 'scleral swish'; and no action (control). Comfort
      scores were recorded using SMS text messages every hour following lens
      application using a 0 (causes pain) to 100 (excellent comfort) scale. Comfort
      scores before lens application, at 6 mins post-application, and at 6 mins post
      intervention were also recorded. RESULTS: There was a significant reduction in
      comfort from pre-lens application to 6 mins post-application for all groups (all
      p<0.05). Comfort gradually decreased from 6 mins to 5 h after lens application
      for each group (p<0.0001) with no significant difference between groups over the
      5-h period (p = 0.09). There was no significant difference in comfort 6 mins post
      intervention for any group (all p>0.05). After the intervention, comfort
      continued to decline (p<0.0001) with slightly lower mean scores for the control
      group compared to the new lens group (p = 0.003). Change in comfort relative to
      pre-intervention (5 h) was similar for all groups (p = 0.81). There was no
      difference in comfort at 12 h between groups (p = 0.83). CONCLUSION: This work
      has confirmed that comfort shows a continual and significant decline over a 12-h
      wearing period in symptomatic DD contact lens wearers. None of the interventions
      investigated had any significant impact on end-of-day comfort. These data suggest
      discomfort in lens wearers is more heavily influenced by changes to the ocular
      environment rather than to the lens itself. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Controlled
      Trials.com ISRCTN10419752 http://www.controlled-trials.com/ISRCTN10419752.

PMID- 26267854
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 26267856
TI  - Vulvar acanthosis with altered differentiation: is this entity a variant of
      hypertrophic lichen sclerosus?

PMID- 26267855
TI  - The Hybrid Pyrroloisoindolone-Dehydropyrrolizine Alkaloid (-)-Chlorizidine A
      Targets Proteins within the Glycolytic Pathway.
AB  - The cytotoxic activity of (-)-chlorizidine A, a marine alkaloid containing a
      unique fusion between a pyrroloisoindolone and dehydropyrrolizine, was explored
      by using a combination of cellular and molecular methods. Our studies began by
      applying preliminary SAR evidence gathered from semisynthetic bioactivity
      evaluations to prepare an active immunoaffinity fluorescent (IAF) probe. This
      probe was then used to identify two cytosolic proteins, GAPDH and hENO1, as the
      targets of (-)-chlorizidine A. 

PMID- 26267857
TI  - An Analysis of Overstory Tree Canopy Cover in Sites Occupied by Native and
      Introduced Cottontails in the Northeastern United States with Recommendations for
      Habitat Management for New England Cottontail.
AB  - The New England cottontail (Sylvilagus transitionalis) is a high conservation
      priority in the Northeastern United States and has been listed as a candidate
      species under the Endangered Species Act. Loss of early successional habitat is
      the most common explanation for the decline of the species, which is considered
      to require habitat with dense low vegetation and limited overstory tree canopy.
      Federal and state wildlife agencies actively encourage landowners to create this
      habitat type by clearcutting blocks of forest. However, there are recent
      indications that the species also occupies sites with moderate overstory tree
      canopy cover. This is important because many landowners have negative views about
      clearcutting and are more willing to adopt silvicultural approaches that retain
      some overstory trees. Furthermore, it is possible that clearcuts with no
      overstory canopy cover may attract the eastern cottontail (S. floridanus), an
      introduced species with an expanding range. The objective of our study was to
      provide guidance for future efforts to create habitat that would be more
      favorable for New England cottontail than eastern cottontail in areas where the
      two species are sympatric. We analyzed canopy cover at 336 cottontail locations
      in five states using maximum entropy modelling and other statistical methods. We
      found that New England cottontail occupied sites with a mean overstory tree
      canopy cover of 58% (SE+/-1.36), and was less likely than eastern cottontail to
      occupy sites with lower overstory canopy cover and more likely to occupy sites
      with higher overstory canopy cover. Our findings suggest that silvicultural
      approaches that retain some overstory canopy cover may be appropriate for
      creating habitat for New England cottontail. We believe that our results will
      help inform critical management decisions for the conservation of New England
      cottontail, and that our methodology can be applied to analyses of habitat use of
      other critical wildlife species.

PMID- 26267858
TI  - Synthesis of 2-[(18)F]Fluoro-2-deoxyisosorbide 5-mononitrate and Assessment of
      Its in vivo Biodistribution as Determined by Dynamic Positron Emission Tomography
      (PET).
AB  - Herein we disclose the synthesis of 2-fluoro-2-deoxyisosorbide 5-mononitrate (2F
      IS-5MN), a fluorinated analogue of the commonly prescribed vasodilator isosorbide
      5-mononitrate (IS-5MN). X-ray structural data for IS-5MN and its C2-epimeric
      congener IM-5MN are presented together with structural data for 2F-IS-5MN.
      Radioisotope labeling of 2F-IS-5MN has, for the first time, allowed observation
      of the in vivo biodistribution of this organic nitrate by means of dynamic
      positron emission tomography (PET) in wild-type mice. 

PMID- 26267860
TI  - SHER: a colored petri net based random mobility model for wireless
      communications.
AB  - In wireless network research, simulation is the most imperative technique to
      investigate the network's behavior and validation. Wireless networks typically
      consist of mobile hosts; therefore, the degree of validation is influenced by the
      underlying mobility model, and synthetic models are implemented in simulators
      because real life traces are not widely available. In wireless communications,
      mobility is an integral part while the key role of a mobility model is to mimic
      the real life traveling patterns to study. The performance of routing protocols
      and mobility management strategies e.g. paging, registration and handoff is
      highly dependent to the selected mobility model. In this paper, we devise and
      evaluate the Show Home and Exclusive Regions (SHER), a novel two-dimensional (2
      D) Colored Petri net (CPN) based formal random mobility model, which exhibits
      sociological behavior of a user. The model captures hotspots where a user
      frequently visits and spends time. Our solution eliminates six key issues of the
      random mobility models, i.e., sudden stops, memoryless movements, border effect,
      temporal dependency of velocity, pause time dependency, and speed decay in a
      single model. The proposed model is able to predict the future location of a
      mobile user and ultimately improves the performance of wireless communication
      networks. The model follows a uniform nodal distribution and is a mini simulator,
      which exhibits interesting mobility patterns. The model is also helpful to those
      who are not familiar with the formal modeling, and users can extract meaningful
      information with a single mouse-click. It is noteworthy that capturing dynamic
      mobility patterns through CPN is the most challenging and virulent activity of
      the presented research. Statistical and reachability analysis techniques are
      presented to elucidate and validate the performance of our proposed mobility
      model. The state space methods allow us to algorithmically derive the system
      behavior and rectify the errors of our proposed model. 

PMID- 26267859
TI  - Eliminating anti-nutritional plant food proteins: the case of seed protease
      inhibitors in pea.
AB  - Several classes of seed proteins limit the utilisation of plant proteins in human
      and farm animal diets, while plant foods have much to offer to the sustainable
      intensification of food/feed production and to human health. Reduction or removal
      of these proteins could greatly enhance seed protein quality and various
      strategies have been used to try to achieve this with limited success. We
      investigated whether seed protease inhibitor mutations could be exploited to
      enhance seed quality, availing of induced mutant and natural Pisum germplasm
      collections to identify mutants, whilst acquiring an understanding of the impact
      of mutations on activity. A mutant (TILLING) resource developed in Pisum sativum
      L. (pea) and a large germplasm collection representing Pisum diversity were
      investigated as sources of mutations that reduce or abolish the activity of the
      major protease inhibitor (Bowman-Birk) class of seed protein. Of three missense
      mutations, predicted to affect activity of the mature trypsin / chymotrypsin
      inhibitor TI1 protein, a C77Y substitution in the mature mutant inhibitor
      abolished inhibitor activity, consistent with an absolute requirement for the
      disulphide bond C77-C92 for function in the native inhibitor. Two further classes
      of mutation (S85F, E109K) resulted in less dramatic changes to isoform or overall
      inhibitory activity. The alternative strategy to reduce anti-nutrients, by
      targeted screening of Pisum germplasm, successfully identified a single accession
      (Pisum elatius) as a double null mutant for the two closely linked genes encoding
      the TI1 and TI2 seed protease inhibitors. The P. elatius mutant has extremely low
      seed protease inhibitory activity and introgression of the mutation into
      cultivated germplasm has been achieved. The study provides new insights into
      structure-function relationships for protease inhibitors which impact on pea seed
      quality. The induced and natural germplasm variants identified provide immediate
      potential for either halving or abolishing the corresponding inhibitory activity,
      along with associated molecular markers for breeding programmes. The potential
      for making large changes to plant protein profiles for improved and sustainable
      food production through diversity is illustrated. The strategy employed here to
      reduce anti-nutritional proteins in seeds may be extended to allergens and other
      seed proteins with negative nutritional effects. Additionally, the novel variants
      described for pea will assist future studies of the biological role and health
      related properties of so-called anti-nutrients. 

PMID- 26267862
TI  - Wild cane toads (Rhinella marina) expel foreign matter from the coelom via the
      urinary bladder in response to internal injury, endoparasites and disease.
AB  - Dissections of >1,200 wild-caught cane toads (Rhinella marina) in tropical
      Australia confirm a laboratory report that anurans can expel foreign objects from
      the coelom by incorporating them into the urinary bladder. The foreign objects
      that we found inside bladders included a diverse array of items (e.g., grass
      seeds, twigs, insect prey, parasites), many of which may have entered the coelom
      via rupture of the gut wall. In some cases, the urinary bladder was fused to
      other organs including liver, fat bodies, ovaries, Bidder's organs, lungs,
      mesentery, stomach wall, gall bladder, and the abdominal wall. Acanthocephalan
      parasites (of a range of developmental stages) were identified from the walls of
      the urinary bladders of three cane toads. This organ may play a significant role
      in destroying or excreting metazoan parasites, as well as inanimate objects. 

PMID- 26267861
TI  - A Randomized, Double-Blind, Sham-Controlled Trial of Transcranial Direct Current
      Stimulation in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Current standardized treatments for cognitive impairment in attention
      deficit/hyperactivity disorder remain limited and their efficacy restricted.
      Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a promising tool for enhancing
      cognitive performance in several neuropsychiatric disorders. Nevertheless, the
      effects of tDCS in reducing cognitive impairment in patients with attention
      deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have not yet been investigated. METHODS: A
      parallel, randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial was conducted to
      examine the efficacy of tDCS on the modulation of inhibitory control in adults
      with ADHD. Thirty patients were randomly allocated to each group and performed a
      go/no-go task before and after a single session of either anodal stimulation (1
      mA) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex or sham stimulation. RESULTS: A
      nonparametric two-sample Wilcoxon rank-sum (Mann-Whitney) test revealed no
      significant differences between the two groups of individuals with ADHD (tDCS vs.
      sham) in regard to behavioral performance in the go/no go tasks. Furthermore, the
      effect sizes of group differences after treatment for the primary outcome
      measures-correct responses, impulsivity and omission errors--were small. No
      adverse events resulting from stimulation were reported. CONCLUSION: According to
      these findings, there is no evidence in support of the use of anodal stimulation
      over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex as an approach for improving
      inhibitory control in ADHD patients. To the best of our knowledge, this is the
      first clinical study to assess the cognitive effects of tDCS in individuals with
      ADHD. Further research is needed to assess the clinical efficacy of tDCS in this
      population. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01968512.

PMID- 26267863
TI  - PEAK1 Acts as a Molecular Switch to Regulate Context-Dependent TGFbeta Responses
      in Breast Cancer.
AB  - Transforming Growth Factor beta (TGFbeta) has dual functions as both a tumor
      suppressor and a promoter of cancer progression within the tumor
      microenvironment, but the molecular mechanisms by which TGFbeta signaling
      switches between these outcomes and the contexts in which this switch occurs
      remain to be fully elucidated. We previously identified PEAK1 as a new non
      receptor tyrosine kinase that associates with the cytoskeleton, and facilitates
      signaling of HER2/Src complexes. We also showed PEAK1 functions downstream of
      KRas to promote tumor growth, metastasis and therapy resistance using preclinical
      in vivo models of human tumor progression. In the current study, we analyzed
      PEAK1 expression in human breast cancer samples and found PEAK1 levels correlate
      with mesenchymal gene expression, poor cellular differentiation and disease
      relapse. At the cellular level, we also observed that PEAK1 expression was
      highest in mesenchymal breast cancer cells, correlated with migration potential
      and increased in response to TGFbeta-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition
      (EMT). Thus, we sought to evaluate the role of PEAK1 in the switching of TGFbeta
      from a tumor suppressing to tumor promoting factor. Notably, we discovered that
      high PEAK1 expression causes TGFbeta to lose its anti-proliferative effects, and
      potentiates TGFbeta-induced proliferation, EMT, cell migration and tumor
      metastasis in a fibronectin-dependent fashion. In the presence of fibronectin,
      PEAK1 caused a switching of TGFbeta signaling from its canonical Smad2/3 pathway
      to non-canonical Src and MAPK signaling. This report is the first to provide
      evidence that PEAK1 mediates signaling cross talk between TGFbeta receptors and
      integrin/Src/MAPK pathways and that PEAK1 is an important molecular regulator of
      TGFbeta-induced tumor progression and metastasis in breast cancer. Finally, PEAK1
      overexpression/upregulation cooperates with TGFbeta to reduce breast cancer
      sensitivity to Src kinase inhibition. These findings provide a rational basis to
      develop therapeutic agents to target PEAK1 expression/function or
      upstream/downstream pathways to abrogate breast cancer progression. 

PMID- 26267864
TI  - The Effect of Zeaxanthin on the Visual Acuity of Zebrafish.
AB  - Oral supplementation of carotenoids such as zeaxanthin or lutein which naturally
      occur in human retina have been shown to improve vision and prevent progression
      of damage to advanced AMD in some studies. The zebrafish eye shares many
      physiological similarities with the human eye and is increasingly being used as
      model for vision research. We hypothesized that injection of zeaxanthin into the
      zebrafish eye would improve the visual acuity of the zebrafish over time. Visual
      acuity, calculated in cycles per degree, was measured in adult zebrafish to
      establish a consistent baseline using the optokinetic response. Zeaxanthin
      dissolved into phosphate buffered saline (PBS) or PBS only was injected into the
      anterior chamber of the right and left eyes of the Zebrafish. Visual acuities
      were measured at 1 week and 3, 8 and 12 weeks post-injection to compare to
      baseline values. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare visual acuities
      between fish injected with PBS and zeaxanthin. A significant improvement in
      visual acuity, 14% better than before the injection (baseline levels), was
      observed one week after injection with zeaxanthin (p = 0.04). This improvement
      peaked at more than 30% for some fish a few weeks after the injection and
      improvement in vision persisted at 3 weeks after injection (p = 0.006). The
      enhanced visual function was not significantly better than baseline at 8 weeks (p
      = 0.19) and returned to baseline levels 12 weeks after the initial injection (p =
      0.50). Zeaxanthin can improve visual acuity in zebrafish eyes. Further studies
      are required to develop a better understanding of the role zeaxanthin and other
      carotenoids play during normal visual function.

PMID- 26267865
TI  - Coordinates of Human Visual and Inertial Heading Perception.
AB  - Heading estimation involves both inertial and visual cues. Inertial motion is
      sensed by the labyrinth, somatic sensation by the body, and optic flow by the
      retina. Because the eye and head are mobile these stimuli are sensed relative to
      different reference frames and it remains unclear if a perception occurs in a
      common reference frame. Recent neurophysiologic evidence has suggested the
      reference frames remain separate even at higher levels of processing but has not
      addressed the resulting perception. Seven human subjects experienced a 2s, 16
      cm/s translation and/or a visual stimulus corresponding with this translation.
      For each condition 72 stimuli (360 degrees  in 5 degrees  increments) were
      delivered in random order. After each stimulus the subject identified the
      perceived heading using a mechanical dial. Some trial blocks included interleaved
      conditions in which the influence of +/-28 degrees  of gaze and/or head position
      were examined. The observations were fit using a two degree-of-freedom population
      vector decoder (PVD) model which considered the relative sensitivity to lateral
      motion and coordinate system offset. For visual stimuli gaze shifts caused shifts
      in perceived head estimates in the direction opposite the gaze shift in all
      subjects. These perceptual shifts averaged 13 +/- 2 degrees  for eye only gaze
      shifts and 17 +/- 2 degrees  for eye-head gaze shifts. This finding indicates
      visual headings are biased towards retina coordinates. Similar gaze and head
      direction shifts prior to inertial headings had no significant influence on
      heading direction. Thus inertial headings are perceived in body-centered
      coordinates. Combined visual and inertial stimuli yielded intermediate results.

PMID- 26267866
TI  - Conformational stability of the RNP domain controls fibril formation of PABPN1.
AB  - The disease oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy is caused by alanine codon
      trinucleotide expansions in the N-terminal segment of the nuclear poly(A) binding
      protein PABPN1. As histochemical features of the disease, intranuclear inclusions
      of PABPN1 have been reported. Whereas the purified N-terminal domain of PABPN1
      forms fibrils in an alanine-dependent way, fibril formation of the full-length
      protein occurs also in the absence of alanines. Here, we addressed the question
      whether the stability of the RNP domain or domain swapping within the RNP domain
      may add to fibril formation. A variant of full-length PABPN1 with a stabilizing
      disulfide bond at position 185/201 in the RNP domain fibrillized in a redox
      sensitive manner suggesting that the integrity of the RNP domain may contribute
      to fibril formation. Thermodynamic analysis of the isolated wild-type and the
      disulfide-linked RNP domain showed two state unfolding/refolding characteristics
      without detectable intermediates. Quantification of the thermodynamic stability
      of the mutant RNP domain pointed to an inverse correlation between fibril
      formation of full-length PABPN1 and the stability of the RNP domain. 

PMID- 26267867
TI  - Cancer Incidence following Expansion of HIV Treatment in Botswana.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The expansion of combination antiretroviral treatment (ART) in
      southern Africa has dramatically reduced mortality due to AIDS-related
      infections, but the impact of ART on cancer incidence in the region is unknown.
      We sought to describe trends in cancer incidence in Botswana during
      implementation of the first public ART program in Africa. METHODS: We included
      8479 incident cases from the Botswana National Cancer Registry during a period of
      significant ART expansion in Botswana, 2003-2008, when ART coverage increased
      from 7.3% to 82.3%. We fit Poisson models of age-adjusted cancer incidence and
      counts in the total population, and in an inverse probability weighted population
      with known HIV status, over time and estimated ART coverage. FINDINGS: During
      this period 61.6% of cancers were diagnosed in HIV-infected individuals and 45.4%
      of all cancers in men and 36.4% of all cancers in women were attributable to HIV.
      Age-adjusted cancer incidence decreased in the HIV infected population by 8.3%
      per year (95% CI -14.1 to -2.1%). However, with a progressively larger and older
      HIV population the annual number of cancers diagnosed remained constant (0.0%
      annually, 95% CI -4.3 to +4.6%). In the overall population, incidence of Kaposi's
      sarcoma decreased (4.6% annually, 95% CI -6.9 to -2.2), but incidence of non
      Hodgkin lymphoma (+11.5% annually, 95% CI +6.3 to +17.0%) and HPV-associated
      cancers increased (+3.9% annually, 95% CI +1.4 to +6.5%). Age-adjusted cancer
      incidence among individuals without HIV increased 7.5% per year (95% CI +1.4 to
      +15.2%). INTERPRETATION: Expansion of ART in Botswana was associated with
      decreased age-specific cancer risk. However, an expanding and aging population
      contributed to continued high numbers of incident cancers in the HIV population.
      Increased capacity for early detection and treatment of HIV-associated cancer
      needs to be a new priority for programs in Africa.

PMID- 26267868
TI  - Followers are not enough: a multifaceted approach to community detection in
      online social networks.
AB  - In online social media networks, individuals often have hundreds or even
      thousands of connections, which link these users not only to friends, associates,
      and colleagues, but also to news outlets, celebrities, and organizations. In
      these complex social networks, a 'community' as studied in the social network
      literature, can have very different meaning depending on the property of the
      network under study. Taking into account the multifaceted nature of these
      networks, we claim that community detection in online social networks should also
      be multifaceted in order to capture all of the different and valuable viewpoints
      of 'community.' In this paper we focus on three types of communities beyond
      follower-based structural communities: activity-based, topic-based, and
      interaction-based. We analyze a Twitter dataset using three different weightings
      of the structural network meant to highlight these three community types, and
      then infer the communities associated with these weightings. We show that
      interesting insights can be obtained about the complex community structure
      present in social networks by studying when and how these four community types
      give rise to similar as well as completely distinct community structure. 

PMID- 26267869
TI  - Understanding emergent functions in  self-assembled fibrous networks.
AB  - Understanding self-assembly processes of nanoscale building blocks and
      characterizing their properties are both imperative for designing new
      hierarchical, network materials for a wide range of structural, optoelectrical,
      and transport applications. Although the characterization and choices of these
      material building blocks have been well studied, our understanding of how to
      precisely program a specific morphology through self-assembly still must be
      significantly advanced. In the recent study by Xie et al (2015 Nanotechnology 26
      205602), the self-assembly of end-functionalized nanofibres is investigated using
      a coarse-grained molecular model and offers fundamental insight into how to
      control the structural morphology of nanofibrous networks. Varying nanoscale
      networks are observed when the molecular interaction strength is changed and the
      findings suggest that self-assembly through the tuning of molecular interactions
      is a key strategy for designing nanostructured networks with specific topologies.

PMID- 26267870
TI  - You Say STD.....

PMID- 26267871
TI  - Patient-Reported Expedited Partner Therapy for Gonorrhea in the United States:
      Findings of the STD Surveillance Network 2010-2012.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Expedited partner therapy (EPT) has been shown to prevent reinfection
      in persons with gonorrhea and to plausibly reduce incidence. The Centers for
      Disease Control and Prevention recommends EPT as an option for treating sex
      partners of heterosexual patients. Few studies that examine how the reported use
      of this valuable intervention differs by patient and provider characteristics and
      by geography across multiple jurisdictions in the United States are currently
      available. METHODS: Case and patient interview data were obtained for a random
      sample of reported cases from 7 geographically disparate US jurisdictions
      participating in the Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Surveillance Network.
      These data were weighted to be representative of all reported gonorrhea cases in
      the 7 study sites. Patient receipt of EPT was estimated, and multivariate models
      were constructed separately to examine factors associated with receipt of EPT for
      heterosexuals and for men who have sex with men. RESULTS: Overall, 5.4% of
      patients diagnosed and reported as having gonorrhea reported receiving EPT to
      treat their sex partners. Heterosexual patients were more likely to have received
      EPT than men who have sex with men at 6.6% and 2.6% of patients, respectively.
      Receipt of EPT did not vary significantly by race, Hispanic ethnicity, or age for
      either group, although significant variation was observed in different provider
      settings, with patients from family planning/reproductive health and STD clinic
      settings more likely to report receiving EPT. Jurisdiction variations were also
      observed with heterosexual patients in Washington State most likely (35.5%), and
      those in New York City, Connecticut, and Philadelphia least likely to report
      receiving EPT (<2%). CONCLUSIONS: With the exception of one jurisdiction in the
      STD Surveillance Network actively promoting EPT use, patient-reported receipt of
      the intervention remains suboptimal across the network. Additional efforts to
      promote EPT, especially for patients diagnosed in private provider and hospital
      settings, are needed to realize the full potential of this valuable gonorrhea
      control intervention.

PMID- 26267872
TI  - Relationship of Specific Bacteria in the Cervical and Vaginal Microbiotas With
      Cervicitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cervicitis is an inflammatory condition of the cervix associated with
      upper genital tract infection and reproductive complications. Although cervicitis
      can be caused by several known pathogens, the etiology frequently remains
      obscure. Here we investigate vaginal bacteria associated with bacterial vaginosis
      as potential causes of cervicitis. METHODS: Associations between vaginal bacteria
      and cervicitis were assessed in a retrospective case-control study of women
      attending a Seattle sexually transmitted disease clinic. Individual bacterial
      species were detected using 2 molecular methods: quantitative polymerase chain
      reaction (qPCR) and broad-range 16S rRNA gene PCR with pyrosequencing. The
      primary finding from this initial study was evaluated using qPCR in a second
      cohort of Kenyan women. RESULTS: The presence of Mageeibacillus indolicus,
      formerly BVAB3, in the cervix was associated with cervicitis, whereas the
      presence of Lactobacillus jensenii was inversely associated. Quantities of these
      bacteria did not differ between cervicitis cases and controls, although in a
      model inclusive of presence and abundance, M. indolicus remained significantly
      associated with cervicitis after adjustment for other cervicitis-causing
      pathogens. M. indolicus was not associated with cervicitis in our study of Kenyan
      women, possibly due to differences in the clinical definition of cervicitis.
      CONCLUSIONS: Colonization of the endocervix with M. indolicus may contribute to
      the clinical manifestations of cervicitis, but further study is needed to
      determine whether this finding is repeatable and applicable to diverse groups of
      women. Colonization of the cervix with L. jensenii could be a marker of health,
      perhaps reducing inflammation or inhibiting pathogenic infection.

PMID- 26267873
TI  - Trichomonas vaginalis Infection in a Tertiary Care Vaginitis Center.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Trichomonas vaginalis infection (TVI) is one of the most common
      sexually transmitted diseases in the United States. We sought to determine the
      features of TVI in a referral-based vaginitis center, focusing on diagnosis and
      treatment of difficult cases. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of all
      patients with TVI, based on International Classification of Diseases, Ninth
      Revision codes, seen at the Drexel Vaginitis Center between January 2008 and
      November 2013. Information collected on each subject included demographics,
      symptoms, examination findings, diagnostic tests, and treatment regimens.
      RESULTS: Of approximately 4000 new patient visits during our study period, 80
      subjects were identified with TVI. Twenty subjects presented with known TVI, with
      most having clinically resistant infections. Diagnosis was confirmed by saline
      microscopy in 45%, OSOM rapid test in 40%, and clinical history in the remaining
      15%. Treatment regimens varied: 20% received single 2-g dosing of either
      metronidazole or tinidazole, 50% received high-dose regimens, 20% received
      therapy with vaginal paromomycin, and 10% underwent desensitization for
      nitroimidazole allergy. Sixty subjects had newly diagnosed TVI, with 35%
      diagnosed by saline microscopy, 41.7% by OSOM rapid test, and 23.3% by APTIMA.
      Treatment regimens for these subjects included single 2-g dosing in 88.3%, high
      dose regimen in 8.3%, and other formulations in the remaining 3.4%. In total, 80%
      of our subjects returned for follow-up; all of whom were cured. CONCLUSIONS: T.
      vaginalis infection is a rare condition in a tertiary care vaginitis center and
      often requires nonstandard treatments. Among those who returned for follow-up,
      the cure rate was 100%.

PMID- 26267874
TI  - Self-Reported Impact of Chlamydia Testing on Subsequent Behavior: Results of an
      Online Survey of Young Adults in England.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The National Chlamydia Screening Programme performs 1.7 million tests
      annually among young adults in England. The effect of chlamydia screening on
      subsequent behavior is unknown. This study examined the self-reported impact of
      testing on young adults' subsequent health care-seeking and sexual behavior.
      METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional Web-based anonymous survey using an
      online panel to recruit 1521 young adults aged 16 to 24 years and resident in
      England. Survey questions were developed using the theory of planned behavior.
      Multivariate log-binomial regression was used to identify the variables
      associated with an impact on subsequent behavior after testing. RESULTS: Most
      respondents reported that being tested for chlamydia had a positive effect on
      their subsequent sexual behavior (68.6%; 422/615) or health care-seeking behavior
      (80.0%; 492/615). In multivariate analysis, being female and having a high level
      of engagement at last test were both associated with positive impacts on sexual
      behavior (72.7% [adjusted prevalence ratio {aPR}, 1.19; 95% confidence interval
      {CI}, 1.07-1.33] and 82.7% [aPR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.27-1.89], respectively), and
      health care-seeking behavior (84.4% [aPR, 1.13; 95% Cl, 1.04-1.24] and 86.3%
      [aPR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.07-1.41], respectively). Among respondents with minimum
      level of engagement, 72.4% (76/105) reported an increase in subsequent health
      care-seeking behavior. CONCLUSIONS: Chlamydia testing had a positive impact on
      young adults' self-reported health care-seeking and sexual behavior. This
      suggests that chlamydia screening has a wider effect on young adults' sexual
      health beyond that of treatment alone.

PMID- 26267875
TI  - Oncogenic Human Papillomavirus Infections in 18- to 24-Year-Old Female Online
      Daters.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although risk factors for HPV infections in young women are well
      defined, the risk associated with meeting male sex partners via the Internet is
      unclear. METHODS: We analyzed cross-sectional data from 282 women aged 18 to 24
      years who reported using Internet dating Web sites in the past year. Women were
      mailed vaginal self-sampling kits for polymerase chain reaction-based HPV
      genotyping (including 19 oncogenic types) and sexual behavior and health history
      questionnaires. Generalized linear models were used to evaluate risk factors for
      prevalent oncogenic HPV infections. RESULTS: Thirty-five percent of women
      reported having met a male sex partner via the Internet in the past 6 months, and
      42% reported a history of HPV vaccination. The prevalence of oncogenic HPV
      infection was 37%, and 9% of women tested positive for HPV-16 or HPV-18. Having
      met a male sex partner via the Internet in the past 6 months was not
      significantly associated with oncogenic HPV infection. In multivariate analyses,
      variables associated with an increased likelihood of oncogenic HPV infection
      included male partners in the past 6 months who were reported to have at least 1
      concurrent partnership (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR], 1.51; 95% confidence
      interval [CI], 1.11-2.06) and not always using condoms with male partners in the
      past 6 months (aPR, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.05-3.30). Self-reporting a history of
      receiving at least 1 dose of HPV vaccine was inversely associated with testing
      positive for HPV-16 or HPV-18 (aPR, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.16-0.97). CONCLUSIONS:
      Although measures of recent sexual behavior were associated with prevalent
      oncogenic HPV infection, male partners met online were not associated with an
      increased likelihood of infection in this cohort of young women.

PMID- 26267876
TI  - Characteristics of African American Women and Their Partners With Perceived
      Concurrent Partnerships in 4 Rural Counties in the Southeastern U.S.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To the individual with concurrent partners, it is thought that having
      concurrent partnerships confers no greater risk of acquiring HIV than having
      multiple consecutive partnerships. However, an individual whose partner has
      concurrent partnerships (partner's concurrency) is at increased risk for incident
      HIV infection. We sought to better understand relationships characterized by
      partner's concurrency among African American women. METHODS: A total of 1013
      African American women participated in a cross-sectional survey from 4 rural
      Southeastern counties. RESULTS: Older age at first sex was associated with lower
      prevalence of partner's concurrency (prevalence ratio, 0.70; 95% confidence
      interval, 0.57-0.87), but the participant's age was not associated with partner's
      concurrency. After adjusting for covariates, ever having experienced intimate
      partner violence (IPV) and forced sex were most strongly associated with
      partner's concurrency (prevalence ratios, 1.61 [95% confidence intervals, 1.23
      2.11] and 1.65 [1.20-2.26], respectively). Women in mutually monogamous
      partnerships were the most likely to receive economic support from their
      partners; women whose partners had concurrent partnerships did not report more
      economic benefit than did those whose partners were monogamous. CONCLUSIONS:
      Associations between history of IPV and forced sex with partner's concurrency
      suggest that women with these experiences may particularly benefit from
      interventions to reduce partner's concurrency in addition to support for reducing
      IPV and other sexual risks. To inform these interventions, further research to
      understand partnerships characterized by partner's concurrency is warranted.

PMID- 26267877
TI  - Heterogeneity of HIV Prevalence Among the Sexual Networks of Black and White Men
      Who Have Sex With Men in Atlanta: Illuminating a Mechanism for Increased HIV Risk
      for Young Black Men Who Have Sex With Men.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Studying the heterogeneity and correlates of HIV risk in the sexual
      networks of black and white men who have sex with men (MSM) may help explain
      racial disparities in HIV-infection. METHODS: Black and white MSM were recruited
      as seeds using venue-based time sampling and provided data regarding their recent
      sex partners. We used chain referral methods to enroll seeds' recent sex
      partners; newly enrolled partners in turn provided data on their recent sex
      partners, some of whom later enrolled. Data about unenrolled recent sex partners
      obtained from seeds and enrolled participants were also analyzed. We estimated
      the prevalence of HIV in sexual networks of MSM and assessed differential
      patterns of network HIV risk by the race of the seed. RESULTS: The mean network
      prevalence of HIV in sexual networks of black MSM (n = 117) was 36% compared with
      4% in networks of white MSM (n = 78; P < 0.0001). Sexual networks of unemployed
      black MSM had a higher prevalence of HIV than their employed counterparts (51%
      vs. 29%, P = 0.007). The networks of HIV-negative black MSM seeds aged 18 to 24
      years had a network prevalence of 9% compared with 2% among those aged 30 years
      or older. In networks originating from a black HIV-positive seed, the prevalence
      ranged from 63% among those aged 18 to 24 years to 80% among those 30 years or
      older. CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of HIV in the networks of HIV-negative
      young black MSM demonstrates a mechanism for the increased HIV incidence observed
      in this age group. More research is needed into how age and socioeconomic factors
      shape sexual networks and HIV risk.

PMID- 26267878
TI  - Behaviors Associated With a Risk of HIV Transmission From HIV-Positive Street
      Youth to Non-Street Youth in Ukraine.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Little is known about the extent to which HIV-infected street youth
      (living part or full time on the streets) exhibit behaviors associated with HIV
      transmission in their interactions with youth not living on the streets ("non
      street youth"). We aimed to determine prevalences and predictors of such
      "bridging behaviors": inconsistent condom use and needle sharing between HIV
      positive street youth and non-street youth. METHODS: A total of 171 street youth
      in 3 Ukrainian cites were identified as HIV infected after testing of eligible
      participants aged 15 to 24 years after random selection of venues. Using data
      from these youth, we calculated prevalence estimates of bridging behaviors and
      assessed predictors using logistic regression. RESULTS: Overall, two-thirds of
      HIV-infected street youth exhibited bridging behaviors; subgroups with high
      prevalences of bridging included females (78.3%) and those involved in
      transactional sex (84.2%). In multivariable analysis, inconsistent condom use
      with non-street youth was associated with being female (adjusted prevalence ratio
      [aPR], 1.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-1.4), working (aPR, 1.2; 95% CI,
      1.03-1.4), multiple partners (aPR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.2-1.6), and "never" (aPR, 1.4;
      95% CI, 1.1-1.6) or "sometimes" (aPR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.02-1.8) versus "always"
      sleeping on the street. Needle sharing with non-street youth was associated with
      being male (aPR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.02-2.0), orphaned (aPR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.8-3.0),
      and 2 years or less living on the streets (aPR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.5-2.1).
      CONCLUSIONS: Bridging behaviors between HIV-infected street youth and non-street
      youth are common. Addressing the comprehensive needs of street and other at-risk
      youth is a critical prevention strategy.

PMID- 26267879
TI  - Balanoposthitis and Penile Edema: Atypical Manifestations of Primary Syphilis.
AB  - The typical finding in primary syphilis stage is a unique, painless chancre with
      indurated borders. We report a case of primary syphilis presenting as erosive and
      crusted balanoposthitis with an underlying chancre, penile edema, and bilateral
      inguinal lymphadenopathy in a heterosexual man. 

PMID- 26267880
TI  - Seroprevalence of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 and Type 2 and Coinfection With HIV
      and Syphilis: The First National Seroprevalence Survey in Saudi Arabia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection is one of the most common viral
      infections worldwide. Genital herpes is associated with other sexually
      transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV. Data on prevalence of HSV infections
      and other STIs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are limited. METHODS: We conducted
      the first national seroprevalence survey to determine the prevalence and
      epidemiology of HSV infection among adult Saudis and coinfection with other STIs.
      Serology was used to detect HSV-1, HSV-2, HIV, and syphilis infections among 4985
      participants recruited from across the Kingdom. RESULTS: The overall prevalence
      of HSV-1 and HSV-2 in the enrolled population was 88.8% and 1.26%, respectively.
      Although not significant for HSV-2, HSV infection was more prevalent among
      females, those working, and those who were married (married, divorced, or
      widowed), especially those married at a younger age. Prevalence of both viruses
      was statistically significantly higher among those with low education and
      increased with age. Prevalence of Treponema pallidum antibodies and HIV in the
      sampled population was very low (0.55% and 0.06%, respectively), as was their
      prevalence among HSV-2-positive participants (1.6% for both). The correlation
      between HSV-2 infection and other STIs was significant for HIV (P < 0.0001) but
      not for T. pallidum antibodies (P = 0.25). CONCLUSIONS: Herpes simplex virus type
      1 infection is highly prevalent in Saudi Arabia and mostly acquired before
      adulthood. Herpes simplex virus type 2 prevalence is very low, acquired in
      adulthood, and increased with age. Monitoring the prevalence of HSV infection can
      help inform targeted strategies to prevent new infections, neonatal transmission,
      and the spread of other STIs in the Kingdom.

PMID- 26267881
TI  - Next-Generation Methods for HIV Partner Services: A Systematic Review.
AB  - Partner notification is a widely accepted method whose intent is to limit onward
      HIV transmission. With increasing use of new technologies such as text messaging,
      e-mail, and social network sites, there is growing interest in using these
      techniques for "next-generation" HIV partner services (PS). We conducted a
      systematic review to assess the use and effectiveness of these technologies in
      HIV PS. Our literature search resulted in 1343 citations, with 7 meeting
      inclusion criteria. We found programs in 2 domains: (1) Public Health Department
      usage of new technologies to augment traditional partner notification (n = 3) and
      (2) patient or provider-led usage of partner notification Web sites (n = 4) The
      health department-based efforts showed an ability to find new cases in a
      previously unreachable population but in the limited comparisons to traditional
      PS had a lower rate of successful contact. Usage data from the partner
      notification Web sites revealed a high total number of e-notifications sent, with
      less than 10% of cards sent for HIV. Clear evidence on outcomes and directly
      traceable utilization for these Web services was lacking. When given a choice,
      most clients chose to send e-notifications via text versus e-mail. Although
      successful notification may be lower overall, use of next-generation services
      provides an avenue to contact those who would previously have been untraceable.
      Additional research is needed to determine to what extent technology-enhanced PS
      improves the identification of newly infected persons as well as the initiation
      of new prevention interventions for HIV-negative clients within high-risk
      networks. 

PMID- 26267882
TI  - Viral Co-infection and Leprosy Outcomes: A Cohort Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The role of the host immunity in determining leprosy clinical forms
      and complications is well recognized, implying that changes in the immune status
      may interfere with several aspects of the disease. Therefore, we hypothesized
      that the presence of viral co-infections and associated immunological changes
      will have a clinical impact on leprosy outcomes. The aim of our study was to
      determine the clinical impact of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), human T cell
      lymphotrophic virus type 1 (HTLV-1), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C
      virus (HCV) co-infection on the development of reactions, neuritis, neuropathy
      and relapses. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Cohort study in 245 leprosy
      subjects from Bahia, Brazil. Patients were followed from the time of diagnosis
      until at least the end of multidrug therapy. Viral co-infection was detected in
      36 out of the 245 patients (14.7%). Specific co-infection rates were 10.6% for
      HBV, 2.9% for HIV, 2.5% for HTLV-1 and 0.8% for HCV. All four groups of co
      infected patients had higher rates of neuritis and nerve function impairment
      compared to non co-infected leprosy subjects. The relapse rate was also higher in
      the co-infected group (8.3%) versus patients without co-infection (1.9%);
      relative risk 4.37, 95% confidence interval 1.02-18.74. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE:
      Leprosy patients should be screened for HBV, HCV, HIV and HTLV-1 co-infections.
      Besides contributing to better health care, this measure will facilitate the
      early detection of severe complications through targeting of higher risk
      patients.

PMID- 26267883
TI  - The Effect of a Variable Disc Pad Friction Coefficient for the Mechanical Brake
      System of a Railway Vehicle.
AB  - A brake hardware-in-the-loop simulation (HILS) system for a railway vehicle is
      widely applied to estimate and validate braking performance in research studies
      and field tests. When we develop a simulation model for a full vehicle system,
      the characteristics of all components are generally properly simplified based on
      the understanding of each component's purpose and interaction with other
      components. The friction coefficient between the brake disc and the pad used in
      simulations has been conventionally considered constant, and the effect of a
      variable friction coefficient is ignored with the assumption that the variability
      affects the performance of the vehicle braking very little. However, the friction
      coefficient of a disc pad changes significantly within a range due to
      environmental conditions, and thus, the friction coefficient can affect the
      performance of the brakes considerably, especially on the wheel slide. In this
      paper, we apply a variable friction coefficient and analyzed the effects of the
      variable friction coefficient on a mechanical brake system of a railway vehicle.
      We introduce a mathematical formula for the variable friction coefficient in
      which the variable friction is represented by two variables and five parameters.
      The proposed formula is applied to real-time simulations using a brake HILS
      system, and the effectiveness of the formula is verified experimentally by
      testing the mechanical braking performance of the brake HILS system.

PMID- 26267884
TI  - The neurophysiology of language processing shapes the evolution of grammar:
      evidence from case marking.
AB  - Do principles of language processing in the brain affect the way grammar evolves
      over time or is language change just a matter of socio-historical contingency?
      While the balance of evidence has been ambiguous and controversial, we identify
      here a neurophysiological constraint on the processing of language that has a
      systematic effect on the evolution of how noun phrases are marked by case (i.e.
      by such contrasts as between the English base form she and the object form her).
      In neurophysiological experiments across diverse languages we found that during
      processing, participants initially interpret the first base-form noun phrase they
      hear (e.g. she...) as an agent (which would fit a continuation like ... greeted
      him), even when the sentence later requires the interpretation of a patient role
      (as in ... was greeted). We show that this processing principle is also operative
      in Hindi, a language where initial base-form noun phrases most commonly denote
      patients because many agents receive a special case marker ("ergative") and are
      often left out in discourse. This finding suggests that the principle is species
      wide and independent of the structural affordances of specific languages. As
      such, the principle favors the development and maintenance of case-marking
      systems that equate base-form cases with agents rather than with patients. We
      confirm this evolutionary bias by statistical analyses of phylogenetic signals in
      over 600 languages worldwide, controlling for confounding effects from language
      contact. Our findings suggest that at least one core property of grammar
      systematically adapts in its evolution to the neurophysiological conditions of
      the brain, independently of socio-historical factors. This opens up new avenues
      for understanding how specific properties of grammar have developed in tight
      interaction with the biological evolution of our species. 

PMID- 26267886
TI  - Robustness and period sensitivity analysis of minimal models for biochemical
      oscillators.
AB  - Biological systems exhibit numerous oscillatory behaviors from calcium
      oscillations to circadian rhythms that recur daily. These autonomous oscillators
      contain complex feedbacks with nonlinear dynamics that enable spontaneous
      oscillations. The detailed nonlinear dynamics of such systems remains largely
      unknown. In this paper, we investigate robustness and dynamical differences of
      five minimal systems that may underlie fundamental molecular processes in
      biological oscillatory systems. Bifurcation analyses of these five models
      demonstrate an increase of oscillatory domains with a positive feedback mechanism
      that incorporates a reversible reaction, and dramatic changes in dynamics with
      small modifications in the wiring. Furthermore, our parameter sensitivity
      analysis and stochastic simulations reveal different rankings of hierarchy of
      period robustness that are determined by the number of sensitive parameters or
      network topology. In addition, systems with autocatalytic positive feedback loop
      are shown to be more robust than those with positive feedback via inhibitory
      degradation regardless of noise type. We demonstrate that robustness has to be
      comprehensively assessed with both parameter sensitivity analysis and stochastic
      simulations. 

PMID- 26267887
TI  - L-Fucose-containing arabinogalactan-protein in radish leaves.
AB  - The carbohydrate moieties of arabinogalactan-proteins (AGPs) have beta-(1 -> 3)
      galactan backbones to which side chains of (1 -> 6)-linked beta-Gal residues are
      attached through O-6. Some of these side chains are further substituted with
      other sugars. We investigated the structure of L-Fuc-containing oligosaccharides
      released from the carbohydrate moieties of a radish leaf AGP by digestion with
      alpha-L-arabinofuranosidase, followed by exo-beta-(1 -> 3)-galactanase. We
      detected a series of neutral beta-(1 -> 6)-galactooligosaccharides branching
      variously at O-3 of the Gal residues, together with corresponding acidic
      derivatives terminating in 4-O-methyl-GlcA (4-Me-GlcA) or GlcA at the non
      reducing terminals. In neutral oligosaccharides with degree of polymerization
      (dp) mainly higher than 10, L-Fuc groups were attached through L-Ara residues as
      the sequence, alpha-L-Fucp-(1 -> 2)-alpha-L-Araf-(1 ->. This sequence was
      verified by isolation of the pentasaccharide alpha-L-Fuc-(1 -> 2)-alpha-L-Araf-(1
      -> 3)-beta-Gal-(1 -> 6)-beta-Gal-(1 -> 6)-Gal upon digestion of the higher
      oligosaccharides with endo-beta-(1 -> 6)-galactanase. By contrast, in lower
      polymerized (predominantly dp 4) acidic oligosaccharides, L-Fuc groups were
      attached directly at the non-reducing terminals through alpha-(1 -> 2)-linkages,
      resulting in the release of the tetrasaccharides, alpha-L-Fucp-(1 -> 2)-beta-GlcA
      (1 -> 6)-beta-Gal-(1 -> 6)-Gal and alpha-L-Fucp-(1 -> 2)-beta-4-Me-GlcA-(1 -> 6)
      beta-Gal-(1 -> 6)-Gal. In long acidic oligosaccharides with dp mainly higher than
      13, L-Fuc groups localized on branches were attached to the uronic acids directly
      and/or L-Ara residues as in the neutral oligosaccharides.

PMID- 26267888
TI  - Stereoselective synthesis and molecular modeling of chiral cyclopentanes.
AB  - The reaction of 3-methyseleno-2-methylselenomethyl-propene with benzyl 2,3
      anhydro-4-O-triflyl-beta-L-ribopyranoside provides a major convenient
      enantiomeric product of 1-methylene-(benzyl3,4-dideoxy-alpha-D-arabinopyranoso)
      [3,4-c]-cyclopentane, with benzyl-2,3-anhydro-4-deoxy-4-C-(2-methyl- propen-3-yl)
      alpha-D-lyxopyranoside as a minor product. While the reaction of 3-methyseleno-2
      [methylselenomethyl]-propene with benzyl 2,3-anhydro-4-O-triflyl-alpha-D
      ribopyranoside produces a good yield of benzyl-2,3-anhydro-4-deoxy-4-C-(2
      methylpropen-3-yl)-alpha-D-lyxo-pyranoside. Molecular modeling and molecular
      dynamics simulations indicate that the intermediate in the reaction of the beta-L
      sugar frequently occupies an optimal conformation that leads to the formation of
      cyclopentane, while the intermediate in the reaction of the alpha-D sugar has a
      very small probability. The results point to the dominant role of the beta-L
      sugar intermediate in controlling the cyclopentane formation. 

PMID- 26267889
TI  - Evaluation of different buffered peptone water (BPW) based enrichment broths for
      detection of Gram-negative foodborne pathogens from various food matrices.
AB  - This study evaluated the effects of changing the composition of the pre
      enrichment medium buffered peptone water (BPW) on the growth of stressed and
      unstressed Gram-negative foodborne pathogens in a one-broth enrichment strategy.
      BPW supplemented with an available iron source and sodium pyruvate, along with
      low levels of 8-hydroxyquinoline and sodium deoxycholate (BPW-S) improved the
      recovery of desiccated Cronobacter spp. from powdered infant formula. Growth of
      Salmonella and STEC was comparable in all BPW variants tested for different food
      matrices. In products with high levels of Gram-negative background flora (e.g.
      sprouts), the target organisms could not be reliably detected by PCR in any of
      the BPW variants tested unless the initial level exceeded 10(3) cfu/10 g of
      sprouts. Based on these results we suggest BPW-S for a one-broth enrichment
      strategy of stressed Gram-negative foodborne pathogens from dry products.
      However, a one-broth enrichment strategy based on BPW variants tested in this
      evaluation is not recommended for produce with a high level of Gram-negative
      background flora due to very high detection limits.

PMID- 26267890
TI  - Identification and quantification of the caproic acid-producing bacterium
      Clostridium kluyveri in the fermentation of pit mud used for Chinese strong-aroma
      type liquor production.
AB  - Chinese strong-aroma type liquor (CSAL) is a popular distilled alcoholic beverage
      in China. It is produced by a complex fermentation process that is conducted in
      pits in the ground. Ethyl caproate is a key flavor compound in CSAL and is
      thought to originate from caproic acid produced by Clostridia inhabiting the
      fermentation pit mud. However, the particular species of Clostridium associated
      with this production are poorly understood and problematic to quantify by
      culturing. In this study, a total of 28 closest relatives including 15 Clostridia
      and 8 Bacilli species in pit muds from three CSAL distilleries, were detected by
      culture-dependent and -independent methods. Among them, Clostridium kluyveri was
      identified as the main producer of caproic acid. One representative strain C.
      kluyveri N6 could produce caproic, butyric and octanoic acids and their
      corresponding ethyl esters, contributing significantly to CSAL flavor. A real
      time quantitative PCR assay of C. kluyveri in pit muds developed showed that a
      concentration of 1.79*10(7) 16S rRNA gene copies/g pit mud in LZ-old pit was
      approximately six times higher than that in HLM and YH pits and sixty times
      higher than that in LZ-new pit respectively. This method can be used to improve
      the management of pit mud microbiology and its impact on CSAL quality. 

PMID- 26267892
TI  - Local Recurrence and Ocular Adnexal Complications Following Electronic Surface
      Brachytherapy for Basal Cell Carcinoma of the Lower Eyelid.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Various treatment options exist for nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC),
      including topical agents, surgery, or definitive or adjuvant radiation therapy.
      Recently, electronic surface brachytherapy (ESB) has been described as a
      noninvasive option for NMSC. We report a case of local recurrence of basal cell
      carcinoma (BCC) and ocular complications following ESB to the lower eyelid.
      OBSERVATIONS: A man in his 60s presented with a recurrent BCC within the
      radiation field 10 months after undergoing ESB for a biopsy-proven BCC. In
      addition to the recurrence, he had contracture of the conjunctiva in the socket
      of his previously enucleated eye, as well as lower eyelid ectropion, resulting in
      displacement and loss of retention of his ocular prosthesis. CONCLUSIONS AND
      RELEVANCE: Electronic surface brachytherapy should be used with caution,
      particularly in the periocular region because the late effects of
      hypofractionated radiation may cause ocular and orbital complications. To our
      knowledge, this is the first reported case of ocular complications with this
      modality. This case highlights a local recurrence following use of this new
      treatment modality, suggesting further investigation is warranted to determine
      the safety and efficacy of ESB.

PMID- 26267891
TI  - The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR / HER-1) gatekeeper mutation T790M is
      present in European patients with early breast cancer.
AB  - The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is one of the major oncogenes
      identified in a variety of human malignancies including breast cancer (BC). EGFR
      mutations have been studied in lung cancer for some years and are established as
      important markers in guiding therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). In
      contrast, EGFR-mutations have been reported to be rare if not absent in human BC,
      although recent evidence has suggested a significant worldwide variation in
      somatic EGFR-mutations. Therefore, we investigated the presence of EGFR-mutations
      in 131 norwegian patients diagnosed with early breast cancer using real-time PCR
      methods. In the present study we identified three patients with an EGFR-T790M
      mutation. The PCR-findings were confirmed by direct Sanger sequencing. Two
      patients had triple-negative BC (TNBC) while the third was classified as luminal
      A subtype. The difference in incidence of T790M mutations comparing the TNBC
      subgroup with the other BC subgroups was statistical significant (P = 0.023). No
      other EGFR mutations were identified in the entire cohort. Interestingly, none of
      the patients had received any previous cancer treatment. To our best knowledge,
      the EGFR-T790M-TKI-resistance mutation has not been previously detected in breast
      cancer patients. Our findings contrast with the observations made in lung cancer
      patients where the EGFR-T790M-mutation is classified as a typical "second
      mutation"causing resistance to TKI-therapy during ongoing anticancer therapy. In
      conclusion, we have demonstrated for the first time that the EGFR-T790M-mutation
      occurs in primary human breast cancer patients. In the present study the EGFR
      T790M mutation was not accompanied by any simultaneous EGFR-activating mutation. 

PMID- 26267893
TI  - [Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in children].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Children who require mechanical ventilation represent a high-risk
      population with significant morbidity and mortality. Experienced handling of
      conventional therapies including high frequency oscillation ventilation and
      initiation of newer treatment options such as surfactant or nitric oxide has led
      to some improvements. Nevertheless, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is
      a life-saving technology in patients with respiratory failure refractory to
      maximal medical therapy. OBJECTIVE: This article shows the therapeutic management
      and the selection criteria for ECMO in neonates and children based on the
      clinical signs of acquired and congenital diseases that can lead to respiratory
      failure. RESULTS: The distribution of diagnoses, survival rates, and demographic
      change of ECMO in newborns since the beginning of documentation in 1986 by the
      Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) registry and the largest German
      ECMO Center Mannheim are described. Despite a changed diagnostic distribution in
      the direction of congenital pulmonary disease, the survival rate of ECMO in the
      neonates has remained well above 70 %. In pediatric ECMO, the survival rate has
      also remained constant despite a more complex patient population. The highest
      values are seen in the youngest patients without underlying disease. CONCLUSION:
      Despite limited evidence and relatively few randomized trials in children, ECMO
      remains the safety net for patients with severe respiratory failure. Experience
      as measured by the annual number of cases plays an important role for the quality
      of results.

PMID- 26267894
TI  - Plasmodium falciparum Hop (PfHop) Interacts with the Hsp70 Chaperone in a
      Nucleotide-Dependent Fashion and Exhibits Ligand Selectivity.
AB  - Heat shock proteins (Hsps) play an important role in the development and
      pathogenicity of malaria parasites. One of the most prominent functions of Hsps
      is to facilitate the folding of other proteins. Hsps are thought to play a
      crucial role when malaria parasites invade their host cells and during their
      subsequent development in hepatocytes and red blood cells. It is thought that
      Hsps maintain proteostasis under the unfavourable conditions that malaria
      parasites encounter in the host environment. Although heat shock protein 70
      (Hsp70) is capable of independent folding of some proteins, its functional
      cooperation with heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) facilitates folding of some
      proteins such as kinases and steroid hormone receptors into their fully
      functional forms. The cooperation of Hsp70 and Hsp90 occurs through an adaptor
      protein called Hsp70-Hsp90 organising protein (Hop). We previously characterised
      the Hop protein from Plasmodium falciparum (PfHop). We observed that the protein
      co-localised with the cytosol-localised chaperones, PfHsp70-1 and PfHsp90 at the
      blood stages of the malaria parasite. In the current study, we demonstrated that
      PfHop is a stress-inducible protein. We further explored the direct interaction
      between PfHop and PfHsp70-1 using far Western and surface plasmon resonance (SPR)
      analyses. The interaction of the two proteins was further validated by co
      immunoprecipitation studies. We observed that PfHop and PfHsp70-1 associate in
      the absence and presence of either ATP or ADP. However, ADP appears to promote
      the association of the two proteins better than ATP. In addition, we investigated
      the specific interaction between PfHop TPR subdomains and PfHsp70-1/ PfHsp90,
      using a split-GFP approach. This method allowed us to observe that TPR1 and TPR2B
      subdomains of PfHop bind preferentially to the C-terminus of PfHsp70-1 compared
      to PfHsp90. Conversely, the TPR2A motif preferentially interacted with the C
      terminus of PfHsp90. Finally, we observed that recombinant PfHop occasionally
      eluted as a protein species of twice its predicted size, suggesting that it may
      occur as a dimer. We conducted SPR analysis which suggested that PfHop is capable
      of self-association in presence or absence of ATP/ADP. Overall, our findings
      suggest that PfHop is a stress-inducible protein that directly associates with
      PfHsp70-1 and PfHsp90. In addition, the protein is capable of self-association.
      The findings suggest that PfHop serves as a module that brings these two
      prominent chaperones (PfHsp70-1 and PfHsp90) into a functional complex. Since
      PfHsp70-1 and PfHsp90 are essential for parasite growth, findings from this study
      are important towards the development of possible antimalarial inhibitors
      targeting the cooperation of these two chaperones.

PMID- 26267895
TI  - DAPK1 Promoter Methylation and Cervical Cancer Risk: A Systematic Review and a
      Meta-Analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The Death-Associated Protein Kinase 1 (DAPK1) gene has been frequently
      investigated in cervical cancer (CC). The aim of the present study was to carry
      out a systematic review and a meta-analysis in order to evaluate DAPK1 promoter
      methylation as an epigenetic marker for CC risk. METHODS: A systematic literature
      search was carried out. The Cochrane software package Review Manager 5.2 was
      used. The fixed-effects or random-effects models, according to heterogeneity
      across studies, were used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% Confidence
      Intervals (CIs). Furthermore, subgroup analyses were conducted by histological
      type, assays used to evaluate DAPK1 promoter methylation, and control sample
      source. RESULTS: A total of 20 papers, published between 2001 and 2014, on 1929
      samples, were included in the meta-analysis. DAPK1 promoter methylation was
      associated with an increased CC risk based on the random effects model (OR:
      21.20; 95%CI = 11.14-40.35). Omitting the most heterogeneous study, the between
      study heterogeneity decreased and the association increased (OR: 24.13; 95% CI =
      15.83-36.78). The association was also confirmed in all the subgroups analyses.
      CONCLUSIONS: A significant strong association between DAPK1 promoter methylation
      and CC was shown and confirmed independently by histological tumor type, method
      used to evaluate methylation and source of control samples. Methylation markers
      may have value in early detection of CC precursor lesions, provide added
      reassurances of safety for women who are candidates for less frequent screens,
      and predict outcomes of women infected with human papilloma virus.

PMID- 26267896
TI  - Regime shifts in the anthropocene: drivers, risks, and resilience.
AB  - Many ecosystems can experience regime shifts: surprising, large and persistent
      changes in the function and structure of ecosystems. Assessing whether continued
      global change will lead to further regime shifts, or has the potential to trigger
      cascading regime shifts has been a central question in global change policy.
      Addressing this issue has, however, been hampered by the focus of regime shift
      research on specific cases and types of regime shifts. To systematically assess
      the global risk of regime shifts we conducted a comparative analysis of 25
      generic types of regime shifts across marine, terrestrial and polar systems;
      identifying their drivers, and impacts on ecosystem services. Our results show
      that the drivers of regime shifts are diverse and co-occur strongly, which
      suggests that continued global change can be expected to synchronously increase
      the risk of multiple regime shifts. Furthermore, many regime shift drivers are
      related to climate change and food production, whose links to the continued
      expansion of human activities makes them difficult to limit. Because many regime
      shifts can amplify the drivers of other regime shifts, continued global change
      can also be expected to increase the risk of cascading regime shifts.
      Nevertheless, the variety of scales at which regime shift drivers operate
      provides opportunities for reducing the risk of many types of regime shifts by
      addressing local or regional drivers, even in the absence of rapid reduction of
      global drivers. 

PMID- 26267897
TI  - The role of aerobic fitness in cortical thickness and mathematics achievement in
      preadolescent children.
AB  - Growing evidence suggests that aerobic fitness benefits the brain and cognition
      during childhood. The present study is the first to explore cortical brain
      structure of higher fit and lower fit 9- and 10-year-old children, and how
      aerobic fitness and cortical thickness relate to academic achievement. We
      demonstrate that higher fit children (>70th percentile VO2max) showed decreased
      gray matter thickness in superior frontal cortex, superior temporal areas, and
      lateral occipital cortex, coupled with better mathematics achievement, compared
      to lower fit children (<30th percentile VO2max). Furthermore, cortical gray
      matter thinning in anterior and superior frontal areas was associated with
      superior arithmetic performance. Together, these data add to our knowledge of the
      biological markers of school achievement, particularly mathematics achievement,
      and raise the possibility that individual differences in aerobic fitness play an
      important role in cortical gray matter thinning during brain maturation. The
      establishment of predictors of academic performance is key to helping educators
      focus on interventions to maximize learning and success across the lifespan. 

PMID- 26267899
TI  - Loss-of-Function PTPRD Mutations Lead to Increased STAT3 Activation and
      Sensitivity to STAT3 Inhibition in Head and Neck Cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type D (PTPRD) is a putative
      tumor suppressor in several cancers including head and neck squamous cell
      carcinoma (HNSCC). STAT3 is a frequently hyperactivated oncogene in HNSCC. As
      STAT3 is a direct substrate of PTPRD, we sought to determine the genetic or
      epigenetic alterations of PTPRD that contribute to overactive STAT3 in HNSCC.
      METHODS: We analyzed data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and our previous
      whole-exome sequencing study and summarized the mutation, methylation, and copy
      number status of PTPRD in HNSCC and other cancers. In vitro studies involved
      standard transfection and MTT protocols, as well as methylation-specific PCR.
      RESULTS: Our findings indicate that PTPRD mutation, rather than methylation or
      copy number alteration, is the primary mechanism by which PTPRD function is lost
      in HNSCC. We demonstrate that overexpression of wild-type PTPRD in HNSCC cells
      significantly inhibits growth and STAT3 activation while PTPRD mutants do not,
      suggesting that mutation may lead to loss of function and subsequent hyper
      phosphorylation of PTPRD substrates, especially STAT3. Importantly, we determined
      that HNSCC cells harboring an endogenous PTPRD mutation are more sensitive to
      STAT3 blockade than PTPRD wild-type cells. We additionally found that PTPRD mRNA
      expression does not correlate with pSTAT3 expression, suggesting that alterations
      that manifest through altered mRNA expression, including hypermethylation and
      gene copy number alterations, do not significantly contribute to STAT3
      overactivation in HNSCC. CONCLUSION: PTPRD mutation, but not methylation or copy
      number loss, may serve as a predictive biomarker of sensitivity to STAT3
      inhibitors in HNSCC.

PMID- 26267898
TI  - Llama nanoantibodies with therapeutic potential against human norovirus diarrhea.
AB  - Noroviruses are a major cause of acute gastroenteritis, but no vaccines or
      therapeutic drugs are available. Llama-derived single chain antibody fragments
      (also called VHH) are small, recombinant monoclonal antibodies of 15 kDa with
      several advantages over conventional antibodies. The aim of this study was to
      generate recombinant monoclonal VHH specific for the two major norovirus (NoV)
      genogroups (GI and GII) in order to investigate their potential as immunotherapy
      for the treatment of NoV diarrhea. To accomplish this objective, two llamas were
      immunized with either GI.1 (Norwalk-1968) or GII.4 (MD2004) VLPs. After
      immunization, peripheral blood lymphocytes were collected and used to generate
      two VHH libraries. Using phage display technology, 10 VHH clones specific for
      GI.1, and 8 specific for GII.4 were selected for further characterization. All
      VHH recognized conformational epitopes in the P domain of the immunizing VP1
      capsid protein, with the exception of one GII.4 VHH that recognized a linear P
      domain epitope. The GI.1 VHHs were highly specific for the immunizing GI.1
      genotype, with only one VHH cross-reacting with GI.3 genotype. The GII.4 VHHs
      reacted with the immunizing GII.4 strain and showed a varying reactivity profile
      among different GII genotypes. One VHH specific for GI.1 and three specific for
      GII.4 could block the binding of homologous VLPs to synthetic HBGA carbohydrates,
      saliva, and pig gastric mucin, and in addition, could inhibit the
      hemagglutination of red blood cells by homologous VLPs. The ability of Nov
      specific VHHs to perform well in these surrogate neutralization assays supports
      their further development as immunotherapy for NoV treatment and
      immunoprophylaxis. 

PMID- 26267900
TI  - An Innovative Pseudotypes-Based Enzyme-Linked Lectin Assay for the Measurement of
      Functional Anti-Neuraminidase Antibodies.
AB  - Antibodies (Ab) to neuraminidase (NA) play a role in limiting influenza infection
      and might help reduce the disease impact. The most widely used serological assay
      to measure functional anti-NA immune responses is the Enzyme-Linked Lectin Assay
      (ELLA) which relies on hemagglutinin (HA) mismatched virus reassortants, or
      detergent treated viruses as the NA source to overcome interference associated
      with steric hindrance of anti-HA Ab present in sera. The difficulty in producing
      and handling these reagents, which are not easily adapted for screening large
      numbers of samples, limits the routine analysis of functional anti-NA Ab in
      clinical trials. In this study, we produced influenza lentiviral pseudoparticles
      (PPs) containing only the NA antigen (NA-PPs) with a simple two-plasmid co
      transfection system. NA-PPs were characterized and tested as an innovative source
      of NA in the NA inhibition (NI) assay. Both swine A/California/07/2009 (H1N1) and
      avian A/turkey/Turkey/01/2005 (H5N1) N1s within NA-PPs retained their sialidase
      activity and were specifically inhibited by homologous and N1 subtype-specific,
      heterologous sheep sera. Moreover, A/California/07/2009 N1-PPs were a better
      source of NA compared to whole live and detergent treated H1N1 viruses in ELLA,
      likely due to lack of interference by anti-HA Ab, and absence of possible
      structural modifications caused by treatment with detergent. This innovative
      assay is safer and applicable to all NAs. Taken together, these results highlight
      the potential of NA-PPs-based NI assays to be developed as sensitive, flexible,
      easy to handle and scalable serological tests for routine NA immune response
      analysis.

PMID- 26267901
TI  - Oxygen Mapping within Healthy and Acutely Infarcted Brain Tissue in Humans Using
      the NMR Relaxation of Lipids: A Proof-Of-Concept Translational Study.
AB  - The clinical applicability of brain oxygenation mapping using the MOBILE (Mapping
      of Oxygen By Imaging Lipids relaxation Enhancement) magnetic resonance (MR)
      technique was assessed in the clinical setting of normal brain and of acute
      cerebral ischemia as a founding proof-of-concept translational study. Changes in
      the oxygenation level within healthy brain tissue can be detected by analyzing
      the spin-lattice proton relaxation ('Global T1' combining water and lipid
      protons) because of the paramagnetic properties of molecular oxygen. It was
      hypothesized that selective measurement of the relaxation of the lipid protons
      ('Lipids T1') would result in enhanced sensitivity of pO2 mapping because of
      higher solubility of oxygen in lipids than in water, and this was demonstrated in
      pre-clinical models using the MOBILE technique. In the present study, 12 healthy
      volunteers and eight patients with acute (48-72 hours) brain infarction were
      examined with the same clinical 3T MR system. Both Lipids R1 (R1 = 1/T1) and
      Global R1 were significantly different in the infarcted area and the
      contralateral unaffected brain tissue, with a higher statistical significance for
      Lipids R1 (median difference: 0.408 s-1; p<0.0001) than for Global R1 (median
      difference: 0.154 s-1; p = 0.027). Both Lipids R1 and Global R1 values in the
      unaffected contralateral brain tissue of stroke patients were not significantly
      different from the R1 values calculated in the brain tissue of healthy
      volunteers. The main limitations of the present prototypic version of the MOBILE
      sequence are the long acquisition time (4 min), hampering robustness of data in
      uncooperative patients, and a 2 mm slice thickness precluding accurate
      measurements in small infarcts because of partial volume averaging effects.

PMID- 26267902
TI  - Correction: Circulating miR-25-3p and miR-451a May Be Potential Biomarkers for
      the Diagnosis of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma.

PMID- 26267904
TI  - The interaction of economic rewards and moral convictions in predicting attitudes
      toward resource use.
AB  - When people are morally convicted regarding a specific issue, these convictions
      exert a powerful influence on their attitudes and behavior. In the current
      research we examined whether there are boundary conditions to the influence of
      this effect. Specifically, whether in the context of salient economic rewards,
      moral convictions may become weaker predictors of attitudes regarding resource
      use. Focusing on the issue of mining we gathered large-scale samples across three
      different continents (Australia, Chile, and China). We found that moral
      convictions against mining were related to a reduced acceptance of mining in each
      country, while perceived economic rewards from mining increased acceptance. These
      two motivations interacted, however, such that when perceived economic benefit
      from mining was high, the influence of moral conviction was weaker. The results
      highlight the importance of understanding the roles of both moral conviction and
      financial gain in motivating attitudes towards resource use. 

PMID- 26267903
TI  - beta-Hydroxy-beta-Methylbutyrate (HMB) Promotes Neurite Outgrowth in Neuro2a
      Cells.
AB  - beta-Hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) has been shown to enhance cell survival,
      differentiation and protein turnover in muscle, mainly activating
      phosphoinositide-3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) and mitogen-activated
      protein kinases/ extracellular-signal-regulated kinases (MAPK/ERK) signaling
      pathways. Since these two pathways are related to neuronal survival and
      differentiation, in this study, we have investigated the neurotrophic effects of
      HMB in mouse neuroblastoma Neuro2a cells. In Neuro2a cells, HMB promotes
      differentiation to neurites independent from any effects on proliferation. These
      effects are mediated by activation of both the PI3K/Akt and the extracellular
      signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2) signaling as demonstrated by the use of
      specific inhibitors of these two pathways. As myocyte-enhancer factor 2 (MEF2)
      family of transcription factors are involved in neuronal survival and plasticity,
      the transcriptional activity and protein levels of MEF2 were also evaluated. HMB
      promoted MEF2-dependent transcriptional activity mediated by the activation of
      Akt and ERK1/2 pathways. Furthermore, HMB increases the expression of brain
      glucose transporters 1 (GLUT1) and 3 (GLUT3), and mTOR phosphorylation, which
      translates in a higher protein synthesis in Neuro2a cells. Furthermore, Torin1
      and rapamycin effects on MEF2 transcriptional activity and HMB-dependent neurite
      outgrowth support that HMB acts through mTORC2. Together, these findings provide
      clear evidence to support an important role of HMB in neurite outgrowth.

PMID- 26267905
TI  - Practices of Dengue Fever Prevention and the Associated Factors among the Orang
      Asli in Peninsular Malaysia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Dengue is prevalent among Malaysia's indigenous peoples, known as the
      Orang Asli, and it poses a serious health threat to them. The study aims to look
      at the socio-demographic factors, health beliefs, and knowledge about dengue and
      its association to dengue prevention practices among Orang Asli communities in
      Peninsular Malaysia. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 16
      randomly selected Orang Asli villages from eight states in Peninsular Malaysia
      from April 2012 until February 2013. RESULTS: A total of 560 Orang Asli were
      interviewed and 505 completed the survey. Slightly above half of the participants
      (n = 280, 55.4%) had a total dengue prevention score of 51-100 (of a possible
      score of 0-100). Multivariate analysis findings showed dengue knowledge,
      perceived barriers to perform dengue prevention, fogging frequency, and perceived
      susceptibility to dengue fever as significant factors associated to dengue
      prevention practices. Participants with a lower dengue knowledge score (score 0
      18) were less likely (OR = 0.63, 95%CI = 0.44-0.92 vs. score 19-36, P = 0.015) to
      practice dengue prevention. Participants with low perceived barriers to prevent
      dengue (score of 1-5) were more likely (OR = 2.06, 95%CI = 1.21-3.53, vs. score
      of 6-10, P = 0.008) to practice dengue prevention. Villages that were not fogged
      (OR = 0.49, 95%CI = 0.24-0.99, P = 0.045) or rarely fogged (OR = 0.40, 95%CI =
      0.22-0.75, P = 0.004) had lower dengue prevention practices than villages that
      were fogged often. Participants with low perceived susceptibility of acquiring
      dengue (score of 1-5) were less likely (OR = 0.54, 95%CI = 0.33-0.89 vs. score of
      6-10, P = 0.018) to practice dengue prevention measures. CONCLUSION: Findings
      imply that educational and health programmes should focus on enhancing dengue
      knowledge and perceived susceptibility of acquiring dengue and reducing perceived
      barriers to performing dengue prevention practices among the Orang Asli. More
      outreach on mosquito control campaigns should be carried out especially in
      villages where mosquito fogging is frequent.

PMID- 26267906
TI  - Binding of the Lactococcal Drug Dependent Transcriptional Regulator LmrR to Its
      Ligands and Responsive Promoter Regions.
AB  - The heterodimeric ABC transporter LmrCD from Lactococcus lactis is able to
      extrude several different toxic compounds from the cell, fulfilling a role in the
      intrinsic and induced drug resistance. The expression of the lmrCD genes is
      regulated by the multi-drug binding repressor LmrR, which also binds to its own
      promoter to autoregulate its own expression. Previously, we reported the crystal
      structure of LmrR in the presence and absence of the drugs Hoechst 33342 and
      daunomycin. Analysis of the mechanism how drugs control the repressor activity of
      LmrR is impeded by the fact that these drugs also bind to DNA. Here we
      identified, using X-ray crystallography and fluorescence, that riboflavin binds
      into the drug binding cavity of LmrR, adopting a similar binding mode as Hoechst
      33342 and daunomycin. Microscale thermophoresis was employed to quantify the
      binding affinity of LmrR to its responsive promoter regions and to evaluate the
      cognate site of LmrR in the lmrCD promoter region. Riboflavin reduces the binding
      affinity of LmrR for the promoter regions. Our results support a model wherein
      drug binding to LmrR relieves the LmrR dependent repression of the lmrCD genes.

PMID- 26267907
TI  - Performance of Dutch children on the Bayley III: a comparison study of US and
      Dutch norms.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development-third edition
      (Bayley-III) are frequently used to assess early child development worldwide.
      However, the original standardization only included US children, and it is still
      unclear whether or not these norms are adequate for use in other populations.
      Recently, norms for the Dutch version of the Bayley-III (The Bayley-III-NL) were
      made. Scores based on Dutch and US norms were compared to study the need for
      population-specific norms. METHODS: Scaled scores based on Dutch and US norms
      were compared for 1912 children between 14 days and 42 months 14 days. Next, the
      proportions of children scoring < 1-SD and < -2 SD based on the two norms were
      compared, to identify over- or under-referral for developmental delay resulting
      from non-population-based norms. RESULTS: Scaled scores based on Dutch norms
      fluctuated around values based on US norms on all subtests. The extent of the
      deviations differed across ages and subtests. Differences in means were
      significant across all five subtests (p < .01) with small to large effect sizes
      (etap2) ranging from .03 to .26). Using the US instead of Dutch norms resulted in
      over-referral regarding gross motor skills, and under-referral regarding
      cognitive, receptive communication, expressive communication, and fine motor
      skills. CONCLUSIONS: The Dutch norms differ from the US norms for all subtests
      and these differences are clinically relevant. Population specific norms are
      needed to identify children with low scores for referral and intervention, and to
      facilitate international comparisons of population data.

PMID- 26267908
TI  - Impact of Corticosteroids on Mortality in Patients  with Acute Respiratory
      Distress Syndrome:  A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The impact of corticosteroids on acute respiratory distress syndrome
      (ARDS) mortality remains controversial following the publication of numerous
      trials, observational studies and meta-analyses. An updated meta-analysis is
      warranted, as a few original studies on this topic have been published since the
      last meta-analysis. METHODS: We searched for eligible articles using four
      databases. In particular, we included full-length original articles providing
      sufficient data for evaluating the impact of corticosteroid treatment on adult
      ARDS mortality in the form of odds ratios. A fixed model with the confidence
      interval method was used. An assessment of publication bias and sensitivity
      analyses were also conducted. RESULTS: We included 11 of 185 articles. The pooled
      odds ratio for corticosteroids with respect to all-cause mortality involving 949
      patients was 0.77 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.58-1.03, p=0.079] with strong
      heterogeneity(I2=70%, p<0.001). The results of the sensitivity analysis, Begg
      Kendall test (tau=0.53, p=0.024)and funnel plot consistently suggested the
      existence of strong publication bias. After six potentially unpublished cohorts
      were filled using Duval's trim and fill method, the pooled odds ratio shifted to
      1.11 (95% CI0.86-1.44, p=0.427). In addition, the sensitivity analyses suggested
      that corticosteroid treatment has a different impact on mortality depending on
      the comorbidities and trigger events. CONCLUSION: We were unable to confirm,
      based on the data of published studies, the favorable impact of corticosteroid
      therapy on mortality in overall ARDS cases. Published articles exhibit strong
      publication bias,and previous meta-analyses may be affected by this publication
      bias. Further research focusing on pathophysiology- or trigger event-specific
      ARDS is anticipated.

PMID- 26267910
TI  - All of medicine's a stage.

PMID- 26267909
TI  - Pancreatic Insulinoma Misdiagnosed as Epilepsy for  Eight Years: A Case Report
      and Literature Review.
AB  - A 58-year-old Chinese man presented with intermittent seizure episodes after
      being misdiagnosed with epilepsy for eight years. MRI revealed an abnormally
      strong signal in the distal pancreas. The patient was subsequently diagnosed with
      pancreatic insulinoma based on the histological findings, and his symptoms
      improved following surgical removal of the tumor. The appearance of unusual
      manifestations of insulinoma makes it difficult to diagnose the condition. This
      disorder should be included in the differential diagnosis of epilepsy and mental
      illness.

PMID- 26267912
TI  - Keeping patients under wraps.

PMID- 26267911
TI  - Prescription for dance.

PMID- 26267913
TI  - Instrumental care.

PMID- 26267914
TI  - Voice work.

PMID- 26267915
TI  - Three medical students on what prompted them to take up an artistic challenge.

PMID- 26267916
TI  - Task forces Task forces to examine health care financing, opioids, more.

PMID- 26267917
TI  - Prior authorization reform: We are just getting started.

PMID- 26267918
TI  - Mental Health Messaging to College Students. Three Arts-Based Approaches.

PMID- 26267919
TI  - Athlete's Dystonia. An Occupational Hazard of Athletes.

PMID- 26267920
TI  - Capsule Endoscopy and Left Ventricular Assist Devices.

PMID- 26267921
TI  - A Unique Left Ventricular Infiltrate Discovered in a 29-Year-Old, Causing Cardiac
      Arrest.

PMID- 26267922
TI  - Pseudohyperkalemia in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Longitudinal Analysis and
      Review of the Literature.

PMID- 26267923
TI  - Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma Presenting as Transverse Myelitis.

PMID- 26267924
TI  - Improvement in Left Ventricular Function Despite No Change in T2* with Iron
      Chelation in Secondary Hemochromatosis.

PMID- 26267925
TI  - Be Positive!

PMID- 26267926
TI  - Dissolving Decades.

PMID- 26267927
TI  - Alton Ochsner, MD and Tobacco.

PMID- 26267928
TI  - Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy with Angiitis: Emerging Options for Treatment.
AB  - Two cases of cerebral amyloid angiopathy with features of angiitis are reported.
      The role of immunosuppressive therapy is reviewed.

PMID- 26267929
TI  - Case Report: Chorioamnionitis Attributed to Streptococcus thoraltensis.
AB  - Streptococcus thoraltensis is a recently described species, isolated from the
      intestinal and genital tracts of swine and from rabbit feces. We describe here a
      case of chorioamnionitis, with paternal swine exposure, potentially attributable
      to S. thoraltensis. To our knowledge, this is the first reported human infection
      by this organism.

PMID- 26267930
TI  - Postpartum Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection An Uncommon Cause of Acute
      Coronary Syndrome.
AB  - Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is an uncommon cause of acute
      coronary syndrome (ACS) that tends to affect young females. Diagnosis is
      confirmed by a dissection flap that is seen on coronary angiogram in the absence
      of underlying coronary atherosclerosis. New techniques in intra-coronary imaging
      such as intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT)
      are useful in diagnosing SCAD. These techniques are helpful because SCAD is often
      associated with intra-mural hematoma within the vessel wall that would not be
      visualized on coronary angiography. Given the lack of randomized trials, most
      data on treatment of this relatively uncommon condition is controversial and
      based on expert opinion. Postpartum SCAD comprises a small subgroup of all
      patients presenting with SCAD.

PMID- 26267931
TI  - Comparison of Content and Format for Upper Respiratory Illness Antibiotic
      Prescribing Guideline Developed by Two Midwestern Organizations.
AB  - Antimicrobial resistance is a rapidly emerging public health problem, largely due
      to antibiotic prescribing which lacks an evidence base. We previously reported
      the results of local efforts within a single healthcare system at devising
      clinical guidelines to reduce unnecessary and even inappropriate antibiotic
      prescribing. This paper presents a comparison of the antibiotic guidelines
      developed by that process with those released by Institute for Clinical Systems
      Improvement, a national clinical quality organization. We found that the content
      of the guidelines are comparable, but not identical, while the formats differed,
      fitting separate but overlapping niches.

PMID- 26267932
TI  - Primary Care Follow-up of the NICU Graduate.

PMID- 26267933
TI  - Medicare Star Ratings: How Pharmacies Are Impacted and What That May Mean for
      Prescribers.

PMID- 26267934
TI  - Extenuating Circumstances: Smoking and Mental Illness: Closely Aligned Co
      Mordities.

PMID- 26267936
TI  - DAKOTACARE Update: Fatherhood, Revisited.

PMID- 26267935
TI  - Extenuating Circumstances: William Osler and Stonewall Jackson: The Rest of the
      Story.

PMID- 26267937
TI  - Quality Focus: Great Plains Quality Innovation Network/South Dakota is launching
      "Voices for Quality Healthcare" Advisory Board to Promote Patient and Family
      Engagement.

PMID- 26267938
TI  - Patient Education: Popping-Corn Rhythm.

PMID- 26267939
TI  - SDBMOE Board News.

PMID- 26267941
TI  - [Adapting analgesics prescription to the individual: precision medicine].

PMID- 26267942
TI  - [Prescription of antidepressants in the treatment of pain: role of
      pharmacogenetics].
AB  - Antidepressants, mainly tricyclic and non-selective reuptake inhibitors of
      serotonin antidepressants, are part of the treatment of chronic pain. The
      management is complicated by a large interindividual variability of efficacy and
      tolerance. Important part of this variability is associated with nucleotide
      polymorphisms of genes encoding enzymes involved in the pharmacokinetics and
      pharmacodynamics of these molecules. Identification of these genetic variants
      could to predict clinical consequences and allowed individualized adjustments in
      medication or dosage. This article presents the current knowledge on the
      influence of genetics on the efficacy and adverse effects of antidepressants used
      in chronic pain treatment.

PMID- 26267943
TI  - [Analgesia in patients with hepatic impairment].
AB  - The lack of clear recommendations makes optimal pain management difficult in
      patients with hepatic function impairment. This article reviews the evidence on
      commonly used analgesics (paracetamol, NSAIDs, opiates). Paracetamol can be
      safely used at low doses (2-3 grams per day) for a period not exceeding a few
      days. NSAIDs should be avoided because of their direct hepatic toxicity and an
      increased risk of life-threatening side-effects (hemorrhagic, renal).
      Glucuronoconjugated opiates should be preferred but all must be used carefully
      because of the risk of side effects. Dosage reduction and/or increased dose
      interval are often required.

PMID- 26267944
TI  - [The use of transdermal opioids in patients in oncological remission suffering
      from chronic pain].
AB  - Today, oncological patients in remission are becoming more numerous and about a
      third have chronic pain from various etiologies. In the objective of a
      comprehensive management plan for chronic pain in these patients, therapeutic
      goals, conditions and terms of prescription of opioids in the long-term should be
      discussed. The transdermal route may be an attractive alternative when analgesic
      treatment of moderate to severe pain is balanced. It provides increased comfort
      in selected patients in whom oral administration is difficult or a polypharmacy
      troublesome. Risks/benefits of a prescription of opioids in the treatment of
      chronic pain in patients in oncological remission should be re-evaluated and
      included in a multimodal support.

PMID- 26267945
TI  - [Clinical pharmacology of medical cannabinoids in chronic pain].
AB  - In Switzerland, medical cannabinoids can be prescribed under compassionate use
      after special authorization in justified indications such as refractory pain.
      Evidence of efficacy in pain is limited and the clinical benefit seems to be
      modest. Their drug-drug interactions (DDI) profile is poorly documented.
      Cytochromes P450 (CYP) 2C9 and 3A4 are involved in the metabolism of
      tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol, which implies possible DDI with CYP450
      inhibitor and inducer, such as anticonvulsivants and HIV protease inhibitors,
      which may be prescribed in patients with neuropathic pain.

PMID- 26267947
TI  - [Chronic noncancer pain and patient education: a place for e-learning?].
AB  - Chronic non cancerous pain considerably limits the patients' quality of life.
      Yet, chronic non cancerous pain has a prevalence as high as 25% to 35%,
      Therapeutic education allows to work on the knowledge and know-how about the
      disease, the treatment, the management of health resources and health behaviors.
      E-learning uses new technologies of communication to improve the quality of
      learning by facilitating access to the resources and favoring the interactivity.
      It is attractive by its wide accessibility and its limited logistic needs. The
      level of proof of its efficacy is weak, mainly because of methodological
      limitations. Some good quality studies are promising, with a positive effect of e
      learning programs on pain intensity, disability, autonomy and medication misuse.

PMID- 26267946
TI  - [Trauma and chronic pain: echoes and amplifications of physical and emotional
      suffering].
AB  - Chronic pain often presents following a traumatic event, or alternatively,
      patients attribute pain to a trauma, whether this link is established or not. The
      psychological impact of trauma can significantly complicate the treatment of
      chronic pain. This article aims to review the known interactions between trauma
      and chronic pain. Following this review, it discusses therapeutic avenues suited
      to these complex situations, underlining the specific contributions of the
      different members of a multidisciplinary team.

PMID- 26267948
TI  - [Mindfulness in addiction therapy].
AB  - Mindfulness based therapies are nowadays widely spread. During the last decades,
      several approches and specific programs have been scientifically challenged and
      developped. In the field of addictions the Mindfulness Based Relapse Prevention
      is the main reference program. Within this frame, mindfulness increases the
      awarness regarding triggers and automatic behavior related to drug abuse. It also
      has a favorable impact when dealing with craving. Currently, the scientific
      research has come to promissing conclusions as far as craving and relapse
      prediction are concerned.

PMID- 26267949
TI  - [Immunotherapy and cancers: last news from the front (Asco 2015)].

PMID- 26267950
TI  - [Indignation: effect and responsibility at the crossroad between justice and
      injustice].

PMID- 26267951
TI  - [Alcoholism and advertising: discover France and its wine-tasting tourism!].

PMID- 26267952
TI  - [Renal colic management: an opportunity for simplification].

PMID- 26267953
TI  - [2015, the psychiatry bible does not raise heated debates anymore].

PMID- 26267954
TI  - [41% of Geneve residents are overweight].

PMID- 26267955
TI  - [No mandatory participation for physicians in establishing electronic records].

PMID- 26267956
TI  - [Dancing with artificial intelligence].

PMID- 26267957
TI  - When Nurses Speak, Will the Nation Listen?

PMID- 26267958
TI  - The Value of Trust to Nursing.
AB  - Trust, one of nursing's intangible assets, impacts nurses' ability to form
      meaningful relationships with patients and this connection positively impacts
      health outcomes. Linking trust to the fabric of nursing and investing in its
      measurement will become essential to nursing's valuation and the resulting
      investment in nursing. Trust, as nursing's core value, should be fostered by
      nurse educators as they prepare the next generation of nurses. Nurse
      administrators should connect the trust a patient has for his or her nurse and
      patient cooperation and honest transparent communication between providers and
      the patient. Banking trust as a valuable nursing asset will substantiate
      nursing's marketing and support its worth. Nursing's trustworthiness is an
      intangible asset that warrants protection, as trust once lost is hard to
      recapture.

PMID- 26267959
TI  - The Rapid Growth of Graduates From Associate, Baccalaureate, And Graduate
      Programs in Nursing.
AB  - Growth in the number of RN graduates from 2002-2012 has been dramatic and broad
      based, occurring between both associate and baccalaureate programs, and has
      included people from all racial and eth- nic backgrounds. This growth has
      occurred in all types of public, private not-for- profit, and proprietary institu
      tions. The growth of RNs with gradu- ate degrees has also increased,
      particularly since 2004. Given the rapid production of nursing graduates, leaders
      in academic nursing education are urged to focus on the quality of nursing
      graduates, take steps to assure that graduates are well prepared for growth in
      nonhospital settings, ensure graduates are aware of the many challenges they will
      confront, and are well prepared to seize opportunities that will unfold during an
      era of health reform.

PMID- 26267960
TI  - The Hospital Work Environment And Job Satisfaction of Newly Licensed Registered
      Nurses.
AB  - In prior studies, newly licensed registered nurses (NLRNs) described their job as
      being stressful. Little is known about how the hospital work environment affects
      their job satisfaction. A random sample of NLRNs were surveyed to assess the
      influence of hospital work environment on job satisfaction. Perceptions of
      greater job difficulty, job demands, and patient load were significantly related
      to lower job satisfaction. In contrast, being White, working 12-hour shifts,
      working more hours, and having more job control, greater professional tenure, and
      a perception of a better initial orientation were significantly related to higher
      job satisfaction.

PMID- 26267961
TI  - Fostering Civility: An Interview With Cynthia Clark.

PMID- 26267962
TI  - e-Leadership: Leading in a Virtual Environment--Guiding Principles For Nurse
      Leaders.
AB  - Health care organizations have yet to appreciate the unique challenges associated
      with leading virtual teams. Nurse leaders are faced with managing some aspect of
      virtual teams that require a new way of leading. Nursing leadership will need to
      integrate and leverage technology to meet the growing demands of the health care
      industry. Guiding principles can help nurse leaders effectively guide their
      organizations in a virtual environment. It is important for e-leaders to create a
      social presence and build trusting relationships with all members of the virtual
      team.

PMID- 26267963
TI  - New BLS Data on Staff Nurse Compensation and Inflation-Adjusted Wages.
AB  - The wages of hospital staff RNs are a measure of the economic well-being of
      nurses across the board. The good news is the estimated average annual
      compensation for hospital RNs is now $107,307, consisting of $72,862 in wages and
      $34,445 in fringe benefits. The bad news is inflation has taken away virtually
      all of those increases. How long will it take the hospital industry to respond to
      the economic recovery, the decline of unemployment, and increased insurance
      coverage of the general population? Managing the transition will require greater
      attention to maintaining the equilibrium of hospital nurse wages.

PMID- 26267964
TI  - Dismantle or Improve ObamaCare? Nurses Must Take Action.
AB  - Following the 2014 mid-term elections, what will the next 2 years of Republican
      leadership do to change the structures still being put into place to meet the
      goals of the Affordable Care Act (ACA)? Nurses need to be visible by creating
      partnerships with their new state and federal representatives and by
      demonstrating collaboration through identified shared values. Nurses must hold
      all congressional leaders accountable for continuing to improve access to quality
      and affordable health care, while containing costs and strengthening incentives
      to provide a client-centered approach to care delivery. As health care reform
      legislation is a highly charged political battleground, nurses must support
      legislative changes in the ACA that will strengthen our health care system, not
      weaken it.

PMID- 26267965
TI  - Awakening the Human Heart: The Power of Poetry.

PMID- 26267966
TI  - Analytics for Better Care.

PMID- 26267967
TI  - Nursing Student Loan Debt: A Secondary Analysis of the National Student Nurses'
      Association Annual Survey of New Graduates.
AB  - The purpose of this study is to describe nursing student loan debt and financial
      choices from a secondary analysis of the National Student Nurses Association
      Annual New Graduate Survey. The findings in the secondary analysis show loan debt
      incurred by nursing students comparable to loan debt reported recently for all
      new college graduates in general. However, comparing types of programs and types
      of schools yielded clear variations. More than one-third of new graduates who
      reported having loans to repay were unemployed; more than one-quarter of those
      who worked part-time and one-quarter of those who worked full-time to finance
      their education were unemployed; and almost one-third of students whose parents
      had paid for their education were unemployed. New graduates from for-profit
      schools were more likely to report they had accumulated high debt to pay for
      school than all new graduates combined. Nursing students enter the job market
      with substantial financial debt that may impact their future. Educators and
      policymakers need to address these growing concerns to sustain a healthy supply
      of nurses.

PMID- 26267968
TI  - A Cost-Benefit Analysis: Electronic Clinical Procedural Resource Supporting
      Evidence-Based Practice.
AB  - There are many benefits of having an electronic reference at the patient bedside.
      Because of the significant costs involved, it is important to first understand if
      staff will utilize the system. A cost-benefit analysis of such an electronic
      clinical procedural resource at one large, academic health system showed a
      significant savings of $360,899. Having an electronic reference system at the
      patient bedside increased standardization throughout the organization.
      Additionally, clinical and instructional experts are not needed to write standard
      policies and procedures. Ongoing education was needed to increase utilization of
      the system within the organization.

PMID- 26267969
TI  - Evaluation of a Collaborative Care Model for Hospitalized Patients.
AB  - The current lack of collaborative care is contributing to higher mortality rates
      and longer hospital stays in the United States. A method for improving
      collaboration among health professionals for patients with congestive heart
      failure, the Clinical Integration Model (CIM), was implemented. The CIM utilized
      a process tool called the CareGraph to prioritize care for the interdisciplinary
      team. The CareGraph was used to focus communication and treatment strategies of
      health professionals on the patient rather than the discipline or specific task.
      Hospitals who used the collaborative model demonstrated shorter lengths of stay
      and cost per case.

PMID- 26267970
TI  - Bullying in the Nursing Workplace: Applying Evidence Using A Conceptual
      Framework.
AB  - Bullying in the nursing workplace can result in serious health-related outcomes
      for both nurses and patients who are under their care as well as the health care
      organizations. Bullying can erode the victim's professional competence and
      reputation and challenge the victim to maintain and improve professional
      identity. Although bullying can occur among co-workers, the most common form of
      bullying involves the abuse of power by superiors against subordinates.
      Persistent negative behaviors of a perpetrator indicates repeated negative
      behaviors of at least once or twice weekly by the perpetrator targeting the
      victim over period of time of at least 6 months and as long as 12 months.
      Building a conceptual framework of bullying specific to the nursing workplace is
      warranted to better understand bullying dynamics and its consequences while
      developing strategies to change the health care environment to a safer workplace
      for nurses.

PMID- 26267971
TI  - Nurse Credentials: What Is the Economic Value?
AB  - A workshop sponsored by the Institute of Medicine brought together health care
      leaders to focus on the impact of credentials on nurse, patient, and organization
      outcomes. Demonstrating the value of credentials is very challenging. Does the
      credential cause improvement? Or does it simply indicate which organizations are
      the better performers (and thus does not cause improvement)? As our health care
      system moves toward rewarding the value of health care, proponents of credentials
      will need to demonstrate credentials reflect true differences in the capacity to
      deliver health care. Credentialing is expensive; thus, it is imperative to
      critically assess the overall value of credentials, whether some credentials are
      more important than others, and how to support attainment of the most important
      credentials.

PMID- 26267973
TI  - A note from our editor.

PMID- 26267972
TI  - Nonprofit Charity Impacts Wounded Combat Veterans And Children Facing Adversity.
AB  - Mental and physical health challenges, especially for returning war veterans and
      their families, is a growing national concern. A grassroots program featuring
      equine therapy for these patients and their families shows promise in increasing
      self-esteem and self-confidence, reducing isolation and depression, and improving
      speaking and writing skills.

PMID- 26267974
TI  - RINSE AND RECOMMEND.

PMID- 26267975
TI  - KYM WHITE.

PMID- 26267976
TI  - Charting Change. Differentiating your brand from the inside out.

PMID- 26267977
TI  - The Patient/Treatment Cycle. How four marketing touch points can help improve
      patient outcomes.

PMID- 26267978
TI  - The New Loyalty Effect.

PMID- 26267979
TI  - Transplanting change.

PMID- 26267980
TI  - Healthy ambition.

PMID- 26267981
TI  - 10 Minutes With ANITA BRIKMAN.

PMID- 26267982
TI  - IMAGE HOMAGE.

PMID- 26267983
TI  - Naproxen for Pain Relief during Endometrial Biopsy: A Randomized Controlled
      Trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of naproxen 500 mg taken orally 30
      minutes before, endometrial biopsy for pain relief during the procedure. MATERIAL
      AND METHOD: A double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in
      80 patients with indication for endometrial biopsy at Ramathibodi Hospital
      between April 2013 and January 2014. The patients were randomly allocated into
      two groups to receive naproxen 500 mg (n = 40) or placebo (n = 40), 30 minutes
      before endometrial biopsy. Pain score was assessed using Visual Analogue Scale
      during and 10 minutes after the procedure. Adverse events were observed. RESULTS:
      The mean pain score during endometrial biopsy in the treatment group was
      significantly lower compared to the placebo group (5.11 +/- 0.18 vs. 6.49 +/-
      0.17, respectively, p-value < 0.001). However, the mean pain score at 10 minutes
      after endometrial sampling were minimal and had non-statistical significance in
      both groups. (0.60 +/- 0.56 vs. 0.59 +/- 0.64, p-value 0.971). CONCLUSION:
      Naproxen 500 mg taken orally 30 minutes before endometrial biopsy significantly
      reduce pain score during the procedure.

PMID- 26267984
TI  - Postoperative Pain Relief in Major Gynaecological Surgery by Perioperative
      Parecoxib Administration: Thammasat University Hospital Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study postoperative pain relief in major gynaecological surgery by
      perioperative parecoxib administration in Thammasat University Hospital. MATERIAL
      AND METHOD: This double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted
      in Thammasat University Hospital, Pathumthani, Thailand from October 2013 to May
      2014. One hundred and twenty patients who underwent elective gynaecological
      surgery were randomized assigned to study and control groups. Study group (n =
      60) received 40 mg parecoxib and control group (n = 60) received placebo at 1
      hour before surgery. The postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) at 3, 6, 12 and
      24 hours, frequency of meperidine consumption in 24 hours and side effects of
      parecoxib were recorded. RESULTS: VAS of study group after operation at 3, 6, 12
      and 24 hours was significantly lower than control group. Meperidine consumption
      in placebo group was significantly higher than study group (27.50 +/- 19.36 and
      48.75 +/- 28.15 mg, respectively; p < 0.001). There was no side effect from
      parecoxib in this study. CONCLUSION: Intravenous postoperativeparecoxib injection
      could relief pain and reduced meperidine consumption. Parecoxib could be safely
      used in gynaecological surgery for postoperative pain relief

PMID- 26267985
TI  - Efficacy of High vs. Conventional Ergocalciferol Dose for Increasing 25
      Hydroxyvitamin D and Suppressing Parathyroid Hormone Levels in Stage III-IV CKD
      with Vitamin D Deficiency/Insufficiency: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency is common in chronic kidney
      disease (CKD) patients and it contributes to secondary hyperparathyroidism, which
      occurs early in CKD. It is not clear whether the Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality
      Initiative (K/DOQI) recommended doses of ergocalciferol are adequate for
      correction of vitamin D insufficiency and hyperparathyroidism. OBJECTIVE: To
      evaluate the parathyroid hormone (PTH)-lowering effect, safety, and tolerability
      of high-dose ergocalciferol compared with conventional-dose ergocalciferol in CKD
      subjects. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We enrolled CKD stage III-IV patients who had 25
      hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-D) level <30 ng/mL. The patients were randomized into two
      groups, control group treated with ergocalciferol as recommended by K/DOQI
      guidelines, and treatment group treated with double dosage of ergocalciferol from
      the recommendation. We compared serum 25-OH-D, intact-PTH, phosphate, calcium,
      and bone biomarker levels, during the 8-week intervention. RESULTS: Sixty-eight
      patients were included (34 controls and 34 treatments). Baseline characteristics
      of both groups were similar except calcium level 9.12 +/- 0.56 mg/dL in control
      group and 9.44 +/- 0.38 mg/dL in treatment group (p = 0.009), but not clinically
      significant. At the end of the 8-week, the mean 25-OH-D level significantly
      increased from 20.99 +/- 6.68 to 33.41 +/- 8.92 ng/mL in the treatment group (p =
      0.001) and increased from 20.84 +/- 7.21 to 23.42 +/- 7.89 ng/mL in the control
      group (p = 0.026). There was also a significantly greater increase of 25-OH-D
      levels in the treatment group. Additionally, PTH levels significantly decreased
      from 90.75 +/- 67.12 to 76.40 +/- 45.97 at 8 weeks (p = 0.024) in the treatment
      group, and there was no change in the control group (97.14 +/- 83.52 vs. 101.13
      +/- 95.03 pg/mL, p = 0.546). Serum calcium, phosphate, and adverse effects did
      not significantly change in either group throughout the study. CONCLUSION: In
      addition to improving vitamin D levels, oral high-dose ergocalciferol was safe
      and had a beneficial effect in decreasing PTH in patients with stage III-IV of
      CKD.

PMID- 26267986
TI  - Risk Factors of Stroke in Pathumthani Province, Thailand.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study risk factors of stroke in Pathumthani. MATERIAL AND METHOD:
      Pathumthani comprises of seven districts. One sub-district was selected from each
      district. The subject group was those aged 30 years or older Staffs of Sub
      District Health Promotion Hospitals were trained to assist in the data gathering
      based on questionnaires on blood sugar and lipid levels. The staffs conduct cross
      sectional analyses of the information. RESULTS: Of 714 subjects, most were female
      (66.9%). The average age was 56 years (SD 10.7). Forty-six point two percent had
      their body mass index of 25 kg/m2 or more. Fifty-six point four percent had
      larger waist circumference than average. Sixty point eight percent had their
      cholesterol levels over 200 mg/dl while 14.9% had their blood sugar levels of 126
      mg/dl or higher Seven subjects (1.0%) had stroke. As for the risk factors, 32.4%
      had hypertension; 16.9% had hyperlipidemia; 13.1% had diabetes mellitus; 8.9%
      smoked and 2.0% had heart diseases. Forty-eight point seven percent had at least
      one risk factor, among these, 55.2%, 29.9%, 12.0%, 2.9% and 0.0% had one, two,
      three, four andfive factors, respectively. CONCLUSION: The prevalence rate of
      stroke in Pathumthani was one in 100 people aged 30 years or older. The observed
      important risk factor of stroke was hypertension. Nearly half of the subjects had
      at least one risk factor Suggested ways in changing the behaviors are the control
      of the disease, the diets and the increasing physical exercise.

PMID- 26267987
TI  - Time Duration of Oxygen Adaptation Immediately after Birth; Monitoring by Pulse
      Oximeter in Perinatal Period of the Infants at Charoenkrung Pracharak Hospital.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Oxygen Saturation is one of the important data to determine patient
      status and worldwide applied in several situations. Evaluation about status of
      immediate perinatal period of the infant usually uses clinical assessment, Apgar
      scoring, which had been used for a long time without other scientific
      measurement. Pulse oximeter the non-invasive measurement of oxygen saturation,
      may play role for oxygen saturation evaluation in newborn that immediately change
      from intra to extra uterine environment. OBJECTIVE: Monitoring the time duration
      that immediately born infants by normal labor or Cesarean section modes, used to
      archived target oxygen saturation (SpO) and looking for the other factors that
      influence oxygen saturation adaptation. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The data of the 553
      infants born in Charoenkrung Pracharak Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand between
      October 2012 and April 2013 were collected. The 204 healthy newborns that met all
      criteria were studied. All infants were recorded pulse oximeter from the second
      to the tenth minute after birth. They were grouped by several factors such as
      maternal gravidity, gestational age, mode of delivery, Apgar score, birth weight,
      and sex. Time interval to achieve target oxygen saturation (SpO2 >= 90%) was
      collected for analysis. RESULTS: The oxygen saturation of infants immediately
      after birth showed an increase. Median time interval was 6.5 (2-10) minutes for
      90% saturation and 7 (2-10) minutes for 95% saturation, respectively. Only mode
      of delivery showed statistical significant time difference (p < 0.001). A Cox
      proportional hazards analysis of the Kaplan-Meier curves demonstrated that
      infants born by cesarean delivery took significantly longer time to reach a
      stable SpO2 >= 90% than infants born by vaginal delivery (95% CI = 1.28 to 2.74;
      p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: A newly born infant has to take 6.5 minutes (2-10) after
      birth to adjust their oxygen saturation to reach normal higher level of extra
      uterine life, median SpO2 of 90%. Furthermore, mode of delivery makes a
      significant difference of oxygen saturation status; the cesarean route takes
      significantly longer time than the vaginal route to achieve SpO2 >= 90%.

PMID- 26267988
TI  - Descriptive Profile Outcomes between Closed and Open Drainage Systems Following
      Urethroplasty.
AB  - BACKGROUND: An indwelling urinary catheter or urethral stent are standardly used
      following a urethroplasty to prevent post-operative urinary retention. There are
      both closed drainage system (CDS) and open drainage system (ODS) available.
      OBJECTIVE: The study was designed to determine the outcomes between post
      operative CDS and ODS. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Fifty-seven hypospadias patients with
      66 urethroplasties, performed by a single surgeon, were assessed. During the 40
      month study period, the operative outcomes relative to the technique of both
      urinary catheter drainage systems were evaluated for length of hospital stay
      (LOS), cost of hospitalization, and post-operative complications. RESULTS: CDS
      and ODS drainage systems were performed in 32 and 34 operations, respectively.
      The patient characteristics, the surgical profiles, and post-operative
      complications were not statistically significant. The CDS/ODS group had median
      LOS (range) of 9 (1 to 22) 12 (1 to 6) days, respectively, and cost of
      hospitalization (SD) of 22,908 (4,455)/18,408 (3,848) Bahts respectively. Both
      had statistical significance, p < 0.001. The subgroup of 26 posterior hypospadias
      and TIP urethroplasties were also evaluated. CONCLUSION: Patients with
      hypospadias given an open drainage system after urethroplasty have a higher rate
      of early discharge, lower cost of hospitalization, and a lower rate of wound
      infection.

PMID- 26267989
TI  - Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute Mesenteric Ischemia: Clinical Analysis for 40
      Cases of the Patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the methods of diagnosis and treatment of the patients with
      acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI). MATERIAL AND METHOD: The present study took
      place at Department of General Surgery, Xiangyang Central Hospital of Hubei
      Province, China between January 2002 and December 2013. The clinical data of 40
      cases of AMI were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 40 cases of AMI, 38 had to surgical
      treatment and two had thrombolysis in superior mesenteric artery (SMA) through
      interventional radiology. Twenty cases died; thus, overall mortality was 50%.
      Fifteen cases were subjected to surgical or interventional therapy within 16
      hours after onset, and all of them survived. Twenty-five cases were subjected to
      surgical treatments over 16 hours after onset andfive survived. There was
      significant difference between them (t = 3.4, p = 0.0009). CONCLUSION: The key
      point to improve survival rate of AMI was early diagnosis and treatment. In the
      process of treatment, more attention should be paid on recovering blood supply of
      SMA, and the relationship between total excision of necrotic intestine and
      reservation offunctional intestine. The operation should be handled properly to
      reduce the possibility of short bowel syndrome.

PMID- 26267990
TI  - Risk Assessment of Abdominal Wall Thickness Measured on Pre-Operative
      Computerized Tomography for Incisional Surgical Site Infection after Abdominal
      Surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The surgical site infection (SSI) is a common complication of
      abdominal operation. It relates to increased hospital stay, increased healthcare
      cost, and decreased patient's quality of life. Obesity, usually defined by BMI,
      is known as one of the risks of SSI. However, the thickness of subcutaneous
      layers of abdominal wall might be an important local factor affecting the rate of
      SSI after the abdominal operations. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to
      assess the importance of the abdominal wall thickness on incisional SSI rate.
      MATERIAL AND METHOD: The subjects of the present study were patients who had
      undergone major abdominal operations at Thammasat University Hospital between
      June 2013 and May 2014, and had been investigated with CT scans before their
      operations. The demographic data and clinical information of these patients were
      recorded. The thickness ofsubcutaneous fatty tissue from skin down to the most
      superficial layer of abdominal wall muscle at the surgical site was measured on
      CT images. The wound infectious complication was reviewed and categorized as
      superficial and deep incisional SSIfollowing the definition from Centersfor
      Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. The significance ofeach
      potentialfactors on SSI rates was determined separately with student t-test for
      quantitative data and chi2-test for categorical data. Then all factors, which had
      p < 0.10, were included into the multivariate logistic regression analysis and
      were analyzed with significance at p < 0.05. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-nine
      patients were included in this study. They all underwent major abdominal surgery
      and had had pre-operative CTscans. Post-operative SSI was 25.2% (35/139),
      superficial and deep types in 27 and 8 patients, respectively. The comparison of
      abdominal wall thickness between patients with and without infection was
      significantly different (20.0 +/- 8.4 mm and 16.0 +/- 7.2 mm, respectively). When
      the thickness at 20 mm was used as the cut-off value, 43 of 139 patients had
      abdominal wall thickness >= 20 mm. The incidence of SSI of the thickness +/-20 mm
      group was 37.2% (16/43) and of the less thickness group was 19.8% (19/96), with p
      < 0.05. The univariate analysis revealed that abdominal wall thickness >= 20 mm,
      body weight >= 60 kg, and wound classification were the important factors related
      to SSI after the abdominal operation. However, only abdominal wall thickness and
      wound classification were still significant by multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION:
      The findings of this study confirmed the significance of the subcutaneous
      thickness of abdominal wall at the surgical site on the incidence of incisional
      SSI. The thickness >= 20 mm had an effect on increasing post operative SSI rate
      especially in contaminated operations. These findings could be helpful in making
      healthcare providers fully aware and thus exercise special attention in wound
      care or even develop new modalities to prevent SSI in patients with the
      aforementioned risks.

PMID- 26267991
TI  - A Comparison of Pain Scales in Patients with Disorders of Consciousness Following
      Craniotomy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the validity, reliability, and practicality of pain
      assessment tools in patients with disorders of consciousness who underwent
      craniotomy. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This prospective observational study cross
      validated three pain scales, FLACC (Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability),
      rFLACC (Revised FLA CC), and NCS (Nociception Coma Scale), based on validity,
      reliability, and practicality. After translation, the three pain scales were
      tested for concurrent validity, construct validity, and interrater reliability in
      patients who experienced disorders of consciousness within 24 hours following
      craniotomy. Opinions regarding practicality were elicited via questionnaire from
      nurses who have used and are familiar with these pain scales. RESULTS: Fifty
      eight patients were enrolled in the present study. Concurrent validity was
      supported by positive correlations among all scales, which ranged from r = 0.638
      to r = 0.978. All scales yielded fair to moderate agreement (K = 0.380-0.626)
      with routine clinical decision to treat postoperative pain. Concurrent validity
      was much improved in the assessment of intubated patients. Construct validity was
      demonstrated by high scores (3-5) in higher pain situations before analgesic was
      given and low pain scores (0) in pain-free situations after analgesic was given.
      All scales had good interrater reliability (intraclass correlation = 0.7506
      0.8810). CONCLUSION: All pain scales were found to be valid and reliable,
      especially in intubated patients. In terms ofpracticality, NCS was found to be
      the most acceptable by practitioners.

PMID- 26267992
TI  - Correlation between Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness and Central Corneal
      Thickness in Healthy Subjects.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the correlation between retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL)
      thickness obtained by optical coherence tomography (Spectralis OCT Heidelberg
      Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany) and central corneal thickness (CCT) in healthy
      subjects. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study.
      Two hundred twenty nine healthy subjects were included in the present study. All
      subjects received a standard ocular examination, including RNFL thickness
      measurement by optical coherence tomography. CCT measurement was performed by
      ultrasonic pachymeter. The Pearson's correlation test was used to determine the
      relationship between CCTandRNFL thickness. RESULTS: The significantly positive
      relationship was found between CCTand RNFL thickness in overall average and
      inferior sector. There was no statistically significant relationship found
      between CCT and the other sectors of RNFL thickness. CONCLUSION: CCT was
      statistically significant related to RNFL thickness in overall average and
      inferior sector in healthy subjects.

PMID- 26267993
TI  - Application of Gelatin-Coated Magnetic Particles for Isolation of Genomic DNA
      from Bones.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To develop a method for human genomic DNA extraction from bone using
      gelatin-coated magnetic particles. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Thirty human metacarpal
      with the bone age ranging from 36 to 93 years were included in the present study.
      Genomic DNA was extracted from bones using gelatin-coated magnetic particles. The
      concentration and purity of DNA were analyzed in comparison with a reference
      method. In addition, the quality of extracted DNA was examined for sex
      determination by conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: The
      average DNA concentration using gelatin coated magnetic particles exhibited
      approximately 15 times higher than a reference method with an insignificantly
      difference of the DNA purity in both methods. Twelve (40%) and fifteen (50%)
      samples out of thirty DNA isolated using established and reference method,
      respectively, could be amplified and sex correctly determined by PCR. CONCLUSION:
      Gelatin coated magnetic particle is rapid, simple, and well-suited for isolation
      of DNA from bones.

PMID- 26267994
TI  - Intravenous Heroin-Associated Delayed Spongiform Leukoencephalopathy: Case Report
      and Reviews of the Literature.
AB  - Heroin-associated spongiform leukoencephalopathy is a rare, and sometimes fatal,
      condition usually caused by vapor inhalation of heroin. The authors report a 41
      year-old man who was diagnosed with delayed spongiform leukoencephalopathy three
      weeks after injecting heroin intravenously. He had been admitted to another
      hospital due to acute heroin overdose, which had occurred four hours after
      intravenous injection of an unknown amount of heroin. His clinical condition
      showed progressive improvement and he was discharged 12 days after admission.
      Three weeks after this episode, his cognitive functioning declined. Akinetic
      mutism, spasticity and hyperreflexia of all extremities were observed.
      Electroencephalography (EEG) and imaging of the brain showed typical
      characteristics of spongiform leukoencephalopathy. The three and six-month follow
      up of the patient showed clinical improvement and this was corroborated through
      EEG measures and brain imaging. The discussion summarizes eight previously
      reported cases of intravenous heroin associated spongiform leukoencephalopathy
      and compares them to the authors'case.

PMID- 26267995
TI  - Induced Hypothermia in a Penetrating Trauma Patient with Cardiac Arrest from
      Exsanguination: The First Case Report.
AB  - The authors report the use of induced hypothermia in a stab wound patient with
      left common femoral artery injury who had cardiac arrest from exsanguination
      immediately after arriving at a private hospital. The patient was transferred to
      the authors' institution (a university hospital) after successful cardiopulmonary
      resuscitation, for vascular repair. The patient remained comatose five hours
      after the vascular repair. The induced hypothermia (target body temperature of 33
      degrees C) was initiated 10 hours post arrest after the bleeding control and
      physiologic derangement restoration had been achieved. The patient recovered
      uneventfully with good neurological outcome.

PMID- 26267996
TI  - Left Paraduodenal Hernia As a Rare Cause of Small Bowel Obstruction in Elderly: A
      Case Report and Review of Literature.
AB  - The authors presented a case of left paraduodenal hernia as a cause of closed
      loop small bowel obstruction in an elderly patient. Internal hernias are a rare
      cause of intestinal obstruction. Paraduodenal hernias are the most frequent
      especially left sided, which are believed to be the result of malrotation of the
      midgut during embryonic period. The clinical presentations varied, ranging from
      asymptomatic, chronic abdominal pain, or acute abdominal pain as acute abdomen.
      Most of the patients usually have early presentation in adult life with average
      age of 38.5 years at time of diagnosis. Late presentation in elderly patient (>
      70 years) is very rare due to its congenital in origin. This clinical entity is a
      diagnostic challenge, which happened in our case. When the diagnosis is late, the
      complication develops and may contribute to afatal outcome if left untreated
      Herein, the authors reported our case of left paraduodenal hernia with late
      presentation at age of 80, and reviewed literature.

PMID- 26267997
TI  - Ocular Malformations with Presumable Intraocular Calcification.
AB  - This is a case of ocular malformations with presumable intraocular calcification
      based on computed tomography (CT) imaging, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and
      ocular ultrasound (US) findings. The authors presented the clinical, imaging and
      pathological findings of this case. Intraocular calcification is the most
      important finding in retinoblastoma, which requires aggressive management. It is
      important to distinguish it from other intraocular lesions, especially
      intraocular calcified hematoma.

PMID- 26268000
TI  - Vaccination and Fluoridation.

PMID- 26268001
TI  - MDA Board Focuses on Strategic Planning, Membership Growth.

PMID- 26268002
TI  - State Dental Boards Are Not Immune from Antitrust Liability.

PMID- 26268003
TI  - This Will Only Hurt for a Minute....

PMID- 26268004
TI  - Is It Ethical to Advertise Claims of Superiority?

PMID- 26268005
TI  - How the MDA Is Working Proactively to Preserve Community Water Fluoridation in
      Michigan.
AB  - Community water fluoridation has famously been called "one of the top 10 public
      health advances of the 20th century." Its record of success in dental health is
      unsurpassed. And yet now, in the 21st century, were seeing renewed anti-fluoride
      activity across the country and right here in our local communities. The MDA is
      stepping up to the challenge with a new, proactive campaign to ensure that
      Michigan citizens continue to enjoy fluoridation's benefits.

PMID- 26268006
TI  - Setting the Record Straight on Fluoride.

PMID- 26268007
TI  - "It Was Almost a Guerilla-Style Attack". How Boyne City Lost Fluoridation--And
      Got It Back.
AB  - The "antis" tried to get rid of fluoride in Boyne City. In fact, they succeeded-
      and fluoride was removed from the water supply. But thanks to concerned local
      citizens and dentists, the voters had a chance to decide the issue once and for
      all. Now, fluoride's back.

PMID- 26268008
TI  - MDA Dentists Help Lead the Fluoride Fight in Communities Statewide.

PMID- 26268009
TI  - The Significance of Ecstasy Use to Dental Practice.
AB  - Methylenedioxymethampetamine (MDMA), commonly known as ecstasy, is an illicit
      drug used by individuals seeking mood enhancement. Ecstasy's pharmacology,
      systemic, oral and dental manifestations are presented. Use of this drug is not
      limited to a particular socioeconomic class and, as such, all practicing dentists
      must be aware of both the intraoral effects of this drug and any possible
      alterations to dental treatment that might become necessary. Dental
      manifestations include bruxism, increased incidence of caries, xerostomia and
      oral ulcers.

PMID- 26268010
TI  - Replacement of Maxillary Permanent Central Incisors Lost Due to Trauma in the
      Mixed-Dentition.
AB  - Traumatic injuries to anterior teeth in children range from minor chipping to
      total tooth loss and occur more often in boys than in girls. The treatment of
      permanent tooth loss in younger patients is complicated by the difficulty of
      doing restorative procedures which may be influenced by pulpal size, clinical
      crown height, and a dental profile that is constantly changing. This case report
      presented a situation involving a 9-year-old boy who had experienced traumatic
      loss of the maxillary central incisors. Innovative materials coupled with sound
      principles of removable partial denture design were utilized to fabricate a cast
      metal removable denture prosthesis to satisfy the esthetic, functional and
      psychological dental needs of the patient and his parents.

PMID- 26268011
TI  - Life Insurance Needs Vary During Each of Your Life Stages.

PMID- 26268013
TI  - Breathing easy during building projects.
AB  - In an article that first appeared in Canadian Healthcare Facilities, Peter
      Semchuk, a senior associate with IBI Group, explains how an innovative approach
      was taken to optimising indoor air quality and infection control during the
      construction of the recently completed Fort Saskatchewan and Strathcona Community
      Hospital in Canada.

PMID- 26268014
TI  - Comfort, sustainability, and workflow improved.
AB  - Brett Seeney, BEng Hons, CEng, FIHEEM, MCIBSE, an associate at WSP in Melbourne
      reports, in an article first published in the IFHE Digest 2014, on a major
      redevelopment scheme at the Echuca Regional Health Hospital in Australia's
      northern Victoria. The project innovatively harnessed the latest building
      services engineering technology to help the hospital operate more in a more
      sustainable and efficient way, while simultaneously improving comfort for
      patients, visitors, and staff.

PMID- 26268015
TI  - Shouldering the load, maximising value.
AB  - In mid-November last year Ryhurst signed what it dubbed 'a ground-breaking
      strategic estates partnership' agreement with the Isle of Wight NHS Trust (HEJ -
      January 2015). Under the Wight Life Partnership, the two organisations will work
      in partnership 'to comprehensively review the estate across all the Trust's sites
      to ensure that buildings and grounds are being fully utilised, and suitable for
      modern healthcare'. This is Ryhurst's third such 'whole estate' joint-venture
      agreement with the NHS, and the first with a non-Foundation Trust, harnessing an
      approach that sees the company shoulder a considerable part of the burden of
      making optimum use of, and deriving 'maximum value' from, large healthcare
      estates. HEJ editor, Jonathan Baillie, reports.

PMID- 26268016
TI  - Low energy--bridging the Great Divide.
AB  - Professor Mathew Bacon, MD of The Conclude Consultancy, argues that with
      healthcare facilities required to play a considerable part in helping the UK meet
      tough carbon reduction targets, a new approach to designing large acute hospitals
      is required that takes significantly greater account of such facilities' 'In-use'
      energy consumption. Equally, he believes, designing hospitals that meet lower
      carbon consumption goals requires greater dialogue between clinicians and
      engineers so that the resulting clearer perspective on clinical processes can be
      leveraged to inform the engineering design, and achieve 'a close coupling'
      between the engineering design strategy and the working practice needs of users.

PMID- 26268017
TI  - Trust and British Gas partner in EPC scheme.
AB  - In late August last year the St George's Healthcare NHS Trust in south-west
      London signed what the Trust's Estates and Facilities team described as 'a
      historic partnership' with British Gas for a L12 m Energy Performance Contract
      energy reduction scheme--via which the energy company has guaranteed to deliver
      L1.1 m in annual savings over the next 15 years. The agreement will see British
      Gas replace four 35-year-old gas-powered steam boilers and an ageing CHP plant in
      the boiler house at the Trust's main acute facility, the StGeorge's Hospital in
      Tooting, and upgrade some of the associated infrastructure. British Gas will also
      maintain the new plant to ensure that the projected savings are achieved while
      the Trust owns the new assets. The Trust should gain financially--via lower
      energy costs and carbon emissions, while estates personnel will be better able to
      complete the many other estate maintenance issues that would otherwise be
      contracted out at one of London's biggest acute hospitals.

PMID- 26268018
TI  - Keeping costs down and revenue up.
AB  - Mike Hilditch, managing director of auctioneers, Hilditch Group, which has
      extensive experience in selling equipment on behalf of the NHS, advises, via a
      seven-step guide, on some of the key elements for estates and facilities teams to
      consider to ensure that site clearances both go to plan and reap maximum
      financial reward, including safeguarding potentially valuable 'kit' against
      opportunist thieves, and preventing confidential paperwork falling into the wrong
      hands.

PMID- 26268019
TI  - Four decades of change and evolution examined.
AB  - Phil Wade, director of Marketing at Static Systems Group, looks back at how
      bedhead services and trunking have developed over the past 40 years. Their
      development has, he says, been driven not only by increasingly stringent
      infection control criteria, the need for more attractive aesthetics, increased
      functionality, evolving communications technology, and the ability to adapt to
      meet changing needs, but equally by the growing part that clinicians and
      healthcare planners now play in the decision-making process for bedside layouts.
      He also looks forward to what we might expect to see in the future.

PMID- 26268020
TI  - Ebola preparedness priorities explained.
AB  - With the recent Ebola outbreak in West Africa widely considered the worst to
      date, and British nurse, Pauline Cafferkey, who was diagnosed with the virus in
      December after returning from work in Sierra Leone, recently discharged after
      being cared for in a special isolation unit at London's Royal Free Hospital, Jon
      Otter, scientific director of the Healthcare Division at Bioquell, considers
      prevention and control strategy for a disease which, by early January this year,
      had killed well over 8,000 people since the original outbreak just a year before.

PMID- 26268021
TI  - ISO 55000: Creating an asset management system.
AB  - In the October 2014 issue of HEJ, Keith Hamer, group vice-president, Asset
      Management & Engineering at Sodexo, and marketing director at Asset Wisdom, Kevin
      Main, argued that the new ISO 55000 standards present facilities managers with an
      opportunity to create 'a joined-up, whole lifecycle approach' to managing and
      delivering value from assets. In this article, Kevin Main and Chris Bradley, who
      runs various asset management projects, examine the process of creating an asset
      management system.

PMID- 26268022
TI  - Professional knowledge, ethical conduct.

PMID- 26268023
TI  - Small investments, huge savings.
AB  - Writing on behalf of the Building & Engineering Services Association (B&ES), Ewen
      Rose, an experienced journalist specialising in building engineering services,
      reports on a number of presentations at October's IHEEM Healthcare Estates 2014
      conference where the focus was very much on how healthcare estates and facilities
      and healthcare engineering teams can save energy and cut carbon emissions through
      more efficient monitoring, and, if necessary, subsequent adjustment, of key HVAC
      plant. Among the key conclusions were that basic energy efficiency measures could
      'shave millions of pounds from NHS estates' running costs', and that hospitals
      and other healthcare buildings face both 'an air-conditioning legal crisis', and
      a growing threat from outdoor air pollution.

PMID- 26268024
TI  - Ensuring that fire doors are fit for purpose.
AB  - Neil Ashdown, general manager of the Fire Door lnspecion Scheme (FDIS), considers
      the key steps for ensuring that fire doors are correctly specified, installed,
      maintained, inspected, and, when necessary, repaired, to enable them to
      effectively fulfil their role.

PMID- 26268025
TI  - Bringing a military approach to teaching.
AB  - Despite having only established the company nine years ago, the founders of
      Kidderminster-based Avensys Medical believe the company now offers not only one
      of the UK's most comprehensive maintenance, repair, consultancy, and equipment
      audit services for medical and dental equipment, but also one of the most
      tailored training portfolios for electro-biomedical (EBME) engineers working in
      healthcare settings to enable them to get the best out of such equipment, improve
      patient safety, optimise service life, and save both the NHS and private sector
      money. As HEJ editor, Jonathan Baillie, discovered on meeting one of the two co
      founders, ex-Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) artificer sergeant
      major (ASM) and MoD engineering trainer, Robert Strange, many of the company's
      key trainers have a strong military background, and it is the rigorous and
      disciplined approach this enables them to bring to their training that he
      believes singles the company out.

PMID- 26268026
TI  - Scottish experience can inform others.
AB  - With the Waste (Scotland) Regulations 2012, which actually came into effect on 1
      January 2014 in Scotland, requiring all the country's healthcare facilities to
      separate their waste for recycling, waste management consultants, Jess Twemlow
      and Dr Adam Read of Ricardo-AEA, consider what healthcare facilities south of the
      border can learn from Scotland's experience about improved waste management and
      resource efficiency.

PMID- 26268027
TI  - Patient experience key in hospice refurb.
AB  - A major design and build scheme which has seen the inpatient unit at St. Luke's
      Hospice in Sheffield extended and refurbished to provide a more comfortable and
      homely environment, and bring the facilities up to the best 21st century
      standards, has benefited significantly from both high quality architecture and
      stakeholder commitment. The result, reports Matt Beach, associate at scheme
      architects, Race Cottam Associates, is an even better and 'more
      personal'environment for delivery of end-of-life-care at a facility that, as one
      patient puts it,'has something very rare and special about it'.

PMID- 26268028
TI  - Infrastructure for new models of care.
AB  - The NHS is costing the taxpayer 2.5 times more than it did 50 years ago. Now
      accounting for 8.2 per cent of the UK's GDP, this trend is set to continue, but
      funding is not in place to support it. The Government faces a struggle between
      what is needed and what is affordable, pointing to a complete re-think of the way
      care is delivered. So says Steve Peak, business development director for Vanguard
      Healthcare, As the 2015 General Election brings the issue into sharper focus, he
      examines how estates managers are responding to the pressures and the
      practicalities of delivering the infrastructure to support a new model of care.

PMID- 26268029
TI  - Silver biocide's real-world success.
AB  - Although temperature control has been the UK's longest-serving means of
      controlling the growth and proliferation of Legionella in hot and cold water
      systems, there are other factors, including major rises in energy costs, that
      warrant the use of biocides--including in the healthcare sector. In 2000, the
      HSE's new 'L8' guidelines took this into account, giving equal weight to both
      temperature reg~mes and biocides, such as chlorine dioxide, as control methods.
      Susan Pearson BSc reports on one potentially effective biocide- silver hydrogen
      peroxide, explains how it 'works' in practice, and highlights the recent 'real
      world' evidence of its effectiveness and advantages.

PMID- 26268030
TI  - Case study examples of SHP's successful use.

PMID- 26268031
TI  - Folding 'health' back into healthcare.
AB  - David Green, AlA, principal at the London offices of Perkins + Will, and Basak
      Alkan, AICP, LEED AP/healthcare district planner, at the architect, interior, and
      urban design company's Atlanta, US base, examine growing moves in the US to re
      evaluate planning policies to ensure that local environments are built that
      promote healthy activities, with the creation of so-called 'Health Districts'.
      Equally, they explain, healthcare 'systems' are starting to see the value in
      using their campuses to promote this process. In the UK, they argue, 'the timing
      is perfect for the re-evaluation of the relationship between the medical campus
      and the city'.

PMID- 26268032
TI  - It Wasn't Me.

PMID- 26268033
TI  - Researcher, Dentist, PDA Member: A Conversation with Dr. Steven Jefferies.

PMID- 26268035
TI  - The LEAN lab: automation, workflow,and efficiency.

PMID- 26268034
TI  - CLINICOPATHOLOGIC REVIEW. RADIOLUCENCY OF THE JAW ASSOCIATED WITH AN UNERUPTED
      TOOTH. Adenomatoid odontogenic tumor.

PMID- 26268036
TI  - Automation and optimization: the importance of the health check.

PMID- 26268037
TI  - Liquid biopsy: the time is right.

PMID- 26268038
TI  - Combined primary immune deficiency: diagnosis by clinical flow cytometry.

PMID- 26268039
TI  - Personalized medicine, pharmacogenomics, and companion diagnostics. Current and
      future applications of molecular diagnostics will influence these emerging
      fields.

PMID- 26268041
TI  - Diabetes: now guidelines for Asian Americans.

PMID- 26268040
TI  - Paving the way for prediabetes diagnostics: biomarkers that reflect insulin
      resistance.

PMID- 26268042
TI  - Digital cell images analyzers in the hematology laboratory.

PMID- 26268043
TI  - How has the analyzer evolved to meet the needs of the modern molecular diagnostic
      laboratory?

PMID- 26268044
TI  - Managing change in the laboratory.

PMID- 26268045
TI  - Ensuring better patient outcomes through quality waived testing.
AB  - Waived tests have traditionally been considered to have little or no potential to
      cause patient harm. But research shows that when workers fail to adhere to such
      basic instructions as following the directions in manufacturers' inserts, testing
      errors can occur.

PMID- 26268047
TI  - Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis on a Cardiology In-Patient Unit: A Surprising
      Result?
AB  - To determine whether a guideline-based protocol improves compliance with venous
      thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis guidelines, 10 single-day audits of a
      cardiology inpatient unit were performed. All patients at high risk for VTE were
      included (n = 420; male/female = 282/138; median age, 66 +/- 14 years). Before
      the protocol, 36% of patients were not receiving VTE prophylaxis; after the
      protocol, 26% did not receive prophylaxis (P = 0.024). In conclusion, there is a
      high rate of noncompliance with accepted guidelines for the prevention of VTE.
      The introduction of a guideline-based protocol significantly increased
      compliance, but a substantial proportion of patients still did not receive VTE
      prophylaxis despite meriting such therapy.

PMID- 26268046
TI  - Beyond TLR Signaling-The Role of SARM in Antiviral Immune Defense, Apoptosis &
      Development.
AB  - SARM (Sterile alpha and armadillo motif-containing protein) is the recently
      identified TIR domain-containing cytosolic protein. Classified as a member of the
      TLR adaptor family, the multiple locations and functions of SARM (sometimes
      playing opposing roles), provoke an enigma on its biology. Although originally
      assumed to be a member of the TLR adaptor family (functioning as a negative
      regulator of TLR signaling pathway), latest findings indicate that SARM regulates
      signaling differently from other TLR adaptor proteins. Recent studies have
      highlighted the significant functional role of SARM in mediating apoptosis and
      antiviral innate immune response. In this review, we provide an update on the
      evolutionary conservation, spatial distribution, and regulated expression of SARM
      to highlight its diverse functional roles. The review will summarize findings on
      the known interacting partners of SARM and provide analogy on how they add new
      dimensions to the current understanding on the multifaceted roles of SARM in
      antiviral activities and apoptotic functions. In addition, we provide a future
      perspective on the roles of SARM in differentiation and development, with
      substantial emphasis on the molecular insights to its mechanisms of action. 

PMID- 26268048
TI  - Practical recommendations for the process of proposing, planning and writing a
      neurological management guideline by EAN task forces.
AB  - The European Academy of Neurology (EAN), founded in 2014 after the merging of the
      two previously active European Neurological Societies, considers the production
      of neurological guidelines a major obligation, as this is a major tool to improve
      clinical practice in neurology. This paper updates practical suggestions to
      develop guidelines about the treatment and diagnosis of neurological diseases
      within the framework of the EAN. Its aim is to make uniform, traceable and
      explicit the path from the decision to write an EAN guideline to its publication.
      We explain the protocol structure, handling of conflicts of interest, format,
      timeline and process of revision and acceptance. It provides the view of the
      Scientific Committee and the Board of the EAN. We hope to make easier a larger
      involvement of the EAN scientific community in producing guidelines. 

PMID- 26268049
TI  - Heidenhain variant in two patients with inherited V210I Creutzfeldt-Jakob
      disease.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To report two members of the same family carrying the valine to
      isoleucine point mutation of the prion protein gene (PRNP) and presenting with
      visual symptoms as initial manifestation as in the "Heidenhain variant" of
      sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). METHODS: Patients underwent
      neurological examination, electroencephalogram (EEG), brain magnetic resonance
      images (MRI) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis including the Real Time
      Quaking Induced Conversion (RT-QuIC) test. Disease-specific mutations and
      polymorphism at codon 129 of the PRNP gene were also studied. RESULTS: Isolated
      visual symptoms characterized disease onset of both patients followed by
      progressive neurological signs, dementia and death in 3 (proband) and 9 (his
      aunt) months. RT-QuIC analysis of CSF samples of both patients revealed the
      presence of the pathological prion protein and DNA analysis the V210I point
      mutation of the PRNP and methionine homozygosity at the polymorphic codon 129.
      CONCLUSIONS: This report suggests to consider the diagnosis of V210I genetic CJD
      in patients presenting with the Heidenhain form of CJD and highlights the
      importance of genetic testing in all patients with isolated visual manifestations
      at onset followed by progressive neurological signs and dementia.

PMID- 26268050
TI  - Effect of Cation on Physical Properties and CO2 Solubility for Phosphonium-Based
      Ionic Liquids with 2-Cyanopyrrolide Anions.
AB  - A series of tetraalkylphosphonium 2-cyanopyrrolide ([Pnnnn][2-CNPyr]) ionic
      liquids (ILs) were prepared to investigate the effect of cation size on physical
      properties and CO2 solubility. Each IL was synthesized in our laboratory and
      characterized by NMR spectroscopy. Their physical properties, including density,
      viscosity, and ionic conductivity, were determined as a function of temperature
      and fit to empirical equations. The density gradually increased with decreasing
      cation size, while the viscosity decreased noticeably. In addition, the [Pnnnn][2
      CNPyr] ILs with large cations exhibited relatively low degrees of ionicity based
      on analysis of the Walden plots. This implies the presence of extensive ion
      pairing or formation of aggregates resulting from van der Waals interactions
      between the long hydrocarbon substituents. The CO2 solubility in each IL was
      measured at 22  degrees C using a volumetric method. While the anion is typically
      known to be predominantly responsible for the CO2 capture reaction, the [Pnnnn][2
      CNPyr] ILs with shorter alkyl chains on the cations exhibited slightly stronger
      CO2 binding ability than the ILs with longer alkyl chains. We attribute this to
      the difference in entropy of reaction, as well as the variation in the relative
      degree of ionicity. 

PMID- 26268051
TI  - Accuracy and interrater reliability of paediatric emergency department triage.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the accuracy and reliability of triage of children in
      public hospital EDs using the Australasian Triage Scale (ATS). This is the first
      study to examine these issues in paediatric triage following the 2007 development
      of the Emergency Triage Education Kit (ETEK) to foster accurate and consistent
      application of the ATS. METHODS: A convenience sample of 167 triage nurses
      working at three general hospitals and one speciality paediatric hospital in
      greater metropolitan Melbourne assigned triage ratings for nine paediatric
      clinical scenarios using the ATS. Scenarios were derived from the ETEK or from
      other published sources. Kappa was used to assess interrater reliability within
      and between hospitals. RESULTS: Triage nurses correctly assigned triage scores to
      an average of 5.3 of nine paediatric clinical scenarios. Accuracy in specific
      hospitals ranged from a low of 15% on one scenario, to 100% accuracy on a
      different scenario at a different hospital. Interrater reliability within and
      across the EDs studied was found to be kappa = 0.27. Both accuracy and interrater
      reliability were marginally higher at the speciality paediatric hospital.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate inconsistencies in the accuracy and
      reliability in which sick children presenting to EDs receive triage scores both
      within and across hospitals. These results suggest the need for improvements
      either in current triage nurse training or training resources. Use of the ETEK
      alone has not resulted in high levels of paediatric triage accuracy or
      reliability.

PMID- 26268052
TI  - [Take a stand for cholesterol theory with LDL-C lowering as the top treatment
      priority].

PMID- 26268053
TI  - [Evaluation of the application of non-statins treatment for dislipidemia].

PMID- 26268054
TI  - [A comprehensive understanding of compliance with aspirin therapy].

PMID- 26268055
TI  - [Metabolic syndrome and risk of recurrence after catheter ablation of long
      standing persistent atrial fibrillation].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study sought to explore the impact of metabolic syndrome (MS) on
      the risk of recurrence after catheter ablation of long-standing persistent atrial
      fibrillation (AF). METHODS: Totally 248 patients [197 male, (56+/-12)years] with
      persistent AF and catheter ablation were included. Long-standing persistent AF
      was defined based on the duration (more than one year). RESULTS: Among the 248
      patients, 96 (38.7%) patients had MS, 130 (52.4%) patients had long-standing
      persistent AF. After 91-1222 (404+/-303) days follow-up, 119 (47.9%) had
      recurrence. The recurrence rate was significantly higher in the MS group than
      that in the non-MS group (58.3% vs 41.4%, P = 0.017). The proportion of MS was
      similar between the long-standing persistent AF group and the non-long-standing
      persistent AF group (36.9% vs 40.7%, P = 0.544). Subjects with MS had higher
      recurrence rate than those without MS in non-long-standing AF group (56.3% vs
      32.9%, P = 0.033), but not in long-standing AF group (60.4% vs 48.8%, P = 0.177).
      In multivariate analysis, MS (hazard ratio 1.98, 95% CI 1.04-3.76, P = 0.036) and
      AF history duration (hazard ratio 1.04, 95% CI 1.01-1.07, P = 0.004) were
      independent risk factors for recurrence after catheter ablation of AF. Long
      standing persistent AF was not an independent risk factor of recurrence.
      CONCLUSION: MS was natively associated with the success rate of catheter ablation
      of AF in patients with non-long-standing persistent AF, but not in patients with
      long-standing persistent AF.

PMID- 26268056
TI  - [A prospective study on the association of plasma homocysteine level with stroke
      in hypertensive patients].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association between homocysteine (Hcy) and stroke in
      hypertensive patients. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study conducted in
      60 communities in Nanshan District, Shenzhen. Totally 5 488 patients with
      hypertension were included at baseline survey and followed for an average of 2.7
      years. At the end of follow-up, 327 (5.96%) subjects were missing with unknown
      reasons. Hcy was detected by enzymatic cycling method. Head CT, MRI, cerebral
      angiography and transcranial Doppler ultrasound were performed in the patients.
      Stroke was defined based on the International Classification of Diseases (ICD10
      coding I60-I64). RESULTS: After an average of 2.7-year follow-up, 197 developed
      new stroke. The incidence rate was 3.82%. Subjects whose Hcy levels were within
      the highest quartile (Q4) had higher risk to develop stroke compared with those
      whose Hey levels were within the lowest quartile (Q1). The HR (95% CI) were 7.4
      (3.2-13.2) in total with 7.5(3.0-19.5) in men and 7.7 (2.7-22.1) in women after
      adjustment of age, sex, education, smoking, alcohol drinking, and BMI, physical
      activity, diabetes, depression, family history of stroke or coronary heart
      disease, years of hypertension, antihypertensive drugs, folic acid, systolic
      blood pressure, TC, glucose and TG. For every 5 umol/L increase in Hcy, the HR
      (95% CI) of stroke increased 1.15-fold (1.09-1.21) in total subjects with 1.15
      (1.08-1.21) in men and 1.19 (1.04-1.35) in women, respectively. No significant
      interactions on stroke could be found between Hcy and the above stratified
      factors. CONCLUSION: Elevated Hcy levels were associated with stroke in
      hypertensive patients.

PMID- 26268057
TI  - [The values of the new American Diabetes Association Diagnostic Criteria for
      screening of pre-diabetes and diabetes in patients undergoing elective coronary
      angiography].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) has become one of key components
      in new American Diabetes Association (ADA) diagnostic criteria for pre-diabetes
      and diabetes, which is not included in the World Health Organization (WHO) 1999
      criteria. Thus, we aimed to compare the two criteria in diagnosis of pre-diabetes
      and diabetes in patients with non-acute coronary syndrome (non-ACS) in Chinese.
      METHODS: Non-ACS patients who had undergone elective coronary angiography (CAG)
      in Peking Union Medical College Hospital without previously known diabetes were
      enrolled consecutively from October 2013 to April 2014. Fasting plasma glucose
      (FPG), 2-hour plasma glucose after a 75 g oral glucose load (2hPG) and HbA1c
      levels before CAG were measured. Both WHO and new ADA criteria were applied for
      pre-diabetes and diabetes screening. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-nine
      patients were included, aged (61.9 +/- 10.1) years and 88(63.3%) were men among
      them. According to WHO 1999 criteria, 34 patients (24.4%) were normal glucose
      regulation, 57 (41.0%) pre-diabetes (including one impaired fasting glucose and
      56 impaired glucose tolerance), and 48 (34.5%) newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus.
      ADA criteria identified 12 more patients with pre-diabetes and eight more with
      diabetes than WHO criteria. Compared with those diagnosed by both criteria, the
      proportion of women was higher in diabetic patients diagnosed with HbA1c alone.
      They also had lower hemoglobin [(124.88 +/- 17.74) g/L vs (140.15 +/- 15.17) g/L,
      P=0.013] and higher fibrinogen levels [(3.47 +/- 0.41) g/L vs (3.02 +/- 0.68)
      g/L, P=0.024] than those diagnosed by both criteria. CONCLUSION: Compared with
      WHO 1999, new ADA criteria with HbA1c assessment are able to identify more
      previously unknown pre-diabetes and diabetes patients. Measurement of HbA1c might
      be needed to carry out routinely for screening patients with glucose metabolism
      abnormalities before elective CAG.

PMID- 26268058
TI  - [The efficacy and safety of human glucagon-like peptide-1 analogue liraglutide in
      newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes with glycosylated hemoglobin A1c > 9].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of human glucagon-like peptide-1
      analogue liraglutide in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with
      glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) > 9%. METHODS: This was an open-labelled,
      randomized, parallel-group, treat-to-target trial. Newly diagnosed T2DM patients
      with HbA1c > 9% were enrolled. These patients were treated with metformin with
      repaglinide and randomized to receive once-daily liraglutide (LIRA, n=25) or the
      insulin glargine (IGla, n=24) at bedtime. Efficacy and safety were assessed and
      compared after 18-month treatment. RESULTS: (1) Compared with the baseline,
      patients with LIRA had significantly reduced mean body weight,BMI and waist
      circumference (P < 0.01), whereas, the above indexes were increased (P < 0.01) in
      patients treated with IGla. (2) After 18 months of treatment, fasting plasma
      glucose (FPG), 2-hour plasma glucose after a 75g oral glucose load (2hPG) and
      HbA1c were significantly improved in all patients (P < 0.01), with 2hPG, mean
      blood glucose (MBG), the largest amplitude of glycemic excursions (LAGE), mean
      amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGE) were significantly lower in LIRA group
      than in IGla group (all P < 0.05). (3) HOMA-IR decreased in both groups (P <
      0.05). However, DeltaI30/DeltaG30, AUCCP180 and Matsuda index were only
      significantly increased in patients treated with LIRA (respectively, 4.88 +/-
      1.55 vs 7.60+/-1.91, 9.23 +/- 2.66 vs 13.18 +/- 2.72, 39.28 +/- 20.35 vs 54.64 +/
      23.34, all P < 0.01), while HOMA-IR reduced (4.41 +/- 1.58 vs 3.52 +/- 1.44, P <
      0.05). But in IGla group only HOMA-IR was reduced (4.92 +/- 1.84 vs 4.57 +/-
      1.80, P < 0.05). The index of DeltaI30/DeltaG30, AUCCP180 and Matsuda index in
      LIRA group are higher than those of indexes in IGla group(respectively, 7.60 +/-
      1.91 vs 4.18 +/- 1.00, 13.18 +/- 2.72 vs 10.53 +/- 2.68,54.64 +/- 23.34 vs 41.65
      +/- 17.84, all P < 0.05), while HOMA-IR is lower (3.52 +/- 1.44 vs 4.57 +/- 1.80,
      P< 0.05). (4) The rate of HbA1c <= 6.5% and the dosages of oral anti-diabetic
      drugs in LIRA group were significantly better than that in IGla group. (5) No
      significant differences were observed in hypoglycemic episodes and adverse events
      between two groups. CONCLUSION: It seems that liraglutide is superior to insulin
      glargine in newly diagnosed T2DM patients with HbA1c > 9% in improving beta-cell
      function, insulin sensitivity and glucose homeostasis.

PMID- 26268059
TI  - [Investigation of the risk of hepatitis B virus reactivation in arthritis
      patients undergoing anti-tumour necrosis factor alpha therapy].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of HBV infection and the risk of
      hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation in patients with inflammatory arthritis
      receiving tumour hecrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) inhibitors. METHODS: The liver
      function, serology of HBV and viral loads (HBV DNA) were tested before using
      TNFalpha inhibitors, at 3 months and 6 months. Patients with chronic hepatitis B
      (CHB) infection (HBV DNA > 1*10(3) copies/ml) were eliminated. RESULTS: A total
      of 162 patients were investigated including 156 patients who finished the study.
      Eleven (7.05%) patients were HBsAg-positive. Two patients with HBV DNA > 1*10(3)
      copies/ml were eliminated before starting anti-TNFalpha therapy. Among HBsAg
      positive patients, HBV reactivation was documented in only one of the 11
      patients. This patient with rheumatoid arthritis developed elevation of glutamic
      pyruvic transaminase (ALT) and HBV DNA copies three months after infliximab
      therapy. Therefore lamivudine was given for three months, which translated into
      the fall of ALT and HBV DNA copies back to normal level. After follow-up for six
      months, the virology and serology remained stable. In contrast, none of the other
      155 patients had demonstrated evidence of HBV infection or HBV reactivation.
      CONCLUSION: The kinetics of HBV viral loads should be carefully monitored in
      patients with inflammatory arthritis and HBsAg-positive during anti-TNFalpha
      therapy. HBV reactivation should be treated with antiviral medicine through out
      the period of anti-TNFalpha therapy.

PMID- 26268060
TI  - [1,25(OH)2-Vitamin-D3 attenuates Th17-related cytokines expression in peripheral
      blood mononuclear cells in patients with early-diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3]
      on T helper cell type 17 (Th17) cytokines and therapeutic mechanism in patients
      with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells
      (PBMCs) from healthy donors and RA patients were collected. The PBMCs were
      stimulated with anti-CD3/anti-CD28 monoclonal antibodies in the absence or
      presence of 1,25(OH)2D3and methotrexate (MTX). After co-culture, the serum levels
      of Th17 cytokines interleukin (IL)-17, IL-6, tumour necrosis factor alpha
      (TNFalpha) were analyzed by cytometric bead array (CBA). The level of IL-22 was
      analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The independent samples t
      test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used for statistical analysis.
      RESULTS: The levels of cytokines IL-17, TNFalpha, IL-6 and IL-22 in RA group were
      significantly higher than those in the control group [(43 +/- 6)ng/L, (5.91 +/-
      2.53)ng/L, (16.6 +/- 12.0)ng/L, (51 +/- 17)ng/L vs (21 +/- 3)ng/L, (2.63 +/-
      0.27)ng/L, (4.2+/-2.3)ng/L, (22 +/- 14)ng/L]. Each of the three different
      1,25(OH)2D3doses inhibited secretion of IL-17[(533 +/- 47) pg/ml, (426 +/-
      55)pg/ml, (319 +/- 86)pg/ml], TNFalpha[(424 +/- 82)pg/ml, (382 +/- 79)pg/ml, (326
      +/- 87)pg/ml], and IL-6[(5 513 +/- 3 429)pg/ml, (4 555 +/- 3 157)pg/ml, (3 748 +/
      1 919)pg/ml] in RA group (P < 0.05), yet no statistical difference was found in
      IL-22 secretion with a trend of decrease after treatment of 1,25(OH)2D3. Three
      different doses of MTX inhibited secretion of IL-17 [(452 +/- 50) pg/ml, (372 +/-
      67) pg/ml, (315 +/- 104)pg/ml] and TNFalpha [(319 +/- 74)pg/ml, (292 +/-
      59)pg/ml, (266 +/- 64)pg/ml] in RA group (P < 0.05).However, levels of IL-6 and
      IL-22 were not affected after treated with MTX. CONCLUSION: Our data indicated
      that 1,25(OH)2D3may play as an immune modulating agent to suppress Th17 cell
      cytokines. Supplement of vitamin D has the effective potential to treat patients
      with RA or other Th17 cell mediated autoimmune disorders.

PMID- 26268061
TI  - [A clinical analysis of onset of high-risk demyelinating events in patients with
      neuromyelitis optica].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical characteristics of the lesions of spinal cord
      and optic nerve as the onset of neuromyelitis optica (NMO). METHODS: A total of
      fifty-one patients with myelitis or optic neuritis (ON) as the onset of NMO who
      hospitalized in our Neurology Department during October 2010 to October 2012 were
      enrolled in the study. Clinical presentations and MRI findings of the spinal cord
      and brain were studied. RESULTS: (1) A total of 26 cases (51.0%) presented with
      myelitis as the index event, in which 30.8% (8/26) were the longitudinally
      extensive transverse myelitis (LETM) and 69.2% (18/26) were non-LETM (short
      segmental myelitis or non-transverse myelitis). Patients with non-LETM as the
      onset were found to have better prognosis than those with LETM (full recovery
      ratio was 13/18 vs 2/8, P < 0.05), while shorter recurrence interval of myelitis
      and higher recurrence frequency of events were shown in patients with non-LETM
      (11.1 vs 18.6 months, 3 times per year vs once per year, with all P < 0.05). (2)
      A total of 25 cases (49.0%) presented with ON as the index event with 24.0%
      (6/25) of unilateral ON and 76.0% (19/25) of bilateral ON. Patients with
      bilateral ON had more severe visual impairment and shorter first remission period
      than those with unilateral ON (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Non-LETM and bilateral ON
      are the most common index demyelinating events in NMO cases.

PMID- 26268062
TI  - [An analysis for the clinical difference between post infectious irritable bowel
      syndrome and non post infectious irritable bowel syndrome].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical discrepancy between patients with post
      infectious irritable bowel syndrome (PI-IBS) and non post infectious irritable
      bowel syndrome (NPI-IBS) , and assess the value of serum intestinal fatty acid
      binding protein (I-FABP) for differential diagnosis. METHODS: A total of 117
      patients with PI-IBS, 201 patients with NPI-IBS and 31 healthy controls were
      prospectively recruited in General Liberation Army Hospital from 2010 to 2013.
      Plasma samples and clinical data were collected. Serum I-FABP level was measured
      by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The median age of patients with
      PI-IBS was 36 years. The median time to diagnosis in PI-IBS group was
      significantly longer than that in NPI-IBS group [(19.7 +/- 10.3)months vs (11.4
      +/- 5.3) months, P < 0.05]. Similarly, the proportion of anxiety [58.1%(68/117)
      vs 28.9%(58/201), P < 0.05] and the value of I-FABP [(42.6 +/- 14.8) ug/L vs
      (17.3 +/- 11.5) ug/L, P < 0.05] in PI-IBS group were significant higher than NPI
      IBS patients. The level of I-FABP of healthy controls [(10.6 +/- 8.2) ug/L] was
      also significantly lower than that of PI-IBS patients (P < 0.05), yet no
      difference from that of NPI-IBS group. The I-FABP value of subgroup PI-IBS
      patients with diarrhoea (IBS-D) was significant higher than that of NPI-IBS group
      [(54.8 +/- 9.3)ug/L vs (12.3 +/- 6.2) ug/L, P < 0.05]. However, other parameters
      including gender, age, GSRS score, and I-FABP value of subgroup constipation (IBS
      C) and mix (IBS-M), were not different between PI-IBS group and NPI-IBS group
      (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: PI-IBS is an occult intestinal inflammation disease
      with mucosa injury. I-FABP might be a potential testing marker for the diagnosis
      of PI-IBS.

PMID- 26268063
TI  - Proliferative activity in melanocytic nevi from patients grouped by age with
      clinical follow-up.
AB  - Any mitotic activity in a melanocytic nevus is a source of concern about the
      biologic potential of that lesion, especially in an adult. Previously diagnosed
      benign melanocytic nevi in individuals from six different age groups were re
      examined; mitotic figures were counted in routine hematoxylin and eosin-stained
      sections; Ki-67 nuclear positivity was assessed by immunohistochemistry. Mitoses
      were seen in 0-14.3% of nevi in all groups of patients >1 year of age; 55.6% (5/9
      cases) of nevi in patients <1-year old had mitoses identified histologically. Ki
      67-positive melanocytes were seen in all cases of those lesions in infants (less
      than 1-year old) and only in a minority of lesions from the other age groups. The
      maximum and mean numbers of Ki-67-positive melanocytes per square millimeter were
      highest in patients <1-year old (16.7 and 5.6, respectively), and decreased in
      all other groups. Follow-up data were available in the majority of the patients.
      There were no examples of malignant melanoma in the various age groups. We
      conclude that proliferative activity in benign melanocytic nevi decreases with
      age, however, proliferative activity can be seen at any age and its significance
      must be judged in the context of other histopathologic features.

PMID- 26268064
TI  - Enhancing Effect of Trachelogenin from Trachelospermi caulis Extract on
      Intestinal Barrier Function.
AB  - Trachelospermi caulis is used widely as an herbal medicine in oriental countries
      to attenuate fever and pain. We wished to reveal the novel function of this herb
      and its active component on barrier function in intestinal epithelial cells.
      Monolayers of intestinal epithelial cells (Caco-2) were used to evaluate the
      transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and quantity of permeated ovalbumin
      (OVA) as indices of barrier function. T. caulis increased TEER values on cell
      monolayers and decreased OVA permeation across cell monolayers. To ascertain the
      active component of T. caulis, the extract was isolated to five fractions, and
      the effect of each of these fractions on intestinal barrier function examined.
      Chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions showed increased TEER values and decreased
      OVA flux. Chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions contained mainly trachelogenin
      and its glycoside, tracheloside. Trachelogenin increased TEER values and
      decreased OVA flux by enhancing the tight-junction protein occludin (but not
      tracheloside) in Caco-2 monolayers. These findings demonstrated that
      trachelogenin, an active component of T. caulis, might help to attenuate food
      allergy or inflammatory bowel disease through inhibition of allergen permeation
      or enhancement of the intestinal barrier. 

PMID- 26268065
TI  - Vaccination with Recombinant Non-transmembrane Domain of Protein
      Mannosyltransferase 4 Improves Survival during Murine Disseminated Candidiasis.
AB  - Candida albicans is the most common cause of invasive fungal infections in
      humans. The C. albicans cell wall proteins play an important role in crucial host
      fungus interactions and might be ideal vaccine targets to induce protective
      immune response in host. Meanwhile, protein that is specific to C. albicans is
      also an ideal target of vaccine. In this study, 11 proteins involving cell wall
      biosynthesis, yeast-to-hypha formation, or specific to C. albicans were chosen
      and were successfully cloned, purified and verified. The immune protection of
      vaccination with each recombinant protein respectively in preventing systemic
      candidiasis in BALB/c mice was assessed. The injection of rPmt4p vaccination
      significantly increased survival rate, decreased fungal burdens in the heart,
      liver, brain, and kidneys, and increased serum levels of both immunoglobulin G
      (IgG) and IgM against rPmt4p in the immunized mice. Histopathological assessment
      demonstrated that rPmt4p vaccination protected the tissue structure, and
      decreased the infiltration of inflammatory cells. Passive transfer of the rPmt4p
      immunized serum increased survival rate against murine systemic candidiasis and
      significantly reduced organ fungal burden. The immune serum enhanced mouse
      neutrophil killing activity by directly neutralizing rPmt4p effects in vitro.
      Levels of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-17A and tumor necrosis factor
      (TNF)-alpha in serum were higher in the immunized mice compared to those in the
      adjuvant control group. In conclusion, our results suggested that rPmt4p
      vaccination may be considered as a potential vaccine candidate against systemic
      candidiasis. 

PMID- 26268066
TI  - Reevaluating the two-representation model of numerical magnitude processing.
AB  - One debate in mathematical cognition centers on the single-representation model
      versus the two-representation model. Using an improved number Stroop paradigm
      (i.e., systematically manipulating physical size distance), in the present study
      we tested the predictions of the two models for number magnitude processing. The
      results supported the single-representation model and, more importantly,
      explained how a design problem (failure to manipulate physical size distance) and
      an analytical problem (failure to consider the interaction between congruity and
      task-irrelevant numerical distance) might have contributed to the evidence used
      to support the two-representation model. This study, therefore, can help settle
      the debate between the single-representation and two-representation models. 

PMID- 26268067
TI  - Conflict or Caveats? Effects of Media Portrayals of Scientific Uncertainty on
      Audience Perceptions of New Technologies.
AB  - Research indicates that uncertainty in science news stories affects public
      assessment of risk and uncertainty. However, the form in which uncertainty is
      presented may also affect people's risk and uncertainty assessments. For example,
      a news story that features an expert discussing both what is known and what is
      unknown about a topic may convey a different form of scientific uncertainty than
      a story that features two experts who hold conflicting opinions about the status
      of scientific knowledge of the topic, even when both stories contain the same
      information about knowledge and its boundaries. This study focuses on audience
      uncertainty and risk perceptions regarding the emerging science of nanotechnology
      by manipulating whether uncertainty in a news story about potential risks is
      attributed to expert sources in the form of caveats (individual uncertainty) or
      conflicting viewpoints (collective uncertainty). Results suggest that the type of
      uncertainty portrayed does not impact audience feelings of uncertainty or risk
      perceptions directly. Rather, the presentation of the story influences risk
      perceptions only among those who are highly deferent to scientific authority.
      Implications for risk communication theory and practice are discussed. 

PMID- 26268068
TI  - The relationship between microfilaraemic and amicrofilaraemic loiasis involving
      co-infection with Mansonella perstans and clinical symptoms in an exposed
      population from Gabon.
AB  - The relationship between the frequency of loiasis objective symptoms and
      microfilaraemic or amicrofilaraemic infection was assessed in 1148 exposed
      patients also infected, or not, with Mansonella perstans. Filarial infections
      were detected by direct microscopy, leucoconcentration and serology, with
      prevalence values of 39.5% Loa loa, 5.6% M. perstans and 3.4% co-infection with
      both filarial species. Amicrofilaraemic or occult loiasis (OL) predominated among
      L. loa-infected individuals, with a prevalence of 58.2%. Hypermicrofilaraemia
      (>8000 microfilariae (mf)/ml) was found in 18.4% of L. loa microfilaraemic
      patients, with 25.7% of them harbouring more than 30,000 mf/ml. Up to 34% of
      patients with OL showed evidence of Calabar swelling, compared with 26.3% of
      microfilaraemic patients (P= 0.03). Overall 5.3% of patients presented with adult
      worm migration across the eye, representing 16.3% of microfilaraemic individuals
      and 11.4% of amicrofilaraemic patients (P= 0.13). This symptom was similarly
      found in patients with more than 30,000 mf/ml (22%), those with microfilaraemia
      between 8 and 30,000 mf/ml (15.4%) and also in individuals with low or without
      microfilaraemia (16.1%) (P= 0.7). Five (14.3%) hypermicrofilaraemic patients did
      not present any L. loa-specific objective symptoms, as well as all the patients
      with single M. perstans infection. The presence of adult eye worm migration as a
      strong predictor of high microfilaraemia density would obscure the real burden of
      L. loa hypermicrofilaraemia in exposed individuals. For epidemiological purposes
      and control strategies, the mapping of L. loa in endemic areas should also take
      into account the group of patients with occult loiasis. 

PMID- 26268069
TI  - An island of stability in a sea of fingers: emergent global features of the
      viscous-flow instability.
AB  - The displacement of a more viscous fluid by a less viscous one in a quasi-two
      dimensional geometry leads to the formation of complex fingering patterns. This
      fingering has been characterized by a most unstable wavelength, lambdac, which
      depends on the viscosity difference between two immiscible fluids and sets the
      characteristic width of the fingers. How the finger length grows after the
      instability occurs is an equally important, but previously overlooked, aspect
      that characterizes the global features of the patterns. Long after the
      instability onset, once the fingers are growing in a nearly steady-state regime,
      there is a stable inner region where the outer fluid is completely displaced. We
      show that the ratio of the finger length to the radius of this stable region
      depends only on the viscosity ratio of the fluids and is decoupled from lambdac. 

PMID- 26268070
TI  - Home nurses' turnover intentions: the impact of informal supervisory feedback and
      self-efficacy.
AB  - AIM: To examine how home nurses' turnover intentions are affected by the quality
      and frequency of supervisory feedback and by their own self-efficacy. BACKGROUND:
      Little is known about effective retention strategies for the growing home
      healthcare sector that struggles to retain an adequate workforce. While the work
      environment and supervisors have been found to play a key-role in nurses'
      turnover intentions, home nurses mostly work autonomously and apart from their
      supervisors. These circumstances require a customized approach and need to be
      understood to ensure high-quality home health care. DESIGN: We used a
      correlational, cross-sectional survey design. METHOD: A convenience sample of 312
      home nurses was selected from a division of a large home health care organization
      in Flanders, Belgium. Data were collected in 2013 using structured questionnaires
      and analysed using descriptive statistics, structural equation modelling and
      relative weight analysis. RESULTS: The quality of feedback was related to lower
      levels of turnover intentions. This relationship was fully mediated by home
      nurses' self-efficacy. Frequent favourable feedback was directly related to lower
      turnover intentions while the relationship between frequent unfavourable feedback
      and turnover intentions was conditional on home nurses' level of self-efficacy.
      CONCLUSION: This study contributes to our understanding of home nurses' turnover
      intentions and the role of informal supervisory feedback and home nurses' self
      efficacy.

PMID- 26268072
TI  - Intentional continuous shallowing of the anterior chamber, a procedure to prevent
      lens touch during phakic vitrectomy.

PMID- 26268071
TI  - Microbial eukaryotic diversity and distribution in a river plume and cyclonic
      eddy-influenced ecosystem in the South China Sea.
AB  - To evaluate microbial eukaryotic diversity and distribution in mesoscale
      processes, we investigated 18S rDNA diversity in a river plume and cyclonic eddy
      influenced ecosystem in the southwestern South China Sea (SCS). Restriction
      fragment length polymorphism analysis was carried out using multiple primer sets.
      Relative to a wide range of previous similar studies, we observed a significantly
      higher proportion of sequences of pigmented taxa. Among the photosynthetic
      groups, Haptophyta accounted for 27.7% of the sequenced clones, which belonged
      primarily to Prymnesiophyceae. Unexpectedly, five operational taxonomic units of
      Cryptophyta were closely related to freshwater species. The Chlorophyta mostly
      fell within the Prasinophyceae, which was comprised of six clades, including
      Clade III, which is detected in the SCS for the first time in this study. Among
      the photosynthetic stramenopiles, Chrysophyceae was the most diverse taxon, which
      included seven clades. The majority of 18S rDNA sequences affiliated with the
      Dictyochophyceae, Eustigmatophyceae, and Pelagophyceae were closely related to
      those of pure cultures. The results of redundancy analysis and the permutation
      Mantel test based on unweighted UniFrac distances, conducted for spatial analyses
      of the Haptophyta subclades suggested that the Mekong River plume and cyclonic
      eddy play important roles in regulating microbial eukaryotic diversity and
      distribution in the southwestern SCS. 

PMID- 26268073
TI  - [CONSENSUS ON FATS AND OILS IN THE DIET OF S ISH ADULTS; POSITION PAPER OF THE
      SPANISH FEDERATION OF FOOD, NUTRITION AND DIETETICS SOCIETIES].
AB  - The quality of dietary fat critically influences health. In this consensus
      document the scientific evidence relating effects of dietary fat quantity and
      quality on cardiovascular risk is reviewed and recommendations for the Spanish
      adult population are issued. As a novelty in nutrition guidelines, emphasis is
      made more on parent foods than on fatty acids per se. In summary, replacing
      saturated fatty acids (SFA) for monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and
      polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) reduces cardiovascular risk. Recent data
      suggest that SFA proper may be harmful or not depending on the parent food, a
      reason why an intake threshold is not established, but consumption of foods
      containing excess SFA, such as butter, some processed meats, and commercial
      confectionery and fried foods is discouraged. The established threshold of <1 %
      of energy intake as trans FA, well known to be harmful for cardiovascular risk,
      is fulfilled in Spain due in part to its present low levels in margarines. MUFA
      are beneficial or neutral for cardiovascular risk depending on their dietary
      sources (virgin olive oil versus other fats), and no intake limitations are
      established.n-6 PUFA are cardioprotective and recommended intakes (5-10 % of
      energy) are not always fulfilled in the Spanish population, thus increased
      consumption of their vegetable food sources (seeds, derived oils, and
      margarines)is encouraged. Marine n-3 PUFA are also cardioprotective and the
      recommendation stands to eat fatty fish>=2 servings/weeks to reach intake levels
      of at least 250 mg/day. Increasing evidence suggests that alpha-linolenic acid
      (ALA), the vegetable n-3 PUFA, is also cardioprotective,but the parent foods
      (walnuts, soy products,green-leaf vegetables) may provide benefits beyond ALA
      itself. Finally, low-fat (high carbohydrate, particularly when having a high
      glycemic index) diets appear to lack cardiovascular preventive effects, while
      high-fat,high-vegetable fat dietary patterns such as the Mediterranean diet, are
      protective, a reason why no upper limit on fat intake is established for the
      Spanish population.This position statement targets dietitians, nutritionists and
      other health professionals involved in dietary counsel so they can deliver it
      rightly and according to the last scientific evidence.

PMID- 26268074
TI  - [PHARMACONUTRITION IN SEVERELY ILL PATIENT].
AB  - "Pharmaconutrient" is a term applicable to those compounds which. in addition to
      their nutritional function, play a role as aids in the treatment of patients with
      severe pathologies, including sepsis, trauma, burns and major surgery, In
      general, enrichment of enteral an parenteral formulas with pharmaconutrients
      contribute to positively modulate the inflammatory response, infection and
      controlling the internal milieu, which in turn can be evaluated through lower
      mortality, hospital and intensive care units stay, days of mechanical ventilation
      and other parameters allowing to asses their effects. Arginine, glutamine,
      nucleotides, omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidant micronutrients, make up the
      nucleus of pharmaconutrients used with that aim, usually as mixtures of them. In
      the present review current evidence about the effects, indications, limitations,
      doses, potential adverse risks and even counter-indications is analysed. 

PMID- 26268075
TI  - GENETIC VARIATION IN THE BETA-3-ADRENORECEPTOR GENE (TRP64ARG POLYMORPHISM) AND
      THEIR INFLUENCE ON ANTHROPOMETRIC PARAMETERS AND INSULIN RESISTANCE AFTER A HIGH
      PROTEIN/LOW CARBOHYDRATE VERSUS A STANDARD HYPOCALORIC DIET.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: the Trp64Arg variant in Beta receptor has been reported to be
      associated with increased body weight and insulin resistance Objective: the aim
      of our study was to investigate the influence of polymorphism (rs 4994) in Beta-3
      adrenergic receptor gene on metabolic response and weight loss in a medium-term
      intervention study secondary's to a high protein/low carbohydrate vs. a standard
      hypocaloric diets (1000 kcal/day). MATERIAL AND METHODS: a population of 284
      obese subjects was analyzed in a randomized trial. A nutritional evaluation was
      performed at the beginning and at the end of a 9-month period in which subjects
      received 1 of 2 diets (diet HP: high protein/low carbohydrate vs diet S: standard
      diet). RESULTS: there were no significant differences between the positive
      effects (on weight, BMI, waist circumference, fat mass, systolic blood pressure
      and leptin levels) in either genotype group with both diets. With both diets and
      only in wild genotype (diet HP vs diet S), total cholesterol (-10.1 +/- 3.9 mg/dl
      vs -10.1 +/- 2.2 mg/dl;p>0.05), LDL cholesterol (-9.5 +/- 2.1 mg/dl vs -8.5 +/-
      2.3 mg/dl;p>0.05) and triglycerides (-19.1 +/- 2.1 mg/dl vs -14.3 +/- 2.1
      mg/dl;p>0.05) decreased. The improvement in these parameters was similar in
      subjects with diet HP than HS. With diet HP and only in wild genotype, insulin
      levels (-3.7 +/- 1.9 UI/L;p<0.05) and HOMA-R (-0.7 +/- 0.1 units;p<0.05)
      decreased. CONCLUSION: metabolic effect of weight reduction by two hypocaloric
      diets is the greatest in subjects with normal homozygous beta 3-AR gene.
      Improvement in total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose, insulin
      and HOMA-R levels is better than in the heterozygous group.

PMID- 26268076
TI  - [SPIRULINA AND ITS HYPOLIPIDEMIC AND ANTIOXIDANT EFFECTS IN HUMANS: A SYSTEMATIC
      REVIEW].
AB  - Several chronic transmissible (e.g. AIDS) and non transmissible diseases like
      cadiovascular disease, are associated with oxidative stress (EOX) and
      dyslipidemia. Has been reported that Spirulina can reduce them, this has been
      demonstrated in vitro and in animal models but scarcely in humans. Through a
      systematic review on last 5 years (keywords: Spirulina AND cholesterol, Spirulina
      AND oxidative stress) 8 intervention studies with humans were reported, finding
      that oral (1-10 g/d) subchronic (0.5-6 month) administration of Spirulina appears
      to have and hypolipidemic and antioxidant effect. However, no study was properly
      randomized and/or controlled and no biological mechanism was proposed to support
      these findings. The level of evidence and the absence of appropriate experimental
      designs do not allow validating Spirulina as a functional food for preventing
      dyslipidemic diseases and EOX, and hereby decrease the CVD. We do not found
      papers relating harmful effect. 

PMID- 26268077
TI  - THE EFFECT OF PROBIOTIC FERMENTED MILK THAT INCLUDES BIFIDOBACTERIUM LACTIS CNCM
      I-2494 ON THE REDUCTION OF GASTROINTESTINAL DISCOMFORT AND SYMPTOMS IN ADULTS: A
      NARRATIVE REVIEW.
AB  - AIM: determine the effectiveness of fermented milk that included Bifidobacterium
      lactis CNCM I-2429 for reducing gastrointestinal (GI) discomfort in healthy
      adults. METHODS: we conducted a systematic literature search to identify studies
      reporting the use of B. animalis spp. lactis for GI discomfort/comfort in healthy
      adults. A total of 5329 records were identified, of these 99 full-text articles
      were assessed. Searches for additional trials were conducted using the names of
      authors of each identified study and several relevant databases. The study
      selection was carried out according to the Preferred Reporting Items for
      Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Studies were included
      if they were randomized controlled trials; the included subjects were healthy
      adults; and the intervention group received B. lactis CNCM I-2494. Studies were
      excluded if they were non-randomized trials, if they included adults who were not
      healthy, if they included the use of any other intervention, or if they compared
      different products without a placebo group. The methodological quality of the
      studies was evaluated using the Oxford Quality Scale and the Cochrane Concealment
      Assessment. A meta-analysis was not possible. RESULTS: the search strategy
      identified two studies that included a total of 538 healthy women, aged 18-60
      years, normal weight or overweight (BMI 18-30 kg/m2). GI well-being was
      significantly improved in the Probiotic group vs. the Control group in one study,
      with no differences in the other. The percentage of responders for GI well-being
      was higher in the Probiotic group vs. the Control group in the first study but
      not in the second. GI symptoms were significantly decreased in the Probiotic
      group vs. the Control group in both studies. Bowel function was assessed by one
      study; the stool frequency did not differ between the groups, but a decrease in
      stool consistency was observed in the Probiotic group but not in the Control
      group. Possible mechanisms of action (gut motility, hypersensitivity, gut
      permeability, and gut microbiota) were also described. CONCLUSION: probiotic
      fermented milk containing B. lactis CNCM I-2494 by healthy women may improve GI
      well- being and decrease the frequency of GI symptoms.

PMID- 26268078
TI  - SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF HEALTHY EATING INDEXES IN ADULTS AND ELDERLY: APPLICABILITY
      AND VALIDITY.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The Healthy Eating Index (HEI) assesses a combination of different
      types of foods, nutrients and dietary components. It has been adapted in some
      countries, considering the local dietary habits. OBJECTIVE: in this article, the
      Healthy Eating Indexes published to date were identified by means of a systematic
      review. Besides, issues relating to their validity, applicability and limitations
      were discussed. METHODS: an electronic search was performed in the PUBMED,
      SCIENCE DIRECT, BVS and SciELO data base containing studies on the adaptation,
      review, update or validation of the HEI. The descriptors Healthy Eating Index,
      Index of Diet Quality, Quality of diet, Diet surveys were used, in different
      combinations. RESULTS: a total of 11 studies were described and critically
      analyzed. One of the studies dealt with the development of the index; six
      proposed adjustments; two assessed validity and reliability of the index, and the
      other two proposed revision and update. The Healthy Eating Indexes reveal the
      actual quality of the diet, but the absence of a methodological standard hinders
      the comparison of the results found in different populations.

PMID- 26268080
TI  - EFFECT OF EICOSAPENTAENOIC ACID AND DOCOSAHEXAENOIC ACID SUPPLEMENTATIONS TO
      CONTROL COGNITIVE DECLINE IN DEMENTIA AND ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE: A SYSTEMATIC
      REVIEW.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: there is a lack of consensus on the benefits of eicosapentaenoic
      acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementations on cognition in
      dementia and/or Alzheimer's disease (AD) elderly. OBJECTIVE: this study presents
      a systematic review of the results of randomized clinical trials about this
      topic. The adopted search criteria were randomized clinical trials involving
      elderly over 65 years of age with no limit to the year of publication of the
      study. RESULTS: we identified 139 articles, and from the eligible ones a reverse
      search was conducted. The quality of the trials was assessed using the Jadad
      scale. Of the four selected studies, three were related to mild to moderate AD
      elderly, of both genders. Mini Mental State Examination, Alzheimer's Disease
      Assessment Scale Cognitive, and Clinical Dementia Rate were the main tests used
      to assess cognitive performance. CONCLUSION: EPA and/or DHA supplementations did
      not affect scores obtained on the cognitive tests. However, supplementation with
      EPA and/or DHA improved verbal fluency and attention in patients who had only
      very mild dementia or AD or presented APOEepsilon4 negative genotype. In case of
      advanced AD elderly patients, EPA and/or DHA supplementations did not reduce
      cognitive decline rates.

PMID- 26268079
TI  - [TRIGLYCERIDE LEVELS AS A RISK FACTOR DURING PREGNANCY; BIOLOGICAL MODELING;
      SYSTEMATIC REVIEW].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: introduction: Some of the diseases that can appear in pregnancy
      (gestational diabetes, hypertension and preeclampsia) are being associated with
      an increased risk of heart throughout life diseases. This should be present in
      future assessments of the health of women. One of the most important biomarkers
      in cardiovascular diseases is the triglyceride level, and that undergoes a
      significant change during pregnancy. OBJECTIVE: the objective of this review is
      to analyze the studies that have investigated triglyceride levels during
      pregnancy as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease in the last weeks of
      pregnancy and childbirth. METHODS: a systematic search was made and 14 specific
      articles on the subject were selected following the PRISMA guidelines. RESULTS:
      in normal pregnancy decreased the level of lipids in the first weeks, followed by
      a gradual increase. Especially high from the 12th week of gestation. This
      increase in plasma levels of circulating lipids occurs linearly, reaching a peak
      a few days before delivery. This increase results because of the increased
      estrogen levels and insulin resistance. It has also been associated with
      prolactin levels. CONCLUSIONS: through this review, it has been able to
      demonstrate the relationship of elevated triglycerides some pathologies or more
      frequent changes in risk pregnancies, in which a significantly higher elevation
      occurs compared to normal pregnancies. It is in this context that the biological
      modeling may be particularly important, facilitating the creation of models and
      percentile curves applicable to the population, and allow monitoring of changes
      in triglycerides, which end up pointing situations passing be predictors of a
      potentially pathological situation. Thus, appropriate interventions would be
      carried rafter more briefly, and see so favored adequate primary prevention.

PMID- 26268081
TI  - [EFFECTS OF SCHOOL-BASED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND NUTRITION PROGRAMS IN SPANISH
      ADOLESCENTS: SYSTEMATIC REVIEW].
AB  - BACKGROUND: physical inactivity and unhealthy nutrition behaviours in early ages
      are two of the biggest problems related with public health in developed
      countries. AIMS: to carry out a systematic review of school-based programs
      related with physical activity promotion and/or nutrition in adolescents
      implemented in Spain and published in the principal national and international
      data bases in the last 15 years. METHOD: the literature was searched in spanish
      and english data bases Web of Science, ERIC, PsycINFO, Dialnet and ISOC,
      following PRISMA declaration principles for systematic reviews. RESULTS AND
      DISCUSSION: from a total of 522 references, were retained 13 studies due to
      inclusion criteria. The most prevalent programs included families participation
      in the intervention. At the same time, the Physical Education teachers and the
      health personnel were the principal actor in programs development. Both of them
      were the principal protagonist in interventions. All the programs were able to
      improve at least one of the variables. CONCLUSION: were identified only 13 school
      based intervention programs related with physical activity and/or nutrition in
      adolescents in the last 15 years in Spain. All the programs reached improvements,
      so school shows a relevant role in acquisition or improvement of this health
      behavior.

PMID- 26268082
TI  - [ADVANCES IN PHARMACOLOGICAL AND PHYTOCHEMICAL ADIPOGENESIS THERAPY].
AB  - The main function of the adipocyte is lipid storage when there is a positive
      energy balance and lipid release when there is and energy deficiency. One
      characteristic of obesity is an increase in the number and size of adipocytes,
      which implies pre adipocyte (PAD) differentiation. The adipose tissue (AT) has
      its origins in the prenatal stage and may continue to expand during adulthood
      from precursor cells since mature adipocytes cannot multiply by cell division.
      This study provide updates on the events that occur during the origin and
      differentiation of PAD, the factors involved in the regulation of adipogenesis
      and mechanisms that regulate physiological functions of AT. 

PMID- 26268083
TI  - [VARIABLES USED IN QUESTIONNAIRES ABOUT ERGONUTRITIONALS SUPPLEMENTS INTAKE].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: nutritional supplements intake is increasing during the recent
      years both in Spain and in the rest of the world. Questionnaires that estimate
      the intake and supplement use have methodological limitations. The purpose of
      this study is to describe used indicators in questionnaires that estimate
      nutritional supplements intake among athletes so facilitate understanding of
      these limitations. METHODOLOGY: a literature review of variables used within
      questionnaires to estimate consumption of nutritional supplements among athletes.
      We conducted a structured research in PubMed database and through snow ball
      strategy. Search equation: "Questionnaire" AND "Supplementation" AND "Athletes".
      INCLUSION CRITERIA: published in any country in English or Spanish, containing
      questionnaire or indicators can be deducted from the items, to estimate the
      intake and use of nutritional supplements and should be targeted to athletes
      training in order to compete at any level. We performed a descriptive analysis.
      RESULTS: 21 above the 122 identified studies met the inclusion criteria.
      Sociodemographic factors, sport and training frequency, athlete population,
      reasons/motives for use and consumption, sources of information and list of
      supplements and frequency are the found indicators for estimating intake of
      supplements. DISCUSSION: there are great heterogeneity in terms of the proposed
      indicators by the authors at the questionnaires and intake estimation using
      nutritional supplements, standardization of the methodology for the development
      questionnaires to be necessary and proposing the classification of the Australian
      Institute of Sport as a reference.

PMID- 26268084
TI  - ZEOLITE: "THE MAGIC STONE"; MAIN NUTRITIONAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, EXPERIMENTAL AND
      CLINICAL FIELDS OF APPLICATION.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: zeolites (clinoptilolites) are a family of alluminosilicates and
      cations clustered to form macro aggregates by small individual cavities. In the
      medical area they are involved in detoxification mechanisms capturing ions and
      molecules into their holes. Actually, we classify about 140 types of natural and
      150 synthetic zeolites, for specific and selective use. Clinoptilolite is a
      natural zeolite and it is the most widespread compound in the medical market.
      OBJECTIVE: this review analyzes the main fields of zeolite utilization. METHODS:
      we searched Pubmed/Medline using the terms "zeolite" and "clinoptilolite".
      RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: in zoothechnology and veterinary medicine zeolite
      improves the pets' fitness, removes radioactive elements, aflatoxines and
      poisons. Zeolite displays also antioxidant, whitening, hemostatic and anti
      diarrhoic properties, projected in human care. However very scanty clinical
      studies have been run up to now in immunodeficiency, oncology after chemotherapy
      and radiotherapy as adjuvants. CONCLUSIONS: further clinical investigations are
      urgently required after this review article publication which updates the state
      of the art.

PMID- 26268085
TI  - [DESIGN AND VALIDATION OF AN IMAGE FOR DISSEMINATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF
      CHILEAN DIETARY GUIDELINES].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Food-Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDG) are usually accompanied by an
      image for dissemination and implementation. OBJECTIVE: to design and validate an
      image to represent the variety and proportions of the new Chilean dietary
      guidelines, include foods high in critical nutrients that should be avoided and
      physical activity guidelines. METHOD: a panel of experts tested seven graphics
      and selected three that were validated with 12 focus groups of people aged 10-14
      and 20-40 years, of both sexes, from different socioeconomic groups and from both
      rural and urban areas. We analyzed the perception of variety and proportions of
      the food groups for daily intake and motivation for action in diet and physical
      activity. We utilized the METAPLAN method used previously in the validation of
      FBDG. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: the final image was a circle that showed the
      variety and proportions of each food group for daily consumption (in pictures),
      included physical activity guidelines in a strip around the middle of the circle
      and a rectangle towards of bottom of the image with examples of foods high in
      critical nutrients in black and white. The chosen picture was modified using
      input from participants and validated with three additional focus groups,
      improving its understanding and acceptance. CONCLUSION: most participants
      understood that the image represented the relationship between healthy eating and
      daily physical activity, correctly identifying the food groups for which
      increased intake was suggested and those groups in which intake should be reduced
      or avoided.

PMID- 26268086
TI  - [DAILY AND ABNORMAL EATING BEHAVIORS IN A COMMUNITY SAMPLE OF CHILEAN ADULTS].
AB  - AIMS: this research aimed to characterize the daily eating behavior in a sample
      of Chilean adults according to their Body Mass Index (BMI) and gender and to
      analyze the possible links between these variables and abnormal eating behaviors.
      METHODS: 657 participants (437 women and 220 men, age range 18-64 years) were
      evaluated with a battery of self-administered questionnaires. Mean BMI was 25.50
      kg/m2 (women 24.96 kg/m2, men 26.58 kg/m2), being significantly higher the mean
      of BMI in the men group, being the BMI mean of the total sample and that of the
      male group in the overweight range. RESULTS: participants with overweight (BMI >=
      25 kg/m2), in contrast with normal-weight group, tended to do more frequently the
      following behaviors: skip meals, follow a diet, eat less homemade food, eat
      faster and in greater quantities, in addition to do a greater number of abnormal
      eating behaviors of various kinds and to rate significantly higher in clinical
      scales that evaluated eating restraint and overeating. Men showed significantly
      more eating behaviors linked with overeating, and women performed more behaviors
      related with eating restraint and emotional eating. DISCUSSION: the results
      suggest that, besides "what" people eat, "how" people eat, in terms of specific
      behaviors, may contribute to the rapid increase of overweight in Chilean
      population.

PMID- 26268087
TI  - HELICOBACTER PYLORI (HP) INFECTION IN OBESE PATIENTS UNDERGOING ROUXEN- Y GASTRIC
      BYPASS; EFFICACY OF TWO DIFFERENT TREATMENT REGIMENS IN HP ERADICATION.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: the ultimate cause for the increased incidence of gastric ulcer
      following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) remains unclear. Treatment of HP
      infection is recommended before surgery in countries with high prevalence such as
      Spain in other to diminish the risk. However, the current regimens used might not
      be adequate in view of the high failure rate for HP eradication. METHODS: we
      reviewed 243 patients retrospectively undergoing RYGB and found 111 patients
      (45%) with HP infection. Therefore, we compared the eradication rate between 2
      different regimens. RESULTS: 70 patients received OCA(Omeprazole:20 mg/12h,
      Clarithromycin 500 mg/12h and Amoxicillin 1 gram/12h for 10 days) while 41
      patients received OLA (Omeprazole 20 mg/12 hours, Levofloxacin 500 mg/12hours and
      Amoxicillin 1 gram/12h for 10 days) for HP eradication. In 56/70 (80%) patients
      receiving OCA therapy HP was eradicated compared to 37/41 (91%) receiving OLA as
      first line therapy (p = 0.283). When used as second line therapy, in 13/14 (92%)
      patients receiving OLA HP was eradicated. CONCLUSION: clarithromycin resistance
      remains a matter of concern in this population while OLA seems to be a good
      alternative therapy for HP eradication, especially when OCA regimen fails.

PMID- 26268088
TI  - ANALYSIS OF INFORMATION CONTENT AND GENERAL QUALITY OF OBESITY AND EATING
      DISORDERS WEBSITES.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: nowadays, the Internet is increasingly used by providers as a
      source of information for eating disorder health issues. However, health
      information on the Internet remains unregulated and varies in quality, accuracy
      and readability. OBJECTIVE: the objective of this study was to determine both
      general and information quality of eating disorder websites, including obesity
      websites. METHODS: three key terms (obesity, anorexia and bulimia) were entered
      into the Google search engine. Websites were assessed using two tests (HonCode
      certification and Bermudez-Tamayo et al. test) to analyze overall quality, and a
      third test (DISCERN test) to analyze specifically information quality. RESULTS:
      there were no significant differences regarding overall quality among the
      different pathologies studied (p = 0.197), although anorexia websites tended to
      obtain lower quality scores. Furthermore, all evaluated websites showed
      significant deficiencies regarding information quality (p = 0.032). Nevertheless,
      obesity websites showed a significant higher information quality than anorexia
      websites. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: the overall quality of eating disorders
      websites is moderate, but the information quality that they contain is fairly
      poor. Remarkably, anorexia nervosa websites showed both the lower information and
      general quality, while bulimia websites showed a higher general quality and
      obesity websites presented the most reliable information.

PMID- 26268089
TI  - [OVERWEIGHT AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PRACTICE ASSOCIATED WITH EATING BEHAVIOR OF
      BRAZILIAN COLLEGE STUDENTS].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: inadequate food intake can compromise the cardiovascular health,
      which increases the chances of developing a number of diseases. The relation of
      inadequate intake of food and certain cardiovascular risk factors in young adult
      populations are not clear. OBJECTIVE: the objective of this study was to
      investigate the association between eating habits of college students, excess
      body weight, high blood pressure and regular physical activity. METHODS: cross
      sectional study was conducted with students from a Brazilian federal university.
      Were evaluated 1 599 students between 18 and 25 years old. An interview was
      conducted and included sociodemographic variables and the International Physical
      Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Was evaluated body composition (weight, height,
      calculate the BMI, and waist circumference (WC)). Eating habits and
      cardiovascular risk behaviors were evaluated by YRBSS -C (Youth Risk Behavior
      Surveillance). RESULTS: using the chi-square test was identified association
      between binge drink, consumption of fruits and consumption of salads / vegetables
      with regular physical activity. There was also an association between consumption
      of sweet and savory foods, with BMI and waist circumference high. The Logistic
      regression showed association between sweets intake (odds = 1.34) and savory
      foods (odds = 1.39) with high BMI. The analysis also showed an association
      between candy consumption (odds = 1.33), and savory consumption (odds = 1.74)
      with waist circumference. There was a relationship between MVPA and the binge
      drink (odds = 1.23), fruits consumption (1.46), and consumption of salads /
      vegetables (odds = 1.49). Thus, there was an association between the eating
      habits of college students with excess body weight as well as with regular
      physical activity.

PMID- 26268090
TI  - EFFECTIVENESS OF AN EDUCATIONAL INTERVENTION TO REDUCE THE CONSUMPTION OF HIGH
      CALORIE FOODS IN PUBLIC SCHOOL CHILDREN IN TERESINA, PIAUI (BRAZIL).
AB  - INTRODUCTION: there is high prevalence of overweight and poor food habits among
      adolescents, and these factors contribute to the development of chronic diseases.
      OBJECTIVE: the aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an
      educational intervention designed to reduce the consumption of high-calorie foods
      in public school children in Teresina, Piaui, Brazil. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      quasi-experimental, randomized, quantitative intervention study involving
      adolescents (n = 126) of both sexes aged 10-14 years. An educational
      intervention, which involved 9 weekly meetings, was developed. A questionnaire
      was completed prior and subsequent to the intervention. Associations between
      variables were examined using a chi-square test (x2). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:
      there was a significant reduction in the consumption of soft drinks and processed
      juices subsequent to the educational intervention (p = 0.007). It has further
      reduction in weekly consumption of food like meat and sausage (p = 0.072).
      Adolescents' weekly consumption of fried foods and potato chips also decreased
      significantly subsequent to the educational intervention (p < 0.001).
      CONCLUSIONS: the food and nutrition educational program was efficacious in
      reducing the adolescents' intake of high-calorie food and drinks and contributed
      to an improvement in the quality of food consumed by the schoolchildren
      evaluated.

PMID- 26268091
TI  - PREVALENCE OF METABOLIC SYNDROME AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN A CITY IN THE MEDITERRANEAN
      AREA: COMPARISON OF TWO DEFINITIONS.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: there are few studies on the prevalence of metabolic
      syndrome (MetS) in European adolescent populations, and some have reported a
      higher prevalence in the Mediterranean basin area. Our objective was to examine
      the prevalence of MetS in adolescents in a Mediterranean city of Spain, comparing
      two different definitions of MetS and the associated risk factors. METHODS AND
      RESULTS: a cross-sectional population-based study was conducted among 379
      adolescents aged 12-16.9 years, selected using a random sampling method.
      Anthropometric measurements and fasting blood samples were obtained. The
      definitions of MetS used were that of the National Cholesterol Education
      Program's Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATPIII) and that of the International
      Diabetes Federation (IDF). Kappa coefficient was used to measure the agreement
      between definitions and a multivariate logistic regression model to determine the
      associated risk factors. RESULTS: the prevalence of MetS was 5.7% (95%CI 3.33
      8.07) according to the NCEP-ATPIII definition and 3.8% (95%CI 1.85-5.75)
      according to the IDF definition. No differences between the sexes or by age
      groups were found. The agreement between the two definitions was very good (kappa
      0.815), especially in the obese subsample, but was lower in normal weight
      adolescents (kappa 0.497). Insulin resistance and obesity were associated with
      both definitions. CONCLUSIONS: the prevalence of MetS in our adolescent
      population is higher than the European media. Although the overall agreement
      between both definitions was very good, the prevalence was higher using the NCEP
      ATPIII criteria. Independently of the definition used, obesity and insulin
      resistance were risk factors for MetS.

PMID- 26268092
TI  - INTRODUCTION OF PASTEURIZED/RAW COW'S MILK DURING THE SECOND SEMESTER OF LIFE AS
      A RISK FACTOR OF TYPE 1 DIABETES MELLITUS IN SCHOOL CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: to demonstrate that type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in school children
      and adolescents is associated with the early introduction of pasteurized/raw
      cow's milk in the second semester of life. MATERIAL AND METHODS: this non
      probabilistic study included 150 subjects (75 patients and 75 controls), divided
      according to sex and age (range, 6 to 16 years). T1DM was considered to be a
      dependent variable, and pasteurized/ raw cow's milk (P/RCM) was considered to be
      an independent variable in the study. The statistical analyses included chi
      squared test, odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: the subjects were
      51% male, age 11 +/- 3.2 years, and 80% were breastfed, 18% were exclusively
      breastfed, and 13% received pasteurized/raw cow's milk. The children receiving
      P/RCM had a higher risk of T1DM [OR, 3.9 (1.2-12.8)]. The presence of T1DM was
      three times higher in those consuming P/RCM vs. those receiving follow-up formula
      [RM, 3.2 (1.03-10.07)]. CONCLUSIONS: introducing pasteurized/raw cow's milk in
      the second semester of life increased by four times the likelihood of developing
      T1DM in children and adolescents.

PMID- 26268093
TI  - IMMUNE RESPONSE OF SEVERE MALNUTRITION CHILDREN TREATED ACCORDING TO THE PROTOCOL
      OF THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION.
AB  - The aim of the study was to compare the innate immune system of severely
      malnourished children admitted to the Instituto de Medicina Integral Professor
      Fernando Figueira and treated according to the protocol of the World Health
      Organization (WHO) at admission and discharge. An experimental study was
      conducted with 20 children under two years of age. Ten of them had severe
      malnutrition and ten were a control group. The malnourished group consisted of
      hospitalized infants and it was submitted to WHO's protocol. Children with HIV
      and re-admitted during the study period were excluded. A blood sample was taken
      at admission and at discharge. Later, an analysis of blood leukocytes, adherence
      index, phagocytic capacity, production of free radicals superoxide and nitric
      oxide was performed. Patients with severe malnutrition at hospital discharge
      showed improved phagocytic function, release of oxygen radicals and reduction of
      the number of lymphocytes when compared to the time of admission. When compared
      to the control group, patients at hospital discharge had lower lymphocyte values
      and lower production of free radicals. Thus, it can be concluded that the
      duration of hospitalization was insufficient to restore cell-mediated immunity
      and microbicide activity. 

PMID- 26268094
TI  - RELATIONSHIPS AMONG THYROID HORMONES AND OBESITY SEVERITY, METABOLIC SYNDROME AND
      ITS COMPONENTS IN TURKISH CHILDREN WITH OBESITY.
AB  - BACKGROUND: we investigated the relationships between thyroid function and
      obesity severity, metabolic syndrome (MS) and MS components in 260 obese children
      and adolescents 10-17 years of age. OBJECTIVES: we aimed to determine the
      association of thyroid functions with obesity severity and the components of
      metabolic syndrome (MS) in pediatric obese patients. METHODS: only obese children
      and adolescents were included, and divided the obese children into three groups
      according to body mass index (BMI)-SDS quartiles. The first quartile was group 1,
      the second and third quartiles were group 2, and the fourth quartile was group 3.
      Group 3 indicated severe obesity. The modified WHO criteria adapted for children
      were used to diagnose MS. We assessed anthropometric data and serum biochemical
      parameters, including the lipid profile and fasting glucose (FG), insulin,
      thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (fT4), and free
      triiodothyronine (fT3) levels. Blood pressure (BP) was measured with a standard
      digital sphygmomanometer. The homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance
      was calculated to determine insulin resistance (IR). RESULTS: TSH level was
      significantly higher in obese children with MS than that in the others (p =
      0.045). Mean TSH level was not different among the BMI-SDS groups (p = 0.590).
      TSH levels and the fT3/fT4 ratio were not different in children with
      dyslipidemia, IR or hypertension (p = 0.515, 0.805, 0.973, 0.750, 0.515, and
      0.805, respectively). DISCUSSION: obesity severity does not affect TSH level or
      the fT3/fT4 ratio in obese children and adolescents. IR is in close relationship
      with TSH level. Elevated TSH level is a risk factor for MS.

PMID- 26268095
TI  - [HEPATOTOXICITY FROM THE CONSUMPTION OF HERBALIST PRODUCTS BY A PAEDIATRIC
      POPULATION].
AB  - The consumption of herbal products is mainly due to the perception that being
      "natural" can only be beneficial and without risk to health. However the
      properties thereof are poorly studied and proven. Four episodes are presented of
      hepatotoxicity from the consumption of herbal products, by three children. We
      analyse the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of these products, and
      stress the importance of proper anamnesis for accurate diagnosis. 

PMID- 26268096
TI  - METABOLIC SYNDROME AND ITS COMPONENTS IN SPANISH POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: this study aimed to estimate prevalence of metabolic syndrome and all
      its components to know the cardiovascular risk and metabolic control of the main
      risk factors in postmenopausal women aged over 45 years in the province of Cuenca
      (Castilla-La Mancha, Spain). METHODS: in this cross-sectional study, we randomly
      selected 716 postmenopausal women from 3,108 women aged over 45. Metabolic
      syndrome was identified according to the National Cholesterol Education Program
      Adult Treatment Panel III definition. Cardiovascular risk was calculated by the
      Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation ( < 65 years). The American Diabetes
      Association's standards of medical care in diabetes were used to estimate
      metabolic control. The statistical analysis was done with SPPS.19 RESULTS:
      prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 61.7% (95%CI: 56.9-66.4). Prevalence of each
      component was: high blood pressure: 95.8% (95%CI: 95.7-95.8), abdominal obesity:
      91% (95%CI: 90.9-91.0), low high-density lipoproteins cholesterol (HDLc) levels:
      70% (95%CI: 69.8-69.9), high triglyceride levels: 56.9% (95%CI: 56.4- 56.9), high
      glucose levels: 54.3% (95%CI: 54.2-54.3). Cardiovascular risk was moderate until
      65 years, but was high after this age. Metabolic control in postmenopausal women
      was very good for glucose, bad for systolic blood pressure and worse for lipid
      levels. Bad blood pressure control was associated with being over 65 years, being
      hypertensive and taking treatment for diabetes, but it reduced when being
      physically limited to do moderate exercise and anxiety increased. CONCLUSIONS:
      prevalence of metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women in the province of
      Cuenca is the highest in Spain. High blood pressure and abdominal obesity are the
      commonest components. Cardiovascular risk was moderate-high in postmenopausal
      women, but systolic blood pressure and lipid profile were unsatisfactorily
      controlled. Early intervention is necessary to achieve a better risk profile.

PMID- 26268097
TI  - EVALUATION OF SEVERAL ANTHROPOMETRIC INDICES OF OBESITY AS PREDICTORS OF
      METABOLIC SYNDROME IN JORDANIAN ADULTS.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: anthropometric indices have all been tested for their relation to
      metabolic syndrome (MetS), but with no consistent cut-off points are yet
      established among different population group. OBJECTIVE: this study aims to
      evaluate the predictive power of several anthropometric indices of central
      obesity as predictors of MetS in a group of Jordanian adults. METHODS: in this
      cross sectional study, 630 adult subjects (308 men and 322 women) aged between 20
      70 years were recruited at the King Hussein Medical Center in Amman (Jordan). The
      diagnosis of MetS was defined by the International Diabetes Federation criteria.
      Anthropometric measurements (waist circumference [WC]; waist to hip ratio [WHpR];
      waist to height ratio [WHtR]; body mass index [BMI]) were performed and recorded
      following standard procedures. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves
      were used to determine the efficacy of anthropometric measurements as predictors
      of MetS. RESULTS: the results indicated that, in men for identifying subjects
      with MetS risk, area under curve (AUC) from the ROC curves for WC was 0.851, AUC
      for WHpR was 0.842, AUC for WHtR was 0.85, and AUC for BMI was 0.83. In women,
      AUC for WC, WHpR, WHtR, and BMI were 0.866, 0.871, 0.872, and 0.831,
      respectively. CONCLUSION: it could be concluded that among anthropometric
      indices, both WHtR and WC had the strongest predictive power for identifying
      subjects with MetS in men and women. WHtR appears to be the best indicator of
      central obesity in women and individuals of short stature.

PMID- 26268098
TI  - URINARY LOSS OF MICRONUTRIENTS IN DIABETIC PATIENTS ATTENDING A TERTIARY HOSPITAL
      SERVICE.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: micronutrient deficiency may contribute to a poorer control of
      diabetes. Thus, the objective of the present study was to assess the urinary
      excretion of micronutrients in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS:
      patients with diabetes and controls were assessed regarding food intake,
      anthropometry, urinary loss of micronutrients and compared by the nonparametric
      Mann-Whitney test (p < 0.05). RESULTS: nine diabetic volunteers (52 +/- 14 years,
      BMI 30 +/- 11 kg/m2 and abdominal circumference (AC) of 99 +/- 25 cm) and 9
      control individuals (51 +/- 16 years, BMI 26 +/- 5 kg/m2 and AC of 90 +/- 13 cm)
      were studied. Higher iron excretion was observed in the diabetic group and higher
      magnesium excretion in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: the type 2 diabetic
      patients here studied did not show increased micronutrient excretion in urine
      when compared to controls.

PMID- 26268099
TI  - [INFLUENCE OF THE NUTRITIONAL COMPOSITION OF DIFFERENT FIBER-ENRICHED ENTERAL
      NUTRITION FORMULAS ON THE ADMINISTRATION TIME BY GRAVITY AND THE RISK OF TUBE
      FEEDING OBSTRUCTION].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: the administration of enteral nutrition by gravity is a very useful
      method in clinical practice; nevertheless, it may not be very precise. Indeed,
      this method presents some important limitations, such as the difficulty in
      establishing a precise dripping rate and the possibility for the dripping rate
      decrease depending on the formula. OBJECTIVES: assess the administration time and
      the risk of clogging of 5 fiber-enriched enteral nutrition formulas with
      different protein concentrations and caloric density, all administered by gravity
      through nasogastric (NG) tubes of different sizes. Assess the influence of the
      composition on the dripping rate, by gravity, of the tested formulas. METHODS: 5
      fiber-enriched EN formulas were compared by using nasogastric tubes of the
      calibers 8, 10 and 12 Fr. The fluidity of these gravity-administered NE formulas
      was estimated by timing the complete passage of each formula at full speed, thus
      allowing one to calculate the mean time of free fall (MTFF) and to register any
      possible obstruction. Subsequently, an in vitro simulation of a 1 500 ml
      administration was performed for each formula at a particular speed, so that the
      administration time was 5 hours. Slowing flow and stagnated flow were detected as
      indicators of the risk of obstruction. RESULTS: the two products that especially
      differed in MTFF were the ones with the highest energy concentration. The passage
      time in free fall of these two products through the 8 Fr tube exceeded four
      hours. For the rest of the products and NG tubes used, this time was less than 2
      hours and 5 minutes. No slowing flow or tube obstruction was detected in free
      fall and at maximum speed. When the dripping was adjusted to be administered in 5
      hours, three of the studied products (those with the least caloric concentration
      and viscosity) showed slowing flow and, in some cases, the dripping stopped
      completely. The most important factor associated to the MTFF was the lipid
      content, followed by viscosity, energy and protein content. The MTFF measured was
      not significantly related to the fiber content of the nutritional formula.
      CONCLUSIONS: all studied products can be administered by gravity via nasogastric
      tubes in free fall without any risk of obstruction, even though the free fall
      time was very variable. The lowest caliber tubes, the highest energy content and
      the viscosity of the EN mixture turn-out to be the limiting factors when fiber
      enriched formulas are to be administered by gravity.

PMID- 26268100
TI  - TRAQUEOESOPHAGEAL FISTULA PATIENTS FED THROUGH PERCUTANEOUS ENDOSCOPIC
      GASTROSTOMY/GASTROJEJUNOSTOMY: NUTRITIONAL STATUS AND CLINICAL OUTCOME.
AB  - BACKGROUND: tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) may result from cancer or mechanical
      ventilation. Endoscopic Gastrostomy or Gastrojejunostomy (PEG/PEG-J) is used for
      nutritional support. OBJECTIVE: in TEF-patients, evaluating nutritional status
      when PEG is performed, safety of PEG/PEG-J and clinical outcome. METHODS: from
      the files of PEG/PEG-J feed TEF-patients we collected: clinical data, Body Mass
      Index, albumin, transferrin and cholesterol when gastrostomy was performed, and
      clinical outcome globally and according with the TEF cause: Group 1: complication
      of mechanical ventilation, Group 2: cancer. RESULTS: twelve patients, 18-91 years
      (median: 53), 11 PEG, one PEG-J: six complications of ventilation (neurological
      diseases), 6 cancers. Mean period from TEF diagnosis until gastrostomy: 2 months
      in Group 1, 10 months in Group 2. In the day of the gastrostomy, patients
      presented with malnutrition parameters, most strikingly in the cancer group.
      Group 1: died a single patient, 3 closed the TEF, resuming oral intake, 2 are
      still PEG-feed. All cancer patients died (7 months after gastrostomy). One needed
      a jejunal extension to create a PEG-J. No more complications. CONCLUSION: PEG/PEG
      J was safe in TEF-patients, but cancer patients underwent gastrostomy too late.
      In TEF-patients, PEG/PEG-J should be considered in a regular basis, earlier in
      the disease evolution, before established malnutrition.

PMID- 26268101
TI  - THE ACTION OF AVOCADO OIL ON THE LIPIDOGRAM OF WISTAR RATS SUBMITTED TO PROLONGED
      ANDROGENIC STIMULUM.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: the abuse of steroid hormones administered in chronic form may
      cause alterations in the lypidic profile, conveying na increase in the levels of
      LDL, and reduction in the levels of HDL. In average, 53.44% of the lypidic
      composition of the avocado core is composed of oleic acid (which is a
      phytosterol) and the study of the hypolipemiating effect of these substances has
      been performed aiming at the prevention and control of dislypidemias. OBJECTIVE:
      to assess the potential hypolipemiant power of the avocado oil on the lypidogram
      of adult male Wistar rats submitted to prolonged androgenic hiperestimulation.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: twenty eight Wistar rats were divided in 4 groups of 7
      animals: the control group (CG); Avocado Oil Group (AOG) fed with a staple based
      on Avocado Oil; Induced Grupo (IG); and the Induced Grupo fed with a staple based
      on Avocado Oil (AOIG). The inducing was performed through surgery to
      subcutaneously implant sillicon pellets suffed with 1 ml of testosterone
      propionate which were replaced at every 4 weeks. RESULTS: VLDL (AOIG: 28.14 +/-
      4.45; IG:36.83 +/- 5.56 mg/ml); Triglicerides (AOIG: 140.07 +/- 22.66; IG: 187.2
      +/- 27 mg/ml); HDL (AOIG: 40, 67 +/- 1.2; GI: 35.09 +/- 0.8; AOG: 32.31 +/- 2.61
      e CG: 32.36 +/- 4.93 mg/ml) Testosterone (AOIG:1.42 +/- 0.46; GI: 2.14 +/- 0.88;
      AOG: 2.97 +/- 1.34 e CG:1.86 +/- 0.79 ng/ml). CONCLUSION: avocado Oil exerted a
      direct regulating effect on the lypidic profile, acting efficiently on animals
      submmited to androgenic stimulation through a prolonged period.

PMID- 26268102
TI  - CHEMICAL COMPOSITION, CHARACTERIZATION OF ANTHOCYANINS AND ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL
      OF EUTERPE EDULIS FRUITS: APPLICABILITY ON GENETIC DYSLIPIDEMIA AND HEPATIC
      STEATOSIS IN MICE.
AB  - The significance of polyphenol intake for the prevention of chronic diseases is
      controversial. OBJECTIVE: this study investigated the chemical composition and
      antioxidant potential of an anthocyanin-rich extract from Euterpe edulis fruits
      (LPEF) and its effects on liver steatosis in dyslipidemic apoE-/- knockout mice.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: mice were divided into G1 (C57BL/6) standard diet; G2
      (apoE-/-) standard diet, G3 (apoE-/-) 2% LPEF, G4 (apoE-/-) 6% LPEF, G5 (apoE-/-)
      10% LPEF, G6 (apoE-/-) 2% alpha-tocopherol acetate. After 75 days of treatment,
      the animals were euthanized. The LPEF contained a high level of monomeric
      anthocyanins (301.4 mg/100g) and marked antioxidant activity. RESULTS: Catalase
      activity was reduced in G3, G4, G5 and G6 compared to G2. Superoxide dismutase
      was reduced only in G4. The animals in G4, G5, and G6 showed low HDL and
      triglycerides levels compared to G2. The proportion of lipid droplets in liver
      tissue was reduced in G4 and G5 compared to G2, G3, and G6. CONCLUSION: The
      results indicated that E. edulis pulp is rich in anthocyanins and the LPEF
      dietary consumption can reduce the severity of liver steatosis in apoE-/- mice,
      an effect that is potentially mediated by the antioxidant activity of this
      extract and modulation of triglyceride serum levels.

PMID- 26268103
TI  - IMPACT OF IMPROVED FAT-MEAT PRODUCTS CONSUMPTION ON ANTHROPOMETRIC MARKERS AND
      NUTRIENT INTAKES OF MALE VOLUNTEERS AT INCREASED CARDIOVASCULAR RISK.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: meat products have been recognized to be adequate matrix for
      incorporating functional ingredients. The impact of meat products formulated by
      replacing animal fat with a combination of olive, linseed and fish oils on energy
      and nutrient intakes and anthropometric measurements were tested in a non
      randomized-controlled- sequential study. METHODS: eighteen male volunteers at
      high-CVD risk consumed weekly 200 g frankfurters and 250 g pates during three 4
      wk periods (reduced fat (RF); n3-enriched- RF (n-3RF), and normal fat (NF)),
      separated by 4-wk washout. Energy and nutrient intakes, healthy eating index
      (HEI), and anthropometric changes were evaluated. RESULTS: body fat mass rate-of
      change and the waist/ hip ratio significantly differs (p = 0.018 and p = 0.031,
      respectively) between periods, decreasing body fat mass, waist circumference and
      waist/hip ratio in RF period and increasing body fat mass in NF one (all p =
      0.05). Significant inverse correlations were observed between rate- of-change of
      BMI and ideal body weight with dietary carbohydrate/SFA ratio in n-3RF period (p
      = 0.003 and p = 0.006, respectively). Initial diets presented low HEIs (means <
      60). Carbohydrate, fat and protein energy contribution was 40%, 41%, and 16%,
      respectively. More than 33% of volunteers did not initially cover 70% of several
      minerals and vitamins RDAs. Product consumption improved dietary Zn, Ca, retinol
      equivalent, folate and vitamin B12 contents in all periods, and ameliorated n-3
      PUFA contents and n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio over the n-3RF period. CONCLUSION: improved
      fat meat products appear as functional foods for overweight/obeses since their
      consumption improved selected body-fat markers, without affecting HEI,
      macronutrient and energy but their n-3 PUFA and n6/n3 ratio intakes.

PMID- 26268104
TI  - EFFECTS OF A DIETARY SUPPLEMENT ON THE INCIDENCE OF ACUTE RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS
      IN SUSCEPTIBLE ADULTS: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: although supplementation of specific micronutrients may improve
      immunologic factors, few studies about the combination of micronutrients with
      plant extracts on the occurrence of acute respiratory infections (ARI) have been
      published. OBJECTIVES: to assess the effect of a nutritional supplement with
      micronutrients and plant extracts on the incidence of ARI in susceptible adults
      between January and April, 2012. METHODS: a randomized, double-blind, parallel,
      placebo- controlled clinical trial was performed. Participants were adults
      susceptible to ARI who were healthy at the time of evaluation, signed informed
      consent forms and were not taking medication. They completed a medical history;
      weight, height, vital signs and laboratory analyses were assessed. Subjects were
      randomly assigned for consumption of the supplement or a placebo, for a 90 days
      period. Subjects made daily diary entries indicating the presence ARI symptoms.
      Those who became ill notified researchers and the attending physician confirmed
      the presence of an infection. Fisher's exact test was used to compare the
      proportion of ill subjects between groups. Relative risk and risk difference were
      also calculated (p < 0.05 significant). RESULTS: of 59 included subjects, 45 (25
      women) completed the study (21 in the supplemented group and 24 in the placebo
      group). There were no significant differences at baseline between groups. After
      the intervention, the supplemented group had a lower incidence of ARI compared
      with the placebo group (57.1% vs. 91.7%, p = 0.013, RR = 0.62, 95%CI 0.42, 0.92).
      DISCUSSION: the consumption of a supplement with vitamins, minerals and plant
      extracts may decrease the incidence of ARI in susceptible adults.

PMID- 26268105
TI  - STUDY OF ACAROID MITES POLLUTION IN STORED FRUIT-DERIVED CHINESE MEDICINAL
      MATERIALS.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: to investigate the species and breeding density of acaroid mites in
      stored fruit-derived Chinese medicinal materials in Anhui province. METHODS:
      samples of stored fruit-derived Chinese medicinal materials were collected from
      30 herb stores and storehouses in 17 Anhui cities, where the breeding acaroids
      mites were detected. RESULTS: 20 species of acaroids mites were found in 33
      samples, belonging to 15 genus, 5 families of the acaridae respectively, among
      which T. putrescentiae, A. farinae, C. lactis, and C. berlesei are predominant
      species. CONCLUSION: stored fruit-derived Chinese medicinal materials in Anhui
      areas suffer from serious acaroid mites pollution. Therefore, proactive measures
      should be taken to control acaroid mites from breeding in an effort to reduce the
      harm on medicinal materials.

PMID- 26268106
TI  - TRANS FATTY ACIDS MODIFY NUTRITIONAL PARAMETERS AND TRIACYLGLYCEROL METABOLISM IN
      RATS: DIFFERENTIAL EFFECTS AT RECOMMENDED AND HIGH-FAT LEVELS.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: there is still little evidence on the metabolic trans fatty acids
      (TFA) effects at recommended fat levels. OBJECTIVE: to investigate the
      differential TFA effects on some nutritional parameters, TFA retention, and
      triacylglycerol (TAG) regulation in rats fed recommended and high-fat diets.
      METHODS: male Wistar rats were fed (30 days) diets containing recommended
      (7%,w/w) or high-fat (20%,w/w) levels, supplemented or not with TFA (C7, C20,
      TFA7 and TFA20). RESULTS: TFA7 (vs.C7) rats showed an increased body weight
      associated with higher fat pads and liver and serum TAG. The
      hypertriacylglyceridaemia was related to a decreased muscle LPL activity, while
      the higher hepatic TAG content was associated with both an increased SREBP-1c
      gene expression and ACC activity, and a reduced CPT-Ia gene expression. The TFA20
      diet did not potentiate the higher body weight, fat pads and TAG levels induced
      by the C20 diet. Although the hepatic TAG-secretion rate (TAG-SR) increased by
      TFA20 vs. C20, the same triacylglyceridaemia was associated with a compensatory
      increase of the adipose tissue LPL activity. The attenuated hepatic TAG accretion
      in TFA20 was related to an increase of TAG-SR and to a lower increase of SREBP-1c
      and SCD1 mRNA expressions, paralleled to a relative decrease of SCD1 index and
      ACC activity. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: TFA alters nutritional parameters and
      lipid metabolism in rats. However, different responses to the TFA on TAG levels
      and their regulation were observed between rats fed recommended and high-fat
      diets. These divergences might be related to different tissue TFA retentions and
      rumenic acid bioconversion.

PMID- 26268107
TI  - EFFECT OF LONG TERM INTAKE OF WHITE TEA ON ACUTE OXIDATIVE STRESS IN RATS.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: the well known antioxidant properties of white tea include the
      prevention of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases and oxidative stress. Adriamycin
      can generate an amount of oxidative stress in vivo. OBJECTIVE: evaluate long term
      intake of white tea on plasma antioxidant capacity and on the fatty acid profile
      of liver and heart microsomes in animals subjected to acute oxidative stress.
      METHODS: rats were given distilled water (controls), 15 mg/d (dose 1) or 45 mg/d
      (dose 2) of solid white tea extract/per kilogram of body weight for 12 months.
      After this time, all the animals received an injection of adriamycin (ADR) (10
      mg/kg body weight), except half of the control group, which were given an
      injection of saline solution. Samples of plasma and liver and heart were taken.
      The antioxidant activity, the carbonyl groups and hydroperoxide concentration
      were analyzed in plasma, and the fatty acid profiles of liver and heart
      microsomes were obtained. RESULTS & DISCUSSION: only the hydroperoxides showed
      significant changes, while slight tendencies were observed in antioxidant
      activity and the carbonyl groups. Although the long term intake of white tea and
      the administration of adriamycin did not change the fatty acid profile, slight
      tendencies existed for the SFAs, MUFAs and PUFAs.

PMID- 26268108
TI  - ANTHROPOMETRIC DIFFERENCES RELATED TO GENDERS AND AGE IN THE ELDERLY.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: anthropometry facilitates the evaluation of the risks associated
      with reduced lean body mass, as well as of excess adiposity. However, very little
      is known regarding the anthropometric standards among the elderly and the
      differences observed between the genders and among the various age groups
      Objective: to compare indicators and indices anthropometrics of the elderly by
      gender and age group. METHODS: a cross-sectional study was undertaken using a
      representative probability sample, involving 621 elderly. We evaluated the
      weight, height, circumferences (waist, hip, calf and arm); body mass index, body
      adiposity index, waist-hip ratio and waist-stature ratio. RESULTS: women were
      found to have a higher mean body mass index, waist-stature ratio, body adiposity
      index and arm circumference (p < 0.001), whereas men had higher values for
      weight, height and waist-hip ratio (p < 0.001). The average arm and calf
      circumference, however, did not differ between the genders (p > 0.05). Weight,
      and calf and arm circumferences were observed to be lower in the older age groups
      (p < 0.001) and the same was true for the body mass index and height only in men
      (p < 0.05). The waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, body adiposity index and
      waist-stature ratio did not differ among the age groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION:
      the total and peripheral body mass, for the men, in particular, was lower among
      the older subjects. Central adiposity did not differ among the age groups in both
      the genders.

PMID- 26268109
TI  - [ANTHROPOMETRIC PARAMETERS' CUT-OFF POINTS FOR DIAGNOSIS OF SARCOPENIA].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: sarcopenia is a syndrome characterized by loss of muscle mass
      associated with reduced muscle strength and/or reduced functional capacity. The
      ageing of our population is producing an increase of the prevalence related with
      age in addition to other factors related to malnutrition and certain diseases.
      The aim of this study was to provide a tool for diagnosing sarcopenia while
      determining in an accessible way the loss of muscle mass. MATERIAL AND METHODS:
      an anthropometric standardized protocol was completed on 883 men and 506 women,
      healthy and active, aged 20-39 years. The following muscular development indices
      were calculated: body circumferences (upper arm, forearm, thigh, and calf)
      corrected circumferences (upper arm, thigh and calf), cross-sectional area (CSA,
      upper arm, thigh, and calf) and whole- body muscle mass (kg), and as a percentage
      (%) and in relation to height (kg/m2) by Lee's equation. The cutoff point was
      established as the 2.5 percentile (lower endpoint of the 95% confidence interval)
      for the analyzed studied. RESULTS: significant differences by gender (p < 0.0001)
      were found in all the indicators analyzed. The cut-off points of the loss of
      skeletal muscle mass were 9,1 kg/m2 in men; and 7.3 kg/m2 in women. And in the
      CSA (cm2), men vs. women: upper arm, 37.7 vs. 24.2; , thigh, 154.3 vs. 115.8; and
      calf, 78.8 vs. 60.2. CONCLUSIONS: there is sexual dimorphism which requires
      considering differentiated diagnostic criteria. The anthropometric technique can
      serve as screening method for sarcopenia on the study of large populations.

PMID- 26268110
TI  - LIPID PROFILE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG ELDERLY PEOPLE, ATTENDED AT THE FAMILY
      HEALTH STRATEGY, VICOSA/MG.
AB  - BACKGROUND: the aging population has been accompanied by epidemiological changes
      of the Brazilian population, with the highlight being the continued growth of the
      prevalence of non-communicable chronic diseases especially cardiovascular or
      artery-coronary, resulting from changes in the lipid profile of the elderly.
      OBJECTIVE: this study had the aim to describe the behavioral, anthropometric,
      lifestyle and body composition factors and their association with changes in the
      lipid profile of elderly people. METHODOLOGY: the sample included 402
      participants attended at the Family Health Strategy, Vicosa (MG), to which a
      questionnaire with socio-demographic, behavioral and lifestyle information was
      applied. Blood sample was collected to obtain the lipid fractions, and the
      weight, height, waist circumference and body fat percentage were measured.
      Multiple linear regression was performed to identify independently associated
      factors with changes in each of the selected lipid fractions. RESULTS: the
      factors independently associated with increased levels of total cholesterol were
      the presence of sedentary behavior, high body fat percentage, greater waist
      height and greater waist circumference. The consumption of alcoholic beverages
      and a higher waist-hip ratio remained independently associated with decreased
      high-density lipoprotein levels. The increased waist circumference was
      independently associated with low values of the low-density lipoprotein levels.
      The value of increased triglyceride was independently associated with higher
      waist-hip ratio, higher body mass index and smoking. CONCLUSIONS: modifiable risk
      factors associated with a changed lipid profile should be prioritized among the
      actions to be considered in structuring health programs for the elderly.

PMID- 26268111
TI  - EVALUATION OF DIET ACCEPTANCE BY PATIENTS WITH HAEMATOLOGICAL CANCER DURING
      CHEMOTHERAPEUTIC TREATMENT.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: a compromised nutritional status is one of the factors that may
      increase the morbidity and mortality of chemotherapy patients. The goal of this
      study was to evaluate acceptance of the diet by patients with haematological
      cancer throughout their hospital stay for chemotherapeutic treatment. METHOD:
      this was a cross-sectional, descriptive, quantitative study, carried out from
      February to October 2014 in adult patients of both genders diagnosed with
      lymphoma and leukaemia. Food intake was evaluated on a daily basis through a
      recording instrument designed by the author. ANOVA test for repeated measurements
      was employed. RESULTS: 32 patients were evaluated, with a mean age of 42 +/- 11
      years, the majority of whom were women (66%). We observed gastrointestinal
      disturbances in 72% of the patients, most commonly nausea (59%), followed by
      xerostomia (34%), vomiting (28%) and dysgeusia (25%). The percentage of leftover
      food was significant, varying from 23% to 35%. Lunch and dinner were the most
      frequently rejected meals. Light meals were more well-tolerated, having been
      accepted in 75% to 100% of the offers. CONCLUSION: The food records show that
      during chemotherapy cycles, patients present significant food rejection,
      specially with larger meals such as lunch and dinner, though light meals are
      better tolerated. Employing food options chosen by patients may be a strategy to
      improve dietary acceptance. More studies on this subject are necessary in order
      to improve nutritional care to this population, aiming to prevent and/or
      rehabilitate the nutritional status of these patients.

PMID- 26268112
TI  - RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ZINCEMIA, SUPEROXIDE DISMUTASE ACTIVITY AND MARKER OF
      OXIDATIVE STRESS IN WOMEN WITH BREAST CANCER.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: studies show changes in zinc metabolism in women with breast
      cancer. This mineral has antioxidant action, and disorders in its biochemical
      parameters are related to poor prognosis of the disease and increase in the
      carcinogenic process. OBJECTIVE: this study evaluated the activity of enzyme
      superoxide dismutase and biochemical parameters related to zinc, and investigated
      the existence of correlation between these variables and the marker of oxidative
      stress in these patients. METHODS: this was a case-control study with 66 women
      aged between 20 and 50 years old, distributed into: case group (women with breast
      cancer, n = 34) and control group (healthy women, n = 32). Zinc intake was
      analyzed by three-day food diary, using Nutwin software, version 1.5. Plasma and
      erythrocyte zinc concentrations were determined by flame atomic absorption
      spectrophotometry method (lambda = 213.9). Superoxide dismutase activity was
      assessed by Griess colorimetric method, and plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive
      substances (TBARS) were analyzed. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: mean levels of zinc
      intake, superoxide dismutase and TBARS were higher than recommended for the study
      participants with statistical difference for enzyme superoxide dismutase (p <
      0.05). Mean plasma and erythrocyte concentrations of zinc were reduced in both
      groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: therefore, it can be assumed that zinc intake in
      women with breast cancer does not impact plasma and erythrocyte concentrations of
      this mineral. High superoxide dismutase activity in women with breast cancer may
      be due to a compensatory mechanism of regulation via oxidative stress found in
      this disease.

PMID- 26268113
TI  - POSITIVE EFFECTS OF RESISTANCE TRAINING ON INFLAMMATORY PARAMETERS IN MEN WITH
      METABOLIC SYNDROME RISK FACTORS.
AB  - BACKGROUND: evidences have shown a strongly association between metabolic
      syndrome (MS), cardiovascular diseases and chronic low-grade inflammation, being
      this last, related with the occurrence of sarcopenia and atherosclerosis. Despite
      several benefits, the effects of resistance training (RT) on inflammatory profile
      are controversial. Thereby, this study aims to investigate the effects of a RT on
      the inflammatory profile of men with MS risk factors. METHODS: fifteen sedentary
      men (57.53 +/- 7.07 years old) with 2 or more MS components underwent a RT for 14
      weeks (3 times per week), with intensity ranging between 40 and 70% of one
      repetition maximum. The dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to body
      composition assessment and serum was collected to evaluate biochemical and
      inflammatory parameters before and after the RT. RESULTS: despite the absence of
      changes in body weight, total muscular content and biochemical parameters, the
      individuals demonstrated a reduction on body fat content (p < 0.05). Furthermore,
      the RT resulted in lower circulating levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha and
      interleukin- 6 (p < 0.05), in higher levels of intelerukin-10 (p < 0.05) and in
      the stabilization of interleukin-1 beta and interferon-gamma concentrations. It
      was concluded that a moderate RT benefits inflammatory profile, contributing to a
      lower risk of cardiovascular diseases.

PMID- 26268114
TI  - [BODY COMPOSITION AND SOMATOTYPE IN UNIVERSITY TRIATHLETES].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: the triathlon is an endurance sport and individual that consists of
      three different disciplines: swimming, cycling and running. The aim of the study
      was to describe and analyze the anthropometric characteristics, body composition
      and somatotype in male college triathletes. METHODOLOGY: observational and
      descriptive study of anthropometric characteristics, body composition and
      somatotype of 39 male college athletes from 24 +/- 4,5 years, participants in the
      championship of Spain university triathlon sprint mode (Alicante 2010), from
      different universities Spanish. According to anthropometric measurement
      techniques adopted by the International Society for the Advancement of
      Kinanthropometry (ISAK) and the Spanish Group Cineantropometria (GREC) by an
      accredited assessor ISAK Level II. RESULTS: we find athletes of stunting, where
      you destacanvalores below normal in the subscapularis, supraspinatus, triceps and
      biceps skinfold, percentage of muscle mass (45.27 +/- 3.29%) and fat mass (10.22
      +/- 2.92%) and bone (16.65 +/- 1.34%) and where mesomorphy somatotipo
      predominates. DISCUSSION: the triathletes and runners have lower size that
      cyclists and swimmers. Triathletes and cyclists show a similar weight, less than
      swimmers line, and more than 10km runners. Iliac crest skinfold, abdominal and
      thigh front cyclists are less than triathletes. The percentage of fat mass of
      runners triathletes and swimmers are similar, however the muscle mass of athletes
      usually less than cyclists but similar to other forms. Somatotype resembles
      triathlete cyclist (mesomorph). The corridor is ectomorph and mesomorph-swimmer
      can range from a ectomorph mesomorph.

PMID- 26268115
TI  - [TOBACCO CONSUMPTION AMONG ADULTS IN MONTERREY: RELATION TO EXERCISE REGULARLY
      AND FAMILY].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: determine the relationship among tobacco consumption, physical
      activity, sociodemographic variables and family behaviours in Mexican adults.
      METHODS: 978 Mexican adults (483 males and 495 females) were interviewed by a
      random routes questionnaire. Multinomial logistic regression was used to
      calculate odds ratio (OR) and confidence interval (CI = 95%). RESULTS: men have a
      high risk factor of tobacco comsumption in frequency and/or amount. 18 to 45
      years-old is the age range with high probability of tobacco comsumption, while
      the more age, the less comsumption. The tobacco consumption risk is significantly
      low in people who have less that a primary education. Participants who have never
      done physical exercise have a low possibility of tobacco consumption, while the
      consumption is high in the group of people who have abandoned physical activity.
      The family context is a risk factor of tobacco consumption in frequency. About
      alcohol consumption, it was found that people who drink alcohol have a high
      probability of smoke. CONCLUSIONS: tobacco consumption at high frequencies and
      amounts and physical activity are inversely relationship. It has been also
      detected a direct relationship between the frequency and the amount of tobacco
      and alcohol consumptions; and between the frequency and the amount of tobacco
      consumption and the family in the tobacco consumption.

PMID- 26268116
TI  - ANTHROPOMETRIC PROFILE AND NUTRITIONAL INTAKE IN PATIENTS WITH EPILEPSY.
AB  - BACKGROUND: quality of life impairments are common in patients with epilepsy,
      especially due to cardiovascular comorbidities, overweight and obesity.
      OBJECTIVES: to evaluate the nutritional status of patients with epilepsy based on
      anthropometric measurements and dietary intake. METHODS: this cross-sectional
      study involved 72 patients recruited by convenience from the Epilepsy Clinic of
      the Clinical Hospital of Porto Alegre, Brazil. The sample consisted of patients
      of both genders, aged over 18 years, who had been diagnosed with epilepsy for at
      least one year. The following variables were investigated: anthropometric
      measurements (weight and height for the assessment of BMI and nutritional status,
      waist circumference for the assessment of cardiovascular risk); nutritional
      intake based on a food frequency questionnaire; socioeconomic status based on the
      Brazilian Economic Classification Criteria. RESULTS: the prevalence of
      overweight/obesity was 66.7%, and 85.4% of the women had a high cardiovascular
      risk. Patients displayed a low frequency of seizure control (41.7%), high
      carbohydrate and protein intakes, as well as low mono- and polyunsaturated fatty
      acid intakes (including omega 3 and 6 fatty acids). No differences in nutritional
      status or intake were observed between patients with controlled versus
      uncontrolled seizures. CONCLUSIONS: patients with epilepsy have comorbidities
      risks, as evidenced by their tendency to overweight and obesity, and abdominal
      obesity. Although seizure control did not appear to be related to nutritional
      status and intake, the presence of such comorbidities underscores the need for
      nutritional monitoring and intervention in these patients, with a special focus
      on macronutrient redistribution and on dietary fatty acid levels.

PMID- 26268117
TI  - BLOOD PRESSURE IN HYPERTENSIVE WOMEN AFTER AEROBICS AND HYDROGYMNASTICS SESSIONS.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: regular exercise has been recommended as an important behavior in
      controlling blood pressure. In recent years it has been demonstrated that a
      single session of exercise can lower blood pressure levels compared to pre
      exercise period, becoming an effective non-pharmacological therapy for the
      treatment of hypertension. OBJECTIVE: the purpose of this study was to analyze
      the levels of blood pressure in post-exercise period of controlled hypertension
      women after an aerobics session and a hydrogymnastics session. METHODS: twelve
      elderly (65 +/- 3.6 years) who practice regular physical activity for at least
      two months had their levels of blood pressure measured during 60 minutes after
      the end of each session. Blood pressure was measured every five minutes after the
      end of each session until the twentieth minute of recovery. Following, blood
      pressure was measured every ten minutes. T-student test was used to compare mean
      and the level of significance adopted was 5%. RESULTS: the mean values of
      hypotension found during the recovery period after the hydrogymnastics session
      were not significantly different when compared to blood pressure levels of the
      pre-exercise period (p = 0.260). However, the result of the same comparison for
      the aerobics session was statistically significant (p < 0.001). The lowest values
      of systolic blood pressure reached in the recovery period for hydrogymnastics
      (120 mmHg) and aerobics (106 mmHg) were significantly different (p < 0.001).
      CONCLUSIONS: the aerobics session showed to be more effective in reducing post
      exercise blood pressure compared to the hydrogymnastics. After practice aerobics,
      the participants presented lower blood pressure levels and longer duration of the
      hypotensive effect.

PMID- 26268118
TI  - [THE COMPARISON BETWEEN FOOD HABITS AND PHYSICAL CONDITION AMONG PHYSICAL
      EDUCATION AND OTHER UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: college students show a great susceptibility to acquire inadequate
      habits during their university studies, which they could maintain along their
      life. OBJECTIVE: compare the dietary habits and physical fitness among physical
      education students and other university careers at the same university and
      campus. METHODS: the sample included 343 students, mainly men (70%), 212 students
      from the career of Physical Education (PE) and 131 students of other careers (OC)
      of the Universidad Autonoma de Chile, Temuco campus. A validated survey about
      eating habits and physical fitness tests were applied to each student. RESULTS:
      in comparison with the students from other careers, the men of PE have a lower
      frequency of consumption of dairy, vegetables, alcohol (p < 0.05) and women of PE
      have higher frequency of consumption of homemade food, biscuits and sweet snacks
      (p < 0.05). Regarding the physical fitness, PE students obtained the best
      performance as was expected. CONCLUSION: no major differences were observed among
      the eating habits of students PE and OC from the same university, while physical
      fitness is consistent with the greater stimulus that the PE students receive in
      their academic training, which would serve as a excuse to consume more sugary
      drinks, junk food, cookies and sweet snacks.

PMID- 26268119
TI  - [USE, EFFECTS, AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS FOR THE SPORT IN
      UNIVERSITY STUDENTS].
AB  - BACKGROUND: consumption and marketing of supplements that help improve athletic
      performance has increased in semi-professional sport. Moreover, in the market are
      increasingly a wide variety of such products pressure and high performance
      requirements push many young athletes to have recourse to the use of supplements
      to improve your fitness. However, this type of treatment should be advised and
      guided by an expert since improper use of such supplements favors the appearance
      of adverse effects and can be harmful to the health of the individual. OBJECTIVE:
      to know the use of supplements to improve athletic performance by college
      athletes methods: was a systematic review in the Pubmed database, care, BIREME
      CUIDEN, BIREME (IBECS y Scielo) and CINHAL limited to articles published in the
      last ten years. RESULTS: 25 articles were analyzed. The main themes were found in
      the literature reviewed have been three: the "levels of supplements to increase
      athletic performance in college students", "effect of sports supplements" and
      "knowledge, behaviors and motivations for sports supplements". CONCLUSIONS:
      taking into account that the around 55% of University athletes using supplements
      but show a lack significant knowledge is necessary to provide a health education
      on such supplements.

PMID- 26268120
TI  - EVALUATION OF EFFICACY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF PRENATAL NUTRITIONAL CARE ON
      PERINATAL OUTCOME OF PREGNANT WOMEN; RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL.
AB  - AIM: to evaluate the impact of a prenatal nutritional assistance proposal (PNA)
      for adult pregnant women. METHODS: a study of the impact of an applied
      nutritional intervention throughout the prenatal on perinatal outcomes - adequacy
      of total gestational weight gain, gestational anemia frequency and pregnancy
      complications in a public maternity hospital in Rio de Janeiro. The data
      represent three groups of adult pregnant women, during 10 years: GI (1999-2001, n
      = 225), GII (2005-2006, n = 208) and GIII (2007-2008, n = 394). RESULTS: in GII
      (reference group) it was included a detailed nutritional assessment, an
      individualized eating plan and an attendance of at least four scheduled
      appointments with a nutritionist. PNA coverage occurred in only 20.4% of GI, 100%
      of GII and 42.1% in GIII (p < 0.001). Women in GI had a higher proportion of
      inadequate total weight gain (OR 1.82, 95% CI: 1.20 -2.75), anemia (OR 2.18, 95%
      CI: 1.35 - 3.55) and pregnancy complications (OR 1.57, 95% CI: 1.04 - 2.36), as
      well as those who joined GIII, - OR 1.68 (95% CI: 1.16 - 2.44), OR 2.45 (95% CI:
      1.56 - 3.84), OR 2.07 (95% CI: 1.42 - 3.00) - when compared to women in GII.
      CONCLUSIONS: the model tested in GII PNA demonstrated to be effective in the
      outcomes studied.

PMID- 26268121
TI  - [SOFT DRINKS CONSUMPTION AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN COLOMBIA: FACTORS ASSOCIATED].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: to examine the factors associated with regular consumption of soft
      drinks in Colombian pregnant. MATERIAL AND METHODS: a cross-sectional study was
      conducted of data from the 2010 National Nutrition Survey of Colombia (ENSIN
      2010), in 1.865 pregnant women aged between 13 and 49 years. Soft drink
      consumption and associated factors (pregnancy trimester, age, ethnicity,
      urbanicity, academic level, SISBEN score, and geographic region) were collected
      by structured questionnaire. Associations were established through a
      multivariable regression model. RESULTS: we found the 17% of pregnant women
      consume at least a daily soft drink. To be between 13 to 17 years old, belonging
      to an ethnic groups (afro-Colombian), being in the first pregnancy trimester and
      to belong to Sisben level II showed the highest daily consumption pattern (23.8%,
      22.8%, 21.4% and 20.9%). Regression models show that being between 13 to 17 years
      old OR 1.92 (IC95% 1.04-3.55); to reside in the eastern area OR 1.85 (IC95% 1.05
      3.27), or central OR 1.73 (IC95% 1.01- 2.96), and being in the first pregnancy
      trimester OR 1.59 (IC95% 1.01-2.52); were associated with soft drinks daily
      consumption. CONCLUSIONS: the women studied show a high prevalence of daily
      consumption of soft drinks. Comprehensive interventions involving both
      nutritional and educational components are required.

PMID- 26268122
TI  - ASSESSMENT OF THE FOOD PATTERNS OF IMMIGRANT ECUADORIAN POPULATION IN SOUTHERN
      SPAIN BASED ON A 24-H FOOD RECALL SURVEY.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Ecuador is a country with limited nutritional information, with
      exception of some general studies supported by Food Agriculture Organization
      (FAO) Aims: to carry out a nutritional assessment of the diet of Ecuadorian
      immigrant population in Southern Spain to determine differences in food patterns
      and possible nutritional deficiencies. METHODS: the nutritional assessment was
      based on a 24-h food recall survey applied to the Ecuadorian population residing
      in Seville and Cordoba (Spain) in combination with the application of national
      and international food composition data bases. Nutrient intake levels and
      fulfillment of Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) were estimated and statistically
      tested for social, sex, age and geographical factors. RESULTS: macronutrient
      distributions and nutrient intake levels in relation with DRIs were adequate in
      most cases. Importantly, Ecuadorian food habits were still present in immigrant
      population, with rice being the main energy source. Intakes levels were
      significantly different for several nutrients depending on age group, sex, place
      of residence and professional occupation. Comparison with previous nutritional
      data from Ecuador revealed a better nutritional status of immigrant population in
      Spain, though deficiencies in fiber, vitamin E, I and Se were detected in the
      diet of both populations. Nevertheless, data for these deficiencies were
      insufficient to be conclusive given both limitations in the food composition data
      bases (e.g. Se) and the lack of more adequate information tools for its
      assessment (e.g. long-term studies for vitamin E). CONCLUSIONS: the results in
      the present study evidenced that Ecuadorian immigrants in Spain showed more
      adequate food patterns that those reported for Ecuador. These data can be helpful
      to get further insight into the nutritional value of Ecuadorian diet and develop
      suitable nutrition intervention.

PMID- 26268123
TI  - [OSTEOPOROSIS AND BODY MASS INDEX IN RENAL TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: frequently after kidney transplantation there is an increase in
      weight with a resulting high percent of obesity in these recipients. This
      combined with a rapid loss of bone mass, a higher prevalence of osteoporosis and
      fractures is evident than in normal populations. OBJECTIVES: to explore the
      relationship between body mass index (BMI) and prevalence of osteoporosis in a
      population of renal transplant recipients. METHODS: prospective longitudinal
      study design. The study was conducted on 306 kidney transplant recipients. The
      relationship between weigh and body mass index with femoral and lumbar osteopenia
      and osteoporosis prevalence at the moment of transplant and at 12 months post was
      explored. RESULTS: there was a high prevalence of overweight (35.6%) and obese
      (14.1%) recipients after renal transplant and 1 year after (42.2% and 24.2%
      respectively). Significant differences were found(p = 0.049) between the weight
      at the time of transplant and the presence of osteopenia or osteoporosis at the
      lumbar level one year after, the highest weights were in recipients with
      osteoporosis. The mean BMI was higher (p = 0.028) in osteoporotic patients (26.59
      kg/m2) than in patients with osteopenia (24.23 kg/m2). CONCLUSION: results seem
      to be consistent with recent studies in the general population showing excessive
      weight as a possible factor detrimental to the bone health.

PMID- 26268124
TI  - NUTRITIONAL STATUS AND PERIOPERATIVE FASTING TIME VERSUS COMPLICATIONS AND
      HOSPITAL STAY OF SURGICAL PATIENTS.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: many factors can have a negative influence over surgical results,
      such as a compromised nutritional status and the extension of the perioperative
      fasting time. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the influence of the nutritional status and
      the perioperative fasting time over the occurrence of surgical complications and
      over hospital stay, in patients who have undergone surgery of the
      gastrointestinal tract and/or abdominal wall, and who were subjected to a
      nutritional care protocol. METHODS: cohort study, conducted with 84 patients,
      from June to November 2014. Data collection was performed by applying a
      structured questionnaire, search over the records and medical and/or nutritional
      prescription. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA/SE 12.0 and
      significance level of 5%. RESULTS: nutritional risk was present in 26.2%, and
      from these 45.4% carried out preoperative nutritional therapy, having an average
      of 6.6 +/- 2.79 days. The preoperative fasting was 4.5 (3.66; 5.50) hours and the
      postoperative fasting 5.1 (2.5; 20.5) hours. No associations were found between
      the parameters for assessing body composition and the presence of complications.
      A negative correlation was observed between the length of hospital stay and the
      BMI (p = 0.017),while a positive correlation was observed between weight loss and
      the length of hospital stay (p = 0.036). Patients with higher postoperative
      fasting time had a higher occurrence of complications (p = 0.021). CONCLUSION:
      the compromised nutritional status and the extension of perioperative fasting
      time are associated with the occurrence of surgical complications and increased
      length of hospital stay.

PMID- 26268125
TI  - [AGREEMENT BETWEEN INDIRECT CALORIMETRY AND PREDICTIVE EQUATIONS IN A SAMPLE OF
      SPANISH HEALTHY ADULTS].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: the aim of this study was to analyze the agreement between the resting
      energy expenditure (REE) obtained by indirect calorimetry (IC) and that obtained
      by prediction equations in a sample of healthy adults from Spain. Methods: a
      descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 95 healthy, normal-weight
      adults. REE was determined by IC and 45 population-specific prediction equations
      which were based on weight, height, sex and/or body composition (BC). The
      Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) and Bland-Alman plots were used to
      analyze the agreement between the REE obtained by IC and that obtained by
      prediction equations. The level of signification was reached at p < 0,05.
      RESULTS: mean age was 42 years (range: 23.0-63.2). Mean REE determined by CI was
      1589 (312) kcal/d [1822.3 (224.3) kcal/d in men and 1379.3 (216.1) kcal/d in
      women; p < 0.05]. The De-Lorenzo, Harris-Benedict, Schofield, and especially the
      Korth equations showed the greatest level of agreement with respect to IC.
      CONCLUSIONS: there is high variability in the estimates of REE depending on the
      prediction equation used. The De Lorenzo, Harris-Benedict, and the Schofield
      equations showed a good level of agreement in our sample; however, the Korth
      equation was the most appropriate. Equations based on weight and/or height were
      more accurate than those which included body composition variables.

PMID- 26268126
TI  - CARDIOVASCULAR RISK AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS IN ADOLESCENTS.
AB  - BACKGROUND: changes in lifestyle are related to early exposure of adolescents to
      comorbidities associated with cardiovascular disease. These conditions may have
      consequences in adulthood. OBJECTIVE: to determine the prevalence of
      cardiovascular risk and its associated factors in the three phases of
      adolescence. METHODS: a cross-sectional study involving adolescents 10-19 years
      old in the city of Vicosa distributed in three stages. We evaluated laboratory
      tests, body mass index classified into Z-score according to gender and age, and
      the percentage of body fat classified by gender. We used the chi-square test, chi
      square partition with Bonferroni correction and Poisson regression. The
      significance level was alpha < 0.05. The project was approved by the UFV
      Committee of Ethics and Research with Humans. RESULTS: overweight, excess body
      fat, lipid profile, sedentary behavior, and history of CVD in family were the
      most prevalent cardiovascular risk factors among adolescents. The adolescents had
      higher rates of overweight and excess fat. As for the stages, the first one
      showed a higher percentage of individuals with sedentary behavior, overweight,
      total cholesterol and LDL in comparison with other stages. Individuals with
      changes in nutritional status were more likely to develop hypertension, changes
      in total cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides, insulin, HOMA and low HDL when compared
      to healthy individuals. CONCLUSIONS: the cardiovascular risk factors have been
      observed in younger and younger individuals and are important factors to identify
      a population at risk.

PMID- 26268127
TI  - ASSOCIATION OF HELICOBACTER PYLORI INFECTION WITH NUTRITIONAL STATUS AND FOOD
      INTAKE.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: the H. pylori infection affects more than half of humanity, being a
      public health problem. Its prevalence is significantly higher in developing
      countries like Brazil. It has been suggested that H. pylori infection may
      influence the intake and caloric homeostasis. PURPOSE: to compare nutritional
      status and food intake of patients attended by National Health System, with and
      without H. pylori infection. METHODS: 140 patients were assessed. They performed
      upper gastrointestinal endoscopy to investigate the presence of H. pylori. Body
      weight and height of the patients were measured. Food intake was investigated
      through two 24-hour recalls, with data transformed in grams and analyzed in
      DietWin Professional 2.0 software. The findings were compared using the chi
      square test or Student's t-test, adopting p < 0.05 as significance level.
      RESULTS: there was predominance of patients with excess weight for both Hp -
      (60.3%) and Hp + (67.7%), with no difference between them. Food intake of
      assessed groups was similar. CONCLUSION: no differences were found in nutritional
      status and food intake between the two studied groups.

PMID- 26268128
TI  - STUDY ON THE DIFFERENCES OF MAJOR PHARMACEUTICAL INGREDIENTS IN DIFFERENT PARTS
      AND PROCESSED MEDICINAL MATERIAL OF EPIMEDIUM BREVICORNU MAXIM IN TAIHANG
      MOUNTAIN.
AB  - The aim of this study is to evaluate the medicinal values of different parts of
      Epimedium brevicornu Maxim. and the effect of processing on major pharmaceutical
      ingredients in it. The contents of icariin and epimedin C in different parts and
      processed medicinal material of E. brevicornu in Taihang Mountain were determined
      with ultrasonic extraction and RP-HPLC. The results indicated that the contents
      of icariin and epimedin C, respectively 3.4524% and 0.5485%, in the leaf are
      higher than that in other parts. The contents of icariin and epimedin C,
      respectively 0.1942 % and 0.1342%, in the stem (include petiole) are the lowest.
      The contents of these ingredients in the root (include rhizome) are close to that
      in the leaf. The icariin and epimedin C in all parts of E. brevicornu reduced
      after processing. The content of icariin in the processed leaf is about 59.5% of
      that in unprocessed leaves. The effect of prossing on the content of icariin in
      the stem is unobvious. The content of epimedin C in the processed leaf is about
      33.7% of that in unprocessed leaf. The content of epimedin C in the processed
      stem (include petiole) is about 36.9% of that in unprocessed stem. It is worth to
      exploit the stem and petiole of E. brevicornu because there are certain contents
      of pharmaceutical ingredients in them. The firepower should be paid attention to
      and the temperature should not be very high to avoid the damage on pharmaceutical
      ingredients in E. brevicornu when process it. 

PMID- 26268129
TI  - PREVALENCE OF AUTOIMMUNE THYROIDITIS AND THYROID DYSFUNCTION IN HEALTHY ADULT
      MEXICANS WITH A SLIGHTLY EXCESSIVE IODINE INTAKE.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: the purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of autoimmune
      thyroiditis and thyroid dysfunction in healthy individuals with no previously
      known thyroid disease, in an urban area of Mexico City. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: the
      study was conducted on volunteers with no known thyroid disease. We recruited 427
      subjects among the hospital's medical and administration personnel. All underwent
      thyroid ultrasound (US) and TSH, free T4 (FT4), total T3 (TT3), thyroid anti
      peroxidase (TPOAb) and anti-thyroglobulin (TgAb) antibodies were measured.
      Hypoechogenicity and thyroid volume were determined by US. Urinary iodine (UI)
      excretion was also measured. RESULTS: the frequency of autoimmune thyroiditis was
      8.4% (36/427) and women were most commonly affected than men (11.6 vs. 4.3%
      respectively, P = 0.008); when including cases of atrophic thyroid, the frequency
      increased to 15.7% (67/427). Clinical hypothyroidism was detected in 1.2% (5/427)
      and it was sub-clinical in 5.6% of individuals. A goiter was present in 5.9%
      (25/427) of volunteers. Median UI was 267 MUg/L, (IQR 161.3 - 482.5).
      CONCLUSIONS: in spite of our study's limitations, the frequency of autoimmune
      thyroiditis is clearly elevated in the studied population. Further studies are
      necessary in order to define the prevalence of autoimmune thyroid disease as well
      as the current iodine nutritional status in our country.

PMID- 26268130
TI  - TRANSLATION AND VALIDATION OF THE FOOD NEOPHOBIA SCALE (FNS) TO THE BRAZILIAN
      PORTUGUESE.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The Food Neophobia Scale (FNS), originally developed in English,
      has been widely used in different studies to assess the individual's willingness
      to try new foods. However, a process of translation and cultural adaptation is
      required to enable the use of FNS in other countries. OBJECTIVE: to translate and
      to validate the FNS into Brazilian Portuguese. METHODS: the FNS was translated
      into Brazilian Portuguese by three English teachers independently and back
      translated into English by other three professionals. After that, both the
      English and Brazilian Portuguese FNS versions were administered to a sample of 40
      graduate students of the University of Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil, between
      September and October 2014. The reproducibility between the instruments was
      assessed by the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). The internal
      reliability of the scale was evaluated by Cronbach's Alpha coefficient. The FNS
      total score ranged from 10-70 and the respondents were classified as food
      neophilic (<= 16.4), neutral (16.5-38.5) and food neophobic (>= 38.6). RESULTS:
      the ICC between the items of the original FNS and the Brazilian FNS ranged
      between 0.266 and 0.815 (P < 0.05). The total score of the FNS was 0.903 (p <
      0.001). Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.916. Most respondents were classified
      as neutral (72.5%), other 10% as neophilics, and only 17.5% as neophobics.
      CONCLUSION: the Brazilian version of the FNS proved to be an adequate and
      reliable tool to measure food neophobia. Yet, further research is required to
      investigate the presence of food neophobia in Brazilian population and to analyse
      its impact on food behavior.

PMID- 26268131
TI  - THE CONSUMPTION OF ACAI PULP CHANGES THE CONCENTRATIONS OF PLASMINOGEN ACTIVATOR
      INHIBITOR-1 AND EPIDERMAL GROWTH FACTOR (EGF) IN APPARENTLY HEALTHY WOMEN.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: obesity, characterized by adiposity excess, is associated with
      endothelial dysfunction and possible inflammatory state with release of cytokines
      that determine endothelial function and can trigger chronic diseases. The dietary
      pattern are associated with the synthesis these cytokines. Fruits as the acai,
      which is rich in flavonoids, have a direct and beneficial effect on the control
      of this inflammatory process through the exercised antioxidant capacity.
      OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the effect of acai pulp consumption on the inflammatory
      markers, anthropometric measurements, body composition, biochemical and dietary
      parameters in healthy women. METHODS: forty women, were divided in 25 eutrophic
      and 15 with overweight. They intaked 200 g of acai pulp during 4 weeks.
      Anthropometric measurements, body composition, inflammatory markers, biochemical
      data, dietary intake and dietary antioxidants capacity were evaluated before and
      after the intervention. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: after the intervention, there was
      significant increase of EGF (p = 0.021) and PAI- 1(p = 0.011) in overweight
      women. Moreover, there was increase in body weight (p = 0.031), body mass index
      (p = 0.028), percentage of truncal fat (p = 0.003) and triceps skinfold thickness
      (p = 0.046) in eutrophic women. However, the skinfold thickness (p = 0.018) and
      total body fat (p = 0.016) decreased in overweight women. There was reduction of
      total protein (p = 0.049) due to the globulin reduction (p = 0.005), but the
      nutritional status was maintained in eutrophic group. CONCLUSION: the intake of
      200g acai pulp, modulated the EGF and PAI-1 expression, possibly by modulation of
      acai on the parameters of body composition, dietary, clinical, biochemical and
      inflammatory, led to a redistribution and resizing of body fat of the trunk area,
      and presumably increased visceral fat.

PMID- 26268132
TI  - [NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES; NUTRITIONAL ASPECTS].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: neurodegenerative diseases cause changes in the level of
      consciousness or swallowing mechanisms that often necessitate a specialized
      nutritional support. OBJECTIVE: review the risk of malnutrition and its treatment
      in patients with cerebral vascular disease, Parkinson's disease, dementia and
      amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. DEVELOPMENT: degenerative neurological diseases
      are one of the main indications for nutritional support in our country. In acute
      processes (cerebral vascular disease), proper nutritional management is related
      to better outcomes and reduced complications. In chronic neurodegenerative
      processes (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and dementia), malnutrition is a major
      problem that worsens the prognosis of these patients, the proper management of
      dysphagia and its complications, as well as the use of different stages of
      support being necessary nutritional. A correct nutritional evaluation of these
      patients and a right nutrition intervention is essential in monitoring their
      disease. Finally, in advanced Parkinson's disease, nutritional support, as in
      previous neurodegenerative diseases, is of huge importance. Protein dietary load
      and its distribution in the diet of these patients are important, too. Finally,
      American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition ASPEN recommend, with a
      degree of evidence B, performing a screening of malnutrition in patients with
      neurological diseases. CONCLUSIONS: a correct nutritional evaluation and adequate
      nutritional support should be part of diagnostic and therapeutic process of these
      diseases.

PMID- 26268133
TI  - ORGANIC INFLAMMATORY RESPONSE TO REDUCED PREOPERATIVE FASTING TIME, WITH A
      CARBOHYDRATE AND PROTEIN ENRICHED SOLUTION; A RANDOMIZED TRIAL.
AB  - BACKGROUND: this study aims to assess the organic inflammatory response of the
      video laparoscopic cholecystectomy, with abbreviation of the preoperative fasting
      to 2h using a carbohydrate and protein enriched solution. METHODS: this is a
      randomized, prospective study with patients divided into the following 2 groups:
      group A, conventional fasting and group B, 2h abbreviated fasting with oral
      ingestion of a carbohydrate and protein solution. Serum glucose, insulin,
      interleukin 1, and TNF-alpha were mesasured before ingestion of the solution,
      during induction of anesthesia, and 4 h after the end of surgery. RESULTS: thirty
      eight patients completed the study without presenting pulmonary complications
      associated with bronchoaspiration. The postoperative HOMA-IR variance was greater
      in group A (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: the abbreviation of preoperative fasting for
      2 h, using carbohydrate and protein enriched solutions, is safe, reduces insulin
      resistance, and does not increase the risk of bronchoaspiration.

PMID- 26268134
TI  - [FIGURES PERFORMANCE OF GLYCEMIA IN TYPE 2 DIABETIC PATIENTS WITH INTAKE OF TWO
      BREAKFAST WITH THE SAME AMOUNT OF CARBOHYDRATES].

PMID- 26268135
TI  - [IMPORTANCE OF THE METHODOLOGY REPORT IN ELECTRICAL BIOIMPEDANCE ON BODY
      COMPOSITION STUDIES].

PMID- 26268137
TI  - Doppler Non-invasive Monitoring of ICP in an Animal Model of Acute Intracranial
      Hypertension.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In many neurological diseases, intracranial pressure (ICP) is
      elevated and needs to be actively managed. ICP is typically measured with an
      invasive transducer, which carries risks. Non-invasive techniques for monitoring
      ICP (nICP) have been developed. The aim of this study was to compare three
      different methods of transcranial Doppler (TCD) assessment of nICP in an animal
      model of acute intracranial hypertension. METHODS: In 28 rabbits, ICP was
      increased to 70-80 mmHg by infusion of Hartmann's solution into the lumbar
      subarachnoid space. Doppler flow velocity in the basilar artery was recorded.
      nICP was assessed through three different methods: Gosling's pulsatility index PI
      (gPI), Aaslid's method (AaICP), and a method based on diastolic blood flow
      velocity (FVdICP). RESULTS: We found a significant correlation between nICP and
      ICP when all infusion experiments were combined (FVdICP: r = 0.77, AaICP: r =
      0.53, gPI: r = 0.54). The ability to distinguish between raised and 'normal'
      values of ICP was greatest for FVdICP (AUC 0.90 at ICP >40 mmHg). When infusion
      experiments were considered independently, FVdICP demonstrated again the
      strongest correlation between changes in ICP and changes in nICP (mean r = 0.85).
      CONCLUSIONS: TCD-based methods of nICP monitoring are better at detecting changes
      of ICP occurring in time, rather than absolute prediction of ICP as a number. Of
      the studied methods of nICP, the method based on FVd is best to discriminate
      between raised and 'normal' ICP and to monitor relative changes of ICP.

PMID- 26268136
TI  - Identification and characterization of a bovine sperm acrosomal matrix protein
      and its mechanism of interaction with acrosomal hydrolases.
AB  - Fertilization, the union of male and female gametes to create offspring, is an
      intricate biological process dependent upon several biochemical and physiological
      events. Our understanding of the functions of protein constituents of the outer
      acrosomal membrane-associated matrix complex (OMC) is limited. A highly purified
      OMC fraction isolated from bovine cauda sperm heads comprised 54, 50, 45, and 38
      19 kDa polypeptides. The objective of this study is to identify and characterize
      the 45 kDa (OMC45) polypeptide, to define its role in binding acrosomal
      hydrolases, and to examine the fate of OMC45 polypeptide during the acrosome
      reaction. We isolated OMC45 polypeptide from the high-pH insoluble fraction of
      OMC. Proteomic analysis of OMC45 by MALDI-TOF-TOF yielded eight peptides that
      matched the NCBI database sequence of Tektin 3 (TEKT3). Triton X-100
      permeabilized cauda sperm exhibited intense staining of the acrosomal segment
      with anti-OMC45 and anti-TEKT3. The OMC45 polypeptide was solubilized by radio
      immunoprecipitation assay buffer extraction. The solubilized fraction was
      subjected to immunoprecipitation analysis. The OMC45 polypeptide was recovered in
      the anti-OMC45 immunoprecipitation pellet. An identical blot stained with anti
      TEKT3 exhibited the presence of TEKT3 polypeptide in the anti-OMC45 pellet. Our
      immunofluorescence and biochemical studies confirm the proteomics identification
      of OMC45 polypeptide and that it exhibits a sequence similarity to TEKT3. OMC45
      glycoprotein possesses both N-linked and O-linked oligosaccharides.
      Deglycosylated OMC45 revealed a significant reduction in both acrosin and N
      acetylglucosaminidase (NAGA) binding in comparison with acrosin and NAGA binding
      to a native OMC45 polypeptide, demonstrating the important role of
      oligosaccharides in hydrolase binding. OMC45 polypeptide is not released during
      the acrosome reaction but remains in the particulate cell subfraction, associated
      with the hybrid membrane complex.

PMID- 26268138
TI  - Glyburide Advantage in Malignant Edema and Stroke (GAMES-RP) Trial: Rationale and
      Design.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients with large territory infarction are at high risk of cerebral
      edema and neurological deterioration, including death. Preclinical studies have
      shown that a continuous infusion of glyburide blocks edema formation and improves
      outcome. We hypothesize that treatment with RP-1127 (Glyburide for Injection)
      reduces formation of brain edema in patients after large anterior circulation
      infarction. METHODS: GAMES-RP is a prospective, randomized, double-blind,
      multicenter trial designed to evaluate RP-1127 in patients at high risk for the
      development of malignant cerebral edema. The study population consisted of
      subjects with a clinical diagnosis of acute severe anterior circulation ischemic
      stroke with a baseline diffusion-weighted image lesion between 82 and 300 cm(3)
      who are 18-80 years of age. The target time from symptom onset to start of study
      infusion was <=10 h. Subjects were randomized to RP-1127 (glyburide for
      injection) or placebo and treated with a continuous infusion for 72 h. RESULTS:
      The primary efficacy outcome was a composite of the modified Rankin Scale and the
      incidence of decompressive craniectomy, assessed at 90 days. Safety outcomes were
      the frequency and severity of adverse events, with a focus on cardiac- and
      glucose-related serious adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: GAMES-RP was designed to
      provide critical information regarding glyburide for injection in patients with
      large hemispheric stroke and will inform the design of future studies.

PMID- 26268139
TI  - Rotated stack-of-spirals partial acquisition for rapid volumetric parallel MRI.
AB  - PURPOSE: We present a volumetric sampling method that rotates the spiral
      interleaves of a stack of spirals (SOSP) trajectory for reduced aliasing
      artifacts using parallel imaging with undersampling. METHODS: The aliasing
      pattern in an undersampled SOSP acquisition was modified by consecutively
      rotating spiral interleaves in each phase-encoding plane. This allows a sampling
      scheme with a high reduction factor when using a volumetric multireceiver array.
      Phantom and in vivo brain images at a resolution of 1 * 1 * 2 mm(3) were acquired
      at 3T using a 32-channel coil. Images reconstructed with a reduction factor of 16
      were compared for aliasing artifacts and geometry factor (g-factor). RESULTS:
      Phantom and in vivo brain image results revealed that the rotated SOSP
      acquisition with a reduction factor of 16 produces images with reduced aliasing
      and lower g-factors than images acquired without rotation. CONCLUSION: The
      proposed rotated SOSP sampling method is a highly efficient way to maximize the
      encoding power of volumetric receiver arrays in parallel imaging and is
      applicable to rapid volumetric scanning, including susceptibility-weighted
      imaging and functional MRI. Magn Reson Med 76:127-135, 2016. (c) 2015 Wiley
      Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 26268140
TI  - Sebaceous carcinoma within rippled/carcinoid pattern sebaceoma.
AB  - Although the histogenesis of sebaceous carcinomas remains unclear, the occurrence
      of intraepidermal or intraepithelial sebaceous carcinoma in the epidermis or
      conjunctiva may suggest de novo histogenesis. This report describes a case of
      sebaceous carcinoma within preexisting rippled/carcinoid pattern sebaceoma. This
      lesion was composed of two (benign and malignant) components, and the benign
      component of the lesion showed the typical features of a rippled/carcinoid
      pattern sebaceoma. Although evidence of trauma as well as a vertical orientation
      was seen in this lesion, the malignant component of the lesion showed
      histopathological evidence of malignancy (sebaceous carcinoma), such as the
      aggregations with irregular and infiltrated borders, a sheet-like growth pattern,
      and the cytopathological findings of the neoplastic cells, showing a high-grade
      of malignancy (a high mitotic index and abnormal mitotic figures). The
      immunohistochemical staining for p53, Ki-67 and D2-40 also favored this
      diagnosis. This sebaceous carcinoma component was considered to be the incipient
      stage of carcinoma within preexisting sebaceoma, therefore, it was still
      considered to be a vertically oriented lesion. This case shows the possibility
      that abnormal (malignant) sebaceous germinative cells may originate within a
      sebaceoma, thereby suggesting that some sebaceous carcinomas may develop from
      preexisting sebaceomas. 

PMID- 26268141
TI  - Voluntary breath-holding for breast cancer radiotherapy is consistent and stable.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate breath-hold stability and constancy for a voluntary breath
      hold (VBH) technique in a retrospective analysis. METHODS: Movie loop sequences
      of electronic portal image data from multiple breath holds in a cohort of 19
      patients were used to assess within and between breath-hold stability. In vivo
      dosimetry data based on electronic portal imaging (EPI) were analysed for 31 VBH
      patients plus a cohort of free-breathing (FB) patients to provide a reference. A
      phantom experiment simulated the impact on dose of FB, breath hold and unplanned
      release of breath hold. RESULTS: 165/174 (93%) movie loop data sets had no
      detectable displacement. For the remaining 12, median displacement = 1.5 mm and
      maximum displacement = 3 mm (one patient on one fraction). In vivo dosimetry data
      analysis showed a median dose difference measured to planned of -0.2% (VBH) and 
      0.1% (FB). Dose distribution evaluation (gamma) pass rates were 84% (VBH) and 91%
      (FB) including the lung region; 93% and 96% with a lung override. Unplanned
      release of phantom breath-hold position changed median dose by <=1% and degraded
      gamma pass rates to 79-62%. Failing regions were mostly in the periphery of the
      treated volume. CONCLUSION: The data confirmed that multiple VBHs using visual
      monitoring are stable; in vivo dose verification via EPI was within expected and
      acceptable levels. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: These data provide further reassurance
      that VBH is a safe technique for cardiac sparing breast radiotherapy and support
      its rapid, widespread implementation.

PMID- 26268142
TI  - Quantified ultrasound elastography in the assessment of cutaneous carcinoma.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of high-frequency ultrasound and
      ultrasound elastography (USE) in discriminating benign from malignant skin
      lesions in a prospective cohort study and to introduce the use of a "strain
      ratio" for evaluation of skin lesions. METHODS: A commercial ultrasound system
      with a 14-MHz transducer was used to visualize skin lesions requiring biopsy on
      clinical evaluation. Anatomic ultrasound and USE imaging of the skin lesions was
      performed using 2- to 4-mm gel stand-off pads. A region of interest was manually
      selected over the area of each lesion with the lowest strain. The concept of a
      strain ratio of the compressibility of the normal skin at the corresponding layer
      to that of the least compressible region of a lesion in question was created and
      applied. This ratio was subsequently correlated with blind histopathological
      evaluation for malignancy. RESULTS: 55 patients were included in the study with a
      total of 67 lesions evaluated. 29 lesions were malignant and 38 benign. All
      malignant lesions had strain ratios >=3.9. All benign lesions had strain ratios
      <=3.0. A diagnostic value between 3.0 and 3.9 would result in 100% sensitivity
      and specificity in the characterization of these lesions as malignant.
      CONCLUSION: This pilot study demonstrated that USE plus strain ratio appears to
      be a promising modality in providing diagnostic determination between cancerous
      and benign primary solitary skin lesions prior to biopsy. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE:
      This is the first reported study applying an original mathematical elastographic
      ratio, or strain ratio, to evaluate primary solitary skin lesions.

PMID- 26268143
TI  - Pictorial review. Diagnosis of recurrent prostate cancer and its mimics at
      multiparametric prostate MRI.
AB  - Biochemical recurrence after treatment for prostate cancer (PCa) is a significant
      issue. Early diagnosis of local recurrence is important for making prompt
      treatment decisions and is strongly associated with patient prognosis. Without
      salvage therapy, the average time from development of local recurrence to distant
      metastasis is approximately 3 years. Biochemical recurrence does not
      differentiate local recurrence from systemic disease; there is no reliable way to
      clinically diagnose local recurrence. Recent advances in multiparametric MRI (mp
      MRI) techniques have markedly improved detection of local recurrence following
      therapy. However, a wide variety of entities can mimic recurrent PCa at mp-MRI.
      Therefore, the purpose of this pictorial review is to discuss the MRI findings of
      locally recurrent PCa and its mimics, emphasizing the key MRI features that help
      to differentiate local recurrence from its mimics. 

PMID- 26268144
TI  - Multiparametric MRI of the prostate with three functional techniques in patients
      with PSA elevation before initial TRUS-guided biopsy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Multiparametric MRI (mp-MRI) of the prostate is increasingly being
      used for local staging and detection of recurrence of prostate cancer (PCA). In
      patients with elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA), mp-MRI could provide
      information on the position of the cancer, allowing adjustments to be made to the
      needle depth and direction before repeat transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided
      biopsy to ensure accurate sampling of lesions. The purpose of the prospective
      study was to evaluate mp-MRI of the prostate in patients with PSA elevation
      before initial TRUS-guided biopsy. METHODS: mp-MRI was performed in 94 patients
      using a 1.5-T scanner (MAGNETOM Aera((r)); Siemens Healthcare, Erlangen, Germany)
      and 16-channel phased-array body coil (Siemens Healthcare). T2 weighted images
      (T2WI), diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI and
      MR spectroscopy were obtained. TRUS-guided random biopsies and additional
      targeted biopsies of suspicious MRI areas were performed. RESULTS: Additional
      targeted biopsies were obtained in 17 of 43 (40%) patients with PCA. 11 of 17
      targeted biopsies contained PCA. 5 of 11 PCAs were diagnosed only by additional
      targeted biopsies. Sensitivity of mp-MRI in patients was 97.7% and specificity
      was 11.8%. mp-MRI was false negative in one patient. Sensitivity of mp-MRI in 207
      lesions was 80.9% and specificity was 44.7%. In a logistic regression model, the
      apparent diffusion coefficient value was the only significant parameter to
      differentiate malignant and benign lesions. CONCLUSION: mp-MRI should be
      performed in patients with PSA elevation before initial TRUS-guided biopsy to
      allow additional targeted biopsies from suspicious areas of MRI. We recommend mp
      MRI with T2WI, DWI, DCE MRI and MR spectroscopy. DWI as the most reliable
      technique should be used in every mp-MRI. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: DWI is the most
      reliable technique in mp-MRI of the prostate.

PMID- 26268145
TI  - Oral operant ethanol self-administration in the absence of explicit cues, food
      restriction, water restriction and ethanol fading in C57BL/6J mice.
AB  - RATIONALE: Mouse models of ethanol (EtOH) self-administration are useful to
      identify genetic and biological underpinnings of alcohol use disorder.
      OBJECTIVES: These experiments developed a novel method of oral operant EtOH self
      administration in mice without explicitly paired cues, food/water restriction, or
      EtOH fading. METHODS: Following magazine and lever training for 0.2 % saccharin
      (SAC), mice underwent nine weekly overnight sessions with lever pressing
      maintained by dipper presentation of 0, 3, 10, or 15 % EtOH in SAC or water
      vehicle. Ad libitum water was available from a bottle. RESULTS: Water vehicle
      mice ingested most fluid from the water bottle in contrast to SAC vehicle mice,
      which despite lever pressing demands, drank most of their fluid from the liquid
      dipper. Although EtOH in SAC vehicle mice showed concentration-dependent
      increases of g/kg EtOH intake, lever pressing decreased with increasing EtOH
      concentration and did not exceed that of SAC vehicle alone at any EtOH
      concentration. Mice reinforced with EtOH in water ingested less EtOH than mice
      reinforced with EtOH in SAC. EtOH in water mice, however, showed concentration
      dependent increases in g/kg EtOH intake and lever presses. Fifteen percent EtOH
      in water mice showed significantly greater levels of lever pressing than water
      vehicle mice and a significant escalation of responding across weeks of exposure.
      Naltrexone pretreatment reduced EtOH self-administration and intake in these mice
      without altering responding in the vehicle control condition during the first
      hour of the session. CONCLUSIONS: SAC facilitated EtOH intake but prevented
      observation of EtOH reinforcement. Water vehicle unmasked EtOH's reinforcing
      effects.

PMID- 26268147
TI  - Hybrid transatrial stent insertion for left atrial decompression in hypoplastic
      left heart syndrome with intact atrial septum.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To describe a novel strategy for the management of infants with
      hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) and intact atrial septum. Antenatally
      diagnosed infants are delivered in cardiac theatre and immediate left atrial
      decompression (LAD) using hybrid transatrial stent insertion (HTSI) via
      sternotomy is carried out. BACKGROUND: HLHS with intact atrial septum is a
      condition incompatible with life following placental separation. Despite a number
      of reported strategies the survival of these infants remains much worse than
      those born with an adequate atrial communication. Immediate postnatal LAD is
      mandatory to allow consideration of active treatment. METHODS: Single institution
      retrospective review of intention to carry out HTSI for LAD in infants with an
      antenatal diagnosis of HLHS intact atrial septum. RESULTS: Two patients were
      delivered by planned caesarean section and transferred immediately to the
      prepared team in the adjacent cardiothoracic theatre. Birth weights were 3.2 Kg
      and 2.96 Kg. Clinical condition was poor with mean arterial PaO2 2.8kPa intubated
      with 100% inspired oxygen. HTSI was performed using premounted 7 * 17 mm stents
      (Visi-ProTM, eV3 Endovascular, Plymouth, MN). Mean arterial PaO2 improved to 6.2
      kPa. Mean time from surgical incision to LAD was 26 min. Bilateral pulmonary
      artery bands (BPAB) were then placed. No procedural complications occurred and
      both patients underwent subsequent surgical stage 1 Norwood at 6 and 10 days.
      CONCLUSIONS: In this high-risk anatomical substrate, careful planning from
      accurate fetal diagnosis underpins the success of initial management. This early
      experience suggests that HTSI offers rapid and successful postnatal LAD with no
      procedural morbidity facilitating successful subsequent palliation. (c) 2015
      Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 26268146
TI  - Effects of psychotropic drugs on inflammation: consequence or mediator of
      therapeutic effects in psychiatric treatment?
AB  - RATIONALE: Current psychotropic medications have been shown to modulate immune
      activation. However, the effects of individual psychotropic agents on the immune
      system and how these might contribute to their efficacy remain largely unclear.
      OBJECTIVE: This paper aims to review previous literature on the effects of
      antidepressants and antipsychotics on the immune system, with a systematic review
      of in vitro findings, and discuss the relevance of these effects for the response
      to treatment and future drug development. RESULTS: Inflammatory markers have been
      associated with fluctuations in clinical status and with treatment response both
      in depression and psychosis. The in vitro literature on antidepressants shows
      that some antidepressants, such as clomipramine and fluoxetine, more consistently
      decrease pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin (IL)-6, interferon (IFN)-gamma,
      tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha), whilst others (mirtazapine and venlafaxine)
      tend to increase their levels. However, any overall conclusion is challenged by
      several inconsistent findings, which appear partly dependent on different
      methodological approaches used. The in vitro studies on antipsychotics are even
      less clear-cut showing pro- and anti-inflammatory activity for the same
      antipsychotic agent (haloperidol, clozapine, risperidone) across different
      studies. We also noted inconsistencies between in vivo and in vitro literature,
      which could partly be attributed to the interaction in vivo with various
      biological systems or lifestyle factors that can modulate the immune system.
      CONCLUSIONS: Inflammatory markers seem to hold potential for developing more
      individualised treatment strategies in the future. In this context, further
      research disentangling the differential immunomodulatory effects of different
      drugs could be used for tailoring treatment to specific individuals, according to
      their immune endophenotypes.

PMID- 26268149
TI  - Unilateral leg swelling: frequent symptom, rare diagnosis. A case of liposarcoma.

PMID- 26268148
TI  - Microfluidic-based fabrication, characterization and magnetic functionalization
      of microparticles with novel internal anisotropic structure.
AB  - Easy fabrication and independent control of the internal and external
      morphologies of core-shell microparticles still remain challenging. Core-shell
      microparticle comprised of a previously unknown internal anisotropic structure
      and a spherical shell was fabricated by microfluidic-based emulsificaiton and
      photopolymerization. The interfacial and spatial 3D morphology of the anisotropic
      structure were observed by SEM and micro-CT respectively. Meanwhile, a series of
      layer-by-layer scans of the anisotropic structure were obtained via the micro-CT,
      which enhanced the detail characterization and analysis of micro materials. The
      formation mechanism of the internal anisotropic structure may be attributed to
      solution-directed diffusion caused by the semipermeable membrane structure and
      chemical potential difference between inside and outside of the semipermeable
      membrane-like polymerized shell. The morphology evolution of the anisotropic
      structure was influenced and controlled by adjusting reaction parameters
      including polymerization degree, polymerization speed, and solute concentration
      difference. The potential applications of these microparticles in
      microrheological characterization and image enhancement were also proposed by
      embedding magnetic nanoparticles in the inner core. 

PMID- 26268150
TI  - Optimal threshold of postintervention minimum stent area to predict in-stent
      restenosis in small coronary arteries: An optical coherence tomography analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the best threshold of
      postintervention minimum stent area (MSA) assessed by optical coherence
      tomography (OCT) to predict long-term in-stent restenosis (ISR) for 2.5 mm
      diameter everolimus-eluting stents (EES). BACKGROUND: Percutaneous coronary
      intervention (PCI) for small coronary arteries remains challenging. Stent
      underexpansion is a strong predictor of late ISR. METHODS: We performed a
      retrospective analysis of 69 lesions in 69 patients undergoing PCI with 2.5 mm
      diameter stents using OCT for the assessment of postintervention MSA and
      subsequent 9-month angiographic follow-up. RESULTS: The rates of angiographic ISR
      and target lesion revascularization were 7.2% and 1.4%. The postintervention OCT
      MSA of EES < 3.5 mm(2) for predicting ISR yielded a sensitivity of 80%,
      specificity of 71%, positive predictive value of 18%, and negative predictive
      value of 98%. There was a marginally significant trend between increasing MSA
      quartiles and decreasing ISR rate (P for trend = 0.07). CONCLUSIONS:
      Postintervention OCT-MSA of 3.5 mm(2) best predicted 9-month ISR following PCI
      with 2.5-mm-diameter EES. Further large, prospective, observational studies are
      warranted that validate this result. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 26268152
TI  - Improving guideline sensitivity and specificity for the identification of
      proactive gastrostomy placement in patients with head and neck cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Swallowing and nutrition guidelines for patients with head and neck
      cancer are available for identification of proactive gastrostomy placement in
      patients with high nutritional risk. The purpose of this study was to investigate
      improvements to the validity of these guidelines. METHODS: A multivariate
      analysis was fitted to the original dataset (n = 501) to examine the variables
      that may predict gastrostomy placement (eg, tumor site, treatment, sex, and age).
      Using these factors, the high risk category was modified and retrospectively
      validated in the same cohort to provide new measures of sensitivity and
      specificity. RESULTS: The following were positive predictors of gastrostomy
      placement: T3 (p = .01), T4 (p < .001), and chemoradiotherapy (p < .001).
      Laryngeal (p = .02) and skin cancer (p < .001) were negative predictors.
      Modification of the high risk definition improved sensitivity to 58% and
      maintained specificity at 92%. CONCLUSION: Minor modifications to the high risk
      definition in the guidelines have improved the guideline sensitivity for future
      use. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E1163-E1171, 2016.

PMID- 26268153
TI  - Spatial correlations and optical properties in three-dimensional deterministic
      aperiodic structures.
AB  - Photonic systems have strongly varying optical properties depending on the
      spatial correlations present in a given realization. In photonic crystals the
      correlations are spatially periodic forming Bravais lattices whereas the building
      blocks of an amorphous medium are randomly distributed without any long-range
      order. In this manuscript we study the optical properties of so-called
      deterministic aperiodic structures which fill the gap between the aforementioned
      two limiting cases. Within this group we vary the spectrum of the spatial
      correlations from being pure-point over singularly-continuous to absolutely
      continuous. The desired correlations are created in direct-laser written three
      dimensional polymer structures using one construction principle which allows us
      to attribute the optical behaviour solely to the encoded spectrum. Infrared
      reflection measurements reveal the characteristic response of each spectral type
      verifying the successful fabrication of large deterministic aperiodic structures.
      To prove the presence of the correlations in all directions we perform
      transmission experiments parallel to the substrate by means of micro-optical
      mirrors placed next to the structures. Transport measurements reveal a strong
      dependence of the effective beam width at the output facet on the encoded lattice
      type. Finally, we reproduce the lattice type dependent transport behavior in
      numerical calculations ruling out extrinsic experimental reasons for these
      findings. 

PMID- 26268154
TI  - A two-dimensional algebraic quantum liquid produced by an atomic simulator of the
      quantum Lifshitz model.
AB  - Bosons have a natural instinct to condense at zero temperature. It is a long
      standing challenge to create a high-dimensional quantum liquid that does not
      exhibit long-range order at the ground state, as either extreme experimental
      parameters or sophisticated designs of microscopic Hamiltonians are required for
      suppressing the condensation. Here we show that synthetic gauge fields for
      ultracold atoms, using either the Raman scheme or shaken lattices, provide
      physicists a simple and practical scheme to produce a two-dimensional algebraic
      quantum liquid at the ground state. This quantum liquid arises at a critical
      Lifshitz point, where a two-dimensional quartic dispersion emerges in the
      momentum space, and many fundamental properties of two-dimensional bosons are
      changed in its proximity. Such an ideal simulator of the quantum Lifshitz model
      allows experimentalists to directly visualize and explore the deconfinement
      transition of topological excitations, an intriguing phenomenon that is difficult
      to access in other systems. 

PMID- 26268151
TI  - The maternal brain and its plasticity in humans.
AB  - This article is part of a Special Issue "Parental Care". Early mother-infant
      relationships play important roles in infants' optimal development. New mothers
      undergo neurobiological changes that support developing mother-infant
      relationships regardless of great individual differences in those relationships.
      In this article, we review the neural plasticity in human mothers' brains based
      on functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies. First, we review the
      neural circuits that are involved in establishing and maintaining mother-infant
      relationships. Second, we discuss early postpartum factors (e.g., birth and
      feeding methods, hormones, and parental sensitivity) that are associated with
      individual differences in maternal brain neuroplasticity. Third, we discuss
      abnormal changes in the maternal brain related to psychopathology (i.e.,
      postpartum depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, substance abuse) and
      potential brain remodeling associated with interventions. Last, we highlight
      potentially important future research directions to better understand normative
      changes in the maternal brain and risks for abnormal changes that may disrupt
      early mother-infant relationships. 

PMID- 26268155
TI  - A start codon mutation of the FRMD7 gene in two Korean families with idiopathic
      infantile nystagmus.
AB  - Idiopathic infantile nystagmus (IIN) is the involuntary oscillation of the eyes
      with onset in the first few months of life. The most common form of inheritance
      is X-linked, and mutations in FRMD7 gene are a major cause. To identify the FRMD7
      gene mutations associated with X-linked IIN, we performed PCR-based DNA direct
      sequencing in 4 affected subjects from 2 Korean families. We also assessed
      structural abnormalities of retina and optic nerve head using optical coherence
      tomography (OCT). Genetic analysis revealed a A>G transversion at nucleotide c.1,
      the first base of the start codon. This mutation leads to the loss of the primary
      start codon ATG for methionine, which is replaced by a triplet GTG for valine.
      The alternative in-frame start codon is not present around a mutation. OCT
      revealed the morphological changes within the optic nerve head, including shallow
      cup depth and small cup-to-disc ratio. In summary, we identified a novel start
      codon mutation within the FRMD7 gene of 2 Korean families. Our data expands the
      mutation spectrum of FRMD7 causing IIN. We also demonstrated abnormal
      developments of afferent system in patients with FRMD7 mutations using OCT, which
      may help to understand the etiological factor in development of nystagmus. 

PMID- 26268156
TI  - Efficient Dynamic Nuclear Polarization at 800 MHz/527 GHz with Trityl-Nitroxide
      Biradicals.
AB  - Cross-effect (CE) dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) is a rapidly developing
      technique that enhances the signal intensities in magic-angle spinning (MAS) NMR
      spectra. We report CE DNP experiments at 211, 600, and 800 MHz using a new series
      of biradical polarizing agents referred to as TEMTriPols, in which a nitroxide
      (TEMPO) and a trityl radical are chemically tethered. The TEMTriPol molecule with
      the optimal performance yields a record (1) H NMR signal enhancement of 65 at 800
      MHz at a concentration of 10 mM in a glycerol/water solvent matrix. The CE DNP
      enhancement for the TEMTriPol biradicals does not decrease as the magnetic field
      is increased in the manner usually observed for bis-nitroxides. Instead, the
      relatively strong exchange interaction between the trityl and nitroxide moieties
      determines the magnetic field at which the optimum enhancement is observed.

PMID- 26268157
TI  - Aged care residents in the emergency department: the experiences of relatives.
AB  - AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the experiences of
      relatives who had a family member in an aged care facility subsequently
      transferred to an emergency department. BACKGROUND: The provision of timely and
      relevant patient information is vital for assessment and management of older
      patients presenting to the emergency department from aged care facilities. Older
      people are commonly accompanied by relatives who are an important resource for
      emergency department staff, providing medical information and assisting with
      treatment decisions. Investigating the experiences of relatives may provide key
      information to enable improvements in the delivery of emergency department care.
      DESIGN: This study used a descriptive qualitative design. METHODS: Semi
      structured interviews were undertaken with 24 relatives of residents who were
      transferred from an aged care facility to an emergency department in Victoria,
      Australia in the previous three years. Inductive content analysis was used to
      analyse the transcripts. RESULTS: Relatives reflected on four main themes
      following their emergency department visit: The need for clear communication; The
      role of relatives in emergency department care; How older people are perceived in
      the health care system and an Ability to provide specialised care. CONCLUSIONS:
      Many people link their emergency department experience to the quality of
      communication with emergency department staff, and participants in this study
      felt satisfied with their visit when they were included in discussions about
      treatment, and their role was recognised by staff members. In contrast,
      participants were dissatisfied with the care provided to their family member when
      staff members failed to communicate with them, or recognise their role in the
      care of the family member. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The findings of this
      study emphasise the importance of effective communication between emergency
      department staff and family members, in relation to treatment and end-of-life
      care.

PMID- 26268159
TI  - Science in the community.

PMID- 26268158
TI  - Characterization of the ultrashort-TE (UTE) MR collagen signal.
AB  - Although current cardiovascular MR (CMR) techniques for the detection of
      myocardial fibrosis have shown promise, they nevertheless depend on gadolinium
      based contrast agents and are not specific to collagen. In particular, the
      diagnosis of diffuse myocardial fibrosis, a precursor of heart failure, would
      benefit from a non-invasive imaging technique that can detect collagen directly.
      Such a method could potentially replace the need for endomyocardial biopsy, the
      gold standard for the diagnosis of the disease. The objective of this study was
      to measure the MR properties of collagen using ultrashort TE (UTE), a technique
      that can detect short T2* species. Experiments were performed in collagen
      solutions. Via a model of bi-exponential T2* with oscillation, a linear
      relationship (slope = 0.40 +/- 0.01, R(2) = 0.99696) was determined between the
      UTE collagen signal fraction associated with these properties and the measured
      collagen concentration in solution. The UTE signal of protons in the collagen
      molecule was characterized as having a mean T2* of 0.75 +/- 0.05 ms and a mean
      chemical shift of -3.56 +/- 0.01 ppm relative to water at 7 T. The results
      indicated that collagen can be detected and quantified using UTE. A knowledge of
      the collagen signal properties could potentially be beneficial for the endogenous
      detection of myocardial fibrosis.

PMID- 26268160
TI  - The future of science will soon be upon us.

PMID- 26268171
TI  - Japan's nuclear revival won't lower carbon emissions enough.

PMID- 26268172
TI  - Millennium Villages Project launches retrospective analysis.

PMID- 26268173
TI  - GM-crop opponents expand probe into ties between scientists and industry.

PMID- 26268174
TI  - Proposed Ebola biobank would strengthen African science.

PMID- 26268175
TI  - Age of the neutrino: Plans to decipher mysterious particle take shape.

PMID- 26268176
TI  - Can randomized trials eliminate global poverty?

PMID- 26268177
TI  - Sustainability: Don't waste seafood waste.

PMID- 26268181
TI  - STEM teaching: use more innovations.

PMID- 26268182
TI  - Resources: Partner crop plants with solar facilities.

PMID- 26268183
TI  - Policy: The future of public trust in science.

PMID- 26268184
TI  - Sustainability: Solar ovens beaten by rain and tortillas.

PMID- 26268185
TI  - STEM teaching: avoid Swiss-cheese effect.

PMID- 26268186
TI  - Organic chemistry: A cure for catalyst poisoning.

PMID- 26268187
TI  - Particle physics: Matter and antimatter scrutinized.

PMID- 26268188
TI  - Longevity: Mapping the path to a longer life.

PMID- 26268189
TI  - High-precision comparison of the antiproton-to-proton charge-to-mass ratio.
AB  - Invariance under the charge, parity, time-reversal (CPT) transformation is one of
      the fundamental symmetries of the standard model of particle physics. This CPT
      invariance implies that the fundamental properties of antiparticles and their
      matter-conjugates are identical, apart from signs. There is a deep link between
      CPT invariance and Lorentz symmetry--that is, the laws of nature seem to be
      invariant under the symmetry transformation of spacetime--although it is model
      dependent. A number of high-precision CPT and Lorentz invariance tests--using a
      co-magnetometer, a torsion pendulum and a maser, among others--have been
      performed, but only a few direct high-precision CPT tests that compare the
      fundamental properties of matter and antimatter are available. Here we report
      high-precision cyclotron frequency comparisons of a single antiproton and a
      negatively charged hydrogen ion (H(-)) carried out in a Penning trap system. From
      13,000 frequency measurements we compare the charge-to-mass ratio for the
      antiproton (q/m)p- to that for the proton (q/m)p and obtain (q/m)p-/(q/m)p - 1
      =1(69) * 10(-12). The measurements were performed at cyclotron frequencies of
      29.6 megahertz, so our result shows that the CPT theorem holds at the atto
      electronvolt scale. Our precision of 69 parts per trillion exceeds the energy
      resolution of previous antiproton-to-proton mass comparisons as well as the
      respective figure of merit of the standard model extension by a factor of four.
      In addition, we give a limit on sidereal variations in the measured ratio of <720
      parts per trillion. By following the arguments of ref. 11, our result can be
      interpreted as a stringent test of the weak equivalence principle of general
      relativity using baryonic antimatter, and it sets a new limit on the
      gravitational anomaly parameter of |alpha - 1| < 8.7 * 10(-7).

PMID- 26268190
TI  - Rejuvenation of metallic glasses by non-affine thermal strain.
AB  - When a spatially uniform temperature change is imposed on a solid with more than
      one phase, or on a polycrystal of a single, non-cubic phase (showing anisotropic
      expansion-contraction), the resulting thermal strain is inhomogeneous (non
      affine). Thermal cycling induces internal stresses, leading to structural and
      property changes that are usually deleterious. Glasses are the solids that form
      on cooling a liquid if crystallization is avoided--they might be considered the
      ultimate, uniform solids, without the microstructural features and defects
      associated with polycrystals. Here we explore the effects of cryogenic thermal
      cycling on glasses, specifically metallic glasses. We show that, contrary to the
      null effect expected from uniformity, thermal cycling induces rejuvenation,
      reaching less relaxed states of higher energy. We interpret these findings in the
      context that the dynamics in liquids become heterogeneous on cooling towards the
      glass transition, and that there may be consequent heterogeneities in the
      resulting glasses. For example, the vibrational dynamics of glassy silica at long
      wavelengths are those of an elastic continuum, but at wavelengths less than
      approximately three nanometres the vibrational dynamics are similar to those of a
      polycrystal with anisotropic grains. Thermal cycling of metallic glasses is
      easily applied, and gives improvements in compressive plasticity. The fact that
      such effects can be achieved is attributed to intrinsic non-uniformity of the
      glass structure, giving a non-uniform coefficient of thermal expansion. While
      metallic glasses may be particularly suitable for thermal cycling, the non-affine
      nature of strains in glasses in general deserves further study, whether they are
      induced by applied stresses or by temperature change.

PMID- 26268191
TI  - Dosage delivery of sensitive reagents enables glove-box-free synthesis.
AB  - Contemporary organic chemists employ a broad range of catalytic and
      stoichiometric methods to construct molecules for applications in the material
      sciences, and as pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and sensors. The utility of a
      synthetic method may be greatly reduced if it relies on a glove box to enable the
      use of air- and moisture-sensitive reagents or catalysts. Furthermore, many
      synthetic chemistry laboratories have numerous containers of partially used
      reagents that have been spoiled by exposure to the ambient atmosphere. This is
      exceptionally wasteful from both an environmental and a cost perspective. Here we
      report an encapsulation method for stabilizing and storing air- and moisture
      sensitive compounds. We demonstrate this approach in three contexts, by
      describing single-use capsules that contain all of the reagents (catalysts,
      ligands, and bases) necessary for the glove-box-free palladium-catalysed carbon
      fluorine, carbon-nitrogen, and carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions. This
      strategy should reduce the number of error-prone, tedious and time-consuming
      weighing procedures required for such syntheses and should be applicable to a
      wide range of reagents, catalysts, and substrate combinations. 

PMID- 26268192
TI  - The role of ridges in the formation and longevity of flat slabs.
AB  - Flat-slab subduction occurs when the descending plate becomes horizontal at some
      depth before resuming its descent into the mantle. It is often proposed as a
      mechanism for the uplifting of deep crustal rocks ('thick-skinned' deformation)
      far from plate boundaries, and for causing unusual patterns of volcanism, as far
      back as the Proterozoic eon. For example, the formation of the expansive Rocky
      Mountains and the subsequent voluminous volcanism across much of the western USA
      has been attributed to a broad region of flat-slab subduction beneath North
      America that occurred during the Laramide orogeny (80-55 million years ago). Here
      we study the largest modern flat slab, located in Peru, to better understand the
      processes controlling the formation and extent of flat slabs. We present new data
      that indicate that the subducting Nazca Ridge is necessary for the development
      and continued support of the horizontal plate at a depth of about 90 kilometres.
      By combining constraints from Rayleigh wave phase velocities with improved
      earthquake locations, we find that the flat slab is shallowest along the ridge,
      while to the northwest of the ridge, the slab is sagging, tearing, and re
      initiating normal subduction. On the basis of our observations, we propose a
      conceptual model for the temporal evolution of the Peruvian flat slab in which
      the flat slab forms because of the combined effects of trench retreat along the
      Peruvian plate boundary, suction, and ridge subduction. We find that while the
      ridge is necessary but not sufficient for the formation of the flat slab, its
      removal is sufficient for the flat slab to fail. This provides new constraints on
      our understanding of the processes controlling the beginning and end of the
      Laramide orogeny and other putative episodes of flat-slab subduction. 

PMID- 26268195
TI  - X-ray absorption resonances near L2,3-edges from real-time propagation of the
      Dirac-Kohn-Sham density matrix.
AB  - The solution of the Liouville-von Neumann equation in the relativistic Dirac-Kohn
      Sham density matrix formalism is presented and used to calculate X-ray absorption
      cross sections. Both dynamical relaxation effects and spin-orbit corrections are
      included, as demonstrated by calculations of the X-ray absorption of SF6 near the
      sulfur L2,3-edges. We also propose an analysis facilitating the interpretation of
      spectral transitions from real-time simulations, and a selective perturbation
      that eliminates nonphysical excitations that are artifacts of the finite basis
      representation. 

PMID- 26268196
TI  - What's in this issue?

PMID- 26268193
TI  - The octopus genome and the evolution of cephalopod neural and morphological
      novelties.
AB  - Coleoid cephalopods (octopus, squid and cuttlefish) are active, resourceful
      predators with a rich behavioural repertoire. They have the largest nervous
      systems among the invertebrates and present other striking morphological
      innovations including camera-like eyes, prehensile arms, a highly derived early
      embryogenesis and a remarkably sophisticated adaptive colouration system. To
      investigate the molecular bases of cephalopod brain and body innovations, we
      sequenced the genome and multiple transcriptomes of the California two-spot
      octopus, Octopus bimaculoides. We found no evidence for hypothesized whole-genome
      duplications in the octopus lineage. The core developmental and neuronal gene
      repertoire of the octopus is broadly similar to that found across invertebrate
      bilaterians, except for massive expansions in two gene families previously
      thought to be uniquely enlarged in vertebrates: the protocadherins, which
      regulate neuronal development, and the C2H2 superfamily of zinc-finger
      transcription factors. Extensive messenger RNA editing generates transcript and
      protein diversity in genes involved in neural excitability, as previously
      described, as well as in genes participating in a broad range of other cellular
      functions. We identified hundreds of cephalopod-specific genes, many of which
      showed elevated expression levels in such specialized structures as the skin, the
      suckers and the nervous system. Finally, we found evidence for large-scale
      genomic rearrangements that are closely associated with transposable element
      expansions. Our analysis suggests that substantial expansion of a handful of gene
      families, along with extensive remodelling of genome linkage and repetitive
      content, played a critical role in the evolution of cephalopod morphological
      innovations, including their large and complex nervous systems. 

PMID- 26268197
TI  - A roadmap for paediatric and neonatal critical care nursing science in Europe:
      engage, action and impact.

PMID- 26268198
TI  - To cure sometimes, to relieve often and to comfort always: nurses' role in end-of
      life decision-making.

PMID- 26268201
TI  - A letter from Catherine Jones (Winner of Southern Region's June study day prize).

PMID- 26268209
TI  - Erratum to: Survival of Hendra Virus in the Environment: Modelling the Effect of
      Temperature.

PMID- 26268210
TI  - Assessing the Evidence Supporting Fruit Bats as the Primary Reservoirs for Ebola
      Viruses.

PMID- 26268211
TI  - The mineralocorticoid receptor plays a transient role in mouse skin development.

PMID- 26268215
TI  - Conservation of tRNA and rRNA 5-methylcytosine in the kingdom Plantae.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Post-transcriptional methylation of RNA cytosine residues to 5
      methylcytosine (m(5)C) is an important modification that regulates RNA metabolism
      and occurs in both eukaryotes and prokaryotes. Yet, to date, no transcriptome
      wide identification of m(5)C sites has been undertaken in plants. Plants provide
      a unique comparative system for investigating the origin and evolution of m(5)C
      as they contain three different genomes, the nucleus, mitochondria and
      chloroplast. Here we use bisulfite conversion of RNA combined with high
      throughput IIlumina sequencing (RBS-seq) to identify single-nucleotide resolution
      of m(5)C sites in non-coding ribosomal RNAs and transfer RNAs of all three sub
      cellular transcriptomes across six diverse species that included, the single
      celled algae Nannochloropsis oculata, the macro algae Caulerpa taxifolia and
      multi-cellular higher plants Arabidopsis thaliana, Brassica rapa, Triticum durum
      and Ginkgo biloba. RESULTS: Using the plant model Arabidopsis thaliana, we
      identified a total of 39 highly methylated m(5)C sites in predicted structural
      positions of nuclear tRNAs and 7 m(5)C sites in rRNAs from nuclear, chloroplast
      and mitochondrial transcriptomes. Both the nucleotide position and percent
      methylation of tRNAs and rRNAs m(5)C sites were conserved across all species
      analysed, from single celled algae N. oculata to multicellular plants.
      Interestingly the mitochondrial and chloroplast encoded tRNAs were devoid of
      m(5)C in A. thaliana and this is generally conserved across Plantae. This
      suggests independent evolution of organelle methylation in animals and plants, as
      animal mitochondrial tRNAs have m(5)C sites. Here we characterize 5 members of
      the RNA 5-methylcytosine family in Arabidopsis and extend the functional
      characterization of TRDMT1 and NOP2A/OLI2. We demonstrate that nuclear tRNA
      methylation requires two evolutionarily conserved methyltransferases, TRDMT1 and
      TRM4B. trdmt1 trm4b double mutants are hypersensitive to the antibiotic
      hygromycin B, demonstrating the function of tRNA methylation in regulating
      translation. Additionally we demonstrate that nuclear large subunit 25S rRNA
      methylation requires the conserved RNA methyltransferase NSUN5. Our results also
      suggest functional redundancy of at least two of the NOP2 paralogs in
      Arabidopsis. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrates widespread occurrence and
      conservation of non-coding RNA methylation in the kingdom Plantae, suggesting
      important and highly conserved roles of this post-transcriptional modification.

PMID- 26268216
TI  - The human papillomavirus (HPV) E7 protein antagonises an Imiquimod-induced
      inflammatory pathway in primary human keratinocytes.
AB  - High-risk human papillomaviruses (HPV) are the etiological pathogen of cervical
      and a number of ano-genital cancers. How HPVs overcome the significant barriers
      of the skin immune system has been the topic of intensive research. The E6 and E7
      oncoproteins have emerged as key players in the deregulation of host innate
      immune pathways that are required for the recruitment of effector cells of the
      immune response. Here we demonstrate that E7, and to a lesser extend E6, strongly
      reduce NFkappaB activation in response to the inflammatory mediator imiquimod.
      Moreover, we establish that undifferentiated keratinocytes do not express the
      putative receptor for imiquimod, TLR7, and as such are stimulated by imiquimod
      through a novel pathway. Inhibition of imiquimod induced cytokine production
      required residues in the CR1 and CR3 regions of E7 and resulted in reduced
      nuclear translocation and acetylation of the p65 sub-unit of NFkappaB. The
      results provide further evidence for a TLR7-independent role of imiquimod in the
      epithelial immune response and reinforce the ability of the HPV oncoproteins to
      disrupt the innate immune response, which may have important consequences for
      establishment of a chronic infection. 

PMID- 26268217
TI  - Efficacy of supraspinatus tendon repair using mesenchymal stem cells along with a
      collagen I scaffold.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Our main objective was to biologically improve rotator cuff healing
      in an elderly rat model using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in combination with a
      collagen membrane and compared against other current techniques. METHODS: A
      chronic rotator cuff tear injury model was developed by unilaterally detaching
      the supraspinatus (SP) tendons of Sprague-Dawley rats. At 1 month postinjury, the
      tears were repaired using one of the following techniques: (a) classical surgery
      using sutures (n = 12), (b) type I collagen membranes (n = 15), and (c) type I
      collagen membranes + 1 * 106 allogeneic MSCs (n = 14). Lesion restoration was
      evaluated at 1, 2, and 3 months postinjury based on biomechanical criteria.
      Continuous variables were described using mean and standard deviation (SD). To
      analyse the effect of the different surgical treatments in the repaired tendons'
      biomechanical capabilities (maximum load, stiffness, and deformity), a two-way
      ANOVA model was used, introducing an interaction between such factor and time (1,
      2, and 3 months postinjury). RESULTS: With regard to maximum load, we observed an
      almost significant interaction between treatment and time (F = 2.62, df = 4, p =
      0.053). When we analysed how this biomechanical capability changed with time for
      each treatment, we observed that repair with OrthADAPT and MSCs was associated
      with a significant increase in maximum load (p = 0.04) between months 1 and 3. On
      the other hand, when we compared the different treatments among themselves at
      different time points, we observed that the repair with OrthADAPT and MSCs has
      associated with a significant higher maximum load, when compared with the use of
      suture, but only at 3 months (p = 0.014). With regard to stiffness and deformity,
      no significant interaction was observed (F = 1.68, df = 4, p = 0.18; F = 0.40, df
      = 4, p = 0.81; respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The implantation of MSCs along with a
      collagen I scaffold into surgically created tendon defects is safe and effective.
      MSCs improved the tendon's maximum load over time, indicating that MSCs could
      help facilitate the dynamic process of tendon repair.

PMID- 26268218
TI  - Genetic characteristics of soybean resistance to HG type 0 and HG type 1.2.3.5.7
      of the cyst nematode analyzed by genome-wide association mapping.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Soybean cyst nematode (SCN, Heterodera glycines Ichinohe) is one of
      the most fatal pests of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) worldwide and causes
      huge loss of soybean yield each year. Multiple sources of resistance are urgently
      needed for effective management of SCN via the development of resistant
      cultivars. The aim of the present study was to investigate the genetic
      architecture of resistance to SCN HG Type 0 (race 3) and HG Type 1.2.3.5.7 (race
      4) in landraces and released elite soybean cultivars mostly from China. RESULTS:
      A total of 440 diverse soybean landraces and elite cultivars were screened for
      resistance to SCN HG Type 0 and HG Type 1.2.3.5.7. Exactly 131 new sources of SCN
      resistance were identified. Lines were genotyped by SNP markers detected by the
      Specific Locus Amplified Fragment Sequencing (SLAF-seq) approach. A total of
      36,976 SNPs were identified with minor allele frequencies (MAF) > 4% that were
      present in 97% of all the genotypes. Genome-wide association mapping showed that
      a total of 19 association signals were significantly related to the resistance
      for the two HG Types. Of the 19 association signals, eight signals overlapped
      with reported QTL including Rhg1 and Rhg4 genes. Another eight were located in
      the linked regions encompassing known QTL. Three QTL were found that were not
      previously reported. The average value of female index (FI) of soybean accessions
      with resistant alleles was significantly lower than those with susceptible
      alleles for each peak SNP. Disease resistance proteins with leucine rich regions,
      cytochrome P450s, protein kinases, zinc finger domain proteins, RING domain
      proteins, MYB and WRKY transcription activation families were identified. Such
      proteins may participate in the resistant reaction to SCN and were frequently
      found in the tightly linked genomic regions of the peak SNPs. CONCLUSIONS: GWAS
      extended understanding of the genetic architecture of SCN resistance in multiple
      genetic backgrounds. Nineteen association signals were obtained for the
      resistance to the two Hg Types of SCN. The multiple beneficial alleles from
      resistant germplasm sources will be useful for the breeding of cultivars with
      improved resistance to SCN. Analysis of genes near association signals may
      facilitate the recognition of the causal gene(s) underlying SCN resistances.

PMID- 26268220
TI  - Use of Bristol Stool Form Scale to predict the adequacy of bowel preparation - a
      prospective study.
AB  - AIM: Inadequate bowel preparation continues to be a substantial problem for
      colonoscopy. The seven-point Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS) has been associated
      with delayed colonic transit in adults. We evaluated the utility of the BSFS to
      identify patients more likely to present with an inadequate preparation. METHOD:
      Two large community-based academic medical centres in New Jersey, USA, studied a
      prospective cohort of 411 consecutive patients undergoing outpatient colonoscopy
      who were prescribed similar bowel preparations. The BSFS and several other study
      variables were collected by gastroenterology fellows during an outpatient visit
      prior to scheduling colonoscopy. All colonoscopy examinations were performed in
      the morning by a gastroenterologist who graded the adequacy of bowel preparation.
      Inadequate preparation was defined as one resulting in a repeat colonoscopy at a
      shorter time interval than would generally be recommended based solely on risk
      factors or pathological findings. The ability of study variables to discriminate
      those who did or did not have an adequate preparation was summarized by the c
      statistic. The relationship between variables that provided some discrimination
      and the probability of an adequate preparation was modelled using logistic
      regression. RESULTS: The mean age of the study sample was 56 +/- 8 (SD) years and
      63% were women. Bowel preparation was adequate in 337 (82%) of the patients. The
      BSFS ratings ranged from 1 to 7. The score was <3 in 144 (35%) indicating lower
      gastrointestinal motility. There was a statistically significant association
      between the score and the probability of an adequate bowel preparation (odds
      ratio 1.4; 95% confidence interval 1.2-1.7; P < 0.001) and the c-statistic was
      0.64 (0.58-0.70). CONCLUSION: Use of the BSFS may help identify patients for whom
      standard bowel preparation most probably will not be adequate.

PMID- 26268222
TI  - Effects of coaching supervision, mentoring supervision and abusive supervision on
      talent development among trainee doctors in public hospitals: moderating role of
      clinical learning environment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Effective talent development requires robust supervision. However,
      the effects of supervisory styles (coaching, mentoring and abusive supervision)
      on talent development and the moderating effects of clinical learning environment
      in the relationship between supervisory styles and talent development among
      public hospital trainee doctors have not been thoroughly researched. In this
      study, we aim to achieve the following, (1) identify the extent to which
      supervisory styles (coaching, mentoring and abusive supervision) can facilitate
      talent development among trainee doctors in public hospital and (2) examine
      whether coaching, mentoring and abusive supervision are moderated by clinical
      learning environment in predicting talent development among trainee doctors in
      public hospital. METHODS: A questionnaire-based critical survey was conducted
      among trainee doctors undergoing housemanship at six public hospitals in the
      Klang Valley, Malaysia. Prior permission was obtained from the Ministry of Health
      Malaysia to conduct the research in the identified public hospitals. The survey
      yielded 355 responses. The results were analysed using SPSS 20.0 and SEM with
      AMOS 20.0. RESULTS: The findings of this research indicate that coaching and
      mentoring supervision are positively associated with talent development, and that
      there is no significant relationship between abusive supervision and talent
      development. The findings also support the moderating role of clinical learning
      environment on the relationships between coaching supervision-talent development,
      mentoring supervision-talent development and abusive supervision-talent
      development among public hospital trainee doctors. Overall, the proposed model
      indicates a 26 % variance in talent development. CONCLUSION: This study provides
      an improved understanding on the role of the supervisory styles (coaching and
      mentoring supervision) on facilitating talent development among public hospital
      trainee doctors. Furthermore, this study extends the literature to better
      understand the effects of supervisory styles on trainee doctors' talent
      development are contigent on the trainee doctors' clinical learning environment.
      In summary, supervisors are stakeholders with the responsibility of facilitating
      learning conditions that hold sufficient structure and support to optimise the
      trainee doctors learning.

PMID- 26268221
TI  - A cluster randomised controlled trial and process evaluation of a training
      programme for mental health professionals to enhance user involvement in care
      planning in service users with severe mental health issues (EQUIP): study
      protocol for a randomised controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Involving service users in planning their care is at the centre of
      policy initiatives to improve mental health care quality in England. Whilst users
      value care planning and want to be more involved in their own care, there is
      substantial empirical evidence that the majority of users are not fully involved
      in the care planning process. Our aim is to evaluate the effectiveness and cost
      effectiveness of training for mental health professionals in improving user
      involvement with the care planning processes. METHODS/DESIGN: This is a cluster
      randomised controlled trial of community mental health teams in NHS Trusts in
      England allocated either to a training intervention to improve user and carer
      involvement in care planning or control (no training and care planning as usual).
      We will evaluate the effectiveness of the training intervention using a mixed
      design, including a 'cluster cohort' sample, a 'cluster cross-sectional' sample
      and process evaluation. Service users will be recruited from the caseloads of
      care co-ordinators. The primary outcome will be change in self-reported
      involvement in care planning as measured by the validated Health Care Climate
      Questionnaire. Secondary outcomes include involvement in care planning,
      satisfaction with services, medication side-effects, recovery and hope, mental
      health symptoms, alliance/engagement, well-being and quality of life. Cost-
      effectiveness will also be measured. A process evaluation informed by
      implementation theory will be undertaken to assess the extent to which the
      training was implemented and to gauge sustainability beyond the time-frame of the
      trial. DISCUSSION: It is hoped that the trial will generate data to inform mental
      health care policy and practice on care planning. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER:
      ISRCTN16488358 (14 May 2014).

PMID- 26268223
TI  - A PK-PD model of ketamine-induced high-frequency oscillations.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Ketamine is a widely used drug with clinical and research
      applications, and also known to be used as a recreational drug. Ketamine produces
      conspicuous changes in the electrocorticographic (ECoG) signals observed both in
      humans and rodents. In rodents, the intracranial ECoG displays a high-frequency
      oscillation (HFO) which power is modulated nonlinearly by ketamine dose. Despite
      the widespread use of ketamine there is no model description of the relationship
      between the pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamics (PK-PDs) of ketamine and the
      observed HFO power. APPROACH: In the present study, we developed a PK-PD model
      based on estimated ketamine concentration, its known pharmacological actions, and
      observed ECoG effects. The main pharmacological action of ketamine is antagonism
      of the NMDA receptor (NMDAR), which in rodents is accompanied by an HFO observed
      in the ECoG. At high doses, however, ketamine also acts at non-NMDAR sites,
      produces loss of consciousness, and the transient disappearance of the HFO. We
      propose a two-compartment PK model that represents the concentration of ketamine,
      and a PD model based in opposing effects of the NMDAR and non-NMDAR actions on
      the HFO power. MAIN RESULTS: We recorded ECoG from the cortex of rats after two
      doses of ketamine, and extracted the HFO power from the ECoG spectrograms. We fit
      the PK-PD model to the time course of the HFO power, and showed that the model
      reproduces the dose-dependent profile of the HFO power. The model provides good
      fits even in the presence of high variability in HFO power across animals. As
      expected, the model does not provide good fits to the HFO power after dosing the
      pure NMDAR antagonist MK-801. SIGNIFICANCE: Our study provides a simple model to
      relate the observed electrophysiological effects of ketamine to its actions at
      the molecular level at different concentrations. This will improve the study of
      ketamine and rodent models of schizophrenia to better understand the wide and
      divergent range of effects that ketamine has.

PMID- 26268224
TI  - Amplitude spectrum distance: measuring the global shape divergence of protein
      fragments.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In structural bioinformatics, there is an increasing interest in
      identifying and understanding the evolution of local protein structures regarded
      as key structural or functional protein building blocks. A central need is then
      to compare these, possibly short, fragments by measuring efficiently and
      accurately their (dis)similarity. Progress towards this goal has given rise to
      scores enabling to assess the strong similarity of fragments. Yet, there is still
      a lack of more progressive scores, with meaningful intermediate values, for the
      comparison, retrieval or clustering of distantly related fragments. RESULTS: We
      introduce here the Amplitude Spectrum Distance (ASD), a novel way of comparing
      protein fragments based on the discrete Fourier transform of their C(alpha)
      distance matrix. Defined as the distance between their amplitude spectra, ASD can
      be computed efficiently and provides a parameter-free measure of the global shape
      dissimilarity of two fragments. ASD inherits from nice theoretical properties,
      making it tolerant to shifts, insertions, deletions, circular permutations or
      sequence reversals while satisfying the triangle inequality. The practical
      interest of ASD with respect to RMSD, RMSDd, BC and TM scores is illustrated
      through zinc finger retrieval experiments and concrete structure examples. The
      benefits of ASD are also illustrated by two additional clustering experiments:
      domain linkers fragments and complementarity-determining regions of antibodies.
      CONCLUSIONS: Taking advantage of the Fourier transform to compare fragments at a
      global shape level, ASD is an objective and progressive measure taking into
      account the whole fragments. Its practical computation time and its properties
      make ASD particularly relevant for applications requiring meaningful measures on
      distantly related protein fragments, such as similar fragments retrieval asking
      for high recalls as shown in the experiments, or for any application taking also
      advantage of triangle inequality, such as fragments clustering. ASD program and
      source code are freely available at: http://www.irisa.fr/dyliss/public/ASD/.

PMID- 26268225
TI  - On-going malaria transmission in The Gambia despite high coverage of control
      interventions: a nationwide cross-sectional survey.
AB  - BACKGROUND: As indicators of burden of malaria have substantially decreased in
      The Gambia, reaching a pre-elimination status may be attainable. Achieving this
      goal requires in-depth understanding of the current burden of Plasmodium
      falciparum infection. METHODS: A nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted
      in 2012 to determine the prevalence of P. falciparum infection, and to describe
      its heterogeneity and associated risk factors. Finger-prick blood samples were
      collected for microscopy, species-specific PCR and haemoglobin measurement.
      RESULTS: A total of 9,094 participants were included and median age was 11.9
      years (IQR 5, 28). Overall prevalence of P. falciparum was 16.01 % with marked
      heterogeneity between sites (4.32-36.75 %) and within villages in each site (1.63
      49.13 %). Across all sites, 51.17 % (745/1,456) of infections were asymptomatic
      and 35.61 % (448/1,258) were sub-microscopic. The odds of P. falciparum infection
      were higher in older children; 5-15 years (OR = 1.90; 95 % CI 1.60-2.26), adults
      (OR = 1.48; 95 % CI 1.24-1.78) and participants with moderate anaemia (OR = 1.62;
      95 % CI 1.32-1.99). CONCLUSIONS: The current malaria control interventions are
      not sufficient to interrupt transmission in The Gambia as malaria prevalence is
      still relatively high in the eastern part of the country. New interventions
      aiming at interrupting transmission are needed and should be urgently evaluated.

PMID- 26268226
TI  - Bcl2 inhibition of mitochondrial DNA repair.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Accumulation of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage could enhance the
      frequency of mitochondrial mutations and promote a variety of mitochondria
      related diseases, including cancer. However, the mechanism(s) involved are not
      fully understood. METHODS: Quantitative extended length PCR was used to compare
      mtDNA and nDNA damage in human lung H1299 cells expressing WT Bcl2 or vector-only
      control. mtAPE1 endonuclease activity was analyzed by AP oligonucleotide assay.
      mtDNA mutation was measured by single molecule PCR. Subcellular localization of
      Bcl2 and APE1 was analyzed by subcellular fractionation. RESULTS: Bcl2, an anti
      apoptotic molecule and oncoprotein, effectively inhibits the endonuclease
      activity of mitochondrial APE1 (mtAPE1), leading to significant retardation of
      mtDNA repair and enhanced frequency of mtDNA mutations following exposure of
      cells to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or nitrosamine 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3
      pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK, a carcinogen in cigarette smoke). Inversely, depletion
      of endogenous Bcl2 by RNA interference increases mtAPE1 endonuclease activity
      leading to accelerated mtDNA repair and decreased mtDNA mutation. Higher levels
      of mtAPE1 were observed in human lung cancer cells than in normal human bronchial
      epithelial cells (i.e. BEAS-2B). Bcl2 partially co-localizes with APE1 in the
      mitochondria of human lung cancer cells. Bcl2 directly interacts with mtAPE1 via
      its BH domains. Removal of any of the BH domains from Bcl2 abolishes Bcl2's
      capacity to interact with mtAPE1 as well as its inhibitory effects on mtAPE1
      activity and mtDNA repair. CONCLUSIONS: Based our findings, we propose that Bcl2
      suppression of mtDNA repair occurs through direct interaction with mtAPE1 and
      inhibition of its endonuclease activity in mitochondria, which may contribute to
      enhanced mtDNA mutations and carcinogenesis.

PMID- 26268227
TI  - Treating latent TB in primary care: a survey of enablers and barriers among UK
      General Practitioners.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Treating latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is an important public
      health intervention. In the UK, LTBI treatment is delivered in secondary care.
      Treating LTBI in the community would move care closer to home and could increase
      uptake and treatment completion rates. However, healthcare providers' views about
      the feasibility of this in the UK are unknown. This is the first study to
      investigate perceived barriers and enablers to primary care-based LTBI treatment
      among UK general practitioners (GPs). METHODS: A national survey amongst 140
      randomly sampled UK GPs practising in areas of high TB incidence was performed.
      GPs' experience and perceived confidence, barriers and enablers of primary care
      based LTBI treatment were explored and multivariable logistic regression was used
      to determine whether these were associated with a GP's willingness to deliver
      LTBI treatment. RESULTS: One hundred and twelve (80 %) GPs responded. Ninety
      three (83 %; 95 % CI 75 %-89 %) GPs said they would be willing to deliver LTBI
      treatment in primary care, if key perceived barriers were addressed during
      service development. The major perceived barriers to delivering primary care
      based LTBI treatment were insufficient experience among GPs of screening and
      treating LTBI, lack of timely specialist support and lack of allied healthcare
      staff. In addition, GPs felt that appropriate resourcing was key to the
      successful and sustainable delivery of the service. GPs who reported previous
      experience of screening or treatment of patients with active or latent TB were
      almost ten times more likely to be willing to deliver LTBI treatment in primary
      care compared to GPs with no experience (OR: 9.98; 95 % CI 1.22-81.51).
      CONCLUSIONS: UK GPs support primary care-based LTBI treatment, provided they are
      given appropriate training, specialist support, staffing and financing.

PMID- 26268228
TI  - Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid from cattle with central nervous system disorders
      after storage for 24 hours with autologous serum.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We compared the changes in cell morphology, total and differential
      cell counts between cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples analyzed within an hour of
      collection (fresh sample) and after the addition of autologous serum and storage
      for 24 h (stored sample) in 27 cattle with central nervous system disorders.
      RESULTS: There was a positive linear correlation between total and differential
      cell counts in the fresh and the stored samples. Cell morphology was preserved in
      all stored samples, except for increased vacuolization of mononuclear cells and
      cleaved nuclei of some small mononuclear cells. In the stored CSF samples, the
      total nucleated cell count and monocyte percentage were decreased (P = 0.01; P =
      0.03), while the lymphocyte percentage was increased (P = 0.04). Mononuclear
      pleocytosis diagnosed in 20 fresh samples was cytologically confirmed in 12 of
      the 20 stored samples. In the remaining eight stored samples, the number of total
      nucleated cells was within the normal range. Neutrophilic pleocytosis was
      confirmed in all seven stored samples. The overall agreement rate between
      cytologic interpretation of the fresh and the stored CSF samples was 70 % (100 %
      for neutrophilic pleocytosis and 60 % for mononuclear pleocytosis). CONCLUSIONS:
      Adding 11 % of autologous serum to CSF samples might allow delayed analysis with
      a good agreement rate for CSF cytological interpretation. Caution is nonetheless
      warranted, as animal age, anamnesis, and neurological presentation need to be
      considered when interpreting stored CSF without pleocytosis.

PMID- 26268229
TI  - [CT screening on lung cancer: true or false].

PMID- 26268230
TI  - [The management of pulmonary nodules].

PMID- 26268231
TI  - [Prognostic factors and response of chemotherapy including amrubicin in small
      cell lung cancer patients].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the response, toxicity and prognostic factors of amrubicin
      in the therapy of small cell lung cancer (SCLC). METHODS: Thirty-one SCLC
      patients treated with amrubicin in Beijing Cancer Hospital from Dec.2008 to
      Apr.2013, including 21 males and 10 females, aged from 32 to 75 years, were
      enrolled in this study. Amrubicin was injected intravenously with 40 mg/m2 d1-3,
      Q21 d or combined with cisplatin 60 mg/m2 d1, Q 21 d. The first line chemotherapy
      regimens included amrubicin plus cisplatin in 11 cases, etopside plus platin in
      18 cases and other drugs in 2 cases. The second and more line chemotherapy
      treatments included amrubicin in 20 cases, topotican in 14 cases and others in 28
      cases. SPSS 16.0 statistical analysis software was used to analyze the clinical
      characteristics and survivals. RESULTS: The median progression free survival
      (PFS) of patients receiving amrubicin plus cisplatin and single amrubicin were
      7.5 months (95% CI: 6.2 to 8.8 ) and 4.1 months (95% CI:1.2 to 7.0) respectively
      (P= 0.090). There were 16 refractory patients whose disease progressed within 3
      months after first line chemotherapy and 15 sensitive patients who had tumor
      progression after more than 3 months; the median survival time (MST) were 14.2
      months (95% CI 11.1-17.3) and 21.3 months (95% CI 15.7-26.9) respectively (P=
      0.018). Patients treated with amrubicin plus cisplatin as first line therapy had
      a prolonged median PFS compared with etopside plus platin, which were 7.5 months
      (95% CI:6.2-8.8) vs. 4.6 months (95% CI:1.7-7.5) (P= 0.055). Patients received
      amrubicin, topotican or other drugs as second or more line therapy had median PFS
      of 4.1 months (95% CI: 1.2-7.0), 1.4 months (95% CI: 0.8-2.0) and 1.6 months (95%
      CI:1.2-1.9) respectively (P= 0.013), while the median PFS was 5.6 months (95% CI:
      2.0-9.2), 1.4 months (95% CI: 0.6-2.2) and 1.4 months (95% CI: 0.8-2.0) (P= 0.005
      and 0.003) in refractory patients. CONCLUSIONS: Amrubicin as second or more line
      treatment was shown to be an effective and safe drug for SCLC patients with a
      significant survival benefit compared with other drugs, especially in refractory
      patients. It suggested that amrubicin might be one of the preferred therapies for
      refractory SCLC.

PMID- 26268232
TI  - [Effects of 17-AAG on the proliferation and apoptosis of human lung cancer A549
      and H446 cells].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of 17-(allylamino)-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17
      AAG) on the apoptosis of human lung cancer cell lines A549 and H446, and to
      investigate the potential mechanisms. METHODS: Proliferation inhibition and
      apoptosis assays, and the cell cycles were detected by MTT and flow cytometry
      respectively. Western blot was used to determine the expression level of proteins
      such as Hsp90, Hsp70, AKt, Her-2, Bcl-2 and Bax. RESULTS: After treated with 17
      AAG, the proliferation of both A549 and H446 cells was inhibited significantly in
      a dose-dependent manner; as the concentration of 17-AAG was from 50 to 500
      nmol/L, the IC50 values to A549 and H446 cell lines were (222 +/- 13) nmol/L and
      (189 +/- 7) nmol/L respectively at 48 h. Cell cycle assays showed that 17-AAG was
      able to arrest cell cycles of A549 and H446 cell lines at the G2/M phase.
      Apoptosis assay showed that 17-AAG was capable of inducing apoptosis in A549 and
      H446 cell lines. After treated with 17-AAG for 48 h, there were significant
      differences between the 400 nmol/L groups(46.3% for A549 cell line and 56.9% for
      H446 cell line) and the control group (11.9% for A549 cell line and 6.9% for H446
      cell line, P < 0.01). Western blot results showed that the relative proteins of
      the Hsp90 signal pathway in both A549 and H446 cell lines underwent similar
      changes after 17-AAG treatment: Akt and Her-2 decreased significantly while the
      expression of Hsp70 increased. Meanwhile, the expression of Bcl-2 decreased but
      that of Bax increased, indicating that 17-AAG was able to promote apoptosis mode
      in A549 and H446 cells. CONCLUSIONS: 17-AAG can regulate the expression level of
      apoptosis-related proteins such as Bax and Bcl-2 by Hsp90 signaling pathway in
      A549 and H446 cells, and ultimately inhibit cell proliferation and induce
      apoptosis.

PMID- 26268233
TI  - [Efficacy and safety of delayed thrombolytic therapy for acute massive pulmonary
      throboembolism].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To observe the efficacy and safety of delayed thrombolytic therapy on
      acute massive pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) and discuss the influence factors.
      METHODS: From 2009 to 2013, the clinical data of patients with acute massive
      pulmonary thromboembolism were analyzed retrospectively. Patients with over 14
      day duration and treated with thrombolytic therapy (delayed thrombolytic group)
      were compared with those within 14-day duration and treated with thrombolytic
      therapy (normal thrombolytic group) in the same period. General conditions before
      treatment, case history, efficacy and the incidence of bleeding after one-week
      treatment were collected. The influence factors of delayed thrombolytic therapy
      were analyzed. RESULTS: Sixty two cases were collected and divided into the
      normal thrombolytic group with 32 cases and the delayed thrombolytic group with
      30 cases. Compared with the normal thrombolytic group, the delayed thrombolytic
      group had a longer duration [(24.8 +/- 0.9) vs.(7.2 +/- 0.6)d, P<0.001], an
      aggravation time of (5.3 +/- 0.8) d, and higher systolic pulmonary arterial
      pressure (SPAP) [(69 +/- 4)vs. (55 +/- 4)mmHg, 1 mmHg= 0.133 kPa, P= 0.016].
      Ages, genders, D-Dimmer, CT subpulmonic obstruction index (CTI), brain
      natriuretic peptide (BNP), cardiactroponinI (TnI), PaCO2values and PaO2values had
      no statistical difference between two groups. After one-week treatment, the
      efficacy and the incidence of bleeding was 78% and 25% respectively in normal
      thrombolytic group, while they were 77% and 30% respectively in delayed
      thrombolytic group, and there was no significant difference between two groups
      (P>0.05). The single factor analysis showed that the delayed thrombolytic group
      had more patients with hypertension, were older and had a lower PaO2(P<0.05 or
      0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis did not find the predictors of
      delayed thrombolytic therapy (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: For acute massive PTE
      patients with duration over 14 days, increased D-D and new exacerbation of
      symptoms,delayed thrombolytic therapy had the same efficacy with the normal
      thrombolytic therapy. The factors for predicting efficacy need further research.

PMID- 26268234
TI  - [Evaluation of a mouse model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease induced by
      intraperitoneal injections of cigarette smoke extract].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a mouse model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
      (COPD) induced by intraperitoneal injections of cigarette smoke extract (CSE),
      and to study the potential mechanisms. METHODS: Mice were injected
      intraperitoneally with CSE at different time points to establish a mouse model of
      COPD. Mouse lung mechanics parameters were measured, and the total numbers and
      differentials of cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were counted.
      Pathological changes of lung tissue were observed and mean linear intercept (MLI)
      and alveolar destructive index (DI) were measured. The expressions of matrix
      metalloproteinases-12(MMP12), neutrophil elastase (NE),tissue inhibitor of
      metalloproteinase-1(TIMP1), pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL
      6), Th1 cytokines (IFN-gamma), Th2 cytokines (IL-5, IL-13) and the neutrophil
      chemokine KC were determined in the lungs of all mice. RESULTS: Significant
      increase of total lung capacity(TLC) [(0.73 +/- 0.02), (0.83 +/- 0.04), (0.97 +/-
      0.02)ml] was found in the CSE group as compared with the PBS control group [(0.65
      +/- 0.01), (0.67 +/- 0.02), (0.71 +/- 0.04)ml, t= 4.109, 3.666, 5.994, P<0.01] at
      day 21, 41, 61. Lung compliance was higher in the CSE group [(0.041 +/- 0.002)
      ml/cmH2O (1 cmH2O= 0.098 kPa), (0.039 +/- 0.001) ml/cmH2O] than the PBS control
      group [(0.030 +/- 0.001) ml/cmH2O, (0.032 +/- 0.003) ml/cmH2O, t= 4.788,2.508,
      P<0.05] at day 41,61, but airway resistance in the lungs (R) was lower in the CSE
      group [(0.959 +/- 0.016) cmH2O.s.ml-1, (0.976+/-0.020) cmH2O.s.ml-1] than the PBS
      control group [(1.043 +/- 0.022) cmH2O.s.ml(-1), (1.085+/-0.043) cmH2O.s.ml-1]
      (t= 2.928,2.321, P<0.05). The total numbers of BALF cells in the CSE group
      [(23.83 +/- 2.63)*104, (20.67+/-1.69)*104, (18.67+/-1.56) * 104] were increased
      compared with the PBS control group [(7.33 +/- 0.61)*104, (7.67 +/- 0.76)*104,
      (6.67 +/- 0.88)*104, t= 6.119,7.027,6.685,P<0.01] at day 21,41,61, predominantly
      with neutrophils and macrophages. Typical COPD pathological changes of lung
      tissue were evident, including Inflammatory cell infiltration in the lung
      parenchyma and increased mean linear intercept (MLI) in the CSE group [(48.0 +/-
      1.4), (56.1 +/- 2.4), (59.3 +/- 3.3)um] as compared with the PBS control group
      [(40.5 +/- 1.2), (43.7 +/- 1.2), (43.5 +/- 1.2)um, t= 4.015,4.695,4.612, P<0.01]
      as well as increased alveolar destructive index (DI) in the CSE group [(15.2 +/-
      1.3)%, (22.4 +/- 1.3)%, (23.8 +/- 1.0)%] as compared with the PBS control group
      [(11.1 +/- 0.9)%, (10.8 +/- 1.0)%, (12.4 +/- 0.7)%,t= 2.532, 7.225, 8.471, P <
      0.05] at the 3 time points. The expressions of MMP12 and NE increased
      significantly in the CSE-treated mice. Pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL
      1beta, L-6), Th1 cytokine IFN-gamma and KC all increased significantly in the CSE
      treated mice as compared with the PBS-control mice. CONCLUSIONS: A mouse model of
      COPD was successfully established by repeated intraperitoneal injections of CSE
      in a shorter period of time. Local inflammation and proteinase/anti-proteinase
      imbalance as a result of CSE-induced immunological responses may be the
      underlying mechanisms.

PMID- 26268235
TI  - [Transbronchoscopic end-tidal carbon dioxide detection for location of the
      leading bronchus in patients with pneumothorax].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of end-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO2) detection
      for location of the leading bronchus in patients with pneumothorax. METHODS:
      Transbronchoscopic EtCO2 detection was performed in 4 patients with intractable
      pneumothorax in whom transbronchoscopic balloon detection failed to localize the
      leading bronchus. A specific bronchus was suspected to be the leading bronchus
      when its EtCO2 value was significantly lower than that of the main bronchus of
      the affected lung. After the pleural air leakage was successfully sealed by
      bronchial occlusion of the suspected bronchus, the EtCO2 was confirmed to
      indicate the leading bronchus. RESULTS: Transbronchoscopic EtCO2 detection
      successfully located the leading bronchus in all 4 patients. CONCLUSIONS:
      Transbronchoscopic EtCO2 detection is a new method of locating the leading
      bronchus in patients with intractable pneumothorax.

PMID- 26268236
TI  - [The effect of MTB antigens on the NFAT5 expression in monocytes from human
      peripheral blood].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens early
      secretory antigen target 6/culture filtrate protein 10 (ESAT-6/CFP-10) on nuclear
      factor of activated T-cells 5 (NFAT5) mRNA in monocytes from human peripheral
      blood. METHODS: Fifteen patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis (age range:
      33-42 y, mean: 37 y, male/female: 9/6) were recruited from the Institute of
      Tuberculosis in 309 Hospital, and 15 healthy subjects (age range: 37-42 y, mean:
      40 y, male/female: 9/6) were recruited from Medical Examination Center of the
      hospital. Monocytes were isolated from peripheral blood and stimulated with whole
      cell lysate of H37Rv strain and peptide pool of ESAT-6/CFP-10. Fluorescence
      quantitative PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of NFAT5, and differences
      of NFAT5 mRNA between unstimulated and stimulated monocytes were analyzed by
      paired t test statistic method. RESULTS: The expression of NFAT5 mRNA in
      monocytes from patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis was significantly
      decreased when stimulated with peptide pool of ESAT-6/CFP-10 compared with
      unstimulated monocytes (0.18 +/- 0.12 vs. 0.23 +/- 0.15) (t = 2.591, P < 0.05).
      Similarly, the expression of NFAT5 mRNA in monocytes from healthy subjects was
      also significantly decreased when stimulated with peptide pool of ESAT-6/CFP-10
      compared with unstimulated monocytes (0.17 +/- 0.09 vs 0.21 +/- 0.09) (t = 2.828,
      P < 0.05). However, the expression of NFAT5 mRNA in monocytes stimulated with
      whole cell lysate was not significantly changed (t = 1.142, P > 0.05), which was
      0.28 +/- 0.25 and 0.23 +/- 0.15 in stimulated and unstimulated monocytes,
      respectively. Similarly, the expression of NFAT5 mRNA in monocytes from healthy
      subjects was also not significantly changed when stimulated with whole cell
      lysate (t = 0.451 9, P > 0.05), which was 0.20 +/- 0.12 and 0.21 +/- 0.09 in
      stimulated and unstimulated monocytes, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The MTB antigen
      ESAT-6/CFP-10 can inhibit NFAT5 expression in human monocytes in vitro.

PMID- 26268237
TI  - [Outbreak of six cases of nosocomial Legionella pneumophila pneumonia].
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To describe the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, treatment and
      the causes of outbreak of nosocomial pneumonia due to Legionella pneumophila.
      METHODS: The medical records of 6 cases of nosocomial Legionella pneumophila
      pneumonia were retrospectively reviewed, and the clinical data of clinical
      presentation, treatment, and etiologic diagnosis were analyzed. RESULTS: The 6
      patients were health care providers of the Department of Respiratory and Critical
      Care Medicine of the Affiliated Hospital of Logistics University of PAPF. There
      were 5 female and 1 male patients, aged 23 to 27 years. The diagnosis of
      Legionella pneumonia was made based on a positive Legionella urinary I antigen
      test. In all the 6 cases, the disease was attributable to inhaling contaminated
      aerosols produced by the air conditioning system in our hospital. All the 6
      patients presented with fever of 37.5-39  degrees C, and productive cough. One
      patient had anorexia, dyspnoea, and pleuritic chest pain, while headache was
      reported in 3 patients. Physical examinations revealed lung rales in 3 patients.
      Single or multiple patchy infiltrates were found on Chest CT in all patients.
      However, the typical extrapulmonary manifestations of Legionnaires' disease,
      including relative bradycardia, hyponatremia, hypophosphatemia and diarrhea, were
      not present in the 6 patients. Neither neurological abnormalities nor renal
      involvement were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrated that Legionella
      pneumonia may be mild with atypical laboratory findings and clinical
      manifestations, with fever, cough, chest tightness, headache, etc. The radiologic
      manifestations of Legionella pneumonia were single or multiple patchy
      infiltrates, similar to those of viral pneumonia, and therefore their
      differential diagnosis was needed. Legionella pneumophila can outbreak through
      the respiratory tract, in public places with central air-conditioning system, hot
      water piping systems and hospitals, and therefore microbiological monitoring,
      cleaning and disinfection of the water system was required for prevention of the
      outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease.

PMID- 26268239
TI  - [Progress on pneumonia caused by streptococcus viridans group].

PMID- 26268238
TI  - [Diagnosis of pulmonary ground-glass lesions].

PMID- 26268240
TI  - [A new therapy for asthma: bronchial thermoplasty].

PMID- 26268242
TI  - The pigment characteristics and productivity shifting in high cell density
      culture of Monascus anka mycelia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Monascus mycelia and pigments are promising sources of food and
      medicine with their potential pharmaceutical values and health-improving
      functions. Using high cell density fermentation of Monascus spp. to achieve
      higher mycelium and yellow pigment production is worthy to be researched. In this
      study, the characteristics and productivity shifting of pigments in high cell
      density culture of Monascus anka GIM 3.592 were investigated. RESULTS: The high
      yield of Monascus mycelia up to 39.77 g/L dry cell weight (DCW), which was
      achieved by fed-batch fermentation with the feeding medium containing C, N, P and
      trace elements, was four times higher than that of conventional batch culture.
      But the total pigment production decreased by 14.6 %, which suggested non-coupled
      growth. Potential novel yellow pigments accumulated constantly at the late stage
      of the fed-batch culture, which resulted in a shift in pigment characteristics so
      that yellow pigments became the dominant pigments. Citrinin production was
      extremely low and independent of feeding ingredients. CONCLUSIONS: This study
      provided a suitable fermentation strategy to produce functional Monascus mycelia
      with a high proportion of yellow pigments in high cell density culture. For the
      first time, it reported the pigment productivity and characteristics shifting in
      high cell density culture of Monascus.

PMID- 26268241
TI  - IDH2R172 mutations define a unique subgroup of patients with angioimmunoblastic T
      cell lymphoma.
AB  - Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) is a common subtype of peripheral T
      cell lymphoma (PTCL) with a poor prognosis. We performed targeted resequencing on
      92 cases of PTCL and identified frequent mutations affecting RHOA, TET2, DNMT3A,
      and isocitrate dehydrogenase 2 (IDH2). Although IDH2 mutations are largely
      confined to AITL, mutations of the other 3 can be found in other types of PTCL,
      although at lower frequencies. These findings indicate a key role of epigenetic
      regulation in the pathogenesis of AITL. However, the epigenetic alterations
      induced by these mutations and their role in AITL pathogenesis are still largely
      unknown. We correlated mutational status with gene expression and global DNA
      methylation changes in AITL. Strikingly, AITL cases with IDH2(R172) mutations
      demonstrated a distinct gene expression signature characterized by downregulation
      of genes associated with TH1 differentiation (eg, STAT1 and IFNG) and a striking
      enrichment of an interleukin 12-induced gene signature. Ectopic expression of
      IDH2(R172K) in the Jurkat cell line and CD4(+) T cells led to markedly increased
      levels of 2-hydroxyglutarate, histone-3 lysine methylation, and 5-methylcytosine
      and a decrease of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine. Correspondingly, clinical samples with
      IDH2 mutations displayed a prominent increase in H3K27me3 and DNA
      hypermethylation of gene promoters. Integrative analysis of gene expression and
      promoter methylation revealed recurrently hypermethylated genes involved in T
      cell receptor signaling and T-cell differentiation that likely contribute to
      lymphomagenesis in AITL. 

PMID- 26268244
TI  - Predictors of Posttraumatic Stress Symptom Trajectories in Parents of Children
      Exposed to Motor Vehicle Collisions.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Following child trauma, parents are at risk of developing
      posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), either owing to their direct involvement or
      from hearing of their child's involvement. Despite the potential impact of a
      parent's development of PTSD on both the parent and child, little is known about
      what may place a parent at increased risk. METHOD: PTSD symptoms were assessed <=
      4 weeks, 6 months, and 3 years post-trauma, along with a range of potential risk
      factors, in a sample of parents of 2-10-year-old children who were involved in a
      motor vehicle collision. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Two symptom trajectories were
      identified: Those parents whose symptoms remained low across all time points and
      those whose symptoms remained elevated at 6 months post-trauma and declined by 3
      years. Subjective threat, thought suppression, and maladaptive cognitions about
      damage to the child were identified as key predictors of poorer outcomes.

PMID- 26268243
TI  - XWAS: A Software Toolset for Genetic Data Analysis and Association Studies of the
      X Chromosome.
AB  - XWAS is a new software suite for the analysis of the X chromosome in association
      studies and similar genetic studies. The X chromosome plays an important role in
      human disease and traits of many species, especially those with sexually
      dimorphic characteristics. Special attention needs to be given to its analysis
      due to the unique inheritance pattern, which leads to analytical complications
      that have resulted in the majority of genome-wide association studies (GWAS)
      either not considering X or mishandling it with toolsets that had been designed
      for non-sex chromosomes. We hence developed XWAS to fill the need for tools that
      are specially designed for analysis of X. Following extensive, stringent, and X
      specific quality control, XWAS offers an array of statistical tests of
      association, including: 1) the standard test between a SNP (single nucleotide
      polymorphism) and disease risk, including after first stratifying individuals by
      sex, 2) a test for a differential effect of a SNP on disease between males and
      females, 3) motivated by X-inactivation, a test for higher variance of a trait in
      heterozygous females as compared with homozygous females, and 4) for all tests, a
      version that allows for combining evidence from all SNPs across a gene. We
      applied the toolset analysis pipeline to 16 GWAS datasets of immune-related
      disorders and 7 risk factors of coronary artery disease, and discovered several
      new X-linked genetic associations. XWAS will provide the tools and incentive for
      others to incorporate the X chromosome into GWAS and similar studies in any
      species with an XX/XY system, hence enabling discoveries of novel loci implicated
      in many diseases and in their sexual dimorphism. 

PMID- 26268245
TI  - Splicing Machinery Facilitates Post-Transcriptional Regulation by FBFs and Other
      RNA-Binding Proteins in Caenorhabditis elegans Germline.
AB  - Genetic interaction screens are an important approach for understanding complex
      regulatory networks governing development. We used a genetic interaction screen
      to identify cofactors of FBF-1 and FBF-2, RNA-binding proteins that regulate
      germline stem cell proliferation in Caenorhabditis elegans. We found that
      components of splicing machinery contribute to FBF activity as splicing factor
      knockdowns enhance sterility of fbf-1 and fbf-2 single mutants. This sterility
      phenocopied multiple aspects of loss of fbf function, suggesting that splicing
      factors contribute to stem cell maintenance. However, previous reports indicate
      that splicing factors instead promote the opposite cell fate, namely,
      differentiation. We explain this discrepancy by proposing that splicing factors
      facilitate overall RNA regulation in the germline. Indeed, we find that loss of
      splicing factors produces synthetic phenotypes with a mutation in another RNA
      regulator, FOG-1, but not with a mutation in a gene unrelated to
      posttranscriptional regulation (dhc-1). We conclude that inefficient pre-mRNA
      splicing may interfere with multiple posttranscriptional regulatory events, which
      has to be considered when interpreting results of genetic interaction screens. 

PMID- 26268246
TI  - Activation of EZH2 and SUZ12 Regulated by E2F1 Predicts the Disease Progression
      and Aggressive Characteristics of Bladder Cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: Previous study identified E2F1 as a key mediator of non-muscle-invasive
      bladder cancer (NMIBC) progression. The aim of this study was to identify the
      E2F1-related genes associated with poor prognosis and aggressive characteristics
      of bladder cancer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Microarray analysis was performed to find
      E2F1-related genes associated with tumor progression and aggressiveness in the
      gene expression data from 165 primary patients with bladder cancer. The biologic
      activity of E2F1-related genes in tumor progression and aggressiveness was
      confirmed with experimental assays using bladder cancer cells and tumor xenograft
      assay. RESULTS: The expression of E2F1 was significantly associated with EZH2 and
      SUZ12. The overexpression of E2F1, EZH2, and SUZ12 enhanced cancer progression
      including cell colony formation, migration, and invasiveness. Knockdown of these
      genes reduced motility, blocked invasion, and decreased tumor size in vivo. E2F1
      bound the proximal EZH2 and SUZ12 promoter to activate transcription, suggesting
      that E2F1 and its downstream effectors, EZH2 and SUZ12, could be important
      mediators for the cancer progression. In addition, we confirmed an association
      between these genes and aggressive characteristics. Interestingly, the treatment
      of anticancer drugs to the cells overexpressing E2F1, EZH2, and SUZ12 induced the
      expression of CD44, KLF4, OCT4, and ABCG2 known as cancer stem cell (CSC)-related
      genes. CONCLUSIONS: The link between E2F1, EZH2, and/or SUZ12 revealed that E2f1
      directly regulates transcription of the EZH2 and SUZ12 genes. The signature of
      E2F1-EZH2-SUZ12 shows a predictive value for prognosis in bladder tumors and the
      E2F1-EZH2-SUZ12-driven transcriptional events may regulate the cancer
      aggressiveness and chemo-resistance, which may provide opportunity for
      development of new treatment modalities.

PMID- 26268248
TI  - India cancels trade talks after Europe bans 700 generic drugs.

PMID- 26268247
TI  - Impaired GAPDH-induced mitophagy contributes to the pathology of Huntington's
      disease.
AB  - Mitochondrial dysfunction is implicated in multiple neurodegenerative diseases.
      In order to maintain a healthy population of functional mitochondria in cells,
      defective mitochondria must be properly eliminated by lysosomal machinery in a
      process referred to as mitophagy. Here, we uncover a new molecular mechanism
      underlying mitophagy driven by glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH)
      under the pathological condition of Huntington's disease (HD) caused by expansion
      of polyglutamine repeats. Expression of expanded polyglutamine tracts
      catalytically inactivates GAPDH (iGAPDH), which triggers its selective
      association with damaged mitochondria in several cell culture models of HD.
      Through this mechanism, iGAPDH serves as a signaling molecule to induce direct
      engulfment of damaged mitochondria into lysosomes (micro-mitophagy). However,
      abnormal interaction of mitochondrial GAPDH with long polyglutamine tracts
      stalled GAPDH-mediated mitophagy, leading to accumulation of damaged
      mitochondria, and increased cell death. We further demonstrated that
      overexpression of inactive GAPDH rescues this blunted process and enhances
      mitochondrial function and cell survival, indicating a role for GAPDH-driven
      mitophagy in the pathology of HD. 

PMID- 26268249
TI  - A commercial human protamine-2 antibody used in several studies to detect mouse
      protamine-2 recognizes mouse transition protein-2 but not protamine-2.
AB  - The exchange of histones for transition proteins (TNPs) and finally protamines is
      an essential process during spermatogenesis that enables the strong condensation
      of chromatin during sperm formation. Research on this process obviously depends
      on the availability of specific antibodies recognizing these nuclear proteins. A
      commercial antibody generated against human protamine-2 (PRM2) has been described
      to cross-react with mouse PRM2 and in fact has been used in several studies to
      detect mouse PRM2. Some inconsistent results obtained with this goat-derived
      antibody prompted us to re-examine its specificity. In immunofluorescence
      experiments with epididymal sperm, only a low percentage of sperm nuclei were
      stained by this antibody, whereas a mouse monoclonal anti- PRM2 antibody stained
      most sperm, as expected. Western blot analysis of basic nuclear proteins from
      spermatids and sperm separated by acid urea (AU) gel electrophoresis revealed
      that the goat anti- PRM2 antiserum binds to mouse TNP2 but not mouse PRM2.
      Epitope mapping using glutathione-S-transferase-fusion proteins with peptide
      sequences conserved in human PRM2 and mouse TNP2 identified the tetrapeptide
      arginyl-lysyl-arginyl-threonine as an epitope of the goat anti- PRM2 antiserum.
      Our findings underline the importance of using AU gel electrophoresis to confirm
      specificities of antibodies directed against basic nuclear proteins, which are
      not well separated, and may show abnormal migration behaviour, in SDS
      polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

PMID- 26268250
TI  - [Experience of treatment and understanding of impediment disease in Shen nong ben
      cao jing (Shen-ntonz's Classic of Materia Medica)].
AB  - As a book with significant historical materials for the research of impediment
      disease not to be ignored, Shen nong ben cao jing (Shennong's Classic of Materia
      Medica) contains, among its 365 kinds of materia medica, 75 kinds of medicines
      related to impediment disease. Among the latter ones, 51 are related to "damp
      impediment", "cold-damp impediment", "wind-cold-damp impediment", "wind
      impediment", "wind-damp impediment", and "cold impediment"; 16 are related to
      "laryngeal impediment", "general impediment", and "blood impediment"; 8 are
      related to "muscular impediment", "stomach impediment", "hernia-conglomeration
      impediment", "internal consumptive-thirst impediment", "wilting impediment", and
      "hemiplegic impediment". To systematically analyze the properties, tastes, and
      effects of these medicines and its related knowledge, and then further explore
      the overall recognition and their treating experience of the physicians at that
      period would not only enrich the historical research on impediment disease, but
      also offer much help and reference to the understanding and treatment of
      impediment for contemporary clinicians.

PMID- 26268251
TI  - [Textual research on Amara (Mangifera Indica Linn), Butea monsperma (Lam) Kuntze,
      and Ferula asatoitida L].
AB  - In the Buddhist canons, there are lots of medicines imported from abroad
      recorded. The dictionary works of such Buddhist canons give detailed annotations
      and explanations to all these foreign medicines, from which we can investigate
      the features of all these medicines. It is also clear that these three medicines
      were imported into China no later than the Tang Dynasty. Amara was originally
      grown in the xi yu (Western Region) , now called Mango. Its form and connotation
      appeared no later than the eastern Han Dynasty, and the explanation of this
      medicine appears in the A Great Modern Dictionary of Chinese is wrong. While its
      explanation for Butea monsperma should be supplemented. There are two kinds of
      asafoitida, herbaceous and woody. Only the former one is used for medical
      purpose, and the annotation appeared in A Great Modern Dictionary of Chinese is
      problematic.

PMID- 26268252
TI  - [The campaign of returning to the ancient in sphygmology in the Republican Period
      as viewed from Mai xue cong shu (Series of Pulse Taking)].
AB  - From the Southern and Northern Dynasties to the beginning of the Northern Song
      Dynasty, the models of "master and apprentice" and "physician of long family
      tradition for generations" were the main ways for teaching medical knowledge.
      With the rapid amassment of medical books in the Due to the rapid transmission of
      western science and technology into China in the Republican period, the art of
      pulse taking had been treated as unscientific. Yao Xinyuan advocated the recovery
      of ancient pulse taking of the three-portion approach, i.e., taking the pulses at
      the neck, hands, and feet for comparison. To spread this idea, Yao and Zhang
      Ziying compiled the Mai xue cong shu (Series of Pulse Taking) in 1937-1947.
      Altogether 4 issues were published carrying 29 articles concerning the
      theoretical exploration, experimental research, and clinical practice. Their
      thinking and approaches were influential to the study and development of modern
      sphygmology.

PMID- 26268253
TI  - [Research on China railway health campaign in 1930s].
AB  - The motivation factors of China's railway health campaign in 1930s included
      avocation by the government, mass media mobilization, railway authorities'
      hygiene awareness and the systematization of the construction of organization.
      During the health campaign, the railway authorities adopted various approaches
      for its formation, including the rally speeches, distribution of materials,
      cleaning and vaccination etc. Unfortunately, the actual effect of railway health
      campaign was not satisfactory, yet, it enhanced theoretically railway employees'
      health knowledge and contributed to the promotion of modernization of hygienic
      knowledge. Meanwhile, there still existed many problems in the railway health
      campaign, for example, lack of funds, formalism and uneven development among the
      railway bureaus.

PMID- 26268254
TI  - [Analysis of Peng Zemin's medical letter].
AB  - Mr. Peng Zemin, a senior leader of the Kuomintang leftist and patriotic overseas
      Chinese, had acknowledged the famous Guangdong modern TCM masters Chen Botan as
      his mentor in TCM for six years, and deeply affected by Chen Botan's way of
      prescribing large dose of classical recipes. Guang-dong Chinese Medicine Museum
      has collected a number of Mr. Peng Zernin' s letters, which were handwriting
      works written by Mr. Peng Zemin himself to his nephew Peng Bingtang who worked in
      the government of Guyang Wulanchabu League, Inner Mongolia. Among them, nine are
      related to medicine, reflecting Mr. Peng Zemin' s medical activities, medical
      ethics and medical practice experience, the way he prescribed after Chen Botan's
      characteristics of prescribing and applying materia medica.

PMID- 26268255
TI  - [Analytical research on Zheng Hao's Participation of the International Congress
      of Leprosy in 1909].
AB  - The Second International Congress was held in August, 1909 in Norway. Zheng Hao
      was dispatched by the Qing Government to attend the Congress as a representative.
      Through the Congress, Chinese people got to understand the latest ideas of
      prevention and treatment of leprosy in international medical field, and the
      approaches they adopted as well at that time. Meanwhile, Zheng Hao frankly
      confessed the backward status on the prevention and treatment in leprosy in
      China, and expressed the strong will to learn from the western world in this
      regard. This historical event, commonly ignored, manifested the fact that,
      beginning from the late Qing Dynasty, the involvement of Chinese medicine into
      the world medical trend as a whole was proceeding. By seizing this rare chance of
      participating the international meeting, the outstanding Chinese medical persons,
      with Zheng Hao as its representative, made up their mind to keep up with the
      international medical advanced pace, learning lessons, and pushing forward the
      development of Chinese medicine.

PMID- 26268256
TI  - [Endocrine therapy for breast cancer: past and present].
AB  - The endocrine therapy for breast cancer could be traced back to the excision of
      the metastatic breast cancer by oophorectomy in a premenopausal women performed
      by Beatson in 1896. After the development of more than 100 years, endocrine
      therapy plays an important role in adjuvant therapy, the rescuing treatment of
      its recurrence due to metastasis, and the new adjuvant endocrine therapy for
      breast cancer. Through analyzing the changes in the 4 aspects of endocrine
      treatment of breast cancer, i.e., the original simple excision of the endocrine
      organs, tamoxifen, drug-induced ovarian castration and the 3th generation
      aromatase inhibitor, the characteristics of different ages of endocrine therapy
      can be summarized, which would provide the reference for the new developmental
      trend of this therapy.

PMID- 26268257
TI  - [Identification and re-collection of Bianque's medical works].
AB  - Whenever "Biarique's medical works" is mentioned, it means the work collection of
      an individual school. Through the identification and rearrangement of the
      fragments of Bianque's medical works from the extant literature, the three clues
      of the extant works have been sorted out, including Huangdi Bianque Mai Shu
      (Yellow Emperor and Bianque's Pulse Books) inherited by Canggong. It recreates
      the outline of the lost Bianque' medical works, and even displays the details of
      such outline to a certain extent. The main content of Bian que mai shu (Bianque's
      Pulse Book) collected by Canggong had been recorded in Wang Shuhe's Mai jing (The
      Pulse Classic), which were inherited in different forms in the extant Nei jing
      (Internal Classic) and a part of the content in the late editions were collected
      in Nan jing (Classic of Difficult Issues). Wu se mai (five-color pulse) was
      inherited from Mai jing (The Pulse Classic), the "Xianggong Wen Bianque"
      (Xianggong Catechism on Bianque) recorded in Shan fan fang (The Refined and
      Extracted Prescriptions) written by Xie Shitai in the Six Dynasties, the "Huangdi
      Wen Bianque" (Questions and Answers between Yellow Emperor and Bianque) in Qian
      jin yi fang (A supplement to the Essential Prescriptions worth a Thousand Gold),
      as well as from Ling shu: Wu se (Miraculous Pivot: Five Colors). In this paper,
      the notable and hot cases in the present academic field are analyzed, aiming to
      arouse people's attention to the methods and insights of literature research, as
      well as the reconsideration on the importance of the deep and solid research on
      the extant literatures.

PMID- 26268258
TI  - [The compilation, contents and spread of Qing li Shan jiu Fang (Formulary for
      Effective Rescuing in the Qingli Reign].
AB  - Qing li shan jiu fang (Formulary for Effective Rescuing in the Qingli Reign),
      compiled by Hanlin Academy of Medical Official in 1048 under the decree of the
      Emperor, is a medical formulary exclusively used to prevent and control poisonous
      parasite disease. It is composed of formulae provided by a medical scholar of
      Fuzhou, Lin Shiyuan, together with other formulae collected by the imperial
      physicians and so on. Unfortunately, it was lost about after the demise of the
      Southern Song Dynasty. However, in the Southern Song Dynasty, two books, Liang
      Kejia's Chun xi san shan zhi and Hong Mai's Yi jian zhi bu, do record the
      progress of its compilation, parts of its contents and the condition of its
      spread and application. Moreover, they also describe the kinds, the feature, the
      epidemic, prevention and cure of parasite poison. It is especially good that this
      book preserves three famous formulae, including Zhi gu du zheng fang (Orthodox
      Formula for Treating Parasitic Poisons) (called A Cathartic Formula with 8
      Ingredients in the Yuan Dynasty), Jie du wan (Antidote Pills) and He qi tang san
      (Powder of Decoction for Harmonious Qi), which are of medical significance for
      the understanding of the property of Qing li shan jiu fang. The Song emperors,
      the central government and local officials all paid high attention to the spread
      and application of this book. They not only enacted it to the counties, and
      provinces, but also carved it on stone steles for popularizing the knowledge of
      preventing parasitic poisons to medical workers and common people.

PMID- 26268259
TI  - [Textual research on the engraved editions of Nei wai yan fang mi chuan (Secret
      Teaching of Proved Prescriptions for Internal and External Diseases)].
AB  - Zhao Lian's book Nei wai yan fang mi chuan (Secret Teaching of Proved
      Prescriptions for Internal and External Diseases) was firstly engraved in the
      21st year of Guangxu reign of the Qing dynasty. There are altogether four
      different engraved editions separately collected in the Library of Academy of
      Medical Sciences, Library of Zhenjiang City, Library of Changchun University of
      TCM, and Library of Shanghai University of TCM, printed in different times with
      different sizes of its contents. It is better to call all these editions the
      engraved versions of Guangxu reign. All of them are engraved and printed after
      the mother edition with some blocks hollowed-out and supplemented. Hence, the
      title "engraved edition of Yiyou or the 11th year of Guangxu reign (1885) of the
      Qing dynasty" carried in The General Catalogue of Ancient Books of TCM is wrong.

PMID- 26268260
TI  - Antioxidant status in haemoglobin E carriers after acute and chronic strenuous
      exercises.
AB  - Haemoglobin E (HbE), an unstable haemoglobin, is highly susceptible to oxidative
      damages. We examined how acute or chronic physiological challenge induced by
      exercise affects antioxidant response in HbE carriers. Two independent studies
      were conducted in individuals with HbE trait and paired normal Hb. In study 1,
      sedentary participants were tested in a graded maximal exercise and blood samples
      were collected before, immediately after, and 45 minutes after an acute exercise.
      Our data showed that erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity failed to
      recover in HbE carriers after 45 minutes of rest. In study 2, athletes were
      trained in a 10-week strenuous training and blood samples were collected before
      and after training period. We found that athletes with HbE carriers showed a
      larger increase in plasma GPx activity compared to those with normal Hb. These
      data suggest that HbE carriers could cope with exercise-induced oxidative stress
      by adjusting endogenous antioxidant markers.

PMID- 26268261
TI  - A Possible Cause of Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction: Narrow Angle Between Inferior
      Turbinate and Upper Part of the Medial Wall of the Maxillary Sinus.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To search the relationships between the primary nasolacrimal duct
      obstruction and the angle between the bony inferior turbinate and upper part of
      the medial wall of the maxillary sinus. DESIGN: Retrospective study. PARTICIPANTS
      AND METHODS: Computed tomography findings of 35 patients with primary
      nasolacrimal duct obstruction and 100 sides of 50 individuals were reviewed.
      While the study group was composed of patients who had external
      dacryocystorhinostomy surgery, the control group was composed of patients who had
      CT scans due to headache, sinusitis and smell dysfunction. Epiphora complaint was
      evaluated with the lacrimal syringing. The exclusion criteria were: age less than
      20 years, previous nose, sinus, turbinate or lacrimal surgery, prior history of
      maxillofacial fracture, nasopharyngeal malignancy, reflex hypersecretion, and
      associated pathology of the lacrimal canaliculi. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The angle
      of inferior turbinate. RESULTS: The mean angles were 53.2 degrees  (range, 37.9
      82.9 degrees ) for affected side of the study group, 58.6 degrees  (range, 32
      85.3 degrees ) for the unaffected side of the study group and 56.8 degrees 
      (range, 41.2-76.9 degrees ) in the control group. The difference between the
      angles was statistically significant between the study and the control groups (p
      < 0.05). The difference between the operated and non-operated sides of the study
      group was also statistically significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Although this
      study was performed in a small group, we thought that the narrow angle between
      the bony inferior turbinate and upper part of the medial wall of the maxillary
      sinus might be a possible causative factor in primary acquired nasolacrimal duct
      obstructions.

PMID- 26268262
TI  - Off Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery for Multivessel Disease in Pregnancy.
AB  - A 31 year old female with known history of coronary artery disease and
      percutaneous coronary intervention presented with acute coronary syndrome.
      Unknown that patient was pregnant she had inadvertent radiation exposure to the
      fetus during cardiac catheterization which showed triple vessel disease and
      severe left ventricular dysfunction. Patient subsequently underwent multivessel
      off pump coronary artery bypass surgery with intraaortic balloon pump support
      after declining the recommendation for abortion. Postoperative course was
      uneventful and patient subsequently delivered a full term healthy baby several
      months later.Off pump revascularization with its ability to maintain pulsatile
      perfusion to the fetus should be considered if technically feasible for severe
      coronary artery disease requiring surgery during pregnancy. 

PMID- 26268263
TI  - A novel strategy for evaluating tilt test in athletes with syncope.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The tilt test is used for the diagnosis of reflex syncope (RS) and is
      characterized by low sensitivity, especially in athletes. The objective of the
      study was the implementation of a novel diagnostic strategy for the tilt test
      without pharmacologic provocation in athletes based on haemodynamic criteria.
      METHODS: A passive tilt test for 30 min was performed in 132 athletes (53 with a
      history of RS, 79 without RS). Measurement of haemodynamic, heart rate
      variability (HRV) and baroreflex sensitivity parameters was performed. RESULTS:
      Tilt testing yielded 34% sensitivity and 94% specificity. Among negative tilt
      test responders, the ones with RS had increased heart rate (HR) (89 +/- 11 vs 81
      +/- 10 bpm, p < 0.001), stroke index (SI) (40.2 +/- 7.1 vs 35.5 +/- 9.7 ml/m(2),
      p = 0.013), cardiac index (CI) (3.5 +/- 0.6 vs 2.8 +/- 0.8 l/(min.m(2)), p <
      0.001) and decreased total peripheral resistance index (TPRI) (2230 +/- 362 vs
      2965 +/- 725 dyne.s m(2)/cm(5), p < 0.001), low frequency component of HRV (76.2%
      (49.0-88.4) vs 79.7% (10.2-91.1), p = 0.045) during head-up tilt, compared with
      those without RS. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed
      that among athletes with a negative tilt test the area under the curve (AUC)
      values were 0.727 (0.626-0.828) for HR (p < 0.001), 0.707 (0.611-0.804) for SI (p
      = 0.001), 0.847 (0.774-0.920) for CI (p < 0.001), 0.830 (0.754-0.905) for TPRI (p
      < 0.001). Further stratification of negative tilt test responders, characterizing
      their results as positive when TPRI <2800 dyne.s m(2)/cm(5) and CI >3
      l/(min.m(2)), resulted in 85% sensitivity and 76% specificity. CONCLUSION: Our
      results provide supportive evidence that a novel stratification based on
      haemodynamic criteria can improve the sensitivity of the tilt test for the
      diagnosis of RS in athletes.

PMID- 26268264
TI  - The future of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol lowering therapy: An end to
      statin exceptionalism?

PMID- 26268266
TI  - Implementation of health risk assessments with family health history: barriers
      and benefits.
AB  - Health risk assessments provide an opportunity to emphasise health promotion and
      disease prevention for individuals and populations at large. A key component of
      health risk assessments is the detailed collection of family health history
      information. This information is helpful in determining risk both for common
      chronic conditions and more rare diseases as well. While the concept of health
      risk assessments has been around since the Framingham Heart Study was launched in
      the 1950s, and such assessments are commonly performed in the workplace today,
      the US healthcare system has been slow to embrace them and the emphasis on
      prevention that they represent. Before wider implementation of health risk
      assessments within healthcare can be seen, several concerns must be addressed:
      (1) provider impact, (2) patient impact, (3) validity of patient-entered data and
      (4) health outcomes effect. Here, we describe recent developments in health risk
      assessment design that are helping to address these issues. 

PMID- 26268265
TI  - Workplace training for senior trainees: a systematic review and narrative
      synthesis of current approaches to promote patient safety.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Preventable harm is one of the top six health problems in the
      developed world. Developing patient safety skills and knowledge among advanced
      trainee doctors is critical. Clinical supervision is the main form of training
      for advanced trainees. The use of supervision to develop patient safety
      competence has not been established. OBJECTIVE: To establish the use of clinical
      supervision and other workplace training to develop non-technical patient safety
      competency in advanced trainee doctors. DATA SOURCES: Keywords, synonyms and
      subject headings were used to search eight electronic databases in addition to
      hand-searching of relevant journals up to 1 March 2014. METHOD: Titles and
      abstracts of retrieved publications were screened by two reviewers and checked by
      a third. Full-text articles were screened against the eligibility criteria. Data
      on design, methods and key findings were extracted. Clinical supervision
      documents were assessed against components common to established patient safety
      frameworks. Findings from the reviewed articles and document analysis were
      collated in a narrative synthesis. RESULTS: Clinical supervision is not
      identified as an avenue for embedding patient safety skills in the workplace and
      is consequently not evaluated as a method to teach trainees these skills.
      Workplace training in non-technical patient safety skills is limited, but one-off
      training courses are sometimes used. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical supervision is the
      primary avenue for learning in postgraduate medical education but the most
      overlooked in the context of patient safety learning. The widespread
      implementation of short courses is not matched by evidence of rigorous
      evaluation. Supporting supervisors to identify teaching moments during
      supervision and to give weight to non-technical skills and technical skills
      equally is critical.

PMID- 26268267
TI  - Taking TASC to TASK: Evolving from nomenclature to guidelines.

PMID- 26268268
TI  - An Update on Methods for Revascularization and Expansion of the TASC Lesion
      Classification to Include Below-the-Knee Arteries: A Supplement to the Inter
      Society Consensus for the Management of Peripheral Arterial Disease (TASC II).
AB  - The Inter-Society Consensus for the Management of Peripheral Arterial Disease
      (TASC) guidelines were last updated in 2007 (TASC II) and represented the
      collaboration of international vascular specialties involved in the management of
      patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Since the publication of TASC
      II, there have been innovations in endovascular revascularization strategies for
      patients with PAD. The intent of this publication is to provide a complete
      anatomic lower limb TASC lesion classification, including the infrapopliteal
      segment, and an updated literature review of new endovascular techniques and
      practice patterns employed by vascular specialists today. 

PMID- 26268269
TI  - The NF-kappaB essential modulator (NEMO) controls podocyte cytoskeletal dynamics
      independently of NF-kappaB.
AB  - Maintenance of the glomerular filtration barrier with its fenestrated
      endothelium, the glomerular basement membrane, and the podocytes as the outer
      layer, is a major prerequisite for proper renal function. Tight regulation of the
      balance between plasticity and rigidity of the podocytes' architecture is
      required to prevent the onset of glomerular disease, mainly proteinuria. The
      underlying cellular signaling pathways that regulate the organization of the
      podocytes' cytoskeleton are still a matter of controversial debate. In this
      study, we investigated the role of the NF-kappaB signaling pathway in podocyte
      cytoskeletal dynamics. As previously published, genetic inhibition of the NF
      kappaB essential modulator (NEMO) in podocytes does not affect glomerular
      function under physiological, nonstressed conditions nor does it alter the
      initial podocyte response in an experimental glomerulonephritis (NTN) model
      (Brahler S, Ising C, Hagmann H, Rasmus M, Hoehne M, Kurschat C, Kisner T, Goebel
      H, Shankland SJ, Addicks K, Thaiss F, Schermer B, Pasparakis M, Benzing T,
      Brinkkoetter PT. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 303: F1473-F1475, 2012). Quite the
      contrary, podocyte-specific NEMO null mice recovered significantly faster and did
      not develop glomerulosclerosis and end-stage renal failure over time. Here, we
      show that cytoskeletal rearrangements and increased podocyte motility following
      stimulation with IL-1, TNF-alpha, or LPS depend on NEMO. NEMO also regulates the
      phosphorylation of the MAP kinase ERK1/2 and suppresses the activation of RhoA
      following stimulation with IL-1. The migratory response and altered ERK1/2
      phosphorylation is independent of NF-kappaB signaling as demonstrated by
      expression of a mutant IkappaB resistant to phosphorylation and degradation. In
      conclusion, signaling through NEMO might not only be involved in the production
      of NF-kappaB proinflammatory chemokines but also regulates podocyte dynamics
      independently of NF-kappaB, most likely through small GTPases and MAP kinases. 

PMID- 26268271
TI  - The Impact of Intimate Partner Violence on Women's Physical Health: Findings From
      the Missouri Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.
AB  - Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant public health problem. It has
      far reaching consequences such as social and economic costs, as well as a
      negative impact on women's health outcomes. This study assessed the relationship
      between IPV and health risk factors, health behaviors, and poor mental health in
      Missouri women utilizing 2005 Missouri Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
      (BRFSS) data ( n = 3,110). Moderators (demographic indicators) of the
      relationship between IPV and health risk factors (high blood pressure, high
      cholesterol, and obesity) and health behaviors (physical inactivity, smoking, and
      binge drinking) were also examined. Women with a history of IPV were more likely
      to engage in health-compromising behaviors such as smoking and binge drinking, be
      obese, and report more poor mental health days compared with women without a
      history of IPV. Demographic variables moderated the relationship between IPV,
      obesity, smoking, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. These findings
      underscore the importance that clinics, community, or other health care settings
      can play in identifying women who are victims of or have a history of IPV and
      provide them with appropriate resources as well as targeted interventions to
      reduce morbidity in this population.

PMID- 26268272
TI  - Pacific Peoples, Violence, and the Power and Control Wheel.
AB  - This qualitative project was the first to study values and practices about sexual
      assault among migrant communities from the Cook Islands, Fiji, Niue, Samoa,
      Tokelau, Tonga, and Tuvalu in New Zealand. It aimed to identify customs, beliefs,
      and practices among these ethnic groups that were protective and preventive
      factors against sexual violence. Researchers were ethnically matched with 78
      participants from the seven ethnic communities, and conducted individual
      interviews and one female focus group using protocols that were culturally
      appropriate for each ethnic group. Interviews were thematically analyzed. The
      study identified the brother-sister covenant and the sanctity of women as strong
      protective and preventive factors against sexual violence, expressed differently
      in each culture. Most participants viewed sexual violence as involving their
      extended families, village, and church communities, rather than solely the
      individuals concerned. However, the communal values and practices of these seven
      Pacific cultures raise questions about the individualistic assumptions and the
      meaning of violence underlying the Power and Control Wheel and the Duluth Model
      of domestic violence. It also raises questions about how such an individualized
      model can help services effectively support women in these collective societies
      who are experiencing violence, and how it can contribute to Pacific community
      prevention of violence. This study is therefore relevant to countries with
      significant populations of Pacific peoples and other collective cultures.

PMID- 26268270
TI  - PKC-alpha-dependent augmentation of cAMP and CREB phosphorylation mediates the
      angiotensin II stimulation of renin in the collecting duct.
AB  - In contrast to the negative feedback of angiotensin II (ANG II) on
      juxtaglomerular renin, ANG II stimulates renin in the principal cells of the
      collecting duct (CD) in rats and mice via ANG II type 1 (AT1R) receptor,
      independently of blood pressure. In vitro data indicate that CD renin is
      augmented by AT1R activation through protein kinase C (PKC), but the exact
      mechanisms are unknown. We hypothesize that ANG II stimulates CD renin synthesis
      through AT1R via PKC and the subsequent activation of cAMP/PKA/CREB pathway. In M
      1 cells, ANG II increased cAMP, renin mRNA (3.5-fold), prorenin, and renin
      proteins, as well as renin activity in culture media (2-fold). These effects were
      prevented by PKC inhibition with calphostin C, PKC-alpha dominant negative, and
      by PKA inhibition. Forskolin-induced increases in cAMP and renin expression were
      prevented by calphostin C. PKC inhibition and Ca2+ depletion impaired ANG II
      mediated CREB phosphorylation and upregulation of renin. Adenylate cyclase 6 (AC)
      siRNA remarkably attenuated the ANG II-dependent upregulation of renin mRNA.
      Physiological activation of AC with vasopressin increased renin expression in M-1
      cells. The results suggest that the ANG II-dependent upregulation of renin in the
      CD depends on PKC-alpha, which allows the augmentation of cAMP production and
      activation of PKA/CREB pathway via AC6. This study defines the intracellular
      signaling pathway involved in the ANG II-mediated stimulation of renin in the CD.
      This is a novel mechanism responsible for the regulation of local renin
      angiotensin system in the distal nephron.

PMID- 26268273
TI  - The Relationship Between Sexual History, Bullying Victimization, and Poor Mental
      Health Outcomes Among Heterosexual and Sexual Minority High School Students: A
      Feminist Perspective.
AB  - This study uses a feminist theoretical framework to extend the literature on the
      relationship between sexual history, bullying victimization, and poor mental
      health outcomes. First, we examined whether an association between the sexual
      double standard and bullying victimization would apply to sexual minority youth
      the same way it applies to heterosexual youth. A second aim was to assess whether
      sexual minority boys, typically stereotyped as effeminate, would report the
      highest odds of bullying victimization. A third and final aim of our study was to
      look at the joint effect of sex and sexual intercourse on depression and suicidal
      ideation. Our analytic sample ( N = 9,300) was from the 2009, 2011, and 2013
      Rhode Island Youth Risk Behavior Surveys. Findings demonstrated that heterosexual
      girls who engaged in sexual intercourse had significantly higher adjusted odds of
      bullying victimization than heterosexual boys who engaged in the same behavior.
      Similar results were not found for sexual minority adolescents, suggesting the
      sexual double standard may not apply to sexual minority adolescents in the same
      way it applies to heterosexual adolescents. Consistent with our second
      hypothesis, sexual minority boys reported the highest odds of being recently
      bullied compared with heterosexual boys. Among students who were recently
      bullied, sexual minority girls displayed the highest adjusted odds of recent
      depression and suicidal ideation. Our study demonstrated that using a feminist
      theoretical framework broadens our understanding of why girls and sexual minority
      boys are particularly vulnerable to bullying victimization and the sequel of
      depression and suicidal ideation.

PMID- 26268275
TI  - It is not appropriate to dismiss inappropriate care.

PMID- 26268276
TI  - Not so innocent bystanders.

PMID- 26268277
TI  - Sight-saving science: specialist eye care using satellite technology.

PMID- 26268278
TI  - Sexual equality, discrimination and harassment in medicine: it's time to act.

PMID- 26268279
TI  - Sexual abuse of doctors by doctors: professionalism, complexity and the potential
      for healing.

PMID- 26268280
TI  - Ethical challenges for doctors working in immigration detention.

PMID- 26268281
TI  - Screening tests for gonorrhoea should first do no harm.

PMID- 26268282
TI  - Screening tests for gonorrhoea should first do no harm.

PMID- 26268283
TI  - Screening tests for gonorrhoea should first do no harm.

PMID- 26268284
TI  - Discrimination, bullying and sexual harassment: where next for medical
      leadership?

PMID- 26268285
TI  - The Royal Australasian College of Physicians position statement on refugee and
      asylum seeker health.

PMID- 26268286
TI  - In search of professional consensus in defining and reducing low-value care.
AB  - Care that confers no benefit or benefit that is disproportionately low compared
      with its cost is of low value and potentially wastes limited resources. It has
      been claimed that low-value care consumes at least 20% of health care resources
      in the United States - the comparable figure in Australia is unknown but there is
      emerging evidence of overuse of diagnostic tests and therapeutic procedures. Very
      few clinical interventions are of no value in every clinical circumstance, and
      efforts to label interventions as being so will meet with professional
      resistance. In the context of complex and highly individualised clinical
      decisions, nuanced clinical judgements of experienced and well informed
      clinicians are likely to outperform any service-level measurement and incentive
      program aimed at recognising and reducing low-value care. Public policy
      interventions should focus on supporting clinician-led efforts to seek
      professional consensus on what constitutes low-value care and the best means for
      reducing it. 

PMID- 26268287
TI  - Identifying and acting on potentially inappropriate care.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To develop a model to measure potentially inappropriate care in
      Australian hospitals. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of computerised hospital
      discharge data for all Australian hospitals for the 2010-11 financial year. MAIN
      OUTCOME MEASURE: Hospital-specific incidence of selected diagnosis-procedure
      pairs identified as inappropriate in other literature. RESULTS: Five hospital
      procedures that are not supported by clinical evidence happened more than 100
      times a week, on average. The most frequent of these do-not-do treatments was
      hyperbaric oxygen therapy for a range of specific conditions (4659 admissions in
      2010-11). The rate of do-not-do procedures varied greatly, even among comparator
      hospitals that provided the procedure and that treated the relevant patient
      group. Among comparator hospitals, an average of 3.3% of patients with
      osteoarthritis of the knee received arthroscopic lavage and debridement of the
      knee (a do-not-do treatment), but four hospitals had rates of over 20%. There was
      also great variation in hospital-specific rates of procedures that should not be
      done routinely. CONCLUSION: Hospital-specific rates of do-not-do treatments vary
      greatly. Hospitals should be informed about their relative performance. Hospitals
      that have sustained, high rates of do-not-do treatments should be subject to
      external clinical review by expert peers.

PMID- 26268288
TI  - Tracking funded health intervention research.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe the research publication outputs from intervention
      research funded by Australia's National Health and Medical Research Council
      (NHMRC). DESIGN AND SETTING: Analysis of descriptive data and data on publication
      outputs collected between 23 July 2012 and 10 December 2013 relating to health
      intervention research project grants funded between 1 January 2003 and 31
      December 2007. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Stages of development of intervention
      studies (efficacy, effectiveness, replication, adaptation or dissemination of
      intervention); types of interventions studied; publication output per NHMRC
      grant; and whether interventions produced statistically significant changes in
      primary outcome variables. RESULTS: Most of the identified studies tested
      intervention efficacy or effectiveness in clinical or community settings, with
      few testing the later stages of intervention development, such as replication,
      adaptation or dissemination. Studies focused largely on chronic disease treatment
      and management, and encompassed various medical and allied health disciplines.
      Equal numbers of studies had interventions that produced statistically
      significant results on primary outcomes, (27) and those that did not (27). The
      mean number of total published articles per grant was 3.3, with 2.0 articles per
      grant focusing on results, and the remainder covering descriptive, exploratory or
      methodological aspects of intervention research. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides
      a benchmark for the publication outputs of NHMRC-funded health intervention
      research in Australia. Research productivity is particularly important for
      intervention research, where findings are likely to have more immediate and
      direct applicability to health policy and practice. Tracking research outputs in
      this way provides information on whether current research investment patterns
      match the need for evidence about health care interventions.

PMID- 26268289
TI  - "Teaching by humiliation" and mistreatment of medical students in clinical
      rotations: a pilot study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To generate a contemporary understanding of "teaching by humiliation"
      as experienced by medical students in Australia. DESIGN, SETTING AND
      PARTICIPANTS: In this pilot study, we surveyed final-stage medical students from
      two Australian medical schools about their experiences of teaching by humiliation
      during their adult and paediatric clinical rotations. The students were invited
      to complete the anonymous survey at the end of their paediatric rotation in
      Semester 2 of 2013. We used descriptive statistics to analyse quantitative data,
      and a grounded theory approach to analyse qualitative data. MAIN OUTCOME
      MEASURES: Student reports of experiencing or witnessing teaching by humiliation
      during their adult and paediatric clinical rotations. RESULTS: Of 151 students
      invited to participate, 146 (96.7%) completed the survey. Most students reported
      experiencing (108; 74.0%) or witnessing (118; 83.1%) teaching by humiliation
      during adult clinical rotations. Smaller but still sizeable proportions had
      experienced (42; 28.8%) or witnessed (64; 45.1%) it during their paediatric
      clinical rotation. The humiliating and intimidating behaviours students
      experienced were mostly more subtle than overt and included aggressive and
      abusive questioning techniques. The students' responses to these practices ranged
      from disgust and regret about entering the medical profession to endorsement of
      teachers' public exposure of a student's poor knowledge. CONCLUSIONS: Practices
      associated with humiliating medical students persist in contemporary medical
      education. These practices need to be eradicated, given the evidence that they
      affect students' learning and mental health and are dissonant with formal
      professionalism curricula. Interventions are needed to interrupt the
      transgenerational legacy and culture in which teaching by humiliation is
      perpetuated.

PMID- 26268290
TI  - Fascioliasis in Australian travellers to Bali.

PMID- 26268291
TI  - Sexual harassment in the medical profession: legal and ethical responsibilities.
AB  - Sexual harassment of women in medicine has become a subject of national debate
      after a senior female surgeon stated that if a woman complained of unwanted
      advances her career would be jeopardised, and subsequent reports suggest that
      sexual harassment is a serious problem in the medical profession. Sexual
      harassment of women in the medical profession by their colleagues presents
      substantial legal, ethical and cultural questions for the profession. Women have
      enforceable legal rights to gender equality and freedom from sexual harassment in
      the workplace. Both individual offenders and employers face significant legal
      consequences for sexual harassment in every Australian state and territory, and
      individual medical practitioners and employers need to understand their legal and
      ethical rights and responsibilities in this context. An individual offender may
      be personally liable for criminal offences, and for breaching anti-discrimination
      legislation, duties owed in civil law, professional standards and codes of
      conduct. An employer may be liable for breaching anti-discrimination legislation,
      workplace safety laws, duties owed in contract law, and a duty of care owed to
      the employee. Employers, professional colleges and associations, and regulators
      should use this national debate as an opportunity to improve gender equality and
      professional culture in medicine; individuals and employers have clear legal and
      ethical obligations to minimise sexual harassment to the greatest extent
      possible. 

PMID- 26268292
TI  - Bullying and harassment: can we solve the problem?

PMID- 26268293
TI  - Ethical considerations in the management of Ebola virus disease.
AB  - Is it ethically appropriate in some circumstances for HCWs to decline to care for
      patients with EVD? How should treatment decisions be made regarding limitation of
      therapy for patients with EVD? There are two main ethical questions regarding the
      critical care of patients with EVD in an Australian setting: Is it ethically
      appropriate in some circumstances for HCWs to decline to care for patients with
      EVD? How should treatment decisions be made regarding limitation of therapy for
      patients with EVD? The key concern is ensuring that no patient is denied therapy
      that should be provided, while preventing unnecessary risk to HCWs. It is
      imperative to develop an approach that facilitates rigorous, evidence-based and
      ethically justifiable decision making, which should include a predetermined,
      institutionally endorsed process for assessing difficult clinical scenarios as
      they arise. 

PMID- 26268295
TI  - Negotiating the complex maze of claims of dietary cures for cancer.

PMID- 26268296
TI  - Impact of grief delivered via media technology.

PMID- 26268297
TI  - Perspectives from the field: Ebola response in Sierra Leone.

PMID- 26268298
TI  - Facile Fabrication of Lubricant-Infused Wrinkling Surface for Preventing Thrombus
      Formation and Infection.
AB  - Despite the advanced modern biotechniques, thrombosis and bacterial infection of
      biomedical devices remain common complications that are associated with morbidity
      and mortality. Most antifouling surfaces are in solid form and cannot
      simultaneously fulfill the requirements for antithrombosis and antibacterial
      efficacy. In this work, we present a facile strategy to fabricate a slippery
      surface. This surface is created by combining photografting polymerization with
      osmotically driven wrinkling that can generate a coarse morphology, and followed
      by infusing with fluorocarbon liquid. The lubricant-infused wrinkling slippery
      surface can greatly prevent protein attachment, reduce platelet adhesion, and
      suppress thrombus formation in vitro. Furthermore, E. coli and S. aureus
      attachment on the slippery surfaces is reduced by ~98.8% and ~96.9% after 24 h
      incubation, relative to poly(styrene-b-isobutylene-b-styrene) (SIBS) references.
      This slippery surface is biocompatible and has no toxicity to L929 cells. This
      surface-coating strategy that effectively reduces thrombosis and the incidence of
      infection will greatly decrease healthcare costs. 

PMID- 26268299
TI  - The fate of calf perforator veins after saphenous vein laser ablation.
AB  - PURPOSE: We aimed to assess hemodynamic changes in calf perforator veins (PVs)
      after endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) of saphenous veins. METHODS: The series
      comprised 60 limbs of 41 patients (27 female, 14 male; median age, 43 years
      [range, 22-78 years]) who underwent EVLA for varicose veins. All patients were
      prospectively evaluated by means of color Doppler ultrasonography before and
      after the procedure. RESULTS: EVLA did not change the rate of incompetent PVs
      (preoperatively, 154/483 [32%] vs. postoperatively, 167/501 [33%]; P = 0.173),
      but significantly increased the total number of all PVs (n=483 vs. n=501, P =
      0.036). Following EVLA, 28% of the limbs had thrombosis of PVs, 34% had new US
      detectable PVs, 42% showed new competency, and 52% showed new incompetency. New
      competent PVs were found more commonly in the medial leg (ablation site) than the
      lateral leg (nonablation site) (28.3% vs. 11.7%, P = 0.016), while new
      incompetent PVs were found more commonly in nonablation site than ablation site
      (31.7% vs. 18.3%, P = 0.086). Additionally, new competent PVs in the posterior
      leg were found more often in patients who had small saphenous vein ablation than
      patients who did not (30% vs. 0%, P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: EVLA induces numerous
      changes in calf PVs. These changes seem to result from flow offloading in
      ablation site and onloading in nonablation site in the early postablation period.

PMID- 26268300
TI  - CT-guided fine-needle localization of ground-glass nodules in re-aerated lung
      specimens: localization of solitary small nodules or multiple nodules within the
      same lobe.
AB  - PURPOSE: We aimed to explore the value of localizing small ground-glass nodules
      (GGNs; <10 mm) or multiple GGNs within the same lobe in re-aerated lung specimens
      using CT-guided fine-needle localization. METHODS: Thirty-five lung specimens
      containing single small GGNs (<10 mm) and eight specimens containing two or more
      GGNs in the same lobe were re-aerated with an inflatable aerator. All lesions
      were localized via CT-guided fine-needle localization following re-aeration. The
      specimens were then sent for pathologic sampling and qualitative diagnosis.
      RESULTS: All 69 nodules from 43 cases were successfully localized using CT-guided
      fine-needle localization following re-aeration. CONCLUSIONS: CT-guided fine
      needle localization of lesions in surgical specimens under constant, moderate
      mechanical aeration allows for the rapid and accurate localization of lesions and
      helps avoid damage from preoperative localization.

PMID- 26268301
TI  - Comparative study of the corrosion behavior of peripheral stents in an
      accelerated corrosion model: experimental in vitro study of 28 metallic vascular
      endoprostheses.
AB  - PURPOSE: Clinical cases of stent-fractures show that corrosion behavior might
      play a role in these fractures. Implanted in vivo, especially in combination with
      other implanted foreign materials, these metallic products are exposed to special
      conditions, which can cause a process of corrosion. Here, we aimed to test the
      corrosion potential of stents made of different materials in an in vitro setting.
      METHODS: A total of 28 peripheral stents of different materials (nitinol, cobalt
      chromium-nickel, tantalum, V4A) and surface treatments (electropolish, mechanical
      polish, no polish) were tested in vitro. Corrosion was accelerated by applying a
      constant voltage of 3.5 V and amperage of 1.16 mA in 0.9% NaCl. RESULTS: Nitinol
      stents showed the lowest susceptibility to corrosion and the longest period
      without damage. The Memotherm II(r) (BARD Angiomed(r)) was the only stent that
      showed neither macroscopic nor microscopic damages. The worst performing material
      was cobalt-chromium-nickel, which showed corrosion damages about ten times
      earlier compared to nitinol. Considering the reasons for termination of the test,
      nitinol stents primarily showed length deficits, while V4A and tantalum stents
      showed fractures. Cobalt-chromium-nickel stents had multiple fractures or a
      complete lysis in equal proportions. When placed in direct contact, nitinol
      stents showed best corrosion resistance, regardless of what material they were
      combined with. In terms of polishing treatments, electropolished stents performed
      the best, mechanical-polished stents and those without polishing treatment
      followed. CONCLUSION: The analysis of corrosion behavior may be useful to select
      the right stent fulfilling the individual needs of the patient within a large
      number of different stents.

PMID- 26268302
TI  - Angiographic analysis of the lateral intercostal artery perforator of the
      posterior intercostal artery: anatomic variation and clinical significance.
AB  - PURPOSE: Knowledge of the anatomic variations of the posterior intercostal artery
      (PICA) and its major branches is important during transthoracic procedures and
      surgery. We aimed to identify the anatomic features and variations of the lateral
      intercostal artery perforator (LICAP) of the PICA with selective PICA
      arteriography. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 353 PICAs in 75 patients
      with selective PICA arteriography for the following characteristics: incidence,
      length (as number of traversed intercostal spaces), distribution at the
      hemithorax (medial half vs. lateral half), and size as compared to the collateral
      intercostal artery of the PICA. RESULTS: The incidence of LICAPs was 35.9%
      (127/353). LICAPs were most commonly observed in the right 8th-11th intercostal
      spaces (33%, 42/127) and in the medial half of the hemithorax (85%, 108/127).
      Most LICAPs were as long as two (35.4%, 45/127) or three intercostal spaces
      (60.6%, 77/127). Compared to the collateral intercostal artery, 42.5% of LICAPs
      were larger (54/127), with most of these observed in the right 4th-7th
      intercostal spaces (48.8%, 22/54). CONCLUSION: We propose the clinical
      significance of the LICAP as a potential risk factor for iatrogenic injury during
      posterior transthoracic intervention and thoracic surgery. For example, skin
      incisions must be as superficial as possible and directed vertically at the right
      4th-7th intercostal spaces and the medial half of the thorax. Awareness of the
      anatomical variations of the LICAPs of the PICA will allow surgeons and
      interventional radiologists to avoid iatrogenic arterial injuries during
      posterior transthoracic procedures and surgery.

PMID- 26268303
TI  - Computed tomography arterial portography for assessment of portal vein injury
      after blunt hepatic trauma.
AB  - PURPOSE: Intrahepatic portal vein injuries secondary to blunt abdominal trauma
      are difficult to diagnose and can result in insidious bleeding. We aimed to
      compare computed tomography arterial portography (CTAP), reperfusion CTAP
      (rCTAP), and conventional computed tomography (CT) for diagnosing portal vein
      injuries after blunt hepatic trauma. METHODS: Patients with blunt hepatic trauma,
      who were eligible for nonoperative management, underwent CTAP, rCTAP, and CT. The
      number and size of perfusion defects observed using the three methods were
      compared. RESULTS: A total of 13 patients (seven males/six females) with a mean
      age of 34.5+/-14.1 years were included in the study. A total of 36 hepatic
      segments had perfusion defects on rCTAP and CT, while there were 47 hepatic
      segments with perfusion defects on CTAP. The size of perfusion defects on CT (239
      cm3; interquartile range [IQR]: 129.5, 309.5) and rCTAP (238 cm3; IQR: 129.5,
      310.5) were significantly smaller compared with CTAP (291 cm3; IQR: 136, 371)
      (both, P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Perfusion defects measured by CTAP were
      significantly greater than those determined by either rCTAP or CT in cases of
      blunt hepatic trauma. This finding suggests that CTAP is superior to rCTAP and CT
      in evaluating portal vein injuries after blunt liver trauma.

PMID- 26268305
TI  - Validation of a gene expression profile predictive of the risk of radiation
      induced fibrosis in women treated with breast conserving therapy.

PMID- 26268304
TI  - Addictive behaviors and personality traits in adolescents.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Behavioral addictions refer to repeated dysfunctional behaviors
      that do not involve the ingestion of addictive substances. Studies on the
      association between behavioral addictions and personality traits have noted in
      individuals with problematic behaviors a high proclivity toward impulsivity and
      sensation-seeking and a low predisposition to harm avoidance. The majority of
      these studies have focused on adults, while far fewer have involved adolescents.
      METHODS: The study population was 109 high school students (age range 15-18
      years) in Turin, Italy. Participants completed an assessment that comprised a
      demographic questionnaire and 3 self-report questionnaires: the Shorter PROMIS
      Questionnaire (SPQ), the Internet Addiction Test (IAT), and the Multidimensional
      Questionnaire for Adolescents (QMA). RESULTS: A gender-related difference in the
      risk of developing an addictive behavior was observed, with a significantly
      higher percentage of risk seen for several addiction tendencies among the males.
      Statistically significant correlations emerged between some personality
      determinants and certain addictive behaviors. DISCUSSION: The study pinpoints
      epidemiological indicators for the extent of this growing problem among
      adolescents. CONCLUSIONS: The findings have implications for identifying
      protection factors and risk factors for addictive behaviors and related
      psychiatric disorders, and the development of primary prevention strategies
      derived from such factors.

PMID- 26268306
TI  - Hospitalized pain patients have recently doubled: a retrospective case series
      study in Shenzhen Nanshan People's Hospital of China.
AB  - AIM: To study the characteristics of hospitalized pain patients in Shenzhen with
      the aim of identifying some of the social, economic and therapeutic aspects of
      pain management in China. METHODS: A retrospective study was designed to collect
      the information of 3061 hospitalized pain patients in 2003, 2007 and 2011. Their
      demographic characteristics, diagnoses of pain types, hospitalization,
      therapeutic effect, economic cost and payment types were analyzed. RESULTS: The
      number of female patients significantly increased with time. The patient's
      average age increased from 41.3 in 2003 to 49.7 years old in 2011. The most
      common diagnosis of pain was lumbar intervertebral disc herniation. The total
      hospitalization days of each patient per year significantly decreased from 15.7
      days in 2003 to 10.4 days in 2011. However, the hospitalization cost for each
      patient was almost doubled. CONCLUSION: The hospitalized pain patients and their
      economic burdens have almost been doubled in the recent four years.

PMID- 26268307
TI  - Magnetotactic bacteria: nanodrivers of the future.
AB  - Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) represent a heterogeneous group of Gram-negative
      aquatic prokaryotes with a broad range of morphological types, including
      vibrioid, coccoid, rod and spirillum. MTBs possess the virtuosity to passively
      align and actively swim along the magnetic field. Magnetosomes are the trademark
      nano-ranged intracellular structures of MTB, which comprise magnetic iron-bearing
      inorganic crystals enveloped by an organic membrane, and are dedicated organelles
      for their magnetotactic lifestyle. Magnetosomes endue high and even dispersion in
      aqueous solutions compared with artificial magnetites, claiming them as paragon
      nanomaterials. MTB and magnetosomes offer high technological potential in modern
      science, technology and medicines. This review focuses on the applicability of
      MTB and magnetosomes in various areas of modern benefits.

PMID- 26268308
TI  - Economic resources consumption structure in severe hypoglycemia episodes: a
      systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with severe hypoglycemia events (SHEs) that
      vary in severity and resource consumption. Here we perform a systematic review in
      Medline of studies evaluating SHE-related health resource use. Eligible studies
      investigated patients with DM and included >=10 SHEs. We also assessed studies
      identified in another systematic review, and through references from the included
      studies. We identified 14 relevant studies and used data from 11 (encompassing
      6075 patients). Study results were interpreted to fit our definitions, which
      sometimes required assumptions. SHE type structure was synthesized using Bayesian
      modeling. Estimating Type 1 & 2 DM separately revealed only small differences;
      therefore, we used joint results. Of the analyzed SHEs, 9.97% were hospital
      treated, 22.3% medical professional-treated, and 67.73% family-treated. These
      meta-analysis results help in understanding the structure of resource consumption
      following SHE and can be used in economic studies.

PMID- 26268311
TI  - Precision medicine: Beyond the inflection point.
AB  - A confluence of biological, physical, engineering, computer, and health sciences
      is setting the stage for a transformative leap toward data-driven, mechanism
      based health and health care for each individual. 

PMID- 26268309
TI  - Atrial fibrillation in the Indigenous populations of Australia, Canada, New
      Zealand, and the United States: a systematic scoping review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The epidemiology of atrial fibrillation (AF) among Indigenous
      minorities in affluent countries is poorly delineated, despite the high
      cardiovascular disease burden in these populations. We undertook a systematic
      scoping review examining the epidemiology of AF in the Indigenous populations of
      Australia, Canada, New Zealand (NZ) and the United States (US). METHODS: PubMed,
      Scopus, EMBASE and CINAHL-Plus databases were systematically searched in May
      2014. Supplementary full-text searches of Google Scholar and government website
      searches were also undertaken. RESULTS: Key findings from 27 publications with
      diverse aims and methods were included. Small studies from Canada and NZ suggest
      higher AF prevalence in Indigenous than other populations. However, this was not
      reflected in a large sample of US male military veterans. No data were identified
      on community-based incidence rates of AF in Indigenous populations. Australian
      and Canadian studies indicate higher first-ever and overall AF hospitalisation
      rates among Indigenous than other populations, at younger ages and with more
      comorbidity. Studies in stroke, heart failure and other clinical groups
      demonstrate AF as a common comorbidity, with AF possibly more prevalent at
      younger ages in Indigenous people. Indigenous patients have similar early post
      hospitalisation adjusted mortality but higher 1-year risk-adjusted mortality than
      non-Indigenous patients. CONCLUSIONS: No clear epidemiological pattern of AF
      frequency across the considered Indigenous populations emerges from the limited
      available evidence. AF should be included in key conditions reported in national
      surveillance reports, although Indigenous identifiers are required in
      administrative data from Canada and the US. Sufficiently powered, community-based
      studies of AF epidemiology in diverse Indigenous populations are needed.

PMID- 26268310
TI  - EZH2 is increased in paediatric T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and is a
      suitable molecular target in combination treatment approaches.
AB  - BACKGROUND: T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) represents about 10-15 % of
      pediatric ALL cases. EZH2, one of the components of Polycomb group proteins
      (PRC2) complex, catalyzes the trimethylation of histone H3 lysine 27 that is
      associated with transcriptional repression and tumor development. METHODS: We
      examined the expression levels of PRC2 complex in primary samples of T cells ALL
      at diagnosis by western blotting and real time PCR. We evaluated the effect of 3
      deazaneplanocin-A (DZNep), an EZH2 inhibitor, alone and in combination with
      Daunoblastine on cell viability, apoptotic death and cell cycle distribution of T
      cell established Jurkat cell line. RESULTS: EZH2 was expressed in 75 % samples at
      different extents mainly with high expression level. SUZ12 was expressed in 60 %
      samples and EED in all samples, respectively. The Kaplan-Meier analysis shows
      that T-ALL expressing EZH2 had a lower probability of disease-free survival (DFS)
      compared to T-ALL negative for EZH2 (23 % vs 100 %) (p = 0.01). The EZH2
      inhibitor DZNep used in combination with Daunoblastine was synergistic in
      inducing growth inhibition and increasing the apoptosis in T-ALL Jurkat cells at
      48 and 72 h paralleled by EZH2 decreased expression. Moreover, the combination
      decreased the activity of Erk-1/2 proliferation enzymes with no effects on Akt
      survival pathway. CONCLUSIONS: The evaluation of EZH2 expression in pediatric T
      ALL can be useful in predict the clinical outcome of the patients and EZH2 can be
      a useful target to improve the efficacy of conventional chemotherapy in this
      subset of patients with bad prognosis.

PMID- 26268312
TI  - Exposure to SIV in utero results in reduced viral loads and altered
      responsiveness to postnatal challenge.
AB  - HIV disease progression appears to be driven by increased immune activation.
      Given observations that fetal exposure to infectious pathogens in utero can
      result in reduced immune responses, or tolerance, to those pathogens postnatally,
      we hypothesized that fetal exposure to HIV may render the fetus tolerant to the
      virus, thus reducing damage caused by immune activation during infection later in
      life. To test this hypothesis, fetal rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) were
      injected with the attenuated virus SIVmac1A11 in utero and challenged with
      pathogenic SIVmac239 1 year after birth. SIVmac1A11-injected animals had
      significantly reduced plasma RNA viral loads (P < 0.02) up to 35 weeks after
      infection. Generalized estimating equations analysis was performed to identify
      immunologic and clinical measurements associated with plasma RNA viral load. A
      positive association with plasma RNA viral load was observed with the proportion
      of CD8(+) T cells expressing the transcription factor, FoxP3, and the proportion
      of CD4(+) T cells producing the lymphoproliferative cytokine, IL-2. In contrast,
      an inverse relationship was found with the frequencies of circulating CD4(+) and
      CD8(+) T cells displaying intermediate expression of the proliferation marker, Ki
      67. Animals exposed to simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) in utero appeared to
      have enhanced SIV-specific immune responses, a lower proportion of CD8(+) T cells
      expressing the exhaustion marker PD-1, and more circulating TH17 cells than
      controls. Although the development of tolerance was not demonstrated, these data
      suggest that rhesus monkeys exposed to SIVmac1A11 in utero had distinct immune
      responses associated with the control of viral replication after postnatal
      challenge. 

PMID- 26268314
TI  - Efficacy of a virus-vectored vaccine against human and bovine respiratory
      syncytial virus infections.
AB  - Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) is a major cause of lower respiratory
      tract disease in children and the elderly for which there is still no effective
      vaccine. We have previously shown that PanAd3-RSV, which is a chimpanzee
      adenovirus-vectored vaccine candidate that expresses a secreted form of the HRSV
      F protein together with the N and M2-1 proteins of HRSV, is immunogenic in
      rodents and nonhuman primates, and protects mice and cotton rats from HRSV
      challenge. Because the extent to which protection demonstrated in rodent models
      will translate to humans is unclear, we have exploited the calf model of bovine
      RSV (BRSV) infection, which mimics HRSV disease in children more closely than do
      experimental models of unnatural laboratory hosts, to evaluate the safety and
      efficacy of the PanAd3-RSV vaccine. We show that PanAd3-RSV alone and in
      combination with a modified vaccinia Ankara expressing the same HRSV antigens
      (MVA-RSV) induced neutralizing antibodies and cellular immunity in young
      seronegative calves and protected against upper and lower respiratory tract
      infection and pulmonary disease induced by heterologous BRSV challenge. There was
      no evidence either of enhanced pulmonary pathology or of enhanced respiratory
      disease in vaccinated calves after BRSV challenge. These findings support the
      continued evaluation of the vectored RSV vaccines in man. 

PMID- 26268313
TI  - Chimpanzee adenovirus- and MVA-vectored respiratory syncytial virus vaccine is
      safe and immunogenic in adults.
AB  - Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes respiratory infection in annual
      epidemics, with infants and the elderly at particular risk of developing severe
      disease and death. However, despite its importance, no vaccine exists. The
      chimpanzee adenovirus, PanAd3-RSV, and modified vaccinia virus Ankara, MVA-RSV,
      are replication-defective viral vectors encoding the RSV fusion (F), nucleocapsid
      (N), and matrix (M2-1) proteins for the induction of humoral and cellular
      responses. We performed an open-label, dose escalation, phase 1 clinical trial in
      42 healthy adults in which four different combinations of prime/boost
      vaccinations were investigated for safety and immunogenicity, including both
      intramuscular (IM) and intranasal (IN) administration of the adenovirus-vectored
      vaccine. The vaccines were safe and well tolerated, with the most common reported
      adverse events being mild injection site reactions. No vaccine-related serious
      adverse events occurred. RSV neutralizing antibody titers rose in response to IM
      prime with PanAd3-RSV and after IM boost for individuals primed by the IN route.
      Circulating anti-F immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgA antibody-secreting cells (ASCs)
      were observed after the IM prime and IM boost. RSV-specific T cell responses were
      increased after the IM PanAd3-RSV prime and were most efficiently boosted by IM
      MVA-RSV. Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) secretion after boost was from both CD4(+)
      and CD8(+) T cells, without detectable T helper cell 2 (TH2) cytokines that have
      been previously associated with immune pathogenesis following exposure to RSV
      after the formalin-inactivated RSV vaccine. In conclusion, PanAd3-RSV and MVA-RSV
      are safe and immunogenic in healthy adults. These vaccine candidates warrant
      further clinical evaluation of efficacy to assess their potential to reduce the
      burden of RSV disease. 

PMID- 26268315
TI  - An inflammation-targeting hydrogel for local drug delivery in inflammatory bowel
      disease.
AB  - There is a clinical need for new, more effective treatments for chronic and
      debilitating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn's disease and
      ulcerative colitis. Targeting drugs selectively to the inflamed intestine may
      improve therapeutic outcomes and minimize systemic toxicity. We report the
      development of an inflammation-targeting hydrogel (IT-hydrogel) that acts as a
      drug delivery system to the inflamed colon. Hydrogel microfibers were generated
      from ascorbyl palmitate, an amphiphile that is generally recognized as safe
      (GRAS) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. IT-hydrogel microfibers loaded
      with the anti-inflammatory corticosteroid dexamethasone (Dex) were stable,
      released drug only upon enzymatic digestion, and demonstrated preferential
      adhesion to inflamed epithelial surfaces in vitro and in two mouse colitis models
      in vivo. Dex-loaded IT-hydrogel enemas, but not free Dex enemas, administered
      every other day to mice with colitis resulted in a significant reduction in
      inflammation and were associated with lower Dex peak serum concentrations and,
      thus, less systemic drug exposure. Ex vivo analysis of colon tissue samples from
      patients with ulcerative colitis demonstrated that IT-hydrogel microfibers
      adhered preferentially to mucosa from inflamed lesions compared with
      histologically normal sites. The IT-hydrogel drug delivery platform represents a
      promising approach for targeted enema-based therapies in patients with colonic
      IBD. 

PMID- 26268316
TI  - Misdiagnosis of inclusion body myositis: two case reports and a retrospective
      chart review.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Sporadic inclusion body myositis is the most common adult myopathy
      in persons aged 50 years and older. The clinical presentation includes a chronic,
      slowly progressive course with a predilection for weakness of the forearm flexors
      and quadriceps muscles. Its indolent course makes it a disease frequently missed
      or misdiagnosed as other neuromuscular conditions by health care professionals.
      The degenerative processes with amyloid accumulation distinguish sporadic
      inclusion body myositis from other inflammatory myopathies. Currently, no
      effective therapy exists. This clinical report highlights the difficulties in
      diagnosing the disease, examples of misdiagnosis, and inappropriate therapies
      that can result from misdiagnosis. CASE PRESENTATION: We present our clinical
      experience with 20 patients over a 10-year period and describe in depth two
      cases, both men, one of Indian ethnicity and the other of Hispanic ethnicity, who
      were referred to our neuromuscular division for second opinions and diagnosed
      with sporadic inclusion body myositis years after symptom onset. CONCLUSIONS:
      Although sporadic inclusion body myositis is rare and without effective therapy,
      accurate diagnosis is crucial to providing adequate counseling and information
      about the prognosis and disease course, and to avoiding inappropriate therapy.

PMID- 26268317
TI  - Anti-citrullinated protein antibodies contribute to platelet activation in
      rheumatoid arthritis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Although the role of platelets in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is
      relatively unexplored, recent studies point towards a contribution of platelets
      in arthritis. We set out to determine platelet phenotype in RA and studied
      whether this could be influenced by the presence of anti-citrullinated protein
      antibodies (ACPA). METHODS: Platelets from healthy controls were incubated in the
      presence of plasma of patients with RA or age- and sex-matched healthy controls
      and plasma from ACPA(neg) or ACPA(pos) patients or in the presence of plate-bound
      ACPA. Characteristics of platelets isolated from patients with RA were correlated
      to disease activity. RESULTS: Platelets isolated from healthy controls displayed
      markers of platelet activation in the presence of plasma derived from RA
      patients, as determined by P-selectin expression, formation of aggregates and
      secretion of soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L). Furthermore, levels of P-selectin
      expression and sCD40L release correlated with high ACPA titres. In accordance
      with these findings, enhanced platelet activation was observed after incubation
      with ACPA(pos) plasma versus ACPA(neg) plasma. Pre-incubation of platelets with
      blocking antibodies directed against low-affinity immunoglobulin G receptor
      (FcgammaRIIa) completely inhibited the ACPA-mediated activation. In addition,
      expression of P-selectin measured as number of platelets correlated with Disease
      Activity Score in 44 joints, C-reactive protein level, ACPA status and ACPA
      level. CONCLUSIONS: We show for the first time that ACPA can mediate an
      FcgammaRIIa-dependent activation of platelets. As ACPA can be detected several
      years before RA disease onset and activated platelets contribute to vascular
      permeability, these data implicate a possible role for ACPA-mediated activation
      of platelets in arthritis onset.

PMID- 26268318
TI  - Rapid growth accelerates telomere attrition in a transgenic fish.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Individuals rarely grow as fast as their physiologies permit despite
      the fitness advantages of being large. One reason may be that rapid growth is
      costly, resulting for example in somatic damage. The chromosomal ends, the
      telomeres, are particularly vulnerable to such damage, and telomere attrition
      thus influences the rate of ageing. Here, we used a transgenic salmon model with
      an artificially increased growth rate to test the hypothesis that rapid growth is
      traded off against the ability to maintain somatic health, assessed as telomere
      attrition. RESULTS: We found substantial telomere attrition in transgenic fish,
      while maternal half-sibs growing at a lower, wild-type rate seemed better able to
      maintain the length of their telomeres during the same time period. CONCLUSIONS:
      Our results are consistent with a trade-off between rapid growth and somatic
      (telomere) maintenance in growth-manipulated fish. Since telomere erosion
      reflects cellular ageing, our findings also support theories of ageing
      postulating that unrepaired somatic damage is associated with senescence.

PMID- 26268319
TI  - Is perception of quality more important than technical quality in patient video
      cases?
AB  - BACKGROUND: The use of video cases to demonstrate key signs and symptoms in
      patients (patient video cases or PVCs) is a rapidly expanding field. The aims of
      this study were to evaluate whether the technical quality, or judgement of
      quality, of a video clip influences a paediatrician's judgment on acuity of the
      case and assess the relationship between perception of quality and the technical
      quality of a selection of video clips. METHODS: Participants (12 senior
      consultant paediatricians attending an examination workshop) individually
      categorised 28 PVCs into one of 3 possible acuities and then described the
      quality of the image seen. The PVCs had been converted into four different
      technical qualities (differing bit rates ranging from excellent to low quality).
      RESULTS: Participants' assessment of quality and the actual industry standard of
      the PVC were independent (333 distinct observations, spearmans rho = 0.0410, p =
      0.4564). Agreement between actual acuity and participants' judgement was
      generally good at higher acuities but moderate at medium/low acuities of illness
      (overall correlation 0.664). Perception of the quality of the clip was related to
      correct assignment of acuity regardless of the technical quality of the clip
      (number of obs = 330, z = 2.07, p = 0.038). CONCLUSIONS: It is important to
      benchmark PVCs prior to use in learning resources as experts may not agree on the
      information within, or quality of, the clip. It appears, although PVCs may be
      beneficial in a pedagogical context, the perception of quality of clip may be an
      important determinant of an expert's decision making.

PMID- 26268320
TI  - Detection and molecular characterisation of bovine corona and toroviruses from
      Croatian cattle.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Bovine coronavirus (BCoV) together with bovine torovirus (BToV), both
      members of the Coronaviridae family, order Nidovirales are the most common viral
      enteric pathogens. Although studied separately, their joint occurrence and the
      molecular diversity in cattle in Croatia have not been investigated. METHODS: A
      survey is carried out on 101 fecal samples from diarrheic young and adult cattle
      during the 3-year period from i) one large dairy herd, ii) four small herds and
      iii) three nasal and paired fecal samples from calves with symptoms of
      respiratory disease. Samples were submitted to RT-PCR and sequencing for BCoV
      Nucleocapsid gene, BCoV Spike gene and BToV Spike gene. RESULTS: BCoV was
      detected in 78.8 % of fecal samples from symptomatic cattle and three nasal and
      paired fecal samples from calves with respiratory symptoms. BToV was detected in
      43.2 % of fecal samples from symptomatic cattle and a fecal sample from calves
      with respiratory symptoms. Molecular characterisation of those viruses revealed
      some nucleotide and aminoacid differences in relation to reference strains.
      CONCLUSIONS: BToV should be regarded as a relevant pathogen for cattle that plays
      a synergistic role in mixed enteric infections.

PMID- 26268321
TI  - Study on establishment and mechanics application of finite element model of
      bovine eye.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Glaucoma mainly induced by increased intraocular pressure (IOP), it
      was believed that the pressure that wall of eyeball withstands were determined by
      material properties of the tissue and stereoscopic geometry of the eyeball. In
      order to study the pressure changes in different parts of interior eyeball wall,
      it is necessary to develop a novel eye ball FEM with more accurate geometry and
      material properties. Use this model to study the stress changes in different
      parts of eyeball, especially the lamina cribrosa (LC) under normal physiological
      and pathological IOP, and provide a mathematical model for biomechanical studies
      of selected retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) death. METHODS: (1) Sclera was cut into
      3.8-mm wide, 14.5-mm long strips, and cornea was cut into 9.5-mm-wide and 10-mm
      long strips; (2) 858 Mini BionixII biomechanical loading instrument was used to
      stretch sclera and cornea. The stretching rate for sclera was 0.3 mm/s, 3 mm/s,
      30 mm/s, 300 mm/s; and for cornea were 0.3 mm/s and 30 mm/s. The deformation
      stress curve was recorded; (3) Naso-temporal and longitudinal distance of LC were
      measured; (4) Micro-CT was used to accurately scan fresh bovine eyes and obtain
      the geometrical image and data to establish bovine eye model. 3-D reconstruction
      was performed using these images and data to work out the geometric shape of
      bovine eye; (5) IOP levels for eyeball FEM was set and the inner wall of eyeball
      was used taken as load-bearing part. Simulated eyeball FE modeling was run under
      the IOP level of 10 mmHg, 30 mmHg, 60 mmHg and 100 mmHg, and the force condition
      of different parts of eyeball was recorded under different IOP levels. RESULTS:
      (1) We obtained the material parameters more in line with physiological
      conditions and established a more realistic eyeball model using reversed
      engineering of parameters optimization method to calculate the complex nonlinear
      super-elastic and viscoelastic parameters more accurately; (2) We observed the
      following phenomenon by simulating increased pressure using FEM: as simulative
      IOP increased, the stress concentration scope on the posterior half of sclera
      became narrower; in the meantime, the stress-concentration scope on the anterior
      half of scleral gradually expanded, and the stress on the central part of LC is
      highest. CONCLUSION: As simulative IOP increased, stress-concentration scope on
      the posterior half of sclera gradually narrowed; in the meantime, the stress
      concentration scope on the anterior half of sclera gradually expanded, and the
      stress on the LC is mainly concentrated in the central part, suggesting that IOP
      is mainly concentrated in the anterior part of the eyeball as it increases. This
      might provide a biomechanical evidence to explain why RGCs in peripheral part die
      earlier than RGCs in central part under HIOP.

PMID- 26268322
TI  - Urgent need to reevaluate the latest World Health Organization guidelines for
      toxic inorganic substances in drinking water.
AB  - The World Health Organization (WHO) has established guidelines for drinking-water
      quality that cover biological and chemical hazards from both natural and
      anthropogenic sources. In the most recent edition of Guidelines for Drinking
      water Quality (2011), the WHO withdrew, suspended, did not establish, or raised
      guidelines for the inorganic toxic substances manganese, molybdenum, nitrite,
      aluminum, boron, nickel, uranium, mercury, and selenium. In this paper, we review
      these changes to the WHO drinking-water guidelines, examining in detail the
      material presented in the WHO background documents for each of these toxic
      substances. In some cases, these WHO background documents use literature reviews
      that do not take into account scientific research published within the last 10 or
      more years. In addition, there are instances in which standard WHO practices for
      deriving guidelines are not used; for example, rounding and other mathematical
      errors are made. According to published meeting reports from the WHO Chemical
      Aspects Working Group, the WHO has a timetable for revising some of its
      guidelines for drinking-water quality, but for many of these toxic substances the
      planned changes are minimal or will be delayed for as long as 5 years. Given the
      limited nature of the planned WHO revisions to the inorganic toxic substances and
      the extended timetable for these revisions, we suggest that governments,
      researchers, and other stakeholders might establish independent recommendations
      for inorganic toxic substances and possibly other chemicals to proactively
      protect public health, or at the very least, revert to previous editions of the
      Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality, which were more protective of public
      health.

PMID- 26268323
TI  - Serum inorganic phosphorus levels predict 30-day mortality in patients with
      community acquired pneumonia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Community acquired pneumonia is a major cause of morbidity and
      mortality. The association between serum phosphorus levels on admission and the
      outcome of patients with community acquired pneumonia has not been widely
      examined. We aimed to investigate the prognostic value of serum phosphorus levels
      on admission on the 30- day mortality. METHODS: The cohort included patients of
      18 years old or older who were diagnosed with community acquired pneumonia
      between 2006 and 2012. Patients were retrospectively analyzed to identify risk
      factors for a primary endpoint of 30-day mortality. Binary logistic regression
      analysis was used for the calculation of the odds ratios (OR) and p values in
      bivariate and multivariate analysis to identify association between patients'
      characteristic and 30-day mortality. RESULTS: The cohort included 3894 patients.
      In multivariate regression analysis, variables associated with increased risk of
      30-day mortality included: age >80 years, increased CURB-65 score, RDW >15,
      hypernatremia >150 mmol/l, hypoalbuminemia <2 gr/dl and abnormal levels of
      phosphorus. Levels of <1.5 mg/dl and >4.5 mg/dl were significantly associated
      with excess 30-day mortality, 38 % (OR 2.9, CI 1.8-4.9, P = 0.001) and 39 % (OR
      3.4, CI 2.7-4.2, P = 0.001), respectively. Phosphorus levels within the upper
      normal limits (4-4.5 mg/dl) were associated with higher mortality rates compared
      to levels between 1.5-3.5 mg/dl, the reference group, 24 % (OR 1.9, CI 1.5-2.4, P
      = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Abnormal phosphorus levels on admission are associated
      with increased mortality rates among patients hospitalized with Community
      acquired pneumonia.

PMID- 26268324
TI  - PEComa of the uterus with coexistence of situs inversus totalis, a case report
      and literature review.
AB  - PEComas are a group of very rare mesenchymal neoplasms, which express myogenic
      and melanocytic markers, such as HMB-45 and actin. Situs inversus totalis
      represents a complete left to right side transposition of the asymmetrical
      thoracic and abdominal organs and incorporates dextrocardia. The presence of
      uterus PEComa in the setting of situs inversus totalis is extremely rare. Here,
      we report a case of PEComa of uterus with coexistence of situs inversus totalis
      and review the literatures. To the best of our knowledge this is the fist report
      of a uterus PEComa patient with situs inversus totalis. 

PMID- 26268325
TI  - Cytokine detection and simultaneous assessment of rheumatoid factor interference
      in human serum and synovial fluid using high-sensitivity protein arrays on
      plasmonic gold chips.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Fluorescence-enhancing microarray on plasmonic gold film is an
      attractive alternative to traditional enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
      for cytokine detection because of the increased sensitivity. The assay chemistry
      is similar to an ELISA sandwich assay, but owing to the gold substrate, cytokine
      measurements are 10 to 100 times more sensitive and can be multiplexed. Plasmonic
      protein microarrays are, as other immunoassays, affected by the presence of
      heterophilic antibodies and rheumatoid factor may lead to analytical errors with
      serious implications for patient care. Here, we present a plasmonic gold
      substrate protein microarray for high-sensitivity detection of cytokines with
      simultaneous assessment of rheumatoid factor interference on a single chip.
      RESULTS: Paired serum and synovial fluid samples from patients with rheumatoid
      arthritis (n = 18), osteoarthritis (n = 9) or healthy controls (n = 10) were
      arrayed on near-infrared fluorescence enhancing plasmonic gold chips spotted with
      cytokine-specific capture antibody and isotype control antibody. Possible
      rheumatoid factor interference was visualised by a non-specific signal from the
      isotype control antibody, and pre-treatment of samples with heat-aggregated
      animal IgG eliminated this background contamination. The platform was optimised
      using the cytokine IL-20. The protein microarray platform allowed for the
      detection of human IL-20 at levels <1 pg/ml with reliable IL-20 quantification
      over a 5-log dynamic range. Samples for which rheumatoid factor caused artefacts
      were identified and a method for eliminating rheumatoid factor interference was
      developed and validated. IL-20 protein levels were significantly higher in
      synovial fluid samples from patients with rheumatoid arthritis compared to
      osteoarthritis (p < 0.001), while serum levels of IL-20 did not differ between
      patients with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis or healthy controls.
      CONCLUSION: Using novel plasmonic gold chips, we developed a highly sensitive and
      accurate assay platform to detect lowly expressed cytokines in biological fluids,
      allowing for the elimination of rheumatoid factor interference in as little as 5
      MUl sample volume. The detection limit was below 1 pg/ml for IL-20 and linearity
      was achieved over a 5-log dynamic range. This technology is highly advantageous
      for cytokines where sensitivity or sample volume is critical or where assessment
      of rheumatoid factor interference needs addressed and eliminated.

PMID- 26268326
TI  - Mechanisms of Acupuncture Effect on Alzheimer's Disease in Animal- Based
      Researches.
AB  - Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia in the aging population
      worldwide. The etiology and treatment of Alzheimer's disease are still not very
      clear. Finding a new treatment is urgent due to the increasing population aging.
      Acupuncture has been practicing in China for more than 3000 years and reported to
      be beneficial in treating cognitive impairment of Alzheimer's disease. This paper
      reviews the recent development on the effect of acupuncture on Alzheimer's
      disease in animal-based researches. It is suggested that acupuncture improves
      cognitive function of Alzheimer's disease by regulating glucose metabolism,
      enhancing neurotransmission as well as reducing oxidative stress, Abeta protein
      deposition, and neuronal apoptosis. However, it is still difficult to clarify
      which specific signaling pathway contributes to the acupuncture effect. Better
      designed studies are recommended to investigate the effects of acupuncture on
      Alzheimer's disease. 

PMID- 26268327
TI  - Levetiracetam might act as an efficacious drug to attenuate cognitive deficits of
      Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - Levetiracetam is a homologue of piracetam with an a-ethyl side-chain substitution
      and it is a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved antiepileptic drug.
      Recently, several studies have found that levetiracetam was able to reduce
      seizure frequency in epileptic seizures patients without affecting their
      cognitive functions. In the present review, the effects of levetiracetam on
      cognitive improvement were summarized in epileptic seizures patients with or
      without Alzheimer's disease (AD), high-grade glioma (HGG) patients and amnestic
      mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) patients. In addition, levetiracetam was
      observed to improve the cognitive deficits in normal aged animals and the
      transgenic animal models with AD, suggesting that levetiracetam may be a better
      choice for the prevention or treatment of AD. 

PMID- 26268328
TI  - Docosahexaenoic Acid-Phosphatidylcholine Improves Cognitive Deficits in an
      Abeta23-35-Induced Alzheimer's Disease Rat Model.
AB  - Both Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and Phosphatidylcholine (PC) have been shown to
      halt the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease (AD) and vascular dementia. This study
      aimed to investigate the role of DHA-containing PC (DHA-PC) in the improvement of
      Abeta25-35-induced cognitive deficits in rats. Abeta25-35-induced AD rats were
      treated for 30 days with DHA-PC, which was extracted from Sthenoteuthis
      oualaniensis spawns. Cognitive improvement of the AD rats was detected using the
      Morris water maze (MWM). The results demonstrated that DHA-PC could improve the
      learning and memory abilities of AD rats in a dose-dependent pattern. Further
      analyses showed that expression of phosphorylated tau decreased, and the neuronal
      morphology recovered in brains of DHA-PC-treated AD rats, as compared with mock
      treated AD rats. In addition, DHAPC treatment increased the activity of GSH-Px
      and SOD in the cortex and hippocampus of AD rats. Taken together, these data
      suggest that DHA-PC is able to improve the cognitive deficits in AD rats,
      probably through decreasing the phosphorylation of tau in the cortex and
      hippocampus CA1 area, and increasing the GSH-Px and SOD activities in the brain
      of AD rats. 

PMID- 26268329
TI  - Anti-Alzheimer Therapeutic Drugs Targeting gamma-Secretase.
AB  - gamma-secretase is a membrane-embedded aspartyl protease carrying out cleavage of
      more than 100 single transmembrane-spanning proteins, including APP, Notch, N
      cadherin, etc. Its subunit, presenilin (PS) is the catalytic component, of which
      mutations are a major cause of early onset familial Alzheimer disease (FAD).
      These mutations lead to an increase in the production of the highly amyloidogenic
      Abeta42 isoform. Drugs aimed at gamma-secretase are now considered to be
      promising therapeutic targets for AD. gamma-secretase inhibitors (GSIs) were
      first introduced into clinical trials due to their efficacy in lowering Abeta
      production, but later were found to cause severe adverse events due to their
      blockage of the Notch signaling process. gamma-secretase modulators (GSMs) were
      developed to modulate gamma-secretase activity by selectively targeting Abeta42
      reduction over the Notch pathway, which have been shown to have less side
      effects. Although clinical studies show that none of the GSIs or GSMs have been
      proven to be fully effective, they shed light on the physiological role of gamma
      secretase and PS in AD development. At the same time, natural products, due to
      their structural diversity and pleiotropic profile, can modulate gamma-secretase
      activity in a dose-dependent manner, broadening our vision of drug development.
      With the structural information of gamma-secretase released recently, we
      speculate there will be an explosion of gamma-secretase modulators targeting not
      only the proteolysic center but also the interaction of its different components.

PMID- 26268330
TI  - Multi-Target Strategy and Experimental Studies of Traditional Chinese Medicine
      for Alzheimer's Disease Therapy.
AB  - Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a multifactorial complex disease. The pathogenesis of
      AD is very complicated, and involves the beta-amyloid (Abeta) cascade, tau
      hyperphosphorylation, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial
      dysfunction, reduced levels of neurotrophic factors, and damage and loss of
      synapses as well as cholinergic neurons. The multi-target characteristics of
      traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) may be advantageous over single-target drugs
      in the treatment of complex diseases. These drugs have therefore attracted more
      attention in the research and development of AD therapies. This review describes
      advances made in experimental studies of TCM for AD treatment. It discusses
      research, from our group and other laboratories, on TCM compound drugs (Shenwu
      capsule) and approximately 10 Chinese medicinal herb extracts
      (tetrahydroxystilbene glucoside, epimedium flavonoid, icariin, cornel iridoid
      glycoside, ginsenoside, puerarin, clausenamide, huperzine A, and timosaponins). 

PMID- 26268331
TI  - Ginseng for Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of
      Randomized Controlled Trials.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is no curative treatment for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Ginseng
      is widely used in the treatment of AD in Asian countries. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate
      the effectiveness and safety of ginseng for AD. METHODS: We searched seven main
      databases for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) on ginseng for AD from their
      inception to December 2014. The Cochrane risk of bias tool was used to assess the
      methodological quality. We used RevMan 5.2 to synthesize the results. RESULTS:
      Four RCTs involving 259 participants were identified for this systematic review.
      The methodological quality of included studies was not promising. All comparisons
      were made between combined treatment (ginseng plus conventional treatment) versus
      conventional treatment. The results of meta-analyses and several individual
      studies showed that the effectiveness of combined treatment was inconsistent as
      measured by MMSE, ADAS-cog, ADAS-noncog, and CDR. No studies reported the
      outcomes of quality of life (QoL). The current data did not report serious
      adverse events. CONCLUSION: This review showed that the effects of ginseng on AD
      were still inconclusive. The main limitations of the available studies were small
      sample sizes, poor methodological qualities and no placebo controls. Larger, well
      designed studies are needed to test the effect of ginseng on AD in the future.

PMID- 26268332
TI  - Ginkgo Biloba for Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic
      Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ginkgo biloba is a natural medicine used for cognitive impairment and
      Alzheimer's disease. The objective of this review is to explore the effectiveness
      and safety of Ginkgo biloba in treating mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's
      disease. METHODS: Electronic search was conducted from PubMed, Cochrane Library,
      and four major Chinese databases from their inception up to 1(st) December, 2014
      for randomized clinical trials on Ginkgo biloba in treating mild cognitive
      impairment or Alzheimer's disease. Meta-analyses were performed by RevMan 5.2
      software. RESULTS: 21 trials with 2608 patients met the inclusion criteria. The
      general methodological quality of included trials was moderate to poor. Compared
      with conventional medicine alone, Ginkgo biboba in combination with conventional
      medicine was superior in improving Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores at
      24 weeks for patients with Alzheimer's disease (MD 2.39, 95% CI 1.28 to 3.50,
      P<0.0001) and mild cognitive impairment (MD 1.90, 95% CI 1.41 to 2.39,
      P<0.00001), and Activity of Daily Living (ADL) scores at 24 weeks for Alzheimer's
      disease (MD -3.72, 95% CI -5.68 to -1.76, P=0.0002). When compared with placebo
      or conventional medicine in individual trials, Ginkgo biboba demonstrated similar
      but inconsistent findings. Adverse events were mild. CONCLUSION: Ginkgo biloba is
      potentially beneficial for the improvement of cognitive function, activities of
      daily living, and global clinical assessment in patients with mild cognitive
      impairment or Alzheimer's disease. However, due to limited sample size,
      inconsistent findings and methodological quality of included trials, more
      research are warranted to confirm the effectiveness and safety of ginkgo biloba
      in treating mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease.

PMID- 26268333
TI  - Long non-coding RNAs in Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder with progressive damage
      to brain cells. It is the leading cause of dementia worldwide that is
      characterized by impairment of memory and eventually by reasoning and perception
      disturbances. No curative treatment for dementia is currently available. With the
      progress of RNA sequencing and transcriptome analysis, the discovery of non
      protein coding RNAs expands our knowledge about the genome. Long non-coding RNAs
      (lncRNAs) which are involved in a wide variety of biological processes as
      regulatory molecule, have been the focus of much recent research. In this review,
      we focus on the emerging roles of these lncRNAs in the pathology of Alzheimer's
      disease. Their expressions are brain-specific and dysregulated in the patient and
      animal model. Here, we will summarize the pathological features influenced by
      lncRNAs and therefore provide an lncRNA point-of-view on AD. This should
      stimulate new research directions and therapeutic options considering lncRNAs as
      novel prognostic markers and therapeutic targets. 

PMID- 26268334
TI  - The Essential Mechanisms of Aging: What Have We Learnt in Ten Years?
AB  - Carbonylation due to oxidation and glycation is an important biochemical cause of
      degenerative diseases and aging. While the enigma of aging is understood as a
      result of molecular dysfunction due to the failure of maintenance systems, a
      brief history of the interpretation of aging mechanisms and the exact
      biochemistry connecting entropy and biological aging is addressed. Lipofuscin
      formation mechanisms resulting in irreparable accumulative changes represent the
      most important aging- related alterations of entropy increase in biological
      kingdom, which is very different from the damage-based "aging" process of
      inorganic materials. A fifth level of aging mechanism investigations that
      highlights the importance of functional groups of biochemistry, the "missing
      codes" of life science, is put forward in this review. Significance and
      validities of such 'life codes' in biology beyond genomic and proteomic concepts
      has also been clarified. An open-minded consideration of functional groups of
      biomolecules, such as carbonyl groups, may help to explain the mechanisms of
      fatigue and sleep in terms of neurobiochemistry and biological pharmaco-medicine.

PMID- 26268335
TI  - Energy Metabolism, Adult Neurogenesis and their Possible Roles in Alzheimer's
      Disease: A Brief Overview.
AB  - Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent human neurodegenerative disease.
      Disturbances of brain glucose uptake, glucose tolerance, glucose utilization and
      of the insulin/insulin receptor signaling cascade are thought to be key features
      of the pathophysiology of AD. Changes in energy homeostasis in the brain and in
      the periphery dramatically influence the proliferation of adult neural stem cells
      and neurogenesis in the hippocampus. Recent findings suggest that adult
      neurogenesis is altered in the hippocampus of AD patients and in various animal
      models of AD. Several factors associated with the pathogenesis of AD are also
      known to be involved in the regulation of adult neurogenesis. Understanding the
      mechanisms underlying these changes at different stages of AD could provide
      insights into its pathogenesis, contribute to identifying biomarkers of early AD,
      and supply fundamental knowledge that will allow novel therapeutic approaches to
      treating AD by intervening in adult neurogenesis. In this review we provide an
      overview of the connections between energy metabolism, adult neurogenesis and AD.

PMID- 26268336
TI  - Targeting Insulin Signaling for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease.
AB  - Sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD) is caused by multiple etiological factors,
      among which impaired brain insulin signaling and decreased brain glucose
      metabolism are important metabolic factors. Contrary to previous belief that
      insulin would not act in the brain, studies in the last three decades have proven
      important roles of insulin and insulin signaling in various biological functions
      in the brain. Impaired brain insulin signaling or brain insulin resistance and
      its role in the molecular pathogenesis of sporadic AD have been demonstrated.
      Thus, targeting brain insulin signaling for the treatment of cognitive impairment
      and AD has now attracted much attention in the field of AD drug discovery. This
      article reviews recent studies that target brain insulin signaling, especially
      those investigations on intranasal insulin administration and drugs that improve
      insulin sensitivity, including incretins, dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitors,
      thiazolidinediones, and metformin. These drugs have been previously approved for
      the treatment of diabetes mellitus, which could expedite their development for
      the treatment of AD. Although larger clinical trials are needed for validating
      their efficacy for the treatment of cognitive impairment and AD, results of
      animal studies and clinical trials available to date are encouraging. 

PMID- 26268337
TI  - Formaldehyde as a trigger for protein aggregation and potential target for
      mitigation of age-related, progressive cognitive impairment.
AB  - Recently, formaldehyde (FA), existing in a number of different cells including
      neural cells, was found to affect age-related cognitive impairment. Oral
      administration of methanol (the metabolic precursor of FA) triggers formation of
      senile plaques (SPs) and Tau hyperphosphorylation in the brains of monkeys with
      memory decline. Intraperitoneal injection of FA leads to hyperphosphorylation of
      Tau in wild-type mouse brains and N2a cells through activation of glycogen
      synthase kinase-3beta (GSK-3beta). Furthermore, formaldehyde at low
      concentrations can directly induce Tau aggregation and amyloid beta (Abeta)
      peptide deposits in vitro. Formaldehyde-induced Tau aggregation is implicated in
      cytotoxicity and neural cell apoptosis. Clarifying how FA triggers Abeta deposits
      and Tau hyperphosphorlyation will not only improve our understanding of the
      molecular and cellular mechanisms of age-related cognitive impairment but will
      also contribute to the ongoing investigation of alternate targets for new drugs.
      Here, we review the role of FA, particularly that of endogenous origin, in
      protein aggregation and as a potential drug intervention in the development of
      agerelated cognitive impairment. 

PMID- 26268338
TI  - In Vitro Inhibition of Glyoxalase I by Flavonoids: New Insights from
      Crystallographic Analysis.
AB  - The antitumor pharmacological property of flavonoids is correlated with
      inhibition towards glyoxalase I (GLOI), a critical zinc-enzyme in the
      methylglyoxal detoxification pathway. In this study, 16 flavonoids were examined,
      and only baicalein (Ki of 0.183 uM) is identified as a potent in vitro GLOI
      inhibitor. X-ray crystallographic analysis reveals that baicalein chelates with
      the catalytic Zn(2+) via its characteristic C6/C7 hydroxyl groups. The
      coordination ability of flavonoids, and therefore their ability to inhibit GLOI,
      is determined by the Zn(2+) coordination geometry, the rigid skeleton of
      flavonoids and the geometry of the hydrophobic cavity of the GLOI active site.
      This structural basis could be useful in predicting GLOI inhibition of other
      natural polyphenols. 

PMID- 26268339
TI  - Non-Zinc-Binding Inhibitors of MMP-13: GRID-Based Approaches to Rationalize the
      Binding Process.
AB  - Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are zinc enzymes responsible for the degradation
      of the extracellular matrix. With this function, MMPs are involved in many
      physiological processes, but also in many pathological states. MMP-13 is
      implicated in the degradation of type II collagen, the main structural protein of
      articular cartilage, contributing to the development of osteoarthritis and
      inflammatory diseases. In the last years, a new generation of potent and
      selective MMP inhibitors (MMPIs) has been identified and classified as non-zinc
      binding inhibitors (NZBIs). Several MMP-13 NZBIs have been developed and
      crystallographically determined in complex with the enzyme. Here, we provide a
      detailed review of the current knowledge about this class of MMP-13 inhibitors
      and, by using computational procedures, we highlight the molecular determinants
      that are needed for the binding process. In particular, FLAP, a program based on
      GRID molecular interaction fields, was used to analyze the ligand-protein
      interactions: molecular shape and hydrogen bond acceptor groups strongly
      influence the binding according to the ligand-based modeling, while the aromatic
      interactions are better identified by the structure-based study. The
      complementary results can be combined in a high performance model, showing the
      effectiveness of molecular interaction field based approaches to search for novel
      MMP-13 NZBIs. 

PMID- 26268340
TI  - Novel HIV-1 Integrase Inhibitor Development by Virtual Screening Based on QSAR
      Models.
AB  - HIV-1 integrase (IN) plays an important role in the life cycle of HIV and is
      responsible for integration of the virus into the human genome. We present
      computational approaches used to design novel HIV-1 IN inhibitors. We created an
      IN inhibitor database by collecting experimental data from the literature. We
      developed quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models of HIV-1 IN
      strand transfer (ST) inhibitors using this database. The prediction accuracy of
      these models was estimated by external 5-fold cross-validation as well as with an
      additional validation set of 308 structurally distinct compounds from the
      publicly accessible BindingDB database. The validated models were used to screen
      a small combinatorial library of potential synthetic candidates to identify hits,
      with a subsequent docking approach applied to further filter out compounds to
      arrive at a small set of potential HIV-1 IN inhibitors. As result, 236 compounds
      with good druglikeness properties and with correct docking poses were identified
      as potential candidates for synthesis. One of the six compounds finally chosen
      for synthesis was experimentally confirmed to inhibit the ST reaction with an
      IC50(ST) of 37 uM. The IN inhibitor database is available for download from
      http://cactus.nci.nih.gov/download/iidb/.

PMID- 26268341
TI  - 6,7-Dihydroxyisoindolin-1-one and 7,8-Dihydroxy-3,4-Dihydroisoquinolin- 1(2H)-one
      Based HIV-1 Integrase Inhibitors.
AB  - Integrase (IN) is an essential viral enzyme required for HIV-1 replication, which
      has been targeted by anti-AIDS therapeutics. Integrase strand transfer inhibitors
      (INSTIs) represent a new class of antiretroviral agents developed for the
      treatment of HIV-1 infections. Important structural features that are shared by
      many INSTIs include a coplanar arrangement of three heteroatoms that chelate two
      catalytic Mg(2+) ions in the IN active site and a linked halophenyl ring that
      binds in the hydrophobic pocket formed by the complex of IN with viral DNA. We
      recently reported bicyclic 6,7-dihydroxyoxoisoindolin-1-one-based IN inhibitors.
      In the current study, we modified these inhibitors in three ways. First, we
      increased the spacer length between the metalchelating triad and the halophenyl
      group. Second, we replaced the indoline [5,6] bicycle with a fused
      dihydroxyisoquinolinones [6,6] ring system. Finally, we prepared bis-6,7
      dihydroxyisoindolin-1-one-4-sulfonamides as dimeric HIV-1 IN inhibitors. These
      new analogues showed low micromolar inhibitory potency in in vitro HIV-1
      integrase assays. 

PMID- 26268342
TI  - Panobinostat: The Small Molecule Metalloenzyme Inhibitor with Marvelous
      Anticancer Activity.
AB  - Histone acetyl transferases (HATs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs) are
      antagonistic enzymes regulating the turnover of histone acetylation thereby
      governing gene expression in a precise manner. Histone acetylation deregulation
      caused by aberrant expression of classical HDACs plays a crucial role in tumour
      onset and progression making these enzymes as striking targets for anticancer
      drugs and therapy. Small molecule inhibitors targetting HDACs (HDACi) have shown
      multiple biological effects including cell cycle arrest, differentiation and
      apoptosis in cancer cell models. The current review deals with the recently
      approved pan-HDAC inhibitor panobinostat (LBH589) and its antiproliferative
      activity against distinct cancers (breast, ovarian, lung and multiple myeloma).
      The intricate details about the different mechanisms triggered by panobinostat to
      exert cytotoxic effect in these cancers have also been provided. The article also
      highlights the different combination strategies of panobinostat which can be
      utilized for overcoming conventional therapy resistant cases and for achieving
      the enhanced therapeutic benefit from this marvelous inhibitor in the upcoming
      future. 

PMID- 26268343
TI  - Selective Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors with Anticancer Activity.
AB  - HDAC inhibitors (HDACIs), which can be used to kill cancer cells through
      inhibiting histone deacetylase activity or altering the structure of chromatin,
      have emerged as efficacious agents in the treatment of cancer. With SAHA, FK228,
      belinostat and panobinostat approved by the FDA, displaying satisfying activity
      in both haematological and solid tumors of various tissues, efforts to create
      selective HDACIs have been attracted attention over the past several years.
      Herein, we mainly review the progress of selective HDAC inhibitors including
      class-selective and isoform-selective HDAC inhibitors. 

PMID- 26268345
TI  - Metalloprotein Inhibitors for the Treatment of Human Diseases.
AB  - Metalloproteins have attracted momentous attentions for the treatment of many
      human diseases, including cancer, HIV, hypertension, etc. This article reviews
      the progresses that have been made in the field of drug development of
      metalloprotein inhibitors, putting emphasis on the targets of carbonic anhydrase,
      histone deacetylase, angiotensin converting enzyme, and HIV-1 integrase. Many
      other important metalloproteins are also briefly discussed. The binding and
      coordination modes of different marketed metalloprotein inhibitors are stated,
      providing insights to design novel metal binding groups and further novel
      inhibitors for metalloproteins. 

PMID- 26268344
TI  - Advances in Bacterial Methionine Aminopeptidase Inhibition.
AB  - Methionine aminopeptidases (MetAPs) are metalloenzymes that cleave the N-terminal
      methionine from newly synthesized peptides and proteins. These MetAP enzymes are
      present in bacteria, and knockout experiments have shown that MetAP activity is
      essential for cell life, suggesting that MetAPs are good antibacterial drug
      targets. MetAP enzymes are also present in the human host and selectivity is
      essential. There have been significant structural biology efforts and over 65
      protein crystal structures of bacterial MetAPs are deposited into the PDB. This
      review highlights the available crystallographic data for bacterial MetAPs.
      Structural comparison of bacterial MetAPs with human MetAPs highlights
      differences that can lead to selectivity. In addition, this review includes the
      chemical diversity of molecules that bind and inhibit the bacterial MetAP
      enzymes. Analysis of the structural biology and chemical space of known bacterial
      MetAP inhibitors leads to a greater understanding of this antibacterial target
      and the likely development of potential antibacterial agents. 

PMID- 26268346
TI  - Isotopic Preferential Solvation of I(-) in Low-Temperature Water Nanoclusters.
AB  - We present results from ring polymer molecular dynamics experiments that provide
      microscopic insights into the characteristics of the isotopic stabilizations of H
      and D aqueous species in the first solvation shell of a halide I(-) ion in water
      nanoclusters at low temperatures. The analysis of the simplest I(-).(HOD) dimer
      shows a clear propensity for the light isotope to lie at the non-hydrogen-bonded
      dangling position. Our results predict that, at T ~ 50 K, I(-).(DOH) isomers are
      three times more abundant than I(-).(HOD) ones. The reasons for such
      stabilization can be traced back to differences in the nuclear kinetic energy
      projected along directions perpendicular to the plane of the water molecule.
      Dynamical implications of these imbalances are shown to be reflected in the
      characteristics of the corresponding bands of the infrared spectroscopic signals.
      A similar analysis performed in larger aggregates containing ~20 water molecules
      reveals, in contrast, a stabilization of the light isotope along I(-)...HO
      hydrogen bonds. Effects derived from the consideration of smaller halide anions
      with larger electric fields at the surface are also examined. 

PMID- 26268347
TI  - From arterial hypertension complications to von Hippel-Lindau syndrome diagnosis.
AB  - Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome is a rare, genetically based, autosomal dominant
      disorder. Its course is accompanied by the development of multiple neoplasms with
      the following tumours diagnosed most commonly in the central nervous system
      haemangioblastoma, clear cell renal cell carcinoma, phaeochromocytomas,
      pancreatic islet tumours, and endolymphatic sac tumours. Additionally, renal and
      pancreatic cystadenomas and epididymal cystadenomas have been diagnosed in males
      and cystadenomas of the broad ligament of the uterus have been diagnosed in
      females.The following paper presents the diagnostic way in a boy with vision
      disorders as the first symptom. Hypertension retinopathy and extremely elevated
      blood pressure were observed during ophthalmologic consultation. Complications of
      arterial hypertension were confirmed by echocardiography, which diagnosed
      hypertension cardiomyopathy. Hypertension retinopathy was confirmed by optical
      coherence tomography. Examinations performed in the neurology, cardiology, and
      finally endocrinology indicated a bilateral phaeochromocytoma as the cause of
      arterial hypertension. Moreover, some genetic investigations showed a mutation in
      the VHL ex.1 p.Y112 C gene responsible for the hereditary form of
      phaeochromocytoma which confirmed von Hippel-Lindau syndrome. After surgical
      treatment of phaeochromocytoma the patient needed careful management according to
      the surveillance protocol for von Hippel-Lindau disease. 

PMID- 26268348
TI  - No neuropathological evidence for a direct topographical relation between
      microbleeds and cerebral amyloid angiopathy.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Cerebral microbleeds correspond to blood breakdown products,
      including hemosiderin-containing macrophages around small vessels on histological
      examination. Superficial lobar cerebral microbleeds are increasingly recognized
      on MRI as a biomarker of cerebral amyloid angiopathy but the direct association
      between amyloid-laden vessels burden and cerebral microbleeds has yet to be
      validated neuropathologically. To address this issue, we examined the frequency
      of histopathologically-defined cerebral microbleeds in different brain regions
      and their relationship with cerebral amyloid angiopathy in a large autopsy
      population. RESULTS: The frontal, parietal and occipital cortex as well as the
      adjacent white matter and basal ganglia of 113 consecutive autopsies were
      examined. Cerebral microbleedss were identified on haematoxylin-eosin-stained
      histological slides, cerebral amyloid angiopathy using anti-amyloid antibody.
      Cerebral microbleeds were present in 92.9 % of the cases and cerebral amyloid
      angiopathy in 44.3 % of them. Cerebral microbleeds were more frequent in parietal
      and frontal lobes followed by the occipital region and basal ganglia. In
      contrast, cerebral amyloid angiopathy was most frequent in the occipital lobe.
      There was no significant topographical association between cerebral amyloid
      angiopathy presence or severity and cerebral microbleeds in any brain region. In
      lobar areas, cerebral amyloid angiopathy was found in the cortex, predominantly
      affecting pial arteries and their superficial cortical branches, in contrast to
      microbleeds which were mainly in the white matter and occurred around deeper
      arteries and arterioles, including the subcortical segment of long penetrating
      branches of pial vessels. CONCLUSIONS: Our study does not support a direct
      relation between cerebral microbleeds and cerebral amyloid angiopathy burden at
      the neuropathological level, raising intriguing questions on the potential
      pathophysiological mechanisms of cerebral microbleeds in the context of cerebral
      amyloid angiopathy or other small vessel disease pathology.

PMID- 26268349
TI  - SEND: a system for electronic notification and documentation of vital sign
      observations.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recognising the limitations of a paper-based approach to documenting
      vital sign observations and responding to national clinical guidelines, we have
      explored the use of an electronic solution that could improve the quality and
      safety of patient care. We have developed a system for recording vital sign
      observations at the bedside, automatically calculating an Early Warning Score,
      and saving data such that it is accessible to all relevant clinicians within a
      hospital trust. We have studied current clinical practice of using paper
      observation charts, and attempted to streamline the process. We describe our user
      focussed design process, and present the key design decisions prior to describing
      the system in greater detail. RESULTS: The system has been deployed in three
      pilot clinical areas over a period of 9 months. During this time, vital sign
      observations were recorded electronically using our system. Analysis of the
      number of observations recorded (21,316 observations) and the number of active
      users (111 users) confirmed that the system is being used for routine clinical
      observations. Feedback from clinical end-users was collected to assess user
      acceptance of the system. This resulted in a System Usability Scale score of
      77.8, indicating high user acceptability. CONCLUSIONS: Our system has been
      successfully piloted, and is in the process of full implementation throughout
      adult inpatient clinical areas in the Oxford University Hospitals. Whilst our
      results demonstrate qualitative acceptance of the system, its quantitative effect
      on clinical care is yet to be evaluated.

PMID- 26268350
TI  - Distribution and diversity of ribosome binding sites in prokaryotic genomes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Prokaryotic translation initiation involves the proper docking,
      anchoring, and accommodation of mRNA to the 30S ribosomal subunit. Three
      initiation factors (IF1, IF2, and IF3) and some ribosomal proteins mediate the
      assembly and activation of the translation initiation complex. Although the
      interaction between Shine-Dalgarno (SD) sequence and its complementary sequence
      in the 16S rRNA is important in initiation, some genes lacking an SD ribosome
      binding site (RBS) are still well expressed. The objective of this study is to
      examine the pattern of distribution and diversity of RBS in fully sequenced
      bacterial genomes. The following three hypotheses were tested: SD motifs are
      prevalent in bacterial genomes; all previously identified SD motifs are uniformly
      distributed across prokaryotes; and genes with specific cluster of orthologous
      gene (COG) functions differ in their use of SD motifs. RESULTS: Data for 2,458
      bacterial genomes, previously generated by Prodigal (PROkaryotic DYnamic
      programming Gene-finding ALgorithm) and currently available at the National
      Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), were analyzed. Of the total genes
      examined, ~77.0% use an SD RBS, while ~23.0% have no RBS. Majority of the genes
      with the most common SD motifs are distributed in a manner that is representative
      of their abundance for each COG functional category, while motifs 13 (5'-GGA
      3'/5'-GAG-3'/5'-AGG-3') and 27 (5'-AGGAGG-3') appear to be predominantly used by
      genes for information storage and processing, and translation and ribosome
      biogenesis, respectively. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that an SD sequence
      is not obligatory for translation initiation; instead, other signals, such as the
      RBS spacer, may have an overarching influence on translation of mRNAs. Subsequent
      analyses of the 5' secondary structure of these mRNAs may provide further insight
      into the translation initiation mechanism.

PMID- 26268351
TI  - Patients presenting with acute poisoning to an outpatient emergency clinic: a one
      year observational study in Oslo, Norway.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In Oslo, the majority of patients with acute poisoning are treated in
      primary care, at an emergency outpatient clinic with limited diagnostic and
      treatment resources. We describe the poisonings currently seen in this setting.
      We compare our findings with previous studies, with special concern for the
      appearance of new toxic agents, and changes in overall numbers and patterns of
      poisoning. METHODS: Observational study. Patients above the age of 12 years
      presenting at Oslo Accident and Emergency Outpatient Clinic (Oslo Legevakt) with
      acute poisoning were included consecutively from October 2011 through September
      2012. Physicians and nurses registered data on preset forms. Main outcome
      measures were toxic agents, age, sex, intention, referral and time of
      presentation. RESULTS: There were 2923 episodes of acute poisoning in 2261
      patients. Median age of the patients was 32 years, and 1430 (63%) were males. The
      most frequent toxic agents were ethanol in 1684 (58%) episodes, heroin in 542 (19
      %), benzodiazepines in 521 (18%), amphetamine in 275 (9%), fire smoke in 192
      (7%), gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) in 144 (5%), and cannabis in 143 (5%). In 904
      (31%) poisonings there were more than one toxic agent. In 493 episodes (17%), the
      patient was hospitalised, and in 60 episodes (2%) admitted to a psychiatric ward.
      Most poisonings, 2328 (80%), were accidental overdoses with substances of abuse,
      276 (9%) were suicide attempts, and 312 (11%) were accidents. Among ethanol
      poisonings in patients above the age of 26 years, 685/934 (73%) were in males,
      and 339/934 (36%) presented during weekends. However, among ethanol poisonings in
      patients under the age of 26 years, 221/451 (49 ) were in females, and 297/451
      (66%) presented during weekends. CONCLUSIONS: The poisonings treated in this
      primary care setting were mostly due to accidental overdoses with ethanol or
      other substances of abuse. There is a disconcerting weekend drinking pattern
      among adolescents and young adults, with young females presenting as often as
      young males with ethanol poisoning.

PMID- 26268353
TI  - Attention-level transitory response: a novel hybrid BCI approach.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: People with disabilities may control devices such as a computer or a
      wheelchair by means of a brain-computer interface (BCI). BCI based on steady
      state visual evoked potentials (SSVEP) requires visual stimulation of the user.
      However, this SSVEP-based BCI suffers from the 'Midas touch effect', i.e., the
      BCI can detect an SSVEP even when the user is not gazing at the stimulus. Then,
      these incorrect detections deteriorate the performance of the system, especially
      in asynchronous BCI because ongoing EEG is classified. In this paper, a novel
      transitory response of the attention-level of the user is reported. It was used
      to develop a hybrid BCI (hBCI). APPROACH: Three methods are proposed to detect
      the attention-level of the user. They are based on the alpha rhythm and
      theta/beta rate. The proposed hBCI scheme is presented along with these methods.
      Hence, the hBCI sends a command only when the user is at a high-level of
      attention, or in other words, when the user is really focused on the task being
      performed. The hBCI was tested over two different EEG datasets. MAIN RESULTS: The
      performance of the hybrid approach is superior to the standard one. Improvements
      of 20% in accuracy and 10 bits min(-1) are reported. Moreover, the attention
      level is extracted from the same EEG channels used in SSVEP detection and this
      way, no extra hardware is needed. SIGNIFICANCE: A transitory response of EEG
      signal is used to develop the attention-SSVEP hBCI which is capable of reducing
      the Midas touch effect.

PMID- 26268352
TI  - Restrictive IgG antibody response against mutated citrullinated vimentin predicts
      response to rituximab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Antibodies against mutated citrullinated vimentin (AMCV) represent
      a useful diagnostic marker with correlation to disease activity in patients with
      rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Since seropositivity for citrullinated autoantibodies
      was predictive for response to B-cell depleting therapy (BCDT) with rituximab
      (RTX), we investigated whether differences in antibody fine reactivity and
      immunoglobulin (Ig) isotype kinetics among AMCV-positive patients could provide
      additional information about outcome. METHODS: A total of 50 AMCV IgG-positive RA
      patients (RTX responders (RRs) n = 37 and non-responders (NRRs) n = 13) were
      analyzed for reactivity against MCV epitopes and co-existent AMCV isotypes IgM
      and IgA. Antibody titers were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at
      baseline and 24 weeks after the first cycle of RTX, and compared to kinetics of
      rheumatoid factor (RF) and antibodies against cyclic citrullinated peptide
      (ACCP). RESULTS: Recognized MCV epitopes by AMCV IgG of RRs and NRRs showed
      similar baseline patterns, with reducing reactivity in RRs and unchanged or even
      expanding reactivity in NRRs upon RTX treatment. At baseline, RRs were more
      frequently negative for AMCV subtypes, especially for IgA (68%), compared to NRRs
      (31%). Being AMCV IgA-negative at baseline indicated a good treatment response to
      RTX (negative predictive value = 0.86). Co-existence of AMCV IgA and IgG with
      stable titers upon treatment were associated with poorer responses to RTX.
      Furthermore, reductions of AMCV IgA levels upon RTX correlated with the
      improvement of 28-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28). In comparison, subtypes
      of RF and ACCP were not of additional value for prediction of RTX response.
      CONCLUSIONS: Restrictive IgG seropositivity against MCV with treatment-associated
      decline in fine reactivity and titers was predictive for response to RTX. Double
      positivity for AMCV IgG and IgA was associated with failure to respond to BCDT,
      suggesting a pathogenetic and less sensitive IgA-producing B-cell subset in NRRs.

PMID- 26268354
TI  - Molecular and phenotypic distinction of the very recently evolved insular
      subspecies Mus musculus helgolandicus ZIMMERMANN, 1953.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Populations and subspecies of the house mouse Mus musculus were able
      to invade new regions worldwide in the wake of human expansion. Here we
      investigate the origin and colonization history of the house mouse inhabiting the
      small island of Heligoland on the German Bight - Mus musculus helgolandicus. It
      was first described by Zimmermann in 1953, based on morphological descriptions
      which were considered to be a mosaic between the subspecies M. m. domesticus and
      M. m. musculus. Since mice on islands are excellent evolutionary model systems,
      we have focused here on a molecular characterization and an extended phenotype
      analysis. RESULTS: The molecular data show that the mice from Heligoland are
      derived from M. m. domesticus based on mitochondrial D-loop sequences as well as
      on four nuclear diagnostic markers, including one each from the sex-chromosomes.
      STRUCTURE analysis based on 21 microsatellite markers assigns Heligoland mice to
      a distinct population and D-loop network analysis suggests that they are derived
      from a single colonization event. In spite of mice from the mainland arriving by
      ships, they are apparently genetically refractory against further immigration.
      Mutation frequencies in complete mitochondrial genome sequences date the
      colonization age to approximately 400 years ago. Complete genome sequences from
      three animals revealed a genomic admixture with M. m. musculus genomic regions
      with at least 6.5% of the genome affected. Geometric morphometric analysis of
      mandible shapes including skull samples from two time points during the last
      century suggest specific adaptations to a more carnivorous diet. CONCLUSIONS: The
      molecular and morphological analyses confirm that M. m. helgolandicus consists of
      a distinct evolutionary lineage with specific adaptations. It shows a remarkable
      resilience against genetic mixture with mainland populations of M. m. domesticus
      despite major disturbances in the past century and a high ship traffic. The
      genomic admixture with M. m. musculus genetic material may have contributed to
      the genomic distinction of the Heligoland mice. In spite of its young age, M. m.
      helgolandicus may thus be considered as a true subspecies of Mus, whose evolution
      was triggered through fast divergence on a small island.

PMID- 26268356
TI  - Role of B-scan ultrasonography in the localization of intraocular foreign bodies
      in the anterior segment: a report of three cases.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The accurate localization of intraocular foreign bodies (IOFBs) is
      very important for the management of ocular trauma patients. B-scan
      ultrasonography is usually used to detect IOFBs in the posterior segment. Here,
      we report three cases with IOFBs in the anterior segment near the posterior lens
      capsule, which were accurately localized by B-scan ultrasonography under dynamic
      transversal scanning. CASE PRESENTATION: All three patients had a history of
      ocular trauma, and their clinical symptoms were compatible with the persistence
      of IOFBs. It was difficult to get a direct visualization of IOFBs with slit-lamp
      biomicroscopy because of opacities of the cornea and traumatic cataract. A
      computed tomography scan detected IOFBs in the anterior segment, but could not
      determine the exact location. Ultrasound biomicroscopy was performed but failed
      to show any IOFBs owing to the limited depth of penetration. B-scan
      ultrasonography was further applied but also failed to show any intraocular
      foreign bodies using axial scanning, a routine procedure of B-scan
      ultrasonography examination. However, using dynamic transversal scanning of B
      scan ultrasonography, the accurate location of IOFBs was eventually shown to be
      embedded in the posterior lens cortex in case 1, adjacent to the posterior lens
      capsule in case 2, and located in the anterior vitreous close to the posterior
      lens capsule in case 3. Different surgical procedures were designed according to
      localization by B-scan ultrasonography, and all IOFBs were successfully removed.
      CONCLUSION: B-scan ultrasonography is a simple and effective imaging modality in
      the localization of IOFBs in traumatic cataract. Transversal scanning is more
      suitable than axial scanning to detect IOFBs in the anterior segment near the
      posterior lens capsule.

PMID- 26268355
TI  - Molecular characterisation of hepatitis B virus in HIV-1 subtype C infected
      patients in Botswana.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major global health problem especially
      in sub-Saharan Africa and in East Asia. Ten hepatitis B virus genotypes have been
      described that differ by geographic distribution, disease progression, and
      response to treatment. Escape mutations within the surface open reading frame
      (ORF) affect HBV antigenicity leading to failures in diagnosis, vaccine and
      hepatitis B immunoglobulin therapy. However, the molecular characteristics of HBV
      in Botswana, a highly endemic country, are unknown. We describe the molecular
      characteristics of HBV and prevalence of escape mutants among HIV/HBV coinfected
      individuals Botswana. METHODS: DNA was extracted from archived plasma samples
      from 81 HIV/HBV co-infected participants from various clinical studies at the
      Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership. A 415 base pair (bp) fragment of the
      polymerase gene was amplified by semi-nested PCR. In a subset of samples, a 2100
      bp fragment was amplified. The PCR product was genotyped using Big Dye sequencing
      chemistry and the sequences were analysed for genotypes and mutations. RESULTS:
      Of the 81 samples included, 70 (86 %) samples were successfully genotyped.
      Genotype A was found in 56 (80 %) participants, D in 13 (18.6 %), and 1 (1.4 %)
      was genotype E. Escape mutations previously linked with failure of diagnosis or
      escaping active vaccination and passive immunoglobulin therapy were detected in
      12 (17.1 %) participants at positions 100, 119, 122, 123, 124, 126, 129, 130,
      133, 134 and 140 of the S ORF. Genotypes and escape mutations were not
      significantly associated with aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine
      aminotransferase (ALT) and AST platelet ratio index (APRI). CONCLUSION: Genotypes
      A, D and E were found in this cohort of HIV coinfected patients in Botswana,
      consistent with the findings from the sub-Saharan Africa region. Some escape
      mutations which have previously been associated with diagnosis failure, escaping
      vaccine and immunoglobulin therapy were also observed and are important in
      guiding future policies related to vaccine implementation, therapeutic
      guidelines, and diagnostic guidelines. They are also important for identifying
      patients who are at an increased risk of disease progression and to choose
      optimal therapy. Future research should focus on determining the clinical
      significance of the different HBV genotypes and mutations found in this
      population.

PMID- 26268357
TI  - Health-related quality of life from the perspective of children with severe
      specific language impairment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and reliability of the
      Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory(TM) 4.0 Generic Core Scales (PedsQL(TM)) for
      use by children with severe specific language impairment (SLI) and their parent,
      and to explore the health-related quality of life of children with severe SLI. We
      hypothesized that the PedsQL(TM) would be a suitable measure, and identify lower
      health-related quality of life compared to the healthy population sample,
      particularly in school and social functioning. METHODS: Forty-three out of 61
      children with severe SLI enrolled at a dedicated school from February 2010 until
      September 2011 agreed to participate. Children and parents completed the
      PedsQL(TM) separately with support as required. RESULTS: The PedsQL(TM) proved to
      be suitable for this cohort. Children perceived themselves to be at risk of
      impaired social and physical functioning, rendering the total score below the
      population mean. Parents rated social and emotional functioning at risk of
      impairment, with the psychosocial and total summary score consequently below the
      population mean. Physical functioning had the largest child/parent difference,
      with children rating themselves below the cut-off score, and parents rating their
      children above the cut-off score. CONCLUSIONS: This measure can be used with this
      group. Our group of children with severe SLI reported lower health-related
      quality of life than the healthy population mean as perceived by both the child
      and the parent. Health professionals working with children who have SLI need to
      consider not only a child's impairment, but also their wellbeing and
      participation by incorporating self- and proxy-reports into assessment in order
      to promote meaningful therapeutic outcomes that impact positively on a child's
      life.

PMID- 26268358
TI  - Identification and characterization of laccase-type multicopper oxidases involved
      in dye-decolorization by the fungus Leptosphaerulina sp.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Fungal laccases are multicopper oxidases (MCOs) with high
      biotechnological potential due to their capability to oxidize a wide range of
      aromatic contaminants using oxygen from the air. Albeit the numerous laccase-like
      genes described in ascomycete fungi, ascomycete laccases have been less
      thoroughly studied than white-rot basidiomycetous laccases. A variety of MCO
      genes has recently been discovered in plant pathogenic ascomycete fungi, however
      little is known about the presence and function of laccases in these fungi or
      their potential use as biocatalysts. We aim here to identify the laccase-type
      oxidoreductases that might be involved in the decolorization of dyes by
      Leptosphaerulina sp. and to characterize them as potential biotechnological
      tools. RESULTS: A Leptosphaerulina fungal strain, isolated from lignocellulosic
      material in Colombia, produces laccase as the main ligninolytic oxidoreductase
      activity during decolorization of synthetic organic dyes. Four laccase-type MCO
      genes were partially amplified from the genomic DNA using degenerate primers
      based on laccase-specific signature sequences. The phylogenetic analysis showed
      the clustering of Lac1, Lac4 and Lac3 with ascomycete laccases, whereas Lac2
      grouped with fungal ferroxidases (together with other hypothetical laccases).
      Lac3, the main laccase produced by Leptosphaerulina sp. in dye decolorizing and
      laccase-induced cultures (according to the shotgun analysis of both secretomes)
      was purified and characterized in this study. It is a sensu-stricto laccase able
      to decolorize synthetic organic dyes with high efficiency particularly in the
      presence of natural mediator compounds. CONCLUSIONS: The searching for laccase
      type MCOs in ascomycetous families where their presence is poorly known, might
      provide a source of biocatalysts with potential biotechnological interest and
      shed light on their role in the fungus. The information provided by the use of
      genomic and proteomic tools must be combined with the biochemical evaluation of
      the enzyme to prove its catalytic activity and applicability potential.

PMID- 26268359
TI  - KIF5B-RET Fusion gene may coincide oncogenic mutations of EGFR or KRAS gene in
      lung adenocarcinomas.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The KIF5B-RET rearrangement is detected with the frequency of 1 ~ 2%
      in 'triple marker'-negative lung adenocarcinomas, i.e., EGFR, KRAS and EML4-ALK
      wild type. These mutational changes are known to be mutually exclusive, but the
      co-existence of ALK rearrangement with activating mutations of EGFR is rarely
      found. METHODS: We examined the KIF5B-RET fusion gene in frozen tissues from 154
      surgically resected lung tumors using RT-PCR with direct sequencing and the
      mutation status of EGFR and KRAS genes using PNA clamping. We tested KIF5B-RET
      translocation in Formalin Fixed Paraffin Embedded using fluorescence in situ
      hybridization. We also measured RET mRNA and protein expression by RT-PCR and
      immunohistochemistry, respectively. RESULTS: The existence of KIF5B-RET fusion
      gene was identified in 9 patients. The mean age was 67.2 and M: F ratio 4:5. Of 9
      patients, 3 patients harbored wild type of EGFR and KRAS gene. However, KIF5B-RET
      fusion gene coincided with EGFR or KRAS mutation in 6 patients. These six pts
      were also positive for both RET break-apart probes (23.9%) and KIF5B-RET fusion
      (44.4%). However, there were no correlations between RET mRNA and protein
      expression in the KIF5B-RET-positive patients. The median disease free survival
      and overall survival were 23.9 months and 29.5 months, respectively. CONCLUSIONS:
      Taken together, our data suggest one-step screening platform for KIF5B-RET as
      well as EGFR, K-RAS, ALK oncogenic mutations be necessary for lung adenocarcinoma
      patients because EGFR or KRAS mutation are not infrequently found in KIF5B-RET
      positive patients.

PMID- 26268361
TI  - Opinion Paper: Phytosome: A Fatty Solution for Efficient Formulation of
      Phytopharmaceuticals.

PMID- 26268360
TI  - Changes in fatty acid composition in tissue and serum of obese cats fed a high
      fat diet.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Obesity and overweight have been frequently observed in dogs and cats
      in recent years as in humans. The compositions of fatty acids (FAs) in the
      accumulated lipids in tissues of obese animals may have important roles in the
      process and mechanisms related to the onset of metabolic disorders. The purpose
      of this study was to evaluate the effects of a high fat (HF) diet, which
      contained a higher proportion of saturated FAs, on FA metabolism and distribution
      in obese cats. Cats (N = 12) were divided into control diet group (crude fat;
      16.0 %) (n = 4) or a high fat (HF) diet group (crude fat; 23.9 %) (n = 8). The HF
      diet contained up to 60 % of calories from fat and was rich in stearic acid.
      Blood samples were collected at 0, 2, 4 and 6 weeks after the feeding. Adipose
      and liver tissues were collected at the 6(th) week after feeding. We performed
      analysis of histological findings and fatty acid composition in serum and
      tissues. RESULTS: Body weights of the cats significantly increased in the HF
      group. The increased activities of hepatic enzymes and the accumulation of lipid
      droplets were found in hepatocytes in the HF group at the 6(th) week after
      feeding. In this study, the stearic acid (C18:0)-rich HF diet contained less
      oleic acid (C18:1n-9) and more linoleic acid (C18:2n-6) than the control.
      However, the composition of oleic acid in the liver was higher, and those of
      stearic acid and linoleic acid were lower in the HF group at the 6(th) week after
      feeding. The higher oleic acid:stearic acid ratio suggests an increase in the
      conversion from saturated FA to mono-unsaturated FAs, which may reflect the
      hepatic storage of FAs as a relatively harmless form. CONCLUSION: The stearic
      acid-rich HF diet increased hepatic lipid accumulation accompanied by the
      increased of hepatic oleic acid, increased serum oleic acid and activation of
      hepatic enzymes. These findings could be an important sign of early stages of
      dyslipidemia and hepatic damage. Also, the higher oleic acid:stearic acid ratio
      might be related to the increased activity of SCD-1, which suggests that the
      stearic acid-rich HF diet evoked hepatic lipogenesis in the feline liver.

PMID- 26268362
TI  - Feasibility, Acceptability, and Preliminary Effects of the COPE Online Cognitive
      Behavioral Skill-Building Program on Mental Health Outcomes and Academic
      Performance in Freshmen College Students: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study.
AB  - PROBLEM: Despite the increasing prevalence of mental health disorders in
      university students, few receive needed evidence-based treatment. OBJECTIVE: The
      purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and preliminary effects of a
      seven-session online cognitive-behavioral skill-building intervention (i.e.,
      COPE, Creating Opportunities for Personal Empowerment) versus a comparison group
      on their anxiety, depressive symptoms, and grade performance. METHODS: A
      randomized controlled pilot study was conducted from September 2012 to May 2013
      with 121 college freshmen enrolled in a required one credit survey course.
      FINDINGS: Although there were no significant differences in anxiety and
      depressive symptoms between the groups, only COPE students with an elevated level
      of anxiety at baseline had a significant decline in symptoms. Grade point average
      was higher in COPE versus comparison students. Evaluations indicated that COPE
      was a positive experience for students. CONCLUSIONS: COPE is a promising brief
      intervention that can be integrated effectively into a required freshman course.

PMID- 26268363
TI  - Semi-automated segmentation of pre-operative low grade gliomas in magnetic
      resonance imaging.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Segmentation of pre-operative low-grade gliomas (LGGs) from magnetic
      resonance imaging is a crucial step for studying imaging biomarkers. However,
      segmentation of LGGs is particularly challenging because they rarely enhance
      after gadolinium administration. Like other gliomas, they have irregular tumor
      shape, heterogeneous composition, ill-defined tumor boundaries, and limited
      number of image types. To overcome these challenges we propose a semi-automated
      segmentation method that relies only on T2-weighted (T2W) and optionally post
      contrast T1-weighted (T1W) images. METHODS: First, the user draws a region-of
      interest (ROI) that completely encloses the tumor and some normal tissue. Second,
      a normal brain atlas and post-contrast T1W images are registered to T2W images.
      Third, the posterior probability of each pixel/voxel belonging to normal and
      abnormal tissues is calculated based on information derived from the atlas and
      ROI. Finally, geodesic active contours use the probability map of the tumor to
      shrink the ROI until optimal tumor boundaries are found. This method was
      validated against the true segmentation (TS) of 30 LGG patients for both 2D (1
      slice) and 3D. The TS was obtained from manual segmentations of three experts
      using the Simultaneous Truth and Performance Level Estimation (STAPLE) software.
      Dice and Jaccard indices and other descriptive statistics were computed for the
      proposed method, as well as the experts' segmentation versus the TS. We also
      tested the method with the BraTS datasets, which supply expert segmentations.
      RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: For 2D segmentation vs. TS, the mean Dice index was 0.90
      +/- 0.06 (standard deviation), sensitivity was 0.92, and specificity was 0.99.
      For 3D segmentation vs. TS, the mean Dice index was 0.89 +/- 0.06, sensitivity
      was 0.91, and specificity was 0.99. The automated results are comparable with the
      experts' manual segmentation results. CONCLUSIONS: We present an accurate,
      robust, efficient, and reproducible segmentation method for pre-operative LGGs.

PMID- 26268364
TI  - Predominance of caudate nucleus lesions in acute ischaemic stroke patients with
      impairment in language and speech.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Whereas traditional views of language processing in the
      brain have assumed that the language function is concentrated to a limited number
      of cortical areas (Broca's and Wernicke's areas), current knowledge points at a
      much more complex system of language and speech processing involving many brain
      areas, both cortical and subcortical. The purpose of the current study was to
      make an unbiased assessment of which cerebral areas are affected in first-ever
      acute ischaemic stroke patients identified as having language and speech
      impairments according to the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS).
      METHODS: Data from 34 patients with language and speech impairment, with a score
      of 1-3 on item 9 of the NIHSS, following ischaemic stroke were collected from the
      Lund Stroke Register. Magnetic resonance images acquired up to 20 days after
      stroke onset were used to create an overlap lesion image using MRIcron software.
      RESULTS: The classical language areas, Wernicke's and Broca's areas, were
      affected in less than one-fourth of the patients. The most frequently affected
      region was a subcortical region--the left caudate nucleus and the adjacent corona
      radiata. CONCLUSIONS: These findings contribute to the growing body of evidence
      that the basal ganglia have a crucial role in the control over language and
      speech processing.

PMID- 26268366
TI  - Organ culture and Reflectance Confocal Microscopy as new integrated tools for
      barrier rescue studies in inflammatory skin diseases.

PMID- 26268365
TI  - A subset of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus fails to degrade DNA from
      multiple clinically relevant sources.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have a decreased
      ability to clear cell remnants and multiple deficiencies in the ability to
      degrade cellular chromatin have been linked to the disease. Since the discovery
      of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), a renewed interest has been sparked in
      this field of research with multiple studies reporting a decreased ability of
      patients with SLE to degrade NETs. In this study we extend these findings by
      investigating the ability of patients with SLE to degrade chromatin from multiple
      clinically relevant sources. METHODS: We use flow cytometry in combination with
      NET degradation and DNA zymogram assays to investigate the ability of sera from
      SLE patients to degrade chromatin from three different sources of DNA such as
      NETs, apoptotic and necrotic cells. This ability was further associated with
      clinical manifestations. RESULTS: We found that 61% of the patients had an
      affected degradation of at least one chromatin source. Further, degradation of
      NETs correlated with degradation of chromatin from secondary necrotic cells but
      not with degradation of chromatin from primary necrotic cells. Patients who fail
      to degrade several forms of DNA more often display anti-nuclear and nephritic
      involvement whereas this is not observed in patients with decreased ability to
      degrade chromatin from primary necrotic cells. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of
      patients with SLE has a decreased ability to degrade chromatin from clinically
      relevant sources. This decreased ability is further reflected in their clinical
      presentation.

PMID- 26268367
TI  - Multimode sensors as new tools for molecular recognition of testosterone,
      dihydrotestosterone and estradiol in children's saliva.
AB  - Increased levels of testosterone (T2 ), dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and estradiol
      (E2 ) in children may be responsible for their early/delayed puberty and obesity
      conditions. Therefore, multimode sensors based on carbon matrices, such as
      graphite, graphene, fullerene C60 and multiwall carbon nanotubes modified with
      maltodextrin, were designed to assess reliably T2 , DHT and E2 in children
      saliva. The modes used for the assay of hormones were stochastic mode (for
      qualitative and quantitative determination of hormones) and differential pulse
      voltammetry mode (for quantitative determination of hormones). The advantage of
      this type of sensors, for hormone analysis, is their possibility to reach low
      concentration levels- are placed for children saliva under the detection limit of
      standard methods (e.g. ELISA used for the determination of these hormones in
      saliva). This made the multimode sensors an excellent tool for clinical analysis
      and especially for determination of substances of clinical importance in saliva
      samples. The proposed method is fast and simple, and no sampling of saliva is
      required.

PMID- 26268368
TI  - Very stable high molecular mass multiprotein complex with DNase and amylase
      activities in human milk.
AB  - For breastfed infants, human milk is more than a source of nutrients; it
      furnishes a wide array of proteins, peptides, antibodies, and other components
      promoting neonatal growth and protecting infants from viral and bacterial
      infection. It has been proposed that most biological processes are performed by
      protein complexes. Therefore, identification and characterization of human milk
      components including protein complexes is important for understanding the
      function of milk. Using gel filtration, we have purified a stable high molecular
      mass (~1000 kDa) multiprotein complex (SPC) from 15 preparations of human milk.
      Light scattering and gel filtration showed that the SPC was stable in the
      presence of high concentrations of NaCl and MgCl2 but dissociated efficiently
      under the conditions that destroy immunocomplexes (2 M MgCl2 , 0.5 M NaCl, and 10
      mM DTT). Such a stable complex is unlikely to be a casual associate of different
      proteins. The relative content of the individual SPCs varied from 6% to 25% of
      the total milk protein. According to electrophoretic and mass spectrometry
      analysis, all 15 SPCs contained lactoferrin (LF) and alpha-lactalbumin as major
      proteins, whereas human milk albumin and beta-casein were present in moderate or
      minor amounts; a different content of IgGs and sIgAs was observed. All SPCs
      efficiently hydrolyzed Plasmid supercoiled DNA and maltoheptaose. Some freshly
      prepared SPC preparations contained not only intact LF but also small amounts of
      its fragments, which appeared in all SPCs during their prolonged storage; the
      fragments, similar to intact LF, possessed DNase and amylase activities. LF is
      found in human epithelial secretions, barrier body fluids, and in the secondary
      granules of leukocytes. LF is a protein of the acute phase response and
      nonspecific defense against different types of microbial and viral infections.
      Therefore, LF complexes with other proteins may be important for its functions
      not only in human milk.

PMID- 26268369
TI  - Prediction of protein-protein interaction sites from weakly homologous template
      structures using meta-threading and machine learning.
AB  - The identification of protein-protein interactions is vital for understanding
      protein function, elucidating interaction mechanisms, and for practical
      applications in drug discovery. With the exponentially growing protein sequence
      data, fully automated computational methods that predict interactions between
      proteins are becoming essential components of system-level function inference. A
      thorough analysis of protein complex structures demonstrated that binding site
      locations as well as the interfacial geometry are highly conserved across
      evolutionarily related proteins. Because the conformational space of protein
      protein interactions is highly covered by experimental structures, sensitive
      protein threading techniques can be used to identify suitable templates for the
      accurate prediction of interfacial residues. Toward this goal, we developed
      eFindSite(PPI) , an algorithm that uses the three-dimensional structure of a
      target protein, evolutionarily remotely related templates and machine learning
      techniques to predict binding residues. Using crystal structures, the average
      sensitivity (specificity) of eFindSite(PPI) in interfacial residue prediction is
      0.46 (0.92). For weakly homologous protein models, these values only slightly
      decrease to 0.40-0.43 (0.91-0.92) demonstrating that eFindSite(PPI) performs well
      not only using experimental data but also tolerates structural imperfections in
      computer-generated structures. In addition, eFindSite(PPI) detects specific
      molecular interactions at the interface; for instance, it correctly predicts
      approximately one half of hydrogen bonds and aromatic interactions, as well as
      one third of salt bridges and hydrophobic contacts. Comparative benchmarks
      against several dimer datasets show that eFindSite(PPI) outperforms other methods
      for protein-binding residue prediction. It also features a carefully tuned
      confidence estimation system, which is particularly useful in large-scale
      applications using raw genomic data. eFindSite(PPI) is freely available to the
      academic community at http://www.brylinski.org/efindsiteppi.

PMID- 26268370
TI  - RACK1 (receptor for activated C-kinase 1) interactions with spectrin repeat
      elements.
AB  - Receptor for activated C-kinase 1 (RACK1) is an intracellular scaffolding protein
      involved in a multitude of signalling pathways. The cytoskeleton is fundamental
      for intracellular cell signalling as it forms an interconnected network of
      regulatory proteins. Here, spectrin is a central component as it forms the actin
      spectrin network that serves as docking surfaces for cellular components. The
      interaction between RACK1 and components of spectrin, the single spectrin repeats
      R16, R17 and the double spectrin repeat R1617 from the alpha-spectrin chain were
      investigated by biosensor technology and docking analysis. RACK1 associated only
      weakly to R16 (KD  = 1.0 +/- 0.5 * 10(-6)  M), about 20 times stronger to R1617
      (KD  = 5.3 +/- 0.7 * 10(-8)  M) and 100 times stronger to R17 (KD  = 0.9 +/- 0.3
      * 10(-8)  M). Docking analysis showed that while R16 alone preferentially docked
      with its B-helix, R17 docked through its A-helix and BC loop. The double repeat
      and RACK1 mainly formed two different complex conformations. R1617 docked
      tangentially to the N/C-terminal of RACK1 or radially along a groove on the outer
      surface of RACK1. These configurations could account for the slight increase in
      entropic and the decrease in enthalpic interactions for the R1617-RACK1
      interaction, compared with the interactions of RACK1 to the two single repeats.
      Our results suggest a mode of interaction that allows spectrin to attach to the
      N/C part of RACK through the inter-helical AB and BC loops and adopt a multitude
      of configurations in between the two limiting configurations.

PMID- 26268372
TI  - Critical appraisal of AMSTAR: challenges, limitations, and potential solutions
      from the perspective of an assessor.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Systematic reviews are pivotal components in the development of
      evidence-based clinical guidelines. To evaluate the methodological quality of
      these systematic reviews, several tools have been proposed. Among them, the
      assessment of multiple systematic reviews (AMSTAR) checklist is probably used
      most frequently. This tool comprises 11 items related to the steps taken when
      conducting a systematic review, and it is claimed to have good face and content
      validity. The objective of this debate paper was twofold: (a) to critically
      evaluate the ability of all AMSTAR checklist items to adequately determine the
      methodological quality of a systematic review; and (b) to describe difficulties
      regarding interpretation of the checklist, and provide potential solutions for
      these difficulties. DISCUSSION: Some items of the AMSTAR checklist seem to assess
      the quality of reporting of a systematic review more than its methodological
      quality. For example, item 7 may not "capture" the true methodological quality of
      primary studies included in the systematic review. Item 10 does not likely result
      in the collection of in-depth information on the presence of publication bias in
      the systematic review. Furthermore, some items may be difficult to interpret,
      hindering accurate assessment. For example, item 5 does not explicitly indicate
      whether a list of documents excluded in each phase of selection (i.e., after
      evaluation of titles and abstracts, and after full-text assessment) should be
      reported. The present debate paper evaluated and discussed some methodological
      limitations of the AMSTAR checklist, as well as challenges involved in evaluation
      of the checklist's items. Several suggestions are also made to optimize the use
      of this checklist. The information in this paper may stimulate further discussion
      among systematic reviewers, methodologists and clinicians.

PMID- 26268373
TI  - Independent association of subclinical coronary artery disease and emphysema in
      HIV-infected patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and coronary artery
      disease are inflammatory states with a significant clinical impact. The
      relationship between them has not been investigated in patients with HIV
      infection. We assessed the presence of subclinical emphysema and coronary artery
      disease using chest computed tomography (CT) imaging in a cohort of HIV-infected
      patients receiving antiretroviral therapy. METHODS: Gated chest CT scans were
      performed in 1446 consecutive patients to assess the presence and severity of
      coronary artery calcium (CAC) (classified as a score of 0, 1-100 or > 100) and
      emphysema (classified using a visual semiquantitative scale: 0, absent; 1-4, mild
      to moderate; > 4, severe). Univariable and multivariable logistic regression
      analyses were performed to identify factors independently associated with CAC and
      emphysema. RESULTS: The emphysema score was significantly higher in patients with
      CAC scores of 1-100 and > 100 compared with those with a CAC score of 0. After
      adjustments for age, sex, smoking status, pack-years of smoking, visceral
      adiposity and duration of HIV infection, the presence of any emphysema was
      significantly associated with a CAC score > 0 [odds ratio (OR) 1.43; 95%
      confidence interval (CI) 1.08-1.88; P = 0.012]. The association persisted after
      adjustment for the Framingham risk score (OR 1.52; 95% CI 1.16-1.99; P = 0.002).
      There was a dose-dependent effect in the association between emphysema score and
      CAC score. CONCLUSIONS: In this cross-sectional study of HIV-infected patients,
      there was an independent association between emphysema and CAC, after adjustment
      for traditional cardiovascular risk factors, suggesting a common pathogenesis of
      these chronic inflammatory conditions in a chronic inflammatory disease such as
      HIV infection.

PMID- 26268374
TI  - Risk factors for celiac disease.
AB  - Celiac Disease (CD) is an immune-mediated systemic disorder elicited by gluten
      and related prolamines in genetically susceptible individuals and it is the
      result of the interaction between genetic and environmental factors. Among
      genetic risk factors, the strongest association is with the HLA class II DQ
      region; nevertheless at least 39 non-HLA loci are associated with CD. Gluten is
      the main environmental trigger of the disease. In addition, infant feeding and
      weaning practices as well as timing of gluten introduction in the diet have been
      suggested to contribute to CD risk. Furthermore a role for infectious agents and
      microbiota composition in disease development has also been proposed.Aim of this
      short review is to discuss the current knowledge on both genetic and
      environmental risk factors for the development of CD; moreover we will provide a
      brief overview of the possible strategies that could be envisaged to prevent this
      condition, at least in the population at-risk. 

PMID- 26268375
TI  - Effect of multifaceted interventions on reducing return visits within 72 h after
      non-traumatic emergency department visits.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study is to develop new multifaceted
      interventions to reduce return visits (RVs) based on identified risk factors
      related to RVs in the ED and to compare the RV rate before and after the
      implementation of the intervention. METHODS: The present study was a controlled
      before and after study that was conducted in the ED of a 900-bed tertiary
      hospital in an urban area. The primary outcome was the rate of unplanned RVs to
      the ED and hospital admission after RV. The risk and predictive factors of RVs
      were identified by a retrospective study of all unscheduled RVs to the ED within
      72 h in 2011. We developed five new multifaceted interventions based on the
      results: (i) daily RV feedback; (ii) prescription set of drugs; (iii) creation of
      a discharge instruction sheet; (iv) early follow-up appointments of outpatient
      department (OPD); and (v) enhancement of referral system. A prospective
      interventional study in which the interventions were implemented was then
      conducted over 10 months, from 1 June 2012 to 31 March 2013. RESULTS: The five
      new multifaceted interventions significantly reduced the mean early RV rate and
      RV admission rate after ED discharge by an average of approximately 25%, with a
      maximum of approximately 55% and 47%, respectively, compared with the pre
      intervention period (RV rate: P < 0.001, RV admission rate: P < 0.001).
      CONCLUSIONS: Multifaceted interventions based on identified risk factors for
      early RV after ED discharge had a positive effect on reducing RVs and the
      admission rate after RVs for adult patients within 72 h of non-traumatic ED
      visits.

PMID- 26268376
TI  - Polymorphisms in genes of the BAFF/APRIL system may constitute risk factors of B
      CLL--a preliminary study on a Polish population.
AB  - The association of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of B-cell activating
      factor (BAFF)/a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) system with B-cell chronic
      lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) have been suggested, therefore, we investigated 20
      SNPs of BAFF, APRIL, BAFF-R, transmembrane activator and calcium modulator and
      cyclophilin-ligand interactor (TACI), B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) genes and
      the risk and outcome of B-CLL in 187 patients and 296 healthy subjects as well as
      ligand-receptor gene * gene interactions. Although the obtained P-values for all
      20 SNPs did not reach statistical significance for this study (alpha = 0.003),
      the high value of the global chi-squared statistic (chi(2) df = 38  = 52.65; P =
      0.0586), and obtained values of odds ratio indicate that rs9514828 (BAFF),
      rs3803800 (APRIL) and rs4985726 (TACI) may be associated with the risk of B-CLL.
      We observed that the B-CLL patients with the genotype rs9514828CT/rs11570136AA
      were diagnosed with the disease 12 years later than the whole group of patients
      in this study.

PMID- 26268377
TI  - The choroid and lamina cribrosa is affected in patients with Parkinson's disease:
      enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography study.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare lamina cribrosa (LC) and choroidal thicknesses using enhanced
      depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) in patients with Parkinson's
      disease (PD) and healthy controls. METHODS: A total number of 44 eyes of 22
      patients with PD and 50 eyes of 25 healthy subjects were utilized in this
      institutional cross-sectional study. After a complete ophthalmic examination, all
      eyes were imaged with OCT (RTVue-100 version 5.1 Fourier-domain optical coherence
      tomography; Optovue Inc., Fremont, CA, USA); LC and choroidal thickness were
      assessed. RESULTS: The mean LC thicknesses were 209.4 +/- 40.2 MUm in patients
      with PD and 292.5 +/- 33.7 MUm in control subjects. There was a significant
      difference in the mean LC thickness between the groups (p < 0.0001). The
      choroidal thickness measurements of the PD group at the subfoveal region and 1.5
      mm temporal and 1.5 mm nasal to the fovea were 228.1 +/- 44.3, 193.2 +/- 41.4 and
      188.4 +/- 49.0 MUm, respectively, whereas measurements for the controls were,
      respectively, 246.5 +/- 38.2, 227.3 +/- 34.7 and 216.7 +/- 51.4 MUm. The choroid
      was significantly thinner in eyes of the PD group compared to that of the
      controls (p = 0.001, p < 0.001, and p = 0.006). There was no significant
      correlation between the disease severity and OCT parameters. The duration of the
      disease showed a statistically significant negative correlation with LC (rs[94] =
      -0.700, p < 0.001), and average subfoveal and temporal and nasal choroid
      thicknesses (rs[94] = -0.282, p = 0.006; rs[94] = -0.324, p = 0.001, rs[94] = 
      0.240, and p = 0.020, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of the disease
      severity, PD may cause atrophy and volume loss in the lamina cribrosa, and
      choroid. An enhanced depth imaging technique may be used as an additional
      modality in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with PD.

PMID- 26268378
TI  - Template Synthesis of Linear-Chain Nanodiamonds Inside Carbon Nanotubes from
      Bridgehead-Halogenated Diamantane Precursors.
AB  - A simple method for the synthesis of linear-chain diamond-like nanomaterials, so
      called diamantane polymers, is described. This synthetic approach is primarily
      based on a template reaction of dihalogen-substituted diamantane precursors in
      the hollow cavities of carbon nanotubes. Under high vacuum and in the presence of
      Fe nanocatalyst particles, the dehalogenated radical intermediates spontaneously
      form linear polymer chains within the carbon nanotubes. Transmission electron
      microscopy reveals the formation of well-aligned linear polymers. We expect that
      the present template-based approach will enable the synthesis of a diverse range
      of linear-chain polymers by choosing various precursor molecules. The present
      technique may offer a new strategy for the design and synthesis of one
      dimensional nanomaterials. 

PMID- 26268379
TI  - [Aged but active people].

PMID- 26268380
TI  - [Discourses about health of the aged].

PMID- 26268381
TI  - [Relationship between the nutritional status and the oral function among
      community-dwelling dependent elderly persons].
AB  - AIM: We herein examined the relationship between the nutritional status and the
      oral function among community-dwelling dependent elderly persons. METHODS: The
      subjects included 218 community-dwelling dependent elderly persons. The data were
      collected via questionnaires, including information regarding age, sex, the level
      of care required, nutritional status and swallowing function. We used the Mini
      Nutritional Assessment-Short Form (MNA-SF) to measure the nutritional status and
      the Dysphagia Risk Assessment for the Community-dwelling Elderly (DRACE) to
      evaluate the swallowing function. The tongue pressure and the labial closure
      force were measured using a tongue pressure measurement system (JMS Co. Ltd.,
      Hiroshima, Japan) and the Lip de Cum (Cosmo-Instruments Co, Ltd, Tokyo, Japan).
      RESULTS: The mean MNA-SF score was 10.07+/-2.58. The mean DRACE score was 4.39+/
      3.80. The mean tongue pressure was 23.89+/-10.61 kPa. The mean labial closure
      force was 10.17+/-6.04 N. The results of bivariate regression analyses showed
      that there was a poor correlation between the MNA-SF and the DRACE, tongue
      pressure and labial closure force. Furthermore, the multiple regression analysis
      with the MNA-SF as the dependent variable revealed a correlation between the
      DRACE and labial closure force (p<0.01, R(2)=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Our results
      suggest that the nutritional status is significantly related to the swallowing
      function and labial closure force among community-dwelling dependent elderly
      persons.

PMID- 26268382
TI  - [Development of a self-administered dementia checklist (SDC) (1): Examination of
      factorial validity and internal reliability].
AB  - AIM: The aim of this study was to develop a self-administered dementia checklist
      (SDC), in order to help community-residing older adults realize their declining
      functions and encourage them to begin using necessary services, and to examine
      its factorial validity and internal reliability. METHODS: A panel of dementia
      clinical experts developed a questionnaire according to pre-selected items and
      conducted a self-administered survey with community-residing people aged 65 +
      (n=2,483). The team developed a scale through an exploratory factor analysis and
      item response theory (IRT) analysis (Study 1). Using this scale, they conducted a
      self-administered survey with community-residing people aged 65 + (n=5,199),
      conducted another exploratory factor analysis, and developed a 10-item scale. A
      confirmatory factor analysis was subsequently conducted and reliability
      coefficients were computed. RESULTS: The exploratory factor analysis of the
      proposed 37 items extracted 5 factors: Factor 1 was named "subjective decline in
      daily living functioning," and Factor 2 was "subjective cognitive decline" in the
      early stage of dementia. The team developed a 20-item scale by selecting 10 items
      from each factor which had high factor loadings and high slope values in the IRT
      analysis (Study 1). After the exploratory factor analysis of the 20-item scale,
      they developed a 10-item scale by selecting 5 items from each factor which had
      strong associations. The confirmatory factor analysis verified the 2-factor
      model. The Cronbach alpha coefficients for the subscales of Factors 1 and 2 were
      0.935 and 0.834, respectively, and 0.908 for the overall 10-item scale.
      CONCLUSION: The authors developed a 10-item SDC with 2 factors and confirmed its
      factorial validity and internal reliability.

PMID- 26268383
TI  - [A study of endoscopic therapy for bile duct stones in elderly patients].
AB  - AIM: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of endoscopic therapy for bile duct
      stones in elderly patients aged over 80 years. METHODS: We enrolled 20 elderly
      patients aged over 80 years and 50 patients who were younger than 79 years of age
      who had received their first endoscopic therapy for bile duct stones at our
      hospital from February 2012 to December 2013. A retrospective analysis was
      performed which included the following clinical parameters: the use of
      antithrombotic drugs; a past history of abdominal surgery; performance status
      (PS); the shortest diameter of the largest stone; and the total number of stones.
      The treatment outcomes of operations with endoscopic sphincterotomy, endoscopic
      papillary balloon dilation, or endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation were
      compared. The operative time, complete stone clearance rate, operative success
      rate (complete stone clearance or bile duct stent insertion), and adverse events
      were compared as treatment outcomes. RESULTS: There was no significant difference
      in the use of antithrombotic drugs, past history of abdominal surgery, number of
      stones, or treatment received between the age groups, while PS was significantly
      lower, and the diameter of the largest stone was significantly greater in the
      patients over 80 years of age. The operative time, complete stone clearance rate,
      operative success rate, and the number of adverse events did not differ
      significantly between the age groups. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic therapy for bile
      duct stones was found to be safe and effective in elderly patients over 80 years
      of age.

PMID- 26268384
TI  - [Long-term care level as a predictor of a poor outcome in elderly patients with
      pneumonia].
AB  - AIM: To determine factors associated with physical decline and a poor prognosis
      after hospitalization in physically dependent elderly patients with acute
      pneumonia. METHODS: The subjects included 112 geriatric patients (86.8+/-5.5
      years old) with acute pneumonia consecutively admitted to an inpatient unit of
      Geriatric Medicine, Kyorin University Hospital in the period from April 2012 to
      March 2013. All patients were generally treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics
      according to nursing- and healthcare-associated pneumonia (NHCAP) guidelines. The
      patients' baseline severity of pneumonia was evaluated according to the A-Drop
      score and their physical dependency was assessed according to the JABC score
      before and after admission. RESULTS: The patients were categorized into the
      community acquired pneumonia group (CAP) (n=29) and NHCAP group (n=83). The
      patients in the NHCAP group had a longer hospital stay (NHCAP vs. CAP: 33 vs. 21
      days, p=0.02), higher A-Drop scores (2.88+/-0.80 vs. 2.45+/-0.87 points, p=0.02)
      and were more frequently diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia (89.2% vs. 42.9%,
      p<0.0001) than those in the CAP group. Three patients in the CAP group (10.3%)
      and 13 patients in the NHCAP group (15.7%) died during their hospital stay
      (p=0.69). Although the rest of the patients were successfully treated for
      pneumonia, their physical dependency progressed after admission in both groups
      (p<0.0001). After adjusting for age, gender and the JABC score before admission,
      NHCAP (risk ratio against CAP: 6.2, 95% CI 1.2-32.2, p=0.03) and a serum albumin
      lower than 2.5 g/dl (RR: 7.8, 95%CI 1.7-35.7, p<0.01) were significantly
      associated with the progression of physical dependency after admission.
      CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of NHCAP is a risk factor for the progression of
      physical dependency. Therefore, palliative care may be an optional approach for
      frail patients.

PMID- 26268385
TI  - [Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of physical performance and
      skeletal muscle mass with cognition and cognitive decline among community
      dwelling older Japanese].
AB  - AIM: This study had two objectives: to confirm the cross-sectional associations
      between the physical performance scale (PPS), skeletal muscle mass (SMM) and
      sarcopenia and cognition, and to examine whether PPS, SMM and sarcopenia are
      independent risk markers of cognitive decline (CD). METHODS: Among 805 adults 65
      years of age or older who participated in a baseline survey (2008-2011), 649 were
      reevaluated for their level of cognition at least once until 2012, and PPS, SMM,
      sarcopenia and cognition were assessed. CD was defined as a decrease of at least
      0.5 points per year on the MMSE. RESULTS: After controlling for sex, age and
      years of education, PPS, SMM and sarcopenia were associated with cognition,
      respectively. During a median follow-up of 3.0 years, 201 adults (31.0%) had CD.
      After controlling for important confounders, PPS showed a significant association
      with CD [OR=0.75 (95%CI: 0.65-0.87)], whereas SMM showed no significant
      association with CD. As compared with the people who had normal PPS and SMM,
      people who had low PPS and normal SMM had 2.10 times higher risk for CD.
      CONCLUSIONS: We confirmed the cross-sectional associations between physical
      performance, SMM and sarcopenia and cognition in a general population of older
      adults. Although people had normal SMM, low physical performance was found to be
      a risk marker for subsequent CD.

PMID- 26268386
TI  - [A case of acute respiratory failure in an elderly patient with elderly asthma
      COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS) is differentiated from acute eosinophilic
      pneumonia].
AB  - We report a case of acute respiratory failure in a 77-year-old male with chronic
      obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who showed marked eosinophilia (61.5% of the
      peripheral total white blood cells [WBCs]; 13,200/mm(3)). The patient was an ex
      smoker, but he had started smoking again one month previously, His forced
      expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) was low and dyspnea symptom was observed.
      Although rhonchi were detected, wheezing chest sounds were not detected. Chest X
      radiography and computed tomography of the lung revealed diffuse bilateral
      pulmonary infiltrates and emphysematous changes. He was given intravenous methyl
      prednisolone (1,000 mg) for 3 consecutive days. The abnormal shadows on the chest
      X-ray film improved remarkably and the eosinophils in his peripheral blood were
      reduced. Furthermore, it was no longer necessary to administer oxygen to treat
      his hypoxemia. The symptomatic and clinical course mimicked to a case of acute
      eosinophilic pneumonia (AEP). However, transbronchial lung biopsy specimens did
      not reveal eosinophilic infiltration in the alveolar septa. The fraction of
      eosinophils in the patient's bronchoalveolar lavage was 4.4% and not greater than
      25%. After hospitalization, 5-15 mg of prednisolone administered orally in
      combination with bronchodilators to better manage his clinical symptoms. This
      case was thus determined to correspond to elderly asthma-COPD overlap syndrome
      (ACOS). 

PMID- 26268387
TI  - [Elderly patient with acquired hemophilia A with IX?XI and XII factor decline].
AB  - Acquired hemophilia is a rare bleeding diathesis caused by autoantibodies against
      clotting factor VIII. Many cases are associated with autoimmune disease,
      malignancy and an elderly status. Acquired hemophilia is very rare, with a
      reported annual incidence of 1.48/million/y. However, it is necessary to consider
      this rare disease when encountering bleeding of unknown cause in elderly
      patients. An 84-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with subcutaneous
      bleeding and anemia. The patient had severe anemia and a prolonged activated
      partial prothrombin time (APTT). Despite the administration of red blood cell
      transfusions, the decline in hemoglobin continued. Since the activity of
      coagulation factor VIII was <1%, and the level of inhibitor against coagulation
      factor VIII (509 BU/ml) was >5 BU/ml, the patient was diagnosed with acquired
      hemophilia. No underlying diseases were found, and we concluded that this case
      was idiopathic. Although she was treated with prednisolone at a dose of 40 mg per
      day, the bleeding tendency did not improve. Therefore, she was given activated
      prothrombin complex concentrates (APCC) for four days. The subcutaneous bleeding
      and Hb decline stopped, and the dose of prednisolone was gradually reduced. The
      patient's clotting function and clinical course were satisfactory, and she was
      discharged on the 64th day. An early diagnosis and optimal treatment are critical
      for treating acquired hemophilia. The development of a bleeding tendency related
      to the appearance of coagulation factor VIII inhibitor is serious in many
      patients. Therefore, recognizing this disease and providing prompt management are
      necessary. 

PMID- 26268388
TI  - [Results of a survey on lectures on geriatrics--a survey among students attending
      a course on work therapy].

PMID- 26268389
TI  - [Geriatric medicine at Kyorin University Medical School].

PMID- 26268395
TI  - Enhanced active motion of Janus colloids at the water surface.
AB  - We have investigated the active motion of self-propelled colloids confined at the
      air-water interface and explored the possibility of enhancing the directional
      motion of self-propelled Janus colloids by slowing down their rotational
      diffusion. The two dimensional motion of micron-sized silica-platinum Janus
      colloids has been experimentally measured by particle tracking video-microscopy
      at increasing concentrations of the catalytic fuel, i.e. H2O2. Compared to the
      motion in the bulk, a dramatic enhancement of both the persistence length of
      trajectories and the speed has been observed. The interplay of colloid self
      propulsion, due to an asymmetric catalytic reaction occurring on the colloid,
      surface properties and interfacial frictions controls the enhancement of the
      directional movement. The slowing down of the rotational diffusion at the
      interface, also measured experimentally, plays a pivotal role in the control and
      enhancement of active motion. 

PMID- 26268394
TI  - Willingness to receive text message medication reminders among patients on
      antiretroviral treatment in North West Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Non-adherence to Antiretroviral Treatment (ART) is strongly
      associated with virologic rebound and drug resistance. Studies have shown that
      the most frequently mentioned reason for missing ART doses is the forgetfulness
      of patients to take their medications on time. Therefore using communication
      devices as reminder tools, for example alarms, pagers, text messages and
      telephone calls could improve adherence to ART. The aim of this study is to
      measure access to cellphones, willingness to receive text message medication
      reminders and to identify associated factors of ART patients at the University of
      Gondar Hospital, in North West Ethiopia. METHODS: An institution based cross
      sectional quantitative study was conducted among 423 patients on ART during April
      2014. Data were collected using structured interviewer-administered
      questionnaires. Data entry and analysis were done using Epi-Info version 7 and
      SPSS version 20 respectively. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic
      regression analysis were used to describe the characteristic of the sample and
      identify factors associated with the willingness to receive text message
      medication reminders. RESULTS: A total of 415 (98% response rate) respondents
      participated in the interview. The majority of respondents 316 (76.1%) owned a
      cellphone, and 161(50.9%) were willing to receive text message medication
      reminders. Positively associated factors to the willingness were the following:
      Younger age group (AOR = 5.18, 95% CI: [1.69, 15.94]), having secondary or higher
      education (AOR = 4.61, 95% CI: [1.33, 16.01]), using internet (AOR = 3.94, 95%
      CI: [1.67, 9.31]), not disclosing HIV status to anyone other than HCP (Health
      Care Provider) (AOR = 3.03, 95% CI: [1.20, 7.61]), availability of radio in
      dwelling (AOR = 2.74 95% CI: [1.27, 5.88]), not answering unknown calls (AOR =
      2.67, 95% CI: [1.34, 5.32]), use of cellphone alarm as medication reminder (AOR =
      2.22, 95%CI [1.09, 4.52]), and forgetting to take medications (AOR = 2.13, 95%
      CI: [1.14, 3.96]). CONCLUSIONS: A high proportion of respondents have a cell
      phone and are willing to use it as medication reminders. Age, educational status
      and using internet were the main factors that are significantly associated with
      the willingness of patients to receive text message medication reminders.

PMID- 26268396
TI  - Subcutaneous porocarcinoma clinically presenting as a soft tissue tumor.
AB  - Porocarcinoma is a rare malignancy with glandular adnexal differentiation. A 38
      year-old Japanese man noticed a subcutaneous mass in right inguinal region about
      20 years prior to being examined. Radiological examinations demonstrated the
      mass, 11 * 10 cm in size, was in the subcutaneous fat tissue. Recently, the mass
      grew rapidly, and it was biopsied by an orthopedist based on clinical diagnosis
      of primary soft tissue tumor. Histopathological examination of the resected
      specimens also revealed that the tumor lacked involvement to the skin.
      Microscopically, the tumor was mainly composed of poroid cells with partially
      obvious squamous differentiation, accompanied by focal ductal structures
      immunoreactive for CEA and EMA. The tumor contained a low-grade area consisting
      of poroid cells and high-grade area with squamous differentiation. This
      histopathological heterogeneity suggested malignant transformation from poroma.
      The patient had the tumor in almost same size over the period of 20 years, which
      is the longest in the previous reports. This unique case of subcutaneous
      porocarcinoma is reported.

PMID- 26268397
TI  - Low-dosed docetaxel showed equivalent efficacy but improved tolerability compared
      with oxaliplatin in the S-1-based first-line chemotherapy regimen for metastatic
      or recurrent gastric adenocarcinoma.
AB  - Platinum-fluoropyrimidine combinations are the preferred first-line options for
      advanced gastric cancer (AGC) in East Asia. On the other hand, docetaxel
      containing regimens without platinum have demonstrated promising activity in AGC.
      However, dose-related toxicity of docetaxel has limited its clinical adoption.
      This study compared the efficacy and safety of a modified low-dosed docetaxel
      plus S-1 (mDS) with oxaliplatin plus S-1 (SOX) in Chinese patients with AGC.
      Patients were assigned to receive either oxaliplatin (100 mg/m(2)) in the SOX arm
      or docetaxel (40 mg/m(2)) in the mDS arm on day 1 of every 3-week cycle. S-1 80
      120 mg/day was administered orally on days 1-14 in the 3-week cycle in both
      groups. One hundred and eighty-eight patients (mDS regimen 101; SOX 87) showed
      similar overall survival (OS; 13.1 vs 12.8 months, P = 0.878), progression-free
      survival (PFS; 5.8 vs 5.5 months, P = 0.924), and overall response rate (39.7 vs
      44.2%, P = 0.569) in the mDS and SOX arms, respectively. mDS was associated with
      significantly less grade 3/4 toxicities in thrombocytopenia (5.9 vs 16.1%) and
      gastrointestinal disturbances (1.0 vs 8.0%). Furthermore, in patients who had
      ever received oxaliplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapy (N = 40), mDS resulted in
      significantly superior OS (17.8 vs 9.5 months, P = 0.015) and PFS (7.0 vs 4.2
      months, P = 0.008) compared with SOX. In conclusion, mDS was as effective as SOX
      in Chinese patients with AGC, but it resulted in a significantly improved
      tolerability. In patients who received oxaliplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapy
      before, mDS was associated with improved efficacy in the first-line setting.

PMID- 26268398
TI  - The relationship between mean arterial pressure and decreased glomerular
      filtration rate in rural areas of Northeast China.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Low mean arterial pressure (MAP) can cause low renal blood flow and
      damage the kidneys. However, in the general population, it remains unclear
      whether or not decline in renal function is related to MAP. The present study
      examined the relationship between MAP and decreased glomerular filtration
      rate(GFR) in participants aged >= 35 years from the Liaoning province of China.
      METHODS: A total of 11345 representative individuals aged >= 5 years was selected
      and a cross-sectional survey was conducted from January 2012 to August 2013 to
      describe the gender-specific prevalence and factors associated with decreased GFR
      in rural areas of Liaoning Province. RESULTS: Men with decreased eGFR (eGFR < 60
      ml/min per 1.73 m(2)) were older, and had higher meanWC, systolic and diastolic
      BP, PP, MAP, total fasting glucose, LDL-C ,glyceride and uric acid levels and
      were current drinker/smoker at the baseline (all P < 0.05). Those with low
      education level, low income, low physical activity, low hemoglobin and HDL-C
      level had decreased eGFR (all P < 0.05). In women, the results were similar to
      those of men, but DBP and drinking status had no associations with the eGFR at
      the baseline (all P < 0.05). After adjustment for age, men with MAP of > 112.2
      mmHg versus <= 93.8 mmHg had ORs for decreased eGFR of 2.367 (95 % CI: 1.248 to
      4.488) .After multivariable adjustment, an MAP of > 112.2 mmHg versus <= 93.8
      mmHg had an OR for decreased eGFR of 3.249 (95 % CI:1.394 to 7.575) in men,
      whereas in women, MAP was not associated with decreased eGFR. CONCLUSIONS: MAP
      was associated with decreased eGFR in men, while in women MAP was not associated
      with decreased eGFR. These findings provide some evidence that a different
      adaptive response to renal regulation may exist in males and females.

PMID- 26268399
TI  - Study of Pathogens of Fungal Keratitis and the Sensitivity of Pathogenic Fungi to
      Therapeutic Agents with the Disk Diffusion Method.
AB  - PURPOSE/AIM OF THE STUDY: To identify the causative fungi of fungal keratitis,
      test their susceptibility to antifungal agents with the disk diffusion method and
      study the relationship between the organisms, the inhibition zones and the
      clinical outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 535 patients with fungal keratitis in
      one eye were included in this study. Pathogenic fungi were isolated by corneal
      scraping, identified by fungal cultivation and subjected to drug sensitivity
      tests conducted with the disk diffusion method. The patients were treated
      initially with voriconazole, terbinafine and natamycin eye drops for one week.
      Further treatment continued using the most effective drug according to the drug
      sensitivity results. The patients were followed up every week until three months
      after cured. The inhibition zones of fungi cultured with voriconazole,
      terbinafine and natamycin were compared. The relationship between inhibition
      zones and organism, organism and treatment results measure, and each treatment
      results measure and inhibition zones were evaluated. RESULTS: Of 535 patients,
      53.84%, 19.25% and 26.91% were infected with Aspergillus, Fusarium and other
      fungi, respectively. Keratitis patients infected with Aspergillus keratitis had
      the worst outcome. The size of the inhibition zones of Aspergillus spp., Fusarium
      spp. and other fungal genera differed significantly in response to voriconazole,
      terbinafine and natamycin. The inhibition zone associated with natamycin
      correlated significantly with the clinical outcome of fungal keratitis (OR =
      0.925), but no other such correlations were found for the other drugs tested.
      CONCLUSIONS: Aspergillus and Fusarium were the predominant pathogenic genera
      causing fungal keratitis in our patients. Among the causative fungi, infections
      due to Aspergillus spp. were associated with the worst outcomes. The inhibition
      zones of fungal isolates in response to natamycin significantly correlated with
      the treatment outcomes of keratitis. Specifically, the smaller the natamycin
      inhibition zone, the lower the probability that the fungal keratitis had been
      eliminated.

PMID- 26268400
TI  - Co-expression of tonoplast Cation/H(+) antiporter and H(+)-pyrophosphatase from
      xerophyte Zygophyllum xanthoxylum improves alfalfa plant growth under salinity,
      drought and field conditions.
AB  - Salinity and drought are major environmental factors limiting the growth and
      productivity of alfalfa worldwide as this economically important legume forage is
      sensitive to these kinds of abiotic stress. In this study, transgenic alfalfa
      lines expressing both tonoplast NXH and H(+)-PPase genes, ZxNHX and ZxVP1-1 from
      the xerophyte Zygophyllum xanthoxylum L., were produced via Agrobacterium
      tumefaciens-mediated transformation. Compared with wild-type (WT) plants,
      transgenic alfalfa plants co-expressing ZxNHX and ZxVP1-1 grew better with
      greater plant height and dry mass under normal or stress conditions (NaCl or
      water-deficit) in the greenhouse. The growth performance of transgenic alfalfa
      plants was associated with more Na(+), K(+) and Ca(2+) accumulation in leaves and
      roots, as a result of co-expression of ZxNHX and ZxVP1-1. Cation accumulation
      contributed to maintaining intracellular ions homoeostasis and osmoregulation of
      plants and thus conferred higher leaf relative water content and greater
      photosynthesis capacity in transgenic plants compared to WT when subjected to
      NaCl or water-deficit stress. Furthermore, the transgenic alfalfa co-expressing
      ZxNHX and ZxVP1-1 also grew faster than WT plants under field conditions, and
      most importantly, exhibited enhanced photosynthesis capacity by maintaining
      higher net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and water-use efficiency
      than WT plants. Our results indicate that co-expression of tonoplast NHX and H(+)
      PPase genes from a xerophyte significantly improved the growth of alfalfa, and
      enhanced its tolerance to high salinity and drought. This study laid a solid
      basis for reclaiming and restoring saline and arid marginal lands as well as
      improving forage yield in northern China.

PMID- 26268401
TI  - Does optimal lesion preparation reduce the amount of acute recoil of the Absorbe
      BVS? Insights from a real-world population.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the acute recoil of the ABSORB bioabsorbable vascular
      scaffold (BVS) and its relationship with procedural characteristics in a real
      world population. BACKGROUND: In vivo acute recoil of the BVS was evaluated in
      selected patients. METHODS: Acute recoil was studied with videodensitometry in a
      consecutive series of patients treated by means of a BVS, and the results were
      compared with those obtained in subjects receiving an everolimus-eluting stent
      (EES). Recoil was defined as the difference between the mean diameter of the
      fully expanded balloon on which the device was mounted (or the mean diameter of
      the post-dilatation balloon), and the mean luminal diameter of the treated
      segment immediately after the final inflation. RESULTS: Recoil was assessed in
      106 lesions treated with a BVS and 71 treated with an EES. The absolute and
      percent recoil of the BVS were significantly greater (0.32 +/- 0.16 mm and 10% +/
      5% vs. 0.17 +/- 0.07 and 5% +/- 3%; P < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis
      showed that BVS use was associated with acute recoil (beta = 0.477; P<0.001).
      Suboptimal lesion preparation (residual stenosis after balloon angioplasty >20%)
      (beta = 0.217; P = 0.027) and a small vessel reference diameter (beta = 0.335; P
      = 0.002) were associated with increased BVS but not EES recoil. CONCLUSIONS: In
      unselected patients, the acute recoil of the BVS was significantly greater than
      that of the metal EES. In the BVS group, residual stenosis after predilatation
      correlated with percent recoil, and so optimal lesion preparation seems to be
      mandatory in order to maximize the mechanical properties of the scaffold.

PMID- 26268404
TI  - [Guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis].

PMID- 26268402
TI  - Impairment of dendritic cell function and induction of CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) T
      cells by excretory-secretory products: a potential mechanism of immune evasion
      adopted by Echinococcus granulosus.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cystic echinococcosis, caused by infection with Echinococcus
      granulosus, is one of the most widespread zoonotic helminth diseases. Modulation
      of host responses is an important strategy used by helminth parasites to promote
      infection. To better understand the mechanisms adopted by E. granulosus to escape
      host immune responses, we investigated the effects of excretory-secretory
      products (ES) and adult worm antigen (AWA) derived from adult E. granulosus on
      murine bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDC). RESULTS: Compared with
      lipopolysaccharide (LPS), AWA, but not ES, induced BMDC maturation or stimulated
      BMDC cytokine production and co-stimulatory molecule expression (CD40, CD80 and
      MHC class II). Furthermore, ES-treated BMDCs pulsed with ovalbumin exhibited
      reduced co-stimulatory molecule expression in comparison with untreated BMDC,
      even in the presence of the strong Th1 inducer, CpG. Moreover, we detected the
      effects of ES-treated DC on T cell activation by an in vitro T cell priming
      assay. We observed that ES-treated BMDC co-cultured with DO11.10 transgenic
      CD4(+) T cells induced the generation of CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) T cells. In
      addition, in contrast to AWA-treated BMDCs, which had markedly induced IFN-gamma
      secretion and reduced of IL-4 levels in co-cultured T cells, ES-treated BMDCs did
      not modify their capacity to stimulate IFN-gamma or IL-4 production by T cells.
      CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that ES of adult E. granulosus inhibited DC function,
      impaired the development of Th1 cells induced by CpG, and induced
      CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells in an IL-10-independent manner.

PMID- 26268405
TI  - [Variation of prevalence of macrosomia and cesarean section and its influencing
      factors].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the varaiation of the incidence of macrosomia and its
      influencing factors. METHODS: A population-based study of 25 944 pregnant women,
      who delivered in Peking University First Hospital in term birth, with singleton,
      between Jan. 1, 2006 and Dec. 31, 2013 and accepted the gestational diabetes
      mellitus (GDM) screening and diagnosis, was performed. The women are grouped
      according to the different clinical interventions at different period. Women
      delivered between Jan.1, 2006 and Dec. 31, 2006 was defined as Group 2006, and
      they were diagnosed with glucose metabolism disorder [gestational impaired
      glucose tolerance (GIGT) and GDM] and intervened only when meeting National
      diabetes data group (NDDG) criteria. Women delivered between Jan. 1, 2007 and
      Apr. 30, 2011 were defined as Group post 2007, and NDDG criteria was also applied
      in this period. Women delivered between May. 1, 2011 and Dec. 31, 2013 were
      defined as Group post 2011, and Ministry of Health (MOH) of China was used for
      GDM diagnosis in this group. All pregnant women in Group post 2007 accepted the
      preliminary pregnancy nutrition advice and weight management. All participants
      met MOH criteria were diagnosed as glucose metabolism disorder in this study, in
      which women diagnosed and intervened in pregnancy were defined as Group diagnosis
      and those not being identified during pregnancy were defined as Group missed
      diagnosis. It was analyzed retrospectively for the incidence of macrosomia and
      the influencing factor. RESULTS: (1) The prevalence of macrosomia and cesarean
      section was decreased every year from Jan. 2006 to Dec. 2013. The incidence of
      macrosomia was 9.14% in 2006, reduced to 8.02% in 2007-2011 and 6.79% in 2011
      2013. The incidence of cesarean section was 55.22%, reduced to 51.04% in 2007
      2011 and 44.15% in 2011-2013. However, there was not remarkable change in the
      prevalence of small for gestational age (P > 0.05). (2) Compared with Group 2006,
      the incidence of cesarean section was lower in Group post 2007 [51.04% (6 504/12
      744) vs 55.22% (1 371/2 483)], and the difference is significantly (P < 0.05).
      Meanwhile, the incidence of cesarean section (44.15%, 4 732/10 717) and
      macrosomia (6.79%,728/10 717) in Group post 2011 was lower significantly than
      Group 2006 and Group post 2007 (P < 0.05). (3) The incidence of macrosomia was
      7.41% (1 129/15 227) and 6.61% (1 006/15 227) respectively in Group diagnosis and
      Group missed diagnosis before May 2011, combined 14.02% (2 135/15 227) in total.
      It was increased significantly in the incidence of GDM 21.41% (2 294/10 717)
      after May 2011 compared with that before (P < 0.05). The incidence of macrosomia
      was decreased significantly using MOH criteria in GDM women since 2011. It was
      the downtrend in the incidence of macrosomia since 2007 in non GDM women.
      However, there was no difference in SGA in different period. (4) In glucose
      metabolism disorder women, compared with Group 2006 and Group post 2007, the
      incidence of macrosomia and cesarean section was lower in Group post 2011, and
      the difference is significantly (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant
      difference in the incidence of macrosomia and cesarean section between Group 2006
      and Group post 2007, and there was no difference in SGA in the 3 groups ( P >
      0.05). In non GDM women, the incidence of macrosomia and cesarean section was
      lower in Group post 2011 than Group 2006 (P < 0.05); meanwhile, it was the
      downtrend in the incidence of macrosomia in Group post 2007 compared to Group
      2006, and the difference of the incidence of cesarean section was significant (P
      < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of macrosomia and cesarean section might be
      reduced by application of suitable criteria for diagnosis of GDM and education on
      nutrition during pregnancy.

PMID- 26268407
TI  - [Effect of S100 calcium binding protein A12 on the pathogenesis of preeclampsia].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of S100 calcium binding protein A12 (S100A12)
      in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. METHODS: Sixty patients with preeclampsia
      were recruited from March 2013 to December 2013 in the First Affiliated Hospital
      of Zhengzhou University. Among them, thirty cases were defined as the mild
      preeclampsia group and thirty cases were defined as the severe preeclampsia
      group. The other thirty healthy pregnant women were recruited in the healthy
      pregnant women group. The levels of S100A12 protein in maternal peripheral blood
      were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Immunohistochemistry
      of streptavidin peroxidase biotin (SP) method was used to measure the protein
      expression of S100A12. The trophoblast cells were cultured in vitro with plasma
      from the three groups, and a blank control group was set up as well. Transwell
      was used to detect the cytotrophoblast invasion ability. Western blot was used to
      measure the protein expression level of receptor for advanced glycation end
      products (RAGE). RESULTS: (1) The levels of S100A12 in maternal peripheral blood
      of patients with preeclampisa [mild group: (30.8+/-2.7) ug/L, severe group:
      (49.3+/-4.1) ug/L] were significantly higher than that of the control group
      [(15.8+/-1.4) ug/L]. In addition, compared with the mild preeclampsia group, the
      level of S100A12 in the severe preeclampsia group was significantly higher (P <
      0.05). (2) Positive immunostaining of S100A12 was observed in the cytoplasm of
      cytotrophoblast, decidual cells and the placentas from the three groups. The
      positive rate in the mild preeclampisa group was 77% (23/30); in the severe
      preeclampsia group it was 93% (28/30); and in the healthy pregnant women group it
      was 23% (7/30). The positive rates of placenta in the mild and severe
      preeclampsia groups were significantly higher than that in the healthy pregnant
      women group (P < 0.05). In addition, compared with the mild preeclampsia group,
      the positive rate of immunostaining of S100A12 in the severe group was
      significantly higher (P < 0.05). (3) Cytotrophoblast invasion ability and the
      expression of RAGE in the mild preeclampsia group were 29.1+/-3.2 and 0.479+/
      0.038, respectively; in the severe preeclampsia group they were 16.8+/-2.5 and
      0.652+/-0.059; in the healthy pregnant women group they were 38.6+/-24.3 and
      0.327+/-0.024; and in the blank control group they were 42.6+/-5.6 and 0.194+/
      0.011. Cytotrophoblast invasion ability and the expression of RAGE protein in the
      mild and severe preeclampsia groups were significantly higher than those in the
      healthy pregnant women group and the control group(P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The
      expression of S100A12 increased in materal peripheral blood and placenta, and the
      receptor protein of S100A12 RAGE also had high expression. It suggested that the
      S100A12 may have some effect on the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.

PMID- 26268406
TI  - [Analysis of emergency obstetric hysterectomy: the change of indications and the
      application of intraoperative interventions].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the change of indications of emergency obstetric
      hysterectomy and the clinical application of intraoperative interventions. And to
      provide evidence for prevention of hysterectomy and improvement of obstetric
      quality. METHODS: Clinical data were collected from 97 patients who received
      emergency obstetric hysterectomy at Shengjing Hospital of China Medical
      University between January 1st, 2004 and December 31st, 2013. The patients were
      divided into two groups by the time point of January 1st, 2009: the first group
      was cases treated between January 1st, 2004 and December 31st, 2008, while the
      second group was cases treated between January 1st, 2009 and December 31st, 2013.
      The clinical indicators, surgical indications, intraoperative interventions, and
      blood loss between the two groups were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: (1)
      Incidence: 54 857 women delivered at Shengjing Hospital of China Medical
      University between January 1st, 2004 and December 31st, 2013. Of them, 97
      patients received emergency obstetric hysterectomy, with an incidence of 0.177%
      (97/54 857). (2) The 17 patients delivered vaginally (18%,17/97) and 80 by
      caesarean section (83%,80/97). Forty-nine patients experienced repregnancy with
      scar uterus (51% , 49/97). About 41 patients underwent abdominal total
      hysterectomy (42%,41/97) and 56 received subtotal hysterectomy (58%, 56/97). (3)
      The number of patients were comparable between the two groups (50 vs 47; P >
      0.05). (4) The main surgical indication was uterine inertia (45%, 44/97). The
      main causes of uterine inertia were excessive uterine tension (45%, 20/44) and
      placental abruption due to gestational hypertension (32%, 14/44). Of all the
      indications, 29 patients in the first group (58%, 29/50) and 15 patients in the
      second group (32%, 15/47) suffered from postpartum hemorrhage. Pathological
      placenta embedment occurred in 15 patients in the first group (30%, 15/50) and 25
      patients in the second group (53%, 25/47). The incidences of postpartum
      hemorrhage due to uterine inertia or pathological placenta embedment were
      significantly different between the two groups (both P < 0.05), respectively. (5)
      In the first group, the average preoperative blood loss was (2 900+/-1 900) ml,
      and the average intraoperative amount of infused white & red blood cells was
      (5.9+/-3.5) U, with the average operation time of (2.2+/-1.8) hours and the
      average in-hospital duration of (7.8+/-2.3) days. In the second group, the
      average preoperative blood loss was (3 100+/- 2 200) ml, and the intraoperative
      amount of infused white & red blood cells was (6.2+/-5.2) U, with the average
      operation time of (2.5+/-2.1) hours and the average in-hospital duration of
      (7.9+/-2.9) days. There was no significant difference between the two groups in
      any of these indicators (P > 0.05). Postpartum hemorrhage was usually treated
      with uterine packing in the first group, but was preferentially treated with
      potent uterine contraction agents, arterial ligation, uterine balloon compression
      or B-Lynch suture in the second group. The therapeutic effects of these new
      treatments were significantly better than uterine packing (P < 0.05).
      CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of emergency obstetric hysterectomy did not change
      significantly in the past decade. However, the indications and intraoperative
      interventions have changed significantly in the second five years compared with
      the first five years. The main surgical indications were uterine inertia and
      postpartum hemorrhage due to pathological placenta embedment. Therefore, strict
      control of caesarean section indications was important to reduce emergency
      obstetric hysterectomy.

PMID- 26268408
TI  - [Randomized, blind, parallel-controlled and multiple-centre clinical trial on the
      effectiveness and safety of leuprolide acetate in the treatment of
      endometriosis].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of leuprolide acetate in the
      treatment of endometriosis. METHODS: From Nov. 2007 to Oct. 2012, the patients
      who confirmed to be endometriosis were randomly divided into test group of 113
      cases and control group of 116 cases. The test drug was the sustained-release
      agent of leuprolide acetate. The control drug was Enantone. The drugs were used
      for 3 times in total. After treatment, the ovarian mass volumes measured with
      type-B ultrasound, the scores of the patient's subjective symptoms during non
      menstrual and menstruation days, the pelvic signs during non-menstrual days, the
      changes of hormones [estradiol (E2), FSH, LH], and adverse events were observed.
      RESULTS: After the treatment, the rate of changes of ovarian mass volume (among
      them, at 12 weeks after the first injection, the median was -55.83% in the test
      group, -68.22% in the control group, P = 0.336), the distinct improvement rate of
      symptom scores and pelvic signs during non-menstrual days [among them, at 12
      weeks after the first injection, the rate of lower abdomen pain was 47.5%
      (48/101) in the test group, 44.0% (44/100) in the control group, P = 0.881], the
      hormone (E2, FSH, LH) levels [among them, at 12 weeks after the first injection,
      the serum level of E2, was (33+/-38) pmol/L in the test group, (38+/-40) pmol/L
      in the control group, P = 0.414; the serum level of FSH, was (5.1+/-2.8) U/L in
      the test group, (5.3+/-2.3) U/L in the control group, P = 0.666; the serum level
      of LH, was (0.6+/-0.8) U/L in the test group, (0.6+/-0.9) U/L in the control
      group, P = 0.907], had no statistically significant difference between the two
      groups (all P > 0.05). The distinct improvement rate and improvement rate of
      symptom (lower abdomen pain, low back pain) scores during menstruation days at 12
      weeks after the first injection, the rates of lower abdomen pain were 73.9%
      (34/46), 15.2% (7/46) respectively in the test group, 72.3% (34/47), 2.1% (1/47)
      respectively in the control group, had statistically significant difference
      between the two groups (P = 0.026). There was no serious adverse event occurred
      in both two groups. The incidence rate of adverse event was 33.6% (38/113) in
      test group, 23.2% (27/116) in control group, there was no significant difference
      between the two groups (P = 0.082). CONCLUSION: Leuprolide acetate is effective
      and safe in the treatment of endometriosis.

PMID- 26268409
TI  - [Association of the H770H of PR gene polymorphism with susceptibility to
      endometriosis].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of PR gene exon 5 region H770H
      (rs1042839) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) with the genetic susceptibility
      to endometriosis (EM) in southern Han Chinese women. METHODS: Totally 431 EM
      patients and 499 non-EM women were collected and separated into EM group and
      control group, that all cases were confirmed by operation and pathology. A case
      control study was performed in EM and control groups to evaluate the association
      of these SNP with the susceptibility to EM by using a fluorescent quantitative
      PCR-based high resolution melting (HRM) method. RESULTS: The C and T of PR H770H
      allele frequencies among the EM and control groups were 97.9% (844/862), 2.1%
      (18/862) and 99.4% (992/998), 0.6% (6/998), respectively. The CC, CT and TT of PR
      H770H genotype frequencies among the EM and control groups were 95.8% (413/431),
      4.2% (18/431), 0 and 98.8% (493/499), 1.2% (6/499), 0, respectively. There were
      statistical significances in the PR H770H alleles and genotypes distributions
      between the two groups (chi(2)=7.386, P=0.007; chi(2)=8.135, P=0.004). Carrying
      allele C reduced the risk of EM (OR=0.986, 95%CI: 0.976-0.996), while carrying
      allele T enhanced the risk of EM (OR=3.319, 95% CI: 1.323-8.325); carrying
      genotype CC reduced the risk of EM 0.970 time (OR=0.970, 95% CI: 0.949-0.991),
      whereas carrying genotype CT enhanced the risk of EM 3.473 times (OR=3.473,
      95%CI: 1.391-8.671). CONCLUSION: There is significant association between the
      polymorphism of PR H770H and genetic susceptibility to EM in southern Han Chinese
      women.

PMID- 26268410
TI  - [Clinical analysis of 32 cases with neuroendocrine carcinoma of the uterine
      cervix in early-stage disease].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the survival and recurrence data after treatment in
      neuroendocrine carcinoma of the uterine cervix (NECUC) with stage Ib-IIa, and to
      analyse its prognostic factors. METHODS: Thirty-two cases of primary NECUC in
      early-stage disease treated from Jan. 2005 to Dec. 2013 at Cancer Hospital,
      Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences were reviewed,
      and their data of clinicopathologic characteristics were collected and analysed.
      The median age was 37 years (range, 23-57 years). The distribution by
      International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) clinical stage: 19
      cases stage Ib1, 10 cases stage Ib2, 1 case stage IIa1, 2 cases stage IIa2.
      Pathologic types: 22 cases of small cell carcinoma, 1 case of atypical carcinoid,
      9 cases of mixed carcinoma. The diameter of cervical tumor: 12 cases >=4 cm, 20
      cases <4 cm. All patients underwent radical hysterectomy and pelvic +/- para
      aortic lymphadenectomy, and 15 cases of them were preserved unilateral or
      bilateral ovaries. Pathologic examination showed that 25 cases with cervical deep
      stromal invasion thickness >=1/2, 21 cases with lymph-vascular space invasion
      (LVSI), and 18 cases with pelvic and (or) para-aortic lymph nodes involvement.
      Ten cases were performed neoadjuvant chemotherapy (range,1-3 cycles), all
      patients received postoperative chemotherapy (range,3-6 cycles), and 15 patients
      were treated with radiotherapy after surgery. The follow-up data were updated on
      Jul. 2014. The median follow-up time was 18 months (range, 7-71 months). A
      retrospective analysis was conducted to analyse the survival and recurrence
      data,and to explore the prognostic factors of NECUC. RESULTS: Thirteen patients
      died during the follow-up period. The cumulative progression-free survival (PFS)
      of 2 and 5 years were respectively 54.2% and 38.1%, and the estimated median PFS
      was 29 months. The cumulative overall survival (OS) of 2 and 5 years were
      respectively 56.1% and 44.9%, and the estimated median OS was 31 months. Fourteen
      cases had recurrence, and the median recurrence time was 9 months (range, 3-30
      months). Recurrent or metastatic sites: 2 cases in pelvis, 4 cases in liver, 3
      cases in lung, 3 cases in adrenal glands, 3 cases in bones, 2 cases in brain, 1
      case in pancreas, 1 case in lymph nodes of para-aorta and neck, and 3 cases had
      metastasis in two or more organs. Thirteen cases with recurrence died of disease,
      and another one is alive with disease. The univariate analysis showed that lesion
      size of the cervix and FIGO stage were significant prognostic factors (P<0.01),
      while age, tumor components, deep invasion in cervical stromal, LVSI, pelvic and
      (or) para-aortic lymph nodes involvement, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, adjuvant
      radiotherapy and preserving ovaries were not significantly associated with
      prognosis (all P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The prognosis of NECUC in early-stage is poor
      and the lesion size of the cervix and FIGO stage are prognostic factors.

PMID- 26268411
TI  - [Clinicopathologic characteristics and risk factors for lung metastasis after
      radical hysterectomy in early-stage cervical cancer].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To discuss the clinicopathologic characteristics and risk factors for
      lung metastasis of early-stage cervical cancer after radical hysterectomy.
      METHODS: The complete clinicopathologic data of patients with lung metastasis of
      cervical cancer after radical surgery from January 2008 to December 2013 admitted
      in Zhejiang Cancer Hospital were retrospectively analyzed by univariate and
      multivariate analysis. RESULTS: (1) There were 38 cases of early cervical cancer
      suffered from lung metastasis after radical hysterectomy during the period. The
      median age at diagnosis of cervical cancer was 46 years, the average lung
      metastasis time was 13 months after operation, 50.0% (19/38) cases occurred in
      the first year. Thirty-one cases were squamous cell carcinoma and 7 cases were
      non-squamous cell carcinoma. (2) Univariate analysis showed that age, clinical
      stage, manner of tumor growth, tumor grade, perineuronal invasion, para-aortic
      lymph node metastasis were not significant effect on postoperative lung
      metastasis (all P>0.05). But tumor size, histologic types, depth of stromal
      invasion, uterine body infiltration, lympho-vascular space invasion,pelvic lymph
      node metastasis, positive margin and abnormal tumor markers were significantly
      correlated with postoperative lung metastasis (all P<0.05). Multivariate analysis
      showed that only tumor size, histologic types and pelvic lymph node metastasis
      were independent risk factors for lung metastasis of cervical cancer (P<0.05).
      CONCLUSIONS: Patients of early-stage cervical cancer with lung metastasis mostly
      occurs within 1 year after radical hysterectomy. Local large tumor lesions (tumor
      size >4 cm), non-squamous cell carcinoma and pelvic lymph node metastasis were
      more likely to have lung metastasis.

PMID- 26268412
TI  - [The natural history of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia I and the clinical
      significance of p16(INK4a) protein as a marker of progression in cervical
      intraepithelial neoplasia I].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe the natural history of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia
      (CIN) I and the biologic factors associated with the progression of CIN I and to
      analyze the predictive values of p16(INK4a) protein for the progression of CIN I.
      METHODS: From August 2010 to July 2013, 104 patients referred for abnormal
      cytology [<= low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL); including negative
      for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy (NILM), atypical squamous cells of
      undetermined significance (ASCUS), LSIL] and high-risk (HR) HPV positive, and
      were diagnosed CIN I by colposcopy-assisted biopsy and followed at 1-year
      intervals in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. In
      order to analyze the relationship between the progression of CIN I with clinical
      biologic factors, including patient age, cervical cytology before colposcopy,
      loads of HR HPV, HPV L1 capsid protein, p16(INK4a) protein, chi(2) tests was used
      to compare the different frequencies of factors in groups of progressed and
      persisted/regressed CIN I, then five factors with progressed CIN I were processed
      into binary logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: (1) In the first year of
      follow-up, among 104 patients (including 15 cases NILM, 78 cases ASCUS, 11 cases
      LSIL), 52 cases of them were NILM and HR HPV negative, 30 cases were negative for
      intraepithelial lesion, 10 cases were CIN I, 5 cases were CIN II and 7 cases were
      CIN III. In total, 82 cases (78.8%, 82/104) cases had regressed, 10 cases (9.6%,
      10/104) persisted, 12 cases (11.5%, 12/104) progressed [including 5 cases (4.8% ,
      5/104) progressed to CIN II, 7 cases (6.7% , 7/104) progressed to CIN III, none
      progressed to invasive cancer]. (2) All patients, 88 cases of them accepted
      immunohistochemical detection the expression of p16(INK4a) protein. The result
      shown that 30 cases (34%, 30/88) were positive and 58 cases (66%, 58/88) were
      negative. And 94 cases accepted immunocytochemical detection the expression of
      HPV L1 capsid protein, 49 cases (52% , 49/94) were positive and 45 cases (48% ,
      45/94) were negative. (3) Univariate analysis showed that age of the patient,
      loads of HR HPV, cervical cytology before colposcopy and the expression of HPV L1
      capsid protein were not risk factors of the progression of CIN I (all P>0.05)
      except for the expression of p16(INK4a) protein (P<0.05). Multivariable analysis
      found that p16(INK4a) protein positive was associated with progression of CIN I
      (OR=5.1, 95%CI: 1.162-22.387, P=0.031). (4) Thirty-one cases were p16(INK4a)
      protein positive, 8 cases (27%, 8/30) of them progressed, while 4 cases (7%,
      4/58) of 58 cases with p16(INK4a) protein negative progressed,in which there were
      significant difference (P<0.05). The sensitivity was 75%, the specificity was
      71%, the positive predictive value was 27% and the negative predictive value was
      93% for progression to CIN II-III of p16(INK4a) protein staining. CONCLUSIONS:
      The progression rate of CIN I with abnormal cytology (<=LSIL) and HR HPV positive
      was lower, and there was no progression to invasion at 1-year intervals.
      Immunostaining of p16(INK4a) protein as the risk factors of CIN I progression
      could have a role in prediction of CIN I and the management of high-risk CIN I.

PMID- 26268413
TI  - Evolutionary suppression of erythropoiesis via the modulation of TGF-beta
      signalling in an Antarctic icefish.
AB  - The Antarctic icefish, a family (Channichthyidae) of teleosts within the
      perciform suborder Notothenioidei, are the only known vertebrates without oxygen
      transporting haemoglobins and that are largely devoid of circulating
      erythrocytes. To elucidate the evo-devo mechanisms underpinning the suppressed
      erythropoiesis in the icefish, we conducted comparative studies on the
      transcriptomes and microRNAomes of the primary haematopoietic tissues between an
      icefish (Chionodraco hamatus) and two red-blooded notothenioids (Trematomus
      bernacchii and Gymnodraco acuticeps). We identified substantial remodelling of
      the haematopoietic programs in the icefish through which erythropoiesis is
      selectively suppressed. Experimental verification showed that erythropoietic
      suppression in the icefish may be attributable to the upregulation of TGF-beta
      signalling, which coincides with reductions in multiple transcription factors
      essential for erythropoiesis and the upregulation of hundreds of microRNAs, the
      majority (> 80%) of which potentially target erythropoiesis regulating factors.
      Of the six microRNAs selected for verification, three miRNAs (miR-152, miR-1388
      and miR-16b) demonstrated suppressive functions on GATA1 and ALAS2, which are two
      factors important for erythroid differentiation, resulting in reduced numbers of
      erythroids in microinjected zebra fish embryos. Codon substitution analyses of
      the genes of the TGF-beta superfamily revealed signs of positive selection in TGF
      beta1 and endoglin in the lineages leading to Antarctic notothenioids. Both genes
      are previously known to function in erythropoietic suppression. These findings
      implied a general trend of erythropoietic suppression in the cold-adapted
      notothenioid lineages through evolutionary modulation of the multi-functional TGF
      beta signalling pathway. This trend is more pronounced in the haemoglobin-less
      icefish, which may pre-emptively hinder the otherwise defective erythroids from
      production. 

PMID- 26268414
TI  - In vivo magnetization transfer imaging of the lung using a zero echo time
      sequence at 4.7 Tesla in mice: Initial experience.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to assess the feasibility of
      magnetization transfer-prepared zero echo time (ZTE) imaging of the lung in vivo
      at high field strength [4.7 Tesla) T] in mice. METHODS: Eighteen C57BL/10 mice
      underwent MRI examinations in a 4.7T MR-scanner. A three-dimensional ZTE sequence
      was applied for lung imaging combined with a Gaussian MT-prepulse, which was
      followed by a train of 100 ZTE imaging readouts. Degree of MT was assessed by
      calculation of the magnetization transfer ratio (MTR). Direct saturation was
      estimated using Bloch equation simulations based on T1 measurements. The line
      width of pulmonary tissue was estimated using T2* measurements. RESULTS:
      Experimental MTR-values of nonpulmonary tissues obtained with ZTE exhibited the
      characteristics known from conventional MT-sequences (skeletal muscle and liver:
      high values; fatty tissue: low values). Lung tissue demonstrated MTR-values in
      between fatty tissue and liver tissue. Direct saturation could be estimated by
      the Bloch simulation; however, an adequate approximation was only possible for T2
      values nearly in the range of parenchymal organs. CONCLUSION: Pulmonary MT
      measurements at high field strength using the proposed MT-ZTE sequence is
      feasible; however, estimation of direct saturation remains challenging. Magn
      Reson Med 76:156-162, 2016. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 26268415
TI  - Evaluation of the 2008 World Health Organization classification for non-mycosis
      fungoides, non-Sezary syndrome T/NK-cell lymphomas with primary cutaneous
      involvement.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cutaneous non-mycosis fungoides non-Sezary syndrome T/NK cell
      lymphomas (non-MF/non-SS CTCL) are rare. In 2005, a consensus of the World Health
      Organization (WHO) and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer
      (EORTC) classifications for primary cutaneous lymphomas was established. These
      guidelines were then adopted into the WHO Classification of Tumours of
      Haematopoietic and Lymphoid Tissues, 2008. This study aims to assess the
      applicability of the WHO 2008 classification in a retrospective series of CTCL
      cases registered in a reference academic center in Brazil. METHODS: Twenty-seven
      patients with non-MF/non-SS CTCL were studied. Clinical, histopathological and
      immunophenotypical features based on an extensive panel of antibodies were
      applied to classify the cases according to the WHO, 2008. RESULTS: Overall,
      diagnostic categories included eight (29.6%) cutaneous anaplastic large-cell
      lymphoma, five (18.5%) lymphomatoid papulosis, six (22.2%) extranodal natural
      killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type, five (18.5%) adult T-cell
      leukemia/lymphoma, one (3.7%) cutaneous CD8-positive aggressive epidermotropic
      cytotoxic T-cell lymphoma and two (7.4%) of peripheral T-cell lymphoma not
      otherwise specified (NOS). CONCLUSIONS: The WHO classification (2008) was
      applicable to most cases of non-MF/non-SS CTCL, while some cases remained
      unclassified and were considered NOS-peripheral T-cell lymphoma. An unexpected
      high frequency of NK/T-cell lymphoma nasal type was observed.

PMID- 26268416
TI  - Natural antimicrobials and high-pressure treatments on the inactivation of
      Salmonella Enteritidis and Escherichia coli O157:H7 in cold-smoked salmon.
AB  - BACKGROUND: High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) combined with reuterin and
      lactoperoxidase system (LPS) has exerted antimicrobial activity against Listeria
      monocytogenes in cold-smoked salmon at chilled temperatures. Therefore the
      purpose of this work was to evaluate the effect of HHP combined with reuterin,
      LPS and lactoferrin (LF) on the survival of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica
      serovar Enteritidis and Escherichia coli O157:H7 in cold-smoked salmon stored at
      4 and 10  degrees C. RESULTS: Salmonella Enteritidis and E. coli O157:H7 were
      reduced more than 3 log colony-forming units (CFU) g(-1) by the pressure
      treatment (450 MPa/5 min). LPS slightly diminished pathogen levels throughout
      storage, whereas no effect was recorded when reuterin or LF was added. The
      Salmonella population was below the detection limit (<1 log CFU g(-1) ) during
      the storage of HHP-treated smoked salmon at 4 and 10  degrees C. The
      antimicrobial activity of HHP against E. coli O157:H7 was increased when 450 MPa
      was applied in combination with LPS in cold-smoked salmon at 4 and 10  degrees C.
      CONCLUSION: HHP at 450 MPa/5 min inactivated S. Enteritidis in cold-smoked salmon
      and in combination with LPS would be useful as a hurdle technology approach
      against E. coli O157:H7, even under mild temperature abuse conditions. (c) 2015
      Society of Chemical Industry.

PMID- 26268417
TI  - Increased expression of metalloproteinase-2 and -9 (MMP-2, MMP-9), tissue
      inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 and -2 (TIMP-1, TIMP-2), and EMMPRIN (CD147) in
      multiple myeloma.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Activity of metalloproteinases (MMP) is controlled both by specific
      tissue inhibitors (TIMP) and activators (extracellular matrix metalloproteinase
      inducer, EMMPRIN). There are few data available concerning concentration the bone
      marrow of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2, or EMMPRIM expression by bone marrow
      mesenchymal stromal cells (BMSCs) in patients with multiple myeloma (MM).
      PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied 40 newly diagnosed, untreated patients: 18 males
      and 22 females with de novo MM and 11 healthy controls. Bone marrow was collected
      prior to therapy. BMSCs were derived by culturing bone marrow cells on MesenCult.
      Protein concentrations were determined in bone marrow plasma and culture
      supernatants by ELISA. EMMPRIN expression by BMSCs was assessed by flow
      cytometry. RESULTS: The median concentrations of MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 in
      both marrow plasma and culture supernatants were significantly higher in MM
      patients than controls. CONCLUSION: EMMPRIN expression and ratios MMP-9/TIMP-1
      and MMP-2/TIMP-2 were higher in MM patients, our results demonstrate that in MM
      patients MMP-2 and MMP-9 are secreted in higher amounts and are not balanced by
      inhibitors.

PMID- 26268418
TI  - Histology and Immunohistochemistry of the Cardiac Ventricular Structure in the
      Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas).
AB  - This study describes the implications of cardiac ventricular microscopy in
      Chelonia mydas relating to its ability to dive. For this work, 11 specimens of
      the marine turtle species C. mydas found dead on the coast of Rio Grande do Norte
      (Northeast Brazil) were used. After necropsy, fragments of the cardiac
      ventricular wall were fixed in 10% buffered formaldehyde solution for 24 h and
      then subjected to routine processing for light and scanning electron microscopy
      (SEM). The ventricle in this species is formed by the epicardium, myocardium and
      endocardium. The subepicardial layer consists of highly vascularised connective
      tissue that emits septa to reinforce the myocardium surface. There is an abundant
      and diffuse subepicardial nerve plexus shown by immunostaining technique. The
      thickness of the spongy myocardium and the nature of its trabeculae varied
      between the heart chambers. The endocardium shows no characteristic elements of
      the heart conduction system. The valves have a hyaline cartilage skeleton, coated
      by dense irregular connective tissues characterised by elastic fibres. These
      findings in the green turtle ventricular microscopy are related to hypoxia
      resistance during diving. 

PMID- 26268419
TI  - Crawford Williamson Long: The True Pioneer of Surgical Anesthesia.
AB  - Anesthesia and analgesia are as old as mankind itself. However, we now know that
      the true pioneer of surgical anesthesia through inhalation of ether was Doctor
      Crawford Williamson Long (1815-1878), who endeavored to help his profession and
      mankind without pursuing any reward or honor. Crawford Williamson Long was a
      great and beloved American surgeon. He was a well-educated and elegant man with
      an outstanding personality. Crawford was born in Danielsville, Georgia, in the
      United States and was the son of James Long and Elizabeth Ware Long. He married
      Mary Caroline Swain Long and gave birth to 12 children. Long proved the
      effectiveness of ether after painlessly removing a tumor from the neck. In 1847,
      a rivalry broke out among Horace Wells, Charles Thomas Jackson, and William
      Thomas Green Morton for the primacy as regards the discovery of anesthesia. The
      US Congress offered itself to arbitrate the case of the so called "ether
      controversy." Finally, a few years after the end of the North American Civil War,
      while taking care of a patient, Crawford passed away, presumably after suffering
      a stroke. 

PMID- 26268420
TI  - Schlafen 3 Mediates the Differentiating Effects of Cdx2 in Rat IEC-Cdx2L1
      Enterocytes.
AB  - AIM: Mature, differentiated enterocytes are essential for normal gut function and
      critical to recovery from pathological conditions. Little is known about the
      factors that regulate intestinal epithelial cell differentiation in the adult
      intestine. The transcription factor, Cdx2, involved in enterocytic
      differentiation, remains expressed in the adult. Since we have implicated Slfn3
      in differentiation in vivo and in vitro, we examined whether it also mediated
      differentiation in the IEC-Cdx2-L1 cell model of differentiation. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: IEC-Cdx2-L1 cells, permanently transfected with Cdx2 under the control
      of isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactoside (IPTG), were stimulated to differentiate by
      16-day exposure to IPTG. Transcript levels of Cdx2, Slfn 3, and villin were
      determined by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction of
      mRNA isolated from IPTG-treated and control cells. Slfn3 expression was lowered
      with specific siRNA to investigate the role of Slfn3 in Cdx2-driven villin
      expression in IPTG-differentiated cells. RESULTS: Slfn3 and villin expression
      were significantly greater in IPTG-treated cells. Slfn3 siRNA lowered Slfn3
      expression and abolished the IPTG-induced rise in villin expression (p < .05 by
      ANOVA); Cdx2 expression was unaffected by Slfn3 siRNA. DISCUSSION: The data
      indicate that the presence of Slfn3 is required for Cdx2 to induce villin
      expression, and thus differentiation. However, Slfn3 must also promote
      differentiation of Cdx2 independently since IEC-6 cells that do not normally
      express Cdx2 can be differentiated by a variety of Slfn3-dependent mechanisms.

PMID- 26268421
TI  - Comparison of Surgical versus Non-Surgical Treatment of Displaced 3- and 4-Part
      Fractures of the Proximal Humerus: A Meta-Analysis.
AB  - PURPOSE/AIM: This meta-analysis compares the clinical outcomes of surgical versus
      conservative treatment of displaced, 3- or 4-part, proximal humeral fractures.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS:  Medline, Cochrane, EMBASE, and Google Scholar were
      searched for studies published until October 2013, reporting functional outcomes
      of 3- or 4-part fractures of the proximal humerus in skeletally mature patients.
      Only randomized controlled trials were included. The treatments that were
      evaluated included non-surgical, open surgery, intramedullary pin, locking plate,
      arthroplasty, and minimally invasive surgical treatments. A meta-analysis was
      performed on the difference in functional outcomes and quality of life (QoL)
      between participants undergoing surgical versus non-surgical treatment. RESULTS:
      Out of 254 participants in the studies who were analyzed, 127 were treated
      surgically. The difference in mean values of functional score showed similar
      results between surgical and non-surgical treatments (difference in mean values =
      0.015, 95% CI = -0.232 to 0.261, p = .908).The difference in mean values of QoL
      showed that surgical treatment provided better post-operative QoL than non
      surgical treatment (difference in mean values = 0.146, 95% CI = 0.052 to 0.240, p
      = .002). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical treatment of displaced, multi-fragment fractures
      of the proximal humerus did not improve shoulder functional outcome, based on the
      Constant-Murley Score, when compared with conservative and non-surgical
      treatments. However, health-related QoL was significantly improved with surgical
      treatment compared with conservative treatment.

PMID- 26268422
TI  - Meta-Analysis on Microdiscectomy and Sequestrectomy for Lumbar Disc Herniation.
AB  - PURPOSE: Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is a common cause of low back pain and
      mainly occurs in patients aged 24 to 45 years. To further compare the efficacy of
      microdiscectomy and sequestrectomy, we made quantitative evaluation of clinical
      studies published so far by meta-analysis in order to provide information for
      clinical decision. METHODS: Literatures reporting randomized controlled studies
      that compared the efficacy of microdiscectomy and sequestrectomy for LDH were
      retrieved from major databases using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria.
      RESULTS: Meta-analysis showed that microdiscectomy resulted in higher low back
      pain VAS score (standard mean difference, SMD = 0.86, 95% confidential interval,
      CI: 0.19, 1.53; P = 0.01) and there was not statistically significant difference
      in the incidence of re-operation (odd ratio, OR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.46, 1.85; P =
      0.60) and neuropathic pain VAS scores (SMD = 0.51, 95% CI: -0.16, 1.18; P = 0.14)
      between the methods. CONCLUSION: Both microdiscectomy and sequestrectomy had good
      curative results in the treatment of LDH. In low back pain VAS score, the former
      was better than the latter, while in the analgesic usage rate, the latter was
      superior to the former. In clinical practice, the choice of surgical method
      should be considered on the basis of actual situations.

PMID- 26268423
TI  - Helping Aged Victims of Crime (the HAVoC Study): Common Crime, Older People and
      Mental Illness--ERRATUM.
AB  - The author list previously published for this article was incomplete when
      received by the journal. It should also have included Gerard Leavey, University
      College London, UK, as an author, as follows: Marc Serfaty, Anna Ridgewell, Vari
      Drennan, Chris R. Brewin, Gerard Leavey, Anwen Wright, Gloria Laycock, Martin
      Blanchard. 

PMID- 26268424
TI  - Bacterial isolates and their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern among patients
      with external ocular infections at Borumeda hospital, Northeast Ethiopia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Bacteria are major cause of ocular infections and possible loss of
      vision. The emergence of antimicrobial resistant bacteria increases the risk of
      treatment failure with potentially serious consequences. The aim of this study
      was to determine the prevalence of bacterial isolates and their antimicrobial
      susceptibility pattern among patients with external ocular infections. METHODS: A
      cross sectional study was conducted among 160 patients with external ocular
      infections at Borumeda hospital, Northeast Ethiopia. Socio-demographic and
      clinical data were collected using structured questionnaire. External ocular
      specimens were collected using sterile swabs and inoculated on MacConkey agar,
      Chocolate agar and Blood agar culture Medias. Presumptive isolates were further
      identified by a series of biochemical tests. The antimicrobial susceptibility
      patterns of the isolates were determined by disk diffusion method. RESULT: The
      overall prevalence of bacterial pathogens among external ocular samples was 59.4
      %. The majority of the isolates (93.7 %; 89/95) were Gram positive and the other
      6.3 % (6/95) Gram negative bacteria. The proportion of coagulase negative
      Staphylococci among the Gram positive bacterial isolates was 53.7 % (n = 51/95).
      All Gram positive isolates were susceptible for vancomycin but 67.4 % (n = 60/95)
      of them were resistant against amoxicillin. Moreover, drug resistance to
      tetracycline, norfloxacylin, ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin were observed among
      Gram negative bacteria isolates. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of bacterial
      pathogens among external ocular samples was high and the predominant isolate was
      coagulase negative Staphylococci. Exceptionally high amoxicillin resistance was
      observed among Gram positive bacterial isolates that may dictate to conduct drug
      susceptibility test routinely.

PMID- 26268425
TI  - Association of Online Health Information-Seeking Behavior and Self-Care
      Activities Among Type 2 Diabetic Patients in Saudi Arabia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Health information obtained from the Internet has an impact on
      patient health care outcomes. There is a growing concern over the quality of
      online health information sources used by diabetic patients because little is
      known about their health information-seeking behavior and the impact this
      behavior has on their diabetes-related self-care, in particular in the Middle
      East setting. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the online health
      related information-seeking behavior among adult type 2 diabetic patients in the
      Middle East and the impact of their online health-related information-seeking
      behavior on their self-care activities. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was
      conducted on 344 patients with type 2 diabetes attending inpatient and outpatient
      primary health care clinics at 2 teaching hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The
      main outcome measures included the ability of patients to access the Internet,
      their ability to use the Internet to search for health-related information, and
      their responses to Internet searches in relation to their self-care activities.
      Further analysis of differences based on age, gender, sociodemographic, and
      diabetes-related self-care activities among online health-related information
      seekers and nononline health-related information seekers was conducted. RESULTS:
      Among the 344 patients, 74.1% (255/344) were male with a mean age of 53.5 (SD
      13.8) years. Only 39.0% (134/344) were Internet users; 71.6% (96/134) of them
      used the Internet for seeking health-related information. Most participants
      reported that their primary source of health-related information was their
      physician (216/344, 62.8%) followed by television (155/344, 45.1%), family
      (113/344, 32.8%), newspapers (100/344, 29.1%), and the Internet (96/344, 27.9%).
      Primary topics participants searched for were therapeutic diet for diabetes
      (55/96, 57%) and symptoms of diabetes (52/96, 54%) followed by diabetes treatment
      (50/96, 52%). Long history of diabetes, familial history of the disease,
      unemployment, and not seeking diabetes education were the most common barriers
      for online health-related information-seeking behavior. Younger age, female,
      marital status, higher education, higher income, and longer duration of Internet
      usage were associated with more online health-related information-seeking
      behaviors. Most (89/96, 93%) online health-related information seekers reported
      positive change in their behaviors after seeking online health information.
      Overall odds ratio (OR 1.56, 95% CI 0.63-3.28) for all self-care responses
      demonstrated that there was no statistically significant difference between those
      seeking health-related information online and non-health-related information
      seekers. However, health-related information seekers were better in testing their
      blood glucose regularly, taking proper action for hyperglycemia, and adopting
      nonpharmacological management. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians and television are still
      the primary sources of health-related information for adult diabetic patients in
      Saudi Arabia whether they seek health-related information online or not. This
      study demonstrates that participants seeking online health-related information
      are more conscious about their diabetes self-care compared to non-health-related
      information seekers in some aspects more than the others.

PMID- 26268426
TI  - Hypertension subtypes and risk of cardiovascular diseases in a Mongolian
      population, inner Mongolia, China.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There have been no reports about the effects of hypertension subtypes
      on the future cardiovascular events among Mongolian people, China. METHODS AND
      RESULTS: From June 2003 to July 2012, we conducted a prospective study to assess
      the association of hypertension subtypes with future risk of cardiovascular
      events including stroke and coronary heart disease among a Mongolian cohort of
      2589 adults in China. According to the baseline blood pressure levels, the
      subjects were divided into those with normal blood pressure, prehypertension,
      isolated systolic hypertension (ISH), isolated diastolic hypertension (IDH), and
      combined systolic and diastolic hypertension (SDH). Cox proportional hazards
      models were used to evaluate the association between blood pressure subtypes and
      risk of cardiovascular diseases. After adjustment for age and gender, hazard
      ratios (95% confidence intervals) of cardiovascular diseases were 1.75 (0.92
      3.33), 2.11 (0.95-4.70), 2.14 (1.01-4.56) and 5.31 (2.86-9.77) for pre
      hypertension, ISH, IDH and SDH, respectively, compared with normal blood
      pressure. Furthermore, after adding other cardiovascular risk factors to
      adjustment, hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) of cardiovascular diseases
      were 1.74 (0.92-3.31), 2.00 (0.88-4.54), 2.20 (1.02-4.74) and 4.92 (2.62-9.26)
      for pre-hypertension, ISH, IDH and SDH, respectively, compared with the normal
      blood pressure group. CONCLUSIONS: IDH and SDH were significantly associated with
      the increased risk of cardiovascular diseases; this study suggests that carefully
      monitoring and actively treating the subjects with IDH should be an important
      strategy for CVD prevention among Mongolian population.

PMID- 26268428
TI  - Aluminum Redistribution during the Preparation of Hierarchical Zeolites by
      Desilication.
AB  - A literature survey reveals a prominent reduction in the concentration of
      Bronsted acid sites in hierarchically organized zeolites with increasing
      mesoporous or external surface area independent of the framework type or
      synthesis route; this suggests a common fundamental explanation. To determine the
      cause, nature, and impact of the underlying changes in aluminum speciation, this
      study combines a multitechnique analysis that integrates basic characterization,
      a detailed synchrotron XRD and multiple-quantum NMR spectroscopy assessment, and
      catalytic tests to correlate evolution of the properties with performance during
      successive steps in the preparation of hierarchical MFI-type zeolites by
      desilication. The findings, subsequently generalized to FAU- and BEA-type
      materials, identify the crucial impact of calcination on the protonic form, which
      is an integral step in the synthesis and regeneration of zeolite catalysts; on
      aluminum coordination; and the associated acidity trends. 

PMID- 26268427
TI  - Grade of dysplasia and malignant transformation in adults with premalignant
      laryngeal lesions.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The purpose of this systematic review was to determine the
      significance of the grade of dysplasia in the development of invasive carcinoma.
      METHODS: A systematic search was performed to identify all relevant evidence.
      Titles and abstracts were screened using predefined criteria. Remaining articles
      were critically appraised. Absolute risks and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were
      calculated. RESULTS: Seven articles were included. Four studies demonstrated an
      increased risk for the development of laryngeal carcinoma from mild, moderate,
      and severe dysplasia. Three studies showed an increased risk between the
      categories of mild and moderate dysplasia. CONCLUSION: The risk of malignant
      transformation seems to increase with the grade of dysplasia, although
      percentages between studies are highly dissimilar. The wide variety and
      overlapping 95% CIs make it difficult to formulate a strong recommendation.
      However, moderate dysplasia is more prone for malignant transformation than
      previously thought, which might influence follow-up and treatment decisions in
      the future. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Head Neck 38: E2284-E2290, 2016.

PMID- 26268430
TI  - Chain-like structure elements in Ni40Ta60 metallic glasses observed by scanning
      tunneling microscopy.
AB  - The structure of metallic glasses is a long-standing question because the lack of
      long-range order makes diffraction based techniques difficult to be applied.
      Here, we used scanning tunneling microscopy with large tunneling resistance of 6
      GOmega at low temperature in order to minimize forces between probe and sample
      and reduce thermal fluctuations of metastable structures. Under these extremely
      gentle conditions, atomic structures of Ni40Ta60 metallic glasses are revealed
      with unprecedented lateral resolution. In agreement with previous models and
      experiments, icosahedral-like clusters are observed. The clusters show a high
      degree of mobility, which explains the need of low temperatures for stable
      imaging. In addition to icosahedrons, chain-like structures are resolved and
      comparative density functional theory (DFT) calculations confirm that these
      structures are meta-stable. The co-existence of icosahedral and chain-like
      structures might be an key ingredient for the understanding of the mechanical
      properties of metallic glasses. 

PMID- 26268431
TI  - Sudden insight is associated with shutting out visual inputs.
AB  - Creative ideas seem often to appear when we close our eyes, stare at a blank
      wall, or gaze out of a window--all signs of shutting out distractions and turning
      attention inward. Prior research has demonstrated that attention-related brain
      areas are differently active when people solve problems with sudden insight (the
      Aha! phenomenon), relative to deliberate, analytic solving. We directly
      investigated the relationship between attention deployment and problem solving by
      recording eye movements and blinks, which are overt indicators of attention, as
      people solved short, visually presented problems. In the preparation period,
      before problems eventually solved by insight, participants blinked more
      frequently and longer, and made fewer fixations, than before problems eventually
      solved by analysis. Immediately prior to solutions, participants blinked longer
      and looked away from the problem more often when solving by insight than when
      solving analytically. These phenomena extend prior research with a direct
      demonstration of dynamic differences in attention as people solve problems with
      sudden insight versus analytically.

PMID- 26268432
TI  - Pharmacokinetics of a multicomponent herbal preparation in healthy Chinese and
      African volunteers.
AB  - K-601 is an herbal formulation for influenza consisting of Lonicera japonica,
      Isatis indigotica, Rheum palmatum, Phellodendron chinense, and Scutellaria
      baicalensis. In this work, we characterized the chemical constituents in K-601,
      identified the absorbed compounds and determined their pharmacokinetics in 6
      Chinese and African volunteers by liquid chromatography with time-of-flight mass
      spectrometry. Similarity evaluation for chromatographic fingerprint of nine
      different batches showed values above 0.983. Totally, 50 components were
      identified in K-601. Then, 15 major prototype compounds and 17 metabolites were
      identified in human plasma. Major metabolic pathways included glucuronidation,
      sulfation, methylation, demethylation, and reduction. The pharmacokinetics of the
      most abundant prototype compounds, berberine, jatrorrhizine, palmatine and
      magnoflorine were determined. Significant pharmacokinetic differences were
      observed between the African and Chinese subjects. The AUCs of the African is
      about 4-10 fold higher than that of the Chinese for the three benzylisoquinoline
      alkaloids. Magnoflorine, an aporphine alkaloid, was absorbed better in the
      Chinese than in the African. The biotransformation of K-601 by human intestinal
      microflora was also investigated. The major reactions included hydroxylation,
      methylation, demethylation, acetylation and reduction. Glucuronidation and
      sulfation were not observed with fecal flora. These results may be important and
      useful in linking data from pharmacological assays and clinical effects. 

PMID- 26268433
TI  - Rodents as pre-clinical models for predicting vaccine performance in humans.
AB  - Vaccines represent a key building block for establishing a successful and
      sustainable control strategy against infectious diseases. Vaccine development
      often depends on the availability of correlates for protection and reliable
      animal models for the screening, selection and prioritization of potential
      vaccine candidates. This is performed according to their immunogenicity, efficacy
      and safety profiles in pre-clinical studies, which are also critical for
      identification of candidate antigens, selection of an optimal delivery system and
      design of appropriate vaccine formulations. Thus, pre-clinical studies in animal
      models are a prerequisite for addressing crucial issues and generating a solid
      pre-clinical package for the approval of clinical trials. This review addresses
      the strengths, limitations and perspectives of rodents as a vaccine development
      and pre-clinical validation tool. 

PMID- 26268435
TI  - Selecting the reference image for registration of CEST series.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To compare different reference images selected for registration among
      chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) series. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five
      normal volunteers and eight brain tumor patients were studied on a 3 Tesla
      scanner. Image registration was performed by choosing each of the acquired CEST
      saturation or unsaturation dynamic images as the reference. CEST images at 3.5
      ppm (amide proton transfer, APT) were computed for each motion-corrected data set
      after main magnetic field inhomogeneity correction. A uniformity index was
      defined to quantify the efficacy of image registration using different reference
      images. Joint histograms and the structural similarity index (SSIM) were used to
      analyze the intrinsic image similarity between various dynamic images. RESULTS:
      Image registration increased the average uniformity index by 18% if the 3.5 ppm
      saturated image was selected as the reference image. However, registering to the
      unsaturated dynamic image reduced the uniformity index by 13% on average. The
      joint histogram analysis showed that the saturated dynamic images were highly
      similar (SSIM = 0.89 +/- 0.01), and were considerably different from the
      unsaturated dynamic image (SSIM = 0.58 +/- 0.03). CONCLUSION: The selection of
      the 3.5 ppm dynamic image as the reference image generated the highest uniformity
      index for APT imaging though other saturated images were equally suited as
      reference images.

PMID- 26268436
TI  - Empowering vulnerable parents through a family mentoring program.
AB  - Evidence suggests that mentoring programs can foster positive relationships
      through role modelling, social support and opportunities to develop new skills.
      Home visiting programs, where a health professional or volunteer provides
      parenting support and companionship to at-risk families, have received attention
      from the health and welfare sector. These programs tend to focus on new mothers
      and immediate parenting concerns, and do not address broader social determinants
      of health that impact on the well being and functionality of the family. Herein
      we report on an evaluation of the Creating Opportunities and Casting Hope (COACH)
      program, a family mentoring program for vulnerable parents. COACH seeks to break
      cycles of generational poverty by addressing social determinants, such as
      housing, employment, health, finances and social support. A mixed-methods
      approach was used to evaluate the program, involving semistructured interviews
      with parents (n = 12), surveys with mentors (n = 27) and client case report
      review (n = 27). Parents experienced improvements in their housing and employment
      situations, family dynamics, social support and mental health, and decreased drug
      and alcohol use. Mentors described providing guidance on parenting strategies,
      financial management and domestic skills. Partnerships with local schools, health
      services and welfare agencies were vital in the referral processes for families,
      thereby building a community network of support and care. The COACH model of
      mentoring highlights the benefits of a flexible and long-standing program to
      address the social determinants of child health through the family environment
      and wider social and economic factors.

PMID- 26268434
TI  - Applications of bacillus Calmette-Guerin and recombinant bacillus Calmette-Guerin
      in vaccine development and tumor immunotherapy.
AB  - Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccines are attenuated live strains of
      Mycobacterium bovis and are among the most widely used vaccines in the world. BCG
      is proven to be effective in preventing severe infant meningitis and miliary
      tuberculosis. Intravesical instillation of BCG is also a standard treatment for
      non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. In the past few decades, recombinant BCG
      (rBCG) technology had been extensively applied to develop vaccine candidates for
      a variety of infectious diseases, including bacterial, viral, and parasite
      infections, and to improve the efficacy of BCG in bladder cancer therapy. This
      review is intended to show the vast applications of BCG and recombinant BCG
      (rBCG) in the prevention of infectious diseases and cancer immunotherapy, with a
      special emphasis on recent approaches and trends on both pre-clinical and
      clinical levels. 

PMID- 26268437
TI  - Regulation of kisspeptin and gonadotropin-releasing hormone expression in rat
      placenta: study using primary cultures of rat placental cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and kisspeptin in the
      hypothalamus are thought to be crucial components of the hypothalamic-pituitary
      gonadal (HPG) axis and maintain reproductive function. These neuropeptides are
      also expressed in the placenta, where they may contribute to placental
      physiology. In this study, we examined how these peptides are regulated within
      the placenta. METHODS: We used primary cultures of placental tissue from rats of
      16-18 days gestation. After stimulation with estradiol, GnRH, kisspeptin, and
      neurokinin B (NKB), changes in placental GnRH, kisspeptin, and human chorionic
      gonadotropin (hCG) mRNA expression were evaluated by real-time quantitative RT
      PCR analysis. RESULTS: Immunocytochemical analysis showed that rat placental
      cells contained cells expressing kisspeptin or GnRH. GnRH and kisspeptin mRNA
      expression was significantly increased in placental cells in the presence of
      estradiol; NKB mRNA expression was also stimulated by estradiol. Stimulation of
      the cells with kisspeptin failed to stimulate GnRH mRNA expression. Conversely,
      both GnRH itself and NKB increased GnRH mRNA expression. Kisspeptin mRNA
      expression was not increased by kisspeptin itself; however, GnRH and NKB
      significantly increased kisspeptin mRNA expression. hCG expression was increased
      in the presence of estradiol. In addition, kisspeptin, GnRH, and NKB could
      stimulate the expression of hCG mRNA in placental cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our
      experiments using primary cultures of rat placental cells showed that GnRH,
      kisspeptin, and NKB expression was enhanced by estradiol, and unlike in the
      hypothalamus, kisspeptin did not control the expression of GnRH in placental
      cells. NKB might be located upstream of kisspeptin and GnRH, and these
      neuropeptides might be involved in the induction of hCG expression in placental
      cells.

PMID- 26268438
TI  - NanoCAGE-XL and CapFilter: an approach to genome wide identification of high
      confidence transcription start sites.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Identifying the transcription start sites (TSS) of genes is essential
      for characterizing promoter regions. Several protocols have been developed to
      capture the 5' end of transcripts via Cap Analysis of Gene Expression (CAGE) or
      linker-ligation strategies such as Paired-End Analysis of Transcription Start
      Sites (PEAT), but often require large amounts of tissue. More recently, nanoCAGE
      was developed for sequencing on the Illumina GAIIx to overcome these
      difficulties. RESULTS: Here we present the first publicly available adaptation of
      nanoCAGE for sequencing on recent ultra-high throughput platforms such as
      Illumina HiSeq-2000, and CapFilter, a computational pipeline that greatly
      increases confidence in TSS identification. We report excellent gene coverage,
      reproducibility, and precision in transcription start site discovery for samples
      from Arabidopsis thaliana roots. CONCLUSION: nanoCAGE-XL together with CapFilter
      allows for genome wide identification of high confidence transcription start
      sites in large eukaryotic genomes.

PMID- 26268440
TI  - Direct bioresorbable vascular scaffold implantation: Feasibility and midterm
      results.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To analyze the feasibility and safety of direct bioresorbable
      vascular scaffold (BVS) implantation without previous balloon dilation.
      BACKGROUND: Lesion preparation through predilation is recommended before BVS
      implantation. There is no information on the routine use of direct BVS
      implantation. METHODS AND RESULTS: One hundred fifty-three patients with a total
      of 200 coronary lesions, were treated with BVS. A baseline intravascular
      ultrasound study (IVUS) was performed in 171 lesions (86%), and after BVS
      implantation, the quality of scaffolding was assessed with an additional IVUS
      (83, 41%) or optical coherence tomography (77, 38%). Elective predilation was
      conducted in 50 lesions. In 150 lesions, direct BVS implantation was attempted.
      In 129 lesions (86%), the BVS was implanted successfully, and in the remaining 21
      (14%), direct implantation failed. In these cases, the scaffolds were retrieved
      and successfully implanted after balloon angioplasty. Longer and C-type lesions,
      and a larger plaque burden, were associated with failure to directly cross the
      lesion. Balloon postdilation was needed in 34% of the lesions. Ten patients
      (6.6%) had a periprocedural myocardial infarction. One patient (0.6%) died 60
      days after BVS implantation due to thrombosis of the scaffold. At follow-up,
      target lesion revascularisation was needed in eight patients (5%). After 12 +/- 3
      months, the remaining patients were symptom-free. CONCLUSIONS: Direct BVS
      implantation is safe and feasible in most soft coronary plaques.

PMID- 26268439
TI  - p75(NTR)-dependent activation of NF-kappaB regulates microRNA-503 transcription
      and pericyte-endothelial crosstalk in diabetes after limb ischaemia.
AB  - The communication between vascular endothelial cells (ECs) and pericytes in the
      microvasculature is fundamental for vascular growth and homeostasis; however,
      these processes are disrupted by diabetes. Here we show that modulation of
      p75(NTR) expression in ECs exposed to high glucose activates transcription of miR
      503, which negatively affects pericyte function. p75(NTR) activates NF-kappaB to
      bind the miR-503 promoter and upregulate miR-503 expression in ECs. NF-kappaB
      further induces activation of Rho kinase and shedding of endothelial
      microparticles carrying miR-503, which transfer miR-503 from ECs to vascular
      pericytes. The integrin-mediated uptake of miR-503 in the recipient pericytes
      reduces expression of EFNB2 and VEGFA, resulting in impaired migration and
      proliferation. We confirm operation of the above mechanisms in mouse models of
      diabetes, in which EC-derived miR-503 reduces pericyte coverage of capillaries,
      increased permeability and impaired post-ischaemic angiogenesis in limb muscles.
      Collectively, our data demonstrate that miR-503 regulates pericyte-endothelial
      crosstalk in microvascular diabetic complications. 

PMID- 26268442
TI  - Adverse events during placebo vs. no drug administration--results of a randomised
      interventional trial in 160 volunteers.

PMID- 26268441
TI  - Handling of Copper and Copper Oxide Nanoparticles by Astrocytes.
AB  - Copper is an essential trace element for many important cellular functions.
      However, excess of copper can impair cellular functions by copper-induced
      oxidative stress. In brain, astrocytes are considered to play a prominent role in
      the copper homeostasis. In this short review we summarise the current knowledge
      on the molecular mechanisms which are involved in the handling of copper by
      astrocytes. Cultured astrocytes efficiently take up copper ions predominantly by
      the copper transporter Ctr1 and the divalent metal transporter DMT1. In addition,
      copper oxide nanoparticles are rapidly accumulated by astrocytes via endocytosis.
      Cultured astrocytes tolerate moderate increases in intracellular copper contents
      very well. However, if a given threshold of cellular copper content is exceeded
      after exposure to copper, accelerated production of reactive oxygen species and
      compromised cell viability are observed. Upon exposure to sub-toxic
      concentrations of copper ions or copper oxide nanoparticles, astrocytes increase
      their copper storage capacity by upregulating the cellular contents of
      glutathione and metallothioneins. In addition, cultured astrocytes have the
      capacity to export copper ions which is likely to involve the copper ATPase 7A.
      The ability of astrocytes to efficiently accumulate, store and export copper ions
      suggests that astrocytes have a key role in the distribution of copper in brain.
      Impairment of this astrocytic function may be involved in diseases which are
      connected with disturbances in brain copper metabolism.

PMID- 26268443
TI  - Iontophoresis driven concentrations of topically administered diclofenac in
      skeletal muscle and blood of healthy subjects.
AB  - PURPOSE: The present open single-centre, descriptive and comparative
      pharmacokinetic study aimed to investigate the efficacy of iontophoresis to
      enhance transdermal delivery by measuring concentration vs. time profiles of
      diclofenac in local tissue and in plasma in two separate study periods. METHODS:
      Period 1 determined diclofenac concentrations in both calf muscles simultaneously
      by using microdialysis after applying diclofenac gel topically as a single dose
      of 5 g with or without iontophoresis in eight healthy volunteers. In period 2,
      the same dose was applied to another 8 volunteers to determine plasma
      concentrations of diclofenac either with or without iontophoresis in a cross over
      design. RESULTS: In period 1, tissue concentrations were found to be under the
      limit of detection of 0.5 ng/ml both with and without iontophoresis in all
      subjects. In period 2, after iontophoresis in 75% of study participants, plasma
      concentrations of diclofenac could be determined, but only in 25% without
      iontophoresis. Although area under the concentration-time-curve (AUC, 187.97 +/-
      315.92 vs. 22.92 +/- 42.44 ng*min/ml) and maximum concentration (Cmax, 2.06 +/-
      3.79 vs. 0.22 +/- 0.41 ng/ml) values showed a numerically clear trend for higher
      values with iontophoresis compared to passive diffusion, no significant
      difference could be found due to high inter-individual variability. In total,
      18.75% of all subjects presented adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a higher
      percentage of subjects showed detectable plasma levels of diclofenac after
      iontophoresis, iontophoresis failed to achieve potentially more effective topical
      concentrations. The typical mechanism of iontophoresis like electromigration,
      electroosmosis and increased subcutaneous circulation could be responsible for
      the results of the present observation. Additional clinical studies are needed to
      justify the transdermal delivery of diclofenac by using iontophoresis.

PMID- 26268444
TI  - A novel approach to teaching pharmacotherapeutics--feasibility of the learner
      centered student-run clinic.
AB  - Medical students should be better prepared for their future role as prescribers.
      A new educational concept to achieve this is learning by doing. This encompasses
      legitimate, context-based training and gives students responsibility as early as
      possible in their medical education. Student-run clinics (SRCs) are an example of
      this concept. AIM: Describe the development of a new SRC for insured patients,
      primarily focused on medical (pharmacotherapy) education, the learner-centered
      student-run clinic (LC-SRC), and its feasibility. METHODS: Teams each comprising
      of three students (first, third, and fifth year) performed consultations
      including proposing management plans, all under the supervision of an internist.
      Patients were voluntary selected from the internal medicine outpatient clinic for
      follow-up in the LC-SRC. Feasibility was evaluated using a set of questionnaires
      for patients, supervisors, and students. RESULTS: In total, 31 consultations were
      conducted; 31 students and 4 clinical specialists participated. A
      pharmacotherapeutic treatment plan was drawn up in 33 % of the consultations.
      Patients were content with the care provided and rated the consultation with a
      7.9 (SD 1.21) (1(min)-10(max)). Supervisors regarded LC-SRC safe for patients
      with guaranteed quality of care. They found the LC-SRC a valuable tool in medical
      education although it was time-consuming. Students appreciated their (new)
      responsibility for patient care and considered the LC-SRC a very valuable
      extracurricular activity. DISCUSSION: The LC-SRC is feasible, and all
      participants considered it to be a valuable educational activity. It offers
      students the opportunity to learn in a real interprofessional and longitudinal
      setting for their future role as prescriber in clinical practice. The benefits
      and learner effects need to be investigated in a larger study with a longer
      follow-up.

PMID- 26268445
TI  - Development of interferon beta-neutralising antibodies in multiple sclerosis--a
      systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - PURPOSE: Interferon beta (IFN-beta) is the drug of choice for treatment of
      relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis and is known to reduce the frequency and
      severity of relapses. This systematic review determines the occurrence of
      neutralising antibodies (NAbs) against different formulations of IFN-beta: IFN
      beta-1a AvonexTM, IFN-beta-1a RebifTM and IFN-beta-1b Betaferon/BetaseronTM.
      METHODS: The databases used in the review included MEDLINE Ovid (from 1950 to
      March 2015), Embase Ovid (from 1980 to March 2015), CENTRAL on The Cochrane
      Library (2011, Issue 4) and ClinicalTrials.gov (from 1997 to March 2015). All
      studies that compared the efficacy of the different formulations of IFN-beta in
      patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis including IFN-beta-1a
      AvonexTM, IFN-beta-1a RebifTM, IFN-beta-1b Betaferon/BetaseronTM and IFN-beta-1b
      ExtaviaTM were included. RESULTS: Assessment of randomised controlled trials
      demonstrated that AvonexTM was 76% less likely than RebifTM to lead to the
      formation of NAbs. AvonexTM was 88% less likely than Betaferon/BetaseronTM to
      lead to the formation of NAbs. Similar findings were also observed in the non
      randomised controlled studies, with AvonexTM having the lowest risk. The
      formation of NAbs was dose dependent: AvonexTM at 30 MUg was 64% less risky than
      AvonexTM at 60 MUg. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that 2.0-18.9% of patients
      developed NAbs to AvonexTM, 16.5-35.4% of patients developed NAbs to RebifTM and
      27.3-53.3% of patients developed NAbs to Betaferon/BetaseronTM.

PMID- 26268447
TI  - Is Seeing Believing? Perceptions of Wildfire Risk Over Time.
AB  - Ongoing challenges to understanding how hazard exposure and disaster experiences
      influence perceived risk lead us to ask: Is seeing believing? We approach risk
      perception by attending to two components of overall risk perception: perceived
      probability of an event occurring and perceived consequences if an event occurs.
      Using a two-period longitudinal data set collected from a survey of homeowners
      living in a fire-prone area of Colorado, we find that study participants' initial
      high levels of perceived probability and consequences of a wildfire did not
      change substantially after extreme wildfire events in the intervening years. More
      specifically, perceived probability of a wildfire changed very little, whereas
      the perceived consequences of a wildfire went up a bit. In addition, models of
      risk perceptions show that the two components of overall risk perception are
      correlated with somewhat different factors, and experience is not found to be one
      of the strongest correlates with perceived risk. These results reflect the
      importance of distinguishing the components of overall risk and modeling them
      separately to facilitate additional insights into the complexities of risk
      perceptions, factors related to perceived risk, and change in risk perceptions
      over time. 

PMID- 26268446
TI  - The effects of spatial filtering and artifacts on electrocorticographic signals.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Electrocorticographic (ECoG) signals contain noise that is common to
      all channels and noise that is specific to individual channels. Most published
      ECoG studies use common average reference (CAR) spatial filters to remove common
      noise, but CAR filters may introduce channel-specific noise into other channels.
      To address this concern, scientists often remove artifactual channels prior to
      data analysis. However, removing these channels depends on expert-based labeling
      and may also discard useful data. Thus, the effects of spatial filtering and
      artifacts on ECoG signals have been largely unknown. This study aims to quantify
      these effects and thereby address this gap in knowledge. APPROACH: In this study,
      we address these issues by exploring the effects of application of two types of
      unsupervised spatial filters and three methods of detecting signal artifacts
      using a large ECoG data set (20 subjects, four task conditions in each subject).
      MAIN RESULTS: Our results confirm that spatial filtering improves performance,
      i.e., it reduces ECoG signal variance that is not related to the task. They also
      show that removing artifactual channels automatically (using quantitatively
      defined rejection criteria) or manually (using expert opinion) does not increase
      the total amount of task-related information, but does avoid potential
      contamination from one or more noisy channels. Finally, applying a novel 'median
      average reference' filter does not require the elimination of artifactual
      channels prior to spatial filtering and still mitigates the influence of channels
      with channel-specific noise. Thus, it allows the investigator to retain more
      potentially useful task-related data. SIGNIFICANCE: In summary, our results show
      that appropriately designed spatial filters that account for both common noise
      and channel-specific noise greatly improve the quality of ECoG signal analyses,
      and that artifacts in only a single channel can result in profound and undesired
      effects on all other channels.

PMID- 26268449
TI  - Resistance-Mutation (N31) Effects on Drug Orientation and Channel Hydration in
      Amantadine-Bound Influenza A M2.
AB  - The mechanism of amantadine binding to the S31 variant of the M2 protein of
      Influenza A is well understood, but the reasons behind N31 M2 amantadine
      insensitivity remain under investigation. Many molecular dynamics studies have
      evaluated the influence of amantadine position within the channel pore on its
      ability to inhibit proton conductance in M2, but little is known about the
      influence of amantadine rotational orientation. Replica-exchange umbrella
      sampling, steered, and classic molecular dynamics simulations were performed on
      amantadine in the solid-state NMR structure of S31 M2 and an N31 M2 homologue,
      both in the homotetramer configuration, to explore the effects of the position
      and tilt angle of amantadine on inhibition of the M2 channel. Steered simulations
      show that amantadine rotates with the amine toward the bulk water as it passes
      into the hydrophobic entryway lined by Val27 side chains. Results from all
      simulation types performed indicate that amantadine has a strong, specific
      orientation with the amine turned inward toward the central cavity in the S31 M2
      pore but has variable orientation and a strong propensity to remain outward
      pointing in N31 M2. Free energy profiles from umbrella sampling, measured
      relative to bulk water, show amantadine binds more strongly to the S31 M2 pore by
      8 kcal/mol in comparison to amantadine in the N31 pore, suggesting that it can
      escape more readily from the N31 channel through the Val27 secondary gate,
      whereas it is captured by the S31 channel in the same region. Lower water density
      and distribution near amantadine in S31 M2 reveal that the drug inhibits proton
      conductance in S31 M2 because of its inward-pointing configuration, whereas in
      N31 M2, amantadine forms hydrogen bonds with an N31 side chain and does not
      widely occlude water occupancy in any configuration. Both amantadine's weaker
      binding to and weaker water occlusion in N31 M2 might contribute to its
      inefficacy as an inhibitor of the mutant protein. 

PMID- 26268450
TI  - A critical role of toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and its' in vivo ligands in radio
      resistance.
AB  - The role of Toll-like receptor-2 (TLR2) in radio-resistance remained largely
      unknown. TLR2 knockout (TLR2(-/-)) mice received radiation of 6.5 Gy, and then
      were studied. We found that radiation resulted in more severe mortality and
      morbidity rates in TLR2(-/-) mice. The cause of death in TLR2(-/-) mice may be
      severe and persistent bone marrow cell loss. Injection of the TLR2 agonist
      Pam3CSK4 into wild type (WT) mice induced radio-resistance. Myd88(-/-) mice were
      more susceptible to radiation. In conclusion, our data indicate that, similar to
      TLR4, TLR2 plays a critical role in radio-resistance. 

PMID- 26268451
TI  - Formulation Strategy for the Delivery of Cyclosporine A: Comparison of Two
      Polymeric Nanospheres.
AB  - A wide range of nanoparticles has been explored for the delivery of highly
      hydrophobic drugs, but very few publications provide comparative data of the
      performance of different nanoparticles. To address this need, this publication
      compares poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles and nanospheres made
      from tyrosine-derived tri-block copolymers (termed TyroSpheres) for their
      respective performance as carriers for cyclosporine A (CSA). Using previously
      reported data on PLGA, we followed similar experimental protocols to evaluate the
      in vitro characteristics of TyroSpheres. Although there are some similarities
      between the two particle systems for the delivery of CSA, such as effective
      encapsulation and epidermal skin penetration, several differences were notable.
      First, the methods of preparation were different, i.e., self-assembly and
      emulsion-diffusion-evaporation process for TyroSpheres and PLGA, respectively.
      Second, TyroSpheres provided 7-day diffusion-controlled release, whereas PLGA
      nanoparticles provided >21-day erosion-controlled release. Third, the size of
      TyroSpheres was measured to be ~60-70 nm irrespective of drug loading, whereas
      the size of PLGA nanoparticles (~100-250 nm) was dependent on drug loading and
      the method of preparation. Overall, this publication provides a direct comparison
      between two different types of nanoparticles and illuminates the respective
      advantages and disadvantages, using CSA as a model for the release of highly
      hydrophobic drugs. 

PMID- 26268452
TI  - When Does Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Really Avoid Radiotherapy? Clinical Predictors
      of Adjuvant Radiotherapy in Cervical Cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to identify clinical variables that may
      predict the need for adjuvant radiotherapy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT)
      and radical surgery in locally advanced cervical cancer patients. METHODS: A
      retrospective series of cervical cancer patients with International Federation of
      Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stages IB2-IIB treated with NACT followed by
      radical surgery was analyzed. Clinical predictors of persistence of intermediate-
      and/or high-risk factors at final pathological analysis were investigated.
      Statistical analysis was performed using univariate and multivariate analysis and
      using a model based on artificial intelligence known as artificial neuronal
      network (ANN) analysis. RESULTS: Overall, 101 patients were available for the
      analyses. Fifty-two (51 %) patients were considered at high risk secondary to
      parametrial, resection margin and/or lymph node involvement. When disease was
      confined to the cervix, four (4 %) patients were considered at intermediate risk.
      At univariate analysis, FIGO grade 3, stage IIB disease at diagnosis and the
      presence of enlarged nodes before NACT predicted the presence of intermediate-
      and/or high-risk factors at final pathological analysis. At multivariate
      analysis, only FIGO grade 3 and tumor diameter maintained statistical
      significance. The specificity of ANN models in evaluating predictive variables
      was slightly superior to conventional multivariable models. CONCLUSIONS: FIGO
      grade, stage, tumor diameter, and histology are associated with persistence of
      pathological intermediate- and/or high-risk factors after NACT and radical
      surgery. This information is useful in counseling patients at the time of
      treatment planning with regard to the probability of being subjected to pelvic
      radiotherapy after completion of the initially planned treatment.

PMID- 26268453
TI  - Dorsal Root Ganglion (DRG) Stimulation in the Treatment of Phantom Limb Pain
      (PLP).
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Phantom limb pain (PLP) is a neuropathic condition in which pain is
      perceived as arising from an amputated limb. PLP is distinct from, although
      associated with, pain in the residual limb and nonpainful phantom sensations of
      the missing limb. Its treatment is extremely challenging; pharmaceutical options,
      while commonly employed, may be insufficient or intolerable. Neuromodulatory
      interventions such as spinal cord stimulation have generated mixed results and
      may be limited by poor somatotopic specificity. It was theorized that dorsal root
      ganglion (DRG) neuromodulation may be more effective. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Patients trialed a DRG neurostimulation system for their PLP and were
      subsequently implanted if results were positive. Retrospective chart review was
      completed, including pain ratings on a 100-mm visual analogue scale (VAS) and
      patient-reported outcomes. RESULTS: Across eight patients, the average baseline
      pain rating was 85.5 mm. At follow-up (mean of 14.4 months), pain was rated at
      43.5 mm. Subjective ratings of quality of life and functional capacity improved.
      Some patients reduced or eliminated pain medications. Patients reported precise
      concordance of the paresthesia with painful regions, including in their phantom
      limbs; in one case, stimulation eliminated PLP as well as nonpainful phantom
      sensations. Three patients experienced a diminution of pain relief, despite good
      initial outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: DRG neuromodulation may be an effective tool in
      treating this pain etiology. Clinical outcomes in this report support recent
      converging evidence suggesting that the DRG may be the site of PLP generation
      and/or maintenance. Further research is warranted to elucidate mechanisms and
      optimal treatment pathways.

PMID- 26268455
TI  - Nosocomial empyema caused by a rare serotype, serotype 4c, of Listeria
      monocytogenes in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis and chronic kidney disease:
      A case report and review of the literature.
AB  - The intracellular pathogen Listeria monocytogenes presents characteristically as
      meningoencephalitis and bacteremia. Herein, we report an extremely rare case of
      empyema caused by serotype 4c L. monocytogenes in an immunocompromised patient.
      This case supports the inclusion of L. monocytogenes infection in the
      differential diagnosis of empyema in an immunocompromised patient. 

PMID- 26268454
TI  - Versatility of using major histocompatibility complex class II dextramers for
      derivation and characterization of antigen-specific, autoreactive T cell
      hybridomas.
AB  - Antigen-specific, T cell hybridomas are useful to study the cellular, molecular
      and functional events, but their generation is a lengthy process. Thus, there is
      a need to develop robust methods to generate the hybridoma clones rapidly in a
      short period of time. To this end, we have demonstrated a novel approach using
      major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II dextramers to generate T cell
      hybridomas for an autoantigen, proteolipid protein (PLP) 139-151. Using MHC class
      II dextramers assembled with PLP 139-151 as screening and sorting tools, we
      successfully obtained mono antigen-specific clones within seven to eight weeks.
      In conjunction with other T cell markers, dextramers permitted phenotypic
      characterization of hybridoma clones for their antigen specificity in a single
      step by flow cytometry. Importantly, we achieved successful fusions using
      dextramer(+) cells sorted by flow cytometry as a starting population, resulting
      in direct identification of multiple antigen-specific clones. Characterization of
      selected clones led us to identify chemokine receptor, CCR4(+) to be expressed
      consistently, but their cytokine-producing ability was variable. Our work
      provides a proof-of principle that the antigen-specific, CD4 T cell hybridoma
      clones can be generated directly using MHC class II dextramers. The availability
      of hybridoma clones that bind dextramers may serve as useful tools for various in
      vitro and in vivo applications. 

PMID- 26268456
TI  - XUV excitation followed by ultrafast non-adiabatic relaxation in PAH molecules as
      a femto-astrochemistry experiment.
AB  - Highly excited molecular species are at play in the chemistry of interstellar
      media and are involved in the creation of radiation damage in a biological
      tissue. Recently developed ultrashort extreme ultraviolet light sources offer the
      high excitation energies and ultrafast time-resolution required for probing the
      dynamics of highly excited molecular states on femtosecond (fs) (1 fs=10(-15) s)
      and even attosecond (as) (1 as=10(-18) s) timescales. Here we show that
      polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) undergo ultrafast relaxation on a few
      tens of femtoseconds timescales, involving an interplay between the electronic
      and vibrational degrees of freedom. Our work reveals a general property of
      excited radical PAHs that can help to elucidate the assignment of diffuse
      interstellar absorption bands in astrochemistry, and provides a benchmark for the
      manner in which coupled electronic and nuclear dynamics determines reaction
      pathways in large molecules following extreme ultraviolet excitation.

PMID- 26268457
TI  - Strengthened currents override the effect of warming on lobster larval dispersal
      and survival.
AB  - Human-induced climate change is projected to increase ocean temperature and
      modify circulation patterns, with potential widespread implications for the
      transport and survival of planktonic larvae of marine organisms. Circulation
      affects the dispersal of larvae, whereas temperature impacts larval development
      and survival. However, the combined effect of changes in circulation and
      temperature on larval dispersal and survival has rarely been studied in a future
      climate scenario. Such understanding is crucial to predict future species
      distributions, anticipate ecosystem shifts and design effective management
      strategies. We simulate contemporary (1990s) and future (2060s) dispersal of
      lobster larvae using an eddy-resolving ocean model in south-eastern Australia, a
      region of rapid ocean warming. Here we show that the effects of changes in
      circulation and temperature can counter each other: ocean warming favours the
      survival of lobster larvae, whereas a strengthened western boundary current
      diminishes the supply of larvae to the coast by restricting cross-current larval
      dispersal. Furthermore, we find that changes in circulation have a stronger
      effect on connectivity patterns of lobster larvae along south-eastern Australia
      than ocean warming in the future climate so that the supply of larvae to the
      coast reduces by ~4% and the settlement peak shifts poleward by ~270 km in the
      model simulation. Thus, ocean circulation may be one of the dominant factors
      contributing to climate-induced changes of species ranges. 

PMID- 26268458
TI  - Receptor tyrosine kinase Kit action in skin melanocytes: is it exclusively cell
      autonomous?

PMID- 26268460
TI  - 'Reference rot': a developing problem in Emergency Medicine Australasia.

PMID- 26268459
TI  - Effect of Ginkgo biloba extract on experimental cardiac remodeling.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To investigate the ameliorated effects of an extract of Ginkgo biloba
      extract (GBE) on experimental cardiac remodeling in rats induced by acute cardiac
      infarction, and further explore the mechanism concentrated on myocardial type I
      collagen, transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta1), matrix metalloproteinase
      2 (MMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), and provide the experimental
      data for clinical application of GBE. METHODS: Rats were divided into five groups
      (n = 20) as following: sham operation group (group A), acute myocardial
      infarction model group (group B), acute myocardial infarction model + aspirin (10
      mg/kg) treatment group (group C), acute myocardial infarction model + captopril
      (20 mg/kg) treatment group (group D) and acute myocardial infarction model +
      Ginkgo biloba extract (100 mg/kg) treatment group (group E). The rat acute
      myocardial infarction model was reproduced by ligaturing the left anterior
      descending artery excluding the sham operation group which did not ligation only
      completed the operational process. Each group was further subdivided into
      treatment regimens lasting 4 weeks and 8 weeks. Immunohistochemistry and real
      time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods were used to detect the protein
      expression and mRNA transcriptional levels of rat myocardial TGF-beta1, type I
      collagen, MMP-2 and MMP-9. RESULTS: Compared with group B, regardless of the
      length of treatment (4 or 8 weeks), the TGF-beta1, MMP-2 and MMP-9 mRNA
      transcriptional levels, and the protein expression levels of type I collagen, MMP
      2 and MMP-9 in groups D, C and E were significantly decreased (P < 0.01).
      Furthermore, the mRNA expression levels of TGF-beta1 in groups D, C and E were
      significantly lower after 8 weeks compared to after 4 weeks (P < 0.01), as were
      the expression levels of type I collagen in groups D, C and E (P < 0.05). There
      was no statistically significant difference in the protein expression levels of
      MMP-2 and MMP-9 between groups E and C. CONCLUSIONS: GBE could inhibit
      experimental rat myocardial remodeling after acute myocardial infarction via
      reduced transcription of TGF-beta1, MMP-2 and MMP-9 genes and by the decreased
      expression of type I collagen, MMP-2 and MMP-9 proteins in myocardial cells.

PMID- 26268461
TI  - Cancer incidence among HIV-positive women in British Columbia, Canada: Heightened
      risk of virus-related malignancies.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We used population-based data to identify incident cancer cases and
      correlates of cancer among women living with HIV/AIDS in British Columbia (BC),
      Canada between 1994 and 2008. METHODS: Data were obtained from a retrospective
      population-based cohort created from linkage of two province-wide databases: (1)
      the database of the BC Cancer Agency, a province-wide population-based cancer
      registry, and (2) a database managed by the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS,
      which contains data on all persons treated with antiretroviral therapy in BC.
      This analysis included women (>= 19 years old) living with HIV in BC, Canada.
      Incident cancer diagnoses that occurred after highly active antiretroviral
      therapy (HAART) initiation were included. We obtained a general population
      comparison of cancer incidence among women from the BC Cancer Agency. Bivariate
      analysis (Pearson chi(2) , Fisher's exact or Wilcoxon rank-sum test) compared
      women with and without incident cancer across relevant clinical and
      sociodemographic variables. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were calculated
      for selected cancers compared with the general population sample. RESULTS: We
      identified 2211 women with 12 529 person-years (PY) of follow-up who were at risk
      of developing cancer after HAART initiation. A total of 77 incident cancers
      (615/100 000 PY) were identified between 1994 and 2008. HIV-positive women with
      cancer, in comparison to the general population sample, were more likely to be
      diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer, Hodgkin's lymphoma, non-Hodgkin's
      lymphoma and Kaposi's sarcoma and less likely to be diagnosed with cancers of the
      digestive system. CONCLUSIONS: This study observed elevated rates of cancer among
      HIV-positive women compared to a general population sample. HIV-positive women
      may have an increased risk for cancers of viral-related pathogenesis.

PMID- 26268462
TI  - Transpupillary thermotherapy as a primary treatment for circumscribed choroidal
      haemangioma.

PMID- 26268463
TI  - Preserved transmembrane protein mobility in polymer-supported lipid bilayers
      derived from cell membranes.
AB  - Supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) have contributed invaluable information about the
      physiochemical properties of cell membranes, but their compositional simplicity
      often limits the level of knowledge that can be gained about the structure and
      function of transmembrane proteins in their native environment. Herein, we
      demonstrate a generic protocol for producing polymer-supported lipid bilayers on
      glass surfaces that contain essentially all naturally occurring cell-membrane
      components of a cell line while still retaining transmembrane protein mobility
      and activity. This was achieved by merging vesicles made from synthetic lipids
      (PEGylated lipids and POPC lipids) with native cell-membrane vesicles to generate
      hybrid vesicles which readily rupture into a continuous polymer-supported lipid
      bilayer. To investigate the properties of these complex hybrid SLBs and
      particularly the behavior of their integral membrane-proteins, we used total
      internal reflection fluorescence imaging to study a transmembrane protease, beta
      secretase 1 (BACE1), whose ectoplasmic and cytoplasmic domains could both be
      specifically targeted with fluorescent reporters. By selectively probing the two
      different orientations of BACE1 in the resulting hybrid SLBs, the role of the PEG
      cushion on transmembrane protein lateral mobility was investigated. The results
      reveal the necessity of having the PEGylated lipids present during vesicle
      adsorption to prevent immobilization of transmembrane proteins with protruding
      domains. The proteolytic activity of BACE1 was unadulterated by the sonication
      process used to merge the synthetic and native membrane vesicles; importantly it
      was also conserved in the SLB. The presented strategy could thus serve both
      fundamental studies of membrane biophysics and the production of surface-based
      bioanalytical sensor platforms. 

PMID- 26268464
TI  - Erratum: Long-term Hemodialysis Corrects Left Ventricular Dyssynchrony in End
      stage Renal Disease: A Study with Gated Technetium-99m Sestamibi Myocardial
      Perfusion Single-photon Emission Computed Tomography.

PMID- 26268465
TI  - Selective synthesis of single- and multi-walled supramolecular nanotubes by using
      solvophobic/solvophilic controls: stepwise radial growth via "coil-on-tube"
      intermediates.
AB  - Novel hexa-peri-hexabenzocoronene (HBC) derivatives, (F) HBC and (F) HBC*, which
      carry perfluoroalkyl segments on one side of the HBC core and long alkyl tails on
      the other, were synthesized. Their perfluoroalkyl segments are highly solvated in
      C6 F6 (solvophilic effect) and do not assemble, whereas in CH2 Cl2 , they are
      excluded (solvophobic effect) and assemble together consequently. For example,
      the use of C6 F6 and CH2 Cl2 as assembling media for (F) HBC leads to the
      selective formation of single- and multi-walled nanotubes, respectively. When a
      higher monomer concentration is applied in CH2 Cl2 , multi-walled nanotubes with
      a larger number of walls result. (F) HBC in CH2 Cl2 self-assembles rather slowly,
      thereby allowing for the observation of coil-on-tube structures, which are
      possible intermediates for the stepwise radial growth of the nanotubular wall.
      Casting of the multi-walled nanotubes onto a quartz plate yields a
      superhydrophobic thin film with a water contact angle of 161+/-2 degrees . 

PMID- 26268466
TI  - Clinical parameters predicting pathologic complete response following neoadjuvant
      chemoradiotherapy for rectal cancer.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT), followed by total mesorectal
      excision, has become the standard of care for patients with clinical stages II
      and III rectal cancer. Patients with pathologic complete response (pCR) to
      preoperative CRT have been reported to have better outcomes than those without
      pCR. However, the factors that predict the response to neoadjuvant CRT have not
      been well defined. In this study, we aimed to investigate the impact of clinical
      parameters on the development of pCR after neoadjuvant chemoradiation for rectal
      cancer. METHODS: A total of 323 consecutive patients from a single institution
      who had clinical stage II or III rectal cancer and underwent a long-course
      neoadjuvant CRT, followed by curative surgery, between 2005 and 2013 were
      included. Patients were divided into two groups according to their responses to
      neoadjuvant therapy: the pCR and non-pCR groups. The clinical parameters were
      analyzed by univariate and multivariate analyses, with pCR as the dependent
      variable. RESULTS: Of the 323 patients, 75 (23.2%) achieved pCR. The two groups
      were comparable in terms of age, sex, body mass index, tumor stage, tumor
      location, tumor differentiation, radiation dose, and chemotherapy regimen. On
      multivariate analysis, a pretreatment carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level of <=
      5 ng/mL [odds ratio (OR) = 2.170, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.195-3.939, P =
      0.011] and an interval of >7 weeks between the completion of chemoradiation and
      surgical resection (OR = 2.588, 95% CI = 1.484-4.512, P = 0.001) were
      significantly associated with an increased rate of pCR. CONCLUSIONS: The
      pretreatment CEA level and neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy-surgery interval were
      independent clinical predictors for achieving pCR. These results may help
      clinicians predict the prognosis of patients and develop adaptive treatment
      strategies.

PMID- 26268468
TI  - Shaping up: a geometric morphometric approach to assemblage ecomorphology.
AB  - This study adopts an ecomorphological approach to test the utility of body shape
      as a predictor of niche relationships among a stream fish assemblage of the
      Tickfaw River (Lake Pontchartrain Basin) in southeastern Louisiana, U.S.A. To
      examine the potential influence of evolutionary constraints, analyses were
      performed with and without the influence of phylogeny. Fish assemblages were
      sampled throughout the year, and ecological data (habitat and tropic guild) and
      body shape (geometric morphometric) data were collected for each fish specimen.
      Multivariate analyses were performed to examine relationships and differences
      between body shape and ecological data. Results indicate that a relationship
      exists between body shape and trophic guild as well as flow regime, but no
      significant correlation between body shape and substratum was found. Body shape
      was a reliable indicator of position within assemblage niche space.

PMID- 26268467
TI  - A novel antigen capture ELISA for the specific detection of IgG antibodies to
      elephant endotheliotropic herpes virus.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Elephants are classified as critically endangered animals by the
      International Union for Conservation of Species (IUCN). Elephant endotheliotropic
      herpesvirus (EEHV) poses a large threat to breeding programs of captive Asian
      elephants by causing fatal haemorrhagic disease. EEHV infection is detected by
      PCR in samples from both clinically ill and asymptomatic elephants with an active
      infection, whereas latent carriers can be distinguished exclusively via
      serological assays. To date, identification of latent carriers has been
      challenging, since there are no serological assays capable of detecting
      seropositive elephants. RESULTS: Here we describe a novel ELISA that specifically
      detects EEHV antibodies circulating in Asian elephant plasma/serum. Approximately
      80 % of PCR positive elephants display EEHV-specific antibodies. Monitoring three
      Asian elephant herds from European zoos revealed that the serostatus of elephants
      within a herd varied from non-detectable to high titers. The antibody titers
      showed typical herpes-like rise-and-fall patterns in time which occur in all
      seropositive animals in the herd more or less simultaneously. CONCLUSIONS: This
      study shows that the developed ELISA is suitable to detect antibodies specific to
      EEHV. It allows study of EEHV seroprevalence in Asian elephants. Results confirm
      that EEHV prevalence among Asian elephants (whether captive-born or wild-caught)
      is high.

PMID- 26268469
TI  - MicroRNAs and Physical Activity.
AB  - Micro-RNAs (miRNAs) are responsible for important and evolutionary-conserved
      regulatory functions in several cellular processes such as apoptosis, signalling,
      differentiation and proliferation. There is a growing interest in understanding
      more clearly the mechanisms regulating activation and suppression of miRNAs
      expression in benefit of health prevention advancement. It is now acknowledged
      that physical activity represents one of the most effective preventive agents in
      chronic degenerative diseases. Indeed, a regular exercise exerts a great
      influence on several parameters and biological pathways, both at genomic and post
      genomic levels. Recent works have highlighted the effects of structured physical
      activity on miRNAs modulation. Modulation of MiRNAs, regulated by exercise in
      human skeletal muscle, depends on type, duration and intensity of an exercise
      performed. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of
      scientific evidence concerning the effects of physical activity on miRNAs and its
      relevance for chronic-degenerative diseases prevention.

PMID- 26268471
TI  - The influence of ionic strength and mixing ratio on the colloidal stability of
      PDAC/PSS polyelectrolyte complexes.
AB  - Polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) form by mixing polycation and polyanion
      solutions together, and have been explored for a variety of applications. One
      challenge for PEC processing and application is that under certain conditions the
      as-formed PECs aggregate and precipitate out of suspension over the course of
      minutes to days. This aggregation is governed by several factors such as
      electrostatic repulsion, van der Waals attractions, and hydrophobic interactions.
      In this work, we explore the boundary between colloidally stable and unstable
      complexes as it is influenced by polycation/polyanion mixing ratio and ionic
      strength. The polymers examined are poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDAC)
      and poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS). Physical properties such as turbidity,
      hydrodynamic size, and zeta potential are investigated upon complex formation. We
      also perform detailed molecular dynamics simulations to examine the structure and
      effective charge distribution of the PECs at varying mixing ratios and salt
      concentrations to support the experimental findings. The results suggest that the
      colloidally stable/unstable boundary possibly marks the screening effects from
      added salt, resulting in weakly charged complexes that aggregate. At higher salt
      concentrations, the complexes initially form and then gradually dissolve into
      solution. 

PMID- 26268470
TI  - Osteogenic differentiation and proliferation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal
      stromal cells on PDLLA + BMP-2-coated titanium alloy surfaces.
AB  - RhBMP-2 is clinically applied to enhance bone healing and used in combination
      with titanium fixation implants. The purpose of this in vitro study was to
      compare the osteogenic differentiation and proliferation of hMSC on native
      polished versus sandblasted titanium surfaces (TS) and to test their behavior on
      pure poly-D,L-lactide (PDLLA) coated as well as PDLLA + rhBMP-2 coated TS.
      Furthermore, the release kinetics of PDLLA + rhBMP-2-coated TS was investigated.
      Human bone marrow cells were obtained from three different donors (A: male, 16
      yrs; B: male, 27 yrs, C: male, 49 yrs) followed by density gradient
      centrifugation and flow cytometry with defined antigens. The cells were seeded on
      native polished and sandblasted TS, PDLLA-coated TS and PDLLA + rhBMP-2-coated
      TS. Osteogenic differentiation (ALP specific activity via ALP and BCA assay) and
      proliferation (LDH cytotoxicity assay) was examined on day 7 and 14 and release
      kinetics of rhBMP-2 was investigated on day 3, 7, 10, and 14. We found
      significant higher ALP specific activity and LDH activity on native polished
      compared to native sandblasted surfaces. PDLLA led to decreased ALP specific and
      LDH activity on both surface finishes. Additional rhBMP-2 slightly diminished
      this effect. RhBMP-2-release from coated TS decreased nearly exponentially with
      highest concentrations at the beginning of the cultivation period. The results of
      this in vitro study suggest that native TS stimulate hMSC significantly stronger
      toward osteogenic differentiation and proliferation than rhBMP-2 + PDLLA-layered
      TS in the first 14 days of cultivation. The PDLLA-layer seems to inhibit local
      hMSC differentiation and proliferation.

PMID- 26268472
TI  - Cutaneous basal cell carcinosarcoma: case report and literature review.
AB  - Carcinosarcomas are malignant neoplasms with biphasic carcinomatous and
      sarcomatous or sarcoma-like components. In general, the sarcomatous component is
      accepted to be the result of divergent mesenchymal differentiation of the
      epithelial component. Although well characterized in some anatomic locations
      (e.g. uterus, upper aerodigestive tract and lung), carcinosarcomas of the skin
      are rare. Reported epithelial components include squamous, adnexal,
      neuroendocrine and basaloid. Including this case, only 47 cases of primary
      cutaneous basal cell carcinosarcoma have been reported in the literature to date.
      We performed an extensive immunophenotypic evaluation in our case, which
      confirmed the previously reported coexpression of p53 in both components, and
      revealed a hitherto unreported coexpression of p16 and p63. Additionally, this
      report reviews the clinical, pathologic, immunophenotypic characteristics and
      outcomes of the basal cell carcinosarcomas reported in the literature, in order
      to emphasize the overall uniform characteristics and clinical behavior of this
      neoplasm.

PMID- 26268473
TI  - Inhibition of hepatitis B virus replication by quercetin in human hepatoma cell
      lines.
AB  - Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the most serious and prevalent viral
      diseases in the world. Although several anti-HBV drugs have been used clinically,
      their side and adverse effects limit treatment efficacy. Therefore, it is
      necessary to identify novel potential anti-HBV agents. The flavonol quercetin has
      shown activity against some retroviruses, but its effect on HBV remains unclear.
      In the present study, quercetin was incubated with HepG2.2.15 cells, as well as
      HuH-7 cells transfected with an HBV plasmid. Quercetin was shown to significantly
      reduce Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg),
      secretion and HBV genomic DNA levels in both cell lines. In addition, co
      incubation with lamivudine (3TC), entecavir (ETV), or adefovir (Ade) further
      enhanced the quercetin-induced inhibition of HBV replication. This inhibition was
      partially associated with decreased heat shock proteins and HBV transcription
      levels. The results indicate that quercetin inhibited HBV antigen secretion and
      genome replication in human hepatoma cell lines, which suggests that quercetin
      may be a potentially effective anti-HBV agent. 

PMID- 26268474
TI  - Predicting risk factors for rebleeding, infections, mortality following peptic
      ulcer bleeding in patients with cirrhosis and the impact of antibiotics
      prophylaxis at different clinical stages of the disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Infections in cirrhotic patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding
      are a common event causing severe complication and mortality. This study aimed to
      identify risk factors that may predict rebleeding, bacterial infections, and the
      impact of antibiotic prophylaxis on mortality at different stages of cirrhosis
      following acute peptic ulcer bleeding (PUB). METHODS: A hospital-based
      retrospective cohort study was conducted on 235 cirrhotic patients with acute
      peptic ulcer hemorrhage who underwent therapeutic endoscopic procedures between
      January 2008 and January 2014 (n = 235); of these, 88 patients received
      prophylactic intravenous ceftriaxone (antibiotic group) and 147 patients did not
      (nil-antibiotic group). The recorded outcomes were length of hospital stay,
      bacterial infection, rebleeding, and in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: Forty-eight
      (20.4%) patients experienced ulcer rebleeding and 46 (19.6%) developed bacterial
      infections. More patients suffered from infection and recurrent bleeding in the
      nil-antibiotic group than the antibiotic group (25.2% vs. 10.2%, p = 0.005 and
      30.6% vs. 3.4%; p < 0.001, respectively). The predictive risk factors for
      rebleeding were the Rockall score (p = 0.004), units of blood transfusion (p =
      0.031), and no antibiotic prophylaxis (p <0.001); for bacterial infections, they
      were the Child-Pugh score (p = 0.003), active alcoholism (p = 0.035), and no
      antibiotic prophylaxis (p = 0.009). Overall, 40 (17%) patients died during
      hospitalization. The Rockall score and rebleeding were predictive factors for in
      hospital mortality. In subgroup analysis, survival was significantly reduced in
      decompensated patients (p = 0.034). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that
      antibiotic prophylaxis after endoscopic hemostasis for acute PUB prevented
      infections and reduced rebleeding events in cirrhotic patients. Antibiotic
      prophylaxis improved survival among decompensated cohort following PUB. The
      Rockall score and rebleeding were predictive risk factors for in-hospital
      mortality.

PMID- 26268477
TI  - Binge Eating Disorder and Youth.
AB  - Children and adolescents who eat unusually large amounts of food, feel guilty
      about it, and try to hide their overeating may be struggling with binge eating
      disorder (BED), a condition associated with suicidal ideation and other eating
      disorders. Although BED is new to the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and
      Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the syndrome is becoming increasingly
      recognized. The study of BED in children and adolescents is in its natal phase,
      but the importance of recognition and possible treatment strategies are discussed
      in the current article along with psychiatric nursing implications.

PMID- 26268475
TI  - Retinal Vasculature Fractal Dimension Measures Vessel Density.
AB  - PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to provide the empirical evidence of fractal
      dimension as an indirect measure of retinal vasculature density. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Two hundred retinal samples of right eye [57.0% females (n = 114) and
      43.0% males (n = 86)] were selected from baseline visit. A custom-written
      software was used for vessel segmentation. Vessel segmentation is the process of
      transforming two-dimensional color images into binary images (i.e. black and
      white pixels). The circular area of approximately 2.6 optic disc radii
      surrounding the center of optic disc was cropped. The non-vessels fragments were
      removed. FracLac was used to measure the fractal dimension and vessel density of
      retinal vessels. RESULTS: This study suggested that 14.1% of the region of
      interest (i.e. approximately 2.6 optic disk radii) comprised retinal vessel
      structure. Using correlation analysis, vessel density measurement and fractal
      dimension estimation are linearly and strongly correlated (R = 0.942, R(2) =
      0.89, p < 0.001). Polynomial regression model suggests quadratic regression as
      the best fit for our data (linear: R(2) = 0.1024, 198 d.f., p < 0.001, quadratic:
      R(2) = 0.1236, 197 d.f., p < 0.001, cubic: R(2) = 0.1236, 196 d.f., p < 0.001).
      CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the ability of vessel density measurement to
      detect the changes in the morphology of retinal microvascular associated with
      increasing age. Thus, vessel density can be suggested to be another parameter in
      the quantification of retinal microvasculature.

PMID- 26268478
TI  - Alexithymia: Should This Personality Disorder Be Considered During Treatment of
      Patients With Mental Illness?
AB  - Alexithymia is characterized by impairment of an individual's ability to
      experience, identify, and express emotions, and is associated with impaired
      emotional intelligence and an externally oriented cognitive style. There has been
      increasing interest in the phenomenon, with numerous peer-reviewed articles
      published recently. Alexithymia may occur in patients with many psychiatric
      disorders, and more severe alexithymia is related to worse outcome. However, many
      clinicians remain unaware of the issue. The current article discusses alexithymia
      and its importance in the field of mental health.

PMID- 26268479
TI  - Improving Awareness of an Acute Psychiatric Unit's Capacity for Admission.
AB  - New admissions to psychiatric inpatient units can significantly impact the
      environment and level of safety. Maintaining safety is a core and critical
      responsibility of nursing, but nurses are often overlooked in the decision to
      admit a patient. Missed opportunities for dialogue between nurses and the
      admitting physician challenge nurses' ability to proactively manage the
      therapeutic environment. When nurses are limited in this ability, the outcome can
      be an unpredictable and unstable milieu. In a 25-bed acute psychiatric inpatient
      unit, a formalized communication system among the multidisciplinary admission
      team was developed. Data collected over 1 year demonstrated improved safety.
      Increasing the admitting provider's awareness of the current unit acuity and
      involving the nursing staff early in the admission process improved collaboration
      among care team members and reduced risks to maintaining milieu safety.

PMID- 26268480
TI  - Staying Connected: Sustaining Collaborative Care Models with Limited Funding.
AB  - Providing psychiatric services in the primary care setting is challenging. The
      multidisciplinary, coordinated approach of collaborative care models (CCMs)
      addresses these challenges. The purpose of the current article is to discuss the
      implementation of a CCM at a free medical clinic (FMC) where volunteer staff
      provide the majority of services. Essential components of CCMs include (a)
      comprehensive screening and assessment, (b) shared development and communication
      of care plans among providers and the patient, and (c) care coordination and
      management. Challenges to implementing and sustaining a CCM at a FMC in Virginia
      attempting to meet the medical and psychiatric needs of the underserved are
      addressed. Although the CCM produced favorable outcomes, sustaining the model
      long-term presented many challenges. Strategies for addressing these challenges
      are discussed.

PMID- 26268481
TI  - The debate over digital technology and young people.

PMID- 26268482
TI  - Comparison of sirolimus eluting stent with bioresorbable polymer to everolimus
      eluting stent with permanent polymer in bifurcation lesions: Results from CENTURY
      II trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the safety and efficacy of a new sirolimus eluting
      stent with bioresorbable polymer, Ultimaster, (BP-SES) compared with everolimus
      eluting, permanent polymer, Xience stent (PP-EES) in bifurcation lesions with
      respect to the freedom from Target Lesion Failure at 1-year. METHODS: Within
      1,119 patients enrolled in the CENTURY II randomized controlled multicenter
      trial, 194 patients were treated for bifurcation lesions and randomized to either
      BP-SES (n = 95) or PP-EES (n = 99). The primary endpoint was freedom from target
      lesion failure (TLF) composite endpoint [cardiac death, MI not clearly
      attributable to a non-target vessel, and clinically driven target lesion
      revascularization (TLR)] at 1-year. RESULTS: Baseline patient demographic,
      angiographic, and stenting characteristics were similar in both study arms. A
      single stent technique with provisional or "cross over" stenting were the most
      widely used in both arms (93.2% BP-SES vs. 92.4% PP-EES). Freedom from TLF at 1
      year was 94.7% for BP-SES and 91.9% for PP-EES (P for noninferiority 0.031). The
      rate of clinically driven target lesion revascularization (TLR) at 1-year was
      3.2% for BP-SES and 3.0% for PP-EES (P = 0.95). There were no significant
      differences detected in any of the individual clinical endpoints or other
      secondary clinical endpoints between the study arms at 1-year follow up.
      CONCLUSIONS: The new bioresorbable polymer sirolimus-eluting stent showed safety
      and efficacy profiles similar to durable polymer everolimus-eluting in the
      treatment of patients with bifurcation lesions at 1-year follow up. (c) 2015
      Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 26268484
TI  - Bacillus hisashii sp. nov., isolated from the caeca of gnotobiotic mice fed with
      thermophile-fermented compost.
AB  - A taxonomic study was performed on 15 bacterial isolates from the caeca of
      gnotobiotic mice that had been fed with thermophile-fermented compost. The 15
      isolates were thermophilic, Gram-stain-positive, facultatively anaerobic,
      endospore-forming bacteria, and were most closely related to Bacillus
      thermoamylovorans CNCM I-1378T. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain N-11T,
      selected as representative of this new group, showed a similarity of 99.4 % with
      Bacillus thermoamylovorans CNCM I-1378T, 94.7 % with Bacillus thermolactis R
      6488T, and 94.4 % with Bacillus kokeshiiformis MO-04T. The isolates were then
      classified into two distinct groups based on a (GTG)5-fingerprint analysis. Two
      isolates, N-11T and N-21, were the representatives of these two groups,
      respectively.' The N-11T and N-21 isolates showed 66-71 % DNA-DNA relatedness
      with one other, but had less than 37 % DNA-DNA relatedness with B.
      thermoamylovorans LMG 18084T. The other 13 isolates showed DNA-DNA relatedness
      values above 74 % with the N-11T isolate. All 15 isolates grew at 25-60  degrees
      C (optimum 50  degrees C), pH 6-8 (optimum pH 7) and were capable of growing on a
      medium containing 6 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 0.5 %). The 15 isolates could be
      distinguished from B. thermoamylovorans LMG 18084T because they showed Tween 80
      hydrolysis activity and did not produce acid from melibiose. The major fatty
      acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, C16 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C14 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0.
      The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine,
      phosphatidylglycerol and several unidentified phospholipids. The diagnostic
      diamino acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan was meso-diaminopimelic acid. The
      menaquinone was MK-7. The DNA G+C content was 37.9 mol%. Based on the phenotypic
      properties, the 15 strains represent a novel species of the genus Bacillus, for
      which the name Bacillus hisashii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is N-11T (
      = NRBC 110226T = LMG 28201T).

PMID- 26268483
TI  - Characterization of a new commercial single crystal diamond detector for photon-
      and proton-beam dosimetry.
AB  - A synthetic single crystal diamond detector (SCDD) is commercially available and
      is characterized for radiation dosimetry in various radiation beams in this
      study. The characteristics of the commercial SCDD model 60019 (PTW) with 6- and
      15-MV photon beams, and 208-MeV proton beams, were investigated and compared with
      the pre-characterized detectors: Semiflex (model 31010) and PinPoint (model
      31006) ionization chambers (PTW), the EDGE diode detector (Sun Nuclear Corp) and
      the SFD Stereotactic Dosimetry Diode Detector (IBA). To evaluate the effects of
      the pre-irradiation, the diamond detector, which had not been irradiated on the
      day, was set up in the water tank, and the response to 100 MU was measured every
      20 s. The depth-dose and profiles data were collected for various field sizes and
      depths. For all radiation types and field sizes, the depth-dose data of the
      diamond chamber showed identical curves to those of the ionization chambers. The
      profile of the diamond detector was very similar to those of the EDGE and SFD
      detectors, although the Semiflex and PinPoint chambers showed volume-averaging
      effects in the penumbrae region. The temperature dependency was within 0.7% in
      the range of 4-41 degrees C. A dose of 900 cGy and 1200 cGy was needed to
      stabilize the chamber to the level within 0.5% and 0.2%, respectively. The PTW
      type 60019 SCDD detector showed suitable characteristics for radiation dosimetry,
      for relative dose, depth-dose and profile measurements for a wide range of field
      sizes. However, at least 1000 cGy of pre-irradiation will be needed for accurate
      measurements. 

PMID- 26268485
TI  - Characteristics of subthalamic oscillatory activity in parkinsonian akinetic
      rigid type and mixed type.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore neurons with beta oscillatory activity in the subthalamic
      nucleus (STN) in relation to parkinsonian motor signs. METHODS: We studied 27
      patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) who underwent electrode implantation for
      STN deep brain stimulation. Thirteen patients were classified as akinetic-rigid
      (AR) type and 14 patients were classified as mixed type. Microelectrode recording
      was performed in the STN and the electromyogram (EMG) was simultaneously
      recorded. Single-unit and spectral analyses were performed. Coherence analysis
      was used to explore the relationship between beta oscillatory activity and EMG
      activity. Unpaired t-test and chi-square were used to compare the differences
      between the two PD types. RESULTS: Of 130 neurons identified in the AR type,
      43.8% were beta oscillatory neurons (mean: 21.3 +/- 6.87 Hz, betaFB) and 0.8%
      were tremor frequency oscillatory neurons (4-6 Hz, TFB). Of 102 neurons
      identified in the mixed type, 19.6% were beta oscillatory neurons and 26.5% were
      TFB oscillatory neurons. There was a significant difference in proportion of
      neurons with betaFB and TFB oscillations between the two PD groups. Additionally,
      12% of the betaFB oscillatory neurons were coherent with limb EMG of the AR type,
      but there was no coherence in the mixed type. Most oscillatory neurons were
      localized in the dorsal portion of the STN. CONCLUSION: The STN betaFB
      oscillatory neurons correlate with parkinsonian rigidity-bradykinesia. The high
      proportion of betaFB oscillatory neurons found in the AR type of PD is indirect
      evidence for their importance in generating motor impairment.

PMID- 26268487
TI  - [Progresses and challenges for basic and clinical researches on congenital
      external and middle ear malformations].

PMID- 26268486
TI  - Environmental Health and Safety Hazards Experienced by Home Health Care
      Providers: A Room-by-Room Analysis.
AB  - The number of personnel providing in-home health care services is increasing
      substantially. The unique configuration of environmental hazards in individual
      client homes has a significant impact on the safety and health of home health
      care providers (HHPs). This mixed-methods study used data from a standardized
      questionnaire, focus groups, and individual interviews to explore environmental
      health and safety hazards encountered by HHPs in client homes. The participant
      sample (N = 68) included nurses, aides, therapists, and owners/managers from a
      variety of geographic locations. The most often-reported hazards were
      trip/slip/lift hazards, biohazards, and hazards from poor air quality, allergens,
      pests and rodents, and fire and burns. Frequency of identified key hazards varied
      by room, that is, kitchen (e.g., throw rugs, water on floor), bathroom (e.g.,
      tight spaces for client handling), bedroom (e.g., bed too low), living room
      (e.g., animal waste), and hallway (e.g., clutter). Findings indicate the need for
      broader training to enable HHPs to identify and address hazards they encounter in
      client homes. 

PMID- 26268488
TI  - [Expert consensus on treatment for congenital malformation of external and middle
      ear].

PMID- 26268489
TI  - [Ear reconstruction: from reconstructive to cosmetic].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Previous literatures have reported favorable results in ear
      reconstruction. Many details in fabricating cartilage framework have been paid
      much attention. Whereas, many patients still complain about unnatural contours.
      This article is to provide a new technique to solve some of the problems.
      METHODS: A total of 253 patients underwent reconstruction using the modified
      technique from 2011 to 2014. In fabricating the complex of antihelix, the authors
      modified the prior method. Instead of sculpting a sharp Y-shaped cartilage graft
      for projecting the prominent structures, the authors increased the width of the
      superior crura, sculpted a gentle slope in the both sides of superior crura,
      simultaneously carved a groove in the base frame to join with the carved
      attachment smoothly. The width of inferior crura was about one third of the
      superior crura width, and the inferior crura was narrow and prominent. A gentle
      slope was carved on the antihelix and a groove was carved on the base frame for
      the antihelix to sit on. RESULTS: Four cases have been selected to illustrate the
      favorable results of this technique. Due to the modified details, the superior
      crura, inferior crura, antihelix and the structures around them, in these cases,
      show natural contours, and provide a coordinated figure to the integrity of
      reconstructed ear. CONCLUSIONS: Antihelix complex is one of the most important
      structures for creating a natural auricle. The natural superior and inferior
      crura and antihelix can enhance the impression of a harmonious shape, and acquire
      an increased satisfaction for both patients and surgeons.

PMID- 26268490
TI  - [Selection and application of ear reconstruction surgery for Chinese microtia].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Based on the different physiological characteristics of the mastoid
      skin and soft tissue of Chinese congenital microtia malformation, the Nagata two
      stage method was respectively applied for ear reconstruction, and the clinic
      experience were investigated in this study. METHOD: According to the mastoid skin
      and soft tissue difference in the thickness and tightness, 280 patients diagnosed
      with congenital microtia were divided into four types: thin and tight, thin and
      loose, thick and tight, thick and loose type. 90 cases of thin and loose type
      accepted the Nagata method of ear reconstruction surgery. RESULTS: With average
      7.8 months follow up, 84.4% (76/90) cases using Nagata two-stage method were
      satisfied with the outcome of the reconstructed ear including three dimensional
      position and subunit appearance. There were no postoperative complication related
      to chest wall deformity or affected normal physical function. CONCLUSIONS: The
      Nagata two-stage method is appropriate management choice for Chinese congenital
      microtia. Based on the different physiological characteristics of the mastoid
      skin and soft tissue, the selection of different operational should be beneficial
      to the ear reconstruction of Chinese congenital microtia malformation.

PMID- 26268491
TI  - [Three-stage surgery of combining auricle reconstruction, meatoplasty and
      tympanoplasty for patients with congenital microtia-atresia].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the validity and feasibility of consecutive three-stage
      surgical technique of combining auricle reconstruction with external auditory
      canal atresia reconstruction in patients with congenital microtia-atresia, and to
      assess the post-surgery results by cosmetic and hearing aspects. METHODS: From
      Sep. 2007 to Jun. 2011, all 74 patients (79 ears) with congenital microtia
      atresia treated in our department were enrolled in this study. They consecutively
      accepted the following three-stage surgical technique: The first stage was Brent'
      s technique as follows, rib cartilage graft harvest, framework fabrication, and
      implantation. The second stage combined transfer of the lobule with meatoplasty
      and tympanoplasty. The third stage was the elevation of the reconstructed
      auricle. Both the cosmetic and functional hearing results were recorded at follow
      ups. RESULTS: Among these patients, 60 patients (78.5%), 62 ears, acquired
      extremely satisfactory cosmetic results; 10 patients (16.5%), 13 ears, acquired
      acceptable cosmetic results; while the remaining 4 patients (5.1%) acquired
      unsatisfactory cosmetic results. However, the height of elevation of the newly
      performed auricle framework was not enough due to the existence of newly formed
      external ear canal. Regarding the hearing results, there were 69 ears with
      followup audiograms. An air-bone gap (ABG) improvement of 12.5 dB was achieved.
      The air-conduction hearing threshold improved (10.9 +/- 8.2) dBHL, 37 ears
      (53.6%) achieved serviceable hearing after surgery, with ABG less than 30 dB.
      There were multiple complications occurred after surgery with the incidence of
      49.4% (39/79). CONCLUSIONS: The combined three-stage surgical microtia and canal
      atresia reconstruction technique is a viable choice for some suitable patients
      with microtia-atresia. However, the incidence of complication after meatoplasty
      is very high and the hearing restoration is not good enough, which need further
      investigation for the better results.

PMID- 26268492
TI  - [Self-rated efficacy in bilateral aural atresia patients using bone-anchored
      hearing aid].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Using questionnaires to evaluate the audiological benefit and
      satisfaction of bilateral aural atresia patients with bone-anchored hearing aid
      (Baha). METHODS: Implanted Baha user questionnaire was applied to 19 patients
      suffering bilateral aural atresia, and 15 of the patients were evaluated with
      abbreviated profile of hearing aid benefit (APHAB). Glasgow children's benefit
      inventory (GCBI) was used to measure subjective benefit of patients under the age
      of 18. RESULTS: The Baha user questionnaire demonstrated great satisfaction. The
      mean Baha scores for the subdomains of ease of communication (EC), backgroud
      noise (BN) and revereration (RV) were decreased by 54.6 +/- 10.2 (t = 20.6, P <
      0.05), 46.9 +/- 11.1 (t = 16.4, P < 0.05) and 58.8 +/-15.4 (t = 21.4, P < 0.05)
      compared to the unaided scores. For the subdomain of aversiveness (AV), the Baha
      score was 56.7 +/- 9.9 (t = 10.8, P < 0.05) higher than the unaided score. The
      general benefit score GCBI was 41.1 +/- 13.0. CONCLUSION: Baha can significantly
      improve hearing ability and quality of life of patients with bilateral aural
      atresia.

PMID- 26268493
TI  - [Prevalence and psychopathological characteristics of anxiety and depression in
      patients with chronic rhinosinusitis before endoscopic sinus surgery].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence and psychopathological characteristics
      of anxiety and depression in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and to
      find the risk factors leading to psychological problems. METHODS: Between August
      2013 and April 2014, 117 consecutive patients with the diagnosis of CRS who had
      been scheduled for endoscopic sinus surgery were prospectively enrolled. Somatic
      and psychological symptoms were evaluated using a series of questionnaire
      instruments. The instruments included symptom checklist-90 (SCL-90), self-rating
      depression scale (SDS), self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and the visual analogue
      scale (VAS) and the sinonasal outcome test 20 (SNOT-20) and Lund-Mackay computed
      tomography score. The results of SAS, SDS, SCL-90 were compared with the
      standard, obtained from healthy Chinese population. Multivariate Logistic
      regression was used to analyze the factors that might cause anxiety and
      depression. SPSS 19.0 software was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: The scores
      of SAS and SDS (39.40 +/- 11.55, 54.05 +/- 10.96) were significantly higher than
      those of our country's normal standard (29.78 +/- 10.46, 41.88 +/- 10.57, t
      equals 5.648, 7.529, all P < 0.01). The SCL-90 scores were significantly higher
      than those of the normal standard population, including dimension of
      somatization, anxiety, depression, psychosis and total average score of the
      factors ( all P < 0.01), the result of somatization, anxiety, depression had
      positive correlation with the scores of SAS and SDS (r equals 0.681, 0.781,
      0.531, 0.866, 0.674, 0.557, all P < 0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression
      showed that gender and CRS complicated with asthma or allergic rhinitis (AR) and
      the symptom of nasal obstruction were related to the incidence of anxiety
      depression comorbid. In addition, the gender and concurrent asthma had positive
      correlation with incidence of any anxiety or depressive disorder. To compare the
      abnormal psychological state group and healthy group, the SNOT-20 scores had no
      statistical significance (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: High prevalence of anxiety
      and depression was found in CRS patients. Such factors as gender, nasal
      obstruction and concurrent with asthma or AR are high risk factors for anxiety
      and depression in patients with CRS.

PMID- 26268494
TI  - [Clinical research on micro-movement sensitive mattress sleep monitoring system
      in children with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic value of micro-movement sensitive mattress
      sleep monitoring system (MSMSMS) in children with obstructive sleep apnea
      hypopnea syndrome. METHODS: Sixty-five children with the complaint of sleep
      disorder were collected and detected by polysomnography and micro-sensitive
      mattress sleep monitoring system overnight at least seven hours. The date from
      two instruments were analyzed by computer automatically and then modified by two
      professional staff double-blind separately. The data about the diagnosis of sleep
      breath disorder and other sleep physiology information were compared between the
      two groups. RESULTS: Sixty-one cases finished the study finally. The mean age of
      these children was (7.0 +/- 2.7) and the youngest was 3 years old, maximum was 13
      years old, male children 46 cases, female patients 15 cases, body mass index
      (BMI) median [25 quantile; 75 quantile] 16.00 [14.80;17.5]kg/m2. Mean PSG
      measured apnea hypopnea index (AHI) was 4.50 [2.30;10.15] times/h, and mean
      MSMSMS AHI was 3.63 [2.56; 6.43] times/h. There was a significant correlation
      between PSG AHI and AHI by MSMSMS (r = 0.935, P < 0.01). A Bland-Altamplot of PSG
      AHI and MSMSMS AHI was also used to assess the accuracy of MSMSMS. 95. 1% of the
      data was fallen in the 95% consistency areas. For AHI--5 times/h and nighttime
      minimum oxygen < 91% or obstructive apnea index( OAT) > 1 time/h and nighttime
      minimum oxygen saturation < 91 % as threshold value, the MSMSMS diagnosing
      sensitivity and specificity were 82.9% and 92.3%. The misdiagnosis rate and
      missed diagnosis rate were 7.7% and 17.1%. CONCLUSIONS: The MSMSMS offer a simple
      and comfortable method to monitor children's sleep. It improves the compliance in
      the process of sleep monitoring. Besides, as a diagnostic tool in the diagnosis
      of OSAHS on children has a high credibility in AHI.

PMID- 26268495
TI  - [Continuous positive airway pressure treatment for functional cardiac arrhythmias
      combined with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To discuss the effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
      treatment for functional cardiac arrhythmias combined with obstructive sleep
      apnea hypopnea syndrome. METHODS: Fifty-six OSAHS patients combined functional
      cardiac arrhythmia were randomized divided into two groups. The 28 patients in
      the control group were treated with metoprolol according to cardiac guidelines,
      the other 28 cases in the experimental group were treated with CPAP therapy
      combined with metoprolol. AHI and the lowest oxygen saturation (LSaO2) were
      tested before and after treatment. RESULTS: The efficiency rates were 57.1% and
      17.9% in experimental and control group respectively, with statistical difference
      (chi2 = 7.62, P < 0.01). Total effective rates were 85.7% and 53.6% respectively,
      with statistical difference (chi2 = 5.41, P < 0.05). In the experimental group,
      there were three treatment subgroups. After treatment, AHI and the lowest oxygen
      saturation were significantly different (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: CPAP treatment
      can effectively eliminate respiratory disturbance index, improve the symptoms of
      hypooxygen at night, and effectively improve the therapeutic effect of functional
      cardiac arrhythmias in OSAHS patients combined with functional arrhythmia.

PMID- 26268496
TI  - [Clinical application of the combined radical operation without breaking lower
      lip and mandible for tongue and lingual root carcinoma].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical applicability and outcomes of the combined
      radical operation without breaking the lower lip and mandible with one-stage
      reconstruction using free anterolateral thigh flap for tongue and lingual root
      carcinoma. METHODS: The operation with or without breaking lower lip and mandible
      was performed respectively in 245 patients (experimental group) and 120 patients
      (control group). RESULTS: Removal of tumor and neck dissection were conducted
      successfully in all patients of two groups with no serious postoperative
      complication. With the follows-up of 6 to 36 months, in the patients of
      experimental group there was no recurrence for primary sites but 3 cases with
      neck lymphnode recurrence, the functions of chewing, swallowing and speaking were
      good, there was no damage to appearance, and no osteoradionecrosis occurred in
      the lymphnode positive cases after radiotherapy; in the patients of experimental
      group there was no recurrence for primary sites but 4 cases with neck lymphnode
      recurrence, the functions of chewing, swallowing and speaking were good, but
      there was apparent scar in neck and face, and osteoradionecrosis occurred in 11
      of lymphnode positive cases. CONCLUSIONS: The combined radical operation without
      breaking the lower lip and mandible with one-stage reconstruction using free
      anterolateral thigh flap is feasible for tongue and lingual root carcinoma (T2
      T3), which reduces the risk for osteoradionecrosis in lymphnode positive cases
      after radiotherapy and keeps good appearance for patients.

PMID- 26268497
TI  - [Expressions of IL-13 and IL-13Ralpha2 in eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis
      with nasal polyps and clinical implications].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the expressions of interleukin (IL) 13 and its receptor IL
      13Ralpha2 in eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (ECRSwNP) and
      non-ECRSwNP and their clinicopathological implications. METHODS: A total of 60
      consecutive patients with CRSwNP who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS)
      were divided into two groups of ECRSwNP (n = 27) and non-ECRSwNP (n = 33) based
      on tissue eosinophil count (more than five cells per high power field) with
      postoperative pathological examination. Before ESS,the severities of symptoms,
      nasal polyps, and sinonasal diseases on CT were scored, peripheral blood
      eosinophil count and percentage, and total serum. IgE level were measured. IL-13
      and IL-13Ralpha2 expressions in polyp tissues were examined with
      immunohistochemistry. SPSS 16.0 software was used to analyze the data. RESULTS:
      There was no significant differences between ECRSwNP and non-ECRSwNP groups in
      the mean symptom scores (t = 0.102, P > 0.05), but ECRSwNP, compared to non-
      ECRSwNP, demonstrated a higher incidence of bilateral polyps (chi2 = 15.879, P <
      0.01), a higher mean score of nasal polyps (3.6 +/- 1.1 vs 2.1 +/- 0.8, t =
      4.009, P < 0.01) or diseases on CT (t = 4.428, P < 0.01). And also a significant
      difference existed between two groups in mean blood eosinophil count (t = 3.148,
      P < 0.01) or percentage (t =3.038, P < 0.01), but no significant difference in
      total serum levels of IgE (t = 0.659, P > 0.05). There was a closed correlation
      between tissue eosinophil count and blood eosinophil count (r = 0.683, P < 0.01)
      or percentage (r = 0.631, P < 0.01) in ECRSwNP, but not in non-ECRSwNP. The
      expressions of both IL-13 and IL-13Ralpha2 increased significantly in ECRSwNP
      compared to non-ECRSwNP ( scores 8.1 +/- 1.6 vs. 5.4 +/- 1.6; 8.8 +/- 1.4 vs. 4.8
      +/- 1.6, t value was 4.749, 8.010, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: IL-13 and IL-13Ralpha2
      are associated closely with pathogenesis o ECRSwNP. Subtyping CRSwNP and studying
      underly mechanism can be helpful to make treatment strategy for CRSwNP.

PMID- 26268498
TI  - [The relationship between human papillomavirus and prognosis of oropharyngeal
      squamous cell carcinoma: a meta analysis].
AB  - OBJECTIVE To examine survival differences in prognosis and survival between
      patients with HPV-positive and those with HPV-negative oropharyngeal squamous
      cell carcinoma (OPSCC). METHODS: Pubmed, Embase, Web of science and Medline
      databases were searched from their inception till June 2014. A random-effect meta
      analysis was used to pool study estimates evaluating overall (all-cause
      mortality), disease-specific (death from OPSCC), disease-free (recurrence free),
      progression-free survival outcomes and local regional control rate in HPV
      positive vs HPV-negative OPSCC. After study selection, two reviewers assessed and
      extracted data independently. Meta-analysis was performed using the STATA 11.0
      software. RESULTS: Thirty-seven studies were included. HPV-positive OPSCC
      patients had a better overall survival compared to HPV-negative patients (HR
      0.39, 95% CI 0.32-0.46). HPV-positive OPSCC patients had a significantly lower
      disease specific mortality (HR 0.31, 95% CI 0.22-0.39) and were less likely to
      experience progression or recurrence of their cancers than HPV-negative patients
      (HR 0.34, 95% CI 0.25-0.42). Both disease-free survival and progression-free
      survival were significantly improved in patients with HPV-positive OPSCC ( HR
      0.38, 95% CI 0.29-0.47 and HR 0.46, 95% CI 0.29-0.63, respectively). CONCLUSIONS:
      HPV infection is an important prognostic factor of OPSCC. Stratified therapies
      can be applied in OPSCC based on HPV status of tumours.

PMID- 26268499
TI  - [Middle ear cholesteatoma with Mouret abscess--a case report].

PMID- 26268500
TI  - [Tow cases of septum fungal infection after functional endoscopic sinus surgery].

PMID- 26268501
TI  - [Three cases report of primary quamous cell carcinoma of the uvula].

PMID- 26268502
TI  - [Chylous fistula in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma undergoing
      thyroidectomy plus central neck dissection].

PMID- 26268503
TI  - [A case report of combinational odontoma in nasal cavity].

PMID- 26268504
TI  - [Low-grade myofibroblastic sarcoma of the parapharyngeal space: a case report].

PMID- 26268505
TI  - [Minutes of the 2014 China Rhinology Annual Meeting].

PMID- 26268506
TI  - [Reconstruction for partial auricular defect].

PMID- 26268507
TI  - [Neuroendocrine carcinoma of head and neck].

PMID- 26268508
TI  - The prevalence and characteristics of obstructive sleep apnea in hospitalized
      patients with type 2 diabetes in China.
AB  - Data on the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea in subjects with type 2
      diabetes mellitus in China is scarce. We conducted a multi-centre, cross
      sectional study involving 12 hospitals from six regional cities to investigate
      the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea in hospitalized patients with type 2
      diabetes mellitus and to explore the association between obstructive sleep apnea
      and related risk factors, diabetic complications and comorbidities in China. Each
      hospital recruited at least 70 consecutive patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
      who were admitted to the endocrinology ward. A total of 880 participants were
      enrolled and administered overnight sleep monitoring with a portable monitor
      (ApneaLinkTM, ResMed, San Diego, CA, USA); other information was collected from
      medical charts and a standardized questionnaire. In this study, 60.0% (95%
      confidence interval: 56.8%, 63.2%) of hospitalized patients in China with type 2
      diabetes mellitus had comorbid obstructive sleep apnea (apnea-hypopnea index >=
      5). Only 1.5% (eight of 528) of the patients with both conditions had been
      diagnosed previously with obstructive sleep apnea. The prevalence of moderate
      severe (apnea-hypopnea index >= 15) and severe obstructive sleep apnea (apnea
      hypopnea index >= 30) was estimated to be 25.6% (22.7, 28.5%) and 10.3% (8.3,
      12.4%), respectively. Age, sex, body mass index, snoring, reported breath-holding
      in sleep or gasping or choking arousal, sleepiness, diabetes duration,
      hypertension, diabetic nephropathy and cardiovascular diseases history were
      correlated significantly with the severity of obstructive sleep apnea. In China,
      the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea in hospitalized patients with type 2
      diabetes mellitus is high. Routine screening for and treatment of obstructive
      sleep apnea is an important, but often neglected, part of the management of
      diabetes.

PMID- 26268509
TI  - Living Donor Kidney Transplantation: Improving Efficiencies in Live Kidney Donor
      Evaluation--Recommendations from a Consensus Conference.
AB  - The education, evaluation, and support of living donors before, during, and after
      donation have historically been considered the roles and responsibilities of
      transplant programs. Although intended to protect donors, ensure true informed
      consent, and prevent coercion, this structure often leaves referring
      nephrologists unclear about the donor process and uncertain regarding the
      ultimate outcome of potential donors for their patients. The aim of this article
      is to help the referring nephrologist understand the donor referral and
      evaluation process, help the referring nephrologist understand the
      responsibilities of the transplant program, and offer suggestions about how the
      referring nephrologist can help to improve efficiencies in the process of donor
      education and evaluation. A partnership between referring nephrologists and
      transplant programs is an important step in advancing living kidney donation. The
      referring nephrologists are the frontline providers and are in a unique position
      to offer education about living donation and improve efficiencies in the process.
      Understanding the donor referral and evaluation process, the responsibilities of
      the transplant program, and the potential role referring nephrologists can play
      in the process is critical to establishing such a partnership.

PMID- 26268510
TI  - Meeting sexual partners online: associated sexual behaviour and prevalent
      chlamydia infection among adolescents in Norway: a cross-sectional study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Evidence is mixed as to whether meeting sexual partners online
      ('internet-partners') is associated with risky sexual behaviour and/or sexually
      transmitted infection transmission. Accordingly, we sought to estimate the
      prevalence of reporting various online romantic and sexual activities among
      Norwegian adolescents, including internet-partners, and the reason for meeting
      them and to examine differences in sexual behaviour, partnership characteristics
      and chlamydia infection prevalence among those reporting internet-partners versus
      those reporting only offline partners. METHODS: Population-based cross-sectional
      survey among sexually experienced girls and boys, 15-20 years, using electronic
      questionnaires and collecting urine samples for Chlamydia trachomatis PCR testing
      (79% provided both, n=1023). We used logistic regression to examine associations,
      adjusting for potentially confounding variables. RESULTS: Overall, 30% of both
      genders reported internet-partners (ever). Boys (but not girls) with internet
      partners had higher chlamydia prevalence than those reporting meeting sexual
      partners only offline (8.1%, 95% CI 4.3% to 13.7% vs 1.6%, 0.5% to 3.7%). Two
      thirds of girls and 37% of boys reported meeting their most recent internet
      partner to start a romantic relationship, while the remainder did so with the
      specific intention of having sex. Among both genders, reporting sexual (vs
      romantic) reasons for meeting their most recent internet-partners was associated
      with reporting several risky sexual behaviours, including multiple recent sex
      partners (adjusted OR girls: 3.27, boys: 2.48) and three-fold higher chlamydia
      prevalence. CONCLUSIONS: This population-based study suggests that internet
      partners are common among adolescents in Norway, and the reason for meeting them
      was more strongly associated with additionally reporting sexual risk behaviours
      and prevalent chlamydia infection than the internet itself as a meeting venue.

PMID- 26268511
TI  - Are family physicians comprehensively using electronic medical records such that
      the data can be used for secondary purposes? A Canadian perspective.
AB  - BACKGROUND: With the introduction and implementation of a variety of government
      programs and policies to encourage adoption of electronic medical records (EMRs),
      EMRs are being increasingly adopted in North America. We sought to evaluate the
      completeness of a variety of EMR fields to determine if family physicians were
      comprehensively using their EMRs and the suitability of use of the data for
      secondary purposes in Ontario, Canada. METHODS: We examined EMR data from a
      convenience sample of family physicians distributed throughout Ontario within the
      Electronic Medical Record Administrative data Linked Database (EMRALD) as
      extracted in the summer of 2012. We identified all physicians with at least one
      year of EMR use. Measures were developed and rates of physician documentation of
      clinical encounters, electronic prescriptions, laboratory tests, blood pressure
      and weight, referrals, consultation letters, and all fields in the cumulative
      patient profile were calculated as a function of physician and patient time since
      starting on the EMR. RESULTS: Of the 167 physicians with at least one year of EMR
      use, we identified 186,237 patients. Overall, the fields with the highest level
      of completeness were for visit documentations and prescriptions (>70%).
      Improvements were observed with increasing trends of completeness overtime for
      almost all EMR fields according to increasing physician time on EMR. Assessment
      of the influence of patient time on EMR demonstrated an increasing likelihood of
      the population of EMR fields overtime, with the largest improvements occurring
      between the first and second years. CONCLUSIONS: All of the data fields examined
      appear to be reasonably complete within the first year of adoption with the
      biggest increase occurring the first to second year. Using all of the basic
      functions of the EMR appears to be occurring in the current environment of EMR
      adoption in Ontario. Thus the data appears to be suitable for secondary use.

PMID- 26268512
TI  - Mediation effect of recent loss events on weight gain in obese people who
      experienced childhood parental death or separation.
AB  - Adverse events during childhood, including loss of a parent, are related to a
      higher risk of adult obesity. We investigated whether childhood parental loss is
      related to adult rapid weight gain through exposition to a later loss event. We
      assessed the mediation effect of recent loss and non-loss events on the
      association between childhood loss and rapid weight gain in 138 individuals
      seeking bariatric surgery. Our results showed that recent loss events mediate the
      effect of childhood parental loss on rapid weight gain (0.790; p < .001),
      suggesting the need for specific programs to prevent and treat obesity in
      individuals with multiple losses.

PMID- 26268513
TI  - Fibroblastic connective tissue nevus.
AB  - Fibroblastic connective tissue nevus (FCTN) is a newly recognized, benign
      cutaneous mesenchymal lesion of fibroblasts/myofibroblastic lineage, which
      expands the classification of connective tissue nevi. We present three cases of
      FCTN and discuss significant clinical, morphologic and immunophenotypic overlap
      with dermatomyofibroma. Our cases were from young women, aged 32, 24 and 10, and
      presented as 1.2 and 1 cm nodules on the posterior neck and right upper flank,
      respectively while presenting as a linear plaque of the right posterior thigh in
      the latter case. The lesions showed a poorly circumscribed proliferation of
      hypercellular spindle cells arranged in short to longer intersecting fascicles
      entrapping adnexal structures. Superficial adipose tissue was also entrapped in
      one case. The spindle cells had fibroblastic features with pale eosinophilic
      cytoplasmic extensions and inconspicuous nucleoli. The spindle cells were
      positive for CD34 in two cases. One case was negative for CD34, smooth muscle
      actin (SMA), desmin and S100. The overall features were consistent with a
      diagnosis of FCTN. In two cases, we further elucidated the fibroblastic
      differentiation of the spindle cells in FCTN with electron microscopy, which has
      not been previously described. 

PMID- 26268515
TI  - Evaluation of serum and urine fetuin-A levels in children with acute
      lymphoblastic leukemia during and after high-dose methotrexate therapy: Relation
      to toxicity.
AB  - BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Fetuin-A is a multifunctional protein with its urine level
      was considered as a marker of acute kidney injury. We investigated the serum and
      urine fetuin-A in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) children during and after
      high-dose methotrexate (HDMTX). METHODS: Twenty-two ALL children and 20 matched
      healthy controls were included. Liver transaminases, serum creatinine, estimated
      glomular filtration rate (eGFR), creatinine clearance (CrCl), serum beta2
      microglobulin (B2M), and serum and urine fetuin-A levels were assayed pre and 4
      months after the consolidation. Among a subgroup of 15 patients, the
      investigations were performed 42 hours after the start of the second and the
      fourth HDMTX infusions. RESULTS: HDMTX was well tolerated. During HDMTX, there
      was significant decline in serum fetuin-A together with significant rise of urine
      fetuin-A and B2M levels compared to the control and to the pre-consolidation
      levels, changes that persisted 4 months after the consolidation despite recovery
      of the significantly altered renal functions. The second HDMTX-related serum
      fetuin-A level directly correlated with eGFR and CrCl (r = 0.86, P < 0.0001 and r
      = 0.67, P = 0.016, respectively). Four months after consolidation, urine fetuin-A
      directly correlated with serum creatinine (r = 0.54, P = 0.004) and inversely
      correlated with the eGFR (r = -0.66, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Significant
      disturbance in serum and urinary fetuin-A levels, which was related to renal
      functions, had occurred during HDMTX and persisted for at least 4 months after
      the consolidation. Serum and urine fetuin-A could be sensitive markers for subtle
      renal dysfunction in ALL children.

PMID- 26268514
TI  - Effects of carnitine on oxidative stress response to intravenous iron
      administration to patients with CKD: impact of haptoglobin phenotype.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Anemia is a common disorder in CKD patients. It is largely attributed
      to decreased erythropoietin (EPO) production and iron deficiency. Therefore,
      besides EPO, therapy includes iron replenishment. However, the latter induces
      oxidative stress. Haptoglobin (Hp) protein is the main line of defense against
      the oxidative effects of Hemoglobin/Iron. There are 3 genotypes: 1-1, 2-1 and 2
      2. Hp 2-2 protein is inferior to Hp 1-1 as antioxidant. So far, there is no
      evidence whether haptoglobin phenotype affects iron-induced oxidative stress in
      CKD patients. Therefore, the present study examines the influence of carnitine
      treatment on the intravenous iron administration (IVIR)-induced oxidative stress
      in CKD patients, and whether Hp phenotype affects this response. METHODS:  TRIAL
      REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN5700858. This study included 26
      anemic (Hb = 10.23 +/- 0.28) CKD patients (stages 3-4) that were given a weekly
      IVIR (Sodium ferric gluconate, [125 mg/100 ml] for 8 weeks, and during weeks 5-8
      also received Carnitine (20 mg/kg, IV) prior to IVIR. Weekly blood samples were
      drawn before and after each IVIR for Hp phenotype, C-reactive protein (CRP),
      advanced oxidative protein products (AOPP), neutrophil gelatinase-associated
      lipocalin (NGAL), besides complete blood count and biochemical analyses. RESULTS:
      Eight percent of CKD patients were Hp1-1, 19 % Hp2-1, and 73 % Hp2-2. IVIR for 4
      weeks did not increase hemoglobin levels, yet worsened the oxidative burden as
      was evident by elevated plasma levels of AOPP. The highest increase in AOPP was
      observed in Hp2-2 patients. Simultaneous administration of Carnitine with IVIR
      abolished the IVIR-induced oxidative stress as evident by preventing the
      elevations in AOPP and NGAL, preferentially in patients with Hp2-2 phenotype.
      CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that Hp2-2 is a significant risk factor for
      IVIR-induced oxidative stress in CKD patients. Our finding, that co
      administration of Carnitine with IVIR preferentially attenuates the adverse
      consequences of IVIR, suggests a role for Carnitine therapy in these patients.

PMID- 26268516
TI  - Knowledge for Healthcare: the future of health librarianship.
AB  - Many people are still not receiving the right care. It is imperative for health
      care librarians to come together around a common vision to achieve Knowledge for
      Healthcare so that the right knowledge and evidence is used at the right time in
      the right place. The authors describe five workstreams within a modernisation
      programme: Service Transformation, Workforce Planning and Development, Quality
      and Impact, Resource Discovery and Optimising Investment. Communications,
      engagement and partnership working are central to success. The development
      framework sets out principles on which to base decisions, and design criteria for
      transforming services. 

PMID- 26268517
TI  - Predictors of the authenticity of Internet health rumours.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Internet is becoming an important source of health information;
      however, unverified health rumours may be included in health-related search
      results. There is a critical need to provide health information seekers with
      methods that are specifically geared towards the identification of the
      authenticity of health rumours. METHODS: Using 453 health rumours collected from
      a definitive online reference of rumours in China, this study investigates which
      features contribute to distinguishing between true and false rumours with a
      logistic regression model. RESULTS: There are measurable differences between true
      and false health rumours on the Internet. The lengths of rumour headlines and
      statements and the presence of pictures are negatively correlated to the
      probability that a rumour is true, whereas a rumour is more likely to be true if
      it contains elements such as numbers, source cues and hyperlinks. Finally, dread
      health rumours are more likely to be true than wish ones. CONCLUSIONS: Despite
      the growing number of studies on rumours, the identification of the authenticity
      of rumours has received little attention. This study proposes some rules of thumb
      to help online users ascertain rumour veracity and make decisions.

PMID- 26268518
TI  - A case study of the organisation of research knowledge by systematic reviews
      within the mental health care field.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Our aim was to explore how systematic reviews of the effects of
      complex interventions within the field of organisation of mental health care
      organised research knowledge. METHODS: We looked up references included in 14
      mental health care reviews in the database Epistemonikos to examine overlap
      between reviews. We classified topic concordance between study reports and
      reviews as similar, narrower, broader or other topic to indicate how well the
      research knowledge was organised. FINDINGS: We examined 182 comparisons between
      the theme of study reports and reviews. In 100 (55%) of the 182 comparisons, the
      review had a broader theme, 18 (10%) narrower, 34 (19%) similar and in 30 (16%),
      the review's theme was classified as 'other'. The content analysis indicated that
      there existed (inconsistent) overlapping of study reports between different
      topics. CONCLUSIONS: Within the field organisation of mental health care, there
      exists some unclear and inconsistent organisation of current knowledge. This may
      diminish the validity and reliability of systematic reviews. It is important that
      review authors take care in defining the review question precisely, conduct
      thorough literature searches, consider each study's hypothesis, disciplinary
      tradition and context, and if necessary, examine which other reviews have
      included a study in question.

PMID- 26268519
TI  - The story so far: a summary of the contributions to the 'Dissertations into
      practice' feature.
AB  - The 'Dissertations into practice' feature began life in March 2012 with a dual
      aim: to encourage students and new professionals to write for publication and to
      highlight the impact of student research on policy and practice. This article
      reflects on the initiative and to summarise what has been achieved so far. It
      highlights the diverse range of contributions to the feature so far and proves
      that student research can and does influence policy and practice. It also
      demonstrates that, with a bit of encouragement and support, students are willing
      and able to write for academic publication. AM. 

PMID- 26268520
TI  - International trends in health science librarianship part 15: West Africa (Ghana,
      Nigeria, Senegal).
AB  - This is the 15th in a series of articles exploring international trends in health
      science librarianship in the 21st century. It is the third of four articles
      pertaining to different regions in the African continent. The present issue
      focuses on countries in West Africa (Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal). The next
      feature column will investigate trends in North Africa. JM. 

PMID- 26268521
TI  - Learning to teach: how a formal teaching qualification improved our practice.
AB  - In this article, guest writers Sonya Lipczynska and Clare Crowley from King's
      College London discuss the learning that occurred when they undertook a
      Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice in Higher Education (PGCAPHE). In
      particular, they identify how their exploration of relevant learning and teaching
      theory on the course helped them to evaluate their library instruction teaching
      practice with medical and dental students. They highlight how they made changes
      and improvements to the delivery of these sessions based on greater consideration
      of inclusivity and the characteristics of both individuals and broader student
      groups. They also discuss the successes of new teaching practices that they
      experimented with, and reflect on how they have developed as educators as a
      result of this. H.S. 

PMID- 26268522
TI  - IFNgamma+ Treg in-vivo and in-vitro represent both activated nTreg and
      peripherally induced aTreg and remain phenotypically stable in-vitro after
      removal of the stimulus.
AB  - BACKGROUND: IFNgamma-producing CD4+CD25+Foxp3+CD127- Treg represent the first
      line of Treg during an immune response. In the present study we determined
      whether IFNgamma+ Treg in-vivo and in-vitro are Helios-positive representing
      activated natural (nTreg) or Helios-negative representing adaptive Treg (aTreg)
      and whether they originate from CD4+CD25+ and/or CD4+CD25- PBL. Furtheron, we
      investigated whether they are inducible by recombinant IFNgamma (rIFNgamma) as a
      single stimulus, decrease in-vitro after elimination of the stimulus, and have a
      demethylated Foxp3 Treg-specific demethylated region (TSDR) which is associated
      with stable Foxp3 expression. METHOD: Subsets of IFNgamma+ Treg were determined
      in peripheral blood of healthy controls using eight-color flow cytometry and were
      further investigated in-vitro. Foxp3 TSDR methylation status was determined using
      bisulphite polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and high resolution melt (HRM)
      analysis. RESULTS: Nearly all Treg in the peripheral blood were Helios+IFNgamma-
      (1.9 +/- 1.1/MUl) and only few were Helios+IFNgamma+ or Helios-IFNgamma+ Treg
      (both 0.1 +/- 0.1/MUl). Enriched IFNgamma+ Treg subsets showed in part strong
      Foxp3 TSDR demethylation. In-vitro, rIFNgamma was unable to induce Treg.
      CD4+CD25+ enriched PBL stimulated with PMA/Ionomycin in the presence of rIFNgamma
      were rather resistant to the effect of rIFNgamma, in contrast to CD4+CD25-
      enriched PBL which showed increasing total Treg with Helios+ Treg switching from
      IFNgamma- to IFNgamma+ and increasing Helios-IFNgamma+ Treg. The data indicate
      that rIFNgamma, in combination with a polyclonal stimulus, activates nTreg and
      induces aTreg. When phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)/Ionomycin was washed
      out from the cell culture after 6 h stimulation, Treg induction continued for at
      least 96 h of cell culture, contradicting the hypothesis that removal of the
      stimulus results in significant decrease of IFNgamma- and IFNgamma+
      CD4+CD25+Foxp3+CD127- Treg due to loss of Foxp3 expression. CONCLUSIONS:
      IFNgamma+Helios- aTreg as well as IFNgamma+Helios+ nTreg are detectable in the
      blood of healthy individuals, show in part strong Foxp3 TSDR demethylation and
      are inducible in-vitro. The present data provide further insight concerning the
      in-vivo and in-vitro characteristics of IFNgamma+ Treg and help to understand
      their role in immunoregulation. Alloantigen-specific demethylated
      IFNgamma+Helios+ nTreg might represent a suitable marker for monitoring graft
      specific immunosuppression in renal transplant recipients.

PMID- 26268523
TI  - Three-Dimensional Study of the Terminal Portion in Sprague-Dawley Rat Ejaculatory
      Ducts.
AB  - In mammals, a pair of ejaculatory ducts exists in the urethra at the seminal
      colliculus. The detailed anatomical structures of the distal end of the
      ejaculatory ducts of Sprague-Dawley rats were investigated by the computer
      assisted three-dimensional reconstruction analysis using light-microscopic serial
      sections. A three-dimensional reconstruction revealed that in adult rats, the
      ejaculatory sinus pair consists of two parts: the cranial section - a compartment
      region composed of a fusion of the ampullary gland duct and the seminal vesicle
      duct, and the caudal section - a grooved region composed of a long slitlike
      ejaculatory ostium that extends into the urethra on both sides of the seminal
      colliculus. But the sphincter structure was not observed. The long axis of the
      compartment region was approximately 58 MUm in length, and that of the groove
      region was approximately 495 MUm. Although many epithelial glands ducts were
      distributed throughout the ejaculatory sinuses, the prostate and coagulation
      gland ducts did not open in these sinuses. The urethra was composed of
      transitional epithelium, while the ejaculatory sinuses were composed of single to
      stratified cuboidal epithelium. The ejaculatory ducts continued to the
      ejaculatory ostium in male adult Sprague-Dawley rat were composed of the seminal
      vesicle ducts received the ampullary gland ducts. 

PMID- 26268524
TI  - Cerebral Lesions at Fetal Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Neurologic Outcome After
      Single Fetal Death in Monochorionic Twins.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Single fetal death (sFD) in monochorionic twin pregnancies is
      associated with substantial morbidity and mortality in the survivor. The aim of
      our study was to evaluate the rate of cerebral lesions detected at fetal Magnetic
      Resonance Imaging (MRI) and to correlate the results with the neurologic outcome
      of the survivors of monochorionic twin pregnancies after sFD. METHODS: Between
      2005 and 2012, 11 monochorionic twin pregnancies with sFD and subsequent fetal
      MRI of the survivor were included. All neonates underwent neurologic assessment
      after birth and 56% of surviving infants underwent long-term neurologic
      assessment. MRI findings and neurologic outcome of the survivors were evaluated.
      RESULTS: Gestational age at sFD was 20.9 (+/-2.9) weeks; 55% (6/11) of survivors
      of monochorionic twin pregnancies after sFD showed cerebral lesions at fetal MRI;
      72% (8/11) of all survivors had normal neonatal neurologic outcome: all survivors
      with normal fetal MRI and 50% of survivors with cerebral lesions at fetal MRI.
      Long-term neurologic assessment was normal in all tested patients with normal
      fetal MRI and in one of three tested patients with cerebral lesions at fetal MRI.
      CONCLUSION: Survivors of monochorionic twin pregnancies after sFD show a high
      rate of cerebral lesions at fetal MRI. The importance of cerebral lesions at
      fetal MRI in survivors after sFD in monochorionic twin pregnancies is uncertain.
      All tested survivors with normal fetal MRI showed normal neurologic outcome but
      only one of three survivors with cerebral lesions at fetal MRI showed normal long
      term neurologic outcome.

PMID- 26268525
TI  - Responsibility and intellectual property in synthetic biology: A proposal for
      using Responsible Research and Innovation as a basic framework for intellectual
      property decisions in synthetic biology.

PMID- 26268527
TI  - Metadata Correction: A Web-Based Tool for Patient Triage in Emergency Department
      Settings: Validation Using the Emergency Severity Index.

PMID- 26268528
TI  - Identification of a Highly Conserved Allosteric Binding Site on Mnk1 and Mnk2.
AB  - Elevated levels of phosphorylated eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) have
      been implicated in many tumor types, and mitogen activated protein kinase
      interacting kinases (Mnks) are the only known kinases that phosphorylate eIF4E at
      Ser209. The phosphorylation of eIF4E is essential for oncogenic transformation
      but is of no significance to normal growth and development. Pharmacological
      inhibition of Mnks therefore provides a nontoxic and effective strategy for
      cancer therapy. However, a lack of specific Mnk inhibitors has confounded
      pharmacological target validation and clinical development. Herein, we report the
      identification of a novel series of Mnk inhibitors and their binding modes. A
      systematic workflow has been established to distinguish between type III and type
      I/II inhibitors. A selection of 66 compounds was tested for Mnk1 and Mnk2
      inhibition, and 9 out of 20 active compounds showed type III interaction with an
      allosteric site of the proteins. Most of the type III inhibitors exhibited dual
      Mnk1 and Mnk2 activities and demonstrated potent antiproliferative properties
      against the MV4-11 acute myeloid leukemia cell line. Interestingly, ATP
      /substrate-competitive inhibitors were found to be highly selective for Mnk2,
      with little or no activity for Mnk1. Our study suggests that Mnk1 and Mnk2 share
      a common structure of the allosteric inhibitory binding site but possess
      different structural features of the ATP catalytic domain. The findings will
      assist in the future design and development of Mnk targeted anticancer
      therapeutics. 

PMID- 26268526
TI  - Expanding the ubiquitin code through post-translational modification.
AB  - Ubiquitylation is among the most prevalent post-translational modifications
      (PTMs) and regulates numerous cellular functions. Interestingly, ubiquitin (Ub)
      can be itself modified by other PTMs, including acetylation and phosphorylation.
      Acetylation of Ub on K6 and K48 represses the formation and elongation of Ub
      chains. Phosphorylation of Ub happens on multiple sites, S57 and S65 being the
      most frequently modified in yeast and mammalian cells, respectively. In mammals,
      the PINK1 kinase activates ubiquitin ligase Parkin by phosphorylating S65 of Ub
      and of the Parkin Ubl domain, which in turn promotes the amplification of
      autophagy signals necessary for the removal of damaged mitochondria. Similarly,
      TBK1 phosphorylates the autophagy receptors OPTN and p62 to initiate feedback and
      feedforward programs for Ub-dependent removal of protein aggregates, mitochondria
      and pathogens (such as Salmonella and Mycobacterium tuberculosis). The impact of
      PINK1-mediated phosphorylation of Ub and TBK1-dependent phosphorylation of
      autophagy receptors (OPTN and p62) has been recently linked to the development of
      Parkinson's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, respectively. Hence, the
      post-translational modification of Ub and its receptors can efficiently expand
      the Ub code and modulate its functions in health and disease. 

PMID- 26268529
TI  - Breathing Stimulant Compounds Inhibit TASK-3 Potassium Channel Function Likely by
      Binding at a Common Site in the Channel Pore.
AB  - Compounds PKTHPP (1-{1-[6-(biphenyl-4-ylcarbonyl)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydropyrido[4,3-d]
      pyrimidin-4-yl]piperidin-4-yl}propan-1-one), A1899 (2''-[(4
      methoxybenzoylamino)methyl]biphenyl-2-carboxylic acid 2,4-difluorobenzylamide),
      and doxapram inhibit TASK-1 (KCNK3) and TASK-3 (KCNK9) tandem pore (K2P)
      potassium channel function and stimulate breathing. To better understand the
      molecular mechanism(s) of action of these drugs, we undertook studies to identify
      amino acid residues in the TASK-3 protein that mediate this inhibition. Guided by
      homology modeling and molecular docking, we hypothesized that PKTHPP and A1899
      bind in the TASK-3 intracellular pore. To test our hypothesis, we mutated each
      residue in or near the predicted PKTHPP and A1899 binding site (residues 118-128
      and 228-248), individually, to a negatively charged aspartate. We quantified each
      mutation's effect on TASK-3 potassium channel concentration response to PKTHPP.
      Studies were conducted on TASK-3 transiently expressed in Fischer rat thyroid
      epithelial monolayers; channel function was measured in an Ussing chamber. TASK-3
      pore mutations at residues 122 (L122D, E, or K) and 236 (G236D) caused the IC50
      of PKTHPP to increase more than 1000-fold. TASK-3 mutants L122D, G236D, L239D,
      and V242D were resistant to block by PKTHPP, A1899, and doxapram. Our data are
      consistent with a model in which breathing stimulant compounds PKTHPP, A1899, and
      doxapram inhibit TASK-3 function by binding at a common site within the channel
      intracellular pore region, although binding outside the channel pore cannot yet
      be excluded. 

PMID- 26268531
TI  - Iatrogenic CJD due to pituitary-derived growth hormone with genetically
      determined incubation times of up to 40 years.
AB  - Patients with iatrogenic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease due to administration of
      cadaver-sourced growth hormone during childhood are still being seen in the UK 30
      years after cessation of this treatment. Of the 77 patients who have developed
      iatrogenic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, 56 have been genotyped. There has been a
      marked change in genotype profile at polymorphic codon 129 of the prion protein
      gene (PRNP) from predominantly valine homozygous to a mixed picture of methionine
      homozygous and methionine-valine heterozygous over time. The incubation period of
      iatrogenic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is significantly different between all three
      genotypes. This experience is a striking contrast with that in France and the
      USA, which may relate to contamination of different growth hormone batches with
      different strains of human prions. We describe the clinical, imaging, molecular
      and autopsy features in 22 of 24 patients who have developed iatrogenic
      Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in the UK since 2003. Mean age at onset of symptoms was
      42.7 years. Gait ataxia and lower limb dysaesthesiae were the most frequent
      presenting symptoms. All had cerebellar signs, and the majority had myoclonus and
      lower limb pyramidal signs, with relatively preserved cognitive function, when
      first seen. There was a progressive decline in neurological and cognitive
      function leading to death after 5-32 (mean 14) months. Despite incubation periods
      approaching 40 years, the clinical duration in methionine homozygote patients
      appeared to be shorter than that seen in heterozygote patients. MRI showed
      restricted diffusion in the basal ganglia, thalamus, hippocampus, frontal and the
      paracentral motor cortex and cerebellar vermis. The electroencephalogram was
      abnormal in 15 patients and cerebrospinal fluid 14-3-3 protein was positive in
      half the patients. Neuropathological examination was conducted in nine patients.
      All but one showed synaptic prion deposition with numerous kuru type plaques in
      the basal ganglia, anterior frontal and parietal cortex, thalamus, basal ganglia
      and cerebellum. The patient with the shortest clinical duration had an atypical
      synaptic deposition of abnormal prion protein and no kuru plaques. Taken
      together, these data provide a remarkable example of the interplay between the
      strain of the pathogen and host prion protein genotype. Based on extensive
      modelling of human prion transmission barriers in transgenic mice expressing
      human prion protein on a mouse prion protein null background, the temporal
      distribution of codon 129 genotypes within the cohort of patients with iatrogenic
      Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in the UK suggests that there was a point source of
      infecting prion contamination of growth hormone derived from a patient with
      Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease expressing prion protein valine 129. 

PMID- 26268532
TI  - Restricted sedation and absence of cognitive impairments after administration of
      intranasal scopolamine.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Space motion sickness in astronauts during spaceflight causes
      significant discomfort, which might impede their functionality. Pharmacological
      treatment has been mainly restricted to promethazine. Transdermal and oral
      scopolamine have also been used in space; however, their use was reduced due to
      unpredictable effectiveness and side effects. Recently, intranasal scopolamine
      administration has gained much interest, since this route ensures fast and
      reliable absorption with a decreased incidence of undesirable side effects. The
      aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of intranasal scopolamine on
      cognitive performance and to determine its side effects. METHODS: This double
      blind, placebo controlled, repeated measures study evaluated vigilant attention,
      short-term memory, implicit memory and working memory. Side effects were reported
      on a 22-item questionnaire and sleepiness was assessed by the Karolinska,
      Stanford and Epworth Sleepiness Scales. RESULTS: Scopolamine had no effect on
      cognitive function. Only the Karolinska score was significantly increased for
      scopolamine compared to placebo. Participants reported a dry mouth and dizziness
      after receiving scopolamine. DISCUSSION: Results show that intranasal scopolamine
      did not impair cognitive performance. Intranasal scopolamine might be a good
      alternative to promethazine for the alleviation of space motion sickness, since
      the agent has minimal sedative effects and does not hamper cognitive performance.

PMID- 26268534
TI  - Limited reproducibility of 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring.
AB  - Results of 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) including average
      blood pressure, variability, and nocturnal dipping are considered the gold
      standard for diagnosis and the best predictor of the future end organ damage in
      chronic hypertension. Here we report on the reproducibility of ABPM results for
      these three measures over a period of months. A total of 35 hypertensive patients
      (43% female, mean age 64 years), underwent two separate ABPM recordings within 14
      weeks, with unchanged medical treatment and lifestyle in the interim. The day and
      night average blood pressure, dipping status of systolic pressure, and the
      standard deviation of systolic and diastolic blood pressure as a measure of
      variability were compared between the two recordings. Individual values for
      average systolic and diastolic pressures showed only a modest correlation between
      the two measurements (r = 0.56, r = 0.81, p < 0.01). Standard deviations of 24-h
      pressure were also positively but weakly correlated (r = 0.4, p < 0.001). The
      occurrence of dipping was reproducible in 71% of the patients. Average blood
      pressure, pressure variability, and dipping as assessed by ABPM are only
      moderately reproducible. Clinical decision-making based on single ABPM datasets
      should be made with caution, and repetition of ABPM seems justified in some
      cases. 

PMID- 26268530
TI  - GWAS of longitudinal amyloid accumulation on 18F-florbetapir PET in Alzheimer's
      disease implicates microglial activation gene IL1RAP.
AB  - Brain amyloid deposition is thought to be a seminal event in Alzheimer's disease.
      To identify genes influencing Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis, we performed a
      genome-wide association study of longitudinal change in brain amyloid burden
      measured by (18)F-florbetapir PET. A novel association with higher rates of
      amyloid accumulation independent from APOE (apolipoprotein E) epsilon4 status was
      identified in IL1RAP (interleukin-1 receptor accessory protein; rs12053868-G; P =
      1.38 * 10(-9)) and was validated by deep sequencing. IL1RAP rs12053868-G carriers
      were more likely to progress from mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer's
      disease and exhibited greater longitudinal temporal cortex atrophy on MRI. In
      independent cohorts rs12053868-G was associated with accelerated cognitive
      decline and lower cortical (11)C-PBR28 PET signal, a marker of microglial
      activation. These results suggest a crucial role of activated microglia in
      limiting amyloid accumulation and nominate the IL-1/IL1RAP pathway as a potential
      target for modulating this process. 

PMID- 26268533
TI  - Better sexual acceptability of agomelatine (25 and 50 mg) compared to
      escitalopram (20 mg) in healthy volunteers. A 9-week, placebo-controlled study
      using the PRSexDQ scale.
AB  - The present double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluates the effects of
      agomelatine and the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor escitalopram on sexual
      dysfunction in healthy men and women. METHODS: A total of 133 healthy volunteers
      (67 men, 66 women) were randomly assigned to agomelatine (25 or 50 mg) or
      escitalopram (20 mg) or placebo for nine weeks. Sexual acceptability was
      evaluated by using the psychotropic-related sexual dysfunction questionnaire 5
      items total score and sexual dysfunction relative to each sub-score (in 110
      volunteers with sexual activity). Sexual dysfunction was evaluated at baseline
      and after two, five and eight weeks of treatment and one week after drug
      discontinuation. RESULTS: The psychotropic-related sexual dysfunction
      questionnaire 5-items total score was significantly lower in both agomelatine
      groups versus escitalopram at all visits (p < 0.01 to p < 0.0001) with no
      difference between agomelatine and placebo nor between both agomelatine doses.
      Similar results were observed after drug discontinuation. The total score was
      significantly higher in the escitalopram group than in the placebo group at each
      post-baseline visit (p < 0.01 to p < 0.001). Similar results were observed
      regardless of volunteers' gender. Compared to placebo, only escitalopram
      significantly impaired dysfunction relative to "delayed orgasm or ejaculation" (p
      < 0.01) and "absence of orgasm or ejaculation" (p < 0.05 to p < 0.01). The
      percentage of participants with a sexual dysfunction was higher in the
      escitalopram group than in agomelatine groups (p < 0.01 to p < 0.05) and placebo
      (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The study confirms the better sexual acceptability
      profile of agomelatine (25 or 50 mg) in healthy men and women, compared to
      escitalopram. TRIAL REGISTRATION NAME: Evaluation of the effect of agomelatine
      and escitalopram on emotions and motivation in healthy male and female
      volunteers. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN75872983.

PMID- 26268535
TI  - Metastatic lymph node status in the central compartment of papillary thyroid
      carcinoma: A prognostic factor of locoregional recurrence.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to present our focus on the lymph node
      status in the central compartment and evaluate the relevant factors and disease
      recurrence. METHODS: Between January 2004 and December 2009, 1040 patients were
      diagnosed with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and underwent surgery. RESULTS:
      The number of metastatic lymph nodes was a significant predictor for recurrence
      conferring a hazard ratio of 1.36 (confidence interval = 1.103-1.680; p = .004).
      The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was calculated to determine the
      cutoff number of lymph nodes that predicted recurrence with the highest
      sensitivity and specificity (area under the ROC curve, 0.794; SE, 0.077; p =
      .001). The sensitivity/specificity of >3 metastatic lymph nodes for predicting
      recurrence was 63.6%/77.0%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The number of metastatic
      lymph nodes in the central compartment was a statistical significant predictive
      factor associated with disease recurrence. Further study is required to confirm
      the relationship between the number of lymph nodes and disease recurrence. (c)
      2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E1172-E1176, 2016.

PMID- 26268536
TI  - Multimorbidity and the inequalities of global ageing: a cross-sectional study of
      28 countries using the World Health Surveys.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Multimorbidity defined as the "the coexistence of two or more chronic
      diseases" in one individual, is increasing in prevalence globally. The aim of
      this study is to compare the prevalence of multimorbidity across low and middle
      income countries (LMICs), and to investigate patterns by age and education, as a
      proxy for socio-economic status (SES). METHODS: Chronic disease data from 28
      countries of the World Health Survey (2003) were extracted and inter-country
      socio-economic differences were examined by gross domestic product (GDP).
      Regression analyses were applied to examine associations of education with
      multimorbidity by region adjusted for age and sex distributions. RESULTS: The
      mean world standardized multimorbidity prevalence for LMICs was 7.8 % (95 % CI,
      7.79 % - 7.83 %). In all countries, multimorbidity increased significantly with
      age. A positive but non-linear relationship was found between country GDP and
      multimorbidity prevalence. Trend analyses of multimorbidity by education suggest
      that there are intergenerational differences, with a more inverse education
      gradient for younger adults compared to older adults. Higher education was
      significantly associated with a decreased risk of multimorbidity in the all
      region analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Multimorbidity is a global phenomenon, not just
      affecting older adults in HICs. Policy makers worldwide need to address these
      health inequalities, and support the complex service needs of a growing
      multimorbid population.

PMID- 26268538
TI  - A highly stable minimally processed plant-derived recombinant
      acetylcholinesterase for nerve agent detection in adverse conditions.
AB  - Although recent innovations in transient plant systems have enabled gram
      quantities of proteins in 1-2 weeks, very few have been translated into
      applications due to technical challenges and high downstream processing costs.
      Here we report high-level production, using a Nicotiana benthamiana/p19 system,
      of an engineered recombinant human acetylcholinesterase (rAChE) that is highly
      stable in a minimally processed leaf extract. Lyophylized clarified extracts
      withstand prolonged storage at 70  degrees C and, upon reconstitution, can be
      used in several devices to detect organophosphate (OP) nerve agents and
      pesticides on surfaces ranging from 0  degrees C to 50  degrees C. The recent use
      of sarin in Syria highlights the urgent need for nerve agent detection and
      countermeasures necessary for preparedness and emergency responses. Bypassing
      cumbersome and expensive downstream processes has enabled us to fully exploit the
      speed, low cost and scalability of transient production systems resulting in the
      first successful implementation of plant-produced rAChE into a commercial
      biotechnology product. 

PMID- 26268537
TI  - MinC/MinD copolymers are not required for Min function.
AB  - In Escherichia coli, precise placement of the cytokinetic Z ring at midcell
      requires the concerted action of the three Min proteins. MinD activates MinC, an
      inhibitor of FtsZ, at least in part, by recruiting it to the membrane and
      targeting it to the Z ring, while MinE stimulates the MinD ATPase inducing an
      oscillation that directs MinC/MinD activity away from midcell. Recently, MinC and
      MinD were shown to form copolymers of alternating dimers of MinC and MinD, and it
      was suggested that these copolymers are the active form of MinC/MinD. Here, we
      use MinD mutants defective in binding MinC to generate heterodimers with wild
      type MinD that are unable to form MinC/MinD copolymers. Similarly, MinC mutants
      defective in binding to MinD were used to generate heterodimers with wild-type
      MinC that are unable to form copolymers. Such heterodimers are active and in the
      case of MinC were shown to mediate spatial regulation of the Z ring demonstrating
      that MinC/MinD copolymer formation is not required. Our results are consistent
      with a model in which a membrane anchored MinC/MinD complex is targeted to the Z
      ring through the conserved carboxy tail of FtsZ leading to breakage of FtsZ
      filaments. 

PMID- 26268540
TI  - Difficidin and bacilysin from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FZB42 have antibacterial
      activity against Xanthomonas oryzae rice pathogens.
AB  - Bacterial blight and bacterial leaf streak are serious, economically damaging,
      diseases of rice caused by the bacteria Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae and X.
      oryzae pv. oryzicola. Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FZB42 was shown to possess
      biocontrol activity against these Xanthomonas strains by producing the antibiotic
      compounds difficidin and bacilysin. Analyses using fluorescence, scanning
      electron and transmission electron microscopy revealed difficidin and bacilysin
      caused changes in the cell wall and structure of Xanthomonas. Biological control
      experiments on rice plants demonstrated the ability of difficidin and bacilysin
      to suppress disease. Difficidin and bacilysin caused downregulated expression of
      genes involved in Xanthomonas virulence, cell division, and protein and cell wall
      synthesis. Taken together, our results highlight the potential of B.
      amyloliquefaciens FZB42 as a biocontrol agent against bacterial diseases of rice,
      and the utility of difficidin and bacilysin as antimicrobial compounds. 

PMID- 26268541
TI  - On the optimization of imaging protocol for the mapping of cerebrovascular
      reactivity.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To devise an improved blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) imaging
      protocol for cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) measurement that can remove a known
      artifact of negative values. METHODS: Theoretical and simulation studies were
      first performed to understand the biophysical mechanism of the negative CVR
      signals, through which improved BOLD sequence parameters were proposed. This was
      achieved by equating signal intensities between cerebrospinal fluid and blood, by
      means of shortening the echo time (TE) of the BOLD sequence. Then, 10 healthy
      volunteers were recruited to participate in an experimental study, in which we
      compared the CVR results of two versions of the optimized ("Opt1" and "Opt2")
      protocols with that of the standard protocol at 3 Tesla. Two sessions were
      performed for each subject to test the reproducibility of all three protocols.
      RESULTS: Experimental results demonstrated that the optimized protocols resulted
      in elimination of negative-CVR voxels. Quantitative CVR results were compared
      across protocols, which show that the optimized protocols yielded smaller CVR
      values (Opt1: 0.16 +/- 0.01 %BOLD/mmHg CO2 ; Opt2: 0.15 +/- 0.01 %BOLD/mmHg CO2 )
      than (P < 0.001) the standard protocol (0.21 +/- 0.01 %BOLD/mmHg CO2 ), but the
      CNR was comparable (P = 0.1) to the standard protocol. The coefficient-of
      variation between repetitions was found to be 5.6 +/- 1.4%, 6.3 +/- 1.6%, and 6.9
      +/- 0.9% for the three protocols, but there were no significant differences (P =
      0.65). CONCLUSION: Based on the theoretical and experimental results obtained
      from this study, we suggest that the use of a TE shorter than those used in fMRI
      is necessary to minimize negative artifact in CVR results.

PMID- 26268544
TI  - Transcatheter mitral valve-in-ring implantation in prohibitive surgical risk
      patients: Single center initial experience in the United States.
AB  - Surgical mitral annuloplasty ring failure can result in symptomatic mitral
      stenosis or regurgitation which carries significant morbidity and mortality.
      Reoperation carries high surgical risks and the feasibility of transcatheter
      mitral valve-in-ring implantation is suggested by several case reports and
      series. In this article, we report two MVIR procedures focusing on preprocedural
      planning issues and intraprocedural tips. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 26268542
TI  - Formation of helical membrane tubes around microtubules by single-headed kinesin
      KIF1A.
AB  - The kinesin-3 motor KIF1A is in charge of vesicular transport in neuronal axons.
      Its single-headed form is known to be very inefficient due to the presence of a
      diffusive state in the mechanochemical cycle. However, recent theoretical studies
      have suggested that these motors could largely enhance force generation by
      working in teams. Here we test this prediction by challenging single-headed KIF1A
      to extract membrane tubes from giant vesicles along microtubule filaments in a
      minimal in vitro system. Remarkably, not only KIF1A motors are able to extract
      tubes but they feature a novel phenomenon: tubes are wound around microtubules
      forming tubular helices. This finding reveals an unforeseen combination of
      cooperative force generation and self-organized manoeuvreing capability,
      suggesting that the diffusive state may be a key ingredient for collective motor
      performance under demanding traffic conditions. Hence, we conclude that KIF1A is
      a genuinely cooperative motor, possibly explaining its specificity to axonal
      trafficking. 

PMID- 26268545
TI  - Perfusion vector-a new method to quantify myocardial perfusion scintigraphy
      images: a simulation study with validation in patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The interpretation of myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS) largely
      relies on visual assessment by the physician of the localization and extent of a
      perfusion defect. The aim of this study was to introduce the concept of the
      perfusion vector as a new objective quantitative method for further assisting the
      visual interpretation and to test the concept using simulated MPS images as well
      as patients. METHODS: The perfusion vector is based on calculating the difference
      between the anatomical centroid and the perfusion center of gravity of the left
      ventricle. Simulated MPS images were obtained using the SIMIND Monte Carlo
      program together with XCAT phantom. Four different-sized anterior and four
      lateral defects were simulated, and perfusion vector components x-, y-, and z
      axes were calculated. For the patient study, 40 normal and 80 abnormal studies
      were included. Perfusion vectors were compared between normal and abnormal
      (apical, inferior, anterior, and lateral ischemia or infarction) studies and also
      correlated to the defect size. RESULTS: For simulated anterior defects, the
      stress perfusion vector component on the y-axis (anterior-inferior direction)
      increased in proportion to the defect size. For the simulated lateral defects,
      the stress perfusion vector component on the x-axis (septal-lateral direction)
      decreased in proportion to the defect size. When comparing normal and abnormal
      patients, there was a statistically significant difference for the stress
      perfusion vector on the x-axis for apical and lateral defects; on the y-axis for
      apical, inferior, and lateral defects; and on the z-axis (basal-apical direction)
      for apical, anterior, and lateral defects. A significant difference was shown for
      the difference vector magnitude (stress/rest) between normal and ischemic
      patients (p = 0.001) but not for patients with infarction. The correlation
      between the defect size and stress vector magnitude was also found to be
      significant (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The concept of the perfusion vector
      introduced in this study is shown to have potential in assisting the visual
      interpretation in MPS studies. Further studies are needed to validate the concept
      in patients.

PMID- 26268546
TI  - Self-Interaction Chromatography of mAbs: Accurate Measurement of Dead Volumes.
AB  - PURPOSE: Measurement of the second virial coefficient B22 for proteins using self
      interaction chromatography (SIC) is becoming an increasingly important technique
      for studying their solution behaviour. In common with all physicochemical
      chromatographic methods, measuring the dead volume of the SIC packed column is
      crucial for accurate retention data; this paper examines best practise for dead
      volume determination. METHOD: SIC type experiments using catalase, BSA, lysozyme
      and a mAb as model systems are reported, as well as a number of dead column
      measurements. RESULTS: It was observed that lysozyme and mAb interacted
      specifically with Toyopearl AF-Formyl dead columns depending upon pH and [NaCl],
      invalidating their dead volume usage. Toyopearl AF-Amino packed dead columns
      showed no such problems and acted as suitable dead columns without any solution
      condition dependency. Dead volume determinations using dextran MW standards with
      protein immobilised SIC columns provided dead volume estimates close to those
      obtained using Toyopearl AF-Amino dead columns. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that
      specific interactions between proteins, including mAbs, and select SIC support
      phases can compromise the use of some standard approaches for estimating the dead
      volume of SIC columns. Two other methods were shown to provide good estimates for
      the dead volume.

PMID- 26268548
TI  - Synergistic Photobactericidal Activity Based on Ultraviolet-A Irradiation and
      Ferulic Acid Derivatives.
AB  - Ultraviolet-A (UV-A)-mediated bactericidal activity was enhanced by combined
      treatment with trans-ferulic acid (trans-FA, compound 1) or its derivatives.
      Derivative compounds 4 and 10 contain a phenyl group or an l-tyrosine HCl tert
      butyl ester, respectively, linked to the carboxyl group of trans-FA. Of the three
      compounds, 10 exhibited the highest synergistic activity in a photobactericidal
      assay based on treating Escherichia coli with a derivative compound and UV-A
      irradiation (wavelength 350-385 nm). Inactivation of viable cells at a 4.9 J cm(
      2) UV-A fluence increased from 1.90 to 5.19 logs in the presence of 10 (100 MUm);
      a 4.95-log inactivation was achieved with 10 (5 MUm) and a 7.4 J cm(-2) UV-A
      fluence. Addition of antioxidants significantly suppressed photosynergistic
      bactericidal activity, suggesting that reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved
      in the combined bactericidal mechanism. Flow cytometry revealed that combined
      treatment with UV-A and compound 10, which showed the highest photobactericidal
      activity, generates an excess of oxidative radicals in bacterial cells. The
      bactericidal activity of compound 10 may be due to electrostatic interaction
      between the molecule's cationic moiety and the cell surface, followed by
      amplification of ROS generation in the cells. 

PMID- 26268549
TI  - [A smear method for measuring anti-cancer drugs residues in hospitals].
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Anti-cancer drugs are harmful to healthy persons. In recent years,
      occupational exposure to anti-cancer drugs has become a major concern to health
      care workers. To address this issue, a smear method was developed to measure
      widely using anti-cancer drugs depositing on the floors, safety cabinet surfaces,
      and tables in hospital. METHODS: Ten kinds of widely used anti-cancer drugs,
      paclitaxel, vincristine, docetaxel, vinorelbine, irinotecan, methotrexate,
      oxaliplatin, cyclophosphamide, gemcitabine and fluorouracil were collected by
      smearing material surfaces with methanol impregnated cellulose filter paper
      and/or polypropylene nonwoven. The collected anti-cancer drugs are extracted in 5
      ml of 0.01% (v/v) hydrazine/methanol solution by sonication. The extracted
      solution was filtered and concentrated to prepare 1ml of sample solution. Then,
      the anti-cancer drugs in the sample solution were simultaneously measured by
      LC/MS. RESULTS: The anti-cancer drugs excepting fluorouracil spread on P-tile
      surface were measured with recoveries of 37-101% and standard deviations (SD) of
      1.8-19%. All 10 of the anti-cancer drugs on a stainless steel plate surface were
      measured with the recoveries of 35-111% and SD of 1.3-11%. CONCLUSIONS: Using
      this smear method, 9 or 10 kinds of widely used anti-cancer drug residues in
      hospital, possibly exposed to health care workers, were grasped.

PMID- 26268547
TI  - Soybean transcription factor ORFeome associated with drought resistance: a
      valuable resource to accelerate research on abiotic stress resistance.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Whole genome sequencing provides the most comprehensive collection of
      an organism's genetic information. The availability of complete genome sequences
      is expected to dramatically deliver a high impact on biology. However, to achieve
      this impact in the area of crop improvement, significant efforts are still
      required on functional genomics, including the areas of gene annotation, cloning,
      expression profiling, and functional validation. RESULTS: Here we report our
      efforts in generating the first transcription factor (TF) open reading frame
      (ORF)eome resource associated with drought resistance in soybean (Glycine max), a
      major oil/protein crop grown worldwide. This study provides a highly annotated
      soybean TF-ORFeome associated with drought resistance. It contains information
      from experimentally verified protein-coding sequences (CDS), expression profiling
      under several abiotic stresses (drought, salinity, dehydration and ABA), and
      computationally predicted protein subcellular localization and cis-regulatory
      elements (CREs) analysis. All the information is available to plant researchers
      through a freely accessible and user-friendly database, Soybean Knowledge Base
      (SoyKB). CONCLUSIONS: The soybean TF-ORFeome provides a valuable public resource
      for functional genomics studies, especially in the area of plant abiotic
      stresses. It will accelerate findings in the areas of abiotic stresses and lead
      to the generation of crops with enhanced resistance to multiple stresses.

PMID- 26268550
TI  - [The association between the presence of occupational health nurses at Japanese
      worksites and health promotion activities].
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the association between
      the presence of occupational health nurses and health promotion activities,
      relative to the number of employees, and the health promotion policies of the
      companies. METHODS: We investigated 3,266 companies with at least 50 employees
      listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Questionnaires were sent by mail, and
      employees in charge of health management or promotion were asked about health
      promotion activities at their own worksites. Logistic regression analysis was
      performed with each type of health promotion activity (nutrition, exercise,
      sleep, mental health, smoking cessation, alcohol consumption reduction, and oral
      health) as dependent variables, and the presence of an occupational health nurse
      as the independent variable. The results were adjusted for the type of industry,
      total number of company employees, presence of company health promotion policies,
      and the presence of an occupational health physician. RESULTS: Responses were
      received from 415 companies (response rate: 12.7%). Occupational health nurses
      were present at 172 companies (41.4%). Health promotion activities such as (in
      order of frequency) mental health (295 companies, 71.1%), smoking cessation (133,
      32.0%), exercise (99, 23.9%), nutrition (75, 18.1%), oral health (49, 11.8%),
      sleep (39, 9.4%), and alcohol consumption reduction (26, 6.3%) were being
      conducted. Setting worksites with no occupational health nurse as a reference,
      the odds ratios of each health promotion activity of a worksite with one or more
      occupational health nurses were calculated. The odds ratios of mental health
      (2.43, 95% confidence interval: 1.32-4.48), smoking cessation (3.70, 2.14-6.38),
      exercise (4.98, 2.65-9.35), nutrition (8.34, 3.86-18.03), oral health (4.25, 1.87
      9.62), and alcohol consumption reduction (8.96, 2.24-35.92) were significant.
      Stratified analysis using the number of worksite employees, 499 or fewer and 500
      or more, also showed significantly higher odds ratios of smoking cessation,
      exercise, and nutrition activities at worksites of both groups. However, the odds
      ratios were significant for mental health and oral health activities only at
      worksites with 499 or fewer employees. CONCLUSIONS: At worksites of listed
      companies around Japan, those with an occupational health nurse carried out more
      health promotion activities such as nutrition, exercise, mental health, smoking
      cessation, alcohol consumption reduction, and oral health than those without,
      even after adjusting for scale of the company and presence of health promotion
      policies. This result suggests that the posting of an occupational health nurse
      to a worksite is associated with the conduct of health promotion activities.

PMID- 26268551
TI  - Single-Atom Pd1/Graphene Catalyst Achieved by Atomic Layer Deposition: Remarkable
      Performance in Selective Hydrogenation of 1,3-Butadiene.
AB  - We reported that atomically dispersed Pd on graphene can be fabricated using the
      atomic layer deposition technique. Aberration-corrected high-angle annular dark
      field scanning transmission electron microscopy and X-ray absorption fine
      structure spectroscopy both confirmed that isolated Pd single atoms dominantly
      existed on the graphene support. In selective hydrogenation of 1,3-butadiene, the
      single-atom Pd1/graphene catalyst showed about 100% butenes selectivity at 95%
      conversion at a mild reaction condition of about 50  degrees C, which is likely
      due to the changes of 1,3-butadiene adsorption mode and enhanced steric effect on
      the isolated Pd atoms. More importantly, excellent durability against
      deactivation via either aggregation of metal atoms or carbonaceous deposits
      during a total 100 h of reaction time on stream was achieved. Therefore, the
      single-atom catalysts may open up more opportunities to optimize the activity,
      selectivity, and durability in selective hydrogenation reactions. 

PMID- 26268553
TI  - Nanoscale resolution in infrared imaging of protein-containing lipid membranes.
AB  - The precise imaging of biomolecular entities contributes to an understanding of
      the relationship between their structure and function. However, the resolution of
      conventional infrared microscopic imaging is diffraction limited and does not
      exceed a few micrometres. Atomic force microscopy, on the other hand, can detect
      infrared absorption down to the sub-micrometer level. In the present report, we
      demonstrate that for multi-bilayer lipid samples containing the plant
      photosynthetic pigment-protein complex LHCII, the resolution of this latter
      technique can be better than 20 nm. Such a high resolution is attributable to two
      factors: (i) the relatively high infrared absorption by the complex that is
      integrated perpendicular to the plane of the multilayer film, and (ii) the
      distinctly different mechanical properties and thermal conductivity of the lipid
      and protein components of the sample. 

PMID- 26268555
TI  - Erratum to: A cluster randomized trial of a multifaceted quality improvement
      intervention in Brazilian intensive care units: study protocol.

PMID- 26268556
TI  - The N-terminal ubiquitin-binding region of ubiquitin-specific protease 28
      modulates its deubiquitination function: NMR structural and mechanistic insights.
AB  - The deubiquitinase ubiquitin-specific protease 28 (Usp28) contains a ubiquitin
      binding region (UBR) composed of one ubiquitin-associated domain (UBA) and one
      ubiquitin-interacting motif (UIM) at its N-terminus. It is of interest that an
      additional small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO)-interacting motif (SIM) is
      located next to its UIM. To date, the functional role of the Usp28 UBR is still
      not understood. To elucidate the regulatory mechanism of the UBR on the full
      functional display of Usp28, in the present study, NMR and biochemical approaches
      were applied. The solution structure of Usp28 UBR was obtained, and the key
      residues responsible for ubiquitin and SUMO1/2 recognition were identified. In
      addition, we find that the ubiquitin-binding ability of Usp28 UBR was required
      for full enzymatic activity of Usp28, whereas binding of SUMO1/2 impaired the
      catalytic activity of the enzyme by competitively blocking its interactions with
      ubiquitin substrates. Our findings provide a first insight into understanding how
      the enzymatic activity of Usp28 is regulated by its non-catalytic UBR and
      endogenous ligands. 

PMID- 26268557
TI  - A paralogue of the phosphomutase-like gene family in Candida glabrata, CgPmu2,
      gained broad-range phosphatase activity due to a small number of clustered
      substitutions.
AB  - Inorganic phosphate is required for a range of cellular processes, such as
      DNA/RNA synthesis and intracellular signalling. The phosphate starvation
      inducible phosphatase activity of Candida glabrata is encoded by the gene CgPMU2
      (C. glabrata phosphomutase-like protein). CgPMU2 is part of a three-gene family
      (~75% identical) created through gene duplication in the C. glabrata clade; only
      CgPmu2 is a PHO-regulated broad range acid phosphatase. We identified amino acids
      that confer broad range phosphatase activity on CgPmu2 by creating fusions of
      sections of CgPMU2 with CgPMU1, a paralogue with little broad range phosphatase
      activity. We used site-directed mutagenesis on various fusions to sequentially
      convert CgPmu1 to CgPmu2. Based on molecular modelling of the Pmu proteins on to
      a histidine phosphatase crystal structure, clusters of amino acids were found in
      two distinct regions that were able to confer phosphatase activity. Substitutions
      in these two regions together conferred broad phosphatase activity on CgPmu1.
      Interestingly, one change is a histidine adjacent to the active site histidine of
      CgPmu2 and it exhibits a novel ability to partially replace the conserved active
      site histidine in CgPmu2. Additionally, a second amino acid change was able to
      confer nt phosphatase activity to CgPmu1, suggesting single amino acid changes
      neofunctionalize CgPmu2. 

PMID- 26268554
TI  - Exosomes secreted by human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived mesenchymal stem
      cells attenuate limb ischemia by promoting angiogenesis in mice.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: 'Patient-specific' induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are
      attractive because they can generate abundant cells without the risk of immune
      rejection for cell therapy. Studies have shown that iPSC-derived mesenchymal stem
      cells (iMSCs) possess powerful proliferation, differentiation, and therapeutic
      effects. Recently, most studies indicate that stem cells exert their therapeutic
      effect mainly through a paracrine mechanism other than transdifferentiation, and
      exosomes have emerged as an important paracrine factor for stem cells to
      reprogram injured cells. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether
      exosomes derived from iMSCs (iMSCs-Exo) possess the ability to attenuate limb
      ischemia and promote angiogenesis after transplantation into limbs of mice with
      femoral artery excision. METHODS: Human iPSCs (iPS-S-01, C1P33, and PCKDSF001C1)
      were used to differentiate into iMSCs in a modified one-step method. iMSCs were
      characterized by flow cytometry and multipotent differentiation potential
      analysis. Ultrafiltration combined with a purification method was used to isolate
      iMSCs-Exo, and transmission electron microscopy and Western blotting were used to
      identify iMSCs-Exo. After establishment of mouse hind-limb ischemia with excision
      of femoral artery and iMSCs-Exo injection, blood perfusion was monitored at days
      0, 7, 14, and 21; microvessel density in ischemic muscle was also analyzed. In
      vitro migration, proliferation, and tube formation experiments were used to
      analyze the ability of pro-angiogenesis in iMSCs-Exo, and quantitative reverse
      transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
      were used to identify expression levels of angiogenesis-related molecules in
      human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) after being cultured with iMSCs
      Exo. RESULTS: iPSCs were efficiently induced into iMSC- with MSC-positive and 
      negative surface antigens and osteogenesis, adipogenesis, and chondrogenesis
      differentiation potential. iMSCs-Exo with a diameter of 57 +/- 11 nm and
      expressed CD63, CD81, and CD9. Intramuscular injection of iMSCs-Exo markedly
      enhanced microvessel density and blood perfusion in mouse ischemic limbs,
      consistent with an attenuation of ischemic injury. In addition, iMSCs-Exo could
      activate angiogenesis-related molecule expression and promote HUVEC migration,
      proliferation, and tube formation. CONCLUSION: Implanted iMSCs-Exo was able to
      protect limbs from ischemic injury via the promotion of angiogenesis, which
      indicated that iMSCs-Exo may be a novel therapeutic approach in the treatment of
      ischemic diseases.

PMID- 26268558
TI  - The solution structures of native and patient monomeric human IgA1 reveal
      asymmetric extended structures: implications for function and IgAN disease.
AB  - Native IgA1, for which no crystal structure is known, contains an O
      galactosylated 23-residue hinge region that joins its Fab and Fc regions. IgA
      nephropathy (IgAN) is a leading cause of chronic kidney disease in developed
      countries. Because IgA1 in IgAN often has a poorly O-galactosylated hinge region,
      the solution structures of monomeric IgA1 from a healthy subject and three IgAN
      patients with four different O-galactosylation levels were studied. Analytical
      ultracentrifugation showed that all four IgA1 samples were monomeric with similar
      sedimentation coefficients, s(0)20,w. X-ray scattering showed that the radius of
      gyration (Rg) slightly increased with IgA1 concentration, indicating self
      association, although their distance distribution curves, P(r), were unchanged
      with concentration. Neutron scattering indicated similar Rg values and P(r)
      curves, although IgA1 showed a propensity to aggregate in heavy water buffer. A
      new atomistic modelling procedure based on comparisons with 177000
      conformationally-randomized IgA1 structures with the individual experimental
      scattering curves revealed similar extended Y-shaped solution structures for all
      four differentially-glycosylated IgA1 molecules. The final models indicated that
      the N-glycans at Asn(263) were folded back against the Fc surface, the C-terminal
      tailpiece conformations were undefined and hinge O-galactosylation had little
      effect on the solution structure. The solution structures for full-length IgA1
      showed extended hinges and the Fab and Fc regions were positioned asymmetrically
      to provide ample space for the functionally-important binding of two FcalphaR
      receptors to its Fc region. Whereas no link between O-galactosylation and the
      IgA1 solution structure was detected, an increase in IgA1 aggregation with
      reduced O-galactosylation may relate to IgAN.

PMID- 26268559
TI  - A calreticulin-dependent nuclear export signal is involved in the regulation of
      liver receptor homologue-1 protein folding.
AB  - As an orphan member of the nuclear receptor family, liver receptor homologue-1
      (LRH-1) controls a tremendous range of transcriptional programmes that are
      essential for metabolism and hormone synthesis. Our previous studies have shown
      that nuclear localization of the LRH-1 protein is mediated by two nuclear
      localization signals (NLSs) that are karyopherin/importin-dependent. It is
      unclear whether LRH-1 can be actively exported from the nucleus to the cytoplasm.
      In the present study, we describe a nuclear export domain containing two leucine
      rich motifs [named nuclear export signal (NES)1 and NES2] within the ligand
      binding domain (LBD). Mutation of leucine residues in NES1 or NES2 abolished
      nuclear export, indicating that both NES1 and NES2 motifs are essential for full
      nuclear export activity. This NES-mediated nuclear export was insensitive to the
      chromosomal region maintenance 1 (CRM1) inhibitor leptomycin B (LMB) or to CRM1
      knockdown. However, knockdown of calreticulin (CRT) prevented NES-mediated
      nuclear export. Furthermore, our data show that CRT interacts with LRH-1 and is
      involved in the nuclear export of LRH-1. With full-length LRH-1, mutation of NES1
      led to perinuclear accumulation of the mutant protein. Immunofluorescence
      analysis showed that these perinuclear aggregates were co-localized with the
      centrosome marker, microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3),
      ubiquitin and heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70), indicating that the mutant was
      misfolded and sequestered into aggresome-like structures via the autophagic
      clearance pathway. Our study demonstrates for the first time that LRH-1 has a CRT
      dependent NES which is not only required for cytoplasmic trafficking, but also
      essential for correct protein folding to avoid misfolding-induced aggregation. 

PMID- 26268560
TI  - Methylation of the Gpat2 promoter regulates transient expression during mouse
      spermatogenesis.
AB  - Spermatogenesis is a highly regulated process that involves both mitotic and
      meiotic divisions, as well as cellular differentiation to yield mature
      spermatozoa from undifferentiated germinal stem cells. Although Gpat2 was
      originally annotated as encoding a glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase by
      sequence homology to Gpat1, GPAT2 is highly expressed in testis but not in
      lipogenic tissues and is not up-regulated during adipocyte differentiation. New
      data show that GPAT2 is required for the synthesis of piRNAs (piwi-interacting
      RNAs), a group of small RNAs that protect the germ cell genome from
      retrotransposable elements. In order to understand the relationship between GPAT2
      and its role in the testis, we focused on Gpat2 expression during the first wave
      of mouse spermatogenesis. Gpat2 expression was analysed by qPCR (quantitative
      real-time PCR), in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry and Western blotting.
      Gpat2 mRNA content and protein expression were maximal at 15 dpp (days post
      partum) and were restricted to pachytene spermatocytes. To achieve this transient
      expression, both epigenetic mechanisms and trans-acting factors are involved. In
      vitro assays showed that Gpat2 expression correlates with DNA demethylation and
      histone acetylation and that it is up-regulated by retinoic acid. Epigenetic
      regulation by DNA methylation was confirmed in vivo in germ cells by bisulfite
      sequencing of the Gpat2 promoter. Consistent with the initiation of meiosis at 11
      dpp, methylation decreased dramatically. Thus, Gpat2 is expressed at a specific
      stage of spermatogenesis, consistent with piRNA synthesis and meiosis I prophase,
      and its on-off expression pattern responds predominantly to epigenetic
      modifications. 

PMID- 26268562
TI  - Phytate effects on biological hydroxyapatite development.

PMID- 26268561
TI  - An immunohistochemical study on the expression of sex steroid receptors, Ki-67
      and cytokeratins 7 and 20 in feline endometrial adenocarcinomas.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Endometrial adenocarcinomas are a rare type of tumour in cats. Though
      different morphologies have been reported, the most frequent histological type of
      feline endometrial adenocarcinoma (FEA) is the papillary serous. Characterization
      of molecular markers expression in FEA may contribute to clarify the pathogenesis
      of these tumours and to assess the differences between normal endometrium and FEA
      regarding the expression pattern of several proteins. Therefore, this study aimed
      to evaluate the immunohistochemical profile of a wide panel of antibodies
      (specific for ER-alpha, PR, Ki-67, CK7 and CK20) in twenty-four cases of FEA.
      Comparisons were made between FEA and feline normal cyclic endometrium in
      follicular (n = 13) and luteal (n = 10) stages. Except for Ki-67, all other
      molecular markers were assessed independently for the intensity of immunolabeling
      and for the percentage of cells expressing the protein. RESULTS: This study
      showed that in FEA a loss of expression occurs for ER-alpha (P <= 0.0001) and
      less markedly also for PR. The lost in sex steroid receptors concerns a decrease
      in both the proportion of labelled cells and the intensity of immunolabelling (P
      = 0.002 and P = 0.024, respectively). Proliferative activity, estimated via Ki-67
      immunoreaction, significantly increased in FEA as compared to normal endometrium
      (P <= 0.0001). Feline endometrial adenocarcinomas maintained the CK7+/CK20+
      status of normal endometrium. However, FEA showed decreased CK7 intensity of
      labelling compared to normal endometria (P <= 0.0001) and loss of CK20
      expression, both in intensity (P <= 0.0001) and in percentage of positive cells
      (P = 0.01), compared to normal tissues. CONCLUSIONS: Data gathered in this study
      suggest that proliferation in FEA accompanies ER-alpha down-regulation, possibly
      following activation of pathways mediated by local growth factors. Moreover, FEA
      retains combined expression of CK7 and CK20, as evidenced in normal endometrial
      epithelia, although a decrease in CK7 expression was observed.

PMID- 26268563
TI  - Stabilization of Human Immunoglobulin G Encapsulated within Biodegradable Poly
      (Cyclohexane-1, 4-diyl Acetone Dimethylene Ketal) (PCADK)/ Poly (Lactic-co
      Glycolic Acid) (PLGA) Blend Microspheres.
AB  - The aim of this study was to prepare PCADK/PLGA-blend microspheres for improving
      the stability of human immunoglobulin G (IgG). The short half-life of antibodies
      limit their development as therapeutic agents, thus PLGA microspheres were
      prepared to sustained release antibodies and prolong their half-life. However,
      the acidic intra-microsphere environment causes the loss of antibody stability
      and activity. In this study, the effect of PCADK or PLGA degradation products on
      IgG was investigated by size exclusion chromatography (SEC-HPLC), circular
      dichroism (CD), fluorescence spectroscopy and antigenicity detection. The
      degradation products of PCADK exerted a larger influence on IgG than that of
      PLGA. Then PCADK/PLGA microspheres were prepared by the emulsionsolvent
      evaporation method and systematically characterized and 20% PCADK were selected
      as the optimal proportion. In addition, the release profile of microspheres and
      the stability of the released IgG were investigated. The stability of the IgG
      released from the PCADK/PLGA microspheres was better than that of IgG released
      from the PLGA microspheres. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) was used to
      determine the pH inside the microspheres. The IgG-loaded PCADK/PLGA microspheres
      have important advantages over the PLGA microspheres in terms of IgG stability
      and could be a good carrier to deliver antibodies for the treatment of disease. 

PMID- 26268564
TI  - Non-dipping blood pressure patterns and arterial stiffness parameters in patients
      with Behcet's disease.
AB  - Behcet's disease is a multisystemic vasculitis involving veins and arteries of
      various sizes. Non-dipping status, augmentation index and pulse wave velocity are
      important determinants of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. We investigated
      the non-dipping status and arterial stiffness in patients with Behcet's disease.
      In this cross-sectional study, we examined the vascular parameters of 96 patients
      with Behcet's disease (53% female) and 60 age- and sex-matched control subjects.
      The non-dipping status and arterial distensibility were assessed using a Mobil-O
      Graph Arteriograph, an automatic oscillometric device. In total, 65.6% of 96
      patients were systolic non-dippers, and 34.4% exhibited high augmentation
      indices. Ten percent of the control subjects were systolic non-dippers, and 11.7%
      exhibited high augmentation indices. Nocturnal decreases in systolic blood
      pressure correlated with central systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood
      pressure, as well as nocturnal decreases in diastolic blood pressure.
      Furthermore, non-dipper patients with Behcet's disease exhibited higher nocturnal
      cardiac outputs than did dipper patients with Behcet's disease. Augmentation
      index correlated negatively with C-reactive protein and correlated positively
      with both 24 h and nocturnal peripheral resistance, as well as 24 h pulse wave
      velocity. The patients with high augmentation indices exhibited lower creatinine
      clearance, as well as lower nocturnal cardiac outputs, higher 24 h peripheral
      resistance and higher 24 h pulse wave velocities. Non-dipping status and arterial
      stiffness may exacerbate the harmful cardiovascular effects of the other. In
      addition to conventional risk factors, non-dipping status and arterial stiffness
      should be examined during the follow-up evaluations of patients with Behcet's
      disease. 

PMID- 26268565
TI  - "A randomized, double-blind study of the effects of omega-3 fatty acids
      (Omegaven) on outcome after major liver resection".
AB  - BACKGROUND: The body is dependent on the exogenous supply of omega-3
      polyunsaturated fatty acids (n3-PUFA). These essential fatty acids are key
      players in regulating metabolic signaling but also exert anti-inflammatory and
      anti-carcinogenic properties. The liver is a major metabolic organ involved in
      fatty acid metabolism. Under experimental conditions, n3-PUFA exert beneficial
      effect on hepatic steatosis, regeneration and inflammatory insults such as
      ischemic injury after surgery. Some of these effects have also been observed in
      human subjects. However, it is unclear whether perioperative administration of n3
      PUFA is sufficient to protect the liver from ischemic injury. Therefore, we
      designed a randomized controlled trial (RCT) assessing n3-PUFA (pre-)
      conditioning strategies in patients scheduled for liver surgery. METHODS/DESIGN:
      The Omegaven trial is a multi-centric, double-blind, randomized, placebo-
      controlled trial applying two single doses of Omegaven or placebo on 258 patients
      undergoing major liver resection. Primary endpoints are morbidity and mortality
      one month after hospital discharge, defined by the Clavien- Dindo classification
      of surgical complications (Ann Surg 240(2):205-13, 2004) as well as the
      Comprehensive Complication Index (CCI) (Ann Surg 258(1):1-7, 2013). Secondary
      outcome variables include length of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and hospital stay,
      postoperative liver function tests, fatty acid and eicosanoid concentration,
      inflammatory markers in serum and in liver tissue. An interim analysis is
      scheduled after the first 30 patients per randomization group. DISCUSSION: Long
      term administration of n3-PUFA have a beneficial effect on metabolism and hepatic
      injury. Patients often require surgery without much delay, thus long-term n3-PUFA
      uptake is not possible. Also, lack of compliance may lead to incomplete n3-PUFA
      substitution. Hence, perioperative OmegavenTM may provide an easy and
      controllable way to ensure hepaative application of tic protection. TRIAL
      REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrial.gov: ID: NCT01884948 , registered June 14, 2013;
      Institution Ethical Board Approval: KEK-ZH-Nr. 2010-0038; Swissmedic
      Notification: 2012DR3215.

PMID- 26268566
TI  - Introgressive hybridizations of Schistosoma haematobium by Schistosoma bovis at
      the origin of the first case report of schistosomiasis in Corsica (France,
      Europe).
AB  - This study concerns the first urinary schistosomiasis case observed in Corsica
      (France, Europe) occurring in a 12-year-old German boy. The aim was to identify
      the relationship between this Schistosoma haematobium infection and other
      schistosomes of the Schistosoma group with terminal-spined ova. Morphological and
      molecular analyses were conducted on the ova. The results showed that the
      schistosome responsible for the emergence of schistosomiasis in Corsica was due
      to S. haematobium introgressed by genes from S. bovis. 

PMID- 26268567
TI  - Schistosoma japonicum protein SjP40 inhibits TGF-beta1-induced activation of
      hepatic stellate cells.
AB  - SjP40 is a major egg antigen of Schistosoma japonicum. In the present study, the
      authors investigated the effect of SjP40 in vitro on transforming growth factor
      beta1 (TGF-beta1)- stimulated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). LX-2, an
      immortalized human HSC line, was treated with purified recombinant SjP40 (rSjP40)
      in the presence or absence of TGF-beta1. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain
      reaction and western blot analysis were performed to determine messenger
      ribonucleic acid and protein of fibrogenic genes and TGF-beta signaling pathway.
      The results showed that expression of fibrogenic genes was significantly reduced
      by rSjP40. Furthermore, rSjP40 also suppressed the TGF-beta1-induced upregulation
      of Smads and ERK proteins. We also found that the effect of rSjP40 on HSCs was
      similar to SB431542, an inhibitor of type I TGF-beta receptor. In conclusion, the
      data suggest that SjP40 attenuates HSC activation, which might be, at least in
      part, mediated by inhibiting the TGF-beta and ERK signaling pathways. 

PMID- 26268568
TI  - First report of genotype #65 of Toxoplasma gondii in pigs.
AB  - The aim of the present study was to isolate and genotype Toxoplasma gondii from
      pigs slaughtered for human consumption in northeastern Brazil. Indirect
      immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) was used to screen positive pigs. Tissues
      samples of animals with antibody titers >=64 were submitted to bioassay in mice.
      One isolate of T. gondii was obtained, and the polymerase chain reaction
      restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique, using 11 markers
      (SAG1, SAG2, altSAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c228, c292, L358, PK1, and APICO), was
      applied to evaluate the genetic variability. DNA from reference strains was used
      as a positive control. By means of genetic analysis, genotype ToxoDB #65 was
      identified, which is considered an atypical strain. This is the first record of
      genotype #65 in pigs. Thus, further studies in this region are necessary to
      determine the genetic variability of T. gondii in pigs and possible impact on
      public health. 

PMID- 26268570
TI  - Why the C-statistic is not informative to evaluate early warning scores and what
      metrics to use.
AB  - Metrics typically used to report the performance of an early warning score (EWS),
      such as the area under the receiver operator characteristic curve or C-statistic,
      are not useful for pre-implementation analyses. Because physiological
      deterioration has an extremely low prevalence of 0.02 per patient-day, these
      metrics can be misleading. We discuss the statistical reasoning behind this
      statement and present a novel alternative metric more adequate to operationalize
      an EWS. We suggest that pre-implementation evaluation of EWSs should include at
      least two metrics: sensitivity; and either the positive predictive value, number
      needed to evaluate, or estimated rate of alerts. We also argue the importance of
      reporting each individual cutoff value. 

PMID- 26268569
TI  - Molecular characterization of Stictodora tridactyla (Trematoda: Heterophyidae)
      from Kuwait Bay using rDNA ITS and mtCO1.
AB  - Stictodora tridactyla is an intestinal fluke in the family Heterophyidae that
      parasitizes shorebirds and mammals, including humans. Its metacercarial cyst
      stage was reported in the Arabian killifish, Aphanius dispar, at Kuwait Bay. In
      the present study, Cerithidea cingulata was found to serve as the first
      intermediate host of S. tridactyla. In order to establish the snail-fish link in
      the life cycle of S. tridactyla, complete sequences of ribosomal DNA internal
      transcribed spacer region 1 and 2 (rDNA ITS1 and ITS2) and partial sequence of
      cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 were obtained for metacercarial cysts isolated from
      the fish A. dispar and rediae isolated from the snail C. cingulata. Sequence
      alignment demonstrated that these larval stages belong to the same heterophyid
      species, S. tridactyla. Phylogenetic analysis based on rDNA ITS1, ITS2, and mtCO1
      confirmed the position of S. tridactyla within the Heterophyidae and found it to
      cluster with Haplorchis spp. The present study represents the first molecular
      study correlating the larval stages of S. tridactyla using rDNA ITS1, ITS2, and
      mtCO1 and examining the phylogenetic relationships of S. tridactyla with
      different heterophyid species. 

PMID- 26268571
TI  - Relationships between structure, ionization profile and sensitivity of exogenous
      anabolic steroids under electrospray ionization and analysis in human urine using
      liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.
AB  - The relationships between the ionization profile, sensitivity, and structures of
      64 exogenous anabolic steroids (groups I-IV) was investigated under electrospray
      ionization (ESI) conditions. The target analytes were ionized as [M + H](+) or [M
      + H-nH2 O](+) in the positive mode, and these ions were used as precursor ions
      for selected reaction monitoring analysis. The collision energy and Q3 ions were
      optimized based on the sensitivity and selectivity. The limits of detection
      (LODs) were 0.05-20 ng/mL for the 64 steroids. The LODs for 38 compounds, 14
      compounds and 12 compounds were in the range of 0.05-1, 2-5 and 10-20 ng/mL,
      respectively. Steroids including the conjugated keto-functional group at C3
      showed good proton affinity and stability, and generated the [M + H](+) ion as
      the most abundant precursor ion. In addition, the LODs of steroids using the [M +
      H](+) ion as the precursor ion were mostly distributed at low concentrations. In
      contrast, steroids containing conjugated/unconjugated hydroxyl functional groups
      at C3 generated [M + H - H2 O](+) or [M + H - 2H2 O](+) ions, and these steroids
      showed relatively high LODs owing to poor stability and multiple ion formation.
      An LC-MS/MS method based on the present ionization profile was developed and
      validated for the determination of 78 steroids (groups I-V) in human urine.

PMID- 26268572
TI  - Optimizing Deep Brain Stimulation of the Nucleus Accumbens in a Reward Preference
      Rat Model.
AB  - OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has become the preferred
      therapy for a growing number of treatment-resistant neuropsychiatric conditions,
      offering the benefit of being amenable to fine-tuning to enhance its efficacy.
      However, while some DBS parameters are routinely adjusted, the stimulation is
      almost always delivered in a continuous "tonic" pattern, which may be suboptimal
      at times. Our overall aim is to investigate the application of differing levels
      of rewarding DBS to the reconditioning of behavioral "trigger" and "non-trigger"
      stimuli in impulse-control disorders (including addiction). As a first step, we
      used a rat model of nucleus accumbens (NAc) DBS to rigorously compare the
      relative reward values of different stimulation paradigms. We hypothesized that
      delivering pulses in a more physiological pattern would prove more rewarding than
      delivering tonic stimulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We implanted microelectrodes
      in the left NAc shell and trained rats to initiate and terminate DBS to
      demonstrate their "preference" between different brain stimulation reward (BSR)
      paradigms. We tested a range of BSR paradigms, including tonic, intermittent
      tonic, and burst paradigms. Two paradigms were compared at a time, and paired t
      tests were used to determine whether the rats significantly "preferred" one
      paradigm over another. RESULTS: The rats significantly preferred intermittent
      tonic BSR paradigms to continuous and burst paradigms, and generally preferred
      paradigms that delivered more pulses over the stimulation period. CONCLUSIONS:
      These findings highlight that the standard approach of delivering tonic DBS is
      not optimal under all circumstances. Further research should investigate which
      DBS paradigms are best for different brain disorders.

PMID- 26268573
TI  - Thiorhodococcus fuscus sp. nov., isolated from a lagoon.
AB  - A brown, moderately halophilic, photoautotrophic bacterium designated strain
      JA363T was purified from a photoheterotrophic enrichment obtained from sediment
      from Chilika lagoon, Odisha, India. Cells of the isolate were coccoid, motile by
      means of single polar flagellum and Gram-stain-negative. Strain JA363T had an
      obligate requirement for NaCl and could tolerate up to 7 % (w/v) NaCl. Strain
      JA363T had complex growth factor requirements. Internal photosynthetic membranes
      were present as vesicles. Strain JA363T contained bacteriochlorophyll a and
      spirilloxanthin series carotenoids with rhodopin as a major (>85 %) component.
      C16 : 1omega7c/C16 : 1omega6c, C18 : 1omega7c and C16 : 0 were the major fatty
      acids and phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine were the major polar
      lipids. Q8 was the predominant quinone system of strain JA363T. The DNA G+C
      content was 64 mol%. The highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of strain
      JA363T was found with the type strains of Thiorhodococcus kakinadensis (98.7 %),
      Thiohalobacter thiocyanaticus (98.2 %), Thiophaeococcus fuscus (97.4 %) and
      Thiorhodococcus bheemlicus (96.3 %). However, the phylogenetic trees generated
      firmly placed strain JA363T in the genus Thiorhodococcus, which was further
      supported by phenotypic and chemotaxonomic evidence. Consequently, strain JA363T
      is described as representing a novel species of the genus Thiorhodococcus as
      Thiorhodococcus fuscus sp. nov. The type strain is JA363T ( = KCTC 5701T = NBRC
      104959T).

PMID- 26268574
TI  - Borrowing to save: can NHS bodies ease financial pressures by terminating PFI
      contracts?

PMID- 26268575
TI  - Triplex DNA: A new platform for polymerase chain reaction-based biosensor.
AB  - Non-specific PCR amplification and DNA contamination usually accompany with PCR
      process, to overcome these problems, here we establish a sensor for thrombin by
      sequence-specific recognition of the PCR product with molecular beacon through
      triplex formation. Probe A and probe B were designed for the sensor, upon
      addition of thrombin, two probes hybridized to each other and the probe B was
      extended in the presence of Klenow Fragment polymerase and dNTPs. The PCR
      amplification occurred with further addition of Taq DNA Polymerase and two
      primers, the PCR product was recognized by molecular beacon through triplex
      formation. The fluorescence intensity increased with the logarithm of the
      concentration of thrombin over the range from 1.0 * 10(-12) M to 1.0 * 10(-7) M,
      with a detection limit of 261 fM. Moreover, the effect of DNA contamination and
      non - specific amplification could be ignored completely in the proposed
      strategy.

PMID- 26268576
TI  - A systematic review of the magnitude and cause of geographic variation in
      unplanned hospital admission rates and length of stay for ambulatory care
      sensitive conditions.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Unplanned hospital admissions place a large and increasing strain on
      healthcare budgets worldwide. Many admissions for ambulatory care sensitive
      conditions (ACSCs) are thought to be preventable, a belief supported by
      significant geographic variations in admission rates. We conducted a systematic
      review of the evidence on the magnitude and correlates of geographic variation in
      ACSC admission rates and length of stay (LOS). METHODS: We performed a search of
      Medline and Embase databases for English language cross-sectional and cohort
      studies on 28th March 2013 reporting geographic variation in admission rates or
      LOS for patients receiving unplanned care across at least 10 geographical units
      for one of 35 previously defined ACSCs. Forward and backward citation searches
      were undertaken on all included studies. We provide a narrative synthesis of
      study findings. Study quality was assessed using a modified Newcastle-Ottawa
      scale. RESULTS: We included 39 studies comprising 25 on admission rates and 14 on
      LOS. Studies generally compared admission rates between regions (e.g. states) and
      LOS between hospitals. Most of the published research was undertaken in the US,
      UK or Canada and often focussed on patients with pneumonia, COPD or heart
      failure. 35 (90%) studies concluded that geographic variation was present.
      Primary care quality and secondary care access were frequently suggested as
      drivers of admission rate variation whilst secondary care quality and adherence
      to clinical guidelines were often listed as contributors to LOS variation.
      Several different methods were used to quantify variation, some studies listed
      raw data, failed to control for confounders and used naive statistical methods
      which limited their utility. CONCLUSIONS: The substantial geographical variations
      in the admission rates and LOS of potentially avoidable conditions could be a
      symptom of variable quality of care and should be a concern for clinicians and
      policymakers. Policymakers targeting a reduction in unplanned admissions could
      introduce initiatives to improve primary care access and quality or develop
      alternatives to admission. Those attempting to curb unnecessarily long LOS could
      introduce care pathways or guidelines. Methodological work on the quantification
      and reporting of geographic variation is needed to aid inter-study comparisons.

PMID- 26268577
TI  - Media Coverage of Pediatric Environmental Health Risks and its Effects on
      Mothers' Protective Behaviors.
AB  - This study explores the relationship between exposure to U.S. media coverage of
      chemical threats to pediatric environmental health and mothers' behaviors to
      protect their children. Prior content analytic work revealed that media coverage
      volume from September 2012 to February 2013 differed significantly by type of
      chemical (i.e., pesticides = high coverage volume; bisphenol A [BPA] = moderate;
      and arsenic = low). Survey data collected from new and expecting mothers in March
      2013 (n = 822) revealed mothers incidentally encountered-or scanned-this
      information in the media in the prior six months, and after adjusting for a
      series of potential confounders, such scanning was positively associated with
      mothers' self-reported behaviors to reduce chemical exposures. To test the
      hypothesis that coverage volume moderates the relationship between scanning and
      behavior, content analysis and survey data were combined in mixed effects
      regression analyses. Results showed significant differences between the effects
      of media scanning at different levels of coverage volume, but in a direction not
      entirely consistent with the study's hypothesis. The relationship between
      scanning and behavior was strongest for BPA, suggesting that a characteristic of
      media coverage other than volume may drive maternal responses to environmental
      health threats. Implications of these findings for risk communication research
      and practice are discussed. 

PMID- 26268578
TI  - Factors associated with knowledge of personal gestational weight gain
      recommendations.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Excess adiposity (obesity and excess gestational weight gain, GWG)
      during pregnancy (EADP) increases risk for gestational diabetes, preeclampsia,
      and child and maternal obesity. Personal GWG goals predict total GWG. Some
      estimates suggest only 30% of pregnant women have personal GWG goals that are
      congruent with Institute of Medicine GWG recommendations. The primary purpose of
      this study was to determine the extent to which perceived pre-pregnancy weight
      status, healthcare provider advice, knowledge of EADP risks, and value for
      healthy GWG predicted knowledge of GWG recommendations. The secondary purpose was
      to determine sources of GWG information among pregnant women. METHODS: Pregnant
      women with a confirmed singleton pregnancy completed a one-time survey in
      obstetric clinic waiting rooms. Logistic regression analysis was used. RESULTS:
      246 predominantly African American, low income, overweight/obese women completed
      surveys. Average age was 25 (SD 5.3) and gestation age ranged from 7 to 40 weeks.
      Knowledge of pre-pregnancy weight status was the only unique predictor of GWG
      recommendation knowledge (B = .642, p = .03). The top three sources of GWG
      information were physicians, internet, and books. The least frequently reported
      sources of GWG information were other healthcare providers, community programs,
      and television. CONCLUSION: In low income diverse overweight/obese pregnant
      women, accurate pre-pregnancy weight status perception was the only significant
      unique predictor of knowledge of GWG recommendations. Physicians were the
      preferred source of GWG information. Clinicians should have frequent, ongoing
      conversations about weight status with women before, during, and after pregnancy.

PMID- 26268579
TI  - The relationship between proton pump inhibitor use and serum magnesium
      concentration among hemodialysis patients: a cross-sectional study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Observational data suggest that serum magnesium (Mg) concentration is
      inversely related to vascular calcification and hyperparathyroidism among
      patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). In recent years, there have been
      several case reports of hypomagnesemia due to use of proton-pump inhibitors
      (PPI), with the hypomagnesemia attributed to inappropriate gastrointestinal (GI)
      Mg loss. We hypothesized that the tendency to GI Mg loss is more common than is
      currently reported. Since patients with ESRD have little to no renal Mg loss to
      affect serum Mg concentration, dialysis patients are an interesting population in
      whom to study the relationship between PPI use and serum Mg levels. METHODS:
      Using a single-center cross-sectional design, we studied 155 prevalent
      hemodialysis (HD) patients. Serum Mg concentration for each patient was
      determined based on the mean of 3 consecutive serum Mg levels drawn at 6 week
      intervals. PPI use at the time of the blood tests was documented. The
      relationship between PPI use and Mg concentration was determined in unadjusted
      analyses, as well as after adjustment for age, gender, race, cause of ESRD,
      diabetes, time on HD and dialysate Mg concentration. RESULTS: 55 % of patients
      were on PPIs at the time of the study. The majority of patients (62 %) used a
      dialysate Mg (in mmol/L) of 0.5, and the remainder (38 %) used a dialysate Mg of
      0.375. Serum Mg levels were significantly lower among PPI users vs. non-users
      (0.93 vs. 1.02 mmol/L, p < 0.001). This finding persisted after stratifying for
      dialysate Mg concentration, and after multivariable adjustment (p < 0.001). In
      addition, more PPI users vs. non-users had a Mg level < 1 mmol/L (79 % vs. 43 %)
      and a Mg level < 0.8 mmol/L (16 % vs. 4 %). There was a non-significant trend
      toward increased time on PPI being associated with lower serum Mg levels (p =
      0.067). CONCLUSION: Among HD patients, PPI users have lower serum Mg levels as
      compared with non-users. Further research is required to determine whether the
      magnitude of change in Mg levels among PPI users is associated with adverse
      outcomes.

PMID- 26268580
TI  - Portability of the thiolation domain in recombinant pyoverdine non-ribosomal
      peptide synthetases.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Non-ribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) enzymes govern the assembly
      of amino acids and related monomers into peptide-like natural products. A key
      goal of the field is to develop methods to effective recombine NRPS domains or
      modules, and thereby generate modified or entirely novel products. We previously
      showed that substitution of the condensation (C) and adenylation (A) domains in
      module 2 of the pyoverdine synthetase PvdD from Pseudomonas aeruginosa led to
      synthesis of modified pyoverdines in a minority of cases, but that more often the
      recombinant enzymes were non-functional. One possible explanation was that the
      majority of introduced C domains were unable to effectively communicate with the
      thiolation (T) domain immediately upstream, in the first module of PvdD. RESULTS:
      To test this we first compared the effectiveness of C-A domain substitution
      relative to T-C-A domain substitution using three different paired sets of
      domains. Having previously demonstrated that the PvdD A/T domain interfaces are
      tolerant of domain substitution, we hypothesised that T-C-A domain substitution
      would lead to more functional recombinant enzymes, by maintaining native T/C
      domain interactions. Although we successfully generated two recombinant
      pyoverdines, having a serine or a N5-formyl-N5-hydroxyornithine residue in place
      of the terminal threonine of wild type pyoverdine, in neither case did the T-C-A
      domain substitution strategy lead to substantially higher product yield. To more
      comprehensively examine the abilities of non-native T domains to communicate
      effectively with the C domain of PvdD module 2 we then substituted the module 1 T
      domain with 18 different T domains sourced from other pyoverdine NRPS enzymes. In
      15/18 cases the recombinant NRPS was functional, including 6/6 cases where the
      introduced T domain was located upstream of a C domain in its native context.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that T domains are generally able to interact
      effectively with non-native C domains, contrasting with previous findings that
      they are not generally portable upstream of epimerisation (E) or thioesterase
      (TE) domains. This offers promise for NRPS recombination efforts, but also raises
      the possibility that some C domains are unable to efficiently accept non-native
      peptides at their donor site due to steric constraints or other limitations.

PMID- 26268581
TI  - Foundations for evidence-based intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring.
AB  - In this review, we recommend means to enhance the evidence-base for
      intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM). We address two preliminary
      issues: (1) whether IONM should be evaluated as a diagnostic test or an
      intervention, and (2) the state of the evidence for IONM (as presented in
      systematic reviews, for example). Three reasons may be suggested to evaluate at
      least some IONM applications as interventions (or as part of an "interventional
      cascade"). First, practical barriers limit our ability to measure IONM diagnostic
      accuracy. Second, IONM results are designed to be correlated with interventions
      during surgery. Third, IONM should improve patient outcomes when IONM-directed
      intervention alters the course of surgery. Observational evidence for IONM is
      growing yet more is required to understand the conditions under which IONM, in
      its variety of settings, can benefit patients. A multi-center observational
      cohort study would represent an important initial compromise between the
      pragmatic difficulties with conducting controlled trials in IONM and the Evidence
      Based Medicine (EBM) view that large scale randomized trials are required. Such a
      cohort study would improve the evidence base and (if justified) provide the
      rationale for controlled trials. 

PMID- 26268582
TI  - An Autopsy Case of Acute Massive Hematochezia Caused by Superior Mesenteric Vein
      Thrombosis: A First Report in Forensic Medicine.
AB  - Superior mesenteric vein thrombosis (SMVT) is an uncommon cause of intestinal
      ischemia and massive gastrointestinal bleeding. This report describes a man with
      alcoholic liver cirrhosis, who died of massive hematochezia due to SMVT. A
      medicolegal autopsy disclosed a thrombus at the superior mesenteric vein and
      hemorrhagic infarction of the bowel wall, an area also within the territory of
      the superior mesenteric vein. Liver cirrhosis, an enlarged spleen, and esophageal
      varices without rupture were also observed, but ulcers and variceal bleeding were
      not. Other organs showed no significant findings. His blood alcohol level was
      0.14% w/v. Thus, this man died from severe hematochezia associated with SMVT due
      to liver cirrhosis and alcohol dehydration, which can lead to coagulopathy and
      rapid progress of thrombus formation. This is the first report on an alternate
      cause for massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage with a cirrhotic patient in a
      forensic autopsy. 

PMID- 26268583
TI  - Intralesional epidermal growth factor for diabetic foot wounds: the first cases
      in Turkey.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Intralesional recombinant epidermal growth factor (EGF) was produced
      in the Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Cuba, in 1988 and
      licensed in 2006. Because it may accelerate wound healing, it is a potential new
      treatment option in patients with a diabetic foot wound (whether infected or not)
      as an adjunct to standard treatment (i.e. debridement, antibiotics). We conducted
      the initial evaluation of EGF for diabetic foot wounds in Turkey. METHODS: We
      enrolled 17 patients who were hospitalized in various medical centers for a foot
      ulcer and/or infection and for whom below the knee amputation was suggested to
      all except one. All patients received 75 MUg intralesional EGF three times per
      week on alternate days. RESULTS: The appearance of new granulation tissue on the
      wound site (>=75%) was observed in 13 patients (76%), and complete wound closure
      was observed in 3 patients (18%), yielding a 'complete recovery' rate of 94%. The
      most common side effects were tremor (n=10, 59%) and nausea (n=6, 35%). In only
      one case,a serious side effect requiring cessation of EGF treatment was noted.
      That patient experienced severe hypotension at the 16th application session, and
      treatment was discontinued. At baseline, a total of 21 causative bacteria were
      isolated from 15 patients, whereascultures were sterile in two patients. The most
      frequently isolated species was Pseudomonas aeruginosa. CONCLUSION: Thus, this
      preliminary study suggests that EGF seems to be a potential adjunctive treatment
      option in patients with limb-threatening diabetic foot wounds.

PMID- 26268584
TI  - Combination of three angiogenic growth factors has synergistic effects on
      sprouting of endothelial cell/mesenchymal stem cell-based spheroids in a 3D
      matrix.
AB  - Combinations of angiogenic growth factors have been shown to have synergistic
      effects on angiogenesis and natural wound healing in various animal models. Each
      growth factor has unique roles during angiogenesis; vascular endothelial growth
      factor (VEGF) plays a key role during the initial step of angiogenesis, whereas
      PDGF functions in the maturation of blood vessels. We used a combination of three
      angiogenic growth factors to increase angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. We chose
      VEGF as a basic factor and added platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and
      fibroblast growth factor (FGF) to induce angiogenesis in three in vitro and in
      vivo models: 3D angiogenesis assay, 3D co-culture, and matrigel plug implantation
      assay. Cell proliferation was significantly higher in co-cultured cells treated
      with PDGF + VEGF + FGF than in the control, single, or dual combination groups.
      mRNA expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA), von Willebrand factor
      (vWF), and CD105 was higher in the triple group (PDGF + VEGF + FGF) than in
      control, single, or dual combination groups. In the PDGF + VEGF + FGF group, the
      length and number of branches of spheroids was also significantly higher than in
      the control, single, or dual combination groups. Furthermore, in a nude mouse
      model, alpha-SMA expression was significantly higher in the PDGF + VEGF + FGF
      group than in other groups. In conclusion, the addition of PDGF and FGF to VEGF
      showed synergistic effects on angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. (c) 2015 Wiley
      Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 104B: 1535-1543,
      2016.

PMID- 26268585
TI  - The role of evidence analysts in creating nutrition management guidelines for
      inherited metabolic disorders.
AB  - RATIONALE, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Evidence and consensus-based guidelines for
      nutrition management of maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) were developed as part
      of a project to create nutrition guidelines for inherited metabolic disorders
      identified through newborn screening. The objective of this study was to describe
      and evaluate the role of evidence analysts in the systematic review phase of
      guideline development to improve quality of process and output and inform future
      guideline development projects. METHODS: Recruitment, training and output of
      evidence analysts were documented throughout the MSUD project. The role of
      analysts was to critically review and rate the scientific quality of published
      literature and abstract pertinent information using quality checklists and
      abstraction worksheets. A secure, web-based application was developed to
      standardize the process and establish permanent documentation. Analysts completed
      a post-project survey on perceptions of their role, training and the evidence
      analysis process. RESULTS: Of 23 recruits, 65% (15) completed evidence analyst
      training; 73% of those (11) participated in the analysis of 98 literature
      articles. Analysts reviewed a median of four articles (range 1-16) with median
      productivity of 1.1 articles per month. All analysts surveyed (n = 9) understood
      their role and agreed that training was adequate; 100% agreed that analyst
      involvement was critical in developing guidelines for MSUD. CONCLUSION: Evidence
      analysts played a key role in appraising and abstracting evidence to develop
      nutrition guidelines for MSUD. With critical improvements to the process,
      particularly more stringent and systematic evaluation and documentation of
      analyst performance related to productivity and quality, we will continue to
      recruit, train and support evidence analysts in evidence-based guideline
      development projects.

PMID- 26268586
TI  - Laboratory Validation of Two Wearable Sensor Systems for Measuring Head Impact
      Severity in Football Players.
AB  - Wearable sensors can measure head impact frequency and magnitude in football
      players. Our goal was to quantify the impact detection rate and validity of the
      direction and peak kinematics of two wearable sensors: a helmet system (HITS) and
      a mouthguard system (X2). Using a linear impactor, modified Hybrid-III headform
      and one helmet model, we conducted 16 impacts for each system at 12 helmet sites
      and 5 speeds (3.6-11.2 m/s) (N = 896 tests). Peak linear and angular
      accelerations (PLA, PAA), head injury criteria (HIC) and impact directions from
      each device were compared to reference sensors in the headform. Both sensors
      detected ~96% of impacts. Median angular errors for impact directions were 34
      degrees  for HITS and 16 degrees  for X2. PLA, PAA and HIC were simultaneously
      valid at 2 sites for HITS (side, oblique) and one site for X2 (side). At least
      one kinematic parameter was valid at 2 and 7 other sites for HITS and X2
      respectively. Median relative errors for PLA were 7% for HITS and -7% for X2.
      Although sensor validity may differ for other helmets and headforms, our analyses
      show that data generated by these two sensors need careful interpretation.

PMID- 26268587
TI  - Obesity and perioperative complications in head and neck free tissue
      reconstruction.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Free tissue transfer is a mainstay in reconstruction of complex head
      and neck defects. The purpose of this study was to determine if perioperative
      complications were more common in patients with body mass index (BMI) >30 kg/m(2)
      undergoing free flap reconstruction. METHODS: A multi-institutional retrospective
      cohort was created. Medical complications, surgical complications, and procedural
      variables were recorded. Logistic regression was used to investigate univariate
      and multivariate associations between outcomes and predictors. RESULTS: Of 582
      cases, 128 patients (22%) had BMI >30. Surgical complications occurred in 153
      cases (26.3%), with an adjusted odds ratio (OR) for association of surgical
      complications with BMI >30 of 0.92 (p = .71). Medical complications occurred in
      178 cases (30.6%), with an adjusted OR of 0.78 (p = .26). Age and advanced
      comorbidity status (Adult Comorbidity Evaluation-27 [ACE-27] 2 or 3) were
      associated with medical complications (p < .0001). CONCLUSION: BMI >30 does not
      predict medical or surgical complications in patients undergoing head and neck
      free flap surgery. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E1188-E1191,
      2016.

PMID- 26268588
TI  - How much do rheumatologists and orthopaedists doctors' modalities impact the cost
      of arthritis in Cyprus?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis is one of the primary causes of long-term functional
      disability. With an estimated 13.5% prevalence in the general population
      contributes to a significant financial burden both for patients and healthcare
      systems. The purpose of this research is to highlight the direct annual cost of
      the disease to the private healthcare sector of Nicosia. METHODS: A questionnaire
      based on Greek and international research was completed between 10/1/2012 and
      11/30/2012, with a sample of 20 doctors specialists in orthopaedics and
      rheumatology (50% of practising physicians in the private sector). An assessment
      of the annual cost of medical procedures and tests, pharmacologic therapies
      (modalities) and supplies per patient followed, based on current costs. Direct
      costs were assessed through the micro-costing "bottom-up" approach. We isolated
      and separately priced the original diagnosis, followed by each stage of the
      disease. RESULTS: The cost for the six predominant medical tests to establish a
      diagnosis and exclude mainly RA such as ESR, CPR, and X-ray as well as a
      physician's office visit was 150? per patient. The average direct cost per
      patient during stages 1, 2 and 3 of the disease was 280.54?, 1,834.64? and
      5,641.72? annually, respectively, with an annual average of 2,573? per patient.
      CONCLUSIONS: Even though during the period of the study, the country had not yet
      established clinical guidelines, the participating physicians followed
      international practices. Significant rise in the cost in each stage of the
      disease was found, with additional increases in the following years as a result
      of the expected increased prevalence of the disease. It is noted here that
      uninsured patients, as well as those who qualified for free medical care, they
      seek these services in the private sector, and had to pay out of pocket money for
      examination and treatment. These patients, thus, contended with a serious
      financial burden. Therefore, it is important to inform them very extensively
      regarding evidence-based management of the disease to aid them in coping with
      this chronic illness.

PMID- 26268590
TI  - Review article: Potential of medical scribes to allay the burden of documentation
      and enhance efficiency in Australian emergency departments.
AB  - The increasing burden of documentation experienced by doctors threatens the
      efficiency in EDs and increases the likelihood of documentation errors. Medical
      scribes afford the opportunity to allay this burden by removing a large component
      of the doctors' documentation task. Scribes have been embedded successfully in US
      EDs, and the effects have been mostly advantageous. The present paper provides a
      brief overview of the function of scribes and their potential contribution to
      Australian EDs.

PMID- 26268589
TI  - Contribution of Fe3O4 nanoparticles to the fouling of ultrafiltration with
      coagulation pre-treatment.
AB  - A coagulation (FeCl3)-ultrafiltration process was used to treat two different raw
      waters with/without the presence of Fe3O4 nanoparticle contaminants. The
      existence of Fe3O4 nanoparticles in the raw water was found to increase both
      irreversible and reversible membrane fouling. The trans-membrane pressure (TMP)
      increase was similar in the early stages of the membrane runs for both raw
      waters, while it increased rapidly after about 15 days in the raw water with
      Fe3O4 nanoparticles, suggesting the involvement of biological effects. Enhanced
      microbial activity with the presence of Fe3O4 nanoparticles was evident from the
      measured concentrations of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and
      deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), and fluorescence intensities. It is speculated that
      Fe3O4 nanoparticles accumulated in the cake layer and increased bacterial growth.
      Associated with the bacterial growth is the production of EPS which enhances the
      bonding with, and between, the coagulant flocs; EPS together with smaller sizes
      of the nano-scale primary particles of the Fe3O4-CUF cake layer, led to the
      formation of a lower porosity, more resilient cake layer and membrane pore
      blockage. 

PMID- 26268591
TI  - Proteome analysis of retinal glia cells-related inflammatory cytokines in the
      aqueous humour of diabetic patients.
AB  - PURPOSE: Retinal glia cells (RGC) activation and release of inflammatory
      cytokines have been associated with development of diabetic retinopathy (DR). In
      this study, we evaluated by protein array the presence of aqueous humour (AH)
      cytokines secreted by RGC in patients with diabetes without DR and with mild DR.
      METHODS: This is a cross-sectional, case-control study. Thirty-five subjects
      (diabetics and controls) underwent full ophthalmic examination and AH samples
      collection before cataract surgery at the Department of Ophthalmology University
      of Padova. AH samples were analysed for total protein concentration (Bradford
      method) and RGC-related inflammatory cytokines using glass chip protein arrays.
      RESULTS: Twelve diabetic patients without DR, 11 diabetic patients with mild DR
      and 12 non-diabetic controls were included. There was no significant difference
      in total protein concentration among the 3 groups. Interleukin IL-1beta, IL-3,
      interferon gamma (IFN-gamma), (IFN-gamma)-induced protein (IP)-10 and monocyte
      chemotactic protein (MCP)-2 were significantly increased in diabetics versus
      controls. IFN-gamma, IL-1alpha, IL-3 and MCP-2 were significantly increased in
      diabetics without DR versus controls, whereas granulocyte-macrophage colony
      stimulating factor (GM-CSF), IFN-gamma, IL-10, IP-10, regulated and normal T cell
      expressed and secreted (RANTES), and soluble tumour necrosis factor receptor
      (sTNF-R)II were significantly increased in diabetics with mild DR versus
      controls. Macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP-1beta), GMCSF, RANTES and sTNF-RII
      were significantly increased in diabetics with mild DR versus diabetics without
      DR (p < 0.05 at least for all). CONCLUSIONS: Differences in expression profile of
      AH cytokines between diabetics, without and with mild DR, and controls have been
      documented. Retinal neuroinflammatory biomarkers of RGC activation evaluated in
      AH by protein array analysis could guide in detecting specific phenotypes with
      potential for personalized management.

PMID- 26268592
TI  - Novel zinc finger transcription factor ZFP580 promotes differentiation of bone
      marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells into endothelial cells via eNOS/NO
      pathway.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The differentiation of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) plays a
      pivotal role in endothelial repair and re-endothelialization after vascular
      injury. However, the underlying mechanisms still remain largely elusive. Here, we
      investigated the role of the novel C2H2 zinc finger transcription factor ZFP580
      in EPC differentiation and the molecular mechanisms behind EPC-mediated
      endothelial repair. METHODS: Bone marrow-derived EPCs were isolated, cultured,
      and identified. EPCs were infected with an adenovirus encoding ZFP580 or Ad-siRNA
      to silence ZFP580. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis was
      performed to analyze EPC surface makers. The expression of ZFP580, eNOS, VEGFR-2,
      CD31, CD34, CD45 and vWF was performed by Q-PCR, Western blot and immunostaining.
      NO donor SNAP or NOS inhibitor L-NAME was used to elucidate the possible
      molecular mechanism. Tube formation in vitro and angiogenesis assay in vivo were
      also used in this study. RESULTS: Both ZFP580 and eNOS were displayed dynamic
      expression during EPC differentiation. Overexpression of ZFP580 enhanced EPC
      differentiation, while knockdown suppressed it. ZFP580 also enhanced eNOS
      expression, and eNOS inhibition suppressed differentiation.
      Upregulation/knockdown of ZFP580 also enhanced/reduced endothelial tube formation
      from EPC in vitro, and angiogenesis in vivo in response to Matrigel plugs
      containing EPC. CONCLUSIONS: ZFP580 promotes not only the differentiation of EPCs
      into ECs by increasing the expression of eNOS and the availability of nitric
      oxide, but also the vessel formation in vitro and in vivo. This might represent a
      novel mechanism of ZFP580 in EPC differentiation and its therapeutic value in the
      treatment of vascular disease.

PMID- 26268593
TI  - Comprehensive assessment of chamber-specific and transmural heterogeneity in
      myofilament protein phosphorylation by top-down mass spectrometry.
AB  - The heart is characterized by a remarkable degree of heterogeneity, the basis of
      which is a subject of active investigation. Myofilament protein post
      translational modifications (PTMs) represent a critical mechanism regulating
      cardiac contractility, and emerging evidence shows that pathological cardiac
      conditions induce contractile heterogeneity that correlates with transmural
      variations in the modification status of myofilament proteins. Nevertheless,
      whether there exists basal heterogeneity in myofilament protein PTMs in the heart
      remains unclear. Here we have systematically assessed chamber-specific and
      transmural variations in myofilament protein PTMs, specifically, the
      phosphorylation of cardiac troponin I (cTnI), cardiac troponin T (cTnT),
      tropomyosin (Tpm), and myosin light chain 2 (MLC2). We show that the
      phosphorylation of cTnI and alphaTm vary in the different chambers of the heart,
      whereas the phosphorylation of MLC2 and cTnT does not. In contrast, no
      significant transmural differences were observed in the phosphorylation of any of
      the myofilament proteins analyzed. These results highlight the importance of
      appropriate tissue sampling-particularly for studies aimed at elucidating disease
      mechanisms and biomarker discovery-in order to minimize potential variations
      arising from basal heterogeneity in myofilament PTMs in the heart. 

PMID- 26268594
TI  - LRRK2 Facilitates tau Phosphorylation through Strong Interaction with tau and
      cdk5.
AB  - Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) and tau have been identified as risk factors
      of Parkinson's disease (PD). As LRRK2 is a kinase and tau is hyperphosphorylated
      in some LRRK2 mutation carriers of PD patients, the obvious hypothesis is that
      tau could be a substrate of LRRK2. Previous reports that LRRK2 phosphorylates
      free tau or tubulin-associated tau provide direct support for this proposition.
      By comparing LRRK2 with cdk5, we show that wild-type LRRK2 and the G2019S mutant
      phosphorylate free recombinant full-length tau protein with specific activity 480
      and 250-fold lower than cdk5, respectively. More strikingly tau binds to wt
      LRRK2 or the G2019S mutant 140- or 200-fold more strongly than cdk5. The
      extremely low activity of LRRK2 but strong binding affinity with tau suggests
      that LRRK2 may facilitate tau phosphorylation as a scaffold protein rather than
      as a major tau kinase. This hypothesis is further supported by the observation
      that (i) cdk5 or tau coimmunoprecipitates with endogenous LRRK2 in SH-SY5Y cells,
      in mouse brain tissue, and in human PBMCs; (ii) knocking down endogenous LRRK2 by
      its siRNA in SH-SY5Y cells reduces tau phosphorylation at Ser396 and Ser404;
      (iii) inhibiting LRRK2 kinase activity by its inhibitors has no effect on tau
      phosphorylation at these two sites; and (iv) overexpressing wt LRRK2, the G2019S
      mutant, or the D1994A kinase-dead mutant in SH-SY5Y cells has no effect on tau
      phosphorylation. Our results suggest that LRRK2 facilitates tau phosphorylation
      indirectly by recruiting tau or cdk5 rather than by directly phosphorylating tau.

PMID- 26268595
TI  - [Development of an action scale to show the necessity of healthcare activities].
AB  - OBJECTIVES: In order to promote high-quality healthcare activities, public health
      professionals such as public health nurses must improve their ability to
      systematically show health needs based on evidence and to lead decision making of
      superior officers and facility inhabitants for improved planning. This study
      developed and investigated its reliability and validity of an action scale to
      show the necessity of healthcare activities (SNH). METHODS: The items in the SNH
      were originally selected based on previous studies and refined by researchers;
      they were subsequently adjusted after a pilot survey. The subjects were full-time
      public health nurses (PHNs) working at prefectural public health centers or
      randomly chosen municipal health centers. Questionnaires were distributed by
      mail. We explained the ethical considerations in writing and those who returned
      completed questionnaire forms were considered to have given their consent to
      participate in the study. The study plan was approved by the university Domestic
      Ethics Committee. RESULTS: Among 1,615 questionnaire recipients, 1,088 (67.4%)
      responded; of these, 1,035 (64.1%) responses were valid. Nineteen of 20 items
      were selected based on results of item analysis, and exploratory and confirmatory
      factor analyses showed that the SNH consisted of four factors: show existence of
      health needs, show evidence for the necessity of addressing health needs, show
      actual conditions requiring solution, and show priority for resolution.
      Cronbach's alpha, an SNH reliability coefficient, was 0.948, and individual
      factor scores were over 0.85, supporting the internal consistency of SNH. The
      correlation coefficient between SNH and the three other scales including related
      concepts was 0.6-0.8, with significant differences between scales, supporting the
      criterion-related validity of SNH. The score increased with increasing PHN
      experience and job seniority, which were used as the known-group, with
      significant differences between the lowest group and the top two groups.
      CONCLUSION: The results confirmed that SNH is a reliable and valid scale to show
      the necessity of healthcare activities.

PMID- 26268596
TI  - [An initiative to develop a new employment support facility for older job seekers
      in metropolitan areas].
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study examined the possibility and necessity for expansion and
      diffusion of a new employment support facility for older job seekers in
      metropolitan areas based on health and welfare measures. This longitudinal study
      assessed questionnaire responses from older job seekers at a new facility
      established in Ota ward in the Tokyo metropolitan area as a compliment to the
      conventional system comprised of Hello Work and the Silver Human Resources
      Center. METHODS: We offered questionnaires to job seekers at their first facility
      visit and asked them to return them by mail (baseline survey). Follow-up surveys
      of the same respondents were conducted after 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks, with
      questions about demographics, personal status, social activities, mental health,
      and job search status. The surveys were administered from January 2013 to March
      2014. RESULTS: We obtained 128 responses (average respondent age: 63.8 years)
      from 180 baseline survey questionnaires. The respondents included 82 males and 46
      females. The response rates were over 90% for all follow-up surveys. Among
      respondents, 71.4% had less than a senior high school level of education. The
      average annual household income was less than 3 million yen and less than 1
      million yen for 68.0% and 16.0% of the participants, respectively. The life
      circumstances were "hard" or "very hard" for 56.3% of respondents. Among
      respondents, 78.9% indicated that they were seeking employment for economic
      reasons. Women and those over 65 years of age were more likely to search for jobs
      for their well-being than men and respondents less than 65 years of age. The
      majority of respondents indicated that they wanted to make use of their abilities
      or experience and many hoped to work as garbage collectors, cooks, or apartment
      caretakers. CONCLUSION: We found that the main objective of older job seekers
      living at this facility was economic acquisition. Men and those less than 65
      years of age were at particular risk for economic distress, poor mental health,
      and were more likely to be searching for regular employment. A relatively higher
      proportion of women and respondents over 65 years of age were seeking jobs for
      their well-being; a need for social relationships that may be more pronounced
      among women in this study population.

PMID- 26268597
TI  - [The effects of oral health ordinances and legislation promoting dental and oral
      health on community-based dental and oral health organizations].

PMID- 26268598
TI  - [Research on mental health and welfare activities in municipalities].

PMID- 26268599
TI  - Lamina Cribrosa-Related Parameters Assessed by Optical Coherence Tomography for
      Prediction of Future Glaucoma Progression.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the value of lamina cribrosa (LC)-related parameters
      assessed by optical coherence tomography (OCT) in the future prediction of
      glaucomatous progression. METHODS: Glaucoma or glaucoma suspect eyes were
      followed up for more than 2 years. Glaucoma progression was defined by optic
      disc/retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) photographic assessment or serial visual
      field exams. LC thickness, anterior LC distance (ALD) and prelaminar tissue
      thicknesses were determined with optic disc images obtained by Spectralis OCT
      enhanced depth imaging. Kaplan-Meier life table analyses were carried out, and
      survival experience was compared between eyes with thicker baseline LC (HLC) and
      thinner baseline LC (LLC) by a log rank test. Hazard ratios (HRs) of various risk
      factors, including LC-related parameters, for future glaucomatous progression,
      were determined using uni- and multi-variate Cox's proportional hazard models.
      RESULTS: Among the 118 eyes, 33 showed progression during follow-up period. The
      progression group had a significantly thinner average circumpapillary RNFL
      (cRNFL, p = 0.005), LC (p = 0.005) and prelaminar tissue (p = 0.023) than the non
      progression group at baseline. The LLC group showed a greater cumulative
      probability of glaucoma progression than did the HLC group (p = 0.001). Average
      cRNFL thickness (HR, 0.972, p = 0.007), prelaminar tissue thickness (0.990, p =
      0.028) and LC thickness (0.971, p = 0.002) were significantly associated with
      progression of glaucoma. In multivariate analysis, only LC thickness (0.975, p =
      0.015) showed significant association with progression. CONCLUSION: Thinner
      baseline LC was independently associated with glaucoma progression in our study.
      LC thickness may be a risk factor for predicting future glaucoma progression.

PMID- 26268600
TI  - Air classification: Potential treatment method for optimized recycling or
      utilization of fine-grained air pollution control residues obtained from dry off
      gas cleaning high-temperature processing systems.
AB  - In the dust collected from the off-gas of high-temperature processes, usually
      components that are volatile at the process temperature are enriched. In the
      recycling of the dust, the concentration of these volatile components is
      frequently limited to avoid operation problems. Also, for external utilization
      the concentration of such volatile components, especially heavy metals, is often
      restricted. The concentration of the volatile components is usually higher in the
      fine fractions of the collected dust. Therefore, air classification is a
      potential treatment method to deplete the coarse material from these volatile
      components by splitting off a fines fraction with an increased concentration of
      those volatile components. In this work, the procedure of a sequential
      classification using a laboratory air classifier and the calculations required
      for the evaluation of air classification for a certain application were
      demonstrated by taking the example of a fly ash sample from a biomass combustion
      plant. In the investigated example, the Pb content in the coarse fraction could
      be reduced to 60% by separation of 20% fines. For the non-volatile Mg the content
      was almost constant. It can be concluded that air classification is an
      appropriate method for the treatment of off-gas cleaning residues. 

PMID- 26268601
TI  - Healthcare waste management research: A structured analysis and review (2005
      2014).
AB  - The importance of healthcare waste management in preserving the environment and
      protecting the public cannot be denied. Past research has dealt with various
      issues in healthcare waste management and disposal, which spreads over various
      journals, pipeline research disciplines and research communities. Hence, this
      article analyses this scattered knowledge in a systematic manner, considering the
      period between January 2005 and July 2014. The purpose of this study is to: (i)
      identify the trends in healthcare waste management literature regarding journals
      published; (ii) main topics of research in healthcare waste management; (iii)
      methodologies used in healthcare waste management research; (iv) areas most
      frequently researched by researchers; and (v) determine the scope of future
      research in healthcare waste management. To this end, the authors conducted a
      systematic review of 176 articles on healthcare waste management taken from the
      following eight esteemed journals: International Journal of Environmental Health
      Research, International Journal of Healthcare Quality Assurance, Journal of
      Environmental Management, Journal of Hazardous Material, Journal of Material
      Cycles and Waste Management, Resources, Conservations and Recycling, Waste
      Management, and Waste Management & Research. The authors have applied both
      quantitative and qualitative approaches for analysis, and results will be useful
      in the following ways: (i) results will show importance of healthcare waste
      management in healthcare operations; (ii) findings will give a comparative view
      of the various publications; (c) study will shed light on future research areas. 

PMID- 26268602
TI  - Assessment of quality and relevance of curricula development in health training
      institutions: a case study of Kenya.
AB  - The World Health Organization lists Kenya among African countries experiencing
      health workforce crisis catalysed through immigration, underproduction,
      inconsistent quality of production and unequal distribution. Strengthening health
      training institutions to increase production of high-quality health workers is
      acknowledged as a measure to mitigate the crisis.IntraHealth International's
      USAID-funded FUNZOKenya Project (2012-2017) undertook an assessment to identify
      the bottlenecks to increasing the number and quality of pre-service graduates in
      Kenya. The assessment, a cross-sectional descriptive study, collected data
      through structured respondent interviews among faculty, students in health
      training institutions, key informants and desk review. The assessment purposively
      selected 14 institutions from 18 institutions identified for initial
      collaboration with the project towards strengthening health workforce training.
      The statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) application helped analyse
      quantitative data and quotes used to illustrate perceptions on the quality of
      curricula.The findings revealed major gaps in quality and adequacy of curricula
      in the training institutions. A national standard framework to guide curricula
      review process is lacking. Further, curricula did not adequately prepare students
      for clinical placement, as most failed to directly respond to national health
      needs. The study recommended reviews of curricula to ensure their responsiveness
      to emerging issues in the health sector, the formation of curriculum committees
      to review curricula, development of official curricula review standards and an
      integrated mechanism to disseminate policies and guidelines. 

PMID- 26268604
TI  - Silver-Mediated Oxidative Trifluoromethylation of Phenols: Direct Synthesis of
      Aryl Trifluoromethyl Ethers.
AB  - Aryl trifluoromethyl ethers (ArOCF3 ) are prevalent in pharmaceuticals,
      agrochemicals, and materials. However, methods for the general and efficient
      synthesis of these compounds are extremely underdeveloped and limited. Herein, we
      describe a highly efficient and general procedure for the direct O
      trifluoromethylation of unprotected phenols through a silver-mediated cross
      coupling reaction using CF3 SiMe3 as the CF3 source and exogenous oxidants. This
      novel oxidative trifluoromethylation provides access to a wide range of aryl
      trifluoromethyl ethers from simple phenols. The mild process was also applied to
      the late-stage trifluoromethylation of a medicinally relevant compound. 

PMID- 26268603
TI  - Polymorphisms in sweet taste genes (TAS1R2 and GLUT2), sweet liking, and dental
      caries prevalence in an adult Italian population.
AB  - The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between sweet taste genes and
      dental caries prevalence in a large sample of adults. In addition, the
      association between sweet liking and sugar intake with dental caries was
      investigated. Caries was measured by the decayed, missing, filled teeth (DMFT)
      index in 647 Caucasian subjects (285 males and 362 females, aged 18-65 years),
      coming from six villages in northeastern Italy. Sweet liking was assessed using a
      9-point scale, and the mean of the liking given by each individual to specific
      sweet food and beverages was used to create a sweet liking score. Simple sugar
      consumption was estimated by a dietary history interview, considering both added
      sugars and sugar present naturally in foods. Our study confirmed that
      polymorphisms in TAS1R2 and GLUT2 genes are related to DMFT index. In particular,
      GG homozygous individuals for rs3935570 in TAS1R2 gene (p value = 0.0117) and GG
      homozygous individuals for rs1499821 in GLUT2 gene (p value = 0.0273) showed
      higher DMFT levels compared to both heterozygous and homozygous for the
      alternative allele. Furthermore, while the relationship sugar intake-DMFT did not
      achieve statistical significance (p value = 0.075), a significant association was
      identified between sweet liking and DMFT (p value = 0.004), independent of other
      variables. Our study showed that sweet taste genetic factors contribute to caries
      prevalence and highlighted the role of sweet liking as a predictor of caries
      risk. Therefore, these results may open new perspectives for individual risk
      identification and implementation of target preventive strategies, such as
      identifying high-risk patients before caries development. 

PMID- 26268605
TI  - Use of complementary and alternative medicine within Norwegian hospitals.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Over the recent decades complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)
      use within and outside of the public health care system in Norway has increased.
      The aim of this study is to describe to what extent CAM is offered in Norwegian
      hospitals in 2013 and investigate possible changes since 2008. METHODS: In
      January 2013 a one-page questionnaire was sent to the medical director of all
      included hospitals (n = 80). He/she was asked to report whether or not one or
      more specific CAM therapies were offered in the hospital. Fifty-nine (73.8%)
      hospitals responded and form the basis for the analyses. RESULTS: CAM was offered
      in 64.4% of the responding hospitals. No major differences were found between
      public and private, or between somatic and psychiatric, hospitals. Acupuncture
      was the most frequent CAM method offered, followed by art- and expression therapy
      and massage. The proportion of hospitals offering CAM has increased from 50.5% in
      2008 to 64.4% in 2013 (p = 0.089). The largest increase was found in psychiatric
      hospitals where 76.5% of hospitals offered CAM in 2013 compared to 28.6% in 2008
      (p = 0.003). A small decrease was found in the proportion of hospitals offering
      acupuncture between 2008 (41.4%) and 2013 (37.3%). CONCLUSIONS: A majority of
      Norwegian hospitals offer some sort of CAM. The largest increase since 2008 was
      found in psychiatric hospitals. Psychiatric hospitals seem to have established a
      practice of offering CAM to their patients similar to the practice in somatic
      hospitals. This could indicate a shift in the attitude with regard to CAM in
      psychiatric hospitals.

PMID- 26268606
TI  - Analysis of archived residual newborn screening blood spots after whole genome
      amplification.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Deidentified newborn screening bloodspot samples (NBS) represent a
      valuable potential resource for genomic research if impediments to whole exome
      sequencing of NBS deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), including the small amount of
      genomic DNA in NBS material, can be overcome. For instance, genomic analysis of
      NBS could be used to define allele frequencies of disease-associated variants in
      local populations, or to conduct prospective or retrospective studies relating
      genomic variation to disease emergence in pediatric populations over time. In
      this study, we compared the recovery of variant calls from exome sequences of
      amplified NBS genomic DNA to variant calls from exome sequencing of non-amplified
      NBS DNA from the same individuals. RESULTS: Using a standard alignment-based
      Genome Analysis Toolkit (GATK), we find 62,000-76,000 additional variants in
      amplified samples. After application of a unique kmer enumeration and variant
      detection method (RUFUS), only 38,000-47,000 additional variants are observed in
      amplified gDNA. This result suggests that roughly half of the amplification
      introduced variants identified using GATK may be the result of mapping errors and
      read misalignment. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that it is possible to obtain
      informative, high-quality data from exome analysis of whole genome amplified NBS
      with the important caveat that different data generation and analysis methods can
      affect variant detection accuracy, and the concordance of variant calls in whole
      genome amplified and non-amplified exomes.

PMID- 26268607
TI  - HDL-bound sphingosine 1-phosphate acts as a biased agonist for the endothelial
      cell receptor S1P1 to limit vascular inflammation.
AB  - The sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1P1) is abundant in endothelial cells,
      where it regulates vascular development and microvascular barrier function. In
      investigating the role of endothelial cell S1P1 in adult mice, we found that the
      endothelial S1P1 signal was enhanced in regions of the arterial vasculature
      experiencing inflammation. The abundance of proinflammatory adhesion proteins,
      such as ICAM-1, was enhanced in mice with endothelial cell-specific deletion of
      S1pr1 and suppressed in mice with endothelial cell-specific overexpression of
      S1pr1, suggesting a protective function of S1P1 in vascular disease. The
      chaperones ApoM(+)HDL (HDL) or albumin bind to sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) in
      the circulation; therefore, we tested the effects of S1P bound to each chaperone
      on S1P1 signaling in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).
      Exposure of HUVECs to ApoM(+)HDL-S1P, but not to albumin-S1P, promoted the
      formation of a cell surface S1P1-beta-arrestin 2 complex and attenuated the
      ability of the proinflammatory cytokine TNFalpha to activate NF-kappaB and
      increase ICAM-1 abundance. Although S1P bound to either chaperone induced MAPK
      activation, albumin-S1P triggered greater Gi activation and receptor endocytosis.
      Endothelial cell-specific deletion of S1pr1 in the hypercholesterolemic Apoe(-/-)
      mouse model of atherosclerosis enhanced atherosclerotic lesion formation in the
      descending aorta. We propose that the ability of ApoM(+)HDL to act as a biased
      agonist on S1P1 inhibits vascular inflammation, which may partially explain the
      cardiovascular protective functions of HDL. 

PMID- 26268609
TI  - The rhodopsin-guanylyl cyclase of the aquatic fungus Blastocladiella emersonii
      enables fast optical control of cGMP signaling.
AB  - Blastocladiomycota fungi form motile zoospores that are guided by sensory
      photoreceptors to areas of optimal light conditions. We showed that the microbial
      rhodopsin of Blastocladiella emersonii is a rhodopsin-guanylyl cyclase (RhGC), a
      member of a previously uncharacterized rhodopsin class of light-activated enzymes
      that generate the second messenger cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). Upon
      application of a short light flash, recombinant RhGC converted within 8 ms into a
      signaling state with blue-shifted absorption from which the dark state recovered
      within 100 ms. When expressed in Xenopus oocytes, Chinese hamster ovary cells, or
      mammalian neurons, RhGC generated cGMP in response to green light in a light dose
      dependent manner on a subsecond time scale. Thus, we propose RhGC as a versatile
      tool for the optogenetic analysis of cGMP-dependent signaling processes in cell
      biology and the neurosciences. 

PMID- 26268608
TI  - Survivin promotes oxidative phosphorylation, subcellular mitochondrial
      repositioning, and tumor cell invasion.
AB  - Survivin promotes cell division and suppresses apoptosis in many human cancers,
      and increased abundance correlates with metastasis and poor prognosis. We showed
      that a pool of survivin that localized to the mitochondria of certain tumor cell
      lines enhanced the stability of oxidative phosphorylation complex II, which
      promoted cellular respiration. Survivin also supported the subcellular
      trafficking of mitochondria to the cortical cytoskeleton of tumor cells, which
      was associated with increased membrane ruffling, increased focal adhesion complex
      turnover, and increased tumor cell migration and invasion in cultured cells, and
      enhanced metastatic dissemination in vivo. Therefore, we found that mitochondrial
      respiration enhanced by survivin contributes to cancer metabolism, and
      relocalized mitochondria may provide a "regional" energy source to fuel tumor
      cell invasion and metastasis. 

PMID- 26268610
TI  - Simultaneous quantitative determination of multiple bioactive markers in Ocimum
      sanctum obtained from different locations and its marketed herbal formulations
      using UPLC-ESI-MS/MS combined with principal component analysis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Ocimum sanctum L., with phenolic acids, flavonoids, propenyl
      phenols and terpenoids as active pharmacological constituents, is a popular
      medicinal herb and is present as an ingredient in many herbal formulations.
      Therefore, development of a reliable analytical method for simultaneous
      determination of the pharmacologically active constituents of O. sanctum is of
      high importance. OBJECTIVE: To develop and validate a new, rapid, sensitive and
      selective UPLC-ESI/MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of 23 bioactive
      markers including phenolic acids, flavonoids, propenyl phenol and terpenoid in
      the leaf extract and marketed herbal formulations of O. sanctum. METHODS: An UPLC
      ESI/MS/MS method using negative electrospray ionisation (ESI) in multiple
      reaction-monitoring (MRM) mode was used for simultaneous determination.
      Chromatographic separation was achieved on an Acquity UPLC BEH C18 -column using
      a gradient elution with 0.1% formic acid in water and 0.1% formic acid in
      acetonitrile. Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to correlate and
      discriminate eight geographical collections of O. sanctum based on quantitative
      data of the analytes. RESULTS: The developed method was validated as per
      International Conference on Harmonization guidelines and found to be accurate,
      with overall recovery in the range 95.09-104.84% (RSD <= 1.85%), precise (RSD <=
      1.98%) and linear (r(2)  >= 0.9971) over the concentration range of 0.5-1000
      ng/mL. Ursolic acid was found to be the most abundant marker in all the samples
      investigated, except for the marketed tablet. CONCLUSION: The method established
      is simple, rapid and sensitive, hence it can be reliably utilised for the quality
      control of O. sanctum and derived herbal formulations.

PMID- 26268611
TI  - Polarity-tunable magnetic tunnel junctions based on ferromagnetism at oxide
      heterointerfaces.
AB  - Complex oxide systems have attracted considerable attention because of their
      fascinating properties, including the magnetic ordering at the conducting
      interface between two band insulators, such as LaAlO3 and SrTiO3. However, the
      manipulation of the spin degree of freedom at the LaAlO3/SrTiO3 heterointerface
      has remained elusive. Here, we have fabricated hybrid magnetic tunnel junctions
      consisting of Co and LaAlO3/SrTiO3 ferromagnets with the insertion of a Ti layer
      in between, which clearly exhibit magnetic switching and the tunnelling
      magnetoresistance effect below 10 K. The magnitude and sign of the tunnelling
      magnetoresistance are strongly dependent on the direction of the rotational
      magnetic field parallel to the LaAlO3/SrTiO3 plane, which is attributed to a
      strong Rashba-type spin-orbit coupling in the LaAlO3/SrTiO3 heterostructure. Our
      study provides a further support for the existence of the macroscopic
      ferromagnetism at LaAlO3/SrTiO3 heterointerfaces and opens a novel route to
      realize interfacial spintronics devices. 

PMID- 26268612
TI  - Viscoelastic deformation of lipid bilayer vesicles.
AB  - Lipid bilayers form the boundaries of the cell and its organelles. Many
      physiological processes, such as cell movement and division, involve bending and
      folding of the bilayer at high curvatures. Currently, bending of the bilayer is
      treated as an elastic deformation, such that its stress-strain response is
      independent of the rate at which bending strain is applied. We present here the
      first direct measurement of viscoelastic response in a lipid bilayer vesicle. We
      used a dual-beam optical trap (DBOT) to stretch 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3
      phosphocholine (POPC) giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs). Upon application of a
      step optical force, the vesicle membrane deforms in two regimes: a fast,
      instantaneous area increase, followed by a much slower stretching to an eventual
      plateau deformation. From measurements of dozens of GUVs, the average time
      constant of the slower stretching response was 0.225 +/- 0.033 s (standard
      deviation, SD). Increasing the fluid viscosity did not affect the observed time
      constant. We performed a set of experiments to rule out heating by laser
      absorption as a cause of the transient behavior. Thus, we demonstrate here that
      the bending deformation of lipid bilayer membranes should be treated as
      viscoelastic. 

PMID- 26268613
TI  - Diffractive microscopy in dermatopathology.
AB  - Diffraction is the process by which a beam of light is spread out as a result of
      passing through a narrow aperture or across an edge. Light diffraction can be
      produced by closing the aperture diaphragm beyond the recommended setting, by
      flipping the condenser cone down, or by using an opaque object such as the
      microscopist's hand to block the column of light and force it to bend around the
      edge. Any of these techniques results in greater refractility of objects in the
      path of the light. We studied 77 biopsy specimens from a variety of conditions
      selected to compare the value of diffractive microscopy, and found that it worked
      best in the evaluation of alopecia, tumor stroma, hemosiderin, argyria and
      imipramine pigmentation. In amyloidosis stained with Congo red and silica
      granuloma, polarized microscopy was superior to diffraction microscopy, and
      neither diffractive microscopy nor polarized microscopy was superior to routine
      light microscopy in the evaluation of melanin, chrysiasis or ochronosis. 

PMID- 26268614
TI  - The genetic architecture of petal number in Cardamine hirsuta.
AB  - Invariant petal number is a characteristic of most flowers and is generally
      robust to genetic and environmental variation. We took advantage of the natural
      variation found in Cardamine hirsuta petal number to investigate the genetic
      basis of this trait in a case where robustness was lost during evolution. We used
      quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis to characterize the genetic architecture
      of petal number. Alphaverage petal number showed transgressive variation from
      zero to four petals in five C. hirsuta mapping populations, and this variation
      was highly heritable. We detected 15 QTL at which allelic variation affected
      petal number. The effects of these QTL were relatively small in comparison with
      alleles induced by mutagenesis, suggesting that natural selection may act to
      maintain petal number within its variable range below four. Petal number showed a
      temporal trend during plant ageing, as did sepal trichome number, and multi-trait
      QTL analysis revealed that these age-dependent traits share a common genetic
      basis. Our results demonstrate that petal number is determined by many genes of
      small effect, some of which are age-dependent, and suggests a mechanism of trait
      evolution via the release of cryptic variation. 

PMID- 26268615
TI  - Percutaneous closure of post TAVR LV apical pseudoaneurysm.
AB  - Left ventricular (LV) apical pseudoaneurysm is a well known complication of
      myocardial infarction and open heart surgery procedures, and has more recently
      been described after transapical transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).
      Since the natural history includes a high incidence of cardiac rupture and
      mortality in the 30-45% range within the first year after diagnosis, surgical
      repair has been the main therapy. More recently, LV pseudoaneurysms have been
      closed using percutaneous methods. We describe a post-TAVR pseudoaneurysm for
      which closure was done via retrograde LV access using a vascular plug, and
      provide a review of recent literature on closure methods and outcomes. (c) 2015
      Wiley Periodicals, Inc. 

PMID- 26268616
TI  - Characterization of early changes in fetoplacental hemodynamics in a diet-induced
      rabbit model of IUGR.
AB  - Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is associated with adverse perinatal
      outcomes and late-onset diseases in offspring. Eating disorders, voluntary
      caloric restriction and maternal undernutrition can all induce IUGR but a
      relevant model is required to measure all its possible consequences. In this
      work, pregnant rabbits were used as an IUGR model. Control females (n=4) received
      ad libitum diet throughout pregnancy, whereas underfed females (n=5) were
      restricted to 50% of their daily requirements. Offspring size was measured by
      ultrasonography and in vivo at birth. Hemodynamic features of the umbilical cords
      and middle cerebral arteries (systolic peak velocity, end diastolic velocity,
      pulsatility index and resistance index) were characterized by Doppler
      ultrasonography. At day 21, maternal underfeeding resulted in a significant
      reduction of fetal size (occipito-nasal length). At birth, the size of kits from
      the underfed group was significantly lower (lower crown-rump length, biparietal
      and transversal thoracic diameters) and a reduced weight with respect to the
      control group. Feed restriction altered blood flow perfusion compared with does
      fed ad libitum (significant higher systolic peak, time-averaged mean velocities
      and lower end diastolic velocity). Fetuses affected by IUGR presented with
      compensative brain-sparing effects when compared with the control group. In
      conclusion, the present study supports using rabbits and the underfeeding
      approach as a valuable model for IUGR studies. These results may help to
      characterize IUGR alterations due to nutrient restriction of mothers in future
      research. 

PMID- 26268617
TI  - An Evidence-Based Systematic Review of Beta-Sitosterol, Sitosterol (22,23-
      dihydrostigmasterol, 24-ethylcholesterol) by the Natural Standard Research
      Collaboration.
AB  - An evidence-based systematic review of beta-sitosterol, sitosterol (22,23
      dihydrostigmasterol, 24-ethylcholesterol) by the Natural Standard Research
      Collaboration consolidates the safety and efficacy data available in the
      scientific literature using a validated, reproducible grading rationale. This
      article includes written and statistical analysis of clinical trials, plus a
      compilation of expert opinion, folkloric precedent, history, pharmacology,
      kinetics/dynamics, interactions, adverse effects, toxicology, and dosing. 

PMID- 26268618
TI  - Deleterious effects of skin freezing contribute to variable outcomes of the
      predictive drug permeation studies using hydrophilic molecules.

PMID- 26268620
TI  - Study on preparation method of Zanthoxylum bungeanum seeds kernel oil with zero
      trans-fatty acids.
AB  - The seed of Zanthoxylum bungeanum (Z. bungeanum) is a by-product of pepper
      production and rich in unsaturated fatty acid, cellulose, and protein. The seed
      oil obtained from traditional producing process by squeezing or extracting would
      be bad quality and could not be used as edible oil. In this paper, a new
      preparation method of Z. bungeanum seed kernel oil (ZSKO) was developed by
      comparing the advantages and disadvantages of alkali saponification-cold
      squeezing, alkali saponification-solvent extraction, and alkali saponification
      supercritical fluid extraction with carbon dioxide (SFE-CO2). The results showed
      that the alkali saponification-cold squeezing could be the optimal preparation
      method of ZSKO, which contained the following steps: Z. bungeanum seed was
      pretreated by alkali saponification under the conditions of adding 10 %NaOH
      (w/w), solution temperature was 80  degrees C, and saponification reaction time
      was 45 min, and pretreated seed was separated by filtering, water washing, and
      overnight drying at 50  degrees C, then repeated squeezing was taken until no oil
      generated at 60  degrees C with 15 % moisture content, and ZSKO was attained
      finally using centrifuge. The produced ZSKO contained more than 90 % unsaturated
      fatty acids and no trans-fatty acids and be testified as a good edible oil with
      low-value level of acid and peroxide. It was demonstrated that the alkali
      saponification-cold squeezing process could be scaled up and applied to
      industrialized production of ZSKO. 

PMID- 26268619
TI  - Analysis of connexin expression during seizures induced by 4-aminopyridine in the
      rat hippocampus.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In epilepsy, seizures are generated by abnormal synchronous activity
      in neurons. In the rat hippocampus (HIP), epileptiform activity has been found to
      be associated with gap junctions (GJs). GJs are formed by the combination of two
      hemichannels, each composed of six connexins. At low doses, the convulsive drug 4
      aminopyridine (4-AP) produces epileptiform activity without affecting glutamate
      levels; therefore, GJs could participate in its effect. Based on this argument,
      in this study, the expression of Cx 32, Cx 36 and Cx 43 protein and mRNA in the
      HIP of rats treated with 4-AP was evaluated. The evaluation of connexins was
      carried out by chemifluorescent immunoassay, semiquantitative RT-PCR and
      immunofluorescence to detect the amount and distribution of connexins and of
      cellular markers in the HIP and dentate gyrus (DG) of animals treated with NaCl
      and 4-AP in the right entorhinal cortex. In these animals, convulsive behavior
      and EEG signals were analyzed. RESULTS: The animals treated with 4-AP showed
      convulsive behavior and epileptiform activity 60 min after the administration. A
      significant increase in the protein expression of Cx 32, Cx 36 and Cx 43 was
      found in the HIP contralateral and ipsilateral to the site of 4-AP
      administration. A trend toward an increase in the mRNA of Cx 32 and Cx 43 was
      also found. An increase in the cellular density of Cx 32 and Cx 43 was found in
      the right HIP and DG, and an increase in the cellular density of oligodendrocytes
      in the DG and a decrease in the number of cells marked with NeuN were observed in
      the left HIP. CONCLUSIONS: Cx 32 and Cx 43 associated with oligodendrocytes and
      astrocytes had an important role in the first stages of seizures induced by 4-AP,
      whereas Cx36 localized to neurons could be associated with later stages.
      Additionally, these results contribute to our understanding of the role of
      connexins in acute seizures and allow us to direct our efforts to other new
      anticonvulsant strategies for seizure treatment.

PMID- 26268622
TI  - Evaluation of dry deposition of acidifying N compounds to vegetation.
AB  - This papers deals with direct measurements of dry deposition flux of total
      acidifying N species (gaseous HNO3 and particulate NO3(-)) and theoretically by
      parameterization method to vegetation (leaf surfaces) over a semiarid region in
      India. Annual average experimental dry deposition of NO3(-) to leaf of Cassia is
      0.65 +/- 0.61 mg m(-2) day(-1). Ambient concentrations of HNO3 vapor and
      particulate NO3(-) are 1.53 and 1.24 MUg m(-3), respectively. Theoretically
      obtained dry deposition velocity of HNO3 and NO3(-) are 0.74 cm s(-1) for both
      while calculated dry deposition flux of total NO3(-) is found to be 1.3 +/- 0.33
      mg m(-2) day(-1). The measured dry deposition flux of NO3(-) to Cassia leaf is in
      the range of theoretically obtained flux. The annual input of N as nitrate is 3.8
      mmol m(-2) year(-1) which is lower than the other forest site in China which is
      probably because of low pollution than China.

PMID- 26268621
TI  - Challenging synergistic activity of poplar-bacteria association for the Cd
      phytostabilization.
AB  - The synergistic activity between plants and microorganisms may contribute to the
      implementation of proactive management strategies in the stabilization of
      contaminated sites, although heavy metals, such as cadmium (Cd), are potentially
      toxic to them. The aim of this study was to evaluate the degree of tolerance to
      Cd contamination (supplying twice 40 mg kg(-1) of Cd) in poplar cuttings [clone I
      214, P. * euramericana (Dode) Guinier] inoculated or not with two concentrations
      of Serratia marcescens strain (1 * 10(7) CFU/g and 2 * 10(7) CFU/g of potting
      mix). The response of the plant-bacteria system to excess Cd was investigated
      with special reference to the structural traits of plants and the functional
      efficiency of bacteria. Bacterial colonization and substrate components were
      previously assessed in order to define the best solution for formulating the
      experimental plant growth media. The tested plant-bacteria association,
      especially when bacteria were provided in double concentration, stimulated
      specific tolerance mechanisms to Cd through the promotion of the poplar growth.
      Inoculated plants produced larger leaves and increased stem diameter, while roots
      grew longer and wider in Cd-treated plants. The effect of bacterial inoculum on
      plant growth traits and metal partitioning in plant organs was assessed in order
      to define the potential of this poplar clone to be a suitable candidate for
      phytostabilization of Cd-contaminated soil. The final effect of the inoculation
      with bacteria, which alleviated the metal load and Cd phytotoxicity due to their
      bioaccumulation ability, suggests promising phytostabilization potential of these
      plant-bacteria associations.

PMID- 26268623
TI  - Effects of aeration and internal recycle flow on nitrous oxide emissions from a
      modified Ludzak-Ettinger process fed with glycerol.
AB  - Nitrous oxide (N2O) is emitted from a modified Ludzak-Ettinger (MLE) process, as
      a primary activated sludge system, which requires mitigation. The effects of
      aeration rates and internal recycle flow (IRF) ratios on N2O emission were
      investigated in an MLE process fed with glycerol. Reducing the aeration rate from
      1.5 to 0.5 L/min increased gaseous the N2O concentration from the aerobic tank
      and the dissolved N2O concentration in the anoxic tank by 54.4 and 53.4 %,
      respectively. During the period of higher aeration, the N2O-N conversion ratio
      was 0.9 % and the potential N2O reducers were predominantly Rhodobacter, which
      accounted for 21.8 % of the total population. Increasing the IRF ratio from 3.6
      to 7.2 decreased the N2O emission rate from the aerobic tank and the dissolved
      N2O concentration in the anoxic tank by 56 and 48 %, respectively. This study
      suggests effective N2O mitigation strategies for MLE systems.

PMID- 26268624
TI  - Heavy metal accumulation in soils, plants, and hair samples: an assessment of
      heavy metal exposure risks from the consumption of vegetables grown on soils
      previously irrigated with wastewater.
AB  - It is common knowledge that soils irrigated with wastewater accumulate heavy
      metals more than those irrigated with cleaner water sources. However, little is
      known on metal concentrations in soils and cultivars after the cessation of
      wastewater use. This study assessed the accumulation and health risk of heavy
      metals 3 years post-wastewater irrigation in soils, vegetables, and farmers'
      hair. Soils, vegetables, and hair samples were collected from villages previously
      irrigating with wastewater (experimental villages) and villages with no history
      of wastewater irrigation (control villages). Soil samples were digested in a
      mixture of HCL/HNO3/HCLO4/HF. Plants and hair samples were digested in HNO3/HCLO4
      mixture. Inductive coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) was
      used to determine metal concentrations of digested extracts. Study results
      indicate a persistence of heavy metal concentration in soils and plants from
      farms previously irrigated with wastewater. In addition, soils previously
      irrigated with wastewater were severely contaminated with cadmium. Hair metal
      concentrations of farmers previously irrigating with wastewater were
      significantly higher (P < 0.05) than farmers irrigating with clean water, but
      metal concentrations in hair samples of farmers previously irrigating with
      wastewater were not associated with current soil metal concentrations. The study
      concludes that there is a persistence of heavy metals in soils and plants
      previously irrigated with wastewater, but high metal concentrations in hair
      samples of farmers cannot be associated with current soil metal concentrations.

PMID- 26268625
TI  - Effect of the ultrasound-Fenton oxidation process with the addition of a
      chelating agent on the removal of petroleum-based contaminants from soil.
AB  - The effects of ultrasonic irradiation, the chelating agent modified Fenton
      reaction, and a combination of ultrasound and the Fenton method in removing
      petroleum contaminants from a soil were studied. The results showed that the
      contaminant removal rate of the Fenton treatment combined with an oxalic acid
      chelating agent was 55.6% higher than that without a chelating agent. The average
      removal rate of the contaminants using the ultrasound-Fenton treatment was 59.0%
      higher than that without ultrasonic treatment. A combination of ultrasound and an
      Fe(2+)/Fe(3+)-oxalate complex-modified Fenton reagent resulted in significantly
      higher removal rates of n-alkanes (C(n)H(2n+2), n < 28), isoprenoid hydrocarbons,
      aromatic hydrocarbons, and saturated polycyclic terpenes compared with the
      ultrasound treatment alone or the Fenton method. The Fenton reaction and the
      ultrasound-Fenton treatment can unselectively remove multiple components of
      residual hydrocarbons and a number of benzene rings in polycyclic aromatic
      hydrocarbons. The chemistry of the heterocyclic compounds and the position and
      number of substituents can affect the degradation process.

PMID- 26268627
TI  - What factors are associated with the prevalence of atopic symptoms amongst
      adolescents in Greater Manchester?
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Atopy commonly manifests itself as atopic diseases (ADs), namely
      asthma, eczema and hay fever. The prevalence of AD is rising worldwide, and it is
      widely accepted as a major public health issue, due to the significant burden of
      AD on health care systems. METHOD: Data were obtained from the youth survey of
      the European Urban Health Indicator System 2 project. The study participants were
      students aged 14-16 years from Greater Manchester. The main outcomes measured
      were the prevalence of atopic symptoms and the factors associated with the
      development of atopy. RESULTS: Of the sample studied, 70% reported having had an
      AD during their lifetime. The lifetime prevalence of ever having asthma, eczema
      or hay fever was 33.4%, 28.1% and 49.0%, respectively. Gender, family affluence,
      body mass index, diet, smoking and worrying were all significantly associated
      with atopic symptoms. Smoking was the only variable to be significantly
      associated with all three ADs. Season of birth and pollution were not shown to be
      associated with atopic symptoms. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that the
      prevalence of AD in Greater Manchester was high amongst adolescents. Several
      environmental, demographic and social factors were found to be significantly
      associated with the development of atopic symptoms. This study provides a
      baseline for future studies to further investigate the factors that are
      associated with AD and allow for the implementation of preventative public health
      policy.

PMID- 26268626
TI  - Strategies and techniques to enhance constructed wetland performance for
      sustainable wastewater treatment.
AB  - Constructed wetlands (CWs) have been used as an alternative to conventional
      technologies for wastewater treatment for more than five decades. Recently, the
      use of various modified CWs to improve treatment performance has also been
      reported in the literature. However, the available knowledge on various CW
      technologies considering the intensified and reliable removal of pollutants is
      still limited. Hence, this paper aims to provide an overview of the current
      development of CW strategies and techniques for enhanced wastewater treatment.
      Basic information on configurations and characteristics of different innovations
      was summarized. Then, overall treatment performance of those systems and their
      shortcomings were further discussed. Lastly, future perspectives were also
      identified for specialists to design more effective and sustainable CWs. This
      information is used to inspire some novel intensifying methodologies, and benefit
      the successful applications of potential CW technologies.

PMID- 26268628
TI  - Medication adherence among patients with chronic conditions in Italy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aims of the cross-sectional study were to measure the extent of
      adherence to prescribed medications among patients affected by chronic diseases
      and to identify the predictors of the adherence. METHODS: The study was conducted
      between March and December 2014 among 633 outpatients in four hospitals in Italy.
      Data were collected using a face to face interview at the time of their visit to
      the hospital. The Morisky Medication Adherence 4-item Scale was used to measure
      patients' self-reported adherence. RESULTS: The majority of the patients were
      male (51.7%), the mean age was 63.2 years, one-third had at least a high school
      diploma or equivalent, 34.6% was employed, and the main diseases were
      hypertension, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A total of
      39.3% patients reported themselves as being adherent to medications over the 4
      weeks preceding their medical specialist's visit. Patients were more likely to
      adhere to medications if they had a college degree or higher level of education,
      a higher score of the Katz index, took a lower number of total pills per day, and
      did not use pill organizers. Patients who have never forgotten to take
      medications over the 4 weeks preceding their medical specialist's visit were
      46.1%. CONCLUSIONS: The findings emphasize the need for improving information for
      the individuals affected by chronic diseases concerning the risks of non
      adherence in order to encourage responsible behaviour to prescribed medications.

PMID- 26268629
TI  - A high energy intake from dietary fat among middle-aged and older adults is
      associated with increased risk of malnutrition 10 years later.
AB  - A higher fat content in the diet could be an advantage for preventing
      malnutrition among older adults. However, there is sparse scientific evidence to
      determine the optimal fat intake among older adults. This prospective cohort
      study examined whether a high energy intake of dietary fat among middle-aged and
      older adults is associated with the risk of malnutrition 10 years later. The
      study population comprised 725 Swedish men and women aged 53-80 years who had
      completed a questionnaire about dietary intake and lifestyle factors in 1997
      (baseline) and whose nutritional status was assessed when admitted to the
      hospital in 2008-2009 (follow-up). At the follow-up, 383 (52.8%) participants
      were identified as being at risk of malnutrition and fifty-two (7.2%) were
      identified as malnourished. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to
      analyse the association between previous dietary fat intake and nutritional
      status later in life. Contrary to what was expected, a high energy intake from
      total fat, saturated fat and monounsaturated fat among middle-aged and older
      adults increased the risk of exhibiting malnutrition 10 years later. However,
      this applied only to individuals with a BMI<25 kg/m2 at the baseline. In
      conclusion, these findings suggest that preventive actions to counteract
      malnutrition in older adults should focus on limiting the intake of total fat in
      the diet by reducing consumption of food with a high content of saturated and
      monounsaturated fat.

PMID- 26268631
TI  - Background sounds and hearing-aid users: A scoping review.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: A scoping review focused on background sounds and adult hearing-aid
      users, including aspects of aversiveness and interference. The aim was to
      establish the current body of knowledge, identify knowledge gaps, and to suggest
      possible future directions for research. DESIGN: Data were gathered using a
      systematic search strategy, consistent with scoping review methodology. STUDY
      SAMPLE: Searches of public databases between 1988 and 2014 returned 1182
      published records. After exclusions for duplicates and out-of- scope works, 75
      records remained for further analysis. Content analysis was used to group the
      records into five separate themes. RESULTS: Content analysis indicated numerous
      themes relating to background sounds. Five broad emergent themes addressed the
      development and validation of outcome instruments, satisfaction surveys,
      assessments of hearing-aid technology and signal processing, acclimatization to
      the device post-fitting, and non-auditory influences on benefit and satisfaction.
      CONCLUSIONS: A large proportion of hearing-aid users still find particular
      hearing-aid features and attributes dissatisfying when listening in background
      sounds. Many conclusions are limited by methodological drawbacks in study design
      and too many different outcome instruments. Future research needs to address
      these issues, while controlling for hearing-aid fitting.

PMID- 26268632
TI  - Modification of hippocampal excitability in brain slices pretreated with a low
      nanomolar concentration of Zn2+.
AB  - Synaptic Zn2+ homeostasis may be changed during brain slice preparation. However,
      much less attention has been paid to Zn2+ in artificial cerebrospinal fluid
      (ACSF) used for slice experiments than has been paid to Ca2+ . The present study
      assesses addition of Zn2+ to ACSF, focused on hippocampal excitability after
      acute brain slice preparation. When the static levels of intracellular Zn2+ and
      Ca2+ were compared between brain slices prepared with conventional ACSF without
      Zn2+ and those pretreated with ACSF containing 20 nM ZnCl2 for 1 hr, both levels
      were almost the same. On the other hand, intracellular Ca2+ levels were
      significantly increased in the stratum lucidum of the control brain slices after
      stimulation with high K+, although the increase was significantly suppressed by
      the pretreatment with ACSF containing Zn2+, suggesting that neuronal excitation
      is enhanced in brain slices prepared with ACSF without Zn2+. The increase in
      extracellular Zn2+ level, an index of glutamate release, after stimulation with
      high K+ was also significantly suppressed by pretreatment with ACSF containing
      Zn2+. When mossy fiber excitation was assessed in brain slices with FM4-64, an
      indicator of presynaptic activity, attenuation of FM 4-64 fluorescence based on
      presynaptic activity was suppressed in the stratum lucidum of brain slices
      pretreated with ACSF containing Zn2+. The present study indicates that
      hippocampal excitability is enhanced in brain slices prepared with ACSF without
      Zn2+. It is likely that a low nanomolar concentration of Zn2+ is necessary for
      ACSF.

PMID- 26268630
TI  - A hepatic amino acid/mTOR/S6K-dependent signalling pathway modulates systemic
      lipid metabolism via neuronal signals.
AB  - Metabolism is coordinated among tissues and organs via neuronal signals. Levels
      of circulating amino acids (AAs), which are elevated in obesity, activate the
      intracellular target of rapamycin complex-1 (mTORC1)/S6kinase (S6K) pathway in
      the liver. Here we demonstrate that hepatic AA/mTORC1/S6K signalling modulates
      systemic lipid metabolism via a mechanism involving neuronal inter-tissue
      communication. Hepatic expression of an AA transporter, SNAT2, activates the
      mTORC1/S6K pathway, and markedly elevates serum triglycerides (TGs), while
      downregulating adipose lipoprotein lipase (LPL). Hepatic Rheb or active-S6K
      expression have similar metabolic effects, whereas hepatic expression of dominant
      negative-S6K inhibits TG elevation in SNAT2 mice. Denervation, pharmacological
      deafferentation and beta-blocker administration suppress obesity-related
      hypertriglyceridemia with adipose LPL upregulation, suggesting that signals are
      transduced between liver and adipose tissue via a neuronal pathway consisting of
      afferent vagal and efferent sympathetic nerves. Thus, the neuronal mechanism
      uncovered here serves to coordinate amino acid and lipid levels and contributes
      to the development of obesity-related hypertriglyceridemia. 

PMID- 26268635
TI  - Elevated caspase 3 activity and cytosolic cytochrome c in NT2 cybrids containing
      amyotrophic lateral sclerosis subject mtDNA.
AB  - Apoptosis of motor neurons is an important feature in amyotrophic lateral
      sclerosis (ALS). A vital role of mitochondria in apoptosis and cell survival is
      well documented. Eventually mitochondria have shown to be an early target in the
      pathogenesis of ALS. On account of these facts, we investigated the involvement
      of mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis in ALS and control (CTR) cybrids, generated
      fusing human platelets with mitochondrial DNA-depleted NT2-neuroteratocarcinoma
      cells. After a 6 week selection process during which transferred subject mtDNA
      repopulated the NT2 cells and restored mitochondrial oxygen consumption, we
      assessed cell viability and two programmed cell death parameters, caspase 3
      activity and cytosolic cytochrome c levels. Compared to the control cybrid lines
      (n = 5), the ALS cybrid lines (n = 10) showed 45% less XTT reduction and higher
      caspase 3 activity ( p < 0.05, two-way Student's t test) exhibiting lesser cell
      viability and execution of apoptosis. Elevated cytosolic cytochrome c levels in
      ALS cybrid lines (n = 8) than in CTR (n = 4) ( p < 0.05, two-way Student's t
      test) indicating its mitochondrial release and initiation of apoptosis. This
      indicates apoptosis as one of the possible mechanisms of cell death in ALS. Our
      findings support the view that in ALS, subject's mitochondria are altered in non
      degenerating tissues in such a way that intrinsic apoptotic pathway activity is
      relatively increased. 

PMID- 26268633
TI  - Relationships between clinician-level attributes and fidelity-consistent and
      fidelity-inconsistent modifications to an evidence-based psychotherapy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Clinicians often modify evidence-based psychotherapies (EBPs) when
      delivering them in routine care settings. There has been little study of factors
      associated with or implications of modifications to EBP protocols. This paper
      differentiates between fidelity-consistent and fidelity-inconsistent
      modifications and it examines the potential influence of two clinician
      characteristics, training outcomes, and attitudes toward EBPs on fidelity
      consistent and fidelity-inconsistent modifications of cognitive behavioral
      therapy in a sample of clinicians who had been trained to deliver these
      treatments for children or adults. METHODS: Survey and coded interview data
      collected 2 years after completion of training programs in cognitive behavioral
      therapy were used to examine associations between successful or unsuccessful
      completion of training, clinician attitudes, and modifications. Modifications
      endorsed by clinicians were categorized as fidelity-consistent or fidelity
      inconsistent and entered as outcomes into separate regression models, with
      training success and attitudes entered as independent variables. RESULTS:
      Successful completion of a training program was associated with subsequent
      fidelity-inconsistent modifications but not fidelity-consistent modifications.
      Therapists who reported greater openness to using EBPs prior to training reported
      more fidelity-consistent modifications at follow-up, and those who reported
      greater willingness to adopt EBPs if they found them appealing were more likely
      to make fidelity-inconsistent modifications. CONCLUSIONS: Implications of these
      findings for training, implementation, EBP sustainment, and future studies are
      discussed. Research on contextual and protocol-related factors that may impact
      decisions to modify EBPs will be an important future direction of study to
      complement to this research.

PMID- 26268634
TI  - Cannabis Mobile Apps: A Content Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mobile technology is pervasive and widely used to obtain information
      about drugs such as cannabis, especially in a climate of rapidly changing
      cannabis policy; yet the content of available cannabis apps is largely unknown.
      Understanding the resources available to those searching for cannabis apps will
      clarify how this technology is being used to reflect and influence cannabis use
      behavior. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the content of 59 cannabis-related mobile
      apps for Apple and Android devices as of November 26, 2014. METHODS: The Apple
      and Google Play app stores were searched using the terms "cannabis" and
      "marijuana." Three trained coders classified the top 20 apps for each term and
      each store, using a coding guide. Apps were examined for the presence of 20
      content codes derived by the researchers. RESULTS: Total apps available for each
      search term were 124 for cannabis and 218 for marijuana in the Apple App Store,
      and 250 each for cannabis and marijuana on Google Play. The top 20 apps in each
      category in each store were coded for 59 independent apps (30 Apple, 29 Google
      Play). The three most common content areas were cannabis strain classification
      (33.9%), facts about cannabis (20.3%), and games (20.3%). In the Apple App Store,
      most apps were free (77%), all were rated "17+" years, and the average user
      rating was 3.9/5 stars. The most popular apps provided cannabis strain
      classifications (50%), dispensary information (27%), or general facts about
      cannabis (27%). Only one app (3%) provided information or resources related to
      cannabis abuse, addiction, or treatment. On Google Play, most apps were free
      (93%), rated "high maturity" (79%), and the average user rating was 4.1/5. The
      most popular app types offered games (28%), phone utilities (eg, wallpaper,
      clock; 21%) and cannabis food recipes (21%); no apps addressed abuse, addiction,
      or treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Cannabis apps are generally free and highly rated.
      Apps were most often informational (facts, strain classification), or
      recreational (games), likely reflecting and influencing the growing acceptance of
      cannabis for medical and recreational purposes. Apps addressing addiction or
      cessation were underrepresented in the most popular cannabis mobile apps.
      Differences among apps for Apple and Android platforms likely reflect differences
      in the population of users, developer choice, and platform regulations.

PMID- 26268636
TI  - Efficacy and safety of two single-pill fixed-dose combinations of angiotensin II
      receptor blockers/calcium channel blockers in hypertensive patients (EXAMINER
      study).
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is some controversy regarding which single-pill fixed-dose
      combinations of angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers (ARBs) and calcium
      channel blockers (CCBs) are effective at reducing blood pressure (BP). METHODS:
      Sixty hypertensive patients who received a single-pill fixed-dose combination of
      valsartan 80 mg/day and amlodipine 5 mg/day were enrolled (UMIN Registration
      000013460). They were randomly divided into two treatment groups [single-pill
      fixed-dose combination therapy with valsartan 80 mg/day and amlodipine 5 mg/day
      (Val/Am group), or irbesartan 100 mg/day and amlodipine 5 mg/day (Irb/Am group)]
      and treated for 16 weeks. If the patient did not reach the target office BP at 8
      weeks, they received double doses of amlodipine (10 mg/day). RESULTS: In the
      Irb/Am group, systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) were significantly
      decreased at 16 weeks. There were no significant changes in SBP or DBP in the
      Val/Am group. In the Irb/Am group, serum uric acid (UA) was significantly
      decreased at 8 weeks and patients who had hyperuricemia showed significantly
      decreased serum UA at 16 weeks. In addition, the levels of triglycerides (TG)
      were significantly decreased at 16 weeks in the Irb/Am group. CONCLUSION: A
      single-pill fixed-dose combination therapy with irbesartan 100 mg/day and
      amlodipine 5 mg/day was superior to the combination of valsartan 80 mg/day and
      amlodipine 5 mg/day with respect to significant decreases in BP, serum UA and TG
      in patients with hypertension.

PMID- 26268637
TI  - [Pay attention to the corneal epithelial cell dysfunction after cataract
      surgery].
AB  - Corneal epithelial dysfunction ( CED ) is the abnormality of the regeneration,
      conjunction, adhesion and immigration of the corneal epithelium cells without the
      decompensation of the corneal limbal cells. Due to the affection resulting from
      the systemic problems of patients and the management in the preoperative period,
      some of the patients at one to two weeks after cataract surgery will present the
      edema and fluorescein staining of the corneal epithelium. Without correct
      therapy, the defect of the epithelium, or even persisting ulceration of the
      cornea will occur. The key points of the management for CED are the early
      diagnosis and reasonable therapy. We suggest paying special attention to CED in
      the patients with metabolism diseases, abnormality of the tear film and long-term
      blepharitis.

PMID- 26268638
TI  - [Clinical analyses of 21 cases of Thygeson's superficial punctate keratitis].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of Thygeson's
      superficial punctate keratitis (TSPK). METHODS: Twenty-one cases diagnosed as
      TSPK between June 2010 and July 2013 were retrospectively analyzed, including
      clinical manifestation, characteristics of morphological changes imaged by laser
      confocal microscopy, treatment and therapeutic effects. RESULTS: All the 21 cases
      had the same presentation. Slit lamp examination showed several rough punctate
      intraepithelial opacities, which were usually slightly above the niveau of the
      surrounding epithelium. No cases had conjunctival congestions. Eight eyes of five
      patients with TSPK were imaged with a laser confocal biomicroscope. Clusters of
      highly reflective dots were revealed in the epithelium. The number of Langerhans
      cells was greatly increased in the basal cell layer of the focal corneal
      epithelium and the Bowman's layer in ten eyes affected by TSPK. The density of
      the subepithelial nerve plexus decreased. Some keratocytes had highly reflective
      cell bodies of irregular size, orientation, and shape in the anterior stroma in
      the affected eyes. After treatment with low concentration steroid eye drops and
      antiviral drugs, punctate opacities in all 21 cases were completely absorbed,
      leaving no scar, and the cure rate was 100%. But TSPK recurred in four cases. All
      recurrent cases were cured completely after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Thygeson's
      superficial punctate keratitis is a kind of chronic recurrent superficial
      keratitis, without conjunctivitis. Confocal microscopic images have certain
      specificity, help diagnose and contribute to its pathogenesis research. Local use
      of low concentration steroid eye drops combined with antiviral drugs is effective
      for TSPK. Clinicians should pay attention to recurrence of TSPK.

PMID- 26268639
TI  - [Observation of orthokeratology discontinuation].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To observe the change of teenagers with short-time and long-time
      orthokeratology discontinuation, including diopters, corneal curvature, corneal
      topography, axial length, and central corneal thickness, and to investigate the
      refractive correction methods after long-time orthokeratology discontinuation.
      METHODS: Retrospective study. A total of 141 patients (257 eyes) with a history
      of wearing and discontinuing wearing orthokeratology lenses in our center were
      collected. According to the spherical equivalent diopters, the patients were
      divided into two groups (< or = -4.00 D for group I and -4.00 D for group II).
      Each group was further divided into two sub-groups by the discontinuation time (1
      to 3 months for sub-group A and more than 3 months for sub-group B). Four sub
      groups were named as I A, II A, I B, and II B. Some optical examinations were
      performed for the patients before orthokeratology lens wearing and after
      orthokeratology discontinuation, such as refraction, corneal curvature, corneal
      topography, corneal endothelial cells, axial length, and central corneal
      thickness measurement. The refractive correction methods used by patients who had
      long-term orthokeratology discontinuation were recorded. The observed data were
      analyzed with paired t-test and one-way ANOVA by SPSS16. RESULTS: The
      statistically significant changes (t = 3.222, 3.404, 3.141, 5.012, P < 0.05) of
      spherical diopter values were (-0.31 +/- 0.58) D, (-0.48 +/- 0.68) D, (-0.35 +/-
      0.65) D, and (-0.57 +/- 0.58) D for groups IA, IB, IIA, and IIB, respectively.
      astigmatism of the four sub-groups had no significant change (P > 0.05) The
      average annual spherical growth was (-0.08 +/- 0.17) D, (-0.12 +/- 0.17) D, (
      0.07 +/- 0.19) D, and (-0.15 +/- 0.16) D, respectively, for the four sub-groups,
      and there was no statistically significant difference among them (F = 1.180, P >
      0.05). Compared to the state before wearing orthokeratology lenses, the corneal
      curvature measured by an autorefractor was statistically different for groups I A
      and I A, but not statistically different for groups I B and II B. For the long
      time discontinuation groups, only the SRI of the corneal topography had a
      statistically significant decrease compared to the value before wearing
      orthokeratology lenses, and others had no significant change. The average annual
      increase of axial length was (0.22 +/- 0.16) mm and (0.16 +/- 0.10) mm for groups
      IA and IB, respectively, and the increase was statistically significant (P <
      0.05), but there was no significant difference between the two sub-groups (F =
      1.908, P > 0.05). The central corneal thickness had no significant change (t =
      1.971, 2.017, P > 0.05). The rates of the refractive correction methods after
      long-time discontinuation were 36.7%, 22.4%, 22.4%, 12.4%, and 6.1% for
      spectacles, rigid gas permeable contact lenses, soft contact lenses, either
      spectacles or soft contact lenses, and refractive operations, respectively.
      CONCLUSION: The corneal morphology and central corneal thickness returned to the
      original after three months of discontinuation of orthokeratology. The myopia had
      no significant growth after discontinuation, and there was no significant
      difference between low to moderate and relatively high myopia.

PMID- 26268640
TI  - [Corneal epithelial changes of soft contact lens wearers under a transmission
      electron microscope].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the difference in corneal epithelium between patients
      with and without soft contact lens (SCL) wearing, and to analyze corneal
      epithelial changes of the eyes with long-time SCL wearing. METHODS: In this cross
      sectional study, the subjects were divided into two groups: 13 patients of daily
      SCL wearers and 11 control subjects who had never worn contact lenses. The flap
      of corneal epithelium was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The
      corneal epithelial microvillus density was compared between the two groups.
      RESULTS: Transmission electron micrographs of the control group showed a tight
      connection between cells, regularly aligned basal cells, and continuous basement
      membrane. Compared with the control group, SCL wearers showed incomplete basement
      membrane, swollen epithelial cells, swollen mitochondria, and widened
      intercellular interstices. The density of corneal epithelium microvilli
      [(0.071466 +/- 0.015889)/microm2 vs. (0.139851 +/- 0.024171)/micro2] was lower (t
      = 8.312, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Long-term SCL wearing can induce remarkable
      changes of corneal epithelial tissue, and the density of corneal epithelial
      microvilli decreases.

PMID- 26268641
TI  - [Comparison of corneal nerve regeneration and dry eye condition after
      conventional LASIK and femtosecond-assisted LASIK].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the regeneration of subbasal epithelial nerve plexus in the
      central cornea and dry eye condition between patients undergoing conventional
      LASIK surgery and femtosecond-assisted LASIK surgery. METHODS: It was across
      sectional study. Thirty patients (60 eyes) who had LASIK at our hospital from
      October 2011 to September 2012 were included in this study. Patients were divided
      into conventional LASIK group and femtosecond-assisted LASIK group based on the
      method used for corneal flap creation. Subjective and objective dry eye tests
      were carried out at 1 year after surgery. HRT III confocal microscopy was used to
      observe the regeneration of subbasal epithelial nerve plexus, and the images were
      analyzed by ACCMetrics software using quantitative parameters to determine the
      density and morphology of corneal nerve fibers. The data of corneal nerve fibers
      and dry eye condition in the two groups undergoing different LASIK procedures was
      compared using an independent sample t test. RESULTS: During the one-year
      postoperative follow-up, the Schirmer test result, tear film break-up time value,
      and ocular surface disease index score in the F-LASIK group [(12.65 +/- 8.73)
      mm/5min, (7.85 +/- 2.81) s, (7.25 +/- 6.35) points] were not significantly
      different from that in the C-LASIK group [(6.73 +/- 10.55) mm/ 5 min, (8.77 +/-
      3.04) s, (4.46 +/- 5.37) points] (t =1.399, -1.050, -1.613, P > 0.05). Regarding
      the nerve fiber measurements, which included corneal nerve fiber density, corneal
      nerve branch density, corneal nerve fiber length, corneal total branch node,
      corneal nerve fiber width, and corneal nerve fiber tortuosit, there was no
      statistically significant difference in their results between patients who had
      femtosecond-assisted LASIK surgery [(16.46 +/- 6.65 )/mm2, (19.27 +/- 9.56)/mm2,
      (10.88 +/- 4.70) mm/mm2, (65.10 +/- 38.43)/mm2, (4.76 +/- 0.34) microm, (2.30 +/-
      0.34) grades] and those who had conventional LASIK surgery [(15.99 +/- 7.14)/mm2,
      (19.39 +/- 7.07)/mm2, (11.30 +/- 3.17) mm/mm2, (68.43 +/- 34.94)/mm2, (4.73 +/-
      0.24) microm, (2.14 +/- 0.34) grades] (t = -0.229, 0.049, 0.365, 0.306, -0.394, 
      1.629, P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The difference between conventionalLASIK and
      femtosecond-assisted LASIK does not significantly affect the dry eye test values
      and nerve fiber measurements in patients at 1 year after LASIK.

PMID- 26268642
TI  - [Wavefront analysis and comparison between small incision lenticule extraction
      and femtosecond laser in situ keratomilensis].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate and analyze the characteristic changes of high order
      aberrations before and after small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) and
      femtosecond laser in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK). METHODS: Prospective study.
      Thirty-four patients (16 men and 18 women) underwent SMILE, and 28 cases (15 men
      and 13 women) underwent FS-LASIK, aged 18 to 39 years. Only the right eye was
      selected to be analyzed from each patient. All patients had conventional and
      Pentacam examinations preoperatively, and the ocular higher order aberrations
      were measured with the Hartman-Shack wavefront analyzer before surgery and at 1
      month and 3 months postoperatively. The paired t test, independent t test, and
      Pearson correlation analysis were used to analyze the collected data. RESULTS: At
      the 1 month after SMILE group, C3(-1), C3(3) (-0.205 +/- 0.199, 0.027 +/- 0.071)
      were higher than the FS-LASIK group (0.004 +/- 0.316, -0.022 +/- 0.104) (t = 
      3.141, 2.216, P < 0.05), for FS-LASIK group Sh, S4 S5, S6, C4(0) (0.609 +/-
      0.199, 0.403 +/- 0.196, 0.117 +/- 0.065, 0.092 +/- 0.038, 0.343 +/- 0.253) were
      higher than the SMILE group (0.461 +/- 0.130, 0.271 +/- 0.096, 0.074 +/- 0.028,
      0.053 +/- 0.018, 0.239 +/- 0.121) (t = - 3.492, -3.461, -3.449, -5.301, -2.103, P
      < 0.05); At the 3rd month of SMILE group, C3(-1) (-0.177 +/- 0.175) was higher
      than the FS-LASIK group (-0.012 +/- 0.337) (t = -2.476, P < 0.05), In FS- LASIK
      group , however, the data for Sh, S4, S5, S6, C4(0) (0.626 +/- 0.215, 0.421 +/-
      0.200, 0.108 +/- 0.066, 0.082 +/- 0.036, 0.393 +/- 0.207) were higher than the
      SMILE group (0.457 +/- 0.113, 0.270 +/- 0.106,0. 082 +/- 0.031, 0.051 +/- 0.017,
      0.243 +/- 0.115 ) (t = -3.935, -3.788, -2.049, -4.405, -3.576, P < 0.05). With
      the correlation analysis, at the postoperative 1st and 3rd month of FS-LASIK
      group, Sh, C4(0) had negative relationship with the attempted myopic corrections
      (1 month post-op: r = - 0.433, -0.476, P < 0.05; 3 month post-op:r = -0.418, 
      0.447, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: SMILE resulted in good optical quality early after
      operation. Compared with FS-LASIK, SMILE caused smaller change of ocular higher
      order aberrations, and each of them had its own particularity. Maybe it was
      associated with the surgery procedure and corneal wound healing after surgery.

PMID- 26268643
TI  - [The clinical features of 10 cases of acute retinal necrosis complicated by viral
      encephalitis].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical features of acute retinal necrosis (ARN)
      complicated by viral encephalitis. METHODS: Ten cases of ARN complicated by viral
      encephalitis were treated in the Department of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren
      Hospital from November 2013 to August 2014. Clinical manifestation, especially
      the fundus characteristics, was summarized. RESULTS: In the10 patients (19 eyes;
      6 men and 4 women) with an age of (40.1 +/- 13.44) years, 1 patients had
      unilateral ARN, and 9 patients had bilateral ARN. The visual acuity was no light
      perception in 9 eyes, light perception to hand motion in 7 eyes, 0.05 in 1 eye,
      0.2 in 1 eye, and 0.3 in 1 eye. Seven cases suffered ARN during the onset of
      viral encephalitis, and other cases suffered ARN at 2 to 3 months after the
      recovery of viral encephalitis. Seventeen eyes had mild to moderate vitreous
      opacity, and 2 eye shad severe vitreous opacity. Sixteen eyes had focal (1 or 2
      quadrants) retinal necrosis, and 2 eyes had massive ( > 2 quadrants) retinal
      necrosis. Occlusive vasculitis obviously occurred in 18 eyes. Sixteen eyeshad
      retinal detachment. All affected eyes had early optic nerve atrophy. CONCLUSION:
      ARN can occur during the onset of viral encephalitis or after the recovery of
      viral encephalitis. The clinical features of ARN complicated by viral
      encephalitis may be generally mild to moderate vitreous opacity,small range
      retinal necrosis foci, early and severe optic atrophy, and occlusive retinal
      vasculitis.

PMID- 26268644
TI  - [Effects of posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens on axial length
      measurements].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens
      (IOL) on axial length (AL) measurements and whether a correction factor for later
      IOL power calculation before cataract surgery is necessary. METHODS: Twenty-two
      high myopic patients (39 eyes) with mean spherical equivalent -19.00 +/- 4.03 D
      received phakic refractive lens (PRL) implantation, and 24 patients (40 eyes)
      with mean spherical equivalent (-13.10 +/- 2.53) D received implantable Collamer
      lens (ICL) implantation. Pre-and postoperative AL measurements with the IOLMaster
      were compared. Results The pre-and postoperative ALs were (30.87 +/- 2.18) mm and
      (30.94 +/- 2.16) mm, respectively (t = -2.635, P = 0.012) in the PRL group, and
      (28.35 +/- 1.20) mm and (28.45 +/- 1.22) mm, respectively ( t = -3.97, P < 0.001)
      in the ICL group. Linear regression analysis showed: in the PRL group,
      preoperative AL = 1.01 x postoperative AL-0.24 (R2 = 0.99, P < 0.001), or
      postoperative AL--preoperative AL = 0.24-0.0055 x postoperative AL; in the ICL
      group, preoperative AL = 0.96 x postoperative AL +1.17 (R2 = 0.99, P < 0.001), or
      postoperative AL--preoperative AL = 0.0154 x postoperative AL -0.3763. The mean
      differences between pre-and postoperative ALs in the PRL and, ICL groups were
      0.075 mm and 0.054 mm, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the SRK formula, a <
      0.1 mm AL difference would result in a <0.25 D change in the calculated IOL
      power, possibly a < 0.20 D change in manifest refraction. Furthermore, for PRL,
      the longer the AL, the smaller the difference between pre-and postoperative ALs.
      These differences are so small that it is unnecessary to correct IOL power
      calculation.

PMID- 26268645
TI  - [Statistical model analysis of primary angle closure glaucoma associated genes
      and SNP].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate GWAS significant associated SNP for primary angle closure
      glaucoma. METHODS: Experimental study. Taking advantage of different statistical
      models, the usefulness was evaluated by sensitivity, specificity and the area
      under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (ROC), which indicates the
      accuracy of genetic profiling in discriminating between primary angle closure
      glaucoma patients and normal controls. RESULTS: rs11024102 (PLEKHA7) had a
      sensitivity of 55.88% with a specificity of 51.31%; the sensitivity and
      specificity of rs3753841 (COL11A1) was 54.47% and 51.00% respectively. The
      sensitivity of rs1015213 (PCNTD1-ST18) and rs1401999 (ABCC5) were 59.93% and
      52.97%. The specificity of these two SNP were 45.32% and 50.00%. The positive
      predictive value curves of these four SNP were nearly reference line. The area
      under the curve (AUC) of four SNP combined was 0.51 and 0.52 in two situations.
      CONCLUSION: These four GWAS significant SNP could not be used for primary angle
      closure glaucoma patients screening in clinic.

PMID- 26268646
TI  - [Changes in human meibum with meibomian gland dysfunction].
AB  - Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is a common ocular surface disease,
      characterized by terminal duct obstruction and (or) qualitative and quantitative
      changes in the glandular secretion. Meibomian lipids are a mixture consisting of
      various lipids, and they form the lipid layer of tear film and play important
      roles in preventing the evaporation and maintaining the stability of tear film.
      Patients with MGD may have different compositions of meibomian lipids, which
      could be an important indicator for diagnosis of MGD. The methods to analyze the
      composition of meibomian lipids mainly include chromatography and spectrum
      analysis. Because the pathogenic factors of MGD are still unclear, the main
      treatment is to relieve the symptoms. It can contribute to diagnose and treat MGD
      if we can find some convenient and effective methods to analyze the quality and
      quantity of meibomian lipids.

PMID- 26268647
TI  - [Expression and function of microRNAs in the cornea].
AB  - MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small (21-2i nucleotictes), single-stranded,
      noncoding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional
      or translational level by binding to the 3'-untranslated region of the target
      mRNAs. miRNAs ubiquitously exist in the genome of an organism. More than two
      hundred miRNA species are expressed in the eye, of which 25% are found in the
      cornea. miRNAs play important roles in corneal development, differentiation,
      glycogen metabolism, post-injury regeneration, and maintenance of homeostasis. On
      the other hand, miRNAs are involved in the regulation of pathological processes
      in the cornea, such as keratoconus, corneal neovascularization caused by corneal
      transplantation, herpes simplex virus infection and alkali burns. Therefore,
      miRNAs are expressed in a tissue-specific manner and regulate physiological and
      pathological processes in the cornea. The study of miRNA expression and
      regulation in the cornea would provide a theoretical basis for exploring
      pathogenic mechanisms and novel therapeutic targets for corneal diseases.

PMID- 26268648
TI  - [Progression of treatment and researches in dry age related macular
      degeneration].
AB  - Age related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness and
      visual disability among old patients in Europe and North America. AMD has been
      divided into two broad clinical categories depending on whether there is a
      presence of abnormal neovascularization: neovascular (exudative or wet) AMD and
      dry (or geographic atrophic) AMD. VEGF has been understood as a pathogenesis of
      wet AMD which allows us to get breakthroughs in treatment. While the progression
      of dry AMD treatment is very slow because the lack of pathogenesis, no acute loss
      of vision, and without appropriate standards for treatment. This review tries to
      introduce about the recent researches and progressions for dry AMD treatment.

PMID- 26268649
TI  - Selective Activation of C=C Bond in Sustainable Phenolic Compounds from Lignin
      via Photooxidation: Experiment and Density Functional Theory Calculations.
AB  - Lignocellulosic biomass can be converted to high-value phenolic compounds, such
      as food additives, antioxidants, fragrances and fine chemicals. We investigated
      photochemical and heterogeneous photocatalytic oxidation of two isomeric phenolic
      compounds from lignin, isoeugenol and eugenol, in several nonprotic solvents, for
      the first time by experiment and the density functional theory (DFT)
      calculations. Photooxidation was conducted under ambient conditions using air,
      near-UV light and commercial P25 TiO2 photocatalyst, and the products were
      determined by TLC, UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, HPLC-UV and HPLC-MS.
      Photochemical and photocatalytic oxidation of isoeugenol proceeds via the mild
      oxidative "dimerization" to produce the lignan dehydrodiisoeugenol (DHDIE), while
      photooxidation of eugenol does not proceed. The DFT calculations suggest a
      radical stepwise mechanism for the oxidative "dimerization" of isoeugenol to
      DHDIE as was calculated for the first time. 

PMID- 26268650
TI  - Preparation of core-shell structure Fe3 O4 @SiO2 superparamagnetic microspheres
      immoblized with iminodiacetic acid as immobilized metal ion affinity adsorbents
      for His-tag protein purification.
AB  - The core-shell structure Fe3 O4 /SiO2 magnetic microspheres were prepared by a
      sol-gel method, and immobiled with iminodiacetic acid (IDA) as metal ion affinity
      ligands for protein adsorption. The size, morphology, magnetic properties and
      surface modification of magnetic silica nanospheres were characterized by various
      modern analytical instruments. It was shown that the magnetic silica nanospheres
      exhibited superparamagnetism with saturation magnetization values of up to 58.1
      emu/g. Three divalent metal ions, Cu(2+) , Ni(2+) and Zn(2+) , were chelated on
      the Fe3 O4 @SiO2 -IDA magnetic microspheres to adsorb lysozyme. The results
      indicated that Ni(2+) -chelating magnetic microspheres had the maximum adsorption
      capacity for lysozyme of 51.0 mg/g, adsorption equilibrium could be achieved
      within 60 min and the adsorbed protein could be easily eluted. Furthermore, the
      synthesized Fe3 O4 @SiO2 -IDA-Ni(2+) magnetic microspheres were successfully
      applied for selective enrichment lysozyme from egg white and His-tag recombinant
      Homer 1a from the inclusion extraction expressed in Escherichia coli. The result
      indicated that the magnetic microspheres showed unique characteristics of high
      selective separation behavior of protein mixture, low nonspecific adsorption, and
      easy handling. This demonstrates that the magnetic silica microspheres can be
      used efficiently in protein separation or purification and show great potential
      in the pretreatment of the biological sample.

PMID- 26268652
TI  - Role of B Cells in Mucosal Vaccine-Induced Protective CD8+ T Cell Immunity
      against Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
AB  - Emerging evidence suggests a role of B cells in host defense against primary
      pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). However, the role of B cells in TB vaccine-induced
      protective T cell immunity still remains unknown. Using a viral-vectored model TB
      vaccine and a number of experimental approaches, we have investigated the role of
      B cells in respiratory mucosal vaccine-induced T cell responses and protection
      against pulmonary TB. We found that respiratory mucosal vaccination activated Ag
      specific B cell responses. Whereas respiratory mucosal vaccination elicited Ag
      specific T cell responses in the airway and lung interstitium of genetic B cell
      deficient (Jh(-/-) knockout [KO]) mice, the levels of airway T cell responses
      were lower than in wild-type hosts, which were associated with suboptimal
      protection against pulmonary Mycobacterium tuberculosis challenge. However,
      mucosal vaccination induced T cell responses in the airway and lung interstitium
      and protection in B cell-depleted wild-type mice to a similar extent as in B cell
      competent hosts. Furthermore, by using an adoptive cell transfer approach,
      reconstitution of B cells in vaccinated Jh(-/-) KO mice did not enhance anti-TB
      protection. Moreover, respiratory mucosal vaccine-activated T cells alone were
      able to enhance anti-TB protection in SCID mice, and the transfer of vaccine
      primed B cells alongside T cells did not further enhance such protection.
      Alternatively, adoptively transferring vaccine-primed T cells from Jh(-/-) KO
      mice into SCID mice only provided suboptimal protection. These data together
      suggest that B cells play a minimal role, and highlight a central role by T
      cells, in respiratory mucosal vaccine-induced protective immunity against M.
      tuberculosis. 

PMID- 26268651
TI  - Transcription Factor Repertoire of Homeostatic Eosinophilopoiesis.
AB  - The production of mature eosinophils (Eos) is a tightly orchestrated process with
      the aim to sustain normal Eos levels in tissues while also maintaining low
      numbers of these complex and sensitive cells in the blood. To identify regulators
      of homeostatic eosinophilopoiesis in mice, we took a global approach to identify
      genome-wide transcriptome and epigenome changes that occur during homeostasis at
      critical developmental stages, including Eos-lineage commitment and lineage
      maturation. Our analyses revealed a markedly greater number of transcriptome
      alterations associated with Eos maturation (1199 genes) than with Eos-lineage
      commitment (490 genes), highlighting the greater transcriptional investment
      necessary for differentiation. Eos-lineage-committed progenitors (EoPs) were
      noted to express high levels of granule proteins and contain granules with an
      ultrastructure distinct from that of mature resting Eos. Our analyses also
      delineated a 976-gene Eos-lineage transcriptome that included a repertoire of 56
      transcription factors, many of which have never previously been associated with
      Eos. EoPs and Eos, but not granulocyte-monocyte progenitors or neutrophils,
      expressed Helios and Aiolos, members of the Ikaros family of transcription
      factors, which regulate gene expression via modulation of chromatin structure and
      DNA accessibility. Epigenetic studies revealed a distinct distribution of active
      chromatin marks between genes induced with lineage commitment and genes induced
      with cell maturation during Eos development. In addition, Aiolos and Helios
      binding sites were significantly enriched in genes expressed by EoPs and Eos with
      active chromatin, highlighting a potential novel role for Helios and Aiolos in
      regulating gene expression during Eos development. 

PMID- 26268653
TI  - B Cell-Specific MHC Class II Deletion Reveals Multiple Nonredundant Roles for B
      Cell Antigen Presentation in Murine Lupus.
AB  - B cells have both Ab-dependent and Ab-independent functions in systemic
      autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Ab-independent
      functions are known to be important, because mice with B cells but no secreted Ig
      have severe disease. These functions could include roles in lymphoid development,
      cytokine secretion, and Ag presentation; however, these possibilities have not
      been directly tested in SLE models. In this study, we show by lineage-specific
      ablation of MHC class II (MHCII) that B cell Ag presentation plays a nonredundant
      role in CD4(+) T cell activation and effector differentiation in the MRL.Fas(lpr)
      mouse model of SLE. MHCII-mediated interactions between B and T cells further
      promote B cell proliferation and differentiation, and, in fact, inefficient MHCII
      deletion on B cells led to strong selection of escaped cells in activated and
      plasmablast compartments, further underscoring the central role of B cell Ag
      presentation. Despite the leakiness in the system, B cell-specific MHCII deletion
      resulted in substantially ameliorated clinical disease. Hence, B cell Ag
      presentation is critical for T and B cell activation and differentiation, as well
      as target organ damage. 

PMID- 26268654
TI  - Inhibition of B Lymphopoiesis by Adipocytes and IL-1-Producing Myeloid-Derived
      Suppressor Cells.
AB  - B lymphopoiesis declines with age, and this decline correlates with increased
      adipose tissue in the bone marrow (BM). Also, adipocyte-derived factors are known
      to inhibit B lymphopoiesis. Using cocultures of mouse BM cells with OP9 stromal
      cells, we found that adipocyte-conditioned medium induces the generation of
      CD11b(+)Gr1(+) myeloid cells, which inhibit B cell development in vitro.
      Adipocyte-conditioned medium-induced CD11b(+)Gr1(+) cells express Arg1 (arginase)
      and Nos2 (inducible NO synthase) and suppress CD4(+) T cell proliferation,
      indicating that these cells are myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs).
      Blocking arginase and inducible NO synthase did not restore B lymphopoiesis,
      indicating that inhibition is not mediated by these molecules. Transwell and
      conditioned-medium experiments showed that MDSCs inhibit B lymphopoiesis via
      soluble factors, and by cytokine array we identified IL-1 as an important factor.
      Addition of anti-IL-1 Abs restored B lymphopoiesis in BM cultures containing
      MDSCs, showing that MDSC inhibition of B lymphopoiesis is mediated by IL-1. By
      treating hematopoietic precursors with IL-1, we found that multipotent
      progenitors are targets of IL-1. This study uncovers a novel function for MDSCs
      to inhibit B lymphopoiesis through IL-1. We suggest that inflammaging contributes
      to a decline of B lymphopoiesis in aged individuals, and furthermore, that MDSCs
      and IL-1 provide therapeutic targets for restoration of B lymphopoiesis in aged
      and obese individuals. 

PMID- 26268656
TI  - Multiple Hepcidins in a Teleost Fish, Dicentrarchus labrax: Different Hepcidins
      for Different Roles.
AB  - Teleost fish rely heavily on their innate immunity for an adequate response
      against pathogens and environmental challenges, with the production of
      antimicrobial peptides being one of their first lines of defense. Among those is
      hepcidin, a small cysteine-rich antimicrobial peptide that is also the key
      regulator of iron metabolism. Although most mammals possess a single hepcidin
      gene, with a dual role in both iron metabolism regulation and antimicrobial
      response, many teleost fish present multiple copies of hepcidin, most likely
      because of genome duplications and positive Darwinian selection, suggesting that
      different hepcidins may perform different functions. To study the roles of
      hepcidin in teleost fish, we have isolated and characterized several genes in the
      European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and evaluated variations in their
      expression levels in response to different experimental conditions. Although
      several hepcidin genes were found, after phylogenetic analysis they could be
      clustered in two groups: hamp1-like, with a single isoform similar to mammalian
      hepcidins, and hamp2-like, with several isoforms. Under experimental conditions,
      hamp1 was upregulated in response to iron overload and infection and
      downregulated during anemia and hypoxic conditions. Hamp2 did not respond to
      either iron overload or anemia but was highly upregulated during infection and
      hypoxia. In addition, Hamp2 synthetic peptides exhibited a clear antimicrobial
      activity against several bacterial strains in vitro. In conclusion, teleost fish
      that present two hepcidin types show a degree of subfunctionalization of its
      functions, with hamp1 more involved in the regulation of iron metabolism and
      hamp2 mostly performing an antimicrobial role. 

PMID- 26268655
TI  - Transmembrane TNF-TNFR2 Impairs Th17 Differentiation by Promoting Il2 Expression.
AB  - The double-edged sword nature by which IL-2 regulates autoimmunity and the
      unpredictable outcomes of anti-TNF therapy in autoimmunity highlight the
      importance for understanding how TNF regulates IL-2. Transmembrane TNF (tmTNF)
      preferentially binds TNFR2, whereas soluble TNF (sTNF) binds TNFR1. We previously
      showed reduced IL-2 production in TNFR1(-/-) TNFR2(-/-) CD4(+) T cells. In this
      study, we generated TNFR1(-/-), TNFR2(-/-), or TNFR1(-/-) TNFR2(-/-) 5C.C7 TCR
      Il2-GFP mice and report that CD4(+) T cell-intrinsic tmTNF/TNFR2 stimulates Il2
      promoter activity and Il2 mRNA stability. We further used tmTNF Foxp3 gfp
      reporter mice and pharmacological TNF blockade in wild-type mice to report a
      tmTNF/TNFR2 interaction for Il2 expression. IL-17 is critical for host defense,
      but its overabundance promotes autoimmunity. IL-2 represses Th17 differentiation,
      but the role for TNFR2 in this process is not well understood. We report elevated
      expression of TNFR2 under Th17-polarization conditions. Genetic loss-of-function
      experimental models, as well as selective TNF blockade by etanercept and XPro1595
      in wild-type mice, demonstrate that impaired tmTNF/TNFR2, but not sTNF/TNFR1,
      promotes Th17 differentiation in vivo and in vitro. Under Th17-polarizing
      conditions, elevated IL-17 production by TNFR2-knockout CD4(+) T cells was
      associated with increased STAT3 activity and decreased STAT5 activity. Increased
      IL-17 production in TNFR2-knockout T cells was prevented by adding exogenous IL
      2. We conclude that CD4(+) T cell-intrinsic tmTNF/TNFR2 promotes IL-2 production
      that inhibits the generation of Th17 cells in a Foxp3-independent manner.
      Moreover, under Th17-polarizing conditions, selective blockade of CD4(+) T cell
      intrinsic TNFR2 appears to be sufficient to promote Th17 differentiation. 

PMID- 26268657
TI  - MicroRNA-15/16 Antagonizes Myb To Control NK Cell Maturation.
AB  - NK cells develop in the bone marrow and complete their maturation in peripheral
      organs, but the molecular events controlling maturation are incompletely
      understood. The miR-15/16 family of microRNA regulates key cellular processes and
      is abundantly expressed in NK cells. In this study, we identify a critical role
      for miR-15/16 in the normal maturation of NK cells using a mouse model of NK
      specific deletion, in which immature NK cells accumulate in the absence of miR
      15/16. The transcription factor c-Myb (Myb) is expressed preferentially by
      immature NK cells, is a direct target of miR-15/16, and is increased in 15a/16-1
      floxed knockout NK cells. Importantly, maturation of 15a/16-1 floxed knockout NK
      cells was rescued by Myb knockdown. Moreover, Myb overexpression in wild-type NK
      cells caused a defective NK cell maturation phenotype similar to deletion of miR
      15/16, and Myb overexpression enforces an immature NK cell transcriptional
      profile. Thus, miR-15/16 regulation of Myb controls the NK cell maturation
      program. 

PMID- 26268658
TI  - Heme Oxygenase-1 Regulation of Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 Expression Underlies
      Distinct Disease Profiles in Tuberculosis.
AB  - Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is characterized by oxidative stress and lung tissue
      destruction by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). The interplay between these
      distinct pathological processes and the implications for TB diagnosis and disease
      staging are poorly understood. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) levels were previously
      shown to distinguish active from latent TB, as well as successfully treated
      Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. MMP-1 expression is also associated with
      active TB. In this study, we measured plasma levels of these two important
      biomarkers in distinct TB cohorts from India and Brazil. Patients with active TB
      expressed either very high levels of HO-1 and low levels of MMP-1 or the
      converse. Moreover, TB patients with either high HO-1 or MMP-1 levels displayed
      distinct clinical presentations, as well as plasma inflammatory marker profiles.
      In contrast, in an exploratory North American study, inversely correlated
      expression of HO-1 and MMP-1 was not observed in patients with other
      nontuberculous lung diseases. To assess possible regulatory interactions in the
      biosynthesis of these two enzymes at the cellular level, we studied the
      expression of HO-1 and MMP-1 in M. tuberculosis-infected human and murine
      macrophages. We found that infection of macrophages with live virulent M.
      tuberculosis is required for robust induction of high levels of HO-1 but not MMP
      1. In addition, we observed that CO, a product of M. tuberculosis-induced HO-1
      activity, inhibits MMP-1 expression by suppressing c-Jun/AP-1 activation. These
      findings reveal a mechanistic link between oxidative stress and tissue remodeling
      that may find applicability in the clinical staging of TB patients. 

PMID- 26268659
TI  - CXCL9 Regulates TGF-beta1-Induced Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition in Human
      Alveolar Epithelial Cells.
AB  - Epithelial to mesenchymal cell transition (EMT), whereby fully differentiated
      epithelial cells transition to a mesenchymal phenotype, has been implicated in
      the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). CXCR3 and its ligands
      are recognized to play a protective role in pulmonary fibrosis. In this study, we
      investigated the presence and extent of EMT and CXCR3 expression in human IPF
      surgical lung biopsies and assessed whether CXCR3 and its ligand CXCL9 modulate
      EMT in alveolar epithelial cells. Coexpression of the epithelial marker thyroid
      transcription factor-1 and the mesenchymal marker alpha-smooth muscle actin and
      CXCR3 expression was examined by immunohistochemical staining of IPF surgical
      lung biopsies. Epithelial and mesenchymal marker expression was examined by
      quantitative real-time PCR, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence in human
      alveolar epithelial (A549) cells treated with TGF-beta1 and CXCL9, with Smad2,
      Smad3, and Smad7 expression and cellular localization examined by Western
      blotting. We found that significantly more cells were undergoing EMT in fibrotic
      versus normal areas of lung in IPF surgical lung biopsy samples. CXCR3 was
      expressed by type II pneumocytes and fibroblasts in fibrotic areas in close
      proximity to cells undergoing EMT. In vitro, CXCL9 abrogated TGF-beta1-induced
      EMT. A decrease in TGF-beta1-induced phosphorylation of Smad2 and Smad3 occurred
      with CXCL9 treatment. This was associated with increased shuttling of Smad7 from
      the nucleus to the cytoplasm where it inhibits Smad phosphorylation. This
      suggests a role for EMT in the pathogenesis of IPF and provides a novel mechanism
      for the inhibitory effects of CXCL9 on TGF-beta1-induced EMT. 

PMID- 26268660
TI  - Use of anti-dementia drugs in home care and residential care and associations
      with neuropsychiatric symptoms: a cross-sectional study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The number of people with dementia is increasing alongside the aging
      population, and most of these patients manifest with neuropsychiatric symptoms
      (NPS). The objective of this study was to investigate anti-dementia drug use and
      its associations with NPS. METHODS: Questionnaires on demographic information,
      current drug use, activities of daily living and NPS were sent to all municipal
      home care producers and to all institutions providing long-term residential care
      in the South Savo Hospital District, Finland. RESULTS: The study population
      comprised 2821 persons. Their mean age was 81 years and 68% were female. Dementia
      had been diagnosed in 31% (n = 410) in home care and in 56% (n = 774) in
      residential care. Anti-dementia drugs were used by 69% of patients with dementia.
      Hyperactivity symptoms were common in residential care patients (n = 456, 33%),
      while problems with mood and apathy dominated in home care patients (n = 486,
      54%). In multivariate regression analysis, the mood symptoms and apathy subgroup
      was associated with use of an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (AChEI) (OR 1.44;
      95% Cl 1.03-2.02), memantine (OR 1.77, 95% Cl 1.15-2.72) or their combinations
      (OR 1.56, 95% Cl 1.03-2.34). Hyperactivity symptoms were associated with
      combination therapy of this type (OR 2.03, 95% Cl 1.36-2.34). CONCLUSIONS: The
      use of anti-dementia drugs was common in both care settings. The use of any anti
      dementia drug or combination was associated with the mood and apathy subgroup.
      The hyperactivity subgroup was associated with combination use of memantine and
      AChEI.

PMID- 26268661
TI  - Growth hormone modulates hypothalamic inflammation in long-lived pituitary dwarf
      mice.
AB  - Mice in which the genes for growth hormone (GH) or GH receptor (GHR(-/-) ) are
      disrupted from conception are dwarfs, possess low levels of IGF-1 and insulin,
      have low rates of cancer and diabetes, and are extremely long-lived. Median
      longevity is also increased in mice with deletion of hypothalamic GH-releasing
      hormone (GHRH), which leads to isolated GH deficiency. The remarkable extension
      of longevity in hypopituitary Ames dwarf mice can be reversed by a 6-week course
      of GH injections started at the age of 2 weeks. Here, we demonstrate that
      mutations that interfere with GH production or response, in the Snell dwarf, Ames
      dwarf, or GHR(-/-) mice lead to reduced formation of both orexigenic agouti
      related peptide (AgRP) and anorexigenic proopiomelanocortin (POMC) projections to
      the main hypothalamic projection areas: the arcuate nucleus (ARH),
      paraventricular nucleus (PVH), and dorsomedial nucleus (DMH). These mutations
      also reduce hypothalamic inflammation in 18-month-old mice. GH injections,
      between 2 and 8 weeks of age, reversed both effects in Ames dwarf mice.
      Disruption of GHR specifically in liver (LiGHRKO), a mutation that reduces
      circulating IGF-1 but does not lead to lifespan extension, had no effect on
      hypothalamic projections or inflammation, suggesting an effect of GH, rather than
      peripheral IGF-1, on hypothalamic development. Hypothalamic leptin signaling, as
      monitored by induction of pStat3, is not impaired by GHR deficiency. Together,
      these results suggest that early-life disruption of GH signaling produces long
      term hypothalamic changes that may contribute to the longevity of GH-deficient
      and GH-resistant mice.

PMID- 26268662
TI  - A multi-subunit Chlamydia vaccine inducing neutralizing antibodies and strong IFN
      gamma+ CMI responses protects against a genital infection in minipigs.
AB  - Chlamydia is the most widespread sexually transmitted bacterial disease and a
      prophylactic vaccine is highly needed. Ideally, this vaccine is required to
      induce a combined response of Th1 cell-mediated immune (CMI) response in concert
      with neutralizing antibodies. Using a novel Gottingen minipig animal model, we
      evaluated the immunogenicity and efficacy of a multi-subunit vaccine formulated
      in the strong Th1-inducing adjuvant CAF01. We evaluated a mixture of two fusion
      proteins (Hirep1 and CTH93) designed to promote either neutralizing antibodies or
      cell-mediated immunity, respectively. Hirep1 is a novel immunogen based on the
      variant domain (VD) 4 region from major outer membrane protein (MOMP) serovar
      (Sv) D, SvE and SvF, and CTH93 is a fusion molecule of three antigens (CT043,
      CT414 and MOMP). Pigs were immunized twice intramuscularly with either
      Hirep1+CTH93/CAF01, UV-inactivated Chlamydia trachomatis SvD bacteria (UV
      SvD/CAF01) or CAF01. The Hirep1+CTH93/CAF01 vaccine induced a strong CMI response
      against the vaccine antigens and high titers of antibodies, particularly against
      the VD4 region of MOMP. Sera from Hirep1+CTH93/CAF01 immunized pigs neutralized
      C. trachomatis SvD and SvF infectivity in vitro. Both Hirep1+CTH93/CAF01 and UV
      SvD/CAF01 vaccination protected pigs against a vaginal C. trachomatis SvD
      infection. In conclusion, the Hirep1+CTH93/CAF01 vaccine proved highly
      immunogenic and equally protective as UV-SvD/CAF01 showing promise for the
      development of a subunit vaccine against Chlamydia. 

PMID- 26268664
TI  - Localization of connexin 32 in spontaneous liver lesions of mice.
AB  - We examined the localization of connexin 32 (Cx32), a component of gap junctions,
      in 24-month-old male B6C3F1 mice with spontaneously occurring hepatocellular
      altered foci or tumors. Immunohistochemically, Cx32-staining intensity in cell-to
      cell membranes of altered hepatocytes was decreased in eosinophilic foci and
      increased in basophilic foci as compared to those in intact hepatocytes. These
      alterations were enhanced in adenomas and carcinomas with both eosinophilic and
      basophilic cytoplasm. In cell membranes facing on the sinusoidal portions, the
      intensities increased in all lesions. Image analyses confirmed that the spot
      areas of Cx32 were decreased in eosinophilic foci, but increased in basophilic
      foci, adenomas and carcinomas. These results demonstrate that Cx32 shows
      different expression in different types of hepatic lesions. 

PMID- 26268665
TI  - Rapid detection of feline morbillivirus by a reverse transcription loop-mediated
      isothermal amplification.
AB  - Feline morbillivirus (FmoPV) is an emerging virus in domestic cats and considered
      to be one of the causes of chronic renal failure in cats. In this study, we
      established a reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT
      LAMP) assay for the detection of FmoPV. The results indicated that the detection
      limit of the assay was 10 50% tissue culture infective dose (TCID50)/ml in the
      original sample, and sensitivity of the assay was calculated as 0.12 TCID50 per
      one RT-LAMP reaction. We also detected FmoPV in clinical urine samples from cats
      infected with FmoPV. The FmoPV RT-LAMP assay is rapid, simple and highly specific
      for the detection of FmoPV, and thus, it would be a reliable detection method for
      FmoPV. 

PMID- 26268666
TI  - Identification of a novel miRNA from the ovine ovary by a combinatorial approach
      of bioinformatics and experiments.
AB  - MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of short endogenous, single-stranded, non-coding
      small RNA molecules, about 19-25 nucleotides in length that regulate gene
      expression at the translation level and influence many physiological process,
      such apoptosis, metabolism, signal transduction, and occurrence and development
      of diseases. In this study, we constructed a library from the ovine luteal phase
      ovary by using next-generation sequencing technology (Solexa high-throughput
      sequencing technique) and identified 267 novel miRNAs by bioinformatics. One of
      the novel miRNAs (ovis_aries_ovary-m0033_3p), which expressed in the sheep ovary
      and testis, was confirmed by real time PCR and northern blot. Ovis_aries_ovary
      m0033_3p was 21 nucleotides in length and located on chromosome 12, and it had
      100% similarity to hsa-miR-214-3p, mmu-miR-214-3p, dre-miR-214and ssc-miR-214.
      Meanwhile, the pre-miRNA was 82 nucleotides in length and had a standard hairpin
      stem-loop structure. From the consistency of the sequence and structure, we
      speculated that ovis_aries_ovary-m0033_3p had a function similar to hsa-miR-214
      3p, which is involved in the fine regulation of cell survival, embryonic
      development, breeding activities and resistance to ovarian cancer, so we defined
      it as oar-miR-214-3p. These experimental results will enrich the miRNA database
      for ovis aries and provide the basis for researching the regulation mechanism of
      miRNA in relation to breeding activities of seasonal breeding animals. 

PMID- 26268663
TI  - Baseline genetic associations in the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative
      (PPMI).
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Parkinson's Progression Marker Initiative is an international
      multicenter study whose main goal is investigating markers for Parkinson's
      disease (PD) progression as part of a path to a treatment for the disease. This
      manuscript describes the baseline genetic architecture of this study, providing
      not only a catalog of disease-linked variants and mutations, but also
      quantitative measures with which to adjust for population structure. METHODS:
      Three hundred eighty-three newly diagnosed typical PD cases, 65 atypical PD and
      178 healthy controls, from the Parkinson's Progression Marker Initiative study
      have been genotyped on the NeuroX or Immunochip arrays. These data are freely
      available to all researchers interested in pursuing PD research within the
      Parkinson's Progression Marker Initiative. RESULTS: The Parkinson's Progression
      Marker Initiative represents a study population with low genetic heterogeneity.
      We recapitulate known PD associations from large-scale genome-wide association
      studies and refine genetic risk score models for PD predictability (area under
      the curve, ~0.74). We show the presence of six LRRK2 p.G2019S and nine GBA
      p.N370S mutation carriers. CONCLUSIONS: The Parkinson's Progression Marker
      Initiative study and its genetic data are useful in studies of PD biomarkers. The
      genetic architecture described here will be useful in the analysis of myriad
      biological and clinical traits within this study.

PMID- 26268667
TI  - From lithotroph- to organotroph-dominant: directional shift of microbial
      community in sulphidic tailings during phytostabilization.
AB  - Engineering microbial diversity to enhance soil functions may improve the success
      of direct revegetation in sulphidic mine tailings. Therefore, it is essential to
      explore how remediation and initial plant establishment can alter microbial
      communities, and, which edaphic factors control these changes under field
      conditions. A long-term revegetation trial was established at a Pb-Zn-Cu tailings
      impoundment in northwest Queensland. The control and amended and/or revegetated
      treatments were sampled from the 3-year-old trial. In total, 24 samples were
      examined using pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA genes and various chemical properties.
      The results showed that the microbial diversity was positively controlled by soil
      soluble Si and negatively controlled by soluble S, total Fe and total As,
      implying that pyrite weathering posed a substantial stress on microbial
      development in the tailings. All treatments were dominated by typical
      extremophiles and lithotrophs, typically Truepera, Thiobacillus, Rubrobacter;
      significant increases in microbial diversity, biomass and frequency of
      organotrophic genera (typically Nocardioides and Altererythrobacter) were
      detected in the revegetated and amended treatment. We concluded that appropriate
      phytostabilization options have the potential to drive the microbial diversity
      and community structure in the tailings toward those of natural soils, however,
      inherent environmental stressors may limit such changes. 

PMID- 26268668
TI  - Exploring gender norms, agency and intimate partner violence among displaced
      Colombian women: A qualitative assessment.
AB  - Women displaced by conflict are often exposed to many factors associated with a
      risk of intimate partner violence (IPV) such as high levels of community violence
      and the breakdown of social support systems. Previous research found that
      Colombian women perceived IPV to increase after displacement. This study explored
      how the experience of displacement altered gendered roles in ways that influenced
      the risk of IPV. Thirty-three qualitative interviews were conducted with
      displaced partnered Colombian women. Women disclosed that couples often held
      patriarchal gender norms; however, the roles of each partner necessitated by
      conditions of displacement were often in conflict with these norms. Men's
      underemployment and women's employment outside the home were viewed as gender
      transgressive within some partnerships and increased relationship conflict.
      Economic resources intended to empower displaced women, notably women's earnings
      and home ownership, had unintended negative consequences for women's agency.
      These consequences included a corresponding decrease in partner financial
      contributions and reduced mobility. Women's ability to obtain support or leave
      violent relationships was hindered by interpersonal, social and structural
      barriers. For women to have agency to leave violent relationships, power
      relationships at all levels from the interpersonal to societal must be recognised
      and addressed. 

PMID- 26268669
TI  - Influence of calcium chloride in the high temperature acetification by strain
      Acetobacter aceti WK for vinegar.
AB  - AIMS: To improve the thermotolerant properties (TTP) of acetic acid bacteria
      (AAB) cells for high temperature acetification. METHODS AND RESULTS: At high
      temperature (36 +/- 1 degrees C), the acetification rate (ETA) is usually lower
      than at 30 +/- 1 degrees C. The addition of 0.15% calcium chloride (CaCl2 ) may
      decrease the negative effect of the increase of temperature from 30 +/- 1 degrees
      C to 36 +/- 1 degrees C on the ETA. The effect of CaCl2 on the thermotolerant
      properties of acetic acid bacteria cells was investigated. The CaCl2 increased
      the content of phospholipids (phosphotidylcholine and phosphatidylglycerol),
      fatty acids (cis-vaccenic acid, palmitic acid and myristic acid) and the
      activities of membrane-bound enzymes involved in acetification, alcohol
      dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase. Transmission electron microscope images
      revealed a more compact cell wall with CaCl2. Process consistency at 36 +/- 1
      degrees C was tested in nine sequential acetification cycles using 0.15% (w/v)
      CaCl2. High ETAs (9.33 +/- 0.6; 8.67 +/- 0.8 and 9.67 +/- 0.7 g l(-1) day(-1))
      were obtained during the last three cycles. CONCLUSIONS: The results confirm that
      changes of the content of lipid, activities of membrane-bound enzymes and cell
      wall thickness occurred with added CaCl2. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY:
      High temperature acetification (HTA) with additions of CaCl2 was investigated.
      Significant reductions in the overall production costs result from lower cooling
      costs associated with HTA.

PMID- 26268670
TI  - Oral plexiform schwannoma with unusual epithelial induction.
AB  - Rare epithelial structures in benign nerve sheath tumors are almost always
      glandular in appearance. We describe a case of intraoral plexiform schwannoma
      with concurrent squamous epithelial hyperplasia. The lesion occurred as a
      pigmented nodule on the gingiva of a 35-year-old woman with no systemic
      involvement. Histologically, unencapsulated, plexiform fascicular proliferations
      of schwann cells could be traced from the submucosa to the lamina propria,
      finally making direct contact with heavily pigmented, elongated rete ridges of
      the overlying epithelium. Also noted was a schwannian network centered on
      clustered odontogenic epithelial rests of mature squamous-type, the number and
      size of which had markedly increased. Impressive immunoprofiles of periepithelial
      neural microfascicles included the complete absence of axon and perineurium and
      the unexpected presence of endoneurial fibroblasts. The repertoire of epithelial
      changes was in a confined area with no extension beyond, supporting hyperplasia
      induction by an underlying/surrounding schwannoma.

PMID- 26268671
TI  - Erratum to: Laparoscopic ventral/incisional hernia repair: updated Consensus
      Development Conference based guidelines.

PMID- 26268673
TI  - Is Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation an Effective Predictor for Invasive
      Occipital Nerve Stimulation Treatment Success in Fibromyalgia Patients?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Fibromyalgia is a disorder distinguished by pervasive musculoskeletal
      pain that has pervasive effects on affected individuals magnifying the importance
      of finding a safe and viable treatment option. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study
      is to investigate if transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) treatment can
      predict the outcome of occipital nerve field stimulation (ONFS) via a
      subcutaneous electrode. METHODS: Nine patients with fibromyalgia were selected
      fulfilling the American College of Rheumatology-90 criteria. The patients were
      implanted with a subcutaneous trial-lead in the C2 dermatome innervated by the
      occipital nerve. After the treatment phase of ONFS using a C2 implant, each
      patient participated in three sessions of tDCS. Stimulation outcomes for pain
      suppression were examined between the two methods to determine possible
      correlations. RESULTS: Positive correlation of stimulation effect was noted
      between the numeric rating scale changes for pain obtained by tDCS treatments and
      short-term measures of ONFS, but no correlation was noted between tDCS and long
      term ONFS outcomes. A correlation also was noted between short-term ONS C2
      implant pain suppression and long-term ONS C2 implant treatment success.
      CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study suggests that tDCS is a predictive measure for
      success of OFNS in short-term but cannot be used as a predictive measure for
      success of long-term OFNS. Our data confirm previous findings that ONFS via an
      implanted electrode can improve fibromyalgia pain in a placebo-controlled way and
      exert a long-term pain suppression effect for ONFS via an implanted electrode.

PMID- 26268674
TI  - Discriminative Chemical Patterns: Automatic and Interactive Design.
AB  - The classification of molecules with respect to their inhibiting, activating, or
      toxicological potential constitutes a central aspect in the field of
      cheminformatics. Often, a discriminative feature is needed to distinguish two
      different molecule sets. Besides physicochemical properties, substructures and
      chemical patterns belong to the descriptors most frequently applied for this
      purpose. As a commonly used example of this descriptor class, SMARTS strings
      represent a powerful concept for the representation and processing of abstract
      chemical patterns. While their usage facilitates a convenient way to apply
      previously derived classification rules on new molecule sets, the manual
      generation of useful SMARTS patterns remains a complex and time-consuming
      process. Here, we introduce SMARTSminer, a new algorithm for the automatic
      derivation of discriminative SMARTS patterns from preclassified molecule sets.
      Based on a specially adapted subgraph mining algorithm, SMARTSminer identifies
      structural features that are frequent in only one of the given molecule classes.
      In comparison to elemental substructures, it also supports the consideration of
      general and specific SMARTS features. Furthermore, SMARTSminer is integrated into
      an interactive pattern editor named SMARTSeditor. This allows for an intuitive
      visualization on the basis of the SMARTSviewer concept as well as interactive
      adaption and further improvement of the generated patterns. Additionally, a new
      molecular matching feature provides an immediate feedback on a pattern's matching
      behavior across the molecule sets. We demonstrate the utility of the SMARTSminer
      functionality and its integration into the SMARTSeditor software in several
      different classification scenarios. 

PMID- 26268675
TI  - Tailoring the strength and porosity of rapid-hardening magnesia phosphate paste
      via the pre-foaming method.
AB  - High-porosity magnesia phosphate paste (HPMPP) was prepared via the pre-foaming
      method. In the pre-foaming method, sintering treatment was not required. The bulk
      density and maximum compressive strength of the HPMPP prepared according to the
      ratio of water to solids (W/So) of 0.32 reached 464.00 +/- 5.00 Kg/m(3) and 0.30
      +/- 0.05 MPa, respectively. The compressive strength increased with the increases
      in the addition amounts of sodium silicate and polypropylene fibers. The bulk
      density of HPMPP increased with the increase in the addition of sodium silicate
      and decreased with the increase in the addition of polypropylene fibers. Besides,
      the porosity of the magnesia phosphate paste increased from 79.85% to 81.27% and
      from 80.31% to 83.75% after the addition of sodium silicate and polypropylene
      fibers respectively. The highest porosity (83.75%) of the prepared HPMPP was
      realized under the addition proportion (sodium silicate: polypropylene fibers:
      solids = 0.06:0.0025:1). The average pore size of the prepared HPMPP is about 180
      MUm and the pore distribution range is relatively narrow. The hydration product
      (struvite) is combined with MgO particle one by one and then coated on the
      surface of bubbles. With the decrease of the water content, after breaking
      bubbles, the porous structure can be achieved. 

PMID- 26268676
TI  - The immune adherence receptor CR1-like existed on porcine erythrocytes membrane.
AB  - In the present study, we obtain a mouse anti-porcine complement receptor type 1
      (CR1)-like monoclonal antibody (McAb) and use this McAb to verify the existence
      of CR1-like protein on porcine erythrocytes. Our results confirm that CR1-like
      protein is localized on the surface of porcine erythrocytes. Mouse immunoglobulin
      G inhibited the binding of serum-opsonized green fluorescent protein-expressing
      Escherichia coli to porcine erythrocytes. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide
      gel electrophoresis analysis indicates that CR1-like McAb reacts with
      biochemically-purified porcine erythrocyte membrane fractions, with a clear band
      at 135 kDa to 140 kDa. We postulate that the 135 kDa to 140 kDa membrane protein
      is the equivalent of the porcine erythrocyte CR1-like protein. 

PMID- 26268678
TI  - Erratum.

PMID- 26268677
TI  - Cardio-oncology: a new discipline in medicine to lead us into truly integrative
      care.

PMID- 26268679
TI  - Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT): clinical significance of re
      treatment?

PMID- 26268680
TI  - Recurrent renal cell carcinoma: clinical and prognostic value of FDG PET/CT.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of our study was 1) to evaluate the diagnostic performance
      of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed
      tomography (CT), 2) to assess the impact of FDG PET/CT on treatment decision
      making, and 3) to estimate the prognostic value of FDG PET/CT in the restaging
      process among patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC). METHODS: From the FDG
      PET/CT databases of San Raffaele Hospital in Milan, Italy, and the Veneto
      Institute of Oncology in Padua, Italy, we selected 104 patients with a certain
      diagnosis of RCC after surgery, and for whom at least 24 months of post-surgical
      FDG PET/CT, clinical, and instrumental follow-up data was available. The
      sensitivity and specificity of FDG PET/CT were assessed by histology and/or other
      imaging as standard of reference. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall
      survival (OS) were computed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate and
      multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify predictors of
      outcome. RESULTS: FDG PET/CT resulted in a positive diagnosis in 58 patients and
      a negative diagnosis in 46 patients. Sensitivity and specificity were 74% and
      80%, respectively. FDG PET/CT findings influenced therapeutic management in
      45/104 cases (43%). After a median follow-up period of 37 months (+/- standard
      deviation 12.9), 51 (49%) patients had recurrence of disease, and 26 (25%) had
      died. In analysis of OS, positive versus negative FDG PET/CT was associated with
      worse cumulative survival rates over a 5-year period (19% vs. 69%, respectively;
      p <0.05). Similarly, a positive FDG PET/CT correlated with a lower 3-year PFS
      rate. In addition, univariate and multivariate analysis revealed that a positive
      scan, alone or in combination with disease stage III-IV or nuclear grading 3-4,
      was associated with high risk of progression (multivariate analysis = hazard
      ratios [HRs] of 4.01, 3.7, and 2.8, respectively; all p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: FDG
      PET/CT is a valuable tool both in treatment decision-making and for predicting
      survival and progression in patients affected by RCC.

PMID- 26268682
TI  - An injectable hydrogel derived from small intestine submucosa as a stem cell
      carrier.
AB  - Small intestine submucosa (SIS) is used as an attractive biomaterial in the field
      of regenerative medicine because it possesses numerous bioactive factors such as
      cell adhesion proteins, growth factors, and glycosaminoglycans. In most cases,
      SIS has been used as sheet and sponge-like forms. The goal of present study was
      to prepare an injectable SIS hydrogel and to examine the feasibility as an in
      vivo stem cell carrier of injectable SIS hydrogel form. The rat muscle-derived
      stem cells (rMDSCs) were simply incorporated into SIS hydrogel by mixing. The SIS
      hydrogel showed a porous microstructure. In vitro cytotoxicity test, attachment,
      and proliferation of rMDSCs on the SIS hydrogel were higher than those on tissue
      culture dishes. Then rMDSCs-loaded SIS hydrogel was subcutaneously injected into
      rats. The in vivo formed rMDSCs-loaded SIS hydrogel implant induced the ingrowth
      of new vessels and cell proliferation. In addition, SIS and rMDSCs suppressed
      macrophage-mediated inflammation. In conclusion, we confirmed that injectable SIS
      hydrogel could serve as a minimally invasive stem cell carrier. (c) 2015 Wiley
      Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 104B: 1544-1550,
      2016.

PMID- 26268683
TI  - Structural defect induced peak splitting in gold-copper bimetallic nanorods
      during growth by single particle spectroscopy.
AB  - A single particle level study of bimetallic nanoparticle growth provides valuable
      information that is usually hidden in ensemble measurements, helping to improve
      the understanding of a reaction mechanism and overcome the synthetic challenges.
      In this study, we use single particle spectroscopy to monitor the changes in the
      scattering spectra of Au-Cu alloy nanorods during growth. We found that the
      unique features of the single particle scattering spectra were due to atomic
      level geometric defects in the nanorods. Electrodynamics simulations have
      demonstrated that small structural defects of a few atomic layers split the
      scattering peaks, giving rise to higher order modes, which do not exist in defect
      free rods of similar geometry. The study shows that single particle scattering
      technique is as sensitive as high-resolution electron microscopy in revealing
      atomic level structural defects. 

PMID- 26268681
TI  - Comparative analyses of CTCF and BORIS occupancies uncover two distinct classes
      of CTCF binding genomic regions.
AB  - BACKGROUND: CTCF and BORIS (CTCFL), two paralogous mammalian proteins sharing
      nearly identical DNA binding domains, are thought to function in a mutually
      exclusive manner in DNA binding and transcriptional regulation. RESULTS: Here we
      show that these two proteins co-occupy a specific subset of regulatory elements
      consisting of clustered CTCF binding motifs (termed 2xCTSes). BORIS occupancy at
      2xCTSes is largely invariant in BORIS-positive cancer cells, with the genomic
      pattern recapitulating the germline-specific BORIS binding to chromatin. In
      contrast to the single-motif CTCF target sites (1xCTSes), the 2xCTS elements are
      preferentially found at active promoters and enhancers, both in cancer and germ
      cells. 2xCTSes are also enriched in genomic regions that escape histone to
      protamine replacement in human and mouse sperm. Depletion of the BORIS gene leads
      to altered transcription of a large number of genes and the differentiation of
      K562 cells, while the ectopic expression of this CTCF paralog leads to specific
      changes in transcription in MCF7 cells. CONCLUSIONS: We discover two functionally
      and structurally different classes of CTCF binding regions, 2xCTSes and 1xCTSes,
      revealed by their predisposition to bind BORIS. We propose that 2xCTSes play key
      roles in the transcriptional program of cancer and germ cells.

PMID- 26268684
TI  - Sexual dysfunction in testicular cancer patients subjected to post-chemotherapy
      retroperitoneal lymph node dissection: a focus beyond ejaculation disorders.
AB  - Post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (PC-RPLND) represents an
      integral part of multidisciplinary treatment of advanced germ cell cancer;
      however, it is associated with a high complications rate. The present study aimed
      to describe sexual disorders in 53 patients with testicular cancer who underwent
      full bilateral, non-nerve-sparing PC-RPLND in our institution, focusing beyond
      ejaculatory dysfunction. The International Index for Erectile Function (IIEF)
      questionnaire was used as diagnostic tool of male sexual functioning pre
      operatively and three months after RPLND, while post-operatively patients were
      asked to describe and evaluate changes in selected sexual parameters. Study
      findings demonstrate mixed pattern of changes in sexual functioning, with no
      difference in erectile functioning before and after operation. However, orgasmic
      function and intercourse and overall sexual satisfaction were found significantly
      impaired post-operatively. Sexual desire and frequency of attempted sexual
      intercourses were found significantly increased post-operatively, in comparison
      with pre-operative levels. With regard to patients' subjective perception on
      sexual functioning alterations after PC-RPLND, a significant number of patients
      reported higher levels of sexual desire, no difference in erectile function and
      worse orgasmic function and satisfaction post-operatively. Thus, patients
      subjected to PC-RPLND should be closely and routinely evaluated due to close
      relationship of sexual dissatisfaction with secondary psychological disorders. 

PMID- 26268686
TI  - Correction to "Electromechanical Signatures for DNA Sequencing through a
      Mechanosensitive Nanopore".

PMID- 26268688
TI  - An opportunity for further control of hepatitis B in China?

PMID- 26268687
TI  - Seroepidemiology of hepatitis B virus infection in 2 million men aged 21-49 years
      in rural China: a population-based, cross-sectional study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is highly endemic (7-8% prevalence)
      in rural China, causing high mortality and societal burden. Data from men of
      reproductive age is scarce and last reported in 2006. We assessed the
      seroepidemiology of men in rural China, aiming to provide updated baseline data
      for the prevalence of HBV infection. METHODS: We established prevalence of HBV
      infection from data gathered through a nationwide population-based study of
      Chinese rural men aged 21-49 years. Data were obtained from a physical check-up
      programme for couples of reproductive age, the National Free Preconception Health
      Examination Project, that covered 31 provinces from 2010-12. We tested
      serological samples with ELISA and categorised participants' HBV status based on
      presence of HBsAg, anti-HBV core antibody (anti-HBc), and anti-HBV surface
      antibody (anti-HBs). FINDINGS: 2 030 083 men were recruited into the database
      from Jan 1, 2010, to Dec 31, 2012, and 1 966 013 men provided serum samples for
      analysis. 124 274 men (6%) tested positive for HBsAg, 178 559 (9%) tested
      positive for anti-HBc, and 583 923 (30%) tested positive for anti-HBs. Isolated
      anti-HBs (an indicator of vaccine-mediated immunity) were present in 527 566 men
      (27%). And 1 234 127 men (63%) were negative for all HBV makers (susceptible
      population). HBsAg prevalence was higher in men aged 25-39 years (6.35-6.47%)
      than in other age groups (5.54-5.78%; p<0.0001). HBV markers were all more
      prevalent in the eastern region of China than in the central or western regions
      (all p<0.0001). 32 326 (26%) of 124 274 HBsAg-positive men tested positive for
      HBeAg (suggesting high infectiousness); this decreased with increasing age
      (p<0.0001). INTERPRETATION: HBV prevalence in men in rural China has changed from
      highly endemic into intermediate endemic in the past two decades. However, the
      absolute number of HBV-infected men and the susceptible population is still very
      large. FUNDING: Chinese Association of Maternal and Child Health Studies.

PMID- 26268689
TI  - Assessing tuberculosis management: what really happens to patients?

PMID- 26268690
TI  - Use of standardised patients to assess quality of tuberculosis care: a pilot,
      cross-sectional study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Existing studies of the quality of tuberculosis care have relied on
      recall-based patient surveys, questionnaire surveys of knowledge, and
      prescription or medical record analysis, and the results mostly show the health
      care provider's knowledge rather than actual practice. No study has used
      standardised patients to assess clinical practice. Therefore we aimed to assess
      quality of care for tuberculosis using such patients. METHODS: We did a pilot,
      cross-sectional validation study of a convenience sample of consenting private
      health-care providers in low-income and middle-income areas of Delhi, India. We
      recruited standardised patients in apparently good health from the local
      community to present four cases (two of presumed tuberculosis and one each of
      confirmed tuberculosis and suspected multidrug-resistant tuberculosis) to a
      randomly allocated health-care provider. The key objective was to validate the
      standardised-patient method using three criteria: negligible risk and ability to
      avoid adverse events for providers and standardised patients, low detection rates
      of standardised patients by providers, and data accuracy across standardised
      patients and audio verification of standardised-patient recall. We also used
      medical vignettes to assess providers' knowledge of presumed tuberculosis.
      Correct case management was benchmarked using Standards for Tuberculosis Care in
      India (STCI). FINDINGS: Between Feb 2, and March 28, 2014, we recruited and
      trained 17 standardised patients who had 250 interactions with 100 health-care
      providers, 29 of whom were qualified in allopathic medicine (ie, they had a
      Bachelor of Medicine & Surgery [MBBS] degree), 40 of whom practised alternative
      medicine, and 31 of whom were informal health-care providers with few or no
      qualifications. The interactions took place between April 1, and April 23, 2014.
      The proportion of detected standardised patients was low (11 [5%] detected out of
      232 interactions among providers who completed the follow-up survey), and
      standardised patients' recall correlated highly with audio recordings (r=0.63
      [95% CI 0.53-0.79]), with no safety concerns reported. The mean consultation
      length was 6 min (95% CI 5.5-6.6) with a mean of 6.18 (5.72-6.64) questions or
      examinations completed, representing 35% (33-38) of essential checklist items.
      Across all cases, only 52 (21% [16-26]) of 250 were correctly managed. Correct
      management was higher among MBBS-qualified doctors than other types of health
      care provider (adjusted odds ratio 2.41 [95% CI 1.17-4.93]; p=0.0166). Of the 69
      providers who completed the vignette, knowledge in the vignettes was more
      consistent with STCI than their actual clinical practice-eg, 50 (73%) ordered a
      chest radiograph or sputum test during the vignette compared with seven (10%)
      during the standardised-patient interaction; OR 0.04 (95% CI 0.02-0.11);
      p<0.0001. INTERPRETATION: Standardised patients can be successfully implemented
      to assess tuberculosis care. Our data suggest a big gap between private provider
      knowledge and practice. Additional work is needed to substantiate our pilot data,
      understand the know-do gap in provider behaviour, and to identify the best
      approach to measure and improve the quality of tuberculosis care in India.
      FUNDING: Grand Challenges Canada, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Knowledge
      for Change Program, and the World Bank Development Research Group.

PMID- 26268691
TI  - Structure, importance and recording of therapeutic information in the medical
      record: a multicentre observational study.
AB  - RATIONALE, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Structuring the diagnostic section of the medical
      record (MR) improves diagnosis and communication between doctors. However, little
      is known about the therapeutic section of the MR. The aim of this study was to
      gain insight into the extent to which MRs are structured for therapeutic
      information, to determine which therapeutic data registrars and clinical
      consultants consider should be recorded in the MR and to what extent registrars
      record this information themselves. METHODS: A multicentre observational study
      was carried out in the internal medicine outpatient clinics of five teaching
      hospitals in the Netherlands. Preformatted structure, importance and actual
      recording of therapeutic information was compared with a reference list of 35
      therapeutic items based on the WHO Guide to Good Prescribing (e.g. drug name,
      indication for drug). RESULTS: The preformatted structure of four paper MRs and
      one electronic MR was assessed. Eight of the 35 therapeutic items were listed in
      the paper MRs and 18 items in the electronic MR. Registrars and consultants
      agreed on the importance of recording most of the therapeutic items in the MR, 25
      and 27 out of the 35 items, respectively; however, registrars recorded only 11 of
      the 35 items in the paper MR and 20 of the 35 items in the electronic MR.
      CONCLUSIONS: The structure and content of paper and electronic MRs are not
      adequate. While both registrars and consultants agree on the importance of
      recording therapeutic items in the MR, registrars fail to record most of this
      information in practice. The results of this study can be used as starting point
      for the discussion regarding the necessity of structured recording of therapeutic
      information in the MR and its possible benefits with regard to medication safety
      and training of the new generation of prescribers.

PMID- 26268693
TI  - Automatic muscle and fat segmentation in the thigh from T1-Weighted MRI.
AB  - PURPOSE: To introduce and validate an automatic segmentation method for the
      discrimination of skeletal muscle (SM), and adipose tissue (AT) components
      (subcutaneous adipose tissue [SAT] and intermuscular adipose tissue [IMAT]) from
      T1-weighted (T1 -W) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images of the thigh.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen subjects underwent an MRI examination on a 1.5T
      Philips Achieva scanner. Acquisition was performed using a T1 -W sequence (TR =
      550 msec, TE = 15 msec), pixel size between 0.81-1.28 mm, slice thickness of 6
      mm. Bone, AT, and SM were discriminated using a fuzzy c-mean algorithm and
      morphologic operators. The muscle fascia that separates SAT from IMAT was
      detected by integrating a morphological-based segmentation with an active contour
      Snake. The method was validated on five young normal weight, five older normal
      weight, and five older obese females, comparing automatic with manual
      segmentations. RESULTS: We reported good performance in the extraction of SM, AT,
      and bone in each subject typology (mean sensitivity above 96%, mean relative area
      difference of 1.8%, 2.7%, and 2.5%, respectively). A mean distance between
      contours pairs of 0.81 mm and a mean percentage of contour points with distance
      smaller than 2 pixels of 86.2% were obtained in the muscle fascia identification.
      Significant correlation was also found between manual and automatic IMAT and SAT
      cross-sectional areas in all subject typologies (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The
      proposed automatic segmentation approach provides adequate thigh tissue
      segmentation and may be helpful in studies of regional composition.

PMID- 26268694
TI  - Development and testing of indicators to measure coordination of clinical
      information and management across levels of care.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Coordination across levels of care is becoming increasingly important
      due to rapid advances in technology, high specialisation and changes in the
      organization of healthcare services; to date, however, the development of
      indicators to evaluate coordination has been limited. The aim of this study is to
      develop and test a set of indicators to comprehensively evaluate clinical
      coordination across levels of care. METHODS: A systematic review of literature
      was conducted to identify indicators of clinical coordination across levels of
      care. These indicators were analysed to identify attributes of coordination and
      classified accordingly. They were then discussed within an expert team and
      adapted or newly developed, and their relevance, scientific soundness and
      feasibility were examined. The indicators were tested in three healthcare areas
      of the Catalan health system. RESULTS: 52 indicators were identified addressing
      11 attributes of clinical coordination across levels of care. The final set
      consisted of 21 output indicators. Clinical information transfer is evaluated
      based on information flow (4) and the adequacy of shared information (3).
      Clinical management coordination indicators evaluate care coherence through
      diagnostic testing (2) and medication (1), provision of care at the most
      appropriate level (2), completion of diagnostic process (1), follow-up after
      hospital discharge (4) and accessibility across levels of care (4). The
      application of indicators showed differences in the degree of clinical
      coordination depending on the attribute and area. CONCLUSION: A set of rigorous
      and scientifically sound measures of clinical coordination across levels of care
      were developed based on a literature review and discussion with experts. This set
      of indicators comprehensively address the different attributes of clinical
      coordination in main transitions across levels of care. It could be employed to
      identify areas in which health services can be improved, as well as to measure
      the effect of efforts to improve clinical coordination in healthcare
      organizations.

PMID- 26268692
TI  - Intake of saturated and trans unsaturated fatty acids and risk of all cause
      mortality, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes: systematic review and
      meta-analysis of observational studies.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To systematically review associations between intake of saturated fat
      and trans unsaturated fat and all cause mortality, cardiovascular disease (CVD)
      and associated mortality, coronary heart disease (CHD) and associated mortality,
      ischemic stroke, and type 2 diabetes. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta
      analysis. DATA SOURCES: Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled
      Trials, Evidence-Based Medicine Reviews, and CINAHL from inception to 1 May 2015,
      supplemented by bibliographies of retrieved articles and previous reviews.
      ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES: Observational studies reporting
      associations of saturated fat and/or trans unsaturated fat (total, industrially
      manufactured, or from ruminant animals) with all cause mortality, CHD/CVD
      mortality, total CHD, ischemic stroke, or type 2 diabetes. DATA EXTRACTION AND
      SYNTHESIS: Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed study risks of
      bias. Multivariable relative risks were pooled. Heterogeneity was assessed and
      quantified. Potential publication bias was assessed and subgroup analyses were
      undertaken. The GRADE approach was used to evaluate quality of evidence and
      certainty of conclusions. RESULTS: For saturated fat, three to 12 prospective
      cohort studies for each association were pooled (five to 17 comparisons with
      90,501-339,090 participants). Saturated fat intake was not associated with all
      cause mortality (relative risk 0.99, 95% confidence interval 0.91 to 1.09), CVD
      mortality (0.97, 0.84 to 1.12), total CHD (1.06, 0.95 to 1.17), ischemic stroke
      (1.02, 0.90 to 1.15), or type 2 diabetes (0.95, 0.88 to 1.03). There was no
      convincing lack of association between saturated fat and CHD mortality (1.15,
      0.97 to 1.36; P=0.10). For trans fats, one to six prospective cohort studies for
      each association were pooled (two to seven comparisons with 12,942-230,135
      participants). Total trans fat intake was associated with all cause mortality
      (1.34, 1.16 to 1.56), CHD mortality (1.28, 1.09 to 1.50), and total CHD (1.21,
      1.10 to 1.33) but not ischemic stroke (1.07, 0.88 to 1.28) or type 2 diabetes
      (1.10, 0.95 to 1.27). Industrial, but not ruminant, trans fats were associated
      with CHD mortality (1.18 (1.04 to 1.33) v 1.01 (0.71 to 1.43)) and CHD (1.42
      (1.05 to 1.92) v 0.93 (0.73 to 1.18)). Ruminant trans-palmitoleic acid was
      inversely associated with type 2 diabetes (0.58, 0.46 to 0.74). The certainty of
      associations between saturated fat and all outcomes was "very low." The certainty
      of associations of trans fat with CHD outcomes was "moderate" and "very low" to
      "low" for other associations. CONCLUSIONS: Saturated fats are not associated with
      all cause mortality, CVD, CHD, ischemic stroke, or type 2 diabetes, but the
      evidence is heterogeneous with methodological limitations. Trans fats are
      associated with all cause mortality, total CHD, and CHD mortality, probably
      because of higher levels of intake of industrial trans fats than ruminant trans
      fats. Dietary guidelines must carefully consider the health effects of
      recommendations for alternative macronutrients to replace trans fats and
      saturated fats.

PMID- 26268695
TI  - Evidence for the involvement of cofilin in Aspergillus fumigatus internalization
      into type II alveolar epithelial cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The internalization of Aspergillus fumigatus into alveolar epithelial
      cells (AECs) is tightly controlled by host cellular actin dynamics, which require
      close modulation of the ADF (actin depolymerizing factor)/cofilin family.
      However, the role of cofilin in A. fumigatus internalization into AECs remains
      unclear. RESULTS: Here, we demonstrated that germinated A. fumigatus conidia were
      able to induce phosphorylation of cofilin in A549 cells during the early stage of
      internalization. The modulation of cofilin activity by overexpression, knockdown,
      or mutation of the cofilin gene in A549 cells decreased the efficacy of A.
      fumigatus internalization. Reducing the phosphorylation status of cofilin with
      BMS-5 (LIM kinase inhibitor) or overexpression of the slingshot phosphatases also
      impeded A. fumigatus internalization. Both the C. botulimun C3 transferase (a
      specific RhoA inhibitor) and Y27632 (a specific ROCK inhibitor) reduced the
      internalization of A. fumigatus and the level of phosphorylated cofilin. beta-1,3
      glucan (the major component of the conidial cell wall) and its host cell receptor
      dectin-1 did not seem to be associated with cofilin phosphorylation during A.
      fumigatus infection. CONCLUSION: These results indicated that cofilin might be
      involved in the modulation of A. fumigatus internalization into type II alveolar
      epithelial cells through the RhoA-ROCK-LIM kinase pathway.

PMID- 26268697
TI  - Bilateral breast cancer, synchronous and metachronous; differences and outcome.
AB  - The aims of this study were twofold: to analyze the incidence of patients having
      synchronous or metachronous bilateral invasive breast cancer (SBBC and MBBC) and
      to assess the characteristics and outcome compared to those having unilateral
      breast cancer (UBC). The used data were obtained from our prospective population
      based cohort study which had been started in 1983. Bilateral breast cancer (BBC)
      was categorized as SBBC (<=3 months of the first primary) or MBBC (>3 months
      after the first primary). The incidence of SBBC was 1% and that of MBBC 7.0 %.
      Patients with UBC showed more ductal carcinoma compared to patients with BBC.
      MBBC status was an independent significant predictor of local failure (HR 1.9;
      95% CI 1.3-2.7). SBBC status was an independent predictor of distant metastases
      (HR 2.6; 95% CI 1.4-4.5). Overall survival (OS) was better for MBBC (HR 0.6; 95%
      CI 0.4-0.8) and worse for SBBC (HR 2.3; 95% CI 1.5-3.6) compared to UBC. We
      noted: (1) MBBC showed a significant higher local failure compared to UBC, (2)
      SBBC, compared to MBBC and UBC had a significant higher distant metastases rate,
      (3) disease-specific survival and OS were significantly worse for SBBC compared
      to UBC and MBBC, and (4) that the OS for MBBC compared to UBC, was significantly
      better.

PMID- 26268696
TI  - TMEM33: a new stress-inducible endoplasmic reticulum transmembrane protein and
      modulator of the unfolded protein response signaling.
AB  - Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress leads to activation of the unfolded protein
      response (UPR) signaling cascade and induction of an apoptotic cell death,
      autophagy, oncogenesis, metastasis, and/or resistance to cancer therapies.
      Mechanisms underlying regulation of ER transmembrane proteins PERK, IRE1alpha,
      and ATF6alpha/beta, and how the balance of these activities determines outcome of
      the activated UPR, remain largely unclear. Here, we report a novel molecule
      transmembrane protein 33 (TMEM33) and its actions in UPR signaling.
      Immunoblotting and northern blot hybridization assays were used to determine the
      effects of ER stress on TMEM33 expression levels in various cell lines. Transient
      transfections, immunofluorescence, subcellular fractionation,
      immunoprecipitation, and immunoblotting were used to study the subcellular
      localization of TMEM33, the binding partners of TMEM33, and the expression of
      downstream effectors of PERK and IRE1alpha. Our data demonstrate that TMEM33 is a
      unique ER stress-inducible and ER transmembrane molecule, and a new binding
      partner of PERK. Exogenous expression of TMEM33 led to increased expression of p
      eIF2alpha and p-IRE1alpha and their known downstream effectors, ATF4-CHOP and
      XBP1-S, respectively, in breast cancer cells. TMEM33 overexpression also
      correlated with increased expression of apoptotic signals including cleaved
      caspase-7 and cleaved PARP, and an autophagosome protein LC3II, and reduced
      expression of the autophagy marker p62. TMEM33 is a novel regulator of the PERK
      eIE2alpha-ATF4 and IRE1-XBP1 axes of the UPR signaling. Therefore, TMEM33 may
      function as a determinant of the ER stress-responsive events in cancer cells. 

PMID- 26268699
TI  - A method for the evaluation of thousands of automated 3D stem cell segmentations.
AB  - There is no segmentation method that performs perfectly with any dataset in
      comparison to human segmentation. Evaluation procedures for segmentation
      algorithms become critical for their selection. The problems associated with
      segmentation performance evaluations and visual verification of segmentation
      results are exaggerated when dealing with thousands of three-dimensional (3D)
      image volumes because of the amount of computation and manual inputs needed. We
      address the problem of evaluating 3D segmentation performance when segmentation
      is applied to thousands of confocal microscopy images (z-stacks). Our approach is
      to incorporate experimental imaging and geometrical criteria, and map them into
      computationally efficient segmentation algorithms that can be applied to a very
      large number of z-stacks. This is an alternative approach to considering existing
      segmentation methods and evaluating most state-of-the-art algorithms. We designed
      a methodology for 3D segmentation performance characterization that consists of
      design, evaluation and verification steps. The characterization integrates manual
      inputs from projected surrogate 'ground truth' of statistically representative
      samples and from visual inspection into the evaluation. The novelty of the
      methodology lies in (1) designing candidate segmentation algorithms by mapping
      imaging and geometrical criteria into algorithmic steps, and constructing
      plausible segmentation algorithms with respect to the order of algorithmic steps
      and their parameters, (2) evaluating segmentation accuracy using samples drawn
      from probability distribution estimates of candidate segmentations and (3)
      minimizing human labour needed to create surrogate 'truth' by approximating z
      stack segmentations with 2D contours from three orthogonal z-stack projections
      and by developing visual verification tools. We demonstrate the methodology by
      applying it to a dataset of 1253 mesenchymal stem cells. The cells reside on 10
      different types of biomaterial scaffolds, and are stained for actin and nucleus
      yielding 128 460 image frames (on average, 125 cells/scaffold * 10 scaffold types
      * 2 stains * 51 frames/cell). After constructing and evaluating six candidates of
      3D segmentation algorithms, the most accurate 3D segmentation algorithm achieved
      an average precision of 0.82 and an accuracy of 0.84 as measured by the Dice
      similarity index where values greater than 0.7 indicate a good spatial overlap. A
      probability of segmentation success was 0.85 based on visual verification, and a
      computation time was 42.3 h to process all z-stacks. While the most accurate
      segmentation technique was 4.2 times slower than the second most accurate
      algorithm, it consumed on average 9.65 times less memory per z-stack
      segmentation. 

PMID- 26268698
TI  - Full engagement of liganded maltose-binding protein stabilizes a semi-open ATP
      binding cassette dimer in the maltose transporter.
AB  - MalFGK2 is an ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter that mediates the uptake of
      maltose/maltodextrins into Escherichia coli. A periplasmic maltose-binding
      protein (MBP) delivers maltose to the transmembrane subunits (MalFG) and
      stimulates the ATPase activity of the cytoplasmic nucleotide-binding subunits
      (MalK dimer). This MBP-stimulated ATPase activity is independent of maltose for
      purified transporter in detergent micelles. However, when the transporter is
      reconstituted in membrane bilayers, only the liganded form of MBP efficiently
      stimulates its activity. To investigate the mechanism of maltose stimulation,
      electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to study the interactions
      between the transporter and MBP in nanodiscs and in detergent. We found that full
      engagement of both lobes of maltose-bound MBP unto MalFGK2 is facilitated by
      nucleotides and stabilizes a semi-open MalK dimer. Maltose-bound MBP promotes the
      transition to the semi-open state of MalK when the transporter is in the
      membrane, whereas such regulation does not require maltose in detergent. We
      suggest that stabilization of the semi-open MalK2 conformation by maltose-bound
      MBP is key to the coupling of maltose transport to ATP hydrolysis in vivo,
      because it facilitates the progression of the MalK dimer from the open to the
      semi-open conformation, from which it can proceed to hydrolyze ATP. 

PMID- 26268700
TI  - BRAF V600E mutation: Differential impact on central lymph node metastasis by
      tumor size in papillary thyroid carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The necessity of prophylactic central neck dissection is one of
      debating issues in the treatment of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). In a
      previous study, the predictive value of BRAF mutation for lymph node metastasis
      was only significant in 0.5 to 1.0 cm PTC. Thus, we assess the predictive value
      of BRAF mutation for central lymph node metastasis according to tumor size.
      METHODS: Medical records of 3107 patients with PTC who underwent thyroidectomy
      with central neck dissection were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: BRAF
      mutation was a predictor for central lymph node metastasis in 2.0 to 4.0 cm PTC
      (odds ratio [OR] = 3.494; p = .002). Although BRAF mutation was associated with
      central lymph node metastasis in 0.5 to 1.0 cm PTC in univariate analysis (OR =
      1.334; p = .047), this significance was not observed in multivariate analysis (OR
      = 1.232; p = .163). BRAF mutation was not associated with central lymph node
      metastasis in other tumor sizes. CONCLUSION: Prophylactic central neck dissection
      could be considered in 2.0 to 4.0 cm PTC with positive BRAF mutation. (c) 2015
      Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E1203-E1209, 2016.

PMID- 26268701
TI  - The burden among family caregivers of elderly cancer patients: prospective study
      in a Moroccan population.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In Morocco, families play a major role in caring for elderly cancer
      patients. METHODS: We conducted a prospective descriptive study, in the National
      Institute of Oncology in Morocco. The study aimed to include family members who
      are caregivers for patients aged >=70 years old. FINDINGS: After obtaining IRB
      approval, a total of 150 caregivers responded to the questionnaire. Mean age was
      44.7 years. The majority were females (59.3%), living in urban areas (66.7%), and
      educated (62.7%).Offspring (sons or daughters) represented 56.7, 54% lived with
      their relatives in the same house. Most of the participants were married and have
      familial responsibilities. In relatives, anxiety was found in 79.3%, it was
      related to fear of losing the patient in 57% and resulted in the use of
      anxiolytics in 10%. Guilt feeling towards patients regarding neglecting their
      early symptoms was reported in 38%. Depression and anxiety were more frequent
      among female relatives and among those of urban origin. Obsession of dying from
      cancer was present in about 30% and fear of contagion was more common among those
      from rural areas and illiterate. Economic resources were exceeded in 78.7 and 56%
      have used banking credits, and sale of properties. Work lay-off was recorded in
      54%. Relatives participated in treatment making decisions in 86% of patients.
      CONCLUSION: Even there was a great impact on elderly cancerous patients
      relatives, the benefits of caregiving was observed in 80%. More studies have to
      be conducted, especially in developing countries where the lack of resources
      majors the impact on family caregivers.

PMID- 26268702
TI  - Postnatal retention in HIV care: insight from the Swiss HIV Cohort Study over a
      15-year observational period.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to quantify loss to follow-up (LTFU) in HIV
      care after delivery and to identify risk factors for LTFU, and implications for
      HIV disease progression and subsequent pregnancies. METHODS: We used data on
      pregnancies within the Swiss HIV Cohort Study from 1996 to 2011. A delayed
      clinical visit was defined as > 180 days and LTFU as no visit for > 365 days
      after delivery. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors
      for LTFU. RESULTS: A total of 695 pregnancies in 580 women were included in the
      study, of which 115 (17%) were subsequent pregnancies. Median maternal age was 32
      years (IQR 28-36 years) and 104 (15%) women reported any history of injecting
      drug use (IDU). Overall, 233 of 695 (34%) women had a delayed visit in the year
      after delivery and 84 (12%) women were lost to follow-up. Being lost to follow-up
      was significantly associated with a history of IDU [adjusted odds ratio (aOR)
      2.79; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.32-5.88; P = 0.007] and not achieving an
      undetectable HIV viral load (VL) at delivery (aOR 2.42; 95% CI 1.21-4.85; P =
      0.017) after adjusting for maternal age, ethnicity and being on antiretroviral
      therapy (ART) at conception. Forty-three of 84 (55%) women returned to care after
      LTFU. Half of them (20 of 41) with available CD4 had a CD4 count < 350 cells/MUL
      and 15% (six of 41) a CD4 count < 200 cells/MUL at their return. CONCLUSIONS: A
      history of IDU and detectable HIV VL at delivery were associated with LTFU.
      Effective strategies are warranted to retain women in care beyond pregnancy and
      to avoid CD4 cell count decline. ART continuation should be advised especially if
      a subsequent pregnancy is planned.

PMID- 26268704
TI  - Erratum: Pregnancy complications and birth outcomes among women experiencing
      nausea only or nausea and vomiting during pregnancy in the Norwegian Mother and
      Child Cohort Study.

PMID- 26268705
TI  - Abnormal cervical cytology and health care use: a population-based register
      study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the long-term use of health care services
      in women with abnormal cytology results compared to women with normal cytology
      results. METHODS: We did a nationwide population-based study, using women aged 23
      to 59years participating in the national organized cervical cancer screening
      program. We included a study population of 40,153 women with abnormal cytology
      (exposed) and 752,627 women with normal cytology (non-exposed). We retrieved data
      from the Danish Civil Registration System, the Danish Pathology Data Bank, the
      National Health Service, the National Patient and the National Prescription
      Register. We calculated the frequencies of contacts to general practitioner (GP),
      to private psychiatrist and/or psychologist, admissions to hospitals and use of
      prescription drugs. These frequencies were calculated separately in the 5-year
      period "before" the cytology result and for the 5-year period "after" the result.
      RESULTS: During the "before" period exposed women had more contacts to GPs, more
      contacts to psychologists/psychiatrist, and more hospital admissions than non
      exposed women. In both exposed and non-exposed women, health care use increased
      from the "before" to the "after" period. This increase was significantly higher
      for exposed than non-exposed women regarding contacts to GP, admissions to
      hospitals, and drug use. CONCLUSION: Women with abnormal cytology results
      constitute a selected group with a higher health care use than other women even
      before they have the abnormal cytology. This difference is further enhanced after
      the abnormal cytology result.

PMID- 26268703
TI  - Elevated beta-catenin pathway as a novel target for patients with resistance to
      EGF receptor targeting drugs.
AB  - There is a high death rate of lung cancer patients. Epidermal growth factor
      receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) are effective in some lung
      adenocarcinoma patients with EGFR mutations. However, a significant number of
      patients show primary and acquire resistance to EGFR-TKIs. Although the Akt
      kinase is commonly activated due to various resistance mechanisms, the key
      targets of Akt remain unclear. Here, we show that the Akt-beta-catenin pathway
      may be a common resistance mechanism. We analyzed gene expression profiles of
      gefitinib-resistant PC9M2 cells that were derived from gefitinib-sensitive lung
      cancer PC9 cells and do not have known resistance mechanisms including EGFR
      mutation T790M. We found increased expression of Axin, a beta-catenin target
      gene, increased phosphorylation of Akt and GSK3, accumulation of beta-catenin in
      the cytoplasm/nucleus in PC9M2 cells. Both knockdown of beta-catenin and
      treatment with a beta-catenin inhibitor at least partially restored gefitinib
      sensitivity to PC9M2 cells. Lung adenocarcinoma tissues derived from gefitinib
      resistant patients displayed a tendency to accumulate beta-catenin in the
      cytoplasm. We provide a rationale for combination therapy that includes targeting
      of the Akt-beta-catenin pathway to improve the efficacy of EGFR-TKIs. 

PMID- 26268706
TI  - En face optical coherence tomography and angiography of talc retinopathy.

PMID- 26268707
TI  - An assessment of the test-retest reliability of the New Nordic Diet score.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is a growing interest in the New Nordic Diet (NND) as a
      potentially health promoting, environmentally friendly, and palatable regional
      diet. Also, dietary scores are gaining ground as a complementary approach for
      examining relations between dietary patterns and various health outcomes. A score
      assessing adherence to the NND has earlier been published, yet not tested for
      reliability. OBJECTIVE: To assess the test-retest reliability of the NND score in
      a sample of parents of toddlers, residing in Southern Norway. DESIGN: A
      questionnaire survey was completed on two occasions, approximately 14 days apart,
      by 67 parents of toddlers [85% females, mean age 34 years (SD=5.3 years)]. The
      NND score was constructed from 24 items and comprised 10 subscales that summarize
      meal pattern and intake of typical Nordic foods. Each subscale was dichotomized
      by the median and assigned values of '0' or '1'. Adding the subscales yielded a
      score ranging from 0 to 10, which was further trichotomized. Test-retest
      reliability of the final NND score and individual subscales was assessed by
      Pearson's correlation coefficient and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient,
      respectively. Additionally, cross tabulation and kappa measure of agreement (k)
      were used to assess the test-retest agreement of classification into the NND
      score, and the subscales. RESULTS: Test-retest correlations of the NND score and
      subscales were r=0.80 (Pearson) and r=0.54-0.84 (Spearman), respectively, all
      p<0.001. There were 69% (k=0.52) and 67-88% (k=0.32-0.76) test-retest correct
      classification of the trichotomized score and the dichotomized subscales,
      respectively. CONCLUSION: The NND score and the 10 subscales appear to have
      acceptable test-retest reliability when tested in a sample of parents of
      toddlers.

PMID- 26268708
TI  - Studying the effects of dietary body weight-adjusted acute tryptophan depletion
      on punishment-related behavioral inhibition.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Alterations in serotonergic (5-HT) neurotransmission are thought to
      play a decisive role in affective disorders and impulse control. OBJECTIVE: This
      study aims to reproduce and extend previous findings on the effects of acute
      tryptophan depletion (ATD) and subsequently diminished central 5-HT synthesis in
      a reinforced categorization task using a refined body weight-adjusted depletion
      protocol. DESIGN: Twenty-four young healthy adults (12 females, mean age
      [SD]=25.3 [2.1] years) were subjected to a double-blind within-subject crossover
      design. Each subject was administered both an ATD challenge and a balanced amino
      acid load (BAL) in two separate sessions in randomized order. Punishment-related
      behavioral inhibition was assessed using a forced choice go/no-go task that
      incorporated a variable payoff schedule. RESULTS: Administration of ATD resulted
      in significant reductions in TRP measured in peripheral blood samples, indicating
      reductions of TRP influx across the blood-brain barrier and related brain 5-HT
      synthesis. Overall accuracy and response time performance were improved after ATD
      administration. The ability to adjust behavioral responses to aversive outcome
      magnitudes and behavioral adjustments following error contingent punishment
      remained intact after decreased brain 5-HT synthesis. A previously observed
      dissociation effect of ATD on punishment-induced inhibition was not observed.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that neurodietary challenges with ATD Moja-De
      have no detrimental effects on task performance and punishment-related inhibition
      in healthy adults.

PMID- 26268709
TI  - Bleeding complications in cholecystectomy: a register study of over 22,000
      cholecystectomies in Finland.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Major bleeding is rare but among the most serious complications of
      laparoscopic surgery. Still very little is known on bleeding complications and
      related blood component use in laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). The aim of this
      study is to compare bleeding complications, transfusion rates and related costs
      between LC and open cholecystectomy (OC). METHODS: Data concerning LCs and OCs
      and related blood component use between 2002 and 2007 were collected from
      existing computerized medical records (Finnish Red Cross Register) of ten Finnish
      hospital districts. RESULTS: Register data included 17175 LCs and 4942 OCs. In
      the LC group, 1.3% of the patients received red blood cell (RBC) transfusion
      compared to 13% of the patients in the OC group (p < 0.001). Similarly, the
      proportions of patients with platelet (0.1% vs. 1.2%, p < 0.001) and fresh frozen
      plasma (FFP) products (0.5% vs. 5.8%) transfusions were respectively higher in
      the OC group than in the LC group. The mean transfused dose of RBCs, PTLs and FFP
      product Octaplas or the mean cost of the transfused blood components did not
      differ significantly between the LC and OC groups. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic
      cholecystectomy was associated with lower transfusion rates of blood components
      compared to open surgery. The severity of bleeding complications may not differ
      substantially between LC and OC.

PMID- 26268710
TI  - The diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in differentiating small
      renal carcinoma and angiomyolipoma.
AB  - The aim of this study was to explore the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound
      (CEUS) in differentiating small renal masses. A total of 102 small renal masses
      (<= 3 cm) in 99 patients were examined using conventional ultrasound (CUS) and
      CEUS, and the findings were reviewed and evaluated in comparison to pathology.
      Significant differences between renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) and angiomyolipomas
      (AMLs) were noted in terms of the orientation and echogenicity on CUS (p < 0.05
      for both), but the location, shape, margins, homogeneity, and blood flow signals
      of RCCs on color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) were similar to those of AMLs (p >
      0.05 for all). On CEUS, however, the enhancement intensity, washout in the late
      phase, and perilesional rim-like enhancement differed significantly for RCCs and
      AMLs (p = 0.000 for all). Significant differences between CEUS and CUS in terms
      of sensitivity (88.9% vs. 55.6%), the negative predictive value (68.0% vs.
      29.5%), the false negative rate (9.9% vs. 44.5%), and accuracy (88.3% vs. 58.9%)
      were noted (p < 0.05 for all). CEUS, with its unique features, has value in
      diagnosing small RCCs and AMLs and outperforms CUS in differentiation of small
      RCCs and AMLs. 

PMID- 26268711
TI  - Valve-in-valve using an Edwards Sapien XT into a JenaValve in a patient with a
      low originating left coronary artery and a heavily calcified aorta.
AB  - Coronary obstruction during transcatheter aortic valve implantation is a
      potentially life-threatening complication. Most of the widely used transcatheter
      heart valves require a certain distance between the basal aortic annular plane
      and the origins of the coronary arteries. We report the case of a successful
      valve-in-valve procedure with an Edwards SAPIEN XT valve into a JenaValve as a
      bail-out procedure in a patient with a low originating left coronary artery and a
      heavily calcified aorta.

PMID- 26268712
TI  - Increased psychosocial risk, depression and reduced quality of life living with
      autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The psychosocial impact of living with autosomal dominant polycystic
      kidney disease (ADPKD) is poorly understood. In this study, we assessed the
      overall quality of life (QOL), mood, perceived social support and psychosocial
      risk of having a diagnosis of ADPKD in a patient cohort from a major UK
      nephrology centre serving a large catchment population. METHODS: A postal
      questionnaire was sent to 349 patients registered at the Sheffield Kidney
      Institute with chronic kidney disease but not on renal replacement therapy (RRT).
      The questionnaire incorporated three validated forms: kidney disease quality-of
      life short form (KDQOL SF1.3) to assess QOL; nine-item patient health
      questionnaire (PHQ9) to screen for depression; multidimensional scale of
      perceived social support (MSPSS) to evaluate perceived social support; as well as
      a novel genetic psychosocial risk instrument (GPRI-ADPKD) designed to study the
      specific psychosocial impact of coping with a diagnosis of ADPKD. RESULTS: The
      overall response rate was 53%. Patients with a lower estimated glomerular
      filtration rate (<30 mL/min) or larger kidneys (mean length on ultrasound >=17
      cm) reported reduced QOL and increased psychosocial risk. Clinically significant
      depression was reported in 22% and 62% felt guilty about passing ADPKD on to
      their children. In multivariate analysis, female gender was associated with
      overall poorer psychosocial well-being, whereas increasing age, lower kidney
      function, larger kidneys and loss of a first degree relative from ADPKD were
      additional risk factors for QOL, depression or psychosocial risk, respectively.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our results reveal a significantly poorer QOL and increasing
      psychosocial risk with markers of disease progression in patients, particularly
      women, with ADPKD prior to starting RRT. The future management strategy of ADPKD
      should address these issues and provide for better individual and family support
      throughout the patient journey.

PMID- 26268713
TI  - Nephrologists' perceptions regarding dialysis withdrawal and palliative care in
      Europe: lessons from a European Renal Best Practice survey.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is a variation in dialysis withdrawal rates, but reasons for
      this variation across European countries are largely unknown. We therefore
      surveyed nephrologists' perceptions of factors concerning dialysis withdrawal and
      palliative care and explored relationships between these perceptions and reports
      of whether withdrawal actually occurred in practice. METHODS: We developed a 33
      item electronic survey, disseminated via an email blast to all European Renal
      Association-European Dialysis and Transplant Association (ERA-EDTA) members. In
      our data analyses, we distinguished those respondents who reported occurrence
      from those reporting no dialysis withdrawal in their unit. With multilevel
      logistic regression, we investigated the association between respondents'
      characteristics and perceptions and whether they reported occurrence of dialysis
      withdrawal or not. RESULTS: Five hundred and twenty-eight nephrologists from 45
      countries completed the questionnaire; 42% reported occurrence of withdrawal in
      their unit in the past year, and 56% perceived that stopping life-prolonging
      treatment in terminally ill patients was allowed. Few respondents reported
      presence in their unit of protocols on withdrawal decision making (7%) or
      palliative care (10%) or the common involvement of a geriatrician in withdrawal
      decisions (10%). The majority stated that palliative care had not been part of
      their core curriculum (74%) and that they had not recently attended continuous
      medical education sessions on this topic (73%). Respondents from Eastern and
      Southern Europe had a 42 and 40% lower probability, respectively, of reporting
      withdrawal compared with those from North European countries. Working in a public
      centre [odds ratio (OR), 2.41; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.36-4.25] and
      respondents' perception that stopping life-prolonging treatment in terminally ill
      patients was allowed (OR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.23-3.12), that withdrawal decisions
      were commonly shared between doctor and patient (OR, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.26-3.08) and
      that palliative care was reimbursed (OR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.16-2.83) increased the
      odds of reporting occurrence of withdrawal. CONCLUSION: Reports of dialysis
      withdrawal occurrence varied between European countries. Occurrence reports were
      more likely if respondents worked in a public centre, if stopping life-prolonging
      treatments was perceived as allowed, if withdrawal decisions were considered
      shared between doctors and patients and if reimbursement of palliative care was
      believed to be in place. There is room for improvement regarding protocols on
      withdrawal and palliative care processes and regarding nephrologists' training
      and education on end-of-life care.

PMID- 26268714
TI  - Economic impact of a modification of the treatment trajectories of patients with
      end-stage renal disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study assumed that some patients currently treated at hospital
      based haemodialysis centres can be treated with another renal replacement therapy
      (RRT) modality without any increase in mortality risk and sought to evaluate the
      monthly cost impact of replacing hospital-based haemodialysis, for which fees are
      highest, by different proportions of other modalities. METHODS: We used a
      deterministic model tool to predict the outcomes and trajectories of hypothetical
      cohorts of incident adult end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients for 15 years of
      RRT (10 different modalities). Our estimates were based on data from 67 258
      patients in the REIN registry and 65 662 patients in the French national health
      insurance information system. Patients were categorized into six subcohorts,
      stratified for age and diabetes at ESRD onset, and analyses run for each
      subcohort. We simulated new strategies of care by changing any or all of the
      following: initial distributions in treatment modalities, transition rates and
      some costs. Strategies were classified according to their monthly per-patient
      cost compared to current practices (cost-minimization analysis). RESULTS:
      Simulations of the status quo for the next 15 years predicted a per-patient
      monthly cost of ?2684 for a patient aged 18-45 years without diabetes and ?7361
      for one older than 70 years with diabetes. All of the strategies we analysed had
      monthly per-patient costs lower than the status quo, except for daily home HD.
      None impaired expected survival. Savings varied by strategy. CONCLUSIONS:
      Alternative strategies may well be less expensive than current practices. The
      decision to implement new strategies must nonetheless consider the number of
      patients concerned, feasibility of renal care reorganization, and investment
      costs. It must also take into account the role of patients' choice and the
      availability of professionals.

PMID- 26268716
TI  - Inflammation and uPAR-Expression in Colorectal Liver Metastases in Relation to
      Growth Pattern and Neo-adjuvant Therapy.
AB  - Proteolytic activity and inflammation in the tumour microenvironment affects
      cancer progression. In colorectal cancer (CRC) liver metastases it has been
      observed that three different immune profiles are present, as well as proteolytic
      activity, determined by the expression of urokinase-type plasminogen activator
      (uPAR).The main objectives of this study were to investigate uPAR expression and
      the density of macrophages (CD68) and T cells (CD3) as markers of inflammation in
      resected CRC liver metastases, where patients were neo-adjuvantly treated with
      chemotherapy with or without the angiogenesis inhibitor bevacizumab. Chemonaive
      patients served as a control group. The markers were correlated to growth
      patterns (GP) of liver metastases, i.e. desmoplastic, pushing and replacement GP.
      It was hypothesised that differences in proteolysis and inflammation could
      reflect tumour specific growth and therapy related changes in the tumour
      microenvironment. In chemonaive patients, a significantly higher level of uPAR
      was observed in desmoplastic liver metastases in comparison to pushing GP (p =
      0.01) or replacement GP (p = 0.03). A significantly higher density of CD68 was
      observed in liver metastases with replacement GP in comparison to those with
      pushing GP (p = 0.01). In liver metastases from chemo treated patients, CD68
      density was significantly higher in desmoplastic GP in comparison to pushing GP
      (p = 0.03). In chemo and bevacizumab treated patients only a significant lower
      CD3 expression was observed in liver metastases with a mixed GP than in those
      with desmoplastic (p = 0.01) or pushing GP (p = 0.05). Expression of uPAR and the
      density of macrophages at the tumour margin of liver metastasis differ between GP
      in the untreated patients. A higher density of T cells was observed in the
      bevacizumab treated patients, when desmoplastic and pushing metastases were
      compared to liver metastases with a mix of the GP respectively, however no
      specific correlations between the immune markers of macrophages and T cells or GP
      of liver metastases could be demonstrated. 

PMID- 26268717
TI  - Blood temperature and perfusion to exercising and non-exercising human limbs.
AB  - NEW FINDINGS: What is the central question of this study? Temperature-sensitive
      mechanisms are thought to contribute to blood-flow regulation, but the
      relationship between exercising and non-exercising limb perfusion and blood
      temperature is not established. What is the main finding and its importance? The
      close coupling among perfusion, blood temperature and aerobic metabolism in
      exercising and non-exercising extremities across different exercise modalities
      and activity levels and the tight association between limb vasodilatation and
      increases in plasma ATP suggest that both temperature- and metabolism-sensitive
      mechanisms are important for the control of human limb perfusion, possibly by
      activating ATP release from the erythrocytes. Temperature-sensitive mechanisms
      may contribute to blood-flow regulation, but the influence of temperature on
      perfusion to exercising and non-exercising human limbs is not established. Blood
      temperature (TB ), blood flow and oxygen uptake (VO2) in the legs and arms were
      measured in 16 healthy humans during 90 min of leg and arm exercise and during
      exhaustive incremental leg or arm exercise. During prolonged exercise, leg blood
      flow (LBF) was fourfold higher than arm blood flow (ABF) in association with
      higher TB and limb VO2. Leg and arm vascular conductance during exercise compared
      with rest was related closely to TB (r(2) = 0.91; P < 0.05), plasma ATP (r(2) =
      0.94; P < 0.05) and limb VO2 (r(2) = 0.99; P < 0.05). During incremental leg
      exercise, LBF increased in association with elevations in TB and limb VO2,
      whereas ABF, arm TB and VO2 remained largely unchanged. During incremental arm
      exercise, both ABF and LBF increased in relationship to similar increases in VO2.
      In 12 trained males, increases in femoral TB and LBF during incremental leg
      exercise were mirrored by similar pulmonary artery TB and cardiac output
      dynamics, suggesting that processes in active limbs dominate central temperature
      and perfusion responses. The present data reveal a close coupling among
      perfusion, TB and aerobic metabolism in exercising and non-exercising extremities
      and a tight association between limb vasodilatation and increases in plasma ATP.
      These findings suggest that temperature and VO2 contribute to the regulation of
      limb perfusion through control of intravascular ATP.

PMID- 26268718
TI  - Voltage-responsive reversible self-assembly and controlled drug release of
      ferrocene-containing polymeric superamphiphiles.
AB  - A new type of voltage-responsive comb-like superamphiphilic block polymer PEG113
      b-PAA30/FTMA was prepared by the electrostatic interactions of an ionic
      ferrocenyl surfactant (FTMA) and an oppositely charged double-hydrophilic block
      polyelectrolyte poly-(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(acrylic acid) (PEG113-b-PAA30) in
      aqueous solution. An in situ electrochemical redox system was designed to
      research its electrochemical activity in aqueous solution. The polymeric
      superamphiphile PEG113-b-PAA30/FTMA could reversibly aggregate to form spherical
      micelles of 20-30 nm diameter in aqueous solution, and also disaggregate into
      irregular fragments by an electrochemical redox reaction when its concentration
      is in the range of the critical aggregation concentration (cacred) of the
      reduction state to its cacox of the oxidation state. Interestingly, above cacox,
      the superamphiphile can aggregate into spherical micelles of 20-30 nm diameter,
      which can be transformed into larger spherical micelles of 40-120 nm diameter
      after electrochemical oxidation, and reversibly recover initial sizes after
      electrochemical reduction. Moreover, this reversible self-assembly process can be
      electrochemically controlled just by changing its electrochemical redox extent
      without adding any other chemical reagent. Further, rhodamine 6G (R6G)-loaded
      polymeric superamphiphile aggregates have been successfully used for the voltage
      controlled release of loaded molecules based on their voltage-responsive self
      assembly, and the release rate of R6G could be mediated by changing
      electrochemical redox potentials and the concentrations of polymeric
      superamphiphiles. Our observations witness a new strategy to construct a voltage
      responsive reversible self-assembly system. 

PMID- 26268719
TI  - Sex Moderates the Effects of the Sorl1 Gene rs2070045 Polymorphism on Cognitive
      Impairment and Disruption of the Cingulum Integrity in Healthy Elderly.

PMID- 26268720
TI  - Overexpression of Protein Kinase Mzeta in the Prelimbic Cortex Enhances the
      Formation of Long-Term Fear Memory.

PMID- 26268721
TI  - Oral health-related quality of life and complications after treatment with
      partial removable dental prosthesis.
AB  - The aims of this study were to measure and describe the oral health-related
      quality of life (OHRQoL) and to identify the complications caused by partial
      removable dental prosthesis (RDPs) in patients 1-5 years after treatment.
      Complications were identified in 65 patients who were treated with 83 RDPs (48
      upper, 35 lower). OHRQoL was measured using the OHIP-49 before treatment and at
      the baseline (1-2 months after treatment) and follow-up (1-5 years after
      treatment) examinations. The types and numbers of oral problems that were
      experienced were described based on OHIP items with a score of 3 and 4. A
      significant improvement (P < 0.05) in the total OHIP-49 was registered from pre
      treatment (mean 42, SD +/- 37) to baseline (mean 29, SD +/- 27) and from pre
      treatment to 1-5 years after treatment (mean 32, SD +/- 30). There was no
      significant difference between the baseline and 1- to 5-year follow-up
      examinations. Problems with eating and appearance registered at pre-treatment
      were improved at baseline and after 1-5 years. Problems with dentures that had
      been registered pre-treatment were improved at baseline but reoccurred after 1-5
      years. The two most frequent complications were ill-fitting RDPs and inflammation
      of the oral mucosa, followed less frequently by fractures of the clasps.
      Treatment with RDPs improved OHRQoL, but denture-related problems partly
      remained, and new problems related to RDPs occurred 1-5 years after treatment.
      The two most frequent complications were ill-fitting RDPs and inflammation of the
      oral mucosa.

PMID- 26268722
TI  - Manipulating stomatal density enhances drought tolerance without deleterious
      effect on nutrient uptake.
AB  - Manipulation of stomatal density was investigated as a potential tool for
      enhancing drought tolerance or nutrient uptake. Drought tolerance and soil water
      retention were assessed using Arabidopsis epidermal patterning factor mutants
      manipulated to have increased or decreased stomatal density. Root nutrient uptake
      via mass flow was monitored under differing plant watering regimes using nitrogen
      15 ((15) N) isotope and mass spectrometry. Plants with less than half of their
      normal complement of stomata, and correspondingly reduced levels of
      transpiration, conserve soil moisture and are highly drought tolerant but show
      little or no reduction in shoot nitrogen concentrations especially when water
      availability is restricted. By contrast, plants with over twice the normal
      density of stomata have a greater capacity for nitrogen uptake, except when water
      availability is restricted. We demonstrate the possibility of producing plants
      with reduced transpiration which have increased drought tolerance, with little or
      no loss of nutrient uptake. We demonstrate that increasing transpiration can
      enhance nutrient uptake when water is plentiful. 

PMID- 26268723
TI  - A public health e-learning master's programme with a focus on health workforce
      development targeting francophone Africa: the University of Geneva experience.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Shortage of a competent public health workforce is as a worldwide
      problem. The situation is especially bad in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2008, the
      World Health Organization and the Global Health Workforce Alliance launched a
      call for proposals for a public health training programme with an emphasis on
      health workforce development specifically targeting Africa. Our article presents
      the development, implementation and evaluation of an e-learning Master of
      Advanced Studies in Public Health on Workforce Development. The project was
      developed in collaboration with academic partner institutions of 10 French
      speaking African countries and local/regional/HQ WHO offices. METHODS: A five
      step approach was adopted. First, a needs assessment study was done in the target
      countries, with identification of priority health issues. Second, student and
      tutor selection was done in collaboration with local WHO offices, health
      authorities and partner universities. Third, the e-platform was developed and a
      training workshop for tutors was organized. Fourth, the learning objectives were
      derived from the needs assessment study and an interactive educational approach
      was adopted. Fifth, the participation of students, their perception of the
      programme, their performance on assignments and community outcomes were
      monitored. RESULTS: The needs assessment allowed the identification of 12
      priority health issues (trauma related to road accidents, maternal and child
      health, HIV/AIDS, mental heath, food and malnutrition, health resource
      management, infectious diseases, access to essential drugs, chronic diseases,
      health promotion, ageing and violence/conflicts) of which 10 were studied through
      the lens of the key public health disciplines (epidemiology, human resources,
      health project/service planning, health policy, communication, health
      economics/management, informatics and ethics/human rights), each validated
      through a certifying examination. Student participation, measured through
      connection hits (total: 58 256; mean: 168/student/module) and posted messages
      (total: 5994; mean: 18/student/module), was good, and global satisfaction was
      high (7.7/10). Twenty-nine students out of 37 obtained their master's degree from
      the University of Geneva. Outcomes reported include career development,
      strengthening of inter-country networks and common projects. CONCLUSIONS: Keys to
      the success of the programme were the enthusiasm and commitment of students, the
      availability of the coordination team, the simplicity of the electronic platform
      and the support of local/regional/WHO offices. Yet, the sustainability of the
      programme is not assured.

PMID- 26268724
TI  - Auxological perspectives on 'growth' in DOHaD.
AB  - David Barker established growth as a seminal link between early development and
      later health attainment and disease risk. This was nothing less than a paradigm
      shift in health and medicine, turning the focus of disease causality away from
      contemporary environmental influences to earliest growth as a time when
      functional anatomy and physiology sets in place critical structures and function
      for a lifetime. Barker's prodigious work investigated time- and place-specific
      interactions between maternal condition and exogenous environmental influences,
      focusing on how growth unfolds across development to function as a mechanistic
      link to ensuing health. Subsequent applications do not always attend to the
      specificity and sensitivity issues included in his original work, and commonly
      overlook the long-standing methods and knowledge base of auxology. Methodological
      areas in need of refinement include enhanced precision in how growth is
      represented and assessed. For example, multiple variables have been used as a
      referent for 'growth,' which is problematic because different body dimensions
      grow by different biological clocks with unique functional physiologies. In
      addition, categorical clinical variables obscure the spectrum of variability in
      growth experienced at the individual level. Finally, size alone is a limited
      measure as it does not capture how individuals change across age, or actually
      grow. The ground-breaking notion that prenatal influences are important for
      future health gave rise to robust interest in studying the fetus. Identifying the
      many pathways by which size is realized permits targeted interventions addressing
      meaningful mechanistic links between growth and disease risk to promote health
      across the lifespan. 

PMID- 26268725
TI  - Signatures of natural selection between life cycle stages separated by
      metamorphosis in European eel.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Species showing complex life cycles provide excellent opportunities
      to study the genetic associations between life cycle stages, as selective
      pressures may differ before and after metamorphosis. The European eel presents a
      complex life cycle with two metamorphoses, a first metamorphosis from larvae into
      glass eels (juvenile stage) and a second metamorphosis into silver eels (adult
      stage). We tested the hypothesis that different genes and gene pathways will be
      under selection at different life stages when comparing the genetic associations
      between glass eels and silver eels. RESULTS: We used two sets of markers to test
      for selection: first, we genotyped individuals using a panel of 80 coding-gene
      single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) developed in American eel; second, we
      investigated selection at the genome level using a total of 153,423 RAD
      sequencing generated SNPs widely distributed across the genome. Using the RAD
      approach, outlier tests identified a total of 2413 (1.57%) potentially selected
      SNPs. Functional annotation analysis identified signal transduction pathways as
      the most over-represented group of genes, including MAPK/Erk signalling, calcium
      signalling and GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone) signalling. Many of the over
      represented pathways were related to growth, while others could result from the
      different conditions that eels inhabit during their life cycle. CONCLUSIONS: The
      observation of different genes and gene pathways under selection when comparing
      glass eels vs. silver eels supports the adaptive decoupling hypothesis for the
      benefits of metamorphosis. Partitioning the life cycle into discrete
      morphological phases may be overall beneficial since it allows the different life
      stages to respond independently to their unique selection pressures. This might
      translate into a more effective use of food and niche resources and/or
      performance of phase-specific tasks (e.g. feeding in the case of glass eels,
      migrating and reproducing in the case of silver eels).

PMID- 26268726
TI  - Evaluating the antidiabetic effects of Chinese herbal medicine: Xiao-Ke-An in 3T3
      L1 cells and KKAy mice using both conventional and holistic omics approaches.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Xiao-Ke-An (XKA) is a Chinese medicine widely used for treating type
      2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). It is composed of eight herbal medicines traditionally
      used for T2D, including Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch, Anemarrhena asphodeloides
      Bunge, Coptis chinensis Franch, etc. The aim of the present study was to
      investigate the antidiabetic effects of XKA with both conventional and holistic
      omics approaches. METHODS: The antidiabetic effect of XKA was first investigated
      in 3T3-L1 cells to study the effect of XKA on adipogenesis in vitro. Oil Red O
      staining was performed to determine the lipid accumulation. The intracellular
      total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) contents in XKA treated 3T3-L1 cells
      were also evaluated. The therapeutic effects of XKA was further evaluated in KKAy
      mice with both conventional and holistic omics approaches. Body weight, fasting
      and non-fasting blood glucose, and oral glucose tolerance were measured during
      the experiment. At the time of sacrifice, serum was collected for the measurement
      of TG, TC, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) and low-density
      lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c). The liver, kidney, spleen, pancreas, heart and
      adipose tissues were harvested and weighted. The liver was used for further
      microarray experiment. Omics approaches were adopted to evaluate the holistic
      rebalancing effect of XKA at molecular network level. RESULTS: XKA significantly
      inhibited adipogenic differentiation, lowered the intracellular TC and TG
      contents in 3T3-L1 cells. XKA improved the glucose homeostasis and lipid
      metabolism, ameliorated insulin resistance in KKAy mice. Furthermore, XKA also
      exhibited effective therapeutic effects by reversing the molecular T2D disease
      network from an unbalanced state. CONCLUSIONS: This study investigated the
      antidiabetic effects of XKA with both conventional and holistic omics approaches,
      providing both phenotypic evidence and underlying action mechanisms for the
      clinical use of XKA treating T2D.

PMID- 26268727
TI  - Attenuation of Oxidative Damage by Boerhaavia diffusa L. Against Different
      Neurotoxic Agents in Rat Brain Homogenate.
AB  - Due to a high rate of oxidative metabolic activity in the brain, intense
      production of reactive oxygen metabolite occurs, and the subsequent generation of
      free radicals is implicated in the pathogenesis of traumatic brain injury,
      epilepsy, and ischemia as well as chronic neurodegenerative diseases. In the
      present study, protective effects of polyphenol rich ethanolic extract of
      Boerhaavia diffusa (BDE), a neuroprotective edible medicinal plant against
      oxidative stress induced by different neurotoxic agents, were evaluated. BDE was
      tested against quinolinic acid (QA), 3-nitropropionic acid (NPA), sodium
      nitroprusside (SNP), and Fe (II)/EDTA complex induced oxidative stress in rat
      brain homogenates. QA, NPA, SNP, and Fe (II)/EDTA treatment caused an increased
      level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in brain homogenates
      along with a decline in the activities of antioxidant enzymes. BDE treatment
      significantly decreased the production of TBARS (p < .05) and increased the
      activities of antioxidant enzymes like catalase and superoxide dismutase along
      with increased concentration of non-enzymatic antioxidant, reduced glutathione
      (GSH). Similarly, BDE caused a significant decrease in the lipid peroxidation
      (LPO) in the cerebral cortex. Inhibitory potential of BDE against deoxyribose
      degradation (IC50 value 38.91 +/- 0.12 MUg/ml) shows that BDE can protect
      hydroxyl radical induced DNA damage in the tissues. Therefore, B. diffusa had
      high antioxidant potential that could inhibit the oxidative stress induced by
      different neurotoxic agents in brain. Since many of the neurological disorders
      are associated with free radical injury, these data may imply that B. diffusa,
      functioning as an antioxidant agent, may be beneficial for reducing various
      neurodegenerative complications.

PMID- 26268728
TI  - Predictors affecting personal health information management skills.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study investigated major factors affecting personal health
      records (PHRs) management skills associated with survey respondents' health
      information management related activities. METHODS: A self-report survey was used
      to assess individuals' personal characteristics, health knowledge, PHR skills,
      and activities. Factors underlying respondents' current PHR-related activities
      were derived using principal component analysis (PCA). Scale scores were
      calculated based on the results of the PCA, and hierarchical linear regression
      analyses were used to identify respondent characteristics associated with the
      scale scores. Internal consistency of the derived scale scores was assessed with
      Cronbach's alpha. RESULTS: Among personal health information activities surveyed
      (N = 578 respondents), the four extracted factors were subsequently grouped and
      labeled as: collecting skills (Cronbach's alpha = 0.906), searching skills
      (Cronbach's alpha = 0.837), sharing skills (Cronbach's alpha = 0.763), and
      implementing skills (Cronbach's alpha = 0.908). In the hierarchical regression
      analyses, education and computer knowledge significantly increased the
      explanatory power of the models. Health knowledge (beta = 0.25, p < 0.001)
      emerged as a positive predictor of PHR collecting skills. CONCLUSIONS: This study
      confirmed that PHR training and learning should consider a full spectrum of
      information management skills including collection, utilization and distribution
      to support patients' care and prevention continua.

PMID- 26268729
TI  - Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome belongs to the PIK3CA-related overgrowth spectrum
      (PROS).
AB  - Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome (KTS), originally described as a triad of cutaneous
      capillary malformation, bone and soft-tissue hypertrophy, as well as venous and
      lymphatic malformations, has been considered by dermatologists as a distinct
      diagnostic entity. However, cases with KTS have also been reported to have
      neurological disorders, developmental delay and digital abnormalities, indicating
      multisystem involvement. Recently, a number of overgrowth syndromes, with
      overlapping phenotypic features with KTS, have been identified; these include
      MCAP and CLOVES syndromes as well as fibroadipose hyperplasia. These conditions
      harbour mutations in the PIK3CA gene, and they have been included in the PIK3CA
      related overgrowth spectrum (PROS). Based on recent demonstrations of PIK3CA
      mutations also in KTS, it appears that, rather than being a distinct diagnostic
      entity, KTS belongs to PROS. These observations have potential diagnostic and
      therapeutic implications for KTS. 

PMID- 26268730
TI  - Antibiotic Policies and Utilization in Oregon Hospice Programs.
AB  - Antibiotics are frequently used in hospice care, despite limited data on safety
      and effectiveness in this patient population. We surveyed Oregon hospice programs
      on antibiotic policies and prescribing practices. Among 39 responding hospice
      programs, the median reported proportion of current census using antibiotics was
      10% (interquartile range = 3.5%-20.0%). Approximately 31% of responding hospice
      programs had policies for antibiotic initiation, 17% of hospice programs had
      policies for antibiotic discontinuation, and 95% of hospice programs had policies
      for managing drug interactions. Diarrhea, nausea/vomiting, and yeast infections
      were the most frequently reported antibiotic-associated adverse events, occurring
      "sometimes" or "often" among 62%, 47%, and 62% of respondents, respectively. In
      conclusion, less than a third of participating hospice programs reported having a
      policy for antibiotic initiation and even less frequently a policy for
      discontinuation. More data are needed on the risks and benefits of antibiotic use
      in hospice care to inform these policies and optimize outcomes in this vulnerable
      patient population. 

PMID- 26268731
TI  - Racial Residential Segregation and Disparities in Obesity among Women.
AB  - The high rate of obesity among black women in the USA is a significant public
      health problem. However, there is limited research on the relationship between
      racial residential segregation and disparities in obesity, and the existing
      evidence is limited and results are mixed. This study examines the relationship
      between racial residential segregation and obesity among black and white women.
      We conducted this cross-sectional study by joining data from the 1999-2004
      National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey with data from the 2000 US
      Census. Multilevel logistic regression models found that for every one-point
      increase in the black isolation index, there was a 1.06 (95 % confidence interval
      (CI) = 1.01, 1.11) times higher odds of obesity for black women. In order to
      address the disparately high rates of obesity among black women, health policies
      need to address the economic, political, and social forces that produce racially
      segregated neighborhoods.

PMID- 26268732
TI  - Role of adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase in alpha-linolenic
      acid-induced intestinal lipid metabolism.
AB  - n-3 Long-chain PUFA up-regulate intestinal lipid metabolism. However, whether
      these metabolic effects of PUFA on intestine are mediated by AMP-activated
      protein kinase (AMPK) remains to be elucidated. To determine the effects of alpha
      linolenic acid (ALA) on intestinal fatty acid (FA) metabolism and whether these
      effects were affected by AMPK deletion, mice deficient in the catalytic subunit
      of AMPKalpha1 or AMPKalpha2 and wild-type (WT) mice were fed either a high-fat
      diet (HF) or HF supplemented with ALA (HF-A). The results showed that ALA
      supplementation decreased serum TAG content in WT mice. ALA also increased mRNA
      expression of genes (carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1a, acyl-CoA oxidase 1,
      medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, cytochrome P450 4A10 and pyruvate
      dehydrogenase kinase isoenzyme 4a) involved in intestinal lipid oxidation and
      mRNA expression of TAG synthesis-related genes (monoacylglycerol O
      acyltransferase 2, diacylglycerol O-acyltransferases 1 and 2) in WT mice.
      Consistent with these, expression levels of phosphorylated AMPKalpha1 and
      AMPKalpha2 were also increased in WT mice after ALA addition. However, in the
      absence of either AMPKalpha1 or AMPKalpha2, ALA supplementation failed to
      increase intestinal lipid oxidation. In addition, no significant effects of
      either diet (HF and HF-A) or genotype (WT, AMPKalpha1(-/-) and AMPKalpha2(-/-))
      on FA uptake in the intestine and faecal TAG output were observed. Our results
      suggest that AMPK is indispensable for the effects of ALA on intestinal lipid
      oxidation.

PMID- 26268735
TI  - Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC) Calculator Risks.

PMID- 26268733
TI  - TRB3 links insulin/IGF to tumour promotion by interacting with p62 and impeding
      autophagic/proteasomal degradations.
AB  - High insulin/IGF is a biologic link between diabetes and cancers, but the
      underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear. Here we report a previously
      unrecognized tumour-promoting mechanism for stress protein TRB3, which mediates a
      reciprocal antagonism between autophagic and proteasomal degradation systems and
      connects insulin/IGF to malignant promotion. We find that several human cancers
      express higher TRB3 and phosphorylated insulin receptor substrate 1, which
      correlates negatively with patient's prognosis. TRB3 depletion protects against
      tumour-promoting actions of insulin/IGF and attenuates tumour initiation, growth
      and metastasis in mice. TRB3 interacts with autophagic receptor p62 and hinders
      p62 binding to LC3 and ubiquitinated substrates, which causes p62 deposition and
      suppresses autophagic/proteasomal degradation. Several tumour-promoting factors
      accumulate in cancer cells to support tumour metabolism, proliferation, invasion
      and metastasis. Interrupting TRB3/p62 interaction produces potent antitumour
      efficacies against tumour growth and metastasis. Our study opens possibility of
      targeting this interaction as a potential novel strategy against cancers with
      diabetes. 

PMID- 26268737
TI  - Do different reperfusion methods affect the outcomes of stroke induced by MCAO in
      adult rats?
AB  - There are two patterns of ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) models used in rat middle
      cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) I/R models, which differ in the use of
      unilateral or bilateral carotid artery reperfusion. The primary difference
      between the two patterns of I/R models is the complexity of the surgery
      procedure. However, researchers in this field have no idea whether there are any
      differences in outcomes of these two methods. In this study, we investigated the
      effects of the two methods on neurological deficits, infarct volume, blood-brain
      barrier (BBB) integrity and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression.
      Through evaluating the current way of bilateral common carotid artery
      reperfusion, we tried to find whether it could be replaced by an easier way. We
      found that there were no statistical significant differences between the
      different methods in infarct volume, neurological deficits, BBB integrity, and
      the level of BDNF (P > 0.05). These data demonstrated that different methods did
      not affect the neurological deficits, infarct volume, BBB integrity, and the BDNF
      protein level, which provides reference when we use an experimental stroke. These
      results suggest that the two methods have similar capability for inducing
      cerebral I/R injury and can be interchanged. 

PMID- 26268734
TI  - Update on CD40 and CD154 blockade in transplant models.
AB  - Generation of an effective immune response against foreign antigens requires two
      distinct molecular signals: a primary signal provided by the binding of antigen
      specific T-cell receptor to peptide-MHC on antigen-presenting cells and a
      secondary signal delivered via the engagement of costimulatory molecules. Among
      various costimulatory signaling pathways, the interactions between CD40 and its
      ligand CD154 have been extensively investigated given their essential roles in
      the modulation of adaptive immunity. Here, we review current understanding of the
      role CD40/CD154 costimulation pathway has in alloimmunity, and summarize recent
      mechanistic and preclinical advances in the evaluation of candidate therapeutic
      approaches to target this receptor-ligand pair in transplantation. 

PMID- 26268736
TI  - Long-term effects of the multidisciplinary risk assessment and management program
      for patients with diabetes mellitus (RAMP-DM): a population-based cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Studies on the long-term effectiveness of multidisciplinary risk
      stratification based management in Chinese population were rare. This study aimed
      to evaluate the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary risk assessment and
      management program for patients with diabetes mellitus (RAMP-DM) in reducing the
      risks of cardiovascular complications and all-cause mortality. METHODS: A
      prospective cohort study was conducted in 18,188 propensity score matched RAMP-DM
      participants and subjects with diabetes under usual primary care (9,094 subjects
      in each group). The study endpoints were the first occurrence of coronary heart
      disease (CHD), stroke, heart failure (HF), total cardiovascular disease (CVD) and
      all-cause mortality. We constructed multivariable Cox proportional hazard
      regressions to estimate the association between the RAMP-DM intervention and the
      first occurrence of study endpoints. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 36
      months. Three hundred and ninety-nine CVD events occurred in the RAMP-DM group,
      as compared with 608 in the control group [adjusted hazard ratio, 0.629; 95%
      confidence interval (CI) 0.554-0.715; P < 0.001]. The total number of all-cause
      deaths in RAMP-DM group was less than half that of control group (202 vs 552,
      adjusted hazard ratio, 0.363; 95% CI, 0.308-0.428; P < 0.001). The adjusted
      hazard ratios of the RAMP-DM group for CHD, stroke, and HF were 0.570 (95% CI,
      0.470-0.691; P < 0.001), 0.652 (95% CI, 0.546-0.780; P < 0.001), and 0.598
      (95%CI, 0.446-0.802; P = 0.001), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The RAMP-DM
      intervention was associated with lower incidences of individual and total
      cardiovascular complications, as well as all-cause mortality over 3 years follow
      up. The encouraging results provided evidence to support that the structured risk
      stratification management leading by a multidisciplinary clinical team was an
      effective approach to reduce future cardiovascular complications in people with
      diabetes. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY: NCT02034695, http://www.ClinicalTrials.gov.

PMID- 26268738
TI  - Self-reported insomnia and coronary heart disease in the elderly.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the association between self-reported insomnia
      and coronary heart diseases in the elderly Chinese population. METHODS AND
      RESULTS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Beijing and 2982
      participants aged >=60 years were recruited. The association between self
      reported insomnia and coronary heart diseases (CHD) was determined by multiple
      logistic regression models. Age, gender, education, obesity, physical activity,
      current smoking, current drinking, medication, hypertension, diabetes, tea
      consumption, heart rate, and dyslipidemia were adjusted as confounders. Odds
      ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported as
      effect measurements. The numbers of subjects with no insomnia, occasional
      insomnia, and frequent insomnia were 2110 (70.76%), 509 (17.07%), and 363
      (12.17%), respectively. The prevalence of CHD in those with no insomnia,
      occasional insomnia, and frequent insomnia were 13.65%, 16.31%, and 22.31%.
      Compared with subjects with no insomnia, the multivariate adjusted ORs and 95%
      CIs for those with occasional insomnia and frequent insomnia were 1.17 (0.89
      1.54) and 1.73 (1.30-2.31), respectively. There was no significant difference of
      the association between men and women. CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported insomnia is
      associated with high risks of CHD in the elderly Chinese population.

PMID- 26268739
TI  - Adjuvant Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitors in Non-Small Cell Lung
      Cancer.

PMID- 26268742
TI  - Authors' response: British Society of Gastroenterology guidelines on the
      diagnosis and management of coeliac disease.

PMID- 26268740
TI  - Extranodal Marginal Zone Lymphoma of Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue of the
      Salivary Glands: A Multicenter, International Experience of 248 Patients (IELSG
      41).
AB  - BACKGROUND: The salivary gland is one of the most common sites involved by
      nongastric, extranodal marginal zone lymphomas of mucosa-associated lymphoid
      tissue (MALT). A large series of patients with long-term follow-up has not been
      documented. This multicenter, international study sought to characterize the
      clinical characteristics, treatment, and natural history of salivary gland MALT
      lymphoma. METHODS: Patients with biopsy-confirmed salivary gland MALT lymphoma
      were identified from multiple international sites. Risk factors, treatment, and
      long-term outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 247 patients were
      evaluated; 76% presented with limited-stage disease. There was a history of
      autoimmune disorder in 41%, with Sjogren disease being the most common (83%).
      Fifty-seven percent of patients were initially treated with local therapy with
      surgery, radiation, or both; 37 of patients were treated with systemic therapy
      initially, with 47% of those receiving rituximab; and 6% of patients were
      observed. The median overall survival (OS) was 18.3 years. The median progression
      free survival (PFS) following primary therapy was 9.3 years. There was no
      difference in the outcomes between patients receiving local or systemic therapy
      in first-line management. On multivariate analysis, age <60 years and low to
      intermediate international prognostic index were associated with improved OS and
      PFS; Sjogren disease was associated with improved OS. CONCLUSION: Salivary gland
      MALT lymphoma has an excellent prognosis regardless of initial treatment, and
      patients with Sjogren disease have improved survival. Risks for long-term
      complications must be weighed when determining initial therapy.

PMID- 26268741
TI  - Evaluating Comparative Effectiveness Research Priorities for Care Coordination in
      Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Community-Based eDelphi Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite research supporting the use of care coordination in chronic
      obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), there is relatively little known about the
      comparative effectiveness of different strategies used to organize care for
      patients. To investigate the most important COPD care coordination strategies,
      community-based stakeholder input is needed, especially from medically
      underserved populations. Web-based platforms are electronic tools now being used
      to bring together individuals from underrepresented populations to share input
      and obtain clarification on comparative effectiveness research (CER) ideas,
      questions, and hypotheses. OBJECTIVE: Use low computer-literate, collaborative
      survey technology to evaluate stakeholder priorities for CER in COPD care
      coordination. METHODS: A mixed-method, concurrent triangulation design was used
      to collect survey data from a virtual advisory board of community-based
      stakeholders including medically underserved patients with COPD, informal
      caregivers, clinicians, and research scientists. The eDelphi method was used to
      conduct 3 iterative rounds of Web-based surveys. In the first 2 survey rounds,
      panelists viewed a series of "mini research prospectus" YouTube video
      presentations and rated their level of agreement with the importance of 10 COPD
      care coordination topics using 7-point Likert scales. In the final third-round
      survey, panelists ranked (1=most important, 8=least important) and commented on 8
      remaining topics that panelists favored most throughout the first 2 survey
      rounds. Following the third-round survey, panelists were asked to provide
      feedback on the potential impact of a Web-based stakeholder engagement network
      dedicated to improving CER in COPD. RESULTS: Thirty-seven panelists rated the
      following care coordination topics as most important (lower means indicate
      greater importance): (1) measurement of quality of care (mean 2.73, SD 1.95); (2)
      management of COPD with other chronic health issues (mean 2.92, SD 1.67); (3)
      pulmonary rehabilitation as a model for care (mean 3.72; SD 1.93); (4) quality of
      care coordination (mean 4.12, SD 2.41); and (5) comprehensive COPD patient
      education (mean 4.27, SD 2.38). Stakeholder comments on the relative importance
      of these care coordination topics primarily addressed the importance of comparing
      strategies for COPD symptom management and evaluating new methods for patient
      provider communication. Approximately one half of the virtual panel assembled
      indicated that a Web-based stakeholder engagement network could enable more
      online community meetings (n=19/37, 51%) and facilitate more opportunities to
      suggest, comment on, and vote for new CER ideas in COPD (n=18/37, 49%).
      CONCLUSIONS: Members of this unique virtual advisory board engaged in a
      structured Web-based communication process that identified the most important
      community-specific COPD care coordination research topics and questions. Findings
      from this study support the need for more CER that evaluates quality of care
      measures used to assess the delivery of treatments and interventions among
      medically underserved patients with COPD.

PMID- 26268743
TI  - Safety and efficacy of TACE and gamma knife on hepatocellular carcinoma with
      portal vein invasion.

PMID- 26268744
TI  - Defining dysbiosis threatens Koch's postulates and current dogma on the role of
      Paneth cells in Crohn's disease.

PMID- 26268745
TI  - Quantification of mequitazine in human plasma by gas chromatography- quadrupole
      mass spectrometry and its application to a human pharmacokinetic study.
AB  - A specific and sensitive gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) with
      quadrupole mass analyzer type was developed and validated for the quantitative
      analysis of mequitazine in human plasma. After liquid-liquid extraction of plasma
      samples containing mequitazine and promethazine (internal standard, IS) using
      hexane with pH adjustment, the extract was evaporated and an aliquot of
      reconstituted residue was injected into the GC-MS system. The assay showed
      linearity over a concentration range from 1 to 50 ng/mL. Intra- and inter-day
      precision for mequitazine was <9.09 and 9.29%, respectively, and intra- and inter
      day accuracy ranged from -7.97 to 9.05% and from -1.51 to 7.89%, respectively.
      The lower limit of quantification was 1 ng/mL in the present assay. The developed
      analytical method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study after a
      single oral administration of mequitazine in human subjects.

PMID- 26268747
TI  - [Comments on "ITMIG consensus statement on the use or the WHO histological
      classification of thymoma and thymic carcinoma: refined definitions, histological
      criteria, and reporting"].

PMID- 26268748
TI  - [Comments on "The American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society
      International Multidisciplinary Consensus Classification].

PMID- 26268746
TI  - An insight into current concepts and techniques in resin bonding to high strength
      ceramics.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Reliable bonding between high strength ceramics and resin composite
      cement is difficult to achieve because of their chemical inertness and lack of
      silica content. The aim of this review was to assess the current literature
      describing methods for resin bonding to ceramics with high flexural strength such
      as glass-infiltrated alumina and zirconia, densely sintered alumina and yttria
      partially stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystalline ceramic (Y-TZP) with
      respect to bond strength and bond durability. METHODS: Suitable peer reviewed
      publications in the English language were identified through searches performed
      in PubMed, Google Search and handsearches. The keywords or phrases used were
      'resin-ceramic bond', 'silane coupling agents', 'air particle abrasion',
      'zirconia ceramic' and 'resin composite cements'. Studies from January 1989 to
      June 2015 were included. RESULTS: The literature demonstrated that there are
      multiple techniques available for surface treatments but bond strength testing
      under different investigations have produced conflicting results. CONCLUSIONS:
      Within the scope of this review, there is no evidence to support a universal
      technique of ceramic surface treatment for adhesive cementation. A combination of
      chemical and mechanical treatments might be the recommended solution. The
      hydrolytic stability of the resin ceramic bond should be enhanced.

PMID- 26268749
TI  - [ALK gene fusion associated non-small cell lung cancer: automated immunostainer
      detection and clinicopathologic perspectives].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the automated immunostainer screening anaplastic lymphoma
      kinase (ALK) gene fusion non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and
      clinicopathological characteristics of the molecular subtype lung cancers.
      Methods Five hundred and sixty-six cases of NSCLC were collected over a 16 month
      period. The test for ALK was performed by Ventana automated immunostainer with
      anti-ALK D5F3. The histological features, treatment and outcome of patients were
      assessed. Results Thirty-eight cases (6.7%, 38/566) of NSCLC showed ALK gene
      fusion. The frequency of ALK gene fusion was higher in male (7.1%, 25/350) than
      that in female (6.0%, 13/216) patients, but not achieving statistical
      significance (chi2 = 0.270, P = 0.604). ALK + NSCLC was more significantly more
      frequent in patients < or = 60 years (9.9%, 28/282) than >60 years (3.5% ,
      10/284) of age. Histologically, the ALK + NSCLCs were mostly adenocarcinoma
      (81.6%, 31/38) , among which eighteen cases were solid predominant subtype with
      mucin production; nine cases were acinar predominant subtype; one case was
      papillary predominant subtype and three cases were invasive mucinous
      adenocarcinoma. The ALK + non-adenocarcinoma included three cases of squamous
      cell carcinoma, three cases of adenosquamous carcinoma and one case of
      pleomorphic carcinoma. Among the ALK + NSCLC patients, the number of non/light
      cigarette smokers (86. 8% , 33/38) was more than that of heavy smokers. Twenty
      nine cases were stages III and IV; twenty-nine cases showed lymph node
      metastasis; twenty cases showed metastases mostly to brain and bone; and one case
      showed EGFR gene mutation coexisting with ALK gene fusion. Twelve of fifteen
      patients received crizotinib therapy and remained stable. Conclusions NSCLC with
      ALK gene rearrangement shows distinctive clinical and histological features.
      Ventana-IHC may he a feasible and valid technique for detection of ALK
      rearrangement in NSCLC.

PMID- 26268750
TI  - [Relationship between histopathologic characteristics and epidermal growth factor
      receptor mutation in lung adenocarcinoma].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To correlate morphological features with mutations of epidermal growth
      factor receptor (EGFR) in lung adenocarcinomas. METHODS: According to 2011
      International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer/American Thoracic
      Society/European Respiratory Society International Multidisciplinary Lung
      Adenocarcinoma Classification, a total of 72 surgically resected lung
      adenocarcinomas were collected and classified into different histological
      subtypes and different cell types (hobnail, columnar and polygonal). EGFR gene
      mutation was detected with the amplification refractory mutation method provided
      by the EGFR mutation test kit. The correlation between these subtypes and EGFR
      mutations were evaluated. RESULTS: Mutations of EGFR were detected in 48.6%
      (35/72) of lung adenocarcinomas; 19del and L858R were major mutational types
      (88.6%, 31/35). EGFR mutations were associated with female gender, non-smoking
      status, and well to moderately differentiated tumor histology. EGFR mutation
      types were not associated with age, smoking index, lymph node metastasis, stage,
      status of whether have or not have inclusion bodies or psammoma bodies and
      mitotic level. Correlations were observed between acinar and papillary
      adenocarcinoma subtypes and EGFR mutations according to the new classification.
      EGFR mutation was rare in the subtype of solid adenocarcinoma with mucin
      production and almost never observed in special subtypes (mainly mucinous and
      colloid adenocarcinoma). In addition, EGFR mutation was associated with the
      hobnail cell type. CONCLUSION: Lung adenocarcinomas of predominate acinar and
      papillary histological subtypes with hobnail cell morphology are good predictors
      for EGFR mutations.

PMID- 26268751
TI  - [Immunohistochemical evaluation of mutant p53 protein over-expression in non
      mucinous adenocarcinoma in-situ and invasive adenocarcinoma, NOS of lung].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the over-expression of mutant p53 protein in non-mucinous
      adenocarcinoma in-situ (NMAIS) and invasive adenocarcinoma, NOS of lung. METHODS:
      Immunohistochemical study for p53 protein was performed on 17 cases of NMAIS and
      70 cases of invasive adenocarcinoma, NOS of lung. The difference in p53 over
      expression between the two tumor subtypes was analyzed. RESULTS: The over
      expression of mutant p53 protein was observed in 0 case (0%) of NMAIS and 37
      cases (52.9%) of invasive adenocarcinoma, NOS of lung. The difference was of
      statistical significance (P = 0.000). CONCLUSION: Mutant p53 protein over
      expression may play a role in the progression of NMAIS to invasive
      adenocarcinoma, NOS.

PMID- 26268752
TI  - [Tumors with poroid features: a clinicopathologic analysis of 45 cases].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinicopathological features and the differential
      diagnosis of poroma and porocarcinoma. METHODS: Histopathological characteristics
      and clinical data of 35 cases of poroma and 10 cases of porocarcinoma were
      analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The average age of 35 patients of poroma was
      48 years. The average age of 10 patients of porocarcinoma was 65 years. Both
      poroma and porocarcinoma occured most frequently on the scalp and face,as well as
      the extremities. Histologically, cases of poroma were divided into three
      subtypes, including classic poroma (23 cases), hidroacanthoma simplex (3 cases)
      and dermal duct tumor (9 cases). Residual foci of benign poroma were found in all
      cases of porocarcinoma, most of which were classic poroma. The malignant
      components showed severe dysplasia and/or stromal infiltration. CONCLUSION: The
      diagnosis of poroma and porocarcinoma is mainly based on the microscopic
      characteristics. An invasive architectural pattern and/or significant cytologic
      pleomorphism are the most important clues for the diagnosis of porocarcinoma.
      Neither focal mitotic activity nor the presence of necrosis was the diagnostic
      feature of porocarcinoma. Malignant transformation can occur in some cases of
      long existing poroma with recent, rapid tumor enlargement.

PMID- 26268753
TI  - [Expression of microRNA-10a-5p in laryngeal epithelial premalignant lesions].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of microRNA-10a-5p (miR-10a) in
      laryngeal epithelial premalignant lesions (LEPL) and to analyze the correlations
      of its dysregulation with clinicopathologic parameters of LEPL. METHODS:
      According to the WHO classification (2005), 94 cases of LEPL were grouped into
      mild dysplasia (MID), moderate dysplasia (MOD), severe dysplasia (SD) and
      carcinoma in situ ( CIS). The expression of miR-10a in 94 cases of LEPL was
      detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and
      correlated with the clinical and follow-up data of all LEPL patients. RESULTS:
      miR-10a was down-regulated in LEPL with increasing grade of dysplasia. There was
      significantly statistical difference between low-risk ( MID + MOD) and high-risk
      ( SD + CIS) lesion groups (P = 0.03). The linear regression analysis showed that
      miR-10a was correlated with grade and gender of LEPL (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS:
      Down regulation of miR-10a may be a useful molecular marker for grading of LEPL
      and diagnosis of early laryngeal cancer.

PMID- 26268754
TI  - [Expression of EpCAM and E-cadherin in papillary thyroid carcinoma and its
      clinicopathologic significance].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the expression of EpCAM and E-cadherin in papillary thyroid
      carcinoma and to analyze its correlation with various clinicopathologic
      parameters. METHODS: Immunohistochemical study for EpCAM and E-cadherin was
      carried out in 91 cases of papillary thyroid carcinoma. Twenty-four cases of
      papillary hyperplasia of thyroid were used as controls. RESULTS: In all of the 24
      cases of papillary hyperplasia, EpCAM was located on the cell membrane, while in
      the 91 cases of papillary thyroid carcinoma studied, EpCAM was located within the
      cytoplasm, with 36.3% (33/91) showing nuclear localization as well. In all the
      papillary hyperplasia cases studied, E-cadherin showed membranous expression. E
      cadherin expression was reduced in 84.6% (77/91) of papillary thyroid carcinoma,
      as compared with the surrounding native thyroid parenchyma. Amongst the 33 cases
      of papillary thyroid carcinoma which showed nuclear localization of EpCAM, 30
      cases also showed reduced E-cadherin expression. There was a positive correlation
      between nuclear expression of EpCAM and loss of E-cadherin expression (P = 0.000;
      Spearman correlation coefficient = 0.857). Nuclear expression of EpCAM correlated
      with follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma and presence of
      extrathyroidal extension ( P = 0.037 and 0.033, respectively). Loss of E-cadherin
      expression correlated with age of patients and presence of lymph node metastasis
      (P = 0.018 and 0.010, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: E-cadherin expression is
      reduced in papillary thyroid carcinoma, as compared with native thyroid
      parenchyma and papillary hyperplasia. Papillary thyroid carcinoma shows loss of
      EpCAM membranous expression and increased cytoplasmic/nuclear accumulation.
      Detection of these two markers may provide a valuable reference in defining the
      biologic behaviors of papillary thyroid carcinoma, including extrathyroidal
      extension and lymph node metastasis.

PMID- 26268755
TI  - [Surgical pathology of revision after knee and hip arthroplasty].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate clinical characteristics and pathological changes of
      tissue surrounding prosthesis after hip and knee arthroplasty. METHODS: A total
      of 67 patients receiving hip and knee arthroplasty were included in the study and
      pathological changes of the revision specimens were evaluated by microscopic
      examination. RESULTS: Of 67 patients, there were 25 males and 42 females (ratio
      of 0.6) with a mean age of 64 years. There were 42 cases of revision hip
      prosthesis and 25 cases of knee prosthesis. The primary causes for the revision
      varied, including 20 cases of infection (29.9%, within 3 months in 9 cases,3 to
      24 months in 3 cases and over 24 months in 8 cases), 14 cases of pain (20.9%), 13
      cases of loosening of the prosthesis (19:4%), 9 cases of joint stiffness (13.4%),
      8 cases of prosthetic dislocation (11.9%), and 3 cases of prosthesis fracture
      (4.5%). Pathological findings in the tissue surrounding the prostheses included
      debris reaction, histiocytes, acute inflammatory, chronic non-specific
      inflammation, pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS), "pseudomembranous",
      calcification, necrosis, sequestrum, etc. These histological changes were
      frequently admixed. CONCLUSIONS: Various reasons may lead to hip and knee
      revision arthroplasty. The main pathological findings include infection, debris
      granulomas, chronic non-specific inflammatory changes, PVNS. The surgical
      pathology of the prosthesis provids guidances for clinical treatment and basic
      research.

PMID- 26268756
TI  - [Pathology of effects of dust storm on rat lung tissue].

PMID- 26268757
TI  - [Ovarian immature teratoma with gliomatosis peritonei: a clinicopathologic
      study].

PMID- 26268758
TI  - [Correlation between dissemination growth pattern in invasive front and risk of
      lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma].

PMID- 26268759
TI  - [Pituicytoma: a study of 3 cases with literature review].

PMID- 26268760
TI  - [Cytochrome oxidase and succinate dehydrogenase double staining method in
      mitochondrial myopathy].

PMID- 26268761
TI  - [Pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis with renal angiomyolipoma: report of a case].

PMID- 26268762
TI  - [Giant solitary fibrous tumor of the heart: report of a case].

PMID- 26268763
TI  - [Ovarian stromal tumor with minor sex cord elements and coexistent endometrial
      carcinoma: report of a case].

PMID- 26268764
TI  - [Pathologic assessment and clinical impacts for endometrial cancer and precursors
      after progestin treatment].

PMID- 26268765
TI  - [Research progress of feature and function of mucins in breast cancer].

PMID- 26268766
TI  - Multiwall Carbon Nanotube-Induced DNA Damage and Cytotoxicity in Male Human
      Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes.
AB  - Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been introduced recently as a novel carrier system
      for both small and large therapeutic molecules. Biotin-functionalized single-wall
      CNTs have been conjugated with the anticancer agent taxoid using a cleavable
      linker, and multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) conjugated with iron
      nanoparticles have been efficiently loaded with doxorubicin. The MWCNTs are
      effective transporters for biological macromolecules and drugs to target cells
      and tissues, thereby attracting the attention of the biomedical industry.
      Administrating MWCNTs for medical application invariably involves intravenous
      administration and ultimate contact with human peripheral blood lymphocytes
      (HPBLs), yet toxicological studies on the effect of MWCNTs on HPBLs are lacking.
      Accordingly, this study evaluated the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of MWCNTs
      on healthy male HPBLs. Healthy male HPBLs were treated with MWCNTs at 3 different
      concentrations (12.5, 25, and 50 MUg/mL) for 48 hours. Under these conditions,
      the MWCNTs induced significant cell growth retardation, DNA damage, and
      cytotoxicity. The MWCNT-treated HPBLs also exhibited an increased intracellular
      reactive oxygen species level during the experimental period, which leads to cell
      damage and death, proliferation inhibition, DNA damage, and an inflammatory
      response.

PMID- 26268767
TI  - Acute Phase Responses to Novel, Investigational Vaccines in Toxicology Studies:
      The Relationship Between C-Reactive Protein and Other Acute Phase Proteins.
AB  - The objective of this study was to determine the effects of investigational
      vaccine candidates on acute-phase proteins (APPs) as determined in GLP toxicology
      studies. Sixty-four GLP toxicity studies, which were submitted to the Food and
      Drug Administration from 2008 to 2012 in support of proposed clinical
      investigations, were reviewed and entered into a database. These studies employed
      the intramuscular route of injection and were conducted using New Zealand White
      rabbits. A retrospective review of these GLP toxicity studies was conducted to
      evaluate the changes in plasma levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen,
      and albumin as APPs following the administration of various investigational
      vaccines. The incidence and intensity of responses associated with acute-phase
      responses both positive and negative were observed to increase in animals when
      treated with vaccines containing more potent immunological components such as
      novel adjuvants that activate Toll-like receptors in the investigational vaccine
      products. Changes in plasma levels of CRP were prominent among these responses
      and provided a basis to propose a classification scheme of H, M, L, and N
      responding groups. These changes in plasma proteins reflect an activation of the
      acute-phase response and indicate increasing levels of systemic inflammation,
      which potentially may be correlated with important clinical adverse events. 

PMID- 26268768
TI  - Mixture Effects of 3 Mechanistically Different Steroidogenic Disruptors
      (Prochloraz, Genistein, and Ketoconazole) in the H295R Cell Assay.
AB  - Mixture effects of 3 model endocrine disruptors, prochloraz, ketoconazole, and
      genistein, on steroidogenesis were tested in the adrenocortical H295R cell line.
      Seven key steroid hormones (pregnenolone, progesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone,
      androstenedione, testosterone, estrone, and 17beta-estradiol) were analyzed using
      gas chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) to investigate the
      effects throughout the steroidogenic pathway. Current modeling approaches often
      rely on models assuming compounds acting independently and that the individual
      effects in some way can be summarized to predict a mixture effect. In H295R cells
      with an intact steroidogenic pathway, such assumptions may not be feasible. The
      purpose of this study was therefore to evaluate whether effects of a mixture with
      differing modes of action followed or deviated from additivity (concentration
      addition) and whether the H295R cell line was suitable for evaluating mixture
      toxicity of endocrine disruptors with different modes of action. The compounds
      were chosen because they interfere with steroidogenesis in different ways. They
      all individually decrease the concentrations of the main sex steroids downstream
      but exert different effects upstream in the steroidogenic pathway. Throughout the
      study, we observed lowest observed effect concentrations of mixtures at levels 2
      to 10 times higher than the predicted EC(50), strongly indicating antagonistic
      effects. The results demonstrate that chemical analysis combined with the H295R
      cell assay is a useful tool also for studying how mixtures of endocrine
      disruptors with differing modes of action interfere with the steroidogenic
      pathway and that existing models like concentration addition are insufficient in
      such cases. Furthermore, for end points where compounds exert opposite effects,
      no relevant models are available.

PMID- 26268769
TI  - Determination of CYP3A4 Inducing Properties of Compounds Using a Laboratory
      Developed Cell-Based Assay.
AB  - A cell-based assay to measure cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) induction was
      developed to screen for potential CYP3A4 inducers. This 96-well format assay
      utilizes HepG2 cells transfected with a gene construct of CYP3A4 proximal
      promoter linked to green fluorescence protein (GFP) gene, and the expression of
      the GFP is then measured quantitatively. Bergamottin at 5 to 25 umol/L produced
      low induction relative to the positive control. Both curcumin and lycopene were
      not found to affect the expression of GFP, suggesting no induction properties
      toward CYP3A4. Interestingly, resveratrol produced significant induction from 25
      umol/L onward, which was similar to omeprazole and may warrant further studies.
      In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that this cell-based assay can be
      used as a tool to evaluate the potential CYP3A4 induction properties of
      compounds. However, molecular docking data have not provided satisfactory
      pointers to differentiate between CYP3A4 inducers from noninducers or from
      inhibitors, more comprehensive molecular screening may be indicated. 

PMID- 26268770
TI  - Epigenetic Regulation in Environmental Chemical Carcinogenesis and its
      Applicability in Human Health Risk Assessment.
AB  - Although several studies have shown that chemically mediated epigenetic changes
      are an etiological factor in several human disease conditions, the utility of
      epigenetic data, such as DNA methylation, in the current human health risk
      assessment paradigm is unclear. The objective of this study is to investigate the
      relationship between the points of departure (PODs) for cancer incidence and DNA
      methylation changes in laboratory animals exposed to the following environmental
      toxicants: bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane, chloroform, hydrazine,
      trichloroethylene, benzidine, trichloroacetic acid, and di(2-ethylhexyl)
      phthalate (DEHP; a known reproductive toxicant). The results demonstrate that the
      PODs for cancer incidence and altered DNA methylation are similar. Furthermore,
      based on the available data, the POD for DNA methylation appeared more sensitive
      compared to that for cancer incidence following the administration of DEHP to
      rats during different life stages. The high degree of correlation between PODs
      for cancer incidence and DNA methylation (for both total DNA and individual
      genes) suggests that DNA methylation end points could potentially be used as a
      screening tool in predicting the potential toxicity/carcinogenicity and in
      prioritizing large numbers of chemicals with sparse toxicity databases. The life
      stage during which treatment occurs is also an important consideration when
      assessing the potential application of epigenetic end points as a screening tool.

PMID- 26268771
TI  - Quality audits of radiotherapy centres in Latin America: a pilot experience of
      the International Atomic Energy Agency.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In Latin America radiotherapy quality varies significantly among
      hospitals, where highly equipped academic centers coexist with others not meeting
      minimal requirements. In 2007, the International Atomic Energy Agency published
      guidelines for auditing radiotherapy centers, known as the "Quality Assurance
      Team for Radiation Oncology" (QUATRO) audits. The present report summarizes a
      pilot experience with QUATRO audits to 12 radiotherapy centres. METHODS: The
      findings from QUATRO audits conducted in 12 radiotherapy centres in Latin America
      between 2008 and 2013 were analysed. Events representing weaknesses or gaps in
      the process of radiotherapy were recorded. Relevant data for estimating human and
      technological needs of visited centres were processed. The main difficulties and
      strengths faced by institutions were also documented. RESULTS: All 12
      radiotherapy centres were successfully audited following the QUATRO method. IAEA
      provided a dosimetry kit for quality control. Forty percent of audited
      institutions were immersed in a health system that did not recognize cancer as a
      public health priority problem. With few exceptions, local training programs for
      physicists and technologists were scarce and research was not an activity of
      interest among physicians. Centres were provided with sufficient staff to meet
      the local demand, both in the case of radiation oncologists, physicists and
      radiation therapists. Three centres lacking the minimum infrastructure were
      identified. Three institutions did not perform gynaecological brachytherapy, and
      one installation delivered around 900 teletherapy treatments annually without
      simulation, planning or dosimetry equipment for that purpose. Recommendations to
      centres were classified as related to personnel, infrastructure, processes and
      institutional organizational aspects. Many recommendations warned governments
      about the evident need for allocating more budgetary resources to radiotherapy.
      Most recommendations pointed out different aspects related to strengthen human
      resources training and technological support to the audited centres. Scheduled
      follow-up visits were also stressed. CONCLUSION: The QUATRO audits proved to be a
      valuable tool for identifying weaknesses in infrastructure, human resources and
      procedures in radiotherapy centres. Follow-up visits conducted by the IAEA or by
      regional or local organizations are necessary in order to evaluate outcomes and
      sustainability of implemented recommendations.

PMID- 26268772
TI  - A prospective randomized clinical trial into the capacity of a toothpaste
      containing NovaMin to prevent white spot lesions and gingivitis during
      orthodontic treatment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: White spot lesions and gingivitis represent common, yet challenging,
      dilemmas for orthodontists. Fluoride has shown some benefit as a protective
      measure against demineralization; however, this is usually insufficient for
      orthodontic patients with less than ideal oral hygiene. Dentifrices containing
      calcium sodium phosphosilicate bioactive glass (NovaMin) have been proposed to
      aid in prevention of white spot lesions and gingival inflammation. Thus, the
      purpose of this study was to determine if the use of NovaMin reduces the
      formation of white spot lesions and improves gingival health in orthodontic
      patients. METHODS: This was a prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled
      trial. Forty-eight patients undergoing orthodontic treatment were randomly
      allocated to two groups. The control group consisted of 24 patients who received
      over-the-counter fluoride toothpaste (Crest(r)), while the study group consisted
      of 24 patients who were given the test dentifrice (ReNewTM) containing 5 %
      NovaMin and fluoride. Patients were followed up for 6 months on a monthly basis.
      Decalcification, gingival health, plaque, and bacteria levels were evaluated
      every 3 months. Statistical analysis was performed using both parametric and non
      parametric tests to identify differences between groups at different time points.
      RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the groups in regard to
      changes in white spot lesions, plaque, or gingival health (P > 0.05). There was a
      trend toward improvement in white spot lesions found in subjects using Crest(r)
      at the 3-month time point; however, this was not sustained throughout the study.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that a toothpaste containing NovaMin does not
      differ significantly compared to traditional fluoride toothpaste for improving
      white spot lesions and gingivitis in orthodontic patients.

PMID- 26268773
TI  - Conditional self-discrimination enhances dendritic spine number and dendritic
      length at prefrontal cortex and hippocampal neurons of rats.
AB  - We studied conditional self-discrimination (CSD) in rats and compared the
      neuronal cytoarchitecture of untrained animals and rats that were trained in self
      discrimination. For this purpose, we used thirty 10-week-old male rats were
      randomized into three groups: one control group and two conditioning groups: a
      comparison group (associative learning) and an experimental group (self
      discrimination). At the end of the conditioning process, the experimental group
      managed to discriminate their own state of thirst. After the conditioning
      process, dendritic morphological changes in the pyramidal neurons of the
      prefrontal cortex and CA1 region of the dorsal hippocampus were evaluated using
      Golgi-Cox stain method and then analyzed by the Sholl method. Differences were
      found in total dendritic length and spine density. Animals trained in self
      discrimination showed an increase in the dendritic length and the number of
      dendritic spines of neurons of the prefrontal cortex and CA1 region of the dorsal
      hippocampus. Our data suggest that conditional self-discrimination improves the
      connectivity of the prefrontal cortex and dorsal CA1, which has implications for
      memory and learning processes.

PMID- 26268774
TI  - The importance of psychosexual counselling in the re-establishment of organic and
      erotic functions after penile prosthesis implantation.
AB  - Although many studies about penile prosthesis implantation (PPI) have been
      published so far, only a small amount of them take into account patients and
      partners outcome in terms of satisfaction and erotic function. The aim of this
      study is to explore the value of psycosexual counselling in and the sexual and
      erotic function of penile prosthesis recipients. Thirty patients and their
      partners were randomised into two groups. In arm A (case group) patients and
      their partners underwent a multistep psychosexual counselling before and after
      surgery. In arm B (control group) surgery was performed without the specific
      psychosexual counselling scheme. Specific questionnaires (International Index of
      Erectile Function (IIEF) and the Sexual Daydreaming Scale (SDS)) were
      administered before surgery and 12 months afterwards. Twenty-four months
      postoperatively patients were asked to complete the Global Assessment Questions
      (GAQ) and the Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction (EDITS),
      while their partners were asked to answer to the EDITS partner's section. Between
      January 2009 and October 2011, we enrolled 30 patients undergoing PPI in our
      institution (15 in each arm). Twenty-four months postoperative follow-up is
      available for all of them. No significant differences between the two groups in
      terms of baseline questionnaires scores were observed. Mean IIEF score was
      significantly higher in case group (arm A 68.3, arm B 53.4, P-value<0.001). At 12
      months after PPI the improvement of erotic function according to SDS was
      significantly higher in the study group for both patients and their partners.
      Improvement in satisfaction rates were confirmed at 24 months, with statistically
      significant scores for EDITS in arm A patients and partners as compared with arm
      B. PPI with a pre- and postoperative psychosexual counselling scheme resulted in
      better postoperative sexual activity and erotic function for both patients and
      partners than PPI alone. 

PMID- 26268775
TI  - Elevated Serum Level of Angiopoietin-2 as a Potential Marker for Poor Prognosis
      in Small Cell Lung Cancer.
AB  - Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a fast-growing cancer with poor prognosis.
      Patients with extensive-stage SCLC are generally treated with chemotherapy. Thus,
      it is essential to identify a predictor of efficacy and prognosis for SCLC.
      Angiopoietin-2 promotes vascular remodeling and angiogenesis. Increasing evidence
      reveals that angiopoietin-2 is preferentially expressed in cancer cells, and
      elevated angiopoietin-2 expression is related to invasive and metastatic
      phenotypes in various cancers. However, serum angiopoietin-2 level and its
      prognostic potential in SCLC have not been investigated. The aim of this study
      was to determine the usefulness of angiopoietin-2 level as a predictor of
      efficacy and prognosis for SCLC. This study consisted of sixty patients with
      SCLC. Each patient received four cycles of cisplatin-etoposide chemotherapy, and
      was followed for 36 months. Serum angiopoietin-2 levels were measured by Enzyme
      linked immunosorbent assays. The angiopoietin-2 levels were significantly higher
      in SCLC patients than those in healthy subjects (P < 0.001). The patients were
      divided into high-level group (32 patients, 2,923.9 +/- 294.7 pg/ml) and low
      level group (28 patients, 1,789.5 +/- 355.1 pg/ml) according to the mean value of
      the angiopoietin-2 level (2,400 pg/ml). Compared with the patients in the high
      level group, the patients in the low-level group showed remarkably survival
      advantage (P = 0.002). During chemotherapy, the patients in the low-level group
      showed better treatment response than the patients in the high-level group (P <
      0.05). Therefore, angiopoietin-2 might be useful as a prognostic factor for SCLC
      and for predicting SCLC response to chemotherapy. 

PMID- 26268776
TI  - Expression of Fibroblast Growth Factor 10 Is Correlated with Poor Prognosis in
      Gastric Adenocarcinoma.
AB  - Fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) has been proved to be a significant
      prognostic factor and a potential therapeutic target in several types of cancer,
      including gastric cancer. FGFR2 consists two isoforms: FGFR2-IIIb and FGFR2-IIIc,
      which can be stimulated by different ligands and trigger different downstream
      signaling pathways. As a specific ligand to FGFR2-IIIb, fibroblast growth factor
      10 (FGF10) is expressed in the gastric mesenchyme cell and is involved in stomach
      development and morphogenesis, but its expression and clinical significance is
      not well elucidated in gastric cancer. We analyzed FGF10 expression by
      immunohistochemistry in 178 samples of gastric adenocarcinoma (134 male and 44
      female patients, with the average age of 63.2 years old and the average follow-up
      of 21.6 months). Using the arbitrarily scoring method based on positive cell
      percentage and staining intensity, we sub-divided the patients into FGF10 high
      expression group (58 patients) and low-expression group (120 patients). We thus
      found that FGF10 expression is significantly associated with lymph node invasion
      (P = 0.004) and distant metastasis (P = 0.032). Importantly, FGF10 expression is
      an independent unfavorable prognostic factor (P = 0.042). Moreover, FGF10
      knockdown significantly decreased the migration of cultured gastric
      adenocarcinoma cells, suggesting that FGF10 could promote the invasion of gastric
      adenocarcinoma. In conclusion, FGF10 expression was identified as a poor
      prognostic biomarker in gastric adenocarcinoma, and FGF10 could promote the
      invasion of gastric cancer cells. We suggest that FGF10 could be a potential and
      promising drug target in gastric adenocarcinoma. 

PMID- 26268778
TI  - Revisiting global body politics in Nepal: A reflexive analysis.
AB  - Using the example of a human rights training in Nepal, the author looks at global
      body politics in a reflexive piece on her engagement in development practices
      that translate western feminist ideas on gender inequality and empowerment via UN
      human rights policies into non-western contexts. It firsts look at postcolonial
      and critical literature on feminist engagement in gender and development
      processes including a discussion on the concept of global body politics before
      examining briefly the framing of gender-based violence in Nepal. The core of the
      paper is a reflexive analysis and interrogation of the training in Nepal in order
      to bring out the tensions and contradictions around western developmental,
      feminist and human rights discourses. The discussion looks at how difficult it is
      for feminist, human rights and developmental discourses and practices to unmoor
      themselves from the notion of the 'expert' and those who do the
      rights/work/righting rights training and those who are perennially seen as
      requiring training. The conclusion reflects on possibilities of other epistemic
      practices found in intercultural dialogues. 

PMID- 26268777
TI  - The Salmonella effector protein SifA plays a dual role in virulence.
AB  - The virulence of Salmonella relies on the expression of effector proteins that
      the bacterium injects inside infected cells. Salmonella enters eukaryotic cells
      and resides in a vacuolar compartment on which a number of effector proteins such
      as SifA are found. SifA plays an essential role in Salmonella virulence. It is
      made of two distinct domains. The N-terminal domain of SifA interacts with the
      host protein SKIP. This interaction regulates vacuolar membrane dynamics. The C
      terminal has a fold similar to other bacterial effector domains having a guanine
      nucleotide exchange factor activity. Although SifA interacts with RhoA, it does
      not stimulate the dissociation of GDP and the activation of this GTPase. Hence it
      remains unknown whether the C-terminal domain contributes to the function of SifA
      in virulence. We used a model of SKIP knockout mice to show that this protein
      mediates the host susceptibility to salmonellosis and to establish that SifA also
      contributes to Salmonella virulence independently of its interaction with SKIP.
      We establish that the C-terminal domain of SifA mediates this SKIP-independent
      contribution. Moreover, we show that the two domains of SifA are functionally
      linked and participate to the same signalling cascade that supports Salmonella
      virulence. 

PMID- 26268779
TI  - Benign melanocytic lymph node deposits in the setting of giant congenital
      melanocytic nevi: the large congenital nodal nevus.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Benign melanocytic rests are a frequent finding in superficial lymph
      nodes removed during sentinel lymph node biopsies for melanoma. Whereas the
      histopathology of these deposits is well understood, very little is known
      regarding melanocytic lymph node deposits in the setting of giant congenital
      melanocytic nevi. METHODS: We analyzed lymph nodes removed from the drainage
      basin of giant congenital melanocytic nevi in three patients who had developed
      melanoma within their giant congenital nevi. RESULTS: Two of three patients
      showed widespread, capsular and parenchymal melanocytic deposits in multiple
      nodes (9 of 11 nodes in one patient and 6 of 8 in the other). Melanocytes were
      small, non-mitotically active and resembled those in the associated giant
      congenital melanocytic nevus. Melanocytes were arranged singly and in small nests
      ~0.05 mm in diameter, with some larger sheets up to 1 mm. Nodal melanocytes
      stained for Melan A and S100 on immunohistochemical evaluation, but showed
      negative or minimal HMB-45 reactivity. CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation of lymph nodes in
      the setting of giant congenital melanocytic nevi is complicated by the presence
      of often numerous, parenchymal melanocytic nevic deposits. Bland cytology and
      minimal or absent HMB-45 staining may be helpful in differentiating these nodal
      melanocytic nevi from metastatic melanoma. We term this phenomena large
      congenital nodal nevus.

PMID- 26268780
TI  - Body mass index: short- and long-term impact on kidney transplantation.
AB  - AIM: The topic of pretransplantation body mass index (BMI) is still a matter of
      controversy. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of
      pretransplant BMI on short- and long-term outcomes in patients receiving kidney
      transplant. METHODS: We have analysed 521 renal transplant recipients (RTRs). BMI
      was categorised as follows: less than or equal to 20, more than 20 to less than
      or equal to 25, more than 25 to less than or equal to 30 and more than 30
      RESULTS: The distribution of the RTRs per category of BMI at baseline was: <= 20
      (14.4%), > 20 to <= 25 (50.9%), > 25 <= 30 (26.9%) and > 30 (7.9%). In further
      analysis, the patients were stratified into four groups according to their
      pretransplant BMI values. There was no difference in the rates of delayed graft
      function between the four analysed groups of patients. Recipients with normal pre
      transplant BMI were less likely to develop wound complications in comparison to
      the recipients with high BMI (p = 0.04) and obese recipients (p = 0.0001). RTRs
      with normal BMI were less likely to develop lymphoceles in comparison to the
      recipients with high BMI (p = 0.0003). Obese patients were more likely to develop
      lymphocele in comparison to the recipients with high BMI (p = 0.01). Obese
      recipients had a longer mean length of hospital stay in comparison to the
      recipients with normal BMI (p = 0.04). There was no significant difference
      regarding 1-year graft and patient survival, as well as because of acute
      rejection crisis between the investigated groups of recipients. We did not find
      any significant difference in 5-year patients and graft survival between those
      RTRs with BMI > 20 to <= 25 and to those recipients with BMI > 25. CONCLUSION:
      Overweight and obese transplant candidates should not be excluded from kidney
      transplantation.

PMID- 26268781
TI  - Perceived barriers and benefits to physical activity in colorectal cancer
      patients.
AB  - PURPOSE: There is emerging evidence for the benefits of physical activity (PA)
      post-diagnosis for colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors. However, population studies
      suggest activity levels in these patients are very low. Understanding perceived
      barriers and benefits to activity is a crucial step in designing effective
      interventions. METHODS: Patients who were between 6 months and 5 years post
      diagnosis with non-metastasised disease were identified from five London (UK)
      hospitals. Four hundred and ninety five completed a lifestyle survey that
      included open-ended questions on their perceived barriers (what things would stop
      you from doing more physical activity?) and benefits (what do you think you would
      gain from doing more physical activity?). Patients also recorded their activity
      levels using the Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire, along with
      sociodemographic and treatment variables. RESULTS: The most commonly reported
      barriers related to cancer and its treatments (e.g. fatigue). Age and mobility
      related comorbidities (e.g. impaired mobility) were also frequently cited. Those
      who reported age and mobility as barriers, or reported any barrier, were
      significantly less active even after adjustment for multiple confounders. The
      most frequently reported benefits were physiological (e.g. improving health and
      fitness). Cancer-related benefits (such as prevention of recurrence) were rarely
      reported. Those perceiving physiological benefits or perceiving any benefits were
      more active in unadjusted models, but associations were not significant in
      adjusted models. CONCLUSIONS: We have identified important barriers and
      facilitators in CRC survivors that will aid in the design of theory-based PA
      interventions.

PMID- 26268782
TI  - Sixty-minute infusion rituximab protocol allows for safe and efficient workflow.
AB  - PURPOSE: Rituximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody approved to treat B cell non
      Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Infusion reactions among NHL patients are common during
      the first exposure but decrease with subsequent infusions. We sought to assess
      the safety and feasibility of a rituximab rapid infusion protocol in the
      outpatient treatment area of a comprehensive cancer center. PATIENTS AND METHODS:
      Patients with indolent and intermediate B cell NHL were invited to enroll in this
      prospective, single-institution study if they had received the first dose of
      rituximab according to the manufacturer-labeled standard titration schedule
      without grade >2 infusion reaction. The subsequent infusion proceeded without the
      use of steroid premedication at 100 mg/h administered over 15 min, with the
      remaining dose given over 45 min. Time savings between rapid infusion and
      standard titration were calculated. RESULTS: Fifty patients received 60-min
      rituximab infusions during the second drug administration. No infusion-related
      reactions of any grade were observed with the rapid infusion protocol (0%, one
      sided 97.5% CI 0-7.1%). The mean time for the rapid rituximab infusion was 62.4
      min (95% CI 61.2-63.6). When compared to the standard second dose infusion
      recommendation, a mean time of 94.2 min (95% 90-98.4) was saved with rapid
      infusion. Nursing surveys demonstrated 100% satisfaction with the rapid infusion
      protocol. CONCLUSIONS: Subsequent rituximab infusions can be safely administered
      over 60 min and without steroid premedication in an experienced outpatient
      infusion center when patients are appropriately screened. The faster infusions
      can reduce resource utilization and increase nursing satisfaction. TRIAL
      REGISTRATION: NCT01206777.

PMID- 26268783
TI  - Safety and tolerability of Kinesio Taping in patients with arm lymphedema:
      medical device clinical study.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to assess the safety and tolerability of
      Kinesio Taping (KT) in patients with arm lymphedema. METHOD: Medical device
      clinical study in women with arm lymphedema. Kinesio Tex Gold bandage was applied
      by the KT technique. Assessments and interviews were carried out both at the
      beginning and 4 days after intervention. Skin disorders, reported tolerance and
      modification of limb volume and function after intervention were assessed.
      Changes in limb volume and functionality before and after intervention were
      compared by the Student's t test and the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test, considering
      significant p value <0.05. RESULTS: Twenty-four women were studied. After
      intervention, no patient had cutaneous lesions, vesicle or limb hyperthermia, and
      4.2% presented skin peeling and redness. Most patients reported no change in
      social life and that they felt safer in the daily activity and were very pleased
      with the treatment. The patients presented improvement of upper limb
      functionality after intervention (p < 0.001). No difference of limb volume was
      found after intervention (p = 0.639). CONCLUSIONS: Kinesio Tex Gold bandage by
      the KT technique proved to be safe and tolerable in patients with lymphedema,
      with improved functionality and no change of the affected limb volume.

PMID- 26268784
TI  - How to improve the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting? The
      French NAVI study.
AB  - PURPOSE: Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) still remain frequent.
      The procedure for announcing the diagnosis (PAD) was an emblematic measure of the
      first French Plan Cancer aiming at providing patients with time to listen,
      information after cancer diagnosis, and discussion on treatments and their side
      effects. We aimed at assessing the risk factors of CINV, focusing on patients'
      satisfaction with the PAD. METHODS: This prospective multicentre study assessed
      the frequency and intensity of CINV among chemonaive patients during the first
      cycle of treatment. CINV was defined by >=1 emetic episode or reported nausea
      intensity >=3 on a 0-10 scale. Multivariate analysis was used to identify factors
      related to global CINV onset including satisfaction with the PAD (satisfaction
      score >=the median on a 0-10 scale). RESULTS: Data from 291 patients (women,
      85.2%; mean age, 57 years) were analyzed. Most patients (69.4%) received highly
      emetogenic chemotherapy regimens and 77.7% received antiemetic drugs consistent
      with international guidelines. Acute, delayed and overall CINV were experienced
      by 40.4, 34.8 and 52.4% of patients, respectively. Sixty-seven per cent of
      patients were satisfied with the PAD. No relation was noted between PAD
      satisfaction and CINV onset. The nausea and vomiting dimension of the QLQ-C30
      questionnaire before chemotherapy (OR 3.62), motion sickness history (OR 2.73),
      highly emetogenic CT (OR 2.73), anxiety (OR 1.99) and younger age (OR 1.96) were
      independent predictive factors. CONCLUSIONS: Although patients were mostly
      satisfied with the PAD, half of them experienced CINV. A state of anxiety could
      be identified during the PAD to be managed.

PMID- 26268785
TI  - In-service documentation tools and statements on palliative sedation in Germany-
      do they meet the EAPC framework recommendations? A qualitative document analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Numerous (inter-)national guidelines and frameworks have been
      developed to provide recommendations for the application of palliative sedation
      (PS). However, they are still not widely known, and large variations in PS
      clinical practice can be found. AIM: This study aims to collect and describe
      contents from documents used in clinical practice and to compare to what extent
      they match the European Association for Palliative Care (EAPC) framework
      recommendations. DESIGN AND METHODS: In a national survey on PS in Germany 2012,
      participants were asked to upload their in-service templates, assessment tools,
      specific protocols, and in-service statements for the application and
      documentation of PS. These documents are analyzed by using systematic structured
      content analysis. RESULTS: Three hundred seven content units of 52 provided
      documents were coded. The analyzed templates are very heterogeneous and also
      contain items not mentioned in the EAPC framework. Among 11 scales for the
      evaluation of sedation level, the Ramsey Sedation Score (n = 5) and the Richmond
      Agitation-Sedation-Scale (n = 2) were found most often. For symptom assessment,
      three different scales were provided one time respectively. In all six PS
      statements, the common core elements were possible indications for PS,
      instructions on dose titration, patient monitoring, and care. Wide congruency
      exists for physical and psychological indications. Most documents coincide on
      midazolam as a preferred drug and basic monitoring in regular intervals. Aspects
      such as pre-emptive discussion of the potential role of sedation, informational
      needs of relatives, and care for the medical professionals are mentioned rarely.
      CONCLUSIONS: The analyzed templates do neglect some points of the EAPC
      recommendations. However, they expand the ten-point scheme of the framework in
      some details. The findings may facilitate the development of standardized
      consensus documentation and monitoring draft as an operational statement.

PMID- 26268786
TI  - Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid protein concentrations of patients with
      cryptococcal meningitis treated with antifungal agents.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Many neurological diseases are accompanied by an increase in the
      cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) protein concentration, which indicates dysfunction of
      the blood-CSF/blood-brain barrier. However, the significance CSF protein
      concentration of patients with cryptococcal meningitis (CM) is not fully
      understood. The aim of the present was to determine whether CSF protein
      concentrations correlated with the responses of patients to treatment with
      antifungal drugs. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of the analytical
      data of 623 lumbar punctures of 46 patients with CM who were treated at West
      China Hospital. We divided the patients into groups with good or poor responses
      to antifungal treatment. We used a generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) to
      evaluate the significance of the differences between the two groups. RESULTS: The
      baseline CSF protein concentrations of the good antifungal response group (GR
      group) (median = 0.97 g/L) were higher compared with those of the poor antifungal
      response group (PR-group) (median = 0.72 g/L). Analysis using the GLMM indicated
      that the CSF protein concentration of the GR-group decreased at a rate of 1.8
      mg/L per day after antifungal treatment started and was 2.1 mg/L higher compared
      with that of the PR-group. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with poor responders, we found
      that the baseline CSF protein concentrations of good responders were higher and
      decreased at faster rate after the initiation of antifungal treatment.

PMID- 26268788
TI  - Adjusting prednisone using blood eosinophils reduces exacerbations and improves
      asthma control in difficult patients with asthma.
AB  - Severe or therapy-resistant asthma represents a major problem, and despite
      advanced treatment, many patients require oral corticosteroids (OCS). We aimed to
      determine if patients with severe asthma and elevated peripheral blood
      eosinophils (PBE) could have treatment with OCS adjusted using an algorithm that
      controlled PBE (<0.2 * 10(9) /L). In 11 patients, the OCS dose was adjusted to
      suppress PBE, leading to a reduced exacerbation frequency and improvement in
      asthma symptoms with an overall lower OCS dose. 

PMID- 26268789
TI  - Impact of smoke-free legislation on perinatal and infant mortality: a national
      quasi-experimental study.
AB  - Smoke-free legislation is associated with improved early-life outcomes; however
      its impact on perinatal survival is unclear. We linked individual-level data with
      death certificates for all registered singletons births in England (1995-2011).
      We used interrupted time series logistic regression analysis to study changes in
      key adverse perinatal events following the July 2007 national, comprehensive
      smoke-free legislation. We studied 52,163 stillbirths and 10,238,950 live-births.
      Smoke-free legislation was associated with an immediate 7.8% (95%CI 3.5-11.8; p <
      0.001) reduction in stillbirth, a 3.9% (95%CI 2.6-5.1; p < 0.001) reduction in
      low birth weight, and a 7.6% (95%CI 3.4-11.7; p = 0.001) reduction in neonatal
      mortality. No significant impact on SIDS was observed. Using a counterfactual
      scenario, we estimated that in the first four years following smoke-free
      legislation, 991 stillbirths, 5,470 cases of low birth weight, and 430 neonatal
      deaths were prevented. In conclusion, smoke-free legislation in England was
      associated with clinically important reductions in severe adverse perinatal
      outcomes. 

PMID- 26268790
TI  - Rhodium-catalyzed C-H activation of hydrazines leads to isoquinolones with
      tunable aggregation-induced emission properties.
AB  - Using an internally oxidizing directing group (DG) strategy, we report a Rh(III)
      catalyzed synthesis of isoquinolones via C-H activation/annulation of
      benzoylhydrazines and alkynes. Tunable double cascade cyclization of
      benzoylhydrazines with two equivalents of alkynes led to tetracyclic amides.
      These N-heterocycles demonstrated adjustable AIE properties. 

PMID- 26268791
TI  - Extensive shift in placental transcriptome profile in preeclampsia and placental
      origin of adverse pregnancy outcomes.
AB  - One in five pregnant women suffer from gestational complications, prevalently
      driven by placental malfunction. Using RNASeq, we analyzed differential placental
      gene expression in cases of normal gestation, late-onset preeclampsia (LO-PE),
      gestational diabetes (GD) and pregnancies ending with the birth of small-for
      gestational-age (SGA) or large-for-gestational-age (LGA) newborns (n = 8/group).
      In all groups, the highest expression was detected for small noncoding RNAs and
      genes specifically implicated in placental function and hormonal regulation. The
      transcriptome of LO-PE placentas was clearly distinct, showing statistically
      significant (after FDR) expressional disturbances for hundreds of genes. Taqman
      RT-qPCR validation of 45 genes in an extended sample (n = 24/group) provided
      concordant results. A limited number of transcription factors including LRF, SP1
      and AP2 were identified as possible drivers of these changes. Notable differences
      were detected in differential expression signatures of LO-PE subtypes defined by
      the presence or absence of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). LO-PE with
      IUGR showed higher correlation with SGA and LO-PE without IUGR with LGA
      placentas. Whereas changes in placental transcriptome in SGA, LGA and GD cases
      were less prominent, the overall profiles of expressional disturbances overlapped
      among pregnancy complications providing support to shared placental responses.
      The dataset represent a rich catalogue for potential biomarkers and therapeutic
      targets. 

PMID- 26268792
TI  - The influence of rituximab, high-dose therapy followed by autologous stem cell
      transplantation, and age in patients with primary CNS lymphoma.
AB  - For patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma without the involvement of the
      CNS, the addition of rituximab to standard chemotherapy has significantly
      improved survival. In this single-center, retrospective analysis, a total of 81
      primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL) patients treated in our institution between 2000 and
      2011 were included. Beside first-line chemotherapy with or without rituximab, we
      evaluated the impact of age (<=/>60 years), autologous stem cell transplantation
      (ASCT +/-), and other factors upon overall survival (OS) and progression-free
      survival (PFS). In patients treated with rituximab (n = 27), 3-year OS was 77.8 %
      (95 % confidence interval (CI) 62-93 %). In contrast, in patients treated without
      rituximab (n = 52), 3-year OS was only 39.9 % (CI 27-53 %, Fig. 1). The
      difference in OS was significant in the univariate (p = 0.002) as well as in the
      multivariate analysis (p = 0.049, hazard ratio (HR) = 0.248). Patients <=60 years
      of age (n = 28) had a 3-year OS of 78.2 % (CI 63-94 %); in patients >60 years (n
      = 51), 3-year OS was 38.7 % (CI 25-52 %). Patients who received high-dose therapy
      and ASCT had a 3-year OS of 85.2 % (CI 72-99 %), and 65.1 % were alive up to the
      time of analysis (range 9-131 months). Without ASCT, median OS was only 16 months
      (CI 11-21) and 3-year OS was 35.2 % (CI 22-48 %). Age and ASCT were significantly
      associated with better OS in univariate (p = 0.002 and p < 0.001) as well in
      multivariate analysis (p = 0.004, HR = 0.023 and p = 0.001, HR = 0.014).
      Rituximab treatment, ASCT, and age are independent prognostic factors for OS in
      the first-line treatment of PCNSL. 

PMID- 26268793
TI  - A new cassane diterpenoid from the seeds of Caesalpinia decapetala.
AB  - Phytochemical investigation on the seeds of Caesalpinia decapetala led to the
      isolation of a new cassane diterpenoid with an unusual O bridge between C-19 and
      C-20, named phanginin Q (1), together with three known cassane diterpenoids,
      caesaljapin (2), caesaldekarin A (3), and caesaldekarin B (4). The structure of
      the new compound was elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including (1)H NMR,
      (13)C NMR, HSQC, (1)H - (1)H COSY, HMBC, NOESY, and HR-ESI-MS. 

PMID- 26268794
TI  - Advancing perspectives on parity-mode evolution.

PMID- 26268795
TI  - Giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) sperm morphometry and function after
      repeated freezing and thawing.
AB  - This work examines the effects of subsequent cycles of freezing-thawing on giant
      panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) sperm morphometry and function, and assesses
      whether density-gradient centrifugation (DGC) can increase the number of freezing
      thawing cycles this sperm can withstand. A sperm sample was collected by
      electroejaculation from a mature giant panda and subjected to five freezing
      thawing cycles. Although repeated freezing-thawing negatively affected (P < 0.05)
      sperm motility and membrane integrity, in both nonselected and DCG-selected sperm
      samples, >60% of the sperm cells in both treatments showed acrosome integrity
      even after the fifth freezing cycle. In fresh semen, the sperm head length was
      4.7 MUm, the head width 3.6 MUm, area 14.3 MUm(2) and perimeter length 14.1 MUm.
      The present results suggest that giant panda sperm trends to be resistant to
      repeated freezing-thawing, even without DGC selection.

PMID- 26268796
TI  - Defects in Metal-Organic Frameworks: Challenge or Opportunity?
AB  - Metal-organic framework (MOF) materials are nanoporous materials whose
      crystalline character has made them attractive targets for synthesis of new
      materials and potential use in a diverse set of applications. The vast majority
      of studies of MOFs envision these materials as having ideal crystal structures.
      This Perspective gives an overview of the current understanding of defects in
      MOFs. Compared to related materials such as zeolites, the ability to detect and
      control defects in MOFs is nascent. Nevertheless, it is likely that defects will
      play a vital role in a number of contexts where MOFs are of widespread interest,
      so advancing our understanding of these structural features will be important in
      coming years. Potential origins of point defects, plane defects, and surface
      defects are discussed. The difficulty of defect detection in metal-organic
      frameworks is discussed and useful paths for future work are provided. 

PMID- 26268797
TI  - First complete genome of an Ambidensovirus; Cherax quadricarinatus densovirus,
      from freshwater crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus.
AB  - In 1999, the causative agent of an epizootic in Cherax quadricarinatus was
      described, and given the provisional name Cherax quadricarinatus parvovirus-like.
      Sequencing of the 6334 nt genome identified three open-reading frames on the top
      strand coding NS3 (35.55 kDa), NS1 (67.36 kDa) and NS2 (35.18 kDa) and on the
      bottom strand a single open reading frame which most likely encodes 4 structural
      proteins. Motifs characteristic of the Densovirinae were found in the ORFs.
      Phylogenetic analysis of the amino acids in NS1 places the genome in the genus
      Ambidensovirus, most closely related to the marine sea star densovirus (75%,
      E=0.0) and distantly related to Acheta domestica densovirus (44.1%). The virus
      name is proposed as species Decapod ambidensovirus, variant Cherax
      quadricarinatus densovirus. This is the first Ambidensovirus to be found in
      decapod crustaceans and the first of the subfamily Densovirinae to be sequenced
      from a freshwater crayfish. Cherax quadricarinatus densovirus and sea star
      densovirus are the first highly related Densovirinae to infect phylogenetically
      disparate hosts and are thus far, unique among the Densovirinae.

PMID- 26268798
TI  - Perceptions of pharmacists and patients on information provision and their
      influence on patient satisfaction in Japanese community pharmacies.
AB  - RATIONALE, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The provision of information is now considered a
      major area in pharmacist-patient interactions. However, few reports have
      simultaneously evaluated patient and pharmacist perceptions with regard to the
      pharmacist's information provision. The aims were to clarify the perceptions of
      pharmacists and patients regarding information provision and the level of
      influence of those perceptions on patient satisfaction. METHODS: A cross
      sectional survey with respect to information provision was conducted for patients
      and pharmacists in community pharmacies in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. In total,
      407 patient-pharmacist pairs were included in a t-test and multilevel analysis.
      RESULTS: The levels of patient perception regarding information provision were
      significantly higher than the levels of pharmacist perception in all variables.
      The pharmacists' perceived level of information provision concerning medication
      effects had a negative and significant association with patient satisfaction,
      while the patients' perceived level of information provision by the pharmacist
      had a positive and significant association with patient satisfaction. Higher
      patient expectations regarding the level of information provision concerning
      medication side effects and older age of the pharmacist were adversely related to
      patient satisfaction. Both pharmacist and patient perceptions of the information
      provision by pharmacists personalized to the patient had positive associations
      with patient satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacist perceptions related to the
      information provision were not associated with patient satisfaction. The present
      study highlights accurate information provision, building good patient-pharmacist
      relationships, and improving pharmaceutical care in community pharmacy settings.

PMID- 26268799
TI  - Clinical pathway for the screening, assessment and management of anxiety and
      depression in adult cancer patients: Australian guidelines.
AB  - PURPOSE: A clinical pathway for anxiety and depression in adult cancer patients
      was developed to guide best practice in Australia. METHODS: The pathway was based
      on a rapid review of existing guidelines, systematic reviews and meta-analyses,
      stakeholder interviews, a Delphi process with 87 multidisciplinary stakeholders
      and input from a multidisciplinary advisory panel. RESULTS: The pathway
      recommends formalized routine screening for anxiety and depression in patients
      with cancer at key points in the patient's journey. The Edmonton Symptom
      Assessment System or distress thermometer with problem checklist is recommended
      as brief screening tools, combined with a more detailed tool, such as the
      Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, to identify possible cases. A structured
      clinical interview will be required to confirm diagnosis. When anxiety or
      depression is identified, it is recommended that one person in a treating team
      takes responsibility for coordinating appropriate assessment, referral and follow
      up (not necessarily carrying these out themselves). A stepped care model of
      intervention is proposed, beginning with the least intensive available that is
      still likely to provide significant health gain. The exact intervention,
      treatment length and follow-up timelines, as well as professionals involved, are
      provided as a guide only. Each service should identify their own referral network
      based on local resources and current service structure, as well as patient
      preference. DISCUSSION: This clinical pathway will assist cancer services to
      design their own systems to detect and manage anxiety and depression in their
      patients, to improve the quality of care.

PMID- 26268800
TI  - Relating Worry and Executive Functioning During Childhood: The Moderating Role of
      Age.
AB  - The associations between worry and executive functioning across development have
      not been previously explored. Examining the interrelationships between these
      variables in childhood may further elucidate the cognitive nature of worry as
      well as its developmental course. Hypotheses predicted that difficulties with
      executive functioning would correlate with child worry; based on extant
      literature, age-related hypotheses were proposed for particular aspects of
      executive functioning. Children (N = 130) participated in the present study.
      Difficulties with executive functioning and child worry were assessed. Results
      demonstrated that each executive functioning subscale correlated with worry. The
      relations between worry and several facets of executive functioning were no
      longer significant at older ages, while the relations between worry and the
      facets of inhibition, shifting, and emotional control did not demonstrate age
      related interaction effects. Overall, the findings suggest that worry is
      associated with executive functioning at young ages and that this association
      takes distinct forms during different childhood stages. 

PMID- 26268802
TI  - Institution-specific risk of papillary thyroid carcinoma in atypia/follicular
      lesion of undetermined significance.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology (BSRTC) is
      used in surgical decision-making according to malignancy risk in each category.
      Malignancy risk in atypia/follicular lesion of undetermined significance
      (AUS/FLUS) is estimated in BSRTC to be 5% to 15%, but institutional data have
      varied widely. METHODS: We conducted a post-BSRTC 4-year retrospective analysis
      of index thyroid nodule cytology and histopathology in an academic head and neck
      endocrine surgery setting. RESULTS: Of 2939 thyroid cytology reports from 1944
      patients, the most advanced BSRTC category was AUS/FLUS in 233 patients (12.0%)
      of which 187 went to thyroidectomy. In AUS/FLUS, the upper and lower boundary
      estimates of the malignancy rate were 46% and 37%, accordingly. The malignancy
      rate did not vary significantly by cytopathologist or cytopathologic features.
      CONCLUSION: Malignancy rates in AUS/FLUS vary by institution from 6% to 46%.
      Given the subjective nature of thyroid cytopathology and interpretation of the
      BSRTC categories, guidelines should encourage the use of institution-specific
      data on malignancy risk in treatment decisions. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
      Head Neck 38: E1210-E1215, 2016.

PMID- 26268801
TI  - The mycobacterial iron-dependent regulator IdeR induces ferritin (bfrB) by
      alleviating Lsr2 repression.
AB  - Emerging evidence indicates that precise regulation of iron (Fe) metabolism and
      maintenance of Fe homeostasis in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) are essential
      for its survival and proliferation in the host. IdeR is a central transcriptional
      regulator of Mtb genes involved in Fe metabolism. While it is well understood how
      IdeR functions as a repressor, how it induces transcription of a subset of its
      targets is still unclear. We investigated the molecular mechanism of IdeR
      mediated positive regulation of bfrB, the gene encoding the major Fe-storage
      protein of Mtb. We found that bfrB induction by Fe required direct interaction of
      IdeR with a DNA sequence containing four tandem IdeR-binding boxes located
      upstream of the bfrB promoter. Results of in vivo and in vitro transcription
      assays identified a direct repressor of bfrB, the histone-like protein Lsr2. IdeR
      counteracted Lsr2-mediated repression in vitro, suggesting that IdeR induces bfrB
      transcription by antagonizing the repressor activity of Lsr2. Together, these
      results elucidate the main mechanism of bfrB positive regulation by IdeR and
      identify Lsr2 as a new factor contributing to Fe homeostasis in mycobacteria. 

PMID- 26268803
TI  - Mucilaginibacter ginsengisoli sp. nov., isolated from a ginseng-cultivated soil.
AB  - A dark-pink-coloured bacterial strain, B4Y-8T, was isolated from a soil
      cultivated with ginseng. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of this strain showed highest
      similarity with Mucilaginibacter litoreus BR-18T (96.8 %), Mucilaginibacter
      lutimaris BR-3T (96.6 %) and Mucilaginibacter defluvii A5T (96.2 %) among the
      type strains of species of the genus Mucilaginibacter. Strain B4Y-8T was a
      strictly aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, short-rod-shaped bacterium
      producing a large amount of extracellular polymeric substance. The strain grew at
      10-35  degrees C (optimum, 25  degrees C), at pH 3.0-11.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and
      in the presence of 0-1 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0 %). The DNA G+C content of strain
      B4Y-8T was 49.0 mol%. It contained menaquinone 7 (MK-7) as the major isoprenoid
      quinone, and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1omega6c and/or C16 : 1omega7c) and iso-C15
      : 0 as the major fatty acids. On the basis of evidence from the present
      polyphasic taxonomic study, strain B4Y-8T should be classified as representing a
      novel species of the genus Mucilaginibacter, for which the name Mucilaginibacter
      ginsengisoli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is B4Y-8T ( = KACC 18152T =
      JCM 30759T).

PMID- 26268804
TI  - Assessing the effectiveness of household-level focal mass drug administration and
      community-wide mass drug administration for reducing malaria parasite infection
      prevalence and incidence in Southern Province, Zambia: study protocol for a
      community randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mass drug administration (MDA) and focal MDA (fMDA) using
      dihydroartemisinin plus piperaquine (DHAp), represent two strategies to maximize
      the use of existing information to achieve greater clearance of human infection
      and reduce the parasite reservoir, and provide longer chemoprophylactic
      protection against new infections. The primary aim of this study is to quantify
      the relative effectiveness of MDA and fMDA with DHAp against no mass treatment
      (standard of care) for reducing Plasmodium falciparum prevalence and incidence.
      METHODS/DESIGN: The study will be conducted along Lake Kariba in Southern
      Province, Zambia; an area of low to moderate malaria transmission and high
      coverage of vector control. A community randomized controlled trial (CRCT) of 60
      health facility catchment areas (HFCAs) will be used to evaluate the impact of
      two rounds of MDA and fMDA interventions, relative to a control of no mass
      treatment, stratified by high and low transmission. Community residents in MDA
      HFCAs will be treated with DHAp at the end of the dry season (round one: November
      to December 2014) and the beginning of the rainy season (round two: February to
      March 2015). Community residents in fMDA HFCAs will be tested during the same two
      rounds for malaria parasites with a rapid diagnostic test; all positive
      individuals and all individuals living in their household will be treated with
      DHAp. Primary outcomes include malaria parasite prevalence (n = 5,640 children
      aged one month to under five-years-old), as measured by pre- and post-surveys,
      and malaria parasite infection incidence (n = 2,250 person-years among
      individuals aged three months and older), as measured by a monthly longitudinal
      cohort. The study is powered to detect approximately a 50 % relative reduction in
      these outcomes between each intervention group versus the control. DISCUSSION:
      Strengths of this trial include: a robust study design (CRCT); cross-sectional
      parasite surveys as well as a longitudinal cohort; and stratification of high and
      low transmission areas. Primary limitations include: statistical power to detect
      only a 50 % reduction in primary outcomes within high and low transmission
      strata; potential for contamination; and potential for misclassification of
      exposure. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Identifier: Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02329301 .
      Registration date: 30 December 2014.

PMID- 26268805
TI  - Discovery of Some Piperine-Based Phenylsulfonylhydrazone Derivatives as Potent
      Botanically Narcotic Agents.
AB  - By structural modification of piperine, some piperine-based
      phenylsulfonylhydrazone derivatives exhibited an unprecedented and potent
      narcotic activity against the oriental armyworm, Mythimna separata (Walker). The
      ND50 values of compounds 6c and 6e against the third-instar larvae of M.
      separata, which were more potent than those of wilfortrine and wilforgine, were
      0.0074 MUmol (after 3.5 h), and 0.0075 MUmol (after 7 h) per larvae,
      respectively. By transmission electron microscope, it demonstrated that
      mitochondria were vacuolated and swollen in the ganglion cell of M. separata
      after treatment with 6c. More importantly, 6c selectively displayed the
      inhibition activity on acetylcholine esterase (AchE) of M. separata. This work
      paved the way for further studying the insecticidal mechanism of 6c as a new and
      promising botanical narcotic agent. 

PMID- 26268806
TI  - Cardiovascular risk prediction in HIV-infected patients: comparing the
      Framingham, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk score (ASCVD), Systematic
      Coronary Risk Evaluation for the Netherlands (SCORE-NL) and Data Collection on
      Adverse Events of Anti-HIV Drugs (D:A:D) risk prediction models.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to compare the predictions of five popular
      cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk prediction models, namely the Data Collection
      on Adverse Events of Anti-HIV Drugs (D:A:D) model, the Framingham Heart Study
      (FHS) coronary heart disease (FHS-CHD) and general CVD (FHS-CVD) models, the
      American Heart Association (AHA) atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk
      score (ASCVD) model and the Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation for the
      Netherlands (SCORE-NL) model. METHODS: A cross-sectional design was used to
      compare the cumulative CVD risk predictions of the models. Furthermore, the
      predictions of the general CVD models were compared with those of the HIV
      specific D:A:D model using three categories (< 10%, 10-20% and > 20%) to
      categorize the risk and to determine the degree to which patients were
      categorized similarly or in a higher/lower category. RESULTS: A total of 997 HIV
      infected patients were included in the study: 81% were male and they had a median
      age of 46 [interquartile range (IQR) 40-52] years, a known duration of HIV
      infection of 6.8 (IQR 3.7-10.9) years, and a median time on ART of 6.4 (IQR 3.0
      11.5) years. The D:A:D, ASCVD and SCORE-NL models gave a lower cumulative CVD
      risk, compared with that of the FHS-CVD and FHS-CHD models. Comparing the general
      CVD models with the D:A:D model, the FHS-CVD and FHS-CHD models only classified
      65% and 79% of patients, respectively, in the same category as did the D:A:D
      model. However, for the ASCVD and SCORE-NL models, this percentage was 89% and
      87%, respectively. Furthermore, FHS-CVD and FHS-CHD attributed a higher CVD risk
      to 33% and 16% of patients, respectively, while this percentage was < 6% for
      ASCVD and SCORE-NL. CONCLUSIONS: When using FHS-CVD and FHS-CHD, a higher overall
      CVD risk was attributed to the HIV-infected patients than when using the D:A:D,
      ASCVD and SCORE-NL models. This could have consequences regarding overtreatment,
      drug-related adverse events and drug-drug interactions.

PMID- 26268808
TI  - Should all NHS premises provide free access to wi-fi?

PMID- 26268807
TI  - Sex differences in medico-legal action against doctors: a systematic review and
      meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The relationship between male sex and poor performance in doctors
      remains unclear, with high profile studies showing conflicting results.
      Nevertheless, it is an important first step towards understanding the causes of
      poor performance in doctors. This article aims to establish the robustness of the
      association between male sex and poor performance in doctors, internationally and
      over time. METHODS: The electronic databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PsycINFO were
      searched from inception to January 2015. Backward and forward citation searching
      was performed. Journals that yielded the majority of the eligible articles and
      journals in the medical education field were electronically searched, along with
      the conference and poster abstracts from two of the largest international medical
      education conferences. Studies reporting original data, written in English or
      French, examining the association between sex and medico-legal action against
      doctors were included. Two reviewers independently extracted study
      characteristics and outcome data from the full texts of the studies meeting the
      eligibility criteria. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa
      scale. A random effect meta-analysis model was used to summarize and assess the
      effect of doctors' sex on medico-legal action. Extracted outcomes included
      disciplinary action by a medical regulatory board, malpractice experience,
      referral to a medical regulatory body, complaints received by a healthcare
      complaints body, criminal cases, and medico-legal matter with a medical defence
      organisation. RESULTS: Overall, 32 reports examining the association between
      doctors' sex and medico-legal action were included in the systematic review
      (n=4,054,551), of which 27 found that male doctors were more likely to have
      experienced medico-legal action. 19 reports were included in the meta-analysis
      (n=3,794,486, including 20,666 cases). Results showed male doctors had nearly two
      and a half times the odds of being subject to medico-legal action than female
      doctors. Heterogeneity was present in all meta-analyses. CONCLUSION: Male doctors
      are more likely to have had experienced medico-legal actions compared to female
      doctors. This finding is robust internationally, across outcomes of varying
      severity, and over time.

PMID- 26268809
TI  - The effects of preferential A- and C-fibre blocks and T-type calcium channel
      antagonist on detection of low-force monofilaments in healthy human participants.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A myriad of studies have argued that tactile sensibility is
      underpinned exclusively by large myelinated mechanoreceptors. However, the
      functional significance of their slow-conducting counterparts, termed C-low
      threshold mechanoreceptors (C-LTMRs), remains largely unexplored. We recently
      showed the emergence of brush- and vibration-evoked allodynia in human hairy and
      glabrous skin during background muscle pain. The allodynia persisted following
      the preferential blockade of myelinated fibres but was abolished by the
      preferential blockade of cutaneous C fibres, thereby suggesting a pathway
      involving hairy skin C-LTMRs and their functional counterparts in glabrous skin
      in this phenomenon. In the present study, we tested the effects of preferential A
      and C-fibre conduction blocks and pharmacological blockade of T-type calcium
      channel Cav3.2 (expressed selectively on small-fibre LTMRs) on monofilament
      detection thresholds in healthy participants by compression, low-dose intradermal
      anaesthesia (xylocaine 0.25 %) and selective T-channel antagonist, TTA-A2.
      RESULTS: We found that all participants could detect monofilament contacts (as
      low as 1.6 mN) within the innocuous tactile range regardless of the preferential
      blockade of myelinated fibres. Furthermore, during the compression block no
      subject reported a switch in modality from touch to pain. That is, the low-force
      monofilament contacts were always perceived as non-painful. However, there was a
      small but significant elevation of monofilament thresholds (~2 mN) in the
      glabrous skin following the compression block. Importantly, no differences were
      found in the thresholds across hairy and glabrous regions while the myelinated
      fibres were conducting or not. The preferential blockade of C fibres in the
      glabrous skin (with myelinated fibres intact) also resulted in a small but
      significant elevation of tactile thresholds. Furthermore, the use of T-channel
      blocker in the glabrous skin during compression block of myelinated fibres
      resulted in complete abolition of monofilament sensibility within the innocuous
      tactile range (tested up to ~20 mN). CONCLUSIONS: These observations suggest that
      C-LTMRs need not be regarded as a redundant tactile system, but appear to
      complement normal large-myelinated-fibre tactile function. Convergent findings in
      glabrous and hairy skin lend support for an underlying system of innocuous
      mechanoreception with Cav3.2-expressing unmyelinated fibres.

PMID- 26268810
TI  - Auditory temporal resolution is linked to resonance frequency of the auditory
      cortex.
AB  - A brief silent gap embedded in an otherwise continuous sound is missed by a human
      listener when it falls below a certain threshold: the gap detection threshold.
      This can be interpreted as an indicator that auditory perception is a non
      continuous process, during which acoustic input is fragmented into a discrete
      chain of events. Current research provides evidence for a covariation between
      rhythmic properties of speech and ongoing rhythmic activity in the brain.
      Therefore, the discretization of acoustic input is thought to facilitate speech
      processing. Ongoing oscillations in the auditory cortex are suggested to
      represent a neuronal mechanism which implements the discretization process and
      leads to a limited auditory temporal resolution. Since gap detection thresholds
      seem to vary considerably between individuals, the present study addresses the
      question of whether individual differences in the frequency of underlying ongoing
      oscillatory mechanisms can be associated with auditory temporal resolution. To
      address this question we determined an individual gap detection threshold and a
      preferred oscillatory frequency for each participant. The preferred frequency of
      the auditory cortex was identified using an auditory steady state response (ASSR)
      paradigm: amplitude-modulated sounds with modulation frequencies in the gamma
      range were presented binaurally; the frequency which elicited the largest
      spectral amplitude was considered the preferred oscillatory frequency. Our
      results show that individuals with higher preferred auditory frequencies perform
      significantly better in the gap detection task. Moreover, this correlation
      between oscillation frequency and gap detection was supported by high test-retest
      reliabilities for gap detection thresholds as well as preferred frequencies. 

PMID- 26268811
TI  - Rare CFH mutations and early-onset age-related macular degeneration.

PMID- 26268812
TI  - A ferrocene-switched electrochemiluminescence "off-on" strategy for the sensitive
      detection of cardiac troponin I based on target transduction and a DNA walking
      machine.
AB  - A ferrocene-switched electrochemiluminescence "off-on" sensor is proposed on the
      basis of target transduction and a DNA walking machine for the sensitive
      detection of cardiac troponin I (cTnI). The proposed method offers high
      selectivity with a low detection limit of 0.016 pg mL(-1), and provides a
      universal platform for detecting a wide range of targets, including other
      proteins and DNAs, by changing the molecular recognition elements to the
      corresponding antibodies, aptamers or DNA probes. 

PMID- 26268814
TI  - Neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome due to subclavius posticus muscle with
      dynamic brachial plexus compression: a case report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome is an underestimated cause of
      brachial weakness and pain. The subclavius posticus muscle (SPM) is an aberrant
      muscle originating from the medial aspect of the first rib reaching to superior
      border of the scapula, which may cause, depending on its activation, dynamic
      compression of the brachial plexus. CASE PRESENTATION: In the present study, we
      report about a 32-year-old male caucasian patient with weakness in radial
      deviation of his left hand. An isolated macrodactyly of his left middle finger
      had been operated twice. Electroneurography showed a carpal-tunnel-syndrome (CTS)
      on the left side. MRI of the brachial plexus revealed an additional muscle in the
      costoclavicular space, identified as SPM. To our knowledge, this is the second
      case report of a neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome due to SPM, and the first
      case described with isolated macrodactyly and CTS in the same patient.
      CONCLUSION: If complaints about hand weakness are only reported in cases of
      distinct hand positions, a dynamic compression of the brachial plexus by SPM may
      be the cause. A neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome may facilitate the
      development of CTS.

PMID- 26268815
TI  - Association of HLA-DRB1 alleles with clinical responses to the anti-interleukin
      17A monoclonal antibody secukinumab in active rheumatoid arthritis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess whether preliminary findings of associations between the HLA
      DRB1*04 and HLA-DRB1* shared epitope (SE) allelic groups and response to the anti
      IL-17A mAb secukinumab in RA were reproducible in an independent RA cohort.
      METHODS: Biologic-naive subjects (n = 100) with RA by 2010 criteria with
      tender/swollen joint counts (each >=6) and high-sensitivity CRP (hsCRP) >10 mg/l
      were randomized 2:1 to secukinumab 10 mg/kg i.v. or placebo every 2 weeks until
      week 10. Potential associations with treatment response to secukinumab at week 12
      (DAS28-CRP change from baseline by analysis of covariance, ACR20 response rate by
      logistic regression) were assessed for HLA-DRB1*04 (primary end point), HLA
      DRB1*SE and HLA-DRB1 position 11 V/L (HLA-DRB1*pos11 V/L) allelic groups, and
      baseline levels of hsCRP, RF and anti-CCP. RESULTS: Secukinumab was significantly
      more effective than placebo in reducing DAS28-CRP (-2.41 vs -0.71; P < 0.0001)
      and producing ACR20 responses (87.1% vs 25.0%; P < 0.0001) at week 12. The HLA
      DRB1*04 allelic group was not significantly related to secukinumab response vs
      placebo. For change from baseline in DAS28-CRP, HLA-DRB1*SE (P = 0.003) and HLA
      DRB1*pos11 V/L (P = 0.002) allelic groups were associated with positive treatment
      response. Higher RF levels, but not anti-CCP positivity, were significantly
      associated with DAS28-CRP reductions (P = 0.015) and ACR20 (P = 0.008) responses.
      Secukinumab was well tolerated. CONCLUSION: Secukinumab significantly reduced
      signs and symptoms of RA vs placebo. As the HLA-DRB1*SE and HLA-DRB1*pos11 V/L
      results were driven by lack of placebo response in carriers, the hypothesis of
      clinical utility for HLA-DRB1* allelic groups in RA anti-IL-17A short-term
      response prediction could not be corroborated. TRIAL REGISTRATION:
      ClinicalTrials.gov; https://clinicaltrials.gov/; NCT01426789.

PMID- 26268816
TI  - Immunogenicity of biologic agents in rheumatoid arthritis patients: lessons for
      clinical practice.
AB  - Anti-drug antibodies (ADAbs) develop in up to a third of patients treated with
      biologic agents, with such immunogenicity being one of the main reasons for the
      loss of efficacy observed in an important proportion of patients treated with
      such agents. The appearance of ADAbs has consequences in terms of efficacy and
      tolerance of the biodrug: the development of ADAbs is associated with a poorer
      clinical response and with an increased risk of adverse effects. Formation of
      ADAbs has been observed with all biologic DMARDs, but anti-TNF agent mAbs appear
      to be the largest contributors, independent of humanization of the antibody. ADAb
      identification is technically difficult and not standardized, partly explaining
      important variations between published studies. A variety of factors can
      influence the risk of ADAb appearance, some of which are linked to the treatment
      strategy, such as the combination with synthetic DMARDs or the rhythm of
      administration of the biodrug, whereas other factors are dependent on the
      patient, such as the level of inflammation at onset or body weight. The detection
      of these antibodies and/or the dosage of the biologic agent itself could have
      consequences for the bedside practice of clinicians and should be well
      understood. This review of the literature proposes an overview of the data
      published on the subject to help clinicians manage the biodrugs according to
      these new concepts. 

PMID- 26268813
TI  - Enantioselective and Enantiospecific Transition-Metal-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling
      Reactions of Organometallic Reagents To Construct C-C Bonds.

PMID- 26268817
TI  - Gay and bisexual men's awareness and knowledge of treatment as prevention:
      findings from the Momentum Health Study in Vancouver, Canada.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Awareness and knowledge of treatment as prevention (TasP) was
      assessed among HIV-positive and HIV-negative gay, bisexual and other men who have
      sex with men (GBMSM) in Vancouver, Canada. METHODS: Baseline cross-sectional
      survey data were analyzed for GBMSM enrolled, via respondent-driven sampling
      (RDS), in the Momentum Health Study. TasP awareness was defined as ever versus
      never heard of the term "TasP." Multivariable logistic regression identified
      covariates of TasP awareness. Among those aware of TasP, men's level of knowledge
      of TasP was explored through an examination of self-perceived knowledge levels,
      risk perceptions and short-answer definitions of TasP which were coded as
      "complete" if three TasP-related components were identified (i.e. HIV treatment,
      viral suppression and prevention of transmission). Information source was also
      assessed. Analyses were stratified by HIV status and RDS adjusted. RESULTS: Of
      719 participants, 23% were HIV-positive, 68% Caucasian and median age was 33
      (Interquartile range (IQR) 26,47). Overall, 46% heard of TasP with differences by
      HIV status [69% HIV-positive vs. 41% HIV-negative GBMSM (p<0.0001)]. In adjusted
      models: HIV-positive GBMSM were more likely to have heard of TasP if they were
      Canadian born, unemployed, not using party drugs and had higher CD4 counts; HIV
      negative GBMSM were more likely to have heard of TasP if they were Caucasian (vs.
      Aboriginal), students, had higher education, a regular partner and multiple
      sexual partners. Among those aware of TasP 91% of HIV-positive and 69% of HIV
      negative GBMSM (p<0.0001) felt they knew "a lot" or "a bit in general" about
      TasP; 64 and 41% (p=0.002) felt HIV treatment made the risk of transmission "a
      lot lower"; and 21 and 13% (p<0.0001) demonstrated "complete" TasP definitions.
      The leading information source was doctors (44%) for HIV-positive GBMSM and
      community agencies (38%) for HIV-negative GBMSM, followed by gay media for both
      populations (34%). CONCLUSIONS: Nearly half of GBMSM in this study reported
      having heard of TasP, yet only 14% demonstrated complete understanding of the
      concept. Variations in TasP awareness and knowledge by HIV status, and key socio
      demographic, behavioural and clinical factors, highlight a need for health
      communication strategies relevant to diverse communities of GBMSM in order to
      advance overall TasP health literacy.

PMID- 26268818
TI  - Radical surgery versus standard surgery for primary cytoreduction of bulky stage
      IIIC and IV ovarian cancer: an observational study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the survival benefit of radical
      surgery with additional extensive upper abdominal procedures (EUAS) for the
      treatment of stage IIIC and IV ovarian cancer with bulky upper abdominal disease
      (UAD). METHODS: An observational study was conducted between 2009 and 2012
      involving two different surgical teams. Team A was composed of the "believers" in
      EUAS and Team B the "non-believers" in EUAS. Patients were divided into a radical
      surgery group (EUAS group) or a standard surgery group (non-EUAS group) according
      to whether or not they had received EUAS. All patients underwent primary
      cytoreductive surgery with the goal of optimal debulking (<= 1 cm); this was
      reviewed in the pelvis, middle abdomen, and upper abdomen. The baseline for the
      two groups was optimal cytoreduction in both the pelvis and middle abdomen.
      Progression-free survival (PFS) was evaluated. RESULTS: Radical surgery was
      performed in 70.7% (82/116) and 12.7% (30/237) of the patients by Teams A and B,
      respectively. The study groups had similar clinicopathologic characteristics. The
      median PFS and OS were significantly improved in the radical surgery group,
      compared with standard surgery groups (PFS: 19.5 vs. 13.3 months, HR: 0.61; 95%
      CI: 0.46-0.80, P < 0.001; OS: not reached vs. 39.3 months, HR: 0.47; 95% CI: 0.30
      0.72, P < 0.001). Positive predictors of complete cytoreduction were treatment
      with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, improved American Society of Anesthesiologists
      performance status, and the absence of bowel mesenteric carcinomatosis.
      CONCLUSIONS: Radical surgery lengthens the PFS and overall survival times of
      ovarian cancer patients with bulky UAD. However, a well-designed randomized trial
      is needed to confirm the present results.

PMID- 26268819
TI  - Long-term survival and preprocedural predictors of mortality in high surgical
      risk patients undergoing percutaneous mitral valve repair.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate long-term survival in high surgical risk patients
      undergoing percutaneous mitral valve repair (MVR) using the MitraClip((r)) system
      and to identify preprocedural predictors of long-term mortality. BACKGROUND: Data
      for long-term survival and preprocedural predictors of mortality after
      percutaneous MVR in high surgical risk patients are sporadic. METHODS: From
      January 2009 to April 2013, 136 consecutive high surgical risk patients, with
      symptomatic moderate-to-severe or severe mitral regurgitation (MR), underwent
      percutaneous MVR using the MitraClip system. Cardiac and overall survival was
      determined at one and 2 years postprocedure. Univariate and multivariate analysis
      was performed to identify preprocedural predictors of long-term mortality.
      RESULTS: One year postprocedure, cardiac and overall survival was 86.7% and
      84.6%, respectively and at 2 years cardiac and overall survival was 77.7% and
      74.8%, respectively. In univariate analysis advanced age, lower body mass index,
      impaired renal function, elevated levels of log-N-terminal-pro-brain-natriuretic
      peptide (log-NTproBNP), poor performance in functional tests (New York Heart
      Association (NYHA) class) and high logistic Euroscore (LES) and Society of
      Thoracic Surgeons (STS) score were identified as preprocedural predictors of long
      term cardiac mortality. In multivariate analysis preoperative NYHA class III and
      IV, elevated levels of log-NTproBNP and advanced age predicted long-term cardiac
      mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous MVR using the MitraClip system has favorable
      long-term survival rates in high surgical risk patients. Preprocedural NYHA
      functional class III and IV, elevated log-NTproBNP levels and advanced age
      predict higher long-term cardiac mortality and should be considered during
      patient selection.

PMID- 26268821
TI  - Heavy hematuria requiring cystectomy in a patient with hemophilia A: a case
      report and literature review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hemophilia A is an X-linked recessive disorder caused by a deficiency
      in factor VIII. Hemophilia A affects 1 in 5,000-10,000 males. Hematuria is
      frequent in hemophilia. Hematuria in hemophilia is generally considered benign
      and manageable with conservative therapy; however, severe hematuria requiring
      surgical therapy has rarely been reported. CASE PRESENTATION: A 60-year-old male
      with hemophilia A presented with persistent gross hematuria of unknown cause. He
      was treated with recombinant factor VIII products, followed by several
      conservative therapies as follows: clot evacuation by vesicoclysis, continuous
      bladder irrigation with normal saline, and intravesical instillation of aluminum
      hydroxide/magnesium hydroxide (Maalox); however, these failed to resolve the
      hemorrhaging. The patient was offered and consented to cystectomy with an ileal
      conduit. Intraoperative clotting was normal with the infusion of adequate
      recombinant factor VIII products and transfusion of fresh-frozen plasma, and the
      procedure was performed safely. After surgery, the patient had blood in his stool
      several times. No bleeding site was demonstrated in the colon by colonoscopy and
      (99m)Technetium-human serum albumin-diethylenetriaminepenta-acetic acid
      scintigraphy demonstrated that the extravasation of radioactive isotope was
      detected at the anal side of terminal ileum but not at the oral side. These
      findings were suspected to be bleeding from the ileoileal anastomosis. However,
      the bleeding was managed with recombinant factor VIII products. CONCLUSIONS:
      Cystectomy in hemophilia may be safe, if monitored appropriately. Urinary
      diversion using the intestine may be avoided because anastomotic hemorrhage may
      become a problem.

PMID- 26268822
TI  - PGC-1alpha gene transfer improves muscle function in dystrophic muscle following
      prolonged disease progress.
AB  - NEW FINDINGS: What is the central question of this study? Peroxisome proliferator
      activated receptor gamma coactivator 1alpha (PGC-1alpha) gene transfer as a
      treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy is efficacious even with advanced
      disease. What is the main finding and its importance? PGC-1alpha pathway
      activation strategies may be most effective when initiated at the earliest
      possible time. Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a progressive and fatal muscle
      wasting disease caused by a dystrophin deficiency. We previously found that gene
      transfer of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1alpha
      (PGC-1alpha) increased abundance of utrophin and increased mitochondrial
      biogenesis using prevention and rescue treatment protocols. Our purpose in this
      investigation was to determine the extent to which PGC-1alpha gene transfer would
      rescue dystrophic muscle following prolonged disease progression. One-year-old
      mdx mice from our colony were injected in one hindlimb with a virus driving
      expression of PGC-1alpha, while the contralateral limb was injected with empty
      capsid. Three months after viral gene transfer, PGC-1alpha expression was 40-fold
      greater than in contralateral limbs. Specific tension was increased by ~ 60% (P <
      0.05), and force produced during the final contraction of a fatigue protocol was
      60% greater in treated soleus muscles compared with contralateral control muscles
      (P < 0.05). Histopathology was not improved by PGC-1alpha overexpression. Also,
      while there were numerous differences in gene expression between healthy and
      dystrophic muscle, there were relatively few differences between PGC-1alpha
      treated limbs and contralateral control limbs. These data indicate that PGC
      1alpha pathway activation may interrupt the disease process even if initiated
      within the context of advanced disease; however, the mechanism that underlies
      this functional correction is not apparent.

PMID- 26268823
TI  - Functional imaging for chest pain in the emergency room: To do or not to do?

PMID- 26268824
TI  - Comparison of stress cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) with stress
      nuclear perfusion for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To assess the diagnostic performance of stress cardiac magnetic
      resonance (stress CMR) vs stress single-photon emission computed tomography
      (SPECT) in patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with chest pain.
      BACKGROUND: SPECT imaging is the most utilized outpatient procedure in the United
      States. The diagnostic accuracy of SPECT can be limited by soft tissue
      attenuation and low spatial resolution. Stress CMR has much higher spatial
      resolution and without the susceptibility to soft tissue attenuation. METHODS:
      Eighty-seven patients without a history of CAD presenting to the ED with chest
      pain were prospectively enrolled. Patients underwent both stress CMR and stress
      SPECT imaging within 12 hours of presentation. Both the stress imaging tests were
      interpreted immediately for clinical purposes and coronary angiography was
      performed if either was abnormal. Patients were considered to have significant
      CAD if identified by angiography (>=50%) or if a cardiac event (cardiac death,
      myocardial infarction or revascularization) occurred during follow-up (mean 2.6
      +/- 1.1 years). RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients were referred for coronary
      angiography; 29 due to a positive stress test and eight patients for persistent
      chest pain despite two negative stress tests. There were 22 patients who had
      significant CAD (>=50%). The remaining patients were followed for 2.6 +/- 1.1
      years. At the conclusion of the follow-up period, there were four clinical
      events. The sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of CMR are 85%,
      93%, and 89%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy
      of stress SPECT are 84%, 91%, and 88%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Stress CMR has
      similar diagnostic accuracy as stress SPECT in diagnosis of CAD.

PMID- 26268825
TI  - Optimizing radionuclide imaging in the assessment of cardiac sarcoidosis.

PMID- 26268826
TI  - Incidental focal myocardial (18)F-FDG uptake indicating asymptomatic coronary
      artery disease.

PMID- 26268827
TI  - Training in nuclear cardiology: What's new?

PMID- 26268828
TI  - Adsorption of soft particles at fluid interfaces.
AB  - Soft particles can be better emulsifiers than hard particles because they stretch
      at fluid interfaces. This deformation can increase adsorption energies by orders
      of magnitude relative to rigid particles. The deformation of a particle at an
      interface is governed by a competition of bulk elasticity and surface tension.
      When particles are partially wet by the two liquids, deformation is localized
      within a material-dependent distance L from the contact line. At the contact
      line, the particle morphology is given by a balance of surface tensions. When the
      particle radius R?L, the particle adopts a lenticular shape identical to that of
      an adsorbed fluid droplet. Particle deformations can be elastic or plastic,
      depending on the relative values of the Young modulus, E, and yield stress,
      sigmap. When surface tensions favour complete spreading of the particles at the
      interface, plastic deformation can lead to unusual fried-egg morphologies. When
      deformable particles have surface properties that are very similar to one liquid
      phase, adsorption can be extremely sensitive to small changes of their affinity
      for the other liquid phase. These findings have implications for the adsorption
      of microgel particles at fluid interfaces and the performance of stimuli
      responsive Pickering emulsions. 

PMID- 26268829
TI  - Health sciences students' perception of the educational environment of KLE
      University, India as measured with the Dundee Ready Educational Environment
      Measure (DREEM).
AB  - This study aimed to evaluate the educational environment of the health sciences
      programs of KLE University, Belgaum, Karnataka, India, to identify their
      strengths and weaknesses, and to suggest strategies to improve the educational
      environment to be on par with global standards. A cross-sectional study was
      conducted using the Dundee Ready Educational Environment Measure (DREEM)
      questionnaire, filled out by 914 of the 1,004 students (91.0%) who were majoring
      in medicine, dentistry, nursing, physiotherapy, and public health. The data were
      analysed according to the DREEM guidelines. Responses were received from 914
      students, of whom 34.03% were men and 65.9% were women. The majority (67.1%) of
      students were 20-24 years of age. The mean overall DREEM score was 120.21+/-22.4
      (maximum, 200) and approached the normal distribution (Lilliefors test, P<0.01).
      The DREEM scores of each group of students were as follows: dental, 125.0;
      medical, 122.4; public health, 121.0; physiotherapy, 117.0; and nursing, 116.3.
      Male students had more positive perceptions than female students (P<0.05), and
      postgraduate students had more positive perceptions than undergraduate students
      (P<0.05). The overall DREEM score (120.21) indicates that the educational
      environment was found to be more positive than negative. 

PMID- 26268830
TI  - Factors that influence the choice to work in rural township health centers among
      4,669 clinical medical students from five medical universities in Guangxi, China.
AB  - PURPOSE: To produce competent undergraduate-level medical doctors for rural
      township health centers (THCs), the Chinese government mandated that medical
      colleges in Central and Western China recruit rural-oriented, tuition-waived
      medical students (RTMSs) starting in 2010. This study aimed to identify and
      assess factors that influence the choice to work in rural township health centers
      among both RTMSs and other students from five medical universities in Guangxi,
      China. METHODS: An internet-based self-administered questionnaire survey was
      conducted with medical students in Guangxi province. Multinomial logistic
      regression was used to identify factors related to the attitudes toward work in a
      rural township health center. RESULTS: Among 4,669 medical students, 1,523 (33%)
      had a positive attitude and 2,574 (55%) had a neutral attitude toward working in
      THCs. Demographic characteristics, personal job concerns, and knowledge of THCs
      were associated with the choice of a career in THCs. The factors related to a
      positive attitude included the following: three-year program, a rural-oriented
      medical program, being male, an expectation of working in a county or township, a
      focus on medical career development, some perceived difficulty of getting a job,
      having family support, sufficient knowledge of THCs, optimism toward THC
      development, seeking lower working pressure, and a lower expected monthly salary.
      CONCLUSION: Male students in a three-year program or a rural-oriented tuition
      waived medical education program were more likely to work in THCs. Selecting
      medical students through interviews to identify their family support and
      intentions to work in THCs would increase recruitment and retention. Establishing
      favorable policies and financial incentives to improve living conditions and the
      social status of rural physicians is necessary.

PMID- 26268831
TI  - Associations of learning style with cultural values and demographics in nursing
      students in Iran and Malaysia.
AB  - PURPOSE: The goal of the current study was to identify associations between the
      learning style of nursing students and their cultural values and demographic
      characteristics. METHODS: A non-probability purposive sampling method was used to
      gather data from two populations. All 156 participants were female, Muslim, and
      full-time degree students. Data were collected from April to June 2010 using two
      reliable and validated questionnaires: the Learning Style Scales and the Values
      Survey Module 2008 (VSM 08). A simple linear regression was run for each
      predictor before conducting multiple linear regression analysis. The forward
      selection method was used for variable selection. P-values <=0.05 and <=0.1 were
      considered to indicate significance and marginal significance, respectively.
      Moreover, multi-group confirmatory factor analysis was performed to determine the
      invariance of the Farsi and English versions of the VSM 08. RESULTS: The
      perceptive learning style was found to have a significant negative relationship
      with the power distance and monumentalism indices of the VSM 08. Moreover, a
      significant negative association was observed between the solitary learning style
      and the power distance index. However, no significant association was found
      between the analytic, competitive, and imaginative learning styles and cultural
      values (P>0.05). Likewise, no significant associations were observed between
      learning style, including the perceptive, solitary, analytic, competitive, and
      imaginative learning styles, and year of study or age (P>0.05). CONCLUSION:
      Students who reported low values on the power distance and monumentalism indices
      are more likely to prefer perceptive and solitary learning styles. Within each
      group of students in our study sample from the same school the year of study and
      age did not show any significant associations with learning style.

PMID- 26268832
TI  - An assessment blueprint for the Advanced Medical Life Support two-day prehospital
      emergency medical services training program in the United States.
AB  - PURPOSE: Traditional approaches to blueprint creation may focus on fine-grained
      detail at the expense of important foundational concepts. The purpose of this
      study was to develop a method for constructing an assessment blueprint to guide
      the creation of a new post-test for a two-day prehospital emergency medical
      services training program. METHODS: In order to create the blueprint, we first
      determined the proportions of the total classroom and home-study minutes
      associated with the lower- and higher-order cognitive objectives of each chapter
      of the textbook and the two-day classroom activities during training courses
      conducted from January to April 2015. These proportions were then applied to a 50
      question test structure in order to calculate the number of desired questions by
      chapter and content type. RESULTS: Our blueprint called for the test to contain
      an almost even split of lower- and higher-order cognitive questions. One-best
      answer multiple choice items and extended matching-type items were written to
      assess lower- and higher-order cognitive content, respectively. CONCLUSION: We
      report the first known application of an assessment blueprint to a prehospital
      professional development education program. Our approach to blueprint creation is
      computationally straightforward and could be easily adopted by a group of
      instructors with a basic understanding of lower- and higher-order cognitive
      constructs. By blueprinting at the chapter level, as we have done, item-writers
      should be more inclined to construct questions that focus on important central
      themes or procedures.

PMID- 26268833
TI  - Autophagy: Exploring the anticancer effects of autophagy inhibition.

PMID- 26268834
TI  - Oesophageal cancer: Model refinement.

PMID- 26268835
TI  - Epigenetics: Chromatin reorganization on a 'mega' scale.

PMID- 26268836
TI  - A systematic review of parenting interventions for parents of children with type
      1 diabetes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To summarize the parenting intervention literature for parents of
      children aged 2-10 years (mean age <10 years) with type 1 diabetes and to
      evaluate intervention efficacy in improving a range of parent, family and child
      outcomes. The present review de-emphasizes the traditional medical approach to
      illness management summarized in previous reviews and focuses on parenting
      factors identified in the literature as important to diabetes management. This
      review article is important as it outlines the present state of parenting
      intervention literature for this population. METHODS: Electronic searches were
      conducted for seven databases (Cumulative index to nursing and allied health
      literature, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, The Cochrane library and Web of
      Science) from their start dates until April 2014. Reference lists of all included
      papers were also searched for potentially relevant articles. RESULTS: Seven
      papers, representing six studies, met the inclusion criteria. Three studies
      primarily focused on improving parenting practices. The intervention programmes
      described in the remaining studies comprised multiple components; thus, it is
      difficult to establish the contribution of the parenting components to improving
      outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Parenting interventions may help to improve responsibility
      sharing and cooperation in diabetes management, child behaviour difficulties,
      parental behaviour, parents' psychological distress and child health outcomes.
      This review suggests the need for further well-designed trials of parenting
      interventions to determine their specific contribution to improving outcomes for
      this population.

PMID- 26268837
TI  - Arithmetic difficulties in children with mild traumatic brain injury at the
      subacute stage of recovery.
AB  - AIM: Arithmetic difficulties have been reported in children with mild traumatic
      brain injury (mTBI), but the electrophysiological abnormalities underlying these
      impairments remain unknown. We therefore used event-related potentials (ERPs) to
      investigate brain functioning during arithmetic in children in the subacute phase
      after mTBI. METHOD: The participants comprised 16 children with mTBI at the
      subacute phase of recovery (10 males, mean age 10y 8mo; six females, mean age 10y
      8mo) and 16 well-matched comparison children (11 males, mean age 10y 11mo; five
      females, mean age 10y 6mo). All children were asked to solve single-digit
      addition problems of small (sum <=10) and large problem size (sum >10) and ERPs
      were simultaneously recorded. RESULTS: Children with mTBI performed significantly
      less accurately (mean 81%) than comparison children (mean 91%) on the large
      (p=0.026) but not on the small problems (p=0.171). We observed no group
      differences in the early ERP components P1, N1, P2, and N2 (all p values
      >=0.241), yet significant group differences (p=0.019) emerged for the late
      positivity component (LPC), which showed smaller mean amplitudes (mean 8.35MUV)
      in mTBI patients than comparison children (mean 12.95MUV). INTERPRETATION:
      Immediately after the injury, arithmetic difficulties in children with mTBI are
      particularly pronounced on more complex arithmetical problems that are less
      automated. This is reflected in the ERP pattern, with decreased LPC but normal N2
      and early ERP components.

PMID- 26268838
TI  - Two problems and a single solution: Covered stent implantation to close an
      anterograde pulmonary flow and treat hypoplastic left pulmonary artery after
      Fontan operation.
AB  - Several issues may impact on the function of a Fontan circulation including
      accessory source of pulmonary blood flow and pulmonary artery anatomy. Here we
      report on a 5.5-year-old boy who showed failing Fontan circulation due to left
      pulmonary artery stenosis/hypoplasia and significant forward pulmonary blood flow
      through the native pulmonary artery. Successful implantation of a 34-mm CP
      covered stent in the left pulmonary artery in a Fontan patient was useful for
      simultaneous successful treatment of residual antegrade flow from the systemic
      ventricle to the pulmonary artery and enlargement of hypoplastic left pulmonary
      artery. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. 

PMID- 26268839
TI  - An Evidence-Based Systematic Review of Yin Yang Huo (Epimedium spp.) by the
      Natural Standard Research Collaboration.
AB  - An evidence-based systematic review of yin yang huo (Epimedium spp.) by the
      Natural Standard Research Collaboration consolidates the safety and efficacy data
      available in the scientific literature using a validated, reproducible grading
      rationale. This article includes written and statistical analysis of clinical
      trials, plus a compilation of expert opinion, folkloric precedent, history,
      pharmacology, kinetics/dynamics, interactions, adverse effects, toxicology, and
      dosing. 

PMID- 26268840
TI  - Hair growth-promotion effects of different alternating current parameter settings
      are mediated by the activation of Wnt/beta-catenin and MAPK pathway.
AB  - Electrical stimulation is being used in variable skin therapeutic conditions.
      There have been clinical studies demonstrating the positive effect of electrical
      stimuli on hair regrowth. However, the underlying exact mechanism and optimal
      parameter settings are not clarified yet. To investigate the effects of different
      parameter settings of electrical stimuli on hair growth by examining changes in
      human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs) in vitro and by observing molecular changes in
      animal tissue. In vitro, cultured hDPCs were electrically stimulated with
      different parameter settings at alternating current (AC). Cell proliferation was
      measured by MTT assay. The Ki67 expression was measured by immunofluorescence.
      Hair growth-related gene expressions were measured by RT-PCR. In animal model,
      different parameter settings of AC were applied to the shaved dorsal skin of
      rabbit for 8 weeks. Expression of hair-related genes in the skin of rabbit was
      examined by RT-PCR. At low voltage power (3.5 V) and low frequency (1 or 2 MHz)
      with AC, in vitro proliferation of hDPCs was successfully induced. A significant
      increase in Wnt/beta-catenin, Ki67, p-ERK and p-AKT expressions was observed
      under the aforementioned settings. In animal model, hair regrowth was observed in
      the entire stimulated areas under individual conditions. Expression of hair
      related genes in the skin significantly increased on the 6th week of treatment.
      There are optimal conditions for electrical stimulated hair growth, and they
      might be different in the cells, animals and human tissues. Electrical stimuli
      induce mechanisms such as the activation of Wnt/beta-catenin and MAPK pathway in
      hair follicles. 

PMID- 26268844
TI  - Clustering of lifestyle characteristics and their association with cardio
      metabolic health: the Lifestyles and Endothelial Dysfunction (EVIDENT) study.
AB  - Little is known about the clustering patterns of lifestyle behaviours in adult
      populations. We explored clusters in multiple lifestyle behaviours including
      physical activity (PA), smoking, alcohol use and eating habits in a sample of
      adult population. A cross-sectional and multi-centre study was performed with six
      participating groups distributed throughout Spain. Participants (n 1327) were
      part of the Lifestyles and Endothelial Dysfunction (EVIDENT) study and were aged
      between 20 and 80 years. The lifestyle and cardiovascular risk (CVR) factors were
      analysed using a clustering method based on the HJ-biplot coordinates to
      understand the variables underlying these groupings. The following three clusters
      were identified. Cluster 1: unhealthy, 677 subjects (51%), with a slight majority
      of men (58.7%), who were more sedentary and smokers with higher consumption of
      whole-fat dairy products, bigger waist circumference as well as higher TAG
      levels, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and CVR. Cluster 2: healthy/PA, 265
      subjects (20%), including 24.0% of males with high PA. Cluster 3: healthy/diet,
      including 29% of the participants, with a higher consumption of olive oil, fish,
      fruits, nuts, vegetables and lower alcohol consumption. Using the unhealthy
      cluster as a reference, and after adjusting for age and sex, the multiple
      regression analysis showed that belonging to the healthy/PA cluster was
      associated with a lower waist circumference, body fat percentage, SBP and CVR. In
      summary, the three clusters were identified according to lifestyles. The
      'unhealthy' cluster had the least favourable clinical parameters, the
      'healthy/PA' cluster had good HDL-cholesterol levels and low SBP and the
      'healthy/diet' cluster had lower LDL-cholesterol levels and clinical blood
      pressure.

PMID- 26268845
TI  - Divergent sorting of a balanced ancestral polymorphism underlies the
      establishment of gene-flow barriers in Capsella.
AB  - In the Bateson-Dobzhansky-Muller model of genetic incompatibilities post-zygotic
      gene-flow barriers arise by fixation of novel alleles at interacting loci in
      separated populations. Many such incompatibilities are polymorphic in plants,
      implying an important role for genetic drift or balancing selection in their
      origin and evolution. Here we show that NPR1 and RPP5 loci cause a genetic
      incompatibility between the incipient species Capsella grandiflora and C.
      rubella, and the more distantly related C. rubella and C. orientalis. The
      incompatible RPP5 allele results from a mutation in C. rubella, while the
      incompatible NPR1 allele is frequent in the ancestral C. grandiflora. Compatible
      and incompatible NPR1 haplotypes are maintained by balancing selection in C.
      grandiflora, and were divergently sorted into the derived C. rubella and C.
      orientalis. Thus, by maintaining differentiated alleles at high frequencies,
      balancing selection on ancestral polymorphisms can facilitate establishing gene
      flow barriers between derived populations through lineage sorting of the
      alternative alleles. 

PMID- 26268846
TI  - Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP): change of serum IgG
      dimer levels during treatment with intravenous immunoglobulins.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) is an effective treatment in
      chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). In most patients, the
      optimal IVIg dose and regime is unknown. Polyvalent immunoglobulin (Ig) G form
      idiotypic/anti-idiotypic antibody pairs in serum and IVIg preparations. We
      determined IgG dimer levels before and after IVIg treatment in CIDP patients with
      the aim to explore their utility to serve as a surrogate marker for treatment
      response. METHODS: IgG was purified from serum of five controls without
      treatment, as well as from serum of 16 CIDP patients, two patients with Miller
      Fisher syndrome (MFS), and one patient with myasthenia gravis before and after
      treatment with IVIg. IgG dimer levels were determined by size exclusion
      chromatography. IgG dimer formation was correlated with clinical response to IVIg
      treatment in CIDP. Re-monomerized IgG dimer fractions were analyzed for
      immunoreactivity against peripheral nerve tissue. RESULTS: IgG dimer levels were
      significantly higher in post- compared to pre-IVIg infusion samples. Low post
      treatment IgG dimer levels in CIDP patients were associated with clinical
      worsening during IVIg treatment. Re-monomerized IgG dimer fractions from CIDP
      patients showed immunoreactivity against peripheral nerve tissue, whereas
      similarly treated samples from MFS patients showed immunoreactivity against GQ1b.
      CONCLUSION: Assessment of IgG dimer levels could be a novel approach to monitor
      CIDP patients during IVIg treatment, but further studies in larger cohorts are
      warranted to explore their utility to serve as a potential therapeutic biomarker
      for IVIg treatment response in CIDP.

PMID- 26268847
TI  - Surgical Versus Nonsurgical Management of Rotator Cuff Tears: Predictors of
      Treatment Allocation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Rotator cuff tears are a common shoulder disorder resulting in
      significant disability to patients and financial burden on the health care
      system. While both surgical and nonsurgical management are accepted treatment
      options, there is a paucity of data to support a treatment algorithm for care
      providers. Defining variables to guide treatment allocation may be important for
      patient education and counseling, as well as to deliver the most efficient care
      plan at the time of presentation. PURPOSE: To identify independent variables at
      the time of initial clinical presentation that are associated with preferred
      allocation to surgical versus nonsurgical management for patients with known full
      thickness rotator cuff tears. STUDY DESIGN: Case control study; Level of
      evidence, 3. METHODS: A total of 196 consecutive adult patients with known full
      thickness rotator cuff tears were enrolled into a prospective cohort study.
      Robust data were collected for each subject at baseline, including age, sex, body
      mass index (BMI), shoulder activity score, smoking status, size of cuff tear,
      duration of symptoms, functional comorbidity index, the American Shoulder and
      Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff index (WORC), and
      the Veterans Rand 12-Item Health Survey (VR-12). Logistic regression was
      performed to identify variables associated with treatment allocation, and the
      corresponding odds ratios were calculated. RESULTS: Of the 196 patients enrolled,
      112 underwent surgical intervention and 84 nonoperative management. With
      covariates controlled for, significant baseline patient characteristics
      predictive of eventual allocation to surgical treatment included younger age,
      lower BMI, and durations of symptoms less than 1 year. Increasing age, higher
      BMI, and duration of symptoms longer than 1 year were predictive of nonsurgical
      treatment. Factors that were not associated with treatment allocation included
      sex, tear size, functional comorbidity score, or any of the patient-derived
      outcome scores at presentation (ASES, WORC, VR-12, shoulder activity score).
      CONCLUSION: Patient demographics at the time of initial presentation for a
      symptomatic rotator cuff tear are more predictive of treatment allocation to a
      surgical or nonoperative approach than the patient-derived outcome scores for
      activity level and shoulder disability. Further study is warranted to help define
      appropriate indications for treatment allocation in patients with rotator cuff
      tears.

PMID- 26268849
TI  - New developments in immunotherapies for food allergy.
AB  - Food allergy affects around 10% of the population. As the prevalence of food
      allergy continues to increase, disproportionately in children, new therapies for
      food allergy are being investigated. While there are no approved treatments for
      food allergy, immunotherapy facilitates significant desensitization and
      protection from accidental exposure. Nevertheless, current immunotherapies do not
      entirely nor permanently eliminate sensitivity to the food allergen. Since the
      rates of sustained unresponsiveness are significantly lower than desensitization,
      future therapies that enhance the rates of long-term tolerance in patients will
      catalyze progress in this field over the next 5-10 years. 

PMID- 26268848
TI  - Deep sequencing of the Mexican avocado transcriptome, an ancient angiosperm with
      a high content of fatty acids.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Avocado (Persea americana) is an economically important tropical
      fruit considered to be a good source of fatty acids. Despite its importance, the
      molecular and cellular characterization of biochemical and developmental
      processes in avocado is limited due to the lack of transcriptome and genomic
      information. RESULTS: The transcriptomes of seeds, roots, stems, leaves, aerial
      buds and flowers were determined using different sequencing platforms.
      Additionally, the transcriptomes of three different stages of fruit ripening (pre
      climacteric, climacteric and post-climacteric) were also analyzed. The analysis
      of the RNAseqatlas presented here reveals strong differences in gene expression
      patterns between different organs, especially between root and flower, but also
      reveals similarities among the gene expression patterns in other organs, such as
      stem, leaves and aerial buds (vegetative organs) or seed and fruit (storage
      organs). Important regulators, functional categories, and differentially
      expressed genes involved in avocado fruit ripening were identified. Additionally,
      to demonstrate the utility of the avocado gene expression atlas, we investigated
      the expression patterns of genes implicated in fatty acid metabolism and fruit
      ripening. CONCLUSIONS: A description of transcriptomic changes occurring during
      fruit ripening was obtained in Mexican avocado, contributing to a dynamic view of
      the expression patterns of genes involved in fatty acid biosynthesis and the
      fruit ripening process.

PMID- 26268850
TI  - Erratum to: Neuroprotection and spatial memory enhancement of four herbal mixture
      extract in HT22 hippocampal cells and a mouse model of focal cerebral ischemia.

PMID- 26268852
TI  - Is the A578S Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism in K13-propeller a Marker of Emerging
      Resistance to Artemisinin Among Plasmodium falciparum in Africa?

PMID- 26268853
TI  - Risk of Classic Kaposi Sarcoma With Combinations of Killer Immunoglobulin-Like
      Receptor and Human Leukocyte Antigen Loci: A Population-Based Case-control Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is a complication of KS-associated herpesvirus
      (KSHV) infection. Other oncogenic viral infections and malignancies are
      associated with certain HLA alleles and their natural killer (NK) cell
      immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) ligands. We tested whether HLA-KIR influences
      the risk of KSHV infection or KS. METHODS: In population-based case-control
      studies, we compared HLA class I and KIR gene frequencies in 250 classic (non
      AIDS) KS cases, 280 KSHV-seropositive controls, and 576 KSHV-seronegative
      controls composing discovery and validation cohorts. Logistic regression was used
      to calculate sex- and age-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence
      intervals. RESULTS: In both the discovery and validation cohorts, KS was
      associated with HLA-A*11:01 (adjusted OR for the combined cohorts, 0.4; P = .002)
      and HLA-C*07:01 (adjusted OR, 1.6; P = .002). Consistent associations across
      cohorts were also observed with activating KIR3DS1 plus HLA-B Bw4-80I and
      homozygosity for HLA-C group 1. With KIR3DS1 plus HLA-B Bw4-80I, the KSHV
      seroprevalence was 40% lower (adjusted OR for the combined cohorts, 0.6; P =
      .01), but the KS risk was 2-fold higher (adjusted OR, 2.1; P = .002). Similarly,
      the KSHV seroprevalence was 40% lower (adjusted OR, 0.6; P = .01) but the KS risk
      80% higher with HLA-C group 1 homozygosity (adjusted OR, 1.8; P = .005).
      CONCLUSIONS: KIR-mediated NK cell activation may decrease then risk of KSHV
      infection but enhance KSHV dissemination and progression to KS if infection
      occurs.

PMID- 26268854
TI  - Genes Required for Free Phage Production are Essential for Pseudomonas aeruginosa
      Chronic Lung Infections.
AB  - The opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes chronic lung infection
      in patients with cystic fibrosis. The Liverpool Epidemic Strain LESB58 is highly
      resistant to antibiotics, transmissible, and associated with increased morbidity
      and mortality. Its genome contains 6 prophages and 5 genomic islands. We
      constructed a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based signature-tagged mutagenesis
      library of 9216 LESB58 mutants and screened the mutants in a rat model of chronic
      lung infection. A total of 162 mutants were identified as defective for in vivo
      maintenance, with 11 signature-tagged mutagenesis mutants having insertions in
      prophage and genomic island genes. Many of these mutants showed both diminished
      virulence and reduced phage production. Transcription profiling by quantitative
      PCR and RNA-Seq suggested that disruption of these prophages had a widespread
      trans-acting effect on the transcriptome. This study demonstrates that temperate
      phages play a pivotal role in the establishment of infection through modulation
      of bacterial host gene expression. 

PMID- 26268856
TI  - Changes in protein and gene expression of angiotensin II receptors (AT1 and AT2)
      in aorta of diabetic and hypertensive rats.
AB  - Diabetes and hypertension have been associated with cardiovascular diseases and
      stroke. Some reports have related the coexistence of hypertension and diabetes
      with increase in the risk of developing vascular complications. Recently some
      studies have shown results suggesting that in the early stages of diabetes and
      hypertension exist a reduced functional response to vasopressor agents like
      angiotensin II (Ang II), which plays an important role in blood pressure
      regulation mechanism through the activation of its AT1 and AT2 receptors. For
      that reason, the aim of this work was to study the gene and protein expression of
      AT1 and AT2 receptors in aorta of diabetic SHR and WKY rats. Diabetes was induced
      by the administration of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg i.p.). After 4 weeks of the
      onset of diabetes, the protein expression was obtained by western blot and the
      mRNA expression by RT-PCR. Our results showed that the hypertensive rats have a
      higher mRNA and protein expression of AT1 receptors than normotensive rats while
      the AT2 expression remained unchanged. On the other hand, the combination of
      diabetes and hypertension increased the mRNA and protein expression of AT1 and
      AT2 receptors significantly. In conclusion, our results suggest that diabetes
      with hypertension modifies the mRNA and protein expression of AT1 and AT2
      receptors. However, the overexpression of AT2 could be associated with the
      reduction in the response to Ang II in the early stage of diabetes. 

PMID- 26268855
TI  - Incidence and Predictors of Abnormal Anal Cytology Findings Among HIV-Infected
      Adults Receiving Contemporary Antiretroviral Therapy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Anal cancer rates are higher for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
      infected adults than for uninfected adults. Limited published data exist
      characterizing the incidence of precursor lesions detected by anal cytology.
      METHODS: The Study to Understand the Natural History of HIV/AIDS in the Era of
      Effective Therapy was a prospective cohort of 700 HIV-infected participants in 4
      US cities. At baseline and annually thereafter, each participant completed a
      behavioral questionnaire, and healthcare professionals collected anorectal swabs
      for cytologic examination and human papillomavirus (HPV) detection and
      genotyping. RESULTS: Among 243 participants with negative baseline results of
      anal cytology, 37% developed abnormal cytology findings (incidence rate, 13.9
      cases/100 person-years of follow-up; 95% confidence interval [CI], 11.3-16.9)
      over a median follow-up duration of 2.1 years. Rates among men having sex with
      men, among women, and among men having sex with women were 17.9 cases/person
      years of follow-up (95% CI, 13.9-22.7), 9.4 cases/person-years of follow-up (95%
      CI, 5.6-14.9), and 8.9 cases/person-years of follow-up (95% CI, 4.8-15.6),
      respectively. In multivariable analysis, the number of persistent high-risk HPV
      types (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.17; 95% CI, 1.01-1.36), persistent high
      risk HPV types except 16 or 18 (aHR, 2.46; 95% CI, 1.31-4.60), and persistent
      types 16 or 18 (aHR, 3.90; 95% CI, 1.78-8.54) remained associated with incident
      abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of abnormal anal cytology findings was
      high and more likely to develop among persons with persistent high-risk HPV.

PMID- 26268858
TI  - Heartbeat-related EEG amplitude and phase modulations from wakefulness to deep
      sleep: Interactions with sleep spindles and slow oscillations.
AB  - Based on physiological models of neurovisceral integration, different studies
      have shown how cognitive processes modulate heart rate and how the heartbeat, on
      the other hand, modulates brain activity. We tried to further determine
      interactions between cardiac and electrical brain activity by means of EEG. We
      investigated how the heartbeat modulates EEG in 23 healthy controls from
      wakefulness to deep sleep and showed that frontocentral heartbeat evoked EEG
      amplitude and phase locking (as measured by intertrial phase locking), at about
      300-400 ms after the R peak, decreased with increasing sleep depth with a renewed
      increase during REM sleep, which underpins the assumption that the heartbeat
      evoked positivity constitutes an active frontocortical response to the heartbeat.
      Additionally, we found that individual heart rate was correlated with the
      frequency of the EEG's spectral peak (i.e., alpha peak frequency during
      wakefulness). This correlation was strongest during wakefulness and declined
      linearly with increasing sleep depth. Furthermore, we show that the QRS complex
      modulates spindle phase possibly related to the correspondence between the
      frequency of the QRS complex and the spindle frequency of about 12-15 Hz.
      Finally, during deep sleep stages, a loose temporal coupling between heartbeats
      and slow oscillation (0.8 Hz) could be observed. These findings indicate that
      cardiac activity such as heart rate or individual heartbeats can modulate or be
      modulated by ongoing oscillatory brain activity. 

PMID- 26268859
TI  - [Strengthen the prevention of occupational trichloroethylene health hazards].
AB  - Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a widely used organic solvent and an important
      industrial material. It can be absorbed into the body through respiratory tract
      and skin, and cause occupational hazards. The acute hazard induced by TCE is
      occupational medicamentosa-like dermatitis. Epidemiological data showed that long
      term occupational exposure to TCE could also increase the risk of cancer and
      cause damage to reproductive system and nervous system. Thus, it is of great
      significance to strengthen the prevention of occupational TCE health hazards. In
      this paper, the health hazards and preventive measures of TCE are reviewed. 

PMID- 26268857
TI  - Lack of correlation between the optimal glycaemic control and coronary micro
      vascular dysfunction in patients with diabetes mellitus: a cross sectional study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) is associated with
      cardiovascular events in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Optimal glycaemic
      control does not always preclude future events. We sought to assess the effect of
      the current target of HBA1c level on the coronary microcirculatory function and
      identify predictive factors for CMD in T2DM patients. METHODS: We studied 100
      patients with T2DM and 214 patients without T2DM. All of them with a history of
      chest pain, non-obstructive angiograms and a direct assessment of coronary blood
      flow increase in response to adenosine and acetylcholine coronary infusion, for
      evaluation of endothelial independent and dependent CMD. Patients with T2DM were
      categorized as having optimal (HbA1c < 7%) vs. suboptimal (HbA1c >= 7%) glycaemic
      control at the time of catheterization. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics and
      coronary endothelial function parameters differed significantly between T2DM
      patients and control group. The prevalence of endothelial independent CMD (29.8
      vs. 39.6%, p = 0.40) and dependent CMD (61.7 vs. 62.2%, p = 1.00) were similar in
      patients with optimal vs. suboptimal glycaemic control. Age (OR 1.10; CI 95% 1.04
      1.18; p < 0.001) and female gender (OR 3.87; CI 95% 1.45-11.4; p < 0.01) were
      significantly associated with endothelial independent CMD whereas glomerular
      filtrate (OR 0.97; CI 95% 0.95-0.99; p < 0.05) was significantly associated with
      endothelial dependent CMD. The optimal glycaemic control was not associated with
      endothelial independent (OR 0.60, CI 95% 0.23-1.46; p 0.26) or dependent CMD (OR
      0.99, CI 95% 0.43-2.24; p = 0.98). CONCLUSIONS: The current target of HBA1c level
      does not predict a better coronary microcirculatory function in T2DM patients.
      The appropriate strategy for prevention of CMD in T2DM patients remains to be
      addressed.

PMID- 26268860
TI  - [Historical evolution and chinese definition of global health].
AB  - Under the background of globalization, public health issues are becoming more and
      more complicated. In the international arena, global health has gradually
      replaced international health and "global public health" as one of the dominant
      terms in the field of public health. However, until now, there is no unified
      understanding and definition for the concept of global health domestically and
      internationally. In this article, various foreign experts 'views and domestic
      experts' opinions about the concept of global health are collected and solicited,
      in order to generalize appropriate Chinese definition of global health of China. 

PMID- 26268861
TI  - [Health of peacekeepers protection with perspective of global health].
AB  - Global health arisen recently, but it developed rapidly and attracted great
      attention from global researchers and institutions. China, as a member of United
      Nation, actively participated in many international peacekeeping activities.
      Health of peacekeepers is global health and it is important to consider and dealt
      with health of peacekeepers with conception of global health. This article
      reviewed and analyzed health problems and risk factors faced by peacekeepers,and
      provided suggestions to strategies to protect health of peacekeepers. 

PMID- 26268862
TI  - [Effect of SET deficiency on the trichloroethylene-induced alteration of DNA
      methylation in human hepatic L-02 cells].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the DNA methylation-related alteration induced by
      trichloroethylene (TCE) in human hepatic L-02 cells (L-02 cells) and SET
      deficient cells, and reveal the role of SET on the mechanisms in TCE-induced
      epigenetic pathway. METHODS: The L-02 cells and pre-established SET deficient
      cells were treated with different TCE concentrations, and the changes of total
      cell viability, DNA methylation level and DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) activity
      were measured, respectively. In addition, the TCE-induced alteration in the
      protein expression of DNMT1, DNMT3a and DNMT3b were analyzed by Western blotting.
      RESULTS: After treatment with TCE for 24 h, the cell proliferation level was
      significantly decreased in both cell lines. When concentrations of TCE were 0,
      1.0, 2.0, 4.0 and 8.0 mmol/L, the proliferation levels of L-02 cells were
      100.00+/-2.70, 83.34+/-2.38, 75.56+/-4.51, 71.67+/-2.77 and 66.67+/-1.63,
      respectively (F = 58.29, P < 0.001); the cell proliferation levels of SET
      deficient cells were 101.12+/-1.67, 85.01+/-2.33, 79.44+/-1.67, 78.337+/-3.89 and
      76.11+/-3.33, respectively (F = 42.41, P < 0.001). When concentration of TCE
      reached 4.0 mmol/L, the difference of cell proliferation level between two groups
      was statistically significant (t = -3.51; P = 0.013). After treated by TCE for 24
      h, the global DNA methylation significantly decreased in both cell lines (F value
      was 212.87 and 79.32, respectively, P < 0.001). The difference between two groups
      was not statistically significant. After treated by TCE for 24 h, the
      methyltransferases activities were significantly decreased in both cell cells (F
      values were 77.92 and 113.80, respectively, P-0.001). The SET deficiency could
      inhibit the decrease of methyltransferases activity under TCE treatment. When the
      concentration of TCE reached 8.0 mmol/L, the enzymatic activity of L-02 cells and
      SET deficient cells decreased to 67.61%+/-2.85% and 72.97%+/- 1.94%,
      respectively. The difference between two groups was statistically significant (t
      = -3.94, P = 0.008). After treated with TCE for 24 h, concentrations of TCE were
      0, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0 and 8.0 mmol/L, and the relative protein levels of DNMT1 in
      normal L-02 cells increased significantly to 1.00+/-0.03, 1.28+/-0.04, 1.20+/
      0.04, 1.62+/-0.05, 1.43+/-0.04 (F = 103.00, P < 0.001); In SET deficient cells,
      the expressions of DNMT1 were 1.00+/-0.04, 0.96+/-0.02, 1.19+/-0.05, 0.85+/-0.03,
      0.83+/-0.03, which was significantly down-regulated under TCE treatment (F =
      44.18, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: SET deficiency can significantly attenuate the TCE
      induced decreases of cell viability and DNMTs activity, as well as alteration of
      protein expression of DNMT1 in L-02 cells, which indicated that SET was involved
      in the mechanism of TCE-induced cytotoxicity and epigenetic pathway in L-02
      cells.

PMID- 26268863
TI  - [Investigation of trichloroethylene-induced effects on subcellular proteomes in L
      02 hepatic cells].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To put the insight into the trichloroethylene (TCE)-induced effect on
      the differential expression of subcellular proteins in human normal liver cell
      line (L-02). METHODS: The membrane proteins and nuclear proteins of TCE-treated
      (8.0 mmol/L) group and controls were extracted by subcellular proteome extraction
      kit, respectively. The TCE-induced differentially expressions were analyzed by a
      two-dimensional fluorescence difference gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) and matrix
      assisted laser desorption/ionization tandem time-of-flight spectrometry (MALDI
      TOF-MS). Bioinformatics analysis was used to reveal the biological processes and
      predict transmembrane domains of differential expressed proteins. The expression
      of ATP synthase subunit beta (ATP5B), heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein H2
      (hnRNP H2) and far up steam element-binding protein 1 (FUBP1) were measured under
      TCE treatment by Western blot. RESULTS: After TCE treatment for 24 h in L-02
      cells, 14 membrane proteins and 18 nuclear proteins were identified as
      differential expression. After treated with TCE in concentrations of 0, 2.0, 4.0
      and 8.0 mmol/L for 24 h, the relative levels of ATP5B expression were 1.00+/
      0.03, 1.21+/-0.14, 1.25+/-0.12 and 1.48+/-0.17 (F = 8.51, P = 0.007), the
      relative levels of hnRNP H2 expression were 1.00+/-0.09, 1.22+/-0.15, 1.43+/
      0.21, 1.53+/-0.17 (F = 6.57, P = 0.015), respectively; the relative levels of
      FUBP1 expression were 1.00+/-0.11, 0.91+/-0.07, 0.73+/-0.04 and 0.67+/-0.03 (F =
      15.81, P = 0.001), respectively, which were consistent with the results in
      proteomics. The bioinformatics analysis showed that the most dominant biological
      process were involved in RNA processing (10 proteins, P = 2.46*10(-6)),
      especially in RNA splicing (9 proteins, P = 1.77*10(-7)). CONCLUSION: The
      exposure of TCE could alter the expression of membrane proteins and nuclear
      proteins in L-02 cells. These abnormal expressed proteins involved in RNA
      splicing would provide novel clues for further understanding of TCE-induced
      hepatotoxicity.

PMID- 26268864
TI  - [Dietary intake and risk assessment of diethylhexyl phthalate in Chinese
      populations].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess dietary exposure of diethylhexyl phthalate(DEHP) among
      Chinese population, including general population, children aged 2-6 years,
      adolescent aged 7-12, young people aged 13-17, adults aged 18-59 years old as
      well as older people aged 60 and above and its health risk. METHODS: A total of 6
      650 food samples were collected during 2011 to 2013 from 140 local markets of 14
      provinces in China, which covered major foods in China. Samples were detected by
      GC-MS and categorized into 22 food groups. Food consumption data were taken from
      China National Nutrition and Health Survey performed in 2002 including 68 959
      subjects. Mean concentrations of DEHP in food were combined with individual food
      consumption data to estimate dietary exposure, and food contributors to dietary
      DEHP intake were also calculated. Then, the exposure was compared with the
      tolerable daily intake (TDI, 50 ug.kg(-1)-d(-1)) of DEHP. RESULTS: DEHP level in
      foods (n = 6 650) was in the range of not detected to 43.80 mg/kg. Mean dietary
      intakes of DEHP in general population was 2.07 (95% CI: 0.06-4.09) ug.kg(-1).d(
      1), accounting for 4.14 percent of TDI (50 ug.kg(-1).d(-1)). Mean dietary intake
      for population aged 2-6, 7-12, 13-17, 18-59 as well as elderly aged 60 and above
      were 3.92 (95% CI: 0.83-7.01), 3.02 (95% CI: 0.69-5.36), 2.17 (95% CI: 0.54
      3.81), 1.83 (95% CI: 0.46-3.21) and 1.66 (95% CI: 0.38-2.94) ug.kg(-1).d(-1)
      respectively. The 97.5 percentile intakes in the general populations was 4.73
      ug.kg(-1).d(-1), accounting for 9.46% of TDI. Main food sources of DEHP were rice
      (28.4% (0.59/2.07)), melon solanaceous vegetables (14.7% (0.30/2.07)) and flour
      (13.2% (0.27/2.07)) for the general population. CONCLUSION: The results suggested
      that dietary exposure to DEHP among Chinese population was lower than tolerable
      daily intake of DEHP and there were no health concerns based on generally
      accepted exposure limits. Rice, melon solanaceous vegetables and flour were main
      food contributors of DEHP dietary intake for Chinese populations.

PMID- 26268865
TI  - [Probabilistic assessment of dietary exposure to both deoxynivalenol and
      zearalenone from cereal-based products in Chinese populations].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the dietary exposure to deoxynivalenol (DON) and
      zearalenone (ZEN) from cereal-based products in Chinese populations using the
      probabilistic assessment approach. METHODS: A total of 292 wheat flours and 347
      corn-based products were collected from sampling sites of 107 supermarkets or
      farmers markets, which were randomly selected from 44 cities of 13 provinces in
      2009 by the stratified cluster random sampling method. Then, DON and ZEN
      contamination levels in these samples above analyzed by UPLC-MS/MS in combination
      with the food consumption data of 68 959 respondents, who were divided into group
      1 aged 3 to 13 years old, and group 2 aged 14 and over 14 years old (>=14 years
      old), obtained by China National Nutrition and Health Survey in 2002 were
      investigated. A probabilistic assessment model using Monte Carlo simulation was
      applied to derive the intake distribution of P(1)-P(99) percentile of dietary
      exposure to DON and ZEN. Meanwhile, all parameters related to dietary exposure to
      both toxins were compared with either the provisional maximum tolerable daily
      intake (PMTDI) of 1 ug.kg(-1).d(-1) for DON, or the tolerable daily intake (TDI)
      of 0.25 ug.kg(-1).d(-1) for ZEN in order to evaluate the risk of dietary intake
      of two toxins and find the minimum percentile of dietary exposure to these two
      toxins. The statistical differences of dietary exposure to these two toxins
      between two groups were achieved by t test. RESULTS: The detection frequencies of
      DON in wheat flours and corn-based products were 100% (292/292) and 97.4%
      (338/347), respectively. A total of 21 out of 639 samples (wheat flours: 5/292,
      corn-based products: 16/347) were positive for DON at the levels exceeding the
      Chinese regulatory limit of 1 000 ug/kg for DON. And the detection frequencies of
      ZEN in wheat flours and corn-based products were 53.4% (156/292) and 87.6%
      (304/347), respectively.54 out of 347 corn-based products and no wheat flours
      were positive for ZEN at the levels exceeding the Chinese regulatory limit of 60
      ug/kg for ZEN. Meanwhile, the mean values (95% CI) of the P(50), P(75), P(90),
      P(95), P(97.5) and P(99) percentile of dietary exposure to DON in populations of
      3 to 13 years old were 0.170 (0.170-0.171), 0.762 (0.759-0.765), 2.066 (2.038
      2.069), 3.515 (3.501-3.530), 5.342 (5.314-5.372), and 9.220 (9.155-9.279) ug .
      kg(-1).d(-1), which were higher than those in populations of >=14 years old
      (0.131 (0.130-0.131), 0.500 (0.498-0.501), 1.280 (1.276-1.285), 2.138 (2.128
      2.14), 3.510 (3.494-3.527), and 5.512 (5.474-5.546) ug.kg(-1).d(-1)), with t
      values of 87.19, 163.87, 164.66, 157.78, 105.47 and 96.31, and all P values less
      than 0.001. And the mean values (95% CI) of the P(50), P(75), P(90), P(95),
      P(97.5) and P(99) percentile of dietary exposure to ZEN in populations of 3 to 13
      years old were 0.001 (0.001-0.001), 0.006 (0.006-0.006), 0.039 (0.038-0.039),
      0.101 (0.100-0.101), 0.195 (0.194-0.197) and 0.378 (0.374-0.381) ug . kg(-1).d(
      1), which were also higher than those in populations of >=14 years old (0.001
      (0.001-0.001), 0.004 (0.004-0.004), 0.026 (0.026-0.026), 0.061 (0.060-0.061),
      0.115 (0.115-0.116) and 0.232 (0.231-0.235) ug.kg(-1).d(-1)) with T-values of
      151.11, 73.80, 96.81, 100.81, 91.93 and 76.13, and all P values less than 0.001.
      Besides, the minimum percentile of dietary exposure to DON in populations of 3 to
      13 years old and >=14 years old exceeded the corresponding PMTDI of 1 ug.kg(
      1).d(-1) was found in the probability distribution of P(76) (99% percentile =
      1.03 ug.kg(-1).d(-1)) and P(84) (95% percentile = 1.01 ug.kg(-1).d(-1))
      percentile, respectively. And the minimum percentile of dietary exposure to ZEN
      in populations of 3 to 13 years old and >=14 years old exceeded the corresponding
      TDI of 0.25 ug.kg(-1).d(-1) was found in the probability distribution of P(97)
      (95% percentile = 0.25 ug.kg(-1).d(-1)) and P(98) (90% percentile = 0.26 ug.kg(
      1).d(-1)) percentile, respectively. CONCLUSION: The contamination levels of DON
      and ZEN in wheat flours and corn-based products and the risk of dietary exposure
      to both DON and ZEN in populations in Chinese populations were at relatively low
      levels. The dietary exposure to both DON and ZEN in populations of 3 to 13 years
      old was higher than those in populations of >=14 years old . Populations of 3 to
      13 years old were the populations at the high risk of dietary exposure to both
      mycotoxins.

PMID- 26268866
TI  - [Effects on cell proliferation capacity and genome stability in periphery
      lymphocytes of occupational diesel exhaust exposed workers].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the cell proliferation and genome stability in workers
      with occupational exposure to diesel exhaust (DE). METHODS: In 2012, 117 DE
      exposed workers and 106 control workers were recruited by cluster sampling in
      this study. The demographic data were obtained by questionnaire survey. The
      airborne fine particle and enriched polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) at
      different workplaces were collected and analyzed. The concentrations of main PAHs
      monohydroxy metabolites in the urine were determined by high performance liquid
      chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), which could reflect the internal
      exposure level of DE. The cell proliferation capacity and genome stability in the
      periphery lymphocytes of workers were evaluated by cytokinesis-block micronucleus
      (CBMN) cytome assay. RESULTS: The concentrations (median (P5-P95)) of total PAHs
      monohydroxy metabolites in the urine of exposed group and control group were
      12.96 (4.73-28.10), 4.76 (0.90-15.00) ug/L, respectively, and the exposed group
      was higher than that of controls (Z = -8.77, P < 0.001). The nuclear division
      index (NDI) of exposed group and control group was 1.68+/-0.13, 1.85+/-0.16,
      respectively, and the NDI of exposed group showed significantly decreased (t =
      8.86, P < 0.001), while the genome instability index calculated by micronucleus,
      nuclear bridges and nuclear buds, of exposed group and control group was 13.27+/
      6.26, 4.83+/-3.38, respectively, and the exposed group had statistically
      significant increase (Z = -10.08, P < 0.001). The tertiles of total PAHs
      monohydroxy metabolites in the urine were categorized into low, medium and high
      groups (<5.96, 5.96-12.46, >12.46 ug/L). With the NDI decreased, 1.81+/-0.17,
      1.79+/-0.17, 1.68+/-0.14 (F = 13.14, P < 0.001), genome instability index began
      to increase 5.80+/-4.15, 9.97+/-7.14, 11.99+/-6.61 (/1 000), respectively (chi(2)
      = 36.74, P < 0.001). With the increase of total PAHs monohydroxy metabolites
      level in corresponding groups. In addition, the NDI was negatively correlated
      with the frequencies of micronucleus, nuclear bridges, nuclear buds and genome
      instability index, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant
      (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: DE exposure lead to inhibition of cell proliferation
      capacity and increase genome instability in the peripheral lymphocytes of
      occupational-exposed population, providing important clues and evidence for early
      biomarkers monitoring.

PMID- 26268867
TI  - [The infection and molecular characteristics of Vibrio parahaemolyticus isolated
      from intestinal outpatient in two sentinel hospitals in Shanghai, 2010-2012].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analyze virulence genes and molecular characteristics of Vibrio
      parahaemolyticus isolated from sporadic cases with diarrhea in tow sentinel
      hospitals of Shanghai, 2010-2012. METHODS: A total of 2 729 stool samples were
      collected from two surveillance sentinel hospitals in Shanghai 2010-2012. Vibrio
      parahaemolyticus strains were isolated and identified from diarrhea out patients
      using TCBS agar plates and biochemical reactions. Thermostable direct
      hemolysingene (tdh), thermostable-related hemolysin gene (trh), hemolysin gene
      (tlh) were detected by multiplex PCR method. Isolates were analyzed by PFGE and
      MLST. The PFGE profiles were analyzed using BioNumerics software. RESULTS: A
      total of 30 clinical Vibrio parahaemolyticus strains isolated from 2 729 stool
      samples. The anually Vibrio parahaemolyticus isolation rate during 2010 to 2012
      were 1.1%(11/973), 1.0%(11/1 120) and 1.3%(8/636) respectively. The PCR positive
      rates of virulence genes tlh, tdh and trh were 100%, 97% and 0 respectively. The
      Vibrio parahaemolyticus strains were divided into 13 PFGE types (P1-P13)and 3 ST
      types (ST-189, ST-799, ST-3). Among 13 PFGE types, P4 was the main PFGE type,
      accounting for 30%(9/30). P9, P10 were accounting for 12% (4/30) respectively,
      P1, P2, P12, P13 were accounting for 7%(2/30) respectively, the others types were
      3%(1/30) respectively. MLST analysis results showed there are three ST types, ST3
      was 84%(25/30), ST189 and ST799 were accounting for 13% (4/30) and 3% (1/30)
      respectively. CONCLUSION: The infection rate of Vibrio parahaemolyticus was not
      very high from 2010-2012 in Shanghai, all strains were positive for tlh and
      negative for trh. ST3 was the major type of Vibrio parahaemolyticus.

PMID- 26268868
TI  - [Acceptance and influence factor of central slaughtering of live poultry in
      residents of Guangzhou].
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To investigate a survey about acceptance of central slaughtering of
      live poultry in residents of Guangzhou. METHODS: We conducted a telephone survey
      by sampling residents with fixed-line telephone and with normal hearing, whose
      age is more than 15 years, by Mitofsky-Waksberg two-stage method during Jan 6(th)
      to 8(th), 2014. 358 residents finished the telephone questionnaire by 12 320
      health hot line. We investigated the acceptance rate of city-wide central
      slaughtering permanently. We compared the difference between the respondents and
      the 2010 Guangzhou census data by Cohen's effect sizes (w) and weighted by
      population age and sex. We used chi(2) test to compare the acceptance rate of
      central slaughtering in residents with different characteristic. We used multiple
      logistic regression analysis to analyze the factors. RESULTS: The difference in
      gender and age was small between respondents and the 2010 Guangzhou census data
      (w value was 0.13, 0.28, respectively), but that in education and marital status
      was large (w value was 0.52, 0.31, respectively). 49.0% (95% CI: 43.7%-54.3%)
      accept city-wide central slaughtering permanently. The acceptance rate of city
      wide central slaughtering permanently in those who bought fresh, chilled and
      frozen poultry in their family in previous year was 54.3% (133/245), 60.0%
      (57/95) and 59.8% (49/82), respectively. It was more than those who didn't buy
      fresh, chilled and frozen poultry (38.1% (43/113), 44.9% (118/263) and 45.7%
      (126/276); chi(2) values were 8.15, 6.40 and 5.03; P values were 0.004, 0.011 and
      0.025, respectively). The acceptance rate of city-wide central slaughtering
      permanently in those who deem fresh poultry taste better than live poultry was
      64.9% (24/38). It more than those who deem not (47.0%, 151/320) (chi(2) = 4.22,
      6.02, P = 0.040, 0.014, respectively). The acceptance rate of city-wide central
      slaughtering permanently in the male (OR = 2.68, 95% CI: 1.64-4.37) and those who
      deem getting sick due to buying live birds from LPM (OR = 1.72, 95% CI: 1.05
      2.82), who can accept only fresh poultry carcass supply (OR = 2.39, 95% CI: 1.33
      4.30), Who bought live poultry in their family in previous year (OR = 0.29, 95%
      CI: 0.11-0.74), who will decrease the consumption after ban on live poultry sale
      (OR = 0.50, 95% CI: 0.30-0.83) was 58.6% (109/186), 59.0% (92/156), 60.7%
      (139/230), 44.9% (132/295), 36.6% (68/186), respectively. CONCLUSION: In the
      early stage of avian influenza A(H7N9) epidemic in Guangzhou, the rate of
      acceptance of central slaughtering permanently in residents was not so high. Who
      deem getting sick due to buying live birds from LPM, who could accept only fresh
      poultry carcass supply and the male more accept city-wide central slaughtering
      permanently.

PMID- 26268869
TI  - [The association between smoking status and carotid artery plaque in rural areas
      of Eastern part of China].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between smoking status and carotid
      plaque in rural population residing in Eastern part of China. METHODS: Between
      July and September of 2013, an epidemiological survey was carried out in
      residents aged 40 or above men who were enrolled randomly in rural areas of
      Anqing, Anhui province and Lianyungang, Jiangsu province. The data on
      epidemiological characteristics including smoking status, physical examination
      were collected using standardized protocol, and carotid ultrasonography was
      applied to examine the incidence of carotid plaque among never smokers, former
      smokers and current smokers. Logistic regress analysis was performed to determine
      the effect of smoking on carotid plaque. RESULTS: In the study, a total of 625
      male participants were included in the study. 51.4% (321 cases) were current
      smokers, 21.3% (133 cases) were former smokers, and 27.4% (171 cases) were never
      smokers. 32.0% (200/625) had carotid plaque. The incidence of carotid plaques was
      significantly higher in current smokers (35.2%, 113/321) than that in never
      smokers(23.4%,40/171) (chi(2) = 7.26, P = 0.007) and the incidence in former
      smokers (35.3%, 47/133) was also higher than that in never smokers (23.4%,
      40/171) (chi(2) = 5.23, P = 0.022). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed
      that current cigarette smoking is significantly associated with the increased
      risk of carotid plaque (OR = 1.84, 95% CI: 1.13-2.98, P = 0.014) in comparison
      with never smokers, and there was an interaction between current smoking and age
      in association with carotid plaque. Compared with the young (<=60 years old) and
      never smoking group (8%, 3/40), prevalence of carotid plaque among the elderly
      (>70 years old) and smoking group (55%, 31/56) was significantly higher (OR =
      8.06, 95% CI: 2.07-31.45) after adjusting for age, systolic blood pressure,
      diastolic blood pressure, blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride high
      density lipoprotein, body mass index, drinking and regional differences.
      CONCLUSION: It found that cigarette smoking was associated with increased risk of
      carotid plaque in rural elderly population residing in Eastern part of China.

PMID- 26268871
TI  - [A nested case-control study on the relationship of three kinds of cytokines and
      risk of cardio-cerebrovascular events among Inner Mongolians].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between homocysteine (Hcy), von
      willebrand factor (vWF), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and
      the risk of cardio-cerebrovascular events among Inner Mongolians. METHODS: A
      survey was conducted among 2 589 Inner Mongolians from May 2002 to June 2003, and
      they were followed up for about ten years. The 182 individuals who developed
      cardio-cerebrovascular events in the cohort were defined as cases and those whose
      age, gender and residence 1:1 matched to cases were selected from the individuals
      who did not developed cardio-cerebrovascular events as controls. Then, a nested
      case-control study was used to analyze the relationship between Hcy, vWF and
      sICAM-1 and risk of cardio-cerebrovascular events. Conditonallogistic regression
      analysis was used to calculate OR values and 95% CI. RESULTS: The cases had a
      higher baseline blood pressure, higher prevalence of hypertension and family
      history of hypertension compared to controls (all P values < 0.05), however,
      there were no significantly different between TC, TG, LDL-C, HDL-C, FBG, smoking
      and drinking rates (all P values > 0.05). The M (P(25)-P(75)) of Hcy were 10.68
      (7.84-14.98) and 10.02 (6.64-13.94) umol/L, vWFs were 10.88 (8.14-14.58) and
      10.42 (7.97-13.50) mg/L, sICAM-1 were 336.48 (260.68-409.87) and 335.12 (269.87
      409.87) ng/ml. They were not significantly different between the two groups (Z
      values were 0.89, 0.94 and 0.29, respectively, all P values >0.05). After
      adjustment for the family history of hypertension, hypertension, TC, FPG, BMI,
      smoking and drinking rate, the conditional logistic regression showed that OR
      (95% CI) of risk of cardio-cerebrovascular events were 1.00 (0.52-1.93), 2.37
      (1.25-4.49), and 0.81 (0.45-1.47) for the participants with increased Hcy, vWF,
      and sICAM-1, compared with those with normal Hcy, vWF, and sICAM-1, respectively.
      CONCLUSION: In the Inner Mongolians, increased vWF at baseline may increase the
      risk of cardio-cerebrovascular events, and increased Hcy and sICAM-1 were not
      significantly associated with the risk of cardio-cerebrovascular events.

PMID- 26268870
TI  - [Correlation between the expression level of coiled-coil domain-containing
      protein 80 and obesity].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between expression of coiled-coil domain
      containing protein 80(CCDC80) and obesity in serum and adipose tissues. METHODS:
      A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a hospital in Tangshan in September
      2010. 100 people including 78 healthy people and 22 with type-2 diabetes were
      recruited. Another 36 female patients with benign tumor of Obstetrics and
      Gynecology were also recruited. Demographic characteristics and serum samples
      were collected from all subjects, basic biochemical indicators were tested. All
      subjects were divided into 'Normal Weight' and 'Overweight and Obese' according
      to their BMI (BMI <24.0 kg/m(2); BMI>=24 kg/m(2)). Serum CCDC80 of the 100
      subjects was detected by ELISA. Visceral and subcutaneous fat were derived from
      the other 36 female subjects, and Real-time PCR was used to detect CCDC80 mRNA
      expression in adipose tissues. Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression
      were used to analyze the correlation between serum or adipose CCDC80 expression
      and waist, BMI, and other biochemical indicators. RESULTS: The age of 100
      subjects was (52.9+/-8.4) years old. 44% of them were women (44 cases) and 56% of
      them were men (56 cases). After dividing them into three groups according to
      their BMI, covariance analysis were conducted, and age and gender were adjusted.
      The HDL-C level was significantly different among three groups (F = 10.73, P <
      0.001): 'Overweight and obese combined with diabetes' group ((0.90+/-0.06)
      mmol/L)< 'Overweight and obese' group ((1.14+/-0.04) mmol/L) < 'Normal weight'
      group ((1.28+/-0.05) mmol/L). The adjusted expression of serum CCDC80 of the 100
      subjects was (5.84+/-0.16) pg/ml, (5.81+/-0.98) pg/ml among men and (5.97+/-0.89)
      pg/ml among women, and there was no significant difference (t = -0.812, P =
      0.419) between genders. ANOVA revealed that there was no significant differences
      of the expression of serum CCDC80 among three groups (F = 1.06, P = 0.351),
      'Normal weight' group was (5.84+/-0.16) pg/ml, 'overweight and obese' group was
      (6.11+/-0.14) pg/ml, and 'Overweight and obese combined with diabetes' group was
      (5.84+/-0.19) pg/ml. The analysis showed that FBG had a negative correlation with
      serum CCDC80 (R(b) = -0.223, P = 0.026). Multivariate linear regression had a
      similar result, with 1 mmol/L increase of serum FBG, serum CCDC80 decreases for
      0.24 pg/ml (beta = -0.24, 95% CI: -0.21--0.02). There was also a negative
      correlation between serum CCDC80 and FBG in overweight and obese people (R(a) = 
      0.368, P = 0.013). Besides, CCDC80 mRNA was detected in both subcutaneous and
      visceral adipose tissue of 36 cases, the expression level was 0.06+/-0.02 for
      subcutaneous fat, was 0.05+/-0.04 for visceral fat, and the expression in
      visceral fat was lower (0.05+/-0.03) than that in subcutaneous fat (0.06+/-0.03)
      (t = 2.50, P = 0.025) among overweight and obese group. There was a negative
      correlation between waist and visceral CCDC80 mRNA expression (r = -0.472, P =
      0.035). CONCLUSION: This study suggested that CCDC80 may be involved in energy
      and insulin metabolism, and plays a protective role in obesity and diabetes.

PMID- 26268872
TI  - [Association and interaction between 10 SNP of peroxisome proliferator-activated
      receptor and non-HDL-C].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine the main effect of 10 Peroxisome proliferators-activated
      receptor (PPAR) SNP in contribution to non-HDL-C and study whether there is an
      interaction in the 10 SNPs. METHODS: Participants were recruited within the
      framework of the PMMJS (Prevention of Multiple Metabolic Disorders and Metabolic
      Syndrome in Jiangsu province) cohort-population-survey, which was initiated from
      April 1999 to June 2004, and 5-year follow-up data from total 4 582 subjects were
      obtained between March 2006 and October 2007. A total of 4 083 participants
      received follow-up examination. After excluding subjects who had experienced
      stroke or exhibited cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes or a BMI <18.5
      kg/m(2), a total of 820 unrelated individual subjects were selected from 3 731
      subjects on October of 2009. Blood samples which were collected at the baseline
      were subjected to PPARalpha, PPARdelta and PPARgamma 10 SNPs genotype analysis.
      Logistic regression model was used to examine the association between 10 SNPs in
      the PPARs and non-HDL-C. Interactions within the 10 SNP were explored by using
      the Generalized Multifactor Dimensionality Reduction (GMDR). RESULTS: A total of
      820 participants (mean age was 50.05+/-9.41) were included in the study and 270
      were males and 550 were females. Single-locus analysis showed that after
      adjusting gender, age, smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, high-fat
      diet and low-fiber diet factors, rs1800206-V and rs3856806-T were significantly
      associated with higher non-HDL-C levels. V allele (LV + VV genotype) carriers of
      rs1800206 have a average non-HDL-C levels on (3.15 +/- 0.89)mg/L (F = 15.01, P =
      0.002); T allele (CT+TT genotype) carriers of rs3856806 have a average non-HDL-C
      levels on (3.03+/-1.01) mg/L (F = 9.87, P = 0.005). GMDR model analysis showed
      that after adjusting the same factors, two-locus model, five-locus model, six
      locus model and seven-order interaction models were all statistically significant
      (P<0.05), and the seven-locus model (rs1800206, rs3856806, rs135539, rs4253778,
      rs2016520, rs1805192, rs709158) was the best model (P = 0.001), the cross
      validation consistency was 10/10 and testing accuracy was 0.656. CONCLUSION:
      Rs1800206 and rs3856806 were significantly associated with non-HDL-C. And there
      was an gene-gene interaction among rs1800206, rs3856806, rs1800206, rs135539,
      rs4253778, rs2016520, rs1805192, rs3856806 and rs709158 which could influence the
      non-HDL-C levels.

PMID- 26268873
TI  - [Analysis of the incidence and perinatal outcomes of multiple births in Zhejiang
      Province from 2008 to 2013].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analyze the trends of multiple births rates and their perinatal
      outcomes in Zhejiang province from 2008 to 2013. METHODS: Data were obtained from
      hospital-based perinatal mortality surveillance system in Zhejiang, including all
      the hospitals in 30 monitoring counties (districts). All births (28 or more weeks
      of gestation) born in the monitoring hospitals were included in our study within
      7 days after delivery from 2008 to 2013. Chi-square test was performed for
      statistical analyses for comparisons between regions. Trends in the incidence of
      multiple births and causes of perinatal death were analyzed using chi-square test
      for trend. RESULTS: From 2008 to 2013, the multiple births rate in Zhejiang
      province was increased and the rates were 2.32% (5 551/239 636), 2.49% (6 053/243
      452), 2.61% (6 549/250 594), 2.82% (7 758/275 105), 2.91% (8 803/302 447) and
      3.06% (9 051/295 709), respectively. And the perinatal mortality rates for
      multiple births were 4.32% (240/5 551), 3.45% (209/6 053), 3.76% (246/6 549),
      2.86% (222/7 758), 2.77% (244/8 803) and 2.11% (191/9 051), respectively. A
      significant drop in the perinatal mortality rates for multiple births was
      observed between 2008 and 2013 (chi(2) trend = 66.52, P < 0.001). There was a
      significantly greater risk for perinatal death to multiple births when compared
      with single birth (OR = 3.62, 95% CI: 3.42-3.83). The three leading causes of
      perinatal death for multiple births were birth defect, premature and/or low birth
      weight, and twin-twin transfusion syndrome. CONCLUSION: The multiple births rates
      in Zhejiang province showed an increasing trend. The perinatal mortality rates
      for multiple births were decreased annually, however, it was still higher than
      those in developed countries.

PMID- 26268874
TI  - [Effect of CCM3 gene defect on lead-induced cell genotoxicity in mouse embryonic
      fibroblasts].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of CCM3 gene defection on lead induced cell
      genotoxicity in mouse embryonic fibroblasts. METHODS: C57 female mice were mated
      with CCM3 gene heterozygous male mice. E13.5 embryos were taken to isolate
      primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts. After genotyping, wild type and heterozygous
      cells were treated with different doses of lead acetate. Cell viability,
      genotoxicity and protein expression were detected by MTS assay, CB micronucleus
      method and Western blot, respectively. RESULTS: Mouse embryonic fibroblasts with
      lead acetate treatment for 24 h, wild-type cells 100.00 umol/L lead acetate
      treated group (69.16+/-1.36) and the control group (100.00+/-2.33) compared to
      cells decreased by 30%, CCM3 heterozygous type cell 100.00 umol/L lead acetate
      treated group (87.16+/-5.50) and the control group (100.00+/-2.06) compared to
      cells decreased by 13%, the difference was statistically significant (F values
      were 98.59, 82.63, P<0.001). Lead acetate treatment after 48 h, wild-type cells
      100.00 umol/L lead acetate-treated group (51.99+/-5.62) and the control group
      (100.00+/-3.11) compared to cells decreased by 50%, heterozygous type cells
      100.00 umol/L lead acetate treatment group (66.33+/-4.06) and the control group
      (100.00+/-5.72) compared to cells decreased by 35%, the differences were
      statistically significant (F values were 82.63, 36.86, P < 0.001). The results of
      CBMN test showed that with increased dose, micronucleus cell rate of two
      genotypes showed an increasing trend, in the wild-type cells, the micronucleus
      cell rate (/1 000) for the control group, 29.6+/-2.2, 6.25 umol/L dose group
      47.3+/-6.6, 25 umol/L dose group 55.5+/-9.1, 100.00 umol/L dose group 66.8+/-3.5;
      heterozygous cells micronucleus cell rate (/1 000) for the control group, 35.3+/
      5.6, 6.25 umol/L dose of 50.0+/-8.3, 25.00 umol/L dose group 57.0+/-8.5, 100.00
      umol/L dose group 58.8+/-2.1. Micronucleus cell rates (/1 000) were significant
      differences, in 100.00 umol/L dose groups of two genotypes. Western blot results
      showed that wild-type cells CCM3 expression 100.00 umol/L lead acetate-treated
      group (0.70+/-0.03) was 1.32 times higher than the control group (0.53+/-0.07),
      heterozygous cells CCM3 expression 100.00 umol/L lead acetate-treated group
      (0.48+/-0.02) was 1.77 times higher than control group that of 0.27+/-0.04, there
      was statistically significant difference (F values were 14.77, 25.74, P < 0.001);
      wild-type cells gamma-H2AX expression 100.00 umol/L lead acetate-treated group
      (0.69+/-0.03) was 1.06 times higher than the control group (0.65+/-0.07),
      heterozygous cells gamma-H2AX expression 100.00 umol/L lead acetate-treated group
      (0.99+/-0.04) was 1.55 times higher than the control group CCM3 expression levels
      (0.64+/-0.06), there was statistically significant difference (wild-type cells: F
      = 7.08, P = 0.012, heterozygous type cell: F = 13.49, P = 0.002). CONCLUSION:
      CCM3 gene may play a role in lead-induced genetic toxicity of mouse embryonic
      fibroblasts, CCM3 gene-lead interactions effects on mouse embryonic fibroblasts
      cell toxicity.

PMID- 26268875
TI  - [The changes of gene expression of iron transporters for duodenal iron uptake and
      export in diet-induced obese mice].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine the gene expression changes of iron
      transporters-divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) and ferroportin 1 (Fpn1) in the
      duodenal tissue of diet-induced obese mice. METHODS: C57BL/6J mice were randomly
      divided into normal control (NC) and obesity model (OM) group, 6 in each, and fed
      on conventional and high-fat diet respectively for 14 weeks by table of random
      number. Then the DMT1 and Fpn1 mRNA contents in duodenal tissues of the animals
      were measured by Real-time PCR method, and the protein expression levels were
      analyzed by Western blot test. RESULTS: The Real-time PCR detection results
      showed that, compared with the NC group for which the mRNA expression level was
      defined as 1.0, the Fpn1 mRNA expression in OM group (0.58+/-0.11) was reduced
      significantly (t = 6.71, P = 0.014), whereas the relative expression level of
      DMT1 mRNA in OM group (0.89+/-0.26) showed no obvious alteration (t = 2.01, P =
      0.122). Western blot results showed that the relative protein expression levels
      of Fpn1 in OM and NC group were 0.32+/-0.06 and 0.65+/-0.19, respectively, and
      the difference was statistically significant (t = 5.37, P = 0.026). The DMT1
      protein relative abundance was 0.88+/-0.21 in OM group and 0.92+/-0.17 in NC
      group, and the difference has no statistical significance (t = 1.84, P = 0.185).
      CONCLUSION: Fpn1 gene expression is inhibited in the duodenum of diet-induced
      obesity mouse while DMT1 expression keeps unchanged, and this implies that
      decreased iron export from enterocytes into circulation might be responsible for
      the impaired iron absorption in obesity.

PMID- 26268876
TI  - [Analysis and study of the relationship between indoor and outdoor air pollution
      PM2.5 in Chaoyang District of Beijing].

PMID- 26268877
TI  - [The detection of enterovirus D68 from the specimen of a severe pneumonia case in
      Beijing].

PMID- 26268878
TI  - [Research progress in carcinogenicity of trichloroethylene and its metabolites].
AB  - Trichlorethylene (TCE) is a widely used organic solvent and an important
      industrial material. It's easily released into the environment through
      manufacture, use and disposal process, so there is a wide range of occupationally
      and environmentally exposed population. Based on accumulated research data,
      International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) increased the carcinogenic
      rating of TCE from probable human carcinogen to certain human carcinogen in 2012.
      This paper is a review of the carcinogenic effects of TCE and its metabolites
      from the aspects of epidemiological data, experimental evidence on animals as
      well as the mechanisms of carcinogenesis.

PMID- 26268880
TI  - Comparison of Initial Psychological Treatment Selections by US and Japanese Early
      Career Psychiatrists for Patients with Major Depression: A Case Vignette Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The authors compared early-career psychiatrists' selection of
      psychological treatments for patients with mild to moderate major depressive
      disorder (MDD) in the US and Japan. METHODS: A total of 120 early-career
      psychiatrists from two residency programs in the US and Japan participated in web
      based surveys. The psychiatrists selected first- and second-line psychological
      treatments in response to two case vignettes of patients with mild and moderate
      MDD. RESULTS: Eighty-one psychiatrists (68%) returned the surveys, of whom 39
      (48%) were American and 42 (52%) Japanese. In response to the mild MDD case, more
      US psychiatrists selected high-intensity psychological treatments (P < 0.001),
      whereas more Japanese psychiatrists selected low-intensity psychological
      treatments (P < 0.001). In both countries, more psychiatrists selected
      psychological treatment than medication. In response to the moderate MDD case,
      one third of the US psychiatrists selected high-intensity psychological
      treatments (P < 0.001), whereas half of the Japanese psychiatrists selected low
      intensity psychological treatments (P = 0.010). CONCLUSIONS: Residency training,
      availability of psychological treatments, and cultural beliefs may shape
      differences in treatment selections, which in turn may impact the dissemination
      and implementation of psychological treatment in clinical practice across
      cultures.

PMID- 26268879
TI  - ABO blood group alleles and prostate cancer risk: Results from the breast and
      prostate cancer cohort consortium (BPC3).
AB  - BACKGROUND: ABO blood group has been associated with risk of cancers of the
      pancreas, stomach, ovary, kidney, and skin, but has not been evaluated in
      relation to risk of aggressive prostate cancer. METHODS: We used three single
      nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs8176746, rs505922, and rs8176704) to determine
      ABO genotype in 2,774 aggressive prostate cancer cases and 4,443 controls from
      the Breast and Prostate Cancer Cohort Consortium (BPC3). Unconditional logistic
      regression was used to calculate age and study-adjusted odds ratios and 95%
      confidence intervals for the association between blood type, genotype, and risk
      of aggressive prostate cancer (Gleason score >=8 or locally advanced/metastatic
      disease (stage T3/T4/N1/M1). RESULTS: We found no association between ABO blood
      type and risk of aggressive prostate cancer (Type A: OR = 0.97, 95%CI = 0.87
      1.08; Type B: OR = 0.92, 95%CI =n0.77-1.09; Type AB: OR = 1.25, 95%CI = 0.98
      1.59, compared to Type O, respectively). Similarly, there was no association
      between "dose" of A or B alleles and aggressive prostate cancer risk.
      CONCLUSIONS: ABO blood type was not associated with risk of aggressive prostate
      cancer.

PMID- 26268881
TI  - Impact of 2.45 GHz microwave radiation on the testicular inflammatory pathway
      biomarkers in young rats: The role of gallic acid.
AB  - The aim of this study was to investigate electromagnetic radiation (EMR)
      transmitted by wireless devices (2.45 GHz), which may cause physiopathological or
      ultrastructural changes, in the testes of rats. We addressed if the supplemental
      gallic acid (GA) may reduce these adverse effects. Six-week-old male Sprague
      Dawley rats were used in this study. Forty eight rats were equally divided into
      four groups, which were named: Sham, EMR only (EMR, 3 h day-1 for 30 days), EMR +
      GA (30 mg/kg/daily), and GA (30 mg/kg/daily) groups. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and
      total oxidant status (TOS) levels increased (p = 0.001 for both) in EMR only
      group. TOS and oxidative stress index (OSI) levels decreased in GA treated group
      significantly (p = 0.001 and p = 0.045, respectively). Total antioxidant status
      (TAS) activities decreased in EMR only group and increased in GA treatment group
      (p = 0.001 and p = 0.029, respectively). Testosterone and vascular endothelial
      growth factor (VEGF) levels decreased in EMR only group, but this was not
      statistically significant. Testosterone and VEGF levels increased in EMR+GA
      group, compared with EMR only group (p = 0.002), and also increased in GA group
      compared with the control and EMR only group (p = 0.044 and p = 0.032,
      respectively). Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2 ) and calcitonin gene releated peptide
      (CGRP) staining increased in tubules of the testes in EMR only group (p < 0.001
      for both) and decreased in tubules of the testes in EMR+GA group (p < 0.001 for
      all parameters). In EMR only group, most of the tubules contained less
      spermatozoa, and the spermatozoon counts decreased in tubules of the testes. All
      these findings and the regenerative reaction, characterized by mitotic activity,
      increased in seminiferous tubules cells of the testes in EMR+GA group (p <
      0.001). Long term EMR exposure resulted in testicular physiopathology via
      oxidative damage and inflammation. GA may have ameliorative effects on the
      prepubertal rat testes physiopathology. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ
      Toxicol 31: 1771-1784, 2016.

PMID- 26268883
TI  - Laparoscopic splenectomy for hereditary spherocytosis-preliminary report.
AB  - Splenectomy is considered standard surgical therapy in hereditary spherocytosis.
      The procedure is indicated in patients with severe anemia, recurrent hemolytic,
      and aplastic crises. The aim of the study was to assess treatment outcomes in
      patients with hereditary spherocytosis who underwent total or partial
      laparoscopic splenectomy. Fifteen patients aged 4-17 yr underwent laparoscopic
      splenectomy from 2009 to 2012. Partial and total splenectomies were performed
      (five and 10 children, respectively). Hematologic parameters, liver function
      tests, and splenic volume before and after the surgery were analyzed
      retrospectively. Total follow-up was 1-30 months. Hospitalization and operating
      time were similar in both groups. In partial splenectomy group, branches of
      splenic arteries gave better blood supply than short gastric vessels. In both
      groups, hematologic parameters were improved. Postoperative markedly elevated
      platelet count was maintained up to 6 months, and after that, platelet count
      gradually decreased to normal values. Bilirubin level was decreased in early
      postoperative period; however, it increased later to achieve levels lower than in
      preoperative period. No severe general infections were observed in both groups.
      Laboratory parameters (hemoglobin and bilirubin concentrations and RBC) after the
      surgery improved in all patients, and the effect was maintained during 12 months
      of follow-up. Platelet count increased significantly after the surgery and was
      maintained at high levels during the next 6 months. However, it returned to
      preoperative levels within a year after the surgery. Our study showed that
      partial splenectomy was not inferior to total splenectomy. However, full
      assessment requires longer follow-up and larger group of patients. 

PMID- 26268882
TI  - Racial/Ethnic and Sex Differences in Emergency Medical Services Transport Among
      Hospitalized US Stroke Patients: Analysis of the National Get With The Guidelines
      Stroke Registry.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Differences in activation of emergency medical services (EMS) may
      contribute to racial/ethnic and sex disparities in stroke outcomes. The purpose
      of this study was to determine whether EMS use varied by race/ethnicity and sex
      among a current, diverse national sample of hospitalized acute stroke patients.
      METHODS AND RESULTS: We analyzed data from 398,798 stroke patients admitted to
      1613 Get With The Guidelines-Stroke participating hospitals between October 2011
      and March 2014. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the
      associations between combinations of racial/ethnic and sex groups with EMS use,
      adjusting for potential confounders including demographics, medical history, and
      stroke symptoms. Patients were 50% female, 69% white, 19% black, 8% Hispanic, 3%
      Asian, and 1% other, and 86% had ischemic stroke. Overall, 59% of stroke patients
      were transported to the hospital by EMS. White women were most likely to use EMS
      (62%); Hispanic men were least likely to use EMS (52%). After adjustment for
      patient characteristics, Hispanic and Asian men and women had 20% to 29% lower
      adjusted odds of using EMS versus their white counterparts; black women were less
      likely than white women to use EMS (odds ratio 0.75, 95% CI 0.72 to 0.77).
      Patients with weakness or paresis, altered level of consciousness, and/or aphasia
      were significantly more likely to use EMS than patients without each symptom; the
      observed racial/ethnic and sex differences in EMS use remained significant after
      adjustment for stroke symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: EMS use differed by race/ethnicity
      and sex. These contemporary data document suboptimal use of EMS transport among
      US stroke patients, especially by racial/ethnic minorities and those with less
      recognized stroke symptoms.

PMID- 26268885
TI  - Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Paralysis after Esophagectomy: Respiratory
      Complications and Role of Nerve Reconstruction.
AB  - Recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis (RLNP) after esophagectomy is a common
      complication and associated with aspiration pneumonia. In this study, we assessed
      the risk of RLNP and the usefulness of immediate reconstruction of recurrent
      laryngeal nerve (RLN) to prevent respiratory complications after esophagectomy.
      Seven hundred and eighty-two consecutive patients underwent an esophagectomy with
      three-field lymph node dissection, simultaneous gastric conduit reconstruction,
      and cervical anastomosis. Vocal cord function was observed using a flexible
      laryngoscope. Reconstruction between RLN and ipsilateral vagus nerve was
      performed during esophagectomy. RLNP was observed in 229 (29.3%) of the patients
      after esophagectomy: 198 unilateral and 31 bilateral cases. Of the 198 unilateral
      RLNP, vocal cord paralysis was observed predominantly on the left side (82.7%).
      RLNP was significantly associated with postoperative respiratory complications (P
      < 0.001) requiring a tracheotomy (P < 0.001) and mechanical ventilation (P <
      0.001) and was also associated with esophagogastric anastomotic leakage (P =
      0.015); consequently, the postoperative hospital stay was longer for patients
      with RLNP (P < 0.001). A longer operation time (P < 0.001) and advanced age (P =
      0.038) were identified as significant independent predictors of RLNP. Resection
      of the RLN together with metastatic nodes was performed in 29 cases. The patients
      underwent RLN reconstruction (n = 11) had a significantly shorter postoperative
      hospital stay than those without RLN reconstruction (n = 18) (P = 0.019). In
      conclusion, RLNP was related to a poorer postoperative course among patients
      undergoing an esophagectomy. New surgical technologies are recommended for
      prevention of RLNP. 

PMID- 26268884
TI  - Integrative systems analysis of diet-induced obesity identified a critical
      transition in the transcriptomes of the murine liver and epididymal white adipose
      tissue.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It is well known that high-fat diet (HFD) can cause immune system
      related pathological alterations after a significant body weight gain. The
      mechanisms of the delayed pathological alterations during the development of diet
      induced obesity (DIO) are not fully understood. METHODS: To elucidate the
      mechanisms underlying DIO development, we analyzed time-course microarray data
      obtained from a previous study. First, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were
      identified at each time point by comparing the hepatic transcriptome of mice fed
      HFD with that of mice fed normal diet. Next, we clustered the union of DEGs and
      identified annotations related to each cluster. Finally, we constructed an
      'integrated obesity-associated gene regulatory network (GRN) in murine liver'. We
      analyzed the epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT) transcriptome usig the same
      procedure. RESULTS: Based on time-course microarray data, we found that the genes
      associated with immune responses were upregulated with an oscillating expression
      pattern between weeks 2 and 8, relatively downregulated between weeks 12 and 16,
      and eventually upregulated after week 20 in the liver of the mice fed HFD. The
      genes associated with immune responses were also upregulated at late stage, in
      the eWAT of the mice fed HFD. These results suggested that a critical transition
      occurred in the immune system-related transcriptomes of the liver and eWAT around
      week 16 of the DIO development, and this may be associated with the delayed
      pathological alterations. The GRN analysis suggested that Maff may be a key
      transcription factor for the immune system-related critical transition
      thatoccurred at week 16. We found that transcription factors associated with
      immune responses were centrally located in the integrated obesity-associated GRN
      in the liver. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, systems analysis identified regulatory
      network modules underlying the delayed immune system-related pathological changes
      during the development of DIO and could suggest possible therapeutic targets.

PMID- 26268887
TI  - A novel method of fabricating carbon nanotubes-polydimethylsiloxane composite
      electrodes for electrocardiography.
AB  - Polymer-based flexible electrodes are receiving much attention in medical
      applications due to their good wearing comfort. The current fabrication methods
      of such electrodes are not widely applied. In this study, polydimethylsiloxane
      (PDMS) and conductive additives of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were employed to
      fabricate composite electrodes for electrocardiography (ECG). A three-step
      dispersion process consisting of ultrasonication, stirring, and in situ
      polymerization was developed to yield homogenous CNTs-PDMS mixtures. The CNTs
      PDMS mixtures were used to fabricate CNTs-PDMS composite electrodes by replica
      technology. The influence of ultrasonication time and CNT concentration on
      polymer electrode performance was evaluated by impedance and ECG measurements.
      The signal amplitude of the electrodes prepared using an ultrasonication time of
      12 h and CNT content of 5 wt% was comparable to that of commercial Ag/AgCl
      electrodes. The polymer electrodes were easily fabricated by conventional
      manufacturing techniques, indicating a potential advantage of reduced cost for
      mass production. 

PMID- 26268886
TI  - The selective post-translational processing of transcription factor Nrf1 yields
      distinct isoforms that dictate its ability to differentially regulate gene
      expression.
AB  - Upon translation, the N-terminal homology box 1 (NHB1) signal anchor sequence of
      Nrf1 integrates it within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) whilst its
      transactivation domains [TADs, including acidic domain 1 (AD1), the flanking
      Asn/Ser/Thr-rich (NST) domain and AD2] are transiently translocated into the ER
      lumen, whereupon the NST domain is glycosylated to yield an inactive 120-kDa
      glycoprotein. Subsequently, these TADs are retrotranslocated into extra-luminal
      subcellular compartments, where Nrf1 is deglycosylated to yield an active 95-kDa
      isoform. Herein, we report that AD1 and AD2 are required for the stability of the
      120-kDa Nrf1 glycoprotein, but not that of the non-glycosylated/de-glycosylated
      95-kDa isoform. Degrons within AD1 do not promote proteolytic degradation of the
      120-kDa Nrf1 glycoprotein. However, repositioning of AD2-adjoining degrons (i.e.
      DSGLS-containing SDS1 and PEST2 sequences) into the cyto/nucleoplasm enables
      selective topovectorial processing of Nrf1 by the proteasome and/or calpains to
      generate a cleaved active 85-kDa Nrf1 or a dominant-negative 36-kDa Nrf1gamma.
      Production of Nrf1gamma is abolished by removal of SDS1 or PEST2 degrons, whereas
      production of the cleaved 85-kDa Nrf1 is blocked by deletion of the ER luminal
      anchoring NHB2 sequence (aa 81-106). Importantly, Nrf1 activity is positively
      and/or negatively regulated by distinct doses of proteasome and calpain
      inhibitors. 

PMID- 26268888
TI  - French multicentre clinical evaluation of helical TomoTherapy for anal cancer in
      a cohort of 64 consecutive patients.
AB  - PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To assess feasibility and toxicity of Helical TomoTherapy for
      treating anal cancer patients. METHODS: From 2007 to 2011, 64 patients were
      consecutively treated with TomoTherapy in three centres for locally advanced
      squamous-cell anal carcinoma (T2 > 4 cm or N positive). Prescribed doses were 45
      Gy to the pelvis including inguinal nodes and 59.4 Gy to the primary site and
      involved nodes with fractions of 1.8 Gy, five days a week. A positional
      Megavoltage Computed Tomography was performed before each treatment session. All
      acute and late toxicities were graded according to Common Terminology Criteria
      for Adverse Events version 3.0. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan
      Meier method. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 22.9 months. Fifty-four women and 10
      men were treated (median age: 62 years). Nineteen patients (29.7%) had T2, 16
      patients (25.0%) T3, and 27 patients (42.2%) T4 tumours. Thirty-nine patients
      (60.9%) had nodal involvement. Median tumour size was 45 mm (range, 10-110 mm).
      Seven patients had a colostomy before treatment initiation. Fifty-seven patients
      received concomitant chemotherapy (5-FU/cisplatin or 5-FU/mitomycin-based
      therapy). Forty-seven patients (73.4 %) experienced a complete response, 13 a
      partial response or local recurrence, and 11 had salvage surgery; among these,
      six became complete responders, three experienced metastatic failure, and two
      local failure. At least four patients experienced metastatic recurrence
      (concomitant to a local failure for one patient). The two-year overall survival
      was 85.6% (95 %CI [71.1%-93.0%]), and the one-year disease-free survival, and
      colostomy-free survival were 68.7% (95 %CI [54.4%-79.4]), and 75.5% (95 %CI
      [60.7%-85.3%]) respectively. Overall survival, disease-free survival and
      colostomy free-survival were significantly better for women than men (p = 0.002,
      p = 0.004, and p = 0.002 respectively). Acute grade >=3 toxicity included
      dermatologic (46.9% of patients), gastrointestinal (20.3%), and hematologic
      (17.2%) toxicity. Acute grade 4 hematologic toxicity occurred in one patient. No
      grade 5 event was observed. CONCLUSIONS: TomoTherapy for locally advanced anal
      cancer is feasible. In our three centres of expertise, this technique appeared to
      produce few acute gastrointestinal toxicities. However, high rates of
      dermatologic toxicity were observed. The therapeutic efficacy was within the
      range of expectations and similar to previous studies in accordance with the high
      rates of locally advanced tumours and nodal involvement.

PMID- 26268889
TI  - A histopathological study of melanocytic and pigmented skin lesions in patients
      with albinism.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Oculocutaneous albinism (OCA) is a group of genetic disorders
      characterized by diminished pigmentation of the skin, hair and eyes. Individuals
      with OCA are at increased risk to develop sun-induced skin malignancies. The
      incidence of malignant melanoma in OCA individuals is, however, very low. The aim
      of this study was to document pigmented and melanocytic skin lesions occurring in
      patients with OCA. METHODS: A prospective study was performed. Sixteen patients
      with OCA presenting at the Oncology and Dermatology Departments at Universitas
      Academic Hospital Annex in Bloemfontein, South Africa, were included. Selected
      clinically pigmented and/or melanocytic lesions were biopsied and studied by
      light microscopy. RESULTS: Twenty-four punch biopsies were taken. Ten dendritic
      freckles and 10 melanocytic nevi were confirmed histologically. The nevi, which
      occurred in eight patients, were found on sun-protected skin. All the freckles
      occurred on sun-exposed skin. Twelve patients had current or previous skin
      malignancies. No melanomas were present in the study population. Other skin
      lesions ranged from solar keratoses to squamous cell carcinomas. CONCLUSION: The
      majority of pigmented lesions were dendritic freckles that occurred on sun
      exposed skin. None of the patients had a current or previous diagnosis of
      malignant melanoma.

PMID- 26268890
TI  - The use of paracetamol (acetaminophen) among a community sample of people with
      chronic non-cancer pain prescribed opioids.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The regular use of simple analgesics in addition to opioids such as
      paracetamol (or acetaminophen) is recommended for persistent pain to enhance
      analgesia. Few studies have examined the frequency and doses of paracetamol among
      people with chronic non-cancer pain including use above the recommended maximum
      daily dose. AIMS: To assess (i) the prevalence of paracetamol use among people
      with chronic non-cancer pain prescribed opioids, (ii) assess the prevalence of
      paracetamol use above the recommended maximum daily dose and (iii) assess
      correlates of people who used paracetamol above the recommended maximum daily
      dose including: age, gender, income, education, pain severity and interference,
      use of paracetamol/opioid combination analgesics, total opioid dose, depression,
      anxiety, pain self-efficacy or comorbid substance use, among people prescribed
      opioids for chronic non-cancer pain. METHODS: This study draws on baseline data
      collected for the Pain and Opioids IN Treatment (POINT) study and utilises data
      from 962 interviews and medication diaries. The POINT study is national
      prospective cohort of people with chronic non-cancer pain prescribed opioids.
      Participants were recruited from randomly selected pharmacies across Australia.
      RESULTS: Sixty-three per cent of the participants had used paracetamol in the
      past week (95% CI = 59.7-65.8). Among the paracetamol users 22% (95% CI = 19.3
      24.6) had used paracetamol/opioid combination analgesics and 4.8% (95% CI = 3.6
      6.3) had used paracetamol above the recommended maximum daily dose (i.e. > 4000
      mg/day). Following binomial logistic regression (chi(2) = 25.98, df = 10, p =
      0.004), people who had taken above the recommended maximum daily dose were less
      likely to have low income (AOR = 0.52, 95% CI = 0.27-0.99), more likely to use
      paracetamol/opioid combination analgesics (AOR = 2.01, 95% CI = 1.02-3.98) and
      more likely to take a higher opioid dose (AOR = 1.00, 95% CI = 1.00-1.01).
      CONCLUSION: The majority of people with chronic non-cancer pain prescribed
      opioids report using paracetamol appropriately. High income, use of
      paracetamol/opioid combination analgesics and higher opioid dose were
      independently associated with paracetamol use above the recommended maximum daily
      dose.

PMID- 26268891
TI  - Identification of a novel de novo GATA3 mutation in a patient with HDR syndrome.
AB  - We describe the case of a 21-year-old male with hypocalcaemia,
      hyperphosphataemia, recurrent limb twitch, deafness, proteinuria, increased serum
      creatinine and urea nitrogen levels, and shrinkage of both kidneys. Brain
      computed tomography showed intracranial calcifications. The patient was diagnosed
      with hypoparathyroidism, sensorineural deafness and renal dysplasia (HDR)
      syndrome. DNA sequence analysis of the GATA3 gene showed a novel de novo
      mutation, c. 529dupC (p. Arg177profs*126), in exon 2, resulting in a frameshift
      mutation with a premature stop codon after a new 126 amino acid sequence. We
      provide further evidence that HDR syndrome is caused by haploinsufficiency of
      GATA3. 

PMID- 26268892
TI  - Thin polymer-layer decorated, structure adjustable crystals of nanoparticles.
AB  - Flattened polymer chain decorated crystals of nanoparticles (NPs) are observed
      for polymer-NP mixtures confined between two parallel substrates. In order to
      minimize the entropy loss, polymer chains instead of NPs aggregate at the
      substrate surfaces when the number of NPs is high enough to have the conformation
      of chains significantly disturbed. Increasing NP concentration to be much higher
      than that of polymer chains leads to an ordered arrangement of NPs in the central
      region, which are sandwiched between two thin layers of polymer chains. A scaling
      model regarding polymer chains consisting of packed correlation blobs is provided
      to clarify the physics mechanism behind the formation of thin polymer layer and
      the crystallization of NPs. The order structure of the crystallized NPs is shown
      to be switchable through an adjustment of the bulk concentrations of polymer
      chains and NPs. 

PMID- 26268893
TI  - Is repeating FOLFIRINOX in the original dosage and treatment schedule tolerable
      in Japanese patients with pancreatic cancer?

PMID- 26268894
TI  - Response to Y. Sasaki et al.: Is repeating FOLFIRINOX in the original dosage and
      treatment schedule tolerable in Japanese patients with pancreatic cancer?

PMID- 26268896
TI  - Formation of broadband antireflective and superhydrophilic subwavelength
      structures on fused silica using one-step self-masking reactive ion etching.
AB  - Fused silica subwavelength structures (SWSs) with an average period of ~100 nm
      were fabricated using an efficient approach based on one-step self-masking
      reactive ion etching. The subwavelength structures exhibited excellent broadband
      antireflection properties from the ultraviolet to near-infrared wavelength range.
      These properties are attributable to the graded refractive index for the
      transition from air to the fused silica substrate that is produced by the ideal
      nanocone subwavelength structures. The transmittance in the 400-700 nm range
      increased from approximately 93% for the polished fused silica to greater than
      99% for the subwavelength structure layer on fused silica. Achieving broadband
      antireflection in the visible and near-infrared wavelength range by appropriate
      matching of the SWS heights on the front and back sides of the fused silica is a
      novel strategy. The measured antireflection properties are consistent with the
      results of theoretical analysis using a finite-difference time-domain (FDTD)
      method. This method is also applicable to diffraction grating fabrication.
      Moreover, the surface of the subwavelength structures exhibits significant
      superhydrophilic properties. 

PMID- 26268897
TI  - Bundle-forming alpha-helical peptide-dendron hybrid.
AB  - Peptides and dendrons are enticing building blocks from which to construct hybrid
      macromolecules because each can be prepared as monodisperse and sequence defined
      materials. Folding and assembly properties designed into the amino acid sequence
      of a peptide-dendron hybrid manifest in the formation of a dendronized bundle of
      alpha-helices. 

PMID- 26268898
TI  - Lys39-Lysophosphatidate Carbonyl Oxygen Interaction Locks LPA1 N-terminal Cap to
      the Orthosteric Site and partners Arg124 During Receptor Activation.
AB  - Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptor 1 (LPA1) is a member of the G protein
      coupled receptors mediating the biological response to LPA species. Lack of
      detailed mechanism underlying LPA/LPA1 interaction has hampered the development
      of specific antagonists. Here, novel N-terminal Lys39 has been identified as a
      key residue during LPA-type agonist binding and LPA1 activation. Analysis of the
      molecular dynamics (MD) trajectories showed that LPA-type agonist but not VPC
      32183 (antagonist) evolved structures with classical GPCR activation signatures
      such as reduced cytoplasmic transmembrane (TM) 3/TM6 dynamic network, ruptured
      ionic lock, and formation of a continuous and highly ordered internal water
      pathway was also observed. In activated state, LPA-type agonists interact with
      Arg124 (R3.28), Gln125 (Q3.29), Lys294 (K7.36) and a novel N-terminal Lys39. Site
      directed mutagenesis showed complete loss of intracellular calcium mobilization
      in B103 cells expressing R3.28A and Lys39Ala when treated with LPA-type agonists.
      Structurally, LPA-type agonist via Carbonyl-oxygen/Lys39 interaction facilitated
      the formation of a hypothetical N-terminal cap tightly packed over LPA1
      heptahelical bundle. This packing may represent a key mechanism to distinguish an
      apo-receptor from bound LPA1. 

PMID- 26268899
TI  - SSADH deficiency in an adult: Venturing outside of the diagnostic box and inside
      of the registry.

PMID- 26268900
TI  - Natural history of succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency through
      adulthood.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The natural history of succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase (SSADH)
      deficiency in adulthood is unknown; we elucidate the clinical manifestations of
      the disease later in life. METHODS: A 63-year-old man with long-standing
      intellectual disability was diagnosed with SSADH deficiency following
      hospitalization for progressive decline, escalating seizures, and prolonged
      periods of altered consciousness. We present a detailed review of his clinical
      course and reviewed our SSADH deficiency database adult cohort to derive natural
      history information. RESULTS: Of 95 patients in the database for whom age at
      diagnosis is recorded, there are 40 individuals currently aged 18 years or older.
      Only 3 patients were diagnosed after age 18 years. Of 25 adults for whom data are
      available after age 18, 60% have a history of epilepsy. Predominant seizure types
      are generalized tonic-clonic, absence, and myoclonic. EEGs showed background
      slowing or generalized epileptiform discharges in two-thirds of adults for whom
      EEG data were collected. History of psychiatric symptoms was prominent, with
      frequent anxiety, sleep disturbances, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
      CONCLUSIONS: We identified patients older than 18 years with SSADH deficiency in
      our database following identification and review of a patient diagnosed in the
      seventh decade of life. The illness had a progressive course with escalating
      seizures in the index case, with fatality at age 63. Diagnosis in adulthood is
      rare. Epilepsy is more common in the adult than the pediatric SSADH deficiency
      cohort; neuropsychiatric morbidity remains prominent.

PMID- 26268901
TI  - Lower physical activity is associated with higher disease burden in pediatric
      multiple sclerosis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between physical activity (PA) and
      multiple sclerosis (MS) disease activity, depression, and fatigue in a cohort of
      children with MS and monophasic acquired demyelinating syndrome (mono-ADS).
      METHODS: In this cross-sectional study of consecutive patients attending a
      specialized pediatric MS clinic, we administered the PedsQL Multidimensional
      Fatigue Scale, Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, and Godin
      Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire. Quantitative MRI analysis was performed to
      obtain whole brain and T2 lesion volume in a subset of participants (n = 60).
      RESULTS: A total of 110 patients (79 mono-ADS; 31 MS; 5-18 years; M:F 1:1.2) were
      included. Patients with MS reported less strenuous (33.21 +/- 31.88 metabolic
      equivalents [METs] vs 15.97 +/- 22.73 METs, p = 0.002) and total (44.48 +/- 39.35
      METs vs 67.28 +/- 59.65 METs; p = 0.0291) PA than those with mono-ADS. Patients
      with MS who reported greater amounts of moderate PA METs had fewer sleep/rest
      fatigue symptoms (r = -0.4). Participation in strenuous PA was associated with
      smaller T2 lesion volumes (r = -0.66) and lower annualized relapse rate (r = 
      0.66). No associations were found between total brain volume and participation in
      PA. CONCLUSIONS: Children with MS are less physically active than children with
      mono-ADS. Reasons for this are unclear, but may be related to ongoing disease
      activity, perceived limitations, or symptoms such as depression or fatigue.
      Children with MS reporting higher levels of strenuous PA had lower T2 lesion
      volumes and lower relapse rates, suggesting a potential protective effect of
      strenuous PA in this population. Further longitudinal studies are needed to
      establish the relationship of PA to MS symptoms and disease activity in this
      population.

PMID- 26268902
TI  - Promoting physical activity to control multiple sclerosis from childhood.

PMID- 26268903
TI  - Derivation and validation of an accurate estimation of CD4 counts from the
      absolute lymphocyte count in virologically suppressed and immunologically
      reconstituted HIV infected adults.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A simple method to estimate CD4 counts in stable, HIV infected
      virologically-suppressed and immune-reconstituted adults could save the expense
      of unnecessary formal testing. METHODS: Using a baseline CD4 percent, CD4 counts
      were estimated from subsequent absolute lymphocyte counts (ALC) measured by an
      automated FBC machine (CD4 estimate calculated by the ALC multiplied by the
      baseline CD4 percent). The accuracy of this approach was established in a large,
      retrospective clinical laboratory dataset of virologically-suppressed HIV
      infected subjects. A case-control study explored important clinical factors for
      accurate estimates, and a heuristic algorithm was derived and validated in a
      random sample. RESULTS: Data from 3,630 subjects were available. CD4 counts were
      generally accurately estimated, with a mean 6.1 % underestimation. Overall 83.3 %
      of CD4 estimates were within 25 % of the actual values, with 12.1 % CD4 counts
      underestimated by more than 25 %, and 4.5 % overestimated. The CD4 count was
      increasingly underestimated with time from baseline, and the degree of
      underestimation correlated with baseline CD4 percent (p < 0.0001). From the case
      control study, baseline CD4 percent of >=20, no illness requiring hospitalization
      and more than a year since starting or switch of anti-retroviral therapy were
      identified as significant predictors of inaccurate estimates. Employing this
      simple algorithm, CD4 estimate accuracy improved to a mean 1.3 % underestimation,
      and the proportion of estimates within 25 % of the actual value increased to 93.4
      %. CONCLUSIONS: In virologically-suppressed and immune-reconstituted HIV-infected
      adults, the CD4 count can be accurately estimated from the ALC using a baseline
      CD4 percent for at least 2 years after measurement.

PMID- 26268904
TI  - Two new cassane-type diterpenes from the seeds of Caesalpinia crista.
AB  - Two new cassane-type diterpenes, phangininoxys D and E (1 and 2), together with
      five known compounds were isolated from the seeds of Caesalpinia crista Linn. The
      structures of these compounds were elucidated by means of various spectroscopic
      analyses. All the isolated compounds were evaluated for cytotoxicity activities
      against HeLa, HT-29 and KB cell lines, and compound 7 showed moderate selective
      activities against KB cell line with an IC50 value of 17.1 MUM. 

PMID- 26268905
TI  - Which factors influence MRI-pathology concordance of tumour size measurements in
      breast cancer?
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To assess MRI-pathology concordance and factors influencing tumour
      size measurement in breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MRI tumour size
      (greatest diameter in anatomical planes (MRI-In-Plane) and greatest diameter
      along main tumour axis (MRI-MPR)) of 115 consecutive breast lesions (59 invasive
      lobular carcinoma, 46 invasive ductal carcinoma, and 10 ductal carcinoma in situ)
      was retrospectively compared to size measured at histopathology (pT size (Path
      TNM) and greatest tumour diameter as relevant for excision (Path-Diameter;
      reference standard)). Histopathological tumour types, preoperative palpability,
      surgical management, additional high-risk lesions, and BI-RADS lesion type (mass
      versus non-mass enhancements) were assessed as possible influencing factors.
      RESULTS: Systematic errors were most pronounced between MRI-MPR and Path-TNM (7.1
      mm, limits of agreement (LoA) [-21.7; 35.9]), and were lowest between MRI-In
      Plane and Path-Diameter (0.2 mm, LoA [-19.7; 20.1]). Concordance rate of MRI-In
      Plane with Path-Diameter was 86% (97/113), overestimation 9% (10/113) and
      underestimation 5% (6/113); BI-RADS mass lesions were overestimated in 7% (6/81)
      versus 41% (13/32) for non-mass enhancements. On multivariate analysis only BI
      RADS lesion type significantly influenced MRI-pathology concordance (p < 0.001).
      2/59 (3%) ILC did not enhance. CONCLUSION: Concordance rate varies according to
      the execution of MRI and histopathological measurements. Beyond this only non
      mass enhancement significantly predicted discordance. KEY POINTS: * Execution and
      scope of MRI and histopathological size measurements influence concordance rate.
      * Non-mass like enhancement predicts discordance. * Additional high-risk lesions
      in proximity of tumour do not cause measurement discordance. * Low percentage of
      ILC do not enhance at all.

PMID- 26268906
TI  - Multi-modal magnetic resonance imaging and histology of vascular function in
      xenografts using macromolecular contrast agent hyperbranched polyglycerol (HPG
      GdF).
AB  - Macromolecular gadolinium (Gd)-based contrast agents are in development as blood
      pool markers for MRI. HPG-GdF is a 583 kDa hyperbranched polyglycerol doubly
      tagged with Gd and Alexa 647 nm dye, making it both MR and histologically
      visible. In this study we examined the location of HPG-GdF in whole-tumor
      xenograft sections matched to in vivo DCE-MR images of both HPG-GdF and Gadovist.
      Despite its large size, we have shown that HPG-GdF extravasates from some tumor
      vessels and accumulates over time, but does not distribute beyond a few cell
      diameters from vessels. Fractional plasma volume (fPV) and apparent permeability
      surface area product (aPS) parameters were derived from the MR concentration-time
      curves of HPG-GdF. Non-viable necrotic tumor tissue was excluded from the
      analysis by applying a novel bolus arrival time (BAT) algorithm to all voxels.
      aPS derived from HPG-GdF was the only MR parameter to identify a difference in
      vascular function between HCT116 and HT29 colorectal tumors. This study is the
      first to relate low and high molecular weight contrast agents with matched whole
      tumor histological sections. These detailed comparisons identified tumor regions
      that appear distinct from each other using the HPG-GdF biomarkers related to
      perfusion and vessel leakiness, while Gadovist-imaged parameter measures in the
      same regions were unable to detect variation in vascular function. We have
      established HPG-GdF as a biocompatible multi-modal high molecular weight contrast
      agent with application for examining vascular function in both MR and
      histological modalities.

PMID- 26268907
TI  - Iodine deficiency in pregnant women in Europe.

PMID- 26268908
TI  - Iodine deficiency in pregnant women in the UK: the costs of inaction.

PMID- 26268909
TI  - CCR2 inhibition: a panacea for diabetic kidney disease?

PMID- 26268911
TI  - Costs and benefits of iodine supplementation for pregnant women in a mildly to
      moderately iodine-deficient population: a modelling analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Results from previous studies show that the cognitive ability of
      offspring might be irreversibly damaged as a result of their mother's mild iodine
      deficiency during pregnancy. A reduced intelligence quotient (IQ) score has broad
      economic and societal cost implications because intelligence affects wellbeing,
      income, and education outcomes. Although pregnancy and lactation lead to
      increased iodine needs, no UK recommendations for iodine supplementation have
      been issued to pregnant women. We aimed to investigate the cost-effectiveness of
      iodine supplementation versus no supplementation for pregnant women in a mildly
      to moderately iodine-deficient population for which a population-based iodine
      supplementation programme--for example, universal salt iodisation--did not exist.
      METHODS: We systematically searched MEDLINE, Embase, EconLit, and NHS EED for
      economic studies that linked IQ and income published in all languages until Aug
      21, 2014. We took clinical data relating to iodine deficiency in pregnant women
      and the effect on IQ in their children aged 8-9 years from primary research. A
      decision tree was developed to compare the treatment strategies of iodine
      supplementation in tablet form with no iodine supplementation for pregnant women
      in the UK. Analyses were done from a health service perspective (analysis 1;
      taking direct health service costs into account) and societal perspective
      (analysis 2; taking education costs and the value of an IQ point itself into
      account), and presented in terms of cost (in sterling, relevant to 2013) per IQ
      point gained in the offspring. We made data-supported assumptions to complete
      these analyses, but used a conservative approach that limited the benefits of
      iodine supplementation and overestimated its potential harms. FINDINGS: Our
      systematic search identified 1361 published articles, of which eight were
      assessed to calculate the monetary value of an IQ point. A discounted lifetime
      value of an additional IQ point based on earnings was estimated to be L3297
      (study estimates range from L1319 to L11,967) for the offspring cohort. Iodine
      supplementation was cost saving from both a health service perspective (saving
      L199 per pregnant woman [sensitivity analysis range -L42 to L229]) and societal
      perspective (saving L4476 per pregnant woman [sensitivity analysis range L540 to
      L4495]), with a net gain of 1.22 IQ points in each analysis. Base case results
      were robust to sensitivity analyses. INTERPRETATION: Iodine supplementation for
      pregnant women in the UK is potentially cost saving. This finding also has
      implications for the 1.88 billion people in the 32 countries with iodine
      deficiency worldwide. Valuation of IQ points should consider non-earnings
      benefits--eg, health benefits associated with a higher IQ not germane to
      earnings. FUNDING: None.

PMID- 26268912
TI  - Mechanochromic Luminescence of Aggregation-Induced Emission Luminogens.
AB  - Mechanochromic (MC) luminogens have found promising applications in
      mechanosensors, security papers, and optical storage for their change in emission
      behaviors in response to mechanical stimuli. Examples on MC luminescent materials
      are rare before the discovery of MC luminescence in aggregation-induced emission
      (AIE) luminogens. The twisted conformations of AIE luminogens (AIEgens) with
      appropriate crystallization capability afford loosely packing patterns, which
      facilitates their phase transformation in the solid state. The amorphous films of
      AIEgens exhibit enhanced emission intensity upon pressurization due to the
      increased molecular interactions, whereas crystals of AIEgens exhibit MC
      luminescence due to their amorphization by mechanical stimuli. AIEgens enrich the
      type of MC luminogens but those showing high emission contrast and multicolor
      emission switching and those working in a turn-on emission mode are seldom
      reported. Disclosure of the design strategy of high performance MC luminogens and
      exploration of their high-tech applications may be the future research directions
      for MC luminogens. 

PMID- 26268910
TI  - The effect of CCR2 inhibitor CCX140-B on residual albuminuria in patients with
      type 2 diabetes and nephropathy: a randomised trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients with type 2 diabetes and nephropathy have high cardiorenal
      morbidity and mortality despite optimum treatment including angiotensin
      converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs).
      Residual risk is related to residual albuminuria. We assessed whether CCX140-B, a
      selective inhibitor of C-C chemokine receptor type 2 (CCR2), could further reduce
      albuminuria when given in addition to standard care, including ACE inhibitors or
      ARBs. METHODS: In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical
      trial, we recruited patients from 78 research centres in Belgium, Czech Republic,
      Germany, Hungary, Poland, and the UK. We enrolled patients with type 2 diabetes
      aged 18-75 years with proteinuria (first morning void urinary albumin to
      creatinine ratio [UACR] 100-3000 mg/g), estimated glomerular filtration rate of
      25 mL/min per 1.73 m(2) or higher, and taking stable antidiabetic treatment and
      ACE inhibitors or ARBs, for at least 8 weeks before study entry. Patients were
      stratified based on baseline UACR and renal function (estimated glomerular
      filtration rate), and then randomly assigned (1:1:1) via an interactive web
      response system with a minimisation algorithm to oral placebo, 5 mg CCX140-B, or
      10 mg CCX140-B once a day. The 12-week dosing period in the initial protocol was
      extended to 52 weeks by protocol amendment. The primary efficacy measure was
      change from baseline in UACR during 52 weeks in the modified intention-to-treat
      population (all patients with uninterrupted dosing, excluding patients who
      stopped dosing at week 12 either permanently under the original protocol, or
      temporarily because of delay in approval of the protocol amendment). We did
      safety analyses on all randomly assigned patients who received at least one dose
      of study drug. According to a prespecified analysis plan, we analysed the primary
      endpoint with one-sided statistical testing with calculation of upper 95%
      confidence limits of the differences between active and control. This trial is
      registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01447147. FINDINGS: The study ran
      from Dec 7, 2011 (first patient enrolled), until Aug 4, 2014. We enrolled 332
      patients: 111 were assigned to receive placebo, 110 to 5 mg CCX140-B, and 111 to
      10 mg CCX140-B. Of these, 192 were included in the modified intention-to-treat
      population. UACR changes from baseline during 52 weeks were -2% for placebo (95%
      CI -11% to 9%), -18% for 5 mg CCX140-B (-26% to -8%), and -11% for 10 mg CCX140-B
      (-20% to -1%). We recorded a -16% difference between 5 mg CCX140-B and placebo
      (one-sided upper 95% confidence limit -5%; p=0.01) and a -10% difference between
      10 mg CCX140-B and placebo (upper 95% confidence limit 2%; p=0.08). Adverse
      events occurred in 81 (73%) of 111 patients in the placebo group versus 71 (65%)
      of 110 patients in the CCX140-B 5 mg group and 68 (61%) of 111 patients in the
      CCX140-B 10 mg group; there were no renal events during the study.
      INTERPRETATION: Our data suggest that CCR2 inhibition with CCX140-B has
      renoprotective effects on top of current standard of care in patients with type 2
      diabetes and nephropathy. FUNDING: ChemoCentryx.

PMID- 26268913
TI  - Are High Proanthocyanidins Key to Cranberry Efficacy in the Prevention of
      Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection?
AB  - Most research on American cranberry in the prevention of urinary tract infection
      (UTI) has used juices. The spectrum of components in juice is limited. This study
      tested whether whole cranberry fruit powder (proanthocyanidin content 0.56%)
      could prevent recurrent UTI in 182 women with two or more UTI episodes in the
      last year. Participants were randomized to a cranberry (n = 89) or a placebo
      group (n = 93) and received daily 500 mg of cranberry for 6 months. The number of
      UTI diagnoses was counted. The intent-to-treat analyses showed that in the
      cranberry group, the UTIs were significantly fewer [10.8% vs. 25.8%, p = 0.04,
      with an age-standardized 12-month UTI history (p = 0.01)]. The Kaplan-Meier
      survival curves showed that the cranberry group experienced a longer time to
      first UTI than the placebo group (p = 0.04). Biochemical parameters were normal,
      and there was no significant difference in urinary phenolics between the groups
      at baseline or on day180. The results show that cranberry fruit powder (peel,
      seeds, pulp) may reduce the risk of symptomatic UTI in women with a history of
      recurrent UTIs.

PMID- 26268914
TI  - A role model for iconoclasts.

PMID- 26268915
TI  - Apple's ResearchKit: smart data collection for the smartphone era?

PMID- 26268916
TI  - 'Circumcision pain' unlikely to cause autism.

PMID- 26268917
TI  - Circumcision-autism link needs thorough evaluation: Response to Morris and
      Wiswell.

PMID- 26268918
TI  - Why did I become a clinician-trialist?

PMID- 26268922
TI  - Improving help-seeking among adolescents: A school-based intervention.

PMID- 26268923
TI  - Effect of transmeridian travel and jetlag on mood disorders: evidence and
      implications.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Given the sensitivity of individuals with mood disorders to circadian
      disruption, transmeridian travel would likely be a high-risk endeavour leading to
      onset or relapses in mood. A systematic review was undertaken to identify the
      evidence of the impact of transmeridian travel on people with mood disorders.
      METHODS: Databases search included the following: CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO and
      manual searching using the keywords jetlag, transmeridian travel, circadian
      rhythm disruption, mood disorder, bipolar, major depression, seasonal affective
      disorder, depression, mania and hypomania. RESULTS: Only three studies were
      identified that related to transmeridian travel and jetlag in people with mood
      disorders. There is some suggestion that transmeridian travel does appear to
      precipitate mood episodes with an increased rate of episodes of depression with
      westward compared with an increased rate of manic/hypomanic episodes with
      eastward travel. Individuals with a previous history of mood disorder appear to
      be more vulnerable if adherence to medication is compromised. CONCLUSION: Given
      the limited evidence that transmeridian travel precipitates mood episodes, this
      poses difficulties in identifying suitable ways to mitigate the effects of
      transmeridian travel in mood disorders. However, in the absence of mood-specific
      guidelines, some guidance can be given based on our current understanding of the
      relevance of circadian disruption to both jetlag and mood disorders. Further
      research is required to identify more focused strategies to mitigate the impact
      of transmeridian travel for individuals with mood disorders.

PMID- 26268924
TI  - Phase 1 study of APTO-253 HCl, an inducer of KLF4, in patients with advanced or
      metastatic solid tumors.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: This phase I, multicenter, open-label, single-arm, dose-escalation
      study evaluated the safety, pharmacokinetics and antitumor activity of APTO-253,
      an inducer of the transcription factor KLF4, in adults with advanced solid
      tumors. METHODS: APTO-253 was administered IV on days 1 and 2, and 15 and 16 of
      each 28 day cycle; the dose were escalated from 20 to 387 mg/m(2) in 9 cohorts
      until DLT was observed. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients were treated on this trial
      (50 % colon cancer, 22 % other gastrointenstinal malignancies and 18 % non-small
      cell lung cancer). Fatigue was the only drug-related treatment-emergent adverse
      event to occur in >10 % of patients. Dose-limiting toxicities of hypersensitivity
      reaction and transient hypotension despite prophylaxis occurred at 387 mg/m(2)
      which led to identification of 298 mg/m(2) as the MTD. Only 1 patient had any
      drug-related treatment-emergent grade 3 adverse event at or below 229 mg/m(2). A
      total of 21 patients underwent at least one restaging after 2 cycles; 11 patients
      discontinued prior to the end of cycle 2 due to adverse events (9) or disease
      progression (2). The best overall response was stable disease (SD) in 5 of these
      21 (23.8 %) with durations ranging from 3.6 to 8.4 months. CONCLUSION: APTO-253
      was well tolerated at the Phase 2 recommended dose and produced evidence of
      antitumor activity in the form of stable disease in patients with advanced solid
      tumors. Based on the drug levels achieved and the lower frequency of treatment
      emergent adverse events encountered, 229 mg/m(2) was selected as the recommended
      Phase 2 dose. Overall APTO-253 was found to be well tolerated and to have
      favorable pharmacokinetics, and treatment was associated with stable disease in 5
      of 21 (24 %) of patients with far advanced solid tumors.

PMID- 26268925
TI  - Subcellular localization of anthracyclines in cultured rat cardiomyoblasts as
      possible predictors of cardiotoxicity.
AB  - In this study, we compared the cellular uptake, intracellular localization and
      cytotoxicity of two groups of anthracycline derivatives in cultured H9c2(2-1) rat
      cardiomyoblasts. The first group consisted of doxorubicin (DOX) and two of its
      derivatives containing a formamidino group (-N = CH-N<) at the C-3' position with
      a morpholine (DOXM) or a hexamethyleneimine (DOXH) ring. The second group
      consisted of daunorubicin (DRB) and its derivatives containing a morpholine
      (DRBM) or a hexamethyleneimine (DRBH) ring. DOXH and DRBH were taken up by
      cardiomyoblasts more efficiently than estimated for other tested anthracyclines.
      The cellular uptakes of DOXM and DRBM were reduced compared to those of the
      parent compounds. Applied structural modifications of DOX and DRB influenced the
      subcellular localization of the tested derivatives. DOX and DOXH were localized
      primarily in nuclei, whereas the other anthracyclines were found in the nuclei
      and cytoplasm. The percentages of the compounds that accumulated in the nuclei
      were 80.2 and 54.2 % for DOX and DOXH, respectively. The lowest nuclear
      accumulation values were observed for DRBM (19.9 %), DRBH (21.9 %) and DOXM (23.7
      %). The ability of anthracyclines to accumulate in the nuclei correlated with
      their DNA binding constants (r = 0.858, P = 0.029). A correlation was found
      between the accumulation of the tested anthracyclines in the nuclei of
      cardiomyoblasts and their cardiotoxicity in vivo, which was observed in our
      previous study. We suggest that cytotoxicity and the anthracycline accumulation
      level in the nuclei of cultured cardiomyoblasts could be used for early
      prediction of their cardiotoxicity. 

PMID- 26268927
TI  - Heritable CRISPR/Cas9-mediated targeted integration in Xenopus tropicalis.
AB  - Xenopus tropicalis is an emerging vertebrate genetic model. A gene knock-in
      method has not yet been reported in this species. Here, we report that heritable
      targeted integration can be achieved in this diploid frog using a concurrent
      cleavage strategy mediated by the clustered regularly interspaced short
      palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9)
      system. The key point of the strategy is the addition of a Cas9/guide RNA
      cleavage site in the donor vector, allowing simultaneous cutting of the
      chromosomal target site and circular donor DNA in vivo. For the 3 distinct loci
      tested, all showed efficient targeted integration that was verified by both germ
      line transmission and Southern blot analyses. By designing the target sites in
      introns, we were able to get precise editing of the tyrosinase coding sequence
      and green fluorescent protein expression from endogenous n-tubulin promoter and
      enhancers. We were unable to detect off-target effects with the T7 endonuclease I
      assay. Precise editing of protein coding sequences in X. tropicalis expands the
      utility of this diploid frog, such as for establishing models to study human
      inherited diseases.

PMID- 26268926
TI  - Inhibition of Wnt/beta-catenin pathway promotes regenerative repair of cutaneous
      and cartilage injury.
AB  - Wound healing in mammals is a fibrotic process. The mechanisms driving fibrotic
      (as opposed to regenerative) repair are poorly understood. Herein we report that
      therapeutic Wnt inhibition with topical application of small-molecule Wnt
      inhibitors can reduce fibrosis and promote regenerative cutaneous wound repair.
      In the naturally stented model of ear punch injury, we found that Wnt/beta
      catenin pathway is activated most notably in the dermis of the wound bed early (d
      2) after injury and subsides to baseline levels by d10. Topical application of
      either of 2 mechanistically distinct small-molecule Wnt pathway inhibitors (a
      tankyrase inhibitor, XAV-939, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved
      casein kinase activator, pyrvinium) in C57Bl/6J mice resulted in significantly
      increased rates of wound closure (72.3 +/- 14.7% with XAV-939; and 52.1 +/- 20.9%
      with pyrvinium) compared with contralateral controls (38.1 +/- 23.0 and 40.4.+/-
      16.7%, respectively). Histologically, Wnt inhibition reduced fibrosis as measured
      by alpha-smooth muscle actin positive myofibroblasts and collagen type I alpha1
      synthesis. Wnt inhibition also restored skin architecture including adnexal
      structures in ear wounds and dermal-epidermal junction with rete pegs in
      excisional wounds. Additionally, in ear punch injury Wnt inhibitor treatment
      enabled regeneration of auricular cartilage. Our study shows that pharmacologic
      Wnt inhibition holds therapeutic utility for regenerative repair of cutaneous
      wounds.

PMID- 26268928
TI  - Endothelin-1 as a master regulator of whole-body Na+ homeostasis.
AB  - The current study was designed to determine whether vascular endothelial-derived
      endothelin-1 (ET-1) is important for skin Na(+) buffering. In control mice
      (C57BL/6J), plasma Na(+) and osmolarity were significantly elevated in animals on
      high- vs. low-salt (HS and LS, respectively) intake. The increased plasma Na(+)
      and osmolarity were associated with increased ET-1 mRNA in vascular tissue. There
      was no detectable difference in skin Na(+):H2O in HS fed mice (0.119 +/- 0.005 mM
      vs. 0.127 +/- 0.007 mM; LS vs. HS); however, skin Na(+):H2O was significantly
      increased by blockade of the endothelin type A receptor with ABT-627 (0.116 +/-
      0.006 mM vs. 0.137 +/- 0.007 mM; LS vs. HS; half-maximal inhibitory
      concentration, 0.055 nM). ET-1 peptide content in skin tissue was increased in
      floxed control animals on HS (85.9 +/- 0.9 pg/mg vs. 106.4 +/- 6.8 pg/mg; P <
      0.05), but not in vascular endothelial cell endothelin-1 knockout (VEET KO) mice
      (76.4 +/- 5.7 pg/mg vs. 65.7 +/- 7.9 pg/mg; LS vs. HS). VEET KO mice also had a
      significantly elevated skin Na(+):H2O (0.113 +/- 0.007 mM vs. 0.137 +/- 0.005 mM;
      LS vs. HS; P < 0.05). Finally, ET-1 production was elevated in response to
      increasing extracellular osmolarity in cultured human endothelial cells. These
      data support the hypothesis that increased extrarenal vascular ET-1 production in
      response to HS intake is mediated by increased extracellular osmolarity and plays
      a critical role in regulating skin storage of Na(+).

PMID- 26268929
TI  - Paenibacillus kyungheensis sp. nov., isolated from flowers of magnolia.
AB  - A Gram-staining-positive, catalase-positive, oxidase-negative, facultatively
      anaerobic, rod-shaped bacterium designated strain DCY88T, was isolated from
      flowers of magnolia. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence
      comparison revealed that the strain formed a distinct lineage within the genus
      Paenibacillus that was closely related to Paenibacillus hordei RH-N24T (97.8 %).
      The other most closely related species were Paenibacillus illinoisensis NRRL NRS
      1356T (94.3 %), Paenibacillus hunanensis DSM 22170T (94.2 %), Paenibacillus
      peoriae DSM 8320T (93.9 %), Paenibacillus kribbensis Am49T (93.8 %) and the type
      species of the genus, Paenibacillus polymyxa ATCC 842T (93.3 %). Cells of the
      strain were endospore-forming and motile by peritrichous flagella. Strain DCY88T
      formed pink-pigmented colonies on trypticase soy agar and R2A agar medium. Growth
      of strain DCY88T occurs at temperatures 5-37  degrees C, at pH 4-9 and 0.5-5.5 %
      NaCl (w/v). The menaquinone was MK-7.The cell wall peptidoglycan of strain DCY88T
      contained meso-diaminopimelic acid. The major fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0
      (61.0 %) and C16 : 0 (11.0 %). The major polar lipids were
      diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and an
      unidentified polar lipid. The strain DCY88T contained spermidine as the major
      polyamine. The DNA G+C content was 51.6 mol%. The DNA-DNA hybridization
      relatedness between strain DCY88T and P. hordei RH-N24T was 48 +/- 2 %. The
      phenotypic, phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic results indicate that the strain
      DCY88T represents a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name
      Paenibacillus kyungheensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DCY88T ( =
      JCM 19886T = KCTC 33429T).

PMID- 26268931
TI  - Percent Time With a Supratherapeutic INR in Atrial Fibrillation Patients Also
      Using an Antiplatelet Agent Is Associated With Long-Term Risk of Dementia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are at higher risk of
      developing dementia. AF patients treated with warfarin with poor time in
      therapeutic ranges are significantly more likely to develop dementia. AF patients
      are also frequently treated with antiplatelet agents due to coexistent vascular
      disease. We hypothesize that AF patients with anticoagulation and antiplatelet
      therapies will be at higher risk of dementia, particularly with chronic exposure
      to over-anticoagulation. METHODS: Chronically anticoagulated patients receiving
      warfarin (target INR 2-3) for AF and managed by the Intermountain Healthcare
      Clinical Pharmacist Anticoagulation Service (CPAS) on concurrent antiplatelet
      agents with no history of dementia or stroke/TIA were included. The primary
      outcome was the presence of dementia defined by neurologist determined ICD-9
      codes. Percent time with an INR>3.0 was determined and then compared by 3 strata
      <10% (n = 340), 10-24% (n = 417), >=25% (n = 235). Multivariable Cox hazard
      regression was utilized to determine dementia incidence by percent time. RESULTS:
      A total of 992 patients were studied. Patients with an INR>3 more than 25% of the
      time were 2.40 times more likely to develop dementia (P = 0.04). A comparison
      between < 10% group and 10-24.9% group with INR>3 indicated no difference in risk
      for the development of dementia (P = 0.74). The risk was significantly increased
      in patients using triple antithrombotic therapy, although the number of patients
      within this group was small. CONCLUSION: In AF patients receiving antiplatelet
      and anticoagulant therapies, the percent of time exposed to over-anticoagulation
      increased dementia risk. These data support the possibility of chronic cerebral
      injury from microbleeds as a mechanism underlying the association of AF and
      dementia.

PMID- 26268930
TI  - Effects of a pulmonary rehabilitation program on physical capacity, peripheral
      muscle function and inflammatory markers in asthmatic children and adolescents:
      study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Individuals with chronic lung disease are more susceptible to present
      reduction in exercise tolerance and muscles strength not only due to pulmonary
      limitations but also due systemic repercussions of the pulmonary disease. The aim
      of this study is to assess the physical capacity, peripheral muscle function,
      physical activity in daily life, and the inflammatory markers in children and
      adolescents with asthma after pulmonary rehabilitation program. METHOD: This is a
      study protocol of randomized controlled trial in asthmatic patients between 6 to
      18 years old. The assessments will be conducted in three different days and will
      be performed at the beginning and at the end of the protocol. First visit:
      quality of life questionnaire, asthma control questionnaire, pre- and post
      bronchodilator spirometry (400 MUcg salbutamol), inflammatory assessment (blood
      collection), and cardiopulmonary exercise test on a cycle ergometer to determine
      aerobic capacity. Second visit: assessment of strength and endurance of the
      quadriceps femoris and biceps brachii muscles with concomitant electromyography
      to assess peripheral muscle strength. Third visit: incremental shuttle walk test
      (ISWT) and accelerometer to evaluate functional capacity and physical activity in
      daily life during 7 days. Then, the volunteers will be randomized to receive
      pulmonary rehabilitation program (intervention group) or chest physiotherapy +
      stretching exercises (control group). Both groups will have a supervised session,
      twice a week, each session will have 60 minutes duration, with minimum interval
      of 24 hours, for a period of 8 weeks. Intervention group: aerobic training (35
      minutes) intensity between 60 to 80 % of the maximum workload of cardiopulmonary
      exercise testing or of ISWT; strength muscle training will be applied to the
      quadriceps femoris, biceps brachii and deltoid muscles (intensity: 40 to 70 % of
      maximal repetition, 3 x 8 repetition); finally the oral high-frequency
      oscillation device (Flutter(r)) will be used for 5 minutes. The control group:
      oral high-frequency oscillation device (Flutter(r)) for 10 minutes followed by
      the stretching of upper and lower limbs for 40 minutes. It is expected to observe
      the improvement in aerobic capacity, physical activity in daily life, muscle
      strength and quality of life of patients in the intervention group, and reduction
      in inflammatory markers. TRIAL REGISTRATION:  CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: NCT02383069.
      Data of registration: 03/03/2015.

PMID- 26268932
TI  - Behavioral despair associated with a mouse model of Crohn's disease: Role of
      nitric oxide pathway.
AB  - Crohn's disease (CD) is associated with increased psychiatric co-morbidities.
      Nitric oxide (NO) is implicated in inflammation and tissue injury in CD, and it
      may also play a central role in pathogenesis of the accompanying behavioral
      despair. This study investigated the role of the NO pathway in behavioral despair
      associated with a mouse model of CD. Colitis was induced by intrarectal (i.r.)
      injection of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (10mg TNBS in 50% ethanol).
      Forced swimming test (FST), pharmacological studies and tissues collection were
      performed 72 h following TNBS administration. To address a possible inflammatory
      origin for the behavioral despair following colitis induction, tumor necrosis
      factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) level was measured in both the hippocampal and colonic
      tissue samples. In parallel, hippocampal inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)
      and nitrite level were evaluated. Pharmacological studies targeting the NO
      pathway were performed 30-60 min before behavioral test. Colitis was confirmed by
      increased colonic TNF-alpha level and microscopic score. Colitic mice
      demonstrated a significantly higher immobility time in the FST associated to a
      significant increase of hippocampal TNF-alpha, iNOS expression and nitrite
      content. Acute NOS inhibition using either Nomega-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester
      (a non-specific NOS inhibitor) or aminoguanidine hydrochloride (a specific iNOS
      inhibitor) decreased the immobility time in colitic groups. Moreover, acute
      treatment with both NOS inhibitors decreased the TNF-alpha level and nitrite
      content in the hippocampal samples. This study suggests that the NO pathway may
      be involved in the behavioral effects in the mouse TNBS model of CD. These
      findings endow new insights into the gut-brain communication during the
      development of colonic inflammation, which may ultimately lead to improved
      therapeutic strategies to combat behavior changes associated with
      gastrointestinal disorders.

PMID- 26268933
TI  - Consequences of paternally inherited effects on the genetic evaluation of
      maternal effects.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mixed models are commonly used for the estimation of variance
      components and genetic evaluation of livestock populations. Some evaluation
      models include two types of additive genetic effects, direct and maternal.
      Estimates of variance components obtained with models that account for maternal
      effects have been the subject of a long-standing controversy about strong
      negative estimates of the covariance between direct and maternal effects. Genomic
      imprinting is known to be in some cases statistically confounded with maternal
      effects. In this study, we analysed the consequences of ignoring paternally
      inherited effects on the partitioning of genetic variance. RESULTS: We showed
      that the existence of paternal parent-of-origin effects can bias the estimation
      of variance components when maternal effects are included in the evaluation
      model. Specifically, we demonstrated that adding a constraint on the genetic
      parameters of a maternal model resulted in correlations between relatives that
      were the same as those obtained with a model that fits only paternally inherited
      effects for most pairs of individuals, as in livestock pedigrees. The main
      consequence is an upward bias in the estimates of the direct and maternal
      additive genetic variances and a downward bias in the direct-maternal genetic
      covariance. This was confirmed by a simulation study that investigated five
      scenarios, with the trait affected by (1) only additive genetic effects, (2) only
      paternally inherited effects, (3) additive genetic and paternally inherited
      effects, (4) direct and maternal additive genetic effects and (5) direct and
      maternal additive genetic plus paternally inherited effects. For each scenario,
      the existence of a paternally inherited effect not accounted for by the
      estimation model resulted in a partitioning of the genetic variance according to
      the predicted pattern. In addition, a model comparison test confirmed that direct
      and maternal additive models and paternally inherited models provided an
      equivalent fit. CONCLUSIONS: Ignoring paternally inherited effects in the
      maternal models for genetic evaluation can lead to a specific pattern of bias in
      variance component estimates, which may account for the unexpectedly strong
      negative direct-maternal genetic correlations that are typically reported in the
      literature.

PMID- 26268934
TI  - Long-term Surgical Outcomes of Epiretinal Membrane in Patients with Retinitis
      Pigmentosa.
AB  - Macular complications such as an epiretinal membrane (ERM), a cystoid macular
      edema and a macular hole lead to unexpected central vision impairment especially
      for patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP). To evaluate the long-term surgical
      outcomes of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for ERM in patients with RP, we
      retrospectively reviewed the charts of a consecutive series of 10 RP patients who
      underwent PPV for ERM at Kyushu University Hospital. Visual acuity (VA) testing,
      a fundus examination, and an optical coherence tomography (OCT) analysis were
      conducted. The standard PPV using three sclerotomies was performed for ERM. PPV
      was performed in 12 eyes of 10 patients. One eye was excluded from the outcome
      assessment due to short period observation (18 months). There was no
      significantly deleterious change from the baseline to final VA between the
      operation eyes and the fellow eyes (P = 0.19). Moreover, morphological
      improvement was obtained in 9 of 11 eyes based on OCT. Our present data suggest
      that PPV may be tolerable in the management for ERM in RP patients over the long
      term. Furthermore, the appearance of the ellipsoid zone was an important factor
      in the prediction of visual outcome and determination of surgical indication. 

PMID- 26268935
TI  - Efficacy and safety of weekly leflunomide for the treatment of early rheumatoid
      arthritis: a randomized, multi-center study.
AB  - AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of a weekly
      dose of leflunomide (50 mg/week) in early rheumatoid arthritis patients with mild
      or moderate disease activity. METHODS: The patients of early rheumatoid arthritis
      (ERA) with mild or moderate disease activity were randomly selected for inclusion
      in this study and were assigned to either the treatment group (leflunomide 50
      mg/week, LEF50) or the control group (leflunomide 10 mg/day, LEF10). All patients
      were treated for 24 weeks. Clinical efficacy was assessed using the disease
      activity score in 28 joints (DAS28) - erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and
      European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) response. A Chi-squared test, Fisher's
      exact-test and paired t-tests were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: A total of
      244 patients who met the inclusion criteria and received at least one medicine
      dose were analyzed. At the baseline, the DAS28 (ESR) of the ERA patients were
      4.41 +/- 0.69 in LEF 50 group and 4.52 +/- 0.64 in LEF 10 group, respectively. At
      week 24, the DAS28 (ESR) in two groups ( 2.94 +/- 1.10 and 3.02 +/- 1.14 ) were
      significant decreased compare with the baseline, respectively (P<0.01). There was
      no significant difference in DAS28 (ESR) between the LEF50 and LEF10 groups at
      week 24. (P > 0.05). At weeks 8, 12 and 24, the EULAR response (good responses +
      moderate responses) were 47.6%, 58.7% and 59.5%, in the LEF50 group and 43.2%,
      49.1% and 53.4% in the LEF10 group, respectively. There was no significant
      different of EULAR response rates in the two groups at week 8, 12, and 24,
      respectively (P>0.05). There was no serious adverse events during the study.
      CONCLUSION: A weekly dose of 50 mg leflunomide showed similar benefits to a daily
      dose of 10 mg leflunomide for the treatment of mild-to-moderate early rheumatoid
      arthritis.

PMID- 26268936
TI  - In Response to 'Intravenous Lipid Emulsion Given to Volunteers Does Not Affect
      Symptoms of Lidocaine Brain Toxicity'.

PMID- 26268937
TI  - Mechanofluorochromism of 1-Alkanoylaminopyrenes.
AB  - To create a new series of mechanofluorochromic materials and to elucidate the
      mechanism of the phenomenon of mechanofluorochromism, 1-alkanoylaminopyrenes
      including 1-acetylaminopyrene (AAPy), 1-octanoylaminopyrene (OAPy), and 1
      stearoylaminopyren (SAPy) were prepared. It was found that these materials
      exhibited mechanofluorochromism with emission colors in the crystalline samples
      changing reversibly from bluish purple to yellowish green, which could be induced
      by mechanical grinding. X-ray crystal structure analysis, electronic absorption,
      and fluorescence spectroscopies, as well as fluorescence lifetime analysis and
      powder X-ray diffraction analysis of AAPy suggested that the present
      mechanofluorochromism was caused by developing crystal defects through grinding.
      Intermolecular hydrogen bonds were suggested to play an important role in the
      occurrence of mechanofluorochromism, suppressing the face-to-face overlapping of
      pyrene moieties to form excimers in the pristine crystal. 

PMID- 26268938
TI  - PARP inhibitors in the management of breast cancer: current data and future
      prospects.
AB  - Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARP) are enzymes involved in DNA-damage repair.
      Inhibition of PARPs is a promising strategy for targeting cancers with defective
      DNA-damage repair, including BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation-associated breast and
      ovarian cancers. Several PARP inhibitors are currently in trials in the adjuvant,
      neoadjuvant, and metastatic settings for the treatment of ovarian, BRCA-mutated
      breast, and other cancers. We herein review the development of PARP inhibitors
      and the basis for the excitement surrounding these agents, their use as single
      agents and in combinations, as well as their toxicities, mechanisms of acquired
      resistance, and companion diagnostics. 

PMID- 26268940
TI  - Comparison of acute kidney injury classifications in patients undergoing
      transcatheter aortic valve implantation: Predictors and long-term outcomes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) was demonstrated to adversely affect
      outcome in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). We
      compared predictors for AKI and associated outcomes according to various
      definitions among patients undergoing TAVI in a tertiary medical center. METHODS:
      Two-hundred and seventeen TAVI patients were evaluated for the occurrence of AKI
      according to Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO)/Valve Academic
      Research Consortium (VARC-2) and Risk Injury Failure Loss End-Stage (RIFLE)
      definitions. Multivariate analysis was conducted to assess predictors of AKI. Cox
      hazard ratio was used to evaluate long-term mortality in this patient population.
      RESULTS: AKI occurred in 23 and 21% of patients (n = 49, n = 46) according to
      KDIGO/VARC-2 and RIFLE definitions, respectively, with an approximate 10% of
      disagreement between both systems. Predictors of AKI according to KDIGO/VARC-2
      were chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD; OR = 2.66, P = 0.01), PVD (OR =
      3.45, P = 0.02) and a lower baseline eGFR (OR = 1.03 per 1 mL/min/1.73 m(2)
      decrease, P = 0.02). While BMI (OR = 1.12, P = 0.01), prior ischemic heart
      disease (OR = 2.35, P = 0.04) and COPD (OR = 2.18, P = 0.04) were associated with
      AKI as defined by the RIFLE definition. AKI defined by either classification was
      independently associated with long-term mortality (HR = 1.63, for the KDIGO/VARC
      2 definition and HR = 1.60 for RIFLE definition, P = 0.04 for both models), with
      borderline superiority of the KDIGO/VARC-2 classification. CONCLUSIONS: Different
      clinical characteristics predict the occurrence of AKI after TAVI when RIFLE and
      KDIGO/VARC-2 classifications are used. Both classification systems of AKI
      identify patients with increased risk for long-term mortality, with superiority
      of the KDIGO/VARC-2 definition, which should be used for AKI grading.

PMID- 26268942
TI  - The Cancer, Educate to Prevent Model-the Potential of School Environment for
      Primary Prevention of Cancer.
AB  - Cancer represents one of the main causes of death worldwide; consequently,
      preventive interventions are of utmost importance in public health education. The
      leading model of cancer prevention campaigns is based on general and
      undifferentiated actions mediated by health professionals, focusing on the
      technical and scientific information but rather ineffective in changing the
      symbolic, cognitive and practical relationship with the disease. New intervention
      models are thus required to address cancer literacy, being early interventions
      targeted to specific groups an elective counterpoint to contribute to positive
      and durable changes in cancer prevention. Our aim is to evaluate the feasibility
      and impact of cancer prevention programmes planned as focused interventions in
      restricted targets and mediated by non-healthcare professionals to increase
      cancer literacy and promote preventive behaviours. This pilot study evaluates
      schools' potential as a vehicle for cancer prevention education in a reality
      shaped by traditional health prevention campaigns. We developed a protocol of
      systematic surveying in order to review and, in the future, optimize and
      replicate this ecological model of intervention to other groups and contexts. The
      implementation of this model has been successful in which concerns to the
      effectiveness of the training programme for teachers. This led to the development
      of impactful cancer prevention education projects by trainees targeted to their
      students, allowing us to argue that it contributes to knowledge and practice in
      this complex as consensual priority area of intervention.

PMID- 26268943
TI  - Giving all pregnant women iodine supplements could save costs of cognitive
      impairment, study finds.

PMID- 26268941
TI  - Transcriptionally active LTR retrotransposons in Eucalyptus genus are
      differentially expressed and insertionally polymorphic.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In Eucalyptus genus, studies on genome composition and transposable
      elements (TEs) are particularly scarce. Nearly half of the recently released
      Eucalyptus grandis genome is composed by retrotransposons and this data provides
      an important opportunity to understand TE dynamics in Eucalyptus genome and
      transcriptome. RESULTS: We characterized nine families of transcriptionally
      active LTR retrotransposons from Copia and Gypsy superfamilies in Eucalyptus
      grandis genome and we depicted genomic distribution and copy number in two
      Eucalyptus species. We also evaluated genomic polymorphism and transcriptional
      profile in three organs of five Eucalyptus species. We observed contrasting
      genomic and transcriptional behavior in the same family among different species.
      RLC_egMax_1 was the most prevalent family and RLC_egAngela_1 was the family with
      the lowest copy number. Most families of both superfamilies have their insertions
      occurring <3 million years, except one Copia family, RLC_egBianca_1. Protein
      theoretical models suggest different properties between Copia and Gypsy domains.
      IRAP and REMAP markers suggested genomic polymorphisms among Eucalyptus species.
      Using EST analysis and qRT-PCRs, we observed transcriptional activity in several
      tissues and in all evaluated species. In some families, osmotic stress increases
      transcript values. CONCLUSION: Our strategy was successful in isolating
      transcriptionally active retrotransposons in Eucalyptus, and each family has a
      particular genomic and transcriptional pattern. Overall, our results show that
      retrotransposon activity have differentially affected genome and transcriptome
      among Eucalyptus species.

PMID- 26268944
TI  - Genotype and phenotype correlations in Iranian patients with hyperinsulinaemic
      hypoglycaemia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia (HH) is a group of clinically and
      genetically heterogeneous disorders characterized by unregulated insulin
      secretion. Abnormalities in nine different genes (ABCC8, KCNJ11, GLUD1, GCK,
      HADH, SLC16A1, HNF4A, UCP2 and HNF1A) have been reported in HH, the most common
      being ABCC8 and KCNJ11. We describe the genetic aetiology and phenotype of
      Iranian patients with HH. METHODS: Retrospective clinical, biochemical and
      genetic information was collected on 23 patients with biochemically confirmed HH.
      Mutation analysis was carried out for the ATP-sensitive potassium (K(ATP))
      channel genes (ABCC8 and KCNJ11), GLUD1, GCK, HADH and HNF4A. RESULTS: 78% of the
      patients were identified to have a genetic cause for HH. 48% of patients had
      mutation in HADH, whilst ABCC8/KCNJ11 mutations were identified in 30% of
      patients. Among the diazoxide-responsive patients (18/23), mutations were
      identified in 72%. These include two novel homozygous ABCC8 mutations. Of the
      five patients with diazoxide-unresponsive HH, three had homozygous ABCC8
      mutation, one had heterozygous ABCC8 mutation inherited from an unaffected father
      and one had homozygous KCNJ11 mutation. 52% of children in our cohort were born
      to consanguineous parents. Patients with ABCC8/KCNJ11 mutations were noted to be
      significantly heavier than those with HADH mutation (p = 0.002). Our results
      revealed neurodevelopmental deficits in 30% and epilepsy in 52% of all patients.
      CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study of its kind in
      Iran. We found disease-causing mutations in 78% of HH patients. The predominance
      of HADH mutation might be due to a high incidence of consanguineous marriage in
      this population. Further research involving a larger cohort of HH patients is
      required in Iranian population.

PMID- 26268946
TI  - Targeted grafting of thermoresponsive polymers from a penetrative honeycomb
      structure for cell sheet engineering.
AB  - Responsive membranes have been used to construct smart biomaterial interfaces. We
      report a novel approach to fabricate honeycomb films with a pattern of
      thermoresponsive polymer, namely poly(N-isopropylacrylamide). The approach was
      based on a combination of the breath figure method and reversible addition
      fragmentation chain transfer. The hybrid film had morphological and chemical
      patterns resulting in varied wettability and morphology at various stages, as
      well as high thermo-responsiveness. Enhanced cell adhesion was observed at an
      incubation temperature of 37  degrees C, which is above its lower critical
      solution temperature (LCST). Furthermore, cells could be harvested at
      temperatures below the LCST without trypsin treatment. The non-invasive
      characteristics give this membrane potential as a substrate for cell sheet
      engineering. 

PMID- 26268945
TI  - Il-6 signaling between ductal carcinoma in situ cells and carcinoma-associated
      fibroblasts mediates tumor cell growth and migration.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is a non-obligate precursor lesion of
      invasive breast cancer in which approximately half the patients will progress to
      invasive cancer. Gaining a better understanding of DCIS progression may reduce
      overtreatment of patients. Expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine
      interleukin-6 increases with pathological stage and grade, and is associated with
      poorer prognosis in breast cancer patients. Carcinoma associated fibroblasts
      (CAFs), which are present in the stroma of DCIS patients are known to secrete pro
      inflammatory cytokines and promote tumor progression. METHODS: We hypothesized
      that IL-6 paracrine signaling between DCIS cells and CAFs mediates DCIS
      proliferation and migration. To test this hypothesis, we utilized the mammary
      architecture and microenvironment engineering or MAME model to study the
      interactions between human breast CAFs and human DCIS cells in 3D over time. We
      specifically inhibited autocrine and paracrine IL-6 signaling to determine its
      contribution to early stage tumor progression. RESULTS: Here, DCIS cells formed
      multicellular structures that exhibited increased proliferation and migration
      when cultured with CAFs. Treatment with an IL-6 neutralizing antibody inhibited
      growth and migration of the multicellular structures. Moreover, selective
      knockdown of IL-6 in CAFs, but not in DCIS cells, abrogated the migratory
      phenotype. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that paracrine IL-6 signaling between
      preinvasive DCIS cells and stromal CAFs represent an important factor in the
      initiation of DCIS progression to invasive breast carcinoma.

PMID- 26268947
TI  - Erectile function in men with end-stage liver disease improves after living donor
      liver transplantation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Impaired liver function in men can result in erectile dysfunction or
      hypogonadism or both. We investigated whether living donor liver transplantation
      (LDLT) results in improvement in male sexual function. METHODS: A total of 58
      patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD) were included in this prospective,
      cross-sectional study. Erectile function was measured before and after LDLT using
      a five-item modified version of the International Index of Erectile Function
      scale (IIEF-5) and hypogonadism was evaluated before and after LDLT using the
      Androgen Deficiency in the Aging Male (ADAM) questionnaire. Differences in mean
      values from the questionnaires before and after the operation were than evaluated
      to determine whether there is an association between LDLT and improvement in
      sexual function. RESULTS: We found that mean IIEF-5 scores significantly
      increased after LDLT (from 11.7 +/- 7.7 before LDLT to 14.7 +/- 7.5 after LDLT, p
      < 0.01), indicating that the operation played a role in improving erectile
      function. In addition, the prevalence of hypogonadism among the patients with
      ESLD decreased markedly after liver transplantation (hypogonadism before LDLT, n
      = 41 versus hypogonadism after LDLT, n = 31, p = 0.03). Patients with
      hypogonadism reported a higher prevalence of erectile dysfunction after LDLT than
      patients without hypogonadism (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: LDLT results in
      improvement in erectile function. In addition, improvement in erectile function
      is associated with self-reported absence of hypogonadism.

PMID- 26268948
TI  - Oxygen Insufflation in University of Wisconsin Solution Ameliorates Reperfusion
      Injury in Small Bowel after Cold Storage and Reperfusion.
AB  - BACKGROUND Results in small bowel transplantation are inferior compared to other
      solid organ transplantations, among other reasons, due to a specific
      vulnerability to ischemia/reperfusion injury. New strategies are needed to
      improve organ storage. Here we compare static cold storage in University of
      Wisconsin solution to storage supplemented with molecular oxygen gas
      insufflation. MATERIAL AND METHODS Rat small bowel was retrieved and either
      stored unoxygenated (UW) or oxygenated (UW+O2) for 18 h at 4 degrees C.
      Biochemical parameters, mucosal function, Toll-like receptor upregulation, and
      parameters of structural integrity were evaluated following isolated reperfusion
      in vitro for 30 min at 37 degrees C. RESULTS Oxygenation showed: ATP
      concentration was 82 times higher; lactate dehydrogenase release was continuously
      lower over 30 min; malondialdehyde, a final product of lipid peroxidation (UW+O2
      vs. UW; 2.7+/-0.92 nmol/mL vs. 17.22+/-10.1 nmol/mL; P<0.05) and nitric oxide
      concentration (0.87+/-0.27 umol/L vs. 2.17+/-0.29 umol/L; P<0.001) were
      significantly lower; whereas mucosal functional integrity (galactose uptake) was
      better preserved (0.47+/-0.18 mg/dL vs. 0.35+/-0.05 mg/dL). Amelioration of
      tissue damage could be demonstrated by reduced apoptosis (3.3+/-1.2 AU vs. 28.4+/
      10 AU; P>0.05), and preserved subcellular integrity. Toll-like receptors were
      significantly less upregulated (TLR2 0.32+/-0.1 vs. 2.1+/-1.5-fold and TLR4
      1.53+/-1.14 vs. 11.79+/-5.4-fold; P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Oxygenated storage is
      superior to standard storage in University of Wisconsin solution in terms of
      energetics, tissue damage, and mucosal integrity. 

PMID- 26268949
TI  - Progress and gaps in understanding mechanisms of ash tree resistance to emerald
      ash borer, a model for wood-boring insects that kill angiosperms.
AB  - We review the literature on host resistance of ash to emerald ash borer (EAB,
      Agrilus planipennis), an invasive species that causes widespread mortality of
      ash. Manchurian ash (Fraxinus mandshurica), which coevolved with EAB, is more
      resistant than evolutionarily naive North American and European congeners.
      Manchurian ash was less preferred for adult feeding and oviposition than
      susceptible hosts, more resistant to larval feeding, had higher constitutive
      concentrations of bark lignans, coumarins, proline, tyramine and defensive
      proteins, and was characterized by faster oxidation of phenolics. Consistent with
      EAB being a secondary colonizer of coevolved hosts, drought stress decreased the
      resistance of Manchurian ash, but had no effect on constitutive bark phenolics,
      suggesting that they do not contribute to increased susceptibility in response to
      drought stress. The induced resistance of North American species to EAB in
      response to the exogenous application of methyl jasmonate was associated with
      increased bark concentrations of verbascoside, lignin and/or trypsin inhibitors,
      which decreased larval survival and/or growth in bioassays. This finding suggests
      that these inherently susceptible species possess latent defenses that are not
      induced naturally by larval colonization, perhaps because they fail to recognize
      larval cues or respond quickly enough. Finally, we propose future research
      directions that would address some critical knowledge gaps.

PMID- 26268951
TI  - Implants with an Oxidized Surface Placed Predominately in Soft Bone Quality and
      Subjected to Immediate Occlusal Loading: Results from an 11-Year Clinical Follow
      Up.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this clinical follow-up was to document the 11-year
      outcome of implants with a moderately rough oxidized surface subjected to
      immediate occlusal loading. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-six of 38 patients
      enrolled in a 5-year prospective study were available for this follow-up
      analysis, with 33 restorations supported by 66 slightly tapered implants
      (Branemark System MkIV, Nobel Biocare, Gothenburg, Sweden). The majority of
      implants were placed in posterior regions (88%) and into soft bone (76%).
      Parameters included cumulative survival rate (CSR), radiographic marginal bone
      level, bleeding on probing (BOP), intrasulcular counts of perio-pathogenic
      markers (DNA probes), and total bacterial load (TBL). RESULTS: The CSR was 97.1%
      at 11.2 years mean follow-up. Mean marginal bone remodeling was 0.47 mm (SD 1.09,
      n = 65) from 1 year postplacement to 11-year follow-up. BOP was absent at most
      sites (63.6%). No statistically significant differences in TBL or perio
      pathogenic marker species were observed at implants and teeth. CONCLUSION: The
      results of the present follow-up show high long-term survival, stable marginal
      bone levels, and soft tissue outcomes of oxidized surface implants placed
      predominately in posterior regions and soft bone. The quantity and quality of
      intrasulcular microbiota were comparable at implants and teeth.

PMID- 26268950
TI  - Angiotensin II prevents calcification in vascular smooth muscle cells by
      enhancing magnesium influx.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Vascular calcification (VC) is highly prevalent in patients with
      chronic kidney disease (CKD). Low magnesium levels are associated with VC, and
      recent in vitro studies confirm a protective role of magnesium, which is mediated
      by its entry into the VSMCs through the Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 7
      (TRPM7) channel. The role of Angiotensin II (Ang II) on VC is still unclear. As
      Ang II is able to stimulate TRPM7 activity, we hypothesize that it might prevent
      VC. Thus, the aim of this study was to dissect the direct effect of Ang II on VC.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: We worked with a model of high phosphate (HP)-induced
      calcification in human aortic smooth muscle cells, which resembles the CKD
      related VC. RESULTS: Addition of Ang II to cells growing in HP decreased
      calcification, which was associated with the upregulation of the osteogenic
      factors BMP2, Runx2/Cbfa1, Osterix and ALP. A reduction of magnesium entry into
      the HP-calcifying cells was found. The treatment with Ang II avoided this
      reduction, which was reversed by the cotreatment with the TRPM7-inhibitor 2-APB.
      The protective effect of Ang II was related to AT1R-induced ERK1/2 MAPKinase
      activation. HP-induced calcification was also associated with the upregulation of
      the canonical Wnt/beta-catenin pathway, while its downregulation was related to
      attenuation of calcification by Ang II. CONCLUSION: As hypothesized, Ang II
      prevented phosphate-induced calcification in VSMCs, which appears mediated by the
      increase of magnesium influx and by the activation of the ERK1/2 and the
      inhibition of the canonical Wnt/beta-catenin signalling pathways.

PMID- 26268952
TI  - Increase in pruritogenic kallikrein 5 in the skin of NC mice with chronic
      dermatitis.

PMID- 26268953
TI  - Synthesis, characterization and the release kinetics of antiproliferative agents
      from polyamidoamine conjugates.
AB  - Polyamidoamine conjugates containing curcumin and bisphosphonate were synthesized
      via a one-pot aqueous phase Michael addition reaction. In the design of the
      conjugate, bisphosphonate formed an integral part of the polymer carrier
      backbone. Curcumin was incorporated onto the polyamidoamine backbone via
      piperazine linker. The conjugates were characterized by Fourier transform
      spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, atomic force spectroscopy and
      nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and it confirmed the successful
      incorporation of the antiproliferative agents onto the carriers. The weight
      percentage incorporation of bisphosphonate to the carriers was found to be
      between 2.56% and 3.34%. The in vitro release studies of curcumin from the
      polyamidoamine conjugate were performed in dialysis bag at selected pH values.
      The release of curcumin was significantly slower at pH 7.4 when compared to pH
      5.8. The release profiles indicate that the conjugates are more stable at pH 7.4
      and are potential sustained drug-delivery systems for combination therapy. 

PMID- 26268954
TI  - Role of sesamol-loaded floating beads in gastric cancers: a pharmacokinetic and
      biochemical evidence.
AB  - CONTEXT: Sesamol, a potential antioxidant with marked anticancer potential
      suffers from issues of extensive tissue distribution and local gastric irritation
      on oral administration. OBJECTIVE: To develop multiunit gastro-retentive floating
      beads (S-FBs) for localised and prolonged release of sesamol to treat gastric
      cancers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: S-FBs prepared using calcium carbonate, sodium
      alginate and hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC) in different proportions, were
      characterised and evaluated in vivo in N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitroguanidine-induced
      gastric cancer in rats. Single oral dose plasma pharmacokinetic study was also
      performed for free sesamol and S-FBs. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Restraining sesamol
      in floating beads, significantly lowered the release (diffusion controlled) rate,
      increased t50% (31 times) and reduced its in vivo clearance (>1.5 times).
      Preclinical evaluation showed S-FBs (10 mg/kg) to be significantly better than
      free sesamol and better/equivalent to methotrexate (2 mg/kg). CONCLUSION: Most of
      the natural phytochemical or antioxidants show pretreatment effectiveness. We,
      however, developed and established S-FBs for sustained curative effect.

PMID- 26268955
TI  - Fecal Incontinence: Etiology, Diagnosis, and Management.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Fecal incontinence is a debilitating condition affecting primarily
      the elderly. Many patients suffer in silence resulting in both underdiagnosis and
      undertreatment often culminating in an overall poor quality of life. METHODS: We
      sought to review the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of fecal incontinence
      based on current literature. Additionally, newer treatment methods such as
      Solesta will be evaluated. RESULTS: There are many diagnostic modalities
      available to assess the degree and severity of the patient's incontinence;
      however, a thorough history and physical exam is critical. Initial attempts at
      treatment focus on medical management primarily through stool texture
      modification with the aid of bulking agents. Failure of medical therapy is often
      followed by a graded increase in the complexity and invasiveness of the available
      treatment options. The selection of the most appropriate surgical option, such as
      overlapping sphincteroplasty and neuromodulation, is multifactorial involving
      both surgeon and patient-related factors. Neuromodulation has received increased
      attention in the last decade due to its documented therapeutic success, and newer
      office-based procedures, such as the Solesta injection, are showing promising
      results in properly selected patients. Finally, diversion remains an option for
      select patients who have failed all other therapies. CONCLUSION: The etiology of
      fecal incontinence is multifactorial, involving a complex interplay between stool
      consistency and anatomic integrity. The diagnosis and treatment of fecal
      incontinence continue to evolve and are showing promising results.

PMID- 26268956
TI  - Ideal Body Weight Calculation in the Bariatric Surgical Population.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In bariatric surgery, ideal body weight (IBW) is used to calculate
      excess body weight (EBW) and percent excess weight lost (%EWL). Bariatric
      literature typically uses the midpoint of the medium frame from older
      Metropolitan Life Insurance (MetLife) tables to estimate IBW. This is neither
      universal nor always clinically accurate. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study
      was to determine the accuracy of standard IBW formulas compared to MetLife data.
      METHODS: Weight loss data from 200 bariatric surgical patients between 2009 and
      2011 was used to assess the accuracy of IBW formulas. IBWs assigned from the
      midpoint of the medium frame and reassigned using different gender targets were
      compared to standard formulas and a new formula to assess the accuracy of all
      formulas to both targets. RESULTS: Using standard MetLife data, the mean IBW was
      136 lb, the mean EBW was 153.6 lb, and the mean %EWL was 43.8 %. Using the new
      target baseline, the mean IBW was 137.1 lb, the mean EBW was 152.6 lb, and the
      mean %EWL was 44 %. Deitel and Greenstein's formula was accurate to 0.3 % of EBW
      using the standard method, while our new formula was accurate to 0.03 % of EBW.
      CONCLUSIONS: Deitel and Greenstein's formula is most accurate using standard
      target IBW. The most accurate is our formula using the new MetLife target IBW.

PMID- 26268958
TI  - Beyond physical access: a qualitative analysis into the barriers to policy
      implementation and service provision experienced by persons with disabilities
      living in a rural context.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Persons with disabilities make up approximately 15% of the world's
      population, with vulnerable communities disproportionately affected by the
      incidence of disability. Research reflects that persons with disabilities are
      vulnerable to stigma and discrimination, social isolation, and have physical
      barriers to accessing support services, all of which serve to perpetuate a sense
      of uncertainty and vulnerability within their lives. Recently a number of
      policies and models of intervention have been introduced intended to protect the
      rights of those affected by disability, yet limited research has been conducted
      into the lived experiences of persons with disabilities, particularly in rural
      contexts. This implies that little is known about the impact of the rural context
      on the lived experience of disability and the ways in which context impacts on
      the implementation of policies and practices. METHODS: The current study employed
      a qualitative design underpinned by the principles of narrative inquiry and
      participant observation. Thirty adults with a variety of congenital and acquired
      disabilities (15 men and 15 women, ranging in age from 19 to 83 years) living in
      12 rural communities in the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa were recruited
      through snowball sampling. Data collection comprised a combination of narrative
      inquiry and participant observation. Narratives were collected in SiSwati with
      the assistance of a SiSwati-speaking research mediator and were transcribed and
      translated into English. Data were analysed inductively according to the
      principles of thematic analysis. RESULTS: Findings confirmed that the experience
      of living with a disability in a rural area is associated with discrimination,
      social exclusion, and isolation and barriers to accessing services, underpinned
      by numerous context-specific experiences, including mortality rates, exposure to
      numerous and repeated forms of violence across the lifespan, and corruption and
      lack of transparency in the implementation of government policies and practices.
      These experiences are not currently reflected in the literature or in guidelines
      on the implementations of policies and service provision, and thus have the
      potential to offer novel insights into the barriers faced by persons with
      disabilities living in rural areas. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study
      suggest that barriers to service provision extend beyond physical obstacles, and
      include a variety of sociocultural and sociopolitical barriers. By failing to
      take these into account, policies and current models of service provision are
      only able to provide limited support to persons with disabilities living in rural
      areas. The findings reveal narrative inquiry to be a powerful and culturally safe
      tool for exploring lived experience among vulnerable populations and hold
      significant implications for both practitioners and policy developers.
      Furthermore, it emerges that one-size-fits-all policies are unable to meet the
      needs of persons with disabilities living in rural areas. However, the
      implementation of site-specific needs analyses with the use of flexible and
      culturally appropriate tools has the potential to redress the discrepancies in
      policy implementation and can be used to strengthen institutional ties and
      referral pathways.

PMID- 26268957
TI  - Short- and Long-Term Outcomes After Laparoscopic Versus Open Total Gastrectomy
      for Elderly Gastric Cancer Patients: a Propensity Score-Matched Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To date, it has been unclear whether laparoscopic-assisted total
      gastrectomy (LTG) was a suitable treatment for elderly patients (aged 65 years
      and older) with gastric cancer. The aim of the present study was to clarify the
      value of LTG in the elderly using a propensity score matching method. METHODS: We
      prospectively collected data from 675 elderly gastric cancer patients who
      underwent total gastrectomies at our institution between January 2002 and
      February 2012. Propensity score matching was applied at a ratio of 1:1 to compare
      the LTG and open total gastrectomy (OTG) groups. The operation results, hospital
      courses, and survival rates were compared between the matched groups. RESULTS:
      The LTG group had a significantly shorter mean operating time (194 vs. 267 min, P
      < 0.001) and significantly less intraoperative blood loss (92 vs. 204 ml, P <
      0.001). The total number of collected lymph nodes was similar in the two groups.
      Postoperatively, the length of hospital stay was shorter in the LTG group than in
      the OTG group (median 14.4 vs. 16.6 days; P = 0.001); however, no significant
      intergroup differences were found in morbidity or mortality. Furthermore, the 3
      year overall survival (OS) rate was similar between the two groups (P = 0.517).
      CONCLUSIONS: LTG for elderly gastric cancer is feasible and safe with acceptable
      oncologic outcomes. Therefore, patient age alone should not be considered a
      contraindication in the decision between LTG and OTG treatment options. A high
      volume prospective study is needed to confirm this rationale.

PMID- 26268960
TI  - Assessment of Antioxidant and Antibacterial Potential of Medicinal Herbs and
      Botanical Preparations.

PMID- 26268959
TI  - Combined Ex Vivo 9.4T MRI and Quantitative Histopathological Study in Normal and
      Pathological Neocortical Resections in Focal Epilepsy.
AB  - High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may improve the preoperative
      diagnosis of focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) in epilepsy. Quantitative 9.4T MRI
      was carried out (T1, T2, T2* and magnetization transfer ratio) on 13 cortical
      resections, representing pathologically confirmed FCD (five cases) and normal
      cortex. Quantitative immunohistochemistry for myelination (myelin basic
      protein/SMI94), neuronal populations [microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2),
      neurofilament (SMI31, SMI32), synaptophysin, NeuN, calbindin], reactive glia
      (GFAP), microglia (CD68) and blood-brain barrier permeability (albumin) was
      carried out in 43 regions of interest (ROI) from normal and abnormal white matter
      and cortex. MRI was spatially aligned and quantitative analysis carried out on
      corresponding ROI. Line profile analysis (LPA) of intensity gradients through the
      cortex was carried out on MRI and immunostained sections. An inverse correlation
      was noted between myelin/SMI94 and T1, T2 (P < 0.005) and T2* (P < 0.05;
      Spearman's correlation) and a positive correlation between neuronal MAP2 and T1
      (P < 0.005) and T2* (P < 0.05) over all ROI. Similar pathology-MRI correlations
      were observed for histologically unremarkable white matter ROI only. LPA showed
      altered gradient contours in regions of FCD, reflecting abnormal cortical
      lamination and myelo-architecture, including a preoperatively undetected FCD
      case. This study demonstrates the ability of quantitative 9.4T MRI to detect
      subtle differences in neuronal numbers and myelination in histologically normal
      appearing white matter and LPA in the evaluation of cortical dyslamination. These
      methods may be translatable to the in vivo detection of mild cortical
      malformations.

PMID- 26268962
TI  - TLC-Direct Bioautography and LC/MS as Complementary Methods in Identification of
      Antibacterial Agents in Plant Tinctures from the Asteraceae Family.
AB  - Matricaria recutita L. (chamomile) and Achillea millefolium L. (yarrow) are very
      common herbs growing in meadows, pathways, crop fields, and home gardens.
      Preparations from these plants, e.g., infusions or alcohol extracts, are widely
      used as remedies. Both chamomile and yarrow have anti-inflammatory, analgesic,
      antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. Most microbiological assays used today
      give information only on activity of whole extracts and do not provide
      information on the composition and activity of individual components. This
      problem can be solved by using TLC with direct microbiological detection, i.e.,
      TLC-direct bioautography (TLC-DB), followed by LC/MS of active fractions. The aim
      of our study was chemical and microbiological screening of plant components of
      chamomile and yarrow tinctures using derivatization reagents and TLC-DB against
      eight bacterial strains: Staphylococcus epidermidis, S. aureus, methicillin
      resistant S. aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas syringae pv. maculicola,
      Xanthomonas campestis pv. vesicatoria, Aliivibrio fischeri, and Bacillus
      subtilis. The identity of compounds exhibiting the widest range of activity
      (apigenin and alpha-linolenic acid) was confirmed by LC/MS.

PMID- 26268961
TI  - Direct Bioautography as a High-Throughput Screening Method for the Detection of
      Antibacterial Components from Plant Sources.
AB  - The applicability of direct bioautography, the combination of planar
      chromatography with antimicrobial assay, is demonstrated with special emphasis on
      its recent developments such as BioArena and the use of genetically modified
      luminescent bacteria. Its methodological advancement is put into a historical
      perspective. In comparison with other commonly used antimicrobial susceptibility
      tests, the main advantage of direct bioautography resides in its simplicity,
      rapidity, and ability to detect separated individual matrix components exhibiting
      antimicrobial activity in situ. It is confirmed with examples that high
      throughput direct bioautography is suitable as a biomonitoring-screening system
      for bioassay-guided isolation. 

PMID- 26268963
TI  - Application of Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy for Investigating
      Antioxidant Activity of Selected Herbs.
AB  - Antioxidant properties of selected herbs were investigated using electron
      paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. This was possible by measuring changes
      in the intensity of the EPR spectrum that resulted from the interaction of the
      stable radical 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl with antioxidants found in herbal
      samples. Moreover, the total phenolic content (TPC) was measured using UV-Vis
      spectroscopy. The values of trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity were in the
      range of 10.95 to 505.95 MUmol Trolox/1 g of dry weight of sample. TPC values
      were in the range of 3.38 to 63.13 mg of gallic acid/1 g of dry weight. The
      results showed that all of the investigated herbs exhibit antioxidant properties.
      A positive and significant correlation between antioxidant activity and total
      phenolic content was observed. The studied herbs could be a good source of
      natural antioxidants. 

PMID- 26268964
TI  - Investigation of Antioxidant Activity of Pomegranate Juices by Means of Electron
      Paramagnetic Resonance and UV-Vis Spectroscopy.
AB  - Pomegranate fruit (Punica granatum L.) is a source of numerous phenolic
      compounds, and it contains flavonoids such as anthocyanins, anthocyanidins,
      cyanidins, catechins and other complexes of flavonoids, ellagitannins, and
      hydrolyzed tannins. Pomegranate juice shows antioxidant, antiproliferative, and
      anti-atherosclerotic properties. The antioxidant capacity (TEAC) of the
      pomegranate juices was measured using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR)
      spectroscopy and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH*) as a source of free
      radicals, and the total phenolic (TP) content was measured using UV-Vis
      spectroscopy. All the examined pomegranate juices exhibited relatively high
      antioxidant properties. The TEAC values determined by means of EPR spectroscopy
      using Trolox (TE) as a free radical scavenger were in the range of 463.12 to
      1911.91 MUmol TE/100 mL juice. The TP content measured by the Folin-Ciocalteu
      method, using gallic acid (GA) as a free radical scavenger, widely varied in the
      investigated pomegranate juice samples and ranged from 1673.62 to 5263.87 mg GA/1
      L juice. The strongest antioxidant properties were observed with the fresh
      pomegranate juices obtained from the fruits originating from Israel, Lebanon, and
      Azerbaijan. Correlation analysis of numerical data obtained by means of EPR
      spectroscopy (TEAC) and UV-Vis spectroscopy (TP) gave correlation coefficient
      (r)=0.90 and determination coefficient (r2)=0.81 (P<0.05).

PMID- 26268965
TI  - A Comparison of Antibacterial Activity of Selected Thyme (Thymus) Species by
      Means of the Dot Blot Test with Direct Bioautographic Detection.
AB  - Bioautography carried out with the aid of thin-layer chromatographic adsorbents
      can be used to assess antibacterial activity in samples of different origin. It
      can either be used as a simple and cost-effective detection method applied to a
      developed chromatogram, or to the dot blot test performed on a chromatographic
      plate, where total antibacterial activity of a sample is scrutinized. It was an
      aim of this study to compare antibacterial activity of 18 thyme (Thymus)
      specimens and species (originating from the same gardening plot and harvested in
      the same period of time) by means of a dot blot test with direct bioautography. A
      two-step extraction of herbal material was applied, and at step two the polar
      fraction of secondary metabolites was obtained under the earlier optimized
      extraction conditions [methanol-water (27+73, v/v), 130 degrees C]. This fraction
      was then tested for its antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis
      bacteria. It was established that all investigated extracts exhibited
      antibacterial activity, yet distinct differences were perceived in the size of
      the bacterial growth inhibition zones among the compared thyme species. Based on
      the results obtained, T. citriodorus "golden dwarf" (sample No. 5) and T.
      marschallianus (sample No. 6) were selected as promising targets for further
      investigations and possible inclusion in a herbal pharmacopeia, which is an
      essential scientific novelty of this study.

PMID- 26268966
TI  - Antioxidant Activity of Selected Thyme (Thymus L.) Species and Study of the
      Equivalence of Different Measuring Methodologies.
AB  - This study presents the results of comparative evaluation of the antioxidant
      activity of the phenolic fraction exhaustively extracted with aqueous methanol
      from 18 different thyme (Thymus L.) specimens and species. This evaluation is
      made with use of the same free radical source (DPPH* radical), three different
      free radical scavenging models (gallic acid, ascorbic acid, and Trolox), and
      three different measuring techniques (the dot blot test, UV-Vis
      spectrophotometry, and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, EPR). A
      comparison of the equivalence of these three different measuring techniques
      (performed with use of hierarchical clustering with Euclidean distance as a
      similarity measure and Ward's linkage) is particularly important in view of the
      fact that different laboratories use different antioxidant activity measuring
      techniques, which makes any interlaboratory comparison hardly possible. The
      results obtained confirm a semiquantitative equivalence among the three compared
      methodologies, and a proposal is made of a simple and cost-effective dot blot
      test that uses the DPPH* radical and provides differentiation of antioxidant
      activity of herbal matter comparable with the results of the UV-Vis
      spectrophotometry and EPR.

PMID- 26268967
TI  - Evaluation of Laboratory Procedures to Quantify the Neutral Detergent Fiber
      Content in Forage, Concentrate, and Ruminant Feces.
AB  - A comparison was made of measurements of neutral detergent fiber concentrations
      obtained with AOAC Method 2002.04 and modified methods using pressurized
      environments or direct use of industrial heat-stable alpha-amylase in samples of
      forage (n=37), concentrate (n=30), and ruminant feces (n=39). The following
      method modifications were tested: AOAC Method 2002.04 with replacement of the
      reflux apparatus with an autoclave or Ankom(220(r)) extractor and F57 filter
      bags, and AOAC Method 2002.04 with replacement of the standardization procedures
      for alpha-amylase by a single addition of industrial alpha-amylase [250 MUL of
      Termamyl 2X 240 Kilo Novo Units (KNU)-T/g] prior to heating the neutral detergent
      solution. For the feces and forage samples, the results obtained with the
      modified methods with an autoclave or modification of alpha-amylase use were
      similar to those obtained using AOAC Method 2002.04, but the use of the Ankom220
      extractor resulted in overestimated values. For the concentrate samples, the
      modified methods using an autoclave or Ankom220 extractor resulted in positive
      systematic errors. However, the method using industrial alpha-amylase resulted in
      systematic error and slope bias despite that the obtained values were close to
      those obtained with AOAC Method 2002.04.

PMID- 26268968
TI  - Continuing Assessment of the 5-Day Sodium Carbonate-Ammonium Nitrate Extraction
      Assay as an Indicator Test for Silicon Fertilizers.
AB  - The 5-day sodium carbonate-ammonium nitrate extraction assay (5-day method) has
      been recognized by the American Association of Plant Food Control Officials as a
      validated test method to identify fertilizers or beneficial substances that
      provide plant-available silicon (Si). The test method used the molybdenum blue
      colorimetric assay to quantify percentage Si; however, laboratories may use
      inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) for elemental
      analysis. To examine the use of either colorimetric or ICP-OES methods for Si
      determination, the 5-day method was performed on the following Si-containing
      compounds; wollastonite, sand, biochar, and a basic oven furnace (BOF) slag. Grow
      out studies using Zinnia elegans were also performed using varying rates of the
      wollastonite, biochar, and BOF slag. Our results show using the 5-day method,
      wollastonite had the highest extracted amounts of silicic acid (H4SiO4) at 4%
      followed by biochar (2%), BOF slag (1%), and sand (0%). Extraction values
      calculated using either the molybdenum blue colorimetric assay or ICP-OES for
      detection of the H4SiO4 had a significant correlation, supporting the application
      of either detection method for this type of analysis. However, when extracted
      values were compared to amounts of Si taken up by the plants, the 5-day method
      overestimated both wollastonite and biochar. While this method is a valid
      indicator test for determining a soluble Si source, other plant species and
      methods should be perused to potentially provide more quantitative analyses for
      plant-available Si content of all materials. 

PMID- 26268969
TI  - Determination of Yohimbine in Yohimbe Bark and Related Dietary Supplements Using
      UHPLC-UV/MS: Single-Laboratory Validation.
AB  - A single-laboratory validation was performed on a practical ultra-HPLC (UHPLC)
      diode array detector (DAD)/tandem MS method for determination of yohimbine in
      yohimbe barks and related dietary supplements. Good separation was achieved using
      a Waters Acquity ethylene bridged hybrid C18 column with gradient elution using
      0.1% (v/v) aqueous ammonium hydroxide and 0.1% ammonium hydroxide in methanol as
      the mobile phases. The method can separate corynanthine from yohimbine in yohimbe
      bark extract, which is critical for accurate quantitation of yohimbine in yohimbe
      bark and related dietary supplements. Accuracy of the method was demonstrated
      using standard addition methods. Both intraday and interday precisions of the
      method were good. The method can be used without MS since yohimbine concentration
      in yohimbe barks and related dietary supplements are usually high enough for DAD
      detection, which can make it an easy and economical method for routine analysis
      of yohimbe barks and related dietary supplements. On the other hand, the method
      can be used with MS if desired for more challenging work such as biological
      and/or clinical studies. 

PMID- 26268970
TI  - HPLC Method for Simultaneous Quantification of Bakuchiol and Minor Furocoumarins
      in Bakuchiol Extract from Psoralea corylifolia.
AB  - A simple, sensitive, and rapid HPLC method was developed to analyze bakuchiol and
      two furocoumarins (psoralen and angelicin) simultaneously in bakuchiol extracts
      from Psoralea corylifolia seeds. The analysis was performed within 30 min on a
      phenyl-hexyl column using gradient elution with a mobile phase composed of water
      and methanol with UV detection at 260 nm for bakuchiol and 246 nm for psoralen
      and angelicin. The method was validated with respect to linearity (r2>0.99 for
      all components), accuracy (>95% for all components), and precision (<2% RSD for
      both interday and intraday). Sensitivity of impurity detection in the sample was
      achieved as low as 0.36 and 0.31 MUg/mL for psoralen and angelicin, respectively.
      Therefore, the method is suitable for QC of P. corylifolia extracts and bakuchiol
      related samples.

PMID- 26268971
TI  - Simultaneous Quantification of Five Bioactive Flavonoids in High Altitude Plant
      Actinocarya tibetica by LC-ESI-MS/MS.
AB  - An LC/MS method has been developed for the simultaneous quantification of five
      flavonoids, i.e., mosloflavone, negletein, gardenin B, 5-methoxy-6,7
      methylenedioxyflavone, and 5,6,7-trimethoxyflavone, in different ultrasound
      assisted solvent extracts of Actinocarya tibetica. The chromatographic separation
      was achieved on a Chromolith Speed ROD RP-18e column with gradient elution using
      methanol and 0.1% formic acid in water. The calibration curves of all five
      analytes showed good linearity (R2>0.991). Accuracy and precision were within the
      required limits. The developed method could serve as an effective method for QC
      of A. tibetica. The investigated compounds were determined simultaneously for the
      first time in A. tibetica or any other plant.

PMID- 26268973
TI  - A Simple LC/MS/MS Method for the Determination of Moxifloxacin N-Sulfate in Rat
      Plasma and Its Application in a Pharmacokinetic Study.
AB  - Moxifloxacin N-sulfate is one of the main metabolites of moxifloxacin in phase II
      metabolism mediated by sulfotransferases. In this study, a simple, rapid, and
      sensitive LC/MS/MS method with one-step protein precipitation with methanol was
      developed and validated to quantify the concentration of moxifloxacin N-sulfate
      in rat plasma. The chromatographic separation was accomplished by using an
      Agilent Extend C18 column (4.6*250 mm; 5 MUm) with a mobile phase consisting of
      acetonitrile and distilled water (30:70, v/v) containing 5 mM ammonium formate
      (pH=8.82 adjusted by ammonia) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. A triple quadrupole
      tandem mass spectrometer with electrospray ionization source was used as a
      detector operated by multiple reaction monitoring in the negative-ion mode with
      m/z 480.2/436.3. The calibration curve was linear ranging from 2 to 200 ng/mL.
      The intraday and interday precision values (RSD) were less than 7.10%, and the
      intraday and interday accuracy values (relative error) were within -0.40 to
      4.99%. Stabilities of all QC samples were within general assay acceptability
      criteria according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidelines. No
      considerable matrix effect was found. A pharmacokinetic study of moxifloxacin N
      sulfate after a single oral dose of moxifloxacin in rats was carried out using
      this new method.

PMID- 26268972
TI  - Development of a Single Ion Pair HPLC Method for Analysis of Terbinafine,
      Ofloxacin, Ornidazole, Clobetasol, and Two Preservatives in a Cream Formulation:
      Application to In Vitro Drug Release in Topical Simulated Media-Phosphate Buffer
      Through Rat Skin.
AB  - Present work reports an HPLC method with UV detection for quantification of
      terbinafine, ofloxacin, ornidazole, and clobetasol in a cream formulation along
      with two preservatives methyl and propyl paraben. The chromatographic separation
      and quantification was achieved by an octyl bonded column and a gradient elution
      program involving an ion-pairing reagent, hexanesulfonic acid (0.2%, pH modified
      to 2.7 using orthophosphoric acid) and acetonitrile. The method was simple and
      devoid of buffer salts and therefore advantageous for system and column life. The
      three step gradient program was initiated with 30% (v/v) acetonitrile for the
      first 5 min and ramped linearly to 60% in the next 7 min. The mobile phase
      remained constant for the next 11 min and then concluded at 30% (v/v) of
      acetonitrile. Flow rate throughout was 0.8 mL/min, and all the signals were
      monitored at 243 nm. The method was applied for assay of a cream formulation and
      its in vitro permeation studies to determine the penetration profile of the four
      drugs and two preservatives. A marketed cream formulation was selected for the
      permeation study, which was carried out using a diffusion cell consisting of
      topical simulated media, phosphate buffer (pH=6.8) solution containing 1% sodium
      lauryl sulfate as a receiver medium.

PMID- 26268974
TI  - Isolation of Aeromonas spp. from Food Products: Emerging Aeromonas Infections and
      Their Significance in Public Health.
AB  - Aeromonas spp. are opportunistic pathogens causing a broad spectrum of human
      illnesses like gastroenteritis, chronic diarrhea, wound infections, peritonitis,
      urinary tract infections, and septicemia. Their ability to grow in foods stored
      in a refrigerator poses a substantial threat for human consumption. We
      investigated the prevalence of Aeromonas from commercial food products across
      Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A total of 250 samples were randomly collected and
      processed for the isolation and identification of Aeromonas by morphological and
      biochemical means and for their identification by PCR. A total of 102 strains of
      Aeromonas were isolated, including 47% from raw meat samples, 34% from raw fish
      samples, and 18.6% from milk and dairy products; 56.8% were identified as A.
      hydrophila and 43.1% as A. sobria. Antibiotic susceptibility tests done revealed
      100% sensitivity to chloramphenicol, colistin, ciprofloxacin, and nitrofurantoin.
      16S rDNA PCR revealed the presence of the 953 bp fragment in all the strains. The
      present investigation suggested the occurrences of A. sobria and A. hydrophila in
      human consumable stored and refrigerated foods. 

PMID- 26268975
TI  - AOAC Official MethodSM Matrix Extension Validation Study of Assurance GDSTM for
      the Detection of Salmonella in Selected Spices.
AB  - Assurance GDSTM for Salmonella Tq has been validated according to the AOAC
      INTERNATIONAL Methods Committee Guidelines for Validation of Microbiological
      Methods for Food and Environmental Surfaces for the detection of selected foods
      and environmental surfaces (Official Method of AnalysisSM 2009.03, Performance
      Tested MethodSM No. 050602). The method also completed AFNOR validation
      (following the ISO 16140 standard) compared to the reference method EN ISO 6579.
      For AFNOR, GDS was given a scope covering all human food, animal feed stuff, and
      environmental surfaces (Certificate No. TRA02/12-01/09). Results showed that
      Assurance GDS for Salmonella (GDS) has high sensitivity and is equivalent to the
      reference culture methods for the detection of motile and non-motile Salmonella.
      As part of the aforementioned validations, inclusivity and exclusivity studies,
      stability, and ruggedness studies were also conducted. Assurance GDS has 100%
      inclusivity and exclusivity among the 100 Salmonella serovars and 35 non
      Salmonella organisms analyzed. To add to the scope of the Assurance GDS for
      Salmonella method, a matrix extension study was conducted, following the AOAC
      guidelines, to validate the application of the method for selected spices,
      specifically curry powder, cumin powder, and chili powder, for the detection of
      Salmonella.

PMID- 26268976
TI  - Method Validation for the Quantitative Analysis of Aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, and
      G2) and Ochratoxin A in Processed Cereal-Based Foods by HPLC with Fluorescence
      Detection.
AB  - Modified AOAC 991.31 and AOAC 2000.03 methods for the simultaneous determination
      of total aflatoxins (AFs), aflatoxin B1, and ochratoxin A (OTA) in processed
      cereal-based foods by RP-HPLC coupled with fluorescence detection were validated.
      A KOBRA(r) Cell derivatization system was used to analyze total AFs. One of the
      modifications was the extraction procedure of mycotoxins. Both AFs and OTA were
      extracted with methanol-water (75+25, v/v) and purified with an immunoaffinity
      column before HPLC analysis. The modified methods were validated by measuring the
      specificity, selectivity, linearity, sensitivity, accuracy, repeatability,
      reproducibility, recovery, LOD, and LOQ parameters. The validated methods were
      successfully applied for the simultaneous determination of mycotoxins in 81
      processed cereal-based foods purchased in Turkey. These rapid, sensitive, simple,
      and validated methods are suitable for the simultaneous determination of AFs and
      OTA in the processed cereal-based foods.

PMID- 26268977
TI  - Comparison of Column Solid-Phase Extraction Procedures for Spectrophotometric
      Determination of E129 (Allura Red) in Foodstuff, Pharmaceutical, and Energy Drink
      Samples.
AB  - Two novel spectrophotometric determination procedures based on retention of
      Allura Red onto Amberlite XAD-1180 and XAD-16 resins for its preconcentration,
      purification, and separation were developed. Analytical parameters of the methods
      including pH, eluent type, sample volume, and sample and eluent flow rates, were
      investigated and optimized. Interference effects of some cations, anions, and
      widely used food dyes were also investigated. Detection limits of the two methods
      were found to be 1.2 and 1.5 MUg/L for XAD-1180 and XAD-16 columns, respectively,
      under optimum conditions. Linear calibration curve ranges of the methods were 0.4
      8.0 and 0.5-6.0 MUg/mL of Allura Red for XAD-1180 and XAD-16 resins,
      respectively. Preconcentration factors were found as 80 for both the XAD-1180 and
      XAD-16 columns using maximum sample volume and minimum eluent volume. RSDs of the
      methods were below 6% throughout all experiments. All absorbance measurements
      were performed at 506 nm. Validations of the methods were performed comparatively
      with determination of the Allura Red contents of some foodstuff, pharmaceutical,
      and energy drink samples. Allura Red concentrations in investigated solid and
      liquid samples ranged from 298 to 501 MUg/g and 53.8 to 508 MUg/mL, respectively.
      Satisfactory results were obtained from the real samples analysis. Allura Red
      contents of samples were determined to be highly similar using the two extraction
      methods. Comparisons of the methods were performed by analysis of Allura Red
      contents of the real samples. In addition to analytical parameters, adsorption
      isotherm studies were performed for the two kinds of Amberlite resins. It was
      observed that developed methods fit the linear form of the Freundlich adsorption
      isotherm model. All of the experimental results suggested that the developed SPE
      procedures are suitable for separation, preconcentration, and determination of
      Allura Red in solid and liquid matrixes. 

PMID- 26268978
TI  - Simultaneous Determination of 10 Ultratrace Elements in Infant Formula, Adult
      Nutritionals, and Milk Products by ICP/MS After Pressure Digestion: Single
      Laboratory Validation.
AB  - A single-laboratory validation (SLV) is presented for the simultaneous
      determination of 10 ultratrace elements (UTEs) including aluminum (Al), arsenic
      (As), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), mercury (Hg), molybdenum (Mo),
      lead (Pb), selenium (Se), and tin (Sn) in infant formulas, adult nutritionals,
      and milk based products by inductively coupled plasma (ICP)/MS after acidic
      pressure digestion. This robust and routine multielemental method is based on
      several official methods with modifications of sample preparation using either
      microwave digestion or high pressure ashing and of analytical conditions using
      ICP/MS with collision cell technology. This SLV fulfills AOAC method performance
      criteria in terms of linearity, specificity, sensitivity, precision, and accuracy
      and fully answers most international regulation limits for trace contaminants
      and/or recommended nutrient levels established for 10 UTEs in targeted matrixes. 

PMID- 26268979
TI  - Optimized Dispersive Liquid-Liquid Microextraction Method and High Performance
      Liquid Chromatography with Ultraviolet Detection for Simultaneous Determination
      of Sorbic and Benzoic Acids and Evaluation of Contamination of These
      Preservatives in Iranian Foods.
AB  - A rapid, simple, and sensitive dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction procedure
      followed by HPLC-UV was applied to determine the benzoate and sorbate in foods.
      The method was optimized for some variables including extraction solvent type and
      volume, dispersing solvent type and volume, and the effects of salt and pH.
      Optimum conditions were determined as follows: sample volume, 5 mL; extraction
      solvent (chloroform) volume, 250 MUL; disperser solvent (acetone) volume, 1.2 mL;
      NaCl amount, 0.75 g/5 mL at pH 4. Sixty samples were analyzed, including 15
      doogh, 15 fruit juice, 15 cookie, and 15 tomato paste; benzoic acid was detected
      in 57 samples (95%) at levels up to 448.1 MUg/mL and sorbic acid in 31 samples
      (51.6%) at levels up to 1369 MUg/mL. Under the optimum experimental conditions,
      the LOD and LOQ were determined as 0.1 and 0.5 MUg/mL for benzoate and 0.08 and
      0.3 MUg/mL for sorbate, respectively. The results showed that these preservatives
      are commonly used at high levels in yogurt drinks (dooghs) and cookies. Also, the
      concentration of benzoic acid that was detected in the tomato paste and fruit
      juice samples was low but may affect children and sensitive persons. 

PMID- 26268980
TI  - Analysis of Nucleotide 5'-Monophosphates in Infant Formulas by HPLC-UV:
      Collaborative Study, Final Action 2011.20.
AB  - A collaborative study was conducted on AOAC First Action Method 2011.20: 5'
      Mononucleotides in Infant Formula and Adult/Pediatric Nutritional Formula. After
      the successful analysis of National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
      1849a Standard Reference Material (SRM) as a practice sample, 12 laboratories
      participated in the analysis of duplicate samples of six different infant formula
      products. The samples were dissolved in high-salt solution to inhibit protein and
      fat interactions, with the nucleotides [uridine 5'-monophosphate (UMP), inosine
      5'-monophosphate (IMP), adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP), guanosine 5'
      monophosphate (GMP), and cytidine 5'-monophosphate (CMP)] separated from the
      sample matrix by strong-anion exchange SPE, followed by chromatographic analysis
      using a C18 stationary phase with gradient elution, UV detection, and
      quantitation by an internal standard technique using thymidine 5'-monophosphate.
      For nucleotide-supplemented products, precision is within the Standard Method
      Performance RequirementsSM (SMPR) 2011.008 target reproducibility limit of <=11%,
      with the reproducibility RSD (RSDR) estimated at 7.1-8.7% for CMP, 7.9-9.0% for
      UMP, 2.8-7.7% for GMP, 5.5-10.3% for IMP, and 2.7-6.2% for AMP, and Horwitz ratio
      (HorRat) values of 0.9-1.0 for CMP, 0.9-1.0 for UMP, 0.3-0.7 for GMP, 0.6-1.0 for
      IMP, and 0.3-0.7 for AMP.

PMID- 26268981
TI  - Evaluation of 3MTM Molecular Detection Assay (MDA) Listeria monocytogenes for the
      Detection of Listeria monocytogenes in Selected Foods and Environmental Surfaces:
      Collaborative Study, First Action 2014.07.
AB  - The 3MTM Molecular Detection Assay (MDA) Listeria monocytogenes combines
      isothermal amplification and bioluminescence to detect Listeria monocytogenes
      with high specificity and efficiency in select foods and environmental samples.
      The 3M MDA Listeria monocytogenes method was evaluated using an unpaired study
      design in a multilaboratory collaborative study to the U.S. Department of
      Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service Microbiology Laboratory Guidebook
      8.09 (2011) Isolation and Identification of Listeria monocytogenes from Red Meat,
      Poultry, and Egg Products and Environmental Samples for deli turkey, and the AOAC
      Official Method of Analysis(SM) 993.12 Listeria monocytogenes in Milk and Dairy
      Products for full-fat (4% milk fat) cottage cheese following the current AOAC
      guidelines. A total of 16 laboratories located in the continental United States
      and Canada participated in this collaborative study. For deli turkey, 125 g test
      portions were evaluated using heat-stressed cells by each method. For full-fat
      cottage cheese, 25 g test portions were evaluated using nonheat-stressed cells.
      Each matrix had three inoculation levels: an uninoculated control level (0
      CFU/test portion), and two levels artificially contaminated with L.
      monocytogenes, a low inoculum level (0.2-2 CFU/test portion) and a high inoculum
      level (2-5 CFU/test portion). In total, 1584 unpaired replicate samples were
      analyzed. Statistical analysis was conducted according to the probability of
      detection (POD) model. Results obtained for the low inoculum level full-fat
      cottage cheese test portions produced a difference in cross-laboratory POD
      (dLPOD) value of -0.08 with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of (-0.20, 0.05). For
      the low-level deli turkey test portions, a dLPOD value of -0.02 with a 95% CI of
      (-0.14, 0.11) was obtained. 

PMID- 26268982
TI  - Evaluation of 3MTM Molecular Detection Assay (MDA) Listeria for the Detection of
      Listeria species in Selected Foods and Environmental Surfaces: Collaborative
      Study, First Action 2014.06.
AB  - The 3MTM Molecular Detection Assay (MDA) Listeria is used with the 3M Molecular
      Detection System for the detection of Listeria species in food, food-related, and
      environmental samples after enrichment. The assay utilizes loop-mediated
      isothermal amplification to rapidly amplify Listeria target DNA with high
      specificity and sensitivity, combined with bioluminescence to detect the
      amplification. The 3M MDA Listeria method was evaluated using an unpaired study
      design in a multilaboratory collaborative study and compared to the AOAC Official
      Method of AnalysisSM (OMA) 993.12 Listeria monocytogenes in Milk and Dairy
      Products reference method for the detection of Listeria species in full-fat (4%
      milk fat) cottage cheese (25 g test portions). A total of 15 laboratories located
      in the continental United States and Canada participated. Each matrix had three
      inoculation levels: an uninoculated control level (0 CFU/test portion), and two
      levels artificially contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a low inoculum
      level (0.2-2 CFU/test portion) and a high inoculum level (2-5 CFU/test portion)
      using nonheat-stressed cells. In total, 792 unpaired replicate portions were
      analyzed. Statistical analysis was conducted according to the probability of
      detection (POD) model. Results obtained for the low inoculum level test portions
      produced a difference in cross-laboratory POD value of -0.07 with a 95%
      confidence interval of (-0.19, 0.06). No statistically significant differences
      were observed in the number of positive samples detected by the 3M MDA Listeria
      method versus the AOAC OMA method.

PMID- 26268983
TI  - A Method Detection Limit for Bacillus anthracis Spores in Water Using an
      Automated Waterborne Pathogen Concentrator.
AB  - The method detection limit (MDL, 99% chance of detecting a positive result in a
      single replicate), as per the United States Code of Federal Regulations, was
      determined for a protocol using an ultrafiltration based automated waterborne
      pathogen concentration device. Bacillus anthracis Sterne strain spores were
      seeded at low levels into 100 L reagent water samples. Suspect colonies were
      confirmed through morphological, chemical, and genetic tests. Samples of 100 L
      (n=14) of reagent water were seeded with five B. anthracis CFUs each. To confirm
      the estimated detection limit, a second set (n=19) of 100 L reagent water samples
      were seeded at a higher level (7 CFUs). The second estimate of the MDL could not
      be pooled with the first, due to significant difference in variance. A third
      trial (n=7) seeded with 10 CFUs produced an estimate of the MDL that could be
      pooled with the higher previous estimate. Another trial consisting of eight 100 L
      samples of tap water were seeded with approximately 7 CFUs. Recovery in these
      samples was not significantly different from the pooled MDL. Theoretically a
      concentration of 4.6 spores/100 L would be required for detection 95% of the
      time, based on a Poisson distribution. The calculated pooled MDL, based on
      experimental data was approximately 6 B. anthracis CFU/100 L (95% confidence
      interval 4.8 to 8.4). Detection at this level was achieved in municipal water
      samples.

PMID- 26268985
TI  - Standard Method Performance Requirements(SM) and corresponding AOAC First and
      Final Action Official MethodsSM.

PMID- 26268984
TI  - TLC-Direct Bioautography as a Bioassay Guided Method for Investigation of
      Antibacterial Compounds in Hypericum perforatum L.
AB  - Fast high-throughput TLC-direct bioautography (DB) is an effect-directed analysis
      method that enables searching for biologically active (e.g., antimicrobial)
      substances in complex mixtures like plant extracts. The principle of the method
      is that separation and detection of biological properties of given mixture
      components is performed directly on a TLC plate. In searching for antibacterial
      activity, the developed plate is immersed in a bacterial broth, and bacteria grow
      directly on its layer during a proper incubation time. Inhibition zones are
      formed in places where antimicrobial components are located. The active compounds
      can be further identified using spectroscopic techniques. The aim of our study
      was investigation of plant components of Hypericum perforatum L. tincture by TLC
      DB using nine bacterial strains: Micrococcus luteus, Bacillus subtilis,
      Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant S. aureus, S.
      epidermidis, Pseudomonas syringae pv. maculicola, Xanthomonas campestris pv.
      vesicatoria, and Aliivibrio fischeri. Compounds showing the widest range of
      antimicrobial activity were isolated using semipreparative TLC and identified as
      apigenin, 3,8'-biapigenin, quercetin, kaempferol, and linolenic acid by TLC, HPLC
      diode array detection, and HPLC/MS/MS techniques. 

PMID- 26268987
TI  - Soya products and serum lipids: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.
AB  - Soya proteins and isoflavones have been reported to exert beneficial effects on
      the serum lipid profile. More recently, this claim is being challenged. The
      objective of this study was to comprehensively examine the effects of soya
      consumption on the lipid profile using published trials. A detailed literature
      search was conducted via MEDLINE (from 2004 through February 2014), CENTRAL (The
      Cochrane Controlled Clinical Trials Register) and ClinicalTrials.gov for
      randomised controlled trials assessing the effects of soya on the lipid profile.
      The primary effect measure was the difference in means of the final measurements
      between the intervention and control groups. In all, thirty-five studies (fifty
      comparisons) were included in our analyses. Treatment duration ranged from 4
      weeks to 1 year. Intake of soya products resulted in a significant reduction in
      serum LDL-cholesterol concentration, -4.83 (95% CI -7.34, -2.31) mg/dl, TAG, 
      4.92 (95% CI -7.79, -2.04) mg/dl, and total cholesterol (TC) concentrations, 
      5.33 (95% CI -8.35, -2.30) mg/dl. There was also a significant increase in serum
      HDL-cholesterol concentration, 1.40 (95% CI 0.58, 2.23) mg/dl. The I2 statistic
      ranged from 92 to 99%, indicating significant heterogeneity. LDL reductions were
      more marked in hypercholesterolaemic patients, -7.47 (95% CI -11.79, -3.16)
      mg/dl, than in healthy subjects, -2.96 (95% CI -5.28, -0.65) mg/dl. LDL reduction
      was stronger when whole soya products (soya milk, soyabeans and nuts) were used
      as the test regimen, -11.06 (95% CI -15.74, -6.37) mg/dl, as opposed to when
      'processed' soya extracts, -3.17 (95% CI -5.75, -0.58) mg/dl, were used. These
      data are consistent with the beneficial effects of soya proteins on serum LDL,
      HDL, TAG and TC concentrations. The effect was stronger in hypercholesterolaemic
      subjects. Whole soya foods appeared to be more beneficial than soya
      supplementation, whereas isoflavone supplementation had no effects on the lipid
      profile.

PMID- 26268986
TI  - Slow-growing cells within isogenic populations have increased RNA polymerase
      error rates and DNA damage.
AB  - Isogenic cells show a large degree of variability in growth rate, even when
      cultured in the same environment. Such cell-to-cell variability in growth can
      alter sensitivity to antibiotics, chemotherapy and environmental stress. To
      characterize transcriptional differences associated with this variability, we
      have developed a method--FitFlow--that enables the sorting of subpopulations by
      growth rate. The slow-growing subpopulation shows a transcriptional stress
      response, but, more surprisingly, these cells have reduced RNA polymerase
      fidelity and exhibit a DNA damage response. As DNA damage is often caused by
      oxidative stress, we test the addition of an antioxidant, and find that it
      reduces the size of the slow-growing population. More generally, we find a
      significantly altered transcriptome in the slow-growing subpopulation that only
      partially resembles that of cells growing slowly due to environmental and culture
      conditions. Slow-growing cells upregulate transposons and express more
      chromosomal, viral and plasmid-borne transcripts, and thus explore a larger
      genotypic--and so phenotypic--space.

PMID- 26268988
TI  - Comparing equals when evaluating immunotherapy with different doses and fractions
      of radiation therapy.

PMID- 26268989
TI  - Evidence that the endosomal sorting complex required for transport-II (ESCRT-II)
      is required for efficient human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) production.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Egress of a number of different virus species from infected cells
      depends on proteins of the endosomal sorting complexes required for transport
      (ESCRT) pathway. HIV has also hijacked this system to bud viruses outward from
      the cell surface. How ESCRT-I activates ESCRT-III in this process remains unclear
      with conflicting published evidence for the requirement of ESCRT-II which fulfils
      this role in other systems. We investigated the role of ESCRT-II using knockdown
      mediated by siRNA and shRNA, mutants which prevent ESCRT-I/ESCRT-II interaction
      and a CRISPR/Cas9 EAP45 knockout cell line. RESULTS: Depletion or elimination of
      ESCRT-II components from an HIV infected cell produces two distinct effects. The
      overall production of HIV-1 Gag is reduced leading to a diminished amount of
      intracellular virion protein. In addition depletion of ESCRT-II produces an
      effect similar to that seen when ESCRT-I and -III components are depleted, that
      of a delayed Gag p26 to p24 +p2 cleavage associated with a reduction in export of
      virion particles and a visible reduction in budding efficiency in virus producing
      cells. Mutants that interfere with ESCRT-I interacting with ESCRT-II similarly
      reduce virus export. The export defect is independent of the decrease in overall
      Gag production. Using a mutant virus which cannot use the ALIX mediated export
      pathway exacerbates the decrease in virus export seen when ESCRT-II is depleted.
      ESCRT-II knockdown does not lead to complete elimination of virus release
      suggesting that the late domain role of ESCRT-II is required for optimal
      efficiency of viral budding but that there are additional pathways that the virus
      can employ to facilitate this. CONCLUSION: ESCRT-II contributes to efficient HIV
      virion production and export by more than one pathway; both by a transcriptional
      or post transcriptional mechanism and also by facilitating efficient virus export
      from the cell through interactions with other ESCRT components.

PMID- 26268990
TI  - Diversity of the cell-wall associated genomic island of the archaeon
      Haloquadratum walsbyi.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Haloquadratum walsbyi represents up to 80% of cells in NaCl-saturated
      brines worldwide, but is notoriously difficult to maintain under laboratory
      conditions. In order to establish the extent of genetic diversity in a natural
      population of this microbe, we screened a H. walsbyi enriched metagenomic fosmid
      library and recovered seven novel version of its cell-wall associated genomic
      island. The fosmid inserts were sequenced and analysed. RESULTS: The novel cell
      wall associated islands delineated two major clades within H. walsbyi. The
      islands predominantly contained genes putatively involved in biosynthesis of
      surface layer, genes encoding cell surface glycoproteins and genes involved in
      envelope formation. We further found that these genes are maintained in the
      population and that the diversity of this region arises through homologous
      recombination but also through the action of mobile genetic elements, including
      viruses. CONCLUSIONS: The population of H. walsbyi in the studied saltern brine
      is composed of numerous clonal lineages that differ in surface structures
      including the cell wall. This type of variation probably reflects a number of
      mechanisms that minimize the infection rate of predating viruses.

PMID- 26268991
TI  - Genotoxicity evaluation of Oryeong-san water extract using in vitro and in vivo
      tests.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Oryeong-san, a mixture of five herbal plants, is a well-known therapy
      for renal-associated diseases such as those manifesting edema, dysuria, and
      oliguria. METHODS: In the present study, we investigatee the potential genotoxic
      effects of a water extract of Oryeong-san (ORSE) in three mutagenicity assays (an
      in vitro bacterial reverse mutation assay (Ames test) with Salmonella typhimurium
      and Escherichia coli strains, an in vitro mammalian chromosomal aberration test
      using Chinese hamster lung cells, and an in vivo micronucleus test using ICR mice
      bone marrow). RESULTS: ORSE showed no genotoxicity in the Ames test up to 5000
      MUg/plate; the in vitro chromosome aberration test showed no significant
      structural aberrations with and without the S9 mix up to 5000 MUg/mL, or the in
      vivo micronucleus test up to 2000 mg/kg body weight. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion,
      under the current test conditions, ORSE seems safe for use; however, other
      genotoxicity tests (e.g. sister-chromatid exchange or Comet) or chronic toxicity
      tests are warranted.

PMID- 26268992
TI  - Plasmid carriage can limit bacteria-phage coevolution.
AB  - Coevolution with bacteriophages is a major selective force shaping bacterial
      populations and communities. A variety of both environmental and genetic factors
      has been shown to influence the mode and tempo of bacteria-phage coevolution.
      Here, we test the effects that carriage of a large conjugative plasmid, pQBR103,
      had on antagonistic coevolution between the bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens and
      its phage, SBW25phi2. Plasmid carriage limited bacteria-phage coevolution;
      bacteria evolved lower phage-resistance and phages evolved lower infectivity in
      plasmid-carrying compared with plasmid-free populations. These differences were
      not explained by effects of plasmid carriage on the costs of phage resistance
      mutations. Surprisingly, in the presence of phages, plasmid carriage resulted in
      the evolution of high frequencies of mucoid bacterial colonies. Mucoidy can
      provide weak partial resistance against SBW25phi2, which may have limited
      selection for qualitative resistance mutations in our experiments. Taken
      together, our results suggest that plasmids can have evolutionary consequences
      for bacteria that go beyond the direct phenotypic effects of their accessory gene
      cargo. 

PMID- 26268993
TI  - Phenotype-environment matching in sand fleas.
AB  - Camouflage is perhaps the most widespread anti-predator strategy in nature, found
      in numerous animal groups. A long-standing prediction is that individuals should
      have camouflage tuned to the visual backgrounds where they live. However, while
      several studies have demonstrated phenotype-environment associations, few have
      directly shown that this confers an improvement in camouflage, particularly with
      respect to predator vision. Here, we show that an intertidal crustacean, the sand
      flea (Hippa testudinaria), has coloration tuned to the different substrates on
      which it occurs when viewed by potential avian predators. Individual sand fleas
      from a small, oceanic island (Ascension) matched the colour and luminance of
      their own beaches more closely than neighbouring beaches to a model of avian
      vision. Based on past work, this phenotype-environment matching is likely to be
      driven through ontogenetic changes rather than genetic adaptation. Our work
      provides some of the first direct evidence that animal coloration is tuned to
      provide camouflage to prospective predators against a range of visual
      backgrounds, in a population of animals occurring over a small geographical
      range. 

PMID- 26268994
TI  - Feedback of trees on nitrogen mineralization to restrict the advance of trees in
      C4 savannahs.
AB  - Remote sensing studies suggest that savannahs are transforming into more tree
      dominated states; however, progressive nitrogen limitation could potentially
      retard this putatively CO2-driven invasion. We analysed controls on nitrogen
      mineralization rates in savannah by manipulating rainfall and the cover of grass
      and tree elements against the backdrop of the seasonal temperature and rainfall
      variation. We found that the seasonal pattern of nitrogen mineralization was
      strongly influenced by rainfall, and that manipulative increases in rainfall
      could boost mineralization rates. Additionally, mineralization rates were
      considerably higher on plots with grasses and lower on plots with trees. Our
      findings suggest that shifting a savannah from a grass to a tree-dominated state
      can substantially reduce nitrogen mineralization rates, thereby potentially
      creating a negative feedback on the CO2-induced invasion of savannahs by trees. 

PMID- 26268995
TI  - Prediction of Core Body Temperature from Multiple Variables.
AB  - This paper aims to improve the prediction of rectal temperature (T re) from
      insulated skin temperature (T is) and micro-climate temperature (T mc) previously
      reported (Richmond et al., Insulated skin temperature as a measure of core body
      temperature for individuals wearing CBRN protective clothing. Physiol Meas 2013;
      34:1531-43.) using additional physiological and/or environmental variables, under
      several clothing and climatic conditions. Twelve male (25.8+/-5.1 years; 73.6+/
      11.5kg; 178+/-6cm) and nine female (24.2+/-5.1 years; 62.4+/-11.5kg; 169+/-3cm)
      volunteers completed six trials, each consisting of two 40-min periods of
      treadmill walking separated by a 20-min rest, wearing permeable or impermeable
      clothing, under neutral (25 degrees C, 50%), moderate (35 degrees C, 35%), and
      hot (40 degrees C, 25%) conditions, with and without solar radiation (600W m(
      2)). Participants were measured for heart rate (HR) (Polar, Finland), skin
      temperature (T s) at 11 sites, T is (Grant, Cambridge, UK), and breathing rate
      (f) (Hidalgo, Cambridge, UK). T mc and relative humidity were measured within the
      clothing. T re was monitored as the 'gold standard' measure of T c for industrial
      or military applications using a 10cm flexible probe (Grant, Cambridge, UK). A
      stepwise multiple regression analysis was run to determine which of 30 variables
      (T is, T s at 11 sites, HR, f, T mc, temperature, and humidity inside the
      clothing front and back, body mass, age, body fat, sex, clothing, Thermal
      comfort, sensation and perception, and sweat rate) were the strongest on which to
      base the model. Using a bootstrap methodology to develop the equation, the best
      model in terms of practicality and validity included T is, T mc, HR, and 'work'
      (0 = rest; 1 = exercise), predicting T re with a standard error of the estimate
      of 0.27 degrees C and adjusted r (2) of 0.86. The sensitivity and specificity for
      predicting individuals who reached 39 degrees C was 97 and 85%, respectively.
      Insulated skin temperature was the most important individual parameter for the
      prediction of T re. This paper provides novel information about the viability of
      predicting T c under a wide range of conditions, using predictors which can
      practically be measured in a field environment.

PMID- 26268996
TI  - Stromal expression of VEGF-A and VEGFR-2 in prostate tissue is associated with
      biochemical and clinical recurrence after radical prostatectomy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is probably significant overtreatment of patients with prostate
      cancer due to a lack of sufficient diagnostic tools to predict aggressive
      disease. Vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) and their receptors (VEGFRs)
      are potent mediators of angiogenesis and tumor proliferation, but have been
      examined to a limited extent in large prostate cancer studies. Meanwhile, recent
      promising results on VEGFR-2 inhibition have highlighted their importance,
      leading to the need for further investigations regarding their expression and
      prognostic impact. DESIGN: Using tissue microarray and immunohistochemistry, the
      expression of VEGFs (VEGF-A and VEGF-C) and their receptors (VEGFR-2 and VEGFR-3)
      were measured in neoplastic tissue and corresponding stroma from radical
      prostatectomy specimens in 535 Norwegian patients. Their expression was evaluated
      semiquantatively and associations with event-free survival were calculated.
      RESULTS: High expression of VEGFR-2 in either stroma or epithelium was
      independently associated with a higher incidence of prostate cancer relapse (HR =
      4.56, P = 0.038). A high combined expression of either VEGF-A, VEGFR-2 or both in
      stroma was independently associated with a higher incidence of biochemical
      failure (HR = 1.77, P = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS: This large study highlights the
      prognostic importance of VEGF-A and VEGFR-2 stromal expression. Analyses of these
      biomarkers may help distinguish which patients will benefit from radical
      treatment. Together with previous studies showing efficiency of targeting VEGFR-2
      in prostate cancer, this study highlights its potential as a target for therapy,
      and may aid in future selection of prostate cancer patients for novel anti
      angiogenic treatment.

PMID- 26268998
TI  - Urologic cancer in Japan: role of Japan at the frontier of issues in Asia.
AB  - The characteristics of urological cancer in Japan can be summarized in the
      following points. (i) As the onset of this type of cancer is typically seen in
      elderly patients, it is becoming a major social issue in Japan that has already
      become an aging society. (ii) Many diverse treatment methods are available and a
      response is required that prioritizes quality of life. (iii) Although vigorous
      research and development efforts into new drugs are being carried out on a global
      level, resulting in beneficial medical agents becoming more readily available,
      unless concepts relating to cost vs. effectiveness are further developed and
      there is a real risk that medical systems and structures in their current form
      will become unsustainable. (iv) Although at the current point there are no
      original large-scale clinical trials being conducted in Asia, Japan has a wealth
      of experience of participating in many international joint clinical trials and it
      is therefore an urgent and pressing challenge to organize joint clinical trials
      in Asia and amass a body of knowledge that is unique to Asia. In view of this
      current situation and given Japan's position at the frontier of issues, it is
      important for Japan to take the initiative in Asia in cooperating with other
      Asian nations in efforts to resolve and overcome various challenges. 

PMID- 26268997
TI  - Alterations in lipid transfers to HDL associated with the presence of coronary
      artery disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We previously showed that unesterified-cholesterol transfer to high
      density lipoprotein (HDL), a crucial step in cholesterol esterification and role
      in reverse cholesterol transport, was diminished in non-diabetic patients with
      coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim was to investigate whether, in patients
      with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), the occurrence of CAD was also associated
      with alterations in lipid transfers and other parameters of plasma lipid
      metabolism. METHODS: Seventy-nine T2DM with CAD and 76 T2DM without CAD,
      confirmed by cineangiography, paired for sex, age (40-80 years), BMI and without
      statin use, were studied. In vitro transfer of four lipids to HDL was performed
      by incubating plasma of each patient with a donor emulsion containing radioactive
      lipids during 1 h at 37  degrees C. Lipids transferred to HDL were measured after
      chemical precipitation of non-HDL fractions and the emulsion. Results are
      expressed as % of total radioactivity of each lipid in HDL. RESULTS: In T2DM +
      CAD, LDL-cholesterol and apo B were higher than in T2DM. T2DM + CAD also showed
      diminished transfer to HDL of unesterified cholesterol (T2DM + CAD = 7.6 +/- 1.2;
      T2DM = 8.2 +/- 1.5%, p < 0.01) and of cholesteryl-esters (4.0 +/- 0.6 vs 4.3 +/-
      0.7, p < 0.01). Unesterified cholesterol in the non-HDL serum fraction was higher
      in T2DM + CAD (0.93 +/- 0.20 vs 0.85 +/- 0.15, p = 0.02) and CETP concentration
      was diminished (2.1 +/- 1.0 vs 2.5 +/- 1.1, p = 0.02). Lecithin-cholesterol
      acyltransferase activity, HDL size and lipid composition were equal. CONCLUSION:
      Reduction in T2DM + CAD of cholesterol transfer to HDL may impair cholesterol
      esterification and reverse cholesterol transport and altogether with simultaneous
      increased plasma unesterified cholesterol may facilitate CAD development in T2DM.

PMID- 26268999
TI  - Assessment of the effect of cigarette smoking on regional brain volumes and
      lesion load in patients with clinically isolated syndrome.
AB  - PURPOSE: Smoking has been associated with an increased risk of developing
      multiple sclerosis, disease progression and clinical disability. We detected the
      effects of smoking on regional brain volumes and lesion load in patients with
      clinically isolated syndrome using quantitative magnetic resonance imaging.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Smoker patients (n = 16), smoker healthy controls (n =
      13), non-smoker patients (n = 17) and non-smoker healthy controls (n = 14)
      underwent magnetic resonance imaging and neocortical volumes were measured.
      Lesion load was calculated in terms of number and volume of white matter
      hyperintensities. RESULTS: Smoking was associated with increased gray matter
      volumes in several regions of the brain. A tendency towards greater lesion load
      in smoker patients was found. Smoking duration was significantly negatively
      correlated with intracranial volume and left hemisphere cortical gray matter
      volume. There was no relationship between regional brain volumes and clinical
      disability scores, lesion load duration of the disease and degree of smoking
      exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Clinically isolated syndrome related regional brain
      atrophy might vary in extent and severity with smoking. Despite increased lesion
      load, less cortical and deep gray matter damage with a possible neuroprotective
      effect occurs in smoking.

PMID- 26269000
TI  - Synergistic effects of gene polymorphisms of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone
      system on essential hypertension in Kazakhs in Xinjiang.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the synergistic effects of gene polymorphisms of the renin
      angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) on essential hypertension (EH) in Kazakhs
      in Xinjiang. METHODS: A cross-sectional case-control association study was
      conducted in 52 1 hypertensive and 623 normotensive subjects of Kazakh ethnicity
      on eight common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) interspersed over five
      genes of the RAAS. SNPs were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction
      fragment length polymorphism. Interactions among the SNPs were analyzed by the
      multifactor dimensionality reduction method (MDR). RESULTS: In single-locus
      analysis, subjects with AGT -6G, ACE D, and CYP11B2 -344C had increased
      susceptibility to EH (OR: 1.249; 1.425; 1.201). When subgrouped by sex, males
      with the t allele of REN Taq I had decreased risk for EH (OR: 0.529), and those
      with AGT -6G and CYP11B2 -344 C had increased risk for EH (OR: 1.498; 1.449). In
      females, carrying ACE D increased the risk for EH. (OR: 1.327). In six AGT
      haplotypes, H1 was protective, while H3 increased susceptibility to EH (OR:
      0.683; 2.025). Interaction analysis by MDR showed that there was a strong
      synergistic effect between ACE I/D and CY11B2 (T-344C) and a moderate interaction
      between both ACE I/D and CY11B2 T-344C and AGT A-6G. CONCLUSIONS: There was a
      strong synergistic effect between ACE I/D and CY11B2 T-344C and a moderate effect
      between both ACE I/D and CY11B2 T-344C and AGT A-6G. AGT -6G, ACE D, and CY11B2 
      344C increased susceptibility to EH. REN Taq I, AGT -6G, CY11B2 -344 C and ACE D
      were associated with male and female EH, respectively. H1 and H3 of AGT were
      protective and risk haplotypes, respectively.

PMID- 26269001
TI  - Pulse pressure and cardiovascular risk in diseased patients.

PMID- 26269002
TI  - Effects of Pioglitazone for Secondary Stroke Prevention in Patients with Impaired
      Glucose Tolerance and Newly Diagnosed Diabetes: The J-SPIRIT Study.
AB  - AIM: Prediabetes is an independent risk factor for future stroke. However, no
      effective treatment has yet been established for the recurrence of stroke in
      patients with prediabetes. Here we investigated the effects of pioglitazone, a
      potent peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma agonist, for the
      reduction of recurrent stroke in patients with prediabetes. METHODS: Participants
      were patients who had a symptomatic ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack
      (TIA) without a history of type 2 diabetes mellitus and who were diagnosed to
      have IGT or newly diagnosed diabetes by a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test. These
      patients were randomized to either receive or not receive pioglitazone. The
      primary endpoint was a recurrence of ischemic stroke. RESULTS: A total of 120
      patients were enrolled in the study. Sixty-three patients received pioglitazone
      and 57 were enrolled in the control group that did not receive pioglitazone. The
      majority of patients (68.3%) were prescribed 15 mg of pioglitazone, while the
      remaining patients (31.7%) were treated with 30 mg of pioglitazone. Over a median
      follow-up period of 2.8 years, treatment with pioglitazone was found to be
      associated with a lower rate of the primary endpoint (recurrence of stroke) than
      that observed in the control group [event rate=4.8% pioglitazone vs 10.5%
      control, hazard ratio=0.62, 95% confidence interval 0.13-2.35, p=0.49]. However,
      differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: While this study was
      too underpowered to determine the effect of pioglitazone, the result failed to
      show beneficial effects in patients of ischemic stroke or TIA with impaired
      glucose tolerance and newly diagnosed diabetes.

PMID- 26269004
TI  - Unexpectedly High Prevalence of Acquired von Willebrand Syndrome in Patients with
      Severe Aortic Stenosis as Evaluated with a Novel Large Multimer Index.
AB  - AIM: Severe gastrointestinal bleeding sometimes occurs in patients with aortic
      stenosis (AS), known as Heyde's syndrome. This syndrome is thought to be caused
      by acquired von Willebrand syndrome and is characterized by reduced large von
      Willebrand factor (vWF) multimers. However, the relationship between the severity
      of AS and loss of large vWF multimers is unclear. METHODS: We examined 31
      consecutive patients with severe AS. Quantitative evaluation for loss of large
      vWF multimers was performed using the conventional large vWF ratio and novel
      large vWF multimer index. This novel index was defined as the ratio of large
      multimers of patients to those of controls. RESULTS: Loss of large vWF multimers,
      defined as the large vWF multimer index <80%, was detected in 21 patients
      (67.7%). The large vWF multimer ratio and the large vWF multimer index were
      inversely correlated with the peak aortic gradient (R = -0.58, p=0.0007, and R=
      0.64, p<0.0001, respectively). Anemia defined as hemoglobin <9.0 g/dl was
      observed in 12 patients (38.7%), who were regarded as Heyde's syndrome. Aortic
      valve replacement was performed in 7 of these patients, resulting in the
      improvement of anemia in all patients from a hemoglobin concentration of 7.5+/
      1.0 g/dl preoperatively to 12.4+/-1.3 g/dl postoperatively (p<0.0001).
      CONCLUSIONS: Acquired von Willebrand syndrome may be a differential diagnosis in
      patients with AS with anemia. The prevalence of AS-associated acquired von
      Willebrand syndrome is higher than anticipated.

PMID- 26269005
TI  - Sulphate production by Paracoccus pantotrophus ATCC 35512 from different sulphur
      substrates: sodium thiosulphate, sulphite and sulphide.
AB  - One of the problems in waste water treatment plants (WWTPs) is the increase in
      emissions of hydrogen sulphide (H2S), which can cause damage to the health of
      human populations and ecosystems. To control emissions of this gas, sulphur
      oxidizing bacteria can be used to convert H2S to sulphate. In this work, sulphate
      detection was performed by spectrophotometry, ion chromatography and atomic
      absorption spectrometry, using Paracoccus pantotrophus ATCC 35512 as a reference
      strain growing in an inorganic broth supplemented with sodium thiosulphate
      (Na2S2O3.5H2O), sodium sulphide (Na2S) or sodium sulphite (Na2SO3), separately.
      The strain was metabolically competent in sulphate production. However, it was
      only possible to observe significant differences in sulphate production compared
      to abiotic control when the inorganic medium was supplemented with sodium
      thiosulphate. The three methods for sulphate detection showed similar patterns,
      although the chromatographic method was the most sensitive for this study. This
      strain can be used as a reference for sulphate production in studies with sulphur
      oxidizing bacteria originating from environmental samples of WWTPs. 

PMID- 26269003
TI  - Association between Pulse Wave Velocity and Coronary Artery Calcification in
      Japanese men.
AB  - AIM: Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is a simple and valid clinical method for
      assessing arterial stiffness. Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is an
      intermediate stage in the process leading to overt cardiovascular disease (CVD)
      and an established determinant of coronary artery disease. This study aimed to
      examine the association between PWV and CAC in a population-based sample of
      Japanese men. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study of 986 randomly selected
      men aged 40-79 years from Shiga, Japan. CVD-free participants were examined from
      2006 to 2008. Brachial-ankle PWV (baPWV) was measured using an automatic waveform
      analyzer. CAC was assessed using computed tomography. Agatston scores >= 10 were
      defined as the presence of CAC. RESULTS: Prevalence of CAC progressively
      increased with rising levels of baPWV: 20.6%, 41.7%, 56.3%, and 66.7% across
      baPWV quartiles < 1378, 1378-1563, 1564-1849, and > 1849 cm/s (P < 0.001 for
      trend). Associations remained significant after adjusting for age and other
      factors, including body mass index, systolic blood pressure, pulse rate, total
      and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, hemoglobin A1c, drinking, smoking and
      exercise status, and the use of medication to treat hypertension, dyslipidemia
      and diabetes (P=0.042 for trend). The optimal cutoff level of baPWV to detect CAC
      was 1612 cm/s using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.
      CONCLUSIONS: Arterial stiffness as defined by an elevated baPWV is associated
      with an increased prevalence of CAC in a general population-based setting among
      Japanese men.

PMID- 26269006
TI  - Copy number variations and gene polymorphisms of complement components in ocular
      Behcet's disease and Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome.
AB  - Complement is involved in many immune-mediated diseases. However, the association
      of its copy number variations (CNVs) and polymorphisms with Behcet's disease (BD)
      and Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome (VKH) is unknown. We examined copy number and
      mRNA expression by real-time PCR. Cytokine production by stimulated peripheral
      blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in genotyped individuals was measured by ELISA.
      The frequencies of having more than two copies of C3 were significantly increased
      in BD and VKH, whereas CNV of C5 was only associated with BD. Increased
      frequencies of the GG genotype of C3 rs408290 and C5 rs2269067 were found in BD.
      No association was observed between C3 and C5 SNPs and VKH. mRNA expression in
      the high CNV group and GG cases of C3 and C5 was significantly higher compared to
      other genotypes. Increased interleukin-17 and IFN-gamma was observed in the high
      CNV group and GG genotype cases of C3. Interleukin-17 but not IFN-gamma was
      increased in the high CNV group and GG genotype cases of C5. No effect of C3 or
      C5 genetic variants was seen on the production of TNF-alpha, IL-10, IL-1beta, MCP
      1, IL-6 and IL-8. Our study thus provides further evidence for a role of
      complement in the pathogenesis of uveitis. 

PMID- 26269008
TI  - [Pay attention to the prevention of intraoperative complications of total
      thyroidectomy].
AB  - The incidence of thyroid cancer has increased sharply year by year. Thyroid
      cancer ranked from the 14th in 2003 to the 4th in 2012 most common cancers in
      female in Beijing. Surgery is still main solution for thyroid cancer, there are
      two operative procedure for thyroid cancer: total thyroidectomy, lateral
      lobectomy and isthmus resection. The surgeon must pay attention to intraoperative
      recurrent laryngeal nerve and parathyroid injury, with particular emphasis on the
      prevention of total thyroidectomy complications. Precise dissection of thyroid
      capsule, intraoperative recurrent laryngeal nerve monitoring and application of
      lymphatic mapping to recognize and protect negative stained parathyroid by using
      carbon nanoparticles tracer is prone to reduce the incidence of recurrent
      laryngeal nerve and parathyroid injury in the total thyroidectomy.

PMID- 26269007
TI  - Occupational contact dermatitis caused by (3-mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane in a
      windscreen repairer.

PMID- 26269009
TI  - [Minimally invasive parathyroid surgery].
AB  - With the advances in techniques of localization, numerous minimally invasive
      parathyroid surgery were developed including open minimal incision and endoscopic
      approaches. According to the research results and the experiences from Peking
      Union Medical College Hospital, the indication and preoperative preparation were
      discussed in this paper. Some suggestions were given for minimally invasive
      parathyroid surgery in China.

PMID- 26269010
TI  - [Three-dimensional total endoscopic thyroidectomy for thyroid carcinoma: a series
      of 32 cases].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To summarize the experiences of applying three-dimensional (3D)
      technique in scarless endoscopic thyroidectomy (SET) via anterior chest approach.
      METHODS: Medical records of patients who undenvent SET using 3D technique from
      December 2013 to May 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 32 patients
      who had a preoperative ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology
      diagnosis of unilateral papillary thyroid carcinoma and underwent lobectomy
      associated with central lymph node dissection were included in this study. All
      patients were female with a mean age of (37 +/- 10) years at diagnosis. In
      addition, 45 female patients who underwent traditional endoscopic thyroidectomy
      at the same period were randomly selected as control. RESULTS: All surgical
      procedures were successfully finished. The mean surgical time in 3D group was
      (91. 7 +/- 11. 4) minutes, and mean hospitalization time was (3. 2 +/- 0. 5)
      days. Contemporary hoarseness was observed in one patient, and no bleeding,
      infection, hypocalcemia and other postsurgical complications were observed.
      Compared to the traditional endoscopic surgery group, 3 D group had significantly
      shorter surgical time of lobectomy ((23. 2 +/- 5. 1) minutes vs. (28. 0 +/- 5. 0)
      minutes, t = 4. 156, P = 0. 000). Negative results were seen in the time taking
      of creating surgical space ((14. 6 +/- 3. 3) minutes vs. (15. 6 +/- 2. 5)
      minutes), central lymph node dissection ((25. 1 +/- 5. 4) minutes vs. (24. 4 +/-
      6. 3) minutes) and total surgical time ((91.7 +/- 11. 4) minutes vs. (96. 1 +/-
      13. 0) minutes). CONCLUSION: Application of 3D technique in endoscopic surgery
      can offer 3D vision of the surgical field, thus significantly shorten lobectomy
      time and more easily to achieve fine dissection and functional protection of
      recurrent laryngeal nerves, parathyroids and other vital anatomic structures.

PMID- 26269011
TI  - [The diagnosis and treatment of late acute rejection after adult orthotopic liver
      transplantation].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the diagnosis, treatment and long-term outcome of late
      acute rejection (LAR) following adult orthotropic liver transplantation (OLT).
      METHODS: A total of 398 consecutive adult patients who underwent OLT in Organ
      Transplant Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University between
      January 2007 and December 2012 were reviewed retrospectively. There were 48
      patients (12. 1%) developed to LAR, including 43 male patients and 5 female
      patients, with an average age of (52 +/- 13) years(18 - 70 years). The mean body
      mass index was (22.1 +/- 4. 5) kg/m2 (15. 4 - 30. 4 kg/m2). The indications of
      the liver transplantation recipients included 16 cases of end-staged liver
      cirrhosis after hepatitis B or C(33. 3%), 14 cases with severe hepatitis (29.
      2%), 9 cases of primary liver cancer(18. 5%), 5 cases of alcoholic liver
      cirrhosis (10. 4%), 1 case with autoimmune liver disease (2. 1%) , the other 3
      cases (6. 3%). They were followed up by outpatient service, telephone and other
      means. Survival curves were generated with the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox
      proportional hazards modeling was used for predictors of mortality. Statistically
      significant variables found by single factor regression analysis were put into
      the Cox proportional hazards regression model of multivariate analysis. RESULTS:
      The time-to-event was 23. 6 months after OLT which were more common in the first
      year to the third year post-transplant (26/48,52. 4%). Thirty-five cases were
      assessed as mild, 11 cases were assessed as moderate, and 2 cases were assessed
      as severe ,based on the Banff schema. After adjustment to the immunosuppressive
      regimen, the overall recovery rate reached to 81. 3%. The rate of steroid
      resistant acute rejection was 11. 8% (4/34). Inadequate immunosuppression and
      steroid pulsation were two independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of
      LAR (P = 0. 008, P = 0. 003, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: LAR is an uncommon
      complication after OLT. Inadequate immunosuppression and steroid pulsation are
      the major risk factors for prognosis of LAR. Improving patient compliance and
      strengthening blood concentration surveillance can increase the patient survival.

PMID- 26269012
TI  - [The clinical experience and plasmapheresis treatment outcome in treatment of
      hyperlipidemia acute pancreatitis among Uyghur].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical features and plasmapheresis treatment
      outcome of hyperlipidemic acute pancreatitis among Uyghur population. METHODS:
      The clinical data of 41 cases (treatment group) diagnosed with acute
      hyperlipidemic pancreatitis and treated with plasmapheresis from August 2007 to
      August 2012 was studied, and treatment outcomes were statistically analyzed.
      Fifty patients during the same period who received medical treatment without
      plasmapheresis (control group) were collected, and were compared to the treatment
      group. Clinical data of 72 Han Chinese patients with hyperlipidemic acute
      pancreatitis from the same study period were compared to 91 Uyghur patients
      mentioned above. The data were analyzed by t-test or chi2 test. RESULTS:
      Treatment group and control group were comparable in terms of gender, age, APACHE
      II score at admission, BMI, and blood lipid levels. Thirty-two patients out of 41
      in the treatment group were improved after routine medical treatment and
      plasmapheresis, but 9 died. In the control group, 28 out of 50 cases were
      improved, 22 died. The mortality of the treatment group was significantly lower
      than that of the control group(chi2 = 10. 824, P = 0. 001). Time of hospital stay
      in treatment group was (17 +/- 16) days, and significantly shorter than that of
      control group ((28 +/- 20) days) (t= 2. 851, P = 0. 005). Before plasmapheresis
      in the treatment group, serum triglyceride and total cholesterol levels were (58
      +/- 39) mmol/L and (24 +/- 8) mmol/L, after plasmapheresis, these values dropped
      significantly to (10 +/- 10) mmol/L and (6 +/- 5) mmol/L. APACHE II score of
      those died were 18 +/- 2, and significantly higher than those who survived(11 +/-
      3) (t = 0. 570, P = 0. 000); Time from hospital admission until plasmapheresis
      were significantly longer in died patients ((49 +/- 9) hours) than in survived
      patients ((38 +/- 8) hours, t = 3. 549, P = 0. 040). Furthermore, serum
      triglyceride levels were significantly higher in survived cases ((46 +/- 16)
      mmol/L) than those who died ((37 +/- 15) mmol/L) (t = 2. 386, P = 0. 010) . Both
      serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels were reduced significantly in control
      group (t = 3. 484, P = 0. 00; t = 4. 086, P = 0. 000, but the degrees of
      reduction were significantly lower than that of the treatment group. When
      comparing Uyghur patients to Han patients, Uyghur cases had higher serum
      triglyceride (t = 2. 083, P = 0. 039), and cholesterol levels (t = 2. 535, P = 0.
      012, and their age was significantly younger than that of Hans (t = 3. 373, P =
      0. 010 . CONCLUSIONS: s Uyghur patients with hyperlipidemia acute pancreatitis
      tend to have higher serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels, and age at disease
      onset is younger. Plasmapheresis is a more effective treatment option for
      patients with hyperlipidemia acute pancreatitis. Treatment outcome is related to
      APACHE II score, serum triglyceride levels, and time frame between admission and
      plasmapheresis treatment.

PMID- 26269013
TI  - [Study on the morphology of sagittal of lumbar endplate in healthy adult].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To provide a theoretical basis for designing of lumbar intervertebral
      disc prosthesis by collecting the data of the lumbar endplate morphology.
      METHODS: A total of 100 healthy adults were measured about the following
      parameters: lumbar lordosis, the Cobb angle of each segment, the concavity depth
      (ECD) of the endplate, the location of concavity apex (ECA) of the endplate. And
      a correlation analysis on lumbar lordosis and ECD, ECA was made, respectively.
      RESULTS: In total, 100 volunteers were measured. The mean age of the volunteer
      was 40 years (range 20 - 50 years); the average depth of ECD was (2. 37 +/- 1.
      42) mm, the average location of ECA was (52. 21 +/- 9. 70) %; the average depth
      of ECD of inferior endplate (IEP) was (2. 81 +/- 1. 52) mm (0. 54 - 7. 60 mm),
      and the parameter of the superior endplate (SEP) was (1. 94 +/- 1. 16)mm(0. 39 -
      6. 10 mm). The average depth of ECD of the IEP was bigger than of the SEP for
      each lumbar vertebral body. Most of the location of ECA was at the back of the
      intervertebral body, the average location of ECA of IEP was (49. 60 +/- 8. 78) %
      (22. 57% - 75. 58%), and the parameter of the SEP was (55. 03 +/- 9. 90) % (16.
      03% -75. 58%); the mean angle of lumbar lordosis was 39. 760 11. 25 degrees (13.
      8 degrees  - 72. 00 degrees ). There was no obvious correlation between the
      lumbar lordosis and the ECD (r -0. 193, P =0. 195), neither was the location of
      ECA(r =0. 080, P =0. 592). CONCLUSION: Most of the location of ECA is at the back
      of the intervertebral body, the average depth of ECD is 2. 37 mm, the average
      location of ECA is 52. 21%.

PMID- 26269014
TI  - [Analysis of surgical treatment with pectoralis major muscle flap for deep
      sternal infection after cardiac surgery: a case series of 189 patients].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analyze and summarize the clinical features and experience in
      surgical treatment of deep sternal infection (DSWI). METHODS: This was a
      retrospective study. From January 2008 to December 2013, 189 patients with
      secondary DSWI after cardiac surgery underwent the pectoralis major muscle flap
      transposition in our department. There were 116 male and 73 female patients. The
      mean age was (54 +/- 21) years, the body mass index was (26. 1 +/- 1. 3) kg/m2.
      The incidence of postoperation DSWI were after isolated coronary artery bypass
      grafting (CABG) in 93 patients, after other heart surgery plus CABG in 13
      patients, after valve surgery in 47 patients, after thoracic aortic surgery in 16
      patients, after congenital heart disease in 18 patients, and after cardiac injury
      in 2 patients. Clean patients' wound and extract secretions, clear the infection
      thoroughly by surgery and select antibiotics based on susceptibility results, and
      then repair the wound with appropriate muscle flap, place drain tube with
      negative pressure. Of all the 189 patients, 184 used isolate pectoralis, 1 used
      isolate rectus, and 4 used pectoralis plus rectus. RESULTS: The operative wounds
      of 179 patients were primary healing (94. 7%). Hospital discharge was postponed
      by 1 week for 7 patients, due to subcutaneous wound infection. Subcutaneous wound
      infection occurred again in 8 patients 1 week after hospital discharge, and their
      wounds healed after wound dressing. Nine patients (4. 7%) did not recover, due to
      residue of the sequestrum and costal chondritis, whom were later cured by
      undergoing a second treatment of debridement and pectoralis major muscle flap
      transposition. Eight patients died, in which 2 died of respiratory failure, 2
      died of bacterial endocarditis with septicemia, 2 died of renal failure, 1 died
      of intraoperative bleeding leading to brain death and the 1 died of heart
      failure. The mortality rate was 4. 2% . The average length of postoperative
      hospital stay was (14 +/- 5) days. The longest postoperative follow-up period was
      40 months, the median time was 26 months, the follow-up rate was 83. 9% . Totally
      179 patients were no-reinfected, 2 patients were reinfected because of artificial
      vascular rejection. CONCLUSION: To perform surgical debridement and then
      reconstruct the sternal defect with pectoralis major muscle flap actively for the
      patient is an effective measure to improve patient's survival rate.

PMID- 26269015
TI  - [Treatment for giant pituitary adenomas through transcranial approach in a series
      of 112 consecutive patients].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical features, surgical transcranial approaches
      and outcomes of giant pituitary adenomas. METHODS: A series of 112 consecutive
      cases of giant pituitary adenomas underwent microsurgery through transcranial
      approaches at People' s Liberation Army General Hospital were retrospectively
      analyzed. Of the 112 patients, 58 were male and 54 were female, with age ranging
      from 3 to 72 years(mean age 44. 3 years). There were 91 non-functioning adenomas
      and 21 hormone-secreting adenomas. The maximum tumor diameter varied from 4. 0 to
      7. 2 cm, with mean diameter of 4. 8 cm. Unilateral subfrontal approach was chosen
      in 16 cases, pterional approach in 41 cases, anterior interhemispheric approach
      in 34 cases, transcallosal-interforniceal approach in 6 cases, transcortical-
      transventricular approach in 5 cases, combined approach in 6 cases and other
      approaches in 4 cases. Postoperative MRI and endocrine function were re-examined
      routinely to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy. Staged operation through
      transsphenoidal approach or adjuvant treatments including medical and radiation
      therapies were administered in patients with hormone-secreting adenomas when
      hormonal excess persisted after surgery and in patients with non-functioning
      adenomas who had postoperative MRI evidence of residual tumor. RESULTS: Total
      removal of the lesion was achieved in 57 cases (50. 9%) , 26 patients (23. 2%)
      underwent subtotal resection, and 29 patients (25. 9%) underwent partial removal.
      Postoperative mortality occurred in 3 patients (2. 7%). Major surgical morbidity
      occurred in 38 patients (33. 9%). Vision was preserved or improved in 98 patients
      (87. 5%). The postsurgical follow-up period varied from 3 to 64 months (mean 19.
      5 months) . Nineteen of the 21 patients with hormone-secreting adenomas were
      considered to be in hormonal remission, and 87. 2% of the cases were capable of
      normal work and life and 8 patients suffered recurrence during the followed-up
      period. CONCLUSIONS: Selection of appropriate transcranial approaches is the key
      to successful microsurgery for giant pituitary adenomas according to the
      morphological characteristics presented in image examinations and clinical
      symptoms. Staged transsphenoidal operation and/or adjuvant therapies including
      medical and radiation therapies offer the best chances to control the residual
      tumors after the maximal surgical removal of giant adenomas through transcranial
      approaches.

PMID- 26269016
TI  - [The value of taking surgical margin specimens during transurethral resection of
      bladder tumor in the diagnosis and treatment of non-muscle invasive bladder
      cancer].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the value of taking surgical margin specimens during
      transurethral resection of bladder tumor(TURBT) in the diagnosis and treatment of
      non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. METHODS: The data of 356 patients with non
      muscle invasive bladder cancer from June 2009 to January 2014 were analyzed
      retrospectively. A standardized protocol were performed during TURBT in 176
      patients(surgical margin group), by taking surgical margin specimens from tumor
      base and 'normal'-appearing margin sites. The other 180 cases merely received
      general TURBT (general group). To observe the positive rate of surgical margin
      specimens and whether the diagnosis and treatment plan changed in the surgical
      margin group. Using Chi-square test to compare the recurrence and progression
      rates between surgical margin and general groups. To compare their recurrence
      free survival time by Mann-Whitney U test. Results Of these 176 surgical margin
      specimens, the positive rate was 19. 3% (34/176),which consists of tumor base 11.
      9% (21/176) and tumor normal-appearing margin 7. 4% (13/176). Following with
      urothelial carcinoma Ta stage in 1. 7% (3/176), T1 stage in 5. 7% (10/176), T2
      stage in 8. 0% (14/176), carcinoma in situ (Tis) in 4. 0% (7/176). Among these
      176 patients final diagnosis were changed in 10. 8% (19/176) patients due to the
      specimens results, and 18. 2% (32/176) patients altered their treatment plans.
      All 356 patients with a mean follow-up of 36. 8 months (6 to 60 months). Two
      groups of patients(surgical margin group vs. general group) recurrence rates
      respectively were 22. 2% (39/176) vs. 35. 6% (64/180), recurrence-free survival
      time were 33. 0 months vs. 23. 5 months and progression rates were 5. 7% (10/176)
      vs. 10. 6% (19/180). Compared with general group, patients who were taken
      additional surgical margin specimens showed significantly lower recurrence rate
      (chi2 = 7. 677, P = 0. 007) and longer recurrence-free survival time (U = 12
      605,P = 0. 001). While the progression rate showed no statistical difference
      between them (chi2 = 2. 825, P = 0. 121). CONCLUSION: Taking additional surgical
      margin specimens during transurethral resection of bladder tumor is helpful for
      pathological diagnosis and the planning of further treatment.

PMID- 26269017
TI  - [The risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma associated with microsatellite
      polymorphism in promoter of heme oxygenase-1].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between (GT)n polymorphism and
      esophageal cancer by analyzing the connection between microsatellite
      polymorphisms in the promoter of heme oxygenase-1 and the clinicopathological
      characteristics of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in Han chinese
      population. METHODS: The (GT)n repeats in HO-1 gene in 83 male and 43 female
      hospital-based patients with ESCC (aged between 40 and 79 years with a mean of
      (61 +/- 8) years) and 134 healthy control individuals were obtained by DNA
      sequencing. Polymorphisms of the (GT)n repeats were generally grouped into three
      classes based on allele frequencies: class S alleles (<25 repeats), class M
      alleles (25 to 29 repeats), and class L alleles (>=30 repeats). The correlation
      between susceptibility and clinicopathological characteristics of ESCC were
      analyzed by chi2 test. For in vitro experiments, the transient-transfection assay
      was performed to explore the correlation between different lengths of (GT)n
      repeats and promoter activity by assessing the promoter activities of HO-1 gene
      in cultured Ecal09 cells treated with H2O2 by analysis of cariance. RESULTS:
      Higher frequencies of L-allele (25. 8% vs. 14. 9%, chi2 = 9. 520, P = 0. 002), L
      allele carrier (41. 3% vs. 27. 6%, chi2 = 5. 381 , P = 0. 020) were found in
      patients with ESCC. Furthermore, the lymphatic metastasis rate (63. 5% vs. 41.
      8%, chi = 5. 685, P = 0. 017) and the detection rate of poorly differentiated
      ESCC cell (53. 8% vs. 28. 4%, chi2 = 8. 335, P = 0. 004) was significantly higher
      in L-allele carriers compared to non-L-allele carriers. In transfection
      experiments, promoter activities of 5'-flanking regions of the HO-1 gene in
      Eca109 cells transfected with the recombinant gene carrying (GT)16 repeat after
      treatment with H2O2 increased (F = 23. 615,P = 0. 008). In H2O treated control
      group, compared to (GT)26 and (GT)36, the basal promoter activities of HO-1 gene
      carrying (GT)16 repeat increased (F =41. 376, P = 0. 003; F = 50. 761, P = 0.
      002). CONCLUSION: The long (GT)n repeats of HO-1 gene promoter can increase the
      susceptibility of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and the risk of lymphatic
      metastasis.

PMID- 26269018
TI  - [The biomechanical analysis of craniovertebral junction finite element model in
      atlas assimilation].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the biomechanical change of the craniovertebral junction in
      conditions of atlas assimilation. METHODS: Mimics software was used to process CT
      data of the craniovertebral junction in a health adult to obtain the three
      dimensional reconstruction and the cloudy points of C1, C2 and part of the
      occipital bone. Then the cloudy points were imported into the Abaqus 6. 8
      software to establish the occipito-atlantoaxial finite element model in normal
      structure. According to the established model in normal structure, the model in
      conditions of atlas assimilation was set by changing the model parameters. Both
      models of normal structure and atlas assimilation were loaded with 1. 5 N . m
      static moment to simulate four motions of flexion, extension, lateral bending and
      axial rotation respectively. The movement characteristics,joint stress force and
      ligament deformation was analyzed. RESULTS: Under 1. 5 N . m moment, in model of
      atlas assimilation the C1-C2 range of movement decreased from 13. 55 degrees  to
      11.88 degrees  in flexion,increased from 13. 22 degrees  to 15. 24 degrees  in
      extension and from 4. 05 degrees  to 4. 23 degrees  in lateral bending and
      remained unchanged in axial rotation when compared with the normal model. In
      flexion movement, the contact force of the atlanto-dental joint increased from 1.
      59 MPa to 3. 28 MPa and the deflection of apical ligament, tectorial membrane and
      alar ligament increased 129. 1%, 157. 6% and 75. 1% respectively when compared
      with the normal model. CONCLUSIONS: The normal C1-C2 motion mode is destructed in
      conditions of atlas assimilation, leading to the changes of the range of
      movement,joint stress force and the ligament deformation at C1 C2 junction. The
      atlantoaxial instability will likely occur in flexion motion.

PMID- 26269019
TI  - [The role of high mobility group box 1 in the signaling pathways of mouse
      intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) in the
      signaling pathway of mouse intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury. METHODS:
      Twenty-four Specific Pathogen free male C57BL / 6 mice were randomly divided into
      three groups (n = 8) : the sham operation group (sham), the control
      group(control) and the HMGB1 antibody group (anti-HMGB1). The vehicle alone or
      anti-HMGB1 antibody(1 mg/kg, 0. 025%) was injected respectively via the caudal
      vein 30 min prior to ischemia in the control group or the anti-HMGB1 group. All
      mice were anesthetized,opened abdominal wall and exposed arteria mesenterica
      superior. The control group and the anti-HMGBl group underwent 60 min of
      mesenteric ischemia and 60 min of reperfusion and the sham group were merely
      opened abdominal wall for 120 min without ischemia-reperfusion. The levels of NF
      kappaB p65, IL-6 and TNF-alpha in plasma and the activity of MPO in lung and
      liver and the morphological changes of lung and intestinal tissue were measured.
      The mRNA levels of HMGB1 and NF-kappaB were evaluated using real-time
      quantitative PCR and the protein levels of HMGB1 and NF-KB were evaluated using
      Western blot. The experimental data was analyzed using one-way analysis of
      variance. RESULTS: The levels of IL-6, TNF-alpha and NF-kappaB p65 in plasma was
      significantly higher in the control group and the anti-HMGB1 group compared with
      the sham group (the sham group vs. the control group vs. the anti-HMGB1 group, NF
      kappaB p65, 104. 64 +/- 11. 89: 228. 53 +/- 24. 85: 145. 00 +/- 33. 63, F = 38.
      036, P <0. 05; IL-6,50. 02 +/- 6. 33:104. 91 +/- 31. 18:62. 28 +/- 6. 73, F = 49.
      763, P < 0. 05; TNF-alpha, 43. 79 +/- 4. 18: 70. 81 +/- 6. 97: 52. 76 +/- 5. 71,
      F = 34. 571, P < 0. 05). The increasing degree in the anti- HMGB1 group was
      significantly reduced compared with the control group (P <0. 05). The activity of
      MPO of liver and lung in the control group and the anti-HMGB1 group was
      significantly higher than those in the sham group (P <0. 05). Compared with the
      sham group, the degree of tissue injury in jejunum, ileum and lung was serious in
      the control group, and that in the anti-HMGB1 group was significantly lower than
      the control group. The expression of HMGB1 mRNA and NF-kappaB mRNA in the lung
      and the ileum in the sham group and the control group were all higher than the
      sham group (HMGB1 mRNA in lung: sham group 1. 04 +/- 0. 19 vs. control group 2.
      25 +/- 0. 18 vs. anti-HMGB1 group 1. 89 0. 18, F = 66. 203, P < 0. 05; in ileum:
      1. 14 +/- 0. 54 vs. 6. 26 +/- 0. 60 vs. 4. 93 0. 55, F = 133. 427, P < 0. 05; NF
      kappaB mRNA in lung: 1. 03 +/- 0. 21 vs. 2. 04 +/- 0. 29 vs. 1. 42 +/- 0. 23, F
      =26. 229, P < 0. 05; ileum: 1. 03 +/- 0. 23 vs. 3. 71 +/- 0. 53 vs. 2. 23 +/- 0.
      55, F = 50. 477, P <0. 05). Subjected to intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury,
      the protein expression of HMGB1 and NF-kappaB in the lung, jejunum and ileum in
      the control group and the anti-HMGB1 group increased compared with the sham
      group(P <0. 05), but that was significantly lower in the anti-HMGB1 group than
      the control group (P <0. 05). CONCLUSION: The administration of anti-HMGB1
      antibodies may reduce the damage caused by ischemia-reperfusion effectively.

PMID- 26269020
TI  - [Research progress of the lymph node dissection posterior to fight recurrent
      laryngeal nerve of papillary thyroid carcinoma].
AB  - Central neck lymph node is the main site of metastasis of papillary thyroid
      cancer. However, the central area of dissection scope and integrity are still
      issues and controversies. The vast majority of papillary thyroid cancer in
      central lymph node dissection process, ignoring the lymph node posterior to fight
      recurrent laryngeal nerve (LN-prRLN), strictly speaking, does not do the central
      area of lymphatic adipose tissue intact, completely removed. This paper
      summarizes the recent literature on the LN-prRLN clinical dissection scope, the
      incidence of LN-prRLN transfer, LN-prRLN dissection impact on the incidence of
      complications, recurrence rate, mortality and survival rate were reviewed
      analysis, summarized the LN-prRLN dissection indications, clinical significance
      and importance.

PMID- 26269021
TI  - [Recent progress in application of local drug delivery for preventing restenosis
      after peripheral arterial revascularization].
AB  - Restenosis following vascular revascularization remains an important clinical
      problem. Local drug delivery which can provide enough drug concentration in the
      lesion location without causing adverse systemic effect is an excellent solution
      for this question. We conducted a systematic literatory search on PubMed and CKNI
      through May 2014. After reviewing all related papers, we provided a comprehensive
      overview of the available drugs and techniques for local drug delivery that have
      been developed to prevent restenosis after peripheral vascular interventions,
      including innovations that have been tested only in animals as well as those
      already approved for clinical use. In brief, anti-proliferative drugs such as
      paclitaxel and sirolimus are the most used and suitable drugs for local delivery
      system. Additionally, some promising drugs including anti-inflammatory drugs,
      antioxidant drugs and drugs inhibiting cell proliferation and migration are
      already being tested in pre-clinical trials or animal models. At the same time,
      intraluminal and extraluminal delivery devices have also got a rapid development
      during the past decades. The efficacy of drug-eluting stent, drug-eluting
      balloon, porous and microporous balloon and the most recent drug-eluting
      bioresobable scaffold for preventing of restenosis in peripheral vessels have
      been demonstrated in humans or in animals, some of them even have received the CE
      mark in Europe. Endovascular microinfusion catheter and drug-loaded perivascular
      wraps have only been tested in animal models, more researches are needed. With
      the development of pharmacology and bioengineering, great strides will be made in
      the prevention of restenosis in the near future.

PMID- 26269023
TI  - Development and Evaluation of the New Predictive Models in Tuberculous Pleuritis.
AB  - Different pleural fluid biomarkers have been found useful in the discrimination
      between tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE) and non-TPE, with interferon gamma
      (IFN-gamma) showing the highest single marker diagnostic accuracy. The aim of the
      present study was to develop predictive models based on clinical data and pleural
      fluid biomarkers, other than IFN-gamma, which could be applied in differentiating
      TPE and non-TPE. Two hundred and forty two patients with newly diagnosed pleural
      effusion were prospectively enrolled. Upon completion of the diagnostic
      procedures, the underlying disease was identified in 203 patients (117 men and 86
      women, median age 65 years; 44 patients with TPE and 159 with non-TPE) who formed
      the proper study group. Pleural fluid level of ADA, IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-2sRalpha,
      IL-12p40, IL-18, IL-23, IP-10, Fas-ligand, MDC, and TNF-alpha was measured and
      then ROC analysis and multivariate logistic regression were used to construct the
      predictive models. Two predictive models with very high diagnostic accuracy (AUC
      > 0.95) were developed. The first model included body temperature, white blood
      cell count, pleural fluid ADA and IP-10. The second model was based on age, sex,
      body temperature, white blood cell count, pleural fluid lymphocyte percentage,
      and IP-10 level. We conclude that two new predictive models based on clinical and
      laboratory data demonstrate very high diagnostic performance and can be
      potentially used in clinical practice to differentiate between TPE and non-TPE.

PMID- 26269022
TI  - Loss of NOX-Derived Superoxide Exacerbates Diabetogenic CD4 T-Cell Effector
      Responses in Type 1 Diabetes.
AB  - Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play prominent roles in numerous biological
      systems. While classically expressed by neutrophils and macrophages, CD4 T cells
      also express NADPH oxidase (NOX), the superoxide-generating multisubunit enzyme.
      Our laboratory recently demonstrated that superoxide-deficient nonobese diabetic
      (NOD.Ncf1(m1J)) mice exhibited a delay in type 1 diabetes (T1D) partially due to
      blunted IFN-gamma synthesis by CD4 T cells. For further investigation of the
      roles of superoxide on CD4 T-cell diabetogenicity, the NOD.BDC-2.5.Ncf1(m1J) (BDC
      2.5.Ncf1(m1J)) mouse strain was generated, possessing autoreactive CD4 T cells
      deficient in NOX-derived superoxide. Unlike NOD.Ncf1(m1J), stimulated BDC
      2.5.Ncf1(m1J) CD4 T cells and splenocytes displayed elevated synthesis of Th1
      cytokines and chemokines. Superoxide-deficient BDC-2.5 mice developed spontaneous
      T1D, and CD4 T cells were more diabetogenic upon adoptive transfer into NOD.Rag
      recipients due to a skewing toward impaired Treg suppression. Exogenous
      superoxide blunted exacerbated Th1 cytokines and proinflammatory chemokines to
      approximately wild-type levels, concomitant with reduced IL-12Rbeta2 signaling
      and P-STAT4 (Y693) activation. These results highlight the importance of NOX
      derived superoxide in curbing autoreactivity due, in part, to control of Treg
      function and as a redox-dependent checkpoint of effector T-cell responses.
      Ultimately, our studies reveal the complexities of free radicals in CD4 T-cell
      responses. 

PMID- 26269026
TI  - Biochemistry of Oxidative Stress.
AB  - Generation of reactive oxygen species is a physiological process that take place
      in every aerobic organism. Oxidative stress is defined as a disturbance in the
      balance between the production of free radicals and antioxidants in favor of the
      oxidants. The imbalance between those two fractions may potentially lead to cell
      damage at molecular level. Since oxidants are formed at a different rate as a
      normal product of aerobic metabolism, complex biochemical mechanisms are required
      to regulate the entire process.

PMID- 26269025
TI  - Increased Serum IgA in Children with IgA Nephropathy, Severity of Kidney Biopsy
      Findings and Long-Term Outcomes.
AB  - The aim of the study was to determine whether an elevated IgA level at the time
      of the diagnosis of IgA nephropathy has an effect on the severity of kidney
      biopsy findings and long-term outcomes in children. We retrospectively studied 89
      children with IgA nephropathy who were stratified into Group 1- elevated serum
      IgA and Group 2 - normal serum IgA at baseline. The level of IgA, proteinuria,
      hematuria, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and hypertension (HTN) were compared
      at baseline and after the end of the follow-up period of 4.0 +/- 3.1 years.
      Kidney biopsy findings were evaluated using the Oxford classification. The
      evaluation of treatment included immunosuppressive therapy and renoprotection
      with angiotensin converting-enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) or angiotensin II receptor
      blocker (ARB), or no treatment. The elevated serum IgA was found in 46 (52 %)
      patients and normal serum IgA level was found in 43 (48 %) patients. No
      differences were found between the two groups regarding the mean age of patients,
      proteinuria, and the number of patients with reduced GFR or HTN at baseline. In
      kidney biopsy, mesangial proliferation and segmental sclerosis were significantly
      more common in Group 1 compared with Group 2 (p < 0.05). Immunosuppressive
      therapy was used in 67 % children in Group 1 and 75 % children in Group 2. The
      Kaplan-Meier survival curves for renal function (with normal GFR) and persistent
      proteinuria did not differ significantly depending on the serum IgA level at
      baseline. We conclude that in IgA nephropathy the elevated serum IgA at baseline
      may be associated with mesangial proliferation and segmental sclerosis contribute
      to glomerulosclerosis, but has no effect on the presence of proteinuria or on the
      worsening of kidney function during several years of disease course.

PMID- 26269024
TI  - Nutrition and Immune System in Children with Simple Obesity.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to evaluate dietary factors in nutrition
      influencing the immune system of children and teenagers suffering from simple
      obesity. The study involved 100 children and teenagers aged 7-18 with simple
      obesity. Nutritional data were obtained from 3-day food records. The consumed
      nutrients, including immunomodulators and immunostimulants, were estimated based
      on the nutrition interview. The results were compared with the nutritional norms.
      On average, the proportion of n-6:n-3 fatty acids equalled 10:1. Among the amino
      acids, the highest intake values in the diet were observed for glutamine
      (13,694.6 mg/day). The study demonstrates inadequate intake levels of iron (73%
      of recommended dietary allowance, RDA), vitamin C (65% of RDA), and vitamin D
      (11% of RDA) taking into account the median values for the entire study group.
      The median daily intake of other nutrients exceeded the RDA values. The diets of
      the participants in this study were not properly balanced with respect to
      immunomodulators, which may contribute to the occurrence of immunological
      disorders and immunodeficiency in this group of patients.

PMID- 26269027
TI  - The Influence of Primary Cytomegalovirus or Epstein-Barr Virus Infection on the
      Course of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura.
AB  - Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) in children is usually triggered by a
      viral infections such as cytomegalovirus (CMV) or Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)
      infection. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of CMV and EBV
      infections in children with first relapse of ITP, and the influence of these
      infections on the course and response to treatment of ITP. Sixty patients (30
      boys and 30 girls) with ITP were enrolled into the study. We found that the age
      at the onset of ITP was from 1 month to 17 years (mean 7.0 +/- 5.7 years), the
      platelet number was from 1 to 79 x 10(9)/L (mean 18.1 +/- 19.0 x 10(9)/L) at the
      time of diagnosis and it increased from 17 to 395 x 10(9)/L (mean 134.4 +/- 81.2
      x 10(9)/L)(p < 0.05) after the first course of therapy. Forty seven patients
      required pharmacological treatment, the duration of the treatment was from 2 to
      25 days (mean 6.1 +/- 4.1 days). Relapses were observed in 27 (45%) of the
      patients. Active CMV infection was found in 19 patients (31.7%), EBV infection in
      5 patients (8.3%), and both infections concomitantly in 1 patient (1.7%). The
      group of patients with CMV or EBV infection(n = 25) did not differ from the
      patients free of infection (n = 35) in regard to the age, number of platelets at
      onset, duration of treatment, number of platelets after treatment, number of
      relapses, and the interval between the onset and first relapse. In conclusion,
      active CMV or EBV infection is common in children with ITP. These infections do
      not seem to have an appreciable bearing on the clinical course and the response
      to treatment on children with ITP.

PMID- 26269028
TI  - Absence of Typical Symptoms and Comorbidities in Patients with Central Sleep
      Apnea.
AB  - Sleep apnea is characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep. There are three
      forms: central, obstructive, and complex, or mixed sleep apnea. Central sleep
      apnea, a manifestation of respiratory instability in many clinical conditions and
      with a variety of causes, is the result of a temporary cessation of breathing in
      which the inhibitory influences favoring the instability predominate over
      excitatory influences favoring stable breathing. In contrast to central sleep
      apnea, according to the published data from previous studies, an association
      exists between obstructive sleep apnea and various comorbidities, especially
      chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This article examines retrospectively the
      possible association of central sleep apnea with special sleep-related symptoms
      and various co-morbidities. Data of all patients with different types of central
      sleep apnea were collected from our hospital charts within the Department of
      Pneumology, HELIOS Clinic, University of Witten/Herdecke, Wuppertal, Germany,
      within the study period of January 1, 2011 to September 19, 2014. After clinical
      examination, all patients underwent polysomnography in our sleep laboratory. We
      identified a total of 60 (3.5 %) patients with central sleep apnea from 1722
      patients with assumed sleep disordered breathing of the mean age of 68.2 +/- 13.7
      years (44 males - 73.3 %, 95 % CI 0.6-0.9 and 16 females - 26.7 %, 95 % CI 0.2
      0.4). Typical symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing were not observed. A
      relation to co-morbidities was not found. Central sleep apnea was often diagnosed
      in the elderly. A direct association between central sleep apnea and symptoms of
      sleep-disordered breathing and various co-morbidities was not detected. This is
      in direct contrast to the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

PMID- 26269029
TI  - Prevalence of Olfactory Impairment in Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis.
AB  - Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA) is a rare disease of unknown origin. It
      may damage all organs and systems, even olfactory and taste sense. The aim of the
      study was to determine the sense of smell in patients with GPA and to identify
      factors related to disease course, activity, and duration, which may be
      associated with olfactory dysfunction. The comparison of olfactory function
      screening scores with Sniffin' Sticks standardized norms showed that 74% of the
      investigated patients had olfactory dysfunction. The olfactory performance was
      diminished in all parts of Sniffin' Sticks test: threshold scores 4.4 vs. 7.1 (p
      = 0.007); odor discrimination 9.0 vs. 11.9 (p = 0.008); and olfactory
      identification 9.8 vs. 12.2 (p = 0.011) in the GPA patients vs. control subjects,
      respectively. Scores acquired during all three parts of the test were combined to
      assess the TDI-score. The median TDI-score in the GPA group (27.5) was
      significantly lower than that in the control group (32.0) (p = 0.002). Active
      nasal and paranasal sinus inflammation in GPA leads to olfactory dysfunction, the
      patients are often unaware of. The dysfunction is permanent and does not abates
      along with decreasing intensity of the inflammatory process. GPA therapy should
      include recommendations on nutrition, personal hygiene, and food poisoning
      prevention.

PMID- 26269031
TI  - Surgery for high-grade unruptured brain arteriovenous malformations: era for a
      new paradox?

PMID- 26269030
TI  - Epidemiology of traumatic brain injury in Europe.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a critical public health and socio
      economic problem throughout the world, making epidemiological monitoring of
      incidence, prevalence and outcome of TBI necessary. We aimed to describe the
      epidemiology of traumatic brain injury in Europe and to evaluate the methodology
      of incidence studies. METHOD: We performed a systematic review and meta-analyses
      of articles describing the epidemiology of TBI in European countries. A search
      was conducted in the PubMed electronic database using the terms: epidemiology,
      incidence, brain injur*, head injur* and Europe. Only articles published in
      English and reporting on data collected in Europe between 1990 and 2014 were
      included. RESULTS: In total, 28 epidemiological studies on TBI from 16 European
      countries were identified in the literature. A great variation was found in case
      definitions and case ascertainment between studies. Falls and road traffic
      accidents (RTA) were the two most frequent causes of TBI, with falls being
      reported more frequently than RTA. In most of the studies a peak TBI incidence
      was seen in the oldest age groups. In the meta-analysis, an overall incidence
      rate of 262 per 100,000 for admitted TBI was derived. CONCLUSIONS: Interpretation
      of published epidemiologic studies is confounded by differences in inclusion
      criteria and case ascertainment. Nevertheless, changes in epidemiological
      patterns are found: falls are now the most common cause of TBI, most notably in
      elderly patients. Improvement of the quality of standardised data collection for
      TBI is mandatory for reliable monitoring of epidemiological trends and to inform
      appropriate targeting of prevention campaigns.

PMID- 26269032
TI  - Prior knowledge of the clinical picture does not introduce bias in the
      histopathologic diagnosis of melanocytic skin lesions.
AB  - A common debate among dermatopathologists is that prior knowledge of the clinical
      picture of melanocytic skin neoplasms may introduce a potential bias in the
      histopathologic examination. Histologic slides from 99 melanocytic skin neoplasms
      were circulated among 10 clinical dermatologists, all of them formally trained
      and board-certified dermatopathologists: 5 dermatopathologists had clinical
      images available after a 'blind' examination (Group 1); the other 5 had clinical
      images available before microscopic examination (Group 2). Data from the two
      groups were compared regarding 'consensus' (a diagnosis in agreement by >=4
      dermatopathologists/group), chance-corrected interobserver agreement (Fleiss' k)
      and level of diagnostic confidence (LDC: a 1-5 arbitrary scale indicating
      'increasing reliability' of any given diagnosis). Compared with Group 1
      dermatopathologists, Group 2 achieved a lower number of consensus (84 vs. 90) but
      a higher k value (0.74 vs. 0.69) and a greater mean LDC value (4.57 vs. 4.32).
      The same consensus was achieved by the two groups in 81/99 cases. Spitzoid
      neoplasms were most frequently controversial for both groups. The histopathologic
      interpretation of melanocytic neoplasms seems to be not biased by the knowledge
      of the clinical picture before histopathologic examination.

PMID- 26269034
TI  - Improve oxidation resistance at high temperature by nanocrystalline surface
      layer.
AB  - An interesting change of scale sequence occurred during oxidation of
      nanocrystalline surface layer by means of a surface mechanical attrition
      treatment. The three-layer oxide structure from the surface towards the matrix is
      Fe3O4, spinel FeCr2O4 and corundum (Fe,Cr)2O3, which is different from the
      typical two-layer scale consisted of an Fe3O4 outer layer and an FeCr2O4 inner
      layer in conventional P91 steel. The diffusivity of Cr, Fe and O is enhanced
      concurrently in the nanocrystalline surface layer, which causes the fast
      oxidation in the initial oxidation stage. The formation of (Fe,Cr)2O3 inner layer
      would inhabit fast diffusion of alloy elements in the nanocrystalline surface
      layer of P91 steel in the later oxidation stage, and it causes a decrease in the
      parabolic oxidation rate compared with conventional specimens. This study
      provides a novel approach to improve the oxidation resistance of heat resistant
      steel without changing its Cr content. 

PMID- 26269033
TI  - Involved-field radiotherapy (IFRT) versus elective nodal irradiation (ENI) in
      combination with concurrent chemotherapy for 239 esophageal cancers: a single
      institutional retrospective study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This retrospective study on early and locally advanced esophageal
      cancer was conducted to evaluate locoregional failure and its impact on survival
      by comparing involved field radiotherapy (IFRT) with elective nodal irradiation
      (ENI) in combination with concurrent chemotherapy. METHODS: We assessed all
      patients with esophageal cancer of stages I-IV treated with definitive
      radiotherapy from June 2000 to March 2014. Between 2000 and 2011, ENI was used
      for all cases excluding high age cases. After Feb 2011, a prospective study about
      IFRT was started, and therefore IFRT was used since then for all cases.
      Concurrent chemotherapy regimen was nedaplatin (80 mg/m(2) at D1 and D29) and 5
      fluorouracil (800 mg/m(2) at D1-4 and D29-32). RESULTS: Of the 239 consecutive
      patients assessed (120 ENI vs. 119 IFRT), 59 patients (24.7%) had stage IV
      disease and all patients received at least one cycle of chemotherapy. The median
      follow-up time for survivors was 34.0 months. There were differences in 3-year
      local control (44.8% vs. 55.5%, p = 0.039), distant control (53.8% vs. 69.9%, p =
      0.021) and overall survival (34.8% vs. 51.6%, p = 0.087) rates between ENI vs.
      IFRT, respectively. Patients treated with IFRT (8 %) demonstrated a significantly
      lower risk (p = 0.047) of high grade late toxicities than with ENI (16%). IFRT
      did not increase the risk of initially uninvolved or isolated nodal failures
      (27.5% in ENI and 13.4% in IFRT). CONCLUSIONS: Nodal failure rates in clinically
      uninvolved nodal stations were not increased with IFRT when compared to ENI. IFRT
      also resulted in significantly decreased esophageal toxicity, suggesting that
      IFRT may allow for integration of concurrent systemic chemotherapy in a greater
      proportion of patients. Both tendencies of improved loco-regional progression
      free survival and a significant increased overall survival rate favored the IFRT
      arm over the ENI arm in this study.

PMID- 26269035
TI  - Ultrathin nanosheets constructed CoMoO4 porous flowers with high activity for
      electrocatalytic oxygen evolution.
AB  - Hierarchical CoMoO4 porous micro-flowers assembled from numerous ultrathin
      nanosheets were synthesized by a facile hydrothermal method. Benefiting from the
      high specific surface area and constituent nanosheets with an ultrathin
      thickness, the CoMoO4 micro-flowers exhibit substantially higher electrocatalytic
      activity and stability than the IrO2 benchmark for the oxygen evolution reaction.

PMID- 26269036
TI  - To listen, look and think.

PMID- 26269037
TI  - [A mentor for the medical student].

PMID- 26269038
TI  - [The future of primary health care--without research?].

PMID- 26269039
TI  - [Re: How doctors do not wish to die].

PMID- 26269041
TI  - [Re: How doctors do not wish to die].

PMID- 26269042
TI  - [Re: Patient reporting of adverse drug reactions in Norway 2010-13].

PMID- 26269043
TI  - [O. Spigset and colleagues reply].

PMID- 26269044
TI  - [Re: Different guidelines for treatment of prostate cancer].

PMID- 26269045
TI  - [Re: E-cigarettes--harmful or beneficial?].

PMID- 26269046
TI  - [Re: E-cigarettes--harmful or beneficial?].

PMID- 26269047
TI  - [Re: E-cigarettes--harmful or beneficial?].

PMID- 26269048
TI  - [Re: E-cigarettes--harmful or beneficial?].

PMID- 26269049
TI  - [T. K. Grimsrud & T. Sanner reply].

PMID- 26269050
TI  - [Re: Good employment conditions in hospitals is good for everyone].

PMID- 26269051
TI  - [Re: Good employment conditions in hospitals is good for everyone].

PMID- 26269052
TI  - [Re: Good employment conditions in hospitals is good for everyone].

PMID- 26269053
TI  - [K. Hamandsen & M.H. Christiansen reply].

PMID- 26269057
TI  - [The emergency department needs their own specialists].

PMID- 26269058
TI  - [Holistic medical education--a shared responsibility].

PMID- 26269059
TI  - [Who should become a physician?].

PMID- 26269060
TI  - [Putting the patient at the center--already as a student].

PMID- 26269061
TI  - [Physical activity without exercising?].

PMID- 26269062
TI  - [Alcohol consumption--a natural part of the medical history taking].

PMID- 26269063
TI  - [Physicians must contribute in undergraduate medical education].

PMID- 26269066
TI  - Assessing alcohol use and smoking among patients admitted to the medical ward.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The objective of the study was to investigate the incidence of risky
      alcohol consumption in patients admitted to medical wards, and to examine
      possible differences in how smoking habits and alcohol consumption are assessed
      and monitored by health personnel. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study was conducted
      on medical wards at Southern Norway Hospital Trust in autumn 2013. Out of 998
      patients who were successively admitted, 536 were included in the analysis. A
      questionnaire was used to survey smoking and risky alcohol consumption, and to
      determine whether patients could remember being asked and advised about these
      during their hospitalisation period. RESULTS: Fifty patients (9.3%) fulfilled the
      criteria for risky alcohol consumption. A lower percentage reported having been
      asked about their drinking habits than about their smoking habits (44% versus
      62%, p < 0.001). Compared to those who smoked, a lower percentage of those with
      risky alcohol consumption reported that they had been recommended to reduce their
      consumption or quit; 10% vs. 29% (p = 0.009). INTERPRETATION: The patients'
      experience was that they were asked less about their alcohol consumption than
      about smoking. They also reported receiving less health-promoting advice in
      relation to alcohol. Doctors should be more conscious of including alcohol
      consumption when taking regular case histories.

PMID- 26269067
TI  - [First generalized tonic-clonic seizure].
AB  - BACKGROUND: First onset of a generalized tonic-clonic seizure is a frequent
      reason for hospital admissions. This article aims to provide a brief overview of
      the epidemiology, etiology, investigation and treatment of a first generalized
      tonic-clonic seizure. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The review is based on a discretionary
      sample of English-language articles found through a search in PubMed, and the
      authors' own clinical experience. RESULTS: A first generalized tonic-clonic
      seizure is traditionally divided into either a provoked or an unprovoked seizure.
      Provoked seizures occur in close temporal relationship to a systemic disorder or
      to a brain insult, for example a stroke or a head trauma. Unprovoked seizures
      occur in the absence of such factors. The incidence of provoked and unprovoked
      seizures is 35/100.000 person years and 50/100,000 person years, respectively.
      The occurrence is influenced by genetic and lifestyle factors. The hospital
      assessment includes a thorough case history, a somatic and neurological
      examination, ECG, standard EEG, and cerebral MRI. An immediate cerebral CT is
      often carried out. In case of provoked seizures, both treatment and estimation of
      the recurrence risk depends on the underlying cause. Antiepileptic drug treatment
      initiated after a first unprovoked seizure may reduce the risk of seizure
      recurrence. However, no long term risk reduction has been shown compared to
      delaying treatment until after a second seizure. INTERPRETATION: Patients who
      experience a first generalized tonic-clonic seizure are a heterogenous group, and
      a thorough diagnostic assessment is necessary in order to provide tailored
      treatment and a reliable prognosis.

PMID- 26269068
TI  - Black macules on the sole of the foot.

PMID- 26269069
TI  - [A man in his 70s with hypertension and acute chest pain].

PMID- 26269070
TI  - [A baker with asthma].

PMID- 26269071
TI  - [Several PhD projects in the health enterprises].

PMID- 26269072
TI  - [Building specialist training in Ethiopia].

PMID- 26269073
TI  - [July 22--my story].

PMID- 26269074
TI  - [Athletic language confusion].

PMID- 26269086
TI  - Synthesis and biological evaluation of thiophosphate tricyclic coumarin
      derivatives as steroid sulfatase inhibitors.
AB  - Steroid sulfatase (STS) enzyme inhibition is an important approach to the
      management of hormone-dependent breast cancer. In this paper, we report
      convenient methods for the synthesis and biological evaluation of thiophosphate
      tricyclic coumarin analogs exhibiting STS activity. The described methods are
      based on the straightforward preparation of 7-hydroxy-2,3-dihydro-1H
      cyclopenta[c]chromen-2-one, 3-hydroxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydro-6H-benzo[c]chromen-6
      one, and 3-hydroxy-8,9,10,11-tetrahydro-7H-cyclohepta[c]chromen-6-one and their
      further modification by the introduction of various thiophosphate moieties. The
      inhibition properties of the synthesized compounds were tested toward STS
      isolated from human placenta. Most of the new STS inhibitors possessed good to
      moderate activity toward STS. During the course of our investigation, the largest
      inhibitory effects in the STS enzyme assays were observed for the two compounds
      3f and 4r, with IC50 values of 13.3 and 30.3 MUM, respectively (the IC50 value of
      1 MUM for the 665-COUMATE was used as a reference). The structure-activity
      relationships of the synthesized coumarin derivatives toward STS enzymes are
      discussed. 

PMID- 26269087
TI  - Use of genotype-environment interactions to elucidate the pattern of maize root
      plasticity to nitrogen deficiency.
AB  - Maize (Zea mays L.) root morphology exhibits a high degree of phenotypic
      plasticity to nitrogen (N) deficiency, but the underlying genetic architecture
      remains to be investigated. Using an advanced BC4 F3 population, we investigated
      the root growth plasticity under two contrasted N levels and identified the
      quantitative trait loci (QTLs) with QTL-environment (Q * E) interaction effects.
      Principal components analysis (PCA) on changes of root traits to N deficiency
      (DeltaLN-HN) showed that root length and biomass contributed for 45.8% in the
      same magnitude and direction on the first PC, while root traits scattered highly
      on PC2 and PC3. Hierarchical cluster analysis on traits for DeltaLN-HN further
      assigned the BC4 F3 lines into six groups, in which the special phenotypic
      responses to N deficiency was presented. These results revealed the complicated
      root plasticity of maize in response to N deficiency that can be caused by
      genotype-environment (G * E) interactions. Furthermore, QTL mapping using a multi
      environment analysis identified 35 QTLs for root traits. Nine of these QTLs
      exhibited significant Q * E interaction effects. Taken together, our findings
      contribute to understanding the phenotypic and genotypic pattern of root
      plasticity to N deficiency, which will be useful for developing maize tolerance
      cultivars to N deficiency. 

PMID- 26269088
TI  - Synthesis of bicyclic tetrahydrofurans from linear precursors using
      manganese(III) acetate.
AB  - We have recently developed methodology based on oxidative radical reactions for
      the synthesis of [3.3.0]-bicyclic lactones containing both cyclopentanes and
      gamma-lactams along with application of this methodology to the synthesis of
      natural products and complex molecular architectures. Herein we report an
      extension of this methodology to the synthesis of oxygen heterocycles including
      bicyclic bis-lactones. 

PMID- 26269089
TI  - Concentrated growth factor in the treatment of adjacent multiple gingival
      recessions: a split-mouth randomized clinical trial.
AB  - AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the clinical effect of concentrated
      growth factor (CGF) in combination with coronally advanced flap (CAF) compared to
      CAF alone for the treatment of multiple adjacent gingival recessions (GRs).
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty patients with a total of 119 Miller Class I and II
      GRs in the maxilla were included to this study. Recessions were randomly treated
      according to a split-mouth design by means of CAF + CGF (test; 60 defects) or CAF
      (control; 59 defects). Clinical outcomes were evaluated at baseline and 6 months
      after surgery. RESULTS: The mean root coverage (MRC) was 82.06% and 86.67%,
      complete root coverage (CRC) was 45.8% (27/59) and 56.7% (34/60) for CAF and CAF
      + CGF, respectively at 6th month. Statistically no difference was demonstrated
      between the two groups in terms of recession depth (RD), MRC and CRC at 6th
      month. The increase in width of keratinized gingiva (KGW) and gingival thickness
      (GT) were statistically significant in the CAF + CGF group compared to the CAF
      group at 6th month. CONCLUSIONS: The use of CGF in combination with CAF did not
      provide additional benefits in RD, CRC and MRC. This study suggests that use of
      CGF + CAF may increase the success of GRs because of a significant increase in
      KGW and GT.

PMID- 26269090
TI  - Circularly Polarized Luminescence in Chiral Molecules and Supramolecular
      Assemblies.
AB  - Circularly polarized luminescence, or CPL, is a luminescence phenomenon that
      provides the differential emission intensity of right and left circularly
      polarized light, thereby providing information on the excited state properties of
      the chiral molecular systems. In recent years, there has been a growing interest
      toward the development of organic chromophores capable of circularly polarized
      emission due to their potential applications in sensors, asymmetric synthesis as
      well as display and optical storage devices. The major drawback with organic
      molecules is the low dissymmetric factors exhibited by these systems. One of the
      recent strategies adopted for the improvement in luminescence dissymmetry of
      organic systems is through the controlled self-assembly of chromophores. In this
      Perspective, we highlight the recent experimental and theoretical developments in
      the field of chiral organic chromophoric systems and their self-assembly, that
      has produced promising results toward the enhancement of glum values in CPL. 

PMID- 26269091
TI  - Differential isoform expression and selective muscle involvement in muscular
      dystrophies.
AB  - Despite the expression of the mutated gene in all muscles, selective muscles are
      involved in genetic muscular dystrophies. Different muscular dystrophies show
      characteristic patterns of fatty degenerative changes by muscle imaging, even to
      the extent that the patterns have been used for diagnostic purposes. However, the
      underlying molecular mechanisms explaining the selective involvement of muscles
      are not known. To test the hypothesis that different muscles may express variable
      amounts of different isoforms of muscle genes, we applied a custom-designed exon
      microarray containing probes for 57 muscle-specific genes to assay the
      transcriptional profiles in sets of human adult lower limb skeletal muscles.
      Quantitative real-time PCR and whole transcriptome sequencing were used to
      further analyze the results. Our results demonstrate significant variations in
      isoform and gene expression levels in anatomically different muscles. Comparison
      of the known patterns of selective involvement of certain muscles in two
      autosomal dominant titinopathies and one autosomal dominant myosinopathy, with
      the isoform and gene expression results, shows a correlation between the specific
      muscles involved and significant differences in the level of expression of the
      affected gene and exons in these same muscles compared with some other selected
      muscles. Our results suggest that differential expression levels of muscle genes
      and isoforms are one determinant in the selectivity of muscle involvement in
      muscular dystrophies. 

PMID- 26269092
TI  - Paeoniflorin ameliorates ANIT-induced cholestasis by activating Nrf2 through an
      PI3K/Akt-dependent pathway in rats.
AB  - Cholestasis causes hepatic accumulation of bile acids leading to liver injury,
      fibrosis and liver failure. Paeoniflorin, the major active compound isolated from
      the roots of Paeonia lactiflora pall and Paeonia veitchii Lynch, is extensively
      used for liver diseases treatment in China. However, the mechanism of
      paeoniflorin's hepatoprotective effect on cholestasis has not been investigated
      yet. In this study, we administered paeoniflorin to rats for 3 days prior to
      alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT) administration for once, then went on
      administering paeoniflorin to rats for 3 days. The data demonstrated that
      paeoniflorin significantly prevented ANIT-induced change in serum alanine
      aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphates
      (ALP), serum total bilirubin (TBIL), direct bilirubin (DBIL), total bile acid
      (TBA) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GT). Histology examination
      revealed that paeoniflorin treatment rats relieved more liver injury and bile
      duct proliferation than ANIT-administered rats. Moreover, our data indicated that
      paeoniflorin could restore glutathione (GSH) and its related synthase glutamate
      cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLc) and glutamate-cysteine ligase modifier
      subunit (GCLm) in ANIT-treated group. In addition, the RNA and protein expression
      of Akt and nuclear factor-E2-related factor-2 (Nrf2) were also activated by
      paeoniflorin in ANIT-induced rats. These findings indicated that paeoniflorin
      protected ANIT-induced cholestasis and increased GSH synthesis by activating Nrf2
      through PI3K/Akt-dependent pathway. Therefore, paeoniflorin might be a potential
      therapeutic agent for cholestasis.

PMID- 26269093
TI  - Use of model organism and disease databases to support matchmaking for human
      disease gene discovery.
AB  - The Matchmaker Exchange application programming interface (API) allows searching
      a patient's genotypic or phenotypic profiles across clinical sites, for the
      purposes of cohort discovery and variant disease causal validation. This API can
      be used not only to search for matching patients, but also to match against
      public disease and model organism data. This public disease data enable matching
      known diseases and variant-phenotype associations using phenotype semantic
      similarity algorithms developed by the Monarch Initiative. The model data can
      provide additional evidence to aid diagnosis, suggest relevant models for disease
      mechanism and treatment exploration, and identify collaborators across the
      translational divide. The Monarch Initiative provides an implementation of this
      API for searching multiple integrated sources of data that contextualize the
      knowledge about any given patient or patient family into the greater biomedical
      knowledge landscape. While this corpus of data can aid diagnosis, it is also the
      beginning of research to improve understanding of rare human diseases. 

PMID- 26269094
TI  - Effect of isoniazid preventive therapy on tuberculosis or death in persons with
      HIV: a retrospective cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) is a recommended strategy for
      prevention of tuberculosis (TB) in persons with Human Immunodeficiency Virus
      (HIV) although the benefits have not been unequivocally demonstrated in routine
      clinical practice with widespread ART adoption. Therefore, we assessed the
      effectiveness of IPT in prevention of TB or death in patients treated with
      antiretroviral therapy (ART) in a chronic care setting. METHODS: Retrospective
      cohort study of HIV patients enrolled in chronic care from 2007 to 2013. Eligible
      participants were HIV infected subjects (age > 15 years) with no (history of) TB.
      The combined effect of IPT and ART on the composite outcome (TB or death) was
      estimated using time-dependent Cox regression with adjustment for baseline
      covariates. RESULTS: 1,922 patients were included, 374 (19.4 %) received IPT and
      258 (13.4 %) developed TB or deceased. The median follow-up duration of the
      cohort was 839 days, with a total of 5491 person years. In unadjusted analysis,
      the combination of IPT and ART lowered the hazard of TB or death by 65 % [HR =
      0.35; 95 % CI (0.16, 0.77)] compared to ART alone. Even after adjustment for
      confounders, the combined effect of ART and IPT resulted in a 60 % hazard
      reduction of TB or death in comparison to participants who received ART without
      IPT [HR = 0.40; 95 % CI (0.18, 0.87)]. The IPT-specific benefit in patients not
      receiving ART could not be reliably estimated due to high rates of ART adoption.
      CONCLUSION: The combined effect of IPT and ART to prevent TB or death in HIV
      patients in a non-experimental setting in comparison to ART alone was estimated
      to be 60 %.

PMID- 26269095
TI  - Psychotropic Treatment Pattern in Medicaid Pediatric Patients With Concomitant
      ADHD and ODD/CD.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe psychotropic treatment pattern and evaluate the
      association of socio-demographic factors and psychotropic combination therapy in
      children with ADHD and oppositional defiant disorder/conduct disorder (ODD/CD).
      METHOD: This is a cross-sectional drug utilization study based on Medicaid fee
      for-service programs in 26 U.S. states (1999-2006). Children aged 4 to 18 with
      concomitant ADHD and ODD/CD were included. We calculated the prevalence of
      psychotropic drugs and used logistic regression to evaluate the role of socio
      demographic factors in psychotropic combination therapy. RESULTS: We identified
      121,740 children with ADHD and ODD/CD (140,777 person-years). The period
      prevalence of "no psychotropic therapy," psychotropic monotherapy, and
      psychotropic dual therapy was 38.1%, 44.7%, and 9.0%, respectively. The most
      common drug class was stimulants. Whites, males, and children in foster care were
      more likely to use psychotropic combination therapy. State-level variation was
      observed. CONCLUSION: "No psychotropic therapy" and stimulants dominate treatment
      choices in children with ADHD and ODD/CD. Socio-demographic characteristics are
      associated with combination psychotropic therapy.

PMID- 26269096
TI  - Psychiatric Comorbidity in Treatment-Seeking Alcohol Dependence Patients With and
      Without ADHD.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of ADHD in adult patients treated for
      alcohol dependence and to analyze the characteristics of consumption and
      psychiatric comorbidity, in function of a possible ADHD in adulthood. METHOD: We
      administered the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) to 726 alcohol-dependent
      patients. Clinical diagnosis, following Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of
      Mental Disorders (4th ed., text rev.; DSM-IV-TR) criteria was made in the first
      four weeks of treatment. A subsample of 297 patients was evaluated using Conners'
      Adult ADHD Diagnostic Interview for DSM-IV (CAADID-II) to test the psychometric
      properties of ASRS. RESULTS: After analyzing the properties of the ASRS
      (sensitivity: 83.3%; specificity: 66.1%), the prevalence of ADHD, in the whole
      sample, was estimated to be 16.2%. Being younger, lifetime history of cocaine
      dependence and the presence of an affective, anxiety or personality disorder were
      associated with a possible ADHD. CONCLUSION: The estimated prevalence of ADHD in
      patients being treated for alcohol dependence is high, and the presence of a
      possible ADHD in adulthood is associated with an increase in psychiatric
      comorbidity.

PMID- 26269097
TI  - Acute Kidney Injury With Tobramycin-Impregnated Bone Cement Spacers in Prosthetic
      Joint Infections.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Antibiotic-impregnated bone cement spacer (ACS) with tobramycin +/-
      vancomycin is commonly used in a 2-stage replacement of infected prosthetic
      joints. This procedure has been associated with development of acute kidney
      injury (AKI). OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence and risk factors for AKI
      after implantation of tobramycin-impregnated ACS. METHODS: This prospective,
      observational study evaluated 50 consecutive patients who received tobramycin ACS
      for first-stage revision of an infected hip or knee arthroplasty from August 2011
      to February 2013. AKI was defined as 50% or greater rise in serum creatinine
      (SCr) from baseline within the first 7 postoperative days (PODs). RESULTS: The
      incidence of AKI was 20%, with median onset occurring at POD 2 (interquartile
      range [IQR] = 1-3); patients with AKI had a longer median duration of hospital
      stay (16 days, IQR = 12-17, vs 10 days, IQR = 8-10; P = 0.03). Serum tobramycin
      concentrations were significantly higher in the AKI group, peaking on POD 1
      (median 1.9 vs 0.9 ug/mL, P = 0.01). Risk factors for nephrotoxicity identified
      by multivariate analysis were use of bone cement premanufactured with gentamicin
      (OR = 8.2; 95% CI = 1.1-60; P = 0.04), administration of blood transfusions
      intraoperatively (OR = 32.5; 95% CI = 2.3-454.3; P = 0.01) and nonsteroidal anti
      inflammatory drugs postoperatively (OR = 23.0; 95% CI = 1.3-397.7; P = 0.03).
      CONCLUSIONS: Tobramycin ACS is associated with a high risk of AKI. Measures to
      minimize AKI risk in the perioperative period include early detection through
      close monitoring of SCr, avoiding use of premanufactured bone cement containing
      gentamicin, and avoiding potential nephrotoxins within the first 72 hours
      postoperatively.

PMID- 26269098
TI  - The effects of an Audio Visual Assisted Therapy Aid for Refractory auditory
      hallucinations (AVATAR therapy): study protocol for a randomised controlled
      trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Psychological interventions which adopt an explicitly interpersonal
      approach are a recent development in the treatment of distressing voices. AVATAR
      therapy is one such approach which creates a direct dialogue between a voice
      hearer and a computerised representation of their persecutory voice (the avatar)
      through which the person may be supported to gain a sense of greater power and
      control. The main objective of the trial is to test the clinical efficacy of this
      therapy to reduce the frequency and severity of auditory verbal hallucinations
      (AVH). Secondary objectives of the study are to explore explanatory mechanisms of
      action and potential moderators, to carry out a qualitative evaluation of
      participants' experience and to conduct an economic evaluation. METHODS/DESIGN:
      The AVATAR randomised clinical trial will independently randomise 142
      participants to receive either 7 sessions of AVATAR therapy or supportive
      counselling (SC). The study population will be individuals with schizophrenia
      spectrum and other psychotic disorders who report hearing persistent distressing
      voices, for more than 12 months, which are unresponsive or only partially
      responsive to antipsychotic medication. The main hypotheses are that, compared to
      SC, AVATAR therapy will reduce the frequency and severity of AVH and will also
      reduce the reported omnipotence and malevolence of these voices. Assessments will
      occur at 0 weeks (baseline), 12 weeks (post-intervention) and 24 weeks (follow
      up), and will be carried out by blinded assessors. Both interventions will be
      delivered in a community-based mental health centre. Therapy competence and
      adherence will be monitored in both groups. Statistical analysis will follow the
      intention-to-treat principle and data will be analysed using a mixed (random)
      effects model at each post treatment time point separately. A formal mediation
      and moderator analysis using contemporary causal inference methods will be
      conducted as a secondary analysis. The trial is funded by the Welcome Trust (WT).
      DISCUSSION: AVATAR therapy showed promising effects in a pilot study, but the
      efficacy of the approach needs to be examined in a larger randomised clinical
      trial before wider dissemination and implementation in mental health services.
      TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN: 65314790 , registration
      date: 27 March 2013.

PMID- 26269099
TI  - Primorskyibacter insulae sp. nov., isolated from the junction between the ocean
      and a freshwater spring.
AB  - A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-spore-forming, non-flagellated and rod-shaped
      bacterial strain, designated SSK3-2T, was isolated from the locality where the
      ocean and a freshwater spring meet at Jeju island, South Korea, and subjected to
      a polyphasic taxonomic study. Strain SSK3-2T grew optimally at 30  degrees C, at
      pH 7.0-8.0 and in the presence of 2.0 % (w/v) NaCl. Neighbour-joining, maximum
      likelihood and maximum-parsimony phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene
      sequences revealed that strain SSK3-2T clustered with the type strain of
      Primorskyibacter sedentarius, with which it exhibited 97.3 % sequence similarity.
      Strain SSK3-2T contained Q-10 as the predominant ubiquinone and C18 : 1omega7c as
      the major fatty acid. The major polar lipids detected in strain SSK3-2T were
      phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, one unidentified lipid and one
      unidentified aminolipid. The DNA G+C content of strain SSK3-2T was 60.6 mol% and
      its mean DNA-DNA relatedness value with P. sedentarius JCM 16874T was 19 %.
      Differential phenotypic properties, together with phylogenetic and genetic
      distinctiveness, revealed that strain SSK3-2T is separated from P. sedentarius.
      On the basis of the data presented, strain SSK3-2T is considered to represent a
      novel species of the genus Primorskyibacter, for which the name Primorskyibacter
      insulae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SSK3-2T ( = KCTC 42602T = CECT
      8871T).

PMID- 26269102
TI  - Lessons Learned from Asymptomatic Acute Coronary Occlusion Complicating
      Radiofrequency Ablation of Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Tachycardia.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Radiofrequency ablation has become a standard procedure in the
      treatment of ventricular arrhythmias. The success rate varies according to the
      etiology and the presence or absence of underlying structural heart disease,
      while complication rates are relatively low. METHODS: To describe the damage in
      neighboring structures during the ablation in certain locations. RESULTS: We
      present a patient who underwent a radiofrequency ablation of sustained
      monomorphic ventricular tachycadia at the inferior and anterior part of the right
      ventricular outflow tract, at the insertion of the right ventricle to the left
      ventricle. Extensive ablation resulted in an asymptomatic occlusion of the mid
      segment of the left descending coronary artery. CONCLUSION: Creation of deeper
      and broader lesions with current catheter technologies can result in damage of
      the adjacent endo- and epicardial structures. Careful evaluation of the area of
      interest prior to and after the ablation should therefore be mandatory.

PMID- 26269101
TI  - Old/New Effect of Digital Memory Retrieval in Chinese Dyscalculia.
AB  - This study reports the neurophysiological and behavioral correlates of digital
      memory retrieval features in Chinese individuals with and without dyscalculia. A
      total of 18 children with dyscalculia (ages 11.5-13.5) and 18 controls were
      tested, and their event-related potentials were digitally recorded simultaneously
      with behavior measurement. Behavioral data showed that the dyscalculia group had
      lower hit rates and higher false rates than the control group. The
      electroencephalography results showed that both groups had a significant old/new
      effect and that this effect was greater in the control group. In the 300 to 400
      ms processing stages, both groups showed significant differences in digital
      memory retrieval in the frontal regions. In the 400 to 500 and 500 to 600 ms
      epochs, the old/new effect in the control group was significantly greater than it
      was in the dyscalculia group at the frontal, central, and parietal regions. In
      the 600 to 700 ms processing stages, both groups showed significant differences
      in digital memory retrieval in the frontal, central, parietal, and occipital
      regions. These results suggest that individuals with dyscalculia exhibit impaired
      digital memory retrieval. Extraction failure may be an important cause of
      calculation difficulties.

PMID- 26269100
TI  - Robust sequence alignment using evolutionary rates coupled with an amino acid
      substitution matrix.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Selective pressures at the DNA level shape genes into profiles
      consisting of patterns of rapidly evolving sites and sites withstanding change.
      These profiles remain detectable even when protein sequences become extensively
      diverged. A common task in molecular biology is to infer functional, structural
      or evolutionary relationships by querying a database using an algorithm. However,
      problems arise when sequence similarity is low. This study presents an algorithm
      that uses the evolutionary rate at codon sites, the dN/dS (omega) parameter,
      coupled to a substitution matrix as an alignment metric for detecting distantly
      related proteins. The algorithm, called BLOSUM-FIRE couples a newer and improved
      version of the original FIRE (Functional Inference using Rates of Evolution)
      algorithm with an amino acid substitution matrix in a dynamic scoring function.
      The enigmatic hepatitis B virus X protein was used as a test case for BLOSUM-FIRE
      and its associated database EvoDB. RESULTS: The evolutionary rate based approach
      was coupled with a conventional BLOSUM substitution matrix. The two approaches
      are combined in a dynamic scoring function, which uses the selective pressure to
      score aligned residues. The dynamic scoring function is based on a coupled
      additive approach that scores aligned sites based on the level of conservation
      inferred from the omega values. Evaluation of the accuracy of this new
      implementation, BLOSUM-FIRE, using MAFFT alignment as reference alignments has
      shown that it is more accurate than its predecessor FIRE. Comparison of the
      alignment quality with widely used algorithms (MUSCLE, T-COFFEE, and CLUSTAL
      Omega) revealed that the BLOSUM-FIRE algorithm performs as well as conventional
      algorithms. Its main strength lies in that it provides greater potential for
      aligning divergent sequences and addresses the problem of low specificity
      inherent in the original FIRE algorithm. The utility of this algorithm is
      demonstrated using the Hepatitis B virus X (HBx) protein, a protein of unknown
      function, as a test case. CONCLUSION: This study describes the utility of an
      evolutionary rate based approach coupled to the BLOSUM62 amino acid substitution
      matrix in inferring protein domain function. We demonstrate that such an approach
      is robust and performs as well as an array of conventional algorithms.

PMID- 26269103
TI  - Characterizing the physical and demographic variables associated with heavy metal
      distribution along urban-rural gradient.
AB  - This paper describes a study of how the demographic and physical variables
      affected the heavy metal (HM) contamination along the urban-rural gradient in
      PuDong New District, Shanghai. The road density (RDi) and the percentage of built
      up areas (BAi) were calculated for various widths of buffers around the soil
      sampling sites. Through distance allocation, the demographic values of the
      population change index (PCI) were assigned, with the value being associated with
      the nearest town. We initiated the use of the population migration rate from 2000
      to 2010, i.e., PCI, to represent the urbanization rate. Regression analysis
      between the soil HM concentrations and the PCI, the RD, and the BA was estimated.
      The results indicated that the PCI significantly affected the Cd and Cu
      distribution (p < 0.05), while the RD of the 3-km buffer affected the Pb
      concentrations. The BA of 2-km buffers affected the spatial distribution of Cd,
      Cu, and Zn. Zn was also affected by the RD within the 4-km buffer. Using the
      median values of the PCI and the BA of the 2-km buffer, and the RD of the 3-km
      buffer, logistic analysis was performed to identify the priority areas for
      managing HM hazards. The two identified priority areas were the towns of Kangqiao
      and Zhuqiao, both of which were rapidly urbanized areas with higher PCI values.
      Our research demonstrated that understanding the rate of urbanization may be as
      important as the degree of urbanization when examining associated HM
      contamination patterns.

PMID- 26269104
TI  - Uncertainty assessment of heavy metal soil contamination mapping using
      spatiotemporal sequential indicator simulation with multi-temporal sampling
      points.
AB  - Mapping the space-time distribution of heavy metals in soils plays a key role in
      contaminated site classification under conditions of in situ uncertainty, whereas
      uncertainty assessment is based on the quantification of the specific
      uncertainties in terms of exceedance probabilities. Geostatistical space-time
      kriging (STK) is increasingly used to estimate pollutant concentrations in soils.
      Sequential indicator simulation (SIS) technique is popular in uncertainty
      assessment of heavy metal contamination of soils. However, these techniques
      cannot handle multi-temporal data. In this work, spatiotemporal sequential
      indicator simulation (STSIS) based on an additive space-time semivariogram model
      (STSIS_A) and on a non-separable space-time semivariogram model (STSIS_NS) was
      used to assimilate multi-temporal data in the mapping and uncertainty assessment
      of heavy metal distributions in contaminated soils. Cu concentrations in soils
      sampled during the period 2010-2014 in the Qingshan district (Wuhan City, Hubei
      Province, China) were used as the experimental data set. Based on a number of
      STSIS realizations, we assessed different kinds of mapping uncertainty, including
      single-location uncertainty during 1 year and during multiple years, multi
      location uncertainty during 1 year, and during multiple years. The comparison of
      the STSIS technique vs. SIS and STK techniques showed that STSIS performs better
      than both STK and SIS.

PMID- 26269105
TI  - A radon-thoron isotope pair as a reliable earthquake precursor.
AB  - Abnormal increases in radon ((222)Rn, half-life = 3.82 days) activity have
      occasionally been observed in underground environments before major earthquakes.
      However, (222)Rn alone could not be used to forecast earthquakes since it can
      also be increased due to diffusive inputs over its lifetime. Here, we show that a
      very short-lived isotope, thoron ((220)Rn, half-life = 55.6 s; mean life = 80 s),
      in a cave can record earthquake signals without interference from other
      environmental effects. We monitored (220)Rn together with (222)Rn in air of a
      limestone-cave in Korea for one year. Unusually large (220)Rn peaks were observed
      only in February 2011, preceding the 2011 M9.0 Tohoku-Oki Earthquake, Japan,
      while large (222)Rn peaks were observed in both February 2011 and the summer.
      Based on our analyses, we suggest that the anomalous peaks of (222)Rn and (220)Rn
      activities observed in February were precursory signals related to the Tohoku-Oki
      Earthquake. Thus, the (220)Rn-(222)Rn combined isotope pair method can present
      new opportunities for earthquake forecasting if the technique is extensively
      employed in earthquake monitoring networks around the world. 

PMID- 26269106
TI  - I May be a Dinosaur but I'm not Pre-historic.

PMID- 26269107
TI  - Humic acid as promising organic anodes for lithium/sodium ion batteries.
AB  - As a representative natural polymer with abundant functionalities, humic acid was
      creatively explored as an anode material for lithium ion batteries and sodium ion
      batteries with high storage capacities, and satisfactory cycling stabilities.
      Most impressively, this work provides a promising and effective strategy for
      developing organic energy storage devices from natural sources. 

PMID- 26269108
TI  - Pathways Forward in Cardiovascular Disease Prevention One and a Half Years After
      Publication of the 2013 ACC/AHA Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Guidelines.
AB  - The 2013 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association cardiovascular
      disease prevention guidelines represent an important step forward in the risk
      assessment and management of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in clinical
      practice. Differentiated risk prediction equations for women and black
      individuals were developed, and convenient 10-year and lifetime risk assessment
      tools were provided, facilitating their implementation. Lifestyle modification
      was portrayed as the foundation of preventive therapy. In addition, based on high
      quality evidence from randomized controlled trials, statins were prioritized as
      the first lipid-lowering pharmacologic treatment, and a shared decision-making
      model between the physician and the patient was emphasized as a key feature of
      personalized care. After publication of the guidelines, however, important
      limitations were also identified. This resulted in a constructive scientific
      debate yielding valuable insights into potential opportunities to refine
      recommendations, fill gaps in guidance, and better harmonize recommendations
      within and outside the United States. The latter point deserves emphasis because
      when guidelines are in disagreement, this may result in nonaction on the part of
      professional caregivers or nonadherence by patients. In this review, we discuss
      the key scientific literature relevant to the guidelines published in the year
      and a half after their release. We aim to provide cohesive, evidence-based views
      that may offer pathways forward in cardiovascular disease prevention toward
      greater consensus and benefit the practice of clinical medicine. 

PMID- 26269109
TI  - Influence of Temperature on the Formation of Silver Nanoparticles by using a Seed
      Free Photochemical Method under Sodium-Lamp Irradiation.
AB  - Silver nanoparticles can be prepared by using a seed-free photo-assisted citrate
      reduction method under the irradiation of a sodium lamp. Under the same
      irradiation intensity, bath temperatures are crucial in influencing the reaction
      rate, morphologies of final products, and shape evolution of the silver
      nanostructures. For example, when the bath temperature is 80  degrees C, the
      product yields of silver nanoplates, nanorods, and nanodecahedra are 38+/-6 %,
      35+/-10 %, and 12+/-8 %, respectively. However, when the bath temperature is 30 
      degrees C, the product yields of silver nanoplates, nanorods, and nanodecahedra
      are 6+/-3 %, 0 %, and 83+/-16 %, respectively. Time-dependent UV/Vis spectra and
      TEM images show that silver nanoplates were formed at the earlier reaction stage
      and greatly decreased in amount at the later stage when the bath temperatures are
      less than or equal to 40  degrees C. This indicates that the silver nanoplates,
      which can be regarded as intermediates, are kinetically favored products. They
      are not thermodynamically favored products at these relatively low bath
      temperatures. The SERS spectra of crystal violet (CV) show that all the silver
      colloids synthesized at various temperatures exhibit good enhancement factors and
      that the colloids prepared at lower bath temperatures have a higher enhancement
      factor. 

PMID- 26269110
TI  - Dry eye in vitamin D deficiency: more than an incidental association.
AB  - AIM: The aim of this article is two-fold: (i) to demonstrate the relation between
      vitamin D deficiency and dry eye and impaired tear function; and (ii) to
      investigate the possible associations among clinical parameters of
      hypovitaminosis D with dry eye parameters. METHOD: Fifty premenopausal women with
      vitamin D deficiency (serum vitamin D levels < 20 ng/mL) and 48 controls were
      included. Participants were assessed by Schirmer's test, tear break-up time test
      (TBUT), ocular surface disease index (OSDI), Stanford Health Assessment
      Questionnaire (HAQ), fatigue severity scale (FSS), and visual analogue scale-pain
      (VAS-pain). RESULTS: Lower scores in Schirmer's test and TBUT, and higher in OSDI
      were detected in patients with vitamin D deficiency than in controls (P < 0.05).
      FSS was negatively correlated with Schirmer's test (r = -0,29; P = 0.038) and
      TBUT scores (r = -0,43; P = 0.002); VAS-pain was negatively correlated with TBUT
      scores (r = -0.32; P = 0.023). HAQ scores showed no significant correlation with
      dry eye parameters (P > 0.05). Vitamin D level was negatively correlated with
      OSDI (r = -0.49; P < 0.001), and positively with Schirmer's test (r = 0.45; P =
      0.001) and TBUT scores (r = 0.30; P = 0.029). CONCLUSION: Dry eye and impaired
      tear function in patients with vitamin D deficiency may indicate a protective
      role of vitamin D in the development of dry eye, probably by enhancing tear film
      parameters and reducing ocular surface inflammation. Patients with vitamin D
      deficiency should be evaluated for dry eye syndromes.

PMID- 26269111
TI  - Transcriptome Analysis of Invasive Plants in Response to Mineral Toxicity of
      Reclaimed Coal-Mine Soil in the Appalachian Region.
AB  - Efficient postmining reclamation requires successful revegetation. By using RNA
      sequencing, we evaluated the growth response of two invasive plants, goutweed
      (Aegopodium podagraria L.) and mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris), grown in two
      Appalachian acid-mine soils (MS-I and -II, pH ~ 4.6). Although deficient in
      macronutrients, both soils contained high levels of plant-available Al, Fe and
      Mn. Both plant types showed toxicity tolerance, but metal accumulation differed
      by plant and site. With MS-I, Al accumulation was greater for mugwort than
      goutweed (385 +/- 47 vs 2151 +/- 251 MUg g-1). Al concentration was similar
      between mine sites, but its accumulation in mugwort was greater with MS-I than MS
      II, with no difference in accumulation by site for goutweed. An in situ approach
      revealed deregulation of multiple factors such as transporters, transcription
      factors, and metal chelators for metal uptake or exclusion. The two plant systems
      showed common gene expression patterns for different pathways. Both plant systems
      appeared to have few common heavy-metal pathway regulators addressing mineral
      toxicity/deficiency in both mine sites, which implies adaptability of invasive
      plants for efficient growth at mine sites with toxic waste. Functional genomics
      can be used to screen for plant adaptability, especially for reclamation and
      phytoremediation of contaminated soils and waters. 

PMID- 26269112
TI  - Preclinical evaluation of perifosine as a potential promising anti
      rhabdomyosarcoma agent.
AB  - Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a highly malignant and metastatic pediatric cancer that
      arises from the skeletal muscle. Recent studies have identified an important role
      of AKT signaling in RMS progression. In the current study, we investigated the
      activity of perifosine, an oral alkylphospholipid AKT inhibitor, against human
      RMS cells (RD and Rh-30 lines) both in vivo and in vitro, and studied the
      underlying mechanisms. We showed that perifosine significantly inhibited RMS cell
      growth in concentration- and time-dependent manners. Meanwhile, perifosine
      induced dramatic apoptosis in RMS cells. At the signaling level, perifosine
      blocked AKT activation, while inducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production
      as well as JNK and P38 phosphorylations in RMS cells. Restoring AKT activation by
      introducing a constitutively active-AKT (CA-AKT) only alleviated (not abolished)
      perifosine-induced cytotoxicity in RD cells. Yet, the ROS scavenger N-acetyl
      cysteine (NAC) as well as pharmacological inhibitors against JNK (SP-600125) or
      P38 (SB-203580) suppressed perifosine-induced cytotoxicity in RMS cells. Thus,
      perifosine induces growth inhibition and apoptosis in RMS cells through
      mechanisms more than just blocking AKT. In vivo, oral administration of
      perifosine significantly inhibited growth of Rh-30 xenografts in severe combined
      immunodeficient (SCID) mice. Our data indicate that perifosine might be further
      investigated as a promising anti-RMS agent. 

PMID- 26269113
TI  - TNIK serves as a novel biomarker associated with poor prognosis in patients with
      pancreatic cancer.
AB  - Traf-2 and Nck interacting kinase (TNIK) is one of the STE20/MAP4K family members
      implicated in carcinogenesis and progression of several human malignancies.
      However, its expression pattern and biological behavior in pancreatic carcinoma
      remains completely unclear. The present study is designed to investigate the
      clinical and prognostic value of TNIK in pancreatic carcinoma. TNIK mRNA and
      protein level was respectively detected by real-time quantitative RCR (qPCR) and
      Western blot in ten paired samples of pancreatic cancer. Immunohistochemical
      staining was also conducted to examine TNIK in the tissue microarray (TMA)
      consisting of 91 archived specimens of pancreatic cancer. The correlation between
      TNIK and prognosis was assessed by Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression. The
      mRNA and protein levels of TNIK in pancreatic cancer were both significantly
      higher than those in matched paratumor tissues. Immunohistochemistry analysis
      showed that TNIK was positively associated with pathologic T (P = 0.045) and TNM
      (P = 0.040) stage. In addition, The Kaplan-Meier survival curves indicated that
      patients with high expression of TNIK had a shorter overall survival (OS) and
      disease-free survival (DFS) than those with low expression. Our results
      demonstrated that TNIK might play a crucial role in pancreatic carcinogenesis and
      serve as a novel therapeutic target of pancreatic cancer. 

PMID- 26269114
TI  - Polymorphisms in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and AKT1 as possible
      predictors of clinical outcome in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer patients
      treated with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
AB  - This study aimed to investigate the association of epidermal growth factor
      receptor (EGFR) gene polymorphism and AKT1 polymorphism with the clinical
      outcomes in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with
      EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs). The clinical outcome and the
      survival of NSCLC of 230 patients after treatment with EGFR-TKIs were measured.
      The rs712829, rs1468727 of the EGFR gene and rs1130214 of the AKT1 gene from
      peripheral blood cell were detected by a multiplexed single nucleotide
      polymorphism (SNP) MassEXTEND assay. The relationship between genetic
      polymorphisms and clinical outcomes of treatment with EGFR-TKIs was analyzed. The
      response rates and the disease control rate of patients with genotype GG, GT, and
      TT in EGFR rs712829 were statistically very significant difference(19.7 vs 36.1
      vs 50.0 %, P = 0.016 and 57.7 vs 77.8 vs 83.3 %, P = 0.026, respectively). Better
      disease control was also achieved in patients with the GG genotype of AKT1
      rs1130214 than those with the GT and TT genotypes (65.6 vs. 48.7 %, P = 0.043).
      Patients carrying the EGFR rs712829 TT genotype had significantly longer PFS and
      OS than those with the GT or GG genotypes (9.0 vs. 7.0 vs. 5.0 months, P = 0.001
      and 13.1 vs. 14.6 vs. 18.8 months, P = 0.008, respectively). In addition,
      patients carrying the AKT1 rs1130214 GG genotype also had significantly longer
      PFS than those with the GT and TT genotypes (5.5 vs. 4.5 months, P = 0.008). EGFR
      rs712829 polymorphism and AKT1 rs1130214 could influence the response to EGFR
      TKIs therapy in patients with advanced NSCLC. 

PMID- 26269115
TI  - Five miRNAs considered as molecular targets for predicting neuroglioma.
AB  - Neuroglioma is a complex neuroglial tumor involving dysregulation of many
      biological pathways at multiple levels. Here, we aim to screen differentially
      expressed miRNAs (DEMs) as well as the functions and pathways of their target
      genes in neuroglioma. miRNA high-throughput sequencing data were downloaded from
      The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), and then the DEMs were subjected to perform
      principal component analysis (PCA) based on their expression values. Following
      that, Targetscan software was used to predict the target genes, and enrichment
      analysis and pathway annotation of these target genes were done by DAVID and
      KEGG, respectively. Finally, survival analysis between the DEMs and patients'
      survival time was done, and the miRNAs with prediction potential were obtained. A
      total of 33 DEMs were obtained, among which 25 miRNAs were upregulated including
      hsa-mir-675, hsa-mir-196a-1, and hsa-mir-196a-2, while eight miRNAs were
      downregulated including hsa-mir-1911, hsa-mir-1264, and hsa-mir-1298. Five miRNAs
      with diagnostic and preventive potentials were significantly correlated with
      survival time, including has-mir-155, has-mir-199b, has-mi-10a, has-mir-1274b,
      and has-mir-455. The target genes of miRNA identified in this study played
      important roles in tumor signaling pathways, and their detailed functions could
      be further studied so as to explore novel neuroglioma therapies. 

PMID- 26269116
TI  - CDX2 inhibits pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell proliferation via promoting tumor
      suppressor miR-615-5p.
AB  - CDX2 has recently been identified as a prognostic marker for pancreatic
      adenocarcinoma. However, the role and mechanism of CDX2 in progression of
      pancreatic adenocarcinoma are still elusive. In this study, we observed that CDX2
      expression was much lower in mouse pancreatic adenocarcinoma tissues and
      pancreatic cancer cells. A network integrated by ChIPBase platform hinted that
      miR-615-5p, a most newly discovered tumor suppressor, was probably bound by CDX2
      in the promoter region. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-qPCR assay showed
      that CDX2 exhibited a high capacity of binding to miR-615-5p promoter region
      compared to the negative control. Real-time PCR and western blotting analyses
      revealed that CDX2 overexpression caused inflation of miR-615-5p and depression
      of insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2), a direct target of miR-615-5p. 3-(4,5
      Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and EdU approaches
      showed that CDX2 overexpression markedly suppressed pancreatic adenocarcinoma
      cell proliferation. CDX2 small interfering RNA (siRNA) transfection showed an
      opposite effect on gene expression and cell proliferation to that of CDX2
      overexpression. Collectively, CDX2 inhibited pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell
      proliferation via promoting tumor suppressor miR-615-5p. Our findings suggested a
      potential molecular target for pancreatic adenocarcinoma therapy. 

PMID- 26269117
TI  - Ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) participates in the regulation of ionizing
      radiation-induced cell death via MAPK14 in lung cancer H1299 cells.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The role of Ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) in response to DNA
      damage has previously been studied, but its underlying mechanisms specific to
      ionizing radiation (IR) have remained to be elucidated. In this study, function
      of ATM on radiation-induced cell death in lung cancer H1299 cells was analysed.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human lung cancer cells, H1299, were used, and cell models
      with ATM(-/-) and MAPK14(-/-) were established by genetic engineering.
      Radiosensitivity was analysed using colony formation assays. Western blotting and
      co-immunoprecipitation were implemented to detect protein expression and
      interaction. MDC staining and GFP-LC3 relocalization were used to detect
      autophagy. RESULTS: Autophagy as well as phosphorylation of ATM was activated by
      ionizing radiation. Both the inhibitor of ATM, KU55933 and ATM silencing reduced
      phosphorylation of ATM and MAPKAPK2 expression. Both ATM(-/-) and MAPK14(-/-)
      cells displayed hypersensitivity. IR increased autophagy level by more than 129%
      in DMSO-treated cells, while only by 47% and 27% in KU55933-treated and ATM(-/-)
      cells respectively. MAPK14 knock-down alone gave rise to the basal autophagy
      level, but decreased notably after IR. KU55933 and ATM knock-down inhibited IR
      induced autophagy by activating mTOR pathways. Both Beclin1-PI3KIII and Beclin1
      MAPKAPK2 interactions as were remarkably affected by silencing either ATM or
      MAPK14. CONCLUSIONS: ATM promoted IR-induced autophagy via the MAPK14 pathway,
      mTOR pathway and Beclin1/PI3KIII complexes. MAPK14 contributed to
      radiosensitization of H1299 cells.

PMID- 26269118
TI  - Comparison of serious adverse events posted at ClinicalTrials.gov and published
      in corresponding journal articles.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The reporting of serious adverse events (SAEs) in clinical trials is
      crucial to assess the balance between benefits and risks. For trials with serious
      adverse events posted at ClinicalTrials.gov, we assessed the consistency between
      SAEs posted at ClinicalTrials.gov and those published in corresponding journal
      articles. METHODS: All records from ClinicalTrials.gov up to February 2014 were
      automatically exported in XML format. Among these, we identified all phase III or
      IV randomized controlled trials with at least one SAE posted. For a random sample
      of 300 of these trials, we searched for corresponding publications using MEDLINE
      via PubMed and extracted safety results from the articles. RESULTS: Among the
      sample of 300 trials with SAEs posted at ClinicalTrials.gov, 78 (26%) did not
      have a corresponding publication, and 20 (7%) had a publication that did not
      match the ClinicalTrials.gov record. For the 202 remaining trials, 26 published
      articles (13%) did not mention SAEs, 4 (2%) reported no SAEs, and 33 (16%) did
      not report the total number of SAEs per treatment group. Among the remaining 139
      trials, for 44 (32%), the number of SAEs per group published did not match those
      posted at ClinicalTrials.gov. For 31 trials, the number of SAEs was greater at
      ClinicalTrials.gov than in the published article, with a difference >=30 % for at
      least one group for 21. Only 33 trials (11%) had a publication reporting matching
      numbers of SAE and describing the type of SAE. CONCLUSIONS: Many trials with SAEs
      posted at ClinicalTrials.gov are not yet published, omit the reporting of these
      SAEs in corresponding publications, or report a discrepant number of SAEs as
      compared with ClinicalTrials.gov. These results underline the need to consult
      ClinicalTrials.gov for more information on serious harms.

PMID- 26269119
TI  - Natural variants of ELF3 affect thermomorphogenesis by transcriptionally
      modulating PIF4-dependent auxin response genes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Perception and transduction of temperature changes result in altered
      growth enabling plants to adapt to increased ambient temperature. While
      PHYTOCHROME-INTERACTING FACTOR4 (PIF4) has been identified as a major ambient
      temperature signaling hub, its upstream regulation seems complex and is poorly
      understood. Here, we exploited natural variation for thermo-responsive growth in
      Arabidopsis thaliana using quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis. RESULTS: We
      identified GIRAFFE2.1, a major QTL explaining ~18 % of the phenotypic variation
      for temperature-induced hypocotyl elongation in the Bay-0 x Sha recombinant
      inbred line population. Transgenic complementation demonstrated that allelic
      variation in the circadian clock regulator EARLY FLOWERING3 (ELF3) is underlying
      this QTL. The source of variation could be allocated to a single nucleotide
      polymorphism in the ELF3 coding region, resulting in differential expression of
      PIF4 and its target genes, likely causing the observed natural variation in
      thermo-responsive growth. CONCLUSIONS: In combination with other recent studies,
      this work establishes the role of ELF3 in the ambient temperature signaling
      network. Natural variation of ELF3-mediated gating of PIF4 expression during
      nightly growing periods seems to be affected by a coding sequence quantitative
      trait nucleotide that confers a selective advantage in certain environments. In
      addition, natural ELF3 alleles seem to differentially integrate temperature and
      photoperiod information to induce architectural changes. Thus, ELF3 emerges as an
      essential coordinator of growth and development in response to diverse
      environmental cues and implicates ELF3 as an important target of adaptation.

PMID- 26269120
TI  - Reduction of Airborne Bacterial Burden in the OR by Installation of
      Unidirectional Displacement Airflow (UDF) Systems.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Intraoperative bacterial contamination is a major risk factor for
      postoperative wound infections. This study investigated the influence of type of
      ventilation system on intraoperative airborne bacterial burden before and after
      installation of unidirectional displacement air flow systems. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: We microbiologically monitored 1286 surgeries performed by a single
      surgical team that moved from operating rooms (ORs) equipped with turbulent
      mixing ventilation (TMV, according to standard DIN-1946-4 [1999], ORs 1, 2, and
      3) to ORs with unidirectional displacement airflow (UDF, according to standard
      DIN-1946-4, annex D [2008], ORs 7 and 8). The airborne bacteria were collected
      intraoperatively with sedimentation plates. After incubation for 48 h, we
      analyzed the average number of bacteria per h, peak values, and correlation to
      surgery duration. In addition, we compared the last 138 surgeries in ORs 1-3 with
      the first 138 surgeries in ORs 7 and 8. RESULTS: Intraoperative airborne
      bacterial burden was 5.4 CFU/h, 5.5 CFU/h, and 6.1 CFU/h in ORs 1, 2, and 3,
      respectively. Peak values of burden were 10.7 CFU/h, 11.1 CFU/h, and 11.0 CFU/h
      in ORs 1, 2, and 3, respectively). With the UDF system, the intraoperative
      airborne bacterial burden was reduced to 0.21 CFU/h (OR 7) and 0.35 CFU/h (OR 8)
      on average (p<0.01). Accordingly, peak values decreased to 0.9 CFU/h and 1.0
      CFU/h in ORs 7 and 8, respectively (p<0.01). Airborne bacterial burden increased
      linearly with surgery duration in ORs 1-3, but the UDF system in ORs 7 and 8 kept
      bacterial levels constantly low (<3 CFU/h). A comparison of the last 138
      surgeries before with the first 138 surgeries after changing ORs revealed a 94%
      reduction in average airborne bacterial burden (5 CFU/h vs. 0.29 CFU/h, p<0.01).
      CONCLUSIONS: The unidirectional displacement airflow, which fulfills the
      requirements of standard DIN-1946-4 annex D of 2008, is an effective ventilation
      system that reduces airborne bacterial burden under real clinical conditions by
      more than 90%. Although decreased postoperative wound infection incidence was not
      specifically assessed, it is clear that airborne microbiological burden
      contributes to surgical infections.

PMID- 26269121
TI  - Acral keratoses and leucocytoclastic vasculitis occurring during treatment of
      essential thrombocythaemia with hydroxyurea.
AB  - Hydroxyurea is used in essential thrombocythaemia to lower thromboembolic risk.
      Cutaneous adverse effects from hydroxyurea are diverse. Small vessel vasculitis
      has been rarely reported, and the coexistence of several different morphologies
      has not been described. We report a case of acral keratoses, psoriasiform plaques
      and leucocytoclastic vasculitis (LCV) in a patient with essential
      thrombocythaemia. A 69-year-old woman developed a confusing array of skin lesions
      including keratotic papules, psoriasiform plaques and keratoderma 4 years after
      commencing hydroxyurea therapy. The initial diagnosis was hand and foot
      psoriasis, but lesions were resistant to therapy. With an increase in the dose of
      hydroxyurea, the lesions ulcerated. Skin biopsies taken from different sites
      indicated different diagnoses, including LCV. Discontinuation of hydroxyurea
      yielded rapid improvement. Although the most commonly reported cutaneous adverse
      effect from hydroxyurea is leg ulceration, this can be preceded or accompanied by
      less dramatic skin lesions. Unless recognized, delayed diagnosis and lesion
      progression can occur.

PMID- 26269123
TI  - Pregnane X receptor expression in skin: the good and the bad.

PMID- 26269122
TI  - Psychometric Properties of Self-Care Requisites Scale (SCRS-h) in Hospitalized
      Patients Diagnosed With Schizophrenia.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to adapt the community version of the Self
      Care Requisites Scale so as to be able to use it in a hospital context and to
      validate the new version in patients with schizophrenia. DESIGN AND METHODS: An
      initial phase was conducted to develop the questionnaire by means of a panel of
      experts. The validation of the psychometric properties was conducted using a
      sample of 264 patients. FINDINGS: The new version showed good internal
      consistency and stability over time. The confirmatory factor analysis showed that
      the theoretical model fit the self-care requisites proposed in Orem's nursing
      theory from which it was drawn. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The new version is a valid
      and reliable instrument for use in clinical practice.

PMID- 26269124
TI  - Fatal co-infection with leptospirosis and dengue in a Sri Lankan male.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Leptospirosis and dengue are endemic in countries with subtropical or
      tropical climates and have epidemic potential. The incidence of both these
      diseases peaks during monsoons and both diseases present with similar clinical
      manifestations making differentiation of leptospirosis from dengue difficult. It
      is important to distinguish leptospirosis from dengue as early antibiotic therapy
      in leptospirosis leads to a favourable outcome, while dengue has no specific
      treatment, yet early recognition is vital for close monitoring and careful fluid
      management. Despite the high prevalence of both these infections, co-infection of
      leptospirosis and dengue has not been reported previously in Sri Lanka. We
      present the first case of co-infection with leptospirosis and dengue in a Sri
      Lankan male. CASE PRESENTATION: A 52 year old previously healthy Sri Lankan male
      was admitted to our facility with a history of fever for 4 days associated with
      headache, generalized myalgia, reduced urine output. On examination, he was
      rational, hypotensive, tacycardic, tacypneic and he did not have clinical
      evidence of fluid leakage or pneumonitis. His serology showed high titre of
      dengue IgG and IgM and rising titre of leptospirosis antibody. His course of
      illness was complicated with septic shock, acute renal failure, acute respiratory
      distress syndrome and disseminated intravascular coagulation and he succumbed to
      his illness on the eighth day of admission. CONCLUSION: In areas where both
      leptospirosis and dengue are endemic, both infections should be include in the
      differential diagnosis when evaluating patients with acute febrile illness and
      should consider the possibility of co-infection. Leptospirosis, being a condition
      having definitive antibiotic therapy, should always be ruled out even if the
      patient is positive for dengue serology in regions endemic to both these diseases
      as early initiation of antibiotic therapy can reduce mortality significantly.

PMID- 26269125
TI  - The effect of succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor/azole mixtures on selection of
      Zymoseptoria tritici isolates with reduced sensitivity.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Combining fungicides with different modes of action is regarded as
      one of the most effective means of slowing the selection of resistance. Field
      trials were used to study the effects of such mixtures on selection for
      Zymoseptoria tritici with reduced sensitivity to the succinate dehydrogenase
      inhibitors (SDHIs) and azole fungicides. The SDHI isopyrazam and the azole
      epoxiconazole were applied individually as solo products, and together in a
      preformulated mixture. All fungicide treatments were included at both full and
      half the recommended doses. RESULTS: Compared with using epoxiconazole alone,
      mixing epoxiconazole with isopyrazam led to an increase in epoxiconazole
      sensitive isolates. In contrast, all treatments containing isopyrazam reduced the
      sensitivity of Z. tritici to isopyrazam compared with those without. Reducing
      doses to half the recommended rate had no effect on sensitivity of isolates to
      either active ingredient. In a subgroup of isolates least sensitive to
      isopyrazam, non-synonymous mutations were found in the SdhC and SdhD subunits,
      but their presence was unrelated to sensitivity. CONCLUSION: Mixing an azole and
      SDHI was clearly beneficial for the azole, but not for the SDHI component. This
      dynamic might change if strains conferring reduced sensitivity to the SDHIs were
      to arise. (c) 2015 Society of Chemical Industry.

PMID- 26269127
TI  - Corrigendum.

PMID- 26269126
TI  - Somatic drivers of B-ALL in a model of ETV6-RUNX1; Pax5(+/-) leukemia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) is amongst the
      leading causes of childhood cancer-related mortality. Its most common chromosomal
      aberration is the ETV6-RUNX1 fusion gene, with ~25% of ETV6-RUNX1 patients also
      carrying PAX5 alterations. METHODS: We have recreated this mutation background by
      inter-crossing Etv6-RUNX1 (Etv6 (RUNX1-SB)) and Pax5(+/-) mice and performed an
      in vivo analysis to find driver genes using Sleeping Beauty transposon-mediated
      mutagenesis and also exome sequencing. RESULTS: Combination of Etv6-RUNX1 and
      Pax5(+/-) alleles generated a transplantable B220 + CD19+ B-ALL with a
      significant disease incidence. RNA-seq analysis showed a gene expression pattern
      consistent with arrest at the pre-B stage. Analysis of the transposon common
      insertion sites identified genes involved in B-cell development (Zfp423) and the
      JAK/STAT signaling pathway (Jak1, Stat5 and Il2rb), while exome sequencing
      revealed somatic hotspot mutations in Jak1 and Jak3 at residues analogous to
      those mutated in human leukemias, and also mutation of Trp53. CONCLUSIONS:
      Powerful synergies exists in our model suggesting STAT pathway activation and
      mutation of Trp53 are potent drivers of B-ALL in the context of Etv6
      RUNX1;Pax5(+/-).

PMID- 26269128
TI  - The Regulation and Function of Lactate Dehydrogenase A: Therapeutic Potential in
      Brain Tumor.
AB  - There are over 120 types of brain tumor and approximately 45% of primary brain
      tumors are gliomas, of which glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and
      aggressive with a median survival rate of 14 months. Despite progress in our
      knowledge, current therapies are unable to effectively combat primary brain
      tumors and patient survival remains poor. Tumor metabolism is important to
      consider in therapeutic approaches and is the focus of numerous research
      investigations. Lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) is a cytosolic enzyme,
      predominantly involved in anaerobic and aerobic glycolysis (the Warburg effect);
      however, it has multiple additional functions in non-neoplastic and neoplastic
      tissues, which are not commonly known or discussed. This review summarizes what
      is currently known about the function of LDHA and identifies areas that would
      benefit from further exploration. The current knowledge of the role of LDHA in
      the brain and its potential as a therapeutic target for brain tumors will also be
      highlighted. The Warburg effect appears to be universal in tumors, including
      primary brain tumors, and LDHA (because of its involvement with this process) has
      been identified as a potential therapeutic target. Currently, there are, however,
      no suitable LDHA inhibitors available for tumor therapies in the clinic. 

PMID- 26269129
TI  - The prevalence and outcomes of pT0 disease after neoadjuvant hormonal therapy and
      radical prostatectomy in high-risk prostate cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To identify the prevalence and clinical outcomes of pT0 disease
      following neoadjuvant hormonal therapy (NHT) and radical prostatectomy (RP) in
      high-risk prostate cancer. METHODS: We retrospectively included 111 patients who
      had received NHT and RP for the treatment of high-risk prostate cancer. We
      classified the patients into two groups, the pT0 group and the non-pT0 group,
      depending on whether a residual tumor was observed. RESULTS: We identified 6
      cases (5.4%) with pT0 disease after reviewing the slides of all patients. There
      was no recurrence of disease in the pT0 group during a median follow-up of 59
      months. Among the 105 patients in the non-pT0 group, biochemical recurrence (BCR)
      developed in 60 patients (57.1%), with the median time to BCR being 14 months.
      CONCLUSIONS: Among the 111 patients with high-risk prostate cancer, we found 6
      cases that showed a complete pathological response after NHT and no recurrence of
      disease during the follow-up, meaning that the androgen deprivation therapy could
      potentially eradicate high-risk prostate cancer. This is one of the largest
      studies demonstrating the prevalence of pT0 disease and its outcomes after NHT
      among patients with high-risk prostate cancer.

PMID- 26269130
TI  - Screening and Follow-Up Monitoring for Substance Use in Primary Care: An
      Exploration of Rural-Urban Variations.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Rates of substance use in rural areas are close to those of urban
      areas. While recent efforts have emphasized integrated care as a promising model
      for addressing workforce shortages in providing behavioral health services to
      those living in medically underserved regions, little is known on how substance
      use problems are addressed in rural primary care settings. OBJECTIVE: To examine
      rural-urban variations in screening and monitoring primary care- based patients
      for substance use problems in a state-wide mental health integration program.
      DESIGN: This was an observational study using patient registry. SUBJECTS: The
      study included adult enrollees (n = 15,843) with a mental disorder from 133
      participating community health clinics. MAIN OUTCOMES: We measured whether a
      standardized substance use instrument was used to screen patients at treatment
      entry and to monitor symptoms at follow-up visits. KEY RESULTS: While on average
      73.6 % of patients were screened for substance use, follow-up on substance use
      problems after initial screening was low (41.4 %); clinics in small/isolated
      rural settings appeared to be the lowest (13.6 %). Patients who were treated for
      a mental disorder or substance abuse in the past and who showed greater
      psychiatric complexities were more likely to receive a screening, whereas
      patients of small, isolated rural clinics and those traveling longer distances to
      the care facility were least likely to receive follow-up monitoring for their
      substance use problems. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the prevalent substance misuse among
      patients with mental disorders, opportunities to screen this high-risk population
      for substance use and provide a timely follow-up for those identified as at risk
      remained overlooked in both rural and urban areas. Rural residents continue to
      bear a disproportionate burden of substance use problems, with rural-urban
      disparities found to be most salient in providing the continuum of services for
      patients with substance use problems in primary care.

PMID- 26269132
TI  - Live birth rates after IVF are lower with frozen donor eggs, study shows.

PMID- 26269131
TI  - Patients' Satisfaction with and Preference for Telehealth Visits.
AB  - BACKGROUND: One-quarter of U.S. patients do not have a primary care provider or
      do not have complete access to one. Work and personal responsibilities also
      compete with finding convenient, accessible care. Telehealth services facilitate
      patients' access to care, but whether patients are satisfied with telehealth is
      unclear. OBJECTIVE: We assessed patients' satisfaction with and preference for
      telehealth visits in a telehealth program at CVS MinuteClinics. DESIGN: Cross
      sectional patient satisfaction survey. PARTICIPANTS: Patients were aged >=18
      years, presented at a MinuteClinic offering telehealth in January-September 2014,
      had symptoms suitable for telehealth consultation, and agreed to a telehealth
      visit when the on-site practitioner was busy. MAIN MEASURES: Patients reported
      their age, gender, and whether they had health insurance and/or a primary care
      provider. Patients rated their satisfaction with seeing diagnostic images,
      hearing and seeing the remote practitioner, the assisting on-site nurse's
      capability, quality of care, convenience, and overall understanding. Patients
      ranked telehealth visits compared to traditional ones: better (defined as
      preferring telehealth), just as good (defined as liking telehealth), or worse.
      Predictors of preferring or liking telehealth were assessed via multivariate
      logistic regression. KEY RESULTS: In total, 1734 (54 %) of 3303 patients
      completed the survey: 70 % were women, and 41 % had no usual place of care.
      Between 94 and 99 % reported being "very satisfied" with all telehealth
      attributes. One-third preferred a telehealth visit to a traditional in-person
      visit. An additional 57 % liked telehealth. Lack of medical insurance increased
      the odds of preferring telehealth (OR = 0.83, 95 % CI, 0.72-0.97). Predictors of
      liking telehealth were female gender (OR = 1.68, 1.04-2.72) and being very
      satisfied with their overall understanding of telehealth (OR = 2.76, 1.84-4.15),
      quality of care received (OR = 2.34, 1.42-3.87), and telehealth's convenience (OR
      = 2.87, 1.09-7.94) CONCLUSIONS: Patients reported high satisfaction with their
      telehealth experience. Convenience and perceived quality of care were important
      to patients, suggesting that telehealth may facilitate access to care.

PMID- 26269133
TI  - Mapping molecules in scanning far-field fluorescence nanoscopy.
AB  - In fluorescence microscopy, the distribution of the emitting molecule number in
      space is usually obtained by dividing the measured fluorescence by that of a
      single emitter. However, the brightness of individual emitters may vary strongly
      in the sample or be inaccessible. Moreover, with increasing (super-) resolution,
      fewer molecules are found per pixel, making this approach unreliable. Here we map
      the distribution of molecules by exploiting the fact that a single molecule emits
      only a single photon at a time. Thus, by analysing the simultaneous arrival of
      multiple photons during confocal imaging, we can establish the number and local
      brightness of typically up to 20 molecules per confocal (diffraction sized)
      recording volume. Subsequent recording by stimulated emission depletion
      microscopy provides the distribution of the number of molecules with
      subdiffraction resolution. The method is applied to mapping the three-dimensional
      nanoscale organization of internalized transferrin receptors on human HEK293
      cells. 

PMID- 26269134
TI  - Correlates of Sun Safety Practices in a Racially and Ethnically Diverse Sample of
      Adolescents: Implications for Skin Cancer Prevention Interventions.
AB  - To guide skin cancer preventive interventions, this study examined correlates of
      sun safety behaviors in a racially and ethnically diverse sample of 407
      adolescents completing a self-report survey at the time of their pediatric
      wellness visit. Adolescents regularly practiced few sun safety behaviors, and
      greater interest in cancer prevention was associated with more sun safety
      behaviors, ever smoking cigarettes was associated with fewer sun safety
      behaviors, and nonwhite minority adolescents practiced fewer sun safety behaviors
      than non-Hispanic whites. Clinical preventive interventions to increase sun
      safety practices among adolescents of all racial and ethnic backgrounds could be
      integrated into general cancer prevention education, including combining skin
      cancer prevention with antismoking counseling. 

PMID- 26269135
TI  - Association between lower frequency of R381Q variant (rs11209026) in IL-23
      receptor gene and increased risk of recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA).
AB  - Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) is defined as three or more consecutive
      spontaneous abortions before the 20th week of gestation. The purpose of the
      present study was to investigate the association between a functional single
      nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the interleukin (IL)-23 receptor gene (IL-23R;
      rs11209026, 1142 G wild type -> A reduced function, Arg381Gln, R381Q) and RSA.
      For the study, 200 RSA patients (confirmed using established diagnostic criteria)
      and 200 normal individuals in fertility and infertility centers in the cities of
      Yazd and Isfahan were recruited during a period from 2012-2013. Using PCR-RFLP,
      the R381Q variant was screened for in the IL-23R gene of the patients and
      controls. The results indicated there were significant differences in the
      frequency of this genetic variant in the patients versus the healthy controls,
      i.e. 2% and 7.5%, respectively (p value = 0.01; odds ratio = 0.25; CI = 95%). No
      significant difference was found for the G allelic frequency in patients with RSA
      and in the control group (p = 0.60). The A allelic frequency was significantly
      different between the two groups (p = 0.01). Based on these findings, it is
      concluded that the frequency of single nucleotide polymorphism in the IL-23
      receptor (R381Q) in patients with recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) is less
      than that found in normal control women.

PMID- 26269136
TI  - Immune function in cyclophosphamide-treated mice is restored by the T-cell-tropic
      isoxazole derivative R-13.
AB  - Reconstitution of the immune function in chemotherapy patients will lead to
      decreases in post-operative complications. A preliminary investigation showed
      that an isoxazole derivative R-13 (3,5-dimethyl-isoxazole[5,4-e]8H-triazepin-4
      one) hydrochloride, given in a single oral dose to normal mice, induced
      significant increases in the content of CD4(+) cells in the spleens and lymph
      nodes. That observation prompted the authors to assess the immune reconstituting
      effects of R-13 in mice pre-treated with cyclophosphamide (CP). Mice were given
      intraperitoneally (IP) a sublethal dose of CP (200 mg/kg) and then R-13 (as 20 ug
      IP doses, every 3 days post-CP treatment). Control mice, not treated with CP,
      received R-13 or the vehicle (DMSO in appropriate dilution). Blood leukocyte and
      splenocyte numbers, blood cell type levels, splenocyte spontaneous and ConA
      induced proliferation, and delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) to ovalbumin (OVA)
      were investigated on day 15 post-CP treatment and five R-13 doses. The humoral
      immune response (antibody-forming cell development to sheep erythrocytes) was
      measured 30 days post-CP treatment and 10 R-13 doses. In CP-treated mice, five
      dosings with R-13 led to increases in numbers of splenocytes and blood
      leukocytes, as well as in spontaneous and ConA-induced splenocyte proliferation,
      relative to levels in mice that received only CP 15 days earlier. Blood analysis
      revealed decreases in neutrophil and eosinophil contents and an increased
      appearance of lymphocyte immature forms in all mice that received the R-13. Both
      cell-mediated responses to OVA and humoral immune response to sheep erythrocytes
      in CP-treated hosts were restored. Based on the data here, it is concluded that R
      13 may be of potential value for reconstitution of the immune function of
      chemotherapy patients.

PMID- 26269137
TI  - Improving Objective Measurement in Nursing Research: Rasch Model Analysis and
      Diagnostics of the Nursing Students' Clinical Stress Scale.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to use Rasch model
      diagnostics and analysis to understand survey item (questions) functioning of the
      Nursing Students' Clinical Stress Scale, a rating scale instrument developed by
      Whang (2002). METHODS: A rating scale instrument originally written in Korean was
      translated into English and administered to a convenience sample of all junior
      (46) and senior (64) students at a large Midwest university. RESULTS AND
      CONCLUSIONS: Rasch model analysis provided the empirical evidence to support that
      the survey items measured the latent variable, stress. Diagnostic results
      indicated the need for improved category labeling. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: It is
      imperative that nursing educators evaluate and facilitate inter- and
      intraprofessional relationships between students and staff/faculty as well as
      understand the student experience.

PMID- 26269138
TI  - Validity of the French Version of the Reynolds Empathy Scale Among Intensive Care
      Nurses.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Empathy is an important part of the nurse-patient
      relationship. The aim was to validate the French version of the Reynolds Empathy
      Scale (F-RES) for assessing empathy in nurses during standardized clinical
      simulations (SCS). METHODS: A series of steps recommended for the translation and
      validation of an instrument was carried out. Then the F-RES was used to assess
      empathy during SCS sessions with 26 nurses. RESULTS: The results showed good
      internal consistency and inter-rater reliability of the F-RES. The expert panel
      was satisfied with the content and face validity of the instrument. Convergent
      validity was confirmed using the French version of the Jefferson Scale of Patient
      Perceptions of Physician Empathy. CONCLUSIONS: The F-RES has good psychometric
      qualities and potential for future research in French populations.

PMID- 26269139
TI  - Psychometric Testing of the Autonomy and Relatedness Inventory-Spanish Version.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The Hispanic population is the fastest growing ethnic
      group in the United States. There is a lack of validated health-related tools
      culturally and linguistically appropriate. The purpose of this study was to
      evaluate the psychometric properties of the Autonomy and Relatedness Inventory
      Spanish version (ARI-S). METHODS: We recruited a convenience sample of 100
      pregnant Hispanic women. RESULTS: Cronbach's alpha for the ARI-S total scale was
      .92. Factor analysis yielded a similar factor structure as reported with the ARI
      English version. As hypothesized, the ARI-S was inversely correlated with
      depressive symptoms and positively correlated with social support. CONCLUSIONS:
      ARI-S provides a psychometrically sound method for measuring the quality of
      intimate relationships. This is particularly important considering the limited
      inclusion of Hispanic women in current research.

PMID- 26269140
TI  - Teaching Behavior Inventory at the College of Nursing, Qassim University, Kingdom
      of Saudi Arabia: A Comparative Survey.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Teaching is one of the most complicated jobs today.
      Students and teachers may have different views depending on their background,
      styles, goals, and needs. This study aims to determine and compare the inventory
      of teaching behavior as rated by students and teachers. METHODS: A questionnaire
      formulated by Murray (1983) and modified by the researchers was administered to
      56 students and 12 teachers at the College of Nursing of Qassim University. The
      response rate was 85.3%. RESULTS: Differences in ranking were not significant on
      enthusiasm, pacing, interaction, rapport, and clarity. High statistical
      significance was found in organization and speech. A remarkable difference in
      ranking was obtained in disclosure. CONCLUSIONS: Various factors are associated
      with the students' and faculty's views of effective teaching behaviors.

PMID- 26269141
TI  - Characterizing the Long-Term PM2.5 Concentration-Response Function: Comparing the
      Strengths and Weaknesses of Research Synthesis Approaches.
AB  - The magnitude, shape, and degree of certainty in the association between long
      term population exposure to ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5 ) and the risk
      of premature death is one of the most intensely studied issues in environmental
      health. For regulatory risk analysis, this relationship is described
      quantitatively by a concentration-response (C-R) function that relates exposure
      to ambient concentrations with the risk of premature mortality. Four data
      synthesis techniques develop the basis for, and derive, this function: systematic
      review, expert judgment elicitation, quantitative meta-analysis, and integrated
      exposure-response (IER) assessment. As part of an academic workshop aiming to
      guide the use of research synthesis approaches, we developed criteria with which
      to evaluate and select among the approaches for their ability to inform policy
      choices. These criteria include the quality and extent of scientific support for
      the method, its transparency and verifiability, its suitability to the policy
      problem, and the time and resources required for its application. We find that
      these research methods are both complementary and interdependent. A systematic
      review of the multidisciplinary evidence is a starting point for all methods,
      providing the broad conceptual basis for the nature, plausibility, and strength
      of the associations between PM exposure and adverse health effects. Further, for
      a data-rich application like PM2.5 and premature mortality, all three
      quantitative approaches can produce estimates that are suitable for regulatory
      and benefit analysis. However, when fewer data are available, more resource
      intensive approaches such as expert elicitation may be more important for
      understanding what scientists know, where they agree or disagree, and what they
      believe to be the most important areas of uncertainty. Whether implicitly or
      explicitly, all require considerable judgment by scientists. Finding ways for all
      these methods to acknowledge, appropriately elicit, and examine the implications
      of that judgment would be an important step forward for research synthesis. 

PMID- 26269142
TI  - Is Helicobacter pylori infection a critical risk factor for vascular dementia?
AB  - PURPOSE: The association of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection and Alzheimer's
      disease has widely been addressed, but no relative data exist regarding vascular
      dementia (VD). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between
      Hp infection and VD. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From January 2014 to March 2015,
      patients at Tai'an City Central Hospital who were diagnosed with VD were
      included. Patients were divided into Hp positive and Hp negative group using the
      (13)C-urea breath test ((13)C-UBT). Three inflammatory cytokines including
      interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor
      alpha (TNF-alpha) were detected. RESULTS: A total of 173 VD patients were
      included in the study. According to (13)C-UBT, 104 patients (60.1%) were Hp
      positive VD patients and 69 patients (39.9%) were Hp negative patients. No
      differences were found between Hp positive and Hp negative patients as regard to
      age, gender, body mass index, education level, hypertension, diabetes mellitus
      and hyperlipidemia (p > 0.05). Hp positive patients demonstrated significantly
      lower mean mini-mental state examination and Montreal cognitive assessment scores
      (p < 0.05) and higher plasma levels of IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha than Hp
      negative patients (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Hp infection might contribute, at
      least in part, to the cognitive decline in patients with VD, and play a critical
      role possibly through increasing expression of IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha.

PMID- 26269143
TI  - Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness Changes in Migraine: A Meta-Analysis of Case
      Control Studies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The neurovascular dysfunction appears to be related to the
      development of migraines and it could be possible that hypoperfusion might also
      involve other areas besides brain, including the retina. Numerous studies have
      analyzed the ability of optical coherence tomography (OCT) to detect retinal
      nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness abnormalities and changes in migraine, but the
      results have not always been consistent. Therefore, we carried out a meta
      analysis to evaluate the RNFL thickness measured with OCT in migraine. METHODS:
      Case-control studies were selected through an electronic search of the Cochrane
      Controlled Trials Register, PUBMED and EMBASE. For the continuous outcomes, we
      calculated the weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI).
      The statistical analysis was performed by RevMan 5.0 software. RESULTS: Six case
      control studies were included in the present meta-analysis, containing a total of
      432 eyes in migraine patients and 288 eyes in healthy controls. The results of
      our study showed that there was a significant reduction in average RNFL thickness
      in patients with migraine compared to healthy controls (WMD = -3.67, 95% CI: 
      6.84 to -0.49, p = 0.02). Additionally, differences of RNFL thickness in superior
      quadrant (WMD = -9.23, 95% CI: -15.63 to -2.82, p = 0.005), inferior quadrant
      (WMD = -3.47, 95% CI: -6.73 to -0.22, p = 0.04), nasal quadrant (WMD = -3.86, 95%
      CI: -7.10 to -0.61, p = 0.02) and temporal quadrant (WMD = -3.10, 95% CI: -5.05
      to -1.15, p = 0.002) were all significant between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS:
      Our meta-analysis found that RNFL thickness in the migraine patients was thinner
      than that in the healthy control group. Given the limited sample size, further
      investigations are needed to validate these findings.

PMID- 26269144
TI  - The Janus-Faced Role of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Signaling in the Skin:
      Consequences for Prevention and Treatment of Skin Disorders.
AB  - The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor
      expressed in all skin cell types, which is critically involved in the
      pathogenesis of a variety of skin diseases and thus represents a potential
      therapeutic target. Recent studies indicate that blocking AHR activation is
      desirable in some skin conditions, whereas the opposite, i.e., stimulation of AHR
      activation, is beneficial in another group of skin disorders. We here propose a
      model based on qualitative differences in canonical versus non-canonical AHR
      signaling to reconcile these seemingly contradictory observations. 

PMID- 26269145
TI  - Activity of Porophyllum ruderale leaf extract and 670-nm InGaP laser during burns
      repair in rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In this study, we investigated the effects of an extract of the
      leaves of Porophyllum ruderale and laser irradiation on the healing of burns.
      METHODS: Seventy-two rats were divided in four groups: untreated controls,
      treated with laser irradiation, treated with P. ruderale and treated with both P.
      ruderale and laser irradiation. Burns were produced with a metal plate on the
      backs of the animals. Wound samples were collected for structural and
      morphometric analyses and to quantify the expression of TGF-beta1 and VEGF.
      RESULTS: Laser irradiation increased the number of fibroblasts, collagen fibers
      and newly formed vessels and decreased the number of granulocytes at the site of
      the wounds. Densitometric analysis revealed a significant increase in the
      expression of TGFbeta-1 in the wounds treated with laser irradiation and with the
      P. ruderale extract at the beginning of the healing process and a decreased
      during the experimental period. The expression of VEGF was highlighted in the
      lesions irradiated with laser alone. CONCLUSION: Inspite of not showing a
      beneficial effect on the laser combination with the P. ruderale extract, when the
      laser was used separately, a positive effects to enhance the healing of second
      degree burns was promoted. P. ruderale was effective in decreasing the
      granulocytes during the repair process indicating a possible anti-inflammatory
      action of this extract of native flora, widely used in folk medicine, but little
      studied experimentally.

PMID- 26269146
TI  - Development of genome-wide insertion and deletion markers for maize, based on
      next-generation sequencing data.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Insertions and deletions (indels) are the most abundant form of
      structural variation in all genomes. Indels have been increasingly recognized as
      an important source of molecular markers due to high-density occurrence, cost
      effectiveness, and ease of genotyping. Coupled with developments in
      bioinformatics, next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms enable the discovery
      of millions of indel polymorphisms by comparing the whole genome sequences of
      individuals within a species. RESULTS: A total of 1,973,746 unique indels were
      identified in 345 maize genomes, with an overall density of 958.79 indels/Mbp,
      and an average allele number of 2.76, ranging from 2 to 107. There were 264,214
      indels with polymorphism information content (PIC) values greater than or equal
      to 0.5, accounting for 13.39% of overall indels. Of these highly polymorphic
      indels, we designed primer pairs for 83,481 and 29,403 indels with major allele
      differences (i.e. the size difference between the most and second most frequent
      alleles) greater than or equal to 3 and 8 bp, respectively, based on the
      differing resolution capabilities of gel electrophoresis. The accuracy of our
      indel markers was experimentally validated, and among 100 indel markers, average
      accuracy was approximately 90%. In addition, we also validated the polymorphism
      of the indel markers. Of 100 highly polymorphic indel markers, all had
      polymorphisms with average PIC values of 0.54. CONCLUSIONS: The maize genome is
      rich in indel polymorphisms. Intriguingly, the level of polymorphism in genic
      regions of the maize genome was higher than that in intergenic regions. The
      polymorphic indel markers developed from this study may enhance the efficiency of
      genetic research and marker-assisted breeding in maize.

PMID- 26269147
TI  - Coronary Artery Calcium Score Compared with Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index in the
      Prediction of Cardiovascular Events in Asymptomatic Patients with Type 2
      Diabetes.
AB  - AIM: Coronary artery calcium (CAC) score has a role in stratifying cardiovascular
      risk in patients with diabetes. Cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) is also a
      useful method to detect coronary artery calcification. This study compares CAC
      score with CAVI in the prediction of cardiovascular events in patients with
      diabetes. METHODS: From August 2006 to June 2008, a total of 626 patients with
      diabetes who received CAC score assessment with concomitant tests of ankle
      brachial index and CAVI were included in this study. RESULTS: During 4 years of
      follow-up, 98 participants developed cardiovascular events. There is an increased
      incidence of coronary revascularization and total cardiovascular events with
      higher categories of CAC score (P < 0.05 when CAC score >= 100). The logistic
      regression analyses revealed pooled odd ratios for coronary revascularization,
      and total cardiovascular events were 1.25 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03-
      1.51, P =0.021] and 1.23 (95% CI 1.07-1.42, P = 0.005), respectively, for high
      versus low CAVI (CAVI >= 9.0 vs CAVI < 9.0). The logistic regression model
      revealed that a CACscore of >= 1000 rather than a CAVI of >= 9.0 had a higher
      predictive value for total cardiovascular events. CONCLUSIONS: A CAC score of >=
      100 or a CAVI of >= 9.0 predicts future total cardiovascular events in
      asymptomatic patients with type 2 diabetes. Considering the advantages of CAVI,
      it can be used as one of the screening tools to reflect coronary atherosclerosis
      in these patients.

PMID- 26269148
TI  - Association of Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction with Subclinical Coronary
      Atherosclerotic Disease Burden Using Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring.
AB  - AIM: Diastolic dysfunction is a common problem in patients with obesity,
      hypertension, diabetes, or coronary artery disease. The purpose of this study was
      to evaluate the association of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction with an
      abnormal coronary artery calcium score (CAC score). METHODS: This study
      considered a cohort of patients >= 18 years of age with normal ejection fraction
      who were admitted to the hospital with chest pain. All patients underwent
      regadenoson myocardial perfusion stress imaging and had no evidence of ischemia
      or infarction. Patients then underwent cardiac CT for measurement of CAC score.
      Patients were excluded if they had prior history of coronary artery disease, ECG
      findings diagnostic of an acute coronary syndrome, an elevated troponin level, or
      hemodynamic instability. RESULTS: A total of 114 patients were included and 52
      (45.6%) patients had echocardiographic evidence of diastolic dysfunction.
      Patients with diastolic dysfunction were more likely to have an abnormal calcium
      score (79.6% vs 20%; OR 15.10, 95% CI 5.70 to 43.85; p < 0.001). In multivariable
      analysis, the presence of diastolic dysfunction on echocardiogram was
      significantly associated with an abnormal calcium score (OR 13.82, 95% CI 5.57 to
      37.37; p < 0.001) after adjusting for Framingham Risk Score or clinical risk
      factors (age, gender, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and obesity; OR 19.06,95%
      CI 4.66 to 107.97; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that left
      ventricular diastolic dysfunction is associated with an abnormal CAC score even
      after adjusting for Framingham Risk Score or clinical risk factors. Patients
      without known coronary artery disease that present with chest pain and have
      normal perfusion imaging with evidence of abnormal diastolic function on
      echocardiogram may warrant more thorough evaluation for coronary atherosclerotic
      disease with CAC score assessment.

PMID- 26269149
TI  - The effects of military body armour on the lower back and knee mechanics during
      box drop and prone to standing tasks.
AB  - Modern day body armour (BA) has been successful at increasing survivability from
      previously lethal explosives; however, it has been suggested to reduce
      warfighter's performance and increase risk of injury. Joint biomechanics have a
      foremost impact on performance and risk of injury. The immediate and prolonged
      effects of wearing BA on biomechanics of the lower back and knee during box drop
      (BD) and prone to standing tasks were investigated. The immediate effects of BA
      on both tasks were an increase of >=4% (p <= 0.02) in temporal task durations and
      a decrease of ~1.66 N/kg (p = 0.03) in normalised peak ground reaction force for
      the BD test. The prolonged duration of walking with BA (i.e. 45 min) was not
      found to cause more changes in our measures than walking without BA. Quantitative
      data related to the effects of BA are important for risk assessment and mission
      design such to reduce the risk of injury without compromising performance.
      Practitioner Summary: The effects of wearing military body armour (BA) on
      biomechanics of the lower back and knee were investigated. Though wearing BA was
      found to affect some biomechanical measures related to performance, the prolonged
      effects of exposure on our measures were the same whether or not the participants
      wore BA. 

PMID- 26269150
TI  - Association between metabolic syndrome and multiple lesions of intracranial
      atherothrombotic stroke: a hospital-based study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: With the increasing trend of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and
      atherothrombotic stroke (which can manifest as stroke lesion multiplicity),
      studies on the association between MetS and the clinical aspects of
      atherothrombotic stroke are of great interest. The present study aimed to
      investigate the association between MetS and multiple atherothrombotic strokes in
      patients with intracranial atherothrombotic stroke. METHODS: A retrospective
      study based on medical charts was conducted among patients (n = 202: 137 men/65
      women) who were symptomatically admitted to the hospital with the first-ever
      atherothrombotic stroke. For the occurrence of multiple lesions of stroke, odds
      ratio [OR: 95% confidence interval (CI)] of MetS or its respective components was
      calculated using logistic regression models. RESULTS: Fifty-one percent of the
      men and 38% of women with stroke presented multiple regions. MetS was a
      significant factor that was associated with an increased risk of multiple regions
      in women [OR 4.3 (95% CI 1.4-13.5)], but not in men. According to the components
      of MetS, dyslipidemia was a significant factor that was positively associated
      with multiple regions in both men [OR 2.0 (95% CI 1.1-3.7)] and women [OR 3.2
      (95% CI 1.1-9.1)]. CONCLUSION: MetS may be pathophysiologically associated with
      intracranial atherothrombotic stroke multiplicity in women in particular. Future
      studies are warranted to confirm the findings.

PMID- 26269151
TI  - Identifying miRNA/mRNA negative regulation pairs in colorectal cancer.
AB  - Although considerable progress has been made in the molecular biology of
      Colorectal cancer (CRC), novel approaches are still required to uncover the
      detailed molecular mechanism of CRC. We aim to explore the potential negatively
      regulated miRNA-mRNA pairs and investigate their regulatory roles so as to
      elaborate the potential roles of the critical proteins in the signaling pathways
      enriched by the differential target genes of negatively regulated miRNA in CRC.
      Firstly, the differential miRNA-mRNA pairs were selected, followed by pairs of
      miRNA and their target genes. The obtained relationships were subjected to do
      functional enrichment analysis and those enriched in CRC pathways were chose to
      further construct a protein interaction network. Finally, we analyzed the
      regulatory roles of these relationships and constructed a regulatory network of
      negatively regulated miRNA and mRNA relationships. A total of 372 pairs of miRNA
      mRNA were found and 108 target genes of miRNA were obtained. Three miRNAs
      including hsa-mir-23b, hsa-mir-365-1 and hsa-mir-365-2 showed significant
      influence on prognosis of CRC patients. To conclude, the miRNA/mRNA deregulations
      pairs identified in this study have high potentials to be further applied in
      diagnosis and treatment of CRC. 

PMID- 26269152
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 26269153
TI  - Regional changes of placental vascularization in preeclampsia: a review.
AB  - Preeclampsia is characterized by vascular dysfunction and results in maternal and
      fetal morbidity and mortality. The placenta plays a critical role in the growth
      and development of the fetus, and recent studies indicate that placental
      architecture, oxygen availability, and oxidative stress indices vary across
      different regions of the placenta. Our earlier studies have reported altered
      maternal angiogenesis and differential placental gene expression and methylation
      patterns of angiogenic factors in women with preeclampsia when compared with
      normotensive women. We have also demonstrated lower maternal and placental
      neurotrophin (NT) levels in women with preeclampsia. Studies suggest that
      oxidative stress is associated with proteases like matrix metalloproteinases
      (MMPs) and growth factors like NTs and angiogenic factors known to be involved in
      the process of angiogenesis. Recently, we have reported regionwise differential
      oxidative stress, antioxidant enzyme activity, and NT levels in placenta from
      normotensive control women and women with preeclampsia. The current review
      describes the regional changes in the placenta and highlights the role of
      placental oxidative stress in influencing regional differences in the expression
      of angiogenic factors, MMPs, and NTs. This review discusses the need for further
      research on various growth factors and proteins involved in the process of
      placental development across different regions of the placenta. This would help
      to understand whether regional differences in these factors affect the growth and
      development of the fetus.

PMID- 26269155
TI  - [Epidemiology of prostate cancer in China: an overview and clinical implication].
AB  - Prostate cancer is a currently common disease in Chinese male. The incidence is
      increasing rapidly in urban area and the mortality is high in rural area.
      According to characteristics of disease stage, advancement in early diagnosis of
      prostate cancer is the key to improve prostate cancer survival in China. Because
      of the remarkable disparity in economic and health care across mainland China, a
      selective prostate cancer screen approach may be a better alternative to spread.
      Therefore, indepth researches in optimization of prostate specific antigen screen
      and validation biomarkers of aggressive prostate cancer should be advocated.
      Furthermore, physicians should take a more active role in population education. 

PMID- 26269154
TI  - Prognostic significance of WNT and hedgehog pathway activation markers in cancer
      of unknown primary.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cancer of unknown primary (CUP) possesses distinct biology and
      peculiar natural history, in which the roles of the winged and hedgehog
      signalling pathways are unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We constructed tissue
      microarrays and studied the immunohistochemical (IHC) expression of beta-catenin,
      smoothened (SMO) and the transcription factors TCF, LEF, GLI1 in 87 CUP cases for
      prognostic significance. RESULTS: A low rate of IHC expression of proteins was
      seen, the cut-off used being any expression in >= 1% of tumour cells. At
      univariate analysis, only nuclear IHC SMO expression displayed a statistically
      significant association with favourable outcome [median Overall survival (OS) of
      19 months in SMO-positive vs. 12 months in SMO-negative cases, P = 0.01]. An
      activated Wnt pathway, defined as IHC expression of any of nuclear beta-catenin,
      TCF and LEF, was significantly associated with favourable progression free
      survival (median 9 vs. 5 months, P = 0.037) and OS (median 19 vs. 13 months, P =
      0.04). This prognostic impact on OS was mainly driven by nuclear expression of
      TCF and/or LEF (P = 0.03). No prognostic significance of the hedgehog pathway
      activation status, defined as IHC expression of SMO or nuclear GLI1, could be
      established. A favourable prognostic impact of the concurrent activation of both
      pathways was observed. A trend for association of activated Wnt with response to
      chemotherapy (responders 67% among activated Wnt cases vs. 35% among nonactivated
      Wnt cases, P = 0.07) was observed in CUP adenocarcinomas. CONCLUSIONS: Activation
      of the Wnt pathway was a positive prognostic factor in a small CUP series,
      possibly via enhanced chemosensitivity. Independent validation is warranted.

PMID- 26269156
TI  - [The focus and prospect of prostate cancer research].
AB  - The incidence and mortality of prostate cancer in China are increasing year by
      year. The review is focused on current hot prospects of prostate cancer. The
      value of serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) screening is still controversial,
      and PSA screening in high-risk groups is recommended for early diagnosis of
      prostate cancer. Prostate biopsy including transrectal approach and perineal
      approach, and two methods have both advantages and disadvantages. There is
      significant correlation between testosterone levels and the prognosis of prostate
      cancer, and the monitoring of testosterone level contributes to the treatment.
      The main complications of radical resection of prostate cancer is urinary
      incontinence and erectile dysfunction, three-dimensional laparoscopic and robot
      assisted laparoscopic techniques have obvious advantages in radical operation.
      Brachytherapy is another option for radical treatment, with relaxed age limit,
      low incidence of erectile dysfunction, urinary incontinence and reliable curative
      effect. The diagnosis and treatment of new technologies include such as MRI
      dynamic enhancement scan, 18F-fluoroethyl PET/CT, ultrasound contrast technology,
      prostate cancer immunotherapy, et al.

PMID- 26269157
TI  - [Analysis of permanent brachytherapy combined with maximal androgen blockade in
      local intermediated-risk prostate cancer].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcomes of permanent brachytherapy combined with
      maximal androgen blockade (MAB) in local intermediated-risk prostate cancer.
      METHODS: From December 2003 to December 2009, 307 patients of local prostate
      cancer were treated with brachytherapy, 98 cases of intermediated-risk were
      followed-up for 5 years and data were recorded, aged from 58 to 84 years, average
      74 years. Serum PSA was 0.4-19.0 ug/L, average 11.2 ug/L, clinical TNM stage was
      T1cN0M0-T2bN0M0. Gleason score 4-7, 6.7 in average. Prostate volume ranged from
      14 to 65 ml, average 32.1 ml. All the 98 patients underwent permanent
      brachytherapy combined with MAB. Biochemical recurrence rate, biochemical-free
      survival, tumor-specific survival, overall survival, salvage therapy and
      complications were analyzed. RESULTS: Followed up for 5 years, 19 cases had
      biochemical recurrence, median recurrence period: 36 months. One patient died of
      prostate cancer 45 months after brachytherapy of all 7 patients died in 5 years.
      Five-years biochemical-free recurrence rate: 80.6%, overall survival: 92.9%,
      tumor-specific survival: 98.9%, biochemical-free survival: 79.3%. Low-urinary
      tract and rectal irritation symptoms occurred in 75 cases(76.5%). Urinary
      retention occurred in 7 cases (7.1%) with catheterization duration less than 1
      week, no surgical operation were performed. Seeds immigration to lung in 2 cases.
      No serious complications occurred. CONCLUSION: In local intermediated-risk
      prostate cancer patients, permanent brachytherapy combined with short-term MAB
      can be an effective treatment with few complications.

PMID- 26269158
TI  - [Analysis of biochemical recurrence following radical prostatectomy].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analyze the risk factors to impact biochemical recurrence after
      radical prostatectomy. METHODS: A total of 1 090 patients who received radical
      prostatectomy from May 2002 to December 2013 in Department of Urology of Fudan
      University Shanghai Cancer Center were recruited. The average age of the patients
      was 67.9 years (ranged from 41 to 84 years) and the average preoperative prostate
      specific antigen (PSA) level was 32.7 (ranged from 3.2 to 256.3) ug/L. The
      distribution of patients with respect to clinical stage was: 20.09% (219/1 090)
      had T1, 50.09% (546/1 090) had T2 and 29.82% (325/1 090) had T3. The biochemical
      free-survival curve was drawn by Kaplan-Meier method and the univariate and
      multivariate Cox regression models were used to evaluate the clinical and
      pathological variables for the development of biochemical recurrence. RESULTS: Of
      all the 1 090 patients, the biochemical recurrence free survival was 95.99%,
      81.90% and 70.89% at 1, 3 and 5 years. PSA level at diagnosis (P=0.000), neo
      adjuvant hormonal therapy (P=0.001), pre-operative Gleason score (P=0.000),
      clinical stage (P=0.010), surgical margin status (P=0.028), post-operative
      Gleason score (P=0.000), pathological stages (P=0.000) and pelvic lymph-node
      metastasis (P=0.000) were associated with biochemical recurrence in the
      univariate analysis. However, in the multivariate analysis, only PSA level at
      diagnosis (P=0.000), pre-operative Gleason score (P=0.020), pathological stages
      (P=0.014) and pelvic lymph-node metastasis (P=0.017) were independent prognostic
      factors. CONCLUSION: For the patients who received radical prostatectomy, PSA
      level at diagnosis, pre-operative Gleason score, pathological stages and pelvic
      lymph-node metastasis status are independent prognostic factors for biochemical
      recurrence.

PMID- 26269159
TI  - [Clinical analysis of transperineal prostate biopsy in patients age <= 50 years].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical features of transperineal prostate biopsy in
      patients age <=50 years. METHODS: The clinical data of 124 patients <= 50 years
      old were retrieved retrospectively in Peking Union Medical College Hospital
      between January 2005 and September 2014. The age of patients were 14 to 50 years
      (mean age 43.6 years), and their prostatic specific antigen(PSA) levels were
      fluctuated in a range of 0.01 to 579.00 ug/L (mean 15.5 ug/L). Twenty patients
      were abnormal in digital rectal examination (DRE). All the patients were
      underwent transperineal prostate biopsy using an 11-region template. RESULTS:
      Prostate cancer was detected in 14 of 124 patients (11.3%). The prostate cancer
      detection rates in groups with PSA 0-4.0, >4.0-10.0, >10.0-20.0, >20.0-50.0, and
      >50.0 ug/L were 0, 6.2% (4/65), 13.3% (4/30), 1/5, and 5/5, respectively. Non
      adenocarcinoma prostate malignancy (NAPM) was detected in 7 of 124 patients
      (5.6%), and their PSA levels were fluctuated in a range of 0 to 4.0 ug/L. Four
      patients were abnormal in DRE and 5 patients were abnormal in radiological
      examination. CONCLUSION: The positive rate of transperineal prostate biopsy in
      patients age<=50 years is low, and rigorous screening before prostate biopsy is
      necessary. The men with DRE or radiological abnormalities but normal PSA should
      be wary of NAPM.

PMID- 26269160
TI  - [Clinical predictors of cytomegalovirus infection after liver transplantation].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical predictors of cytomegalovirus (CMV)
      infection after liver transplantation. METHODS: The clinical data of 182 patients
      (146 male and 36 female with a mean age of (50 +/- 7) years) receiving liver
      transplantation in Beijing Chaoyang Hospital between January 2004 and December
      2008 were retrospectively analyzed.All patients were divided into two groups,
      namely the CMV infection group (n=24) and the control group (n=158). Logistic
      regression was used to identify the predictive factors of postoperative CMV
      infection. RESULTS: According to univariate analysis results, the factors for CMV
      infection were acute liver failure (P=0.032), MELD score >= 30 (P=0.001), liver
      retransplantation (P=0.002), acute rejection (P=0.000) and delayed graft function
      (P=0.022). According to multi-analysis results, MELD score >= 30 (P=0.037,
      95%CI:1.194-271.461) and acute rejection (P=0.033, 95%CI:1.179-51.863) were
      proved to be independent predictors by multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: The
      study indicates that MELD score >= 30 and acute rejection are the independent
      predictors of CMV infection.

PMID- 26269161
TI  - [Clinical pathological features and prognosis analysis of gastrointestinal
      stromal tumor: a series of 558 cases].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate and analysis the clinical and pathological
      characteristic of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) patients, and to clarify
      the factors that effect on prognosis. METHODS: The clinical and pathological
      features and follow-up of GIST patients who received surgery in Peking Union
      Medical College Hospital from May 2002 to December 2013 were analyzed
      retrospectively. The prognosis was evaluated by univariate and multivariate
      analysis. Kaplan-Meier unvariate analysis and Log-rank test were used to compare
      the survival rates. Multivariate factors for survival were analyzed by Cox
      proportional hazards regression model. RESULTS: A total of 558 GIST patients were
      collected, including 284 males and 272 females. The high incidence was in the
      elderly and age of 50 to 70 years. Most of the primary tumors are located in
      stomach (303 cases), followed by the small intestine (118 cases). Surgical
      procedures included R0 resection in 517 cases, R1 resection in 4 cases, R2 or
      palliative resection in 37 cases. The recurrence risk was very low in 102 cases,
      low in 156 cases, moderate in 67 cases and high in 233 cases. Of all the
      patients, 495 cases completed the follow-up, the follow-up rate was 88.7%. Five
      year survival rate was 87.4%. Patients who took targeted therapy with moderate
      and high risk of recurrence had a better prognosis compared with not taking the
      drug. Univariate analysis revealed that the factors impacting the prognosis were
      age, tumor size, tumor site and mitotic count. Multivariate analysis showed that
      tumor size (P=0.01, RR=1.562, 95% CI: 1.452 to 15.664), location (P=0.01,
      RR=1.552, 95% CI:1.324 to 12.225), mitotic figures (P<0.01, RR=1.415, 95% CI:
      2.126 to 7.968) and tumor rupture (P=0.01, RR=1.578, 95% CI: 1.543 to 15.892)
      were independent prognostic factors. CONCLUSION: R0 resection combined with
      targeted therapy is the best treatment of GIST. Tumor size, location, mitosis
      count and tumor rupture are independent prognostic factors of GIST patients.

PMID- 26269162
TI  - [Accuracy of MRI for estimating residual tumor size after neoadjuvant
      chemotherapy in breast cancer with three-dimensional reconstruction technique].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of MRI for estimating residual tumor size
      after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) with three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction
      technique. METHODS: This was a prospective study. The data of 61 patients with
      pathologically proven solitary invasive ductal carcinoma (IIA-IIIC) who had
      received 6 to 8 cycles of NAC from July 2010 to August 2013 was analyzed. All the
      patients were female, aging from 31 to 70 years with a median of 49 years. Breast
      specimen after surgery was prepared with part-mount sub-serial section, and
      residual tumors were microscopically outlined, scanned and registered by
      Photoshop software. The 3D model of pathological and MRI residual tumors was
      reconstructed with 3D-DOCTOR software. The longest diameter, maximum cross
      section area and volume of the residual tumors determined using 3D MRI were
      compared with 3D pathological findings, and the associations between MRI and
      pathology were analyzed by Spearman rank correlation and Bland-Altman analysis.
      RESULTS: The longest diameter, maximum cross-section area and volume of the
      residual tumors after NAC measured by MRI and pathology was highly correlated
      (r=0.942, 0.941, 0.903, all P=0.00). MRI appears to underestimate pathology in
      the longest diameter, maximum cross-section area, but slightly overestimate in
      volume, and two methods had a good consistence (MD=0.3 cm, 95% CI: -1.43 to 1.9
      cm; MD=1.39 cm2, 95% CI: -9.55 to 12.34 cm2; MD=-0.433 cm3, 95% CI: -7.065 to
      6.199 cm3). CONCLUSION: 3D MRI reconstruction after NAC could accurately detects
      the residual tumors after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and contribute to select
      patients who received breast conserving therapy after NAC with tumor downstaging.

PMID- 26269163
TI  - [The correlation between shifting of the patient's gravity center position and
      the degree of recovering joint function after total knee arthroplasty].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the correlation between the shifting degree of the gravity
      center position (GCP) and recovering degree of the knee's function of the
      patients after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) at the same time point. METHODS: One
      hundred and seventy-six patients who underwent single TKA between June 2012 and
      December 2013 were measured GCP by corresponding instrument prospectively. Ninety
      two patients underwent right knee arthroplasty (25 male and 67 female), eighty
      four patients underwent left knee arthroplasty (21 male and 63 female). They were
      evaluated by Hospital For Special Surgery (HSS) scores pre-operatively, 6-month
      and 1-year post-operatively, and were measured GCP simultaneously. Pearson's
      correlation analysis were conducted between shifting degree of GCP and changing
      degree of HSS score when be compared with pre-operatively. RESULTS: All the
      patient's HSS score had significantly improved at 6-month and 1-year after
      surgery than pre-operatively (right knee group: t=-42.82 and -62.46, all P=0.00;
      left knee group: t=-43.10 and -62.82, all P=0.00). HSS scores had been improved
      from 51.6 +/- 4.2 to 76.6 +/- 3.6 and 86.5 +/- 3.1 in right knee patients, and
      improved from 52.2 +/- 4.5 to 76.0 +/- 3.8, 86.6 +/- 2.7 in left knee patients at
      6-month and 1-year after surgery. There was a correlation between shifting degree
      of GCP and changing degree of HSS score 6-month and 1-year after surgery (r=0.424
      and 0.139). CONCLUSION: As recovering of the joint function, the weight on
      operated limb could be increased, thus the GCP moves from its initial position to
      the operative side after TKA. While, the shifting degree of GCP can be a
      reflection of recovering of the joint function in some extent.

PMID- 26269164
TI  - [The correlation analysis of balloon volume and bone cement volume in
      percutaneous kyphoplasty].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analyze the percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) data statistically to
      predict the bone cement volume (CV). METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 93
      patients with 154 vertebrae of osteoporotic vertebra compressed fracture, who
      received PKP from January 2012 to December 2013 in Beijing Tian Tan Hospital,
      Capital Medical University. All procedures were bilateral and non-high-pressure
      polymethyl methacrylate injection. The balloon volume (BV), balloon peak pressure
      (Pmax), CV and the ratio of Pmax to BV (P/BV) were documented. The data was
      analyzed by correlation analysis and linear regression analysis to reveal the
      correlation between BV and CV. RESULTS: Seven vertebrae had bone cement leakage,
      no intraspinal leakage, no neuro-deficit. Visual analogue scale was 0-2 of all
      patients on 3 d postoperation. The data of 147 vertebrae without leakage: BV was
      2.1-6.3 ml, Pmax was 130-359 psi, CV was 2.8-8.5 ml, and the ratio of Pmax to BV
      (P/BV) was 25-263 psi/ml. The data analysis showed there was no high correlation
      between BV and CV as one group (R<0.75). However if divided the data into three
      groups by the value of P/BV, group A (P/BV<100), group B (100<=P/BV<200), group C
      (P/BV>=200), there was high correlation and linear relationship between BV and CV
      in each group (R>0.75, P<0.01). CV was 0.9-1.1 times of BV in group A; CV was 1.4
      1.6 times of BV in group B; and CV was 2.0-2.2 times of BV in group C.
      CONCLUSION: CV is predictable by the BV and the ratio of Pmax to BV. It can
      reduce the rate of the leakage, and also can prevent the unsatisfactory results
      by insufficient bone cement volume.

PMID- 26269165
TI  - [Paraspinal muscle approach with winglike working channel in the treatment of
      thoracic and lumbar spine fracture].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical and radiological efficacy of paraspinal
      muscle approach with winglike working channel in the treatment of thoracic and
      lumbar spine fracture. METHODS: From October 2010 to August 2012, a total of 51
      patients with thoracic and lumbar spine fractures without neurological symptoms
      were enrolled in the study, including 32 males and 19 females. All patients were
      divided into two groups: 26 patients were treated through posterior paraspinal
      muscle approach with winglike working channel, and 25 patients were treated
      through traditional posterior approach. In all patients, the interval between
      injury and operation was less than two weeks; the vertebral canal blocked area
      was less than 1/3 in sagittal diameter; the compression of the fractured vertebra
      height was less than 2/3. And the patients with pathological fracture and severe
      osteoporosis were excluded. The perioperative index including operative blood
      loss, draining loss, operative time, postoperative bed time were recorded. The
      clinical results were evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS) for back pain
      preoperatively, at 3 days, 3 months, the last follow-up postoperatively and
      modified Macnab criteria at the last follow-up. The radiological results were
      evaluated by sagittal Cobb angle and the anterior height of the fractured
      vertebra. The data of two groups were compared statistically with paired and
      independent t test, chi2 test, Mann-Whitney U test and Wilcoxon test. RESULTS:
      All patients were followed up with average of 16.6 months. In the two groups, the
      operative blood loss was respectively (91.5 +/- 36.6) ml and (209.2 +/- 38.3) ml
      (t=-11.216, P=0.000), draining loss was (13.7+/-4.4) ml and (162.3 +/- 56.6) ml
      (t=-13.352, P=0.000), postoperative bed time was (87.3 +/- 11.5) hours and (118.4
      +/- 20.4) hours (t=-6.727, P=0.000), VAS for back pain at 3 days postoperatively
      was 5.5 +/- 1.0 and 6.4 +/- 0.8 (t=-3.304, P=0.002), also VAS at the last follow
      up was 1.0 (1.0) and 2.0 (1.0) (U=191.0, P=0.008). Data above showed significant
      differences between the two groups.No significant differences were found in
      operative time, (109.0 +/- 29.7) min vs. (119.2 +/- 26.8) min (t=-1.283,
      P=0.206), and modified Macnab criteria (chi2=0.513, P=0.774) between the two
      groups. The anterior height of the fractured vertebra preoperatively, at 1 week
      and the last follow-up postoperatively of the two groups were respectively (57.2
      +/- 11.8)% and (55.2 +/- 10.9)% (t=0.685, P=0.496), (95.2 +/- 8.3)% and (95.3 +/-
      5.8%) (t=-0.068, P=0.946), (92.9 +/- 6.7)% and (92.1 +/- 5.6)% (t=0.505,
      P=0.615). The sagittal Cobb angles preoperatively, at 1 week and the last follow
      up postoperatively of the two groups were respectively 21.0 degrees  (12.5
      degrees ) and 23.0 degrees  (12.0 degrees ) (U=316.0, P=0.544), 3.0 degrees  (5.5
      degrees ) and 4.0 degrees  (4.5 degrees ) (U=342.5, P=0.893), 4.0 degrees  (5.5
      degrees ) and 6.0 degrees  (6.0 degrees ) (U=328.5, P=0.701). There were no
      significant differences of these radiological results between the two groups in
      the same time point. CONCLUSION: The paraspinal muscle approach with winglike
      working channel in the treatment of thoracic and lumbar spine fracture is an
      efficient surgical option which can acquire satisfactory clinical and
      radiological results.

PMID- 26269166
TI  - [Three-dimensional print of aortic aneurysm models aid preoperative planning in
      complicated endovascular repair procedure].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To attempt to produce highly accurate three-dimensional (3D) printed
      models of aortic aneurysm models aid complicated preoperative planning in
      endovascular repair procedures. METHODS: From October 2012 to May 2014, six
      patients with complicated aortic aneurysms (one aortic arch aneurysms, one
      thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms and four juxtarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms)
      accepted preoperative contrast-enhanced CT angiography (CTA) scans for procedural
      planning, 4 male and 2 female, average age 64 years (range 52 to 73 years). All
      the CTA data were processed with FitMe 3D image processing software to get the
      modified 3D reconstruction pictures and computer language that can be identified
      by the 3D printer. With the fused deposition modeling technology, the highly
      accurate models were got to make preoperative endovascular planning. RESULTS: All
      the patients' models were printed before operations. By the guidance of models,
      the endovascular procedure plans were drawn up. Three patients were performed
      extracorporeal simulating operations with the models and four patients'
      endovascular operations were guided by the models during the intraoperative time.
      The procedure technique success rate was 100%. No serious complications and
      patients dead during the perioperative period. CONCLUSION: The technology of 3D
      printed highly accurate models of aortic aneurysm models is feasible and can help
      to make preoperative endovascular planning for improving the safety of
      complicated procedures.

PMID- 26269167
TI  - [Trends in lower extremity peripheral arterial disease treatments and prognosis:
      a 10 years' experience in single center].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analyze the trends in treatments of lower extremity peripheral
      arterial disease and their prognosis in the recent 10 years. METHODS: Clinical
      data of inpatients with lower extremity peripheral arterial disease who received
      surgical treatments in Xuanwu Hospital from January 2002 to December 2011 were
      analyzed retrospectively. Patients were stratified into two groups (group 1: from
      2002 to 2006, group 2: from 2007 to 2011). The demographics, risk factors,
      clinical presentation, lesion anatomy, therapies, limb salvage and survival were
      observed. chi(2) test, Fisher exact test, and t test were used to compare the
      data between the two groups. RESULTS: From 2002 to 2006, 170 limbs (47.49%)
      underwent conventional bypass surgery, 72 limbs (20.11%) underwent endovascular
      interventions and the rest 116 limbs (32.40%) received stem cell treatment. While
      from 2007 to 2011, the percentages were 18.49%, 68.73%, 8.27%, respectively.
      Furthermore, gene-based drug appeared, 67 limbs (4.51%) underwent the new
      treatment. Former group had decreased limb salvage rates compared with latter
      group (87.15% vs. 93.41%, chi(2)=15.71, P=0.000). However, survival rates did not
      differ from the two groups (84.67% vs. 84.31%, chi(2)=0.02, P=0.880). CONCLUSION:
      With the appearance of new medical instruments and operating methods, the
      percentage of the patients with lower extremity peripheral arterial disease
      receive endovascular interventions increases, with a improved limb salvage rates.

PMID- 26269168
TI  - [Experimental study about the impact of the regeneration of interstitial cell of
      Cajal on gastric emptying in rats undergoing Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of the regeneration of interstitial cell of
      Cajal (ICC) on the conduction of slow wave and gastric emptying in rats
      undergoing Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy. METHODS: Twenty male SD rats were
      randomly divided into experimental group and control group. The experimental
      group consisted of ten rats undergoing Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy. The control
      group only underwent pyloric transection and anastomosis. Gastric scintigraphy
      was performed in the two groups respectively to measure the half time of gastric
      emptying (t1/2) at sixteen weeks after the surgical manipulations, and then the
      myoelectrical activities near the gastrojejunal anastomosis were recorded. The
      study also observed the regeneration of ICC by the electron microscopy. The data
      of the 2 groups was compared by t test. RESULTS: In the sixteenth postoperative
      week, the t1/2 was (23.5 +/- 4.5) minutes for rats in the Roux-en-Y group and
      (10.2 +/- 2.3) minutes for those in the control group, indicating delayed gastric
      emptying in the Roux-en-Y group (t=7.978, P=0.000), accompanied with the abnormal
      myoelectrical activities near the gastrojejunal anastomosis. The morphological
      detection showed that ICC near the gastrojejunal anastomosis regenerated and
      reconstructed their network in the rats of the experimental group. CONCLUSION:
      The abnormal myoelectrical activities near the gastrojejunal anastomosis, basing
      on the regeneration and reconstruction of ICC, may make a significant delay on
      the gastric emptying.

PMID- 26269169
TI  - [New progress in prostate cancer biomarker research].
AB  - Prostate cancer is one of the major problems of men's health. It has more obvious
      cancer heterogeneity, affecting the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis monitoring
      when comparing with other cancer. Thus, cancer related biomarkers are urgently
      needed to guide biopsy, treatment selection and follow-up. In the aspect of
      diagnosis, though the emerging of prostate specific antigen can raise the rate of
      diagnosis to some extent, it brings more unnecessary biopsies because of its low
      specificity. Cancer related long non-coding RNAs, single nucleotide polymorphism
      and fusion genes are proved to increase the diagnostic efficiency through high
      throughput sequencing techniques. In the aspect of molecular classification,
      traditional Gleason score can discriminate different risk level of the cancer,
      but it is limited by the technicians. It is reported that copy number variations
      from DNA level and small RNAs, long non-coding RNAs from RNA level are related
      with the progress of cancer, indicating the potential role in cancer molecular
      classification. Although we are still on the way of the initial stage in
      exploring prostate cancer biomarkers, more useful and promising biomarkers will
      be found by high-throughput sequencing and molecular biotechniques. 

PMID- 26269170
TI  - Inhibition of Histone Deacetylase Activity Aggravates Coxsackievirus B3-Induced
      Myocarditis by Promoting Viral Replication and Myocardial Apoptosis.
AB  - Viral myocarditis, which is most prevalently caused by coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3),
      is a serious clinical condition characterized by excessive myocardial
      inflammation. Recent studies suggest that regulation of protein acetylation
      levels by inhibiting histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity modulates inflammatory
      response and shows promise as a therapy for several inflammatory diseases.
      However, the role of HDAC activity in viral myocarditis is still not fully
      understood. Here, we aim to investigate the role of HDAC activity in viral
      myocarditis and its underlying mechanism. CVB3-infected BALB/c mice were treated
      with the HDAC inhibitor (HDACI) suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) or
      trichostatin A (TSA). We found inhibition of HDAC activity aggravated rather than
      ameliorated the severity of CVB3-induced myocarditis, which was contrary to our
      expectations. The aggravated myocarditis by HDACI treatment seemed not to be
      caused by an elevated inflammatory response but by the increased CVB3
      replication. Further, it was revealed that the increased CVB3 replication was
      closely associated with the HDACI-enhanced autophagosome formation. Inhibition of
      autophagosome formation by wortmannin or ATG5 short hairpin RNA dramatically
      suppressed the HDACI-increased CVB3 replication. The increased viral replication
      subsequently elevated CVB3-induced myocardial apoptosis. Conversely, inhibition
      of CVB3 replication and ensuing myocardial apoptosis by the antiviral drug
      ribavirin significantly reversed the HDACI-aggravated viral myocarditis. In
      conclusion, we elucidate that the inhibition of HDAC activity increases CVB3
      replication and ensuing myocardial apoptosis, resulting in aggravated viral
      myocarditis. Possible adverse consequences of administering HDACI should be
      considered in patients infected (or coinfected) with CVB3. IMPORTANCE: Viral
      myocarditis, which is most prevalently caused by CVB3, is characterized by
      excessive myocardial inflammation. Inhibition of HDAC activity was originally
      identified as a powerful anti-cancer therapeutic strategy and was recently found
      to be implicated in the regulation of inflammatory response. HDACI has been
      demonstrated to be efficacious in animal models of several inflammatory diseases.
      Thus, we hypothesize that inhibition of HDAC activity also protects against CVB3
      induced viral myocarditis. Surprisingly, we found inhibition of HDAC activity
      enhanced myocardial autophagosome formation, which led to the elevated CVB3 viral
      replication and ensuing increased myocardial apoptosis. Viral myocarditis was
      eventually aggravated rather than ameliorated by HDAC inhibition. In conclusion,
      we elucidate the role of HDAC activity in viral myocarditis. Moreover, given the
      importance of HDACI in preclinical and clinical treatments, the possible
      unfavorable effect of HDACI should be carefully evaluated in patients infected
      with viruses, including CVB3.

PMID- 26269171
TI  - Viral Source-Independent High Susceptibility of Dendritic Cells to Human T-Cell
      Leukemia Virus Type 1 Infection Compared to That of T Lymphocytes.
AB  - Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1)-infected CD4(+) T cells and dendritic
      cells (DCs) are present in peripheral blood from HTLV-1 carriers. While T-cell
      infection requires cell-cell contact, DCs might be infected with cell-free virus,
      at least in vitro. However, a thorough comparison of the susceptibilities of the
      two cell types to HTLV-1 infection using cell-associated and cell-free viral
      sources has not been performed. We first determined that human primary monocyte
      derived dendritic cells (MDDCs) were more susceptible to HTLV-1 infection than
      their autologous lymphocyte counterparts after contact with chronically infected
      cells. Next, a comparison of infection efficiency using nonconcentrated or
      concentrated supernatants from infected cells as well as purified viral biofilm
      was performed. Integrated provirus was found after exposure of MDDCs or primary
      lymphocytes to viral biofilm but not to a viral supernatant. Using a large series
      of primary cell samples (n = 21), we demonstrated a higher proviral load in MDDCs
      exposed to viral biofilm than in lymphocytes. This higher susceptibility is
      correlated to a higher expression of neuropilin-1 on MDDCs than on autologous
      activated T lymphocytes. Moreover, we show that MDDCs infected with viral biofilm
      can transmit the virus to lymphocytes. In conclusion, MDDCs are more susceptible
      to HTLV-1 infection than autologous lymphocytes in vitro, supporting a model in
      which DC infection might represent an important step during primo-infection in
      vivo. IMPORTANCE: HTLV-1 is able to infect several cell types, but viral DNA is
      mainly found in T lymphocytes in vivo. This supports a model in which T
      lymphocytes are the main target of infection. However, during the primo-infection
      of new individuals, incoming viruses might first encounter dendritic cells (DCs),
      the specialized immune cells responsible for the antiviral response of the host.
      HTLV-1 cell-free purified viruses can infect dendritic cells in vitro, while T
      cell infection is restricted to cell-to-cell transmission. In order to understand
      the sequence of HTLV-1 dissemination, we undertook a direct comparison of the
      susceptibilities of the two cell types using cell-associated and cell-free viral
      sources. We report here that MDDCs are more susceptible to HTLV-1 infection than
      autologous lymphocytes in vitro and are able to efficiently transmit the virus to
      lymphocytes. Our results suggest that DCs may represent a true viral reservoir,
      as the first cell type to be infected in vivo.

PMID- 26269173
TI  - A Molecular Staple: D-Loops in the I Domain of Bacteriophage P22 Coat Protein
      Make Important Intercapsomer Contacts Required for Procapsid Assembly.
AB  - Bacteriophage P22, a double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) virus, has a nonconserved 124
      amino-acid accessory domain inserted into its coat protein, which has the
      canonical HK97 protein fold. This I domain is involved in virus capsid size
      determination and stability, as well as protein folding. The nuclear magnetic
      resonance (NMR) solution structure of the I domain revealed the presence of a D
      loop, which was hypothesized to make important intersubunit contacts between coat
      proteins in adjacent capsomers. Here we show that amino acid substitutions of
      residues near the tip of the D-loop result in aberrant assembly products,
      including tubes and broken particles, highlighting the significance of the D
      loops in proper procapsid assembly. Using disulfide cross-linking, we showed that
      the tips of the D-loops are positioned directly across from each other both in
      the procapsid and the mature virion, suggesting their importance in both states.
      Our results indicate that D-loop interactions act as "molecular staples" at the
      icosahedral 2-fold symmetry axis and significantly contribute to stabilizing the
      P22 capsid for DNA packaging. IMPORTANCE: Many dsDNA viruses have morphogenic
      pathways utilizing an intermediate capsid, known as a procapsid. These procapsids
      are assembled from a coat protein having the HK97 fold in a reaction driven by
      scaffolding proteins or delta domains. Maturation of the capsid occurs during DNA
      packaging. Bacteriophage HK97 uniquely stabilizes its capsid during maturation by
      intercapsomer cross-linking, but most virus capsids are stabilized by alternate
      means. Here we show that the I domain that is inserted into the coat protein of
      bacteriophage P22 is important in the process of proper procapsid assembly.
      Specifically, the I domain allows for stabilizing interactions across the capsid
      2-fold axis of symmetry via a D-loop. When amino acid residues at the tip of the
      D-loop are mutated, aberrant assembly products, including tubes, are formed
      instead of procapsids, consequently phage production is affected, indicating the
      importance of stabilizing interactions during the assembly and maturation
      reactions.

PMID- 26269172
TI  - Nef Is Dispensable for Resistance of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected
      Macrophages to CD8+ T Cell Killing.
AB  - Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-specific CD8(+) T cells kill SIV-infected
      CD4(+) T cells in an major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I)-dependent
      manner. However, they are reportedly less efficient at killing SIV-infected
      macrophages. Since the viral accessory protein Nef has been shown to downregulate
      MHC-I molecules and enhance cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) evasion in human
      immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected CD4(+) T cells, we examined
      whether Nef played a role in protecting SIV-infected macrophages from killing by
      SIV-specific CD8(+) T cells. To explore the role of Nef in CD8(+) T cell evasion,
      we compared the ability of freshly sorted SIV-specific CD8(+) T cells to readily
      suppress viral replication or eliminate CD4(+) T cells or monocyte-derived
      macrophages infected with SIV variants containing wild-type (WT) or mutated nef
      genes. As expected, SIV-specific CD8(+) T cells suppressed viral replication and
      eliminated the majority of SIV-infected CD4(+) T cells, and this killing was
      enhanced in CD4(+) T cells infected with the nef variants. However, macrophages
      infected with nef variants that disrupt MHC-I downregulation did not promote
      rapid killing by freshly isolated CD8(+) T cells. These results suggest that
      mechanisms other than Nef-mediated MHC-I downregulation govern the resistance of
      SIV-infected macrophages to CD8(+) T cell-mediated killing. This study has
      implications for viral persistence and suggests that macrophages may afford
      primate lentiviruses some degree of protection from immune surveillance.
      IMPORTANCE: Myeloid cells are permissive for HIV/SIV replication in vitro and may
      contribute to viral persistence in vivo. While many studies have been geared to
      understanding how CD8(+) T cells control viral replication in CD4(+) T cells, the
      role of these cells in controlling viral replication in macrophages is less
      clear. Primary, unstimulated CD8(+) T cells insignificantly suppress viral
      replication or eliminate SIV-infected macrophages. Since the viral Nef protein
      downregulates MHC-I and provides infected cells some degree of protection from
      CD8(+) T cell-mediated effector functions, we evaluated whether Nef may be
      contributing to the resistance of macrophages to CD8(+) T cell suppression. Our
      results suggest that Nef is not involved in protecting infected macrophages from
      CD8(+) T cell killing and suggest that other mechanisms are involved in
      macrophage evasion from CD8 surveillance.

PMID- 26269174
TI  - Actin-Modulating Protein Cofilin Is Involved in the Formation of Measles Virus
      Ribonucleoprotein Complex at the Perinuclear Region.
AB  - In measles virus (MV)-infected cells, the ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex,
      comprised of the viral genome and the nucleocapsid (N) protein, phosphoprotein (P
      protein), and large protein, assembles at the perinuclear region and synthesizes
      viral RNAs. The cellular proteins involved in the formation of the RNP complex
      are largely unknown. In this report, we show that cofilin, an actin-modulating
      host protein, interacts with the MV N protein and aids in the formation of the
      RNP complex. Knockdown of cofilin using the short hairpin RNA reduces the
      formation of the RNP complex after MV infection and that of the RNP complex-like
      structure after plasmid-mediated expression of MV N and P proteins. A lower level
      of formation of the RNP complex results in the reduction of viral RNA synthesis.
      Cofilin phosphorylation on the serine residue at position 3, an enzymatically
      inactive form, is increased after MV infection and the phosphorylated form of
      cofilin is preferentially included in the complex. These results indicate that
      cofilin plays an important role in MV replication by increasing formation of the
      RNP complex and viral RNA synthesis. IMPORTANCE: Many RNA viruses induce within
      infected cells the structure called the ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex in which
      viral RNA synthesis occurs. It is comprised of the viral genome and proteins that
      include the viral RNA polymerase. The cellular proteins involved in the formation
      of the RNP complex are largely unknown. In this report, we show that cofilin, an
      actin-modulating host protein, binds to the measles virus (MV) nucleocapsid
      protein and plays an important role in the formation of the MV RNP complex and MV
      RNA synthesis. The level of the phosphorylated form of cofilin, enzymatically
      inactive, is increased after MV infection, and the phosphorylated form is
      preferentially associated with the RNP complex. Our findings determined with
      cofilin will help us better understand the mechanism by which the RNP complex is
      formed in virus-infected cells and develop new antiviral drugs targeting the RNP
      complex.

PMID- 26269175
TI  - Envelope Glycoprotein Internalization Protects Human and Simian Immunodeficiency
      Virus-Infected Cells from Antibody-Dependent Cell-Mediated Cytotoxicity.
AB  - The cytoplasmic tails of human and simian immunodeficiency virus (HIV and SIV,
      respectively) envelope glycoproteins contain a highly conserved, membrane
      proximal endocytosis motif that prevents the accumulation of Env on the surface
      of infected cells prior to virus assembly. Using an assay designed to measure the
      killing of virus-infected cells by antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity
      (ADCC), we show that substitutions in this motif increase the susceptibility of
      HIV-1- and SIV-infected cells to ADCC in a manner that directly correlates with
      elevated Env levels on the surface of virus-infected cells. In the case of HIV-1,
      this effect is additive with a deletion in vpu recently shown to enhance the
      susceptibility of HIV-1-infected cells to ADCC as a result of tetherin-mediated
      retention of budding virions on the cell surface. These results reveal a
      previously unappreciated role for the membrane-proximal endocytosis motif of gp41
      in protecting HIV-1- and SIV-infected cells from antibody responses by regulating
      the amount of Env present on the cell surface. IMPORTANCE: This study reveals an
      unappreciated role for the membrane-proximal endocytosis motif of gp41 in
      protecting HIV-1- and SIV-infected cells from elimination by Env-specific
      antibodies. Thus, strategies designed to interfere with this mechanism of Env
      internalization may improve the efficacy of antibody-based vaccines and
      antiretroviral therapies designed to enhance the immunological control of HIV-1
      replication in chronically infected individuals.

PMID- 26269177
TI  - Improvement of HIV-1 and Human T Cell Lymphotropic Virus Type 1 Replication
      Dependent Vectors via Optimization of Reporter Gene Reconstitution and
      Modification with Intronic Short Hairpin RNA.
AB  - Cell-to-cell transmission is an efficient mechanism to disseminate human
      immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and human T cell lymphotropic virus type 1
      (HTLV-1). However, it has been challenging to quantify the level of cell-to-cell
      transmission because the virus-producing cells cannot be easily distinguished
      from infected target cells. We have previously described replication-dependent
      vectors that can quantify infection events in cocultured cells. These vectors
      contain an antisense-oriented promoter and reporter gene interrupted by a sense
      oriented intron from the human gamma-globin gene. This strategy prevents
      expression of the reporter gene in the transfected cells but permits its
      expression in target cells after infection. However, the gamma-globin intron is
      not efficiently removed by splicing in the aforementioned vectors, thereby
      reducing the level of reporter gene expression after transduction into target
      cells. Here, we used two approaches to improve the replication-dependent vectors.
      First, we improved the splicing events that remove the gamma-globin intron by
      optimizing the intron insertion site within the reporter gene. Second, we
      improved the packaging of the spliced RNA without the gamma-globin intron by
      targeting the intron-containing RNA via microRNA 30 (miR30)-based short hairpin
      RNAs. Using two optimized fluorescent reporter vectors and flow cytometry, we
      determined that multiply HIV-1-infected cells were generated at a higher
      frequency in coculture than in cell-free infection; furthermore, this increase
      was dependent upon viruses bearing HIV-1 Env. Compared with previously described
      vectors, these improved vectors can quantify the infection in lymphocytes and in
      primary cells with a higher sensitivity and allow the detection and quantitation
      of multiply infected cells, providing better tools to study retroviral cell
      mediated infection. IMPORTANCE: The human-pathogenic retroviruses HTLV-1 and HIV
      1 can be transmitted more efficiently in vivo via direct contact of infected
      cells with healthy target cells than through cell-free virion-mediated infection.
      Despite its importance, cell-to-cell transmission has been difficult to quantify
      because the previously infected cells and the newly infected cells are mixed
      together in the same culture. In the current study, we generated vectors that are
      significantly improved over the previously described replication-dependent
      vectors. As a result, these improved vectors can efficiently detect and quantify
      cell-to-cell transmission or new infection events in cells in mixed culture.
      These luciferase- or fluorescence protein-based reporter vectors can be used to
      quantify and study HIV-1 or HTLV-1 cell-mediated infection in a simple one-step
      transfection/infection assay.

PMID- 26269176
TI  - Structures of Coxsackievirus A16 Capsids with Native Antigenicity: Implications
      for Particle Expansion, Receptor Binding, and Immunogenicity.
AB  - Enterovirus 71 (EV71) and coxsackievirus A16 (CVA16) are the primary causes of
      the epidemics of hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) that affect more than a
      million children in China each year and lead to hundreds of deaths. Although
      there has been progress with vaccines for EV71, the development of a CVA16
      vaccine has proved more challenging, and the EV71 vaccine does not give useful
      cross-protection, despite the capsid proteins of the two viruses sharing about
      80% sequence identity. The structural details of the expanded forms of the
      capsids, which possess nonnative antigenicity, are now well understood, but high
      resolution information for the native antigenic form of CVA16 has been missing.
      Here, we remedy this with high resolution X-ray structures of both mature and
      natural empty CVA16 particles and also of empty recombinant viruslike particles
      of CVA16 produced in insect cells, a potential vaccine antigen. All three
      structures are unexpanded native particles and antigenically identical. The
      recombinant particles have recruited a lipid moiety to stabilize the native
      antigenic state that is different from the one used in a natural virus infection.
      As expected, the mature CVA16 virus is similar to EV71; however, structural and
      immunogenic comparisons highlight differences that may have implications for
      vaccine production. IMPORTANCE: Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is a serious public
      health threat to children in Asian-Pacific countries, resulting in millions of
      cases. EV71 and CVA16 are the two dominant causative agents of the disease that,
      while usually mild, can cause severe neurological complications, leading to
      hundreds of deaths. EV71 vaccines do not provide protection against CVA16. A
      CVA16 vaccine or bivalent EV71/CVA16 vaccine is therefore urgently needed. We
      report atomic structures for the mature CVA16 virus, a natural empty particle,
      and a recombinant CVA16 virus-like particle that does not contain the viral
      genome. All three particles have similar structures and identical antigenicity.
      The recombinant particles, produced in insect cells (a system suitable for making
      vaccine antigen), are stabilized by recruiting from the insect cells a small
      molecule that is different from that used by the virus in a normal infection. We
      present structural and immunogenic comparisons with EV71 to facilitate structure
      based drug design and vaccine development.

PMID- 26269178
TI  - DDX60L Is an Interferon-Stimulated Gene Product Restricting Hepatitis C Virus
      Replication in Cell Culture.
AB  - All major types of interferon (IFN) efficiently inhibit hepatitis C virus (HCV)
      replication in vitro and in vivo. Remarkably, HCV replication is not sensitive to
      IFN-gamma in the hepatoma cell line Huh6, despite an intact signaling pathway. We
      performed transcriptome analyses between Huh6 and Huh-7 cells to identify
      effector genes of the IFN-gamma response and thereby identified the DExD/H box
      helicase DEAD box polypeptide 60-like (DDX60L) as a restriction factor of HCV
      replication. DDX60L and its homolog DEAD box polypeptide 60 (DDX60) were both
      induced upon viral infection and IFN treatment in primary human hepatocytes.
      However, exclusively DDX60L knockdown increased HCV replication in Huh-7 cells
      and rescued HCV replication from type II IFN as well as type I and III IFN
      treatment, suggesting that DDX60L is an important effector protein of the innate
      immune response against HCV. In contrast, we found no impact of DDX60L on
      replication of hepatitis A virus. DDX60L protein was detectable only upon strong
      ectopic overexpression, displayed a broad cytoplasmic distribution, but caused
      cytopathic effects under these conditions. DDX60L knockdown did not alter
      interferon-stimulated gene (ISG) induction after IFN treatment but inhibited HCV
      replication upon ectopic expression, suggesting that it is a direct effector of
      the innate immune response. It most likely inhibits viral RNA replication, since
      we found neither impact of DDX60L on translation or stability of HCV subgenomic
      replicons nor additional impact on assembly of infectious virus. Similar to
      DDX60, DDX60L had a moderate impact on RIG-I dependent activation of innate
      immunity, suggesting additional functions in the sensing of viral RNA.
      IMPORTANCE: Interferons induce a plethora of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs),
      which are our first line of defense against viral infections. In addition, IFNs
      have been used in antiviral therapy, in particular against the human pathogen
      hepatitis C virus (HCV); still, their mechanism of action is not well understood,
      since diverse, overlapping sets of antagonistic effector ISGs target viruses with
      different biologies. Our work identifies DDX60L as a novel factor that inhibits
      replication of HCV. DDX60L expression is regulated similarly to that of its
      homolog DDX60, but our data suggest that it has distinct functions, since we
      found no contribution of DDX60 in combatting HCV replication. The identification
      of novel components of the innate immune response contributes to a comprehensive
      understanding of the complex mechanisms governing antiviral defense.

PMID- 26269179
TI  - Replication-Competent Controlled Herpes Simplex Virus.
AB  - We present the development and characterization of a replication-competent
      controlled herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1). Replication-essential ICP4 and ICP8
      genes of HSV-1 wild-type strain 17syn+ were brought under the control of a dually
      responsive gene switch. The gene switch comprises (i) a transactivator that is
      activated by a narrow class of antiprogestins, including mifepristone and
      ulipristal, and whose expression is mediated by a promoter cassette that
      comprises an HSP70B promoter and a transactivator-responsive promoter and (ii)
      transactivator-responsive promoters that drive the ICP4 and ICP8 genes. Single
      step growth experiments in different cell lines demonstrated that replication of
      the recombinant virus, HSV-GS3, is strictly dependent on an activating treatment
      consisting of administration of a supraphysiological heat dose in the presence of
      an antiprogestin. The replication-competent controlled virus replicates with an
      efficiency approaching that of the wild-type virus from which it was derived.
      Essentially no replication occurs in the absence of activating treatment or if
      HSV-GS3-infected cells are exposed only to heat or antiprogestin. These findings
      were corroborated by measurements of amounts of viral DNA and transcripts of the
      regulated ICP4 gene and the glycoprotein C (gC) late gene, which was not
      regulated. Similar findings were made in experiments with a mouse footpad
      infection model. IMPORTANCE: The alphaherpesviruses have long been considered
      vectors for recombinant vaccines and oncolytic therapies. The traditional
      approach uses vector backbones containing attenuating mutations that restrict
      replication to ensure safety. The shortcoming of this approach is that the
      attenuating mutations tend to limit both the immune presentation and oncolytic
      properties of these vectors. HSV-GS3 represents a novel type of vector that, when
      activated, replicates with the efficiency of a nonattenuated virus and whose
      safety is derived from deliberate, stringent regulation of multiple replication
      essential genes. By directing activating heat to the region of virus
      administration, replication is strictly confined to infected cells within this
      region. The requirement for antiprogestin provides an additional level of safety,
      ensuring that virus replication cannot be triggered inadvertently. Replication
      competent controlled vectors such as HSV-GS3 may have the potential to be
      superior to conventional attenuated HSV vaccine and oncolytic vectors without
      sacrificing safety.

PMID- 26269180
TI  - Intermonomer Interactions in Hemagglutinin Subunits HA1 and HA2 Affecting
      Hemagglutinin Stability and Influenza Virus Infectivity.
AB  - Influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) mediates virus entry by binding to cell
      surface receptors and fusing the viral and endosomal membranes following uptake
      by endocytosis. The acidic environment of endosomes triggers a large-scale
      conformational change in the transmembrane subunit of HA (HA2) involving a loop
      (B loop)-to-helix transition, which releases the fusion peptide at the HA2 N
      terminus from an interior pocket within the HA trimer. Subsequent insertion of
      the fusion peptide into the endosomal membrane initiates fusion. The acid
      stability of HA is influenced by residues in the fusion peptide, fusion peptide
      pocket, coiled-coil regions of HA2, and interactions between the surface (HA1)
      and HA2 subunits, but details are not fully understood and vary among strains.
      Current evidence suggests that the HA from the circulating pandemic 2009 H1N1
      influenza A virus [A(H1N1)pdm09] is less stable than the HAs from other seasonal
      influenza virus strains. Here we show that residue 205 in HA1 and residue 399 in
      the B loop of HA2 (residue 72, HA2 numbering) in different monomers of the
      trimeric A(H1N1)pdm09 HA are involved in functionally important intermolecular
      interactions and that a conserved histidine in this pair helps regulate HA
      stability. An arginine-lysine pair at this location destabilizes HA at acidic pH
      and mediates fusion at a higher pH, while a glutamate-lysine pair enhances HA
      stability and requires a lower pH to induce fusion. Our findings identify key
      residues in HA1 and HA2 that interact to help regulate H1N1 HA stability and
      virus infectivity. IMPORTANCE: Influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) is the
      principal antigen in inactivated influenza vaccines and the target of protective
      antibodies. However, the influenza A virus HA is highly variable, necessitating
      frequent vaccine changes to match circulating strains. Sequence changes in HA
      affect not only antigenicity but also HA stability, which has important
      implications for vaccine production, as well as viral adaptation to hosts. HA
      from the pandemic 2009 H1N1 influenza A virus is less stable than other recent
      seasonal influenza virus HAs, but the molecular interactions that contribute to
      HA stability are not fully understood. Here we identify molecular interactions
      between specific residues in the surface and transmembrane subunits of HA that
      help regulate the HA conformational changes needed for HA stability and virus
      entry. These findings contribute to our understanding of the molecular mechanisms
      controlling HA function and antigen stability.

PMID- 26269182
TI  - Flexibility of NS5 Methyltransferase-Polymerase Linker Region Is Essential for
      Dengue Virus Replication.
AB  - We examined the function of the conserved Val/Ile residue within the dengue virus
      NS5 interdomain linker (residues 263 to 272) by site-directed mutagenesis. Gly
      substitution or Gly/Pro insertion after the conserved residue increased the
      linker flexibility and created slightly attenuated viruses. In contrast, Pro
      substitution abolished virus replication by imposing rigidity in the linker and
      restricting NS5's conformational plasticity. Our biochemical and reverse genetics
      experiments demonstrate that NS5 utilizes conformational regulation to achieve
      optimum viral replication. 

PMID- 26269181
TI  - Human Papillomavirus 18 Genetic Variation and Cervical Cancer Risk Worldwide.
AB  - Human papillomavirus 18 (HPV18) is the second most carcinogenic HPV type, after
      HPV16, and it accounts for approximately 12% of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) as
      well as 37% of adenocarcinoma (ADC) of the cervix worldwide. We aimed to evaluate
      the worldwide diversity and carcinogenicity of HPV18 genetic variants by
      sequencing the entire long control region (LCR) and the E6 open reading frame of
      711 HPV18-positive cervical samples from 39 countries, taking advantage of the
      International Agency for Research on Cancer biobank. A total of 209 unique HPV18
      sequence variants were identified that formed three phylogenetic lineages (A, B,
      and C). A and B lineages each divided into four sublineages, including a newly
      identified candidate B4 sublineage. The distribution of lineages varied by
      geographical region, with B and C lineages found principally in Africa. HPV18
      (sub)lineages were compared between 453 cancer cases and 236 controls, as well as
      between 81 ADC and 160 matched SCC cases. In region-stratified analyses, there
      were no significant differences in the distribution of HPV18 variant lineages
      between cervical cancer cases and controls or between ADC and SCC. In conclusion,
      our findings do not support the role of HPV18 (sub)lineages for discriminating
      cancer risk or explaining why HPV18 is more strongly linked with ADC than SCC.
      IMPORTANCE: This is the largest and most geographically/ethnically diverse study
      of the genetic variation of HPV18 to date, providing a comprehensive reference
      for phylogenetic classification of HPV18 sublineages for epidemiological and
      biological studies.

PMID- 26269183
TI  - Adenovirus E4-ORF1 Dysregulates Epidermal Growth Factor and Insulin/Insulin-Like
      Growth Factor Receptors To Mediate Constitutive Myc Expression.
AB  - The E4-ORF1 protein encoded by human adenovirus stimulates viral replication in
      human epithelial cells by binding and activating cellular phosphatidylinositol 3
      kinase (PI3K) at the plasma membrane and cellular Myc in the nucleus. In this
      study, we showed that E4-ORF1 hijacks the tyrosine kinase activities of cellular
      epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and insulin receptor (InsR)/insulin-like
      growth factor receptor 1 (IGF1R), as well as the lipid kinase activity of PI3K,
      to mediate constitutive Myc protein expression. We additionally demonstrated that
      EGFR contributes to constitutive Myc expression through the capacity of E4-ORF1
      to induce ligand-independent EGFR activation and stimulation of the Ras/Mek/Erk
      pathway, the latter activity of which was conserved by human adenoviruses.
      Results further suggested that EGFR normally forms a complex with the cellular
      PDZ protein Discs Large 1 (Dlg1), a component of the Dlg1:E4-ORF1:PI3K ternary
      complex that mediates E4-ORF1-induced PI3K activation, and that E4-ORF1 binds the
      Dlg1:EGFR complex and promotes the association of EGFR with InsR and IGF1R. In
      addition to its role in constitutive Myc expression, InsR/IGF1R also negatively
      regulates EGFR autophosphorylation and EGFR-mediated Ras/Mek/Erk signaling, and
      data suggested that E4-ORF1 binding to Dlg1 antagonizes these activities.
      Collectively, our findings suggest that in human epithelial cells, E4-ORF1
      targets EGFR, InsR/IGF1R, and PI3K at the plasma membrane to activate cytosolic
      signaling pathways that sustain Myc protein levels in the nucleus. We postulate
      that E4-ORF1-induced constitutive Myc expression functions to ensure the
      formation of nuclear E4-ORF1:Myc complexes, which have been shown to activate Myc
      and to enhance adenovirus replication. IMPORTANCE: While human adenoviruses
      primarily produce self-limited acute infections in humans, these agents are
      associated with life-threatening diseases in immunocompromised patients and in
      otherwise healthy individuals infected with certain virulent serotypes. The
      adenovirus E4-ORF1 protein enhances viral replication by activating the cellular
      lipid kinase PI3K and the cellular transcription factor Myc. Here we report that
      E4-ORF1 usurps the functions of the cellular tyrosine kinase receptors EGFR and
      InsR /: IGF1R, as well as PI3K, to sustain Myc protein expression in cells.
      Furthermore, sustained Myc expression depended on E4-ORF1-induced ligand
      independent EGFR activation that stimulated Ras/Mek/Erk signaling, a function
      found to be conserved by human adenoviruses. Given the established roles of PI3K,
      the Ras/Mek/Erk pathway, and Myc in the adenovirus life cycle, our findings may
      aid in the development of safer, more effective therapeutic strategies to treat
      severe adenovirus infections as well as improved adenovirus vectors for use in
      vaccination and gene and cancer therapy.

PMID- 26269184
TI  - Induction of Heme Oxygenase-1 Deficiency and Associated Glutamate-Mediated
      Neurotoxicity Is a Highly Conserved HIV Phenotype of Chronic Macrophage Infection
      That Is Resistant to Antiretroviral Therapy.
AB  - Expression of the cytoprotective enzyme heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is significantly
      reduced in the brain prefrontal cortex of HIV-positive individuals with HIV
      associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). Furthermore, this HO-1 deficiency
      correlates with brain viral load, markers of macrophage activation, and type I
      interferon responses. In vitro, HIV replication in monocyte-derived macrophages
      (MDM) selectively reduces HO-1 protein and RNA expression and induces production
      of neurotoxic levels of glutamate; correction of this HO-1 deficiency reduces
      neurotoxic glutamate production without an effect on HIV replication. We now
      demonstrate that macrophage HO-1 deficiency, and the associated neurotoxin
      production, is a conserved feature of infection with macrophage-tropic HIV-1
      strains that correlates closely with the extent of replication, and this feature
      extends to HIV-2 infection. We further demonstrate that this HO-1 deficiency does
      not depend specifically upon the HIV-1 accessory genes nef, vpr, or vpu but
      rather on HIV replication, even when markedly limited. Finally, antiretroviral
      therapy (ART) applied to MDM after HIV infection is established does not prevent
      HO-1 loss or the associated neurotoxin production. This work defines a
      predictable relationship between HIV replication, HO-1 loss, and neurotoxin
      production in MDM that likely reflects processes in place in the HIV-infected
      brains of individuals receiving ART. It further suggests that correcting this HO
      1 deficiency in HIV-infected MDM could provide neuroprotection above that
      provided by current ART or proposed antiviral therapies directed at limiting Nef,
      Vpr, or Vpu functions. The ability of HIV-2 to reduce HO-1 expression suggests
      that this is a conserved phenotype among macrophage-tropic human immunodeficiency
      viruses that could contribute to neuropathogenesis. IMPORTANCE: The continued
      prevalence of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) underscores the need
      for adjunctive therapy that targets the neuropathological processes that persist
      in antiretroviral therapy (ART)-treated HIV-infected individuals. To this end, we
      previously identified one such possible process, a deficiency of the
      antioxidative and anti-inflammatory enzyme heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in the brains
      of individuals with HAND. In the present study, our findings suggest that the HO
      1 deficiency associated with excess glutamate production and neurotoxicity in HIV
      infected macrophages is a highly conserved phenotype of macrophage-tropic HIV
      strains and that this phenotype can persist in the macrophage compartment in the
      presence of ART. This suggests a plausible mechanism by which HIV infection of
      brain macrophages in ART-treated individuals could exacerbate oxidative stress
      and glutamate-induced neuronal injury, each of which is associated with
      neurocognitive dysfunction in infected individuals. Thus, therapies that rescue
      the HO-1 deficiency in HIV-infected individuals could provide additional
      neuroprotection to ART.

PMID- 26269186
TI  - Generation of Live Attenuated Influenza Virus by Using Codon Usage Bias.
AB  - Seasonal influenza epidemics and occasional pandemics threaten public health
      worldwide. New alternative strategies for generating recombinant viruses with
      vaccine potential are needed. Interestingly, influenza viruses circulating in
      different hosts have been found to have distinct codon usage patterns, which may
      reflect host adaptation. We therefore hypothesized that it is possible to make a
      human seasonal influenza virus that is specifically attenuated in human cells but
      not in eggs by converting its codon usage so that it is similar to that observed
      from avian influenza viruses. This approach might help to generate human live
      attenuated viruses without affecting their yield in eggs. To test this
      hypothesis, over 300 silent mutations were introduced into the genome of a
      seasonal H1N1 influenza virus. The resultant mutant was significantly attenuated
      in mammalian cells and mice, yet it grew well in embryonated eggs. A single dose
      of intranasal vaccination induced potent innate, humoral, and cellular immune
      responses, and the mutant could protect mice against homologous and heterologous
      viral challenges. The attenuated mutant could also be used as a vaccine master
      donor strain by introducing hemagglutinin and neuraminidase genes derived from
      other strains. Thus, our approach is a successful strategy to generate attenuated
      viruses for future application as vaccines. IMPORTANCE: Vaccination has been one
      of the best protective measures in combating influenza virus infection. Current
      licensed influenza vaccines and their production have various limitations. Our
      virus attenuation strategy makes use of the codon usage biases of human and avian
      influenza viruses to generate a human-derived influenza virus that is attenuated
      in mammalian hosts. This method, however, does not affect virus replication in
      eggs. This makes the resultant mutants highly compatible with existing egg-based
      vaccine production pipelines. The viral proteins generated from the codon bias
      mutants are identical to the wild-type viral proteins. In addition, our massive
      genome-wide mutational approach further minimizes the concern over reverse
      mutations. The potential use of this kind of codon bias mutant as a master donor
      strain to generate other live attenuated viruses is also demonstrated. These
      findings put forward a promising live attenuated influenza vaccine generation
      strategy to control influenza.

PMID- 26269185
TI  - Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) Coronavirus ORF8 Protein Is Acquired
      from SARS-Related Coronavirus from Greater Horseshoe Bats through Recombination.
AB  - Despite the identification of horseshoe bats as the reservoir of severe acute
      respiratory syndrome (SARS)-related coronaviruses (SARSr-CoVs), the origin of
      SARS-CoV ORF8, which contains the 29-nucleotide signature deletion among human
      strains, remains obscure. Although two SARS-related Rhinolophus sinicus bat CoVs
      (SARSr-Rs-BatCoVs) previously detected in Chinese horseshoe bats (Rhinolophus
      sinicus) in Yunnan, RsSHC014 and Rs3367, possessed 95% genome identities to human
      and civet SARSr-CoVs, their ORF8 protein exhibited only 32.2 to 33% amino acid
      identities to that of human/civet SARSr-CoVs. To elucidate the origin of SARS-CoV
      ORF8, we sampled 348 bats of various species in Yunnan, among which diverse
      alphacoronaviruses and betacoronaviruses, including potentially novel CoVs, were
      identified, with some showing potential interspecies transmission. The genomes of
      two betacoronaviruses, SARSr-Rf-BatCoV YNLF_31C and YNLF_34C, from greater
      horseshoe bats (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum), possessed 93% nucleotide identities
      to human/civet SARSr-CoV genomes. Although these two betacoronaviruses displayed
      lower similarities than SARSr-Rs-BatCoV RsSHC014 and Rs3367 in S protein to civet
      SARSr-CoVs, their ORF8 proteins demonstrated exceptionally high (80.4 to 81.3%)
      amino acid identities to that of human/civet SARSr-CoVs, compared to SARSr
      BatCoVs from other horseshoe bats (23.2 to 37.3%). Potential recombination events
      were identified around ORF8 between SARSr-Rf-BatCoVs and SARSr-Rs-BatCoVs,
      leading to the generation of civet SARSr-CoVs. The expression of ORF8 subgenomic
      mRNA suggested that the ORF8 protein may be functional in SARSr-Rf-BatCoVs. The
      high Ka/Ks ratio among human SARS-CoVs compared to that among SARSr-BatCoVs
      supported that ORF8 is under strong positive selection during animal-to-human
      transmission. Molecular clock analysis using ORF1ab showed that SARSr-Rf-BatCoV
      YNLF_31C and YNLF_34C diverged from civet/human SARSr-CoVs in approximately 1990.
      SARS-CoV ORF8 originated from SARSr-CoVs of greater horseshoe bats through
      recombination, which may be important for animal-to-human transmission.
      IMPORTANCE: Although horseshoe bats are the primary reservoir of SARS-related
      coronaviruses (SARSr-CoVs), it is still unclear how these bat viruses have
      evolved to cross the species barrier to infect civets and humans. Most human SARS
      CoV epidemic strains contain a signature 29-nucleotide deletion in ORF8, compared
      to civet SARSr-CoVs, suggesting that ORF8 may be important for interspecies
      transmission. However, the origin of SARS-CoV ORF8 remains obscure. In
      particular, SARSr-Rs-BatCoVs from Chinese horseshoe bats (Rhinolophus sinicus)
      exhibited <40% amino acid identities to human/civet SARS-CoV in the ORF8 protein.
      We detected diverse alphacoronaviruses and betacoronaviruses among various bat
      species in Yunnan, China, including two SARSr-Rf-BatCoVs from greater horseshoe
      bats that possessed ORF8 proteins with exceptionally high amino acid identities
      to that of human/civet SARSr-CoVs. We demonstrated recombination events around
      ORF8 between SARSr-Rf-BatCoVs and SARSr-Rs-BatCoVs, leading to the generation of
      civet SARSr-CoVs. Our findings offer insight into the evolutionary origin of SARS
      CoV ORF8 protein, which was likely acquired from SARSr-CoVs of greater horseshoe
      bats through recombination.

PMID- 26269187
TI  - MicroRNA-Attenuated Clone of Virulent Semliki Forest Virus Overcomes Antiviral
      Type I Interferon in Resistant Mouse CT-2A Glioma.
AB  - Glioblastoma is a terminal disease with no effective treatment currently
      available. Among the new therapy candidates are oncolytic viruses capable of
      selectively replicating in cancer cells, causing tumor lysis and inducing
      adaptive immune responses against the tumor. However, tumor antiviral responses,
      primarily mediated by type I interferon (IFN-I), remain a key problem that
      severely restricts viral replication and oncolysis. We show here that the Semliki
      Forest virus (SFV) strain SFV4, which causes lethal encephalitis in mice, is able
      to infect and replicate independent of the IFN-I defense in mouse glioblastoma
      cells and cell lines originating from primary human glioblastoma patient samples.
      The ability to tolerate IFN-I was retained in SFV4-miRT124 cells, a derivative
      cell line of strain SFV4 with a restricted capacity to replicate in neurons due
      to insertion of target sites for neuronal microRNA 124. The IFN-I tolerance was
      associated with the viral nsp3-nsp4 gene region and distinct from the genetic
      loci responsible for SFV neurovirulence. In contrast to the naturally attenuated
      strain SFV A7(74) and its derivatives, SFV4-miRT124 displayed increased oncolytic
      potency in CT-2A murine astrocytoma cells and in the human glioblastoma cell
      lines pretreated with IFN-I. Following a single intraperitoneal injection of SFV4
      miRT124 into C57BL/6 mice bearing CT-2A orthotopic gliomas, the virus homed to
      the brain and was amplified in the tumor, resulting in significant tumor growth
      inhibition and improved survival. IMPORTANCE: Although progress has been made in
      development of replicative oncolytic viruses, information regarding their overall
      therapeutic potency in a clinical setting is still lacking. This could be at
      least partially dependent on the IFN-I sensitivity of the viruses used. Here, we
      show that the conditionally replicating SFV4-miRT124 virus shares the IFN-I
      tolerance of the pathogenic wild-type SFV, thereby allowing efficient targeting
      of a glioma that is refractory to naturally attenuated therapy vector strains
      sensitive to IFN-I. This is the first evidence of orthotopic syngeneic mouse
      glioma eradication following peripheral alphavirus administration. Our findings
      indicate a clear benefit in harnessing the wild-type virus replicative potency in
      development of next-generation oncolytic alphaviruses.

PMID- 26269188
TI  - Enhanced Influenza Virus-Like Particle Vaccination with a Structurally Optimized
      RIG-I Agonist as Adjuvant.
AB  - The molecular interaction between viral RNA and the cytosolic sensor RIG-I
      represents the initial trigger in the development of an effective immune response
      against infection with RNA viruses, resulting in innate immune activation and
      subsequent induction of adaptive responses. In the present study, the adjuvant
      properties of a sequence-optimized 5'-triphosphate-containing RNA (5'pppRNA) RIG
      I agonist (termed M8) were examined in combination with influenza virus-like
      particles (VLP) (M8-VLP) expressing H5N1 influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) and
      neuraminidase (NA) as immunogens. In combination with VLP, M8 increased the
      antibody response to VLP immunization, provided VLP antigen sparing, and
      protected mice from a lethal challenge with H5N1 influenza virus. M8-VLP
      immunization also led to long-term protective responses against influenza virus
      infection in mice. M8 adjuvantation of VLP increased endpoint and antibody titers
      and inhibited influenza virus replication in lungs compared with approved or
      experimental adjuvants alum, AddaVax, and poly(I.C). Uniquely, immunization with
      M8-VLP stimulated a TH1-biased CD4 T cell response, as determined by increased
      TH1 cytokine levels in CD4 T cells and increased IgG2 levels in sera.
      Collectively, these data demonstrate that a sequence-optimized, RIG-I-specific
      agonist is a potent adjuvant that can be utilized to increase the efficacy of
      influenza VLP vaccination and dramatically improve humoral and cellular mediated
      protective responses against influenza virus challenge. IMPORTANCE: The
      development of novel adjuvants to increase vaccine immunogenicity is an important
      goal that seeks to improve vaccine efficacy and ultimately prevent infections
      that endanger human health. This proof-of-principle study investigated the
      adjuvant properties of a sequence-optimized 5'pppRNA agonist (M8) with enhanced
      capacity to stimulate antiviral and inflammatory gene networks using influenza
      virus-like particles (VLP) expressing HA and NA as immunogens. Vaccination with
      VLP in combination with M8 increased anti-influenza virus antibody titers and
      protected animals from lethal influenza virus challenge, highlighting the
      potential clinical use of M8 as an adjuvant in vaccine development. Altogether,
      the results describe a novel immunostimulatory agonist targeted to the cytosolic
      RIG-I sensor as an attractive vaccine adjuvant candidate that can be used to
      increase vaccine efficacy, a pressing issue in children and the elderly
      population.

PMID- 26269189
TI  - The Breadth of Expandable Memory CD8+ T Cells Inversely Correlates with Residual
      Viral Loads in HIV Elite Controllers.
AB  - Previous studies have shown that elite controllers with minimal effector T cell
      responses harbor a low-frequency, readily expandable, highly functional, and
      broadly directed memory population. Here, we interrogated the in vivo relevance
      of this cell population by investigating whether the breadth of expandable memory
      responses is associated with the magnitude of residual viremia in individuals
      achieving durable suppression of HIV infection. HIV-specific memory CD8(+) T
      cells were expanded by using autologous epitopic and variant peptides. Viral load
      was measured by an ultrasensitive single-copy PCR assay. Following expansion,
      controllers showed a greater increase in the overall breadth of Gag responses
      than did untreated progressors (P = 0.01) as well as treated progressors (P =
      0.0003). Nef- and Env-specific memory cells expanded poorly for all groups, and
      their expanded breadths were indistinguishable among groups (P = 0.9 for Nef as
      determined by a Kruskal-Wallis test; P = 0.6 for Env as determined by a Kruskal
      Wallis test). More importantly, we show that the breadth of expandable,
      previously undetectable Gag-specific responses was inversely correlated with
      residual viral load (r = -0.6; P = 0.009). Together, these data reveal a direct
      link between the abundance of Gag-specific expandable memory responses and
      prolonged maintenance of low-level viremia. Our studies highlight a CD8(+) T cell
      feature that would be desirable in a vaccine-induced T cell response. IMPORTANCE:
      Many studies have shown that the rare ability of some individuals to control HIV
      infection in the absence of antiretroviral therapy appears to be heavily
      dependent upon special HIV-specific killer T lymphocytes that are able to inhibit
      viral replication. The identification of key features of these immune cells has
      the potential to inform rational HIV vaccine design. This study shows that a
      special subset of killer lymphocytes, known as central memory CD8(+) T
      lymphocytes, is at least partially involved in the durable control of HIV
      replication. HIV controllers maintain a large proportion of Gag-specific
      expandable memory CD8(+) T cells involved in ongoing viral suppression. These
      data suggest that induction of this cell subset by future HIV vaccines may be
      important for narrowing possible routes of rapid escape from vaccine-induced
      CD8(+) T cell responses.

PMID- 26269190
TI  - Encapsidation of Host RNAs by Cucumber Necrosis Virus Coat Protein during both
      Agroinfiltration and Infection.
AB  - Next-generation sequence analysis of virus-like particles (VLPs) produced during
      agroinfiltration of cucumber necrosis virus (CNV) coat protein (CP) and of
      authentic CNV virions was conducted to assess if host RNAs can be encapsidated by
      CNV CP. VLPs containing host RNAs were found to be produced during
      agroinfiltration, accumulating to approximately 1/60 the level that CNV virions
      accumulated during infection. VLPs contained a variety of host RNA species,
      including the major rRNAs as well as cytoplasmic, chloroplast, and mitochondrial
      mRNAs. The most predominant host RNA species encapsidated in VLPs were
      chloroplast encoded, consistent with the efficient targeting of CNV CP to
      chloroplasts during agroinfiltration. Interestingly, droplet digital PCR analysis
      showed that the CNV CP mRNA expressed during agroinfiltration was the most
      efficiently encapsidated mRNA, suggesting that the CNV CP open reading frame may
      contain a high-affinity site or sites for CP binding and thus contribute to the
      specificity of CNV RNA encapsidation. Approximately 0.09% to 0.7% of the RNA
      derived from authentic CNV virions contained host RNA, with chloroplast RNA again
      being the most prominent species. This is consistent with our previous finding
      that a small proportion of CNV CP enters chloroplasts during the infection
      process and highlights the possibility that chloroplast targeting is a
      significant aspect of CNV infection. Remarkably, 6 to 8 of the top 10 most
      efficiently encapsidated nucleus-encoded RNAs in CNV virions correspond to
      retrotransposon or retrotransposon-like RNA sequences. Thus, CNV could
      potentially serve as a vehicle for horizontal transmission of retrotransposons to
      new hosts and thereby significantly influence genome evolution. IMPORTANCE:
      Viruses predominantly encapsidate their own virus-related RNA species due to the
      possession of specific sequences and/or structures on viral RNA which serve as
      high-affinity binding sites for the coat protein. In this study, we show, using
      next-generation sequence analysis, that CNV also encapsidates host RNA species,
      which account for ~0.1% of the RNA packaged in CNV particles. The encapsidated
      host RNAs predominantly include chloroplast RNAs, reinforcing previous
      observations that CNV CP enters chloroplasts during infection. Remarkably, the
      most abundantly encapsidated cytoplasmic mRNAs consisted of retrotransposon-like
      RNA sequences, similar to findings recently reported for flock house virus (A.
      Routh, T. Domitrovic, and J. E. Johnson, Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 109:1907-1912,
      2012). Encapsidation of retrotransposon sequences may contribute to their
      horizontal transmission should CNV virions carrying retrotransposons infect a new
      host. Such an event could lead to large-scale genomic changes in a naive plant
      host, thus facilitating host evolutionary novelty.

PMID- 26269191
TI  - Increased Immune Response Variability during Simultaneous Viral Coinfection Leads
      to Unpredictability in CD8 T Cell Immunity and Pathogenesis.
AB  - T cell memory is usually studied in the context of infection with a single
      pathogen in naive mice, but how memory develops during a coinfection with two
      pathogens, as frequently occurs in nature or after vaccination, is far less
      studied. Here, we questioned how the competition between immune responses to two
      viruses in the same naive host would influence the development of CD8 T cell
      memory and subsequent disease outcome upon challenge. Using two different models
      of coinfection, including the well-studied lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCMV)
      and Pichinde (PICV) viruses, several differences were observed within the CD8 T
      cell responses to either virus. Compared to single-virus infection, coinfection
      resulted in substantial variation among mice in the size of epitope-specific T
      cell responses to each virus. Some mice had an overall reduced number of virus
      specific cells to either one of the viruses, and other mice developed an
      immunodominant response to a normally subdominant, cross-reactive epitope
      (nucleoprotein residues 205 to 212, or NP205). These changes led to decreased
      protective immunity and enhanced pathology in some mice upon challenge with
      either of the original coinfecting viruses. In mice with PICV-dominant responses,
      during a high-dose challenge with LCMV clone 13, increased immunopathology was
      associated with a reduced number of LCMV-specific effector memory CD8 T cells. In
      mice with dominant cross-reactive memory responses, during challenge with PICV
      increased immunopathology was directly associated with these cross-reactive NP205
      specific CD8 memory cells. In conclusion, the inherent competition between two
      simultaneous immune responses results in significant alterations in T cell
      immunity and subsequent disease outcome upon reexposure. IMPORTANCE: Combination
      vaccines and simultaneous administration of vaccines are necessary to accommodate
      required immunizations and maintain vaccination rates. Antibody responses
      generally correlate with protection and vaccine efficacy. However, live
      attenuated vaccines also induce strong CD8 T cell responses, and the impact of
      these cells on subsequent immunity, whether beneficial or detrimental, has seldom
      been studied, in part due to the lack of known T cell epitopes to vaccine
      viruses. We questioned if the inherent increased competition and stochasticity
      between two immune responses during a simultaneous coinfection would
      significantly alter CD8 T cell memory in a mouse model where CD8 T cell epitopes
      are clearly defined. We show that some of the coinfected mice have sufficiently
      altered memory T cell responses that they have decreased protection and enhanced
      immunopathology when reexposed to one of the two viruses. These data suggest that
      a better understanding of human T cell responses to vaccines is needed to
      optimize immunization strategies.

PMID- 26269192
TI  - Propranolol Decreases Proliferation of Endothelial Cells Transformed by Kaposi's
      Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus and Induces Lytic Viral Gene Expression.
AB  - Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is common in Africa, but economic constraints hinder
      successful treatment in most patients. Propranolol, a generic beta-adrenergic
      antagonist, decreased proliferation of KS-associated herpesvirus (KSHV)-infected
      cells. Downregulation of cyclin A2 and cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1)
      recapitulated this phenotype. Additionally, propranolol induced lytic gene
      expression in association with downregulation of CDK6. Thus, propranolol has
      diverse effects on KSHV-infected cells, and this generic drug has potential as a
      therapeutic agent for KS. 

PMID- 26269194
TI  - Syringocystadenoma papilliferum of the male nipple.
AB  - Syringocystadenoma papilliferum (SP) is a rare and benign cutaneous adnexal
      tumor, particularly infrequent in the breast, with only one previous case
      affecting a female nipple. The present tumor was located at the nipple of a 23
      year-old man. This tumor consisted of several cysts and satisfied the
      characteristic microscopic features of SP: numerous papillary projections of
      double-layered glandular epithelium and a fibrovascular core with
      lymphoplasmacytic infiltration. Interestingly, many cysts were lined by
      stratified squamous epithelium with transition to glandular epithelium.
      Immunohistochemically, almost all structures were negative for gross cystic
      disease fluid protein-15, androgen receptor, estrogen receptor and progesterone
      receptor. The immunoprofiles of glandular epithelium were inadequate for the
      mature two-cell pattern of skin adnexal glands and mammary glands; most basal
      cuboidal cells lacked alpha-smooth muscle actin, and some of the luminal columnar
      cells were negative for cytokeratin 7 and cytokeratin 19. The clinical and
      pathological features of this uncommon tumor are presented, along with a review
      of the literature of SP of the breast. 

PMID- 26269193
TI  - The role for gut permeability in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes--a solid or
      leaky concept?
AB  - Increasing evidence, both functional and morphological, supports the concept of
      increased intestinal permeability as an intrinsic characteristic of type 1
      diabetes (T1D) in both humans and animal models of the disease. Often referred to
      as a 'leaky gut', its mechanistic impact on the pathogenesis of T1D remains
      unclear. Hypotheses that this defect influences immune responses against antigens
      (both self and non-self) predominate, yet others argue hyperglycemia and
      insulitis may contribute to increased gut permeability in T1D. To address these
      complicated issues, we herein review the many conceptual role(s) for a leaky gut
      in the pathogenesis of T1D and suggest ways that if true, therapeutic
      interventions aimed at the gut-pancreas axis may prove promising for future
      therapeutic interventions. 

PMID- 26269195
TI  - Reduced cortical neurotransmitter receptor complex levels in fetal Down syndrome
      brain.
AB  - In this study, cortical receptor complex levels were determined in fetal Down
      syndrome (DS, trisomy 21) brain. Frontal cortices were obtained from individuals
      with DS (19th-22nd week of gestation) and controls. Membrane proteins were
      extracted, assayed on blue native gels and immunoblotted with brain receptor
      antibodies. Levels of a D1R-containing complex were markedly decreased in male
      and female cortices of DS individuals. Females with DS had significant reductions
      of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors alpha4 and alpha7, NMDA receptor GluN1 and
      AMPA receptor GluA1- and GluA3-containing receptor complexes. Levels of other
      brain receptor complexes (5-hydroxytryptamine 1A, GluA2 and GluR4 receptor
      containing complexes) were comparable between the groups of females. Levels of
      GluA2- and GluA3-containing complexes were significantly increased in males.
      Decreased levels of D1R complexes in both sexes, along with the significant
      reduction of alpha4, alpha7-containing receptor complexes observed in females,
      may explain the brain deficits and impaired cognition observed in DS. 

PMID- 26269196
TI  - Photovoltaic performance and the energy landscape of CH3NH3PbI3.
AB  - Photovoltaic cells with absorbing layers of certain perovskites have power
      conversion efficiencies up to 20%. Among these materials, CH3NH3PbI3 is widely
      used. Here we use density-functional theory to calculate the energies and
      rotational energy barriers of a methylammonium ion in the alpha or beta phase of
      CH3NH3PbI3 with differently oriented neighbouring methylammonium ions. Our
      results suggest the methylammonium ions in CH3NH3PbI3 prefer to rotate
      collectively, and to be parallel to their neighbours. Changes in polarization on
      rotation of methylammonium ions are two to three times larger than those on
      relaxation of the lead ion from the centre of its coordination shell. The
      preferences for parallel configuration and concerted rotation, with the
      polarisation changes, are consistent with ferroelectricity in the material, and
      indicate that this polarisation is governed by methylammonium orientational
      correlations. We show that the field due to this polarisation is strong enough to
      screen the field hindering charge transport, and find this screening field in
      agreement with experiment. We examine two possible mechanisms for the effect of
      methylammonium ion rotation on photovoltaic performance. One is that
      rearrangement of methylammoniums promotes the creation and transport of charge
      carriers. Some effective masses change greatly, but changes in band structure
      with methylammonium rotation are not large enough to explain current-voltage
      hysteresis behaviour. The second possible mechanism is that polarization screens
      the hindering electric field, which arises from charge accumulation in the
      transport layers. Polarization changes on methylammonium rotation favour this
      second mechanism, suggesting that collective reorientation of methylammonium ions
      in the bulk crystal are in significant part responsible for the hysteresis and
      power conversion characteristics of CH3NH3PbI3 photovoltaic cells. 

PMID- 26269197
TI  - Rhesus macaque theta-defensin RTD-1 inhibits proinflammatory cytokine secretion
      and gene expression by inhibiting the activation of NF-kappaB and MAPK pathways.
AB  - theta-Defensins are pleiotropic, macrocyclic peptides that are expressed uniquely
      in Old World monkeys. The peptides are potent, broad-spectrum microbicides that
      also modulate inflammatory responses in vitro and in animal models of viral
      infection and polymicrobial sepsis. theta-Defensins suppress proinflammatory
      cytokine secretion by leukocytes stimulated with diverse Toll-like receptor (TLR)
      ligands. Studies were performed to delineate anti-inflammatory mechanisms of
      rhesus theta-defensin 1 (RTD-1), the most abundant theta-defensin isoform in
      macaque granulocytes. RTD-1 reduced the secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha
      (TNF-alpha), interleukin (IL)-1beta, and IL-8 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)
      stimulated human blood monocytes and THP-1 macrophages, and this was accompanied
      by inhibition of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation and mitogen
      activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. Peptide inhibition of NF-kappaB
      activation occurred following stimulation of extracellular (TLRs 1/2 and 4) and
      intracellular (TLR9) receptors. Although RTD-1 did not inhibit MAPK in
      unstimulated cells, it induced phosphorylation of Akt in otherwise untreated
      monocytes and THP-1 cells. In the latter, this occurred within 10 min of RTD-1
      treatment and produced a sustained elevation of phosphorylated Akt (pAkt) for at
      least 4 h. pAkt is a negative regulator of MAPK and NF-kappaB activation. RTD-1
      inhibited IkappaBalpha degradation and p38 MAPK phosphorylation, and stimulated
      Akt phosphorylation in LPS-treated human primary monocytes and THP-1 macrophages.
      Specific inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) blocked RTD-1
      stimulated Akt phosphorylation and reversed the suppression of NF-kappaB
      activation by the peptide. These studies indicate that the anti-inflammatory
      properties of theta-defensins are mediated by activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway
      and suppression of proinflammatory signals in immune-stimulated cells. 

PMID- 26269199
TI  - Effect of acetaminophen on CGM glucose in an outpatient setting.

PMID- 26269200
TI  - Hydrogen reverses the clustering tendency of carbon in amorphous silicon
      oxycarbide.
AB  - Amorphous silicon oxycarbide (SiOC) is of great technological interest. However,
      its atomic-level structure is not well understood. Using density functional
      theory calculations, we show that the clustering tendency of C atoms in SiOC is
      extremely sensitive to hydrogen (H): without H, the C-C interaction is
      attractive, leading to enrichment of aggregated SiC4 tetrahedral units; with
      hydrogen, the C-C interaction is repulsive, leading to enrichment of randomly
      distributed SiCO3 tetrahedral units. Our results suggest that conflicting
      experimental characterizations of C distributions may be due to differing amounts
      of H present in the samples investigated. Our work also opens a path for
      tailoring the properties of SiOC by using the total H content to control the C
      distribution. 

PMID- 26269198
TI  - Sulforaphane inhibits multiple inflammasomes through an Nrf2-independent
      mechanism.
AB  - The inflammasomes are intracellular complexes that have an important role in
      cytosolic innate immune sensing and pathogen defense. Inflammasome sensors detect
      a diversity of intracellular microbial ligands and endogenous danger signals and
      activate caspase-1, thus initiating maturation and release of the proinflammatory
      cytokines interleukin-1beta and interleukin-18. These events, although crucial to
      the innate immune response, have also been linked to the pathology of several
      inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. The natural isothiocyanate sulforaphane,
      present in broccoli sprouts and available as a dietary supplement, has gained
      attention for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and chemopreventive properties.
      We discovered that sulforaphane inhibits caspase-1 autoproteolytic activation and
      interleukin-1beta maturation and secretion downstream of the nucleotide-binding
      oligomerization domain-like receptor leucine-rich repeat proteins NLRP1 and
      NLRP3, NLR family apoptosis inhibitory protein 5/NLR family caspase-1 recruitment
      domain-containing protein 4 (NAIP5/NLRC4), and absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2)
      inflammasome receptors. Sulforaphane does not inhibit the inflammasome by direct
      modification of active caspase-1 and its mechanism is not dependent on protein
      degradation by the proteasome or de novo protein synthesis. Furthermore,
      sulforaphane-mediated inhibition of the inflammasomes is independent of the
      transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like factor 2 (Nrf2) and
      the antioxidant response-element pathway, to which many of the antioxidant and
      anti-inflammatory effects of sulforaphane have been attributed. Sulforaphane was
      also found to inhibit cell recruitment to the peritoneum and interleukin-1beta
      secretion in an in vivo peritonitis model of acute gout and to reverse NLRP1
      mediated murine resistance to Bacillus anthracis spore infection. These findings
      demonstrate that sulforaphane inhibits the inflammasomes through a novel
      mechanism and contributes to our understanding of the beneficial effects of
      sulforaphane. 

PMID- 26269201
TI  - Mid-term results of previously cemented hip arthroplasties revised with
      uncemented modular femoral components: a retrospective study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We evaluated the mid-term results of previously cemented hip
      arthroplasties revised with uncemented modular femoral components. METHODS: The
      study included 40 patients (36 females (90 %) and 4 males (10 %), mean age 67.6
      years, range 39-87 years) who underwent revision of a previously cemented hip
      prosthesis with an uncemented modular femoral stem between 2005 and 2009. The
      indications for revision were femoral aseptic loosening in 38 (95 %) cases and
      acetabular protrusion in 2 (5 %). According to the Paprosky classification, the
      femoral defect was type 1 in 10 (25 %) patients, type 2 in 16 (40 %), type 3a in
      11 (27.5 %), type 3b in 2 (5 %) and type 4 in 1 (2.5 %). The Harris hip score was
      used for the clinical evaluation. Femoral vertical subsidence, the cortical index
      and femoral stem stability were assessed radiologically. The mean follow-up
      period was 84 months (range 61-95 months). RESULTS: The mean Harris hip score was
      41.4 (range 35.4-44.4) preoperatively and 80.9 (range 65.6-98.3) at the final
      follow-up examination (p < 0.05). Mean vertical subsidence was 5.7 mm (range 2.5
      10.5 mm) in seven (17.5 %) patients. Stable bone fixation was observed in 38 (95
      %) patients, fibrous stable fixation in 2 (5 %) and no instability in any
      patient. Radiographs taken during the early postoperative period revealed that
      the cortical index was a mean of 1.34 (range 1.11-1.73) and a mean of 1.55 on the
      final follow-up radiographic examinations (range 1.16-1.91) (p < 0.01).
      CONCLUSIONS: Satisfactory results were achieved using uncemented modular femoral
      components during revision of previously cemented femoral components. Many
      modular femoral stems provide primary stability by filling femoral bone losses
      and help determine stem length, offset and anteversion.

PMID- 26269202
TI  - Assessment of the rocker sole shoes on postural stability in diabetic patients
      with distal sensory neuropathy.

PMID- 26269203
TI  - Injury patterns and outcomes following pediatric bicycle accidents.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Other than automobiles, bicycles are connected to more pediatric
      injuries than any other consumer product. Whereas characterization of injury
      patterns following motor vehicle accidents has led to safety initiatives and
      treatment guidelines, knowledge related to bicyclist injuries is lacking. Our
      purpose is to identify major injury patterns and outcomes associated with
      pediatric bicycle accidents. METHODS: From January 2000 to December 2012, 1934
      consecutive pediatric admissions (<=17 years) at a level I trauma center were
      retrospectively reviewed for mechanism injury, demographics, and outcomes.
      Parametric data were analyzed with student's t test and are presented as mean +/-
      standard deviation. Nonparametric data were analyzed with Mann-Whitney-U test and
      are presented as median (interquartile range). Analysis was performed to
      recognize injury patterns and outcomes significantly associated with bicycle
      related accidents. RESULTS: 80 pediatric patients were admitted following bicycle
      related trauma (4% of all pediatric trauma admissions). The cohort was age 11 +/-
      4 years, ISS 11 +/- 10, 48% black, and 81% male. Injury patterns included 21%
      isolated head, 21% isolated abdominal, 13% isolated extremity, and 34% multiple
      injuries. 5% were age 0-4 years, 35% were age 5-9 years, 45% were 10-14 years,
      and 15% were 15-17 years (p < 0.001). 16% required operative intervention (6%
      abdominal, 9% orthopedic, 1% vascular). Children under age 6 required an
      abdominal operation 20% of the time. Length of stay was 2 (4) days with a
      mortality of 2.5%. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric bicycle accidents more commonly occur
      in male children aged 10-14 years. Orthopedic injury is the most frequent overall
      indication for surgery, yet the youngest children more often required an
      abdominal operation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

PMID- 26269205
TI  - Hairy cell leukaemia: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment
      and follow-up.

PMID- 26269204
TI  - EGFR-independent mechanisms of acquired resistance to AZD9291 in EGFR T790M
      positive NSCLC patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: AZD9291 is an oral, irreversible, mutant-selective epidermal growth
      factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKI), which specifically
      targets both sensitizing and resistant T790M mutations. This compound has shown
      outstanding activity, in a phase I/II (AURA) trial. However, despite impressive
      tumor responses in T790M-positive patients, acquired resistance to this drug
      limits the benefit of this compound. Mutations at the EGFR C797 codon, located
      within the kinase-binding site, were very recently reported to be a potential
      mechanism of resistance to AZD9291 in T790M-positive patients. PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: To identify potential mechanisms of resistance to AZD9291, we report
      here on two patients with resistant biopsy specimens that had been treated with
      AZD9291. RESULTS: We identified in two distinct cases, HER2 and MET amplification
      by FISH and CGH as a potential mechanism of acquired resistance to third
      generation EGFR-TKI. Interestingly, this event occurred with complete loss of the
      T790M mutation. In one case, we observed a different molecular status at two
      biopsy sites (the T790M mutation at the primary site and wild-type T790M at the
      metastatic site with different pathways of acquired resistance to AZD9291).
      CONCLUSION: Our observations suggest that T790M-positive and wild-type T790M
      clones may coexist at baseline. AZD9291 efficiently suppresses the growth of
      T790M-positive cells, but a population of wild-type T790M cells at baseline will
      mediate the development of resistance, here via a by-pass pathway activating
      either HER2 or MET.

PMID- 26269206
TI  - The interface makes a difference: lanthanide ion coated vesicles hydrolyze
      phosphodiesters.
AB  - Lanthanide ions are strong Lewis acids. Their complexation to a variety of
      ligands can further enhance their Lewis acidity allowing the hydrolysis of
      phosphoesters and even DNA. We show that the interaction of lanthanide ions with
      vesicles from zwitterionic phosphatidylcholine lipids gives supramolecular
      structures in which the metal ion is loosely coordinated to the surface. This
      assembly provides a high density of Lewis-acidic metal centres, which hydrolyze
      phosphodiesters with enhanced rates. 

PMID- 26269207
TI  - Java project on periodontal diseases: causes of tooth loss in a cohort of
      untreated individuals.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the relative contribution of caries and periodontal disease
      to tooth loss over 24 years in a cohort deprived of regular dental care. MATERIAL
      & METHODS: The study population consisted of 98 subjects from a tea estate on
      West Java, Indonesia, that had been part of a prospective longitudinal study and
      provided full datasets of clinical assessments between 1987, 1994 and 2002. In
      2011, complete sets of dental radiographs were made which was combined with the
      survey forms and clinical slides from the previous assessments in order to
      estimate reasons for tooth loss. RESULTS: Thirty-seven subjects lost no teeth,
      whereas 61 subjects lost 185 teeth. In this group, 45.9% lost <=2 teeth, 32.8%
      lost 3 to 4 teeth and 19.7% lost >=5 teeth. The majority of teeth were lost due
      to caries. In five subjects, tooth loss could be attributed solely to
      periodontitis, whereas in four subjects teeth were lost due to both caries and
      periodontits. Analyses of the predictor variables age, gender, smoking,
      education, presence of caries and severe periodontitis showed that male gender
      and caries were significantly associated with tooth loss. CONCLUSION: The
      majority of teeth in this population were lost due to caries.

PMID- 26269208
TI  - Exciton Diffusion in Conjugated Polymers: From Fundamental Understanding to
      Improvement in Photovoltaic Conversion Efficiency.
AB  - Singlet exciton diffusion plays a central role in the photovoltaic conversion in
      organic photovoltaics (OPVs). Upon light absorption, singlet excitons are
      promptly generated in organic materials instead of charge carriers because the
      dielectric constant (epsilonr) is small (~3-4), which is in sharp contrast to
      inorganic and perovskite solar cells. In order to convert to charge carriers,
      excitons need to diffuse into an interface between electron donor and acceptor
      materials before deactivating to the ground state. Therefore, fundamental
      understanding of exciton diffusion dynamics is one of the most important issues
      to further improve OPVs. We highlight recent leading studies in this field and
      describe several approaches for efficient exciton harvesting at the interface in
      OPVs. 

PMID- 26269209
TI  - Epithelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (ECAM1) is required in the maintenance of
      corneal epithelial barrier integrity.
AB  - Corneal epithelial barrier integrity is critical in the maintenance of the
      corneal homeostasis. The corneal barrier dysfunction may be associated with the
      pathogenesis of a number of eye diseases. In this study, we assessed the
      expression of epithelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (ECAM1) in human corneal
      epithelial cells (HCE). The epithelial barrier function of the corneal epithelial
      monolayer was determined in Transwells. We found that the HCE cells expressed
      ECAM1. Knockdown of ECAM1 markedly compromised the HCE monolayer barrier
      function. A complex of ECAM1, claudin1, and occludin was detected in the HCE
      monolayers, which was not detected in the ECAM1-null HCE monolayers. Exposure to
      the proinflammatory cytokine, interleukin-13, inhibited the expression of ECAM1
      in HCE cells and compromised the barrier function, which was prevented in the HCE
      monolayer with the ECAM1 overexpression. In conclusion, ECAM1 is required in the
      formation of the tight junction complex and maintaining the corneal epithelial
      barrier function.

PMID- 26269210
TI  - Concurrent recording of RF pulses and gradient fields - comprehensive field
      monitoring for MRI.
AB  - Reconstruction of MRI data is based on exact knowledge of all magnetic field
      dynamics, since the interplay of RF and gradient pulses generates the signal,
      defines the contrast and forms the basis of resolution in spatial and spectral
      dimensions. Deviations caused by various sources, such as system imperfections,
      delays, eddy currents, drifts or externally induced fields, can therefore
      critically limit the accuracy of MRI examinations. This is true especially at
      ultra-high fields, because many error terms scale with the main field strength,
      and higher available SNR renders even smaller errors relevant. Higher baseline
      field also often requires higher acquisition bandwidths and faster signal
      encoding, increasing hardware demands and the severity of many types of hardware
      imperfection. To address field imperfections comprehensively, in this work we
      propose to expand the concept of magnetic field monitoring to also encompass the
      recording of RF fields. In this way, all dynamic magnetic fields relevant for
      spin evolution are covered, including low- to audio-frequency magnetic fields as
      produced by main magnets, gradients and shim systems, as well as RF pulses
      generated with single- and multiple-channel transmission systems. The proposed
      approach permits field measurements concurrently with actual MRI procedures on a
      strict common time base. The combined measurement is achieved with an array of
      miniaturized field probes that measure low- to audio-frequency fields via (19) F
      NMR and simultaneously pick up RF pulses in the MRI system's (1) H transmit band.
      Field recordings can form the basis of system calibration, retrospective
      correction of imaging data or closed-loop feedback correction, all of which hold
      potential to render MRI more robust and relax hardware requirements. The proposed
      approach is demonstrated for a range of imaging methods performed on a 7 T human
      MRI system, including accelerated multiple-channel RF pulses. Copyright (c) 2015
      John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 26269212
TI  - A Narrow QRS Complex Tachycardia With Variable AV Relationships: What Is the
      Mechanism?

PMID- 26269211
TI  - Time course of facial emotion processing in women with borderline personality
      disorder: an ERP study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is characterized by a negative
      perception of others. Previous studies have revealed deficits and biases in
      facial emotion recognition. This study investigates the behavioural and
      electrophysiological correlates underlying facial emotion processing in
      individuals with BPD. METHODS: The present study was conducted between July 2012
      and May 2014. In an emotion classification task, unmedicated female patients with
      BPD as well as healthy women had to classify faces displaying blends of anger and
      happiness while the electroencephalogram was recorded. We analyzed visual event
      related potentials (ERPs) reflecting early (P100), structural (N170) and
      categorical (P300) facial processing in addition to behavioural responses.
      RESULTS: We included 36 women with BPD and 29 controls in our analysis. Patients
      with BPD were more likely than controls to classify predominantly happy faces as
      angry. Independent of facial emotion, women with BPD showed enhanced early
      occipital P100 amplitudes. Additionally, temporo-occipital N170 amplitudes were
      reduced at right hemispherical electrode sites. Centroparietal P300 amplitudes
      were reduced particularly for predominantly happy faces and increased for highly
      angry faces in women with BPD, whereas in healthy volunteers this component was
      modulated by both angry and happy facial affect. LIMITATIONS: Our sample included
      only women, and no clinical control group was investigated. CONCLUSION: Our
      findings suggest reduced thresholds for facial anger and deficits in the
      discrimination of facial happiness in individuals with BPD. This biased
      perception is associated with alterations in very early visual as well as
      deficient structural and categorical processing of faces. The current data could
      help to explain the negative perception of others that may be related to the
      patients' impairments in interpersonal functioning.

PMID- 26269213
TI  - Energy landscape investigation by wavelet transform analysis of atomic force
      spectroscopy data in a biorecognition experiment.
AB  - Force fluctuations recorded in an atomic force spectroscopy experiment, during
      the approach of a tip functionalized with biotin towards a substrate charged with
      avidin, have been analyzed by a wavelet transform. The observation of strong
      transient changes only when a specific biorecognition process between the
      partners takes place suggests a drastic modulation of the force fluctuations when
      biomolecules recognize each other. Such an analysis allows to investigate the
      peculiar features of a biorecognition process. These results are discussed in
      connection with the possible role of energy minima explored by biomolecules
      during the biorecognition process. 

PMID- 26269214
TI  - Nutrition-dependent phenotypes affect sexual selection in a ladybird.
AB  - Environmental factors play a crucial role in influencing sexual selection in
      insects and the evolution of their mating systems. Although it has been reported
      that sexual selection in insects may change in response to varying environments,
      the reason for these changes remains poorly understood. Here, we focus on the
      mate selection process of a ladybird, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri, when
      experiencing low- and high-nutrition diet regimes both in its larval and adult
      stages. We found that female ladybirds preferred to mate with males reared under
      high-nutrition diet regimes, regardless of the nutritional conditions they
      experienced during their own larval stages, indicating that mate choice of female
      C. montrouzieri is non-random and phenotype-dependent. Such mate choice may
      depend on visual cues (body or genitalia size) and/or chemical cues (pheromones).
      Further, females from high-nutrition larval diet regimes produced more eggs than
      those from low-nutrition larval diet regimes. In addition, diet regimes during
      adulthood also exerted strong effects on egg production. In summary, our study
      provides new insight into the mate choice of C. montrouzieri as affected by
      seasonal changes in resources, and suggests that food availability may be a
      driving force in mate choice. 

PMID- 26269215
TI  - Spontaneous breathing trial in T-tube negatively impact on autonomic modulation
      of heart rate compared with pressure support in critically ill patients.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Spontaneous breathing with a conventional T-piece (TT) connected to
      the tracheal tube orotraqueal has been frequently used in clinical setting to
      weaning of mechanical ventilation (MV), when compared with pressure support
      ventilation (PSV). However, the acute effects of spontaneous breathing with TT
      versus PSV on autonomic function assessed through heart rate variability (HRV)
      have not been fully elucidated. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to
      examine the acute effects of spontaneous breathing in TT vs PSV in critically ill
      patients. METHOD: Twenty-one patients who had received MV for >= 48 h and who met
      the study inclusion criteria for weaning were assessed. Eligible patients were
      randomized to TT and PSV. Cardiorespiratory responses (respiratory rate -f, tidal
      volume-VT , mean blood pressure (MBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), end
      tidal dioxide carbone (PET CO2 ), peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2 ) and HRV
      indices in frequency domain (low-LF, high frequency (HF) and LF/HF ratio were
      evaluated. RESULTS: TT increased f (20 +/- 5 vs 25 +/- 4 breaths/min, P<0.05),
      MBP (90 +/- 14 vs 94 +/- 18 mmHg, P<0.05), HR (90 +/- 17 vs 96 +/- 12 beats/min,
      P<0.05), PET CO2 (33 +/- 8 vs 48 +/- 10 mmHg, P<0.05) and reduced SpO2 (98 +/-
      1.6 vs 96 +/- 1.6%, P<0.05). In addition, LF increased (47 +/- 18 vs 38 +/- 12
      nu, P<0.05) and HF reduced (29 +/- 13 vs 32 +/- 16 nu, P<0.05), resulting in
      higher LF/HF ratio (1.62 +/- 2 vs 1.18 +/- 1, P<0.05) during TT. Conversely, VT
      increased with PSV (0.58 +/- 0.16 vs 0.50 +/- 0.15 L, P<0.05) compared with TT.
      CONCLUSION: Acute effects of TT mode may be closely linked to cardiorespiratory
      mismatches and cardiac autonomic imbalance in critically ill patients.

PMID- 26269216
TI  - Consequences of severe obstetric complications on women's health in Morocco:
      please, listen to me!
AB  - OBJECTIVE: In Morocco, medical care for women with severe obstetric complications
      (near-miss cases) ends at discharge from the hospital. Little information exists
      regarding what happens after returning home. The aim of the study was to assess
      the physical and mental health consequences of near-miss events on Moroccan women
      8 months after childbirth. METHODS: A prospective cohort study of 76 near-miss
      women was conducted in three hospitals. For every case, we recruited at least two
      women from the same hospital who had uncomplicated deliveries (n = 169). We used
      a mixed-methods approach. For the quantitative part, we analysed sociodemographic
      characteristics collected via a questionnaire and medical complications extracted
      from the medical records during a medical consultation at 8 months post-partum.
      Forty in-depth interviews were also conducted with 20 near-miss cases and 20
      women with uncomplicated deliveries. RESULTS: The near-miss women were poorer and
      less educated than those who had uncomplicated deliveries. The proportion of
      physical consequences (serious illness) was higher among near-miss cases (22%)
      than uncomplicated deliveries (6%, P = 0.001). The risk of depression was
      significantly higher among near-miss cases with perinatal death (OR = 7.16; [95%
      CI: 2.85-17.98]) than among those who had an uncomplicated delivery. Interviews
      revealed that the economic burden of near-miss care contributed to social
      problems among the women and their households. CONCLUSION: A near-miss event has
      consequences that go beyond the first days after delivery. Developing new
      mechanisms for maternal and newborn health follow-up is essential and should
      address the mother's physical and mental health problems and involve husbands and
      family members.

PMID- 26269217
TI  - Circadian Regulation of Macronutrient Absorption.
AB  - Various intestinal functions exhibit circadian rhythmicity. Disruptions in these
      rhythms as in shift workers and transcontinental travelers are associated with
      intestinal discomfort. Circadian rhythms are controlled at the molecular level by
      core clock and clock-controlled genes. These clock genes are expressed in
      intestinal cells, suggesting that they might participate in the circadian
      regulation of intestinal functions. A major function of the intestine is nutrient
      absorption. Here, we will review absorption of proteins, carbohydrates, and
      lipids and circadian regulation of various transporters involved in their
      absorption. A better understanding of circadian regulation of intestinal
      absorption might help control several metabolic disorders and attenuate
      intestinal discomfort associated with disruptions in sleep-wake cycles.

PMID- 26269218
TI  - "Language is There to Bewilder Itself and Others": Theoretical and Clinical
      Contributions of Sabina Spielrein.

PMID- 26269219
TI  - Translational genomics for plant breeding with the genome sequence explosion.
AB  - The use of next-generation sequencers and advanced genotyping technologies has
      propelled the field of plant genomics in model crops and plants and enhanced the
      discovery of hidden bridges between genotypes and phenotypes. The newly generated
      reference sequences of unstudied minor plants can be annotated by the knowledge
      of model plants via translational genomics approaches. Here, we reviewed the
      strategies of translational genomics and suggested perspectives on the current
      databases of genomic resources and the database structures of translated
      information on the new genome. As a draft picture of phenotypic annotation,
      translational genomics on newly sequenced plants will provide valuable assistance
      for breeders and researchers who are interested in genetic studies.

PMID- 26269221
TI  - Inherited anomalies of innate immune receptors in pediatric-onset inflammatory
      diseases.
AB  - Pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs) can detect various pathogen-associated
      molecular patterns such as carbohydrates, nucleic acids or bacterial peptides and
      play a major role in both innate and adaptive immunity. In physiological
      conditions, the engagement of PRRs triggers the production of proinflammatory
      cytokines and promotes pathogen destruction. Inappropriate stimulation or
      defective regulation of PRR has been recently evidenced in several inherited
      inflammatory disorders. This new field of childhood-onset inflammatory diseases
      encompass the so-called type-I interferon-related diseases and autoinflammatory
      diseases. 

PMID- 26269220
TI  - Association between in utero zidovudine exposure and nondefect adverse birth
      outcomes: analysis of prospectively collected data from the Antiretroviral
      Pregnancy Registry.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between nondefect adverse birth outcomes
      and in utero exposure to zidovudine (ZDV)-containing regimens versus non-ZDV
      antiretroviral (ARV) regimens. DESIGN: Analysis of prospectively-collected data.
      SETTING: Global. POPULATION: HIV-infected pregnant women prenatally exposed to
      antiretrovirals. METHODS: Estimation of prevalence of and risk for nondefect
      adverse birth outcomes among HIV-infected women. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
      Prevalence of and risk for nondefect adverse birth outcomes. RESULTS: Among 12
      780 singleton birth outcomes with in utero ZDV exposure, 96.1% were live births;
      3.9% were spontaneous abortions, induced abortions or stillbirths. Among live
      births, 16.4% were low birthweight (LBW); 12.3% were premature. Among 1904
      outcomes with in utero exposure to non-ZDV ARV regimens, 85.8% were live births;
      14.2% were spontaneous abortions, induced abortions or stillbirths. Among live
      births, 14.1% were LBW; 12.4% were premature. Relative risk comparing exposure to
      ZDV-containing ARV regimens to non-ZDV ARV regimens for spontaneous abortions was
      0.18 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.14-0.22); induced abortions 0.28 (95% CI
      0.22-0.36); stillbirths 0.76 (95% CI 0.51-1.12); premature births 1.00 (95% CI
      0.87-1.15) and LBW 1.17 (95% CI 1.02-1.33). CONCLUSION: Prevalence of nondefect
      adverse birth outcomes is lower among outcomes with in utero ZDV exposure versus
      in utero non-ZDV ARV exposure. The risks for spontaneous and induced abortions
      were no different for ZDV-containing regimens versus non-ZDV ARV regimens. For
      premature births and stillbirths, there was no significant difference in risk
      between the two regimens. The risk of LBW was statistically significantly higher
      among ZDV-containing regimens versus non-ZDV ARV regimens. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT:
      ZDV-containing regimens do not increase the risk for nondefect adverse birth
      outcomes.

PMID- 26269222
TI  - Factors predisposing to acquired von Willebrand syndrome during the course of
      polycythemia vera - retrospective analysis of 142 consecutive cases.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to verify if PV patients with and without
      avWS differ in terms of their baseline clinical parameters. MATERIAL AND METHODS:
      The study included 142 consecutive patients with PV. avWS was diagnosed on the
      basis of abnormally low levels of von Willebrand factor and other routine tests.
      Patients with and without concomitant avWS were compared in terms of their
      demographic characteristics, present and past medical histories and laboratory
      parameters. RESULTS: Concomitant avWS was found in 17 PV patients (12.0%).
      Individuals with avWS have been diagnosed with PV at significantly younger age
      than those without, and significantly less often were in remission at the time of
      testing for bleeding disorders. Most of them (58.8%) presented with typical signs
      of bleeding disorder. Moreover, they showed significantly higher erythrocyte,
      leukocyte and platelet counts, abnormalities of coagulation profile corresponding
      to defects of primary hemostasis and abnormal values of all parameters used in
      the routine diagnosis of avWS. CONCLUSIONS: Even every tenth patient with PV may
      develop avWS. Young age at diagnosis of PV and poor response to previous
      treatment of this condition are potential risk factors of avWS that should be
      considered during history taking. Sings of bleeding disorder observed in a person
      with PV necessitate evaluation for avWS.

PMID- 26269223
TI  - Pauci-immune glomerulonephritis: does negativity of anti-neutrophilic cytoplasmic
      antibodies matters?
AB  - AIM: A significant proportion of pauci-immune glomerulonephritis (PIGN) patients
      are reported to have absence of anti-neutrophilic cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA).
      However, studies are controversial regarding their significance and there is
      limited data after the new prognostic classification of PIGN. METHODS: Renal
      biopsy-proven cases of PIGN were included and their clinical details, ANCA status
      by immunofluorescence (IIF) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA),
      Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (BVAS) and treatment outcomes at 6 months
      were noted. The renal biopsies were classified according to the proposed
      histopathological classification. Scoring was done from 0-3 for interstitial
      edema, interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy (IFTA), interstitial
      inflammation and arteriosclerosis. The percentage of glomeruli with sclerosis,
      cellular and fibrous crescents, and percentage of subjects with glomerulitis,
      tuft necrosis, interstitial granuloma and vasculitis were noted. RESULTS: Out of
      the 84 subjects included in the study, 33 (39.3%) were negative for ANCA by both
      IIF and ELISA. These subjects had significantly higher renal involvement, less
      extra-renal manifestations and lower BVAS. On histology, they had significantly
      higher proportion of crescentic class (66.7% vs. 41.2%, P = 0.039), higher number
      of cellular crescents (66.12% vs. 53.3%, P = 0.00008), higher IFTA (1.53 vs.
      1.02, P = 0.009) and less interstitial edema (1.44 vs. 1.96, P = 0.003). The
      treatment outcomes were worse in ANCA-negative PIGN subjects, with significantly
      less improvement (37.2% vs. 62.8%, P = 0.02), more deterioration (40.7% vs. 14%,
      P = 0.006), and reduced probability of becoming dialysis free (31.6% vs. 69.6% P
      = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: A negative ANCA in PIGN is associated with crescentic
      class, more IFTA and poor treatment outcomes.

PMID- 26269224
TI  - Ga(+) Basicity and Affinity Scales Based on High-Level Ab Initio Calculations.
AB  - The structure, relative stability and bonding of complexes formed by the
      interaction between Ga(+) and a large set of compounds, including hydrocarbons,
      aromatic systems, and oxygen-, nitrogen-, fluorine and sulfur-containing Lewis
      bases have been investigated through the use of the high-level composite ab
      initio Gaussian-4 theory. This allowed us to establish rather accurate Ga(+)
      cation affinity (GaCA) and Ga(+) cation basicity (GaCB) scales. The bonding
      analysis of the complexes under scrutiny shows that, even though one of the main
      ingredients of the Ga(+) -base interaction is electrostatic, it exhibits a non
      negligible covalent character triggered by the presence of the low-lying empty 4p
      orbital of Ga(+) , which favors a charge donation from occupied orbitals of the
      base to the metal ion. This partial covalent character, also observed in AlCA
      scales, is behind the dissimilarities observed when GaCA are compared with Li(+)
      cation affinities, where these covalent contributions are practically
      nonexistent. Quite unexpectedly, there are some dissimilarities between several
      Ga(+) -complexes and the corresponding Al(+) -analogues, mainly affecting the
      relative stability of pi-complexes involving aromatic compounds. 

PMID- 26269225
TI  - Safety and feasibility of local myocardial hypothermia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), reduction in time to
      reperfusion of the occluded coronary artery reduces infarct size. In animal
      models, an additional reduction of infarct size was observed when hypothermia was
      induced before reperfusion, despite a longer ischemic time. However, several
      human studies did not corroborate this positive effect, which is believed to be
      in part due to the inability of systemic induced hypothermia to induce sufficient
      decrease of local myocardial temperature before reperfusion. Providing rapid
      local myocardial hypothermia by intracoronary infusion of saline before
      reperfusion in patients with STEMI may overcome this problem. In this study, we
      evaluate the safety and feasibility of providing rapid intracoronary myocardial
      hypothermia in patients undergoing intracoronary blood flow measurements based on
      thermodilution with continuous infusion of saline at room temperature. METHODS
      AND RESULTS: In 53 patients with stable angina (SA) and 20 patients with STEMI, a
      total of 215 measurements were performed. The measurements consisted of
      continuous selective intracoronary infusion of saline at room temperature with
      rates between 10 ml/min and 30 ml/min. Temperature changes compared to initial
      blood temperature (Tb ) were measured at the tip of the infusion catheter (Ti )
      and distally in the coronary artery (Td ). In patients with SA, Ti was -5.65 +/-
      1.41 degrees C (range -9.27 to -2.28) and Td was -0.78 +/- 0.51 degrees C (range 
      3.27 to -0.23 degrees C). In patients with STEMI, Ti was -7.45 +/- 0.51 degrees C
      (range -8.21 to -6.56) and Td was -1.37 +/- 0.82 degrees C (range -4.62 to -0.74
      degrees C). In all patients, steady-state intracoronary hypothermia was achieved
      within 15 sec and could be maintained without noticeable complications.
      CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the safety and feasibility of inducing
      intracoronary hypothermia by selective infusion of saline at room temperature in
      patients with SA and STEMI. Steady-state hypothermia could be achieved and
      maintained quickly, easily, and safely using common PCI techniques. Therefore,
      our findings warrant further studies to the use of intracoronary hypothermia to
      enhance myocardial salvage in acute myocardial infarction.

PMID- 26269226
TI  - Adult neural progenitor cells from Huntington's disease mouse brain exhibit
      increased proliferation and migration due to enhanced calcium and ROS signals.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Huntington's disease (HD) is an inherited human neurodegenerative
      disorder characterized by uncontrollable movement, psychiatric disturbance and
      cognitive decline. Impaired proliferative/differentiational potentials of adult
      neural progenitor cells (ANPCs) have been thought to be a pathogenic mechanism
      involved in it. In this study, we aimed to elucidate intrinsic properties of
      ANPCs subjected to neurodegenerative condition in YAC128 HD mice. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: ANPCs were isolated from the SVZ regions of 4-month-old WT and YAC128
      mice. Cell proliferation, migration and neuronal differentiation in vitro were
      compared between these two genotypes with/without Ca(2+) inhibitors or ROS
      scavenger treatments. Differences in ANPC proliferation and differentiation
      capabilities in vivo between the two genotypes were evaluated using Ki-67 and
      Doublecortin (DCX) immunofluorescence respectively. RESULTS: Compared to WT
      ANPCs, YAC128 ANPCs had significantly enhanced cell proliferation, migration and
      neuronal differentiation in vitro, accompanied by increased Ca(2+) and ROS
      signals. Raised proliferation and migration in YAC128 ANPCs were abolished by
      Ca(2+) signalling antagonists and ROS scavenging. However, in vivo, HD ANPCs
      failed to show any elevated proliferation or differentiation. CONCLUSIONS:
      Increased Ca(2+) signalling and higher level of ROS conferred HD ANPC enhancement
      of proliferation and migration potentials. However, the in vivo micro-environment
      did not support endogenous ANPCs to respond appropriately to neuronal loss in
      these YAC128 mouse brains.

PMID- 26269227
TI  - Early Phase in the Development of Cannabidiol as a Treatment for Addiction:
      Opioid Relapse Takes Initial Center Stage.
AB  - Multiple cannabinoids derived from the marijuana plant have potential therapeutic
      benefits but most have not been well investigated, despite the widespread
      legalization of medical marijuana in the USA and other countries. Therapeutic
      indications will depend on determinations as to which of the multiple
      cannabinoids, and other biologically active chemicals that are present in the
      marijuana plant, can be developed to treat specific symptoms and/or diseases.
      Such insights are particularly critical for addiction disorders, where different
      phytocannabinoids appear to induce opposing actions that can confound the
      development of treatment interventions. Whereas Delta(9)-tetracannabinol has been
      well documented to be rewarding and to enhance sensitivity to other drugs,
      cannabidiol (CBD), in contrast, appears to have low reinforcing properties with
      limited abuse potential and to inhibit drug-seeking behavior. Other
      considerations such as CBD's anxiolytic properties and minimal adverse side
      effects also support its potential viability as a treatment option for a variety
      of symptoms associated with drug addiction. However, significant research is
      still needed as CBD investigations published to date primarily relate to its
      effects on opioid drugs, and CBD's efficacy at different phases of the abuse
      cycle for different classes of addictive substances remain largely understudied.
      Our paper provides an overview of preclinical animal and human clinical
      investigations, and presents preliminary clinical data that collectively sets a
      strong foundation in support of the further exploration of CBD as a therapeutic
      intervention against opioid relapse. As the legal landscape for medical marijuana
      unfolds, it is important to distinguish it from "medical CBD" and other specific
      cannabinoids, that can more appropriately be used to maximize the medicinal
      potential of the marijuana plant.

PMID- 26269230
TI  - How body torque and Strouhal number change with swimming speed and developmental
      stage in larval zebrafish.
AB  - Small undulatory swimmers such as larval zebrafish experience both inertial and
      viscous forces, the relative importance of which is indicated by the Reynolds
      number (Re). Re is proportional to swimming speed (vswim) and body length; faster
      swimming reduces the relative effect of viscous forces. Compared with adults,
      larval fish experience relatively high (mainly viscous) drag during cyclic
      swimming. To enhance thrust to an equally high level, they must employ a high
      product of tail-beat frequency and (peak-to-peak) amplitude fAtail, resulting in
      a relatively high fAtail/vswim ratio (Strouhal number, St), and implying
      relatively high lateral momentum shedding and low propulsive efficiency. Using
      kinematic and inverse-dynamics analyses, we studied cyclic swimming of larval
      zebrafish aged 2-5 days post-fertilization (dpf). Larvae at 4-5 dpf reach higher
      f (95 Hz) and Atail (2.4 mm) than at 2 dpf (80 Hz, 1.8 mm), increasing swimming
      speed and Re, indicating increasing muscle powers. As Re increases (60 -> 1400),
      St (2.5 -> 0.72) decreases nonlinearly towards values of large swimmers (0.2
      0.6), indicating increased propulsive efficiency with vswim and age. Swimming at
      high St is associated with high-amplitude body torques and rotations. Low
      propulsive efficiencies and large yawing amplitudes are unavoidable physical
      constraints for small undulatory swimmers.

PMID- 26269228
TI  - Safety and Toxicology of Cannabinoids.
AB  - There is extensive research on the safety, toxicology, potency, and therapeutic
      potential of cannabis. However, uncertainty remains facilitating continued debate
      on medical and recreational cannabis policies at the state and federal levels.
      This review will include a brief description of cannabinoids and the
      endocannabinoid system; a summary of the acute and long-term effects of cannabis;
      and a discussion of the therapeutic potential of cannabis. The conclusions about
      safety and efficacy will then be compared with the current social and political
      climate to suggest future policy directions and general guidelines.

PMID- 26269231
TI  - 'Super' or just 'above average'? Supershedders and the transmission of
      Escherichia coli O157:H7 among feedlot cattle.
AB  - Supershedders have been suggested to be major drivers of transmission of
      Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E. coli O157:H7) among cattle in feedlot environments,
      despite our relatively limited knowledge of the processes that govern periods of
      high shedding within an individual animal. In this study, we attempt a data
      driven approach, estimating the key characteristics of high shedding behaviour,
      including effects on transmission to other animals, directly from a study of
      natural E. coli O157:H7 infection of cattle in a research feedlot, in order to
      develop an evidence-based definition of supershedding. In contrast to the
      hypothesized role of supershedders, we found that high shedding individuals only
      modestly increased the risk of transmission: individuals shedding over 10(3) cfu
      g(-1) faeces were estimated to pose a risk of transmission only 2.45 times
      greater than those shedding below that level. The data suggested that shedding
      above 10(3) cfu g(-1) faeces was the most appropriate definition of supershedding
      behaviour and under this definition supershedding was surprisingly common, with
      an estimated prevalence of 31.3% in colonized individuals. We found no evidence
      that environmental contamination by faeces of shedding cattle contributed to
      transmission over timescales longer than 3 days and preliminary evidence that
      higher stocking density increased the risk of transmission. 

PMID- 26269232
TI  - Influence of physico-chemical, mechanical and morphological fingerpad properties
      on the frictional distinction of sticky/slippery surfaces.
AB  - This study investigates how the fingerpad hydrolipid film, shape, roughness and
      rigidity influence the friction when it rubs surfaces situated in the slippery
      psychophysical dimension. The studied counterparts comprised two 'real'
      (physical) surfaces and two 'virtual' surfaces. The latter were simulated with a
      tactile stimulator named STIMTAC. Thirteen women and 13 men rubbed their right
      forefingers against the different surfaces as their arms were displaced by a DC
      motor providing constant velocity and sliding distance. Tangential and normal
      forces were measured with a specific tribometer. The fingerpad hydrolipid film
      was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The shape and
      roughness of fingers were extrapolated from replicas. Indentation measurements
      were carried out to determine fingerpad effective elastic modulus. A clear
      difference was observed between women and men in terms of friction behaviour. The
      concept of tactile frictional contrast (TFC) which was introduced quantifies an
      individual's propensity to distinguish two surfaces frictionally. The
      lipids/water ratio and water amount on the finger skin significantly influenced
      the TFC. A correlation was observed between the TFC and fingerpad roughness, i.e.
      the height of the fingerpad ridges. This is essentially owing to gender
      differences. A significant difference between men's and women's finger topography
      was also noted, because our results suggested that men have rougher fingers than
      women. The friction measurements did not correlate with the fingerpad curvature
      nor with the epidermal ridges' spatial period. 

PMID- 26269234
TI  - How similar can co-occurring species be in the presence of competition and
      ecological drift?
AB  - If two species live on a single resource, the one with a slight advantage will
      out-compete the other: complete competitors cannot coexist. This is known as the
      competitive exclusion principle. If no extinction occurs, it is because
      evolutionary adaptation to slightly different niches takes place. Therefore, it
      is widely accepted that ecological communities are assembled by evolutionary
      differentiation and progressive adaptation of species to different niches.
      However, some ecologists have recently challenged this classic paradigm
      highlighting the importance of chance and stochasticity. Using a synthetic
      framework for community dynamics, here we show that, while deterministic
      descriptors predict coexistence, species similarity is limited in a more
      restrictive way in the presence of stochasticity. We analyse the stochastic
      extinction phenomenon, showing that extinction occurs as competitive overlap
      increases above a certain threshold well below its deterministic counterpart. We
      also prove that the extinction threshold cannot be ascribed only to demographic
      fluctuations around small population sizes. The more restrictive limit to species
      similarity is, therefore, a consequence of the complex interplay between
      competitive interactions and ecological drift. As a practical implication, we
      show that the existence of a stochastic limit to similarity has important
      consequences in the recovery of fragmented habitats. 

PMID- 26269233
TI  - Novel nanocomposite biomaterials with controlled copper/calcium release
      capability for bone tissue engineering multifunctional scaffolds.
AB  - This work aimed to develop novel composite biomaterials for bone tissue
      engineering (BTE) made of bioactive glass nanoparticles (Nbg) and alginate cross
      linked with Cu(2+) or Ca(2+) (AlgNbgCu, AlgNbgCa, respectively). Two-dimensional
      scaffolds were prepared and the nanocomposite biomaterials were characterized in
      terms of morphology, mechanical strength, bioactivity, biodegradability, swelling
      capacity, release profile of the cross-linking cations and angiogenic properties.
      It was found that both Cu(2+) and Ca(2+) are released in a controlled and
      sustained manner with no burst release observed. Finally, in vitro results
      indicated that the bioactive ions released from both nanocomposite biomaterials
      were able to stimulate the differentiation of rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal
      stem cells towards the osteogenic lineage. In addition, the typical endothelial
      cell property of forming tubes in Matrigel was observed for human umbilical vein
      endothelial cells when in contact with the novel biomaterials, particularly
      AlgNbgCu, which indicates their angiogenic properties. Hence, novel nanocomposite
      biomaterials made of Nbg and alginate cross-linked with Cu(2+) or Ca(2+) were
      developed with potential applications for preparation of multifunctional
      scaffolds for BTE. 

PMID- 26269235
TI  - Growth Responses of Juvenile Red Drum Sciaenops ocellatus to Dietary
      Phenylalanine and Tyrosine Can Be Used to Calculate the Total Aromatic Amino Acid
      Requirement.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A current priority in aquaculture is the replacement of fish meal
      with alternative feedstuffs to ensure the industry's sustainability. However,
      most alternative protein sources are deficient in at least 1 indispensable amino
      acid (IAA). Therefore, there is a critical need to establish refined estimates of
      IAA requirements of fish. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to
      determine the total aromatic amino acid (TAAA) requirement (Phe + Tyr) and the
      Tyr replacement value for Phe in juvenile red drum Sciaenops ocellatus. METHODS:
      The TAAA requirement was obtained by feeding juvenile red drum diets that
      contained incremental amounts of Phe (0.54, 0.84, 1.14, 1.44, 1.74, and 2.04
      g/100 g dry diet) and a fixed concentration of Tyr. Because of the TAAA
      requirement obtained, a second feeding trial was conducted to determine the
      maximum Tyr replacement value for Phe when a control diet was prepared with an
      80%:20% Phe-to-Tyr ratio (Phe:Tyr; 1.60 g Phe/100 g dry diet and 0.41 g Tyr/100
      g), and 5 experimental diets were prepared by decreasing the inclusion of Phe and
      increasing the inclusion of Tyr (Phe:Tyr of 70%:30%, 60%:40%, 50%:50%, 40%:60%,
      and 30%:70%). RESULTS: Weight gain, the feed efficiency ratio, and the protein
      efficiency ratio increased 354%, 133%, and 134%, respectively, relative to that
      of fish fed the basal diet as the Phe concentration increased to 1.44 g/100 g of
      dry diet; at higher concentrations of Phe, no significant differences were found
      between treatments. Analysis of the weight gain data with a broken-line model
      estimated the TAAA requirement of red drum to be 2.10 g/100 g dry diet (1.69 g
      Phe + 0.41 g Tyr). The maximum Tyr replacement value for Phe was estimated at
      40%:60% Phe:Tyr, because only fish fed the diet with a 30%:70% Phe:Tyr ratio had
      a significant reduction (42%) in growth performance. CONCLUSION: The TAAA
      requirement for maximum growth of juvenile red drum was estimated to be 2.10 +/-
      0.08 g/100 g dry diet. Moreover, Tyr can account for up to 60% of the TAAA
      requirement of juvenile red drum.

PMID- 26269236
TI  - Dietary Lipids Inform the Gut and Brain about Meal Arrival via CD36-Mediated
      Signal Transduction.
AB  - Sensing mechanisms for nutrients, in particular dietary fat, operate in the
      mouth, brain, and gastrointestinal tract and play a key role in regulating
      feeding behavior and energy balance. Critical to these regulatory mechanisms are
      the specialized receptors present on taste buds on the tongue, on neurons in
      specialized centers in the brain, and on epithelial and enteroendocrine cells in
      the intestinal mucosa. These receptors recognize nutrients and respond by
      inducing intracellular signals that trigger release of bioactive compounds that
      influence other organs and help coordinate the response to the meal. Components
      of dietary fat that are recognized by these receptors are the long-chain fatty
      acids that act as ligands for 2 G protein-coupled receptors, GPR40 and GPR120,
      and the fatty acid (FA) translocase/CD36. Recent evidence that emphasizes the
      important role of CD36 in orosensory, intestinal, and neuronal sensing of FAs
      under physiologic conditions is highlighted in the review. How this role
      intersects with that of GPR120 and GPR40 in the regulation of food preference and
      energy balance is briefly discussed. 

PMID- 26269237
TI  - Participation in the Juntos Conditional Cash Transfer Program in Peru Is
      Associated with Changes in Child Anthropometric Status but Not Language
      Development or School Achievement.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It is unclear what effects a conditional cash transfer (CCT) program
      would have on child anthropometry, language development, or school achievement in
      the context of the nutrition transition experienced by many low- and middle
      income countries. OBJECTIVE: We estimated the association of participation in
      Peru's Juntos CCT with anthropometry, language development, and school
      achievement among children aged 7-8 y. METHODS: We used data from the Young Lives
      Study of a cohort born between 2001 and 2002. We estimated associations of the
      Juntos program with height-for-age z score (HAZ), body mass index-for-age z score
      (BAZ), stunting, and overweight at age 7-8 y separately for children
      participating in the program for >=2 y (n = 169) and children participating for
      <2 y (n = 188). We then estimated associations with receptive vocabulary and
      grade achievement among children who had been assessed at age 4-6 y before
      enrollment in Juntos (n = 243). We identified control subjects using propensity
      score matching and conducted difference-in-differences comparisons. RESULTS:
      Juntos participation was associated with increases in HAZ among boys
      participating for >=2 y [average effect of treatment among the treated (ATT):
      0.43; 95% CI: 0.09, 0.77; P = 0.01] and for boys participating for <2 y (ATT:
      0.52; 95% CI: 0.23, 0.80; P < 0.01). Among girls participating in the program for
      >=2 y, BAZ declined (ATT: -0.60; 95% CI: -1.00, -0.21; P < 0.01) as did the
      prevalence of overweight (ATT: -22.0 percentage points; 95% CI: -42.5, -2.7
      percentage points; P = 0.03). We observed no significant associations of Juntos
      participation with receptive vocabulary or grade attainment. CONCLUSIONS: CCT
      program participation in Peru was associated with better linear growth among boys
      and decreased BAZ among girls, highlighting that a large-scale poverty
      alleviation intervention may influence anthropometric outcomes in the context of
      the nutrition transition.

PMID- 26269239
TI  - Dietary Almonds Increase Serum HDL Cholesterol in Coronary Artery Disease
      Patients in a Randomized Controlled Trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: More than one-half of coronary artery disease (CAD) patients have low
      HDL cholesterol despite having well-managed LDL cholesterol. Almond
      supplementation has not been shown to elevate circulating HDL cholesterol
      concentrations in clinical trials, perhaps because the baseline HDL cholesterol
      of trial subjects was not low. OBJECTIVE: This clinical trial was designed to
      test the effect of almond supplementation on low HDL cholesterol in CAD patients.
      METHODS: A total of 150 CAD patients (50 per group), with serum LDL cholesterol
      <=100 mg/dL and HDL cholesterol <=40 mg/dL in men and <=50 mg/dL in women, were
      recruited from the Aga Khan University Hospital. After recording vital signs and
      completing a dietary and physical activity questionnaire, patients were randomly
      assigned to 1 of the following 3 groups: the no-intervention group (NI), the
      Pakistani almonds group (PA), and the American almonds group (AA). The respective
      almond varieties (10 g/d) were given to patients with instructions to soak them
      overnight, remove the skin, and eat them before breakfast. Blood samples for
      lipid profiling, body weight, and blood pressure were collected, and assessment
      of dietary patterns was done at baseline, week 6, and week 12. RESULTS: Almonds
      significantly increased HDL cholesterol. At weeks 6 and 12, HDL cholesterol was
      12-14% and 14-16% higher, respectively, in the PA and AA than their respective
      baselines. In line with previous reports, serum concentrations of total
      cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, and VLDL cholesterol; total-to-HDL
      and LDL-to-HDL cholesterol ratios, and the atherogenic index were reduced in both
      the PA and AA at weeks 6 and 12 compared with baseline (P < 0.05). Effects on
      serum lipids did not differ between the 2 almond groups. Dietary patterns, body
      weight, and blood pressure did not change in any of the 3 groups during the
      trial. CONCLUSION: A low dose of almonds (10 g/d) consumed before breakfast can
      increase HDL cholesterol, in addition to improving other markers of abnormal
      lipid metabolism in CAD patients with low initial HDL cholesterol. This trial was
      registered at the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry as
      ACTRN12614000036617.

PMID- 26269238
TI  - Higher Intake of PUFAs Is Associated with Lower Total and Visceral Adiposity and
      Higher Lean Mass in a Racially Diverse Sample of Children.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are associated with protection
      from obesity-related phenotypes in adults; however, the relation between reported
      intake of PUFAs with body-composition outcomes in children remains unknown.
      OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to examine how self-reported intakes of PUFAs,
      including total, n-6 (omega-6), and n-3 (omega-3) PUFAs and ratios of n-6 to n-3
      PUFAs and PUFAs to saturated fatty acids (SFAs), are associated with measures of
      adiposity and lean mass (LM) in children. We hypothesized that higher self
      reported intakes of PUFAs and the ratio of PUFAs to SFAs would be positively
      associated with LM and negatively associated with total adiposity. METHODS: Body
      composition and dietary intake were measured in a racially diverse sample of 311
      children (39% European American, 34% African American, and 27% Hispanic American)
      aged 7-12 y. Body composition and abdominal fat distribution were measured by
      dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and computed tomography scans, respectively.
      Self-reported dietary intakes (including total PUFAs, n-3 PUFAs, n-6 PUFAs, and
      SFAs) were assessed by using two 24-h recalls. Independent-sample t tests and
      multiple linear regression analyses were conducted. RESULTS: Total PUFA intake
      was positively associated with LM (P = 0.049) and negatively associated with
      percentage of body fat (%BF; P = 0.033) and intra-abdominal adipose tissue (IAAT;
      P = 0.022). A higher ratio of PUFAs to SFAs was associated with higher LM (P =
      0.030) and lower %BF (P = 0.028) and IAAT (P = 0.048). Intakes of n-3 and n-6
      PUFAs were positively associated with LM (P = 0.017 and P = 0.021, respectively),
      and the ratio of n-6 to n-3 PUFAs was negatively associated with IAAT (P =
      0.014). All results were independent of biological, environmental, and genetic
      covariates. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that a higher self-reported intake of
      PUFAs and a higher ratio of PUFAs to SFAs are positively associated with LM and
      negatively associated with visceral adiposity and %BF in a healthy cohort of
      racially diverse children aged 7-12 y. This trial was registered at
      clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00726778.

PMID- 26269241
TI  - Breakfasts Higher in Protein Increase Postprandial Energy Expenditure, Increase
      Fat Oxidation, and Reduce Hunger in Overweight Children from 8 to 12 Years of
      Age.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Currently 1 in every 3 children aged 2-19 y is overweight or obese.
      Breakfast is a key component of a healthy diet and has the potential to affect
      children's health. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine
      whether consumption of a protein-based breakfast (PRO) increases postprandial
      energy metabolism and substrate oxidation, reduces hunger, and reduces food
      intake at lunch compared with a carbohydrate-based breakfast (CHO) in normal
      weight (NW) vs. overweight/obese (OW) children. METHODS: A randomized, crossover
      design study was conducted in NW (n = 16; 33 +/- 1 kg) and OW (n = 13; 46 +/- 2
      kg) children (10 +/- 1 y). Participants were served either a PRO [344 kcal, 21%
      protein (18 g), 52% carbohydrate, and 27% fat] or CHO [327 kcal, 4% protein (3
      g), 67% carbohydrate, and 29% fat]. Energy expenditure (EE), substrate oxidation,
      appetite, and blood glucose were measured over a 4 h period. Four hour
      postprandial participants were provided with access to a lunch buffet and food
      intake was recorded. RESULTS: After breakfast, OW children in the PRO group had
      higher (P < 0.0001) EEs and fat oxidation over the 4 h period than did the NW
      children in the CHO and PRO groups. There was no difference in postprandial EE or
      carbohydrate oxidation between the CHO and PRO groups over the 4 h period;
      however, fat oxidation was 16% higher (P < 0.05) after the PRO than the CHO and
      postprandial carbohydrate oxidation at 4 h was 32% higher after the PRO than the
      CHO (P < 0.01), independent of weight group. All participants had decreased
      feelings of hunger (-14%; P < 0.01) and increased fullness (+32%; P < 0.05) after
      the PRO than the CHO. Finally, there was no difference in food intake within the
      NW and OW groups. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that breakfast macronutrient
      composition affects postprandial responses in both NW and OW children. A PRO
      increases postprandial EE and fat oxidation, reduces hunger, and increases
      satiety when compared with a carbohydrate-based breakfast.

PMID- 26269240
TI  - Plasma Selenium Concentrations Are Sufficient and Associated with Protease
      Inhibitor Use in Treated HIV-Infected Adults.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Selenium is an essential constituent of selenoproteins, which play a
      substantial role in antioxidant defense and inflammatory cascades. Selenium
      deficiency is associated with disease states characterized by inflammation,
      including cardiovascular disease (CVD). Although HIV infection has been
      associated with low selenium, the role of selenium status in HIV-related CVD is
      unclear. OBJECTIVES: We sought to assess associations between plasma selenium and
      markers of inflammation, immune activation, and subclinical vascular disease in
      HIV-infected adults on contemporary antiretroviral therapy (ART) and to determine
      if statin therapy modifies selenium status. METHODS: In the Stopping
      Atherosclerosis and Treating Unhealthy bone with RosuvastatiN trial, HIV-infected
      adults on stable ART were randomly assigned 1:1 to rosuvastatin or placebo.
      Plasma selenium concentrations were determined at entry, week 24, and week 48.
      Spearman correlation and linear regression analyses were used to assess relations
      between baseline selenium, HIV-related factors and markers of inflammation,
      immune activation, and subclinical vascular disease. Changes in selenium over 24
      and 48 wk were compared between groups. RESULTS: One hundred forty-seven HIV
      infected adults were included. All participants were on ART. Median current CD4+
      count was 613, and 76% had HIV-1 RNA <=48 copies/mL (range: <20-600). Median
      plasma selenium concentration was 122 MUg/L (range: 62-200). At baseline, higher
      selenium was associated with protease inhibitor (PI) use, lower body mass index,
      and a higher proportion of activated CD8+ T cells (CD8+CD38+human leukocyte
      antigen-DR+), but not markers of inflammation or subclinical vascular disease.
      Over 48 wk, selenium concentrations increased in the statin group (P < 0.01
      within group), but the change did not differ between groups (+13.1 vs. +5.3
      MUg/L; P = 0.14 between groups). CONCLUSIONS: Plasma selenium concentrations were
      within the normal range for the background population and were not associated
      with subclinical vascular disease in HIV-infected adults on contemporary ART. The
      association between current PI use and higher selenium may have implications for
      ART allocation, especially in resource-limited countries. Also, it appears that
      statin therapy may increase selenium concentrations; however, larger studies are
      necessary to confirm this finding. This trial was registered at
      clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01218802.

PMID- 26269243
TI  - The Intestinal Transport of Bovine Milk Exosomes Is Mediated by Endocytosis in
      Human Colon Carcinoma Caco-2 Cells and Rat Small Intestinal IEC-6 Cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs play essential roles in gene regulation. A substantial
      fraction of microRNAs in tissues and body fluids is encapsulated in exosomes,
      thereby conferring protection against degradation and a pathway for intestinal
      transport. MicroRNAs in cow milk are bioavailable in humans. OBJECTIVE: This
      research assessed the transport mechanism of bovine milk exosomes, and therefore
      microRNAs, in human and rodent intestinal cells. METHODS: The intestinal
      transport of bovine milk exosomes and microRNAs was assessed using fluorophore
      labeled bovine milk exosomes in human colon carcinoma Caco-2 cells and rat small
      intestinal IEC-6 cells. Transport kinetics and mechanisms were characterized
      using dose-response studies, inhibitors of vesicle transport, carbohydrate
      competitors, proteolysis of surface proteins on cells and exosomes, and
      transepithelial transport in transwell plates. RESULTS: Exosome transport
      exhibited saturation kinetics at 37 degrees C [Michaelis constant (Km) = 55.5 +/-
      48.6 MUg exosomal protein/200 MUL of media; maximal transport rate = 0.083 +/-
      0.057 ng of exosomal protein . 81,750 cells(-1) . h(-1)] and decreased by 64%
      when transport was measured at 4 degrees C, consistent with carrier-mediated
      transport in Caco-2 cells. Exosome uptake decreased by 61-85% under the following
      conditions compared with controls in Caco-2 cells: removal of exosome and cell
      surface proteins by proteinase K, inhibition of endocytosis and vesicle
      trafficking by synthetic inhibitors, and inhibition of glycoprotein binding by
      carbohydrate competitors. When milk exosomes, at a concentration of 5 times the
      Km, were added to the upper chamber in transwell plates, Caco-2 cells accumulated
      miR-29b and miR-200c in the lower chamber, and reverse transport was minor.
      Transport characteristics were similar in IEC-6 cells and Caco-2 cells, except
      that substrate affinity and transporter capacity were lower and higher,
      respectively. CONCLUSION: The uptake of bovine milk exosomes is mediated by
      endocytosis and depends on cell and exosome surface glycoproteins in human and
      rat intestinal cells.

PMID- 26269244
TI  - Identification of mutations in U2HR in two Chinese families with Marie Unna
      hereditary hypotrichosis.
AB  - Marie Unna hereditary hypotrichosis (MUHH) is a rare autosomal dominant
      genodermatosis characterized by coarse, wiry, twisted hair developing during
      early childhood, with subsequent progressive hair loss. Recently, mutations in
      U2HR, an inhibitory upstream open reading frame in the 5' untranslated region of
      the human hairless gene (HR), were identified as the underlying cause of MUHH. We
      investigated two unrelated Chinese multigenerational families with MUHH. By
      sequencing U2HR in the two families, we identified two previously reported
      mutations, c.1A >T (p.Met1?) and c.104A>G (p*35Wext1263*). Both these mutations
      cosegregated with the disease phenotype in the two families.

PMID- 26269242
TI  - The Dihydrofolate Reductase 19 bp Polymorphism Is Not Associated with Biomarkers
      of Folate Status in Healthy Young Adults, Irrespective of Folic Acid Intake.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) is essential for the conversion of
      folic acid to active folate needed for one-carbon metabolism. Common genetic
      variation within DHFR is restricted to the noncoding regions, and previous
      studies have focused on a 19 bp deletion/insertion polymorphism (rs70991108)
      within intron 1. Reports of an association between this polymorphism and blood
      folate biomarker concentrations are conflicting. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we
      evaluated whether the DHFR 19 bp deletion/insertion polymorphism affects
      circulating folate biomarkers in, to our knowledge, the largest cohort to address
      this question to date. METHODS: Healthy young Irish individuals (n = 2507)
      between 19 and 36 y of age were recruited between February 2003 and February
      2004. Folic acid intake from supplements and fortified foods was assessed with
      the use of a customized food intake questionnaire. Concentrations of serum folate
      and vitamin B-12, red blood cell (RBC) folate, and plasma total homocysteine
      (tHcy) were measured. Data were analyzed with the use of linear regression
      models. RESULTS: Folic acid intake was positively associated with serum (P <
      0.0001) and RBC (P = 0.0005) folate concentration and was inversely associated
      with plasma tHcy (P = 0.001) as expected. The DHFR 19 bp polymorphism was not
      significantly associated with either serum (P = 0.82) or RBC (P = 0.21) folate,
      or plasma tHcy (P = 0.20), even in those within the highest quintile of folic
      acid intake (>326 MUg folic acid/d; P = 0.96). A nonsignificant trend toward
      lower RBC folate by genotype (P = 0.09) was observed in the lowest folic acid
      intake quintile (0-51 MUg/d). CONCLUSION: In this cohort of healthy young
      individuals, the DHFR 19 bp deletion allele did not significantly affect
      circulating folate status, irrespective of folic acid intake. Our data rule out a
      strong functional effect from this polymorphism on blood folate concentrations.

PMID- 26269245
TI  - Deciphering the microbiology of hidradenitis suppurativa: a step forward towards
      understanding an enigmatic inflammatory skin disease.

PMID- 26269246
TI  - Being Accountable or Filling in Forms: Managers and Clinicians' Views About
      Communicating Risk.
AB  - PURPOSE: Assessment, documentation, and prevention of risk are central to mental
      health services. However, there is a paucity of research examining how risk is
      perceived by key stakeholders including managers and clinicians. DESIGN AND
      METHODS: Qualitative, exploratory design. In-depth interviews were held with 22
      senior managers and 21 clinicians. FINDINGS: Communicating risk was a major theme
      to emerge. For managers, accountability was a primary consideration in
      communicating risk and therefore influential over nursing practice. Clinicians
      were more likely to view the organizational processes of communicating risk as a
      bureaucratic exercise. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The significant difference between
      managers and clinicians is problematic for achieving consumer-focused mental
      health service delivery, a more critical approach to risk is essential in
      preserving the therapeutic relationship.

PMID- 26269247
TI  - Introduction of the RTA-Bddsx gene induces female-specific lethal effects in
      transformed Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel).
AB  - BACKGROUND: The oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), can reduce
      fruit production and quality and is considered to be a major insect pest in many
      Asian countries. A system combining the toxicity of ricin and the alternative RNA
      splicing properties of doublesex (RTA-Bddsx) has been proposed that results in
      differential sexual processing in vitro. A transgenic approach was used in this
      study to confirm the existence of female-specific lethal effects in vivo.
      RESULTS: The piggyBac-based vector PB-Acp-CF21-26, which carries the actin 5C
      promoter and RTA-Bddsx, was used to establish transgenic lines. Five surviving
      male flies (F1) demonstrated the presence of selection marker Ds-Red((+))
      throughout their entire bodies following single-pair mating with wild-type
      females, indicating germline transmission. A high percentage of males (59.6-100%)
      were observed in transformed F3 offspring, and this skewed sex ratio indicated
      that the female-lethal effects of the RTA-Bddsx system were heritable and
      functioned well in B. dorsalis. Some transformed female flies were observed, and
      these unexpected results were attributed to the loss of the intact transgene
      after genomic PCR analyses. CONCLUSION: This transgenic study provides direct
      evidence for the female-specific lethal effects of RTA-Bddsx in B. dorsalis and
      offers a novel and promising approach for the control of B. dorsalis in the
      future. (c) 2015 Society of Chemical Industry.

PMID- 26269249
TI  - Further delineation of the KBG syndrome caused by ANKRD11 aberrations.

PMID- 26269248
TI  - Next-generation sequencing-based genome diagnostics across clinical genetics
      centers: implementation choices and their effects.

PMID- 26269250
TI  - Salvage STA-MCA bypass surgery in an adult moyamoya patient after failed indirect
      revascularization surgery.
AB  - A 39-year-old female moyamoya disease patient underwent a salvage direct bypass
      surgery involving anastomosis of the superficial temporal artery or STA and
      middle cerebral artery or MCA. This report describes a rare case of moyamoya
      disease that was revascularized after the previous indirect bypass surgery failed
      to restore collateral blood flow. 

PMID- 26269251
TI  - Re to the letter: Adult idiopatic occlusion of Monro foramina: Intraoperative
      endoscopic reinterpretation of radiological data and review of the literature.

PMID- 26269252
TI  - Dyschromatosis Universalis Hereditaria with Oral Leukokeratosis--A Case of
      Mistaken Identity and Review of the Literature.
AB  - Dyschromatosis universalis hereditaria (DUH) is a rare pigmentary genodermatosis
      characterized by reticulated hyper- and hypopigmented macules distributed over
      the trunk and extremities in otherwise healthy patients. DUH presents in a
      fashion similar to that of a variety of reticulate and pigmentary dermatoses,
      some of which are associated with precancerous entities and other comorbidities.
      It is therefore imperative that the clinician recognize and differentiate these
      disorders so that appropriate screening and counseling can be offered to the
      patient. We report a case of DUH in a 13-year-old boy presenting with oral
      leukokeratosis, with a review of the literature exploring the differential
      diagnoses. 

PMID- 26269253
TI  - Fabrication of Straight Silicon Nanowires and Their Conductive Properties.
AB  - Straight Si nanowires (Si NWs) with tens to hundreds of micrometers in length and
      40-200 nm in diameter are achieved by annealing a Si substrate coated with
      metallic Fe. The influences of annealing gas and temperature on the formation of
      Si NWs are investigated. It is found that the annealing gas has significant
      impacts on the microstructure of the NWs. By increasing the hydrogen ratio in the
      forming gas, straight and crystal Si NWs with thin oxide shells are obtained.
      Both the conductive properties along and perpendicular to the NW are investigated
      by conductive atomic force microscopy (CAFM) on single NWs. The conductance
      perpendicular to the NW is too poor to be detected, while a weak conductance can
      be measured along the NW. The results indicate that the measured resistance
      mainly comes from the contact(s), and the Si NWs exhibit typical semiconductive
      conductance themselves, which should have potential applications in
      nanoelectronics. 

PMID- 26269255
TI  - Mortality related to candidemia and risk factors associated with non-Candida
      albicans.

PMID- 26269254
TI  - Toxicological effect of TiO2 nanoparticle-induced myocarditis in mice.
AB  - Currently, impacts of exposure to TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) on the cardiovascular
      system are not well understood. The aim of this study was to investigate whether
      TiO2 NPs induce myocarditis and its underlying molecular mechanism in the cardiac
      inflammation in mice. Mice were exposed to TiO2 NPs for 6 months; biochemical
      parameters of serum and expression of Th1-related and Th2-related cytokines in
      the heart were investigated. The results showed that TiO2 NP exposure resulted in
      cardiac lesions coupling with pulmonary inflammation; increases of aspartate
      aminotransferase (AST), creatine kinase (CK), C-reaction protein (CRP), lactate
      dehydrogenase (LDH), alpha-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (HBDH), adhesion
      molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) levels; and a
      reduction of nitric oxide (NOx) level in the serum. These were associated with
      increases of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF
      alpha), interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta),
      creatine kinase, CRP, adhesion molecule-1, and monocyte chemoattractant protein
      1, interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), signal transducers and activators of
      transcription (STAT)1, STAT3, or STAT6, GATA-binding domain-3, GATA-binding
      domain-4, endothelin-1 expression levels, and T-box expressed in T cells
      expression level that is the master regulator of pro-inflammatory cytokines and
      transcription factors in the heart. These findings imply that TiO2 NP exposure
      may increase the occurrence and development of cardiovascular diseases. 

PMID- 26269256
TI  - Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein: a new promising biomarker of liver fibrosis
      in chronic hepatitis C.
AB  - Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) is a biomarker of fibrosis in lung and
      skin. In this exploratory study we investigated the biomarker potential of COMP
      in chronic hepatitis C (CHC). We included consecutive patients with CHC admitted
      to the Department of Infectious Diseases, Lund University Hospital. COMP was
      analysed in serum using ELISA. The correlations between COMP and liver fibrosis,
      determined by transient elastography (TE) (n = 47) and liver biopsy (n = 28) were
      assessed. We also studied COMP prospectively in relation to antiviral treatment
      (n = 10). COMP correlated with the degree of liver fibrosis as assessed by TE (r
      = 0.71, p < 0.001) and liver biopsy (rs = 0.65, p < 0.001). After successful
      treatment of CHC, COMP decreased from 18 to 13 U/l (p = 0.011). We suggest that
      COMP is associated with the stage of liver fibrosis in CHC. The biomarker
      potential of COMP in CHC warrants further investigation. 

PMID- 26269258
TI  - Risk Preferences, Probability Weighting, and Strategy Tradeoffs in Wildfire
      Management.
AB  - Wildfires present a complex applied risk management environment, but relatively
      little attention has been paid to behavioral and cognitive responses to risk
      among public agency wildfire managers. This study investigates responses to risk,
      including probability weighting and risk aversion, in a wildfire management
      context using a survey-based experiment administered to federal wildfire
      managers. Respondents were presented with a multiattribute lottery-choice
      experiment where each lottery is defined by three outcome attributes:
      expenditures for fire suppression, damage to private property, and exposure of
      firefighters to the risk of aviation-related fatalities. Respondents choose one
      of two strategies, each of which includes "good" (low cost/low damage) and "bad"
      (high cost/high damage) outcomes that occur with varying probabilities. The
      choice task also incorporates an information framing experiment to test whether
      information about fatality risk to firefighters alters managers' responses to
      risk. Results suggest that managers exhibit risk aversion and nonlinear
      probability weighting, which can result in choices that do not minimize expected
      expenditures, property damage, or firefighter exposure. Information framing tends
      to result in choices that reduce the risk of aviation fatalities, but exacerbates
      nonlinear probability weighting. 

PMID- 26269257
TI  - IL-21-mediated non-canonical pathway for IL-1beta production in conventional
      dendritic cells.
AB  - The canonical pathway for IL-1beta production requires TLR-mediated NF-kappaB
      dependent Il1b gene induction, followed by caspase-containing inflammasome
      mediated processing of pro-IL-1beta. Here we show that IL-21 unexpectedly induces
      IL-1beta production in conventional dendritic cells (cDCs) via a STAT3-dependent
      but NF-kappaB-independent pathway. IL-21 does not induce Il1b expression in
      CD4(+) T cells, with differential histone marks present in these cells versus
      cDCs. IL-21-induced IL-1beta processing in cDCs does not require caspase-1 or
      caspase-8 but depends on IL-21-mediated death and activation of serine
      protease(s). Moreover, STAT3-dependent IL-1beta expression in cDCs at least
      partially explains the IL-21-mediated pathologic response occurring during
      infection with pneumonia virus of mice. These results demonstrate lineage
      restricted IL-21-induced IL-1beta via a non-canonical pathway and provide
      evidence for its importance in vivo. 

PMID- 26269260
TI  - Auto-immunity, allergy and Inflammation.

PMID- 26269259
TI  - Imaging Suprachoroidal Layer in Exudative Age-Related Macular Degeneration.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the prevalence of a visible suprachoroidal layer (SCL) on
      optical coherence tomography (OCT) in exudative age-related macular degeneration
      (AMD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 252 eyes of 252
      patients with treatment-naive typical exudative AMD (n = 80), polypoidal
      choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) (n = 138) and retinal angiomatous proliferation
      (RAP) (n = 34). The presence of SCL was identified based on enhanced-depth
      imaging OCT images, and the prevalence was compared among the three disease
      groups. In addition, subfoveal choroidal thickness was compared between patients
      with and without SCL. RESULTS: The SCL was noted in 56 eyes (22.2%). The
      prevalence was 22.5% in typical exudative AMD (18 of 80 eyes), 18.8% in PCV (26
      of 138 eyes) and 35.3% in RAP (12 of 34 eyes) (p = 0.118). Patients with SCL
      showed significantly thinner choroid (207.5 +/- 83.9 um versus 279.7 +/- 116.5
      um, p < 0.001) and were relatively older (72.1 +/- 8.1 versus 70.1 +/- 8.7 years,
      p = 0.124) than those without SCL. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of visible SCL was
      22.2% in patients with exudative AMD. Age-related changes, including choroidal
      thinning, may contribute to the development of a visible SCL.

PMID- 26269262
TI  - Cancer.

PMID- 26269263
TI  - Cell adhesion and repair.

PMID- 26269264
TI  - Clinical research.

PMID- 26269265
TI  - Epidermal structure and function.

PMID- 26269266
TI  - Genetic disorders and disease mechanisms.

PMID- 26269267
TI  - Hair, cutaneous homeostasis and stem cells.

PMID- 26269268
TI  - Immunology.

PMID- 26269269
TI  - Photobiology and pigmentation.

PMID- 26269278
TI  - New regression model for predicting hand-arm vibration (HAV) of Malaysian Army
      (MA) three-tonne truck steering wheels.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to present a new method for
      determination of hand-arm vibration (HAV) in Malaysian Army (MA) three-tonne
      truck steering wheels based on changes in vehicle speed using regression model
      and the statistical analysis method known as Integrated Kurtosis-Based Algorithm
      for Z-Notch Filter Technique Vibro (I-kaz Vibro). METHODOLOGY: The test was
      conducted for two different road conditions, tarmac and dirt roads. HAV exposure
      was measured using a Bruel & Kjaer Type 3649 vibration analyzer, which is capable
      of recording HAV exposures from steering wheels. The data was analyzed using I
      kaz Vibro to determine the HAV values in relation to varying speeds of a truck
      and to determine the degree of data scattering for HAV data signals. RESULTS:
      Based on the results obtained, HAV experienced by drivers can be determined using
      the daily vibration exposure A(8), I-kaz Vibro coefficient (Z(v)(infinity)), and
      the I-kaz Vibro display. The I-kaz Vibro displays also showed greater
      scatterings, indicating that the values of Z(v)(infinity) and A(8) were
      increasing. Prediction of HAV exposure was done using the developed regression
      model and graphical representations of Z(v)(infinity). The results of the
      regression model showed that Z(v)(infinity) increased when the vehicle speed and
      HAV exposure increased. DISCUSSION: For model validation, predicted and measured
      noise exposures were compared, and high coefficient of correlation (R(2)) values
      were obtained, indicating that good agreement was obtained between them. By using
      the developed regression model, we can easily predict HAV exposure from steering
      wheels for HAV exposure monitoring.

PMID- 26269279
TI  - Reproductive disorders in hairdressers and cosmetologists: a meta-analytical
      approach.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review and to use a
      meta-analytical approach to assess quantitatively the risk of adverse pregnancy
      outcomes in hairdressers and cosmetologists. METHODS: A systematic literature
      search up to 1 February 2012 was carried out using major bibliographic databases,
      grey literature, contacts with research teams working on the subject, review
      papers and reference lists of selected articles. Observational studies reporting
      measures of effects in relation with body care (hairdressers, cosmetologists,
      etc.) and reproductive disorders were included. Study quality was assessed by
      three reviewers. The estimated risk ratios (RR) from all studies reporting on
      identical outcomes were combined using an average of logarithm transformation of
      estimated RR weighted by their inverted variance. Statistical heterogeneity
      across studies was assessed using Cochran's Q test. To explore the sources of
      heterogeneity, several sensitivity analyses and subgroup analyses were conducted
      based on study quality, country, study period, alcohol consumption, smoking
      habit, jobs and control populations. RESULTS: Nineteen studies were selected and
      reviewed in-depth. The combined risk ratios (RRcs) of five reproductive outcomes
      were calculated and found to be significantly increased for four outcomes: time
      to pregnancy, which had an RRc of 1.11 (95% CI: 1.03-1.19); premature birth,
      which had an RRc of 1.05 (95% CI: 0.99-1.11); small for gestational age, which
      had an RRc of 1.24 (95 CI%: 1.10-1.41); low birth weight, which had an RRc of
      1.21 (95% CI: 1.06-1.39); and embryonic and fetal losses, which had an RRc of
      1.19 (95% CI: 1.03-1.38). CONCLUSIONS: This work confirms a weak increase in risk
      of some reproductive disorders in female hairdressers/cosmetologists. However,
      the evidence level is rather weak, and a causal association between job and
      reproductive outcomes cannot be asserted.

PMID- 26269280
TI  - Review of health issues of workers engaged in operations related to the accident
      at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this review was to summarize the lessons learned from the
      experience in protecting the health of workers engaged in operations following
      the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (NPP). METHODS: We
      reviewed all types of scientific papers examining workers' health found in
      Medline and Web of Sciences as well as some official reports published by the
      Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan and other governmental
      institutes. RESULTS: The papers and reports were classified into those
      investigating workers at the Fukushima Daiichi and Daini NPPs, workers engaged in
      decontamination operations in designated areas, and other workers. Regarding
      workers at the NPPs, many efforts were made to establish an emergency-care and
      occupational health system. Risk management efforts were undertaken for radiation
      exposure, heat stress, psychological stress, outbreak of infectious diseases, and
      fitness for work. Only a few reports dealt with decontamination workers and
      others; however, the health management of these workers was clearly weaker than
      that for workers at the NPPs. CONCLUSIONS: Many lessons can be learned from what
      occurred. That knowledge can be applied to ongoing decommissioning work and to
      future disasters. In addition, it is necessary to study the long-term health
      effects of radiation exposure and to accumulate data about the health of workers
      engaged in decontamination work and other areas.

PMID- 26269281
TI  - Multi-modal assessment of on-road demand of voice and manual phone calling and
      voice navigation entry across two embedded vehicle systems.
AB  - One purpose of integrating voice interfaces into embedded vehicle systems is to
      reduce drivers' visual and manual distractions with 'infotainment' technologies.
      However, there is scant research on actual benefits in production vehicles or how
      different interface designs affect attentional demands. Driving performance,
      visual engagement, and indices of workload (heart rate, skin conductance,
      subjective ratings) were assessed in 80 drivers randomly assigned to drive a 2013
      Chevrolet Equinox or Volvo XC60. The Chevrolet MyLink system allowed completing
      tasks with one voice command, while the Volvo Sensus required multiple commands
      to navigate the menu structure. When calling a phone contact, both voice systems
      reduced visual demand relative to the visual-manual interfaces, with reductions
      for drivers in the Equinox being greater. The Equinox 'one-shot' voice command
      showed advantages during contact calling but had significantly higher error rates
      than Sensus during destination address entry. For both secondary tasks, neither
      voice interface entirely eliminated visual demand. Practitioner Summary: The
      findings reinforce the observation that most, if not all, automotive auditory
      vocal interfaces are multi-modal interfaces in which the full range of potential
      demands (auditory, vocal, visual, manipulative, cognitive, tactile, etc.) need to
      be considered in developing optimal implementations and evaluating drivers'
      interaction with the systems. Social Media: In-vehicle voice-interfaces can
      reduce visual demand but do not eliminate it and all types of demand need to be
      taken into account in a comprehensive evaluation. 

PMID- 26269283
TI  - A 61-year-old man with hyperpigmentation. Ochronosis.

PMID- 26269284
TI  - Correction. Application of a mortality risk score in a general population of
      patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD).

PMID- 26269285
TI  - High resolution skin-like sensor capable of sensing and visualizing various
      sensations and three dimensional shape.
AB  - Human skin contains multiple receptors, and is able to sense various stimuli such
      as temperature, pressure, force, corrosion etc, and to feel pains and the shape
      of objects. The development of skin-like sensors capable of sensing these stimuli
      is of great importance for various applications such as robots, touch detection,
      temperature monitoring, strain gauges etc. Great efforts have been made to
      develop high performance skin-like sensors, but they are far from perfect and
      much inferior to human skin as most of them can only sense one stimulus with
      focus on pressure (strain) or temperature, and are unable to visualize sensations
      and shape of objects. Here we report a skin-like sensor which imitates real skin
      with multiple receptors, and a new concept of pain sensation. The sensor with
      very high resolution not only has multiple sensations for touch, pressure,
      temperature, but also is able to sense various pains and reproduce the three
      dimensional shape of an object in contact. 

PMID- 26269286
TI  - Polyaspartic acid enhances dentine remineralization bonded with a zinc-doped
      Portland-based resin cement.
AB  - AIM: To ascertain whether biomimetic phosphoprotein analogues (polyaspartic acid
      (PAS) and sodium trimetaphosphate (TMP)) improve bonding efficacy and dentine
      remineralization ability of a novel zinc-doped Portland-based resinous sealing
      cement. METHODOLOGY: Bonding procedures were performed on phosphoric acid-etched
      dentine, and several groups were established regarding biomimetic analogue
      application: (1) no application, (2) PAS-treated dentine and (3) dentine treated
      with a mixture of PAS and TMP. Raman spectroscopy and microtensile bond strength
      (MTBS) with fracture analysis by scanning electron microscopy were carried out.
      MTBS values were compared by anova, Student-Newman-Keuls and Student's t-tests (P
      < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). RESULTS: Twenty-four hour MTBS values were
      not affected by the different bonding procedures. After 6 months, MTBS decreased
      in those groups in which the phosphoproteins analogues were not applied (P <
      0.05). When PAS was applied, MTBS was maintained after 6 months (P > 0.05). The
      novel material bonded without primer application induced bioactive crystal
      (calcium carbonate and Ettringite) precipitation onto the etched dentine and
      augmented the degree of crystallinity at the hybrid layer. Mineral-to-matrix
      ratio was increased at the hybrid layer of the PAS-treated specimens; this primer
      was also able to catalyse dentine remineralization, without an increase in
      crystallinity. CONCLUSIONS: PAS application onto demineralized dentine produced
      an inhibition or delay of mineral phase crystallization, enhancing the
      remineralization potential of the Portland microfillers at the resin-dentine
      bonded interface.

PMID- 26269288
TI  - Changes to the dynamic nature of hemagglutinin and the emergence of the 2009
      pandemic H1N1 influenza virus.
AB  - The virologic factors that limit the transmission of swine influenza viruses
      between humans are unresolved. While it has been shown that acquisition of the
      neuraminidase (NA) and matrix (M) gene segments from a Eurasian-lineage swine
      virus was required for airborne transmission of the 2009 pandemic H1N1 virus
      (H1N1pdm09), we show here that an arginine to lysine change in the hemagglutinin
      (HA) was also necessary. This change at position 149 was distal to the receptor
      binding site but affected virus-receptor affinity and HA dynamics, allowing the
      virus to replicate more efficiently in nasal turbinate epithelium and
      subsequently transmit between ferrets. Receptor affinity should be considered as
      a factor limiting swine virus spread in humans. 

PMID- 26269289
TI  - [Current aspects of therapy conversion for multiple sclerosis].
AB  - In recent years the approval of new substances has led to a substantial increase
      in the number of course-modifying immunotherapies available for multiple
      sclerosis. Therapy conversion therefore represents an increasing challenge. The
      treatment options sometimes show complex adverse effect profiles and necessitate
      a long-term and comprehensive monitoring. This article presents an overview of
      therapy conversion of immunotherapies for multiple sclerosis in accordance with
      the recommendations of the Disease-Related Competence Network for Multiple
      Sclerosis and the German Multiple Sclerosis Society as well as the guidelines on
      diagnostics and therapy for multiple sclerosis of the German Society of Neurology
      and the latest research results. At the present point in time it should be noted
      that no studies have been carried out for most of the approaches for therapy
      conversion given here; however, the recommendations are based on theoretical
      considerations and therefore correspond to recommendations at the level of expert
      consensus, which is currently essential for the clinical daily routine. 

PMID- 26269291
TI  - Parents Taking Action: A Psycho-Educational Intervention for Latino Parents of
      Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder.
AB  - The increased prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) among Latino children,
      later diagnosis, limited access to bicultural specialist support, and worsened
      health outcomes when compared to non-Latinos points to the need for a culturally
      relevant parent education intervention. This pilot study examined the
      feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary outcomes of a culturally derived
      intervention, Parents Taking Action, for 19 Spanish-speaking mothers of children
      with ASD. This study introduces the Promotora de Salud Model of intervention
      delivery to the autism field. A mixed-methods design including one group pre- and
      posttest design and focus groups was used to evaluate the outcomes of PTA. We
      found that the intervention was both feasible to implement and acceptable to
      participants. We also found significant increases in empowerment oriented
      outcomes for parents between pre- and posttest suggesting that the intervention
      is promising. Suggestions for future research and practice are offered.

PMID- 26269290
TI  - The circular relationship between matrix metalloproteinase-9 and inflammation
      following myocardial infarction.
AB  - Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) regulates remodeling of the left ventricle
      after myocardial infarction (MI) and is tightly linked to the inflammatory
      response. The inflammatory response serves to recruit leukocytes as part of the
      wound healing reaction to the MI injury, and infiltrated leukocytes produce
      cytokines and chemokines that stimulate MMP-9 production and release. In turn,
      MMP-9 proteolyzes cytokines and chemokines. Although in most cases, MMP-9
      cleavage of the cytokine or chemokine substrate serves to increase activity,
      there are cases where cleavage results in reduced activity. Global MMP-9 deletion
      in mouse MI models has proven beneficial, suggesting inhibition of some aspects
      of MMP-9 activity may be valuable for clinical use. At the same time,
      overexpression of MMP-9 in macrophages has also proven beneficial, indicating
      that we still do not fully understand the complexity of MMP-9 mechanisms of
      action. In this review, we summarize the cycle of MMP-9 effects on cytokine
      production and cleavage to regulate leukocyte functions. Although we use MI as
      the example process, similar events occur in other inflammatory and wound healing
      conditions.

PMID- 26269292
TI  - Assessment of Substantial Liver Fibrosis by Real-time Shear Wave Elastography in
      Methotrexate-Treated Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: A concern about methotrexate (MTX)-related liver fibrosis in patients
      with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is still unresolved. This study investigated the
      correlation between liver stiffness and the cumulative MTX dose and the risk
      factors associated with substantial liver fibrosis assessed by real-time shear
      wave elastography (SWE), a recently introduced technique to evaluate liver
      stiffness in patients with RA. METHODS: Data from 185 patients with RA were
      prospectively collected. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to
      cumulative MTX dose (group 1, total dose <1500 mg; group 2, 1500-4000 mg, and
      group 3, >4000 mg) and compared with healthy control participants. A Pearson
      correlation analysis was performed to evaluate correlations between liver
      stiffness and other clinical and laboratory variables. Substantial liver fibrosis
      was defined as liver stiffness of greater than 8.6 kPa by SWE. Associated factors
      were tested in a multivariate logistic analysis. RESULTS: The mean liver
      stiffness value in healthy controls was significantly lower than in patients with
      RA treated with MTX (P< .006), but there was no significant difference among the
      MTX groups. Liver stiffness and the cumulative MTX dose was not correlated.
      Substantial liver fibrosis was detected only in 9 patients (4.9%). Multivariate
      analysis adjusted by age and sex revealed that only a high body mass index (odds
      ratio, 1.79; 95% confidence interval, 1.34-2.39; P < .001) was associated with
      liver stiffness of greater than 8.6 kPa. CONCLUSIONS: Substantial liver fibrosis
      on SWE was observed in about 5% of MTX-treated patients with RA and was
      associated with only a high body mass index but not with the cumulative MTX dose,
      suggesting that other comorbidities might have a more important role in liver
      fibrosis.

PMID- 26269293
TI  - Cardiac Limited Ultrasound Examination Techniques to Augment the Bedside Cardiac
      Physical Examination.
AB  - The current practice of physical diagnosis is dependent on physician skills and
      biases, inductive reasoning, and time efficiency. Although the clinical utility
      of echocardiography is well known, few data exist on how to integrate 2
      dimensional screening "quick-look" ultrasound applications into a novel,
      modernized cardiac physical examination. We discuss the evidence basis behind
      ultrasound "signs" pertinent to the cardiovascular system and elemental in
      synthesis of bedside diagnoses and propose the application of a brief cardiac
      limited ultrasound examination based on these signs. An ultrasound-augmented
      cardiac physical examination can be taught in traditional medical education and
      has the potential to improve bedside diagnosis and patient care. 

PMID- 26269294
TI  - Local Recurrent Phyllodes Tumors of the Breast: Clinical and Sonographic
      Features.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical,
      pathologic, and sonographic features of local recurrent phyllodes tumors of the
      breast and provide evidence for diagnosing tumor recurrence. METHODS: A total of
      127 patients with phyllodes tumors who underwent surgery from 1993 to 2012 were
      followed. The clinical, pathologic, and sonographic features of local recurrent
      tumors were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 127 patients, pathologic diagnoses were
      benign, borderline, and malignant in 75 (59.1%), 41 (32.3%), and 11 (8.7%)
      patients, respectively. The patients were followed for a mean duration +/- SD of
      50.9 +/- 42.1 months (range, 2-225 months). Twenty-one patients had local
      recurrence, for a recurrence rate of 16.5%. The benign, borderline, and malignant
      recurrence rates were 14.7%, 17.1%, and 27.3%. The local recurrence in the 21
      patients occurred after a mean interval of 19.4 +/- 13.4 months. The mean times
      to local recurrence were 20.2 +/- 12.1, 16.9 +/- 10.8, and 20.3 +/- 19.0 months
      for benign, borderline, and malignant tumors. The histologic characteristics of
      the recurrent tumors were similar to those of the initial tumors in 14 patients
      (66.7%), whereas the characteristics changed in 7 (33.3%). The sonographic
      features of the recurrent tumors were as follows: 69.4% were lobulated; 88.9%
      appeared as well-defined lesions; 41.7% had posterior acoustic enhancement; 11.1%
      had intramural cystic areas; and 83.4% had moderate or marked blood flow.
      CONCLUSIONS: The recurrence rate for phyllodes tumors is high. One to 2 years
      after surgery is the key time for follow-up. The sonographic features contribute
      to recurrence diagnosis.

PMID- 26269295
TI  - Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter Increase on Ascent to High Altitude: Correlation With
      Acute Mountain Sickness.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Elevated optic nerve sheath diameter on sonography is known to
      correlate with increased intracranial pressure and is observed in acute mountain
      sickness. This study aimed to determine whether optic nerve sheath diameter
      changes on ascent to high altitude are associated with acute mountain sickness
      incidence. METHODS: Eighty-six healthy adults enrolled at 1240 m (4100 ft), drove
      to 3545 m (11,700 ft) and then hiked to and slept at 3810 m (12,500 ft). Lake
      Louise Questionnaire scores and optic nerve sheath diameter measurements were
      taken before, the evening of, and the morning after ascent. RESULTS: The
      incidence of acute mountain sickness was 55.8%, with a mean Lake Louise
      Questionnaire score +/- SD of 3.81 +/- 2.5. The mean maximum optic nerve sheath
      diameter increased on ascent from 5.58 +/- 0.79 to 6.13 +/- 0.73 mm, a difference
      of 0.91 +/- 0.55 mm (P = .09). Optic nerve sheath diameter increased at high
      altitude regardless of acute mountain sickness diagnosis; however, compared to
      baseline values, we observed a significant increase in diameter only in those
      with a diagnosis of acute mountain sickness (0.57 +/- 0.77 versus 0.21 +/- 0.76
      mm; P = .04). This change from baseline, or Delta optic nerve sheath diameter,
      was associated with twice the odds of developing acute mountain sickness (95%
      confidence interval, 1.08-3.93). CONCLUSIONS: The mean optic nerve sheath
      diameter increased on ascent to high altitude compared to baseline values, but
      not to a statistically significant degree. The magnitude of the observed Delta
      optic nerve sheath diameter was positively associated with acute mountain
      sickness diagnosis. No such significant association was found between acute
      mountain sickness and diameter elevation above standard cutoff values, limiting
      the utility of sonography as a diagnostic tool.

PMID- 26269296
TI  - Intrathyroidal Ectopic Thymus in Children: Retrospective Analysis of Grayscale
      and Doppler Sonographic Features.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to define grayscale and color Doppler
      sonographic features of an ectopic intrathyroidal thymus and to differentiate it
      from other thyroid nodule etiologies. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed
      imaging findings from 30 children who had a diagnosis of an ectopic
      intrathyroidal thymus from November 2005 to January 2013. Nodular thyroid lesions
      that were enclosed by the thyroid parenchyma and showed a typical echo pattern
      consistent with the thymus were accepted as the enclosed form of an
      intrathyroidal ectopic thymus. Eleven of these 30 children had an intrathyroidal
      ectopic thymus enclosed by the thyroid parenchyma, and they were enrolled in the
      study. The recorded sonograms were reviewed according to side, location, size,
      shape, echo pattern, internal content, and vascularization. RESULTS: The enclosed
      forms of ectopic intrathyroidal thymuses were unilateral in all children and
      located in the mid portion (n = 10) or lower portion (n = 1). All lesions were
      well demarcated, and the most common shape was fusiform (n = 8). Nine lesions
      showed a typical hypoechoic echo pattern with internal linear and punctate echoes
      resembling a mediastinal thymus. On color Doppler imaging, 6 lesions showed
      hypovascularity compared to the thyroid parenchyma, and 5 lesions showed internal
      vascularity. CONCLUSIONS: Unique sonographic features of the enclosed form of an
      ectopic intrathyroidal thymus, including a hypoechoic echo pattern with multiple
      linear and punctate echoes, a fusiform shape, a well-demarcated contour, and a
      mid- or low-lying location with hypovascularity or internal vascularity, can help
      radiologists differentiate it from other thyroid nodule etiologies.

PMID- 26269297
TI  - Extension of the Thoracic Spine Sign: A New Sonographic Marker of Pleural
      Effusion.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Dyspnea is a common emergency department (ED) condition, which may be
      caused by pleural effusion and other thoracic diseases. We present data on a new
      sonographic marker, the extension of the thoracic spine sign, for diagnosis of
      pleural effusion. METHODS: In this prospective study, we enrolled a convenience
      sample of undifferentiated patients who underwent computed tomography (CT) of the
      abdomen or chest, which was performed as part of their emergency department
      evaluations. Patients underwent chest sonography to assess the utility of the
      extension of the thoracic spine sign for diagnosing pleural effusion. The point
      of-care sonographic examinations were performed and interpreted by emergency
      physicians who were blinded to information in the medical records. Sonographic
      results were compared to radiologists' interpretations of the CT results, which
      were considered the criterion standard. RESULTS: Forty-one patients were
      enrolled, accounting for 82 hemithoraces. Seven hemithoraces were excluded from
      the analysis due to various limitations, leaving 75 hemithoraces for the final
      analysis. The median time for completion of the sonographic examination was 3
      minutes. The sensitivity and specificity for extension of the thoracic spine were
      73.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 48.6%-89.9%) and 92.9% (95%CI, 81.9%-97.7%),
      respectively. Overall, there were 5 hemithoraces with false-negative results when
      using the extension sign. Of those 5 cases, 4 were found to have trace pleural
      effusions on CT. When trace pleural effusions were excluded in a subgroup
      analysis, the sensitivity and specificity of extension of the thoracic spine were
      92.9% (95% CI, 64.2%-99.6%) and 92.9% (95% CI, 81.9%-97.7%). CONCLUSIONS: We
      found the extension of the thoracic spine sign to be an excellent diagnostic tool
      for clinically relevant pleural effusion.

PMID- 26269298
TI  - Fetal Diagnosis of d-Transposition of the Great Arteries Associated With a Double
      Aortic Arch.

PMID- 26269299
TI  - Diagnostic Efficacy and Safety of Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Transbronchial
      Needle Aspiration in Intrathoracic Tuberculosis: A Meta-analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration
      (EBUS-TBNA) is a minimally invasive technique. A meta-analysis was performed to
      assess the efficacy and safety of EBUS-TBNA in intrathoracic tuberculosis (TB).
      METHODS: We searched PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and the Web of Science for
      suitable studies. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratios (LRs),
      and diagnostic odds ratio were calculated. A summary receiver operating
      characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed to calculate the area under the
      summary ROC curve and Qpoint value (Q*). RESULTS: A total of 8 studies with 809
      patients were included. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of EBUS-TBNA for
      diagnosis of intrathoracic TB were 0.80 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.74-0.85)
      and 1.00 (95% CI, 0.99-1.00), respectively. The positive LR was 38.25 (95% CI,
      13.59-107.65); the negative LR was 0.24 (95% CI, 0.17-0.33); and the diagnostic
      odds ratio was 186.35 (95% CI, 63.57-546.28). The area under the summary ROC
      curve was 0.935, and the Q*was 0.871. The pooled sensitivity of EBUS-TBNA for
      diagnosis of intrathoracic tuberculous lymphadenopathy was 0.87 (95% CI, 0.80
      0.95). Only 1 serious complication was reported. CONCLUSIONS: Endobronchial US
      guided TBNA is an effective and safe diagnostic tool for intrathoracic TB,
      especially intrathoracic tuberculous lymphadenopathy.

PMID- 26269300
TI  - Risk Evaluation of Immediate Surgical Failure During Thigh Hemodialysis Graft
      Placement by Sonographic Screening.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine whether preoperative
      sonographic evaluation of vascular diameters and calcification identifies
      patients at risk for immediate technical failure of thigh hemodialysis grafts.
      METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 143 chronic hemodialysis patients who
      underwent thigh graft placement was performed. All patients underwent
      preoperative sonography to assess arterial and venous waveforms and vascular
      diameters. The degree of arterial calcification was assessed retrospectively.
      Patient characteristics and graft outcomes were examined. Statistical analyses
      were performed, with P< .05 considered clinically significant. RESULTS:
      Sonography identified no or mild arterial calcification in 113 of 143 patients
      (79%) and moderate to severe calcification in 30 of 143 patients (21%). Primary
      surgical technical failure occurred in 23% of patients (7 of 30) with moderate to
      severe calcification, compared to 3.5% (4 of 113) of those with no or mild
      calcification (hazard ratio, 6.59; 95% confidence interval, 2.06-21.05; P =
      .002). Cumulative graft survival (time to permanent failure) was shorter in
      patients with moderate to severe arterial calcification (3-year graft survival,
      37% versus 56%; hazard ratio, 2.32; 95% confidence interval, 1.48-6.69; P= .003)
      but was not significantly associated with venous (P= .82) or arterial (P = .43)
      diameters. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative sonographic assessment of thigh vessel
      diameters and calcification can identify patients who may be at risk for
      immediate technical graft failure and decreased cumulative graft survival. The
      use of sonography as a screening examination may improve preoperative assessment
      and surgical planning of hemodialysis thigh grafts.

PMID- 26269302
TI  - [Anesthesia method of bronchoscopy and clarifying the concept of painless
      bronchoscopy].

PMID- 26269301
TI  - Examination of Subcutaneous Tissue Thickness in the Thigh Site for Intramuscular
      Injection in Obese Individuals.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to investigate the thickness of subcutaneous
      (SC) tissue in the dorsogluteal and thigh sites in obese adults and its
      suitability for intramuscular injection using a standard-length needle. METHODS:
      The sample for this prospective study consisted of 54 obese adults who presented
      to the ultrasound unit of the radiology clinic of a university hospital in the
      province of Izmir, Turkey, between June 2012 and August 2013. The study received
      Institutional Review Board approval, and informed written consent was obtained
      from all participants. The thickness of the SC tissue in the dorsogluteal and
      thigh sites was measured by sonography. The sonographic measurements were
      performed by a radiology specialist. RESULTS: The mean thicknesses of the SC
      tissue were 61.70 +/- 15.73 mm in the dorsogluteal site, 27.05 +/- 8.52 mm in the
      rectus femoris site, and 23.23 +/- 8.44 mm in vastus lateralis site. The SC
      tissue was thicker in the dorsogluteal than the thigh site (P < .001).
      CONCLUSIONS: A standard needle used in intramuscular injections to the thigh site
      would be effective in reaching the muscle in the rectus femoris and vastus
      lateralis sites in all men and in 77.8% of women, although it is not usually
      adequate for gluteal injection.

PMID- 26269303
TI  - [The application of autofluorescence bronchoscopy in guiding surgical resection
      range for lung cancer].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the value of autofluorescence bronchoscopy in guiding
      surgical resection range for central lung cancer. METHODS: A total of 213
      patients with lung cancer were evaluated by both light bronchoscopy (WLB) and
      autofluorescence bronchoscopy (AFB) by BF-F260 (Olympus, Japan) before surgery
      from Mar. 2012 to Feb. 2013. The number of positive cases under each mode,
      clinical stage, surgical resection range and surgical options were evaluated to
      explore diagnostic value of WLB and AFB. RESULTS: Of the 213 cases, surgical
      margins were negative in 198 cases, while the remaining 15 cases were found to be
      inoperable. A total of 1 146 biopsies from different sites including neoplasm and
      bronchial mucosa were evaluated for tumor involvement by pathology. On average,
      biopsy was performed 5.0 +/- 1.2 times for each patient. The sensitivity of the
      WLB group and the AFB group was 65. 2% (214/662) and 81.2% (237/484), and the
      specificity was 74.8% (214/662) and 54.7% (237/484), respectively, the difference
      being statistically significant (chi2 = 19.747, P < 0.05). Bronchial mucosal
      invasion was found by fluorescence bronchoscopy and the surgical procedures were
      changed in 27 case: from lobectomy to bilobectomy and pneumonectomy in 10, from
      lobectomy to inoperable in 2, from lobectomy to interlobar ridge plasty( sleeve
      resection) in 8, from pneumonectomy to inoperable in 3, and from pneumonectomy to
      carina plasty in 4 cases. In all the 213 patients, 214 pathological positive
      sites were found in the WLB group and 237 in the AFB group. The difference being
      statistically significant (chi2 = 32.439, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Autofluorescence
      bronchoscopy showed a high sensitivity for lung cancer, and was helpful to guide
      surgical resection range and reduce postoperative recurrence rate.

PMID- 26269304
TI  - [Pleural epithelioid hemangioendothelioma: a case report and review of the
      literature].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the etiology, clinical manifestation, diagnosis,
      differential diagnosis, management and prognosis of pleural epithelioid
      hemangioendothelioma. METHODS: The clinical data of a patient with pleural
      epithelioid hemangioend othelioma admitted to Peking Union Medical College
      Hospital were retrospectively analyzed and the related literature was reviewed.
      We searched databases PubMed, Embase, Ovid, Cochrane, Wanfang and Chinese
      National Knowledge infrastructure (CNKI) using the keyword "pleural epithelioid
      hemangioendothelioma" by December 2013. RESULTS: The patient was a 40-year-old
      male presented with chest pain, and his chest CT scan revealed thickening of the
      left pleura and left pleural effusion. Biopsy of the pleura showed epithelioid
      tumor cells, and immunohistochemistry was positive for CD31, CD34 and vimentin.
      From January 1975 to December 2013, 18 related articles were retrieved and 29
      cases of pleural epithelioid hemangioendothelioma were reported. Among all 30
      cases, there were 20 males and 10 females, ranging from 31 to 82 years old, and
      the average age was 50. 3 years old. The etiology of the disease remained
      unknown. Chest pain, cough, and dyspnea were the common symptoms. Computed
      tomography usually revealed pleural effusion and pleural thickening or mass.
      Histological examinations revealed mainly epithelioid cells. Immunohistochemical
      stains were positive for vascular endothelial markers. The mean survival time was
      8.2 months. CONCLUSIONS: Pleural epithelioid hemangioendothelioma is rare and the
      etiology is unknown. Clinical and imaging manifestations are not specific, and
      diagnosis is relied on histological findings. It should be differentiated from
      adenocarcinoma, hemangiosarcoma, mesothelioma and pulmonary epithelioid
      hemangioendothelioma. There is no effective treatment and its prognosis is poorer
      than its pulmonary counterpart.

PMID- 26269305
TI  - [Effects of ozone oxidative stress on the airway hyperresponsiveness and mucus
      production in mice with acute allergic airway inflammation].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the impact of ozone on the airway hyperresponsinveness
      (AHR), airway inflammation and mucus production in an allergic asthma mouse
      model. METHODS: Twenty-eight female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 4
      equal groups: healthy control, ozone control, asthma model, and ozone
      intervention. For asthma model establishing, the mice were sensitized and
      challenged with ovalbumin, while the controls received saline. For ozone
      exposure, the mice were exposed to 2.0 ppm ozone for 3 hrs, while the control
      treatment group exposed to filtered air for 3 hrs. Some measurements were
      performed 24 hrs after the exposure, including AHR, pulmonary inflammation, mucus
      secretion, epithelial barrier function, and the level of oxidant stress. RESULTS:
      Compared with the asthma model group, mice in the ozone intervention group
      exhibited lower LogPC100Penh (0.22 +/- 0.09 vs 0.50 +/- 0.19, t = 3.06, P =
      0.006), higher bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) neutrophil numbers [(0.80 +/- 0.21) x
      10(3)/L vs (0.15 +/- 0.06) x 10(3)/L, t = 3.63, P = 0.019] and BAL concentration
      of lower molecular weight hyaluronan (LMW-HA) [(111 +/- 17) ug/L vs (35 +/- 18)
      ug/L, t = 5.12 P = 0.000], TNF-alpha[(155 +/- 30) ug/L vs (86 +/-19) ug/L, t =
      2.15, P = 0.044] and IL-13 [(65 +/- 11) ug/L vs (33 +/- 20) ug/L, t = 2.95, P =
      0.008]. Mice in the ozone intervention group showed higher lung pathological
      inflammation score (2. 80 0.10 vs 1.92 +/- 0.23, t =3.91, P = 0.000) and
      upregulated expressions of TNF-alpha mRNA (7.0 +/- 1.5 vs 3.57 +/- 1.20, t =
      2.65, P = 0.014), CXCL-1 mRNA (7.0 +/- 1.1 vs 2.5 +/- 1.0, t = 4.12, P = 0.000)
      and IL-17 mRNA (28.8 +/- 5.2 vs 16.4 +/- 4.4, t = 6.33, P = 0.000). Ozone
      exposure on the asthmatic mice also caused higher percentage of PAS positive
      staining epithelial cells [(76.2 +/- 8.7) % vs (55.8 +/- 14.4) %, t = 8.14, P =
      0.000] and higher epithelial surface mucus volume [(721 +/- 584) nl/mm2 vs (272
      +/- 185) nl/mm2, t = 5.78, P = 0.000] as well as the MUC5ac mRNA expression (15.4
      +/- 4.6 vs 7.0 +/- 1.9, t = 4.37, P = 0.000). Besides, ozone exposure in the
      asthma model decreased epithelial cell density (82 +/- 22 vs 116 +/- 15, t = 
      10.1, P = 0.000), while increased the BAL concentration of albumin [(45 +/- 6)
      g/L vs (33 +/- 4) g/L, t = 3.89, P = 0.001] . CONCLUSIONS: Ozone exaggerates AHR
      and pulmonary inflammation, and causes damages in epithelial cells and promotes
      the production of epithelial mucus.

PMID- 26269307
TI  - [Multiple growth-factor-releasing system stimulates proliferation of human
      embryonic lung fibroblasts in vitro].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the most effective method to promote human embryonic
      lung fibroblast proliferation, we established several novel local fibrin-gel
      delivery systems, which could continuously release multiple growth factors in
      vitro. METHODS: Multiple growth factors, including platelet-derived growth factor
      (PDGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor
      (TGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) were added to fibrinogen solutions. These
      multiple growth-factor-containing fibrinogen solutions were converted to fibrin
      gel using thrombin to establish a delivery system. The kinetics and dissolution
      curves of the different fibrin-gel delivery systems were determined by daily
      measurement of the dissolved collagen volume. Human embryonic lung fibroblasts
      were randomly divided into 2 groups: the growth-factors (group A) and the non
      growth-factors groups (group B). Based on the fibrin-gel shape, groups A and B
      were both randomly divided into 4 sub-groups; the fully-covered fibrin-gel,
      island fibrin-gel, scattered punctiform fibrin-gel and medium without fibrin-gel
      control groups. Cell proliferation was determined by cell counting and cell
      viability using the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Cell proliferation
      rate was measured by MTT. RESULTS: (1) The peak of growth factors releasing from
      gel of island group was 8.2 +/- 0.8 days, while that of scattered punctiform
      group was 8.0 +/- 1.0 days, and that of the fully-covered fibrin-gel group was
      9.8 +/- 0.4 days. The trend of growth factor releasing was significantly
      different among groups (F = 31.054, P < 0.05). There was no statistical
      difference in the release kinetics between the island group and the scattered
      punctiform group ( t = 1. 000, P > 0. 05). The peak of growth factors releasing
      from gel of the fully-covered fibrin-gel group was later than that of the island
      groups and the scattered punctiform fibrin-gel group (t = 6.820, P < 0.01). (2)
      The cell proliferation rate of island gel containing growth factors subgroup
      (107.6 +/- 1.1) % grew more rapidly than island gel without growth factors
      subgroup (73.2 +/- 2.2) % (F = 375.29, P < 0.01). The cell proliferation rate of
      the scattered punctiform gel containing growth factors subgroup (141.2 +/- 1.8) %
      grew more rapidly than the scattered punctiform gel without growth factors
      subgroup (106.0 +/- 2.8)% (F = 2274.48, P < 0.01). (3) The trend of growth factor
      releasing of the scattered punctiform group was significantly faster than that of
      the island group (F = 12.392, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: (1) Multiple growth factors,
      including PDGF, TGF, VEGF and EGF, stimulate human embryonic lung fibroblast
      growth and proliferation. (2) The enhancement effect of the scattered punctiform
      fibrin-gel multiple growth-factor-releasing system on cell growth and
      proliferation was greater compared with the island fibrin-gel multiple growth
      factor-releasing system.

PMID- 26269306
TI  - [Effects of chitin micro-particles on airway inflammation in a mouse neutrophilic
      asthmatic model].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of chitin micro-particles ( CMPs) on the
      airway inflammation and the cytokine levels of IL-10 and IL-17 in mice with
      neutrophilic asthma (NA). METHODS: Thirty 4- to 6-week-old BALB/c mice were
      divided into 5 groups based on random number table: healthy control group, CMP
      control group (CMP intervention, PBS sensitization and PBS challenge), NA group
      (PBS intervention, OVA + LPS sensitization and OVA challenge), CMP treatment
      group (CMP intervention, OVA + LPS sensitization and OVA challenge) , and DXM
      treatment group ( DXM intervention, OVA + LPS sensitization and OVA challenge).
      Each group included 6 mice. Twenty four hours (24 h) after the last challenge,
      airway resistance was measured, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and serum
      were collected, and lung tissue was taken for HE staining. Wright's staining was
      performed on BALF for white blood cell differential count. The ELISA method was
      used to determine the content of cytokine IL-17 in BALF and lung tissue
      homogenate and the content of cytokine IL-10 in serum. RESULTS: A large number of
      inflammatory cells infiltrated the surroundings of bronchus and blood vessel in
      the NA group. The airway inflammation in the CMP treatment group was
      significantly milder than that in the NA group and the DXM treatment group, but
      more severe than that in the healthy control group and the CMP control group. The
      number of BALF neutrophils in the CMP treatment group [(5.1 +/- 2.0) x 10(5)/ml]
      was significantly lower than that in the NA group [(9.2 +/- 2.0) x 10(5)/ml] and
      the DXM treatment group [(7.9 +/- 2.3) x 10(5)/ml], but higher than that in the
      healthy control group [(1.4 +/- 0.4 ) x 10(5)/ml] and the CMP control group [(1.5
      +/- 0.7) x 10(5)/ml], the difference being statistically significant (F = 27.1, P
      < 0.05). The content of IL-10 in serum in the CMP treatment group increased
      significantly [(80 +/- 16) ng/L], and was higher than that in the NA group [(15
      +/- 8) ng/L], the healthy control group [(29 +/- 10) ng/L], the CMP control group
      [(28 +/- 7) ng/L] and the DXM treatment group [(18 +/- 10) ng/L] (F = 37.1, P <
      0.05). The content of IL-17 in BALF in the CMP treatment group [(86 +/- 10) ng/L]
      was significantly lower than that in the NA group [(111 +/- 11) ng/L] and the DXM
      treatment group [(101 +/- 9) ng/L], but higher than that in the healthy control
      group [(63 +/- 10) ng/L] and the CMP control group [(65 +/- 8) ng/L] (F = 32.2, P
      < 0.05). CONCLUSION: CMP may alleviate the airway inflammation of mice with
      neutrophilic asthma by reducing IL-17 in airways.

PMID- 26269308
TI  - [The role of nuclear factor-kappaB in endothelial cell inflammatory injury by
      intermittent hypoxia in rat with emphysema].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate mechanism underlying the role of nuclear factor Kappa B
      (NF-kappaB) which induced inflammatory injury and functional lesions of aortic
      endothelial cells in rat with emphysema and intermittent hypoxia. METHODS: Sixty
      male Wistar rats were divided randomly into 4 experimental groups (n = 15 each
      group): control group, emphysema group, intermittent hypoxia (IH) group,
      emphysema with intermittent hypoxia group. The rats in control group had ad
      libitum access to food and water under normal circumstance. The rats in the
      emphysema group were exposed to cigarette smoke twice daily (30 min each time).
      As for IH group, the rats were exposed to intermittent hypoxia circumstance (8
      h/day). Both cigarette smoke twice a day (30 min each time) and intermittent
      hypoxia circumstance (8 h/day) were imposed on the rats in emphysema with
      intermittent hypoxia group. All the rats were exposed for 8 weeks. Five rats were
      randomly selected from each group to measure the blood gas on the ninth week. We
      collected lung and endothelial tissues of thoracic aorta from the rest sacrificed
      rats, and observed the pathological changes of lung tissue through HE staining.
      The levels of ET-1, TNF-alpha and IL-8 in rat endothelial tissues of thoracic
      aorta were measured by ELISA testing. Nitrate reductase was used to measure the
      levels of NO, and RT-PCR to detect the levels of NF-kappaB mRNA, ICAM-1 mRNA, MMP
      9 mRNA and eNOS mRNA. RESULTS: Lung pathology and blood gas results showed that
      the rat model of emphysema with intermittent hypoxia was established
      successfully. The levels of ET-1, TNF-alpha, IL-8 in emphysema with intermittent
      hypoxia group were (172.4 +/- 1.6) ng/L, (104.1 +/- 1.4) ng/L, (272.1 +/- 3.6)
      ng/L respectively, significantly higher than the control group, emphysema group
      and intermittent hypoxia group (all P < 0.05). The level of NO was (27.07 +/-
      0.57) umol/L, which was significant reduced; the expression of NF-kappaB mRNA,
      ICAM-1 mRNA, MMP-9 mRNA in emphysema with intermittent hypoxia group was
      significantly upregulated compared with the control goup, emphysema group and
      intermittent hypoxia group (all P < 0.05). The levels of eNOS mRNA expression
      were significantly lower than other three groups. The expression of NF-kappaB
      mRNA was positively correlated with MMP-9 mRNA level (r = 0.572, P < 0.001) and
      the expression of NF-kappaB mRNA was negatively correlated with eNOS mRNA level
      (r = 0.534, P < 0.001); there was no statistical difference in levels of NF
      kappaB mRNA and eNOS mRNA expression between intermittent hypoxia and emphysema
      group (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Compared with only emphysema or intermittent
      hypoxia exposure, inflammatory injury of aortic endothelial cells of rats induced
      by emphysema with intermittent hypoxia was more serious, and may result in more
      serious cardiovascular complications. The activation of NF-kappaB pathway may be
      an important mechanism of its inflammatory response.

PMID- 26269310
TI  - [Advances in mechanical ventilation guided by respiratory mechanics in acute
      respiratory distress syndrome].

PMID- 26269309
TI  - [Transforming growth factor-beta1 induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition in
      A549 cells by up-regulating expression of calpain].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF
      beta1) on epithelial-mesenchymal transition in type II alveolar epithelial cells
      and the relationship with Calpain. METHODS: The type II alveolar epithelial cell
      line-A549 cells cultured in vitro were divided into 4 groups: the control group,
      the TGF-betal group, the TGF-beta1 + PD150606 group, the PD150606 group. Given
      the corresponding processing,Western-blot and RT-PCR were utilized to evaluate
      the expression of Calpain- 1,E-cad and alpha-SMA. RESULTS: Compared with the
      control group, the protein and mRNA expression of Calpain-1 and alpha-SMA in the
      TGF-beta1 group was markedly increased, but the protein and mRNA expression of E
      cad was significantly decreased. While, after calpain inhibitor PD150606 was
      added, the protein and mRNA expression of Calpain-1 and alpha-SMA was markedly
      decreased and the protein and mRNA expression of E-cad was significantly
      increased in the TGF-betal + PD150606 group, but there was no difference between
      TGF-beta1 + PD150606 group and control group. But with Calpain inhibitor PD150606
      alone, the expression of Calpain-1,E-cad and alpha-SMA was no difference with the
      control group. CONCLUSIONS: TGF-betal could induce epithelial-mesenchymal
      transition in A549 cells by up-regulating expression of calpain which could be
      inhibited by calpain inhibitor PD150606.

PMID- 26269312
TI  - [Critical illness and diaphragm function].

PMID- 26269311
TI  - [The timing and strategy of anticoagulant therapy in severe pneumonia].

PMID- 26269313
TI  - [Noninvasive assisted ventilation in central and complex sleep apnea].

PMID- 26269314
TI  - [Research progress of the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of COPD].

PMID- 26269315
TI  - The heart of medicine: growing up with pioneering treatment.

PMID- 26269316
TI  - Viral hepatitis surveillance and outbreak report is published in India.

PMID- 26269318
TI  - Histiocytoid neutrophilic dermatitis, an unusual histopathology in neonatal lupus
      erythematosus.
AB  - The authors reported histiocytoid neutrophilic dermatitis in neonatal lupus
      erythematosus (NLE). One-month-old male infant presented with annular
      erythematous plaques at the face and trunk. Serologic studies revealed positive
      anti-ribonuclear protein antibodies (RNP) and antinuclear antibodies (ANA).
      Histopathology showed predominant myeloid lineage mononuclear cells admixed with
      segmented neutrophils. This finding is uncommon in cutaneous NLE. Cutaneous NLE
      and LE should be included in the differential diagnosis of histiocytoid
      neutrophilic dermatitis. Additional immunohistochemistry studies with clinical
      and serologic correlations are important to differentiate histiocytoid
      neutrophilic dermatitis from the other diagnoses, especially leukemic cutis in
      young patients.

PMID- 26269317
TI  - First report of feline morbillivirus in Europe.
AB  - Feline morbillivirus was detected in urine samples of a 15 year old cat suffering
      from severe nephropathy. Viral RNA was not detected in blood and faecal samples
      and also the most common pathogens associated to cat kidney failure were not
      found. This report describes the first evidence of feline morbillivirus in
      Europe. 

PMID- 26269320
TI  - Enhanced performance of dye-sensitized solar cells with dual-function
      coadsorbent: reducing the surface concentration of dye-iodine complexes
      concomitant with attenuated charge recombination.
AB  - In this paper, we have investigated the effects of oleic acid as a dual-function
      coadsorbent on recombination and iodine binding in dye-sensitized solar cells.
      Oleic acid as a dual-function coadsorbent effectively shields the back electron
      transfer from TiO2 to I3(-) ions and also reduces the surface concentration of
      dye-I2 complexes via iodine binding to the unsaturated double bond on oleic acid.
      It was found that interaction between iodine and the double bond of oleic acid
      keeps the iodine molecules away from the surface and reduces the recombination
      rate between injected electrons in a semiconductor and iodine molecules and also
      increases open-circuit voltage. Furthermore, the interaction between iodine
      molecules and unexcited dyes affects the UV-Vis spectrum of them and prevents an
      unfavorable blue shift. Overall, the results point to an improved performance for
      DSC operation and development. 

PMID- 26269321
TI  - Spontaneous formation and amplification of an enantioenriched alpha-amino
      nitrile: a chiral precursor for Strecker amino acid synthesis.
AB  - Without the addition of any chiral substances, the spontaneous formation of an
      enantioenriched alpha-amino nitrile (up to 96% ee), which is a chiral precursor
      for Strecker amino acid synthesis, has been achieved in combination with
      conglomerate formation. The frequency of the formation of enantiomorphs exhibits
      an approximate stochastic distribution, i.e., L-form occurred 21 times and D-form
      occurred 22 times, which fulfils the conditions necessary for spontaneous
      absolute asymmetric synthesis.

PMID- 26269319
TI  - Enamel matrix derivative improves gingival fibroblast cell behavior cultured on
      titanium surfaces.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Although an extensive amount of research has demonstrated the positive
      effects of an enamel matrix derivative (EMD) on soft tissue wound healing around
      intrabony defects, little information is available describing its effect on peri
      implant soft tissues, an area that has recently gained tremendous awareness due
      to the increasing prevalence of peri-implantitis. The aim of the present study
      was to assess the role of EMD when gingival fibroblasts were cultured on titanium
      surface with different surface topographies. METHODS: Human primary gingival
      fibroblasts were cultured on pickled (PT) and sand-blasted with large grit
      followed by acid etching (SLA) surfaces and assessed for cell adhesion at 2, 4,
      and 8 h, cell morphology at 2, 4, 8, and 24 h as well as cell proliferation at 1,
      3, and 5 days post-seeding. Furthermore, genes encoding collagen 1a1, vascular
      endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A), and fibronectin were assessed by real-time
      PCR. Human gingival fibroblasts were also quantified for their ability to
      synthesize a collagen matrix on the various titanium surfaces with and without
      EMD by immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: The results from the present study
      demonstrate that EMD significantly increased cell spreading at 2, 4, 8, and 24 h
      on PT surfaces and 4, 8, and 24 h on SLA surfaces. Furthermore, proliferation at
      5 days on PT surfaces and 3 and 5 days on SLA surfaces was also increased for
      groups containing EMD. Real-time PCR results demonstrated that the culture of
      gingival fibroblasts with EMD significantly increased extracellular matrix
      synthesis of collagen 1 as well as improved mRNA levels of VEGF-A and
      fibronectin. Collagen1 immuno-fluorescent staining revealed a significantly
      higher area of staining for cells seeded on PT + EMD at 7 and 14 days and 14 days
      for SLA + EMD when compared to control samples. CONCLUSION: The results from the
      present study favor the use of EMD for colonization of gingival fibroblasts on
      titanium surfaces by increasing cell growth, spreading, and synthesis of an
      extracellular matrix. The improvements were primarily irrespective of surface
      topography. Future animal and human studies are necessary to fully characterize
      the beneficial effects of incorporating EMD during soft tissue regeneration of
      implant protocols. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The use of EMD may speed up the quality of
      soft tissue integration around dental implants by facilitating gingival cell
      attachment, proliferation, and matrix synthesis of collagen 1.

PMID- 26269322
TI  - Ferroelectricity driven magnetism at domain walls in LaAlO3/PbTiO3 superlattices.
AB  - Charge dipole moment and spin moment rarely coexist in single-phase bulk
      materials except in some multiferroics. Despite the progress in the past decade,
      for most multiferroics their magnetoelectric performance remains poor due to the
      intrinsic exclusion between charge dipole and spin moment. As an alternative
      approach, the oxide heterostructures may evade the intrinsic limits in bulk
      materials and provide more attractive potential to realize the magnetoelectric
      functions. Here we perform a first-principles study on LaAlO3/PbTiO3
      superlattices. Although neither of the components is magnetic, magnetic moments
      emerge at the ferroelectric domain walls of PbTiO3 in these superlattices. Such a
      twist between ferroelectric domain and local magnetic moment, not only manifests
      an interesting type of multiferroicity, but also is possible useful to pursuit
      the electrical-control of magnetism in nanoscale heterostructures. 

PMID- 26269323
TI  - Teleconsultation for integrated palliative care at home: A qualitative study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Interprofessional consultation contributes to symptom control for
      home-based palliative care patients and improves advance care planning. Distance
      and travel time, however, complicate the integration of primary care and
      specialist palliative care. Expert online audiovisual teleconsultations could be
      a method for integrating palliative care services. AIM: This study aims to
      describe (1) whether and how teleconsultation supports the integration of primary
      care, specialist palliative care, and patient perspectives and services and (2)
      how patients and (in)formal caregivers experience collaboration in a
      teleconsultation approach. DESIGN: This work consists of a qualitative study that
      utilizes long-term direct observations and in-depth interviews.
      SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: A total of 18 home-based palliative care patients (16 with
      cancer, 2 with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; age range 24-85 years old),
      12 hospital-based specialist palliative care team clinicians, and 17 primary care
      physicians. RESULTS: Analysis showed that the introduction of specialist
      palliative care team-patient teleconsultation led to collaboration between
      primary care physicians and specialist palliative care team clinicians in all 18
      cases. In 17/18 cases, interprofessional contact was restricted to backstage work
      after teleconsultation. In one deviant case, both the patient and the
      professionals were simultaneously connected through teleconsultation. Two themes
      characterized integrated palliative care at home as a consequence of
      teleconsultation: (1) professionals defining responsibility and (2) building
      interprofessional rapport. CONCLUSION: Specialist palliative care team
      teleconsultation with home-based patients leads to collaboration between primary
      care physicians and hospital-based palliative care specialists. Due to cultural
      reasons, most collaboration was of a multidisciplinary character, strongly
      relying on organized backstage work. Interdisciplinary teleconsultations with
      real-time contact between patient and both professionals were less common but
      stimulated patient-centered care dialogues.

PMID- 26269324
TI  - The impact of a new public health approach to end-of-life care: A systematic
      review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Communities play an increasingly significant role in their own health
      and social care, and evidence demonstrates the positive impact of this work on a
      range of health outcomes. Interest is building regarding the application of the
      principles of the new public health approach to those facing the end of life and
      their families and communities. AIM: To review the evidence relating to the
      impact of a new public health approach to end-of-life care, specifically as this
      applies to efforts to strengthen community action. DESIGN: A systematic review
      employing narrative synthesis. Both meta-ethnography and the use of descriptive
      statistics supported analysis. DATA SOURCES: Eight databases (AMED, ASSIA,
      BiblioMap, CINAHL, Cochrane Reviews, EMBASE, MEDLINE and PsycINFO) were searched
      from the earliest record to March 2015 using set eligibility criteria. RESULTS:
      Eight articles were included in the analysis. Three main themes emerged from the
      meta-ethnography: making a practical difference, individual learning and personal
      growth and developing community capacity. The quantitative findings mapped to the
      meta-ethnography and demonstrated that engaging communities can lead to improved
      outcomes for carers such as decreased fatigue or isolation, increase in size of
      caring networks and that wider social networks can influence factors such as
      place of death and involvement of palliative care services. CONCLUSION: Evidence
      exists for the impact of community engagement in end-of-life care. Impact
      assessment should be an integral part of future initiatives and policy makers
      should recognise that these approaches can influence complex issues such as carer
      support, community capacity, wellbeing and social isolation.

PMID- 26269325
TI  - Doctors discussing religion and spirituality: A systematic literature review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Discussion of religion and/or spirituality in the medical
      consultation is desired by patients and known to be beneficial. However, it is
      infrequent. We aimed to identify why this is so. AIM: We set out to answer the
      following research questions: Do doctors report that they ask their patients
      about religion and/or spirituality and how do they do it? According to doctors,
      how often do patients raise the issue of religion and/or spirituality in
      consultation and how do doctors respond when they do? What are the known
      facilitators and barriers to doctors asking their patients about religion and/or
      spirituality? DESIGN: A mixed qualitative/quantitative review was conducted to
      identify studies exploring the physician's perspective on discussion of religion
      and/or spirituality in the medical consultation. DATA SOURCES: We searched nine
      databases from inception to January 2015 for original research papers reporting
      doctors' views on discussion of religion and/or spirituality in medical
      consultations. Papers were assessed for quality using QualSyst and results were
      reported using a measurement tool to assess systematic review guidelines.
      RESULTS: Overall, 61 eligible papers were identified, comprising over 20,044
      physician reports. Religion and spirituality are discussed infrequently by
      physicians although frequency increases with terminal illness. Many physicians
      prefer chaplain referral to discussing religion and/or spirituality with patients
      themselves. Such discussions are facilitated by prior training and increased
      physician religiosity and spirituality. Insufficient time and training were the
      most frequently reported barriers. CONCLUSION: This review found that physician
      enquiry into the religion and/or spirituality of patients is inconsistent in
      frequency and nature and that in order to meet patient needs, barriers to
      discussion need to be overcome.

PMID- 26269326
TI  - Is there pain with neuropathic characteristics in patients with amyotrophic
      lateral sclerosis? A cross-sectional study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a progressive debilitating and
      lethal disorder, characterized by degeneration of motor neurons that warrant
      palliative care. Pain is frequent in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
      and significantly impacts on quality of life. AIM: To describe pain and assess
      the prevalence of pain with neuropathic characteristics in patients with
      amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey from March 2009 to
      October 2013. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients
      underwent multidisciplinary assessment and completed questionnaires measuring the
      severity and impact of pain and anxiety. The Douleur Neuropathique-4
      questionnaire was used to look for pain with neuropathic characteristics.
      RESULTS: Of 96 clinical evaluations, 93 were usable for analysis (age at onset:
      62 +/- 12.5 years; disease duration: 34 +/- 33 months). The overall pain
      prevalence was 66%, with 9% experiencing pain with neuropathic characteristics.
      Pain was most often located in the neck and shoulders (38% of pain patients).
      Neck and shoulder pain was associated with neck (p = 0.04) and proximal upper
      limb muscular weakness (p = 0.02), respectively. Pain was not associated with
      disease duration, respiratory or nutritional parameters, but with higher anxiety
      scores (p = 0.01). Patients with neuropathic characteristics pain did not differ
      significantly from patients with or without pain, except that they had higher
      minimal pain intensity score (p < 0.05). Neuropathic characteristics pain was
      frequently spontaneous (rarely evoked) and described as numbness, burning,
      electric shock, tingling, and pins-and-needle. CONCLUSION: Even if amyotrophic
      lateral sclerosis is a disease of the motor system, pain is frequent and can
      rarely have neuropathic characteristics. Pain must be always sought and
      appropriately treated to limit quality of life impairment.

PMID- 26269327
TI  - Application of chlorine-36 technique in determining the age of modern groundwater
      in the Al-Zulfi province, Saudi Arabia.
AB  - The present study aims to estimate the residence time of groundwater based on
      bomb-produced (36)Cl. (36)Cl/Cl ratios in the water samples are determined by
      inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and liquid scintillation counting.
      (36)Cl/Cl ratios in the groundwater were estimated to be 1.0-2.0 * 10(-12).
      Estimates of residence time were obtained by comparing the measured bomb-derived
      (36)Cl concentrations in groundwater with the background reference. Dating based
      on a (36)Cl bomb pulse may be more reliable and sensitive for groundwater
      recharged before 1975, back as far as the mid-1950s. The above (36)Cl background
      concentration was deduced by determining the background-corrected Dye-3 ice core
      data from the frozen Arctic data, according to the estimated total (36)Cl
      resources. The residence time of 7.81 * 10(4) y is obtained from extrapolated
      groundwater flow velocity. (36)Cl concentration in groundwater does not reflect
      the input of bomb pulse (36)Cl, and it belongs to the era before 1950. 

PMID- 26269328
TI  - Microcystic pseudoglandular plexiform cutaneous neurofibroma.
AB  - Glandular structures are well documented to appear in peripheral nerve sheath
      tumors. These epithelial elements are usually present in malignant peripheral
      nerve sheath tumors although a few cases of glandular benign peripheral nerve
      sheath tumors have also been described, most of them being schwannomas. A
      neurofibroma with glands is considered to be a rare type of divergent
      differentiation, but a neurofibroma containing gland-like or pseudoglandular
      structures have not, to our knowledge, been described. We report a 33-year-old
      patient with a well-demarcated dermal neoplasm, composed of neoplastic Schwann
      cells, perineurial-like cells and fibroblasts in a matrix with collagen fibers
      and myxoid areas. A part of the tumor consisted of microcystic gland-like spaces
      lined by flat cells. These cells were either S100 positive or negative, with no
      epithelial membrane antigen, cytokeratin or CD31 immunostaining. Recognition of
      the presence of pseudoglandular elements in neurofibromas is important to
      distinguish them from other tumoral lesions, some of them with malignant
      potential.

PMID- 26269329
TI  - Time-efficient interleaved human (23)Na and (1)H data acquisition at 7 T.
AB  - The aim of this study was to implement and evaluate a flexible and time-efficient
      interleaved imaging approach for the acquisition of proton and sodium images of
      the human knee at 7 T within a clinically relevant timescale. A flexible software
      framework was established which allowed the interleaving of multiple, different,
      fully specific absorption ratio (SAR)-validated scans. The system was able to
      switch between these different scans at flexible time points. The practical
      example presented consists of interleaved proton (Dixon imaging and T2* mapping)
      and sodium (mapping the sodium content and fluid-suppressed component separately)
      sequences with the key idea to perform proton MRI whilst the sodium nuclei relax
      towards thermal equilibrium, and vice versa. Comparisons were made between these
      four scans being acquired sequentially in the normal mode of scanner operation
      and those acquired in an interleaved fashion. Images acquired in the interleaved
      mode were very similar to those acquired in sequential scans with no image
      artifacts produced by the slight intra-sequence variation in steady-state
      magnetization. A reduction in scanning time of almost a factor of two was
      established using the interleaved scans, allowing such a protocol to be completed
      within 30 min. Phantom experiments and in vivo scans performed in healthy
      volunteers and in one patient proved the basic feasibility of this approach. This
      approach for the interleaving of multiple proton and sodium scans, each with
      different contrasts, is an efficient method for the design of new practical
      clinical protocols for sodium MRI.

PMID- 26269330
TI  - Substrate-controlled product-selectivity in the reaction of the Bestmann-Ohira
      reagent with N-unprotected isatin-derived olefins.
AB  - A mild and efficient reaction of the Bestmann-Ohira reagent with N-unprotected
      isatin-derived olefins has been developed for the selective synthesis of spiro
      pyrazoline-oxindoles and tricyclic pyrazoles. The reaction features an attractive
      product-selectivity depending on the substituent on isatin-derived olefin.
      Treatment of 3-aryl/alkylideneoxindoles with BOR afforded spiropyrazoline
      oxindoles, whereas 3-phenacylideneoxindoles furnished pyrazoloquinazolinones via
      a unique ring expansion reaction. 

PMID- 26269331
TI  - Expression profiles uncover the correlation of OPN signaling pathways with rat
      liver regeneration at cellular level.
AB  - Osteopontin (OPN) could participate in the occurrence of multiple liver diseases
      via promoting inflammation, cell activation, proliferation, and migration.
      However, the correlation of OPN with liver regeneration (LR) is poorly defined.
      Previous studies from us and others revealed that OPN was probably involved in
      the activation and proliferation of various hepatic cell types during LR. In this
      study, to further investigate the underlined mechanism of OPN in regulating LR,
      eight hepatic cell types were isolated and purified from rat regenerative livers
      at 10 time points. The gene expression profiles of above hepatic cells were
      assayed by Rat Genome 230 2.0 chips, and then IPA software was used to uncover
      the correlations of gene expression changes with physiological activities. The
      findings demonstrated that the majority of the OPN pathway-related genes were up
      regulated in hepatocytes (HCs), pit cells (PCs), oval cells (OCs), and biliary
      epithelial cells (BECs) but down-regulated in other four cell types including
      sinusoidal endothelial cells (SECs), Kupffer cells (KCs), dendritic cells (DCs),
      and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Thereafter, functional enriched analysis by
      IPA indicated that OPN signaling pathway might promote cell proliferation,
      activation, migration, and inflammation in HCs, OCs, BECs, and PCs, and slightly
      boost proliferation and migration of SECs and KCs but inhibit inflammation
      response and chemotaxis in SECs and KCs and almost all physiological processes in
      DCs and HSCs. Morever, apoptosis, cell death, and necrosis were remarkably
      inhibited through JAK/STAT, ERK1/2, and NF-kB branches in almost every cell type.
      These above results suggest that OPN signaling pathway is closely related to HCs,
      OCs, BECs, and PCs but has less regulatory effect on SECs, KCs, HSCs, and DCs
      during rat LR. 

PMID- 26269334
TI  - [Heart rate is a new druggable target in the individualized management of
      patients with chronic heart failure].

PMID- 26269333
TI  - Galaxy Integrated Omics: Web-based Standards-Compliant Workflows for Proteomics
      Informed by Transcriptomics.
AB  - With the recent advent of RNA-seq technology the proteomics community has begun
      to generate sample-specific protein databases for peptide and protein
      identification, an approach we call proteomics informed by transcriptomics (PIT).
      This approach has gained a lot of interest, particularly among researchers who
      work with nonmodel organisms or with particularly dynamic proteomes such as those
      observed in developmental biology and host-pathogen studies. PIT has been shown
      to improve coverage of known proteins, and to reveal potential novel gene
      products. However, many groups are impeded in their use of PIT by the complexity
      of the required data analysis. Necessarily, this analysis requires complex
      integration of a number of different software tools from at least two different
      communities, and because PIT has a range of biological applications a single
      software pipeline is not suitable for all use cases. To overcome these problems,
      we have created GIO, a software system that uses the well-established Galaxy
      platform to make PIT analysis available to the typical bench scientist via a
      simple web interface. Within GIO we provide workflows for four common use cases:
      a standard search against a reference proteome; PIT protein identification
      without a reference genome; PIT protein identification using a genome guide; and
      PIT genome annotation. These workflows comprise individual tools that can be
      reconfigured and rearranged within the web interface to create new workflows to
      support additional use cases. 

PMID- 26269332
TI  - The Human Tau Interactome: Binding to the Ribonucleoproteome, and Impaired
      Binding of the Proline-to-Leucine Mutant at Position 301 (P301L) to Chaperones
      and the Proteasome.
AB  - The tau protein is central to the etiology of several neurodegenerative diseases,
      including Alzheimer's disease, a subset of frontotemporal dementias, progressive
      supranuclear palsy and dementia following traumatic brain injury, yet the
      proteins it interacts with have not been studied using a systematic discovery
      approach. Here we employed mild in vivo crosslinking, isobaric labeling, and
      tandem mass spectrometry to characterize molecular interactions of human tau in a
      neuroblastoma cell model. The study revealed a robust association of tau with the
      ribonucleoproteome, including major protein complexes involved in RNA processing
      and translation, and documented binding of tau to several heat shock proteins,
      the proteasome and microtubule-associated proteins. Follow-up experiments
      determined the relative contribution of cellular RNA to the tau interactome and
      mapped interactions to N- or C-terminal tau domains. We further document that
      expression of P301L mutant tau disrupts interactions of the C-terminal half of
      tau with heat shock proteins and the proteasome. The data are consistent with a
      model whereby a higher propensity of P301L mutant tau to aggregate may reflect a
      perturbation of its chaperone-assisted stabilization and proteasome-dependent
      degradation. Finally, using a global proteomics approach, we show that
      heterologous expression of a tau construct that lacks the C-terminal domain,
      including the microtubule binding domain, does not cause a discernible shift of
      the proteome except for a significant direct correlation of steady-state levels
      of tau and cystatin B. 

PMID- 26269335
TI  - [Heart rate reduction is not the therapeutic target in the chronic heart failure
      therapy].

PMID- 26269336
TI  - [Loop diuretic strategies in patients with heart failure].

PMID- 26269337
TI  - [Compliance to treatment and resistant hypertension].

PMID- 26269338
TI  - [Peak oxygen consumption, NT-proBNP and echocardiographic changes in patients
      with chronic heart failure].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess peak oxygen consumption (peak VO2) derived from
      cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), concentrations of NT-proBNP and
      echocardiographic changes in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and
      reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF, <40%). METHODS: Seventy
      patients were included and divided into two groups according to the New York
      Heart Association (NYHA) classification: NYHA II group (17 cases) and NYHA III-IV
      group (53 cases). The basic clinical information, plasma concentration of NT
      proBNP at rest, echocardiographic parameters and peak VO2from CPET were compared
      between two groups. Correlation among peak VO2, NT-proBNP and echocardiographic
      parameters in this patient cohort was assessed and their abilities to
      discriminate the NYHA III-IV grade were analyzed through c-Statistic. RESULTS:
      Left atrial diameter ((51.3 +/- 7.2) mm vs. (44.0+/-7.4) mm, P<0.001) was larger,
      plasma concentration of NT-proBNP (1 379-4 399 pmol/L vs. 1 109-2 356 pmol/L,
      P<0.01) was higher and peak VO2((13.4 +/- 3.5) ml.kg-1.min-1 vs. (18.2 +/- 3.7)
      ml.kg-1.min-1, P<0.001) were significantly lower in NYHA III-IV group than those
      in NYHA II group. However, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) and
      LVEF were similar between two groups. Peak VO2correlated significantly with NT
      proBNP (r=-0.311, P<0.01), but neither peak VO2nor NT-proBNP correlated with
      echocardiographic parameters (LA, LVEDD and LVEF). ROC analysis showed that peak
      VO2had the strongest discriminatory power for detecting NYHA III-IV grade
      patients (AUC=0.835, P<0.001), followed by the NT-proBNP (AUC=0.723, P<0.01).
      CONCLUSION: Peak VO2is a more sensitive parameter to detect the disease
      aggravation (NYHA III-IV grade) of the CHF patients with reduced LVEF compared to
      plasma NT-proBNP and echocardiographic parameters (LA, LVEDD, LVEF).

PMID- 26269340
TI  - [Impact of transfection with recombinant adenovirus vector-mediated Klotho gene
      on myocardial remodeling in a rat model of heart failure].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of transfection with recombinant adenovirus
      vector-mediated Klotho gene on myocardial remodeling in a rat model of heart
      failure (HF) by intraperitoneal injection of isoproterenol. METHODS: Rats were
      divided into 5 groups by table of exponential random numbers: normal control
      group, HF group, saline-control HF group, recombinant adenovirus vector
      transfection group (Ad.EGFP group, 2 * 1010 pfu, 0.5 ml/rat), pDC316-CMV-EGFP
      rKlotho transfection group (Ad.Klotho group, n=5 each). Left ventricular ejection
      fraction (LVEF) was obtained by echocardiography, hemodynamic parameters obtained
      by multi-channel physiological recorder, myocardial tissue underwent
      pathohistological examination. Additionally, the green fluorescin expression was
      observed on frozen heart section. Myocardial fibrosis correlated gene expression
      including Klotho gene, collagen I and III was detected by real time-PCR.
      Moreover, plasma levels of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) were measured with
      ELISA. RESULTS: Compared to saline control HF group, LVEF, LVSP and +/-dp/dtmax
      were significantly increased, myocardial fibrosis and myocardial remodeling were
      significantly attenuated in the Ad. Klotho group and there was green fluorescin
      distribution in myocardial tissues of Ad. Klotho group. Klotho expression was
      down-regulated and collagen I and III expression was upregulated in HF rats
      compared to normal control group (all P<0.05) and these changes could be
      significantly reversed in Ad. Klotho group (all P<0.05). Plasma BNP level was
      also significantly lower in Ad. Klotho group than in HF group (P<0.05).
      CONCLUSIONS: Klotho gene transfection could improve cardiac function and
      attenuate cardiac remodeling and reducing myocardial fibrosis.

PMID- 26269339
TI  - [2-Methylthio-adenosine-5'-triphosphate inhibits ventricular arrhythmogenesis in
      rabbits with chronic heart failure].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects and related mechanisms of 2-methylthio
      adenosine-5'-triphosphate (2-MeSATP), an important extracellular agonist that
      activates receptors for purine nucleotides (P2XR), on ventricular arrhythmias in
      rabbits with chronic heart failure (CHF). METHODS: The male New Zealand rabbits
      were divide into control (n=12), CHF (n=12) and CHF+2-MeSATP groups (2-MeSATP,
      n=12). CHF was induced by isoproterenol injection (0.3 mg.kg-1.d-1 for 3 weeks)
      and rabbits were observed 6 months later. The main cardioelectrophysiological
      parameters and ventricular arrhythmias were tested by recording monophasic action
      potential (MAP) with burst-pacing (BCL) in rabbits in vivo. The transient outward
      potassium current (Ito) was recorded via whole-cell patch clamp technique and the
      fluorescence intensity of intracellular free Ca2+ was detected with Flup-3/AM
      loading by the laser scanning confocal microscope in enzymatically dissociated
      single rabbet ventricular myocytes. RESULTS: CHF rabbits developed severely
      clinical CHF signs and symptoms, reduced left ventricular ejection fraction and
      fractional shortening as well as enlarged end-diastolic dimension. Compared with
      CHF group, APA and MaxdV/dt were significantly increased, while APD20, APD50 and
      APD90 were significantly reduced in 2-MeSATP group (all P<0.01). Moreover, 2
      MeSATP could obviously shorten BCL induced ventricular arrhythmias, and decrease
      deducibility and persistence time of ventricular arrhythmias with burst-pacing in
      2-MeSATP group in vivo (all P<0.05). With voltage clamp model, 2-MeSATP could
      significantly increase the current density of Ito in different command potential
      in CHF ventricular myocytes (all P<0.01). When holding potential was set at -50
      mV and command potential was set at +50 mV, the current densities of Ito increase
      was more significant in 2-MeSATP group than that in CHF group ((11.79 +/- 4.51)
      pA/pF vs. (7.94 +/- 3.53) pA/pF, P<0.01). 2-MeSATP could completely change the I
      V curve upward without changing the I-V curve direction in CHF ventricular
      myocytes. The fluorescence intensities of intracellular free Ca2+ increase was
      more significant in 2-MeSATP group compared to CHF group ((1 291.98 +/- 123.31)
      umol/L vs. (793.59 +/- 114.65) umol/L, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: 2-MeSATP as a potent
      agonist acting on P2XR could significantly shorten APD, increase heart rate and
      improve cardiac performance as well as decrease the susceptibility of ventricular
      arrhythmias in this rabbit CHF model. Our results suggest that Ito increase and
      sarcoplasmic reticulum uptake Ca2+ enhancement as well as dynamic balance of
      intracellular Ca2+ cycling sustenance might linked to the beneficial effects of 2
      MeSATP in this CHF model.

PMID- 26269341
TI  - [Current status and influence factors of beta blocker prescription in Chinese
      patients with stable angina pectoris].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analyze the status of beta blockers (BBs) prescription in Chinese
      patients with stable angina pectoris. To determine the gap between clinical
      practice and treatment guidelines and factors influencing the use of BBs in
      Chinese patients. METHOD: A questionnaire survey was conducted in patients
      diagnosed with chronic stable angina pectoris in 2011. A total of 298 Chinese
      hospitals attended the survey. The questionnaire collected patient demographic
      information, clinical and medication information. In the analysis, patients were
      divided into two groups according to whether they were on BBs at the time of the
      interview. Hospital characteristics, patient demographic information,
      cardiovascular risk factors, diagnostic method of coronary heart disease, past
      history of coronary revascularization and use of secondary prevention medications
      were compared between the two groups. Binary logistic regression analysis was
      used to identify factors related to BBs use. Patients were followed-up for 3
      months. Patients who were on BBs at baseline were divided into two groups
      according to whether they were still on BBs after 3 months. Comparison of the
      clinical information previously mentioned was made between the two groups, and
      binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors related to BBs
      adherence. RESULTS: Of the 5 011 questionnaires, 2 859 cases were male, mean age
      was (67.6 +/- 11.5) years old, 3 060 (61.1%) patients were on BBs at baseline.
      Binary logistic regression analysis showed that when adjusted for other factors,
      old age (OR = 0.895, 95% CI 0.849-0.944, P<0.001) was related to no BBs use,
      while comorbidity with hypertension (OR = 1.255, 95% CI 1.103-1.427, P = 0.001)
      or hyperlipidemia (OR = 1.456, 95% CI 1.287-1.648, P<0.001), diagnosed with
      coronary disease by imaging (OR = 1.250, 95% CI 1.070-1.461, P = 0.005) and past
      history of coronary revascularization (OR = 1.490, 95% CI 1.220-1.820, P<0.001)
      were related to higher percentage of BBs use. A total of 2 533 cases (82.8%) were
      still taking BBs 3 months after baseline interview. Binary logistic regression
      analysis showed that, when adjusted for other factors, treated at traditional
      Chinese medical hospitals (OR = 1.612, 95% CI 1.154-2.251, P = 0.005), low levels
      of education (OR = 1.316, 95% CI 1.151-1.504, P<0.001), hypertension (OR = 1.345,
      95% CI 1.096-1.651, P = 0.005), high baseline heart rate (OR = 1.020, 95% CI
      1.010-1.030, P<0.001) and diagnosed with coronary disease by imaging (OR = 1.342,
      95% CI 1.095-1.644, P = 0.005) were factors related to higher BBs adherence,
      while low baseline CCS class (OR = 0.794, 95% CI 0.704-0.896, P<0.001) was
      related to lower BBs adherence. CONCLUSIONS: In Chinese patients with clinically
      diagnosed chronic stable angina, BBs use was not sufficient. Old age, comorbidity
      with hypertension or hyperlipidemia, past history of coronary revascularization
      were independently related to higher percentage of BBs use. Treated at
      traditional Chinese medical hospitals, low levels of education, hypertension,
      high baseline heart rate and diagnosed with coronary disease by imaging were
      independent factors related to higher BBs adherence, while low baseline CCS class
      was related to lower adherence.

PMID- 26269342
TI  - [Application feasibility of low tube voltage and lower iodine concentration
      contrast medium as well as iterative reconstruction in coronary computed
      tomography angiography].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility of using lower iodine concentration
      (270 mgI/ml) contrast medium, lower X-ray tube voltage (100 kVp) and iterative
      reconstruction (IR) to reduce both iodine load and radiation dose but keep the
      image quality of coronary CT angiography (CCTA). METHODS: A total of 80
      consecutive patients with suspected coronary artery disease were prospectively
      assigned to one of two groups via computer central system from January to May
      2013. The control group (n = 40) was scanned using dual-source CCTA protocols of
      120 kV, 370 mgI/ml Iopromide and filtered back projection reconstruction with a
      vascular algorithm (B26f). The study group (n = 40) was scanned using 100 kV, 270
      mgI/ml Iodixanol and sinogram affirmed iterative reconstruction with a vascular
      algorithm (I26f). Other scan parameters and contrast injection protocol were
      similar between the two groups. Attenuation in the ascending aorta and coronary
      arteries along with image noise were measured. Images were reconstructed,
      measured and graded, and iodine load and effective radiation dose were
      calculated. RESULTS: The body mass index ((25.3 +/- 3.0) kg/m2 vs. (25.4 +/-
      3.0)kg/m2, P = 0.852), image quality scores (4.70 +/- 0.52 vs. 4.63 +/- 0.59, P =
      0.545), mean signal-to-noise ratios (22.2 +/- 5.5 vs. 23.6 +/- 5.8, P = 0.277),
      and contrast-to-noise ratios (35.6 +/- 17.6 vs. 41.1 +/- 17.6, P = 0.163) were
      similar between the control group and study group. Mean iodine loads were
      significantly reduced in the study group ((18.49 +/- 0.75)g) compared to control
      group ((25.27 +/- 0.94)g), P< 0.001). Mean effective radiation doses were also
      significantly reduced in the study group ((2.31 +/- 0.73) mSv) compared to that
      in control group ((3.52 +/- 1.16) mSv), P< 0.001). CONCLUSION: Use of low X-ray
      tube voltage and iterative reconstruction allows lower iodine load and effective
      radiation dose application at CCTA without image quality reduction.

PMID- 26269343
TI  - [Association between body mass index and cardiovascular events in male elderly
      hypertensive patients].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To observe the long-term relationship between body mass index (BMI)
      and cardiovascular events in male elderly hypertensive patients. METHODS: A total
      of 839 male elderly (>65 years old) hypertensive patients were included in this
      prospective study. Baseline data were obtained on January 2004 and participants
      were followed up yearly till January 2014. Patients were divided into 3 groups
      according to their BMI: normal weight group (18.5 kg/m2 <= BMI<24.0 kg/2),
      overweight group (24.0 kg/m2 <= BMI<28.0 kg/m2), obese group (BMI >= 28.0 kg/m2).
      All-cause death and cardiovascular events were compared. RESULTS: The average age
      of all 839 hypertension men was (75.4 +/- 4.8) years at baseline. Baseline
      systolic blood pressure was (133.7 +/- 14.6) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), diastolic
      blood pressure was (74.3 +/- 9.3)mmHg. Baseline systolic and diastolic blood
      pressure was similar among the three groups. All 839 patients completed follow
      up. There were 178 all-cause deaths, 54 cardiovascular deaths, 51 new/recurrent
      myocardial infarctions and 105 new/recurrent strokes during follow up. Incidence
      of all-cause mortality in overweight group (16.74%,72/430) was significantly
      lower than in normal weight group (27.01% (74/274), P<0.05). Kaplan-Meier curves
      showed the all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality were higher in normal
      weight group than in the other two groups. According to the Cox proportional
      hazards regression model, the risk of all-cause mortality (RR=0.867, 95% CI:
      0.792-0.949) and cardiovascular death (RR=0.179, 95% CI : 0.05-0.645) in patients
      with a BMI >= 24.0 kg/m2 were lower than in the group with BMI<24.0 kg/m2.
      CONCLUSION: Obesity paradox phenomenon is observed in elderly male hypertensive
      patients in that higher BMI is associated with lower mortality risks in elderly
      male hypertensive patients during the 10 years follow-up.

PMID- 26269344
TI  - [Prevalence and echocardiographic feature of bicuspid aortic valve in patients
      with severe aortic stenosis: a echocardiography database analysis].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of echocardiography in identifying aortic
      valve structures and determine the prevalence of bicuspid aortic valves (BAV) in
      severe aortic stenosis (AS) population to provide useful information for
      transcatheteraortic valve replacement (TAVR). METHODS: A total of 300 AS patients
      undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement were included to determine the
      accuracy of transthoracic echocardiography in indentifying BAV from January 2009
      to July 2013. The echocardiographic data of our hospital from 2004 to 2012 was
      retrospectively reviewed. 1 371 patients with isolated severe native aortic
      valves stenosis were consecutively enrolled. RESULTS: The aortic valve structures
      could be defined by transthoracic echocardiography in 75.7% (227/300) patients
      with severe AS. With BAV diagnosis during operation as gold standard, the
      accuracy of transthoracic echocardiography in identifying BAV was 89.4%
      (203/227). Among 1 371 patients with severe AS, the percentage of BAV in patients
      aged <40 years, aged 40-59 years, aged 60-69 years, aged 70-79 years and aged >=
      80 years was 60.0% (57/95), 57.5% (262/456), 42.7% (184/431), 43.2% (133/308) and
      21.0% (17/81), respectively. Incidence of BAV in patients with degenerative
      calcific valve was significant higher than in those with rheumatic heart disease
      (44.3% (552/1 246) vs. 4.0% (3/76), P<0.01). Proportion of combined aortic
      regurgitation >= grade 2 was significantly lower, ascending aortic diameter was
      larger and left ventricular end-diastolic dimension was smaller in BAV patients
      compared to severe AS patients with tricuspid valves (all P<0.01), while aortic
      valve annuals diameter and accompanying cardiovascular diseases between BAV and
      tricuspid aortic valve groups were similar (all P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS:
      Transthoracic echocardiography could accurately identify aortic valve structures
      in about 76% patients. BAV is common in severe AS patients across all ages. These
      results provide important information for the popularization of TVAR.

PMID- 26269345
TI  - [Role of NF-kappaB/survivin signal pathway on intima hyperplasia of rat carotid
      balloon injury restenosis model].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of NF-kappaB/survivin signal pathway in the
      intima hyperplasia of rat carotid balloon injury restenosis model. METHODS: NF
      kappaB siRNA lentivirus vector (titer was 1 * 108 TU/ml) was established. Carotid
      balloon injury restenosis model was made in 33 SD rats. The rats were divided
      into 4 groups according to different processing methods, including negative
      control (NC) group (n = 11), NF-kappaB siRNA group (n =11), NF-kappaB siRNA+YM155
      (survivin inhibitor) (n = 11), the uninjured carotid artery served as the normal
      control group (n = 11). After 7 days, the carotid sample (n = 5 each group) were
      harvested to detect the NF-kappaB and survivin mRNA expression by RT-PCR.The
      carotid sample were harvested on 28 days (n = 6 each group) for HE staining and
      measuring intima hyperplasia. Immunohistochemical method was also used to detect
      the expression of intima proliferation cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and media
      alpha-SM-actin. RESULTS: (1) After 7 days, NF-kappaB and survivin mRNA expression
      was significant higher in NC group than in normal control group (P<0.05), the NF
      kappaB mRNA expression was significantly lower in NF-kappaB siRNA group than in
      NC group (P<0.05) and similar between NF-kappaB siRNA group and NF-kappaB
      siRNA+YM155 group. The survivin mRNA expression was significantly lower in NF
      kappaB siRNA group compared to NC group (P<0.05) and significantly higher in NF
      kappaB siRNA group than in NF-kappaB siRNA+YM155 group (P<0.05). (2) After 28
      days, intima hyperplasia was observed in NC (0.13 +/- 0.01), NF-kappaB siRNA
      (0.11 +/- 0.01) and NF-kappaB siRNA+YM155 group (0.09 +/- 0.01) mm2 (P<0.05).
      Media area was similar among NC group, NF-kappaB siRNA group and NF-kappaB
      siRNA+YM155 group (P>0.05). I/M ratio was gradually reduced among NC group (1.55
      +/- 0.07), NF-kappaB siRNA group (0.92 +/- 0.08), NF-kappaB siRNA+YM155 group
      (0.76 +/- 0.06, all P<0.05). Similar results were found in the residual
      restenosis rate: NC group (58.71 +/- 0.02) %, NF-kappaB siRNA group (32.13 +/-
      0.05) %, NF-kappaB siRNA+YM155 group (26.42 +/- 0.03) % (all P<0.05) and
      expression of vascular smooth muscle cell PCNA: NC group (45.32 +/- 7.21) %, NF
      kappaB siRNA group (36.54 +/- 6.42) %, NF-kappaB siRNA+YM155 group (28.57 +/-
      6.31) % (all P<0.05). On the contrary, the IOD of alpha-SM-actin in media
      increased gradually: NC group (0.055 +/- 0.006), NF-kappaB siRNA group (0.072 +/-
      0.011), NF-kappaB siRNA+YM155 group (0.084 +/- 0.008, all P<0.05). CONCLUSION:
      Inhibiting NF-kappaB expression can significant decrease intima hyperplasia in
      this model, and this effect may be mediated by inhibiting survivin and reducing
      the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells.

PMID- 26269346
TI  - [Angiotensin II induced myocardial hypertrophy in neonatal rats could be
      attenuated by activated kappa-opioid receptor via modulating the calcineurin
      signal pathways].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of kappa-opioid receptor (kappa-OR) stimulation
      on Angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in vitro cultured
      myocardial cells from neonatal rats and on calcineurin (CaN) signal pathways.
      METHODS: Cultured myocardial cells of neonatal rats were divided into control
      group, CSA (1 umol/L) group, Ang II (1 umol/L) group, Ang II (1 umol/L) + U50488H
      (1 umol/L) group, Ang II (1 umol/L) + CSA (1 umol/L) group, Ang II (1 umol/L) +
      Rp-cAMPS (1 umol/L) group, Ang II (1 umol/L) + CSA (1 umol/L) + U50488H (1
      umol/L) group and Ang II (1 umol/L) + PTX5 mg/L + U50488H (1 umol/L) group. The
      hypertrophic myocytes were induced by Ang II 1umol/L before kappa-OR agonist
      U50488H 1 umol/L was administered. The antihypertrophic effect of kappa-OR
      stimulation was observed in the presence of ciclosporine A (CsA) 1 umol/L, cAMP
      triethyl-ammonium salt (Rp-cAMPS) 1 umol/L, and pertussistoxin ( PTX) 5 mg/L. The
      total protein content was assayed by the method of Lowry. The [Ca2+]i was
      measured by confocal microscope using Fluo-3/AM as flouresecent indicator. The
      relative expression of CaN was determined by Western blot. RESULTS: (1) The total
      protein content of Ang II group was significantly higher than that in control
      group (P<0.01), which could be equally reduced by cotreatment with U50488H, CSA
      and Rp-cAMPS (P<0.01). Total protein content of the Ang II + PTX + U50488H group
      and the Ang II group was similar. (2) The [Ca2+]i was significantly higher in Ang
      II group of neonatal rat cardiomyocytes than that in control group (P<0.01),
      which could be reduced by cotreatment with U50488H, CSA and Rp-cAMPS (P<0.01).
      [Ca(2+)]i was similar between the Ang II + PTX + U50488H group and the Ang II
      group. (3) The expression of CaN was significantly higher in Ang II group than
      that in control group (P<0.01), which could be significantly reduced by
      cotreatment with U50488H, CSA and Rp-cAMPS (P<0.01). CaN was similar between the
      Ang II + PTX + U50488H group and the Ang II group. CONCLUSION: kappa-opioid
      receptor activation could attenuate Ang II induced cardiomyocytes hypertrophy via
      reducing [Ca2+]i and downreglating CaN.

PMID- 26269347
TI  - [Liraglutide attenuates myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury possibly through
      reducing cardiomyocytes apoptosis and oxidation in rats].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of liraglutide on myocardial
      ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats and related mechanisms. METHODS: Twenty
      four male SD rats were divided into sham group, I/R injury group, and liraglutide
      group by table of random number (n = 8 each). Myocardial I/R injury model was
      established by occlusion of the left anterior descending artery for 30 min
      followed by 2 h of reperfusion. HE stain method was used to observe cardiomyocyte
      status under light microscope, myocardial tissue samples were stained with TTC to
      measure the myocardial infarction size, protein expression of p53 and caspase-3
      was analyzed by immunohistochemical technique and Western blot respectively,
      xanthine oxidase method was used to detect SOD activity, Thiobarbituric acid
      method was used to measure the concentration of MDA. RESULTS: Compared with the
      I/R group, the degree of myocardial damage of liraglutide group was significantly
      reduced and the myocardial infarct area was significantly lower ((44 +/- 8) % vs.
      (62 +/- 8) %, P<0.05) while protein expression of caspase-3 and p53 in
      liraglutide group was significantly downregulated (0.19 +/- 0.03 vs. 0.24 +/-
      0.02 and 0.27 +/- 0.03 vs. 0.39 +/- 0.04, P<0.05). SOD activity was significantly
      increased and MDA concentration was significantly decreased (74.20 +/- 11.10 vs.
      44.04 +/- 14.30 and 4.41 +/- 1.07 vs. 8.72 +/- 2.20, P<0.05) in liraglutide group
      compared to I/R group. CONCLUSION: Liraglutide protects myocardium against I/R
      injury possibly through reducing cardiomyocytes apoptosis and oxidation.

PMID- 26269348
TI  - [Value of neutrophils/lymphocytes ratio on predicting the prognosis of patients
      with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing percutaneous coronary
      intervention:a meta-analysis].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analyze the value of neutrophils/lymphocytes ratio (NLR) on
      predicting the cardiovascular events at hospital discharge and >= 12 months
      follow-up for patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)
      undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) by meta-analysis. METHODS:
      Both English and Chinese databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, Wanfang database
      from their reception to June 2014 were searched to identify randomized controlled
      studies or non-randomized controlled studies that reported relationship between
      NLR and the prognosis of patients with STEMI undergoing PCI.The Newcastle
      OttawaScale (NOS) system was employed to assess the quality of literatures
      enrolled in this study. Two reviewers assessed the quality of each trial and
      extracted data independently. A standardized form and RevMan 5.2 software were
      used to extract information, and perform quantitative analysis, respectively.
      RESULTS: A total of 1 953 patients from 6 clinical trials were included in this
      meta-analysis. The risks of all-cause mortality (RR:0.29, 95% CI: 0.19-0.46,
      P<0.001), major adverse cardiac events (RR: 0.38, 95% CI: 0.31-0.46, P<0.001),
      nonfatal myocardial infarction (RR: 0.43, 95% CI: 0.28-0.67, P<0.001), stent
      thrombosis (RR: 0.32, 95% CI: 0.19-0.53, P<0.001), and TIMI flow after PCI
      procedure < 3 grade (RR: 0.34, 95% CI: 0.14-0.86, P = 0.020) were significantly
      lower in patients with NLR <= 3.30 compared patients with NLR > 3.30 at hospital
      discharge. During >= 12 months follow-up, the risks of death (RR: 0.33, 95% CI:
      0.23-0.45, P<0.001), major adverse cardiac events (RR: 0.27, 95% CI: 0.20-0.35, P
      < 0.001) were significantly lower. Whereas nonfatal myocardial infarction was not
      significantly different (RR: 0.42, 95% CI: 0.05-3.45, P = 0.420) in patients with
      NLR <= 3.30 compared patients with NLR > 3.30. CONCLUSIONS: Results from this
      meta-analysis show that the NLR could predict short- and long-term prognosis in
      patients with STEMI undergoing PCI. This finding needs to be validated by large
      scale clinical trials in the future.

PMID- 26269349
TI  - [Successful defibrillation by an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator in a
      patient with high defibrillation threshold].

PMID- 26269350
TI  - [Experience of fractional flow reserve and microcirculatory resistance index
      guided therapy in a patient with chest pain].

PMID- 26269351
TI  - [Left ventricular apical hypoplasia complicated with right ventricular outflow
      tract obstruction: a case report].

PMID- 26269352
TI  - [Research progress on signal transduction mechanisms of physiological and
      pathological cardiac hypertrophy].

PMID- 26269353
TI  - [Research progress on the role of Th17 and Treg in the pathogenesis of various
      cardiovascular diseases].

PMID- 26269354
TI  - [Update on the role of cardiomyocyte autophagy in the pathogenesis of ventricular
      remodeling].

PMID- 26269355
TI  - The Mechanism of Reflection Type Reentry: A Simulation Study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Reflection is a special type of reentry in which an electrical wave
      front travels in a forward direction through tissue that is then re-excited by a
      wave front that propagates backward. This type of reentry has been studied
      computationally in 1-dimensional fibers and verified experimentally. Different
      hypotheses explaining reflected reentry have been proposed based on the structure
      and heterogeneity of the tissue properties, but the mechanism remains uncertain.
      METHODS AND RESULTS: We used the bidomain model to represent cardiac tissue and
      the Luo-Rudy model to describe the active membrane properties. We consider an
      ischemic region in a volume of ventricular myocardium. Our results show that a
      slow depolarization in the ischemic border zone caused by electrotonic coupling
      to depolarized tissue in the normal region creates a delay between proximal and
      distal regions that produces enough electrotonic current in the distal region to
      re-excite the proximal region. CONCLUSION: Our simulation shows that an early
      afterdepolarization (EAD) is not the source of the reflection. It depends on the
      pacing interval and stimulus strength necessary to maintain enough time delay
      between proximal and distal regions.

PMID- 26269356
TI  - Photophysical Studies on Covalently-linked Naphthalene and TEMPO Free Radical
      Systems: Observation of a Charge Transfer State in the Ground State.
AB  - A series of molecules containing a naphthalene chromophore and a stable free
      radical 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO) covalently linked by a
      spacer group of different lengths have been synthesized. In n-hexane solution,
      their photophysical behavior was studied and compared with a system of freely
      moving naphthalene and the free radical TEMPO. The linked molecules showed strong
      quenching of the singlet and triplet states of the naphthalene moiety, compared
      to when naphthalene and TEMPO were not linked. The quenching efficiency decreased
      with increasing the length of the spacer group. In addition, new electronic
      absorption and emission bands, along with the usual bands of the individual
      moieties, were also seen. These news bands have been attributed to the formation
      of electron donor-acceptor charge-transfer complexes in the ground state, arising
      from the interaction between the two moieties in close proximity. The
      photophysical dynamics of the linked molecules has been rationalized by assuming
      the existence of two types of population of the linked molecules: folded and
      extended. The ground state complex formation is proposed to occur only in the
      folded conformation of the linked molecules. To our knowledge, this is possibly
      the first example of a ground state charge-transfer complex formation involving a
      TEMPO free radical and naphthalene. 

PMID- 26269357
TI  - Curcumin analogues as selective fluorescence imaging probes for brown adipose
      tissue and monitoring browning.
AB  - Manipulation of brown adipose tissue (BAT) and browning of white adipose tissue
      (WAT) can be promising new approaches to counter metabolic disorder diseases in
      humans. Imaging probes that could consistently monitor BAT mass and browning of
      WAT are highly desirable. In the course of our imaging probe screening, we found
      that BAT could be imaged with curcumin analogues in mice. However, the poor BAT
      selectivity over WAT and short emissions of the lead probes promoted further lead
      optimization. Limited uptake mechanism studies suggested that CD36/FAT (fatty
      acid transporter) probably contributed to the facilitated uptake of the probes.
      By increasing the stereo-hindrance of the lead compound, we designed CRANAD-29 to
      extend the emission and increase the facilitated uptake, thus increasing its BAT
      selectivity. Our data demonstrated that CRANAD-29 had significantly improved
      selectivity for BAT over WAT, and could be used for imaging BAT mass change in a
      streptozotocin-induced diabetic mouse model, as well as for monitoring BAT
      activation under cold exposure. In addition, CRANAD-29 could be used for
      monitoring the browning of subcutaneous WAT (sWAT) induced by beta3-adrenoceptor
      agonist CL-316, 243. 

PMID- 26269360
TI  - In patients with persistent atrial fibrillation complex ablation techniques were
      no better than pulmonary vein isolation alone in preventing recurrent atrial
      fibrillation.

PMID- 26269358
TI  - Berardinelli-Seip congenital lipodystrophy 2 regulates adipocyte lipolysis,
      browning, and energy balance in adult animals.
AB  - Mutations in BSCL2/SEIPIN cause Berardinelli-Seip congenital lipodystrophy type 2
      (BSCL2), but the mechanisms whereby Bscl2 regulates adipose tissue function are
      unclear. Here, we generated adipose tissue (mature) Bscl2 knockout (Ad-mKO) mice,
      in which Bscl2 was specifically ablated in adipocytes of adult animals, to
      investigate the impact of acquired Bscl2 deletion on adipose tissue function and
      energy balance. Ad-mKO mice displayed reduced adiposity and were protected
      against high fat diet-induced obesity, but not insulin resistance or hepatic
      steatosis. Gene expression profiling and biochemical assays revealed increased
      lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation in white adipose tissue (WAT) and brown
      adipose tissue , as well as browning of WAT, owing to induction of cAMP/protein
      kinase A signaling upon Bscl2 deletion. Interestingly, Bscl2 deletion reduced
      food intake and downregulated adipose beta3-adrenergic receptor (ADRB3)
      expression. Impaired ADRB3 signaling partially offsets upregulated browning
      induced energy expenditure and thermogenesis in Ad-mKO mice housed at ambient
      temperature. However, this counter-regulatory response was abrogated under
      thermoneutral conditions, resulting in even greater body mass loss in Ad-mKO
      mice. These findings suggest that Bscl2 regulates adipocyte lipolysis and beta
      adrenergic signaling to produce complex effects on adipose tissues and whole-body
      energy balance. 

PMID- 26269359
TI  - Membrane-spanning lipids for an uncompromised monitoring of membrane fusion and
      intermembrane lipid transfer.
AB  - A Forster resonance energy transfer-based fusion and transfer assay was developed
      to study, in model membranes, protein-mediated membrane fusion and intermembrane
      lipid transfer of fluorescent sphingolipid analogs. For this assay, it became
      necessary to apply labeled reporter molecules that are resistant to spontaneous
      as well as protein-mediated intermembrane transfer. The novelty of this assay is
      the use of nonextractable fluorescent membrane-spanning bipolar lipids. Starting
      from the tetraether lipid caldarchaeol, we synthesized fluorescent analogs with
      fluorophores at both polar ends. In addition, we synthesized radioactive
      glycosylated caldarchaeols. These labeled lipids were shown to stretch through
      bilayer membranes rather than to loop within a single lipid layer of liposomes.
      More important, the membrane-spanning lipids (MSLs) in contrast to
      phosphoglycerides proved to be nonextractable by proteins. We could show that the
      GM2 activator protein (GM2AP) is promiscuous with respect to glycero- and
      sphingolipid transfer. Saposin (Sap) B also transferred sphingolipids albeit with
      kinetics different from GM2AP. In addition, we could unambiguously show that the
      recombinant activator protein Sap C x His6 induced membrane fusion rather than
      intermembrane lipid transfer. These findings showed that these novel MSLs, in
      contrast with fluorescent phosphoglycerolipids, are well suited for an
      uncompromised monitoring of membrane fusion and intermembrane lipid transfer. 

PMID- 26269361
TI  - Combined oral contraceptives and risk of venous thromboembolism: there is higher
      risk in new generations compared to second generations, but paradoxically not in
      norgestimate-containing-pills.

PMID- 26269362
TI  - Paleolithic nutrition for metabolic syndrome: systematic review and meta
      analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Paleolithic nutrition, which has attracted substantial public
      attention lately because of its putative health benefits, differs radically from
      dietary patterns currently recommended in guidelines, particularly in terms of
      its recommendation to exclude grains, dairy, and nutritional products of
      industry. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated whether a Paleolithic nutritional pattern
      improves risk factors for chronic disease more than do other dietary
      interventions. DESIGN: We conducted a systematic review of randomized controlled
      trials (RCTs) that compared the Paleolithic nutritional pattern with any other
      dietary pattern in participants with one or more of the 5 components of metabolic
      syndrome. Two reviewers independently extracted study data and assessed risk of
      bias. Outcome data were extracted from the first measurement time point (<=6 mo).
      A random-effects model was used to estimate the average intervention effect. The
      quality of the evidence was rated with the use of the Grading of Recommendations
      Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach. RESULTS: Four RCTs that involved
      159 participants were included. The 4 control diets were based on distinct
      national nutrition guidelines but were broadly similar. Paleolithic nutrition
      resulted in greater short-term improvements than did the control diets (random
      effects model) for waist circumference (mean difference: -2.38 cm; 95% CI: -4.73,
      -0.04 cm), triglycerides (-0.40 mmol/L; 95% CI: -0.76, -0.04 mmol/L), systolic
      blood pressure (-3.64 mm Hg; 95% CI: -7.36, 0.08 mm Hg), diastolic blood pressure
      (-2.48 mm Hg; 95% CI: -4.98, 0.02 mm Hg), HDL cholesterol (0.12 mmol/L; 95% CI: 
      0.03, 0.28 mmol/L), and fasting blood sugar (-0.16 mmol/L; 95% CI: -0.44, 0.11
      mmol/L). The quality of the evidence for each of the 5 metabolic components was
      moderate. The home-delivery (n = 1) and dietary recommendation (n = 3) RCTs
      showed similar effects with the exception of greater improvements in
      triglycerides relative to the control with the home delivery. None of the RCTs
      evaluated an improvement in quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: The Paleolithic diet
      resulted in greater short-term improvements in metabolic syndrome components than
      did guideline-based control diets. The available data warrant additional
      evaluations of the health benefits of Paleolithic nutrition. This systematic
      review was registered at PROSPERO (www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO) as
      CRD42014015119.

PMID- 26269363
TI  - Variation in hydration status within the normative range is associated with
      urinary biomarkers of systemic oxidative stress in Guatemalan preschool children.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Researchers have increasingly sought noninvasive methods to determine
      health and nutritional status in humans. Easy and painless to collect, human
      urine is a source of noninvasive biomarkers. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to explore the
      relation between systemic oxidative stress biomarkers excreted in urine and
      urinary osmolality (Uosm). DESIGN: The current trial was a descriptive, cross
      sectional study. We collected seventy-eight samples of 24-h urine in preschoolers
      who were attending daycare centers in the Western Highlands province of
      Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. After we measured the total urine volume (Uvol), the
      aliquot was stored for the later determination of Uosm as a hydration biomarker
      and to measure 15-isoprostane F2t (F2-Iso) and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG)
      as biomarkers of cellular oxidation with the use of ELISA assay kits in Spain.
      Descriptive statistics and linear [Spearman rank-order (rs)] and nonlinear
      (goodness-of-fit) correlations were performed. RESULTS: Twenty-four hour Uvols
      ranged from 65 to 1670 mL, whereas the Uosm varied between 115 and 1102 mOsm/kg.
      With respect to oxidative biomarkers, the 24-h urinary output of F2-Iso and 8
      OHdG had median values of 748 and 2793 ng/d, respectively. The Uvol correlated
      inversely and significantly with the concentrations of both oxidative biomarkers
      (F2-Iso rs = -0.603, P < 0.001; 8-OHdG rs = -0.433, P < 0.001), whereas the Uosm
      was correlated in a direct manner (F2-Iso rs = 0.541, P < 0.001; 8-OHdG rs =
      0.782, P < 0.001) when analyzed as a concentration. Associations were weaker when
      they were analyzed as the total 24-h production. CONCLUSIONS: Preschool children
      from the Western Highlands of Guatemala show strong correlations between
      hydration status measured through the use of Uosm and biomarkers of oxidative
      stress in urine. Thus, a relatively superior hydration status is associated with
      a quantitative reduction in urinary excretion of systemic oxidation products.
      This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02203890.

PMID- 26269364
TI  - Tea and flavonoid intake predict osteoporotic fracture risk in elderly Australian
      women: a prospective study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Observational studies have linked tea drinking, a major source of
      dietary flavonoids, with higher bone density. However, there is a paucity of
      prospective studies examining the association of tea drinking and flavonoid
      intake with fracture risk. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine
      the associations of black tea drinking and flavonoid intake with fracture risk in
      a prospective cohort of women aged >75 y. DESIGN: A total of 1188 women were
      assessed for habitual dietary intake with a food-frequency and beverage
      questionnaire. Incidence of osteoporotic fracture requiring hospitalization was
      determined through the Western Australian Hospital Morbidity Data system.
      Multivariable adjusted Cox regression was used to examine the HRs for incident
      fracture. RESULTS: Over 10 y of follow-up, osteoporotic fractures were identified
      in 288 (24.2%) women; 212 (17.8%) were identified as a major osteoporotic
      fracture, and of these, 129 (10.9%) were a hip fracture. In comparison with the
      lowest tea intake category (<=1 cup/wk), consumption of >=3 cups/d was associated
      with a 30% decrease in the risk of any osteoporotic fracture (HR: 0.70; 95% CI:
      0.50, 0.96). Compared with women in the lowest tertile of total flavonoid intake
      (from tea and diet), women in the highest tertile had a lower risk of any
      osteoporotic fracture (HR: 0.65; 95% CI: 0.47, 0.88), major osteoporotic fracture
      (HR: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.45, 0.95), and hip fracture (HR: 0.58; 95% CI: 0.36, 0.95).
      For specific classes of flavonoids, statistically significant reductions in
      fracture risk were observed for higher intake of flavonols for any osteoporotic
      fracture and major osteoporotic fracture, as well as flavones for hip fracture (P
      < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Higher intake of black tea and particular classes of
      flavonoids were associated with lower risk of fracture-related hospitalizations
      in elderly women at high risk of fracture.

PMID- 26269365
TI  - Sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and incident hypertension: a systematic
      review and meta-analysis of prospective cohorts.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The role of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) that contain free or
      bound fructose in the pathogenesis of hypertension remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: We
      conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies to
      quantify the association between fructose-containing SSBs and risk of
      hypertension. DESIGN: MEDLINE, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied
      Health Literature, and the Cochrane registry were searched from conception
      through 11 November 2014. Two independent reviewers extracted data and assessed
      the quality of studies (with the use of the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale). Risk
      estimates of extreme quantiles of SSB intake (lowest compared with highest) for
      hypertension incidence were generated with the use of generic inverse-variance
      methods with random-effects models and expressed as risk ratios with 95% CIs.
      Heterogeneity was assessed with the Cochran Q statistic and quantified with the
      I(2) statistic. RESULTS: Six prospective cohort studies (n = 240,508) with 79,251
      cases of hypertension observed over >=3,197,528 person-years of follow-up were
      included. SSB consumption significantly increased the risk of developing
      hypertension by 12% (risk ratio: 1.12; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.17) with evidence of
      significant heterogeneity (I(2) = 62%, P = 0.02) when highest [>=1 serving (6.7,
      8, or 12 oz)/d] and lowest (none) quantiles of intake were compared. With the use
      of a dose-response analysis, a significant 8.2% increase in risk of every
      additional SSB per day from none to >=1 SSB/d (beta = 0.0027, P < 0.001) was
      identified. Limitations include unexplained heterogeneity and residual
      confounding. The results may also have been subject to collinearity effects from
      aspects of a Western dietary pattern. CONCLUSIONS: SSBs were associated with a
      modest risk of developing hypertension in 6 cohorts. There is a need for high
      quality randomized trials to assess the role of SSBs in the development of
      hypertension and its complications. This study was registered at
      clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01608620.

PMID- 26269366
TI  - Dietary fiber intake and risk of colorectal cancer and incident and recurrent
      adenoma in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Dietary fiber has been associated with a reduced risk of colorectal
      cancer. However, it remains unclear at which stage in the carcinogenic pathway
      fiber may act or which food sources of dietary fiber may be most beneficial
      against colorectal cancer development. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to
      prospectively evaluate the association between dietary fiber intake and the risk
      of incident and recurrent colorectal adenoma and incident colorectal cancer.
      DESIGN: Study participants were identified from the intervention arm of the
      Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial. Participants
      received flexible sigmoidoscopy at baseline and 3 or 5 y after. Dietary fiber
      intake was measured by using a self-reported dietary questionnaire. The
      colorectal cancer, incident adenoma, and recurrent adenoma analyses were based on
      57,774, 16,980, and 1667 participants, respectively. Unconditional logistic
      regression was used to assess the risk of incident and recurrent adenoma, and Cox
      proportional hazards models were used to assess the risk of colorectal cancer
      across categories of dietary fiber intake, with adjustment for potential
      confounders. RESULTS: Elevated total dietary fiber intake was associated with a
      significantly reduced risk of incident distal colorectal adenoma (ORhighest vs.
      lowest tertile of intake: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.63, 0.91; P-trend = 0.003) but not
      recurrent adenoma (P-trend = 0.67). Although the association was not
      statistically significant for colorectal cancer overall (HR: 0.85; 95% CI: 0.70,
      1.03; P-trend = 0.10), a reduced risk of distal colon cancer was observed with
      increased total fiber intake (HR: 0.62; 95% CI: 0.41, 0.94; P-trend = 0.03).
      Protective associations were most notable for fiber originating from cereals or
      fruit. CONCLUSIONS: This large, prospective study within a population-based
      screening trial suggests that individuals consuming the highest intakes of
      dietary fiber have reduced risks of incident colorectal adenoma and distal colon
      cancer and that this effect of dietary fiber, particularly from cereals and
      fruit, may begin early in colorectal carcinogenesis. This trial was registered at
      clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01696981.

PMID- 26269367
TI  - High concentrations of folate and unmetabolized folic acid in a cohort of
      pregnant Canadian women and umbilical cord blood.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mandatory fortification, prevalent supplement use, and public health
      guidelines recommending periconceptional supplementation have increased folic
      acid intakes in North American pregnant women. However, the effects of increased
      folic acid intakes during pregnancy on maternal and cord blood folate
      concentrations have not been well established. OBJECTIVES: In this prospective
      study, we determined maternal and cord blood concentrations of folate and
      unmetabolized folic acid (UMFA) in a cohort of pregnant Canadian women and their
      newborns and examined the effect of maternal intakes of folate and folic acid and
      fetal genetic variants in folate metabolism on folate status. DESIGN: Folate and
      folic acid intakes of 368 Canadian pregnant women were assessed in early (0-16
      wk) and late (23-37 wk) pregnancy. Blood concentrations of folate and UMFA were
      measured with the use of immunoassays and liquid chromatography-mass
      spectrometry, respectively, in maternal samples in early pregnancy (12-16 wk), at
      delivery (28-42 wk), and in cord blood. Four fetal genetic variants of the 5,10
      methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR)
      genes were assessed for their association with cord blood concentrations of
      folate and UMFA. RESULTS: Geometric mean (95% CI) maternal red blood cell (RBC)
      folate concentrations were 2417 nmol/L (2362, 2472 nmol/L ) and 2793 nmol/L
      (2721, 2867 nmol/L ) in early pregnancy and at delivery, respectively. The mean
      (95% CI) cord RBC folate concentration was 2689 nmol/L (2614, 2765 nmol/L). UMFA
      was detectable in >90% of maternal and cord plasma samples. Although 3 fetal
      MTHFR and DHFR genetic variants had no effect, the fetal MTHFR 677TT genotype was
      associated with significantly lower cord serum (P = 0.03) and higher cord RBC (P
      = 0.02) folate concentrations than those of the wild type. CONCLUSIONS:
      Notwithstanding differences in assays, maternal and cord RBC folate and plasma
      UMFA concentrations were higher than previously reported values. Functional
      ramifications of high folate and UMFA concentrations in maternal and fetal
      circulation warrant additional investigation because an excess folate status may
      affect long-term health outcomes of the offspring. This study was registered at
      www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02244684.

PMID- 26269368
TI  - Body composition of children with cancer during treatment and in survivorship.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Malnutrition as assessed with the use of body-composition
      measurements is a poorly understood short- and long-term complication of
      childhood cancer. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the body composition of 2
      childhood cancer cohorts as follows: 1) children currently undergoing cancer
      treatment and 2) childhood cancer survivors. We also aimed to compare the
      prevalence of obesity and undernutrition between the cancer groups and
      investigate the impact of cancer type on body composition. DESIGN: Eighty-two
      children during the treatment of cancer and 53 childhood cancer survivors were
      involved in the study. Height, weight, body cell mass, percentage of fat, fat
      mass index, and fat-free mass index were assessed. Subjects were compared with
      age- and sex-matched healthy controls. RESULTS: The on-treatment group had a
      higher percentage of fat (P = 0.0001) and fat mass index (P = 0.0001) and a
      significantly lower body cell mass index (P = 0.0001) and fat-free mass index (P
      = 0.003) than did matched controls. The survivor group had a significantly higher
      percentage of fat (P = 0.03) and fat mass index (P = 0.04) and significantly
      lower body cell mass index (P = 0.0001) than did matched controls. The prevalence
      of undernutrition was high in both groups with 48% (95% CI: 36%, 60%) of the on
      treatment group and 53% (95% CI: 40%, 66%) of the survivors considered
      undernourished. According to the percentage of fat cutoffs, significantly more on
      treatment patients were obese (55%; 95% CI: 40%, 60%) than were survivors (26%;
      95% CI: 14%, 38%) (P = 0.005). There were no statistically significant
      differences in body composition between cancer types in either the on-treatment
      or the survivor group. CONCLUSIONS: Overnutrition and undernutrition are major
      concerns in the short and long term for children with cancer. Children treated
      for cancer have increased fat mass and decreased body cell mass, which are
      evident during treatment and in survivorship. This trial was registered at
      http://www.ANZCTR.org.au as ACTRN12614001279617 and ACTRN12614001269628.

PMID- 26269370
TI  - Breaking the feast.

PMID- 26269369
TI  - Polyphenol metabolome in human urine and its association with intake of
      polyphenol-rich foods across European countries.
AB  - BACKGROUND: An improved understanding of the contribution of the diet to health
      and disease risks requires accurate assessments of dietary exposure in
      nutritional epidemiologic studies. The use of dietary biomarkers may improve the
      accuracy of estimates. OBJECTIVE: We applied a metabolomic approach in a large
      cohort study to identify novel biomarkers of intake for a selection of polyphenol
      containing foods. The large chemical diversity of polyphenols and their wide
      distribution over many foods make them ideal biomarker candidates for such foods.
      DESIGN: Metabolic profiles were measured with the use of high-resolution mass
      spectrometry in 24-h urine samples from 481 subjects from the large European
      Prospective Investigation on Cancer and Nutrition cohort. Peak intensities were
      correlated to acute and habitual dietary intakes of 6 polyphenol-rich foods
      (coffee, tea, red wine, citrus fruit, apples and pears, and chocolate products)
      measured with the use of 24-h dietary recalls and food-frequency questionnaires,
      respectively. RESULTS: Correlation (r > 0.3, P < 0.01 after correction for
      multiple testing) and discriminant [pcorr (1) > 0.3, VIP > 1.5] analyses showed
      that >2000 mass spectral features from urine metabolic profiles were
      significantly associated with the consumption of the 6 selected foods. More than
      80 polyphenol metabolites associated with the consumption of the selected foods
      could be identified, and large differences in their concentrations reflecting
      individual food intakes were observed within and between 4 European countries.
      Receiver operating characteristic curves showed that 5 polyphenol metabolites,
      which are characteristic of 5 of the 6 selected foods, had a high predicting
      ability of food intake. CONCLUSION: Highly diverse food-derived metabolites (the
      so-called food metabolome) can be characterized in human biospecimens through
      this powerful metabolomic approach and screened to identify novel biomarkers for
      dietary exposures, which are ultimately essential to better understand the role
      of the diet in the cause of chronic diseases.

PMID- 26269372
TI  - Benefit of vitamin B-12 supplementation in asymptomatic elderly: a matter of
      endpoints.

PMID- 26269371
TI  - Effects of a behavioral intervention that emphasizes spices and herbs on
      adherence to recommended sodium intake: results of the SPICE randomized clinical
      trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: For decades, dietary sodium intake in the United States has remained
      high, and few studies have examined strategies for maintaining recommended
      intakes. OBJECTIVE: We examined the effects of a behavioral intervention, which
      emphasized spices and herbs, on the maintenance of sodium intake at the
      recommended intake of 1500 mg/d in individuals to whom the US Dietary Guidelines
      for Americans apply. DESIGN: We conducted a 2-phase study that included adults
      >=18 y of age for whom Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends 1500 mg Na/d.
      The study was conducted in Baltimore, Maryland, from 2012 to 2014. In phase 1, 55
      individuals consumed a low-sodium diet for 4 wk. Participants were provided all
      foods, snacks, and calorie-containing drinks. In phase 2, 40 participants from
      phase 1 were randomly assigned to either a behavioral intervention to reduce
      sodium intake (n = 20) or a self-directed control group (n = 20) for 20 wk. The
      primary study outcome was the change in mean 24-h urinary sodium excretion during
      phase 2. Linear regression analyses were used to determine intervention effects
      on urinary sodium excretion. RESULTS: Participant characteristics were as
      follows: women: 65%; African American: 88%; hypertension: 63%; diabetes: 18%;
      mean age: 61 y; and mean body mass index (in kg/m(2)): 30. At the end of phase 2,
      mean 24-h sodium excretion was lower in the behavioral intervention than in the
      self-directed group (mean difference: -956.8 mg/d; 95% CI: -1538.7, -374.9 mg/d)
      after sodium intake at screening was controlled for (P = 0.002). These findings
      persisted in sensitivity analyses that excluded potentially incomplete urine
      collections [Mage's equation mean difference: -1090 mg/d (P = 0.001); Joosens'
      equation mean difference: -796 mg/d (P = 0.04)]. CONCLUSIONS: A multifactorial
      behavioral intervention emphasizing spices and herbs significantly reduced sodium
      intake. Because of the ubiquity of sodium in the US food supply, multilevel
      strategies addressing individual behaviors and the food supply are needed to
      improve adherence to recommendations. This trial was registered at
      clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01615159.

PMID- 26269373
TI  - Whole-grain and blood lipid changes in apparently healthy adults: a systematic
      review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Whole grains are recognized for their potential role in preventing
      cardiovascular diseases; however, results from randomized controlled studies on
      blood lipids are inconsistent, potentially because of compositional differences
      between individual grain types for some nutrients, including dietary fiber.
      OBJECTIVE: Using a meta-analytic approach, we assessed the effect of whole-grain
      compared with non-whole-grain foods on changes in total cholesterol (TC), LDL
      cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. DESIGN: We conducted a
      systematic literature search in selected databases. Studies were included if they
      were randomized controlled comparisons between whole-grain foods and a non-whole
      grain control in adults. A total of 6069 articles were screened for eligibility,
      and data were extracted from 24 studies. Weighted mean differences were
      calculated, and meta-regression analyses were performed for whole-grain dose,
      study duration, and baseline TC concentration. RESULTS: Overall, whole-grain
      intake lowered LDL cholesterol (weighted difference: -0.09 mmol/L; 95% CI: -0.15,
      -0.03 mmol/L; P < 0.01) and TC (weighted difference: -0.12 mmol/L; 95% CI: -0.19,
      -0.05 mmol/L; P < 0.001) compared with the control. Whole-grain oat had the
      greatest effect on TC (weighted difference: -0.17 mmol/L; 95% CI: -0.10, -0.25
      mmol/L; P < 0.001). No effect of whole-grain foods on HDL cholesterol was seen,
      whereas whole-grain foods tended to lower triglycerides compared with the control
      (weighted difference: -0.04 mmol/L; 95% CI: -0.08, 0.01; P = 0.10). No
      association was found between whole-grain dose or baseline TC concentration and
      any of the outcomes, whereas study duration was positively associated with
      changes in TC and LDL cholesterol. CONCLUSIONS: Consumption of whole-grain diets
      lowers LDL cholesterol and TC, but not HDL cholesterol or triglycerides, compared
      with consumption of non-whole-grain control diets. Whole-grain oat appears to be
      the most effective whole grain for lowering cholesterol.

PMID- 26269375
TI  - Aortic Dehiscence During Endovascular Sealing for Ruptured Abdominal Aortic
      Aneurysms.
AB  - PURPOSE: To present a case of aneurysm disruption during endovascular sealing of
      a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. CASE REPORT: A 91-year-old woman presented
      with a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. Her aneurysm morphology was unsuitable
      for standard or fenestrated endovascular repair, whereas open repair was
      considered to have an increased perioperative risk owing to multiple
      comorbidities. The Nellix endovascular sealing system was used. The balloon
      expandable stent-grafts were deployed, but in the presence of aneurysm rupture,
      it was decided not to prefill the endobags with saline. The patient developed
      hypotension during endobag filling, which resolved once target pressure was
      reached. The procedure was completed uneventfully, and the completion angiogram
      revealed no endoleak. The time from guidewire insertion to completion angiogram
      was 24 minutes. Over the following days, she developed a gradual drop in
      hemoglobin, and computed tomographic angiography revealed an increased
      retroperitoneal hematoma and pronounced disruption of the calcified rim of the
      aortic sac compared to the preoperative imaging. She was managed with supportive
      treatment, demonstrating remarkable progress. She remains in good health 4 months
      later. CONCLUSION: Endovascular sealing can be used in patients with ruptured
      abdominal aortic aneurysm. Intraoperative endobag saline prefill should be
      avoided to minimize the risk of aortic wall disruption.

PMID- 26269374
TI  - Bevacizumab treatment of macular edema in CRVO and BRVO: long-term follow-up.
      (BERVOLT study: Bevacizumab for RVO long-term follow-up).
AB  - PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy and safety of intraocular injections of
      bevacizumab in patients with macular edema (ME) following branch retinal vein
      occlusion (BRVO) and central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). METHODS:
      Retrospective, non-comparative case series. Patients >=18 years of age with ME
      secondary to BRVO or CRVO who received a minimum of one intravitreal injection of
      bevacizumab with a follow-up >3 months were included. Primary endpoints were mean
      change in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) from baseline to 12 and 24 months,
      and mean change in central macular thickness (CMT) after 3 injections. Secondary
      endpoints were mean change in BCVA and CMT from baseline to end of follow-up,
      number of injections, and ocular adverse events. RESULTS: Eighty-seven eyes with
      BRVO and 65 eyes with CRVO were included. Mean follow-up time was 24.4 and 26.1
      months in the BRVO and CRVO groups, respectively. The mean change in BCVA was
      0.25 LogMAR in the BRVO group and -0.118 LogMAR in the CRVO group. CONCLUSION:
      Visual acuity outcomes in the CRVO group were poorer, especially in patients with
      low baseline BCVA.

PMID- 26269376
TI  - Australian survey on current practices for breast radiotherapy.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Detailed, published surveys specific to Australian breast
      radiotherapy practice were last conducted in 2002. More recent international
      surveys specific to breast radiotherapy practice include a European survey
      conducted in 2008/2009 and a Spanish survey conducted in 2009. Radiotherapy
      techniques continue to evolve, and the utilisation of new techniques, such as
      intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), is increasing. This survey aimed to
      determine current breast radiotherapy practices across Australia. METHOD: An
      online survey was completed by 50 of the 69 Australian radiation therapy
      treatment centres. RESULTS: Supine tangential beam whole breast irradiation
      remains the standard of care for breast radiotherapy in Australia. A growing
      number of institutions are exploring prone positioning and IMRT utilisation. This
      survey demonstrated a wide variation in the benchmarks used to limit and report
      organ at risk doses, prescribed dose regimen, and post-mastectomy bolus
      practices. This survey also indicated, when compared with international
      literature, that there may be less interest in or uptake of external beam partial
      breast irradiation, prone positioning, simultaneous integrated boost and breath
      hold techniques. These are areas where further review and research may be
      warranted to ensure Australian patients are receiving the best care possible
      based on the best evidence available. CONCLUSION: This survey provides insight
      into the current radiotherapy practice for breast cancer in Australia.

PMID- 26269377
TI  - Obesity Phytotherapy: Review of Native Herbs Used in Traditional Medicine for
      Obesity.
AB  - Obesity is an important disorders due to which 25 million deaths occur annually
      worldwide. Synthetic drugs for weight loss have low efficacy and high side
      effects. Apart from synthetic drugs in modern medicine, various other methods
      including the use of herbal medications are used to induce weight loss. Cambodia
      hoodia, green tea, Citrus aurantium, white beans, fenugreek, caffeine, ephedrine,
      capsaicin, yohimbine, chitosan, fitostreols, and guar gum have been studied in
      clinical trials and their effects have been confirmed. It seems necessary to
      study more to determine the effectiveness and safety of medicinal plants and
      herbal extracts as well as pharmaceutically active ingredients that may have the
      property of weight loss. In this article, we aimed to review recent knowledge
      about medicinal plants that are recommended for weight loss. 

PMID- 26269378
TI  - GbEXPATR, a species-specific expansin, enhances cotton fibre elongation through
      cell wall restructuring.
AB  - Cotton provides us the most important natural fibre. High fibre quality is the
      major goal of cotton breeding, and introducing genes conferring longer, finer and
      stronger fibre from Gossypium barbadense to Gossypium hirsutum is an important
      breeding strategy. We previously analysed the G. barbadense fibre development
      mechanism by gene expression profiling and found two homoeologous fibre-specific
      alpha-expansins from G. barbadense, GbEXPA2 and GbEXPATR. GbEXPA2 (from the DT
      genome) is a classical alpha-expansin, while its homoeolog, GbEXPATR (AT genome),
      encodes a truncated protein lacking the normal C-terminal polysaccharide-binding
      domain of other alpha-expansins and is specifically expressed in G. barbadense.
      Silencing EXPA in G. hirsutum induced shorter fibres with thicker cell walls.
      GbEXPA2 overexpression in G. hirsutum had no effect on mature fibre length, but
      produced fibres with a slightly thicker wall and increased crystalline cellulose
      content. Interestingly, GbEXPATR overexpression resulted in longer, finer and
      stronger fibres coupled with significantly thinner cell walls. The longer and
      thinner fibre was associated with lower expression of a number of secondary wall
      associated genes, especially chitinase-like genes, and walls with lower cellulose
      levels but higher noncellulosic polysaccharides which advocated that a delay in
      the transition to secondary wall synthesis might be responsible for better fibre.
      In conclusion, we propose that alpha-expansins play a critical role in fibre
      development by loosening the cell wall; furthermore, a truncated form, GbEXPATR,
      has a more dramatic effect through reorganizing secondary wall synthesis and
      metabolism and should be a candidate gene for developing G. hirsutum cultivars
      with superior fibre quality. 

PMID- 26269379
TI  - Mammalophilic feeding behaviour of Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes collected in
      the cities of Chetumal and Cancun, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The studie describes the blood-feeding behaviour of mosquitoes in
      Mexico, to understand host-vector relationships and dynamics of disease
      transmission. METHODS: From September 2012 to November 2012 and in November 2013,
      911 blood-fed Cx. quinquefasciatus mosquitoes were collected with aspirators
      inside houses in Chetumal and Cancun. Blood meals were analysed by PCR and
      subsequent Sanger sequencing of the cytochrome b gene. RESULTS: 93.3% of
      mosquitoes fed on mammals, 6.5% on birds and 0.2% on reptiles. The most frequent
      vertebrate hosts were humans (65.4%), dogs (23.2%), chicken (5.4%), cattle (2.2%)
      and cats (1.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Cx. quinquefasciatus most frequently fed on humans
      and dogs in both studied cities, which is in contrast to a previous study that
      demonstrated lower prevalence of mammalian blood in engorged Cx.
      quinquefasciatus.

PMID- 26269380
TI  - The IS1111 insertion sequence used for detection of Coxiella burnetii is
      widespread in Coxiella-like endosymbionts of ticks.
AB  - Coxiella is a genus of obligate intracellular bacteria engaged in a variety of
      interactions with eukaryotes. The type species, Coxiella burnetii, infects
      several vertebrate species, including humans, and is the causative agent of Q
      fever. Multiple copies of a specific transposable element, the insertion sequence
      IS1111, are present in the genome of C. burnetii and are routinely used for
      confirmation of Q fever cases. Recently, many Coxiella-like bacteria that are
      closely related but genetically distinct to C. burnetii have been found in ticks.
      These Coxiella-like bacteria are maternally inherited endosymbionts, present at
      high prevalence in tick populations and engaged in mutualistic interactions with
      their arthropod hosts. In this study, the presence of IS1111 was examined in the
      Coxiella-like endosymbionts and in bacteria of the Coxiella sister-genus,
      Rickettsiella. This screening reveals that a wide range of IS1111 copies were
      present in the Coxiella-like endosymbionts of ticks. DNA sequencing further
      identified genetically divergent IS1111 copies, including degraded copies that
      constitute an important genomic fossil record of past IS1111 expansions. These
      results show that IS1111 is not specific to C. burnetii, suggesting that Q fever
      detection assays based only on this element may lead to misidentification with
      Coxiella-like endosymbionts. 

PMID- 26269381
TI  - A comparative analysis of distribution and conservation of microsatellites in the
      transcripts of sequenced Fusarium species and development of genic-SSR markers
      for polymorphism analysis.
AB  - We used an in silico approach to survey and compare microsatellites in transcript
      sequences of four sequenced members of genus Fusarium. G + C content of
      transcripts was found to be positively correlated with the frequency of SSRs. Our
      analysis revealed that, in all the four transcript sequences studied, the
      occurrence, relative abundance and density of microsatellites varied and was not
      influenced by transcript sizes. No correlation between relative abundance and
      transcript sizes was observed. The relative abundance and density of
      microsatellites were highest in the transcripts of Fusarium solani when compared
      with F. graminearum, F. verticillioides and F. oxysporum. The maximum frequency
      of SSRs among all four sequence sets was of trinucleotide repeats (67.8%),
      whereas the dinucleotide repeat represents <1%. Among all classes of repeats,
      36.5% motifs were found conserved within Fusarium species. In order to study
      polymorphism within Fusarium isolates, 11 polymorphic genic-SSR markers were
      developed. Of the 11 markers, 5 were from F. oxysporum and remaining 6 belongs to
      F. solani. SSR markers from F. oxysporum were found to be more polymorphic (38%)
      as compared to F. solani (26%). Eleven polymorphic markers obtained in this study
      clearly demonstrate the utility of newly developed SSR markers in establishing
      genetic relationships among different isolates of Fusarium. 

PMID- 26269383
TI  - Comparison of complications associated with peripherally inserted central
      catheters and HickmanTM catheters in patients with intestinal failure receiving
      home parenteral nutrition. Six-year follow up study.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIM: Patients with intestinal failure (IF) are dependent on
      parenteral nutrition delivered through central access such as HickmanTM
      catheters. The peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) is becoming
      increasingly popular for the purpose. The aim of the present study was to compare
      complication rates between the two types of catheters. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Over
      a six-year period (2008-2014), we included 136 patients with IF receiving home
      parenteral nutrition (HPN). These patients had a total of 295 catheters (169
      HickmanTM catheters and 126 PICCs). Data were collected by reviewing their
      medical records. Incidences are given per 1000 catheter days. Data are given as
      means +/- standard deviation (SD) and compared using independent student's t
      tests, Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon, and X(2)-tests. A survival analysis for time to the
      first infection was conducted using Cox regression. RESULTS: The total number of
      catheter days was 54,912 days for HickmanTM catheters (mean dwell time 325 +/-
      402) and 15,974 days for PICCs (mean dwell time 127 +/- 121), respectively. The
      incidence of catheter-related blood stream infection (CRBSI) per 1000 catheter
      days was significantly lower for HickmanTM catheters compared to PICCs (0.56 vs.
      1.63, p < 0.05). The mean time to first CRBSI was significantly shorter for PICCs
      compared to HickmanTM catheters (84 +/- 94 days vs. 297 +/- 387 days, p < 0.05),
      which was confirmed with a cox analysis corrected for age and gender. A total of
      75 catheters were removed due to CRBSI, 49 HickmanTM catheters and 26 PICCs
      respectively. In addition, PICCs were more often removed due to local
      infection/phlebitis and mechanical causes (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: We found a
      higher risk and shorter time to first CRBSI in PICCs compared to Hickman
      catheters supporting that PICCs should mainly be chosen for planned HPN up to 3-6
      months. We therefore conclude that the choice of catheter must still be
      determined on an individual basis.

PMID- 26269384
TI  - Proteome and metabolome profiling of wild-type and YCA1-knock-out yeast cells
      during acetic acid-induced programmed cell death.
AB  - Caspase proteases are responsible for the regulated disassembly of the cell into
      apoptotic bodies during mammalian apoptosis. Structural homologues of the caspase
      family (called metacaspases) are involved in programmed cell death in single-cell
      eukaryotes, yet the molecular mechanisms that contribute to death are currently
      undefined. Recent evidence revealed that a programmed cell death process is
      induced by acetic acid (AA-PCD) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae both in the presence
      and absence of metacaspase encoding gene YCA1. Here, we report an unexpected role
      for the yeast metacaspase in protein quality and metabolite control. By using an
      "omics" approach, we focused our attention on proteins and metabolites
      differentially modulated en route to AA-PCD either in wild type or YCA1-lacking
      cells. Quantitative proteomic and metabolomic analyses of wild type and Deltayca1
      cells identified significant alterations in carbohydrate catabolism, lipid
      metabolism, proteolysis and stress-response, highlighting the main roles of
      metacaspase in AA-PCD. Finally, deletion of YCA1 led to AA-PCD pathway through
      the activation of ceramides, whereas in the presence of the gene yeast cells
      underwent an AA-PCD pathway characterized by the shift of the main glycolytic
      pathway to the pentose phosphate pathway and a proteolytic mechanism to cope with
      oxidative stress. SIGNIFICANCE: The yeast metacaspase regulates both proteolytic
      activities through the ubiquitin-proteasome system and ceramide metabolism as
      revealed by proteome and metabolome profiling of YCA1-knock-out cells during
      acetic-acid induced programmed cell death.

PMID- 26269385
TI  - Lipopeptide Nanoparticles: Development of Vaccines against Hookworm Parasite.
AB  - Necator americanus (hookworm) infects over half a billion people worldwide.
      Anthelminthic drugs are commonly used to treat the infection; however,
      vaccination is a more favorable strategy to combat this parasite. We designed new
      B-cell peptide epitopes based on the aspartic protease of N. americanus (Na-APR
      1). The peptides were conjugated to self-adjuvanting lipid core peptide (LCP)
      systems via stepwise solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) and copper catalyst
      azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) reactions. The LCP vaccine candidates were
      able to self-assemble into nanoparticles, were administered to mice without the
      use of additional adjuvant, and generated antibodies that recognized the parent
      epitope. However, only one LCP derivative was able to produce a high titer of
      antibodies specific to Na-APR-1; circular dichroism analyses of this compound
      showed a beta-sheet conformation for the incorporated epitope. This study
      provides important insight in epitope and delivery system design for the
      development of a vaccine against hookworm infections. 

PMID- 26269387
TI  - Association between a color and a manual response activation modulates the
      response planning of typically developing children in a subsequent Simon task.
AB  - The Simon effect usually refers to the observation that responding to a
      nonspatial feature of a stimulus is faster when the position of the stimulus
      (task-irrelevant) matches the position of the to-be-executed response. The Simon
      effect can disappear when the Simon task is preceded by a spatial compatibility
      task with an incompatible mapping. In this experiment, during a preliminary
      phase, 20 children had to decide whether the outline of a colored stimulus was
      dotted or continuous. Green stimuli were presented exclusively on the right,
      whereas red stimuli were presented on the left (the color was task-irrelevant).
      The participants then had to perform a Simon task. When the instructions required
      them to press either the left or the right button for red or green stimuli,
      respectively (Group A), the Simon effect on response latencies was not
      significant. With the opposite instructions (the right or left button for red or
      green stimuli, respectively; Group B), the Simon effect was significant on
      response latencies. The Simon effect was significant on movement times for both
      groups. These results suggest that during the preliminary phase, each color
      became associated with the manual response automatically activated by that
      color's position. In the subsequent Simon task, the presentation of the color
      activated the associated response. This modulated the planning of the to-be
      executed response. 

PMID- 26269386
TI  - Spatiotemporal Form Integration: sequentially presented inducers can lead to
      representations of stationary and rigidly rotating objects.
AB  - Objects in the world often are occluded and in motion. The visible fragments of
      such objects are revealed at different times and locations in space. To form
      coherent representations of the surfaces of these objects, the visual system must
      integrate local form information over space and time. We introduce a new illusion
      in which a rigidly rotating square is perceived on the basis of sequentially
      presented Pacman inducers. The illusion highlights two fundamental processes that
      allow us to perceive objects whose form features are revealed over time:
      Spatiotemporal Form Integration (STFI) and Position Updating. STFI refers to the
      spatial integration of persistent representations of local form features across
      time. Position updating of these persistent form representations allows them to
      be integrated into a rigid global motion percept. We describe three
      psychophysical experiments designed to identify spatial and temporal constraints
      that underlie these two processes and a fourth experiment that extends these
      findings to more ecologically valid stimuli. Our results indicate that although
      STFI can occur across relatively long delays between successive inducers (i.e.,
      greater than 500 ms), position updating is limited to a more restricted temporal
      window (i.e., ~300 ms or less), and to a confined range of spatial
      (mis)alignment. These findings lend insight into the limits of mechanisms
      underlying the visual system's capacity to integrate transient, piecemeal form
      information, and support coherent object representations in the ever-changing
      environment. 

PMID- 26269388
TI  - In vivo expression of antimicrobial peptides in atopic dermatitis.
AB  - The aim of this review is to present findings on expression of antimicrobial
      peptides (AMPs) in atopic dermatitis (AD) skin, focusing only on in vivo studies,
      and to discuss differences in results obtained using various skin sampling
      techniques and different methodology for analysis of AMPs. The review also
      includes a discussion of the effect of frequently used treatments on AMP
      expression. Many studies have shown a reduced level of AMPs in lesional AD skin
      when compared to psoriatic skin, explaining the high frequency of AD-related
      infections. Interestingly, however, non-lesional AD skin has shown the same
      upregulation of AMPs after barrier disruption as non-lesional psoriatic skin.
      Various methods have been used to analyse AMP expression in the skin, and when
      comparing these methods, differences are revealed in AMP expression depending on
      the method used for sampling and analysis. Comparisons indicate that analyses of
      mRNA levels of AMPs may find greater differences in expression than analyses of
      protein levels. Few studies evaluate the effect of topical treatments on the
      expression of AMPs, and these indicate an inhibition of AMP expression,
      particularly after use of corticosteroids. AMPs are important components of the
      skin as a defense against infections, and despite much research, the clinical
      importance of the effect of common treatments, including systemic treatments for
      AD and the interplay between AMPs and the skin microbiome, is still largely
      unknown. 

PMID- 26269389
TI  - Facial multinucleate cell angiohistiocytoma: long-term remission with 585 nm
      pulsed dye laser.

PMID- 26269390
TI  - Repair of a large pharyngocutaneous fistula with a free jejunal patch flap after
      salvage laryngectomy: A case report.
AB  - Preoperative chemoradiation therapy increases the risk of pharyngocutaneous
      fistula (PCF) after laryngectomy. In this report, we describe the use of a free
      jejunal patch flap and a deltopectoral flap for surgical treatment of a large
      PCF. A 52-year-old man underwent salvage laryngectomy and right neck dissection
      after concurrent radiotherapy for laryngeal carcinoma. On postoperative day 5, a
      pharyngeal fistula and neck abscess occurred with the right internal jugular vein
      thrombosis. We sutured the pharyngeal mucosa to the cervical skin to avoid
      carotid artery exposure, and we also ligated the right internal jugular vein. The
      PCF developed afterwards. The patient was being fed through a nasogastric tube
      and the fistula had increased in size. At the time of surgery, the external
      orifice became 5 cm * 5 cm in size. We performed the repair with a free jejunal
      patch flap and a deltopectoral flap. The harvested jejunum was opened along its
      antimesenteric border to design a sufficient free jejunal flap to cover the large
      PCF. A deltopectoral pedicled flap was used to reconstruct the neck skin defect
      to resurface the free jejunal patch flap. Both flaps survived. The patient could
      resume an oral diet 2 weeks after surgery. At 1 month after surgery, the skin
      pedicle of the deltopectoral flap was divided. There was no contracture or
      stricture 3 years after surgery and he maintained a regular diet. Reconstruction
      with a free jejunal patch flap and a deltopectoral flap may be a suitable method
      for repair of a large PCF. (c) 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 37:61
      65, 2017.

PMID- 26269391
TI  - Implantation of everolimus-eluting bioresorbable scaffolds in a diabetic all
      comers population.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Diabetes is associated with aggressive atherosclerosis, leading to an
      increased risk of in-stent restenosis and stent thrombosis. Bioresorbable
      scaffolds (BRS) are a new technology for the treatment of coronary lesions that
      might be beneficial due to their dissolving character, especially in diabetic
      patients. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to evaluate feasibility and mid-term
      clinical outcome of the implantation of PLLA-based, everolimus-eluting BRS for
      the treatment of coronary lesions in a diabetic all-comers population. METHODS:
      All patients of an all-comers registry with diabetes eligible for BRS
      implantation were included. Outcome parameters were target vessel failure (TVF),
      major adverse cardiac events (MACE) including target lesion revascularization
      (TLR), cardiac death, and myocardial infarction. Follow-up was conducted via
      telephone and/or office visit. RESULTS: A total of 120 diabetic patients were
      included. Of all diabetics, 35.0% had insulin-dependent diabetes, and all other
      patients were treated with oral antidiabetics or dietary modification. The median
      age was 67 (59-72) years and 26.7% were female. Patients underwent coronary
      angiography due to acute coronary syndrome in 50.8%. Of 127 lesions, 60.6% were
      B2/C lesions according to ACC/AHA classification. The 6-month rates of TVF, TLR,
      and MACE were 8.9, 2.7, and 8.4%, respectively. CONCLUSION: This evaluation
      confirms reasonable clinical outcome of bioresorbable vascular scaffold
      implantation in a high-risk diabetic population with predominately complex
      lesions during daily clinical practice. Nevertheless, long-term data are required
      for final evaluation.

PMID- 26269392
TI  - Job dissatisfaction and burnout of nurses in Hunan, China: A cross-sectional
      survey.
AB  - In this study, we focused on measuring levels of nurse burnout and job
      dissatisfaction in the daily practice of nurses in Hunan province, China,
      analyzed factors related to nurse burnout and job dissatisfaction, and explored
      the relationship between them. Previous studies have shown a high level of
      burnout and job dissatisfaction among nurses worldwide. A cross-sectional survey
      of 1100 nurses was conducted. The nurses worked at 20 hospitals in 11 cities and
      counties throughout China's Hunan province. Nurse burnout was measured by the
      Maslach Burnout Inventory. Nurse-rated job dissatisfaction was described using a
      four point scale, and work environment was measured using the Nursing Work Index 
      Practice Environment Scale. The results showed that nurses had high burnout
      scores and were dissatisfied with their jobs. Staffing, work environment, and
      work hours were all significantly associated with nurse burnout and job
      dissatisfaction. Adequate staffing, improved work environment, and reasonable
      work hours are related to decreasing nurse burnout and job dissatisfaction. 

PMID- 26269393
TI  - What Is the Addiction World Like? Understanding the Lived Experience of the
      Individuals' Illicit Drug Addiction in Taiwan.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study focuses on the participants' lived experience of addiction.
      DESIGN AND METHODS: The study presents a qualitative method. The use of the
      fieldwork-based participant observation and in-depth interviews guided the data
      collection and analysis. FINDINGS: Three major themes of addiction emerge from
      the analysis: incorrigible conduct, inexcusable compromise, and inevitable
      corruption. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: This study provides a better understanding of
      what the world is like for people struggling with addiction and also enhances the
      healthcare professionals' knowledge of the individual's experience of addiction.
      This knowledge is essential for clinicians to understand this experience as a
      framework for planning and implementing appropriate treatment.

PMID- 26269394
TI  - Visualizing nanoscale excitonic relaxation properties of disordered edges and
      grain boundaries in monolayer molybdenum disulfide.
AB  - Two-dimensional monolayer transition metal dichalcogenide semiconductors are
      ideal building blocks for atomically thin, flexible optoelectronic and catalytic
      devices. Although challenging for two-dimensional systems, sub-diffraction
      optical microscopy provides a nanoscale material understanding that is vital for
      optimizing their optoelectronic properties. Here we use the 'Campanile' nano
      optical probe to spectroscopically image exciton recombination within monolayer
      MoS2 with sub-wavelength resolution (60 nm), at the length scale relevant to many
      critical optoelectronic processes. Synthetic monolayer MoS2 is found to be
      composed of two distinct optoelectronic regions: an interior, locally ordered but
      mesoscopically heterogeneous two-dimensional quantum well and an unexpected ~300
      nm wide, energetically disordered edge region. Further, grain boundaries are
      imaged with sufficient resolution to quantify local exciton-quenching phenomena,
      and complimentary nano-Auger microscopy reveals that the optically defective
      grain boundary and edge regions are sulfur deficient. The nanoscale structure
      property relationships established here are critical for the interpretation of
      edge- and boundary-related phenomena and the development of next-generation two
      dimensional optoelectronic devices. 

PMID- 26269395
TI  - Risk and protective factors in gifted children with dyslexia.
AB  - This study investigated risk and protective factors associated with dyslexia and
      literacy development, both at the group and individual level, to gain more
      insight in underlying cognitive profiles and possibilities for compensation in
      high-IQ children. A sample of 73 Dutch primary school children included a
      dyslexic group, a gifted-dyslexic group, and a borderline-dyslexic group (i.e.,
      gifted children with relative literacy problems). Children were assessed on
      literacy, phonology, language, and working memory. Competing hypotheses were
      formulated, comparing the core-deficit view to the twice-exceptionality view on
      compensation with giftedness-related strengths. The results showed no indication
      of compensation of dyslexia-related deficits by giftedness-related strengths in
      gifted children with dyslexia. The higher literacy levels of borderline children
      compared to gifted children with dyslexia seemed the result of both fewer
      combinations of risk factors and less severe phonological deficits in this group.
      There was no evidence for compensation by specific strengths more relevant to
      literacy development in the borderline group. Accordingly, the findings largely
      supported the core-deficit view, whereas no evidence for the twice-exceptionality
      view was found. Besides practical implications, the findings also add to
      knowledge about the different manifestations of dyslexia and associated
      underlying cognitive factors at the higher end of the intelligence spectrum. 

PMID- 26269396
TI  - EDA-ID and IP, two faces of the same coin: how the same IKBKG/NEMO mutation
      affecting the NF-kappaB pathway can cause immunodeficiency and/or inflammation.
AB  - Anhidrotic Ectodermal Dysplasia with ImmunoDeficiency (EDA-ID, OMIM 300291) and
      Incontinentia Pigmenti (IP, OMIM 308300) are two rare diseases, caused by
      mutations of the IKBKG/NEMO gene. The protein NEMO/IKKgamma is essential for the
      NF-kappaB activation pathway, involved in a variety of physiological and cellular
      processes, such as immunity, inflammation, cell proliferation, and survival. A
      wide spectrum of IKBKG/NEMO mutations have been identified so far, and, on the
      basis of their effect on NF-kappaB activation, they are considered hypomorphic or
      amorphic (loss of function) mutations. IKBKG/NEMO hypomorphic mutations, reducing
      but not abolishing NF-kappaB activation, have been identified in EDA-ID and IP
      patients. Instead, the amorphic mutations, abolishing NF-kappaB activation by
      complete IKBKG/NEMO gene silencing, cause only IP. Here, we present an overview
      of IKBKG/NEMO mutations in EDA-ID and IP patients and describe similarities and
      differences between the clinical/immunophenotypic and genetic aspects,
      highlighting any T and B lymphocyte defect, and paying particular attention to
      the cellular and molecular defects that underlie the pathogenesis of both
      diseases. 

PMID- 26269397
TI  - Clinical and MRI responses to etanercept in early non-radiographic axial
      spondyloarthritis: 48-week results from the EMBARK study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of etanercept (ETN) after 48 weeks
      in patients with early active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr
      axSpA). METHODS: Patients meeting Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international
      Society (ASAS) classification criteria for axSpA, but not modified New York
      radiographic criteria, received double-blind ETN 50 mg/week or placebo (PBO) for
      12 weeks, then open-label ETN (ETN/ETN or PBO/ETN). Clinical, health,
      productivity, MRI and safety outcomes were assessed and the 48-week data are
      presented here. RESULTS: 208/225 patients (92%) entered the open-label phase at
      week 12 (ETN, n=102; PBO, n=106). The percentage of patients achieving ASAS40
      increased from 33% to 52% between weeks 12 and 48 for ETN/ETN and from 15% to 53%
      for PBO/ETN (within-group p value <0.001 for both). For ETN/ETN and PBO/ETN, the
      EuroQol 5 Dimensions utility score improved by 0.14 and 0.08, respectively,
      between baseline and week 12 and by 0.23 and 0.22 between baseline and week 48.
      Between weeks 12 and 48, MRI Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada
      sacroiliac joint (SIJ) scores decreased by -1.1 for ETN/ETN and by -3.0 for
      PBO/ETN, p<0.001 for both. Decreases in MRI SIJ inflammation and C-reactive
      protein correlated with several clinical outcomes at weeks 12 and 48.
      CONCLUSIONS: Patients with early active nr-axSpA demonstrated improvement from
      week 12 in clinical, health, productivity and MRI outcomes that was sustained to
      48 weeks. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01258738.

PMID- 26269398
TI  - Disease activity in psoriatic arthritis (PsA): defining remission and treatment
      success using the DAPSA score.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Disease Activity Index for Psoriatic Arthritis (DAPSA) is a valid
      and discriminative tool. Definitions of disease activity states and therapeutic
      response are still missing. We derived such criteria for the DAPSA. METHODS: We
      retrieved 30 patient profiles from an observational database including joint
      counts, patient pain and global activity ratings and C-reactive protein (CRP) and
      carried out a survey among experts to classify patients into remission (REM), low
      (LDA), moderate (MDA) or high (HDA) disease activity. Based on the distributions
      of DAPSA in each of these expert-assigned states we defined the cutpoints between
      groups. We performed similar analyses evaluating a clinical score (cDAPSA),
      omitting CRP. To define minor, moderate and major treatment response, we used
      Cohen's Kappa statistics and analysed agreement of DAPSA percentage change with
      ACR20/50/70-response in three randomised controlled trials. RESULTS: Our survey
      yielded a response rate of 75% (n=33). Mean DAPSA differed significantly between
      patients classified as REM, LDA, MDA or HDA (p<0.001). Based on the distributions
      of DAPSA in these groups, we propose cut-off values of <=4 for REM, >4 and <=14
      for LDA, >14 and <=28 for MDA and >28 for HDA. We observed best agreement with
      ACR20/50/70-response at DAPSA changes of 50/75/85%, reflecting minor, moderate
      and major improvement. CONCLUSIONS: The DAPSA constitutes a disease-specific,
      validated and feasible tool for PsA assessment. In this study, we provide
      criteria for disease activity states and treatment response. They are based on an
      international expert survey, and show good performance in clinical trials and
      observational data.

PMID- 26269399
TI  - Systemic sclerosis-like histopathological features in the myocardium of uPAR
      deficient mice.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Cardiomyopathy is among the leading causes of death from systemic
      sclerosis (SSc). Urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR)-deficient
      mice have been recently reported to display important histopathological hallmarks
      of SSc, including dermal fibrosis, reduced dermal capillary density, and
      pulmonary fibrosis. Here, we investigated whether uPAR-deficient mice could
      display the histopathological features of SSc-related cardiomyopathy. METHODS:
      Ventricular myocardial specimens from uPAR-deficient and wild-type mice at 12 and
      24 weeks of age were analysed by both light microscopy and transmission electron
      microscopy. Picrosirius red staining and hydroxyproline content of myocardial
      specimens were quantified. Myofibroblast and microvessel counts were determined
      by immunofluorescence for alpha-smooth muscle actin and CD31, respectively.
      Endothelial cell apoptosis was assessed by a combined TUNEL/CD31
      immunofluorescence assay. Expression of uPAR in human SSc and control ventricular
      myocardial autopsy specimens was determined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The
      myocardium of 24-week-old uPAR-deficient mice displayed focal ischaemic lesions
      with cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, myofibril rarefaction and contraction band
      necrosis. At 24 weeks of age, interstitial and perivascular collagen deposition
      and myofibroblast counts were significantly greater in myocardial tissue of uPAR
      deficient mice than in wild-type mice. In uPAR-deficient mice, myocardial
      fibrosis was paralleled by microvascular endothelial cell apoptosis and reduced
      capillary density. uPAR expression was significantly downregulated in the
      myocardium of patients with SSc. CONCLUSIONS: Typical histopathological features
      of SSc-related cardiomyopathy are mimicked by uPAR-deficient mice. The
      downregulation of uPAR in the myocardium of patients with SSc may suggest similar
      underlying pathogenetic mechanisms. uPAR-deficient mice could be used as a
      preclinical model to study the mechanisms and therapeutic approaches of
      myocardial involvement in SSc.

PMID- 26269400
TI  - MicroRNA Replacing Oncogenic Klf4 and c-Myc for Generating iPS Cells via
      Cationized Pleurotus eryngii Polysaccharide-based Nanotransfection.
AB  - Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), resulting from the forced expression of
      cocktails out of transcription factors, such as Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc
      (OSKM), has shown tremendous potential in regenerative medicine. Although rapid
      progress has been made recently in the generation of iPSCs, the safety and
      efficiency remain key issues for further application. In this work, microRNA 302
      367 was employed to substitute the oncogenic Klf4 and c-Myc in the OSKM
      combination as a safer strategy for successful iPSCs generation. The negatively
      charged plasmid mixture (encoding Oct4, Sox2, miR302-367) and the positively
      charged cationized Pleurotus eryngii polysaccharide (CPEPS) self-assembled into
      nanosized particles, named as CPEPS-OS-miR nanoparticles, which were applied to
      human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells for iPSCs generation after
      characterization of the physicochemical properties. The CPEPS-OS-miR
      nanoparticles possessed spherical shape, ultrasmall particle size, and positive
      surface charge. Importantly, the combination of plasmids Oct4, Sox2, and miR302
      367 could not only minimize genetic modification but also show a more than 50
      times higher reprogramming efficiency (0.044%) than any other single or possible
      double combinations of these factors (Oct4, Sox2, miR302-367). Altogether, the
      current study offers a simple, safe, and effective self-assembly approach for
      generating clinically applicable iPSCs. 

PMID- 26269401
TI  - Barriers and Opportunities: A View across the Developmental Divide.

PMID- 26269404
TI  - Psoriasis and Cardiovascular Risk: Strength in Numbers Part 3.
AB  - Over the last decade a large body of epidemiological, translational, and animal
      model research has suggested that psoriasis may be a risk factor for
      cardiovascular and metabolic disease. Outcome based studies often suggest that
      patients with more severe psoriasis have an increased risk of major
      cardiovascular events independent of traditional risk factors that are captured
      in electronic health data. The study by Parisi and colleagues finds that incident
      severe psoriasis is associated with a non-statistically significant increased
      risk of major cardiovascular events, HR 1.28 (95% CI 0.96-1.69) in their primary
      model and a statistically significant increased risk, HR 1.46 (95% CI 1.11,
      1.92), in a sensitivity analysis that excludes patients with inflammatory
      arthritis. These results are usefully consistent with prior studies published
      using the same or similar databases. Here we review three key biostatistical and
      epidemiological principles that are commonly misunderstood (over reliance on P
      values, confounding versus effect modification, and inception versus prevalent
      cohort design) and often lead to controversy in analyzing and interpreting
      results. 

PMID- 26269405
TI  - Nanoparticles for Fidgety Cell Movement and Enhanced Wound Healing.
AB  - Complex spatiotemporal interaction of Rho GTPases with microtubules (MTs) and MT
      associated proteins drives directed cellular migration. In this issue,
      Charafeddine et al. describe a role for a novel MT-severing enzyme, fidgetin-like
      2 (FL2), in directional migration of keratinocytes and fibroblasts. FL2 normally
      localizes to the leading edge of the cell cortex where it shears MTs, thus
      dictating the size and distribution of focal adhesions by regulating cytoskeletal
      remodeling. Small interfering RNA (siRNA)-directed knockdown of FL2 increases
      cell migration and focal adhesion area in vitro through possible interaction with
      Rho GTPases. Efficient FL2 knockdown in murine wounds was achieved using
      nanoparticles as a siRNA delivery vehicle, and this resulted in enhanced wound
      closure in vivo. Effective siRNA nanoparticle targeting of MT-severing enzymes
      offers promise of controlled and targeted delivery that may maximize therapeutic
      success for patients with burn wounds and chronic wound disorders. 

PMID- 26269406
TI  - PLCG1 Gene Mutations in Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphomas Revisited.
AB  - The observation that mutations in the phospholipase C gamma 1 (PLCG1) gene (among
      which p.S345F was shown to be activating) are frequent (20%) in tumoral cutaneous
      T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) samples raised the possibility of targeting therapies
      against the PLCG1 signaling pathway. However, new data by Caumont et al. in this
      issue of JID show that PLCG1 mutations are far less prevalent than expected in
      CTCLs, which tempers the initial enthusiasm. This new study finds that only 3-5%
      of the CTCL tumor genomes (mycosis fungoides and Sezary syndrome) harbor PLCG1
      mutations. 

PMID- 26269407
TI  - Cells to Surgery Quiz: September 2015.

PMID- 26269408
TI  - September 2015 Snapshot Dx Quiz: Linking Science to Patient Care.

PMID- 26269409
TI  - Flow Cytometry II: Mass and Imaging Cytometry.

PMID- 26269410
TI  - Suboptimal push-out bond strengths of calcium silicate-based sealers.
AB  - AIM: To evaluate and compare the push-out bond strength of MTA Fillapex (Angelus,
      Londrina, Brazil) and iRoot SP (Innovative BioCeramix Inc., Vancouver, Canada) to
      the dentine walls of root canals. AH Plus (Dentsply DeTrey, Konstaz, Germany) and
      MTA (Angelus, Londrina, Brazil) were used as reference materials. METHODOLOGY:
      Sixty extracted human single-rooted teeth were selected. After standardized canal
      preparation and irrigation, the canals were dried with paper points and filled
      with one of four sealers: AH Plus, iRoot SP, MTA and MTA Fillapex. Roots were
      sectioned, and push-out tests were performed. The values of bond strength were
      analysed using the Kruskal-Wallis test. Mann-Whitney with Bonferroni correction
      was used to isolate the differences. The alpha-type error was set at 0.05 for the
      analyses. RESULTS: All specimens had measurable adhesion to root dentine and no
      premature failure occurred. There were significant differences amongst materials
      (P = 0.000). MTA-filled specimens had higher push-out bond strength values (P =
      0.000). AH Plus had significantly higher bond strength than both Fillapex and
      iRoot SP (P = 0.000). Both Fillapex and iRoot SP had the lowest push-out bond
      strength amongst all experimental groups (P = 0.000). No difference occurred
      between the two calcium silicate-based root canal sealers (P = 0.265).
      CONCLUSION: The adhesion to root dentine associated with newer calcium silicate
      based sealers was compromised even when well-monitored laboratory conditions were
      used.

PMID- 26269411
TI  - Loss of NDRG2 enhanced activation of the NF-kappaB pathway by PTEN and NIK
      phosphorylation for ATL and other cancer development.
AB  - The activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) signaling has a central role
      in the development of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) and many other
      cancers. However, the activation mechanism of the NF-kappaB pathways remains
      poorly understood. Recently, we reported that N-myc downstream-regulated gene 2
      (NDRG2) is a negative regulator of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT
      pathway by promoting the active dephosphorylated form of PTEN at its C-terminus
      via the recruitment of PP2A. Additionally, the down-regulation of NDRG2
      expression promotes the inactive phosphorylated form of PTEN, which results in
      constitutively active PI3K/AKT signaling in various cancer cell types. Here, we
      investigated the involvement of NDRG2 in modulating NF-kappaB signaling. The
      forced expression of NDRG2 in ATL cells down-regulates not only the canonical
      pathway by inhibiting AKT signaling but also the non-canonical pathway by
      inducing NF-kappaB-inducing kinase (NIK) dephosphorylation via the recruitment of
      PP2A. Therefore, NDRG2 works as a PP2A recruiter to suppress not only PI3K/AKT
      signaling but also NF-kappaB signaling, which is particularly important in host
      defenses or immune responses to Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1)
      infection. Furthermore, the loss of NDRG2 expression might play an important role
      in the progression of tumor development after HTLV-1 infection. 

PMID- 26269412
TI  - The multi-kinase inhibitor pazopanib targets hepatic stellate cell activation and
      apoptosis alleviating progression of liver fibrosis.
AB  - Tyrosine kinase inhibitors have been emerged recently as an effective therapy
      against liver fibrosis. The current study was designed to test a potential anti
      fibrotic effect of the multi-targeted receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor
      pazopanib. Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4; 1 mL/kg) was injected intraperitoneally
      (i.p.) twice/week for 8 weeks. Pazopanib (10 and 30 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered
      three times/week at the beginning of week 5. Levels of liver function biomarkers
      (alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), albumin, and
      total bilirubin), malondialdehyde, transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1),
      caspase-3, factor-related apoptosis (FAS), vascular endothelial growth factor
      (VEGF) receptor-1, and pigment endothelial derived factor (PEDF) were measured.
      The tissue level of the inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor
      alpha (TNF-alpha) were assigned. Fibrotic area was measured by morphometry and
      expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA), caspase-3, platelet-derived
      growth factor (PDGF) receptor-beta, and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) was
      scored immunohistochemically. Hepatic expression of collagen-1-alpha-1 (Col1A1)
      and tissue inhibitor metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) mRNA were assigned by RT-qPCR.
      Injection of CCl4 resulted in marked collagen deposition, necroinflammation, and
      fibrosis (2.67%). Pazopanib in a dose of 30 mg/kg improved liver function,
      reduced fibrosis (1.48%), and decreased significantly (P < 0.01) liver expression
      of malondialdehyde, TGF-beta1, IL-6, TNF-alpha, Col1A1, TIMP-1, alpha-SMA, MMP-2,
      PDGF receptor-beta, and VEGF receptor-1. Additionally, the apoptotic markers
      (caspase-3, FAS) and the anti-angiogenic factor PEDF were upregulated
      significantly (P < 0.05). Pazopanib at a certain dose level can halt liver
      fibrosis progression through modulating inflammatory cytokines, suppressing
      stellate cell activity, inducing apoptosis, and potentially regulating
      angiogenesis.

PMID- 26269413
TI  - Individual patient data network meta-analysis of mortality effects of implantable
      cardiac devices.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD), cardiac
      resynchronisation therapy pacemakers (CRT-P) and the combination therapy (CRT-D)
      have been shown to reduce all-cause mortality compared with medical therapy alone
      in patients with heart failure and reduced EF. Our aim was to synthesise data
      from major randomised controlled trials to estimate the comparative mortality
      effects of these devices and how these vary according to patients'
      characteristics. METHODS: Data from 13 randomised trials (12 638 patients) were
      provided by medical technology companies. Individual patient data were
      synthesised using network meta-analysis. RESULTS: Unadjusted analyses found CRT-D
      to be the most effective treatment (reduction in rate of death vs medical
      therapy: 42% (95% credible interval: 32-50%), followed by ICD (29% (20-37%)) and
      CRT-P (28% (15-40%)). CRT-D reduced mortality compared with CRT-P (19% (1-33%))
      and ICD (18% (7-28%)). QRS duration, left bundle branch block (LBBB) morphology,
      age and gender were included as predictors of benefit in the final adjusted
      model. In this model, CRT-D reduced mortality in all subgroups (range: 53% (34
      66%) to 28% (-1% to 49%)). Patients with QRS duration >=150 ms, LBBB morphology
      and female gender benefited more from CRT-P and CRT-D. Men and those <60 years
      benefited more from ICD. CONCLUSIONS: These data provide estimates for the
      mortality benefits of device therapy conditional upon multiple patient
      characteristics. They can be used to estimate an individual patient's expected
      relative benefit and thus inform shared decision making. Clinical guidelines
      should discuss age and gender as predictors of device benefits.

PMID- 26269414
TI  - The hormone-bound vitamin D receptor enhances the FBW7-dependent turnover of NF
      kappaB subunits.
AB  - Signaling by hormonal vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25D) has attracted
      increasing interest because of its non-classical actions, particularly its
      putative anticancer properties and its role in controlling immune system
      function. Notably, the hormone-bound vitamin D receptor (VDR) suppresses
      signaling by pro-inflammatory NF-kappaB transcription factors, although the
      underlying mechanisms have remained elusive. Recently, the VDR was shown to
      enhance the turnover of the oncogenic transcription factor cMYC mediated by the
      E3 ligase and tumor suppressor FBW7. As FBW7 also controls the turnover of the
      p100 (NF-kappaB2) subunit of the family, we determined whether the 1,25D enhanced
      FBW7-dependent turnover of NF-kappaB subunits p100, p105 (NF-kappaB1) and p65
      (RELA). Protein levels of all three subunits declined markedly in the presence of
      1,25D in multiple cell lines in the absence of substantial changes in mRNA
      expression. The VDR coimmunoprecipitated with all three subunits, and 1,25D
      treatment accelerated subunit turnover in cycloheximide-treated cells.
      Importantly, we observed an association of FBW7 with p105 and p65, as well as
      p100, and knockdown of FBW7 eliminated 1,25D-dependent subunit turnover.
      Moreover, expression of NF-kappaB target genes was elevated in FBW7-depleted
      cells. These results reveal that 1,25D signaling suppresses NF-kappaB function by
      enhancing FBW7-dependent subunit turnover. 

PMID- 26269415
TI  - Clinical outcomes of real-world patients treated with an amphilimus polymer-free
      stent versus new generation everolimus-eluting stents.
AB  - OBJECTIVES/BACKGROUND: To compare the 1-year clinical outcomes after implantation
      of the amphilimus, polymer-free stent (Cre8) versus new generation everolimus
      eluting stents (EESs) in a real-world patient registry. METHODS: A total of 187
      consecutive patients treated with Cre8 between January 2011 and August 2013 in
      four Italian centers were included. These were propensity matched with 150
      patients treated with new generation EES during the same period. Primary outcome
      was 1-year major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), defined as all-cause
      death, myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization. RESULTS: Both
      groups had similar baseline characteristics, including diabetes (28% Cre8 vs.
      27.3% EES, P = 0.972) and previous percutaneous coronary intervention (56% Cre8
      vs. 58% EES, P = 0.726). There was a higher prevalence of B2/C lesions in the EES
      group (70.1% vs. 83.8%, P < 0.001). Total stent length per patient was similar.
      There were no significant differences in 1-year estimated MACE (7.4% Cre8 vs.
      10.2% EES, P = 0.261), all-cause mortality (1.3% Cre8 vs. 1.4% EES, P = 0.823),
      target vessel revascularization (5.2% Cre8 vs. 8.8% EES, P = 0.169), and target
      lesion revascularization (3% Cre8 vs. 7.4% EES, P = 0.108) between the two
      groups. When adjusting for differences in baseline lesion characteristics, hazard
      ratio(Cre8/EES) for MACE was not significantly different between the two groups
      (0.75, 95% confidence interval 0.37-1.53, P(noninferiority) = 0.001,
      P(superiority) = 0.432). In patients with diabetes (Cre8, n = 42; EEE, n = 41), 1
      year target lesion revascularization was 2.5% in the Cre8 group versus 14.6% in
      the EES group (P = 0.056). CONCLUSIONS: In a "real-world" patient registry, the
      Cre8 stent is associated with noninferior 1-year MACE rates compared with that of
      new generation EES. Trends of superior efficacy in patients with diabetes treated
      with Cre8 require further investigation.

PMID- 26269416
TI  - Regional analgesia for improvement of long-term functional outcome after elective
      large joint replacement.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Regional analgesia is more effective than conventional analgesia for
      controlling pain and may facilitate rehabilitation after large joint replacement
      in the short term. It remains unclear if regional anaesthesia improves functional
      outcomes after joint replacement beyond three months after surgery. OBJECTIVES:
      To assess the effects of regional anaesthesia and analgesia on long-term
      functional outcomes 3, 6 and 12 months after elective major joint (knee, shoulder
      and hip) replacement surgery. SEARCH METHODS: We performed an electronic search
      of several databases (CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL), and handsearched
      reference lists and conference abstracts. We updated our search in June 2015.
      SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing
      regional analgesia versus conventional analgesia in patients undergoing total
      shoulder, hip or knee replacement. We included studies that reported a functional
      outcome with a follow-up of at least three months after surgery. DATA COLLECTION
      AND ANALYSIS: We used standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane. We
      contacted study authors for additional information. MAIN RESULTS: We included six
      studies with 350 participants followed for at least three months. All of these
      studies enrolled participants undergoing total knee replacement. Studies were at
      least partially blinded. Three studies had a high risk of performance bias and
      one a high risk of attrition bias, but the risk of bias was otherwise unclear or
      low.Only one study assessed joint function using a global score. Due to
      heterogeneity in outcome and reporting, we could only pool three out of six RCTs,
      with range of motion assessed at three months after surgery used as a surrogate
      for joint function. All studies had a high risk of detection bias. Using the
      random-effects model, there was no statistically significant difference between
      the experimental and control groups (mean difference 3.99 degrees, 95% confidence
      interval (CI) - 2.23 to 10.21; P value = 0.21, 3 studies, 140 participants, very
      low quality evidence).We did not perform further analyses because immediate
      adverse effects were not part of the explicit outcomes of any of these typically
      small studies, and long-term adverse events after regional anaesthesia are
      rare.None of the included studies elicited or reported long-term adverse effects
      like persistent nerve damage. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: More high-quality studies are
      needed to establish the effects of regional analgesia on function after major
      joint replacement, as well as on the risk of adverse events (falls).

PMID- 26269417
TI  - The compliance and burden of treatment with the epinephrine auto-injector in food
      allergic adolescents.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Food-allergic patients at high risk of potential fatal anaphylaxis
      should carry an epinephrine auto-injector (EAI) at all times. This treatment may
      be perceived as burdensome and this may affect compliance and health-related
      quality of life (HRQL). The aims of the study were (1) to determine the burden of
      treatment (BoT) of an EAI, (2) to examine the relationship between this burden
      and compliance, and (3) to analyze which factors contribute to the BoT of the EAI
      as perceived by food-allergic adolescents and their parents. METHODS: Dutch food
      allergic adolescents prescribed an EAI, and their parents completed a
      questionnaire package (n = 55). Relationships between BoT and HRQL, illness
      severity and perception, and anxiety measures were investigated. RESULTS: Food
      allergic adolescents and their parents were (extremely) positive about the EAI
      (54.5%; 72.7%, respectively) (=low BoT). The BoT measure showed a significantly
      greater burden in food-allergic adolescents prescribed an EAI who reported not
      carrying the EAI at all times than adolescents who reported they did. The BoT
      scores of both adolescents and their parents were not associated with HRQL,
      illness severity and perception, or trait anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of
      food-allergic adolescents and their parents were positive about the EAI (=low
      BoT). However, the BoT was significantly associated with self-reported compliance
      with carrying the EAI. The BoT was higher in food-allergic adolescents prescribed
      an EAI who reported not carrying the EAI at all times. The BoT measure seems to
      be a useful tool to study compliance with carrying an EAI. The BoT of an EAI is
      not associated with HRQL. The BoT measures a distinct concept related to
      compliance behavior.

PMID- 26269419
TI  - Uninsured rates drop dramatically in US states that embraced health reform law.

PMID- 26269418
TI  - Comparison of gabapentin versus topiramate on clinically affected dogs with
      Chiari-like malformation and syringomyelia.
AB  - To date there is no evidence-based data for efficacious treatment of neuropathic
      pain in dogs with Chiari-like malformation (CM) and syringomyelia (SM). The
      objective of this prospective cross-over study was to compare the effect of
      gabapentin versus topiramate, as an add-on treatment to carprofen, on quality of
      life (QoL) of dogs experiencing signs of neuropathic pain due to CM/SM. A visual
      analogue scale (VAS) was used to assess the QoL: (1) on day 0; (2) after 1 week
      of carprofen only; (3) after 2 weeks on carprofen and gabapentin; and (4) after 2
      weeks on carprofen and topiramate. No significant difference was observed between
      VAS after gabapentin or topiramate (P=0.91). However, an improvement in QoL was
      observed when gabapentin was compared with baseline (P=0.009), but not for
      topiramate. In conclusion, the addition of gabapentin was more effective in
      improving QoL than carprofen alone, but the study failed to identify that
      gabapentin was more efficacious than topiramate. Perhaps the more favourable side
      effect profile of the former makes it more suitable for the treatment of
      neuropathic pain associated with CM/SM but further placebo-controlled trials are
      required to assess the efficacy of these drugs. 

PMID- 26269420
TI  - Transition-metal-catalyzed hydrogen-transfer annulations: access to heterocyclic
      scaffolds.
AB  - The ability of hydrogen-transfer transition-metal catalysts, which enable
      increasingly rapid access to important structural scaffolds from simple starting
      materials, has led to a plethora of research efforts on the construction of
      heterocyclic scaffolds. Transition-metal-catalyzed hydrogen-transfer annulations
      are environmentally benign and highly atom-economical as they release of water
      and hydrogen as by-product and utilize renewable feedstock alcohols as starting
      materials. Recent advances in this field with respect to the annulations of
      alcohols with various nucleophilic partners, thus leading to the formation of
      heterocyclic scaffolds, are highlighted herein. 

PMID- 26269421
TI  - A novel strategy to directly fabricate flexible hollow nanofibers with tunable
      luminescence-electricity-magnetism trifunctionality using one-pot
      electrospinning.
AB  - Novel photoluminescent-electrical-magnetic trifunctional flexible
      Eu(BA)3phen/PANI/Fe3O4/PVP (BA = benzoic acid, phen = phenanthroline, PANI =
      polyaniline, PVP = polyvinylpyrrolidone) hollow nanofibers were fabricated by a
      one-pot electrospinning technique using a specially designed coaxial spinneret
      for the first time. Very different from the traditional preparation process of
      hollow fibers via coaxial electrospinning, which needs to firstly fabricate the
      coaxial fibers and followed by removing the core through high-temperature
      calcination or solvent extraction, in our current study, no core spinning
      solution is used to directly fabricate hollow nanofibers. The morphology and
      properties of the obtained hollow nanofibers were characterized in detail using X
      ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron
      microscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, a
      4-point probe resistivity measurement system and vibrating sample magnetometry.
      The Eu(BA)3phen/PANI/Fe3O4/PVP hollow nanofibers, with outer diameters of ca. 305
      nm and inner diameters of about 140 nm, exhibit excellent photoluminescence
      performance, electrical conductivity and magnetic properties. Fluorescence
      emission peaks of Eu(3+) are observed in the Eu(BA)3phen/PANI/Fe3O4/PVP hollow
      nanofibers and assigned to the (5)D0->(7)F0 (580 nm), (5)D0->(7)F1 (592 nm) and
      (5)D0->(7)F2 (616 nm) energy level transitions of Eu(3+) ions, and the (5)D0
      >(7)F2 hypersensitive transition at 616 nm is the predominant emission peak. The
      electrical conductivity of the hollow nanofibers reaches up to the order of 10(
      3) S cm(-1). The luminescent intensity, electrical conductivity and magnetic
      properties of the hollow nanofibers can be tuned by adding various amounts of
      Eu(BA)3phen, PANI and Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The new-type photoluminescent
      electrical-magnetic trifunctional flexible hollow nanofibers hold potential for a
      variety of applications, including electromagnetic interference shielding,
      microwave absorption, molecular electronics and biomedicine. The design
      conception and synthetic strategy developed in this study are of universal
      significance to construct other multifunctional hollow one-dimensional
      nanomaterials. 

PMID- 26269422
TI  - Gene expression profiling predicts pathways and genes associated with Parkinson's
      disease.
AB  - This study was aimed to explore the molecular mechanism of Parkinson's disease
      (PD) development and discover underlying pathways and genes associated with PD.
      The microarray data of GSE22491 containing 10 samples from PD patients and 8
      samples from healthy controls (HC) were downloaded from the Gene Expression
      Omnibus (GEO) database. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified
      by paired t-test. Then the DEGs were performed cluster and principal component
      analyses followed by Gene Ontology (GO) and pathway enrichment analyses and
      protein-protein interaction (PPI) network construction. Total 176 up-regulated
      DEGs and 49 down-regulated DEGs were identified. Totally, 39 GO terms and 72
      pathways were closely related to PD. Pathway of neuronal system was enriched by
      10 DEGs such as synapsin I (SYN1), glutamate receptor, ionotropic, N-methyl-D
      aspartate 1 (GRIN1) and GRIN2D. In the PPI networks, 18 hub genes were obtained,
      such as GRIN2D and discs, large (Drosophila) homolog-associated protein 3
      (DLGAP3). The pathway of neuronal system and its enriched DEGs may play important
      roles in PD progression. The DEGs such as SYN1, GRIN1, GRIN2D and DLGAP3 may
      become promising candidate genes for PD. 

PMID- 26269423
TI  - Low-grade cylindromatous adnexal carcinoma with unusual histopathological
      features: report of a case with comparative immunohistochemical study and meta
      analysis of the literature.
AB  - We present an extremely rare case of low-grade cylindromatous adnexal carcinoma
      (CAC) on the right chest wall of a 77-year-old man. Histopathologically, the
      neoplasm was initially diagnosed as a cylindroma that developed over the course
      of 13 years. A diagnosis of low-grade CAC was rendered after the documentation of
      a local recurrence and histopathology of the recurrent tumor. To further assess
      the evolution of low-grade CAC over time, we compared the morphology, mitotic
      account, proliferative markers and adhesion molecule immunoreactivity among
      paired primary and recurrent tumors. Unlike those earlier reported, our case
      showed the maintenance of tumor morphology after a recurrence without areas of
      obvious malignant transformation or metaplastic change. We showed here for the
      first time the expression of adhesion molecules of CAC/spiradenoma and a
      comparison of proliferation indices between a primary tumor and its local
      recurrence. This peculiar tumor differs from previously reported cases and
      harbors a malignant potential although the histopathological features of
      malignancy are subtle. Our meta-analysis of the literature provided background
      information regarding this rare entity. Alterations of E-cadherin and GCDFP-15
      expression may provide additional helpful clues in differential diagnosis and
      determining the clinical behavior of this unusual neoplasm. Further studies are
      warranted to confirm the potential discriminative role of these markers.

PMID- 26269424
TI  - Plasmon-induced spatial electron transfer between single Au nanorods and ALD
      coated TiO2: dependence on TiO2 thickness.
AB  - We employed single-particle photoluminescence (PL) measurements to investigate
      the interfacial electron transfer between single Au nanorods (NRs) and TiO2
      coated by ALD. Analyzing the energy relaxation path of plasmon-generated hot
      electrons as well as the PL intensities allowed for the detection and study of
      the interfacial electron transfer process spatially. 

PMID- 26269425
TI  - Normal liver enzymes are correlated with severity of metabolic syndrome in a
      large population based cohort.
AB  - Key features of the metabolic syndrome are insulin resistance and diabetes. The
      liver as central metabolic organ is not only affected by the metabolic syndrome
      as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), but may contribute to insulin
      resistance and metabolic alterations. We aimed to identify potential associations
      between liver injury markers and diabetes in the population-based Heinz Nixdorf
      RECALL Study. Demographic and laboratory data were analyzed in participants (n =
      4814, age 45 to 75 y). ALT and AST values were significantly higher in males than
      in females. Mean BMI was 27.9 kg/m(2) and type-2-diabetes (known and unkown) was
      present in 656 participants (13.7%). Adiponectin and vitamin D both correlated
      inversely with BMI. ALT, AST, and GGT correlated with BMI, CRP and HbA1c and
      inversely correlated with adiponectin levels. Logistic regression models using
      HbA1c and adiponectin or HbA1c and BMI were able to predict diabetes with high
      accuracy. Transaminase levels within normal ranges were closely associated with
      the BMI and diabetes risk. Transaminase levels and adiponectin were inversely
      associated. Re-assessment of current normal range limits should be considered, to
      provide a more exact indicator for chronic metabolic liver injury, in particular
      to reflect the situation in diabetic or obese individuals.

PMID- 26269426
TI  - Analysis of epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers in psoriatic epidermal
      keratinocytes.
AB  - Psoriasis is similar to endpoints of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a
      process of epithelial cells transformed into fibroblast-like cells. The molecular
      epithelial and mesenchymal markers were analysed in psoriatic keratinocytes. No
      obvious alteration of epithelial markers E-cadherin (E-cad), keratin 10 (K10),
      K14 and K16 was detected in psoriatic keratinocytes. However, significantly
      increased expression of Vim, FN, plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) and
      Slug was seen. IL-17A and IL-13 at 50 ng ml(-1) strongly decreased expression of
      K10, Vim and FN. TGF-beta1 at 50 ng ml(-1) promoted the production of N-cad, Vim,
      FN and PAI-1. Slug was decreased by dexamethasone (Dex), but E-cad was
      upregulated by Dex. Silencing of ERK partially increased E-cad and K16, but
      remarkably inhibited K14, FN, Vim, beta-catenin, Slug and alpha5 integrin.
      Moreover, inhibition of Rho and GSK3 by their inhibitors Y27632 and SB216763,
      respectively, strongly raised E-cad, beta-catenin and Slug. Dex decreased Y27632
      mediated increase of beta-catenin. Dex at 2.0 uM inhibited SB216763-regulated E
      cad, beta-catenin and slug. In conclusion, EMT in psoriatic keratinocytes may be
      defined as an intermediate phenotype of type 2 EMT. ERK, Rho and GSK3 play active
      roles in the process of EMT in psoriatic keratinocytes. 

PMID- 26269427
TI  - Cytokines and growth factors cross-link heparan sulfate.
AB  - The glycosaminoglycan heparan sulfate (HS), present at the surface of most cells
      and ubiquitous in extracellular matrix, binds many soluble extracellular
      signalling molecules such as chemokines and growth factors, and regulates their
      transport and effector functions. It is, however, unknown whether upon binding HS
      these proteins can affect the long-range structure of HS. To test this idea, we
      interrogated a supramolecular model system, in which HS chains grafted to
      streptavidin-functionalized oligoethylene glycol monolayers or supported lipid
      bilayers mimic the HS-rich pericellular or extracellular matrix, with the
      biophysical techniques quartz crystal microbalance (QCM-D) and fluorescence
      recovery after photobleaching (FRAP). We were able to control and characterize
      the supramolecular presentation of HS chains--their local density, orientation,
      conformation and lateral mobility--and their interaction with proteins. The
      chemokine CXCL12alpha (or SDF-1alpha) rigidified the HS film, and this effect was
      due to protein-mediated cross-linking of HS chains. Complementary measurements
      with CXCL12alpha mutants and the CXCL12gamma isoform provided insight into the
      molecular mechanism underlying cross-linking. Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2),
      which has three HS binding sites, was also found to cross-link HS, but FGF-9,
      which has just one binding site, did not. Based on these data, we propose that
      the ability to cross-link HS is a generic feature of many cytokines and growth
      factors, which depends on the architecture of their HS binding sites. The ability
      to change matrix organization and physico-chemical properties (e.g. permeability
      and rigidification) implies that the functions of cytokines and growth factors
      may not simply be confined to the activation of cognate cellular receptors.

PMID- 26269428
TI  - Building a ninefold symmetrical barrel: structural dissections of centriole
      assembly.
AB  - Centrioles are short microtubule-based organelles with a conserved ninefold
      symmetry. They are essential for both centrosome formation and cilium biogenesis
      in most eukaryotes. A core set of five centriolar proteins has been identified
      and their sequential recruitment to procentrioles has been established. However,
      structures at atomic resolution for most of the centriolar components were
      scarce, and the underlying molecular mechanisms for centriole assembly had been a
      mystery--until recently. In this review, I briefly summarize recent advancements
      in high-resolution structural characterization of the core centriolar components
      and discuss perspectives in the field.

PMID- 26269431
TI  - Multiple apocrine poromas: a new case report.
AB  - Apocrine poromas are rare and distinctive benign adnexal neoplasms featuring
      tumor cells differentiating toward folliculosebaceous-apocrine units. We report
      an extremely rare case with multiple apocrine poromas in a single patient.
      Fifteen tumors were distributed on the head, neck, forearm and axilla of a 74
      year-old man. All tumors were mostly composed of poroid cells that surrounded
      variably sized duct spaces, some of which exhibited decapitation secretion. The
      poroid cells were continuous with infundibulum-like structures that contained
      aggregates of mature sebocytes. The patient had no family history of similar
      tumors and no history of immunosuppressive therapy. This is the first report of
      multiple apocrine poromas, suggesting that predisposing genetic factors might
      play a part in the development of the tumors.

PMID- 26269430
TI  - In vivo mouse myocardial (31)P MRS using three-dimensional image-selected in vivo
      spectroscopy (3D ISIS): technical considerations and biochemical validations.
AB  - (31)P MRS provides a unique non-invasive window into myocardial energy
      homeostasis. Mouse models of cardiac disease are widely used in preclinical
      studies, but the application of (31)P MRS in the in vivo mouse heart has been
      limited. The small-sized, fast-beating mouse heart imposes challenges regarding
      localized signal acquisition devoid of contamination with signal originating from
      surrounding tissues. Here, we report the implementation and validation of three
      dimensional image-selected in vivo spectroscopy (3D ISIS) for localized (31)P MRS
      of the in vivo mouse heart at 9.4 T. Cardiac (31)P MR spectra were acquired in
      vivo in healthy mice (n = 9) and in transverse aortic constricted (TAC) mice (n =
      8) using respiratory-gated, cardiac-triggered 3D ISIS. Localization and potential
      signal contamination were assessed with (31)P MRS experiments in the anterior
      myocardial wall, liver, skeletal muscle and blood. For healthy hearts, results
      were validated against ex vivo biochemical assays. Effects of isoflurane
      anesthesia were assessed by measuring in vivo hemodynamics and blood gases. The
      myocardial energy status, assessed via the phosphocreatine (PCr) to adenosine 5'
      triphosphate (ATP) ratio, was approximately 25% lower in TAC mice compared with
      controls (0.76 +/- 0.13 versus 1.00 +/- 0.15; P < 0.01). Localization with one
      dimensional (1D) ISIS resulted in two-fold higher PCr/ATP ratios than measured
      with 3D ISIS, because of the high PCr levels of chest skeletal muscle that
      contaminate the 1D ISIS measurements. Ex vivo determinations of the myocardial
      PCr/ATP ratio (0.94 +/- 0.24; n = 8) confirmed the in vivo observations in
      control mice. Heart rate (497 +/- 76 beats/min), mean arterial pressure (90 +/-
      3.3 mmHg) and blood oxygen saturation (96.2 +/- 0.6%) during the experimental
      conditions of in vivo (31)P MRS were within the normal physiological range. Our
      results show that respiratory-gated, cardiac-triggered 3D ISIS allows for non
      invasive assessments of in vivo mouse myocardial energy homeostasis with (31)P
      MRS under physiological conditions.

PMID- 26269429
TI  - The roles of ERAS during cell lineage specification of mouse early embryonic
      development.
AB  - Eras encodes a Ras-like GTPase protein that was originally identified as an
      embryonic stem cell-specific Ras. ERAS has been known to be required for the
      growth of embryonic stem cells and stimulates somatic cell reprogramming,
      suggesting its roles on mouse early embryonic development. We now report a
      dynamic expression pattern of Eras during mouse peri-implantation development:
      its expression increases at the blastocyst stage, and specifically decreases in
      E7.5 mesoderm. In accordance with its expression pattern, the increased
      expression of Eras promotes cell proliferation through controlling AKT activation
      and the commitment from ground to primed state through ERK activation in mouse
      embryonic stem cells; and the reduced expression of Eras facilitates primitive
      streak and mesoderm formation through AKT inhibition during gastrulation. The
      expression of Eras is finely regulated to match its roles in mouse early
      embryonic development during which Eras expression is negatively regulated by the
      beta-catenin pathway. Thus, beyond its well-known role on cell proliferation,
      ERAS may also play important roles in cell lineage specification during mouse
      early embryonic development. 

PMID- 26269432
TI  - Design of CID-cleavable protein cross-linkers: identical mass modifications for
      simpler sequence analysis.
AB  - The cross-linking Mass Spectrometry (XL-MS) technique has enormous potential for
      studying the interactions between proteins, and it can provide detailed
      structural information about the interaction interfaces in large protein
      complexes. Such information has been difficult to obtain by conventional
      structural methods. One of the primary impediments to the wider use of the XL-MS
      technique is the extreme challenge in sequencing cross-linked peptides because of
      their complex fragmentation patterns in MS. A recent innovation is the
      development of MS-cleavable cross-linkers, which allows direct sequencing of
      component peptides for facile identification. Sulfoxides are an intriguing class
      of thermally-cleavable compounds that have been shown to fragment selectively
      during low-energy collisional induced dissociation (CID) analysis. Current CID
      cleavable cross-linkers create fragmentation patterns in MS(2) of multiple peaks
      for each cross-linked peptide. Reducing the complexity of the fragmentation
      pattern in MS(2) facilitates subsequent MS(3) sequencing of the cross-linked
      peptides. The first authentic identical mass linker (IML) has now been designed,
      prepared, and evaluated. Multistage tandem mass spectrometry (MS(n)) analysis has
      demonstrated that the IML cross-linked peptides indeed yield one peak per peptide
      constituent in MS(2) as predicted, thus allowing effective and sensitive MS(3)
      analysis for unambiguous identification. Selective fragmentation for IML cross
      linked peptides from the 19S proteasome complex was observed, providing a proof
      of-concept demonstration for XL-MS studies on protein complexes. 

PMID- 26269434
TI  - [A need to re-recognized the complement and kidney disease relationship].

PMID- 26269433
TI  - Nitric Oxide-cGMP-PKG Pathway Acts on Orai1 to Inhibit the Hypertrophy of Human
      Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes.
AB  - Cardiac hypertrophy is an abnormal enlargement of heart muscle. It frequently
      results in congestive heart failure, which is a leading cause of human death.
      Previous studies demonstrated that the nitric oxide (NO), cyclic GMP (cGMP), and
      protein kinase G (PKG) signaling pathway can inhibit cardiac hypertrophy and thus
      improve cardiac function. However, the underlying mechanisms are not fully
      understood. Here, based on the human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte
      (hESC-CM) model system, we showed that Orai1, the pore-forming subunit of store
      operated Ca(2+) entry (SOCE), is the downstream effector of PKG. Treatment of
      hESC-CMs with an alpha-adrenoceptor agonist phenylephrine (PE) caused a marked
      hypertrophy, which was accompanied by an upregulation of Orai1. Moreover,
      suppression of Orai1 expression/activity using Orai1-siRNAs or a dominant
      negative construct Orai1(G98A) inhibited the hypertrophy, suggesting that Orai1
      mediated SOCE is indispensable for the PE-induced hypertrophy of hESC-CMs. In
      addition, the hypertrophy was inhibited by NO and cGMP via activating PKG.
      Importantly, substitution of Ala for Ser(34) in Orai1 abolished the
      antihypertrophic effects of NO, cGMP, and PKG. Furthermore, PKG could directly
      phosphorylate Orai1 at Ser(34) and thus prevent Orai1-mediated SOCE. Together, we
      conclude that NO, cGMP, and PKG inhibit the hypertrophy of hESC-CMs via PKG
      mediated phosphorylation on Orai1-Ser-34. These results provide novel mechanistic
      insights into the action of cGMP-PKG-related antihypertrophic agents, such as NO
      donors and sildenafil.

PMID- 26269435
TI  - [Genetic basis of glomerulonephritis is gradually explored].

PMID- 26269436
TI  - [Clinical hemodynamics: an explanation to therapy].

PMID- 26269437
TI  - [Systolic blood pressure and progression of renal dysfunction in the elderly
      patients with moderate to severe chronic kidney disease: a cohort study from a
      tertiary hospital].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of blood pressure (BP) control on the progression
      of renal function in elderly patients with chronic kidney disease ( CKD) stages 3
      and 4. METHODS: Patients aged 65 years or older in our CKD clinic with baseline
      CKD stages 3 and 4 and with more than one-year followup until February 2014 were
      included in this study. Those who had an annual loss of epidermal growth factor
      receptor (eGFR) for more than 5 ml x min(-1) x 1.73 m(-2), or reached CKD stage
      5, and/or initiated renal replacement therapy were regarded as progression of
      CKD. Cox regression was used to analyze the effect of BP control on the
      progression of CKD. Results A total of 118 patients [57 men, mean age (73.8 +/-
      5.1) years] were enrolled in the final analysis with median baseline eGFR of 37.9
      (29.3, 46.7) ml- min(-1.73) m(-2). The baseline BP was (137.0 +/- 18.0)/(72.5 +/-
      10.3) mmHg (1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa). During the median 26 months (12-94 m) follow-up
      period, the average treated BP was (136.2 +/- 12.1)/ (70.5 +/- 6.9) mmHg. Among
      all the subjects, 64.4% of them reached the BP target (<140/90 mmHg) and 23.7%
      had progression of CKD. Treated systolic BP (HR = 1.504, 95% CI 1.023-2.212) and
      baseline eGFR (HR = 0.923, 95% CI 0.872-0.977) were independent risk factors for
      renal function progression in multivariate Cox analysis. Patients with treated
      systolic BP over 140 mmHg had higher risk to develop progression of CKD compared
      with those with systolic BP < or = 140 mmHg (HR = 2. 505, 95% CI 1.090-5.756).
      CONCLUSIONS: Tight blood pressure control is important in the routine care of
      elderly patients with CKD stage 3 and stage 4.

PMID- 26269438
TI  - [Diagnostic value of cystatin C in contrast-induced acute kidney injury after
      percutaneous coronary intervention].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To prospectively evaluate the value of cystatin C ( CysC) in diagnosis
      of contrast-induced acute kidney injury ( CIAKI) among patients undergoing
      Percutaneous Cardiovascular Intervention (PCI). METHODS: Patients who underwent
      PCI procedures in our hospital were enrolled. Serum creatinine (SCr) and CysC
      were measured at baseline before, 24 h and 48 h after PCI, respectively. CysC
      were examined by particle-enhanced turbidimetric immunoassay (PETIA). CIAKI was
      defined as a relative increase in SCr concentration of at least 25% or an
      absolute increase more than 44.8 mmol/L (0.5 mg/dl) within 48 h in the absence of
      other related causes. Results Among 196 patients, 135 were male and 61 female
      with a mean age of (70.4 +/- 11.3) years old. Twenty-nine (14. 8%) patients
      developed CIAKI according to the SCr criteria. The area under the ROC curve (AUC)
      at 24 h and 48 h post PCI were 0. 661 (95% CI 0.548-0.774, P = 0.006) and 0.783
      (95% CI 0.701-0.865, P < 0.001), respectively. The diagnostic sensitivities of
      CysC at 24 h and 48 h were between 6.9% and 48.28%, while, the diagnostic
      specificities and negative predictive values of CysC were between 85.03%-97.60%
      and 85.79%-90.45%, respectively. The 15% elevation of 48 h CysC yielded the
      diagnostic sensitivity of 41.38%, specificity of 92.86%, negative predictive
      value of 90.17%, corrective rate of 85.28% with Youden Index of 0. 342 4.
      CONCLUSIONS: In this study, CysC presented an excellent diagnostic specificity
      and negative predictive value in diagnosis of CIAKI. It might be used as a tool
      for excluding CIAKI in clinical practice. 48 h CysC performed better than 24 h
      CysC in CIAKI diagnosis, among which a 15% increment achieved relatively the best
      diagnostic value.

PMID- 26269439
TI  - [The impact of glycosylated hemoglobin target value in treatment guidelines on
      glycemic control of type 2 diabetic in Chinese cities].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of glycosylated hemoglobin Al c (HbA1c)
      standard value (2007 and 2010 Chinese Diabetes Prevention Guide) on glycemic
      control and treatment of type 2 diabetic patients in Chinese cities. METHODS: A
      cross-sectional study was carried out in type 2 diabetes mellitus from
      outpatients in selected hospitals all over China in 2009 and 2012. Patients
      treated with oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs), insulin or OAD combined with insulin
      were enrolled. A questionnaire including general characters, therapy,
      complications and blood glucose was completed by trained surveyors. RESULTS: A
      total of 30 853 patients were enrolled in 2009, and 48 232 patients in 2012. The
      distribution of HbAlc < 6.5%, 6.5% - <7.0%, 7.0% - <8.0%, 8.0% - <9.0%, 9.0% -
      <10.0% and > or = 10.0% was 20.35%, 12.59%, 35.50%, 18.94%, 6.46% and 6.16% in
      2012; 14. 81%, 27.72%,14.55%, 6.55% and 8.36% in 2009, respectively. The top
      three OAD were biguanides, sulfonylureas and thiazolidine. The most common
      treatment options for combined therapy are metformin combined with sulfonylurea
      in both 2009 and 2012. CONCLUSIONS: There is an increase in the proportion of
      patients with good and general blood glucose control in 2012. With the
      generalization of Chinese Diabetes Prevention Guide, a steady tendency is
      presented in blood gluense control.

PMID- 26269440
TI  - [The impact of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease on islet function in type 2
      diabetes].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analyze the influence of hepatosteatosis on pancreatic P-cell
      function in type 2 diabetes mellitus (22DM). METHODS: A total of 213 subjects
      with T2DM from Metabolic Disease Hospital, Tianjin Medical University from
      January 2013 to December 2013 were included in the study. Non-alcoholic fatty
      liver disease (NAFLD) was diagnosed with abdominal ultrasonography. Patients were
      divided into two groups: 22DM with NAFLD and 22DM without NAFLD. ALT, AST, gamma
      glutamyltransferase, serum lipid, glycosylated hemoglobin A1c ( HbA1c),
      fructosamine, fasting glucose, insulin and 2 hours plasma glucose, insulin after
      75g glucoseload were detected. The insulin resistance and P-cell function were
      assessed by HOMA-IR and HOMA-P. RESULTS: Among the 213 22DM subjects, 51% (108
      cases) were with NAFLD. The HOMA-IR [4.76(2.83,7.21) vs. 2.79 (1.76, 4.37),P
      <0.05] and HOMA-P [49.18 (37.78, 85.09) vs. 29.50 (18.09, 45.54), P < 0.05] were
      significantly higher in 22DM with NAFLD than those in 22DM alone. Within subjects
      with 22DM and NAFLD,the HOMA-IR [6.28 (2.87, 8.17) vs. 2.95 (2.07, 3.66)P <0. 05]
      and HOMA-P [59.18 (37.78, 85.09) vs. 30.59 (28.56, 34.49), P < 0.05] levels were
      higher in subjects with normal liver function than those with abnormal liver
      function. CONCLUSIONS: T2DM patients with NAFLD have severer insulin resistance
      than those without NAFLD. The P-cell function of those patients was compensatory
      increased, which was decreased in subjects with abnormal liver function.

PMID- 26269441
TI  - [The clinical outcomes of thymectomy combined with radiotherapy or
      cyclophosphamide treatment for myasthenia gravis patients with thymoma].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the therapeutic effects of thymectomy in myasthenia gravis
      (MG) patients with thymoma. METHODS: A total of 178 MG patients with thymectomy
      between July 2008 and December 2010 were included. All the subjects were received
      either cyclophosphamide alone or in combination with radiotherapeutic treatment
      after surgery. The MG absolute and relative clinical scores were used to assess
      the effectiveness of long-term treatments. Clinical evaluations were conducted
      before, and at 1 , 6, 12 and 24 months after operation. A comparative analysis on
      the inter-relationships among MG clinical presentation, WHO histology and Masaoka
      stage was also conducted. RESULTS: (1) Of the 178 thymoma-patients, 103 were male
      and 75 were female, with a mean age of (43.7 +/- 12.5)-years old. One hundred and
      twelve cases were taken cyclophosphamide, and 58 cases with invasive thymoma
      (stages II , III and IV or WHO type B3 ) were taken cyclophosphamide in
      combination with radiotherapy. Five patients refused cyclophosphamide or
      radiotherapy and 3 did not finish treatment. (2) The muscular strength improved
      obviously in 32.8% (58/177) of the patients after 1 month after thymectomy, and
      59.8% (101/169), 69.7% (115/165) and 81.5% (132/162) after 6 months, 1 year and 2
      years, respectively with MG score for disease severity decreased significantly
      with time. (3) No significant differences of the improvement rates were observed
      in patients within different WHO histology category. However, the rates were much
      higher in patients with Masaoka stage I (91.4%) and stage I (89.8%) than those in
      patients with stage III (45.5%) and IV (28.6%) (all P < 0.001) . CONCLUSIONS: The
      remission rate of MG patients with thymomas increase after thymectomy plus
      cyclophosphamide or in combination with radiotherapy and reached 81.5% after 2
      years. The remission rate is associated with Masaoka stage, but not with WHO
      histology.

PMID- 26269442
TI  - [An analysis of clinical and imaging characteristics of atopic myelitis].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical and imaging characteristics of Chinese atopic
      myelitis (AM) patients. METHODS: Three diagnosed AM patients were retrospectively
      analyzed for the clinical data, serum IgE level, antigen specific IgE,
      cerebrospinal fluid, spinal MRI and therapeutic efficacy profiles. RESULTS: All
      the three patients were male and presented as subacute AM with the onset at 25,
      47 and 49 years old respectively. Two patients were allergic to pollen and other
      drugs, while another patient suffered from allergic rhinitis. Elevated serum
      total IgE and mite antigen specific IgE were found in all cases. Paraesthesia in
      limb extremities and positive Lhermitte sign were the main clinical features,
      while no optic, motor, urinary and defecation disturbance were found. Oligoclonal
      banding of cerebrospinal fluid and serum aquaporin 4 (AQP4) antibody were both
      negative in all cases. Spinal MRI showed lesions were hypointense on T1 and
      hyperintense on T2 at the posterior column of T2-3 segment with abnormal
      enhancement in case 1, hypointense on T1 and hyperintense on T2 at C2/3 segment
      with mild swelling in case 2 and hypointense on T1 and hyperintense on T2 at C3-5
      segments with swelling and abnormal enhancement in case 3. Vitamin B were used in
      one patient, while the other two patients improved after the treatment with high
      dose corticosteroids. CONCLUSIONS: Subacute myelitis predominantly presents as
      paraesthesia in limb extremities with elevated serum total IgE and mite antigen
      specific IgE, while severe motor disorders are rare. Swelling and abnormal
      enhancement lesions at the posterior column of cervical cord are the common
      imaging features. Treatment with corticosteroids is recommended to be sustained
      for 3-6 months.

PMID- 26269443
TI  - [An analysis of amino acid metabolic profile and its clinical significance in
      ulcerative colitis].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between serum amino acid composition and
      pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis ( UC) , so as to explore some new biomarkers
      for early diagnosis and treatment. METHODS: This study was conducted in the 309
      Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army between October 2012 and November
      2013. Forty-four UC patients and 52 healthy controls were enrolled and the serum
      samples were collected. Using high performance liquid chromatography-mass
      spectrometry technology (HPLC-MS/MS) stable isotope internal standard method, we
      detected serum amino acid metabolic profiling in the two groups. RESULTS:
      Compared with the control group, the serum levels of glutamic acid, glutamine,
      methionine, tryptophan and histidine in UC group were significantly lower [(59.20
      +/- 21.93) mol/L vs. (88.14 +/- 34.85) micromol/L; (2200.51 +/- 648.03) [mol/L
      vs. (2 664.91 +/- 1034.74) micromol/L;(268.69 +/- 211.64) micromol/L vs. (431.48
      +/- 298.00) micromol/L; (68.83 +/- 32.33) [mol/L vs. (89.96 +/- 29.29)
      micromol/L; (101.88 +/- 32.01) micromol/L vs. (115.10 +/- 17.84) micromol/L
      respectively, all P < 0.05 ]. However, the serum levels of asparagine and
      isoleucine in UC group were significantly higher than the control group [(195.14
      +/- 122.14) micromol/L vs. (140.49 +/- 34.91) micromol/L; (94.61 +/- 29.76)
      micromol/L vs. (80.99 +/- 19.73) [micromol/L respectively; both P < 0.05].
      CONCLUSION: The amino acid metabolic profiling in UC patients is different from
      that in healthy controls, which suggests that there might be a certain
      relationship between amino acid composition and pathogenesis of UC. Some amino
      acids would be tested as potential biomarkers in patients with UC.

PMID- 26269444
TI  - [The effects and mechanism of islet amyloid polypeptide on insulin secretion in
      INS-1 cells stimulated by glibenclamide].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects, and study the mechanism of islet amyloid
      polypeptide (IAPP) on insulin secretion in INS-1 cells stimulated by
      glibenclamide. METHODS: Whole cell patch clamp technique was employed to study
      the influences of short exposure to IAPP on electrophysiological characteristics
      of ATP-sensitive K+ channel (K(ATP) channel) upon sulfonylurea stimulation.
      Intracellular free calcium changes in this process was observed by laser scanning
      confocal microscope. Insulin was measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay. RESULTS:
      (1) Insulin secretion stimulated by 1 micomol/L glibenclamide was significantly
      decreased from (11.43 +/- 1.22) microg/L to (9.40 +/- 0.87) microg/L and to (7.11
      +/- 1.85) microg/L after 1 micromol/L and 10 micromol/L IAPP incubation,
      respectively. (2) Glibenclamide-stimulated calcium influx was dose dependently
      inhibited by IAPP from 1 micromol/L to 10 micromol/L, with the AUC of
      fluorescence intensity-time reduced from 427.78 +/- 2.32 to 380.59 +/- 1.49, and
      to 246.53 +/- 8.41, respectively. (3) Compared with that in control cells (14.59
      +/- 0.69) mV, the half activation voltage of KA, channel in response to
      glibenclamide was significantly increased to (28.75 +/- 0.77) mV and to (46.95 +/
      1.81) mV in cells pretreated with 1 micromol/L and 10 micromol/L IAPP,
      implicating an inhibitory effect of IAPP on activation of K(ATP) channel.
      CONCLUSION: Short-term exposure to high concentration of IAPP inhibited
      glibenclamide-induced closure of K(ATP) channels and decreased calcium influx,
      which may ultimately lead to the reduction of insulin secretion in INS-1 cells

PMID- 26269445
TI  - Efficacy and safety of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery versus
      conventional phacoemulsification for cataract: a meta-analysis of randomized
      controlled trials.
AB  - The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of femtosecond
      laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) versus conventional phacoemulsification
      cataract surgery (CPCS) in the treatment of cataract. Randomized controlled
      trials (RCTs) were searched in PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Central Register
      of Controlled Trials. Nine qualified studies with a total of 989 eyes were
      included. Compared with CPCS, FLACS significantly reduced mean phaco energy and
      effective phacoemulsification time (EPT) required in the surgery. Central corneal
      thickness (CCT) was significantly lower in FLACS at 1 day of follow-up, but CCT
      and corneal endothelial cells count was comparable at 1 week of follow-up or
      longer. FLACS achieved a better visual outcome at postoperative 1 week and 6
      months, but the difference was not significant at postoperative 1-3 months.
      Regard to surgical complications, the incidences of intraoperative anterior
      capsule tear, postoperative macular edema and elevated intraocular pressure were
      similar. In conclusion, femtosecond laser pretreatment can reduce phaco energy
      and EPT, which may reduce the heat damage to ocular tissues by ultrasound. This
      novel technique might be beneficial for patients with dense cataract and/or low
      preoperative endothelial cell values. Well-designed RCTs with longer follow-up
      are still necessary to provide more reliable evidence. 

PMID- 26269446
TI  - Evaluation of gait symmetry in poliomyelitis subjects: Comparison of a
      conventional knee-ankle-foot orthosis and a new powered knee-ankle-foot orthosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Compared to able-bodied subjects, subjects with post-polio syndrome
      and poliomyelitis demonstrate a preference for weight-bearing on the non-paretic
      limb, causing gait asymmetry. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to
      evaluate the gait symmetry of the poliomyelitis subjects when ambulating with
      either a drop-locked knee-ankle-foot orthosis or a newly developed powered knee
      ankle-foot orthosis. STUDY DESIGN: Quasi experimental study. METHODS: Seven
      subjects with poliomyelitis who routinely wore conventional knee-ankle-foot
      orthoses participated in this study and received training to enable them to
      ambulate with the powered knee-ankle-foot orthosis on level ground, prior to gait
      analysis. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the gait symmetry
      index of step length (p = 0.085), stance time (p = 0.082), double-limb support
      time (p = 0.929), or speed of walking (p = 0.325) between the two test
      conditions. However, using the new powered knee-ankle-foot orthosis improved the
      symmetry index in step width (p = 0.037), swing time (p = 0.014), stance phase
      percentage (p = 0.008), and knee flexion during swing phase (p ? 0.001) compared
      to wearing the drop-locked knee-ankle-foot orthosis. CONCLUSION: The use of a
      powered knee-ankle-foot orthosis for ambulation by poliomyelitis subjects affects
      gait symmetry in the base of support, swing time, stance phase percentage, and
      knee flexion during swing phase. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A new powered knee-ankle
      foot orthosis can improve gait symmetry for poliomyelitis subjects by influencing
      step width, swing time, stance time percentage, and knee flexion during swing
      phase when compared to ambulating with a drop-locked knee-ankle-foot orthosis.

PMID- 26269447
TI  - Effect of regional muscle location but not adiposity on mitochondrial biogenesis
      regulating proteins.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine if the expression of the
      mitochondrial biogenesis-regulating proteins SIRT1, SIRT3 and PGC-1alpha in human
      skeletal muscle is influenced by adiposity. METHOD: Twenty-nine male subjects
      were recruited into three groups: control (n = 10), obese (n = 10) and post-obese
      (n = 9). Intentionally, groups were matched by age, aerobic capacity and in
      addition the control and post-obese groups also by BMI. Muscle biopsies were
      obtained from the m. deltoid and vastus lateralis. PGC-1alpha, SIRT1 and SIRT3
      protein expression was analyzed by Western blot. RESULT: PGC-1alpha, SIRT1 and
      SIRT3 protein expression was similar regardless of the level of adiposity. Only a
      main effect of group on SIRT1 protein showed a trend toward higher expression in
      post-obese than control and obese (P = 0.09). Despite similar muscle fiber-type
      composition (previously reported), PGC-1alpha, SIRT1 and SIRT3 protein expression
      was higher in leg compared to arm muscle in all groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION:
      This study shows that PGC-1alpha, SIRT1 and SIRT3 protein expression in basal
      conditions was not altered in humans with different levels of adiposity but
      similar aerobic capacity. The expression of PGC-1alpha, SIRT1 and SIRT3 was
      higher in vastus lateralis than in deltoid muscle, indicating that local rather
      than systemic factors prevail in regulating the level of expression of these
      proteins.

PMID- 26269448
TI  - Circadian variation of salivary immunoglobin A, alpha-amylase activity and mood
      in response to repeated double-poling sprints in hypoxia.
AB  - PURPOSE: To assess the circadian variations in salivary immunoglobin A (sIgA) and
      alpha-amylase activity (sAA), biomarkers of mucosal immune function, together
      with mood during 2 weeks of repeated sprint training in hypoxia (RSH) and
      normoxia (RSN). METHODS: Over a 2-week period, 17 competitive cross-country
      skiers performed six training sessions, each consisting of four sets of five 10-s
      bouts of all-out double-poling under either normobaric hypoxia (FiO2: 13.8%, 3000
      m) or normoxia. The levels of sIgA and sAA activity and mood were determined five
      times during each of the first (T1) and sixth (T6) days of training, as well as
      during days preceding (baseline) and after the training intervention (follow-up).
      RESULTS: With RSH, sIgA was higher on T6 than T1 (P = 0.049), and sAA was
      increased on days T1, T6, and during the follow-up (P < 0.01). With RSN, sIgA
      remained unchanged and sAA was elevated on day T1 only (P = 0.04). Similarly, the
      RSH group demonstrated reduced mood on days T1, T6, and during the follow-up,
      while mood was lowered only on T1 with RSN (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The circadian
      variation of sIgA and sAA activity, biomarkers of mucosal immune function, as
      well as mood were similar on the first day of training when repeated double
      poling sprints were performed with or without hypoxia. Only with RSH did the
      levels of sIgA and sAA activity rise with time, becoming maximal after six
      training sessions, when mood was still lowered. Therefore, six sessions of RSH
      reduced mood, but did not impair mucosal immune function.

PMID- 26269449
TI  - Recommendations for somatic and germline genetic testing of single
      pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma based on findings from a series of 329
      patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nowadays, 65-80% of pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL) cases
      are explained by germline or somatic mutations in one of 22 genes. Several
      genetic testing algorithms have been proposed, but they usually exclude sporadic
      PPGLs (S-PPGLs) and none include somatic testing. We aimed to genetically
      characterise S-PPGL cases and propose an evidence-based algorithm for genetic
      testing, prioritising DNA source. METHODS: The study included 329 probands
      fitting three criteria: single PPGL, no syndromic and no PPGL family history.
      Germline DNA was tested for point mutations in RET and for both point mutation
      and gross deletions in VHL, the SDH genes, TMEM127, MAX and FH. 99 tumours from
      patients negative for germline screening were available and tested for RET, VHL,
      HRAS, EPAS1, MAX and SDHB. RESULTS: Germline mutations were found in 46 (14.0%)
      patients, being more prevalent in paragangliomas (PGLs) (28.7%) than in
      pheochromocytomas (PCCs) (4.5%) (p=6.62*10(-10)). Somatic mutations were found in
      43% of those tested, being more prevalent in PCCs (48.5%) than in PGLs (32.3%)
      (p=0.13). A quarter of S-PPGLs had a somatic mutation, regardless of age at
      presentation. Head and neck PGLs (HN-PGLs) and thoracic-PGLs (T-PGLs) more
      commonly had germline mutations (p=2.0*10(-4) and p=0.027, respectively). Five of
      the 29 metastatic cases harboured a somatic mutation, one in HRAS. CONCLUSIONS:
      We recommend prioritising testing for germline mutations in patients with HN-PGLs
      and T-PGLs, and for somatic mutations in those with PCC. Biochemical secretion
      and SDHB-immunohistochemistry should guide genetic screening in abdominal-PGLs.
      Paediatric and metastatic cases should not be excluded from somatic screening.

PMID- 26269450
TI  - Advanced glycation end-products inhibit mesenchymal-epidermal interaction by up
      regulating proinflammatory cytokines in hair follicles.

PMID- 26269451
TI  - Radial artery occlusion and hand strength after percutaneous coronary procedures:
      Results of the HANGAR study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate muscle force of the
      hand, thumb, and forefinger in patients with prolonged radial occlusion after
      transradial percutaneous coronary procedures. BACKGROUND: There are no data on
      hand strength and function in patients with prolonged radial occlusion after
      percutaneous coronary procedures. METHODS: Elective patients with chronic stable
      angina undergoing percutaneous coronary procedures were evaluated the day before
      the procedure for radial artery patency, Allen test, hand grip, and thumb and
      forefinger pinch tests. The same measures were performed the day after the
      procedure and at follow-up. At follow-up, patients were divided in two groups
      according to the radial patency (group 1) or occlusion (group 2). RESULTS: Of the
      99 patients included in the study, 90 patients had a patent radial artery (group
      1), and nine (9.1%) patients had an occluded artery (group 2). At baseline, there
      were no significant differences in hand grip test between the two groups (42 +/-
      11 kg in group 1 and 41 +/- 17 kg in group 2, P = 0.74). In both groups, after
      the procedure, the hand grip test values was significantly reduced compared with
      baseline values (40 +/- 11 kg in group 1, P < 0.0001 and 37 +/- 17 kg in group 2,
      P = 0.007). Finally, at follow-up, in both groups, the hand grip test values
      returned to baseline values. Thumb and forefinger pinch tests did not show
      significant differences after the procedure and at follow-up, compared with
      baseline. CONCLUSIONS: Radial artery occlusion after percutaneous coronary
      procedures was not associated with a reduction in hand and finger strength.

PMID- 26269453
TI  - Chemically Patterned Inverse Opal Created by a Selective Photolysis Modification
      Process.
AB  - Anisotropic photonic crystal materials have long been pursued for their broad
      applications. A novel method for creating chemically patterned inverse opals is
      proposed here. The patterning technique is based on selective photolysis of a
      photolabile polymer together with postmodification on released amine groups. The
      patterning method allows regioselective modification within an inverse opal
      structure, taking advantage of selective chemical reaction. Moreover, combined
      with the unique signal self-reporting feature of the photonic crystal, the
      fabricated structure is capable of various applications, including gradient
      photonic bandgap and dynamic chemical patterns. The proposed method provides the
      ability to extend the structural and chemical complexity of the photonic crystal,
      as well as its potential applications. 

PMID- 26269452
TI  - Intestinal macrophages arising from CCR2(+) monocytes control pathogen infection
      by activating innate lymphoid cells.
AB  - Monocytes play a crucial role in antimicrobial host defence, but the mechanisms
      by which they protect the host during intestinal infection remains poorly
      understood. Here we show that depletion of CCR2(+) monocytes results in impaired
      clearance of the intestinal pathogen Citrobacter rodentium. After infection, the
      de novo recruited CCR2(+) monocytes give rise to CD11c(+)CD11b(+)F4/80(+)CD103(-)
      intestinal macrophages (MPs) within the lamina propria. Unlike resident
      intestinal MPs, de novo differentiated MPs are phenotypically pro-inflammatory
      and produce robust amounts of IL-1beta (interleukin-1beta) through the non
      canonical caspase-11 inflammasome. Intestinal MPs from infected mice elicit the
      activation of RORgammat(+) group 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3) in an IL-1beta
      dependent manner. Deletion of IL-1beta in blood monocytes blunts the production
      of IL-22 by ILC3 and increases the susceptibility to infection. Collectively,
      these studies highlight a critical role of de novo differentiated monocyte
      derived intestinal MPs in ILC3-mediated host defence against intestinal
      infection. 

PMID- 26269454
TI  - Field comparison of tolerance of a collar containing 10.0% imidacloprid/4.5%
      flumethrin (Seresto) and a placebo collar placed on cats.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: A collar containing 10.0% imidacloprid/4.5% flumethrin (Seresto;
      Bayer Animal Health) controls flea and tick infestations for 8 months and is
      effective in preventing transmission of Bartonella henselae and Cytauxzoon felis
      among cats. The purpose of this study was to compare tolerance of client-owned
      cats for the 10.0% imidacloprid/4.5% flumethrin collar or a physically identical
      placebo collar. METHODS: A total of 96 client-owned cats were enrolled in the
      study. Cats that were systemically ill, of hairless breed or declawed in all four
      limbs were excluded. Cats were randomized by household to wear a placebo collar
      for 14 days followed by the 10.0% imidacloprid/4.5% flumethrin collar for 14 days
      or the 10.0% imidacloprid/4.5% flumethrin collar for 28 days. Examinations by a
      veterinarian were performed on days 0, 14 and 28. Owners recorded daily systemic
      and local health observations. RESULTS: All but two cats, including one that
      entrapped the mandible in the collar and one that developed local pyodermatitis
      (10.0% imidacloprid/4.5% flumethrin collar), completed the 28 day study. The
      majority of the local lesions or licking associated with the collars occurred in
      the first 14 days, and licking (but not skin lesions) was more common in cats
      wearing the 10.0% imidacloprid/4.5% flumethrin collars. No local lesions were
      reported for placebo cats after switching to the 10.0% imidacloprid/4.5%
      flumethrin collar, and only one cat wearing the 10.0% imidacloprid/4.5%
      flumethrin collar had reports of licking after day 14. Housing status, single or
      multiple cat household, and whether a collar had been worn previously were not
      associated with side effects. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Adverse events detected
      for cats wearing 10.0% imidacloprid/4.5% flumethrin collars were similar to those
      for cats wearing placebo collars and to cats wearing identification collars in a
      separate study. The data suggest that most cats originally intolerant of collars
      become receptive over time.

PMID- 26269455
TI  - Evaluation of intranasal vaccine administration and high-dose interferon- alpha2b
      therapy for treatment of chronic upper respiratory tract infections in shelter
      cats.
AB  - Clinical signs of upper respiratory tract infection can be hard to manage in
      cats, particularly those in shelters. In this study, clinical data were collected
      from chronically ill (3-4 weeks' duration) cats with suspected feline herpesvirus
      1 (FHV-1) or feline calicivirus (FCV) infections after administration of one of
      two novel therapies. Group A cats were administered a commercially available
      formulation of human interferon-alpha2b at 10,000 U/kg subcutaneously for 14
      days, and group B cats were administered one dose of a FHV-1 and FCV intranasal
      vaccine. Molecular assays for FHV-1 and FCV were performed on pharyngeal samples,
      and a number of cytokines were measured in the blood of some cats. A clinical
      score was determined daily for 14 days, with cats that developed an acceptable
      response by day 14 returning to the shelter for adoption. Those failing the first
      treatment protocol were entered into the alternate treatment group. During the
      first treatment period, 8/13 cats in group A (61.5%) and all 12 cats in group B
      (100%) had apparent responses. The seven cats positive for nucleic acids of FHV-1
      or FCV responded favorably, independent of the treatment group. There were no
      differences in cytokine levels between cats that responded to therapy or failed
      therapy. Either protocol assessed here may be beneficial in alleviating chronic
      clinical signs of suspected feline viral upper respiratory tract disease in some
      cats that have failed other, more conventional, therapies. The results of this
      study warrant additional research involving these protocols.

PMID- 26269456
TI  - The IMiDs targets IKZF-1/3 and IRF4 as novel negative regulators of NK cell
      activating ligands expression in multiple myeloma.
AB  - Immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) have potent anti-tumor activities in multiple
      myeloma (MM) and are able to enhance the cytotoxic function of natural killer
      (NK) cells, important effectors of the immune response against MM. Here, we show
      that these drugs can enhance the expression of the NKG2D and DNAM-1 activating
      receptor ligands MICA and PVR/CD155 in human MM cell lines and primary malignant
      plasma cells. Depletion of cereblon (CRBN) by shRNA interference strongly
      impaired upregulation of these ligands and, more interestingly, IMiDs/CRBN
      mediated downregulation of the transcription factors Ikaros (IKZF1), Aiolos
      (IKZF3) and IRF4 was critical for these regulatory mechanisms. Indeed, shRNA
      knockdown of IKZF1 or IKZF3 expression was both necessary and sufficient for the
      upregulation of MICA and PVR/CD155 expression, suggesting that these
      transcription factors can repress these genes; accordingly, the direct
      interaction and the negative role of IKZF1 and IKZF3 proteins on MICA and
      PVR/CD155 promoters were demonstrated. Finally, MICA expression was enhanced in
      IRF4-silenced cells, indicating a specific suppressive role of this transcription
      factor on MICA gene expression in MM cells.Taken together, these findings
      describe novel molecular pathways involved in the regulation of MICA and
      PVR/CD155 gene expression and identify the transcription factors IKZF-1/IKZF-3
      and IRF4 as repressors of these genes in MM cells. 

PMID- 26269457
TI  - O-GlcNAcase overexpression reverses coronary endothelial cell dysfunction in type
      1 diabetic mice.
AB  - Cardiovascular disease is the primary cause of morbidity and mortality in
      diabetes, and endothelial dysfunction is commonly seen in these patients.
      Increased O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) protein modification is one of
      the central pathogenic features of diabetes. Modification of proteins by O-GlcNAc
      (O-GlcNAcylation) is regulated by two key enzymes: beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase
      [O-GlcNAcase (OGA)], which catalyzes the reduction of protein O-GlcNAcylation,
      and O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT), which induces O-GlcNAcylation. However, it is not
      known whether reducing O-GlcNAcylation can improve endothelial dysfunction in
      diabetes. To examine the effect of endothelium-specific OGA overexpression on
      protein O-GlcNAcylation and coronary endothelial function in diabetic mice, we
      generated tetracycline-inducible, endothelium-specific OGA transgenic mice, and
      induced OGA by doxycycline administration in streptozotocin-induced type 1
      diabetic mice. OGA protein expression was significantly decreased in mouse
      coronary endothelial cells (MCECs) isolated from diabetic mice compared with
      control MCECs, whereas OGT protein level was markedly increased. The level of
      protein O-GlcNAcylation was increased in diabetic compared with control mice, and
      OGA overexpression significantly decreased the level of protein O-GlcNAcylation
      in MCECs from diabetic mice. Capillary density in the left ventricle and
      endothelium-dependent relaxation in coronary arteries were significantly
      decreased in diabetes, while OGA overexpression increased capillary density to
      the control level and restored endothelium-dependent relaxation without changing
      endothelium-independent relaxation. We found that connexin 40 could be the
      potential target of O-GlcNAcylation that regulates the endothelial functions in
      diabetes. These data suggest that OGA overexpression in endothelial cells
      improves endothelial function and may have a beneficial effect on coronary
      vascular complications in diabetes.

PMID- 26269458
TI  - Autonomous requirements of the Menkes disease protein in the nervous system.
AB  - Menkes disease is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder arising from a systemic
      copper deficiency caused by loss-of-function mutations in a ubiquitously
      expressed copper transporter, ATP7A. Although this disorder reveals an essential
      role for copper in the developing human nervous system, the role of ATP7A in the
      pathogenesis of signs and symptoms in affected patients, including severe mental
      retardation, ataxia, and excitotoxic seizures, remains unknown. To directly
      examine the role of ATP7A within the central nervous system, we generated
      Atp7a(Nes) mice, in which the Atp7a gene was specifically deleted within neural
      and glial cell precursors without impairing systemic copper homeostasis, and
      compared these mice with the mottled brindle (mo-br) mutant, a murine model of
      Menkes disease in which Atp7a is defective in all cells. Whereas mo-br mice
      displayed neurodegeneration, demyelination, and 100% mortality prior to weaning,
      the Atp7a(Nes) mice showed none of these phenotypes, exhibiting only mild
      sensorimotor deficits, increased anxiety, and susceptibility to NMDA-induced
      seizure. Our results indicate that the pathophysiology of severe neurological
      signs and symptoms in Menkes disease is the result of copper deficiency within
      the central nervous system secondary to impaired systemic copper homeostasis and
      does not arise from an intrinsic lack of ATP7A within the developing brain.
      Furthermore, the sensorimotor deficits, hypophagia, anxiety, and sensitivity to
      NMDA-induced seizure in the Atp7a(Nes) mice reveal unique autonomous requirements
      for ATP7A in the nervous system. Taken together, these data reveal essential
      roles for copper acquisition in the central nervous system in early development
      and suggest novel therapeutic approaches in affected patients. 

PMID- 26269460
TI  - Using Active Learning to Teach Concepts and Methods in Quantitative Biology.
AB  - This article provides a summary of the ideas discussed at the 2015 Annual Meeting
      of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology society-wide symposium on
      Leading Students and Faculty to Quantitative Biology through Active Learning. It
      also includes a brief review of the recent advancements in incorporating active
      learning approaches into quantitative biology classrooms. We begin with an
      overview of recent literature that shows that active learning can improve
      students' outcomes in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Education
      disciplines. We then discuss how this approach can be particularly useful when
      teaching topics in quantitative biology. Next, we describe some of the recent
      initiatives to develop hands-on activities in quantitative biology at both the
      graduate and the undergraduate levels. Throughout the article we provide
      resources for educators who wish to integrate active learning and technology into
      their classrooms. 

PMID- 26269459
TI  - Directional migration and transcriptional analysis of oligodendrocyte precursors
      subjected to stimulation of electrical signal.
AB  - Loss of oligodendrocytes as the result of central nervous system disease causes
      demyelination that impairs axon function. Effective directional migration of
      endogenous or grafted oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) to a lesion is
      crucial in the neural remyelination process. In this study, the migration of OPCs
      in electric fields (EFs) was investigated. We found that OPCs migrated anodally
      in applied EFs, and the directedness and displacement of anodal migration
      increased significantly when the EF strength increased from 50 to 200 mV/mm.
      However, EFs did not significantly affect the cell migration speed. The
      transcriptome of OPCs subjected to EF stimulation (100 and 200 mV/mm) was
      analyzed using RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq), and results were verified by the reverse
      transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. A Kyoto Encyclopedia of
      Genes and Genomes pathway analysis revealed that the mitogen-activated protein
      kinase pathway that signals cell migration was significantly upregulated in cells
      treated with an EF of 200 mV/mm compared with control cells. Gene ontology
      enrichment analysis showed the downregulation of differentially expressed genes
      in chemotaxis. This study suggests that an applied EF is an effective cue to
      guiding OPC migration in neural regeneration and that transcriptional analysis
      contributes to the understanding of the mechanism of EF-guided cell migration. 

PMID- 26269461
TI  - Introduction to the Symposium "Leading Students and Faculty to Quantitative
      Biology through Active Learning".
AB  - The broad aim of this symposium and set of associated papers is to motivate the
      use of inquiry-based, active-learning teaching techniques in undergraduate
      quantitative biology courses. Practical information, resources, and ready-to-use
      classroom exercises relevant to physicists, mathematicians, biologists, and
      engineers are presented. These resources can be used to address the lack of
      preparation of college students in STEM fields entering the workforce by
      providing experience working on interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary problems
      in mathematical biology in a group setting. Such approaches can also indirectly
      help attract and retain under-represented students who benefit the most from "non
      traditional" learning styles and strategies, including inquiry-based,
      collaborative, and active learning. 

PMID- 26269462
TI  - Geophysiology of Wood Frogs: Landscape Patterns of Prevalence of Disease and
      Circulating Hormone Concentrations across the Eastern Range.
AB  - One of the major challenges for conservation physiologists is to determine how
      current or future environmental conditions relate to the health of animals at the
      population level. In this study, we measured prevalence of disease, mean
      condition of the body, and mean resting levels of corticosterone and testosterone
      in a total of 28 populations across the years 2011 and 2012, and correlated these
      measures of health to climatic suitability of habitat, using estimates from a
      model of the ecological niche of the wood frog's geographic range. Using the core
      periphery hypothesis as a theoretical framework, we predicted a higher prevalence
      and intensity of infection of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) and
      ranaviruses, two major amphibian pathogens causing disease, and higher resting
      levels of circulating corticosterone, an indicator of allostatic load incurred
      from living in marginal habitats. We found that Bd infections were rare (2% of
      individuals tested), while infections with ranavirus were much more common:
      ranavirus-infected individuals were found in 92% of ponds tested over the 2
      years. Contrary to our predictions, rates of infection with ranaviruses were
      positively correlated with quality of the habitat with the highest prevalence at
      the core of the range, and plasma corticosterone concentrations measured when
      frogs were at rest were not correlated with quality of the habitat, the
      prevalence of ranavirus, or the intensity of infection. Prevalence and mean viral
      titers of ranavirus infection were higher in 2012 than in 2011, which coincided
      with lower levels of circulating corticosterone and testosterone and an extremely
      early time of breeding due to relatively higher temperatures during the winter.
      In addition, the odds of having a ranavirus infection increased with decreased
      body condition, and if animals had an infection, viral titers were positively
      correlated to levels of circulating testosterone concentration. By resolving
      these patterns, experiments can be designed to test hypotheses about the
      mechanisms that produce them, such as whether transmission of the ranavirus and
      tolerance of the host are greater or whether virulence is lower in populations
      within core habitats. While there is debate about which metrics serve as the best
      bioindicators of population health, the findings of this study demonstrate the
      importance of long-term monitoring of multiple physiological parameters to better
      understand the dynamic relationship between the environment and the health of
      wildlife populations over space and time. 

PMID- 26269463
TI  - Publishers' charges for scoring systems may change clinical practice.

PMID- 26269464
TI  - Phase-dependent justification: the role of personal responsibility in fair
      healthcare.
AB  - The main aim of this paper is to examine the fairness of different ways of
      holding people responsible for healthcare-related choices. Our focus is on
      conceptualisations of responsibility that involve blame and sanctions, and our
      analytical approach is to provide a systematic discussion based on interrelated
      and successive health-related, lifestyle choices of an individual. We assess the
      already established risk-sharing, backward-looking and forward-looking views on
      responsibility according to a variety of standard objections. In conclusion, all
      of the proposed views on holding people responsible for their lifestyle choices
      are subjected to reasonable critiques, although the risk-sharing view fare
      considerably better than the others overall considered. With our analytical
      approach, we are able to identify how basic conditions for responsibility
      ascription alter along a time axis. Repeated relapses with respect to healthcare
      associated with persistent, unhealthy lifestyle choices, call for distinct
      attention. In such situations, contextualised reasoning and transparent policy
      making, rather than opaque clinical judgements, are required as steps towards
      fair allocation of healthcare resources. 

PMID- 26269465
TI  - Adverse Health Effects of Benzene Exposure Among Children Following a Flaring
      Incident at the British Petroleum Refinery in Texas City.
AB  - This study examined the health effects of benzene exposure among children from a
      flaring incident at the British Petroleum (BP) refinery in Texas City, Texas. A
      total of 899 children (benzene exposed, n = 641 and unexposed, n = 258), aged <17
      years, were included. Hematological analysis showed that white blood cell
      (*10(3)/uL) counts were significantly decreased in the exposed children compared
      with the unexposed children (7.1 +/- 2.2 versus 7.6 +/- 2.1, P = .001).
      Similarly, the hemoglobin (g/dL) levels were decreased significantly in the
      exposed group compared with the unexposed group (12.7 +/- 1.3 vs 13.1 +/- 1.5, P
      = .001). Conversely, platelet (*10(3)/uL) counts were increased significantly in
      the exposed group compared with the unexposed group (318.6 +/- 79.8 versus 266.9
      +/- 58.8, P = .001). Hepatic enzymes were also significantly elevated among
      exposed children compared with the unexposed children. These findings suggest
      that children exposed to benzene are at a higher risk of developing both hepatic
      and bone marrow-related disorders.

PMID- 26269466
TI  - Combined Photothermal and Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Effect from Spiky
      Noble Metal Nanoparticles Wrapped within Graphene-Polymer Layers: Using Layer-by
      layer Modified Reduced Graphene Oxide as Reactive Precursors.
AB  - To fabricate functionally integrated hybrid nanoparticles holds high importance
      in biomedical applications and is still a challenging task. In this study, we
      report the first reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-nobel metal hybrid particles that
      present simultaneously the photothermal and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy
      (SERS) effect from the inorganic part and drug loading, dispersibility, and
      controllability features from LbL polyelectrolyte multilayers. The hybrid
      particles where spiky noble metal particles were wrapped within rGO
      polyelectrolyte layers were prepared by a facile and controllable method. rGO
      template modified using polyethylenimine (PEI) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) via
      layer-by-layer technology served as the reactive precursors, and the morphologies
      of the particles could be facilely controlled via controlling the number of
      bilayers around the rGO template. The hybrid particle presented low cytotoxicity.
      After loading doxorubicin hydrochloride, the particles effectively induced cell
      death, and photothermal treatment further decreased cell viability. rGO-Ag hybrid
      particles could be prepared similarly. We expect the reported method provides an
      effective strategy to prepare rGO-noble metal hybrid nanoparticles that find
      potential biomedical applications. 

PMID- 26269467
TI  - Microcirculatory dysfunction and resuscitation: why, when, and how.
AB  - Cardiovascular resuscitation is a cornerstone of critical care practice.
      Experimental advances have increased our understanding of the role of the
      microcirculation in shock states and the development of multi-organ failure.
      Strategies that target the microcirculation in such conditions, while
      theoretically appealing, have not yet been shown to impact upon clinical
      outcomes. This review outlines the current understanding of microcirculatory
      dysfunction in septic, cardiogenic, and hypovolaemic shock and outlines available
      treatments and strategies with reference to their effects upon the
      microcirculation. 

PMID- 26269468
TI  - Non-invasive haemodynamic monitoring. A choice between trending and accuracy.

PMID- 26269469
TI  - Pitfalls of comparing incidences of awareness from NAP5 and from Brice studies.

PMID- 26269470
TI  - Practical details, confirmed safety and new targets.

PMID- 26269471
TI  - Reply from the authors. Anaesthetic management during open and percutaneous
      irreversible electroporation.

PMID- 26269472
TI  - Improved safety and efficacy of ultrasound-guided interscalene nerve block vs a
      nerve-stimulator guided technique.

PMID- 26269473
TI  - Reply from the authors. Safety benefit of ultrasound guidance.

PMID- 26269474
TI  - NAP5: aware of the limitations.

PMID- 26269475
TI  - Postoperative atrial fibrillation and diastolic dysfunction; the contribution of
      autonomic nervous system function.

PMID- 26269476
TI  - Does surgical technique add to the risk of bone cement implantation syndrome?

PMID- 26269477
TI  - Bone cement implantation syndrome affecting operating room personnel.

PMID- 26269478
TI  - Bone cement implantation syndrome--responses to queries.

PMID- 26269479
TI  - SDD and contextual effect.

PMID- 26269480
TI  - Reply from the authors. Reply: SDD and contextual effect.

PMID- 26269487
TI  - Insulation lifetime improvement of polyimide thin film neural implants.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This work deals with studying and improving the insulation lifetime of
      polyimide-insulated thin film neural implants, or related polyimide-based medical
      implants. APPROACH: The evolution of the leak impedance of insulated conductors
      was investigated in saline water at 40  degrees C. The fabrication process as
      commonly found in literature for polyimide/platinum/polyimide microelectrode
      arrays was compared with three possible improvements: one based on lowering the
      curing temperature of the lower layer, one based on chemical activation and one
      based on an additional plasma activation step. MAIN RESULTS: The lower curing
      temperature process was found to yield a 7.5-fold improved lifetime compared with
      the state of the art process. Also, the leak impedances found after soak testing
      are an order of magnitude higher compared to the standard process. SIGNIFICANCE:
      By improving the lifetime and insulation impedance of polyimide insulation with
      one order of magnitude, this work increases the applicability of polyimide in
      chronic thin film neural implants considerably.

PMID- 26269488
TI  - Relationship between living alone and food and nutrient intake.
AB  - The increase in the number of individuals living alone has implications for
      nutrition and health outcomes. The aim of this review was to investigate whether
      there is a difference in food and nutrient intake between adults living alone and
      those living with others. Eight electronic databases were searched, using terms
      related to living alone, nutrition, food, and socioeconomic factors. Forty-one
      papers met the inclusion criteria, and data of interest were extracted. Results
      varied but suggested that, compared with persons who do not live alone, persons
      who live alone have a lower diversity of food intake, a lower consumption of some
      core foods groups (fruits, vegetables, and fish), and a higher likelihood of
      having an unhealthy dietary pattern. Associations between living alone and
      nutrient intake were unclear. Men living alone were more often observed to be at
      greater risk of undesirable intakes than women. The findings of this review
      suggest that living alone could negatively affect some aspects of food intake and
      contribute to the relationship between living alone and poor health outcomes,
      although associations could vary among socioeconomic groups. Further research is
      required to help to elucidate these findings. 

PMID- 26269489
TI  - Health claims on food products in Southeast Asia: regulatory frameworks,
      barriers, and opportunities.
AB  - The Association of Southeast Asian Nations aims to act as a single market and
      allow free movement of goods, services, and manpower. The purpose of this article
      is to present an overview of the current regulatory framework for health claims
      in Southeast Asia and to highlight the current barriers and opportunities in the
      regulatory frameworks in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. To date, 5
      countries in Southeast Asia, i.e., Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines,
      Singapore, and Thailand, have regulations and guidelines to permit the use of
      health claims on food products. There are inconsistencies in the regulations and
      the types of evidence required for health claim applications in these countries.
      A clear understanding of the regulatory frameworks in these countries may help to
      increase trade in this fast-growing region and to provide direction for the food
      industry and the regulatory community to develop and market food products with
      better nutritional quality tailored to the needs of Southeast Asian consumers. 

PMID- 26269494
TI  - Bone strength in children: understanding basic bone biomechanics.
AB  - The term 'bone strength' is often used to explain why some children's bones
      fracture while others do not. Bone strength describes the general integrity of
      bone; a complex organ with multiple structural levels and an array of
      biomechanical properties. Key biomechanical properties of bone include stiffness,
      toughness, ductility and mechanical strength. When measured in bone tissue, these
      properties are known as the intrinsic biomechanical properties of bone, while the
      extrinsic biomechanical properties reflect the structural behaviour of a whole
      bone. The fine balance between various and often opposing intrinsic and extrinsic
      biomechanical properties of bone is crucial for fracture resistance. When
      clinically evaluating a child with a fracture, an understanding of basic bone
      biomechanics helps determine the likely mechanism of injury and whether
      underlying reduced fracture resistance exists. 

PMID- 26269495
TI  - Significance of the Glasgow Prognostic Score as a prognostic indicator for lung
      cancer surgery.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS), which is calculated with C
      reactive protein (CRP) and albumin (Alb) values, is a prognostic indicator for
      various types of cancers. However, its role in lung cancer still remains unclear,
      and its optimal cut-off values are controversial. Here, we evaluated the
      significance of the GPS and adjusted GPS (a-GPS) using our institution's cut-off
      values in patients undergoing resection for primary lung cancer. METHODS: We
      analysed 1043 lung cancer patients who underwent resection between 1998 and 2012.
      The overall survival (OS) probabilities of the GPS subgroups were estimated using
      the Kaplan-Meier method and were compared using the log-rank test. The prognostic
      significance of the GPS and the a-GPS was assessed by the Cox proportional
      hazards model with clinicopathological variables and inflammation markers, such
      as the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio
      (PLR). The GPS was calculated based on cut-off values of 1.0 mg/dl for CRP and
      3.5 g/dl for Alb, as previously reported. The a-GPS was calculated based on cut
      off values 0.3 mg/dl for CRP and 3.9 g/dl for Alb, which are the standard
      thresholds used by our institution. RESULTS: The GPS and the a-GPS were
      correlated with preoperative factors, such as age, sex, smoking status, the NLR
      and the PLR, and oncological factors, including the pathological stage,
      histological type and level of lymphovascular invasion. The 5-year OS rates were
      82, 55 and 55% with GPS 0, 1 and 2 (1 vs 0: P < 0.01; 2 vs 1: P = 0.66),
      respectively, and 88, 67 and 59% with a-GPS 0, 1 and 2 (1 vs 0: P < 0.01; 2 vs 1:
      P = 0.04), respectively. Multivariable analysis revealed that the GPS [1 vs 0,
      hazard ratio (HR): 1.63, 2 vs 0, HR: 1.44] and the a-GPS (1 vs 0, HR: 2.00, 2 vs
      0, HR: 2.10) were independent prognostic factors. The a-GPS classification showed
      a clearer prognostic distribution than the GPS classification. CONCLUSIONS: The
      GPS is a useful prognostic indicator of the OS in lung cancer surgery. The
      optimal cut-off values for GPS estimation may need to be re-evaluated.

PMID- 26269493
TI  - The Association Between Benzodiazepine Use and Depression Outcomes in Older
      Veterans.
AB  - Benzodiazepines (BZDs) are commonly prescribed to older adults with depression,
      but it is unknown whether they improve antidepressant (AD) adherence or
      depressive symptoms. We followed 297 older veterans diagnosed with depression and
      provided a new AD medication prospectively for 4 months. Data include validated
      self-report measures and VA pharmacy records. At initial assessment, 20.5% of
      participants were prescribed a BZD. Those with a BZD prescription at baseline
      were significantly more likely than those without to have a personality disorder,
      schizophrenia spectrum disorder, or other anxiety disorder, and higher depressive
      symptom and anxiety symptom scale scores on average. In adjusted regressions, BZD
      use was not significantly associated with AD adherence, any improvement in
      depressive symptoms, or a 50% reduction in depressive symptoms. Our results
      suggest BZD use concurrent with AD treatment does not significantly improve
      depressive outcomes in older veterans. 

PMID- 26269496
TI  - A wireless transmission neural interface system for unconstrained non-human
      primates.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Studying the brain in large animal models in a restrained laboratory
      rig severely limits our capacity to examine brain circuits in experimental and
      clinical applications. APPROACH: To overcome these limitations, we developed a
      high-fidelity 96-channel wireless system to record extracellular spikes and local
      field potentials from the neocortex. A removable, external case of the wireless
      device is attached to a titanium pedestal placed in the animal skull. Broadband
      neural signals are amplified, multiplexed, and continuously transmitted as TCP/IP
      data at a sustained rate of 24 Mbps. A Xilinx Spartan 6 FPGA assembles the
      digital signals into serial data frames for transmission at 20 kHz though an
      802.11n wireless data link on a frequency-shift key-modulated signal at 5.7-5.8
      GHz to a receiver up to 10 m away. The system is powered by two CR123A, 3 V
      batteries for 2 h of operation. MAIN RESULTS: We implanted a multi-electrode
      array in visual area V4 of one anesthetized monkey (Macaca fascicularis) and in
      the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) of a freely moving monkey (Macaca
      mulatta). The implanted recording arrays were electrically stable and delivered
      broadband neural data over a year of testing. For the first time, we compared
      dlPFC neuronal responses to the same set of stimuli (food reward) in restrained
      and freely moving conditions. Although we did not find differences in neuronal
      responses as a function of reward type in the restrained and unrestrained
      conditions, there were significant differences in correlated activity. This
      demonstrates that measuring neural responses in freely moving animals can capture
      phenomena that are absent in the traditional head-fixed paradigm. SIGNIFICANCE:
      We implemented a wireless neural interface for multi-electrode recordings in
      freely moving non-human primates, which can potentially move systems neuroscience
      to a new direction by allowing one to record neural signals while animals
      interact with their environment.

PMID- 26269498
TI  - Childhood cancer--the role of birthweight and antenatal radiography.

PMID- 26269497
TI  - Interaction of long noncoding RNAs and microRNAs in the pathogenesis of
      idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
AB  - Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are transcribed RNAs with more than 200 nucleotides
      in length. A growing body of evidence supports the notion that lncRNAs act as
      competitive endogenous RNAs for microRNAs and play roles in physiological and
      pathological processes. Several studies have demonstrated the roles of microRNAs
      in the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). However, it is
      unknown whether lncRNAs are involved in IPF. To investigate the roles of lncRNAs
      in IPF, we determined the interaction of lncRNAs and microRNAs by motif search
      and manual comparison. The sequences of the dysregulated microRNAs in IPF
      including miR-21, miR-31, miR-101, miR-29, miR-199, and let-7d were used to
      search NONCODE database containing 33,829 human lncRNAs. A total of 34 lncRNAs
      with potential binding sites to these microRNAs were identified. We then examined
      the expression levels of the identified lncRNAs in the lungs of IPF patients by
      real-time PCR. Of 34 lncRNAs, nine lncRNAs were dysregulated in the IPF lungs.
      Four of them were inversely correlated to the microRNA expression in IPF. Further
      studies revealed that silencing the lncRNA CD99 molecule pseudogene 1 (CD99P1)
      inhibited proliferation and alpha-smooth muscle actin expression of lung
      fibroblasts, while knockdown of the lncRNA n341773 increased collagen expression
      in lung fibroblasts. These results suggest that CD99P1 and n341773 may be
      involved in the regulation of lung fibroblast proliferation and differentiation.
      The identification of regulatory functions of lncRNAs in lung fibroblasts may
      provide new research directions for the therapy of IPF. 

PMID- 26269499
TI  - Correction to 'The relative efficiency of modular and non-modular networks of
      different size'.

PMID- 26269501
TI  - Does kin selection moderate sexual conflict in Drosophila?
AB  - Two recent studies provide provocative experimental findings about the potential
      influence of kin recognition and cooperation on the level of sexual conflict in
      Drosophila melanogaster. In both studies, male fruit flies apparently curbed
      their mate-harming behaviours in the presence of a few familiar or related males,
      suggesting some form of cooperation mediated by kin selection. In one study, the
      reduction in agonistic behaviour by brothers apparently rendered them vulnerable
      to dramatic loss of paternity share when competing with an unrelated male. If
      these results are robust and generalizable, fruit flies could be a major new
      focus for the experimental study of kin selection and social evolution. In our
      opinion, however, the restrictive conditions required for male cooperation to be
      adaptive in this species make it unlikely to evolve. We investigated these
      phenomena in two different populations of D. melanogaster using protocols very
      similar to those in the two previous studies. Our experiments show no evidence
      for a reduction in mate harm based upon either relatedness or familiarity between
      males, and no reduction in male reproductive success when two brothers are in the
      presence of an unfamiliar, unrelated, 'foreign' male. Thus, the reduction of
      sexual conflict owing to male cooperation does not appear to be a general feature
      of the species, at least under domestication, and these contrasting results call
      for further investigation: in new populations, in the field and in the laboratory
      populations in which these phenomena have been reported. 

PMID- 26269500
TI  - Breaking cover: neural responses to slow and fast camouflage-breaking motion.
AB  - Primates need to detect and recognize camouflaged animals in natural
      environments. Camouflage-breaking movements are often the only visual cue
      available to accomplish this. Specifically, sudden movements are often detected
      before full recognition of the camouflaged animal is made, suggesting that
      initial processing of motion precedes the recognition of motion-defined contours
      or shapes. What are the neuronal mechanisms underlying this initial processing of
      camouflaged motion in the primate visual brain? We investigated this question
      using intrinsic-signal optical imaging of macaque V1, V2 and V4, along with
      computer simulations of the neural population responses. We found that
      camouflaged motion at low speed was processed as a direction signal by both
      direction- and orientation-selective neurons, whereas at high-speed camouflaged
      motion was encoded as a motion-streak signal primarily by orientation-selective
      neurons. No population responses were found to be invariant to the camouflage
      contours. These results suggest that the initial processing of camouflaged motion
      at low and high speeds is encoded as direction and motion-streak signals in
      primate early visual cortices. These processes are consistent with a spatio
      temporal filter mechanism that provides for fast processing of motion signals,
      prior to full recognition of camouflage-breaking animals. 

PMID- 26269502
TI  - Making pore choices: repeated regime shifts in stomatal ratio.
AB  - Ecologically important traits do not evolve without limits. Instead, evolution is
      constrained by the set of available and viable phenotypes. In particular, natural
      selection may only favour a narrow range of adaptive optima constrained within
      selective regimes. Here, I integrate data with theory to test whether selection
      explains phenotypic constraint. A global database of 599 plant species from 94
      families shows that stomatal ratio, a trait affecting photosynthesis and defence
      against pathogens, is highly constrained. Most plants have their stomata on the
      lower leaf surface (hypostomy), but species with half their stomata on each
      surface (amphistomy) form a distinct mode in the trait distribution. A model
      based on a trade-off between maximizing photosynthesis and a fitness cost of
      upper stomata predicts a limited number of adaptive solutions, leading to a
      multimodal trait distribution. Phylogenetic comparisons show that amphistomy is
      the most common among fast-growing species, supporting the view that CO2
      diffusion is under strong selection. These results indicate that selective optima
      stay within a relatively stable set of selective regimes over macroevolutionary
      time. 

PMID- 26269503
TI  - Effects of Interference Between Selected Loci on the Mutation Load, Inbreeding
      Depression, and Heterosis.
AB  - A classical prediction from single-locus models is that inbreeding increases the
      efficiency of selection against partially recessive deleterious alleles
      (purging), thereby decreasing the mutation load and level of inbreeding
      depression. However, previous multilocus simulation studies found that increasing
      the rate of self-fertilization of individuals may not lead to purging and argued
      that selective interference among loci causes this effect. In this article, I
      derive simple analytical approximations for the mutation load and inbreeding
      depression, taking into account the effects of interference between pairs of
      loci. I consider two classical scenarios of nonrandomly mating populations: a
      single population undergoing partial selfing and a subdivided population with
      limited dispersal. In the first case, correlations in homozygosity between loci
      tend to reduce mean fitness and increase inbreeding depression. These effects are
      stronger when deleterious alleles are more recessive, but only weakly depend on
      the strength of selection against deleterious alleles and on recombination rates.
      In subdivided populations, interference increases inbreeding depression within
      demes, but decreases heterosis between demes. Comparisons with multilocus,
      individual-based simulations show that these analytical approximations are
      accurate as long as the effects of interference stay moderate, but fail for high
      deleterious mutation rates and low dominance coefficients of deleterious alleles.

PMID- 26269504
TI  - Genetic Control of Environmental Variation of Two Quantitative Traits of
      Drosophila melanogaster Revealed by Whole-Genome Sequencing.
AB  - Genetic studies usually focus on quantifying and understanding the existence of
      genetic control on expected phenotypic outcomes. However, there is compelling
      evidence suggesting the existence of genetic control at the level of
      environmental variability, with some genotypes exhibiting more stable and others
      more volatile performance. Understanding the mechanisms responsible for
      environmental variability not only informs medical questions but is relevant in
      evolution and in agricultural science. In this work fully sequenced inbred lines
      of Drosophila melanogaster were analyzed to study the nature of genetic control
      of environmental variance for two quantitative traits: starvation resistance (SR)
      and startle response (SL). The evidence for genetic control of environmental
      variance is compelling for both traits. Sequence information is incorporated in
      random regression models to study the underlying genetic signals, which are shown
      to be different in the two traits. Genomic variance in sexual dimorphism was
      found for SR but not for SL. Indeed, the proportion of variance captured by
      sequence information and the contribution to this variance from four chromosome
      segments differ between sexes in SR but not in SL. The number of studies of
      environmental variation, particularly in humans, is limited. The availability of
      full sequence information and modern computationally intensive statistical
      methods provides opportunities for rigorous analyses of environmental
      variability. 

PMID- 26269505
TI  - Pregnancy Hyperglycemia in Prolactin Receptor Mutant, but Not Prolactin Mutant,
      Mice and Feeding-Responsive Regulation of Placental Lactogen Genes Implies
      Placental Control of Maternal Glucose Homeostasis.
AB  - Pregnancy is often viewed as a conflict between the fetus and mother over
      metabolic resources. Insulin resistance occurs in mothers during pregnancy but
      does not normally lead to diabetes because of an increase in the number of the
      mother's pancreatic beta cells. In mice, this increase is dependent on prolactin
      (Prl) receptor signaling but the source of the ligand has been unclear. Pituitary
      derived Prl is produced during the first half of pregnancy in mice but the
      placenta produces Prl-like hormones from implantation to term. Twenty-two
      separate mouse genes encode the placenta Prl-related hormones, making it
      challenging to assess their roles in knockout models. However, because at least
      four of them are thought to signal through the Prl receptor, we analyzed Prlr
      mutant mice and compared their phenotypes with those of Prl mutants. We found
      that whereas Prlr mutants develop hyperglycemia during gestation, Prl mutants do
      not. Serum metabolome analysis showed that Prlr mutants showed other changes
      consistent with diabetes. Despite the metabolic changes, fetal growth was normal
      in Prlr mutants. Of the four placenta-specific, Prl-related hormones that have
      been shown to interact with the Prlr, their gene expression localizes to
      different endocrine cell types. The Prl3d1 gene is expressed by trophoblast giant
      cells both in the labyrinth layer, sitting on the arterial side where maternal
      blood is highest in oxygen and nutrients, and in the junctional zone as maternal
      blood leaves the placenta. Expression increases during the night, though the
      increase in the labyrinth is circadian whereas it occurs only after feeding in
      the junctional zone. These data suggest that the placenta has a sophisticated
      endocrine system that regulates maternal glucose metabolism during pregnancy. 

PMID- 26269507
TI  - Synpolydactyly of the hand: a radiographic classification.
AB  - Synpolydactyly is an uncommon congenital anomaly characterized by polydactyly
      with syndactyly in the central hand. The purpose of this investigation was to
      develop and assess the reliability of a radiographic classification system for
      synpolydactyly. We identified 56 hands with central synpolydactyly and developed
      a radiographic classification system that categorizes by the location within the
      hand, the bony level of polydactyly, and the presence of a delta phalanx. Four
      paediatric hand surgeons independently reviewed each radiograph to establish
      reliability. There was exact agreement among raters in 40 cases (71%). The inter
      rater reliability was 0.97 and intra-rater reliability was at least 0.87. Seven
      of 16 bilateral cases had symmetric deformity classification. The most common
      presentations were types 1A and 2A. We present a new, reliable radiographic
      classification system for synpolydactyly that will allow improved communication
      between clinicians and serve as a foundation for future investigations. LEVEL OF
      EVIDENCE: 2.

PMID- 26269508
TI  - A single injection of collagenase clostridium histolyticum for the treatment of
      moderate Dupuytren's contracture: a 2 year follow-up of 47 patients.

PMID- 26269509
TI  - A functional test in assessment of hand dexterity in young children.

PMID- 26269506
TI  - Steroidogenic factor 1 differentially regulates fetal and adult leydig cell
      development in male mice.
AB  - The nuclear receptor steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1, AD4BP, NR5A1) is a key
      regulator of the endocrine axes and is essential for adrenal and gonad
      development. Partial rescue of Nr5a1(-/-) mice with an SF-1-expressing transgene
      caused a hypomorphic phenotype that revealed its roles in Leydig cell
      development. In contrast to controls, all male rescue mice (Nr5a1(-/-);tg(+/0))
      showed varying signs of androgen deficiency, including spermatogenic arrest,
      cryptorchidism, and poor virilization. Expression of various Leydig cell markers
      measured by immunohistochemistry, Western blot analysis, and RT-PCR indicated
      fetal and adult Leydig cell development were differentially impaired. Whereas
      fetal Leydig cell development was delayed in Nr5a1(-/-);tg(+/0) embryos, it
      recovered to control levels by birth. In contrast, Sult1e1, Vcam1, and Hsd3b6
      transcript levels in adult rescue testes indicated complete blockage in adult
      Leydig cell development. In addition, between Postnatal Days 8 and 12,
      peritubular cells expressing PTCH1, SF-1, and CYP11A1 were observed in control
      testes but not in rescue testes, indicating SF-1 is needed for either survival or
      differentiation of adult Leydig cell progenitors. Cultured prepubertal rat
      peritubular cells also expressed SF-1 and PTCH1, but Cyp11a1 was expressed only
      after treatment with cAMP and retinoic acid. Together, data show SF-1 is needed
      for proper development of fetal and adult Leydig cells but with distinct primary
      functions; in fetal Leydig cells, it regulates differentiation, whereas in adult
      Leydig cells it regulates progenitor cell formation and/or survival. 

PMID- 26269510
TI  - The EuroSCORE II performances in the Spanish cardiac surgical population.

PMID- 26269511
TI  - Re: Repair of complicated type B dissection with an isolated left vertebral
      artery using the stented elephant trunk technique.

PMID- 26269512
TI  - Reply to Nezic.

PMID- 26269516
TI  - ISQua founders' reunion, Udine, June 2015.

PMID- 26269515
TI  - Real-Time Imaging Reveals Local, Transient Vascular Permeability, and Tumor Cell
      Intravasation Stimulated by TIE2hi Macrophage-Derived VEGFA.
AB  - Dissemination of tumor cells is an essential step in metastasis. Direct contact
      between a macrophage, mammalian-enabled (MENA)-overexpressing tumor cell, and
      endothelial cell [Tumor MicroEnvironment of Metastasis (TMEM)] correlates with
      metastasis in breast cancer patients. Here we show, using intravital high
      resolution two-photon microscopy, that transient vascular permeability and tumor
      cell intravasation occur simultaneously and exclusively at TMEM. The
      hyperpermeable nature of tumor vasculature is described as spatially and
      temporally heterogeneous. Using real-time imaging, we observed that vascular
      permeability is transient, restricted to the TMEM, and required for tumor cell
      dissemination. VEGFA signaling from TIE2(hi) TMEM macrophages causes local loss
      of vascular junctions, transient vascular permeability, and tumor cell
      intravasation, demonstrating a role for the TMEM within the primary mammary
      tumor. These data provide insight into the mechanism of tumor cell intravasation
      and vascular permeability in breast cancer, explaining the value of TMEM density
      as a predictor of distant metastatic recurrence in patients. SIGNIFICANCE: Tumor
      vasculature is abnormal with increased permeability. Here, we show that VEGFA
      signaling from TIE2(hi) TMEM macrophages results in local, transient vascular
      permeability and tumor cell intravasation. These data provide evidence for the
      mechanism underlying the association of TMEM with distant metastatic recurrence,
      offering a rationale for therapies targeting TMEM.

PMID- 26269517
TI  - Development and validation of patient-reported outcomes scale for hypertension.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To validate a patient-reported outcomes (PROs) measure for patients
      with hypertension. DESIGN: This was a validation study that employed mixed
      methods including classical test theory, item response theory, and reliability
      and validity evaluation. SETTING: The community health centers in two Chinese
      cities. PARTICIPANTS: Fifteen patients participated in the pilot survey, and 641
      patients completed the PRO survey. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Classical test theory
      and item response theory were applied to the item selection. Evaluations and
      adjustments were based on results of reliability, validity, responsiveness and
      feasibility analyses. RESULTS: The item selection process produced a final scale
      with 4 domains (physiology, psychology, society and treatment), 12 subdomains and
      56 items. According to confirmatory factor analysis, the construct validity was
      adequate. The split-half reliability, Cronbach's alpha coefficients and
      responsiveness both in each subdomain and in the whole scale were also
      acceptable, as was feasibility. CONCLUSIONS: Mixed methods were beneficial for
      developing this scale and could be applied to PROs in other health areas. The
      instrument provides a means for comprehensive assessment of the impact of
      hypertension, and for quantification of benefits of hypertension interventions
      from the patients' perspective.

PMID- 26269518
TI  - Evaluation of radiation doses in patient and medical staff during endoscopic
      retrograde cholangiopancreatography procedures.
AB  - The radiation exposure dose must be optimised because the hazard resulting from
      an interventional radiology procedure is long term depending on the patient. The
      aim of this study was to measure the radiation doses received by the patients and
      medical staff during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
      procedures. Data were collected during 126 ERCP procedures, including the dose
      area product (DAP), entrance dose (ED), effective dose (E), fluoroscopy time (T)
      and number of digital radiographs (F). The medical staff members each wore a
      personal thermoluminescence dosemeter to monitor exposure during ERCP procedures.
      The mean DAP, ED, E and T were 47.06 Gy cm(2), 196.06 mGy, 8.93 mSv, 7.65 min and
      9.21 images, respectively. The mean dose to the staff was 0.175 mSv and that to
      the assistant was 0.069 mSv. The dose to the medical staff was minimal when
      appropriate protective measures were used. The large variation in the patient
      doses must be further investigated. 

PMID- 26269520
TI  - Influence of menopause and Type 2 diabetes on pulmonary oxygen uptake kinetics
      and peak exercise performance during cycling.
AB  - We investigated if the magnitude of the Type 2 diabetes (T2D)-induced impairments
      in peak oxygen uptake (VO2) and VO2 kinetics was affected by menopausal status.
      Twenty-two women with T2D (8 premenopausal, 14 postmenopausal), and 22
      nondiabetic (ND) women (11 premenopausal, 11 postmenopausal) matched by age
      (range = 30-59 yr) were recruited. Participants completed four bouts of constant
      load cycling at 80% of their ventilatory threshold for the determination of VO2
      kinetics. Cardiac output (CO) (inert gas rebreathing) was recorded at rest and at
      30 s and 240 s during two additional bouts. Peak VO2 was significantly (P < 0.05)
      reduced in both groups with T2D compared with ND counterparts (premenopausal,
      1.79 +/- 0.16 vs. 1.55 +/- 0.32 l/min; postmenopausal, 1.60 +/- 0.30 vs. 1.45 +/-
      0.24 l/min). The time constant of phase II of the VO2 response was slowed (P <
      0.05) in both groups with T2D compared with healthy counterparts (premenopausal,
      29.1 +/- 11.2 vs. 43.0 +/- 12.2 s; postmenopausal, 33.0 +/- 9.1 vs. 41.8 +/- 17.7
      s). At rest and during submaximal exercise absolute CO responses were lower, but
      the "gains" in CO larger (both P < 0.05) in both groups with T2D. Our results
      suggest that the magnitude of T2D-induced impairments in peak VO2 and VO2
      kinetics is not affected by menopausal status in participants younger than 60 yr
      of age.

PMID- 26269519
TI  - Shear stress blunts tubuloglomerular feedback partially mediated by primary cilia
      and nitric oxide at the macula densa.
AB  - The present study tested whether primary cilia on macula densa serve as a flow
      sensor to enhance nitric oxide synthase 1 (NOS1) activity and inhibit
      tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF). Isolated perfused macula densa was loaded with
      calcein red and 4,5-diaminofluorescein diacetate to monitor cell volume and
      nitric oxide (NO) generation. An increase in tubular flow rate from 0 to 40
      nl/min enhanced NO production by 40.0 +/- 1.2%. The flow-induced NO generation
      was blocked by an inhibitor of NOS1 but not by inhibition of the Na/K/2Cl
      cotransporter or the removal of electrolytes from the perfusate. NO generation
      increased from 174.8 +/- 21 to 276.1 +/- 24 units/min in cultured MMDD1 cells
      when shear stress was increased from 0.5 to 5.0 dynes/cm(2). The shear stress
      induced NO generation was abolished in MMDD1 cells in which the cilia were
      disrupted using a siRNA to ift88. Increasing the NaCl concentration of the
      tubular perfusate from 10 to 80 mM NaCl in the isolated perfused juxtaglomerular
      preparation reduced the diameter of the afferent arteriole by 3.8 +/- 0.1 MUm.
      This response was significantly blunted to 2.5 +/- 0.2 MUm when dextran was added
      to the perfusate to increase the viscosity and shear stress. Inhibition of NOS1
      blocked the effect of dextran on TGF response. In vitro, the effects of raising
      perfusate viscosity with dextran on tubular hydraulic pressure were minimized by
      reducing the outflow resistance to avoid stretching of tubular cells. These
      results suggest that shear stress stimulates primary cilia on the macula densa to
      enhance NO generation and inhibit TGF responsiveness. 

PMID- 26269522
TI  - Chronic selective serotonin reuptake inhibition modulates endothelial dysfunction
      and oxidative state in rat chronic mild stress model of depression.
AB  - Major depression is known to be associated with cardiovascular abnormalities, and
      oxidative stress has been suggested to play a role. We tested the hypothesis that
      antidepressant treatment reduces oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunctions in
      the chronic mild stress (CMS) model of depression in rats. Rats with >30%
      reduction in sucrose intake after 4 wk of CMS were defined in the study as CMS
      susceptible and compared with unstressed controls. Sixteen CMS-susceptible and
      eight unstressed rats were treated during weeks 5 to 8 of the CMS protocol with
      escitalopram. Escitalopram-treated rats with >20% recovery in the sucrose
      consumption during the last 2 wk of treatment were defined as escitalopram
      responders. Rats that did not reach these criteria were defined as escitalopram
      nonresponders. In the open field test, escitalopram responders demonstrated
      anxiolytic effect of treatment. In mesenteric small arteries, escitalopram
      affected neither NO nor cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1)-mediated vasodilation.
      Escitalopram potentiated endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization-like response,
      which was suppressed in the vehicle-treated CMS-susceptible rats and reduced COX
      2-dependent relaxation, which was elevated in the vehicle-treated CMS-susceptible
      rats. Escitalopram did not affect blood pressure and heart rate, which were
      elevated in the vehicle-treated CMS-susceptible rats. Oxidative stress markers
      were changed in association with CMS in liver, heart, and brain. Escitalopram
      normalized oxidative stress markers in the majority of tissues. This study
      demonstrates that the antidepressant effect of escitalopram is associated with
      partial improvement of endothelial function in small arteries affecting COX-2 and
      endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization-like pathways. 

PMID- 26269521
TI  - Aberrant REDD1-mTORC1 responses to insulin in skeletal muscle from Type 2
      diabetics.
AB  - The objective of this study was to establish whether alterations in the REDD1
      mTOR axis underlie skeletal muscle insensitivity to insulin in Type 2 diabetic
      (T2D), obese individuals. Vastus lateralis muscle biopsies were obtained from
      lean, control and obese, T2D subjects under basal and after a 2-h
      hyperinsulinemic (40 mU.m(-2).min(-1))-euglycemic (5 mM) clamp. Muscle lysates
      were examined for total REDD1, and phosphorylated Akt, S6 kinase 1 (S6K1), 4E
      BP1, ERK1/2, and MEK1/2 via Western blot analysis. Under basal conditions [(-)
      insulin], T2D muscle exhibited higher S6K1 and ERK1/2 and lower 4E-BP1
      phosphorylation (P < 0.05), as well as elevations in blood cortisol, glucose,
      insulin, glycosylated hemoglobin (P < 0.05) vs. lean controls. Following insulin
      infusion, whole body glucose disposal rates (GDR; mg/kg/min) were lower (P <
      0.05) in the T2D vs. the control group. The basal-to-insulin percent change in
      REDD1 expression was higher (P < 0.05) in muscle from the T2D vs. the control
      group. Whereas, the basal-to-insulin percent change in muscle Akt, S6K1, ERK1/2,
      and MEK1/2 phosphorylation was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the T2D vs. the
      control group. Findings from this study propose a REDD1-regulated mechanism in
      T2D skeletal muscle that may contribute to whole body insulin resistance and may
      be a target to improve insulin action in insulin-resistant individuals. 

PMID- 26269523
TI  - IL-15Ralpha is a determinant of muscle fuel utilization, and its loss protects
      against obesity.
AB  - IL-15Ralpha is the widely expressed primary binding partner for IL-15. Because of
      the wide distribution in nonlymphoid tissues like skeletal muscle, adipose, or
      liver, IL-15/IL-15Ralpha take part in physiological and metabolic processes not
      directly related to immunity. In fast muscle, lack of IL-15Ralpha promotes an
      oxidative switch, with increased mitochondrial biogenesis and fatigue resistance.
      These effects are predicted to reproduce some of the benefits of exercise and,
      therefore, improve energy homeostasis. However, the direct effects of IL-15Ralpha
      on metabolism and obesity are currently unknown. We report that mice lacking IL
      15Ralpha (IL-15Ralpha(-/-)) are resistant to diet-induced obesity (DIO). High-fat
      diet-fed IL-15Ralpha(-/-) mice have less body and liver fat accumulation than
      controls. The leaner phenotype is associated with increased energy expenditure
      and enhanced fatty acid oxidation by muscle mitochondria. Despite being protected
      against DIO, IL-15Ralpha(-/-) are hyperglycemic and insulin-resistant. These
      findings identify novel roles for IL-15Ralpha in metabolism and obesity. 

PMID- 26269525
TI  - mTOR in Brain Physiology and Pathologies.
AB  - TOR (target of rapamycin) and its mammalian ortholog mTOR have been discovered in
      an effort to understand the mechanisms of action of the immunosuppressant drug
      rapamycin extracted from a bacterium of the Easter Island (Rapa Nui) soil. mTOR
      is a serine/threonine kinase found in two functionally distinct complexes, mTORC1
      and mTORC2, which are differentially regulated by a great number of nutrients
      such as glucose and amino acids, energy (oxygen and ATP/AMP content), growth
      factors, hormones, and neurotransmitters. mTOR controls many basic cellular
      functions such as protein synthesis, energy metabolism, cell size, lipid
      metabolism, autophagy, mitochondria, and lysosome biogenesis. In addition, mTOR
      controlled signaling pathways regulate many integrated physiological functions of
      the nervous system including neuronal development, synaptic plasticity, memory
      storage, and cognition. Thus it is not surprising that deregulation of mTOR
      signaling is associated with many neurological and psychiatric disorders.
      Preclinical and preliminary clinical studies indicate that inhibition of mTORC1
      can be beneficial for some pathological conditions such as epilepsy, cognitive
      impairment, and brain tumors, whereas stimulation of mTORC1 (direct or indirect)
      can be beneficial for other pathologies such as depression or axonal growth and
      regeneration. 

PMID- 26269527
TI  - The tumor suppressor FBW7 controls ciliary length.

PMID- 26269528
TI  - Tumoral Immune Resistance Mediated by Enzymes That Degrade Tryptophan.
AB  - Cancer patients mount T-lymphocyte responses against antigens expressed
      selectively by their malignancy, but these responses often fail to control their
      disease, because tumors select mechanisms that allow them to resist immune
      destruction. Among the numerous resistance mechanisms that have been proposed,
      metabolic inhibition of T cells by tryptophan catabolism deserves particular
      attention, because of the frequent expression of tryptophan-degrading enzymes in
      human tumors, and because in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that their
      enzymatic activity can be readily blocked by pharmacologic inhibitors, thereby
      restoring T-cell-mediated tumor cell killing and paving the way to targeted
      therapeutic intervention. In view of recent observations, and taking into account
      the differences between human and mouse data that differ in several aspects, in
      this Cancer Immunology at the Crossroads article, we discuss the role of the
      three enzymes that have been proposed to control tryptophan catabolism in tumoral
      immune resistance: indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1), tryptophan 2,3
      dioxygenase (TDO), and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 2 (IDO2).

PMID- 26269526
TI  - Cardiac Regeneration and Stem Cells.
AB  - After decades of believing the heart loses the ability to regenerate soon after
      birth, numerous studies are now reporting that the adult heart may indeed be
      capable of regeneration, although the magnitude of new cardiac myocyte formation
      varies greatly. While this debate has energized the field of cardiac regeneration
      and led to a dramatic increase in our understanding of cardiac growth and repair,
      it has left much confusion in the field as to the prospects of regenerating the
      heart. Studies applying modern techniques of genetic lineage tracing and carbon
      14 dating have begun to establish limits on the amount of endogenous regeneration
      after cardiac injury, but the underlying cellular mechanisms of this regeneration
      remained unclear. These same studies have also revealed an astonishing capacity
      for cardiac repair early in life that is largely lost with adult differentiation
      and maturation. Regardless, this renewed focus on cardiac regeneration as a
      therapeutic goal holds great promise as a novel strategy to address the leading
      cause of death in the developed world. 

PMID- 26269530
TI  - The 2015 Garrod Lecture: Why is improvement difficult?
AB  - The pressing need to measure and improve antibiotic use was recognized >40 years
      ago, so why have we failed to achieve sustained improvement at scale? In his 2014
      Reith Lectures about the future of medicine, the US surgeon Atul Gawande said
      that failure in medicine is largely due to ineptitude (failure to use existing
      knowledge) rather than ignorance (lack of knowledge). Consequently, it is notable
      that most interventions to improve antimicrobial prescribing are either designed
      to educate individual practitioners or patients about policies or to restrict
      prescribing to make practitioners follow policies. Interventions that enable
      practitioners to apply existing knowledge through decision support, feedback and
      action planning are relatively uncommon. There is an urgent need to improve the
      design and reporting of interventions to change behaviour. However, achieving
      sustained improvement at scale will also require a more profound understanding of
      the role of context. What makes contexts receptive to change and which elements
      of context, under what circumstances, are important for human performance?
      Answering these questions will require interdisciplinary work with social
      scientists to integrate complementary approaches from human factors and
      ergonomics, improvement science and educational research. We need to rethink
      professional education to embrace complexity and enable teams to learn in
      practice. Workplace-based learning of improvement science will enable students
      and early-career professionals to become change agents and transform training
      from a burden on clinical teams into a driver for improvement. This will make
      better use of existing resources, which is the key to sustainability at scale. 

PMID- 26269529
TI  - Pain typology and incident endometriosis.
AB  - STUDY QUESTION: What are the pain characteristics among women, with no prior
      endometriosis diagnosis, undergoing laparoscopy or laparotomy regardless of
      clinical indication? SUMMARY ANSWER: Women with surgically visualized
      endometriosis reported the highest chronic/cyclic pain and significantly greater
      dyspareunia, dysmenorrhea, and dyschezia compared with women with other
      gynecologic pathology (including uterine fibroids, pelvic adhesions, benign
      ovarian cysts, neoplasms and congenital Mullerian anomalies) or a normal pelvis.
      WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Prior research has shown that various treatments for pain
      associated with endometriosis can be effective, making identification of specific
      pain characteristics in relation to endometriosis necessary for informing disease
      diagnosis and management. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: The study population for
      these analyses includes the ENDO Study (2007-2009) operative cohort: 473 women,
      ages 18-44 years, who underwent a diagnostic and/or therapeutic laparoscopy or
      laparotomy at one of 14 surgical centers located in Salt Lake City, UT or San
      Francisco, CA. Women with a history of surgically confirmed endometriosis were
      excluded. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING AND METHODS: Endometriosis was defined
      as surgically visualized disease; staging was based on revised American Society
      for Reproductive Medicine (rASRM) criteria. All women completed a computer
      assisted personal interview at baseline specifying 17 types of pain (rating
      severity via 11-point visual analog scale) and identifying any of 35 perineal and
      60 full-body front and 60 full-body back sites for which they experienced pain in
      the last 6 months. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: There was a high
      prevalence (>=30%) of chronic and cyclic pelvic pain reported by the entire study
      cohort regardless of post-operative diagnosis. However, women with a post
      operative endometriosis diagnosis, compared with women diagnosed with other
      gynecologic disorders or a normal pelvis, reported more cyclic pelvic pain (49.5%
      versus 31.0% and 33.1%, P < 0.001). Additionally, women with endometriosis
      compared with women with a normal pelvis experienced more chronic pain (44.2
      versus 30.2%, P = 0.04). Deep pain with intercourse, cramping with periods, and
      pain with bowel elimination were much more likely reported in women with versus
      without endometriosis (all P < 0.002). A higher percentage of women diagnosed
      with endometriosis compared with women with a normal pelvis reported vaginal
      (22.6 versus 10.3%, P < 0.01), right labial (18.4 versus 8.1%, P < 0.05) and left
      labial pain (15.3 versus 3.7%, P < 0.01) along with pain in the right/left
      hypogastric and umbilical abdominopelvic regions (P < 0.05 for all). Among women
      with endometriosis, no clear and consistent patterns emerged regarding pain
      characteristics and endometriosis staging or anatomic location. LIMITATIONS,
      REASONS FOR CAUTION: Interpretation of our findings requires caution given that
      we were limited in our assessment of pain characteristics by endometriosis
      staging and anatomic location due to the majority of women having minimal (stage
      I) disease (56%) and lesions in peritoneum-only location (51%). Significance
      tests for pain topology related to gynecologic pathology were not corrected for
      multiple comparisons. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Results of our research
      suggest that while women with endometriosis appear to have higher pelvic pain,
      particularly dyspareunia, dysmenorrhea, dyschezia and pain in the vaginal and
      abdominopelvic area than women with other gynecologic disorders or a normal
      pelvis, pelvic pain is commonly reported among women undergoing laparoscopy, even
      among women with no identified gynecologic pathology. Future research should
      explore causes of pelvic pain among women who seek out gynecologic care but with
      no apparent gynecologic pathology. Given our and other's research showing little
      correlation between pelvic pain and rASRM staging among women with endometriosis,
      further development and use of a classification system that can better predict
      outcomes for endometriosis patients with pelvic pain for both surgical and
      nonsurgical treatment is needed. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS: Supported by
      the Intramural Research Program, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of
      Child Health and Human Development (contracts NO1-DK-6-3428, NO1-DK-6-3427, and
      10001406-02). The authors have no potential competing interests.

PMID- 26269532
TI  - Postural and diurnal fluctuations in intraocular pressure across the spectrum of
      glaucoma.
AB  - AIMS: To evaluate postural fluctuations (PFs) and diurnal variation (DV) of
      intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with untreated glaucoma, glaucoma suspects
      and healthy volunteers, and study their relationship, if any, to the extent of
      glaucomatous damage. METHODS: This prospective, observational cross-sectional
      study was carried out in a tertiary care referral institution. The patient
      population included five groups of patients comprising the following: 19 with
      ocular hypertension (OHT), 26 with optic discs suspicious for glaucoma (DS), 18
      with normal tension glaucoma (NTG), 19 with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG)
      and 20 normal subjects. The IOP was measured at four time periods using Perkins
      tonometer, in sitting and supine positions. The main outcome measures were change
      in IOP with posture, the DV in both postures and the relationship between PF, DV
      and the extent of visual field damage. RESULTS: The supine IOP was significantly
      higher than the sitting IOP, at all time points of the day, in all groups
      (p<0.001). The PF at 04:30 was significantly higher in POAG, OHT and NTG. The PF
      at 09:00 correlated significantly with the mean deviation (MD) on visual fields
      in the NTG group (r=0.735; p=0.001). The DV did not correlate with the MD in any
      of the five groups studied. CONCLUSIONS: The significantly higher supine IOP is
      frequently missed in routine glaucoma practice. An early morning supine IOP
      measurement may reveal a peak IOP hitherto not picked up during routine office
      IOP measurements, and may be a useful measurement in unexplained progressive
      glaucoma.

PMID- 26269531
TI  - Perivascular M2 Macrophages Stimulate Tumor Relapse after Chemotherapy.
AB  - Tumor relapse after chemotherapy-induced regression is a major clinical problem,
      because it often involves inoperable metastatic disease. Tumor-associated
      macrophages (TAM) are known to limit the cytotoxic effects of chemotherapy in
      preclinical models of cancer. Here, we report that an alternatively activated
      (M2) subpopulation of TAMs (MRC1(+)TIE2(Hi)CXCR4(Hi)) accumulate around blood
      vessels in tumors after chemotherapy, where they promote tumor revascularization
      and relapse, in part, via VEGF-A release. A similar perivascular, M2-related TAM
      subset was present in human breast carcinomas and bone metastases after
      chemotherapy. Although a small proportion of M2 TAMs were also present in hypoxic
      tumor areas, when we genetically ablated their ability to respond to hypoxia via
      hypoxia-inducible factors 1 and 2, tumor relapse was unaffected. TAMs were the
      predominant cells expressing immunoreactive CXCR4 in chemotherapy-treated mouse
      tumors, with the highest levels expressed by MRC1(+) TAMs clustering around the
      tumor vasculature. Furthermore, the primary CXCR4 ligand, CXCL12, was upregulated
      in these perivascular sites after chemotherapy, where it was selectively
      chemotactic for MRC1(+) TAMs. Interestingly, HMOX-1, a marker of oxidative
      stress, was also upregulated in perivascular areas after chemotherapy. This
      enzyme generates carbon monoxide from the breakdown of heme, a gas known to
      upregulate CXCL12. Finally, pharmacologic blockade of CXCR4 selectively reduced
      M2-related TAMs after chemotherapy, especially those in direct contact with blood
      vessels, thereby reducing tumor revascularization and regrowth. Our studies
      rationalize a strategy to leverage chemotherapeutic efficacy by selectively
      targeting this perivascular, relapse-promoting M2-related TAM cell population.

PMID- 26269533
TI  - The influence of needle gauge and infection source on vitreous aspirate cultures.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: While the Endophthalmitis Vitrectomy Study (EVS) included only
      post-cataract surgery patients, the methods and data from that study are widely
      applied in the management of endophthalmitis of all types. We sought to examine
      how our experience with in-office vitreous aspiration differed from the EVS in
      two ways: first, by reviewing microbiological culture yields from vitreous
      aspirates obtained using 30-gauge needles versus 25-27-gauge needles and second,
      by reviewing culture yields in cases of endogenous versus non-endogenous
      endophthalmitis. METHODS: Cases of endophthalmitis over a 14-year period were
      reviewed when vitreous tap was the initial diagnostic procedure. The data
      included infection source, needle size used to obtain a vitreous aspirate,
      organism cultured and rates of unsuccessful attempts at vitreous aspiration or
      dry taps. RESULTS: 10 cases were endogenous endophthalmitis, while 36 cases were
      a mix of postoperative, post-traumatic, post-intravitreal injection and
      miscellaneous patients. A positive microbiological culture was obtained in 11/36
      (31%) of vitreous taps using a 25-27-gauge needle and in 8/10 (80%) taps using a
      30-gauge needle (p<0.01). A positive vitreous culture was obtained in 18/36 (50%)
      of all non-endogenous cases, while a positive result was obtained in 0/10 (0%)
      cases of endogenous endophthalmitis (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The use of a smaller
      needle in obtaining vitreous samples in endophthalmitis did not lower the
      microbiological yield. A positive microbiological yield was significantly less
      likely in cases of endogenous endophthalmitis compared with non-endogenous cases.
      Vitreous tap as a method for identifying the causative organism in endogenous
      endophthalmitis was of limited utility.

PMID- 26269534
TI  - Anatomic and visual function outcomes in paediatric idiopathic intracranial
      hypertension.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of literature describing risk factors for vision
      loss in paediatric idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). We investigate the
      final visual function, spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and
      enhanced depth imaging (EDI)-OCT findings in children with papilledema caused by
      IIH. METHODS: Medical records of 31 patients with paediatric IIH (age <=17 years)
      were retrospectively reviewed. Optic disc photographs on presentation and
      automated perimetry, SD-OCT and EDI-OCT imaging on final follow-up visit were
      statistically analysed to identify patient characteristics and anatomic findings
      associated with irreversible vision loss. RESULTS: Permanent visual acuity or
      visual field loss developed in 19% of study eyes. Papilledema of modified Frisen
      grade >=3 on presentation was highly predictive of permanent vision loss
      (p<0.001), while associations between pubertal status and visual function outcome
      failed to reach statistical significance. SD-OCT revealed optic atrophy in 13%
      and photoreceptor loss in 19% of eyes, with both findings highly associated with
      vision loss (p<0.0001). Optic disc drusen was noted in 48% of study eyes by EDI
      OCT but was not found to be predictive of visual outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical
      observation of high papilledema grade on presentation is predictive of poor
      visual outcomes. Vision loss is associated not only with optic atrophy but also
      with photoreceptor damage. Interestingly, a high proportion of study eyes had
      optic disc drusen, which was not associated with vision loss, but can be a
      diagnostic challenge in distinguishing true papilledema from pseudopapilledema.

PMID- 26269535
TI  - Influence of disc-fovea angle and retinal blood vessels on interindividual
      variability of circumpapillary retinal nerve fibre layer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To assess whether intersubject variability of circumpapillary retinal
      nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness in healthy subjects acquired with spectral
      domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) can be reduced by considering the
      disc-fovea angle (DFA), either alone or together with a compensation based on
      retinal blood vessel distribution (RVD). METHODS: 106 healthy volunteers
      underwent SD-OCT examination centred on the optic disc (OD) and on the macula. OD
      contours and foveal positions were automatically calculated. RVD at 3.4 mm
      diameter circle was manually assessed. We made two approaches to reduce
      interindividual variability in RNFL values using compensation processes; RVD
      compensation: RNFL thickness values were compensated according to RVD variation
      (RNFLRVD) and DFA compensation: we shifted the RNFL thickness measurements
      according to the DFA (RNFLDFA). Coefficient of variance (CoV) was calculated in
      12 clock hour sectors for original RNFL (RNFLo), RNFLDFA, RNFLRVD and RNFL with
      both compensation methods (RNFLDFA-RVD). RESULTS: Compared with the mean CoV of
      RNFLO, mean CoV of RNFLDFA, RNFLRVD and RNFLDFA-RVD was changed by -0.71%
      (p>0.05), -9.51% (p<0.001) and -7.55% (p=0.001), respectively. When compared with
      RNFLDFA, RNFL DFA-RVD significantly reduced the mean CoV by -6.69% (p=0.001),
      while compared with RNFLRVD, RNFL DFA-RVD did not significantly increase the mean
      CoV (+2.20%), (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Although reaching an improvement in some
      sectors, rotation of RNFL measurements according to the DFA on average does not
      reduce intersubject variability of RNFL. However, adjusting for RVD reduced the
      variance significantly. The results reinforce our work in assessing RVD as an
      important anatomical factor responsible for intersubject variability in RNFL
      measurements.

PMID- 26269524
TI  - The Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore: Channel Formation by F-ATP
      Synthase, Integration in Signal Transduction, and Role in Pathophysiology.
AB  - The mitochondrial permeability transition (PT) is a permeability increase of the
      inner mitochondrial membrane mediated by a channel, the permeability transition
      pore (PTP). After a brief historical introduction, we cover the key regulatory
      features of the PTP and provide a critical assessment of putative protein
      components that have been tested by genetic analysis. The discovery that under
      conditions of oxidative stress the F-ATP synthases of mammals, yeast, and
      Drosophila can be turned into Ca(2+)-dependent channels, whose
      electrophysiological properties match those of the corresponding PTPs, opens new
      perspectives to the field. We discuss structural and functional features of F-ATP
      synthases that may provide clues to its transition from an energy-conserving into
      an energy-dissipating device as well as recent advances on signal transduction to
      the PTP and on its role in cellular pathophysiology. 

PMID- 26269536
TI  - Assessing the readability of ClinicalTrials.gov.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: ClinicalTrials.gov serves critical functions of disseminating trial
      information to the public and helping the trials recruit participants. This study
      assessed the readability of trial descriptions at ClinicalTrials.gov using
      multiple quantitative measures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The analysis included all
      165,988 trials registered at ClinicalTrials.gov as of April 30, 2014. To obtain
      benchmarks, the authors also analyzed 2 other medical corpora: (1) all 955 Health
      Topics articles from MedlinePlus and (2) a random sample of 100,000 clinician
      notes retrieved from an electronic health records system intended for conveying
      internal communication among medical professionals. The authors characterized
      each of the corpora using 4 surface metrics, and then applied 5 different scoring
      algorithms to assess their readability. The authors hypothesized that clinician
      notes would be most difficult to read, followed by trial descriptions and
      MedlinePlus Health Topics articles. RESULTS: Trial descriptions have the longest
      average sentence length (26.1 words) across all corpora; 65% of their words used
      are not covered by a basic medical English dictionary. In comparison, average
      sentence length of MedlinePlus Health Topics articles is 61% shorter, vocabulary
      size is 95% smaller, and dictionary coverage is 46% higher. All 5 scoring
      algorithms consistently rated CliniclTrials.gov trial descriptions the most
      difficult corpus to read, even harder than clinician notes. On average, it
      requires 18 years of education to properly understand these trial descriptions
      according to the results generated by the readability assessment algorithms.
      DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Trial descriptions at CliniclTrials.gov are extremely
      difficult to read. Significant work is warranted to improve their readability in
      order to achieve CliniclTrials.gov's goal of facilitating information
      dissemination and subject recruitment.

PMID- 26269537
TI  - Correlates of Vaccine-Induced Protection against Mycobacterium tuberculosis
      Revealed in Comparative Analyses of Lymphocyte Populations.
AB  - A critical hindrance to the development of a novel vaccine against Mycobacterium
      tuberculosis is a lack of understanding of protective correlates of immunity and
      of host factors involved in a successful adaptive immune response. Studies from
      our group and others have used a mouse-based in vitro model system to assess
      correlates of protection. Here, using this coculture system and a panel of whole
      cell vaccines with varied efficacy, we developed a comprehensive approach to
      understand correlates of protection. We compared the gene and protein expression
      profiles of vaccine-generated immune peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) to the
      profiles found in immune splenocytes. PBLs not only represent a clinically
      relevant cell population, but comparing the expression in these populations gave
      insight into compartmentally specific mechanisms of protection. Additionally, we
      performed a direct comparison of host responses induced when immune cells were
      cocultured with either the vaccine strain Mycobacterium bovis BCG or virulent M.
      tuberculosis. These comparisons revealed host-specific and bacterium-specific
      factors involved in protection against virulent M. tuberculosis. Most
      significantly, we identified a set of 13 core molecules induced in the most
      protective vaccines under all of the conditions tested. Further validation of
      this panel of mediators as a predictor of vaccine efficacy will facilitate
      vaccine development, and determining how each promotes adaptive immunity will
      advance our understanding of antimycobacterial immune responses. 

PMID- 26269538
TI  - Androgen levels in women with various forms of ovarian dysfunction: associations
      with cardiometabolic features.
AB  - STUDY QUESTION: Are differences in androgen levels among women with various forms
      of ovarian dysfunction associated with cardiometabolic abnormalities? SUMMARY
      ANSWER: Androgen levels differed substantially between women with and without
      ovarian dysfunction, and increased androgen levels were associated with impaired
      cardiometabolic features in all women irrespective of their clinical condition.
      WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Sex steroid hormones play important roles in the
      development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Extremes of low as well as high
      androgen levels have been associated with increased CVD risk in both men and
      women. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: This cross-sectional study included 680
      women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), premature ovarian insufficiency
      (POI), natural post-menopausal women (NM), or regular menstrual cycles (RC) (170
      women per group). PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Measurements of serum
      testosterone, androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate were performed
      using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Assessments were taken of
      body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, lipid profiles, glucose, insulin and SHBG,
      and the bioactive fraction of circulating testosterone was calculated using the
      free androgen index (FAI). MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: PCOS women were
      hyperandrogenic [median FAI = 4.9 (IQR 3.6-7.4)], and POI women were
      hypoandrogenic [FAI = 1.2 (0.8-1.7)], compared with RC women [FAI = 1.7 (1.1
      2.8)], after adjustment for age, ethnicity, smoking and BMI (P < 0.001). After
      adjustment for age, there were no significant differences in androgens between
      POI and NM (P = 0.15) women and between NM and RC (P = 0.27) women, the latter
      indicating that chronological aging rather than ovarian aging influences the
      differences between pre- and post-menopausal women. A high FAI was associated
      with elevated triglycerides (beta log FAI for PCOS: 0.45, P < 0.001, POI: 0.25, P
      < 0.001, NM: 0.20, P = 0.002), insulin (beta log FAI for PCOS: 0.77, POI: 0.44,
      NM: 0.40, all P < 0.001), HOMA-IR (beta log FAI for PCOS: 0.82, POI: 0.46, NM:
      0.47, all P < 0.001) and mean arterial pressure (beta log FAI for PCOS: 0.05, P =
      0.002, POI: 0.07, P < 0.001, NM: 0.04, P = 0.04) in all women; with increased
      glucose (beta log FAI for PCOS: 0.05, P = 0.003, NM: 0.07, P < 0.001) and
      decreased high-density lipoprotein (beta log FAI for PCOS: -0.23, P < 0.001, NM: 
      0.09, P = 0.03) in PCOS and NM women; and with increased low-density lipoprotein
      (beta log FAI for POI: 0.083, P = 0.041) in POI women. Adjustment for BMI
      attenuated the observed associations. Associations between FAI and
      cardiometabolic features were the strongest in PCOS women, even after adjustment
      for BMI. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: Associations between androgen levels
      and cardiometabolic features were assessed in PCOS, POI and NM women only, due to
      a lack of available data in RC women. Due to the cross-sectional design of the
      current study, the potential associations between androgen levels and actual
      future cardiovascular events could not be assessed. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE
      FINDINGS: This study affirms the potent effect of androgens on cardiometabolic
      features, indicating that androgens should indeed be regarded as important
      denominators of women's health. Future research regarding the role of androgens
      in the development of CVD and potential modulatory effects of BMI is required.
      STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS: N.M.P.D. is supported by the Dutch Heart
      Foundation (grant number 2013T083). L.J. and O.H.F. work in ErasmusAGE, a center
      for aging research across the life course, funded by Nestle Nutrition (Nestec
      Ltd), Metagenics Inc. and AXA. M.K. is supported by the AXA Research Fund. Nestle
      Nutrition (Nestec Ltd), Metagenics Inc. and AXA had no role in the design and
      conduct of the study; the collection, management, analysis and interpretation of
      the data; or the preparation, review or approval of the manuscript. J.S.E.L. has
      received fees and grant support from the following companies (in alphabetical
      order): Ferring, Merck-Serono, Merck Sharpe & Dome, Organon, Schering Plough and
      Serono. In the last 5 years, B.C.J.M.F. has received fees and grant support from
      the following companies (in alphabetic order); Actavis, COGI, Euroscreen,
      Ferring, Finox, Genovum, Gedeon-Richter, Merck-Serono, OvaScience, Pantharei
      Bioscience, PregLem, Roche, Uteron and Watson laboratories. With regard to
      potential conflicts of interest, there is nothing further to disclose.

PMID- 26269539
TI  - Is IVF-served two different ways-more cost-effective than IUI with controlled
      ovarian hyperstimulation?
AB  - STUDY QUESTION: What is the cost-effectiveness of in vitro fertilization (IVF)
      with conventional ovarian stimulation, single embryo transfer (SET) and
      subsequent cryocycles or IVF in a modified natural cycle (MNC) compared with
      intrauterine insemination with controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (IUI-COH) as a
      first-line treatment in couples with unexplained subfertility and an unfavourable
      prognosis on natural conception?. SUMMARY ANSWER: Both IVF strategies are
      significantly more expensive when compared with IUI-COH, without being
      significantly more effective. In the comparison between IVF-MNC and IUI-COH, the
      latter is the dominant strategy. Whether IVF-SET is cost-effective depends on
      society's willingness to pay for an additional healthy child. WHAT IS KNOWN
      ALREADY: IUI-COH and IVF, either after conventional ovarian stimulation or in a
      MNC, are used as first-line treatments for couples with unexplained or mild male
      subfertility. As IUI-COH is less invasive, this treatment is usually offered
      before proceeding to IVF. Yet, as conventional IVF with SET may lead to higher
      pregnancy rates in fewer cycles for a lower multiple pregnancy rate, some have
      argued to start with IVF instead of IUI-COH. In addition, IVF in the MNC is
      considered to be a more patient friendly and less costly form of IVF. STUDY
      DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: We performed a cost-effectiveness analysis alongside a
      randomized noninferiority trial. Between January 2009 and February 2012, 602
      couples with unexplained infertility and a poor prognosis on natural conception
      were allocated to three cycles of IVF-SET including frozen embryo transfers, six
      cycles of IVF-MNC or six cycles of IUI-COH. These couples were followed until 12
      months after randomization. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: We
      collected data on resource use related to treatment, medication and pregnancy
      from the case report forms. We calculated unit costs from various sources. For
      each of the three strategies, we calculated the mean costs and effectiveness.
      Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER) were calculated for IVF-SET compared
      with IUI-COH and for IVF-MNC compared with IUI-COH. Nonparametric bootstrap
      resampling was used to investigate the effect of uncertainty in our estimates.
      MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: There were 104 healthy children (52%) born
      in the IVF-SET group, 83 (43%) the IVF-MNC group and 97 (47%) in the IUI-COH
      group. The mean costs per couple were ?7187 for IVF-SET, ?8206 for IVF-MNC and
      ?5070 for IUI-COH. Compared with IUI-COH, the costs for IVF-SET and IVF-MNC were
      significantly higher (mean differences ?2117; 95% CI: ?1544-?2657 and ?3136, 95%
      CI: ?2519-?3754, respectively).The ICER for IVF-SET compared with IUI-COH was ?43
      375 for the birth of an additional healthy child. In the comparison of IVF-MNC to
      IUI-COH, the latter was the dominant strategy, i.e. more effective at lower
      costs. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: We only report on direct health care
      costs. The present analysis is limited to 12 months. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE
      FINDINGS: Since we found no evidence in support of offering IVF as a first-line
      strategy in couples with unexplained and mild subfertility, IUI-COH should remain
      the treatment of first choice. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS: The study was
      supported by a grant from ZonMw, the Netherlands Organization for Health Research
      and Development, (120620027) and a grant from Zorgverzekeraars Nederland, the
      Netherlands' association of health care insurers (09-003). TRIAL REGISTRATION
      NUMBER: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN52843371; Nederlands Trial Register
      NTR939.

PMID- 26269542
TI  - Proteins of Unknown Biochemical Function: A Persistent Problem and a Roadmap to
      Help Overcome It.
AB  - The number of sequenced genomes is rapidly increasing, but functional annotation
      of the genes in these genomes lags far behind. Even in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis
      thaliana), only approximately 40% of enzyme- and transporter-encoding genes have
      credible functional annotations, and this number is even lower in nonmodel
      plants. Functional characterization of unknown genes is a challenge, but various
      databases (e.g. for protein localization and coexpression) can be mined to
      provide clues. If homologous microbial genes exist-and about one-half the genes
      encoding unknown enzymes and transporters in Arabidopsis have microbial homologs
      cross-kingdom comparative genomics can powerfully complement plant-based data.
      Multiple lines of evidence can strengthen predictions and warrant experimental
      characterization. In some cases, relatively quick tests in genetically tractable
      microbes can determine whether a prediction merits biochemical validation, which
      is costly and demands specialized skills. 

PMID- 26269543
TI  - Ligand-Mediated cis-Inhibition of Receptor Signaling in the Self-Incompatibility
      Response of the Brassicaceae.
AB  - The inhibition of self-pollination in self-incompatible Brassicaceae is based on
      allele-specific trans-activation of the highly polymorphic S-locus receptor
      kinase (SRK), which is displayed at the surface of stigma epidermal cells, by its
      even more polymorphic pollen coat-localized ligand, the S-locus cysteine-rich
      (SCR) protein. In an attempt to achieve constitutive activation of SRK and thus
      facilitate analysis of self-incompatibility (SI) signaling, we coexpressed an
      Arabidopsis lyrata SCR variant with its cognate SRK receptor in the stigma
      epidermal cells of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) plants belonging to the C24
      accession, in which expression of SRK and SCR had been shown to exhibit a robust
      SI response. Contrary to expectation, however, coexpression of SRK and SCR was
      found to inhibit SRK-mediated signaling and to disrupt the SI response. This
      phenomenon, called cis-inhibition, is well documented in metazoans but has not as
      yet been reported for plant receptor kinases. We demonstrate that cis-inhibition
      of SRK, like its trans-activation, is based on allele-specific interaction
      between receptor and ligand. We also show that stigma-expressed SCR causes
      entrapment of its SRK receptor in the endoplasmic reticulum, thus disrupting the
      proper targeting of SRK to the plasma membrane, where the receptor would be
      available for productive interaction with its pollen coat-derived SCR ligand.
      Although based on an artificial cis-inhibition system, the results suggest novel
      strategies of pollination control for the generation of hybrid cultivars and
      large-scale seed production from hybrid plants in Brassicaceae seed crops and,
      more generally, for inhibiting cell surface receptor function and manipulating
      signaling pathways in plants. 

PMID- 26269544
TI  - Targeted Mutagenesis, Precise Gene Editing, and Site-Specific Gene Insertion in
      Maize Using Cas9 and Guide RNA.
AB  - Targeted mutagenesis, editing of endogenous maize (Zea mays) genes, and site
      specific insertion of a trait gene using clustered regularly interspaced short
      palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated (Cas)-guide RNA technology are reported
      in maize. DNA vectors expressing maize codon-optimized Streptococcus pyogenes
      Cas9 endonuclease and single guide RNAs were cointroduced with or without DNA
      repair templates into maize immature embryos by biolistic transformation
      targeting five different genomic regions: upstream of the liguleless1 (LIG1)
      gene, male fertility genes (Ms26 and Ms45), and acetolactate synthase (ALS) genes
      (ALS1 and ALS2). Mutations were subsequently identified at all sites targeted,
      and plants containing biallelic multiplex mutations at LIG1, Ms26, and Ms45 were
      recovered. Biolistic delivery of guide RNAs (as RNA molecules) directly into
      immature embryo cells containing preintegrated Cas9 also resulted in targeted
      mutations. Editing the ALS2 gene using either single-stranded oligonucleotides or
      double-stranded DNA vectors as repair templates yielded chlorsulfuron-resistant
      plants. Double-strand breaks generated by RNA-guided Cas9 endonuclease also
      stimulated insertion of a trait gene at a site near LIG1 by homology-directed
      repair. Progeny showed expected Mendelian segregation of mutations, edits, and
      targeted gene insertions. The examples reported in this study demonstrate the
      utility of Cas9-guide RNA technology as a plant genome editing tool to enhance
      plant breeding and crop research needed to meet growing agriculture demands of
      the future. 

PMID- 26269545
TI  - Differential Role for Trehalose Metabolism in Salt-Stressed Maize.
AB  - Little is known about how salt impacts primary metabolic pathways of C4 plants,
      particularly related to kernel development and seed set. Osmotic stress was
      applied to maize (Zea mays) B73 by irrigation with increasing concentrations of
      NaCl from the initiation of floral organs until 3 d after pollination. At
      silking, photosynthesis was reduced to only 2% of control plants. Salt treatment
      was found to reduce spikelet growth, silk growth, and kernel set. Osmotic stress
      resulted in higher concentrations of sucrose (Suc) and hexose sugars in leaf,
      cob, and kernels at silking, pollination, and 3 d after pollination. Citric acid
      cycle intermediates were lower in salt-treated tissues, indicating that these
      sugars were unavailable for use in respiration. The sugar-signaling metabolite
      trehalose-6-phosphate was elevated in leaf, cob, and kernels at silking as a
      consequence of salt treatment but decreased thereafter even as Suc levels
      continued to rise. Interestingly, the transcripts of trehalose pathway genes were
      most affected by salt treatment in leaf tissue. On the other hand, transcripts of
      the SUCROSE NONFERMENTING-RELATED KINASE1 (SnRK1) marker genes were most affected
      in reproductive tissue. Overall, both source and sink strength are reduced by
      salt, and the data indicate that trehalose-6-phosphate and SnRK1 may have
      different roles in source and sink tissues. Kernel abortion resulting from
      osmotic stress is not from a lack of carbohydrate reserves but from the inability
      to utilize these energy reserves. 

PMID- 26269547
TI  - Lack of Phosphatidylglycerol Inhibits Chlorophyll Biosynthesis at Multiple Sites
      and Limits Chlorophyllide Reutilization in Synechocystis sp. Strain PCC 6803.
AB  - The negatively charged lipid phosphatidylglycerol (PG) constitutes up to 10% of
      total lipids in photosynthetic membranes, and its deprivation in cyanobacteria is
      accompanied by chlorophyll (Chl) depletion. Indeed, radioactive labeling of the
      PG-depleted DeltapgsA mutant of Synechocystis sp. strain PCC 6803, which is not
      able to synthesize PG, proved the inhibition of Chl biosynthesis caused by
      restriction on the formation of 5-aminolevulinic acid and protochlorophyllide.
      Although the mutant accumulated chlorophyllide, the last Chl precursor, we showed
      that it originated from dephytylation of existing Chl and not from the block in
      the Chl biosynthesis. The lack of de novo-produced Chl under PG depletion was
      accompanied by a significantly weakened biosynthesis of both monomeric and
      trimeric photosystem I (PSI) complexes, although the decrease in cellular content
      was manifested only for the trimeric form. However, our analysis of DeltapgsA
      mutant, which lacked trimeric PSI because of the absence of the PsaL subunit,
      suggested that the virtual stability of monomeric PSI is a result of
      disintegration of PSI trimers. Interestingly, the loss of trimeric PSI was
      accompanied by accumulation of monomeric PSI associated with the newly
      synthesized CP43 subunit of photosystem II. We conclude that the absence of PG
      results in the inhibition of Chl biosynthetic pathway, which impairs synthesis of
      PSI, despite the accumulation of chlorophyllide released from the degraded Chl
      proteins. Based on the knowledge about the role of PG in prokaryotes, we
      hypothesize that the synthesis of Chl and PSI complexes are colocated in a
      membrane microdomain requiring PG for integrity. 

PMID- 26269548
TI  - Compensatory plasticity in the olfactory epithelium: age, timing, and
      reversibility.
AB  - Like other biological systems, olfaction responds "homeostatically" to enduring
      change in the stimulus environment. This adaptive mechanism, referred to as
      compensatory plasticity, has been studied almost exclusively in developing
      animals. Thus it is unknown if this phenomenon is limited to ontogenesis and
      irreversible, characteristics common to some other forms of plasticity. Here we
      explore the effects of odor deprivation on the adult mouse olfactory epithelium
      (OE) using nasal plugs to eliminate nasal airflow unilaterally. Plugs were in
      place for 2-6 wk after which electroolfactograms (EOGs) were recorded from the
      occluded and open sides of the nasal cavity. Mean EOG amplitudes were
      significantly greater on the occluded than on the open side. The duration of
      plugging did not affect the results, suggesting that maximal compensation occurs
      within 2 wk or less. The magnitude of the EOG difference between the open and
      occluded side in plugged mice was comparable to adults that had undergone
      surgical naris occlusion as neonates. When plugs were removed after 4 wk followed
      by 2 wk of recovery, mean EOG amplitudes were not significantly different between
      the always-open and previously plugged sides of the nasal cavity suggesting that
      this form of plasticity is reversible. Taken together, these results suggest that
      compensatory plasticity is a constitutive mechanism of olfactory receptor neurons
      that allows these cells to recalibrate their stimulus-response relationship to
      fit the statistics of their current odor environment. 

PMID- 26269546
TI  - The Identification of Maize and Arabidopsis Type I FLAVONE SYNTHASEs Links
      Flavones with Hormones and Biotic Interactions.
AB  - Flavones are a major group of flavonoids with diverse functions and are
      extensively distributed in land plants. There are two different classes of
      FLAVONE SYNTHASE (FNS) enzymes that catalyze the conversion of the flavanones
      into flavones. The FNSI class comprises soluble Fe(2+)/2-oxoglutarate-dependent
      dioxygenases, and FNSII enzymes are oxygen- and NADPH-dependent cytochrome P450
      membrane-bound monooxygenases. Here, we describe the identification and
      characterization of FNSI enzymes from maize (Zea mays) and Arabidopsis
      (Arabidopsis thaliana). In maize, ZmFNSI-1 is expressed at significantly higher
      levels in silks and pericarps expressing the 3-deoxy flavonoid R2R3-MYB regulator
      P1, suggesting that ZmFNSI-1 could be the main enzyme for the synthesis of
      flavone O-glycosides. We also show here that DOWNY MILDEW RESISTANT6 (AtDMR6),
      the Arabidopsis homologous enzyme to ZmFNSI-1, has FNSI activity. While dmr6
      mutants show loss of susceptibility to Pseudomonas syringae, transgenic dmr6
      plants expressing ZmFNSI-1 show similar susceptibility to wild-type plants,
      demonstrating that ZmFNSI-1 can complement the mutant phenotype. AtDMR6
      expression analysis showed a tissue- and developmental stage-dependent pattern,
      with high expression in cauline and senescing leaves. Finally, we show that
      Arabidopsis cauline and senescing leaves accumulate apigenin, demonstrating that
      Arabidopsis plants have an FNSI activity involved in the biosynthesis of
      flavones. The results presented here also suggest cross talk between the flavone
      and salicylic acid pathways in Arabidopsis; in this way, pathogens would induce
      flavones to decrease salicylic acid and, hence, increase susceptibility. 

PMID- 26269549
TI  - Functional coupling between sodium-activated potassium channels and voltage
      dependent persistent sodium currents in cricket Kenyon cells.
AB  - In this study, we examined the functional coupling between Na(+)-activated
      potassium (KNa) channels and Na(+) influx through voltage-dependent Na(+)
      channels in Kenyon cells isolated from the mushroom body of the cricket Gryllus
      bimaculatus. Single-channel activity of KNa channels was recorded with the cell
      attached patch configuration. The open probability (Po) of KNa channels increased
      with increasing Na(+) concentration in a bath solution, whereas it decreased by
      the substitution of Na(+) with an equimolar concentration of Li(+). The Po of KNa
      channels was also found to be reduced by bath application of a high concentration
      of TTX (1 MUM) and riluzole (100 MUM), which inhibits both fast (INaf) and
      persistent (INaP) Na(+) currents, whereas it was unaffected by a low
      concentration of TTX (10 nM), which selectively blocks INaf. Bath application of
      Cd(2+) at a low concentration (50 MUM), as an inhibitor of INaP, also decreased
      the Po of KNa channels. Conversely, bath application of the inorganic Ca(2+)
      channel blockers Co(2+) and Ni(2+) at high concentrations (500 MUM) had little
      effect on the Po of KNa channels, although Cd(2+) (500 MUM) reduced the Po of KNa
      channels. Perforated whole cell clamp analysis further indicated the presence of
      sustained outward currents for which amplitude was dependent on the amount of
      Na(+) influx. Taken together, these results indicate that KNa channels could be
      activated by Na(+) influx passing through voltage-dependent persistent Na(+)
      channels. The functional significance of this coupling mechanism was discussed in
      relation to the membrane excitability of Kenyon cells and its possible role in
      the formation of long-term memory. 

PMID- 26269550
TI  - Effects of changing skin mechanics on the differential sensitivity to surface
      compliance by tactile afferents in the human finger pad.
AB  - It is not known how changes in skin mechanics affect the responses of cutaneous
      mechanoreceptors in the finger pads to compression forces. We used venous
      occlusion to change the stiffness of the fingers and investigated whether this
      influenced the firing of low-threshold mechanoreceptors to surfaces of differing
      stiffness. Unitary recordings were made from 10 slowly adapting type I (SAI), 10
      fast adapting type I (FAI) and 9 slowly adapting type II (SAII) units via
      tungsten microelectrodes inserted into the median nerve at the wrist. A servo
      controlled stimulator applied ramp-and-hold forces (1, 2, and 4 N) at a constant
      loading and unloading rate (2 N/s) via a flat 2.5-cm-diameter silicone disk over
      the center of the finger pad. Nine silicone disks (objects), varying in
      compliance, were used. Venous occlusion, produced by inflating a sphygmomanometer
      cuff around the upper arm to 40 +/- 5 mmHg, was used to induce swelling of the
      fingers and increase the compliance of the finger pulp. Venous occlusion had no
      effect on the firing rates of the SAI afferents, nor on the slopes of the
      relationship between mean firing rate and object compliance at each amplitude,
      but did significantly reduce the slopes for the FAI afferents. Although the SAII
      afferents possess a poor capacity to encode changes in object compliance, mean
      firing rates were significantly lower during venous occlusion. The finding that
      venous occlusion had no effect on the firing properties of SAI afferents
      indicates that these afferents preserve their capacity to encode changes in
      object compliance, despite changes in skin mechanics. 

PMID- 26269551
TI  - Potassium currents dynamically set the recruitment and firing properties of F
      type motoneurons in neonatal mice.
AB  - In neonatal mice, fast- and slow-type motoneurons display different patterns of
      discharge. In response to a long liminal current pulse, the discharge is delayed
      up to several seconds in fast-type motoneurons and their firing frequency
      accelerates. In contrast, slow-type motoneurons discharge immediately, and their
      firing frequency decreases at the beginning of the pulse. Here, we identify the
      ionic currents that underlie the delayed firing of fast-type motoneurons. We find
      that the firing delay is caused by a combination of an A-like potassium current
      that transiently suppresses firing on a short time scale and a slowly
      inactivating potassium current that inhibits the discharge over a much longer
      time scale. We then show how these intrinsic currents dynamically shape the
      discharge threshold and the frequency-input function of fast-type motoneurons.
      These currents contribute to the orderly recruitment of motoneurons in neonates
      and might play a role in the postnatal maturation of motor units. 

PMID- 26269553
TI  - Lack of depth constancy for grasping movements in both virtual and real
      environments.
AB  - Recent studies on visuomotor processes using virtual setups have suggested that
      actions are affected by similar biases as perceptual tasks. In particular, a
      strong lack of depth constancy is revealed, resembling biases in perceptual
      estimates of relative depth. With this study we aim to understand whether these
      findings are mostly caused by a lack of metric accuracy of the visuomotor system
      or by the limited cues provided by the use of virtual reality. We addressed this
      issue by comparing grasping movements towards a spherical object located at four
      distances (420, 450, 480, and 510 mm) performed in three conditions: 1) virtual,
      in which the target was a virtual object defined by binocular cues, 2) glow-in
      the-dark, in which the object was painted with luminous paint but no other cue
      was provided, and 3) full-cue, in which the movement was performed with the
      lights on and all the environmental information was available. Results revealed a
      striking effect of object distance on grip aperture equally in all three
      conditions. Specifically, grip aperture gradually decreased with increase in
      object distance, proving a consistent lack of depth constancy. These findings
      clearly demonstrate that systematic biases in grasping actions are not induced by
      the use of virtual environments and that action and perception may involve the
      same visual information, which does not engage a metric reconstruction of the
      scene. 

PMID- 26269552
TI  - Network effects of deep brain stimulation.
AB  - The ability to differentially alter specific brain functions via deep brain
      stimulation (DBS) represents a monumental advance in clinical neuroscience, as
      well as within medicine as a whole. Despite the efficacy of DBS in the treatment
      of movement disorders, for which it is often the gold-standard therapy when
      medical management becomes inadequate, the mechanisms through which DBS in
      various brain targets produces therapeutic effects is still not well understood.
      This limited knowledge is a barrier to improving efficacy and reducing side
      effects in clinical brain stimulation. A field of study related to assessing the
      network effects of DBS is gradually emerging that promises to reveal aspects of
      the underlying pathophysiology of various brain disorders and their response to
      DBS that will be critical to advancing the field. This review summarizes the
      nascent literature related to network effects of DBS measured by cerebral blood
      flow and metabolic imaging, functional imaging, and electrophysiology (scalp and
      intracranial electroencephalography and magnetoencephalography) in order to
      establish a framework for future studies. 

PMID- 26269554
TI  - Spinal 5-HT7 receptors induce phrenic motor facilitation via EPAC-mTORC1
      signaling.
AB  - Spinal serotonin type 7 (5-HT7) receptors elicit complex effects on motor
      activity. Whereas 5-HT7 receptor activation gives rise to long-lasting phrenic
      motor facilitation (pMF), it also constrains 5-HT2 receptor-induced pMF via
      "cross-talk inhibition." We hypothesized that divergent cAMP-dependent signaling
      pathways give rise to these distinct 5-HT7 receptor actions. Specifically, we
      hypothesized that protein kinase A (PKA) mediates cross-talk inhibition of 5-HT2
      receptor-induced pMF whereas 5-HT7 receptor-induced pMF results from exchange
      protein activated by cAMP (EPAC) signaling. Anesthetized, paralyzed, and
      ventilated rats receiving intrathecal (C4) 5-HT7 receptor agonist (AS-19)
      injections expressed pMF for >90 min, an effect abolished by pretreatment with a
      selective EPAC inhibitor (ESI-05) but not a selective PKA inhibitor (KT-5720).
      Furthermore, intrathecal injections of a selective EPAC activator (8-pCPT-2'-Me
      cAMP) were sufficient to elicit pMF. Finally, spinal mammalian target of
      rapamycin complex-1 (mTORC1) inhibition via intrathecal rapamycin abolished 5-HT7
      receptor- and EPAC-induced pMF, demonstrating that spinal 5-HT7 receptors elicit
      pMF by an EPAC-mTORC1 signaling pathway. Thus 5-HT7 receptors elicit and
      constrain spinal phrenic motor plasticity via distinct signaling mechanisms that
      diverge at cAMP (EPAC vs. PKA). Selective manipulation of these molecules may
      enable refined regulation of serotonin-dependent spinal motor plasticity for
      therapeutic advantage. 

PMID- 26269555
TI  - Spike timing precision changes with spike rate adaptation in the owl's auditory
      space map.
AB  - Spike rate adaptation (SRA) is a continuing change of responsiveness to ongoing
      stimuli, which is ubiquitous across species and levels of sensory systems. Under
      SRA, auditory responses to constant stimuli change over time, relaxing toward a
      long-term rate often over multiple timescales. With more variable stimuli, SRA
      causes the dependence of spike rate on sound pressure level to shift toward the
      mean level of recent stimulus history. A model based on subtractive adaptation
      (Benda J, Hennig RM. J Comput Neurosci 24: 113-136, 2008) shows that changes in
      spike rate and level dependence are mechanistically linked. Space-specific
      neurons in the barn owl's midbrain, when recorded under ketamine-diazepam
      anesthesia, showed these classical characteristics of SRA, while at the same time
      exhibiting changes in spike timing precision. Abrupt level increases of
      sinusoidally amplitude-modulated (SAM) noise initially led to spiking at higher
      rates with lower temporal precision. Spike rate and precision relaxed toward
      their long-term values with a time course similar to SRA, results that were also
      replicated by the subtractive model. Stimuli whose amplitude modulations (AMs)
      were not synchronous across carrier frequency evoked spikes in response to
      stimulus envelopes of a particular shape, characterized by the spectrotemporal
      receptive field (STRF). Again, abrupt stimulus level changes initially disrupted
      the temporal precision of spiking, which then relaxed along with SRA. We suggest
      that shifts in latency associated with stimulus level changes may differ between
      carrier frequency bands and underlie decreased spike precision. Thus SRA is
      manifest not simply as a change in spike rate but also as a change in the
      temporal precision of spiking. 

PMID- 26269556
TI  - Lower neuronal variability in the monkey dorsolateral prefrontal than posterior
      parietal cortex.
AB  - The dorsolateral prefrontal and posterior parietal cortex are two brain areas
      involved in cognitive functions such as spatial attention and working memory.
      When tested with identical tasks, only subtle differences in firing rate are
      present between neurons recorded in the two areas. In this article we report that
      major differences in neuronal variability characterize the two areas during
      working memory. The Fano factors of spike counts in dorsolateral prefrontal
      neurons were consistently lower than those of the posterior parietal cortex
      across a range of tasks, epochs, and conditions in the same monkeys. Variability
      differences were observed despite minor differences in firing rates between the
      two areas in the tasks tested and higher overall firing rate in the prefrontal
      than in the posterior parietal sample. Other measures of neuronal discharge
      variability, such as the coefficient of variation of the interspike interval,
      displayed the same pattern of lower prefrontal variability. Fano factor values
      were negatively correlated with performance in the working memory task,
      suggesting that higher neuronal variability was associated with diminished task
      performance. The results indicate that information involving remembered stimuli
      is more reliably represented in the prefrontal than the posterior parietal cortex
      based on the variability of neuronal responses, and suggest functional
      differentiation between the two areas beyond differences in firing rate. 

PMID- 26269557
TI  - Overlapping representations for reach depth and direction in caudal superior
      parietal lobule of macaques.
AB  - Reaching movements in the real world have typically a direction and a depth
      component. Despite numerous behavioral studies, there is no consensus on whether
      reach coordinates are processed in separate or common visuomotor channels.
      Furthermore, the neural substrates of reach depth in parietal cortex have been
      ignored in most neurophysiological studies. In the medial posterior parietal area
      V6A, we recently demonstrated the strong presence of depth signals and the
      extensive convergence of depth and direction information on single neurons during
      all phases of a fixate-to-reach task in 3-dimensional (3D) space. Using the same
      task, in the present work we examined the processing of direction and depth
      information in area PEc of the caudal superior parietal lobule (SPL) in three
      Macaca fascicularis monkeys. Across the task, depth and direction had a similar,
      high incidence of modulatory effect. The effect of direction was stronger than
      depth during the initial fixation period. As the task progressed toward arm
      movement execution, depth tuning became more prominent than directional tuning
      and the number of cells modulated by both depth and direction increased
      significantly. Neurons tuned by depth showed a small bias for far peripersonal
      space. Cells with directional modulations were more frequently tuned toward
      contralateral spatial locations, but ipsilateral space was also represented.
      These findings, combined with results from neighboring areas V6A and PE, support
      a rostral-to-caudal gradient of overlapping representations for reach depth and
      direction in SPL. These findings also support a progressive change from
      visuospatial (vergence angle) to somatomotor representations of 3D space in SPL. 

PMID- 26269558
TI  - Membrane potential dynamics of populations of cortical neurons during auditory
      streaming.
AB  - How a mixture of acoustic sources is perceptually organized into discrete
      auditory objects remains unclear. One current hypothesis postulates that
      perceptual segregation of different sources is related to the spatiotemporal
      separation of cortical responses induced by each acoustic source or stream. In
      the present study, the dynamics of subthreshold membrane potential activity were
      measured across the entire tonotopic axis of the rodent primary auditory cortex
      during the auditory streaming paradigm using voltage-sensitive dye imaging.
      Consistent with the proposed hypothesis, we observed enhanced spatiotemporal
      segregation of cortical responses to alternating tone sequences as their
      frequency separation or presentation rate was increased, both manipulations known
      to promote stream segregation. However, across most streaming paradigm conditions
      tested, a substantial cortical region maintaining a response to both tones
      coexisted with more peripheral cortical regions responding more selectively to
      one of them. We propose that these coexisting subthreshold representation types
      could provide neural substrates to support the flexible switching between the
      integrated and segregated streaming percepts. 

PMID- 26269559
TI  - Auditory midbrain representation of a break in interaural correlation.
AB  - The auditory peripheral system filters broadband sounds into narrowband waves and
      decomposes narrowband waves into quickly varying temporal fine structures (TFSs)
      and slowly varying envelopes. When a noise is presented binaurally (with the
      interaural correlation being 1), human listeners can detect a transient break in
      interaural correlation (BIC), which does not alter monaural inputs substantially.
      The central correlates of BIC are unknown. This study examined whether phase
      locking-based frequency-following responses (FFRs) of neuron populations in the
      rat auditory midbrain [inferior colliculus (IC)] to interaurally correlated
      steady-state narrowband noises are modulated by introduction of a BIC. The
      results showed that the noise-induced FFR exhibited both a TFS component (FFRTFS)
      and an envelope component (FFREnv), signaling the center frequency and bandwidth,
      respectively. Introduction of either a BIC or an interaurally correlated
      amplitude gap (which had the summated amplitude matched to the BIC) significantly
      reduced both FFRTFS and FFREnv. However, the BIC-induced FFRTFS reduction and
      FFREnv reduction were not correlated with the amplitude gap-induced FFRTFS
      reduction and FFREnv reduction, respectively. Thus, although introduction of a
      BIC does not affect monaural inputs, it causes a temporary reduction in sustained
      responses of IC neuron populations to the noise. This BIC-induced FFR reduction
      is not based on a simple linear summation of noise signals. 

PMID- 26269560
TI  - Motor signatures in autism spectrum disorder: the importance of variability.
AB  - In a recent study, Wang et al. (J Neurophysiol 113: 1989-2001, 2015) used a
      precision grip force control task to unveil the contribution of feedforward and
      feedback mechanisms to sensorimotor dysfunction in autism spectrum disorder
      (ASD). Impairment of both motor control mechanisms was observed, along with
      significant variability in the motor response. In this Neuro Forum article we
      discuss these findings within the conceptual framework of the grasping circuit
      and within the broader context of clinical and research applications based on
      motor behavior.

PMID- 26269561
TI  - All Data Are Not Equal.

PMID- 26269562
TI  - Variations Among Medicare Beneficiaries Living in Different Settings:
      Demographics, Health Status, and Service Use.
AB  - Older people with complex health issues and needs for functional support are
      increasingly living in different types of residential care environments as
      alternatives to nursing homes. This study aims to compare the demographics and
      health-care expenditures of Medicare beneficiaries by the setting in which they
      live: nursing homes, residential care settings, and at home using data from the
      2002 to 2010 Medicare Current Beneficiary Study (MCBS), a nationally
      representative survey of the Medicare population. All Medicare beneficiaries aged
      65 years or older who participated in the fall MCBS interview (years 2002-2010)
      and were alive for the full year (N = 83,507) were included in the sample. We
      found that there is a gradient in health status, physical and cognitive
      functioning, and health-care use and spending across settings. Minority elderly
      are overrepresented in facilities and underrepresented in alternative living
      settings.

PMID- 26269563
TI  - DNA Methylation Predicts Progression of Human Gastric Lesions.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Development of the intestinal subtype of gastric adenocarcinoma is
      marked by a progression of histopathologic lesions. Residents of the Andean
      regions of Colombia are at high risk for gastric cancer. METHODS: A cohort of 976
      Colombian subjects was followed over 16 years examining effects of Helicobacter
      pylori eradication and treatment with antioxidants on progression of lesions. We
      performed methylation analysis of DNA from baseline antral biopsies from 104
      subjects for whom follow-up data were available for at least 12 years.
      Methylation was quantitated for AMPH, CDKN2A, CDH1, EN1, EMX1, NKX6-1, PCDH10,
      RPRM, RSPO2, SORCS3, ZIC1, and ZNF610 genes, using Pyrosequencing. RESULTS:
      Levels of DNA methylation were associated with baseline diagnosis for AMPH, EMX1,
      RPRM, RSPO2, SORCS3, and ZNF610. After adjusting for baseline diagnosis and H.
      pylori infection, methylation levels of AMPH, PCDH10, RSPO2, and ZNF610 had
      progression coefficients that increased and P values that decreased over 6, 12,
      and 16 years. Methylation for SORCS3 was associated with progression at all 3
      time points but without the continual strengthening of the effect. Scores for
      mononuclear leukocytes, polymorphonuclear leukocytes, or intraepithelial
      lymphocytes were unrelated to progression. CONCLUSIONS: Methylation levels of
      AMPH, PCDH10, RSPO2, SORCS3, and ZNF610 predict progression of gastric lesions
      independent of the effect of duration of H. pylori infection, baseline diagnosis,
      gender of the patient, or scores for mononuclear leukocytes, polymorphonuclear
      leukocytes, or intraepithelial lymphocytes. IMPACT: DNA methylation levels in
      AMPH, PCDH10, RSPO2, SORCS3, and ZNF610 may contribute to identification of
      persons with gastric lesions likely to progress.

PMID- 26269565
TI  - Julie A. Ross: In Memoriam (1961-2015).

PMID- 26269564
TI  - Serum Retinol and Carotenoid Concentrations and Prostate Cancer Risk: Results
      from the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Findings from epidemiologic studies examining associations of serum
      retinol and carotenoids with prostate cancer risk have been inconsistent. This
      case-control study nested in the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial evaluated
      associations of serum retinol and carotenoids with total, low-, and high-grade
      prostate cancer risk in a highly screened study population. METHODS: We used
      logistic regression adjusting for age, family history of prostate cancer, race,
      body mass index, and serum cholesterol to estimate ORs and 95% confidence
      intervals (CI) of prostate cancer by quartiles of serum retinol and carotenoids,
      separately in the placebo (975 cases/1,009 frequency-matched controls) and
      finasteride (708 cases/743 frequency-matched controls) arms of the trial.
      RESULTS: Serum retinol concentrations were associated with increased risk of
      total prostate cancer [OR (95% CI) comparing the highest quartile of serum
      retinol with the lowest: 1.30 (1.00-1.68)] and high-grade prostate cancer [OR
      (95% CI), 1.74 (1.14-2.68)] in the placebo arm of the trial only. Also in the
      placebo arm, there was a moderate positive association of alpha-carotene with
      risk of total prostate cancer [OR (95% CI), 1.32 (1.01-1.73)]. None of the other
      carotenoids was associated with prostate cancer risk in the placebo arm. No
      associations were observed for retinol and carotenoids in the finasteride arm.
      CONCLUSION: In the placebo arm of this prospective study, high serum retinol and
      alpha-carotene concentrations were associated with increased risk of total and
      high-grade prostate cancers. IMPACT: Men with higher levels of serum retinol and
      alpha-carotene may be at increased risk for prostate cancer.

PMID- 26269567
TI  - Examining the reaction of NO and H2S and the possible cross-talk between the two
      signaling pathways.

PMID- 26269566
TI  - Supplementation of l-Alanyl-l-Glutamine and Fish Oil Improves Body Composition
      and Quality of Life in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Skeletal muscle dysfunction and exercise intolerance are clinical
      hallmarks of patients with heart failure. These have been linked to a progressive
      catabolic state, skeletal muscle inflammation, and impaired oxidative metabolism.
      Previous studies suggest beneficial effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty
      acids and glutamine on exercise performance and muscle protein balance. METHODS
      AND RESULTS: In a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 31 patients
      with heart failure were randomized to either l-alanyl-l-glutamine (8 g/d) and
      polyunsaturated fatty acid (6.5 g/d) or placebo (safflower oil and milk powder)
      for 3 months. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry,
      6-minute walk test, hand grip strength, functional muscle testing,
      echocardiography, and quality of life and lateral quadriceps muscle biopsy were
      performed at baseline and at follow-up. Oxidative capacity and metabolic gene
      expression were analyzed on muscle biopsies. No differences in muscle function,
      echocardiography, 6-minute walk test, or hand grip strength and a nonsignificant
      increase in peak VO2 in the treatment group were found. Lean body mass increased
      and quality of life improved in the active treatment group. Molecular analysis
      revealed no differences in muscle fiber composition, fiber cross-sectional area,
      gene expression of metabolic marker genes (PGC1alpha, CPT1, PDK4, and GLUT4), and
      skeletal muscle oxidative capacity. CONCLUSIONS: The combined supplementation of
      l-alanyl-l-glutamine and polyunsaturated fatty acid did not improve exercise
      performance or muscle function but increased lean body mass and quality of life
      in patients with chronic stable heart failure. These findings suggest potentially
      beneficial effects of high-dose nutritional polyunsaturated fatty acids and amino
      acid supplementations in patients with chronic stable heart failure. CLINICAL
      TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier:
      NCT01534663.

PMID- 26269568
TI  - Computational design and experimental verification of a symmetric protein
      homodimer.
AB  - Homodimers are the most common type of protein assembly in nature and have
      distinct features compared with heterodimers and higher order oligomers.
      Understanding homodimer interactions at the atomic level is critical both for
      elucidating their biological mechanisms of action and for accurate modeling of
      complexes of unknown structure. Computation-based design of novel protein-protein
      interfaces can serve as a bottom-up method to further our understanding of
      protein interactions. Previous studies have demonstrated that the de novo design
      of homodimers can be achieved to atomic-level accuracy by beta-strand assembly or
      through metal-mediated interactions. Here, we report the design and experimental
      characterization of a alpha-helix-mediated homodimer with C2 symmetry based on a
      monomeric Drosophila engrailed homeodomain scaffold. A solution NMR structure
      shows that the homodimer exhibits parallel helical packing similar to the design
      model. Because the mutations leading to dimer formation resulted in poor
      thermostability of the system, design success was facilitated by the introduction
      of independent thermostabilizing mutations into the scaffold. This two-step
      design approach, function and stabilization, is likely to be generally
      applicable, especially if the desired scaffold is of low thermostability. 

PMID- 26269569
TI  - Small-molecule-directed, efficient generation of retinal pigment epithelium from
      human pluripotent stem cells.
AB  - Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is associated with dysfunction and death
      of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. Cell-based approaches using RPE-like
      cells derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) are being developed for
      AMD treatment. However, most efficient RPE differentiation protocols rely on
      complex, stepwise treatments and addition of growth factors, whereas small
      molecule-only approaches developed to date display reduced yields. To identify
      new compounds that promote RPE differentiation, we developed and performed a high
      throughput quantitative PCR screen complemented by a novel orthogonal human
      induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-based RPE reporter assay. Chetomin, an
      inhibitor of hypoxia-inducible factors, was found to strongly increase RPE
      differentiation; combination with nicotinamide resulted in conversion of over one
      half of the differentiating cells into RPE. Single passage of the whole culture
      yielded a highly pure hPSC-RPE cell population that displayed many of the
      morphological, molecular, and functional characteristics of native RPE. 

PMID- 26269571
TI  - Correction for Jimenez et al., Dynamics of gene circuits shapes evolvability.

PMID- 26269572
TI  - Correction for Hristov et al., An inhibitor persistently decreased enteric
      methane emission from dairy cows with no negative effect on milk production.

PMID- 26269570
TI  - Comparison of predicted and actual consequences of missense mutations.
AB  - Each person's genome sequence has thousands of missense variants. Practical
      interpretation of their functional significance must rely on computational
      inferences in the absence of exhaustive experimental measurements. Here we
      analyzed the efficacy of these inferences in 33 de novo missense mutations
      revealed by sequencing in first-generation progeny of N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea
      treated mice, involving 23 essential immune system genes. PolyPhen2, SIFT,
      MutationAssessor, Panther, CADD, and Condel were used to predict each mutation's
      functional importance, whereas the actual effect was measured by breeding and
      testing homozygotes for the expected in vivo loss-of-function phenotype. Only 20%
      of mutations predicted to be deleterious by PolyPhen2 (and 15% by CADD) showed a
      discernible phenotype in individual homozygotes. Half of all possible missense
      mutations in the same 23 immune genes were predicted to be deleterious, and most
      of these appear to become subject to purifying selection because few persist
      between separate mouse substrains, rodents, or primates. Because defects in
      immune genes could be phenotypically masked in vivo by compensation and
      environment, we compared inferences by the same tools with the in vitro phenotype
      of all 2,314 possible missense variants in TP53; 42% of mutations predicted by
      PolyPhen2 to be deleterious (and 45% by CADD) had little measurable consequence
      for TP53-promoted transcription. We conclude that for de novo or low-frequency
      missense mutations found by genome sequencing, half those inferred as deleterious
      correspond to nearly neutral mutations that have little impact on the clinical
      phenotype of individual cases but will nevertheless become subject to purifying
      selection. 

PMID- 26269573
TI  - Scalable synthesis of sequence-defined, unimolecular macromolecules by Flow-IEG.
AB  - We report a semiautomated synthesis of sequence and architecturally defined,
      unimolecular macromolecules through a marriage of multistep flow synthesis and
      iterative exponential growth (Flow-IEG). The Flow-IEG system performs three
      reactions and an in-line purification in a total residence time of under 10 min,
      effectively doubling the molecular weight of an oligomeric species in an
      uninterrupted reaction sequence. Further iterations using the Flow-IEG system
      enable an exponential increase in molecular weight. Incorporating a variety of
      monomer structures and branching units provides control over polymer sequence and
      architecture. The synthesis of a uniform macromolecule with a molecular weight of
      4,023 g/mol is demonstrated. The user-friendly nature, scalability, and
      modularity of Flow-IEG provide a general strategy for the automated synthesis of
      sequence-defined, unimolecular macromolecules. Flow-IEG is thus an enabling tool
      for theory validation, structure-property studies, and advanced applications in
      biotechnology and materials science. 

PMID- 26269574
TI  - Molecular Basis of Hypokalemia-Induced Ventricular Fibrillation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hypokalemia is known to promote ventricular arrhythmias, especially
      in combination with class III antiarrhythmic drugs like dofetilide. Here, we
      evaluated the underlying molecular mechanisms. METHODS AND RESULTS: Arrhythmias
      were recorded in isolated rabbit and rat hearts or patch-clamped ventricular
      myocytes exposed to hypokalemia (1.0-3.5 mmol/L) in the absence or presence of
      dofetilide (1 MUmol/L). Spontaneous early afterdepolarizations (EADs) and
      ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation occurred in 50% of hearts at 2.7 mmol/L [K]
      in the absence of dofetilide and 3.3 mmol/L [K] in its presence. Pretreatment
      with the Ca-calmodulin kinase II (CaMKII) inhibitor KN-93, but not its inactive
      analogue KN-92, abolished EADs and hypokalemia-induced ventricular
      tachycardia/fibrillation, as did the selective late Na current (INa) blocker GS
      967. In intact hearts, moderate hypokalemia (2.7 mmol/L) significantly increased
      tissue CaMKII activity. Computer modeling revealed that EAD generation by
      hypokalemia (with or without dofetilide) required Na-K pump inhibition to induce
      intracellular Na and Ca overload with consequent CaMKII activation enhancing late
      INa and the L-type Ca current. K current suppression by hypokalemia and
      dofetilide alone in the absence of CaMKII activation were ineffective at causing
      EADs. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that Na-K pump inhibition by even moderate
      hypokalemia plays a critical role in promoting EAD-mediated arrhythmias by
      inducing a positive feedback cycle activating CaMKII and enhancing late INa.
      Class III antiarrhythmic drugs like dofetilide sensitize the heart to this
      positive feedback loop.

PMID- 26269575
TI  - The Race Is On: Early Determination of Neuroprognosis After Cardiac Arrest.

PMID- 26269576
TI  - Continuous Amplitude-Integrated Electroencephalographic Monitoring Is a Useful
      Prognostic Tool for Hypothermia-Treated Cardiac Arrest Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Modern treatments have improved the survival rate following cardiac
      arrest, but prognostication remains a challenge. We examined the prognostic value
      of continuous electroencephalography according to time by performing amplitude
      integrated electroencephalography on patients with cardiac arrest receiving
      therapeutic hypothermia. METHODS AND RESULTS: We prospectively studied 130
      comatose patients treated with hypothermia from September 2010 to April 2013. We
      evaluated the time to normal trace (TTNT) as a neurological outcome predictor and
      determined the prognostic value of burst suppression and status epilepticus, with
      a particular focus on their time of occurrence. Fifty-five patients exhibited a
      cerebral performance category score of 1 to 2. The area under the curve for TTNT
      was 0.97 (95% confidence interval, 0.92-0.99), and the sensitivity and
      specificity of TTNT<24 hours after resuscitation as a threshold for predicting
      good neurological outcome were 94.6% (95% confidence interval, 84.9%-98.9%) and
      90.7% (95% confidence interval, 81.7%-96.2%), respectively. The threshold
      displaying 100% specificity for predicting poor neurological outcome was TTNT>36
      hours. Burst suppression and status epilepticus predicted poor neurological
      outcome (positive predictive value of 98.3% and 96.4%, respectively). The
      combination of these factors predicted a negative outcome at a median of 6.2
      hours after resuscitation (sensitivity and specificity of 92.0% and 96.4%,
      respectively). CONCLUSIONS: A TTNT<24 hours was associated with good neurological
      outcome. The lack of normal trace development within 36 hours, status
      epilepticus, and burst suppression were predictors of poor outcome. The
      combination of these negative predictors may improve their prognostic performance
      at an earlier stage.

PMID- 26269577
TI  - PDI reductase acts on Akita mutant proinsulin to initiate retrotranslocation
      along the Hrd1/Sel1L-p97 axis.
AB  - In mutant INS gene-induced diabetes of youth (MIDY), characterized by insulin
      deficiency, MIDY proinsulin mutants misfold and fail to exit the endoplasmic
      reticulum (ER). Moreover, these mutants bind and block ER exit of wild-type (WT)
      proinsulin, inhibiting insulin production. The ultimate fate of ER-entrapped MIDY
      mutants is unclear, but previous studies implicated ER-associated degradation
      (ERAD), a pathway that retrotranslocates misfolded ER proteins to the cytosol for
      proteasomal degradation. Here we establish key ERAD machinery components used to
      triage the Akita proinsulin mutant, including the Hrd1-Sel1L membrane complex,
      which conducts Akita proinsulin from the ER lumen to the cytosol, and the p97
      ATPase, which couples the cytosolic arrival of proinsulin with its proteasomal
      degradation. Surprisingly, we find that protein disulfide isomerase (PDI), the
      major protein oxidase of the ER lumen, engages Akita proinsulin in a novel way,
      reducing proinsulin disulfide bonds and priming the Akita protein for ERAD.
      Efficient PDI engagement of Akita proinsulin appears linked to the availability
      of Hrd1, suggesting that retrotranslocation is coordinated on the lumenal side of
      the ER membrane. We believe that, in principle, this form of diabetes could be
      alleviated by enhancing the targeting of MIDY mutants for ERAD to restore WT
      insulin production. 

PMID- 26269578
TI  - RdgB2 is required for dim-light input into intrinsically photosensitive retinal
      ganglion cells.
AB  - A subset of retinal ganglion cells is intrinsically photosensitive (ipRGCs) and
      contributes directly to the pupillary light reflex and circadian photoentrainment
      under bright-light conditions. ipRGCs are also indirectly activated by light
      through cellular circuits initiated in rods and cones. A mammalian homologue
      (RdgB2) of a phosphoinositide transfer/exchange protein that functions in
      Drosophila phototransduction is expressed in the retinal ganglion cell layer.
      This raised the possibility that RdgB2 might function in the intrinsic light
      response in ipRGCs, which depends on a cascade reminiscent of Drosophila
      phototransduction. Here we found that under high light intensities, RdgB2(-/-)
      mutant mice showed normal pupillary light responses and circadian
      photoentrainment. Consistent with this behavioral phenotype, the intrinsic light
      responses of ipRGCs in RdgB2(-/-) were indistinguishable from wild-type. In
      contrast, under low-light conditions, RdgB2(-/-) mutants displayed defects in
      both circadian photoentrainment and the pupillary light response. The RdgB2
      protein was not expressed in ipRGCs but was in GABAergic amacrine cells, which
      provided inhibitory feedback onto bipolar cells. We propose that RdgB2 is
      required in a cellular circuit that transduces light input from rods to bipolar
      cells that are coupled to GABAergic amacrine cells and ultimately to ipRGCs,
      thereby enabling ipRGCs to respond to dim light. 

PMID- 26269579
TI  - Centrosome-intrinsic mechanisms modulate centrosome integrity during fever.
AB  - The centrosome is critical for cell division, ciliogenesis, membrane trafficking,
      and immunological synapse function. The immunological synapse is part of the
      immune response, which is often accompanied by fever/heat stress (HS). Here we
      provide evidence that HS causes deconstruction of all centrosome substructures
      primarily through degradation by centrosome-associated proteasomes. This renders
      the centrosome nonfunctional. Heat-activated degradation is centrosome selective,
      as other nonmembranous organelles (midbody, kinetochore) and membrane-bounded
      organelles (mitochondria) remain largely intact. Heat-induced centrosome
      inactivation was rescued by targeting Hsp70 to the centrosome. In contrast, Hsp70
      excluded from the centrosome via targeting to membranes failed to rescue, as did
      chaperone inactivation. This indicates that there is a balance between
      degradation and chaperone rescue at the centrosome after HS. This novel mechanism
      of centrosome regulation during fever contributes to immunological synapse
      formation. Heat-induced centrosome inactivation is a physiologically relevant
      event, as centrosomes in leukocytes of febrile patients are disrupted. 

PMID- 26269580
TI  - TbetaRIII independently binds type I and type II TGF-beta receptors to inhibit
      TGF-beta signaling.
AB  - Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) receptor oligomerization has important
      roles in signaling. Complex formation among type I and type II (TbetaRI and
      TbetaRII) TGF-beta receptors is well characterized and is essential for signal
      transduction. However, studies on their interactions with the type III TGF-beta
      coreceptor (TbetaRIII) in live cells and their effects on TGF-beta signaling are
      lacking. Here we investigated the homomeric and heteromeric interactions of
      TbetaRIII with TbetaRI and TbetaRII in live cells by combining IgG-mediated
      patching/immobilization of a given TGF-beta receptor with fluorescence recovery
      after photobleaching studies on the lateral diffusion of a coexpressed receptor.
      Our studies demonstrate that TbetaRIII homo-oligomerization is indirect and
      depends on its cytoplasmic domain interactions with scaffold proteins (mainly
      GIPC). We show that TbetaRII and TbetaRI bind independently to TbetaRIII, whereas
      TbetaRIII augments TbetaRI/TbetaRII association, suggesting that TbetaRI and
      TbetaRII bind to TbetaRIII simultaneously but not as a complex. TbetaRIII
      expression inhibited TGF-beta-mediated Smad2/3 signaling in MDA-MB-231 cell
      lines, an effect that depended on the TbetaRIII cytoplasmic domain and did not
      require TbetaRIII ectodomain shedding. We propose that independent binding of
      TbetaRI and TbetaRII to TbetaRIII competes with TbetaRI/TbetaRII signaling
      complex formation, thus inhibiting TGF-beta-mediated Smad signaling. 

PMID- 26269581
TI  - Lipid partitioning at the nuclear envelope controls membrane biogenesis.
AB  - Partitioning of lipid precursors between membranes and storage is crucial for
      cell growth, and its disruption underlies pathologies such as cancer, obesity,
      and type 2 diabetes. However, the mechanisms and signals that regulate this
      process are largely unknown. In yeast, lipid precursors are mainly used for
      phospholipid synthesis in nutrient-rich conditions in order to sustain rapid
      proliferation but are redirected to triacylglycerol (TAG) stored in lipid
      droplets during starvation. Here we investigate how cells reprogram lipid
      metabolism in the endoplasmic reticulum. We show that the conserved phosphatidate
      (PA) phosphatase Pah1, which generates diacylglycerol from PA, targets a nuclear
      membrane subdomain that is in contact with growing lipid droplets and mediates
      TAG synthesis. We find that cytosol acidification activates the master regulator
      of Pah1, the Nem1-Spo7 complex, thus linking Pah1 activity to cellular metabolic
      status. In the absence of TAG storage capacity, Pah1 still binds the nuclear
      membrane, but lipid precursors are redirected toward phospholipids, resulting in
      nuclear deformation and a proliferation of endoplasmic reticulum membrane. We
      propose that, in response to growth signals, activation of Pah1 at the nuclear
      envelope acts as a switch to control the balance between membrane biogenesis and
      lipid storage. 

PMID- 26269582
TI  - Atypical protein kinase C induces cell transformation by disrupting Hippo/Yap
      signaling.
AB  - Epithelial cells are major sites of malignant transformation. Atypical protein
      kinase C (aPKC) isoforms are overexpressed and activated in many cancer types.
      Using normal, highly polarized epithelial cells (MDCK and NMuMG), we report that
      aPKC gain of function overcomes contact inhibited growth and is sufficient for a
      transformed epithelial phenotype. In 2D cultures, aPKC induced cells to grow as
      stratified epithelia, whereas cells grew as solid spheres of nonpolarized cells
      in 3D culture. aPKC associated with Mst1/2, which uncoupled Mst1/2 from Lats1/2
      and promoted nuclear accumulation of Yap1. Of importance, Yap1 was necessary for
      aPKC-mediated overgrowth but did not restore cell polarity defects, indicating
      that the two are separable events. In MDCK cells, Yap1 was sequestered to cell
      cell junctions by Amot, and aPKC overexpression resulted in loss of Amot
      expression and a spindle-like cell phenotype. Reexpression of Amot was sufficient
      to restore an epithelial cobblestone appearance, Yap1 localization, and growth
      control. In contrast, the effect of aPKC on Hippo/Yap signaling and overgrowth in
      NMuMG cells was independent of Amot. Finally, increased expression of aPKC in
      human cancers strongly correlated with increased nuclear accumulation of Yap1,
      indicating that the effect of aPKC on transformed growth by deregulating
      Hippo/Yap1 signaling may be clinically relevant. 

PMID- 26269583
TI  - Single-cell analysis of circadian dynamics in tissue explants.
AB  - Tracking molecular dynamics in single cells in vivo is instrumental to
      understanding how cells act and interact in tissues. Current tissue imaging
      approaches focus on short-term observation and typically nonendogenous or
      implanted samples. Here we develop an experimental and computational setup that
      allows for single-cell tracking of a transcriptional reporter over a period of >1
      wk in the context of an intact tissue. We focus on the peripheral circadian clock
      as a model system and measure the circadian signaling of hundreds of cells from
      two tissues. The circadian clock is an autonomous oscillator whose behavior is
      well described in isolated cells, but in situ analysis of circadian signaling in
      single cells of peripheral tissues is as-yet uncharacterized. Our approach
      allowed us to investigate the oscillatory properties of individual clocks,
      determine how these properties are maintained among different cells, and assess
      how they compare to the population rhythm. These experiments, using a wide-field
      microscope, a previously generated reporter mouse, and custom software to track
      cells over days, suggest how many signaling pathways might be quantitatively
      characterized in explant models. 

PMID- 26269584
TI  - Hcm1 integrates signals from Cdk1 and calcineurin to control cell proliferation.
AB  - Cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk1) orchestrates progression through the cell cycle by
      coordinating the activities of cell-cycle regulators. Although phosphatases that
      oppose Cdk1 are likely to be necessary to establish dynamic phosphorylation,
      specific phosphatases that target most Cdk1 substrates have not been identified.
      In budding yeast, the transcription factor Hcm1 activates expression of genes
      that regulate chromosome segregation and is critical for maintaining genome
      stability. Previously we found that Hcm1 activity and degradation are stimulated
      by Cdk1 phosphorylation of distinct clusters of sites. Here we show that, upon
      exposure to environmental stress, the phosphatase calcineurin inhibits Hcm1 by
      specifically removing activating phosphorylations and that this regulation is
      important for cells to delay proliferation when they encounter stress. Our work
      identifies a mechanism by which proliferative signals from Cdk1 are removed in
      response to stress and suggests that Hcm1 functions as a rheostat that integrates
      stimulatory and inhibitory signals to control cell proliferation. 

PMID- 26269585
TI  - A phosphoinositide-binding cluster in cavin1 acts as a molecular sensor for
      cavin1 degradation.
AB  - Caveolae are abundant surface organelles implicated in a range of cellular
      processes. Two classes of proteins work together to generate caveolae: integral
      membrane proteins termed caveolins and cytoplasmic coat proteins called cavins.
      Caveolae respond to membrane stress by releasing cavins into the cytosol. A
      crucial aspect of this model is tight regulation of cytosolic pools of cavin
      under resting conditions. We now show that a recently identified region of cavin1
      that can bind phosphoinositide (PI) lipids is also a major site of
      ubiquitylation. Ubiquitylation of lysines within this site leads to rapid
      proteasomal degradation. In cells that lack caveolins and caveolae, cavin1 is
      cytosolic and rapidly degraded as compared with cells in which cavin1 is
      associated with caveolae. Membrane stretching causes caveolar disassembly,
      release of cavin complexes into the cytosol, and increased proteasomal
      degradation of wild-type cavin1 but not mutant cavin1 lacking the major
      ubiquitylation site. Release of cavin1 from caveolae thus leads to exposure of
      key lysine residues in the PI-binding region, acting as a trigger for cavin1
      ubiquitylation and down-regulation. This mutually exclusive PI
      binding/ubiquitylation mechanism may help maintain low levels of cytosolic cavin1
      in resting cells, a prerequisite for cavins acting as signaling modules following
      release from caveolae. 

PMID- 26269586
TI  - The Genome Sequence of Saccharomyces eubayanus and the Domestication of Lager
      Brewing Yeasts.
AB  - The dramatic phenotypic changes that occur in organisms during domestication
      leave indelible imprints on their genomes. Although many domesticated plants and
      animals have been systematically compared with their wild genetic stocks, the
      molecular and genomic processes underlying fungal domestication have received
      less attention. Here, we present a nearly complete genome assembly for the
      recently described yeast species Saccharomyces eubayanus and compare it to the
      genomes of multiple domesticated alloploid hybrids of S. eubayanus * S.
      cerevisiae (S. pastorianus syn. S. carlsbergensis), which are used to brew lager
      style beers. We find that the S. eubayanus subgenomes of lager-brewing yeasts
      have experienced increased rates of evolution since hybridization, and that
      certain genes involved in metabolism may have been particularly affected.
      Interestingly, the S. eubayanus subgenome underwent an especially strong shift in
      selection regimes, consistent with more extensive domestication of the S.
      cerevisiae parent prior to hybridization. In contrast to recent proposals that
      lager-brewing yeasts were domesticated following a single hybridization event,
      the radically different neutral site divergences between the subgenomes of the
      two major lager yeast lineages strongly favor at least two independent origins
      for the S. cerevisiae * S. eubayanus hybrids that brew lager beers. Our findings
      demonstrate how this industrially important hybrid has been domesticated along
      similar evolutionary trajectories on multiple occasions. 

PMID- 26269587
TI  - Reaction of Hydrogen Sulfide with Disulfide and Sulfenic Acid to Form the
      Strongly Nucleophilic Persulfide.
AB  - Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is increasingly recognized to modulate physiological
      processes in mammals through mechanisms that are currently under scrutiny. H2S is
      not able to react with reduced thiols (RSH). However, H2S, more precisely HS(-),
      is able to react with oxidized thiol derivatives. We performed a systematic study
      of the reactivity of HS(-) toward symmetric low molecular weight disulfides
      (RSSR) and mixed albumin (HSA) disulfides. Correlations with thiol acidity and
      computational modeling showed that the reaction occurs through a concerted
      mechanism. Comparison with analogous reactions of thiolates indicated that the
      intrinsic reactivity of HS(-) is 1 order of magnitude lower than that of
      thiolates. In addition, H2S is able to react with sulfenic acids (RSOH). The rate
      constant of the reaction of H2S with the sulfenic acid formed in HSA was
      determined. Both reactions of H2S with disulfides and sulfenic acids yield
      persulfides (RSSH), recently identified post-translational modifications. The
      formation of this derivative in HSA was determined, and the rate constants of its
      reactions with a reporter disulfide and with peroxynitrite revealed that
      persulfides are better nucleophiles than thiols, which is consistent with the
      alpha effect. Experiments with cells in culture showed that treatment with
      hydrogen peroxide enhanced the formation of persulfides. Biological implications
      are discussed. Our results give light on the mechanisms of persulfide formation
      and provide quantitative evidence for the high nucleophilicity of these novel
      derivatives, setting the stage for understanding the contribution of the
      reactions of H2S with oxidized thiol derivatives to H2S effector processes.

PMID- 26269588
TI  - Neutrophil elastase promotes interleukin-1beta secretion from human coronary
      endothelium.
AB  - The endothelium is critically involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis by
      producing pro-inflammatory mediators, including IL-1beta. Coronary arteries from
      patients with ischemic heart disease express large amounts of IL-1beta in the
      endothelium. However, the mechanism by which endothelial cells (ECs) release IL
      1beta remains to be elucidated. We investigated neutrophil elastase (NE), a
      potent serine protease detected in vulnerable areas of human carotid plaques, as
      a potential "trigger" for IL-1beta processing and release. This study tested the
      hypothesis that NE potentiates the processing and release of IL-1beta from human
      coronary endothelium. We found that NE cleaves the pro-isoform of IL-1beta in ECs
      and causes significant secretion of bioactive IL-1beta via extracellular
      vesicles. This release was attenuated significantly by inhibition of neutrophil
      elastase but not caspase-1. Transient increases in intracellular Ca(2+) levels
      were observed prior to secretion. Inside ECs, and after NE treatment only, IL
      1beta was detected within LAMP-1-positive multivesicular bodies. The released
      vesicles contained bioactive IL-1beta. In vivo, in experimental atherosclerosis,
      NE was detected in mature atherosclerotic plaques, predominantly in the
      endothelium, alongside IL-1beta. This study reveals a novel mechanistic link
      between NE expression in atherosclerotic plaques and concomitant pro-inflammatory
      bioactive IL-1beta secretion from ECs. This could reveal additional potential
      anti-IL-1beta therapeutic targets and provide further insights into the
      inflammatory process by which vascular disease develops. 

PMID- 26269589
TI  - The nicotine metabolite, cotinine, alters the assembly and trafficking of a
      subset of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.
AB  - Exposure to nicotine alters the trafficking and assembly of nicotinic receptors
      (nAChRs), leading to their up-regulation on the plasma membrane. Although the
      mechanism is not fully understood, nicotine-induced up-regulation is believed to
      contribute to nicotine addiction. The effect of cotinine, the primary metabolite
      of nicotine, on nAChR trafficking and assembly has not been extensively
      investigated. We utilize a pH-sensitive variant of GFP, super ecliptic pHluorin,
      to differentiate between intracellular nAChRs and those expressed on the plasma
      membrane to quantify changes resulting from cotinine and nicotine exposure.
      Similar to nicotine, exposure to cotinine increases the number of alpha4beta2
      receptors on the plasma membrane and causes a redistribution of intracellular
      receptors. In contrast to this, cotinine exposure down-regulates alpha6beta2beta3
      receptors. We also used single molecule fluorescence studies to show that
      cotinine and nicotine both alter the assembly of alpha4beta2 receptors to favor
      the high sensitivity (alpha4)2(beta2)3 stoichiometry. 

PMID- 26269590
TI  - The cAMP Signaling Pathway and Direct Protein Kinase A Phosphorylation Regulate
      Polycystin-2 (TRPP2) Channel Function.
AB  - Polycystin-2 (PC2) is a TRP-type, Ca(2+)-permeable non-selective cation channel
      that plays an important role in Ca(2+) signaling in renal and non-renal cells.
      The effect(s) of the cAMP pathway and kinase mediated phosphorylation of PC2 seem
      to be relevant to PC2 trafficking and its interaction with polycystin-1. However,
      the role of PC2 phosphorylation in channel function is still poorly defined. Here
      we reconstituted apical membranes of term human syncytiotrophoblast (hST),
      containing endogenous PC2 (PC2hst), and in vitro translated channel protein
      (PC2iv). Addition of the catalytic subunit of PKA increased by 566% the
      spontaneous PC2hst channel activity in the presence of ATP. Interestingly, 8-Br
      cAMP also stimulated spontaneous PC2hst channel activity in the absence of the
      exogenous kinase. Either stimulation was inhibited by addition of alkaline
      phosphatase, which in turn, was reversed by the phosphatase inhibitor vanadate.
      Neither maneuver modified the single channel conductance but instead increased
      channel mean open time. PKA directly phosphorylated PC2, which increased the mean
      open time but not the single channel conductance of the channel. PKA
      phosphorylation did not modify either R742X truncated or S829A-mutant PC2iv
      channel function. The data indicate that the cAMP pathway regulates PC2-mediated
      cation transport in the hST. The relevant PKA site for PC2 channel regulation
      centers on a single residue serine 829, in the carboxyl terminus. 

PMID- 26269591
TI  - Transcriptional Regulation of the Astrocytic Excitatory Amino Acid Transporter 1
      (EAAT1) via NF-kappaB and Yin Yang 1 (YY1).
AB  - Astrocytic glutamate transporter excitatory amino acid transporter (EAAT) 1, also
      known as glutamate aspartate transporter (GLAST) in rodents, is one of two glial
      glutamate transporters that are responsible for removing excess glutamate from
      synaptic clefts to prevent excitotoxic neuronal death. Despite its important role
      in neurophysiological functions, the molecular mechanisms of EAAT1 regulation at
      the transcriptional level remain to be established. Here, we report that NF
      kappaB is a main positive transcription factor for EAAT1, supported by the
      following: 1) EAAT1 contains two consensus sites for NF-kappaB, 2) mutation of NF
      kappaB binding sites decreased EAAT1 promoter activity, and 3) activation of NF
      kappaB increased, whereas inhibition of NF-kappaB decreased EAAT1 promoter
      activity and mRNA/protein levels. EGF increased EAAT1 mRNA/protein levels and
      glutamate uptake via NF-kappaB. The transcription factor yin yang 1 (YY1) plays a
      role as a critical negative regulator of EAAT1, supported by the following: 1)
      the EAAT1 promoter contains multiple consensus sites for YY1, 2) overexpression
      of YY1 decreased EAAT1 promoter activity and mRNA/protein levels, and 3)
      knockdown of YY1 increased EAAT1 promoter activity and mRNA/protein levels.
      Manganese decreased EAAT1 expression via YY1. Epigenetic modifiers histone
      deacetylases (HDACs) served as co-repressors of YY1 to further decrease EAAT1
      promoter activity, whereas inhibition of HDACs reversed manganese-induced
      decrease of EAAT1 expression. Taken together, our findings suggest that NF-kappaB
      is a critical positive regulator of EAAT1, mediating the stimulatory effects of
      EGF, whereas YY1 is a negative regulator of EAAT1 with HDACs as co-repressors,
      mediating the inhibitory effects of manganese on EAAT1 regulation. 

PMID- 26269592
TI  - Signal Transduction and Intracellular Trafficking by the Interleukin 36 Receptor.
AB  - Improper signaling of the IL-36 receptor (IL-36R), a member of the IL-1 receptor
      family, has been associated with various inflammation-associated diseases.
      However, the requirements for IL-36R signal transduction remain poorly
      characterized. This work seeks to define the requirements for IL-36R signaling
      and intracellular trafficking. In the absence of cognate agonists, IL-36R was
      endocytosed and recycled to the plasma membrane. In the presence of IL-36, IL-36R
      increased accumulation in LAMP1+ lysosomes. Endocytosis predominantly used a
      clathrin-mediated pathway, and the accumulation of the IL-36R in lysosomes did
      not result in increased receptor turnover. The ubiquitin-binding Tollip protein
      contributed to IL-36R signaling and increased the accumulation of both subunits
      of the IL-36R. 

PMID- 26269593
TI  - Conserved overlapping gene arrangement, restricted expression, and biochemical
      activities of DNA polymerase nu (POLN).
AB  - DNA polymerase nu (POLN) is one of 16 DNA polymerases encoded in vertebrate
      genomes. It is important to determine its gene expression patterns, biological
      roles, and biochemical activities. By quantitative analysis of mRNA expression,
      we found that POLN from the zebrafish Danio rerio is expressed predominantly in
      testis. POLN is not detectably expressed in zebrafish embryos or in mouse
      embryonic stem cells. Consistent with this, injection of POLN-specific morpholino
      antisense oligonucleotides did not interfere with zebrafish embryonic
      development. Analysis of transcripts revealed that vertebrate POLN has an unusual
      gene expression arrangement, sharing a first exon with HAUS3, the gene encoding
      augmin-like complex subunit 3. HAUS3 is broadly expressed in embryonic and adult
      tissues, in contrast to POLN. Differential expression of POLN and HAUS3 appears
      to arise by alternate splicing of transcripts in mammalian cells and zebrafish.
      When POLN was ectopically overexpressed in human cells, it specifically
      coimmunoprecipitated with the homologous recombination factors BRCA1 and FANCJ,
      but not with previously suggested interaction partners (HELQ and members of the
      Fanconi anemia core complex). Purified zebrafish POLN protein is capable of
      thymine glycol bypass and strand displacement, with activity dependent on a basic
      amino acid residue known to stabilize the primer-template. These properties are
      conserved with the human enzyme. Although the physiological function of pol nu
      remains to be clarified, this study uncovers distinctive aspects of its
      expression control and evolutionarily conserved properties of this DNA
      polymerase. 

PMID- 26269594
TI  - Nucling, a novel apoptosis-associated protein, controls mammary gland involution
      by regulating NF-kappaB and STAT3.
AB  - Postpartum mammary gland involution is the physiological process by which the
      lactating gland returns to its pre-pregnant state. In rodent models, the
      microenvironment of mammary gland involution is sufficient to induce enhanced
      tumor cell growth, local invasion, and metastasis. Therefore, a deeper
      understanding of the physiological regulation of involution may provide in-depth
      information on breast cancer therapy. We herein identified Nucling as an
      important regulator of involution of the mammary gland. A knock-out mouse model
      was generated and revealed that postpartum involution were impaired in mice
      lacking Nucling. Involution is normally associated with an increase in the
      activation of NF-kappaB and STAT3, which is required for the organized regulation
      of involution, and was observed in WT glands, but not in the absence of Nucling.
      Furthermore, the loss of Nucling led to the suppression of Calpain-1, IL-6, and
      C/EBPdelta factors, which are known to be essential for normal involution. The
      number of M2 macrophages, which are crucial for epithelial cell death and
      adipocyte repopulation after weaning, was also reduced in Nucling-KO glands.
      Taken together, the results of the present study demonstrated that Nucling played
      an important role in mammary gland involution by regulating NF-kappaB and STAT3
      signaling pathways. 

PMID- 26269595
TI  - Probing the Catalytic Mechanism of Copper Amine Oxidase from Arthrobacter
      globiformis with Halide Ions.
AB  - The catalytic reaction of copper amine oxidase proceeds through a ping-pong
      mechanism comprising two half-reactions. In the initial half-reaction, the
      substrate amine reduces the Tyr-derived cofactor, topa quinone (TPQ), to an
      aminoresorcinol form (TPQamr) that is in equilibrium with a semiquinone radical
      (TPQsq) via an intramolecular electron transfer to the active-site copper. We
      have analyzed this reductive half-reaction in crystals of the copper amine
      oxidase from Arthrobacter globiformis. Anerobic soaking of the crystals with an
      amine substrate shifted the equilibrium toward TPQsq in an "on-copper"
      conformation, in which the 4-OH group ligated axially to the copper center, which
      was probably reduced to Cu(I). When the crystals were soaked with substrate in
      the presence of halide ions, which act as uncompetitive and noncompetitive
      inhibitors with respect to the amine substrate and dioxygen, respectively, the
      equilibrium in the crystals shifted toward the "off-copper" conformation of
      TPQamr. The halide ion was bound to the axial position of the copper center,
      thereby preventing TPQamr from adopting the on-copper conformation. Furthermore,
      transient kinetic analyses in the presence of viscogen (glycerol) revealed that
      only the rate constant in the step of TPQamr/TPQsq interconversion is markedly
      affected by the viscogen, which probably perturbs the conformational change.
      These findings unequivocally demonstrate that TPQ undergoes large conformational
      changes during the reductive half-reaction. 

PMID- 26269596
TI  - Biased Gs versus Gq proteins and beta-arrestin signaling in the NK1 receptor
      determined by interactions in the water hydrogen bond network.
AB  - X-ray structures, molecular dynamics simulations, and mutational analysis have
      previously indicated that an extended water hydrogen bond network between trans
      membranes I-III, VI, and VII constitutes an allosteric interface essential for
      stabilizing different active and inactive helical constellations during the seven
      trans-membrane receptor activation. The neurokinin-1 receptor signals efficiently
      through Gq, Gs, and beta-arrestin when stimulated by substance P, but it lacks
      any sign of constitutive activity. In the water hydrogen bond network the
      neurokinin-1 has a unique Glu residue instead of the highly conserved AspII:10
      (2.50). Here, we find that this GluII:10 occupies the space of a putative
      allosteric modulating Na(+) ion and makes direct inter-helical interactions in
      particular with SerIII:15 (3.39) and AsnVII:16 (7.49) of the NPXXY motif.
      Mutational changes in the interface between GluII:10 and AsnVII:16 created
      receptors that selectively signaled through the following: 1) Gq only; 2) beta
      arrestin only; and 3) Gq and beta-arrestin but not through Gs. Interestingly,
      increased constitutive Gs but not Gq signaling was observed by Ala substitution
      of four out of the six core polar residues of the network, in particular
      SerIII:15. Three residues were essential for all three signaling pathways, i.e.
      the water-gating micro-switch residues TrpVI:13 (6.48) of the CWXP motif and
      TyrVII:20 (7.53) of the NPXXY motif plus the totally conserved AsnI:18 (1.50)
      stabilizing the kink in trans-membrane VII. It is concluded that the interface
      between position II:10 (2.50), III:15 (3.39), and VII:16 (7.49) in the center of
      the water hydrogen bond network constitutes a focal point for fine-tuning seven
      trans-membrane receptor conformations activating different signal transduction
      pathways. 

PMID- 26269597
TI  - ERK2-Pyruvate Kinase Axis Permits Phorbol 12-Myristate 13-Acetate-induced
      Megakaryocyte Differentiation in K562 Cells.
AB  - Metabolic changes that contribute to differentiation are not well understood.
      Overwhelming evidence shows the critical role of glycolytic enzyme pyruvate
      kinase (PK) in directing metabolism of proliferating cells. However, its role in
      metabolism of differentiating cells is unclear. Here we studied the role of PK in
      phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced megakaryocytic differentiation in
      human leukemia K562 cells. We observed that PMA treatment decreased cancer-type
      anabolic metabolism but increased ATP production, along with up-regulated
      expression of two PK isoforms (PKM2 and PKR) in an ERK2-dependent manner.
      Interestingly, silencing of PK (PKM2 and PKR) inhibited PMA-induced
      megakaryocytic differentiation, as revealed by decreased expression of
      megakaryocytic differentiation marker CD61 and cell cycle behavior. Further, PMA
      induced ATP production reduced greatly upon PK silencing, suggesting that PK is
      required for ATP synthesis. In addition to metabolic effects, PMA treatment also
      translocated PKM2, but not PKR, into nucleus. ERK1/2 knockdowns independently and
      together suggested the role of ERK2 in the up-regulation of both the isoforms of
      PK, proposing a role of ERK2-PK isoform axis in differentiation. Collectively,
      our findings unravel ERK2 guided PK-dependent metabolic changes during PMA
      induction, which are important in megakaryocytic differentiation. 

PMID- 26269598
TI  - Discovery of PPi-type Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase Genes in Eukaryotes and
      Bacteria.
AB  - Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) is one of the pivotal enzymes that
      regulates the carbon flow of the central metabolism by fixing CO2 to
      phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) to produce oxaloacetate or vice versa. Whereas ATP- and
      GTP-type PEPCKs have been well studied, and their protein identities are
      established, inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi)-type PEPCK (PPi-PEPCK) is poorly
      characterized. Despite extensive enzymological studies, its protein identity and
      encoding gene remain unknown. In this study, PPi-PEPCK has been identified for
      the first time from a eukaryotic human parasite, Entamoeba histolytica, by
      conventional purification and mass spectrometric identification of the native
      enzyme, followed by demonstration of its enzymatic activity. A homolog of the
      amebic PPi-PEPCK from an anaerobic bacterium Propionibacterium freudenreichii
      subsp. shermanii also exhibited PPi-PEPCK activity. The primary structure of PPi
      PEPCK has no similarity to the functional homologs ATP/GTP-PEPCKs and PEP
      carboxylase, strongly suggesting that PPi-PEPCK arose independently from the
      other functional homologues and very likely has unique catalytic sites. PPi-PEPCK
      homologs were found in a variety of bacteria and some eukaryotes but not in
      archaea. The molecular identification of this long forgotten enzyme shows us the
      diversity and functional redundancy of enzymes involved in the central metabolism
      and can help us to understand the central metabolism more deeply. 

PMID- 26269599
TI  - Structure-Functional Characterization of Cytochrome P450 Sterol 14alpha
      Demethylase (CYP51B) from Aspergillus fumigatus and Molecular Basis for the
      Development of Antifungal Drugs.
AB  - Aspergillus fumigatus is the opportunistic fungal pathogen that predominantly
      affects the immunocompromised population and causes 600,000 deaths/year. The
      cytochrome P450 51 (CYP51) inhibitor voriconazole is currently the drug of
      choice, yet the treatment efficiency remains low, calling for rational
      development of more efficient agents. A. fumigatus has two CYP51 genes, CYP51A
      and CYP51B, which share 59% amino acid sequence identity. CYP51B is expressed
      constitutively, whereas gene CYP51A is reported to be inducible. We expressed,
      purified, and characterized A. fumigatus CYP51B, including determination of its
      substrate preferences, catalytic parameters, inhibition, and x-ray structure in
      complexes with voriconazole and the experimental inhibitor (R)-N-(1-(2,4
      dichlorophenyl)-2-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)ethyl)-4-(5-phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2
      yl)benzamide (VNI). The enzyme demethylated its natural substrate eburicol and
      the plant CYP51 substrate obtusifoliol at steady-state rates of 17 and 16 min(
      1), respectively, but did not metabolize lanosterol, and the topical antifungal
      drug miconazole was the strongest inhibitor that we identified. The x-ray crystal
      structures displayed high overall similarity of A. fumigatus CYP51B to CYP51
      orthologs from other biological kingdoms but revealed phylum-specific differences
      relevant to enzyme catalysis and inhibition. The complex with voriconazole
      provides an explanation for the potency of this relatively small molecule,
      whereas the complex with VNI outlines a direction for further enhancement of the
      efficiency of this new inhibitory scaffold to treat humans afflicted with
      filamentous fungal infections. 

PMID- 26269600
TI  - Modulator of apoptosis 1 (MOAP-1) is a tumor suppressor protein linked to the
      RASSF1A protein.
AB  - Modulator of apoptosis 1 (MOAP-1) is a BH3-like protein that plays key roles in
      cell death or apoptosis. It is an integral partner to the tumor suppressor
      protein, Ras association domain family 1A (RASSF1A), and functions to activate
      the Bcl-2 family pro-apoptotic protein Bax. Although RASSF1A is now considered a
      bona fide tumor suppressor protein, the role of MOAP-1 as a tumor suppressor
      protein has yet to be determined. In this study, we present several lines of
      evidence from cancer databases, immunoblotting of cancer cells, proliferation,
      and xenograft assays as well as DNA microarray analysis to demonstrate the role
      of MOAP-1 as a tumor suppressor protein. Frequent loss of MOAP-1 expression, in
      at least some cancers, appears to be attributed to mRNA down-regulation and the
      rapid proteasomal degradation of MOAP-1 that could be reversed utilizing the
      proteasome inhibitor MG132. Overexpression of MOAP-1 in several cancer cell lines
      resulted in reduced tumorigenesis and up-regulation of genes involved in cancer
      regulatory pathways that include apoptosis (p53, Fas, and MST1), DNA damage
      control (poly(ADP)-ribose polymerase and ataxia telangiectasia mutated), those
      within the cell metabolism (IR-alpha, IR-beta, and AMP-activated protein kinase),
      and a stabilizing effect on microtubules. The loss of RASSF1A (an upstream
      regulator of MOAP-1) is one of the earliest detectable epigenetically silenced
      tumor suppressor proteins in cancer, and we speculate that the additional loss of
      function of MOAP-1 may be a second hit to functionally compromise the
      RASSF1A/MOAP-1 death receptor-dependent pathway and drive tumorigenesis. 

PMID- 26269601
TI  - Fibroblast-derived neuregulin 1 promotes compensatory ErbB3 receptor signaling in
      mutant BRAF melanoma.
AB  - Rapidly accelerated fibrosarcoma (RAF) inhibitors are first-line treatments for
      patients harboring V600E/K mutant BRAF melanoma. Although RAF inhibitors produce
      high response rates, the degree of tumor regression is heterogeneous.
      Compensatory/adaptive responses to targeted inhibitors are frequently initiated
      by the activation of growth factor receptor tyrosine kinases, including ErbB3,
      and factors from the tumor microenvironment may play an important role. We have
      shown previously that mutant v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1
      (BRAF) melanoma cells have enhanced activation of ErbB3 following RAF inhibition.
      However, the source of neuregulin 1 (NRG1), the ligand for ErbB3, is unknown. In
      this study, we demonstrate that NRG1 is highly expressed by dermal fibroblasts
      and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) isolated from mutant BRAF melanomas.
      Conditioned medium from fibroblasts and CAFs enhanced ErbB3 pathway activation
      and limited RAF inhibitor cytotoxicity in V600 mutant BRAF-harboring melanomas.
      Targeting the ErbB3/ErbB2 pathway partially reversed the protective effects of
      fibroblast/CAF-derived NRG1 on cell growth properties of RAF inhibitor-treated
      melanoma cells. These findings support the idea that NRG1, acting in a paracrine
      manner, promotes resistance to RAF inhibitors and emphasize that targeting the
      ErbB3/ErbB2 pathway will likely improve the efficacy of RAF inhibitors for mutant
      BRAF melanoma patients. 

PMID- 26269602
TI  - Polymorphic Variants of Human Rhodanese Exhibit Differences in Thermal Stability
      and Sulfur Transfer Kinetics.
AB  - Rhodanese is a component of the mitochondrial H2S oxidation pathway. Rhodanese
      catalyzes the transfer of sulfane sulfur from glutathione persulfide (GSSH) to
      sulfite generating thiosulfate and from thiosulfate to cyanide generating
      thiocyanate. Two polymorphic variations have been identified in the rhodanese
      coding sequence in the French Caucasian population. The first, 306A->C, has an
      allelic frequency of 1% and results in an E102D substitution in the encoded
      protein. The second polymorphism, 853C->G, has an allelic frequency of 5% and
      leads to a P285A substitution. In this study, we have examined differences in the
      stability between wild-type rhodanese and the E102D and P285A variants and in the
      kinetics of the sulfur transfer reactions. The Asp-102 and Ala-285 variants are
      more stable than wild-type rhodanese and exhibit kcat/Km,CN values that are 17-
      and 1.6-fold higher, respectively. All three rhodanese forms preferentially
      catalyze sulfur transfer from GSSH to sulfite, generating thiosulfate and
      glutathione. The kcat/Km,sulfite values for the variants in the sulfur transfer
      reaction from GSSH to sulfite were 1.6- (Asp-102) and 4-fold (Ala-285) lower than
      for wild-type rhodanese, whereas the kcat/Km,GSSH values were similar for all
      three enzymes. Thiosulfate-dependent H2S production in murine liver lysate is
      low, consistent with a role for rhodanese in sulfide oxidation. Our studies show
      that polymorphic variations that are distant from the active site differentially
      modulate the sulfurtransferase activity of human rhodanese to cyanide versus
      sulfite and might be important in differences in susceptibility to diseases where
      rhodanese dysfunction has been implicated, e.g. inflammatory bowel diseases.

PMID- 26269603
TI  - Improvement of Stability and Efficacy of C16Y Therapeutic Peptide via Molecular
      Self-Assembly into Tumor-Responsive Nanoformulation.
AB  - Peptide therapeutics hold great promise for the treatment of cancer due to low
      toxicity, high specificity, and ease of synthesis and modification. However, the
      unfavorable pharmacokinetic parameters strictly limit their therapeutic efficacy
      and clinical translation. Here, we tailor-designed an amphiphilic chimeric
      peptide through conjugation of functional 3-diethylaminopropyl isothiocyanate
      (DEAP) molecules to a short antitumor peptide, C16Y. The ultimate DEAP-C16Y
      peptides self-assembled into spherical nanostructures at physiologic conditions,
      which dissociated to release individual peptide molecules in weakly acidic
      tumors. DEAP-C16Y peptides showed negligible cytotoxicity but impaired vascular
      endothelial cell migration and tubule formation by inactivation of the focal
      adhesion kinase and PI3K-Akt pathways, as well as tumor cell invasion by
      decreasing invadopodia formation. Compared with C16Y, the systemically
      administered DEAP-C16Y nanostructures exhibited superior stability, thereby
      allowing prolonged treatment interval and resulting in significant decreases in
      microvessel density, tumor growth, and distant metastasis formation in orthotopic
      mammary tumor models. Through encapsulation of hydrophobic doxorubicin, DEAP-C16Y
      nanostructure served as a smart carrier to achieve targeted drug delivery and
      combination therapy. Our study, for the first time, demonstrates that a simple
      nanoformulation using a functional antitumor peptide as the building block can
      show innate antitumor activity and also provide a nanoplatform for combination
      therapy, opening a new avenue for the design of antitumor nanotherapeutics.

PMID- 26269604
TI  - Anticancer Properties of a Novel Class of Tetrafluorinated Thalidomide Analogues.
AB  - Thalidomide has demonstrated clinical activity in various malignancies affecting
      immunomodulatory and angiogenic pathways. The development of novel thalidomide
      analogs with improved efficacy and decreased toxicity is an ongoing research
      effort. We recently designed and synthesized a new class of compounds, consisting
      of both tetrafluorinated thalidomide analogues (Gu973 and Gu998) and
      tetrafluorobenzamides (Gu1029 and Gu992). In this study, we demonstrate the
      antiangiogenic properties of these newly synthesized compounds. We examined the
      specific antiangiogenic characteristics in vitro using rat aortic rings with
      carboxyamidotriazole as a positive control. In addition, further in vitro
      efficacy was evaluated using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and
      PC3 cells treated with 5 and 10 MUmol/L doses of each compound. All compounds
      were seen to reduce microvessel outgrowth in rat aortic rings as well as to
      inhibit HUVECs to a greater extent, at lower concentrations than previously
      tested thalidomide analogs. The antiangiogenic properties of the compounds were
      also examined in vivo in fli1:EGFP zebrafish embryos, where all compounds were
      seen to inhibit the extent of outgrowth of newly developing blood vessels. In
      addition, Gu1029 and Gu973 reduced the anti-inflammatory response in mpo:GFP
      zebrafish embryos, whereas Gu998 and Gu992 showed no difference. The compounds'
      antitumor effects were also explored in vivo using the human prostate cancer PC3
      xenograft model. All four compounds were also screened in vivo in chicken embryos
      to investigate their teratogenic potential. This study establishes these novel
      thalidomide analogues as a promising immunomodulatory class with anticancer
      effects that warrant further development to characterize their mechanisms of
      action.

PMID- 26269606
TI  - Redesigning a Monospecific Anti-FGFR3 Antibody to Add Selectivity for FGFR2 and
      Expand Antitumor Activity.
AB  - FGF receptors (FGFR) are attractive candidate targets for cancer therapy because
      they are dysregulated in several human malignancies. FGFR2 and FGFR3 can be
      inhibited potentially without disrupting adult tissue homeostasis. In contrast,
      blocking the closely related FGFR1 and FGFR4, which regulate specific metabolic
      functions, carries a greater safety risk. An anti-FGFR3 antibody was redesigned
      here to create function-blocking antibodies that bind with dual specificity to
      FGFR3 and FGFR2 but spare FGFR1 and FGFR4. R3Mab, a previously developed
      monospecific anti-FGFR3 antibody, was modified via structure-guided phage display
      and acquired additional binding to FGFR2. The initial variant was trispecific,
      binding tightly to FGFR3 and FGFR2 and moderately to FGFR4, while sparing FGFR1.
      The X-ray crystallographic structure indicated that the antibody variant was
      bound to a similar epitope on FGFR2 as R3Mab on FGFR3. The antibody was further
      engineered to decrease FGFR4-binding affinity while retaining affinity for FGFR3
      and FGFR2. The resulting dual-specific antibodies blocked FGF binding to FGFR3
      and FGFR2 and inhibited downstream signaling. Moreover, they displayed efficacy
      in mice against human tumor xenografts overexpressing FGFR3 or FGFR2. Thus, a
      monospecific antibody can be exquisitely tailored to confer or remove binding to
      closely related targets to expand and refine therapeutic potential.

PMID- 26269605
TI  - CXCR4 Protein Epitope Mimetic Antagonist POL5551 Disrupts Metastasis and Enhances
      Chemotherapy Effect in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.
AB  - The SDF-1 receptor CXCR4 has been associated with early metastasis and poorer
      prognosis in breast cancers, especially the most aggressive triple-negative
      subtype. In line with previous reports, we found that tumoral CXCR4 expression in
      patients with locally advanced breast cancer was associated with increased
      metastases and rapid tumor progression. Moreover, high CXCR4 expression
      identified a group of bone marrow-disseminated tumor cells (DTC)-negative
      patients at high risk for metastasis and death. The protein epitope mimetic (PEM)
      POL5551, a novel CXCR4 antagonist, inhibited binding of SDF-1 to CXCR4, had no
      direct effects on tumor cell viability, but reduced migration of breast cancer
      cells in vitro. In two orthotopic models of triple-negative breast cancer,
      POL5551 had little inhibitory effect on primary tumor growth, but significantly
      reduced distant metastasis. When combined with eribulin, a chemotherapeutic
      microtubule inhibitor, POL5551 additively reduced metastasis and prolonged
      survival in mice after resection of the primary tumor compared with single-agent
      eribulin. Hypothesizing that POL5551 may mobilize tumor cells from their
      microenvironment and sensitize them to chemotherapy, we used a "chemotherapy
      framing" dosing strategy. When administered shortly before and after eribulin
      treatment, three doses of POL5551 with eribulin reduced bone and liver tumor
      burden more effectively than chemotherapy alone. These data suggest that
      sequenced administration of CXCR4 antagonists with cytotoxic chemotherapy
      synergize to reduce distant metastases.

PMID- 26269607
TI  - Clustering of Cancer Cell Lines Using A Promoter- Targeted Liquid Hybridization
      Capture-Based Bisulfite Sequencing Approach.
AB  - DNA methylation plays a significant role in assuring cell identity, thus
      potentiating its application in molecular classification of cancers in respect to
      tissue-origins or clinically and etiologically distinct subtypes. In this study,
      we optimized our liquid hybridization capture-based bisulfite sequencing (LHC-BS)
      approach on the gene promoter regions of 11 cell lines. Our results indicated
      that promoter methylomes could not only cluster cancer cell lines with respect to
      tissue origins but also differentiate cancer subtypes based on CpG island
      methylator phenotype (CIMP). Promoter-targeted LHC-BS as means for comprehensive
      screening and classifying cancer cells with promoter methylomes provided a
      powerful strategy for further complex clinical studies.

PMID- 26269608
TI  - Impact of the Intra- and Inter-observer Variability in the Delineation of Parotid
      Glands on the Dose Calculation During Head and Neck Helical Tomotherapy.
AB  - The intra- and inter-observer variability in delineation of the parotids on the
      kilo-voltage computed tomography (kVCT) and mega-voltage computed tomography
      (MVCT) were examined to establish their impact on the dose calculation during
      adaptive head and neck helical tomotherapy (HT). Three observers delineated left
      and right parotids for ten randomly selected patients with oropharynx cancer
      treated on HT. The pre-treatment kVCT and the MVCT from the first fraction of
      irradiation were selected to delineation. The delineation procedure was repeated
      three times by each observer. The parotids were delineated according to the
      institutional protocol. The analyses included intra-observer reproducibility and
      inter-structure, -observer and -modality variability of the volume and dose. The
      differences between the left and right parotid outlines were not statistically
      significant (p > 0.3). The reproducibility of the delineation was confirmed for
      each observer on the kVCT (p > 0.2) and on the MVCT (p > 0.1). The inter-observer
      variability of the outlines was significant (p < 0.001) as well as the inter
      modality variability (p < 0.006). The parotids delineated on the MVCT were 10%
      smaller than on the kVCT. The inter-observer variability of the parotids
      delineation did not affect the average dose (p = 0.096 on the kVCT and p = 0.176
      on the MVCT). The dose calculated on the MVCT was higher by 3.3% than dose from
      the kVCT (p = 0.009). Usage of the institutional protocols for the parotids
      delineation reduces intra-observer variability and increases reproducibility of
      the outlines. These protocols do not eliminate delineation differences between
      the observers, but these differences are not clinically significant and do not
      affect average doses in the parotids. The volumes of the parotids delineated on
      the MVCT are smaller than on the kVCT, which affects the differences in the
      calculated doses. 

PMID- 26269609
TI  - A Feasibility Study of a Tilted Head Position in Helical Tomotherapy for
      Fractionated Stereotactic Radiotherapy of Intracranial Malignancies.
AB  - Herein, we evaluated the feasibility of placing patients in a tilted head
      position as part of routine clinical practice for fractionated stereotactic
      radiotherapy (FSRT) of intracranial tumors using helical tomotherapy (HT), by
      assessing its dosimetric benefit and setup accuracy. We reviewed treatment plans
      of four cases that were to receive FSRT for brain lesions in normal and head
      tilted positions. These patients underwent two computed tomography (CT) scans:
      first in the normal supine position and then in the supine position with the head
      tilted at a 458 angle. Two separate HT plans for each position were generated in
      these four patients, using the same planning parameters. Plans were compared for
      target conformity and dose homogeneity. Maximum and average doses to critical
      organs, including normal brain, brain stem, optic chiasm, optic nerves, and the
      eyes, were considered. To evaluate setup accuracy, patient movement during
      treatment was assessed by post-treatment megavoltage CT scans. Both HT plans
      achieved similar conformal and homogeneous dose coverage to the target. Head
      tilted HT delivered lower average and maximum doses to critical organs in the
      cases where the tumor was located on the same plane with critical organs,
      particularly when they were not directly attached. Placement in the head-tilted
      position without a mouthpiece allowed for increased patient movement during
      treatment, while use of a mouthpiece reduced patient movement to even less than
      that observed for normal setup in the supine position. This pilot study showed
      that placement in a tilted head position for FSRT of intracranial tumors using HT
      may be of clinical use, but depends on the tumor location. 

PMID- 26269610
TI  - Identical Quality Assurance for Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy in Elekta and
      Varian Machines.
AB  - Volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) has been adopted by many clinics for its
      higher delivery efficiency compared to conventional intensity modulated
      radiotherapy techniques. Currently, the quality assurance (QA) has remained a
      challenge in that no identical tests are available for accelerators from
      different vendors. This study is the first attempt to design identical QA tests
      for the VMAT technique for Varian and Elekta machines. Identical procedures
      testing MLC positions and movements, dose rate variations, and gantry positions
      and movement were created for both machines. These included picket fence (PF),
      dose rate vs. gantry speed (DRGS) and MLC speed vs. dose rate (MLCDR) tests.
      Deliverable plans for these tests were made with in-house software that was
      deliverable for linacs from two vendors (Elekta Synergy and Varian Trilogy). The
      electronic portal imaging device (EPID) was used for these tests. An automated
      analysis method was established and software was created to quantitatively
      evaluate the result. The systematic gap position and width errors from PF tests
      were within 0.5 mm. We evaluated the detectability of this program for introduced
      errors down to 0.2 mm. Linear relationships existed between the introduced errors
      and measured errors. In the DRGS test, 99.8% and 100.0% of the intensity
      deviations from expected profiles were less than 3% for the Synergy and Trilogy,
      respectively. For the MLCDR, the intensity deviations from expected profiles less
      than 3% were 100.0% for Synergy and 98.1% for Trilogy. Identical test series were
      created and implemented for VMAT accelerators from two vendors. Test results were
      reported from both accelerators. Comparable results were obtained from both
      vendors, enabling uniform criteria to be established for VMAT quality assurance. 

PMID- 26269611
TI  - Cranio Spinal Irradiation of Medulloblastoma Using High Precision Techniques - A
      Dosimetric Comparison.
AB  - Radiotherapy planning, delivery and junction dose verification remain exigent for
      Cranio Spinal Irradiation (CSI) in medulloblastoma patients. This study aims to
      evaluate high precision techniques such as Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy
      (IMRT), Rapid Arc Therapy (RA) with and without flattening filter (FF) on the
      basis of dosimetric analysis. Five patients treated with jagged junction
      Intensity Modulated RadioTherapy (IMRT) using dynamic Multi Leaf Collimators
      (MLC) were randomly selected for this retrospective study. IMRT, Rapid Arc (RA)
      plans were simulated in the same CT data set with and without flattening filter.
      Total dose prescribed was 28.80 Gy in 16 fractions. An evaluation criterion of
      98% of PTV receiving 100% of the prescription dose was followed in all plans.
      Twenty treatment plans with 260 Dose Volume Histograms (DVHs) was created.
      Dosimetric parameters such as Dmax, Dmin, Dmean, V95%, V107%, CI for PTV and
      Dmax, Dmean, V80%, V50%, V30%, V10% for Organs At Risk (OAR) were extracted from
      DVHs. Treatment delivery efficiency was also evaluated for total Beam On Time
      (BOT). FFF Rapid Arc therapy : 6F_RA) resulted in conformal doses throughout the
      cranio spinal axis. FF and FFF dynamic IMRT had minimal V107%, 1.23% and 2.88%
      compared to 49.15 and 66.36 of rapid arc therapy (with and without FF). 6F_IMRT
      resulted in lesser mean doses to eyes, liver, lungs and kidneys. Heart mean dose
      was less (3.08 Gy) with 6X_IMRT. Thyroid and esophagus doses could be reduced to
      about 41.2% and 10% respectively with 6F_RA. The BOT for the treatment techniques
      were 3.43 min (6X_IMRT), 1.59 min (6F_IMRT), 5min (6X_RA), 4.5 min (6F_RA).
      Removal of flattening filter in IMRT could improve dose coverage along the
      caniospinal axis and normal tissue sparing. A reduction of 46.3% BOT could
      increase treatment efficiency of 6F_IMRT compared to 6X_IMRT. CSI could be
      simpler since junction doses can be evaded in IMRT and RA techniques. 

PMID- 26269612
TI  - Non Tumor Perfusion Changes Following Stereotactic Radiosurgery to Brain
      Metastases.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate early perfusion changes in normal tissue following
      stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). METHODS: Nineteen patients harboring twenty-two
      brain metastases treated with SRS were imaged with dynamic susceptibility
      magnetic resonance imaging (DSC MRI) at baseline, 1 week and 1 month post SRS.
      Relative cerebral blood volume and flow (rCBV and rCBF) ratios were evaluated
      outside of tumor within a combined region of interest (ROI) and separately within
      gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) ROIs. Three-dimensional dose distribution
      from each SRS plan was divided into six regions: (1) <2 Gy; (2) 2-5 Gy; (3) 5-10
      Gy; (4) 10-12 Gy; (5) 12-16 Gy; and (6) >16 Gy. rCBV and rCBF ratio differences
      between baseline, 1 week and 1 month were compared. Best linear fit plots
      quantified normal tissue dose-dependency. RESULTS: Significant rCBV ratio
      increases were present between baseline and 1 month for all ROIs and dose ranges
      except for WM ROI receiving <2 Gy. rCBV ratio for all ROIs was maximally
      increased from baseline to 1 month with the greatest changes occurring within the
      5-10 Gy dose range (53.1%). rCBF ratio was maximally increased from baseline to 1
      month for all ROIs within the 5-10 Gy dose range (33.9-45.0%). Both rCBV and rCBF
      ratios were most elevated within GM ROIs. A weak, positive but not significant
      association between dose, rCBV and rCBF ratio was demonstrated. Progressive rCBV
      and rCBF ratio increased with dose up to 10 Gy at 1 month. CONCLUSION: Normal
      tissue response following SRS can be characterized by dose, tissue, and time
      specific increases in rCBV and rCBF ratio.

PMID- 26269613
TI  - Anterior Microsurgical Approach to Ventral Lower Cervical Spine Meningiomas:
      Indications, Surgical Technique and Long Term Outcome.
AB  - Ventral lower cervical spinal meningiomas with posterior displacement of the
      spinal cord are rare and anterior approach has been rarely reported in the
      literature. The authors present their experience about eight patients operated
      through anterior microsurgical approach. Exposure of meningiomas was achieved
      through one or two corpectomies, according to meningioma extension. Tumour
      removal was performed thanks to the aid of a dedicated ultrasonic aspirator, and
      intraoperative evoked potentials were employed. Particular care was taken with
      the materials adopted for reconstruction of the anterior dural plane, to avoid
      postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leak. Vertebral fusion and stabilization were
      achieved by tantalum cage or titanium graft in case of one or two corpectomies
      respectively; anterior titanium plate fixed with screws was applied in all
      patients. Extent of tumour removal was related to the presence of a conserved
      arachnoidal plane between the tumour and the spinal cord: total removal was
      achieved in 2 patients, while gross total removal in the other six ones.
      Postoperative neurological outcome, which was favourable in all patients, was
      related mostly to preoperative neurologic status. No recurrence after total
      removal and no remnant growth after gross total removal occurred during an
      average follow-up period of 6, 7 years. 

PMID- 26269614
TI  - Regulatory Forum Opinion Piece*: The Value of Publishing Negative Scientific
      Study Data.
AB  - Historically it has been easier to publish positive scientific results than
      negative data not supporting the research hypothesis. This appears to be
      increasing, with fewer negative studies appearing in the literature across many
      disciplines. Failure to recognize the value of negative results has important
      implications for the toxicology community. Implications include perpetuating
      scientific fields based upon selective or occasionally erroneous, positive
      results. One example is decreased vaccination rates and increased measles
      infections that can lead to childhood mortality following one erroneous positive
      study linking vaccination to adverse effects despite multiple negative studies.
      Publication of negative data that challenges existing paradigms enhances progress
      by stopping further investment in scientifically barren topics, decreases the use
      of animals, and focuses research in more fruitful areas. The National Toxicology
      Program (NTP) publishes both positive and negative rodent data. Retrospective
      analysis of the NTP database has provided insights on the carcinogenic process
      and in the gradual acceptance of using fewer animals in safety studies. This
      article proposes that careful publication of both positive and negative data can
      enhance product safety assessment, add robustness to safety determinations in the
      regulatory decision-making process, and should be actively encouraged by those
      determining journal editorial policy. 

PMID- 26269615
TI  - An Investigative Study of Pancreatic Exocrine Biomarkers, Histology, and
      Histomorphometry in Male Zucker Diabetic Fatty (ZDF) Rats Given Dulaglutide by
      Subcutaneous Injection Twice Weekly for 13 Weeks.
AB  - Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist therapy has been implicated as a
      possible risk factor for acute pancreatitis in patients with type 2 diabetes.
      Dulaglutide is a long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist in development for treatment
      of type 2 diabetes. The effects of dulaglutide were evaluated in male Zucker
      diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats to examine whether dulaglutide may induce or modulate
      pancreatitis. Rats were randomized to dose groups receiving twice-weekly
      subcutaneously administered dulaglutide 0.5, 1.5, and 5.0 mg/kg/dose
      (corresponding human plasma exposures following twice-weekly dosing are 3-, 8-,
      and 30-fold, respectively) for 13 weeks or to vehicle control. Following
      termination, serially trimmed sections of pancreases were stained with
      hematoxylin and eosin or co-stained with an epithelial marker and a marker of
      either proliferation or apoptosis. Efficacious reductions in glucose and
      hemoglobin A1c occurred at all dulaglutide doses. Lipase activity was unaffected,
      and there were modest increases in total and pancreatic amylase activities at all
      doses without individual microscopic inflammatory correlates. Microscopic
      dulaglutide-related pancreatic changes included increased interlobular ductal
      epithelium without ductal cell proliferation (>=0.5 mg/kg), increased acinar
      atrophy with/without inflammation (>=1.5 mg/kg), and increased incidence/severity
      of neutrophilic acinar pancreatic inflammation (5.0 mg/kg). In summary,
      dulaglutide treatment was associated with mild alterations in ductal epithelium
      and modest exacerbation of spontaneous lesions of the exocrine pancreas typically
      found in the ZDF rat model. 

PMID- 26269616
TI  - Comparison between Flow Cytometry, Microscopy, and Lactate Dehydrogenase-Based
      Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Plasmodium falciparum Drug Susceptibility
      Testing under Field Conditions.
AB  - Flow cytometry is an objective method for conducting in vitro antimalarial
      sensitivity assays with increasing potential for application in field sites. We
      examined in vitro susceptibility to seven anti-malarial drugs for 40 fresh P.
      falciparum field isolates via a flow cytometry method (FCM), a colorimetric LDH
      based ELISA : DELI), and standard microscopic slide analysis of growth. For FCM,
      184/280 (66%) assays met analytical acceptance criteria, compared to 166/280
      (59%) for DELI. There was good agreement between FCM and microscopy, while DELI
      tended to produce higher half-maximal inhibition constants (IC50s) than FCM, with
      an overall bias of 2.2-fold (Bland-Altman comparison). Values for artesunate and
      dihydroartemisinin were most affected. Paradoxical increases in signal at very
      high concentrations of mefloquine and related compounds were more marked with the
      DELI assay, suggesting that off-target effects on LDH production may be
      responsible. Loss of FCM signal due to reinvasion or slow growth was observed in
      a small number of samples. These results extend previous work on use of flow
      cytometry to determine antimalarial susceptibility in terms of the number of
      samples, range of drugs, and comparison with other methods. 

PMID- 26269617
TI  - Identification of Nocardia Species by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization
      Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry.
AB  - Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry for
      identification of Nocardia species remains challenging. By identifying 83.1% (64
      of 77) and 80% (8 of 10) to the species and complex levels, respectively, and
      94.3% (82 of 87) to the genus level, we show that an approach using routine
      sample preparation, an up-to-date commercial database minimally augmented with
      custom spectra, and testing at an early stage of growth is promising. 

PMID- 26269618
TI  - Persistent Infection by a Mycobacterium tuberculosis Strain That Was Theorized To
      Have Advantageous Properties, as It Was Responsible for a Massive Outbreak.
AB  - The strains involved in tuberculosis outbreaks are considered highly virulent and
      transmissible. We analyzed the case of a patient in Madrid, Spain, who was
      persistently infected over an 8-year period by the same Beijing Mycobacterium
      tuberculosis strain. The strain was responsible for a severe outbreak on Gran
      Canaria Island. The case provides us with a unique opportunity to challenge our
      assumptions about M. tuberculosis Beijing strains. No clinical/radiological
      findings consistent with a virulent strain were documented, and the in vitro
      growth rate of the strain in macrophages was only moderate. No secondary cases
      stemming from this prolonged active case were detected in the host population.
      The strain did not acquire resistance mutations, despite constant treatment
      interruptions, and it remained extremely stable, as demonstrated by the lack of
      single-nucleotide-polymorphism (SNP)-based differences between the sequential
      isolates. Our data suggest that the general assumption about M. tuberculosis
      Beijing strains having advantageous properties (in terms of virulence,
      transmissibility, and the tendency to acquire mutations and resistance) is not
      always accurate. 

PMID- 26269619
TI  - New Real-Time PCR Assays for Detection of Inducible and Acquired Clarithromycin
      Resistance in the Mycobacterium abscessus Group.
AB  - Members of the Mycobacterium abscessus group (MAG) cause lung, soft tissue, and
      disseminated infections. The oral macrolides clarithromycin and azithromycin are
      commonly used for treatment. MAG can display clarithromycin resistance through
      the inducible erm(41) gene or via acquired mutations in the rrl (23S rRNA) gene.
      Strains harboring a truncation or a T28C substitution in erm(41) lose the
      inducible resistance trait. Phenotypic detection of clarithromycin resistance
      requires extended incubation (14 days), highlighting the need for faster methods
      to detect resistance. Two real-time PCR-based assays were developed to assess
      inducible and acquired clarithromycin resistance and tested on a total of 90
      clinical and reference strains. A SYBR green assay was designed to distinguish
      between a full-length and truncated erm(41) gene by temperature shift in melting
      curve analysis. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) allele discrimination assays
      were developed to distinguish T or C at position 28 of erm(41) and 23S rRNA rrl
      gene mutations at position 2058 and/or 2059. Truncated and full-size erm(41)
      genes were detected in 21/90 and 69/90 strains, respectively, with 64/69
      displaying T at nucleotide position 28 and 5/69 containing C at that position.
      Fifteen isolates showed rrl mutations conferring clarithromycin resistance,
      including A2058G (11 isolates), A2058C (3 isolates), and A2059G (1 isolate).
      Targeted sequencing and phenotypic assessment of resistance concurred with
      molecular assay results. Interestingly, we also noted cooccurring strains
      harboring an active erm(41), inactive erm(41), and/or acquired mutational
      resistance, as well as slowly growing MAG strains and also strains displaying an
      inducible resistance phenotype within 5 days, long before the recommended 14-day
      extended incubation. 

PMID- 26269620
TI  - An Echinococcus multilocularis Antigen B3 Proteoform That Shows Specific Antibody
      Responses to Active-Stage Alveolar Echinococcosis.
AB  - Alveolar echinococcosis (AE), caused by the Echinococcus multilocularis
      metacestode, represents one of the most frequently fatal zoonoses. Early
      diagnosis significantly reduces morbidity and mortality associated with AE.
      Diagnosis of AE largely depends on a combination of imaging and serological tests
      due to its minimal clinical manifestations. Several antigens derived from the
      whole worm and protoscolex have been targeted for AE serodiagnosis, while the
      antigenic properties of E. multilocularis hydatid fluid (EmHF) are unclear. We
      observed two AE-specific 6- and 8-kDa antigen proteoforms through an
      immunoproteome array of the EmHF. We identified these proteins as representing an
      E. multilocularis antigen B3 (EmAgB3) isoform, and the proteins were shown to be
      encoded by the same gene. We cloned the gene and expressed the recombinant EmAgB3
      protein (rEmAgB3) in Escherichia coli. rEmAgB3 exhibited sensitivity of 90.9%
      (80/88 cases) and specificity of 98.5% (597/606 samples) by immunoblotting. The
      positive and negative predictive values were 89.9% and 98.6%, respectively. The
      protein did not show antibody responses to 33 AE sera collected during
      posttreatment follow-up monitoring. Mouse sera experimentally infected with AE
      protoscoleces began to demonstrate specific antibody responses to native and
      recombinant EmAgB3 6 months after infection. At that stage, fully mature
      metacestode vesicles that harbored the brood capsule, primary cell, and
      protoscolex were observed within an AE mass(es). The response declined along with
      worm degeneration. Our results demonstrate that the immune responses to this
      EmAgB3 isoform were highly correlated with worm viability accompanied with AE
      progression. rEmAgB3 is a promising biomarker for serological assessment of AE
      patients. 

PMID- 26269621
TI  - Capsule Switching and Antimicrobial Resistance Acquired during Repeated
      Streptococcus pneumoniae Pneumonia Episodes.
AB  - Streptococcus pneumoniae colonizes the nasopharyngeal mucus in healthy people and
      causes otitis media, pneumonia, bacteremia, and meningitis. In this study, we
      analyzed an S. pneumoniae strain that caused 7 repeated pneumonia episodes in an
      80-month-old patient with cerebral palsy during a period of 25 months. A total of
      10 S. pneumoniae strains were obtained from sputum samples, and serotype 6B was
      isolated from samples from the first 5 episodes, whereas serotype 6A was isolated
      from samples from the last 2. Whole-genome sequencing showed clonality of the 10
      isolates with 10 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the genomes. Among
      these SNPs, one single point mutation in the wciP gene was presumed to relate to
      the serotype switching from 6B to 6A, and the other mutations in parC and gyrA
      were related to fluoroquinolone resistance. These results suggested that an S.
      pneumoniae strain, which asymptomatically colonized the patient's nasopharynx or
      was horizontally transmitted from an asymptomatic carrier, caused the repeated
      pneumonia events. Phenotypic variations in the capsule type and antimicrobial
      susceptibility occurred during the carrier state. Hyporesponsiveness to serotypes
      6B and 6A of S. pneumoniae was found even after vaccination with the 7-valent
      pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide
      vaccine. After an additional vaccination with the 13-valent pneumococcal
      conjugate vaccine, opsonic activities for both serotypes 6A and 6B significantly
      increased and are expected to prevent relapse by the same strain. 

PMID- 26269622
TI  - Commutability of the First World Health Organization International Standard for
      Human Cytomegalovirus.
AB  - Quantitative detection of cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA has become a standard part of
      care for many groups of immunocompromised patients; recent development of the
      first WHO international standard for human CMV DNA has raised hopes of reducing
      interlaboratory variability of results. Commutability of reference material has
      been shown to be necessary if such material is to reduce variability among
      laboratories. Here we evaluated the commutability of the WHO standard using 10
      different real-time quantitative CMV PCR assays run by eight different
      laboratories. Test panels, including aliquots of 50 patient samples (40 positive
      samples and 10 negative samples) and lyophilized CMV standard, were run, with
      each testing center using its own quantitative calibrators, reagents, and nucleic
      acid extraction methods. Commutability was assessed both on a pairwise basis and
      over the entire group of assays, using linear regression and correspondence
      analyses. Commutability of the WHO material differed among the tests that were
      evaluated, and these differences appeared to vary depending on the method of
      statistical analysis used and the cohort of assays included in the analysis.
      Depending on the methodology used, the WHO material showed poor or absent
      commutability with up to 50% of assays. Determination of commutability may
      require a multifaceted approach; the lack of commutability seen when using the
      WHO standard with several of the assays here suggests that further work is needed
      to bring us toward true consensus. 

PMID- 26269623
TI  - Characterization of Foodborne Outbreaks of Salmonella enterica Serovar
      Enteritidis with Whole-Genome Sequencing Single Nucleotide Polymorphism-Based
      Analysis for Surveillance and Outbreak Detection.
AB  - Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis is a significant cause of
      gastrointestinal illness in the United States; however, current molecular
      subtyping methods lack resolution for this highly clonal serovar. Advances in
      next-generation sequencing technologies have made it possible to examine whole
      genome sequencing (WGS) as a potential molecular subtyping tool for outbreak
      detection and source trace back. Here, we conducted a retrospective analysis of
      S. Enteritidis isolates from seven epidemiologically confirmed foodborne
      outbreaks and sporadic isolates (not epidemiologically linked) to determine the
      utility of WGS to identify outbreaks. A collection of 55 epidemiologically
      characterized clinical and environmental S. Enteritidis isolates were sequenced.
      Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based cluster analysis of the S. Enteritidis
      genomes revealed well supported clades, with less than four-SNP pairwise
      diversity, that were concordant with epidemiologically defined outbreaks.
      Sporadic isolates were an average of 42.5 SNPs distant from the outbreak
      clusters. Isolates collected from the same patient over several weeks differed by
      only two SNPs. Our findings show that WGS provided greater resolution between
      outbreak, sporadic, and suspect isolates than the current gold standard subtyping
      method, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Furthermore, results could be
      obtained in a time frame suitable for surveillance activities, supporting the use
      of WGS as an outbreak detection and characterization method for S. Enteritidis. 

PMID- 26269624
TI  - Performance of the CLSI Carba NP and the Rosco Carb Screen Assays Using North
      American Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa
      Isolates.
AB  - This study compared the performance of the Carba NP assay, published by the
      Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute, and the Rosco Rapid Carb Screen kit.
      Carba NP had superior sensitivity, but both assays required an increased inoculum
      to detect carbapenemase production in isolates with blaNDM, blaIMP, and blaOXA
      48. 

PMID- 26269625
TI  - Association between Obesity and Cervical Microflora Dominated by Lactobacillus
      iners in Korean Women.
AB  - Lactobacillus spp. are associated with the maintenance of reproductive health,
      but obesity reduces fertility and is a risk factor for obstetric and neonatal
      complications. We assessed the association between obesity and the cervical
      Lactobacillus composition, which has not been examined previously. Pyrosequencing
      was performed using cervical swabs collected from 76 normal participants with
      negative results for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and 57 participants
      with CIN, based on histological examinations. Cluster analysis of nine
      Lactobacillus spp. was performed, and five cluster types were identified. The
      association between obesity and the Lactobacillus community was assessed by
      logistic regression analysis after adjustment for confounding factors. The
      proportion of Lactobacillus iners increased and that of Lactobacillus crispatus
      decreased according to body mass index (BMI) categories, i.e., underweight (BMI
      of <18.5 kg m(-2)), normal weight (BMI of 18.5 to 22.9 kg m(-2)), overweight (BMI
      of 23.0 to 24.9 kg m(-2)), and obese (BMI of >=25 kg m(-2)). The L. iners
      dominant type had a significant association with obesity (odds ratio [OR], 7.55
      [95% confidence interval [CI], 1.18 to 48.2]), compared to the L. crispatus
      dominant type. The group with high values for the ratio obtained by dividing the
      relative abundance of L. iners by that of L. crispatus had a significant
      association with obesity (OR, 6.54 [95% CI, 1.22 to 35.1]), compared to the low
      ratio group. Associations between obesity and the L. iners/L. crispatus ratio
      were observed among young women (OR, 6.26 [95% CI, 1.15 to 33.9]) but not older
      women and in the normal group (OR, 6.97 [95% CI, 1.20 to 70.4]) but not the CIN
      group. Obesity was associated with cervical microflora dominated by L. iners in
      reproductive-age women without dysplasia. 

PMID- 26269626
TI  - SQUINT promotes stem cell homeostasis and floral meristem termination in
      Arabidopsis through APETALA2 and CLAVATA signalling.
AB  - Plant meristems harbour stem cells, which allow for the continuous production of
      new organs. Here, an analysis of the role of SQUINT (SQN) in stem cell dynamics
      in Arabidopsis is reported. A close examination of sqn mutants reveals defects
      that are very similar to that of weak clavata (clv) mutants, both in the flower
      meristem (increased number of floral organs, occasional delay in stem cell
      termination) and in the shoot apical meristem (meristem and central zone
      enlargement, occasional fasciation). sqn has a very mild effect in a clv mutant
      background, suggesting that SQN and the CLV genes act in the same genetic
      pathway. Accordingly, a loss-of-function allele of SQN strongly rescues the
      meristem abortion phenotype of plants that overexpress CLV3. Altogether, these
      data suggest that SQN is necessary for proper CLV signalling. SQN was shown to be
      required for normal accumulation of various miRNAs, including miR172. One of the
      targets of miR172, APETALA2 (AP2), antagonizes CLV signalling. The ap2-2 mutation
      strongly suppresses the meristem phenotypes of sqn, indicating that the effect of
      SQN on stem cell dynamics is largely, but not fully, mediated by the miR172/AP2
      tandem. This study refines understanding of the intricate genetic networks that
      control both stem cell homeostasis and floral stem cell termination, two
      processes that are critical for the proper development and fertility of the
      plant. 

PMID- 26269627
TI  - Mapping Functional Topography in the Macaque Ventral Visual Pathway.

PMID- 26269628
TI  - Regional Specificity of GABAergic Regulation of Cross-Modal Plasticity in Mouse
      Visual Cortex after Unilateral Enucleation.
AB  - In adult mice, monocular enucleation (ME) results in an immediate deactivation of
      the contralateral medial monocular visual cortex. An early restricted
      reactivation by open eye potentiation is followed by a late overt cross-modal
      reactivation by whiskers (Van Brussel et al., 2011). In adolescence (P45),
      extensive recovery of cortical activity after ME fails as a result of suppression
      or functional immaturity of the cross-modal mechanisms (Nys et al., 2014). Here,
      we show that dark exposure before ME in adulthood also prevents the late cross
      modal reactivation component, thereby converting the outcome of long-term ME into
      a more P45-like response. Because dark exposure affects GABAergic synaptic
      transmission in binocular V1 and the plastic immunity observed at P45 is
      reminiscent of the refractory period for inhibitory plasticity reported by Huang
      et al. (2010), we molecularly examined whether GABAergic inhibition also
      regulates ME-induced cross-modal plasticity. Comparison of the adaptation of the
      medial monocular and binocular cortices to long-term ME or dark exposure or a
      combinatorial deprivation revealed striking differences. In the medial monocular
      cortex, cortical inhibition via the GABAA receptor alpha1 subunit restricts cross
      modal plasticity in P45 mice but is relaxed in adults to allow the whisker
      mediated reactivation. In line, in vivo pharmacological activation of alpha1
      subunit-containing GABAA receptors in adult ME mice specifically reduces the
      cross-modal aspect of reactivation. Together with region-specific changes in
      glutamate acid decarboxylase (GAD) and vesicular GABA transporter expression,
      these findings put intracortical inhibition forward as an important regulator of
      the age-, experience-, and cortical region-dependent cross-modal response to
      unilateral visual deprivation. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: In adult mice, vision loss
      through one eye instantly reduces neuronal activity in the visual cortex.
      Strengthening of remaining eye inputs in the binocular cortex is followed by
      cross-modal adaptations in the monocular cortex, in which whiskers become a
      dominant nonvisual input source to attain extensive cortical reactivation. We
      show that the cross-modal component does not occur in adolescence because of
      increased intracortical inhibition, a phenotype that was mimicked in adult
      enucleated mice when treated with indiplon, a GABAA receptor alpha1 agonist. The
      cross-modal versus unimodal responses of the adult monocular and binocular
      cortices also mirror regional specificity in inhibitory alterations after visual
      deprivation. Understanding cross-modal plasticity in response to sensory loss is
      essential to maximize patient susceptibility to sensory prosthetics.

PMID- 26269629
TI  - The Parkinson's Disease-Associated Mutation LRRK2-G2019S Impairs Synaptic
      Plasticity in Mouse Hippocampus.
AB  - Parkinson's disease (PD) is a major movement disorder characterized by the loss
      of dopamine neurons and formation of Lewy bodies. Clinical and pathological
      evidence indicates that multiple brain regions are affected in PD in a
      spatiotemporal manner and are associated with a variety of motor and nonmotor
      symptoms, including disturbances in mood, executive function, and memory. The
      common PD-associated gene for leucine-rich repeat kinase, leucine-rich repeat
      kinase 2 (LRRK2), is highly expressed in brain regions that are involved with
      nonmotor functions, including the neocortex and hippocampus, but whether mutant
      LRRK2 contributes to neuronal dysfunction in these regions is unknown. Here, we
      use bacterial artificial chromosome transgenic mouse models of LRRK2 to explore
      potential nonmotor mechanisms of PD. Through electrophysiological analysis of the
      Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapse in dorsal hippocampus, we find that
      overexpression of LRRK2-G2019S increases basal synaptic efficiency through a
      postsynaptic mechanism, and disrupts long-term depression. Furthermore, these
      effects of the G2019S mutation are age dependent and can be normalized by acute
      inhibition of LRRK2 kinase activity. In contrast, overexpression of wild-type
      LRRK2 has no effect under the same conditions, suggesting a specific phenotype
      for the G2019S mutation. These results identify a pathogenic function of LRRK2 in
      the hippocampus that may contribute to nonmotor symptoms of PD. SIGNIFICANCE
      STATEMENT: Parkinson's disease (PD) is among the most common neurological
      diseases and is best known for its adverse effects on brain regions that control
      motor function, resulting in tremor, rigidity, and gait abnormalities. Less well
      appreciated are the psychiatric symptoms experienced by many PD patients,
      including depression and memory loss, which do not respond well to currently
      available treatments for PD. Here, we describe functional effects of a common PD
      linked mutation of leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 in the mouse hippocampus, an area
      of the brain that is responsible for encoding and retaining memories. By
      providing a potential mechanism for some of the cognitive symptoms produced by
      this mutation, our findings may lead to novel approaches for the treatment of
      nonmotor symptoms of PD.

PMID- 26269630
TI  - High-Affinity Nicotinic Receptors Modulate Spontaneous Cortical Up States In
      Vitro.
AB  - Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) play an important role in the
      modulation of many cognitive functions but their role in integrated network
      activity remains unclear. This is at least partly because of the complexity of
      the cholinergic circuitry and the difficulty in comparing results from in vivo
      studies obtained under diverse experimental conditions and types of anesthetics.
      Hence the role of nAChRs in the synchronization of cortical activity during slow
      wave sleep is still controversial, with some studies showing they are involved in
      ACh-dependent EEG desynchronization, and others suggesting that this effect is
      mediated exclusively by muscarinic receptors. Here we use an in vitro model of
      endogenous network activity, in the form of recurring self-maintained depolarized
      states (Up states), which allows us to examine the role of high-affinity nAChRs
      on network dynamics in a simpler form of the cortical microcircuit. We find that
      mice lacking nAChRs containing the beta2-subunit (beta2-nAChRs) have longer and
      more frequent Up states, and that this difference is eliminated when beta2-nAChRs
      in wild-type mice are blocked. We further show that endogenously released ACh can
      modulate Up/Down states through the activation of both beta2- and alpha7
      containing nAChRs, but through distinct mechanisms: alpha7-nAChRs affect only the
      termination of spontaneous Up states, while beta2-nAChRs also regulate their
      generation. Finally we provide evidence that the effects of beta2-subunit
      containing, but not alpha7-subunit-containing nAChRs, are mediated through GABAB
      receptors. To our knowledge this is the first study documenting direct nicotinic
      modulation of Up/Down state activity. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Through our
      experiments we were able to uncover a clear and previously disputed effect of
      nicotinic signaling in synchronized activity of neuronal networks of the cortex.
      We show that both high-affinity receptors (containing the beta2-subunit, beta2
      nAChRs) and low-affinity receptors (containing the alpha7-subunit, alpha7-nAChRs)
      can regulate cortical network function exhibited in the form of Up/Down states.
      We further show that the effects of beta2-nAChRs, but not alpha7-nAChRs, are
      mediated through the activation of GABAB receptors. These results suggest a
      possible synthesis of seemingly contradictory results in the literature and could
      be valuable for informing computational models of cortical function and for
      guiding the search for therapeutic interventions.

PMID- 26269632
TI  - Phosphoinositide Modulation of Heteromeric Kv1 Channels Adjusts Output of Spiral
      Ganglion Neurons from Hearing Mice.
AB  - Spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) relay acoustic code from cochlear hair cells to
      the brainstem, and their stimulation enables electrical hearing via cochlear
      implants. Rapid adaptation, a mechanism that preserves temporal precision, and a
      prominent feature of auditory neurons, is regulated via dendrotoxin-sensitive low
      threshold voltage-activated (LVA) K(+) channels. Here, we investigated the
      molecular physiology of LVA currents in SGNs cultured from mice following the
      onset of hearing (postnatal days 12-21). Kv1.1- and Kv1.2-specific toxins blocked
      the LVA currents in a comparable manner, suggesting that both subunits contribute
      to functional heteromeric channels. Confocal immunofluorescence in fixed cochlear
      sections localized both Kv1.1 and Kv1.2 subunits to specific neuronal
      microdomains, including the somatic membrane, juxtaparanodes, and the first
      heminode, which forms the spike initiation site of the auditory nerve. The
      spatial distribution of Kv1 immunofluorescence appeared mutually exclusive to
      that of Kv3.1b subunits, which mediate high-threshold voltage-activated currents.
      As Kv1.2-containing channels are positively modulated by membrane
      phosphoinositides, we investigated the influence of phosphatidylinositol-4,5
      bisphosphate (PIP2) availability on SGN electrophysiology. Reducing PIP2
      production using wortmannin, or sequestration of PIP2 using a palmitoylated
      peptide (PIP2-PP), slowed adaptation rate in SGN populations. PIP2-PP
      specifically inhibited the LVA current in SGNs, an effect reduced by
      intracellular dialysis of a nonhydrolysable analog of PIP2. PIP2-PP also
      inhibited heterologously expressed Kv1.1/Kv1.2 channels, recapitulating its
      effect in SGNs. Collectively, the data identify Kv1.1/Kv1.2 heteromeric channels
      as key regulators of action potential initiation and propagation in the auditory
      nerve, and suggest that modulation of these channels by endogenous
      phosphoinositides provides local control of membrane excitability. SIGNIFICANCE
      STATEMENT: Rapid spike adaptation is an important feature of auditory neurons
      that preserves temporal precision. In spiral ganglion neurons, the primary
      afferents in the cochlea, adaptation is regulated by heteromeric ion channels
      composed of Kv1.1 and Kv1.2 subunits. These subunits colocalize to common
      functional microdomains, such as juxtaparanodes and the somatic membrane.
      Activity of the heteromeric channels is controlled by cellular availability of
      PIP2, a membrane phospholipid. This mechanism provides an intrinsic regulation of
      output from the auditory nerve, which could be targeted for therapeutic
      adjustment of hearing sensitivity.

PMID- 26269631
TI  - Temporally Dissociable Contributions of Human Medial Prefrontal Subregions to
      Reward-Guided Learning.
AB  - In decision making, dorsal and ventral medial prefrontal cortex show a
      sensitivity to key decision variables, such as reward prediction errors. It is
      unclear whether these signals reflect parallel processing of a common synchronous
      input to both regions, for example from mesocortical dopamine, or separate and
      consecutive stages in reward processing. These two perspectives make distinct
      predictions about the relative timing of feedback-related activity in each of
      these regions, a question we address here. To reconstruct the unique temporal
      contribution of dorsomedial (dmPFC) and ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) to
      simultaneously measured EEG activity in human subjects, we developed a novel
      trialwise fMRI-informed EEG analysis that allows dissociating correlated and
      overlapping sources. We show that vmPFC uniquely contributes a sustained
      activation profile shortly after outcome presentation, whereas dmPFC contributes
      a later and more peaked activation pattern. This temporal dissociation is
      expressed mainly in the alpha band for a vmPFC signal, which contrasts with a
      theta based dmPFC signal. Thus, our data show reward-related vmPFC and dmPFC
      responses have distinct time courses and unique spectral profiles, findings that
      support distinct functional roles in a reward-processing network. SIGNIFICANCE
      STATEMENT: Multiple subregions of the medial prefrontal cortex are known to be
      involved in decision making and learning, and expose similar response patterns in
      fMRI. Here, we used a novel approach to analyzing simultaneous EEG-fMRI that
      allows to dissociate the individual time courses of brain regions. We find that
      vmPFC and dmPFC have distinguishable time courses and time-frequency patterns.

PMID- 26269633
TI  - The Good, the Bad, and the Irrelevant: Neural Mechanisms of Learning Real and
      Hypothetical Rewards and Effort.
AB  - Natural environments are complex, and a single choice can lead to multiple
      outcomes. Agents should learn which outcomes are due to their choices and
      therefore relevant for future decisions and which are stochastic in ways common
      to all choices and therefore irrelevant for future decisions between options. We
      designed an experiment in which human participants learned the varying reward and
      effort magnitudes of two options and repeatedly chose between them. The reward
      associated with a choice was randomly real or hypothetical (i.e., participants
      only sometimes received the reward magnitude associated with the chosen option).
      The real/hypothetical nature of the reward on any one trial was, however,
      irrelevant for learning the longer-term values of the choices, and participants
      ought to have only focused on the informational content of the outcome and
      disregarded whether it was a real or hypothetical reward. However, we found that
      participants showed an irrational choice bias, preferring choices that had
      previously led, by chance, to a real reward in the last trial. Amygdala and
      ventromedial prefrontal activity was related to the way in which participants'
      choices were biased by real reward receipt. By contrast, activity in dorsal
      anterior cingulate cortex, frontal operculum/anterior insula, and especially
      lateral anterior prefrontal cortex was related to the degree to which
      participants resisted this bias and chose effectively in a manner guided by
      aspects of outcomes that had real and more sustained relationships with
      particular choices, suppressing irrelevant reward information for more optimal
      learning and decision making. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: In complex natural
      environments, a single choice can lead to multiple outcomes. Human agents should
      only learn from outcomes that are due to their choices, not from outcomes without
      such a relationship. We designed an experiment to measure learning about reward
      and effort magnitudes in an environment in which other features of the outcome
      were random and had no relationship with choice. We found that, although people
      could learn about reward magnitudes, they nevertheless were irrationally biased
      toward repeating certain choices as a function of the presence or absence of
      random reward features. Activity in different brain regions in the prefrontal
      cortex either reflected the bias or reflected resistance to the bias.

PMID- 26269634
TI  - Sex Differences in Molecular Signaling at Inhibitory Synapses in the Hippocampus.
AB  - The possibility that mechanisms of synaptic modulation differ between males and
      females has far-reaching implications for understanding brain disorders that vary
      between the sexes. We found recently that 17beta-estradiol (E2) acutely
      suppresses GABAergic inhibition in the hippocampus of female rats through a sex
      specific estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha), mGluR, and endocannabinoid-dependent
      mechanism. Here, we define the intracellular signaling that links ERalpha,
      mGluRs, and endocannabinoids in females and identify where in this pathway males
      and females differ. Using a combination of whole-cell patch-clamp recording and
      biochemical analyses in hippocampal slices from young adult rats, we show that E2
      acutely suppresses inhibition in females through mGluR1 stimulation of
      phospholipase C, leading to inositol triphosphate (IP3) generation, activation of
      the IP3 receptor (IP3R), and postsynaptic endocannabinoid release, likely of
      anandamide. Analysis of sex differences in this pathway showed that E2 stimulates
      a much greater increase in IP3 levels in females than males, whereas the group I
      mGluR agonist DHPG increases IP3 levels equivalently in each sex.
      Coimmunoprecipitation showed that ERalpha-mGluR1 and mGluR1-IP3R complexes exist
      in both sexes but are regulated by E2 only in females. Independently of E2, a
      fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitor, which blocks breakdown of anandamide,
      suppressed >50% of inhibitory synapses in females with no effect in males,
      indicating tonic endocannabinoid release in females that is absent in males.
      Together, these studies demonstrate sex differences in both E2-dependent and E2
      independent regulation of the endocannabinoid system and suggest that
      manipulation of endocannabinoids in vivo could affect physiological and
      behavioral responses differently in each sex. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Many brain
      disorders vary between the sexes, yet the degree to which this variation arises
      from differential experience versus intrinsic biological sex differences is
      unclear. In this study, we demonstrate intrinsic sex differences in molecular
      regulation of a key neuromodulatory system, the endocannabinoid system, in the
      hippocampus. Endocannabinoids are involved in diverse aspects of physiology and
      behavior that involve the hippocampus, including cognitive and motivational
      state, responses to stress, and neurological disorders such as epilepsy. Our
      finding that molecular regulation of the endocannabinoid system differs between
      the sexes suggests mechanisms through which experiences or therapeutics that
      engage endocannabinoids could affect males and females differently.

PMID- 26269635
TI  - Zic2 Controls the Migration of Specific Neuronal Populations in the Developing
      Forebrain.
AB  - Human mutations in ZIC2 have been identified in patients with holoprosencephaly
      and schizophrenia. Similarly, Zic2 mutant mice exhibit holoprosencephaly in
      homozygosis and behavioral and morphological schizophrenic phenotypes associated
      with forebrain defects in heterozygosis. Despite the devastating effects of
      mutations in Zic2, the cellular and molecular mechanisms that provoke Zic2
      deficiency phenotypes are yet unclear. Here, we report a novel role for this
      transcription factor in the migration of three different types of forebrain
      neurons: the Cajal-Retzius cells that populate the surface of the telencephalic
      vesicles, an amygdaloid group of cells originated in the caudal pole of the
      telencephalic pallium, and a cell population that travels from the prethalamic
      neuroepithelium to the ventral lateral geniculate nucleus. Our results also
      suggest that the receptor EphB1, previously identified as a Zic2 target, may
      mediate, at least partially, Zic2-dependent migratory events. According to these
      results, we propose that deficiencies in cell motility and guidance contribute to
      most of the forebrain pathologies associated with Zic2 mutations. SIGNIFICANCE
      STATEMENT: Although the phenotype of Zic2 mutant individuals was reported more
      than 10 years ago, until now, the main function of this transcription factor
      during early development has not been precisely defined. Here, we reveal a
      previously unknown role for Zic2 in the migration of forebrain neurons such as
      Cajal-Retzius cells, interneurons moving to the ventral lateral geniculate
      nucleus, and neocortical cells going to the amygdala. We believe that the role of
      this transcription factor in certain populations of migratory cells contributes
      to defects in cortical layering and hypocellularity in the ventral LGN and
      amygdala and will contribute to our understanding of the devastating phenotypes
      associated with Zic2 mutations in both humans and mice.

PMID- 26269636
TI  - Neuronal Interleukin-4 as a Modulator of Microglial Pathways and Ischemic Brain
      Damage.
AB  - After ischemic stroke, various damage-associated molecules are released from the
      ischemic core and diffuse to the ischemic penumbra, activating microglia and
      promoting proinflammatory responses that may cause damage to the local tissue.
      Here we demonstrate using in vivo and in vitro models that, during sublethal
      ischemia, local neurons rapidly produce interleukin-4 (IL-4), a cytokine with
      potent anti-inflammatory properties. One such anti-inflammatory property includes
      its ability to polarize macrophages away from a proinflammatory M1 phenotype to a
      "healing" M2 phenotype. Using an IL-4 reporter mouse, we demonstrated that IL-4
      expression was induced preferentially in neurons in the ischemic penumbra but not
      in the ischemic core or in brain regions that were spared from ischemia. When
      added to cultured microglia, IL-4 was able to induce expression of genes
      typifying the M2 phenotype and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma
      (PPARgamma) activation. IL-4 also enhanced expression of the IL-4 receptor on
      microglia, facilitating a "feedforward" increase in (1) their expression of
      trophic factors and (2) PPARgamma-dependent phagocytosis of apoptotic neurons.
      Parenteral administration of IL-4 resulted in augmented brain expression of M2-
      and PPARgamma-related genes. Furthermore, IL-4 and PPARgamma agonist
      administration improved functional recovery in a clinically relevant mouse stroke
      model, even if administered 24 h after the onset of ischemia. We propose that IL
      4 is secreted by ischemic neurons as an endogenous defense mechanism, playing a
      vital role in the regulation of brain cleanup and repair after stroke. Modulation
      of IL-4 and its associated pathways could represent a potential target for
      ischemic stroke treatment. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Depending on the activation
      signal, microglia/macrophages (MPhi) can behave as "healing" (M2) or "harmful"
      (M1). In response to ischemia, damaged/necrotic brain cells discharge factors
      that polarize MPhi to a M1-like phenotype. This polarization emerges early after
      stroke and persists for days to weeks, driving secondary brain injury via
      proinflammatory mediators and oxidative damage. Our study demonstrates that, to
      offset this M1-like polarization process, sublethally ischemic neurons may
      instead secrete a potent M2 polarizing cytokine, interleukin-4 (IL-4). In the
      presence of IL-4 (including when IL-4 is administered exogenously), MPhi become
      more effective in the cleanup of ischemic debris and produce trophic factors that
      may promote brain repair. We propose that IL-4 could represent a potential target
      for ischemic stroke treatment/recovery.

PMID- 26269638
TI  - Longitudinal Changes in Prefrontal Cortex Activation Underlie Declines in
      Adolescent Risk Taking.
AB  - Adolescence is a critical developmental phase during which risk-taking behaviors
      increase across a variety of species, raising the importance of understanding how
      brain changes contribute to such behaviors. While the prefrontal cortex is
      thought to influence adolescent risk taking, the specific ways in which it
      functions are unclear. Using longitudinal functional magnetic resonance imaging
      in human adolescents, we found that ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC)
      activation decreased during an experimental risk-taking task over time, with
      greater declines in VLPFC associated with greater declines in self-reported risky
      behavior. Furthermore, greater decreases in functional coupling between the
      medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) and ventral striatum over time were associated
      with decreases in self-reported risky behavior. Thus, disparate roles of the
      VLPFC and MPFC modulate longitudinal declines in adolescent risk taking.
      SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Adolescence is a developmental period marked by steep
      increases in risk-taking behavior coupled with dramatic brain changes. Although
      theories propose that the prefrontal cortex (PFC) may influence adolescent risk
      taking, the specific ways in which it functions remain unclear. We report the
      first longitudinal functional magnetic resonance imaging study to examine how
      neural activation during risk taking changes over time and contributes to
      adolescents' real-life risk-taking behavior. We find that longitudinal declines
      in activation of the ventrolateral PFC are linked to declines in adolescent risk
      taking, whereas the medial PFC influences adolescent risk taking via its
      functional neural coupling with reward-related regions. This is the first study
      to identify the mechanism by which different regions of the PFC disparately
      contribute to declines in risk taking.

PMID- 26269637
TI  - Neuronal Atrophy Early in Degenerative Ataxia Is a Compensatory Mechanism to
      Regulate Membrane Excitability.
AB  - Neuronal atrophy in neurodegenerative diseases is commonly viewed as an early
      event in a continuum that ultimately results in neuronal loss. In a mouse model
      of the polyglutamine disorder spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1), we tested the
      hypothesis that cerebellar Purkinje neuron atrophy serves an adaptive role rather
      than being simply a nonspecific response to injury. In acute cerebellar slices
      from SCA1 mice, we find that Purkinje neuron pacemaker firing is initially normal
      but, with the onset of motor dysfunction, becomes disrupted, accompanied by
      abnormal depolarization. Remarkably, subsequent Purkinje cell atrophy is
      associated with a restoration of pacemaker firing. The early inability of
      Purkinje neurons to support repetitive spiking is due to unopposed calcium
      currents resulting from a reduction in large-conductance calcium-activated
      potassium (BK) and subthreshold-activated potassium channels. The subsequent
      restoration of SCA1 Purkinje neuron firing correlates with the recovery of the
      density of these potassium channels that accompanies cell atrophy. Supporting a
      critical role for BK channels, viral-mediated increases in BK channel expression
      in SCA1 Purkinje neurons improves motor dysfunction and partially restores
      Purkinje neuron morphology. Cerebellar perfusion of flufenamic acid, an agent
      that restores the depolarized membrane potential of SCA1 Purkinje neurons by
      activating potassium channels, prevents Purkinje neuron dendritic atrophy. These
      results suggest that Purkinje neuron dendritic remodeling in ataxia is an
      adaptive response to increases in intrinsic membrane excitability. Similar
      adaptive remodeling could apply to other vulnerable neuronal populations in
      neurodegenerative disease. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: In neurodegenerative disease,
      neuronal atrophy has long been assumed to be an early nonspecific event preceding
      neuronal loss. However, in a mouse model of spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1),
      we identify a previously unappreciated compensatory role for neuronal shrinkage.
      Purkinje neuron firing in these mice is initially normal, but is followed by
      abnormal membrane depolarization resulting from a reduction in potassium
      channels. Subsequently, these electrophysiological effects are counteracted by
      cell atrophy, which by restoring normal potassium channel membrane density, re
      establishes pacemaker firing. Reversing the initial membrane depolarization
      improved motor function and Purkinje neuron morphology in the SCA1 mice. These
      results suggest that Purkinje neuron remodeling in ataxia is an active
      compensatory response that serves to normalize intrinsic membrane excitability.

PMID- 26269639
TI  - Exchange Protein Directly Activated by cAMP (EPAC) Regulates Neuronal
      Polarization through Rap1B.
AB  - Acquisition of neuronal polarity is a complex process involving cellular and
      molecular events. The second messenger cAMP is involved in axonal specification
      through activation of protein kinase A. However, an alternative cAMP-dependent
      mechanism involves the exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (EPAC), which
      also responds to physiological changes in cAMP concentration, promoting
      activation of the small Rap GTPases. Here, we present evidence that EPAC
      signaling contributes to axon specification and elongation. In primary rat
      hippocampal neurons, EPAC isoforms were expressed differentially during axon
      specification. Furthermore, 8-pCPT, an EPAC pharmacological activator, and
      genetic manipulations of EPAC in neurons induced supernumerary axons indicative
      of Rap1b activation. Moreover, 8-pCPT-treated neurons expressed ankyrin G and
      other markers of mature axons such as synaptophysin and axonal accumulation of
      vGLUT1. In contrast, pharmacological inhibition of EPAC delayed neuronal
      polarity. Genetic manipulations to inactivate EPAC1 using either shRNA or neurons
      derived from EPAC1 knock-out (KO) mice led to axon elongation and polarization
      defects. Interestingly, multiaxonic neurons generated by 8-pCPT treatments in
      wild-type neurons were not found in EPAC1 KO mice neurons. Altogether, these
      results propose that EPAC signaling is an alternative and complementary mechanism
      for cAMP-dependent axon determination. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This study
      identifies the guanine exchange factor responsible for Rap1b activation during
      neuronal polarization and provides an alternate explanation for cAMP-dependent
      acquisition of neuronal polarity.

PMID- 26269640
TI  - Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis Modulates Fear Learning through Associative and
      Nonassociative Mechanisms.
AB  - Adult hippocampal neurogenesis is believed to support hippocampus-dependent
      learning and emotional regulation. These putative functions of adult neurogenesis
      have typically been studied in isolation, and little is known about how they
      interact to produce adaptive behavior. We used trace fear conditioning as a model
      system to elucidate mechanisms through which adult hippocampal neurogenesis
      modulates processing of aversive experience. To achieve a specific ablation of
      neurogenesis, we generated transgenic mice that express herpes simplex virus
      thymidine kinase specifically in neural progenitors and immature neurons.
      Intracerebroventricular injection of the prodrug ganciclovir caused a robust
      suppression of neurogenesis without suppressing gliogenesis. Neurogenesis
      ablation via this method or targeted x-irradiation caused an increase in context
      conditioning in trace but not delay fear conditioning. Data suggest that this
      phenotype represents opposing effects of neurogenesis ablation on associative and
      nonassociative components of fear learning. Arrest of neurogenesis sensitizes
      mice to nonassociative effects of fear conditioning, as evidenced by increased
      anxiety-like behavior in the open field after (but not in the absence of) fear
      conditioning. In addition, arrest of neurogenesis impairs associative trace
      conditioning, but this impairment can be masked by nonassociative fear. The
      results suggest that adult neurogenesis modulates emotional learning via two
      distinct but opposing mechanisms: it supports associative trace conditioning
      while also buffering against the generalized fear and anxiety caused by fear
      conditioning. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The role of adult hippocampal neurogenesis
      in fear learning is controversial, with some studies suggesting neurogenesis is
      needed for aspects of fear learning and others suggesting it is dispensable. We
      generated transgenic mice in which neural progenitors can be selectively and
      inducibly ablated. Our data suggest that adult neurogenesis supports fear
      learning through two distinct mechanisms: it supports the ability to learn
      associations between traumatic events (unconditioned stimuli) and predictors
      (conditioned stimuli) while also buffering against nonassociative, anxiogenic
      effects of a traumatic experience. As a result, arrest of neurogenesis can
      enhance or impair learned fear depending on intensity of the traumatic experience
      and the extent to which it recruits associative versus nonassociative learning.

PMID- 26269641
TI  - Defective Age-Dependent Metaplasticity in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease.
AB  - Much of the molecular understanding of synaptic pathology in Alzheimer's disease
      (AD) comes from studies of various mouse models that express familial AD (FAD)
      linked mutations, often in combinations. Most studies compare the absolute
      magnitudes of long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD) to
      assess deficits in bidirectional synaptic plasticity accompanying FAD-linked
      mutations. However, LTP and LTD are not static, but their induction threshold is
      adjusted by overall neural activity via metaplasticity. Hence LTP/LTD changes in
      AD mouse models may reflect defects in metaplasticity processes. To determine
      this, we examined the LTP/LTD induction threshold in APPswe;PS1DeltaE9 transgenic
      (Tg) mice across two different ages. We found that in young Tg mice (1 month),
      LTP is enhanced at the expense of LTD, but in adults (6 months), the phenotype is
      reversed to promote LTD and reduce LTP, compared to age-matched wild-type (WT)
      littermates. The apparent opposite phenotype across age was due to an initial
      offset in the induction threshold to favor LTP and the inability to undergo
      developmental metaplasticity in Tg mice. In WTs, the synaptic modification
      threshold decreased over development to favor LTP and diminish LTD in adults.
      However, in Tg mice, the magnitudes of LTP and LTD stayed constant across
      development. The initial offset in LTP/LTD threshold in young Tg mice did not
      accompany changes in the LTP/LTD induction mechanisms, but altered AMPA receptor
      phosphorylation and appearance of Ca(2+)-permeable AMPA receptors. We propose
      that the main synaptic defect in AD mouse models is due to their inability to
      undergo developmental metaplasticity. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This work offers a
      new insight that metaplasticity defects are central to synaptic dysfunctions seen
      in AD mouse models. In particular, we demonstrate that the apparent differences
      in LTP/LTD magnitude seen across ages in AD transgenic mouse models reflect the
      inability to undergo a normal developmental shift in metaplasticity.

PMID- 26269642
TI  - Influences of Long-Term Memory-Guided Attention and Stimulus-Guided Attention on
      Visuospatial Representations within Human Intraparietal Sulcus.
AB  - Human parietal cortex plays a central role in encoding visuospatial information
      and multiple visual maps exist within the intraparietal sulcus (IPS), with each
      hemisphere symmetrically representing contralateral visual space. Two forms of
      hemispheric asymmetries have been identified in parietal cortex ventrolateral to
      visuotopic IPS. Key attentional processes are localized to right lateral parietal
      cortex in the temporoparietal junction and long-term memory (LTM) retrieval
      processes are localized to the left lateral parietal cortex in the angular gyrus.
      Here, using fMRI, we investigate how spatial representations of visuotopic IPS
      are influenced by stimulus-guided visuospatial attention and by LTM-guided
      visuospatial attention. We replicate prior findings that a hemispheric asymmetry
      emerges under stimulus-guided attention: in the right hemisphere (RH), visual
      maps IPS0, IPS1, and IPS2 code attentional targets across the visual field; in
      the left hemisphere (LH), IPS0-2 codes primarily contralateral targets. We report
      the novel finding that, under LTM-guided attention, both RH and LH IPS0-2 exhibit
      bilateral responses and hemispheric symmetry re-emerges. Therefore, we
      demonstrate that both hemispheres of IPS0-2 are independently capable of
      dynamically changing spatial coding properties as attentional task demands
      change. These findings have important implications for understanding visuospatial
      and memory-retrieval deficits in patients with parietal lobe damage. SIGNIFICANCE
      STATEMENT: The human parietal lobe contains multiple maps of the external world
      that spatially guide perception, action, and cognition. Maps in each cerebral
      hemisphere code information from the opposite side of space, not from the same
      side, and the two hemispheres are symmetric. Paradoxically, damage to specific
      parietal regions that lack spatial maps can cause patients to ignore half of
      space (hemispatial neglect syndrome), but only for right (not left) hemisphere
      damage. Conversely, the left parietal cortex has been linked to retrieval of
      vivid memories regardless of space. Here, we investigate possible underlying
      mechanisms in healthy individuals. We demonstrate two forms of dynamic changes in
      parietal spatial representations: an asymmetric one for stimulus-guided attention
      and a symmetric one for long-term memory-guided attention.

PMID- 26269643
TI  - Ca2+ Diffusion through Endoplasmic Reticulum Supports Elevated Intraterminal Ca2+
      Levels Needed to Sustain Synaptic Release from Rods in Darkness.
AB  - In addition to vesicle release at synaptic ribbons, rod photoreceptors are
      capable of substantial slow release at non-ribbon release sites triggered by
      Ca(2+)-induced Ca(2+) release (CICR) from intracellular stores. To maintain CICR
      as rods remain depolarized in darkness, we hypothesized that Ca(2+) released into
      the cytoplasm from terminal endoplasmic reticulum (ER) can be replenished
      continuously by ions diffusing within the ER from the soma. We measured [Ca(2+)]
      changes in cytoplasm and ER of rods from Ambystoma tigrinum retina using various
      dyes. ER [Ca(2+)] changes were measured by loading ER with fluo-5N and then
      washing dye from the cytoplasm with a dye-free patch pipette solution. Small dye
      molecules diffused within ER between soma and terminal showing a single
      continuous ER compartment. Depolarization of rods to -40 mV depleted Ca(2+) from
      terminal ER, followed by a decline in somatic ER [Ca(2+)]. Local activation of
      ryanodine receptors in terminals with a spatially confined puff of ryanodine
      caused a decline in terminal ER [Ca(2+)], followed by a secondary decrease in
      somatic ER. Localized photolytic uncaging of Ca(2+) from o-nitrophenyl-EGTA in
      somatic ER caused an abrupt Ca(2+) increase in somatic ER, followed by a slower
      Ca(2+) increase in terminal ER. These data suggest that, during maintained
      depolarization, a soma-to-terminal [Ca(2+)] gradient develops within the ER that
      promotes diffusion of Ca(2+) ions to resupply intraterminal ER Ca(2+) stores and
      thus sustain CICR-mediated synaptic release. The ability of Ca(2+) to move freely
      through the ER may also promote bidirectional communication of Ca(2+) changes
      between soma and terminal. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Vertebrate rod and cone
      photoreceptors both release vesicles at synaptic ribbons, but rods also exhibit
      substantial slow release at non-ribbon sites triggered by Ca(2+)-induced Ca(2+)
      release (CICR). Blocking CICR inhibits >50% of release from rods in darkness. How
      do rods maintain sufficiently high [Ca(2+)] in terminal endoplasmic reticulum
      (ER) to support sustained CICR-driven synaptic transmission? We show that
      maintained depolarization creates a [Ca(2+)] gradient within the rod ER lumen
      that promotes soma-to-terminal diffusion of Ca(2+) to replenish intraterminal ER
      stores. This mechanism allows CICR-triggered synaptic release to be sustained
      indefinitely while rods remain depolarized in darkness. Free diffusion of Ca(2+)
      within the ER may also communicate synaptic Ca(2+) changes back to the soma to
      influence other critical cell processes.

PMID- 26269644
TI  - Bidirectional Regulation of Amyloid Precursor Protein-Induced Memory Defects by
      Nebula/DSCR1: A Protein Upregulated in Alzheimer's Disease and Down Syndrome.
AB  - Aging individuals with Down syndrome (DS) have an increased risk of developing
      Alzheimer's disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by impaired
      memory. Memory problems in both DS and AD individuals usually develop slowly and
      progressively get worse with age, but the cause of this age-dependent memory
      impairment is not well understood. This study examines the functional
      interactions between Down syndrome critical region 1 (DSCR1) and amyloid
      precursor protein (APP), proteins upregulated in both DS and AD, in regulating
      memory. Using Drosophila as a model, we find that overexpression of nebula (fly
      homolog of DSCR1) initially protects against APP-induced memory defects by
      correcting calcineurin and cAMP signaling pathways but accelerates the rate of
      memory loss and exacerbates mitochondrial dysfunction in older animals. We report
      that transient upregulation of Nebula/DSCR1 or acute pharmacological inhibition
      of calcineurin in aged flies protected against APP-induced memory loss. Our data
      suggest that calcineurin dyshomeostasis underlies age-dependent memory
      impairments and further imply that chronic Nebula/DSCR1 upregulation may
      contribute to age-dependent memory impairments in AD in DS. SIGNIFICANCE
      STATEMENT: Most Down syndrome (DS) individuals eventually develop Alzheimer's
      disease (AD)-like dementia, but mechanisms underlying this age-dependent memory
      impairment remain poorly understood. This study examines Nebula/Down syndrome
      critical region 1 (DSCR1) and amyloid-precursor protein (APP), proteins
      upregulated in both DS and AD, in regulating memory. We uncover a previously
      unidentified role for Nebula/DSCR1 in modulating APP-induced memory defects
      during aging. We show that upregulation of Nebula/DSCR1, an inhibitor of
      calcineurin, rescues APP-induced memory defects in young flies but enhances
      memory loss of older flies. Excitingly, transient Nebula/DSCR1 overexpression or
      calcineurin inhibition in aged flies ameliorates APP-mediated memory problems.
      These results suggest that chronic Nebula/DSCR1 upregulation may contribute to
      age-dependent memory loss in DS and AD and points to correcting calcineurin
      signaling as a means to improve memory during aging.

PMID- 26269645
TI  - Oligodendrocytes Are Targets of HIV-1 Tat: NMDA and AMPA Receptor-Mediated
      Effects on Survival and Development.
AB  - Myelin pallor in HIV(+) individuals can occur very early during the disease
      process. While myelin damage might partly originate from HIV-induced vascular
      changes, the timing suggests that myelin and/or oligodendrocytes (OLs) may be
      directly affected. Histological (Golgi-Kopsch, electron microscopy) and
      biochemical studies have revealed an increased occurrence of abnormal OL/myelin
      morphology and dysregulated myelin protein expression in transgenic mice
      expressing the HIV-1 transactivator of transcription (Tat) protein. This suggests
      that viral proteins by themselves might cause OL injury. Since Tat interacts with
      NMDARs, we hypothesized that activation of NMDARs and subsequent disruption of
      cytoplasmic Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)]i) homeostasis might be one cause of white matter
      injury after HIV infection. In culture, HIV-1 Tat caused concentration-dependent
      death of immature OLs, while more mature OLs remained alive but had reduced
      myelin-like membranes. Tat also induced [Ca(2+)]i increases and Thr-287
      autophosphorylation of Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II beta
      (CaMKIIbeta) in OLs. Tat-induced [Ca(2+)]i was attenuated by the NMDAR antagonist
      MK801, and also by the AMPA/kainate receptor antagonist CNQX. Importantly, both
      MK801 and CNQX blocked Tat-induced death of immature OLs, but only MK801 reversed
      Tat effects on myelin-like membranes. These results suggest that OLs can be
      direct targets of HIV proteins released from infected cells. Although viability
      and membrane production are both affected by glutamatergic receptor-mediated
      Ca(2+) influx, and possibly the ensuing CaMKIIbeta activation, the roles of
      AMPARs and NMDARs appear to be different and dependent on the stage of OL
      differentiation. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Over 33 million individuals are
      currently infected by HIV. Among these individuals, ~60% develop HIV-associated
      neurocognitive disorders. Myelin damage and white matter injury have been
      frequently reported in HIV patients but not extensively studied. Clinical studies
      using combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) together with adjunctive "anti
      inflammatory" drugs show no improvement over cART alone, suggesting existence of
      injury mechanisms in addition to inflammation. In our studies, oligodendrocytes
      exhibited rapid increases in intracellular Ca(2+) level upon HIV-1 transactivator
      of transcription (Tat) exposure. Thus, immature and mature oligodendrocytes can
      be direct targets of Tat. Since ionotropic glutamate receptor antagonists can
      partially or fully reverse the detrimental effects of Tat, glutamate receptors
      could be a potential therapeutic target for white matter damage in HIV patients.

PMID- 26269647
TI  - Predicting Reaction Time from the Neural State Space of the Premotor and Parietal
      Grasping Network.
AB  - Neural networks of the brain involved in the planning and execution of grasping
      movements are not fully understood. The network formed by macaque anterior
      intraparietal area (AIP) and hand area (F5) of the ventral premotor cortex is
      implicated strongly in the generation of grasping movements. However, the
      differential role of each area in this frontoparietal network is unclear. We
      recorded spiking activity from many electrodes in parallel in AIP and F5 while
      three macaque monkeys (Macaca mulatta) performed a delayed grasping task. By
      analyzing neural population activity during action preparation, we found that
      state space analysis of simultaneously recorded units is significantly more
      predictive of subsequent reaction times (RTs) than traditional methods.
      Furthermore, because we observed a wide variety of individual unit
      characteristics, we developed the sign-corrected average rate (SCAR) method of
      neural population averaging. The SCAR method was able to explain at least as much
      variance in RT overall as state space methods. Overall, F5 activity predicted RT
      (18% variance explained) significantly better than AIP (6%). The SCAR methods
      provides a straightforward interpretation of population activity, although other
      state space methods could provide richer descriptions of population dynamics.
      Together, these results lend support to the differential role of the parietal and
      frontal cortices in preparation for grasping, suggesting that variability in
      preparatory activity in F5 has a more potent effect on trial-to-trial RT
      variability than AIP. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Grasping movements are planned
      before they are executed, but how is the preparatory activity in a population of
      neurons related to the subsequent reaction time (RT)? A population analysis of
      the activity of many neurons recorded in parallel in macaque premotor (F5) and
      parietal (AIP) cortices during a delayed grasping task revealed that preparatory
      activity in F5 could explain a threefold larger fraction of variability in trial
      to-trial RT than AIP. These striking differences lend additional support to a
      differential role of the parietal and premotor cortices in grasp movement
      preparation, suggesting that F5 has a more direct influence on trial-to-trial
      variability and movement timing, whereas AIP might be more closely linked to
      overall movement intentions.

PMID- 26269646
TI  - The Autotaxin-Lysophosphatidic Acid Axis Modulates Histone Acetylation and Gene
      Expression during Oligodendrocyte Differentiation.
AB  - During development, oligodendrocytes (OLGs), the myelinating cells of the CNS,
      undergo a stepwise progression during which OLG progenitors, specified from
      neural stem/progenitor cells, differentiate into fully mature myelinating OLGs.
      This progression along the OLG lineage is characterized by well synchronized
      changes in morphology and gene expression patterns. The latter have been found to
      be particularly critical during the early stages of the lineage, and they have
      been well described to be regulated by epigenetic mechanisms, especially by the
      activity of the histone deacetylases HDAC1 and HDAC2. The data presented here
      identify the extracellular factor autotaxin (ATX) as a novel upstream signal
      modulating HDAC1/2 activity and gene expression in cells of the OLG lineage.
      Using the zebrafish as an in vivo model system as well as rodent primary OLG
      cultures, this functional property of ATX was found to be mediated by its
      lysophospholipase D (lysoPLD) activity, which has been well characterized to
      generate the lipid signaling molecule lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). More
      specifically, the lysoPLD activity of ATX was found to modulate HDAC1/2 regulated
      gene expression during a time window coinciding with the transition from OLG
      progenitor to early differentiating OLG. In contrast, HDAC1/2 regulated gene
      expression during the transition from neural stem/progenitor to OLG progenitor
      appeared unaffected by ATX and its lysoPLD activity. Thus, together, our data
      suggest that an ATX-LPA-HDAC1/2 axis regulates OLG differentiation specifically
      during the transition from OLG progenitor to early differentiating OLG and via a
      molecular mechanism that is evolutionarily conserved from at least zebrafish to
      rodent. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The formation of the axon insulating and
      supporting myelin sheath by differentiating oligodendrocytes (OLGs) in the CNS is
      considered an essential step during vertebrate development. In addition, loss
      and/or dysfunction of the myelin sheath has been associated with a variety of
      neurologic diseases in which repair is limited, despite the presence of
      progenitor cells with the potential to differentiate into myelinating OLGs. This
      study characterizes the autotaxin-lysophosphatidic acid signaling axis as a
      modulator of OLG differentiation in vivo in the developing zebrafish and in vitro
      in rodent OLGs in culture. These findings provide novel insight into the
      regulation of developmental myelination, and they are likely to lead to advancing
      studies related to the stimulation of myelin repair under pathologic conditions.

PMID- 26269649
TI  - Concurrent TMS-fMRI Reveals Interactions between Dorsal and Ventral Attentional
      Systems.
AB  - Adaptive behavior relies on combining bottom-up sensory inputs with top-down
      control signals to guide responses in line with current goals and task demands.
      Over the past decade, accumulating evidence has suggested that the dorsal and
      ventral frontoparietal attentional systems are recruited interactively in this
      process. This fMRI study used concurrent transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
      as a causal perturbation approach to investigate the interactions between dorsal
      and ventral attentional systems and sensory processing areas. In a sustained
      spatial attention paradigm, human participants detected weak visual targets that
      were presented in the lower-left visual field on 50% of the trials. Further, we
      manipulated the presence/absence of task-irrelevant auditory signals. Critically,
      on each trial we applied 10 Hz bursts of four TMS (or Sham) pulses to the
      intraparietal sulcus (IPS). IPS-TMS relative to Sham-TMS increased activation in
      the parietal cortex regardless of sensory stimulation, confirming the neural
      effectiveness of TMS stimulation. Visual targets increased activations in the
      anterior insula, a component of the ventral attentional system responsible for
      salience detection. Conversely, they decreased activations in the ventral visual
      areas. Importantly, IPS-TMS abolished target-evoked activation increases in the
      right temporoparietal junction (TPJ) of the ventral attentional system, whereas
      it eliminated target-evoked activation decreases in the right fusiform. Our
      results demonstrate that IPS-TMS exerts profound directional causal influences
      not only on visual areas but also on the TPJ as a critical component of the
      ventral attentional system. They reveal a complex interplay between dorsal and
      ventral attentional systems during target detection under sustained spatial
      attention. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Adaptive behavior relies on combining bottom
      up sensory inputs with top-down attentional control. Although the dorsal and
      ventral frontoparietal systems are key players in attentional control, their
      distinct contributions remain unclear. In this TMS-fMRI study, participants
      attended to the left visual field to detect weak visual targets presented on half
      of the trials. We applied brief TMS bursts (or Sham-TMS) to the dorsal
      intraparietal sulcus (IPS) 100 ms after visual stimulus onset. IPS-TMS abolished
      the visual induced response suppression in the ventral occipitotemporal cortex
      and the response enhancement to visual targets in the temporoparietal junction.
      Our results demonstrate that IPS causally influences neural activity in the
      ventral attentional system 100 ms poststimulus. They have important implications
      for our understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying attentional control.

PMID- 26269648
TI  - Selective Loss of Presynaptic Potassium Channel Clusters at the Cerebellar Basket
      Cell Terminal Pinceau in Adam11 Mutants Reveals Their Role in Ephaptic Control of
      Purkinje Cell Firing.
AB  - A specialized axonal ending, the basket cell "pinceau," encapsulates the Purkinje
      cell axon initial segment (AIS), exerting final inhibitory control over the
      integrated outflow of the cerebellar cortex. This nonconventional axo-axonic
      contact extends beyond the perisomatic chemical GABAergic synaptic boutons to the
      distal AIS, lacks both sodium channels and local exocytotic machinery, and yet
      contains a dense cluster of voltage-gated potassium channels whose functional
      contribution is unknown. Here, we show that ADAM11, a transmembrane noncatalytic
      disintegrin, is the first reported Kv1-interacting protein essential for
      localizing Kv1.1 and Kv1.2 subunit complexes to the distal terminal. Selective
      absence of these channels at the pinceau due to mutation of ADAM11 spares
      spontaneous GABA release from basket cells at the perisomatic synapse yet
      eliminates ultrarapid ephaptic inhibitory synchronization of Purkinje cell
      firing. Our findings identify a critical role for presynaptic K(+) channels at
      the pinceau in ephaptic control over the speed and stability of spike rate coding
      at the Purkinje cell AIS in mice. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This study identifies
      ADAM11 as the first essential molecule for the proper localization of potassium
      ion channels at presynaptic nerve terminals, where they modulate excitability and
      the release of neural transmitters. Genetic truncation of the transmembrane
      disintegrin and metalloproteinase protein ADAM11 resulted in the absence of Kv1
      channels that are normally densely clustered at the terminals of basket cell
      axons in the cerebellar cortex. These specialized terminals are responsible for
      the release of the neurotransmitter GABA onto Purkinje cells and also display
      electrical signaling. In the ADAM11 mutant, GABAergic release was not altered,
      but the ultrarapid electrical signal was absent, demonstrating that the dense
      presynaptic cluster of Kv1 ion channels at these terminals mediate electrical
      transmission. Therefore, ADAM11 plays a critical role at this central synapse.

PMID- 26269650
TI  - Mood symptoms correlate with kynurenine pathway metabolites following sports
      related concussion.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: An imbalance of neuroactive kynurenine pathway metabolites has been
      proposed as one mechanism behind the neuropsychiatric sequelae of certain
      neurological disorders. We hypothesized that concussed football players would
      have elevated plasma levels of neurotoxic kynurenine metabolites and reduced
      levels of neuroprotective metabolites relative to healthy football players and
      that altered kynurenine levels would correlate with post-concussion mood
      symptoms. METHODS: Mood scales and plasma concentrations of kynurenine
      metabolites were assessed in concussed (N=18; 1.61 days post-injury) and healthy
      football players (N=18). A subset of football players returned at 1-week (N=14;
      9.29 days) and 1-month post-concussion (N=14, 30.93 days). RESULTS: Concussed
      athletes had significantly elevated levels of quinolinic acid (QUIN) and
      significantly lower ratios of kynurenic acid (KYNA) to QUIN at all time points
      compared with healthy athletes (p's<0.05), with no longitudinal evidence of
      normalization of KYNA or KYNA/QUIN. At 1-day post-injury, concussed athletes with
      lower levels of the putatively neuroprotective KYNA/QUIN ratio reported
      significantly worse depressive symptoms (p=0.04), and a trend toward worse
      anxiety symptoms (p=0.06), while at 1-month higher QUIN levels were associated
      with worse mood symptoms (p's<0.01). Finally, concussed athletes with worse
      concussion outcome, defined as number of days until return-to-play, had higher
      QUIN and lower KYNA/QUIN at 1-month post-injury (p's<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These
      results converge with existing kynurenine literature on psychiatric patients and
      provide the first evidence of altered peripheral levels of kynurenine metabolites
      following sports-related concussion.

PMID- 26269652
TI  - Neuron-Specific Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor-Associated Factor 3 and Acute
      Ischemic Stroke.

PMID- 26269653
TI  - Thresholds for Diagnosing Hypertension Based on Automated Office Blood Pressure
      Measurements and Cardiovascular Risk.
AB  - The risk of cardiovascular events in relation to blood pressure is largely based
      on readings taken with a mercury sphygmomanometer in populations which differ
      from those of today in terms of hypertension severity and drug therapy. Given
      replacement of the mercury sphygmomanometer with electronic devices, we sought to
      determine the blood pressure threshold for a significant increase in
      cardiovascular risk using a fully automated device, which takes multiple readings
      with the subject resting quietly alone. Participants were 3627 community-dwelling
      residents aged >65 years untreated for hypertension. Automated office blood
      pressure readings were obtained in a community pharmacy with subjects seated and
      undisturbed. This method for recording blood pressure produces similar readings
      in different settings, including a pharmacy and family doctor's office providing
      the above procedures are followed. Subjects were followed for a mean (SD) of 4.9
      (1.0) years for fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events. Adjusted hazard ratios
      (95% confidence intervals) were computed for 10 mm Hg increments in blood
      pressure (mm Hg) using Cox proportional hazards regression and the blood pressure
      category with the lowest event rate as the reference category. A total of 271
      subjects experienced a cardiovascular event. There was a significant (P=0.02)
      increase in the hazard ratio of 1.66 (1.09, 2.54) at a systolic blood pressure of
      135 to 144 and 1.72 (1.21, 2.45; P=0.003) at a diastolic blood pressure of 80 to
      89. A significant (P=0.03) increase in hazard ratio of 1.73 (1.04, 2.86) occurred
      with a pulse pressure of 80 to 89. These findings are consistent with a threshold
      of 135/85 for diagnosing hypertension in older subjects using automated office
      blood pressure. 

PMID- 26269655
TI  - Hypertension Editors' Picks: Environmental Factors, Pollution, and Hypertension.

PMID- 26269654
TI  - Neuron-Specific Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor-Associated Factor 3 Is a Central
      Regulator of Neuronal Death in Acute Ischemic Stroke.
AB  - Neuronal death after ischemic stroke involves multiple pathophysiological events,
      as well as a complex molecular mechanism. Inhibiting a single therapeutic target
      that is involved in several ischemic signaling cascades may be a promising
      strategy for stroke management. Here, we report the versatile biological roles of
      tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 3 (TRAF3) in ischemic stroke.
      Using several genetically manipulated mouse strains, we also demonstrated that
      TRAF3 inhibition can be neuroprotective. TRAF3 expression, which is robustly
      induced in response to ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, was detected in
      neurons. Overexpression of TRAF3 in neurons led to aggravated neuronal loss and
      enlarged infarcts; these effects were reversed in TRAF3-knockout mice. Neuronal
      TRAF3 also contributed to c-Jun kinase-, nuclear factor kappaB- and Rac-1-induced
      neuronal death, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Mechanistically, we showed
      that TRAF3 interacts with transforming growth factor-beta-activated kinase 1
      (TAK1) and potentiates phosphorylation and activation of TAK1. Phosphorylated
      TAK1 sequentially initiated activation of nuclear factor kappaB, Rac-1/NADPH
      oxidase, and c-Jun kinase/c-Jun signaling cascades. Using a combination of
      adenoviruses encoding dominant-negative TAK1 and the TAK1 inhibitor 5Z-7
      oxozeaenol, we demonstrated that the TRAF3-mediated activation of ischemic
      cascades was TAK1-dependent. More importantly, the adverse phenotypes observed in
      TRAF3-overexpressing mice were completely reversed when the TRAF3-TAK1
      interaction was prevented. Therefore, we have shown that TRAF3 is a central
      regulator of ischemic pathways, including nuclear factor kappaB, Rac-1, and c-Jun
      kinase signaling, via its interaction with and activation of TAK1. Furthermore,
      certain components of the TRAF3-TAK1 signaling pathway are potentially promising
      therapeutic targets in ischemic stroke. 

PMID- 26269656
TI  - Mineralocorticoid excess or glucocorticoid insufficiency: renal and metabolic
      phenotypes in a rat Hsd11b2 knockout model.

PMID- 26269657
TI  - Wave separation, wave intensity, the reservoir-wave concept, and the
      instantaneous wave-free ratio: presumptions and principles.

PMID- 26269658
TI  - Diversity ? Inclusion: Promoting Integration in Higher Education.

PMID- 26269659
TI  - Learning Science-Based Fitness Knowledge in Constructivist Physical Education.
AB  - Teaching fitness-related knowledge has become critical in developing children's
      healthful living behavior. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects
      of a science-based, constructivist physical education curriculum on learning
      fitness knowledge critical to healthful living in elementary school students. The
      schools (N = 30) were randomly selected from one of the largest school districts
      in the United States and randomly assigned to treatment curriculum and control
      conditions. Students in third, fourth, and fifth grade (N = 5,717) were pre- and
      posttested on a standardized knowledge test on exercise principles and benefits
      in cardiorespiratory health, muscular capacity, and healthful nutrition and body
      flexibility. The results indicated that children in the treatment curriculum
      condition learned at a faster rate than their counterparts in the control
      condition. The results suggest that the constructivist curriculum is capable of
      inducing superior knowledge gain in third-, fourth-, and fifth-grade children.

PMID- 26269660
TI  - Investigating the Fundamentals of Molecular Depth Profiling Using Strong-field
      Photoionization of Sputtered Neutrals.
AB  - Molecular depth profiles of model organic thin films were performed using a 40
      keV C60+ cluster ion source in concert with TOF-SIMS. Strong-field
      photoionization of intact neutral molecules sputtered by 40 keV C60+ primary ions
      was used to analyze changes in the chemical environment of the guanine thin films
      as a function of ion fluence. Direct comparison of the secondary ion and neutral
      components of the molecular depth profiles yields valuable information about
      chemical damage accumulation as well as changes in the molecular ionization
      probability. An analytical protocol based on the erosion dynamics model is
      developed and evaluated using guanine and trehalose molecular secondary ion
      signals with and without comparable laser photoionization data.

PMID- 26269661
TI  - Adaptive Confidence Bands for Nonparametric Regression Functions.
AB  - A new formulation for the construction of adaptive confidence bands in non
      parametric function estimation problems is proposed. Confidence bands are
      constructed which have size that adapts to the smoothness of the function while
      guaranteeing that both the relative excess mass of the function lying outside the
      band and the measure of the set of points where the function lies outside the
      band are small. It is shown that the bands adapt over a maximum range of
      Lipschitz classes. The adaptive confidence band can be easily implemented in
      standard statistical software with wavelet support. Numerical performance of the
      procedure is investigated using both simulated and real datasets. The numerical
      results agree well with the theoretical analysis. The procedure can be easily
      modified and used for other nonparametric function estimation models.

PMID- 26269662
TI  - Situational interest, cognitive engagement, and achievement in physical
      education.
AB  - Students' learning has been the center of schooling. This study examined the
      contribution of situational interest motivation and cognitive engagement in
      workbooks to student achievement in learning health-related fitness knowledge.
      Situational interest, performance on solving workbook problems, and knowledge
      gain in cardio-respiratory fitness and benefits were measured in 670 third-grade
      students from 13 randomly selected urban elementary schools. Structural equation
      modeling and regression curve estimation analyses revealed that situational
      interest contributed little to workbook performance and knowledge gain.
      Performance on solving workbook problems contributed significantly to knowledge
      gain. The results also show that skipping workbook tasks had stronger negative
      impact on knowledge gain than performing the tasks incorrectly, suggesting the
      importance of engaging students in the learning process by attempting the
      workbook tasks. The findings reinforced the value of using workbooks to
      facilitate cognitive knowledge learning in physical education, but raised
      questions about the direct function of situational interest on engaging students
      in cognitive learning.

PMID- 26269663
TI  - Traditional, modern or mixed? Perspectives on social, economic, and health
      impacts of evolving food retail in Thailand.
AB  - Transnational food retailers expanded to middle-income countries over recent
      decades responding to supply (liberalized foreign investment) and demand (rising
      incomes, urbanization, female workforce participation, and time poverty). Control
      in new markets diffuses along three axes: socio-economic (rich to poor),
      geographic (urban to rural), and product category (processed foods to fresh
      foods). We used a mixed method approach to study the progression of modern retail
      in Thailand on these three axes and consumer preferences for food retailing. In
      Thailand modern retail controls half the food sales but traditional fresh markets
      remain important. Quantitative questionnaires administered to members of a large
      national cohort study revealed around half of respondents were primarily
      traditional shoppers and half either utilized modern and traditional formats
      equally or primarily shopped at supermarkets. Fresh foods were mainly purchased
      at traditional retail formats and dry packaged foods at supermarkets. Qualitative
      interviews found price and quality of produce and availability of culturally
      important products to be significant reasons for continued support of fresh
      markets. Our results show socio-economic and geographic diffusion is already
      advanced with most respondents having access to and utilizing modern retail.
      Control of the fresh food sector by transnationals faces barriers in Thailand and
      may remain elusive. The short to mid-term outcome may be a bifurcated food system
      with modern and traditional retail each retaining market share, but fresh markets
      longer term survival may require government assistance as supermarkets become
      more established. Fresh markets supply affordable, healthy foods, and livelihoods
      for poorer Thais and are repositories of Thai food culture and social networks.
      If they survive they will confer cultural, social, economic, and health benefits.

PMID- 26269664
TI  - Inflammatory pouch disease: The spectrum of pouchitis.
AB  - Restorative proctocolectomy with ileal-pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) is the
      operation of choice for medically refractory ulcerative colitis (UC), for UC with
      dysplasia, and for familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). IPAA can be a treatment
      option for selected patients with Crohn's colitis without perianal and/or small
      bowel disease. The term "pouchitis" refers to nonspecific inflammation of the
      pouch and is a common complication in patients with IPAA; it occurs more often in
      UC patients than in FAP patients. This suggests that the pathogenetic background
      of UC may contribute significantly to the development of pouchitis. The symptoms
      of pouchitis are many, and can include increased bowel frequency, urgency,
      tenesmus, incontinence, nocturnal seepage, rectal bleeding, abdominal cramps, and
      pelvic discomfort. The diagnosis of pouchitis is based on the presence of
      symptoms together with endoscopic and histological evidence of inflammation of
      the pouch. However, "pouchitis" is a general term representing a wide spectrum of
      diseases and conditions, which can emerge in the pouch. Based on the etiology we
      can sub-divide pouchitis into 2 groups: idiopathic and secondary. In idiopathic
      pouchitis the etiology and pathogenesis are still unclear, while in secondary
      pouchitis there is an association with a specific causative or pathogenetic
      factor. Secondary pouchitis can occur in up to 30% of cases and can be classified
      as infectious, ischemic, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs-induced,
      collagenous, autoimmune-associated, or Crohn's disease. Sometimes, cuffitis or
      irritable pouch syndrome can be misdiagnosed as pouchitis. Furthermore,
      idiopathic pouchitis itself can be sub-classified into types based on the
      clinical pattern, presentation, and responsiveness to antibiotic treatment.
      Treatment differs among the various forms of pouchitis. Therefore, it is
      important to establish the correct diagnosis in order to select the appropriate
      treatment and further management. In this editorial, we present the spectrum of
      pouchitis and the specific features related to the diagnosis and treatment of the
      various forms. 

PMID- 26269666
TI  - Clinical applications of 5-aminolevulinic acid-mediated fluorescence for gastric
      cancer.
AB  - 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is a naturally occurring amino acid that is a
      protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) precursor and a next-generation photosensitive
      substance. After exogenous administration of ALA, PpIX specifically accumulates
      in cancer cells owing to the impaired metabolism of ALA to PpIX in mitochondria,
      which results in a red fluorescence following irradiation with blue light and the
      formation of singlet oxygen. Fluorescence navigation by photodynamic diagnosis
      (PDD) using ALA provides good visualization and detection of gastric cancer
      lesions and is a potentially valuable diagnostic tool for gastric cancer for
      evaluating both the surgical resection margins and extension of the lesion.
      Furthermore, PDD using ALA might be used to detect peritoneal metastases during
      preoperative staging laparoscopy, where it could provide useful information for
      the selection of a therapeutic approach. Another promising application for this
      modality is in the evaluation of lymph node metastases. Photodynamic therapy
      (PDT) using ALA to cause selective damage based on the accumulation of a
      photosensitizer in malignant tissue is expected to be a non-invasive endoscopic
      treatment for superficial early gastric cancer. ALA has the potential to be used
      not only as a diagnostic agent but also as a therapeutic drug, resulting in a new
      strategy for cancer diagnosis and therapy. Here, we review the current use of PDD
      and PDT in gastric cancer and evaluate its future potential beyond conventional
      modalities combined with a light energy upconverter, a light-emitting diode and
      near-infrared rays as light sources. 

PMID- 26269665
TI  - Neoplastic disease after liver transplantation: Focus on de novo neoplasms.
AB  - De novo neoplasms account for almost 30% of deaths 10 years after liver
      transplantation and are the most common cause of mortality in patients surviving
      at least 1 year after transplant. The risk of malignancy is two to four times
      higher in transplant recipients than in an age- and sex-matched population, and
      cancer is expected to surpass cardiovascular complications as the primary cause
      of death in transplanted patients within the next 2 decades. Since exposure to
      immunosuppression is associated with an increased frequency of developing
      neoplasm, long-term immunosuppression should be therefore minimized. Promising
      results in the prevention of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence have been
      reported with the use of mTOR inhibitors including everolimus and sirolimus and
      the ongoing open-label prospective randomized controlled SILVER. Study will
      provide more information on whether sirolimus-containing vs mTOR-inhibitor-free
      immunosuppression is more efficacious in reducing HCC recurrence. 

PMID- 26269667
TI  - Advances in refractory ulcerative colitis treatment: A new therapeutic target,
      Annexin A2.
AB  - Medical treatment has progressed significantly over the past decade towards
      achieving and maintaining clinical remission in patients with refractory
      ulcerative colitis (UC). Proposed mediators of inflammation in UC include pro
      inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and
      interleukin-2, and the cell-surface adhesive molecule integrin alpha4beta7.
      Conventional therapeutics for active UC include 5-aminosalicylic acid,
      corticosteroids and purine analogues (azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine).
      Patients who fail to respond to conventional therapy are treated with agents such
      as the calicineurin inhibitors cyclosporine and tacrolimus, the TNF-alpha
      inhibitors infliximab or adalimumab, or a neutralizing antibody (vedolizumab)
      directed against integrin alpha4beta7. These therapeutic agents are of benefit
      for patients with refractory UC, but are not universally effective. Our recent
      research on TNF-alpha shedding demonstrated that inhibition of annexin (ANX) A2
      may be a new therapeutic strategy for the prevention of TNF-alpha shedding during
      inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) inflammation. In this review, we provide an
      overview of therapeutic treatments that are effective and currently available for
      UC patients, as well as some that are likely to be available in the near future.
      We also propose the potential of ANX A2 as a new molecular target for IBD
      treatment. 

PMID- 26269670
TI  - Chemotherapy beyond second-line in advanced gastric cancer.
AB  - Patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC) can be treated with multiple lines of
      chemotherapy. Although several randomized trials have demonstrated the benefit of
      second-line chemotherapy compared with best supportive care, there is no evidence
      that further lines of chemotherapy will result in substantial prolongation of
      survival. Despite this, the practice of offering chemotherapy beyond second-line
      agents to AGC patients is not uncommon if their performance status is well
      preserved and they are willing to receive subsequent active treatments. The
      choice of chemotherapeutic agents depends on the patient's prior regimens.
      However, there are important controversial issues in the salvage setting of AGC,
      including a subset of patients who may benefit from chemotherapy, that still
      remain unanswered. This report reviews the available evidence regarding the
      impact of third- and subsequent lines of chemotherapy on survival and quality of
      life in patients with AGC. 

PMID- 26269669
TI  - Microscopic colitis: A review of etiology, treatment and refractory disease.
AB  - Microscopic colitis is a common cause of chronic, nonbloody diarrhea. Microscopic
      colitis is more common in women than men and usually affects patients in their
      sixth and seventh decade. This article reviews the etiology and medical
      management of microscopic colitis. The etiology of microscopic colitis is
      unknown, but it is associated with autoimmune disorders, such as celiac disease,
      polyarthritis, and thyroid disorders. Smoking has been identified as a risk
      factor of microscopic colitis. Exposure to medications, such as non-steroidal
      anti-inflammatory drugs, proton pump inhibitors, and selective serotonin reuptake
      inhibitors, is suspected to play a role in microscopic colitis, although their
      direct causal relationship has not been proven. Multiple medications, including
      corticosteroids, anti-diarrheals, cholestyramine, bismuth, 5-aminosalicylates,
      and immunomodulators, have been used to treat microscopic colitis with variable
      response rates. Budesonide is effective in inducing and maintaining clinical
      remission but relapse rate is as high as 82% when budesonide is discontinued.
      There is limited data on management of steroid-dependent microscopic colitis or
      refractory microscopic colitis. Immunomodulators seem to have low response rate
      0%-56% for patients with refractory microscopic colitis. Response rate 66%-100%
      was observed for use of anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy for refractory
      microscopic colitis. Anti-TNF and diverting ileostomy may be an option in severe
      or refractory microscopic colitis. 

PMID- 26269668
TI  - Role of the normal gut microbiota.
AB  - Relation between the gut microbiota and human health is being increasingly
      recognised. It is now well established that a healthy gut flora is largely
      responsible for overall health of the host. The normal human gut microbiota
      comprises of two major phyla, namely Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes. Though the gut
      microbiota in an infant appears haphazard, it starts resembling the adult flora
      by the age of 3 years. Nevertheless, there exist temporal and spatial variations
      in the microbial distribution from esophagus to the rectum all along the
      individual's life span. Developments in genome sequencing technologies and
      bioinformatics have now enabled scientists to study these microorganisms and
      their function and microbe-host interactions in an elaborate manner both in
      health and disease. The normal gut microbiota imparts specific function in host
      nutrient metabolism, xenobiotic and drug metabolism, maintenance of structural
      integrity of the gut mucosal barrier, immunomodulation, and protection against
      pathogens. Several factors play a role in shaping the normal gut microbiota. They
      include (1) the mode of delivery (vaginal or caesarean); (2) diet during infancy
      (breast milk or formula feeds) and adulthood (vegan based or meat based); and (3)
      use of antibiotics or antibiotic like molecules that are derived from the
      environment or the gut commensal community. A major concern of antibiotic use is
      the long-term alteration of the normal healthy gut microbiota and horizontal
      transfer of resistance genes that could result in reservoir of organisms with a
      multidrug resistant gene pool. 

PMID- 26269671
TI  - Expression of renal Oat5 and NaDC1 transporters in rats with acute biliary
      obstruction.
AB  - AIM: To examine renal expression of organic anion transporter 5 (Oat5) and sodium
      dicarboxylate cotransporter 1 (NaDC1), and excretion of citrate in rats with
      acute extrahepatic cholestasis. METHODS: Obstructive jaundice was induced in rats
      by double ligation and division of the common bile duct (BDL group). Controls
      underwent sham operation that consisted of exposure, but not ligation, of the
      common bile duct (Sham group). Studies were performed 21 h after surgery. During
      this period, animals were maintained in metabolic cages in order to collect
      urine. The urinary volume was determined by gravimetry. The day of the
      experiment, blood samples were withdrawn and used to measure total and direct
      bilirubin as indicative parameters of hepatic function. Serum and urine samples
      were used for biochemical determinations. Immunoblotting for Oat5 and NaDC1 were
      performed in renal homogenates and brush border membranes from Sham and BDL rats.
      Immunohistochemistry studies were performed in kidneys from both experimental
      groups. Total RNA was extracted from rat renal tissue in order to perform reverse
      transcription polymerase chain reaction. Another set of experimental animals were
      used to evaluate medullar renal blood flow (mRBF) using fluorescent microspheres.
      RESULTS: Total and direct bilirubin levels were significantly higher in BDL
      animals, attesting to the adequacy of biliary obstruction. An important increase
      in mRBF was determined in BDL group (Sham: 0.53 +/- 0.12 mL/min per 100 g body
      weight vs BDL: 1.58 +/- 0.24 mL/min per 100 g body weight, P < 0.05). An increase
      in the urinary volume was observed in BDL animals. An important decrease in
      urinary levels of citrate was seen in BDL group. Besides, a decrease in urinary
      citrate excretion (Sham: 0.53 +/- 0.11 g/g creatinine vs BDL: 0.07 +/- 0.02 g/g
      creatinine, P < 0.05) and an increase in urinary excretion of H(+) (Sham: 0.082
      +/- 0.03 MUmol/g creatinine vs BDL: 0.21 +/- 0.04 MUmol/g creatinine, P < 0.05)
      were observed in BDL animals. We found upregulations of both proteins Oat5 and
      NaDC1 in brush border membranes where they are functional. Immunohistochemistry
      technique corroborated these results for both proteins. No modifications were
      observed in Oat5 mRNA and in NaDC1 mRNA levels in kidney from BDL group as
      compared with Sham ones. CONCLUSION: Citrate excretion is decreased in BDL rats,
      at least in part, because of the higher NaDC1 expression. Using the outward
      gradient of citrate generated by NaDC1, Oat5 can reabsorb/eliminate different
      organic anions of pathophysiological importance.

PMID- 26269672
TI  - Brewers' rice modulates oxidative stress in azoxymethane-mediated colon
      carcinogenesis in rats.
AB  - AIM: To investigate the mechanistic action of brewers' rice in regulating the
      Wnt/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB)/Nrf2-signaling pathways during colon
      carcinogenesis in male Sprague-Dawley rats. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats
      were randomly divided into the following five groups (six rats in each group):
      (G1) normal, (G2) azoxymethane (AOM) alone, (G3) AOM + 10% (weight (w)/weight
      (w)) brewers' rice, (G4) AOM + 20% (w/w) brewers' rice, and (G5) AOM + 40% (w/w)
      brewers' rice. They were intraperitoneally administered 15 mg/kg body weight of
      AOM in saline once weekly over a two-week period and treated with an American
      Institute of Nutrition (AIN)-93G diet containing 10%, 20%, and 40% (w/w) brewers'
      rice. The mRNA levels of glycogen synthase kinase 3beta (GSK3beta), beta-catenin,
      key inflammation markers, nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and heme
      oxygenase-1 (HO-1)-dependent transcriptional activity were assessed by
      quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analyses. The colon superoxide
      dismutase, malondialdehyde, and nitric oxide levels were also analyzed to assess
      the antioxidant effect of these treatments. The results were analyzed using one
      way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and a P value of < 0.05 was considered
      significant. RESULTS: The overall analyses demonstrated that the dietary
      administration of brewers' rice in AOM-induced rat colon carcinogenesis resulted
      in the transcriptional upregulation of GSK3beta, inducible nitric oxide synthase
      (iNOS), Nrf2, and HO-1. We discovered that the dietary administration of brewers'
      rice downregulated the beta-catenin and NF-kappaB mRNA levels. A significant
      reduction in beta-catenin expression was found in the groups administered with
      20% (0.611 +/- 0.034) and 40% (0.436 +/- 0.045) (w/w) brewers' rice compared with
      that of the group treated with AOM alone (1.000 +/- 0.064) (P < 0.05). The NF
      kappaB expression was significantly lower between the AOM-alone group (1.000 +/-
      0.048) and those groups fed with diets containing 10% (w/w) brewers' rice (0.255
      +/- 0.022), 20% (w/w) brewers' rice (0.450 +/- 0.045), or 40% (w/w) brewers' rice
      (0.541 +/- 0.027) (P < 0.05). Brewers' rice improved the antioxidant levels,
      indicating that brewers' rice can enhance effective recovery from oxidative
      stress induced by AOM. CONCLUSION: Our results provide evidence that brewers'
      rice can suppress colon cancer via the regulation of Nrf2 expression and the
      inhibition of the Wnt/NF-kappaB signaling pathways.

PMID- 26269673
TI  - Upregulation of nemo-like kinase is an independent prognostic factor in
      colorectal cancer.
AB  - AIM: To investigate the expression and oncogenic role of nemo-like kinase (NLK)
      in colorectal cancer. METHODS: Expression of NLK protein was assessed by
      immunohistochemistry in tissue specimens from 56 cases of normal colorectal
      mucosa, 51 cases of colorectal adenoma, and 712 cases of colorectal cancer. In
      addition, NLK expression was knocked down using a lentivirus carrying NLK small
      hairpin RNA in colorectal cancer cells. Cell viability methylthiazoletetrazolium
      assays, colony formation assays, flow cytometry cell cycle assays, Transwell
      migration assays, and gene expression assays were performed to explore its role
      on proliferation and migration of colorectal cancer. RESULTS: Expression of NLK
      protein progressively increased in tissues from the normal mucosa through adenoma
      to various stages of colorectal cancer. Overexpression of NLK protein was
      associated with advanced tumor-lymph node-metastasis stages, poor
      differentiation, lymph node and distant metastases, and a higher recurrence rate
      of colorectal cancer (P < 0.05). Multivariate analyses showed that NLK expression
      was an independent prognostic factor to predict overall survival (hazard ratio
      2.57, 95% confidence interval: 1.66-3.98; P < 0.001) and disease-free survival
      (hazard ratio 1.96, 95% confidence interval: 1.40-2.74: P < 0.001) of colorectal
      cancer patients. Furthermore, knockdown of NLK expression in colorectal cancer
      cell lines reduced cell viability, colony formation, and migration, and arrested
      tumor cells at the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle. At the gene level, knockdown of
      NLK expression inhibited matrix metalloproteinase-2 expression in colorectal
      cancer cells. CONCLUSION: NLK overexpression is an independent prognostic factor
      in colorectal cancer and knockdown of NLK expression inhibits colorectal cancer
      progression and metastasis.

PMID- 26269674
TI  - Influence of perfusate on liver viability during hypothermic machine perfusion.
AB  - AIM: To optimize the perfusates used for hypothermic machine perfusion (HMP).
      METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned randomly to three groups (n = 12 per
      group) that received either saline, University of Wisconsin cold-storage solution
      (UW) or histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate solution (HTK) as the perfusate. Each
      group was divided into two subgroups: static cold storage (SCS) and HMP (n = 6
      per subgroup). The liver graft was retrieved according to the method described by
      Kamada. For the SCS group, the graft was directly placed into cold perfusate (0-4
      degrees C) for 6 h after liver isolation while the portal vein of the graft was
      connected to the perfusion machine for the HMP group. Then the perfusates were
      collected at different time points for analysis of aspartate aminotransferase
      (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels. Liver
      tissues were obtained for evaluation of histology, dry/wet weight (D/W) ratio,
      and malondialdehyde (MDA) and adenosine-triphosphate (ATP) levels. The portal
      vein pressure and velocity were monitored in real time in all HMP subgroups.
      RESULTS: Comparison of HMP and SCS: Regardless of the perfusate, HMP improved the
      architecture of donor graft in reducing the congestion around sinusoids and
      central vein and maintaining sinusoid lining in morphology; HMP improved liver
      function in terms of ALT, AST and LDH, especially during the 3-6 h period (SCS vs
      HMP using saline: ALT3, 225.00 +/- 105.62 vs 49.50 +/- 18.50, P = 0.047; LDH3,
      1362.17 +/- 563.30 vs 325.75 +/- 147.43, P = 0.041; UW: LDH6, 2880.14 +/- 948.46
      vs 2135.00 +/- 174.27, P = 0.049; HTK, AST6, 307.50 +/- 52.95 vs 185.20 +/-
      20.46, P = 0.041); HMP decreased MDA level (saline, 2.79 +/- 0.30 vs 1.09 +/-
      0.09, P = 0.008; UW, 3.01 +/- 0.77 vs 1.23 +/- 0.68, P = 0.005; HTK, 3.30 +/-
      0.52 vs 1.56 +/- 0.22, P = 0.006). Comparison among HMP subgroups: HTK showed
      less portal vein resistance than UW and saline (vs saline, 3.41 +/- 0.49 vs 5.00
      +/- 0.38, P < 0.001; vs UW, 3.41 +/- 0.49 vs 4.52 +/- 0.63, P = 0.007); UW
      reduced edema most efficiently (vs saline, 0.68 +/- 0.02 vs 0.79 +/- 0.05, P =
      0.013), while HTK maintained ATP levels best (vs saline, 622.60 +/- 29.11 vs
      327.43 +/- 44.66, P < 0.001; vs UW, 622.60 +/- 29.11 vs 301.80 +/- 37.68, P <
      0.001). CONCLUSION: HMP is superior to SCS in maintaining both architecture and
      function of liver grafts. Further, HTK was found to be the optimal perfusate for
      HMP.

PMID- 26269675
TI  - Overexpression of pim-3 and protective role in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated
      hepatic stellate cells.
AB  - AIM: To investigate pim-3 expression in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) stimulated
      by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and its protective effect on HSCs. METHODS: Rat HSC
      T6 cells were stimulated by LPS. The effect of LPS on proliferation and apoptosis
      of HSC-T6 cells was investigated by methyl thiazoyltetrazolium (MTT) assay and
      flow cytometry after annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide double
      staining. pim-3 mRNA and protein were detected by reverse transcriptase
      polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting at 48 h when HSC-T6 cells were
      stimulated with 1 MUg/mL LPS for 0, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h. The cells without
      stimulation served as controls. To study the effect of pim-3 kinase on HSC-T6
      cells, si-pim3 (siRNA against pim-3) was transfected into HSC-T6 cells. HSC-T6
      cells were subjected to different treatments, including LPS, si-pim3, or si-pim3
      plus LPS, and control cells were untreated. Protein expression of pim-3 was
      detected at 48 h after treatment, and cell proliferation at 24 and 48 h by MTT
      assay. Apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry, and confirmed with caspase-3
      activity assay. RESULTS: LPS promoted HSC-T6 cell proliferation and protected
      against apoptosis. Significantly delayed upregulation of pim-3 expression induced
      by LPS occurred at 24 and 48 h for mRNA expression (pim-3/beta-actin RNA, 24 or
      48 h vs 0 h, 0.81 +/- 0.20 or 0.78 +/- 0.21 vs 0.42 +/- 0.13, P < 0.05), and
      occurred at 12 h and peaked at 24 and 48 h for protein expression (pim-3/GAPDH
      protein, 12, or 24 or 48 h vs 0 h, 0.68 +/- 0.12, 1.47 +/- 0.25 or 1.51 +/- 0.23
      vs 0.34 +/- 0.04, P < 0.01). pim-3 protein was ablated by si-pim3 and upregulated
      by LPS in HSC-T6 cells at 48 h after treatment (pim-3/GAPDH: si-pim3, si-pim3
      plus LPS or LPS vs control, 0.11 +/- 0.05, 0.12 +/- 0.05 or 1.08 +/- 0.02 vs 0.39
      +/- 0.03, P < 0.01). Ablation of pim-3 by si-pim3 in HSC-T6 cells partly
      abolished proliferation (OD at 24 h, si-pim3 group or si-pim3 plus LPS vs
      control, 0.2987 +/- 0.050 or 0.4063 +/- 0.051 vs 0.5267 +/- 0.030, P < 0.01; at
      48 h 0.4634 +/- 0.056 or 0.5433 +/- 0.031 vs 0.8435 +/- 0.028, P < 0.01; si-pim3
      group vs si-pim3 plus LPS, P < 0.01 at 24 h and P < 0.05 at 48 h), and
      overexpression of pim-3 in the LPS group increased cell proliferation (OD: LPS vs
      control, at 24 h, 0.7435 +/- 0.028 vs 0.5267 +/- 0.030, P < 0.01; at 48 h, 1.2136
      +/- 0.048 vs 0.8435 +/- 0.028, P < 0.01). Ablation of pim3 with si-pim3 in HSC-T6
      cells aggravated apoptosis (si-pim3 or si-pim3 plus LPS vs control, 42.3% +/-
      1.1% or 40.6% +/- 1.3% vs 16.8% +/- 3.3%, P < 0.01; si-pim3 vs si-pim3 plus LPS,
      P > 0.05), and overexpression of pim-3 in the LPS group attenuated apoptosis (LPS
      vs control, 7.32% +/- 2.1% vs 16.8% +/- 3.3%, P < 0.05). These results were
      confirmed by caspase-3 activity assay. CONCLUSION: Overexpression of pim-3 plays
      a protective role in LPS-stimulated HSC-T6 cells.

PMID- 26269676
TI  - Circulating levels of vitamin D and colorectal adenoma: A case-control study and
      a meta-analysis.
AB  - AIM: To examine the association between circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D]
      levels and colorectal adenoma in a case-control study and a meta-analysis.
      METHODS: We conducted a matched case-control study (112 cases and 112 matched
      controls) and combined 15 studies, including our study, in a meta-analysis. The
      study-specific odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled
      using a random-effects model. In total, 5454 colorectal adenomas and 6656
      controls were included in the meta-analysis. RESULTS: In a meta-analysis
      including 14 previous studies and our study, we observed a significant inverse
      association between circulating 25(OH)D levels and colorectal adenoma (OR = 0.68;
      95%CI: 0.54-0.82) when comparing the highest category with the lowest category.
      Stratification by adenoma location (proximal or distal adenoma) showed similar
      estimates. When we stratified by study region, the ORs (95%CIs) were 0.70 (0.52
      0.88) in the US and 0.66 (0.34-0.97) in Asia. CONCLUSION: These data suggest an
      inverse association between circulating 25(OH)D levels and colorectal adenoma in
      both Western and Asian populations.

PMID- 26269677
TI  - Value of two-phase dynamic multidetector computed tomography in differential
      diagnosis of post-inflammatory strictures from esophageal cancer.
AB  - AIM: To characterize the computed tomography (CT) findings in patients with post
      inflammatory esophageal strictures (corrosive and peptic) and reveal the optimal
      scanning phase protocols for distinguishing post-inflammatory esophageal
      stricture and esophageal cancer. METHODS: Sixty-five patients with esophageal
      strictures of different etiology were included in this study: 24 patients with 27
      histopathologically confirmed corrosive strictures, 10 patients with 12 peptic
      strictures and 31 patients with esophageal cancer were evaluated with a two-phase
      dynamic contrast-enhanced MDCT. Arterial and venous phases at 10 and 35 s after
      the attenuation of 200 HU were obtained at the descending aorta, with a delayed
      phase at 6-8 min after the start of injection of contrast media. For qualitative
      analysis, CT scans of benign strictures were reviewed for the presence/absence of
      the following features: "target sign", luminal mass, homogeneity of contrast
      medium uptake, concentric wall thickening, conically shaped suprastenotic
      dilatation, smooth boundaries of stenosis and smooth mucous membrane at the
      transition to stenosis, which were compared with a control group of 31 patients
      who had esophageal cancer. The quantitative analysis included densitometric
      parameter acquisition using regions-of-interest measurement of the zone of
      stenosis and normal esophageal wall and the difference between those measurements
      (DeltaCT) at all phases of bolus contrast enhancement. Esophageal wall
      thickening, length of esophageal wall thickening and size of the regional lymph
      nodes were also evaluated. RESULTS: The presence of a concentric esophageal wall,
      conically shaped suprastenotic dilatation, smooth upper and lower boundaries,
      "target sign" and smooth mucous membrane at the transition to stenosis were
      suggestive of a benign cause, with sensitivities of 92.31%, 87.17%, 94.87%,
      76.92% and 82.05%, respectively, and specificities of 70.96%, 89.66%, 80.65%,
      96.77% and 93.55%, respectively. The features that were most suggestive of a
      malignant cause were eccentric esophageal wall thickening, tuberous upper and
      lower boundaries of stenosis, absence of mucous membrane visualization, rupture
      of the mucous membrane at the upper boundary of stenosis, cup-shaped
      suprastenotic dilatation, luminal mass and enlarged regional lymph nodes with
      specificities of 92.31% 94.87%, 67.86%, 100%, 97.44%, 94.87% and 82.86%,
      respectively and sensitivities of 70.97%, 80.65%, 96.77%, 80.65%, 54.84%, 87.10%
      and 60%, respectively. The highest tumor attenuation occurred in the arterial
      phase (mean attenuation 74.13 +/- 17.42 HU), and the mean attenuation difference
      between the tumor and the normal esophageal wall (mean DeltaCT) in the arterial
      phase was 23.86 +/- 19.31 HU. Here, 11.5 HU of DeltaCT in the arterial phase was
      the cut-off value used to differentiate esophageal cancer from post-inflammatory
      stricture (P = 0.000). The highest attenuation of post-inflammatory strictures
      occurred in the delayed phase (mean attenuation 71.66 +/- 14.28 HU), and the mean
      DeltaCT in delayed phase was 34.03 +/- 15.94 HU. Here, 18.5 HU of DeltaCT in
      delayed phase was the cut-off value used to differentiate post-inflammatory
      stricture from esophageal cancer (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The described imaging
      findings reveal high diagnostic significance in the differentiation of benign
      strictures from esophageal cancer.

PMID- 26269678
TI  - Transcatheter arterial infusion for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: Who are
      candidates?
AB  - AIM: To elucidate anticancer effects of transcatheter arterial infusion
      chemotherapy (TAI) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: Data
      from a total of 95 patients with HCC who received TAI were analyzed
      retrospectively. The efficacy of TAI was evaluated according to the Response
      Evaluation Criteria in Cancer of the Liver. Overall survival was calculated from
      the date of initial treatment to the date of death or last follow-up. Survival
      curves were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method, and differences in survival
      were evaluated by the log rank test. Clinical variables that were identified as
      statistically different by a univariate analysis were included into the Cox
      proportional hazard regression model for multivariate analysis. A prognostic
      index based on the regression coefficients derived from variables identified by
      the multivariate analysis was constructed. Stratification of the patients was
      conducted using this prognostic index. RESULTS: The patient group was comprised
      of 76 men and 19 women with an average age of 68 years (range: 37-82 years). Six
      patients (6.3%) showed complete response and 18 patients (18.9%) showed partial
      response, for an overall response rate of 25.2%. The median overall survival was
      27.6 mo, and the proportions of survivors at 1, 2, and 5 years were 67.4%, 54.0%,
      and 17.4%, respectively. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that no prior
      transcatheter arterial chemoembolization, lactate dehydrogenase < 230 IU/L, and
      performance status of 0 were the independent favorable prognostic factors. The
      development of a 0-3-point prognostic score index was based on the sum of these
      three prognostic factors. Subsequently, the patients were categorized into three
      groups: those with a good (prognostic index = 0-1; n = 54), intermediate
      (prognostic index = 2; n = 26), or poor (prognostic index = 3; n = 15) prognosis.
      The median survival times in these three groups were 41.0, 21.2, and 6.8 mo,
      respectively (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Our simple prognostic index may be helpful
      for management of patients in determining treatment strategies for advanced HCC
      in the era of molecularly targeted therapy.

PMID- 26269679
TI  - Reversed portal flow: Clinical influence on the long-term outcomes in cirrhosis.
AB  - AIM: To elucidate the natural history and the longitudinal outcomes in cirrhotic
      patients with non-forward portal flow (NFPF). METHODS: The present retrospective
      study consisted of 222 cirrhotic patients (120 males and 102 females; age, 61.7
      +/- 11.1 years). The portal hemodynamics were evaluated at baseline and during
      the observation period using both pulsed and color Doppler ultrasonography. The
      diameter (mm), flow direction, mean flow velocity (cm/s), and mean flow volume
      (mL/min) were assessed at the portal trunk, the splenic vein, the superior
      mesenteric vein, and the collateral vessels. The average values from 2 to 4
      measurements were used for the data analysis. The portal flow direction was
      defined as follows: forward portal flow (FPF) for continuous hepatopetal flow;
      bidirectional flow for to-and-fro flow; and reversed flow for continuous
      hepatofugal flow. The bidirectional flow and the reversed flow were classified as
      NFPF in this study. The clinical findings and prognosis were compared between the
      patients with FPF and those with NFPF. The median follow-up period was 40.9 mo
      (range, 0.3-156.5 mo). RESULTS: Twenty-four patients (10.8%) demonstrated NFPF,
      accompanied by lower albumin level, worse Child-Pugh scores, and model for end
      stage liver disease scores. The portal hemodynamic features in the patients with
      NFPF were smaller diameter of the portal trunk; presence of short gastric vein,
      splenorenal shunt, or inferior mesenteric vein; and advanced collateral vessels
      (diameter > 8.7 mm, flow velocity > 10.2 cm/s, and flow volume > 310 mL/min). The
      cumulative incidence rates of NFPF were 6.5% at 1 year, 14.5% at 3 years, and
      23.1% at 5 years. The collateral vessels characterized by flow velocity > 9.5
      cm/s and those located at the splenic hilum were significant predictive factors
      for developing NFPF. The cumulative survival rate was significantly lower in the
      patients with NFPF (72.2% at 1 year, 38.5% at 3 years, 38.5% at 5 years) than in
      those with forward portal flow (84.0% at 1 year, 67.8% at 3 years, 54.3% at 5
      years, P = 0.0123) using the Child-Pugh B and C classifications. CONCLUSION: NFPF
      has a significant negative effect on the prognosis of patients with worse liver
      function reserve, suggesting the need for careful management.

PMID- 26269680
TI  - Clinical outcomes and ergonomics analysis of three laparoscopic techniques for
      Hirschsprung's disease.
AB  - AIM: To report the clinical outcomes and ergonomics analysis of three
      laparoscopic approaches in the management of Hirschsprung's disease (HD).
      METHODS: There were 90 pediatric patients (63 boys, 27 girls; mean age: 3.6 +/-
      2.7 mo; range: 1.0-90.2 mo) who underwent laparoscopic endorectal pull-through
      Soave procedures for short- and long-segment HD in our hospital. Three
      laparoscopic approaches were used: conventional laparoscopic pull-through (CLP)
      in 30 patients between 2009 and 2013, single-incision laparoscopic pull-through
      (SILP) in 28 patients between 2010 and 2013, and hybrid single-incision
      laparoscopic pull-through (H-SILP) in 32 patients between 2011 and 2013. We
      applied the hybrid version of the single-incision approach in 2011 to preserve
      the cosmetic advantage of SILP and the ergonomic advantage of CLP. We
      retrospectively analyzed the clinical data, cosmetic results, and ergonomics of
      these three approaches to have a better understanding of the selection of one
      approach over another. RESULTS: The CLP, SILP, and H-SILP groups were similar in
      regard to age, sex, transition zone, blood loss, hospital stay, and
      intraoperative complications. Early and late postoperative results were not
      different, with equal daily defecation frequency and postoperative complications.
      No conversion to open technique was needed and none of the patients had recurrent
      constipation. With proper training, the ergonomics challenges were overcome and
      similar operative times were registered for the general operative time in the
      patients < 1 year of age and the short-segment HD patients. However,
      significantly shorter operative times were registered compared to SILP for
      patients > 1 year of age (CLP and H-SILP: 120 +/- 15 min and 119 +/- 12 min,
      respectively, vs 140 +/- 7 min; P < 0.05) and for long-segment HD patients (152
      +/- 3.5 min and 154 +/- 3.6 min, respectively, vs 176 +/- 2.3 min; P < 0.05). The
      best cosmetic result was registered with the SILP (scarless), followed by the H
      SILP (near scarless appearance) and the CLP (visible scars) procedures.
      CONCLUSION: Based on the results, we believed that the laparoscopic approach
      should be selected according to the age, transition zone, and desired cosmetic
      result.

PMID- 26269681
TI  - Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with gallstones: Epidemiological
      survey in China.
AB  - AIM: To elucidate the prevalence and risk factors for gallstones, primarily
      focusing on Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. METHODS: A total of 10016
      Chinese subjects, who had undergone physical examination, fasting (13)C urea
      breath test and abdominal ultrasonography, had sufficient blood test data, and
      had finished a questionnaire, were included in this cross-sectional study.
      Participants (n = 1122) who had previous eradication of H. pylori were studied
      separately. RESULTS: Gallstones were discovered in 9.10% of men and 8.58% of
      women, with no significant sex difference. Multivariate analyses displayed that
      age, aspartate aminotransferase, total cholesterol, H. pylori infection,
      hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, and fatty liver had a significant association
      with gallstones (P < 0.05). Successive multiple logistic regression analysis
      including index of odds ratio (OR) and standardized coefficient (beta) indicated
      that older age (OR/beta = 1.056/0.055), H. pylori infection (OR/beta =
      1.454/0.109), HCV infection (OR/beta = 1.871/0.123), and fatty liver (OR/beta =
      1.947/0.189) had a significant positive association with gallstones. After age
      stratification, H. pylori infection and fatty liver still had a significant
      positive association with gallstones in any age-specific groups, whereas HCV
      infection had a significant positive association in patients aged > 40 years. The
      prevalence of gallstones among H. pylori-positive, H. pylori-eradicated, and H.
      pylori-negative subjects was 9.47%, 9.02%, and 8.46%, respectively. The matched
      analysis showed that gallstones among H. pylori eradicated subjects was
      significantly lower compared with H. pylori-positive subjects (P < 0.05).
      CONCLUSION: H. pylori infection and fatty liver have a significant positive
      association with gallstones. H. pylori eradication may lead to prevention of
      gallstones.

PMID- 26269682
TI  - Viral hepatitis prevalence in patients with active and latent tuberculosis.
AB  - AIM: To assess the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus
      (HCV) infection and association with drug induced liver injury (DILI) in patients
      undergoing anti-tuberculosis (TB) therapy. METHODS: Four hundred and twenty nine
      patients with newly diagnosed TB - either active disease or latent infection -
      who were due to commence anti-TB therapy between September 2008 and May 2011 were
      included. These patients were prospectively tested for serological markers of
      HBV, HCV and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections - hepatitis B core
      antigen (HBcAg), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B e antigen, IgG
      and IgM antibody to HBcAg (anti-HBc), HCV IgG antibody and HIV antibody using a
      combination of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blot assay and
      polymerase chain reaction techniques. Patients were reviewed at least monthly
      during the TB treatment initiation phase. Liver function tests were measured
      prior to commencement of anti-TB therapy and 2-4 wk later. Liver function tests
      were also performed at any time the patient had significant nausea, vomiting,
      rash, or felt non-specifically unwell. Fisher's exact test was used to measure
      significance in comparisons of proportions between groups. A P value of less than
      0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Of the 429 patients, 270
      (62.9%) had active TB disease and 159 (37.1%) had latent TB infection. 61 (14.2%)
      patients had isolated anti-HBc positivity, 11 (2.6%) were also HBsAg positive and
      7 (1.6%) were HCV-antibody positive. 16/270 patients with active TB disease
      compared to 2/159 patients with latent TB infection had markers of chronic viral
      hepatitis (HBsAg or HCV antibody positive; P = 0.023). Similarly the proportion
      of HBsAg positive patients were significantly greater in the active vs latent TB
      infection group (10/43 vs 1/29, P = 0.04). The prevalence of chronic HBV or HCV
      was significantly higher than the estimated United Kingdom prevalence of 0.3% for
      each. We found no association between DILI and presence of serological markers of
      HBV or HCV. Three (5.3%) patients with serological markers of HBV or HCV
      infection had DILI compared to 25 (9.5%) patients without; P = 0.04. CONCLUSION:
      Viral hepatitis screening should be considered in TB patients. DILI risk was not
      increased in patients with HBV/HCV.

PMID- 26269683
TI  - Serum proinflammatory cytokines and nutritional status in pediatric chronic liver
      disease.
AB  - AIM: To evaluate the nutritional status and its association with proinflammatory
      cytokines in children with chronic liver disease. METHODS: We performed a cross
      sectional study with 43 children and adolescents, aged 0 to 17 years, diagnosed
      with chronic liver disease. All patients regularly attended the Pediatric
      Hepatology Unit and were under nutritional follow up. The exclusion criteria were
      fever from any etiology at the time of enrollment, inborn errors of the
      metabolism and any chronic illness. The severity of liver disease was assessed by
      Child-Pugh, Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) and Pediatric End Stage
      Liver Disease (PELD) scores. Anthropometric parameters were height/age, body mass
      index/age and triceps skinfold/age according to World Health Organization
      standards. The cutoff points for nutritional status were risk of malnutrition (Z
      score < -1.00) and malnutrition (Z-score < -2.00). Interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta),
      IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels were assessed by commercial ELISA
      kits. For multivariate analysis, linear regression was applied to assess the
      association between cytokine levels, disease severity and nutritional status.
      RESULTS: The median (25(th)-75(th) centile) age of the study population was 60
      (17-116)-mo-old, and 53.5% were female. Biliary atresia was the main cause of
      chronic liver disease (72%). With respect to Child-Pugh score, cirrhotic patients
      were distributed as follows: 57.1% Child-Pugh A, a mild presentation of the
      disease, 34.3% Child-Pugh B, a moderate stage of cirrhosis and 8.6% Child-Pugh C,
      were considered severe cases. PELD and MELD scores were only above the cutoff
      point in 5 cases. IL-6 values were increased in patients at nutritional risk
      (34.9%) compared with those who were well-nourished [7.12 (0.58-34.23) pg/mL vs
      1.63 (0.53-3.43) pg/mL; P = 0.02], correlating inversely with triceps skinfold
      for-age z-score (rs = -0.61; P < 0.001). IL-6 levels were associated with liver
      disease severity assessed by Child-Pugh score (P = 0.001). This association
      remained significant after adjusting for nutritional status in a linear
      regression model. CONCLUSION: High IL-6 levels were found in children with
      chronic liver disease at nutritional risk. Inflammatory activity may be related
      to nutritional status deterioration in these patients.

PMID- 26269684
TI  - Interferon-lambda polymorphisms and response to pegylated interferon in Iranian
      hepatitis C patients.
AB  - AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of pegylated interferon in Iranian chronic
      hepatitis C patients in relation to interferon-lambda (IFNL) polymorphisms.
      METHODS: This study enrolled patients with chronic hepatitis C referred to the
      Tehran Blood Transfusion Hepatitis Clinic in 2011. Patients were included in the
      study if they had no concomitant hepatic illness, were negative for human
      immunodeficiency virus antibodies, and had no prior history of treatment with any
      type of pegylated interferon. Patients were treated with 180 MUg pegylated
      interferon alpha-2a (Pegaferon((r))) weekly and 800-1200 mg ribavirin daily for
      24 or 48 wk depending on weight and hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype. Blood
      samples were collected from patients to obtain DNA for determination of IFNL
      rs12979860 and rs8099917 polymorphisms. The virologic response in patients was
      then evaluated and compared between the different IFNL genotypes. RESULTS: A
      total of 152 patients with a mean age of 41.9 +/- 10.0 years were included in the
      study, of which 141/152 were men (92.8%). The most frequent HCV genotype was type
      1, infecting 93/152 (61.2%) patients. Sustained virologic response (SVR) was
      achieved in 81.9% of patients with HCV genotype-1 and 91.1% of patients with HCV
      genotype-3. Treatment success was achieved in 91.2% (52/57) of patients with the
      IFNL rs12979860 CC genotype and 82.1% (78/95) in those with other genotypes.
      Similar treatment response rates were also observed in patients with rs8099917 TT
      (39/45; 86.7%) and non-TT (61/68; 89.7%) genotypes. Univariate analyses
      identified the following factors which influenced treatment response for
      inclusion in a multivariate analysis: age, HCV RNA level, stage of liver
      fibrosis, rs12979860 CC genotype, and aspartate transaminase level. A logistic
      regression analysis revealed that only the rs12979860 CC genotype was
      significantly associated with achievement of SVR (OR = 6.2; 95%CI: 1.2-31.9; P =
      0.03). CONCLUSION: The rs12979860 CC genotype was associated with SVR in patients
      receiving pegylated interferon plus ribavirin, however, the SVR rate in other
      rs12979860 genotypes was also relatively high.

PMID- 26269685
TI  - Esophagojejunostomy after laparoscopic total gastrectomy by OrVilTM or hemi
      double stapling technique.
AB  - AIM: To investigate the feasibility, advantages and disadvantages of two types of
      anvil insertion techniques for esophagojejunostomy after laparoscopic total
      gastrectomy. METHODS: This was an open-label prospective cohort study.
      Laparoscopy-assisted radical total gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection was
      performed in 84 patients with primary non-metastatic gastric cancer confirmed by
      pre-operative histological examination. Overweight patients were excluded, as
      well as patients with peritoneal dissemination and invasion of adjacent organs.
      After total gastrectomy, all patients were randomized into two groups. Patients
      in Group I underwent esophagojejunostomy using a transorally-inserted anvil
      (OrVil(TM)), while patients in Group II underwent esophagojejunostomy using the
      hemi-double stapling technique (HDST). Both types of esophagojejunostomy were
      performed under laparoscopy. Patients' baseline characteristics, preoperative
      characteristics, perioperative characteristics, short-term postoperative outcomes
      and operation cost were compared between the two groups. The primary endpoint was
      evaluation of the surgical outcome (operating time, time of digestive tract
      reconstruction and time of anvil insertion) and the medical cost of each
      operation (operation cost and total cost of hospitalization). The secondary
      endpoints were time to solid diet, post-surgical hospitalization time, time to
      defecation, time to ambulation and intra-operative blood loss. In addition,
      complications were assessed and compared. RESULTS: Laparoscopic total gastrectomy
      and esophagojejunostomy were successfully performed in all 84 patients, without
      conversion to laparotomy. There were no significant differences in the operative
      time and time for total gastrectomy between the two groups (287.8 +/- 38.4 min vs
      271.8 +/- 46.1 min, P = 0.09, and 147.7 +/- 31.6 min vs 159.8 +/- 33.8 min, P =
      0.09, respectively). The time for digestive tract reconstruction and for anvil
      insertion were significantly decreased in Group II compared with Group I (47.8 +/
      12.1 min vs 55.4 +/- 15.7 min, P = 0.01, and 12.6 +/- 4.7 min vs 18.7 +/- 7.5
      min, P = 0.001, respectively). Intra-operative blood loss (96.4 +/- 32.7 mL vs
      88.2 +/- 36.9 mL, P = 0.28), time to defecation (3.5 +/- 0.9 d vs 3.2 +/- 1.1 d,
      P = 0.12), time to ambulation (3.9 +/- 0.7 d vs 3.6 +/- 1.1 d, P = 0.12), time to
      solid diet (7.6 +/- 1.4 d vs 8.0 +/- 2.7 d, P = 0.31) and total hospitalization
      (10.6 +/- 2.6 d vs 10.8 +/- 3.5 d, P = 0.80) were similar between the two groups.
      In addition, the total costs of hospitalization were similar between the two
      groups (73848.7 +/- 11781.0 RMB vs 70870.3 +/- 14003.5 RMB, P = 0.296), but
      operation cost was significantly higher in Group I compared with Group II
      (32401.9 +/- 1981.6 RMB vs 26961.9 +/- 2293.8 RMB, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Anvil
      insertion was faster and easier using the HDST technique compared with OrVil(TM),
      and was more cost-effective. There was no significant difference in safety.

PMID- 26269686
TI  - Effects of cereal fiber on bowel function: A systematic review of intervention
      trials.
AB  - AIM: To comprehensively review and quantitatively summarize results from
      intervention studies that examined the effects of intact cereal dietary fiber on
      parameters of bowel function. METHODS: A systematic literature search was
      conducted using PubMed and EMBASE. Supplementary literature searches included
      screening reference lists from relevant studies and reviews. Eligible outcomes
      were stool wet and dry weight, percentage water in stools, stool frequency and
      consistency, and total transit time. Weighted regression analyses generated mean
      change (+/- SD) in these measures per g/d of dietary fiber. RESULTS: Sixty-five
      intervention studies among generally healthy populations were identified. A
      quantitative examination of the effects of non-wheat sources of intact cereal
      dietary fibers was not possible due to an insufficient number of studies.
      Weighted regression analyses demonstrated that each extra g/d of wheat fiber
      increased total stool weight by 3.7 +/- 0.09 g/d (P < 0.0001; 95%CI: 3.50-3.84),
      dry stool weight by 0.75 +/- 0.03 g/d (P < 0.0001; 95%CI: 0.69-0.82), and stool
      frequency by 0.004 +/- 0.002 times/d (P = 0.0346; 95%CI: 0.0003-0.0078). Transit
      time decreased by 0.78 +/- 0.13 h per additional g/d (P < 0.0001; 95%CI: 0.53
      1.04) of wheat fiber among those with an initial transit time greater than 48 h.
      CONCLUSION: Wheat dietary fiber, and predominately wheat bran dietary fiber,
      improves measures of bowel function.

PMID- 26269687
TI  - Allocation of patients with liver cirrhosis and organ failure to intensive care:
      Systematic review and a proposal for clinical practice.
AB  - AIM: To propose an allocation system of patients with liver cirrhosis to
      intensive care unit (ICU), and developed a decision tool for clinical practice.
      METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was performed in PubMed, MEDLINE
      and EMBASE databases. The search includes studies on hospitalized patients with
      cirrhosis and organ failure, or acute on chronic liver failure and/or intensive
      care therapy. RESULTS: The initial search identified 660 potentially relevant
      articles. Ultimately, five articles were selected; two cohort studies and three
      reviews were found eligible. The literature on this topic is scarce and no
      studies specifically address allocation of patients with liver cirrhosis to ICU.
      Throughout the literature, there is consensus that selection criteria for ICU
      admission should be developed and validated for this group of patients and
      multidisciplinary approach is mandatory. Based on current available data we
      developed an algorithm, to determine if a patient is candidate to intensive care
      if needed, based on three scoring systems: premorbid Child-Pugh Score, Model of
      End stage Liver Disease score and the liver specific Sequential Organ Failure
      Assessment score. CONCLUSION: There are no established systems for allocation of
      patients with liver cirrhosis to the ICU and no evidence-based recommendations
      can be made.

PMID- 26269688
TI  - Laparoscopic transhiatal approach for resection of an adenocarcinoma in long
      segment Barrett's esophagus.
AB  - Barrett's esophagus (BE) is a precursor of esophageal adenocarcinoma and is
      associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease, which is often preceded by a
      hiatal hernia. We describe a case of esophageal adenocarcinoma arising in long
      segment BE (LSBE) associated with a hiatal hernia that was successfully treated
      with a laparoscopic transhiatal approach (LTHA) without thoracotomy. The patient
      was a 42-year-old male who had previously undergone laryngectomy and tracheal
      separation to avoid repeated aspiration pneumonitis. An ulcerative lesion was
      found in a hiatal hernia by endoscopy and superficial esophageal cancer was also
      detected in the lower thoracic esophagus. The histopathological diagnosis of
      biopsy samples from both lesions was adenocarcinoma. There were difficulties with
      the thoracic approach because the patient had severe kyphosis and muscular
      contractures from cerebral palsy. Therefore, we performed subtotal esophagectomy
      by LTHA without thoracotomy. Using hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery, the
      esophageal hiatus was divided and carbon dioxide was introduced into the
      mediastinum. A hernial sac was identified on the cranial side of the right crus
      of the diaphragm and carefully separated from the surrounding tissues. Abruption
      of the thoracic esophagus was performed up to the level of the arch of the azygos
      vein via LTHA. A cervical incision was made in the left side of the permanent
      tracheal stoma, the cervical esophagus was divided, and gastric tube
      reconstruction was performed via a posterior mediastinal route. The operative
      time was 175 min, and there was 61 mL of intra-operative bleeding. A
      histopathological examination revealed superficial adenocarcinoma in LSBE. Our
      surgical procedure provided a good surgical view and can be safely applied to
      patients with a hiatal hernia and kyphosis.

PMID- 26269689
TI  - Wilson disease with hepatic presentation in an eight-month-old boy.
AB  - Wilson disease is an autosomal recessive disorder of copper metabolism that can
      cause fatal neurological and hepatic disease if not diagnosed and treated. The
      youngest child with normal liver function reported so far is an 8-mo-old Japanese
      boy with low ceruloplasmin levels, and the youngest child with elevated
      aminotransferase ever reported so far is a 9-mo-old Korean boy with confirmed by
      genetic testing. Here we report an 8-mo-old Chinese boy presented with elevated
      liver enzymes, and low serum ceruloplasmin level. Genetic analysis of ATP7B gene
      detected two heterozygous disease causing mutations (c.2621C>T/p.A874V and
      c.3809A>G/p.N1270S), and parental origins were determined. Persistent elevation
      of serum aminotransferase in this infant was normalized after zinc therapy. To
      our best knowledge, this is the youngest patient with elevated liver enzymes ever
      reported worldwide. We hope that this will raise awareness among pediatricians,
      leading to earlier diagnosis, timely treatment, and better clinical outcome.

PMID- 26269690
TI  - Admission-Group Salary Differentials in the United States: The Significance of
      Labor Market Institutional Selection of High-Skilled Workers.
AB  - In 1990 a temporary-to-permanent pathway was established for highly skilled
      workers admitted to the United States under nonimmigrant programs. The paper
      argues that this policy shift has allowed employers to play a crucial role in the
      immigration of highly skilled workers, thereby creating labor-market
      institutional selection that gives a salary advantage to highly skilled temporary
      admitted workers retained in the United States. Through analyses of the salary
      differentials among admission-category groups, the paper finds that the salary
      advantage is based on recruitment from Western countries, adjustment from
      temporary to permanent status after a second employer screening, working in the
      information technology sector and the private sector, holding a supervisory
      position, or having a skill-matched job, all of which are consequences of
      institutional selection rather than individual self-selection. Our results also
      reveal a difference between those admitted from abroad and those recruited from
      graduating foreign students in USA higher educational institutions, which
      suggests a distinction between overseas hiring and domestic hiring. Policy
      implications for the United States and other receiving countries are discussed.

PMID- 26269693
TI  - The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR): a useful
      theoretical framework for guiding and evaluating a guideline implementation
      process in a hospital-based nursing practice.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Implementing clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) in healthcare
      settings is a complex intervention involving both independent and interdependent
      components. Although the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research
      (CFIR) has never been evaluated in a practical context, it appeared to be a
      suitable theoretical framework to guide an implementation process. The aim of
      this study was to evaluate the comprehensiveness, applicability and usefulness of
      the CFIR in the implementation of a fall-prevention CPG in nursing practice to
      improve patient care in an Austrian university teaching hospital setting.
      METHODS: The evaluation of the CFIR was based on (1) team-meeting minutes, (2)
      the main investigator's research diary, containing a record of a before-and
      after, mixed-methods study design embedded in a participatory action research
      (PAR) approach for guideline implementation, and (3) an analysis of qualitative
      and quantitative data collected from graduate and assistant nurses in two
      Austrian university teaching hospital departments. The CFIR was used to organise
      data per and across time point(s) and assess their influence on the
      implementation process, resulting in implementation and service outcomes.
      RESULTS: Overall, the CFIR could be demonstrated to be a comprehensive framework
      for the implementation of a guideline into a hospital-based nursing practice.
      However, the CFIR did not account for some crucial factors during the planning
      phase of an implementation process, such as consideration of stakeholder aims and
      wishes/needs when implementing an innovation, pre-established measures related to
      the intended innovation and pre-established strategies for implementing an
      innovation. For the CFIR constructs reflecting & evaluating and engaging, a more
      specific definition is recommended. The framework and its supplements could
      easily be used by researchers, and their scope was appropriate for the complexity
      of a prospective CPG-implementation project. The CFIR facilitated qualitative
      data analysis and provided a structure that allowed project results to be
      organised and viewed in a broader context to explain the main findings.
      CONCLUSIONS: The CFIR was a valuable and helpful framework for (1) the assessment
      of the baseline, process and final state of the implementation process and
      influential factors, (2) the content analysis of qualitative data collected
      throughout the implementation process, and (3) explaining the main findings.

PMID- 26269696
TI  - A VIEW OF TURKEY AND EUROPEAN RELATIONS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF MEDICAL
      LEGISLATION: AN ASSESMENT OF STATE OF PLAY.
AB  - The aim of this paper is to reflect the situation of health legislation alignment
      in Turkey in its accession process to the European Union and Customs Union
      Agreement, and to discuss the the EU's health priorities of in parallel with the
      Turkish ones. The health legislation alignment processes consist of three titles
      which are: European Union alignment process, the harmonization done in the
      framework of membership to Council of Europe, and the obligations under the
      Customs Union Agreement. Significant human resources are required for the
      adoption of the legislations which make ethically imperative the discussion of
      whether there is a harmony among the priorities of both parities. Unless this
      harmony and paralellisim is shown, the human resources appointed for the adoption
      of health legislation process would not prove their efficiency and effectiveness.
      In this article, the Customs Union and formal negotiations for full EU membership
      are included in the phrase "the alignment process to European Union". Council
      Decisions 1/95 and 2/97 ground on the obligations provided by the Customs Union
      Agreement. The reference document used to discuss the formal negotiation process
      for full membership to European Union is the Turkish National Program for the
      Adoption of the EU Acquis 2008-2013. The legislative obligations of Turkey
      arising from its membership of the Council of Europe, which has significant
      contributions to the medical legislation especially in the field of medical
      ethics, are also included in this article.

PMID- 26269692
TI  - CALDER: neutrinoless double-beta decay identification in TeO[Formula: see text]
      bolometers with kinetic inductance detectors.
AB  - Next-generation experiments searching for neutrinoless double-beta decay must be
      sensitive to a Majorana neutrino mass as low as 10[Formula: see text]. CUORE , an
      array of 988 TeO[Formula: see text] bolometers being commissioned at Laboratori
      Nazionali del Gran Sasso, features an expected sensitivity of 50-130[Formula: see
      text] at 90 % C.L. The background is expected to be dominated by [Formula: see
      text] radioactivity, and can be in principle removed by detecting the small
      amount of Cherenkov  light emitted by the [Formula: see text] signal. The
      Cryogenic wide-Area Light Detectors with Excellent Resolution project aims at
      developing a small prototype experiment consisting of TeO[Formula: see text]
      bolometers coupled to high-sensitivity light detectors based on kinetic
      inductance detectors. The R&D is focused on the light detectors in view of the
      implementation in a next-generation neutrinoless double-beta decay experiment.

PMID- 26269694
TI  - Efficacy and safety of edoxaban versus enoxaparin for the prevention of venous
      thromboembolism following total hip arthroplasty: STARS J-V.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In the absence of thromboprophylaxis, patients undergoing total hip
      arthroplasty (THA) are at increased risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE). The
      objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of edoxaban with
      enoxaparin for the prevention of VTE after THA in Japan. METHODS: This was a
      phase 3, double-blind, double-dummy, noninferiority study. Patients undergoing
      elective, unilateral primary THA were randomized to receive edoxaban 30 mg once
      daily (n = 307) or enoxaparin 2000 IU (equivalent to 20 mg) twice daily (n = 303)
      for 11 to 14 days. The primary efficacy endpoint was the incidence of VTE. Safety
      endpoints included the incidence of major or clinically relevant nonmajor (CRNM)
      bleeding. RESULTS: The incidence of VTE, based on venography and clinical
      surveillance, was 2.4 % in the edoxaban group and 6.9 % in the enoxaparin group
      (P <0.001). The absolute difference in the incidence of VTE was -4.5 % (95 %
      confidence interval [CI]: -8.6, -0.9), which was within the noninferiority margin
      set at 8 % for the difference and established the noninferiority of edoxaban to
      enoxaparin. Since the upper limit of the 95 % CI of the absolute difference was
      less than 0 %, the superiority of edoxaban over enoxaparin was demonstrated. The
      incidence of major or CRNM bleeding was 2.6 % in the edoxaban group and 3.7 % in
      the enoxaparin group (P = 0.475). CONCLUSIONS: Oral edoxaban 30 mg once daily was
      superior to subcutaneous enoxaparin 2000 IU twice daily in the prevention of VTE
      following THA without increasing the risk for major or CRNM bleeding.

PMID- 26269695
TI  - Origins of Effortful Control: Infant and Parent Contributions.
AB  - Effortful control (EC) refers to the ability to inhibit a dominant response to
      perform a subdominant one and has been shown as protective against a myriad of
      difficulties. Research examining precursors of EC has been limited to date, and
      in this study, infancy contributors to toddler EC were examined. Specifically,
      parent/family background variables (e.g., education, income), maternal
      temperament, perceived stress, and internalizing symptoms were addressed, along
      with infant temperament: positive affectivity/surgency (PAS), negative
      emotionality (NE), and regulatory capacity/orienting (RCO); and laboratory
      observation-based indicators of attention. Infant attention indexed by the
      latency to look away after initially orienting to the presented stimuli emerged
      as an important predictor of later EC, after accounting for other child and
      parent/family attributes, with shorter latencies predicting higher levels of EC.
      Mothers' extraversion and parenting stress were the only parent/family attributes
      to significantly contribute to the prediction of toddler EC, with the former
      promoting and the latter undermining the development of EC. Infant temperament
      factors were also examined as a moderator of parent/family influences, with
      results indicating a significant interaction between mothers' EC and infant RCO,
      so that children with greater RCO and mothers high in EC exhibited the highest EC
      scores in toddlerhood.

PMID- 26269697
TI  - Sustained Virological Response after 8-Week Treatment of Simeprevir with
      Peginterferon alpha-2a plus Ribavirin in a Japanese Female with Hepatitis C Virus
      Genotype 1b and IL28B Minor Genotype.
AB  - Direct-acting antivirals with or without peginterferon alpha (PEG-IFN alpha) plus
      ribavirin are now available for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV)
      infection. Direct-acting antivirals are potent inhibitors of HCV replication, but
      some of them occasionally possess serious adverse events. We experienced a 64
      year-old female with chronic HCV genotype 1b infection who showed elevated
      alanine aminotransferase of 528 IU/l at week 9 after the commencement of
      treatment of simeprevir with PEG-IFN alpha-2a plus ribavirin. However, she
      achieved sustained virological response at week 24 after the end of treatment. In
      Japan, we also have to treat elderly patients infected with HCV and/or advanced
      hepatic fibrosis. Until an effective interferon-free regimen is established,
      direct-acting antivirals with PEG-IFN plus ribavirin may still play a role in the
      treatment for certain patients. To avoid serious results from adverse events,
      careful attention and follow-up will be needed in the treatment course of
      simeprevir with PEG-IFN plus ribavirin for chronic HCV infection. 

PMID- 26269698
TI  - Glycogenic Hepatopathy: Thinking Outside the Box.
AB  - Glycogenic hepatopathy (GH) remains underrecognized in adults as most clinicians
      mistake it for the more common hepatic abnormality associated with uncontrolled
      diabetes mellitus in this age group, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This is
      also complicated by the fact that both entities are indistinguishable on liver
      ultrasound. We herein describe a similar predicament in which a young adult
      female presented with bilateral upper quadrant abdominal pain, tender
      hepatomegaly, lactic acidosis and a >10-fold increase in liver enzymes, which
      worsened after the administration of high-dose steroids. Despite intravenous
      normal saline resuscitation, serum transaminitis persisted in a fluctuating
      manner. Ultimately, a liver biopsy confirmed GH. Biochemically, GH is driven by
      high amounts of both circulating glucose and insulin or by the administration of
      high-dose steroids. Improving glycemic control is the mainstay of treatment for
      GH. However, in our case, improvement in glycated hemoglobin of just 0.6% was
      enough to achieve symptomatic relief, supporting recent claims of the involvement
      of other identified factors in disease development. 

PMID- 26269699
TI  - Bezoar in a Pediatric Oncology Patient Treated with Coca-Cola.
AB  - A bezoar is a mass of indigestible material. Bezoars can present with a gradual
      onset of non-specific gastrointestinal symptoms including abdominal pain, nausea
      and vomiting. However, bezoars can result in more serious conditions such as
      intestinal bleeding or obstruction. Without quick recognition, particularly in
      susceptible individuals, the diagnosis and treatment can be delayed. Currently
      resolution is achieved with enzymatic dissolution, endoscopic fragmentation or
      surgery. We describe, to our knowledge, the first pediatric patient with lymphoma
      to have had a bezoar treated with Coca-Cola. 

PMID- 26269700
TI  - Pancreatic and Gastric Heterotopia with Associated Submucosal Lipoma Presenting
      as a 7-cm Obstructive Tumor of the Ileum: Resection with Double Balloon
      Enteroscopy.
AB  - Pancreatic and gastric heterotopias are rare clinical entities which have been
      identified throughout the entire length of the gastrointestinal tract. Combined
      gastric and pancreatic heterotopias, although unusual, have been described in the
      duodenum and jejunum, and in other structures, including Meckel's diverticulum
      and the ampulla of Vater. We report a novel case of pancreatic and gastric
      heterotopia with an associated submucosal lipoma in a 38-year-old female with a
      recent history of rectal cancer and chronic crampy abdominal pain. On computed
      tomography, a 7-cm luminal polypoid mass extending into the distal ileum was
      discovered. The mass was successfully resected using retrograde double balloon
      enteroscopy. We believe this is the first report of all three histological
      entities co-existing in an obstructive ileal lesion in an adult. It highlights
      endoscopic resection trough double enteroscopy as a safe alternative to more
      invasive surgical approaches for this type of lesion. 

PMID- 26269701
TI  - Abrupt Intralesional Color Change on Dermoscopy as a New Indicator of Early
      Superficial Spreading Melanoma in a Japanese Woman.
AB  - Diagnosis of superficial spreading melanoma in the early stage is often
      difficult, even with dermoscopy. We report the case of a 37-year-old Japanese
      woman with superficial spreading melanoma in her left buttock. The lesion
      developed 20 years before becoming visible and gradually enlarged over the past
      few years without any symptoms. Physical examination showed a well-demarcated
      dark-brown macule 10 mm in diameter. Dermoscopy demonstrated a central dark area
      with a blue-grey structureless area, a milky-red area with irregular blue-grey
      dots or globules suggestive of regression structures, and multifocal black
      pigmentation with whitish scaly areas. An abrupt intralesional change in color
      from a central dark area to a peripheral light-brown area was also seen. The
      peripheral area showed an atypical pigment network with an obscure mesh and
      holes. Histopathologic examination of the lesion showed acanthosis with
      melanocytic proliferation and nuclear atypia, a band-like lymphocytic infiltrate,
      melanophages and a few nests of melanocytes just beneath the epidermis. The
      epidermal melanocytes were positive for S-100, Melan-A and HMB-45, but the dermal
      nests of melanocytes were negative for HMB-45 and positive for S-100 and Melan-A.
      A diagnosis of superficial spreading melanoma with a tumor thickness of 0.4 mm
      (pT1aN0M0, stage 1A) was established based on the clinical, dermoscopic and
      histopathologic findings. This case suggests that dermoscopy is useful in the
      diagnosis of this condition. An abrupt intralesional change of color might be a
      new indicator of early superficial spreading melanoma. 

PMID- 26269702
TI  - Porphyria Cutanea Tarda Masquerading as Epidermolysis Bullosa Acquisita: A Report
      of Two Cases.
AB  - Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) is the most common type of porphyria worldwide and
      is often initially diagnosed when cutaneous manifestations arise. We present two
      patients where misdiagnosis of PCT occurred due to the condition masquerading as
      epidermolysis bullosa acquisita histologically. In patients with undifferentiated
      bullous/erosive skin conditions occurring in photo-distributed regions, PCT
      should be considered in the differential diagnosis irrespective of
      histopathological findings on biopsies and further investigated and treated
      appropriately. 

PMID- 26269703
TI  - Primary Cutaneous Chrysosporium Infection following Ear Piercing: A Case Report.
AB  - Chrysosporium is a large genus of saprophytic fungi that is commonly found in the
      soil. Infection caused by this organism is rare in humans and typically occurs in
      immunocompromised patients. Primary cutaneous Chrysosporium infection is
      relatively rare and has been reported in a heart transplant patient. The
      prognosis is usually favorable, but very poor in the setting of persistent
      profound immunosuppression. We herein report a case of primary cutaneous
      Chrysosporium infection following ear piercing in an immunocompetent patient. It
      is important for clinicians to consider this condition in patients with slow
      onset skin and soft tissue infection following cutaneous injury, even in an
      immunocompetent setting. 

PMID- 26269704
TI  - The role of stripe orientation in target capture success.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: 'Motion dazzle' refers to the hypothesis that high contrast
      patterns such as stripes and zigzags may have evolved in a wide range of animals
      as they make it difficult to judge the trajectory of an animal in motion. Despite
      recent research into this idea, it is still unclear to what extent stripes
      interfere with motion judgement and if effects are seen, what visual processes
      might underlie them. We use human participants performing a touch screen task in
      which they attempt to 'catch' moving targets in order to determine whether stripe
      orientation affects capture success, as previous research has suggested that
      different stripe orientations may be processed differently by the visual system.
      We also ask whether increasing the number of targets presented in a trial can
      affect capture success, as previous research has suggested that motion dazzle
      effects may be larger in groups. RESULTS: When single targets were presented
      sequentially within each trial, we find that perpendicular and oblique striped
      targets are captured at a similar rate to uniform grey targets, but parallel
      striped targets are significantly easier to capture. However, when multiple
      targets are present simultaneously during a trial we find that striped targets
      are captured in fewer attempts and more quickly than grey targets. CONCLUSIONS:
      Our results suggest that there may be differences in capture success based on
      target pattern orientation, perhaps suggesting that different visual mechanisms
      are involved in processing of parallel stripes compared to perpendicular/oblique
      stripes. However, these results do not seem to generalise to trials with multiple
      targets, and contrary to previous predictions, striped targets appear to be
      easier to capture when multiple targets are present compared to being presented
      individually. These results suggest that the different orientations of stripes
      seen on animals in nature (such as in fish and snakes) may serve different
      purposes, and that it is unclear whether motion dazzle effects may have greater
      benefits for animals living in groups.

PMID- 26269705
TI  - Retraction Note: Alcohol consumption and hormonal alterations related to muscle
      hypertrophy: a review.
AB  - [This retracts the article DOI: 10.1186/1743-7075-11-26.]. 

PMID- 26269706
TI  - Diesel engine exhaust and lung cancer risks - evaluation of the meta-analysis by
      Vermeulen et al. 2014.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Vermeulen et al. 2014 published a meta-regression analysis of three
      relevant epidemiological US studies (Steenland et al. 1998, Garshick et al. 2012,
      Silverman et al. 2012) that estimated the association between occupational diesel
      engine exhaust (DEE) exposure and lung cancer mortality. The DEE exposure was
      measured as cumulative exposure to estimated respirable elemental carbon in
      MUg/m(3)-years. Vermeulen et al. 2014 found a statistically significant dose
      response association and described elevated lung cancer risks even at very low
      exposures. METHODS: We performed an extended re-analysis using different
      modelling approaches (fixed and random effects regression analyses,
      Greenland/Longnecker method) and explored the impact of varying input data
      (modified coefficients of Garshick et al. 2012, results from Crump et al. 2015
      replacing Silverman et al. 2012, modified analysis of Moehner et al. 2013).
      RESULTS: We reproduced the individual and main meta-analytical results of
      Vermeulen et al. 2014. However, our analysis demonstrated a heterogeneity of the
      baseline relative risk levels between the three studies. This heterogeneity was
      reduced after the coefficients of Garshick et al. 2012 were modified while the
      dose coefficient dropped by an order of magnitude for this study and was far from
      being significant (P = 0.6). A (non-significant) threshold estimate for the
      cumulative DEE exposure was found at 150 MUg/m(3)-years when extending the meta
      analyses of the three studies by hockey-stick regression modelling (including the
      modified coefficients for Garshick et al. 2012). The data used by Vermeulen and
      colleagues led to the highest relative risk estimate across all sensitivity
      analyses performed. The lowest relative risk estimate was found after exclusion
      of the explorative study by Steenland et al. 1998 in a meta-regression analysis
      of Garshick et al. 2012 (modified), Silverman et al. 2012 (modified according to
      Crump et al. 2015) and Mohner et al. 2013. The meta-coefficient was estimated to
      be about 10-20 % of the main effect estimate in Vermeulen et al. 2014 in this
      analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of Vermeulen et al. 2014 should not be used
      without reservations in any risk assessments. This is particularly true for the
      low end of the exposure scale.

PMID- 26269707
TI  - Sickness absenteeism and associated factors among horticulture employees in lume
      district, southeast Ethiopia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sickness absenteeism is the major occupational health problem in
      developing countries where the majority of working population are engaged in
      hazardous sectors, such as agriculture. However, there is a dearth of studies
      clarifying the situation in most of Subsaharan African countries, like Ethiopia.
      The present study determined the magnitude of sickness absenteeism and associated
      factors among horticulture employees in Lume District, southeast Ethiopia.
      METHODS: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among
      horticulture employees in Lume District, southeast Ethiopia from March to May
      2014. Stratified sampling followed by simple random sampling techniques was used
      to select the study participants. A pre-tested and structured questionnaire was
      used to collect data. Multivariable analyses were employed to see the effect of
      explanatory variables on dependent variable. RESULTS: The magnitude of sickness
      absenteeism was 58.8 % [95 % CI: (54.9, 62.5)] in the past three months. Absence
      of periodic medical checkup, working for more than 48 h per week, working
      overtime, job dissatisfaction, and job stress were factors significantly
      associated with sickness absenteeism. CONCLUSIONS: In this study a relatively
      higher rate of sickness absenteeism was reported compared to other studies.
      Interventions to reduce sickness absenteeism should focus on areas, such as
      periodic medical checkup, monitoring work schedules, improving employees' job
      satisfaction, and managing job stress.

PMID- 26269708
TI  - Factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding practices in Debre Berhan
      District, Central Ethiopia: a cross sectional community based study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Globally, an estimated 6.3 million children under-five years of age
      died in the year 2013. To reduce the burden of morbidity and mortality of
      infants, Ethiopia adopted the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation of
      exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for the first six months of life. The objective of
      this study was to assess factors associated with EBF practices among mothers who
      have an infant aged below 12 months in Debre Berhan District, Ethiopia. METHODS:
      In this study we employed a cross sectional community based quantitative survey
      method, and data were collected from January through April 2014. Univariate
      statistical analysis was used to describe variables using frequencies and
      percentages. Multivariable logistic regression model was developed; the factors
      associated with EBF practice were identified. RESULT: We enrolled 634 mothers
      with their index infant aged under 12 months. Four hundred thirty five (68.6 %;
      95 % CI: 64.9 %, 72.2 %) mothers practiced EBF to six months. In this study 83.4
      % of mothers were knowledgeable with the recommended duration of EBF. About 97.5
      % of mothers had a positive attitude towards EBF practice. Mothers from rural
      places were 4.54 times likely to EBF than mothers residing in urban areas
      Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR 4.54; 95 % CI: 2.64, 7.81, p = 0.001). The odds of
      mothers aged 25 to 35 years to practice EBF was up to 8.9 times more than mothers
      aged less than 25 years (AOR 8.99; 95 % CI: 4.56, 17.73, p = 0.001). The odds of
      mothers who didn't receive infant feeding counselling was 0.42 times less likely
      to practice EBF than those who received Counselling services (AOR 0.42; 95 % CI:
      0.24, 0.73, p = 0.002). Employed mothers were found to be 0.36 times less likely
      to practice EBF than housewives (AOR 0.36; 95 % CI: 0.18, 0.73, p = 0.005).
      Household income did not show a statistically significant association with EBF.
      CONCLUSIONS: The knowledge and attitude of mothers towards EBF was found to be
      very high. In this study, two thirds of mothers practiced exclusive
      breastfeeding. Improving access to information on recommended infant feeding
      during routine maternal and child health services is recommended. It is important
      to encourage EBF among the young, employed and urban mothers through proper
      counselling and mother friendly work environment.

PMID- 26269710
TI  - Toward the Rational Benchmarking of Homogeneous H2-Evolving Catalysts.
AB  - Molecular electrocatalysts for H2 evolution are usually studied under various
      conditions (solvent, proton sources) that prevent direct comparison of their
      performances. We provide here a rational method for such a benchmark based on (i)
      the recent analysis of the current-potential response for two-electron-two-step
      mechanisms and (ii) the derivation of catalytic Tafel plots reflecting the
      interdependency of turnover frequency and overpotential based on the intrinsic
      properties of the catalyst, independently of contingent factors such as the cell
      characteristics. Such a methodology is exemplified on a series of molecular
      catalysts among the most efficient in recent literature.

PMID- 26269709
TI  - The role of the open abdomen procedure in managing severe abdominal sepsis: WSES
      position paper.
AB  - The open abdomen (OA) procedure is a significant surgical advance, as part of
      damage control techniques in severe abdominal trauma. Its application can be
      adapted to the advantage of patients with severe abdominal sepsis, however its
      precise role in these patients is still not clear. In severe abdominal sepsis the
      OA may allow early identification and draining of any residual infection, control
      any persistent source of infection, and remove more effectively infected or
      cytokine-loaded peritoneal fluid, preventing abdominal compartment syndrome and
      deferring definitive intervention and anastomosis until the patient is
      appropriately resuscitated and hemodynamically stable and thus better able to
      heal. However, the OA may require multiple returns to the operating room and may
      be associated with significant complications, including enteroatmospheric
      fistulas, loss of abdominal wall domain and large hernias. Surgeons should be
      aware of the pathophysiology of severe intra-abdominal sepsis and always keep in
      mind the option of using open abdomen to be able to use it in the right patient
      at the right time. 

PMID- 26269711
TI  - Complex and extensive post-transcriptional regulation revealed by integrative
      proteomic and transcriptomic analysis of metabolite stress response in
      Clostridium acetobutylicum.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Clostridium acetobutylicum is a model organism for both clostridial
      biology and solvent production. The organism is exposed to its own toxic
      metabolites butyrate and butanol, which trigger an adaptive stress response.
      Integrative analysis of proteomic and RNAseq data may provide novel insights into
      post-transcriptional regulation. RESULTS: The identified iTRAQ-based quantitative
      stress proteome is made up of 616 proteins with a 15 % genome coverage. The
      differentially expressed proteome correlated poorly with the corresponding
      differential RNAseq transcriptome. Up to 31 % of the differentially expressed
      proteins under stress displayed patterns opposite to those of the transcriptome,
      thus suggesting significant post-transcriptional regulation. The differential
      proteome of the translation machinery suggests that cells employ a different
      subset of ribosomal proteins under stress. Several highly upregulated proteins
      but with low mRNA levels possessed mRNAs with long 5'UTRs and strong RBS scores,
      thus supporting the argument that regulatory elements on the long 5'UTRs control
      their translation. For example, the oxidative stress response rubrerythrin was
      upregulated only at the protein level up to 40-fold without significant mRNA
      changes. We also identified many leaderless transcripts, several displaying
      different transcriptional start sites, thus suggesting mRNA-trimming mechanisms
      under stress. Downregulation of Rho and partner proteins pointed to changes in
      transcriptional elongation and termination under stress. CONCLUSIONS: The
      integrative proteomic-transcriptomic analysis demonstrated complex expression
      patterns of a large fraction of the proteome. Such patterns could not have been
      detected with one or the other omic analyses. Our analysis proposes the
      involvement of specific molecular mechanisms of post-transcriptional regulation
      to explain the observed complex stress response.

PMID- 26269712
TI  - Expression of the Acidothermus cellulolyticus E1 endoglucanase in
      Caldicellulosiruptor bescii enhances its ability to deconstruct crystalline
      cellulose.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Caldicellulosiruptor bescii genome encodes a potent set of
      carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes), found primarily as multi-domain enzymes
      that exhibit high cellulolytic and hemicellulolytic activity on and allow
      utilization of a broad range of substrates, including plant biomass without
      conventional pretreatment. CelA, the most abundant cellulase in the C. bescii
      secretome, uniquely combines a GH9 endoglucanase and a GH48 exoglucanase in one
      protein. The most effective commercial enzyme cocktails used in vitro to pretreat
      biomass are derived from fungal cellulases (cellobiohydrolases, endoglucanases
      and a beta-d-glucosidases) that act synergistically to release sugars for
      microbial conversion. The C. bescii genome contains six GH5 domains in five
      different open reading frames. Four exist in multi-domain proteins and two as
      single catalytic domains. E1 is a GH5 endoglucanase reported to have high
      specific activity and simple architecture and is active at the growth temperature
      of C. bescii. E1 is an endo-1,4-beta-glucanase linked to a family 2 carbohydrate
      binding module shown to bind primarily to cellulosic substrates. We tested if the
      addition of this protein to the C. bescii secretome would improve its
      cellulolytic activity. RESULTS: In vitro analysis of E1 and CelA shows
      synergistic interaction. The E1 gene from Acidothermus cellulolyticus was cloned
      and expressed in C. bescii under the transcriptional control of the C. bescii S
      layer promoter, and secretion was directed by the addition of the C. bescii CelA
      signal peptide sequence. The vector was integrated into the C. bescii chromosome
      at a site previously showing no detectable detrimental consequence. Increased
      activity of the secretome of the strain containing E1 was observed on both
      carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and Avicel. Activity against CMC increased on
      average 10.8 % at 65  degrees C and 12.6 % at 75  degrees C. Activity against
      Avicel increased on average 17.5 % at 65  degrees C and 16.4 % at 75  degrees C.
      CONCLUSIONS: Expression and secretion of E1 in C. bescii enhanced the
      cellulolytic ability of its secretome. These data agree with in vitro evidence
      that E1 acts synergistically with CelA to digest cellulose and offer the
      possibility of engineering additional enzymes for improved biomass deconstruction
      with the knowledge that C. bescii can express a gene from Acidothermus, and
      perhaps other heterologous genes, effectively.

PMID- 26269713
TI  - Combining free and aggregated cellulolytic systems in the cellulosome-producing
      bacterium Ruminiclostridium cellulolyticum.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ruminiclostridium cellulolyticum and Lachnoclostridium
      phytofermentans (formerly known as Clostridium cellulolyticum and Clostridium
      phytofermentans, respectively) are anaerobic bacteria that developed different
      strategies to depolymerize the cellulose and the related plant cell wall
      polysaccharides. Thus, R. cellulolyticum produces large extracellular multi
      enzyme complexes termed cellulosomes, while L. phytofermentans secretes in the
      environment some cellulose-degrading enzymes as free enzymes. In the present
      study, the major cellulase from L. phytofermentans was introduced as a free
      enzyme or as a cellulosomal component in R. cellulolyticum to improve its
      cellulolytic capacities. RESULTS: The gene at locus Cphy_3367 encoding the major
      cellulase Cel9A from L. phytofermentans and an engineered gene coding for a
      modified enzyme harboring a R. cellulolyticum C-terminal dockerin were cloned in
      an expression vector. After electrotransformation of R. cellulolyticum, both
      forms of Cel9A were found to be secreted by the corresponding recombinant
      strains. On minimal medium containing microcrystalline cellulose as the sole
      source of carbon, the strain secreting the free Cel9A started to grow sooner and
      consumed cellulose faster than the strain producing the cellulosomal form of
      Cel9A, or the control strain carrying an empty expression vector. All strains
      reached the same final cell density but the strain producing the cellulosomal
      form of Cel9A was unable to completely consume the available cellulose even after
      an extended cultivation time, conversely to the two other strains. Analyses of
      their cellulosomes showed that the engineered form of Cel9A bearing a dockerin
      was successfully incorporated in the complexes, but its integration induced an
      important release of regular cellulosomal components such as the major cellulase
      Cel48F, which severely impaired the activity of the complexes on cellulose. In
      contrast, the cellulosomes synthesized by the control and the free Cel9A
      secreting strains displayed similar composition and activity. Finally, the most
      cellulolytic strain secreting free Cel9A, was also characterized by an early
      production of lactate, acetate and ethanol as compared to the control strain.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that the cellulolytic capacity of R. cellulolyticum
      can be augmented by supplementing the cellulosomes with a free cellulase
      originating from L. phytofermentans, whereas integration of the heterologous
      enzyme in the cellulosomes is rather unfavorable.

PMID- 26269714
TI  - Aneusomy detection with Karyolite-Bac on Beads(r) is a cost-efficient and high
      throughput strategy in the molecular analyses of the early pregnancy conception
      losses.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Approximately 10-15 % of all clinically recognized pregnancies end in
      miscarriage, the majority of them occur during the first trimester, underlying
      the cause of the loss. Genetic analysis of fetal tissues has the potential to
      provide valuable information and is highly recommended in some cases. Around 3-4
      years ago, the gold standard for the analysis was the GTG Kayrotype, is well
      known that around 50 % of the tissue samples received failed to grow in culture.
      Different molecular techniques are used to improve the quality and the
      specificity of the study, intending to circumvent the limits of the Karyotype.
      RESULTS: Karyolite-BoBsTM (KL-BoBTM) assay is a recent bead-based suspension, low
      density array technology with consistent results, probed that is an efficient
      molecular method to detect aneusomies in early pregnancy losses. Fifty samples
      from abortions were analyzed in order to probe and give more information about
      the methodology and analyze if KL-BoBsTM is a good and cost-efficient strategy.
      We detected 32 % of chromosomal abnormalities, in some of the cases more than one
      aberration was identified, the array CGH validate the observations. CONCLUSIONS:
      This molecular strategy is a cost-effective sensitive tool in the early pregnancy
      loss study.

PMID- 26269715
TI  - An interstitial deletion at 8q23.1-q24.12 associated with Langer-Giedion
      syndrome/ Trichorhinophalangeal syndrome (TRPS) type II and Cornelia de Lange
      syndrome 4.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There are three distinct subtypes of Trichorhinophalangeal syndrome
      (TRPS); TRPS type I, TRPS type II and TRPS type III. Features common to all three
      subtypes include sparse, slowly growing scalp hair, laterally sparse eyebrows, a
      bulbous tip of the nose (pear-shaped), and protruding ears. Langer-Giedion
      syndrome (LGS) or TRPS type II is a contiguous gene syndrome on 8q24.1, involving
      loss of functional copies of the TRPS1 and EXT1 genes. We report a male patient
      that was referred to the Department of Medical Genetics due to hypotonia and
      dysmorphic facial features. RESULTS: Cytogenetic and array- Comparative Genomic
      Hybridization (aCGH) analysis revealed that the patient was a carrier of an
      interstitial deletion at 8q23.1-q24.12 of 12,5 Mb. Parental karyotype indicated
      that the father carried an apparently balanced insertion: 46, ChiUpsilon,
      der(10)ins(10;8)(q22;q23q24). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of an
      apparently balanced insertion including chromosomes 8 and 10 contributing to the
      etiology of LGS/ TRPS type II. Tauimely diagnosis of parental balanced
      chromosomal rearrangements can reduce the risk of subsequent miscarriages as well
      as abnormal offspring.

PMID- 26269716
TI  - Informative gene network for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Host genetic variability has been implicated in chemotherapy-induced
      peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). A dose-limiting toxicity for chemotherapy agents,
      CIPN is also a debilitating condition that may progress to chronic neuropathic
      pain. We utilized a bioinformatics approach, which captures the complexity of
      intracellular and intercellular interactions, to identify genes for CIPN.
      METHODS: Using genes pooled from the literature as a starting point, we used
      Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) to generate gene networks for CIPN. RESULTS: We
      performed IPA core analysis for genes associated with platinum-, taxane- and
      platinum-taxane-induced neuropathy. We found that IL6, TNF, CXCL8, IL1B and
      ERK1/2 were the top genes in terms of the number of connections in platinum
      induced neuropathy and TP53, MYC, PARP1, P38 MAPK and TNF for combined taxane
      platinum-induced neuropathy. CONCLUSION: Neurotoxicity is common in cancer
      patients treated with platinum compounds and anti-microtubule agents and CIPN is
      one of the debilitating sequela. The bioinformatic approach helped identify genes
      associated with CIPN in cancer patients.

PMID- 26269717
TI  - ENVE: a novel computational framework characterizes copy-number mutational
      landscapes in colorectal cancers from African American patients.
AB  - Reliable detection of somatic copy-number alterations (sCNAs) in tumors using
      whole-exome sequencing (WES) remains challenging owing to technical (inherent
      noise) and sample-associated variability in WES data. We present a novel
      computational framework, ENVE, which models inherent noise in any WES dataset,
      enabling robust detection of sCNAs across WES platforms. ENVE achieved high
      concordance with orthogonal sCNA assessments across two colorectal cancer (CRC)
      WES datasets, and consistently outperformed a best-in-class algorithm, Control
      FREEC. We subsequently used ENVE to characterize global sCNA landscapes in
      African American CRCs, identifying genomic aberrations potentially associated
      with CRC pathogenesis in this population. ENVE is downloadable at
      https://github.com/ENVE-Tools/ENVE.

PMID- 26269718
TI  - Achieving high-sensitivity for clinical applications using augmented exome
      sequencing.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Whole exome sequencing is increasingly used for the clinical
      evaluation of genetic disease, yet the variation of coverage and sensitivity over
      medically relevant parts of the genome remains poorly understood. Several
      sequencing-based assays continue to provide coverage that is inadequate for
      clinical assessment. METHODS: Using sequence data obtained from the NA12878
      reference sample and pre-defined lists of medically-relevant protein-coding and
      noncoding sequences, we compared the breadth and depth of coverage obtained among
      four commercial exome capture platforms and whole genome sequencing. In addition,
      we evaluated the performance of an augmented exome strategy, ACE, that extends
      coverage in medically relevant regions and enhances coverage in areas that are
      challenging to sequence. Leveraging reference call-sets, we also examined the
      effects of improved coverage on variant detection sensitivity. RESULTS: We
      observed coverage shortfalls with each of the conventional exome-capture and
      whole-genome platforms across several medically interpretable genes. These gaps
      included areas of the genome required for reporting recently established
      secondary findings (ACMG) and known disease-associated loci. The augmented exome
      strategy recovered many of these gaps, resulting in improved coverage in these
      areas. At clinically-relevant coverage levels (100 % bases covered at >=20*), ACE
      improved coverage among genes in the medically interpretable genome (>90 %
      covered relative to 10-78 % with other platforms), the set of ACMG secondary
      finding genes (91 % covered relative to 4-75 % with other platforms) and a subset
      of variants known to be associated with human disease (99 % covered relative to
      52-95 % with other platforms). Improved coverage translated into improvements in
      sensitivity, with ACE variant detection sensitivities (>97.5 % SNVs, >92.5 %
      InDels) exceeding that observed with conventional whole-exome and whole-genome
      platforms. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians should consider analytical performance when
      making clinical assessments, given that even a few missed variants can lead to
      reporting false negative results. An augmented exome strategy provides a level of
      coverage not achievable with other platforms, thus addressing concerns regarding
      the lack of sensitivity in clinically important regions. In clinical applications
      where comprehensive coverage of medically interpretable areas of the genome
      requires higher localized sequencing depth, an augmented exome approach offers
      both cost and performance advantages over other sequencing-based tests.

PMID- 26269719
TI  - Explaining, not just predicting, drives interest in personal genomics.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is a widespread assumption that risk prediction is the major
      driver of customer interest in personal genomic testing (PGT). However, some
      customers may also be motivated by finding out whether their existing diseases
      have a genetic etiology. We evaluated the impact of an existing medical diagnosis
      on customer interest in condition-specific results from PGT. METHODS: Using a
      prospective online survey of PGT customers, we measured customer interest prior
      to receiving PGT results for 11 health conditions, and examined the association
      between interest and personal medical history of these conditions using logistic
      regression. RESULTS: We analyzed data from 1,538 PGT customers, mean age 48.7
      years, 61 % women, 90 % White, and 47 % college educated. The proportion of
      customers who were 'very interested' in condition-specific PGT varied
      considerably, from 28 % for ulcerative colitis to 68% for heart disease. After
      adjusting for demographic and personal characteristics including family history,
      having a diagnosis of the condition itself was significantly associated with
      interest in genetic testing for risk of that condition, with odds ratios ranging
      from 2.07 (95 % CI 1.28-3.37) for diabetes to 19.99 (95 % CI 4.57-87.35) for
      multiple sclerosis. CONCLUSIONS: PGT customers are particularly interested in
      genetic markers for their existing medical conditions, suggesting that the value
      of genetic testing is not only predictive, but also explanatory.

PMID- 26269720
TI  - Characterising the biophysical properties of normal and hyperkeratotic foot skin.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Plantar foot skin exhibits unique biophysical properties that are
      distinct from skin on other areas of the body. This paper characterises, using
      non-invasive methods, the biophysical properties of foot skin in healthy and
      pathological states including xerosis, heel fissures, calluses and corns.
      METHODS: Ninety three people participated. Skin hydration, elasticity, collagen
      and elastin fibre organisation and surface texture was measured from plantar
      calluses, corns, fissured heel skin and xerotic heel skin. Previously published
      criteria were applied to classify the severity of each skin lesion and
      differences in the biophysical properties compared between each classification.
      RESULTS: Calluses, corns, xerotic heel skin and heel fissures had significantly
      lower levels of hydration; less elasticity and greater surface texture than
      unaffected skin sites (p < 0.01). Some evidence was found for a positive
      correlation between hydration and elasticity data (r <= 0.65) at hyperkeratotic
      sites. Significant differences in skin properties (with the exception of texture)
      were noted between different classifications of skin lesion. CONCLUSIONS: This
      study provides benchmark data for healthy and different severities of
      pathological foot skin. These data have applications ranging from monitoring the
      quality of foot skin, to measuring the efficacy of therapeutic interventions.

PMID- 26269721
TI  - Use of hand-held Doppler ultrasound examination by podiatrists: a reliability
      study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hand held Doppler examination is a frequently used non-invasive
      vascular assessment utilised by podiatrists. Despite this, the reliability of
      hand-held Doppler has not been thoroughly investigated. Given the importance of
      Doppler in completing a vascular assessment of the lower limb, it is essential to
      determine the reliability of the interpretation of this testing method in
      practicing podiatrists. METHODS: This was a multi-centre inter and intra-rater
      reliability study. Four podiatrists (the raters) participated in this study, two
      public and two private practitioners. Three aspects of Doppler use were examined;
      (i) use of Doppler (i.e., technique and interpretation), (ii) interpretation of
      Doppler audio sounds, and (iii) interpretation of visual Doppler waveforms (i.e.,
      tracings). Participants meeting current guidelines for vascular screening
      attended two testing sessions, 1 week apart at either the private practice (n =
      32), or the public practice (n = 31). To assess use of Doppler, the raters
      evaluated the Doppler waveforms that they collected, rating them as mono-phasic
      or multi-phasic. To assess Doppler audio sounds and visual Doppler waveforms,
      raters were required to evaluate 30 audio recordings of Doppler sounds and 30
      waveform tracings, respectively, that were previously recorded and chosen at
      random by the researchers. Cohen's kappa (kappa) statistics were used to
      calculate inter and intra-rater reliability using SPSS version 19. RESULTS: Use
      of Doppler demonstrated the lowest reliability for both pairs of clinicians
      (inter-rater reliability kappa 0.20 to 0.24 and intra-rater reliability kappa
      0.27 to 0.42). The public podiatrists showed higher reliability in audio
      interpretation (inter-tester reliability kappa 0.61, intra-tester reliability
      kappa 1.00) compared to the private podiatrists (inter-tester reliability kappa
      0.31, intra-tester reliability kappa 0.53). Evaluation of Doppler waveform
      tracings demonstrated highest reliability, with inter-rater reliability ranging
      from kappa 0.77 to 0.90 and intra-rater reliability from kappa 0.81 to 1.00.
      CONCLUSIONS: There is a need for ongoing education for podiatrists using Doppler
      in clinical practice, as the reliability for the clinical use of the Doppler was
      low. This indicates that technique could be an issue. There is also a need to
      further evaluate if hand-held Doppler equipment, using the examinations that we
      evaluated, is suitable for use in the contexts examined in this study.

PMID- 26269722
TI  - Effects of caloric restriction and low glycemic index diets associated with
      metformin on glucose metabolism and cortisol response in overweight/obese
      subjects: a case series study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To determine whether cortisol secretion and glucocorticoid receptors
      in lymphocytes and monocytes are altered in patients with impaired glucose
      tolerance, and whether treatment with a hypocaloric diet and metformin could
      interfere with these aspects. METHODS: This is an analytical, interventional,
      case series study. Patients with impaired glucose tolerance were included. They
      received 500 mg of metformin twice daily and followed a low glycemic index diet
      for 16 weeks. Cortisol levels were assessed at 8:00 A.M. before and after use of
      0.25 mg of dexamethasone at 11:00 P.M. the day before. RESULTS: Sixteen subjects
      (9 men) were included. Normal basal levels of cortisol and adequate responses to
      the low dose of dexamethasone were observed before and after treatment. There was
      no significant correlation between the parameters evaluated and cortisol levels.
      Nevertheless, there was a strong correlation between the number of glucocorticoid
      receptors, BMI (r = 0.88; p = 0.02), and insulin AUC (r = 0.94; p = 0.005) before
      treatment; after treatment, all these associations ceased to exist. CONCLUSION:
      The cortisol secretion remained normal in the group of patients with impaired
      glucose tolerance. Treatment with metformin and diet did not change this
      condition. However, glucocorticoid receptor number had a strong correlation with
      insulin, due to insulin resistance, but this characteristic was lost after
      treatment.

PMID- 26269723
TI  - Identification of tumour-related proteins as potential screening markers by
      proteome analysis-protein profiles of human saliva as a predictive and prognostic
      tool.
AB  - The analysis of biomarkers in saliva as a clinical application offers an
      attractive, simple and rapid diagnostic tool for the short- and long-term
      monitoring of pathological disorders and drug therapy. The collection of saliva,
      either in the pure or in its fractionated form, is a relatively easy and non
      invasive procedure that is not harmful to the patients and has no complications
      at all. However, the fluid collection must be clearly defined due to variations
      in saliva composition, flow rate and day-to-day variability. In order to minimise
      possible variations, saliva from five patients without squamous cell carcinoma
      (SCC) pathology and five with suspicion of oral squamous carcinoma (OSCC) were
      collected and matched at different days and analysed by two-dimensional
      polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2DE-PAGE). Approximately 800 spots were
      identified, corresponding to 151 different gene products. The list of identified
      proteins includes a large number of structural proteins like keratins, keratin
      subunits, enzymes and enzyme inhibitors, cytokines, immunoglobulins as well as
      amylase and other salivary specific glycoproteins. The majority of proteins that
      are localised in oral epithelia cells were found as unsolved debris in saliva.
      One of the identified proteins was significantly overexpressed in OSCC and was
      selected for further validation by Western blot analysis. 

PMID- 26269724
TI  - Analysis of Mandibular Test Specimens Used to Assess a Bone Fixation System.
AB  - The aim of this study was to assess through biomechanical testing if different
      synthetic materials used to fabricate test specimens have a different
      biomechanical behavior in comparison with other materials when simulating in
      vitro load resistance of a fixation method established for sagittal split ramus
      osteotomy (SSRO). Thirty synthetic and standardized human hemimandible replicas
      with SSRO were divided into three groups of 10 samples each. Group A-ABS plastic;
      Group B-polyamide; and Group C-polyurethane. These were fixated with three
      bicortical position screws (16 mm in length, 2.0-mm system) in an inverted l
      pattern using perforation guide and 5-mm advancement. Each sample was submitted
      to linear vertical load, and load strength values were recorded at 1, 3, 5, 7,
      and 10 mm of displacement. The means and standard deviation were compared using
      the analysis of variance (p < 0.05) and the Tukey test. A tendency for lower
      values was observed in Group B in comparison with Groups A and C. At 3 and 5 mm
      of displacement, a difference between Groups A and C was found in comparison with
      Group B (p < 0.05). At 7 and 10 mm of displacement, a difference was found among
      the three groups, in which Group C showed the highest values and Group B the
      lowest (p < 0.05). Taking into consideration the results obtained and the
      behavior of each material used as a substrate, significant differences occurred
      among the materials when compared among them. 

PMID- 26269725
TI  - Lessons Learned in Scalp Reconstruction and Tailoring Free Tissue Transfer in the
      Elderly: A Case Series and Literature Review.
AB  - This article aims to demonstrate an individualized approach to an elderly patient
      requiring scalp reconstruction, to describe the methodology in flap selection,
      lessons learned, and report outcomes. A retrospective review of a single
      surgeon's experience of scalp reconstruction (E. D. R.) using free tissue
      transfer from 2005 to 2011, in patients older than 70 years, was completed. A
      total of eight patients met the inclusion criteria, five males and three females,
      with a mean age of 80.4 years (range, 73-92). Free tissue transfer achieved 100%
      soft tissue coverage. Six of the eight patients required cranioplasty. The mean
      size calvarial defect was 92 cm(2) (range, 35-285 cm(2)). The mean flap size was
      117.6 cm(2) (range, 42-285 cm(2)). Free flaps included three ulnar, three
      anterolateral thigh, one latissimus dorsi, and one thoracodorsal perforator flap.
      The mean follow-up time was 18.4 months (range, 3-46 months). Donor site
      morbidity was minimal. Mortality was 0%. Immediate flap failure was 0%. Other
      complications occurred in six of the eight patients. Mean revisionary procedures
      were 1.25 procedures per patient. It was concluded that chronological age does
      not increase mortality or catastrophic flap complications; however, morbidity is
      increased in the elderly and revisionary surgery is likely. 

PMID- 26269726
TI  - Delayed Cranioplasty: Outcomes Using Frozen Autologous Bone Flaps.
AB  - Reconstruction of skull defects following decompressive craniectomy is associated
      with a high rate of complications. Implantation of autologous cryopreserved bone
      has been associated with infection rates of up to 33%, resulting in considerable
      patient morbidity. Predisposing factors for infection and other complications are
      poorly understood. Patients undergoing cranioplasty between 1999 and 2009 were
      identified from a prospectively maintained database. Records and imaging were
      reviewed retrospectively. Demographics, the initial craniectomy and subsequent
      cranioplasty surgeries, complications, and outcomes were recorded. A total of 187
      patients underwent delayed cranioplasty using autologous bone flaps cryopreserved
      at -30 degrees C following decompressive craniectomy. Indications for craniectomy
      were trauma (77.0%), stroke (16.0%), subarachnoid hemorrhage (2.67%), tumor
      (2.14%), and infection (2.14%). There were 64 complications overall (34.2%), the
      most common being infection (11.2%) and bone resorption (5.35%). After
      multivariate analysis, intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak was
      significantly associated with infection, whereas longer duration of surgery and
      unilateral site were associated with resorption. Cranioplasty using frozen
      autologous bone is associated with a high rate of infective complications.
      Intraoperative CSF leak is a potentially modifiable risk factor. Meticulous
      dissection during cranioplasty surgery to minimize the chance of breaching the
      dural or pseudodural plane may reduce the chance of bone flap. 

PMID- 26269727
TI  - Orbital Roof Fractures: A Clinically Based Classification and Treatment
      Algorithm.
AB  - Orbital roof fractures are relatively uncommon in craniofacial surgery but
      present a management challenge due to their anatomy and potential associated
      injuries. Currently, neither a classification system nor treatment algorithm
      exists for orbital roof fractures, which this article aims to provide. This
      article provides a literature review and clinical experience of a tertiary trauma
      center in Australia. All cases admitted to the Royal Melbourne Hospital with
      orbital roof fractures between January 2011 and July 2013 were reviewed regarding
      patient characteristics, mechanism, imaging (computed tomography), and
      management. Forty-seven patients with orbital roof fractures were treated. Three
      of these were isolated cases. Forty were male and seven were female. Assault (14)
      and falls (13) were the most common causes of injury. Forty-two patients were
      treated conservatively and five had orbital roof repairs. On the basis of the
      literature and local experience, we propose a four-point system, with
      subcategories allowing for different fracture characteristics to impact
      management. Despite the infrequency of orbital roof fractures, their potential
      ophthalmological, neurological, and functional sequelae can carry a significant
      morbidity. As such, an algorithm for management of orbital roof fractures may
      help to ensure appropriate and successful management of these patients. 

PMID- 26269728
TI  - Early Experience with Biodegradable Fixation of Pediatric Mandibular Fractures.
AB  - This clinical study aims to evaluate the stability and efficiency of
      biodegradable self-reinforced poly-l/dl-lactide (SR-PLDLA) plates and screws for
      fixation of pediatric mandibular fractures. The study included 12 patients (3-12
      years old) with 14 mandibular fractures. They were treated by open reduction and
      internal fixation by SR-PLDLA plates and screws. Maxillomandibular fixation was
      maintained for 1 week postoperatively. Clinical follow-up was performed at 1
      week, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 12 months postoperatively. Radiographs were done at
      1 week, 3 months, and 12 months postoperatively to observe any displacement and
      fracture healing. All fractures healed both clinically and radiologically. No
      serious complications were reported in the patients. Normal occlusion was
      achieved in all cases. Biodegradable osteofixation of mandibular fractures offers
      a valuable clinical solution for pediatric patients getting the benefit of
      avoiding secondary surgery to remove plates, decreasing the hospital stay,
      further painful procedures, and psychological impact. 

PMID- 26269729
TI  - Computer-Assisted Three-Dimensional Planning for Orbital Decompression.
AB  - Thyroid-associated orbitopathy is the most common cause of unilateral or
      bilateral proptosis in adults. A mainstay of surgical treatment is orbital
      decompression utilizing osteotomies to increase the size of the affected bony
      orbit to accommodate the larger soft tissue volume. Over the past several
      decades, numerous approaches have been described for orbital decompression.
      However, given the intricate osseous and soft tissue anatomy within the orbit,
      orbital decompression is a potentially hazardous intervention. With advances in
      three-dimensional imaging and virtual planning, extensive orbital decompressions
      can be performed safely and efficiently. In this report, we describe two cases of
      three-wall orbital decompressions using three-dimensional planning. 

PMID- 26269730
TI  - Pneumosinus Dilatans Helping Subcranial Resection in a Patient with Advanced
      Ethmoid Malignancy.
AB  - Subcranial approach is a useful procedure in the management of limited anterior
      skull base tumors. But the posterior and superior visualization may be limited,
      in ethmoid malignancies with a large intracranial extension. A 55-year-old male
      patient, a case of an ethmoid malignancy, with a large intracranial component was
      resected with adequate margins by a subcranial approach. The coincident
      pneumosinus dilatans helped the surgical resection. This case demonstrates that
      assessment of pneumatization of the frontal sinus is as important as the size and
      extent of the tumor, while deciding an anterior skull base surgical approach.
      Even large malignant lesions may be approached subcranially if the frontal sinus
      is proportionately large. Pneumosinus dilatans, though rare, can be used to the
      benefit of the patient in selecting a less invasive approach. 

PMID- 26269731
TI  - Acute Intraorbital Hemorrhage following Reduction of a Displaced
      Orbitozygomaticomaxillary Complex Fracture.
AB  - Orbitozygomaticomaxillary complex (OZMC) fractures are commonly encountered by
      the craniomaxillofacial trauma surgeon and may, in fact, be the most common type
      of orbital fracture. Disruption of articulation with the frontal and sphenoid
      bones causes disruption of the internal orbital skeleton, which can result in
      diplopia from extraocular muscle swelling or entrapment, or enophthalmos from
      increased orbital volume. Although there is significant energy transferred to the
      orbit in these injuries, blindness and intraorbital hematoma are, fortunately,
      relatively rare complications, typically seen pre- or postoperatively. In this
      report, we describe the development of acute intraorbital hemorrhage following
      reduction of a displaced OZMC fracture. 

PMID- 26269732
TI  - Management of Ossifying Fibroma in a Suspicious Case of Hyperparathyroid-Jaw
      Tumor Syndrome.
AB  - The purpose of this article is to report a case of ossifying fibroma in the
      mandible associated with hyperparathyroid-jaw tumor syndrome, in a 46-year-old
      Caucasian female, surgically resected and reconstructed with iliac crest bone,
      followed by implant placement. This is a rare syndrome with an autosomal dominant
      pattern, with the development of primary hyperparathyroidism mainly due to
      parathyroid adenomas. Fibro-osseous lesions in the jaws can be present and can
      also precede the development of the endocrine disorder. As renal abnormalities
      and uterine tumors can develop, an interdisciplinary approach is imperative for
      its diagnosis and management, due to the possibility of recurrence and potential
      for malignancy. 

PMID- 26269733
TI  - Temporal Approach to Removal of a Large Orbital Foreign Body.
AB  - Accidents with firearms can result in extensive orbital trauma. Moreover, gun
      parts can come loose and impale the maxillofacial region. These injuries can
      cause the loss of visual acuity and impair eye movements. Multidisciplinary
      treatment is required for injuries associated with this type of trauma. Computed
      tomography with three-dimensional reconstruction is useful for determining the
      precise location and size of the object lodged in the facial skeleton, thereby
      facilitating the planning of the correct surgical approach. The temporal approach
      is a fast, simple technique with few complications that is indicated for access
      to the infratemporal fossa. This article describes the use of the temporal
      approach on a firearm victim in whom the breech of a rifle had impaled orbital
      region, with the extremity lodged in the infratemporal fossa. 

PMID- 26269734
TI  - Carotid-Cavernous Fistula as a Complication of Facial Trauma: A Case Report.
AB  - Posttraumatic carotid-cavernous fistula is a very rare complication that can
      occur in patients with craniomaxillofacial trauma. Symptoms involve headache,
      diplopia, ptosis of the upper lid, conjunctival chemosis, pulsating exophthalmos,
      and ophthalmoplegia. Diagnosis can be challenging because various pathologic
      entities can present with similar symptoms such as superior orbital fissure
      syndrome, orbital apex syndrome, retrobulbar hematoma, and cavernous sinus
      syndrome. However, accurate and early diagnosis is of utmost importance because
      treatment delay may lead to blindness or permanent neurologic deficits. In this
      article, a case of posttraumatic carotid-cavernous fistula that was twice
      misdiagnosed is presented. 

PMID- 26269735
TI  - Circummandibular Wires for Treatment of Dentoalveolar Fractures Adjacent to
      Edentulous Areas: A Report of Two Cases.
AB  - In general, dentoalveolar fractures are a common injury seen in emergency
      departments, dental offices, and oral and maxillofacial surgery practices. These
      injuries can be the result of direct trauma or indirect trauma. Direct trauma
      more often causes trauma to the maxillary dentition due to the exposure of the
      maxillary anterior teeth. Indirect trauma is usually the result of forced
      occlusion secondary to a blow to the chin or from a whiplash injury. Falls are
      the most common mechanism of injury seen in the pediatric group. In adolescents,
      many of these fractures are sustained during sporting activities. However, the
      use of mouth guards and other protective equipment has decreased this number.
      Most adult injuries are caused by motor vehicle accidents, contact sports, falls,
      bicycles, interpersonal violence, medical/dental mishaps, and industrial
      accidents. Early intervention to reduce and stabilize the fracture is required to
      establish a bony union and ensure correct function. Most dentoalveolar fractures
      have bilateral stable adjacent dentition and are treated with a closed technique
      utilizing an acid-etch/resin splint followed by splint removal at 4 weeks. Other
      inferior stabilization treatments used are arch bars and other wiring techniques.
      It is widely accepted that semirigid stabilization techniques, such as an acid
      etch/resin splint or wiring procedures, are adequate to treat dentoalveolar
      fractures. This is in contrast to the treatment of mandible fractures where AO
      principles of rigid fixation are often followed. Fractures that are unable to be
      reduced sometimes necessitate an open reduction followed by internal fixation,
      sometimes using a secondary splint for mobile teeth. In those rare cases when
      there are not stable adjacent teeth bilaterally other modalities must be
      considered. In the present report, two cases are presented where circummandibular
      wires were used to treat fractured mandibular dentoalveolar segments adjacent to
      edentulous areas. 

PMID- 26269736
TI  - Posttraumatic Delayed Enophthalmos: Analogies with Silent Sinus Syndrome? Case
      Report and Literature Review.
AB  - Acute posttraumatic enophthalmos is a well-known symptom occurring in orbital
      blowout fractures. Its late onset in the absence of radiologic evidence of
      displaced fractures is rare and traditionally attributed to ischemic liponecrosis
      or fibrotic scarring of endo-orbital soft tissues. In this article, we describe a
      case of facial trauma, diagnosed and treated at the Maxillo-Facial Surgical
      Department of Hospital Ca' Granda Niguarda of Milan, in which delayed monolateral
      enophthalmos is associated with CT evidence of remodeling of orbital walls
      attributed to atelectasis of the maxillary sinus, as occurs spontaneously in
      patients suffering from silent sinus syndrome (SSS). Despite that classic
      criteria exclude traumatic etiology of SSS, recent literature suggests the
      possibility to include it. Our case is the first reported in literature supported
      by complete clinical and radiological documentation obtained before and after the
      condition established itself. The analogy with cases of spontaneous obstacle of
      aeration allows us to choose "two-step" surgical treatment with endoscopic
      uncinectomy and antrostomy and a delayed surgical correction of orbital volume to
      improve aesthetic results. The case described in this article and the review of
      the literature may focus physicians' attention on evaluating the possible
      traumatic changes in the physiologic sinus drainage system. 

PMID- 26269737
TI  - Management Issues in the Treatment of an Ameloblastoma with an Atypical
      Presentation.
AB  - Benign ameloblastoma (BA) is the most common tumor arising from the odontogenic
      epithelium. Surgical resection with adequate margins is the mainstay of treatment
      due to the high index of tumor recurrence when not completely excised. Although
      locoregional spread has been described in the literature, it is very uncommon. We
      describe the treatment and follow-up of a 22-year-old woman with multiple
      recurrences and locoregional spread of a mandibular ameloblastoma who was
      referred to our center after several tumor resections with subsequent
      reconstructions. After a complete macroscopical removal of a new recurrence, the
      mandible was primarily reconstructed. A local homolateral recurrence and a second
      lesion in the contralateral maxilla were detected after 1-year follow-up and
      accordingly treated. After 4 years the patient showed a new tumor in the temporal
      fossa and was reoperated. The histopathology was consistent with a BA in all
      cases. Even though it is rare, locoregional spread of BA has been reported
      previously. Recurrences discovered during follow-up may require further
      resections. A close follow-up is mandatory, and treatment of these cases may
      result demanding requiring a multiple team approach, including oncologists and
      radiotherapists. 

PMID- 26269738
TI  - Erratum: Measuring autistic traits in the general population: a systematic review
      of the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ) in a nonclinical population sample of 6,900
      typical adult males and females.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/2040-2392-6-2.]. 

PMID- 26269739
TI  - In developed countries male circumcision prevalence is inversely related to HIV
      prevalence.
AB  - A study by Chemtob and co-workers found significantly lower prevalence of HIV
      amongst heterosexual men and women in Israel compared with the Netherlands and
      France. Risk factors for heterosexual HIV infection in these countries were
      similar, apart from one, namely, a strikingly higher prevalence of male
      circumcision (MC) in Israel compared with the Netherlands and France. It is now
      well established that MC protects heterosexual men against becoming infected with
      HIV during sexual intercourse with an infected woman. In epidemic settings, such
      as countries in sub-Saharan Africa, in which heterosexual contact is the primary
      driver for HIV infection, MC is being implemented to reduce HIV prevalence. The
      results of the new study by Chemtob and co-workers support the evidence and
      recent polices in the United States advocating MC to reduce the spread of HIV.
      While prevalence in developed countries is generally low, it is rising. In the
      long term, neonatal MC is the most desirable option, since not only is it
      simpler, safer, cheaper and more convenient than MC later, it provides immediate
      protection from infections, penile inflammation, genital cancers and physical
      problems. It is also cost-effective. European countries have not supported MC for
      its public health benefits. The new findings add to calls for European and other
      countries with low MC prevalence to consider developing evidence-based policies
      favoring MC in order to reduce HIV and other infections and diseases and at the
      same time reduce suffering, mortality and the cost of treating these. 

PMID- 26269740
TI  - Health information technology implementation - impacts and policy considerations:
      a comparison between Israel and Portugal.
AB  - The use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in health systems is
      increasing worldwide. While it is assumed that ICT holds great potential to make
      health services more efficient and grant patients more empowerment, research on
      these trends is at an early stage. Building on a study of the impact of ICT on
      physicians and patients in Israel, a Short Term Scientific Mission (STSM)
      sponsored by COST Net in conjunction with CIES/ISCTE IUL (Portugal) facilitated a
      comparison of ICT in health in Israel and Portugal. The comparison focused on
      patient empowerment, physician behavior and the role of government in
      implementing ICT. The research in both countries was qualitative in nature. In
      depth interviews with the Ministry of Health (MOH), the private sector, patients
      associations, health plans and researchers were used to collect data. Purposeful
      sampling was used to select respondents, and secondary sources were used for
      triangulation. The findings indicate that respondents in both countries feel that
      patient empowerment has indeed been furthered by introduction of ICT. Regarding
      physicians, in both countries ICT is seen as providing more information that can
      be used in medical decision making. Increased access of patients to web-based
      medical information can strengthen the role of patients in decision making and
      improve the physician-patient relationship, but also shift the latter in ways
      that may require adjustments in physician orientation. Physician uptake of ICT in
      both countries involves overcoming certain barriers, such as resistance to
      change. At the national level, important differences were found between the two
      countries. While in Israel, ICT was promoted and adopted by the meso level of the
      health system, in particular the health plans and government intervention can be
      found in a later stage, in Portugal the government was the main developer and
      national strategies were built from the beginning. These two approaches present
      different advantages and disadvantages. Government involvement in earlier stages
      could provide benefit in terms of interoperability of systems between different
      healthcare organizations. However, innovation could be slowed down due to
      government bureaucracy or lack of leadership. The work provides information in
      order to understand and improve ICT services. Additionally, it provides input
      regarding impact of ICT on the physician/patient relationship and national
      policies in the area. 

PMID- 26269741
TI  - Collection media and delayed freezing effects on microbial composition of human
      stool.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Different bacteria in stool have markedly varied growth and survival
      when stored at ambient temperature. It is paramount to develop optimal
      biostabilization of stool samples during collection and assess long-term storage
      for clinical specimens and epidemiological microbiome studies. We evaluated the
      effect of collection media and delayed freezing up to 7 days on microbial
      composition. Ten participants collected triplicate stool samples each into no
      media as well as RNAlater(r) with and without kanamycin or ciprofloxacin. For
      each set of conditions, triplicate samples were frozen on dry ice immediately
      (time = 0) or frozen at -80  degrees C after 3-days and 7-days incubation at 25 
      degrees C. Microbiota metrics were estimated from Illumina MiSeq sequences of 16S
      rRNA gene fragments (V3-V4 region). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC)
      across triplicates, collection media, and incubation time were estimated for
      taxonomy and alpha and beta diversity metrics. RESULTS: RNAlater(r) alone yielded
      the highest ICCs for diversity metrics at time = 0 [ICC median 0.935 (range 0.89
      0.97)], but ICCs varied greatly (range 0.44-1.0) for taxa with relative
      abundances <1%. The 3- and 7-day freezing delays were generally associated with
      stable beta diversity for all three media conditions. Freezing delay caused
      increased variance for Shannon index (median ICC 0.77) and especially for
      observed species abundance (median ICC 0.47). Variance in observed species
      abundance and in phylogenetic distance whole tree was similarly increased with a
      7-day delay. Antibiotics did not mitigate variance. No media had inferior ICCs at
      time 0 and differed markedly from any media in microbiome composition (e.g., P
      =0.01 for relative abundance of Bacteroidetes). CONCLUSION: Bacterial community
      composition was stable for 7 days at room temperature in RNAlater(r) alone.
      RNAlater(r) provides some stability for beta diversity analyses, but analyses of
      rare taxa will be inaccurate if specimens are not frozen immediately. RNAlater(r)
      could be used as collection media with minimal change in the microbiota
      composition.

PMID- 26269742
TI  - Prevalence and risk factors associated with malaria infection among pregnant
      women in a semi-urban community of north-western Nigeria.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Malaria during pregnancy remains a serious public health problem,
      with substantial risks for the mother, her foetus and the newborn. The aim of
      this study was to determine the prevalence of malaria and possible risk factors
      for malaria infection among pregnant women in a semi-urban area in north-western
      Nigeria. Pregnant women are among the most susceptible to malaria infection.
      Knowledge of their malaria infection status is an important yardstick to measure
      the effectiveness of any malaria control programme. METHODS: We conducted a cross
      sectional study in the semi-urban area of Argungu, Kebbi State Nigeria. Two
      hundred and fifty five pregnant women were included in the study after informed
      verbal consent was obtained. For each participant, the socio-demographic profile,
      stage of pregnancy and attitude to the use of insecticide- treated nets (ITNs)
      were investigated using a questionnaire. Peripheral blood samples were collected
      and thick blood smears were prepared and stained with Giemsa stains to check for
      malaria parasitaemia. The associations between age, education level and use of
      ITNs with occurrence of malaria infection during pregnancy were analysed using
      the chi-square test. RESULTS: One hundred and six (41.6%) out of 255 pregnant
      women were infected with malaria parasites, with a mean parasite density of 800
      parasitesMUl(-1). It was found that prevalence and parasite density decreased as
      age increased. The chi-square test indicated that a lack of education and non
      usage of ITNs were significantly associated with malaria infection. CONCLUSION:
      Malaria is still a major public health issue among pregnant women mainly due to
      illiteracy and non -compliance to using ITNs. Increasing awareness about malaria
      preventive measures and early attendance of antenatal care services will help to
      reduce malaria and, consequently, its associated morbidities and mortalities.

PMID- 26269743
TI  - Neuropsychological assessment in adolescents with anorexia nervosa - exploring
      the relationship between self-report and performance-based testing.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Research investigating the relationship between neuropsychological
      test performances and self-reported cognitive functioning in patients with
      anorexia nervosa (AN) is limited, and existing experimental studies only
      demonstrate a low-to-moderate relationship between the performance based tests
      and everyday behaviour. The objective of the current study was to explore the
      association between neuropsychological test performance and self-reports of
      executive functioning in adolescents with AN. METHOD: Twenty adolescent females
      diagnosed with AN, aged 13 to 18, completed neuropsychological test battery "the
      Ravello Profile" and the self-report version of the Behaviour Rating Inventory of
      Executive Function (BRIEF-SR). The BRIEF Parent Form (BRIEF-PF) was employed to
      provide additional information of the patients' executive functioning. RESULTS:
      Based on group level analyses, the results support the existing literature in
      failing to find consistent weaknesses in neuropsychological functioning in
      adolescents with AN. Further, with few exceptions, the Ravello Profile was
      insubstantially correlated with the majority of the BRIEF clinical scales,
      indicative of a lack of association between these two assessment methods.
      CONCLUSION: The current study accentuates the need for concern regarding the
      generalizability of neuropsychological assessments in adolescent patients with
      AN.

PMID- 26269744
TI  - Development of a high-field MR-guided HIFU setup for thermal and mechanical
      ablation methods in small animals.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Thermal and mechanical high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU)
      ablation techniques are in development for non-invasive treatment of cancer.
      However, knowledge of in vivo histopathologic and immunologic reactions after
      HIFU ablation is still limited. This study aims to create a setup for evaluation
      of different HIFU ablation methods in mouse tumors using high-field magnetic
      resonance (MR) guidance. An optimized MR-guided-HIFU setup could be used to
      increase knowledge of the different pathologic and immunologic reactions to
      different HIFU ablation methods. METHODS: Three different HIFU treatment
      strategies were applied in mouse melanomas (B16): a thermal (continuous wave), a
      mechanical (5 ms pulsed wave), and an intermediate setting (20 ms pulsed wave)
      for HIFU ablation, all under MR guidance using a 7 tesla animal MR system.
      Histopathologic evaluation was performed 3 days after treatment. RESULTS: The
      focus of the ultrasound transducer could accurately be positioned within the
      tumor under MR image guidance, without substantial damage to the surrounding
      tissue and skin. All mice retained complete use of the treated leg after
      treatment. Temperatures of >60, <50, and <44  degrees C were reached during
      thermal, intermediate, and mechanical HIFU ablation, respectively. Thermal
      treated tumors showed large regions of coagulative necrosis. Tumors of both the
      mechanical and intermediate groups showed fractionated tissue with islands of
      necrosis and some pseudocysts with hemorrhage. CONCLUSION: A stable small animal
      MR-guided HIFU setup was designed and evaluated for follow-up MR imaging and
      histopathologic responses of the treated tumors. This will facilitate further
      studies with a larger number of mice for detailed evaluation of the pathologic
      and immunologic response to different HIFU strategies.

PMID- 26269745
TI  - The clinical relevance of plasma potassium abnormalities on admission in trauma
      patients: a retrospective observational study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Abnormalities in potassium levels can lead to several clinical
      difficulties in trauma patients admitted to the ICU. However, the significance of
      potassium abnormalities soon after admission in trauma patients has not yet been
      clearly delineated. The objective of this study was to describe the plasma
      potassium abnormalities in trauma patients on admission and to examine the
      clinical outcomes associated with these abnormalities. METHODS: We performed a
      retrospective observational study of plasma potassium levels in trauma patients
      admitted to the Fukuyama City Hospital between January 1, 2010 and December 31,
      2013. Five hundred twenty consecutive trauma patients were included and
      categorized into six groups according to their plasma potassium level on
      admission (<3.0, 3.0-<3.5, 3.5-<4.0, 4.0-<4.5, 4.5-<5.0, and >=5.0 mEq/L). After
      adjusting for covariates, including age, gender, the Revised Trauma Score, and
      the Injury Severity Score, logistic regression analysis was used to examine the
      association between plasma potassium levels and outcomes, including life-saving
      interventions and in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: Two hundred twenty-seven
      patients (43.7 %) presented with hypokalemia (<3.5 mEq/L), while seven patients
      (1.3 %) presented with hyperkalemia (>=5.0 mEq/L). Patients in the lowest
      potassium group (<3.0 mEq/L, n = 36 [6.9 %]) were significantly associated with
      craniotomy (adjusted odds ratio 5.25 [95 % confidence interval 2.06-13.40]; p <
      0.001) and showed an increased trend toward in-hospital mortality. In the second
      lowest potassium group (3.0-< 3.5 mEq/L, n = 191 [36.7 %]), the adjusted odds
      ratio for craniotomy was significantly higher (2.03 [95 % confidence interval
      1.01-4.07]; p = 0.048) compared to the reference group. CONCLUSIONS: Trauma
      patients presenting with hypokalemia (<3.5 mEq/L) on admission may be associated
      with severe head trauma requiring life-saving craniotomy.

PMID- 26269746
TI  - CFD modeling of incinerator to increase PCBs removal from outlet gas.
AB  - Incineration of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) is an important alternative
      way for disposal of this type of hazardous waste. PCBs are very stable compounds
      and do not decompose readily. Individuals can be exposed to PCBs through several
      ways and damaged by their effects. A well design of a waste incinerator will
      convert these components to unharmfull materials. In this paper we have studied
      the design parameters of an incinerator with numerical approaches. The CFD
      software Fluent 6.3 is used for modelling of an incinerator. The effects of
      several baffles inside the incinerator on flow distribution and heat is
      investigated. The results show that baffles can reduce eddy flows, increase
      retaining times, and efficiencies. The baffles reduced cool areas and increased
      efficiencies of heat as maximum temperature in two and three baffle embedded
      incinerator were 100 and 200  degrees C higher than the non-baffle case,
      respectively. Also the gas emission leaves the incinerator with a lower speed
      across a longer path and the turbulent flow in the incinerator is stronger. 

PMID- 26269747
TI  - Coronary artery calcification, cardiovascular events, and death: a prospective
      cohort study of incident patients on hemodialysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Coronary calcification in patients with end-stage renal disease
      (ESRD) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular outcomes and death
      from all causes. Previous evidence has been limited by short follow-up periods
      and inclusion of a heterogeneous cluster of events in the primary analyses.
      OBJECTIVE: To describe coronary calcification in patients incident to ESRD, and
      to identify whether calcification predicts vascular events or death. DESIGN:
      Prospective substudy of an inception cohort. SETTING: Tertiary care haemodialysis
      centre in Ontario (St Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton). PARTICIPANTS: Patients
      starting haemodialysis who were new to ESRD. MEASUREMENTS: At baseline, clinical
      characterization and spiral computed tomography (CT) to score coronary
      calcification by the Agatston-Janowitz 130 scoring method. A primary outcome
      composite of adjudicated stroke, myocardial infarction, or death. METHODS: We
      followed patients prospectively to identify the relationship between cardiac
      calcification and subsequent stroke, myocardial infarction, or death, using Cox
      regression. RESULTS: We recruited 248 patients in 3 centres to our main study,
      which required only biochemical markers. Of these 164 were at St Joseph's
      healthcare, and eligible to participate in the substudy; of these, 51 completed
      CT scanning (31 %). Median follow up was 26 months (Q1, Q3: 14, 34). The primary
      outcome occurred in 16 patients; 11 in the group above the median and 5 in the
      group below (p = 0.086). There were 26 primary outcomes in 16 patients; 20 (77 %)
      events in the group above the coronary calcification median and 6 (23 %) in the
      group below (p = 0.006). There were 10 deaths; 8 in the group above the median
      compared with 2 in the group below (p = 0.04). The hazard ratios for coronary
      calcification above, compared with below the median, for the primary outcome
      composite were 2.5 (95 % CI 0.87, 7.3; p = 0.09) and 1.7 (95 % CI 0.55, 5.4; p =
      0.4), unadjusted and adjusted for age, respectively. For death, the hazard ratios
      were 4.6 (95 % CI 0.98, 21.96; p = 0.054) and 2.4 (95 % CI 0.45, 12.97; p = 0.3)
      respectively. LIMITATIONS: We were limited by a small sample size and a small
      number of events. CONCLUSIONS: Respondent burden is high for additional testing
      around the initiation of dialysis. High coronary calcification in patients new to
      ESRD has a tendency to predict cardiovascular outcomes and death, though effects
      are attenuated when adjusted for age.

PMID- 26269748
TI  - Systems biology from virus to humans.
AB  - Natural infection and then recovery are considered to be the most effective means
      for hosts to build protective immunity. Thus, mimicking natural infection of
      pathogens, many live attenuated vaccines such as influenza virus, and yellow
      fever vaccine 17D were developed and have been successfully used to induce
      protective immunity. However, humans fail to generate long-term protective
      immunity to some pathogens after natural infection such as influenza virus,
      respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) even if
      they survive initial infections. Many vaccines are suboptimal since much
      mortality is still occurring, which is exampled by influenza and tuberculosis. It
      is critically important to increase our understanding on protein components of
      pathogens and vaccines as well as cellular and host responses to infections and
      vaccinations. Here, we highlight recent advances in gene transcripts and protein
      analysis results in the systems biology to enhance our understanding of viral
      pathogens, vaccines, and host cell responses.

PMID- 26269750
TI  - PC4 induces lymphangiogenesis dependent VEGF-C/VEGF-D/VEGFR-3 axis activation in
      lung adenocarcinoma.
AB  - Human transcriptional positive cofactor 4 (PC4) is a novel marker for diagnosis
      and treatment of advanced human cancers metastasis. In human lung adenocarcinoma,
      tumor lymphangiogenesis, an important early event, can promotes lymphatic
      metastasis, while it has been reported that VEGF-C/VEGF-D/VEGFR-3 axis plays an
      important role in lymphangiogenesis. The proposed study aims to explore whether
      PC4 correlates with VEGF-C/VEGF-D/VEGFR-3 axis of lymphangiogenesis in the lymph
      node metastasis during lung adenocarcinoma. Here, small interfering RNA technique
      was employed to investigate the relationship of PC4 and the VEGF-C/VEGF-D/VEGFR-3
      axis in lung adenocarcinoma cell lines as well as tumor xenografts of mice model.
      And then mRNA and protein levels of PC4, VEGF-C, VEGF-D and VEGFR-3 were
      analyzed. Moreover, the correlation between PC4 expression and lymphatic vessel
      density or the rate of metastatsis in vivo was also revealed. Down-regulating PC4
      expression resulted in the lower expression of VEGFC, VEGF-D and VEGFR-3 in mRNA
      and protein levels, and PC4 expression was significantly related with the factor
      of VEGF-C/VEGF-D/VEGFR-3 axis expression (P<0.05). Meanwhile, high expression
      level of PC4 was accompanied by the higher density of tumor lymphatic vessels and
      the rate of metastatsis in vivo (P<0.05). PC4 expression correlated with the
      levels of VEGF-C, VEGF-D and VEGFR-3 during the development of lymphangiogenesis
      and lymphatic metastasis in lung adenocarcinoma in vitro and in vivo, which may
      be a novel marker in the development of lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic
      metastasis of tumors. 

PMID- 26269749
TI  - Nek6 and Hif-1alpha cooperate with the cytoskeletal gateway of drug resistance to
      drive outcome in serous ovarian cancer.
AB  - Hypoxia selects the most aggressive and drug-resistant clones in solid
      malignancies. One of the pivotal transcription factors induced by hypoxia is Hif
      1alpha. However, in serous ovarian cancer (SEOC), Hif-1alpha expression is not a
      prognostic biomarker. This study aims to assess the hypothesis that the serine
      threonine kinase Nek6 functions as a downstream effector cooperating with Hif
      1alpha in driving ovarian cancer aggressiveness. Nek6 was overexpressed and Hif
      1alpha was silenced in A2780 cells. Nek6 was also stably silenced in Hey cells.
      The dependence of Nek6 expression on Hif-1alpha was assayed as a function of
      hypoxic growth conditions. Nek6 interaction with the cytoskeletal gateway of drug
      resistance was investigated with far western blot. The co-expression of NEK6,
      HIF1A, TUBB3 and GBP1 transcripts was quantified with qPCR in two cohorts of SEOC
      patients (346 locally treated patients and 344 from the TCGA dataset). Nek6
      expression is induced by hypoxia in a Hif-1alpha dependent fashion. Nek6 directly
      interacts with GBP-1, thus being a component of the cytoskeletal gateway of drug
      resistance. Nek6 overexpression increases and silencing decreases the anchorage
      independent growth of cultured cells. In SEOC patients, NEK6 expression is
      significantly correlated with HIF1A. Co-expression of NEK6, HIF1A, TUBB3 and GBP1
      transcripts identifies a subset of SEOC patients characterized by poor outcome
      and drug resistance. This study demonstrates the functional relevance of Nek6 in
      the context of the adaptive response to hypoxia in SEOC. This finding may help
      identify a sub-population of patients at high risk of relapse to standard first
      line chemotherapy. 

PMID- 26269751
TI  - TGF-beta induces fascin expression in gastric cancer via phosphorylation of smad3
      linker area.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Fascin is an actin-bundling protein critical for tumor invasion. TGF
      beta could induce fascin expression in gastric cancer cells. In this study, we
      attempted to explore the role of p-smad3L in the expression of fascin induced by
      TGF-beta in gastric cancer cells. METHODS: Pseudopodia were evaluated by
      immunofluorescence. Fascin expression was detected by RT-PCR and western blot.
      Smad3 siRNA was used to repress the endogenous smad3. The phosphorylations of
      smad3 linker region at sites s204, s208 and s213 were detected by western blot.
      The fascin promoter reporter activity was measured by dual luciferase assay.
      RESULTS: TGF-beta could increase the formation of pseudopodia and the expression
      of fascin in gastric cancer cells. Smad3 depletion abrogated the expression of
      fascin induced by TGF-beta. The phosphorylation of smad3 linker region at serine
      204, 208 and 213 was enhanced in gastric cancer cells after TGF-beta treatment.
      The fascin promoter reporter activity was significantly enhanced with TGF-beta
      treatment in both wild-type Smad3 group and Smad3EPSM group (P<0.05).
      Furthermore, the fascin promoter reporter activity in the wild-type Smad3
      transfectant cells was significantly higher than that in Smad3EPSM cells
      (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: fascin expression induced by TGF-beta depends on smad3, at
      least in part, depends on smad3 linker phosphorylation.

PMID- 26269752
TI  - Quantitative DNA hypomethylation of ligand Jagged1 and receptor Notch1 signifies
      occurrence and progression of breast carcinoma.
AB  - Methylation alterations of Jagged1 and Notch1 genes have been reported in non
      tumor lesions and a few cancers. However, methylation profiles of Jagged1
      promoter and Notch1 exon25 in breast cancer and matched normal tissue and the
      association of methylation with clinicopathological characteristics still remain
      unclear. To explore the potential effects of aberrant DNA methylation of Jagged1
      and Notch1 on occurrence and progression of breast cancer, we detected the
      quantitative DNA methylation of Jagged1 and Notch1 in 73 breast cancer (BC) and
      20 adjacent normal breast tissues (ANBT) by using MassARRAY spectrometry. The
      methylation level of overall and majority individual CpG sites of the two genes
      were synergistically significantly lower in BC than in ANBT. The overall
      hypomethylation of the two genes, particularly of Jagged1 CpG_8.9.10 and Notch1
      CpG_14.15.16 in primary tumors, were markedly associated with lymph node
      metastasis, advanced stage and high grade. The protein expressions of the both
      genes were examined by immunohistochemical staining in same cohorts. The
      expression was significantly inverse correlation with methylation. The two
      proteins in primary tumor were synergistically up-regulated and dramatically
      related to lymph node metastasis, advanced stage and high grade. Our findings
      suggest that the synergetic hypomethylation of Jagged1 and Notch1 genes,
      especially of Jagged1 CpG_8.9.10 and Notch1 CpG_14.15.16, may involve
      tumorigenesis and development of breast cancer. The negative relationship between
      methylation and expression indicates methylation role for expression regulation.
      The synergetic overexpression of the two proteins further indicates the effects
      on occurrence and progression of breast cancer. 

PMID- 26269753
TI  - Silencing of Wnt10B reduces viability of heptocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells.
AB  - Dysregulation of Wnt-mediated beta-catenin signaling is associated with
      carcinogenesis and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Our previous
      studies showed that the Wnt10B gene, a member of Wnt gene family, over-activated
      in HCC tissues and cells. Here we demonstrate that stable silencing of Wnt10B
      reduces the viability of HCC cells in culture. HepG2, a human HCC cell line, was
      cultured in vitro and Wnt10B gene in the cells stably silenced, as showed in
      Western blotting analysis, by the shRNA interference with lentivirus plasmid
      transfection. Compared to the control (HepG2 cells without Wnt10B silencing), the
      Wnt10B-silencing cells showed significant reductions in proliferation, colony
      formation, migration and invasion. Furthermore, serum deprivation-induced
      apoptotic death, assessed by Hoechst 33342 staining and fluorescent microscopy,
      increased significantly in the Wnt10B-silencing cells. FACScan analysis indicated
      an arrest of the cell cycle in the Wnt10B-silencing HCC cells, with significant
      increases in the number of cells in G0-G1 and S phases. Thus, we hypothesize that
      Wnt10B plays an oncogenic role in HCC and is a potential therapeutic target. 

PMID- 26269755
TI  - Transcription factor KLF4 regulates microRNA-544 that targets YWHAZ in cervical
      cancer.
AB  - The deregulation of microRNAs has been demonstrated in various tumor processes.
      Here, we report that microRNA-544 (miR-544) is decreased in cervical cancer
      tissues compared with normal cervical tissues. To identify the mechanisms
      involved in miR-544 deregulation, we studied the regulation of miR-544 expression
      at the transcriptional level. We first identified the transcriptional start site
      of miR-544 by 5' rapid amplification of cDNA ends and subsequently determined the
      miR-544 promoter. We discovered that the transcription factor Krueppel-like
      factor 4 (KLF4) is involved in the transcriptional regulation of miR-544 through
      interaction with the miR-544 promoter. In addition, we found that miR-544
      directly targets the YWHAZ oncogene and functions as a tumor suppressor in
      cervical cancer cells. miR-544 is involved in cell cycle regulation and
      suppresses cervical cancer cell proliferation, colony formation, migration and
      invasion in a manner associated with YWHAZ downregulation. In summary, our
      findings demonstrate that KLF4 upregulates miR-544 transcription by activating
      the miR-544 promoter and that miR-544 functions as a tumor suppressor by
      targeting YWHAZ. Therefore, miR-544 may be a potential novel therapeutic target
      and prognostic marker for cervical cancer. 

PMID- 26269754
TI  - Establishment and characterization of cetuximab resistant head and neck squamous
      cell carcinoma cell lines: focus on the contribution of the AP-1 transcription
      factor.
AB  - BACKGROUND: After an initial response to EGFR targeted therapy, secondary
      resistance almost invariably ensues, thereby limiting the clinical benefit of the
      drug. Hence, it has been recognized that the successful implementation of
      targeted therapy in the treatment of HNSCC cancer is very much dependent on
      predictive biomarkers for patient selection. METHODS: We generated an in vitro
      model of acquired cetuximab resistance by chronically exposing three HNSCC cell
      lines to increasing cetuximab doses. Gene expression profiles of sensitive
      parental cells and resistant daughter cells were compared using microarray
      analysis. Growth inhibitory experiments were performed with an HB-EGF antibody
      and the MMP inhibitor, both in combination with cetuximab. Characteristics of EMT
      were analyzed using migration and invasion assays, immunofluorescent vimentin
      staining and qRT-PCR for several genes involved in this process. The function of
      the transcription factor AP-1 was investigated using qRT-PCR for several genes
      upregulated or downregulated in cetuximab resistant cells. Furthermore, anchorage
      independent growth was investigated using the soft agar assay. RESULTS: Gene
      expression profiling shows that cetuximab resistant cells upregulate several
      genes, including interleukin 8, the EGFR ligand HB-EGF and the metalloproteinase
      ADAM19. Cytotoxicity experiments with neutralizing HB-EGF antibody could not
      induce any growth inhibition, whereas an MMP inhibitor inhibited cell growth in
      cetuximab resistant cells. However, no synergetic effects combined with cetuximab
      could be observed. Cetuximab resistant cells showed traits of EMT, as witnessed
      by increased migratory potential, increased invasive potential, increased
      vimentine expression and increased expression of several genes involved in EMT.
      Furthermore, expression of upregulated genes could be repressed by the treatment
      with apigenin. The cetuximab resistant LICR-HN2 R10.3 cells tend to behave
      differently in cell culture, forming spheres. Therefore, soft agar assay was
      performed and showed more and larger colonies when challenged with cetuximab
      compared to PBS challenged cells. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, our results indicate
      that increased expression of the ligand HB-EGF could contribute to resistance
      towards cetuximab in our cetuximab resistant HNSCC cells. Furthermore, several
      genes upregulated or downregulated in cetuximab resistant cells are under control
      of the AP-1 transcription factor. However, more studies are warranted to further
      unravel the role of AP-1 in cetuximab resistance.

PMID- 26269756
TI  - High-resolution genomic profiling of thyroid lesions uncovers preferential copy
      number gains affecting mitochondrial biogenesis loci in the oncocytic variants.
AB  - Oncocytic change is the result of aberrant mitochondrial hyperplasia, which may
      occur in both neoplastic and non-neoplastic cells and is not infrequent in the
      thyroid. Despite being a well-characterized histologic phenotype, the molecular
      causes underlying such a distinctive cellular change are poorly understood. To
      identify potential genetic causes for the oncocytic phenotype in thyroid, we
      analyzed copy number alterations in a set of oncocytic (n=21) and non-oncocytic
      (n=20) thyroid lesions by high-resolution microarray-based comparative genomic
      hybridization (aCGH). Each group comprised lesions of diverse histologic types,
      including hyperplastic nodules, adenomas and carcinomas. Unsupervised
      hierarchical clustering of categorical aCGH data resulted in two distinct
      branches, one of which was significantly enriched for samples with the oncocytic
      phenotype, regardless of histologic type. Analysis of aCGH events showed that the
      oncocytic group harbored a significantly higher number of genes involved in copy
      number gains, when compared to that of conventional thyroid lesions. Functional
      annotation demonstrated an enrichment for copy number gains that affect genes
      encoding activators of mitochondrial biogenesis in oncocytic cases but not in
      their non-oncocytic counterparts. Taken together, our data suggest that genomic
      alterations may represent additional/alternative mechanisms underlying the
      development of the oncocytic phenotype in the thyroid. 

PMID- 26269757
TI  - YES oncogenic activity is specified by its SH4 domain and regulates RAS/MAPK
      signaling in colon carcinoma cells.
AB  - Members of the SRC family of tyrosine kinases (SFK) display important functions
      in human cancer, but their specific role in tumorigenesis remains unclear. We
      previously demonstrated that YES regulates a unique oncogenic signaling important
      for colorectal cancer (CRC) progression that is not shared with SRC. Here, we
      addressed the underlying mechanism involved in this process. We show that YES
      oncogenic signaling relies on palmitoylation of its SH4 domain that controls YES
      localization in cholesterol-enriched membrane micro-domains. Specifically,
      deletion of the palmitoylation site compromised YES transforming activity, while
      addition of a palmitoylation site in the SH4 domain of SRC was sufficient for SRC
      to restore the transforming properties of cells in which YES had been silenced.
      Subsequently, SILAC phosphoproteomic analysis revealed that micro-domain
      associated cell adhesive components and receptor tyrosine kinases are major YES
      substrates. YES also phosphorylates upstream regulators of RAS/MAPK signaling,
      including EGFR, SHC and SHP2, which were not targeted by SRC due to the absence
      of palmitoylation. Accordingly, EGFR-induced MAPK activity was attenuated by YES
      down-regulation, while increased RAS activity significantly restored cell
      transformation that was lost upon YES silencing. Collectively, these results
      uncover a critical role for the SH4 domain in the specification of SFK oncogenic
      activity and a selective role for YES in the induction of RAS/MAPK signaling in
      CRC cells. 

PMID- 26269758
TI  - RARRES3 suppressed metastasis through suppression of MTDH to regulate epithelial
      mesenchymal transition in colorectal cancer.
AB  - It has been reported that Retinoic acid receptor responder 3 (RARRES3) could
      suppress the metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the underlying
      mechanism by which RARRES3 suppresses metastasis remains unknown. To investigate
      the functional involvement of RARRES3 in CRC, we first analyzed the expression of
      this protein between human CRC clinical samples and their corresponding normal
      controls and tested its correlation with clinicopathology as well as prognosis of
      CRC. We also examined the endogenous expression of RARRES3 by western-blot in a
      panel of CRC cell lines with different metastatic capacity. Cell proliferation,
      migration and invation of the CRC cell lines with either knockdown or
      reexpression of RARRES3 were examined by MTT, transwell and wound healing assays,
      respectively. The intrecellular signaling pathways affected by manipulations of
      RARRES3 in CRC cells were determined by western blot. Immunoprecipitation (IP)
      was employed to assess the interactionbetween proteins. To investigate the
      metastatic ability in vivo, CRC cell lines with manipulations of RARRES3
      expression were inoculated in nude mice through tail vein injection. We confirmed
      that RARRES3 was significantly down-regulated in CRC tissues compared with normal
      controls. RARRES3 expression was not correlated with prognosis but significantly
      associated with CRC differentiation and lymphnodes metastases. We also found that
      RARRES3 was able to significantly suppress the metastasis of CRC cells both in
      vitro and in vivo through the regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition
      (EMT) process during which RARRES3 interactedwith MTDH in an opposite way. Taken
      together, we for the first time found that RARRES3 was able to suppress the
      metastasis of CRC both in vitro and in vivo via suppression of MTDH so as to
      regulate EMT. 

PMID- 26269759
TI  - Twist1 is a potential prognostic marker for colorectal cancer and associated with
      chemoresistance.
AB  - Twist1 is a highly conserved basic helix-loophelix transcription factor, and has
      been shown to play an important role in carcinogenesis of many tumors including
      colorectal cancer (CRC). Here we aimed to investigate the role of Twist1 in the
      clinical significance and chemoresistance in CRC. In this study, we examined the
      correlation between Twist1 expression and clinicopathological characteristics
      using immunohistochemistry in patients with CRC. The molecular mechanisms of
      Twist1 expression and its effects on chemosensitivity to 5-Fluorouracil and
      oxaliplatin were also explored by MTT assay, colony forming assay, flow cytometry
      assay. The results indicate that Twist1 is overexpressed in cancer tissue, and
      its positive expression are related to histological grade (P=0.004), T-stage
      (P=0.033), N-stage (P=0.000), M-stage (P=0.040), TNM stage (P=0.002) and
      recurrence (P=0.023). Moreover, positive Twist1 expression is correlated with
      poor overall survival in CRC patients (P<0.0001), and is a significant
      independent prognostic indicator. In addition, we show that knockdown of Twist1
      inhibits proliferation, and increased the percentage of apoptotic cells of CRC
      cell lines. Our findings suggest that Twist1 promotes proliferation and
      chemoresistance of CRC cells. Twist1 may be a potential prognostic marker and a
      molecular target for therapies. 

PMID- 26269760
TI  - Cyclooxygenase-2 knockdown using retinoic acid chalcone (RAC), a promising
      therapeutic strategy for colon cancer.
AB  - Retinoic acid is an effective agent in the treatment of epithelial and
      hematological malignancies. The present study demonstrates that retinoic acid
      chalcone (RAC), an analogue of retinoic acid inhibits cell proliferation and
      induces apoptosis in HCT-15 and CT26.WT colon cancer cell lines. In HCT-15 cells
      the percentage of apoptotic cells increased from 32.4 +/- 3, 45.0 +/- 3 to 72.6
      +/- 5% respectively at 10, 15 and 20 MUg/mL compared to 3.7% in control.
      Similarly in CT26.WT cells the percentage increased from 28.6 +/- 3, 41.2 +/- 3
      to 65.4 +/- 5% on treatment with 10, 15 and 20 MUg/mL concentrations of RAC after
      72 h compared to 2.9 +/- 1% in control. Western blotting, fluorescence-activated
      cell sorting analysis and reverse transcription-PCR assays were used to
      investigate these effects. RAC inhibited the overexpression of COX-2, PGE2 and
      PGE2 receptor (EP1 and EP4) in the colon cancer cell lines. RAC mediated
      inhibition of cell growth and induction of apoptosis through COX-2 inhibition was
      also confirmed by treating the HCT-15 and CT26.WT colon cancer cells with COX-2
      inhibitor, indomethacin and transfection of cells with COX-2 small interfering
      RNA. In nude mice with tumor xenografts, treatment with RAC-supplemented diet
      caused inhibition of COX-2, PGE2, and PGE2 receptors (EP1, EP3, and EP4) in
      tumors. Thus RAC can be a potential candidate for the treatment of colon cancer
      through the inhibition of COX-2 expression and subsequent inhibition of PGE2 and
      PGE2 receptors. 

PMID- 26269761
TI  - Overexpression of forkhead Box C2 promotes tumor metastasis and indicates poor
      prognosis in colon cancer via regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition.
AB  - Forkhead box protein C2 (FOXC2) plays a vital role in carcinogenesis; however,
      its significance and prognostic value in colon cancer remain unclear. In this
      study, FOXC2 expression was analyzed in a tissue microarray (TMA) containing 185
      samples of primary colon cancer tumor samples and in human colon cancer cell
      lines. The effect of FOXC2 on cell proliferation, tumorigenesis, and metastasis
      was examined in vitro and in vivo. FOXC2 was overexpressed in human colon cancer
      cells and tissues, and correlated with colon cancer progression and patient
      survival. Functional study demonstrated that FOXC2 promoted cell growth, cell
      migration, and tumor formation in nude mice, whereas knockdown of FOXC2 by short
      hairpin RNA (shRNAs) significantly suppressed cell growth, cell migration and
      tumor formation. Further study found that FOXC2 enhanced AKT activity with
      subsequent GSK-3beta phosphorylation and Snail stabilization, and then induced
      epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and promoted tumor invasion and
      metastasis. Collectively, FOXC2 promotes colon cancer metastasis by facilitating
      EMT and acts as a potential prognostic factor and therapeutic target in colon
      cancer. 

PMID- 26269762
TI  - IFN-beta is a potent inhibitor of insulin and insulin like growth factor
      stimulated proliferation and migration in human pancreatic cancer cells.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Pancreatic cancer is a highly aggressive malignancy with few
      treatment options. The overexpression of several growth factors, including
      insulin and insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), can underlie the aggressive
      nature of this disease. Previous research has demonstrated potent effects of
      interferon (IFN)-beta on pancreatic cancer cell growth, however up till now it is
      unknown whether IFN-beta is able to counteract IGF1, IGF2 and insulin-induced
      pancreatic cancer cell proliferation and migration. METHODS: Expression of IGF-
      and insulin receptors was determined and the stimulatory effects of IGF1, IGF2
      and insulin on cell proliferation and migration, as well as the inhibitory
      effects of IFN-beta were evaluated in 3 human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell
      lines. RESULTS: Both the insulin- and the IGF1 receptor were variably expressed
      in the cell lines. IGF1, IGF2 and insulin were capable of stimulating cell
      proliferation in all three cell lines, however cell migration was significantly
      enhanced only in the BxPC-3 cell line. IFN-beta significantly inhibited IGF1-,
      IGF2- and insulin-stimulated proliferation in all three cell lines in a dose and
      time dependent manner. Furthermore, in the BxPC-3 cell line IFN-beta
      significantly inhibited both basal and IGF1-, IGF2- and insulin-stimulated cell
      migration. CONCLUSION: Both IGF1, -2 and insulin were capable of stimulating
      proliferation and migration in human pancreatic cancer cells irrespective of the
      type of receptor expressed. This study demonstrates that insulin, in addition to
      IGF1 and IGF2, may play an important role in the progression of pancreatic
      cancer. Moreover, IFN-beta strongly inhibits growth factor stimulated cell
      proliferation and migration. Our study supports previous findings which have
      suggested that IFN-beta can be a potential promising anti-cancer agent in
      pancreatic cancer.

PMID- 26269763
TI  - GPX3 hypermethylation serves as an independent prognostic biomarker in non-M3
      acute myeloid leukemia.
AB  - Hypermethylation of GPX3 (glutathione peroxidase 3) promoter has been identified
      in various solid tumors. However, the pattern of GPX3 promoter methylation in
      acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains unknown. The current study was intended to
      investigate the clinical significance of GPX3 promoter methylation in de novo AML
      patients and further determine its role in regulating GPX3 expression. GPX3
      promoter methylation status was detected in 181 de novo AML patients and 44
      normal controls by real-time quantitative methylation-specific PCR and bisulfite
      sequencing PCR. Real-time quantitative PCR was carried out to assess GPX3
      expression. GPX3 promoter was significantly methylated in AML patients compared
      with normal controls (P=0.022). The patients with GPX3 methylation presented
      significantly older age than those with GPX3 unmethylation (P=0.011). GPX3
      methylated patients had significantly lower frequency of C/EBPA mutation and
      higher incidence of FLT3-ITD mutation (P=0.037 and 0.030, respectively). The non
      M3 patients with GPX3 methylation had significantly lower overall survival than
      those with GPX3 unmethylation (P=0.036). No significant correlation was observed
      between GPX3 expression and its promoter methylation (R=0.110, P=0.284). However,
      GPX3 mRNA level was significantly increased after 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine
      treatment in leukemic cell line THP1. Our data suggest that GPX3 methylation
      predicts adverse clinical outcome in non-M3 AML patients. Moreover, GPX3
      expression is regulated by its promoter methylation in leukemic cell line THP1. 

PMID- 26269764
TI  - MicroRNA-143 acts as a tumor suppressor by targeting hexokinase 2 in human
      prostate cancer.
AB  - MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that play important roles in cancer
      progression through regulating gene expression. Down-regulation of miR-143 has
      been reported in a number of cancers. However, the biological functions of miR
      143 in prostate cancer remain largely unexplored. In this study, we showed that
      miR-143 expression was reduced in approximately 62.5% of the specimens examined.
      By loss-of-function and gain-of-function studies in human prostate cancer PC-3
      cells, we demonstrated that miR-143 has an inhibitory effect on cell
      proliferation as evidenced by decreased cell viability, increased cell apoptosis
      and cell cycle arrest at the G1/S transition. Furthermore, we identified
      hexokinase 2 (HK2), a metabolic enzyme that executes the first step of aerobic
      glycolysis, as a target of miR-143 in prostate cancer. Knockdown of HK2
      recapitulated the effects of miR-143 and accompanied with decreased glucose
      metabolism. Taken together, these data indicate that miR-143/HK2 axis plays an
      important role in the development of prostate cancer and represents a potential
      therapeutic target for prostate cancer. 

PMID- 26269765
TI  - Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) before and after neoadjuvant
      chemoradiotherapy and its clinical utility for rectal cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUNDS: Radiotherapy (RT) and chemotherapy (CT) can potentiate systemic
      antitumor immune effect. However, immunomodulation during RT or CT and their
      clinical implications in rectal cancer have not been thoroughly investigated.
      METHODS: We investigated alterations in the densities of tumor infiltrating
      lymphocytes (TILs) during chemoradiation and their clinical utilities in patients
      with rectal cancer. We analyzed 136 rectal cancer patients who underwent
      neoadjuvant RT, CT or chemoradiotherapy (CRT), followed by radical resection
      retrospectively. Pretreatment biopsy specimens and posttreatment resected
      specimens of all patients were immunostained for CD3 and CD8. The predictive
      value of TILs to neoadjuvant treatment and prognosis were examined. RESULTS:
      Densities of CD3+ and CD8+TILs in posttreatment specimens after RT, CT or CRT
      were all significantly higher than those in pretreatment specimens. There were no
      significant differences between each two of these three groups. High pretreatment
      CD3+ and CD8+TILs were associated with good response (TRG >= 3) after neoadjuvant
      treatments (P = 0.033 and 0.021). High CD3+TILs and CD8+TILs in pretreatment
      biopsy specimens were significantly associated with favorable disease free
      survival (DFS) (P = 0.010 and P = 0.022) and overall survival (OS) (P = 0.019 and
      P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: We may, thus, conclude that chemoradiation can enhance
      local immune response by increased TILs. High TILs densities before treatment are
      associated with good response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and a favorable
      prognosis.

PMID- 26269766
TI  - Significance of local treatment in patients with metastatic soft tissue sarcoma.
AB  - Metastatic soft tissue sarcomas (STS) represent enormous challenges to improve
      the low survival rate, which is almost the same as past 2 decades ago, although
      surgery, radiotherapy and radiofrequency ablation has been accepted in the
      treatment of metastatic STS. Moreover, STS varies between elderly and younger
      victims in the aspect of diagnoses, prognosis, and treatment strategies. In order
      to evaluate the role of local treatment in improving prognosis for patients with
      metastatic STS and select the proper candidates who will benefit from local
      therapy, a single-institution nearly 50-year experience were collected and
      reviewed. Finally, we found that local treatments could improve treatment
      response and survival, but overall survival advantage could not be seen in
      elderly patients. This conclusion from a single institution could serve as a
      basis for future prospective multi-institutional large-scale studies. 

PMID- 26269767
TI  - Circulating levels of anti-angiogenic VEGF-A isoform (VEGF-Axxxb) in colorectal
      cancer patients predicts tumour VEGF-A ratios.
AB  - PURPOSE: Bevacizumab as an adjunct to chemotherapy improves survival for some
      patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Immunohistochemical staining of
      samples from the registration ECOG E3200 trial of bevacizumab with FOLFOX
      demonstrated that only patients with carcinomas expressing low levels of VEGF
      A165b, an anti-angiogenic splice variant of the Vascular Endothelial Growth
      Factor family of proteins, benefited from bevacizumab treatment. To identify a
      more useful biomarker of response we tested the hypothesis that circulating VEGF
      A165b levels correlate with immunohistochemical staining. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: 17
      patients with biopsy proven colorectal adenocarcinoma had pre-operative blood
      samples drawn. They underwent resection and had post-resection blood drawn. The
      plasma was analysed for levels of VEGF-Axxxb using enzyme-linked immunosorbent
      assay (ELISA) and the tumour blocks stained for VEGF-Axxxb and pan-VEGF-A. The
      normalised ratio of VEGF-Axxxb expression to that of panVEGF-A expression scored
      by IHC was calculated and correlated with plasma VEGF-A165b levels. RESULTS:
      Plasma levels of VEGF-Axxxb significantly correlated with the VEGF-Axxxb:panVEGF
      A ratio (r=0.594, P<0.02) in colorectal cancers. Median plasma VEGF-Axxxb levels
      were 151 pg/ml. The mean (1.5+/-0.17) and median, IQR (1.8, 1-2) IHC scores of
      the patients with greater than median plasma VEGF-Axxxb were significantly
      greater than those with less than median plasma VEGF-Axxxb levels (mean +/-
      SEM=0.85+/-10.12, median, IQR=1, 0.54-1). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that
      plasma VEGF-Axxxb levels could be an effective biomarker of response to
      Bevacizumab. These results indicate that a prospective trial is warranted to
      explore the use of plasma VEGF-Axxxb levels to stratify patients for colorectal
      cancer treatment by bevacizumab.

PMID- 26269768
TI  - Different patterns in the prognostic value of age for bladder cancer-specific
      survival depending on tumor stages.
AB  - To compare the pathological features and long-term survival of bladder cancer
      (BCa) in young patients with elderly counterparts. Using the U.S. National Cancer
      Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) population-based
      data, we identified 93115 patients with non-metastatic bladder cancer diagnosed
      between 1988 and 2003. Patients were categorized into young (50 years and under)
      and elderly groups (over 50 years of age). The overall and five-year bladder
      cancer specific survival (BCSS) data were obtained using Kaplan-Meier plots.
      Multivariable Cox regression models were built for the analysis of long-term
      survival outcomes and risk factors. There were significant differences between
      the two groups in primary site, pathologic grading, histologic type, AJCC stage
      (p<0.001). The overall and 5-year cancer specific survival rates were 88.1% and
      90.8% in young group, 64.8% and 81.3% in elderly group, which had significant
      difference in both univariate and multivariate analysis (p<0.001). Further
      analysis showed this significant difference existed across all the AJCC stage
      patients. The study findings show different patterns in the prognostic value of
      age for determining BCSS, depending on the tumor stages. Compared with elderly
      patients, young patients with bladder cancer surgery appear to have unique
      characteristics and a higher overall and cancer specific survival rate. 

PMID- 26269769
TI  - Endogenous Nodal promotes melanoma undergoing epithelial-mesenchymal transition
      via Snail and Slug in vitro and in vivo.
AB  - Nodal, an important embryonic morphogen, has been reported to modulate
      tumorigenesis. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays an important role in
      cancer metastasis. We have previously reported that recombinant Nodal treatment
      can promote melanoma undergoing EMT, but the effects of endogenous Nodal on EMT
      are still unknown. Here we generated both Nodal-overexpression and -knockdown
      stable cell lines to investigate the in vitro and in vivo characteristics of
      Nodal-induced EMT in murine melanoma cells. Nodal-overexpression cells displayed
      increased migration ability, accompanied by typical phenotype changes of EMT. In
      contrast, Nodal-knockdown stable cells repressed the EMT phenotype as well as
      reduced cell motility. Results of animal experiments confirmed that
      overexpression of Nodal can promote the metastasis of melanoma tumor in vivo.
      Mechanistically, we found that Nodal-induced expression of Snail and Slug
      involves its activation of ALK/Smads and PI3k/AKT pathways, which is an important
      process in the Nodal-induced EMT. However, we also found that the EMT phenotype
      was not completely inhibited by blocking the paracrine activity of Nodal in Nodal
      overexpression cell line suggesting the presence of additional mechanism(s) in
      the Nodal-induced EMT. This study provides a better understanding of Nodal
      function in melanoma, and suggests targeting Nodal as a potential strategy for
      melanoma therapey. 

PMID- 26269770
TI  - Review of running injuries of the foot and ankle: clinical presentation and SPECT
      CT imaging patterns.
AB  - Distance running is among the fastest growing sports, with record registration to
      marathons worldwide. It is estimated that more than half of recreational runners
      will experience injuries related to the practice of their sport. Three-phase bone
      scintigraphy is a very sensitive tool to identify sports injury, allowing imaging
      of hyperemia, stress reaction, enthesopathy and fractures, often before
      abnormalities can be detected on conventional anatomical modalities. In this
      article, we review the most common running related injuries and their imaging
      findings on bone scintigraphy with SPECT-CT. 

PMID- 26269772
TI  - Biodistribution and pharmacokinetics of recombinant alpha1-microglobulin and its
      potential use in radioprotection of kidneys.
AB  - Peptide-receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) is a systemically administrated
      molecular targeted radiation therapy for treatment of neuroendocrine tumors.
      Fifteen years of clinical use show that renal toxicity, due to glomerular
      filtration of the peptides followed by local generation of highly reactive free
      radicals, is the main side-effect that limits the maximum activity that can be
      administrated for efficient therapy. alpha1-microglobulin (A1M) is an endogenous
      radical scavenger shown to prevent radiation-induced in vitro cell damage and
      protect non-irradiated surrounding cells. An important feature of A1M is that,
      following distribution to the blood, it is equilibrated to the extravascular
      compartments and filtrated in the kidneys. Aiming at developing renal protection
      against toxic side-effects of PRRT, we have characterized the pharmacokinetics
      and biodistribution of intravenously (i.v.) injected (125)I- and non-labelled
      recombinant human A1M and the (111)In- and fluorescence-labelled somatostatin
      analogue octreotide. Both molecules were predominantly localized to the kidneys,
      displaying a prevailing distribution in the cortex. A maximum of 76% of the
      injected A1M and 46% of the injected octreotide were present per gram kidney
      tissue at 10 to 20 minutes, respectively, after i.v. injection.
      Immunohistochemistry and fluorescence microscopy revealed a dominating co
      existence of the two substances in proximal tubules, with a cellular co
      localization in the epithelial cells. Importantly, analysis of kidney extracts
      displayed an intact, full-length A1M at least up to 60 minutes post-injection
      (p.i.). In summary, the results show a highly similar pharmacokinetics and
      biodistribution of A1M and octreotide, thus enabling the use of A1M to protect
      the kidneys tissue during PRRT. 

PMID- 26269771
TI  - Imaging radiation response in tumor and normal tissue.
AB  - Although X-ray computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are
      the primary imaging modalities used in the clinic to monitor tumor response to
      radiation therapy, multi-modal molecular imaging may facilitate improved early
      and specific evaluation of this process. Fast and accurate imaging that can
      provide both quantitative and biological information is necessary to monitor
      treatment and ultimately to develop individualized treatment options for
      patients. A combination of molecular and anatomic information will allow for
      deeper insight into the mechanisms of tumor response, which will lead to more
      effective radiation treatments as well as improved anti-cancer drugs. Much
      progress has been made in nuclear medicine imaging probes and MRI techniques to
      achieve increased accuracy and the evaluation of relevant biomarkers of radiation
      response. This review will emphasize promising molecular imaging techniques that
      monitor various biological processes following radiotherapy, including
      metabolism, hypoxia, cell proliferation, and angiogenesis. 

PMID- 26269773
TI  - Measurement of hypoxia-related parameters in three sublines of a rat prostate
      carcinoma using dynamic (18)F-FMISO-Pet-Ct and quantitative histology.
AB  - Hypoxia is an important resistance factor in radiotherapy and measuring its
      spatial distribution in tumors non-invasively is therefore of major importance.
      This study characterizes the hypoxic conditions of three tumor sublines (AT1, HI
      and H) of the Dunning R3327 prostate tumor model, which differ in histology,
      differentiation degree, volume doubling time and androgenic sensitivity, using
      dynamic Fluoromisonidazole ((18)F-FMISO)-Positron Emission Tomography/Computed
      Tomography (PET-CT) and histology. Measurements were performed for two tumor
      volumes (average 0.8+/-0.5 cm(3) vs 4.4+/-2.8 cm(3)). Data were analyzed
      according to tumor subline as well as to the shape of the time activity curves
      (TACs), based on standardized uptake values (SUVs) and a two-tissue compartment
      model. Quantitative immunohistochemical studies of the hypoxic fraction, vessel
      density and vessel size were performed using pimonidazole, Hoechst 33342 and CD31
      dyes. No significant FMISO uptake was found in small tumors, which had a mean SUV
      of 0.64+/-0.36, 0.55+/-0.10 and 0.45+/-0.08, for AT1, HI and H sublines
      respectively. In large tumors, the SUVs were 1.33+/-0.52, 1.12+/-0.83 and 0.63+/
      0.16 for AT1, HI and H sublines and the corresponding hypoxic fractions obtained
      with pimonidazole staining were 0.62+/-0.23, 0.54+/-0.24 and 0.07+/-0.10,
      respectively. The AT1- was the most and H-tumor was the least hypoxic for both
      methods (P<0.05). All measurements were able to discriminate different hypoxic
      conditions, however despite SUV and kinetic parameters correlated with the three
      identified TAC shapes, most of the histological results did not. These results
      demonstrate impact and limitations of static and dynamic PET-CT measurements to
      assess hypoxia non-invasively. 

PMID- 26269774
TI  - OKN-007 decreases VEGFR-2 levels in a preclinical GL261 mouse glioma model.
AB  - Angiogenesis is essential to tumor progression, and the precise imaging of the
      angiogenic marker vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) may
      provide an accurate evaluation for angiogenesis during a therapeutic response.
      With the use of molecular magnetic resonance imaging (mMRI), an in vitro cell
      assay indicated significantly decreased T1 relaxation values when tumor
      endothelial cells (TEC), which positively expressed VEGFR-2 (Western blot), were
      in the presence of the VEGFR-2 probe compared to TEC alone (P < 0.001). For in
      vivo mMRI evaluations, we assessed VEGFR-2 levels in untreated and OKN-007
      treated GL261 mouse gliomas. Regarding treatment response, OKN-007 was also able
      to significantly decrease tumor volumes (P < 0.01) and increase survival (P <
      0.001) in treated animals. Regarding in vivo detection of VEGFR-2, OKN-007 was
      found to significantly decrease the amount of VEGFR-2 probe (P < 0.05) compared
      to an untreated control group. Fluorescence imaging for the VEGFR-2 probe
      indicated that there was colocalization with the endothelial marker CD31 in an
      untreated tumor bearing mouse and decreased levels for an OKN-007-treated animal.
      Immuno-fluorescence imaging for VEGFR-2 indicated that OKN-007 treatment
      significantly decreased VEGFR-2 levels (P < 0.0001) when compared to untreated
      tumors. Immuno-electron microscopy was used with gold-labeled anti-biotin to
      detect the anti-VEGFR-2 probe within the plasma membrane of GL261 tumor
      endothelial cells. This is the first attempt at detecting in vivo levels of VEGFR
      2 in a mouse GL261 glioma model and assessing the anti-angiogenic capability of
      an anticancer nitrone. The results indicate that OKN-007 treatment substantially
      decreased VEGFR-2 levels in a GL261 glioma model, and can be considered as an
      anti-angiogenic therapy in human gliomas. 

PMID- 26269775
TI  - PET imaging of glioblastoma multiforme EGFR expression for therapeutic decision
      guidance.
AB  - After initial therapy and total resection of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), 80
      90% of recurrences occur at the surgical margins. Insufficient sensitivity and
      specificity of current imaging techniques based on non-specific vascular imaging
      agents lead to delay in diagnosis of residual and/or recurrent disease. A tumor
      specific imaging agent for GBM may improve detection of small residual disease in
      the post-operative period, and improve ability to distinguish tumor recurrence
      from its imaging mimics that can delay diagnosis. To this end, we developed an
      EGFR-targeted PET probe and assessed its ability to image EGFR WT (U87) and
      EGFRvIII (Gli36vIII) expressing GBMs in both murine intra-cranial xenografts and
      in a surgical-resection model. The developed imaging probe, (64)Cu-DOTAcetuximab
      F(ab')2, binds with a Kd of 11.2 nM to EGFR expressing GBM. (64)Cu-DOTA-cetuximab
      F(ab')2 specifically localized to intra-cranial tumor with a significant
      difference in SUVmean between tumor and contralateral brain for both Gli36vIII
      and U87 tumors (P<0.01 for both comparisons), with mean TBR of 22.5+/-0.7 for
      Gli36vIII tumors and 28.9+/-2.1 for U87 tumors (TBR+/-SEM). Tracer uptake by
      tumor was significantly inhibited by pre-injection with cetuximab (P<0.01 for
      both), with SUVmean reduced by 68% and 58% for Gli36vIII and U87 tumors,
      respectively. Surgical resection model PET-CT imaging demonstrates residual tumor
      and low nonspecific uptake in the resection site. We conclude that (64)Cu-DOTA
      cetuximab-F(ab')2 binds specifically to intracranial EGFR WT and EGFRvIII
      expressing GBM, demonstrates excellent TBR, and specifically images small
      residual tumor in a surgical model, suggesting future clinical utility in
      identifying true tumor recurrence. 

PMID- 26269776
TI  - Optimization of the enhanced permeability and retention effect for near-infrared
      imaging of solid tumors with indocyanine green.
AB  - Surgery is the most effective method to cure patients with solid tumors. New
      techniques in near-infrared (NIR) cancer imaging are being used to identify
      surgical margins and residual tumor cells in the wound. Our goal was to determine
      the optimal time and dose for imaging solid tumors using Indocyanine Green.
      Syngeneic murine flank tumor models were used to test NIR imaging of ICG at
      various doses ranging from 0 to 10 mg/kg. Imaging was performed immediately after
      injection and up to 72 hours later. Biodistribution in the blood and murine
      organs were quantified by spectroscopy and fluorescence microscopy. Based on
      these results, a six patient dose titration study was performed. In murine flank
      tumors, the tumor-to-background ratio (TBR) for ICG at doses less than 5 mg/kg
      were less than 2 fold at all time points, and the surgeons could not subjectively
      identify tissue contrast. However, for doses ranging from 5 mg/kg to 10 mg/kg,
      the TBR ranged from 2.1 to 8.0. The tumor signal was best appreciated at 24 hours
      and the background was least pronounced after 24 hours. Biodistribution studies
      in the blood and murine organs revealed excretion through the biliary tree and
      gastrointestinal tract, with minimal blood fluorescence at the higher doses. A
      follow up pilot study confirmed that these findings were applicable to lung
      cancer patients, and tumor was clearly delineated from surrounding normal tissue
      by NIR imaging. For non-hepatic solid tumors, we found ICG was optimal when dosed
      at 5 mg/kg and 24 hours before surgery. 

PMID- 26269777
TI  - Feasibility of (18)F-Fluorodeoxyglucose radiotracer dose reduction in
      simultaneous carotid PET/MR imaging.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to develop and validate low dose (18)F-FDG-PET
      acquisition protocols for detection of inflamed carotid plaques specifically for
      simultaneous PET/MR imaging. The hypothesis was that increasing the duration of
      the PET acquisition to match that of the MR acquisition might allow for the use
      of lower levels of the radiotracer, while preserving quantification and image
      quality. Seven subjects were scanned twice at least one week apart on a
      simultaneous PET/MR scanner using either the standard clinical dose of (18)F-FDG
      (373 +/- 63 MBq) for 8 minutes or a low dose (93 +/- 17 MBq) for 75 minutes. A
      maximum absolute percent difference of only 4.17% and 7.49% in the left and right
      carotid TBR was found between the standard dose and four time points of the low
      dose acquisitions (8, 24, 45, 75 minutes). Only the 8-minute low dose PET data
      was significantly different in terms of SNR (P = 0.009; % difference = -51%) and
      qualitative image quality evaluation (P = 0.0005; % difference = -45%). Our
      preliminary findings indicate that up to 75% reduction of the clinical standard
      (18)F-FDG dose could be achieved using the proposed acquisition scheme while
      maintaining accurate quantification and SNR. 

PMID- 26269778
TI  - (18)F-FDG PET imaging in detection of radiation-induced vascular disease in
      lymphoma survivors.
AB  - Radiation therapy (RT) induces vascular changes that increase the risk of
      cardiovascular diseases in some patients. The objective was to determine if in
      vivo positron emission tomography (PET) with fluorodeoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG) can
      identify increased vascular inflammation in patients without changes in vascular
      intima media thickness (IMT). Patients previously receiving unilateral RT due to
      lymphoma were prospectively recruited (N=10). The untreated contralateral artery
      functioned as control. All patients underwent a dedicated vascular PET/CT.
      Vascular tracer uptake was quantified by drawing regions of interests around the
      carotid artery or the iliac arteries. The IMT of the carotid arteries was
      measured using ultrasound. Eight patients (25% male, 42-83 years old) that had
      received RT involving unilateral carotid arteries and 2 patients (both male, 38
      and 58 years old) that had received radiotherapy involving the unilateral iliac
      artery were included. The patients had completed their RT 2-7 years before. Eight
      patients showed increased uptake of (18)F-FDG in the irradiated side compared to
      the non-irradiated side, 1 showed no difference, while 1 patient showed highest
      uptake in the non- irradiated side (P=0.04). Measurement of IMT showed that 4
      patients had the highest thickness in the irradiated side, while the other 4
      patients had the highest thickness in the non-irradiated side (P=0.8). In
      conclusion, we found that (18)F-FDG PET imaging may be used to detect vascular
      changes induced by RT. Larger prospective follow-up studies are needed to
      determine the prognostic value of increased vascular FDG-uptake. 

PMID- 26269779
TI  - Effect of IKZF1 deletions on signal transduction pathways in Philadelphia
      chromosome negative pediatric B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP
      ALL).
AB  - BACKGROUND: IKZF1 deletions are an unfavorable prognostic factor in children with
      Philadelphia chromosome positive (Ph(+)) as well as negative (Ph(-)) acute
      lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Although IKZF1 deletions occur in 10-15% of Ph(-)
      ALL cases, effects of IKZF1 deletions on signaling pathways in this group have
      not been extensively studied. Therefore, in this study we aimed to study the
      effect of IKZF1 deletions on active signal transduction pathways. METHODS:
      Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) was used to determine
      IKZF1 deletions and other copy number alterations in 109 pediatric B-Cell
      Precursor ALL (BCP-ALL) patients. Kinase activity profiling of 45 primary Ph(-)
      BCP-ALL patients (31 IKZF1 wild type patients and 14 patients harboring an IKZF1
      alteration) and western blot analysis of 14 pediatric BCP-ALL samples was
      performed to determine active signal transduction pathways. RESULTS: Unsupervised
      hierarchical cluster analysis of kinome profiles of 45 pediatric Ph(-) ALL cases
      showed no clustering based on IKZF1 status. Comparing the phosphorylation
      intensities of peptides associated with signaling pathways known to be involved
      in BCP-ALL maintenance, we did not observe differences between the two groups.
      Western blot analysis of 14 pediatric BCP-ALL samples showed large variations in
      phosphorylation levels between the different ALL samples, independent of IKZF1
      status. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these results we conclude that, although IKZF1
      deletions appear to be an important clinical prognostic factor, we were unable to
      identify a unique IKZF1 dependent protein expression signature in pediatric Ph(-)
      ALL and consequently no specific targets for future therapy of Ph(-) IKZF1
      deleted BCP-ALL could be identified.

PMID- 26269780
TI  - Danio rerio: Small Fish Making a Big Splash in Leukemia.
AB  - Zebrafish (Danio rerio) are widely used for developmental biology studies. In the
      past decade, D. rerio have become an important oncology model as well. Leukemia
      is one type of cancer where zebrafish are particularly valuable. As vertebrates,
      fish have great anatomic and biologic similarity to humans, including their
      hematopoietic and immune systems. As an experimental platform, D. rerio offer
      many advantages that mammalian models lack. These include their ease of genetic
      manipulation, capacity for imaging, and suitability for large-scale phenotypic
      and drug screens. In this review, we present examples of these strategies and
      others to illustrate how zebrafish have been and can be used to study leukemia.
      Besides appraising the techniques researchers apply and introducing the leukemia
      models they have created, we also highlight recent and exciting discoveries made
      using D. rerio with an eye to where the field is likely headed.

PMID- 26269781
TI  - Optimal beam sources for Stark decelerators in collision experiments: a tutorial
      review.
AB  - With the Stark deceleration technique, packets of molecules with a tunable
      velocity, a narrow velocity spread, and a high state purity can be produced.
      These tamed molecular beams find applications in high resolution spectroscopy,
      cold molecule trapping, and controlled scattering experiments. The quality and
      purity of the packets of molecules emerging from the decelerator critically
      depend on the specifications of the decelerator, but also on the characteristics
      of the molecular beam pulse with which the decelerator is loaded. We consider
      three frequently used molecular beam sources, and discuss their suitability for
      molecular beam deceleration experiments, in particular with the application in
      crossed beam scattering in mind. The performance of two valves in particular, the
      Nijmegen Pulsed Valve and the Jordan Valve, is illustrated by decelerating ND 3
      molecules in a 2.6 meter-long Stark decelerator. We describe a protocol to
      characterize the valve, and to optimally load the pulse of molecules into the
      decelerator. We characterize the valves regarding opening time duration, optimal
      valve-to-skimmer distance, mean velocity, velocity spread, state purity, and
      relative intensity.

PMID- 26269782
TI  - Current Applications of Genetic Risk Scores to Cardiovascular Outcomes and
      Subclinical Phenotypes.
AB  - Genetic risk scores are a useful tool for examining the cumulative predictive
      ability of genetic variation on cardiovascular disease. Important considerations
      for creating genetic risk scores include the choice of genetic variants,
      weighting, and comparability across ethnicities. Genetic risk scores that use
      information from genome-wide meta-analyses can successfully predict
      cardiovascular outcomes and subclinical phenotypes, yet there is limited clinical
      utility of these scores beyond traditional cardiovascular risk factors in many
      populations. Novel uses of genetic risk scores include evaluating the genetic
      contribution of specific intermediate traits or risk factors to cardiovascular
      disease, risk prediction in high-risk populations, gene-by-environment
      interaction studies, and Mendelian randomization studies. Though questions remain
      about the ultimate clinical utility of the genetic risk score, further
      investigation in high-risk populations and new ways to combine genetic risk
      scores with traditional risk factors may prove to be fruitful.

PMID- 26269783
TI  - Diagnosing Autism in Individuals with Known Genetic Syndromes: Clinical
      Considerations and Implications for Intervention.
AB  - Assessing symptoms of autism in persons with known genetic syndromes associated
      with intellectual and/or developmental disability is a complex clinical endeavor.
      We suggest that a developmental approach to evaluation is essential to reliably
      teasing apart global impairments from autism-specific symptomology. In this
      chapter, we discuss our assumptions about autism spectrum disorders, the process
      of conducting a family-focused, comprehensive evaluation with behaviorally
      complex children and some implications for intervention in persons with co
      occurring autism and known genetic syndromes.

PMID- 26269785
TI  - A qualitative inquiry into the challenges and complexities of research
      supervision: viewpoints of postgraduate students and faculty members.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The supervision of academic theses at the Universities of Medical
      Sciences is one of the most important issues with several challenges. The aim of
      the present study is to discover the nature of problems and challenges of thesis
      supervision in Iranian universities of medical sciences. METHODS: The study was
      conducted with a qualitative method using conventional content analysis approach.
      Nineteen faculty members, using purposive sampling, and 11 postgraduate medical
      sciences students (Ph.D students and residents) were selected on the basis of
      theoretical sampling. The data were gathered through semi-structured interviews
      and field observations in Shiraz and Isfahan universities of medical sciences
      from September 2012 to December 2014. The qualitative content analysis was used
      with a conventional approach to analyze the data. RESULTS: While experiencing the
      nature of research supervision process, faculties and the students faced some
      complexities and challenges in the research supervision process. The obtained
      codes were categorized under 4 themes Based on the characteristics; included
      "contextual problem", "role ambiguity in thesis supervision", "poor reflection in
      supervision" and "ethical problems". CONCLUSION: The result of this study
      revealed that there is a need for more attention to planning and defining the
      supervisory, and research supervision. Also, improvement of the quality of
      supervisor and students relationship must be considered behind the research
      context improvement in research supervisory area.

PMID- 26269786
TI  - A study of the professional development needs of Shiraz high schools' principals
      in the area of educational leadership.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The increased emphasis on standards-based school accountability
      since the passage of the no child left behind act of 2001 is focusing critical
      attention on the professional development of school principals and their ability
      to meet the challenges of improving the student outcomes. Due to this subject,
      the current study examined professional development needs of Shiraz high schools
      principals. METHODS: The statistical population consisted of 343 principals of
      Shiraz high schools, of whom 250 subjects were selected using Krejcie and Morgan
      (1978) sample size determination table. To collect the data, a questionnaire
      developed by Salazar (2007) was administered. This questionnaire was designed for
      professional development in the leadership skills/competencies and consisted of
      25 items in each leadership performance domain using five-point Likert-type
      scales. The content validity of the questionnaire was confirmed and the
      Cronbach's Alpha coefficient was (a=0.78). To analyze the data, descriptive
      statistics and Paired-Samples t-test were used. Also, the data was analyzed
      through SPSS14 software. RESULTS: The findings showed that principals'
      "Importance" ratings were always higher than their "Actual proficiency" ratings.
      The mean score of the difference between "Importance" and "Actual proficiency"
      pair on "Organizing resources" was 2.11, making it the highest "need" area. The
      lowest need area was "Managing the organization and operational procedures" at
      0.81. Also, the results showed that there was a statistically significant
      difference between the means of the "Importance" and the corresponding means on
      the "Actual proficiency" (Difference of means=1.48, t=49.38, p<0.001).
      CONCLUSION: Based on the obtained results, the most important professional
      development needs of the principals included organizing resources, resolving
      complex problems, understanding student development and learning, developing the
      vision and the mission, building team commitment, understanding measurements,
      evaluation and assessment strategies, facilitating the change process, solving
      problems and making decisions. In other words, the principals had statistically
      significant professional development needs in all areas of the educational
      leadership. Also, the results suggested that today's school principals need to
      grow and learn throughout their careers by ongoing professional development.

PMID- 26269784
TI  - The Role of Translational Regulation in Survival after Radiation Damage; an
      Opportunity for Proteomics Analysis.
AB  - In this review, we will summarize the data from different model systems that
      illustrate the need for proteome-wide analyses of the biological consequences of
      ionizing radiation (IR). IR remains one of three main therapy choices for
      oncology, the others being surgery and chemotherapy. Understanding how cells and
      tissues respond to IR is essential for improving therapeutic regimes against
      cancer. Numerous studies demonstrating the changes in the transcriptome following
      exposure to IR, in diverse systems, can be found in the scientific literature.
      However, the limitation of our knowledge is illustrated by the fact that the
      number of transcripts that change after IR exposure is approximately an order of
      magnitude lower than the number of transcripts that re-localize to or from
      ribosomes under similar conditions. Furthermore, changes in the post
      translational modifications of proteins (phosphorylation, acetylation as well as
      degradation) are profoundly important for the cellular response to IR. These
      considerations make proteomics a highly suitable tool for mechanistic studies of
      the effect of IR. Strikingly such studies remain outnumbered by those utilizing
      proteomics for diagnostic purposes such as the identification of biomarkers for
      the outcome of radiation therapy. Here we will discuss the role of the ribosome
      and translational regulation in the survival and preservation of cells and
      tissues after exposure to ionizing radiation. In doing so we hope to provide a
      strong incentive for the study of proteome-wide changes following IR exposure.

PMID- 26269787
TI  - Designing and conducting MD/MPH dual degree program in the Medical School of
      Shiraz University of Medical Sciences.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Many studies have focused on the need of health systems to educated
      physicians in the clinical prevention, research methodology, epidemiology and
      health care management and emphasize the important role of this training in the
      public health promotion. On this basis, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences
      (SUMS) has established MD/MPH dual degree program since the year 2012. METHODS:
      In the current study, Delphi technique was used. Both qualitative and
      quantitative methods were applied in the Delphi process. The Delphi team members
      including experts with extensive experience in teaching, research and
      administration in the field of educational management and health/medical
      education reached consensus in almost 86% of the questionnaire items through
      three Delphi rounds. MD/MPH program for SUMS was designed based on the items
      agreed and thematic analysis used in these rounds. RESULTS: The goals, values,
      mission and program requirements including the period, the entrance condition,
      and the number of units, and certification were determined. Accordingly, the
      courses of the program are presented in parallel with the MD education period.
      MPH courses consist of 35 units including 16 obligatory and 15 voluntary ones.
      CONCLUSION: Designing MD/MPH program in SUMS based on the existent models in the
      universities in different countries, compatible with educational program of this
      university and needs of national health system in Iran, can be a beneficial
      measure towards promoting the students' knowledge and theoretical/practical
      skills in both individual and social level. Performing some additional research
      to assess the MD/MPH program and some cohort studies to evaluate the effect of
      this program on the students' future professional life is recommended.

PMID- 26269788
TI  - Shiraz medical students' perceptions of their colleagues' professional behavior.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Today, development of professionalism is a critical aim of medical
      schools. Studies have demonstrated that medical students' perceived level of
      professionalism is inadequate worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the
      medical students' perceptions of their colleagues' professional behavior.
      METHODS: This study is a cross-sectional study with 280 medical students at
      Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in their fifth to seventh year of study as
      the sample. The study was performed during one month in 2013, using stratified
      random sampling method. The instrument of the study was the Persian version of
      the questionnaire of the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM).The
      questionnaire includes demographic information, questions about the meaning of
      the professionalism, history of medical ethics education programs and 12
      behavioral questions. The data were analyzed using student t-test and Pearson
      correlation test. The significance level was set as 0.05. RESULTS: Forty percent
      of respondents did not know the meaning of professionalism. The mean+/-SD score
      of behavioral questions was 5.91+/-1.2 on a scale from 0 to 10. The mean+/-SD
      score of excellence questions was 4.94+/-1.7. It was 7.05+/-1.9 for
      'honor/integrity', and 6.07+/-2.1 for 'altruism/respect' questions. There was a
      significant association between gender and excellence score (p=0.007).
      CONCLUSION: Medical students assessed their colleagues' professional behavior as
      poor. They did not have proper information about professionalism. Medical
      students are future general practitioners and respecting medical ethics by them
      is very important in a perfect health system. Universities should emphasize the
      importance of teaching professionalism to medical students and faculty members,
      using innovative education methods.

PMID- 26269790
TI  - A survey of the effective factors in students' adherence to university dress code
      policy, using the theory of reasoned action.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Recognizing the determinants of behavior plays a major role in
      identification and application of effective strategies for encouraging
      individuals to follow the intended pattern of behavior. The present study aimed
      to analyze the university students' behaviors regarding the amenability to dress
      code, using the theory of reasoned action (TRA). METHODS: In this cross sectional
      study, 472 students were selected through multi-stage random sampling. The data
      were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire whose validity was confirmed
      by specialists. Besides, its reliability was confirmed by conducting a pilot
      study revealing Cronbach's alpha coefficients of 0.93 for attitude, 0.83 for
      subjective norms, 0.94 for behavioral intention and 0.77 for behavior. The data
      were entered into the SPSS statistical software and analyzed using descriptive
      and inferential statistics (Mann-Whitney, correlation and regression analysis).
      RESULTS: Based on the students' self-reports, conformity of clothes to the
      university's dress code was below the expected level in 28.87% of the female
      students and 28.55% of the male ones. The mean scores of attitude, subjective
      norms, and behavioral intention to comply with dress code policy were 28.78+/
      10.08, 28.51+/-8.25 and 11.12+/-3.84, respectively. The students of different
      colleges were different from each other concerning TRA constructs. Yet,
      subjective norms played a more critical role in explaining the variance of dress
      code behavior among the students. CONCLUSION: Theory of reasoned action explained
      the students' dress code behaviors relatively well. The study results suggest
      paying attention to appropriate approaches in educational, cultural activities,
      including promotion of student-teacher communication.

PMID- 26269789
TI  - The main indicators for Iranian hospital ethical accreditation.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The application of organizational ethics in hospitals is one of the
      novel ways to improve medical ethics. Nowadays achieving efficient and sufficient
      ethical hospital indicators seems to be inevitable. In this connection, the
      present study aims to determine the best indicators in hospital accreditation.
      METHODS: 69 indicators in 11 fields to evaluate hospital ethics were achieved
      through a five-step qualitative and quantitative study including literature
      review, expert focus group, Likert scale survey, 3 rounded Delphi, and content
      validity measurement. Expert focus group meeting was conducted, employing Nominal
      Group Technique (NGT). After running NGT, a three rounded Delphi and parallel to
      Delphi and a Likert scale survey were performed to obtain objective indicators
      for each domain. The experts were all healthcare professionals who were also
      medical ethics researchers, teachers, or PhD students. Content validity
      measurements were computed, using the viewpoints of two different expert groups,
      some ethicists, and some health care professionals (n=46). RESULTS: After
      conducting NGT, Delphi, Likert survey, 11 main domains were listed including: 
      Informed consent, Medical confidentiality, Physician-patient economic relations,
      Ethics consultation policy in the hospital, Ethical charter of hospital, Breaking
      bad medical news protocol, Respect for the patients' rights, Clinical ethics
      committee, Spiritual and palliative care unit programs in the hospitals,
      Healthcare professionals' communication skills, and Equitable access to the
      healthcare. Also 71 objective indicators for these 11 domains were listed in 11
      tables with 5 to 8 indicators per table. Content Validity Ratio (CVR)
      measurements were done and 69 indicators were highlighted. CONCLUSION: The
      domains listed in this study seem to be the most important ones for evaluating
      hospital ethics programs and services. Healthcare organizations' accreditation
      and ranking are crucial for the improvement of healthcare services. Ethics
      programs would also motivate hospitals to improve their services and move towards
      patients' satisfaction. In this regard, more involvement of bioethicists can help
      healthcare organizations to develop ethics programs and ensure ethics-based
      practice in hospitals.

PMID- 26269791
TI  - Qualitative Evaluation of General Practitioner Training Program as Viewed by
      Graduates from Shiraz, Fasa and Jahrom Medical Universities.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The majority of countries have brought the quality of higher
      education into focus in the past few years. They have tried to improve the
      quality of their own higher education. The studies show that Iranian Universities
      are not at an accepted level in terms of quality. They have encountered several
      problems which have diminished their quality level. This study aimed at assessing
      the quality of medical education program as viewed by general practitioners
      graduated from Shiraz, Fasa and Jahrom Medical Universities. METHODS: This is a
      cross-sectional study. 215 subjects were selected based on a census of all the
      general practitioners graduated from Shiraz, Fasa and Jahrom Universities during
      2011-2013. The questionnaire used for collecting the data was that of the
      Association of Graduates from American Medical Colleges. The collected data were
      then analyzed using SPSS 14 through which such descriptive and bivariate
      statistics as percentage, means, Standard Deviation and ANOVA were used. The
      level of significance was set to 0.05. RESULTS: The questionnaire return rate was
      97%. As to the graduates' preclinical experiences, five indices were studied
      which were assessed as "average" in graduates' views. However, with respect to
      their clinical experiences five indices were equally studied, among which such
      indices as "Communication skills" and "The quality of medical apprenticeship"
      were evaluated as "desirable" in view of the graduates from the very three
      universities. On the contrary, the quality of clinical experiences and
      technological skills was evaluated as "almost weak"; furthermore, the integration
      of basic science with required clinical experience was also considered "weak".
      CONCLUSION: It seems essential to set up an annual assessment of general
      practitioner education program and a review of the medical education program in
      Iran based on the global medical advancement and international standards.

PMID- 26269792
TI  - Developing comprehensive course evaluation guidelines in Tehran University of
      Medical Sciences.

PMID- 26269793
TI  - The human urothelial tight junction: claudin 3 and the ZO-1alpha+ switch.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Tight junctions are multicomponent structures, with claudin proteins
      defining paracellular permeability. Claudin 3 is a candidate for the exceptional
      "tightness" of human urothelium, being localised to the terminal tight junction
      (TJ) of superficial cells. Our aim was to determine whether claudin 3 plays an
      instigating and/or a functional role in the urothelial TJ. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Normal human urothelial (NHU) cells maintained as non-immortalised cell lines
      were retrovirally-transduced to over-express or silence claudin 3 expression.
      Stable sublines induced to stratify or differentiate were assessed for TJ
      formation by immunocytochemistry and transepithelial electrical resistance (TER).
      Expression of claudin 3, ZO-1 and ZO-1alpha+ was examined in native urothelium by
      immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Claudin 3 expression was associated with
      differentiation and development of a tight barrier and along with ZO-1 and ZO
      1alpha+ was localised to the apical tight junction in native urothelium.
      Knockdown of claudin 3 inhibited formation of a tight barrier in three
      independent cell lines, however, overexpression of claudin 3 was not sufficient
      to induce tight barrier development in the absence of differentiation. A
      differentiation-dependent induction of the ZO-1alpha+ isoform was found to
      coincide with barrier formation. Whereas claudin 3 overexpression did not induce
      the switch to co-expression of ZO-1alpha-/ZO-1alpha+, claudin 3 knockdown
      decreased localisation of ZO-1 to the TJ and resulted in compromised barrier
      function. CONCLUSIONS: Urothelial cytodifferentiation is accompanied by induction
      of claudin 3 which is essential for the development of a terminal TJ. A
      coordinated switch to the ZO-1alpha+ isotype was also observed and for the first
      time may indicate that ZO-1alpha+ is involved in the structural assembly and
      function of the urothelial terminal TJ.

PMID- 26269794
TI  - Epidemiologic Investigation of a Cluster of Neuroinvasive Bacillus cereus
      Infections in 5 Patients With Acute Myelogenous Leukemia.
AB  - Background.  Five neuroinvasive Bacillus cereus infections (4 fatal) occurred in
      hospitalized patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) during a 9-month
      period, prompting an investigation by infection control and public health
      officials. Methods.  Medical records of case-patients were reviewed and a matched
      case-control study was performed. Infection control practices were observed.
      Multiple environmental, food, and medication samples common to AML patients were
      cultured. Multilocus sequence typing was performed for case and environmental B
      cereus isolates. Results.  All 5 case-patients received chemotherapy and had
      early-onset neutropenic fevers that resolved with empiric antibiotics. Fever
      recurred at a median of 17 days (range, 9-20) with headaches and abrupt
      neurological deterioration. Case-patients had B cereus identified in central
      nervous system (CNS) samples by (1) polymerase chain reaction or culture or (2)
      bacilli seen on CNS pathology stains with high-grade B cereus bacteremia. Two
      case-patients also had colonic ulcers with abundant bacilli on autopsy. No
      infection control breaches were observed. On case-control analysis, bananas were
      the only significant exposure shared by all 5 case-patients (odds ratio, 9.3; P =
      .04). Five environmental or food isolates tested positive for B cereus, including
      a homogenized banana peel isolate and the shelf of a kitchen cart where bananas
      were stored. Multilocus sequence typing confirmed that all case and environmental
      strains were genetically distinct. Multilocus sequence typing-based phylogenetic
      analysis revealed that the organisms clustered in 2 separate clades. Conclusions.
      The investigation of this neuroinvasive B cereus cluster did not identify a
      single point source but was suggestive of a possible dietary exposure. Our
      experience underscores the potential virulence of B cereus in immunocompromised
      hosts. 

PMID- 26269795
TI  - Comparison of Rapid Point-of-Care Tests for Detection of Antibodies to Hepatitis
      C Virus.
AB  - Background.  Hepatitis C is one of the most prevalent blood-borne diseases in the
      United States. Despite the benefits of early screening, among 3.2 million
      Americans who are infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV), 50%-70% are unaware of
      their infection status. Methods.  Data were collected between 2011 and 2014, from
      1048 clients who were in the following groups: (1) injection drug users, (2)
      women at sexual risk, (3) gay and bisexual men, and (4) transgender individuals.
      The sensitivity and specificity of point-of-care tests included (1) the MedMira
      rapid human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/HCV antibody test, (2) MedMira hepatitis
      B (HBV)/HIV/HCV antibody test, (3) Chembio HCV Screen Assay used with both whole
      blood and (4) oral specimens, (5) Chembio HIV-HCV Assay also used with both whole
      blood and (6) oral specimens, (7) Chembio HIV-HCV-Syphilis Assay, and (8) OraSure
      HCV Rapid Antibody Test used with whole blood. The gold standard for the HCV
      tests were HCV enzyme immunoassay (EIA) 2.0. Results.  OraSure had the highest
      sensitivity at 92.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 88.8%-96.5%) followed
      closely by Chembio's 3 blood tests at 92.1% (95% CI = 87.7%-96.4%), 91.5% (95% CI
      = 87.2%-95.7%), and 92.3% (95% CI = 88.4%-96.2%). The sensitivities of MedMira
      HIV/HCV and MedMira HIV/HCV/HBV tests were the lowest, at 79.1% (95% CI = 72.6%
      85.5%), and 81.5% (95% CI = 75.2%-87.8%), respectively. Specificity for the
      OraSure was 99.8% (95% CI = 99.4%-100%); specificity for the Chembio blood tests
      was 99.2% (95% CI = 98.6%-99.9%), 99.4% (95% CI = 98.8%-99.9%), and 99.3% (95% CI
      = 98.8%-99.9%); and specificity for the MedMira was100% and 100%. False-negative
      results were associated with HIV and hepatitis B core antibody serostatus.
      Conclusions.  The OraSure and Chembio blood tests (including those multiplexed
      with HIV and syphilis) appear to good performance characteristics. This study has
      identified potential limitations of rapid testing in those testing positive for
      HIV and HBcAb. There should be discussion of updates to the 2013 CDC guidance. 

PMID- 26269796
TI  - Cluster of Leptospirosis Acquired Through River Surfing in Switzerland.
AB  - Background.  In Switzerland, leptospirosis is still considered as a travel
      associated disease. After the surprising diagnosis of leptospirosis in a patient
      who was initially suspected as having primary human immunodeficiency virus
      infection, we recognized that acquisition of leptospirosis occurred through
      recreational activities and we identified additional affected individuals.
      Methods.  Detailed anamnesis, excluding occupational exposure, acquisition
      abroad, and pet contacts, enabled us to detect the source of infection and
      identify a cluster of leptospirosis. Convalescent sera testing was performed to
      confirm Leptospira infection. Microscopic agglutination tests were used to
      determine the infecting serovar. Results.  We identified a cluster of
      leptospirosis in young, previously healthy persons. Acquisition of leptospirosis
      was traced back to a surfing spot on a river in Switzerland (Reuss, Aargau).
      Clinical presentation was indistinct. Two of the 3 reported cases required
      hospitalization, and 1 case even suffered from meningitis. Serologic tests
      indicated infection with the serovar Grippotyphosa in all cases. With the
      exception of the case with meningitis, no antibiotics were administered, because
      leptospirosis was diagnosed after spontaneous resolution of most symptoms.
      Despite a prolonged period of convalescence in 2 cases, full recovery was
      achieved. Recent reports on beavers suffering from leptospirosis in this region
      underline the possible water-borne infection of the 3 cases and raise the
      question of potential wildlife reservoirs. Conclusions.  Insufficient awareness
      of caregivers, which may be promoted by the missing obligation to report human
      leptospirosis, combined with the multifaceted presentation of the disease result
      in significant underdiagnosis. More frequent consideration of leptospirosis as
      differential diagnosis is inevitable, particularly as veterinary data suggest re
      emergence of the disease. 

PMID- 26269797
TI  - Symptoms of Autonomic Dysfunction in Human Immunodeficiency Virus.
AB  - This retrospective study evaluated the frequencies of symptoms associated with
      autonomic dysfunction in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients on
      stable combined antiretroviral therapy. Patients infected with HIV reported
      higher frequencies of dysautonomia symptoms compared with HIV-negative patients,
      particularly in the autonomic domains related to urinary, sleep, gastroparesis,
      secretomotor, pupillomotor, and male sexual dysfunction. 

PMID- 26269798
TI  - Conditionally replicating adenovirus prevents pluripotent stem cell-derived
      teratoma by specifically eliminating undifferentiated cells.
AB  - Incomplete abolition of tumorigenicity creates potential safety concerns in
      clinical trials of regenerative medicine based on human pluripotent stem cells
      (hPSCs). Here, we demonstrate that conditionally replicating adenoviruses that
      specifically target cancers using multiple factors (m-CRAs), originally developed
      as anticancer drugs, may also be useful as novel antitumorigenic agents in hPSC
      based therapy. The survivin promoter was more active in undifferentiated hPSCs
      than the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter, whereas both promoters
      were minimally active in differentiated normal cells. Accordingly, survivin
      responsive m-CRA (Surv.m-CRA) killed undifferentiated hPSCs more efficiently than
      TERT-responsive m-CRAs (Tert.m-CRA); both m-CRAs exhibited efficient viral
      replication and cytotoxicity in undifferentiated hPSCs, but not in cocultured
      differentiated normal cells. Pre-infection of hPSCs with Surv.m-CRA or Tert.m-CRA
      abolished in vivo teratoma formation in a dose-dependent manner following hPSC
      implantation into mice. Thus, m-CRAs, and in particular Surv.m-CRAs, represent
      novel antitumorigenic agents that could facilitate safe clinical applications of
      hPSC-based regenerative medicine. 

PMID- 26269800
TI  - Chest X-ray quiz.

PMID- 26269799
TI  - Replicating Nucleosomes.
AB  - Eukaryotic replication disrupts each nucleosome as the fork passes, followed by
      re-assembly of disrupted nucleosomes and incorporation of newly synthesized
      histones into nucleosomes in the daughter genomes. In this review, we examine
      this process of replication-coupled nucleosome assembly to understand how
      characteristic steady state nucleosome landscapes are attained. Recent studies
      have begun to elucidate mechanisms involved in histone transfer during
      replication and maturation of the nucleosome landscape after disruption by
      replication. A fuller understanding of replication-coupled nucleosome assembly
      will be needed to explain how epigenetic information is replicated at every cell
      division.

PMID- 26269801
TI  - Plasma-assisted synthesis and pressure-induced structural transition of single
      crystalline SnSe nanosheets.
AB  - Two-dimensional tin selenide (SnSe) nanosheets were synthesized using a plasma
      assisted direct current arc discharge method. The structural characterization
      indicates that the nanosheets are single-crystalline with an average thickness of
      ~25 nm and a lateral dimension of 500 nm. The high pressure behaviors of the as
      synthesized SnSe nanosheets were investigated by in situ high-pressure
      synchrotron angle-dispersive X-ray diffraction and Raman scattering up to ~30 GPa
      in diamond anvil cells at room temperature. A second-order isostructural
      continuous phase transition (Pnma -> Cmcm) was observed at ~7 GPa, which is
      considerably lower than the transition pressure of bulk SnSe. The reduction of
      transition pressure is induced by the volumetric expansion with softening of the
      Poisson ratio and shear modulus. Moreover, the measured zero-pressure bulk
      modulus of the SnSe nanosheets coincides with bulk SnSe. This abnormal phenomenon
      is attributed to the unique intrinsic geometry in the nanosheets. The high
      pressure bulk modulus is considerably higher than the theoretical value. The
      pressure-induced morphology change should be responsible for the improved bulk
      modulus.

PMID- 26269802
TI  - Cochrane review finds little evidence   for cardioprotection from HRT, though  
      some support for the "timing hypothesis".

PMID- 26269803
TI  - Oophorectomy benefits in breast cancer   patients with BRCA1 mutation.

PMID- 26269804
TI  - Incidence of falls among older women in   Finland unaffected by vitamin D or  
      exercise.

PMID- 26269805
TI  - Highlights from the Society of Gynecologic  Oncology 2015 Annual Meeting on 
      Women's Cancer.

PMID- 26269806
TI  - Summary of the 2015 American Association  for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual
      Meeting.

PMID- 26269807
TI  - In Memoriam: John O. Corliss (1922 - 2014).

PMID- 26269808
TI  - Evidence-based practice beliefs and behaviors of nurses providing  cancer pain
      management.

PMID- 26269809
TI  - Dr Guido Pieles, a paediatric cardiology lecturer,  discusses research to
      identify the effects of exercise  on young hearts with Mark Nicholls.

PMID- 26269810
TI  - [Ask before classify as "allergic to penicillin"].

PMID- 26269811
TI  - [Increase of infective endocarditis incidence: Is the discontinuation of
      prophylaxis in England to blame?].

PMID- 26269812
TI  - In memoriam: Jean-Pierre Grignet.

PMID- 26269813
TI  - Breaking News: Update on Two-Midnight Rule. RACS have new limits; doctors more
      leeway.

PMID- 26269814
TI  - Root cause analysis is not enough. Add action to your analysis.

PMID- 26269815
TI  - Are you worrying about med rec? The issue is still a problem, says ECRI.

PMID- 26269816
TI  - CMS certifies registry as a Qualified Clinical Data Registry. FORCE members can
      get dual use from data.

PMID- 26269817
TI  - GI QI success expands to other specialties. Quality gains show promise in new
      units.

PMID- 26269818
TI  - Nepticulidae (Lepidoptera) of East Asia (1). Re-examination of the male genitalia
      of types deposited at the Russian Academy of Sciences .
AB  - East Asia is famous for its tremendous overall biodiversity, and the Nepticulidae
      are no exception. The majority of the currently known fauna of Nepticulidae was
      described in 1984-1987 by several authors, but R. Puplesis is the author of the
      largest number of new species from the region. Unfortunately, the genitalia of
      all species from Primorskiy Kray, Sakhalin, and the Kuril Islands were described
      from temporary slides in glycerol, and therefore, the drawings do not always show
      all details of genital armature or may be confusing. Without the baseline data
      providing morphology of genital armature of type material, it is impossible to
      continue studies on the East Asiatic fauna of Nepticulidae. In this paper we
      reexamine and document for the first time with photographs the types of 56
      species described by R. Puplesis from the Russian Far East. Details of the
      morphology is updated for most of the re-examined species.

PMID- 26269819
TI  - Berengeria Gil-Santana & Coletto-Silva, a junior synonym of Ectrichodiella
      Fracker & Bruner, with new records and taxonomic notes on Ectrichodiinae from
      Brazil, and with keys to Ectrichodiinae and Reduviinae genera of the New World
      (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae).
AB  - Berengeria Gil-Santana & Coletto-Silva, 2005 is considered a junior synonym of
      Ectrichodiella Fracker & Bruner, 1924. Ectrichodiella minima (Valdes, 1910) and
      E. rafaeli (Gil-Santana & Coletto-Silva, 2005), new. comb. are redescribed.
      Taxonomic notes on Brontostoma alboannulatum (Stal, 1860), B. discus (Burmeister,
      1835), B. nanus Carpintero, 1980, B. rubrovenosum (Stal, 1860), and B. trux
      (Stal, 1859) are given. Brontostoma diringshofeni Gil-Santana & Baena, 2009, B.
      nanus, and Racelda robusta Berenger & Gil-Santana, 2005 are recorded from Brazil
      for the first time. Keys to Ectrichodiinae and Reduviinae genera of the New World
      are presented.

PMID- 26269820
TI  - Nepticulidae (Lepidoptera) of East Asia (2). Study of a collection sample
      deposited at the Russian Academy of Sciences, with descriptions of new species
      and a checklist.
AB  - Over the few couple of decades, the Nepticulidae of East Asia have been the
      subject of continuing investigation. Male genitalia of the nepticulid species
      described from Primorskiy Kray (the Russian Far East) were re-examined in the
      preceding paper in this journal. The present paper continues our study on the
      diversity and systematics of the Nepticulidae of East Asia based on a sample of
      specimens collected in 1974-1990 at various sites of the southern part of
      Primorskiy Kray and treats 35 species: two new taxa (Ectoedemia ortiva sp. nov.
      and E. species 219) and 33 other species. Seventeen of them are briefly discussed
      and illustrated with photographs of male genitalia. Two new synonyms are
      proposed, and three new distribution records are provided. We also provide an
      updated checklist of the Nepticulidae of East Asia, which comprises 105 species;
      67 species occur in the Russian Far East and 53 in Japan (20 of which occur both
      in Japan and Russia). Species with Euro-East Asiatic distribution currently
      comprise 11% of the Japanese fauna and 16% of the continental fauna of the
      Russian Far East, Primorskiy Kray.

PMID- 26269821
TI  - Phylogenetic relationships of Culex (Culex) species (Diptera, Culicidae) from
      Argentina based on morphological characters.
AB  - The purpose of this study was for the first time to establish phylogenetic
      hypotheses among Culex (Culex) species from Argentina, and to evaluate the
      relationships of this subgenus with subgenera Phenacomyia and Phytotelmatomyia.
      We employed maximum parsimony to analyse morphological characters derived from
      the morphology of the adult, pupal and larval stages. More than 30 figures,
      including photographs, illustrating 87 characters are provided. The cladistic
      analysis of 61 terminal taxa and 95 characters was undertaken, under implied
      weighting method, with a range of K values from 6 to 9. Three unstable taxa were
      detected therefore a reduced strict consensus tree was created. The subgenus
      Culex appears polyphyletic relative to subgenus Oculeomyia. The internal
      classification of subgenus Culex is shown to be chaotic; the Pipiens Group is
      polyphyletic relative to the Sitiens and Coronator Groups, the latter being
      polyphyletic with respect to the Pipiens Group. Phylogenetic analysis combining
      characters provided by morphology and molecular sources are needed to interpret
      more fully the relationships in the group.

PMID- 26269822
TI  - Three new species of Neozygina Dietrich & Dmitriev (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae,
      Typhlocybinae) from Argentina, with a key to South American species.
AB  - Three new species of Neozygina Dietrich & Dmitriev are described from Argentina,
      N. apicalis sp. nov., N. bifurcata sp. nov. and N. spinula sp. nov. Detailed
      morphological descriptions and illustrations of the new species are provided, and
      a key to South American species of the genus is given.

PMID- 26269823
TI  - A new species of small tree frog, genus Dendropsophus (Anura: Hylidae) from the
      eastern Amazon lowlands of Ecuador.
AB  - We describe a new species of the hylid frog genus Dendropsophus from Amazonian
      Ecuador. The new species, Dendropsophus shiwiarum sp. nov., appears to be part of
      the D. microcephalus species group. Dendropsophus shiwiarum differs from its
      congeners by a combination of: (1) tympanic membrane non-differentiated and
      annulus evident only ventrally, (2) disc of Finger III and Toe IV with pointed
      tip, (3) dorsal surfaces of digital discs with a conical tubercle as result of
      projection of distal phalanx, and (4) small size (SVL < 19 mm). The new species
      is morphologically most similar to Dendropsophus riveroi. Examination of the type
      material of the latter suggests that some Ecuadorian populations reported as D.
      riveroi were misidentified and in fact belong to D. shiwiarum sp. nov.

PMID- 26269824
TI  - Heterodera fengi n. sp. (Nematoda: Heteroderinae) from bamboo in Guangdong
      Province, China--a new cyst nematode in the Cyperi group.
AB  - Heteroderafengi n. sp. is described and illustrated from bamboo (Phyllostachys
      pubescens Mazel) based on morphology and molecular analyses of rRNA LSU D2D3
      region and ITS. This new species belongs to the Cyperi group. Cysts are
      characterized by prominent vulval cone with ambifenestrate, bifurcate underbridge
      that is thicker in middle and a 47.0 (40.0-60.0) um long vulval slit, but without
      bullae. The second-stage juveniles are characterized by a 23.2 (22.0-24.0) um
      long stylet with slightly projected or anteriorly flattened knobs, three
      incisures in lateral field, a 70.2 (62.5-77.0) um long tail with bluntly rounded
      terminus and hyaline portion ca 58.9 (50.0-62.5)% of the tail length. Males are
      characterized by a 25.1 (24.5-26.3) um long stylet with rounded knobs sloping
      posteriorly, four incisures in lateral field, a 29.8 (27.5-31.3) um long spicule
      with bifurcate tip. Phylogenetic analysis shows that the species has unique D2D3
      and ITS rRNA sequences and RFLP-ITS-rRNA profiles. Heteroderafengi n. sp. is
      closest to H. elachista in dendrograms inferred from both DNA sequences.

PMID- 26269825
TI  - A new yellow species of glassfrog (Centrolenidae: Nymphargus) from the Amazonian
      slopes of the Ecuadorian Andes.
AB  - I describe a new glassfrog from the cloud forest of the Andes of southwestern
      Ecuador (Plan de Milagro-Gualaceo road; 3.0077 degrees S, 78.53318 degrees W), at
      elevations between 2140-2160 m. The new species is distinguished mostly by having
      a pale yellow dorsal coloration instead of the green that characterizes most
      centrolenids. Morphological traits (i.e., reduced webbing between Fingers III and
      IV and lack of humeral spines) support the placement of the new species in the
      genus Nymphargus.

PMID- 26269826
TI  - A cladistic analysis and classification of the subfamily Bembicinae (Hymenoptera:
      Crabronidae), with a key to the genera.
AB  - A cladistic analysis of the digger wasp subfamily Bembicinae based on
      morphological characters is presented. The underlying data matrix comprises 83
      terminal taxa (coded on genus-level) and 64 morphological characters. The
      resulting strict consensus tree was used as the basis for a revised tribal and
      subtribal classification of the Bembicinae. Based on a previously published
      classification, we herewith propose a change: the tribe Heliocausini Handlirsch
      1925, stat. resurr. (composed of Acanthocausus Fritz & Toro 1977, Heliocausus
      Kohl 1892, and Tiguipa Fritz & Toro 1976) is separated from Bembicini Latreille
      1802. Four tribes are recognized within the subfamily Bembicinae and seven
      subtribes within the tribe Gorytini and two subtribes in the tribe Nyssonini,
      based on the present cladistic analysis.The subtribe Nurseina Nemkov & Lelej,
      subtrib. nov. (comprising of Nippononysson Yasumatsu & Maidl 1936 and Nursea
      Cameron 1902) is separated from other genera in the tribe Nyssonini Latreille
      1804. An new identification key to the genera of the Bembicinae is provided.

PMID- 26269827
TI  - Diversity and biogeography of Israeli geophilomorph centipedes (Chilopoda:
      Geophilomorpha).
AB  - The fauna of Chilopoda Geophilomorpha of Israel has been analyzed after examining
      128 new specimens from 35 localities, reinterpreting all published data including
      103 records, and relating occurrence of species with major climatic parameters. A
      key to identification has been compiled. A total of 17 species are distinguished,
      of which three are reported from Israel for the first time, while five are
      documented by published records only. The following new synonymies are proposed
      and discussed: Dignathodon pachypus Verhoeff, 1943 = Dignathodon microcephalus
      (Lucas, 1846); Geophilus flavidus noduliger Verhoeff, 1925 = Clinopodes
      escherichii (Verhoeff, 1896); Pachymerium ferrugineum vosseleri Verhoeff, 1902 =
      P. ferrugineum (Koch, 1835). Of all the species, Bothriogaster signata and
      Pachymerium ferrugineum are widespread in the country, while other species occupy
      different climatic zones, from desert to more humid and montane.

PMID- 26269828
TI  - Two new species of Eunice Cuvier, 1817 (Polychaeta, Eunicidae) from the coral
      reefs of Hainan Island with a key to 16 species of Eunice from China seas.
AB  - A taxonomic study of Eunice species based on material deposited in the Marine
      Biological Museum of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (MBMCAS) including recently
      collected specimens from coastal regions of Hainan Island, yielded two new
      species: Eunice hainanensis n. sp. and E. carrerai n. sp. Both species were
      collected from dead coral rocks in the reefs of the coastal region of Hainan
      Island, northern South China Sea. Eunice hainanensis has translucent bidentate
      subacicular hooks and branchiae present over an extensive region of the body.
      Within the Eunice group possessing these characters, the new species highly
      resembles E. schizobranchia Claparede, 1870 in having a numerous chaetigers and a
      very late start of branchiae (348-570 chaetigers with branchiae from chaetigers
      69-72 vs. 731 chaetigers with branchiae from chaetiger 67). However, the two
      species differ by the presence of the maxillary plate VI (MxVI) in the new
      species (vs. absent in the latter). Besides, E. hainanensis is much smaller (1.7
      1.9 mm vs. 5 mm in maximal width). Eunice carrerai belongs to the Eunice group
      that has dark bidentate subacicular hooks and branchiae present over an extensive
      region of the body. It can be distinguished from similar congeners that have the
      branchiae starting from chaetigers 3-4 and prostomial appendages with moniliform
      articulations by a combination of characters such as the presence of MxVI,
      notopodial articulations limited to anterior chaetigers, peristomial cirri
      articulated and extending to anterior edge of first peristomial ring. A key to 16
      species of Eunice identified from China seas in the material examined with notes
      on their distribution is provided. The major characters of these species are
      briefly summarized.

PMID- 26269829
TI  - Thampramon tonvuthi, a new genus and new species of cavernicolous crab
      (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Potamidae) from Thailand.
AB  - A new genus and species of potamid cavernicolous crab, Thampramon tonvuthi sp.
      nov., is described from Thailand. While superficially similar to Tiwaripotamon
      Bott, 1970, Phaibulamon Ng, 1992, and Nemoron Ng, 1996, the new genus possesses a
      unique combination of morphological characters including a distinctive carapace
      form, possession of a relatively long third maxilliped exopod, long ambulatory
      legs and a unique male first gonopod.

PMID- 26269830
TI  - Idionyx (Odonata: Corduliidae) of the Western Ghats with a description of a new
      species.
AB  - The status and distribution of Idionyx Hagen, 1867 (Odonata: Corduliidae), of the
      Western Ghats, India, is updated and a new species Idionyx gomantakensis is
      described and illustrated based on male and female specimens from Kulem (=
      Collem), Goa, India. This new species can be differentiated from other species of
      Idionyx by long and slender cerci and epiproct, absence of teeth in the basal
      half of the cerci, and a tuft of golden hairs at the end of the lateral lobes of
      the epiproct. A revised key to the species of the genus is provided, and its
      diversity and ecology in the Western Ghats is discussed.

PMID- 26269831
TI  - A new species of Scandarma (Crustacea: Brachyura: Sesarmidae) from Sabah, Borneo,
      Malaysia.
AB  - A new species of terrestrial sesarmid crab, Scandarma raymondi, is described from
      Sabah, Malaysia. This is the third species in the genus; others are from Taiwan,
      Japan and Sarawak, Borneo. The new species differs from congeners in the live
      coloration, proportions of the carapace and ambulatory legs and morphologies of
      the male abdomen, chela and male first gonopod.

PMID- 26269832
TI  - Oxybleptes davisi (Notman, 1924) in Minnesota (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae,
      Staphylininae, Xantholinini).
AB  - The occurrence of numerous male specimens of Oxybleptes davisi (Notman, 1924)
      near Duluth in northern Minnesota is reported, including the special collecting
      circumstances. This is the first record of Oxybleptes davisi in Minnesota, which
      extends the distributional range of the species considerably toward the west.

PMID- 26269833
TI  - Trogophloeus tripunctulatus Coiffait, 1981, a new synonym of Carpelimus insularis
      (Kraatz, 1858) (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Oxytelinae).

PMID- 26269834
TI  - Corrections to a recently published area taxonomy of Australia.

PMID- 26269835
TI  - A revision of the genus Baeocera in Japan, with a new genus of the tribe
      Scaphisomatini (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Scaphidiinae).
AB  - The Japanese species of the genus Baeocera Erichson, 1845 are reviewed and a new
      genus Baeoceroxidium is established for Baeocera micros (Achard, 1923) and
      members of the Baeocera pilifera species group. The female genitalia are used for
      the first time in Baeocera for both, as species specific characteristics and to
      indicate relationships. Amaloceroschema Lobl, 1967 is placed in synonymy with
      Baeocera.

PMID- 26269836
TI  - Synopsis of Paxillus MacLeay, 1819 (Coleoptera: Passalidae): distributional
      records and descriptions of four new species from Brazil.
AB  - Paxillus MacLeay, 1819 (Coleoptera: Passalidae) is redescribed, with new
      distributional records and descriptions of four species from Brazil. Paxillus
      reyesi new species is characterized by the first antennomere of antennal club
      reduced, slightly longer than half of the second antennomere; mesosternal scar
      straight, wide and deep. Paxillus chapadensis new species from the Chapada dos
      Guimaraes (Mato Grosso, Brazil) has prostenal process centrally impressed with an
      opaque depression; and the scape of the antenna with a subapical dorsal spine,
      shallow ventral depression, and few erect setae. Paxillus manausensis new species
      from Manaus (Amazonas, Brazil) has high frontal ridges; mid-frontal tubercles
      high, acuminate and larger than the internal tubercles; and the central tubercle
      short. Paxillus uaupesensis new species from Uaupes (Amazonas, Brazil) has the
      mesosternal scar opaque, elongate and depressed; and the scutellum depressed.
      Diagnostic redescriptions and illustrations of known species from Brazil, a key
      to all known species, and a checklist with distributional data are provided.

PMID- 26269837
TI  - New retroplumid crabs (Crustacea, Brachyura, Retroplumidae Gill, 1894) from the
      Eocene of Huesca (Aragon, Spain).
AB  - Two new brachyurans assignable to the family Retroplumidae Gill, 1894,
      Serrablopluma diminuta n. gen., n. sp., and Gaudipluma bacamortensis n. gen., n.
      sp., from the Eocene of northern Spain (Huesca, Aragon), substantially enlarge
      our current knowledge of the morphological diversity of the family. The material,
      with well-preserved ventral surfaces, permits the erection of two new genera that
      can be referred to the family with confidence on the basis of the general
      carapace shape, narrow front, a reduced last pair of pereiopods and
      characteristic thoracic sternum (broad, trapezoidal sternites 3, 4,
      subrectangular sternites 5-7, sternite 8 conspicuously reduced and inclined).
      Serrablopluma diminuta n. gen., n. sp. co-occurs with two other retroplumids in
      the most diverse fossil assemblage of that family known to date.

PMID- 26269838
TI  - Review of Neoperla (Plecoptera: Perlidae) from Zhejiang Province, China.
AB  - The species of the perlid genus Neoperla are reviewed from eastern coastal
      Zhejiang Province, China. Neoperla xuanson- gae sp. nov. is described and
      compared with related congeners. Neoperla yangae Du is considered a junior
      synonym of N. anjiensis Yang & Yang and the first record of N. flagellata Li &
      Muranyi is given for the Province. Several additional species are redescribed or
      diagnosed. A provisional key to the known species for Zhejiang Province is also
      presented.

PMID- 26269839
TI  - Caribboecetes progreso, a new species of sand-dwelling amphipod (Amphipoda:
      Corophiidea: Ischyroceridae) from the Gulf of Mexico, with a key for the genus.
AB  - A new species of the genus Caribboecetes Just, 1983 is described and illustrated
      from specimens collected on sandy bottoms of the northern Yucatan Peninsula,
      southeastern Gulf of Mexico. Caribboecetes progreso sp. nov. differs from the
      closely related species Caribboecetes barbadensis Just, 1983 and Caribboecetes
      jenikarpae Just, 1984 by the inflated triangular anterolateral flange on basis of
      gnathopod 2, and from Caribboecetes justi Ortiz & Lemaitre, 1997 by the setose
      anterolateral surface of coxal plate 7 and basis of pereopod 7. Ecological notes
      for the new species, a morphological comparison, map of distribution and key for
      all members in the genus are also provided.

PMID- 26269840
TI  - Compositermes vindai (Isoptera: Termitidae: Apicotermitinae), a new genus and
      species of soldierless termite from the Neotropics.
AB  - The New World Anoplotermes group is a common and diverse clade of soil-dwelling
      soldierless termites that is undergoing needed taxonomic reclassification. Based
      on robust worker gut morphology centered near the enteric valve, a new genus and
      its singular species, Compositermes vindai, are described from collections
      encompassing a massive expanse of tropical America. The enteric valve armature is
      thought to enhance inoculation of the food stream with symbiotic bacteria.

PMID- 26269842
TI  - Paranotocoris Ahmad & Shadab, 1973, a new synonym of Phyllomorpha Laporte, 1833
      (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Coreidae).

PMID- 26269841
TI  - On the identity of Julus rimosus Karsch, 1881 (Diplopoda, Julida, Julidae), the
      only schizophylline known from Libya (North Africa) and notes on Libyan
      millipedes.

PMID- 26269843
TI  - A review of the genus Pelenomus Thomson (Coleoptera: Curculionidae:
      Ceutorhynchinae) from China.
AB  - The genus Pelenomus Thomson from China is revised and six species are found
      occurring in China. Among them, P. curvatus, sp. nov. is described from Yunnan
      province, and four species are newly recorded from China: P waltoni (Boheman,
      1843), P. canaliculatus (Fahraeus, 1843), P. quadricorniger (Colonnelli, 1986)
      and P roelofsi (Hustache, 1916). Taxonomic diagnosis, habitus photos, detailed
      illustrations and distribution map of each species are provided, as well as a key
      to all the Chinese species. This study raised the number of Chinese Pelenomus
      from one to six species.

PMID- 26269844
TI  - Two new paralcyoniid octocorals from Japan (Anthozoa: Alcyonacea).
AB  - Two new species of paralcyoniid octocorals are described from Japan. One of them,
      Ceeceenus retractus n. sp., is the fifth species of the genus, and the other,
      Nanalcyon sagamiense n. gen. n. sp., is proposed as a new genus. Nanalcyon is
      similar to the Mediterranean and Atlantic genera Maasella Poche, 1914 and
      Paralcyonium Milne Edwards and Haime, 1850, but the new genus clearly differs
      from these in having independent colonies not joined by stolons. The
      ultrastructure of the sclerites is compared among the new genus, Ceeceenus and
      Paralcyonium by means of SEM. All three genera display the same three main types
      of sclerites, flat platelets, rods and spindles, the ultrastructure of all
      consisting of non-branching fibrous crystals. In addition to these, two genera,
      Ceeceenus and Paralcyonium, have flat oval platelets with the ultrastructure
      showing branching dendritic crystals, lacking in Nanalcyon.

PMID- 26269845
TI  - Description of Alpheus buckupi spec. nov., a new amphi-Atlantic snapping shrimp
      (Caridea: Alpheidae), based on morphological and molecular data.
AB  - A new amphi-Atlantic snapping shrimp of the genus Alpheus Fabricius, 1798,
      Alpheus buckupi spec. nov., is described and illustrated based on material
      collected from the western (Orinoco Delta, Venezuela to Sao Paulo, Brazil) and
      eastern Atlantic (Sao Tome and Principe). The new species is morphologically
      similar to members of the A. lobidens De Haan, 1850 species complex, from the
      Indo-Pacific, including A. inopinatus Holthuis & Gottlieb, 1958 from the eastern
      Mediterranean, and the Red Sea to Pakistan, especially based on major and minor
      chelae configuration. We also characterized this new species in terms of DNA
      sequences of a ribosomal 16S subunit and compared it in a phylogenetic context.
      These analyses showed a clear separation of the specimens of A. buckupi spec.
      nov. from similar species of the A. edwardsii (Audouin, 1826) species group,
      including some morphologically close species such as A. cf. lobidens, A.
      heterochaelis Say, 1818, A. pontederiae de Rochebrune, 1883, A. sp. aff.
      euphrosyne De Man, 1897, and A. microrhynchus De Man, 1897.

PMID- 26269846
TI  - A new semi-subterranean diving beetle of the Hydroporus normandi-complex from
      south-eastern France, with notes on other taxa of the complex (Coleoptera:
      Dytiscidae).
AB  - Hydroporus galloprovincialis sp. n. is described from Jouques, north-east of Aix
      en-Provence in south-eastern France (Provence). The new species belongs to the
      Hydroporus memnonius-group, within which it is the only ascertained normandi
      complex species of the French fauna. The habitat (small springs) and
      morphological features of the species suggest a semi-subterranean life style. It
      can be separated from the other species of the complex notably by its more
      elongated and parallel-sided habitus, by its wider pronotum and flatter dorsal
      surface, and furthermore differs from H. normandi Regimbart, 1903 by a different
      shape of the gonocoxa. Illustrations are provided for other described normandi
      complex species and subspecies for comparison. Analyses of partial cox1 sequences
      indicate that the three sampled H. normandi-complex species (H. galloprovincialis
      sp. n., H. normandi and H. lluci Fery, 1999) diverged recently; their
      relationships are unresolved. H. galloprovincialis sp. n. is for the moment the
      only species of the genus Hydroporus Clairville, 1806 endemic to continental
      France.

PMID- 26269691
TI  - Search for the Standard Model Higgs boson produced in association with top quarks
      and decaying into [Formula: see text] in [Formula: see text] collisions at
      [Formula: see text] with the ATLAS detector.
AB  - A search for the Standard Model Higgs boson produced in association with a top
      quark pair, [Formula: see text], is presented. The analysis uses 20.3 fb-1 of pp
      collision data at [Formula: see text], collected with the ATLAS detector at the
      Large Hadron Collider during 2012. The search is designed for the [Formula: see
      text] decay mode and uses events containing one or two electrons or muons. In
      order to improve the sensitivity of the search, events are categorised according
      to their jet and b-tagged jet multiplicities. A neural network is used to
      discriminate between signal and background events, the latter being dominated by
      [Formula: see text]+jets production. In the single-lepton channel, variables
      calculated using a matrix element method are included as inputs to the neural
      network to improve discrimination of the irreducible [Formula: see text]
      background. No significant excess of events above the background expectation is
      found and an observed (expected) limit of 3.4 (2.2) times the Standard Model
      cross section is obtained at 95 % confidence level. The ratio of the measured
      [Formula: see text] signal cross section to the Standard Model expectation is
      found to be [Formula: see text] assuming a Higgs boson mass of 125[Formula: see
      text].

PMID- 26269847
TI  - Redescription of Astyanax guaporensis Eigenmann, 1911 (Characiformes:
      Characidae), a small characid from the rio Madeira basin.
AB  - During recent expeditions to several localities in the rio Madeira basin, a
      poorly known species of Characidae described more than a century ago, Astyanax
      guaporensis Eigenmann, was collected. The species is herein redescribed based on
      the type material and many recently collected specimens. The species seems to
      occur only in the rio Madeira basin, rio Amazonas drainage. The species is mainly
      recognized among its congeners by having five to nine maxillary teeth, a series
      of V-shaped marks on the midlateral line of body, and the absence of a black mark
      on the caudal peduncle.

PMID- 26269848
TI  - Subterranean species of Acipes Attems, 1937 (Diplopoda, Julida, Blaniulidae).
AB  - Two new blind, cave-dwelling species of the genus Acipes Attems, 1937, are
      described from the Algarve, southern Portugal: A. machadoi n. sp. and A. bifilum
      n. sp. Acipes andalusius Enghoff & Mauries, 1999, is reported from the mesovoid
      shallow substratum in Alicante (Spain), 250 km from the type locality in
      Andalusia.

PMID- 26269850
TI  - CLARK W. BEASLEY (1942-2012).

PMID- 26269849
TI  - The identity of the enigmatic genus Stenocolletes Schrottky (Hymenoptera:
      Tiphiidae).
AB  - The identity of Stenocolletes Schrottky and its single species,
      Stenocolletespictus Schrottky, has remained a mystery since their description in
      1909. Stenocolletes was originally placed in the bee family Colletidae but no
      known American colletid matches the original description. The type of S. pictus
      is likely lost as are large portions of Schrottky's collection. Herein, we
      describe and designate as neotype a historic specimen that closely matches
      Schrottky's description and place it in the current classification. Stenocolletes
      pictus is conspecific with the South American thiipid wasp Calchaquila albinervis
      (Brethes, 1913). Both generic and specific names are new synonymous of
      Stenocolletes and pictus, respectively (new ju- nior synonym). Stenocolletes
      pictus is also recorded for the first time from C6rdoba, Argentina.

PMID- 26269853
TI  - Micromoina arboricola n. gen., n. spec. (Crustacea: Cladocera), a new moinid
      living in a forest tree-hole in Minas Gerais, Brazil.
AB  - With a maximum size of ca 0.5 mm, Micromoina arboricola is among the smallest
      moinids known to date. It was discovered in a flooded treehole in a forest in the
      Medio Rio Doce Valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil, where it mainly feeds on particulate
      organic matter derived from the vinhatico tree . However, it is easily cultured
      in the lab on a diet of green algae plus yeast and pelleted fish food.
      Structurally, it is a miniature version of a moinid, distinguished by characters
      on the antennules (both sexes) and the postabdomen. The latter is peculiar in
      shape, in lacking a basal spine, and in having only three lateral plumose setae.
      A comparative investigation of the barcoding fragment of the COI gene in a number
      of moinids confirms the family Moinidae as composed of several genera, as well as
      the status of the new taxon.

PMID- 26269851
TI  - A new species of the Gekko japonicus group (Squamata: Sauria: Gekkonidae) from
      the border region between China and Vietnam.
AB  - We describe a new species of the genus Gekko on the basis of 25 specimens from
      southern China and northern Vietnam. Gekko adleri sp. nov. is distinguished from
      the remaining congeners by a combination of the following characters: size
      moderate (SVL < 80 mm); nares in contact with rostral; internasal single, smaller
      than supranasal; postmentals enlarged; interorbital scales between anterior
      corners of the eyes 27-36; dorsal tubercle rows 7-11; ventral scales between
      mental and cloacal slit 168-190; midbody scale rows 123-144; ventral scale rows
      35-44; subdigital lamellae on first toe 11-14, on fourth toe 11-15; finger and
      toe webbing present at base; tubercles absent on upper surface of fore limbs;
      tubercles on tibia 0-8; precloacal pores 17-21 in males; postcloacal tubercle
      single; tubercles present on dorsal surface of tail base; subcaudals enlarged;
      dorsal surface of body with four or five narrow light bands between shoulder and
      sacrum.

PMID- 26269855
TI  - New species of Lebiasina (Ostariophysi: Characiformes: Lebiasinidae) from the
      upper Mazaruni River drainage, Guyana.
AB  - Lebiasina ardilai is described from the upper Mazaruni in Guyana. The new species
      differs from all its congeners by its color pattern consisting of: a narrow,
      nearly straight primary stripe, extending from posterior to humeral blotch to
      near the vertical through anal-fin origin, being absent or inconspicuous in
      females and conspicuously marked in males; the presence of four series of dark
      blotches at the distal border of the scales of longitudinal series 2-5; the faint
      secondary stripe running onto scales of second and third longitudinal row of
      scales; intermediate stripe absent; and the posteriorly displaced caudal blotch,
      not reaching the posterior tip of caudal peduncle.

PMID- 26269856
TI  - Bromelicolous Polypedilum Kieffer from South Brazil (Diptera: Chironomidae).
AB  - Polypedilum (s. str.) kaingangi sp. n. is described and figured as male, female,
      pupa and larva and the female and immature stages of Polypedilum (s. str.)
      solimoes Bidawid-Kafka, 1996 are described and illustrated. The immatures of both
      species inhabit leaf axils of various bromeliad species in the Atlantic
      rainforest in Santa Catarina State, South Brazil.

PMID- 26269852
TI  - A survey of the genus Sorolopha Lower, 1901 in the northern part of Vietnam
      (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae, Olethreutinae).
AB  - A survey of the genus Sorolopha Lower, 1901 in the northern part of Vietnam
      revealed the presence of 10 species, including S. cucphuongensis Bae & Le, sp.
      nov. Most of the species previously were reported by various authors, but S.
      rubescens Diakonoff, 1973 and S. cyclotoma Lower, 1901 are newly recorded for the
      country. All species are diagnosed, and figures of the adults and genitalia are
      provided, along with a key to species of Sorolopha in Vietnam.

PMID- 26269854
TI  - The rediscovery of Oplurus bibronii Guichenot, 1848 a valid species of the
      liolaemid genus Phymaturus (Iguania: Liolaemidae).
AB  - Oplurus bibronii was a species described more than 160 years ago from the
      highlands of Ovalle, Chile. The species was earlier synonymized with Phymaturus
      palluma and since then its taxonomic status has not been re-examined. In February
      of 2011, we were successful in capturing specimens of Phymaturus in the highlands
      of Ovalle and additionally we examined high quality digital pictures of the type
      series of O. bibronii. Our analysis shows that the type series is composed of two
      different species, one of which overlaps their diagnostic characters with the
      characters of the specimens collected in the highlands of Ovalle, and therefore
      they correspond to Phymaturus bibronii (new combination). In addition, our review
      of the holotype, and some paratypes and topotypes of the recently described P.
      paihuanense shows that this is a junior synonym of P. bibronii.

PMID- 26269857
TI  - Description of the female of Aysha yacupoi Brescovit 1992 (Araneae:
      Anyphaenidae).
AB  - The female of Aysha yacupoi Brescovit, 1992 is described and illustrated for the
      first time. Males and female specimens were observed together in the same plants.
      Some data on natural history are presented.

PMID- 26269858
TI  - Discovery of a new species of the genus Planaeschna from Northern Vietnam, with a
      first description of male P. tomokunii.
AB  - A new species of Planaeschna McLachlan, P. guentherpetersi sp. nov. (holotype
      male and paratype female) from Phu Tho province, northern Vietnam, is described
      and illustrated. In addition, the male of P. tomokunii Asahina, 1996, which was
      known from only the holotype female, is described for the first time, based on
      newly collected material of both sexes, from the type locality, Tam Dao, Vinh
      Phuc province, northern Vietnam.

PMID- 26269859
TI  - New species of Xestochironomus Sublette et Wirth, 1972 (Diptera: Chironomidae)
      from Atlantic Forest, Brazil.
AB  - Two new Xestochironomus species, X. dickinsoni sp. n. and X. virgoferreae sp. n.,
      from Brazilian Atlantic Forest are described, based on male adults. Additionally,
      a key to adult males of the genus is provided.

PMID- 26269930
TI  - Percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy for indeterminate biliary strictures
      using the SpyGlass system: a case series.
AB  - Peroral cholangioscopy is useful in differentiating benign from malignant biliary
      strictures. However, when conventional biliary access via endoscopic retrograde
      cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) fails, percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy
      (PTCS) via the SpyGlass cholangioscopy system can be used to achieve a diagnosis.
      Four patients with biliary strictures in whom conventional ERCP was not possible
      and percutaneous brushings were either nondiagnostic or unsatisfactory were
      investigated with PTCS. The technique of PTCS involves insertion of the SpyGlass
      cholangioscope through a percutaneous transhepatic sheath, placed just prior to
      the procedure, to visualize the stricture and obtain biopsies with the SpyBite
      forceps. On the basis of our early observations, we conclude that PTCS using the
      SpyGlass cholangioscopy system for the assessment of biliary strictures is
      feasible, safe, and provides high diagnostic accuracy. 

PMID- 26269931
TI  - Two new species of Rhinebothrium (Cestoda: Rhinebothriidea) from granulated
      guitarfish Glaucostegus granulatus in the Gulf of Oman.
AB  - During a study of the rhinebothriideans of rays in the Gulf of Oman, two new
      species of Rhinebothrium Linton, 1890, Rhinebothrium kruppi sp. n. and R.
      persicum sp. n., were identified in Glaucostegus granulatus (Cuvier). Some
      significant features that distinguish R. kruppi sp. n. from R. persicum sp. n.
      include: scolex characteristics (hinged with 42-46 loculi vs. fusiform with 68-62
      loculi), number of testes (4-5 vs. 20-27), genital pore position (61.1-76.9% of
      proglottid length vs. 47.2-63.3%), ovarian morphology (lobulated vs. follicular),
      cirrus-sac expansion (past midline of proglottid vs. limited to poral side of
      proglottid), vas deferens configuration (spanning posteriorly to near ovarian
      isthmus vs. to the level of ovarian anterior margins) and details of microthrix
      morphology. In addition, a combination of the aforementioned characteristics can
      be used to distinguish these two new species from other valid species of
      Rhinebothrium. These are the first species of rhinebothriidean cestodes to be
      described systematically from the Gulf of Oman, Iran. The two new species
      reported here increase the number of valid species of Rhinebothrium to 43. 

PMID- 26269932
TI  - Prognostic Factors of Cholangiocarcinoma After Surgical Resection: A
      Retrospective Study of 293 Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cholangiocarcinoma is one of the most common malignancies in China.
      Surgical resection is the only treatment option; however, diagnosis at advanced
      stage precludes surgery. Comprehensive knowledge of prognostic markers is
      missing. Hence, the aim of this study was to determine clinicopathological
      indexes that would be indicative of prognosis in post-operative cases of
      cholangiocarcinoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 293 cases
      of cholangiocarcinoma patients attending the 301 Military Hospital in Beijing,
      China between January 2004 and December 2010 were included in the study. The
      patients had follow-up history until August 2012. Cox proportional hazards model
      analysis was performed to identify indexes of prognosis. All indicators were
      analyzed by univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The median follow-up
      time was 55.90 months, with recurrence and metastasis in 162 cases (55.3%) and
      death in 223 cases (76.1%). The 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year survival rates were
      71.7%, 38.2%, and 10.6%, respectively. The independent risk factors of overall
      survival were degree of tumor differentiation, TNM stage, surgical margin,
      intraoperative blood transfusion, tumor location, alkaline phosphatase levels in
      blood, and relapse. CONCLUSIONS: Good prognosis in cholangiocarcinoma patients is
      indicated by highly differentiated tumor, early stages of TNM staging, no
      resection margin invaded, no intraoperative blood transfusion, intrahepatic
      tumor, normal alkaline phosphatase levels, and no relapse.

PMID- 26269933
TI  - Correlation Between Recurrent Subconjunctival Hemorrhages and Conjunctivochalasis
      by Clinical Profile and Successful Surgical Outcome.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To characterize the clinical profile of patients with recurrent
      subconjunctival hemorrhages (SCHs) and evaluate the effect of conjunctivochalasis
      (CCh) surgery on disease recurrences. METHODS: Three hundred and sixty-two
      patients with SCHs (mean age, 56.4+/-16.0 years) were enrolled in this
      multicenter epidemiologic study. The severity of CCh, lifestyle at the time of
      SCH onset, and the frequency of previous SCHs were compared. Thirty-eight
      patients with 2 or more episodes of SCHs (mean age, 68.2+/-8.9 years) underwent
      surgery for CCh. The effectiveness of surgery was evaluated by comparing the
      frequency of SCH preoperatively and postoperatively. RESULTS: Patients with three
      or more recurrent SCHs showed a significantly (P=0.003) higher grade of CCh and
      tended to be engaged in activities that require visual concentration, such as
      watching a visual display terminal, knitting, reading, and driving. More than 80%
      of eyes that underwent surgery to CCh showed no recurrence of the hemorrhages,
      and the frequency of SCH significantly (P<0.0001) decreased postoperatively.
      CONCLUSIONS: Moderate or severe CCh and activities that may cause dry eye can be
      considered to be risk factors for recurrent SCHs. Surgery to treat CCh is a
      useful option for patients with frequent recurrences of SCHs.

PMID- 26269934
TI  - Blood Compatibility Evaluations of Fluorescent Carbon Dots.
AB  - Because of their unique advantages, fluorescent carbon dots are gaining
      popularity in various biomedical applications. For these applications, good
      biosafety is a prerequisite for their use in vivo. Studies have reported the
      preliminary biocompatibility evaluations of fluorescent carbon dots (mainly
      cytotoxicity); however, to date, little information is available about their
      hemocompatibility, which could impede their development from laboratory to
      bedside. In this work, we evaluated the hemocompatibility of fluorescent carbon
      dots, which we prepared by hydrothermal carbonization of alpha-cyclodextrin. The
      effects of the carbon dots on the structure and function of key blood components
      were investigated at cellular and molecular levels. In particular, we considered
      the morphology and lysis of human red blood cells, the structure and conformation
      of the plasma protein fibrinogen, the complement activation, platelet activation,
      and in vitro and in vivo blood coagulation. We found that the carbon dots have
      obvious concentration-dependent effects on the blood components. Overall,
      concentrations of the fluorescent carbon dots at <=0.1 mg/mL had few adverse
      effects on the blood components, but at higher doses, the carbon dots impair the
      structure and function of the blood components, causing morphological disruptions
      and lysis of red blood cells, interference in the local microenvironments of
      fibrinogen, activation of the complement system, and disturbances in the plasma
      and whole blood coagulation function in vitro. However, the carbon dots tend to
      activate platelets only at low concentrations. Intravenous administration of the
      carbon dots at doses up to 50 mg/kg did not impair the blood coagulation
      function. These results provide valuable information for the clinical application
      of fluorescent carbon dots. 

PMID- 26269935
TI  - Food Impaction and Periodontal/Peri-Implant Tissue Conditions in Relation to the
      Embrasure Dimensions Between Implant-Supported Fixed Dental Prostheses and
      Adjacent Teeth: A Cross-Sectional Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Food impaction and periodontal/peri-implant tissue conditions were
      evaluated in relation to the embrasure dimensions between implant-supported fixed
      dental prostheses (FDPs) and adjacent teeth. METHODS: A total of 215 embrasures
      of 150 FDPs in 100 patients (55 males and 45 females, aged 27 to 83 years; mean
      age: 56 years) were included in the study. Clinical assessments of the
      periodontal/peri-implant mucosal conditions, radiographic assessments of
      embrasure dimensions, and overall patient satisfaction were used as explanatory
      variables for the food impaction and periodontal/peri-implant tissue conditions
      adjacent to implant-supported FDPs in the generalized estimating equation (GEE)
      analysis. RESULTS: Food impaction was reported in 96 (44.7%) of 215 embrasures
      between implant-supported FDPs and adjacent teeth. Food impaction was reported
      more frequently in the embrasures with proximal contact loss than in those with
      tight contact (P = 0.009). Overall patient satisfaction was influenced negatively
      by food impaction in the proximal embrasures (P = 0.01). Among embrasure
      dimensions, only the embrasure surface area (ESA) significantly influenced food
      impaction (P = 0.03). Significant influences of various embrasure dimensions on
      the periodontal/peri-implant mucosal conditions and bone level at the implant
      were found in the univariate and multivariate GEE analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Food
      impaction between implant-supported FDPs and adjacent teeth occurred more
      frequently when proximal contact was lost and ESA increased. Food impaction
      negatively affected overall patient satisfaction. Embrasure dimensions influenced
      the periodontal/peri-implant mucosal conditions and bone level at the implant.

PMID- 26269938
TI  - Obituary: Clifford Ochsenbein, DDS.

PMID- 26269936
TI  - Effectiveness of Laser Application for Periodontal Surgical Therapy: Systematic
      Review and Meta-Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Evidence has shown some improved clinical outcomes and morbidity
      reduction with the use of lasers for non-surgical periodontal therapy due to
      ablation, vaporization, hemostasis, and field sterilization. The purpose of this
      systematic review is to evaluate and compare studies involving lasers as
      monotherapy or adjunctive to surgical periodontal treatment. METHODS: Electronic
      and manual searches were conducted by two independent reviewers in several
      databases for articles written in English up to December 2014. Articles were
      included in this review if they reported outcomes of surgical periodontal therapy
      with and without the use of lasers. The primary outcome was probing depth (PD),
      and secondary outcomes were measured changes in clinical factors such as clinical
      attachment level (CAL) and gingival recession (GR). For the comparative studies
      included, the pooled weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval
      (CI) of each variable were calculated using random-effects meta-analysis.
      RESULTS: Eight and nine articles were included in the quantitative and
      qualitative analyses, respectively. Although low-to-moderate risk of bias was
      detected, high heterogeneity among studies was found. In flap surgery with or
      without laser treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in
      primary outcome. Similarly, in guided tissue regeneration (GTR)/enamel matrix
      derivative (EMD) with and without laser treatment, the WMD of PD was negligible;
      however, the GTR/EMD group showed better outcomes (P = 0.005) than the laser
      group. Regarding the secondary outcomes, in the flap surgery group, the WMD of
      CAL gain was 1.34 mm, and the WMD of GR was -0.24 mm; no significant difference
      was detected between groups. In GTR/EMD with and without laser treatment, the WMD
      of CAL gain was 0.10 mm and the WMD of recession was -0.18 mm; again, no
      significant difference was detected between groups. CONCLUSIONS: The available
      evidence is insufficient to support the effectiveness of dental lasers as an
      adjunct to resective or regenerative surgical periodontal therapy. However,
      precautions must be exercised when interpreting the results of this study because
      of the small sample size and high heterogeneity among studies.

PMID- 26269939
TI  - Physiologic Levels of Endogenous Hydrogen Sulfide Maintain the Proliferation and
      Differentiation Capacity of Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Many invading oral bacteria are known to produce considerable amounts
      of hydrogen sulfide (H2S). The toxic activity of exogenous H2S in periodontal
      tissue has been demonstrated, but the role of endogenous H2S in the physiologic
      function of periodontal tissue remains poorly understood. The purpose of the
      present study is to investigate the biologic functions of H2S in the
      proliferation and differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells
      (PDLSCs). METHODS: PDLSCs were isolated from periodontal ligament tissues of
      periodontally healthy volunteers or patients with periodontitis.
      Immunocytochemical staining, flow cytometry, and Western blot analysis were used
      to examine the expression of H2S-synthesizing enzymes cystathionine-beta-synthase
      (CBS) and cystathionine-gamma-lyase (CSE). The proliferation capacity of PDLSCs
      was determined by cell counting kit-8 assay, carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl
      ester analysis, and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine assay. The osteogenic potential of
      PDLSCs was tested using alkaline phosphatase staining, Alizarin Red staining, and
      in vivo transplantation experiments. Oil Red O staining was used to analyze
      adipogenic ability. RESULTS: The results show that human PDLSCs express both CBS
      and CSE and produce H2S. Blocking the generation of endogenous H2S with CBS
      inhibitor hydroxylamine significantly attenuated PDLSC proliferation and reduced
      the osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation capacity of PDLSCs. In contrast,
      CSE inhibitor DL-propargylglycine had no effect on PDLSC function. Exogenous H2S
      could inhibit the production of endogenous H2S and impair PDLSC function in a
      dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: Physiologic levels of endogenous H2S maintain
      the proliferation and differentiation capacity of PDLSCs, and CBS may be the main
      source of endogenous H2S in PDLSCs.

PMID- 26269940
TI  - Breastfeeding and Childhood Cancer: Is Breastfeeding Preventative to Childhood
      Cancer?
AB  - Breastfeeding is well-known to have a protective effect against infection in
      infants. It has been suggested that breast milk may play a role in the prevention
      of certain childhood cancer. We investigated this issue in a case-control study
      comprising 300 patients with childhood cancer. There was 73 patients (24.3%) with
      leukemia, 82 patients (27.3%) with lymphoma, and 146 patients (48.4%) with solid
      tumors (brain tumors, neuroblastoma, soft tissue sarcomas, germ cell tumors,
      renal tumor, bone tumor, retinoblastoma, hepatoblastoma, and others) and 316
      controls matched for age and sex. Breastfeeding duration of the control group was
      found to be significantly longer than the patient group (X(2) = 57.774; P <
      .001). In conclusion, breastfeeding was found to be inversely associated with
      pediatric cancer in our study. 

PMID- 26269941
TI  - Commonly Practiced Quality Control and Quality Assurance Procedures for Gas
      Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Analysis in Forensic Urine Drug-Testing
      Laboratories.
AB  - Forensic urine drug-testing laboratories operate in a prescribed scientific and
      administrative manner to ensure accurate test results. All specimens positive by
      an initial immunoassay test must be confirmed by gas chromatography/mass
      spectrometry (GC/MS). To provide adequate control and verification of these
      analytical processes, laboratories must implement appropriate policies and
      procedures to be used in routine practice. This review describes the following
      topics regarding GC/MS analyses: method validation, instrument performance, assay
      calibration, quality control, criteria for designating a positive test result,
      sample and batch acceptance criteria, and GC/MS data review. 

PMID- 26269942
TI  - Evidence Value of Textile Fiber - Transfer and Persistence of Fibers.
AB  - Fibers comprise probably the most common form of trace evidence in forensic
      science today. They occur in perhaps one-quarter of all cases that involve trace
      evidence and a large majority of crime laboratories routinely characterize
      textile fibers. Although a great deal of research has been done on how to best
      characterize and compare fibers, relatively little time has been spent on
      determining the significance of fiber evidence. This article presents a summary
      of the studies of fiber transfer and persistence and determination of the
      significance of fiber evidence. This accumulated research and analysis will
      enable fiber examiners to better interpret evidence in cases where foreign fibers
      have been transferred during contact between victims and perpetrators of crimes. 

PMID- 26269943
TI  - Forensic Science and the Internet - Current Utilization and Future Potential.
AB  - The Internet has become a very powerful and inexpensive tool for the free
      distribution of knowledge and information. It is a learning and research tool, a
      virtual library without borders and membership requirements, a help desk, and a
      publication house providing newspapers with current information and journals with
      instant publication. Very soon, when live audio and video transmission is
      perfected, the Internet (popularly referred to as the Net) also will be a live
      classroom and everyday conference site. This article provides a brief overview of
      the basic structure and essential components of the Internet. A limited number of
      home pages/Web sites that are already made available on the Net by scientists,
      laboratories, and colleges in the forensic science community are presented in
      table forms. Home pages/Web sites containing useful information pertinent to
      different disciplines of forensic science are also categorized in various tables.
      The ease and benefits of the Internet use are exemplified by the author's
      personal experience. Currently, only a few forensic scientists and institutions
      have made their presence felt. More participation and active contribution and the
      creation of on-line searchable databases in all specialties of forensic science
      are urgently needed. Leading forensic journals should take the lead and create on
      line searchable indexes with abstracts. Creating Internet repositories of
      unpublished papers is an idea worth looking into. Leading forensic science
      institutions should also develop use of the Net to provide training and
      retraining opportunities for forensic scientists. 

PMID- 26269944
TI  - Methods for the Analysis of Human Bite Marks.
AB  - The comparison of features within a bite mark injury with the dentition of a
      suspect may be required during the course of a criminal investigation. A review
      of the literature regarding bite mark analysis has been undertaken to determine
      the value of this evidence. Bite marks in skin are complex injuries consisting of
      abrasions, lacerations, and contusions, caused by the crushing action of the
      teeth and related structures. Front-line investigators need to recognize and
      interpret these features, but no standard method of information collection or
      comparison has been agreed. Many classifications of bite mark types have been
      proposed, but do not appear to aid mark analysis. Investigations of bite
      strengths and sucking forces have been inconclusive. Insufficient information
      exists as to the accuracy and reproducibility of the representation of the
      dentition by tissue pathology. Histological analysis and collagen staining
      techniques have attempted to define the area of injury in detail, but have
      limited application. The quality of the mark is determined by numerous intrinsic
      and extrinsic factors. Distortion and shrinkage of the tissues introduce
      dimensional disturbances that require elimination before a comparison can be
      undertaken. No method exists to quantify and correct these distortions. The
      investigator must be aware that self-inflicted marks often occur among children
      and that other events may replicate bite mark injuries. The most common bite mark
      comparison methods employ an intermediate template produced from the suspect
      dentition that, when overlaid onto a scale photograph of the injury, demonstrates
      correspondence. No agreement exists regarding the individuality of human
      dentition, minimum level of correspondence required to positively identify the
      assailant, and the accuracy to which tissue pathology can represent these
      details. It is concluded that bite mark comparison can only exclude a suspect and
      should not be used for positive identification. 

PMID- 26269945
TI  - Modeling the voltage loss mechanisms in lithium-sulfur cells: the importance of
      electrolyte resistance and precipitation kinetics.
AB  - Understanding of the complex electrochemical, transport, and phase-change
      phenomena in Li-S cells requires experimental characterization in tandem with
      mechanistic modeling. However, existing Li-S models currently contradict some key
      features of experimental findings, particularly the evolution of cell resistance
      during discharge. We demonstrate that, by introducing a concentration-dependent
      electrolyte conductivity, the correct trends in voltage drop due to electrolyte
      resistance and activation overpotentials are retrieved. In addition, we reveal
      the existence of an often overlooked potential drop mechanism in the low voltage
      plateau which originates from the limited rate of Li2S precipitation. 

PMID- 26269946
TI  - Dengue Non-coding RNA: TRIMmed for Transmission.
AB  - Dengue virus RNA is trimmed by the 5'->3' exoribonuclease XRN1 to produce an
      abundant, non-coding subgenomic flavivirus RNA (sfRNA) in infected cells. In a
      recent paper in Science, Manokaran et al. (2015) report that sfRNA binds TRIM25
      to evade innate immune sensing of viral RNA by RIG-I.

PMID- 26269947
TI  - H. pylori GPS: Modulating Host Metabolites for Location Sensing.
AB  - Almost 20 years ago, urea was described as a chemotaxis attractant for
      Helicobacter pylori. In this issue of Cell Host & Microbe, Huang et al. (2015)
      report that H. pylori employs its urease enzyme to destroy urea to bring the
      concentration into a range that provokes an attractant response.

PMID- 26269948
TI  - STING Signaling the enERGIC Way.
AB  - The effector proteins IpaJ and VirA, from the bacterium Shigella flexneri, block
      the general secretory pathway (GSP) at different stages. In this issue of Cell
      Host & Microbe, Dobbs et al. (2015) use these proteins as a tool to pinpoint
      STING trafficking and signaling to the ER-Golgi intermediate compartment (ERGIC).

PMID- 26269949
TI  - Dectin-1 Exerts Dual Control in the Gut.
AB  - Dectin-1, a beta-glucan receptor, contributes to host anti-fungal defense. In
      this issue of Cell Host & Microbe, Tang et al. (2015) show that suppressing
      Dectin-1 signaling protects mice from experimental colitis by decreasing anti
      microbial peptide production, which allows overgrowth of Lactobacilli and
      triggers T regulatory cell expansion in the gut.

PMID- 26269950
TI  - Sweet Talk: Regulating Glucose Metabolism in Toxoplasma.
AB  - Toxoplasma gondii, the causative agent of toxoplasmosis, is an intracellular
      parasite that demonstrates a remarkable ability to adapt to nutrient
      availability. In this issue of Cell Host & Microbe, Blume et al. (2015) describe
      the unique role of a gluconeogenic enzyme in regulation of glucose catabolism in
      T. gondii.

PMID- 26269951
TI  - Do You Believe in ReincaRNAtion? Herpesviruses Reveal Connection between RNA
      Decay and Synthesis.
AB  - Many viruses degrade host mRNAs to reduce competition for proteins/ribosomes and
      promote viral gene expression. In this issue of Cell Host & Microbe, Abernathy et
      al. (2015) demonstrate that a herpesviral RNA endonuclease induces host
      transcriptional repression that is mediated through the decay factor Xrn1 and
      evaded by viral genes.

PMID- 26269952
TI  - Chemodetection and Destruction of Host Urea Allows Helicobacter pylori to Locate
      the Epithelium.
AB  - The gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori interacts intimately with the gastric
      mucosa to avoid the microbicidal acid in the stomach lumen. The cues H. pylori
      senses to locate and colonize the gastric epithelium have not been well defined.
      We show that metabolites emanating from human gastric organoids rapidly attract
      H. pylori. This response is largely controlled by the bacterial chemoreceptor
      TlpB, and the main attractant emanating from epithelia is urea. Our previous
      structural analyses show that TlpB binds urea with high affinity. Here we
      demonstrate that this tight binding controls highly sensitive responses, allowing
      detection of urea concentrations as low as 50 nM. Attraction to urea requires
      that H. pylori urease simultaneously destroys the signal. We propose that H.
      pylori has evolved a sensitive urea chemodetection and destruction system that
      allows the bacterium to dynamically and locally modify the host environment to
      locate the epithelium.

PMID- 26269953
TI  - Posttranslational Modifications of the Master Transcriptional Regulator NPR1
      Enable Dynamic but Tight Control of Plant Immune Responses.
AB  - NPR1, a master regulator of basal and systemic acquired resistance in plants,
      confers immunity through a transcriptional cascade, which includes transcription
      activators (e.g., TGA3) and repressors (e.g., WRKY70), leading to the massive
      induction of antimicrobial genes. How this single protein orchestrates genome
      wide transcriptional reprogramming in response to immune stimulus remains a major
      question. Paradoxically, while NPR1 is essential for defense gene induction, its
      turnover appears to be required for this function, suggesting that NPR1 activity
      and degradation are dynamically regulated. Here we show that sumoylation of NPR1
      by SUMO3 activates defense gene expression by switching NPR1's association with
      the WRKY transcription repressors to TGA transcription activators. Sumoylation
      also triggers NPR1 degradation, rendering the immune induction transient. SUMO
      modification of NPR1 is inhibited by phosphorylation at Ser55/Ser59, which keeps
      NPR1 stable and quiescent. Thus, posttranslational modifications enable dynamic
      but tight and precise control of plant immune responses. 

PMID- 26269954
TI  - Inhibition of Dectin-1 Signaling Ameliorates Colitis by Inducing Lactobacillus
      Mediated Regulatory T Cell Expansion in the Intestine.
AB  - Dectin-1, the receptor for beta-glucans, protects the host against fungal
      infection; however, its role in intestinal immunity is incompletely understood.
      We found that Dectin-1-deficient (Clec7a(-/-)) mice were refractory to both
      dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)- and CD45RB(high)CD4(+) T cell-induced colitis, and
      that this resistance was associated with an increase in regulatory T (Treg)
      cells. The proportion of lactobacilli, especially Lactobacillus murinus, in the
      commensal microflora was increased in Clec7a(-/-) mouse colons, and accompanied
      by a decrease in antimicrobial peptides induced by Dectin-1 signaling. L. murinus
      colonization increased Treg cells in the colon. Oral administration of laminarin,
      a Dectin-1 antagonist, suppressed the development of DSS-colitis, associated with
      an increase of L. murinus and Treg cells. Human patients with inflammatory bowel
      disease were found to have a decreased proportion of closely related
      Lactobacillus species. These observations suggest that Dectin-1 regulates the
      homeostasis of intestinal immunity by controlling Treg cell differentiation
      through modification of microbiota.

PMID- 26269955
TI  - Pathogenic NLRP3 Inflammasome Activity during Candida Infection Is Negatively
      Regulated by IL-22 via Activation of NLRC4 and IL-1Ra.
AB  - Candida albicans is a well-tolerated resident of human mucosal tissues. This
      implies that host defense mechanisms cooperate to limit inflammation while
      controlling fungal burden. The cytokine IL-22 and inflammasomes are essential
      components of the mucosal responses to C. albicans. How these components
      cooperate to mediate the balance of inflammation and host defense is not
      explored. We find that NLRP3 inflammasome activation promotes neutrophil
      recruitment and inflammation during infection and that this activity is
      counteracted by IL-22. Mechanistically, IL-22 activated NLRC4 for sustained
      production of the IL-1 receptor antagonist IL-1Ra, which restrained NLRP3
      activity. Symptomatic infection in mice and humans occurred under conditions of
      IL-1Ra deficiency and was rescued in mice by replacement therapy with the
      recombinant IL-1Ra anakinra. Thus, pathogenic inflammasome activity during
      Candida infection is negatively regulated by the IL-22/NLRC4/IL-1Ra axis. Our
      findings offer insights into the pathogenesis of C. albicans and suggest
      therapeutic avenues for candidiasis.

PMID- 26269956
TI  - A Toxoplasma gondii Gluconeogenic Enzyme Contributes to Robust Central Carbon
      Metabolism and Is Essential for Replication and Virulence.
AB  - The expression of gluconeogenic enzymes is typically repressed when glucose is
      available. The protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii utilizes host glucose to
      sustain high rates of intracellular replication. However, despite their
      preferential utilization of glucose, intracellular parasites constitutively
      express two isoforms of the gluconeogenic enzyme fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase
      (TgFBP1 and TgFBP2). The rationale for constitutive expression of FBPases in T.
      gondii remains unclear. We find that conditional knockdown of TgFBP2 results in
      complete loss of intracellular growth in vitro under glucose-replete conditions
      and loss of acute virulence in mice. TgFBP2 deficiency was rescued by expression
      of catalytically active FBPase and was associated with altered glycolytic and
      mitochondrial TCA cycle fluxes, as well as dysregulation of glycolipid,
      amylopectin, and fatty acid biosynthesis. Futile cycling between gluconeogenic
      and glycolytic enzymes may constitute a regulatory mechanism that allows T.
      gondii to rapidly adapt to changes in nutrient availability in different host
      cells.

PMID- 26269958
TI  - Screening for Fabry disease in left ventricular hypertrophy: documentation of a
      novel mutation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Fabry disease is a lysosomal storage disease caused by enzyme alpha
      galactosidase A deficiency as a result of mutations in the GLA gene. Cardiac
      involvement is characterized by progressive left ventricular hypertrophy.
      OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of Fabry disease in a population with left
      ventricular hypertrophy. METHODS: The patients were assessed for the presence of
      left ventricular hypertrophy defined as a left ventricular mass index >= 96 g/m2
      for women or >= 116 g/m2 for men. Severe aortic stenosis and arterial
      hypertension with mild left ventricular hypertrophy were exclusion criteria. All
      patients included were assessed for enzyme alpha-galactosidase A activity using
      dry spot testing. Genetic study was performed whenever the enzyme activity was
      decreased. RESULTS: A total of 47 patients with a mean left ventricular mass
      index of 141.1 g/m2 (+/- 28.5; 99.2 to 228.5 g/m2] were included. Most of the
      patients were females (51.1%). Nine (19.1%) showed decreased alpha-galactosidase
      A activity, but only one positive genetic test - [GLA] c.785G>T; p.W262L (exon
      5), a mutation not previously described in the literature. This clinical
      investigation was able to establish the association between the mutation and the
      clinical presentation. CONCLUSION: In a population of patients with left
      ventricular hypertrophy, we documented a Fabry disease prevalence of 2.1%. This
      novel case was defined in the sequence of a mutation of unknown meaning in the
      GLA gene with further pathogenicity study. Thus, this study permitted the
      definition of a novel causal mutation for Fabry disease - [GLA] c.785G>T; p.W262L
      (exon 5).

PMID- 26269962
TI  - Carbon Dots: A Unique Fluorescent Cocktail of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons.
AB  - Carbon dots (CDs) have attracted rapidly growing interest in recent years due to
      their unique and tunable optical properties, the low cost of fabrication, and
      their widespread uses. However, due to the complex structure of CDs, both the
      molecular ingredients and the intrinsic mechanisms governing photoluminescence of
      CDs are poorly understood. Among other features, a large Stokes shift of over 100
      nm and a photoluminescence spectrally dependent on the excitation wavelength have
      so far not been adequately explained. In this Letter we investigate CDs and
      develop a model system to mimic their optical properties. This system comprised
      three types of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) molecules with fine-tuned
      concentrations embedded in a polymer matrix. The model suggests that the Stokes
      shift in CDs is due to the self-trapping of an exciton in the PAH network. The
      width and the excitation dependence of the emission comes from a selective
      excitation of PAHs with slightly different energy gaps and from energy transfer
      between them. These insights will help to tailor the optical properties of CDs
      and help their implementation into applications, e.g., light-emitting devices and
      biomarkers. This could also lead to "artificial" tunable carbon dots by locally
      modifying the composition and consequently the optical properties of composite
      PAH films. 

PMID- 26269963
TI  - Structural Characterisation of Complex Layered Double Hydroxides and TGA-GC-MS
      Study on Thermal Response and Carbonate Contamination in Nitrate- and Organic
      Exchanged Hydrotalcites.
AB  - Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are versatile materials used for intercalating
      bioactive molecules in the fields of pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and
      cosmetics, with the purpose of protecting them from degradation, enhancing their
      water solubility to increase bioavailability and improving their pharmacokinetic
      properties and formulation stability. Moreover, LDHs are used in various
      technological applications to improve stability and processability. The crystal
      chemistry of hydrotalcite-like compounds was investigated by X-ray powder
      diffraction (XRPD), automated electron diffraction tomography (ADT) and
      thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)-GC-MS to shed light on the mechanisms involved
      in ion exchange and absorption of contaminants, mainly carbonate anions. For the
      first time, ADT allowed a structural model of LDH_NO3 to be obtained from
      experiment, shedding light on the conformation of nitrate inside LDH and on the
      loss of crystallinity due to the layer morphology. The ADT analysis of a hybrid
      LDH sample (LDH_EUS) clearly revealed an increase in defectivity in this
      material. XRPD demonstrated that the presence of carbonate can influence the
      intercalation of organic molecules into LDH, since CO3 -contaminated samples tend
      to adopt d spacings that are approximate multiples of the d spacing of LDH_CO3 .
      TGA-GC-MS allowed intercalated and surface- adsorbed organic molecules to be
      distinguished and quantified, the presence and amount of carbonate to be
      confirmed, especially at low concentrations (<2 wt %), and the different types
      and strengths of adsorption to be classified with respect to the temperature of
      elimination.

PMID- 26269957
TI  - RIP3 Regulates Autophagy and Promotes Coxsackievirus B3 Infection of Intestinal
      Epithelial Cells.
AB  - Receptor interacting protein kinase-3 (RIP3) is an essential kinase for
      necroptotic cell death signaling and has been implicated in antiviral cell death
      signaling upon DNA virus infection. Here, we performed high-throughput RNAi
      screening and identified RIP3 as a positive regulator of coxsackievirus B3 (CVB)
      replication in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs). RIP3 regulates autophagy, a
      process utilized by CVB for viral replication factory assembly, and depletion of
      RIP3 inhibits autophagic flux and leads to the accumulation of autophagosomes and
      amphisomes. Additionally, later in infection, RIP3 is cleaved by the CVB-encoded
      cysteine protease 3C(pro), which serves to abrogate RIP3-mediated necrotic
      signaling and induce a nonnecrotic form of cell death. Taken together, our
      results show that temporal targeting of RIP3 allows CVB to benefit from its roles
      in regulating autophagy while inhibiting the induction of necroptotic cell death.

PMID- 26269965
TI  - Application of Serological and DNA Methods for the Identification of Urine
      Specimen Donors.
AB  - Recent implementation of urine drug-screening policies in the workplace has
      resulted in an increase in the submission of substituted urine specimens. Donor
      verification of urine specimens often becomes necessary when the origin of a
      specimen is in question or when a positive drug test is contested. Methods
      reported for the identification of the urine donor include the analysis of blood
      group antigenic substances (ABH and Lewis systems), polymorphic proteins (group
      specific component, haptoglobin, and orosomucoid), and deoxyribonucleic acid
      (DNA). Since the concentrations of the antigenic substances and polymorphic
      proteins in urine are typically low, most serological procedures adapt a
      concentration step enhancing the presence of these substances in the resulting
      residue by a factor ranging from 100 to 3,000. Conventional (and a two
      dimensional) absorption-inhibition and electrophoresis procedures can then be
      applied to characterize the antigenic substances and polymorphic proteins.
      Recently developed DNA methodologies have also evolved to help characterize urine
      specimens and often provide more informative data than those derived from
      conventional serological approaches. As of this date, the unique nature of urine
      as the source of genetic markers has not yet been thoroughly explored and
      understood. Also, many related procedures and statistical data have yet to be
      empirically established. This state-of-the-art technology cannot yet
      "fingerprint" a urine specimen at this date. A limited number of investigations
      do indicate, however, that the combined use of serological and DNA approaches can
      provide valuable information helping to resolve the donorship issues that are
      frequently contested in drug urinalysis-related legal proceedings. 

PMID- 26269964
TI  - Effects of Trait Self-Control on Response Conflict About Healthy and Unhealthy
      Food.
AB  - Self-control leads to positive life outcomes, but it is poorly understood. While
      previous research has focused on self-control failure, self-control success
      remains unexplored. The current studies aim to shed more light on the mechanisms
      of self-control by focusing on the resolution of response conflict as a key
      component in self-control success. Trait self-control was measured, and
      participants reported on the magnitude of response conflict they experienced
      about healthy and unhealthy foods in Study 1 (N = 146; Mage  = 33.03; 59 females,
      83 males, 4 unknown). The response conflict process was assessed in Study 2 (N =
      118; Mage  = 21.45; 68 females, 41 males, 9 unknown). Outcomes showed that self
      reported evaluative response conflict about food items was smaller for people
      high in trait self-control. Study 2 revealed that higher trait self-control
      predicted faster resolution of self-control conflict, and an earlier peak of the
      response conflict. Taken together, these results provide insight into what makes
      people with high trait self-control successful, namely, how they handle response
      conflict. Implications for self-control theories and future directions are
      discussed.

PMID- 26269966
TI  - Genetic Polymorphisms of Human Parotid Saliva and Their Application to Forensic
      Science.
AB  - Human saliva is one of the valuable resources for the identification of genetic
      markers. A number of polymorphisms are found in salivary proteins and enzymes.
      They could provide the important information for genetic studies and forensic
      science. Polymorphic proteins in saliva show very unique composition of amino
      acids, which are named proline-rich proteins (PRPs). Proline-rich proteins have
      some biochemical and immunological similarities and linkage has been shown to
      occur among them. Recent deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) analysis suggests that PRP
      genes have to be reconsidered on the gene structure. This review includes the
      polymorphisms of salivary proteins and enzymes and their application for human
      genetics and forensic science. Recent DNA studies that suggest the reorganization
      of the loci controlling the production of PRPs are also discussed. 

PMID- 26269967
TI  - A Historical Review of the Characterization of Blood and Secretion Stains in the
      Forensic Science Laboratory Part One: Bloodstains.
AB  - Laboratory tests were established during the latter part of the 19th century and
      the beginning of the 20th century that determined whether or not a stain was
      blood and, if so, from which species it originated. A few years after the
      discovery of the ABO blood groups in 1900, it was possible to detect these groups
      in bloodstains using the absorption-inhibition (A/I) technique. However, in the
      1960s a new technique emerged that was more sensitive and quicker than A/I - the
      absorbtion-elution (A/E) method. Furthermore, it could be adapted to grouping
      semen and saliva stains. The biochemical technique of electrophoresis allowed the
      study of polymorphic forms of serum proteins and red cell enzymes in bloodstains.
      By 1980 it was theoretically possible to type a bloodstain in at least 16
      different blood group systems. Even if a smaller number of these systems was
      identified in a stain, often very high levels of discrimination were achieved.
      Fewer blood grouping systems were applicable to secretion stains. The latest
      development of DNA profiling, however, allows the determination of the source of
      a stain from blood or semen with a degree of certainty never before attained.
      Technical success has nevertheless brought problems both for the laboratory and
      the courts, some of which are addressed here. 

PMID- 26269968
TI  - Urinary Metabolites of Anabolic Steroids.
AB  - Anabolic steroids are abused for performance enhancement by athletes, and for
      appearance alteration by others. Urine drug testing is an effective deterrent in
      reducing their abuse. We have reviewed the current status of published
      information on the urinary metabolites (neutral fraction) of 17 anabolic
      steroids. The steroids are separated into five groups based on their structures:
      17alpha-methyl steroids, 19-nor steroids, steroids with A-ring modifications,
      steroids with an extra ring, and steroids with B-ring and C-ring modifications.
      Common metabolic pathways are noted and summarized. 

PMID- 26269969
TI  - Acute Macular Neuroretinopathy in Dengue Fever: Short-term Prospectively Followed
      Up Case Series.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: The incidence of dengue fever (DF) increases every year. Macular
      complications of patients with DF may be more common than many ophthalmologists
      realize. During a DF outbreak in South China in 2014, we observed acute macular
      neuroretinopathy associated with DF. OBSERVATIONS: Among 9 patients (17 eyes)
      with maculopathy post-DF, 5 patients (55.6%) (9 eyes) manifesting acute macular
      neuroretinopathy were recruited from August 1, 2014, to September 30, 2014, with
      a 6-month ophthalmic follow-up. Infrared reflectance imaging demonstrated
      localized areas of hyporeflection in the macula. Spectral-domain (SD) optical
      coherence tomography (OCT) scanning through these areas revealed hyperreflection
      in the photoreceptor layer and disruption of its normal reflective structures.
      Subsequent SD-OCT demonstrated that the hyperreflection of the photoreceptor
      layer regressed gradually, followed by thinning of the outer nuclear layer. The
      external limiting membrane and ellipsoid zone became continuous; however, the
      interdigitation zone was not restored. The scotomas persisted in all 5 patients
      (9 eyes) by the last visit. All 5 patients (9 eyes) in this case series were
      complicated with classic dengue maculopathy signs, such as intraretinal
      hemorrhage and exudation, which were completely resolved during the follow-up.
      CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: These data suggest that acute macular neuroretinopathy
      is a major manifestation of dengue maculopathy, with persistent scotomas through
      at least 6 months.

PMID- 26269970
TI  - Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics Calculations versus Quantum-State-Resolved
      Experiments on CHD3 + Pt(111): New Insights into a Prototypical Gas-Surface
      Reaction.
AB  - The dissociative chemisorption of methane on metal surfaces is of fundamental and
      practical interest, being a rate-limiting step in the steam reforming process.
      The reaction is best modeled with quantum dynamics calculations, but these are
      currently not guaranteed to produce accurate results because they rely on
      potential energy surfaces based on untested density functionals and on untested
      dynamical approximations. To help overcome these limitations, here we present for
      the first time statistically accurate reaction probabilities obtained with ab
      initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) for a polyatomic gas-phase molecule reacting
      with a metal surface. Using a general purpose density functional, the AIMD
      reaction probabilities are in semiquantitative agreement with new quantum-state
      resolved experiments on CHD3 + Pt(111). The comparison suggests the use of the
      sudden approximation for treating the rotations even though CHD3 has large
      rotational constants and yields an estimated reaction barrier of 0.9 eV for CH4 +
      Pt(111). 

PMID- 26269971
TI  - Homogeneous Emission Line Broadening in the Organo Lead Halide Perovskite
      CH3NH3PbI3-xClx.
AB  - The organic-inorganic hybrid perovskites methylammonium lead iodide (CH3NH3PbI3)
      and the partially chlorine-substituted mixed halide CH3NH3PbI3-xClx emit strong
      and broad photoluminescence (PL) around their band gap energy of ~1.6 eV.
      However, the nature of the radiative decay channels behind the observed emission
      and, in particular, the spectral broadening mechanisms are still unclear. Here we
      investigate these processes for high-quality vapor-deposited films of CH3NH3PbI3
      xClx using time- and excitation-energy dependent photoluminescence spectroscopy.
      We show that the PL spectrum is homogenously broadened with a line width of 103
      meV most likely as a consequence of phonon coupling effects. Further analysis
      reveals that defects or trap states play a minor role in radiative decay
      channels. In terms of possible lasing applications, the emission spectrum of the
      perovskite is sufficiently broad to have potential for amplification of light
      pulses below 100 fs pulse duration. 

PMID- 26269972
TI  - Branching Ratio between Proton Transfer and Electron Transfer Channels of a
      Bidirectional Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer.
AB  - Rigorous quantum dynamical study of concerted proton-coupled electron transfer
      (PCET) on the time scale of a few femtoseconds (fs) has been rarely reported.
      Herein, a time-dependent quantum wavepacket propagation method was applied to the
      dynamics of the charge-transfer excited electronic state of FHCl corresponding to
      F(+)HCl(-). The dynamics corresponds to a bidirectional PCET with two
      dissociation channels: the electron transfer (ET, generating FH+Cl) and proton
      transfer (PT, generating F+HCl) paths. The calculated branching ratio (Cl/F),
      0.78, implies a surprising fact: PT prevails over ET. A detailed analysis of the
      proton movement and electron readjustment suggests that the proton movement
      starts ~3 fs earlier than the electron movement, and the electron readjustment is
      triggered by the initial movement of the proton. The branching ratio drastically
      inverts to 1.24 because of a reduced nonadiabatic effect in the isotope
      substituted system, FDCl. 

PMID- 26269973
TI  - The Role of Intrinsic Defects in Methylammonium Lead Iodide Perovskite.
AB  - One of the major merits of CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite as an efficient absorber
      material for the photovoltaic cell is its long carrier lifetime. We investigate
      the role of the intrinsic defects of CH3NH3PbI3 on its outstanding photovoltaic
      properties using density-functional studies. Two types of defects are of
      interest, i.e., Schottky defects and Frenkel defects. Schottky defects, such as
      PbI2 and CH3NH3I vacancy, do not make a trap state, which can reduce carrier
      lifetime. Elemental defects like Pb, I, and CH3NH3 vacancies derived from Frenkel
      defects act as dopants, which explains the unintentional doping of methylammonium
      lead halides (MALHs). The absence of gap states from intrinsic defects of MALHs
      can be ascribed to the ionic bonding from organic-inorganic hybridization. These
      results explain why the perovskite MALHs can be an efficient semiconductor, even
      when grown using simple solution processes. It also suggests that the n-/p-type
      can be efficiently manipulated by controlling growth processes. 

PMID- 26269974
TI  - Identifying Descriptors for Solvent Stability in Nonaqueous Li-O2 Batteries.
AB  - One crucial challenge in developing rechargeable Li-O2 batteries is to identify a
      stable solvent that is resistant to decomposition in the electrochemical
      environment of Li2O2. We attempt to identify descriptors that could be used to
      test for solvent stability. We build on the recent quantitative experimental
      results on oxygen consumption and release during discharge and charge
      respectively. We limit our focus to understanding trends in oxidative stability
      of solvents and based on a systematic treatment of the electrochemical
      environment of Li2O2, we propose that, to a first approximation, the highest
      occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) level could be a good descriptor. We
      demonstrate that this descriptor correlates well with the experimentally measured
      degree of rechargeability. We utilize this descriptor to screen a large number of
      solvents and identify several solvents that could enhance the rechargeability of
      nonaqueous Li-O2 batteries. We provide a comprehensive compilation of available
      computational and experimental data of several key solvent parameters that we
      believe will be the genesis for an 'electrolyte genome'. 

PMID- 26269975
TI  - Direct Visualization of Electronic Asymmetry within a Phenyl-Linked Porphyrin
      Dimer.
AB  - Asymmetric electronic structures within a single molecule have been investigated
      by scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy. Inside of a phenyl-linked
      porphyrin dimer, the asymmetric electronic structures are achieved by the
      incorporation of a cobalt ion in one porphyrin moiety. We find that a p-n
      junction between two pi-conjugated segments is formed within the porphyrin dimer.
      The understanding of the local electronic structures of the intramolecular p-n
      junction should represent a fundamental step to realizing single molecular
      devices. 

PMID- 26269976
TI  - A DFT Study of Linear Gold-Thiolate Superclusters Absorbing in the Therapeutic
      NIR Window.
AB  - A series of linear clusters up to an aspect ratio of 1:6, formed as multimers of
      smaller clusters with an icosahedral Au13(5+) core having an eight-electron
      superatom configuration, are computationally predicted to have a greatly enhanced
      size-dependent absorption in the near-infrared (NIR) region extending to the
      biologically important NIR window. A novel structural model is presented for the
      previously isolated thiol-stabilized Au54(SR)30 cluster, where the metal core is
      formed as a heterodimer of the cores of the known Au25(SR)18(-/0) and Au38(SR)24
      clusters. 

PMID- 26269978
TI  - Thermal Signatures of Plasmonic Fano Interferences: Toward the Achievement of
      Nanolocalized Temperature Manipulation.
AB  - A consequence of thermal diffusion is that heat, even when applied to a localized
      region of space, has the tendency to produce a temperature change that is
      spatially uniform throughout a material with a thermal conductivity that is much
      larger than that of its environment. This implies that the degree of spatial
      correlation between the heat power supplied and the temperature change that it
      induces is likely to be small. Here, we show, via theory and simulation, that
      through a Fano interference, temperature changes can be both localized and
      controllably directed within certain plasmon-supporting metal nanoparticle
      assemblies. This occurs even when all particles are composed of the same material
      and contained within the same diffraction-limited spot. These anomalous thermal
      properties are compared and contrasted across three different nanosystems, the
      coupled nanorod-antenna, the heterorod dimer, and the nanocube on a substrate,
      known to support both spatial and spectral Fano interferences. We conclude that
      the presence of a Fano resonance is not sufficient by itself to induce a
      controllably nanolocalized temperature change. However, when present in a
      nanosystem of the right composition and morphology, temperature changes can be
      manipulated with nanoscale precision, despite thermal diffusion. 

PMID- 26269977
TI  - Importance of Polaronic Effects for Charge Transport in CdSe Quantum Dot Solids.
AB  - We developed an accurate model accounting for electron-phonon interaction in
      colloidal quantum dot supercrystals that allowed us to identify the nature of
      charge carriers and the electrical transport regime. We find that in
      experimentally analyzed CdSe nanocrystal solids, the electron-phonon interaction
      is sufficiently strong that small polarons localized to single dots are formed.
      Charge-carrier transport occurs by small polaron hopping between the dots, with
      mobility that decreases with increasing temperature. While such a temperature
      dependence of mobility is usually considered as a proof of band transport, we
      show that the same type of dependence occurs in the system where transport is
      dominated by small polaron hopping. 

PMID- 26269979
TI  - Electron- and Energy-Transfer Processes in a Photocatalytic System Based on an
      Ir(III)-Photosensitizer and an Iron Catalyst.
AB  - The reaction pathways of bis-(2-phenylpyridinato-)(2,2'
      bipyridine)iridium(III)hexafluorophosphate [Ir(ppy)2(bpy)]PF6 within a
      photocatalytic water reduction system for hydrogen generation based on an iron
      catalyst were investigated by employing time-resolved photoluminescence
      spectroscopy and time-dependent density functional theory. Electron transfer (ET)
      from the sacrificial reagent to the photoexcited Ir complex has a surprisingly
      low probability of 0.4% per collision. Hence, this step limits the efficiency of
      the overall system. The calculations show that ET takes place only for specific
      encounter geometries. At the same time, the presence of the iron-catalyst
      represents an energy loss channel due to a triplet-triplet energy transfer of
      Dexter type. This loss channel is kept small by the employed concentration
      ratios, thus favoring the reductive ET necessary for the water reduction. The
      elucidated reaction mechanisms underline the further need to improve the sun
      light's energy pathway to the catalyst to increase the efficiency of the
      photocatalytic system. 

PMID- 26269980
TI  - Understanding Atom Probe Tomography of Oxide-Supported Metal Nanoparticles by
      Correlation with Atomic-Resolution Electron Microscopy and Field Evaporation
      Simulation.
AB  - Oxide-supported metal nanoparticles are widely used in heterogeneous catalysis.
      The increasingly detailed design of such catalysts necessitates three-dimensional
      characterization with high spatial resolution and elemental selectivity. Laser
      assisted atom probe tomography (APT) is uniquely suited to the task but faces
      challenges with the evaporation of metal/insulator systems. Correlation of APT
      with aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), for
      Au nanoparticles embedded in MgO, reveals preferential evaporation of the MgO and
      an inaccurate assessment of nanoparticle composition. Finite element field
      evaporation modeling is used to illustrate the evolution of the evaporation
      front. Nanoparticle composition is most accurately predicted when the MgO is
      treated as having a locally variable evaporation field, indicating the importance
      of considering laser-oxide interactions and the evaporation of various molecular
      oxide ions. These results demonstrate the viability of APT for analysis of oxide
      supported metal nanoparticles, highlighting the need for developing a theoretical
      framework for the evaporation of heterogeneous materials. 

PMID- 26269981
TI  - Tailored Oxygen Framework of Li4Ti5O12 Nanorods for High-Power Li Ion Battery.
AB  - Here we designed the kinetically favored Li4Ti5O12 by modifying its crystal
      structure to improve intrinsic Li diffusivity for high power density. Our first
      principles calculations revealed that the substituted Na expanded the oxygen
      framework of Li4Ti5O12 and facilitated Li ion diffusion in Li4Ti5O12 through 3-D
      high-rate diffusion pathway secured by Na ions. Accordingly, we synthesized
      sodium-substituted Li4Ti5O12 nanorods having not only a morphological merit from
      1-D nanostructure engineering but also sodium substitution-induced open framework
      to attain ultrafast Li diffusion. The new material exhibited an outstanding
      cycling stability and capacity retention even at 200 times higher current density
      (20 C) compared with the initial condition (0.1 C). 

PMID- 26269982
TI  - Air-Exposure-Induced Gas-Molecule Incorporation into Spiro-MeOTAD Films.
AB  - Combined photoemission and charge-transport property studies of the organic hole
      transport material 2,2',7,7'-tetrakis(N,N-di-p-methoxyphenylamine)-9,9'
      spirobifluorene (spiro-MeOTAD) under air exposure and controlled environments of
      O2, H2O + N2, and N2 (1 atm and under dark conditions) reveal the incorporation
      of gas molecules causing a decrease in charge mobility. Ultraviolet photoelectron
      spectroscopy shows the Fermi level shifts toward the highest occupied molecular
      orbital of spiro-MeOTAD when exposed to air, O2, and H2O resembling p-type
      doping. However, no traces of oxidized spiro-MeOTAD(+) are observed by X-ray
      photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and UV-visible spectroscopy. The charge
      transport properties were investigated by fabricating organic field-effect
      transistors with the 10 nm active layer at the semiconductor-insulator interface
      exposed to different gases. The hole mobility decreases substantially upon
      exposure to air, O2, and H2O. In the case of N2, XPS reveals the incorporation of
      N2 molecules into the film, but the decrease in the hole mobility is much
      smaller. 

PMID- 26269983
TI  - Electrostatic Domination of the Effect of Electron Correlation in Intermolecular
      Interactions.
AB  - The electron-electron correlation energy is negative, and attractive dispersion
      interactions are entirely a correlation effect; therefore, the contribution of
      correlation to intermolecular binding is commonly assumed to be negative, or
      binding in nature. However, there are many cases where the long-range correlation
      binding energy is positive, with certain geometries of the water dimer as a
      prominent example. Geometries with dipoles misaligned can also have an
      electrostatically dominated, though negative, long-range correlation binding. In
      either case, the interaction decays as R(-3). This has its origin in the
      systematic overestimation of dipole moments by Hartree-Fock theory, leading to a
      reduction in the calculated electrostatic attraction upon inclusion of
      correlation. Thus, energy decomposition analyses that include correlation but do
      not correct mean field electrostatic terms are suboptimal. Attenuated second
      order Moller-Plesset theory, which smoothly truncates long-range electron
      correlation effects to zero, can, paradoxically, have the correct long-range
      behavior for many intermolecular interactions. 

PMID- 26269984
TI  - Coherent Oscillations in Chlorosome Elucidated by Two-Dimensional Electronic
      Spectroscopy.
AB  - Chlorosomes are the most efficient photosynthetic light-harvesting complexes
      found in nature and consist of many bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) molecules self
      assembled into supramolecular aggregates. Here we elucidate the presence and the
      origin of coherent oscillations in chlorosome at cryogenic temperature using 2D
      electronic spectroscopy. We observe coherent oscillations of multiple frequencies
      superimposed on the ultrafast amplitude decay of 2D spectra. Comparison of
      oscillatory features in the rephasing and nonrephasing 2D spectra suggests that
      an oscillation of 620 cm(-1) frequency arises from electronic coherence. However,
      this coherent oscillation can be enhanced by vibronic coupling with
      intermolecular vibrations of BChl aggregate, and thus it might originate from
      vibronic coherence rather than pure electronic coherence. Although the 620 cm(-1)
      oscillation dephases rapidly, the electronic (or vibronic) coherence may still
      take part in the initial step of energy transfer in chlorosome, which is
      comparably fast. 

PMID- 26269985
TI  - Chemical Warfare Agent Surface Adsorption: Hydrogen Bonding of Sarin and Soman to
      Amorphous Silica.
AB  - Sarin and soman are warfare nerve agents that represent some of the most toxic
      compounds ever synthesized. The extreme risk in handling such molecules has,
      until now, precluded detailed research into the surface chemistry of agents. We
      have developed a surface science approach to explore the fundamental nature of
      hydrogen bonding forces between these agents and a hydroxylated surface. Infrared
      spectroscopy revealed that both agents adsorb to amorphous silica through the
      formation of surprisingly strong hydrogen-bonding interactions with primarily
      isolated silanol groups (SiOH). Comparisons with previous theoretical results
      reveal that this bonding occurs almost exclusively through the phosphoryl oxygen
      (P?O) of the agent. Temperature-programmed desorption experiments determined that
      the activation energy for hydrogen bond rupture and desorption of sarin and soman
      was 50 +/- 2 and 52 +/- 2 kJ/mol, respectively. Together with results from
      previous studies involving other phosphoryl-containing molecules, we have
      constructed a detailed understanding of the structure-function relationship for
      nerve agent hydrogen bonding at the gas-surface interface. 

PMID- 26269986
TI  - Catalysis with Metal Nanoparticles Immobilized within the Pores of Metal-Organic
      Frameworks.
AB  - Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are highly ordered crystalline porous materials
      prepared by the self-assembly of metal ions and organic linkers having low
      density framework structures of diversified topologies with tunable pore sizes
      and exceptionally large surface areas. Other than outstanding gas/molecule
      storage properties, loading of metal nanoparticles (MNPs) into the pores of MOFs
      could afford heterogeneous catalysts having advantages of controlling the
      particle growth to a nanosize region, resulting in highly active sites and
      enhanced catalytic performances, and these entrapped MNPs within MOF pores could
      be accessed by reactants for chemical transformations. This is a rapidly
      developing research area, and this Perspective addresses current achievements and
      future challenges for diverse MOF-immobilized MNPs within their pores, focusing
      especially on their preparation, characterization, and application as
      heterogeneous catalysts. 

PMID- 26269987
TI  - Thickness-Dependent Full-Color Emission Tunability in a Flexible Carbon Dot
      Ionogel.
AB  - Multicolor luminescent materials are of immense importance nowadays, while it
      still constitutes a challenge to achieve luminescence color tunability,
      transparency, and flexibility at the same time. Here we show how ultrasmall
      carbon dots (CDs) fluorescing strongly across the visible spectrum can be surface
      functionalized and incorporated into highly flexible hybrid materials by
      combination with ionic liquids within silica gel networks to form CD-ionogels
      with properties promising for fabrication of flexible displays and other optical
      technologies without the use of any toxic materials. We demonstrate how the
      emission from such hybrid materials can be tuned across a large range of the
      Commission Internationale de l'Enclairage (CIE) display gamut giving full-color
      performance. We highlight how the rich ladder of emissive states attributable to
      organic functional groups and CD surface functionalization supports a smooth
      sequential multiple self-absorption tuning mechanism to red shift continuously
      from blue emitting n-pi* transitions down through the lower energy states. 

PMID- 26269988
TI  - High Photoluminescence Efficiency and Optically Pumped Lasing in Solution
      Processed Mixed Halide Perovskite Semiconductors.
AB  - The study of the photophysical properties of organic-metallic lead halide
      perovskites, which demonstrate excellent photovoltaic performance in devices with
      electron- and hole-accepting layers, helps to understand their charge
      photogeneration and recombination mechanism and unravels their potential for
      other optoelectronic applications. We report surprisingly high photoluminescence
      (PL) quantum efficiencies, up to 70%, in these solution-processed crystalline
      films. We find that photoexcitation in the pristine CH3NH3PbI3-xClx perovskite
      results in free charge carrier formation within 1 ps and that these free charge
      carriers undergo bimolecular recombination on time scales of 10s to 100s of ns.
      To exemplify the high luminescence yield of the CH3NH3PbI3-xClx perovskite, we
      construct and demonstrate the operation of an optically pumped vertical cavity
      laser comprising a layer of perovskite between a dielectric mirror and evaporated
      gold top mirrors. These long carrier lifetimes together with exceptionally high
      luminescence yield are unprecedented in such simply prepared inorganic
      semiconductors, and we note that these properties are ideally suited for
      photovoltaic diode operation. 

PMID- 26269989
TI  - In Situ TEM Observations on the Sulfur-Assisted Catalytic Growth of Single-Wall
      Carbon Nanotubes.
AB  - The effect of sulfur on the catalytic nucleation and growth of single-wall carbon
      nanotubes (SWCNTs) from an iron catalyst was investigated in situ by transmission
      electron microscopy (TEM). The catalyst precursor of ferrocene and growth
      promoter of sulfur were selectively loaded inside of the hollow core of multiwall
      CNTs with open ends, which served as a nanoreactor powered by applying a voltage
      inside of the chamber of a TEM. It was found that a SWCNT nucleated and grew
      perpendicularly from a region of the catalyst nanoparticle surface, instead of
      the normal tangential growth that occurs with no sulfur addition. Our in situ TEM
      observation combined with CVD growth studies suggests that sulfur functions to
      promote the nucleation and growth of SWCNTs by forming inhomogeneous local active
      sites and modifying the interface bonding between catalysts and precipitated
      graphitic layers, so that carbon caps can be lifted off from the catalyst
      particle. 

PMID- 26269990
TI  - Quantum Yield of Polariton Emission from Hybrid Light-Matter States.
AB  - The efficiency of light-matter strong coupling is tuned by precisely varying the
      spatial position of a thin layer of cyanine dye J-aggregates in Fabry-Perot
      microcavities, and their photophysical properties are determined. Placing the
      layer at the cavity field maximum affords an interaction energy (Rabi splitting)
      of 503 meV, a 62% increase over that observed if the aggregates are simply spread
      evenly through the cavity, placing the system in the ultrastrong coupling regime.
      The fluorescence quantum yield of the lowest polaritonic state P- integrated over
      k-space is found to be ~10(-2). The same value can be deduced from the 1.4 ps
      lifetime of P- measured by femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy and the
      calculated radiative decay rate constant. Thus, the polariton decay is dominated
      by nonradiative processes, in contrast with what might be expected from the small
      effective mass of the polaritons. These findings provide a deeper understanding
      of hybrid light-molecule states and have implications for the modification of
      molecular and material properties by strong coupling. 

PMID- 26269991
TI  - How Hydrogen Bonds Affect the Growth of Reverse Micelles around Coordinating
      Metal Ions.
AB  - Extensive research on hydrogen bonds (H-bonds) have illustrated their critical
      role in various biological, chemical and physical processes. Given that existing
      studies are predominantly performed in aqueous conditions, how H-bonds affect
      both the structure and function of aggregates in organic phase is poorly
      understood. Herein, we investigate the role of H-bonds on the hierarchical
      structure of an aggregating amphiphile-oil solution containing a coordinating
      metal complex by means of atomistic molecular dynamics simulations and X-ray
      techniques. For the first time, we show that H-bonds not only stabilize the metal
      complex in the hydrophobic environment by coordinating between the Eu(NO3)3 outer
      sphere and aggregating amphiphiles, but also affect the growth of such reverse
      micellar aggregates. The formation of swollen, elongated reverse micelles
      elevates the extraction of metal ions with increased H-bonds under acidic
      condition. These new insights into H-bonds are of broad interest to nanosynthesis
      and biological applications, in addition to metal ion separations. 

PMID- 26269992
TI  - Photovoltaic Heterojunctions of Fullerenes with MoS2 and WS2 Monolayers.
AB  - First-principles calculations are performed to explore the geometry, bonding, and
      electronic structures of six ultrathin photovoltaic heterostructures consisting
      of pristine and B- or N-doped fullerenes and MoS2 or WS2 monolayers. The
      fullerenes prefer to be attached with a hexagon parallel to the monolayer, where
      B and N favor proximity to the monolayer. The main electronic properties of the
      subsystems stay intact, suggesting weak interfacial interaction. Both the
      C60/MoS2 and C60/WS2 systems show type-II band alignments. However, the built-in
      potential in the former case is too small to effectively drive electron-hole
      separation across the interface, whereas the latter system is predicted to show
      good photovoltaic performance. Unfortunately, B and N doping destroys the type-II
      band alignment on MoS2 and preserves it only in one spin channel on WS2, which is
      unsuitable for excitonic solar cells. Our results suggest that the C60/WS2 system
      is highly promising for excitonic solar cells. 

PMID- 26269993
TI  - On the Controversial Nature of the 825 nm Exciton Band in the FMO Protein
      Complex.
AB  - The nature of the low-energy 825 nm band of the Fenna-Matthews-Olson (FMO)
      protein complex from Chlorobaculum tepidum at 5 K is discussed. It is shown,
      using hole-burning (HB) spectroscopy and excitonic calculations, that the 825 nm
      absorption band of the FMO trimer cannot be explained by a single electronic
      transition or overlap of electronic transitions of noninteracting pigments. To
      explain the shape of emission and nonresonant HB spectra, downward uncorrelated
      excitation energy transfer (EET) between trimer subunits should be taken into
      account. Modeling studies reveal the presence of three sub-bands within the 825
      nm band, in agreement with nonresonant HB and emission spectra. We argue that
      after light induced coherences vanish, uncorrelated EET between the lowest
      exciton levels of each monomer takes place. HB induced spectral shifts provide a
      new insight on the energy landscape of the FMO protein. 

PMID- 26269994
TI  - Rechargeable Aqueous Microdroplet.
AB  - Directional and controllable transportation of microdroplets is critical for
      emerging micro- and nanotechnology, in which the conventional mechanical energy
      generation is not applicable. This Letter shows that an aqueous microdroplet can
      be charged for controlled motion in electrostatic potential, which was created by
      differentiating pH, between two oil/water interfaces. The directional motion of
      the droplet, <100 MUm in diameter, was obtained with a constant velocity of ~1
      mm/s. The force analysis showed that the droplet surface was charged and
      recharged oppositely by ion transfer through interfacial layers, without
      significant mass transfer. The charging and recharging cycles were recorded
      continuously with a single droplet over 100 times. The energy for motion was
      generated from pH neutralization, which is the simplest aqueous reaction. This is
      the first time that the phenomenon is reported. The phenomenon can be employed as
      an efficient and robust method to convert chemical to mechanical energy for
      miniaturized devices and microprocesses. 

PMID- 26269995
TI  - Photochemical Dynamics of Ethylene Cation C2H4(.).
AB  - We present a theoretical study of the nonadiabatic effects in ethylene cation
      C2H4(+), the simplest pi radical cation, after photoexcitation to its three
      lowest doublet excited states. Two families of conical intersections are found,
      with minimum energy structures characterized by planar and twisted geometries. Ab
      initio multiple spawning dynamical calculations suggest that the competition
      between these relaxation pathways depends strongly on the initial excited state,
      with excited state lifetimes in the 30-60 fs range. Ultrafast decay via planar
      geometries deposits the molecule near a bridged minimum on the ground state,
      allowing prompt H migration events. The alternative pathway mediated by torsional
      motion induces important backspawned population transfer promoted by hindered
      rotations. The results allow us to revisit earlier vibrationally-mediated
      photodissociation experiments and shed light on the electronic relaxation
      dynamics of a prototypical radical cation subject to strong vibronic
      interactions. 

PMID- 26269996
TI  - Deswelling and Electrolyte Dissipation in Free Diffusion of Charged PAMAM
      Dendrimers.
AB  - The diffusion coefficient of charged PAMAM dendrimers was measured by
      fluorescence correlation spectroscopy in aqueous solution at submicromolar
      concentrations. The solution pH was varied for conditions ranging from a fully
      charged to neutral charge dendrimer to infer about electrostatic swelling in the
      dilute regime. The diffusion coefficient of generation G4 increases by as much as
      20% between high and low charge conditions due to the combined effects of
      polyelectrolyte deswelling and loss of electrolyte dissipation. By taking into
      account the electrolyte dissipation in the friction factor, we have found that
      the observed deswelling corresponds to a change of hydrodynamic radius between 7
      13% for generation G4 and about 12% for generation G7. Simulations of molecular
      dynamics of dendrimer G4 show that counterion uptake by the dendrimer structure
      upon full protonation induces a 16% increase of its radius of gyration. The
      change in dendrimer size is slightly larger than that previously reported from
      neutron scattering techniques, thereby suggesting that electrostatic swelling is
      more pronounced at dilute dendrimer concentration and low ionic strength. It is
      confirmed that even higher generations, which have more congested molecular
      structures, can experience some degree of conformational change in response to a
      change of the dendrimer charge density. 

PMID- 26269997
TI  - Light Management with Nanostructures for Optoelectronic Devices.
AB  - Light management is of paramount importance to improve the performance of
      optoelectronic devices including photodetectors, solar cells, and light-emitting
      diodes. Extensive studies have shown that the efficiency of these optoelectronic
      devices largely depends on the device structural design. In the case of solar
      cells, three-dimensional (3-D) nanostructures can remarkably improve device
      energy conversion efficiency via various light-trapping mechanisms, and a number
      of nanostructures were fabricated and exhibited tremendous potential for highly
      efficient photovoltaics. Meanwhile, these optical absorption enhancement schemes
      can benefit photodetectors by achieving higher quantum efficiency and photon
      extraction efficiency. On the other hand, low extraction efficiency of a photon
      from the emissive layer to outside often puts a constraint on the external
      quantum efficiency (EQE) of LEDs. In this regard, different designs of device
      configuration based on nanostructured materials such as nanoparticles and
      nanotextures were developed to improve the out-coupling efficiency of photons in
      LEDs under various frameworks such as waveguides, plasmonic theory, and so forth.
      In this Perspective, we aim to provide a comprehensive review of the recent
      progress of research on various light management nanostructures and their potency
      to improve performance of optoelectronic devices including photodetectors, solar
      cells, and LEDs. 

PMID- 26269998
TI  - Management Strategies for the Nanoscale.

PMID- 26269999
TI  - Size and Structure Effects Controlling the Stability of the Liquid Organic
      Hydrogen Carrier Dodecahydro-N-ethylcarbazole during Dehydrogenation over Pt
      Model Catalysts.
AB  - Hydrogen can be stored conveniently using so-called liquid organic hydrogen
      carriers (LOHCs), for example, N-ethylcarbazole (NEC), which can be reversibly
      hydrogenated to dodecahydro-N-ethylcarbazole (H12-NEC). In this study, we focus
      on the dealkylation of H12-NEC, an undesired side reaction, which competes with
      dehydrogenation. The structural sensivity of dealkylation was studied by high
      resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HR-XPS) on Al2O3-supported Pt model
      catalysts and Pt(111) single crystals. We show that the morphology of the Pt
      deposit strongly influences LOHC degradation via C-N bond breakage. On smaller,
      defect-rich Pt particles, the onset of dealkylation is shifted by 90 K to lower
      temperatures as compared to large, well-shaped particles and well-ordered
      Pt(111). We attribute these effects to a reduced activation barrier for C-N bond
      breakage at low-coordinated Pt sites, which are abundant on small Pt aggregates
      but are rare on large particles and single crystal surfaces. 

PMID- 26270000
TI  - What are the options for non-small-cell lung cancer patients post second-line
      therapy?

PMID- 26270001
TI  - Online Education for Improving Communication and Documentation of Dietary
      Supplements Among Health Professionals Practicing in a Hospital Setting.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Little is known about the feasibility of online education in
      improving communication and documentation of dietary supplements (DS) among
      clinicians. METHODS: This prospective educational study included clinicians at an
      urban teaching hospital. The curriculum included video streams, didactics, and
      interactive case presentations to discuss (1) DS safety and effectiveness, (2)
      cultural competency, (3) managing DS in a hospital setting, and (4) DS adverse
      events. Participants were surveyed, at baseline and after training, about DS
      knowledge, confidence, communication, and documentation practices. RESULTS:
      Thirty-nine of 61 (64%) recruited clinicians completed all four patient cases and
      post-tests. Most (82%) were women and 59% were physicians. The mean DS knowledge
      test score increased after the curriculum (p < 0.0001), and the clinician
      confidence score also increased (p < 0.0001). Most (82%) participants reported
      that curriculum changed their use of evidence-based resources (p = 0.01). There
      was a change in the indications for symptom management (p = 0.05) and
      gastrointestinal/digestive health issues (p = 0.03). There were statistically
      significant increases in the frequency of asking patients about DS use during
      discharge (p = 0.01), and 82% responded that the curriculum changed their DS
      documentation. CONCLUSION: An online curriculum is an effective tool for
      presenting DS education to clinicians with the goal of improving clinicians'
      knowledge, confidence, and documentation practices about DS.

PMID- 26270002
TI  - Point of View.

PMID- 26270004
TI  - Clinical disparity of haemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn in twin
      pregnancy.

PMID- 26270005
TI  - The Association Between Indwelling Arterial Catheters and Mortality in
      Hemodynamically Stable Patients With Respiratory Failure: A Propensity Score
      Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Indwelling arterial catheters (IACs) are used extensively in the ICU
      for hemodynamic monitoring and for blood gas analysis. IAC use also poses
      potentially serious risks, including bloodstream infections and vascular
      complications. The purpose of this study was to assess whether IAC use was
      associated with mortality in patients who are mechanically ventilated and do not
      require vasopressor support. METHODS: This study used the Multiparameter
      Intelligent Monitoring in Intensive Care II database, consisting of > 24,000
      patients admitted to the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center ICU between 2001
      and 2008. Patients requiring mechanical ventilation who did not require
      vasopressors or have a diagnosis of sepsis were identified, and the primary
      outcome was 28-day mortality. A model based on patient demographics,
      comorbidities, vital signs, and laboratory results was developed to estimate the
      propensity for IAC placement. Patients were then propensity matched, and McNemar
      test was used to evaluate the association of IAC with 28-day mortality. RESULTS:
      We identified 1,776 patients who were mechanically ventilated who met inclusion
      criteria. There were no differences in the covariates included in the final
      propensity model between the IAC and non-IAC propensity-matched groups. For the
      matched cohort, there was no difference in 28-day mortality between the IAC group
      and the non-IAC group (14.7% vs 15.2%; OR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.62-1.47). CONCLUSIONS:
      In hemodynamically stable patients who are mechanically ventilated, the presence
      of an IAC is not associated with a difference in 28-day mortality. Validation in
      other datasets, as well as further analyses in other subgroups, is warranted.

PMID- 26270006
TI  - Capillarity-driven blood plasma separation on paper-based devices.
AB  - We demonstrate capillarity-driven plasma separation from whole blood on simple
      paper-based H-channels. This methodology, unlike other reported techniques, does
      not necessitate elaborate and complex instrumentation, and the usage of expensive
      consumables. We believe that this technique will be ideally suited to be
      implemented in rapid and portable blood diagnostic devices designed to be
      operative at locations with limited resources. 

PMID- 26270008
TI  - Preoperative statin therapy for patients undergoing cardiac surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients referred to cardiac surgery for cardiovascular disease are
      at significant risk for the development of major postoperative adverse events
      despite significant advances in surgical techniques and perioperative care.
      Statins (5-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-co-enzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors)
      have gained a pivotal role in the primary and secondary prevention of coronary
      artery disease and are thought to improve perioperative outcomes in patients
      undergoing cardiac surgery. This review is an updated version of a review that
      was first published in 2012. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effectiveness of
      preoperative statin therapy in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. SEARCH
      METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL)
      (2013, Issue 11), MEDLINE (1950 to November 2013 Week 3), EMBASE (1980 to 3
      December 2013 (Week 48)) and the metaRegister of Controlled Trials. Additionally,
      we searched ongoing trials through the National Research Register, the
      ClinicalTrials.gov registry and grey literature. We screened online conference
      indices from relevant scientific meetings (2006 to 2014) to look for eligible
      trials. We applied no language restrictions. SELECTION CRITERIA: All randomised
      controlled trials comparing any statin treatment before cardiac surgery, for any
      given duration and dose, versus no preoperative statin therapy (standard of care)
      or placebo. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors evaluated trial
      quality and extracted data from titles and abstracts identified by electronic
      database searches according to predefined criteria. Accordingly, we retrieved
      full-text articles of potentially relevant studies that met the inclusion
      criteria to assess definitive eligibility for inclusion. We reported effect
      measures as odds ratios (ORs) or weighted mean differences (WMDs) with 95%
      confidence intervals (95% CIs). MAIN RESULTS: We identified 17 randomised
      controlled studies including a total of 2138 participants undergoing on-pump or
      off-pump cardiac surgical procedures, and added to this review six studies with
      1154 additional participants. Pooled analysis showed that statin treatment before
      surgery reduced the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) (OR 0.54,
      95% CI 0.43 to 0.67; P value < 0.01; 12 studies, 1765 participants) but failed to
      influence short-term mortality (OR 1.80, 95% CI 0.38 to 8.54; P value = 0.46; two
      studies, 300 participants) or postoperative stroke (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.14 to 3.63;
      P value = 0.67; two studies, 264 participants). In addition, statin therapy was
      associated with a shorter stay for patients on the intensive care unit (ICU) (WMD
      -3.19 hours, 95% CI -5.41 to -0.98; nine studies, 721 participants) and in the
      hospital (WMD -0.48 days, 95% CI -0.78 to -0.19; 11 studies, 1137 participants)
      when significant heterogeneity was observed. Results showed no reduction in
      myocardial infarction (OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.21 to 1.13; seven studies, 901
      participants) or renal failure (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.30 to 1.10; five studies, 467
      participants) and were not affected by subgroup analysis. Trials investigating
      this safety endpoint reported no major or minor perioperative side effects of
      statins. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative statin therapy reduces the odds of
      postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) and shortens the patient's stay on the ICU
      and in the hospital. Statin pretreatment had no influence on perioperative
      mortality, stroke, myocardial infarction or renal failure, but only two of all
      included studies assessed mortality. As analysed studies included mainly
      individuals undergoing myocardial revascularisation, results cannot be
      extrapolated to patients undergoing other cardiac procedures such as heart valve
      or aortic surgery.

PMID- 26270009
TI  - Cataract Surgery Outcomes From a Resident Training in a Low-Resource Setting in
      the Pacific.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to assess the overall quality of the cataract
      surgeries performed by a single resident during training in a core surgical
      competency in a low-resource environment. DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort
      review of cataract surgeries performed by a single surgeon. METHODS: A
      retrospective chart review of all consecutive cases of cataract surgery, in
      patients older than age 20, performed by 1 resident during the residency period
      was undertaken. The low-resource residency training program was based in Suva,
      Fiji, and provided outreach services to other Pacific Islands. The main outcome
      measures were visual outcomes and sentinel complications in terms of World Health
      Organization recommendations and reports from high- and low-resource settings
      that were used as quality benchmarks. RESULTS: Complete data were available for
      95% (670) of cataract surgeries. Five hundred eighty-nine patients (87.9%) had
      preoperative vision worse than 6/60. Three hundred eighty-seven surgeries (53.6%)
      were performed on outreach. Five hundred eighty-three (87%) achieved final
      postoperative best-corrected visual acuity of 6/18 or greater. The overall
      sentinel complication rate was 4% (26) and comprised posterior capsule rupture
      2.7% (18), vitreous loss 1% (7), and endophthalmitis 0.15% (1). CONCLUSIONS:
      Visual outcomes and sentinel complication rates were comparable not only with
      World Health Organization recommendations but also with other low- and high
      resource environment training programs.

PMID- 26270010
TI  - Association between social capital and self-perception of health in Brazilian
      adults.
AB  - OBJECTIVE To investigate the association between social capital and social
      capital and self-perception of health based on examining the influence of health
      related behaviors as possible mediators of this relationship. METHODS A cross
      sectional study was used with 1,081 subjects, which is representative of the
      population of individuals aged 40 years or more in a medium-sized city in
      Southern Brazil. The subjects who perceived their health as fine, bad or very bad
      were considered to have a negative self-perception of their health. The social
      capital indicators were: number of friends, people from whom they could borrow
      money from when needed; the extent of trust in community members; whether or not
      members of the community helped each other; community safety; and extent of
      participation in community activities. The behaviors were: physical activity
      during leisure time, fruits and vegetable consumption, tobacco use and alcohol
      abuse. The odds ratios (OR) and confidence intervals (CI) 95% were calculated by
      binary logistic regression. The significance of mediation was verified using the
      Sobel test. RESULTS Following adjustment for demographic and clinical variables,
      subjects with fewer friends (OR = 1.39, 95%CI 1.08;1.80), those who perceived
      less frequently help from people in the neighborhood (OR = 1.30, 95%CI
      1.01;1.68), who saw the violent neighborhood (OR = 1.33, 95%CI 1.01;1.74) and who
      had not participated in any community activity (OR = 1.39, 95%CI 1.07;1.80) had
      more negative self-perception of their health. Physical activity during leisure
      time was a significant mediator in the relationship between all social capital
      indicators (except for the borrowed money variable) and self-perceived health.
      Fruit and vegetable consumption was a significant mediator of the relationship
      between the extent of participation in community activities and self-perceived
      health. Tobacco use and alcohol abuse did not seem to have a mediating role in
      any relationship. CONCLUSIONS Lifestyle seems to only partially explain the
      relationship between social capital and self-perceived health. Among the
      investigated behaviors, physical activity during leisure time is what seems to
      have the most important role as a mediator of this relationship. 

PMID- 26270011
TI  - Spatial analysis of the tuberculosis treatment dropout, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
AB  - OBJECTIVE Identify spatial distribution patterns of the proportion of
      nonadherence to tuberculosis treatment and its associated factors. METHODS We
      conducted an ecological study based on secondary and primary data from
      municipalities of the metropolitan area of Buenos Aires, Argentina. An
      exploratory analysis of the characteristics of the area and the distributions of
      the cases included in the sample (proportion of nonadherence) was also carried
      out along with a multifactor analysis by linear regression. The variables related
      to the characteristics of the population, residences and families were analyzed.
      RESULTS Areas with higher proportion of the population without social security
      benefits (p = 0.007) and of households with unsatisfied basic needs had a higher
      risk of nonadherence (p = 0.032). In addition, the proportion of nonadherence was
      higher in areas with the highest proportion of households with no public
      transportation within 300 meters (p = 0.070). CONCLUSIONS We found a risk area
      for the nonadherence to treatment characterized by a population living in
      poverty, with precarious jobs and difficult access to public transportation. 

PMID- 26270012
TI  - Incidence and risk factors for intimate partner violence during the postpartum
      period.
AB  - OBJECTIVE To estimate the incidence and identify risk factors for intimate
      partner violence during postpartum. METHODS This prospective cohort study was
      conducted with women, aged between 18-49 years, enrolled in the Brazilian Family
      Health Strategy in Recife, Northeastern Brazil, between 2005 and 2006. Of the
      1.057 women interviewed during pregnancy and postpartum, 539 women, who did not
      report violence before or during pregnancy, were evaluated. A theoretical
      conceptual framework was built with three levels of factors hierarchically
      ordered: women's and partners' sociodemografic and behavioral characteristics,
      and relationship dynamics. Incidence and risk factors of intimate partner
      violence were estimated by Poisson Regression. RESULTS The incidence of violence
      during postpartum was 9.3% (95%CI 7.0;12.0). Isolated psychological violence was
      the most common (4.3%; 95%CI 2.8;6.4). The overlapping of psychological with
      physical violence occurred at 3.3% (95%CI 2.0;5.3) and with physical and/or
      sexual in almost 2.0% (95%CI 0.8;3.0) of cases. The risk of partner violence
      during postpartum was increased for women with a low level of education (RR =
      2.6; 95%CI 1.3;5.4), without own income (RR = 1.7; 95%CI 1.0;2.9) and those who
      perpetrated physical violence against their partner without being assaulted first
      (RR = 2.0; 95%CI 1.2;3.4), had a very controlling partner (RR = 2.5; 95%CI
      1.1;5.8), and had frequent fights with their partner (RR = 1.7; 95%CI 1.0;2.9).
      CONCLUSIONS The high incidence of intimate partner violence during postpartum and
      its association with aspects of the relationship's quality between the couple,
      demonstrated the need for public policies that promote conflict mediation and
      enable forms of empowerment for women to address the cycle of violence. 

PMID- 26270013
TI  - Validation of psychosocial scales for physical activity in university students.
AB  - OBJECTIVE Translate the Patient-centered Assessment and Counseling for Exercise
      questionnaire, adapt it cross-culturally and identify the psychometric properties
      of the psychosocial scales for physical activity in young university students.
      METHODS The Patient-centered Assessment and Counseling for Exercise questionnaire
      is made up of 39 items divided into constructs based on the social cognitive
      theory and the transtheoretical model. The analyzed constructs were, as follows:
      behavior change strategy (15 items), decision-making process (10), self-efficacy
      (6), support from family (4), and support from friends (4). The validation
      procedures were conceptual, semantic, operational, and functional equivalences,
      in addition to the equivalence of the items and of measurements. The conceptual,
      of items and semantic equivalences were performed by a specialized committee.
      During measurement equivalence, the instrument was applied to 717 university
      students. Exploratory factor analysis was used to verify the loading of each
      item, explained variance and internal consistency of the constructs.
      Reproducibility was measured by means of intraclass correlation coefficient.
      RESULTS The two translations were equivalent and back-translation was similar to
      the original version, with few adaptations. The layout, presentation order of the
      constructs and items from the original version were kept in the same form as the
      original instrument. The sample size was adequate and was evaluated by the Kaiser
      Meyer-Olkin test, with values between 0.72 and 0.91. The correlation matrix of
      the items presented r < 0.8 (p < 0.05). The factor loadings of the items from all
      the constructs were satisfactory (> 0.40), varying between 0.43 and 0.80, which
      explained between 45.4% and 59.0% of the variance. Internal consistency was
      satisfactory (alpha >= 0.70), with support from friends being 0.70 and 0.92 for
      self-efficacy. Most items (74.3%) presented values above 0.70 for the
      reproducibility test. CONCLUSIONS The validation process steps were considered
      satisfactory and adequate for applying to the population. 

PMID- 26270014
TI  - Spatial distribution and socioeconomic context of tuberculosis in Rio de Janeiro,
      Brazil.
AB  - OBJECTIVE To analyze the spatial distribution of risk for tuberculosis and its
      socioeconomic determinants in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. METHODS An
      ecological study on the association between the mean incidence rate of
      tuberculosis from 2004 to 2006 and socioeconomic indicators of the Censo
      Demografico (Demographic Census) of 2000. The unit of analysis was the home
      district registered in the Sistema de Informacao de Agravos de Notificacao
      (Notifiable Diseases Information System) of Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Brazil.
      The rates were standardized by sex and age group, and smoothed by the empirical
      Bayes method. Spatial autocorrelation was evaluated by Moran's I. Multiple linear
      regression models were studied and the appropriateness of incorporating the
      spatial component in modeling was evaluated. RESULTS We observed a higher risk of
      the disease in some neighborhoods of the port and north regions, as well as a
      high incidence in the slums of Rocinha and Vidigal, in the south region, and
      Cidade de Deus, in the west. The final model identified a positive association
      for the variables: percentage of permanent private households in which the head
      of the house earns three to five minimum wages; percentage of individual
      residents in the neighborhood; and percentage of people living in homes with more
      than two people per bedroom. CONCLUSIONS The spatial analysis identified areas of
      risk of tuberculosis incidence in the neighborhoods of the city of Rio de Janeiro
      and also found spatial dependence for the incidence of tuberculosis and some
      socioeconomic variables. However, the inclusion of the space component in the
      final model was not required during the modeling process. 

PMID- 26270015
TI  - Socioeconomic inequalities and changes in oral health behaviors among Brazilian
      adolescents from 2009 to 2012.
AB  - OBJECTIVE To analyze oral health behaviors changes over time in Brazilian
      adolescents concerning maternal educational inequalities. METHODS Data from the
      Pesquisa Nacional de Saude do Escolar (Brazilian National School Health Survey)
      were analyzed. The sample was composed of 60,973 and 61,145 students from 26
      Brazilian state capitals and the Federal District in 2009 and 2012, respectively.
      The analyzed factors were oral health behaviors (toothbrushing frequency, sweets
      consumption, soft drink consumption, and cigarette experimentation) and
      sociodemographics (age, sex, race, type of school and maternal schooling). Oral
      health behaviors and sociodemographic factors in the two years were compared (Rao
      Scott test) and relative and absolute measures of socioeconomic inequalities in
      health were estimated (slope index of inequality and relative concentration
      index), using maternal education as a socioeconomic indicator, expressed in
      number of years of study (> 11; 9-11; <= 8). RESULTS Results from 2012, when
      compared with those from 2009, for all maternal education categories, showed that
      the proportion of people with low toothbrushing frequency increased, and that
      consumption of sweets and soft drinks and cigarette experimentation decreased. In
      private schools, positive slope index of inequality and relative concentration
      index indicated higher soft drink consumption in 2012 and higher cigarette
      experimentation in both years among students who reported greater maternal
      schooling, with no significant change in inequalities. In public schools,
      negative slope index of inequality and relative concentration index indicated
      higher soft drink consumption among students who reported lower maternal
      schooling in both years, with no significant change overtime. The positive
      relative concentration index indicated inequality in 2009 for cigarette
      experimentation, with a higher prevalence among students who reported greater
      maternal schooling. There were no inequalities for toothbrushing frequency or
      sweets consumption. CONCLUSIONS There were changes in the prevalences of oral
      health behaviors during the analyzed period; however, these changes were not
      related to maternal education inequalities. 

PMID- 26270017
TI  - Users' dissatisfaction with dental care: a population-based household study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE To examine whether demographic, socioeconomic conditions, oral health
      subjectivity and characterization of dental care are associated with users'
      dissatisfaction with such are. METHODS Cross-sectional study of 781 people who
      required dental care in Montes Claros, MG, Southeastern Brazil, in 2012, a city
      with of medium-sized population situated in the North of Minas Gerais. Household
      interviews were conducted to assess the users' dissatisfaction with dental care
      (dependent variable), demographic, socioeconomic conditions, oral health
      subjectivity and characterization of dental care (independent variables). Sample
      calculation was used for the finite population, with estimates made for
      proportions of dissatisfaction in 50.0% of the population, a 5.0% error margin, a
      non-response rate of 5.0% and a 2.0% design effect. Logistic regression was used,
      and the odds ratio was calculated with a 5% significance level and 95% confidence
      intervals. RESULTS Of the interviewed individuals, 9.0% (7.9%, with correction
      for design effect) were dissatisfied with the care provided. These were
      associated with lower educational level; negative self-assessment of oral health;
      perception that the care provider was unable to give dental care; negative
      evaluation of the way the patient was treated, the cleanliness of the rooms,
      based on the examination rooms and the toilets, and the size of the waiting and
      examination rooms. CONCLUSIONS The rate of dissatisfaction with dental care was
      low. This dissatisfaction was associated with socioeconomic conditions,
      subjectivity of oral health, skill of the health professionals relating to the
      professional-patient relationship and facility infrastructure. Educational
      interventions are suggested that aim at improving the quality of care among
      professionals by responsible agencies as is improving the infrastructure of the
      care units. 

PMID- 26270016
TI  - Gender differences in the association between tooth loss and obesity among older
      adults in Brazil.
AB  - OBJECTIVE To analyze if differences according to gender exists in the association
      between tooth loss and obesity among older adults. METHODS We analyzed data on
      1,704 older adults (60 years and over) from the baseline of a prospective cohort
      study conducted in Florianopolis, SC, Southern Brazil. Multivariable logistic
      regression models were used to assess the association between tooth loss and
      general and central obesity after adjustment for confounders (age, gender, skin
      color, educational attainment, income, smoking, physical activity, use of
      dentures, hypertension, and diabetes). Linear regressions were also assessed with
      body mass index and waist circumference as continuous outcomes. Interaction
      between gender and tooth loss was further assessed. RESULTS Overall mean body
      mass index was 28.0 kg/m2. Mean waist circumference was 96.8 cm for males and
      92.6 cm for females. Increasing tooth loss was positively associated with
      increased body mass index and waist circumference after adjustment for
      confounders. Edentates had 1.4 (95%CI 1.1;1.9) times higher odds of being
      centrally obese than individuals with a higher number of teeth; however, the
      association lost significance after adjustment for confounders. In comparison
      with edentate males, edentate females presented a twofold higher adjusted
      prevalence of general and central obesity. In the joint effects model, edentate
      females had a 3.8 (95%CI 2.2;6.6) times higher odds to be centrally obese in
      comparison with males with more than 10 teeth present in both the arches.
      Similarly, females with less than 10 teeth in at least one arch had a 2.7 (95%CI
      1.6;4.4) times higher odds ratio of having central obesity in comparison with
      males with more than 10 teeth present in both the arches. CONCLUSIONS Central
      obesity was more prevalent than general obesity among the older adults. We did
      not observe any association between general obesity and tooth loss. The
      association between central obesity and tooth loss depends on gender - females
      with tooth loss had greater probability of being obese. 

PMID- 26270018
TI  - Free-trade agreements: challenges for global health.
AB  - In this study new free-trade agreements are discussed, which are based on the
      breaking down of tariff and technical barriers and normally exclude most of the
      poorest countries in the world. Considering the current context of economic
      globalization and its health impacts, seven controversial points of these
      treaties and their possible implications for global public health are presented,
      mainly regarding health equity and other health determinants. Finally, this
      research proposes a greater social and health professionals participation in the
      formulation and discussion of these treaties, and a deeper insertion of Brazil in
      this important international agenda. 

PMID- 26270019
TI  - Impact of ultra-processed foods on micronutrient content in the Brazilian diet.
AB  - OBJECTIVE To evaluate the impact of consuming ultra-processed foods on the
      micronutrient content of the Brazilian population's diet. METHODS This cross
      sectional study was performed using data on individual food consumption from a
      module of the 2008-2009 Brazilian Household Budget Survey. A representative
      sample of the Brazilian population aged 10 years or over was assessed (n =
      32,898). Food consumption data were collected through two 24-hour food records.
      Linear regression models were used to assess the association between the nutrient
      content of the diet and the quintiles of ultra-processed food consumption - crude
      and adjusted for family income per capita. RESULTS Mean daily energy intake per
      capita was 1,866 kcal, with 69.5% coming from natural or minimally processed
      foods, 9.0% from processed foods and 21.5% from ultra-processed foods. For
      sixteen out of the seventeen evaluated micronutrients, their content was lower in
      the fraction of the diet composed of ultra-processed foods compared with the
      fraction of the diet composed of natural or minimally processed foods. The
      content of 10 micronutrients in ultra-processed foods did not reach half the
      content level observed in the natural or minimally processed foods. The higher
      consumption of ultra-processed foods was inversely and significantly associated
      with the content of vitamins B12, vitamin D, vitamin E, niacin, pyridoxine,
      copper, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, selenium and zinc. The reverse situation was
      only observed for calcium, thiamin and riboflavin. CONCLUSIONS The findings of
      this study highlight that reducing the consumption of ultra-processed foods is a
      natural way to promote healthy eating in Brazil and, therefore, is in line with
      the recommendations made by the Guia Alimentar para a Populacao Brasileira
      (Dietary Guidelines for the Brazilian Population) to avoid these foods. 

PMID- 26270020
TI  - Sugar-Based Polyamides: Self-Organization in Strong Polar Organic Solvents.
AB  - Periodic patterns resembling spirals were observed to form spontaneously upon
      unassisted cooling of d-glucaric acid- and d-galactaric acid-based polyamide
      solutions in N-methyl-N-morpholine oxide (NMMO) monohydrate. Similar observations
      were made in d-galactaric acid-based polyamide/ionic liquid (IL) solutions. The
      morphologies were investigated by optical, polarized light and confocal
      microscopy assays to reveal pattern details. Differential scanning calorimetry
      was used to monitor solution thermal behavior. Small- and wide-angle X-ray
      scattering data reflected the complex and heterogeneous nature of the self
      organized patterns. Factors such as concentration and temperature were found to
      influence spiral dimensions and geometry. The distance between rings followed a
      first-order exponential decay as a function of polymer concentration. Fourier
      Transform Infrared Microspectroscopy analysis of spirals pointed to H-bonding
      between the solvent and the pendant hydroxyl groups of the glucose units from the
      polymer backbone. Tests on self-organization into spirals of ketal-protected d
      galactaric acid polyamides in NMMO monohydrate confirmed the importance of the
      monosaccharide's pendant free hydroxyl groups on the formation of these patterns.
      Rheology performed on d-galactaric-based polyamides at high concentration in NMMO
      monohydrate solution revealed the optimum conditions necessary to process these
      materials as fibers by spinning. The self-organization of these sugar-based
      polyamides mimics certain biological materials. 

PMID- 26270021
TI  - Decreased tacrolimus concentration following a temporal increase during
      interferon-free therapy with asunaprevir and daclatasvir in patients with
      recurrent hepatitis C after liver transplantation.

PMID- 26270024
TI  - In Memoriam: William J. Bair (1924-2015).

PMID- 26270026
TI  - Competitive Pseudopericyclic [3,3]- and [3,5]-Sigmatropic Rearrangements of
      Trichloroacetimidates.
AB  - The Woodward-Hoffmann rules predict whether concerted pericyclic reactions are
      allowed or forbidden based on the number of electrons involved and whether the
      cyclic orbital overlap involves suprafacial or antarafacial orbital overlap.
      Pseudopericyclic reactions constitute a third class of reactions in which
      orthogonal orbitals make them orbital symmetry allowed, regardless of the number
      of electrons involved in the reaction. Based on the recent report of eight
      centered ester rearrangements, it is predicted that the isoelectronic eight
      centered rearrangements of imidates would also be allowed. We now report that
      these rearrangements occur, and indeed, an eight-centered rearrangement is
      slightly favored in at least one case over the well-known six-centered Overman
      rearrangements, in a trichloroacetimidoylcyclohexadienone, a molecular system
      where both rearrangements are possible. 

PMID- 26270023
TI  - Environmental Pollutant Ozone Causes Damage to Lung Surfactant Protein B (SP-B).
AB  - Lung surfactant protein B (SP-B) is an essential protein found in the surfactant
      fluid at the air-water interface of the lung. Exposure to the air pollutant ozone
      could potentially damage SP-B and lead to respiratory distress. We have studied
      two peptides, one consisting of the N-terminus of SP-B [SP-B(1-25)] and the other
      a construct of the N- and C-termini of SP-B [SP-B(1-25,63-78)], called SMB.
      Exposure to dilute levels of ozone (~2 ppm) of monolayers of each peptide at the
      air-water interface leads to a rapid reaction, which is evident from an increase
      in the surface tension. Fluorescence experiments revealed that this increase in
      surface tension is accompanied by a loss of fluorescence from the tryptophan
      residue at the interface. Neutron and X-ray reflectivity experiments show that,
      in contrast to suggestions in the literature, the peptides are not solubilized
      upon oxidation but rather remain at the interface with little change in their
      hydration. Analysis of the product material reveals that no cleavage of the
      peptides occurs, but a more hydrophobic product is slowly formed together with an
      increased level of oligomerization. We attributed this to partial unfolding of
      the peptides. Experiments conducted in the presence of phospholipids reveal that
      the presence of the lipids does not prevent oxidation of the peptides. Our
      results strongly suggest that exposure to low levels of ozone gas will damage SP
      B, leading to a change in its structure. The implication is that the oxidized
      protein will be impaired in its ability to interact at the air-water interface
      with negatively charged phosphoglycerol lipids, thus compromising what is thought
      to be its main biological function.

PMID- 26270032
TI  - Fast voxel-level dosimetry for (177)Lu labelled peptide treatments.
AB  - In peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT), voxel-level radiation absorbed
      dose calculations can be performed using several different methods. Each method
      has it strengths and weaknesses; however, Monte Carlo (MC) simulation is
      presently considered the most accurate method at providing absorbed dose
      distributions. Unfortunately MC simulation is time-consuming and often
      impractical to carry out in a clinical practice. In this work, a fast semi-Monte
      Carlo (sMC) absorbed dose calculation method for (177)Lu PRRT dosimetry is
      presented. The sMC method is based on a local electron absorption assumption and
      fast photon MC simulations. The sMC method is compared against full MC simulation
      code built on PENELOPE (vxlPen) using digital phantoms to assess the accuracy of
      these assumptions.Due to the local electron absorption assumption of sMC, the
      potential errors in cross-fire dose from electrons and photons emitted by (177)Lu
      were first evaluated using an ellipsoidal kidney model by comparing vxlPen and
      sMC. The photon cross-fire dose from background to kidney and kidney to
      background with varying kidney-to-background activity concentration ratios were
      calculated. In addition, kidney to kidney photon and electron cross-dose with
      different kidney to kidney distances were studied. Second, extended cardiac-torso
      (XCAT) phantoms were created with liver lesions and with realistic activity
      distributions and tissue densities. The XCAT phantoms were used to simulate SPECT
      projections and 3D activity distribution images were reconstructed using an OSEM
      algorithm. Image-based dose rate distributions were calculated using vxlPen and
      sMC. Total doses and dose rate volume histograms (DrVH) produced by the two
      methods were compared.The photon cross-fire dose from the kidney increased the
      background's absorbed dose by 5% or more up to 5.8 cm distance with 20 : 1 kidney
      to background activity concentration ratio. On the other hand, the photon cross
      fire dose from the background to the kidney volume was negligible. The vxlPen
      results showed that the cross fire dose between two similar kidney volumes
      relative to the source kidney's self-dose were 0.5% and 0.02% for photon and
      electrons, respectively, when source and target kidneys were modelled next to
      each other. The photon cross-dose decreased as function of distance, and electron
      doses were zero at distances larger than 4 mm. The difference between sMC and
      vxlPen kidney total doses in the XCAT phantom study was -0.4% while the electron
      dose DrVHs were identical between the methods. There was a systematic 5%
      difference in photon doses in soft tissue between the codes due to different
      simulations parameters. However, the photons produced only 4% of the kidney's
      total dose, thus the difference was not considered significant for total dose
      calculations.The comparison studies show that the absorbed doses calculated using
      the sMC differ only slightly from dedicated MC simulator results, while the dose
      estimates can be obtained in a fraction of the dedicated simulator's calculation
      time. Results imply that there is no need for electron MC simulation for (177)Lu
      absorption calculations with current SPECT systems. However, the photon cross
      fire dose should be taken into account in healthy tissues, which have a
      relatively low uptake especially in cases where there are high uptake volumes are
      nearby.

PMID- 26270033
TI  - Evaluation of a Consensus-Based Criterion Standard Definition of Trauma Center
      Need for Use in Field Triage Research.
AB  - Research on field triage of injured patients is limited by the lack of a widely
      used criterion standard for defining trauma center need. Injury Severity Score
      (ISS) >15 has been a commonly used outcome measure in research for determining
      trauma center need that has never been validated. A multidisciplinary team
      recently published a consensus-based criterion standard definition of trauma
      center need, but this measure has not yet been validated. The objective was to
      determine if the consensus-based criterion standard can be obtained by medical
      record review and compare patients identified as needing a trauma center by the
      consensus-based criterion standard vs. ISS >15. A subanalysis of data collected
      during a 2-year prospective cohort study of 4,528 adult trauma patients
      transported by EMS to a single trauma center was conducted. These data included
      ICD-9-CM codes, treatment times, and other patient care data. Presence of the
      consensus-based criterion standard was determined for each patient. ISS was
      calculated based on ICD-9-CM codes assigned for billing. The consensus-based
      criterion standard could be applied to 4,471 (98.7%) cases. ISS could be
      determined for 4,506 (99.5%) cases. Based on an ISS >15, 8.9% of cases were
      identified as needing a trauma center. Of those, only 48.2% met the consensus
      based criterion standard. Almost all patients that did not meet the consensus
      based criterion standard, but had an ISS >15 were diagnosed with chest (rib
      fractures (100/205 cases)/pneumothorax (57/205 cases), closed head (without
      surgical intervention 88/205 cases), vertebral (without spinal cord injury 45/205
      cases), and/or extremity injuries (39/205 cases). There were 4,053 cases with an
      ISS <15. 5.0% of those with an ISS <15 met the consensus-based criterion standard
      with the majority requiring surgery (139/203 cases) or a blood transfusion
      (60/203 cases). The kappa coefficient of agreement for ISS and the consensus
      based criterion standard was 0.43. We determined that the consensus-based
      criterion standard could be identified through a medical record review. Use of
      the consensus-based criterion standard for field triage research will more
      accurately identify injured patients who need the resources of a trauma center
      when compared to ISS. 

PMID- 26270022
TI  - Melanoma Risk and Survival among Organ Transplant Recipients.
AB  - Solid organ transplant recipients, who are medically immunosuppressed to prevent
      graft rejection, have increased melanoma risk, but risk factors and outcomes are
      incompletely documented. We evaluated melanoma incidence among 139,991 non
      Hispanic white transplants using linked US transplant-cancer registry data (1987
      2010). We used standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) to compare incidence with the
      general population and incidence rate ratios (IRRs) from multivariable Poisson
      models to assess risk factors. Separately, we compared post-melanoma survival
      among transplant recipients (n=182) and non-recipients (n=131,358) using
      multivariable Cox models. Among transplant recipients, risk of invasive melanoma
      (n=519) was elevated (SIR=2.20, 95% CI 2.01-2.39), especially for regional stage
      tumors (SIR=4.11, 95% CI 3.27-5.09). Risk of localized tumors was stable over
      time after transplantation but higher with azathioprine maintenance therapy
      (IRR=1.35, 95% CI 1.03-1.77). Risk of regional/distant stage tumors peaked within
      4 years following transplantation and increased with polyclonal antibody
      induction therapy (IRR=1.65, 95% CI 1.02-2.67). Melanoma-specific mortality was
      higher among transplant recipients than non-recipients (hazard ratio 2.98, 95% CI
      2.26-3.93). Melanoma exhibits increased incidence and aggressive behavior under
      transplant-related immunosuppression. Some localized melanomas may result from
      azathioprine, which acts synergistically with UV radiation, whereas T-cell
      depleting induction therapies may promote late-stage tumors. Our findings support
      sun safety practices and skin screening for transplant recipients. 

PMID- 26270034
TI  - Gas Phase Kinetics of 2,2,2-Trifluoroethylbutyrate with the Cl Atom: An
      Experimental and Theoretical Study.
AB  - The gas phase temperature dependent rate coefficients of Cl atoms with 2,2,2
      trifluoroethylbutyrate, CH3CH2CH2C(O)OCH2CF3, were measured in the temperature
      range 268-343 K, at atmospheric pressures using the relative rate method, with
      ethyl acetate and ethane as reference compounds. The temperature dependent rate
      coefficients for the reaction of 2,2,2-TFEB + Cl were measured and were used to
      deduce the Arrhenius expression: k268-343K = [(4.42 +/- 0.01) * 10(-19)]T(2.6)
      exp{(1132 +/- 566)/T} cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1). At 298 K, the rate coefficient
      for the title reaction is (4.54 +/- 2.87) * 10(-11) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1),
      which is in good agreement with a previously reported value at 298 K. To
      complement our experimental results over the studied temperature range,
      theoretical kinetic calculations were also performed for the title reaction using
      canonical variational transition state theory (CVT) with small curvature
      tunneling (SCT) corrections in combination with the CCSD(T)/cc-pVDZ//M062X/6
      31+g(d,p) level of theory. The temperature dependent Arrhenius expression was
      obtained to be k(T) = (1.89 +/- 2.64) * 10(-21)T(3.4) exp{(1321 +/- 111)/T} cm(3)
      molecule(-1) s(-1). The branching ratios, atmospheric implications, and
      degradation mechanism of 2,2,2-trifluoroethylbutyrate, CH3CH2CH2C(O)OCH2CF3, were
      discussed in detail in this manuscript. 

PMID- 26270035
TI  - Depression, Social Support, and Coping Styles among Pregnant Women after the
      Lushan Earthquake in Ya'an, China.
AB  - AIM: The aim of this study is to assess the depression of pregnant women in the
      aftermath of an earthquake, and to identify the social support that they
      obtained, their coping styles and socio-demographic factors associated with
      depression. METHODS: A total of 128 pregnant women from three hospitals in the
      epicenter area were recruited immediately after the Ya'an earthquake. Their
      depression was investigated using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS)
      with a cutoff score of 14; the social support that they obtained was measured
      using the Social Support Questionnaire; and their coping styles were assessed
      using the Coping Styles Questionnaire. RESULTS: Immediately after the earthquake,
      the incidence rate of depression in pregnant women was 35.2%, higher than that of
      the general pregnant population (7%-14%). The EPDS scores were significantly
      correlated with gestation age at the time of the earthquake, objective support,
      subjective support, use of support, negative coping style, and positive coping
      style. The regression analysis indicated that risk factors of prenatal depression
      include the number of children, relatives wounded, subjective support, and coping
      styles. A further analysis of the interaction between social support and two
      types of coping styles with depression showed that there was interaction effect
      between subjective social support and positive coping styles in relation to EPDS
      scores. There was an inverse relationship between low EPDS scores and positive
      coping styles and high social support, and vice versa. CONCLUSION: The timing of
      the occurrence of the earthquake may not necessarily affect the progress of the
      illness and recovery from depression, and psychological intervention could be
      conducted in the immediate aftermath after the earthquake. The impact of coping
      styles on prenatal depression appeared to be linked with social support. Helping
      pregnant women to adopt positive coping styles with good social support after a
      recent major earthquake, which is a stressor, may reduce their chances of
      developing prenatal depression.

PMID- 26270038
TI  - Correction: Rule-Based Design of Plant Expression Vectors Using GenoCAD.

PMID- 26270037
TI  - Non-Invasive Measurement of Skin Microvascular Response during Pharmacological
      and Physiological Provocations.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Microvascular changes in the skin due to pharmacological and
      physiological provocations can be used as a marker for vascular function. While
      laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) has been used extensively for measurement of skin
      microvascular responses, Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging (LSCI) and Tissue
      Viability Imaging (TiVi) are novel imaging techniques. TiVi measures red blood
      cell concentration, while LDF and LSCI measure perfusion. Therefore, the aim of
      this study was to compare responses to provocations in the skin using these
      different techniques. METHOD: Changes in skin microcirculation were measured in
      healthy subjects during (1) iontophoresis of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and
      noradrenaline (NA), (2) local heating and (3) post-occlusive reactive hyperemia
      (PORH) using LDF, LSCI and TiVi. RESULTS: Iontophoresis of SNP increased
      perfusion (LSCI: baseline 40.9+/-6.2 PU; 10-min 100+/-25 PU; p<0.001) and RBC
      concentration (TiVi: baseline 119+/-18; 10-min 150+/-41 AU; p = 0.011). No change
      in perfusion (LSCI) was observed after iontophoresis of NA (baseline 38.0+/-4.4
      PU; 10-min 38.9+/-5.0 PU; p = 0.64), while RBC concentration decreased (TiVi:
      baseline 59.6+/-11.8 AU; 10-min 54.4+/-13.3 AU; p = 0.021). Local heating
      increased perfusion (LDF: baseline 8.8+/-3.6 PU; max 112+/-55 PU; p<0.001, LSCI:
      baseline 50.8+/-8.0 PU; max 151+/-22 PU; p<0.001) and RBC concentration (TiVi:
      baseline 49.2+/-32.9 AU; max 99.3+/-28.3 AU; p<0.001). After 5 minutes of forearm
      occlusion with prior exsanguination, a decrease was seen in perfusion (LDF: p =
      0.027; LSCI: p<0.001) and in RBC concentration (p = 0.045). Only LSCI showed a
      significant decrease in perfusion after 5 minutes of occlusion without prior
      exsanguination (p<0.001). Coefficients of variation were lower for LSCI and TiVi
      compared to LDF for most responses. CONCLUSION: LSCI is more sensitive than TiVi
      for measuring microvascular changes during SNP-induced vasodilatation and forearm
      occlusion. TiVi is more sensitive to noradrenaline-induced vasoconstriction. LSCI
      and TiVi show lower inter-subject variability than LDF. These findings are
      important to consider when choosing measurement techniques for studying skin
      microvascular responses.

PMID- 26270036
TI  - Identification of MiR-205 As a MicroRNA That Is Highly Expressed in Medullary
      Thymic Epithelial Cells.
AB  - Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) support T cell development in the thymus. Cortical
      thymic epithelial cells (cTECs) facilitate positive selection of developing
      thymocytes whereas medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) facilitate the
      deletion of self-reactive thymocytes in order to prevent autoimmunity. The mTEC
      compartment is highly dynamic with continuous maturation and turnover, but the
      genetic regulation of these processes remains poorly understood. MicroRNAs
      (miRNAs) are important regulators of TEC genetic programs since miRNA-deficient
      TECs are severely defective. However, the individual miRNAs important for TEC
      maintenance and function and their mechanisms of action remain unknown. Here, we
      demonstrate that miR-205 is highly and preferentially expressed in mTECs during
      both thymic ontogeny and in the postnatal thymus. This distinct expression is
      suggestive of functional importance for TEC biology. Genetic ablation of miR-205
      in TECs, however, neither revealed a role for miR-205 in TEC function during
      homeostatic conditions nor during recovery from thymic stress conditions. Thus,
      despite its distinct expression, miR-205 on its own is largely dispensable for
      mTEC biology. 

PMID- 26270039
TI  - [Development and Periodicity of Human Exposures in Suicidal Intention Reported to
      the Centre Erfurt from 2004-2013].
AB  - Aim of the Study: Exposures in suicide attempts are demanding for hospitals and
      poisons information centres (PICs). Therefore, the time characteristics of their
      frequency were studied. Methods: A retrospective analysis was undertaken of all
      human exposures reported to Centre Erfurt from the beginning of 2004 to the end
      of 2013 according to their frequency in the respective year, season, month,
      weekday, time of the weekday, circumstances of exposure, age and gender. Results:
      59.7% of all exposures (n=137 104) were accidental, 23.4% occurred in suicide
      attempts and 3.3% in substance abuse. 0.3% of the suicide attempts resulted in
      death. Their number continuously increased from n=2 422 in 2004 to n=3 458 in
      2013, but their relative frequency remained almost constant at 23.4%. Their
      highest numbers were reached in the spring and summer with maxima in July and
      August and minima in February and September. During the week, the most suicide
      attempts were observed between Sunday and Tuesday and the least on Friday.
      Highest rate of suicide attempts was seen at 10 pm and lowest at 6 am. The median
      of age was 39 years (first quartile 24 years, third quartile 50 years). The
      female proportion was almost twice as high as the male. Conclusions: Hospitals
      the Centre Erfurt is serving should be particularly prepared for exposures in
      suicide attempts in the spring and summer (especially in July and August), at the
      beginning of the week and shortly before midnight.

PMID- 26270040
TI  - [Conception and Measurement of Health-related Transition Competence for
      Adolescents with Chronic Conditions - Development and Testing of a Self-Report
      Instrument].
AB  - Background: The importance of health-related care and self-management
      responsibilities has been shown in recent research. The aim of this work is the
      development and psychometric testing of an instrument to assess health-related
      transition competence. Methods: The instrument was developed with psychometric
      and conceptual methods in several steps. Based on focus group and expert
      interviews, an item pool to assess health-related transition competence was
      developed. The instrument was tested and finalised in a pilot study with
      adolescents with chronic conditions (N=323). Results: Three subscales "work
      related preparedness" (3 items), "condition-related knowledge" (3 items) and
      "health-care competence" (4 items) with proper psychometric properties were
      identified. The subscales can be combined to a global score. Conclusions: The
      scales feature good psychometrics. They efficiently facilitate the standardised
      assessment of health-related transition competence in preparation and progress of
      the transition. This also enables for outcome assessment of health-care services
      related to transition competence (e. g., workshops).

PMID- 26270041
TI  - [Networking, Coordination and Responsibilities based on Health Regionsplus: New
      Health Political Approaches and Developments in Bavaria].
AB  - For many health and health-care problems in the population, there is a need for
      professional management and coordination instruments as well as a competent local
      network. The new "Health Regionsplus" in Bavaria offer such a structure. This new
      concept is presented in the following article. The "Health Regionsplus" aim to
      improve the population's health, the health-related quality of life, equity in
      health, as well as to further develop the local health care. The Bavarian State
      Ministry of Health and Care will support up to 24 regions with a funding of up to
      50 000 Euro yearly per "Health Regionplus" until the end of 2019. The structure
      of "Health Regionsplus" implies the establishment of a coordinating agency that
      works as a "motor", a health forum on the strategic level and relevant working
      groups. "Health Regionsplus" involve all relevant stakeholders of the regional
      health system and are chaired by the district administrator or mayor. They work
      primarily in the fields of health care and prevention/health promotion but can
      also pursue other region-specific fields. The Bavarian Health and Food Safety
      Authority supports and evaluates the "Health Regionsplus". There is also a
      coordinating office which organises the exchange of information and experience
      among the "Health Regionsplus". Although such a comprehensive regional approach
      does not change the statutory decision-making structures and responsibilities it
      does offer the communities an instrument to involve local needs in their decision
      making processes.

PMID- 26270042
TI  - [Problems with Using Hospital Quality Reports as a Secondary Data Source for
      Health Services Research in Germany].
AB  - Background Since 2005, German hospitals are required by law to publish structured
      quality reports (QRs). Because of the detailed data basis, the QRs are being
      increasingly used for secondary data analyses in health services research. Up
      until now, methodological difficulties that can cause distorted results of the
      analyses have essentially been overlooked. The aim of this study is to
      systematically list the methodological problems associated with using QR and to
      suggest solution strategies. Methods The QRs from 2006-2012 form the basis of the
      analyses and were aggregated in a database using an individualized data linkage
      procedure. Thereafter, a correlation analysis between a quality indicator and the
      staffing of hospitals was conducted, serving as an example for both cross
      sectional as well as longitudinal studies. The resulting methodological problems
      are described qualitatively and quantitatively, and potential solutions are
      derived from the statistical literature. Results In each reporting year, 2-15% of
      the hospitals delivered no QR. In 2-16% of the QRs, it is not recognizable
      whether a report belongs to a hospital network or a single location. In addition,
      6-66% of the location reports falsely contain data from the hospital network. 10%
      of the hospitals changed their institution code (IC), in 5% of the cases, the
      same "IC-location-number-combination" was used for different hospitals over the
      years. Therefore, 10-20% of the QRs cannot be linked with the IC as key variable.
      As a remedy for the linking of QR, the combination of the IC, the address and the
      number of beds represents a suitable solution. Using this solution, hospital
      network reports, location reports and missing reports can be identified and
      considered in an analysis. Conclusions Secondary data analyses with quality
      reports provide a high potential for error due to the inconsistent data base and
      the problems of the data linkage procedure. These can distort calculated
      parameters and limit the validity of results. Only the unequivocal identification
      of the reporting hospitals guarantees meaningful results.

PMID- 26270043
TI  - [Prioritization and Consentation of Criteria for the Appraisal, Funding and
      Evaluation of Projects from the German Innovationsfonds: A multi-perspective
      Delphi study].
AB  - BACKGROUND: The German Innovationsfonds provides the chance for evidence-based
      developments of the German healthcare system. OBJECTIVE: Prioritization of
      recommendations for an effective, efficient, fair, transparent, and sustainable
      granting of funds through a transparent, evidence-driven consensus-process
      involving all relevant stakeholder groups. METHODS: Representatives from health
      and research policy, payers, patient representatives, healthcare providers, and
      scientists were invited to nominate participants for an electronic 3 round
      iterative Delphi-study to prioritize the thematic focus, requirements concerning
      study methods, the team of applicants, evaluation, utilization of study results,
      and for the selection of reviewers. Criteria considered as relevant by at least
      60% of the panel (consensus definition) in the first 2 Delphi rounds were rated
      as facultative, preferable, or obligatory criteria for project funding. Data were
      analyzed descriptively. ( REGISTRATION: Datenbank Versorgungsforschung
      Deutschland VfD_15_003561). RESULTS: All invited stakeholder groups except payers
      participated. 34 (85%) of 40 nominated representatives participated in the Delphi
      study. A total of 64 criteria were consented as relevant for project review and
      funding concerning the thematic focus (n=28), methodological requirements (n=13),
      requirements for applicants (n=4), for the evaluation (n=4), utilization (n=6),
      and selection of peer reviewers (n=9). DISCUSSION: It is the collective
      responsibility of all stakeholders to spend the designated funds as efficient and
      sustainable as possible. The consented recommendations shall serve decision
      makers as a resource for the granting of funds and the evaluation of the
      Innovationsfonds.

PMID- 26270044
TI  - ["A Little Bit of Switzerland, a Little Bit of Kosovo". Swiss Immigrants from
      Former Yugoslavia with Type 2 Diabetes. A Qualitative Study' in Analogy to
      Grounded Theory].
AB  - Type 2 diabetes is on the increase among the Swiss immigrants. The cultural
      background of patients presents new linguistic and sociocultural barriers and
      gains in importance for health care. In order to develop patient-centred care, it
      is necessary to focus on different sociocultural aspects in everyday life and
      experiences of immigrants from the former republics of Yugoslavia with diabetes
      who have rarely been studied in Switzerland. Based on these insights the needs
      for counselling can be identified and nursing interventions can be designed
      accordingly. Using the Grounded Theory approach, 5 interviews were analysed
      according to the Corbin and Strauss coding paradigm. The central phenomenon found
      is the experience to live in 2 different cultures. The complexity arises from the
      tension living in 2 cultural backgrounds at the same time. It turns out that in
      the country of origin the immigrants adjust their disease management. The
      changing daily rhythm and the more traditional role model affect aspects of their
      disease management such as diet and/or drug therapy. The different strategies
      impact the person's roles, emotions, their everyday lives and their families. It
      provides an insight into the perspective of Swiss immigrants from the former
      republics of Yugoslavia suffering from diabetes. Many questions are still
      unanswered and further research will be required. 

PMID- 26270045
TI  - Overexpression of MMP Family Members Functions as Prognostic Biomarker for Breast
      Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are regarded to be relevant to the
      prognosis of breast cancer. Numerous studies have confirmed the association
      between MMPs and tumor growth, invasion and metastasis in breast cancer. However,
      their prognostic values for survival in patients with breast cancer remain
      controversial. Hence, a meta-analysis was performed to clarify a more accurate
      estimation of the role of MMPs on prognosis of breast cancer patients. METHOD: A
      systemic electronic search was conducted in PubMed, Embase and Web of science
      databases to identify eligible studies, which were associated with the
      relationship between MMPs and prognosis of breast cancer. The correlation in
      random-effect model was evaluated by using the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95%
      confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: A total of 28 studies covering 4944 patients
      were included for meta-analysis. A summary hazard ratio (HR) of all studies was
      calculated, as well as the sub-group HRs. The combined HRs calculated by either
      univariate or multivariate analysis both suggested that overexpression of MMPs
      had an unfavorable impact on overall survival (OS) (HR = 1.694, 95%CI: 1.347
      2.129, P < 0.001; HR = 1.611, 95%CI: 1.419-1.830, P < 0.001, respectively). And
      the univariate analysis showed that patients with overexpression of MMPs had
      worse relapse-free survival (RFS) (HR = 1.969, 95%CI: 1.460-2.655, P < 0.001) in
      all eligible studies. In the sub-group analyses, HRs of MMP-9 positivity with
      poor OS were 1.794 (95%CI: 1.330-2.420, P < 0.001) and 1.709 (95%CI: 1.157-2.526,
      P = 0.007) which were separately evaluated by univariate and multivariate
      analysis. A small number of articles demonstrated that MMP-2 overexpression was
      not related with shorter OS (HR = 1.400, 95%CI: 0.610-3.029, P = 0.427). Four
      studies included in the OS analysis of MMPs expression in serum suggested that
      positive expression of serum MMPs may be an unfavorable factor (HR = 1.630,
      95%CI: 1.065-2.494) for breast cancer patients. No publication bias was observed
      in the current meta-analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggested that MMPs
      overexpression (especially MMP-9, MMP-2, MMPs overexpression in serum) might
      indicate a higher risk of poor prognosis in breast cancer. Larger prospective
      studies are further needed to estimate the prognostic values of MMPs
      overexpression.

PMID- 26270046
TI  - Aphid Parasitoid Mothers Don't Always Know Best through the Whole Host Selection
      Process.
AB  - Parasitoid host selection behaviour has been extensively studied in
      experimentally simplified tritrophic systems formed by one single food chain (one
      plant, one herbivore and one parasitoid species). The "Mother knows best"
      hypothesis predicts that the preference for a plant-host complex should be
      positively correlated with plant quality for offspring performance. We studied
      the host selection behaviour of the generalist endoparasitoid Aphidius
      matricariae towards the black bean aphid Aphis fabae in the intercrop system
      including Vicia faba as a focal plant and its companion plant Camelina sativa.
      Dual-choice laboratory bioassays revealed that parasitoid females preferred to
      orientate towards (1) the plant-aphid complex over the non-infested plant
      whatever the complex (2) the C. sativa-A. fabae complex over the V. faba-A. fabae
      complex. In dual choice attack rate bioassays, parasitoid females showed more
      interest towards the aphids on C. sativa but paradoxically chose to oviposit more
      in aphids on V. faba. Ultimately, parasitoids that had developed on the V. faba
      A. fabae complex exhibited better fitness parameters. By demonstrating that
      parasitoid females were able to discriminate the aphid host that offered the
      highest fitness to their offspring but selected beforehand the least suitable
      plant-aphid complex, we provide key insight into the disruption in their host
      selection behaviour potentially triggered by diverse habitats. This suggests that
      the "Mother knows best" hypothesis could be thwarted by increasing the complexity
      of the studied systems. 

PMID- 26270047
TI  - A Dissolved Oxygen Threshold for Shifts in Bacterial Community Structure in a
      Seasonally Hypoxic Estuary.
AB  - Pelagic ecosystems can become depleted of dissolved oxygen as a result of both
      natural processes and anthropogenic effects. As dissolved oxygen concentration
      decreases, energy shifts from macrofauna to microorganisms, which persist in
      these hypoxic zones. Oxygen-limited regions are rapidly expanding globally;
      however, patterns of microbial communities associated with dissolved oxygen
      gradients are not yet well understood. To assess the effects of decreasing
      dissolved oxygen on bacteria, we examined shifts in bacterial community structure
      over space and time in Hood Canal, Washington, USA-a glacial fjord-like water
      body that experiences seasonal low dissolved oxygen levels known to be
      detrimental to fish and other marine organisms. We found a strong negative
      association between bacterial richness and dissolved oxygen. Bacterial community
      composition across all samples was also strongly associated with the dissolved
      oxygen gradient, and significant changes in bacterial community composition
      occurred at a dissolved oxygen concentration between 5.18 and 7.12 mg O2 L(-1).
      This threshold value of dissolved oxygen is higher than classic definitions of
      hypoxia (<2.0 mg O2 L(-1)), suggesting that changes in bacterial communities may
      precede the detrimental effects on ecologically and economically important
      macrofauna. Furthermore, bacterial taxa responsible for driving whole community
      changes across the oxygen gradient are commonly detected in other oxygen-stressed
      ecosystems, suggesting that the patterns we uncovered in Hood Canal may be
      relevant in other low oxygen ecosystems.

PMID- 26270048
TI  - Nodding Syndrome May Be Only the Ears of the Hippo.

PMID- 26270049
TI  - Socio-Economic Differentials in Impoverishment Effects of Out-of-Pocket Health
      Expenditure in China and India: Evidence from WHO SAGE.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The provision of affordable health care is generally
      considered a fundamental goal of a welfare state. In addition to its role in
      maintaining and improving the health status of individuals and households, it
      impacts the economic prosperity of a society through its positive effects on
      labor productivity. Given this context, this paper assesses socioeconomic
      differentials in the impact of out-of-pocket-health-expenditure (OOPHE) on
      impoverishment in China and India, two of the fastest growing economies of the
      world. DATA AND METHODS: The paper uses data from the World Health Organisation's
      Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health (WHO SAGE), and Bivariate as well as
      Multivariate analyses for investigating the socioeconomic-differentials in the
      impact of out-of-pocket-health-expenditure (OOPHE) on impoverishment in China and
      India. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Annually, about 7% and 8% of the population in
      China and India, respectively, fall in poverty due to OOPHE. Also, the percentage
      shortfall in income for the population from poverty line due to OOPHE is 2% in
      China and 1.3% in India. Further, findings from the multivariate analysis
      indicate that lower wealth status and inpatient as well as outpatient care
      increase the odds of falling below poverty line significantly (with the extent
      much higher in the case of in-patient care) due to OOPHE in both China and India.
      In addition, having at least an under-5 child in the household, living in rural
      areas and having a household head with no formal education increases the odds of
      falling below poverty line significantly (compared to a head with college level
      education) due to OOPHE in China; whereas having at least an under-5 child, not
      having health insurance and residing in rural areas increases the odds of
      becoming poor significantly due to OOPHE in India.

PMID- 26270050
TI  - Implications of Pericardial, Visceral and Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue on Vascular
      Inflammation Measured Using 18FDG-PET/CT.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Pericardial adipose tissue (PAT) is associated with adverse
      cardiometabolic risk factors and cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the
      relative implications of PAT, abdominal visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue
      on vascular inflammation have not been explored. METHOD AND RESULTS: We compared
      the association of PAT, abdominal visceral fat area (VFA), and subcutaneous fat
      area (SFA) with vascular inflammation, represented as the target-to-background
      ratio (TBR), the blood-normalized standardized uptake value measured using 18F
      Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography (18FDG-PET) in 93 men and women
      without diabetes or CVD. Age- and sex-adjusted correlation analysis showed that
      PAT, VFA, and SFA were positively associated with most cardiometabolic risk
      factors, including systolic blood pressure, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides,
      glucose, insulin resistance and high sensitive C-reactive proteins (hsCRP),
      whereas they were negatively associated with HDL-cholesterol. In particular, the
      maximum TBR (maxTBR) values were positively correlated with PAT and VFA (r = 0.48
      and r = 0.45, respectively; both P <0.001), whereas SFA showed a relatively weak
      positive relationship with maxTBR level (r = 0.31, P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: This
      study demonstrated that both PAT and VFA are significantly and similarly
      associated with vascular inflammation and various cardiometabolic risk profiles.

PMID- 26270052
TI  - The Ebola Virus: From Basic Research to a Global Health Crisis.

PMID- 26270053
TI  - Development and Evaluation of a Rapid Antigen Detection and Serotyping Lateral
      Flow Antigen Detection System for Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus.
AB  - We developed a lateral flow strip using monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) which allows
      for rapid antigen detection and serotyping of foot-and-mouth disease virus
      (FMDV). This FMDV serotyping strip was able to detect all 7 serotypes and
      distinguish serotypes O, A, C and Asia1. Its sensitivities ranged from 10(3) to
      10(4) of a 50% tissue culture infectious dose of each FMDV stain; this is equal
      to those of the commercial product Svanodip (Boehringer Ingelheim Svanova,
      Uppsala, Sweden), which can detect all seven serotypes of FMDV, but does not
      distinguish them. Our evaluation of the FMDV serotyping strip using a total of
      118 clinical samples (vesicular fluids, vesicular epithelial emulsions and oral
      and/or nasal swabs) showed highly sensitive antigen detection and accuracy in
      serotyping in accordance with ELISA or RT-PCR. To the best of our knowledge, this
      is the first report on any FMDV serotyping strip that provides both rapid antigen
      detection and serotyping of FMDV at the same time on one strip without extra
      devices. This method will be useful in both FMD-free countries and FMD-infected
      countries, especially where laboratory diagnosis cannot be carried out.

PMID- 26270051
TI  - In-Vivo Gene Signatures of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in C3HeB/FeJ Mice.
AB  - Despite considerable progress in understanding the pathogenesis of Mycobacterium
      tuberculosis (Mtb), development of new therapeutics and vaccines against it has
      proven difficult. This is at least in part due to the use of less than optimal
      models of in-vivo Mtb infection, which has precluded a study of the physiology of
      the pathogen in niches where it actually persists. C3HeB/FeJ (Kramnik) mice
      develop human-like lesions when experimentally infected with Mtb and thus make
      available, a faithful and highly tractable system to study the physiology of the
      pathogen in-vivo. We compared the transcriptomics of Mtb and various mutants in
      the DosR (DevR) regulon derived from Kramnik mouse granulomas to those cultured
      in-vitro. We recently showed that mutant DeltadosS is attenuated in C3HeB/FeJ
      mice. Aerosol exposure of mice with the mutant mycobacteria resulted in a
      substantially different and a relatively weaker transcriptional response (< = 20
      genes were induced) for the functional category 'Information Pathways' in
      Mtb:DeltadosR; 'Lipid Metabolism' in Mtb:DeltadosT; 'Virulence, Detoxification,
      Adaptation' in both Mtb:DeltadosR and Mtb:DeltadosT; and 'PE/PPE' family in all
      mutant strains compare to wild-type Mtb H37Rv, suggesting that the inability to
      induce DosR functions to different levels can modulate the interaction of the
      pathogen with the host. The Mtb genes expressed during growth in C3HeB/FeJ mice
      appear to reflect adaptation to differential nutrient utilization for survival in
      mouse lungs. The genes such as glnB, Rv0744c, Rv3281, sdhD/B, mce4A, dctA etc.
      downregulated in mutant DeltadosS indicate their requirement for bacterial growth
      and flow of carbon/energy source from host cells. We conclude that genes
      expressed in Mtb during in-vivo chronic phase of infection in Kramnik mice mainly
      contribute to growth, cell wall processes, lipid metabolism, and virulence. 

PMID- 26270054
TI  - In Vivo Correlation of Glucose Metabolism, Cell Density and Microcirculatory
      Parameters in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer: Initial Results Using
      Simultaneous PET/MRI.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the feasibility of simultaneous acquisition of 18F-FDG
      PET, diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and T1-weighted dynamic contrast-enhanced
      MRI (T1w-DCE) in an integrated simultaneous PET/MRI in patients with head and
      neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) and to investigate possible correlations
      between these parameters. METHODS: 17 patients that had given informed consent
      (15 male, 2 female) with biopsy-proven HNSCC underwent simultaneous 18F-FDG
      PET/MRI including DWI and T1w-DCE. SUVmax, SUVmean, ADCmean, ADCmin and Ktrans,
      kep and ve were measured for each tumour and correlated using Spearman's rho.
      RESULTS: Significant correlations were observed between SUVmean and Ktrans (rho =
      0.43; p <= 0.05); SUVmean and kep (rho = 0.44; p <= 0.05); Ktrans and kep (rho =
      0.53; p <= 0.05); and between kep and ve (rho = -0.74; p <= 0.01). There was a
      trend towards statistical significance when correlating SUVmax and ADCmin (rho = 
      0.35; p = 0.08); SUVmax and Ktrans (rho = 0.37; p = 0.07); SUVmax and kep (rho =
      0.39; p = 0.06); and ADCmean and ve (rho = 0.4; p = 0.06). CONCLUSION:
      Simultaneous 18F-FDG-PET/MRI including DWI and T1w-DCE in patients with HNSCC is
      feasible and allows depiction of complex interactions between glucose metabolism,
      microcirculatory parameters and cellular density.

PMID- 26270055
TI  - Listening to music helps reduce pain and anxiety after surgery, review shows.

PMID- 26270056
TI  - Cerebral Inefficient Activation in Schizophrenia Patients and Their Unaffected
      Parents during the N-Back Working Memory Task: A Family fMRI Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that working memory deficits is a core feature
      of symptomatology of schizophrenia, which can be detected in patients and their
      unaffected relatives. The impairment of working memory has been found related to
      the abnormal activity of human brain regions in many functional magnetic
      resonance imaging (fMRI) studies. This study investigated how brain region
      activation was altered in schizophrenia and how it was inherited independently
      from performance deficits. METHOD: The authors used fMRI method during N-back
      task to assess working memory related cortical activation in four groups (N = 20
      in each group, matching task performance, age, gender and education):
      schizophrenic patients, their unaffected biological parents, young healthy
      controls for the patients and older healthy controls for their parents. RESULTS:
      Compared to healthy controls, patients showed an exaggerated response in the
      right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (brodmann area [BA] 46) and bilateral
      ventrolateral prefrontal cortex, and had reduced activation in bilateral
      dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (BA 9). In the conjunction analysis, the effect of
      genetic risk (parents versus older control) shared significantly overlapped
      activation with effect of disease (patients versus young control) in the right
      middle frontal gyrus (BA 46) and left inferior parietal gyrus (BA 40).
      CONCLUSIONS: Physiological inefficiency of dorsal prefrontal cortex and
      compensation involvement of ventral prefrontal cortex in working memory function
      may one physiological characteristics of schizophrenia. And relatively
      inefficient activation in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex probably can be a
      promising intermediate phenotype for schizophrenia.

PMID- 26270057
TI  - Influence of Soil Properties on Soldierless Termite Distribution.
AB  - In tropical rainforests, termites constitute an important part of the soil fauna
      biomass, and as for other soil arthropods, variations in soil composition create
      opportunities for niche partitioning. The aim of this study was twofold: first,
      we tested whether soil-feeding termite species differ in the foraging substrate;
      second, we investigated whether soil-feeding termites select their foraging sites
      to enhance nutrients intake. To do so, we collected termites and analysed the
      composition and structure of their feeding substrates. Although Anoplotermes
      group members are all considered soil-feeders, our results show that some species
      specifically feed on abandoned termite nests and very rotten wood, and that this
      substrate selection is correlated with previous stable isotope analyses,
      suggesting that one component of niche differentiation among species is substrate
      selection. Our results show that the composition and structure of bare soils on
      which different termite species foraged do not differ, suggesting that there is
      no species specialization for a particular type of bare soil. Finally, the bare
      soil on which termites forage does not differ from random soil samples. Overall,
      our results suggest that few species of the Anoplotermes-group are specialized
      toward substrates rich in organic matter, but that the vast majority forage on
      soil independently of its structural and chemical composition, being ecologically
      equivalent for this factor. 

PMID- 26270058
TI  - Bicyclist Deaths Associated with Motor Vehicle Traffic - United States, 1975
      2012.
AB  - Physical activity, including bicycling, is linked with multiple health benefits.
      However, although bicycles account for only about 1% of trips across all modes of
      transportation, on a per trip basis, bicyclists die on U.S. roads at a rate
      double that of vehicle occupants. In 2009, an estimated 392 billion trips (across
      all modes) were taken in the United States, including 4.1 billion bicycle trips,
      and 33,808 deaths occurred on U.S roadways (across all modes), including 630
      bicyclist deaths. This report examines mortality trends among cyclists using
      national collision data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) for
      the period 1975-2012. Annual rates for cyclist mortality decreased 44%, from 0.41
      to 0.23 deaths per 100,000 during this period, with the steepest decline among
      children aged <15 years. In recent years, reductions in cyclist deaths have
      slowed. However, age-specific cyclist mortality rates for adults aged 35-74 years
      have increased since 1975. Multifaceted approaches to bicyclist safety have been
      shown to be effective in increasing bicycling while decreasing traffic injuries
      and fatalities. With U.S. adults choosing to walk and cycle more, implementation
      of these approaches might help counter recent increases in adult cyclist deaths. 

PMID- 26270059
TI  - Surveillance for Waterborne Disease Outbreaks Associated with Drinking Water -
      United States, 2011-2012.
AB  - Advances in water management and sanitation have substantially reduced waterborne
      disease in the United States, although outbreaks continue to occur. Public health
      agencies in the U.S. states and territories* report information on waterborne
      disease outbreaks to the CDC Waterborne Disease and Outbreak Surveillance System
      (http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/surveillance/index.html). For 2011-2012, 32
      drinking water-associated outbreaks were reported, accounting for at least 431
      cases of illness, 102 hospitalizations, and 14 deaths. Legionella was responsible
      for 66% of outbreaks and 26% of illnesses, and viruses and non-Legionella
      bacteria together accounted for 16% of outbreaks and 53% of illnesses. The two
      most commonly identified deficiencies? leading to drinking water-associated
      outbreaks were Legionella in building plumbingS systems (66%) and untreated
      groundwater (13%). Continued vigilance by public health, regulatory, and industry
      professionals to identify and correct deficiencies associated with building
      plumbing systems and groundwater systems could prevent most reported outbreaks
      and illnesses associated with drinking water systems. 

PMID- 26270060
TI  - Outbreaks Associated With Environmental and Undetermined Water Exposures - United
      States, 2011-2012.
AB  - Exposures to contaminated water can lead to waterborne disease outbreaks
      associated with various sources, including many that are classified and reported
      separately as drinking water or recreational water. Waterborne disease outbreaks
      can also involve a variety of other exposures (e.g., consuming water directly
      from backcountry or wilderness streams, or inhaling aerosols from cooling towers
      and ornamental fountains). Additionally, outbreaks might be epidemiologically
      linked to multiple water sources or may not have a specific water source
      implicated.

PMID- 26270061
TI  - Suspected Palytoxin Inhalation Exposures Associated with Zoanthid Corals in
      Aquarium Shops and Homes - Alaska, 2012-2014.
AB  - On August 12, 2014, an Anchorage hospital notified the Alaska Section of
      Epidemiology (SOE) that a middle-aged male resident of Anchorage (patient A) had
      arrived in the emergency department with possible palytoxin exposure. Patient A
      complained of a bitter metallic taste, fever, weakness, cough, and muscle pain 7
      8 hours after introduction of live zoanthid coral into his home aquarium.
      Palytoxin, a potent toxin known to produce the reported effects, is contained in
      zoanthid marine corals. 

PMID- 26270062
TI  - Investigation of Tuberculosis in a High School - San Antonio, Texas, 2012.
AB  - On February 21, 2012, the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District (SAMHD)
      Tuberculosis Clinic was notified that two students at Madison High School had
      laboratory-confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). During March-September 2012,
      public health officials from SAMHD collaborated with the school district to
      conduct an outbreak investigation that included performing tuberculin skin tests
      (TSTs) on high-risk contacts of active TB patients. To ensure compliance, all
      TSTs were performed at the school. Initial screening was conducted as soon as a
      contact was identified and was followed by a second TST >=8 weeks after the
      patients with active TB were removed from the school. All positive TSTs were
      confirmed with an interferon gamma release assay (IGRA) (T-Spot.TB, Oxford
      Immunotec, Inc.) performed by SAMHD laboratory services. IGRA tests can provide
      additional evidence of infection to encourage acceptance and adherence of foreign
      born patients who believe their positive TST is attributable to Bacille Calmette
      Guerin vaccination and might also prompt greater acceptance of treatment for
      latent TB infection compared with a positive TST alone. 

PMID- 26270063
TI  - Use and Interpretation of a Rapid Respiratory Syncytial Virus Antigen Detection
      Test Among Infants Hospitalized in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit - Wisconsin,
      March 2015.
AB  - On March 25, 2015, the Wisconsin Division of Public Health was notified of a
      possible respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection outbreak among infants
      hospitalized in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). On March 23, the index
      patient (neonate A), aged 3 days, had feeding intolerance and apnea. A
      nasopharyngeal swab specimen collected from neonate A was tested using a single
      manufacturer rapid RSV antigen detection test (RRADT) at the hospital laboratory;
      the result was positive. The following day, because of concern about the
      possibility of more widespread RSV infection, RRADT was used to test
      nasopharyngeal swab specimens from neonate B, aged 1 month, who had resided in a
      different hospital room in the NICU and had developed an increased oxygen
      requirement, apnea, and poor feeding that day, as well as from two asymptomatic
      neonates who were hospitalized in the same room with neonate A; all three were
      positive. Later that day, nasopharyngeal swab specimens from the remaining 16
      asymptomatic NICU patients were tested using the same RRADT; seven tests were
      positive, making a total of 11 positives. All 20 RRADTs were performed at the
      hospital laboratory. 

PMID- 26270064
TI  - Development of a Novel Process Integrating the Treatment of Sludge Reject Water
      and the Production of Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs).
AB  - Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) from activated sludge and renewable organic material
      can become an alternative product to traditional plastics since they are
      biodegradable and are produced from renewable sources. In this work, the
      selection of PHA storing bacteria was integrated with the side stream treatment
      of nitrogen removal via nitrite from sewage sludge reject water. A novel process
      was developed and applied where the alternation of aerobic-feast and anoxic
      famine conditions accomplished the selection of PHA storing biomass and nitrogen
      removal via nitrite. Two configurations were examined: in configuration 1 the
      ammonium conversion to nitrite occurred in the same reactor in which the PHA
      selection process occurred, while in configuration 2 two separate reactors were
      used. The results showed that the selection of PHA storing biomass was successful
      in both configurations, while the nitrogen removal efficiency was much higher
      (almost 90%) in configuration 2. The PHA selection degree was evaluated by the
      volatile fatty acid (VFA) uptake rate (-qVFAs) and the PHA production rate
      (qPHA), which were 239 +/- 74 and 89 +/- 7 mg of COD per gram of active biomass
      (Xa) per hour, respectively. The characterization of the biopolymer recovered
      after the accumulation step, showed that it was composed of 3-hydroxybutyrate
      (3HB) (60%) and 3-hydroxyvalerate (3HV) (40%). The properties associated with the
      produced PHA suggest that they are suitable for thermoplastic processing. 

PMID- 26270065
TI  - CARES((r)) Dementia Care for FamiliesTM: Effects of Online, Psychoeducational
      Training on Knowledge of Person-Centered Care and Satisfaction.
AB  - Challenges to intervention use among family caregivers of individuals with
      dementia include availability and timing of delivery. The current study sought to
      determine whether an online, psychoeducational intervention for dementia family
      caregivers, CARES((r)) Dementia Care for FamiliesTM (CARES for Families),
      improved and enhanced dementia caregivers' knowledge of person-centered care
      approaches. Forty-one family members completed pre- and posttest surveys that
      assessed improvement in dementia care knowledge, and multiple close- and open
      ended items examined how the CARES for Families online modules benefited users at
      posttest. A paired t test demonstrated a significant and considerable increase in
      dementia care knowledge among family caregivers (p < 0.001); caregivers also
      indicated that CARES for Families' content, flexibility, and use of actual family
      caregivers and individuals with dementia in video care vignettes were strengths.
      The findings suggest that CARES for Families can offer an efficient supplement to
      holistic dementia care that gerontological nurses provide.

PMID- 26270066
TI  - Is there any Influence of Journal Impact Factor on the Citation Index of Articles
      Published in Brazilian Journals with International Scope?

PMID- 26270067
TI  - Low-Flow Aortic Stenosis and Reduced Ejection Fraction: New Insights.

PMID- 26270068
TI  - Case 02/2015 - A 67 Year-Old Woman with Sudden Cardiogenic Shock in the 7th Day
      after Acute Myocardial Infarction.

PMID- 26270069
TI  - ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction Early After Heart Transplantation.

PMID- 26270070
TI  - Multidetector Computed Tomographic Characterization of a Left Atrial Myxoma.

PMID- 26270071
TI  - Association between Aortic Valve Sclerosis and Adverse Cardiovascular Events.

PMID- 26270072
TI  - Neurodegeneration and Identity.
AB  - There is a widespread notion, both within the sciences and among the general
      public, that mental deterioration can rob individuals of their identity. Yet
      there have been no systematic investigations of what types of cognitive damage
      lead people to appear to no longer be themselves. We measured perceived identity
      change in patients with three kinds of neurodegenerative disease: frontotemporal
      dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Structural
      equation models revealed that injury to the moral faculty plays the primary role
      in identity discontinuity. Other cognitive deficits, including amnesia, have no
      measurable impact on identity persistence. Accordingly, frontotemporal dementia
      has the greatest effect on perceived identity, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
      has the least. We further demonstrated that perceived identity change fully
      mediates the impact of neurodegenerative disease on relationship deterioration
      between patient and caregiver. Our results mark a departure from theories that
      ground personal identity in memory, distinctiveness, dispositional emotion, or
      global mental function. 

PMID- 26270073
TI  - Crowding in Visual Working Memory Reveals Its Spatial Resolution and the Nature
      of Its Representations.
AB  - Spatial resolution fundamentally limits any image representation. Although this
      limit has been extensively investigated for perceptual representations by
      assessing how neighboring flankers degrade the perception of a peripheral target
      with visual crowding, the corresponding limit for representations held in visual
      working memory (VWM) is unknown. In the present study, we evoked crowding in VWM
      and directly compared resolution in VWM and perception. Remarkably, the spatial
      resolution of VWM proved to be no worse than that of perception. However, mixture
      modeling of errors caused by crowding revealed the qualitatively distinct nature
      of these representations. Perceptual crowding errors arose from both increased
      imprecision in target representations and substitution of flankers for targets.
      By contrast, VWM crowding errors arose exclusively from substitutions, which
      suggests that VWM transforms analog perceptual representations into discrete
      items. Thus, although perception and VWM share a common resolution limit,
      exceeding this limit reveals distinct mechanisms for perceiving images and
      holding them in mind.

PMID- 26270074
TI  - Comparative Effects of Ischemic Preconditioning and Iron Chelation in
      Hepatectomy.
AB  - PURPOSE/AIM: Major hepatectomies can result in severe ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)
      injury of the liver. The aim of this survey is to comparatively evaluate the
      effects of a surgical and a pharmacological hepatoprotective modality on the
      liver remnant in a porcine model of hepatectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-one
      Landrace pigs were randomly divided into three groups: a control group (CON) (n =
      7), an Ischemic Preconditioning (PRE) group (n = 7) and a Desferoxamine (DFX)
      treated one (n = 7). Animals were subjected to 120 min of liver ischemia with
      subsequent 75% hepatectomy followed by 24-hr reperfusion. In all animals,
      continuous intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring was employed. Blood samples
      were collected at t0, t6, t12, and t24 hrs after reperfusion. Liver remnant
      specimens were excised for histological examination. RESULTS: In the PRE group,
      ICP was statistically lower at t6 time point compared to CON group and in
      comparison with t0. In addition, ICP was significantly lower at all-time points
      after reperfusion in the DFX group. Finally, with regard to DFX and PRE group
      correlation, ICP was significantly lower at t0, t12, and t24 time points after
      reperfusion in the DFX group. In the PRE group, NH3 levels were significantly
      lower at t12 after reperfusion compared to CON and DFX groups. Histological
      evaluation elucidated significantly less hepatocellular necrosis, apoptosis, and
      degeneration in the PRE and DFX groups correlated to CON group. CONCLUSIONS: Both
      hepatoprotective modalities including PRE and DFX administration are associated
      with lower ICP levels and correlated with attenuated liver remnant injury.

PMID- 26270075
TI  - Enzymic Digestion of Biological Specimens for Drug Analysis.
AB  - In the first part of this paper, procedures using beta-glucuronidase for the
      analysis of drug conjugates in urine are reviewed and compared to the more
      classical techniques of acid hydrolysis. Morphine-3-beta-D-glucuronide is one of
      the most commonly encountered drug conjugates that may be either acid hydrolyzed
      or enzyme hydrolyzed to yield free morphine. Because of its rapidity of method
      and high yield of drug, acid hydrolysis of morphine glucuronide is still the most
      popularly employed technique for the release of free morphine. However, enzyme
      hydrolysis has been shown to enjoy virtually the same rapid hydrolysis and high
      yield of free drug, and it does not hydrolyze acid-labile drugs that might be
      present. In the second part of this paper, a discussion of the benefits of enzyme
      hydrolysis of tissues, hair, etc., for the release of drugs is presented. Such
      benefits include milder conditions, improved yields of drug, cleaner extracts,
      and the prevention of emulsions, especially when compared to acid hydrolysis.
      Several proteolytic enzymes have been employed for tissue digestion, including
      pepsin, subtilisin Carlsberg, papain, trypsin, neutrase, and others. While no one
      enzyme system has surfaced as being clearly the most effective in releasing drugs
      from tissues, several have been found to be quite effective, e.g., the
      proteolytic enzyme subtilisin Carlsberg. The proteolytic enzyme papain has also
      been recommended because of its long shelf life, low cost, and excellent recovery
      of drugs from tissues. 

PMID- 26270076
TI  - Estimation of Postmortem Interval Using Arthropod Development and Successional
      Patterns.
AB  - Insects are frequently the first organisms to arrive at a dead body. By their
      activities they begin a biological clock that will allow for an estimation of the
      postmortem interval (PMI). In this publication, the two general approaches to
      estimation of the PMI using entomological data are reviewed: (a) use of
      individual species developmental patterns; and (b) use of arthropod succession
      data. Recent advances in studies of the biologies of various Diptera (flies) have
      allowed for more accurate estimates, as have recent detailed studies of the roles
      of various arthropods in the decomposition process. Five stages of decomposition
      (fresh, bloated, decay, post-decay, and skeletal) are suggested as reference
      points in the decomposition process. These stages are largely artificial, but
      serve as convenient references in court situations. Factors that may delay
      invasion of the remains by arthropods or alter developmental patterns, such as
      wrapping of the body, climate, or presence of drugs and toxins in the remains,
      are discussed. A general plan of approach to the estimation of PMI using
      entomological data is presented. 

PMID- 26270077
TI  - Illicit Production of Cocaine.
AB  - The predominant methods currently used for illicit production of cocaine are
      described. For illicit natural cocaine (i.e., from coca leaf), this includes
      production of coca paste from coca leaf via both the solvent and acid extraction
      techniques, purification of coca paste to cocaine base, and conversion of cocaine
      base to cocaine hydrochloride. For illicit synthetic cocaine (i.e., synthesized
      from precursor chemicals), the classic five-step synthetic route used in all
      clandestine laboratories seized to date is summarized. The origins of the most
      common alkaloidal impurities and processing/synthetic by-products typically
      identified in illicit natural, illicit synthetic, and pharmaceutical cocaine are
      discussed. Forensic differentiation of exhibits arising from the various
      production methods are addressed both in terms of overall product purity and the
      presence/absence of these impurities and by-products. 

PMID- 26270078
TI  - Metabolic Precursors to Amphetamine and Methamphetamine.
AB  - Analysis and interpretation of amphetamine results is a challenging process made
      difficult by a number of factors. One of the complications comes from
      determination of the origin of amphetamine or methamphetamine in a sample. Given
      the relatively rare occasions that either of these two drugs are prescribed,
      legal prescription of one of these drugs is seldom a reason for positive
      findings. A number of other precursor compounds are metabolized by the body to
      amphetamine or methamphetamine, many of which could be used for legitimate
      reasons. Fourteen different metabolic precursors of amphetamine or
      methamphetamine are included in this review. They are amphetaminil,
      benzphetamine, clobenzorex, deprenyl, dimethylamphetamine, ethylamphetamine,
      famprofazone, fencamine, fenethylline, fenproporex, furfenorex, mefenorex,
      mesocarb, and prenylamine. Medical use, metabolism, analysis, and interpretation
      are described to afford sufficient information to evaluate the possible
      involvement of these drugs in positive amphetamine or methamphetamine results. 

PMID- 26270079
TI  - Structural Characterization of Ginsenosides from Flower Buds of Panax ginseng by
      RRLC-Q-TOF MS.
AB  - Ginseng flower bud as a part of Panax ginseng has received much attention as a
      valuable functional food with medicinal potential. A few studies focused on
      systematic and comprehensive studies on its major ingredients. This study aims to
      rapidly characterize ginsenosides in ginseng flower buds and provide scientific
      basis for developing functional food, exploiting pharmaceutical effects and
      making full use of ginseng resources. A rapid resolution liquid chromatography
      coupled with quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (RRLC-Q-TOF-MS) method
      was developed for rapid qualitative and quantitative analysis of ginsenosides in
      ginseng flower buds. The compounds were identified by comparing retention time of
      the reference standards, accurate mass measurement and the fragment ions obtained
      from RRLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS analyses. A total of 14 kinds of ginsenosides were
      identified and 5 kinds of malonyl-ginsenosides were first tentatively identified
      in ginseng flower buds. Ten kinds of main ginsenosides were quantitatively
      analyzed. The developed RRLC-Q-TOF-MS method was demonstrated as an effective
      analytical means for rapid characterization of the ginsenosides in flower buds of
      P. ginseng. The research result is valuable for quality control, assessment of
      authenticity and stability evaluation of ginseng flower buds. 

PMID- 26270080
TI  - Modified QuEChERS in combination with dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction
      based on solidification of the floating organic droplet method for the
      determination of organophosphorus pesticides in milk samples.
AB  - In this work, a rapid, environment friendly and sensitive method was established
      for the extraction and analysis of five organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs)
      (chlorpyrifos, chlorpyrifos-methyl, isocarbophos, malathion and phorate) in milk
      samples by means of gas chromatography-flame photometric detection. The
      pesticides were first extracted with acetonitrile from milk samples by using the
      modified "quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe" (QuEChERS) method. No
      other clean-up was required after extraction. Then the above-mentioned
      acetonitrile extract was concentrated by using the dispersive liquid-liquid
      microextraction combined with solidification of floating organic droplets
      technique. Several factors that could influence the extraction efficiency, such
      as type of extraction solvent, disperser solvent, volume of extraction and
      disperser solvent, salt effect, sample pH, and extraction time, were investigated
      and optimized. As a result, 15 uL of 1-dodecanol were used as the extractant
      because of its lower toxicity, 300 uL methanol was chosen as dispersant and the
      extraction time was set to 1 min. Under the optimized conditions, good linearity
      was exhibited from 0.01 to 1.0 mg/L with the correlation coefficients higher than
      0.9968. The limits of detection of the five OPPs were ranged in 0.1-0.3 MUg/L,
      and the limits of quantification were at the range of 0.3-1.0 MUg/L. Moreover,
      the recoveries of the target analytes from milk samples at spiking levels of
      0.01, 0.05 and 0.1 mg/L were between 80.5 and 106.5% with the relative standard
      deviations varied from 3.6 to 6.3%. This method has been successfully applied to
      detect OPPs in real milk samples. 

PMID- 26270081
TI  - Hollow Fiber Liquid Based Microextraction of Nalidixic Acid in Urine Samples
      Using Aliquat 336 as a Carrier Combined with High-Performance Liquid
      Chromatography.
AB  - A new and simple hollow fiber liquid-phase microextraction was used in
      conjunction with HPLC for the extraction and quantitative determination of
      nalidixic acid (NA) in human urine samples. This study considers this technique
      an alternative to common methods of hollow fiber microextraction based on pH
      gradient and electromembrane extraction of NA in human urine samples. In this
      research, the drug was extracted from the source phase (donor phase) into a
      modified organic phase with Aliquat 336 (hydrophobic ion-pair reagent) as a
      carrier able to impregnate pores of the hollow fiber. In this study, the effects
      of several factors were tested on the extraction efficiency of the drug. Under
      optimum conditions, the linearity of the method was observed over the range 0.05
      2.0 ug mL(-1) with a correlation coefficient of r = 0.9983. The results of tests
      on the method determined a good sensitivity with a limit of detection of 0.008 ug
      mL(-1). The intra-day relative standard deviation (n = 9) for 0.8 ug mL(-1) was
      6.2%, and the inter-day relative standard deviation (n = 5) for 0.8 ug mL(-1) was
      5.6%. This new strategy was successfully applied to analyze a real urine sample
      with satisfactory results. 

PMID- 26270083
TI  - Precise Nanoscale Surface Modification and Coating of Macroscale Objects: Open
      Environment in Loco Atomic Layer Deposition on an Automobile.
AB  - The fundamental chemical reaction conditions that define atomic layer deposition
      (ALD) can be achieved in an open environment on a macroscale surface too large
      and complex for typical laboratory reactor-based ALD. We describe the concept of
      in loco ALD using conventional modulated reactant flow through a surface-mounted
      "ALD delivery head" to form a precise nanoscale Al2O3 film on the window of a
      parked automobile. Analysis confirms that the processes eliminated ambient water
      contamination and met other conditions that define ALD growth. Using this tool,
      we demonstrate open-ambient patterned deposition, metal corrosion protection, and
      polymer surface modification. 

PMID- 26270082
TI  - Clinical Outcome and Quality of Life After a Multimodal Therapy Approach to Ear
      Keloids.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Keloids are fibroproliferative scars that can cause a huge
      psychological burden and severe problems for patients, such as depression. Many
      treatment options exist; however, recurrence rates, especially with monotherapy,
      remain high. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the recurrence rate and changes in quality
      of life after multimodal therapy. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A total of
      33 patients with 42 auricle keloids (24 female and 9 male patients; mean [SD]
      age, 27 [17] years) were enrolled in a prospective cohort study and underwent
      intramarginal keloid excision and multimodal therapy. Patients were observed
      postoperatively in the outpatient Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck
      Surgery, University Hospital of Mannheim, from August 1, 2007, through September
      30, 2014, with a mean (SD) follow-up of 30 (19) months (through August 31, 2014).
      A retrospective analysis of clinical outcomes was performed from September 1
      through November 15, 2014. INTERVENTIONS: Excision followed by 6 intralesional
      corticosteroid injections at 4- to 6-week intervals and individually customized
      pressure splints applied at least 5 nights a week for 6 months. MAIN OUTCOMES AND
      MEASURES: Keloid recurrence rate and subjective handling of the pressure splint
      were evaluated during clinical visits. Quality of life was measured after the end
      of therapy with a 3-part questionnaire, including the Glasgow Benefit Inventory
      (GBI). RESULTS: After excluding 4 patients (with 5 keloids) for nonadherence to
      treatment, 3 of 37 keloids recurred, for a recurrence rate of 8% among 29
      patients. Insecure handling of the pressure splint significantly correlated with
      a higher relapse rate (mean subjective handling score in patients with a relapse,
      3.60; P = .02). Four of 8 patients with recurrent keloids had poor adherence to
      adjuvant pressure therapy, which suggests an association between keloid
      recurrence and adherence to adjuvant pressure therapy. Patients received the 3
      part questionnaire by mail to collect data on quality of life. Of 43 patients
      approached, 33 treated with multimodal therapy completed the questionnaire for a
      return rate of 77%. Improvement in quality of life after keloid treatment was
      significant in recurrence-free patients, with a mean GBI score of 22.53 (P <
      .001). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The present study showed an improvement in
      quality-of-life scores after multimodal therapy for keloids. Because poor
      adherence to the use of ear splints correlated with a higher recurrence rate of
      keloids, efforts are needed to improve adherence and minimize recurrence. LEVEL
      OF EVIDENCE: 3.

PMID- 26270084
TI  - Elucidating Nonwetting of Re-Entrant Surfaces with Impinging Droplets.
AB  - Superomniphobic surfaces display both superoleophobic and superhydrophobic
      properties, having a contact angle greater than 150 degrees  for both water and
      oil droplets. In this work, lattice Boltzmann simulations on droplets impacting
      the surface textures of various topologies are performed to understand the
      mechanism of how the superomniphobic properties can be achieved by optimizing the
      geometry of re-entrant surfaces and the inherent hydrophobicity of substrates.
      Detailed kinetics for droplet impinging is analyzed for both liquid impalement
      and emptying, showing distinct dependences on geometrical details of re-entrant
      surfaces. The origins of the enhanced stability of Cassie states are ascribed to
      (i) the barrier of the Cassie-to-Wenzel transition for the impalement process,
      (ii) the driving force for liquid receding in the emptying process, and (iii) the
      contact line pinning from the entrance effect and the edge effect. Finally, we
      check the strategies proposed here by designing a new re-entrance structure that
      possesses an excellent property in maintaining the droplet Cassie state. 

PMID- 26270085
TI  - The Wide-Range Method to Construct the Entire Coexistence Liquid-Gas Curve and to
      Determine the Critical Parameters of Metals.
AB  - A method to find the liquid-gas critical parameters of metallic elements is
      offered. It takes into account a nonanalytic behavior in the critical point
      vicinity and the Clapeyron-Clausius asymptotic behavior at low temperatures. The
      present approach provides good agreement with experimental data for a wide wealth
      of non-metallic substances and mercury and alkali metals, where the critical
      parameters and binodals are known from the measurements. We have also found the
      critical parameters and binodals for Al, Cu, Fe, and Zr, for which corresponding
      measurements are yet to be obtained. 

PMID- 26270086
TI  - Second-Harmonic Generation from Sub-5 nm Gaps by Directed Self-Assembly of
      Nanoparticles onto Template-Stripped Gold Substrates.
AB  - Strong field enhancement and confinement in plasmonic nanostructures provide
      suitable conditions for nonlinear optics in ultracompact dimensions. Despite
      these enhancements, second-harmonic generation (SHG) is still inefficient due to
      the centrosymmetric crystal structure of the bulk metals used, e.g., Au and Ag.
      Taking advantage of symmetry breaking at the metal surface, one could greatly
      enhance SHG by engineering these metal surfaces in regions where the strong
      electric fields are localized. Here, we combine top-down lithography and bottom
      up self-assembly to lodge single rows of 8 nm diameter Au nanoparticles into
      trenches in a Au film. The resultant "double gap" structures increase the surface
      to-volume ratio of Au colocated with the strong fields in ~2 nm gaps to fully
      exploit the surface SHG of Au. Compared to a densely packed arrangement of AuNPs
      on a smooth Au film, the double gaps enhance SHG emission by 4200-fold to achieve
      an effective second-order susceptibility chi((2)) of 6.1 pm/V, making it
      comparable with typical nonlinear crystals. This patterning approach also allows
      for the scalable fabrication of smooth gold surfaces with sub-5 nm gaps and
      presents opportunities for optical frequency up-conversion in applications that
      require extreme miniaturization. 

PMID- 26270087
TI  - Mapping the Evolution of Spatial Exciton Coherence through Time-Resolved
      Fluorescence.
AB  - Quantum coherence is expected to have a positive effect on the transfer
      efficiency of excitation energy through photosynthetic aggregates and conjugated
      polymers, but its significance to the functioning of these molecular assemblies
      remains largely unknown. We propose a new experimental means to monitor the
      coherence between distant molecular sites on a time scale relevant to energy
      transfer. Through numerical calculations, we demonstrate that the range of such
      spatial coherence continually scales as the 0-0 to 0-1 vibronic peak ratio in
      time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. As such, this observable allows one to
      monitor the coherent evolution of an excited state, displaying the large
      coherence length following optical excitation, and the subsequent dephasing over
      time. 

PMID- 26270088
TI  - Anomalous Hysteresis in Perovskite Solar Cells.
AB  - Perovskite solar cells have rapidly risen to the forefront of emerging
      photovoltaic technologies, exhibiting rapidly rising efficiencies. This is likely
      to continue to rise, but in the development of these solar cells there are
      unusual characteristics that have arisen, specifically an anomalous hysteresis in
      the current-voltage curves. We identify this phenomenon and show some examples of
      factors that make the hysteresis more or less extreme. We also demonstrate
      stabilized power output under working conditions and suggest that this is a
      useful parameter to present, alongside the current-voltage scan derived power
      conversion efficiency. We hypothesize three possible origins of the effect and
      discuss its implications on device efficiency and future research directions.
      Understanding and resolving the hysteresis is essential for further progress and
      is likely to lead to a further step improvement in performance. 

PMID- 26270089
TI  - Reactivity Descriptor in Solid Acid Catalysis: Predicting Turnover Frequencies
      for Propene Methylation in Zeotypes.
AB  - Recent work has reported the discovery of metal surface catalysts by employing a
      descriptor-based approach, establishing a correlation between a few well-defined
      properties of a material and its catalytic activity. This theoretical work aims
      for a similar approach in solid acid catalysis, focusing on the reaction between
      propene and methanol catalyzed by Bronsted acidic zeotype catalysts.
      Experimentally, the ammonia heat of adsorption is often used as a measure of the
      strength of acid sites. Using periodic DFT calculations, we show that this
      measure can be used to establish scaling relations for the energy of
      intermediates and transition states, effectively describing the reactivity of the
      acid site. This allows us to use microkinetic modeling to predict a quantitative
      relation between the ammonia heat of adsorption and the rate of propene
      methylation from first principles. We propose that this is the first step toward
      descriptor-based design of solid acid catalysts. 

PMID- 26270090
TI  - Enhanced Water Splitting Efficiency Through Selective Surface State Removal.
AB  - Hematite (alpha-Fe2O3) thin film electrodes prepared by atomic layer deposition
      (ALD) were employed to photocatalytically oxidize water under 1 sun illumination.
      It was shown that annealing at 800  degrees C substantially improves the water
      oxidation efficiency of the ultrathin film hematite electrodes. The effect of
      high temperature treatment is shown to remove one of two surface states
      identified, which reduces recombination and Fermi level pinning. Further
      modification with Co-Pi water oxidation catalyst resulted in unprecedented
      photocurrent onset potential of ~0.6 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE;
      slightly positive of the flat band potential). 

PMID- 26270091
TI  - Optically Guided Photoactivity: Coordinating Tautomerization, Photoisomerization,
      Inhomogeneity, and Reactive Intermediates within the RcaE Cyanobacteriochrome.
AB  - The RcaE cyanobacteriochrome uses a linear tetrapyrrole chromophore to sense the
      ratio of green and red light to enable the Fremyella diplosiphon cyanobacterium
      to control the expression of the photosynthetic infrastructure for efficient
      utilization of incident light. The femtosecond photodynamics of the embedded
      phycocyanobilin chromophore within RcaE were characterized with dispersed
      femtosecond pump-dump-probe spectroscopy, which resolved a complex interplay of
      excited-state proton transfer, photoisomerization, multilayered inhomogeneity,
      and reactive intermediates. These reactions were integrated within a central
      model that incorporated a rapid (200 fs) excited-state Le Chatelier
      redistribution between parallel evolving populations ascribed to different
      tautomers. Three photoproducts were resolved and originates from four independent
      subpopulations, each with different dump-induced behavior: Lumi-Go was depleted,
      Lumi-Gr was unaffected, and Lumi-Gf was enhanced. This suggests that RcaE may be
      engineered to act either as an in vivo fluorescent probe (after single-pump
      excitation) or as an in vivo optogenetic sample (after pump and dump excitation).

PMID- 26270092
TI  - How the Reorganization Free Energy Affects the Reduction Potential of
      Structurally Homologous Cytochromes.
AB  - Differences in the reduction potential E(0) among structurally similar
      metalloproteins cannot always be fully explained on the basis of their 3-D
      structures. We investigate the molecular determinants to E(0) using the mixed
      quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics approach named perturbed matrix method
      (PMM); after comparison with experimental values to assess the reliability of our
      calculations, we investigate the relationship between the change in free energy
      upon reduction DeltaA(0) and the reorganization energy. We find that the
      reduction potential of cytochromes can be regarded as the result of the sum of
      two terms, one being mostly dependent on the energy fluctuations within a limited
      range around the mean transition energy and the second being mostly dependent
      linearly on the difference Deltalambda = lambdared - lambdaox of the
      reorganization free energies for the ox -> red (lambdared) and for the red -> ox
      (lambdaox) relaxations. 

PMID- 26270093
TI  - Ultrafast Structure and Dynamics in Ionic Liquids: 2D-IR Spectroscopy Probes the
      Molecular Origin of Viscosity.

PMID- 26270094
TI  - X-ray Absorption Spectra of Dissolved Polysulfides in Lithium-Sulfur Batteries
      from First-Principles.
AB  - The X-ray absorption spectra (XAS) of lithium polysulfides (Li2Sx) of various
      chain lengths (x) dissolved in a model solvent are obtained from first-principles
      calculations. The spectra exhibit two main absorption features near the sulfur K
      edge, which are unambiguously interpreted as a pre-edge near 2471 eV due to the
      terminal sulfur atoms at either end of the linear polysulfide dianions and a main
      edge near 2473 eV due to the (x - 2) internal atoms in the chain, except in the
      case of Li2S2, which only has a low-energy feature. We find an almost linear
      dependence between the ratio of the peaks and chain length, although the linear
      dependence is modified by the delocalized, molecular nature of the core-excited
      states that can span up to six neighboring sulfur atoms. Thus, our results
      indicate that the ratio of the peak area, and not the peak intensities, should be
      used when attempting to differentiate the polysulfides from XAS. 

PMID- 26270095
TI  - Interaction of NH3 with Cu-SSZ-13 Catalyst: A Complementary FTIR, XANES, and XES
      Study.
AB  - In the typical NH3-SCR temperature range (100-500  degrees C), ammonia is one of
      the main adsorbed species on acidic sites of Cu-SSZ-13 catalyst. Therefore, the
      study of adsorbed ammonia at high temperature is a key step for the understanding
      of its role in the NH3-SCR catalytic cycle. We employed different spectroscopic
      techniques to investigate the nature of the different complexes occurring upon
      NH3 interaction. In particular, FTIR spectroscopy revealed the formation of
      different NH3 species, that is, (i) NH3 bonded to copper centers, (ii) NH3 bonded
      to Bronsted sites, and (iii) NH4(+).nNH3 associations. XANES and XES spectroscopy
      allowed us to get an insight into the geometry and electronic structure of Cu
      centers upon NH3 adsorption, revealing for the first time in Cu-SSZ-13 the
      presence of linear Cu(+) species in Ofw-Cu-NH3 or H3N-Cu-NH3 configuration. 

PMID- 26270096
TI  - Visible-Range Sensitization of Er(3+)-Based Infrared Emission from Perfluorinated
      2-Acylphenoxide Complexes.
AB  - Five new fully fluorinated acylphenoxide ligands, which are aromatic analogues of
      beta-diketonates, provide visible photosensitization of the Er(3+4)I13/2 ->
      (4)I15/2 emission at ~1540 nm (of interest for telecommunications) via the
      "antenna effect", as observed in Cs[ErL4] compounds. Depending on the chemical
      functionalization, the excitation wavelength can be tuned in the 400-650 nm
      range. Decay times for the solids are in the range of 7-16 MUs, proving that the
      complexes can be of interest for a number of optoelectronic and photonic
      applications. 

PMID- 26270097
TI  - Defect Chemistry and Plasmon Physics of Colloidal Metal Oxide Nanocrystals.
AB  - Plasmonic nanocrystals of highly doped metal oxides have seen rapid development
      in the past decade and represent a class of materials with unique optoelectronic
      properties. In this Perspective, we discuss doping mechanisms in metal oxides and
      the accompanying physics of free carrier scattering, both of which have
      implications in determining the properties of localized surface plasmon
      resonances (LSPRs) in these nanocrystals. The balance between activation and
      compensation of dopants limits the free carrier concentration of the most common
      metal oxides, placing a ceiling on the LSPR frequency. Furthermore, because of
      ionized impurity scattering of the oscillating plasma by dopant ions, scattering
      must be treated in a fundamentally different way in semiconductor metal oxide
      materials when compared with conventional metals. Though these effects are well
      understood in bulk metal oxides, further study is needed to understand their
      manifestation in nanocrystals and corresponding impact on plasmonic properties,
      and to develop materials that surpass current limitations in free carrier
      concentration. 

PMID- 26270098
TI  - How Does a SILAR CdSe Film Grow? Tuning the Deposition Steps to Suppress
      Interfacial Charge Recombination in Solar Cells.
AB  - Successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) is a popular method of
      depositing the metal chalcogenide semiconductor layer on the mesoscopic metal
      oxide films for designing quantum-dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs) or
      extremely thin absorber (ETA) solar cells. While this deposition method exhibits
      higher loading of the light-absorbing semiconductor layer than direct adsorption
      of presynthesized colloidal quantum dots, the chemical identity of these
      nanostructures and the evolution of interfacial structure are poorly understood.
      We have now analyzed step-by-step SILAR deposition of CdSe films on mesoscopic
      TiO2 nanoparticle films using X-ray absorption near-edge structure analysis and
      probed the interfacial structure of these films. The film characteristics
      interestingly show dependence on the order in which the Cd and Se are deposited,
      and the CdSe-TiO2 interface is affected only during the first few cycles of
      deposition. Development of a SeO2 passivation layer in the SILAR-prepared films
      to form a TiO2/SeO2/CdSe junction facilitates an increase in photocurrents and
      power conversion efficiencies of quantum dot solar cells when these films are
      integrated as photoanodes in a photoelectrochemical solar cell. 

PMID- 26270099
TI  - Designing Plasmon Resonances.

PMID- 26270100
TI  - CO Oxidation Promoted by Gold Atoms Loosely Attached in AuFeO3(-) Cluster Anions.
AB  - Time-of-flight mass spectrometry experiment shows that upon the interactions with
      carbon monoxide, the mass-selected AuFeO3(-) oxide cluster anions can evaporate
      neutral gold atoms in a hexapole collision cell and oxidize CO into CO2 in an ion
      trap reactor. The computational studies identify that the gold atom is loosely
      attached in the AuFeO3(-) cluster, and the different reaction channels can be
      attributed to different cluster velocities. The structure of the AuFeO3(-)
      cluster is very flexible, and the approach of CO induces significant geometrical
      and electronic structure changes of AuFeO3(-), which facilitates the exposure of
      the positively charged gold atom to trap and oxidize CO. The CO oxidation by the
      AuFeO3(-) cluster follows the Au-assisted Mars-van Krevelen mechanism, in which
      the direct participation of the surface lattice oxygen (O(2-)) is proposed. 

PMID- 26270101
TI  - Halogen-Halogen Links and Internal Dynamics in Adducts of Freons.
AB  - The pulsed jet Fourier transform microwave spectrum of the 1:1 complex between
      CF3Cl and CH3F shows that the two moieties are linked by a Cl...F halogen bond
      (RCl...F = 2.995 A). The two symmetric tops CF3 and CH3 undergo free or almost
      free internal rotations, which alter the "rigid" value of the rotational constant
      A by almost 1 order of magnitude. 

PMID- 26270102
TI  - PtZnH5(-), A sigma-Aromatic Cluster.
AB  - We report a joint photoelectron spectroscopic and theoretical study of the
      PtZnH5(-) cluster anion. This cluster exhibited an unprecedented planar
      pentagonal coordination for Pt and an unusual stability and high intensity in the
      mass spectrum. Both are due to the sigma-aromaticity found in the H5-cycle
      supported by the 5d orbitals on the Pt atom. sigma-Aromaticity in all-H systems
      has been predicted in the past but never found in experimentally observed
      species. Besides fundamental importance, mixed transition-metal hydrides can be
      found as intermediates in catalytic processes, and thus, the unexpected stability
      facilitated by sigma-aromaticity can be appreciated also in practical
      applications. 

PMID- 26270103
TI  - Effects of Graphene Nanopore Geometry on DNA Sequencing.
AB  - In this Letter we assess the effect of graphene nanopore geometries on DNA
      sequencing by considering DNA fragments including A, T, C, G, and 5
      methylcytosine (MC) pulled out of graphene nanopores of different geometries with
      diameters down to ~1 nm. Using steered molecular dynamics simulations it is
      demonstrated that the bases (A, T, C, G, and MC) can be indentified at single
      base resolution through the characteristic peaks on the force profile in a
      circular graphene nanopore but not in nanopores with other asymmetric geometries.
      Our study suggests that the graphene nanopore surface should be modified as
      symmetrically as possible in order to sequence DNA by atomic force microscopy or
      optical tweezers. 

PMID- 26270104
TI  - Self-Assembly of Supramolecular Light-Harvesting Arrays from Symmetric Perylene
      3,4-dicarboximide Trefoils.
AB  - Unlike the widely studied perylene-3,4:9,10-bis(dicarboximide) (PDI) dyes, self
      assembly of the corresponding perylene-3,4-dicarboximide (PMI) dyes into large
      arrays and studies of their excited state properties have received far less
      attention. Two symmetric PMI trefoils were synthesized by connecting the 9
      position of the perylene core either directly (1) or through a phenylene linker
      (2) to the 1,3,5-positions of a central benzene ring. Synchrotron-based small-
      and wide-angle X-ray scattering measurements in methylcyclohexane show that
      trefoil 1 self-assembles into cofacial trimers (13) on average, while trefoil 2
      forms much larger assemblies that are tridecamers (213) on average. Their
      photophysics were characterized using steady-state as well as transient
      absorption and emission spectroscopy. Time-resolved spectroscopy reveals that
      both 13 and 213 initially form excitonically coupled excited states that
      subsequently relax to excimer states having 20 and 8.4 ns lifetimes,
      respectively, which decay to ground-state primarily nonradiatively. The data are
      consistent with stronger electronic coupling between the PMI molecules in 213
      relative to 13. 

PMID- 26270105
TI  - Mechanism of the Decay of Thymine Triplets in DNA Single Strands.
AB  - The decay of triplet states and the formation of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers
      (CPDs) after UV excitation of the all-thymine oligomer (dT)18 and the locked
      dinucleotide TLpTL were studied by nanosecond IR spectroscopy. IR marker bands
      characteristic for the CPD lesion and the triplet state were observed from ~1 ns
      (time resolution of the setup) onward. The amplitudes of the CPD marker bands
      remain constant throughout the time range covered (up to 10 MUs). The triplet
      decays with a time constant of ~10 ns presumably via a biradical intermediate
      (lifetime ~60 ns). This biradical has often been invoked as an intermediate for
      CPD formation via the triplet channel. The present results lend strong support to
      the existence of this intermediate, yet there is no indication that its decay
      contributes significantly to CPD formation. 

PMID- 26270106
TI  - Insights into the Unexpected Chemoselectivity for the N-Heterocyclic Carbene
      Catalyzed Annulation Reaction of Allenals with Chalcones.
AB  - Lewis base N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-catalyzed annulation is the subject of
      extensive interest in synthetic chemistry, but the reaction mechanisms,
      especially the unexpected chemoselectivity of some of these reactions, are poorly
      understood. In this work, a systematic theoretical calculation has been performed
      on NHC-catalyzed annulation between allenals and chalcone. Multiple possible
      reaction pathways (A-E) leading to three different products have been
      characterized. The calculated results reveal that NHC is more likely to initiate
      the reaction by nucleophilic attack on the center carbon atom of the allene group
      but not the carbonyl carbon atom in allenals leading to the Breslow intermediate,
      which is remarkably different from the other NHC-catalyzed annulations of
      unsaturated aldehydes with chalcones. The computed energy profiles demonstrate
      that the most energetically favorable pathway (A) results in polysubstituted
      pyranyl aldehydes, which reasonably explains the observed chemoselectivity in the
      experiment. The observed chemoselectivity is demonstrated to be thermodynamically
      but not kinetically controlled, and the stability of the Breslow intermediate is
      the key for the possibility of homoenolate pathway D and enolate pathway E. This
      work can improve our understanding of the multiple competing pathways for NHC
      catalyzed annulation reactions of unsaturated aldehydes with chalcones and
      provide valuable insights for predicting the chemoselectivity for this kind of
      reaction. 

PMID- 26270107
TI  - Total Synthesis of (+)-Cryptocaryol A Using a Prins Cyclization/Reductive
      Cleavage Sequence.
AB  - The total synthesis of (+)-cryptocaryol A was achieved in 20 steps from (R)
      glycidol. The key steps were a Prins cyclization/reductive cleavage sequence to
      construct the C5-C11 polyol fragment, a diastereoselective aldol reaction to
      control the stereogenic center at C13, and a stereocontrolled reduction to
      introduce the stereogenic center at C15. 

PMID- 26270108
TI  - Problem-Based Learning in Prenursing Courses.
AB  - We conducted an observational study with 150 undergraduate nursing students to
      verify the usefulness of problem-based learning in the classroom and to ascertain
      whether this methodology facilitated the development of their knowledge
      acquisition skills. Problem-based learning fostered the development of integrated
      knowledge acquisition skills among nursing students.

PMID- 26270109
TI  - Improving Adjunct Nursing Instructors' Knowledge of Student Assessment in
      Clinical Courses.
AB  - Utilization of adjunct nursing instructors to teach clinical courses is common in
      nursing programs. The purpose of this study was to examine the outcomes of a
      faculty development workshop on clinical evaluation for adjunct instructors. The
      results indicated instructors valued using a student-oriented learning outline,
      gained knowledge about assessment, and indicated they would engage in activities
      that could increase their knowledge of assessment.

PMID- 26270110
TI  - Use of Technology in Classroom Testing.

PMID- 26270111
TI  - Individualizing factor replacement therapy in severe hemophilia.
AB  - Prophylactic replacement of factor concentrate is the established optimal
      treatment to avoid or minimize joint disease in severe hemophilia patients, thus
      ultimately improving their life expectancy and quality of life toward values
      matching those in the normal population. Where uncertainty still exists is around
      the optimal regimen to be prescribed for prophylaxis, and more and more treaters
      and patients are showing interest in patient tailored approaches to prophylaxis,
      aiming at matching the prophylaxis regimen to the specific needs of the patient.
      The rationale behind tailoring the prophylaxis regimen to the individual patient
      is based on the significant variability that exists between patients (all with
      the same label of severe hemophilia) with respect to their bleeding phenotype,
      their pharmacokinetic handling of factor, their levels of physical activity, and
      a variety of other characteristics that contribute to differential prophylaxis
      needs of patients. Of course, any form of tailoring of prophylaxis needs to take
      into consideration the economic resources of the country; for many countries very
      intense prophylaxis regimens are just not possible. This article will review
      different concerns and strategies when tailoring prophylaxis, and will address
      how these issues will apply to the new longer acting factor concentrates in
      development. 

PMID- 26270112
TI  - Homeostasis of Hemostasis: The Role of Endothelium.
AB  - Forming an interface with virtually every other organ, endothelium has a
      strategic role in modulating vascular homeostasis. While its miscellany of
      functions includes regulation of vasomotor tone, promotion, and prevention of
      vascular growth, and modulation of inflammatory and hemostatic processes, it
      functions critically in maintaining the balance of hemostasis in health. Whereas
      endothelium has been recognized to influence all stages of hemostasis, new
      evidence suggests it to have a primary role for thrombin generation. Endothelial
      dysfunction is being increasingly appreciated in several pathological states and
      particularly, by virtue of its critical role in hemostasis, in causing thrombosis
      in a multitude of diseases. 

PMID- 26270113
TI  - Hypercoagulability and Platelet Abnormalities in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
AB  - Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) exhibit a threefold higher risk
      for development of systemic thrombosis than the general population. Although the
      underlying causes of the increased risk for thrombus development remain poorly
      understood, there is a large body of evidence suggesting that abnormalities in
      coagulation, fibrinolysis, and platelet function may contribute to this response.
      Changes in hemostatic biomarkers are consistent with subclinical activation of
      coagulation system, including tissue factor activation, impaired protein C
      pathway, enhanced thrombin generation, and diminished fibrinolytic capacity.
      There is also evidence for an increased production and reactivity of platelets,
      with an enhanced formation of platelet-platelet and platelet-leukocyte
      aggregates. The altered coagulation and platelet function, and the predisposition
      to thrombus formation have also been demonstrated in animal models of IBD. The
      animal studies have revealed a major role for inflammatory cytokines, including
      tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, and IL-6, as mediators of
      the platelet abnormalities and enhanced thrombus development in experimental IBD.
      These findings in animal models raise hope for the development of novel
      therapeutic strategies to reduce thrombosis-related mortality in IBD patients. 

PMID- 26270114
TI  - Performance of the BD CTQx and GCQx Amplified Assays on the BD Viper LT Compared
      With the BD Viper XTR System.
AB  - We evaluated the BD Viper LT System for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis and
      Neisseria gonorrhoeae using samples collected from symptomatic patients that
      included urine, vaginal swabs, and cervical samples in liquid-based cytology
      media. Results were compared with those obtained using the BD Viper XTR platform.
      The positive and negative percent agreements for all sample types were at least
      95.8% and at least 96.4% for chlamydia and gonorrhea and at least 95.0% when both
      organisms were present, respectively. This medium throughput system performs well
      compared with a high-throughput platform and may offer smaller health care
      facilities the opportunity to test for these infections locally. 

PMID- 26270115
TI  - Conventional Landmark-Guided Midline Versus Preprocedure Ultrasound-Guided
      Paramedian Techniques in Spinal Anesthesia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Multiple passes and attempts while administering spinal anesthesia
      are associated with a greater incidence of postdural puncture headache,
      paraesthesia, and spinal hematoma. We hypothesized that the routine use of a
      preprocedural ultrasound-guided paramedian technique for spinal anesthesia would
      reduce the number of passes required to achieve entry into the subarachnoid space
      when compared with the conventional landmark-guided midline approach. METHODS:
      One hundred consenting patients scheduled for elective total joint replacements
      (hip and knee) were randomized into group C (conventional) and group P
      (preprocedural ultrasound-guided paramedian technique) with 50 in each group. The
      patients were blinded to the study group. All spinal anesthetics were
      administered by a consultant anesthesiologist. In group C, spinal anesthetic was
      done via the midline approach using clinically palpated landmarks. In group P, a
      preprocedural ultrasound scan was used to mark the paramedian insertion site, and
      spinal anesthetic was performed via the paramedian approach. RESULTS: The average
      number of passes (defined as the number of forward advancements of the spinal
      needle in a given interspinous space, i.e., withdrawal and redirection of spinal
      needle without exiting the skin) in group P was approximately 0.34 times that in
      group C, a difference that was statistically significant (P = 0.01). Similarly,
      the average number of attempts (defined as the number of times the spinal needle
      was withdrawn from the skin and reinserted) in group P was approximately 0.25
      times that of group C (P = 0.0021). In group P, on an average, it took 81.5 (99%
      confidence interval, 68.4-97 seconds) seconds longer to identify the landmarks
      than in group C (P = 0.0002). All other parameters, including grading of palpated
      landmarks, time taken for spinal anesthetic injection, periprocedural pain
      scores, periprocedural patient discomfort visual analog scale score, conversion
      to general anesthetic, paresthesia, and radicular pain during needle insertion,
      were similar between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Routine use of paramedian spinal
      anesthesia in the orthopedic patient population undergoing joint replacement
      surgery, guided by preprocedure ultrasound examination, significantly decreases
      the number of passes and attempts needed to enter the subarachnoid space.

PMID- 26270116
TI  - Extraperitoneal Para-aortic Lymphadenectomy by Robot-Assisted Laparoscopy in
      Gynecologic Oncology: Preliminary Experience and Advantages and Limitations.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We are reporting the preliminary multicentric experience in
      extraperitoneal para-aortic lymphadenectomy by robot-assisted laparoscopy (EPLRL)
      in gynecologic oncology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two teams from the cancer centers
      performed EPLRL in 37 patients with gynecologic cancer. RESULTS: There were 30
      patients with cervical cancer, 6 with endometrial cancer, and 1 with adnexal
      cancer. The skin-to-skin operative time, mean lymph node count, and estimated
      blood loss were 221 (+/-61) minutes, 18.7 (+/-11), and 105 (+/-134) mL.There was
      no conversion to laparotomy, one laparoscopic conversion for hemorrhage lateral
      to the inferior mesenteric artery, and one use of hemostatic matrix for an injury
      to the left gonadal artery (2 nontransfused patients). The proportion of patients
      who reported postoperative complications was 32.5% (12/37): 7 with lymphocysts
      with computed tomographic scan drainage (19%), 3 with leg dysesthesia (left
      genitofemoral nerve), 1 with leg lymphedema, and 1 with lateral aortic hematoma
      not requiring a transfusion or return to the operating room. CONCLUSION: The
      EPLRL technique is feasible and efficient but with a high rate of symptomatic
      lymphocyst. A marsupialization could be useful to decrease the risk of
      lymphocyst.

PMID- 26270117
TI  - Hand-Assisted Robotic Surgery for Staging of Ovarian Cancer and Uterine Cancers
      With High Risk of Peritoneal Spread: A Retrospective Cohort Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine surgical outcomes related to hand
      assisted robotic surgery (HARS) for staging of ovarian cancer and uterine cancers
      with high risk of peritoneal spread and compare them to laparotomy and standard
      robotic-assisted surgery. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of women
      undergoing staging for uterine and ovarian cancer between January 2011 and July
      2013 at a major metropolitan teaching hospital was reviewed. Patients undergoing
      HARS were matched with patients undergoing staging laparotomy [exploratory
      laparotomy (XLAP)] for the same indications and with patients undergoing
      traditional robotic surgery (RS) for staging of endometrioid endometrial cancer.
      In HARS, a longer incision is used to allow palpation of the peritoneal surfaces,
      to exteriorize the small bowel, to examine the mesentery, and to perform
      omentectomy. RESULTS: One hundred five patients were analyzed (15 HARS, 45 RS, 45
      XLAP). Compared with XLAP, HARS was associated with decreased blood loss (200 vs
      400 mL, P = 0.011) and shorter hospital stay (1 vs 4 days, P < 0.001). Patients
      who had undergone HARS had fewer major complications, but those results did not
      reach statistical significance (0% vs 27%, P = 0.063). Hand-assisted robotic
      surgery was associated with higher blood loss and length of stay as compared to
      robotic staging of endometrioid endometrial cancer (RS). Minor wound
      complications were also more common (27% vs 2%, P = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: Hand
      assisted robotic surgery allows for thorough visual and tactile assessment of
      peritoneal surfaces. It represents a safe alternative to laparotomy for staging
      of ovarian and uterine cancers with high risk of peritoneal spread. Long-term
      follow-up study is needed to determine oncologic adequacy of HARS.

PMID- 26270118
TI  - Gene Polymorphisms of Toll-Like Receptor 9 -1486T/C and 2848G/A in Cervical
      Cancer Risk.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This work aims to explore whether Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) -1486T/C
      and 2848G/A polymorphisms are associated with cervical cancer risk. METHODS: A
      comprehensive electronic search of studies published from January 1999 to October
      2014 was conducted in Medline (Ovid), Embase, PubMed, Wanfang, Weipu, and CNKI.
      The algorithm included "TLR," "Toll-like receptor," "polymorphism," "variant,"
      "mutation," and "cervical cancer." Seven articles, including 9 studies, were
      pooled using Revman 5.2 (Cochrane Collaboration, Copenhagen, Denmark). Odds ratio
      (OR) was used to explore the involvement of minor allele C (C vs T and CC + CT vs
      TT) of TLR9 (-1486T/C, rs187084) and minor allele A (A vs G and AA + AG vs GG) of
      TLR9 (2848G/A, rs352140) in cervical cancer risk. RESULTS: Toll-like receptor 9 (
      1486T/C, rs187084) polymorphisms were associated with an elevated risk of
      cervical cancer (C vs T: OR, 1.15; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-1.29; CC +
      CT vs TT: OR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.11-1.53). We found no significant association
      between TLR9 (2848G/A, rs352140) polymorphisms and cervical cancer risk (A vs G:
      OR, 1.15; 95% CI, 0.87-1.54; AA + AG vs GG: OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 0.75-2.17).
      CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis indicates that TLR9 (-1486T/C, rs187084)-but not
      TLR9 (2848G/A, rs352140)-may be a risk factor for cervical cancer.

PMID- 26270119
TI  - Economic Impact Among Family Caregivers of Patients With Advanced Ovarian Cancer.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The life of a family caregiver changes in many ways when cancer is
      diagnosed. Changes regard also financial costs. To the authors' knowledge, little
      work has been done to estimate the costs associated with caregiving for cancer
      patients. The aim of the present study is to evaluate for the first time in
      literature the economic changes among family caregivers of advanced ovarian
      cancer during the first-line treatment in an Italian survey. METHODS: Between
      January 2009 and June 2014, the primary family caregivers of patients with
      advanced ovarian cancer (N = 172) were recruited from to the Division of
      Gynecologic Oncology of the University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome within 4 weeks
      of the patient's new diagnosis. Caregivers reported demographic, medical
      information, and economic cost, such as traveling to and from medical
      appointments, waiting with patients for appointments, missing work, and attending
      to patients who are hospitalized. RESULTS: Between January 2009 and June 2014,
      172 primary family caregivers of patients with advanced ovarian cancer were
      enrolled in the study. The mean age of the study cohort was 54.01 years. They
      reported 3% of missing workdays. The mean cost for all caregivers was
      &OV0556;1,888,732 per year. Therefore, the mean cost for each caregiver was
      &OV0556;10,981 annually. CONCLUSIONS: This economic analysis of caregiving in
      patients with advanced ovarian cancer reports the significant burden that cancer
      treatment places on both families and society. These findings underscore the
      importance, when appropriate, of including valid estimates of the cost of
      informal caregiving when evaluating the cost-effectiveness of cancer treatments.

PMID- 26270120
TI  - Relative Morbidity and Mortality of Panniculectomy-Combined Surgical Staging in
      Endometrial Cancer.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine intraoperative and postoperative complication rates for
      surgical staging combined with panniculectomy for endometrial cancer. METHODS: A
      prospectively collected institutional surgical database was used to identify
      patients with endometrial cancer who underwent hysterectomy-based surgical
      staging between December 2008 and August 2014 (n = 551). The cases were grouped
      into surgical staging with panniculectomy (panniculectomy group, n = 11 [2.0%]),
      laparotomy without panniculectomy (laparotomy group, n = 208 [37.7%]), and
      laparoscopy (minimally invasive surgery group, n = 332 [60.3%]). Major
      complication and surgical wound complication rates within 30 days from surgery
      were compared. RESULTS: The panniculectomy group had a significantly higher body
      mass index compared with other approaches (panniculectomy group, laparotomy
      group, and minimally invasive surgery group: 60.4, 35.7, and 34.1; P < 0.001) and
      had a high stage I disease rate (90.9%, 61.5%, and 88.3%; P < 0.001). Mean pannus
      weight was 5733 g (4.4% of body weight). Intraoperative major complication rates
      were statistically nonsignificant across the groups (0%, 7.2%, and 4.2%; P =
      0.23); however, the panniculectomy group had a significantly higher postoperative
      major complication rate compared with other approaches (36.4%, 16.3%, and 5.1%; P
      < 0.001). In multivariate analysis controlling for age, ethnicity, body habitus,
      medical comorbidities, and tumor factors, panniculectomy remained an independent
      predictor for increased risk of postoperative major complications (adjusted odds
      ratio, 4.37; P = 0.043). Surgical mortality rates were similar across the groups
      (0%, 0.5%, and 0%; P = 0.44). Among superobese patients (n = 50), intraoperative
      and postoperative complication rates were statistically similar across the 3
      groups (all, P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Although panniculectomy-combined surgical
      staging is associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications, the
      majority recovered uneventfully, making this approach a feasible treatment
      option, especially for superobese patients with endometrial cancer.

PMID- 26270121
TI  - Interleukin-28B Plays a Therapeutic Role on Mouse U14 Cervical Cancer Cells by
      Down-Regulating CD4+CD25+FoxP3+Regulatory T Cells In Vivo.
AB  - AIM: To investigate the immunotherapeutic effectiveness of adenoviral vector
      expressing mouse interleukin (IL)-28B (Ad-mIL-28B) against cervical cancer and
      its mechanism. METHOD: U14 cervical cancer cell-bearing mice were treated with Ad
      mIL-28B. Meanwhile, whole cell vaccine was prepared by repeated freezing and
      thawing U14 cells. Then CD4+CD25+FoxP3+regulatory T (Treg) cells were evaluated
      by flow cytometry. Tumor volume and metastasis in BALB/c and C57BL/6j mice were
      detected. RESULTS: Ad-mIL-28B treatment significantly decreased the number of
      CD4+CD25+FoxP3+Treg cells. Subsequently, there was a significant decrease in the
      size of tumor tissue and the numbers of heteromorphic tumor cells. The tumor
      metastasis in the lung and liver of the Ad-mIL-28B group also decreased. However,
      there was no therapeutic effect observed for whole cell vaccine on U14 tumor
      bearing mice. CONCLUSION: Interleukin-28B can inhibit the growth and metastasis
      of cervical cancer in U14 tumor-bearing mice by down-regulating Treg cells.

PMID- 26270122
TI  - The Role of Computed Tomography Scanning of the Thorax in the Initial Assessment
      of Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine whether lesions found on
      computed tomography (CT) imaging of the thorax would affect FIGO (International
      Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) 2000 risk score and/or alter clinical
      management. METHODS: The Sheffield Trophoblastic Disease database was searched
      for all new patients registered for staging/scoring investigations between
      January 1, 2006, and June 30, 2010. The FIGO 2000 score was noted and then
      recalculated using information from CT scan reports. Where a change of risk score
      would have affected a patient's management, the case notes were further reviewed.
      RESULTS: 191 patients had undergone both modalities of imaging. Using standard
      FIGO scoring, 169 and 22 patients were noted to be at low and high risk,
      respectively. Using information from CT imaging, only a further 20 patients would
      have been reclassified as high risk. Fifteen of these "new" high-risk patients
      required salvage treatment with intravenous chemotherapy; all were cured.
      CONCLUSIONS: With no potential advantage in terms of patient outcome and
      significantly increased radiation dose, there is little justification for routine
      CT imaging of the thorax in the initial assessment of new patients with
      gestational trophoblastic neoplasia.

PMID- 26270123
TI  - Treatment Compliance and Outcomes for Women With Locoregionally Advanced Cervical
      Cancer Treated in a Safety Net Health System.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess treatment compliance among women undergoing
      definitive chemoradiation with weekly cisplatin for cervical cancer within a
      safety net health system and to quantify the impact of chemotherapy compliance on
      outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All women who were treated for International
      Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage IB2 to stage IVA cervical cancer
      between April 2008 and May 2014 were identified. Treatment delays were attributed
      to toxicity, comorbid conditions, or system issues, or categorized as patient
      initiated. Disease-free survival and overall survival of women who received fewer
      than 6 versus 6 or more doses of weekly cisplatin 40 mg/m were compared using
      Kaplan-Meier analyses. RESULTS: One hundred nineteen women (mean [SD] age, 48.5
      [11.8] years) were identified. Most women (n = 112; 94.1%) completed definitive
      radiotherapy, requiring a mean (SD) of 56.5 (20.1) days. Sixty-four women (57.1%)
      completed definitive radiotherapy in 56 days or less. Only 44 women (36.4%)
      received 6 or more cycles of cisplatin. Of 122 delayed cycles, reasons for delay
      were as follows: grade 2 or higher toxicity (n = 70; 57.4%), medical comorbidity
      (n = 12; 9.8%), system issues (n = 9; 7.4%), and patient-initiated (n = 14;
      11.5%). Multiple issues complicated treatment for 3 doses (2.5%). Reasons for
      delay were not documented in 14 doses (11.5%). Among patients who received 6 or
      more cycles, disease-free survival improved by 17.4 months (mean [SD], 61.1 [3.7]
      vs 43.7 [4.3] months, P = 0.002) and overall survival improved by 8.6 months
      (mean [SD], 68.7 [2.3] vs 60.1 [3.7] months, P = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS: Higher
      rates of toxicity and psychosocial barriers to chemotherapy compliance adversely
      impact survival among women who seek care in low-resource settings. In our
      population, administration of all 6 cycles of cisplatin was necessary for optimal
      survival benefit. Future efforts to improve cervical cancer outcomes should
      address preventable reasons for treatment delays among underinsured or uninsured
      individuals.

PMID- 26270124
TI  - Location of Sentinel Lymph Node in Cervical Carcinoma and Factors Associated With
      Unilateral Detection.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to assess locality of the sentinel lymph
      node (SLN) in cervical carcinoma and examine factors affecting bilateral SLN
      detection. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of SLN data (anatomical
      location, count and laterality) in patients with early-stage cervical cancer
      (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage IA1 with
      lymphovascular space invasion to stage IIA) using intraoperative gamma probe and
      blue dye. The preoperative single-photon emission computed tomography with
      computed tomography was used to detect laterality, number of the SLNs, and rare
      locations. Patients were treated between January 2005 to January 2015 at the West
      Kent Gynaecological Oncology Centre, Maidstone Hospital, Maidstone, United
      Kingdom. RESULTS: A total of 132 women were investigated. The most common SLN
      location was the external iliac (38.6%) followed by obturator (25.3%) and
      internal iliac (23.6%) regions. A small percentage was identified in presacral
      (1.4%) and para-aortic regions (0.7%). Older age (P = 0.01) and an elevated body
      mass index (P = 0.03) were associated with decreased SLN count by preoperative
      single-photon emission computed tomography with computed tomography, and only age
      affected SLN count by gamma probe (P = 0.01). Initial surgery, large loop
      excision of the transformation zone, or cone biopsy of the cervix had no effect
      on SLN count. There was no difference observed in bilateral detection with
      respect to surgical approach (open: n = 48/laparoscopic: n = 84). However, older
      age was independently associated with a decrease in bilateral SLN detection (P =
      0.003). In these patients who underwent unilateral full pelvic lymphadenectomy,
      all the nonsentinel nodes were negative. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of SLNs were
      located in the external iliac, obturator, and internal iliac regions. Both older
      age and an elevated body mass index were associated with a reduced SLN count.
      Unilateral detection of SLN was independently associated with older age, which
      may be due to sclerosis in the lymphatic vessels or reduced perfusion in the
      pelvis in these women. If no SLN is detected on one side, the consensus is to
      perform a full pelvic lymphadenectomy on that side of the pelvis.

PMID- 26270126
TI  - A Quasiclassical Study of the F((2)P) + CHD3 (nu1 = 0,1) Reactive System on an
      Accurate Potential Energy Surface.
AB  - Quasiclassical trajectories (QCT) have been employed to elucidate the effect of
      exciting the C-H bond in F + CHD3 collisions. The calculations were performed on
      a new potential energy surface that accurately describes the van der Waals
      complexes in the entrance channel of the reaction. It was found that exciting the
      C-H bond significantly enhances the yield of HF + CD3, whereas it has a minor
      effect on the production of DF + CHD2. Therefore, the net effect is that the
      total reactivity increases upon excitation. This result strongly contradicts
      recent experimental findings. Significant differences in regard to the yield of
      each product channel were also found between QCT results calculated with the new
      surface and those obtained with the surface previously developed by Czako et al.
      This shows that relatively small variations in the topography of the entrance
      channel can result in huge discrepancies in the predicted DF/HF branching ratio.
      However, in regard to other attributes of the reaction, the agreement between QCT
      results computed with different surfaces, and between them and experimental
      results, is good. For the F + CHD3 -> HF + CD3 reaction, at a collisional energy
      of 9.0 kcal/mol, experiments and QCT calculations agree, indicating that the
      extra energy deposited in the C-H bond is channelled into the HF product. In
      addition, the angular distribution of CD3 is backward oriented and is not
      sensitive to the excitation of the C-H bond. 

PMID- 26270125
TI  - Cherenkov radiation fluence estimates in tissue for molecular imaging and therapy
      applications.
AB  - Cherenkov radiation has recently emerged as an interesting phenomenon for a
      number of applications in the biomedical sciences. Its unique properties,
      including broadband emission spectrum, spectral weight in the ultraviolet and
      blue wavebands, and local generation of light within a given tissue, have made it
      an attractive new source of light within tissue for molecular imaging and
      phototherapy applications. While several studies have investigated the total
      Cherenkov light yield from radionuclides in units of [photons/decay], further
      consideration of the light propagation in tissue is necessary to fully consider
      the utility of this signal in vivo. Therefore, to help further guide the
      development of this novel field, quantitative estimates of the light fluence rate
      of Cherenkov radiation from both radionuclides and radiotherapy beams in a
      biological tissue are presented for the first time. Using Monte Carlo
      simulations, these values were found to be on the order of 0.01-1 nW cm(-2) per
      MBq g(-1) for radionuclides, and 1-100 MUW cm(-2) per Gy s(-1) for external
      radiotherapy beams, dependent on the given waveband, optical properties, and
      radiation source. For phototherapy applications, the total light fluence was
      found to be on the order of nJ cm(-2) for radionuclides, and mJ cm(-2) for
      radiotherapy beams. The results indicate that diagnostic potential is reasonable
      for Cherenkov excitation of molecular probes, but phototherapy may remain elusive
      at such exceedingly low fluence values. The results of this study are publicly
      available for distribution online at www.dartmouth.edu/optmed/. 

PMID- 26270128
TI  - Near-IR Electrochromic Film Prepared by Oxidative Electropolymerization of the
      Cyclometalated Pt(II) Chloride with a Triphenylamine Group.
AB  - A cyclometalated platinum chloride [(L)PtCl] {L = 4-[p-(diphenylamino)phenyl]-6
      phenyl-2,2'-bipyridine} was successfully synthesized and characterized by (1)H
      NMR, (13)C NMR, MALDI-TOF MS, elemental analysis, and X-ray crystallography. Its
      oxidative electropolymerization proceeds smoothly on the working Pt and ITO
      electrodes by cyclic voltammetry. The film thickness can be easily tuned by
      controlling the CV scan number. The orange hybrid polymer film shows the
      nondiffusion-controlled redox processes and a unusually inverse dependence of ac
      impedance on its thickness. As a result of switching of the MLCT/ICT and dication
      absorption transitions, the adherent metallopolymer film exhibits the low-voltage
      controlled anodic coloration near-IR electrochromism with significant optical
      contrast ratio (DeltaT% = 88.8% at 820 nm), fast response time (1.9 s for the
      coloration step and 2.3 s for the bleaching step), and high coloration efficiency
      (CE = 363.3 C(-1).cm(2)). 

PMID- 26270129
TI  - Microleakage of Self-Etch Adhesive System in Class V Cavities Prepared by Using
      Er:YAG Laser with Different Pulse Modes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: In vitro studies evaluated cementum surface morphology and
      microleakage of three different energy density parameters of Erbium: Yttrium
      Aluminum Garnet (Er:YAG) laser compared with diamond bur preparation on class V
      cavities with self-etch adhesive system and composite resin restoration. MATERIAL
      AND METHODS: Standard class V cavities were prepared at cervical area below the
      cementoenamel junction (CEJ) in 80 extracted premolars, by using a diamond bur on
      the buccal surface. All teeth were randomly allocated into four groups: Group 1,
      diamond bur; Group 2, Er:YAG 50 mJ/15 Hz, 3.77 J/cm(2); Group 3, Er:YAG 75 mJ/15
      Hz, 5.65 J/cm(2); and Group 4, Er:YAG 100 mJ/15 Hz, 7.53 J/cm(2). Five cavities
      from each group were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The 15
      remaining cavities from each group were restored with self-etch adhesive and nano
      hybrid composite. After thermocycling, all sample teeth were immersed in 0.2%
      methylene blue dye and sectioned buccolingually. Statistics were analyzed using
      the one way ANOVA and Mann-Whitney U tests with Bonferroni correction. RESULTS:
      The morphology showed micro-irregularities in the cementum surface of the laser
      group with the absence of a smear layer. The microstructure characteristics were
      increased surface roughness followed by increasing laser energy transmission. The
      Er:YAG laser groups were statistically significant, with less microleakage than
      the diamond bur group (p<0.05). There was statistically significant difference
      between the occlusal and gingival microleakage in all the groups (p<0.05). When
      the laser groups were compared, the lowest microleakage was achieved with energy
      density at 3.77 J/cm(2) on the occlusal and gingival cementum margin, which
      showed less microleakage than at energy densities of 5.65 and 7.53 J/cm(2) with
      Er:YAG laser. CONCLUSIONS: These observations indicate that the micro
      irregularities of the cementum surface could facilitate the formation of a
      hybridization zone with a self-etch adhesive system. Therefore, the microleakage
      of Er:YAG laser irradiation was significantly decreased compared with diamond bur
      cavities.

PMID- 26270130
TI  - Phytotherapeutic activity of curcumol: Isolation, GC-MS identification, and
      assessing potentials against acute and subchronic hyperglycemia, tactile
      allodynia, and hyperalgesia.
AB  - CONTEXT: Curcumol has recently attracted special attention due to its potential
      activities in many chronic disorders. Moreover, the traditional role of turmeric
      [Curcuma longa L. (Zingiberaceae)] in suppression of hyperglycemia is of great
      interest. OBJECTIVES: The present work explores the potential acute and
      subchronic antihyperglycemic, antinociceptive, and in vivo antioxidant effects of
      curcumol in alloxan-diabetic mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bio-guided
      fractionation, column-chromatography, and GC-MS were utilized to identify the
      most active compound of turmeric (curcumol). Turmeric (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg),
      the curcumol rich fraction (CRF) (7 mg/kg), and curcumol (20, 30, and 40 mg/kg)
      were assessed for their acute (6 h) and subchronic (8 d) antihyperglycemic
      potentials and antinociceptive effects (8 weeks) were measured, using hot-plate
      and tail-flick latencies and von-Frey filaments method and in vivo antioxidant
      effects in alloxan-diabetic mice. RESULTS: The most-active turmeric fraction was
      found to be rich in curcumol (45.5%) using GC-MS analysis method. The results
      proved that the highest dose levels of turmeric extract and curcumol exerted
      remarkable hypoglycemic activity with 41.4 and 39.3% drop in the mice glucose
      levels after 6 h, respectively. Curcumol (40 mg/kg) was found to be 9.4% more
      potent than turmeric extract (100 mg/kg) in subchronic management of diabetes.
      Curcumol also showed a significant improvement of peripheral nerve function as
      observed from the latency and tactile tests. DISCUSSION: The antioxidant
      potential of curcumol may cause its ability to ameliorate diabetes and diabetes
      related complications. CONCLUSIONS: Curcumol, a natural metabolite with a good
      safety-profile, showed results comparable with tramadol in reversing diabetes
      induced tactile allodynia and hyperalgesia.

PMID- 26270131
TI  - Taxol prevents myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury by inducing JNK-mediated HO
      1 expression.
AB  - CONTEXT: Ischemia/hypoxia and reperfusion impair mitochondria and produce a large
      amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which lead to mitochondrial and brain
      damage. Furthermore, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) as a cytoprotective gene protects
      cells against ROS-induced cell death in ischemia-reperfusion injury. Induction of
      HO-1 is involved in cytoprotective effects of taxol. OBJECTIVE: We hypothesize
      that taxol protects cardiac myocytes possibly by preserving myocardial
      mitochondrial function and inducing HO-1 expression through the JNK pathway.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this project, the perfused Langendorff hearts isolated
      from rats were randomly divided into five groups: control, ischemic, ischemic +
      taxol (0.1 MUM), ischemic + taxol (0.3 MUM), and ischemic + taxol (1 MUM).
      Briefly, following a 15 min equilibration period, the control group was subject
      to normoxic perfusion for 120 min; the ischemia group, normoxic reperfusion for
      120 min after 30 min ischemia; the taxol groups, normoxic reperfusion for 120 min
      after 30-min ischemia with taxol (0.1, 0.3, or 1 MUM). The microtubule disruption
      score, ROS levels, and the activity of mitochondrial electron transport chain
      complexes I and III were examined by using immunohistochemical methods and free
      radical detection kits. Western blot assay was employed to study the underlying
      mechanisms. RESULTS: After Taxol treatment (0.1 uM), the ischemic microtubule
      disruption score was reduced to 9.8 +/- 1.9%. The study revealed that 0.1, 0.3,
      and 1 MUM taxol reduced the level of ROS by 33, 46 and 51%, respectively (p <
      0.05). In additional, 0.3 and 1 MUM taxol dramatically increased the activity of
      mitochondrial electron transport chain complex I (99.11 +/- 2.59, 103.49 +/-
      3.89) and mitochondrial electron transport chain complex III (877.82 +/- 12.08;
      907.42 +/- 16.21; 914.73 +/- 19.39, *p < 0.05). Additionally, phosphorylation
      levels of JNK1 were significantly increased in the taxol group. Furthermore, the
      expression level of HO-1 increased with taxol treatments, which could be
      inhibited by the specific inhibitor of JNK, SP600125. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION:
      Taxol stabilized microtubules and effectively reduced ROS levels during ischemia.
      It also preserved the activity of mitochondrial complexes I and III.
      Interestingly, taxol induced the expression of HO-1 via the JNK pathway in
      cardiac myocytes.

PMID- 26270133
TI  - How to develop novel treatments for EGFR-mutant lung cancer.

PMID- 26270132
TI  - Oropharyngeal Candidiasis in Palliative Care Patients in Denmark.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) is a significant cause of morbidity,
      especially among patients with advanced cancer. The incidence and significance of
      yeast carriage and OPC in the palliative care setting in Denmark is unknown. The
      best diagnostic strategy and treatment regimen has to be defined. OBJECTIVE: This
      study evaluated the clinical and microbiological incidence of yeast carriage/OPC
      and assessed available diagnostic procedures-culture and microscopy. The
      distribution of Candida species and fluconazole susceptibility was determined.
      METHODS: Terminal care patients admitted to Hospice Sjaelland (Denmark) March to
      June 2012 were included. Patients were evaluated for clinical OPC and a
      questionnaire including previous antifungal treatment was obtained. Paired
      samples from the buccal mucosa and the tongue were sent to microscopy and
      culture. In total, 105 microscopy slides and 105 cultures from 54 patients were
      included, yielding 71 Candida isolates. At admission, 22% were in fluconazole
      treatment and 56% had received an antifungal treatment within the last month.
      RESULTS: The yeast carriage rate was 83%, whereas 48% of the patients had
      clinical signs of OPC. Microscopy had low positive and negative predictive value
      (~50%). Candida albicans accounted for half of the isolates cultured. No C.
      albicans isolate displayed acquired fluconazole resistance; however, 3 out of 12
      isolates of normally fluconazole-susceptible species were fluconazole resistant.
      These were all from patients recently treated with azoles. CONCLUSIONS: In total,
      52% of culture-positive patients harbored at least one isolate with innately or
      acquired decreased fluconazole susceptibility. Therefore, susceptibility testing
      appears recommendable for patients with clinical signs of OPC.

PMID- 26270134
TI  - Bolus Estimation--Rethinking the Effect of Meal Fat Content.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Traditionally, insulin bolus calculations for managing postprandial
      glucose levels in individuals with type 1 diabetes rely solely on the
      carbohydrate content of a meal. However, recent studies have reported that other
      macronutrients in a meal can alter the insulin required for good postprandial
      control. Specifically, studies have shown that high-fat (HF) meals require more
      insulin than low-fat (LF) meals with identical carbohydrate content. Our
      objective was to assess the mechanisms underlying the higher insulin requirement
      observed in one of these studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used a combination of
      previously validated metabolic models to fit data from a study comparing HF and
      LF dinners with identical carbohydrate content in seven subjects with type 1
      diabetes. For each subject and dinner type, we estimated the model parameters
      representing the time of peak meal-glucose appearance (tau(m)), insulin
      sensitivity (S(I)), the net hepatic glucose balance, and the glucose effect at
      zero insulin in four time windows (dinner, early night, late night, and
      breakfast) and assessed the differences in model parameters via paired Wilcoxon
      signed-rank tests. RESULTS: During the HF meal, the tau(m) was significantly
      delayed (mean and standard error [SE]: 102 [14] min vs. 71 [4] min; P = 0.02),
      and S(I) was significantly lower (7.25 * 10(-4) [1.29 * 10(-4)] mL/MUU/min vs.
      8.72 * 10(-4) [1.08 * 10(-4)] mL/MUU/min; P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: In addition to
      considering the putative delay in gastric emptying associated with HF meals, we
      suggest that clinicians reviewing patient records consider that the fat content
      of these meals may alter S(I).

PMID- 26270135
TI  - Analysis of the effects of topical renal hypothermia on lung tissue after kidney
      ischemia and reperfusion in rats.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate whether topical renal hypothermia (TRH) at different levels
      of temperature has protective effects on lung tissue after renal I/R, through an
      analysis of organ histology and inflammatory markers in lung tissue. METHODS:
      Twenty-eight male Wistar rats were randomly allocated across four groups and
      subjected to renal ischemia at different levels of topical renal temperature:
      normothermia (no cooling, 37 degrees C), mild hypothermia (26 degrees C),
      moderate hypothermia (15 degrees C), and deep hypothermia (4 degrees C). To
      induce I/R, the vessels supplying the left kidney of each animal were clamped for
      40 minutes, followed by reperfusion. After four hours, another procedure was
      performed to harvest the tissues of interest. TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and
      myeloperoxidase activity were measured in lung tissue. Histological analysis was
      performed in hematoxylin and eosin-stained lung specimens. RESULTS: Induction of
      renal I/R under deep topical hypothermia resulted in a significant decrease in
      lung concentrations of TNF-alpha compared with normothermic I/R (p<0.05). A trend
      toward significant correlation was found between lung IL-1beta concentration and
      intensity of hypothermia (Spearman r=-0.37; p=0.055). No difference was found in
      myeloperoxidase activity or histologic injury between groups. CONCLUSION: Topical
      renal hypothermia reduces activation of the inflammatory cascade in the lung
      parenchyma. However, tissue-protective effects were not observed.

PMID- 26270136
TI  - Effect of remote ischemic preconditioning in the expression of IL-6 and IL-10 in
      a rat model of liver ischemia-reperfusion injury.
AB  - PURPOSE: To study the effect of remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) in
      ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) liver injury and in the expression of IL-6 and IL-10
      in a rat model. METHODS: Thirty-six male rats were divided in three groups: Sham;
      I/R injury, a 45 minutes lobar liver ischemia and reperfusion; and RIPC, six
      cycles of four minutes of ischemia and four minutes of reperfusion on the right
      hindlimb followed by a 45 minutes lobar liver ischemia and reperfusion. Tissue
      and blood samples were collected after 1h and 3h of reperfusion for
      histopathological study, plasma cytokines and alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
      measurement. RESULTS: The histopathological study demonstrated a significant
      reduction in liver necrosis in the RIPC group (p<0,001). The ALT levels were also
      significant lower in the RIPC group (p<0.01). The cytokines assessment showed
      that IL-6 levels were increased in the RIPC group after 1h of reperfusion, in
      comparison to the I/R group (p<0.05). Interleukin-10 levels in RIPC groups did
      not differ significantly from I/R group. CONCLUSIONS: Remote ischemic
      preconditioning is effective in decreasing liver necrosis in a rat model of
      ischemia-reperfusion. The IL-6 expression is up-regulated and peaked at 60 min of
      reperfusion. There was no difference in IL-10 expression between the groups.

PMID- 26270137
TI  - Effects of inferior splenic lobe pole fixation and gastrosplenic peritoneal
      membrane section on the vitality of the remanent of subtotal splenectomy in rats.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the vitality of the spleen lower pole after subtotal
      splenectomy with suture to the stomach and after posterior peritoneal gastro
      splenic membrane section, using macro and microscopic evaluations. METHODS: Sixty
      Wistar rats were used in this study and were randomly distributed in the three
      groups: Group 1: (n=20), subtotal splenectomy with lower pole preservation, Group
      2: (n=20) subtotal splenectomy with lower pole preservation and suture to the
      stomach, Group 3: subtotal splenectomy with lower pole preservation and posterior
      peritoneal gastrosplenic ligament section. The animals were sacrificed 45 days
      after the surgery and the spleen lower poles were removed for macroscopic and
      microscopic examination. RESULTS: All animals in this series survived. No
      macroscopic differences were encountered between the groups. Microscopic
      evaluation observed statistic difference concerning fibrosis between group 1 and
      3 (p <= 0.05), but the analysis for necrosis and inflammation presented no
      differences. CONCLUSION: Vitality of the spleen lower pole after subtotal
      splenectomy is minimally modified when it is fixed to the stomach or when the
      posterior peritoneal gastrosplenic ligament is resected.

PMID- 26270138
TI  - Skin microcirculatory changes reflect early the circulatory deterioration in a
      fulminant sepsis model in the pig.
AB  - PURPOSE: In the pathophysiology of sepsis tissue perfusion dysfunction is a
      crucial driving force. Thus the early recognition is highly important. Concerning
      the early hours of bacteremia, and the systemic inflammatory response reaction
      leading to sepsis we aimed to investigate the micro- and macrocirculatory
      changes. METHODS: In 20 juvenile Hungahib pigs were anesthetized and the femoral
      artery and external jugular vein were prepared unilaterally and cannulated. For
      assisted ventilation tracheostomy was performed. In Sepsis group (n=11) live E.
      coli was intravenously administered (increasing concentration, 9.5x10?6 in 3h).
      In Control group (n=9) bacteria-free saline was administered at the same volume.
      Modified shock index (MSI), core and skin temperature, and skin microcirculation
      (laser Doppler) were measured before inducing bacteremia then hourly for 4h.
      RESULTS: In Control group parameters were stable, while six animals in the Sepsis
      group died before the 4th hour. Core and skin temperature did not show
      significant alterations. In Sepsis group microcirculation showed a large
      impairment already by the 1st hour, while in MSI only by the 3rd hour.
      CONCLUSION: During bacteremia and the early phase of sepsis microcirculatory
      impairment can be detected soon, even hours before the deterioration in
      hemodynamic parameters in this porcine model.

PMID- 26270139
TI  - Morphometric study of the corpus cavernosum after anabolic androgenic steroid
      administration in pubertal and adult rats.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the penile morphological modifications of pubertal and adult
      rats chronically treated with supra-physiological doses of anabolic androgenic
      steroids. METHODS: Forty-eight male Wistar rats were distributed into four
      groups: two control groups, 105- and 65-day-old (C105 and C65, respectively)
      injected with peanut oil (vehicle); and two treated groups, 105- and 65-day-old
      (T105 and T65, respectively) injected with nandrolone decanoate at a dose of 10
      mg Kg-1 of body weight. The rats were injected once a week for eight weeks. The
      rats were then killed and their penises were processed for histomorphometric
      analyses. The mean of each parameter was statistically compared. RESULTS: A
      corpus cavernosum reduction of 12.5% and 10.9% was observed in the T105 and T65
      groups, respectively, when compared with their respective control groups. The
      cavernosum smooth muscle surface density diminished by 5.6% and 12.9% in the T65
      and T105 groups, respectively, when compared with their controls. In contrast,
      the sinusoidal space increased by 17% in the T105 group and decreased by 9.6% in
      the T65 group. CONCLUSION: The use of supra-physiological doses of AAS promotes
      structural changes in the rat penis, by altering the proportions of corpus
      cavernosum tissues, in both pubertal and adult treated animals.

PMID- 26270140
TI  - Myocardial contractility impairment with racemic bupivacaine, non-racemic
      bupivacaine and ropivacaine. A comparative study.
AB  - PURPOSE: To study racemic bupivacaine, non-racemic bupivacaine and ropivacaine on
      myocardial contractility. METHODS: Isolated Wistar papillary muscles were
      submitted to 50 and 100 mM racemic bupivacaine (B50 and B100), non-racemic
      bupivacaine (NR50 and NR100) and ropivacaine (R50 and R100) intoxication.
      Isometric contraction data were obtained in basal condition (0.2 Hz), after
      increasing the frequency of stimulation to 1.0 Hz and after 5, 10 and 15 min of
      local anesthetic intoxication. Data were analyzed as relative changes of
      variation. RESULTS: Developed tension was higher with R100 than B100 at D1 (4.3
      +/- 41.1 vs -57.9 +/- 48.1). Resting tension was altered with B50 (-10.6 +/- 23.8
      vs -4.7 +/- 5.0) and R50 (-14.0 +/- 20.5 vs -0.5 +/- 7.1) between D1 and D3.
      Maximum rate of tension development was lower with B100 (-56.6 +/- 38.0) than R50
      (-6.3 +/- 37.9) and R100 (-1.9 +/- 37.2) in D1. B50, B100 and NR100 modified the
      maximum rate of tension decline from D1 through D2. Time to peak tension was
      changed with NR50 between D1 and D2. CONCLUSIONS: Racemic bupivacaine depressed
      myocardial contractile force more than non-racemic bupivacaine and ropivacaine.
      Non-racemic and racemic bupivacaine caused myocardial relaxation impairment more
      than ropivacaine.

PMID- 26270141
TI  - Antimicrobial activity of Melaleuca sp. oil against clinical isolates of
      antibiotics resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
AB  - PURPOSE: To extract the Melaleuca sp. oil and to assess its in vitro inhibitory
      effect against Staphylococcus aureus isolates obtained from lower limb wounds and
      resistant to several antibiotics. METHODS: A total of 14 test-tubes containing
      Mueller-Hinton broth were used to determine the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration
      (MIC). The following concentrations of the Melaleuca sp. oil were added to the
      first 11 tubes: 8; 4; 2; 1; 0.5; 0.2; 0.1; 0.05; 0.025; 0.0125 and 0.00625%. The
      12th and 13th tubes, with and without oil, were used as the positive and negative
      controls, respectively. The experimental study was carried out in triplicate at
      37oC for 18 hours. The Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC), able of killing
      all the microorganisms, was also determined. Two S. aureus isolates were obtained
      from lower limb wounds of female patients and the identification of the
      microorganisms (Staphylococcus aureus) and the test for susceptibility to the
      antimicrobial agents were carried out by automation using the apparatus
      MicroScan(r). After identification, the isolates were preserved in liquid
      Trypticase Soy medium, and inoculated for determination of the MIC and MBC.
      RESULTS: The MIC was 0.2% and the MBC was 0.4%. CONCLUSION: The Melaleuca sp. oil
      showed antimicrobial properties in vitro against strains isolated from lower limb
      wounds which were resistant to multiple antibiotics.

PMID- 26270142
TI  - Analysis of effect isoxsuprine hydrochloride and nicotine in the Transverse
      Rectus Abdominis Myocutaneous flap (TRAM) in rats.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of isoxsuprine and nicotine on TRAM. METHODS:
      Forty eight 48 Wistar rats distributed into four Groups (n=12). All rats received
      medication managed daily for 20 days: saline solution (SA), nicotine solution
      (NI), isoxsuprine solution (IS) and nicotine solution (NI) + isoxsuprine solution
      (IS). On day 21st the rats were submitted to the caudally based, right
      unipedicled TRAM flap and after 48 hours, made the macroscopic evaluation of the
      surface of the flap, photographic documentation and collection of material for
      histology. Data from macroscopic evaluation were analyzed by ANOVA and
      microscopic evaluation by Kruskal-Wallis test, with significance level of 5%.
      RESULTS: In the macroscopic evaluation of isoxsuprine Group retail presented
      absolute numbers: final area (p=0.001*) and viable area (p=0.006*) with the
      highest values; necrosis (p=0.001*) had the lowest value. Microscopic examination
      revealed no significant findings in the study of TRAM under the action of
      isoxsuprine and nicotine to the percentage of necrosis in the left and right
      cranial and caudal regions. CONCLUSIONS: There was significant improvement in
      viability of TRAM using the isoxsuprine solution alone. No influence using
      nicotine alone and in association with isoxsuprine.

PMID- 26270143
TI  - Rapid on-site cytopathological examination (ROSE) performed by endosonagraphers
      and its improvement in the diagnosis of pancreatic solid lesions.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the diagnosis improvement of EUS-FNA when using ROSE
      performed by the endosonographer. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted. A
      total of 48 pancreatic solid masses EUS-FNA were divided into two groups
      according to the availability of on-site cytology (ROSE) - the first 24 patients
      (group A-without ROSE) and the latter 24 cases (group B-with ROSE). Sensitivity,
      specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, accuracy,
      complications and inadequacy rate of EUS-FNA were determined and compared.
      RESULTS: Among the 48 EUS-FNA, the overall performance was: sensitivity 82%;
      specificity 100%; positive predictive value (PPV) 100%; negative predictive value
      (NPV) 70% and accuracy 87%. The sensitivity of the Group A was 71%, versus 94% in
      group B (p=0.61). Moreover, the negative predictive value was 58% versus 87%
      (p=0.72). The accuracy rate increased from 79% to 96% (p=0.67) in the ROSE group.
      The number of punctures was similar between the groups. No major complications
      were reported. CONCLUSION: Rapid on-site cytopathological examination, even when
      performed by the endosonographer, may improve the diagnostic performance in the
      diagnosis of solid pancreatic lesions, regardless of the slight increase in the
      number of punctures.

PMID- 26270145
TI  - Tuneable anisotropy and magnetism in Sn2Co3S2-xSex - probed by (119)Sn
      Mobetabauer spectroscopy and DFT studies.
AB  - The half metal (HFM) Sn2Co3S2 shows a fascinating S = 1/2 magnetism. Anisotropic
      coupling of spins in and between Co Kagome layers by Sn sites is now studied from
      the substitution effects of S by Se by systematic and local experimental and
      first principles data. Trends in crystal structure changes (c/a ratio) as
      retrieved from XRD data on the solid solution Sn2Co3S2-xSex are complemented by
      DFT modelling on Sn2Co3SeS and hitherto unknown Sn2Co3Se2. The relationship of
      crystal structure effects with changes in Curie temperatures and magnetic
      hysteresis is shown from susceptibility measurements. An insight into the role of
      the Sn sites in magnetism and bonding is gained from (119)Sn Mossbauer
      spectroscopic measurements. Isomer shifts, quadrupole splitting, and magnetic
      hyperfine fields are interpreted by DFT calculations on chemical bonding,
      electric field gradients (EFG), Fermi contact, and spin polarization. 

PMID- 26270144
TI  - Photographs for anthropometric measurements of the breast region. Are there
      limitations?
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine the limitations of the photographs used to obtain the
      anthropometric measurements of the breast region. METHODS: Five women, between
      the ages of 18 to 60 years, were evaluated. Photographs of the frontal and left
      and right profile views of their breasts were taken. Based on the current
      literature, the most commonly used anthropometric and anatomic landmarks for
      breast measurement were marked in their different positions. The different points
      were used to evaluate if the direct anthropometry was possible in a standardized
      way and determine how the points and the positions can to be used in any breast
      measurements. RESULTS: There were some limitations to the use of defining points
      of the breast fold, as well as of its lower portion and lateral extension
      positions in both profiles. CONCLUSION: The defining points of the breast fold
      and the profile photographs have some limitations and we suggested how the points
      and positions can be used for breasts measurements.

PMID- 26270146
TI  - Label-free detection of missense mutations and methylation differences in the p53
      gene using optically diffracting hydrogels.
AB  - We have developed a novel approach for DNA detection as well as genetic screening
      of mutations by uniquely combining DNA-responsive and optically diffracting
      materials. This approach entails the polymerization of a photonic crystal within
      a hydrogel network that alters the diffraction of light in response to a target
      DNA strand. The utility of this approach, which permits label-free sensing, was
      demonstrated via the detection of a target sequence from the DNA binding domain
      of the major tumor suppressor protein p53. Using a complementary capture probe
      strand, we were able to detect down to picomole concentrations of the target p53
      sequence. Moreover, we demonstrated that this approach could readily detect a
      single base pair mutation in the target strand, which corresponds to the hotspot
      cancer mutation R175H in p53. The sensitivity of detection was increased by
      lowering the rate of annealing of the target strand and adjusting the solution
      ionic strength during optical characterization. Changes in ionic strength during
      characterization impact the melting temperature of the bound target DNA and the
      Donnan potential between the hydrogel and solution, which influence detection. We
      further showed that this approach is sensitive to epigenetic changes via the
      detection of a fully methylated form of the target p53 sequence. Ultimately, this
      approach represents a new paradigm for DNA detection and specifically genetic
      screening of p53 as well as other disease markers and nucleotide modifications
      that alter the properties of DNA (e.g., epigenetic alterations and adducts with
      chemical carcinogens). 

PMID- 26270147
TI  - The Effect of Systemic Carnitine Administration on Colon Anastomosis Healing in
      an Experimental Sepsis Model.
AB  - AIM: This study aimed to investigate the effects of L-carnitine, with its known
      antioxidant properties and positive effects on wound healing, on the healing of
      colon anastomosis in a cecal ligation and puncture sepsis model in rats.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 40 Sprague-Dawley rats were used. The rats were
      randomly divided into four groups of 10 (n = 10). Groups 1 and 2 had laparotomy
      and colon anastomosis performed. Groups 3 and 4 had cecal ligation and puncture
      (CLP) and colon anastomosis performed. Rats in Groups 1 and 3 were given 15 mL/kg
      intraperitoneal 0.9% isotonic NaCl, while the rats in Groups 2 and 4 were given
      100 mg/kg intraperitoneal L-carnitine. On the postoperative fifth day, the rats
      were sacrificed and the burst pressure of anastomosis, histopathological effects,
      and tissue hydroxyproline levels were investigated. RESULTS: In Groups 2 and 4,
      the anastomosis burst pressure and histopathological results in both noninfected
      abdomen and presence of peritonitis were statistically high compared to the
      control group (p < 0.05). Though the hydroxyproline levels were also high, there
      was no statistically significant difference for this parameter (p > 0.05).
      CONCLUSIONS: The findings obtained from the experimental sepsis model showed that
      healing of anastomosis in both the presence of peritonitis and noninfected
      abdomen was positively affected by the systemic administration of L-carnitine and
      this may contribute to the safety of anastomosis.

PMID- 26270148
TI  - A Scholarship of Practice Revisited: Creating Community-Engaged Occupational
      Therapy Practitioners, Educators, and Scholars.
AB  - Trends in policy, practice, and research point to the need for a community
      engaged Scholarship of Practice (SOP) model that can be used to inform the
      development of occupational therapy practitioners, educators, and researchers.
      This article describes a community-engaged SOP model, the evidence justifying the
      need for such a model, and strategies to effectively create community-engaged
      practitioners, educators and career scientists within occupational therapy. We
      highlight several examples of community-based participatory research to further
      inform this model, and in turn, translate this knowledge back to communities for
      action and systems change that can affect the lives of people with disabilities
      and the communities in which they seek to live and participate long term. 

PMID- 26270149
TI  - Bufotenine - A Hallucinogen in Ancient Snuff Powders of South America and a Drug
      of Abuse on the Streets of New York City.
AB  - Bufotenine, an isomer of psilocin, is a controlled Schedule I hallucinogenic
      substance under the New York state and Federal laws. Bufotenine was identified in
      42 case samples received at the New York City Police Laboratory since May 1992.
      The samples were hard, resinous, dark reddish-brown material, sold on the streets
      as "hashish". A few other cases were also seized in Orlando and Tampa, FL.
      Natural sources of bufotenine are: (a) plant material, mostly seeds of the genus
      Anadenanthera (formerly Piptadenia); (b) plant organs of other genera; (c) toads
      (Bufo marinus, B. vulgaris, B. viridian, and B. avarice); and (d) mushrooms
      (Amanita amp, A. Citrina, A. Porphyria, and A. tomentella). The genus
      Anadenanthera is native to South America and West Indies. Historically, material
      made from seeds of genus Anadenanthera was, and in isolated areas is still, used
      by the native Indians of South America and West Indies. Native Indians make
      intoxicating snuffs from the seeds of Anadenanthera. Recently, bufotenine was
      identified in 1,200-year-old archaeological samples of an Anadenanthera material
      found in an excavated tomb in Northern Chile. Historical and published literature
      on the pharmacology, toxicology, and biological effects of bufotenine and
      bufotenine-containing material are reviewed. The case material was probably
      derived from the seeds of genus Andenanthera. There were no prior reported cases
      of this material being used outside the native Indian areas of South America and
      West Indies. Indications are that in New York City this material is smoked in
      combination with marijuana. Bufotenine in case material can be identified by
      color test, thin-layer chromatography, and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry
      (GC/MS). Though the mass spectra of bufotenine and psilocin (parent compounds and
      mono-acetyl and di-acetyl derivatives) are very similar, their GC retention times
      are different. Case samples also gave multiple GC peaks, probably due to the
      added ingredients during the preparation of this material. 

PMID- 26270150
TI  - Comparison of Common Immunoassay Kits for Effective Application in Workplace Drug
      Urinalysis.
AB  - Workplace drug urinalysis protocols include an initial immunoassay followed by a
      confirmation gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) test of immunoassay
      positive samples. (Drug categories that are commonly tested include:
      amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, cannabis, cocaine, lysergic acid
      diethyl amide, methadone, methaqualone, opiates, phencyclidine, and propoxyphene.
      Not all drug categories are tested by all workplace drug urinalysis programs.)
      Only those samples that are tested positive by both the initial and the
      confirmatory procedures can be reported as positive. Thus, when adopting an
      immunoassay, one must have knowledge of the assay's cross-reacting
      characteristics and the assay's apparent analyze concentration that corresponds
      to a specific analyze concentration determined by the GC/MS procedure. The
      underlying principles of the commonly used radioimmunoassay, enzyme immunoassay,
      fluorescence polarization immunoassay, and particle immunoassay are outlined.
      Cross-reacting characteristics of these immunoassays as reported by the
      manufacturers and independent laboratories are tabulated. This information shown
      that commercial immunoassay kits for drug categories that are included in
      workplace drug urinalysis programs are generally more specific than those kits
      that are for clinical use only. Furthermore, recently manufactured immunoassay
      kits targeted for use in workplace drug urinalysis programs are more specific
      than those manufactured earlier. Reported effects of adulterants, such as salt,
      cleaning agents, etc., on commonly used immunoassays are summarized. Without more
      comprehensive and systematic studies, it is difficult to make general statements
      concerning the superiority of one methodology over the others. It is clear,
      however, that cannabinoid assesses are most susceptible to the influence of
      adulterants. Reported immunoassay-GC/MS correlation data are reviewed.
      Significant correlations exist in all cases. The immunoassay apparent analyze
      concentration corresponding to a specific GC/MS analyze concentration may be
      approximately based on the resulting regression equations. Since the
      corresponding immunoassay apparent analyze concentrations vary with the
      specificities of the reagent used, the immunoassay reagent manufacturers should
      carefully study specificity characteristics of each manufacturing batch and
      provide these correlation data for users' evaluation and adaptation. 

PMID- 26270151
TI  - Fibers and Forensic Science - New Ideas, Developments, and Techniques.
AB  - The techniques used for present day recovery, examination, and comparison of
      textile fibers in forensic science are outlined. The author has not concentrated
      on the already well established theories of transfer and persistence and the
      basic methodology, as these topics have been repeatedly reported in detail
      relatively recently. Instead he has given his attention primarily to developments
      that have occurred within the last five years, to new areas of research, and to
      new instrumental methods that many become integrated into the standard operating
      procedures of the future. The final sections are devoted to looking at some new
      types of fibers and at the changing views on how best to express the evidential
      value of fibers evidence. 

PMID- 26270152
TI  - Assisted Reproductive Technology Surveillance - United States, 2012.
AB  - PROBLEM/CONDITION: Since the first U.S. infant conceived with Assisted
      Reproductive Technology (ART) was born in 1981, both the use of advanced
      technologies to overcome infertility and the number of fertility clinics
      providing ART services have increased steadily in the United States. ART includes
      fertility treatments in which eggs or embryos are handled in the laboratory
      (i.e., in vitro fertilization [IVF] and related procedures). Because more than
      one embryo might be transferred during a procedure, women who undergo ART
      procedures, compared with those who conceive naturally, are more likely to
      deliver multiple birth infants. Multiple births pose substantial risks to both
      mothers and infants, including obstetric complications, preterm delivery, and low
      birthweight infants. This report provides state-specific information for the
      United States (including Puerto Rico) on ART procedures performed in 2012 and
      compares infant outcomes that occurred in 2012 (resulting from ART procedures
      performed in 2011 and 2012) with outcomes for all infants born in the United
      States in 2012. PERIOD COVERED: 2012. DESCRIPTION OF SYSTEM: In 1996, CDC began
      collecting data on ART procedures performed in fertility clinics in the United
      States, as mandated by the Fertility Clinic Success Rate and Certification Act of
      1992 (FCSRCA) (Public Law 102-493). Data are collected through the National ART
      Surveillance System, a web-based data collecting system developed by CDC. This
      report includes data from 52 reporting areas (the 50 states, the District of
      Columbia [DC], and Puerto Rico). RESULTS: In 2012, a total of 157,635 ART
      procedures performed in 456 U.S. fertility clinics were reported to CDC. These
      procedures resulted in 51,261 live-birth deliveries and 65,151 infants. The
      largest numbers of ART procedures were performed among residents of six states:
      California (20,241), New York (19,618), Illinois (10,449), Texas (10,281),
      Massachusetts (9,754), and New Jersey (8,590). These six states also had the
      highest number of live-birth deliveries as a result of ART procedures, and
      together they accounted for 50.1% of all ART procedures performed, 48.3% of all
      infants born from ART, and 48.3% of all ART multiple live-birth deliveries.
      Nationally, the total number of ART procedures performed per 1 million women of
      reproductive age (15-44 years), which is a proxy indicator of ART use, was 2,483.
      This indicator of ART use exceeded the national ratio in 13 reporting areas
      (California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts,
      New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Virginia, and DC) and was more
      than twice the national ratio in three reporting areas (Massachusetts, New
      Jersey, and DC). Nationally, among ART cycles with patients using fresh embryos
      from their own eggs, in which at least one embryo was transferred, the average
      number of embryos transferred increased with the increasing age of the woman (1.9
      among women aged <35 years, 2.2 among women aged 35-40 years, and 2.7 among women
      aged >40 years). The percentage of elective single-embryo transfer (eSET)
      procedures varied substantially between reporting areas for all ages. Among women
      aged <35 years, who are typically considered to be good candidates for eSET
      procedures, the national eSET rate was 15.3% (range: 2.1% in Oklahoma to 60.4% in
      Delaware). Overall, ART contributed to 1.5% of all infants born in the United
      States (range: 0.2% in Puerto Rico to 4.7% in Massachusetts) with the highest
      rates (>=3.0% of all infants born) observed in four reporting areas (Connecticut,
      Massachusetts, New Jersey, and DC). Infants conceived with ART comprised 19.6% of
      all multiple-birth infants (range: 5.5% in Maine to 39.3% in Massachusetts),
      19.2% of all twin infants (range: 4.4% in Puerto Rico to 39.1% in Massachusetts),
      and 29.6% of all triplet or higher order infants (range: 0 in West Virginia to
      69.7% in Idaho). Among infants conceived with ART, 43.6% were born in multiple
      birth deliveries (range: 18.7% in Delaware to 56.0% in Idaho), compared with only
      3.4% among all infants born in the general population (range: 2.1% in Puerto Rico
      to 4.5% in New Jersey). Approximately 41% of ART-conceived infants were twin
      infants, and 2% were triplet and higher order infants. Nationally, infants
      conceived with ART comprised 5.7% of all low birthweight (<2,500 grams) infants
      (range: 0.8% in Puerto Rico to 15.3% in Massachusetts) and 5.8% of all very low
      birthweight (<1,500 grams) infants (range: 0 in West Virginia to 15.1% in New
      Jersey). Overall, among ART-conceived infants, 30.2% were low birthweight (range:
      18.8% in DC to 45.1% in New Mexico), compared with 8.0% among all infants (range:
      5.6% in Alaska to 11.6% in Mississippi and Puerto Rico); 5.5% of ART infants were
      very low birthweight (range: 0 in West Virginia to 12.9% in Puerto Rico),
      compared with 1.4% among all infants (range: 0.9% in Alaska and Idaho to 2.1% in
      Mississippi). ART-conceived infants comprised 4.6% of all preterm (<37 weeks)
      infants (range: 0.7% in Puerto Rico to 13.4% in Massachusetts) and 5.2% of all
      very preterm (<32 weeks) infants (range: 1.0% in Puerto Rico to 14.9% in
      Vermont). Overall, among infants conceived with ART, 34.9% were born preterm
      (range: 20.8% in Delaware and DC to 49.4% in Puerto Rico), compared with 11.6%
      among all infants born in the general population (range: 8.7% in Vermont to 17.1%
      in Mississippi); 6.5% of ART infants were born very preterm (range: 3.3% in
      Nevada to 14.8% in South Dakota), compared with 1.9% among all infants born in
      the general population (range: 1.1% in Vermont to 2.9% in Mississippi). The
      percentage of infants conceived with ART who were low birthweight varied from
      9.3% (range: 4.1% in South Carolina to 20.9% in Puerto Rico) among singletons, to
      55.2% (range: 41.5% in New Hampshire to 83.3% in South Dakota) among twins, and
      95.3% (range: 85.2% in Oklahoma to 100% in several reporting areas) among
      triplets or higher-order multiples; comparable percentages for all infants were
      6.3% (range: 4.5% in Alaska to 10.3% in Puerto Rico), 55.4% (range: 46.0% in
      Alaska to 69.0% in Puerto Rico), and 91.6% (range: 80.6% in Missouri to 100% in
      several reporting areas), respectively. The percentage of ART infants who were
      preterm varied from 13.2% (range: 9.4% in West Virginia to 25.4% in North Dakota)
      among singletons, to 61.0% (range: 47.8% in DC to 80.0% in Maine and West
      Virginia) among twins, and 97.7% (range: 92.7% in Massachusetts to 100% in
      several reporting areas) among triplets or higher-order multiples; comparable
      percentages for all infants were 9.9% (range: 7.3% in Vermont to 15.8% in Puerto
      Rico), 56.8% (range: 47.2% in Connecticut to 67.2% in Puerto Rico), and 92.6%
      (range: 36.4% in Oregon to 96.8% in Ohio), respectively. INTERPRETATION: The
      percentage of infants conceived with ART varied considerably by reporting area.
      In most reporting areas, multiples from ART comprised a substantial proportion of
      all twin, triplet, and higher-order infants born, and the rates of low
      birthweight and preterm infants were disproportionately higher among ART infants
      than in the birth population overall. Among women aged <35 years, eSET procedures
      warrant consideration because these patients might have extra embryos available
      for cryopreservation, which is a good predictor of embryo quality, and might have
      a more favorable prognosis for a live birth than older patients. However, on
      average, two embryos were transferred per cycle in ART procedures among women
      aged <35 years, influencing the overall multiple-birth rates in the United
      States. Compared with ART singletons, ART twins were approximately four and a
      half times more likely to be born preterm, and approximately six times more
      likely to be born with low birthweight. Singleton infants conceived with ART had
      slightly higher rates of preterm delivery and low birthweight than all singleton
      infants born in the United States. ART use per population unit was geographically
      varied, with 12 states showing ART use above the national rate. Of the four
      states (Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Rhode Island) with comprehensive
      statewide-mandated health insurance coverage for ART procedures (e.g., coverage
      for at least four cycles of in vitro fertilization), two states (Massachusetts
      and New Jersey) had rates of ART use exceeding twice the national level. This
      type of mandated insurance has been associated with greater use of ART and might
      account for some of the difference in per capita ART use observed among states.
      PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS: Reducing the number of embryos transferred per ART
      procedure and increasing use of eSET, when clinically appropriate (typically age
      <35 years), might reduce multiple births and related adverse consequences of ART.
      Improved patient education and counseling on the maternal and infant health risks
      of having twins are needed given that twins account for the majority of ART
      conceived multiple births. Although ART contributes to increasing rates of
      multiple births, it does not explain all of the increases. Other explanations for
      multiple births not investigated in this report might include age-related factors
      and the role of non-ART fertility treatments, and warrant further study.

PMID- 26270154
TI  - Three-Dimensional Confocal Microscopy Indentation Method for Hydrogel Elasticity
      Measurement.
AB  - The stiffness of the extracellular matrix (ECM) plays an important role in
      controlling cell functions. As an alternative to the ECM, hydrogels of tunable
      elasticity are widely used for in vitro cell mechanobiology studies. Therefore,
      characterizing the Young's modulus of the hydrogel substrate is crucial. In this
      paper, we propose a confocal microscopy indentation method for measuring the
      elasticity of polyacrylamide gel as a model hydrogel. Our new indentation method
      is based on three-dimensional imaging of the indented gel using confocal
      microscopy and automated image processing to measure indentation depth from the
      three-dimensional image stack. We tested and validated our method by indenting
      polyacrylamide gels of different rigidities with various sphere indentors and by
      comparing it with the rheometric method. Our measurements show consistent results
      regardless of the type of the indentors and agree with rheometric measurements.
      Therefore, the proposed confocal microscopy indentation method can accurately
      measure the stiffness of hydrogels. 

PMID- 26270155
TI  - Anxiety, depression, and oral health among US pregnant women: 2010 Behavioral
      Risk Factor Surveillance System.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Maternal periodontal disease is associated with adverse perinatal
      outcomes. Anxiety and depression adversely impact oral health in nonpregnant
      women; however, this association has not been evaluated during pregnancy, a time
      characterized by higher rates of anxiety and depression. Therefore, we examined
      the association between these factors and oral disease and oral healthcare
      utilization among 402 pregnant respondents to the 2010 Behavioral Risk Factor
      Surveillance System. METHODS: Self-reported lifetime diagnoses of anxiety,
      depression, and current depression were assessed. Oral health outcomes included
      self-reported tooth loss and dental visits in the past year. RESULTS: One-fifth
      (21.2 percent) of respondents reported a tooth loss and 32.5 percent reported
      nonuse of oral health services. The prevalence of lifetime diagnosed anxiety and
      depression was 13.6 percent and 11.3 percent, respectively, whereas 10.6 percent
      reported current depression. After adjusting for risk factors, pregnant women
      with diagnosed anxiety had increased odds of one or more tooth loss [odds ratio
      (OR) = 3.30; 95 percent confidence interval (CI): 1.01-10.77] compared with those
      without the disorder. Similarly, after adjusting for socioeconomic factors, women
      with anxiety had increased odds of nonuse of oral health services (OR = 2.67; 95
      percent CI: 1.03-6.90); however, this was no longer significant after adjusting
      for health behaviors and body mass index. We observed no significant association
      with depression. CONCLUSIONS: In this population-based sample, we found a two- to
      threefold increased odds of tooth loss and nonuse of oral health services among
      pregnant women with a lifetime diagnosis of anxiety. To our knowledge, this is
      the first study to examine these associations among pregnant women.

PMID- 26270156
TI  - The difference between blood-associated and water-associated herbs of Danggui
      Shaoyao San in theory of TCM, based on serum pharmacochemistry.
AB  - Danggui-Shaoyao San (DSS) is a famous Chinese formula for activating blood
      circulation and promoting urination. This study was to investigate the difference
      of material basis between a blood-associated herbs group and a water-associated
      herbs group. According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, the formula
      can be divided into a blood-associated herbs group (Angelica sinensis, Paeonia
      lactiflora and Ligusticum chuanxiong) and a water-associated herbs group
      (Atractylodes macrocephala, Alisma orientale and Poria cocos). The HPLC
      fingerprint of the formula was established for quality control. Serum samples
      from rats, orally administrated DSS, and the decomposed recipes of DSS, were
      analyzed by HPLC-DAD and the transitional blood components of DSS were
      identified. Twenty-one common peaks were identified in the fingerprint of DSS.
      Contents of paeoniflorin, albiflorin, ferulic acid and alisol B 23-acetate in co
      decoction were significantly higher than those in individual decoction. Eleven
      peaks belonged to the blood-associated herbs group (four metabolites and seven
      prototype components; paeoniflorin and ferulic acid appeared in prototype
      components), whereas six peaks belonged to the water-associated herbs group
      (three metabolites and three prototype components). It was concluded that the
      serum pharmacochemistry is a meaningful approach for clarifying the difference
      between blood-associated and water-associated herbs in chemical composition.

PMID- 26270157
TI  - Reactivity of a Zn(Cys)2(His)2 Zinc Finger with Singlet Oxygen: Oxidation
      Directed toward Cysteines but not Histidines.
AB  - Singlet oxygen ((1)O2) is an important reactive oxygen species in biology that
      has deleterious effects. Proteins constitute the main target of (1)O2 in cells.
      Several organisms are able to mount a transcriptional defense against (1)O2. ChrR
      and MBS are two proteins with Zn(Cys)2(His)2 zinc finger sites that are involved
      in the regulation of the defense against (1)O2. In this article, we investigate
      the reactivity of Zn?CPF, a Zn(Cys)2(His)2 classical betabetaalpha zinc finger,
      with (1)O2. We show that Zn?CPF interacts with (1)O2 mainly by physical quenching
      using a combination of (1)O2 luminescence quenching and kinetic competition
      experiments. The chemical reaction, which accounts for 5% of the interaction,
      leads to oxidation of cysteines but not histidines. Primary photooxidation
      products, identified by HPLC and mass spectrometry, are sulfinate (75+/-5%) and
      disulfides (25+/-5%). The peptides that have a single cysteine thiolate oxidized
      into a sulfinate are still able to bind one equivalent Zn(2+) but with a dramatic
      reduction of the binding constant compared to Zn?CPF despite the preservation of
      the betabetaalpha fold, as shown by NMR and CD titrations. Finally, Zn?CPF is
      compared to Zn?LTC, a treble clef Zn(Cys)4 zinc finger, to gain further insight
      into the behavior of zinc fingers toward (1)O2.

PMID- 26270158
TI  - Two-Dimensional, Porous Nickel-Cobalt Sulfide for High-Performance Asymmetric
      Supercapacitors.
AB  - High specific surface area, high electrical conductivity, and abundant channels
      have been recognized to favor pseudocapacitors, but their realization at the same
      time is still a great challenge. Here, we report on nickel-cobalt sulfide
      nanosheets (NSs) with both ultrathin thickness and nanoscale pores for
      supercapacitors. The porous Ni-Co sulfide NSs were facilely synthesized through
      micelle-confined growth and subsequent sulfuration. The NSs are as thin as
      several nanometers and have a large number of pores with a mean size of ~7 nm,
      resulting in ultrahigh atom ratio at surface with unique chemical and electronic
      structure. Therefore, fast diffusion of ions, facile transportation of electrons
      and high activity make great synergistic contributions to the surface-dependent
      reversible redox reactions. In the resulted supercapacitors, a specific
      capacitance of 1304 F g(-1) is achieved at a current density of 2 A g(-1) with
      excellent rate capability that 85.6% of the original capacitance is remained at
      20 A g(-1). The effects of crystallinity and self-doping are optimized so that
      93.5% of the original capacitance is obtained after 6000 cycles at a high current
      density of 8 A g(-1). Finally, asymmetric supercapacitors with a high energy
      density of 41.4 Wh/kg are achieved at a power density of 414 W/kg. 

PMID- 26270159
TI  - Correction to "Toward an Enhancement of the Photoactivity of Multiphotochromic
      Dimers Using Plasmon Resonance: A Theoretical Study".

PMID- 26270160
TI  - Identification of Core Segment of Amyloidal Peptide Mediated by Chaperone
      Molecules by using Scanning Tunneling Microscopy.
AB  - We illustrate in this work that pristine assemblies of amyloidal peptides can be
      obtained by perturbations of reduced scanning bias, and show a broad distribution
      in peptide length. In contrast, the chaperone-mediated peptide co-assembly
      presents ordered lamellar structures with a homogeneous distribution in length,
      which could be attributed to the core segment of the peptide. The efforts are
      beneficial for gaining insight into the aggregation propensity of peptides and
      inter-peptide interactions. 

PMID- 26270169
TI  - Using SOAPaligner for Short Reads Alignment.
AB  - This unit shows how to use the SOAPaligner package to align short reads to
      reference. The use of the two most common versions of SOAPaligner, SOAP2 and
      SOAP3-dp, will be described in detail. The unit also includes a protocol for SNP
      calling from SOAP2 alignment with SOAPsnp.

PMID- 26270170
TI  - An Overview of RNA Sequence Analyses: Structure Prediction, ncRNA Gene
      Identification, and RNAi Design.
AB  - This unit briefly describes the two fundamentally different methods for
      predicting RNA structures. The first is to find that structure with the minimum
      free energy of folding, as predicted by various thermodynamic parameters related
      to base-pair stacking, loop lengths, and other features. If one has only a single
      sequence, this thermodynamic approach is the best available method. The second
      fundamental approach to RNA structure prediction is to use multiple, homologous
      sequences for which one can infer a common structure, and then try and predict a
      structure common to all of the sequences. Such an approach is referred to as a
      comparative method or phylogenetic method of RNA structure prediction.

PMID- 26270168
TI  - The prediction of postoperative stroke or death in patients with preoperative
      atrial fibrillation undergoing non-cardiac surgery: a VISION sub-study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The optimal means of pre-operative risk stratification in patients
      with atrial fibrillation (AF) is uncertain. OBJECTIVE: To examine the accuracy of
      AF thromboembolic risk models (the CHADS2, CHA2DS2-VASc, and R2CHADS2 scores) for
      predicting 30-day stroke and/or all-cause mortality after non-cardiac surgery in
      patients with preoperative AF, and to compare these risk scores with the Revised
      Cardiac Risk Index (RCRI). PATIENTS/METHODS: A multicentre (8 countries, 2007
      2011) prospective cohort study of patients >= 45 years of age undergoing
      inpatient non-cardiac surgery, who were followed until 30 days after surgery. We
      calculated c-statistics for each risk prediction model and net reclassification
      improvements (NRIs) compared with the RCRI. RESULTS: The 961 patients with
      preoperative AF were at higher risk of any cardiovascular event in the 30 days
      postoperatively compared with the 13 001 patients without AF: 26.6% vs. 9.0%;
      adjusted odds ratio, 1.58; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.33-1.88. All
      thromboembolic risk scores predicted postoperative death just as well as the RCRI
      (with c-indices between 0.67 and 0.72). Compared with the RCRI (which had a c
      index of 0.64 for 30-day stroke/death), the CHADS2 (c-index, 0.67; NRI, 0.31; 95%
      CI, 0.02-0.61) significantly improved postoperative stroke/mortality risk
      prediction, largely due to improved discrimination of patients who did not
      subsequently have an event. CONCLUSIONS: In AF patients, the three thromboembolic
      risk scores performed similarly to the RCRI in predicting death within 30 days
      and the CHADS2 score was the best predictor of postoperative stroke/death
      regardless of type of surgery.

PMID- 26270171
TI  - LipidXplorer: Software for Quantitative Shotgun Lipidomics Compatible with
      Multiple Mass Spectrometry Platforms.
AB  - LipidXplorer is an open-source software kit that supports the identification and
      quantification of molecular species of any lipid class detected by shotgun
      experiments performed on any mass spectrometry platform. LipidXplorer does not
      rely on a database of reference spectra: instead, lipid identification routines
      are user defined in the declarative molecular fragmentation query language
      (MFQL). The software supports batch processing of multiple shotgun acquisitions
      by high-resolution mass mapping, precursor and neutral-loss scanning, and data
      dependent MS/MS lending itself to a variety of lipidomics applications in cell
      biology and molecular medicine.

PMID- 26270172
TI  - Cloud Computing with iPlant Atmosphere.
AB  - Cloud Computing refers to distributed computing platforms that use virtualization
      software to provide easy access to physical computing infrastructure and data
      storage, typically administered through a Web interface. Cloud-based computing
      provides access to powerful servers, with specific software and virtual hardware
      configurations, while eliminating the initial capital cost of expensive computers
      and reducing the ongoing operating costs of system administration, maintenance
      contracts, power consumption, and cooling. This eliminates a significant barrier
      to entry into bioinformatics and high-performance computing for many researchers.
      This is especially true of free or modestly priced cloud computing services. The
      iPlant Collaborative offers a free cloud computing service, Atmosphere, which
      allows users to easily create and use instances on virtual servers preconfigured
      for their analytical needs. Atmosphere is a self-service, on-demand platform for
      scientific computing. This unit demonstrates how to set up, access and use cloud
      computing in Atmosphere.

PMID- 26270173
TI  - Common File Formats.
AB  - An overview of the many file formats commonly used in bioinformatics and genome
      sequence analysis is presented, including various data file formats, alignment
      file formats, and annotation file formats. Example workflows illustrate how some
      of the different file types are typically used.

PMID- 26270174
TI  - Improved Protocols for Illumina Sequencing.
AB  - In this unit, we describe a set of improvements that have been made to the
      standard Illumina protocols to make the sequencing process more reliable in a
      high-throughput environment, reduce amplification bias, narrow the distribution
      of insert sizes, and reliably obtain high yields of data.

PMID- 26270175
TI  - Modeling an Inflammation-Related Depressive Phenotype in Mice Using Bacille
      Calmette-Guerin.
AB  - The relationship between inflammation and neuropsychiatric symptoms is of
      interest to the scientific community for several reasons. A substantial subset of
      patients suffering from major depressive disorder also exhibit evidence of
      chronic inflammation including elevated levels of circulating pro-inflammatory
      cytokines. Immune-mediated inflammatory diseases and immunotherapy can result in
      depressive symptoms in some patients. Recent evidence suggests that the chronic
      inflammation may play a role in the pathophysiology of the depressive state,
      although the specific biological mechanisms are not clear. Herein we describe a
      model of an inflammation-related depressive phenotype in mice using the
      tuberculosis vaccine, bacille Calmette-Guerin, to induce chronic inflammation and
      a subsequent depressive phenotype which is assessed using the tail-suspension
      test. The model provides an avenue to study not only the molecular and
      biochemical changes that may be associated with the development of the depressive
      phenotype, but also pharmacological manipulations of the phenotype.

PMID- 26270176
TI  - An untargeted global metabolomic analysis reveals the biochemical changes
      underlying basal resistance and priming in Solanum lycopersicum, and identifies 1
      methyltryptophan as a metabolite involved in plant responses to Botrytis cinerea
      and Pseudomonas syringae.
AB  - In this study, we have used untargeted global metabolomic analysis to determine
      and compare the chemical nature of the metabolites altered during the infection
      of tomato plants (cv. Ailsa Craig) with Botrytis cinerea (Bot) or Pseudomonas
      syringae pv. tomato DC3000 (Pst), pathogens that have different invasion
      mechanisms and lifestyles. We also obtained the metabolome of tomato plants
      primed using the natural resistance inducer hexanoic acid and then infected with
      these pathogens. By contrasting the metabolomic profiles of infected, primed, and
      primed + infected plants, we determined not only the processes or components
      related directly to plant defense responses, but also inferred the metabolic
      mechanisms by which pathogen resistance is primed. The data show that basal
      resistance and hexanoic acid-induced resistance to Bot and Pst are associated
      with a marked metabolic reprogramming. This includes significant changes in amino
      acids, sugars and free fatty acids, and in primary and secondary metabolism.
      Comparison of the metabolic profiles of the infections indicated clear
      differences, reflecting the fact that the plant's chemical responses are highly
      adapted to specific attackers. The data also indicate involvement of signaling
      molecules, including pipecolic and azelaic acids, in response to Pst and,
      interestingly, to Bot. The compound 1-methyltryptophan was shown to be associated
      with the tomato-Pst and tomato-Bot interactions as well as with hexanoic acid
      induced resistance. Root application of this Trp-derived metabolite also
      demonstrated its ability to protect tomato plants against both pathogens. 

PMID- 26270183
TI  - A Simple, Rapid, and Efficient Method for Isolating Mesenchymal Stem Cells From
      the Entire Umbilical Cord.
AB  - Several reports have been published on the isolation, culture, and identification
      of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from different anatomical regions of the
      umbilical cord (UC). UC is suitable for standardizing methods of MSC isolation
      because it is a uniform source with high MSC numbers. Although the UC is
      considered a medical waste after childbirth, ethical issues for its use must be
      considered. An increased demand for MSCs in regenerative medicine has made
      scientists prioritize the development of MSC isolation methods. Several research
      groups are attempting to provide a large number of high-quality MSCs. In this
      study, we present a modulated explant/enzyme method (MEEM) to isolate the maximum
      number of MSCs from the entire UC. This method was established for the isolation
      of MSCs from different anatomical regions of the UC altogether. We could retrieve
      6 to 10 million MSCs during 8 to 10 days of primary culture. After three
      passages, we could obtain 8-10 * 10(8) cells in 28-30 days. MSCs isolated by this
      method express CD73, CD90, CD105, and CD44, but they do not express hematopoietic
      markers CD34 and CD45 or the endothelial marker CD31. The genes SOX2, OCT4, and
      NANOG are expressed in isolated MSCs. The capacity of these MSCs to differentiate
      into adipocytes and osteocytes highlights their application in regenerative
      medicine. This method is simple, reproducible, and cost efficient. Moreover, this
      method is suitable for the production of a large number of high-quality MSCs from
      an UC in less than a month, to be used for cell therapy in an 80-kg person.

PMID- 26270184
TI  - Fixation of Zinc(II) Ion to Dioxygen in a Highly Deformed Porphyrin: Implications
      for the Oxygen Carrier Mechanism of Distorted Heme.
AB  - Three saddle-type nonplanar zinc porphyrins strapped by two short alkyl linkers
      have been synthesized. The deformation induced by the linkers can cause a
      spectral red shift of >30 nm compared with the absorption maxima of regular
      porphyrins and can also regulate the electronic structure of the central zinc(II)
      ion. The zinc(II) ion then complexes and activates a free dioxygen to form a
      superoxide group ligand by enlarging the splitting of energy levels of d orbitals
      under strong core deformation. The fixation of dioxygen can be reasonably
      explained by the Dewar-Chatt-Duncanson model. These results indicate that this
      type of saddle porphyrin has the potential to be used as a new model system of
      heme. 

PMID- 26270186
TI  - Prognostic Significance of Cutaneous Adverse Events Associated With Pembrolizumab
      Therapy.

PMID- 26270185
TI  - Transcriptional Profiling of Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Lymph Node Samples
      Aids Diagnosis of Mediastinal Lymphadenopathy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)-guided biopsy is the mainstay for
      investigation of mediastinal lymphadenopathy for laboratory diagnosis of
      malignancy, sarcoidosis, or TB. However, improved methods for discriminating
      between TB and sarcoidosis and excluding malignancy are still needed. We sought
      to evaluate the role of genomewide transcriptional profiling to aid diagnostic
      processes in this setting. METHODS: Mediastinal lymph node samples from 88
      individuals were obtained by EBUS-guided aspiration for investigation of
      mediastinal lymphadenopathy and subjected to transcriptional profiling in
      addition to conventional laboratory assessments. Computational strategies were
      used to evaluate the potential for using the transcriptome to distinguish between
      diagnostic categories. RESULTS: Molecular signatures associated with granulomas
      or neoplastic and metastatic processes were clearly discernible in granulomatous
      and malignant lymph node samples, respectively. Support vector machine (SVM)
      learning using differentially expressed genes showed excellent sensitivity and
      specificity profiles in receiver operating characteristic curve analysis with
      area under curve values > 0.9 for discriminating between granulomatous and
      nongranulomatous disease, TB and sarcoidosis, and between cancer and reactive
      lymphadenopathy. A two-step decision tree using SVM to distinguish granulomatous
      and nongranulomatous disease, then between TB and sarcoidosis in granulomatous
      cases, and between cancer and reactive lymphadenopathy in nongranulomatous cases,
      achieved > 90% specificity for each diagnosis and afforded greater sensitivity
      than existing tests to detect TB and cancer. In some diagnostically ambiguous
      cases, computational classification predicted granulomatous disease or cancer
      before pathologic abnormalities were evident. CONCLUSIONS: Machine learning
      analysis of transcriptional profiling in mediastinal lymphadenopathy may
      significantly improve the clinical utility of EBUS-guided biopsies.

PMID- 26270187
TI  - Vision loss and paresthesias in a young man.

PMID- 26270188
TI  - Implicit motor learning is impaired in strabismic adults.
AB  - Binocular vision disorders (BVD) are quite common in subjects with cerebellar
      dysfunctions. Also individuals with strabismus often suffer from many motor
      deficits, such as impaired body balance and walking. It is known that the
      cerebellum is necessary to maintain proper body posture but also to learn motor
      skills. It is conceivable that subjects with BVD would also have deficits in
      procedural (implicit) motor learning, one of the primary cerebellar functions.
      The primary aim of this study was to explore motor learning abilities in subjects
      with BVD (strabismic group, SG). Modified versions of a single reaction time task
      were used in the scheme proposed by Molinari et al. in 1997. A set of three
      different tasks (Experiment 1) were performed under dominant eye viewing to
      investigate (a) procedural (implicit) motor learning, (b) declarative (explicit)
      learning, and (c) simple stimulus-response associative learning. Because each
      task examined different aspects of motor learning abilities, it could be revealed
      which motor learning pathway is impaired in SG. Results showed that the SG had
      slower reaction times in all three tasks and demonstrated poor implicit motor
      learning ability compared to controls. To verify if these results were caused by
      reduced binocular vision or cerebellar deficits, per se, a nonstrabismic
      binocular anomalies group (NSG) was introduced, and all the same tests were
      performed (Experiment 2). These results revealed that there were no differences
      between the NSG and the control group with good binocularity. To conclude, the
      poor procedural learning ability and slower reaction times in strabismic subjects
      should not be explained as an effect of incomplete binocular vision that
      influences the maturity of the visual cortex and transformation of visual
      information into a motor program because binocular anomaly individuals without
      strabismus have motor learning abilities close to the controls. Some cerebellar
      deficits appear to be the origin of observed anomalies. 

PMID- 26270189
TI  - Role of early visual cortex in trans-saccadic memory of object features.
AB  - Early visual cortex (EVC) participates in visual feature memory and the updating
      of remembered locations across saccades, but its role in the trans-saccadic
      integration of object features is unknown. We hypothesized that if EVC is
      involved in updating object features relative to gaze, feature memory should be
      disrupted when saccades remap an object representation into a simultaneously
      perturbed EVC site. To test this, we applied transcranial magnetic stimulation
      (TMS) over functional magnetic resonance imaging-localized EVC clusters
      corresponding to the bottom left/right visual quadrants (VQs). During
      experiments, these VQs were probed psychophysically by briefly presenting a
      central object (Gabor patch) while subjects fixated gaze to the right or left
      (and above). After a short memory interval, participants were required to detect
      the relative change in orientation of a re-presented test object at the same
      spatial location. Participants either sustained fixation during the memory
      interval (fixation task) or made a horizontal saccade that either maintained or
      reversed the VQ of the object (saccade task). Three TMS pulses (coinciding with
      the pre-, peri-, and postsaccade intervals) were applied to the left or right
      EVC. This had no effect when (a) fixation was maintained, (b) saccades kept the
      object in the same VQ, or (c) the EVC quadrant corresponding to the first object
      was stimulated. However, as predicted, TMS reduced performance when saccades
      (especially larger saccades) crossed the remembered object location and brought
      it into the VQ corresponding to the TMS site. This suppression effect was
      statistically significant for leftward saccades and followed a weaker trend for
      rightward saccades. These causal results are consistent with the idea that EVC is
      involved in the gaze-centered updating of object features for trans-saccadic
      memory and perception. 

PMID- 26270190
TI  - Evidence for distinct mechanisms underlying attentional priming and sensory
      memory for bistable perception.
AB  - Attentional selection in visual search paradigms and perceptual selection in
      bistable perception paradigms show functional similarities. For example, both are
      sensitive to trial history: They are biased toward previously selected targets or
      interpretations. We investigated whether priming by target selection in visual
      search and sensory memory for bistable perception are related. We did this by
      presenting two trial types to observers. We presented either ambiguous spheres
      that rotated over a central axis and could be perceived as rotating in one of two
      directions, or search displays in which the unambiguously rotating target and
      distractor spheres closely resembled the two possible interpretations of the
      ambiguous stimulus. We interleaved both trial types within experiments, to see
      whether priming by target selection during search trials would affect the
      perceptual outcome of bistable perception and, conversely, whether sensory memory
      during bistable perception would affect target selection times during search.
      Whereas we found intertrial repetition effects among consecutive search trials
      and among consecutive bistable trials, we did not find cross-paradigm effects.
      Thus, even though we could ascertain that our experiments robustly elicited
      processes of both search priming and sensory memory for bistable perception,
      these same experiments revealed no interaction between the two. 

PMID- 26270191
TI  - Stretching time: Relativistic lag-induced shifts in perceived audiovisual
      synchrony using cluttered displays.
AB  - When presented with temporally displaced audiovisual events, observers shift
      their point of subjective simultaneity (PSS) in the direction of this prior lag.
      This effect, known as temporal recalibration (TR), has been inferred previously
      using single audiovisual events. Here we investigate TR using an audiovisual
      synchrony search paradigm employing spatiotemporally cluttered visual displays.
      By manipulating the relative modulation frequency of the adaptor (0.72 Hz) and
      test (0.36, 0.72 Hz) we find that following lag-adaptation, PSS shifts preserve
      the relative phase-not the latency-of the adapted lag. Applying this cross
      frequency design to a classic simultaneity discrimination task, we find TR is
      unaffected by the relative frequency of adaptor and test in terms of latency
      rather than phase. This dissociation implies that under conditions of low spatial
      certainty TR obeys a relativistic (phase-conserving) temporal scaling law,
      whereas high spatial certainty affords PSS shifts, which operate in absolute
      (latency-conserving) temporal coordinates. 

PMID- 26270192
TI  - Translation and articulation in biological motion perception.
AB  - Recent models of biological motion processing focus on the articulational aspect
      of human walking investigated by point-light figures walking in place. However,
      in real human walking, the change in the position of the limbs relative to each
      other (referred to as articulation) results in a change of body location in space
      over time (referred to as translation). In order to examine the role of this
      translational component on the perception of biological motion we designed three
      psychophysical experiments of facing (leftward/rightward) and articulation
      discrimination (forward/backward and leftward/rightward) of a point-light walker
      viewed from the side, varying translation direction (relative to articulation
      direction), the amount of local image motion, and trial duration. In a further
      set of a forward/backward and a leftward/rightward articulation task, we
      additionally tested the influence of translational speed, including catch trials
      without articulation. We found a perceptual bias in translation direction in all
      three discrimination tasks. In the case of facing discrimination the bias was
      limited to short stimulus presentation. Our results suggest an interaction of
      articulation analysis with the processing of translational motion leading to best
      articulation discrimination when translational direction and speed match
      articulation. Moreover, we conclude that the global motion of the center-of-mass
      of the dot pattern is more relevant to processing of translation than the local
      motion of the dots. Our findings highlight that translation is a relevant cue
      that should be integrated in models of human motion detection. 

PMID- 26270193
TI  - Conformational Change with Steric Interactions Affects the Inner Sphere Component
      of Concerted Proton-Electron Transfer in a Pyridyl-Appended Radical Cation
      System.
AB  - Proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) model systems combine one-electron
      oxidants and bases to generate net hydrogen atom acceptors. We have generated two
      persistent pyridyl-appended radical cations: 10-(pyrid-2-yl)-10H-phenothiazinium
      (PPT*+) and 3-(pyrid-2-yl)-10-methyl-10H-phenothiazinium (MPTP*+). EPR spectra
      and corresponding calculations indicate phenothiazinium radical cations with
      minimal spin on the pyridine nitrogen. Addition of hindered phenols causes the
      radical cations to decay, and protonated products and the corresponding phenoxyl
      radicals to form. The DeltaG degrees  values for the formation of intermediates
      (determined through cyclic voltammetry and pKa measurements) rule out a stepwise
      mechanism, and kinetic isotope effects support concerted proton-electron transfer
      (CPET) as the mechanism. Calculations indicate that the reaction of PPT*+ +
      tBu3PhOH undergoes a significant conformational change with steric interactions
      on the diabatic surface while maintaining the hydrogen bond; in contrast, MPTP*+
      + tBu3PhOH maintains its conformation throughout the reaction. This difference is
      reflected in both experiment and calculations with DeltaG(?)MPTP*+ <
      DeltaG(?)PPT*+ despite DeltaG degrees MPTP*+ > DeltaG degrees PPT*+. Experimental
      results with 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methoxyphenol are similar. Hence, despite the
      structural similarity between the compounds, differences in the inner sphere
      component for CPET affect the kinetics.

PMID- 26270194
TI  - Correlation between the Open-Circuit Voltage and Charge Transfer State Energy in
      Organic Photovoltaic Cells.
AB  - In order to further improve the performance of organic photovoltaic cells (OPVs),
      it is essential to better understand the factors that limit the open-circuit
      voltage (VOC). Previous work has sought to correlate the value of VOC in donor
      acceptor (D-A) OPVs to the interface energy level offset (EDA). In this work,
      measurements of electroluminescence are used to extract the charge transfer (CT)
      state energy for multiple small molecule D-A pairings. The CT state as measured
      from electroluminescence is found to show better correlation to the maximum VOC
      than EDA. The difference between EDA and the CT state energy is attributed to the
      Coulombic binding energy of the CT state. This correlation is demonstrated
      explicitly by inserting an insulating spacer layer between the donor and acceptor
      materials, reducing the binding energy of the CT state and increasing the
      measured VOC. These results demonstrate a direct correlation between maximum VOC
      and CT state energy. 

PMID- 26270195
TI  - Effect of Protein Concentration on the Flow of Cerebrospinal Fluid Through Shunt
      Tubing.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Protein levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are commonly thought to
      be related to sterile shunt malfunction. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the
      relationship between protein concentration and flow through CSF shunt tubing and
      a shunt valve. METHODS: New and explanted shunt catheters were tested with and
      without a shunt valve attached at various protein concentrations. The protein
      concentrations used were 0.5, 2, 5, and 10 g/L. A flask with artificial CSF
      attached to the proximal end provided flow. The flow was allowed to stabilize
      over 1 hour, and then the change in pressure between the proximal and distal end
      of the catheter was measured and recorded. The resistance to flow was calculated
      for new and explanted catheters for adult shunt systems, as well as with the
      addition of a programmable siphon control valve. The resistance was examined
      after the addition of various protein concentrations to a normal CSF solution.
      RESULTS: Both new and explanted catheters exhibited a decrease in the resistance
      to flow with higher concentrations of protein. CONCLUSION: In our laboratory
      setting, there was decreased resistance of adult CSF shunt catheters with and
      without a valve as the concentration of protein in the CSF increased. The
      decrease in the resistance of CSF shunt catheters with the addition of protein to
      the CSF may be related to the lowering of surface tension. This is the first
      study to examine the effects of varying protein concentrations across different
      lengths of shunt tubing for both new and explanted catheters.

PMID- 26270196
TI  - Different Facets in Management of Congenital Atlantoaxial Dislocation and Basilar
      Invagination.

PMID- 26270197
TI  - Biocompatible Collagen Paramagnetic Scaffold for Controlled Drug Release.
AB  - A porous collagen-based hydrogel scaffold was prepared in the presence of iron
      oxide nanoparticles (NPs) and was characterized by means of infrared spectroscopy
      and scanning electron microscopy. The hybrid scaffold was then loaded with
      fluorescein sodium salt as a model compound. The release of the hydrosoluble
      species was triggered and accurately controlled by the application of an external
      magnetic field, as monitored by fluorescence spectroscopy. The biocompatibility
      of the proposed matrix was also tested by the MTT assay performed on 3T3 cells.
      Cell viability was only slightly reduced when the cells were incubated in the
      presence of the collagen-NP hydrogel, compared to controls. The economicity of
      the chemical protocol used to obtain the paramagnetic scaffolds as well as their
      biocompatibility and the safety of the external trigger needed to induce the drug
      release suggest the proposed collagen paramagnetic matrices for a number of
      applications including tissue engeneering and drug delivery. 

PMID- 26270198
TI  - Does Bilateral ITA Grafting Increase Perioperative Complications? Outcome of
      6,476 Patients with Bilateral versus 5,020 Patients with Single ITA Bypass.
AB  - OBJECTIVES:  Despite the superior patency of internal thoracic artery (ITA)
      grafting compared with saphenous veins, frequency of bilateral ITA (BITA)
      grafting in Europe is still approximately 10%. The aim of the present study was
      to compare the early outcome of patients receiving either BITA or single ITA
      (SITA) grafting. METHODS:  A total of 11,496 patients with isolated coronary
      artery bypass grafting (CABG), operated between January 1996 and December 2012,
      were analyzed retrospectively; 0.6476 patients (mean age 65.2 years, 81.3% males)
      received BITA and 5,020 patients (mean age 66.6 years, 76.7% males) SITA
      grafting. Mean body mass index (BMI) was 27.2 versus 27.4, p = 0.017. Incidence
      of diabetes was 28.9 versus 28.4%, p = 0.08. Ejection fraction (EF) > 50 was
      71.3% (BITA) versus 66.3% (SITA), p < 0.001. Elective operations were performed
      in 88.4% (BITA) versus 83.3% (SITA), and urgent/emergent surgery was necessary in
      11.6% (BITA) versus 16.7% (SITA), p < 0.001. RESULTS:  Number of grafts was 3.76
      (BITA) versus 3.06, p < 0.001. Duration of surgery (194.4 vs. 180.4 minutes) as
      well as X-clamp time (60.4 vs. 51.7 minutes) was prolonged for BITA, p < 0.001.
      Perioperative infarction rate revealed 3.2% (BITA) versus 3.6%, p = 0.54.
      Frequency of rethoracotomy due to bleeding was higher in the BITA group (3.8 vs.
      2.1%), p < 0.001. Sternal instabilities occurred in 2.3% (BITA) versus 2.2%, p =
      0.749. Duration of mechanical ventilation < 12 hours was 74.6 versus 77.1%, p =
      0.09 and duration of in-hospital stay was 10.5 versus 10.4 days, p = 0.68. Thirty
      day mortality was 2.4% (BITA) versus 3.0%, p = 0.09. Multivariate analysis
      identified prolonged duration of surgery, BMI > 30, emergent operations, advanced
      age, and BITA grafting as predictor for sternal instabilities. EF < 30%, advanced
      age plus emergency were associated with increased 30-day mortality. CONCLUSION: 
      CABG using BITA can be performed routinely with good clinical results and low
      mortality. Compared with SITA grafting, bleeding complications were enhanced.

PMID- 26270200
TI  - Acute Effects of Haloperidol, Amisulpride, and Quetiapine on Bone Turnover
      Markers in Patients With Schizophrenia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This prospective study sought to compare the acute effects of
      haloperidol, amisulpride, and quetiapine on serum markers of bone formation and
      resorption in relatively young patients with minimal previous exposure to
      antipsychotic drugs. METHODS: Patients included in the study were randomly
      assigned to receive haloperidol, amisulpride, or quetiapine monotherapy in an
      open-label manner. Serum osteocalcin (OC, a marker of bone formation), C-terminal
      peptide of type I collagen (CTX, a marker of bone resorption), prolactin (PRL),
      estradiol, and testosterone were measured in 70 patients at baseline and after 4
      weeks of antipsychotic treatment. RESULTS: A repeated-measures analysis of
      variance revealed a significant difference in CTX levels and in the OC to CTX
      ratio between treatment groups (F = 4.481, P < 0.05; F = 8.114, P < 0.01). After
      4 weeks of treatment, only the amisulpride group had significantly increased CTX
      levels and decreased OC/CTX. In addition, an obvious increase in PRL level and a
      reduction of sex hormone secretion after amisulpride treatment were found. No
      significant changes in bone turnover were observed in the haloperidol or
      quetiapine groups. Notably, a positive correlation between the CTX change to the
      change in PRL after treatment (r = 0.255, P < 0.05) was observed. CONCLUSIONS:
      The PRL-raising antipsychotic drug amisulpride influenced bone turnover balance
      very early in the course of treatment, which may require long-term monitoring of
      bone metabolism. Bone resorption marker changes induced by acute antipsychotic
      drug treatment are likely related to increased PRL levels.

PMID- 26270201
TI  - Antibiomania: Secondary Mania Associated With Ceftazidime.

PMID- 26270199
TI  - An Adjusted Calculation Model Allows for Reduced Protamine Doses without
      Increasing Blood Loss in Cardiac Surgery.
AB  - Background Heparin dosage for anticoagulation during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB)
      is commonly calculated based on the patient's body weight. The protamine-heparin
      ratio used for heparin reversal varies widely among institutions (0.7-1.3 mg
      protamine/100 IU heparin). Excess protamine may impair coagulation. With an
      empirically developed algorithm, the HeProCalc program, heparin, and protamine
      doses are calculated during the procedure. The primary aim was to investigate
      whether HeProCalc-based dosage of heparin could reduce protamine use compared
      with traditional dosages. The secondary aim was to investigate whether HeProCalc
      based dosage of protamine affected postoperative bleeding. Patients and Methods
      We consecutively randomized 40 patients into two groups. In the control group,
      traditional heparin and protamine doses, based on body weight alone, were given.
      In the treatment group, the HeProCalc program was used, which calculated the
      initial heparin bolus dose from weight, height, and baseline activated clotting
      time and the protamine dose at termination of CPB. Results We analyzed the
      results from 37 patients, after exclusion of three patients. Equal doses of
      heparin were given in both groups, whereas significantly lower mean doses of
      protamine were given in the treatment group versus control group (211 +/- 56 vs.
      330 +/- 61 mg, p < 0.001). Postoperative bleeding was less in the HeProCalc group
      (280 +/- 229 mL) as compared with the control group (649 +/- 279 mL). However,
      this difference was not found statistically significant (p = 0.074). Conclusion
      HeProCalc-based dosage of heparin and protamine allowed for reduced protamine use
      after CPB compared with when conventional calculations were used. Furthermore,
      HeProCalc-based regimen for heparin reversal suggested less postoperative
      bleeding, although the difference between the groups was not statistically
      significant. 

PMID- 26270202
TI  - Ba and Sr Binary Phosphides: Synthesis, Crystal Structures, and Bonding Analysis.
AB  - Synthesis, crystal structures, and chemical bonding are reported for four binary
      phosphides with different degrees of phosphorus oligomerization, ranging from
      isolated P atoms to infinite phosphorus chains. Ba3P2 = Ba4P(2.67)?(0.33) (? =
      vacancy) crystallizes in the anti-Th3P4 structure type with the cubic space group
      I43d (no. 220), Z = 6, a = 9.7520(7) A. In the Ba3P2 crystal structure, isolated
      P(3-) anions form distorted octahedra around the Ba(2+) cations. beta-Ba5P4
      crystallizes in the Eu5As4 structure type with the orthorhombic space group Cmce
      (no. 64), Z = 4, a = 16.521(2) A, b = 8.3422(9) A, c = 8.4216(9) A. In the
      crystal structure of beta-Ba5P4, one-half of the phosphorus atoms are condensed
      into P2(4-) dumbbells. SrP2 and BaP2 are isostructural and crystallize in the
      monoclinic space group P21/c (no. 14), Z = 6, a = 6.120(2)/6.368(1) A, b =
      11.818(3)/12.133(2) A, c = 7.441(2)/7.687(2) A, beta = 126.681(4)/126.766(2)
      degrees  for SrP2/BaP2. In the crystal structures of SrP2 and BaP2, all
      phosphorus atoms are condensed into infinity(1)P(1-) cis-trans helical chains.
      Electronic structure calculations, chemical bonding analysis via the recently
      developed solid-state adaptive natural density partitioning (SSAdNDP) method, and
      UV-vis spectroscopy reveal that SrP2 and BaP2 are electron-balanced
      semiconductors.

PMID- 26270203
TI  - The Serendipitous Survey: A Look at Primary and Specialist Palliative Social Work
      Practice, Preparation, and Competence.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Health professionals have begun to identify competencies needed for
      primary and specialist levels of palliative care practice, but little attention
      has been given to how these skills are acquired. OBJECTIVES: The authors
      electronically surveyed a wide range of health social workers and educators to
      investigate their reported levels of preparation, training, and self-assessed
      competence to provide palliative and end-of-life care. METHODS: Two health social
      work surveys were developed: one for educators and one for practitioners and
      students. The study used an electronic snowball sampling method with eight
      national social work listservs to capture a wide range of settings where health
      social workers may teach or practice. The survey was completed by 1149 self
      identified health care social workers, 35% of whom identified as a specialist in
      palliative care. RESULTS: Health social work clinicians report competence in many
      skills related to palliative care and the psychosocial determinants of health,
      having developed these skills primarily through interprofessional and peer
      collaboration. CONCLUSIONS: A representative sample of social workers practicing
      in health care identify high competence in essential aspects of palliative care.
      This speaks to an existing pool of clinicians who, if practicing to the top of
      their licenses, have the potential to provide primary palliative care and
      contribute to the person-family centered care called for in the Institute of
      Medicine (IOM) report. Few programs exist to prepare social workers to work as
      specialists in palliative or end-of-life settings, and respondents identified key
      areas of practice that need to be integrated into graduate education to ensure
      that students, practitioners, and educators are better prepared to maximize the
      impact of health social work. Further research is needed to better understand how
      to prepare and train specialist-level palliative care social workers.

PMID- 26270204
TI  - Insulin Resistance in Critically Injured Adults: Contribution of Pneumonia,
      Diabetes, Nutrition, and Acuity.
AB  - PURPOSE: Changes in insulin resistance (IR) cause stress-induced hyperglycemia
      after trauma, but the numerous factors involved in IR have not been delineated
      clearly. We hypothesized that a statistical model could help determine the
      relative contribution of different clinical co-variates to IR in critically
      injured patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied 726 critically
      injured patients managed with a computer-assisted glycemic protocol at an
      academic level I trauma center (639 ventilated controls without pneumonia (VWP)
      and 87 patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Linear regression
      using age, gender, body mass index (BMI), diabetes mellitus, pneumonia, and
      glycemic provision was used to estimate M, a marker of IR that incorporates both
      the serum blood glucose concentration (BG) and insulin dose. RESULTS: Increasing
      M (p<0.001) was associated with age (1.62%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.27%
      1.97% per decade), male gender (9.78%; 95% CI 8.28%-12.6%), BMI (4.32% [95% CI
      4.02%-4.62%] per 5 points), diabetes mellitus (21.2%; 95% CI 19.2%-23.2%),
      pneumonia (10.9%; 95% CI 9.31%-12.6%), and glycemic provision (27.3% [95% CI 6.6%
      28.1%] per 100 g of glucose). Total parenteral nutrition was associated with a
      decrease in M of 10.3%; 95% CI 8.52%-12.1%; p<0.001. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical
      factors can be used to construct a model of IR. Prospective validation might
      enable early detection and treatment of infection or other conditions associated
      with increased IR.

PMID- 26270205
TI  - Effect of Insulin Dilution on Lowering Glycemic Variability in Pump-Treated Young
      Children with Inadequately Controlled Type 1 Diabetes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We investigated whether in young children with inadequately
      controlled type 1 diabetes and technical problems with continuous subcutaneous
      infusion of insulin at 100 units/mL the switch to insulin diluted to 10 units/mL
      (U10) can limit technical problems and improve glycemic control. SUBJECTS AND
      METHODS: Diluted U10 insulin was started in three children 3.8, 3.2, and 1.3
      years old with a hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level (mean+/-SD) of 8.1+/-0.17% (65+/
      1.7 mmol/mol) and insulin dose of 8.80+/-2.93 units/day. Patients were evaluated
      with continuous glucose monitoring (iProTM2; Medtronic Minimed, Northridge, CA)
      and a quality of life questionnaire (PedsQLTM; www.pedsql.org/ ) and surveyed for
      pump-related problems at baseline and after 3 and 9 months of U10 insulin
      therapy. RESULTS: Continuous glucose monitoring records showed that glycemic
      variability assessed by SD and M100 decreased significantly (P=0.0085 and
      P=0.0482, respectively). HbA1c levels dropped to 7.3+/-1.00% (56+/-11.0 mmol/mol)
      after 3 months and to 6.7+/-0.55% (50+/-6.1 mmol/mol) after 9 months (P=0.12).
      Technical difficulties were minimized. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that
      the use of U10 insulin decreases glycemic variability and improves hampered pump
      therapy in young children with inadequately controlled type 1 diabetes.

PMID- 26270206
TI  - Transarterial chemoembolization and sorafenib in patients with intermediate-stage
      hepatocellular carcinoma: time to enter routine clinical practice?

PMID- 26270207
TI  - History of water quality parameters - a study on the Sinos River/Brazil.
AB  - Water is increasingly becoming a valuable resource, constituting one of the
      central themes of environmental, economic and social discussions. The Sinos
      River, located in southern Brazil, is the main river from the Sinos River Basin,
      representing a source of drinking water supply for a highly populated region.
      Considering its size and importance, it becomes necessary to conduct a study to
      follow up the water quality of this river, which is considered by some experts as
      one of the most polluted rivers in Brazil. As for this study, its great
      importance lies in the historical analysis of indicators. In this sense, we
      sought to develop aspects related to the management of water resources by
      performing a historical analysis of the Water Quality Index (WQI) of the Sinos
      River, using statistical methods. With regard to the methodological procedures,
      it should be pointed out that this study performs a time analysis of monitoring
      data on parameters related to a punctual measurement that is variable in time,
      using statistical tools. The data used refer to analyses of the water quality of
      the Sinos River (WQI) from the State Environmental Protection Agency Henrique
      Luiz Roessler (Fundacao Estadual de Protecao Ambiental Henrique Luiz Roessler,
      FEPAM) covering the period between 2000 and 2008, as well as to a theoretical
      analysis focusing on the management of water resources. The study of WQI and its
      parameters by statistical analysis has shown to be effective, ensuring its
      effectiveness as a tool for the management of water resources. The descriptive
      analysis of the WQI and its parameters showed that the water quality of the Sinos
      River is concerning low, which reaffirms that it is one of the most polluted
      rivers in Brazil. It should be highlighted that there was an overall difficulty
      in obtaining data with the appropriate periodicity, as well as a long complete
      series, which limited the conduction of statistical studies such as the present
      one.

PMID- 26270208
TI  - Adenoviruses of canine and human origins in stool samples from free-living pampas
      foxes (Lycalopex gymnocercus) and crab-eating foxes (Cerdocyon thous) in Sao
      Francisco de Paula, Rio dos Sinos basin.
AB  - The spread of enteric viruses of domestic animals and human beings to wild
      species can be facilitated by the resistance of these viruses on the environment
      and their ability to be transmitted by water and contaminated food. The health
      status of the populations of pampas foxes Lycalopex gymnocercus) and crab-eating
      foxes (Cerdocyon thous) is largely unknown and the landscapes occupied by these
      animals in southern Brazil have been threatened by human occupation and expansion
      of agriculture. In this work, the search of genomes of human and canine
      adenoviruses in feces from these wild carnivores was used to track the
      dissemination of domestic animals and human pathogens to the free-living
      populations in a wildlife reserve located in southern Brazil. This was performed
      by virus-specific differential real-time polymerase chain reactions (qPCR) on
      stool specimens, avoiding capture and additional stress to the animals. Genus
      specific conventional reverse-transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) was complementarily
      performed aiming the detection of enteroviruses (EV) and rotaviruses (RV) on
      these same samples. HAdV genomes were found on 14 out of the 17 (82.35%) stool
      samples analysed, whereas CAV was found co-infecting 5 of these samples. RV
      genomes were detected on 7 of the 17 samples (41.18%) and all samples were
      negative for EV. The results point to the dispersion of HAdV and RV at a high
      rate to these species of South American wild carnivores, which can be an effect
      of growing anthropisation of the habitat of these animals.

PMID- 26270210
TI  - Vascular epiphytes of the Atlantic Forest in the Sinos River basin, state of Rio
      Grande do Sul, Brazil: richness, floristic composition and community structure.
AB  - The Atlantic Forest, which has a vast epiphytic richness, is a priority area for
      preservation, listed as one of the five most important world hotspots. Vascular
      epiphyte richness, composition and community structure were studied in two
      fragments, one of the ombrophilous (29o43'42"S and 50o22'00"W) and the other of
      the seasonal (29o40'54"S and 51o06'56"W) forest, both belonging to the Atlantic
      Forest biome in the Sinos River basin, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. In each
      fragment, 40 trees, divided into four ecological zones, were analyzed. In each
      zone, the occurrence of the species was recorded, and the importance value of
      each species was calculated according to the frequency of phorophytes and
      intervals, and cover scores. The Shannon index was calculated for the two
      communities. In the fragment of the ombrophilous forest (F1), 30 epiphytic
      species were recorded, and in the seasonal forest (F2), 25. The highest
      importance value was found for Microgramma squamulosa (Kaulf.) de la Sota in both
      fragments. The diversity indexes for F1 (H'=2.72) and F2 (H'=2.55) were similar
      and reflected the subtropical location of the areas. The decrease in mean
      richness in both fragments in zone 3 (internal crown) to zone 4 (external crown)
      may be associated with time and space availability for epiphyte occupation and
      microclimate variations. Exclusive species were found in the areas, which suggest
      that a greater number of preserved fragments may result in a greater number of
      preserved epiphytic species in the Sinos River basin.

PMID- 26270211
TI  - The effects of press and pulse disturbance by long and short-term pollution on
      the fish community in the Sinos River, RS, Brazil.
AB  - The fish fauna of the Sinos River has been subjected to severe pollution since
      the 1970's. Continuous discharges of industrial and municipal sewage cause
      hypoxia and often even fish kills. The objectives of the present study are to
      assess long-term effects of pollution on the fish community over a time scale of
      approximately ten years and to investigate recuperation of the fish fauna after a
      massive fish kill in 2006. To assess the long-term impacts, seasonal sampling was
      conducted from September 2007 to March 2009 in four sites which were investigated
      in 1998/99 with the same methodology. The effects of the fish kill were
      investigated by comparing the present fauna in the affected river stretch with
      the fauna of an unaffected adjacent river stretch. The collective community
      properties richness and Shannon diversity changed during the ten year interval in
      a consistent pattern. Richness and Shannon diversity increased significantly in
      all sites, abundance values, however, did not. Analysis of species constancy and
      cluster analysis showed that the differences between the 1998/99 and 2007/09
      studies were relatively small. The comparison of the reaches affected by the 2006
      fish kills showed a rapid recovery within one year. Probably the Sinos fish fauna
      suffered the most severe impacts in the 70s of the last century, which could not
      be documented by this study. After an initial decline, the community displays
      relatively stable patterns with a tendency of recovery. After a severe fish kill,
      faunal recovery was rapid, probably favoured by the proximity of unpolluted
      source areas and physical habitat integrity of the Sinos River.

PMID- 26270209
TI  - Toxicity effects of nickel electroplating effluents treated by
      photoelectrooxidation in the industries of the Sinos River Basin.
AB  - The Sinos river Basin is an industrial region with many tanneries and
      electroplating plants in southern Brazil. The wastewater generated by
      electroplating contains high loads of salts and metals that have to be treated
      before discharge. After conventional treatment, this study applied an advanced
      oxidative process to degrade organic additives in the electroplating bright
      nickel baths effluent. Synthetic rinsing water was submitted to physical-chemical
      coagulation for nickel removal. The sample was submitted to ecotoxicity tests,
      and the effluent was treated by photoelectrooxidation (PEO). The effects of
      current density and treatment time were evaluated. The concentration of total
      organic carbon (TOC) was 38% lower. The toxicity tests of the effluent treated
      using PEO revealed that the organic additives were partially degraded and the
      concentration that is toxic for test organisms was reduced.

PMID- 26270212
TI  - Degradation of cyanotoxins (microcystin) in drinking water using
      photoelectrooxidation.
AB  - The discharge of sewage and industrial effluents containing high concentrations
      of pollutants in water bodies increases eutrophication. Cyanobacteria, some of
      the organisms whose growth is promoted by high nutrient concentrations, are
      resistant and produce several types of toxins, known as cyanotoxins, highly
      harmful to human beings. Current water treatment systems for the public water
      supply are not efficient in degradation of toxins. Advanced oxidation processes
      (AOP) have been tested for the removal of cyanotoxins, and the results have been
      positive. This study examines the application of photoelectrooxidation in the
      degradation of cyanotoxins (microcystins). The performance of the oxidative
      processes involved was evaluated separately: Photocatalysis, Electrolysis and
      Photoelectrooxidation. Results showed that the electrical current and UV
      radiation were directly associated with toxin degradation. The PEO system is
      efficient in removing cyanotoxins, and the reduction rate reached 99%. The final
      concentration of toxin was less than 1 ug/L of microcystin in the treated
      solution.

PMID- 26270213
TI  - Monitoring of metals, organic compounds and coliforms in water catchment points
      from the Sinos River basin.
AB  - Unplanned use and occupation of the land without respecting its capacity of
      assimilation and environmental purification leads to the degradation of the
      environment and of water used for human consumption. Agricultural areas,
      industrial plants and urban centres developed without planning and the control of
      effluent discharges are the main causes of water pollution in river basins that
      receive all the liquid effluents produced in those places. Over the last decades,
      environmental management has become part of governmental agendas in search of
      solutions for the preservation of water quality and the restoration of already
      degraded resources. This study evaluated the conditions of the main watercourse
      of the Sinos River basin by monitoring the main physical, chemical and
      microbiological parameters described in the CONAMA Resolution no. 357/2005.The
      set of parameters evaluated at five catchment points of water human consumption
      revealed a river that has different characteristics in each reach, as the upper
      reach was class 1, whereas the middle and lower reaches of the basin were class
      4. Monitoring pointed to households as the main sources of pollutants in those
      reaches, although metals used in the industrial production of the region were
      found in the samples analyzed.

PMID- 26270214
TI  - Evaluation of phytotoxicity of municipal landfill leachate before and after
      biological treatment.
AB  - In the present study, leachate toxicity of a municipal solid waste landfill
      located in the Sinos River Valley region (southern Brazil) was evaluated using
      plant bioassays. Leachate toxicity was assessed by analysis of seed germination
      and root elongation of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and rocket plant Eruca sativa
      Mill.) and root elongation of onions Allium cepa L.). Bioassays were performed by
      exposing the seeds of L. sativa and E. sativa and the roots of A. cepa to raw
      leachate, treated leachate (biological treatment) and negative control (tap
      water). The levels of metals detected in both samples of leachate were low, and
      raw leachate showed high values for ammoniacal nitrogen and total Kjeldahl
      nitrogen. There is a reduction in the values of several physicochemical
      parameters, which demonstrates the efficiency of the treatment. Both L. sativa
      and A. cepa showed a phytotoxic response to landfill leachate, showing reduced
      root elongation. However, the responses of these two plant species were
      different. Root elongation was significantly lower in A. cepa exposed to treated
      leachate, when compared to negative control, but did not show any difference when
      compared to raw leachate. In L. sativa, seeds exposed to the raw leachate showed
      significant reduction in root elongation, when compared to treated leachate and
      negative control. Seed germination showed no difference across the treatments.
      The results of the study show that plant species respond differently and that
      municipal solid waste landfill leachate show phytotoxicity, even after biological
      treatment.

PMID- 26270215
TI  - Moving beyond classical markers of water quality: detection of enteric viruses
      and genotoxicity in water of the Sinos River.
AB  - It is well recognized that the classical biological and chemical markers of
      environmental pollution do not necessarily indicate the presence or absence of
      emerging threats to public health, such as waterborne viruses and genotoxicants.
      The purpose of this preliminary study was to evaluate the presence of material of
      enteroviruses (EV), rotavirus (RV) and adenovirus (AdV) and genotoxicity in water
      samples from points of routine monitoring of water quality in the main course of
      the Sinos River. The points are classified into different levels of pollution in
      accordance to the Brazilian federal regulations. Viral genomes from EV, AdV were
      detected in two of the 4 collection points regardless of the level of
      urbanisation of the surrounding areas. In contrast, genotoxicity was not observed
      in piava (Leporinus obtusidens) fingerlings cultivated on these same water
      samples. Results were compared with classical physical, chemical and
      microbiological parameters. There was no clear evidence of association between
      any of the classical markers and the presence of viral genomes in the water
      samples tested.

PMID- 26270216
TI  - Evaluation of genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of water samples from the Sinos River
      Basin, southern Brazil.
AB  - Some water bodies in the Sinos River Basin (SRB) have been suffering the effects
      of pollution by residential, industrial and agroindustrial wastewater. The
      presence of cytotoxic and genotoxic compounds could compromise the water quality
      and the balance of these ecosystems. In this context, the research aimed to
      evaluate the genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of the water at four sites along the
      SRB (in the cities of Santo Antonio da Patrulha, Parobe, Campo Bom and Esteio),
      using bioassays in fish and cell culture. Samples of surface water were collected
      and evaluated in vitro using the Astyanax jacuhiensis fish species (micronucleus
      test and comet assay) and the Vero lineage of cells (comet assay and cytotoxicity
      tests, neutral red - NR and tetrazolium MTT). The micronucleus test in fish
      showed no significant differences between the sampling sites, and neither did the
      comet assay and the MTT and NR tests in Vero cells. The comet assay showed an
      increase in genetic damage in the fish exposed to water samples collected in the
      middle and lower sections of the basin (Parobe, Campo Bom and Esteio) when
      compared to the upper section of the basin (Santo Antonio da Patrulha). The
      results indicate contamination by genotoxic substances starting in the middle
      section of the SRB.

PMID- 26270217
TI  - Cytotoxicity assays as tools to assess water quality in the Sinos River basin.
AB  - Cytotoxicity assays using cell cultures may be an alternative to assess
      biological toxicity of surface waters and may help to improve the control of
      water quality. This study compared two methods to prepare culture media for the
      exposure of Hep-2 cells to water samples collected from the Rolante River, an
      important affluent of the Sinos River. The toxicity was evaluated using the MTT
      and neutral red assays. Two methods were used to prepare culture media. In method
      1, the sample was diluted at 1:1, 1:10, 1:100, 1:1000, 1:10.000 (v/v,
      sample/medium) in a standard culture medium; in method 2, water samples were used
      as the solvent for the culture medium, which was prepared at concentrations of
      100, 80, 60, 40 and 20%. Semi-confluent cultures were then exposed to the media
      test for 24 hours, and cytotoxicity was determined immediately using the MTT and
      NR assays. Mitochondrial activity (MTT) was significantly lower at all
      concentrations in both methods, except at 1:1000 in method 1. However, the
      lysosome viability (NR) results revealed cytotoxicity only in the 1:1 sample of
      method 1. Both culture preparation methods were efficient and sensitive to the
      MTT assay, but method 2 seemed to be more adequate for the NR assay. The Rolante
      River has cytotoxic contaminants to Hep-2 cells, which may be one of the
      explanations for the poor water quality of the Sinos River basin.

PMID- 26270218
TI  - Caffeine as an indicator of human fecal contamination in the Sinos River: a
      preliminary study.
AB  - The preservation of hydric resources is directly related to fecal contamination
      monitoring, in order to allow the development of strategies for the management of
      polluting sources. In the present study, twenty-five water samples from six water
      public supply collection sites were used for the evaluation of the presence of
      caffeine, total and fecal coliforms. Caffeine was detected in all samples, with
      concentrations ranging from 0.15 ng mL-1 to 16.72 ng mL-1. Total coliforms were
      detected in all samples, with concentrations in the range of 52 NMP/100 mL to
      higher than 24196 NMP/100 mL, whether the concentration range for fecal coliforms
      was in the range of below 1 NMP/100 mL to 7800 NMP/100 mL. No significant
      correlation was found between total coliforms and caffeine concentrations (rs =
      0.35, p = 0.09). However, a moderate correlation between fecal coliforms and
      caffeine concentrations was found (rs = 0.412, p <0.05), probably indicating a
      human source for these bacteria. Caffeine determination in water may be a useful
      strategy to evaluate water contamination by human fecal waste.

PMID- 26270219
TI  - Endocrine disruptors in water filters used in the Rio dos Sinos Basin region,
      Southern Brazil.
AB  - The activated carbon filter is used in residences as another step in the
      treatment of drinking water, based on a physical-chemical process to absorb
      pollutants that are not removed in conventional treatment. Endocrine disruptors
      (EDCs) are exogenous substances or mixtures of substances that acts on the
      endocrine system similarly to the endogenously produced hormones, triggering
      malfunctions and harmful changes to human and animal health. The objective of the
      present work was to study EDCs through semi-quantitative analysis of residential
      water filters collected in the region of Rio dos Sinos basin, focusing on two
      specific classes: hormones and phenols. The solid phase extraction principle was
      used for the extraction of compounds and gas chromatography coupled with mass
      spectrometry for the separation and characterization of EDCs. Four samples of
      residential filters collected from public water distribution and artesian wells,
      from the cities of Novo Hamburgo and Sao Leopoldo were analysed. Using the
      developed methodology, it was possible to detect and comparatively quantify
      selected EDCs in all studied samples, which indicates the presence of these
      contaminants in drinking water from different sources.

PMID- 26270220
TI  - Biomonitoring of water genotoxicity in a Conservation Unit in the Sinos River
      Basin, Southern Brazil, using the Tradescantia micronucleus bioassay.
AB  - The Tradescantia micronucleus (Trad-MCN) bioassay was used to investigate
      genotoxicity of water bodies in the Parque Municipal Henrique Luis Roessler
      (PMHLR), a conservation unit in the city of Novo Hamburgo, Southern Brazil, from
      November 2010 to October 2011. Every month, cuttings with young inflorescences of
      Tradescantia pallida var. purpurea were exposed for 24 hours to water collected
      at three sites in the park: (S1) head of the main stream; (S2) head of a
      secondary stream; (S3) a point past the junction of the two water bodies in which
      S1 and S2 were located. As a negative control, cuttings were exposed to distilled
      water for 24 h every quarter. Micronuclei (MCN) frequency was determined in young
      tetrads of pollen mother cells and described as MCN/100 tetrads. Rainfall data
      were also recorded. In nine months at S1 and S2, and in eleven months at S3,
      micronuclei frequencies were significantly higher than in quarterly controls, in
      which frequencies varied from 1.19 to 1.62. During sampling, no significant
      differences were found in MCN frequencies at S1, which ranged from 2.2 to 3.6. At
      the other sampling sites, there were significant differences between the months
      evaluated, and MCN frequencies ranged from 1.3 to 6.5 at S2 and from 2.3 to 5.2
      at S3. There were no associations between rainfall and MCN frequencies at the
      three sampling sites. Tradescantia pallida var. purpurea confirmed genotoxicity
      in the water bodies of the PMHLR, even at the head of the streams, which suggests
      that actions should be promoted to control anthropogenic effects in the streams
      of this conservation unit.

PMID- 26270221
TI  - Evaluation of water quality at the source of streams of the Sinos River Basin,
      southern Brazil.
AB  - The Sinos River Basin (SRB) is located in the northeastern region of the state of
      Rio Grande do Sul (29o20' to 30o10'S and 50o15' to 51o20'W), southern Brazil, and
      covers two geomorphologic provinces: the southern plateau and the central
      depression. It is part of the Guaiba basin, has an area of approximately 800 km 2
      and contains 32 counties. The basin provides drinking water for 1.6 million
      inhabitants in one of the most important industrial centres in Brazil. This study
      describes different water quality indices (WQI) used for the sub-basins of three
      important streams in the SRB: Pampa, Estancia Velha/Portao and Schmidt streams.
      Physical, chemical and microbiological parameters assessed bimonthly using
      samples collected at each stream source were used to calculate the Horton Index
      (HI), the Dinius Index (DI) and the water quality index adopted by the US
      National Sanitation Foundation (NSF WQI) in the additive and multiplicative
      forms. These indices describe mean water quality levels at the streams sources.
      The results obtained for these 3 indexes showed a worrying scenario in which
      water quality has already been negatively affected at the sites where three
      important sub-basins in the Sinos River Basin begin to form.

PMID- 26270222
TI  - Integrated Environmental Assessment of streams in the Sinos River basin in the
      state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
AB  - The deterioration of environmental quality in the Sinos River basin is directly
      associated with the impacts of intense industrialization and urbanization. An
      integrated environmental assessment (IEA) was conducted in July and September of
      2012, in areas along the sources of the EstanciaVelha/Portao, Pampa and Schmidt
      streams using physical, chemical and biological methods. The water in the three
      sampling sites was not proper for human consumption, presented a low toxic
      contamination index (TCI) and mesotrophic characteristics. One site was included
      in Class 4, and two, in Class 3, according to current legislation. The rapid
      assessment protocol (RAP) indicated a natural environmental condition for habitat
      diversity and environmental impact in the three sites. The Tradescantia pallida
      (Rose) D.R. Hunt var. purpurea Boom biomarker showed water genotoxicity in two of
      the sites. The integrated diagnosis of water quality in these streams is
      fundamentally important to ensure the sustainable management of water resources
      and their multiple uses, as well to estimate their contribution to pollution in
      this river basin.

PMID- 26270224
TI  - Corporate governance and proactive environmental management in Novo Hamburgo and
      neighbouring cities, Brazil.
AB  - This study compiled data on environmental auditing and voluntary certification of
      environment-friendly businesses of the Commercial and Industrial Association of
      Novo Hamburgo, Campo Bom and Estancia Velha and analysed them according to
      classical environmental management principles: sustainable development and
      corporate governance. It assessed the level of application of the concepts of
      corporate governance to everyday business in companies and organisations and
      estimated how the interconnection and vertical permeability of these concepts
      might help to make bureaucratic environmental management systemic, proactive and
      evaluative, changes that may add great value to the operations evaluated. Results
      showed that, when analysing only audited items not directly defined in
      legislation, no significant changes were identified. The inclusion of more
      advanced indices may promote the transition from bureaucratic management, which
      meets regulated environmental standards only satisfactorily, into proactive and
      systemic environmental management, which adds value to companies and helps to
      perpetuate them. Audited and analysed data did not reveal actions that depend on
      the internal redistribution of power and the interconnection or verticality of
      attitudes that may materialize concepts of corporate governance.

PMID- 26270223
TI  - Games in the environmental context and their strategic use for environmental
      education.
AB  - This article aims to present the productivity of the assumptions of Philosophical
      Hermeneutics (Gadamer, 1996) and his discovery of the logical, ontological and
      structural model of the game that takes place during the experience that is the
      basis of comprehension. Thus, digital games are proposed as manners, methods and
      ways to improve the understanding, interpretation and application of the concepts
      of Sustainability and Environmental Principles. The attraction of the game as a
      pedagogic space lays in the fact that it takes over and allows the player to
      internalize ecological sensitivity, something that happens during the play.
      Finally, the results show an augment on students' motivation, when using the game
      versus the traditional process.

PMID- 26270225
TI  - Environment and society: the Sinos River Basin and public policies.
AB  - This study discusses the tensions and conflicts in the relationship between
      environment and society in the Sinos River Basin, in the state of Rio Grande do
      Sul, Brazil. An environmental disaster in 2006, which resulted in the death of
      100 tons of fish in the Sinos River, is the dividing line for this study. A
      review of documents and field interviews with representatives of the municipal
      government and companies in the region were used to analyze the impact of public
      policies on the environment and which deficiencies remain.

PMID- 26270226
TI  - Editorial note.

PMID- 26270227
TI  - Editorial note.

PMID- 26270228
TI  - Extraction, purification and characterization of the crystallin protein of
      cataractous eye lens nucleus.
AB  - The purpose of this study is to separate and identify the crystallin protein
      present in the nucleus of a human cataractous eye lens. Cataractous lenses were
      collected from different eye hospitals from patients of different etiologies with
      ages between 40 and 80 years. Lens nucleus proteins were extracted into four
      fractions on the basis of their solubility in different media by applying a
      reported method. These fractions were buffer-soluble proteins (PS), urea-soluble
      proteins (PU), yellow fraction proteins (PY) and insoluble proteins (PI). All
      three soluble fractions were subjected to HPLC and GPC analysis. Both HPLC and
      GPC analysis showed that each fraction contains alpha-, beta- and gamma
      crystallins, a major class of protein present in the lenses of vertebrates.
      Various chromatographic parameters including precision, accuracy and linearity
      have been evaluated. Studies of water-insoluble crystallins using sodium
      dodecylsulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) have demonstrated
      extreme homogeneity with evidence of major components with molecular masses of 18
      70 kDa, similar to the crystallin of the water-soluble portion. The method was
      found to be suitable for the analysis of various isomers of crystallin protein
      present in human cataractous eye lens nuclei. The detailed results of the GPC are
      discussed. This study provides the first HPLC and GPC analysis of a human
      cataractous eye lens nucleus. 

PMID- 26270229
TI  - Parathyroid Hormone Plus Alendronate in Osteoporosis: A Meta-Analysis of
      Randomized Controlled Trials.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Parathyroid hormone (PTH) increases both bone formation (BMD) and
      bone resorption, whereas alendronate reduces bone resorption. It is possible that
      the combination therapy will enhance their effects on BMD. Therefore, we
      conducted this meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of the combination therapy
      in osteoporosis. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search of Pubmed, Embase,
      and Web of Science was conducted to identify relative studies. The outcomes
      included the mean percent increases in BMD of lumbar spine, femoral neck, total
      hip, and distal radius. A fixed-effects model or random-effects was used to pool
      the estimates according to the heterogeneity. RESULTS: Six RCTs with a total
      number of 833 patients were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled estimates
      showed that, the combination therapy resulted in a higher mean percent change of
      increased BMD in distal radius (WMD = 2.45, 95%CI: 1.58, 3.31; 0.000), but not in
      lumbar spine (WMD = -0.83, 95%CI: -3.48, 1.81; p = .538), femoral neck (WMD = 
      0.99, 95%CI: -2.04, 0.07; p = .068), and total hip (WMD = -0.06, 95%CI: -0.93,
      0.81; p = .892). Subgroup analysis revealed that among the patients in the
      combination therapy group, greater increases in the spine BMD were observed when
      the PTH was administered with a dosage of 20 MUg (WMD = 2.33, 95%CI: 1.24, 3.43;
      p = .000), or the treatment duration lasted more than 12 months (WMD = 2.23,
      95%CI: 1.00, 3.47; p = .000), or the combination therapy was used in osteoporosis
      women (WMD = 1.58, 95%CI: 0.63, 2.53; p = .001). CONCLUSION: Our findings
      indicated that combination therapy in the treatment of osteoporosis, reduced the
      ability of PTH therapy to increase the BMD at the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and
      total hip.

PMID- 26270230
TI  - Issues Pertaining to Monitoring the Abuse of Amphetamines in Workplace Drug
      Testing.
AB  - Literature pertaining to three potential problematic areas in forensic drug
      urinalysis of amphetamines is reviewed. The first topic involves analytical
      artifacts causing false positive results for methamphetamine, as well as
      approaches to instrumental and chemical resolutions. The second topic addresses
      enantiomeric compositions, including sources, analytical approaches, metabolic
      mechanisms, and interpretation criteria. The third topic is concerned with legal
      and illicit drugs that may produce amphetamine or methamphetamine as metabolites,
      and relevant information regarding interpretation of these results. 

PMID- 26270231
TI  - The Scientific Examination of Chinese Handwriting.
AB  - The Chinese character, invented about 4,000 years ago, was based on an
      idiographic concept, eight basic strokes arranged two dimensionally forming the
      essential building components of the character. As a result of the complex
      structure, there are many different ways of writing a Chinese character.
      Therefore, in determining authorship of Chinese handwriting, there are many
      factors that have to be considered. It is necessary for the examiner to
      distinguish between class characteristics and individual characteristics. There
      are generally three common styles of Chinese handwriting: the regular style; the
      running style; and the cursive style, which can either be written in the orthodox
      form or the simplified form. On the other hand, individual or personal
      characteristics can be categorized into measurable parameters and qualitative
      parameters. Apart from these, there are complications involving the writer
      himself. Disguise and writing speed are considered to be particularly important
      in constituting interference to the examination process. All those enumerated
      here are critically reviewed in this paper. In addition, discussions on the
      examination of Chinese signatures, the expression of opinion, other contributing
      factors, and future developments on Chinese handwriting examination are
      discussed. 

PMID- 26270234
TI  - Construction of benzo-fused indolizines, pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinolines via alkyne
      carbonyl metathesis.
AB  - The strategic use of a sequential Sonogashira coupling/intramolecular alkyne
      carbonyl metathesis process for the synthesis of a pyridine ring from 1-(2
      haloaryl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carbaldehydes allowed ready access to diverse novel benzo
      fused indolizines, pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinolines, in good to excellent yields. As a
      hybrid structure of indolizine and quinoline, the resulting scaffold has an acyl
      substituent at the C5 position, which is difficult to make by any other known
      approaches. 

PMID- 26270233
TI  - Magnetically Self-Assembled Colloidal Three-Dimensional Structures as Cell Growth
      Scaffold.
AB  - Understanding the chemical and physical conditions for cell growth is important
      from biological and medical aspects. Many tissues and cell types (e.g.,
      epithelial cells and neurons) naturally grow on surfaces that span in three
      dimensions and offer structural or mechanical support. The scaffold surface has
      to promote adhesion and cell proliferation as well as support their weight and
      retain its structural integrity. Here, we present a flexible method that uses
      self-assembly of micrometer superparamagnetic particles to produce appropriate
      scaffold surfaces with controllable general appearance in three dimensions, such
      as oriented membranes, branched structure, or void network. As a proof of
      principle, the Chinese hamster ovary epithelial cell line was successfully grown
      for several days on inclined membranes. Robustness of the oriented membrane
      architecture was probed with optical tweezers. We measured the magnetic force
      holding one particle in a self-assembled upright hexagonal sheet and modeled it
      as a sum of pair interaction forces between spatially arrested static dipoles. 

PMID- 26270235
TI  - Vanadium-based nanostructure materials for secondary lithium battery
      applications.
AB  - Vanadium-based materials, such as V2O5, LiV3O8, VO2(B) and Li3V2(PO4)3 are
      compounds that share the characteristic of intercalation chemistry. Their layered
      or open frameworks allow facile ion movement through the interspaces, making them
      promising cathodes for LIB applications. To bypass bottlenecks occurring in the
      electrochemical performances of vanadium-based cathodes that derive from their
      intrinsic low electrical conductivity and ion diffusion coefficients, nano
      engineering strategies have been implemented to "create" newly emerging
      properties that are unattainable at the bulk solid level. Integrating this
      concept into vanadium-based cathodes represents a promising way to circumvent the
      aforementioned problems as nanostructuring offers potential improvements in
      electrochemical performances by providing shorter mass transport distances,
      higher electrode/electrolyte contact interfaces, and better accommodation of
      strain upon lithium uptake/release. The significance of nanoscopic architectures
      has been exemplified in the literature, showing that the idea of developing
      vanadium-based nanostructures is an exciting prospect to be explored. In this
      review, we will be casting light on the recent advances in the synthesis of
      nanostructured vanadium-based cathodes. Furthermore, efficient strategies such as
      hybridization with foreign matrices and elemental doping are introduced as a
      possible way to boost their electrochemical performances (e.g., rate capability,
      cycling stability) to a higher level. Finally, some suggestions relating to the
      perspectives for the future developments of vanadium-based cathodes are made to
      provide insight into their commercialization. 

PMID- 26270232
TI  - Serum levels of chemokines CCL4 and CCL5 in cirrhotic patients indicate the
      presence of hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Most hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) are diagnosed at an advanced
      stage. The prognostic value of serum tumour markers alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and
      des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin (DCP) is limited. The aim of our study is to
      evaluate the diagnostic value of serum growth factors, apoptotic and inflammatory
      mediators of cirrhotic patients with and without HCC. METHODS: Serum samples were
      collected from cirrhotic potential liver transplant patients (LTx) with (n=61)
      and without HCC (n=78) as well as from healthy controls (HCs; n=39). Serum
      concentrations of CRP, neopterin and IL-6 as markers of inflammation and
      thrombopoietin (TPO), GCSF, FGF basic and VEGF, HMGB1, CK-18 (M65) and CK18
      fragment (M30) and a panel of proinflammatory chemokines (CCL2, CCL3, CCL4, CCL5,
      CXCL5 and IL-8) were measured. Chi square, Fisher exact, Mann-Whitney U-tests,
      ROC curve analysis and forward stepwise logistic regression analyses were
      applied. RESULTS: Patients with HCC had higher serum TPO and chemokines (P<0.001
      for TPO, CCL4, CCL5 and CXCL5) and lower CCL2 (P=0.008) levels than cirrhotic
      patients without HCC. Multivariate forward stepwise regression analysis for
      significant parameters showed that among the studied parameters CCL4 and CCL5
      (P=0.001) are diagnostic markers of HCC. Serum levels of TPO and chemokines were
      lower, whereas M30 was significantly higher in cirrhotic patients than in HCs.
      CONCLUSIONS: High serum levels of inflammatory chemokines such as CCL4 and CCL5
      in the serum of cirrhotic patients indicate the presence of HCC.

PMID- 26270237
TI  - Genome-Directed Lead Discovery: Biosynthesis, Structure Elucidation, and
      Biological Evaluation of Two Families of Polyene Macrolactams against Trypanosoma
      brucei.
AB  - Marine natural products are an important source of lead compounds against many
      pathogenic targets. Herein, we report the discovery of lobosamides A-C from a
      marine actinobacterium, Micromonospora sp., representing three new members of a
      small but growing family of bacterially produced polyene macrolactams. The
      lobosamides display growth inhibitory activity against the protozoan parasite
      Trypanosoma brucei (lobosamide A IC50 = 0.8 MUM), the causative agent of human
      African trypanosomiasis (HAT). The biosynthetic gene cluster of the lobosamides
      was sequenced and suggests a conserved cluster organization among the 26-membered
      macrolactams. While determination of the relative and absolute configurations of
      many members of this family is lacking, the absolute configurations of the
      lobosamides were deduced using a combination of chemical modification, detailed
      spectroscopic analysis, and bioinformatics. We implemented a "molecules-to-genes
      to-molecules" approach to determine the prevalence of similar clusters in other
      bacteria, which led to the discovery of two additional macrolactams, mirilactams
      A and B from Actinosynnema mirum. These additional analogs have allowed us to
      identify specific structure-activity relationships that contribute to the
      antitrypanosomal activity of this class. This approach illustrates the power of
      combining chemical analysis and genomics in the discovery and characterization of
      natural products as new lead compounds for neglected disease targets. 

PMID- 26270238
TI  - Trapping Nanostructures on Surfaces through Weak Interactions.
AB  - The assembly of imidazole-functionalized phenanthroline-strapped zinc porphyrins
      (ZnPorphen) with alkyl or polyethylene glycol (PEG) side chains was studied in
      solution and by AFM after casting on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) or
      mica. The nature of the solvent and its evaporation time influenced the
      morphology of the objects observed. On HOPG, short rods of about 100 nm were
      observed after fast evaporation of solutions of the alkyl derivatives in CHCl3 ,
      THF, or pyridine, whereas islands of aligned rows of longer wires were obtained
      from methylcyclohexane (MCH). Slow evaporation of MCH led to a three-dimensional
      assembly. The PEG porphyrin assembled into short wires on HOPG or fibers on mica
      after slow evaporation of solutions in THF. This study shows the role of surface
      molecule interactions in the interfacial assembly of ZnPorphen derivatives and
      contributes to understanding the parameters that control their noncovalent
      assembly into molecular wires on a surface. 

PMID- 26270239
TI  - Nuclear Quantum Effects in the Layering and Diffusion of Hydrogen Isotopes in
      Carbon Nanotubes.
AB  - Although recent experimental studies have demonstrated that H2 and D2 molecules
      wet the inner surface of supergrowth carbon nanotubes at low temperatures,
      characterization of the structural and dynamical properties in this regime is
      challenging. This Letter presents a theoretical study of self-diffusion in pure
      and binary H2, D2, and T2 contact monolayer films formed on the inner surface of
      a carbon nanotube. Our results show that monolayer formation and self-diffusion
      both in pure hydrogen isotopes and in H2/T2 and H2/D2 isotope mixtures is
      impacted by nuclear quantum effects, suggesting potential applications of carbon
      nanotubes for the separation of hydrogen isotopes. 

PMID- 26270236
TI  - Function and diagnostic value of Anosmin-1 in gastric cancer progression.
AB  - Gastric cancer (GC) is a major global health problem that urgently requires novel
      molecular biomarkers for patient stratification as well as therapeutic targets.
      Anosmin-1 (ANOS1) gene encodes a cell adhesion molecule that plays diverse roles
      in multiple malignancies. We performed global expression profiling of GC cell
      lines and small interfering RNA (siRNA) experiments to determine the effect of
      ANOS1 expression on phenotype. We evaluated the association of ANOS1 mRNA and
      protein levels in patients' tissue and sera with clinicopathological factors of
      GC subtypes. Differential expression of ANOS1 mRNA by GC cell lines correlated
      positively to levels of ITGAV, FOXC2 and NODAL mRNAs and inversely with those of
      TFPI2. Inhibiting ANOS1 expression decreased the proliferation, invasion and
      migration of GC cells. The mean level of ANOS1 mRNA was significantly higher in
      237 GC tissues compared with the corresponding noncancerous adjacent tissues.
      Elevated ANOS1 levels associated significantly with the phenotypes of GC, shorter
      disease-free and overall survival. ANOS1 expression was a more significant
      prognostic marker for diffuse and distal nondiffuse GC. ANOS1 concentrations in
      sera increased sequentially in sera of healthy subjects, localized GC and
      disseminated GCs. Prognosis was worse for patients with preoperative serum ANOS1
      >= 600 pg/ml compared with those with <600 pg/ml. ANOS1 may represent a biomarker
      for GC phenotypes and as a target for therapy.

PMID- 26270240
TI  - Acetylcholine induces fibrogenic effects via M2/M3 acetylcholine receptors in non
      alcoholic steatohepatitis and in primary human hepatic stellate cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), via neurotransmitter
      acetylcholine (ACh), modulates fibrogenesis in animal models. However, the role
      of ACh in human hepatic fibrogenesis is unclear. AIMS: We aimed to determine the
      fibrogenic responses of human hepatic stellate cells (hHSC) to ACh and the
      relevance of the PNS in hepatic fibrosis in patients with non-alcoholic
      steatohepatitis (NASH). METHODS: Primary hHSC were analyzed for synthesis of
      endogenous ACh and acetylcholinesterase and gene expression of choline
      acetyltransferase and muscarinic ACh receptors (mAChR). Cell proliferation and
      fibrogenic markers were analyzed in hHSC exposed to ACh, atropine, mecamylamine,
      methoctramine, and 4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methylpiperidine methiodide. mAChR
      expression was analyzed in human NASH scored for fibrosis. RESULTS: We observed
      that hHSC synthesize ACh and acetylcholinesterase and express choline
      acetyltransferase and M1-M5 mAChR. We also show that M2 was increased during NASH
      progression, while both M2 and M3 were found upregulated in activated hHSC.
      Furthermore, endogenous ACh is required for hHSC basal growth. Exogenous ACh
      resulted in hHSC hyperproliferation via mAChR and phosphoinositide 3-kinase and
      Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) signaling pathways, as well as
      increased fibrogenic markers. CONCLUSION: We show that ACh regulates hHSC
      activation via M2 and M3 mAChR involving the phosphoinositide 3-kinase and MEK
      pathways in vitro. Finally, we provide evidence that the PNS may be involved in
      human NASH fibrosis.

PMID- 26270241
TI  - The aspartyl protease TgASP5 mediates the export of the Toxoplasma GRA16 and
      GRA24 effectors into host cells.
AB  - Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium species are obligatory intracellular parasites
      that export proteins into the infected cells in order to interfere with host
      signalling pathways, acquire nutrients or evade host defense mechanisms. With
      regard to export mechanism, a wealth of information in Plasmodium spp. is
      available, while the mechanisms operating in T. gondii remain uncertain. The
      recent discovery of exported proteins in T. gondii, mainly represented by dense
      granule resident proteins, might explain this discrepancy and offers a unique
      opportunity to study the export mechanism in T. gondii. Here, we report that
      GRA16 export is mediated by two protein elements present in its N-terminal
      region. Because the first element contains a putative Plasmodium export element
      linear motif (RRLAE), we hypothesized that GRA16 export depended on a maturation
      process involving protein cleavage. Using both N- and C-terminal epitope tags, we
      provide evidence for protein proteolysis occurring in the N-terminus of GRA16. We
      show that TgASP5, the T. gondii homolog of Plasmodium plasmepsin V, is essential
      for GRA16 export and is directly responsible for its maturation in a Plasmodium
      export element-dependent manner. Interestingly, TgASP5 is also involved in GRA24
      export, although the GRA24 maturation mechanism is TgASP5-independent. Our data
      reveal different modus operandi for protein export, in which TgASP5 should play
      multiple functions. 

PMID- 26270242
TI  - The Impact of Grain Alignment of the Electron Transporting Layer on the
      Performance of Inverted Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cells.
AB  - This report presents a new strategy for improving solar cell power conversion
      efficiencies (PCEs) through grain alignment and morphology control of the ZnO
      electron transport layer (ETL) prepared by radio frequency (RF) magnetron
      sputtering. The systematic control over the ETL's grain alignment and thickness
      is shown, by varying the deposition pressure and operating substrate temperature
      during the deposition. Notably, a high PCE of 6.9%, short circuit current density
      (J(sc)) of 12.8 mA cm(-2), open circuit voltage (V(oc)) of 910 mV, and fill
      factor of 59% are demonstrated using the poly(benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b']dithiophene
      thieno[3,4-c]pyrrole-4,6-dione):[6,6]-phenyl-C(71) -butyric acid methyl ester
      polymer blend with ETLs prepared at room temperature exhibiting oriented and
      aligned rod-like ZnO grains. Increasing the deposition temperature during the ZnO
      sputtering induces morphological cleavage of the rod-like ZnO grains and
      therefore reduced conductivity from 7.2 * 10(-13) to ~1.7 * 10(-14) S m(-1) and
      PCE from 6.9% to 4.28%. An investigation of the charge carrier dynamics by
      femtosecond (fs) transient absorption spectroscopy with broadband capability
      reveals clear evidence of faster carrier recombination for a ZnO layer deposited
      at higher temperature, which is consistent with the conductivity and device
      performance.

PMID- 26270244
TI  - Hydrogen-Bond Controlled pi-Dimerization in Viologen-Appended Calixarenes:
      Revealing a Subtle Balance of Weak Interactions.
AB  - The intramolecular pi-dimerization between two 4,4'-bipyridinium cation radicals
      directly connected to the wide rim of a calixarene is described. The ability of a
      phenol-containing calixarene to dimerize in its two-electron-reduced state
      depends on a subtle balance of weak interactions associated with hydrogen bond
      formation on the lower rim and orbital overlap between pi-radicals on the upper
      rim. 

PMID- 26270245
TI  - Advanced Graphene-Based Binder-Free Electrodes for High-Performance Energy
      Storage.
AB  - The increasing demand for energy has triggered tremendous research effort for the
      development of high-performance and durable energy-storage devices. Advanced
      graphene-based electrodes with high electrical conductivity and ion accessibility
      can exhibit superior electrochemical performance in energy-storage devices. Among
      them, binder-free configurations can enhance the electron conductivity of the
      electrode, which leads to a higher capacity by avoiding the addition of non
      conductive and inactive binders. Graphene, a 2D material, can be fabricated into
      a porous and flexible structure with an interconnected conductive network. Such a
      conductive structure is favorable for both electron and ion transport to the
      entire electrode surface. In this review, the main processes used to prepare
      binder-free graphene-based hybrids with high porosity and well-designed electron
      conductive networks are summarized. Then, the applications of free-standing
      binder-free graphene-based electrodes in energy-storage devices are discussed.
      Future research aspects with regard to overcoming the technological bottlenecks
      are also proposed. 

PMID- 26270243
TI  - Angiogenic characteristics of blood outgrowth endothelial cells from patients
      with von Willebrand disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Endothelial von Willebrand factor (VWF) inhibits angiogenesis.
      Accordingly, blood outgrowth endothelial cells (BOECs) isolated from von
      Willebrand disease (VWD) patients showed enhanced in vitro angiogenesis when
      compared with healthy control BOECs. Characterization of the angiogenic response
      of VWD BOECs is limited and differences between the different types of VWD have
      not been investigated in detail. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to further
      explore the potential pathogenic effect of VWF mutations on angiogenesis.
      METHODS: BOECs were isolated from four healthy individuals, 10 patients with VWD
      and one heterozygous carrier of a type 2N mutation. Cell migration and tube
      formation were measured. RESULTS: Migration velocity and total tube formation
      were similar between VWD patients and controls in general. BOECs from the type 3
      VWD patient and one type 2B patient showed increased migratory velocity and tube
      formation compared with BOECs from other patients and healthy controls.
      Directional migration was impaired in eight out of 10 VWD BOECs and the ability
      to form tubes was limited to early passage numbers, but not for BOECs from
      healthy controls. CONCLUSION: BOECs can be a useful tool for ex vivo assessment
      of endothelial cell function in patients with different types of VWD, but
      possible limitations, such as early loss of angiogenic capacity, should be
      recognized. BOECs from most VWD patients consistently showed impairment in the
      directionality of migration. This is the first report on angiogenic properties of
      a type 3 VWD BOEC, which showed increased in vitro angiogenesis.

PMID- 26270246
TI  - Phylogeographic inference using Bayesian model comparison across a fragmented
      chorus frog species complex.
AB  - Fragmented species complexes provide an interesting system for investigating
      biogeographic history and the present distribution of genetic variation. Recent
      advances in sequencing technology and statistical phylogeography enable the
      collection and rigorous analysis of large multilocus data sets, but designing
      studies that produce meaningful phylogeographic inferences remains challenging.
      We implemented a Bayesian model comparison approach to investigate previous
      biogeographic hypotheses while simultaneously inferring the presence of genetic
      structure in a chorus frog species complex. The Illinois chorus frog (Pseudacris
      illinoensis), originally described as a subspecies of the broadly distributed
      Strecker's chorus frog (Pseudacris streckeri), occurs in small, disjunct regions
      associated with scarce sand prairie habitats that have been impacted by human
      development. We used high-throughput sequencing to develop and collect a
      multitiered genetic data set comprised of three different marker types (23
      anonymous nuclear sequence loci, four mitochondrial genes and 14 microsatellite
      loci) designed to address questions across different evolutionary timescales.
      Phylogenetic analyses uncovered a deep divergence between populations in the
      Edwards Plateau of central Texas and all other P. streckeri/P. illinoensis
      populations, but suggest the disjunct distribution of P. illinoensis occurred
      more recently. Our best-supported migration model is consistent with the
      hypothesis that central Texas represented a refugium from which populations
      expanded via multiple routes. This model also indicates that disjunct northern
      and southern regions of P. illinoensis should be considered genetically distinct
      management units. Our study provides an evolutionary context for future studies
      and conservation efforts in P. illinoensis and demonstrates the utility of model
      based approaches for phylogeographic inference. 

PMID- 26270247
TI  - Use of the 2-chlorotrityl chloride resin for microwave-assisted solid phase
      peptide synthesis.
AB  - A fast and efficient microwave (MW)-assisted solid-phase peptide synthesis
      protocol using the 2-chlorotrityl chloride resin and the Fmoc/tBu methodology,
      has been developed. The established protocol combines the advantages of MW
      irradiation and the acid labile 2-chlorotrityl chloride resin. The effect of
      temperature during the MW irradiation, the degree of resin substitution during
      the coupling of the first amino acids and the rate of racemization for each amino
      acid were evaluated. The suggested solid phase methodology is applicable for
      orthogonal peptide synthesis and for the synthesis of cyclic peptides.

PMID- 26270248
TI  - Diameter-Selective Dispersion of Carbon Nanotubes via Polymers: A Competition
      between Adsorption and Bundling.
AB  - The mechanism of the selective dispersion of single-walled carbon nanotubes
      (CNTs) by polyfluorene polymers is studied in this paper. Using extensive
      molecular dynamics simulations, it is demonstrated that diameter selectivity is
      the result of a competition between bundling of CNTs and adsorption of polymers
      on CNT surfaces. The preference for certain diameters corresponds to local minima
      of the binding energy difference between these two processes. Such minima in the
      diameter dependence occur due to abrupt changes in the CNT's coverage with
      polymers, and their calculated positions are in quantitative agreement with
      preferred diameters reported experimentally. The presented approach defines a
      theoretical framework for the further understanding and improvement of
      dispersion/extraction processes. 

PMID- 26270250
TI  - PROceeding With the Patient-Reported Outcomes (PROs) Version of the Common
      Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events.

PMID- 26270249
TI  - Circulating microRNAs as Potential Biomarkers of Endothelial Dysfunction in Obese
      Children.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a complex disease with multifactorial
      etiology. The presence of endothelial dysfunction constitutes an early risk
      factor for CVD in children. Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding
      RNAs that regulate gene expression and represent a novel class of biomarkers and
      therapeutic targets; therefore, we examined whether the presence of endothelial
      dysfunction is associated with differential expression of plasma miRNAs in
      otherwise healthy children. METHODS: A total of 70 children (aged 5-10 years)
      were recruited and classified into two groups (normal endothelial function [NEF]
      and endothelial dysfunction). Time to peak postocclusive reperfusion (Tmax) was
      considered as the indicator of either normal endothelial function (NEF; Tmax < 45
      s) or endothelial dysfunction (Tmax >= 45 s). Lipid profiles, high-sensitivity C
      reactive protein, fasting glucose, and insulin were assayed using enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay. miRNAs isolated from plasma were assayed with a custom human
      CVD array, followed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction verification of
      candidates. In addition, bioinformatics approaches including combinatorial target
      prediction algorithms and gene ontology were applied. RESULTS: Three miRNAs that
      have been previously linked to cardiomyopathy, hsa-miR-125a-5p, hsa-miR-342-3p,
      and hsa-miR-365b-3p, were identified as potential biomarkers of children with
      endothelial dysfunction. The miRNA predicted gene targets revealed 31 common
      targets among all three putative candidate biomarker miRNAs and encompass three
      biologic pathways, including transforming growth factor-beta signaling, cytokine
      cytokine receptor interactions, and activin receptor-like kinase in cardiac
      myocytes. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma miRNAs may be useful as potential screening tools
      for the presence of endothelial dysfunction in children and may reveal
      endothelial dysfunction-relevant target genes.

PMID- 26270251
TI  - Association of compounded bevacizumab with postinjection endophthalmitis.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Current draft guidelines set forth by the US Food and Drug
      Administration for compounded or repackaged medications would greatly limit the
      availability and use of bevacizumab by ophthalmologists across the country.
      Little evidence beyond highly publicized case reports exists for or against the
      need for additional regulation of compounded bevacizumab. OBJECTIVE: To determine
      whether the distribution of bevacizumab through compounding pharmacies increases
      the risk for endophthalmitis compared with the distribution of single-use vials
      of ranibizumab from the manufacturer. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A
      retrospective cohort study using medical claims data from ambulatory care centers
      across the United States that were submitted to a large, national US insurer.
      Cohorts were created using information on 530 382 intravitreal injections
      administered from January 1, 2005, through December 31, 2012. Any individual from
      this data set who received an intravitreal injection of bevacizumab or
      ranibizumab (n=383 810) and had at least 6 months of data before and 1 month
      after the injection was eligible. After exclusions (any previous diagnosis of
      endophthalmitis, multiple injected drugs given on the index day, or intraocular
      surgery within 15 days of the injection or between the injection and a diagnosis
      of endophthalmitis), our analysis involved 383 810 intravitreal injections given
      to 58 612 patients. Data collection and analysis occurred from February 16
      through April 7, 2015. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The odds of developing
      endophthalmitis after an intravitreal injection of bevacizumab compared with
      ranibizumab. RESULTS: In total, 296 565 injections of bevacizumab were given to
      51 116 patients and 87 245 injections of ranibizumab were given to 7496 patients.
      We found 71 cases of endophthalmitis (49 in the bevacizumab cohort and 22 in the
      ranibizumab cohort) for an endophthalmitis rate of 0.017% (95% CI, 0.012%-0.021%;
      1 case per 6061 injections) for bevacizumab and 0.025% (95% CI, 0.015%-0.036%; 1
      case per 3968 injections) for ranibizumab. After controlling for age, race, sex,
      injection-related diagnosis, and year of injection, we found no significant
      association with development of endophthalmitis after a bevacizumab injection
      compared with ranibizumab (odds ratio, 0.66 [95% CI, 0.39-1.09]; P = .11).
      CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The results of this study suggest bevacizumab as
      currently used across the United States does not increase the risk for
      endophthalmitis; therefore, additional regulations on the use of repackaged
      bevacizumab may be unnecessary.

PMID- 26270254
TI  - Errors in Author Names.

PMID- 26270255
TI  - Nasal Jet-CPAP (variable flow) versus Bubble-CPAP in preterm infants with
      respiratory distress: an open label, randomized controlled trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the failure rates between Jet continuous positive airway
      pressure device (J-CPAP-variable flow) and Bubble continuous positive airway
      device (B-CPAP) in preterm infants with respiratory distress. STUDY DESIGN:
      Preterm newborns <34 weeks gestation with onset of respiratory distress within 6
      h of life were randomized to receive J-CPAP (a variable flow device) or B-CPAP
      (continuous flow device). A standardized protocol was followed for titration,
      weaning and removal of CPAP. Pressure was monitored close to the nares in both
      the devices every 6 hours and settings were adjusted to provide desired CPAP. The
      primary outcome was CPAP failure rate within 72 h of life. Secondary outcomes
      were CPAP failure within 7 days of life, need for surfactant post-randomization,
      time to CPAP failure, duration of CPAP and complications of prematurity. An
      intention to treat analysis was done. RESULTS: One-hundred seventy neonates were
      randomized, 80 to J-CPAP and 90 to B-CPAP. CPAP failure rates within 72 h were
      similar in infants who received J-CPAP and in those who received B-CPAP (29
      versus 21%; relative risks 1.4 (0.8 to 2.3), P=0.25). Mean (95% confidence
      intervals) time to CPAP failure was 59 h (54 to 64) in the Jet CPAP group in
      comparison with 65 h (62 to 68) in the Bubble CPAP group (log rank P=0.19). All
      other secondary outcomes were similar between the two groups. CONCLUSION: In
      preterm infants with respiratory distress starting within 6 h of life, CPAP
      failure rates were similar with Jet CPAP and Bubble CPAP.

PMID- 26270257
TI  - Competing Mechanisms, Substituent Effects, and Regioselectivities of Nickel
      Catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2] Cycloaddition between Carboryne and Alkynes: A DFT Study.
AB  - Competing reaction mechanisms, substituent effects, and regioselectivities of
      Ni(PPh3)2-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2] carboryne-alkyne cycloadditions were
      characterized by density functional theory using the real chemical systems and
      solvent effects considered. A putative mechanism involving the following steps
      was characterized: (1) exothermic carboryne-catalyst complexation and
      nucleophilic attack by the first alkyne; (2) insertion of the second alkyne, the
      rate-determining step (RDS) in all four reactions studied; (3) isomerization of
      reactant-bound complexes; and (4) product elimination and catalyst regeneration.
      The RDS in three reactions is mediated by free energy barriers of 27.2, 31.1, and
      36.6 kcal.mol(-1), representative of the corresponding experimental yields of 67,
      54, and 33%, respectively. A fourth reaction with 0% experimental yield showed
      representative RDS free energy barriers of 60.4 kcal.mol(-1), which are difficult
      to surmount even at 90  degrees C. Alternative pathways leading to differing
      isomers were similarly characterized and successfully reproduced experimentally
      determined product regioselectivities. Kinetic data derived from free energy
      barriers are in quantitative agreement (< +/- 0.75-3.0 kcal.mol(-1)) of the
      experimental times, affirming the theoretical results as representative of the
      real chemical transformations. Complementary determinations show the use of
      truncated models (Ni(PMe3)2, Ni(PH3)2) causes the RDS to vary from step 2 (alkyne
      insertion) to step 1 (alkyne attack), highlighting the need to employ real
      chemical systems in modeling these reactions. 

PMID- 26270259
TI  - Diastereoselective Addition of Metal alpha-Fluoroenolates of Carboxylate Esters
      to N-tert-Butylsulfinyl Imines: Synthesis of alpha-Fluoro-beta-amino Acids.
AB  - We report a diastereoselective addition reaction of fluoroacetate and alpha
      alkylated fluoroacetate to N-tert-butylsulfinyl imines. This method provides a
      concise route to alpha-fluoro-beta-amino acids containing fluorinated quaternary
      stereogenic carbon centers with very good yields and high diastereoselectivities.
      This protocol has the benefit of using abundant and readily accessible starting
      materials and is operationally simple. Additionally, the stereochemical outcome
      of the present reaction was different from that of the previously known addition
      of comparable nonfluorinated, brominated, and chlorinated enolates to N-sulfinyl
      imines, suggesting that an open transition state (rather than a closed one) is
      involved in the current fluoroalkylation reaction. 

PMID- 26270256
TI  - How to manage neonatal tuberculosis.
AB  - This article reports the recommendations for managing neonatal tuberculosis (TB)
      drawn up by a group of Italian scientific societies. The Consensus Conference
      method was used, and relevant publications in English were identified through a
      systematic review of MEDLINE and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews from
      their inception until 31 December 2014. Group experts concluded that if suspicion
      is aroused, it is necessary to undertake promptly all of the investigations
      useful for identifying the disease not only in the newborn, but also in the
      mother and family contacts because a diagnosis of TB in the family nucleus can
      guide its diagnosis and treatment in the newborn. If the suspicion is confirmed,
      empirical treatment should be started. Breast-fed newborns being treated with
      isoniazid should be given pyridoxine supplementation at a dose of 1 mg kg(-1)
      day(-1). Mothers with active-phase TB can breast-feed once they have become smear
      negative after having received appropriate treatment.

PMID- 26270260
TI  - Perylene Bisimide Dye Assemblies as Archetype Functional Supramolecular
      Materials.

PMID- 26270258
TI  - Nanodrug Formed by Coassembly of Dual Anticancer Drugs to Inhibit Cancer Cell
      Drug Resistance.
AB  - Carrier-free pure nanodrugs (PNDs) that are composed entirely of pharmaceutically
      active molecules are regarded as promising candidates to be the next generation
      of drug formulations and are mainly formulated from supramolecular self-assembly
      of drug molecules. It benefits from the efficient use of drug compounds with poor
      aqueous solubility and takes advantage of nanoscale drug delivery systems. Here,
      a type of all-in-one nanoparticle consisting of multiple drugs with enhanced
      synergistic antiproliferation efficiency against drug-resistant cancer cells has
      been created. To nanoparticulate the anticancer drugs, 10-hydroxycamptothecin
      (HCPT) and doxorubicin (DOX) were chosen as a typical model. The resulting HD
      nanoparticles (HD NPs) were formulated by a "green" and convenient self
      assembling method, and the water-solubility of 10-hydroxycamptothecin (HCPT) was
      improved 50-fold after nanosizing by coassembly with DOX. The formation process
      was studied by observing the morphological changes at various reaction times and
      molar ratios of DOX to HCPT. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations showed that DOX
      molecules tend to assemble around HCPT molecules through intermolecular forces.
      With the advantage of nanosizing, HD NPs could improve the intracellular drug
      retention of DOX to as much as 2-fold in drug-resistant cancer cells (MCF-7R). As
      a dual-drug-loaded nanoformulation, HD NPs effectively enhanced drug cytotoxicity
      to drug-resistant cancer cells. The combination of HCPT and DOX exhibited a
      synergistic effect as the nanosized HD NPs improved drug retention in drug
      resistant cancer cells against P-gp efflux in MCF-7R cells. Furthermore, colony
      forming assays were applied to evaluate long-term inhibition of cancer cell
      proliferation, and these assays confirmed the greatly improved cytotoxicity of HD
      NPs in drug-resistant cells compared to free drugs. 

PMID- 26270261
TI  - Paranasal Sinus Mucocele as a Late Complication of Dacryocystorhinostomy.
AB  - A 50-year-old female presented with a slowly enlarging painless mass of the right
      medial canthus. The past surgical history is significant for external
      dacryocystorhinostomy for acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction 10 years prior
      and subsequent endoscopic and external revisions. Imaging revealed a large fronto
      ethmoidal sinus mucocele extending into the right medial orbit. On surgical
      exploration, the right middle turbinate was found to have lateralized,
      obstructing sinus outflow. The mucocele was evacuated and ethmoidectomy and
      middle turbinectomy were performed. The patient did well postoperatively without
      recurrence at 6 months of follow-up. Sinus mucocele formation is a rare, late
      complication of lacrimal surgery.

PMID- 26270262
TI  - Orbital Extension of Untreated Lacrimal Sac Melanoma Following
      Dacryocystorhinostomy.

PMID- 26270263
TI  - Comparative studies on biological activity of generic and branded enoxaparin in
      vivo and vitro.
AB  - As per US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requirement, the study was designed
      to conduct the fourth and fifth criteria of Abbreviated New Drug Application to
      demonstrate equivalence of generic and branded Enoxaparin in vivo and
      vitro.Pharmacodynamic behavior of branded and generic Enoxaparin was compared in
      a parallel study in rats based upon measurement of anti-FXa and anti-FIIa
      profiles. Blood samples collected at baseline and at 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 and
      24 h postsubcutaneous administration of six batches of Lovenox and nine batches
      of generic Enoxaparin were evaluated for anti-FXa and anti-FIIa using chromogenic
      substrate method. Anti-FXa, Anti-FIIa, activated partial thromboplastin time
      (APTT), and Heptest prolongation time were conducted in vitro as per the United
      States Pharmacopeia method. Pharmacodynamics parameters were obtained including
      peak effect (anti-FXamax, anti-FIIamax), area under the effect curve (AUEC0-T and
      AUEC0-infinity), Tmax, and T1/2.Pharmacokinetic differences were not observed
      using anti-FXa or anti-FIIa. No statistically significant differences were
      observed between branded and generic Enoxaparin either in vitro anti-FXa, anti
      FIIa, APTT, or Heptest assay.It can be concluded that they are bioequivalent in
      anticoagulant activity tested in vivo and vitro.

PMID- 26270264
TI  - Intraoperative Intratumoral Embolization of a Complex Recurrent
      Hemangiopericytoma: Technical Report and Review of the Literature.
AB  - Objective Recurrent brain tumors represent a challenge for neurosurgeons because
      of the extensive blood loss and the time needed for surgical resection. Only a
      few hemostatic agents are useful to prevent the bleeding and thus facilitate the
      surgical resection. Fibrin sealant can be used to achieve sealing, tissue
      adherence, or hemostasis when other means of hemostasis are inadequate or
      inappropriate. We report the feasibility and positive effects of direct
      intratumoral injection of fibrin sealant during resection of a recurrent
      hemangiopericytoma. Material and Methods The intraoperative intratumoral
      injection of fibrin sealant changed the tumor properties of a recurrent
      hemangiopericytoma of the tentorium with infra- and supratentorial extension.
      From a loose friable briskly bleeding tumor, this complex lesion became a
      nonbleeding well-demarcated soft-firm tumor that could easily be dissected off
      the pial surface and totally resected without extensive bleeding. Results There
      are several benefits of intratumoral injection of fibrin sealant in
      hemangiopericytomas: (1) the extensive bleeding is diminished and blood loss
      minimized; (2) the restriction of the surgical view by the venous oozing is
      diminished, making the microsurgical dissection of the tumor capsule off the pial
      surface easier and safer; (3) the loose consistency of the tumor becomes firmer
      and facilitates the manipulation of the tumor and leads to a safer resection; and
      (4) a shorter operating time is needed. Conclusion The use of intratumoral fibrin
      glue injection is a safe and useful technique that could be used for hemostasis
      of highly vascularized tumors to facilitate a safer resection and to reduce blood
      loss. 

PMID- 26270265
TI  - Phosphoproteomic Analysis of Aurora Kinase Inhibition in Monopolar Cytokinesis.
AB  - Cytokinesis is the last step of the cell cycle that requires coordinated
      activities of the microtubule cytoskeleton, actin cytoskeleton, and membrane
      compartments. Aurora B kinase is one of the master regulatory kinases that
      orchestrate multiple events during cytokinesis. To reveal targets of the Aurora B
      kinase, we combined quantitative mass spectrometry with chemical genetics. Using
      the quantitative proteomic approach, SILAC (stable isotope labeling with amino
      acids in cell culture), we analyzed the phosphoproteome of monopolar cytokinesis
      upon VX680- or AZD1152-mediated aurora kinase inhibition. In total, our analysis
      quantified over 20 000 phosphopeptides in response to the Aurora-B kinase
      inhibition; 246 unique phosphopeptides were significantly down-regulated and 74
      were up-regulated. Our data provide a broad analysis of downstream effectors of
      Aurora kinase and offer insights into how Aurora kinase regulates cytokinesis. 

PMID- 26270266
TI  - CQC plans to test quality of NHS across whole local areas.

PMID- 26270268
TI  - Living Under the Constant Threat of Ebola: A Phenomenological Study of Survivors
      and Family Caregivers During an Ebola Outbreak.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ebola is a highly infectious disease that is caused by viruses of the
      family Filoviridae and transmitted to humans by direct contact with animals
      infected from unknown natural reservoirs. Ebola virus infection induces acute
      fever and death within a few days in up to 90% of symptomatic individuals,
      causing widespread fear, panic, and antisocial behavior. Uganda is vulnerable to
      future Ebola outbreaks. Therefore, the survivors of Ebola and their family
      caregivers are likely to continue experiencing related antisocial overtones,
      leading to negative health outcomes. PURPOSE: This study articulated the lived
      experiences of survivors and their family caregivers after an Ebola outbreak in
      Kibale District, Western Uganda. Eliciting a deeper understanding of these
      devastating lifetime experiences provides opportunities for developing and
      implementing more compassionate and competent nursing care for affected persons.
      METHODS: Ebola survivors and their family caregivers were recruited using a
      purposive sampling method. Twelve (12) adult survivors and their family
      caregivers were recruited and were interviewed individually between May and July
      2013 in Kibale, a rural district in Western Uganda close to the border of the
      Democratic Republic of the Congo, where Ebola virus was first discovered in 1976.
      Oral and written informed consent was obtained before all in-depth interviews,
      and the researchers adhered to principles of anonymity and confidentiality. The
      interviews were recorded digitally, and data analysis employed Wertz's Empirical
      Psychological Reflection method, which is grounded in descriptive phenomenology.
      RESULTS: Living under the constant threat of Ebola is experienced through two
      main categories: (a) defining features of the experience and (b) responding to
      the traumatizing experience. Five themes emerged in the first category: (a) fear,
      ostracism, and stigmatization; (b) annihilation of sufferer's actualities and
      possibilities; (c) the lingering nature of the traumatic experience; (d)
      psychosomatic manifestations; and (e) the inescapable nature of the experience.
      The second category was composed of two themes: (a) seeking self-preservation and
      protection and (b) transcending victimhood and becoming empowered. CONCLUSIONS:
      Living under the constant threat of Ebola is experienced as distressing in the
      physical, social, and psychological realms. In the future, prompt treatment and
      nursing care are recommended to minimize deaths and to reduce the widespread
      terror, anxiety, ostracism, and stigmatization that affected individuals and
      families face. Furthermore, it is recommended that the resilience of survivors
      and caregivers be increased to facilitate their better coping with the rampant
      antisocial overtones that they are likely to experience because of their
      association with Ebola.

PMID- 26270269
TI  - Effects of Reproductive Health Education on Knowledge and Attitudes Among Female
      Adolescents in Saudi Arabia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: For many girls, the onset of puberty that occurs during adolescence
      marks a time of heightened vulnerability to early pregnancy, with its attendant
      complications and heightened risk of maternal mortality. National and
      international forums have recognized the need to address these problems through
      reproductive health education. PURPOSE: This article assesses the reproductive
      health-related knowledge and attitudes of female adolescents aged between 14 and
      19 years. In addition, the authors assess the effectiveness of a reproductive
      health education program in improving the related knowledge of female
      adolescents. METHODS: The study was conducted on female students in three
      secondary schools and in the preparatory year at Qassim University (N = 309). A
      59-item structured questionnaire was used to test the knowledge and attitudes of
      all participants regarding reproductive health before and after the intervention
      program. Data collection was carried out between September and November 2012.
      RESULTS: A significant increase for the total sample in knowledge regarding
      puberty and menstruation was observed (p < .001) postintervention. Differences in
      overall knowledge regarding pregnancy and antenatal care were statistically
      significant. Knowledge regarding contraceptive intrauterine devices improved from
      27.2% preintervention to 67.6% postintervention. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS FOR
      PRACTICE: This study clearly showed that the reproductive health education
      program improves knowledge among adolescent girls regarding reproductive health.

PMID- 26270271
TI  - Corrigendum.

PMID- 26270270
TI  - Modulation of Energy Transfer into Sequential Electron Transfer upon Axial
      Coordination of Tetrathiafulvalene in an Aluminum(III) Porphyrin-Free-Base
      Porphyrin Dyad.
AB  - Axially assembled aluminum(III) porphyrin based dyads and triads have been
      constructed to investigate the factors that govern the energy and electron
      transfer processes in a perpendicular direction to the porphyrin plane. In the
      aluminum(III) porphyrin-free-base porphyrin (AlPor-Ph-H2Por) dyad, the AlPor
      occupies the basal plane, while the free-base porphyrin (H2Por) with electron
      withdrawing groups resides in the axial position through a benzoate spacer. The
      NMR, UV-visible absorption, and steady-state fluorescence studies confirm that
      the coordination of pyridine appended tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) derivative (TTF-py
      or TTF-Ph-py) to the dyad in noncoordinating solvents afford vertically arranged
      supramolecular self-assembled triads (TTF-py->AlPor-Ph-H2Por and TTF-Ph-py->AlPor
      Ph-H2Por). Time-resolved studies revealed that the AlPor in dyad and triads
      undergoes photoinduced energy and/or electron transfer processes. Interestingly,
      the energy and electron donating/accepting nature of AlPor can be modulated by
      changing the solvent polarity or by stimulating a new competing process using a
      TTF molecule. In modest polar solvents (dichloromethane and o-dichlorobenzene),
      excitation of AlPor leads singlet-singlet energy transfer from the excited
      singlet state of AlPor ((1)AlPor*) to H2Por with a moderate rate constant
      (k(EnT)) of 1.78 * 10(8) s(-1). In contrast, excitation of AlPor in the triad
      results in ultrafast electron transfer from TTF to (1)AlPor* with a rate constant
      (k(ET)) of 8.33 * 10(9)-1.25 * 10(10) s(-1), which outcompetes the energy
      transfer from (1)AlPor* to H2Por and yields the primary radical pair TTF(+*)
      AlPor(-*)-H2Por. A subsequent electron shift to H2Por generates a spatially well
      separated TTF(+*)-AlPor-H2Por(-*) radical pair.

PMID- 26270267
TI  - High frequency of central memory regulatory T cells allows detection of liver
      recipients at risk of early acute rejection within the first month after
      transplantation.
AB  - Several studies have analyzed the potential of T regulatory cells (Treg cells) as
      biomarkers of acute rejection (AR). The aim of the present multicenter study was
      to correlate the percentage of peripheral Treg cells in liver graft recipients
      drawn at baseline up to 12 months after transplantation with the presence of AR.
      The percentage of central memory (cm) Treg cells
      (CD4(+)CD25(high)CD45RO(+)CD62L(+)) was monitored at pre-transplant and at 1 and
      2 weeks, and 1, 2, 3 and 6 months and 1 year post-transplantation. The same
      validation standard operating procedures were used in all participating centers.
      Fifteen patients developed AR (23.4%). Hepatitis C virus recurrence was observed
      in 16 recipients, who displayed low peripheral blood cmTreg levels compared with
      patients who did not. A steady increase of cmTregs was observed during the first
      month after transplantation with statistically significant differences between AR
      and non-AR patients. The high frequency of memory Treg cells allowed us to
      monitor rejection episodes during the first month post-transplantation. On the
      basis of these data, we developed a prediction model for assessing risk of AR
      that can provide clinicians with useful information for managing patients
      individually and customizing immunosuppressive therapies. 

PMID- 26270272
TI  - Longitudinal, reciprocal effects of social skills and achievement from
      kindergarten to eighth grade.
AB  - Previous research suggests that students' social skills and achievement are
      interrelated, and some findings support bi-directional effects between the two
      constructs. The purpose of this research study was to estimate the possible
      longitudinal and reciprocal effects of social skills and achievement for
      kindergarten through eighth grade students. Data from the Early Childhood
      Longitudinal Study program were analyzed; teachers' ratings of students' social
      skills and students' standardized math and reading achievement performance were
      collected 4 and 5 times, respectively. Latent variable structural equation
      modeling was used to test a panel model of reciprocal, longitudinal effects of
      social skills and achievement. The results suggest that the effects of students'
      social skills and achievement are bi-directional, but the effects of students'
      achievement on their later social skills are stronger than the effects of social
      skills on achievement. The significant effects of students' social skills on
      their later achievement are mostly indirect. These findings suggest that the
      future social skills of students who struggle academically may be of particular
      concern to educators, and intervention and prevention efforts aimed to address
      both social and achievement skills may help remediate the other skill in the
      future. 

PMID- 26270274
TI  - Bullying victimization and the social and emotional maladjustment of bystanders:
      A propensity score analysis.
AB  - This study investigated how bystanders, who have and have not been bullied,
      perceive their social and emotional maladjustment depending on the form of
      bullying (physical or verbal) they witness. Using propensity score matching,
      equivalent groups of 270 victimized and 270 non-victimized bystander groups were
      created based on middle school students' responses on the Bully Survey-Student
      Version (BYS-S; Swearer, 2001). Victimized bystanders experienced higher social
      maladjustment than non-victimized bystanders. Path analysis results suggest that
      social and emotional maladjustment as a bystander is related not only to social
      emotional maladjustment as victim, but to gender and the form of bullying
      witnessed. The way in which bystanders are influenced by their personal
      victimization may be a critical factor in predicting, understanding, and
      increasing active bystander intervention. 

PMID- 26270273
TI  - High self-control protects the link between social support and positivity ratio
      for Israeli students exposed to contextual risk.
AB  - This study examined how Israeli students, despite exposure to contextual risk
      factors, may experience a high ratio of self-reported positive to negative
      emotions (i.e., positivity ratio). Self-control skills and perceived social
      support were tested as protective factors, where each was posited to moderate the
      relation between risk status and positivity ratio. The participants were 460
      Israeli students (51% girls) in grades 8-10. Contrary to expectations, students
      attending a school with high contextual risks did not differ from students
      attending a school with low contextual risks in their scores on self-control
      skills, perceived social support, or positivity ratio. However, an exploratory
      follow-up moderation analysis revealed a significant three-way interaction,
      indicating that while low self-control skills eliminate the link between social
      support and positivity ratio for students attending the school defined as at
      risk, high self-control protects this link. These results suggest that neither
      contextual risk in itself nor initial differences in self-control or social
      support account for differences in students' positivity ratio. Rather, it is the
      way these factors interact with each other that matters. Study limitations and
      implications are discussed. 

PMID- 26270275
TI  - Peer and self-reported victimization: Do non-victimized students give
      victimization nominations to classmates who are self-reported victims?
AB  - Using data from 2413 Dutch first-year secondary school students (M age=13.27, SD
      age=0.51, 49.0% boys), this study investigated as to what extent students who
      according to their self-reports had not been victimized (referred to as
      reporters) gave victimization nominations to classmates who according to their
      self-reports had been victimized (referred to as receivers). Using a dyadic
      approach, characteristics of the reporter-receiver dyad (i.e., gender similarity)
      and of the reporter (i.e., reporters' behavior during bullying episodes) that
      were possibly associated with reporter-receiver agreement were investigated.
      Descriptive analyses suggested that numerous students who were self-reported
      victims were not perceived as victimized by their non-victimized classmates.
      Three-level logistic regression models (reporter-receiver dyads nested in
      reporters within classrooms) demonstrated greater reporter-receiver agreement in
      same-gender dyads, especially when the reporter and the receiver were boys.
      Furthermore, reporters who behaved as outsiders during bullying episodes (i.e.,
      reporters who actively shied away from the bullying) were less likely to agree on
      the receiver's self-reported victimization, and in contrast, reporters who
      behaved as defenders (i.e., reporters who helped and supported victims) were more
      likely to agree on the victimization. Moreover, the results demonstrated that
      reporters gave fewer victimization nominations to receivers who reported they had
      been victimized sometimes than to receivers who reported they had been victimized
      often/very often. Finally, this study suggested that reporter-receiver agreement
      may not only depend on characteristics of the reporter-receiver dyad and of the
      reporter, but on classroom characteristics as well (e.g., the number of students
      in the classroom). 

PMID- 26270276
TI  - The stability of elementary school contexts from kindergarten to third grade.
AB  - The nature and measurement of school contexts have been the foci of interest in
      community, developmental, and school psychology for decades. In this paper, we
      tested the stability of six elementary school-context factors over time, using a
      nationally representative and longitudinal sample of schools from the Early
      Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Class of 1998-1999 (ECLS-K), and
      systems theories as a conceptual framework. Confirmatory factor analyses and
      tests of measurement equivalence revealed that six latent factors fit the data
      equally well across kindergarten, first grade, and third grade: school strain,
      school safety practices, school academic performance, school instructional
      resources, positive school climate, and school violence and crime. The factors
      were highly stable across the early elementary school years, with standardized
      stability coefficients ranging from .87 to .99 between kindergarten and first
      grade and from .71 to .98 between the first and third grades. Equivalence in the
      two sets of stability coefficients was also found across time. Both the magnitude
      and equivalence of the stability coefficients were robust to the inclusion of
      five key exogenous school characteristics as covariates in the model. Results
      suggest that elementary school contexts are remarkably stable over time and shed
      light on methodological considerations regarding the treatment of school-level
      measures in analyses that examine links between school context and children's
      academic and developmental trajectories. 

PMID- 26270277
TI  - The Impact of Inpatient Palliative Care Consultations on 30-Day Hospital
      Readmissions.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Inpatient palliative care consultations have been shown to reduce
      acute care utilization by reducing length of stay, but less is known about their
      impact on subsequent costs including hospital readmissions. OBJECTIVE: The
      study's objective was to examine the impact of inpatient palliative care
      consultations on 30-day hospital readmissions to a large urban academic medical
      center. METHODS: The hospital's electronic medical record system was used to
      identify all live discharges between August 2013 and November 2014. After
      adjusting for a propensity score, readmission rates were compared between
      palliative care and usual care groups. RESULTS: Of the 34,541 hospitalizations
      included in the study, 1430 (4.1%) involved a palliative care consult. After
      adjusting for the propensity score, patients seen by palliative care had a lower
      30-day readmission rate-adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 0.66, 0.55-0.78; p<0.001.
      Adjusted rates were 10.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] 8.9%-12.0%) for
      palliative care and 15.0% (95% CI 14.4%-15.4%) for usual care. Among all
      palliative care patients, consultations that involved goals of care discussions
      were associated with a lower readmission rate (AOR 0.36, 0.27-0.48; p<0.001), but
      consultations involving symptom management were not (AOR 1.05, 0.82-1.35;
      p=0.684). CONCLUSIONS: Palliative care palliative care consultations facilitate
      goals discussions, which in turn are associated with reduced rates of 30-day
      readmissions.

PMID- 26270278
TI  - Platelet counts in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.
AB  - Platelet counts in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease
      (ADPKD) have been reported to be lower than in control populations in one small
      study but data are sparse. We retrospectively audited real world platelet data
      from 290 ADPKD patients with corresponding age and sex-matched controls. We
      analysed 42,972 individual blood counts and patients with ADPKD had statistically
      lower platelet counts (213 +/- 63 vs. 238 +/- 69 * 10(9)/L, p < 0.01) on
      dialysis. In the transplant and chronic kidney disease (CKD) groups, there were
      no significant differences in the platelet counts. The magnitude of the
      difference in platelet numbers was small and unlikely to be clinically
      significant, so findings of low platelets in ADPKD should be further
      investigated.

PMID- 26270279
TI  - Misinterpretation of SNAP Participation, Diet, and Weight in Low-Income Adults.

PMID- 26270280
TI  - "What Is Our Story?" Philip Morris's Changing Corporate Narrative.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We sought to learn how employees reacted to changes in the corporate
      narrative of Philip Morris Companies (PMC) in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
      METHODS: We analyzed archival internal tobacco industry documents about PMC's
      creation of a new corporate story. RESULTS: In response to litigation and public
      opprobrium, PMC replaced its market success-oriented corporate narrative with a
      new one centered on responsibility. Although management sought to downplay
      inconsistencies between the old and new narratives, some employees reportedly had
      difficulty reconciling them, concerned that the responsibility focus might affect
      company profitability. However, others embraced the new narrative, suggesting
      radical ideas to prevent youth smoking. These ideas were not adopted.
      CONCLUSIONS: PMC's new narrative was unconvincing to many of its employees, who
      perceived it either as a threat to the company's continued profits or as
      incongruous with what they had previously been told. As it had done with the
      public, PMC misled its employees in explaining a narrative repositioning that
      would help the company continue business as usual. Moving toward a tobacco
      endgame will require ongoing discursive and symbolic efforts to disrupt this
      narrative.

PMID- 26270282
TI  - Organizing With Communities to Benefit Public Health.

PMID- 26270281
TI  - Drawing the Curtain Back on Injured Commercial Bicyclists.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We determined the demographic characteristics, behaviors, injuries,
      and outcomes of commercial bicyclists who were injured while navigating New York
      City's (NYC's) central business district. METHODS: Our study involved a secondary
      analysis of prospectively collected data from a level 1 regional trauma center in
      2008 to 2014 of bicyclists struck by motor vehicles. We performed univariable and
      multivariable logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Of 819 injured bicyclists,
      284 (34.7%) were working. Commercial bicyclists included 24.4% to 45.1% of
      injured bicyclists annually. Injured commercial bicyclists were more likely
      Latino (56.7%; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 50.7, 62.8 vs 22.7%; 95% CI = 19.2,
      26.5). Commercial bicyclists were less likely to be distracted by electronic
      devices (5.0%; 95% CI = 2.7, 8.2 vs 12.7%; 95% CI = 9.9, 15.9) or to have
      consumed alcohol (0.7%; 95% CI = 0.9, 2.5 vs 9.5%; 95% CI = 7.2, 12.3).
      Commercial and noncommercial bicyclists did not differ in helmet use (38.4%; 95%
      CI = 32.7, 44.4 vs 30.8%; 95% CI = 26.9, 34.9). Injury severity scores were less
      severe in commercial bicyclists (odds ratio = 0.412; 95% CI = 0.235, 0.723).
      CONCLUSIONS: Commercial bicyclists represent a unique cohort of vulnerable
      roadway users. In NYC, minorities, especially Latinos, should be targeted for
      safety education programs.

PMID- 26270283
TI  - A Systems Approach to Improving Tdap Immunization Within 5 Community-Based Family
      Practice Settings: Working Differently (and Better) by Transforming the Structure
      and Process of Care.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We examined how family medicine clinic physicians and staff worked in
      collaborative teams to implement an automated clinical reminder to improve
      tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) booster vaccine
      administration and documentation. METHODS: A clinical reminder was developed at 5
      University of Michigan family medicine clinics to identify patients 11 to 64
      years old who were in need of the Tdap booster vaccine. Quality improvement
      cycles were used to improve clinic care processes. Immunization rates from 2008
      to 2011 were compared with rates at 4 primary care control clinics. RESULTS:
      Vaccination rates among eligible patients increased from 15.5% to 47.3% within
      the family medicine clinics and from 14.1% to 30.2% within the control clinics.
      After adjustment for covariates, family medicine patients had a higher
      probability of vaccination than control patients during each measurement period
      (0.17 vs 0.15 at baseline, 0.53 vs 0.22 during year 1, and 0.50 vs 0.30 during
      year 2). CONCLUSIONS: Automated clinical reminders, when designed and implemented
      via a consensus-based framework that addresses the process of care, can
      dramatically improve provision of preventive health care.

PMID- 26270284
TI  - Demographic and Psychosocial Factors Associated With Psychological Distress and
      Resilience Among Transgender Individuals.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We examined the independent demographic and psychosocial factors
      associated with psychological distress and resilience among transgender men and
      women. METHODS: Our data came from an online survey involving a national
      Australian sample of 169 transgender men and women in 2011. Survey questions
      assessed demographics; sources of support; contact with lesbian, gay, bisexual,
      and transgender peers; and experiences of victimization. We assessed the outcomes
      with the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale and the Brief Resilience Scale.
      RESULTS: In all, 46.0% of the sample reported high or very high levels of
      psychological distress. Multivariable regression analyses identified considerably
      different independent factors for psychological distress and resilience. Younger
      age, feeling unable to turn to family for support, and victimization experiences
      were associated with greater psychological distress, whereas higher income,
      identifying as heterosexual, and having frequent contact with lesbian, gay,
      bisexual, and transgender peers were associated with greater resilience.
      CONCLUSIONS: With different factors identified for psychological distress and
      resilience, these findings may help inform the development of tailored mental
      health interventions and resilience-building programs for this vulnerable
      population.

PMID- 26270285
TI  - Smoking Norms and the Regulation of E-Cigarettes.
AB  - Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS)-commonly called e-cigarettes-are at
      the center of a polarized debate. How should they be regulated? Central to this
      debate is the concern that e-cigarettes could lead to the renormalization of
      smoking and that the regulation of ENDS should therefore be modeled on the
      regulation of conventional cigarettes. I argue that arguments based on the
      renormalization of smoking can lend support to restrictions on marketing of ENDS,
      but that such arguments are problematic when used to justify restrictions on
      where ENDS can be used. The debate has been insufficiently sensitive to the
      ethical complexities of attempts to manipulate social norms to change health
      behaviors; these complexities must also inform the debate about ENDS and their
      regulation. 

PMID- 26270286
TI  - Purtle and Roman Respond.

PMID- 26270287
TI  - Community Health Worker Home Visits for Medicaid-Enrolled Children With Asthma:
      Effects on Asthma Outcomes and Costs.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We sought to estimate the return on investment of a streamlined
      version of an evidence-based community health worker (CHW) asthma home visit
      program. METHODS: We used a randomized parallel group trial of home visits by
      CHWs to Medicaid-enrolled children with uncontrolled asthma versus usual care.
      RESULTS: A total of 373 participants enrolled in the study (182 in the
      intervention group and 191 in the control group, of whom 154 and 179,
      respectively, completed the study). The intervention group had greater
      improvements in asthma symptom-free days (2.10 days more over 2 weeks; 95% CI = 
      1.17, 3.05; P < .001) and caretakers' quality of life (0.43 units more; 95% CI =
      0.20, 0.66; P < .001) and a larger reduction in urgent health care utilization
      events (1.31 events fewer over 12 months; 95% CI = -2.10, -0.52; P = .001). The
      intervention arm compared with the control arm saved $1340.92 for the $707.04
      additional costs invested for the average participant. The return on investment
      was 1.90. CONCLUSIONS: A streamlined CHW asthma home visit program for children
      with uncontrolled asthma improved health outcomes and yielded a return on
      investment of 1.90.

PMID- 26270288
TI  - Sexual Minority Health Disparities in Adult Men and Women in the United States:
      National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2001-2010.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We used nationally representative data to investigate health
      disparities associated with sexual minority status among adults in the United
      States. METHODS: We analyzed data from 11,114 adults who participated in the 2001
      to 2010 waves of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Using
      multiple logistic regressions, we examined the prevalence of HIV, sexually
      transmitted infections, mental health problems, cigarette smoking, and alcohol
      and illicit drug use in sexual minorities and heterosexual adults. RESULTS: After
      adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, sexual minority men had greater
      odds of mental health problems, testing positive for HIV and herpes simplex virus
      type 2 and self-reported gonorrhea and chlamydia. Sexual minority women had
      greater odds of mental health problems, testing positive for hepatitis C,
      smoking, heavy drinking, and illicit drug use. CONCLUSIONS: Numerous health
      disparities continue to face sexual minority men and women in the United States.
      Notably, health disparities persisted beyond the role of sociodemographic
      factors, including access to insurance and primary care, suggesting that further
      research is warranted to identify the determinants of health inequity for sexual
      minorities.

PMID- 26270289
TI  - The Relationship Between Financial Distress and Life-Course Socioeconomic
      Inequalities in Well-Being: Cross-National Analysis of European Welfare States.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We investigated to what extent current financial distress explains
      the relationship between life-course socioeconomic position and well-being in
      Southern, Scandinavian, Postcommunist, and Bismarckian welfare regimes. METHODS:
      We analyzed individuals (n = 18 324) aged 50 to 75 years in the Survey of Health,
      Ageing, and Retirement in Europe, 2006-2009. Well-being was measured with CASP-12
      (which stands for control, autonomy, self-realization, and pleasure) and life
      satisfaction. We generated a life-course socioeconomic index from 8 variables and
      calculated multilevel regression models (containing individuals nested within 13
      countries), as well as stratified single-level models by welfare regime. RESULTS:
      Life-course socioeconomic advantage was related to higher well-being; the
      difference in life satisfaction between the most and least advantaged was 2.09
      (95% confidence interval = 1.87, 2.31) among women and 1.65 (95% confidence
      interval = 1.43, 1.87) among men. The weakest associations were found among
      Scandinavian countries. Financial distress was associated with lower well-being
      and attenuated the relationship between life-course socioeconomic position and
      well-being in all regimes (ranging from 34.26% in Postcommunist to 72.22% in
      Scandinavian countries). CONCLUSIONS: We found narrower inequalities in well
      being in the Scandinavian regime. Reducing financial distress may help improve
      well-being and reduce inequalities.

PMID- 26270290
TI  - Addressing Structural and Environmental Factors for Adolescent Sexual and
      Reproductive Health in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.
AB  - A deeper understanding of how structure and environment shape the sexual and
      reproductive health vulnerabilities of youths across a range of outcomes has
      implications for the development of successful policies and programs. We have
      discussed some of the key structural and environmental factors that influence the
      sexual and reproductive health of adolescents, particularly in low- and middle
      income countries, and the importance of engaging adolescents in identifying
      solutions. We have highlighted 2 case studies that describe structural or
      environmental approaches to improving adolescent sexual and reproductive health
      and made recommendations to more systematically incorporate attention to
      structure and environment to improve global adolescent health. 

PMID- 26270291
TI  - "We'll Get to You When We Get to You": Exploring Potential Contributions of
      Health Care Staff Behaviors to Patient Perceptions of Discrimination and
      Satisfaction.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We qualitatively assessed patients' perceptions of discrimination and
      patient satisfaction in the health care setting specific to interactions with
      nonphysician health care staff. METHODS: We conducted 12 focus-group interviews
      with African American and European American participants, stratified by race and
      gender, from June to November 2008. We used a topic guide to facilitate
      discussion and identify factors contributing to perceived discrimination and
      analyzed transcripts for relevant themes using a codebook. RESULTS: We enrolled
      92 participants: 55 African Americans and 37 European Americans, all of whom
      reported perceived discrimination and lower patient satisfaction as a result of
      interactions with nonphysician health care staff. Perceived discrimination was
      associated with 2 main characteristics: insurance or socioeconomic status and
      race. Both verbal and nonverbal communication style on the part of nonphysician
      health care staff were related to individuals' perceptions of how they were
      treated. CONCLUSIONS: The behaviors of nonphysician health care staff in the
      clinical setting can potentially contribute to patients' perceptions of
      discrimination and lowered patient satisfaction. Future interventions to reduce
      health care discrimination should include a focus on staff cultural competence
      and customer service skills.

PMID- 26270293
TI  - Health Care Costs 1 Year After Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study sought to estimate total health care costs for mild,
      moderate, and severe pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) and to compare
      individual- and population-level costs across levels of TBI severity. METHODS:
      Using 2007 to 2010 MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters data, we estimated
      total quarterly health care costs 1 year after TBI among enrollees (aged < 18
      years). We compared costs across levels of TBI severity using generalized linear
      models. RESULTS: Mild TBI accounted for 96.6% of the 319 103 enrollees with TBI;
      moderate and severe TBI accounted for 1.7% and 1.6%, respectively. Adjusted
      individual health care costs for moderate and severe TBI were significantly
      higher than mild TBI in the year after injury (P < .01). At the population level,
      moderate and severe TBI costs were 88% and 75% less than mild TBI, respectively.
      CONCLUSIONS: Individually, moderate and severe TBI initially generated costs that
      were markedly higher than those of mild TBI. At the population level, costs
      following mild TBI far exceeded those of more severe cases, a result of the
      extremely high population burden of mild TBI.

PMID- 26270292
TI  - Indicated Prevention of Childhood Anxiety and Depression: Results From a Practice
      Based Study up to 12 Months After Intervention.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We investigated whether intervention effects of FRIENDS for Life, a
      school-based prevention program for children with anxiety or depression symptoms,
      were maintained over a period of 12 months after the intervention in a
      naturalistic setting. METHODS: We used a quasi-experimental design, with 339
      children in the intervention group and 157 in the control group (aged 8-13 years)
      in schools in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. We collected self-, teacher, and peer
      reports of anxiety and depression scores before and after intervention, and 6 and
      12 months after intervention, from 2010 to 2012. RESULTS: Intervention-group
      children reported a continuing and significant decrease in anxiety and depression
      scores compared with the control group. Twelve months after the intervention,
      participants' anxiety and depression levels were comparable to those of the
      general population. Girls reported a stronger decrease in anxiety scores than did
      boys. Teacher reports suggested no effects. Although classmates reported
      increased internalizing problems in intervention-group children immediately after
      intervention, these effects disappeared over time. CONCLUSIONS: FRIENDS for Life,
      an indicated prevention program, yielded long-lasting and continuing reduction in
      anxiety and depression problems when implemented in daily school practice.

PMID- 26270295
TI  - The Rationalization of Unethical Research: Revisionist Accounts of the Tuskegee
      Syphilis Study and the New Zealand "Unfortunate Experiment".
AB  - Two studies, widely condemned in the 1970s and 1980s-the Tuskegee study of men
      with untreated syphilis and the New Zealand study of women with untreated
      carcinoma in situ of the cervix-received new defenses in the 21st century. We
      noted remarkable similarities in both the studies and their defenses. Here we
      evaluate the scientific, political, and moral claims of the defenders. The
      scientific claims are largely based on incomplete or misinterpreted evidence and
      exaggeration of the uncertainties of science. The defenders' political arguments
      mistakenly claim that identity politics clouded the original critiques; in fact
      such politics opened the eyes of the public to exploitation. The moral defenses
      demonstrate an overreliance on codes of conduct and have implications for
      research ethics today. 

PMID- 26270294
TI  - Self-Reported Health Among Recently Incarcerated Mothers.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We examined self-reported health among formerly incarcerated mothers.
      METHODS: We used data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (n =
      4096), a longitudinal survey of mostly unmarried parents in urban areas, to
      estimate the association between recent incarceration (measured as any
      incarceration in the past 4 years) and 5 self-reported health conditions
      (depression, illicit drug use, heavy drinking, fair or poor health, and health
      limitations), net of covariates including health before incarceration. RESULTS:
      In adjusted logistic regression models, recently incarcerated mothers, compared
      with their counterparts, have an increased likelihood of depression (odds ratio
      [OR] = 1.60; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.18, 2.17), heavy drinking (OR =
      1.79; 95% CI = 1.19, 2.68), fair or poor health (OR = 1.49; 95% CI = 1.08, 2.06),
      and health limitations (OR = 1.78; 95% CI = 1.27, 2.50). This association is
      similar across racial/ethnic subgroups and is larger among mothers who share
      children with fathers who have not been recently incarcerated. CONCLUSIONS:
      Recently incarcerated mothers struggle with even more health conditions than
      expected given the disadvantages they experience before incarceration.
      Furthermore, because incarceration is concentrated among those who are most
      disadvantaged, incarceration may increase inequalities in population health.

PMID- 26270296
TI  - Public Health in the Unrest: Baltimore's Preparedness and Response After Freddie
      Gray's Death.

PMID- 26270297
TI  - E-cigarettes May Impair Ability to Quit, but Other Explanations Are Possible.

PMID- 26270299
TI  - Flu Near You: Crowdsourced Symptom Reporting Spanning 2 Influenza Seasons.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We summarized Flu Near You (FNY) data from the 2012-2013 and 2013
      2014 influenza seasons in the United States. METHODS: FNY collects limited
      demographic characteristic information upon registration, and prompts users each
      Monday to report symptoms of influenza-like illness (ILI) experienced during the
      previous week. We calculated the descriptive statistics and rates of ILI for the
      2012-2013 and 2013-2014 seasons. We compared raw and noise-filtered ILI rates
      with ILI rates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ILINet
      surveillance system. RESULTS: More than 61 000 participants submitted at least 1
      report during the 2012-2013 season, totaling 327 773 reports. Nearly 40 000
      participants submitted at least 1 report during the 2013-2014 season, totaling
      336 933 reports. Rates of ILI as reported by FNY tracked closely with ILINet in
      both timing and magnitude. CONCLUSIONS: With increased participation, FNY has the
      potential to serve as a viable complement to existing outpatient, hospital-based,
      and laboratory surveillance systems. Although many established systems have the
      benefits of specificity and credibility, participatory systems offer advantages
      in the areas of speed, sensitivity, and scalability.

PMID- 26270298
TI  - How Stigma Surrounding the Use of HIV Preexposure Prophylaxis Undermines
      Prevention and Pleasure: A Call to Destigmatize "Truvada Whores".
AB  - Antiretroviral preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP; emtricitabine and tenofovir
      disoproxil fumarate [Truvada]) prevents HIV without penalizing sexual pleasure,
      and may even enhance pleasure (e.g., by reducing HIV-related anxiety). However,
      concern about sexual risk behavior increasing with PrEP use (risk compensation)
      and corresponding stereotypes of promiscuity may undermine PrEP's preventive
      potential. In this commentary, we review literature on sexual behavior change
      accompanying PrEP use, discuss risk compensation concerns and the "Truvada whore"
      stereotype as PrEP barriers, question the appropriateness of restricting PrEP
      access because of risk compensation, and consider sexual pleasure as a benefit of
      PrEP, an acceptable motive for seeking PrEP, and a core element of health. It is
      essential for science to trump stereotypes and sex-negative messaging in guiding
      decision-making affecting PrEP access and uptake. 

PMID- 26270302
TI  - Regarding Health Awareness Days.

PMID- 26270301
TI  - The Contribution of Missed Clinic Visits to Disparities in HIV Viral Load
      Outcomes.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We explored the contribution of missed primary HIV care visits ("no
      show") to observed disparities in virological failure (VF) among Black persons
      and persons with injection drug use (IDU) history. METHODS: We used patient-level
      data from 6 academic clinics, before the Centers for Disease Control and
      Prevention and Health Resources and Services Administration Retention in Care
      intervention. We employed staged multivariable logistic regression and
      multivariable models stratified by no-show visit frequency to evaluate the
      association of sociodemographic factors with VF. We used multiple imputations to
      assign missing viral load values. RESULTS: Among 10 053 patients (mean age = 46
      years; 35% female; 64% Black; 15% with IDU history), 31% experienced VF. Although
      Black patients and patients with IDU history were significantly more likely to
      experience VF in initial analyses, race and IDU parameter estimates were
      attenuated after sequential addition of no-show frequency. In stratified models,
      race and IDU were not statistically significantly associated with VF at any no
      show level. CONCLUSIONS: Because missed clinic visits contributed to observed
      differences in viral load outcomes among Black and IDU patients, achieving an
      improved understanding of differential visit attendance is imperative to reducing
      disparities in HIV.

PMID- 26270300
TI  - Discrimination and Cumulative Disease Damage Among African American Women With
      Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We examined associations between unfair treatment, attributions of
      unfair treatment to racial discrimination, and cumulative disease damage among
      African American women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: We used
      multivariable regression models to examine SLE damage among 578 African American
      women in metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia, recruited to the Georgians Organized
      Against Lupus cohort. RESULTS: When we controlled for demographic, socioeconomic,
      and health-related covariates, reporting any unfair treatment was associated with
      greater SLE damage compared with reporting no unfair treatment (b = 0.55; 95%
      confidence interval = 0.14, 0.97). In general, unfair treatment attributed to
      nonracial factors was more strongly associated with SLE damage than was unfair
      treatment attributed to racial discrimination, although the difference was not
      statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Unfair treatment may contribute to worse
      disease outcomes among African American women with SLE. Unfair treatment
      attributed to nonracial causes may have a more pronounced negative effect on SLE
      damage. Future research may further examine possible differences in the effect of
      unfair treatment by attribution.

PMID- 26270304
TI  - Profiles of Food Security for US Farmworker Households and Factors Related to
      Dynamic of Change.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We recruited 248 farmworker families with preschool-aged children in
      North Carolina and examined food security indicators over 24 months to identify
      food security patterns and examine the dynamic of change over time. METHODS:
      Participants in the Ninos Sanos study, conducted 2011 to 2014, completed
      quarterly food security assessments. Based on responses to items in the US
      Household Food Security Survey Module, we identified different states of food
      security by using hidden Markov model analysis, and examined factors associated
      with different states. We delineated factors associated with changes in state by
      using mixed-effect ordinal logistic regression. RESULTS: About half of the
      households (51%) consistently stayed in the most food-secure state. The least
      food-secure state was transient, with only 29% probability of this state for 2
      consecutive quarters. Seasonal (vs migrant) work status, having immigration
      documents (vs not documented), and season predicted higher levels of food
      security. CONCLUSIONS: Heterogeneity in food security among farmworker households
      calls for tailoring intervention strategies. The transiency and unpredictability
      of low food security suggest that access to safety-net programs could reduce low
      food security risk in this population.

PMID- 26270303
TI  - Public Support for Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act Point-of
      Sale Provisions: Results of a National Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We assessed public and smoker support for enacted and potential point
      of-sale (POS) tobacco-control policies under the Family Smoking Prevention and
      Tobacco Control Act. METHODS: We surveyed a US nationally representative sample
      of 17, 507 respondents (6595 smokers) in January through February 2013, and used
      linear regression to calculate weighted point estimates and identify factors
      associated with support for POS policies among adults and smokers. RESULTS:
      Overall, nonsmokers were more supportive than were smokers. Regardless of smoking
      status, African Americans, Hispanics, women, and those of older ages were more
      supportive than White, male, and younger respondents, respectively. Policy
      support varied by provision. More than 80% of respondents supported minors'
      access restrictions and more than 45% supported graphic warnings. Support was
      lowest for plain packaging (23%), black-and-white advertising (26%), and a ban on
      menthol cigarettes (36%). CONCLUSIONS: Public support for marketing and POS
      provisions is low relative to other areas of tobacco control. Tobacco-control
      advocates and the Food and Drug Administration should build on existing levels of
      public support to promote and maintain evidence-based, but controversial, policy
      changes in the retail environment.

PMID- 26270305
TI  - Suicide Rates and State Laws Regulating Access and Exposure to Handguns.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Using previous research, we examined the impact of 4 handgun laws
      (waiting periods, universal background checks, gun locks, and open carrying
      regulations) on suicide rates. METHODS: We used publicly available databases to
      collect information on statewide laws, suicide rates, and demographic
      characteristics for 2013. RESULTS: Each law was associated with significantly
      lower firearm suicide rates and the proportion of suicides resulting from
      firearms. In addition, each law, except for that which required a waiting period,
      was associated with a lower overall suicide rate. Follow-up analyses showed a
      significant indirect effect on overall suicide rates through the proportion of
      suicides by firearms, indicating that the reduced overall suicide rate was
      attributable to fewer suicide attempts, fewer handguns in the home, suicide
      attempts using less lethal means, or a combination of these factors. States that
      implemented any of these laws saw a decreased suicide rate in subsequent years,
      whereas the only state that repealed 1 of these laws saw an increased suicide
      rate. CONCLUSIONS: Our results were supportive of a potentially vital role in
      suicide prevention for state legislation that limits access and exposure to
      handguns.

PMID- 26270307
TI  - Disparities in Water and Sewer Services in North Carolina: An Analysis of the
      Decision-Making Process.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We examined the factors that affect access to municipal water and
      sewer service for unincorporated communities relying on wells and septic tanks.
      METHODS: Using a multisite case study design, we conducted in-depth,
      semistructured interviews with 25 key informants from 3 unincorporated
      communities in Hoke, New Hanover, and Transylvania counties, North Carolina, July
      through September 2013. Interviewees included elected officials, health
      officials, utility providers, and community members. We coded the interviews in
      ATLAS.ti to identify common themes. RESULTS: Financing for water and sewer
      service emerged as the predominant factor that influenced decisions to extend
      these services. Improved health emerged as a minor factor, suggesting that local
      officials may not place a high emphasis on the health benefits of extending
      public water and sewer services. Awareness of failed septic systems in
      communities can prompt city officials to extend sewer service to these areas;
      however, failed systems are often underreported. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding the
      health costs and benefits of water and sewer extension and integrating these
      findings into the local decision-making process may help address disparities in
      access to municipal services.

PMID- 26270306
TI  - Effectiveness of Lay Health Worker Outreach in Reducing Disparities in Colorectal
      Cancer Screening in Vietnamese Americans.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We conducted a cluster randomized controlled study of a lay health
      worker (LHW) intervention to increase colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates
      among Vietnamese Americans, who typically have lower rates than do non-Hispanic
      Whites. METHODS: We randomized 64 LHWs to 2 arms. Each LHW recruited 10 male or
      female participants who had never had CRC screening (fecal occult blood test,
      sigmoidoscopy, or colonoscopy). Intervention LHWs led 2 educational sessions on
      CRC screening. Control LHWs led 2 sessions on healthy eating and physical
      activity. The main outcome was self-reported receipt of any CRC screening at 6
      months after the intervention. We conducted the study from 2008 to 2013 in Santa
      Clara County, California. RESULTS: A greater proportion of intervention
      participants (56%) than control participants (19%) reported receiving CRC
      screening (P < .001). When controlling for demographic characteristics, the
      intervention odds ratio was 5.45 (95% confidence interval = 3.02, 9.82). There
      was no difference in intervention effect by participant gender. CONCLUSIONS: LHW
      outreach was effective in increasing CRC screening in Vietnamese Americans.
      Randomized controlled trials are needed to test the effectiveness of LHW outreach
      for other populations and other health outcomes.

PMID- 26270308
TI  - Food Insecurity and Cost-Related Medication Underuse Among Nonelderly Adults in a
      Nationally Representative Sample.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We investigated whether nonelderly US adults (aged 18-64 years) in
      food-insecure households are more likely to report cost-related medication
      underuse than the food-secure, and whether the relationship between food
      insecurity and cost-related medication underuse differs by gender, chronic
      disease, and health insurance status. METHODS: We analyzed data from the 2011 and
      2012 National Health Interview Survey (n = 67 539). We examined the relationship
      between food insecurity and cost-related medication underuse with the chi(2) test
      and multivariate logistic regression with interaction terms. RESULTS: Bivariate
      and multivariate analyses showed a dose-response relationship between food
      insecurity and cost-related medication underuse, with an increasing likelihood of
      cost-related medication underuse with increasing severity of food insecurity (P <
      .001). This association was conditional on health insurance status, but not
      substantially different by gender or chronic disease status. Being female, low
      income, having no or partial health insurance, chronic conditions, functional
      limitations, or severe mental illness were positively associated with cost
      related medication underuse. CONCLUSIONS: Using food insecurity as a risk factor
      to assess cost-related medication underuse could help increase identification of
      individuals who may need assistance purchasing medications and improve health for
      those in food-insecure households.

PMID- 26270309
TI  - Kenney et al. Respond.

PMID- 26270310
TI  - Sharing a Playbook: Integrated Care in Community Health Centers in the United
      States.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We investigated basic measures used to assess collaboration between
      colocated providers and to gauge the extent to which health centers practice
      integrated care. METHODS: We used the Assessment of Behavioral Health Services
      survey and the 2010 Uniform Data System to explore the elements of integrated
      care for behavioral health conditions. We used multivariable regression models to
      examine the correlates of integrated care. RESULTS: More than 85% of health
      centers provided mental health services in 2010, and almost half offered
      substance use treatment. Health centers commonly reported shared access to
      information among behavioral health and medical providers and joint care
      planning. A higher degree of integrated care involving joint case conferences was
      less common. Health centers without electronic health records and those with
      lower percentages of total staff composed of behavioral health workers were less
      likely to provide integrated care. CONCLUSIONS: A 2-pronged strategy involving
      financial incentives and technical assistance to spread best practices might
      increase integrated care, particularly among health centers that are not
      maximizing the potential of electronic health records and health centers with low
      behavioral health staffing levels.

PMID- 26270311
TI  - Implementation Science and the Criminal Justice System.

PMID- 26270312
TI  - Nguyen et al. Respond.

PMID- 26270313
TI  - Health Disparities in and Transdisciplinary Approach to Cardiovascular Disease in
      Mexico.

PMID- 26270314
TI  - Inadequate Hydration or Normal Body Fluid Homeostasis?

PMID- 26270315
TI  - Modeling the Movement of Homicide by Type to Inform Public Health Prevention
      Efforts.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We modeled the spatiotemporal movement of hotspot clusters of
      homicide by motive in Newark, New Jersey, to investigate whether different
      homicide types have different patterns of clustering and movement. METHODS: We
      obtained homicide data from the Newark Police Department Homicide Unit's
      investigative files from 1997 through 2007 (n = 560). We geocoded the address at
      which each homicide victim was found and recorded the date of and the motive for
      the homicide. We used cluster detection software to model the spatiotemporal
      movement of statistically significant homicide clusters by motive, using census
      tract and month of occurrence as the spatial and temporal units of analysis.
      RESULTS: Gang-motivated homicides showed evidence of clustering and diffusion
      through Newark. Additionally, gang-motivated homicide clusters overlapped to a
      degree with revenge and drug-motivated homicide clusters. Escalating dispute and
      nonintimate familial homicides clustered; however, there was no evidence of
      diffusion. Intimate partner and robbery homicides did not cluster. CONCLUSIONS:
      By tracking how homicide types diffuse through communities and determining which
      places have ongoing or emerging homicide problems by type, we can better inform
      the deployment of prevention and intervention efforts.

PMID- 26270316
TI  - Firearm Prevalence and Homicides of Law Enforcement Officers in the United
      States.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: In the United States, state firearm ownership has been correlated
      with homicide rates. More than 90% of homicides of law enforcement officers
      (LEOs) are committed with firearms. We examined the relationship between state
      firearm ownership rates and LEO occupational homicide rates. METHODS: We obtained
      the number LEOs killed from 1996 to 2010 from a Federal Bureau of Investigation
      (FBI) database. We calculated homicide rates per state as the number of officers
      killed per number of LEOs per state, obtained from another FBI database. We
      obtained the mean household firearm ownership for each state from the Behavioral
      Risk Factor Surveillance System. RESULTS: Using Poisson regression and
      controlling for factors known to affect homicide rates, we associated firearm
      ownership with the homicide rates for LEOs (incidence rate ratio = 1.044; P =
      .005); our results were supported by cross-sectional and longitudinal sensitivity
      analyses. LEO homicide rates were 3 times higher in states with high firearm
      ownership compared with states with low firearm ownership. CONCLUSIONS: High
      public gun ownership is a risk for occupational mortality for LEOs in the United
      States. States could consider methods for reducing firearm ownership as a way to
      reduce occupational deaths of LEOs.

PMID- 26270317
TI  - Declining Trends and Widening Disparities in Overweight and Obesity Prevalence
      Among Massachusetts Public School Districts, 2009-2014.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the overall and sociodemographic disparities in trends
      in prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity in Massachusetts public school
      districts between 2009 and 2014. METHODS: In 2009, Massachusetts mandated annual
      screening of body mass index for students in grades 1, 4, 7, and 10. This was
      part of the statewide Mass in Motion prevention programs. We assessed trends in
      the prevalence of overweight and obesity between 2009 and 2014 by district,
      gender, grade, and district income. RESULTS: From 2009 to 2014, prevalence
      decreased 3.0 percentage points (from 34.3% to 31.3%) statewide. The 2014
      district-level rates ranged from 13.9% to 54.5% (median = 31.2%). When stratified
      by grade, the decreasing trends were significant only for grades 1 and 4.
      Although rates of districts with a median household income greater than $37, 000
      improved notably, rates of the poorest remain unchanged and were approximately
      40%. CONCLUSIONS: Although overall prevalence began to decrease, the geographic
      and socioeconomic disparities in childhood obesity are widening and remain a
      public health challenge in Massachusetts. Special efforts should be made to
      address the needs of socioeconomically disadvantaged districts and to narrow the
      disparities in childhood obesity.

PMID- 26270318
TI  - Hormone therapy in menopause: An update on cardiovascular disease considerations.
AB  - Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the number one cause of death and morbidity
      worldwide, and while overall CVD incidence rates declined in both genders between
      1999 and 2007, age-specific data suggest that coronary risk factors in women are
      on the rise. While early observational data favored menopausal hormone therapy's
      (MHT's) role in primary CVD prevention, the initial interventional study data
      from the WHI did not. Further detailed analyses of both observational and
      interventional data have pointed to the possibility that MHT may play a role in
      primary CVD prevention if initiated within 10 years of menopause and less than 60
      years of age (the timing hypothesis). Unanswered questions remain regarding the
      optimal route and dosage of estrogen in MHT. Data so far, favor transdermal
      estradiol over conventional-dose CEE with respect to CVD risk and oral estradiol
      over conventional-dose CEE with respect to stroke risk. Low-dose oral CEE may
      similarly have benefit over conventional-dose oral CEE for some CVD events. In
      addition, the transdermal route of delivery may avoid the excess risk of certain
      CVD events associated with MHT and lower doses of estrogen may have fewer adverse
      effects than the doses previously tested in WHI. Because questions regarding
      benefits versus risks remain, MHT is yet to be recommended for CVD prevention.
      However, it is indicated for menopausal symptom management in women within 10
      years of menopause and under the age of 60 years, in whom it does not appear to
      carry increased cardiovascular risk. Additional research is ongoing and needed to
      confirm or refute the comparative safety of the various MHT options. 

PMID- 26270319
TI  - MY APPROACH to the management of cardiogenic shock.

PMID- 26270320
TI  - MY APPROACH to device therapy when the battery runs low (replacement or no
      replacement).

PMID- 26270321
TI  - MY APPROACH to ventricular tachycardia.

PMID- 26270322
TI  - Children's contact with people with disabilities and their attitudes towards
      disability: a cross-sectional study.
AB  - PURPOSE: To explore the association between children's self-reported contact with
      people with disabilities and attitudes towards them, as well the potential
      mediating influence of anxiety about interacting with people with disabilities
      and empathy for them. METHOD: 1881 children, aged 7-16 years, from 20 schools in
      South West England completed a survey assessing their contact with people with
      disabilities and their attitudes towards them. Anxiety about interacting with
      people with disabilities and empathy towards them were examined as potential
      mediators. Gender, school year, perceived similarity between people with and
      without disabilities, proportion of children with additional needs at the school
      and socioeconomic status (SES) were assessed as moderators. A random effects
      ("multilevel") regression model was used to test the contact-attitude association
      and moderation, and path analysis was used to test for mediation. RESULTS:
      Participants with more self-reported contact reported more positive attitudes
      towards disability (p < 0.001). Less anticipated anxiety and greater empathy
      together mediated around a third of this association. Only school year moderated
      the contact-attitude association (affective attitudes), with stronger contact
      attitude associations in primary school children than secondary school children.
      CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported contact was observed to be associated with more
      positive attitudes towards disability, which was partially mediated by empathy
      and anxiety. Providing opportunities for contact with people with disabilities
      that reduces anxiety and increases empathy may improve attitudes to disability
      and merits evaluation in interventions. Implications for Rehabilitation Children
      who reported greater levels of contact with people with disabilities had more
      positive attitudes towards disability. Anxiety about interacting with people with
      disabilities and empathy towards them partially mediated the contact-attitude
      associations. Providing opportunities for contact with people with disabilities,
      reducing anxiety and increasing empathy may improve children's attitudes to
      disability.

PMID- 26270324
TI  - Psychological Predictors of Outcomes with Lumbar Spinal Fusion: A Systematic
      Literature Review.
AB  - PURPOSE: To review the predictive/risk psychological factors at baseline that are
      associated with a favourable (or non-favourable) outcome following lumbar spinal
      fusion (LSF). METHODS: A computer-assisted literature search of PubMed, CINAHL
      complete and EMBASE for studies published between January 1, 1990 and October 1,
      2014 with controlled vocabulary and key words related to LSF, degenerative lumbar
      spine diagnoses and appropriate terms for predictive variables. Each study was
      required to be a retrospective or prospective design that involved LSF (all
      forms). Quality assessment was conducted with the Quality In Prognosis Studies
      tool. A study protocol was registered with the International Prospective Register
      of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO# CRD42014008728). RESULTS: The majority of the
      eight accepted studies were observational, prospective cohorts (n = 6). High
      levels of baseline depression and lower SF-36 Mental Component Scores (MCS) lower
      quality of life were associated with non-favourable outcomes. Two studies were
      rated as high quality, five were moderate and one study had low quality.
      CONCLUSIONS: At present, there are a number of psychological variables that are
      associated with a poorer outcome with LSF. Higher levels of depression and lower
      scores on the SF-36 MCS are the most commonly implicated. However, based on the
      results of the studies using single arm designs there is not enough evidence to
      determine which psychological variables are influential in predicting outcomes
      for LSF. Copyright (c) 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 26270323
TI  - Footwear and Foam Surface Alter Gait Initiation of Typical Subjects.
AB  - Gait initiation is the task commonly used to investigate the anticipatory
      postural adjustments necessary to begin a new gait cycle from the standing
      position. In this study, we analyzed whether and how foot-floor interface
      characteristics influence the gait initiation process. For this purpose, 25
      undergraduate students were evaluated while performing a gait initiation task in
      three experimental conditions: barefoot on a hard surface (barefoot condition),
      barefoot on a soft surface (foam condition), and shod on a hard surface (shod
      condition). Two force plates were used to acquire ground reaction forces and
      moments for each foot separately. A statistical parametric mapping (SPM) analysis
      was performed in COP time series. We compared the anterior-posterior (AP) and
      medial-lateral (ML) resultant center of pressure (COP) paths and average
      velocities, the force peaks under the right and left foot, and the COP integral x
      force impulse for three different phases: the anticipatory postural adjustment
      (APA) phase (Phase 1), the swing-foot unloading phase (Phase 2), and the support
      foot unloading phase (Phase 3). In Phase 1, significantly smaller ML COP paths
      and velocities were found for the shod condition compared to the barefoot and
      foam conditions. Significantly smaller ML COP paths were also found in Phase 2
      for the shod condition compared to the barefoot and foam conditions. In Phase 3,
      increased AP COP velocities were found for the shod condition compared to the
      barefoot and foam conditions. SPM analysis revealed significant differences for
      vector COP time series in the shod condition compared to the barefoot and foam
      conditions. The foam condition limited the impulse-generating capacity of COP
      shift and produced smaller ML force peaks, resulting in limitations to body
      weight transfer from the swing to the support foot. The results suggest that
      footwear and a soft surface affect COP and impose certain features of gait
      initiation, especially in the ML direction of Phase 1. 

PMID- 26270328
TI  - Single molecule array (Simoa) assay with optimal antibody pairs for cytokine
      detection in human serum samples.
AB  - Concentrations of cytokines in bodily fluids reflect the physiological or
      pathological state of the patient and can be used for prognosis, disease
      diagnosis or for monitoring therapeutic efficacy. However, in the bodily fluids
      of healthy or sub-healthy individuals, many cytokines are present at
      concentrations that are near or below the detection limits of current methods.
      Here we selected antibody pairs to be employed in the single molecule array
      (Simoa) assay for ten cytokines including GM-CSF, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, IL-1beta,
      IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, and IL-10. The limits of detection (LODs) obtained
      were as low as 90 aM-6 fM. These assays allow detection of cytokines in healthy
      human serum samples at levels significantly below the detection limits of
      conventional ELISA assays. We provide detailed antibody pair information as well
      as the concentration profiles of ten cytokines in healthy human serum to serve as
      reference data for further ultrasensitive immunoassay development and future
      clinical applications. 

PMID- 26270327
TI  - Late emergence of A594V and L595W mutations related to ganciclovir resistance in
      a patient with HCMV retinitis and long-term HIV progression.
AB  - The emergence of ganciclovir (GCV) resistance during the treatment of human
      cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection is a serious clinical challenge, and is
      associated with high morbidity and mortality. In this case report, we describe
      the emergence of two consecutive mutations (A594V and L595W) related to GCV
      resistance in a patient with HCMV retinitis and long-term HIV progression after
      approximately 240 days of GCV use. Following the diagnosis of retinitis, the
      introduction of GCV did not result in viral load reduction. The detected
      mutations appeared late in the treatment, and we propose that other factors (high
      initial HCMV load, previous GCV exposure, low CD4+ cell count), in addition to
      the presence of resistance mutations, may have contributed to the treatment
      failure of HCMV infection in this patient. 

PMID- 26270329
TI  - Palladium(ii) mononuclear and palladium(ii)/ruthenium(ii) heterodinuclear
      complexes containing 2-quinolyl-substituted (pyridine-2-carbonyl)hydrazone.
AB  - A reaction of [PdCl2(cod)] (cod = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) and an E/Z mixture of
      quinoline-2-carbaldehyde (pyridine-2-carbonyl)hydrazone (HL) gave two kinds of
      Pd(II) mononuclear complexes, [PdCl(Z-L-kappa(3)N,N',N'')] (1) and [PdCl2(E-HL'
      kappa(2)N,N')] (2), where L(-) is the deprotonated hydrazonate anion and HL' is
      the quinolinium-hydrazonate zwitterionic form of HL. Complex 2 is gradually
      converted to 1 in solution, and complex 1 is a good precursor to prepare a
      Pd(II)/Ru(II) heterodinuclear complex bridged by hydrazonate, trans(Cl,Cl)
      [RuCl2(PPh3)2(MU-L)PdCl] (3). 

PMID- 26270331
TI  - EMS Provider Attitudes and Perceptions of Enrolling Patients without Consent in
      Prehospital Emergency Research.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to evaluate the attitudes and opinions of a broad
      population of EMS providers on enrolling patients in research without consent. A
      survey was conducted in 2010 of all EMS providers who participated in the
      National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) reregistration
      process, which included half of all registered providers. Each reregistration
      packet included our optional survey, which had nine 6-point Likert scale
      questions concerning their opinion of research studies without consent as well as
      8 demographic questions. Responses were collapsed to agree and disagree and then
      analyzed using descriptive statistics with 99% confidence intervals. A total of
      65,993 EMS providers received the survey and 23,832 (36%) participated. Most
      respondents agreed (98.4%, 99%CI: 98.2-98.6) that EMS research is important, but
      only 30.9% (99%CI: 30.1-31.6) agreed with enrolling patients without their
      consent when it is important to learn about a new treatment. Only 46.6% (99%Cl:
      45.7-47.4) were personally willing to be enrolled in a study without their
      consent. A majority (68.5% [99%Cl: 67.7-69.3]) of respondents believed that EMS
      providers should have the individual right to refuse to enroll patients in EMS
      research. While the majority of respondents agreed that EMS research is
      important, considerably less agree with enrolling patients without consent and
      less than half would be willing to be enrolled in a study without their consent.
      Prior to starting an Exception from Informed Consent (EFIC) study, researchers
      should discuss with EMS providers their perceptions of enrolling patients without
      consent and address their concerns. 

PMID- 26270330
TI  - A Computational Study of Nasal Spray Deposition Pattern in Four Ethnic Groups.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Very little is known about the role of nasal morphology due to ethnic
      variation on particle deposition pattern in the sinonasal cavity. This
      preliminary study utilizes computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling to
      investigate sinonasal airway morphology and deposition patterns of intranasal
      sprayed particles in the nose and sinuses of individuals from four different
      ethnic groups: African American (Black); Asian; Caucasian; and Latin American.
      METHODS: Sixteen subjects (four from each ethnic group) with "normal" sinus
      protocol computed tomography (CT) were selected for CFD analysis. Three
      dimensional reconstruction of each subject's sinonasal cavity was created from
      their personal CT images. CFD simulations were carried out in ANSYS Fluent(TM) in
      two phases: airflow phase was done by numerically solving the Navier-Stokes
      equations for steady state laminar inhalation; and particle dispersed phase was
      solved by tracking injected (sprayed) particles through the calculated airflow
      field. A total of 10,000 particle streams were released from each nostril, 1000
      particles per diameter ranging from 5 MUm to 50 MUm, with size increments of 5
      MUm. RESULTS: As reported in the literature, Caucasians (5.31 +/- 0.42 cm(-1))
      and Latin Americans (5.16 +/- 0.40cm(-1)) had the highest surface area to volume
      ratio, while African Americans had highest nasal index (95.91 +/- 2.22). Nasal
      resistance (NR) was highest among Caucasians (0.046 +/- 0.008 Pa.s/mL) and Asians
      (0.042 +/- 0.016Pa.s/mL). Asians and African Americans had the most regions with
      particle deposition for small (5 MUm-15 MUm) and large (20 MUm-50 MUm) particle
      sizes, respectively. Asians and Latin Americans individuals had the most
      consistent regional particle deposition pattern in the main nasal cavities within
      their respective ethnic groups. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary results from these
      ethnic groups investigated showed that Caucasians and Latin Americans had the
      least patent nasal cavity. Furthermore, Caucasians and African Americans had the
      lowest inter-subject consistency in regional particle deposition pattern; this
      may be due to greater inter-subject variability in their respective nasal
      vestibule morphology.

PMID- 26270332
TI  - Concentric Magnetic Structures for Magnetophoretic Bead Collection, Cell Trapping
      and Analysis of Cell Morphological Changes Caused by Local Magnetic Forces.
AB  - Concentric magnetic structures (ring and square) with domain wall (DW) pinning
      geometry are designed for biological manipulation. Magnetic beads collection was
      firstly demonstrated to analyse the local magnetic field generated by DWs and the
      effective regions to capture magnetic targets of size 1 MUm. Primary mouse
      embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) are magnetically labeled by internalizing poly
      (styrene sulfonic acid) stabilized magnetic nanoparticles (PSS-MNPs) and then are
      selectively trapped by head-to-tail DWs (HH DWs) or tail-to-tail DWs (TT DWs) to
      be arranged into linear shape or cross shape. The morphologies and the nuclear
      geometry of the cells growing on two kinds of concentric magnetic structures are
      shown to be distinctive. The intracellular magnetic forces generated by the local
      magnetic field of DWs are found to influence the behaviour of cells. 

PMID- 26270334
TI  - Correction: Copper Pollution Increases the Relative Importance of Predation Risk
      in an Aquatic Food Web.

PMID- 26270333
TI  - Functional Leaf Traits and Diurnal Dynamics of Photosynthetic Parameters Predict
      the Behavior of Grapevine Varieties Towards Ozone.
AB  - A comparative study on functional leaf treats and the diurnal dynamics of
      photosynthetic processes was conducted on 2-year-old potted plants of two grape
      (Vitis vinifera L.) varieties (Aleatico, ALE, and Trebbiano giallo, TRE), exposed
      under controlled conditions to realistic concentrations of the pollutant gas
      ozone (80 ppb for 5 h day(-1), 8:00-13:00 h, + 40 ppb for 5 h day(-1), 13:00
      18:00 h). At constitutive levels, the morphological functional traits of TRE
      improved leaf resistance to gas exchange, suggesting that TRE is characterized by
      a potential high degree of tolerance to ozone. At the end of the treatment, both
      varieties showed typical visible injuries on fully expanded leaves and a marked
      alteration in the diurnal pattern of photosynthetic activity. This was mainly due
      to a decreased stomatal conductance (-27 and -29% in ALE and TRE, in terms of
      daily values in comparison to controls) and to a reduced mesophyllic functioning
      (+33 and +16% of the intercellular carbon dioxide concentration). Although the
      genotypic variability of grape regulates the response to oxidative stress,
      similar detoxification processes were activated, such as an increased content of
      total carotenoids (+64 and +30%, in ALE and TRE), enhanced efficiency of thermal
      energy dissipation within photosystem II (+32 and +20%) closely correlated with
      the increased de-epoxidation index (+26 and +22%) and variations in content of
      some osmolytes. In summary, we can conclude that: the daily photosynthetic
      performance of grapevine leaves was affected by a realistic exposure to ozone. In
      addition, the gas exchange and chlorophyll a fluorescence measurements revealed a
      different quali-quantitative response in the two varieties. The genotypic
      variability of V. vinifera and the functional leaf traits would seem to regulate
      the acclimatory response to oxidative stress and the degree of tolerance to
      ozone. Similar photoprotective mechanisms were activated in the two varieties,
      though to a different extent.

PMID- 26270335
TI  - Antiprotozoal Activity Profiling of Approved Drugs: A Starting Point toward Drug
      Repositioning.
AB  - Neglected tropical diseases cause significant morbidity and mortality and are a
      source of poverty in endemic countries. Only a few drugs are available to treat
      diseases such as leishmaniasis, Chagas' disease, human African trypanosomiasis
      and malaria. Since drug development is lengthy and expensive, a drug repurposing
      strategy offers an attractive fast-track approach to speed up the process. A set
      of 100 registered drugs with drug repositioning potential for neglected diseases
      was assembled and tested in vitro against four protozoan parasites associated
      with the aforementioned diseases. Several drugs and drug classes showed in vitro
      activity in those screening assays. The results are critically reviewed and
      discussed in the perspective of a follow-up drug repositioning strategy where R&D
      has to be addressed with limited resources. 

PMID- 26270337
TI  - Determination of Race from the Skeleton through Forensic Anthropological Methods.
AB  - Metric and morphological techniques employed by forensic anthropologists for
      determination of race are reviewed. Included are several studies which examine
      cranial morphological techniques such as presence of the oval window of the inner
      ear, which occurs more frequently in Whites than in Native Americans; or the
      shape of the alveolar region which distinguishes between Asian, African, and
      North American Indian groups. A table of common cranial morphologic traits is
      presented. Metric techniques have also been used to determine race from the
      skull. Regression equations derived from measurements of the cranial base
      indicate a 70-90% accuracy for classifying Blacks and Whites, while multivariate
      discriminant functions for discriminating Blacks, Whites, and Native Americans
      correctly classify 82.6% of the males and 88.1% of the females. FORDISC, a
      computer program developed at the University of Tennessee, is another metric
      technique reviewed that not only distinguishes Whites, Blacks, and Native
      Americans but also male Hispanics, Chinese, and Vietnamese. Platycnemia, femoral
      curvature and other morphological attributes of the post-cranial skeleton may be
      used in support of a racial determination; however, several investigators have
      turned to post-cranial elements not only to use in support of cranial findings
      but for use when cranial information is not available. As a result, several
      discriminant functions from measurements of the pelvis, femur, tibia or
      combinations of these elements have been developed. Accuracy for these techniques
      varies from 57% to 95%, depending on the sample and technique used. Other aspects
      of the femur, such as the diameter of the neck, height of the intercondylar notch
      and femoral curvature, have been measured for assessment of race. Also included
      is a brief historical survey of race and current thoughts on the concept of race.

PMID- 26270338
TI  - Medical Review Officer Interpretation of Urine Drug Test Results.
AB  - Federal regulations, some state statutes, and company programs have created a
      position for physicians to serve as medical review officers and interpret urine
      drug test results. This article is intended to provide the medical review officer
      with an overview of commonly-tested drugs and factors that may affect analytical
      results. In addition, the sources of legitimate explanations for a positive test
      are discussed. Legitimate explanations may include the use of prescription and
      non-prescription medication, foodstuffs, occupational exposure to drugs, and
      drugs that metabolize to substances that are tested. Physicians serving as
      medical review officers must be familiar with the legal, medical, and
      toxicological issues of urine drug testing. 

PMID- 26270339
TI  - Criminalistics Education and the Role of the Criminalistics Educator.
AB  - The uniqueness of criminalistics education stems from the participation of
      academe, laboratories, and a variety of public agencies, professional
      associations, and private vendors. One consequence of laboratory and association
      participation is the premium placed on experience during the evaluation process.
      An analysis of undergraduate criminalistics programs indicates the existence of
      considerable reservations about their utility for providing new laboratory
      personnel. At the masters degree level, however, a consensus appears to exist
      about the appropriateness of curricular structure and the value of a graduate
      degree in criminalistics for laboratory employment. Doctoral programs related to
      criminalistics are also discussed and the need for their maintenance is
      emphasized. The review concludes with an examination of the role of the
      criminalistics educator as: academic leader, agent of institutional change,
      laboratory counter-balance, and catalyst for legal change. 

PMID- 26270336
TI  - Outcome after Reconstruction of the Proximal Tibia--Complications and Competing
      Risk Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The proximal tibia (pT) is a common site for bone
      tumors. Improvements in imaging, chemotherapy and surgical technique made limb
      salvage surgery the treatment of choice. Yet, reconstructions of the pT have been
      associated with less favorable outcome compared to other parts of the
      extremities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of patients with a
      modular endoprosthetic reconstruction of the pT. METHODS: Eighty-one consecutive
      patients with an average age of 29 years underwent endoprosthetic reconstruction
      of the pT. Postoperative complications were categorized according to the ISOLS
      classification, and revision-free survival until first complication (any Type 1
      5), soft tissue failure (Type 1), aseptic loosening (Type 2), structural failure
      (Type 3), infection (Type 4), and local tumor progression (Type 5) was estimated
      by using a Fine-Gray model for competing risk analyses for univariate and
      multivariable regression with Firth's bias correction. RESULTS: A total of 45
      patients (56%) had at least one complication. Cumulative incidence for
      complication Types 1 to 5 at 5 years with death and amputation as competing
      events revealed a risk of 41% for the first complication, 14% for Type 1, 16% for
      Type 2, 11% for Type 3, 17% for Type 4, and 1% for Type 5. CONCLUSION: Despite
      inclusion of amputation and death as strong competing events, pT replacements are
      still associated with a high risk of postoperative failures. The results suggest
      that infection and soft tissue failures (Type 1 and 5) seem to depend from each
      other. Sufficient soft tissue reconstruction and closure allow better function
      and reduce the risk of infection as the most prominent complication. The use of a
      rotating hinge design has significantly reduced structural failures over time.

PMID- 26270340
TI  - Late Conversion of Kidney Transplant Recipients from Ciclosporin to Tacrolimus
      Improves Graft Function: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tacrolimus (TAC) to ciclosporin A (CSA) conversion studies in stable
      kidney transplant recipients have reported varying effects on graft function.
      Here we study graft function (eGFR) trajectories using linear mixed models, which
      provide effect estimates on both slope and baseline level of GFR and offer
      increased statistical power. METHODS: Secondary analysis of a randomized
      controlled trial of CSA treated kidney transplant recipients with stable graft
      function assigned to receive 0.1 mg/kg/day TAC (target 5-8 ng/ml) or to continue
      CSA based immunosuppression (target 70-150 ng/ml) at a 2:1 ratio. Renal graft
      function was estimated via the MDRD (eGFRMDRD) and CKD-EPI (eGFRCKD-EPI)
      formulas. RESULTS: Forty-five patients continued CSA and 96 patients were
      converted to TAC with a median follow up of 24 months. Baseline demographics
      (except for recipient age) including native kidney disease, transplant
      characteristics, kidney graft function, medication use and comorbid conditions
      did not differ between groups. In respect to long-term renal graft function,
      linear mixed models showed significantly improved eGFR trajectories (eGFRMDRD:
      p<0.001, eGFRCKD-EPI: p<0.001) in the TAC versus CSA group over 24 months of
      follow up. Estimated eGFRCKD-EPI group differences between TAC and CSA were -3.49
      (p = 0.019) at 3 months, -5.50 (p<0.001) at 12 months, and -4.48 ml/min/1.73m2 (p
      = 0.003) at 24 months of follow up. Baseline eGFR was a significant predictor of
      eGFR trajectories (eGFRMDRD: p<0.001, eGFRCKD-EPI: p<0.001). Significant effects
      for randomization group were evident despite short-term trough levels in the
      supratherapeutic range (27% (n = 26) of TAC patients at week one). Median TAC
      trough levels were within target range at week 4 after conversion. CONCLUSION:
      Conversion of CSA treated kidney transplant recipients with stable graft function
      to TAC (target 5-8 ng/ml) showed significantly improved long-term eGFR
      trajectories when compared to CSA maintenance (target 70-150 ng/ml). TRIAL
      REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00182559 EudraCT identifier: 2004-004209-98.

PMID- 26270341
TI  - Subset Analysis of a Multicenter, Randomized Controlled Trial to Compare
      Magnifying Chromoendoscopy with Endoscopic Ultrasonography for Stage Diagnosis of
      Early Stage Colorectal Cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Our recent prospective study found equivalent accuracy of magnifying
      chromoendoscopy (MC) and endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) for diagnosing the
      invasion depth of colorectal cancer (CRC); however, whether these tools show
      diagnostic differences in categories such as tumor size and morphology remains
      unclear. Hence, we conducted detailed subset analysis of the prospective data.
      METHODS: In this multicenter, prospective, comparative trial, a total of 70
      patients with early, flat CRC were enrolled from February 2011 to December 2012,
      and the results of 66 lesions were finally analyzed. Patients were randomly
      allocated to primary MC followed by EUS or to primary EUS followed by MC.
      Diagnoses of invasion depth by each tool were divided into intramucosal to slight
      submucosal invasion (invasion depth <1000 MUm) and deep submucosal invasion
      (invasion depth >=1000 MUm), and then compared with the final pathological
      diagnosis by an independent pathologist blinded to clinical data. To standardize
      diagnoses among examiners, this trial was started after achievement of a mean
      kappa value of >=0.6 which was calculated from the average of kappa values
      between each pair of participating endoscopists. RESULTS: Both MC and EUS showed
      similar diagnostic outcomes, with no significant differences in prediction of
      invasion depth in subset analyses according to tumor size, location, and
      morphology. Lesions that were consistently diagnosed as Tis/T1-SMS or >=T1-SMD
      with both tools revealed accuracy of 76-78%. Accuracy was low in borderline
      lesions with irregular pit pattern in MC and distorted findings of the third
      layer in EUS (MC, 58.5%; EUS, 50.0%). CONCLUSIONS: MC and EUS showed the same
      limited accuracy for predicting invasion depth in all categories of early CRC.
      Since the irregular pit pattern in MC, distorted findings to the third layer in
      EUS and inconsistent diagnosis between both tools were associated with low
      accuracy, further refinements or even novel methods are still needed for such
      lesions. TRIAL REGISTRATION: University hospital Medical Information Network
      Clinical Trials Registry UMIN 000005085.

PMID- 26270343
TI  - Is a Cholera Outbreak Preventable in Post-earthquake Nepal?

PMID- 26270342
TI  - The Centipede Genus Scolopendra in Mainland Southeast Asia: Molecular
      Phylogenetics, Geometric Morphometrics and External Morphology as Tools for
      Species Delimitation.
AB  - Seven Scolopendra species from the Southeast Asian mainland delimited based on
      standard external morphological characters represent monophyletic groups in
      phylogenetic trees inferred from concatenated sequences of three gene fragments
      (cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1, 16S rRNA and 28S rRNA) using Maximum likelihood
      and Bayesian inference. Geometric morphometric description of shape variation in
      the cephalic plate, forcipular coxosternite, and tergite of the ultimate leg
      bearing segment provides additional criteria for distinguishing species.
      Colouration patterns in some Scolopendra species show a high degree of fit to
      phylogenetic trees at the population level. The most densely sampled species,
      Scolopendra dehaani Brandt, 1840, has three subclades with allopatric
      distributions in mainland SE Asia. The molecular phylogeny of S. pinguis Pocock,
      1891, indicated ontogenetic colour variation among its populations. The taxonomic
      validation of S. dawydoffi Kronmuller, 2012, S. japonica Koch, 1878, and S.
      dehaani Brandt, 1840, each a former subspecies of S. subspinipes Leach, 1814
      sensu Lewis, 2010, as full species was supported by molecular information and
      additional morphological data. Species delimitation in these taxonomically
      challenging animals is facilitated by an integrative approach that draws on both
      morphology and molecular phylogeny. 

PMID- 26270344
TI  - R54C Mutation of NOTCH3 Gene in the First Rungus Family with CADASIL.
AB  - Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and
      leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is a rare hereditary stroke caused by mutations in
      NOTCH3 gene. We report the first case of CADASIL in an indigenous Rungus (Kadazan
      Dusun) family in Kudat, Sabah, Malaysia confirmed by a R54C (c.160C>T,
      p.Arg54Cys) mutation in the NOTCH3. This mutation was previously reported in a
      Caucasian and two Korean cases of CADASIL. We recruited two generations of the
      affected Rungus family (n = 9) and found a missense mutation (c.160C>T) in exon 2
      of NOTCH3 in three siblings. Two of the three siblings had severe white matter
      abnormalities in their brain MRI (Scheltens score 33 and 50 respectively), one of
      whom had a young stroke at the age of 38. The remaining sibling, however, did not
      show any clinical features of CADASIL and had only minimal changes in her brain
      MRI (Scheltens score 17). This further emphasized the phenotype variability among
      family members with the same mutation in CADASIL. This is the first reported
      family with CADASIL in Rungus subtribe of Kadazan-Dusun ethnicity with a known
      mutation at exon 2 of NOTCH3. The penetrance of this mutation was not complete
      during the course of this study. 

PMID- 26270345
TI  - How Heme Oxygenase-1 Prevents Heme-Induced Cell Death.
AB  - Earlier observations indicate that free heme is selectively toxic to cells
      lacking heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) but how this enzyme prevents heme toxicity
      remains unexplained. Here, using A549 (human lung cancer) and immortalized human
      bronchial epithelial cells incubated with exogenous heme, we find knock-down of
      HO-1 using siRNA does promote the accumulation of cell-associated heme and heme
      induced cell death. However, it appears that the toxic effects of heme are
      exerted by "loose" (probably intralysosomal) iron because cytotoxic effects of
      heme are lessened by pre-incubation of HO-1 deficient cells with desferrioxamine
      (which localizes preferentially in the lysosomal compartment). Desferrioxamine
      also decreases lysosomal rupture promoted by intracellularly generated hydrogen
      peroxide. Supporting the importance of endogenous oxidant production, both
      chemical and siRNA inhibition of catalase activity predisposes HO-1 deficient
      cells to heme-mediated killing. Importantly, it appears that HO-1 deficiency
      somehow blocks the induction of ferritin; control cells exposed to heme show ~10
      fold increases in ferritin heavy chain expression whereas in heme-exposed HO-1
      deficient cells ferritin expression is unchanged. Finally, overexpression of
      ferritin H chain in HO-1 deficient cells completely prevents heme-induced
      cytotoxicity. Although two other products of HO-1 activity--CO and bilirubin-
      have been invoked to explain HO-1-mediated cytoprotection, we conclude that, at
      least in this experimental system, HO-1 activity triggers the induction of
      ferritin and the latter is actually responsible for the cytoprotective effects of
      HO-1 activity.

PMID- 26270346
TI  - The Expression of the Zonula Adhaerens Protein PLEKHA7 Is Strongly Decreased in
      High Grade Ductal and Lobular Breast Carcinomas.
AB  - PLEKHA7 is a junctional protein, which participates in a complex that stabilizes
      E-cadherin at the zonula adhaerens. Since E-cadherin is involved in epithelial
      morphogenesis, signaling, and tumor progression, we explored PLEKHA7 expression
      in cancer. PLEKHA7 expression was assessed in invasive ductal and lobular
      carcinomas of the breast by immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and
      quantitative RT-PCR. PLEKHA7 was detected at epithelial junctions of normal
      mammary ducts and lobules, and of tubular and micropapillary structures within G1
      and G2 ductal carcinomas. At these junctions, the localization of PLEKHA7 was
      along the circumferential belt (zonula adhaerens), and only partially overlapping
      with that of E-cadherin, p120ctn and ZO-1, as shown previously in rodent tissues.
      PLEKHA7 immunolabeling was strongly decreased in G3 ductal carcinomas and
      undetectable in lobular carcinomas. PLEKHA7 mRNA was detected in both ductal and
      lobular carcinomas, with no observed correlation between mRNA levels and tumor
      type or grade. In summary, PLEKHA7 is a junctional marker of epithelial cells
      within tubular structures both in normal breast tissue and ductal carcinomas, and
      since PLEKHA7 protein but not mRNA expression is strongly decreased or lost in
      high grade ductal carcinomas and in lobular carcinomas, loss of PLEKHA7 is a
      newly characterized feature of these carcinomas. 

PMID- 26270347
TI  - Relative Risk of Acute Myocardial Infarction in People with Schizophrenia and
      Bipolar Disorder: A Population-Based Cohort Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Despite high mortality associated with serious mental illness, risk of
      acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remains unclear, especially for patients with
      bipolar disorder. The main objective was to investigate the relative risk of AMI
      associated with schizophrenia and bipolar disorders in a national sample. METHOD:
      Using nationwide administrative data, an 11-year historic cohort study was
      assembled, comprised of cases aged 18 and above who had received a diagnosis of
      schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, compared to a random sample of all other
      adults excluding those with diagnoses of serious mental illness. Incident AMI as
      a primary diagnosis was ascertained. Hazard ratios stratified by age and gender
      were calculated and Cox regression models were used to adjust for other
      covariates. RESULTS: A total of 70,225 people with schizophrenia or bipolar
      disorder and 207,592 people without serious mental illness were compared. Hazard
      ratios in men adjusted for age, income and urbanization were 1.15 (95% CI
      1.01~1.32) for schizophrenia and 1.37 (1.08~1.73)for bipolar disorder, and in
      women, 1.85 (1.58~2.18) and 1.88(1.47~2.41) respectively. Further adjustment for
      treated hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidaemia attenuated the hazard ratio
      for men with schizophrenia but not the other comparison groups. Hazard ratios
      were significantly stronger in women than men and were stronger in younger
      compared to older age groups for both disorders; however, gender modification was
      only significant in people with schizophrenia, and age modification only
      significant in people with bipolar disorder. CONCLUSIONS: In this large national
      sample, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder were associated with raised risk of
      AMI in women and in the younger age groups although showed differences in
      potential confounding and modifying factors.

PMID- 26270348
TI  - Subclinical Hypothyroidism and Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta
      Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Abundant evidence suggests an association between subclinical
      hypothyroidism (SCH) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), but small sample sizes
      and inconclusive data in the literature complicate this assertion. OBJECTIVE: We
      measured the prevalence of SCH in T2DM population, and investigated whether T2DM
      increase the risk of SCH and whether SCH was associated with diabetic
      complications. METHODS: We conducted a meta-analysis using PubMed, EMBASE, Web of
      Science, Wan Fang, CNKI and VIP databases for literature search. We obtained
      studies published between January 1, 1980 to December 1, 2014. The studies were
      selected to evaluate the prevalence of SCH in T2DM subjects, compare the
      prevalence of SCH in T2DM subjects with those non-diabetics, and investigate
      whether diabetic complications were more prevalent in SCH than those who were
      euthyroid. Fixed and random effects meta-analysis models were used, and the
      outcome was presented as a pooled prevalence with 95% confidence interval (95%
      CI) or a summary odds ratio (OR) with 95% CI. RESULTS: Through literature search,
      36 articles met the inclusion criteria and these articles contained a total of 61
      studies. Funnel plots and Egger's tests showed no publication bias in our
      studies, except for the pooled prevalence of SCH in T2DM (P = 0.08) and OR for
      SCH in T2DM (P = 0.04). Trim and fill method was used to correct the results and
      five potential missing data were replaced respectively. The adjusted pooled
      prevalence of SCH in T2DM patients was 10.2%, meanwhile, T2DM was associated with
      a 1.93-fold increase in risk of SCH (95% CI: 1.66, 2.24). Furthermore, SCH might
      affect the development of diabetic complications with an overall OR of 1.74 (95%
      CI: 1.34, 2.28) for diabetic nephropathy, 1.42 (95% CI: 1.21, 1.67) for diabetic
      retinopathy, 1.85 (95% CI: 1.35, 2.54) for peripheral arterial disease, and 1.87
      (95% CI: 1.06, 3.28) for diabetic peripheral neuropathy. CONCLUSIONS: T2DM
      patients are more likely to have SCH when compared with healthy population and
      SCH may be associated with increased diabetic complications. It is necessary to
      screen thyroid function in patients with T2DM, and appropriate individualized
      treatments in addition to thyroid function test should be given to T2DM patients
      with SCH as well.

PMID- 26270351
TI  - Breast Cancer/Stromal Cells Coculture on Polyelectrolyte Films Emulates Tumor
      Stages and miRNA Profiles of Clinical Samples.
AB  - In this study, we demonstrate a method for controlling breast cancer cells
      adhesion on polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) films without the aid of adhesive
      proteins/ligands to study the role of tumor and stromal cell interaction on
      cancer biology. Numerous studies have explored engineering coculture of tumor and
      stromal cells predominantly using transwell coculture of stromal cells cultured
      onto coverslips that were subsequently added to tumor cell cultures. However,
      these systems imposed an artificial boundary that precluded cell-cell
      interactions. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of patterned
      coculture of tumor cells and stromal cells that captures the temporal changes in
      the miRNA signature as the breast tumor develops through various stages. In our
      study we used synthetic polymers, namely poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride)
      (PDAC) and sulfonated poly(styrene) (SPS), as the polycation and polyanion,
      respectively, to build PEMs. Breast cancer cells attached and spread
      preferentially on SPS surfaces while stromal cells attached to both SPS and PDAC
      surfaces. SPS patterns were formed on PEM surfaces, by either capillary force
      lithography (CFL) of SPS onto PDAC surfaces or vice versa, to obtain patterns of
      breast cancer cells and patterned cocultures of breast cancer and stromal cells.
      In this study, we utilized cancer cells derived from two different tumor stages
      and two different stromal cells to effectively model a heterogeneous tumor
      microenvironment and emulate various tumor stages. The coculture model mimics the
      proliferative index (Ki67 expression) and tumor aggressiveness (HER-2 expression)
      akin to those observed in clinical tumor samples. We also demonstrated that our
      patterned coculture model captures the temporal changes in the miRNA-21 and miRNA
      34 signature as the breast tumor develops through various stages. The engineered
      coculture platform lays groundwork toward precision medicine wherein patient
      derived tumor cells can be incorporated within our in vitro models to identify
      potential pathways and drug treatment regimens for individual patients. 

PMID- 26270352
TI  - Photoactivated cyclases: In memoriam Masakatsu Watanabe.

PMID- 26270349
TI  - Exploring the role of MKK7 in excitotoxicity and cerebral ischemia: a novel
      pharmacological strategy against brain injury.
AB  - Excitotoxicity following cerebral ischemia elicits a molecular cascade, which
      leads to neuronal death. c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK) has a key role in
      excitotoxic cell death. We have previously shown that JNK inhibition by a
      specific cell-permeable peptide significantly reduces infarct size and neuronal
      death in an in vivo model of cerebral ischemia. However, systemic inhibition of
      JNK may have detrimental side effects, owing to blockade of its physiological
      function. Here we designed a new inhibitor peptide (growth arrest and DNA damage
      inducible 45beta (GADD45beta-I)) targeting mitogen-activated protein kinase
      kinase 7 (MKK7), an upstream activator of JNK, which exclusively mediates JNK's
      pathological activation. GADD45beta-I was engineered by optimizing the domain of
      the GADD45beta, able to bind to MKK7, and by linking it to the TAT peptide
      sequence, to allow penetration of biological membranes. Our data clearly indicate
      that GADD45beta-I significantly reduces neuronal death in excitotoxicity induced
      by either N-methyl-D-aspartate exposure or by oxygen-glucose deprivation in
      vitro. Moreover, GADD45beta-I exerted neuroprotection in vivo in two models of
      ischemia, obtained by electrocoagulation and by thromboembolic occlusion of the
      middle cerebral artery (MCAo). Indeed, GADD45beta-I reduced the infarct size when
      injected 30 min before the lesion in both models. The peptide was also effective
      when administrated 6 h after lesion, as demonstrated in the electrocoagulation
      model. The neuroprotective effect of GADD45beta-I is long lasting; in fact, 1
      week after MCAo the infarct volume was still reduced by 49%. Targeting MKK7 could
      represent a new therapeutic strategy for the treatment of ischemia and other
      pathologies involving MKK7/JNK activation. Moreover, this new inhibitor can be
      useful to further dissect the physiological and pathological role of the JNK
      pathway in the brain. 

PMID- 26270350
TI  - AK2 deficiency compromises the mitochondrial energy metabolism required for
      differentiation of human neutrophil and lymphoid lineages.
AB  - Reticular dysgenesis is a human severe combined immunodeficiency that is
      primarily characterized by profound neutropenia and lymphopenia. The condition is
      caused by mutations in the adenylate kinase 2 (AK2) gene, resulting in the loss
      of mitochondrial AK2 protein expression. AK2 regulates the homeostasis of
      mitochondrial adenine nucleotides (ADP, ATP and AMP) by catalyzing the transfer
      of high-energy phosphate. Our present results demonstrate that AK2-knocked-down
      progenitor cells have poor proliferative and survival capacities and are blocked
      in their differentiation toward lymphoid and granulocyte lineages. We also
      observed that AK2 deficiency impaired mitochondrial function in general and
      oxidative phosphorylation in particular - showing that AK2 is critical in the
      control of energy metabolism. Loss of AK2 disrupts this regulation and leads to a
      profound block in lymphoid and myeloid cell differentiation. 

PMID- 26270353
TI  - Pharmacokinetic study of enrofloxacin in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)
      after a single oral administration in medicated feed.
AB  - The objective of this study was to evaluate the disposition kinetics of
      enrofloxacin (ENR) in the plasma and its distribution in the muscle tissue of
      Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) after a single oral dose of 10 mg/kg body
      weight via medicated feed. The fish were kept at a temperature between 28 and 30 
      degrees C. The collection period was between 30 min and 120 h after
      administration of the drug. The samples were analyzed by high-performance liquid
      chromatography with a fluorescence detector (HPLC-FLD). The ENR was slowly
      absorbed and eliminated from the plasma (Cmax = 1.24 +/- 0.37 MUg/mL; Tmax = 8 h;
      T1/2Ke  = 19.36 h). ENR was efficiently distributed in the muscle tissue and
      reached maximum values (2.17 +/- 0.74 MUg/g) after 8 h. Its metabolite,
      ciprofloxacin (CIP), was detected and quantified in the plasma (0.004 +/- 0.005
      MUg/mL) and muscle (0.01 +/- 0.011 MUg/g) for up to 48 h. After oral
      administration, the mean concentration of ENR in the plasma was well above the
      minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC50 ) for most bacteria already isolated
      from fish except for Streptococcus spp. This way the dose used in this study
      allowed for concentrations in the blood to treat the diseases of tilapia. 

PMID- 26270354
TI  - Ultrastructural Features of Sperm Storage Tubules in the Oviduct of the Indian
      Garden Lizard, Calotes Versicolor.
AB  - This study provides the first description of the ultrastructural features of
      sperm storage tubules (SSTs) in the uterovaginal region of the oviduct of the
      Indian garden lizard, Calotes versicolor. Abundant spermatozoa along with copious
      secretory material were found in the lumen of the SSTs. These secretory granules
      appeared similar in electron density to those found in the epithelial cells
      lining the SSTs indicating their similar origin. The close physical proximity of
      sperm with these granules suggests an intimate association between the two. The
      present study is also the first report of recovery of motile sperm from the
      flushings of SSTs in C. versicolor. The density of sperm found in the flushings
      varied, being most abundant during the reproductive phase and minimum/absent
      during the regressive phase. Understanding the microenvironment of the SSTs, the
      nature of the secretory granules and their interaction with sperm can guide us in
      unraveling the biology of oviductal sperm storage.

PMID- 26270356
TI  - Water Phase Diagram Is Significantly Altered by Imidazolium Ionic Liquid.
AB  - We report unusually large changes in the boiling temperature, saturated vapor
      pressure, and structure of the liquid-vapor interface for a range of 1-butyl-3
      methyl tetrafluoroborate, [C4C1IM][BF4]-water mixtures. Even modest molar
      fractions of [C4C1IM][BF4] significantly affect the phase behavior of water, as
      represented, for instance, by strong negative deviations from Raoult's law,
      extending far beyond the standard descriptions. The investigation was carried out
      using classical molecular dynamics employing a specifically refined force field.
      The changes in the liquid-vapor interface and saturated vapor pressures are
      discussed at the atomistic resolution. The reported results guide the search for
      novel scientific and technological applications of ion-molecular systems. 

PMID- 26270355
TI  - Host stromal versican is essential for cancer-associated fibroblast function to
      inhibit cancer growth.
AB  - The stroma provides a microenvironment that regulates tumor cell behavior. The
      extracellular matrix (ECM) has long been recognized to be important in tumor cell
      behavior, and previous studies have revealed the impact of individual matrix
      molecules on tumor progression. Although several reports have highlighted some
      central roles of tumor cell-expressed versican, the role of host stromal versican
      is not yet understood. In this study, we demonstrate that versican is an
      important molecule in the functional ECM structure and maintaining cancer
      associated fibroblasts, using versican-negative QRsP11 fibrosarcoma cells. By
      their subcutaneous injection with cre-expressing adenoviruses to versican-floxed
      mice, we demonstrate that loss of host stromal versican facilitates tumor cell
      proliferation, and following angiogenesis, decreases cancer-associated
      fibroblasts, diminishes collagen fibers and alters hyaluronan distribution,
      concomitant with upregulation of hyaluronan, TGFbeta and VEGF-mediated signaling.
      When the versican V3 variant consisting of G1 and G3 domains was expressed in
      tumor cells, it was integrated into the ECM, regained collagen fibers and cancer
      associated fibroblasts and resulted in successful recovery of tumor growth
      inhibition, indicating that whatever cells produce, the G1 and G3 domains are
      adequate for versican function. Collectively, our results indicate a dynamic
      function of versican in the ECM that regulates tumor cell behavior. A greater
      understanding of the regulation of versican expression may contribute to the
      development of cancer therapies. 

PMID- 26270357
TI  - Recombination Study of Combined Halides (Cl, Br, I) Perovskite Solar Cells.
AB  - We report on the preparation of a series of solution-processed perovskite solar
      cells based on methylammonium (MA) lead halide derivatives, MAPbX3, which show
      tunable optical properties depending on the nature and ratio of the halides
      employed (X = Cl, Br, and I). Devices have been prepared with different cell
      architecture, thin film, and mesoporous scaffold (TiO2 and Al2O3). We have
      analyzed different sample sets focusing on the characterization of the charge
      recombination by means of impedance spectroscopy (IS). On the one hand, our study
      discloses that the insertion of both Cl and Br in the perovskite lattice reduces
      the charge recombination rates in the light absorber film, thus determining the
      open circuit voltage (Voc) of the device. The samples prepared on a mesoporous
      Al2O3 electrode present lower charge recombination rates than those devices
      prepared on mesoporous TiO2. Furthermore, the addition of Br in the perovskite
      structure was demonstrated to improve slightly the lifetime of the devices; in
      fact, the efficiencies of all devices tested remained at least at the 80% of the
      initial value 1 month after their preparation. These results highlight the
      crucial role of the charge-recombination processes on the performance of the
      perovskite solar cells and pave the way for further progress on this field. 

PMID- 26270358
TI  - Orientation-Dependent Oxygen Evolution Activities of Rutile IrO2 and RuO2.
AB  - The activities of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) on IrO2 and RuO2 catalysts
      are among the highest known to date. However, the intrinsic OER activities of
      surfaces with defined crystallographic orientations are not well-established
      experimentally. Here we report that the (100) surface of IrO2 and RuO2 is more
      active in alkaline environments (pH 13) than the most thermodynamically stable
      (110) surface. The OER activity was correlated with the density of coordinatively
      undersaturated metal sites of each crystallographic facet. The surface
      orientation-dependent activities can guide the design of nanoscale catalysts with
      increased activity for electrolyzers, metal-air batteries, and
      photoelectrochemical water splitting applications. 

PMID- 26270359
TI  - Fast Energy Relaxation by Trap States Decreases Electron Mobility in TiO2
      Nanotubes: Time-Domain Ab Initio Analysis.
AB  - Highly ordered TiO2 nanotube arrays can be grown by simple electrochemical
      anodization of a titanium metal sheet, stimulating intense research and
      applications to solar cells and fuels. TiO2 nanotubes were expected to exhibit
      better electron transport than nanocrystal films. However, experiments showed
      that nanotubes provided little advantage over nanoparticles. Using nonadiabatic
      molecular dynamics, we demonstrate that oxygen vacancies, which are common in
      TiO2, accelerate nonradiative energy losses by an order of magnitude. Oxygen
      vacancies produce localized Ti(3+) states hundreds of millielectronvolts below
      the TiO2 conduction band. The states lower the nanotube band gap, trap excited
      electrons, induce stronger electron-phonon couplings, and facilitate the
      relaxation. Our results rationalize the unforeseen experimental observations and
      provide the atomistic basis for improving the structure and charge transport by
      TiO2 nanotubes. 

PMID- 26270360
TI  - Catalytic Cycle Employing a TEMPO-Anion Complex to Obtain a Secondary Mg-O2
      Battery.
AB  - Nonaqueous Mg-O2 batteries are suitable only as primary cells because MgO
      precipitates formed during discharging are not decomposed electrochemically at
      ambient temperatures. To address this problem, the present study examined the
      ability of the 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-oxyl (TEMPO)-anion complex to
      catalyze the decomposition of MgO. It was determined that this complex was
      capable of chemically decomposing MgO at 60  degrees C. A catalytic cycle for the
      realization of a rechargeable Mg-O2 electrode was designed by combining the
      decomposition of MgO via the TEMPO-anion complex and the TEMPO-redox couple. This
      work also demonstrates that a nonaqueous Mg-O2 battery incorporating acrylate
      polymer having TEMPO side units in the cathode shows evidence of being
      rechargeable. 

PMID- 26270362
TI  - Molecular Simulation of the Transport of Drugs across Model Membranes.
AB  - This Perspective describes recent progress in the area of the molecular
      simulation of the interactions of hydrophobic and hydrophilic solutes with
      membranes. The ability to predict drug solubility prior to synthesis is an
      extremely desirable goal for pharmaceutical research. A major advantage of
      molecular dynamics is the ability to computationally probe both the drug
      solubility as well as the pathway for the transport of drugs across membranes.
      Computational methods to predict the interaction free energy of solutes with
      membranes have advanced significantly in recent years and can characterize the
      intra- and intermolecular state of the drug as well as perturbations of the drug
      to the membrane environment itself. In addition to a brief review on
      computational methods to characterize the transport of drugs across membranes, we
      will highlight recent discoveries and discuss the challenges and opportunities in
      the field. 

PMID- 26270361
TI  - Lipid Peroxidation in Membranes: The Peroxyl Radical Does Not "Float".
AB  - Lipid peroxidation is a fundamental phenomenon in biology and medicine involved
      in a wide range of diseases. Some key microscopic aspects of this reaction in
      cell membranes are still poorly studied. In particular, it is commonly accepted
      that the propagation of the radical reaction in lipid bilayers is hampered by the
      rapid diffusion of peroxyl intermediates toward the water interface, that is, out
      of the reaction region. We investigated the validity of this "floating peroxyl
      radical" hypothesis by means of molecular modeling. Combining quantum
      calculations of model systems and atomistic simulations of lipid bilayers
      containing lipid oxidation products, we show that the peroxyl radical does not
      "float" at the surface of the membrane. Instead, it remains located quite deep
      inside the bilayer. In light of our findings, several critical aspects of
      biological membranes' peroxidation, such as their protection mechanisms, need to
      be revisited. Our data moreover help in the design of more efficient
      antioxidants, localized within reach of the reaction propagating radical. 

PMID- 26270363
TI  - Multiple Electron Ejection from Proteins Resulting from Single-Photon Excitation
      in the Valence Shell.
AB  - One-photon multiple ionization is a signature of dynamical electron correlations
      in atoms and small molecules, as observed in the Auger process when Auger
      electron emission follows core-shell ionization. In such a process, the high
      energy needed to remove several electrons is due to the strong Coulombic
      attraction between the last departing electron(s) and the ionic core. Multiply
      negatively charged molecules offer the possibility to overcome the Coulombic
      attraction, opening the way for multielectron photodetachment following valence
      shell excitation. Here photodetachment studies have been performed on
      electrosprayed protein polyanions using vacuum ultraviolet synchrotron radiation
      coupled to a radiofrequency ion trap. Double, triple, and quadruple electron
      emissions from protein polyanions resulting from single-photon excitation in the
      valence shell were observed with ionization thresholds below 20 eV photon energy.
      This suggests the existence of large electronic correlations in proteins between
      weakly bound electrons standing on distant sites. Besides, the resulting
      multiradical polyanions appear to be remarkably stable, an important issue in
      radiobiology. 

PMID- 26270364
TI  - Capturing CO2 in Monoethanolamine (MEA) Aqueous Solutions: Fingerprints of
      Carbamate Formation Assessed with First-Principles Simulations.
AB  - Chemical absorption in amine aqueous solutions is a widespread technology for
      postcombustion carbon capture, and a large effort is ongoing to improve their
      performance. Characterization of the "reactant" and "product" solutions at the
      microscopic level is highly desirable for process optimization. Recently X-ray
      scattering experiments and "in situ" infrared spectroscopy have been applied to
      this aim, but a complete and convincing interpretation is missing. We present
      large-scale ab initio molecular dynamics simulations of monoethanolamine
      solutions at experimental concentration and temperature and analyze how
      structural and vibrational properties change after carbamate formation. An
      exhaustive account of the experimental data is obtained. Fingerprints of the
      reaction products and specific interactions are unravelled. Hydration effects are
      specific to each component of the solution and are essential for a correct
      assignment of the experimental data. 

PMID- 26270365
TI  - Correction to "Key Role of Frustration in Suppression of Magnetization Blocking
      in Single-Molecule Magnets".

PMID- 26270366
TI  - Metal/Phthalocyanine Hybrid Interface States on Ag(111).
AB  - A phthalocyanine/Ag(111) interface state is observed for the first time using
      time- and angle-resolved two-photon photoemission. For monolayer films of metal
      free (H2Pc) and iron phthalocyanine (FePc) on Ag(111), the state exists 0.23 +/-
      0.03 and 0.31 +/- 0.03 eV above the Fermi level, respectively. Angle-resolved
      spectra show the state to be highly dispersive with an effective mass of 0.50 +/-
      0.15 me for H2Pc and 0.67 +/- 0.14 me for FePc. Density functional theory
      calculations on the H2Pc/Ag(111) surface allow us to characterize this state as
      being a hybrid state resulting from the interaction between the unoccupied
      molecular states of the phthalocyanine ligand and the Shockley surface state
      present on the bare Ag(111) surface. This work, when taken together with the
      extensive literature on the 3,4,9,10-perylene tetracarboxylic dianhydride/Ag
      interface state, provides compelling evidence that the hybridization of metal
      surface states with molecular electronic states is a general phenomenon. 

PMID- 26270367
TI  - Excitation Wavelength Dependence of the Dynamics of Bimolecular Photoinduced
      Electron Transfer Reactions.
AB  - The dynamics of photoinduced electron transfer between polar acceptors and donors
      has been investigated in apolar solvents using femtosecond-resolved fluorescence
      spectroscopy. It was found to be ultrafast and to continuously accelerate by
      varying the excitation wavelength from the maximum to the red edge of the
      absorption band of the acceptor, the overall difference being as large as a
      factor 4-5. This violation of the Kasha-Vavilov rule is explained by a
      correlation between the composition of the acceptor environment and its
      transition energy, that is, the more donors around an acceptor, the longer its
      absorption wavelength, and the faster the quenching. Because of preferential
      solvation, this dependence is already observed at low quencher concentrations.
      This effect, which requires quenching to be faster than the fluctuations of the
      environment composition, should be quite general for photoinduced charge transfer
      processes in low-polarity, viscous, or rigid media, such as those used in organic
      optoelectronic devices. 

PMID- 26270368
TI  - Designing Bioinspired Artificial Cilia to Regulate Particle-Surface Interactions.
AB  - Biological cilia play a critical role in a stunning array of vital functions,
      from enabling marine organisms to trap food and expel fouling agents to
      facilitating the effective transport of egg cells in mammals. Inspired by the
      performance of these microscopic, hair-like filaments, researchers are
      synthesizing artificial cilia for use in lab-on-a-chip devices. There have,
      however, been few attempts to harness the artificial cilia to regulate the
      movement of particulates in these devices. Here, we review recent computational
      studies on the interactions between actuated artificial cilia and microscopic
      particles, showing that these cilia are effective at transporting both rigid and
      deformable particles in microchannels. The findings also reveal that these
      beating filaments can be used to separate microparticles based on their size and
      stiffness. Importantly, these studies indicate that artificial cilia can be used
      to prevent fouling by a wide variety of agents because they can expel both
      passive particulates and active swimmers from the underlying surface. These
      results can help guide experimental efforts to fully exploit artificial cilia in
      controlling particle motion within fluid environments. 

PMID- 26270369
TI  - Tuning Spatial Distribution of Surface Hydroxyls on a Metal-Supported Single
      Layer Silica.
AB  - Using scanning tunneling microscopy and infrared reflection absorption
      spectroscopy, we studied adsorption of water on a single-layer silicatene grown
      on Ru(0001). Surface hydroxylation occurs exclusively on defect sites, resulting
      in isolated silanols (Si-OH). By modifying the defect structure of the overlayer,
      we have provided a means of tuning spatial distribution of surface hydroxyls to
      fabricate periodic arrays of silanols on a metal-supported single-layer
      silicatene. We have visualized the surface hydroxyls directly with atomic
      resolution to determine their preferential adsorption sites, which involve Si at
      the junction nodes of three nonequivalent silica polygons. Our results open up
      the possibility of patterning surface hydroxyls via the engineering of nanometer
      scale defect sites, which may then serve as potential templates for supported
      active species on oxide surfaces. 

PMID- 26270370
TI  - Termination of Solid-State Crystal Growth in Molecular Glasses by Fluidity.
AB  - Fast crystal growth can abruptly emerge as molecular liquids are cooled to become
      glasses, a phenomenon presently unknown for other materials. This glass-to
      crystal (GC) mode can cause crystallization rates orders of magnitude faster than
      those predicted by standard models. While GC growth is known for 12 systems, its
      features vary greatly with growth rates spanning a factor of 10(4). We report
      that the general condition for GC growth to exist is that liquid diffusion be
      slow relative to crystal growth according to D/u < 7 pm. This condition holds for
      all liquids exhibiting GC growth and suggests that the phenomenon is a solid
      state process terminated by fluidity. GC growth must solidify several molecular
      layers before rearrangement by diffusion. We propose that GC growth propagates by
      a nonequilibrium crystal/liquid interface 3 nm wide that solidifies by local
      mobility. These results explain the prevalence of GC growth among organic liquids
      and guide its discovery in other materials. 

PMID- 26270371
TI  - Electronic and Quantum Transport Properties of Atomically Identified Si Point
      Defects in Graphene.
AB  - We report high-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy images
      displaying a range of inclusions of isolated silicon atoms at the edges and inner
      zones of graphene layers. Whereas the incorporation of Si atoms to a graphene
      armchair edge involves no reconstruction of the neighboring carbon atoms, the
      inclusion of a Si atom to a zigzag graphene edge entails the formation of five
      membered carbon rings. In all the observed atomic edge terminations, a Si atom is
      found bridging two C atoms in a 2-fold coordinated configuration. The atomic
      scale observations are underpinned by first-principles calculations of the
      electronic and quantum transport properties of the structural anomalies.
      Experimental estimations of Si-doped graphene band gaps realized by means of
      transport measurements may be affected by a low doping rate of 2-fold coordinated
      Si atoms at the graphene edges, and 4-fold coordinated at inner zones due to the
      apparition of mobility gaps. 

PMID- 26270372
TI  - Correction to "Crystal Structures, Optical Properties, and Effective Mass Tensors
      of CH3NH3PbX3 (X = I and Br) Phases Predicted from HSE06".

PMID- 26270373
TI  - Dynamics of Lithium Dendrite Growth and Inhibition: Pulse Charging Experiments
      and Monte Carlo Calculations.
AB  - Short-circuiting via dendrites compromises the reliability of Li-metal batteries.
      Dendrites ensue from instabilities inherent to electrodeposition that should be
      amenable to dynamic control. Here, we report that by charging a scaled coin-cell
      prototype with 1 ms pulses followed by 3 ms rest periods the average dendrite
      length is shortened ~2.5 times relative to those grown under continuous charging.
      Monte Carlo simulations dealing with Li(+) diffusion and electromigration reveal
      that experiments involving 20 ms pulses were ineffective because Li(+) migration
      in the strong electric fields converging to dendrite tips generates extended
      depleted layers that cannot be replenished by diffusion during rest periods.
      Because the application of pulses much shorter than the characteristic time tauc
      ~ O(~1 ms) for polarizing electric double layers in our system would approach DC
      charging, we suggest that dendrite propagation can be inhibited (albeit not
      suppressed) by pulse charging within appropriate frequency ranges. 

PMID- 26270374
TI  - Characterization of Nonanuclear Europium and Gadolinium Complexes by Gas-Phase
      Luminescence Spectroscopy.
AB  - Gas-phase measurements using mass-spectrometric techniques allow determination of
      the luminescence properties of selected molecular systems with knowledge of their
      exact composition. Furthermore, isolated luminophores are unaffected by matrix
      effects like solvent interactions or crystal packing. As a result, the system
      complexity is reduced relative to the condensed phase and a direct comparison
      with theory is facilitated. Herein, we report the intrinsic luminescence
      properties of nonanuclear europium(III) and gadolinium(III) 9-hydroxyphenalen-1
      one (HPLN)-hydroxo complexes. Luminescence spectra of [Eu9(PLN)16(OH)10](+) ions
      reveal an europium-centered emission dominated by a 4-fold split Eu(III)
      hypersensitive transition. The corresponding Gd(III) complex,
      [Gd9(PLN)16(OH)10](+), shows a broad emission from a ligand based triplet state
      with an onset of about 1000 wavenumbers in excess of the europium emission. As
      supported by photoluminescence lifetime measurements for both complexes, we
      deduce an efficient europium sensitization via PLN-based triplet states. The
      luminescence spectra of the complexes are discussed in terms of a square
      antiprismatic europium/gadolinium core structure as suggested by density
      functional computations. 

PMID- 26270375
TI  - Transient Grating Photoluminescence Spectroscopy: An Ultrafast Method of Gating
      Broadband Spectra.
AB  - Ultrafast photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy can cleanly resolve excited-state
      dynamics and coupling to the environment, however, there is a demand for new
      methods that combine broadband detection and low backgrounds. We present a new
      method, transient grating photoluminescence spectroscopy (TGPLS), that addresses
      this challenge by exploiting a focusing geometry where ultrafast broadband
      spectra are transiently diffracted away from the background PL. We show that
      TGPLS can resolve the complex spectral relaxation observed in conjugated polymer
      and oligomer solutions, with an essentially flat spectral response throughout the
      visible region and potentially beyond. The benefits we demonstrate using TGPLS
      could expand access to spectral information, particularly for other
      multichromophoric and heterogeneous materials where complex spectral relaxation
      is expected. 

PMID- 26270376
TI  - Amphiphile Meets Amphiphile: Beyond the Polar-Apolar Dualism in Ionic
      Liquid/Alcohol Mixtures.
AB  - The mesoscopic morphology of binary mixtures of ethylammonium nitrate (EAN), the
      protic ionic liquid par excellence, and methanol is explored using neutron/X-ray
      diffraction and computational techniques. Both compounds are amphiphilic and
      characterized by an extended hydrogen bonding network: surprisingly, though
      macroscopically homogeneous, these mixtures turn out to be mesoscopically highly
      heterogeneous. Our study reveals that even in methanol-rich mixtures, a wide
      distribution of clusters exists where EAN preserves its bulk, sponge-like
      morphology. Accordingly methanol does not succeed in fully dissociating the ionic
      liquid that keeps on organizing in a bulk-like fashion. This behavior represents
      the premises to the more dramatic phenomenology observed with longer alcohols
      that eventually phase separate from EAN. These results challenge the commonly
      accepted polar and apolar moieties segregation in ionic liquids/molecular liquids
      mixtures and the current understanding of technologically relevant solvation
      processes. 

PMID- 26270377
TI  - 2D Electronic Spectroscopy Reveals Excitonic Structure in the Baseplate of a
      Chlorosome.
AB  - In green photosynthetic bacteria, the chlorosome baseplate mediates excitation
      energy transfer from the interior of the light-harvesting chlorosome toward the
      reaction centers. However, the electronic states of the baseplate remain
      unexplored, hindering the mechanistic understanding of the baseplate as an
      excitation energy collector and mediator. Here we use two-dimensional
      spectroscopy to study the excited state structure and internal energy relaxation
      in the baseplate of green sulfur bacterium Chlorobaculum tepidum. We resolved an
      exciton system with four energy states, indicating that the organization of the
      pigments in the baseplate is more complex than was thought before and constitutes
      at least four bacteriochlorophyll molecules in a close contact. Based on the
      finding that the energy of the baseplate states is in the same range as in the
      adjacent Fenna-Matthews-Olson complex, we propose a "lateral" energy transfer
      pathway, where excitation energy can flow through the photosynthetic unit via all
      the states of individual complexes. 

PMID- 26270378
TI  - Inorganic Hole Conducting Layers for Perovskite-Based Solar Cells.
AB  - Hybrid organic-inorganic semiconducting perovskite photovoltaic cells are usually
      coupled with organic hole conductors. Here, we report planar, inverse CH3NH3PbI3
      xClx-based cells with inorganic hole conductors. Using electrodeposited NiO as
      hole conductor, we have achieved a power conversion efficiency of 7.3%. The
      maximum VOC obtained was 935 mV with an average VOC value being 785 mV.
      Preliminary results for similar cells using electrodeposited CuSCN as hole
      conductor resulted in devices up to 3.8% in efficiency. The ability to obtain
      promising cells using NiO and CuSCN expands the presently rather limited range of
      available hole conductors for perovskite cells. 

PMID- 26270379
TI  - Excitonic Photoluminescence from Nanodisc States in Graphene Oxides.
AB  - The origin of near-infrared (NIR) luminescence from graphene oxide (GO) is
      investigated by photoluminescence (PL) excitation spectroscopy, time-resolved PL
      spectroscopy, and density functional theory based many body perturbation
      theories. The energy of experimentally observed NIR PL peak depends on the
      excitation energy, and the peak broadens with increasing excitation energy. It is
      found that the PL decay curves in time-resolved spectroscopy show build-up
      behavior at lower emission energies due to energy transfer between smaller to
      larger graphene nanodisc (GND) states embedded in GO. We demonstrate that the NIR
      PL originates from ensemble emission of GND states with a few nanometers in size.
      The theoretical calculations reveal the electronic and excitonic properties of
      individual GND states with various sizes, which accounts for the inhomogeneously
      broadened NIR PL. We further demonstrate that the electronic properties are
      highly sensitive to the protonation and deprotonation processes of GND states
      using both the experimental and theoretical approaches. 

PMID- 26270380
TI  - Ultrafast Relaxation Dynamics in trans-1,3-Butadiene Studied by Time-Resolved
      Photoelectron Spectroscopy with High Harmonic Pulses.
AB  - In trans-1,3-butadiene, the ultrafast relaxation from the doubly excited state
      2(1)Ag and the corresponding recovery of the ground state 1(1)Ag were observed
      simultaneously for the first time by time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy
      (TRPES) using 29.5 eV high harmonic pulses. The fast recovery of 1(1)Ag shows
      that the following dissociation upon photoexcitation takes place after returning
      to the ground state. At 427 fs after photoexcitation, only the ionization energy
      from the C?C sigma bond was found to remain shifted. Accompanying theoretical
      calculations with an assumption of Koopmans' theorem show that the ionization
      energy of the C?C sigma bond is modulated by vibrational excitation of the
      antisymmetric C?C stretching mode. TRPES by high harmonics can probe the changes
      in the molecular structure sensitively. 

PMID- 26270381
TI  - Relationship between Diffusion and Chemical Exchange in Mixtures of Carbon
      Dioxide and an Amine-Functionalized Ionic Liquid by High Field NMR and Kinetic
      Monte Carlo Simulations.
AB  - NMR exchange spectroscopy (EXSY) and NMR diffusion spectroscopy (PFG NMR) were
      applied in combination with kinetic Monte Carlo (MC) simulations to investigate
      self-diffusion in a mixture of carbon dioxide and an amine-functionalized ionic
      liquid under conditions of an exchange of carbon dioxide molecules between the
      reacted and unreacted states in the mixture. EXSY studies enabled residence times
      of carbon dioxide molecules to be obtained in the two states, whereas PFG NMR
      revealed time-dependent effective diffusivities for diffusion times comparable
      with and larger than the residence times. Analytical treatment of the PFG NMR
      attenuation curves as well as fitting of the PFG NMR effective diffusivities by
      KMC simulations enabled determination of diffusivities of carbon dioxide in the
      reacted and unreacted states. In contrast to carbon dioxide, the ion
      diffusivities were found to be diffusion time independent. 

PMID- 26270382
TI  - Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Nucleic Acids. From Tetranucleotides to the
      Ribosome.
AB  - We present a brief overview of explicit solvent molecular dynamics (MD)
      simulations of nucleic acids. We explain physical chemistry limitations of the
      simulations, namely, the molecular mechanics (MM) force field (FF) approximation
      and limited time scale. Further, we discuss relations and differences between
      simulations and experiments, compare standard and enhanced sampling simulations,
      discuss the role of starting structures, comment on different versions of nucleic
      acid FFs, and relate MM computations with contemporary quantum chemistry. Despite
      its limitations, we show that MD is a powerful technique for studying the
      structural dynamics of nucleic acids with a fast growing potential that
      substantially complements experimental results and aids their interpretation. 

PMID- 26270383
TI  - Simulations Pave the Way for Exploring New Frontiers in the Biological Sciences.

PMID- 26270384
TI  - Fabricating a Homogeneously Alloyed AuAg Shell on Au Nanorods to Achieve Strong,
      Stable, and Tunable Surface Plasmon Resonances.
AB  - Colloidal metal nanocrystals with strong, stable, and tunable localized surface
      plasmon resonances (SPRs) can be useful in a corrosive environment for many
      applications including field-enhanced spectroscopies, plasmon-mediated catalysis,
      etc. Here, a new synthetic strategy is reported that enables the epitaxial growth
      of a homogeneously alloyed AuAg shell on Au nanorod seeds, circumventing the
      phase segregation of Au and Ag encountered in conventional synthesis. The
      resulting core-shell structured bimetallic nanorods (AuNR@AuAg) have well-mixed
      Au and Ag atoms in their shell without discernible domains. This degree of mixing
      allows AuNR@AuAg to combine the high stability of Au with the superior plasmonic
      activity of Ag, thus outperforming seemingly similar nanostructures with
      monometallic shells (e.g., Ag-coated Au NRs (AuNR@Ag) and Au-coated Au NRs
      (AuNR@Au)). AuNR@AuAg is comparable to AuNR@Ag in plasmonic activity, but that it
      is markedly more stable toward oxidative treatment. Specifically, AuNR@AuAg and
      AuNR@Ag exhibit similarly strong signals in surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy
      that are some 30-fold higher than that of AuNR@Au. When incubated with a H(2)O(2)
      solution (0.5 m), the plasmonic activity of AuNR@Ag immediately and severely
      decayed, whereas AuNR@AuAg retained its activity intact. Moreover, the
      longitudinal SPR frequency of AuNR@AuAg can be tuned throughout the red
      wavelengths (~620-690 nm) by controlling the thickness of the AuAg alloy shell.
      The synthetic strategy is versatile to fabricate AuAg alloyed shells on different
      shaped Au, with prospects for new possibilities in the synthesis and application
      of plasmonic nanocrystals.

PMID- 26270385
TI  - Sexual Harassment, Bullying, and School Outcomes for High School Girls and Boys.
AB  - A comparison of the impact of bullying and sexual harassment on five school
      outcomes was conducted on a sample of high school students. Results revealed that
      sexual harassment was a stronger predictor than bullying of all school outcomes
      for both sexes, but especially for girls. This study suggests that sexual
      harassment, which activates sexist and heterosexist stereotypes, erodes school
      engagement, alienates students from teachers, and adversely affects academic
      achievement, to a greater degree than bullying does. 

PMID- 26270386
TI  - Predicting Abused Women With Children Who Return to a Shelter: Development and
      Use of a Rapid Assessment Triage Tool.
AB  - To develop a tool to predict risk for return to a shelter, 150 women with
      children, exiting a domestic violence shelter, were evaluated every 4 months for
      24 months to determine risk factors for returning to a shelter. The study
      identified four risk factors, including danger for murder, woman's age (i.e.,
      older women), tangible support (i.e., access to money, transportation), and child
      witness to verbal abuse of the mother. An easy to use, quick triage tool with a
      weighted score was derived, which can identify with 90% accuracy abused women
      with children most likely to return to shelters. 

PMID- 26270387
TI  - Bringing a Network-Oriented Approach to Domestic Violence Services: A Focus Group
      Exploration of Promising Practices.
AB  - Despite powerful evidence that informal social support contributes to survivors'
      safety and well-being, mainstream domestic violence (DV) programs have not
      developed comprehensive models for helping isolated survivors re-engage with
      these networks. Although many advocates use network-oriented strategies
      informally, they often do so without resources, funding, or training. This
      qualitative focus group study explored advocates' use and perceptions of network
      oriented strategies. Advocates working in a range of DV programs across one state
      described the importance of network-oriented work and articulated its five
      dimensions, including helping survivors build their capacity to form healthy
      relationships, identify helpful and harmful network members, re-engage with
      existing networks, develop new relationships, and respond more effectively to
      network members.

PMID- 26270388
TI  - Two Pseudopolymorphic Star-Shaped Tetranuclear Co(3+) Compounds with Disulfide
      Anions Exhibiting Two Different Connection Modes and Promising Photocatalytic
      Properties.
AB  - The compound [Co4(C6H14N2)4(MU4-S2)2(MU2-S2)4] (I) and the pseudo-polymorph
      [Co4(C6H14N2)4(MU4-S2)2(MU2-S2)4]?4 H2O (II) were obtained under solvothermal
      conditions (C6H14N2=trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane). The structures feature S2(2-)
      ions exhibiting two different coordination modes. Terminal S2(2-) entities join
      two Co(3+) centres in a MU2 fashion, whereas the central S2(2-) groups connect
      four Co(3+) cations in a MU4-coordination mode. Compound II can be transformed
      into compound I by heat and storage over P2O5 and storing compound I in humid air
      yields in the formation of compound II. The intermolecular interactions
      investigated through Hirshfeld surface analysis reveal that besides S???H bonding
      close contacts are associated with relatively weak H???H interactions. A detailed
      DFT analysis of the bonding situation explains the long S-S bonds in the MU4
      bridging S2(2-) units and the short bonds for the S2(2-) moieties in the MU2
      connecting mode. Photocatalytic hydrogen evolution experiments demonstrate the
      potential of compound II as catalyst.

PMID- 26270390
TI  - Transformative Nature of Global Partnerships.

PMID- 26270389
TI  - Predictive value of factor VIII levels for recurrent venous thrombosis: results
      from the MEGA follow-up study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Prediction of recurrent venous thrombosis remains a challenge in the
      clinic. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the predictive value of coagulation factor VIII
      (FVIII) levels for recurrent venous thrombosis. PATIENTS/METHODS: Patients, aged
      18-70 years with a first venous thrombosis, were followed from discontinuation of
      anticoagulant treatment (1999-2010 MEGA follow-up study). The levels of FVIII
      activity, FVIII antigen and von Willebrand factor (VWF) antigen were measured at
      least 3 months after cessation of anticoagulant treatment. RESULTS: Of 2242
      patients followed for a median of 6.9 years, 343 developed recurrent thrombosis
      (incidence rate 2.7/100 patient-years; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.5-3.1).
      Recurrence rates steadily increased with higher FVIII activity levels, from 1.4
      (95% CI 1.0-1.9), 2.3 (95% CI 1.8-2.9), 3.0 (95% CI 2.4-3.7), 3.2 (95% CI 2.5
      4.1), 3.9 (95% CI 2.8-5.3) to 5.1 (95% CI 3.8-6.8) per 100 patient-years, for
      levels ranging from < 100 IU dL(-1) to > 200 IU dL(-1) . Patients in the highest
      category of FVIII (> 200 IU dL(-1) ) had a three-fold higher recurrence rate than
      patients in the lowest category (<= 100 IU dL(-1) ) (hazard ratio 3.4; 95% CI 2.2
      5.3). Results were similar for FVIII antigen and VWF antigen levels, in several
      sensitivity analyses, and FVIII predicted recurrence rates over a long time
      period. Within subgroups of patients currently assumed to have low recurrence
      risks, a high level of FVIII was still predictive for recurrences. Adding FVIII
      to an existing prediction model (DASH score) improved its predictive value, and,
      after replacement of D-dimer with FVIII, the model performed equally well, if not
      better. CONCLUSIONS: FVIII predicted recurrence in a dose-response fashion,
      overall and in several subgroups, and is a strong candidate component of
      recurrence prediction tools.

PMID- 26270391
TI  - Stereoselective Synthesis of (2Z)-2,4-Dienamides via NBS-Mediated Allyloxyl
      Addition-Claisen Rearrangement-Dehydrobromination Cascade Reaction of
      Ynsulfonamides.
AB  - An NBS-promoted allyloxyl addition-Claisen rearrangement-dehydrobromination
      cascade reaction has been developed. More than 20 substituted alkynylsulfonamides
      were reacted with allyl alcohols to generate (2Z)-2,4-dienamides in moderate to
      high yields. A mechanistic model has been proposed to account for the overall
      reaction sequence including the stereochemical outcome. Theoretical calculations
      suggested that a [3,3] sigmatropic rearrangement be the rate-limiting step. 

PMID- 26270392
TI  - A Versatile Strategy for Shish-Kebab-like Multi-heterostructured Chalcogenides
      and Enhanced Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution.
AB  - A series of multi-heterostructured metal chalcogenides (CdS-Te, NiS/CdS-Te, and
      MoS2/CdS-Te) with a surprising shish-kebab-like structure have been synthesized
      via a one-step microwave-assisted pyrolysis of dithiocarbamate precursors in
      ethylene glycol. Subsequently, CdS-Te composites were exploited as a self
      sacrificial template to craft various CdS-Te@(Pt, Pd) multi-heterostructures.
      Highly uniform dispersion and intimate interactions between CdS and
      multicomponent cocatalysts, together with improved separation of photogenerated
      carriers due to the presence of Te nanotubes (NTs) and trace CdTe, enable CdS
      based heterostructured photocatalysts to exhibit greatly enhanced efficiency and
      stability in the photocatalytic production of H2. Thorough morphological
      characterizations revealed that the growth of metal sulfide/Te heterostructures
      originates from the growth of Te tubes, which is likely governed by diffusion
      limited depletion of the Te precursor and the dissolution-crystallization process
      of Te seeds followed by the formation of metal sulfide kebabs. 

PMID- 26270393
TI  - The PURE system for the cell-free synthesis of membrane proteins.
AB  - Cell-free gene expression systems are biotechnological tools for the in vitro
      production of proteins of interest. The addition of membrane vesicles (liposomes)
      enables the production of membrane proteins, including those in large-molecular
      weight complexes, such as the SecYEG translocon or ATP synthase. Here we describe
      a protocol for the cell-free synthesis of membrane proteins using the protein
      synthesis using recombinant elements (PURE) system, and for subsequent
      quantification of products and analyses of membrane localization efficiency,
      product orientation in the membrane and complex formation in the membrane. In
      addition, measurements of ATP synthase activity are used as an example to
      demonstrate the functional nature of the cell-free synthesized proteins. This
      protocol allows the rapid production and the detailed analysis of membrane
      proteins, and the complete process from template DNA preparation to activity
      measurement can be accomplished within 1 d. In contrast to alternative methods
      using living cells, this protocol can also help to prevent the difficulties in
      membrane protein purification and the risks of protein aggregation during
      reconstitution into lipid membranes. 

PMID- 26270394
TI  - Cardiac differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells in scalable suspension
      culture.
AB  - Cardiomyocytes (CMs) generated from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) are a
      potential cell source for regenerative therapies, drug discovery and disease
      modeling. All these applications require a routine supply of relatively large
      quantities of in vitro-generated CMs. This protocol describes a suspension
      culture-based strategy for the generation of hPSC-CMs as cell-only aggregates,
      which facilitates process development and scale-up. Aggregates are formed for 4 d
      in hPSC culture medium followed by 10 d of directed differentiation by applying
      chemical Wnt pathway modulators. The protocol is applicable to static multiwell
      formats supporting fast adaptation to specific hPSC line requirements. We also
      demonstrate how to apply the protocol using stirred tank bioreactors at a 100-ml
      scale, providing a well-controlled upscaling platform for CM production. In
      bioreactors, the generation of 40-50 million CMs per differentiation batch at
      >80% purity without further lineage enrichment can been achieved within 24 d. 

PMID- 26270395
TI  - In vitro bioengineered model of cortical brain tissue.
AB  - A bioengineered model of 3D brain-like tissue was developed using silk-collagen
      protein scaffolds seeded with primary cortical neurons. The scaffold design
      provides compartmentalized control for spatial separation of neuronal cell bodies
      and neural projections, which resembles the layered structure of the brain
      (cerebral cortex). Neurons seeded in a donut-shaped porous silk sponge grow
      robust neuronal projections within a collagen-filled central region, generating
      3D neural networks with structural and functional connectivity. The silk scaffold
      preserves the mechanical stability of the engineered tissues, allowing for ease
      of handling, long-term culture in vitro and anchoring of the central collagen gel
      to avoid shrinkage, and enabling neural network maturation. This protocol
      describes the preparation and manipulation of silk-collagen constructs, including
      the isolation and seeding of primary rat cortical neurons. This 3D technique is
      useful for mechanical injury studies and as a drug screening tool, and it could
      serve as a foundation for brain-related disease models. The protocol of construct
      assembly takes 2 d, and the resulting tissues can be maintained in culture for
      several weeks. 

PMID- 26270397
TI  - Validated method for the quantification of free and total carnitine,
      butyrobetaine, and acylcarnitines in biological samples.
AB  - A validated quantitative method for the determination of free and total
      carnitine, butyrobetaine, and acylcarnitines is presented. The versatile method
      has four components: (1) isolation using strong cation-exchange solid-phase
      extraction, (2) derivatization with pentafluorophenacyl
      trifluoromethanesulfonate, (3) sequential ion-exchange/reversed-phase (ultra)
      high-performance liquid chromatography [(U)HPLC] using a strong cation-exchange
      trap in series with a fused-core HPLC column, and (4) detection with electrospray
      ionization multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mass spectrometry (MS).
      Standardized carnitine along with 65 synthesized, standardized acylcarnitines
      (including short-chain, medium-chain, long-chain, dicarboxylic, hydroxylated, and
      unsaturated acyl moieties) were used to construct multiple-point calibration
      curves, resulting in accurate and precise quantification. Separation of the 65
      acylcarnitines was accomplished in a single chromatogram in as little as 14 min.
      Validation studies were performed showing a high level of accuracy, precision,
      and reproducibility. The method provides capabilities unavailable by tandem MS
      procedures, making it an ideal approach for confirmation of newborn screening
      results and for clinical and basic research projects, including treatment
      protocol studies, acylcarnitine biomarker studies, and metabolite studies using
      plasma, urine, tissue, or other sample matrixes. 

PMID- 26270396
TI  - Practice Patterns and Outcomes of Treatments for Atrial Fibrillation During
      Sepsis: A Propensity-Matched Cohort Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) during sepsis is associated with increased
      morbidity and mortality, but practice patterns and outcomes associated with rate-
      and rhythm-targeted treatments for AF during sepsis are unclear. METHODS: This
      was a retrospective cohort study using enhanced billing data from approximately
      20% of United States hospitals. We identified factors associated with IV AF
      treatments (?-blockers [BBs], calcium channel blockers [CCBs], digoxin, or
      amiodarone) during sepsis. We used propensity score matching and instrumental
      variable approaches to compare mortality between AF treatments. RESULTS: Among
      39,693 patients with AF during sepsis, mean age was 77 +/- 11 years, 49% were
      women, and 76% were white. CCBs were the most commonly selected initial AF
      treatment during sepsis (14,202 patients [36%]), followed by BBs (11,290 [28%]),
      digoxin (7,937 [20%]), and amiodarone (6,264 [16%]). Initial AF treatment
      selection differed according to geographic location, hospital teaching status,
      and physician specialty. In propensity-matched analyses, BBs were associated with
      lower hospital mortality when compared with CCBs (n = 18,720; relative risk [RR],
      0.92; 95% CI, 0.86-0.97), digoxin (n = 13,994; RR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.75-0.85), and
      amiodarone (n = 5,378; RR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.61-0.69). Instrumental variable
      analysis showed similar results (adjusted RR fifth quintile vs first quintile of
      hospital BB use rate, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.58-0.79). Results were similar among
      subgroups with new-onset or preexisting AF, heart failure, vasopressor-dependent
      shock, or hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: Although CCBs were the most frequently used
      IV medications for AF during sepsis, BBs were associated with superior clinical
      outcomes in all subgroups analyzed. Our findings provide rationale for clinical
      trials comparing the effectiveness of AF rate- and rhythm-targeted treatments
      during sepsis.

PMID- 26270398
TI  - A combined cheminformatic and bioinformatic approach to address the proteolytic
      stability challenge in peptide-based drug discovery.
AB  - We have created models to predict cleavage sites for several human proteases
      including caspase-1, caspase-3, caspase-6, caspase-7, cathepsin B, cathepsin D,
      cathepsin G, cathepsin K, cathepsin L, elastase-2, granzyme A, granzyme B, matrix
      metallopeptidase-2 (MMP2), MMP7, MMP9, thrombin, and trypsin-1. Rather than
      representing the sequence pattern around the potential cleavage site through a
      series of flags with each flag representing one of the 20 standard amino acids,
      we first represent each amino acid by its calculated properties. For these
      calculated properties, we use validated cheminformatic descriptors, such as
      molecular weight, logP, and polar surface area, of the individual amino acids.
      Finally, the cleavage site-specific descriptors are calculated through various
      combinations of the individual amino acid descriptors for the residues
      surrounding the cleavage site. Some of these combinations do not take into
      account the location of the residue, as long as it is in a prescribed
      neighborhood of the potential cleavage site, whereas others are sensitive to the
      precise order of the residues in the sequence. The key advantage of this approach
      is that it allows one to perform meaningful calculations with nonstandard amino
      acids for which little or no data exists. Finally, using both docking and
      molecular dynamics simulations, we examine the potential for and limitations of
      protease crystal structures to impact the design of proteolytically stable
      peptides.

PMID- 26270401
TI  - Can Ophthalmologists Achieve Better Blood Glucose Control in Their Diabetic
      Patients?

PMID- 26270402
TI  - Lower Eyelid Lesion.

PMID- 26270404
TI  - Error in Table.

PMID- 26270403
TI  - Bilateral Acute-Onset Vision Loss in a Previously Healthy Man.

PMID- 26270405
TI  - Posterior Segment Findings in X-Linked Chronic Granulomatous Disease.

PMID- 26270406
TI  - Vitreous Veils Associated With Congenital X-Linked Retinoschisis.

PMID- 26270407
TI  - Frontal Sinus Mucocele Diagnosed by Fundus Examination and B-Mode
      Ultrasonography.

PMID- 26270408
TI  - Epiretinal Membrane Demonstrated by Optical Coherence Tomography in a Patient
      With Retinal Cavernous Hemangioma.

PMID- 26270409
TI  - Usefulness of Multigene Testing: Catching the Train That's Left the Station.

PMID- 26270410
TI  - Construction and Functions of Cyclodextrin-Based 1D Supramolecular Strands and
      their Secondary Assemblies.
AB  - Cyclodextrins (CDs), a class of cyclic oligosaccharides, are water-soluble,
      nontoxic, and commercial available with a low price, and their well-defined
      hydrophobic cavity can bind various organic/biological substrates. Through their
      molecular assembly mediated by organic, inorganic, or polymeric molecules as
      templates, CDs and their functional derivatives can be assembled to 1D
      supramolecular strands, wherein the functional groups of the CDs are closely
      located in a highly ordered manner. This structural feature greatly favors the
      cooperative effect of numerous functional groups in the supramolecular strand, as
      well as the interactions of the supramolecular strands with the multiple binding
      sites of substrates, especially biological substrates. Therefore, CD-based 1D
      supramolecular strands exhibit many material, biological, and catalytic
      functions, and these properties can be further improved through their secondary
      assembly. An overview of recent advances in the development of the construction
      and functions of CD-based 1D supramolecular strands and their secondary
      assemblies is given here. It is expected that the representative contributions
      described can inspire future investigations and lead to discoveries that promote
      the research of CD-based functional materials. 

PMID- 26270411
TI  - Posterior scleral bowing with choroidal nevus on enhanced-depth imaging optical
      coherence tomography.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Recognition of posterior scleral bowing with choroidal nevus is
      essential to avoid an underestimation of tumor thickness. OBJECTIVE: To describe
      a particular observation of posterior scleral bowing associated with choroidal
      nevus on enhanced-depth imaging (EDI) optical coherence tomography (OCT). DESIGN,
      SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Retrospective observational case series at a referral
      center involving 17 eyes of 17 patients. Patients were seen from June 2013 to
      July 2014, with all data collected and analyzed from June 2014 to July 2014.
      INTERVENTIONS: Retrospective medical record review and multimodal imaging
      including fundus photography, autofluorescence, infrared reflectance,
      ultrasonography, and EDI-OCT. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Clinical and imaging
      characteristics. RESULTS: Analysis of 318 consecutive patients with choroidal
      nevus imaged over a 1-year period revealed that 17 cases (5%) demonstrated the
      EDI-OCT feature of posterior scleral bowing. Of these 17 cases, the mean patient
      age was 58 years (median, 58 years; range, 36-75 years) and there were 6 men
      (35%) and 11 women (65%). The nevus was classified as pigmented (n = 3; 18%),
      nonpigmented (n = 2; 12%), and mixed pigmentation (n = 12; 71%), and with no
      surrounding halo (n = 7; 41%). Associated features included overlying drusen (n =
      9; 53%), retinal pigment epithelial alterations (n = 9; 53%), subretinal fluid (n
      = 5; 29%), and orange pigment (n = 3; 18%). The nevus was clinically estimated to
      be of 4.91-mm basal dimension and measured ultrasonographically at 1.59-mm
      thickness. By EDI-OCT, the nevus mean thickness was 628 um (0.63 mm). All cases
      demonstrated posterior scleral bowing with mean scleral excavation of 398 um
      (median, 377 um; range, 134-739 um). Underlying the nevus, the scleral thickness
      was not measurable; however, at the nevus margin, the choroid and sclera appeared
      normal. Clinical features correlated with posterior scleral bowing included
      reduced distance to the optic disc (difference, 1.3 mm; 95% CI, -2.95 mm to 5.51
      mm; P = .01) and the foveola (difference, 2.14 mm; 95% CI, 0.80 mm to 3.48 mm; P
      < .001), as well as the presence of surrounding halo (difference, 36%; 95% CI,
      16.86% to 59.27%; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Choroidal nevus can show
      focal posterior scleral bowing on EDI-OCT in 5% of cases. This finding was
      related to more posterior location of nevus, less/mixed pigmentation, and
      surrounding halo. This finding could lead to underestimation of tumor thickness
      as the tumor bows backward rather than forward.

PMID- 26270413
TI  - Reaction of Dilithio Reagents with PhSiH3: Formation of Siloles and 3
      Silacyclopentenes.
AB  - The reaction chemistry between 1,4-dilithio-1,3-butadienes (dilithio reagents for
      short) and PhSiH3 has been investigated. Direct substitution of two hydride ions
      from PhSiH3 with the dilithio reagents led to multisubstituted siloles
      (silacyclopentadienes) in diethyl ether solution, with the concomitant generation
      of LiH. When THF was used as the solvent, the reaction between PhSiH3 and 1,4
      bis(silyl) dilithio reagents afforded cis-3-silacyclopentenes stereoselectively.
      Experimental results demonstrated that reactive LiH was generated in situ in the
      reaction system. Formal syn addition of LiH to silacyclopentadiene intermediates
      would afford silacyclopentenes, most likely via pentavalent organosilicates. 

PMID- 26270412
TI  - Synthesis and Magneto-Thermal Actuation of Iron Oxide Core-PNIPAM Shell
      Nanoparticles.
AB  - Superparamagnetic nanoparticles have been proposed for many applications in
      biotechnology and medicine. In this paper, it is demonstrated how the excellent
      colloidal stability and magnetic properties of monodisperse and individually
      densely grafted iron oxide nanoparticles can be used to manipulate reversibly the
      solubility of nanoparticles with a poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)nitrodopamine
      shell. "Grafting-to" and "grafting-from" methods for synthesis of an irreversibly
      anchored brush shell to monodisperse, oleic acid coated iron oxide cores are
      compared. Thereafter, it is shown that local heating by magnetic fields as well
      as global thermal heating can be used to efficiently and reversibly aggregate,
      magnetically extract nanoparticles from solution and spontaneously redisperse
      them. The coupling of magnetic and thermally responsive properties points to
      novel uses as smart materials, for example, in integrated devices for molecular
      separation and extraction. 

PMID- 26270414
TI  - Correction to "Facile Preparative Route to Alkanethiolate-Coated Au38
      Nanoparticles: Postsynthesis Core Size Evolution".

PMID- 26270417
TI  - Remembering that old dogs can still do tricks.

PMID- 26270416
TI  - Discovery of Potent and Selective RSK Inhibitors as Biological Probes.
AB  - While the p90 ribosomal S6 kinase (RSK) family has been implicated in multiple
      tumor cell functions, the full understanding of this kinase family has been
      restricted by the lack of highly selective inhibitors. A bis-phenol pyrazole was
      identified from high-throughput screening as an inhibitor of the N-terminal
      kinase of RSK2. Structure-based drug design using crystallography, conformational
      analysis, and scaffold morphing resulted in highly optimized difluorophenol
      pyridine inhibitors of the RSK kinase family as demonstrated cellularly by the
      inhibition of YB1 phosphorylation. These compounds provide for the first time in
      vitro tools with an improved selectivity and potency profile to examine the
      importance of RSK signaling in cancer cells and to fully evaluate RSK as a
      therapeutic target. 

PMID- 26270415
TI  - What pulmonologists think about the asthma-COPD overlap syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Some patients with COPD may share characteristics of asthma; this is
      the so-called asthma-COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS). There are no universally
      accepted criteria for ACOS, and most treatments for asthma and COPD have not been
      adequately tested in this population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a
      survey among pulmonology specialists in asthma and COPD aimed at collecting their
      opinions about ACOS and their attitudes in regard to some case scenarios of ACOS
      patients. The participants answered a structured questionnaire and attended a
      face-to-face meeting with the Metaplan methodology to discuss different aspects
      of ACOS. RESULTS: A total of 26 pulmonologists with a mean age of 49.7 years
      participated in the survey (13 specialists in asthma and 13 in COPD). Among
      these, 84.6% recognized the existence of ACOS and stated that a mean of 12.6% of
      their patients might have this syndrome. In addition, 80.8% agreed that the
      diagnostic criteria for ACOS are not yet well defined. The most frequently
      mentioned characteristics of ACOS were a history of asthma (88.5%), significant
      smoking exposure (73.1%), and postbronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1
      second/forced vital capacity <0.7 (69.2%). The most accepted diagnostic criteria
      were eosinophilia in sputum (80.8%), a very positive bronchodilator test (69.2%),
      and a history of asthma before 40 years of age (65.4%). Up to 96.2% agreed that
      first-line treatment for ACOS was the combination of a long-acting beta2-agonist
      and inhaled steroid, with a long-acting antimuscarinic agent (triple therapy) for
      severe ACOS. CONCLUSION: Most Spanish specialists in asthma and COPD agree that
      ACOS exists, but the diagnostic criteria are not yet well defined. A previous
      history of asthma, smoking, and not fully reversible airflow limitation are
      considered the main characteristics of ACOS, with the most accepted first-line
      treatment being long-acting beta2-agonist/inhaled corticosteroids.

PMID- 26270418
TI  - To the Editor: Eruptive xanthoma.

PMID- 26270419
TI  - In Reply: Eruptive xanthoma.

PMID- 26270420
TI  - To the Editor: Risk of falls.

PMID- 26270421
TI  - In Reply: Risk of falls.

PMID- 26270422
TI  - To the Editor: The role of sentinel lymph node biopsy after excision of
      melanomas.

PMID- 26270423
TI  - In Reply: The role of sentinel lymph node biopsy after excision of melanomas.

PMID- 26270424
TI  - Parvovirus mimicking acute HIV infection.

PMID- 26270425
TI  - Respiratory artifact: A second vital sign on the electrocardiogram.

PMID- 26270426
TI  - Does stenting of severe renal artery stenosis improve outcomes compared with
      medical therapy alone?

PMID- 26270427
TI  - Stenting may benefit select patients with severe renal artery stenosis.

PMID- 26270428
TI  - Geriatrics update 2015: Vaccination, frailty, chronic disease guidelines, and
      cognition.
AB  - This paper discusses recent developments and recommendations for elderly patients
      concerning immunizations, heart failure, lipid therapy, blood pressure control,
      and dementia. 

PMID- 26270429
TI  - Universal precautions to reduce stimulant misuse in treating adult ADHD.
AB  - In the United States, stimulants remain the approved pharmacotherapy of choice
      for adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Many patients
      respond to these drugs, but stimulants also have a significant potential for
      misuse. This article suggests the "universal precautions" approach to reducing
      these risks while promoting appropriate medication use. 

PMID- 26270430
TI  - Starting insulin in patients with type 2 diabetes: An individualized approach.
AB  - Because type 2 diabetes mellitus is a progressive disease, most patients
      eventually need insulin. When and how to start insulin therapy are not one-size
      fits-all decisions but rather must be individualized. This paper reviews the
      indications, goals, and options for insulin therapy in type 2 diabetes. 

PMID- 26270431
TI  - E-cigarettes: Safe to recommend to patients?
AB  - Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes)--devices that generate a nicotine vapor that
      can be inhaled by the user in a fashion that mimics the experience of smoking-
      are increasing in popularity, and many people seem to view them as reasonable
      alternatives to nicotine replacement therapy to help them refrain from smoking.
      Physicians should not encourage such a view. E-cigarettes are unregulated
      nicotine delivery systems that have never been subjected to any kind of testing
      of safety or of efficacy as nicotine replacement therapy. Moreover, for young
      people who have never smoked, these devices could potentially serve as a gateway
      drug. 

PMID- 26270432
TI  - Diuretics for hypertension: Hydrochlorothiazide or chlorthalidone?
AB  - Thiazide diuretics are the cornerstone of treatment of hypertension in most
      patients. Hydrochlorothiazide is the most commonly used thiazide diuretic in the
      United States, but interest in chlorthalidone is increasing. The authors
      summarize the literature comparing these two agents. 

PMID- 26270433
TI  - Comprehensive wound malodor management: Win the RACE.
AB  - Complex wounds that give off a foul odor are common in various patient care
      settings. Wound malodor has grave effects, both physical and psychological, and
      its management presents a serious challenge for caregivers. Multiple factors and
      processes involved in malodor production need to be considered in designing a
      comprehensive treatment plan described by the acronym RACE: removal of necrotic
      tissue, antibacterials, odor concealers, and education and support. Improving
      quality of life is the outcome of winning the RACE against malodor. 

PMID- 26270434
TI  - Treatment for women with postpartum iron deficiency anaemia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Postpartum iron deficiency anaemia is caused by bleeding or
      inadequate dietary iron intake/uptake. This condition is defined by iron
      deficiency accompanied by a lower than normal blood haemoglobin concentration,
      although this can be affected by factors other than anaemia and must be
      interpreted in the light of any concurrent symptoms. Symptoms include fatigue,
      breathlessness, and dizziness. Treatment options include oral or intravenous
      iron, erythropoietin which stimulates red blood cell production, and substitution
      by red blood cell transfusion. OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy and harms of
      the available treatment modalities for women with postpartum iron deficiency
      anaemia. SEARCH METHODS: The Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials
      Register (9 April 2015); the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Portal
      (ICTRP), and the Latin-American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature database
      (LILACS) (8 April 2015) and reference lists of retrieved studies. SELECTION
      CRITERIA: We included published, unpublished and ongoing randomised controlled
      trials that compared a treatment for postpartum iron deficiency anaemia with
      placebo, no treatment, or another treatment for postpartum iron deficiency
      anaemia, including trials described in abstracts only. Cluster-randomised trials
      were eligible for inclusion. We included both open-label trials and blinded
      trials, regardless of who was blinded. The participants were women with a
      postpartum haemoglobin of 120 g per litre (g/L) or less, for which treatment was
      initiated within six weeks after childbirth.Non-randomised trials, quasi
      randomised trials and trials using a cross-over design were excluded. DATA
      COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently assessed studies for
      inclusion, quality, and extracted data. We contacted study authors and
      pharmaceutical companies for additional information. MAIN RESULTS: We included 22
      randomised controlled trials (2858 women), most of which had high risk of bias in
      several domains. We performed 13 comparisons. Many comparisons are based on a
      small number of studies with small sample sizes. No analysis of our primary
      outcomes contained more than two studies.Intravenous iron was compared to oral
      iron in 10 studies (1553 women). Fatigue was reported in two studies and improved
      significantly favouring the intravenously treated group in one of the studies.
      Other anaemia symptoms were not reported. One woman died from cardiomyopathy
      (risk ratio (RR) 2.95; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.12 to 71.96; two studies;
      one event; 374 women; low quality evidence). One woman developed arrhythmia. Both
      cardiac complications occurred in the intravenously treated group. Allergic
      reactions occurred in three women treated with intravenous iron, not
      statistically significant (average RR 2.78; 95% CI 0.31 to 24.92; eight studies;
      1454 women; I2 = 0%; low quality evidence). Gastrointestinal events were less
      frequent in the intravenously treated group (average RR 0.31; 95% CI 0.20 to
      0.47; eight studies; 169 events; 1307 women; I2 = 0%; very low quality
      evidence).One study evaluated red blood cell transfusion versus non-intervention.
      General fatigue improved significantly more in the transfusion group at three
      days (MD -0.80; 95% CI -1.53 to -0.07; women 388; low quality evidence), but no
      difference between groups was seen at six weeks. Maternal mortality was not
      reported.The remaining comparisons evaluated oral iron (with or without other
      food substances) versus placebo (three studies), intravenous iron with oral iron
      versus oral iron (two studies) and erythropoietin (alone or combined with iron)
      versus placebo or iron (seven studies). These studies did not investigate
      fatigue. Maternal mortality was rarely reported. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: The body
      of evidence did not allow us to reach a clear conclusion regarding the efficacy
      of the interventions on postpartum iron deficiency anaemia. The quality of
      evidence was low.Clinical outcomes were rarely reported. Laboratory values may
      not be reliable indicators for efficacy, as they do not always correlate with
      clinical treatment effects. It remains unclear which treatment modality is most
      effective in alleviating symptoms of postpartum anaemia.Intravenous iron was
      superior regarding gastrointestinal harms, however anaphylaxis and cardiac events
      occurred and more data are needed to establish whether this was caused by
      intravenous iron.The clinical significance of some temporarily improved fatigue
      scores in women treated with blood transfusion is uncertain and this modest
      effect should be balanced against known risks, e.g. maternal mortality (not
      reported) and maternal immunological sensitisation, which can potentially harm
      future pregnancies.When comparing oral iron to placebo it remains unknown whether
      efficacy (relief of anaemia symptoms) outweighs the documented gastrointestinal
      harms.We could not draw conclusions regarding erythropoietin treatment due to
      lack of evidence.Further research should evaluate treatment effect through
      clinical outcomes, i.e. presence and severity of anaemia symptoms balanced
      against harms, i.e. survival and severe morbidity.

PMID- 26270435
TI  - Intramolecular Cross-Linking Methodologies for the Synthesis of Polymer
      Nanoparticles.

PMID- 26270436
TI  - Prospecting Lighting Applications with Ligand Field Tools and Density Functional
      Theory: A First-Principles Account of the 4f(7)-4f(6)5d(1) Luminescence of
      CsMgBr3:Eu(2+).
AB  - The most efficient way to provide domestic lighting nowadays is by light-emitting
      diodes (LEDs) technology combined with phosphors shifting the blue and UV
      emission toward a desirable sunlight spectrum. A route in the quest for warm
      white light goes toward the discovery and tuning of the lanthanide-based
      phosphors, a difficult task, in experimental and technical respects. A proper
      theoretical approach, which is also complicated at the conceptual level and in
      computing efforts, is however a profitable complement, offering valuable
      structure-property rationale as a guideline in the search of the best materials.
      The Eu(2+)-based systems are the prototypes for ideal phosphors, exhibiting a
      wide range of visible light emission. Using the ligand field concepts in
      conjunction with density functional theory (DFT), conducted in nonroutine manner,
      we develop a nonempirical procedure to investigate the 4f(7)-4f(6)5d(1)
      luminescence of Eu(2+) in the environment of arbitrary ligands, applied here on
      the CsMgBr3:Eu(2+)-doped material. Providing a salient methodology for the
      extraction of the relevant ligand field and related parameters from DFT
      calculations and encompassing the bottleneck of handling large matrices in a
      model Hamiltonian based on the whole set of 33,462 states, we obtained an
      excellent match with the experimental spectrum, from first-principles, without
      any fit or adjustment. This proves that the ligand field density functional
      theory methodology can be used in the assessment of new materials and rational
      property design.

PMID- 26270437
TI  - Use of prescription drugs is common during pregnancy, US study finds.

PMID- 26270438
TI  - Correction to: Regression to the mean: what it is and how to deal with it.

PMID- 26270439
TI  - Electric impedance platelet aggregometry in cardiac surgery patients: A
      comparative study of two technologies.
AB  - Platelet function tests are suggested to assess platelet reactivity before
      cardiac and major non-cardiac surgery. Different point-of-care platelet function
      tests are available. Among these, electric impedance platelet aggregometry (EIPA)
      (Multiplate(r), MP) is one of the most widely used techniques. Recently, a new
      EIPA system (Rotem Platelet(r), RP) was released. This is a comparative study of
      platelet function measured with MP and RP. Fifty cardiac surgery patients were
      admitted to this study. All the patients received a preoperative platelet
      function test with both the MP and the RP; for each technology, two tests were
      performed: the ADPtest (investigating P2Y12 receptor platelet reactivity) and the
      TRAPtest (investigating the thrombin-dependent platelet reactivity). ADP-based
      platelet reactivity values demonstrated a significant (p = 0.019) correlation
      between the MP and the RP; and a marginally significant (p = 0.042) correlation
      for TRAP-based tests. The Bland-Altman analysis of the ADPtest demonstrated a
      positive bias of 5.94 units (MP > RP) and a percentage error of 88%. For the
      TRAPtest, there was a positive bias of 12 units (MP > RP) and a percentage error
      of 89%. In patients who were preoperatively treated with P2Y12 receptor
      inhibitors, only the MP ADPtest was positively associated with the days from drug
      discontinuation (p = 0.003). Platelet function assessment with RP greatly differs
      from the equivalent MP measure, and no correction value can be applied due to the
      low level of precision. This applies both to ADPtest and TRAPtest. The MP ADPtest
      is more reliable for platelet reactivity after discontinuation of P2Y12 receptor
      inhibitors.

PMID- 26270440
TI  - Fractionated Radiation Therapy for Benign Nonacoustic Schwannomas.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We analyzed the outcomes of patients with benign nonacoustic
      schwannomas treated with fractionated radiation therapy (RT). METHODS: Between
      October 1987 and March 2013, 11 patients with benign nonacoustic schwannomas
      diagnosed radiographically (n=3) or pathologically (n=8) were treated with
      fractionated RT with curative intent at the University of Florida. We reviewed
      patients' medical records to assess outcomes and toxicities from treatment.
      RESULTS: The median follow-up for all patients was 8.2 years (range, 2.2 to 22.7
      y) and 8 years for all living patients (range, 2.2 to 22.7 y). Of the 11 patients
      included in the analysis, 8 (73%) were treated solely with RT, 1 (9%) was treated
      with postoperative RT after subtotal resection, and 2 (18%) were treated with
      postoperative RT after recurrence following initial surgical resection. The 5
      year overall survival, disease-free survival, and local control rates were 100%.
      There were no grade 2 to 5 treatment toxicities. CONCLUSIONS: RT for benign
      nonacoustic schwannoma may be effective when used alone or in addition to
      surgery. Irradiation should be considered in patients for whom resection is
      likely to result in one or more neurological deficits. Fractionated RT to a total
      dose of 50 Gy provides excellent local control and minimal morbidity.

PMID- 26270441
TI  - Prognostic Value of Ki-67 Labeling Index and Postoperative Radiotherapy in WHO
      Grade II Meningioma.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to determine the clinical significance of the
      Ki-67 labeling index (LI) for local control (LC) in patients with World Health
      Organization (WHO) grade II meningioma. We also tried to discern the effect of
      postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) on LC depending upon the Ki-67 LI value.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical records and values of Ki-67 LIs were
      retrospectively reviewed for 50 patients who underwent surgical resection of
      intracranial WHO grade II meningiomas at Samsung Medical Center from May 2001 to
      December 2012. Forty-three patients (86%) were treated with immediate PORT. The
      median total radiation dose was 60 Gy (range, 54 to 60 Gy). RESULTS: The median
      follow-up was 47.4 months. The mean Ki-67 LI was 13% (range, 1% to 47%). Twelve
      patients (24.0%) showed local failure, and 8 patients (16.0%) experienced local
      failure even after PORT. The mean Ki-67 LI was 15% in patients with local failure
      (n=12) and 12% in patients without local failure (n=38). The 3-year actuarial LC
      was 80.5%. The 3-year overall survival was 89.5%. Ki-67 LI>13% and PORT were
      significant prognostic factors for LC (P=0.015 and 0.009, respectively). In
      patients with Ki-67 LI>13% (n=17), PORT (n=14) improved LC (P<0.001). However,
      PORT (n=29) did not affect LC (P=0.412) for patients with Ki-67 LI<=13% (n=33).
      CONCLUSIONS: Ki-67 LI can be a useful prognostic factor for LC in WHO grade II
      meningioma. In patients with Ki-67 LI>13%, PORT should be recommended to improve
      LC.

PMID- 26270442
TI  - Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy for Lung Metastases from Colorectal Cancer:
      Prognostic Factors for Disease Control and Survival.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate disease control and survival after stereotactic body
      radiotherapy (SBRT) for lung metastases from colorectal cancer and to identify
      prognostic factors after treatment. METHODS: Patients with metastatic colorectal
      cancer to the lungs treated with SBRT from 2002 to 2013 were identified from a
      prospectively maintained database. Patients may have received prior systemic
      therapy, radiotherapy to nonthoracic sites and/or resection of thoracic and/or
      nonthoracic metastases. Endpoints were timed from end of SBRT and included
      overall survival (OS), progression-free survival, distant metastases-free
      survival, and local failure-free survival. Univariate and multivariate analysis
      using Cox proportional hazard modeling was used to identify prognostic factors.
      RESULTS: Sixty-five patients were identified. Before SBRT, 69.2% and 33.8% of
      patients received systemic therapy and lung-directed local therapy, respectively,
      for metastatic disease. At the time of SBRT, 64.6% had lung-only involvement.
      Median survivals were: OS of 20.3 months (95% confidence intervals [CI], 15.9
      27.0 mo), progression-free survival of 5.7 months (95% CI, 3.2-7.0 mo), distant
      metastases-free survival of 5.8 months (95% CI, 3.2-7.6 mo), and local failure
      free survival of 15.4 months (95% CI, 8.5-21.1 mo). Nearly all (98%) patients
      developed distant progression. Extra lung and liver involvement at the time of
      initial metastases (hazard ratios [HR] 2.10) and extra lung involvement at SBRT
      (HR 2.67) were the only independent predictors of OS. Net gross target volume of
      >14.1 mL (HR 2.49) was the only independent predictor of local failure-free
      survival. CONCLUSIONS: Reasonable survival and local control can be achieved with
      SBRT. We identified several prognostic factors testable in future prospective
      trials that may help improve patient selection.

PMID- 26270443
TI  - Diagnosis of EML4-ALK Translocation With FISH, Immunohistochemistry, and Real
      time Polymerase Chain Reaction in Patients With Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangement detection
      with immunohistochemistry (IHC) and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR)
      in comparison with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). METHODS: Tumor
      tissue samples from 230 patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
      were analyzed by FISH to detect ALK rearrangements. Additional IHC tests using
      5A4 clone and RT-qPCR (variants 1 to 5) were performed in 63 and 48 patients,
      respectively. RESULTS: Thirteen percent of FISH tests were not evaluable. From
      the remaining tests (n=200), 18 (9.0%) were ALK positive (ALK). ALK patients were
      significantly younger at the time of diagnosis (below 55 y, 14.3% vs. 5.5%,
      P=0.035), were light smokers (tobacco index <10, 12.6% vs. 4.1%, P=0.049), and
      presented adenocarcinoma with a mucinous component (30.8 vs. 8.0%, P=0.007). When
      comparing FISH with IHC using a cutoff of 1+ or 2+, and only 2+ staining
      intensity, the sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, and positive
      predictive value were as follows: 83.3%, 100.0%, 93.75%, and 100.0%; and 55.6%,
      100.0%, 84.9%, and 100.0%, respectively. For RT-qPCR, these results were 55.6,
      100, 90.7, and 100.0%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that RT
      qPCR is an inadequate initial test for detecting ALK-positive lung cancer. IHC is
      highly useful as an initial screening test for ALK rearrangement detection in
      NSCLC. These results contribute to the medical literature on the establishment of
      IHC as a standard diagnostic test for ALK rearrangements in NSCLC.

PMID- 26270445
TI  - The Trimodality Treatment Approach in Stage III/pN2 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer:
      "Usually Appropriate" May Well be a Very Inappropriate Treatment Option.

PMID- 26270444
TI  - Primary Pulmonary Carcinoid Tumor: A Long-term Single Institution Experience.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Primary carcinoid tumors of the lung are rare tumors which comprise
      approximately 0.5% to 5% of all lung malignancies in adults and roughly 20% to
      30% of all carcinoid tumors. The purpose of this retrospective, descriptive study
      was to describe the incidence, characteristics, and outcomes of patients treated
      for primary pulmonary carcinoid tumor at a single institution. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: All patients with a diagnosis of primary pulmonary carcinoid tumor
      treated from 1989 to 2009 were reviewed. Data collected included demographics,
      pathology, tobacco use, clinical presentation, tumor location, tumor spread,
      treatment, and survival. RESULTS: There were 59 cases of pulmonary carcinoid
      tumors: 47 typical (80%) and 12 atypical (20%). All but 4 patients underwent
      surgery, including 54 (92%) lung-sparing resections and 1 pneumonectomy. Five of
      55 patients received concurrent adjuvant chemoradiation therapy; 4 patients with
      atypical and 1 with typical histology. Three additional patients with atypical
      carcinoid were treated only with adjuvant radiotherapy, palliative radiotherapy,
      or palliative chemotherapy, respectively. The Kaplan-Meier 5- and 10-year overall
      survivals were both 80% within the entire population. In the 88% of patients who
      achieved complete remission, disease-free survival was 98%. A review of a large
      series from the literature is also presented. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical resection was
      primary and adequate therapy for most typical carcinoid tumors with high overall
      survival and disease-free survival. Adjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy might
      be considered for patients with atypical carcinoid tumors who present with
      adverse pathologic findings.

PMID- 26270447
TI  - Incidence and Survival of Appendiceal Mucinous Neoplasms: A SEER Analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to characterize the changes in the
      incidence, presentation, surgical treatment, and survival of patients with
      appendiceal mucinous neoplasm (AMN) over the past 4 decades using nationwide
      cancer surveillance data. METHODS: Patients with the diagnosis of AMN were
      identified in the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database.
      Information on demographics, disease characteristics, and surgical treatment was
      collected. Temporal changes in AMN incidence, characteristics of cases, and
      survival were analyzed from 1973 to 2011. Determinants of overall survival (OS)
      were examined using both crude and multivariable Cox proportional hazard models.
      RESULTS: The overall incidence rate of AMN increased on average 3.1%/1,000,000
      persons-years (P<0.001). A significant decline in the age at diagnosis was
      observed (P=0.014). The proportion of patients presenting with distant disease at
      diagnosis also significantly increased (P=0.004). Five-year survival of patients
      with distant stage AMN increased at a rate of 3.5%/y between 1984 and 2006
      (P<0.001). Median OS was not reached for localized and regional stage disease.
      Median OS for distant stage disease was 42 months. CONCLUSIONS: There has been an
      increase in the overall incidence of AMN with an observed increase in the
      proportion of younger age and distant stage at diagnosis. The OS has improved
      over time.

PMID- 26270446
TI  - Soft Tissue Solitary Fibrous Tumor: Combined Surgery and Radiation Therapy
      Results in Excellent Local Control.
AB  - PURPOSE: To report survival outcomes and local control in patients with solitary
      fibrous tumors (SFT) treated using surgery and radiation therapy (RT). METHODS:
      We reviewed the medical records of 31 consecutive patients definitively treated
      for SFT with surgery and RT between 1982 and 2012. The median age was 51 years
      (range, 23 to 88 y) and tumors were evenly distributed between the head and neck
      (n=9, 29%), trunk (n=10, 32%), and lower extremities (n=9, 29%). The majority of
      tumors were large (>5 cm) (n=23, 72%). Specimens had a median of 2 mitoses/10 HPF
      (range, 0 to 8). Nearly half the cases were treated with postoperative RT (n=14,
      45%; median dose, 58 Gy) and the other 17 patients (55%) received preoperative RT
      (median dose, 50 Gy). RESULTS: Median follow-up time was 59 months (range, 18 to
      349 mo). The 5-year rates of local control, overall survival, and distant
      metastatic-free survival were 100%, 95%, and 92%, respectively. There were no
      local or nodal relapses and the 10-year complication rate was 6% (n=2).
      CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of soft tissue SFT using combined surgery and RT results
      in excellent local control.

PMID- 26270448
TI  - Effects of Adoptive Transferring Different Sources of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor
      Cells in Mice Corneal Transplant Survival.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Adoptively transferring different sources of myeloid-derived
      suppressor cells (MDSCs) may assist in mice corneal transplant survival. METHODS:
      Allogeneic full thickness corneal transplantation (donor C57BL/6 to recipient
      Balb/c mice) was performed. Naive myeloid cells, inflammation-induced MDSCs
      (iMDSCs), and tumor-induced MDSCs (tMDSCs) were purified from bone marrow of
      naive, cecal ligation and puncture, or tumor-bearing Balb/c mice, respectively.
      The inhibitory abilities of myeloid cells toward CD4(+) T cell proliferation were
      accessed by in vitro carboxyfluorescein diacetate, succinimidyl ester (CFSE)
      assays. Myeloid cells were adoptively transferred to corneal recipients by
      retroorbital injection after corneal transplantation. Corneal grafts were
      examined and photographed for a period of 45 days. The growth of corneal graft
      neovascularization was quantitatively measured by image editing software.
      Histopathology was performed to evaluate corneal graft inflammation. RESULTS: The
      iMDSCs and tMDSCs significantly inhibited T cell proliferation in vitro and
      significantly prolonged corneal allograft survival in vivo. Strikingly, iMDSC
      transferring significantly reduced neovascularization that was comparable to
      transferring of tMDSCs, without additional immunosuppression. However, additional
      adoptive transfer of MDSCs did not further ameliorate corneal survival in these
      allogeneic corneal transplantation mice. CONCLUSIONS: Inflammation-induced MDSC
      transfer could reduce corneal neovascularization and prolong corneal allograft
      survival.

PMID- 26270449
TI  - Risk-adapted Treatment for Severe B-Lineage Posttransplant Lymphoproliferative
      Disease After Solid Organ Transplantation in Children.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Optimal management of posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease
      (PTLD) remains to be defined due to heterogeneity of this condition and lack of
      predictors of the outcome. Here we report our experience with pediatric PTLD
      nonresponsive to immunosuppression (IS) withdrawal, managed after stratification
      into high and low risk according to the presenting features. METHODS: This is a
      single-center retrospective review of prospectively enrolled patients. From 2001
      to 2011, 17 children were diagnosed with severe B-lineage, CD20+, PTLD after a
      median of 37 months (range, 5-93) from liver (12), heart (4), or multiorgan (1)
      transplantation. Treatment was tailored on 2 risk groups: (1) standard-risk (SR)
      patients received IS reduction and rituximab; (2) high-risk (HR) patients
      received IS discontinuation, rituximab and polychemotherapy. RESULTS: The
      cumulative incidence of rejection at 1 and 5 years after the diagnosis of PTLD
      was 35% (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 18-69%) and 53% (33-85%),
      respectively, whereas the disease-free survival at 1 and 5 years was 94% (95% CI,
      65-99%) and 75% (45-90%), respectively. Three children died, PTLD-free, from
      different transplant-related complications: primary nonfunction after
      retransplantation (liver), cytomegalovirus disease 21 months after PTLD treatment
      (liver), graft dysfunction 25 months after PTLD (heart). CONCLUSIONS: Severe B
      lineage PTLD after solid organ transplantation may be classified as SR or HR and
      treated accordingly with a tailored protocol obtaining a satisfactory long-term
      outcome. This approach accomplishes the control of lymphoproliferation in severe
      forms as well as the minimization of toxicity in milder PTLDs.

PMID- 26270450
TI  - Efficacy of Myeloid Derived Suppressor Cells on Transplant Survival.

PMID- 26270452
TI  - Determining Age Effects: The Unique Contributions Provided by Longitudinal
      Designs.

PMID- 26270451
TI  - Boryl (Hetero)aryne Precursors as Versatile Arylation Reagents: Synthesis through
      C-H Activation and Orthogonal Reactivity.
AB  - (Pinacolato)boryl ortho-silyl(hetero)aryl triflates are presented as a new class
      of building blocks for arylation. They demonstrate unique versatility by
      delivering boronate or (hetero)aryne reactivity chemoselectively in a broad range
      of transformations. This approach enables the unprecedented postfunctionalization
      of fluoride-activated (hetero)aryne precursors, for example, as substrates in
      transition-metal catalysis, and offers valuable new possibilities for aryl
      boronate postfunctionalization without the use of specialized protecting groups. 

PMID- 26270456
TI  - Impact of Aspiration Pneumonia on the Clinical Course of Progressive Supranuclear
      Palsy: A Retrospective Cohort Study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Although aspiration pneumonia is the most common complication of
      progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), the clinical impact of aspiration pneumonia
      on disease course and survival has not been fully estimated. Thus, we
      retrospectively analyzed the prognostic factors and clinical consequences of
      pneumonia in PSP. METHODS: The clinical course of patients with aspiration
      pneumonia was surveyed. The association between baseline clinical features (2
      years from disease onset) and latency to the initial development of pneumonia was
      investigated using survival time and Cox regression analyses. RESULTS: Ninety
      patients with a clinical diagnosis of PSP were observed for 5.1+/-3.8 years
      (mean+/-SD), and 22 had aspiration pneumonia. Subsequently, 20 patients (91%) had
      to discontinue oral feeding entirely and 13 (59%) died, whereas, of 68 patients
      without pneumonia, only three patients (4%) died. Time to initial development of
      pneumonia was strongly correlated with survival time (Spearman R = 0.92,
      P<0.001), with a mean latency of 2.3 years to death. Among baseline clinical
      features, early fall episodes and cognitive decline were significant predictors
      of pneumonia (P = 0.001 and P<0.001, respectively, log rank test). Cox regression
      analysis demonstrated that early fall episodes (adjusted hazard ratio: 3.9, 95%
      confidence interval: 1.2-12.5, P = 0.03) and cognitive decline (adjusted hazard
      ratio: 5.2, 95% confidence interval: 1.4-19.3, P = 0.02) independently predicted
      pneumonia. By contrast, dysphagia was not associated with pneumonia (P = 0.2, log
      rank test). CONCLUSION: Initial development of pneumonia indicates an unfavorable
      clinical course and predicts survival time (mean survival time 2.3 years).
      Patients with early falls and cognitive decline were at high risk of early
      development of pneumonia.

PMID- 26270458
TI  - Short Versus Long Intramedullary Nails in the Treatment of Pertrochanteric Hip
      Fractures: Incidence of Ipsilateral Fractures and Costs Associated With Each
      Implant.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Both short intramedullary nails (SIMNs) and long intramedullary nails
      (LIMNs) are routinely used in the surgical treatment of pertrochanteric hip
      fractures. The purpose of this study was to assess the incidence of ipsilateral
      femur fractures after the surgical treatment of hip fractures and the overall
      costs associated with each implant. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING:
      Level I trauma center and 2 community hospitals. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: A total
      of 609 patients with pertrochanteric hip fractures treated with an SIMN or LIMN
      from 2005 to 2011. INTERVENTION: Review of patient demographics and clinical
      outcomes over a 5-year follow-up period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Ipsilateral
      femur refracture rates were recorded for both groups, and a cost analysis was
      then performed to compare SIMNs and LIMNs while accounting for their observed
      refracture rates and surgical/hospital costs to determine the overall cost of
      each implant. RESULTS: Union rates were equivalent between groups and averaged
      over 97%. The incidence of ipsilateral femur fractures in both groups steadily
      increased with greater follow-up time to reach nearly 10% at 5 years. Although
      only 47% of all nails were locked distally, 15 of the 16 refractures occurred in
      nails that were not distally locked. Cost analysis revealed no significant
      difference in the use of short versus LIMNs over a 5-year period (P = 0.76).
      CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of ipsilateral femur refractures steadily rose with
      greater follow-up in both SIMN and LIMNs. Distally locking the initial fixation
      seems to protect against future femur fractures and may also affect the
      refracture location when using LIMNs. No differences in overall costs were seen
      at 1, 2, or 5 years between SIMNs and LIMNs. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level
      III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of
      evidence.

PMID- 26270457
TI  - Fate of Patients With a "Surprise" Positive Culture After Nonunion Surgery.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Review the impact of unexpected positive cultures from definitive
      surgery for nonunion regarding postoperative treatment and ultimate result.
      DESIGNS: Retrospective multicenter case series. SETTING: Three level-one trauma
      centers. PATIENTS: Six-hundred sixty-six consecutive nonunions were treated
      during the study period. Four-hundred fifty-three cases (68%) were considered at
      risk for indolent infection (prior open fracture, surgery, or infection) and had
      cultures taken at the time of definitive surgery. INTERVENTION: Intraoperative
      cultures during definitive operative treatment of nonunions. MAIN OUTCOME
      MEASUREMENT: The incidence of "surprise" positive cultures was determined, and
      the course of the patients was documented including the use of antibiotics,
      surgery performed, and the outcome regarding infection and union. RESULTS: Ninety
      one (20%) cases had a surprise positive culture despite negative inflammatory
      markers. Most of bacteria isolated from the cultures were Staphylococcus species.
      Eight (9%) of the ninety-one cultures were considered probable contaminants and
      no antibiotics were given, 5 of these patients healed. The other 83 patients were
      treated with antibiotics, initially 66 (80%) healed and 12 (14%) remained
      infected. Eighty-two percent of patients with augmentation healed as compared
      with 86% of those not grafted. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment of nonunions is
      challenging, and in patients with a history of surgery or open fracture, we found
      that 20% had positive intraoperative cultures from the definitive surgery. We
      recommend intraoperative cultures for all patients undergoing revision surgery.
      The use of culture-specific antibiotics is justified based on the overall low
      rate of infection in this complex population and the high rate of chronic
      infection (25%) for those treated as contaminants. Patients may be counseled that
      a positive culture after nonunion surgery is a treatable problem but does
      increase the risk of infection and additional surgery as compared with those with
      a negative intraoperative culture. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level IV. See
      Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

PMID- 26270459
TI  - Is Closed Reduction and Percutaneous Fixation of Unstable Posterior Ring Injuries
      as Accurate as Open Reduction and Internal Fixation?
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The objective of this retrospective review was to determine whether a
      closed reduction technique for unstable pelvic ring injuries is as accurate as an
      open technique. DESIGN: Retrospective review. SETTING: Two academic Level 1
      trauma centers. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: We reviewed the records of 113 patients
      who had unilateral unstable pelvic ring injuries (Bucholz type 3, OTA type 61-C1)
      treated with closed reduction and percutaneous fixation (CRPF) or open reduction
      with internal fixation (ORIF). INTERVENTION: Sixty patients were treated at one
      institution with open reduction and percutaneous iliosacral screw fixation. This
      involved prone positioning and a gluteus maximus sparing approach for direct
      visualization and reduction of the fracture. A second cohort of 53 patients was
      treated at a separate institution with closed reduction and percutaneous
      iliosacral screw fixation. This involved supine positioning and skeletal
      traction. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Preoperative and postoperative plain radiographs
      of the pelvis were reviewed and standardized measurements were made to compare
      quality of reduction. RESULTS: We were able to measure displacement within 0.1
      mm. Overall reduction quality was slightly better for the CRPF group. The largest
      average difference in postoperative displacement was seen at the iliac wing
      height on anteroposterior pelvis radiographs with 6.3 mm (range 0-19.6) in the
      ORIF group versus 1.9 mm (range 0-4.7) in the CRPF group. CONCLUSIONS: The closed
      reduction technique described here is as effective as the ORIF technique in
      obtaining reduction of unstable pelvic ring injuries (Bucholz type 3, OTA type 61
      C1). LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a
      complete description of levels of evidence.

PMID- 26270460
TI  - Multiplanar Fixation for Patella Fractures Using a Low-Profile Mesh Plate.
AB  - Patella fractures are challenging orthopaedic injuries. Many commonly used
      fixation techniques can be ineffective and lead to poor clinical outcomes even
      with satisfactory reductions and fracture healing. In this investigation, we
      present the technique of cage plate fixation of patella fractures and the
      clinical outcomes of 9 initial patients surgically treated at our institution.
      This technique allows direct visualization of the articular reduction, provides
      multiplanar fixation, effectively stabilizes inferior pole comminution, and
      reduces the risk of patella vascular disruption. Using this technique, we have
      achieved excellent functional and radiographic outcomes. 

PMID- 26270461
TI  - Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty for Posttraumatic Sequelae.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The sequelae of proximal humeral fractures can produce severe
      shoulder dysfunction. We assessed the results of reverse shoulder arthroplasty
      (RSA) for these complex problems. DESIGN: Retrospective multicenter study.
      SETTING: Tertiary care referral hospitals. PATIENTS: A total of 26 patients were
      identified who had undergone RSA for the sequelae of proximal humeral fractures.
      Twenty patients had follow-up beyond 2 years, averaging 44 months (range, 27-97).
      Patients with revision prosthetic surgery were not included in the study. The
      average age at surgery was 67 years (range, 31-89). INTERVENTION: All patients
      underwent RSA. In addition, 4 shoulders required allografts to compensate for
      bone loss, and 1 shoulder concomitant internal fixation of a humeral shaft
      nonunion. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: The main outcome measurement was the Neer
      scale. Pain relief, range of motion, and American shoulder and elbow surgeon and
      Simple shoulder test shoulder outcome scores were also assessed. RESULTS: Overall
      results in the 20 patients were considered excellent in 8 shoulders, satisfactory
      in 6, and unsatisfactory in 6. There was significant improvement in the visual
      analog pain score to 1.9 (P = 0.005), forward elevation to 137 degrees (P <
      0.001), and external rotation to 39 degrees (P = 0.0002). The mean American
      shoulder and elbow surgeon score was 65 and the mean Simple shoulder test 6.
      Complications included 1 deep infection, 2 transient brachial plexopathies, and 2
      cases of dislocation. CONCLUSIONS: Reconstruction of the deformed proximal
      humerus from fracture sequelae with RSA is complex and often requires advanced
      surgical techniques. Complications are not infrequent and may require further
      surgery. Nevertheless, satisfactory results can be achieved in most patients.
      LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a
      complete description of levels of evidence.

PMID- 26270462
TI  - Rapid maxillary expansion in therapy-resistant enuretic children: An orthodontic
      perspective.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether rapid maxillary expansion (RME) could reduce the
      frequency of nocturnal enuresis (NE) in children and whether a placebo effect
      could be ruled out. METHODS: Thirty-four subjects, 29 boys and five girls with
      mean age of 10.7 +/- 1.8 years suffering from primary NE, were recruited. All
      subjects were nonresponders to the first-line antienuretic treatment and
      therefore were classified as "therapy resistant." To rule out a placebo effect of
      the RME appliance, all children were first treated with a passive appliance for 4
      weeks. Rhinomanometry (RM), acoustic rhinometry (AR), polysomnographic
      registration, and study casts were made at different time points. RESULTS: One
      child experienced severe discomfort from the RME appliance and immediately
      withdrew from the study. Following RME, the long-term cure rate after 1 year was
      60%. The RM and AR measurements at baseline and directly after RME showed a
      significant increase in nasal volume and nasal airflow, and there was a
      statistically significant correlation between reduction in enuresis and increase
      in nasal volume. Six months postretention, a 100% relapse of the dental
      overexpansion could be noted. CONCLUSIONS: RME has a curative effect in some
      children with NE, which could be connected to the positive influence of RME on
      the sleep architecture. Normal transverse occlusion does not seem to be a
      contraindication for moderate maxillary expansion in attempts to cure NE in
      children.

PMID- 26270463
TI  - Rapid and Sensitive Salmonella Typhi Detection in Blood and Fecal Samples Using
      Reverse Transcription Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification.
AB  - Typhoid fever caused by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi remains a significant
      public health problem in developing countries. Although the main method for
      diagnosing typhoid fever is blood culture, the test is time consuming and not
      always able to detect infections. Thus, it is very difficult to distinguish
      typhoid from other infections in patients with nonspecific symptoms. A simple and
      sensitive laboratory detection method remains necessary. The purpose of this
      study is to establish and evaluate a rapid and sensitive reverse transcription
      based loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) method to detect
      Salmonella Typhi infection. In this study, a new specific gene marker, STY1607,
      was selected to develop a STY1607-RT-LAMP assay; this is the first report of
      specific RT-LAMP detection assay for typhoid. Human-simulated and clinical
      blood/stool samples were used to evaluate the performance of STY1607-RT-LAMP for
      RNA detection; this method was compared with STY1607-LAMP, reverse transcription
      real-time polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR), and bacterial culture methods for
      Salmonella Typhi detection. Using mRNA as the template, STY1607-RT-LAMP exhibited
      50-fold greater sensitivity than STY1607-LAMP for DNA detection. The STY1607-RT
      LAMP detection limit is 3 colony-forming units (CFU)/mL for both the pure
      Salmonella Typhi samples and Salmonella Typhi-simulated blood samples and was 30
      CFU/g for the simulated stool samples, all of which were 10-fold more sensitive
      than the rRT-PCR method. RT-LAMP exhibited improved Salmonella Typhi detection
      sensitivity compared to culture methods and to rRT-PCR of clinical blood and
      stool specimens from suspected typhoid fever patients. Because it can be
      performed without sophisticated equipment or skilled personnel, RT-LAMP is a
      valuable tool for clinical laboratories in developing countries. This method can
      be applied in the clinical diagnosis and care of typhoid fever patients as well
      as for a quick public health response. 

PMID- 26270465
TI  - Correction: A Preliminary Randomized Double Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial of
      Intravenous Immunoglobulin for Japanese Encephalitis in Nepal.

PMID- 26270464
TI  - Failure to Use and Sustain Male Condom Usage: Lessons Learned from a Prospective
      Study among Men Attending STI Clinic in Pune, India.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sustained or consistent use of condoms by men remains a challenge. A
      study was carried out to identify factors associated with failure to use condoms
      consistently by men attending STD clinics in Pune, India. METHOD: Among 14137 STI
      clinic attendees, 8360 HIV sero-negative men were enrolled in a cohort study. The
      changes in condom usage behavior were studied among 1284 men who returned for
      first scheduled quarterly follow up, 309 reported consistent condom use at the
      time of enrollment in the cohort. Data pertaining to heterosexual men practicing
      high risk behavior were analyzed to identify factors associated with change in
      condom use behavior using logistic regression model. Demographic, behavioral and
      biological factors observed to be associated with condom use were fitted in five
      Cox proportional hazards models to calculate hazard ratios and their 95%
      confidence intervals to identify independent predictors of failure to sustain
      condom use behavior. RESULTS: The univariate analysis showed that men who were 30
      years or older in age (p = 0.002) and those who did not have contact female sex
      worker (FSW) were more likely to fail to sustain consistent condom use. However
      both these factors did not show significant association in multivariable
      analysis. Marital status and contact with Hijra (eunuch) in lifetime were
      associated with failure to change in their condom use behavior [AOR 0.33 (CI 0.13
      0.82; p = 0.017)]. During the follow up of 2 years, 61 events (15.5 per 100
      person years, 95% CI 12.3-19.5 years) of 'failure of condom use' were recorded
      despite counseling. Older age, contact with non CSW partner and presence of
      genital ulcer disease / discharge syndrome were significant predictors of failure
      to sustain condom use. DISCUSSION: Married monogamous older men, who report
      contact with sex worker and present with genital ulcer disease are at risk of
      failure to use condom after first exposure to voluntary HIV counseling and
      testing. This is a scenario of primary prevention program. Condom promotion and
      counseling needs to be reinforced through follow up counseling among this
      population.

PMID- 26270466
TI  - Letter Regarding "Adult-Onset Ligneous Conjunctivitis with Detection of a Novel
      Plasminogen Gene Mutation and Anti-Plasminogen IgA Antibody: A Clinicopathologic
      Study and Review of Literature" by Y. Tu et al.

PMID- 26270468
TI  - The future of lasers in onychomycosis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Laser therapy is one of the most promising device-based therapies
      for onychomycosis. To date, reported clinical efficacies, as well as anecdotal
      clinical results, have varied greatly, and the specific mechanism of action has
      not been well-elucidated. METHODS: Here, we provide an overview of the mechanisms
      of action and detailed analysis of the technical parameters involved in creating
      a laser that will be successfully fungicidal in onychomycosis. RESULTS: This
      review provides important insight into why the efficacies of laser studies
      reported to date vary so greatly and what is critical in order to obtain high
      efficacy in the clinical treatment of onychomycosis. CONCLUSIONS: There is
      substantial opportunity to improve the targeting and anti-targeting properties of
      lasers to address the specific considerations required to treat onychomycosis
      and, more generally, other dermal pathogens.

PMID- 26270467
TI  - Bacterial Landscape of Bloodstream Infections in Neutropenic Patients via High
      Throughput Sequencing.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Bloodstream infection (BSI) is a common and potentially life
      threatening complication in patients with hematological malignancies and therapy
      induced neutropenia. Administration of broad spectrum antibiotics has
      substantially decreased the mortality rate in febrile neutropenia, but bacterial
      infection is documented in only one-third or fewer of the cases. BSI is typically
      diagnosed by blood culture; however, this method can detect only culturable
      pathogens. METHODS: In the present study, a total of 130 blood samples from
      hematological patients receiving dose-intensive antitumoural treatment were
      subjected to 16S rRNA PCR and 62 of them were cultured. PCR positive samples were
      processed to high throughput sequencing by amplifying the V1-V3 regions of the
      16S rRNA gene to obtain a full spectrum of bacteria present in BSI. RESULTS: Five
      phyla and 30 genera were identified with sequencing compared to 2 phyla and 4
      genera with culture. The largest proportion of bacteria detected by sequencing
      belonged to Proteobacteria (55.2%), Firmicutes (33.4%) and Actinobacteria (8.6%),
      while Fusobacteria (0.4%) and Bacteroidetes (0.1%) were also detected. Ninety
      eight percent of the bacteria identified by sequencing were opportunistic human
      pathogens and 65% belonged to the normal human microbiota. CONCLUSIONS: The
      present study indicates that BSIs in neutropenic hosts contain a much broader
      diversity of bacteria, likely with host origin, than previously realized. The
      elevated ratio of Proteobacteria in BSI corroborates the results found in other
      systemic inflammatory diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease or mucosal
      infections. This knowledge may become of value for tailoring antimicrobial drug
      administration.

PMID- 26270469
TI  - Efficacy of sodium hypochlorite (bleach) baths to reduce Staphylococcus aureus
      colonization in childhood onset moderate-to-severe eczema: A randomized, placebo
      controlled cross-over trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) colonization/infection is an
      important factor in the pathophysiology of atopic dermatitis (AD). Clinical
      trials have demonstrated conflicting efficacy of diluted bleach baths in treating
      moderate-to-severe AD. We conducted a double-blinded, placebo-controlled (water),
      cross-over trial among patients with AD to investigate the efficacy of bleach
      baths in reducing S. aureus colonization and AD severity. METHOD: In this cross
      over trial, 40 patients with moderate-to-severe AD were randomized to receive
      twice-weekly bleach and water baths, each for four consecutive weeks with a four
      week wash-out period in between. Condition of S. aureus growth and SCORing Atopic
      Dermatitis index (SCORAD) were recorded at baseline and four-weekly intervals.
      Patients' blood was collected in first and second visits to investigate blood
      eosinophil count, serum levels of total IgE and specific IgEs against
      Staphylococcal enterotoxins A and B. In every visit, Children Dermatology Life
      Quality Index (CDLQI), skin hydration (SH), transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and
      usage frequency of prohibited medications (topical antibiotic, steroid and oral
      antihistamine) were recorded. RESULTS: All 40 patients completed the trial, but
      14 were non-adherent. By intention-to-treat (ITT) approach, comparing with water
      baths, bleach baths conferred no significant efficacy in CDLQI, SH, TEWL, blood
      eosinophil count, total IgE and the two specific IgEs over four weeks. Water
      baths caused a greater reduction in affected area of SCORAD than bleach baths (
      5.7 +/- 15.4 for water vs. 0.6 +/- 12.4 for bleach; p = 0.03) by ITT, and in
      objective SCORAD and affected area (p < 0.05) from per-protocol approach. Bleach
      baths reduced topical corticosteroid use (mean difference = 1.1 +/- 2.6
      days/week; p = 0.014) and topical antibiotic use (mean difference = 1.0 +/- 2.8
      days/week; p = 0.044) in within-group analysis. CONCLUSIONS: This study
      demonstrated that a four-week, twice-weekly regime of diluted bleach baths is not
      more useful than water baths in reducing S. aureus colonization/infection and
      improving AD. A longer treatment period is needed to evaluate if the short
      treatment duration was the main cause for the discrepancy in outcome from other
      bleach-bath trials. The usage of a portable bath tub obviates the problems
      associated with unavailability of bathing facilities in some families.

PMID- 26270471
TI  - Assessing the Extent of Adherence to the Recommended Antenatal Care Content in
      Malaysia: Room for Improvement.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recent papers on monitoring of health services affirmed that while
      antenatal care (ANC) is an effective measure, quality is still a problem. Quality
      in maternal services "...involves providing a minimum level of care to all
      pregnant women..." Yet adherence to a minimum level of recommended ANC content
      appears to be unmet. Comprehensive review of ANC content rendered in environments
      with rapid changes in demographic, socio-economic, lifestyle and morbidity was
      sparse. Malaysia is such a country that has undergone these transitions with
      tremendous progress in health. However, recent progress in pregnancy outcomes is
      stagnating. This study aims to analyse adherence to recommended ANC;
      specifically, to examine the extent of adherence to recommended ANC content and
      to determine the factors influencing ANC content score. METHODS: A retrospective
      cohort study of 522 randomly selected women who used ANC was conducted. Data were
      extracted from individual records. The study examined adherence to essential ANC
      guidelines using weighted scoring for physical examination, health screening,
      case management, and health education. GLM Univariate analysis procedure was used
      to determine the factors associated with ANC content score. Binary logistic
      regression was used to assess ANC content level and pregnancy outcomes,
      controlled for ANC utilisation. RESULTS: Around half of the women had <80% of
      recommended ANC content documented. Health education had the lowest mean score,
      at around 35%. The low-risk pregnancies had a higher ANC content score than the
      high-risk pregnancies (78% vs. 75%; P = 0.002). The smallest clinics had a higher
      ANC content score than the bigger clinics (78% vs. 74-76%; P<0.001). ANC content
      score among the women with "adequate" ANC utilisation, as defined by the modified
      Adequacy of Prenatal Care Utilisation Index, was lower than the women with
      "adequate-plus" ANC utilisation (75% vs. 78%, P<0.001). Assessment of symphysis
      fundal height, foetal presentation and foetal heart auscultation were initiated
      earlier than recommended. Inadequate ANC content was associated with higher
      prevalence of preterm birth. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate the presence of
      issues related to delivery of recommended ANC content. We advocate for all
      pregnant women to be ensured of adherence to the recommended ANC content. We also
      recommend monitoring the delivery of health advice. Conforming to recommended
      timing of initiation for ANC practices is essential due to resource implication
      and possible implication on maternal wellbeing. The association of inadequate ANC
      content and preterm birth may be due to lesser opportunities to receive some of
      the care because of lower number of ANC visits among preterm birth; this may also
      indicate the importance of having adequate ANC content.

PMID- 26270470
TI  - What Do We Really Know about Cognitive Inhibition? Task Demands and Inhibitory
      Effects across a Range of Memory and Behavioural Tasks.
AB  - Our study explores inhibitory control across a range of widely recognised memory
      and behavioural tasks. Eighty-seven never-depressed participants completed a
      series of tasks designed to measure inhibitory control in memory and behaviour.
      Specifically, a variant of the selective retrieval-practice and the Think/No
      Think tasks were employed as measures of memory inhibition. The Stroop-Colour
      Naming and the Go/No-Go tasks were used as measures of behavioural inhibition.
      Participants completed all 4 tasks. Task presentation order was counterbalanced
      across 3 separate testing sessions for each participant. Standard inhibitory
      forgetting effects emerged on both memory tasks but the extent of forgetting
      across these tasks was not correlated. Furthermore, there was no relationship
      between memory inhibition tasks and either of the main behavioural inhibition
      measures. At a time when cognitive inhibition continues to gain acceptance as an
      explanatory mechanism, our study raises fundamental questions about what we
      actually know about inhibition and how it is affected by the processing demands
      of particular inhibitory tasks. 

PMID- 26270473
TI  - Mass Gathering Medical Care: Resource Document for the National Association of
      EMS Physicians Position Statement.
AB  - Mass gatherings are heterogeneous in terms of size, duration, type of event,
      crowd behavior, demographics of the participants and spectators, use of
      recreational substances, weather, and environment. The goals of health and
      medical services should be the provision of care for participants and spectators
      consistent with local standards of care, protection of continuing medical service
      to the populations surrounding the event venue, and preparation for surge to
      respond to extraordinary events. Pre-event planning among jurisdictional public
      health and EMS, acute care hospitals, and event EMS is essential, but should also
      include, at a minimum, event security services, public relations, facility
      maintenance, communications technicians, and the event planners and organizers.
      Previous documented experience with similar events has been shown to most
      accurately predict future needs. Future work in and guidance for mass gathering
      medical care should include the consistent use and further development of
      universally accepted consistent metrics, such as Patient Presentation Rate and
      Transfer to Hospital Rate. Only by standardizing data collection can evaluations
      be performed that link interventions with outcomes to enhance evidence-based EMS
      services at mass gatherings. Research is needed to evaluate the skills and
      interventions required by EMS providers to achieve desired outcomes. The event
      dedicated EMS Medical Director is integral to acceptable quality medical care
      provided at mass gatherings; hence, he/she must be included in all aspects of
      mass gathering medical care planning, preparations, response, and recovery.
      Incorporation of jurisdictional EMS and community hospital medical leadership,
      and emergency practitioners into these processes will ensure that on-site care,
      transport, and transition to acute care at appropriate receiving facilities is
      consistent with, and fully integrated into the community's medical care system,
      while fulfilling the needs of event participants.

PMID- 26270472
TI  - Time-course effects of aerobic exercise training on cardiovascular and renal
      parameters in 2K1C renovascular hypertensive rats.
AB  - Exercise training (Ex) has been recommended for its beneficial effects in
      hypertensive states. The present study evaluated the time-course effects of Ex
      without workload on mean arterial pressure (MAP), reflex bradycardia, cardiac and
      renal histology, and oxidative stress in two-kidney, one-clip (2K1C) hypertensive
      rats. Male Fischer rats (10 weeks old; 150-180 g) underwent surgery (2K1C or
      SHAM) and were subsequently divided into a sedentary (SED) group and Ex group
      (swimming 1 h/day, 5 days/week for 2, 4, 6, 8, or 10 weeks). Until week 4, Ex
      decreased MAP, increased reflex bradycardia, prevented concentric hypertrophy,
      reduced collagen deposition in the myocardium and kidneys, decreased the level of
      thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) in the left ventricle, and
      increased the catalase (CAT) activity in the left ventricle and both kidneys.
      From week 6 to week 10, however, MAP and reflex bradycardia in 2K1C Ex rats
      became similar to those in 2K1C SED rats. Ex effectively reduced heart rate and
      prevented collagen deposition in the heart and both kidneys up to week 10, and
      restored the level of TBARS in the left ventricle and clipped kidney and the CAT
      activity in both kidneys until week 8. Ex without workload for 10 weeks in 2K1C
      rats provided distinct beneficial effects. The early effects of Ex on
      cardiovascular function included reversing MAP and reflex bradycardia. The later
      effects of Ex included preventing structural alterations in the heart and kidney
      by decreasing oxidative stress and reducing injuries in these organs during
      hypertension. 

PMID- 26270476
TI  - Detection and Characterization of Cocaine and Related Tropane Alkaloids in Coca
      Leaf, Cocaine, and Biological Specimens.
AB  - Cocaine, atropine and scopolamine are the three most important alkaloids in the
      tropane group. The detection of these alkaloids and their metabolites, at trace
      levels in biological matrices, is reviewed. These matrices include human and rat
      physiological fluids such as blood, urine, and saliva as well as human body
      tissue and hair. The detection, isolation, and determination of cocaine and
      related tropane alkaloids in cocaine-bearing leaf of South American and
      greenhouse-cultivated coca is discussed. The relationship between tropane
      alkaloids in coca leaf and their presence in illicit refined cocaine is
      addressed. A survey of modern methods for the detection of tropane alkaloids,
      including mass spectrometry, ultraviolet, infrared and Raman spectroscopy, gas
      and high-performance liquid chromatography and immunoassay techniques, is
      presented. 

PMID- 26270475
TI  - Post-Operative Complications in Living Liver Donors: A Single-Center Experience
      in China.
AB  - The gap between the growing demand for available organs and the cadaveric organs
      facilitates the adoption of living donor liver transplantation. We
      retrospectively identified and evaluated the post-operative complications as per
      the modified Clavien classification system in 152 living liver donors at at the
      First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University between
      December, 2006 and June, 2014. Post-operative complications were observed in 61
      patients (40.1%) in the present study, but no mortality was reported.
      Complications developed in 58 (40.0%) right, 1 (33.3%) left, and 2 (66.7%)
      lateral left hepatectomy donors. The prevalence of re-operation was 1.3%. Grade I
      and II complications were observed in 38 (25.0%) and 11 (7.2%) donors,
      respectively. Grade IIIa complications developed in 9 (5.9%) donors and only 3
      (2.0%) patients reported grade IIIb complications. The most common complication
      was pleural effusion that occurred in 31 (20.4%) donors. No significant
      prognostic baseline factor was identified in this study. In conclusion, living
      donors experienced various complications, which were usually mild and had a good
      prognosis. 

PMID- 26270477
TI  - Drugs of Abuse in Meconium.
AB  - The determination of fetal drug exposure is of great importance for the future
      development of the neonate. Meconium, the first fecal material excreted by the
      newborn is an excellent depository for drugs to which the fetus has been exposed.
      Correct diagnosis of drug use during pregnancy allows the child to receive
      specialized treatment and care, which will aid in learning behavioral
      development. Meconium analysis is gaining significant credibility as an
      alternative or an additional sample to neonatal or maternal urine, because
      meconium provides a longer history of drug use than urine and drug concentrations
      are higher. Therefore, number of false negative results is decreased. Meconium
      analysis is a relatively new scientific development. Reported analytical
      procedures and techniques for drugs and metabolites in meconium are predominantly
      cocaine-related, although other compounds have been studied. Meconium, a complex
      matrix, requires pre-treatment and the extraction of drugs using organic solvents
      and solid-phases is discussed. Preliminary drug screening using predominantly
      immunoassays and quantitative confirmatory analytical chromatographic methods,
      are reviewed. Drugs of abuse described include cocaine, amphetamines,
      phencyclidine, marijuana, opiates, nicotine, benzodiazepines and barbiturates. 

PMID- 26270474
TI  - High Resolution Discovery Proteomics Reveals Candidate Disease Progression
      Markers of Alzheimer's Disease in Human Cerebrospinal Fluid.
AB  - Disease modifying treatments for Alzheimer's disease (AD) constitute a major goal
      in medicine. Current trends suggest that biomarkers reflective of AD
      neuropathology and modifiable by treatment would provide supportive evidence for
      disease modification. Nevertheless, a lack of quantitative tools to assess
      disease modifying treatment effects remains a major hurdle. Cerebrospinal fluid
      (CSF) biochemical markers such as total tau, p-tau and Ab42 are well established
      markers of AD; however, global quantitative biochemical changes in CSF in AD
      disease progression remain largely uncharacterized. Here we applied a high
      resolution open discovery platform, dMS, to profile a cross-sectional cohort of
      lumbar CSF from post-mortem diagnosed AD patients versus those from non-AD/non
      demented (control) patients. Multiple markers were identified to be statistically
      significant in the cohort tested. We selected two markers SME-1 (p<0.0001) and
      SME-2 (p = 0.0004) for evaluation in a second independent longitudinal cohort of
      human CSF from post-mortem diagnosed AD patients and age-matched and case-matched
      control patients. In cohort-2, SME-1, identified as neuronal secretory protein
      VGF, and SME-2, identified as neuronal pentraxin receptor-1 (NPTXR), in AD were
      21% (p = 0.039) and 17% (p = 0.026) lower, at baseline, respectively, than in
      controls. Linear mixed model analysis in the longitudinal cohort estimate a
      decrease in the levels of VGF and NPTXR at the rate of 10.9% and 6.9% per year in
      the AD patients, whereas both markers increased in controls. Because these
      markers are detected by mass spectrometry without the need for antibody reagents,
      targeted MS based assays provide a clear translation path for evaluating selected
      AD disease-progression markers with high analytical precision in the clinic. 

PMID- 26270478
TI  - Forensic Investigation of Soil and Vegetable Materials.
AB  - In forensic science, soil, dust, and vegetable traces have as high a value as
      evidence as classical traces such as fingerprints or toolmarks. It is imperative
      that the potential information in these traces can be identified by a combination
      of analytical methods selected by a qualified expert. Experience has shown that
      the best results can be expected when all of the aspects of evidence, including
      physical, chemical, mineralogical, and biological, are taken into consideration.
      This review provides information on successfully tried and tested methods in the
      forensic investigation of soil and vegetable material. 

PMID- 26270479
TI  - Lipid Binding of the Amphipathic Helix Serving as Membrane Anchor of Pestivirus
      Glycoprotein Erns.
AB  - Pestiviruses express a peculiar protein named Erns representing envelope
      glycoprotein and RNase, which is important for control of the innate immune
      response and persistent infection. The latter functions are connected with
      secretion of a certain amount of Erns from the infected cell. Retention/secretion
      of Erns is most likely controlled by its unusual membrane anchor, a long
      amphipathic helix attached in plane to the membrane. Here we present results of
      experiments conducted with a lipid vesicle sedimentation assay able to separate
      lipid-bound from unbound protein dissolved in the water phase. Using this
      technique we show that a protein composed of tag sequences and the
      carboxyterminal 65 residues of Erns binds specifically to membrane vesicles with
      a clear preference for compositions containing negatively charged lipids.
      Mutations disturbing the helical folding and/or amphipathic character of the
      anchor as well as diverse truncations and exchange of amino acids important for
      intracellular retention of Erns had no or only small effects on the proteins
      membrane binding. This result contrasts the dramatically increased secretion
      rates observed for Erns proteins with equivalent mutations within cells.
      Accordingly, the ratio of secreted versus cell retained Erns is not determined by
      the lipid affinity of the membrane anchor. 

PMID- 26270480
TI  - Selamectin Is the Avermectin with the Best Potential for Buruli Ulcer Treatment.
AB  - A comprehensive analysis was done to evaluate the potential use of anti-parasitic
      macrocyclic lactones (including avermectins and milbemycins) for Buruli ulcer
      (BU) therapy. A panel containing nearly all macrocyclic lactones used in human or
      in veterinary medicine was analyzed for activity in vitro against clinical
      isolates of Mycobacterium ulcerans. Milbemycin oxime and selamectin were the most
      active drugs against M. ulcerans with MIC values from 2 to 8 MUg/mL and 2 to 4
      MUg/mL, respectively. In contrast, ivermectin and moxidectin, which are both in
      clinical use, showed no significant activity (MIC> 32 MUg/mL). Time-kill kinetic
      assays showed bactericidal activity of selamectin and in vitro pharmacodynamic
      studies demonstrated exposure-dependent activity. These data together with
      analyses of published pharmacokinetic information strongly suggest that
      selamectin is the most promising macrocyclic lactone for BU treatment. 

PMID- 26270483
TI  - Correction: The Role of Conspiracist Ideation and Worldviews in Predicting
      Rejection of Science.

PMID- 26270481
TI  - Development and Characterization of Bladder Cancer Patient-Derived Xenografts for
      Molecularly Guided Targeted Therapy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The overarching goal of this project is to establish a patient
      derived bladder cancer xenograft (PDX) platform, annotated with deep sequencing
      and patient clinical information, to accelerate the development of new treatment
      options for bladder cancer patients. Herein, we describe the creation, initial
      characterization and use of the platform for this purpose. METHODS AND FINDINGS:
      Twenty-two PDXs with annotated clinical information were established from
      uncultured unselected clinical bladder cancer specimens in immunodeficient NSG
      mice. The morphological fidelity was maintained in PDXs. Whole exome sequencing
      revealed that PDXs and parental patient cancers shared 92-97% of genetic
      aberrations, including multiple druggable targets. For drug repurposing, an
      EGFR/HER2 dual inhibitor lapatinib was effective in PDX BL0440 (progression-free
      survival or PFS of 25.4 days versus 18.4 days in the control, p = 0.007), but not
      in PDX BL0269 (12 days versus 13 days in the control, p = 0.16) although both
      expressed HER2. To screen for the most effective MTT, we evaluated three drugs
      (lapatinib, ponatinib, and BEZ235) matched with aberrations in PDX BL0269; but
      only a PIK3CA inhibitor BEZ235 was effective (p<0.0001). To study the mechanisms
      of secondary resistance, a fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 inhibitor BGJ398
      prolonged PFS of PDX BL0293 from 9.5 days of the control to 18.5 days (p<0.0001),
      and serial biopsies revealed that the MAPK/ERK and PIK3CA-AKT pathways were
      activated upon resistance. Inhibition of these pathways significantly prolonged
      PFS from 12 day of the control to 22 days (p = 0.001). To screen for effective
      chemotherapeutic drugs, four of the first six PDXs were sensitive to the
      cisplatin/gemcitabine combination, and chemoresistance to one drug could be
      overcome by the other drug. CONCLUSION: The PDX models described here show good
      correlation with the patient at the genomic level and known patient response to
      treatment. This supports further evaluation of the PDXs for their ability to
      accurately predict a patient's response to new targeted and combination
      strategies for bladder cancer.

PMID- 26270482
TI  - A Comparison of Culture- and PCR-Based Methods to Detect Six Major Non-O157
      Serogroups of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli in Cattle Feces.
AB  - Culture-based methods to detect the six major non-O157 (O26, O45, O103, O111,
      O121 and O145) Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) are not well established. Our
      objectives of this study were to develop a culture-based method to detect the six
      non-O157 serogroups in cattle feces and compare the detection with a PCR method.
      Fecal samples (n = 576) were collected in a feedlot from 24 pens during a 12-week
      period and enriched in E. coli broth at 40 degrees  C for 6 h. Enriched samples
      were subjected to immunomagnetic separation, spread-plated onto a selective
      chromogenic medium, and initially pooled colonies, and subsequently, single
      colonies were tested by a multiplex PCR targeting six serogroups and four
      virulence genes, stx1, stx2, eae, and ehxA (culture method). Fecal suspensions,
      before and after enrichment, were also tested by a multiplex PCR targeting six
      serogroups and four virulence genes (PCR method). There was no difference in the
      proportions of fecal samples that tested positive (74.3 vs. 77.4%) for one or
      more of the six serogroups by either culture or the PCR method. However, each
      method detected one or more of the six serogroups in samples that were negative
      by the other method. Both culture method and PCR indicated that O26, O45, and
      O103 were the dominant serogroups. Higher proportions (P < 0.05) of fecal samples
      were positive for O26 (44.4 vs. 22.7%) and O121 (22.9 vs. 2.3%) serogroups by PCR
      than by the culture method. None of the fecal samples contained more than four
      serogroups. Only a small proportion of the six serogroups (23/640; 3.6%) isolated
      carried Shiga toxin genes. The culture method and the PCR method detected all six
      serogroups in samples negative by the other method, highlighting the importance
      of subjecting fecal samples to both methods for accurate detection of the six non
      O157 STEC in cattle feces. 

PMID- 26270484
TI  - Pulmonary Haemodynamics in Sickle Cell Disease Are Driven Predominantly by a High
      Output State Rather Than Elevated Pulmonary Vascular Resistance: A Prospective 3
      Dimensional Echocardiography/Doppler Study.
AB  - AIMS: Patients with sickle cell disease have significant morbidity and mortality.
      Pulmonary hypertension is suggested to be an important contributor but its nature
      and severity in these patients and how best to non-invasively assess it are
      controversial. We hypothesised that a high-output state rather than primary
      pulmonary vascular pathology may be the major abnormality in sickle cell disease.
      This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics and severity of pulmonary
      hypertension in patients with sickle cell disease using detailed
      echocardiography. METHODS AND RESULTS: We undertook a prospective study in 122
      consecutive stable outpatients with sickle cell disease and 30 age, gender and
      ethnicity-matched healthy controls. Echocardiographic evaluation included 3D
      ventricular volumes, sphericity, tissue Doppler, and non-invasive estimation of
      pulmonary vascular resistance. 36% of patients had a tricuspid regurgitant
      velocity >=2.5 m.s(-1) but only 2% had elevated pulmonary vascular resistance and
      the prevalence of right ventricular dysfunction was very low. Patients with
      raised tricuspid regurgitant velocity had significantly elevated biventricular
      volumes and globular left ventricular remodelling, related primarily to anaemia.
      In a subgroup of patients who underwent cardiac catheterization, invasive
      pulmonary haemodynamics confirmed the echocardiographic findings. CONCLUSIONS:
      Elevated cardiac output and left ventricular volume overload secondary to chronic
      anaemia may be the dominant factor responsible for abnormal cardiopulmonary
      haemodynamics in patients with sickle cell disease. 3D echocardiography with non
      invasive estimation of pulmonary vascular resistance represents a valuable
      approach for initial evaluation of cardiopulmonary haemodynamics in sickle cell
      disease.

PMID- 26270487
TI  - Screening for Anal Cancer.

PMID- 26270485
TI  - The Proton Pump Inhibitor Non-Responder: A Clinical Conundrum.
AB  - Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a highly prevalent chronic condition
      where in stomach contents reflux into the esophagus causing symptoms, esophageal
      injury, and subsequent complications. Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) remain the
      mainstay of therapy for acid suppression. Despite their efficacy, significant
      proportions of GERD patients are either partial or non-responders to PPI therapy.
      Patients should be assessed for mechanisms that can lead to PPI failure and may
      require further evaluation to investigate for alternative causes. This monograph
      will outline a diagnostic approach to the PPI non-responder, review mechanisms
      associated with PPI failure, and discuss therapeutic options for those who fail
      to respond to PPI therapy. 

PMID- 26270486
TI  - In Silico Adoption of an Orphan Nuclear Receptor NR4A1.
AB  - A 4.1 MUs molecular dynamics simulation of the NR4A1 (hNur77) apo-protein has
      been undertaken and a previously undetected druggable pocket has become apparent
      that is located remotely from the 'traditional' nuclear receptor ligand-binding
      site. A NR4A1/bis-indole ligand complex at this novel site has been found to be
      stable over 1 MUs of simulation and to result in an interesting conformational
      transmission to a remote loop that has the capacity to communicate with a NBRE
      within a RXR-alpha/NR4A1 heterodimer. Several features of the simulations
      undertaken indicate how NR4A1 can be affected by alternate-site modulators.

PMID- 26270488
TI  - Analysis of local chronic inflammatory cell infiltrate combined with systemic
      inflammation improves prognostication in stage II colon cancer independent of
      standard clinicopathologic criteria.
AB  - In Stage II colon cancer, multiple independent studies have shown that a dense
      intratumoural immune infiltrate (local inflammation) is associated with improved
      outcomes, while systemic inflammation, measured by various markers, has been
      associated with poorer outcomes. However, previous studies have not considered
      the interaction between local and systemic inflammation, nor have they assessed
      the type of inflammatory response compared with standard clinicopathologic
      criteria. In order to evaluate the potential clinical utility of inflammatory
      markers in Stage II colon cancer, we examined local and systemic inflammation in
      a consecutive series of patients with resected Stage II colon cancer between 2000
      and 2010 who were identified from a prospective clinical database. Increased
      intratumoural chronic inflammatory cell (CIC) density, as assessed by pathologist
      review of hematoxylin and eosin stained slides, was used to represent local
      inflammation. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) >5, as calculated from pre
      operative full blood counts, was used to represent systemic inflammation. In 396
      eligible patients identified, there was a non-significant inverse relationship
      between local and systemic inflammation. Increased CIC density was significantly
      associated with improved overall (HR 0.45, p = 0.001) and recurrence-free
      survival (HR 0.37, p = 0.003). High NLR was significantly associated with poorer
      overall survival (HR 2.56, p < 0.001). The combination of these markers further
      stratified prognosis independent of standard high-risk criteria, with a dominant
      systemic inflammatory response (low CIC/high NLR) associated with the worst
      outcome (5-year overall survival 55.8%). With further validation this simple,
      inexpensive combined inflammatory biomarker might assist in patient selection for
      adjuvant chemotherapy in Stage II colon cancer.

PMID- 26270489
TI  - Can cognitive behaviour therapy beneficially influence arousal mechanisms in
      psychosis?
AB  - Cognitive behavioural therapy for psychosis (CBTp) is an approved adjunct therapy
      for patients with psychotic disorders; however, we do not fully understand the
      neurobiological effects that this therapy may exert. Arousal, as measured by
      electroencephalography (EEG), provides a useful electrophysiological marker for
      assessing psychotic disorders. EEG studies may therefore serve as a useful
      measure for assessing the underlying effects of CBTp in psychotic disorders.

PMID- 26270491
TI  - A Small Molecule Inhibits Deregulated NRF2 Transcriptional Activity in Cancer.
AB  - NRF2 serves as the master regulator of oxidative stress resistance in mammalian
      cells. Although NRF2 activation decreases tumorigenic events in normal cells,
      accumulating evidence suggests that cancers have broadly selected for NRF2
      activating mutations to promote anabolic growth and chemoresistance. Small
      molecules which inhibit NRF2 activity may therefore offer promise as an
      alternative anticancer treatment in NRF2 dependent cancers. We have used a high
      throughput screen to identify small molecules which decrease NRF2 transcriptional
      activity at antioxidant response element sites. One such molecule, termed AEM1,
      is capable of broadly decreasing the expression of NRF2 controlled genes,
      sensitizing A549 cells to various chemotherapeutic agents, and inhibiting the
      growth of A549 cells in vitro and in vivo. Profiling of multiple cell lines for
      their responsiveness to AEM1 revealed that AEM1's activities are restricted to
      cell lines harboring mutations which render NRF2 constitutively active. 

PMID- 26270492
TI  - Ultrafast Electrical Measurements of Isolated Silicon Nanowires and Nanocrystals.
AB  - We simultaneously determined the charge carrier mobility and picosecond to
      nanosecond carrier dynamics of isolated silicon nanowires (Si NWs) and
      nanocrystals (Si NCs) using time-resolved terahertz spectroscopy. We then
      compared these results to data measured on bulk c-Si as a function of excitation
      fluence. We find >1 ns carrier lifetimes in Si NWs that are dominated by surface
      recombination with surface recombination velocities (SRV) between ~1100-1700 cm
      s(-1) depending on process conditions. The Si NCs have markedly different decay
      dynamics. Initially, free-carriers are produced, but relax within ~1.5 ps to form
      bound excitons. Subsequently, the excitons decay with lifetimes >7 ns, similar to
      free carriers produced in bulk Si. The isolated Si NWs exhibit bulk-like
      mobilities that decrease with increasing excitation density, while the hot
      carrier mobilities in the Si NCs are lower than bulk mobilities and could only be
      measured within the initial 1.5 ps decay. We discuss the implications of our
      measurements on the utilization of Si NWs and NCs in macroscopic optoelectronic
      applications. 

PMID- 26270490
TI  - The influence of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae infection on tulathromycin
      pharmacokinetics and lung tissue disposition in pigs.
AB  - A tulathromycin concentration and pharmacokinetic parameters in plasma and lung
      tissue from healthy pigs and Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (App)-infected pigs
      were compared. Tulathromycin was administered intramuscularly (i.m.) to all pigs
      at a single dose of 2.5 mg/kg. Blood and lung tissue samples were collected
      during 33 days postdrug application. Tulathromycin concentration in plasma and
      lung was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass
      spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method. The mean maximum plasma concentration (Cmax ) in
      healthy pigs was 586 +/- 71 ng/mL, reached by 0.5 h, while the mean value for
      Cmax of tulathromycin in infected pigs was 386 +/- 97 ng/mL after 0.5 h. The mean
      maximum tulathromycin concentration in lung of healthy group was calculated as
      3412 +/- 748 ng/g, detected at 12 h, while in pigs with App, the highest
      concentration in lung was 3337 +/- 937 ng/g, determined at 48 h postdosing. The
      higher plasma and lung concentrations in pigs with no pulmonary inflammation were
      observed at the first time points sampling after tulathromycin administration,
      but slower elimination with elimination half-life t1/2el  = 126 h in plasma and
      t1/2el  = 165 h in lung, as well as longer drug persistent in infected pigs, was
      found. 

PMID- 26270493
TI  - AlxC Monolayer Sheets: Two-Dimensional Networks with Planar Tetracoordinate
      Carbon and Potential Applications as Donor Materials in Solar Cell.
AB  - We perform a global search of the most stable structures of 2D stoichiometric
      AlxC (x = 1/3, 1, 2, and 3) monolayer sheets. In the most stable 2D planar AlC
      network, every carbon atom is tetracoordinated. In addition to the structure of
      AlC, structures of the most stable Al2C and Al3C monolayer sheets are also
      predicted for the first time. AlC and Al2C monolayers are semiconducting, while
      Al3C monolayer is metallic. In particular, Al2C monolayer possesses a bandgap of
      1.05 eV (based on HSE06 calculation), a value suitable for photovoltaic
      applications. Moreover, three Al2C/WSe2, Al2C/MoTe2, and AlC/ZnO van der Waals
      heterobilayers are investigated, and their power conversion efficiencies are
      estimated to be in the range of 12-18%. The near-perfect match in lattice
      constants between the Al2C monolayer and PdO (100) surface suggests strong
      likelihood of experimental realization of the Al2C monolayer on the PdO (100)
      substrate. 

PMID- 26270494
TI  - Exceptional Excited-State Lifetime of an Iron(II)-N-Heterocyclic Carbene Complex
      Explained.
AB  - Earth-abundant transition-metal complexes are desirable for sensitizers in dye
      sensitized solar cells or photocatalysts. Iron is an obvious choice, but the
      energy level structure of its typical polypyridyl complexes, featuring low-lying
      metal-centered states, has made such complexes useless as energy converters.
      Recently, we synthesized a novel iron-N-heterocyclic carbene complex exhibiting a
      remarkable 100-fold increase of the lifetime compared to previously known
      iron(II) complexes. Here, we rationalize the measured excited-state dynamics with
      DFT and TD-DFT calculations. The calculations show that the exceptionally long
      excited-state lifetime (~9 ps) is achieved for this Fe complex through a
      significant destabilization of both triplet and quintet metal-centered scavenger
      states compared to other Fe(II) complexes. In addition, a shallow (3)MLCT
      potential energy surface with a low-energy transition path from the (3)MLCT to
      (3)MC and facile crossing from the (3)MC state to the ground state are identified
      as key features for the excited-state deactivation. 

PMID- 26270495
TI  - Au25 Clusters Containing Unoxidized Tellurolates in the Ligand Shell.
AB  - We report herein the synthesis and characterization of Au25 clusters containing
      tellurolates (TePh) in the ligand shell ([Au25(TePh)n(SC8H17)18-n](-); n = 1-18).
      [Au25(TePh)n(SC8H17)18-n](-) clusters were synthesized by reacting
      [Au25(SC8H17)18](-) with diphenyl ditelluride ((PhTe)2) in solution.
      Characterization of the products by mass spectrometry and X-ray absorption fine
      structure analysis revealed that the tellurolates in [Au25(TePh)n(SC8H17)18-n](
      ), unlike those in tellurolate-protected gold nanoparticles, were not oxidized.
      Various experiments on the products and theoretical calculations on related
      clusters revealed that protection by the tellurolates distorts (expands) the
      central Au13 core and decreases the HOMO-LUMO gap of the Au25 clusters. 

PMID- 26270496
TI  - Efficient Self-Propelling of Small-Scale Condensed Microdrops by Closely Packed
      ZnO Nanoneedles.
AB  - Realizing the efficient self-propelling of small-scale condensed microdrops is
      very challenging but extremely important to design and develop advanced
      condensation heat transfer nanomaterials and devices, for example, for power
      generation and thermal management. Here, we present the efficient self-propelling
      of small-scale condensed microdrops on the surface of closely packed ZnO
      nanoneedles, as-synthesized by facile, rapid, and inexpensive wet chemical
      crystal growth followed by hydrophobic modification. Compared with flat surfaces,
      the nanostructured surfaces with the same low-surface-energy chemistry possess
      far higher time-averaged density of condensed droplets at the microscale, among
      which those with diameters below 10 MUm occupy more than 80% of the total drop
      number of residual condensates. Theoretical analyses clearly reveal that this
      remarkable property should be ascribed to the extremely low solid-liquid adhesion
      of the surface nanostructure, where excess surface energy released from the
      coalescence of smaller condensed microdrops can be sufficient to ensure the self
      propelled jumping of merged microdrops. 

PMID- 26270497
TI  - Trapping of Mobile Pt Species by PdO Nanoparticles under Oxidizing Conditions.
AB  - Pt is an active catalyst for diesel exhaust catalysis but is known to sinter and
      form large particles under oxidizing conditions. Pd is added to improve the
      performance of the Pt catalysts. To investigate the role of Pd, we introduced
      metallic Pt nanoparticles via physical vapor deposition to a sample containing
      PdO nanoparticles. When the catalyst was aged in air, the Pt particles
      disappeared, and the Pt was captured by the PdO, forming bimetallic Pt-Pd
      nanoparticles. The formation of metallic Pt-Pd alloys under oxidizing conditions
      is indeed remarkable but is consistent with bulk thermodynamics. The results show
      that mobile Pt species are effectively trapped by PdO, representing a novel
      mechanism by which Ostwald ripening is slowed down. The results have implications
      for the development of sinter-resistant catalysts and help explain the improved
      performance and durability of Pt-Pd in automotive exhaust catalytic converters. 

PMID- 26270498
TI  - Photochemistry of Pheomelanin Building Blocks and Model Chromophores: Excited
      State Intra- and Intermolecular Proton Transfer.
AB  - Pheomelanins, the epidermal pigments of red-haired people responsible for their
      enhanced UV susceptibility, contain 1,4-benzothiazines and 1,3-benzothiazole as
      main structural components. Despite the major role played in pheomelanin
      phototoxicity, the photoreactivity of these species has so far remained
      unexplored. Static and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy was used to
      identify excited-state reactions of the two main pheomelanin benzothiazole
      building blocks, namely, the 6-(2-amino-2-carboxyethyl)-4-hydroxy-1,3
      benzothiazole (BT) and the 2-carboxy derivative (BTCA) together with model
      chromophores lacking some of the ionizable functions. The results show that in
      aqueous buffer solution the OH at 4-position and the benzothiazole nitrogen atom
      control the photochemistry of both BT and BTCA via excited-state proton transfer
      to solvent (ESPT) and excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT), while
      the amino acidic groups of the alanyl chain have a minor influence on the
      photochemistry. The ESPT and ESIPT produce several different excited-state ionic
      species with lifetimes ranging from ~100 ps to ~3 ns. 

PMID- 26270499
TI  - g-C3N4-Based Photocatalysts for Hydrogen Generation.
AB  - Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4)-based photocatalysts have attracted
      dramatically increasing interest in the area of visible-light-induced
      photocatalytic hydrogen generation due to the unique electronic band structure
      and high thermal and chemical stability of g-C3N4. This Perspective summarizes
      the recent significant advances on designing high-performance g-C3N4-based
      photocatalysts for hydrogen generation under visible-light irradiation. The
      rational strategies such as nanostructure design, band gap engineering, dye
      sensitization, and heterojunction construction are described. Finally, this
      Perspective highlights the ongoing challenges and opportunities for the future
      development of g-C3N4-based photocatalysts in the exciting research area. 

PMID- 26270500
TI  - Atomic-Scale Surface Local Structure of TiO2 and Its Influence on the Water
      Photooxidation Process.
AB  - The water photooxidation reaction on TiO2 and related metal oxides has been
      attracting strong attention from the point of view of solar water splitting. The
      water photooxidation reaction (i.e., oxygen evolution reaction) accompanies three
      other kinds of side reactions (photoluminescence (PL), surface roughening, and
      nonradiative recombination). These reactions are competitive with each other, and
      the ratio of their quantum efficiencies strongly depends on the atomic-scale
      surface local structure. This Perspective focuses on the atomic-scale surface
      local structure dependence of those four kinds of competitive reactions on a TiO2
      (rutile) single-crystal electrode on which not only a terrace structure but also
      step structures were strictly controlled. The experimental results are discussed
      based on the reaction model of water photooxidation that we previously proposed.
      The photocatalytic activity of the TiO2 surface roughened by the photoinduced
      roughening process is also focused on. 

PMID- 26270501
TI  - Graphical Excellence.

PMID- 26270502
TI  - Near-Unity Reaction Probability in Olefin Hydrogenation Promoted by Heterogeneous
      Metal Catalysts.
AB  - The kinetics of the hydrogenation of ethylene on platinum surfaces was studied by
      using high-flux effusive molecular beams and reflection-absorption infrared
      spectroscopy (RAIRS). It was determined that steady-state ethylene conversion
      with probabilities close to unity could be achieved by using beams with ethylene
      fluxes equivalent to pressures in the mTorr range and high (>=100) H2:C2H4
      ratios. The RAIRS data suggest that the high reaction probability is possible
      because such conditions lead to the removal of most of the ethylidyne layer known
      to form during catalysis. The observations from this study are contrasted with
      those under vacuum, where catalytic behavior is not sustainable, and with
      catalysis under more realistic atmospheric pressures, where reaction
      probabilities are estimated to be much lower (<=1 * 10(-5)). 

PMID- 26270503
TI  - Growth of Pt-Pd Nanoparticles Studied In Situ by HRTEM in a Liquid Cell.
AB  - The growth of Pt-Pd nanoparticles from organometallic precursors is studied in
      situ in real time by HRTEM in a graphene oxide liquid cell. The reduction of the
      metal precursors is induced by the electron beam. During the growth, the
      particles rearrange their internal structure to form faceted single crystals. The
      growth is compatible with the Lifshitz-Slyozov-Wagner (LSW) mechanism in the
      limiting case of a reaction-limited process. The same particles are also
      synthesized ex situ by using a chemical reducing agent and observed in HRTEM. 

PMID- 26270504
TI  - Molecular Friction-Induced Electroosmotic Phenomena in Thin Neutral Nanotubes.
AB  - We reveal by classical molecular dynamics simulations electroosmotic flows in
      thin neutral carbon (CNT) and boron nitride (BNT) nanotubes filled with ionic
      solutions of hydrated monovalent atomic ions. We observe that in (12,12) BNTs
      filled with single ions in an electric field, the net water velocity increases in
      the order of Na(+) < K(+) < Cl(-), showing that different ions have different
      power to drag water in thin nanotubes. However, the effect gradually disappears
      in wider nanotubes. In (12,12) BNTs containing neutral ionic solutions in
      electric fields, we observe net water velocities going in the direction of Na(+)
      for (Na(+), Cl(-)) and in the direction of Cl(-) for (K(+), Cl(-)). We
      hypothesize that the electroosmotic flows are caused by different strengths of
      friction between ions with different hydration shells and the nanotube walls. 

PMID- 26270506
TI  - Coarse-Grain Model Simulations of Nonequilibrium Dynamics in Heterogeneous
      Materials.
AB  - A suite of computational tools is described for particle-based mesoscale
      simulations of the nonequilibrium dynamics of energetic solids, including
      mechanical deformation, phase transitions, and chemical reactivity triggered by
      shock or thermal loading. The method builds upon our recent advances both in
      generating coarse-grain models under high strains and in developing a variant of
      dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) that includes chemical reactions. To describe
      chemical reactivity, a coarse-grain particle equation-of-state was introduced
      into the constant-energy DPD variant that rigorously treats complex chemical
      reactions and the associated chemical energy release. As illustration of these
      developments, we present simulations of shock compression of an RDX crystal and
      its thermal decomposition under high temperatures. We also discuss our current
      efforts toward a highly scalable domain-decomposition implementation that extends
      applicability to micrometer-size simulations. With appropriate parametrization,
      the method is applicable to other materials whose dynamic response is driven by
      microstructural heterogeneities. 

PMID- 26270505
TI  - Towards Understanding Photodegradation Pathways in Lignins: The Role of
      Intramolecular Hydrogen Bonding in Excited States.
AB  - The photoinduced dynamics of the lignin building blocks syringol, guaiacol, and
      phenol were studied using time-resolved ion yield spectroscopy and velocity map
      ion imaging. Following irradiation of syringol and guaiacol with a broad-band
      femtosecond ultraviolet laser pulse, a coherent superposition of out-of-plane OH
      torsion and/or OMe torsion/flapping motions is created in the first excited
      (1)pipi* (S1) state, resulting in a vibrational wavepacket, which is probed by
      virtue of a dramatic nonplanar -> planar geometry change upon photoionization
      from S1 to the ground state of the cation (D0). Any similar quantum beat pattern
      is absent in phenol. In syringol, the nonplanar geometry in S1 is pronounced
      enough to reduce the degree of intramolecular H bonding (between OH and OMe
      groups), enabling H atom elimination from the OH group. For guaiacol, H bonding
      is preserved after excitation, despite the nonplanar geometry in S1, and prevents
      O-H bond fission. This behavior affects the propensities for forming undesired
      phenoxyl radical sites in these three lignin chromophores and provides important
      insight into their relative "photostabilities" within the larger biopolymer. 

PMID- 26270507
TI  - Extremely High Two-Photon Absorbing Graphene Oxide for Imaging of Tumor Cells in
      the Second Biological Window.
AB  - Cancer, a life-threatening disease, has become a global pandemic. Targeted tumor
      imaging using near-infrared (NIR) light is the key to improve the penetration
      depth and it is highly promising for clinical tumor diagnostics. Driven by this
      need, in this Letter we have reported aptamer conjugated graphene oxide-based two
      photon imaging of breast tumor cells selectively. Reported data indicate that
      there is an extremely high two-photon absorption from aptamer conjugated graphene
      oxide (sigma2PA = 46890 GM). Experimental data show that two-photon luminescence
      signal remains almost unchanged even after 2 h of illuminations. Reported results
      show that S6 RNA aptamers conjugated graphene oxide-based two-photon fluorescence
      can be used for selective two-photon imaging of SK-BR-3 breast tumor cell in
      second biological transparency windows using 1100 nm wavelength. Experimental
      data demonstrate that it is highly capable of distinguishing targeted breast
      cancer SK-BR-3 cells from other nontargeted MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. 

PMID- 26270508
TI  - Vibrationally Resolved Photoelectron Spectroscopy of the Model GFP Chromophore
      Anion Revealing the Photoexcited S1 State Being Both Vertically and Adiabatically
      Bound against the Photodetached D0 Continuum.
AB  - The first excited state of the model green fluorescence protein (GFP) chromophore
      anion (S1) and its energy level against the electron-detached neutral radical D0
      state are crucial in determining the photophysics and the photoinduced dynamics
      of GFP. Extensive experimental and theoretical studies, particularly several very
      recent gas-phase investigations, concluded that S1 is a bound state in the Franck
      Condon vertical region with respect to D0. However, what remains unknown and
      challenging is if S1 is bound adiabatically, primarily due to lack of accurate
      experimental measurements as well as due to the close proximity in energy for
      these two states that even sophisticated high-level ab initio calculations cannot
      reliably predict. Here, we report a negative ion photoelectron spectroscopy study
      on the model GFP chromophore anion, the deprotonated p-hydroxybenzylidene-2,3
      dimethylimidazolinone anion (HBDI(-)) taken under low-temperature conditions with
      improved energy resolution. Despite the considerable size and low symmetry of the
      molecule, resolved vibrational structures were obtained with the 0-0 transition
      being the most intense peak. The adiabatic (ADE) and vertical detachment (VDE)
      energies therefore are determined both to be 2.73 +/- 0.01 eV, indicating that
      the detached D0 state is 0.16 eV higher in energy than the photon excited S1
      state. The accurate ADE and VDE values and the well-resolved photoelectron
      spectra reported here provide much needed robust benchmarks for future
      theoretical investigations. 

PMID- 26270509
TI  - Hole-Conductor-Free Mesoscopic TiO2/CH3NH3PbI3 Heterojunction Solar Cells Based
      on Anatase Nanosheets and Carbon Counter Electrodes.
AB  - A hole-conductor-free fully printable mesoscopic TiO2/CH3NH3PbI3 heterojunction
      solar cell was developed with TiO2 nanosheets containing high levels of exposed
      (001) facets. The solar cell embodiment employed a double layer of mesoporous
      TiO2 and ZrO2 as a scaffold infiltrated by perovskite as a light harvester. No
      hole conductor or Au reflector was employed. Instead, the back contact was simply
      a printable carbon layer. The perovskite was infiltrated from solution through
      the porous carbon layer. The high reactivity of (001) facets in TiO2 nanosheets
      improved the interfacial properties between the perovskite and the electron
      collector. As a result, photoelectric conversion efficiency of up to 10.64% was
      obtained with the hole-conductor-free fully printable mesoscopic TiO2/CH3NH3PbI3
      heterojunction solar cell. The advantages of fully printable technology and the
      use of low-cost carbon-materials-based counter electrode and hole-conductor-free
      structure provide this design a promising prospect to approach low-cost
      photovoltaic devices. 

PMID- 26270510
TI  - Chromophore Bending Controls Fluorescence Lifetime in Single Conjugated Polymer
      Chains.
AB  - Single-molecule spectroscopy of conjugated polymers offers unique insight into
      the interplay between the spatial arrangement of monomer units-twisting and
      bending-and the characteristics of the primary excitonic photoexcitation,
      provided that a single conjugated segment can be isolated. beta-phase
      polyfluorene constitutes an ideal model to study variations in intermonomeric
      coupling, determined by nanoscale molecular shape, on the fundamental optical
      transition. If structural relaxation in the excited state is weak, exciton self
      trapping occurs stochastically along the conjugated segment. Bending of the pi
      system is then revealed by a reduction in single-photon polarization anisotropy,
      correlating directly with increased fluorescence lifetime. Strong relaxation
      raises emission anisotropy because of deterministic exciton localization,
      decelerating fluorescence decay due to a decrease in exciton coherence length. 

PMID- 26270511
TI  - Acquired factor V inhibitor after exposure to topical human thrombin related to
      an otorhinolaryngological procedure.
AB  - Acquired factor V (FV) inhibitors occur rarely and classically develop after
      exposure to bovine thrombin. The clinical presentation is variable, ranging from
      asymptomatic with incidental laboratory abnormalities to significant bleeding.
      With the development of human-derived thrombin agents, bovine thrombin is less
      frequently used. We report a case of an acquired FV inhibitor that developed in a
      patient after exposure to human thrombin used as a hemostatic agent during an
      otorhinolaryngology surgical procedure. Our review of the literature revealed
      only one prior reported case of FV inhibitor after exposure to human thrombin.
      Hematologists and surgeons should be aware of this rare, but potentially life
      threatening, complication in the postprocedural setting. 

PMID- 26270513
TI  - [Ubiquitin as a regulator of IFN production in the antiviral response].
AB  - Type I interferons (IFNs) are important in the immune response. After pathogen
      detection, host cells rapidly trigger innate immune mechanisms such as
      inflammatory cytokines production, thus leading to the eradication of the
      invading virus. Such mechanisms engage signaling cascades which, in the initial
      phase of infection, lead to the activation of the NF-kappaB pathway and IFN
      regulatory factors (IRF-3, IRF-7) which directly control the production of IFNs.
      Proper regulation of IFN induction takes place by ubiqutination and allows to
      maintain a balance between the activation and inhibition of the immune system
      response due to an infection. Studies in recent years indicate that
      ubiquitination of proteins can affect both proteasomal degradation as well as the
      non-canonical pathway which results in the regulation of their activity. The type
      of ubiquitination primarily depends on the attachment of ubiquitin chain to
      thetarget protein but also on the activity of proteases from DUBs family. The
      ubiquitin pathway holds many potential therapeutic targets. Thus, the more
      detailed understanding of the mechanism of ubiquitination and the role of
      ubiquitin involved in IFNs production pathways may provide a turning point for
      both antiviral therapy and autoimmune diseases. 

PMID- 26270512
TI  - Ruthenium(II) and osmium(II) vinyl complexes as highly sensitive and selective
      chromogenic and fluorogenic probes for the sensing of carbon monoxide in air.
AB  - The detection of carbon monoxide in solution and air has been achieved using
      simple, inexpensive systems based on the vinyl complexes
      [M(CH?CHR)Cl(CO)(BTD)(PPh3 )2 ] (R=aryl, BTD=2,1,3-benzothiadiazole). Depending
      on the nature of the vinyl group, chromogenic and fluorogenic responses signalled
      the presence of this odourless, tasteless, invisible, and toxic gas. Solutions of
      the complexes in CHCl3 underwent rapid change between easily differentiated
      colours when exposed to air samples containing CO. More significantly, the
      adsorption of the complexes on silica produced colorimetric probes for the naked
      eye detection of CO in the gas phase. Structural data for key species before and
      after the addition of CO were obtained by means of single X-ray diffraction
      studies. In all cases, the ruthenium and osmium vinyl complexes studied showed a
      highly selective response to CO with exceptionally low detection limits. Naked
      eye detection of CO at concentrations as low as 5 ppb in air was achieved with
      the onset of toxic levels (i.e., 100 ppm), thus resulting in a remarkably clear
      colour change. Moreover, complexes bearing pyrenyl, naphthyl, and phenanthrenyl
      moieties were fluorescent, and greater sensitivities were achieved (through turn
      on emission fluorescence) in the presence of CO both in solution and air. This
      behaviour was explored computationally using time-dependent density functional
      theory (TDDFT) experiments. In addition, the systems were shown to be selective
      for CO over all other gases tested, including water vapour and common organic
      solvents. Supporting the metal complexes on cellulose strips for use in an
      existing optoelectronic device allows numerical readings for the CO concentration
      to be obtained and provision of an alarm system. 

PMID- 26270514
TI  - [Stem cells and growth factors in wound healing].
AB  - Wound healing is a complex process which depends on the presence of various types
      of cells, growth factors, cytokines and the elements of extracellular matrix. A
      wound is a portal of entry for numerous pathogens, therefore during the evolution
      wound healing process has formed very early, being critical for the survival of
      every individual. Stem cells, which give rise to their early descendants
      progenitor cells and subsequently differentiated cells, play a specific role in
      the process of wound healing. Among the most important cells which take part in
      wound healing the following cells need to be distinguished: epidermal stem cells,
      dermal precursor of fibroblasts, adipose-derived stem cells as well as bone
      marrow cells. The activity of these cells is strictly regulated by various growth
      factors, inter alia epidermal growth factor (EGF), fibroblast growth factor
      (FGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factor (TGF),
      vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Any disorders in functioning of stem
      cells and biological activity of growth factors may lead to the defects in wound
      healing, for instance delayed wound healing or creation of hypertrophic scars.
      Therefore, knowledge concerning the mechanisms of wound healing is extremely
      essential from clinical point of view. In this review the current state of the
      knowledge of the role of stem cells and growth factors in the process of wound
      healing has been presented. Moreover, some clinical aspects of wound healing as
      well as the possibility of the therapy based on stem cells and growth factors
      have included. 

PMID- 26270515
TI  - [The interleukin-10 in the central nervous system].
AB  - Cytokines, including interleukin-10 (IL-10), are cell signaling molecules taking
      part in cell-to-cell communication, cell proliferation, differentiation,
      migration and apoptosis. Cytokines also have the ability to induce, regulate, and
      inhibit inflammation. Cytokines are produced mainly by activated peripheral
      immune cells, but due to dissemination of the concept of the central nervous
      system as an immunologically specialized zone, it is considered that cytokine
      signaling is one of the components of the immune system which can modulate brain
      functioning. IL-10 shows immunosuppressive properties, and since expression of
      this cytokine has been shown in the central nervous system, researchers have
      started to investigate the therapeutic possibilities of IL-10 action in the
      context of neurodegenerative diseases, which may involve neuroinflammation in
      their pathogenesis. Recent studies using cell cultures or animal models of
      neurodegenerative disorders have shown that the importance of IL-10 in the
      central nervous system goes beyond the anti-inflammatory activity of this
      cytokine. Involvement of IL-10 in neuroprotection, neurogenesis, regulation of
      the stress response and hippocampal synaptic plasticity connected with learning
      and memory is suggested. 

PMID- 26270516
TI  - [The importance of gamma-linolenic acid in the prevention and treatment].
AB  - The etiology of diet-related disorders is closely associated with dietary
      factors. A special role is attributed to intake of fat and fatty acid profile,
      both quantitative and qualitative. For prevention and treatment of the
      abovementioned diseases a proper supply of unsaturated fatty acids plays a
      significant role, because of their particular importance to health. gamma
      Linolenic acid (GLA), with three double bonds in the carbon chain, also known as
      all-cis 6,9,12-octadecatrienoic acid, belongs to the n-6 family of fatty acids.
      It plays biologically important functions in the human body, such as being a
      substrate for eicosanoids synthesis, involvement in the transport and oxidation
      of cholesterol, and being one of the components of lipid membrane. Its inadequate
      dietary intake or impaired formation is the cause of many inflammatory and
      degenerative diseases. A rich source of this fatty acid is vegetable oils, until
      recently used mainly in folk medicine. Nowadays, studies conducted both in animal
      models and in humans suggest its health-promoting properties in the prevention
      and treatment of atopic dermatitis, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancers
      and rheumatoid arthritis. 

PMID- 26270517
TI  - [Selected endothelial hemostatic markers in patients with peripheral arterial
      disease after endovascular revascularization and restenosis formation].
AB  - Surgical and endovascular revascularization of ischemic legs in patients with
      peripheral arterial disease (PAD) can damage the arterial wall (endothelial and
      smooth muscle cells). Hemostatic factors released during endothelial dysfunction
      can lead to restenosis. 1. Determination of selected endothelial hemostatic
      factors in PAD patients and a reference group. 2. Prospective observation of new
      restenosis appearance in PAD patients after endovascular revascularization. 3.
      Comparison of selected endothelial hemostatic factors between non-restenotic and
      restenotic PAD patients. 150 PAD patients after endovascular revascularization -
      90 men and 60 women, aged 44-88 (mean 65.5) years - were examined. During one
      year observation after the revascularization procedures in 38 PAD patients
      restenosis occurred, when blood samples were also collected. The reference group
      consisted of 53 healthy persons - 44 men and 9 women, aged 20-56 years. Blood was
      drawn in the morning into 3.2% sodium citrate at a ratio of 9:1. Tissue factor
      (TF), tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI), thrombomodulin (TM), von Willebrand
      factor (vWF) and tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) were measured in plasma with
      commercial tests using the enzyme immunoassay. In the plasma of PAD patients
      after revascularization, the concentrations of TF and vWF were significantly
      higher, TM lower, TFPI and t-PA similar compared to the reference group. Six
      months after revascularization the level of TF had increased and vWF had
      significantly decreased. The endothelial hemostatic factors before and after
      restenosis did not significantly differ except TF, which after restenosis was
      higher. Increased TF and vWF levels in PAD patients indicate arterial endothelial
      cell damage, by atherosclerotic and revascularization processes. In PAD patients
      with restenosis compared to these patients before restenosis the determined
      endothelial hemostatic factors, except TF level, did not significantly differ.
      Perhaps TF participates in restenosis formation. 

PMID- 26270518
TI  - [Vascular access in diabetic patients. Are these patients "difficult"?].
AB  - Diabetics with stage V chronic kidney disease (CKD) on hemodialysis (HD) are
      considered as "difficult patients", because of problems with creation of the
      vascular access. There is controversy regarding the results and recommendations
      for preparation of the vascular access in these patients. The aim of this
      retrospective study was to evaluate the results of creating different types of
      arteriovenous fistula (AVFs) in consecutive series of patients starting dialysis
      treatment. The analysis was performed in 741 patients (385 females and 356
      males), average age 61.4+/-7 years, who started dialysis treatment in our
      department between January 2005 and December 2012. Native AVFs were created in
      all patients. No patients received an AVF requiring synthetic graft material. The
      number of patients with diabetic nephropathy was 166 (22.4%). Among them, 30
      (18%) had type 1 diabetes and 136 (82%) type 2. In this group the occurrence of
      calcification in the forearm artery was estimated on the basis of physical
      examination, Allan's test, Doppler ultrasound and forearm X-ray. In a subgroup of
      patients with atherosclerotic changes in the arterial system the frequency of
      failed AVFs was analyzed. These results were compared with the group without
      diabetes. The number of procedures necessary for successfu AVF creation and type
      of access was counted in both groups. The assessment of the procedure frequency
      and AVF location in diabetic and in non-diabetic patients was made by chi2 test
      with Yates correction. In the group of 166 patients with diabetes, in 100 cases
      (60%) atherosclerotic changes in forearm arteries were observed. In a subgroup of
      30 patients with type 1 diabetes atherosclerosis was observed in 17 adults (57%).
      In this subgroup creation of a suitable forearm AVF in the first procedure in 9
      patients was possible and in the other 8 cases the atherosclerotic changes
      necessitated repeated procedures and were an important obstacle to create the
      AVF. In the subgroup of 136 patients with type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis in the
      forearm artery was observed in 83 cases (61%). In this subgroup the creation of a
      native AVF was possible in 40 patients during the first procedure and in 43 cases
      additional intervention was needed, but only in 8 cases was atherosclerosis the
      cause of fistula failure. Generally, among 166 patients only in 16 cases (10%)
      did atherosclerosis present an important obstacle for AVF creation, but the
      number of necessary procedures to create one functioning AVF was significantly
      greater in this population (2 v 2.7, p=0.0001). A functioning AVF in patients
      with diabetes was found significantly frequently in the arm localization in
      comparison to non-diabetic patients (4.3 v 2%, p=0.0478). Atherosclerotic changes
      in forearm arteries in diabetic patients appear in 60% of hemodialysis patients
      and make it difficult to create an AVF only in 10% of diabetic patients, but it
      is possible to create a native AVF in 90% of diabetic patients, although this
      requires more procedures. In patients with diabetes, AVF in the wrist region
      should be preferred. 

PMID- 26270519
TI  - Comparison of antiemetic efficacy and safety of palonosetron vs ondansetron in
      the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in children.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in children is a
      major side effect despite the use of combination antiemetic drugs. OBJECTIVE: To
      compare the efficacy and safety profile of palonosetron, a second-generation 5
      hydroxytryptamine-3 (5-HT3) receptor antagonist, with ondansetron in the
      prevention of CINV in children. METHODS: A prospective, randomized, crossover
      study was conducted in patients aged 2-18 years. 160 chemotherapy cycles,
      consisting of chemotherapy drugs with moderate- and high-emetogenic potential,
      were studied. The study group received a single dose of intravenous (IV)
      palonosetron 5 mcg/kg, and the standard group received IV ondansetron 5 mg/m2
      every 8 hours while receiving chemotherapy. The patients were observed for
      vomiting, use of rescue antiemetic medications, and nausea from Day 1 0-72 hours
      after completion of each chemotherapy cycle. All adverse events during the study
      period were recorded. RESULTS: The overall percentage of patients with complete
      response (CR) in the palonosetron and ondansetron groups were 60% and 56.2%,
      respectively (?? = .631). The CR rates in the palonosetron and ondansetron groups
      were 75% and 70%, respectively, in the acute phase (?? = .479), and 68.8% and
      65%, respectively, in the delayed phase (?? = .614). There was no statistically
      significant difference in the CR rates cross both groups. CONCLUSION: A single
      dose of palonosetron is noninferior to ondansetron in the prevention of CINV in
      children and can be considered as an alternative antiemetic drug. There was no
      significant difference in adverse effects between the palonosetron and
      ondansetron group.

PMID- 26270520
TI  - Simultaneous integrated boost using stereotactic radiosurgery for resected brain
      metastases: rationale, dosimetric parameters, and preliminary clinical outcomes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Radiosurgery has been shown to reduce the rates of local recurrence
      in the postoperative bed after the resection of brain metastases, but the ideal
      radiation dose has not been well defined. OBJECTIVE: To present dosimetric
      parameters and preliminary clinical outcomes for patients undergoing
      postoperative stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) with simultaneous integrated boost
      (SIB) for brain metastases. METHODS AND MATERIALS: 3 patients underwent surgery
      for a dominant metastatic focus and had residual or recurrent disease in the
      resection cavity. Our technique delivered a low dose to the resection cavity with
      an SIB dose to the gross tumor. Clinical target volume (CTV) was the magnetic
      resonance (MR)-defined resection cavity. Gross tumor volume (GTV) was the MR
      defined residual disease. No additional margin was added to either the resection
      cavity or the residual disease area. Doses ranged from 14-15 Gy for CTV and 17-18
      Gy for GTV prescribed to the 71%-78% isodose line. A traditional postoperative
      radiosurgery plan was constructed for each patient, and dosimetric values were
      compared using the paired t-test. RESULTS: 3 patients were treated at our
      institution using SRS with SIB. No patient experienced local recurrence. 2
      patients developed distant brain failure (mean, 3.5 months). No grade 3 or
      greater toxicities were observed. The volume of brain receiving 12 Gy was
      significantly reduced using SIB compared with traditional postoperative SRS (?? =
      .04). There were no differences in the maximum dose delivered to the tumor (?? =
      .15) and cavity (?? = .13). The average mean cavity dose was 16.20 Gy using the
      SIB plan, compared with 19.71 Gy using the traditional plan (?? = .05).
      CONCLUSIONS: In patients with either recurrent or residual disease following
      surgical resection, SRS using SIB is technically feasible and safe.

PMID- 26270521
TI  - Impact of nurse navigation on timeliness of diagnostic medical services in
      patients with newly diagnosed lung cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Summa Cancer Institute in Akron, Ohio, sought to improve access
      to and the timeliness of lung cancer care by hiring an oncology-certified nurse
      navigator. The nurse navigator was charged with coordinating diagnostic
      procedures and specialty oncology consultations, and with facilitating a
      multidisciplinary thoracic oncology tumor board. OBJECTIVE: To test the
      hypothesis that nurse navigation would improve the timeliness of and access to
      diagnostic medical services among men and women with newly diagnosed lung cancer.
      METHODS: A conducted a retrospective review of 460 patients with lung cancer to
      evaluate access to care and the timeliness of the care received in the non
      navigated and nurse-navigated cohorts. RESULTS: During December 2009-September
      2013, the time between the suspicion of cancer on chest X-ray to treatment was 64
      days. During October 2013-March 2014, the nurse navigator helped reduce that
      timespan to 45 days (?? < .001). LIMITATIONS: Long-term follow-up on clinical
      outcomes remains premature. CONCLUSION: This finding attests to the successful
      implementation of nurse navigation to improve access and timeliness of lung
      cancer care in a community oncology practice.

PMID- 26270522
TI  - Measuring end-of-life care in oncology practices: learning from the care of the
      dying.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is increased interest among oncology and palliative
      professionals in providing appropriately timed hospice services for cancer
      patients. End of life (EoL) metrics have been included in oncology quality
      programs, but accurate EoL data and benchmarks are hard to obtain. OBJECTIVE: To
      improve EoL care by measuring patterns of care among recently deceased patients.
      METHODS: Care utilization among deceased patients was analyzed by using software
      integrated with patient electronic health records. The data was verified by chart
      review. RESULTS: Of 179 cancer deaths, tumor registry data differed from chart
      review in 7% of cases with regard to dates and/or location of death.
      Institutional EoL metrics were significantly affected by a large number of
      patients (37%) with advanced illnesses who had clinical diagnoses of cancer made
      at the end of life, but who had not been managed by oncologists. This population
      of patients who had not been managed by oncologists was older, less likely to use
      hospice, and more likely to use the intensive care unit than were oncologist
      managed cancer patients. Among the patients of individual oncologists, the median
      stay in hospice ranged from 6-28 days. Data collection and chart review took an
      average of 27 minutes per case with combined efforts by a data analyst and
      oncology practitioner. LIMITATIONS: Single institution with comprehensive
      electronic medical record; some patients were treated outside of the system.
      CONCLUSION: Acquiring accurate data on EoL metrics is time consuming. Compared
      with chart review, other data sources have inaccuracies and include some patients
      who have not been managed by oncologists. Accurate attribution to individual
      physicians requires chart review by an experienced clinician.

PMID- 26270523
TI  - Isolated splenic metastasis in a patient with two distinct genitourinary
      malignancies.
AB  - Splenic metastasis is rare, occurring in 2.3%- 7.1% of cases, of which 95% are
      carcinomas.1 The lung is the most common primary tumor site (21% of cases),
      followed by the gastrointestinal system, breast, ovaries, and skin. In a
      retrospective study evaluating the clinical and pathological impact of splenic
      metastases during a 25-year period in China, it was found that about 5.3% of
      metastases were isolated splenic metastasis.2 Isolated splenic metastasis from
      kidney cancer is very rare and is often an incidental finding. Here we report a
      case with isolated splenic metastasis in a patient with both primary renal cell
      carcinoma and prostate cancer, which turned out to be metastatic renal cell
      carcinoma in the spleen. 

PMID- 26270524
TI  - Chelsea team doctor acted with "integrity and professionalism," says medical
      body.

PMID- 26270525
TI  - Effect of Simulated Microgravity on Human Brain Gray Matter and White Matter-
      Evidence from MRI.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is limited and inconclusive evidence that space environment,
      especially microgravity condition, may affect microstructure of human brain. This
      experiment hypothesized that there would be modifications in gray matter (GM) and
      white matter (WM) of the brain due to microgravity. METHOD: Eighteen male
      volunteers were recruited and fourteen volunteers underwent -6 degrees  head-down
      bed rest (HDBR) for 30 days simulated microgravity. High-resolution brain
      anatomical imaging data and diffusion tensor imaging images were collected on a
      3T MR system before and after HDBR. We applied voxel-based morphometry and tract
      based spatial statistics analysis to investigate the structural changes in GM and
      WM of brain. RESULTS: We observed significant decreases of GM volume in the
      bilateral frontal lobes, temporal poles, parahippocampal gyrus, insula and right
      hippocampus, and increases of GM volume in the vermis, bilateral paracentral
      lobule, right precuneus gyrus, left precentral gyrus and left postcentral gyrus
      after HDBR. Fractional anisotropy (FA) changes were also observed in multiple WM
      tracts. CONCLUSION: These regions showing GM changes are closely associated with
      the functional domains of performance, locomotion, learning, memory and
      coordination. Regional WM alterations may be related to brain function decline
      and adaption. Our findings provide the neuroanatomical evidence of brain
      dysfunction or plasticity in microgravity condition and a deeper insight into the
      cerebral mechanisms in microgravity condition.

PMID- 26270527
TI  - Correction: A Developmental Stage-Specific Switch from DAZL to BOLL Occurs during
      Fetal Oogenesis in Humans, but Not Mice.

PMID- 26270526
TI  - Hepatomegaly and Liver Dysfunction in a 15-Year-Old Girl With Type 1 Diabetes
      Mellitus.

PMID- 26270528
TI  - Chilaiditi's sign secondary to Richter's hernia or Chilaiditi's syndrome?
AB  - Chilaiditi's sign and syndrome seem similar but are actually different entities,
      difficult to distinguish from each other. A 60-year-old female presented with a
      clinical scenario of intestinal obstruction, which was thought to be Chilaiditi's
      syndrome because of the unusual impression of gas under the diaphragm, but was
      confirmed as Chilaiditi's sign after laparotomy. The interposition of dilated
      small bowel loops below the diaphragm due to distal obstruction somewhere else
      can also produce a Chilaiditi's sign. 

PMID- 26270529
TI  - Expression and Functional Analysis of WRKY Transcription Factors in Chinese Wild
      Hazel, Corylus heterophylla Fisch.
AB  - Plant WRKY transcription factors are known to regulate various biotic and abiotic
      stress responses. In this study we identified a total of 30 putative WRKY
      unigenes in a transcriptome dataset of the Chinese wild Hazel, Corylus
      heterophylla, a species that is noted for its cold tolerance. Thirteen full
      length of these ChWRKY genes were cloned and found to encode complete protein
      sequences, and they were divided into three groups, based on the number of WRKY
      domains and the pattern of zinc finger structures. Representatives of each of the
      groups, Unigene25835 (group I), Unigene37641 (group II) and Unigene20441 (group
      III), were transiently expressed as fusion proteins with yellow fluorescent
      fusion protein in Nicotiana benthamiana, where they were observed to accumulate
      in the nucleus, in accordance with their predicted roles as transcriptional
      activators. An analysis of the expression patterns of all 30 WRKY genes revealed
      differences in transcript abundance profiles following exposure to cold, drought
      and high salinity conditions. Among the stress-inducible genes, 23 were up
      regulated by all three abiotic stresses and the WRKY genes collectively exhibited
      four different patterns of expression in flower buds during the overwintering
      period from November to April. The organ/tissue related expression analysis
      showed that 18 WRKY genes were highly expressed in stem but only 2 (Unigene9262
      and Unigene43101) were greatest in male anthotaxies. The expression of
      Unigene37641, a member of the group II WRKY genes, was substantially up-regulated
      by cold, drought and salinity treatments, and its overexpression in Arabidopsis
      thaliana resulted in better seedling growth, compared with wild type plants,
      under cold treatment conditions. The transgenic lines also had exhibited higher
      soluble protein content, superoxide dismutase and peroxidase activiety and lower
      levels of malondialdehyde, which collectively suggets that Unigene37641
      expression promotes cold tolerance. 

PMID- 26270530
TI  - Clopidogrel and Aspirin versus Aspirin Alone for Stroke Prevention: A Meta
      Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Antiplatelet therapy is widely used for the primary or
      secondary prevention of stroke. Drugs like clopidogrel have emerged as
      alternatives for traditional antiplatelet therapy, and dual therapy with
      clopidogrel and aspirin is of particular interest. We conducted this meta
      analysis to systematically review studies about dual therapy comparing
      monotherapy with aspirin alone. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials were
      searched in PubMed (1966-May, 2015), EMBASE (1947-May, 2015), the Cochrane
      Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (1948-May, 2015), WHO
      International Clinical Trial (ICTRP) (2004-May, 2015), China Biology Medicine
      disc (CBM disc) (1978-May, 2015) and were included into the final analysis
      according to the definite inclusion criteria mentioned in the study selection
      section. Risk ratio (RR) was pooled with 95% confidence interval (CI) for
      dichotomous data. The heterogeneity was considered significant if the chi2 test
      was significant (P value < 0.10) or the I2 > 50.00%. Subgroup analyses were
      carried out on the long and short time periods, the race and region. RESULTS: We
      included 5 studies involving 24,084 patients. A pooled analysis showed that dual
      therapy with clopidogrel and aspirin had a lower stroke incidence than
      monotherapy in both the short term and long term (RR = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.59-0.82, P
      <0.05; RR = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.72-0.98, P = 0.03, respectively). With regard to
      safety, dual therapy had a higher risk of bleeding than monotherapy for both
      periods (RR = 1.51, 95% CI: 1.03-2.23, P = 0.04; RR = 1.54, 95% CI: 1.32-1.79,
      P<0.05, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Dual therapy with clopidogrel and aspirin
      could be a preferable choice to prevent stroke in patients who have had a
      previous stroke or transient ischemic attack, as well as those who are at high
      risk for stroke. And the effect of dual therapy seems to be more obvious for
      short-term. However, it is associated with a higher risk of bleeding.

PMID- 26270531
TI  - Influence of Urbanization on Body Size, Condition, and Physiology in an Urban
      Exploiter: A Multi-Component Approach.
AB  - Consistent expanding urbanization dramatically transforms natural habitats and
      exposes organisms to novel environmental challenges, often leading to reduced
      species richness and diversity in cities. However, it remains unclear how
      individuals are affected by the urban environment and how they can or cannot
      adjust to the specific characteristics of urban life (e.g. food availability). In
      this study, we used an integrative multi-component approach to investigate the
      effects of urbanization on the nutritional status of house sparrows (Passer
      domesticus). We assessed several morphological and physiological indices of body
      condition in both juveniles (early post-fledging) and breeding adults from four
      sites with different levels of urbanization in France, Western Europe. We found
      that sparrows in more urbanized habitats have reduced body size and body mass
      compared to their rural conspecifics. However, we did not find any consistent
      differences in a number of complementary indices of condition (scaled mass index,
      muscle score, hematocrit, baseline and stress-induced corticosterone levels)
      between urban and rural birds, indicating that urban sparrows may not be
      suffering nutritional stress. Our results suggest that the urban environment is
      unlikely to energetically constrain adult sparrows, although other urban-related
      variables may constrain them. On the other hand, we found significant difference
      in juvenile fat scores, suggesting that food types provided to young sparrows
      differed highly between habitats. In addition to the observed smaller size of
      urban sparrows, these results suggest that the urban environment is inadequate to
      satisfy early-life sparrows' nutritional requirements, growth, and development.
      The urban environment may therefore have life-long consequences for developing
      birds. 

PMID- 26270532
TI  - Development and Characterization of Probe-Based Real Time Quantitative RT-PCR
      Assays for Detection and Serotyping of Foot-And-Mouth Disease Viruses Circulating
      in West Eurasia.
AB  - Rapid and accurate diagnosis of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and virus serotyping
      are of paramount importance for control of this disease in endemic areas where
      vaccination is practiced. Ideally this virus characterization should be achieved
      without the need for virus amplification in cell culture. Due to the
      heterogeneity of FMD viruses (FMDVs) in different parts of the world, region
      specific diagnostic tests are required. In this study, hydrolysable probe-based
      real time reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR)
      assays were developed for specific detection and serotyping of the FMDVs
      currently circulating in West Eurasia. These assays were evaluated, in parallel
      with pan-FMDV diagnostic assays and earlier serotype-specific assays, using field
      samples originating from Pakistan and Afghanistan containing FMD viruses
      belonging to different sublineages of O-PanAsia, A-Iran05 and Asia-1 (Group-II
      and Group-VII (Sindh-08)). In addition, field samples from Iran and Bulgaria,
      containing FMDVs belonging to the O-PanAsiaANT-10 sublineage were also tested.
      Each of the three primer/probe sets was designed to be specific for just one of
      the serotypes O, A and Asia-1 of FMDV and detected the RNA from the target
      viruses with cycle threshold (CT) values comparable with those obtained with the
      serotype-independent pan-FMDV diagnostic assays. No cross-reactivity was observed
      in these assays between the heterotypic viruses circulating in the region. The
      assays reported here have higher diagnostic sensitivity (100% each for serotypes
      O and Asia-1, and 92% [95% CI = 81.4-100%] for serotype A positive samples) and
      specificity (100% each for serotypes O, A and Asia-1 positive samples) for the
      viruses currently circulating in West Eurasia compared to the serotyping assays
      reported earlier. Comparisons of the sequences of the primers and probes used in
      these assays and the corresponding regions of the circulating viruses provided
      explanations for the poor recognition of some of the viruses by the earlier
      assays. These new assays should help in the early detection and typing of
      serotype O, A and Asia-1 FMDVs circulating in West Eurasia to enable improved
      disease control. 

PMID- 26270533
TI  - Assessment of the Impact of Potential Tetracycline Exposure on the Phenotype of
      Aedes aegypti OX513A: Implications for Field Use.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Aedes aegypti is the primary vector of dengue fever, a viral disease
      which has an estimated incidence of 390 million infections annually. Conventional
      vector control methods have been unable to curb the transmission of the disease.
      We have previously reported a novel method of vector control using a tetracycline
      repressible self-limiting strain of Ae. aegypti OX513A which has achieved >90%
      suppression of wild populations. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We investigated
      the impact of tetracycline and its analogues on the phenotype of OX513A from the
      perspective of possible routes and levels of environmental exposure. We
      determined the minimum concentration of tetracycline and its analogues that will
      allow an increased survivorship and found these to be greater than the maximum
      concentration of tetracyclines found in known Ae. aegypti breeding sites and
      their surrounding areas. Furthermore, we determined that OX513A parents fed
      tetracycline are unable to pre-load their progeny with sufficient antidote to
      increase their survivorship. Finally, we studied the changes in concentration of
      tetracycline in the mass production rearing water of OX513A and the developing
      insect. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Together, these studies demonstrate that
      potential routes of exposure of OX513A individuals to tetracycline and its
      analogues in the environment are not expected to increase the survivorship of
      OX513A.

PMID- 26270534
TI  - Modulation of the Activity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis LipY by Its PE Domain.
AB  - Mycobacterium tuberculosis harbors over 160 genes encoding PE/PPE proteins,
      several of which have roles in the pathogen's virulence. A number of PE/PPE
      proteins are secreted via Type VII secretion systems known as the ESX secretion
      systems. One PE protein, LipY, has a triglyceride lipase domain in addition to
      its PE domain. LipY can regulate intracellular triglyceride levels and is also
      exported to the cell wall by one of the ESX family members, ESX-5. Upon export,
      LipY's PE domain is removed by proteolytic cleavage. Studies using cells and
      crude extracts suggest that LipY's PE domain not only directs its secretion by
      ESX-5, but also functions to inhibit its enzymatic activity. Here, we attempt to
      further elucidate the role of LipY's PE domain in the regulation of its enzymatic
      activity. First, we established an improved purification method for several LipY
      variants using detergent micelles. We then used enzymatic assays to confirm that
      the PE domain down-regulates LipY activity. The PE domain must be attached to
      LipY in order to effectively inhibit it. Finally, we determined that full length
      LipY and the mature lipase lacking the PE domain (LipYDeltaPE) have similar
      melting temperatures. Based on our improved purification strategy and activity
      based approach, we concluded that LipY's PE domain down-regulates its enzymatic
      activity but does not impact the thermal stability of the enzyme. 

PMID- 26270535
TI  - Green Tea Modulates Cytokine Expression in the Periodontium and Attenuates
      Alveolar Bone Resorption in Type 1 Diabetic Rats.
AB  - Diabetes mellitus comprises a heterogeneous group of disorders with the main
      feature of hyperglycemia. Chronic hyperglycemia increases the severity of
      periodontal disease via an exacerbated inflammatory response, activated by
      advanced glycation end products and their receptor, RAGE. Therefore, anti
      inflammatory agents represent potential inhibitors of this pathological
      interaction. In particular, green tea has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory
      properties mediated by its polyphenol content. OBJECTIVES: This study
      investigated the mechanisms by which green tea attenuates the spontaneous onset
      of diabetes-induced periodontitis. METHODS: Diabetes was induced in rats via a
      single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ). Diabetic and control
      animals were divided into water-treated and green tea-treated subgroups and were
      analyzed at 15, 30, 60 and 90 days after diabetes induction. Immunohistochemistry
      was performed to quantitatively evaluate tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha),
      receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL), osteoprotegerin
      (OPG), interleukin-10 (IL-10) and runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX-2)
      expression in serial sections of each hemimaxilla. Morphometric measurements of
      the distance from the cementum-enamel junction (CEJ) of the superior distal root
      of the first molar to the alveolar bone crest (ABC) were performed to assess bone
      loss. RESULTS: Diabetes resulted in significant bone loss and alterations in the
      number of cells that stained positive for inflammatory mediators. In the diabetic
      rats treated with green tea, we observed a decreased number of cells expressing
      RANKL and TNF-alpha compared with that observed in the diabetic rats treated with
      water. Additionally, green tea increased the numbers of cells that stained
      positive for OPG, RUNX-2 and IL-10 in the diabetic rats. CONCLUSION: Green tea
      intake reduces expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha and the
      osteoclastogenic mediator RANKL to normal levels while increasing expression of
      the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, the osteogenesis-related factor RUNX-2 and
      the anti-osteoclastogenic factor OPG. Therefore, green tea represents a potential
      therapeutic agent for the treatment of diabetes-related periodontal disease.

PMID- 26270537
TI  - Statistical Mechanics of Zooplankton.
AB  - Statistical mechanics provides the link between microscopic properties of many
      particle systems and macroscopic properties such as pressure and temperature.
      Observations of similar "microscopic" quantities exist for the motion of
      zooplankton, as well as many species of other social animals. Herein, we propose
      to take average squared velocities as the definition of the "ecological
      temperature" of a population under different conditions on nutrients, light,
      oxygen and others. We test the usefulness of this definition on observations of
      the crustacean zooplankton Daphnia pulicaria. In one set of experiments, D.
      pulicaria is infested with the pathogen Vibrio cholerae, the causative agent of
      cholera. We find that infested D. pulicaria under light exposure have a
      significantly greater ecological temperature, which puts them at a greater risk
      of detection by visual predators. In a second set of experiments, we observe D.
      pulicaria in cold and warm water, and in darkness and under light exposure.
      Overall, our ecological temperature is a good discriminator of the crustacean's
      swimming behavior. 

PMID- 26270536
TI  - Innate Multigene Family Memories Are Implicated in the Viral-Survivor Zebrafish
      Phenotype.
AB  - Since adaptive features such as memory were discovered in mammalian innate
      immunity, interest in the immunological status of primitive vertebrates after
      infections has grown. In this context, we used zebrafish (Danio rerio), a
      primitive vertebrate species suited to molecular and genetic studies to explore
      transcriptional memories of the immune system in long-term survivors of viral
      haemorrhagic septicemia virus infections. Immune-gene targeted microarrays
      designed in-house, multipath genes, gene set enrichment, and leading-edge
      analysis, reveal unexpected consistent correlations between the viral-survivor
      phenotype and several innate multigene families. Thus, here we describe in
      survivors of infections the upregulation of the multigene family of proteasome
      subunit macropains, zebrafish-specific novel gene sets, mitogen activated protein
      kinases, and epidermal growth factor. We also describe the downregulation of the
      multigene families of c-reactive proteins, myxovirus-induced proteins and novel
      immunoglobulin-type receptors. The strength of those immunological memories was
      reflected by the exceptional similarity of the transcriptional profiles of
      survivors before and after re-infection compared with primary infected fish. On
      the other hand, the high levels of neutralizing antibodies in the blood plasma of
      survivors contrasted with the depletion of transcripts specific for most cell
      types present in lymphoid organs. Therefore, long-term survivors maintained
      unexpected molecular/cellular memories of previous viral encounters by modulating
      the expression levels of innate multigene families as well as having specific
      adaptive antibodies. The implications of the so-called "trained immunity" for
      future research in this field are also discussed. 

PMID- 26270539
TI  - Using Dynamic Multi-Task Non-Negative Matrix Factorization to Detect the
      Evolution of User Preferences in Collaborative Filtering.
AB  - Predicting what items will be selected by a target user in the future is an
      important function for recommendation systems. Matrix factorization techniques
      have been shown to achieve good performance on temporal rating-type data, but
      little is known about temporal item selection data. In this paper, we developed a
      unified model that combines Multi-task Non-negative Matrix Factorization and
      Linear Dynamical Systems to capture the evolution of user preferences.
      Specifically, user and item features are projected into latent factor space by
      factoring co-occurrence matrices into a common basis item-factor matrix and
      multiple factor-user matrices. Moreover, we represented both within and between
      relationships of multiple factor-user matrices using a state transition matrix to
      capture the changes in user preferences over time. The experiments show that our
      proposed algorithm outperforms the other algorithms on two real datasets, which
      were extracted from Netflix movies and Last.fm music. Furthermore, our model
      provides a novel dynamic topic model for tracking the evolution of the behavior
      of a user over time. 

PMID- 26270541
TI  - A weekly speech and language therapy service for head and neck radiotherapy
      patients during treatment: maximizing accessibility and efficiency.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Our hospital did not provide a weekly speech and language therapy
      (SLT) service for head and neck cancer patients during radiotherapy treatment.
      SLT is recommended in the international guidelines, but many centers do not offer
      this service. In the case of our hospital, SLT was not provided because there
      were no funds to cover the costs of additional staff. OBJECTIVES: To create a new
      service model within a multidisciplinary setting to comply with the international
      SLT guidelines and without increasing staff. We aimed to measure the
      accessibility and efficiency of a new model of service delivery at our center
      both for patients and for the service. METHODS: 79 patients were recruited for
      the study. We followed 1 group of patients (n = 29; observation group) throughout
      their treatment for 6 weeks to establish if there was a clinical need to offer
      SLT at the treatment center. A second group of patients (n = 50; intervention
      group) received a weekly SLT review at the treatment center throughout their
      radiotherapy. Data collected at the tertiary cancer center for 6 months included:
      age, gender, tumor site and size, treatment modality, swallowing outcomes,
      communication outcomes, patient satisfaction, multidisciplinary team feedback,
      and time efficiency. The observation group did not participate in the
      intervention group because the data was collected between 2 different groups of
      participants. However, all participants were referred to their local SLT service
      at the end of their treatment if that was clinically indicated, regardless of the
      group they had been in. RESULTS: The proportion of patients accessing SLT
      services during treatment and the time efficiency of the service were both
      improved with this model of delivery. The service's compliance with international
      guidelines was met. More patients continued with oral intake during their
      treatment at our center with the new service. Improvements were also reported in
      communication clarity and communication confidence in the same group. CONCLUSION:
      Offering head and neck cancer patients SLT at the same time and place as their
      radiotherapy treatment improves patient outcomes and increases SLT efficiencies.
      As this was not a treatment study, further clinical trials are required with
      regards to functional outcomes.

PMID- 26270538
TI  - A Comparative Metabolomic Evaluation of Behcet's Disease with Arthritis and
      Seronegative Arthritis Using Synovial Fluid.
AB  - Behcet's disease (BD) with arthritis is often confused with seronegative
      arthritis (SNA) because of shared clinical symptoms and the lack of definitive
      biomarkers for BD. To investigate possible metabolic patterns and potential
      biomarkers of BD with arthritis, metabolomic profiling of synovial fluid (SF)
      from 6 patients with BD with arthritis and 18 patients with SNA was performed
      using gas chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry in conjunction with
      univariate and multivariate statistical analyses. A total of 123 metabolites were
      identified from samples. Orthogonal partial least square-discriminant analysis
      showed clear discrimination between BD with arthritis and SNA. A set of 11
      metabolites were identified as potential biomarkers for BD using variable
      importance for projection values and the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test. Compared
      with SNA, BD with arthritis exhibited relatively high levels of glutamate,
      valine, citramalate, leucine, methionine sulfoxide, glycerate, phosphate, lysine,
      isoleucine, urea, and citrulline. There were two markers identified, elevated
      methionine sulfoxide and citrulline, that were associated with increased
      oxidative stress, providing a potential link to BD-associated neutrophil
      hyperactivity. Glutamate, citramalate, and valine were selected and validated as
      putative biomarkers for BD with arthritis (sensitivity, 100%; specificity,
      61.1%). This is the first report to present potential biomarkers from SF for
      discriminating BD with arthritis from SNA. The metabolomics of SF may be helpful
      in searching for potential biomarkers and elucidating the clinicopathogenesis of
      BD with arthritis. 

PMID- 26270540
TI  - Health care expenditures associated with depression in adults with cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The rates of depression in adults with cancer have been reported as
      high as 38%-58%. How depression affects overall health care expenditures in
      individuals with cancer is an under-researched area. OBJECTIVE: To estimate
      excess average total health care expenditures associated with depression in
      adults with cancer by comparing those with and without depression after
      controlling for demographic, socioeconomic, access to care, and other health
      status variables. METHODS: Cross-sectional data on 4,766 adult survivors of
      cancer from 2006-2009 of the nationally representative household survey, Medical
      Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), were used. The patients were older than 21
      years. Cancer and depression were identified from the patients' medical
      conditions files. Dependent variables consisted of total, inpatient, outpatient,
      emergency department, prescription drugs, and other expenditures. Ordinary least
      square (OLS) on logged dollars and generalized linear models with log-link
      function were performed. All analyses (SAS 9.3 and STATA12) accounted for the
      complex survey design of the MEPS. RESULTS: Overall, 14% of individuals with
      cancer reported having depression. In those with cancer and depression, the
      average annual health care expenditures were $18,401 compared with $12,091 in
      those without depression. After adjusting for demographic, socioeconomic, access
      to care, and other health status variables, those with depression had about 31.7%
      greater total expenditures compared with those without depression. Total,
      outpatient, and prescription expenditures were higher in individuals with
      depression than in those without depression. Individuals with cancer and
      depression were significantly more likely to use emergency departments (adjusted
      odds ratio, 1.46) compared with their counterparts without depression.
      LIMITATIONS: Cancer patients who died during the reporting year were excluded.
      The financial burden of depression may have been underestimated because the costs
      of end-of-life care are high. The burden for each cancer type was not analyzed
      because of the small sample size. CONCLUSION: In adults with cancer, those with
      depression had higher health care utilization and expenditures compared with
      those without depression. FUNDING/SPONSORSHIP: One author was partially supported
      by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, U54GM104942.

PMID- 26270542
TI  - Inflammatory metastatic breast cancer with gallbladder metastasis: an incidental
      finding.
AB  - Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women, with an estimated
      231,840 new cases representing 14.0% of all new cancer cases in the United States
      in 2015. Early screening and modern techniques of imaging and diagnosis have led
      to a significant improvement in detecting early-stage breast cancers and to a
      decrease in the incidence of metastatic breast cancer (MBC). About 20%-30% of
      patients who are initially diagnosed with an early-stage, nonmetastatic breast
      cancer will subsequently develop a distant metastatic disease. Between 6%-10% of
      the new breast cancer cases present initially as stage IV, referred to as de novo
      MBC. The most common sites of breast cancer metastases are lymph nodes, chest
      wall, skeleton, lung, skin, and the central nervous system (CNS). Lobular
      carcinoma, in particular, may metastasize to the gastrointestinal tract,
      peritoneum, and retroperitoneum. Gallbladder metastasis from breast cancer is
      very rare, and only 15-20 cases have been reported in the literature. Most of
      those cases have been associated particularly with a lobular histology. We report
      an additional rare case of MBC to the gallbladder, but with a ductal histology. 

PMID- 26270543
TI  - Correction: Striatal Dopamine D2/3 Receptor Availability in Treatment Resistant
      Depression.

PMID- 26270544
TI  - The Clinical Utility of SUDOSCAN in Chronic Kidney Disease in Chinese Patients
      with Type 2 Diabetes.
AB  - There are gaps between recommendations on regular screening for diabetic kidney
      disease (DKD) and clinical practice especially in busy and low resource settings.
      SUDOSCAN (Impeto Medical, Paris, France) is a non-invasive technology for
      assessing sudomotor function using reverse iontophoresis and chronoamperometry
      which detects abnormal sweat gland function. Vasculopathy and neuropathy share
      common risk factors and we hypothesized that SUDOSCAN may be used to detect
      chronic kidney disease (CKD). Between 2012 and 2013, SUDOSCAN was performed in a
      consecutive cohort of 2833 Hong Kong Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes. Chronic
      kidney disease was defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate <60
      ml/min/1.73m2. In this cross-sectional cohort (mean age 58.6+/-9.5 years, 55.7%
      male, median disease duration 8 [interquartile range 3-14] years), 5.8% had CKD.
      At a cut-off SUDOSCAN-DKD score of 53, the test had sensitivity of 76.7%,
      specificity of 63.4% and positive likelihood ratio of 2.1 to detect CKD. The area
      under receiver operating characteristic curve for CKD was 0.75 (95% confidence
      interval 0.72-0.79). Patients without CKD but low score had worse risk factors
      and complications than those with high score. We conclude that SUDOSCAN may be
      used to detect patients at risk of impaired renal function as part of a screening
      program in Chinese population, especially in outreach or low resource settings. 

PMID- 26270545
TI  - Mission Indradhanush makes vaccination progress in India.

PMID- 26270546
TI  - Correction: A Nationwide Study of Norwegian Patients with Hereditary Angioedema
      with C1 Inhibitor Deficiency Identified Six Novel Mutations in SERPING1.

PMID- 26270548
TI  - Positive Selection on Loci Associated with Drug and Alcohol Dependence.
AB  - Much of the evolution of human behavior remains a mystery, including how certain
      disadvantageous behaviors are so prevalent. Nicotine addiction is one such
      phenotype. Several loci have been implicated in nicotine related phenotypes
      including the nicotinic receptor gene clusters (CHRNs) on chromosomes 8 and 15.
      Here we use 1000 Genomes sequence data from 3 populations (Africans, Asians and
      Europeans) to examine whether natural selection has occurred at these loci. We
      used Tajima's D and the integrated haplotype score (iHS) to test for evidence of
      natural selection. Our results provide evidence for strong selection in the
      nicotinic receptor gene cluster on chromosome 8, previously found to be
      significantly associated with both nicotine and cocaine dependence, as well as
      evidence selection acting on the region containing the CHRNA5 nicotinic receptor
      gene on chromosome 15, that is genome wide significant for risk for nicotine
      dependence. To examine the possibility that this selection is related to memory
      and learning, we utilized genetic data from the Collaborative Studies on the
      Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA) to test variants within these regions with three
      tests of memory and learning, the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) Block
      Design, WAIS Digit Symbol and WAIS Information tests. Of the 17 SNPs genotyped in
      COGA in this region, we find one significantly associated with WAIS digit symbol
      test results. This test captures aspects of reaction time and memory, suggesting
      that a phenotype relating to memory and learning may have been the driving force
      behind selection at these loci. This study could begin to explain why these
      seemingly deleterious SNPs are present at their current frequencies. 

PMID- 26270547
TI  - How Can We Improve the Detection of Alpha1-Antitrypsin Deficiency?
AB  - The Z deficiency in alpha1-antitrypsin (A1ATD) is an under-recognized condition.
      Alpha1-antitrypsin (A1AT) is the main protein in the alpha1-globulin fraction of
      serum protein electrophoresis (SPE); however, evaluation of the alpha1-globulin
      protein fraction has received very little attention. Serum Z-type A1AT manifests
      in polymeric forms, but their interference with quantitative immunoassays has not
      been reported. Here, 214 894 samples were evaluated by SPE at the G. Fracastoro
      Hospital of Verona, Italy. Patients with an A1AT level <= 0.92 g/L were recalled
      to complete A1ATD diagnosis. In parallel, to qualitatively and quantitatively
      characterize A1AT, sera samples from 10 PiZZ and 10 PiMM subjects obtained at the
      National Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases in Warsaw, Poland, were
      subjected to non-denaturing 7.5% PAGE and 7.5% SDS-PAGE followed by Western blot.
      Moreover, purified A1AT was heated at 60 degrees C and analyzed by a non
      denaturing PAGE and 4-15% gradient SDS-PAGE followed by Western blot as well as
      by isolelectrofocusing and nephelometry. A total of 966 samples manifested
      percentages <= 2.8 or a double band in the alpha1-zone. According to the
      nephelometry data, 23 samples were classified as severe (A1AT <= 0.49 g/L) and
      462 as intermediate (A1AT >0.49<= 1.0 g/L) A1ATD. Twenty subjects agreed to
      complete the diagnosis and an additional 21 subjects agreed to family screening.
      We detected 9 cases with severe and 26 with intermediate A1ATD. Parallel
      experiments revealed that polymerization of M-type A1AT, when measured by
      nephelometry or isolelectrofocusing, yields inaccurate results, leading to the
      erroneous impression that it was Z type and not M-type A1AT. We illustrate the
      need for confirmation of Z A1AT values by "state of the art" method. Clinicians
      should consider a more in-depth investigation of A1ATD in patients when they
      exhibit serum polymers and low alpha1-globulin protein levels by SPE. 

PMID- 26270549
TI  - Selection of Fusion Levels Using the Fulcrum Bending Radiograph for the
      Management of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Patients with Alternate Level
      Pedicle Screw Strategy: Clinical Decision-making and Outcomes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Selecting fusion levels based on the Luk et al criteria for operative
      management of thoracic adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) with hook and hybrid
      systems yields acceptable curve correction and balance parameters; however, it is
      unknown whether utilizing a purely pedicle screw strategy is effective. Utilizing
      the fulcrum bending radiographic (FBR) to assess curve flexibility to select
      fusion levels, the following study assessed the efficacy of pedicle screw
      fixation with alternate level screw strategy (ALSS) for thoracic AIS. METHODS: A
      retrospective study with prospective radiographic data collection/analyses
      (preoperative, postoperative 1-week and minimum 2-year follow-up) of 28 operative
      thoracic AIS patients undergoing ALSS was performed. Standing coronal/sagittal
      and FBR Cobb angles, FBR flexibility, fulcrum bending correction index (FBCI),
      trunkal shift, radiographic shoulder height (RSH), and list were assessed on x
      rays. Fusion level selection was based on the Luk et al criteria and compared to
      conventional techniques. RESULTS: In the primary curve, the mean preoperative and
      postoperative 1 week and last follow-up standing coronal Cobb angles were 59.9,
      17.2 and 20.0 degrees, respectively. Eighteen patients (64.3%) had distal levels
      saved (mean: 1.6 levels) in comparison to conventional techniques. Mean immediate
      and last follow-up FBCIs were 122.6% and 115.0%, respectively. Sagittal alignment
      did not statistically differ between any assessment intervals (p>0.05). A
      decrease in trunkal shift was noted from preoperative to last follow-up (p =
      0.003). No statistically significant difference from preoperative to last follow
      up was noted in RSH and list (p>0.05). No "add-on" of other vertebra or
      decompensation was noted and all patients achieved fusion. CONCLUSIONS: This is
      the first report to note that using the FBR for decision-making in selecting
      fusion levels in thoracic AIS patients undergoing management with pedicle screw
      constructs (e.g. ALSS) is a cost-effective strategy that can achieve clinically
      relevant deformity correction that is maintained and without compromising fusion
      levels.

PMID- 26270550
TI  - Environmental Controls on River Assemblages at the Regional Scale: An Application
      of the Elements of Metacommunity Structure Framework.
AB  - Understanding factors that structure regional biodiversity is important for
      linking ecological and biogeographic processes. Our objective was to explore
      regional patterns in riverine benthic invertebrate assemblages in relation to
      their broad positioning along the river network and examine differences in
      composition, biodiversity (alpha and beta diversity), and environmental drivers.
      We up-scaled methods used to examine patterns in metacommunity structure
      (Elements of Metacommunity Structure framework) to examine faunal distribution
      patterns at the regional extent for 168 low-mountain stream invertebrate
      assemblages in central Germany. We then identified the most influential
      environmental factors using boosted regression trees. Faunal composition patterns
      were compartmentalised (Clementsian or quasi-Clementsian), with little difference
      from headwaters to large rivers, potentially reflecting the regional scale of the
      study, by crossing major catchment boundaries and incorporating different species
      pools. While idealised structures did not vary, environmental drivers of
      composition varied considerably between river sections and with alpha diversity.
      Prediction was substantially weaker, and the importance of space was greater, in
      large rivers compared to other sections suggesting a weakening in species sorting
      downstream. Further, there was a stronger transition in composition than for
      alpha diversity downstream. The stronger links with regional faunal composition
      than with richness further emphasises the importance of considering the
      alternative ways in which anthropogenic stressors are operating to affect
      biodiversity patterns. Our approach allowed bridging the gap between local (or
      metacommunity) and regional scales, providing key insights into drivers of
      regional biodiversity patterns. 

PMID- 26270554
TI  - Molecular Recognition with Microporous Multilayer Films Prepared by Layer-by
      Layer Assembly of Pillar[5]arenes.
AB  - Pillar[5]arene-based multilayer films are constructed by layer-by-layer assembly
      with consecutive adsorption of cationic and anionic pillar[5]arenes. The films
      have active pores that allow shape-selective uptake of dinitrobenzene isomers:
      the film adsorbs para-dinitrobenzene, but not ortho- and meta-dinitrobenzene. The
      ability of the film to adsorb para-dinitrobenzene is result of the surface
      electrostatic potential: para-dinitrobenzene adsorbs on films with a positive
      surface, but not on films with a negative surface. The adsorbed amount of para
      dinitrobenzene exponentially increases with increasing number of deposited
      layers. 

PMID- 26270551
TI  - Chilling- and Freezing-Induced Alterations in Cytosine Methylation and Its
      Association with the Cold Tolerance of an Alpine Subnival Plant, Chorispora
      bungeana.
AB  - Chilling (0-18 degrees C) and freezing (<0 degrees C) are two distinct types of
      cold stresses. Epigenetic regulation can play an important role in plant
      adaptation to abiotic stresses. However, it is not yet clear whether and how
      epigenetic modification (i.e., DNA methylation) mediates the adaptation to cold
      stresses in nature (e.g., in alpine regions). Especially, whether the adaptation
      to chilling and freezing is involved in differential epigenetic regulations in
      plants is largely unknown. Chorispora bungeana is an alpine subnival plant that
      is distributed in the freeze-thaw tundra in Asia, where chilling and freezing
      frequently fluctuate daily (24 h). To disentangle how C. bungeana copes with
      these intricate cold stresses through epigenetic modifications, plants of C.
      bungeana were treated at 4 degrees C (chilling) and -4 degrees C (freezing) over
      five periods of time (0-24 h). Methylation-sensitive amplified fragment-length
      polymorphism markers were used to investigate the variation in DNA methylation of
      C. bungeana in response to chilling and freezing. It was found that the
      alterations in DNA methylation of C. bungeana largely occurred over the period of
      chilling and freezing. Moreover, chilling and freezing appeared to gradually
      induce distinct DNA methylation variations, as the treatment went on (e.g., after
      12 h). Forty-three cold-induced polymorphic fragments were randomly selected and
      further analyzed, and three of the cloned fragments were homologous to genes
      encoding alcohol dehydrogenase, UDP-glucosyltransferase and polygalacturonase
      inhibiting protein. These candidate genes verified the existence of different
      expressive patterns between chilling and freezing. Our results showed that C.
      bungeana responded to cold stresses rapidly through the alterations of DNA
      methylation, and that chilling and freezing induced different DNA methylation
      changes. Therefore, we conclude that epigenetic modifications can potentially
      serve as a rapid and flexible mechanism for C. bungeana to adapt to the intricate
      cold stresses in the alpine areas. 

PMID- 26270553
TI  - Long-term contributions from the diabetes control and complications trial cohort.

PMID- 26270555
TI  - Nanostructured Ion-Exchange Membranes for Fuel Cells: Recent Advances and
      Perspectives.
AB  - Polymer-based materials with tunable nanoscale structures and associated
      microenvironments hold great promise as next-generation ion-exchange membranes
      (IEMs) for acid or alkaline fuel cells. Understanding the relationships between
      nanostructure, physical and chemical microenvironment, and ion-transport
      properties are critical to the rational design and development of IEMs. These
      matters are addressed here by discussing representative and important advances
      since 2011, with particular emphasis on aromatic-polymer-based nanostructured
      IEMs, which are broadly divided into nanostructured polymer membranes and
      nanostructured polymer-filler composite membranes. For each category of membrane,
      the core factors that influence the physical and chemical microenvironments of
      the ion nanochannels are summarized. In addition, a brief perspective on the
      possible future directions of nanostructured IEMs is presented. 

PMID- 26270552
TI  - Brain Networks Responsible for Sense of Agency: An EEG Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Self-agency (SA) is a person's feeling that his action was generated
      by himself. The neural substrates of SA have been investigated in many
      neuroimaging studies, but the functional connectivity of identified regions has
      rarely been investigated. The goal of this study is to investigate the neural
      network related to SA. METHODS: SA of hand movements was modulated with virtual
      reality. We examined the cortical network relating to SA modulation with
      electroencephalography (EEG) power spectrum and phase coherence of alpha, beta,
      and gamma frequency bands in 16 right-handed, healthy volunteers. RESULTS: In the
      alpha band, significant relative power changes and phase coherence of alpha band
      were associated with SA modulation. The relative power decrease over the central,
      bilateral parietal, and right temporal regions (C4, Pz, P3, P4, T6) became larger
      as participants more effectively controlled the virtual hand movements. The phase
      coherence of the alpha band within frontal areas (F7-FP2, F7-Fz) was directly
      related to changes in SA. The functional connectivity was lower as the
      participants felt that they could control their virtual hand. In the other
      frequency bands, significant phase coherences were observed in the frontal (or
      central) to parietal, temporal, and occipital regions during SA modulation (Fz
      O1, F3-O1, Cz-O1, C3-T4L in beta band; FP1-T6, FP1-O2, F7-T4L, F8-Cz in gamma
      band). CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that alpha band activity may be the main
      neural oscillation of SA, which suggests that the neural network within the
      anterior frontal area may be important in the generation of SA.

PMID- 26270556
TI  - Smokers Show Lower Levels of Psychological Well-Being and Mindfulness than Non
      Smokers.
AB  - Mindfulness is defined as "paying attention in a particular way, on purpose, in
      the present moment, and nonjudgmentally". Mindfulness is associated with positive
      affect, life satisfaction, self-esteem, lower negative affect and rumination.
      Conversely, evidence suggests a relationship between nicotine dependence and
      psychiatric disorders. This study aimed to compare the levels of Mindfulness and
      Subjective Well-Being (SWB) between smokers and non-smokers. Ninety seven smokers
      and eighty four non-smokers participated in the study (n = 181). The Five Facet
      Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ-BR) and the Subjective Well-Being Scale (SWBS)
      were used. In all the factors of SWBS, the total scores in the FFMQ-BR and in the
      facets of Observing and Non-Reactivity, the non-smokers scored higher than the
      smokers. This study suggests that smokers present lower levels of Mindfulness and
      SWB than non-smokers. Consequently, we propose that Mindfulness-Based
      Interventions (MBI) may help smokers deal with treatment and abstinence by
      increasing their level of SWB. 

PMID- 26270557
TI  - Using Skin Markers for Spinal Curvature Quantification in Main Thoracic
      Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: An Explorative Radiographic Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Although the relevance of understanding spinal kinematics
      during functional activities in patients with complex spinal deformities is
      undisputed among researchers and clinicians, evidence using skin marker-based
      motion capture systems is still limited to a handful of studies, mostly conducted
      on healthy subjects and using non-validated marker configurations. The current
      study therefore aimed to explore the validity of a previously developed enhanced
      trunk marker set for the static measurement of spinal curvature angles in
      patients with main thoracic adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. In addition, the
      impact of inaccurate marker placement on curvature angle calculation was
      investigated. METHODS: Ten patients (Cobb angle: 44.4+/-17.7 degrees) were
      equipped with radio-opaque markers on selected spinous processes and underwent a
      standard biplanar radiographic examination. Subsequently, radio-opaque markers
      were replaced with retro-reflective markers and the patients were measured
      statically using a Vicon motion capture system. Thoracolumbar/lumbar and thoracic
      curvature angles in the sagittal and frontal planes were calculated based on the
      centers of area of the vertebral bodies and radio-opaque markers as well as the
      three-dimensional position of the retro-reflective markers. To investigate
      curvature angle estimation accuracy, linear regression analyses among the
      respective parameters were used. The impact of inaccurate marker placement was
      explored using linear regression analyses among the radio-opaque marker- and
      spinous process-derived curvature angles. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The results
      demonstrate that curvatures angles in the sagittal plane can be measured with
      reasonable accuracy, whereas in the frontal plane, angles were systematically
      underestimated, mainly due to the positional and structural deformities of the
      scoliotic vertebrae. Inaccuracy of marker placement had a greater impact on
      thoracolumbar/lumbar than thoracic curvature angles. It is suggested that spinal
      curvature measurements are included in marker-based clinical gait analysis
      protocols in order to enable a deeper understanding of the biomechanical behavior
      of the healthy and pathological spine in dynamic situations as well as to
      comprehensively evaluate treatment effects.

PMID- 26270558
TI  - Accuracy of Prehospital Intravenous Fluid Volume Measurement by Emergency Medical
      Services.
AB  - Prehospital treatment protocols call for intravenous (IV) fluid for patients with
      shock, yet the measurement accuracy of administered fluid volume is unknown. The
      purpose of the current study was to assess the accuracy of documented and self
      reported fluid volumes administered to medical patients by paramedics during
      prehospital care. We conducted a pilot, observational study nested within a
      parent cohort study of prehospital biomarkers in a single EMS agency transporting
      patients to a tertiary care hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania over 8 months.
      Among eligible nontrauma, noncardiac arrest patients, we studied the self
      reported IV fluid volume on ED arrival by paramedics, documented fluid volume in
      the EMS record, and compared those to the mass-derived fluid volume. We
      quantified the absolute error between methods, and determined EMS transport times
      or initial prehospital systolic blood pressure had any effect on error. We
      enrolled 50 patients who received prehospital IV fluid and had mass-derived fluid
      volume measured at ED arrival. Of these, 21 (42%) patients had IV fluid volume
      subsequently documented in EMS records. The median mass-derived fluid volume was
      393 mL [IQR: 264-618 mL]. Mass-derived volume was similar for subjects who did
      (386 mL, IQR: 271-642 mL) or did not (399 mL, IQR: 253-602) have documented fluid
      administration (p > 0.05). The median self-reported fluid volume was 250 mL [IQR:
      150-500 mL] and did not differ by documentation (p > 0.05). The median absolute
      error comparing self-reported to mass-derived fluid volume was 109 mL [IQR: 41
      205 mL], and less than 250 mL in more than 80% of subjects. The median absolute
      error comparing documented fluid to mass-derived fluid volume was 142 mL [IQR: 64
      265 mL], and was less than 250 mL in 71% of subjects. No difference in absolute
      error for either self-reported or document fluid volumes were modified by
      transport time or prehospital systolic blood pressure. Prehospital IV fluid
      administration is variably documented by EMS, and when recorded is typically
      within 250 mL of mass-derived fluid volume. KEY WORDS: emergency medical
      services; prehospital resuscitation; intravenous fluids; fluids.

PMID- 26270560
TI  - Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome Revisited.

PMID- 26270562
TI  - Gender Nonconforming Children.

PMID- 26270561
TI  - Dietary Pectin Increases Intestinal Crypt Stem Cell Survival following Radiation
      Injury.
AB  - Gastrointestinal (GI) mucosal damage is a devastating adverse effect of radiation
      therapy. We have recently reported that expression of Dclk1, a Tuft cell and
      tumor stem cell (TSC) marker, 24h after high dose total-body gamma-IR (TBI) can
      be used as a surrogate marker for crypt survival. Dietary pectin has been
      demonstrated to possess chemopreventive properties, whereas its radioprotective
      property has not been studied. The aim of this study was to determine the effects
      of dietary pectin on ionizing radiation (IR)-induced intestinal stem cell (ISC)
      deletion, crypt and overall survival following lethal TBI. C57BL/6 mice received
      a 6% pectin diet and 0.5% pectin drinking water (pre-IR mice received pectin one
      week before TBI until death; post-IR mice received pectin after TBI until death).
      Animals were exposed to TBI (14 Gy) and euthanized at 24 and 84h post-IR to
      assess ISC deletion and crypt survival respectively. Animals were also subjected
      to overall survival studies following TBI. In pre-IR treatment group, we observed
      a three-fold increase in ISC/crypt survival, a two-fold increase in Dclk1+ stem
      cells, increased overall survival (median 10d vs. 7d), and increased expression
      of Dclk1, Msi1, Lgr5, Bmi1, and Notch1 (in small intestine) post-TBI in pectin
      treated mice compared to controls. We also observed increased survival of mice
      treated with pectin (post-IR) compared to controls. Dietary pectin is a
      radioprotective agent; prevents IR-induced deletion of potential reserve ISCs;
      facilitates crypt regeneration; and ultimately promotes overall survival. Given
      the anti-cancer activity of pectin, our data support a potential role for dietary
      pectin as an agent that can be administered to patients receiving radiation
      therapy to protect against radiation-induces mucositis. 

PMID- 26270564
TI  - Lipid peroxidation and antioxidants status in human malignant and non-malignant
      thyroid tumours.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Thyroid epithelial cells produce moderate amounts of reactive
      oxygen species that are physiologically required for thyroid hormone synthesis.
      Nevertheless, when they are produced in excessive amounts, they may become toxic.
      OBJECTIVE: The present study is aimed to compare the lipid peroxidation (LPO),
      antioxidant enzymes - superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione
      peroxidase (GPx) and non-protein thiols (reduced glutathione (GSH)) in human
      thyroid tissues with malignant and non-malignant disorders. DESIGN AND METHODS:
      The study used human thyroid tissues and blood samples from 157 women (147
      diseased and 10 normal). Thyroid hormones, oxidative stress markers and
      antioxidants were estimated by standard methods. RESULTS: LPO significantly
      increased in most of the papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC: 82.9%) and follicular
      thyroid adenoma (FTA: 72.9%) tissues, whilst in a majority of nodular goitre
      (69.2%) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT: 73.7%) thyroid tissues, it remained
      unaltered. GSH increased in PTC (55.3%), remained unaltered in FTA (97.3%) and
      all other goiter samples studied. SOD increased in PTC (51.1%) and all other
      malignant thyroid tissues studied. CAT remained unaltered in PTC (95.7%), FTA
      (97.3%) and all other non-malignant samples (HT, MNG, TMNG) studied. GPx
      increased in PTC (63.8%), all other malignant thyroid tissues and remained
      unaltered in many of the FTA (91.9%) tissues and all other non-malignant samples
      (HT, MNG, TMNG) studied. CONCLUSIONS: In the case of non-malignant thyroid
      tumours, the oxidant-antioxidant balance was undisturbed, whilst in malignant
      tumours the balance was altered, and the change in r value observed in the LPO
      and SOD pairs between normal and PTC tissues and also in many pairs with multi
      nodular goitre (MNG)/toxic MNG tissues may be used as a marker to
      differentiate/detect different malignant/non-malignant thyroid tumours.

PMID- 26270566
TI  - Formation of Chlorotriophenoxy Radicals from Complete Series Reactions of
      Chlorotriophenols with H and OH Radicals.
AB  - The chlorothiophenoxy radicals (CTPRs) are key intermediate species in the
      formation of polychlorinated dibenzothiophenes/thianthrenes (PCDT/TAs). In this
      work, the formation of CTPRs from the complete series reactions of 19
      chlorothiophenol (CTP) congeners with H and OH radicals were investigated
      theoretically by using the density functional theory (DFT) method. The profiles
      of the potential energy surface were constructed at the MPWB1K/6
      311+G(3df,2p)//MPWB1K/6-31+G(d,p) level. The rate constants were evaluated by the
      canonical variational transition-state (CVT) theory with the small curvature
      tunneling (SCT) contribution at 600-1200 K. The present study indicates that the
      structural parameters, thermal data, and rate constants as well as the formation
      potential of CTPRs from CTPs are strongly dominated by the chlorine substitution
      at the ortho-position of CTPs. Comparison with the study of formation of
      chlorophenoxy radicals (CPRs) from chlorophenols (CPs) clearly shows that the
      thiophenoxyl-hydrogen abstraction from CTPs by H is more efficient than the
      phenoxyl-hydrogen abstraction from CPs by H, whereas the thiophenoxyl-hydrogen
      abstraction from CTPs by OH is less impactful than the phenoxyl-hydrogen
      abstraction from CPs by OH. Reactions of CTPs with H can occur more readily than
      that of CTPs with OH, which is opposite to the reactivity comparison of CPs with
      H and OH. 

PMID- 26270567
TI  - Asymmetric Intramolecular Conjugate Addition Nitro-Mannich Route to cis-2-Aryl-3
      nitrotetrahydroquinolines.
AB  - Reductive cyclization of 2-iminonitrostyrenes (from the condensation of 2
      aminostyrenes with an aldehyde and subsequent nitration of the alkene) using a
      bifunctional thiourea catalyst and tert-butyl-Hantzsch ester leads to an
      intramolecular conjugate hydride addition nitro-Mannich reaction to give the
      corresponding cis-2-aryl-3-nitrotetrahydroquinolines as single diastereoisomers
      in high yields and enantioselectivities. 

PMID- 26270563
TI  - Heart Rate Variability as an Indicator of Chronic Stress Caused by Lameness in
      Dairy Cows.
AB  - Most experimental studies on animal stress physiology have focused on acute
      stress, while chronic stress, which is also encountered in intensive dairy cattle
      farming--e.g. in case of lameness--, has received little attention. We
      investigated heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) as indicators of
      the autonomic nervous system activity and fecal glucocorticoid concentrations as
      the indicator of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity in lame (with
      locomotion scores 4 and 5; n = 51) and non-lame (with locomotion scores 1 and 2;
      n = 52) Holstein-Friesian cows. Data recorded during the periods of undisturbed
      lying--representing baseline cardiac activity--were involved in the analysis.
      Besides linear analysis methods of the cardiac inter-beat interval (time-domain
      geometric, frequency domain and Poincare analyses) non-linear HRV parameters were
      also evaluated. With the exception of standard deviation 1 (SD1), all HRV indices
      were affected by lameness. Heart rate was lower in lame cows than in non-lame
      ones. Vagal tone parameters were higher in lame cows than in non-lame animals,
      while indices of the sympathovagal balance reflected on a decreased sympathetic
      activity in lame cows. All geometric and non-linear HRV measures were lower in
      lame cows compared to non-lame ones suggesting that chronic stress influenced
      linear and non-linear characteristics of cardiac function. Lameness had no effect
      on fecal glucocorticoid concentrations. Our results demonstrate that HRV analysis
      is a reliable method in the assessment of chronic stress, however, it requires
      further studies to fully understand the elevated parasympathetic and decreased
      sympathetic tone in lame animals.

PMID- 26270569
TI  - Connectivity.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Connectivity is a technique that uses functional MRI (fMRI) to
      explore global brain function in healthy and diseased states. Connectivity is now
      being studied as a part of global brain function in major national and
      international studies. It is, therefore, timely to review its relevance to
      anaesthesia. RECENT FINDINGS: Dynamic connectivity in the brain, which transcends
      anatomical boundaries, links functionally related regions. Clinical
      manifestations in neuropsychiatric diseases such has Alzheimer's disease and
      schizophrenia can be explained on the basis of altered connectivity patterns in
      the brain. Anaesthetic agents primarily disrupt long-range networks and affect
      the higher order networks linked to cognition causing cognitive unbinding in the
      brain. Lower-order, basic sensorimotor networks are less sensitive. Normal ageing
      causes alterations in connectivity that affects the default mode network (DMN)
      and certain other networks, which in turn impair fluidic measures of brain
      function such as reaction time, dual task performance and executive function in
      elderly. SUMMARY: Higher mental function related networks such as the DMN, the
      executive control network and salience are more sensitive to anaesthesia. In
      geriatric patients, the DMN is impaired, which affects cognition. Hence, the
      combined effect of age and anaesthesia in elderly on mental function can cause
      significant postoperative cognitive impairment.

PMID- 26270570
TI  - Standard Protocol and Quality Assessment of Soil Phosphorus Speciation by P K
      Edge XANES Spectroscopy.
AB  - Phosphorus (P) in soils is most often bound as phosphate to one or more of the
      following four elements or compounds: calcium, aluminum, iron, and soil organic
      matter. A promising method for direct P speciation in soils is synchrotron-based
      X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy at the K-edge of P.
      However, the quality of this method is debated controversially, partly because a
      standard protocol for reproducible spectrum deconvolution is lacking and minor
      modifications of the applied deconvolution procedure can lead to considerable
      changes in the P speciation results. On the basis of the observation that
      appropriate baseline correction and edge-step normalization are crucial for
      correct linear combination (LC) fitting results, we established a standard
      protocol for the deconvolution and LC fitting of P K-edge XANES spectra. We
      evaluated the quality of LC fits obtained according to this standard protocol
      with 16 defined dilute (2 mg P g(-1)) ternary mixtures of aluminum phosphate,
      iron phosphate, hydroxyapatite, and phytic acid in a quartz matrix. The LC
      fitting results were compared with the contribution of the different P compounds
      to total P in the various mixtures. Compared to using a traditional LC fitting
      procedure, our standard protocol reduced the fitting error by 6% (absolute).
      However, P portions smaller than 5% should be confirmed with other methods or
      excluded from the P speciation results. A publicly available database of P K-edge
      XANES reference spectra was initiated. 

PMID- 26270568
TI  - Fragment Binding Can Be Either More Enthalpy-Driven or Entropy-Driven: Crystal
      Structures and Residual Hydration Patterns Suggest Why.
AB  - In lead optimization, small, enthalpically advantaged fragments have been
      suggested to be superior, as an entropic component will be added inevitably
      during late-stage optimization. Determination of thermodynamic signatures of weak
      binding fragments is essential to support the decision-making process, to decide
      which fragment to take to further optimization. High-resolution crystal
      structures of six fragments binding to the S1 pocket of thrombin were determined
      and analyzed with respect to their thermodynamic profile. The two most potent
      fragments exhibiting an amidine-type scaffold are not the most enthalpic binders;
      instead a chloro-thiophene fragment binds more enthalpically. Two chemically very
      similar chloro-aromatic fragments differ strongly in their potency (430 MUM vs 10
      mM); their binding modes are related, but the surrounding residual water network
      differs. The more potent one recruits a water molecule and involves Glu192 in
      binding, thus succeeding in firmly capping the S1 pocket. Fragments exhibiting a
      rather perfect solvation pattern in their binding mode also experience the
      highest potency. 

PMID- 26270571
TI  - Nuclear bioavailability of the glucocorticoid receptor in a pediatric asthma
      cohort with variable corticosteroid responsiveness.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite the overall effectiveness of glucocorticoids (GCs) in the
      treatment of asthma, a large proportion of patients do not fully respond to this
      medication. The objective of the present study was to investigate the potential
      molecular mechanisms responsible for corticosteroid insensitivity in pediatric
      asthma. METHODS: Asthmatic children were classified as good (GSR) or poor
      corticosteroid responders (PSR) based on the changes in pulmonary function
      following GC treatment. Immortalized B-cells derived from patients at two ends of
      the spectrum of GC responsiveness (five each) were grown in culture and treated
      with hydrocortisone (10(-6)M). Baseline and temporal changes in GC receptor (GR)
      protein and mRNA were evaluated by western blot and quantitative reverse
      transcription PCR respectively. The effect of GC treatment on GR nuclear levels
      was assessed by western blots. RESULTS: Cells derived from PSR asthmatics
      displayed lower GR protein levels when compared to GSR. Moreover, in PSR cells GC
      induced nuclear translocation of GR was short-lived and homologous downregulation
      of GR mRNA and protein was faster than in GSR. CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrate
      the existence of a novel mechanism of GC insensitivity resulting from limited GR
      nuclear bioavailability as a consequence of decreased baseline GR protein
      expression and more rapid hormone-induced downregulation.

PMID- 26270572
TI  - Necrotizing enterocolitis in a mouse model leads to widespread renal
      inflammation, acute kidney injury, and disruption of renal tight junction
      proteins.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a devastating condition affecting
      premature infants and leads to high mortality and chronic morbidity. Severe form
      of NEC is associated with acute renal failure, fluid imbalance, hyponatremia, and
      acidosis. We investigated the effect of NEC on tight junction (TJ) proteins in
      kidneys using a NEC mouse model to investigate the basis for the observed renal
      dysfunction. METHODS: NEC was induced in C57BL/6 mice by formula feeding and
      subjecting them to periods of hypoxia and cold stress. NEC was confirmed by gross
      and histological examination. We studied various markers of inflammation in
      kidneys and investigated changes in expression of several TJ proteins and AQP2
      using immunofluorecent staining and western blotting. RESULTS: We found markedly
      increased expression of NFkappaB, TGFbeta, and ERK1/2 along with claudin-1, -2, 
      3, -4, -8, and AQP-2 in NEC kidneys. The membrane localization of claudin-2 was
      altered in the NEC kidneys and its immunostaining signal at TJ was disrupted.
      CONCLUSION: NEC led to a severe inflammatory response not only in the gut but
      also in the kidneys. NEC increased expression of several TJ proteins and caused
      disruption of claudin-2 in renal tubules. These observed changes can help explain
      some of the clinical findings observed in NEC.

PMID- 26270565
TI  - Scanning for Therapeutic Targets within the Cytokine Network of Idiopathic
      Inflammatory Myopathies.
AB  - The idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) constitute a heterogeneous group of
      chronic disorders that include dermatomyositis (DM), polymyositis (PM), sporadic
      inclusion body myositis (IBM) and necrotizing autoimmune myopathy (NAM). They
      represent distinct pathological entities that, most often, share predominant
      inflammation in muscle tissue. Many of the immunopathogenic processes behind the
      IIM remain poorly understood, but the crucial role of cytokines as essential
      regulators of the intramuscular build-up of inflammation is undisputed. This
      review describes the extensive cytokine network within IIM muscle, characterized
      by strong expression of Tumor Necrosis Factors (TNFalpha, LTbeta, BAFF),
      Interferons (IFNalpha/beta/gamma), Interleukins (IL-1/6/12/15/18/23) and
      Chemokines (CXCL9/10/11/13, CCL2/3/4/8/19/21). Current therapeutic strategies and
      the exploration of potential disease modifying agents based on manipulation of
      the cytokine network are provided. Reported responses to anti-TNFalpha treatment
      in IIM are conflicting and new onset DM/PM has been described after
      administration of anti-TNFalpha agents to treat other diseases, pointing to the
      complex effects of TNFalpha neutralization. Treatment with anti-IFNalpha has been
      shown to suppress the IFN type 1 gene signature in DM/PM patients and improve
      muscle strength. Beneficial effects of anti-IL-1 and anti-IL-6 therapy have also
      been reported. Cytokine profiling in IIM aids the development of therapeutic
      strategies and provides approaches to subtype patients for treatment outcome
      prediction. 

PMID- 26270574
TI  - Evaluation of kidney dysfunction and angiotensinogen as an early novel biomarker
      of intrauterine growth restricted offspring rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Few studies have addressed the growing concerns of chronic kidney
      diseases in children with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Therefore, the
      purpose of this study was to evaluate long-term kidney dysfunction and determine
      if urinary angiotensinogen (AGT) was suitable as a novel early biomarker for
      kidney dysfunction in IUGR offspring. METHODS: Pregnant rats underwent bilateral
      uterine artery ligation, and as a control group, sham surgeries were performed.
      RESULTS: The birth weight was reduced, the urinary AGT to creatinine ratio was
      significantly higher at week 20, and urinary protein levels were significantly
      higher at week 32 in IUGR rats than in control rats. On the other hand, the
      histological findings at week 32 revealed long-term kidney dysfunction, more
      severe glomerulosclerosis, and greater glomerular diameters in IUGR rats.
      Moreover, AGT mRNA expression and immunohistological staining were significantly
      increased in IUGR rats; this suggests that the intrarenal renin-angiotensin
      system (RAS) contributes to renal dysfunction of IUGR offspring. CONCLUSION:
      Urinary AGT elevation prior to urinary protein levels suggests that AGT is an
      early biomarker. At week 32, kidney dysfunction was severe in IUGR rats and
      intrarenal RAS appeared to be one of the causes.

PMID- 26270575
TI  - Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids attenuate the IL-1beta-induced
      proinflammatory response in human fetal intestinal epithelial cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests that excessive inflammation of the immature
      intestine may predispose premature infants to necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). We
      investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA),
      eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and arachidonic acid (ARA) in human fetal and adult
      intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) in primary culture. METHODS: Human fetal IEC in
      culture were derived from a healthy fetal small intestine (H4) or resected small
      intestine of a neonate with NEC (NEC-IEC). Intestinal cell lines Caco2 and NCM460
      in culture were used as models for mature IEC. IEC in culture were pretreated
      with 100 umol/l palmitic acid (PAL), DHA, EPA, ARA, or ARA+DHA for 48 h and then
      stimulated with proinflammatory IL-1beta. RESULTS: DHA significantly attenuated
      IL-1beta induced proinflammatory IL-8 and IL-6 protein and mRNA in fetal H4, NEC
      IEC, and mature Caco2, NCM460 IEC, compared to control and PAL treatment. DHA
      downregulated IL-1R1 (IL-1beta receptor) and NFk beta1 mRNA expression in fetal
      and adult IEC. ARA had potent anti-inflammatory effects with lower IL-8 and IL-6
      (protein and mRNA) in fetal H4 but not in NEC-IEC or adult IEC. CONCLUSION: The
      present study provides evidence that DHA and ARA may have important anti
      inflammatory functions for prevention of NEC in premature infants.

PMID- 26270573
TI  - Low-glycemic index diet may improve insulin sensitivity in obese children.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A low-glycemic index (GI) diet may be beneficial for weight
      management due to its effect on insulin metabolism and satiety. METHODS: Obese
      children aged 9-16 y were randomly assigned either a low-GI diet or a low-fat
      diet (control group) for 6 mo. Body composition changes were measured by dual
      energy X-ray absorptiometry and bioelectrical impedance analysis. Insulin
      sensitivity was measured by fasting plasma glucose and insulin. RESULTS: Fifty
      two participants completed the study (mean age: 12.0 +/- 2.0 y, 35 boys); both
      groups showed significantly decreased BMI z-score but similar changes in fat and
      fat-free mass. The low-GI group demonstrated a significant decline in fasting
      plasma insulin (22.2 +/- 14.3 to 13.7 +/- 10.9 mU/l; P = 0.004) and homeostatic
      model of assessment-insulin resistance (4.8 +/- 3.3 to 2.9 +/- 2.3; P = 0.007),
      whereas the control group did not. However, general linear model showed no
      significant difference in insulin resistance between groups after adjusting for
      baseline levels, suggesting that the greater reduction in insulin resistance in
      the low-GI group may be explained by higher baseline values. CONCLUSION: Despite
      subtle effects on body composition, a low-GI diet may improve insulin sensitivity
      in obese children with high baseline insulin. A bigger study in obese children
      with insulin resistance could be worthwhile to confirm our findings.

PMID- 26270576
TI  - Gestational and postnatal modulation of esophageal sphincter reflexes in human
      premature neonates.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Effects of gestational age (GA) and postnatal maturation on upper and
      lower esophageal sphincter (UES and LES) reflex development remain unclear. We
      hypothesized very-preterm (VPT) born neonates (< 32 wk GA) have delayed
      maturation of UES contractile reflex (UESCR) and LES relaxation reflex (LESRR)
      vs. preterm (PT) born (32-37 wk GA) neonates. METHODS: Using provocative
      manometry, effects of 1,263 graded mid-esophageal stimuli (air, liquid) on
      sensory-motor characteristics of UESCR and LESRR were investigated in 24 VPT-born
      and 12 PT-born neonates (37.8 +/- 0.6 vs. 38.9 +/- 0.4 wk postmenstrual age
      respectively, P = 0.14). RESULTS: In response to liquid stimuli (vs. air), VPT
      born neonates displayed prolonged UESCR and LESRR response latencies (P < 0.001)
      and prolonged UESCR and LESRR durations (P < 0.01); unlike PT-born neonates, who
      exhibit prolonged LESRR response latency (P < 0.01), but similar UESCR and LESRR
      durations (P = 0.2). Differences were noted in LESRR duration in VPT vs. PT
      neonates for air stimuli (P = 0.04). With liquid stimuli, increasing GA was
      associated with decreasing response onset latencies to UESCR and LESRR (P <
      0.05), and increasing LESRR duration (P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Using GA as
      categorical or continuous variable, vagus-mediated mechano-sensitive and liquid
      sensitive reflex characteristics of UESCR and LESRR are distinct; LESRR differs
      with varying intrauterine maturation suggesting inhibitory modulation progresses
      with advancing maturation.

PMID- 26270577
TI  - Assessment of long-term safety and efficacy of intranasal mesenchymal stem cell
      treatment for neonatal brain injury in the mouse.
AB  - BACKGROUND: For clinical translation, we assessed whether intranasal mesenchymal
      stem cell (MSC) treatment after hypoxia-ischemia (HI) induces neoplasia in the
      brain or periphery at 14 mo. Furthermore, the long-term effects of MSCs on
      behavior and lesion size were determined. METHOD: HI was induced in 9-d-old mice.
      Pups received an intranasal administration of 0.5 * 10(6) MSCs or vehicle at 10 d
      post-HI. Full macroscopical and microscopical pathological analysis of 39 organs
      per mouse was performed. Sensorimotor behavior was assessed in the cylinder
      rearing test at 10 d, 28 d, 6 mo, and 9 mo. Cognition was measured with the novel
      object recognition test at 3 and 14 mo post-HI. Lesion size was determined by
      analyzing mouse-anti-microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) and mouse-anti
      myelin basic protein (MBP) staining at 5 wk and 14 mo. RESULTS: At 14 mo post-HI,
      we did not observe any neoplasia in the nasal turbinates, brain, or other organs
      of HI mice treated with MSCs. Furthermore, our results show that MSC-induced
      improvement of sensorimotor and cognitive function is long lasting. In contrast,
      HI-vehicle mice showed severe behavioral impairment. Recovery of MAP2- and MBP
      positive area lasted up to 14 mo following MSC treatment. CONCLUSION: Our results
      provide strong evidence of the long-term safety and positive effects of MSC
      treatment following neonatal HI in mice.

PMID- 26270578
TI  - Serum eotaxin-1 is increased in extremely-low-birth-weight infants with
      bronchopulmonary dysplasia or death.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Early systemic inflammation in extremely-low-birth-weight (ELBW)
      infants is associated with an increased risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).
      Our objective was to identify circulating biomarkers and develop prediction
      models for BPD/death soon after birth. METHODS: Blood samples from postnatal day
      1 were analyzed for C-reactive protein (CRP) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
      and for 39 cytokines/chemokines by a multiplex assay in 152 ELBW infants. The
      primary outcome was physiologic BPD or death by 36 wk. CRP, cytokines, and
      clinical variables available at <=24 h were used for forward stepwise regression
      and Classification and Regression Tree (CART) analysis to identify predictors of
      BPD/death. RESULTS: Overall, 24% developed BPD and 35% died or developed BPD.
      Regression analysis identified birth weight and eotaxin (CCL11) as the two most
      significant variables. CART identified FiO2 at 24 h (11% BPD/death if FiO2 <=28%,
      49% if >28%) and eotaxin in infants with FiO2 > 28% (29% BPD/death if eotaxin was
      <=84 pg/ml; 65% if >84) as variables most associated with outcome. CONCLUSION:
      Eotaxin measured on the day of birth is useful for identifying ELBW infants at
      risk of BPD/death. Further investigation is required to determine if eotaxin is
      involved in lung injury and pathogenesis of BPD.

PMID- 26270580
TI  - Liquid scintillation counting methodology for (99)Tc analysis: a remedy for
      radiopharmaceutical waste.
AB  - This paper presents a new approach for liquid scintillation counting (LSC)
      analysis of single-radionuclide samples containing appreciable organic or
      inorganic quench. This work offers better analytical results than existing LSC
      methods for technetium-99 ((99g)Tc) analysis with significant savings in analysis
      cost and time. The method was developed to quantify (99g)Tc in environmental
      liquid and urine samples using LSC. Method efficiency was measured in the
      presence of 1.9 to 11 900 ppm total dissolved solids. The resultant quench curve
      proved to be effective for quantifying spiked (99g)Tc activity in deionized
      water, tap water, groundwater, seawater, and urine samples. Counting efficiency
      was found to be 91.66% for Ultima Gold LLT (ULG-LLT) and Ultima Gold (ULG).
      Relative error in spiked (99g)Tc samples was +/-3.98% in ULG and ULG-LLT
      cocktails. Minimum detectable activity was determined to be 25.3 and 22.7 mBq for
      ULG-LLT and ULG cocktails, respectively. A preconcentration factor of 1000 was
      achieved at 100  degrees C for 100% chemical recovery. 

PMID- 26270579
TI  - Augmented cardiovascular responses to episodes of repetitive compared with
      isolated respiratory events in preschool children with sleep-disordered
      breathing.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Childhood sleep disordered breathing (SDB) presents as isolated
      respiratory events or episodes of consecutive repetitive events. We hypothesized
      that the surge in blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) would be greater at the
      termination of events during episodes of repetitive events than following
      isolated events. METHODS: % change in HR and pulse transit time (PTT; inverse
      surrogate of BP) were calculated from the last half of an event to: (i) between
      successive repetitive events; (ii) termination of the last repetitive event;
      (iii) event termination for isolated events. RESULTS: 69% of the children
      exhibiting both isolated and repetitive events had more repetitive than isolated
      events. %HR change between repetitive events (27 +/- 1%) was greater than at
      event termination for isolated events (17 +/- 1%; P < 0.001). %PTT change at the
      termination of the last repetitive event (-8 +/- 2%) was greater than at the
      termination of isolated events (-2 +/- 2%; P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Episodes of
      repetitive respiratory events evoke a greater acute cardiovascular response,
      including surges in BP and HR between events, than do isolated events. Given that
      the majority of respiratory events in preschool children occur as repetitive
      episodes, this finding should be taken into account when assessing the impact of
      respiratory events for a given child.

PMID- 26270582
TI  - Should we use gabapentin for postoperative pain control?

PMID- 26270581
TI  - Histamine H4 receptor activation alleviates neuropathic pain through differential
      regulation of ERK, JNK, and P38 MAPK phosphorylation.
AB  - Histamine plays a complex role in pain modulation with opposite roles in
      nociception for histamine receptor subtypes 1, 2, and 3. The histamine H4
      receptor (H4R) is expressed primarily on cells involved in inflammation and
      immune responses with a proinflammatory activity, but little is known about the
      role in nociception of neuronal H4R. To investigate the effects of neuronal H4R
      in pain transmission, the effects produced by the H4R agonist ST-1006 were
      detected in the spared nerve injury model of neuropathic pain. ST-1006
      counteracted mechanical allodynia in neuropathic mice, an effect prevented by the
      H4R antagonist JNJ 10191584. In spared nerve injury mice, an early over
      phosphorylation of ERK1 and ERK2 was observed in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG),
      spinal cord, and sciatic nerve. A progressive and long-lasting activation of JNK1
      was observed in the sciatic nerve and, to a lesser extent, in the spinal cord and
      DRG. An increased p-P38 content was detected in the spinal cord and DRG, with no
      modification in the sciatic nerve. Administration of ST-1006 prevented
      phosphorylation of all 3 MAPK within DRG, and phosphorylation of ERK1, ERK2, and
      pJNK1 in the sciatic nerve. In the spinal cord, the H4R agonist prevented
      selectively the pERK2 increase with no effect on pJNK1 and p-P38 levels. Double
      immunofluorescence experiments showed a neuronal localization and site of action
      for H4R. These findings suggest a prevalent modulation of ERK activity after H4R
      stimulation and indicate the DRG as prominent site of action for H4R-mediated
      antineuropathic activity. Targeting neuronal H4R with selective agonists could
      have therapeutic potential for neuropathic pain treatment. 

PMID- 26270583
TI  - Protein kinase C gamma-mediated phosphorylation of GluA1 in the postsynaptic
      density of spinal dorsal horn neurons accompanies neuropathic pain, and
      dephosphorylation by calcineurin is associated with prolonged analgesia.
AB  - Loss of calcineurin (protein phosphatase 3) activity and protein content in the
      postsynaptic density (PSD) of spinal dorsal horn neurons was associated with pain
      behavior after chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the rat sciatic nerve, and
      intrathecal administration of the phosphatase provided prolonged analgesia
      (Miletic et al. 2013). In this study, we examined whether one consequence of the
      loss of calcineurin was the persistent phosphorylation of the GluA1 subunit of
      alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropioinic acid (AMPAR) receptors in
      the PSD. This would allow continual activation of AMPAR receptors at the synapse
      to help maintain a long-lasting enhancement of synaptic function, ie, neuropathic
      pain. We also investigated if the phosphorylation was mediated by protein kinase
      A (PKA), protein kinase C gamma (PKCgamma), or calcium-calmodulin dependent
      kinase II (CaMKII), and if the prolonged calcineurin analgesia was associated
      with GluA1 dephosphorylation. Mechanical thresholds and thermal latencies were
      obtained before CCI. Seven days later, the behavioral testing was repeated before
      saline, calcineurin, or the specific peptide inhibitors of PKA (PKI-tide),
      PKCgamma (PKC 19-31), or CaMKII (autocamtide-2-related inhibitory peptide) were
      injected intrathecally. The behavior was retested before the animals were
      euthanized and their PSD isolated. All CCI animals developed mechanical and
      thermal hypersensitivity. This was associated with phosphorylation of GluA1 in
      the ipsilateral PSD at Ser831 (but not Ser845) by PKCgamma and not by PKA or
      CaMKII. Intrathecal treatment with calcineurin provided prolonged analgesia, and
      this was accompanied by GluA1 dephosphorylation. Therapy with calcineurin may
      prove useful in the prolonged clinical management of well-established neuropathic
      pain. 

PMID- 26270584
TI  - Learned control over spinal nociception reduces supraspinal nociception as
      quantified by late somatosensory evoked potentials.
AB  - We have recently shown that subjects can learn to use cognitive-emotional
      strategies to suppress their spinal nociceptive flexor reflex (RIII reflex) under
      visual RIII feedback and proposed that this reflects learned activation of
      descending pain inhibition. Here, we investigated whether learned RIII
      suppression also affects supraspinal nociception and whether previous relaxation
      training increases success. Subjects were trained over 3 sessions to reduce their
      RIII size by self-selected cognitive-emotional strategies. Two groups received
      true RIII feedback (with or without previous relaxation training) and a sham
      group received false feedback (15 subjects per group). RIII reflexes, late
      somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs), and F-waves were recorded and pain
      intensity ratings collected. Both true feedback groups achieved significant (P <
      0.01) but similar RIII suppression (to 79% +/- 21% and 70% +/- 17% of control).
      Somatosensory evoked potential amplitude (100-150 milliseconds after stimulation)
      was reduced in parallel with the RIII size (r = 0.57, P < 0.01). In the sham
      group, neither RIII size nor SEP amplitude was significantly reduced during
      feedback training. Pain intensity was significantly reduced in all 3 groups and
      also correlated with RIII reduction (r = 0.44, P < 0.01). F-wave parameters were
      not affected during RIII suppression. The present results show that learned RIII
      suppression also affects supraspinal nociception as quantified by SEPs, although
      effects on pain ratings were less clear. Lower motor neuron excitability as
      quantified by F-waves was not affected. Previous relaxation training did not
      significantly improve RIII feedback training success. 

PMID- 26270585
TI  - Men, masculinity, and pain.

PMID- 26270586
TI  - Preoperative dexamethasone reduces acute but not sustained pain after lumbar disk
      surgery: a randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled trial.
AB  - Glucocorticoids have attracted increasing attention as adjuvants in the treatment
      of acute postoperative pain. Furthermore, anecdotal reports may support
      glucocorticoids for preventing sustained postoperative pain. We explored
      preoperative dexamethasone combined with paracetamol and ibuprofen on acute and
      sustained pain after lumbar disk surgery. In this blinded study, 160 patients
      undergoing lumbar disk surgery were randomly assigned to 16 mg IV dexamethasone
      or placebo. All patients received perioperative paracetamol and ibuprofen, and
      postoperative IV patient-controlled analgesia with morphine. Primary outcome was
      pain during mobilization (visual analog scale) 2 to 24 hours postoperatively.
      Secondary outcomes were acute pain at rest, morphine consumption, nausea,
      vomiting, ondansetron consumption, sedation, and quality of sleep. Patients were
      followed up by written questionnaire 3 months postoperatively. Acute pain during
      mobilization (weighted average area under the curve, 2-24 hours) was
      significantly reduced in the dexamethasone group: 33 (22) mm vs placebo 43 (18)
      mm, (95% confidence interval [CI] 3-16) P = 0.005. Vomiting 0 to 24 hours
      postoperatively was reduced in the dexamethasone group (17 episodes) vs placebo
      (51 episodes) P = 0.036. No other differences were observed. However, 6.5% (95%
      CI 2-15) in the dexamethasone group vs placebo 0% had an antibiotically treated
      wound infection (P = 0.13). Sixteen percent (95% CI 7-26) vs 8% (95% CI 0-17)
      reported new weakness/paralysis of the legs in the dexamethasone and placebo
      groups, respectively, 3 months postoperatively (P = 0.20). In conclusion,
      preoperative dexamethasone significantly reduced pain during mobilization and
      vomiting, after lumbar disk surgery. No significant effects were observed 3
      months postoperatively. 

PMID- 26270587
TI  - Inhibition of the primary sensorimotor cortex by topical anesthesia of the
      forearm in patients with complex regional pain syndrome.
AB  - Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) type I is characterized by somatosensory
      and motor deficits, and abnormalities have been reported for primary
      somatosensory (S1) and motor cortex (M1) excitability. For the latter, reduced
      short-latency intracortical inhibition (SICI) has been demonstrated in the
      somatotopic representation of the affected side. Recently, an intervention of
      applying anesthetic cream to the forearm has been shown to modulate both
      somatosensory deficits (eg, spatial tactile resolution [STR]) and SICI measured
      in hand muscles. We examined the efficacy of this intervention in patients with
      CRPS I. Cutaneous anesthesia of the forearm of the affected side was used to
      increase SICI of hand muscles and decrease impaired STR of the affected limb. In
      a double-blinded placebo-controlled study, we enrolled 12 patients with
      unilateral CRPS I of the hand in the chronic state. Before and after
      intervention, we measured motor evoked potentials of the first dorsal interosseus
      to obtain SICI and STR of both hand sides. Patients showed decreased STR on the
      tip of the thumb of their affected side, which improved after anesthetic cream
      but not after placebo application. Hand motor function of the affected side
      improved after anesthetic cream but not after placebo. Pain intensity was not
      modulated after intervention. At both hemispheres, SICI was decreased compared
      with reference values but selectively increased at the intervention side only
      after analgesic cream and not after placebo. Temporary deafferentation of an area
      neighbouring the CRPS-affected region can modulate neuropathological
      characteristics of CRPS and might be a promising strategy for therapeutic
      interventions. 

PMID- 26270588
TI  - Involvement of peripheral artemin signaling in tongue pain: possible mechanism in
      burning mouth syndrome.
AB  - Burning mouth syndrome is characterized by altered sensory qualities, namely
      tongue pain hypersensitivity. We found that the mRNA expression of Artemin (Artn)
      in the tongue mucosa of patients with burning mouth syndrome was significantly
      higher than that of control subjects, and we developed a mouse model of burning
      mouth syndrome by application of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)
      diluted with 50% ethanol to the dorsum of the tongue. TNBS treatment to the
      tongue induced persistent, week-long, noninflammatory tongue pain and a
      significant increase in Artn expression in the tongue mucosa and marked tongue
      heat hyperalgesia. Following TNBS treatment, the successive administration of the
      transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) antagonist SB366791 or
      neutralizing anti-Artn antibody completely inhibited the heat hyperalgesia. The
      number of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor family receptor alpha3
      (GFRalpha3)-positive and TRPV1-positive trigeminal ganglion (TG) neurons
      innervating the tongue significantly increased following TNBS treatment and was
      significantly reduced by successive administration of neutralizing anti-Artn
      antibody. The capsaicin-induced current in TG neurons innervating the tongue was
      enhanced following TNBS treatment and was inhibited by local administration of
      neutralizing anti-Artn antibody to the tongue. These results suggest that the
      overexpression of Artn in the TNBS-treated tongue increases the membrane
      excitability of TG neurons innervating the tongue by increasing TRPV1
      sensitivity, which causes heat hyperalgesia. This model may be useful for the
      study of tongue pain hypersensitivity associated with burning mouth syndrome. 

PMID- 26270589
TI  - The influence of offset analgesia on the onset and offset of pain in patients
      with fibromyalgia.
AB  - Offset analgesia (OA) is a form of endogenous pain inhibition characterized by a
      disproportionately large reduction in pain perception after a small decrease in
      temperature during noxious thermal stimulation. In this study, the presence of OA
      was evaluated in patients with fibromyalgia and compared with healthy age-matched
      and sex-matched controls. Offset analgesia was induced by noxious thermal
      stimulation on the arm, causing a visual analog score (VAS) of about 50 mm,
      followed by a 1 degrees C temperature decrease. The OA response is defined by the
      reduction in VAS induced by the 1 degrees C stimulus decrease. To assess whether
      the OA response could be enhanced, 2 tests were applied: repetition of the OA
      paradigm and 1 degrees C temperature downward steps after an initial OA test
      (downward step test). To assess whether OA affects onset of pain, OA steps at
      increasing temperatures (upward OA step test) were applied. Patients with
      fibromyalgia had reduced OA responses with a reduction in VAS of 65.3 +/- 4.5%
      (mean +/- SD) vs controls 97.8 +/- 4.6% (P < 0.001). Decreased OA responses were
      not enhanced or restored by repeating the OA paradigm or by the downward step
      test. Defective engagement of OA had a significant effect on pain onset, as
      observed from the upward OA step test, with less tolerability to noxious pain
      stimulation in patients with fibromyalgia. In conclusion, patients with
      fibromyalgia showed less pain inhibition as measured by the OA paradigm, which
      influenced both the onset and offset of pain. 

PMID- 26270590
TI  - Striatal-enriched protein tyrosine phosphatase modulates nociception: evidence
      from genetic deletion and pharmacological inhibition.
AB  - The information from nociceptors is processed in the dorsal horn of the spinal
      cord by complex circuits involving excitatory and inhibitory interneurons. It is
      well documented that GluN2B and ERK1/2 phosphorylation contributes to central
      sensitization. Striatal-enriched protein tyrosine phosphatase (STEP)
      dephosphorylates GluN2B and ERK1/2, promoting internalization of GluN2B and
      inactivation of ERK1/2. The activity of STEP was modulated by genetic (STEP
      knockout mice) and pharmacological (recently synthesized STEP inhibitor, TC-2153)
      approaches. STEP(61) protein levels in the lumbar spinal cord were determined in
      male and female mice of different ages. Inflammatory pain was induced by complete
      Freund's adjuvant injection. Behavioral tests, immunoblotting, and
      electrophysiology were used to analyze the effect of STEP on nociception. Our
      results show that both genetic deletion and pharmacological inhibition of STEP
      induced thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia, which were accompanied by
      increased pGluN2B(Tyr1472) and pERK1/2(Thr202/Tyr204)levels in the lumbar spinal
      cord. Striatal-enriched protein tyrosine phosphatase heterozygous and knockout
      mice presented a similar phenotype. Furthermore, electrophysiological experiments
      showed that TC-2153 increased C fiber-evoked spinal field potentials.
      Interestingly, we found that STEP(61) protein levels in the lumbar spinal cord
      inversely correlated with thermal hyperalgesia associated with age and female
      gender in mice. Consistently, STEP knockout mice failed to show age-related
      thermal hyperalgesia, although gender-related differences were preserved.
      Moreover, in a model of inflammatory pain, hyperalgesia was associated with
      increased phosphorylation-mediated STEP(61) inactivation and increased
      pGluN2B(Tyr1472) and pERK1/2(Thr202/Tyr204)levels in the lumbar spinal cord.
      Collectively, the present results underscore an important role of spinal STEP
      activity in the modulation of nociception.

PMID- 26270591
TI  - A systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence of chronic widespread
      pain in the general population.
AB  - Chronic widespread pain (CWP) is common and associated with poor general health.
      There has been no attempt to derive a robust prevalence estimate of CWP or assess
      how this is influenced by sociodemographic factors. This study therefore aimed to
      determine, through a systematic review and meta-analysis, the prevalence of CWP
      in the adult general population and explore variation in prevalence by age, sex,
      geographical location, and criteria used to define CWP. MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL,
      and AMED were searched using a search strategy combining key words and related
      database-specific subject terms to identify relevant cohort or cross-sectional
      studies published since 1990. Included articles were assessed for risk of bias.
      Prevalence figures for CWP (American College of Rheumatology criteria) were
      stratified according to geographical location, age, and sex. Potential sources of
      variation were investigated using subgroup analyses and meta-regression. Twenty
      five articles met the eligibility criteria. Estimates for CWP prevalence ranged
      from 0% to 24%, with most estimates between 10% and 15%. The random-effects
      pooled prevalence was 10.6% (95% confidence intervals: 8.6-12.9). When only
      studies at low risk of bias were considered pooled, prevalence increased to 11.8%
      (95% confidence intervals: 10.3-13.3), with reduced but still high heterogeneity.
      Prevalence was higher in women and in those aged more than 40 years. There was
      some limited evidence of geographic variation and cultural differences. One in 10
      adults in the general population report chronic widespread pain with possible
      sociocultural variation. The possibility of cultural differences in pain
      reporting should be considered in future research and the clinical assessment of
      painful conditions. 

PMID- 26270593
TI  - Aspirin response: Differences in serum thromboxane B2 levels between clinical
      studies.
AB  - Serum thromboxane B2 (TxB2) is a specific marker of platelet inhibition by
      aspirin. Yet, TxB2 levels differ by up to 10-fold between some aspirin-treated
      patient cohorts. This study aimed to identify factors responsible for differences
      in serum TxB2 between cohorts in the ADRIE study (n = 657) and the BOSTON study
      (n = 678) of aspirin-treated cardiovascular patients originally tested with
      different ELISA assays. TxB2 levels were assessed in representative subgroups of
      the two cohorts (34 samples in BOSTON and 39 in ADRIE) by both ELISAs, as well as
      liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectroscopy (MS). A multivariate analysis
      was performed on the whole cohort database to identify determinants of the
      difference of TxB2 levels between cohorts. There was no systematic bias between
      the original ELISA TxB2 values and the MS values and the median difference was
      small, 0.12 ng/ml, thus not explaining the difference between median TxB2 levels
      in the two study populations (7 and 0.6 ng/ml in the ADRIE and BOSTON studies,
      respectively). In the combined dataset of the ADRIE and BOSTON cohorts (n =
      1342), body mass index, age, gender, aspirin dose, time from aspirin intake to
      blood draw, NSAID intake, platelet count and C-reactive protein were
      significantly associated with TxB2 levels. After adjustment for patient
      characteristics, the difference between cohorts did not decrease. Unexplained
      differences in serum TxB2 levels in different populations of aspirin-treated
      cardiovascular patients suggest that further studies are needed to confirm the
      role of serum TxB2 level as a prognostic factor or rather as a marker of
      therapeutic observance.

PMID- 26270595
TI  - A Scanning Electron Microscopic Study of Enamel Surfaces of Incipient Caries.
AB  - The surface changes of natural incipient caries in human teeth were examined by
      scanning electron microscopy. Numerous small round depressions due to dissolved
      prism ends are observed. The prism sheaths seem to be preferentially
      demineralized, followed by demineralization of prism cores. Perikymata are well
      pronounced. Focal holes and relatively large dissolution areas can be present. A
      new prismatic pattern of destruction with an appearance of fish scales is found.
      Evidence of remineralization of the incipient carious lesions is seen on the
      surfaces of the lesions. This study disagrees with the concept of an intact
      enamel surface layer. 

PMID- 26270594
TI  - Effects of penicillin and erythromycin on adherence of invasive and noninvasive
      isolates of Streptococcus pyogenes to laminin.
AB  - This study investigated the possible relationship between the invasiveness of
      group A Streptococcus (GAS) strains and their abilities to adhere to laminin and
      assessed the effects of subinhibitory concentrations of penicillin and
      erythromycin on the ability of GAS to adhere to laminin. The adherence of
      noninvasive and highly invasive isolates of GAS to laminin was significantly
      higher than the adherence displayed by isolates of low invasiveness. Antibiotic
      treatment caused significant reductions in adherence to laminin in all three
      groups of strains. Penicillin was more successful in reducing the adherence
      abilities of the tested GAS strains than erythromycin. 

PMID- 26270592
TI  - Was it a pain or a sound? Across-species variability in sensory sensitivity.
AB  - Natural selection has shaped the physiological properties of sensory systems
      across species, yielding large variations in their sensitivity. Here, we used
      laser stimulation of skin nociceptors, a widely used technique to investigate
      pain in rats and humans, to provide a vivid example of how ignoring these
      variations can lead to serious misconceptions in sensory neuroscience. In 6
      experiments, we characterized and compared the physiological properties of the
      electrocortical responses elicited by laser stimulation in rats and humans. We
      recorded the electroencephalogram from the surface of the brain in freely moving
      rats and from the scalp in healthy humans. Laser stimuli elicited 2 temporally
      distinct responses, traditionally interpreted as reflecting the concomitant
      activation of different populations of nociceptors with different conduction
      velocities: small-myelinated Adelta-fibres and unmyelinated C-fibres. Our results
      show that this interpretation is valid in humans, but not in rats. Indeed, the
      early response recorded in rats does not reflect the activation of the
      somatosensory system, but of the auditory system by laser-generated ultrasounds.
      These results have wide implications: retrospectively, as they prompt for a
      reconsideration of a large number of previous interpretations of electrocortical
      rat recordings in basic, preclinical, and pharmacological research, and
      prospectively, as they will allow recording truly pain-related cortical responses
      in rats. 

PMID- 26270596
TI  - Reactivity of Hydride Bridges in High-Spin [3M-3(MU-H)] Clusters (M = FeII,
      CoII).
AB  - The designed [3M-3(MU-H)] clusters (M = Fe(II), Co(II)) Fe3H3L (1-H) and Co3H3L
      (2-H) [where L(3-) is a tris(beta-diketiminate) cyclophane] were synthesized by
      treating the corresponding M3Br3L complexes with KBEt3H. From single-crystal X
      ray analysis, the hydride ligands are sterically protected by the cyclophane
      ligand, and these complexes selectively react with CO2 over other unsaturated
      substrates (e.g., CS2, Me3SiCCH, C2H2, and CH3CN). The reaction of 1-H or 2-H
      with CO2 at room temperature yielded Fe3(OCHO)(H)2L (1-CO2) or Co3(OCHO)(H)2L (2
      CO2), respectively, which evidence the differential reactivity of the hydride
      ligands within these complexes. The analogous reactions at elevated temperatures
      revealed a distinct difference in the reactivity pattern for 2-H as compared to 1
      H; Fe3(OCHO)3L (1-3CO2) was generated from 1-H, while 2-H afforded only 2-CO2. 

PMID- 26270601
TI  - A modified approach for performing ultrasound-guided radial, ulnar, median and
      musculocutaneous nerve block in a dog.

PMID- 26270597
TI  - Validity and Reliability of the US National Cancer Institute's Patient-Reported
      Outcomes Version of the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (PRO
      CTCAE).
AB  - IMPORTANCE: To integrate the patient perspective into adverse event reporting,
      the National Cancer Institute developed a patient-reported outcomes version of
      the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (PRO-CTCAE). OBJECTIVE: To
      assess the construct validity, test-retest reliability, and responsiveness of PRO
      CTCAE items. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A total of 975 adults with cancer
      undergoing outpatient chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy enrolled in this
      questionnaire-based study between January 2011 and February 2012. Eligible
      participants could read English and had no clinically significant cognitive
      impairment. They completed PRO-CTCAE items on tablet computers in clinic waiting
      rooms at 9 US cancer centers and community oncology practices at 2 visits 1 to 6
      weeks apart. A subset completed PRO-CTCAE items during an additional visit 1
      business day after the first visit. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Primary
      comparators were clinician-reported Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group
      Performance Status (ECOG PS) and the European Organisation for Research and
      Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ-C30). RESULTS: A
      total of 940 of 975 (96.4%) and 852 of 940 (90.6%) participants completed PRO
      CTCAE items at visits 1 and 2, respectively. At least 1 symptom was reported by
      938 of 940 (99.8%) participants. Participants' median age was 59 years; 57.3%
      were female, 32.4% had a high school education or less, and 17.1% had an ECOG PS
      of 2 to 4. All PRO-CTCAE items had at least 1 correlation in the expected
      direction with a QLQ-C30 scale (111 of 124, P<.05 for all). Stronger correlations
      were seen between PRO-CTCAE items and conceptually related QLQ-C30 domains.
      Scores for 94 of 124 PRO-CTCAE items were higher in the ECOG PS 2 to 4 vs 0 to 1
      group (58 of 124, P<.05 for all). Overall, 119 of 124 items met at least 1
      construct validity criterion. Test-retest reliability was 0.7 or greater for 36
      of 49 prespecified items (median [range] intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.76
      [0.53-.96]). Correlations between PRO-CTCAE item changes and corresponding QLQ
      C30 scale changes were statistically significant for 27 prespecified items
      (median [range] r=0.43 [0.10-.56]; all P<=.006). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE:
      Evidence demonstrates favorable validity, reliability, and responsiveness of PRO
      CTCAE in a large, heterogeneous US sample of patients undergoing cancer
      treatment. Studies evaluating other measurement properties of PRO-CTCAE are under
      way to inform further development of PRO-CTCAE and its inclusion in cancer
      trials.

PMID- 26270604
TI  - Application of Fluorescence Spectroscopy to Forensic Science.
AB  - Over the last decade, both ultraviolet and infrared fluorescence techniques have
      been applied to a number of areas of forensic science. Much of this work has been
      spurred on by the development of laser methods of visualization. One of the major
      beneficiaries of this attention to lasers and fluorescence has been in
      fingerprints. A great deal of research has been done on the development of new
      fluorescent dyes for visualizing fingerprints with a laser. Fluorescence has also
      been applied extensively to questioned-document analysis, principally in
      characterization of inks. Other types of evidence that use fluorimetric analysis
      include drugs, glass, petroleum products, and biological samples. This article
      will discuss these applications to forensic science and their advantages relative
      to other methods of analysis. 

PMID- 26270599
TI  - Down-titration of Adalimumab and Etanercept in Psoriatic Patients: A Multicentre
      Observational Study.

PMID- 26270605
TI  - Measuring Alcohol in Blood and Breath for Forensic Purposes - A Historical
      Review.
AB  - This review concerns important events and trends in the evolution of chemical
      tests for alcohol intoxication on two continents; Europe and North America. In
      particular, the pioneer workers in this field and their major contributions to
      forensic alcohol analysis are emphasized. Quantitative methods for the
      determination of alcohol in blood, breath, and urine appeared early in the
      twentieth century and experimental alcohol research had already started in
      several European countries. The first statutory limits of blood-alcohol
      concentration (BAC) were introduced in Norway and Sweden during the 1930-1940s
      where Widmark's micro-diffusion method was approved for forensic purposes.
      Between 1931-1935 in the U.S., the first instrument (the Drunkometer) was
      developed for measuring the concentration of alcohol in a person's breath to
      supplement various clinical signs and symptoms of drunkenness. The breath-alcohol
      concentration (BrAC) was always translated into the presumed coexisting BAC to
      furnish corroborative or presumptive evidence of impairment at the wheel. After
      the Breathalyzer device was developed by Borkenstein around 1953-54, breath
      alcohol testing became firmly established for law enforcement purposes in the
      U.S. and Canada. The classic wet-chemistry methods of blood-alcohol analysis were
      displaced by enzymatic procedures in the early 1950s and in the 1960s gas
      chromatographic (GC) methods dominated. Today, headspace GC is the mainstay in
      forensic science laboratories for the determination of alcohol and other volatile
      substances in body fluids. The first breath-alcohol devices used in Europe were
      relatively simple screening tests for alcohol at the roadside and positive
      results were always followed-up by quantitative analysis of alcohol in blood or
      urine. The technology of breath-alcohol testing has changed dramatically over the
      years from chemical oxidation and colorimetric procedures towards physicochemical
      techniques such as gas chromatography, electrochemical oxidation, and multiple
      wavelength infrared spectrophotometry. In the early 1980s evidential breath
      alcohol instruments were approved for law enforcement purposes in many European
      countries and threshold limits of BrAC were introduced alongside the existing
      statutory BAC limits. 

PMID- 26270598
TI  - Synthesis of Peptides Containing C-Terminal Esters Using Trityl Side-Chain
      Anchoring: Applications to the Synthesis of C-Terminal Ester Analogs of the
      Saccharomyces cerevisiae Mating Pheromone a-Factor.
AB  - Peptides containing C-terminal esters are an important class of bioactive
      molecules that includes a-factor, a farnesylated dodecapeptide, involved in the
      mating of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Here, results that expand the scope of solid
      phase peptide synthetic methodology that uses trityl side-chain anchoring for the
      preparation of peptides with C-terminal cysteine alkyl esters are described. In
      this method, Fmoc-protected C-terminal cysteine esters are anchored to trityl
      chloride resin and extended by standard solid-phase procedures followed by
      acidolytic cleavage and HPLC purification. Analysis using a Gly-Phe-Cys-OMe model
      tripeptide revealed minimal epimerization of the C-terminal cysteine residue
      under basic conditions used for Fmoc deprotection. (1)H NMR analysis of the
      unfarnesylated a-factor precursor peptide confirmed the absence of epimerization.
      The side-chain anchoring method was used to produce wild-type a-factor that
      contains a C-terminal methyl ester along with ethyl-, isopropyl-, and benzyl
      ester analogs in good yield. Activity assays using a yeast-mating assay
      demonstrate that while the ethyl and isopropyl esters manifest near-wild-type
      activity, the benzyl ester-containing analog is ca. 100-fold less active. This
      simple method opens the door to the synthesis of a variety of C-terminal ester
      modified peptides that should be useful in studies of protein prenylation and
      other structurally related biological processes. 

PMID- 26270602
TI  - Ortho-7 bound to the active-site gorge of free and OP-conjugated
      acetylcholinesterase: cation-pi interactions.
AB  - Despite the immense importance of cation-pi interactions prevailing in
      bispyridinium drug acetylcholinesterase (AChE) complexes, a precise description
      of cation-pi interactions at molecular level has remained elusive. Here, we
      consider a bispyridinium drug, namely, ortho-7 in three different structures of
      AChE, with and without complexation with organophosphorus (OP) compounds for
      detailed investigation using all atom molecular dynamics simulation. By quantum
      mechanical calculations, Y72, W86, Y124, W286, Y337, and Y341 aromatic residues
      of the enzyme are investigated for possible cation-pi interactions with ortho-7.
      The cation-pi interactions in each of the protein-drug complexes are studied
      using distance, angle, a suitable functional form of them, and electrostatic
      criteria. The variation of cation-pi functional is remarkably consistent with
      that of the Columbic variation. It is clearly observed that cation-pi
      interactions for some of the residues in the catalytic active site (CAS) and
      peripheral anionic site (PAS) of the enzyme are either enhanced or reduced based
      on the nature of OP conjugation (i.e., nerve gas, tabun or pesticide, fenamiphos)
      when compared with the OP-free enzyme. The strength of cation-pi interaction is
      strongly dependent on the type OP conjugation. The effect of conjugation at CAS
      is also seen to influence the cation-pi interaction at the PAS region. The
      variation of cation-pi interactions on the type of conjugating OP compounds might
      be suggestive of a reason as to why wide spectrum drug against any OP poisoning
      is yet to arrive in the market.

PMID- 26270606
TI  - Modern Approaches for the Examination of Toolmarks and Other Surface Marks.
AB  - Numerous techniques have been developed over the years in the examination of
      toolmarks and footwear impression. Recent development in the following aspects
      are described: shoemark enhancement techniques, new casting materials, comparison
      scanning electron microscopy, computerized identification of striations, and
      recovery of erased numbers in new metallic and polymeric materials. Furthermore,
      quality assurances and the duties of toolmark examiners are examine. 

PMID- 26270607
TI  - Application of Bacillus subtilis to the roots of leafy greens, in the presence of
      Listeria innocua and Salmonella Newport, induces closure of stomata.
AB  - Plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium Bacillus subtilis UD1022 has been shown to
      trigger an induced systemic response in Arabidopsis thaliana. This interaction
      causes plant stomata to close, protecting the plant from infection by plant
      pathogens and thereby increasing crop yield. The purpose of this study was to
      determine whether UD1022 applied to the roots of plants is able to induce stomata
      closure in leafy greens as well as influence the persistence of human pathogens
      (Listeria and Salmonella) on plants. UD1022 induced stomata closure in the
      presence of human pathogens on both lettuce and spinach 3 h post-inoculation
      (p<0.0001). Results were confirmed by root inoculation with heat-killed UD1022,
      which did not induce stomata closure. Presence of UD1022 on lettuce roots
      significantly reduced the persistence of Listeria on plants after 3 days post
      inoculation (p=0.02) but had less of an effect on the persistence of Salmonella.
      The results of this study indicate that plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium B.
      subtilis UD1022 may be able to prevent contamination by some human pathogens.
      This is the first study to investigate the use of plant growth-promoting
      rhizobacteria to control the persistence of human pathogens on plants. 

PMID- 26270608
TI  - Pediatric Home Sleep Apnea Testing: Slowly Getting There!
AB  - Pediatric OSA can result in significant neurocognitive, behavioral,
      cardiovascular, and metabolic morbidities. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are,
      therefore, of paramount importance. The current gold standard for diagnosis of
      OSA in children is in-laboratory polysomnography (PSG). Home sleep apnea testing
      has been considered as an alternative as it is potentially more cost effective,
      convenient, and accessible. This review concentrates mainly on the use of type 2
      and 3 portable monitoring devices. The current evidence on the feasibility and
      diagnostic accuracy of home testing in the diagnosis of pediatric OSA was
      examined. Overall, the evidence in children is limited. Feasibility studies that
      have been performed have on the whole shown good results, with several reporting
      > 90% of their home recordings as meeting predetermined quality criteria
      regarding signal artifact and minimum recording time. The limited data comparing
      type 2 studies with in-laboratory PSG have shown no significant differences in
      respiratory parameters. The results pertaining to diagnostic accuracy of type 3
      home sleep apnea testing devices are conflicting. Although more research is
      needed, home testing with at least a type 3 portable monitor offers a viable
      alternative in the diagnosis of otherwise healthy children with moderate to
      severe OSA, particularly in settings where access to polysomnography is scarce or
      unavailable. Of note, since most studies have been performed in habitually
      snoring healthy children, home sleep apnea testing may not be applicable to
      children with other comorbid conditions. In particular, CO2 monitoring is
      important in children in whom there is concern regarding nocturnal
      hypoventilation, such as children with neuromuscular disease, underlying lung
      disease, or obesity hypoventilation, and most home testing devices do not include
      a transcutaneous or end-tidal CO2 channel. 

PMID- 26270610
TI  - Infant Mortality Statistics From the 2013 Period Linked Birth/Infant Death Data
      Set.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This report presents 2013 period infant mortality statistics from the
      linked birth/infant death data set (linked file) by maternal and infant
      characteristics. The linked file differs from the mortality file, which is based
      entirely on death certificate data. METHODS: Descriptive tabulations of data are
      presented and interpreted. RESULTS: The U.S. infant mortality rate was 5.96
      infant deaths per 1,000 live births in 2013, similar to the rate of 5.98 in 2012.
      The number of infant deaths was 23,446 in 2013, a decline of 208 infant deaths
      from 2012. From 2012 to 2013, infant mortality rates were stable for most race
      and Hispanic origin groups; declines were reported for two Hispanic subgroups:
      Cuban and Puerto Rican. Since 2005, the most recent high, the U.S. infant
      mortality rate has declined 13% (from 6.86), with declines in both neonatal and
      postneonatal mortality overall and for most groups. In 2013, infants born at 37
      38 weeks of gestation (early term) had mortality rates that were 63% higher than
      for full-term (39-40 week) infants. For multiple births, the infant mortality
      rate was 25.84, 5 times the rate of 5.25 for singleton births. In 2013, 36% of
      infant deaths were due to preterm-related causes of death, and an additional 15%
      were due to causes grouped into the sudden unexpected infant death category.

PMID- 26270609
TI  - Conformations, hydrodynamic interactions, and instabilities of sedimenting
      semiflexible filaments.
AB  - The conformations and dynamics of semiflexible filaments subject to a homogeneous
      external (gravitational) field, e.g., in a centrifuge, are studied numerically
      and analytically. The competition between hydrodynamic drag and bending
      elasticity generates new shapes and dynamical features. We show that the shape of
      a semiflexible filament undergoes instabilities as the external field increases.
      We identify two transitions that correspond to the excitation of higher bending
      modes. In particular, for strong fields the filament stabilizes in a non-planar
      shape, resulting in a sideways drift or in helical trajectories. For two
      interacting filaments, we find the same transitions, with the important
      consequence that the new non-planar shapes have an effective hydrodynamic
      repulsion, in contrast to the planar shapes which attract themselves even when
      their osculating planes are rotated with respect to each other. For the case of
      planar filaments, we show analytically and numerically that the relative velocity
      is not necessarily due to a different drag of the individual filaments, but to
      the hydrodynamic interactions induced by their shape asymmetry. 

PMID- 26270611
TI  - Image Analysis of Foods.
AB  - The structure of foods, both natural and processed ones, is controlled by many
      variables ranging from biology to chemistry and mechanical forces. The structure
      also controls many of the properties of the food, including consumer acceptance,
      taste, mouthfeel, appearance, and so on, and nutrition. Imaging provides an
      important tool for measuring the structure of foods. This includes 2-dimensional
      (2D) images of surfaces and sections, for example, viewed in a microscope, as
      well as 3-dimensional (3D) images of internal structure as may be produced by
      confocal microscopy, or computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. The
      use of images also guides robotics for harvesting and sorting. Processing of
      images may be needed to calibrate colors, reduce noise, enhance detail, and
      delineate structure and dimensions. Measurement of structural information such as
      volume fraction and internal surface areas, as well as the analysis of object
      size, location, and shape in both 2- and 3-dimensional images is illustrated and
      described, with primary references and examples from a wide range of
      applications. 

PMID- 26270612
TI  - Combining Crystallography and Hydrogen-Deuterium Exchange to Study Galectin
      Ligand Complexes.
AB  - The physiological significance arising from translating information stored in
      glycans into cellular effects explains the interest in structurally defining
      lectin-carbohydrate recognition. The relatively small set of adhesion/growth
      regulatory galectins in chicken makes this system attractive to study the origins
      of specificity and divergence. Cell binding by using glycosylation mutants
      reveals binding of the N-terminal domain of chicken galectin-8 (CG-8N) to alpha
      2,3-sialylated and galactose-terminated glycan chains. Cocrystals with lactose
      and its 3'-sialylated derivative disclose Arg58 as a key contact for the
      carboxylic acid and differences in loop lengths to the three homodimeric chicken
      galectins. Monitoring hydrogen-deuterium exchange by mass spectrometry revealed
      an effective reduction of deuteration after ligand binding within the contact
      area. In addition, evidence for changes in solvent accessibility of amide protons
      beyond this site was obtained. Their detection, which highlights the sensor
      capacity of this technique, encourages systematic studies on galectins and
      beyond. 

PMID- 26270613
TI  - Estimation of organ doses to patients undergoing hepatic chemoembolization
      procedures.
AB  - The aim of this study is to evaluate organ and tissue absorbed doses to patients
      undergoing hepatic chemoembolization procedures performed in two hospitals in the
      city of Recife, Brazil. Forty eight patients undergoing fifty hepatic
      chemoembolization procedures were investigated. For the 20 cases with PA
      projection only, organs and tissues dose to KAP conversion coefficients were
      calculated using the mesh-based anthropometric phantom series FASH and MASH
      coupled to the EGSnrc Monte Carlo code. Clinical, dosimetric and irradiations
      parameters were registered for all patients. The maximum organ absorbed doses
      found were 2.4 Gy, 0.85 Gy, 0.76 Gy and 0.44 Gy for skin, kidneys, adrenals and
      liver, respectively. 

PMID- 26270614
TI  - Professor Irena Hausmanowa-Petrusewicz, 1917-2015.

PMID- 26270620
TI  - Prolonged antibiotics for non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis in children and
      adults.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The vicious cycle hypothesis for bronchiectasis predicts that
      bacterial colonisation of the respiratory tract perpetuates inflammatory change.
      This damages the mucociliary escalator, preventing bacterial clearance and
      allowing persistence of pro-inflammatory mediators. Conventional treatment with
      physiotherapy and intermittent antibiotics is believed to improve the condition
      of people with bronchiectasis, although no conclusive data show that these
      interventions influence the natural history of the condition. Various strategies
      have been tried to interrupt this cycle of infection and inflammation, including
      prolonging antibiotic treatment with the goal of allowing the airway mucosa to
      heal. OBJECTIVES: To determine the benefits of prolonged antibiotic therapy in
      the treatment of patients with bronchiectasis. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the
      Cochrane Airways Group Trials Register and reference lists of identified
      articles. Searches were current as of February 2014. SELECTION CRITERIA:
      Randomised trials examining the use of prolonged antibiotic therapy (for four or
      more weeks) in the treatment of bronchiectasis compared with placebo or usual
      care. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently assessed
      trial quality and extracted data. We contacted study authors to ask for missing
      information. MAIN RESULTS: Eighteen trials met the inclusion criteria, randomly
      assigning a total of 1157 participants. Antibiotics were given for between four
      weeks and 83 weeks. Limited meta-analysis was possible because of the diversity
      of outcomes reported in these trials. Based on the number of participants with at
      least one exacerbation, the meta-analysis showed significant effects in favour of
      the intervention (odds ratio (OR) 0.31, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.19 to
      0.52; P value < 0.00001), with events occurring in 271 per 1000 people in the
      intervention arm (95% CI 126 to 385) and in 546 per 1000 in the control
      population, based on evidence of moderate quality. A non-statistically
      significant reduction in hospitalisation favoured the use of prolonged
      antibiotics with a moderate quality grade of supporting evidence (37 per 1000 in
      the intervention arm (95% CI 13 to 96) and 87 per 1000 in control (OR 0.40, 95%
      CI 0.14 to 1.11; P value = 0.08). Drug resistance developed in 36 of 220
      participants taking antibiotics compared with 10 of 211 participants given
      placebo or standard therapy (OR 3.48, 95% CI 1.20 to 10.07; P value = 0.02),
      translating to natural frequencies of 155 per 1000 in the intervention arm (95%
      CI 59 to 346) and 50 per 1000 in the control arm. The intervention was well
      tolerated with no overall significant difference in withdrawal between treatment
      and placebo groups (OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.56 to 1.49). Diarrhoea was commonly
      reported as an adverse event, particularly with an oral intervention. AUTHORS'
      CONCLUSIONS: Available evidence shows benefit associated with use of prolonged
      antibiotics in the treatment of patients with bronchiectasis, at least halving
      the odds of exacerbation (with 275 fewer exacerbations per every 1000 people
      treated in the antibiotic arm compared with the control arm) and hospitalisation
      (50 fewer hospitalisations per 1000 people in the antibiotic arm compared with
      the control arm). However, the risk of emerging drug resistance is increased more
      than threefold. This review is limited by diversity of trials and by evidence of
      moderate to low quality. Further randomised controlled trials with adequate power
      and standardised end points are required.

PMID- 26270622
TI  - From the Ternary Eu(Au/In)2 and EuAu4(Au/In)2 with Remarkable Au/In Distributions
      to a New Structure Type: The Gold-Rich Eu5Au16(Au/In)6 Structure.
AB  - The ternary Eu(Au/In)2 (EuAu(0.46)In(1.54(2))) (I), EuAu4(Au/In)2 (EuAu(4+x)In(2
      x) with x = 0.75(2) (II), 0.93(2), and 1.03(2)), and Eu5Au16(Au/In)6
      (Eu5Au(17.29)In(4.71(3))) (III) have been synthesized, and their structures were
      characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. I and II crystallize with the
      CeCu2-type (Pearson Symbol oI12; Imma; Z = 4; a = 4.9018(4) A; b = 7.8237(5) A; c
      = 8.4457(5) A) and the YbAl4Mo2-type (tI14; I4/mmm; Z = 2; a = 7.1612(7) A; c =
      5.5268(7) A) and exhibit significant Au/In disorder. I is composed of an Au/In
      mixed diamond-related host lattice encapsulating Eu atoms, while the structure of
      II features ribbons of distorted, squared Au8 prisms enclosing Eu, Au, and In
      atoms. Combination of these structural motifs leads to a new structure type as
      observed for Eu5Au16(Au/In)6 (Eu5Au(17.29)In(4.71(3))) (oS108; Cmcm; Z = 4; a =
      7.2283(4) A; b = 9.0499(6) A; c = 34.619(2) A), which formally represents a one
      dimensional intergrowth of the series EuAu2-"EuAu4In2". The site preferences of
      the disordered Au/In positions in II were investigated for different hypothetical
      "EuAu4(Au/In)2" models using the projector-augmented wave method and indicate
      that these structures attempt to optimize the frequencies of the heteroatomic Au
      In contacts. A chemical bonding analysis on two "EuAu5In" and "EuAu4In2" models
      employed the TB-LMTO-ASA method and reveals that the subtle interplay between the
      local atomic environments and the bond energies determines the structural and
      site preferences for these systems.

PMID- 26270621
TI  - Near-Infrared Light Manipulated Chemoselective Reductions Enabled by an
      Upconversional Supersandwich Nanostructure.
AB  - Core-satellite is one of the most powerful superstructures since it leads to
      enhanced or completely new properties through compatible combination of each
      component. Here we create a novel ceria-based core-shell-satellite supersandwich
      structure with near-infrared (NIR) light manipulated catalytic activity by
      integrating the upconversion luminescent and catalytic functionality of CeO2
      nanoparticles. Specifically, lanthanide-doped octahedral CeO2 nanoparticles (o
      CeO2) are coated with silica layer (o-CeO2@SiO2) to enhance their luminescence
      intensity. The pH-dependent catalytic active cubic CeO2 nanoparticles (c-CeO2)
      are then assembled on the surface of o-CeO2@SiO2 to form the supersandwich
      structure (o-CeO2@SiO2@c-CeO2) following a classic chemical reaction. The
      upconversion quantum yield of o-CeO2 in this nanostructure can be nearly doubled.
      Furthermore, under NIR light irradiation, the o-CeO2@SiO2@c-CeO2 supersandwich
      structure based composite catalyst displays superior catalytic activity in
      selective reduction of aromatic nitro compounds to corresponding azo compounds,
      and the composite photocatalyst can be easily recycled for several times without
      significant loss of catalytic activity. This strategy may serve as a universal
      method for the construction of multifunctional nanostructures and shed light on
      the green chemistry for chemical synthesis. 

PMID- 26270624
TI  - Visante Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography Analysis of Morphologic
      Changes in the Anterior Segment Structures after Deep Sclerotomy Versus Phaco
      Deep Sclerotomy with Intraoperative Mitomycin-C and No Implant Use.
AB  - This article has been retracted.

PMID- 26270623
TI  - pH-Responsive supramolecular vesicles assembled by water-soluble pillar[5]arene
      and a BODIPY photosensitizer for chemo-photodynamic dual therapy.
AB  - Supramolecular vesicles which can successfully encapsulate DOX and exhibit rapid
      drug release in a low-pH environment are constructed based on the host-guest
      interaction of water-soluble pillar[5]arene and a BODIPY derivative. They show
      remarkable combination of chemo- and photodynamic activities, suggesting a
      promising drug nanocarrier. 

PMID- 26270625
TI  - In vivo increase in thrombin generation by four-factor prothrombin complex
      concentrate in apixaban-treated healthy volunteers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Four-factor prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) (Cofact; Sanquin
      Blood Supply) 50 IU kg(-1) increased thrombin generation beyond baseline values
      in healthy, rivaroxaban-treated subjects. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether infusion
      with doses of 37.5 IU kg(-1) and 25 IU kg(-1) PCC reverses the anticoagulant
      effect of high-dose apixaban, another oral direct factor Xa inhibitor. METHODS:
      In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study, six healthy
      subjects received twice-daily apixaban 10 mg for 3.5 days followed by a single
      bolus of 37.5 IU kg(-1) PCC, 25 IU kg(-1) PCC, or placebo. The primary outcome
      was the effect of PCC 15 min after infusion on thrombin generation (endogenous
      thrombin potential [ETP]); secondary outcomes were the immediate effect of PCC on
      prothrombin time (PT) and the effect of PCC as compared with placebo over a
      period of 24 h on ETP and PT. RESULTS: Fifteen minutes after infusion of 37.5 IU
      kg(-1) and 25 IU kg(-1) PCC, ETP increased from 41% +/- 11% to 56% +/- 23% (P =
      0.06) and from 44% +/- 12% to 51% +/- 15% (P = 0.03), respectively. ETP
      significantly differed over time between 37.5 IU kg(-1) PCC and placebo during 24
      h after infusion (P < 0.01). Both PCC doses restored apixaban-induced PT
      prolongation after 15 min (P < 0.01), and this was sustained over a period of 24
      h. CONCLUSION: Both 37.5 IU kg(-1) PCC and 25 IU/kg PCC improved coagulation
      parameters in healthy subjects, suggesting partial reversal of the anticoagulant
      effect of apixaban. This implies that PCC might be considered in patients with
      apixaban-associated bleeding. However, ETP was not immediately restored to pre
      apixaban levels, suggesting that these doses are too low to instantly and fully
      restore hemostasis at peak apixaban levels.

PMID- 26270626
TI  - Risk Factors for Advanced HIV Disease and Late Entry to HIV Care: National 1994
      2012 HIV Surveillance Data for Wuhan, China.
AB  - Few studies in China have focused on advanced human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
      disease (AHD) and late entry to HIV care, which are associated with increased
      morbidity and mortality. A population-based retrospective study was conducted
      using 980 national HIV surveillance reports from 1994 to February 2012 in Wuhan,
      China. AHD was defined as presence of a first-reported CD4 count<200 cells/MUL or
      an acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)-defining event within 1 month of
      HIV diagnosis. Late entry to HIV care was defined as patients with a first
      reported CD4 cell count>6 months after diagnosis. Non-conditional logistic
      regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with AHD, late entry
      to HIV care, and AIDS within 1 year of HIV diagnosis. The proportions of AHD,
      AIDS within 1 year of HIV diagnosis, and late entry to HIV care were 29.49%,
      39.39%, and 20.84%, respectively. Most of the deaths (74.27%, 127/171) occurred
      within 1 year of diagnosis. Short-term mortality, proportion of AHD, and late
      entry to HIV care showed a similar downward trend from pre-2003 to 2011
      (p<0.001). Age, transmission category, sample source, and occupation were
      associated with AHD, late entry to HIV care, and AIDS within 1 year of HIV
      diagnosis in the multivariate logistic regression analysis. These findings
      indicate that AHD and late entry to HIV care were associated with an increased
      incidence of AIDS or death, particularly within 1 year of diagnosis. More effort
      should be made to assure early diagnosis and timely entry to care.

PMID- 26270630
TI  - Flexible Metal-Organic Frameworks: Recent Advances and Potential Applications.
AB  - Flexible metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) receive much attention owing to their
      attractive properties that originate from their flexibility and dynamic behavior,
      and show great potential applications in many fields. Here, recent progress in
      the discovery, understanding, and property investigations of flexible MOFs are
      reviewed, and the examples of their potential applications in storage and
      separation, sensing, and guest capture and release are presented to highlight the
      developing trends in flexible MOFs. 

PMID- 26270627
TI  - Resting state in Parkinson's disease dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies:
      commonalities and differences.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD)
      are two dementias with overlapping phenotypes. Clinically, these are
      differentiated by the one-year precedence rule between the onset of dementia with
      respect to Parkinsonism. In this report we aimed to find differences between DLB
      and PDD in functional connectivity (FC) using resting state functional magnetic
      resonance imaging, which we hypothesised would reflect the underlying
      pathological differences between DLB and PDD. METHODS: The study cohort comprised
      of 18 patients with DLB, 12 with PDD and 17 healthy control (HC) groups. Eight
      cortical and four subcortical seeds were chosen, and time series extracted to
      estimate correlation maps. We also implemented a voxel-based morphometry (VBM)
      analysis to assess regional grey matter differences. FC analysis was corrected
      for age, sex and regional grey matter differences. RESULTS: The FC analysis
      showed greater alterations in DLB than in PDD for seeds placed within the fronto
      parietal network (FPN), whilst in contrast, for the supplementary motor area seed
      FC alterations were more apparent in PDD than in DLB. However, when comparing DLB
      and PDD, no significant differences were found. In addition, VBM analysis
      revealed greater atrophy in PDD than HC and DLB in the bilateral motor cortices
      and precuneus respectively. CONCLUSIONS: PDD and DLB demonstrate similar FC
      alterations in the brain. However, attention- and motor-related seeds revealed
      subtle differences between both conditions when compared with HC, which may
      relate to the neuropathology and chronological precedence of core symptoms in the
      Lewy body dementias.

PMID- 26270629
TI  - Analysis of carbohydrates and glycoconjugates by matrix-assisted laser
      desorption/ionization mass spectrometry: An update for 2011-2012.
AB  - This review is the seventh update of the original article published in 1999 on
      the application of MALDI mass spectrometry to the analysis of carbohydrates and
      glycoconjugates and brings coverage of the literature to the end of 2012. General
      aspects such as theory of the MALDI process, matrices, derivatization, MALDI
      imaging, and fragmentation are covered in the first part of the review and
      applications to various structural types constitute the remainder. The main
      groups of compound are oligo- and poly-saccharides, glycoproteins, glycolipids,
      glycosides, and biopharmaceuticals. Much of this material is presented in tabular
      form. Also discussed are medical and industrial applications of the technique,
      studies of enzyme reactions, and applications to chemical synthesis. (c) 2015
      Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Mass Spec Rev 36:255-422, 2017.

PMID- 26270628
TI  - Bioactive electrospun fibers of poly(glycerol sebacate) and poly(epsilon
      caprolactone) for cardiac patch application.
AB  - Scaffolds for cardiac patch application must meet stringent requirements such as
      biocompatibility, biodegradability, and facilitate vascularization in the
      engineered tissue. Here, a bioactive, biocompatible, and biodegradable
      electrospun scaffold of poly(glycerol sebacate)-poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PGS
      PCL) is proposed as a potential scaffold for cardiac patch application. The
      fibers are smooth bead free with average diameter = 0.8 +/- 0.3 MUm, mean pore
      size = 2.2 +/- 1.2 MUm, porosity = 62 +/- 4%, and permeability higher than that
      of control biological tissue. For the first time, bioactive PGS-PCL fibers
      functionalized with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are developed, the
      approach used being chemical modification of the PGS-PCL fibers followed by
      subsequent binding of VEGF via amide bonding. The approach results in uniform
      immobilization of VEGF on the fibers; the concentrations are 1.0 MUg cm(-2) for
      the PGS-PCL (H) and 0.60 MUg cm(-2) for the PGS-PCL (L) samples. The bioactive
      scaffold supports the attachment and growth of seeded myogenic and vasculogenic
      cell lines. In fact, rat aortic endothelial cells also display angiogenic
      features indicating potential for the formation of vascular tree in the scaffold.
      These results therefore demonstrate the prospects of VEGF-functionalized PGS-PCL
      fibrous scaffold as promising matrix for cardiac patch application. 

PMID- 26270631
TI  - 16S rRNA Gene Sequence-Based Identification of Bacteria in Automatically
      Incubated Blood Culture Materials from Tropical Sub-Saharan Africa.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The quality of microbiological diagnostic procedures depends on pre
      analytic conditions. We compared the results of 16S rRNA gene PCR and sequencing
      from automatically incubated blood culture materials from tropical Ghana with the
      results of cultural growth after automated incubation. METHODS: Real-time 16S
      rRNA gene PCR and subsequent sequencing were applied to 1500 retained blood
      culture samples of Ghanaian patients admitted to a hospital with an unknown
      febrile illness after enrichment by automated culture. RESULTS: Out of all 1500
      samples, 191 were culture-positive and 98 isolates were considered etiologically
      relevant. Out of the 191 culture-positive samples, 16S rRNA gene PCR and
      sequencing led to concordant results in 65 cases at species level and an
      additional 62 cases at genus level. PCR was positive in further 360 out of 1309
      culture-negative samples, sequencing results of which suggested etiologically
      relevant pathogen detections in 62 instances, detections of uncertain relevance
      in 50 instances, and DNA contamination due to sample preparation in 248
      instances. In two instances, PCR failed to detect contaminants from the skin
      flora that were culturally detectable. Pre-analytical errors caused many
      Enterobacteriaceae to be missed by culture. CONCLUSIONS: Potentially correctable
      pre-analytical conditions and not the fastidious nature of the bacteria caused
      most of the discrepancies. Although 16S rRNA gene PCR and sequencing in addition
      to culture led to an increase in detections of presumably etiologically relevant
      blood culture pathogens, the application of this procedure to samples from the
      tropics was hampered by a high contamination rate. Careful interpretation of
      diagnostic results is required.

PMID- 26270633
TI  - Superficial Postauricular Mass in an Infant.

PMID- 26270634
TI  - Procedures Performed by Emergency Medical Services in the United States.
AB  - Emergency medical services (EMS) must provide a wide range of care for patients
      in the out-of-hospital setting. Although previous work has detailed that EMS
      providers rarely perform certain procedures, (e.g., endotracheal intubation)
      there are limited data detailing the frequency of procedures across the breadth
      of EMS providers' scope of practice. We sought to characterize procedures
      performed by EMS in the United States. We conducted an analysis of the 2011
      National Emergency Medical Services Information System (NEMSIS) research data
      set, encompassing EMS emergency response data from 40 states and two territories.
      From these data, we report the number and incidence of EMS procedures. We also
      characterize procedures performed. There were 14,371,941 submitted EMS responses,
      of which 7,680,559 had complete information on procedures performed on adults. Of
      these, 4,206,360 EMS responses had procedures performed totaling 11,407,396
      procedures. The most common procedures performed were peripheral venous access
      (28.4%), cardiac monitoring (16.1%) pulse oximetry (13.5%), and blood glucose
      analysis (10.4%). Procedures were performed most often in patients with traumatic
      injury (20.0%) followed by chest pain/discomfort (14.0%). Critical procedures
      (cardioversion, defibrillation, endotracheal intubation, etc.) were infrequently
      performed (n = 277,785, 2.4%). These data highlight the frequency with which EMS
      providers perform procedures across the United States. This may help to guide
      future EMS training and education efforts by highlighting the relative frequency
      and infrequency of specific procedures. 

PMID- 26270637
TI  - Buckwheat as a Functional Food and Its Effects on Health.
AB  - Buckwheat (BW) is a gluten-free pseudocereal that belongs to the Polygonaceae
      family. BW grain is a highly nutritional food component that has been shown to
      provide a wide range of beneficial effects. Health benefits attributed to BW
      include plasma cholesterol level reduction, neuroprotection, anticancer, anti
      inflammatory, antidiabetic effects, and improvement of hypertension conditions.
      In addition, BW has been reported to possess prebiotic and antioxidant
      activities. In vitro and animal studies suggest that BW's bioactive compounds,
      such as D-chiro-inositol (DCI), BW proteins (BWP), and BW flavonoids (mainly
      rutin and quercetin) may be partially responsible for the observed effects. The
      purpose of this paper is to review the recent research regarding the health
      benefits of BW, in vitro and in vivo, focusing on the specific role of its
      bioactive compounds and on the mechanisms by which these effects are exerted.

PMID- 26270632
TI  - Systematic Evaluation of Bioorthogonal Reactions in Live Cells with Clickable
      HaloTag Ligands: Implications for Intracellular Imaging.
AB  - Bioorthogonal reactions, including the strain-promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition
      (SPAAC) and inverse electron demand Diels-Alder (iEDDA) reactions, have become
      increasingly popular for live-cell imaging applications. However, the stability
      and reactivity of reagents has never been systematically explored in the context
      of a living cell. Here we report a universal, organelle-targetable system based
      on HaloTag protein technology for directly comparing bioorthogonal reagent
      reactivity, specificity, and stability using clickable HaloTag ligands in various
      subcellular compartments. This system enabled a detailed comparison of the
      bioorthogonal reactions in live cells and informed the selection of optimal
      reagents and conditions for live-cell imaging studies. We found that the reaction
      of sTCO with monosubstituted tetrazines is the fastest reaction in cells;
      however, both reagents have stability issues. To address this, we introduced a
      new variant of sTCO, Ag-sTCO, which has much improved stability and can be used
      directly in cells for rapid bioorthogonal reactions with tetrazines. Utilization
      of Ag complexes of conformationally strained trans-cyclooctenes should greatly
      expand their usefulness especially when paired with less reactive, more stable
      tetrazines. 

PMID- 26270638
TI  - Modeling the Dependency Structure of Integrated Intensity Processes.
AB  - This paper studies an important issue of dependence structure. To model this
      structure, the intensities within the Cox processes are driven by dependent shot
      noise processes, where jumps occur simultaneously and their sizes are correlated.
      The joint survival probability of the integrated intensities is explicitly
      obtained from the copula with exponential marginal distributions. Subsequently,
      this result can provide a very useful guide for credit risk management. 

PMID- 26270639
TI  - Oscarella lobularis (Homoscleromorpha, Porifera) Regeneration: Epithelial
      Morphogenesis and Metaplasia.
AB  - Sponges are known to possess remarkable reconstitutive and regenerative abilities
      ranging from common wounding or body part regeneration to more impressive re
      building of a functional body from dissociated cells. Among the four sponge
      classes, Homoscleromorpha is notably the only sponge group to possess
      morphologically distinct basement membrane and specialized cell-junctions, and is
      therefore considered to possess true epithelia. The consequence of this peculiar
      organization is the predominance of epithelial morphogenesis during ontogenesis
      of these sponges. In this work we reveal the underlying cellular mechanisms used
      during morphogenesis accompanying ectosome regeneration in the homoscleromorph
      sponge model: Oscarella lobularis. We identified three main sources of novel
      exopinacoderm during the processes of its regeneration and the restoration of
      functional peripheral parts of the aquiferous system in O. lobularis: (1) intact
      exopinacoderm surrounding the wound surface, (2) the endopinacoderm from
      peripheral exhalant and inhalant canals, and (3) the intact choanoderm found on
      the wound surface. The basic morphogenetic processes during regeneration are the
      spreading and fusion of epithelial sheets that merge into one continuous
      epithelium. Transdifferentiation of choanocytes into exopinacocytes is also
      present. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition is absent during regeneration.
      Moreover, we cannot reveal any other morphologically distinct pluripotent cells.
      In Oscarella, neither blastema formation nor local dedifferentiation and
      proliferation have been detected, which is probably due to the high morphogenetic
      plasticity of the tissue. Regeneration in O. lobularis goes through cell
      transdifferentiation and through the processes, when lost body parts are replaced
      by the remodeling of the remaining tissue. Morphogenesis during ectosome
      regeneration in O. lobularis is correlated with its true epithelial organization.
      Knowledge of the morphological basis of morphogenesis during Oscarella
      regeneration could have important implications for our understanding of the
      diversity and evolution of regeneration mechanisms in metazoans, and is a strong
      basis for future investigations with molecular-biological approaches. 

PMID- 26270640
TI  - Late Recurrence of Rheumatic Fever.

PMID- 26270643
TI  - Correction: Association of Sarcopenic Obesity with Higher Serum High-Sensitivity
      C-Reactive Protein Levels in Chinese Older Males-A Community-Based Study
      (Taichung Community Health Study-Elderly, TCHS-E).

PMID- 26270641
TI  - Low Serum Hepcidin in Patients with Autoimmune Liver Diseases.
AB  - Hepcidin, a liver hormone, is important for both innate immunity and iron
      metabolism regulation. As dysfunction of the hepcidin pathway may contribute to
      liver pathology, we analysed liver hepcidin mRNA and serum hepcidin in patients
      with chronic liver diseases. Hepcidin mRNA levels were determined in liver
      biopsies obtained from 126 patients with HCV (n = 21), HBV (n = 23), autoimmune
      cholestatic disease (primary biliary cirrhosis and primary sclerosing
      cholangitis; PBC/PSC; n = 34), autoimmune hepatitis (AIH; n = 16) and non
      alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD; n = 32). Sera sampled on the biopsy day
      from the same patients were investigated for serum hepcidin levels. Hepatic
      hepcidin mRNA levels correlated positively with ferritin and negatively with
      serum gamma-GT levels. However, no correlation was found between serum hepcidin
      and either ferritin or liver hepcidin mRNA. Both serum hepcidin and the serum
      hepcidin/ferritin ratio were significantly lower in AIH and PBC/PSC patients'
      sera compared to HBV, HCV or NAFLD (P<0.001 for each comparison) and correlated
      negatively with serum ALP levels. PBC/PSC and AIH patients maintained low serum
      hepcidin during the course of their two-year long treatment. In summary, parallel
      determination of liver hepcidin mRNA and serum hepcidin in patients with chronic
      liver diseases shows that circulating hepcidin and its respective ratio to
      ferritin are significantly diminished in patients with autoimmune liver diseases.
      These novel findings, once confirmed by follow-up studies involving bigger size
      and better-matched disease subgroups, should be taken into consideration during
      diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune liver diseases. 

PMID- 26270646
TI  - Grandparent caregiving among rural African Americans in a community in the
      American South: challenges to health and wellbeing.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: An increasing number of grandparents in rural USA are serving as
      primary caregivers for their grandchildren because of parental incarceration,
      addiction, joblessness, or illness. Low-income, African American women from the
      South are overrepresented in this growing population. There is a paucity of
      research exploring the challenges faced by rural grandparent caregivers, and past
      studies have not explicitly addressed the potential consequences of rural
      grandparent caregiving for health. The purpose of this qualitative study was to
      explore grandparent caregiving among rural, low-income, African American
      grandmothers in a community in the American South, and to identify challenges to
      health that arose in that context. McLeroy's social ecological model (SEM) was
      used to examine these challenges at multiple levels of influence. METHODS: This
      qualitative interview-based study was conducted in a high-poverty community in
      rural Georgia. In-depth interviews were conducted with African American
      grandparent caregivers and key informants from local community-based
      organizations. A key informant assisted in identifying initial interview
      participants, and then snowball sampling was used to recruit additional
      participants. Interview questions were grouped under five domains (intrapersonal,
      interpersonal, community, organizational, and policy), according to the levels of
      the SEM. Iterative content analysis of interview transcripts was utilized.
      Transcripts were coded to identify text segments related to each domain of the
      SEM, which were grouped together for analysis by domain. Reflexive memo-writing
      aided in development of themes, and data quality was assessed using Lincoln and
      Guba's trustworthiness criteria. RESULTS: Rural African American grandparent
      caregivers faced a range of challenges to health. Direct physical challenges
      included chronic pain that interfered with sleep and daily functioning, mobility
      issues exacerbated by child care, and the pressure of managing their own medical
      conditions as well as their grandchildren's. Financial scarcity added to their
      vulnerability to poor health outcomes, especially when caregivers would forego
      purchase of medications or visits to the doctor because of expenses related to
      their grandchildren. In addition, lack of child care made health appointments and
      hospitalizations logistically difficult. Emotional strain was common as
      grandparent caregivers struggled to protect their grandchildren in communities
      where rates of drug use, HIV, and incarceration were high. Caregivers worried
      about their mortality and the related consequences for their grandchildren.
      Chronic stress, which is linked to a number of poor health outcomes, was self
      reported by most rural grandparent caregivers. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the
      challenges of rural grandparent caregiving among African American women posed
      multiple threats to health and wellbeing. Further research is needed, in
      different rural contexts and with different caregiver populations, to more
      thoroughly examine the health risks of grandparent caregiving. In addition, the
      development of multi-faceted interventions and programs will be critical to
      meeting the needs of rural grandparent caregivers. A few models for such programs
      exist, although resource shortfalls have often limited their impact.

PMID- 26270645
TI  - Human Neural Cells Transiently Express Reelin during Olfactory Placode
      Development.
AB  - Reelin, an extracellular glycoprotein is essential for migration and correct
      positioning of neurons during development. Since the olfactory system is known as
      a source of various migrating neuronal cells, we studied Reelin expression in the
      two chemosensory olfactory systems, main and accessory, during early
      developmental stages of human foetuses/embryos from Carnegie Stage (CS) 15 to
      gestational week (GW) 14. From CS 15 to CS 18, but not at later stages, a
      transient expression of Reelin was detected first in the presumptive olfactory
      and then in the presumptive vomeronasal epithelium. During the same period,
      Reelin-positive cells detach from the olfactory/vomeronasal epithelium and
      migrate through the mesenchyme beneath the telencephalon. Dab 1, an adaptor
      protein of the Reelin pathway, was simultaneously expressed in the migratory mass
      from CS16 to CS17 and, at later stages, in the presumptive olfactory ensheathing
      cells. Possible involvements of Reelin and Dab 1 in the peripheral migrating
      stream are discussed. 

PMID- 26270642
TI  - Integrative Analysis of MicroRNA and mRNA Data Reveals an Orchestrated Function
      of MicroRNAs in Skeletal Myocyte Differentiation in Response to TNF-alpha or
      IGF1.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Skeletal muscle cell differentiation is impaired by elevated levels
      of the inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) with
      pathological significance in chronic diseases or inherited muscle disorders.
      Insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF1) positively regulates muscle cell
      differentiation. Both, TNF-alpha and IGF1 affect gene and microRNA (miRNA)
      expression in this process. However, computational prediction of miRNA-mRNA
      relations is challenged by false positives and targets which might be irrelevant
      in the respective cellular transcriptome context. Thus, this study is focused on
      functional information about miRNA affected target transcripts by integrating
      miRNA and mRNA expression profiling data. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Murine
      skeletal myocytes PMI28 were differentiated for 24 hours with concomitant TNF
      alpha or IGF1 treatment. Both, mRNA and miRNA expression profiling was performed.
      The data-driven integration of target prediction and paired mRNA/miRNA expression
      profiling data revealed that i) the quantity of predicted miRNA-mRNA relations
      was reduced, ii) miRNA targets with a function in cell cycle and axon guidance
      were enriched, iii) differential regulation of anti-differentiation miR-155-5p
      and miR-29b-3p as well as pro-differentiation miR-335-3p, miR-335-5p, miR-322-3p,
      and miR-322-5p seemed to be of primary importance during skeletal myoblast
      differentiation compared to the other miRNAs, iv) the abundance of targets and
      affected biological processes was miRNA specific, and v) subsets of miRNAs may
      collectively regulate gene expression. CONCLUSIONS: Joint analysis of mRNA and
      miRNA profiling data increased the process-specificity and quality of predicted
      relations by statistically selecting miRNA-target interactions. Moreover, this
      study revealed miRNA-specific predominant biological implications in skeletal
      muscle cell differentiation and in response to TNF-alpha or IGF1 treatment.
      Furthermore, myoblast differentiation-associated miRNAs are suggested to
      collectively regulate gene clusters and targets associated with enriched specific
      gene ontology terms or pathways. Predicted miRNA functions of this study provide
      novel insights into defective regulation at the transcriptomic level during
      myocyte proliferation and differentiation due to inflammatory stimuli.

PMID- 26270647
TI  - Evaluation of Nine Consensus Indices in Delphi Foresight Research and Their
      Dependency on Delphi Survey Characteristics: A Simulation Study and Debate on
      Delphi Design and Interpretation.
AB  - The extent of consensus (or the lack thereof) among experts in emerging fields of
      innovation can serve as antecedents of scientific, societal, investor and
      stakeholder synergy or conflict. Naturally, how we measure consensus is of great
      importance to science and technology strategic foresight. The Delphi methodology
      is a widely used anonymous survey technique to evaluate consensus among a panel
      of experts. Surprisingly, there is little guidance on how indices of consensus
      can be influenced by parameters of the Delphi survey itself. We simulated a
      classic three-round Delphi survey building on the concept of clustered
      consensus/dissensus. We evaluated three study characteristics that are pertinent
      for design of Delphi foresight research: (1) the number of survey questions, (2)
      the sample size, and (3) the extent to which experts conform to group opinion
      (the Group Conformity Index) in a Delphi study. Their impacts on the following
      nine Delphi consensus indices were then examined in 1000 simulations: Clustered
      Mode, Clustered Pairwise Agreement, Conger's Kappa, De Moivre index, Extremities
      Version of the Clustered Pairwise Agreement, Fleiss' Kappa, Mode, the
      Interquartile Range and Pairwise Agreement. The dependency of a consensus index
      on the Delphi survey characteristics was expressed from 0.000 (no dependency) to
      1.000 (full dependency). The number of questions (range: 6 to 40) in a survey did
      not have a notable impact whereby the dependency values remained below 0.030. The
      variation in sample size (range: 6 to 50) displayed the top three impacts for the
      Interquartile Range, the Clustered Mode and the Mode (dependency = 0.396, 0.130,
      0.116, respectively). The Group Conformity Index, a construct akin to measuring
      stubbornness/flexibility of experts' opinions, greatly impacted all nine Delphi
      consensus indices (dependency = 0.200 to 0.504), except the Extremity CPWA and
      the Interquartile Range that were impacted only beyond the first decimal point
      (dependency = 0.087 and 0.083, respectively). Scholars in technology design,
      foresight research and future(s) studies might consider these new findings in
      strategic planning of Delphi studies, for example, in rational choice of
      consensus indices and sample size, or accounting for confounding factors such as
      experts' variable degrees of conformity (stubbornness/flexibility) in modifying
      their opinions. 

PMID- 26270644
TI  - Distribution, Numbers, and Diversity of ESBL-Producing E. coli in the Poultry
      Farm Environment.
AB  - This study aimed to discern the contribution of poultry farms to the
      contamination of the environment with ESBL-producing Escherichia coli and
      therewith, potentially to the spread of these bacteria to humans and other
      animals. ESBL-producing E. coli were detected at all investigated laying hen
      farms (n = 5) and broiler farms (n = 3) in 65% (46/71) and 81% (57/70) of poultry
      faeces samples, respectively. They were detected in rinse water and run-off water
      (21/26; 81%), other farm animals (11/14; 79%), dust (21/35; 60%), surface water
      adjacent to farms (20/35; 57%), soil (48/87; 55%), on flies (11/73; 15%), and in
      barn air (2/33; 6%). The highest prevalence and concentrations in the outdoor
      environment were observed in soil of free-range areas at laying hen farms (100%
      of samples positive, geometric mean concentration 2.4*10(4) cfu/kg), and surface
      waters adjacent to broiler farms during, or shortly after, cleaning between
      production rounds (91% of samples positive, geometric mean concentration
      1.9*10(2) cfu/l). The diversity of ESBL-producing E. coli variants with respect
      to sequence type, phylogenetic group, ESBL-genotype and antibiotic resistance
      profile was high, especially on broiler farms where on average 16 different
      variants were detected, and the average Simpson's Indices of diversity (SID; 1-D)
      were 0.93 and 0.94 among flock and environmental isolates respectively. At laying
      hen farms on average nine variants were detected, with SIDs of 0.63 (flock
      isolates) and 0.77 (environmental isolates). Sixty percent of environmental
      isolates were identical to flock isolates at the same farm. The highest
      proportions of 'flock variants' were observed in dust (94%), run-off gullies
      (82%), and barn air (67%), followed by surface water (57%), soil (56%), flies
      (50%) and other farm animals (35%).The introduction of ESBL-producing E. coli
      from poultry farms to the environment may pose a health risk if these bacteria
      reach places where people may become exposed.

PMID- 26270648
TI  - Can Population-Level Laterality Stem from Social Pressures? Evidence from Cheek
      Kissing in Humans.
AB  - Despite extensive research, the origins and functions of behavioural laterality
      remain largely unclear. One of the most striking unresolved issues is the fact
      that laterality generally occurs at the population-level. Why would the majority
      of the individuals of a population exhibit the same laterality, while individual
      level laterality would yet provide the advantages in terms of improving
      behavioural efficiency? Are social pressures the key factor? Can social pressures
      induce alignment of laterality between the individuals of a population? Can the
      effect of social pressures overpass the effect of other possible determining
      factors (e.g. genes)? We tested this important new hypothesis in humans, for the
      first time. We asked whether population-level laterality could stem from social
      pressures. Namely, we assessed social pressures on laterality in an interactive
      social behaviour: kissing on the cheek as a greeting. We performed observations
      in 10 cities of France. The observations took place in spots where people of the
      city meet and greet each other. We showed that: a) there is a population-level
      laterality for cheek kissing, with the majority of individuals being aligned in
      each city, and b) there is a variation between populations, with a laterality
      that depends on the city. These results were confirmed by our complementary data
      from questionnaires and internet surveys. These findings show that social
      pressures are involved in determining laterality. They demonstrate that
      population-level laterality can stem from social pressures.

PMID- 26270650
TI  - Chemoenzymatic Synthesis of (+)-Asperpentyn and the Enantiomer of the Structure
      Assigned to Aspergillusol A.
AB  - Total syntheses of (+)-asperpentyn (1) and compound ent-2, the enantiomer of the
      structure, 2, assigned to the natural product aspergillusol A are reported. Both
      reaction sequences employ the enzymatically derived and enantiomerically pure cis
      1,2-dihydrocatechol 4 as starting material and use Sonogashira cross-coupling
      chemistry to install the required enyne side-chain. The (1)H and (13)C NMR
      spectroscopic data derived from compound ent-2 match those reported for
      aspergillusol A, thus suggesting that the gross structure of this natural product
      has been assigned correctly, although its absolute stereochemistry remains
      unclear. 

PMID- 26270651
TI  - Irreversible Electroporation of Malignant Hepatic Tumors--Alterations in Venous
      Structures at Subacute Follow-Up and Evolution at Mid-Term Follow-Up.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate risk factors associated with alterations in venous
      structures adjacent to an ablation zone after percutaneous irreversible
      electroporation (IRE) of hepatic malignancies at subacute follow-up (1 to 3 days
      after IRE) and to describe evolution of these alterations at mid-term follow-up.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: 43 patients (men/women, 32/11; mean age, 60.3 years) were
      identified in whom venous structures were located within a perimeter of 1.0 cm of
      the ablation zone at subacute follow-up after IRE of 84 hepatic lesions
      (primary/secondary hepatic tumors, 31/53). These vessels were retrospectively
      evaluated by means of pre-interventional and post-interventional contrast
      enhanced magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography or both. Any vascular
      changes in flow, patency, and diameter were documented. Correlations between
      vascular change (yes/no) and characteristics of patients, lesions, and ablation
      procedures were assessed by generalized linear models. RESULTS: 191 venous
      structures were located within a perimeter of 1.0 cm of the ablation zone: 55
      (29%) were encased by the ablation zone, 78 (41%) abutted the ablation zone, and
      58 (30%) were located between 0.1 and 1.0 cm from the border of the ablation
      zone. At subacute follow-up, vascular changes were found in 19 of the 191 vessels
      (9.9%), with partial portal vein thrombosis in 2, complete portal vein thrombosis
      in 3, and lumen narrowing in 14 of 19. At follow-up of patients with subacute
      vessel alterations (mean, 5.7 months; range, 0 to 14 months) thrombosis had
      resolved in 2 of 5 cases; vessel narrowing had completely resolved in 8 of 14
      cases, and partly resolved in 1 of 14 cases. The encasement of a vessel by
      ablation zone (OR = 6.36, p<0.001), ablation zone being adjacent to a portal vein
      (OR = 8.94, p<0.001), and the usage of more than 3 IRE probes (OR = 3.60, p =
      0.035) were independently associated with post-IRE vessel alterations.
      CONCLUSION: Venous structures located in close proximity to an IRE ablation zone
      remain largely unaffected by this procedure, and thrombosis is rare.

PMID- 26270649
TI  - Predicting Hemagglutinin MHC-II Ligand Analogues in Anti-TNFalpha Biologics:
      Implications for Immunogenicity of Pharmaceutical Proteins.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to evaluate the extent of overlapping immunogenic
      peptides between three pharmaceutical biologics and influenza viruses. Clinical
      studies have shown that subsets of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
      develop anti-drug antibodies towards anti-TNFalpha biologics. We postulate that
      common infectious pathogens, including influenza viruses, may sensitize RA
      patients toward recombinant proteins. We hypothesize that embedded within
      infliximab (IFX), adalimumab (ADA), and etanercept (ETN) are ligands of class II
      major histocompatibility complex (MHC-II) that mimic T cell epitopes derived from
      influenza hemagglutinin (HA). The rationale is that repeated administration of
      the biologics would reactivate HA-primed CD4 T cells, stimulating B cells to
      produce cross-reactive antibodies. Custom scripts were constructed using MATLAB
      to compare MHC-II ligands of HA and the biologics; all ligands were predicted
      using tools in Immune Epitope Database and Resources (IEDB). We analyzed three
      HLA-DR1 alleles (0101, 0401 and 1001) that are prominent in RA patients, and two
      alleles (0103 and 1502) that are not associated with RA. The results indicate
      that 0401 would present more analogues of HA ligands in the three anti-TNFalpha
      biologics compared to the other alleles. The approach led to identification of
      potential ligands in IFX and ADA that shares sequence homology with a known HA
      specific CD4 T cell epitope. We also discovered a peptide in the complementarity
      determining region 3 (CDR-3) of ADA that encompasses both a potential CD4 T cell
      epitope and a known B cell epitope in HA. The results may help generate new
      hypotheses for interrogating patient variability of immunogenicity of the anti
      TNFalpha drugs. The approach would aid development of new recombinant biologics
      by identifying analogues of CD4 T cell epitopes of common pathogens at the
      preclinical stage. 

PMID- 26270652
TI  - High ABCG4 Expression Is Associated with Poor Prognosis in Non-Small-Cell Lung
      Cancer Patients Treated with Cisplatin-Based Chemotherapy.
AB  - ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters are associated with poor response to
      chemotherapy, and confer a poor prognosis in various malignancies. However, the
      association between the expression of the ABC sub-family G member 4 (ABCG4) and
      prognosis in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains unclear.
      NSCLC tissue samples (n = 140) and normal lung tissue samples (n = 90) were
      resected from patients with stage II to IV NSCLC between May 2004 and May 2009.
      ABCG4 mRNA and protein expressions were detected by RT-PCR, western blot, and
      immunohistochemistry. Patients received four cycles of cisplatin-based post
      surgery chemotherapy and were followed up until May 31st, 2014. ABCG4 positivity
      rate was higher in NSCLC than in normal lung tissues (48.6% vs. 0%, P<0.001) and
      ABCG4 expression was significantly associated with poor differentiation, higher
      tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage, and adenocarcinoma histological type (all
      P<0.001). Univariate (HR = 2.284, 95%CI: 1.570-3.324, P<0.001) and multivariate
      (HR = 2.236, 95%CI: 1.505-3.321, P<0.001) analyses showed that ABCG4 expression
      was an independent factor associated with a poor prognosis in NSCLC. Patients
      with ABCG4-positive NSCLC had shorter median survival than ABCG4-negative NSCLC
      (20.1 vs. 43.2 months, P<0.001). The prognostic significance of ABCG4 expression
      was apparent in stages III and IV NSCLC. In conclusion, high ABCG4 expression was
      associated with a poor prognosis in patients with NSCLC treated with cisplatin
      based chemotherapy. 

PMID- 26270653
TI  - Glutamine Synthetase Sensitivity to Oxidative Modification during Nutrient
      Starvation in Prochlorococcus marinus PCC 9511.
AB  - Glutamine synthetase plays a key role in nitrogen metabolism, thus the fine
      regulation of this enzyme in Prochlorococcus, which is especially important in
      the oligotrophic oceans where this marine cyanobacterium thrives. In this work,
      we studied the metal-catalyzed oxidation of glutamine synthetase in cultures of
      Prochlorococcus marinus strain PCC 9511 subjected to nutrient limitation.
      Nitrogen deprivation caused glutamine synthetase to be more sensitive to metal
      catalyzed oxidation (a 36% increase compared to control, non starved samples).
      Nutrient starvation induced also a clear increase (three-fold in the case of
      nitrogen) in the concentration of carbonyl derivatives in cell extracts, which
      was also higher (22%) upon addition of the inhibitor of electron transport, DCMU,
      to cultures. Our results indicate that nutrient limitations, representative of
      the natural conditions in the Prochlorococcus habitat, affect the response of
      glutamine synthetase to oxidative inactivating systems. Implications of these
      results on the regulation of glutamine synthetase by oxidative alteration prior
      to degradation of the enzyme in Prochlorococcus are discussed. 

PMID- 26270654
TI  - Effect of Ozone Treatment on Nano-Sized Silver Sulfide in Wastewater Effluent.
AB  - Silver nanoparticles used in consumer products are likely to be released into
      municipal wastewater. Transformation reactions, most importantly sulfidation,
      lead to the formation of nanoscale silver sulfide (nano-Ag2S) particles. In
      wastewater treatment plants (WWTP), ozonation can enhance the effluent quality by
      eliminating organic micropollutants. The effect of ozonation on the fate of nano
      Ag2S, however, is currently unknown. In this study, we investigate the
      interaction of ozone with nano-Ag2S and evaluate the effect of ozonation on the
      short-term toxicity of WWTP effluent spiked with nano-Ag2S. The oxidation of nano
      Ag2S by ozone resulted in a stoichiometric factor (number of moles of ozone
      required to oxidize one mole of sulfide to sulfate) of 2.91, which is comparable
      to the results obtained for the reaction of bisulfide (HS(-)) with ozone. The
      second-order rate constant for the reaction of nano-Ag2S with ozone (k = 3.1 *
      10(4) M(-1) s(-1)) is comparable to the rate constant of fast-reacting
      micropollutants. Analysis of the ozonation products of nano-Ag2S by transmission
      electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) revealed that
      ozonation dominantly led to the formation of silver chloride in WWTP effluent.
      After ozonation of the Ag2S-spiked effluent, the short-term toxicity for the
      green algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii increased and reached EC50 values
      comparable to Ag(+). This study thus reveals that ozone treatment of WWTP
      effluent results in the oxidation of Ag2S and, hence, an increase of the Ag
      toxicity in the effluent, which may become relevant at elevated Ag
      concentrations. 

PMID- 26270655
TI  - Innate-like lymphocytes in intestinal infections.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The mechanisms of immunity against intestinal pathogens are
      not well understood. Innate-like lymphocytes are a group of recently discovered
      cells that do not fit into either side of the historical innate-adaptive
      classification. They are enriched in the intestinal mucosa and participate in gut
      homeostasis and defense against infections. We will review recent developments in
      innate-like T lymphocytes and innate lymphoid cells, specifically as they relate
      to responses to intestinal infections. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent studies have
      uncovered further details into antigen presentation to gammadelta T cells and
      mucosal-associated invariant T cells, the role of invariant natural killer T
      cells and mucosal-associated invariant T cells in intestinal infections, and how
      innate lymphoid cells maintain gut homeostasis and protection. SUMMARY: Innate
      like lymphocytes play a major role in the critical early response to intestinal
      infections and maintaining gut homeostasis. Further studies of the roles these
      cells play in the human intestinal mucosa will aid in the development of
      therapeutics against intestinal infections.

PMID- 26270657
TI  - Neuroprotective Effects of Mitochondria-Targeted Plastoquinone and Thymoquinone
      in a Rat Model of Brain Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury.
AB  - We explored the neuroprotective properties of natural plant-derived antioxidants
      plastoquinone and thymoquinone (2-demethylplastoquinone derivative) modified to
      be specifically accumulated in mitochondria. The modification was performed
      through chemical conjugation of the quinones with penetrating cations: Rhodamine
      19 or tetraphenylphosphonium. Neuroprotective properties were evaluated in a
      model of middle cerebral artery occlusion. We demonstrate that the mitochondria
      targeted compounds, introduced immediately after reperfusion, possess various
      neuroprotective potencies as judged by the lower brain damage and higher
      neurological status. Plastoquinone derivatives conjugated with rhodamine were the
      most efficient, and the least efficiency was shown by antioxidants conjugated
      with tetraphenylphosphonium. Antioxidants were administered intraperitoneally or
      intranasally with the latter demonstrating a high level of penetration into the
      brain tissue. The therapeutic effects of both ways of administration were
      similar. Long-term administration of antioxidants in low doses reduced the
      neurological deficit, but had no effect on the volume of brain damage. At
      present, cationic decylrhodamine derivatives of plastoquinone appear to be the
      most promising anti-ischemic mitochondria-targeted drugs of the quinone family.
      We suggest these antioxidants could be potentially used for a stroke treatment. 

PMID- 26270656
TI  - A Chinese cave links climate change, social impacts, and human adaptation over
      the last 500 years.
AB  - The collapse of some pre-historical and historical cultures, including Chinese
      dynasties were presumably linked to widespread droughts, on the basis of
      synchronicities of societal crises and proxy-based climate events. Here, we
      present a comparison of ancient inscriptions in Dayu Cave from Qinling Mountains,
      central China, which described accurate times and detailed impacts of seven
      drought events during the period of 1520-1920 CE, with high-resolution speleothem
      records from the same cave. The comparable results provide unique and robust
      tests on relationships among speleothem delta(18)O changes, drought events, and
      societal unrest. With direct historical evidences, our results suggest that
      droughts and even modest events interrupting otherwise wet intervals can cause
      serious social crises. Modeling results of speleothem delta(18)O series suggest
      that future precipitation in central China may be below the average of the past
      500 years. As Qinling Mountain is the main recharge area of two large water
      transfer projects and habitats of many endangered species, it is imperative to
      explore an adaptive strategy for the decline in precipitation and/or drought
      events. 

PMID- 26270659
TI  - LincRNA-p21: Implications in Human Diseases.
AB  - Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), which lack significant protein-coding capacity,
      regulate various biological processes through diverse and as yet poorly
      understood molecular mechanisms. However, a number of studies in the past few
      years have documented important functions for lncRNAs in human diseases. Among
      these lncRNAs, lincRNA-p21 has been proposed to be a novel regulator of cell
      proliferation, apoptosis and DNA damage response, and involved in the initiation
      and progression of human diseases. In this review, we summarize the current
      knowledge of lincRNA-p21, mainly focus on the known biological functions and its
      underlying mechanisms. Moreover, we highlight the growing body of evidences for
      the importance of lincRNA-p21 in diverse human diseases, which indicate lincRNA
      p21 as a potential diagnostic marker and/or a valuable therapeutic target for
      these diseases. 

PMID- 26270658
TI  - Salvia miltiorrhiza Induces Tonic Contraction of the Lower Esophageal Sphincter
      in Rats via Activation of Extracellular Ca2+ Influx.
AB  - Up to 40% of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) suffer from
      proton pump inhibitor refractory GERD but clinically the medications to
      strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to avoid irritating reflux are
      few in number. This study aimed to examine whether Salvia miltiorrhiza (SM)
      extracts induce tonic contraction of rat LES ex vivo and elucidate the underlying
      mechanisms. To investigate the mechanism underlying the SM extract-induced
      contractile effects, rats were pretreated with atropine (a muscarinic receptor
      antagonist), tetrodotoxin (a sodium channel blocker), nifedipine (a calcium
      channel blocker), and Ca(2+)-free Krebs-Henseleit solution with ethylene glycol
      tetraacetic acid (EGTA), followed by administration of cumulative dosages of SM
      extracts. SM extracts induced dose-related tonic contraction of the LES, which
      was unaffected by tetrodotoxin, atropine, or nifedipine. However, the SM extract
      induced LES contraction was significantly inhibited by Ca(2+)-free Krebs
      Henseleit solution with EGTA. Next, SM extracts significantly induce
      extracellular Ca(2+) entry into primary LES cells in addition to intracellular
      Ca(2+) release and in a dose-response manner. Confocal fluorescence microscopy
      showed that the SM extracts consistently induced significant extracellular Ca(2+)
      influx into primary LES cells in a time-dependent manner. In conclusion, SM
      extracts could induce tonic contraction of LES mainly through the extracellular
      Ca(2+) influx pathway. 

PMID- 26270660
TI  - In Vitro Expansion of CAG, CAA, and Mixed CAG/CAA Repeats.
AB  - Polyglutamine diseases, including Huntington's disease and a number of
      spinocerebellar ataxias, are caused by expanded CAG repeats that are located in
      translated sequences of individual, functionally-unrelated genes. Only mutant
      proteins containing polyglutamine expansions have long been thought to be
      pathogenic, but recent evidence has implicated mutant transcripts containing long
      CAG repeats in pathogenic processes. The presence of two pathogenic factors
      prompted us to attempt to distinguish the effects triggered by mutant protein
      from those caused by mutant RNA in cellular models of polyglutamine diseases. We
      used the SLIP (Synthesis of Long Iterative Polynucleotide) method to generate
      plasmids expressing long CAG repeats (forming a hairpin structure), CAA
      interrupted CAG repeats (forming multiple unstable hairpins) or pure CAA repeats
      (not forming any secondary structure). We successfully modified the original SLIP
      protocol to generate repeats of desired length starting from constructs
      containing short repeat tracts. We demonstrated that the SLIP method is a time-
      and cost-effective approach to manipulate the lengths of expanded repeat
      sequences. 

PMID- 26270661
TI  - Comparative Analysis of the Brassica napus Root and Leaf Transcript Profiling in
      Response to Drought Stress.
AB  - Drought stress is one of the major abiotic factors affecting Brassica napus (B.
      napus) productivity. In order to identify genes of potential importance to
      drought stress and obtain a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms
      regarding the responses of B. napus to dehydration stress, we performed large
      scale transcriptome sequencing of B. napus plants under dehydration stress using
      the Illumina sequencing technology. In this work, a relatively drought tolerant
      B. napus line, Q2, identified in our previous study, was used. Four cDNA
      libraries constructed from mRNAs of control and dehydration-treated root and leaf
      were sequenced by Illumina technology. A total of 6018 and 5377 differentially
      expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in root and leaf. In addition, 1745 genes
      exhibited a coordinated expression profile between the two tissues under drought
      stress, 1289 (approximately 74%) of which showed an inverse relationship,
      demonstrating different regulation patterns between the root and leaf. The gene
      ontology (GO) enrichment test indicated that up-regulated genes in root were
      mostly involved in "stimulus" "stress" biological process, and activated genes in
      leaf mainly functioned in "cell" "cell part" components. Furthermore, a
      comparative network related to plant hormone signal transduction and AREB/ABF,
      AP2/EREBP, NAC, WRKY and MYC/MYB transcription factors (TFs) provided a view of
      different stress tolerance mechanisms between root and leaf. Some of the DEGs
      identified may be candidates for future research aimed at detecting drought
      responsive genes and will be useful for understanding the molecular mechanisms of
      drought tolerance in root and leaf of B. napus. 

PMID- 26270664
TI  - On the Optimization of a Probabilistic Data Aggregation Framework for Energy
      Efficiency in Wireless Sensor Networks.
AB  - Among the key aspects of the Internet of Things (IoT) is the integration of
      heterogeneous sensors in a distributed system that performs actions on the
      physical world based on environmental information gathered by sensors and
      application-related constraints and requirements. Numerous applications of
      Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) have appeared in various fields, from
      environmental monitoring, to tactical fields, and healthcare at home, promising
      to change our quality of life and facilitating the vision of sensor network
      enabled smart cities. Given the enormous requirements that emerge in such a
      setting-both in terms of data and energy-data aggregation appears as a key
      element in reducing the amount of traffic in wireless sensor networks and
      achieving energy conservation. Probabilistic frameworks have been introduced as
      operational efficient and performance effective solutions for data aggregation in
      distributed sensor networks. In this work, we introduce an overall optimization
      approach that improves and complements such frameworks towards identifying the
      optimal probability for a node to aggregate packets as well as the optimal
      aggregation period that a node should wait for performing aggregation, so as to
      minimize the overall energy consumption, while satisfying certain imposed delay
      constraints. Primal dual decomposition is employed to solve the corresponding
      optimization problem while simulation results demonstrate the operational
      efficiency of the proposed approach under different traffic and topology
      scenarios. 

PMID- 26270663
TI  - Influence of Pre-Freezing Temperature on the Corneal Endothelial
      Cytocompatibility and Cell Delivery Performance of Porous Hyaluronic Acid
      Hydrogel Carriers.
AB  - The development of porous hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogels for corneal endothelial
      tissue engineering is attractive because they can be used as functional cell
      delivery carriers to help in the reconstruction of damaged areas. The purpose of
      this study was to investigate the corneal endothelial cytocompatibility and cell
      delivery performance of porous HA hydrogel biomaterials fabricated at different
      pre-freezing temperatures. As compared to their counterparts prepared at -80 
      degrees C, the HA samples fabricated at higher pre-freezing temperature (i.e., 0 
      degrees C) exhibited a larger pore size and higher porosity, thereby leading to
      lower resistance to glucose permeation. Live/dead assays and gene expression
      analyses showed that the restricted porous structure of HA carriers decreases the
      viability and ionic pump function of cultured corneal endothelial cells (CECs).
      The results also indicated that the porous hydrogel biomaterials fabricated at
      high pre-freezing temperature seem to be more compatible with rabbit CECs. In an
      animal model of corneal endothelial dysfunction, the wounded rabbit corneas
      receiving bioengineered CEC sheets and restricted porous-structured HA carriers
      demonstrated poor tissue reconstruction. The therapeutic efficacy of cell sheet
      transplants can be improved by using carrier materials prepared at high pre
      freezing temperature. Our findings suggest that the cryogenic operation
      temperature-mediated pore microstructure of HA carriers plays an important role
      in corneal endothelial cytocompatibility and cell delivery performance. 

PMID- 26270662
TI  - New Immunosuppressive Therapies in Uveitis Treatment.
AB  - Uveitis is an inflammatory process that initially starts in the uvea, but can
      also affect other adjacent eye structures, and is currently the fourth cause of
      blindness in developed countries. Corticoids are probably the most widespread
      treatment, but resorting to other immunosuppressive treatments is a frequent
      practice. Since the implication of different cytokines in uveitis has been well
      demonstrated, the majority of recent treatments for this disease include
      inhibitors or antibodies against these. Nevertheless, adequate treatment for each
      uveitis type entails a difficult therapeutic decision as no clear recommendations
      are found in the literature, despite the few protocolized clinical assays and
      many case-control studies done. This review aims to present, in order, the
      mechanisms and main indications of the most modern immunosuppressive drugs
      against cytokines. 

PMID- 26270665
TI  - A Low-Power and Portable Biomedical Device for Respiratory Monitoring with a
      Stable Power Source.
AB  - Continuous respiratory monitoring is an important tool for clinical monitoring.
      Associated with the development of biomedical technology, it has become more and
      more important, especially in the measuring of gas flow and CO2 concentration,
      which can reflect the status of the patient. In this paper, a new type of
      biomedical device is presented, which uses low-power sensors with a
      piezoresistive silicon differential pressure sensor to measure gas flow and with
      a pyroelectric sensor to measure CO2 concentration simultaneously. For the
      portability of the biomedical device, the sensors and low-power measurement
      circuits are integrated together, and the airway tube also needs to be
      miniaturized. Circuits are designed to ensure the stability of the power source
      and to filter out the existing noise. Modulation technology is used to eliminate
      the fluctuations at the trough of the waveform of the CO2 concentration signal.
      Statistical analysis with the coefficient of variation was performed to find out
      the optimal driving voltage of the pressure transducer. Through targeted
      experiments, the biomedical device showed a high accuracy, with a measuring
      precision of 0.23 mmHg, and it worked continuously and stably, thus realizing the
      real-time monitoring of the status of patients. 

PMID- 26270666
TI  - Study on Pyroelectric Harvesters with Various Geometry.
AB  - Pyroelectric harvesters convert time-dependent temperature variations into
      electric current. The appropriate geometry of the pyroelectric cells, coupled
      with the optimal period of temperature fluctuations, is key to driving the
      optimal load resistance, which enhances the performance of pyroelectric
      harvesters. The induced charge increases when the thickness of the pyroelectric
      cells decreases. Moreover, the induced charge is extremely reduced for the
      thinner pyroelectric cell when not used for the optimal period. The maximum
      harvested power is achieved when a 100 MUm-thick PZT (Lead zirconate titanate)
      cell is used to drive the optimal load resistance of about 40 MOmega. Moreover,
      the harvested power is greatly reduced when the working resistance diverges even
      slightly from the optimal load resistance. The stored voltage generated from the
      75 MUm-thick PZT cell is less than that from the 400 MUm-thick PZT cell for a
      period longer than 64 s. Although the thinner PZT cell is advantageous in that it
      enhances the efficiency of the pyroelectric harvester, the much thinner 75 MUm
      thick PZT cell and the divergence from the optimal period further diminish the
      performance of the pyroelectric cell. Therefore, the designers of pyroelectric
      harvesters need to consider the coupling effect between the geometry of the
      pyroelectric cells and the optimal period of temperature fluctuations to drive
      the optimal load resistance. 

PMID- 26270667
TI  - A Trajectory-Based Coverage Assessment Approach for Universal Sensor Networks.
AB  - To solve the problem of coverage performance assessment, this study proposes an
      evaluation method based on the trajectory of the target, which is applicable to
      universal sensor networks, including both heterogeneous and homogeneous sensor
      networks. Different from the traditional Voronoi algorithm, the proposed Improved
      Coverage Force Division (ICFD) plans a coverage force division map whichscales
      the qualitative coverage performancebasedon both covering intensities
      andlocations of the nodes. Furthermore, the Trajectory-based Evaluating Schedule
      (TES) is responsible for solving the quantitative coverage evaluationproblem by
      measuringthe resulting trajectories' Balance Values (BVs). A model of weak-point
      ranking conjoined in consideration of coverage force and distance can guide
      future deployment to compensate coverage. Comparative trials using the greedy
      algorithm, Voronoi algorithm, and the proposed TES verify that TES achieves the
      approximate results for two-stage and multistage heterogeneous sensor networks
      with acceptable difference and lower complexity, and it is superior to the
      Voronoi algorithm in homogeneous sensor networks interms of breaking the four
      point circle block. 

PMID- 26270668
TI  - Comparison of Cell Disruption Methods for Improving Lipid Extraction from
      Thraustochytrid Strains.
AB  - Lipid extraction is an integral part of biodiesel production, as it facilitates
      the release of fatty acids from algal cells. To utilise thraustochytrids as a
      potential source for lipid production. We evaluated the extraction efficiency of
      various solvents and solvent combinations for lipid extraction from
      Schizochytrium sp. S31 and Thraustochytrium sp. AMCQS5-5. The maximum lipid
      extraction yield was 22% using a chloroform:methanol ratio of 2:1. We compared
      various cell disruption methods to improve lipid extraction yields, including
      grinding with liquid nitrogen, bead vortexing, osmotic shock, water bath,
      sonication and shake mill. The highest lipid extraction yields were obtained
      using osmotic shock and 48.7% from Schizochytrium sp. S31 and 29.1% from
      Thraustochytrium sp. AMCQS5-5. Saturated and monounsaturated fatty acid contents
      were more than 60% in Schizochytrium sp. S31 which suggests their suitability for
      biodiesel production.

PMID- 26270669
TI  - Climate Change and Health on the U.S. Gulf Coast: Public Health Adaptation is
      Needed to Address Future Risks.
AB  - The impacts of climate change on human health have been documented globally and
      in the United States. Numerous studies project greater morbidity and mortality as
      a result of extreme weather events and other climate-sensitive hazards. Public
      health impacts on the U.S. Gulf Coast may be severe as the region is expected to
      experience increases in extreme temperatures, sea level rise, and possibly fewer
      but more intense hurricanes. Through myriad pathways, climate change is likely to
      make the Gulf Coast less hospitable and more dangerous for its residents, and may
      prompt substantial migration from and into the region. Public health impacts may
      be further exacerbated by the concentration of people and infrastructure, as well
      as the region's coastal geography. Vulnerable populations, including the very
      young, elderly, and socioeconomically disadvantaged may face particularly high
      threats to their health and well-being. This paper provides an overview of
      potential public health impacts of climate variability and change on the Gulf
      Coast, with a focus on the region's unique vulnerabilities, and outlines
      recommendations for improving the region's ability to minimize the impacts of
      climate-sensitive hazards. Public health adaptation aimed at improving
      individual, public health system, and infrastructure resilience is urgently
      needed to meet the challenges climate change may pose to the Gulf Coast in the
      coming decades. 

PMID- 26270670
TI  - Factors Contributing to Hypoxia in the Minjiang River Estuary, Southeast China.
AB  - Dissolved oxygen (DO) is not only a fundamental parameter of coastal water
      quality, but also an indication of organics decomposed in water and their degree
      of eutrophication. There has been a concern about the deterioration of dissolved
      oxygen conditions in the Minjiang River Estuary, the longest river in Fujian
      Province, Southeast China. In this study, the syntheses effects on DO was
      analyzed by using a four year time series of DO concentration and ancillary
      parameters (river discharge, water level, and temperature) from the Fuzhou
      Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, at three automated stations along the
      Minjiang River Estuary. Hypoxia occurred exclusively in the fluvial sections of
      the estuary during the high temperature and low river discharge period and was
      remarkably more serious in the river reach near the large urban area of Fuzhou.
      Enhancement of respiration by temperature and discharge of domestic sewage and
      industrial wastewater, versus regeneration of waters and dilution of pollutant
      concentration with increased river discharge, which regarded as the dominant
      antagonist processes that controlled the appearance of seasonal hypoxia. During
      the high temperature and the drought period, minimal mainstream flow above 700
      m(3)?s(-1), reduction of pollutants and forbidding sediment dredging in the South
      Channel should be guaranteed for strong supports on water quality management and
      drinking water source protection. 

PMID- 26270671
TI  - Evidence of Coal-Fly-Ash Toxic Chemical Geoengineering in the Troposphere:
      Consequences for Public Health.
AB  - The widespread, intentional and increasingly frequent chemical emplacement in the
      troposphere has gone unidentified and unremarked in the scientific literature for
      years. The author presents evidence that toxic coal combustion fly ash is the
      most likely aerosolized particulate sprayed by tanker-jets for geoengineering,
      weather-modification and climate-modification purposes and describes some of the
      multifold consequences on public health. Two methods are employed: (1) Comparison
      of 8 elements analyzed in rainwater, leached from aerosolized particulates, with
      corresponding elements leached into water from coal fly ash in published
      laboratory experiments, and (2) Comparison of 14 elements analyzed in dust
      collected outdoors on a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter with
      corresponding elements analyzed in un-leached coal fly ash material. The results
      show: (1) the assemblage of elements in rainwater and in the corresponding
      experimental leachate are essentially identical. At a 99% confidence interval,
      they have identical means (T-test) and identical variances (F-test); and (2) the
      assemblage of elements in the HEPA dust and in the corresponding average un
      leached coal fly ash are likewise essentially identical. The consequences on
      public health are profound, including exposure to a variety of toxic heavy
      metals, radioactive elements, and neurologically-implicated chemically mobile
      aluminum released by body moisture in situ after inhalation or through
      transdermal induction. 

PMID- 26270672
TI  - Model Averaging for Improving Inference from Causal Diagrams.
AB  - Model selection is an integral, yet contentious, component of epidemiologic
      research. Unfortunately, there remains no consensus on how to identify a single,
      best model among multiple candidate models. Researchers may be prone to selecting
      the model that best supports their a priori, preferred result; a phenomenon
      referred to as "wish bias". Directed acyclic graphs (DAGs), based on background
      causal and substantive knowledge, are a useful tool for specifying a subset of
      adjustment variables to obtain a causal effect estimate. In many cases, however,
      a DAG will support multiple, sufficient or minimally-sufficient adjustment sets.
      Even though all of these may theoretically produce unbiased effect estimates they
      may, in practice, yield somewhat distinct values, and the need to select between
      these models once again makes the research enterprise vulnerable to wish bias. In
      this work, we suggest combining adjustment sets with model averaging techniques
      to obtain causal estimates based on multiple, theoretically-unbiased models. We
      use three techniques for averaging the results among multiple candidate models:
      information criteria weighting, inverse variance weighting, and bootstrapping. We
      illustrate these approaches with an example from the Pregnancy, Infection, and
      Nutrition (PIN) study. We show that each averaging technique returns similar,
      model averaged causal estimates. An a priori strategy of model averaging provides
      a means of integrating uncertainty in selection among candidate, causal models,
      while also avoiding the temptation to report the most attractive estimate from a
      suite of equally valid alternatives. 

PMID- 26270674
TI  - Validity of Two New Brief Instruments to Estimate Vegetable Intake in Adults.
AB  - Cost effective population-based monitoring tools are needed for nutritional
      surveillance and interventions. The aim was to evaluate the relative validity of
      two new brief instruments (three item: VEG3 and five item: VEG5) for estimating
      usual total vegetable intake in comparison to a 7-day dietary record (7DDR).
      Sixty-four Australian adult volunteers aged 30 to 69 years (30 males, mean age +/
      SD 56.3 +/- 9.2 years and 34 female mean age +/- SD 55.3 +/- 10.0 years).
      Pearson correlations between 7DDR and VEG3 and VEG5 were modest, at 0.50 and
      0.56, respectively. VEG3 significantly (p < 0.001) underestimated mean vegetable
      intake compared to 7DDR measures (2.9 +/- 1.3 vs. 3.6 +/- 1.6 serves/day,
      respectively), whereas mean vegetable intake assessed by VEG5 did not differ from
      7DDR measures (3.3 +/- 1.5 vs. 3.6 +/- 1.6 serves/day). VEG5 was also able to
      correctly identify 95%, 88% and 75% of those subjects not consuming five, four
      and three serves/day of vegetables according to their 7DDR classification. VEG5,
      but not VEG3, can estimate usual total vegetable intake of population groups and
      had superior performance to VEG3 in identifying those not meeting different
      levels of vegetable intake. VEG5, a brief instrument, shows measurement
      characteristics useful for population-based monitoring and intervention
      targeting. 

PMID- 26270675
TI  - Beverage Consumption: Are Alcoholic and Sugary Drinks Tipping the Balance towards
      Overweight and Obesity?
AB  - The role that energy-containing beverages may play in the development of
      overweight and obesity remains highly controversial, in particular the alcoholic
      and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB). Both of these beverage formats have been
      increasing as a percentage of the westernized diet over the past 20 years, and
      both have contributed significantly to an increase in energy consumed in liquid
      form. Data from epidemiology and intervention studies however have long been
      contradictory, despite mechanistic evidence pointing towards poor compensation
      for addition of "liquid" energy from these two sources into the diet providing a
      strong rational for the balance to be tipped towards weight gain. Regulatory and
      government intervention has been increasing globally, particularly with respect
      to intake of SSBs in children. This narrative review presents evidence which both
      supports and refutes the link between alcohol and carbohydrate-containing liquids
      and the regulation of body weight, and investigates mechanisms which may underpin
      any relationship between increased beverage consumption and increased energy
      intake, body weight and adiposity. 

PMID- 26270673
TI  - The Interaction between Cyclin B1 and Cytomegalovirus Protein Kinase pUL97 is
      Determined by an Active Kinase Domain.
AB  - Replication of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is characterized by a tight virus
      host cell interaction. Cyclin-dependent protein kinases (CDKs) are functionally
      integrated into viral gene expression and protein modification. The HCMV-encoded
      protein kinase pUL97 acts as a CDK ortholog showing structural and functional
      similarities. Recently, we reported an interaction between pUL97 kinase with a
      subset of host cyclins, in particular with cyclin T1. Here, we describe an
      interaction of pUL97 at an even higher affinity with cyclin B1. As a striking
      feature, the interaction between pUL97 and cyclin B1 proved to be strictly
      dependent on pUL97 activity, as interaction could be abrogated by treatment with
      pUL97 inhibitors or by inserting mutations into the conserved kinase domain or
      the nonconserved C-terminus of pUL97, both producing loss of activity. Thus, we
      postulate that the mechanism of pUL97-cyclin B1 interaction is determined by an
      active pUL97 kinase domain. 

PMID- 26270676
TI  - Hedgehog Signaling in the Maintenance of Cancer Stem Cells.
AB  - Cancer stem cells (CSCs) represent a rare population of cells with the capacity
      to self-renew and give rise to heterogeneous cell lineages within a tumour.
      Whilst the mechanisms underlying the regulation of CSCs are poorly defined, key
      developmental signaling pathways required for normal stem and progenitor
      functions have been strongly implicated. Hedgehog (Hh) signaling is an
      evolutionarily-conserved pathway essential for self-renewal and cell fate
      determination. Aberrant Hh signaling is associated with the development and
      progression of various types of cancer and is implicated in multiple aspects of
      tumourigenesis, including the maintenance of CSCs. Here, we discuss the mounting
      evidence suggestive of Hh-driven CSCs in the context of haematological
      malignancies and solid tumours and the novel strategies that hold the potential
      to block many aspects of the transformation attributed to the CSC phenotype,
      including chemotherapeutic resistance, relapse and metastasis. 

PMID- 26270678
TI  - Challenges in Antibody Development against Tn and Sialyl-Tn Antigens.
AB  - The carbohydrate antigens Tn and sialyl-Tn (STn) are expressed in most carcinomas
      and usually absent in healthy tissues. These antigens have been correlated with
      cancer progression and poor prognosis, and associated with immunosuppressive
      microenvironment. Presently they are used in clinical trials as therapeutic
      vaccination, but with limited success due to their low immunogenicity.
      Alternatively, anti-Tn and/or STn antibodies may be used to harness the immune
      system against tumor cells. Whilst the development of antibodies against these
      antigens had a boost two decades ago for diagnostic use, so far no such antibody
      entered into clinical trials. Possible limitations are the low specificity and
      efficiency of existing antibodies and that novel antibodies are still necessary.
      The vast array of methodologies available today will allow rapid antibody
      development and novel formats. Following the advent of hybridoma technology, the
      immortalization of human B cells became a methodology to obtain human monoclonal
      antibodies with better specificity. Advances in molecular biology including phage
      display technology for high throughput screening, transgenic mice and more
      recently molecularly engineered antibodies enhanced the field of antibody
      production. The development of novel antibodies against Tn and STn taking
      advantage of innovative technologies and engineering techniques may result in
      innovative therapeutic antibodies for cancer treatment. 

PMID- 26270681
TI  - Editorial commentary: treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria might be harmful.

PMID- 26270677
TI  - Bacterial Genotoxins: Merging the DNA Damage Response into Infection Biology.
AB  - Bacterial genotoxins are unique among bacterial toxins as their molecular target
      is DNA. The consequence of intoxication or infection is induction of DNA breaks
      that, if not properly repaired, results in irreversible cell cycle arrest
      (senescence) or death of the target cells. At present, only three bacterial
      genotoxins have been identified. Two are protein toxins: the cytolethal
      distending toxin (CDT) family produced by a number of Gram-negative bacteria and
      the typhoid toxin produced by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi. The third
      member, colibactin, is a peptide-polyketide genotoxin, produced by strains
      belonging to the phylogenetic group B2 of Escherichia coli. This review will
      present the cellular effects of acute and chronic intoxication or infection with
      the genotoxins-producing bacteria. The carcinogenic properties and the role of
      these effectors in the context of the host-microbe interaction will be discussed.
      We will further highlight the open questions that remain to be solved regarding
      the biology of this unusual family of bacterial toxins. 

PMID- 26270682
TI  - Access to Costly New Hepatitis C Drugs: Medicine, Money, and Advocacy.
AB  - Hepatitis C affects >3 million people in the United States, and often leads to
      end-stage liver disease or death. In 2014, several new drugs to treat hepatitic C
      virus received US Food and Drug Administration approval, with remarkable cure
      rates exceeding 90%. Medicaid, however, is rationing these drugs, and other
      insurers have restricted coverage due to their exorbitant costs and the large
      size of the population in need. These access barriers and disparities have
      resulted in national patient advocacy mobilization, US congressional inquiry, and
      legal challenges. The US Department of Health and Human Services has been urged
      to intervene. We propose the establishment of a federal program, analogous to
      AIDS Drug Assistance Programs, to reduce access barriers and facilitate focused
      price negotiations. The federal government may further undertake a nonvoluntary
      acquisition of the pharmaceutical patents pursuant to federal statutory authority
      and principles of eminent domain. Projections indicate this proposal could lower
      costs by 90% and eliminate rationing. 

PMID- 26270680
TI  - Changing Trends in Complications and Mortality Rates Among US Youth and Young
      Adults With HIV Infection in the Era of Combination Antiretroviral Therapy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) has resulted in a dramatic
      decrease in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related opportunistic infections
      and deaths in US youth, but both continue to occur. METHODS: We estimated the
      incidence of complications and deaths in IMPAACT P1074, a long-term US-based
      prospective multicenter cohort study conducted from April 2008 to June 2014.
      Incidence rates of selected diagnoses and trends over time were compared with
      those from a previous observational cohort study, P219C (2004-2007). Causes of
      death and relevant demographic and clinical features were reviewed. RESULTS:
      Among 1201 HIV-infected youth in P1074 (87% perinatally infected; mean [standard
      deviation] age at last chart review, 20.9 [5.4] years), psychiatric and
      neurodevelopmental disorders, asthma, pneumonia, and genital tract infections
      were among the most common comorbid conditions. Compared with findings in P219C,
      conditions with significantly increased incidence included substance or alcohol
      abuse, latent tuberculosis, diabetes mellitus, atypical mycobacterial infections,
      vitamin D deficiency or metabolic bone disorders, anxiety disorders, and
      fractures; the incidence of pneumonia decreased significantly. Twenty-eight
      deaths occurred, yielding a standardized mortality rate 31.5 times that of the US
      population. Those who died were older, less likely to be receiving cART, and had
      lower CD4 cell counts and higher viral loads. Most deaths (86%) were due to HIV
      related medical conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Opportunistic infections and deaths are
      less common among HIV-infected youth in the US in the cART era, but the mortality
      rate remains elevated. Deaths were associated with poor HIV control and older
      age. Emerging complications, such as psychiatric, inflammatory, metabolic, and
      genital tract diseases, need to be addressed.

PMID- 26270685
TI  - "Lyme": Chronic Fatigue Syndrome by Another Name?

PMID- 26270684
TI  - Asymptomatic bacteriuria treatment is associated with a higher prevalence of
      antibiotic resistant strains in women with urinary tract infections.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Women suffering from recurrent urinary tract infections (rUTIs) are
      routinely treated for asymptomatic bacteriuria (AB), but the consequences of this
      procedure on antibiotic resistance are not fully known. The aim of this study was
      to evaluate the impact of AB treatment on antibiotic resistance among women with
      rUTIs. METHODS: The study population consisted of 2 groups of women who had
      previously been enrolled in a randomized clinical trial: group A was not treated,
      and group B was treated. All women were scheduled for follow-up visits every 6
      months, or more frequently if symptoms arose. Microbiological evaluation was
      performed only in symptomatic women. All women were followed up for a mean of
      38.8 months to analyze data from urine cultures and antibiograms. RESULTS: The
      previous study population consisted of 673 women, but 123 did not attend the
      entire follow-up period. For the final analysis, 257 of the remaining 550
      patients were assigned to group A, and 293 to group B. At the end of follow-up,
      the difference in recurrence rates was statistically significant (P < .001): 97
      (37.7%) in group A versus 204 (69.6%) in group B. Isolated Escherichia coli from
      group B showed higher resistance to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (P = .03),
      trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (P = .01), and ciprofloxacin (P = .03) than that
      from group A. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that AB treatment is associated with
      a higher occurrence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, indicating that AB
      treatment in women with rUTIs is potentially dangerous.

PMID- 26270679
TI  - Chemical Library Screening and Structure-Function Relationship Studies Identify
      Bisacodyl as a Potent and Selective Cytotoxic Agent Towards Quiescent Human
      Glioblastoma Tumor Stem-Like Cells.
AB  - Cancer stem-like cells reside in hypoxic and slightly acidic tumor niches. Such
      microenvironments favor more aggressive undifferentiated phenotypes and a slow
      growing "quiescent state" which preserves them from chemotherapeutic agents that
      essentially target proliferating cells. Our objective was to identify compounds
      active on glioblastoma stem-like cells, including under conditions that mimick
      those found in vivo within this most severe and incurable form of brain
      malignancy. We screened the Prestwick Library to identify cytotoxic compounds
      towards glioblastoma stem-like cells, either in a proliferating state or in more
      slow-growing "quiescent" phenotype resulting from non-renewal of the culture
      medium in vitro. Compound effects were assessed by ATP-level determination using
      a cell-based assay. Twenty active molecules belonging to different
      pharmacological classes have thus been identified. Among those, the stimulant
      laxative drug bisacodyl was the sole to inhibit in a potent and specific manner
      the survival of quiescent glioblastoma stem-like cells. Subsequent structure
      function relationship studies led to identification of 4,4'-dihydroxydiphenyl-2
      pyridyl-methane (DDPM), the deacetylated form of bisacodyl, as the pharmacophore.
      To our knowledge, bisacodyl is currently the only known compound targeting
      glioblastoma cancer stem-like cells in their quiescent, more resistant state. Due
      to its known non-toxicity in humans, bisacodyl appears as a new potential anti
      tumor agent that may, in association with classical chemotherapeutic compounds,
      participate in tumor eradication. 

PMID- 26270686
TI  - A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of preemptive antifungal therapy for the
      prevention of invasive candidiasis following gastrointestinal surgery for intra
      abdominal infections.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing emergency gastrointestinal surgery for intra
      abdominal infection are at risk of invasive candidiasis (IC) and candidates for
      preemptive antifungal therapy. METHODS: This exploratory, randomized, double
      blind, placebo-controlled trial assessed a preemptive antifungal approach with
      micafungin (100 mg/d) in intensive care unit patients requiring surgery for intra
      abdominal infection. Coprimary efficacy variables were the incidence of IC and
      the time from baseline to first IC in the full analysis set; an independent data
      review board confirmed IC. An exploratory biomarker analysis was performed using
      logistic regression. RESULTS: The full analysis set comprised 124 placebo- and
      117 micafungin-treated patients. The incidence of IC was 8.9% for placebo and
      11.1% for micafungin (difference, 2.24%; [95% confidence interval, -5.52 to
      10.20]). There was no difference between the arms in median time to IC. The
      estimated odds ratio showed that patients with a positive (1,3)-beta-d-glucan
      (betaDG) result were 3.66 (95% confidence interval, 1.01-13.29) times more likely
      to have confirmed IC than those with a negative result. CONCLUSIONS: This study
      was unable to provide evidence that preemptive administration of an echinocandin
      was effective in preventing IC in high-risk surgical intensive care unit patients
      with intra-abdominal infections. This may have been because the drug was
      administered too late to prevent IC coupled with an overall low number of IC
      events. It does provide some support for using betaDG to identify patients at
      high risk of IC. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: NCT01122368.

PMID- 26270683
TI  - Emerging and Underrecognized Complications of Illicit Drug Use.
AB  - Illicit drug use can result in a wide range of medical complications. As the
      availability, synthesis, and popularity of illicit drugs evolve over time, new
      syndromes associated with their use may mimic infections. Some of these symptoms
      are anticipated drug effects, and others are complications of adulterants mixed
      with drugs or complications from the method of using drugs. Some illicit drugs
      are associated with rare infections, which are difficult to diagnosis with
      standard microbiological techniques. The goal of this review is to orient a wide
      range of clinicians-including general practitioners, emergency medicine
      providers, and infectious diseases specialists-to complications of illicit drug
      use that may be underrecognized. Improving awareness of infectious and
      noninfectious complications of illicit drug can expedite diagnosis and medical
      treatment of persons who use drugs and facilitate targeted harm reduction
      counseling to prevent future complications. 

PMID- 26270687
TI  - Cell-Associated HIV-1 DNA and RNA Decay Dynamics During Early Combination
      Antiretroviral Therapy in HIV-1-Infected Infants.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The decay of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected
      cells during early combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) in infected infants
      is not defined. METHODS: HIV-1 DNA, including 2-long terminal repeat (2-LTR)
      circles, and multiply spliced (ms-) and unspliced (us-) HIV-1 RNA concentrations
      were measured at 0, 24, 48, and 96 weeks of cART in infants from the IMPAACT
      P1030 trial receiving lopinavir-ritonavir-based cART. The ratio of HIV-1 DNA
      concentrations to replication-competent genomes was also estimated. Linear mixed
      effects models with random intercept and linear splines were used to estimate
      patient-specific decay kinetics of HIV-1 DNA. RESULTS: The median HIV-1 DNA
      concentration before cART at a median age of 2 months was 3.2 log10 copies per
      million PBMC. With cART, the average estimated patient-specific change in HIV-1
      DNA concentrations was -0.040 log10/week (95% confidence interval [CI], -.05, 
      .03) between 0 and 24 weeks and -0.017 log10/week between 24 and 48 weeks (95%
      CI, -.024, -.01). 2-LTR circles decreased with cART but remained detectable
      through 96 weeks. Pre-cART HIV-1 DNA concentration was correlated with time to
      undetectable plasma viral load and post-cART HIV-1 DNA at 96 weeks; although HIV
      1 DNA concentrations exceeded replication-competent HIV-1 genomes by 148-fold.
      Almost all infants had ms- and usRNA detected pre-cART, with 75% having usRNA
      through 96 weeks of cART. CONCLUSIONS: By 2 months of age, a large pool of HIV-1
      infected cells is established in perinatal infection, which influences time to
      undetectable viral load and reservoir size. This has implications for informing
      novel approaches aimed at early restriction of HIV-1 reservoirs to enable
      virologic remission and cure.

PMID- 26270688
TI  - Editorial Commentary: Scaling Up Antiretroviral Preexposure Prophylaxis: Moving
      From Trials to Implementation.

PMID- 26270689
TI  - Study design questions regarding long-term assessment of health-related quality
      of life in patients with culture-confirmed early Lyme disease.

PMID- 26270690
TI  - Reply to Greenberg.

PMID- 26270692
TI  - Effects of a Body-Weight Supporting Kite on Sprint Running Kinematics in Well
      Trained Sprinters.
AB  - Data of elite sprinters indicate that faster athletes realize shorter ground
      contact times compared with slower individuals. Furthermore, the importance of
      the so-called "front side mechanics" for elite sprint performance is frequently
      emphasized by researchers and coaches. Recently, it was demonstrated that using a
      body-weight supporting kite during full-effort sprints in highly trained
      sprinters leads to a reduction in ground contact time. The aim of this study was
      to investigate possible negative effects of this body-weight supporting device on
      sprint running kinematics, which was not clarified in previous studies. Eleven
      well-trained Austrian sprinters performed flying 20-m sprints under 2 conditions:
      (a) free sprint (FS); and (b) body-weight supported sprint (BWS). Sprint cycle
      characteristics were recorded during the high-speed phase by a 16 camera 3D
      system (Vicon), an optical acquisition system (Optojump-next), and a high-speed
      camera. Paired sample t-tests and Cohen's d effect size were used to determine
      differences between sprinting conditions. Compared with FS, BWS caused a decrease
      in ground contact time by 5.6% and an increase in air time by 5.5% (both p <
      0.001), whereas stride length and rate remained unchanged. Furthermore, a reduced
      hip joint extension at and after take-off, an increased maximal hip joint flexion
      (i.e., high knee position), and a smaller horizontal distance of the touchdown to
      the center of gravity could be observed (all p < 0.01). These results indicate no
      negative effects on front side mechanics during BWS and that sprinting with a
      body-weight supporting kite seems to be a highly specific method to reduce ground
      contact time in well-trained sprinters.

PMID- 26270693
TI  - Physiological Effects of Nucleotide Supplementation on Resistance Exercise Stress
      in Men and Women.
AB  - Nucleotide supplementation can reduce postexercise immunosuppression and
      hypothalamic-pituitary axis (HPA) axis activation in endurance exercise models.
      Nucleotide supplementation may aid recovery from other exercise modalities, such
      as heavy resistance exercise. Thus, the purpose of this investigation was to
      investigate the effects of nucleotide supplementation on the acute cortisol and
      immune responses to heavy resistance exercise and its effects on recovery. A
      double-blinded, crossover, mixed methods design with 10 men and 10 women was
      used. Each performed an acute heavy resistance exercise protocol (AHREP) after a
      loading period with a nucleotide or placebo supplement. Before and after the
      AHREP, and at 24, 48, and 72 hours post, blood samples were analyzed for
      cortisol, myeloperoxidase (MPO), and absolute neutrophil, lymphocyte, and
      monocyte counts. Creatine kinase (CK) was analyzed before and 24, 48, and 72
      hours after the AHREP. Performance measures, including peak back squat isometric
      force and peak countermovement jump power were also analyzed. Nucleotide
      supplementation resulted in significant (p <= 0.05) decreases in cortisol and MPO
      immediately after the AHREP, and significantly lower CK values 24 hours later.
      The AHREP significantly affected leukocyte counts; however, no treatment effects
      were observed. Greater isometric force was observed immediately after AHREP and
      at 24 hours and 48 hours with nucleotide supplementation. Nucleotide
      supplementation seems to attenuate muscle damage, HPA axis and immune system
      activation, and performance decrements after heavy resistance exercise.

PMID- 26270691
TI  - Applying a PrEP Continuum of Care for Men Who Have Sex With Men in Atlanta,
      Georgia.
AB  - Reductions in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) incidence with pre-exposure
      prophylaxis (PrEP) for men who have sex with men (MSM) will require significant
      coverage of those at risk. We propose a simplified framework, similar to the HIV
      care continuum, to achieve protection with PrEP as follows: 1. At-risk MSM; 2.
      Awareness of and willingness to take PrEP; 3. Access to healthcare; 4. Receiving
      a prescription; and 5. Adhering to effective PrEP. We evaluated the PrEP care
      continuum on an Atlanta cohort of MSM and projected how many MSM might achieve
      protection from HIV. Even with optimistic estimates, few Atlanta MSM (15%) are
      projected to achieve protection from HIV with PrEP given the significant barriers
      described. Each continuum step represents an important point for intervention
      that could substantially increase the overall effectiveness of PrEP. In addition,
      novel strategies for PrEP delivery are needed to achieve the necessary
      effectiveness for Atlanta MSM at risk of HIV. 

PMID- 26270694
TI  - Electromyographical and Perceptual Responses to Different Resistance Intensities
      in a Squat Protocol: Does Performing Sets to Failure With Light Loads Produce the
      Same Activity?
AB  - This investigation examined peak motor unit activity during sets that differed in
      resistance (50, 70, or 90% 1 repetition maximum [1RM]). Ten resistance-trained
      men (age, 23 +/- 3 years; height, 187 +/- 7 cm; body mass, 91.5 +/- 6.9 kg; squat
      1RM, 141 +/- 28 kg) were assessed by electromyography (EMG) on the vastus
      lateralis and vastus medialis muscles in a randomized within-subject experiment
      consisting of 2 test visits: a drop-set day and a single-set day using only the
      50% of 1RM intensity performed to failure. At the start of each day, subjects
      performed 2 submaximal repetition sets (50% 1RM * 10 repetitions and 70% 1RM * 7
      repetitions). On the drop-set day, subjects performed 3 consecutive maximal
      repetition sets at 90%, 70%, and 50% 1RM to failure with no rest periods in
      between. On the single-set day, subjects performed a maximal repetition set at
      50% 1RM to failure. Overall, the maximal repetition sets to failure at 50% and
      70% 1RM resulted in higher peak EMG amplitude than during submaximal repetition
      sets with the same resistance. However, peak EMG amplitude was significantly (p
      <= 0.05) greater in the maximal 90% 1RM set than all other sets performed. When
      sets were performed to failure, ratings of perceived exertion (CR-10) did not
      differ over the intensity range of loads and suggests that perception is not
      capable of accurately detecting the actual amount of motor unit activation. The
      results of this investigation indicate that using higher external resistance is a
      more effective means of increasing motor unit activity than increasing the number
      of repetitions performed with lighter weights even when the end point is muscular
      failure. Accordingly, previous recommendations for the use of heavier loads
      during resistance training programs to stimulate the maximal development of
      strength and hypertrophy are further supported.

PMID- 26270695
TI  - The Effects of Forced Exhalation and Inhalation, Grunting, and Valsalva Maneuver
      on Forehand Force in Collegiate Tennis Players.
AB  - To examine the effects of forced expiration (FE), forced inspiration (FI),
      grunting (GR), and valsalva maneuver (VM), on air volume, maximum force
      production, and muscle recruitment during a simulated forehand stroke in
      collegiate tennis players. Superficial electrodes were placed over the anterior
      deltoid, pectoralis major, rectus abdominis, lumbar and thoracic erector spinae,
      and external and internal obliques. Subjects stood in a simulated forehand stroke
      stance with their dominant hand positioned on a force plate. Subjects performed 3
      repetitions of maximal 2- to 3-second isometric forehands with randomly assigned
      breathing conditions (FE, FI, VM, and GR) and 30-seconds rest between
      contractions. Air volumes were also collected during each trial. A repeated
      measures multivariate analysis of variance compared normalized peak
      electromyographic activity across the 7 muscle groups. Separate repeated measures
      ANOVAs compared the effect of breathing conditions on peak force production and
      air volume. Statistical significance was set at p <= 0.05 for all analyses.
      Overall muscle activity differed significantly by breathing condition (p = 0.031)
      with greater anterior deltoid activity was seen in FE and GR vs. VM. Internal
      oblique activity was significantly greater in GR than FI or VM, and thoracic
      erector spinae activity was significantly greater during FE and VM than FI. Force
      production did not differ significantly among breathing conditions (p = 0.74);
      however, GR forces were greater than FI and VM forces (p <= 0.05). Forced
      expiration air volume was significantly greater (p < 0.001) than FI, GR, or VM.
      These findings suggest that either GR or a more quiescent FE can be used to
      enhance force production. Forced expiration is a potentially safer alternative to
      VM and more aurally pleasing than GR.

PMID- 26270697
TI  - Emergence of Coherence through Variation of Intermolecular Distances in a Series
      of Molecular Dimers.
AB  - Quantum coherences between electronically excited molecules are a signature of
      entanglement and play an important role for energy transport in molecular
      assemblies. Here we monitor and analyze for a homologous series of molecular
      dimers embedded in a solid host the emergence of coherence with decreasing
      intermolecular distance by single-molecule spectroscopy and quantum chemistry.
      Coherent signatures appear as an enhancement of the purely electronic transitions
      in the dimers which is reflected by changes of fluorescence spectra and
      lifetimes. Effects that destroy the coherence are the coupling to the
      surroundings and to vibrational excitations. Complementary information is
      provided by excitation spectra from which the electronic coupling strengths were
      extracted and found to be in good agreement with calculated values. By revealing
      various signatures of intermolecular coherence, our results pave the way for the
      rational design of molecular systems with entangled states. 

PMID- 26270696
TI  - The Synthesis of Stable, Complex Organocesium Tetramic Acids through the Ugi
      Reaction and Cesium-Carbonate-Promoted Cascades.
AB  - Two structurally unique organocesium carbanionic tetramic acids have been
      synthesized through expeditious and novel cascade reactions of strategically
      functionalized Ugi skeletons delivering products with two points of potential
      diversification. This is the first report of the use of multicomponent reactions
      and subsequent cascades to access complex, unprecedented organocesium
      architectures. Moreover, this article also highlights the first use of mild
      cesium carbonate as a cesium source for the construction of cesium organometallic
      scaffolds. Relativistic DFT calculations provide an insight into the electronic
      structure of the reported compounds. 

PMID- 26270698
TI  - Self-Assembled Two-Dimensional Heteromolecular Nanoporous Molecular Arrays on
      Epitaxial Graphene.
AB  - The development of graphene functionalization strategies that simultaneously
      achieve two-dimensional (2D) spatial periodicity and substrate registry is of
      critical importance for graphene-based nanoelectronics and related technologies.
      Here, we demonstrate the generation of a hydrogen-bonded molecularly thin organic
      heteromolecular nanoporous network on epitaxial graphene on SiC(0001) using room
      temperature ultrahigh vacuum scanning tunneling microscopy. In particular,
      perylenetetracarboxylic diimide (PTCDI) and melamine are intermixed to form a
      spatially periodic 2D nanoporous network architecture with hexagonal symmetry and
      a lattice parameter of 3.45 +/- 0.10 nm. The resulting adlayer is in registry
      with the underlying graphene substrate and possesses a characteristic domain size
      of 40-50 nm. This molecularly defined nanoporous network holds promise as a
      template for 2D ordered chemical modification of graphene at lengths scales
      relevant for graphene band structure engineering. 

PMID- 26270699
TI  - Accurate Calculations of Rotationally Inelastic Scattering Cross Sections Using
      Mixed Quantum/Classical Theory.
AB  - For computational treatment of rotationally inelastic scattering of molecules, we
      propose to use the mixed quantum/classical theory, MQCT. The old idea of treating
      translational motion classically, while quantum mechanics is used for rotational
      degrees of freedom, is developed to the new level and is applied to Na + N2
      collisions in a broad range of energies. Comparison with full-quantum
      calculations shows that MQCT accurately reproduces all, even minor, features of
      energy dependence of cross sections, except scattering resonances at very low
      energies. The remarkable success of MQCT opens up wide opportunities for
      computational predictions of inelastic scattering cross sections at higher
      temperatures and/or for polyatomic molecules and heavier quenchers, which is
      computationally close to impossible within the full-quantum framework. 

PMID- 26270700
TI  - The Raman Spectrum of the CH3NH3PbI3 Hybrid Perovskite: Interplay of Theory and
      Experiment.
AB  - We report the low-frequency resonant Raman spectrum of methylammonium lead
      iodide, a prototypical perovskite for solar cells applications, on mesoporous
      Al2O3. The measured spectrum assignment is assisted by DFT simulations of the
      Raman spectra of suitable periodic and model systems. The bands at 62 and 94 cm(
      1) are assigned respectively to the bending and to the stretching of the Pb-I
      bonds, and are thus diagnostic modes of the inorganic cage. We also assign the
      librations of the organic cations at 119 and 154 cm(-1). The broad, unstructured
      200-400 cm(-1) features are assigned to the torsional mode of the methylammonium
      cations, which we propose as a marker of the orientational disorder of the
      material. Our study provides the basis to interpret the Raman spectra of
      organohalide perovskites, which may allow one to further understand the
      properties of this important class of materials in relation to their full
      exploitation in solar cells. 

PMID- 26270702
TI  - Computational Design of Core/Shell Nanoparticles for Oxygen Reduction Reactions.
AB  - A computational strategy to design core/shell nanoparticle catalysts for oxygen
      reduction reactions (ORRs) is proposed based on multiscale modeling. Using a
      quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) coupling method, we have studied
      the ORR on Pt-Cu core/shell nanoparticles with the size ranging from 3 to 8 nm.
      We have calculated the oxygen adsorption energy on the nanoparticle surface (a
      descriptor for ORR activity) as a function of the nanoparticle size and thickness
      of the Pt shell. We find that the Pt-Cu core/shell nanoparticles exhibit higher
      ORR activities than flat Pt(111) surfaces, consistent with experimental
      observations. We predict that the diameter of the core/shell nanoparticles should
      be larger than 7 nm to reach the peak of ORR activities. By examining the effects
      of ligand, quantum confinement, and surface strain, we confirm that the strain
      plays the dominant role on ORR activities for the core/shell nanoparticles. A
      universal relation between the surface strain and the oxygen adsorption energy is
      established based on which one can computationally screen and design core/shell
      nanoparticle catalysts for superior ORR activities. 

PMID- 26270701
TI  - Tunable Electronic Properties of Two-Dimensional Transition Metal Dichalcogenide
      Alloys: A First-Principles Prediction.
AB  - We investigated the composition-dependent electronic properties of two
      dimensional transition-metal dichalcogenide alloys (WxMo1-xS2) based on first
      principles calculations by applying the supercell method and effective band
      structure approximation. It was found that hole effective mass decreases linearly
      with increasing W composition, and electron effective mass of alloys is always
      larger than that of their binary constituents. The different behaviors of
      electrons and holes in alloys are attributed to the fact that metal d-orbitals
      have different contributions to conduction bands of MoS2 and WS2 but almost
      identical contributions to valence bands. We examined the conduction polarity of
      WxMo1-xS2 monolayer alloys with four metal electrode materials (Au, Ag, Cu, and
      Pd). It suggests the main carrier type for transport in transistors could change
      from electrons to holes as W composition increases if high work function metal
      contacts were used. The tunable electronic properties of two-dimensional
      transition-metal dichalcogenide alloys make them attractive for electronic and
      optoelectronic applications. 

PMID- 26270703
TI  - Interface Limited Lithium Transport in Solid-State Batteries.
AB  - Understanding the role of interfaces is important for improving the performance
      of all-solid-state lithium ion batteries. To study these interfaces, we present a
      novel approach for fabrication of electrochemically active nanobatteries using
      focused ion beams and their characterization by analytical electron microscopy.
      Morphological changes by scanning transmission electron microscopy imaging and
      correlated elemental concentration changes by electron energy loss spectroscopy
      mapping are presented. We provide first evidence of lithium accumulation at the
      anode/current collector (Si/Cu) and cathode/electrolyte (LixCoO2/LiPON)
      interfaces, which can be accounted for the irreversible capacity losses.
      Interdiffusion of elements at the Si/LiPON interface was also witnessed with a
      distinct contrast layer. These results highlight that the interfaces may limit
      the lithium transport significantly in solid-state batteries. Fabrication of
      electrochemically active nanobatteries also enables in situ electron microscopy
      observation of electrochemical phenomena in a variety of solid-state battery
      chemistries. 

PMID- 26270705
TI  - A Fresh Look at Resonances and Complex Absorbing Potentials: Density Matrix-Based
      Approach.
AB  - A new strategy of using complex absorbing potentials (CAPs) within electronic
      structure calculations of metastable electronic states, which are ubiquitous in
      chemistry and physics, is presented. The stumbling block in numerical
      applications of CAPs is the necessity to optimize the CAP strength for each
      system, state, and one-electron basis set, while there is no clear metric to
      assess the quality of the results and no simple algorithm of achieving numerical
      convergence. By analyzing the behavior of resonance wave functions, we found that
      robust results can be obtained when considering fully stabilized resonance states
      characterized by constant density at large eta (parameter determining the CAP
      strength). Then the perturbation due to the finite-strength CAP can be removed by
      a simple energy correction derived from energy decomposition analysis and
      response theory. The utility of this approach is illustrated by CAP-augmented
      calculations of several shape resonances using EOM-EA-CCSD with standard Gaussian
      basis sets. 

PMID- 26270706
TI  - Circularly Polarized Luminescence in Chiral Aggregates: Dependence of Morphology
      on Luminescence Dissymmetry.
AB  - The self-assembly of a chiral perylene bisimide bichromophoric derivative
      possessing a 1,1'-binaphthalene bridge was investigated by adopting two different
      methodologies, leading to the formation of aggregates with dissimilar
      morphologies. The chiral nature of the aggregated structures was optically probed
      with the help of circular dichroism (CD), vibrational circular dichroism (VCD),
      and circularly polarized luminescence (CPL). The one-dimensional aggregates
      formed in methylcyclohexane (MCH) exhibited twice the value of luminescence
      dissymmetry factor (glum) when compared with the spherical aggregates formed in
      chloroform at higher concentration. The summation of excitonic couplings between
      the individual chromophoric units in an aggregated system is responsible for the
      remarkably high luminescence dissymmetry exhibited by the chiral aggregates. The
      nanostructures could be successfully embedded into polymer films, leading to the
      fabrication of solid-state materials with high CPL dissymmetry that can find
      novel applications in chiroptical sensing, memory, and light-emitting devices
      based on organic nanoparticles. 

PMID- 26270704
TI  - Multiexciton Solar Cells of CuInSe2 Nanocrystals.
AB  - Peak external quantum efficiencies (EQEs) of just over 120% were observed in
      photovoltaic (PV) devices of CuInSe2 nanocrystals prepared with a photonic curing
      process. The extraction of more than one electron/hole pair as a result of the
      absorption of a single photon can occur if multiple excitons are generated and
      extracted. Multiexciton generation (MEG) in the nanocrystal films was
      substantiated by transient absorption spectroscopy. We propose that photonic
      curing leads to sufficient electronic coupling between nanocrystals to enable
      multiexciton extraction under typical solar illumination conditions. Under low
      light conditions, however, the EQE drops significantly, indicating that photonic
      curing-induced ligand desorption creates a significant amount of traps in the
      film that limit the overall power conversion efficiency of the device. 

PMID- 26270709
TI  - Photofunctional Materials Fabricated with Chalcopyrite-Type Semiconductor
      Nanoparticles Composed of AgInS2 and Its Solid Solutions.
AB  - Over the past decade, many researchers have made efforts to develop high-quality
      I-III-VI2 group chalcopyrite-type semiconductor nanoparticles of Cu-based or Ag
      based materials, such as CuInS2, Cu(InGa)Se2, and AgInS2, due to their low
      toxicity, wide range of absorption from UV to visible or near-infrared regions,
      and tunable energy gap depending on the chemical composition. Ag-based
      chalcopyrite-type nanoparticles have attracted much attention because they have
      physicochemical properties that can be controlled in a manner similar to that for
      Cu-based nanoparticles but can be synthesized easily under milder reaction
      conditions than those of Cu-based ones. In this Perspective, we review recent
      works relating to the preparation of low-toxic nanoparticles of Ag-based
      chalcopyrite-type semiconductors and their solid solutions, and then we introduce
      their application as photofunctional materials. Tunability of optical properties
      has considerably contributed to recent advances in photofunctional applications
      of chalcopyrite-type semiconductor nanoparticles to sensors, photocatalysts, and
      solar cells. 

PMID- 26270708
TI  - Non-Condon Effects on the Doubly Resonant Sum Frequency Generation of Rhodamine
      6G.
AB  - We report first-principles simulations of the doubly resonance sum-frequency
      generation (DR-SFG) spectrum for rhodamine 6G (R6G). The simulations are done
      using a time-dependent formalism that includes both Franck-Condon (FC) and
      Herzberg-Teller (HT) terms in combination with time-dependent density functional
      theory (TDDFT) calculations. The simulated spectrum matches experiments, allowing
      a detailed assignment of the DR-SFG spectrum. Our work also shows that non-Condon
      effects are important and the DR-SFG spectrum of R6G is highly dependent on both
      FC and HT modes. This is surprising as R6G is known to be a strong FC resonant
      Raman scatterer. The simulations predict an orientation where the xanthene plane
      of R6G is perpendicular to the surface with binding through one of the ethyl
      amine groups. Our results show the importance of first-principles simulations for
      providing a detailed assignment of DR-SFG experiments, especially for large
      molecules where such an assignment is complicated due close-lying vibrational
      modes. 

PMID- 26270707
TI  - Configuration Interaction-Corrected Tamm-Dancoff Approximation: A Time-Dependent
      Density Functional Method with the Correct Dimensionality of Conical
      Intersections.
AB  - Linear response (LR) Kohn-Sham (KS) time-dependent density functional theory
      (TDDFT), or KS-LR, has been widely used to study electronically excited states of
      molecules and is the method of choice for large and complex systems. The Tamm
      Dancoff approximation to TDDFT (TDDFT-TDA or KS-TDA) gives results similar to KS
      LR and alleviates the instability problem of TDDFT near state intersections.
      However, KS-LR and KS-TDA share a debilitating feature; conical intersections of
      the reference state and a response state occur in F - 1 instead of the correct F 
      2 dimensions, where F is the number of internal degrees of freedom. Here, we
      propose a new method, named the configuration interaction-corrected Tamm-Dancoff
      approximation (CIC-TDA), that eliminates this problem. It calculates the coupling
      between the reference state and an intersecting response state by interpreting
      the KS reference-state Slater determinant and linear response as if they were
      wave functions. Both formal analysis and test results show that CIC-TDA gives
      similar results to KS-TDA far from a conical intersection, but the intersection
      occurs with the correct dimensionality. We anticipate that this will allow more
      realistic application of TDDFT to photochemistry. 

PMID- 26270710
TI  - Interface Engineering in Inorganic-Absorber Nanostructured Solar Cells.
AB  - Nanostructured solar cells have the potential to provide a low-cost alternative
      to more traditional thin film solar cell technologies. Of particular interest are
      nanostructured solar cells with inorganic semiconductor absorbers, due to their
      favorable absorption properties. Such devices include quantum-dot-sensitized
      solar cells (QDSSCs), extremely thin absorber solar cells (ETASCs), and colloidal
      quantum dot solar cells (CQDSCs). However, these device architectures suffer from
      high rates of internal recombination and other problems associated with their
      extensive internal surface areas. Interfacial surface treatments have proven to
      be a highly effective means to improve the electronic properties of these
      devices, leading to overall gains in efficiencies. In this Perspective, we focus
      on three types of interfacial modification: band alignment by molecular dipole
      layers, improved CQD film mobilities by ligand exchange, and reduced
      recombination by interfacial inorganic layers. Select examples in each of these
      categories are highlighted to provide a detailed look at the underlying
      mechanisms. We believe that surface modification studies in these devices-QDSSCs,
      ETASCs, and CQDSCs-are of interest not only to these fields, but also to the
      broader photovoltaics community. 

PMID- 26270711
TI  - Controlling Interfacial Processes in Excitonic Nanoparticles.

PMID- 26270712
TI  - Probing Local Structure of Layered Double Hydroxides with (1)H Solid-State NMR
      Spectroscopy on Deuterated Samples.
AB  - By using a simple and efficient deuteration process, (2)H has been successfully
      introduced into layered double hydroxides (LDHs). Due to significantly less (1)H
      (1)H homonuclear dipolar coupling, high-resolution (1)H solid-state NMR spectra
      can now be obtained conveniently at medium to low spinning speed to extract the
      information of cation ordering in LDHs. Furthermore, we show that double
      resonance experiments can be applied easily to investigate internuclear
      proximities and test possible cation-ordered superstructure models. This approach
      can be readily extended to LDHs with different compositions to explore the local
      structure and the key interactions between the cations in the layer and
      interlayer anions. 

PMID- 26270713
TI  - Porous Au Nanoparticles with Tunable Plasmon Resonances and Intense Field
      Enhancements for Single-Particle SERS.
AB  - Porous Au nanoparticles with fine-controlled overall particle sizes have been
      fabricated using a kinetically controlled seed-mediated growth method. In
      contrast to spherical Au nanoparticles with smooth surfaces, the porous Au
      nanoparticles exhibit far greater size-dependent plasmonic tunability and
      significantly intensified local electric field enhancements exploitable for
      single-particle plasmon-enhanced spectroscopies. The effects of the nanoscale
      porosity on the far- and near-field optical properties of the nanoparticles have
      been investigated both experimentally by optical extinction and single
      nanoparticle Raman spectroscopic measurements and theoretically through finite
      difference time-domain calculations. 

PMID- 26270714
TI  - Impact of Spin-Orbit Coupling on Photocurrent Generation in Ruthenium Dye
      Sensitized Solar Cells.
AB  - Relativistic TDDFT calculations have been performed employing a novel
      computational approach to evaluate the impact of spin-orbit coupling (SOC) in the
      optical and photovoltaic properties of panchromatic Ru(II) dyes for dye
      sensitized solar cells (DSCs). The employed computational setup accurately
      reproduces the optical properties of the investigated dyes, allowing an
      assessment of the factors responsible for the varying SOC with the dye metal
      ligand environment. While for the prototypical panchromatic black dye sensitizer
      a negligible SOC effect is found, the SOC-induced spectral broadening calculated
      for the recently reported DX1 dye partly enhances the light-harvesting efficiency
      and consequently the photocurrent generation in DSCs based on this dye. 

PMID- 26270715
TI  - Efficient and Energy-Saving CO2 Capture through the Entropic Effect Induced by
      the Intermolecular Hydrogen Bonding in Anion-Functionalized Ionic Liquids.
AB  - A strategy for improving the capture of CO2 was developed through the entropic
      effect by tuning the geometric construction of anion-functionalized ionic
      liquids. Several kinds of anion-functionalized ionic liquids with the amino group
      at the para or ortho position were designed and applied for the capture of CO2,
      which indicates that the former exhibited both higher capacity and lower
      enthalpy, resulting in the efficient and energy-saving CO2 capture. Viscosity
      measurements, spectroscopic investigations, and quantum chemical calculations
      showed that such a unique behavior originated from the entropic effect, which was
      induced by the intermolecular hydrogen bonding in these ionic liquids. The
      entropic control for gas separation developed by this work provides an efficient
      strategy to both increased capacity and reduced enthalpy. 

PMID- 26270717
TI  - Porous Boron Nitride with Tunable Pore Size.
AB  - On the basis of a global structural search and first-principles calculations, we
      predict two types of porous boron-nitride (BN) networks that can be built up with
      zigzag BN nanoribbons (BNNRs). The BNNRs are either directly connected with
      puckered B (N) atoms at the edge (type I) or connected with sp(3)-bonded BN
      chains (type II). Besides mechanical stability, these materials are predicted to
      be thermally stable at 1000 K. The porous BN materials entail large surface
      areas, ranging from 2800 to 4800 m(2)/g. In particular, type-II BN material with
      relatively large pores is highly favorable for hydrogen storage because the
      computed hydrogen adsorption energy (-0.18 eV) is very close to the optimal
      adsorption energy (-0.15 eV) suggested for reversible hydrogen storage at room
      temperature. Moreover, the type-II materials are semiconductors with width
      dependent direct bandgaps, rendering the type-II BN materials promising not only
      for hydrogen storage but also for optoelectronic and photonic applications. 

PMID- 26270716
TI  - Vibrational Perturbations and Ligand-Layer Coupling in a Single Crystal of
      Au144(SC2H4Ph)60 Nanocluster.
AB  - We have determined vibrational signatures and optical gap of the Au144(PET)60
      (PET: phenylethylthiol, SC2H4Ph) nanocluster solvated in deuterated
      dichloromethane (DCM-D2, CD2Cl2) and in a single crystal. For crystals, solid
      state (13)C NMR and X-ray diffraction were also measured. A revised value of 2200
      cm(-1) (0.27 eV) was obtained for the optical gap in both phases. The vibrational
      spectra of solvated AU144(PET)60 closely resembles that of neat PET, while the
      crystalline-state spectrum exhibits significant inhomogeneous spectral
      broadening, frequency shifts, intensity transfer between vibrational modes, and
      an increase in the overtone and combination transition intensities. Spectral
      broadening was also observed in the (13)C NMR spectrum. Changes in the intensity
      are explained due to vibrational coupling of the normal modes induced by the
      crystal packing, and the vibrational broadening is caused by ligand-environment
      inhomogeneity in the crystal. This indicates a pseudocrystalline state where the
      cluster cores are arranged in periodic fashion, while the ligand-layer molecules
      between the cores form amorphous structures. 

PMID- 26270719
TI  - Cangrelor inhibits the binding of the active metabolites of clopidogrel and
      prasugrel to P2Y12 receptors in vitro.
AB  - Cangrelor is a rapid-acting, direct-binding, and reversible P2Y12 antagonist
      which has been studied for use during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in
      patients with or without pretreatment with an oral P2Y12 antagonist. As cangrelor
      is administered intravenously, it is necessary to switch to an oral P2Y12
      antagonist following PCI, such as the thienopyridines clopidogrel, and prasugrel
      or the non-pyridine ticagrelor. Previous studies have suggested a negative
      pharmacodynamic interaction between cangrelor and thienopyridines. This in vitro
      study evaluated the receptor-level interaction between cangrelor and the active
      metabolite (AM) of clopidogrel or prasugrel by assessing functional P2Y12
      receptor number using a (33)P-2MeSADP binding assay. All P2Y12 antagonists
      studied resulted in strong P2Y12 receptor blockade (cangrelor: 93.6%; clopidogrel
      AM: 93.0%; prasugrel AM: 97.9%). Adding a thienopyridine AM in the presence of
      cangrelor strongly reduces P2Y12 receptor blockade by the AM (clopidogrel AM: 7%,
      prasugrel AM: 3.2%). The thienopyridine AMs had limited ability to compete with
      cangrelor for binding to P2Y12 (% P2Y12 receptor blockade after co-incubation
      with cangrelor 1000 nmol/L: 11.7% for clopidogrel AM 3 umol/L; 34.1% for
      prasugrel AM 3 umol/L). In conclusion, in vitro cangrelor strongly inhibits the
      binding of clopidogrel and prasugrel AMs to the P2Y12 receptor, consistent with
      the previous observation of a negative pharmacodynamic interaction. Care may need
      to be taken to not overlap exposure to thienopyridine AMs and cangrelor in order
      to reduce the risk of thrombotic complications following PCI.

PMID- 26270718
TI  - One-Dimensional Singlet Exciton Diffusion in Poly(3-hexylthiophene) Crystalline
      Domains.
AB  - Singlet exciton dynamics in crystalline domains of regioregular poly(3
      hexylthiophene) (P3HT) films was studied by transient absorption spectroscopy.
      Upon the selective excitation of crystalline P3HT at the absorption edge, no red
      shift of the singlet exciton band was observed with an elapse of time, suggesting
      singlet exciton dynamics in relatively homogeneous P3HT crystalline domains
      without downhill relaxation in the energetic disorder. Even under such selective
      excitation conditions, the annihilation rate coefficient gamma(t) was still
      dependent on time, gamma(t) ? t(-1/2), which is attributed to anisotropic exciton
      diffusion in P3HT crystalline domains. From the annihilation rate coefficient,
      the singlet exciton diffusion coefficient D and exciton diffusion length LD in
      the crystalline domains were evaluated to be 7.9 * 10(-3) cm(2) s(-1) and 20 nm,
      respectively. The origin of the time-dependent exciton dynamics is discussed in
      terms of dimensionality. 

PMID- 26270720
TI  - Very Frequent Fallers and Future Fall Injury: Continuous Risk Among Community
      Dwelling Home Care Recipients.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To examine the relationship between falls history, especially those
      with frequent recent falls, and future injurious falls. METHOD: Resident
      Assessment Instrument for Home Care records of 167,162 home care recipients in
      Ontario, Canada, were linked to emergency department records recording an
      injurious fall. Diagnosis codes further informed the nature of the injuries.
      RESULTS: Persons with a high number of recent falls tended to be younger, and
      more likely to have Parkinson's or multiple sclerosis. Odds ratios for a future
      injurious fall, compared with zero recent falls, were as follows: 1.58 (1 fall),
      1.91 (2 or 3 falls), 2.54 (4-8 falls), 3.07 (9 or more falls). Injuries among
      those with multiple recent falls were more likely to be head injuries with an
      open wound. DISCUSSION: Persons reporting high number of recent falls were at the
      greatest risk of a future injurious fall and should receive the greatest
      attention in care planning.

PMID- 26270723
TI  - Looking into the Future of the Journal Ultrastructural Pathology: Morphology at
      its Best.

PMID- 26270724
TI  - Immunotactoid Glomerulopathy and Cryoglobulinemic Nephropathy: Two Entities with
      Many Similarities. A Unified Conceptual Approach.
AB  - Immunotactoid glomerulopathy is a rare disorder that has been characterized at
      the ultrastructural level. Due to its rarity, there are few comprehensive studies
      relating to this disorder. Electron microscopy essentially characterizes this
      disease. The glomerular electron dense deposits which are typical of this
      condition consist of aggregates of highly organized microtubular structures of
      various diameters, but generally measuring 30-50 nm in width with a propensity to
      dispose themselves in parallel bundles intersecting in different planes. This
      study compares a large series of patients with cryoglobulinemic nephropathy with
      a series of patients with immunotactoid glomerulopathy to address whether there
      may be similarities that warrant considering these two entities part of a
      spectrum. This study reviews the clinicopathologic features of both entities and
      emphasizes ultrastructural findings that characterize them. Significant
      immunomorphologic overlap was found when these two disorders were compared in
      this study. There were also striking similarities in clinical
      presentation/behavior, laboratory findings and prognosis. Proteomic analysis has
      also demonstrated similar spectra for both entities. We postulate that
      immunotactoid glomerulopathy and cryoglobulinemic nephropathy are part of the
      spectrum of renal manifestations in patients with circulating cryoglobulins and
      renal disease. 

PMID- 26270725
TI  - Heavy Metal Bioaccumulation in an Atypical Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor of the
      Abdominal Wall.
AB  - Heavy metals are able to interfere with the function of vital cellular
      components. Besides in trace heavy metals, which are essential at low
      concentration for humans, there are heavy metals with a well-known toxic and
      oncogenic potential. In this study, for the first time in literature, we report
      the unique adulthood case of an atypical primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the
      abdominal wall, diagnosed by histology and immunohistochemistry, with the
      molecular hybridization support. The neoplasia occurred in a patient chronically
      exposed to a transdermal delivery of heavy metal salts (aluminum and bismuth),
      whose intracellular bioaccumulation has been revealed by elemental microanalysis.

PMID- 26270726
TI  - Nonplanar Organic Sensitizers Featuring a Tetraphenylethene Structure and Double
      Electron-Withdrawing Anchoring Groups.
AB  - Two metal-free organic sensitizers containing two N,N-diethylaniline (DEA)
      moieties and a twisted 1,1,2,2-tetraphenylethene (TPE) structure, dye SD with one
      anchoring group and dye DD with two anchoring groups, were synthesized and
      applied in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The introduction of a nonplanar
      TPE structure was used to form a series of propeller-like structures and reduce
      the tendency of dyes to randomly aggregate on TiO2 surface, but without importing
      an aggregation-induced emission (AIE) property. The thermal stabilities, UV-vis
      absorption spectra, electrochemical properties, and photovoltaic parameters of
      DSSCs with these two dyes were systematically studied and compared with each
      other. The overall conversion efficiencies (eta) of 4.56% for dye SD and 6.08%
      for dye DD were obtained under AM 1.5 G irradiation. 

PMID- 26270728
TI  - Diagnosis of Mastocytosis in Children and Adults in Daily Clinical Practice.
AB  - Mastocytosis comprises a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by
      clonal, neoplastic proliferation of mast cells accumulating in one or multiple
      organs. In the majority of cases skin involvement is the first clinical
      manifestation of the disease. Clinical work-up consists of a combination of
      morphological, immunohistochemical, flow cytometric immunophenotyping and
      molecular examination. Cutaneous mastocytosis predominates in children, whereas
      systemic mastocytosis is the most common form of the disease in adults.
      Therefore, different diagnostic algorithms have to be applied in adult patients
      and children with suspected mastocytosis. This comprehensive review presents
      currently defined variants of the disease and recommendations to facilitate
      diagnostic work-up in children and adults with suspected mastocytosis in daily
      clinical practice. 

PMID- 26270729
TI  - Conformation, self-aggregation, and membrane interaction of peptaibols as studied
      by pulsed electron double resonance spectroscopy.
AB  - Pulsed EPR methods, in particular pulsed electron double resonance (PELDOR) [or
      double electron-electron resonance (DEER)], are very sensitive to the dipole ...
      dipole interaction between electron spins in a pair of free radicals. Using
      PELDOR, the conformations of a number of double radical-containing biomolecules
      have been determined. In this review article, we focused our attention on the
      application of this spectroscopy to nitroxide-labeled peptaibols. This is an
      emerging class of naturally occurring, relatively short, linear, helical peptide
      molecules endowed with hydrophobic character, capability to interact with and to
      alter the structure of membranes, and antibiotic activity. We extracted detailed
      information on the secondary structures of specifically site-directed, double
      nitroxide-labeled peptaibols under a variety of experimental conditions,
      including biologically relevant environments. Moreover, we examined in-depth
      peptaibol clustering, related to the marked propensity of these molecules to
      undergo self-association in model and whole-cell membrane systems, using mainly
      mono-nitroxide-containing synthetic analogs. Finally, based on the PELDOR data
      accumulated, we proposed models of supramolecular (quaternary) structures of
      peptaibols and their binding modes to membranes.

PMID- 26270727
TI  - Clinical Actionability of Multigene Panel Testing for Hereditary Breast and
      Ovarian Cancer Risk Assessment.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: The practice of genetic testing for hereditary breast and/or ovarian
      cancer (HBOC) is rapidly evolving owing to the recent introduction of multigene
      panels. While these tests may identify 40% to 50% more individuals with
      hereditary cancer gene mutations than does testing for BRCA1/2 alone, whether
      finding such mutations will alter clinical management is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To
      define the potential clinical effect of multigene panel testing for HBOC in a
      clinically representative cohort. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS:
      Observational study of patients seen between 2001 and 2014 in 3 large academic
      medical centers. We prospectively enrolled 1046 individuals who were appropriate
      candidates for HBOC evaluation and who lacked BRCA1/2 mutations. INTERVENTIONS:
      We carried out multigene panel testing on all participants, then determined the
      clinical actionability, if any, of finding non-BRCA1/2 mutations in these and
      additional comparable individuals. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: We evaluated the
      likelihood of (1) a posttest management change and (2) an indication for
      additional familial testing, considering gene-specific consensus management
      guidelines, gene-associated cancer risks, and personal and family history.
      RESULTS: Among 1046 study participants, 40 BRCA1/2-negative patients (3.8%; 95%
      CI, 2.8%-5.2%) harbored deleterious mutations, most commonly in moderate-risk
      breast and ovarian cancer genes (CHEK2, ATM, and PALB2) and Lynch syndrome genes.
      Among these and an additional 23 mutation-positive individuals enrolled from our
      clinics, most of the mutations (92%) were consistent with the spectrum of
      cancer(s) observed in the patient or family, suggesting that these results are
      clinically significant. Among all 63 mutation-positive patients, additional
      disease-specific screening and/or prevention measures beyond those based on
      personal and family history alone would be considered for most (33 [52%] of 63;
      95% CI, 40.3%-64.2%). Furthermore, additional familial testing would be
      considered for those with first-degree relatives (42 [72%] of 58; 95% CI, 59.8%
      82.2%) based on potential management changes for mutation-positive relatives.
      This clinical effect was not restricted to a few of the tested genes because most
      identified genes could change clinical management for some patients. CONCLUSIONS
      AND RELEVANCE: In a clinically representative cohort, multigene panel testing for
      HBOC risk assessment yielded findings likely to change clinical management for
      substantially more patients than does BRCA1/2 testing alone. Multigene testing in
      this setting is likely to alter near-term cancer risk assessment and management
      recommendations for mutation-affected individuals across a broad spectrum of
      cancer predisposition genes.

PMID- 26270730
TI  - Chronic Exposure to TNFalpha Impairs Secretion of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1.
AB  - Obesity is associated with systemic inflammation and elevated levels of TNFalpha,
      leading to impaired glucose tolerance. In humans, obesity is also associated with
      reduced nutrient-stimulated secretion of the intestinal incretin hormone,
      glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). We hypothesized that TNFalpha plays a direct
      role in the impairment of GLP-1 secretion from the enteroendocrine L-cell and
      that blocking TNFalpha can restore both GLP-1 secretion and glucose homeostasis.
      Expression of the TNFalpha receptor subytpe-1 was detected in the human NCI-H716
      and murine GLUTag L-cell models and in mouse ileal sections. Although TNFalpha
      acutely increased GLP-1 release from NCI-H716 cells (P < .05-.001), preincubation
      with TNFalpha for 24 hours reduced proglucagon mRNA (P < .05) and GLP-1 cellular
      (P < .05) levels without affecting cell viability. Furthermore, both NCI-H716 and
      GLUTag cells pretreated with TNFalpha for 24 hours no longer responded to known
      GLP-1 secretagogues, an effect that was reversed by coincubation with the Nuclear
      Factor Kappa B inhibitor, 5-aminosalicylic acid, in the NCI-H716 cells. Mice
      given a high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks developed impaired glucose tolerance,
      hyperinsulinemia, and increased TNFalpha mRNA expression in fat and ileal tissue.
      Hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia were reduced in HFD mice treated with the anti
      TNFalpha biological, etanercept, for 2 weeks. In primary intestinal cultures from
      these animals, HFD control mice had impaired GLP-1 secretion, and this was not
      observed in the HFD etanercept-derived cultures (P < .05). In conclusion, chronic
      exposure to TNFalpha directly impairs GLP-1 secretion at the level of the
      intestinal L-cell, an effect that is reversed by anti-TNFalpha therapy in
      association with improved glucose tolerance. 

PMID- 26270731
TI  - Ontogeny of the Saccus Vasculosus, a Seasonal Sensor in Fish.
AB  - TSH secreted from the pars distalis (PD) of the pituitary gland stimulates the
      thyroid gland. In contrast, TSH secreted from the pars tuberalis (PT) of the
      pituitary gland regulates seasonal reproduction. The ontogeny of thyrotrophs and
      the regulatory mechanisms of TSH are apparently different between the PD and the
      PT. Interestingly, fish do not have an anatomically distinct PT, and the saccus
      vasculosus (SV) of fish is suggested to act as a seasonal sensor. Thus, it is
      possible that the SV is analogous to the PT. Here we examined the ontogeny of the
      pituitary gland and SV using rainbow trout. A histological analysis demonstrated
      the development of the pituitary anlage followed by that of the SV. Lhx3 and Pit
      1, which are required for the development of PD thyrotrophs, clearly labeled the
      pituitary anlage. The common glycoprotein alpha-subunit (CGA) and TSH beta
      subunit (TSHB) genes were also detected in the pituitary anlage. In contrast,
      none of these genes were detected in the SV anlage. We then performed a
      microarray analysis and identified parvalbumin (Pvalb) as a marker for SV
      development. Because Pvalb expression was not detected in the pituitary anlage,
      no relationship was observed between the development of the SV and the pituitary
      gland. In contrast to embryos, Lhx3, Pit-1, CGA, and TSHB were all expressed in
      the adult SV. These results suggest that the morphological differentiation of SV
      occurs during the embryonic stage but that the functional differentiation into a
      seasonal sensor occurs in a later developmental stage. 

PMID- 26270732
TI  - The Detection and Species Identification of Blood $mdash; A Bibliography of
      Relevant Papers from 1980 to 1995.
AB  - The comprehensive review of the biochemical forensic literature by Gaensslen
      covered much of the subject until about 1980. This review focuses on two aspects
      of forensic serology and reports on the progress and research in the
      identification of blood and its species determination during the period 1980 to
      1995. The development of ELISA techniques and the explosive developments in DNA
      technology have and will change the course of forensic science. The usefulness of
      these and other techniques has been extended to archaeology as well as other
      disciplines. While borrowing heavily from the forensic literature, these
      researchers have produced their own literature which, in turn, is of interest to
      the forensic scientist. 

PMID- 26270733
TI  - High Performance Liquid Chromatographic Analysis of Enantiomeric Composition of
      Abuse Drugs.
AB  - Numerous commonly abused drugs exist in two enantiomeric forms. Identifying the
      exact enantiomeric form is essential when only one of these two enantiomers is a
      controlled substance. Enantiomeric composition data may also help the
      investigation of clandestine laboratory activities. Although generally not as
      convenient as gas chromatographic methods, liquid chromatographic methods (LC)
      allow for the selection of larger and hopefully more effective derivatizing
      groups and the use of an "active" mobile phase. LC-based enantiomeric resolution
      approaches include derivatization with chiral agents, incorporation of chiral
      additives in the mobile phase, and the use of chiral stationary phases. Various
      applications of these approaches are reviewed.Unique detection procedures that
      were adopted in enantiomeric analysis are also reviewed. 

PMID- 26270734
TI  - Preparation of Hair Samples for Drug Analysis.
AB  - Toxicological hair analysis has attracted substantial attention because of its
      promising diagnostic power. Analysis of drugs in hair, even though widely studied
      since 1970, is still not standardized; many different sample preparation and
      analytical procedures are practiced. To obtain reliable results, hair analysis
      requires preparation steps that are not necessary for conventional biological
      samples such as blood or urine. Pretreatment procedures are mainly conducted to
      decontaminate hair samples and to isolate drugs from the solid hair structure
      before instrumental analysis. Many types of sample preparation procedures have
      been reported in the literature. Selecting an appropriate one can be difficult
      because the choice depends on different factors, including decontamination
      efficiency, analytical recovery, and chemical stability of the target drug and
      its metabolites. This review discusses the main aspects of hair sample
      preparation procedures through a critical evaluation of literature data, focusing
      on the procedures, reliability, advantages, and result interpretation. 

PMID- 26270735
TI  - beta-Thalassemia Intermedia Caused by Compound Heterozygosity for Hb Lepore
      Hollandia and beta-Thalassemia is Rare in the Indian Population.
AB  - Compound heterozygosity for one of the Hb Lepore mutations and beta-thalassemia
      (beta-thal) is a rare cause of non transfusion-dependent thalassemia. We report a
      4-year-old boy who presented clinically as homozygous/compound heterozygous beta
      thal intermedia (beta-TI), an impression that was corroborated by the initial
      hemoglobin (Hb) high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). However, the
      correct diagnosis of a rare compound heterozygous Hb Lepore-Hollandia/beta-thal
      was revealed after parental studies and molecular analyses including beta-globin
      gene sequencing. Our patient highlights the importance of a logical stepwise
      multi modality approach and the vital importance of parental screening and
      molecular studies in accurate characterization of complex hemoglobinopathies.
      Correct diagnosis is especially crucial if pre natal detection is anticipated for
      future pregnancies. Molecular analyses alone may not compensate for the
      unavailability of parental testing. This is because the molecular results may be
      misinterpreted, especially if limited tests are conducted. The infrequent prior
      reports of this combination from distant parts of the Indian subcontinent
      suggests that the origin of Hb Lepore-Hollandia from sporadic mutations occurs in
      isolated families.

PMID- 26270736
TI  - A Novel Heme Pocket Hemoglobin Variant Associated with Normal Hematology: Hb Zara
      or alpha91(FG3)Leu->Ile (alpha2) (HBA2: c.274C > A).
AB  - We report a new hemoglobin (Hb) variant on the HBA2 gene, Hb Zara
      [alpha91(FG3)Leu->Ile (alpha2); HBA2: c.274C > A], which was found in a Caucasian
      man from Croatia. It was observed by routine cation exchange chromatography as an
      abnormal 21.8% fraction overlapping Hb A2, and associated with normal hematology.
      It was slightly unstable by the standard isopropanol precipitation test. DNA
      analysis revealed the CTT > ATT mutation at codon 91 on an alpha2 gene of a
      normal alpha-globin gene arrangement. This new variant represents the sixth
      described mutation at codon alpha91 and fourth on the alpha2 locus. As a result
      of the slight instability due to the significant role of the alpha91 residue in
      the alpha1beta2 contact, the level of the Hb Zara variant was lower than levels
      observed for several stable variants codified by the alpha2 locus.

PMID- 26270737
TI  - First Description of a beta-Thalassemia Mutation, -86 (C > G) (HBB: c.-136C > G),
      in a Chinese Family.
AB  - We present the first description of a Chinese family with a beta-thalassemia
      (beta-thal) mutation -86 (C > G) (HBB: c.-136C > G). This mutation changes the
      conserved promoter sequence within the proximal CACCC box of the beta-globin gene
      that leads to a phenotype of beta+-thal. The beta-globin haplotype analysis
      revealed that the -86 mutation in our case was linked with haplotype I [+ - - - -
      + +]. This haplotype was commonly found both in the beta-thal mutation and the
      betaA gene. Our results suggest that the -86 mutation possibly does not have a
      distinct origin.

PMID- 26270738
TI  - Self-assembly of Janus ellipsoids: a Brownian dynamics simulation with a
      quantitative nonspherical-particle model.
AB  - Janus ellipsoids as mesoscale building blocks can aggregate into various micelle
      like structures in solution that have potential applications in many fields such
      as novel surfactants, photonic crystals, drug delivery and biochemical sensors.
      In this work, we present a novel nonspherical-particle model to investigate the
      self-assembly of Janus ellipsoids, which quantitatively reflects interaction
      dependence on the particle shape. The phase diagrams of Janus ellipsoids
      depending on the aspect ratio and the component ratio are achieved and various
      aggregates are observed such as a sandwich-type structure, columnar aggregates,
      vesicles, liquid crystals, random aggregation structures, spherical micelles and
      wormlike micelles. The specific heat capacity curves and temperature evolutions
      illustrate the formation processes of assembled superstructures detailedly. We
      analyze the potential energy surfaces (PESs) of interaction between two Janus
      ellipsoids and the minimum energy paths (MEPs) between saddle points on the PESs.
      It is found that the number of metastable conformation and the activation energy
      along MEPs rely not only on the ellipsoidal shape but also on the component
      ratio. This work provides rich and valuable information for a deep understanding
      of the self-assembly mechanism of Janus ellipsoids and design of new mesoscale
      building blocks. 

PMID- 26270739
TI  - Rhinovirus in the Pathogenesis and Clinical Course of Asthma.
AB  - In healthy individuals, human rhinovirus (HRV) infections are the major cause of
      the common cold. These are generally uncomplicated infections except for
      occasional cases of otitis media or sinusitis. In individuals with asthma,
      however, HRV infections can have a major impact on disease development and
      progression. HRV-induced wheezing illnesses in early life are a significant risk
      factor for subsequent development of asthma, and growing evidence supports a role
      of recurrent HRV infections in the development and progression of several aspects
      of airway remodeling in asthma. In addition, HRV infections are one of the most
      common triggers for acute exacerbations of asthma, which represent a major burden
      to health-care systems around the world. None of the currently prescribed
      medications for asthma are effective in preventing or reversing asthma
      development and airway remodeling or are ideal for treating HRV-induced
      exacerbations of asthma. Thus, a better understanding of the role of HRV in
      asthma is important if we are to develop more effective therapies. In the past
      decade, we have gained new insights into the role of HRV infections in the
      development and progression of airway remodeling as well as a new appreciation
      for the proinflammatory and host defense responses to HRV infections that may
      help to regulate susceptibility to asthma exacerbations. This article reviews the
      current understanding of the role HRV infections play in the pathogenesis of
      asthma and identifies possible avenues to new therapeutic strategies for limiting
      the effects of HRV infections in asthma. 

PMID- 26270741
TI  - Community Member and Stakeholder Perspectives on a Healthy Environment Initiative
      in North Carolina.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The North Carolina Community Transformation Grant Project (NC-CTG)
      aimed to implement policy, system, and environmental strategies to promote
      healthy eating, active living, tobacco-free living, and clinical and community
      preventive services to advance health equity and reduce health disparities for
      the state's most vulnerable communities. This article presents findings from the
      Health Equity Collaborative Evaluation and Implementation Project, which assessed
      community and stakeholder perceptions of health equity for 3 NC-CTG strategies:
      farmers markets, shared use, and smoke-free multiunit housing. METHODS: In a
      triangulated qualitative evaluation, 6 photo elicitation (PE) sessions among 45
      community members in 1 urban and 3 rural counties and key informant interviews
      among 22 stakeholders were conducted. Nine participants from the PE sessions and
      key informant interviews in the urban county subsequently participated in a
      stakeholder power analysis and mapping session (SPA) to discuss and identify
      people and organizations in their community perceived to be influential in
      addressing health equity-related issues. RESULTS: Evaluations of the PE sessions
      and key informant interviews indicated that access (convenience, cost, safety,
      and awareness of products and services) and community fit (community-defined
      quality, safety, values, and norms) were important constructs across the
      strategies. The SPA identified specific community- and faith-based organizations,
      health care organizations, and local government agencies as key stakeholders for
      future efforts. CONCLUSIONS: Both community fit and access are essential
      constructs for promoting health equity. Findings demonstrate the feasibility of
      and need for formative research that engages community members and local
      stakeholders to shape context-specific, culturally relevant health promotion
      strategies.

PMID- 26270740
TI  - The Effects of a Beef-Based Meal Compared to a Calorie Matched Bean-Based Meal on
      Appetite and Food Intake.
AB  - Protein and fiber have strong satiety-inducing potential. Beef is a high quality,
      protein-rich food. Beans contain moderate levels of protein as well as fiber. To
      determine the effects of a high protein meal (beef) compared to a moderate
      protein, high fiber meal (beans) on subjective appetite and energy intake at a
      subsequent meal twenty-eight adults, 14 men (ages 24 +/- 5 y, BMI 23 +/- 2
      kg/m(2) ) and 14 women (ages 25 +/- 5 y, BMI 22 +/- 2 kg/m(2) ) consumed 2 test
      lunches containing a "meatloaf" made from either beef or beans. The beef meal
      provided 26 g of protein and 3 g of fiber while the bean meal provided 17 g of
      protein and 12 g of fiber. An ad libitum snack was given 3 h after the test meal.
      Visual analogue scales were used to assess hunger, satiety, fullness, and
      prospective food intake. Gastrointestinal (GI) tolerance was assessed over 24 h.
      No difference between the beef and bean was observed for appetite ratings over 3
      h, food intake at the subsequent meal (632 +/- 75 kcal compared with 611 +/- 75
      kcal, respectively), or sum of GI score (2.2 +/- 0.5 compared with 2.9 +/- 0.5,
      respectively). Gas and bloating were reported more often after the bean meal than
      the beef meal (2.0 +/- 0.4 compared with 1.3 +/- 0.4, P value 0.057). A beef
      based meal with high protein and a bean-based meal with moderate protein and high
      fiber produced similar satiety, while the bean-based meal resulting in higher,
      yet moderate, gas and bloating. 

PMID- 26270742
TI  - Availability, Price, and Quality of Fruits and Vegetables in 12 Rural Montana
      Counties, 2014.
AB  - We assessed the consumer food environment in rural areas by using the Nutrition
      Environment Measures Survey for Stores (NEMS-S) to measure the availability,
      price, and quality of fruits and vegetables. We randomly selected 20 grocery
      stores (17 rural, 3 urban) in 12 Montana counties using the 2013 US Department of
      Agriculture's rural-urban continuum codes. We found significant differences in
      NEMS-S scores for quality of fruits and vegetables; of 6 possible points, the
      mean quality score was 4.5; of rural stores, the least rural stores had the
      highest mean quality scores (6.0). Intervention strategies should aim to increase
      fruit and vegetable quality in rural areas. 

PMID- 26270744
TI  - Efficient Synthesis of Conformationally Restricted Apoptosis Inhibitors Bearing a
      Triazole Moiety.
AB  - Apoptosis is a biological process relevant to different human diseases that is
      regulated through protein-protein interactions and complex formation.
      Peptidomimetic compounds based on linear peptoids and cyclic analogues with
      different ring sizes have been previously reported as potent apoptotic
      inhibitors. Among them, the presence of cis/trans conformers of an exocyclic
      tertiary amide bond in slow exchange has been characterized. This information
      encouraged us to perform an isosteric replacement of the amide bond by a 1,2,3
      triazole moiety, in which different substitution patterns would mimic different
      amide rotamers. The syntheses of these restricted analogues have been carried out
      through an Ugi multicomponent reaction followed by an intramolecular cyclization.
      The unexpected formation of a beta-lactam scaffold prompted us to study the
      course of the intramolecular cyclization of the Ugi adducts. In order to modulate
      this cyclization, a small library of compounds bearing both heterocyclic
      scaffolds has been synthesized and their activities as apoptosis inhibitors have
      been evaluated. 

PMID- 26270745
TI  - A framework for the systematic realisation of phenomena for enhanced sensing of
      radiological and nuclear materials, and radiation.
AB  - The quest for new sensing phenomena continues because detecting, discriminating,
      identifying, measuring and monitoring nuclear materials and their radiation from
      greater range, at lower concentrations, and in a more timely fashion brings
      greater safety, security and efficiency. The potential phenomena are diverse, and
      those that have been realised can be found in disparate fields of science,
      engineering and medicine, which makes the full range difficult to realise and
      record. The framework presented here offers a means to systematically and
      comprehensively explore nuclear sensing phenomena. The approach is based on the
      fundamental concepts of matter and energy, where the sequence starts with the
      original nuclear material and its emissions, and progressively considers
      signatures arising from secondary effects and the emissions from associated
      materials and the environment. Concepts of operations such as active and passive
      interrogation, and networked sensing are considered. In this operational light,
      unpacking nuclear signatures forces a fresh look at the sensing concept. It also
      exposes how some phenomena that exist in established technology may be considered
      novel based on how they could be exploited rather than what they fundamentally
      are. This article selects phenomena purely to illustrate the framework and how it
      can be best used to foster creativity in the quest for novel phenomena rather
      than exhaustively listing, categorising or comparing any practical aspects of
      candidate phenomena. 

PMID- 26270746
TI  - Music for insomnia in adults.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Insomnia is a common sleep disorder in modern society. It causes
      reduced quality of life and is associated with impairments in physical and mental
      health. Listening to music is widely used as a sleep aid, but it remains unclear
      if it can actually improve insomnia in adults. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects
      of listening to music on insomnia in adults and to assess the influence of
      specific variables that may moderate the effect. SEARCH METHODS: We searched
      CENTRAL, PubMed, Embase, nine other databases and two trials registers in May
      2015. In addition, we handsearched specific music therapy journals, reference
      lists of included studies, and contacted authors of published studies to identify
      additional studies eligible for inclusion, including any unpublished or ongoing
      trials. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials and quasi-randomised
      controlled trials that compared the effects of listening to music with no
      treatment or treatment-as-usual on sleep improvement in adults with insomnia.
      DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two authors independently screened abstracts,
      selected studies, assessed risk of bias, and extracted data from all studies
      eligible for inclusion. Data on pre-defined outcome measures were subjected to
      meta-analyses when consistently reported by at least two studies. We undertook
      meta-analyses using both fixed-effect and random-effects models. Heterogeneity
      across included studies was assessed using the I2 statistic. MAIN RESULTS: We
      included six studies comprising a total of 314 participants. The studies examined
      the effect of listening to pre-recorded music daily, for 25 to 60 minutes, for a
      period of three days to five weeks.Based on the Grades of Recommendations,
      Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach, we judged the evidence
      from five studies that measured the effect of music listening on sleep quality to
      be of moderate quality. We judged the evidence from one study that examined other
      aspects of sleep (see below) to be of low quality. We downgraded the quality of
      the evidence mainly because of limitations in design or being the only published
      study. As regards risk of bias, most studies were at high risk of bias on at
      least one domain: one study was at high risk of selection bias and one was judged
      to be at unclear risk; six studies were at high risk of performance bias; three
      studies were at high risk of detection bias; one study was at high risk of
      attrition bias and was study was judged to be at unclear risk; two studies were
      judged to be at unclear risk of reporting bias; and four studies were at high
      risk of other bias.Five studies (N = 264) reporting on sleep quality as assessed
      by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were included in the meta-analysis.
      The results of a random-effects meta-analysis revealed an effect in favour of
      music listening (mean difference (MD) -2.80; 95% confidence interval (CI) -3.42
      to -2.17; Z = 8.77, P < 0.00001; moderate-quality evidence). The size of the
      effect indicates an increase in sleep quality of the size of about one standard
      deviation in favour of the intervention compared to no treatment or treatment-as
      usual.Only one study (N = 50; low-quality evidence) reported data on sleep onset
      latency, total sleep time, sleep interruption, and sleep efficiency. However, It
      found no evidence to suggest that the intervention benefited these outcomes. None
      of the included studies reported any adverse events. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: The
      findings of this review provide evidence that music may be effective for
      improving subjective sleep quality in adults with insomnia symptoms. The
      intervention is safe and easy to administer. More research is needed to establish
      the effect of listening to music on other aspects of sleep as well as the daytime
      consequences of insomnia.

PMID- 26270743
TI  - Mall Walking Program Environments, Features, and Participants: A Scoping Review.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Walking is a preferred and recommended physical activity for middle
      aged and older adults, but many barriers exist, including concerns about safety
      (ie, personal security), falling, and inclement weather. Mall walking programs
      may overcome these barriers. The purpose of this study was to summarize the
      evidence on the health-related value of mall walking and mall walking programs.
      METHODS: We conducted a scoping review of the literature to determine the
      features, environments, and benefits of mall walking programs using the RE-AIM
      framework (reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance). The
      inclusion criteria were articles that involved adults aged 45 years or older who
      walked in indoor or outdoor shopping malls. Exclusion criteria were articles that
      used malls as laboratory settings or focused on the mechanics of walking. We
      included published research studies, dissertations, theses, conference abstracts,
      syntheses, nonresearch articles, theoretical papers, editorials, reports, policy
      briefs, standards and guidelines, and nonresearch conference abstracts and
      proposals. Websites and articles written in a language other than English were
      excluded. RESULTS: We located 254 articles on mall walking; 32 articles met our
      inclusion criteria. We found that malls provided safe, accessible, and affordable
      exercise environments for middle-aged and older adults. Programmatic features
      such as program leaders, blood pressure checks, and warm-up exercises facilitated
      participation. Individual benefits of mall walking programs included improvements
      in physical, social, and emotional well-being. Limited transportation to the mall
      was a barrier to participation. CONCLUSION: We found the potential for mall
      walking programs to be implemented in various communities as a health promotion
      measure. However, the research on mall walking programs is limited and has weak
      study designs. More rigorous research is needed to define best practices for mall
      walking programs' reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and
      maintenance.

PMID- 26270747
TI  - Challenges in Subtrochanteric Femur Fracture Management.
AB  - Subtrochanteric femur fractures present significant treatment challenges. The
      deforming muscle forces make fracture reduction difficult. Treatment options
      include cephalomedullary nailing and various types of plate fixation. There is a
      high rate of treatment complications, including malunion, delayed union,
      nonunion, and implant failure.

PMID- 26270748
TI  - Hip Resurfacing Implants.
AB  - EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES As a result of reading this article, physicians should be
      able to: 1. Describe the advantages of hip resurfacing. 2. Describe the
      disadvantages of hip resurfacing. 3. Identify the population in which hip
      resurfacing is most often indicated. 4. Demonstrate how to properly
      postoperatively manage patients with metal-on-metal prostheses. Hip resurfacing
      offers a suitable solution for young patients affected by hip disease who have
      high function demands and good bone quality. Bone stock preservation, restoration
      of the normal proximal femur anatomy, the lack of stress shielding, and the
      possibility of resuming sporting activity are proven advantages of hip
      resurfacing. However, there are some disadvantages, such as fracture of the
      femoral neck, onset of neck narrowing, and possible complications due to the
      metal-on-metal bearings, including pseudotumors, peri-implant osteolysis, and
      chronic elevation of metal ions in serum levels. Recent data suggest that the
      ideal candidate for hip resurfacing is an active male, younger than 65 years,
      with primary or posttraumatic osteoarthritis, and with a femoral head diameter
      larger than 50 to 54 mm. Based on these selection criteria, the literature
      reports implant survival to be similar to that of total hip arthroplasty. The
      current authors' experience confirms a low failure rate and excellent functional
      outcomes, with metal ion serum levels becoming stable over time in well
      functioning implants. Proper surgical technique, correct patient selection, and
      the right choice of a well-established prosthetic model are essential elements
      for the long-term success of these implants.

PMID- 26270749
TI  - Anatomical Double-Bundle Coracoclavicular Reconstruction in Chronic
      Acromioclavicular Dislocation.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes
      of anatomical double-bundle coracoclavicular (CC) reconstruction using the
      coracoacromial (CA) ligament and the conjoined tendon for the treatment of
      chronic acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocation. A retrospective evaluation was
      performed on 18 patients who underwent an anatomical CC reconstruction using the
      CA ligament and the conjoined tendon for chronic AC joint dislocation. Patients
      were treated surgically between April 2007 and January 2012. Mean follow-up was
      35.3 months (range, 24-49 months). All patients were evaluated for functional
      outcomes using the modified University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) shoulder
      rating scale for chronic AC injury and the Constant-Murley shoulder outcome
      score. Range of motion and shoulder and elbow strength were also measured. Plain
      radiographs were taken to evaluate reduction status and CC distance. Mean
      modified UCLA shoulder rating scale at final follow-up was 18.1 points (range, 13
      20 points). No significant difference in mean Constant-Murley scores existed
      between the injured and contralateral shoulders (P=.26). At final follow-up, 15
      (83.3%) patients had well-maintained reduction and 2 (11.1%) patients had a
      partial loss of reduction. One other patient had a complete loss of reduction due
      to a postoperative fall. The CC distance was not significantly different between
      the injured and contralateral shoulders in the immediate postoperative period
      (P=.46) or at final follow-up (P=.14). One superficial wound infection occurred
      and was treated with routine wound care. An anatomical double-bundle CC
      reconstruction using the CA ligament and the conjoined tendon for the treatment
      of chronic AC joint dislocation is a reliable surgical method with good results.

PMID- 26270750
TI  - Polyaxial Screws in Locked Plating of Tibial Pilon Fractures.
AB  - This study examined the axial and torsional stiffness of polyaxial locked plating
      techniques compared with fixed-angle locked plating techniques in a distal tibia
      pilon fracture model. The effect of using a polyaxial screw to cross the fracture
      site was examined to determine its ability to control relative fracture site
      motion. A laboratory experiment was performed to investigate the biomechanical
      stiffness of distal tibia fracture models repaired with 3.5-mm anterior polyaxial
      distal tibial plates and locking screws. Sawbones Fourth Generation Composite
      Tibia models (Pacific Research Laboratories, Inc, Vashon, Washington) were used
      to model an Orthopaedic Trauma Association 43-A1.3 distal tibia pilon fracture.
      The polyaxial plates were inserted with 2 central locking screws at a position
      perpendicular to the cortical surface of the tibia and tested for load as a
      function of axial displacement and torque as a function of angular displacement.
      The 2 screws were withdrawn and inserted at an angle 15 degrees  from
      perpendicular, allowing them to span the fracture and insert into the opposing
      fracture surface. Each tibia was tested again for axial and torsional stiffness.
      In medial and posterior loading, no statistically significant difference was
      found between tibiae plated with the polyaxial plate and the central screws
      placed in the neutral position compared with the central screws placed at a 15
      degrees  position. In torsional loading, a statistically significant difference
      was noted, showing greater stiffness in tibiae plated with the polyaxial plate
      and the central screws placed at a 15 degrees  position compared with tibiae
      plated with the central screws placed at a 0 degrees  (or perpendicular)
      position. This study showed that variable angle constructs show similar stiffness
      properties between perpendicular and 15 degrees  angle insertions in axial
      loading. The 15 degrees  angle construct shows greater stiffness in torsional
      loading.

PMID- 26270752
TI  - The Quality of Cost-Utility Analyses in Orthopedic Trauma.
AB  - As health care in the United States transitions toward a value-based model, there
      is increasing interest in applying cost-effectiveness analysis within orthopedic
      surgery. Orthopedic trauma care has traditionally underemphasized economic
      analysis. The goals of this review were to identify US-based cost-utility
      analysis in orthopedic trauma, to assess the quality of the available evidence,
      and to identify cost-effective strategies within orthopedic trauma. Based on a
      review of 971 abstracts, 8 US-based cost-utility analyses evaluating operative
      strategies in orthopedic trauma were identified. Study findings were recorded,
      and the Quality of Health Economic Studies (QHES) instrument was used to grade
      the overall quality. Of the 8 studies included in this review, 4 studies
      evaluated hip and femur fractures, 3 studies analyzed upper extremity fractures,
      and 1 study assessed open tibial fracture management. Cost-effective
      interventions identified in this review include total hip arthroplasty (over
      hemiarthroplasty) for femoral neck fractures in the active elderly, open
      reduction and internal fixation (over nonoperative management) for distal radius
      and scaphoid fractures, limb salvage (over amputation) for complex open tibial
      fractures, and systems-based interventions to prevent delay in hip fracture
      surgery. The mean QHES score of the studies was 79.25 (range, 67-89). Overall,
      there is a paucity of cost-utility analyses in orthopedic trauma; however, the
      available evidence suggests that certain operative interventions can be cost
      effective. The quality of these studies, however, is fair, based on QHES grading.
      More attention should be paid to evaluating the cost-effectiveness of operative
      intervention in orthopedic trauma.

PMID- 26270751
TI  - Pitching Speed and Glenohumeral Adaptation in High School Pitchers.
AB  - Glenohumeral internal rotational deficit and increased glenohumeral external
      rotation are common findings in baseball pitchers. To the authors' knowledge, no
      study has focused on the adaptation of glenohumeral internal rotational deficit
      and increased glenohumeral external rotation in relation to pitching speed. This
      study evaluated changes in range of motion in the throwing shoulder in high
      school pitchers to determine whether changes in internal and external rotation
      directly correlate with pitch velocity. The shoulders of 22 high school varsity
      pitchers were evaluated. Standard goniometric technique was used to measure
      passive external and internal glenohumeral range of motion in both arms.
      Measurements were evaluated for statistically significant differences in range of
      motion. Demographic features, including height, weight, and age, were assessed.
      Fifteen consecutive in-game pitch speeds were recorded, and the fastest pitch was
      used for evaluation. Pitch speeds were correlated to the player's glenohumeral
      internal rotational deficit, increased glenohumeral external rotation, and
      physical demographics. Average age was 16.9 years. Average external rotation of
      the throwing arm was significantly greater than that of the nonthrowing arm
      (143.00 degrees  vs 130.32 degrees , P=.005). Average internal rotation of the
      throwing arm was significantly less than that of the nonthrowing arm (49.50
      degrees  vs 65.90 degrees , P=.006). Both shoulders had similar total arc of
      motion (throwing shoulder, 192.54; nonthrowing shoulder, 196.23; P=.822). Average
      maximum velocity was 77.7 mph (maximum, 88 mph; minimum, 66 mph). Maximum pitch
      velocity did not correlate with changes in glenohumeral internal rotational
      deficit (P=.683) or increased glenohumeral external rotation (P=.241). There was
      also no evidence of correlation between pitch velocity and player age, height,
      weight, or dominant hand. The stress of pitching creates adaptations to the
      throwing shoulder, even in young athletes. There appears to be no significant
      correlation with a pitcher's maximum velocity and the amount of adaptation in
      shoulder range of motion.

PMID- 26270754
TI  - Outcome Measures in Total Joint Arthroplasty: Current Status, Challenges, and
      Future Directions.
AB  - Total joint arthroplasty (TJA) is the most commonly performed surgical procedure
      for the treatment of advanced degenerative joint diseases. Numerous outcome
      measures for TJA have been developed, which can be reported by physicians,
      patients, or both. Although outcome tools were traditionally centered on
      morbidity, mortality, and implant survival, the focus has evolved over recent
      years to joint-specific, disease-specific, activity-specific, general well-being,
      and quality of life assessments. However, despite the importance of outcome
      measures in a time of growing demand for TJA and increased government scrutiny
      fueled by high implant costs, there remains no "gold standard" method to assess
      the impact of TJA. The aim of this review is to evaluate the currently available
      literature on outcome measures in joint arthroplasty, highlighting the strengths
      and limitations of commonly used instruments. Because outcomes are influenced by
      a multitude of intangible factors, there is an increasing role for assessing
      patient satisfaction as a simple way to account for the complex aspects of care.
      Strategies including proper patient selection and establishing realistic
      expectations preoperatively are critical to optimizing outcomes. In an era of
      increasing public scrutiny, the current state of conflicting results and variable
      correlations among outcome measures implores the need for a standardized system
      that should incorporate a metric for patient satisfaction adjusted for
      preoperative expectations.

PMID- 26270753
TI  - Minimal Preoperative Degenerative Arthritis May Not Predict Poor TKA Outcome.
AB  - Although most orthopedic surgeons presume that patients with more severe
      degenerative osteoarthritis are better candidates for total knee arthroplasty
      (TKA), few data have compared outcomes based on the extent of radiographic
      osteoarthritis. The authors tested the hypothesis that patients with minimal
      radiographic osteoarthritis would have worse outcomes compared with a matched
      cohort with severe osteoarthritis. The authors identified 29 patients (31 knees)
      with minimal degenerative changes who underwent TKA between 2000 and 2004. The
      authors identified a matched cohort with severe osteoarthritis. Mean follow-up
      was 5 years (range, 2-10 years). Preoperative knee scores were 63 and 59 in
      patients with minimal osteoarthritis and severe osteoarthritis, respectively.
      Postoperative knee scores were 89 and 93, respectively. Preoperative function
      scores were 57 and 56 in patients with minimal osteoarthritis and severe
      osteoarthritis, respectively. Postoperative function scores increased to 79 and
      72, respectively. Of 31 patients in the minimal osteoarthritis group, 26 (84%)
      had mild or no pain at the time of last follow-up, whereas 5 (16%) had moderate
      or severe pain. In the group with severe osteoarthritis, 25 of 31 patients (81%)
      had mild or no pain at the time of last follow-up, whereas 6 (19%) had moderate
      or severe pain. In the group with minimal osteoarthritis, 6 of 31 knees (19%) had
      a complication. Only 1 of 31 knees (3.1%) in the matched cohort had a
      complication. Fewer than 1% of patients undergoing TKA at the authors'
      institution had minimal preoperative radiographic osteoarthritis. These patients
      had a higher risk of complications, but similar pain relief, function, and
      overall satisfaction compared with a matched group with severe arthritis.

PMID- 26270755
TI  - Rotation and Displacement Predict Adverse Events in Pediatric Supracondylar
      Fractures.
AB  - The goal of this study was to identify supracondylar fracture patterns that were
      predictive of adverse events and poor outcomes. The study consisted of a
      retrospective review of patients admitted for surgical treatment of a
      supracondylar humerus fracture between June 2008 and August 2010. Preoperative
      radiographs were assessed based on appearance (simple vs oblique vs comminuted),
      coronal plane displacement (angulated, posterior, posteromedial vs
      posterolateral), and rotation (rotation vs no rotation). Logistic regression
      models were used to examine the relationship between fracture pattern and
      clinical outcome parameters in 373 patients who were followed for 4 weeks or more
      postoperatively. Outcome parameters included postoperative complications
      (infection, delayed healing, pin migration, revision surgery), need for physical
      or occupational therapy, need for postoperative intravenous narcotics, and
      preoperative nerve injury. Rotation and coronal displacement patterns of the
      fracture segments were significantly associated with postoperative complications,
      postoperative need for physical or occupational therapy as a result of residual
      stiffness, and nerve injury (P<.05). Compared with posteriorly displaced
      fractures, posterolaterally displaced fractures were associated with
      significantly greater odds of complications (P=.045), need for physical or
      occupational therapy (P<.001), and nerve injury (P<.001). Additionally, fractures
      with rotation were associated with significantly greater odds of complications
      (P<.001), need for physical or occupational therapy (P<.001), and nerve injury
      (P<.001) compared with fractures without rotation. Rotation and coronal plane
      displacement were predictive of complications, need for physical or occupational
      therapy, and nerve injury, and thus should be considered as potential prognostic
      variables when evaluating the initial injury pattern.

PMID- 26270757
TI  - Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty for Management of Postinfectious Arthropathy With
      Rotator Cuff Deficiency.
AB  - Treatment of patients with rotator cuff deficiency and arthritis in the setting
      of a prior glenohumeral infection (postinfectious arthropathy) is complex, with
      little evidence to guide treatment. The current authors present their approach to
      management of these patients and clinical outcomes after reverse shoulder
      arthroplasty (RSA). All primary RSAs performed for postinfectious arthropathy and
      rotator cuff deficiency with native glenohumeral joints were identified in a
      prospective shoulder arthroplasty registry. Eight patients with a minimum of 2
      year follow-up were included in the analysis. Clinical outcomes, including the
      Constant score, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, the
      Western Ontario Osteoarthritis Shoulder (WOOS) index, the Single Assessment
      Numeric Evaluation (SANE) score, and range of motion measurements, were assessed
      preoperatively and at final follow-up. At an average follow-up of 4.4 years, no
      patient had a clinically detectable recurrence of infection. Significant
      improvements were noted in all outcome scores from preoperative evaluation to
      final follow-up after RSA, including Constant score (P=.003), ASES score
      (P<.001), WOOS index (P=.002), SANE score (P=.025), forward flexion (P<.001),
      abduction (P<.001), and external rotation (P=.020). Seven of 8 patients reported
      they were satisfied or very satisfied at final follow-up. Reverse shoulder
      arthroplasty can be performed in patients without significant medical
      comorbidities in the setting of postinfectious arthropathy and rotator cuff
      deficiency with a low risk of recurrence of infection. Significant clinical
      improvements were noted at short-term follow-up.

PMID- 26270756
TI  - Femoral Neck Fracture After Arthroscopic Femoroplasty of the Hip.
AB  - Hip arthroscopy is an increasingly common procedure, particularly for the
      treatment of femoroacetabular impingement. Various complications have been
      previously reported, and the authors sought to further evaluate the safety of
      this procedure. This study was conducted to identify the incidence of femoral
      neck fracture as well as treatment and outcomes after arthroscopic femoroplasty.
      In April 2013, a survey was administered to 28 established hip arthroscopists
      regarding the breadth of their experience, including the total number of hip
      arthroscopies and proximal femoroplasties performed and the number of
      postoperative femoral neck fractures. Fracture type, patient age, patient sex,
      time to fracture, comorbidities, treatments, and outcomes were queried. The study
      identified 27,200 total arthroscopies and 14,945 proximal femoroplasties
      performed by the surgeons, with 11 postoperative proximal femur fractures. The
      incidence of proximal femur fracture after arthroscopic femoroplasty was 0.07%,
      based on combined data of high-volume hip arthroscopists at multiple medical
      centers. Mean time to fracture after arthroscopic femoroplasty was 40.5 (+/-26.6)
      days postoperatively. The male-to-female ratio was approximately 1:3 for those
      with fracture, and mean patient age was 52 (+/-13) years. More than half of the
      fractures were caused by violation of weight-bearing precautions. All patients
      had improvement in symptoms after treatment. Femoral neck fracture after
      arthroscopic femoroplasty is a rare complication for established hip
      arthroscopists. It is most common in women and patients older than 50 years.
      Treatment is based on the severity of the fracture, and patients have improved
      outcomes after treatment.

PMID- 26270758
TI  - Optimal Management of High-Energy Pilon Fractures.
AB  - The ideal treatment method for fibular fractures associated with high-energy
      pilon injuries remains unknown. In this investigation, the authors reviewed a
      consecutive series of 137 patients who sustained high-energy pilon injuries and
      assessed the effect of fibular fixation and timing on radiographic and clinical
      outcomes. At a mean follow-up of 18.7 months, the authors found that the presence
      or lack of fibular fixation did not have an effect on the timing or rate of union
      of the pilon fractures; similarly, there was no significant difference between
      these groups regarding the presence or development of coronal or sagittal
      malalignment intraoperatively or at final follow-up. Fibular union rates were
      also not significantly different between groups, but fibular fixation increased
      operative time in a statistically significant manner. Interestingly, when
      comparing fibular fixation during the temporization stage vs the definitive
      fixation stage, the authors found that early fixation of the fibular fracture
      also had no effect on alignment, healing, or complication rates. Fixation of the
      fibula during external fixation placement statistically increased operative time
      during temporization but did not significantly decrease operative time during
      definitive stabilization. The authors cannot recommend fibular fixation with all
      associated pilon fractures because the presence or timing of fibular fixation
      does not significantly change the radiographic outcomes, complication rate, or
      need for future surgical interventions. Future clinical analysis is needed to
      further delineate the indication for fibular fixation in this scenario.

PMID- 26270759
TI  - Short-term Results of Birmingham Hip Resurfacing in the United States.
AB  - Previous data on the survivorship of the Birmingham Hip Resurfacing (BHR) implant
      have come from design surgeons and large national databases outside of the United
      States, and there is a lack of reported outcomes of surface replacement
      arthroplasty from US centers. A retrospective study was undertaken of 1271 hips
      treated with a BHR system (Smith & Nephew, Memphis, Tennessee) between June 2006
      and September 2008 at 6 high-volume total joint centers in the United States.
      Demographic features, Harris Hip Score (HHS), and radiographic findings were
      recorded. Patients who did not have a 2-year follow-up visit were contacted by
      telephone. All patients were asked about complications, reoperations, or failure
      of the implants. Of the treated hips, 1144 (90%) had a minimum of 2 years of
      clinical follow-up (mean, 2.9 years; range, 1.8-4.2 years). Mean age was 52.3
      years, and 75% of patients were men. Mean HHS improved from 55.8 preoperatively
      to 97.4 at the most recent follow-up (P<.001). There were 16 (1.4%) revisions to
      total hip arthroplasty (THA) for fracture (7), early dislocation (3), acetabular
      component malpositioning with pain (3; 1 with metallosis), infection (1), femoral
      loosening (1), and pseudotumor (1). There were 9 additional complications (0.8%)
      that did not require revision, including 3 dislocations treated with closed
      reduction, 2 fractures, 3 nerve injuries, and 1 pseudotumor. At 2 to 4 years of
      follow-up, the revision rate and the major complication rate with the BHR system
      were similar to those in previous reports of primary THA. Excellent clinical
      results were observed, but further follow-up is necessary to assess mid- and long
      term results with the BHR system in US patients.

PMID- 26270760
TI  - Ultrasound for Infants at Risk for Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip.
AB  - The best screening method for developmental dysplasia of the hip is
      controversial. Ultrasonography is sensitive, but cost-effectiveness may limit its
      use. This study assessed whether ultrasound screening would increase in
      effectiveness if targeted toward infants with established risk factors for
      developmental dysplasia of the hip and normal findings on physical examination.
      All ultrasound scans performed at the authors' institution from January 2007
      through January 2011 to screen for developmental dysplasia of the hip were
      reviewed. Infants with risk factors for developmental dysplasia of the hip and
      normal findings on physical examination by orthopedic faculty or a pediatrician
      were selected. Of the 530 cases that were reviewed, 217 had risk factors for
      developmental dysplasia of the hip and normal findings on physical examination.
      Mean age of the 217 selected patients was 6.9 weeks. Of the patients, 83% were
      female, 77% had breech presentation, 30% were firstborn children, 13% had
      intrauterine packaging abnormalities, and 3% had a family history of
      developmental dysplasia of the hip. Of the 217 infants, 44 had 1 risk factor, 121
      had 2 risk factors, 46 had 3 risk factors, and 6 had 4 risk factors. Dynamic
      ultrasound evaluation showed instability in 17 patients, for a 7.8% incidence of
      developmental dysplasia of the hip. All 17 patients were treated with a Pavlik
      harness. The results suggested that selective ultrasound screening may be
      effective in infants with risk factors and normal findings on physical
      examination. Selective ultrasound screening changed treatment management in
      almost 8% of patients and clinical follow-up in 6.5%. Analysis of the cost
      effectiveness of screening is needed.

PMID- 26270761
TI  - Thin-Walled Cross-Linked Acetabular Liners Need Not Exhibit Reduced Locking
      Strength.
AB  - Use of larger diameter femoral heads has emerged as a promising strategy to
      reduce the risk of dislocation after total hip arthroplasty, but thinning the
      walls of cross-linked ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)
      acetabular liners to accommodate these larger heads may compromise the locking
      mechanism of the liner. The purpose of this study was to test the mechanical
      integrity of the locking mechanism in cross-linked and re-melted UHMWPE
      acetabular components with reduced wall thickness. The locking mechanism of cross
      linked (100 kGy/re-melted) acetabular liners in sizes 50/28, 50/36, and 52/36 mm
      of 1 design was evaluated by lever-out tests and torsion tests. Torsion tests
      were performed at 2 angles to isolate the liner's locking tabs independent of the
      contribution of its central post. Lever-out testing demonstrated nominally
      reduced failure strength in 50/36-mm liners (13.3 N . m) compared with 50/28-mm
      liners (12.3 N . m; P=.0502), whereas the lever-out strength of 52/36-mm liners
      was 12.2+/-0.94 N . m. Failure torques were similar between 50/28- and 50/36-mm
      liners at 45 degrees  and 90 degrees , but the failure torque of size 52/36-mm
      liners was significantly higher at each angle. The use of larger diameter femoral
      heads does not compromise the locking mechanism of thinned MicroSeal (Signal
      Medical Corp, Marysville, Michigan) acetabular liners. Use of a cross-linked
      UHMWPE acetabular liner, with a locking mechanism that is not compromised when
      the liner is thinned to a thickness of at least 2.86 mm, appears to be a
      biomechanically sound construct when articulated with large diameter femoral
      heads.

PMID- 26270762
TI  - Successful Bone Healing of Nonunion After Ulnar Shortening Osteotomy for Smokers
      Treated With Teriparatide.
AB  - Ulnar shortening osteotomy is widely performed as the standard surgical treatment
      for ulnar impaction syndrome and has a high percentage of success for pain
      relief. However, delayed union and nonunion of the osteotomy site remain the most
      concerning complications. In particular, smokers have a higher incidence of
      nonunion, which amounts to 30% of cases. For the treatment of nonunion, secondary
      surgical interventions such as bone grafting will be necessary but are extremely
      challenging. Recently, teriparatide (recombinant human parathyroid hormone [PTH 1
      34]) administration has been reported in several clinical studies as a
      noninvasive pharmacological systemic treatment for fracture healing or nonunion.
      The authors present 2 cases of smokers, a 62-year-old man and a 42-year-old
      woman, with nonunion after ulnar shortening osteotomy and fixation with 6-hole
      non-locking plate for ulnar impaction syndrome. For treatment of nonunion,
      noninvasive therapy with teriparatide (20-ug, subcutaneous injection) in addition
      to low-intensity pulsed ultrasound was underwent. In both cases, partial bone
      union began to be observed on radiographs after the first 4 weeks of teriparatide
      administration and successful bone healing without additional surgical
      interventions was achieved after 10 and 6 months of treatment with teriparatide,
      respectively. The current case reports showed that non-invasive combination
      therapy of teriparatide and low-intensity pulsed ultrasound were a possible
      alternative to surgical intervention. In the future, teriparatide therapy might
      be applied actively to patients who have risk factors for delayed union, such a
      heavy smoking habit, and are expected to experience nonunion after ulnar
      shortening osteotomy.

PMID- 26270763
TI  - Displaced Medial and Lateral Bucket Handle Meniscal Tears With Intact ACL and
      PCL.
AB  - Bucket handle lesions are vertical longitudinal tears in the meniscus that may
      displace centrally into the respective medial or lateral compartment, frequently
      causing mechanical symptoms, including pain, perceived instability, and
      mechanical locking. Bucket handle meniscal tears are most commonly from a
      traumatic etiology and are frequently found with concomitant anterior cruciate
      ligament (ACL) injuries. Multiple imaging signs and associations have been
      described for the diagnosis of bucket handle meniscus tears, including coronal
      truncation, absent bow tie sign, double posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), double
      ACL, displacement of the bucket handle fragment, and disproportionate posterior
      horn signs. Among meniscal pathology encountered on magnetic resonance imaging or
      during arthroscopy, bucket handle meniscal tears are infrequent occurrences.
      Furthermore, the occurrence of displaced medial and lateral bucket handle tears
      found on imaging and during arthroscopy is very uncommon and is only sparsely
      reported in the literature. When displaced medial and lateral bucket handle
      meniscal segments are visualized within the intercondylar notch along with the
      ACL and PCL, the radiologic findings are referred to as the "quadruple cruciate"
      sign or the "Jack and Jill lesion." Of the few case reports described in the
      literature, only one noted displaced medial and lateral bucket handle meniscus
      tears with an intact ACL and PCL. The current case report outlines a similar rare
      case of the quadruple cruciate sign: displaced medial and lateral bucket handle
      meniscal tears located within the intercondylar notch and an intact ACL and PCL.

PMID- 26270764
TI  - Corrective Osteotomy for Ipsilateral Distal Clavicular and Coracoid Malunions.
AB  - Malunion after double disruption injuries of the superior shoulder suspensory
      complex accompanied by shoulder pain and dysfunction has been reported
      infrequently. A 37-year-old man had a double disruption injury (fractures of the
      distal clavicle and the base of the coracoid process). Conservative treatment
      resulted in malunion. Twelve months after the injury, pain continued in the
      coracoclavicular interval, and there was only 125 degrees  forward shoulder
      elevation. Radiographs showed 50 degrees  inferior angulation of the distal
      clavicle and elongated base of the coracoid process. Corrective osteotomy was
      required; however, the concomitant malunion of the coracoid prevented correction
      of the deformity with osteotomy of the distal clavicle alone. Therefore,
      osteotomy of the coracoid was performed. Twelve months postoperatively,
      successful bone union resulted in loss of pain. Forward elevation had recovered
      to 160 degrees . Distal clavicular fractures with concomitant coracoid fractures
      are often significantly displaced, which disrupts physiologic coupling of
      clavicular and scapular motion and limits forward elevation. In the case of such
      malunions, excessive movement at the clavicle-scapula junction during
      mobilization causes pain in the coracoclavicular interval. Correction of this
      deformity requires osteotomy of both the clavicular and coracoid malunions.

PMID- 26270768
TI  - Facile Fabrication of Anodic Alumina Rod-Capped Nanopore Films with Condensate
      Microdrop Self-Propelling Function.
AB  - We report that aluminum surfaces can be endowed with condensate microdrop self
      propelling (CMDSP) function by one-step voltage-rising mild anodization in hot
      phosphoric acid solution followed by fluorosilane modification. Via regulating
      reaction parameters, we can achieve anodic alumina self-standing rod-capped
      nanopore films and minimize their solid-liquid interface adhesion. Such low
      adhesive nanostructured film owns remarkable CMDSP function, especially to
      condensate microdrops with sizes below 50 MUm, differing from usual gravity
      driven dropwise condensation on flat aluminum surfaces. Clearly, this work offers
      a facile, efficient, and industry-compatible approach to processing CMDSP
      aluminum materials, which is significant for developing innovative energy-saving
      air-conditioner heat exchangers. 

PMID- 26270765
TI  - A critical reappraisal of dietary practices in methylmalonic acidemia raises
      concerns about the safety of medical foods. Part 1: isolated methylmalonic
      acidemias.
AB  - PURPOSE: Medical foods for methylmalonic acidemias (MMAs) and propionic acidemias
      contain minimal valine, isoleucine, methionine, and threonine but have been
      formulated with increased leucine. We aimed to assess the effects of imbalanced
      branched-chain amino acid intake on metabolic and growth parameters in a cohort
      of patients with MMA ascertained via a natural history study. METHODS: Cross
      sectional anthropometric and body-composition measurements were correlated with
      diet content and disease-related biomarkers in 61 patients with isolated MMA (46
      mut, 9 cblA, and 6 cblB). RESULTS: Patients with MMA tolerated close to the
      recommended daily allowance (RDA) of complete protein (mut(0): 99.45 +/- 32.05%
      RDA). However, 85% received medical foods, in which the protein equivalent often
      exceeded complete protein intake (35%). Medical food consumption resulted in low
      plasma valine and isoleucine concentrations, prompting paradoxical
      supplementation with these propiogenic amino acids. Weight- and height-for-age z
      scores correlated negatively with the leucine-to-valine intake ratio (r = -0.453;
      P = 0.014; R(2) = 0.209 and r = -0.341; P = 0.05; R(2) = 0.123, respectively).
      CONCLUSION: Increased leucine intake in patients with MMA resulted in iatrogenic
      amino acid deficiencies and was associated with adverse growth outcomes. Medical
      foods for propionate oxidation disorders need to be redesigned and studied
      prospectively to ensure efficacy and safety.Genet Med 18 4, 386-395.

PMID- 26270766
TI  - A critical reappraisal of dietary practices in methylmalonic acidemia raises
      concerns about the safety of medical foods. Part 2: cobalamin C deficiency.
AB  - PURPOSE: Cobalamin C (cblC) deficiency impairs the biosynthesis of 5'
      deoxyadenosyl-adenosyl- and methyl-cobalamin, resulting in methylmalonic acidemia
      combined with hyperhomocysteinemia and hypomethioninemia. However, some patients
      with cblC deficiency are treated with medical foods, devoid of methionine and
      high in leucine content, that are formulated for patients with isolated
      propionate oxidative defects. We examined the effects of imbalanced branched
      chain amino acid intake on growth outcomes in cblC-deficient patients. METHODS:
      Dietary intake was correlated with biochemical, anthropometric, and body
      composition measurements and other disease parameters in a cohort of 28 patients
      with early-onset cblC deficiency. RESULTS: Protein-restricted diets were followed
      by 21% of the patients, whereas 32% received medical foods. Patients on protein
      restricted diets had lower height-for-age z-score (P = 0.034), whereas patients
      consuming medical foods had lower head circumference Z-scores (P = 0.037), plasma
      methionine concentrations (P = 0.001), and predicted methionine influx through
      the blood-brain barrier Z-score (-1.29 vs. -0.0617; P = 0.007). The combination
      of age at diagnosis, a history of seizures, and the leucine-to-valine dietary
      intake ratio best predicted head circumference Z-score based on multiple
      regression modeling (R(2) = 0.945). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with cblC deficiency
      treated with medical foods designed for isolated methylmalonic acidemia are at
      risk for iatrogenic methionine deficiency that could adversely affect brain
      growth and development.Genet Med 18 4, 396-404.

PMID- 26270767
TI  - A semiquantitative metric for evaluating clinical actionability of incidental or
      secondary findings from genome-scale sequencing.
AB  - PURPOSE: As genome-scale sequencing is increasingly applied in clinical
      scenarios, a wide variety of genomic findings will be discovered as secondary or
      incidental findings, and there is debate about how they should be handled. The
      clinical actionability of such findings varies, necessitating standardized
      frameworks for a priori decision making about their analysis. METHODS: We
      established a semiquantitative metric to assess five elements of actionability:
      severity and likelihood of the disease outcome, efficacy and burden of
      intervention, and knowledge base, with a total score from 0 to 15. RESULTS: The
      semiquantitative metric was applied to a list of putative actionable conditions,
      the list of genes recommended by the American College of Medical Genetics and
      Genomics (ACMG) for return when deleterious variants are discovered as
      secondary/incidental findings, and a random sample of 1,000 genes. Scores from
      the list of putative actionable conditions (median = 12) and the ACMG list
      (median = 11) were both statistically different than the randomly selected genes
      (median = 7) (P < 0.0001, two-tailed Mann-Whitney test). CONCLUSION: Gene-disease
      pairs having a score of 11 or higher represent the top quintile of actionability.
      The semiquantitative metric effectively assesses clinical actionability, promotes
      transparency, and may facilitate assessments of clinical actionability by various
      groups and in diverse contexts.Genet Med 18 5, 467-475.

PMID- 26270770
TI  - Metallonaphthalocyanines as triplet sensitizers for near-infrared photon
      upconversion beyond 850 nm.
AB  - In triplet-triplet annihilation-based photon upconversion (TTA-UC), the
      utilization of near-infrared (NIR) light with a wavelength longer than 850 nm
      remains an outstanding issue. We realized this by employing
      metallonaphthalocyanines as triplet sensitizers; upon excitation of NIR light
      (856 nm), upconverted emission was observed in the visible range with remarkable
      photostability. 

PMID- 26270769
TI  - Potential Use of Thioalkylated Mannose-Modified Dendrimer (G3)/alpha-Cyclodextrin
      Conjugate as an NF-kappaB siRNA Carrier for the Treatment of Fulminant Hepatitis.
AB  - NF-kappaB and its associated pathways are complicatedly concerned about hepatic
      homeostasis. Discriminating inhibition of NF-kappaB signaling has been expected
      to treat various liver diseases including fulminant hepatitis. To clarify the
      potential use of thioalkylated mannose-appended dendrimer (generation 3; G3)
      conjugates with alpha-cyclodextrin with average degree of substitution of mannose
      (DSM4) (Man-S-alpha-CDE (G3, DSM4)) as a novel antigen presenting cell (APC)
      specific siRNA carrier, we evaluated the RNAi effect of NF-kappaB p65 siRNA
      (sip65) complex with Man-S-alpha-CDE (G3, DSM4) both in vitro and in vivo. Man-S
      alpha-CDE (G3, DSM4)/sip65 complex significantly suppressed NF-kappaB p65 mRNA
      expression and nitric oxide (NO) production from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)
      stimulated NR8383 cells, a rat alveolar macrophage cell line, by adequate
      physicochemical properties and mannose receptor-mediated cellular uptake.
      Intravenous injection of Man-S-alpha-CDE (G3, DSM4)/sip65 complex extended the
      survival rate of LPS-induced fulminant hepatitis model mice. In addition,
      intravenous administration of Man-S-alpha-CDE (G3, DSM4)/sip65 complex had the
      potential to induce the in vivo RNAi effect by significant suppression of mRNA
      expression of NF-kappaB p65 and inflammatory cytokines in the liver of fulminant
      hepatitis model mice induced by LPS/d-galactosamine (d-Gal) without any
      significant side effects. Also, the serum levels of enzymes were significantly
      attenuated by injection of Man-S-alpha-CDE (G3, DSM4)/sip65 complex in fulminant
      hepatitis model mice. Collectively, these results suggest that Man-S-alpha-CDE
      (G3, DSM4) has the potential as a novel APC-selective sip65 carrier for the
      treatment of LPS/d-Gal-induced fulminant hepatitis in mice. 

PMID- 26270771
TI  - In Vitro Effects of Anti-Glaucomatous Eye Drops on Platelet-Activating Factor and
      its Metabolism.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of various commonly
      used antiglaucoma eye drops on inflammatory mediators such as the platelet
      activating factor (PAF). METHODS: Various intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering
      drops were tested to examine their inhibitory effect on PAF. Multiple eye drops
      were tested in washed rabbit platelets (WRPs) in order to determine the
      interaction between these eye drops and the inhibition of PAF in the PAF-induced
      platelet aggregation model. In addition, we examined the eyedrops' effect on PAF
      metabolism, through in vitro analysis on PAF basic metabolic enzymes (PAF-CPT,
      lyso PAF-AT, and PAF-AH). RESULTS: Latanoprost (Xalatan) was found to be the most
      potent in inhibiting PAF, suggesting that it is the most effective in decreasing
      IOP amongst the eye drops tested. Conversely, dorzolamide hydrochloride-timolol
      (Cosopt) exhibited the least anti-PAF action. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first
      study examine the relationship between PAF activity and glaucoma medication.
      Potency in PAF inhibition may be related to drop efficacy.

PMID- 26270772
TI  - Sex difference in the risk of recurrent venous thrombosis: a detailed analysis in
      four European cohorts.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previous analyses reported a higher risk of recurrent venous
      thrombosis in men than women. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to assess the risk of
      recurrence in men compared with women whilst taking female reproductive risk
      factors (oral contraception, postmenopausal hormone therapy and pregnancy) into
      account. In addition, we hypothesized that the sex difference in venous
      thrombosis was related to F9 Malmo, an X-linked prothrombotic factor. METHODS: In
      four pooled European cohorts (CARROT study, Glasgow, UK; CVTE study, Cambridge,
      UK; AUREC study, Vienna, Austria; and LETS follow-up study, Leiden, the
      Netherlands), the risk of recurrent venous thrombosis was calculated in men,
      women with reproductive risk factors and women without reproductive risk factors
      at the time of their first venous thrombosis. F9 Malmo was genotyped and carriers
      and non-carriers contrasted. RESULTS: In total, 2185 patients with a first venous
      thrombosis, 1043 men and 1142 women, were included. Overall, men had a 2.8-fold
      (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.2-3.4) higher risk of recurrent venous
      thrombosis than women. This risk was 5.2-fold (95% CI, 3.5-7.7) higher in men
      than in women with reproductive risk factors, and 2.3-fold (95% CI, 1.7-3.2)
      higher in men than in women without reproductive risk factors. No difference in
      risk of recurrence was found for carriers vs. non-carriers of F9 Malmo.
      CONCLUSION: Men experienced a recurrent venous thrombosis twice as often as women
      without reproductive risk factors. These findings indicate that men have a higher
      intrinsic risk of venous thrombosis than women, which is partly masked by female
      reproductive risk factors. The sex difference cannot be explained by F9 Malmo.

PMID- 26270774
TI  - Synthesis, Structure, and Rigid Unit Mode-like Anisotropic Thermal Expansion of
      BaIr2In9.
AB  - This Article reports the synthesis of large single crystals of BaIr2In9 using In
      flux and their characterization by variable-temperature single-crystal and
      synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction, resistivity, and magnetization
      measurements. The title compound adopts the BaFe2Al9-type structure in the space
      group P6/mmm with room temperature unit cell parameters a = 8.8548(6) A and c =
      4.2696(4) A. BaIr2In9 exhibits anisotropic thermal expansion behavior with linear
      expansion along the c axis more than 3 times larger than expansion in the ab
      plane between 90 and 400 K. This anisotropic expansion originates from a rigid
      unit mode-like mechanism similar to the mechanism of zero and negative thermal
      expansion observed in many anomalous thermal expansion materials such as ZrW2O8
      and ScF3. 

PMID- 26270773
TI  - Introducing demographic corrections for the 10/36 Spatial Recall Test.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The 10/36 Spatial Recall Test is a measure of visuospatial memory and
      has been recommended for inclusion when administering a brief cognitive
      assessment to patients with multiple sclerosis by multiple groups. However, a
      notable limitation of the measure includes a lack of normative data with
      demographic corrections. Thus, the primary objective of the current study was to
      examine demographic influences on the 10/36 Spatial Recall Test and to introduce
      demographically corrected normative data for the instrument. METHODS: Data were
      collected from 116 participants over the age of 50 years. All study participants
      were free of any neurologic disease or disorder and classified as cognitively
      intact by a consensus conference team that was comprised of neurologists and
      neuropsychologists. All study participants were administered a neuropsychological
      evaluation that included the 10/36 Spatial Recall Test Version A at the baseline
      visit. RESULTS: 10/36 Spatial Recall Test scores were affected by age, education,
      and race. Gender effects were not observed. Given these effects, regression
      equations were used to correct for the effects of demographic variables. The z
      scores obtained from these corrections were not significantly influenced by
      demographical variables. CONCLUSION: The demographic corrections introduced in
      this paper offer the possibility to enhance the clinical utility of the 10/36
      Spatial Recall Test.

PMID- 26270775
TI  - Serial Ultrasound Monitoring for Early Recognition of Asparaginase Associated
      Pancreatitis in Children With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common cancer in
      children and L-asparaginase is an essential component of the treatment. Cessation
      of L-asparaginase decreases event free survival. Acute pancreatitis is the
      toxicity that most commonly results in cessation of L-asparaginase. We tested
      whether serial ultrasound examinations could predict asparaginase-associated
      pancreatitis (AAP). METHODS: Children (aged 1.0-17.9 years) with childhood ALL
      treated at the University Hospital Rigshopitalet, Copenhagen, according to the
      standard or intermediate risk arms of the NOPHO ALL2008 protocol, with PEG
      asparaginase of 2 or 6 week intervals, for 30 weeks had their pancreas monitored
      using serial ultrasound in order to detect early signs of inflammation. RESULTS:
      Nineteen of 31 eligible patients were included. Three of the included patients
      developed AAP. None of the patients, including the three patients that developed
      AAP, had signs of inflammatory edema or pancreas enzymes above three times the
      upper normal limit prior to AAP. CONCLUSION: We found no signs of inflammatory
      edema within the pancreas on ultrasound during treatment with PEG-asparginase in
      our cohort prior to development of AAP or in patients that did not develop AAP.

PMID- 26270776
TI  - Laboratory automation: letting scientists focus on science.

PMID- 26270777
TI  - Scientific or regulated validation: a tiered approach? Meeting report from a
      joint EBF/DVDMDG workshop.
AB  - Tiered approach is rapidly gaining interest in the regulated bioanalytical
      community. Alternative approaches to the workflows as proposed in the regulatory
      Guidance (US FDA, EMA) are being used in discovery and early drug development,
      but with a growing array of assay types and studies requiring bioanalytical
      support in early drug development, the bioanalytical community is discussing how
      to bring best value to support these studies. Recently, international industry
      groups like European Bioanalysis Forum and Global Bioanalysis Consortium have
      discussed and published on the opportunity and need to include tiered approach
      more systematically in the early drug development support. On the back of these
      discussions, the Delaware Valley Drug Metabolism Discussion Group together with
      the European Bioanalysis Forum organized a meeting in Langhorne (PA, USA) to
      discuss the hurdles and added value of tiered approach with stakeholders from the
      Bioanalysis, quality assurance and PK community. The discussions focused on
      proposing scientific validation for studies where there is currently a mixed use
      of regulatory and tiered approach workflows. The meeting was well attended and
      the presentations and panel discussions contributed to a better understanding of
      what the industry is proposing as future practice. 

PMID- 26270779
TI  - The relation of the number of hydrogen-bond acceptors with recoveries of
      immunosuppressants in DBS analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We investigated the influence of the number of hydrogen-bond
      acceptors on the recovery of immunosuppressant drugs and their structural
      analogs. This hypothesis was tested by evaluation of the extraction recoveries of
      tacrolimus, ascomycin, sirolimus, everolimus and temsirolimus with 12, 12, 13, 14
      and 16 hydrogen-bond acceptors, respectively. RESULTS: With an increasing number
      of hydrogen-bond acceptors of sirolimus, everolimus and temsirolimus, a decrease
      in recoveries was found while ascomycin showed recoveries corresponding to those
      of tacrolimus. CONCLUSION: This study showed that the number of hydrogen-bond
      acceptors of the analyte of interest may influence the recoveries in dried blood
      spot analysis and is a relevant factor to be investigated during method
      development and validation.

PMID- 26270778
TI  - 6th Japan Bioanalysis Forum Symposium: challenge of regulated bioanalysis.
AB  - Biomarker measurement and LC-MS analysis of large molecule pharmaceuticals (LM
      MS) are becoming increasingly important in pharmaceutical development, although
      they are not included in the existing bioanalytical method validation guidelines
      in Japan. The 6th Japan Bioanalysis Forum symposium presented challenges
      regarding biomarkers and LM-MS, as well as the current circumstances for
      regulated bioanalysis, by inviting speakers from Japan, the USA, European Union
      and Asia-pacific. Japan Bioanalysis Forum discussion groups also presented their
      outcomes and openly discussed these with the attendees - over 200 dedicated
      individuals from industry, regulatory agencies and academia. The symposium
      successfully reinforced the idea that fit-for-purpose approaches are necessary,
      and that science should drive any judgments and actions throughout drug
      development. 

PMID- 26270780
TI  - Polymer-nanoparticles composites in bioanalytical sample preparation.
AB  - The term composite refers to a class of synthetic materials made from different
      constituents which exhibit final properties which are different from those of the
      individual components. Composites have been extensively used in the sample
      treatment context as sorbents since the resulting solid presents better
      extraction efficiency. In this realm, polymeric nanocomposites are raised as a
      powerful alternative. They can be tailored-synthesized for selectivity
      enhancement or include a magnetic core to simplify the extraction/elution
      process. This review article points out the relevance of such nanomaterials in
      bioanalysis. Several synergic combinations of nanoparticles (magnetic, carbon
      based) as well as polymeric coatings (conventional, conductive or molecularly
      imprinted) are commented on. Finally, the potential of biopolymers in the
      microextraction field is briefly highlighted. 

PMID- 26270781
TI  - Linearity of chromatographic systems in drug analysis part I: theory of
      nonlinearity and quantification of curvature.
AB  - Traditional approaches to the assessment of the linearity of chromatographic
      assays initially assume that the concentration-response relationship is linear
      and only deemed to be nonlinear if certain parameters lie outside pre-set
      acceptance criteria. A different approach is described in that the a priori
      assumption is made that the assay does have some curvature that can be described
      by fitting a nonlinear regression curve. Any nonlinearity can be quantified from
      the curvature terms of the resultant regression coefficients. The success of this
      alternative approach is dependent upon the appropriate choice of nonlinear
      regression to accurately describe concentration versus response relationship of
      the assay. 

PMID- 26270782
TI  - Linearity of chromatographic systems in drug analysis part II: a Monte Carlo
      justification for the use of nonlinear regressions.
AB  - In Part I of this series of communications an alternative approach was outlined
      to quantify the deviation from linearity by estimation of the change in true
      sensitivity of several mathematically defined concentration-response
      relationships. In this paper, Monte Carlo techniques were used to compare the
      strengths and limitations of linear and nonlinear regressions in assay
      calibrations. Nonlinear regressions can define a calibration curve as efficiently
      as a linear regression. Provided that the nonlinear regression is matched to the
      actual nonlinear concentration-response relationship, the use of nonlinear
      regressions can improve the accuracy of the assay and increase the percentage of
      calibrations meeting acceptance criteria. 

PMID- 26270783
TI  - Linearity of chromatographic systems in drug analysis part III: examples of
      nonlinear drug assays.
AB  - Chromatography-based drug assays are generally considered to be linear, provided
      that the back calculated concentrations of 75% of the calibrators are within +/
      15% of their target values. Data meeting this criterion are not usually subject
      to further examination in order to evaluate the extent of any nonlinearity and
      whether use of a nonlinear calibration function would improve the accuracy.
      Examples of nonlinear behavior are presented for several chromatographic systems
      and most are best described by the nonlinear equation y = a + bx + cxln(x). A
      more critical evaluation of linearity, as presented herein, can lead to the
      identification of nonlinear behavior and an improvement in accuracy by use of a
      nonlinear calibration regression. 

PMID- 26270785
TI  - Determination of lipoic acid in biological samples.
AB  - alpha-Lipoic acid (LA) is a unique antioxidant that is not only effective in
      affording protection against oxidative stress but also plays an essential role in
      metabolic processes of all living organisms. Therefore, the determination of LA
      and its metabolites content is crucial for understanding their physiological and
      pathophysiological functions. Most of the recently developed methods for the
      detection and determination of LA and its metabolites in various biological
      samples have focused on sample preparation procedures involving but not limited
      to sampling, extraction and storage. The main goal of this review is to summarize
      and critically evaluate the current state of the art of analytical procedures
      applied to the determination of LA and related compounds in biological samples. 

PMID- 26270784
TI  - Strategies to compare clinical antitherapeutic antibody data when changing assay
      platforms: a case study.
AB  - Zhihua Julia Qiu has over 20 years post PhD experience in academic institutes,
      pharmaceutical industry and biotechnology startup settings; focused on novel
      therapeutics discovery and development and diagnostic tools. She is currently a
      Scientist in the Bioanalytical Sciences department at Genentech; responsible for
      developing, evaluating and implementing Bioanalytical strategy to support protein
      therapeutics development. That includes assay development and validation to
      evaluate PK, antitherapeutic antibodies as well as biomarkers in both nonclinical
      and clinical studies for Immunology and Oncology indications. In addition, she
      has led the evaluation of multiple novel technology platforms and transitioning
      assay platform to enable continuous support for the development of protein
      therapeutics and antibody-drug conjugates. 

PMID- 26270786
TI  - Nano-LC in proteomics: recent advances and approaches.
AB  - In proteomics, nano-LC is arguably the most common tool for separating
      peptides/proteins prior to MS. The main advantage of nano-LC is enhanced
      sensitivity, as compounds enter the MS in more concentrated bands. This is
      particularly relevant for determining low abundant compounds in limited samples.
      Nano-LC columns can produce peak capacities of 1000 or more, and very narrow
      columns can be used to perform proteomics of 1000 cells or less. Also, nano-LC
      can be coupled with online add-ons such as selective trap columns or enzymatic
      reactors, for faster and more automated analysis. Nano-LC is today an established
      tool for research laboratories; but can nano-LC-based systems soon be ready for
      more routine settings, such as in clinics? 

PMID- 26270787
TI  - Comment on "UV Disinfection Induces a VBNC State in Escherichia coli and
      Pseudomonas aeruginosa".

PMID- 26270790
TI  - Streptococcal Serology: Secrets for the Specialist.

PMID- 26270789
TI  - Extracellular Stiffness Modulates the Expression of Functional Proteins and
      Growth Factors in Endothelial Cells.
AB  - Angiogenesis, the formation of blood vessels from pre-existing ones, is of vital
      importance during the early stages of bone healing. Extracellular stiffness plays
      an important role in regulating endothelial cell behavior and angiogenesis, but
      how this mechanical cue affects proliferation kinetics, gene regulation, and the
      expression of proteins implicated in angiogenesis and bone regeneration remains
      unclear. Using collagen-coated polyacrylamide (PAAm) hydrogels, human umbilical
      vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) are exposed to an environment that mimics the
      elastic properties of collagenous bone, and cellular proliferation and gene and
      protein expressions are assessed. The proliferation and gene expression of HUVECs
      are not differentially affected by culture on 3 or 30 kPa PAAm hydrogels,
      henceforth referred to as low and high stiffness gels, respectively. Although the
      proliferation and gene transcript levels remain unchanged, significant
      differences are found in the expressions of functional proteins and growth
      factors implicated both in the angiogenic and osteogenic processes. The down
      regulation of the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 protein with
      concomitant over-expression of caveolin-1, wingless-type 2, bone morphogenic
      protein 2, and basic fibroblast growth factor on the high stiffness PAAm hydrogel
      suggests that rigidity has a pro-angiogenic effect with inherent benefits for
      bone regeneration.

PMID- 26270788
TI  - Society for Endocrinology UK guidance on the initial evaluation of an infant or
      an adolescent with a suspected disorder of sex development (Revised 2015).
AB  - It is paramount that any child or adolescent with a suspected disorder of sex
      development (DSD) is assessed by an experienced clinician with adequate knowledge
      about the range of conditions associated with DSD. If there is any doubt, the
      case should be discussed with the regional DSD team. In most cases, particularly
      in the case of the newborn, the paediatric endocrinologist within the regional
      team acts commonly as the first point of contact. This clinician should be part
      of a multidisciplinary team experienced in management of DSD and should ensure
      that the affected person and parents have access to specialist psychological
      support and that their information needs are comprehensively addressed. The
      underlying pathophysiology of DSD and the strengths and weaknesses of the tests
      that can be performed should be discussed with the parents and affected young
      person and tests undertaken in a timely fashion. Finally, in the field of rare
      conditions, it is imperative that the clinician shares the experience with others
      through national and international clinical and research collaboration. 

PMID- 26270791
TI  - Black Phosphorus Terahertz Photodetectors.
AB  - The first room-temperature terahertz (THz)-frequency nanodetector exploiting a 10
      nm thick flake of exfoliated crystalline black phosphorus as an active channel of
      a field-effect transistor, is devised. By engineering and embedding planar THz
      antennas for efficient light harvesting, the first technological demonstration of
      a phosphorus-based active THz device is described. 

PMID- 26270792
TI  - Molecular orbital theory of the electronic structure of organic compounds. I.
      Substituent effects and dipole moments.

PMID- 26270793
TI  - Mass of the Anterior Mandible.

PMID- 26270794
TI  - Correction: Longitudinal Study of the Decline in Renal Function in Healthy
      Subjects.

PMID- 26270795
TI  - Feasibility of Remote Ischemic Peri-conditioning during Air Medical Transport of
      STEMI Patients.
AB  - Remote ischemic peri-conditioning (RIPC) has gained interest as a means of
      reducing ischemic injury in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial
      infarction (STEMI) who are undergoing emergent primary percutaneous coronary
      intervention (pPCI). We aimed to evaluate the feasibility, process, and patient
      related factors related to the delivery of RIPC during air medical transport of
      STEMI patients to tertiary pPCI centers. We performed a retrospective review of
      procedural outcomes of a cohort of STEMI patients who received RIPC as part of a
      clinical protocol in a multi-state air medical service over 16 months (March 2013
      to June 2014). Eligible patients were transported to two tertiary PCI centers and
      received up to four cycles of RIPC by inflating a blood pressure cuff on an upper
      arm to 200 mmHg for 5 minutes and subsequently deflating the cuff for 5 minutes.
      Data regarding feasibility, process variables, patient comfort, and occurrence of
      hypotension were obtained from prehospital records and prospectively completed
      quality improvement surveys. The primary outcome was whether at least 3 cycles of
      RIPC were completed by air medical transport crews prior to pPCI. Secondary
      outcomes included the number of cycles completed prior to pPCI, time spent with
      the patient prior to transport (bedside time), patient discomfort level, and
      incidence of hypotension (systolic blood pressure <90 mmHg) during the procedure.
      RIPC was initiated in 99 patients (91 interfacility, 8 scene transports) and 83
      (83.3%) received 3 or 4 cycles of RIPC, delivered over 25-35 minutes. Median
      bedside time for interfacility transfers was 8 minutes (IQR 7, 10). More than
      half of patients reported no pain related to the procedure (N = 53, 53.3%),
      whereas 5 (5.1%) patients reported discomfort greater than 5 out of 10. Two
      patients developed hypotension while receiving RIPC and both had experienced
      hypotension prior to initiation of RIPC. RIPC is feasible and safe to implement
      for STEMI patients undergoing air medical transport for pPCI, without occurrence
      of prolonged bedside times. The incidence of excessive RIPC-related discomfort or
      hemodynamic instability is rare. STEMI patients requiring on average >30 minutes
      transport for pPCI may be the ideal group for RIPC utilization. 

PMID- 26270796
TI  - Analysis of the synthetic house-tree-person drawing test for developmental
      disorder.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Some patients cannot draw three subjects on the same page during the
      synthetic house-tree-person drawing test (S-HTP). We call this phenomenon "no
      synthetic sign". The aim of this study was to clarify the pathological meaning of
      no synthetic sign and investigate its use for the early detection of
      developmental disorders at a pediatric primary care center. METHODS: We
      administered the S-HTP to 283 people who consulted the child psychosomatic
      medical clinic of Okayama University Hospital in 2007-2012. We diagnosed
      developmental disability based on DSM-IV-TR criteria and compared findings
      between the different diagnostic groups. RESULTS: A total of 241 patients
      completed the S-HTP (S-HTP group) and 22 patients were not able to complete the S
      HTP, but did complete the HTP (an original version of the S-HTP) or tree test
      (HTP group). Significantly more people in the HTP group had autism spectrum
      disorder (ASD) compared with the S-HTP group. Full-scale intelligence quotient
      was significantly lower in the HTP group compared with the S-HTP group.
      CONCLUSIONS: There were two types of patients with no synthetic sign. The first
      involved patients with a suspected mental age younger than 5 years 11 months. The
      second type consisted of patients with ASD. Although drawing ability reflects
      multiple domains, it may help in early identification of children with
      developmental problems and facilitate earlier initiation of interventions.

PMID- 26270797
TI  - Amisulpride Augmentation in Acute Catatonia.
AB  - Benzodiazepines are the first-line treatment of catatonia, but a substantial
      number of patients do not respond to them. Amisulpride is one of the atypical
      antipsychotic that has been effective for negative symptoms of schizophrenia. We
      examined the effect of augmentation of oral low doses of amisulpride with
      lorazepam on resolution of catatonic symptoms. Fifteen patients with catatonia
      were treated with a combination of oral lorazepam (2-4 mg) with amisulpride (100
      mg). Catatonic symptoms were rated using the Bush Francis Catatonia Rating Scale
      at the baseline and daily thereafter. There was complete resolution of catatonic
      symptoms on the third day in all patients. There was significant reduction of the
      total Bush Francis Catatonia Rating Scale score over time (F = 181.38, P < 0.001)
      with a strong effect size (partial eta = 0.96). Augmentation of lorazepam with
      low-dose amisulpride can be a reliable strategy for management of catatonia.

PMID- 26270798
TI  - Long (>12 Months) and Short (<6 Months) Versus Standard Duration of Dual
      Antiplatelet Therapy After Coronary Stenting: A Systematic Review and Meta
      Analysis.
AB  - Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is recommended for 6-12 months after drug
      eluting stent (DES) implantation to prevent ischemic events and late stent
      thrombosis. The optimal duration of DAPT has not been established. We performed a
      meta-analysis of the comparative effects of short and long versus standard
      duration DAPT duration on adverse cardiovascular and major bleeding. We conducted
      an EMBASE and MEDLINE search for studies in which patients were randomized to
      treatment with a different duration of DAPT. We included studies that provided
      data on DES selection, DAPT regimen and duration, and incidence of the selected
      endpoints at the end of the follow-up period. We identified 5 prospective
      randomized studies comparing short versus standard duration DAPT and 3 comparing
      long versus standard duration DAPT with a total of 28,343 patients. Short-term
      DAPT has similar incidence of stent thrombosis, MI, and death compared to
      standard duration DAPT, whereas major bleeding was significantly lower in short
      duration DAPT. Long-term DAPT was associated with lower rates of stent thrombosis
      and MI but significantly increased major bleeding and all-cause mortality
      compared to standard duration DAPT. In this meta-analysis of prospective
      controlled studies we found that short duration DAPT is safer and as effective as
      standard duration DAPT in patients with second-generation DES. Extended DAPT is
      associated with less ischemic events at the expense of high bleeding and
      mortality rates.

PMID- 26270799
TI  - Mycobacterium Avium Complex Septic Arthritis in a Patient Treated by Infliximab.
AB  - Infliximab is one of the TNF-alpha inhibitors, a class of medications that made a
      revolution in treatment of rheumatic diseases especially rheumatoid arthritis.
      The activation of tuberculosis and atypical mycobacterial infections has been
      described in the setting of TNF-alpha inhibitor therapy, but septic arthritis
      relating to this treatment has not yet been reported in previous literature. We
      describe a 50-year-old woman with dermatomyositis who developed Mycobacterium
      Avium Complex septic arthritis, while being treated with infliximab for active
      skin disease. This case highlights an important complication related to therapy
      with TNF-alpha inhibitors. 

PMID- 26270800
TI  - Unusual Bleeding Due to Riociguat Use in a Patient With Chronic Thromboembolic
      Pulmonary Hypertension.
AB  - Riociguat is a new drug prescribed to patients with pulmonary hypertension that
      reduces the pressure in pulmonary artery by vasodilation. This drug like many
      other drugs has several side effects, some of which can be serious such as
      bleeding. Riociguat causes vaginal bleeding by increasing endometrial thickness
      and blood flow to the endometrium, therefore, should be used with care especially
      for patients who have history of dysfunctional uterine bleeding. In this case
      report, we present a 27-year-old female patient with chronic thromboembolic
      pulmonary hypertension and dysfunctional uterine bleeding presented with severe
      vaginal bleeding under riociguat treatment. 

PMID- 26270801
TI  - Edible Flowers: A Rich Source of Phytochemicals with Antioxidant and Hypoglycemic
      Properties.
AB  - Edible flowers are receiving renewed interest as rich sources of bioactive
      compounds. Ethanol extracts of eight edible flowers were phytochemically
      characterized and investigated for their bioactivity. Rutin, quercetin, luteolin,
      kaempferol, and myricetin were selected as standards and quantified by HPLC. The
      fatty acid profile was analyzed by GC and GC-MS. Antioxidant properties were
      evaluated by using different in vitro tests. The hypoglycemic effects were
      investigated via the inhibition of alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase. Sambucus
      nigra exhibited the highest radical-scavenging activity (IC50 of 1.4 MUg/mL),
      followed by Hedysarum coronarium (IC50 of 1.6 MUg/mL). Both species contained
      high quercetin and rutin contents. S. nigra extract exerted the highest activity
      in preventing lipid oxidation. Malva sylvestris extract inhibited both alpha
      amylase and alpha-glucosidase with IC50 values of 7.8 and 11.3 MUg/mL,
      respectively. These findings support the consumption of edible flowers as
      functional foods and their use as sources of natural antioxidants by the food
      industry. 

PMID- 26270802
TI  - The first case of a small supernumerary marker chromosome derived from chromosome
      10 in an adult woman with an apparently normal phenotype.
AB  - Small supernumerary marker chromosomes (sSMCs) originating from chromosome 10 are
      rare. A limited number of cases are documented. We report a new diagnosis of a
      mosaic sSMC (10) in a normal female who asked for genetic evaluation before
      undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, in vitro fertilization, and
      embryo transfer. Chromosome preparations from peripheral lymphocyte cultures were
      performed according to standard procedures. QFQ-banded chromosomes confirmed the
      presence of an sSMC: 47,XX,+mar[49]/46,XX[51]. FISH and array CGH analysis showed
      that the sSMC consisted of chromosome 10 with a gain of the 10p11.1p11.21 (2.5
      Mb) chromosomal region. The presence of sSMC (10) was also confirmed in the
      patient's mother and sister. It did not appear to affect the phenotype of the
      women who were phenotypically normal and healthy, and at the time of writing the
      woman became pregnant naturally. Phenotypes associated with an sSMC vary from
      normal to severely abnormal. It has been shown that variations in the chromosomal
      region of sSMCs result in observable differences in clinical outcome. The
      phenotypical consequences of sSMCs are difficult to predict because of
      differences in euchromatic DNA content, chromosomal origin, and varying degrees
      of mosaicism. Therefore, the continued investigation of a larger number of sSMC
      cases, in particular those originating from chromosome 10 that are the
      infrequently encountered and characterized, and a better understanding of the
      genetic content is important in order to improve the delineation of karyotype
      phenotype correlation, contributing to a more informed prenatal counseling or
      prognosis. 

PMID- 26270804
TI  - Oxidation of Gas-Phase SO2 on the Surfaces of Acidic Microdroplets: Implications
      for Sulfate and Sulfate Radical Anion Formation in the Atmospheric Liquid Phase.
AB  - The oxidation of SO2(g) on the interfacial layers of microdroplet surfaces was
      investigated using a spray-chamber reactor coupled to an electrospray ionization
      mass spectrometer. Four major ions, HSO3(-), SO3(*-), SO4(*-) and HSO4(-), were
      observed as the SO2(g)/N2(g) gas-mixture was passed through a suspended
      microdroplet flow, where the residence time in the dynamic reaction zone was
      limited to a few hundred microseconds. The relatively high signal intensities of
      SO3(*-), SO4(*-), and HSO4(-) compared to those of HSO3(-) as observed at pH < 3
      without addition of oxidants other than oxygen suggests an efficient oxidation
      pathway via sulfite and sulfate radical anions on droplets possibly via the
      direct interfacial electron transfer from HSO3(-) to O2. The concentrations of
      HSO3(-) in the aqueous aerosol as a function of pH were controlled by the
      deprotonation of hydrated sulfur dioxide, SO2.H2O, which is also affected by the
      pH dependent uptake coefficient. When H2O2(g) was introduced into the spray
      chamber simultaneously with SO2(g), HSO3(-) is rapidly oxidized to form bisulfate
      in the pH range of 3 to 5. Conversion to sulfate was less at pH < 3 due to
      relatively low HSO3(-) concentration caused by the fast interfacial reactions.
      The rapid oxidation of SO2(g) on the acidic microdroplets was estimated as 1.5 *
      10(6) [S(IV)] (M s(-1)) at pH <= 3. In the presence of acidic aerosols, this
      oxidation rate is approximately 2 orders of magnitude higher than the rate of
      oxidation with H2O2(g) at a typical atmospheric H2O2(g) concentration of 1 ppb.
      This finding highlights the relative importance of the acidic surfaces for SO2
      oxidation in the atmosphere. Surface chemical reactions on aquated aerosol
      surfaces, as observed in this study, are overlooked in most atmospheric chemistry
      models. These reaction pathways may contribute to the rapid production of sulfate
      aerosols that is often observed in regions impacted by acidic haze aerosol such
      as Beijing and other megacities around the world. 

PMID- 26270803
TI  - Nocarbenzoxazoles A-G, Benzoxazoles Produced by Halophilic Nocardiopsis
      lucentensis DSM 44048.
AB  - Seven new benzoxazole derivatives, nocarbenzoxazoles A-G (1-7), were isolated
      from the halophilic strain Nocardiopsis lucentensis DSM 44048. Their structures
      were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data, HRESIMS, and X
      ray single-crystal diffraction. The isolated compounds were assayed for their
      cytotoxicity against a panel of human tumor cell lines (HepG2, MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB
      435, HeLa, and PC3). Compounds 1-6 were found to have modest or no activity.
      Compound 7 showed selective activity against HepG2 and HeLa with IC50 values of 3
      and 1 MUM, respectively.

PMID- 26270805
TI  - Protein Synthesis in E. coli: Dependence of Codon-Specific Elongation on tRNA
      Concentration and Codon Usage.
AB  - To synthesize a protein, a ribosome moves along a messenger RNA (mRNA), reads it
      codon by codon, and takes up the corresponding ternary complexes which consist of
      aminoacylated transfer RNAs (aa-tRNAs), elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu), and GTP.
      During this process of translation elongation, the ribosome proceeds with a codon
      specific rate. Here, we present a general theoretical framework to calculate
      codon-specific elongation rates and error frequencies based on tRNA
      concentrations and codon usages. Our theory takes three important aspects of in
      vivo translation elongation into account. First, non-cognate, near-cognate and
      cognate ternary complexes compete for the binding sites on the ribosomes. Second,
      the corresponding binding rates are determined by the concentrations of free
      ternary complexes, which must be distinguished from the total tRNA concentrations
      as measured in vivo. Third, for each tRNA species, the difference between total
      tRNA and ternary complex concentration depends on the codon usages of the
      corresponding cognate and near-cognate codons. Furthermore, we apply our theory
      to two alternative pathways for tRNA release from the ribosomal E site and show
      how the mechanism of tRNA release influences the concentrations of free ternary
      complexes and thus the codon-specific elongation rates. Using a recently
      introduced method to determine kinetic rates of in-vivo translation from in-vitro
      data, we compute elongation rates for all codons in Escherichia coli. We show
      that for some tRNA species only a few tRNA molecules are part of ternary
      complexes and, thus, available for the translating ribosomes. In addition, we
      find that codon-specific elongation rates strongly depend on the overall codon
      usage in the cell, which could be altered experimentally by overexpression of
      individual genes. 

PMID- 26270807
TI  - Role of splenic monocytes in atherosclerosis.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review relates recent findings that highlight the role of
      the spleen as an active donor of monocytes during inflammation, with a special
      focus on atherosclerosis. RECENT FINDINGS: The contribution of
      hypercholesterolemia and monocytes/macrophages to atherosclerotic lesion
      formation is undisputable. The origin of plaque macrophages is, however, still a
      subject of debate as to whether they derive from local amplification of
      (resident) macrophages or from continuous recruitment and differentiation of
      monocytes. Recently, the spleen has emerged as an important reservoir of
      monocytes that contributes to lesion growth. The regulation of monocyte
      mobilization from the splenic compartment has, therefore, raised a keen interest
      in understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in this process.
      SUMMARY: Impaired regulation of cholesterol metabolism increases the
      proliferation of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in both the bone marrow
      and the spleen. Recent findings identified the implication of angiotensin II, red
      pulp macrophages and B-lymphocytes as partners of monocyte expansion in, and
      mobilization from the spleen. Future studies will help in understanding the
      mechanisms of monocyte mobilization and its precise roles in atherosclerosis, and
      whether modulation of the splenic components may become a promising future
      direction in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

PMID- 26270806
TI  - Evidence for pollinator cost and farming benefits of neonicotinoid seed coatings
      on oilseed rape.
AB  - Chronic exposure to neonicotinoid insecticides has been linked to reduced
      survival of pollinating insects at both the individual and colony level, but so
      far only experimentally. Analyses of large-scale datasets to investigate the real
      world links between the use of neonicotinoids and pollinator mortality are
      lacking. Moreover, the impacts of neonicotinoid seed coatings in reducing
      subsequent applications of foliar insecticide sprays and increasing crop yield
      are not known, despite the supposed benefits of this practice driving widespread
      use. Here, we combine large-scale pesticide usage and yield observations from
      oilseed rape with those detailing honey bee colony losses over an 11 year period,
      and reveal a correlation between honey bee colony losses and national-scale
      imidacloprid (a neonicotinoid) usage patterns across England and Wales. We also
      provide the first evidence that farmers who use neonicotinoid seed coatings
      reduce the number of subsequent applications of foliar insecticide sprays and may
      derive an economic return. Our results inform the societal discussion on the
      pollinator costs and farming benefits of prophylactic neonicotinoid usage on a
      mass flowering crop. 

PMID- 26270809
TI  - Recent developments in modulating atherogenic lipoproteins.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Randomized clinical trials have assessed the effects of
      several classes of drugs on plasma cholesterol levels in patients with coronary
      artery disease. Agents including niacin, fibrates and statins significantly lower
      LDL-cholesterol, but tolerance issues and undesirable side-effects are common.
      Residual risk may also be present in patients with persistently low HDL
      cholesterol despite a reduction in LDL-cholesterol. Recent trials of drugs that
      increase circulating HDL-cholesterol have also been disappointing. RECENT
      FINDINGS: Ongoing efforts target the development of new pharmacotherapies to
      reduce circulating levels of atherogenic lipoproteins. The goal of this review is
      to discuss recent advances in the treatment of coronary artery disease and other
      vascular diseases characterized by an increase in circulating atherogenic
      lipoproteins. These include the development of inhibitors of ATP citrate lyase
      and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9. We also discuss recent
      developments in HDL therapy, including the clinical assessment of cholesteryl
      ester transfer protein inhibitors and apolipoprotein E mimetic peptides. SUMMARY:
      Several new classes of drug are undergoing clinical evaluation that show promise
      for atherogenic lipoprotein reduction in patients who are statin intolerant.

PMID- 26270808
TI  - Lysophospholipids in coronary artery and chronic ischemic heart disease.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The bioactive lysophospholipids, lysophosphatidic acid (LPA)
      and sphingosine 1 phosphate (S1P), have potent effects on blood and vascular
      cells. This review focuses their potential contributions to the development of
      atherosclerosis, acute complications such as acute myocardial infarction, and
      chronic ischemic cardiac damage. RECENT FINDINGS: Exciting recent developments
      have provided insight into the molecular underpinnings of LPA and S1P receptor
      signaling. New lines of evidence suggest roles for these pathways in the
      development of atherosclerosis. In experimental animal models, the production,
      signaling, and metabolism of LPA may be influenced by environmental factors in
      the diet that synergize to promote the progression of atherosclerotic vascular
      disease. This is supported by observations of human polymorphisms in the
      lysophospholipid-metabolizing enzyme PPAP2B, which are associated with risk of
      coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction. S1P signaling protects from
      myocardial damage that follows acute and chronic ischemia, both by direct effects
      on cardiomyocytes and through stem cell recruitment to ischemic tissue. SUMMARY:
      This review will suggest novel strategies to prevent the complications of
      coronary artery disease by targeting LPA production and signaling. Additionally,
      ways in which S1P signaling pathways may be harnessed to attenuate ischemia
      induced cardiac dysfunction will be explored.

PMID- 26270810
TI  - Cholesterol efflux capacity, macrophage reverse cholesterol transport and
      cardioprotective HDL.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Randomized clinical trials provide strong evidence that
      pharmacological elevation of HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) fails to reduce
      cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in statin-treated humans. It is thus critical
      to identify new metrics that capture HDL's cardioprotective effects. RECENT
      FINDINGS: We review recent evidence that HDL's cholesterol efflux capacity is a
      strong inverse predictor of incident and prevalent CVD in humans. In light of
      those findings, we assess the proposal that impaired macrophage cholesterol
      efflux to HDL contributes to disease risk. We also discuss recent studies
      implicating small HDL particles in cholesterol efflux from macrophages. SUMMARY:
      These observations lay the foundation for a new approach to understanding
      mechanistically how HDL's functional properties help reduce CVD risk.

PMID- 26270811
TI  - Immune-mediated and lipid-mediated platelet function in atherosclerosis.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death and
      morbidity worldwide. Detailed knowledge of the mechanisms of atherosclerosis, the
      main underlying disease of CVD, will enable improved preventive and therapeutic
      options, thus potentially limiting the burden of vascular disease in aging
      societies. A large body of evidence illustrates the contribution of platelets to
      processes beyond their traditionally recognized role as mediators in thrombosis
      and hemostasis. Recent advances in molecular biology help to understand the
      complexity of atherosclerosis. RECENT FINDINGS: This article outlines the role of
      platelets as modulators of immune responses in the context of atherosclerosis. It
      provides a short overview of interactions between platelets and endothelial cells
      or immune cells via direct cell contact or soluble factors during atherogenesis.
      By means of some well examined, exemplary pathways (e.g. CD40/CD40L dyad), this
      article will discuss recent discoveries in immune-related function of platelets.
      We also focus on the relationship between platelets and the lipid metabolism
      highlighting potential consequences to atherosclerosis and dyslipidemia. SUMMARY:
      A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of platelet-related immune
      activity allows their utilization as powerful diagnostic tools or targets of
      therapeutic intervention. Those findings might help to develop new classes of
      drugs which may supplement or replace classical anticoagulants and help
      clinicians to tackle CVD more efficiently.

PMID- 26270812
TI  - Statistical, Morphometric, Anatomical Shape Model (Atlas) of Calcaneus.
AB  - The aim was to develop a morphometric and anatomically accurate atlas
      (statistical shape model) of calcaneus. The model is based on 18 left foot and 18
      right foot computed tomography studies of 28 male individuals aged from 17 to 62
      years, with no known foot pathology. A procedure for automatic atlas included
      extraction and identification of common features, averaging feature position,
      obtaining mean geometry, mathematical shape description and variability analysis.
      Expert manual assistance was included for the model to fulfil the accuracy sought
      by medical professionals. The proposed for the first time statistical shape model
      of the calcaneus could be of value in many orthopaedic applications including
      providing support in diagnosing pathological lesions, pre-operative planning,
      classification and treatment of calcaneus fractures as well as for the
      development of future implant procedures. 

PMID- 26270813
TI  - Mu Opioid Splice Variant MOR-1K Contributes to the Development of Opioid-Induced
      Hyperalgesia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A subset of the population receiving opioids for the treatment of
      acute and chronic clinical pain develops a paradoxical increase in pain
      sensitivity known as opioid-induced hyperalgesia. Given that opioid analgesics
      are one of few treatments available against clinical pain, it is critical to
      determine the key molecular mechanisms that drive opioid-induced hyperalgesia in
      order to reduce its prevalence. Recent evidence implicates a splice variant of
      the mu opioid receptor known as MOR-1K in the emergence of opioid-induced
      hyperalgesia. Results from human genetic association and cell signaling studies
      demonstrate that MOR-1K contributes to decreased opioid analgesic responses and
      produces increased cellular activity via Gs signaling. Here, we conducted the
      first study to directly test the role of MOR-1K in opioid-induced hyperalgesia.
      METHODS AND RESULTS: In order to examine the role of MOR-1K in opioid-induced
      hyperalgesia, we first assessed pain responses to mechanical and thermal stimuli
      prior to, during, and following chronic morphine administration. Results show
      that genetically diverse mouse strains (C57BL/6J, 129S6, and CXB7/ByJ) exhibited
      different morphine response profiles with corresponding changes in MOR-1K gene
      expression patterns. The 129S6 mice exhibited an analgesic response correlating
      to a measured decrease in MOR-1K gene expression levels, while CXB7/ByJ mice
      exhibited a hyperalgesic response correlating to a measured increase in MOR-1K
      gene expression levels. Furthermore, knockdown of MOR-1K in CXB7/ByJ mice via
      chronic intrathecal siRNA administration not only prevented the development of
      opioid-induced hyperalgesia, but also unmasked morphine analgesia. CONCLUSIONS:
      These findings suggest that MOR-1K is likely a necessary contributor to the
      development of opioid-induced hyperalgesia. With further research, MOR-1K could
      be exploited as a target for antagonists that reduce or prevent opioid-induced
      hyperalgesia.

PMID- 26270814
TI  - Comparison of Two Hybrid Models for Forecasting the Incidence of Hemorrhagic
      Fever with Renal Syndrome in Jiangsu Province, China.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cases of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) are widely
      distributed in eastern Asia, especially in China, Russia, and Korea. It is proved
      to be a difficult task to eliminate HFRS completely because of the diverse animal
      reservoirs and effects of global warming. Reliable forecasting is useful for the
      prevention and control of HFRS. METHODS: Two hybrid models, one composed of
      nonlinear autoregressive neural network (NARNN) and autoregressive integrated
      moving average (ARIMA) the other composed of generalized regression neural
      network (GRNN) and ARIMA were constructed to predict the incidence of HFRS in the
      future one year. Performances of the two hybrid models were compared with ARIMA
      model. RESULTS: The ARIMA, ARIMA-NARNN ARIMA-GRNN model fitted and predicted the
      seasonal fluctuation well. Among the three models, the mean square error (MSE),
      mean absolute error (MAE) and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of ARIMA
      NARNN hybrid model was the lowest both in modeling stage and forecasting stage.
      As for the ARIMA-GRNN hybrid model, the MSE, MAE and MAPE of modeling performance
      and the MSE and MAE of forecasting performance were less than the ARIMA model,
      but the MAPE of forecasting performance did not improve. CONCLUSION: Developing
      and applying the ARIMA-NARNN hybrid model is an effective method to make us
      better understand the epidemic characteristics of HFRS and could be helpful to
      the prevention and control of HFRS.

PMID- 26270815
TI  - Phytochrome B Mediates the Regulation of Chlorophyll Biosynthesis through
      Transcriptional Regulation of ChlH and GUN4 in Rice Seedlings.
AB  - Accurate regulation of chlorophyll synthesis is crucial for chloroplast formation
      during the greening process in angiosperms. In this study, we examined the role
      of phytochrome B (phyB) in the regulation of chlorophyll synthesis in rice
      seedlings (Oryza sativa L.) through the characterization of a pale-green
      phenotype observed in the phyB mutant grown under continuous red light (Rc)
      irradiation. Our results show that the Rc-induced chlorophyll accumulation can be
      divided into two components--a phyB-dependent and a phyB-independent component,
      and that the pale-green phenotype is caused by the absence of the phyB-dependent
      component. To elucidate the role of the missing component we established an Rc
      induced greening experiment, the results of which revealed that several genes
      encoding proteins on the chlorophyll branch were repressed in the phyB mutant.
      Notable among them were ChlH and GUN4 genes, which encode subunit H and an
      activating factor of magnesium chelatase (Mg-chelatase), respectively, that were
      largely repressed in the mutant. Moreover, the kinetic profiles of chlorophyll
      precursors suggested that Mg-chelatase activity simultaneously decreased with the
      reduction in the transcript levels of ChlH and GUN4. These results suggest that
      phyB mediates the regulation of chlorophyll synthesis through transcriptional
      regulation of these two genes, whose products exert their action at the branching
      point of the chlorophyll biosynthesis pathway. Reduction of 5-aminolevulinic acid
      (5-ALA) synthesis could be detected in the mutant, but the kinetic profiles of
      chlorophyll precursors indicated that it was an event posterior to the reduction
      of the Mg-chelatase activity. It means that the repression of 5-ALA synthesis
      should not be a triggering event for the appearance of the pale-green phenotype.
      Instead, the repression of 5-ALA synthesis might be important for the subsequent
      stabilization of the pale-green phenotype for preventing excessive accumulation
      of hazardous chlorophyll precursors, which is an inevitable consequence of the
      reduction of Mg-chelatase activity.

PMID- 26270816
TI  - Mechanisms that Trigger a Good Health-Care Response to Intimate Partner Violence
      in Spain. Combining Realist Evaluation and Qualitative Comparative Analysis
      Approaches.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Health care professionals, especially those working in primary health
      care services, can play a key role in preventing and responding to intimate
      partner violence. However, there are huge variations in the way health care
      professionals and primary health care teams respond to intimate partner violence.
      In this study we tested a previously developed programme theory on 15 primary
      health care center teams located in four different Spanish regions: Murcia, C
      Valenciana, Castilla-Leon and Cantabria. The aim was to identify the key
      combinations of contextual factors and mechanisms that trigger a good primary
      health care center team response to intimate partner violence. METHODS: A
      multiple case-study design was used. Qualitative and quantitative information was
      collected from each of the 15 centers (cases). In order to handle the large
      amount of information without losing familiarity with each case, qualitative
      comparative analysis was undertaken. Conditions (context and mechanisms) and
      outcomes, were identified and assessed for each of the 15 cases, and solution
      formulae were calculated using qualitative comparative analysis software.
      RESULTS: The emerging programme theory highlighted the importance of the
      combination of each team's self-efficacy, perceived preparation and women
      centredness in generating a good team response to intimate partner violence. The
      use of the protocol and accumulated experience in primary health care were the
      most relevant contextual/intervention conditions to trigger a good response.
      However in order to achieve this, they must be combined with other conditions,
      such as an enabling team climate, having a champion social worker and having
      staff with training in intimate partner violence. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions to
      improve primary health care teams' response to intimate partner violence should
      focus on strengthening team's self-efficacy, perceived preparation and the
      implementation of a woman-centred approach. The use of the protocol combined with
      a large working experience in primary health care, and other factors such as
      training, a good team climate, and having a champion social worker on the team,
      also played a key role. Measures to sustain such interventions and promote these
      contextual factors should be encouraged.

PMID- 26270817
TI  - Influence of Dopaminergic Medication on Conditioned Pain Modulation in
      Parkinson's Disease Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pain is highly prevalent in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD),
      but little is known about the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. The
      susceptibility to pain is known to depend on ascending and descending pathways.
      Because parts of the descending pain inhibitory system involve dopaminergic
      pathways, dysregulations in dopaminergic transmission might contribute to altered
      pain processing in PD. Deficits in endogenous pain inhibition can be assessed
      using conditioned pain modulation (CPM) paradigms. METHODS: Applying such a
      paradigm, we investigated i) whether CPM responses differ between PD patients and
      healthy controls, ii) whether they are influenced by dopaminergic medication and
      iii) whether there are effects of disease-specific factors. 25 patients with
      idiopathic PD and 30 healthy age- and gender-matched controls underwent an
      established CPM paradigm combining heat pain test stimuli at the forearm and the
      cold pressor task on the contralateral foot as the conditioning stimulus. PD
      patients were tested under dopaminergic medication and after at least 12 hours of
      medication withdrawal. RESULTS: No significant differences between CPM responses
      of PD patients and healthy controls or between PD patients "on" and "off"
      medication were found. These findings suggest (i) that CPM is insensitive to
      dopaminergic modulations and (ii) that PD is not related to general deficits in
      descending pain inhibition beyond the known age-related decline. However, at a
      trend level, we found differences between PD subtypes (akinetic-rigid, tremor
      dominant, mixed) with the strongest impairment of pain inhibition in the akinetic
      rigid subtype. CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant differences between CPM
      responses of patients compared to healthy controls or between patients "on" and
      "off" medication. Differences between PD subtypes at a trend level point towards
      different pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the three PD subtypes which
      warrant further investigation and potentially differential therapeutic strategies
      in the future.

PMID- 26270819
TI  - Are Human Intestinal Eukaryotes Beneficial or Commensals?

PMID- 26270818
TI  - Vitamin C Compound Mixtures Prevent Ozone-Induced Oxidative Damage in Human
      Keratinocytes as Initial Assessment of Pollution Protection.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: One of the main functions of cutaneous tissues is to protect our
      body from the outdoor insults. Ozone (O3) is among the most toxic stressors to
      which we are continuously exposed and because of its critical location, the skin
      is one of the most susceptible tissues to the oxidative damaging effect of O3. O3
      is not able to penetrate the skin, and although it is not a radical per se, the
      damage is mainly a consequence of its ability to induce oxidative stress via the
      formation of lipid peroxidation products. AIM OF STUDY: In this study we
      investigated the protective effect of defined "antioxidant" mixtures against O3
      induced oxidative stress damage in human keratinocytes and understand their
      underlying mechanism of action. RESULTS: Results showed that the mixtures tested
      were able to protect human keratinocytes from O3-induced cytotoxicity, inhibition
      of cellular proliferation, decrease the formation of HNE protein adducts, ROS,
      and carbonyls levels. Furthermore, we have observed the decreased activation of
      the redox sensitive transcription factor NF-kB, which is involved in transcribing
      pro-inflammatory cytokines and therefore constitutes one of the main players
      associated with O3 induced skin inflammation. Cells exposed to O3 demonstrated a
      dose dependent increase in p65 subunit nuclear expression as a marker of NF-kB
      activation, while pre-treatment with the mixtures abolished NF-kB nuclear
      translocation. In addition, a significant activation of Nrf2 in keratinocytes
      treated with the mixtures was also observed. CONCLUSION: Overall this study was
      able to demonstrate a protective effect of the tested compounds versus O3-induced
      cell damage in human keratinocytes. Pre-treatment with the tested compounds
      significantly reduced the oxidative damage induced by O3 exposure and this
      protective effect was correlated to the abolishment of NF-kB nuclear
      translocation, as well as activation of Nrf2 nuclear translocation activating the
      downstream defence enzymes involved in cellular detoxification process.

PMID- 26270820
TI  - Self-Orientation Modulates the Neural Correlates of Global and Local Processing.
AB  - Differences in self-orientation (or "self-construal") may affect how the visual
      environment is attended, but the neural and cultural mechanisms that drive this
      remain unclear. Behavioral studies have demonstrated that people from Western
      backgrounds with predominant individualistic values are perceptually biased
      towards local-level information; whereas people from non-Western backgrounds that
      support collectivist values are preferentially focused on contextual and global
      level information. In this study, we compared two groups differing in predominant
      individualistic (N = 15) vs collectivistic (N = 15) self-orientation.
      Participants completed a global/local perceptual conflict task whilst undergoing
      functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) scanning. When participants high in
      individualistic values attended to the global level (ignoring the local level),
      greater activity was observed in the frontoparietal and cingulo-opercular
      networks that underpin attentional control, compared to the match (congruent)
      baseline. Participants high in collectivistic values activated similar
      attentional control networks o only when directly compared with global
      processing. This suggests that global interference was stronger than local
      interference in the conflict task in the collectivistic group. Both groups showed
      increased activity in dorsolateral prefrontal regions involved in resolving
      perceptual conflict during heightened distractor interference. The findings
      suggest that self-orientation may play an important role in driving attention
      networks to facilitate interaction with the visual environment. 

PMID- 26270823
TI  - A Case of BK Nephropathy without Detectable Viremia or Viruria.
AB  - BACKGROUND: BK nephropathy is an evolving challenge among kidney transplant
      recipients. Diagnosis of BK nephropathy depends on the presence of BK viral
      inclusions on renal biopsy. Most cases of BK nephropathy are preceded by BK
      viremia or viruria. CASE REPORT: We report a case of BK nephropathy found on
      protocol renal transplant biopsy without associated BK viremia or viruria.
      CONCLUSIONS: BK nephropathy may occur even in the absence of BK viremia or
      viruria. Protocol biopsy is a useful tool to detect these cases.

PMID- 26270822
TI  - Next Generation Sequencing Analysis Reveals Segmental Patterns of microRNA
      Expression in Mouse Epididymal Epithelial Cells.
AB  - The functional maturation of mammalian spermatozoa is accomplished as the cells
      descend through the highly specialized microenvironment of the epididymis. This
      dynamic environment is, in turn, created by the combined secretory and absorptive
      activity of the surrounding epithelium and displays an extraordinary level of
      regionalization. Although the regulatory network responsible for spatial
      coordination of epididymal function remains unclear, recent evidence has
      highlighted a novel role for the RNA interference pathway. Indeed, as
      noncanonical regulators of gene expression, small noncoding RNAs have emerged as
      key elements of the circuitry involved in regulating epididymal function and
      hence sperm maturation. Herein we have employed next generation sequencing
      technology to profile the genome-wide miRNA signatures of mouse epididymal cells
      and characterize segmental patterns of expression. An impressive profile of some
      370 miRNAs were detected in the mouse epididymis, with a subset of these
      specifically identified within the epithelial cells that line the tubule (218). A
      majority of the latter miRNAs (75%) were detected at equivalent levels along the
      entire length of the mouse epididymis. We did however identify a small cohort of
      miRNAs that displayed highly regionalized patterns of expression, including miR
      204-5p and miR-196b-5p, which were down- and up-regulated by approximately 39-
      and 45-fold between the caput/caudal regions, respectively. In addition we
      identified 79 miRNAs (representing ~ 21% of all miRNAs) as displaying conserved
      expression within all regions of the mouse, rat and human epididymal tissue.
      These included 8/14 members of let-7 family of miRNAs that have been widely
      implicated in the control of androgen signaling and the repression of cell
      proliferation and oncogenic pathways. Overall these data provide novel insights
      into the sophistication of the miRNA network that regulates the function of the
      male reproductive tract. 

PMID- 26270821
TI  - Passive Immunization in JNPL3 Transgenic Mice Using an Array of Phospho-Tau
      Specific Antibodies.
AB  - Recent work from our lab and few others have strongly suggested that
      immunotherapy could be an effective means of preventing the development of tau
      accumulation in JNPL3 transgenic mice, carrying the human P301L mutation. The aim
      of this study was to test the efficacy of a variety of specific tau monoclonal
      antibodies in JNPL3. Starting at 3 months of age, mice were treated for 4 months
      with weekly intraperitoneal injections of saline or purified tau monoclonal
      antibodies (10 mg/Kg) different in specificity for pathological tau: CP13
      (pSer202), RZ3 (pThr231) and PG5 (pSer409). As expected, not all the antibodies
      tested showed efficacy at preventing the development of tau pathology at the
      described dose, with some of them even worsening the pathological scenario. Only
      by targeting the pSer202 epitope with CP13 was a conspicuous reduction of
      insoluble or soluble tau in cortex and hindbrain obtained. Here we report about
      the importance of screening in vivo multiple tau antibodies in order to select
      the antibodies to direct into future clinical studies.

PMID- 26270825
TI  - Irrational Exuberance in Testosterone Prescribing: When Will the Bubble Burst?

PMID- 26270827
TI  - Rural Medicare Beneficiaries Have Fewer Follow-up Visits and Greater Emergency
      Department Use Postdischarge.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hospitals are focused on improving postdischarge services for older
      adults, such as early follow-up care after hospitalization to reduce readmissions
      and unnecessary emergency department (ED) use. Rural Medicare beneficiaries face
      many barriers to receiving quality care, but little is known about their
      postdischarge care and outcomes. We hypothesize that rural Medicare beneficiaries
      compared with urban beneficiaries, will have fewer follow-up visits, and a
      greater likelihood of readmission and ED use. METHODS: We conducted a
      retrospective analysis of elderly Medicare beneficiaries discharged home using
      the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey, Cost and Use files, 2000-2010.
      Multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the risk of rural
      residency on readmission, ED use, and follow-up care up to 30 days'
      postdischarge. Covariates include demographic, health, and hospital-level
      characteristics. RESULTS: Compared with urban beneficiaries, Medicare
      beneficiaries living in isolated rural settings had a lower rate of follow-up
      care [hazard ratio (HR)=0.81, P<0.001]. Beneficiaries in large and small rural
      settings had a greater risk of an ED visit compared with urban beneficiaries
      (HR=1.44, P<0.001; HR=1.52, P<0.01). Rural beneficiaries did not have a greater
      risk of readmission, though risk of readmission was higher for beneficiaries
      discharged from hospitals in large and small rural settings (HR=1.33, P<0.05;
      HR=1.42, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence of lower quality
      postdischarge care for Medicare beneficiaries in rural settings. As readmission
      penalties expand, hospitals serving rural beneficiaries may be disproportionately
      affected. This suggests a need for policies that increase follow-up care in rural
      settings.

PMID- 26270826
TI  - Potentially Preventable Hospitalizations in Medicare Patients With Diabetes: A
      Comparison of Primary Care Provided by Nurse Practitioners Versus Physicians.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Few comparisons exist of the quality of primary care provided by
      nurse practitioners (NPs) versus physicians. METHODS: Patients with a diagnosis
      of diabetes in 2007-2010 (n=345,819) who received all primary care from NPs or
      from generalist physicians in a given year were selected from a national sample
      of Medicare beneficiaries. We compared the rate of potentially preventable
      hospitalizations among patients who received primary care from NPs versus
      generalist physicians. Various statistical methods-including multivariable
      analysis, inverse probability weighting of propensity score, nonpooling
      propensity score adjustment and matching, and instrumental variable (IV) analysis
      were used to control for differences in patient characteristics between the 2
      groups. RESULTS: Patients who received all of their primary care from NPs or from
      physicians differed by age, sex, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status,
      residential area, and number of provider visits in the previous year. Nonpooling
      propensity score matching substantially reduced the differences, but neither IV
      approach satisfactorily reduced the differences. In multivariable analyses,
      receipt of primary care from an NP was associated with a decreased risk of
      hospitalization for potentially preventable conditions (OR: 0.90; 95% CI, 0.87
      0.93). Similar results were found using conditional logistic regression models
      with propensity methods. We found smaller reductions in our analyses of "other
      hospitalizations" (OR: 0.96; 95% CI, 0.95-0.98). Both IV analyses showed
      associations between NP care and lower potentially preventable hospitalizations,
      but only 1 result was statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Using potentially
      preventable hospitalizations as a quality indicator, primary care provided by NPs
      was at least comparable with that provided by generalist physicians.

PMID- 26270828
TI  - Self-Assembly and Disassembly of Vesicles as Controlled by Anion-pi Interactions.
AB  - Anion-pi interactions have been widely studied as new noncovalent driving forces
      in supramolecular chemistry. However, self-assembly induced by anion-pi
      interactions is still largely unexplored. Herein we report the formation of
      supramolecular amphiphiles through anion-pi interactions, and the subsequent
      formation of self-assembled vesicles in water. With the pi receptor 1 as the host
      and anionic amphiphiles, such as sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS), sodium laurate
      (SLA), and sodium methyl dodecylphosphonate (SDP), as guests, the sequential
      formation of host-guest supramolecular amphiphiles and self-assembled vesicles
      was demonstrated by SEM, TEM, DLS, and XRD techniques. The intrinsic anion-pi
      interactions between 1 and the anionic amphiphiles were confirmed by crystal
      diffraction, HRMS analysis, and DFT calculations. Furthermore, the controlled
      disassembly of the vesicles was promoted by competing anions, such as NO3 (-) ,
      Cl(-) , and Br(-) , or by changing the pH value of the medium.

PMID- 26270829
TI  - Supramolecular Surface Immobilization of Knottin Derivatives for Dynamic Display
      of High Affinity Binders.
AB  - Knottins are known as a robust and versatile class of miniprotein scaffolds for
      the presentation of high-affinity binding peptides; however, to date their
      application in biomaterials, biological coatings, and surface applications have
      not been explored. We have developed a strategy to recombinantly synthesize a
      beta-trypsin inhibitory knottin with supramolecular guest tags that enable it to
      adhere to self-assembled monolayers of the supramolecular host cucurbit[8]uril
      (CB[8]). We have described a strategy to easily express knottins in E. coli by
      conjugating them to a fluorescent protein after which they are cleaved and
      purified. Knottin constructs that varied in the number and position of the
      supramolecular tag at either the N- or C-termini or at both ends have been
      verified for their trypsin inhibitory function and CB[8]-binding properties in
      solution and on surfaces. All of the knottin constructs showed strong inhibition
      of trypsin with inhibition constants between 10 and 30 nM. Using microscale
      thermophoresis, we determined that the supramolecular guest tags on the knottins
      bind CB[8] with a Kd of ~6 MUM in solution. At the surface, strong divalent
      binding has been determined with a Kd of 0.75 MUM in the case of the knottin with
      two supramolecular guest tags, whereas only weak monovalent binding occurred when
      only one guest tag was present. We also show successful supramolecular surface
      immobilization of the knottin using CB[8] and prove that they can be used to
      immobilize beta-trypsin at the surface. 

PMID- 26270824
TI  - Recent Transmission Clustering of HIV-1 C and CRF17_BF Strains Characterized by
      NNRTI-Related Mutations among Newly Diagnosed Men in Central Italy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Increased evidence of relevant HIV-1 epidemic transmission in
      European countries is being reported, with an increased circulation of non-B
      subtypes. Here, we present two recent HIV-1 non-B transmission clusters
      characterized by NNRTI-related amino-acidic mutations among newly diagnosed HIV-1
      infected men, living in Rome (Central-Italy). METHODS: Pol and V3 sequences were
      available at the time of diagnosis for all individuals. Maximum-Likelihood and
      Bayesian phylogenetic-trees with bootstrap and Bayesian-probability supports
      defined transmission-clusters. HIV-1 drug-resistance and V3-tropism were also
      evaluated. RESULTS: Among 534 new HIV-1 non-B cases, diagnosed from 2011 to 2014,
      in Central-Italy, 35 carried virus gathering in two distinct clusters, including
      27 HIV-1 C and 8 CRF17_BF subtypes, respectively. Both clusters were centralized
      in Rome, and their origin was estimated to have been after 2007. All individuals
      within both clusters were males and 37.1% of them had been recently-infected.
      While C-cluster was entirely composed by Italian men-who-have-sex-with-men, with
      a median-age of 34 years (IQR:30-39), individuals in CRF17_BF-cluster were older,
      with a median-age of 51 years (IQR:48-59) and almost all reported sexual-contacts
      with men and women. All carried R5-tropic viruses, with evidence of atypical or
      resistance amino-acidic mutations related to NNRTI-drugs (K103Q in C-cluster, and
      K101E+E138K in CRF17_BF-cluster). CONCLUSIONS: These two epidemiological clusters
      provided evidence of a strong and recent circulation of C and CRF17_BF strains in
      central Italy, characterized by NNRTI-related mutations among men engaging in
      high-risk behaviours. These findings underline the role of molecular epidemiology
      in identifying groups at increased risk of HIV-1 transmission, and in enhancing
      additional prevention efforts.

PMID- 26270830
TI  - Excited-State Structure Modifications Due to Molecular Substituents and Exciton
      Scattering in Conjugated Molecules.
AB  - Attachment of chemical substituents (such as polar moieties) constitutes an
      efficient and convenient way to modify physical and chemical properties of
      conjugated polymers and oligomers. Associated modifications in the molecular
      electronic states can be comprehensively described by examining scattering of
      excitons in the polymer's backbone at the scattering center representing the
      chemical substituent. Here, we implement effective tight-binding models as a tool
      to examine the analytical properties of the exciton scattering matrices in semi
      infinite polymer chains with substitutions. We demonstrate that chemical
      interactions between the substitution and attached polymer are adequately
      described by the analytical properties of the scattering matrices. In particular,
      resonant and bound electronic excitations are expressed via the positions of
      zeros and poles of the scattering amplitude, analytically continued to complex
      values of exciton quasi-momenta. We exemplify the formulated concepts by
      analyzing excited states in conjugated phenylacetylenes substituted by perylene. 

PMID- 26270831
TI  - Electronic Structure of TiO2/CH3NH3PbI3 Perovskite Solar Cell Interfaces.
AB  - The electronic structure and chemical composition of efficient CH3NH3PbI3
      perovskite solar cell materials deposited onto mesoporous TiO2 were studied using
      photoelectron spectroscopy with hard X-rays. With this technique, it is possible
      to directly measure the occupied energy levels of the perovskite as well as the
      TiO2 buried beneath and thereby determine the energy level matching of the
      interface. The measurements of the valence levels were in good agreement with
      simulated density of states, and the investigation gives information on the
      character of the valence levels. We also show that two different deposition
      techniques give results indicating similar electronic structures. 

PMID- 26270832
TI  - Monitoring TriAcylGlycerols Accumulation by Atomic Force Microscopy Based
      Infrared Spectroscopy in Streptomyces Species for Biodiesel Applications.
AB  - An atomic force microscope coupled with a tunable infrared laser source (AFM-IR)
      was used to measure the size and map the distribution of oil inclusions inside of
      microorganism without staining or other special sample preparation. The
      microorganism under study is Streptomyces, a soil bacterium that possesses the
      capability, under some specific nutritional conditions, to store its carbon
      source into TriAcylGlycerols, a potential direct source of biodiesel. 

PMID- 26270833
TI  - Generation of Multiple Excitons in Ag2S Quantum Dots: Single High-Energy versus
      Multiple-Photon Excitation.
AB  - We explored biexciton generation via carrier multiplication (or multiple-exciton
      generation) by high-energy photons and by multiple-photon absorption in Ag2S
      quantum dots (QDs) using femtosecond broad-band transient absorption
      spectroscopy. Irrespective of the size of the QDs and how the multiple excitons
      are generated in the Ag2S QDs, two distinct characteristic time constants of 9.6
      10.2 and 135-175 ps are obtained for the nonradiative Auger recombination of the
      multiple excitons, indicating the existence of two binding excitons, namely,
      tightly bound and weakly bound excitons. More importantly, the lifetimes of
      multiple excitons in Ag2S QDs were about 1 and 2 orders of magnitude longer than
      those of comparable size PbS QDs and single-walled carbon nanotubes,
      respectively. This result is significant because it suggests that by utilizing an
      appropriate electron acceptor, there is a higher possibility to extract multiple
      electron-hole pairs in Ag2S QDs, which should improve the performance of QD-based
      solar cell devices. 

PMID- 26270834
TI  - Water 26-mers Drawn from Bulk Simulations: Benchmark Binding Energies for
      Unprecedentedly Large Water Clusters and Assessment of the Electrostatically
      Embedded Three-Body and Pairwise Additive Approximations.
AB  - It is important to test methods for simulating water, but small water clusters
      for which benchmarks are available are not very representative of the bulk. Here
      we present benchmark calculations, in particular CCSD(T) calculations at the
      complete basis set limit, for water 26-mers drawn from Monte Carlo simulations of
      bulk water. These clusters are large enough that each water molecule participates
      in 2.5 hydrogen bonds on average. The electrostatically embedded three-body
      approximation with CCSD(T) embedded dimers and trimers reproduces the relative
      binding energies of eight clusters with a mean unsigned error (MUE, kcal per mole
      of water molecules) of only 0.009 and 0.015 kcal for relative and absolute
      binding energies, respectively. Using only embedded dimers (electrostatically
      embedded pairwise approximation) raises these MUEs to 0.038 and 0.070 kcal, and
      computing the energies with the M11 exchange-correlation functional, which is
      very economical, yields errors of only 0.029 and 0.042 kcal. 

PMID- 26270835
TI  - Progress in High-Capacity Core-Shell Cathode Materials for Rechargeable Lithium
      Batteries.
AB  - High-energy-density rechargeable batteries are needed to fulfill various demands
      such as self-monitoring analysis and reporting technology (SMART) devices, energy
      storage systems, and (hybrid) electric vehicles. As a result, high-energy
      electrode materials enabling a long cycle life and reliable safety need to be
      developed. To ensure these requirements, new material chemistries can be derived
      from combinations of at least two compounds in a secondary particle with varying
      chemical composition and primary particle morphologies having a core-shell
      structure and spherical cathode-active materials, specifically a nanoparticle
      core and shell, nanoparticle core and nanorod shell, and nanorod core and shell.
      To this end, several layer core-shell cathode materials were developed to ensure
      high capacity, reliability, and safety. 

PMID- 26270837
TI  - Definitions for Hydrophilicity, Hydrophobicity, and Superhydrophobicity: Getting
      the Basics Right.

PMID- 26270836
TI  - Role of the Selective Contacts in the Performance of Lead Halide Perovskite Solar
      Cells.
AB  - The effect of electron- and hole-selective contacts in the final cell performance
      of hybrid lead halide perovskite, CH3NH3PbI3, solar cells has been systematically
      analyzed by impedance spectroscopy. Complete cells with compact TiO2 and spiro
      OMeTAD as electron- and hole-selective contacts have been compared with
      incomplete cells without one or both selective contacts to highlight the specific
      role of each contact. It has been described how selective contacts contribute to
      enhance the cell FF and how the hole-selective contact is mainly responsible for
      the high Voc in this kind of device. We have determined that the recombination
      rate is mainly governed by the selective contacts. This fact has important
      implication for the future optimization of perovskite solar cells. Finally, we
      have developed a method to analyze the results obtained, and it has been applied
      for three different electron-selecting materials: TiO2, ZnO, and CdS. 

PMID- 26270838
TI  - Relaxation of Electron Carriers in the Density of States of Nanocrystalline TiO2.
AB  - Band gap localized states and surface states play a dominant role in the
      application of nanocrystalline metal oxides to photovoltaics and solar fuel
      production. Electrons injected in nanocrystalline TiO2 by voltage or
      photogeneration are mainly located in band gap states. Therefore, charging a
      nanoparticulate semiconductor network allows one to recover the density of states
      (DOS) in the energy axis. However, shallow traps remain in equilibrium with the
      conduction band electrons, while deep traps do not. We show that the
      characteristic peak of the apparent DOS mixes an exponential DOS and a
      monoenergetic surface state. A model that incorporates the trap's kinetics proves
      to be very efficient to assess the important parameters that determine both
      contributions via variation of charging rate. Contrary to the common theory, we
      demonstrate that the peculiar capacitance peak of nanocrystalline TiO2 can be
      mainly attributed, in some cases, to deep traps in the exponential distribution. 

PMID- 26270839
TI  - Quantitative Analysis of Diffusive Reactions at the Solid-Liquid Interface in
      Finite Systems.
AB  - A central element in many processes in physics, chemistry and biology is a
      reaction between a species immobilized on a surface and a partner that is able to
      diffuse in solution. However, integrated rate laws for this class of chemical
      processes have so far only been found in certain special cases. Here, we present
      a model for the time dependence of an irreversible reaction between particles in
      a solution of finite volume and a surface. The resulting analytical expression
      allows quantitative analysis of the transient kinetics of the reaction between
      soluble particles and a surface. We apply this approach to the analysis of quartz
      crystal microbalance experiments of protein aggregation under conditions where
      both reaction and diffusion define the overall kinetics. Furthermore, we use the
      model to determine absolute mass sensitivity coefficients for soft and rough
      surfaces, a situation where conventional approaches to determine the mass
      sensitivity a priori fail. 

PMID- 26270840
TI  - Ring-Polymer Molecular Dynamics Rate Coefficient Calculations for Insertion
      Reactions: X + H2 -> HX + H (X = N, O).
AB  - The thermal rate constants of two prototypical insertion-type reactions, namely,
      N/O + H2 -> NH/OH + H, are investigated with ring polymer molecular dynamics
      (RPMD) on full-dimensional potential energy surfaces using recently developed
      RPMDrate code. It is shown that the unique ability of the RPMD approach among the
      existing theoretical methods to capture the quantum effects, e.g., tunneling and
      zero-point energy, as well as recrossing dynamics quantum mechanically with ring
      polymer trajectories leads to excellent agreement with rigorous quantum dynamics
      calculations. The present result is encouraging for future applications of the
      RPMD method and the RPMDrate code to complex-forming chemical reactions involving
      polyatomic reactants. 

PMID- 26270841
TI  - Quasiclassical Trajectory Calculations of the Rate Constant of the OH + HBr -> Br
      + H2O Reaction Using a Full-Dimensional Ab Initio Potential Energy Surface Over
      the Temperature Range 5 to 500 K.
AB  - We report a permutationally invariant, ab initio potential energy surface (PES)
      for the OH + HBr -> Br + H2O reaction. The PES is a fit to roughly 26 000 spin
      free UCCSD(T)/cc-pVDZ-F12a energies and has no classical barrier to reaction. It
      is used in quasiclassical trajectory calculations with a focus on the thermal
      rate constant, k(T), over the temperature range 5 to 500 K. Comparisons with
      available experimental data over the temperature range 23 to 416 K are made using
      three approaches to treat the OH rotational and associated electronic partition
      function. All display an inverse temperature dependence of k(T) below roughly 160
      K and a nearly constant temperature dependence above 160 K, in agreement with
      experiment. The calculated rate constant with no treatment of spin-orbit coupling
      is overall in the best agreement with experiment, being (probably fortuitously)
      within 20% of it. 

PMID- 26270842
TI  - A Simple Solution to the Trivial Crossing Problem in Surface Hopping.
AB  - Surface hopping studies on supramolecular and nanoscale systems suffer severely
      from the trivial crossing problem, arising due to high density of adiabatic
      potential energy surfaces. We present a straightforward solution to the problem
      by introducing a self-consistency test to the well-known fewest switches surface
      hopping (FSSH) procedure. If the test is failed, the hopping probabilities are
      corrected with a simple procedure. The novel self-consistent fewest switches
      surface hopping (SC-FSSH) approach is applied to the Holstein Hamiltonian to
      study the time-dependence of the electron population. Already in the five-state
      system, SC-FSSH allows us to reduce the simulation time 10(4)-fold to achieve the
      FSSH accuracy. The reliable performance and simple formulation of SC-FSSH greatly
      expands the applicability range of the surface hopping method. 

PMID- 26270843
TI  - One-Dimensional Silicon Nanostructures for Li Ion Batteries.
AB  - One dimensional (1D) silicon nanostructures have attracted significant interest
      as an anode material for lithium ion batteries (LIBs) as its 1D geometry
      accommodates the large volume change of the Si during cycling and enables facile
      electron transport during all stages of operation. Furthermore, the high aspect
      ratio of 1D Si nanostructures enables us to investigate atomic-scale mechanisms
      of the lithiation process and corresponding volume change behavior. Various 1D
      nanostructures with different morphologies and compositions have been explored to
      achieve a robust cycle performance, reversible morphological changes, and high
      rate capabilities. In this Perspective, we summarize the recent significant
      advances of 1D Si nanostructures and discuss electrode design strategies based on
      the recent geometry and composition engineering. 

PMID- 26270844
TI  - Efficient Superionic Conductor Catalyst for Solid in Solution-Solid-Solid Growth
      of Heteronanowires.
AB  - How efficient could a superionic conductor catalyst be? Beyond the traditionally
      used molecular precursors when the solution dispersed solid nanomaterials of
      variable size, shape and phase are introduced under certain reaction condition;
      the catalyst is found to digest all these structures in minutes irrespective of
      their phase and morphology, resulting unique heteronanowires. This has been
      inspected here by employing different ZnSe nanostructures as precursor for Ag2Se
      nanocrystal catalyst in its superionic conductor phase to obtain the Ag2Se-ZnSe
      heteronanowires. This dissolution and formation process of these nanostructures
      is correlated with the change in the reaction temperature profile, the phase of
      the catalyst, the shape/phase and surface ligands of the source nanostructures,
      and the possible mechanism of the unique heteronanowires growth has been
      investigated. 

PMID- 26270845
TI  - Observation of Universal Solidification in the Elongated Water Nanomeniscus.
AB  - The ubiquitous capillary water bridge in nature plays an important role in
      interfacial phenomena under ambient conditions such as adhesion and friction. We
      present experimental measurements of the mechanical properties of the nanometric
      water column by using noncontact atomic force microscopy. We observe the
      universal behaviors that the relaxation time (RT) associated with the meniscus
      increases with its elongation and ruptures at the same value of RT, independent
      of the meniscus volume. In particular, the enhancement of RT between formation
      and rupture of the meniscus is indicative of the increased solid-like response,
      similar to that observed in nanoconfined water layers. Our results that the
      longer water column is more solid-like and less stable suggest (i) water at the
      vapor/liquid interface is more solid-like than that inside the meniscus and (ii)
      the associated smaller mobility of the interfacial water molecules is responsible
      for the structural stability of the water meniscus. 

PMID- 26270846
TI  - Spacing-Dependent Antimicrobial Efficacy of Immobilized Silver Nanoparticles.
AB  - Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) with a similar mean particle diameter (~5.0 nm) but
      distinguished dispersion densities were in situ fabricated and immobilized on
      plasma-sprayed titanium oxide coatings by a silver plasma immersion ion
      implantation process (Ag PIII). Experiments and theoretical predictions
      demonstrated that the efficacy of these Ag NPs against bacteria relies on their
      electron storage capability, which is the interparticle distance associated in
      the dark, and it is inversely dose-dependent. A particle population with a
      relatively large spacing distance is superior in concentrating the electrons
      extruded by bacterial cells, activating oxidative reactions, and disrupting the
      bacterial cells. The finding opens up a new window leading to active design and
      control of the interactions between materials and biological systems. 

PMID- 26270847
TI  - Nanomaterials Developments for Higher-Performance Lithium Ion Batteries.

PMID- 26270848
TI  - Penetration Barrier of Water through Graphynes' Pores: First-Principles
      Predictions and Force Field Optimization.
AB  - Graphynes are novel two-dimensional carbon-based materials that have been
      proposed as molecular filters, especially for water purification technologies. We
      carry out first-principles electronic structure calculations at the MP2C level of
      theory to assess the interaction between water and graphyne, graphdiyne, and
      graphtriyne pores. The computed penetration barriers suggest that water transport
      is unfeasible through graphyne while being unimpeded for graphtriyne. For
      graphdiyne, with a pore size almost matching that of water, a low barrier is
      found that in turn disappears if an active hydrogen bond with an additional water
      molecule on the opposite side of the opening is considered. Thus, in contrast
      with previous determinations, our results do not exclude graphdiyne as a
      promising membrane for water filtration. In fact, present calculations lead to
      water permeation probabilities that are 2 orders of magnitude larger than
      estimations based on common force fields. A new pair potential for the water
      carbon noncovalent component of the interaction is proposed for molecular
      dynamics simulations involving graphdiyne and water. 

PMID- 26270849
TI  - Substrate Inhibition in Human Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase.
AB  - Human indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (hIDO) catalyzes the oxidative cleavage of the
      L-tryptophan (l-Trp) pyrrole ring. Catalysis is inhibited at high substrate
      concentrations; mechanistic details of this observation are, however, still under
      debate. Using time-resolved optical spectroscopy, we have analyzed the dynamics
      of ternary complex formation between hIDO, l-Trp, and a diatomic ligand. The
      physiological ligand dioxygen (O2) was replaced by carbon monoxide to exclude
      enzymatic turnover. Quantitative analysis of the kinetics reveals that the
      ternary complex forms whenever O2 binds first, whereas an l-Trp substrate
      molecule arriving prior to O2 in the active site causes self-inhibition. Bound l
      Trp prevents the ligand from approaching the heme iron and, therefore, impedes
      formation of the catalytically active ternary complex. 

PMID- 26270850
TI  - Evaluation of pH at Charged Lipid/Water Interfaces by Heterodyne-Detected
      Electronic Sum Frequency Generation.
AB  - Although the interface pH at a biological membrane is important for biological
      processes at the membrane, there has been no systematic study to evaluate it. We
      apply novel interface-selective nonlinear spectroscopy to the evaluation of the
      pH at model biological membranes (lipid/water interfaces). It is clearly shown
      that the pH at the charged lipid/water interfaces is substantially deviated from
      the bulk pH. The pH at the lipid/water interface is higher than that in the bulk
      when the head group of the lipid is positively charged, whereas the pH at the
      lipid/water interface is lower when the lipid has a negatively charged head
      group. 

PMID- 26270851
TI  - ASSOCIATION OF SUBJECTIVE RATINGS TO OBJECTIVELY ASSESSED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN
      PUBERTAL BOYS WITH DIFFERING BMI.
AB  - The associations between subjective ratings and objectively measured moderate-to
      vigorous physical activity (MVPA) were examined in normal, and overweight and
      obese, pubertal boys and compared with their parents' reports. In total, 224 boys
      (M age=12.2 yr.) completed the self-report questionnaire and wore an
      accelerometer for 7 consecutive days. Questionnaire-based indexes of physical
      activity (PA) were weakly associated with the accelerometer PA data. Correlations
      between subjective and objective assessments were significantly higher in
      overweight and obese groups. Parent reports predicted sedentary time better than
      boys' self-reports but no difference was found for MVPA. Future studies must
      consider that the source of rating, season, and weight status may be possible
      sources of confounding when using subjective assessments of PA.

PMID- 26270852
TI  - FUNDAMENTAL MOVEMENT SKILLS OF PRESCHOOL CHILDREN IN NORTHWEST ENGLAND.
AB  - This cross-sectional study examined fundamental movement skill competency among
      deprived preschool children in Northwest England and explored sex differences. A
      total of 168 preschool children (ages 3-5 yr.) were included in the study. Twelve
      skills were assessed using the Children's Activity and Movement in Preschool
      Motor Skills Protocol and video analysis. Sex differences were explored at the
      subtest, skill, and component levels. Overall competence was found to be low
      among both sexes, although it was higher for locomotor skills than for object
      control skills. Similar patterns were observed at the component level. Boys had
      significantly better object-control skills than girls, with greater competence
      observed for the kick and overarm throw, while girls were more competent at the
      run, hop, and gallop. The findings of low competency suggest that developmentally
      appropriate interventions should be implemented in preschool settings to promote
      movement skills, with targeted activities for boys and girls.

PMID- 26270853
TI  - THE LAUNCH WINDOW HYPOTHESIS AND THE SPEED-ACCURACY TRADE-OFF IN BASEBALL
      THROWING.
AB  - The speed-accuracy trade-off in throwing has been well described, but its cause
      is poorly understood. The popular impulse-variability hypothesis lacks relevance
      to throwing, while the launch window hypothesis has explanatory potential but has
      not been empirically tested. The current study therefore aimed to quantify the
      speed-accuracy trade-off and launch window during a throwing task at two
      different speeds. Nine elite junior baseball players (M age=19.6 yr.; M
      height=1.80 m; M weight=75.5 kg) threw 10 fastballs at 80 and 100% of maximal
      throwing speed (MTS) toward a 7 cm target from a distance of 20 m. A 3D motion
      analysis system measured ball speed and trajectory. A speed-accuracy trade-off
      occurred, mediated by increased vertical error. This can be attributed to the
      launch window, which was significantly smaller, particularly its vertical
      component, during 100% MTS. Maximal throwing speed correlated negatively with
      launch window size. The launch window hypothesis explained the observed speed
      accuracy trade-off, providing a framework within which aspects of technique can
      be identified and altered to improve performance.

PMID- 26270854
TI  - Single Superficial versus Dual Systems Venous Anastomoses in Radial Forearm Free
      Flap: A Meta-Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The radial forearm free flap (RFFF) has been widely used with
      increasing frequency in head and neck reconstruction following extirpative
      surgery. The controversy of the venous anastomoses patterns still exists. Thus,
      we conducted a meta-analysis to assess the relationship between the venous
      anastomoses patterns and venous compromise. METHODS: MEDLINE, PubMed, Web of
      Science, and Wanfang databases were searched for studies reporting the different
      venous anastomoses patterns of the RFFF. A meta-analysis was conducted using the
      random effects models. Publication bias and sensitivity analysis were also
      assessed. RESULTS: 6 studies with 992 cases were included in this meta-analysis.
      The dual anastomosis group tended to have a lower incidence of venous compromise
      (RR = 1.39). However, the difference was not statistically significant (95%CI:
      0.59, 3.24). CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis indicated that performing dual
      venous anatomoses consisting of superficial and deep systems conferred a tendency
      of the reduction with regard to venous compromise.

PMID- 26270855
TI  - Nutritional risk assessment in critically ill cancer patients: systematic review.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the main methods for nutritional risk
      assessment used in critically ill cancer patients and present the methods that
      better assess risks and predict relevant clinical outcomes in this group of
      patients, as well as to discuss the pros and cons of these methods according to
      the current literature. METHODS: The study consisted of a systematic review based
      on analysis of manuscripts retrieved from the PubMed, LILACS and SciELO databases
      by searching for the key words "nutritional risk assessment", "critically ill"
      and "cancer". RESULTS: Only 6 (17.7%) of 34 initially retrieved papers met the
      inclusion criteria and were selected for the review. The main outcomes of these
      studies were that resting energy expenditure was associated with undernourishment
      and overfeeding. The high Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment score
      was significantly associated with low food intake, weight loss and malnutrition.
      In terms of biochemical markers, higher levels of creatinine, albumin and urea
      were significantly associated with lower mortality. The worst survival was found
      for patients with worse Eastern Cooperative Oncologic Group - performance status,
      high Glasgow Prognostic Score, low albumin, high Patient-Generated Subjective
      Global Assessment score and high alkaline phosphatase levels. Geriatric
      Nutritional Risk Index values < 87 were significantly associated with mortality.
      A high Prognostic Inflammatory and Nutritional Index score was associated with
      abnormal nutritional status in critically ill cancer patients. Among the reviewed
      studies that examined weight and body mass index alone, no significant clinical
      outcome was found. CONCLUSION: None of the methods reviewed helped to define risk
      among these patients. Therefore, assessment by a combination of weight loss and
      serum measurements, preferably in combination with other methods using scores
      such as Eastern Cooperative Oncologic Group - performance status, Glasgow
      Prognostic Score and Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment, is suggested
      given that their use is simple, feasible and useful in such cases.

PMID- 26270856
TI  - Maternal near miss in the intensive care unit: clinical and epidemiological
      aspects.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analyze the epidemiological clinical profile of women with maternal
      near miss according to the new World Health Organization criteria. METHODS: A
      descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted, in which the records of patients
      admitted to the obstetric intensive care unit of a tertiary hospital in Recife
      (Brazil) over a period of four years were analyzed. Women who presented at least
      one near miss criterion were included. The variables studied were age,
      race/color, civil status, education, place of origin, number of pregnancies and
      prenatal consultations, complications and procedures performed, mode of delivery,
      gestational age at delivery, and maternal near miss criteria. The descriptive
      analysis was performed using the program Epi-Info 3.5.1. RESULTS: Two hundred
      fifty-five cases of maternal near miss were identified, with an overall ratio of
      maternal near miss of 12.8/1,000 live births. Among these cases, 43.2% of the
      women had incomplete primary education, 44.7% were primiparous, and 20.5% had
      undergone a previous cesarean section. Regarding specific diagnoses, there was a
      predominance of hypertensive disorders (62.7%), many of which were complicated by
      HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets) syndrome (41.2%).
      The laboratory near miss criteria were the most often observed (59.6%), due
      mainly to the high frequency of acute thrombocytopenia (32.5%). CONCLUSIONS: A
      high frequency of women who had a low level of education and who were primiparous
      was observed. According to the new criteria proposed by the World Health
      Organization, hypertensive pregnancy disorders are still the most common among
      maternal near miss cases. The high frequency of HELLP syndrome was also striking,
      which contributed to acute thrombocytopenia being the most frequent near miss
      criterion.

PMID- 26270858
TI  - Role of Local Radiation Therapy in Cancer Immunotherapy.
AB  - The recent success of cancer immunotherapy has demonstrated the power of the
      immune system to clear tumors, generating renewed enthusiasm for identifying ways
      to induce antitumor immune responses in patients. Natural antitumor immune
      responses are detectable in a fraction of patients across multiple malignant
      neoplasms and can be reactivated by targeting rate-limiting immunosuppressive
      mechanisms. In most patients, however, interventions to induce a de novo
      antitumor immune response are necessary. We review growing evidence that
      radiation therapy targeted to the tumor can convert it into an in situ tumor
      vaccine by inducing release of antigens during cancer cell death in association
      with proinflammatory signals that trigger the innate immune system to activate
      tumor-specific T cells. In addition, radiation's effects on the tumor
      microenvironment enhance infiltration of activated T cells and can overcome some
      of the barriers to tumor rejection. Thus, the complementary effects of radiation
      on priming and effector phases of antitumor immunity make it an appealing
      strategy to generate immunity against a patient's own individual tumor, that
      through immunological memory, can result in long-lasting systemic responses.
      Several anecdotal cases have demonstrated the efficacy of combining radiation
      with available immunotherapies, and results of prospective trials are
      forthcoming. 

PMID- 26270857
TI  - Mechanism of the Intramolecular Hexadehydro-Diels-Alder Reaction.
AB  - Theoretical analysis of the mechanism of the intramolecular hexadehydro-Diels
      Alder (HDDA) reaction, validated against prior and newly measured kinetic data
      for a number of different tethered yne-diynes, indicates that the reaction
      proceeds in a highly asynchronous fashion. The rate-determining step is bond
      formation at the alkyne termini nearest the tether, which involves a transition
      state structure exhibiting substantial diradical character. Whether the reaction
      then continues to close the remaining bond in a concerted fashion or in a
      stepwise fashion (i.e., with an intervening intermediate) depends on the
      substituents at the remaining terminal alkyne positions. Computational modeling
      of the HDDA reaction is complicated by the significant diradical character that
      arises along the reaction coordinate, which leads to instabilities in both
      restricted singlet Kohn-Sham density functional theory (DFT) and coupled cluster
      theory based on a Hartree-Fock reference wave function. A consistent picture
      emerges, however, from comparison of broken-symmetry DFT calculations and second
      order perturbation theory based on complete-active-space self-consistent-field
      (CASPT2) calculations. 

PMID- 26270860
TI  - Exacerbation of Psoriasis During Nivolumab Therapy for Metastatic Melanoma.

PMID- 26270859
TI  - A Novel 6'-N-Aminoglycoside Acetyltransferase, AAC(6')-Ial, from a Clinical
      Isolate of Serratia marcescens.
AB  - Serratia marcescens IOMTU115 has a novel 6'-N-aminoglycoside acetyltransferase
      encoding gene, aac(6')-Ial. The encoded protein AAC(6')-Ial has 146 amino acids,
      with 91.8% identity to the amino acid sequence of AAC(6')-Ic in S. marcescens
      SM16 and 97.3% identity to the amino acid sequence of AAC(6')-Iap in S.
      marcescens WW4. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of aminoglycosides for
      Escherichia coli expressing AAC(6')-Ial were similar to those for E. coli
      expressing AAC(6')-Ic or AAC(6')-Iap. Thin-layer chromatography showed that
      AAC(6')-Ial, AAC(6')-Ic, or AAC(6')-Iap acetylated all the aminoglycosides
      tested, except for apramycin, gentamicin, and lividomycin. Kinetics assays
      revealed that AAC(6')-Ial is a functional acetyltransferase against
      aminoglycosides. The aac(6')-Ial gene was located on chromosomal DNA. 

PMID- 26270862
TI  - What are the predictive factors in the risk and severity of chemotherapy-induced
      gastrointestinal toxicity?

PMID- 26270863
TI  - Analysis of Accelerants in Fire Debris - Data Interpretation.
AB  - Analysis of accelerants in fire debris involves the isolation of residual
      volatiles from the matrix and the analysis of these volatiles, usually by gas
      chromatography (GC). The resulting chromatograms are interpreted by comparing to
      a library of accelerant chromatograms obtained under similar conditions. This
      review first mentions ASTM's system in classifying fire accelerants into light
      petroleum distillates, gasoline, medium petroleum distillates, kerosene, heavy
      petroleum distillates, and unclassified compounds. Chromatograms with well
      resolved n-alkane homolog patterns are most recognizable. Chromatograms that are
      inadequately resolved can be improved by columns having higher efficiency or
      selectivity, while those with too much interference can be improved by physical
      removal or reduction of these interfering compounds or selective detection. Using
      a mass spectrometer (MS) as the detector in GC/MS applications allows the display
      of common ions shared by compounds with similar structural features, thus greatly
      facilitating pattern recognition practices. Computer algorithms are now available
      for automated recognition of patterns possessed by various categories of
      accelerants. The state-of-the-art in forensic laboratories' analysis of
      accelerants in fire debris is presented as an appendix to this review. Data
      generated in annual proficiency tests over an 8-year period (1987-1995) revealed
      increased use of GC/MS instrumentation and some persisting problems, which
      include false positives and difficulties associated with component discrimination
      in the sample preparation process and recognition of partially evaporated
      distillates. 

PMID- 26270864
TI  - Testing for Drugs of Abuse in Hair - Experimental Observations and Indications
      for Future Research.
AB  - The testing of hair for drugs of abuse is gaining popularity primarily due to the
      possibility that hair concentrations of drugs will reflect drug exposure for a
      longer period of time than either plasma or urine. Data produced by experimental
      research, rather than those resulting from anecdotal observations, uncontrolled
      research, or irrelevant experimental models, will be more likely to prove whether
      this is true and to determine whether drug concentrations in hair can be
      accurately interpreted in relation to drug dosage. Experimental observations have
      established that: (a) parent drug concentrations in hair are generally greater
      than their metabolites; (b) chemical structure of the drug is important in
      determining its incorporation into hair; (c) pigmentation of hair plays an
      important role in determining drug incorporation. Data resulting from models
      (including animal models, in vitro models, transplantation of human hair onto
      athymic mice, and human subjects) designed for studying hypotheses concerning the
      mechanism of drug incorporation into hair are also reviewed. 

PMID- 26270865
TI  - Visual Color Comparisons in Forensic Science.
AB  - Color is used extensively in forensic science for the characterization and
      comparison of physical evidence, and should thus be well understood. Fundamental
      elements of color perception and color comparison systems are first reviewed. The
      second portion of this article discusses instances in which defects in color
      perception may occur, and the recognition of opportunities by means of which
      color perception and color discrimination may be expressed and enhanced.
      Application and limitations of color comparisons in forensic science, including
      soil, paint, and fibers comparisons and color tests, are reviewed. 

PMID- 26270861
TI  - Recognition of Damaged DNA for Nucleotide Excision Repair: A Correlated Motion
      Mechanism with a Mismatched cis-syn Thymine Dimer Lesion.
AB  - Mammalian global genomic nucleotide excision repair requires lesion recognition
      by XPC, whose detailed binding mechanism remains to be elucidated. Here we have
      delineated the dynamic molecular pathway and energetics of lesion-specific and
      productive binding by the Rad4/yeast XPC lesion recognition factor, as it forms
      the open complex [Min, J. H., and Pavletich, N. P. (2007) Nature 449, 570-575;
      Chen, X., et al. (2015) Nat. Commun. 6, 5849] that is required for excision. We
      investigated extensively a cis-syn cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer in mismatched
      duplex DNA, using high-level computational approaches. Our results delineate a
      preferred correlated motion mechanism, which provides for the first time an
      atomistic description of the sequence of events as Rad4 productively binds to the
      damaged DNA. 

PMID- 26270867
TI  - The Potential Hazards of Hospital Consolidation: Implications for Quality,
      Access, and Price.

PMID- 26270866
TI  - Assessment of the Breakaway Torque at the Posterior Pelvic Ring in Human
      Cadavers.
AB  - PURPOSE: To enhance the diminished screw purchase in cancellous, osteoporotic
      bone following the fixation of posterior pelvic ring injuries by iliosacral
      screws an increased bone-implant contact area using modificated screws,
      techniques or bone cement may become necessary. The aim of the study was to
      identify sites within the pathway of iliosacral screws requiring modifications of
      the local bone or the design of instrumentations placed at this site. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: The breakaway torque was measured mechanically at the iliosacral
      joint ("ISJ"), the sacral lateral mass ("SLM") and the center of the S1 ("CS1"),
      at a superior and an inferior site under fluoroscopic control on five human
      cadaveric specimens (3 female; mean age 87 years, range: 76-99) using the
      DensiProbeTMSpine device. RESULTS: The measured median (range) breakaway torque
      was 0.63 Nm (0.31-2.52) at the "iliosacral joint", 0.14 Nm (0.05-1.22) at the
      "sacral lateral mass", 0.57 Nm (0.05-1.42) at the "S1 center." The "sacral
      lateral mass" breakaway torque was lower than compared to that at the "iliosacral
      joint" (p < .001) or "S1 center" (p < .001). The median (range) breakaway torque
      measured at all superior measurement points was 0.52 Nm (0.10-2.52), and 0.48 Nm
      (0.05-1.18) at all inferior sites. The observed difference was statistically
      significant (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The lateral mass of the sacrum provides the
      lowest bone quality for implant anchorage. Iliosacral screws should be placed as
      superior as safely possible, should bridge the iliosacral joint and may allow for
      cement application at the lateral mass of the sacrum through perforations.

PMID- 26270868
TI  - Topology optimization for the design of folding liquid crystal elastomer
      actuators.
AB  - Aligned liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are capable of undergoing large
      reversible shape change in response to thermal stimuli and may act as actuators
      for many potential applications such as self-assembly and deployment of micro
      devices. Recent advances in LCE patterning tools have demonstrated sub-millimetre
      control of director orientation, enabling the preparation of materials with
      arbitrarily complex director fields. However, without design tools to connect the
      2D director pattern with the activated 3D shape, LCE design relies on intuition
      and trial and error. Here we present a design methodology to generate reliable
      folding in monolithic LCEs designed with topology optimization. The distributions
      of order/disorder and director orientations are optimized so that the remotely
      actuated deformation closely matches a target deformation for origami folding.
      The optimal design exhibits a strategy to counteract the mechanical frustration
      that may lead to an undesirable deformation, such as anti-clastic bending. Multi
      hinge networks were developed using insights from the optimal hinge designs and
      were demonstrated through the fabrication and reversible actuation of a self
      folding box. Topology optimization provides an important step towards leveraging
      the opportunities afforded by LCE patterning into functional designs. 

PMID- 26270870
TI  - Medicine's Valuing of "Normal" Cognitive Ability.

PMID- 26270871
TI  - Assessing Information from Pharmaceutical Company Representatives.

PMID- 26270872
TI  - Donations of Expensive Equipment for Resident Training.

PMID- 26270869
TI  - The Benefits of Goal Adjustment Capacities for Well-Being Among Women With Breast
      Cancer: Potential Mechanisms of Action.
AB  - Breast cancer can seriously disrupt a person's important life goals. As such, the
      ability to adjust one's goals may be critical for well-being. The present study
      investigated the relationships between disengagement/reengagement capacity and
      well-being among women with breast cancer, as well as several potential
      mechanisms (intrusive thoughts, life purpose, and physical activity) that could
      explain these relationships. The sample consisted of 230 women with early-stage
      (n = 172) or late-stage (n = 58) breast cancer, who were followed prospectively
      for 8 months. Well-being measures consisted of global mental health, perceived
      physical health, positive/negative affect, and sleep efficiency. Disengagement
      capacity did not predict any outcome variable. In contrast, reengagement capacity
      prospectively predicted changes in global mental health, positive affect,
      negative affect, sleep efficiency, life purpose, and physical activity. Life
      purpose mediated the prospective relationship between reengagement capacity and
      multiple aspects of well-being. The relationships between purpose and
      positive/negative affect were reciprocal over time. Results also suggested that
      physical activity is not a mediator, but is in fact a result of the effect of
      reengagement capacity on well-being. The results demonstrate that reengagement
      capacity is important for well-being among women with breast cancer.

PMID- 26270873
TI  - Teaching Medical Business Ethics: An Introduction to the Bander Center's
      Casebook.

PMID- 26270874
TI  - Pricing Cancer Drugs: When Does Pricing Become Profiteering?

PMID- 26270875
TI  - The Affordable Care Act and Insurer Business Practices.

PMID- 26270876
TI  - A Legal Test for the Pharmaceutical Company Practice of "Product Hopping".

PMID- 26270877
TI  - IRS Rules Will Not Stop Unfair Hospital Billing and Collection Practices.

PMID- 26270878
TI  - The All-Payer Rate Setting Model for Pricing Medical Services and Drugs.

PMID- 26270879
TI  - Policymaking for Orphan Drugs and Its Challenges.

PMID- 26270880
TI  - Money and Medicine: Indivisible and Irreconcilable.

PMID- 26270881
TI  - Mixing Dinner and Drugs-Is It Ethically Contraindicated?

PMID- 26270882
TI  - PSYCHE CPMG-HSQMBC: An NMR Spectroscopic Method for Precise and Simple
      Measurement of Long-Range Heteronuclear Coupling Constants.
AB  - Among the NMR spectroscopic parameters, long-range heteronuclear coupling
      constants convey invaluable information on torsion angles relevant to glycosidic
      linkages of carbohydrates. A broadband homonuclear decoupled PSYCHE CPMG-HSQMBC
      method for the precise and direct measurement of multiple-bond heteronuclear
      couplings is presented. The PSYCHE scheme built into the pulse sequence
      efficiently eliminates unwanted proton-proton splittings from the heteronuclear
      multiplets so that the desired heteronuclear couplings can be determined simply
      by measuring frequency differences between peak maxima of pure antiphase
      doublets. Moreover, PSYCHE CPMG-HSQMBC can provide significant improvement in
      sensitivity as compared to an earlier Zangger-Sterk-based method. Applications of
      the proposed pulse sequence are demonstrated for the extraction of
      (n)J((1)H,(77)Se) and (n)J((1)H,(13)C) values, respectively, in carbohydrates;
      further extensions can be envisioned in any J-based structural and conformational
      studies.

PMID- 26270883
TI  - Lactogenic Activity of an Enzymatic Hydrolysate from Octopus vulgaris and Carica
      papaya in SD Rats.
AB  - The traditional Chinese medicine theory believes that octopus papaya soup can
      stimulate milk production in lactating women. The objective of this study was to
      determine whether dietary supplementation with an enzymatic hydrolysate of
      Octopus vulgaris and Carica papaya (EHOC) could increase milk production and
      nutritional indexes in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. Female SD rats (n = 24) were fed
      a control diet (n = 8), EHOC-supplemented diet, or a positive control diet
      (Shengruzhi) from day 10 of pregnancy to day 10 of lactation. Maternal serum,
      mammary gland (day 10 of lactation), milk, and pup weight (daily) were collected
      for analysis. Results showed that the EHOC diet obviously elevated daily milk
      yield and pup weight compared to the control group (P < .05). The EHOC diet was
      found to increase the concentration of prolactin (PRL), progesterone (P),
      estradiol (E2), and growth hormone (GH) significantly in the circulation and
      mammary gland. Mammary glands of EHOC-treated dams showed clear lobuloalveolar
      development and proliferation of myoepithelial cells, but no striking variations
      were observed among the groups. Furthermore, the nutrition content and immune
      globulin concentration in the milk of EHOC-supplemented dams were higher than
      those of the control group, especially the cholesterol, glucose, and IgG were
      higher by 44.98% (P < .001), 42.76% (P < .01), and 42.23% (P < .01),
      respectively. In conclusion, this article demonstrates that EHOC administration
      has beneficial effects on milk production in the dams and on performance of the
      dam and pup. These results indicate that EHOC could be explored as a potentially
      lactogenic nutriment for lactating women.

PMID- 26270884
TI  - Time-resolved optically stimulated luminescence of Al2O3:C for ion beam therapy
      dosimetry.
AB  - The objective of this study was to characterize the time-resolved (TR) optically
      stimulated luminescence (OSL) from Al2O3:C detectors and investigate
      methodologies to improve the accuracy of these detectors in ion beam therapy
      dosimetry, addressing the reduction in relative response to high linear energy
      transfer (LET) particles common to solid-state detectors. Al2O3:C OSL detectors
      (OSLDs) were exposed to proton, (4)He, (12)C and (16)O beams in 22
      particle/energy combinations and read using a custom-built TR-OSL reader. The OSL
      response rOSL, relative to (60)Co gamma dose to water, and the ratio between the
      UV and blue OSL emission bands of Al2O3:C (UV/blue ratio) were determined as a
      function of the LET. Monte-Carlo simulations with the multi-purpose interaction
      and transport code FLUKA were used to estimate the absorbed doses and particle
      energy spectra in the different irradiation conditions. The OSL responses rOSL
      varied from 0.980 (0.73 keV MUm(-1)) to 0.288 (120.8 keV MUm(-1)). The OSL
      UV/blue ratio varied by a factor of two in the investigated LET range, but the
      variation for (12)C beams was only 11%. OSLDs were also irradiated at different
      depths of carbon ion spread-out Bragg peaks (SOBPs), where it was shown that
      doses could be obtained with an accuracy of +/- 2.0% at the entrance channel and
      within the SOBP using correction factors calculated based on the OSL responses
      obtained in this study. The UV/blue ratio did not allow accurate estimation of
      the dose-averaged LET for (12)C SOBPs, although the values obtained can be
      explained with the data obtained in this study and the additional information
      provided by the Monte-Carlo simulations. The results demonstrate that accurate
      OSLD dosimetry can be performed in ion beam therapy using appropriate corrections
      for the OSL response.

PMID- 26270886
TI  - Hemodialysis for the treatment of dabigatran-associated bleeding: a case report
      and systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Dabigatran, a direct thrombin inhibitor, is effective for the
      treatment of venous thromboembolism and the prevention of stroke and systemic
      embolism resulting from atrial fibrillation. The most effective way of reversing
      the anticoagulant effect of dabigatran in patients who have bleeding
      complications is unknown. OBJECTIVES: To document the clinical outcomes of
      patients undergoing renal replacement therapy (RRT) for dabigatran-associated
      bleeding. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE up to May 2015. Articles were
      selected if the patients presented with dabigatran-associated bleeding, underwent
      RRT for dabigatran removal, and reported an effect on bleeding. RESULTS: The
      search yielded 22 studies representing 35 unique patient cases. The median
      patient age was 74.1 years (range, 56-94 years). Thirteen patients (37.1%) were
      female, and 32 (91.4%) patients received dabigatran for atrial fibrillation.
      Twenty-three patients (65.7%) underwent intermittent hemodialysis, 10 patients
      (28.6%) underwent continuous RRT (CRRT), and two patients underwent both
      intermittent hemodialysis and CRRT. Following RRT, there were significant
      reductions in dabigatran concentrations (P = 0.001). Rebound of the dabigatran
      concentration was reported in 12 (57.1%) patients following cessation of RRT.
      Hemostasis was reportedly achieved in 24 patients (70.6%), and 10 patients
      (29.4%) died because of bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with dabigatran
      associated bleeding, RRT appears to be effective in reducing dabigatran
      concentrations, and in case reports this has been associated with a reduction in
      the duration and/or severity of bleeding. However, a rebound in concentrations
      may be seen following withdrawal of RRT, suggesting that a prolonged course of
      RRT may be more effective.

PMID- 26270885
TI  - Development of novel AAV serotype 6 based vectors with selective tropism for
      human cancer cells.
AB  - Viral vectors-based gene therapy is an attractive alternative to common anti
      cancer treatments. In the present studies, AAV serotype 6 vectors were identified
      to be particularly effective in the transduction of human prostate (PC3), breast
      (T47D) and liver (Huh7) cancer cells. Next, we developed chimeric AAV vectors
      with Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptide incorporated into the viral capsid to enable
      specific targeting of integrin-overexpressing malignant cells. These AAV6-RGD
      vectors improved transduction efficiency approximately 3-fold compared with wild
      type AAV6 vectors by enhancing the viral entry into the cells. We also observed
      that transduction efficiency significantly improved, up to approximately 5-fold,
      by the mutagenesis of surface-exposed tyrosine and threonine residues involved in
      the intracellular trafficking of AAV vectors. Therefore, in our study, the AAV6
      Y705-731F+T492V vector was identified as the most efficient. The combination of
      RGD peptide, tyrosine and threonine mutations on the same AAV6 capsid further
      increased the transduction efficiency, approximately 8-fold in vitro. In
      addition, we mutated lysine (K531E) to impair the affinity of AAV6 vectors to
      heparan sulfate proteoglycan. Finally, we showed a significant increase in both
      specificity and efficiency of AAV6-RGD-Y705-731F+T492V+K531E vectors in a
      xenograft animal model in vivo. In summary, the approach described here can lead
      to the development of AAV vectors with selective tropism to human cancer cells. 

PMID- 26270888
TI  - Endocrine stress responses and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
AB  - This study was carried to ascertain whether stress responses are associated with
      abnormalities in glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity and pancreatic beta cell
      function and risk of type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Salivary cortisol, a marker of
      hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and salivary alpha-amylase, a marker of
      sympathetic nervous system (SNS) were compared in 125 subjects of newly detected
      diabetes mellitus (NDDM) and normal glucose tolerance (NGT) subjects who were
      diagnosed on the basis of oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Assessment of
      stress in them was done through stress scales - presumptive stressful life events
      scale (PSLES), perceived stress scale (PSS) and sense of coherence (SOC) and
      correlated with these and other stress response markers. Significantly higher 10
      pm salivary cortisol and post dexamethasone salivary cortisol were found in NDDM
      subjects as compared to NGT. 10 pm salivary cortisol correlated significantly
      with fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2 h plasma glucose (2h PG) and glycated
      hemoglobin (HbA1c) while post dex salivary cortisol correlated with 2h PG, HbA1c
      and salivary alpha-amylase with 2h PG. Stepwise logistic regression analysis
      showed that body mass index (OR: 1.840), SOC (OR: 0.688) and 10 pm salivary
      cortisol (OR: 1.427) were the strongest predictors of NDDM. The results of the
      present study indicate that NDDM subjects display significantly higher chronic
      stress and stress responses when compared to subjects with NGT. Chronic stress
      and endocrine stress responses are significantly associated with glucose
      intolerance, insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus.

PMID- 26270887
TI  - Effects of a process-based cognitive training intervention for patients with
      stress-related exhaustion.
AB  - Stress-related exhaustion has been linked to a pattern of selective cognitive
      impairments, mainly affecting executive functioning, attention and episodic
      memory. Little is known about potential treatments of these cognitive deficits.
      The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a process-based
      cognitive training intervention, designed to target the specific cognitive
      impairments associated with stress-related exhaustion. To this end, patients
      diagnosed with exhaustion disorder (ED) were randomized to either a multimodal
      stress rehabilitation program with the addition of a process-based cognitive
      training intervention (training group, n = 27) or a treatment-as-usual control
      condition, consisting of multimodal stress rehabilitation with no additional
      training (control group, n = 32). Treatment effects were evaluated through an
      extensive cognitive test battery, assessing both near and far transfer effects,
      as well as self-report forms regarding subjective cognitive complaints and
      burnout levels. Results showed pronounced training-related improvements on the
      criterion updating task (p < 0.001). Further, evidence was found of selective
      near transfer effects to updating (p = 0.01) and episodic memory (p = 0.04).
      Also, the trained group reported less subjective memory complaints (p = 0.02) and
      levels of burnout decreased for both groups, but more so for the trained group (p
      = 0.04), following the intervention. These findings suggest that process-based
      cognitive training may be a viable method to address the cognitive impairments
      associated with ED.

PMID- 26270890
TI  - Photolysis study of fluorinated ketones under natural sunlight conditions.
AB  - UV-visible absorption cross-sections are reported for CF3C(O)CH3, CF3C(O)CH2CH3,
      and CH3CH2C(O)CH(CH3)2. The photolysis rate constants of CF3C(O)CH3,
      CF3C(O)CH2CH3, and CF3CF2C(O)CF(CF3)2 were measured from smog-chamber experiments
      carried out in a 400 L Teflon-bag reactor under sunlight irradiation. Actinic
      radiation profiles from the "Tropospheric Ultraviolet and Visible Radiation
      Model" were used to obtain quantum efficiencies of photolysis: 0.34 +/- 0.08,
      0.24 +/- 0.06, and (4.4 +/- 0.6) * 10(-2) for CF3C(O)CH3, CF3C(O)CH2CH3, and
      CF3CF2C(O)CF(CF3)2, respectively. These values correspond to wavelength ranges of
      295-345 nm (for CF3C(O)CH3 and CF3C(O)CH2CH3) and 295-360 nm (for
      CF3CF2C(O)CF(CF3)2). The photolysis rate constants change significantly with the
      seasons, with the yearly averages being (2.3 +/- 0.7) * 10(-6), (1.8 +/- 0.6) *
      10(-6), and (2.1 +/- 0.8) * 10(-6) s(-1) for CF3C(O)CH3, CF3C(O)CH2CH3, and
      CF3CF2C(O)CF(CF3)2, respectively. Photolysis processes are fast and responsible
      for the short gas-phase lifetimes of the studied ketones, which are 5.1 +/- 2.2,
      6.5 +/- 2.5 and 5.5 +/- 1.5 days. The radiative forcing efficiencies are provided
      to assess the contribution of emissions of these gases to climate change. As a
      result of the short atmospheric lifetimes, their global warming potentials are
      negligible. Theoretical calculations involving ground and excited states justify
      the higher photolysis quantum efficiencies of CF3C(O)CH3 and CF3C(O)CH2CH3
      compared to CF3CF2C(O)CF(CF3)2, which shows increased photolysis rate constants
      in the absence of O2. 

PMID- 26270891
TI  - Interventions for treating fractures of the distal femur in adults.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Fractures of the distal femur (the part of the thigh bone nearest the
      knee) are a considerable cause of morbidity. Various different surgical and non
      surgical treatments have been used in the management of these injuries but the
      best treatment remains controversial. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects (benefits
      and harms) of interventions for treating fractures of the distal femur in adults.
      SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Bone, Joint and Muscle Trauma Group
      Specialised Register (9 September 2014); the Cochrane Central Register of
      Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library, 2014, Issue 8); MEDLINE (1946 to August
      week 4 2014); EMBASE (1980 to 2014 week 36); World Health Organization (WHO)
      International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (January 2015); conference
      proceedings and reference lists without language restrictions. SELECTION
      CRITERIA: Randomised and quasi-randomised controlled clinical trials comparing
      interventions for treating fractures of the distal femur in adults. Our primary
      outcomes were patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) of knee function and
      adverse events, including re-operations. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review
      authors independently selected studies and performed data extraction and risk of
      bias assessment. We assessed treatment effects using risk ratios (RR) or mean
      differences (MD) and, where appropriate, we pooled data using a fixed-effect
      model. MAIN RESULTS: We included seven studies that involved a total of 444
      adults with distal femur fractures. Each of the included studies was small and
      assessed to be at substantial risk of bias, with four studies being quasi
      randomised and none of the studies using blinding in outcome assessment. All
      studies provided an incomplete picture of outcome. Based on GRADE criteria, we
      assessed the quality of the evidence as very low for all reported outcomes, which
      means we are very uncertain of the reliability of these results.One study
      compared surgical (dynamic condylar screw (DCS) fixation) and non-surgical
      (skeletal traction) treatment in 42 older adults (mean age 79 years) with
      displaced fractures of the distal femur. This study, which did not report on
      PROMs, provided very low quality evidence of little between-group differences in
      adverse events such as death (2/20 surgical versus 1/20 non-surgical), re
      operation or repeat procedures (1/20 versus 3/20) and other adverse effects
      including delayed union. However, while none of the findings were statistically
      significant, there were more complications such as pressure sores (0/20 versus
      4/20) associated with prolonged immobilisation in the non-surgical group, who
      stayed on average one month longer in hospital.The other six studies compared
      different surgical interventions. Three studies, including 159 participants,
      compared retrograde intramedullary nail (RIMN) fixation versus DCS or blade-plate
      fixation (fixed-angle devices). None of these studies reported PROMS relating to
      function. None of the results for the reported adverse events showed a difference
      between the two implants. Thus, although there was very low quality evidence of a
      higher risk of re-operation in the RIMN group, the 95% confidence interval (CI)
      also included the possibility of a higher risk of re-operation for the fixed
      angle device (9/83 RIMN versus 4/96 fixed-angle device; 3 studies: RR 1.85, 95%
      CI 0.62 to 5.57). There was no clinically important difference between the two
      groups found in quality of life assessed using the 36-item Short Form in one
      study (23 fractures).One study (18 participants) provided very low quality
      evidence of there being little difference in adverse events between RIMN and non
      locking plate fixation. One study (53 participants) provided very low quality
      evidence of a higher risk of re-operation after locking plate fixation compared
      with a single fixed-angle device (6/28 locking plate versus 1/25 fixed-angle
      device; RR 5.36, 95% CI 0.69 to 41.50); however, the 95% CI also included the
      possibility of a higher risk of re-operation for the fixed-angle device. Neither
      of these trials reported on PROMs.The largest included study, which reported
      outcomes in 126 participants at one-year follow-up, compared RIMN versus locking
      plate fixation; both implants are commonly used in current practice. None of the
      between-group differences in the reported outcomes were statistically
      significant; thus the CIs crossed the line of no effect. There was very low
      quality evidence of better patient-reported musculoskeletal function in the RIMN
      group based on Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment (0 to 100: best
      function) scores (e.g. dysfunction index: MD -5.90 favouring RIMN, 95% CI -15.13
      to 3.33) as well as quality of life using the EuroQoL-5D Index (0 to 1: best
      quality of life) (MD 0.10 favouring RIMN, 95% CI -0.01 to 0.21). The CIs for both
      results included a clinically important effect favouring RIMN but also a
      clinically insignificant effect in favour of locking plate fixation. AUTHORS'
      CONCLUSIONS: This review highlights the major limitations of the available
      evidence concerning current treatment interventions for fractures of the distal
      femur. The currently available evidence is incomplete and insufficient to inform
      current clinical practice. Priority should be given to a definitive, pragmatic,
      multicentre randomised controlled clinical trial comparing contemporary
      treatments such as locked plates and intramedullary nails. At minimum, these
      should report validated patient-reported functional and quality-of-life outcomes
      at one and two years. All trials should be reported in full using the CONSORT
      guidelines.

PMID- 26270892
TI  - Genotoxicity of three food processing contaminants in transgenic mice expressing
      human sulfotransferases 1A1 and 1A2 as assessed by the in vivo alkaline single
      cell gel electrophoresis assay.
AB  - The food processing contaminants 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine
      (PhIP), 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and 2,5 dimethylfuran (DMF) are potentially
      both mutagenic and carcinogenic in vitro and/or in vivo, although data on DMF is
      lacking. The PHIP metabolite N-hydroxy-PhIP and HMF are bioactivated by
      sulfotransferases (SULTs). The substrate specificity and tissue distribution of
      SULTs differs between species. A single oral dose of PhIP, HMF or DMF was
      administered to wild-type (wt) mice and mice expressing human SULT1A1/1A2 (hSULT
      mice). DNA damage was studied using the in vivo alkaline single cell gel
      electrophoresis (SCGE) assay. No effects were detected in wt mice. In the hSULT
      mice, PhIP and HMF exposure increased the levels of DNA damage in the liver and
      kidney, respectively. DMF was not found to be genotoxic. The observation of
      increased DNA damage in hSULT mice compared with wt mice supports the role of
      human SULTs in the bioactivation of N-hydroxy-PhIP and HMF in vivo.

PMID- 26270893
TI  - Highly Enhanced Fluorescence of CdSeTe Quantum Dots Coated with Polyanilines via
      In-Situ Polymerization and Cell Imaging Application.
AB  - The polyaniline (PAN)-coated CdSeTe quantum dots (QDs) were prepared by in situ
      polymerization of aniline on the surface of CdSeTe QDs. The PAN-coated CdSeTe QDs
      has a tremendously enhanced fluorescence (~40 times) and improved
      biocompatibility compared to the uncoated CdSeTe QDs. The fluorescence intensity
      of the PAN-coated CdSeTe QDs can be adjusted by controlling the construction
      parameters of the PAN shell. The kinetics of the in situ controllable
      polymerization process was studied by varying the temperature, and the apparent
      activation energy of polymerization was estimated. With the same method, a series
      of the PAN derivatives were also tested to coat the CdSeTe QDs in this study. All
      the QDs showed a significant enhancement of the fluorescence intensity and better
      biocompatibility. The significantly enhanced fluorescence can provide highly
      amplified signal for luminescence-based cell imaging. 

PMID- 26270894
TI  - Outer-Sphere Electrophilic Fluorination of Organometallic Complexes.
AB  - Organofluorine chemistry plays a key role in materials science, pharmaceuticals,
      agrochemicals, and medical imaging. However, the formation of new carbon-fluorine
      bonds with controlled regiochemistry and functional group tolerance is
      synthetically challenging. The use of metal complexes to promote fluorination
      reactions is of great current interest, but even state-of-the-art approaches are
      limited in their substrate scope, often require activated substrates, or do not
      allow access to desirable functionality, such as alkenyl C(sp(2))-F or chiral
      C(sp(3))-F centers. Here, we report the formation of new alkenyl and alkyl C-F
      bonds in the coordination sphere of ruthenium via an unprecedented outer-sphere
      electrophilic fluorination mechanism. The organometallic species involved are
      derived from nonactivated substrates (pyridine and terminal alkynes), and C-F
      bond formation occurs with full regio- and diastereoselectivity. The fluorinated
      ligands that are formed are retained at the metal, which allows subsequent metal
      mediated reactivity. 

PMID- 26270895
TI  - Response to Comment on "UV Disinfection Induces a VBNC State in Escherichia coli
      and Pseudomonas aeruginosa".

PMID- 26270896
TI  - Getting Hot Under the CALR: What Drives Pediatric Myeloproliferative Neoplasms?

PMID- 26270897
TI  - Correlation of expertise with error detection skills of force application during
      spinal manipulation learning.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Most studies on spinal manipulation learning demonstrate the relevance
      of including motor learning strategies in chiropractic curricula. Two outcomes of
      practice are the production of movement in an efficient manner and the improved
      capability of learners to evaluate their own motor performance. The goals of this
      study were to evaluate if expertise is associated with increased spinal
      manipulation proficiency and if error detection skills of force application
      during a high-velocity low-amplitude spinal manipulation are related to
      expertise. METHODS: Three groups of students and 1 group of expert chiropractors
      completed 10 thoracic spine manipulations on an instrumented device with the
      specific goal of reaching a maximum peak force of 300 N after a brief period of
      practice. After each trial, participants were asked to give an estimate of their
      maximal peak force. Force-time profiles were analyzed to determine the
      biomechanical parameters of each participant and the participant's capacity to
      estimate his or her own performance. RESULTS: Significant between-group
      differences were found for each biomechanical parameter. No significant
      difference was found between groups for the error detection variables (p > .05).
      The lack of significant effects related to the error detection capabilities with
      expertise could be related to the specificity of the task and how the training
      process was structured. CONCLUSION: This study confirms that improvements in
      biomechanical parameters of spinal manipulation are related to expertise.
      Feedback based on error detection could be implemented in chiropractic curricula
      to improve trainee abilities in detecting motor execution errors.

PMID- 26270899
TI  - Role of radiation therapy in primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma in
      rituximab era: A US population-based analysis.
AB  - The use of radiation (RT) in primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL)
      may predispose young patients to the risk of cardiopulmonary toxicities and
      secondary malignancies. We used Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER)
      18 database to compare the overall survival (OS) differences among adult patients
      treated with and without RT after rituximab approval in the US. Multivariate
      analyses were performed using Cox proportional hazards regression to compare OS
      based on the use of RT while adjusting for age, year of diagnosis, race, stage
      and gender. PMBCL patients (n = 258), who received RT (48%), were similar in
      terms of age, gender, race, and stage at diagnosis to patients who did not
      receive RT. The five year OS was similar between patients treated with versus
      without RT (82.5% vs. 78.6%, P = 0.47). In a multivariate analysis, the use of RT
      did not influence OS in the rituximab era (HR 0.83; 95% CI 0.43-1.59; P = 0.56).
      Rituximab may reduce the benefit of RT in select patients such as those who
      achieve a metabolic complete remission at the end of chemotherapy.

PMID- 26270900
TI  - Discussion: An Argument for Salvage in Severe Lower Extremity Trauma with
      Posterior Tibial Nerve Injury: The Ganga Hospital Experience.

PMID- 26270898
TI  - Combination Growth Factor Therapy via Electrostatically Assembled Wound Dressings
      Improves Diabetic Ulcer Healing In Vivo.
AB  - Chronic skin ulcerations are a common complication of diabetes mellitus,
      affecting up to one in four diabetic individuals. Despite the prevalence of these
      wounds, current pharmacologic options for treating them remain limited. Growth
      factor-based therapies have displayed a mixed ability to drive successful
      healing, which may be due to nonoptimal delivery strategies. Here, a method for
      coating commercially available nylon dressings using the layer-by-layer process
      is described to enable both sustained release and independent control over the
      release kinetics of vascular endothelial growth factor 165 and platelet-derived
      growth factor BB. It is shown that the use of strategically spaced diffusion
      barriers formed spontaneously by disulfide bonds enables independent control over
      the release rates of incorporated growth factors, and that in vivo these
      dressings improve several aspects of wound healing in db/db mice.

PMID- 26270901
TI  - The Current State of Global Surgery Training in Plastic Surgery Residency.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The current state of global surgery training in U.S. plastic surgery
      residency programs remains largely undefined. METHODS: An electronic survey was
      distributed to Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-certified
      plastic surgery residency programs. Programs with global health curricula were
      queried regarding classification, collaboration details, regions visited,
      conditions/procedures encountered, costs, accreditation, and personal sentiment.
      Residencies without global health curricula were asked to select barriers.
      RESULTS: Sixty-four of 81 residency programs returned questionnaires (response
      rate, 79 percent). Twenty-six programs (41 percent) reported including a formal
      global health curriculum; 38 did not (59 percent). When asked to classify this
      curriculum, most selected clinical care experience [n = 24 (92 percent)],
      followed by educational experience [n = 19 (73 percent)]. Personal reference was
      the most common means of establishing the international collaboration [n = 19 (73
      percent)]. The most commonly encountered conditions were cleft lip-cleft palate
      [n = 26 (100 percent)], thermal injury [n = 17 (65 percent)], and posttraumatic
      reconstruction [n = 15 (57 percent)]. Dominant funding sources were primarily
      nonprofit organizations [n = 14 (53 percent)]. Although the majority of programs
      had not applied for residency review committee accreditation [n = 23 (88
      percent)], many considered applying [n = 16 (62 percent)]. Overall, 96 percent of
      programs (n = 25) supported global health training in residency, choosing
      exposure to different health systems [n = 22 (88 percent)] and surgical education
      [n = 17 (68 percent)] as reasons. Programs not offering a global health
      experience most commonly reported lack of residency review committee/plastic
      surgery operative log recognition of cases performed abroad [n = 27 (71
      percent)], funding for trip expenses [n = 25 (66 percent)], and salary support [n
      = 24 (63 percent)] as barriers. CONCLUSIONS: Residencies incorporating global
      health training describe the experience positively. Funding and case
      accreditation are the major obstacles to implementing these curricula.

PMID- 26270902
TI  - An Argument for Salvage in Severe Lower Extremity Trauma with Posterior Tibial
      Nerve Injury: The Ganga Hospital Experience.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Absence of plantar sensation is a critical factor considered in favor
      of amputation for patients with lower limb-threatening injuries. This study aims
      to assess outcomes of limb salvage in a group of patients with severe lower
      extremity injuries associated with posterior tibial nerve transection. METHODS:
      The authors studied eight cases of limb salvage after traumatic injuries with
      documented tibial nerve laceration managed at Ganga Hospital, India. Functional
      and health-related quality-of-life outcomes were assessed. Outcomes from this
      case series were compared to outcomes of studies from a systematic literature
      review on salvage of the severely injured lower extremity. RESULTS: Patients in
      this case series reported mild pain (median score, 20 on a visual analogue scale
      ranging from 0 to 100), with some return of plantar sensation in patients with
      tibial nerve repairs (median score, 2 of 5). Patients demonstrated a decrease in
      ankle motion (27.5 degrees' plantar flexion and 10 degrees' extension) and muscle
      strength (median heel flexor score, 3 of 5). All patients could ambulate
      independently. Quality of life and function measured by validated instruments
      revealed minimal disability. The authors identified 1767 articles on lower
      extremity trauma, and 14 articles were reviewed systematically. Relative to the
      case series, published articles reported similarly diminished ankle motion and
      muscle strength, with reports of mild pain in select studies. Patient-reported
      outcomes instruments found variations in the degree of physical disability based
      on the time from injury. CONCLUSION: Although limited in number, this case series
      demonstrates the value of limb salvage even for patients with posterior tibial
      nerve injury.

PMID- 26270905
TI  - On the Spectrum of the Plenoptic Function.
AB  - The plenoptic function is a powerful tool to analyze the properties of multi-view
      image data sets. In particular, the understanding of the spectral properties of
      the plenoptic function is essential in many computer vision applications,
      including image-based rendering. In this paper, we derive for the first time an
      exact closed-form expression of the plenoptic spectrum of a slanted plane with
      finite width and use this expression as the elementary building block to derive
      the plenoptic spectrum of more sophisticated scenes. This is achieved by
      approximating the geometry of the scene with a set of slanted planes and
      evaluating the closed-form expression for each plane in the set. We then use this
      closed-form expression to revisit uniform plenoptic sampling. In this context, we
      derive a new Nyquist rate for the plenoptic sampling of a slanted plane and a new
      reconstruction filter. Through numerical simulations, on both real and synthetic
      scenes, we show that the new filter outperforms alternative existing filters. 

PMID- 26270904
TI  - Nanotheranostics: Congo Red/Rutin-MNPs with Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging
      and H2O2-Responsive Therapy of Alzheimer's Disease in APPswe/PS1dE9 Transgenic
      Mice.
AB  - As nanotheranostics, Congo red/Rutin-MNPs combine the abilities of diagnosis and
      treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The biocompatible nanotheranostics system
      based on iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles, with ultrasmall size and excellent
      magnetic properties, can specifically detect amyloid plaques by magnetic
      resonance imaging, realize targeted delivery of AD therapeutic agents, achieve
      drug controlled release by H2O2 response, and prevent oxidative stress.

PMID- 26270906
TI  - Visual Typo Correction by Collocative Optimization: A Case Study on Merchandize
      Images.
AB  - Near-duplicate retrieval (NDR) in merchandize images is of great importance to a
      lot of online applications on e-Commerce websites. In those applications where
      the requirement of response time is critical, however, the conventional
      techniques developed for a general purpose NDR are limited, because expensive
      post-processing like spatial verification or hashing is usually employed to
      compromise the quantization errors among the visual words used for the images. In
      this paper, we argue that most of the errors are introduced because of the
      quantization process where the visual words are considered individually, which
      has ignored the contextual relations among words. We propose a "spelling or
      phrase correction" like process for NDR, which extends the concept of
      collocations to visual domain for modeling the contextual relations. Binary
      quadratic programming is used to enforce the contextual consistency of words
      selected for an image, so that the errors (typos) are eliminated and the quality
      of the quantization process is improved. The experimental results show that the
      proposed method can improve the efficiency of NDR by reducing vocabulary size by
      1000% times, and under the scenario of merchandize image NDR, the expensive local
      interest point feature used in conventional approaches can be replaced by color
      moment feature, which reduces the time cost by 9202% while maintaining comparable
      performance to the state-of-the-art methods. 

PMID- 26270907
TI  - Large Discriminative Structured Set Prediction Modeling With Max-Margin Markov
      Network for Lossless Image Coding.
AB  - Inherent statistical correlation for context-based prediction and structural
      interdependencies for local coherence is not fully exploited in existing lossless
      image coding schemes. This paper proposes a novel prediction model where the
      optimal correlated prediction for a set of pixels is obtained in the sense of the
      least code length. It not only exploits the spatial statistical correlations for
      the optimal prediction directly based on 2D contexts, but also formulates the
      data-driven structural interdependencies to make the prediction error coherent
      with the underlying probability distribution for coding. Under the joint
      constraints for local coherence, max-margin Markov networks are incorporated to
      combine support vector machines structurally to make max-margin estimation for a
      correlated region. Specifically, it aims to produce multiple predictions in the
      blocks with the model parameters learned in such a way that the distinction
      between the actual pixel and all possible estimations is maximized. It is proved
      that, with the growth of sample size, the prediction error is asymptotically
      upper bounded by the training error under the decomposable loss function.
      Incorporated into the lossless image coding framework, the proposed model
      outperforms most prediction schemes reported. 

PMID- 26270908
TI  - Tree Filtering: Efficient Structure-Preserving Smoothing With a Minimum Spanning
      Tree.
AB  - We present a new efficient edge-preserving filter-"tree filter"-to achieve strong
      image smoothing. The proposed filter can smooth out high-contrast details while
      preserving major edges, which is not achievable for bilateral-filter-like
      techniques. Tree filter is a weighted-average filter, whose kernel is derived by
      viewing pixel affinity in a probabilistic framework simultaneously considering
      pixel spatial distance, color/intensity difference, as well as connectedness.
      Pixel connectedness is acquired by treating pixels as nodes in a minimum spanning
      tree (MST) extracted from the image. The fact that an MST makes all image pixels
      connected through the tree endues the filter with the power to smooth out high
      contrast, fine-scale details while preserving major image structures, since
      pixels in small isolated region will be closely connected to surrounding majority
      pixels through the tree, while pixels inside large homogeneous region will be
      automatically dragged away from pixels outside the region. The tree filter can be
      separated into two other filters, both of which turn out to have fast algorithms.
      We also propose an efficient linear time MST extraction algorithm to further
      improve the whole filtering speed. The algorithms give tree filter a great
      advantage in low computational complexity (linear to number of image pixels) and
      fast speed: it can process a 1-megapixel 8-bit image at ~ 0.25 s on an Intel 3.4
      GHz Core i7 CPU (including the construction of MST). The proposed tree filter is
      demonstrated on a variety of applications. 

PMID- 26270909
TI  - Action Recognition Using Nonnegative Action Component Representation and Sparse
      Basis Selection.
AB  - In this paper, we propose using high-level action units to represent human
      actions in videos and, based on such units, a novel sparse model is developed for
      human action recognition. There are three interconnected components in our
      approach. First, we propose a new context-aware spatial-temporal descriptor,
      named locally weighted word context, to improve the discriminability of the
      traditionally used local spatial-temporal descriptors. Second, from the
      statistics of the context-aware descriptors, we learn action units using the
      graph regularized nonnegative matrix factorization, which leads to a part-based
      representation and encodes the geometrical information. These units effectively
      bridge the semantic gap in action recognition. Third, we propose a sparse model
      based on a joint l2,1-norm to preserve the representative items and suppress
      noise in the action units. Intuitively, when learning the dictionary for action
      representation, the sparse model captures the fact that actions from the same
      class share similar units. The proposed approach is evaluated on several publicly
      available data sets. The experimental results and analysis clearly demonstrate
      the effectiveness of the proposed approach. 

PMID- 26270910
TI  - Modeling Geometric-Temporal Context With Directional Pyramid Co-Occurrence for
      Action Recognition.
AB  - In this paper, we present a new geometric-temporal representation for visual
      action recognition based on local spatio-temporal features. First, we propose a
      modified covariance descriptor under the log-Euclidean Riemannian metric to
      represent the spatio-temporal cuboids detected in the video sequences. Compared
      with previously proposed covariance descriptors, our descriptor can be measured
      and clustered in Euclidian space. Second, to capture the geometric-temporal
      contextual information, we construct a directional pyramid co-occurrence matrix
      (DPCM) to describe the spatio-temporal distribution of the vector-quantized local
      feature descriptors extracted from a video. DPCM characterizes the co-occurrence
      statistics of local features as well as the spatio-temporal positional
      relationships among the concurrent features. These statistics provide strong
      descriptive power for action recognition. To use DPCM for action recognition, we
      propose a directional pyramid co-occurrence matching kernel to measure the
      similarity of videos. The proposed method achieves the state-of-the-art
      performance and improves on the recognition performance of the bag-of-visual
      words (BOVWs) models by a large margin on six public data sets. For example, on
      the KTH data set, it achieves 98.78% accuracy while the BOVW approach only
      achieves 88.06%. On both Weizmann and UCF CIL data sets, the highest possible
      accuracy of 100% is achieved. 

PMID- 26270911
TI  - Gradient Magnitude Similarity Deviation: A Highly Efficient Perceptual Image
      Quality Index.
AB  - It is an important task to faithfully evaluate the perceptual quality of output
      images in many applications, such as image compression, image restoration, and
      multimedia streaming. A good image quality assessment (IQA) model should not only
      deliver high quality prediction accuracy, but also be computationally efficient.
      The efficiency of IQA metrics is becoming particularly important due to the
      increasing proliferation of high-volume visual data in high-speed networks. We
      present a new effective and efficient IQA model, called gradient magnitude
      similarity deviation (GMSD). The image gradients are sensitive to image
      distortions, while different local structures in a distorted image suffer
      different degrees of degradations. This motivates us to explore the use of global
      variation of gradient based local quality map for overall image quality
      prediction. We find that the pixel-wise gradient magnitude similarity (GMS)
      between the reference and distorted images combined with a novel pooling strategy
      the standard deviation of the GMS map-can predict accurately perceptual image
      quality. The resulting GMSD algorithm is much faster than most state-of-the-art
      IQA methods, and delivers highly competitive prediction accuracy. MATLAB source
      code of GMSD can be downloaded at
      http://www4.comp.polyu.edu.hk/~cslzhang/IQA/GMSD/GMSD.htm. 

PMID- 26270912
TI  - Recognizing Gaits Across Views Through Correlated Motion Co-Clustering.
AB  - Human gait is an important biometric feature, which can be used to identify a
      person remotely. However, view change can cause significant difficulties for gait
      recognition because it will alter available visual features for matching
      substantially. Moreover, it is observed that different parts of gait will be
      affected differently by view change. By exploring relations between two gaits
      from two different views, it is also observed that a part of gait in one view is
      more related to a typical part than any other parts of gait in another view. A
      new method proposed in this paper considers such variance of correlations between
      gaits across views that is not explicitly analyzed in the other existing methods.
      In our method, a novel motion co-clustering is carried out to partition the most
      related parts of gaits from different views into the same group. In this way,
      relationships between gaits from different views will be more precisely described
      based on multiple groups of the motion co-clustering instead of a single
      correlation descriptor. Inside each group, a linear correlation between gait
      information across views is further maximized through canonical correlation
      analysis (CCA). Consequently, gait information in one view can be projected onto
      another view through a linear approximation under the trained CCA subspaces. In
      the end, a similarity between gaits originally recorded from different views can
      be measured under the approximately same view. Comprehensive experiments based on
      widely adopted gait databases have shown that our method outperforms the state-of
      the-art. 

PMID- 26270913
TI  - Image Quality Assessment for Fake Biometric Detection: Application to Iris,
      Fingerprint, and Face Recognition.
AB  - To ensure the actual presence of a real legitimate trait in contrast to a fake
      self-manufactured synthetic or reconstructed sample is a significant problem in
      biometric authentication, which requires the development of new and efficient
      protection measures. In this paper, we present a novel software-based fake
      detection method that can be used in multiple biometric systems to detect
      different types of fraudulent access attempts. The objective of the proposed
      system is to enhance the security of biometric recognition frameworks, by adding
      liveness assessment in a fast, user-friendly, and non-intrusive manner, through
      the use of image quality assessment. The proposed approach presents a very low
      degree of complexity, which makes it suitable for real-time applications, using
      25 general image quality features extracted from one image (i.e., the same
      acquired for authentication purposes) to distinguish between legitimate and
      impostor samples. The experimental results, obtained on publicly available data
      sets of fingerprint, iris, and 2D face, show that the proposed method is highly
      competitive compared with other state-of-the-art approaches and that the analysis
      of the general image quality of real biometric samples reveals highly valuable
      information that may be very efficiently used to discriminate them from fake
      traits. 

PMID- 26270914
TI  - Band-Reweighed Gabor Kernel Embedding for Face Image Representation and
      Recognition.
AB  - Face recognition with illumination or pose variation is a challenging problem in
      image processing and pattern recognition. A novel algorithm using band-reweighed
      Gabor kernel embedding to deal with the problem is proposed in this paper. For a
      given image, it is first transformed by a group of Gabor filters, which output
      Gabor features using different orientation and scale parameters. Fisher scoring
      function is used to measure the importance of features in each band, and then,
      the features with the largest scores are preserved for saving memory
      requirements. The reduced bands are combined by a vector, which is determined by
      a weighted kernel discriminant criterion and solved by a constrained quadratic
      programming method, and then, the weighted sum of these nonlinear bands is
      defined as the similarity between two images. Compared with existing
      concatenation-based Gabor feature representation and the uniformly weighted
      similarity calculation approaches, our method provides a new way to use Gabor
      features for face recognition and presents a reasonable interpretation for
      highlighting discriminant orientations and scales. The minimum Mahalanobis
      distance considering the spatial correlations within the data is exploited for
      feature matching, and the graphical lasso is used therein for directly estimating
      the sparse inverse covariance matrix. Experiments using benchmark databases show
      that our new algorithm improves the recognition results and obtains competitive
      performance. 

PMID- 26270915
TI  - Multilinear Graph Embedding: Representation and Regularization for Images.
AB  - Given a set of images, finding a compact and discriminative representation is
      still a big challenge especially when multiple latent factors are hidden in the
      way of data generation. To represent multifactor images, although multilinear
      models are widely used to parameterize the data, most methods are based on high
      order singular value decomposition (HOSVD), which preserves global statistics but
      interprets local variations inadequately. To this end, we propose a novel method,
      called multilinear graph embedding (MGE), as well as its kernelization MKGE to
      leverage the manifold learning techniques into multilinear models. Our method
      theoretically links the linear, nonlinear, and multilinear dimensionality
      reduction. We also show that the supervised MGE encodes informative image priors
      for image regularization, provided that an image is represented as a high-order
      tensor. From our experiments on face and gait recognition, the superior
      performance demonstrates that MGE better represents multifactor images than
      classic methods, including HOSVD and its variants. In addition, the significant
      improvement in image (or tensor) completion validates the potential of MGE for
      image regularization. 

PMID- 26270916
TI  - Global Image Denoising.
AB  - Most existing state-of-the-art image denoising algorithms are based on exploiting
      similarity between a relatively modest number of patches. These patch-based
      methods are strictly dependent on patch matching, and their performance is
      hamstrung by the ability to reliably find sufficiently similar patches. As the
      number of patches grows, a point of diminishing returns is reached where the
      performance improvement due to more patches is offset by the lower likelihood of
      finding sufficiently close matches. The net effect is that while patch-based
      methods, such as BM3D, are excellent overall, they are ultimately limited in how
      well they can do on (larger) images with increasing complexity. In this paper, we
      address these shortcomings by developing a paradigm for truly global filtering
      where each pixel is estimated from all pixels in the image. Our objectives in
      this paper are two-fold. First, we give a statistical analysis of our proposed
      global filter, based on a spectral decomposition of its corresponding operator,
      and we study the effect of truncation of this spectral decomposition. Second, we
      derive an approximation to the spectral (principal) components using the Nystrom
      extension. Using these, we demonstrate that this global filter can be implemented
      efficiently by sampling a fairly small percentage of the pixels in the image.
      Experiments illustrate that our strategy can effectively globalize any existing
      denoising filters to estimate each pixel using all pixels in the image, hence
      improving upon the best patch-based methods. 

PMID- 26270917
TI  - Background-Modeling-Based Adaptive Prediction for Surveillance Video Coding.
AB  - The exponential growth of surveillance videos presents an unprecedented challenge
      for high-efficiency surveillance video coding technology. Compared with the
      existing coding standards that were basically developed for generic videos,
      surveillance video coding should be designed to make the best use of the special
      characteristics of surveillance videos (e.g., relative static background). To do
      so, this paper first conducts two analyses on how to improve the background and
      foreground prediction efficiencies in surveillance video coding. Following the
      analysis results, we propose a background-modeling-based adaptive prediction
      (BMAP) method. In this method, all blocks to be encoded are firstly classified
      into three categories. Then, according to the category of each block, two novel
      inter predictions are selectively utilized, namely, the background reference
      prediction (BRP) that uses the background modeled from the original input frames
      as the long-term reference and the background difference prediction (BDP) that
      predicts the current data in the background difference domain. For background
      blocks, the BRP can effectively improve the prediction efficiency using the
      higher quality background as the reference; whereas for foreground-background
      hybrid blocks, the BDP can provide a better reference after subtracting its
      background pixels. Experimental results show that the BMAP can achieve at least
      twice the compression ratio on surveillance videos as AVC (MPEG-4 Advanced Video
      Coding) high profile, yet with a slightly additional encoding complexity.
      Moreover, for the foreground coding performance, which is crucial to the
      subjective quality of moving objects in surveillance videos, BMAP also obtains
      remarkable gains over several state-of-the-art methods. 

PMID- 26270918
TI  - Robust Online Learned Spatio-Temporal Context Model for Visual Tracking.
AB  - Visual tracking is an important but challenging problem in the computer vision
      field. In the real world, the appearances of the target and its surroundings
      change continuously over space and time, which provides effective information to
      track the target robustly. However, enough attention has not been paid to the
      spatio-temporal appearance information in previous works. In this paper, a robust
      spatio-temporal context model based tracker is presented to complete the tracking
      task in unconstrained environments. The tracker is constructed with temporal and
      spatial appearance context models. The temporal appearance context model captures
      the historical appearance of the target to prevent the tracker from drifting to
      the background in a long-term tracking. The spatial appearance context model
      integrates contributors to build a supporting field. The contributors are the
      patches with the same size of the target at the key-points automatically
      discovered around the target. The constructed supporting field provides much more
      information than the appearance of the target itself, and thus, ensures the
      robustness of the tracker in complex environments. Extensive experiments on
      various challenging databases validate the superiority of our tracker over other
      state-of-the-art trackers. 

PMID- 26270919
TI  - Compressed-Domain Video Retargeting.
AB  - In this paper, we present a compressed-domain video retargeting solution that
      operates without compromising the resizing quality. Existing video retargeting
      methods operate in the spatial (or pixel) domain. Such a solution is not
      practical if it is implemented in mobile devices due to its large memory
      requirement. In the proposed solution, each component of the retargeting system
      is designed to exploit the low-level compressed domain features extracted from
      the coded bit stream. For example, motion information is obtained directly from
      motion vectors. An efficient column shape mesh deformation is employed to solve
      the difficulty of sophisticated quad-shape mesh deformation in the compressed
      domain. The proposed solution achieves comparable (or slightly better) visual
      quality performance as compared with several state-of-the-art pixel-domain
      retargeting methods at lower computational and memory costs, making content-aware
      video resizing both scalable and practical in real-world applications. 

PMID- 26270920
TI  - Latent Hierarchical Model of Temporal Structure for Complex Activity
      Classification.
AB  - Modeling the temporal structure of sub-activities is an important yet challenging
      problem in complex activity classification. This paper proposes a latent
      hierarchical model (LHM) to describe the decomposition of complex activity into
      sub-activities in a hierarchical way. The LHM has a tree-structure, where each
      node corresponds to a video segment (sub-activity) at certain temporal scale. The
      starting and ending time points of each sub-activity are represented by two
      latent variables, which are automatically determined during the inference
      process. We formulate the training problem of the LHM in a latent kernelized SVM
      framework and develop an efficient cascade inference method to speed up
      classification. The advantages of our methods come from: 1) LHM models the
      complex activity with a deep structure, which is decomposed into sub-activities
      in a coarse-to-fine manner and 2) the starting and ending time points of each
      segment are adaptively determined to deal with the temporal displacement and
      duration variation of sub-activity. We conduct experiments on three datasets: 1)
      the KTH; 2) the Hollywood2; and 3) the Olympic Sports. The experimental results
      show the effectiveness of the LHM in complex activity classification. With dense
      features, our LHM achieves the state-of-the-art performance on the Hollywood2
      dataset and the Olympic Sports dataset. 

PMID- 26270921
TI  - mCENTRIST: A Multi-Channel Feature Generation Mechanism for Scene Categorization.
AB  - mCENTRIST, a new multichannel feature generation mechanism for recognizing scene
      categories, is proposed in this paper. mCENTRIST explicitly captures the image
      properties that are encoded jointly by two image channels, which is different
      from popular multichannel descriptors. In order to avoid the curse of
      dimensionality, tradeoffs at both feature and channel levels have been executed
      to make mCENTRIST computationally practical. As a result, mCENTRIST is both
      efficient and easy to implement. In addition, a hyperopponent color space is
      proposed by embedding Sobel information into the opponent color space for further
      performance improvements. Experiments show that mCENTRIST outperforms established
      multichannel descriptors on four RGB and RGB-near infrared data sets, including
      aerial orthoimagery, indoor, and outdoor scene category recognition tasks.
      Experiments also verify that the hyper opponent color space enhances descriptors'
      performance effectively. 

PMID- 26270922
TI  - Scaled Heavy-Ball Acceleration of the Richardson-Lucy Algorithm for 3D Microscopy
      Image Restoration.
AB  - The Richardson-Lucy algorithm is one of the most important in image
      deconvolution. However, a drawback is its slow convergence. A significant
      acceleration was obtained using the technique proposed by Biggs and Andrews (BA),
      which is implemented in the deconvlucy function of the image processing MATLAB
      toolbox. The BA method was developed heuristically with no proof of convergence.
      In this paper, we introduce the heavy-ball (H-B) method for Poisson data
      optimization and extend it to a scaled H-B method, which includes the BA method
      as a special case. The method has a proof of the convergence rate of O(K(-2)),
      where k is the number of iterations. We demonstrate the superior convergence
      performance, by a speedup factor of five, of the scaled H-B method on both
      synthetic and real 3D images. 

PMID- 26270923
TI  - Enhanced Decoupled Active Contour Using Structural and Textural Variation Energy
      Functionals.
AB  - Active contours are a popular approach for object segmentation that uses an
      energy minimizing spline to extract an object's boundary. Nonparametric
      approaches can be computationally complex, whereas parametric approaches can be
      impacted by parameter sensitivity. A decoupled active contour (DAC) overcomes
      these problems by decoupling the external and internal energies and optimizing
      them separately. However a drawback of this approach is its reliance on the edge
      gradient as the external energy. This can lead to poor convergence toward the
      object boundary in the presence of weak object and strong background edges. To
      overcome these issues with convergence, a novel approach is proposed that takes
      advantage of a sparse texture model, which explicitly considers texture for
      boundary detection. The approach then defines the external energy as a weighted
      combination of textural and structural variation maps and feeds it into a
      multifunctional hidden Markov model for more robust object boundary detection.
      The enhanced DAC (EDAC) is qualitatively and visually analyzed on two natural
      image data sets as well as Brodatz images. The results demonstrate that EDAC
      effectively combines texture and structural information to extract the object
      boundary without impact on computation time and a reliance on color. 

PMID- 26270924
TI  - Probability-Based Rendering for View Synthesis.
AB  - In this paper, a probability-based rendering (PBR) method is described for
      reconstructing an intermediate view with a steady-state matching probability
      (SSMP) density function. Conventionally, given multiple reference images, the
      intermediate view is synthesized via the depth image-based rendering technique in
      which geometric information (e.g., depth) is explicitly leveraged, thus leading
      to serious rendering artifacts on the synthesized view even with small depth
      errors. We address this problem by formulating the rendering process as an image
      fusion in which the textures of all probable matching points are adaptively
      blended with the SSMP representing the likelihood that points among the input
      reference images are matched. The PBR hence becomes more robust against depth
      estimation errors than existing view synthesis approaches. The MP in the steady
      state, SSMP, is inferred for each pixel via the random walk with restart (RWR).
      The RWR always guarantees visually consistent MP, as opposed to conventional
      optimization schemes (e.g., diffusion or filtering-based approaches), the
      accuracy of which heavily depends on parameters used. Experimental results
      demonstrate the superiority of the PBR over the existing view synthesis
      approaches both qualitatively and quantitatively. Especially, the PBR is
      effective in suppressing flicker artifacts of virtual video rendering although no
      temporal aspect is considered. Moreover, it is shown that the depth map itself
      calculated from our RWR-based method (by simply choosing the most probable
      matching point) is also comparable with that of the state-of-the-art local stereo
      matching methods. 

PMID- 26270925
TI  - Topology-Preserving Rigid Transformation of 2D Digital Images.
AB  - We provide conditions under which 2D digital images preserve their topological
      properties under rigid transformations. We consider the two most common digital
      topology models, namely dual adjacency and well-composedness. This paper leads to
      the proposal of optimal preprocessing strategies that ensure the topological
      invariance of images under arbitrary rigid transformations. These results and
      methods are proved to be valid for various kinds of images (binary, gray-level,
      label), thus providing generic and efficient tools, which can be used in
      particular in the context of image registration and warping. 

PMID- 26270926
TI  - Rotation-Covariant Texture Learning Using Steerable Riesz Wavelets.
AB  - We propose a texture learning approach that exploits local organizations of
      scales and directions. First, linear combinations of Riesz wavelets are learned
      using kernel support vector machines. The resulting texture signatures are
      modeling optimal class-wise discriminatory properties. The visualization of the
      obtained signatures allows verifying the visual relevance of the learned
      concepts. Second, the local orientations of the signatures are optimized to
      maximize their responses, which is carried out analytically and can still be
      expressed as a linear combination of the initial steerable Riesz templates. The
      global process is iteratively repeated to obtain final rotation-covariant texture
      signatures. Rapid convergence of class-wise signatures is observed, which
      demonstrates that the instances are projected into a feature space that leverages
      the local organizations of scales and directions. Experimental evaluation reveals
      average classification accuracies in the range of 97% to 98% for the
      Outex_TC_00010, the Outex_TC_00012, and the Contrib_TC_00000 suites for even
      orders of the Riesz transform, and suggests high robustness to changes in images
      orientation and illumination. The proposed framework requires no arbitrary
      choices of scales and directions and is expected to perform well in a large range
      of computer vision applications. 

PMID- 26270927
TI  - Region-Based Iterative Reconstruction of Structurally Changing Objects in CT.
AB  - X-ray computed tomography (CT) is a powerful tool for noninvasive imaging of time
      varying objects. In the past, methods have been proposed to reconstruct images
      from continuously changing objects. For discretely or structurally changing
      objects, however, such methods fail to reconstruct high quality images, mainly
      because assumptions about continuity are no longer valid. In this paper, we
      propose a method to reconstruct structurally changing objects. Starting from the
      observation that there exist regions within the scanned object that remain
      unchanged over time, we introduce an iterative optimization routine that can
      automatically determine these regions and incorporate this knowledge in an
      algebraic reconstruction method. The proposed algorithm was validated on
      simulation data and experimental MUCT data, illustrating its capability to
      reconstruct structurally changing objects more accurately in comparison to
      current techniques. 

PMID- 26270928
TI  - A General Exponential Framework for Dimensionality Reduction.
AB  - As a general framework, Laplacian embedding, based on a pairwise similarity
      matrix, infers low dimensional representations from high dimensional data.
      However, it generally suffers from three issues: 1) algorithmic performance is
      sensitive to the size of neighbors; 2) the algorithm encounters the well known
      small sample size (SSS) problem; and 3) the algorithm de-emphasizes small
      distance pairs. To address these issues, here we propose exponential embedding
      using matrix exponential and provide a general framework for dimensionality
      reduction. In the framework, the matrix exponential can be roughly interpreted by
      the random walk over the feature similarity matrix, and thus is more robust. The
      positive definite property of matrix exponential deals with the SSS problem. The
      behavior of the decay function of exponential embedding is more significant in
      emphasizing small distance pairs. Under this framework, we apply matrix
      exponential to extend many popular Laplacian embedding algorithms, e.g., locality
      preserving projections, unsupervised discriminant projections, and marginal
      fisher analysis. Experiments conducted on the synthesized data, UCI, and the
      Georgia Tech face database show that the proposed new framework can well address
      the issues mentioned above. 

PMID- 26270929
TI  - Transmission Policy Selection for Multi-View Content Delivery Over Bandwidth
      Constrained Channels.
AB  - I formulate an optimization framework for computing the transmission actions of
      streaming multi-view video content over bandwidth constrained channels. The
      optimization finds the schedule for sending the packetized data that maximizes
      the reconstruction quality of the content, for the given network bandwidth. Two
      prospective multi-view content representation formats are considered: 1) MVC and
      2) video plus depth. In the case of each, I formulate directed graph models that
      characterize the interdependencies between the data units that comprise the
      content. For the video plus depth format, I develop a novel space-time error
      concealment strategy that reconstructs the missing content based on received data
      units from multiple views. I design multiple techniques to solve the optimization
      problem of interest, at varying degrees of complexity and accuracy. In
      conjunction, I derive spatiotemporal models of the reconstruction error for the
      multi-view content that I employ to reduce the computational requirements of the
      optimization. I study the performance of my framework via simulation experiments.
      Significant gains in terms of rate-distortion efficiency are demonstrated over
      various reference methods. 

PMID- 26270930
TI  - Comment on "Collinear Segment Detection Using HT Neighborhoods".
AB  - A novel application of the Hough transform (HT) neighborhood approach to
      collinear segment detection was proposed in [1]. It, however, suffered from one
      major weakness in that it could not provide an effective solution to the case of
      segment intersection. This paper analyzes a vital prerequisite step, disturbance
      elimination in the Hough space, and shows why, this method alone, is incapable of
      distinguishing the true segment endpoints. To address the problem, a unique HT
      butterfly separation method is proposed in this correspondence, as an essential
      complement to the above publication. 

PMID- 26270931
TI  - Characteristics of Human Papillomavirus-Associated Head and Neck Cancers in a
      Veteran Population.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: The US veteran population represents a unique cohort of patients in
      whom human papillomavirus (HPV)-related head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
      (HNSCC) has yet to be investigated. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence and
      characteristics of HPV-positive HNSCC within the veteran population. DESIGN,
      SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Retrospective medical record review including patients
      with HNSCC diagnosed between January 1, 2010, and November 15, 2013, from the VA
      Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System. Data were collected between November 16,
      2013, and June 19, 2014, and analyzed between June 20, 2014, and March 26, 2015.
      EXPOSURES: Chemoradiation therapy, radiation therapy, surgery, or no treatment.
      MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: We determined HPV positivity by p16 testing.
      Demographic and clinicopathologic information and overall survival were extracted
      from medical records. RESULTS: We identified 150 patients with the diagnosis of
      HNSCC. Sixty-nine patients had HPV-positive tumors (46%), and 65 (43%) had HPV
      negative tumors (16 did not have HPV testing). Age at diagnosis ranged from 44 to
      94 years (mean, 64.6 [SD, 8.0] years), and median (interquartile range) follow-up
      was 16.7 (8.7-27.3) years. Tumor location differed significantly between the 2
      groups, with an HPV-positive predominance in the oropharynx (43 of 57 [75%]; P <
      .001). The HPV-positive patients were more likely to be treated primarily with
      combined chemoradiation therapy than radiation therapy or surgery (P < .001). T4
      tumors had a nearly 9 times greater rate of mortality compared with T1 tumors
      (HR, 8.52 [95% CI, 2.60-18.40; P < .001); N3 disease was associated with 7.18
      times greater mortality (HR, 7.18 [95% CI, 1.99-12.26]; P < .001) compared with
      N1 disease; and M1 disease was associated with 6.0 times greater mortality (HR,
      5.99 [95% CI, 2.59-13.81]; P < .001). There were 42 total deaths during follow
      up, 25 in the HPV-negative group and 17 in the HPV-positive group, with a
      nonsignificantly higher overall survival among HPV-positive patients independent
      of alcohol or tobacco use history (P = .09). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Previous
      studies have found that the proportion of HPV-positive HNSCC in the general
      population ranges between 20% and 75%. Although the incidence of HPV-positive
      HNSCC in the Veterans Affairs population is comparable, these patients have
      unique risk factors and demographic characteristics that may suggest different
      prognostic factors for HPV-positive HNSCC in this population. Nonetheless, HPV
      positive tumors still seem to portend a better overall prognosis regardless of
      alcohol or tobacco history among the Veterans Affairs population.

PMID- 26270932
TI  - College Women's Attributions of Blame for Experiences of Sexual Assault.
AB  - Little research has examined the factors that help to explain or predict
      different attributions of blame that rape survivors assign to their assault
      experiences. The current study sought to examine (a) rape survivors' attributions
      of blame to themselves and to external sources, specifically the perpetrator, the
      circumstances surrounding the assault (i.e., the situation), and society; (b)
      whether or not rape survivors attribute more blame to certain sources than
      others; and (c) which individual and situational factors that have been discussed
      in the sexual assault research literature help to explain self-blame, perpetrator
      blame, situational blame, and societal blame within a college sample ( N = 129).
      Results indicated that rape survivors attributed the most blame to themselves and
      to society, some blame to the situation, and the least blame to the male
      involved. Multiple regression analyses revealed that, for the most part,
      variables specific to the rape survivor (e.g., history of childhood sexual abuse,
      clarity of refusing sex, and perceived level of intoxication) significantly
      related to self-blame, whereas variables specific to assault severity
      significantly related to perpetrator blame (e.g., level of physical harm, type of
      rape, and recency of the assault), although in some unexpected ways. Age and
      recency of the assault were significantly related to situational blame. Clarity
      of refusing sex was the only variable that was significantly related to societal
      blame. Implications are discussed for prevention, education, and practice.

PMID- 26270933
TI  - The Impact of Childhood Abuse and Current Mental Health on Young Adult Intimate
      Relationship Functioning.
AB  - This study examines the association between childhood abuse and intimate
      relationship quality and attachment security in young adults. Data were drawn
      from the Ontario Child Health Study, a province-wide community-based survey that
      collected baseline data in 1983 from 3,294 children (aged 4 to 16 years) and
      follow-up data in 2000/2001 (then aged 21 to 35 years). The sample comprised
      1,885 men and women who had completed questionnaires regarding retrospective
      accounts of childhood abuse and current relationship status in 2000/2001.
      Childhood physical and sexual abuse was assessed using the short form of the
      Childhood Experiences of Violence Questionnaire. It was hypothesized that
      childhood physical and sexual abuse would be associated with adult intimate
      relationship functioning, adjusting for childhood family and individual factors,
      and that these associations would be mediated by participants' current mental
      health. The analysis for intimate relationship quality showed that current mental
      health reduced the association between physical abuse and poor relationship
      quality (beta 0.09 (se 0.02) to 0.08 (0.02)) and between sexual abuse and this
      outcome to a non-significant level ((beta 0.07 (se 0.03) to 0.05 (0.03)). The
      analysis for adult attachment security showed that current mental health reduced
      the association between physical abuse and insecure attachment to a non
      significant level (OR 1.33 (95% CI 1.02-1.76) to OR 1.31 (0.98-1.76)) and between
      sexual abuse and this outcome (OR 1.89 (1.36-2.65) to OR 1.74 (1.19-2.52)). The
      importance of current mental health functioning in accounting for continuity in
      intimate relationship functioning from childhood to young adulthood is discussed.

PMID- 26270934
TI  - The Child PTSD Symptom Scale: An Investigation of Its Psychometric Properties.
AB  - The current study addresses the need for accurate measurement of posttraumatic
      stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in youth by investigating the psychometric
      properties of the Child PTSD Symptom Scale (CPSS). The factor structure,
      reliability, and concurrent and discriminant validity of the CPSS were
      investigated in a sample of 206 6th- to 12th-grade adolescents. Exploratory and
      confirmatory factor analysis supported a single-factor structure, which was
      contrary to the hypothesized three-factor structure. Scores comprising this one
      factor structure were also associated with high reliability (alpha = .93), and
      tests of concurrent and discriminant validity were also strong. The implications
      of these findings are discussed, with particular emphasis on future directions
      for research on self-report measures for adolescent PTSD symptoms.

PMID- 26270935
TI  - Prehospital Care of Burn Patients and Trajectories on Survival.
AB  - We sought to identify factors associated with the prognosis and survival of burn
      patients by analyzing data related to the prehospital treatment of burn patients
      transferred directly to the burn unit from the accident site. We also aimed to
      assess the role of prehospital physicians and paramedics providing care to major
      burn patients. This study included adult burn patients with severe burns treated
      between 2006 and 2010. Prehospital patient records and clinical data collected
      during treatment were analyzed, and the Injury Severity Scale (ISS) was
      calculated. Patients were grouped into two cohorts based on the presence or
      absence of a physician during the prehospital phase. Data were analyzed with
      reference to survival by multivariable regression model. Specific inclusion
      criteria resulted in a sample of 67 patients. The groups were comparable with
      regard to age, gender, and injury etiology. Patients treated by prehospital
      physicians (group 1, n = 49) were more severely injured than patients treated by
      paramedics (group 2, n = 18) in terms of total burn surface area (%TBSA) (32% vs.
      17%, p = 0.033), ISS (25 vs. 8, p < 0.000), and inhalation injuries (51% vs. 16%,
      p = 0.013), and presented with a higher pulse rate, lower systolic blood
      pressure, and lower median pH. Age, gender, %TBSA, and ISS were significantly
      associated with survival in both groups. Survival at 30 days was associated with
      age, gender, the amount of intravenous fluids (in liters) received during the
      first 24 hours, and the final %TBSA. Variables found to be independently
      associated by multivariable regression model with 30 day mortality were age,
      female gender, and final TBSA. We identified prehospital prognostic factors
      affecting patient outcomes. Based on the results from this study, our current EMS
      system is capable of identifying seriously injured burn patients who may benefit
      from physician attendance at the injury scene.

PMID- 26270936
TI  - Seasonal foraging patterns of forest-grazing Japanese Black heifers with
      increased plasma total antioxidant capacity.
AB  - Forest-grazing enables the intake of high total antioxidant capacity (TAC) plants
      that might be beneficial for the TAC status of cattle. This study evaluated the
      relation between the seasonal foraging patterns of forest-grazing Japanese Black
      (JB) heifers or the TAC levels in shrubs and trees and the changes of plasma TAC.
      We examined 12 JB heifers, four each of which were allocated to forest-grazing
      (F), pasture-grazing, and pen-housed groups. The plasma TAC level in F heifers on
      July 26, August 13, 30 and September 17 were significantly higher than those on
      April 27 and June 4 (P < 0.05). In F group, the mean rates of foraging frequency
      (FF) of shrubs and trees during July 5-8 and September 13-16 were much higher
      than that during May 31-June 3 (P < 0.05). The rate of FF of grass significantly
      decreased later in the season (P < 0.05). The mean TAC levels in these shrubs and
      trees were higher than those in grasses, concentrates, and timothy hay. Results
      suggest that an important factor in the increase of plasma TAC in forest-grazing
      cattle might be the increased foraging of TAC-rich shrubs and trees during summer
      fall. 

PMID- 26270937
TI  - Correction: Evaluation of Limiting Climatic Factors and Simulation of a
      Climatically Suitable Habitat for Chinese Sea Buckthorn.

PMID- 26270939
TI  - Up-regulation of Cathepsin G in the Development of Chronic Postsurgical Pain: An
      Experimental and Clinical Genetic Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Proteases have been shown to modulate pain signaling in the spinal
      cord and may contribute to the development of chronic postsurgical pain. By using
      peripheral inflammation in rats as a chronic pain model, the authors identified
      the deregulation of proteases and their inhibitors as a hallmark of chronic pain
      development using a genome-wide screening approach. METHODS: A microarray
      analysis was performed and identified spinal cathepsin G (CTSG) as the most up
      regulated gene in rats with persistent hyperalgesia after intraplantar injection
      of complete Freund's adjuvant (n = 4). Further experiments were performed to
      elucidate the mechanisms of CTSG-induced hyperalgesia by intrathecally applying
      specific CTSG inhibitor (n = 10). The authors also evaluated the association
      between CTSG gene polymorphisms and the risk of chronic postsurgical pain in
      1,152 surgical patients. RESULTS: CTSG blockade reduced heat hyperalgesia,
      accompanied by a reduction in neutrophil infiltration and interleukin 1beta
      levels in the dorsal horns. In the gene association study, 246 patients (21.4%)
      reported chronic postsurgical pain at 12-month follow-up. Patients with AA
      genotypes at polymorphisms rs2070697 (AA-15.3%, GA-24.1%, and GG-22.3%) or
      rs2236742 (AA-6.4%, GA-20.4%, and GG-22.6%) in the CTSG gene had lower risk for
      chronic postsurgical pain compared with wild-types. The adjusted odds ratios were
      0.67 (95% CI, 0.26 to 0.99) and 0.34 (95% CI, 0.21 to 0.98), respectively.
      CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that CTSG is a pronociceptive mediator in
      both animal model and human study. CTSG represents a new target for pain control
      and a potential marker to predict patients who are prone to develop chronic pain
      after surgery.

PMID- 26270938
TI  - Risk of a Diagnosis of Dementia for Elderly Medicare Beneficiaries after
      Intensive Care.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Critical illness is likely associated with an increased risk of
      dementia, but the magnitude remains uncertain. METHODS: The cohort was a random
      2.5% sample of Medicare beneficiaries who received intensive care in 2005 and
      survived to hospital discharge. Patients were matched with general population
      controls (age, sex, and race) with 3 yr of follow-up. The authors used an
      extended Cox model to assess the risk of a diagnosis of dementia, adjusting for
      the known risk factors for dementia, and the competing risk of death. RESULTS:
      Among 10,348 intensive care patients who survived to hospital discharge, dementia
      was newly diagnosed in 1,648 (15.0%) over the 3 yr of follow-up versus 12.2% in
      controls (incidence per 1,000 person-years, 73.6; 95% CI, 70.0 to 77.1 vs. 45.8;
      95% CI, 43.2 to 48.3; hazard ratio [HR], 1.61; 95% CI, 1.50 to 1.74; P < 0.001).
      After accounting for the known risk factors in the year before the index
      hospitalization, the risk of receiving a diagnosis of dementia remained increased
      in patients who received intensive care (adjusted HR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.32 to 1.54;
      P < 0.001). Inclusion of identifiable risk factors accrued during the quarter of
      critical illness accounted for almost all of the increased risks (adjusted HR,
      1.09; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.20; P = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: Elderly critical care
      survivors have a 60% increased relative risk, but only 3% increased absolute
      risk, of receiving a diagnosis of dementia in the subsequent 3 yr compared with
      the general population. This increased risk is not accounted for by risk factors
      preexisting the critical illness. Surveillance bias, which increases the
      likelihood of receiving a diagnosis of dementia, could account for some or all of
      these additional risks.

PMID- 26270941
TI  - Shifting to Translational Research on Postoperative Pain and Its Chronification.

PMID- 26270940
TI  - Astrocytes Protect against Isoflurane Neurotoxicity by Buffering pro-brain
      derived Neurotrophic Factor.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Isoflurane induces cell death in neurons undergoing synaptogenesis
      via increased production of pro-brain-derived neurotrophic factor (proBDNF) and
      activation of postsynaptic p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75). Astrocytes express
      p75, but their role in neuronal p75-mediated cell death remains unclear. The
      authors investigated whether astrocytes have the capacity to buffer increases in
      proBDNF and protect against isoflurane/p75 neurotoxicity. METHODS: Cell death was
      assessed in day in vitro (DIV) 7 mouse primary neuronal cultures alone or in co
      culture with age-matched or DIV 21 astrocytes with propidium iodide 24 h after 1
      h exposure to 2% isoflurane or recombinant proBDNF. Astrocyte-targeted knockdown
      of p75 in co-culture was achieved with small-interfering RNA and astrocyte
      specific transfection reagent and verified with immunofluorescence microscopy.
      proBDNF levels were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Each
      experiment used six to eight replicate cultures/condition and was repeated at
      least three times. RESULTS: Exposure to isoflurane significantly (P < 0.05)
      increased neuronal cell death in primary neuronal cultures (1.5 +/- 0.7 fold,
      mean +/- SD) but not in co-culture with DIV 7 (1.0 +/- 0.5 fold) or DIV 21
      astrocytes (1.2 +/- 1.2 fold). Exogenous proBDNF dose dependently induced
      neuronal cell death in both primary neuronal and co-cultures, an effect enhanced
      by astrocyte p75 inhibition. Astrocyte-targeted p75 knockdown in co-cultures
      increased media proBDNF (1.2 +/- 0.1 fold) and augmented isoflurane-induced
      neuronal cell death (3.8 +/- 3.1 fold). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of astrocytes
      provides protection to growing neurons by buffering increased levels of proBDNF
      induced by isoflurane. These findings may hold clinical significance for the
      neonatal and injured brain where increased levels of proBDNF impair neurogenesis.

PMID- 26270942
TI  - What's changed in the management of the frozen shoulder?
AB  - Frozen shoulder is a painful condition in which movement of the shoulder becomes
      restricted. It can interfere with domestic and social activities and affect the
      ability to work. The condition can vary from mild to severe in terms of pain
      and/or restricted movement. We last reviewed the management of frozen shoulder 15
      years ago. We concluded then that there was no clear evidence that any treatment
      could shorten the natural history of the condition and found little evidence as
      to the best management option. Here, we review the evidence on treatment
      approaches published in the meantime.

PMID- 26270943
TI  - Structure-Based Virtual Screening and Biological Evaluation of a Calpain
      Inhibitor for Prevention of Selenite-Induced Cataractogenesis in an in Vitro
      System.
AB  - Calpains belong to the family of calcium-dependent, structurally related
      intracellular cysteine proteases that exhibit significant functions in evolution
      of different types of cataracts in human as well as animal models. Application of
      calpain inhibitors generated through a virtual screening workflow may provide new
      avenues for the prevention of cataractogenesis. Hence, in the current study,
      compounds were first screened for potent calpain inhibitory activity by employing
      a structure-based approach, and the screening results were then validated through
      biological experiments in rat lenses. A hit compound, HTS08688, was obtained by
      structure-based virtual screening. A micromolar concentration of HTS08688 was
      found to prevent in vitro cataractogenesis in isolated Wistar rat lenses, while
      maintaining the antioxidant and calcium concentrations at near normal levels.
      Inhibition of superoxide anion generation, as observed through cytochemical
      localization studies, and maintenance of structural integrity, as demonstrated by
      histological analysis of lenticular tissue, also suggested that HTS08688 can
      ameliorate the cataractous condition induced by selenite in an in vitro rodent
      model. A cell proliferation assay was performed; the IC 50 value of the screened
      calpain inhibitor, HTS08688, against human lenticular epithelial cells-b3 was
      found to be 177 MUM/mL. This combined theoretical and experimental approach has
      demonstrated a potent lead compound, HTS08688, that exhibits putative
      anticataractogenic activity by virtue of its potential to inhibit calpain. 

PMID- 26270944
TI  - Prescription contraception use: a cross-sectional population study of
      psychosocial determinants.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Many forms of contraception are available on prescription only for
      example, the oral contraceptive pill (OCP) and long-acting reversible
      contraceptives (LARCs). In this analysis we aim to identify key determinants of
      prescription contraceptive use. DESIGN: Cross-sectional population survey. Data
      on sociodemographic indices, concerns about the OCP and perceived barriers to
      access were collected. SETTING: Data set constructed from a representative
      population-based telephone survey of community dwelling adults in the Republic of
      Ireland (RoI) PARTICIPANTS: 1515 women aged between 18 and 45 years MAIN OUTCOME
      MEASURE: Self-reported user of the OCP or LARCs (intrauterine contraception,
      contraceptive injections or subdermal contraceptive implants) in the previous 12
      months. RESULTS: For at least some of the previous year, 35% had used the OCP and
      14% had used LARCs, while 3% had used two or more of these methods. OCP users
      were significantly younger, more likely to be unmarried and had higher income
      than non-users. Overall, 68% agreed with the statement 'that taking a break from
      long-term use of the contraceptive pill is a good idea' and 37% agreed with the
      statement that 'the OCP has dangerous side effects' and this was the strongest
      predictor variable of non-use of the OCP. Intrauterine contraception users were
      significantly older, more likely to be married and had lower income than non
      users. Injections or subdermal contraceptive implant users were significantly
      younger, less likely to be married, had lower income and were less likely to
      agree that taking a break from long-term use of the pill is a good idea than non
      users. CONCLUSIONS: Prescription contraceptive use is sociodemographically
      patterned, with LARCs in particular being associated with lower incomes in the
      RoI. Concerns about the safety of the OCP remain prevalent and are important and
      modifiable determinants of contraceptive-related behaviour.

PMID- 26270945
TI  - Effective components of exercise and physical activity-related behaviour-change
      interventions for chronic non-communicable diseases in Africa: protocol for a
      systematic mixed studies review with meta-analysis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for a high burden
      of mortality and morbidity in Africa. Evidence-based clinical guidelines
      recommend exercise training and promotion of physical activity behaviour changes
      to control NCDs. Developing such interventions in Africa requires an
      understanding of the essential components that make them effective in this
      context. This is a protocol for a systematic mixed studies review that aims to
      determine the effective components of exercise and physical activity-related
      behaviour-change interventions for chronic diseases in Africa, by combining
      quantitative and qualitative research evidence from studies published until July
      2015. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will conduct a detailed search to identify all
      published and unpublished studies that assessed the effects of exercise and
      physical activity-related interventions or the experiences/perspectives of
      patients to these interventions for NCDs from bibliographic databases and the
      grey literature. Bibliographic databases include MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL
      (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials), PsycINFO, CINAHL and Web of
      Science. We will include the following African regional databases: African Index
      Medicus (AIM) and AFROLIB, which is the WHO's regional office database for
      Africa. The databases will be searched from inception until 18 July 2015.
      Appraisal of study quality will be performed after results synthesis. Data
      synthesis will be performed independently for quantitative and qualitative data
      using a mixed methods sequential explanatory synthesis for systematic mixed
      studies reviews. Meta-analysis will be conducted for the quantitative studies,
      and thematic synthesis for qualitative studies and qualitative results from the
      non-controlled observational studies. The primary outcome will include exercise
      adherence and physical activity behaviour changes. This review protocol is
      reported according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta
      Analysis protocols (PRISMA-P) 2015 guidelines. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: There is
      no ethical requirement for this study, as it utilises published data. This review
      is expected to inform the development of exercise and physical activity-related
      behaviour-change interventions in Africa, and will be presented at conferences,
      and published in peer reviewed journals and a PhD thesis at King's College
      London. PROTOCOL REGISTRATION NUMBER: This study was registered with the
      International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) on 22 January
      2015 (registration number: PROSPERO 2015: CRD42015016084).

PMID- 26270946
TI  - After the diabetes care trial ends, now what? A 1-year follow-up of the RxING
      study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: There is strong evidence that pharmacist care improves patients'
      glycaemic control. However, the sustainability and durability of such
      interventions beyond the research period is not known. RxING was the first trial
      of pharmacist prescribing in diabetes and it showed an improvement in glycated
      haemoglobin (HbA1c) of 1.8% over 6 months. OBJECTIVE: 1 degrees  objective: To
      evaluate glycaemic control in the RxING study patients 12 months after the end of
      the formal study follow-up. 2 degrees  objective: To assess the patients' risk of
      cardiovascular events in the next 10 years. METHODS: We contacted the
      participating pharmacists to check if the patients who participated in the RxING
      study are still taking insulin, the dose of insulin they are taking, and their
      HbA1c. There were no mandated follow-up visits with the pharmacist after the
      study completion. RESULTS: A total of 100 patients with poorly controlled type 2
      diabetes were enrolled in the original RxING study; 93 of them completed the
      study, while 83 participated in the 12-month follow-up. Seventy-five patients
      were still taking insulin, with the average dose increasing from 31.1 units (SD
      18.4) at study completion to 37.4 units (SD 30.8) (95% CI -13.3 to 0.88,
      p=0.085). HbA1c was reduced from 9.1% (SD 1) at baseline to 7.3% (SD 0.9) at
      study completion (95% CI 1.4 to 2, p <0.001), and increased to 8.1% (SD 1.3) 12
      months later (95% CI -1.1 to -0.5, p <0.001 vs study completion). CONCLUSIONS:
      Twelve months after completing the intervention, approximately half of the
      glycaemic control gains were lost. This highlights the importance of structured
      follow-up with the pharmacist in this patient population. TRIAL REGISTRATION
      NUMBER: clinicaltrials.gov; Identifier: NCT01335763.

PMID- 26270947
TI  - Workplace health and safety issues among community nurses: a study regarding the
      impact on providing care to rural consumers.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study was to investigate the types of workplace
      health and safety issues rural community nurses encounter and the impact these
      issues have on providing care to rural consumers. METHODS: The study undertook a
      narrative inquiry underpinned by a phenomenological approach. Community nursing
      staff who worked exclusively in rural areas and employed in a permanent capacity
      were contacted among 13 of the 16 consenting healthcare services. All community
      nurses who expressed a desire to participate were interviewed. Data were
      collected using semistructured interviews with 15 community nurses in rural and
      remote communities. Thematic analysis was used to analyse interview data.
      RESULTS: The role, function and structures of community nursing services varied
      greatly from site to site and were developed and centred on meeting the needs of
      individual communities. In addition, a number of workplace health and safety
      challenges were identified and were centred on the geographical, physical and
      organisational environment that community nurses work across. The workplace
      health and safety challenges within these environments included driving large
      distances between client's homes and their office which lead to working in
      isolation for long periods and without adequate communication. In addition, other
      issues included encountering, managing and developing strategies to deal with
      poor client and carer behaviour; working within and negotiating working
      environments such as the poor condition of patient homes and clients smoking;
      navigating animals in the workplace; vertical and horizontal violence; and issues
      around workload, burnout and work-related stress. CONCLUSIONS: Many nurses
      achieved good outcomes to meet the needs of rural community health consumers.
      Managers were vital to ensure that service objectives were met. Despite the
      positive outcomes, many processes were considered unsafe by community nurses. It
      was identified that greater training and capacity building are required to meet
      the needs among all staff.

PMID- 26270948
TI  - Antiepileptic drugs and the risk of ischaemic stroke and myocardial infarction: a
      population-based cohort study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Hepatic enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) increase serum
      lipid levels and other atherogenic markers via the induction of cytochrome P450
      and may therefore increase the risk of vascular events. We sought to assess the
      risk of ischaemic stroke and myocardial infarction (MI) according to AED
      enzymatic properties. DESIGN: Population-based cohort study with nested case
      control analysis. SETTING: 650 general practices in the UK contributing to the
      Clinical Practice Research Datalink. PARTICIPANTS: A cohort of 252,407 incident
      AED users aged 18 or older between January 1990 and April 2013. For each case of
      ischaemic stroke or MI, up to 10 controls were randomly selected among the cohort
      members in the risk sets defined by the case and matched on age, sex, indication
      for AED, calendar time and duration of follow-up. INTERVENTIONS: Current use of
      enzyme-inducing and enzyme-inhibiting AEDs compared with non-inducing AEDs.
      PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence rate ratios (RRs) of ischaemic stroke and MI.
      RESULTS: 5069 strokes and 3636 MIs were identified during follow-up. Inducing
      AEDs use was associated with a small increased risk of ischaemic stroke (RR=1.16,
      95% CI 1.02 to 1.33) relative to non-inducing AEDs, most likely due to residual
      confounding. However, current use of inducing AEDs for >= 24 months was
      associated with a 46% increased risk of MI (RR=1.46, 95% CI 1.15 to 1.85)
      compared with the same duration of non-inducing AED, corresponding to a risk
      difference of 1.39/1000 (95% CI 0.33 to 2.45) persons per year. Current use of
      inhibiting AED was associated with a decreased risk of MI (RR=0.81, 95% CI 0.66
      to 1.00). CONCLUSIONS: The use of enzyme-inducing AEDs was not associated with an
      increased risk of ischaemic stroke; a small increase of MI with prolonged use was
      observed. In contrast, use of inhibiting AEDs was associated with a decreased
      risk of MI.

PMID- 26270950
TI  - Unintentional fall-related mortality in the elderly: comparing patterns in two
      countries with different demographic structure.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Falls are among the major external causes of unintentional injury and
      injury-related mortality in the elderly. The aim of this study was to compare the
      patterns of unintentional fall-related mortalities in two countries with
      different demographic structure: Slovakia and Austria in 2003-2010. METHODS: A
      study was conducted using death certificate data, trends of fall-related
      mortality in the elderly (over 65 years) in Austria and Slovakia were compared.
      Crude and age-standardised mortality rates were calculated. Rate ratios were used
      to quantify differences based on age, sex and country. The role of demographic
      structure and population ageing was considered. RESULTS: The annual average crude
      mortality for Slovakia was 28.82, for Austria 54.19 per 100,000 person-years.
      Increasing rates were observed towards higher age in both countries. Males had
      higher mortality than females (1.18 times higher in Austria, 2.4 higher in
      Slovakia). In ages over 75 years rates were significantly higher in Austria,
      compared to Slovakia. Injuries to head (in males) and hip (in females) were most
      commonly the underlying cause of death. The proportion of populations over 65 and
      over 80 and rate of their increase were higher in Austria than in Slovakia.
      CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that higher proportions of the elderly population of
      Austria could have contributed to the higher fall-related mortality rates
      compared to Slovakia, especially in females over 80 years. Our study quantified
      the differences between two countries with different structure of the elderly
      population and these findings could be used in planning future needs of health
      and social services and to plan prevention in countries where a rapid increase in
      age of the population can be foreseen.

PMID- 26270949
TI  - Systemic exposure to menthol following administration of peppermint oil to
      paediatric patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Peppermint oil (PMO) has been used to treat abdominal ailments dating
      to ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. Despite its increasing paediatric use, as in
      irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) treatment, the pharmacokinetics (PK) of menthol in
      children given PMO has not been explored. DESIGN AND SETTING: Single-site,
      exploratory pilot study of menthol PK following a single 187 mg dose of PMO.
      Subjects with paediatric Rome II defined (IBS; n=6, male and female, 7-15 years
      of age) were enrolled. Blood samples were obtained before PMO administration and
      at 10 discrete time points over a 12 h postdose period. Menthol was quantitated
      from plasma using a validated gas chromatography mass spectrometry technique.
      Menthol PK parameters were determined using a standard non-compartmental
      approach. RESULTS: Following a dose of PMO, a substantial lag time (range 1-4 h)
      was seen in all subjects for the appearance of menthol which in turn, produced a
      delayed time of peak (Tmax=5.3 +/- 2.4 h) plasma concentration (Cmax=698.2 +/-
      245.4 ng/mL). Tmax and Tlag were significantly more variable than the two
      exposure parameters; Cmax, mean residence time and total area under the curve
      (AUC=4039.7 +/- 583.8 ng/mL * h) which had a coefficient of variation of <20%.
      CONCLUSIONS: Delayed appearance of menthol in plasma after oral PMO
      administration in children is likely a formulation-specific event which, in IBS,
      could increase intestinal residence time of the active ingredient. Our data also
      demonstrate the feasibility of using menthol PK in children with IBS to support
      definitive studies of PMO dose-effect relationships.

PMID- 26270951
TI  - Long-term non-invasive ventilation therapies in children: a scoping review
      protocol.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) in children has become an
      increasingly common modality of breathing support where pressure support is
      delivered through a mask interface or less commonly through other non-invasive
      interfaces. At this time, NIV is considered a first-line option for ventilatory
      support of chronic respiratory insufficiency associated with a range of
      respiratory and sleep disorders. Previous reviews on the effectiveness,
      complications and adherence to NIV treatment have lacked systematic methods. The
      purpose of this scoping review is to provide an overview of the evidence for the
      use of long-term NIV in children. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will use previously
      established scoping methodology. Ten electronic databases will be searched to
      identify studies in children using NIV for longer than 3 months outside an
      intensive care setting. Grey literature search will include conference
      proceedings, thesis and dissertations, unpublished trials, reports from
      regulatory agencies and manufacturers. Two reviewers will independently screen
      titles and abstracts for inclusion, followed by full-text screening of
      potentially relevant articles to determine final inclusion. Data synthesis will
      be performed at three levels: (1) an analysis of the number, publication type,
      publication year, and country of publication of the studies; (2) a summary of the
      study designs, outcomes measures used; (3) a thematic analysis of included
      studies by subgroups. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study will provide a wide
      and rigorous overview of the evidence on the use of long-term NIV in children and
      provide critical information for healthcare professionals and policymakers to
      better care for this group of children. We will disseminate our findings through
      conference proceedings and publications, and evaluate the results for further
      systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

PMID- 26270953
TI  - Effect of an interactive therapeutic robotic animal on engagement, mood states,
      agitation and psychotropic drug use in people with dementia: a cluster-randomised
      controlled trial protocol.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Apathy, agitated behaviours, loneliness and depression are common
      consequences of dementia. This trial aims to evaluate the effect of a robotic
      animal on behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia in people with
      dementia living in long-term aged care. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A cluster
      randomised controlled trial with three treatment groups: PARO (robotic animal),
      Plush-Toy (non-robotic PARO) or Usual Care (Control). The nursing home sites are
      Australian Government approved and accredited facilities of 60 or more beds. The
      sites are located in South-East Queensland, Australia. A sample of 380 adults
      with a diagnosis of dementia, aged 60 years or older living in one of the
      participating facilities will be recruited. The intervention consists of three
      individual 15 min non-facilitated sessions with PARO or Plush-Toy per week, for a
      period of 10 weeks. The primary outcomes of interest are improvement in
      agitation, mood states and engagement. Secondary outcomes include sleep duration,
      step count, change in psychotropic medication use, change in treatment costs, and
      staff and family perceptions of PARO or Plush-Toy. Video data will be analysed
      using Noldus XT Pocket Observer; descriptive statistics will be used for
      participants' demographics and outcome measures; cluster and individual level
      analyses to test all hypotheses and Generalised Linear Models for cluster level
      and Generalised Estimation Equations and/or Multi-level Modeling for individual
      level data. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study participants or their proxy will
      provide written informed consent. The Griffith University Human Research Ethics
      Committee has approved the study (NRS/03/14/HREC). The results of the study will
      provide evidence of the efficacy of a robotic animal as a psychosocial treatment
      for the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia. Findings will be
      presented at local and international conference meetings and published in peer
      reviewed journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Australian and New Zealand Clinical
      Trials Registry number ACTRN12614000508673 date registered 13/05/2014.

PMID- 26270952
TI  - Should HFE p.C282Y homozygotes with moderately elevated serum ferritin be
      treated? A randomised controlled trial comparing iron reduction with sham
      treatment (Mi-iron).
AB  - INTRODUCTION: HFE p.C282Y homozygosity is the most common cause of hereditary
      haemochromatosis. There is currently insufficient evidence to assess whether non
      specific symptoms or hepatic injury in homozygotes with moderately elevated iron
      defined as a serum ferritin (SF) of 300-1000 ug/L are related to iron overload.
      As such the evidence for intervention in this group is lacking. We present here
      methods for a study that aims to evaluate whether non-specific symptoms and
      hepatic fibrosis markers improve with short-term normalisation of SF in p.C282Y
      homozygotes with moderate elevation of SF. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Mi-iron is a
      prospective, multicentre, randomised patient-blinded trial conducted in three
      centres in Victoria and Queensland, Australia. Participants who are HFE p.C282Y
      homozygotes with SF levels between 300 and 1000 MUg/L are recruited and
      randomised to either the treatment group or to the sham treatment group. Those in
      the treatment group have normalisation of SF by 3-weekly erythrocytapheresis
      while those in the sham treatment group have 3-weekly plasmapheresis and thus do
      not have normalisation of SF. Patients are blinded to all procedures. All outcome
      measures are administered prior to and following the course of treatment/sham
      treatment. Patient reported outcome measures are the Modified Fatigue Impact
      Scale (MFIS-primary outcome), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS),
      Medical Outcomes Study 36-item short form V.2 (SF36v2) and Arthritis Impact
      Measurement Scale 2 short form (AIMS2-SF). Liver injury and hepatic fibrosis are
      assessed with transient elastography (TE), Fibrometer and Hepascore, while
      oxidative stress is assessed by measurement of urine and serum F2-isoprostanes.
      ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study has been approved by the Human Research
      Ethics Committees of Austin Health, Royal Melbourne Hospital and Royal Brisbane
      and Women's Hospital. Study findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed
      publications and conference presentations. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Trial identifier:
      NCT01631708; Registry: ClinicalTrials.gov.

PMID- 26270954
TI  - Synthesis and Characterization of 5-Hydroxy-2-(2-phenylethyl)chromone (5-HPEC)
      and Its Analogues as Non-nitrogenous 5-HT2B Ligands.
AB  - The involvement of the neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT) in numerous
      physiological functions is often attributed to the diversity of receptors with
      which it interacts. Ligands targeting serotonin receptor 2B (5-HT2B) have
      received renewed interest for their potential to help understand the role of 5
      HT2B in migraines, drug abuse, neurodegenerative diseases, and irritable bowel
      syndrome. To date, most of the ligands targeting 5-HT2B have been nitrogen
      containing compounds. The natural product 5-hydroxy-2-(2-phenylethyl)chromone (5
      HPEC, 5) has been shown previously to act as a non-nitrogenous antagonist for the
      5-HT2B receptor (pKi = 5.6). This report describes further progress on the study
      of the structure-activity relationship of both naturally occurring and synthetic
      compounds bearing the 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromone scaffold at the 5-HT2B receptor.
      The inhibitory activity of the newly synthesized compounds (at 10 MUM) was tested
      against each of the 5-HT2 receptors. Following this assay, the binding affinity
      and antagonism of the most promising compounds were then evaluated at 5-HT2B.
      Among all the analogues, 5-hydroxy-2-(2-phenylpropyl)chromone (5-HPPC, 22h)
      emerged as a new lead compound, showing a 10-fold improvement in affinity (pKi =
      6.6) over 5-HPEC with reasonable antagonist properties at 5-HT2B. Additionally,
      ligand docking studies have identified a putative binding pocket for 5-HPPC and
      have helped understand its improved affinity. 

PMID- 26270955
TI  - Therapeutic Yoga: Symptom Management for Multiple Sclerosis.
AB  - Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common autoimmune inflammatory demyelinating
      disease of the central nervous system, affecting over 2.3 million people
      worldwide. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and
      Stroke, the age of disease onset is typically between 20 and 40 years, with a
      higher incidence in women. Individuals with MS experience a wide range of
      symptoms, including declining physical, emotional, and psychological symptoms
      (e.g., fatigue, imbalance, spasticity, chronic pain, cognitive impairment,
      bladder and bowel dysfunction, visual and speech impairments, depression, sensory
      disturbance, and mobility impairment). To date, both the cause of and cure for MS
      remain unknown. In recent years, more individuals with MS have been pursuing
      alternative methods of treatment to manage symptoms of the disease, including
      mind-body therapies such as yoga, meditation, breathing, and relaxation
      techniques. It has been suggested that the practice of yoga may be a safe and
      effective way of managing symptoms of MS. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is
      to summarize the most relevant literature on exercise and mind-body modalities to
      treat MS symptoms and, more specifically, the benefits and potential role of yoga
      as an alternative treatment of symptom management for individuals with MS. The
      article also discusses future directions for research. 

PMID- 26270956
TI  - CO2 Fixation, Lipid Production, and Power Generation by a Novel Air-Lift-Type
      Microbial Carbon Capture Cell System.
AB  - An air-lift-type microbial carbon capture cell (ALMCC) was constructed for the
      first time by using an air-lift-type photobioreactor as the cathode chamber. The
      performance of ALMCC in fixing high concentration of CO2, producing energy (power
      and biodiesel), and removing COD together with nutrients was investigated and
      compared with the traditional microbial carbon capture cell (MCC) and air-lift
      type photobioreactor (ALP). The ALMCC system produced a maximum power density of
      972.5 mW.m(-3) and removed 86.69% of COD, 70.52% of ammonium nitrogen, and 69.24%
      of phosphorus, which indicate that ALMCC performed better than MCC in terms of
      power generation and wastewater treatment efficiency. Besides, ALMCC demonstrated
      9.98- and 1.88-fold increases over ALP and MCC in the CO2 fixation rate,
      respectively. Similarly, the ALMCC significantly presented a higher lipid
      productivity compared to those control reactors. More importantly, the
      preliminary analysis of energy balance suggested that the net energy of the ALMCC
      system was significantly superior to other systems and could theoretically
      produce enough energy to cover its consumption. In this work, the established
      ALMCC system simultaneously achieved the high level of CO2 fixation, energy
      recycle, and municipal wastewater treatment effectively and efficiently. 

PMID- 26270957
TI  - Pediatric combined liver-kidney transplantation: a 2015 update.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The experience of combined liver-kidney transplantation (CLKT)
      is limited in pediatric populations. This strategy is, however, required in
      specific diseases such as metabolic diseases (namely primary hyperoxaluria type
      one and methylmalonic acidemia), autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease,
      miscellaneous ciliopathies and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome. RECENT
      FINDINGS: Different series and registry studies have confirmed the feasibility of
      pediatric CLKT with encouraging results in the long term, even in the youngest
      and smallest patients, provided that highly trained multidisciplinary teams are
      involved in this global management. As such, the long-term outcomes after CLKT
      are currently comparable to that of isolated liver or kidney transplantations,
      even though the immediate postoperative period remains challenging. SUMMARY: Some
      questions remain nevertheless unanswered, such as the respective place of
      combined versus sequential liver-kidney transplantation, especially in primary
      hyperoxaluria and autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease. The aim of this
      review was therefore to provide a 2015 update on pediatric CLKT. In the future,
      international collaborative studies and registries may help to improve our
      knowledge of this rare and still highly challenging technique.

PMID- 26270958
TI  - An integrated system for identifying the hidden assassins in traditional
      medicines containing aristolochic acids.
AB  - Traditional herbal medicines adulterated and contaminated with plant materials
      from the Aristolochiaceae family, which contain aristolochic acids (AAs), cause
      aristolochic acid nephropathy. Approximately 256 traditional Chinese patent
      medicines, containing Aristolochiaceous materials, are still being sold in
      Chinese markets today. In order to protect consumers from health risks due to
      AAs, the hidden assassins, efficient methods to differentiate Aristolochiaceous
      herbs from their putative substitutes need to be established. In this study, 158
      Aristolochiaceous samples representing 46 species and four genera as well as 131
      non-Aristolochiaceous samples representing 33 species, 20 genera and 12 families
      were analyzed using DNA barcodes based on the ITS2 and psbA-trnH sequences.
      Aristolochiaceous materials and their non-Aristolochiaceous substitutes were
      successfully identified using BLAST1, the nearest distance method and the
      neighbor-joining (NJ) tree. In addition, based on sequence information of ITS2,
      we developed a Real-Time PCR assay which successfully identified herbal material
      from the Aristolochiaceae family. Using Ultra High Performance Liquid
      Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer (UHPLC-HR-MS), we demonstrated that most
      representatives from the Aristolochiaceae family contain toxic AAs. Therefore,
      integrated DNA barcodes, Real-Time PCR assays using TaqMan probes and UHPLC-HR-MS
      system provides an efficient and reliable authentication system to protect
      consumers from health risks due to the hidden assassins (AAs).

PMID- 26270959
TI  - Paraformaldehyde Fixation May Lead to Misinterpretation of the Subcellular
      Localization of Plant High Mobility Group Box Proteins.
AB  - Arabidopsis High Mobility Group Box (HMBG) proteins were previously found
      associated with the interphase chromatin but not the metaphase chromosome.
      However, these studies are usually based on immunolocalization analysis involving
      paraformaldehyde fixation. Paraformaldehyde fixation has been widely adapted to
      preserved cell morphology before immunofluorescence staining. On one hand, the
      processed cells are no longer living. On the other hand, the processing may lead
      to misinterpretation of localization. HMGBs from Arabidopsis were fused with
      enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP) and transformed into tobacco BY-2
      cells. Basically, the localization of these HMGB proteins detected with EGFP
      fluorescence in interphase agreed with previous publications. Upon 4%
      paraformaldehyde fixation, AtHMGB1 was found associated with interphase but not
      the metaphase chromosomes as previously reported. However, when EGFP fluorescence
      signal was directly observed under confocal microscope without fixation,
      association of AtHMGB1 with metaphase chromosomes can be detected.
      Paraformaldehyde fixation led to dissociation of EGFP tagged AtHMBG1 protein from
      metaphase chromosomes. This kind of pre-processing of live specimen may lead to
      dissociation of protein-protein or protein-nucleic acid interaction. Therefore,
      using of EGFP fusion proteins in live specimen is a better way to determine the
      correct localization and interaction of proteins. 

PMID- 26270960
TI  - Simple Experimental Methods for Determining the Apparent Focal Shift in a
      Microscope System.
AB  - Three-dimensional optical microscopy is often complicated by a refractive index
      mismatch between the sample and objective lens. This mismatch causes focal shift,
      a difference between sample motion and focal-plane motion, that hinders the
      accuracy of 3D reconstructions. We present two methods for measuring focal shift
      using fluorescent beads of different sizes and ring-stained fluorescent beads.
      These simple methods are applicable to most situations, including total internal
      reflection objectives and samples very close to the interface. For distances 0
      1.5 MUm into an aqueous environment, our 1.49-NA objective has a relative focal
      shift of 0.57 +/- 0.02, significantly smaller than the simple n2/n1 approximation
      of 0.88. We also expand on a previous sub-critical angle theory by means of a
      simple polynomial extrapolation. We test the validity of this extrapolation by
      measuring the apparent focal shift in samples where the refractive index is
      between 1.33 and 1.45 and with objectives with numerical apertures between 1.25
      and 1.49. 

PMID- 26270961
TI  - Influence of the Lower Jaw Position on the Running Pattern.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The effects of manipulated dental occlusion on body posture has
      been investigated quite often and discussed controversially in the literature.
      Far less attention has been paid to the influence of dental occlusion position on
      human movement. If human movement was analysed, it was mostly while walking and
      not while running. This study was therefore designed to identify the effect of
      lower jaw positions on running behaviour according to different dental occlusion
      positions. METHODS: Twenty healthy young recreational runners (mean age = 33.9+/
      5.8 years) participated in this study. Kinematic data were collected using an
      eight-camera Vicon motion capture system (VICON Motion Systems, Oxford, UK).
      Subjects were consecutively prepared with four different dental occlusion
      conditions in random order and performed five running trials per test condition
      on a level walkway with their preferred running shoes. Vector based pattern
      recognition methods, in particular cluster analysis and support vector machines
      (SVM) were used for movement pattern identification. RESULTS: Subjects exhibited
      unique movement patterns leading to 18 clusters for the 20 subjects. No overall
      classification of the splint condition could be observed. Within individual
      subjects different running patterns could be identified for the four splint
      conditions. The splint conditions lead to a more symmetrical running pattern than
      the control condition. DISCUSSION: The influence of an occlusal splint on running
      pattern can be confirmed in this study. Wearing a splint increases the symmetry
      of the running pattern. A more symmetrical running pattern might help to reduce
      the risk of injuries or help in performance. The change of the movement pattern
      between the neutral condition and any of the three splint conditions was
      significant within subjects but not across subjects. Therefore the dental splint
      has a measureable influence on the running pattern of subjects, however subjects
      individuality has to be considered when choosing the optimal splint condition for
      a specific subject.

PMID- 26270962
TI  - Xenopus Pkdcc1 and Pkdcc2 Are Two New Tyrosine Kinases Involved in the Regulation
      of JNK Dependent Wnt/PCP Signaling Pathway.
AB  - Protein Kinase Domain Containing, Cytoplasmic (PKDCC) is a protein kinase which
      has been implicated in longitudinal bone growth through regulation of
      chondrocytes formation. Nevertheless, the mechanism by which this occurs remains
      unknown. Here, we identified two new members of the PKDCC family, Pkdcc1 and
      Pkdcc2 from Xenopus laevis. Interestingly, our knockdown experiments revealed
      that these two proteins are both involved on blastopore and neural tube closure
      during gastrula and neurula stages, respectively. In vertebrates, tissue polarity
      and cell movement observed during gastrulation and neural tube closure are
      controlled by Wnt/Planar Cell Polarity (PCP) molecular pathway. Our results
      showed that Pkdcc1 and Pkdcc2 promote the recruitment of Dvl to the plasma
      membrane. But surprisingly, they revealed different roles in the induction of a
      luciferase reporter under the control of Atf2 promoter. While Pkdcc1 induces Atf2
      expression, Pkdcc2 does not, and furthermore inhibits its normal induction by
      Wnt11 and Wnt5a. Altogether our data show, for the first time, that members of
      the PKDCC family are involved in the regulation of JNK dependent Wnt/PCP
      signaling pathway. 

PMID- 26270963
TI  - Characterization of Cell Wall Proteins in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Clinical
      Isolates Elucidates Hsp150p in Virulence.
AB  - The budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has recently been described as an
      emerging opportunistic fungal pathogen. Fungal cell wall mannoproteins have been
      demonstrated to be involved in adhesion to inert surfaces and might be engaged in
      virulence. In this study, we observed four clinical isolates of S. cerevisiae
      with relatively hydrophobic cell surfaces. Yeast cell wall subproteome was
      evaluated quantitatively by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. We
      identified totally 25 cell wall proteins (CWPs) from log-phase cells, within
      which 15 CWPs were quantified. The abundance of Scw10p, Pst1p, and Hsp150p/Pir2p
      were at least 2 folds higher in the clinical isolates than in S288c lab strain.
      Hsp150p is one of the members in Pir family conserved in pathogenic fungi Candida
      glabrata and Candida albicans. Overexpression of Hsp150p in lab strain increased
      cell wall integrity and potentially enhanced the virulence of yeast. Altogether,
      these results demonstrated that quantitative cell wall subproteome was analyzed
      in clinical isolates of S. cerevisiae, and several CWPs, especially Hsp150p, were
      found to be expressed at higher levels which presumably contribute to strain
      virulence and fungal pathogenicity. 

PMID- 26270964
TI  - Recent Invasion of the Symbiont-Bearing Foraminifera Pararotalia into the Eastern
      Mediterranean Facilitated by the Ongoing Warming Trend.
AB  - The eastern Mediterranean is a hotspot of biological invasions. Numerous species
      of Indo-pacific origin have colonized the Mediterranean in recent times,
      including tropical symbiont-bearing foraminifera. Among these is the species
      Pararotalia calcariformata. Unlike other invasive foraminifera, this species was
      discovered only two decades ago and is restricted to the eastern Mediterranean
      coast. Combining ecological, genetic and physiological observations, we attempt
      to explain the recent invasion of this species in the Mediterranean Sea. Using
      morphological and genetic data, we confirm the species attribution to P.
      calcariformata McCulloch 1977 and identify its symbionts as a consortium of
      diatom species dominated by Minutocellus polymorphus. We document photosynthetic
      activity of its endosymbionts using Pulse Amplitude Modulated Fluorometry and
      test the effects of elevated temperatures on growth rates of asexual offspring.
      The culturing of asexual offspring for 120 days shows a 30-day period of rapid
      growth followed by a period of slower growth. A subsequent 48-day temperature
      sensitivity experiment indicates a similar developmental pathway and high growth
      rate at 28 degrees C, whereas an almost complete inhibition of growth was
      observed at 20 degrees C and 35 degrees C. This indicates that the offspring of
      this species may have lower tolerance to cold temperatures than what would be
      expected for species native to the Mediterranean. We expand this hypothesis by
      applying a Species Distribution Model (SDM) based on modern occurrences in the
      Mediterranean using three environmental variables: irradiance, turbidity and
      yearly minimum temperature. The model reproduces the observed restricted
      distribution and indicates that the range of the species will drastically expand
      westwards under future global change scenarios. We conclude that P.
      calcariformata established a population in the Levant because of the recent
      warming in the region. In line with observations from other groups of organisms,
      our results indicate that continued warming of the eastern Mediterranean will
      facilitate the invasion of more tropical marine taxa into the Mediterranean,
      disturbing local biodiversity and ecosystem structure.

PMID- 26270966
TI  - Plasticity and Redundancy in Proteins Important for Toxoplasma Invasion.

PMID- 26270967
TI  - Magnetic Clustering Effect during the Association of Biofunctionalized Magnetic
      Nanoparticles with Biomarkers.
AB  - We report herein an investigation into dynamic magnetic clustering that occurs
      during immunoassays as biofunctionalized magnetic nanoparticles (BMNs) become
      associated with biotargets. We measure the dynamic effective relaxation time
      taueff(t) and use scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron
      microscopy (TEM) to investigate the C-reactive protein (CRP) as it associates
      with the BMN Fe3O4-antiCRP to form the magnetic cluster Fe3O4-antiCRP-CRP. The
      results indicate that taueff(t) increases with increasing association time. In
      addition, the ration Deltataueff/tau0 as a function of CRP concentration follows
      a characteristic logistic function, which provides a basis for estimating the
      quantity of biomolecules with a detection sensitivity close to 0.1 ppm. After the
      association, SEM and TEM images show that CRP and Fe3O4-antiCRP conjugate to form
      Fe3O4-antiCRP-CRP clusters hundreds of nanometers in size. The SEM and TEM images
      provide direct evidence of the formation of magnetic clustering. 

PMID- 26270968
TI  - Metabolic and Ventilatory Changes During and After High-Frequency Yoga Breathing.
AB  - BACKGROUND Practicing high-frequency yoga breathing (HFYB) induced a
      hypermetabolic state in a single subject during the practice but the effect has
      not been studied in multiple practitioners. MATERIAL AND METHODS Healthy male
      volunteers (n=47, group mean age +/- S.D., 23.2 +/- 4.1 years) were recruited as
      an experimental group and another twenty volunteers were recruited as a control
      group. The experimental group practiced either HFYB (Breath rate 1.0 Hz) or
      breath awareness (BAW) on two separate days. The sequence was reversed for
      alternate participants. The control group was assessed under similar conditions
      while sitting at ease. The breath rate (RR), tidal volume (VT), ventilation (VE),
      VO2, VCO2, arterial PCO2 and energy expenditure (EE Kcal/day) were assessed for
      35 minutes using an open circuit oxygen consumption analyzer. The assessment
      period was divided into before, during and after conditions. Repeated measures
      analyses of variance (ANOVA) were used to compare data recorded during and after
      the two practices with data recorded before. Before-After comparisons in the
      control group were with paired t-tests. RESULTS The most relevant significant
      changes were increases in VE, VO2, VCO2 and EE during HFYB, while the same
      variables decreased during the control period. However after HFYB there was no
      change in VO2 or EE, although VE decreased as it did after the control period.
      CONCLUSIONS HFYB induces a hypermetabolic state for the duration of the practice
      which returns to baseline after HFYB suggesting a possible application for HFYB
      in hypometabolic states.

PMID- 26270965
TI  - The Carboxy Terminus of the Ligand Peptide Determines the Stability of the MHC
      Class I Molecule H-2Kb: A Combined Molecular Dynamics and Experimental Study.
AB  - Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules (proteins) bind peptides
      of eight to ten amino acids to present them at the cell surface to cytotoxic T
      cells. The class I binding groove binds the peptide via hydrogen bonds with the
      peptide termini and via diverse interactions with the anchor residue side chains
      of the peptide. To elucidate which of these interactions is most important for
      the thermodynamic and kinetic stability of the peptide-bound state, we have
      combined molecular dynamics simulations and experimental approaches in an
      investigation of the conformational dynamics and binding parameters of a murine
      class I molecule (H-2Kb) with optimal and truncated natural peptide epitopes. We
      show that the F pocket region dominates the conformational and thermodynamic
      properties of the binding groove, and that therefore the binding of the C
      terminus of the peptide to the F pocket region plays a crucial role in bringing
      about the peptide-bound state of MHC class I. 

PMID- 26270970
TI  - Evaluation of Blue Crab, Callinectes sapidus, Megalopal Settlement and Condition
      during the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill.
AB  - The Blue Crab, Callinectes sapidus, is a commercially, culturally, and
      ecologically significant species in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM), whose offshore
      stages were likely impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill (DWH). To test for
      DWH effects and to better understand the planktonic ecology of this species, we
      monitored Callinectes spp. megalopal settlement and condition at sites within and
      outside of the spill extent during and one year after the DWH. We tested for DWH
      effects by comparing 2010 settlement against baseline data available for two
      sites, and by testing for differences in settlement and condition inside and
      outside of the spill extent. We also developed time series models to better
      understand natural drivers of daily settlement variation (seasonal and lunar
      trends, hydrodynamics, wind) during 2010 and 2011. Overall, we found that neither
      megalopal settlement nor body weight were significantly reduced at oiled sites,
      but that high unexplained variation and low statistical power made detection of
      even large effects unlikely. Time series models revealed remarkably consistent
      and relatively strong seasonal and lunar trends within sites (explaining on
      average 28% and 9% of variation, respectively), while wind and hydrodynamic
      effects were weak (1-5% variation explained) and variable among sites. This study
      provides insights into DWH impacts as well as the natural drivers of Callinectes
      spp. megalopal settlement across the northern GOM. 

PMID- 26270969
TI  - The Inflammatory Marker YKL-40 Is Elevated in Cerebrospinal Fluid from Patients
      with Alzheimer's but Not Parkinson's Disease or Dementia with Lewy Bodies.
AB  - A major difference in the revised diagnostic criteria for Alzheimer's disease
      (AD) is the incorporation of biomarkers to support a clinical diagnosis and allow
      the identification of preclinical AD due to AD neuropathological processes.
      However, AD-specific fluid biomarkers which specifically distinguish clinical AD
      dementia from other dementia disorders are still missing. Here we aimed to
      evaluate the disease-specificity of increased YKL-40 levels in cerebrospinal
      fluid (CSF) from AD patients with mild to moderate dementia (n = 49) versus
      Parkinson's disease (PD) (n = 61) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) patients (n
      = 36), and non-demented controls (n = 44). Second we aimed to investigate whether
      altered YKL-40 levels are associated with CSF levels of other inflammation
      associated molecules. When correcting for age, AD patients exhibited 21.3%, 27.7%
      and 38.8% higher YKL-40 levels compared to non-demented controls (p = 0.0283),
      DLB (p = 0.0027) and PD patients (p<0.0001). The AD-associated increase in YKL-40
      was not associated with CSF P-tau, T-tau or Abeta42. No relationship between
      increased YKL-40 and levels of the astrocytic marker glial-fibrillary acidic
      protein (GFAP), interleukin-8 (IL-8), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1)
      and interferon gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10) could be identified. Our results
      confirm previous reports of an age-associated increased in CSF YKL-40 levels and
      further demonstrate increased CSF YKL-40 in AD patients versus non-demented
      controls and patients with DLB or PD. The increase in YKL-40 levels in the AD
      patients was unrelated to the established CSF AD biomarkers and the inflammatory
      markers GFAP, MCP-1, IP-10 and IL-8, proposing YKL-40 as a marker of yet to be
      identified AD-related pathological processes. 

PMID- 26270971
TI  - (1) (1)A' <- X (1)A' Electronic Transition of Protonated Coronene at 15 K.
AB  - The electronic spectrum of protonated coronene in the gas phase was measured at
      vibrational and rotational temperatures of ~15 K in a 22-pole ion trap. The (1)
      (1)A' <- X (1)A' electronic transition of this larger polycyclic aromatic
      hydrocarbon cation has an origin band maximum at 14 383.8 +/- 0.2 cm(-1) and
      shows distinct vibrational structure in the (1) (1)A' state. Neither the origin
      nor the strongest absorptions to the blue coincide with known diffuse
      interstellar bands, implying that protonated coronene is not a carrier. 

PMID- 26270972
TI  - Correction to "Pump-Probe Microscopic Imaging of Jurassic-Aged Eumelanin".

PMID- 26270973
TI  - Quantum Calculations in Solution for Large to Very Large Molecules: A New Linear
      Scaling QM/Continuum Approach.
AB  - We present a new implementation of continuum solvation models for semiempirical
      Hamiltonians that allows the description of environmental effects on very large
      molecular systems. In this approach based on a domain decomposition strategy of
      the COSMO model (ddCOSMO), the solution to the COSMO equations is no longer the
      computational bottleneck but becomes a negligible part of the overall computation
      time. In this Letter, we analyze the computational impact of COSMO on the
      solution of the SCF equations for large to very large molecules, using
      semiempirical Hamiltonians, for both the new ddCOSMO implementation and the most
      recent, linear scaling one, based on the fast multipole method. A further
      analysis is on the simulation of the UV/visible spectrum of a light-harvesting
      pigment-protein complex. All of the results show how the new ddCOSMO algorithm
      paves the way to routine computations for large molecular systems in the
      condensed phase. 

PMID- 26270974
TI  - Revealing Interaction of Organic Adsorbates with Semiconductor Surfaces Using
      Chemically Enhanced Raman.
AB  - Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is frequently associated with
      "chemical enhancement" (CE), which is an effect of the chemical coupling between
      reporting molecules and surfaces. While SERS technique is mainly attributed to
      the studies of metallic surfaces, chemical coupling must be present on
      semiconductor surfaces as well. Here, we examine binding of trans-1,2-two(4
      pyridyl) ethylene (BPE) to various crystallographic facets of PbSe semiconductor.
      The calculated off-resonant Raman spectra vary significantly on different
      crystallographic facets of PbSe, correlating with the electronic structure of
      each type of semiconductor surface. We distinguish situations when the charge
      transfer is present and when it is not, which raises the question about what
      exactly should be called the "chemical enhancement". We attempt to clarify this
      situation by introducing the concept of the "charge-transfer" and "charge
      transfer-less" chemical enhancement. We also demonstrate a transition between
      these two regimes, which exhibits a nonlinear behavior of the vibrational
      coupling and a significantly stronger contribution to the Raman intensity. 

PMID- 26270975
TI  - Submonolayer-Pt-Coated Ultrathin Au Nanowires and Their Self-Organized Nanoporous
      Film: SERS and Catalysis Active Substrates for Operando SERS Monitoring of
      Catalytic Reactions.
AB  - For their unique properties, core-shell bimetal nanostructures are currently of
      immense interest. However, their synthesis is not a trivial work, and most works
      have been conducted on nanoparticles. We report herein a new synthetic tactic for
      submonolyer-Pt coated ultrathin Au nanowires (NWs). Besides providing a strong
      electromagnetic field for Raman signal enhancing, the underlined Au NWs markedly
      enhanced the catalytic activity of Pt atoms through increasing their dispersity
      and altering their electronic state. The integration of excellent SERS and high
      catalytic activity within Au@Pt NWs enable it work as platform for catalyzed
      reaction study. As a proof of principle, the self-organized Au@Pt NWs thin film
      is employed in operando SERS monitoring of the p-nitrothiophenol reduction
      process. In addition to providing kinetic data for structure-activity
      relationship study, the azo-intermidate independent path is also directly
      witnessed. This synthetic tactic can be extended to other metals, thus offering a
      general approach to modulate the physical/chemical properties of both core and
      shell metals. 

PMID- 26270976
TI  - Plasmon Resonances of Semiconductor Nanocrystals: Physical Principles and New
      Opportunities.
AB  - The discovery of localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs) in doped
      semiconductor nanocrystals has opened a new regime in plasmonics. We address both
      the technological and fundamental advances made possible by the realization of
      LSPRs in semiconductor nanocrystals. LSPRs were originally thought to be specific
      only to metallic nanostructures, but since their manifestation in semiconductor
      nanostructures, LSPRs are being seen as ubiquitous optical signatures of charge
      carriers. As fingerprints of a charge carrier collection, LSPRs of semiconductors
      are emerging as optical probes of processes that involve carrier dynamics,
      including redox reactions, electrochemistry, phase transitions, and
      photocatalysis. Unlike their electrical counterparts, LSPRs allow remote
      contactless probing and minimal device design. Ultrasmall semiconductor quantum
      dots are now enabling access to plasmon resonances of a handful of charge
      carriers, allowing us to ask fundamental questions regarding the lower limit of
      charge carriers needed to sustain a plasmon resonance, the emergence of a
      collective mode from a single-electron transition, and the effect of quantum
      confinement on plasmon resonances. These fundamental issues are discussed here,
      along with the need for new physical models required to capture the unique
      aspects of semiconductor LSPRs. 

PMID- 26270977
TI  - Methane to Light Hydrocarbons via Oxidative Methane Coupling: Lessons from the
      Past to Search for a Selective Heterogeneous Catalyst.

PMID- 26270978
TI  - Moderately Strong Photoacid Dissociates in Alcohols with High Transient
      Concentration of the Proton-Transfer Contact Pair.
AB  - Proton transfer from strong photoacids to hydroxylic solvents is much under
      debate. Experimentally, the main issue stems from relaxation and diffusion
      processes that are concomitant with ultrafast proton transfer and blur population
      dynamics. To overcome this, we propose a fast photodissociation reaction that,
      however, proceeds slower than solvent relaxation. Fluorescence spectroscopy of
      the cationic photoacid 2-(1'-hydroxy-2'-naphtyl)benzimidazolium reveals a two
      stage mechanism: (a) reversible elementary proton transfer inside the solvent
      shell and (b) irreversible contact-pair splitting. The time evolution of the
      fluorescence signal is complex, yet this is explained quantitatively by
      simultaneous, spectrally overlapping emission of the acid, the conjugate base,
      and the contact proton-transfer pair. The latter attains high transient
      concentration in linear alcohols. Microscopic rate constants of dissociation are
      determined. 

PMID- 26270979
TI  - Trajectory Entropy of Continuous Stochastic Processes at Equilibrium.
AB  - We propose to quantify the trajectory entropy of a dynamic system as the
      information content in excess of a free-diffusion reference model. The space-time
      trajectory is now the dynamic variable, and its path probability is given by the
      Onsager-Machlup action. For the time propagation of the overdamped Langevin
      equation, we solved the action path integral in the continuum limit and arrived
      at an exact analytical expression that emerged as a simple functional of the
      deterministic mean force and the stochastic diffusion. This work may have direct
      implications in chemical and phase equilibria, bond isomerization, and
      conformational changes in biological macromolecules as well transport problems in
      general. 

PMID- 26270981
TI  - Dynamics of Gene Silencing in a Live Cell: Stochastic Resonance.
AB  - Binding of a specific siRNA to the target mRNA in a live cell (human breast
      cancer cell, MCF-7) is studied by confocal microscopy. The specific siRNA
      (labeled with a fluorophore, alexa 488) exhibits much higher intensity of
      fluorescence in the bound state than in the free (unbound) state. It is observed
      that repeated unbinding and rebinding of siRNA (to target mRNA) occur before gene
      silencing. 16 273 on-time periods (residence or dwell time of siRNA in bound
      form) are detected. They follow a strikingly simple pattern. All of the on-time
      periods are odd-integral multiples of 5.5 +/- 0.05 ms. This is ascribed to
      stochastic resonance. 

PMID- 26270980
TI  - CH3NH3SnxPb(1-x)I3 Perovskite Solar Cells Covering up to 1060 nm.
AB  - We report photovoltaic performances of all-solid state Sn/Pb halide-based
      perovskite solar cells. The cell has the following composition: F-doped SnO2
      layered glass/compact titania layer/porous titania layer/CH3NH3SnxPb(1
      x)I3/regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl). Sn halide perovskite itself
      did not show photovoltaic properties. Photovoltaic properties were observed when
      PbI2 was added in SnI2. The best performance was obtained by using
      CH3NH3Sn0.5Pb0.5I3 perovskite. 4.18% efficiency with open circuit voltage 0.42 V,
      fill factor 0.50, and short circuit current 20.04 mA/cm(2) are reported. The edge
      of the incident photon to current efficiency curve reached 1060 nm, which was 260
      nm red-shifted compared with that of CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite solar cells. 

PMID- 26270982
TI  - Conductance Switching and Photovoltaic Effect of Ru(II) Complex Molecular
      Junctions: Role of Complex Properties and the Metal/Molecule Interface.
AB  - The charge transport of Ru(II) complex molecular junctions, fabricated using a
      soft stamp-printing method, was investigated from 95 to 299 K under both dark and
      light conditions in order to explore the roles of the electrode/molecule
      interface and complex properties in the device performance. The junctions show
      asymmetric current-voltage characteristics with conductance switching and a
      photovoltaic effect at low temperature. The device performance depends greatly on
      the redox characteristics and built-in potential induced by electrode/molecule
      interface(s) and the molecular dipole. Our work may provide valuable information
      for the design of novel molecular electronics. 

PMID- 26270983
TI  - Anomalous Interface and Surface Strontium Segregation in (La1-ySry)2CoO4+/
      delta/La1-xSrxCoO3-delta Heterostructured Thin Films.
AB  - Heterostructured oxides have shown unusual electrochemical properties including
      enhanced catalytic activity, ion transport, and stability. In particular, it has
      been shown recently that the activity of oxygen electrocatalysis on the
      Ruddlesden-Popper/perovskite (La1-ySry)2CoO4+/-delta/La1-xSrxCoO3-delta
      heterostructure is remarkably enhanced relative to the Ruddlesden-Popper and
      perovskite constituents. Here we report the first atomic-scale structure and
      composition of (La1-ySry)2CoO4+/-delta/La1-xSrxCoO3-delta grown on SrTiO3. We
      observe anomalous strontium segregation from the perovskite to the interface and
      the Ruddlesden-Popper phase using direct X-ray methods as well as with ab initio
      calculations. Such Sr segregation occurred during the film growth, and no
      significant changes were found upon subsequent annealing in O2. Our findings
      provide insights into the design of highly active catalysts for oxygen
      electrocatalysis. 

PMID- 26270984
TI  - Organometallic Halide Perovskites: Sharp Optical Absorption Edge and Its Relation
      to Photovoltaic Performance.
AB  - Solar cells based on organometallic halide perovskite absorber layers are
      emerging as a high-performance photovoltaic technology. Using highly sensitive
      photothermal deflection and photocurrent spectroscopy, we measure the absorption
      spectrum of CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite thin films at room temperature. We find a high
      absorption coefficient with particularly sharp onset. Below the bandgap, the
      absorption is exponential over more than four decades with an Urbach energy as
      small as 15 meV, which suggests a well-ordered microstructure. No deep states are
      found down to the detection limit of ~1 cm(-1). These results confirm the
      excellent electronic properties of perovskite thin films, enabling the very high
      open-circuit voltages reported for perovskite solar cells. Following intentional
      moisture ingress, we find that the absorption at photon energies below 2.4 eV is
      strongly reduced, pointing to a compositional change of the material. 

PMID- 26270985
TI  - Optical Pumping of Poly(3-hexylthiophene) Singlet Excitons Induces Charge Carrier
      Generation.
AB  - The dynamics of high-energy excitons of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) are shown
      to consist of torsional relaxation and exciton dissociation to form free
      carriers. In this work, we use pump-push-probe femtosecond transient absorption
      spectroscopy to study the highly excited states of P3HT in solution. P3HT
      excitons are generated using a pump pulse (400 nm) and allowed to relax to the
      lowest-lying excited state before re-excitation using a push pulse (900 or 1200
      nm), producing high-energy excitons that decay back to the original excited state
      with both subpicosecond (0.16 ps) and picosecond (2.4 ps) time constants. These
      dynamics are consistent with P3HT torsional relaxation, with the 0.16 ps time
      constant assigned to ultrafast inertial torsional relaxation. Additionally, the
      signal exhibits an incomplete recovery, indicating dissociation of high-energy
      excitons to form charge carriers due to excitation by the push pulse. Our
      analysis indicates that charge carriers are formed with a yield of 11%. 

PMID- 26270988
TI  - Human-Friendly Light-Emitting Diode Source Stimulates Broiler Growth.
AB  - Previous study and our laboratory have reported that short-wavelength (blue and
      green) light and combination stimulate broiler growth. However, short-wavelength
      stimuli could have negative effects on poultry husbandry workers. The present
      study was conducted to evaluate the effects of human-friendly yellow LED light,
      which is acceptable to humans and close to green light, on broiler growth. We
      also aimed to investigate the potential quantitative relationship between the
      wavelengths of light used for artificial illumination and growth parameters in
      broilers. After hatching, 360 female chicks ("Meihuang" were evenly divided into
      six lighting treatment groups: white LED strips (400-700 nm, WL); red LED strips
      (620 nm, RL); yellow LED strips (580 nm, YL); green LED strips (514 nm, GL); blue
      LED strips (455 nm, BL); and fluorescent strips (400-700 nm, FL). From 30 to 72
      days of age, broilers reared under YL and GL were heavier than broilers treated
      with FL (P < 0.05). Broilers reared under YL obtained the similar growth
      parameters with the broilers reared under GL and BL (P > 0.05). Moreover, YL
      significantly improved feeding efficiency when compared with GL and BL at 45 and
      60 days of age (P < 0.05). In addition, we found an age-dependent effect of light
      spectra on broiler growth and a quantitative relationship between LED light
      spectra (455 to 620 nm) and the live body weights of broilers. The wavelength of
      light (455 to 620 nm) was found to be negatively related (R2 = 0.876) to live
      body weight at an early stage of development, whereas the wavelength of light
      (455 to 620 nm) was found to be positively correlated with live body weight (R2 =
      0.925) in older chickens. Our results demonstrated that human-friendly yellow LED
      light (YL), which is friendly to the human, can be applied to the broilers
      production.

PMID- 26270989
TI  - ASSESSMENT OF A LONG-TERM DEVELOPMENTAL RELATIONSHIP-BASED APPROACH IN CHILDREN
      WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER.
AB  - 90 Italian children (72 boys, 18 girls) with a diagnosis of infantile autism (age
      range = 2.5-16.5 yr.) were assessed with a non-verbal intelligence test (Leiter
      R). The test was repeated 3 times in four years. The measures used were IQ and
      Fluid Reasoning (FR), as evaluation of inductive and deductive reasoning, and the
      Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), indicative of the severity of
      autistic symptoms at the beginning and at the end of therapy. The increase in the
      average IQ and FR scores at retests demonstrates the effectiveness of a treatment
      that emphasizes the centrality of the relationship-based approach. Moreover, the
      FR score at intake was predictive of a significant decrease of ADOS scores after
      four years of treatment, and of the increase in IQ observed in later evaluations.
      The data support the hypothesis that a relationship-based intervention allows
      cognitive improvement regardless of the autism severity expressed in the ADOS
      score.

PMID- 26270990
TI  - MILITARY FAMILIES: MEASUREMENT OF COMMUNITY RESOURCE ADEQUACY.
AB  - Understanding features of community strength both on and off the military
      installation will help identify and address the needs of military families. This
      study introduced a measure to identify adequacy of community resources for
      military families. Using confirmatory factor analysis with data from 717 service
      users (M age = 37.3 yr., SD = 10.6) representing four large U.S. Army
      installations, two domains of community resource adequacy were identified:
      resources on the installation and resources off the installation. This measure
      could be used in health research with military families and in improving
      resources available to this population.

PMID- 26270987
TI  - Multiple Protein Kinases via Activation of Transcription Factors NF-kappaB, AP-1
      and C/EBP-delta Regulate the IL-6/IL-8 Production by HIV-1 Vpr in Astrocytes.
AB  - Neurocognitive impairments affect a substantial population of HIV-1 infected
      individuals despite the success of anti-retroviral therapy in controlling viral
      replication. Astrocytes are emerging as a crucial cell type that might be playing
      a very important role in the persistence of neuroinflammation seen in patients
      suffering from HIV-1 associated neurocognitive disorders. HIV-1 viral proteins
      including Vpr exert neurotoxicity through direct and indirect mechanisms.
      Induction of IL-8 in microglial cells has been shown as one of the indirect
      mechanism through which Vpr reduces neuronal survival. We show that HIV-1 Vpr
      induces IL-6 and IL-8 in astrocytes in a time-dependent manner. Additional
      experiments utilizing chemical inhibitors and siRNA revealed that HIV-1 Vpr
      activates transcription factors NF-kappaB, AP-1 and C/EBP-delta via upstream
      protein kinases PI3K/Akt, p38-MAPK and Jnk-MAPK leading to the induction of IL-6
      and IL-8 in astrocytes. We demonstrate that one of the mechanism for
      neuroinflammation seen in HIV-1 infected individuals involves induction of IL-6
      and IL-8 by Vpr in astrocytes. Understanding the molecular pathways involved in
      the HIV-1 neuroinflammation would be helpful in the design of adjunct therapy to
      ameliorate some of the symptoms associated with HIV-1 neuropathogenesis. 

PMID- 26270991
TI  - Accelerating a Mechanically Driven anti-Woodward-Hoffmann Ring Opening with a
      Polymer Lever Arm Effect.
AB  - Mechanical forces have previously been used to drive reactions along pathways
      that violate the orbital symmetry effects captured in the Woodward-Hoffmann
      rules. Here, we show that a polymer "lever arm effect" can provide a mechanical
      advantage in accelerating the symmetry forbidden disrotatory ring opening of
      benzocyclobutene (BCB). Addition of an alpha-E-alkene to the BCB mechanophore
      drops the force required to induce reactions on the ~0.1 s time scale of single
      molecule force spectroscopy experiments from 1370 to 920 pN. 

PMID- 26270992
TI  - Rethinking Patient-Physician Communication of Biopsy Results--The Waiting Game.

PMID- 26270993
TI  - Professionalism and the environment: The influence of role models.

PMID- 26270995
TI  - Call for integrated approach to death education in UK medical schools.

PMID- 26270996
TI  - Peer and near-peer OSCE examiners.

PMID- 26270997
TI  - Balancing student- and tutor-guidance in problem-based curricula - Response to
      "Is the PBL generation of medical students reliant on Dr Google?"

PMID- 26270998
TI  - Alopecic Lesions on the Scalp in a Young Woman: A Quiz.

PMID- 26270999
TI  - Associations of diet quality with cognition in children - the Physical Activity
      and Nutrition in Children Study.
AB  - Evidence on the associations of dietary patterns with cognition in children is
      limited. Therefore, we investigated the associations of the Baltic Sea Diet Score
      (BSDS) and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) score with
      cognition in children. The present cross-sectional study sample included 428
      children aged 6-8 years (216 boys and 212 girls). The BSDS and the DASH score
      were calculated using data from 4 d food records, higher scores indicating better
      diet quality. Cognition was assessed by the Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices
      (CPM) score, a higher score indicating better cognition. Among all children, the
      BSDS (standardised regression coefficient beta = 0.122, P =0.012) and the DASH
      score (beta = 0.121, P =0.015) were directly associated with the Raven's CPM
      score. Among boys, a lower BSDS (beta = 0.244, P< 0.001) and a lower DASH score
      (beta = 0.202, P= 0.003) were related to a lower Raven's CPM score. Boys in the
      lowest quartile of the BSDS (22.5 v. 25.3, P= 0.029) and the DASH score (22.4 v.
      25.7, P= 0.008) had a lower Raven's CPM score than those in the highest quartile
      of the corresponding score. Among girls, the BSDS or the DASH score were not
      associated with cognition. In conclusion, a poorer diet quality was associated
      with worse cognition in children, and the relationship was stronger in boys than
      in girls. 

PMID- 26271000
TI  - Evaluation of the Double Agar Gel Immunodiffusion Test and of the Enzyme-Linked
      Immunosorbent Assay in the Diagnosis and Follow-Up of Patients with Chronic
      Pulmonary Aspergillosis.
AB  - The diagnosis of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) depends on the radiologic
      image and the identification of specific antibodies. The present study aimed to
      evaluate accuracy parameters of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and of
      the determination of serum galactomannan level in the diagnosis of patients with
      CPA, comparing these results with the double agar gel immunodiffusion (DID) test.
      In addition, the prevalence of cross-reactivity and the serological progression
      after treatment were evaluated by comparing DID and ELISA. Six study groups were
      formed: G1: 22 patients with CPA, 17 of whom had Aspergillus fungus ball, one
      chronic cavitary pulmonary aspergillosis (CCPA) and four chronic fibrosing
      pulmonary aspergillosis (CFPA); G2: 28 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB);
      G3: 23 patients with histoplasmosis (HST); G4: 50 patients with
      paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM); G5: 20 patients with cryptococcosis (CRC); and G6:
      200 healthy controls. Serum antibodies were measured by DID and ELISA, with two
      antigen preparations--Aspergillus fumigatus (DID1, ELISA1) and a pool of A.
      fumigatus, A. flavus and A. niger antigens (DID2, ELISA2). The Platelia
      Aspergillus Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA) kit was used to measure galactomannan. The
      cut-off points of ELISA were determined for each antigen preparation and for the
      95% and 99% confidence intervals. Despite the low sensitivity, DID was the
      technique of choice due to its specificity, positive and negative predictive
      values and positive likelihood ratio-especially with the antigen pool and due to
      the low frequency of cross-reactivity. ELISA1 and a 0.090 cut-off showed high
      sensitivity, specificity and negative predictive value, but a high frequency of
      cross-reactivity with CRC. The best degree of agreement was observed between
      ELISA1 and ELISA2. The detection of serum galactomannan showed high sensitivity,
      comparable to ELISA2. The immunodiffusion test showed an excellent relationship
      with the progression after treatment, which made it the reaction of choice for
      patient follow-up.

PMID- 26271001
TI  - Diacyltransferase Activity and Chain Length Specificity of Mycobacterium
      tuberculosis PapA5 in the Synthesis of Alkyl beta-Diol Lipids.
AB  - Although they are classified as Gram-positive bacteria, Corynebacterineae possess
      an asymmetric outer membrane that imparts structural and thereby physiological
      similarity to more distantly related Gram-negative bacteria. Like
      lipopolysaccharide in Gram-negative bacteria, lipids in the outer membrane of
      Corynebacterineae have been associated with the virulence of pathogenic species
      such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). For example, Mtb strains that lack
      long, branched-chain alkyl esters known as dimycocerosates (DIMs) are
      significantly attenuated in model infections. The resultant interest in the
      biosynthetic pathway of these unusual virulence factors has led to the
      elucidation of many of the steps leading to the final esterification of the alkyl
      beta-diol, phthiocerol, with branched-chain fatty acids known as mycocerosates.
      PapA5 is an acyltransferase implicated in these final reactions. Here, we show
      that PapA5 is indeed the terminal enzyme in DIM biosynthesis by demonstrating its
      dual esterification activity and chain-length preference using synthetic alkyl
      beta-diol substrate analogues. By applying these analogues to a series of PapA5
      mutants, we also revise a model for the substrate binding within PapA5. Finally,
      we demonstrate that the Mtb Ser/Thr kinases PknB and PknE modify PapA5 on three
      overlapping Thr residues and that a fourth Thr is unique to PknE phosphorylation.
      These results clarify the DIM biosynthetic pathway and indicate post
      translational modifications that warrant further elucidation for their roles in
      the regulation of DIM biosynthesis. 

PMID- 26271002
TI  - Rapid access palliative radiation therapy programs: an efficient model of care.
AB  - Palliating symptoms of advanced and metastatic cancers are one of the most common
      indications for radiation therapy (RT), and the demand for palliative RT is
      increasing. Dedicated rapid access palliative RT programs improve access to care,
      and can deliver RT in a more efficient and evidence-based manner than standard RT
      programs. In this narrative review, we discuss the role of palliative RT in
      comprehensive cancer care, and challenges that have faced patients trying to
      access it. We describe how rapid access programs developed to address these
      challenges and provide an overview of dedicated programs worldwide. Finally, we
      show how these programs can serve as models for multidisciplinary care and
      education, and sources of exciting research opportunities in clinical care and
      advanced technologies. 

PMID- 26271003
TI  - Effect of pregnancy on the disposition of 2,2',3,5',6-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB
      95) atropisomers and their hydroxylated metabolites in female mice.
AB  - Chiral PCBs, such as PCB 95, are developmental neurotoxicants that undergo
      atropisomeric enrichment in nonpregnant adult mice. Because pregnancy is
      associated with changes in hepatic cytochrome P450 enzyme activity as well as
      lipid disposition and metabolism, this study investigates the effect of pregnancy
      on the maternal disposition of chiral PCBs. Female C57BL/6 mice (8 weeks old)
      were dosed daily beginning 2 weeks prior to conception and continuing throughout
      gestation and lactation (56 days total) with racemic PCB 95 (0, 0.1, 1.0, or 6.0
      mg/kg body wt/day) in peanut butter. Levels and chiral signatures of PCB 95 and
      its hydroxylated metabolites (OH-PCBs) were determined in adipose, blood, brain,
      and liver. Tissue levels of PCB 95 increased 4- to 12-fold with increasing dose,
      with considerable enrichment of the second eluting atropisomer in all tissues (EF
      range 0.11 to 0.26). OH-PCBs displayed atropisomeric enrichment in blood and
      liver but were not detected in adipose and brain. Levels of PCB 95 and its
      metabolites were 2- to 11-fold lower in pregnant dams relative to those
      previously reported in nonpregnant age-matched female mice; however, PCB 95 and
      OH-PCB profiles and chiral signatures were similar between both studies. In
      contrast, human brain samples contained racemic PCB 95 residues (EF = 0.50).
      These results demonstrate that changes in cytochrome P450 enzyme activity and
      lipid disposition during pregnancy reduce the PCB body burden in dams but do not
      affect metabolite profiles or chiral signatures. The differences in chiral
      signatures between mice and humans suggest species-specific differences in
      atropisomeric disposition, the toxicological significance of which remains to be
      determined. 

PMID- 26271004
TI  - BAC transgenic zebrafish reveal hypothalamic enhancer activity around obesity
      associated SNP rs9939609 within the human FTO gene.
AB  - Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in FTO intron 1 have been associated with obesity
      risk, leading to the hypothesis that FTO is the obesity-related gene. However,
      other studies have shown that the FTO gene is part of the regulatory domain of
      the neighboring IRX3 gene and that enhancers in FTO intron 1 regulate IRX3. While
      Irx3 activity was shown to be necessary in the hypothalamus for the metabolic
      function of Irx3 in mouse, no enhancers with hypothalamic activity have been
      demonstrated in the risk-associated region within FTO. In order to identify
      potential enhancers at the human FTO locus in vivo, we tested regulatory activity
      in FTO intron 1 using BAC transgenesis in zebrafish. A minimal gata2 promoter-GFP
      cassette was inserted 1.3 kb upstream of the obesity associated SNP rs9939609 in
      a human FTO BAC plasmid. In addition to the previously identified expression
      domains in notochord and kidney, human FTO BAC:GFP transgenic zebrafish larvae
      expressed GFP in the ventral posterior tuberculum, the posterior hypothalamus and
      the anterior brainstem, which are also expression domains of zebrafish irx3a. In
      contrast, an in-frame insertion of a GFP cassette at the FTO start codon resulted
      in weak ubiquitous GFP expression indicating that the promoter of FTO does likely
      not react to enhancers located in the obesity risk-associated region.

PMID- 26271006
TI  - Active intracellular transport in metastatic cells studied by spatial light
      interference microscopy.
AB  - Spatiotemporal patterns of intracellular transport are very difficult to quantify
      and, consequently, continue to be insufficiently understood. While it is well
      documented that mass trafficking inside living cells consists of both random and
      deterministic motions, quantitative data over broad spatiotemporal scales are
      lacking. We studied the intracellular transport in live cells using spatial light
      interference microscopy, a high spatiotemporal resolution quantitative phase
      imaging tool. The results indicate that in the cytoplasm, the intracellular
      transport is mainly active (directed, deterministic), while inside the nucleus it
      is both active and passive (diffusive, random). Furthermore, we studied the
      behavior of the two-dimensional mass density over 30 h in HeLa cells and focused
      on the active component. We determined the standard deviation of the velocity
      distribution at the point of cell division for each cell and compared the
      standard deviation velocity inside the cytoplasm and the nucleus. We found that
      the velocity distribution in the cytoplasm is consistently broader than in the
      nucleus, suggesting mechanisms for faster transport in the cytosol versus the
      nucleus. Future studies will focus on improving phase measurements by applying a
      fluorescent tag to understand how particular proteins are transported inside the
      cell.

PMID- 26271005
TI  - Alterations in Thyroid Hormones Due to Increased Intraabdominal Pressure in Rats.
AB  - PURPOSE: Although the effects of increased intraabdominal pressure on the
      abdominal organs are well known, there is a limited data regarding its effects on
      the thyroid hormones. The aim of this study is to investigate the changes in
      thyroid hormone profiles during stress endocrine response induced by increased
      intraabdominal pressure, which was obtained by pneumoperitoneum in rats.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: A hundred-fifty female wistar albino rats were divided
      into three main groups, according to intraabdominal pressure applied; Control
      (Group 1), (n:30), low pressure, 15 mmHg, (Groups 2 and 3), (n:60), and high
      intraabdominal pressure, 25 mmHg, (Groups 4 and 5), (n:60) groups. Groups 2, 3,
      4, 5 were divided into three subgroups separately, according to duration of
      intraabdominal pressure. Rats in Groups 3 and 5 were decompressed at the end of
      times indicated (15th, 30th, and 45th min) and blood samples were obtained.
      Whereas blood samples from Groups 2 and 4 were drawn without decompression at the
      end of times indicated. Measurements included thyroid stimulating hormone,
      cortisole, vasopressin, adrenocorticotropic hormone, triiodotronin and thyroxin.
      RESULT: Our study revealed that blood TSH levels reduce and free T3 and T4 levels
      increase in case of prolonged intraabdominal pressure increase that cause
      abdominal compartment syndrome. The change in blood thyroid hormone levels are
      encountered prominently on 30th and 45th min. CONCLUSION: Secretion of
      vasopressin, adrenocorticotropic Hormone and cortisol increases with increasing
      intraabdominal pressure. At high pressures, thyroid stimulating hormone secretion
      decreases while the secretion of triiodotronin increases. The effect of this case
      on the clinical findings has not been fully clarified yet and it needs further
      studies to clarify underlying mechanism. In this perspective, the findings of
      this study may be used in further clinical and experimental studies.

PMID- 26271007
TI  - Vantage Sensitivity: Environmental Sensitivity to Positive Experiences as a
      Function of Genetic Differences.
AB  - A large number of gene-environment interaction studies provide evidence that some
      people are more likely to be negatively affected by adverse experiences as a
      function of specific genetic variants. However, such "risk" variants are
      surprisingly frequent in the population. Evolutionary analysis suggests that
      genetic variants associated with increased risk for maladaptive development under
      adverse environmental conditions are maintained in the population because they
      are also associated with advantages in response to different contextual
      conditions. These advantages may include (a) coexisting genetic resilience
      pertaining to other adverse influences, (b) a general genetic susceptibility to
      both low and high environmental quality, and (c) a coexisting propensity to
      benefit disproportionately from positive and supportive exposures, as reflected
      in the recent framework of vantage sensitivity. After introducing the basic
      properties of vantage sensitivity and highlighting conceptual similarities and
      differences with diathesis-stress and differential susceptibility patterns of
      gene-environment interaction, selected and recent empirical evidence for the
      notion of vantage sensitivity as a function of genetic differences is reviewed.
      The unique contribution that the new perspective of vantage sensitivity may make
      to our understanding of social inequality will be discussed after suggesting
      neurocognitive and molecular mechanisms hypothesized to underlie the propensity
      to benefit disproportionately from benevolent experiences.

PMID- 26271009
TI  - Ngn1 inhibits astrogliogenesis through induction of miR-9 during neuronal fate
      specification.
AB  - It has been postulated that a proneural factor, neurogenin 1 (Ngn1),
      simultaneously activates the neurogenic program and inhibits the alternative
      astrogliogenic program when specifying the neuronal fate. While Ngn1
      substantially suppresses the activation of the astrogliogenic Jak-Stat pathway,
      the underlying molecular mechanism was unknown. Here, by employing in vivo and in
      vitro approaches, we report that Ngn1 binds to the promoter of a brain-enriched
      microRNA, miR-9, and activates its expression during neurogenesis. Subsequently,
      our in vitro study showed that miR-9 directly targets mRNAs of Lifr-beta, Il6st
      (gp130), and Jak1 to down-regulate these critical upstream components of the Jak
      Stat pathway, achieving inhibition of Stat phosphorylation and consequently,
      suppression of astrogliogenesis. This study revealed Ngn1 modulated non-coding
      RNA epigenetic regulation during cell fate specifications. 

PMID- 26271010
TI  - Longitudinal analysis of Plasmodium sporozoite motility in the dermis reveals
      component of blood vessel recognition.
AB  - Malaria infection starts with injection of Plasmodium sporozoites by an Anopheles
      mosquito into the skin of the mammalian host. How sporozoites locate and enter a
      blood vessel is a critical, but poorly understood process. In this study, we
      examine sporozoite motility and their interaction with dermal blood vessels,
      using intravital microscopy in mice. Our data suggest that sporozoites exhibit
      two types of motility: in regions far from blood vessels, they exhibit 'avascular
      motility', defined by high speed and less confinement, while in the vicinity of
      blood vessels their motility is more constrained. We find that curvature of
      sporozoite tracks engaging with vasculature optimizes contact with dermal
      capillaries. Imaging of sporozoites with mutations in key adhesive proteins
      highlight the importance of the sporozoite's gliding speed and its ability to
      modulate adhesive properties for successful exit from the inoculation site.

PMID- 26271008
TI  - BAG2 promotes tumorigenesis through enhancing mutant p53 protein levels and
      function.
AB  - Tumor suppressor p53 is the most frequently mutated gene in tumors. Many mutant
      p53 (mutp53) proteins promote tumorigenesis through the gain-of-function (GOF)
      mechanism. Mutp53 proteins often accumulate to high levels in tumors, which is
      critical for mutp53 GOF. Its underlying mechanism is poorly understood. Here, we
      found that BAG2, a protein of Bcl-2 associated athanogene (BAG) family, promotes
      mutp53 accumulation and GOF in tumors. Mechanistically, BAG2 binds to mutp53 and
      translocates to the nucleus to inhibit the MDM2-mutp53 interaction, and MDM2
      mediated ubiquitination and degradation of mutp53. Thus, BAG2 promotes mutp53
      accumulation and GOF in tumor growth, metastasis and chemoresistance. BAG2 is
      frequently overexpressed in tumors. BAG2 overexpression is associated with poor
      prognosis in patients and mutp53 accumulation in tumors. These findings revealed
      a novel and important mechanism for mutp53 accumulation and GOF in tumors, and
      also uncovered an important role of BAG2 in tumorigenesis through promoting
      mutp53 accumulation and GOF. 

PMID- 26271013
TI  - Acute haemothorax after ruptured ectopic pregnancy.

PMID- 26271012
TI  - Polyhydramnios associated with Prader-Willi syndrome.

PMID- 26271011
TI  - Self-Assembly of a Multifunctional Lipid With Core-Shell Dendrimer DNA
      Nanoparticles Enhanced Efficient Gene Delivery at Low Charge Ratios into RPE
      Cells.
AB  - Development of safe and effective gene delivery systems is essential in treating
      ocular genetic disorders. A hybrid nonviral system composed of a multifunctional
      lipid ECO and a G4 nanoglobule was designed for efficient gene delivery into RPE
      cells at low charge ratios. This system formed stable DNA nanoparticles at low
      N/P ratios, exhibited low cytotoxicity, and induced higher GFP expression in ARPE
      19 cells at N/P = 6. The hybrid nanoparticles mediated significant reporter gene
      GFP expression ex-vivo in the retina from wild type C57 mice and in vivo in
      BALB/c mice. These hybrid nanoparticles are promising for in vitro and in vivo
      gene delivery at low charge ratios.

PMID- 26271014
TI  - Why babies - What Australian mothers say.
AB  - Earlier studies, mostly overseas, have explored the reasoning and thought
      processes underlying women's desires to conceive. A retrospective qualitative
      study was conducted to explore the motivations and anxieties of an Australian
      sample of women proceeding to a pregnancy and to explore their decision-making
      process. Twenty women over 18 years old who had one or more successful
      pregnancies and were recruited from a tertiary centre and private clinics,
      completed a questionnaire and a semi-structured interview. Thematic analysis was
      applied to the data. Multiple factors motivated women to proceed to a pregnancy
      and including influences arising from society or existing personal relationships,
      goals and desired experiences for parenthood and innate drives and reproductive
      related issues. The motivations of an urban Australian sample to proceed to a
      pregnancy differed little from studies elsewhere. This knowledge may assist in
      dealing with the concerns that underlie any pregnancy allowing for better
      obstetric management.

PMID- 26271015
TI  - Reference dosimetry in the presence of magnetic fields: conditions to validate
      Monte Carlo simulations.
AB  - With the advent of MRI-guided radiotherapy, reference dosimetry must be
      thoroughly addressed to account for the effects of the magnetic field on absorbed
      dose to water and on detector dose response. While Monte Carlo plays an essential
      role in reference dosimetry, it is also crucial for determining quality
      correction factors in these new conditions. The Fano cavity test is recognized as
      fundamental to validate Monte Carlo transport algorithms. In the presence of
      magnetic fields, it is necessary to define special conditions under which such a
      test can be performed. The present theoretical study proposes two conditions in
      which the validity of Fano's theorem is demonstrated in the presence of a
      magnetic field and the analytic expression of energy deposition is verified. It
      is concluded that the proposed conditions form a valid basis for two types of
      Fano cavity tests in the presence of a magnetic field. 

PMID- 26271016
TI  - Isotopic studies of the ammonia decomposition reaction mediated by sodium amide.
AB  - We demonstrate that the ammonia decomposition reaction catalysed by sodium amide
      proceeds under a different mechanism to ammonia decomposition over transition
      metal catalysts. Isotopic variants of ammonia and sodium amide reveal a
      significant kinetic isotope effect in contrast to the nickel-catalysed reaction
      where there is no such effect. The bulk composition of the catalyst is also shown
      to affect the kinetics of the ammonia decomposition reaction. 

PMID- 26271017
TI  - Synergistic Effect of Superhydrophobicity and Oxidized Layers on Corrosion
      Resistance of Aluminum Alloy Surface Textured by Nanosecond Laser Treatment.
AB  - We report a new efficient method for fabricating a superhydrophobic oxidized
      surface of aluminum alloys with enhanced resistance to pitting corrosion in
      sodium chloride solutions. The developed coatings are considered very prospective
      materials for the automotive industry, shipbuilding, aviation, construction, and
      medicine. The method is based on nanosecond laser treatment of the surface
      followed by chemisorption of a hydrophobic agent to achieve the superhydrophobic
      state of the alloy surface. We have shown that the surface texturing used to
      fabricate multimodal roughness of the surface may be simultaneously used for
      modifying the physicochemical properties of the thick surface layer of the
      substrate itself. Electrochemical and wetting experiments demonstrated that the
      superhydrophobic state of the metal surface inhibits corrosion processes in
      chloride solutions for a few days. However, during long-term contact of a
      superhydrophobic coating with a solution, the wetted area of the coating is
      subjected to corrosion processes due to the formation of defects. In contrast,
      the combination of an oxide layer with good barrier properties and the
      superhydrophobic state of the coating provides remarkable corrosion resistance.
      The mechanisms for enhancing corrosion protective properties are discussed. 

PMID- 26271018
TI  - A Web-Based Early Intervention Can Prevent Long-Term PTS Reactions in Children
      With High Initial Distress Following Accidental Injury.
AB  - The present study explored the targeting of a preventative information provision
      intervention delivered to children following accidental injury by assessing the
      impact of initial traumatic distress on response to treatment. Analyses were
      based on baseline and 6-month outcome of child traumatic stress in a control (n =
      28) and an intervention group (n = 31). Moderation of treatment outcome by
      initial levels of child traumatic stress was assessed through multiple
      hierarchical regression analyses. Results indicated the interaction between
      treatment provision and initial level of posttraumatic stress significantly
      predicted 6-month outcome (beta = -.42, p = .019). When initial distress was
      high, children in the control group demonstrated an increase in trauma symptoms,
      and had significantly higher trauma symptoms at follow-up than those in the
      treatment group (d = 0.94, p = .008). When initial distress was not elevated, no
      significant differences were noted between the groups. These results indicate
      that a preventative early intervention may be best targeted at children
      presenting with the specific risk factor of high initial distress.

PMID- 26271019
TI  - Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Barriers to Care in Eastern Cape Province,
      South Africa.
AB  - A range of barriers to seeking mental health care in low- and middle-income
      countries has been investigated. Little, however, is known of the barriers to
      care and help-seeking behavior among people with posttraumatic stress disorder
      (PTSD) in low- and middle-income countries. This was a population-based study
      including 977 people aged 18-40 years from the Eastern Cape Province in South
      Africa. Current PTSD was assessed by using a diagnostic questionnaire (Mini
      International Psychiatric Interview). An additional questionnaire captured
      socioeconomic and health-related data. The prevalence of current PTSD was 10.8%.
      Only 48.1% of people with current PTSD accessed health care services. Younger
      people aged 18 to 29 years were less likely to seek health care, OR = 0.36, 95%
      CI [0.15, 0.85]. People earning a salary or wage, OR = 2.91, 95% CI [1.26, 6.71];
      and those with tuberculosis, OR = 11.63, 95% CI [1.42, 95.56], were more likely
      to seek health care. A range of barriers to seeking care were identified, the
      most striking being stigma and a lack of knowledge regarding the nature and
      treatment of mental illness. People with current PTSD may seek help for other
      health concerns and brief screening means those affected may be readily
      identified.

PMID- 26271021
TI  - Preliminary evaluation of military, commercial and novel skin decontamination
      products against a chemical warfare agent simulant (methyl salicylate).
AB  - Rapid decontamination is vital to alleviate adverse health effects following
      dermal exposure to hazardous materials. There is an abundance of materials and
      products which can be utilised to remove hazardous materials from the skin. In
      this study, a total of 15 products were evaluated, 10 of which were commercial or
      military products and five were novel (molecular imprinted) polymers. The
      efficacies of these products were evaluated against a 10 ul droplet of 14C-methyl
      salicylate applied to the surface of porcine skin mounted on static diffusion
      cells. The current UK military decontaminant (Fuller's earth) performed well,
      retaining 83% of the dose over 24 h and served as a benchmark to compare with the
      other test products. The five most effective test products were Fuller's earth
      (the current UK military decontaminant), Fast-Act(r) and three novel polymers
      [based on itaconic acid, 2-trifluoromethylacrylic acid and N,N
      methylenebis(acrylamide)]. Five products (medical moist-free wipes, 5%
      FloraFreeTM solution, normal baby wipes, baby wipes for sensitive skin and
      DiphoterineTM) enhanced the dermal absorption of 14C-methyl salicylate. Further
      work is required to establish the performance of the most effective products
      identified in this study against chemical warfare agents.

PMID- 26271020
TI  - Adrenomedullin--A New Marker in Febrile Neutropenia: Comparison With CRP and
      Procalcitonin.
AB  - In this study, we aimed to determine serum adrenomedullin levels and compare them
      with levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT). Cancer patients
      aged 0-18 years who experienced febrile neutropenia attacks were included in the
      study. Adrenomedullin, CRP, and PCT were analyzed at admission, day 3, and days 7
      10 later. Fifty episodes of febrile neutropenia that developed in 37 patients
      were analyzed in this study. The mean age of the patients was 7.5 +/- 4.7 (1-18)
      years. The patients had leukemia (73%), solid tumors (19%), and lymphoma (8%).
      The percentages of the patients in the clinically documented infection (CDI),
      fever of unknown origin (FUO), sepsis, and microbiological documented infection
      (MDI) categories were 34%, 34%, 20%, and 12%, respectively. During the study
      period, four patients were lost. In the MDI group, adrenomedullin levels on day 3
      were significantly higher than those in the CDI and FUO groups. PCT levels were
      significantly higher in the sepsis group than those in the CDI group at
      admission, day 3, and days 7-10. In the sepsis group, PCT levels on days 7-10
      days were significantly higher than those in the sepsis group. PCT values from
      the deceased patients on days 7-10 were significantly higher than those from
      patients who survived. CRP levels did not differ significantly among the febrile
      neutropenia groups. First, in our study, adrenomedullin was used as a biomarker
      in the febrile neutropenia episodes of children with cancer. Among
      adrenomedullin, CRP, and PCT, procalcitonin demonstrates the highest correlation
      with the severity of infection.

PMID- 26271022
TI  - In-Depth Survey of Scarring and Distress in Patients Undergoing Bilateral Axillo
      Breast Approach Robotic Thyroidectomy or Conventional Open Thyroidectomy.
AB  - PURPOSE: Oncologic and surgical outcomes of bilateral axillo-breast approach
      (BABA) robotic thyroidectomy (RoT) are comparable with those of open
      thyroidectomy (OT). We compared degree of scarring and psychological/physical
      distress between OT and BABA RoT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Study included 129 cases
      of thyroidectomy (78 OT, 51 BABA RoT). Patients were evaluated by psychology
      consultant using 5-point scale questionnaire. RESULTS: BABA RoT was associated
      with lower degree of scarring than OT (7.8 vs. 11.7, P<0.001). Psychological
      distress immediately after operation and during surveillance period was higher in
      OT than in BABA RoT (3.1 vs. 2.6, P=0.009 and 2.4 vs. 1.9, P<0.001). Physical
      distress (pain and exercise limitation) did not differ between groups (2.5 vs.
      2.6, P=0.321 and 2.0 vs. 1.9, P=0.0175). CONCLUSIONS: BABA RoT was associated
      with less scarring and psychological distress than OT. BABA RoT might be
      alternative for patients who are concerned about neck scar.

PMID- 26271023
TI  - Methylene Blue or Upper GI, Which is More Effective for Detecting Leaks in
      Gastric Bypass Patients?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Postoperative leaks from the staple lines are a serious complication
      after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) that results in morbidity and
      could even lead to mortality. Bariatric surgeons have several tools to assess
      this adversity. There have been debates as to which method is more superior and
      furthermore whether these methods should be routinely or selectively used. The
      aim of our study is to evaluate and compare whether methylene blue or upper
      gastrointestinal (UGI) study is more effective in detecting an anastomotic leak
      after RYGB. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between May 2013 and March 2014, 119 patients
      underwent laparoscopic RYGB. Linear staplers were used to create the
      gastrojejunostomy and the jejunojejunostomy. All patients underwent routine UGI
      studies and methylene blue challenges on postoperative day 1. A retrospective
      review of a prospectively collected database was performed for all patients.
      RESULTS: Of the 105 patients in this study there were 83 females (79.0%) and 22
      males (21.0%). Mean age was 45.2+/-10.7 years (range, 21 to 66 y) and mean
      preoperative body mass index was 47.8+/-7.9 kg/m (range, 35.7 to 76.4 kg/m) at
      the time of procedure. Mean length of hospital stay was 3.2+/-6.0 days (range, 1
      to 53 d).Four (3.8%) patients were found to have leaks postoperatively, but no
      leakage was detected in any of the initial routine UGI studies or methylene blue
      challenges. Both patient were diagnosed with clinical signs and underwent
      oversewing of the leak sites. CONCLUSIONS: UGI studies and methylene blue
      challenges had no significant difference in detecting a postoperative leak.
      Furthermore, these tests may have limited utility and may warrant adjuncts to aid
      in leak detection.

PMID- 26271024
TI  - Efficacy of Endoscopic Mucosal Resection for Management of Small Duodenal
      Neuroendocrine Tumors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) for small (<20 mm) duodenal
      neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) remains controversial because of their rarity.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of patients with
      surgically or endoscopically resected duodenal NETs from 2001 to 2011. The
      primary outcome is the rate of disease-free status following resection. A
      secondary outcome is the sensitivity of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in
      determining NET appropriateness for EMR. RESULTS: Thirty patients underwent
      resection of duodenal NETs (EMR 20, surgery 10). Tumor was present at the margins
      in 40% of EMR-resected NETs and 10% of surgically resected NETs. Five patients
      who underwent EMR had residual disease treated with repeat EMR (3) and surgery
      (2). EUS demonstrated 96% sensitivity in determining lesions limited to the
      submucosa. CONCLUSIONS: EMR for small duodenal NETs can be a safe and effective
      alternative to surgery in carefully selected patients. EUS is a useful adjunct in
      determining depth of invasion for duodenal NETs.

PMID- 26271025
TI  - Bioinspired Hybrid White Light-Emitting Diodes.
AB  - The first bioinspired hybrid white-light-emitting diodes (bio-HLEDs) featuring
      protein cascade coatings are presented. For easy fabrication a new strategy to
      stabilize proteins in rubber-like material was developed. The synergy between the
      excellent features of fluorescent proteins and the easily processed rubber
      produces bio-HLEDs with less than 10% loss in luminous efficiency over 100 hours.

PMID- 26271026
TI  - Red pill, blue pill: reflections on the emerging large vessel stroke 'market'.

PMID- 26271027
TI  - Association of a single nucleotide polymorphism in the 5' upstream region of the
      porcine myosin heavy chain 4 gene with meat quality traits in pigs.
AB  - We identified a potential molecular marker associated with meat quality traits in
      the myosin heavy chain 4, MYH4 gene of Landrace pigs. Sequencing revealed a
      single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP; g.-1398G>T) in the 5' upstream region of
      MYH4. It was significantly associated with the number of type IIa muscle fibers
      and water-holding capacity based on filter-paper fluid uptake. The GG genotype
      groups had a greater number of type IIa fibers and a larger area composed of type
      IIa fibers than the other genotype group (P = 0.004 and P = 0.061, respectively).
      Expression level of MYH4 gene in the genotype TT or GT was higher than in
      genotype of GG (P < 0.0001). The T allele may enhance expression level of MYH4
      gene and then the portion of IIb type fiber in the muscle be increased by the T
      allelle. Therefore, we suggest that the g.-1398G>T in the 5' upstream region of
      the porcine MYH4 may be used as a molecular marker for meat quality traits,
      although its functional effect is not defined yet. 

PMID- 26271028
TI  - Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes Are Similar in ARDS Diagnosed by Oxygen
      Saturation/Fio2 Ratio Compared With Pao2/Fio2 Ratio.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Oxygen saturation as measured by pulse oximetry/Fio2 (SF) ratio is
      highly correlated with the Pao2/Fio2 (PF) ratio in patients with ARDS. However,
      it remains uncertain whether SF ratio can be substituted for PF ratio for
      diagnosis of ARDS and whether SF ratio might identify patients who are
      systemically different from patients diagnosed by PF ratio. METHODS: We conducted
      a secondary analysis of a large observational prospective cohort study. Patients
      were eligible if they were admitted to the medical ICU and fulfilled the Berlin
      definition of ARDS with hypoxemia criteria using either the standard PF threshold
      (PF ratio <= 300) or a previously published SF threshold (SF ratio <= 315).
      RESULTS: Of 362 patients with ARDS, 238 (66%) received a diagnosis by PF ratio
      and 124 (34%) by SF ratio. In a small group of patients who received diagnoses of
      ARDS by SF ratio who had arterial blood gas measurements on the same day (n =
      10), the PF ratio did not meet ARDS criteria. There were no major differences in
      clinical characteristics or comorbidities between groups with the exception of
      APACHE (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation) II scores, which were
      higher in the group diagnosed by PF ratio. However, this difference was no longer
      apparent when arterial blood gas-dependent variables (pH, Pao2) were removed from
      the APACHE II score. There were also no differences in clinical outcomes
      including duration of mechanical ventilation (mean, 7 days in both groups; P =
      .25), duration of ICU stay (mean, 10 days vs 9 days in PF ratio vs SF ratio; P =
      .26), or hospital mortality (36% in both groups, P = .9). CONCLUSIONS: Patients
      with ARDS diagnosed by SF ratio have very similar clinical characteristics and
      outcomes compared with patients diagnosed by PF ratio. These findings suggest
      that SF ratio could be considered as a diagnostic tool for early enrollment into
      clinical trials.

PMID- 26271029
TI  - Developing "Care Assistant": A smartphone application to support caregivers of
      children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
AB  - Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is the most common childhood malignancy.
      Caring for children with ALL is an uncommon experience for parents without
      medical training. They urgently need professional assistance when their children
      are recovering at home. This paper documents the process of developing an Android
      application (app) "Care Assistant" for family caregivers of children with ALL.
      Key informant interviews and focus group studies were used before programming the
      app. The key informants and focus group members included: caregivers of children
      with ALL, cancer care physicians and nurses, and software engineers. We found
      several major challenges faced by caregivers: limited access to evidence-based
      clinic information, lack of financial and social assistance, deficient
      communications with doctors or nurses, lack of disease-related knowledge, and
      inconvenience of tracking treatments and testing results. This feedback was used
      to develop "Care Assistant". This app has eight modules: personal information,
      treatment tracking, family care, financial and social assistance, knowledge
      centre, self-assessment questionnaires, interactive platform, and reminders. We
      have also developed a web-based administration portal to manage the app. The
      usability and effectiveness of "Care Assistant" will be evaluated in future
      studies. 

PMID- 26271030
TI  - Correction: Infection with Soil-Transmitted Helminths Is Associated with
      Increased Insulin Sensitivity.

PMID- 26271031
TI  - Estradiol regulates human QT-interval: acceleration of cardiac repolarization by
      enhanced KCNH2 membrane trafficking.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Modulation of cardiac repolarization by sexual hormones is
      controversial and hormonal effects on ion channels remain largely unknown. In the
      present translational study, we therefore assessed the relationship between QTc
      duration and gonadal hormones and studied underlying mechanisms. METHODS AND
      RESULTS: We measured hormone levels and QTc intervals in women during clomiphene
      stimulation for infertility and women before, during, and after pregnancy. Three
      heterozygous LQT-2 patients (KCNH2-p.Arg752Pro missense mutation) and two
      unaffected family members additionally were studied during their menstrual
      cycles. A comprehensive cellular and molecular analysis was done to identify the
      mechanisms of hormonal QT-interval regulation. High estradiol levels, but neither
      progesterone nor estradiol/progesterone ratio, inversely correlated with QTc.
      Consistent with clinical data, in vitro estradiol stimulation (60 pmol/L, 48 h)
      enhanced IKCNH2. This increase was mediated by estradiol receptor-alpha-dependent
      promotion of KCNH2-channel trafficking to the cell membrane. To study the
      underlying mechanism, we focused on heat-shock proteins. The heat-shock protein
      90 (Hsp90) inhibitor geldanamycin abolished estradiol-induced increase in IKCNH2.
      Geldanamycin had no effect on KCNH2 transcription or translation; nor did it
      affect expression of estradiol receptors and chaperones. Estradiol enhanced the
      physical interaction of KCNH2-channel subunits with heat-shock proteins and
      augmented ion-channel trafficking to the membrane. CONCLUSION: Elevated estradiol
      levels were associated with shorter QTc intervals in healthy women and female LQT
      2 patients. Estradiol acts on KCNH2 channels via enhanced estradiol-receptor
      alpha-mediated Hsp90 interaction, augments membrane trafficking and thereby
      increases repolarizing current. These results provide mechanistic insights into
      hormonal control of human ventricular repolarization and open novel therapeutic
      avenues.

PMID- 26271032
TI  - A Single-Strand Annealing Protein Clamps DNA to Detect and Secure Homology.
AB  - Repair of DNA breaks by single-strand annealing (SSA) is a major mechanism for
      the maintenance of genomic integrity. SSA is promoted by proteins (single-strand
      annealing proteins [SSAPs]), such as eukaryotic RAD52 and lambda phage Redbeta.
      These proteins use a short single-stranded region to find sequence identity and
      initiate homologous recombination. However, it is unclear how SSAPs detect
      homology and catalyze annealing. Using single-molecule experiments, we provide
      evidence that homology is recognized by Redbeta monomers that weakly hold single
      DNA strands together. Once annealing begins, dimerization of Redbeta clamps the
      double-stranded region and nucleates nucleoprotein filament growth. In this
      manner, DNA clamping ensures and secures a successful detection for DNA sequence
      homology. The clamp is characterized by a structural change of Redbeta and a
      remarkable stability against force up to 200 pN. Our findings not only present a
      detailed explanation for SSAP action but also identify the DNA clamp as a very
      stable, noncovalent, DNA-protein interaction. 

PMID- 26271033
TI  - Biochemical and Immunological Characterization of Truncated Fragments of the
      Receptor-Binding Domains of C. difficile Toxin A.
AB  - Clostridium difficile is an emerging pathogen responsible for opportunistic
      infections in hospitals worldwide and is the main cause of antibiotic-associated
      pseudo-membranous colitis and diarrhea in humans. Clostridial toxins A and B
      (TcdA and TcdB) specifically bind to unknown glycoprotein(s) on the surface of
      epithelial cells in the host intestine, disrupting the intestinal barrier and
      ultimately leading to acute inflammation and diarrhea. The C-terminal receptor
      binding domain (RBD) of TcdA, which is responsible for the initial binding of the
      toxin to host glycoproteins, has been predicted to contain 7 potential
      oligosaccharide-binding sites. To study the specific roles and functions of these
      7 putative lectin-like binding regions, a consensus sequence of TcdA RBD derived
      from different C. difficile strains deposited in the NCBI protein database and
      three truncated fragments corresponding to the N-terminal (residues 1-411),
      middle (residues 296-701), and C-terminal portions (residues 524-911) of the RBD
      (F1, F2 and F3, respectively) were designed and expressed in Escherichia coli. In
      this study, the recombinant RBD (rRBD) and its truncated fragments were purified,
      characterized biologically and found to have the following similar properties:
      (a) are capable of binding to the cell surface of both Vero and Caco-2 cells; (b)
      possess Toll-like receptor agonist-like adjuvant activities that can activate
      dendritic cell maturation and increase the secretion of pro-inflammatory
      cytokines; and (c) function as potent adjuvants in the intramuscular immunization
      route to enhance immune responses against weak immunogens. Although F1, F2 and F3
      have similar repetitive amino acid sequences and putative oligosaccharide-binding
      domains, they do not possess the same biological and immunological properties:
      (i) TcdA rRBD and its fragments bind to the cell surface, but only TcdA rRBD and
      F3 internalize into Vero cells within 15 min; (ii) the fragments exhibit various
      levels of hemagglutinin (HA) activity, with the exception of the F1 fragment,
      which demonstrates no HA activity; and (iii) in the presence of alum, all
      fragments elicit various levels of anti-toxin A-neutralizing antibody responses,
      but those neutralizing antibodies elicited by F2 did not protect mice against a
      TcdA challenge. Because TcdA rRBD, F1 and F3 formulated with alum can elicit
      immune protective responses against the cytotoxicity of TcdA, they represent
      potential components of future candidate vaccines against C. difficile-associated
      diseases.

PMID- 26271034
TI  - Promoter Methylation Status Modulate the Expression of Tumor Suppressor
      (RbL2/p130) Gene in Breast Cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Aberrant expression of tumor suppressor genes may correspond to the
      abnormal cell development and tumorigenesis. Rbl2/p130, a member of
      retinoblastoma family of proteins, has growth suppressive properties. Numerous
      studies reported de-regulation of Rbl2/p130 in various types of cancer as a
      consequence of a number of genetic alterations. However, role of epigenetic
      mechanisms like DNA methylation in Rbl2/p130 expression remains elusive. METHODS:
      In the current study, 76 breast cancer tumors along with normal tissues (n = 76),
      blood (n = 76) of respective individuals and control blood (n = 50) were
      analyzed. Rbl2/p130 expression was analyzed by quantitative real time PCR (syber
      green method). Promoter methylation status was studied through methylation
      specific PCR of bisulfite converted genomic DNA. Data was analyzed using various
      statistical tests. RESULTS: We report significantly reduced Rbl2/p130 expression
      (P = 0.001) in tumors tissues as compared to control samples. Similarly,
      Rbl2/p130 expression varies with age and disease stages (P = 0.022), which
      suggest its involvement in tumor progression. Aberrant promoter methylation
      (Deltameth) was found in almost all the diseased samples and that was
      significantly different (P<0.001) with control samples. Similarly, methylation
      status varies significantly with tumor progression stages (P = 0.022). Hyper
      methylation was observed at -1, +3, +15 and +75 of Rbl2/p130 promoter flanking
      around the TSS. Statistical analysis revealed that Rbl2/p130 expression
      negatively correlates to its promoter methylation (r = -0.412) in tumor tissues.
      Our results reflect an epigenetic regulation of Rbl2/p130 expression in breast
      cancer. This highlights the importance of Rbl2/p130 promoter methylation in
      breast cancer pathogenesis.

PMID- 26271035
TI  - The Impacts of Wind Speed Trends and 30-Year Variability in Relation to
      Hydroelectric Reservoir Inflows on Wind Power in the Pacific Northwest.
AB  - In hydroelectric dominated systems, the value and benefits of energy are higher
      during extended dry periods and lower during extended or extreme wet periods. By
      accounting for regional and temporal differences in the relationship between wind
      speed and reservoir inflow behavior during wind farm site selection, the benefits
      of energy diversification can be maximized. The goal of this work was to help
      maximize the value of wind power by quantifying the long-term (30-year)
      relationships between wind speed and streamflow behavior, using British Columbia
      (BC) and the Pacific Northwest (PNW) as a case study. Clean energy and self
      sufficiency policies in British BC make the benefits of increased generation
      during low streamflow periods particularly large. Wind density (WD) estimates
      from a height of 10m (North American Regional Reanalysis, NARR) were correlated
      with cumulative usable inflows (CUI) for BC (collected from BC Hydro) for 1979
      2010. The strongest WD-CUI correlations were found along the US coast (r ~0.55),
      whereas generally weaker correlations were found in northern regions, with
      negative correlations (r ~ -0.25) along BC's North Coast. Furthermore, during the
      lowest inflow years, WD anomalies increased by up to 40% above average values for
      the North Coast. Seasonally, high flows during the spring freshet were coincident
      with widespread negative WD anomalies, with a similar but opposite pattern for
      low inflow winter months. These poorly or negatively correlated sites could have
      a moderating influence on climate related variability in provincial electricity
      supply, by producing greater than average generation in low inflow years and
      reduced generation in wet years. Wind speed and WD trends were also analyzed for
      all NARR grid locations, which showed statistically significant positive trends
      for most of the PNW and the largest increases along the Pacific Coast. 

PMID- 26271036
TI  - Crizotinib-Induced Abnormal Signal Processing in the Retina.
AB  - Molecular target therapy for cancer is characterized by unique adverse effects
      that are not usually observed with cytotoxic chemotherapy. For example, the
      anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-tyrosine kinase inhibitor crizotinib causes
      characteristic visual disturbances, whereas such effects are rare when another
      ALK-tyrosine kinase inhibitor, alectinib, is used. To elucidate the mechanism
      responsible for these visual disturbances, the responses to light exhibited by
      retinal ganglion cells treated with these agents were evaluated using a C57BL6
      mouse ex vivo model. Both crizotinib and alectinib changed the firing rate of ON
      and OFF type retinal ganglion cells. However, the ratio of alectinib-affected
      cells (15.7%) was significantly lower than that of crizotinib-affected cells
      (38.6%). Furthermore, these drugs changed the response properties to light
      stimuli of retinal ganglion cells in some of the affected cells, i.e., OFF cells
      responded to both ON and OFF stimuli, etc. Finally, the expressions of ALK (a
      target receptor of both crizotinib and alectinib) and of MET and ROS1 (additional
      target receptors of crizotinib) were observed at the mRNA level in the retina.
      Our findings suggest that these drugs might target retinal ganglion cells and
      that the potency of the drug actions on the light responses of retinal ganglion
      cells might be responsible for the difference in the frequencies of visual
      disturbances observed between patients treated with crizotinib and those treated
      with alectinib. The present experimental system might be useful for screening new
      molecular target agents prior to their use in clinical trials.

PMID- 26271037
TI  - Evaluating the Learning Curve for Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy under Total
      Ultrasound Guidance.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To investigate the learning curve of percutaneous nephrolithotomy
      under total ultrasound guidance. METHODS: One hundred and twenty consecutive PCNL
      operations under total ultrasound guidance performed by a novice surgeon in a
      tertiary referral center were studied. Operations were analyzed in cohorts of 15
      to determine when a plateau was reached for the variables such as operation
      duration, ultrasound screening time, tract dilation time, stone-free rate and
      complication rate. Comparison was made with the results of a surgeon who had
      performed more than 1000 PCNLs. Fluoroscopy was not used at all during procedure.
      RESULTS: The mean operation time dropped from 82.5 min for the first 15 patients
      to a mean of 64.7 min for cases 46 through 60(P = 0.047). The ultrasound
      screening time was a peak of 6.4 min in the first 15 cases, whereas it dropped to
      a mean of 3.9 min for cases 46 through 60(P = 0.01). The tract dilation time
      dropped from 4.9 min for the first 15 patients to a mean of 3.8 min for cases 46
      through 60(P = 0.036). The senior surgeon had a mean operating time, screening
      time and tract dilation time equivalent to those of the novice surgeon after 60
      cases. There was no significant difference in stone free rate and complication
      rate. CONCLUSIONS: The competence of ultrasound guided PCNL is reached after 60
      cases with good stone free rate and without major complications.

PMID- 26271038
TI  - Demonstration of the Coexistence of Duplicated LH Receptors in Teleosts, and
      Their Origin in Ancestral Actinopterygians.
AB  - Pituitary gonadotropins, FSH and LH, control gonad activity in vertebrates, via
      binding to their respective receptors, FSHR and LHR, members of GPCR superfamily.
      Until recently, it was accepted that gnathostomes possess a single FSHR and a
      single LHR, encoded by fshr and lhcgr genes. We reinvestigated this question,
      focusing on vertebrate species of key-phylogenetical positions. Genome analyses
      supported the presence of a single fshr and a single lhcgr in chondrichthyans,
      and in sarcopterygians including mammals, birds, amphibians and coelacanth. In
      contrast, we identified a single fshr but two lhgcr in basal teleosts, the eels.
      We further showed the coexistence of duplicated lhgcr in other actinopterygians,
      including a non-teleost, the gar, and other teleosts, e.g. Mexican tetra,
      platyfish, or tilapia. Phylogeny and synteny analyses supported the existence in
      actinopterygians of two lhgcr paralogs (lhgcr1/ lhgcr2), which do not result from
      the teleost-specific whole-genome duplication (3R), but likely from a local gene
      duplication that occurred early in the actinopterygian lineage. Due to gene
      losses, there was no impact of 3R on the number of gonadotropin receptors in
      extant teleosts. Additional gene losses during teleost radiation, led to a single
      lhgcr (lhgcr1 or lhgcr2) in some species, e.g. medaka and zebrafish. Sequence
      comparison highlighted divergences in the extracellular and intracellular domains
      of the duplicated lhgcr, suggesting differential properties such as ligand
      binding and activation mechanisms. Comparison of tissue distribution in the
      European eel, revealed that fshr and both lhgcr transcripts are expressed in the
      ovary and testis, but are differentially expressed in non-gonadal tissues such as
      brain or eye. Differences in structure-activity relationships and tissue
      expression may have contributed as selective drives in the conservation of the
      duplicated lhgcr. This study revises the evolutionary scenario and nomenclature
      of gonadotropin receptors, and opens new research avenues on the roles of
      duplicated LHR in actinopterygians.

PMID- 26271039
TI  - Insulin Protects Cardiac Myocytes from Doxorubicin Toxicity by Sp1-Mediated
      Transactivation of Survivin.
AB  - Insulin inhibits ischemia/reperfusion-induced myocardial apoptosis through the
      PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. Survivin is a key regulator of anti-apoptosis against
      doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. Insulin increases survivin expression in
      cardiac myocytes to mediate cytoprotection. However, the mechanism by which
      survivin mediates the protective effect of insulin against doxorubicin-associated
      injury remains to be determined. In this study, we demonstrated that pretreatment
      of H9c2 cardiac myocytes with insulin resulted in a significant decrease in
      doxorubicin-induced apoptotic cell death by reducing cytochrome c release and
      caspase-3 activation. Doxorubicin-induced reduction of survivin mRNA and protein
      levels was also significantly perturbed by insulin pretreatment. Reducing
      survivin expression with survivin siRNA abrogated insulin-mediated inhibition of
      caspase-3 activation, suggesting that insulin signals to survivin inhibited
      caspase-3 activation. Interestingly, pretreatment of H9c2 cells with insulin or
      MG132, a proteasome inhibitor, inhibited doxorubicin-induced degradation of the
      transcription factor Sp1. ChIP assay showed that pretreatment with insulin
      inhibited doxorubicin-stimulated Sp1 dissociation from the survivin promoter.
      Finally using pharmacological inhibitors of the PI3K pathway, we showed that
      insulin-mediated activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTORC1 pathway prevented doxorubicin
      induced proteasome-mediated degradation of Sp1. Taken together, insulin
      pretreatment confers a protective effect against doxorubicin-induced
      cardiotoxicity by promoting Sp1-mediated transactivation of survivin to inhibit
      apoptosis. Our study is the first to define a role for survivin in cellular
      protection by insulin against doxorubicin-associated injury and show that Sp1 is
      a critical factor in the transcriptional regulation of survivin. 

PMID- 26271041
TI  - TAT-Mediated Acidic Fibroblast Growth Factor Delivery to the Dermis Improves
      Wound Healing of Deep Skin Tissue in Rat.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The definition of deep tissue injury was derived from multiple
      clinical cases as "A purple or maroon localized area of discolored intact skin or
      blood-filled blister due to damage of underlying soft tissue from pressure and/or
      shear". Acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) significantly improves wound
      healing under diabetic conditions. However, to date, the therapeutic application
      of aFGF has been limited, due to its low delivery efficiency and short half-life.
      METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Using an animal model of magnet-induced pressure
      ulcers, transactivator of transcription protein (TAT)-aFGF was evaluated for
      transdermal delivery and wound healing. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting
      were also performed to determine the expression of transforming growth factor
      (TGF)-beta1, alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA), CD68, proliferating cell
      nuclear antigen (PCNA) and TGF-beta-receptor II (TGF- betaRII) in cultured human
      dermal fibroblasts. We found that that mice treated with TAT-aFGF had higher
      accumulation of aFGF in both dermis and subcutaneous tissues compared with mice
      treated with aFGF alone. In the remodeling phase, TAT-aFGF treatment decreased
      the expression of alpha-SMA to normal levels, thereby facilitating normal wound
      healing processes and abrogating hypertrophic scarring. In human dermal
      fibroblasts, TAT-aFGF reversed the suppressive effect of TNF-alpha on alpha-SMA
      expression and restored TGF-betaRII and TGF-beta1 expression.
      CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our results demonstrate that TAT-aFGF has a favorable
      therapeutic effect on the healing of subcutaneous deep tissue injury.

PMID- 26271043
TI  - ExScalibur: A High-Performance Cloud-Enabled Suite for Whole Exome Germline and
      Somatic Mutation Identification.
AB  - Whole exome sequencing has facilitated the discovery of causal genetic variants
      associated with human diseases at deep coverage and low cost. In particular, the
      detection of somatic mutations from tumor/normal pairs has provided insights into
      the cancer genome. Although there is an abundance of publicly-available software
      for the detection of germline and somatic variants, concordance is generally
      limited among variant callers and alignment algorithms. Successful integration of
      variants detected by multiple methods requires in-depth knowledge of the
      software, access to high-performance computing resources, and advanced
      programming techniques. We present ExScalibur, a set of fully automated, highly
      scalable and modulated pipelines for whole exome data analysis. The suite
      integrates multiple alignment and variant calling algorithms for the accurate
      detection of germline and somatic mutations with close to 99% sensitivity and
      specificity. ExScalibur implements streamlined execution of analytical modules,
      real-time monitoring of pipeline progress, robust handling of errors and
      intuitive documentation that allows for increased reproducibility and sharing of
      results and workflows. It runs on local computers, high-performance computing
      clusters and cloud environments. In addition, we provide a data analysis report
      utility to facilitate visualization of the results that offers interactive
      exploration of quality control files, read alignment and variant calls, assisting
      downstream customization of potential disease-causing mutations. ExScalibur is
      open-source and is also available as a public image on Amazon cloud.

PMID- 26271042
TI  - Nut Production in Bertholletia excelsa across a Logged Forest Mosaic:
      Implications for Multiple Forest Use.
AB  - Although many examples of multiple-use forest management may be found in tropical
      smallholder systems, few studies provide empirical support for the integration of
      selective timber harvesting with non-timber forest product (NTFP) extraction.
      Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa, Lecythidaceae) is one of the world's most
      economically-important NTFP species extracted almost entirely from natural
      forests across the Amazon Basin. An obligate out-crosser, Brazil nut flowers are
      pollinated by large-bodied bees, a process resulting in a hard round fruit that
      takes up to 14 months to mature. As many smallholders turn to the financial
      security provided by timber, Brazil nut fruits are increasingly being harvested
      in logged forests. We tested the influence of tree and stand-level covariates
      (distance to nearest cut stump and local logging intensity) on total nut
      production at the individual tree level in five recently logged Brazil nut
      concessions covering about 4000 ha of forest in Madre de Dios, Peru. Our field
      team accompanied Brazil nut harvesters during the traditional harvest period
      (January-April 2012 and January-April 2013) in order to collect data on fruit
      production. Three hundred and ninety-nine (approximately 80%) of the 499 trees
      included in this study were at least 100 m from the nearest cut stump, suggesting
      that concessionaires avoid logging near adult Brazil nut trees. Yet even for
      those trees on the edge of logging gaps, distance to nearest cut stump and local
      logging intensity did not have a statistically significant influence on Brazil
      nut production at the applied logging intensities (typically 1-2 timber trees
      removed per ha). In one concession where at least 4 trees ha-1 were removed,
      however, the logging intensity covariate resulted in a marginally significant
      (0.09) P value, highlighting a potential risk for a drop in nut production at
      higher intensities. While we do not suggest that logging activities should be
      completely avoided in Brazil nut rich forests, when a buffer zone cannot be
      observed, low logging intensities should be implemented. The sustainability of
      this integrated management system will ultimately depend on a complex series of
      socioeconomic and ecological interactions. Yet we submit that our study provides
      an important initial step in understanding the compatibility of timber harvesting
      with a high value NTFP, potentially allowing for diversification of forest use
      strategies in Amazonian Peru.

PMID- 26271040
TI  - Nanoformulations of Rilpivirine for Topical Pericoital and Systemic Coitus
      Independent Administration Efficiently Prevent HIV Transmission.
AB  - Vaginal HIV transmission accounts for the majority of new infections worldwide.
      Currently, multiple efforts to prevent HIV transmission are based on pre-exposure
      prophylaxis with various antiretroviral drugs. Here, we describe two novel
      nanoformulations of the reverse transcriptase inhibitor rilpivirine for
      pericoital and coitus-independent HIV prevention. Topically applied rilpivirine,
      encapsulated in PLGA nanoparticles, was delivered in a thermosensitive gel, which
      becomes solid at body temperature. PLGA nanoparticles with encapsulated
      rilpivirine coated the reproductive tract and offered significant protection to
      BLT humanized mice from a vaginal high-dose HIV-1 challenge. A different
      nanosuspension of crystalline rilpivirine (RPV LA), administered intramuscularly,
      protected BLT mice from a single vaginal high-dose HIV-1 challenge one week after
      drug administration. Using transmitted/founder viruses, which were previously
      shown to establish de novo infection in humans, we demonstrated that RPV LA
      offers significant protection from two consecutive high-dose HIV-1 challenges one
      and four weeks after drug administration. In this experiment, we also showed
      that, in certain cases, even in the presence of drug, HIV infection could occur
      without overt or detectable systemic replication until levels of drug were
      reduced. We also showed that infection in the presence of drug can result in
      acquisition of multiple viruses after subsequent exposures. These observations
      have important implications for the implementation of long-acting antiretroviral
      formulations for HIV prevention. They provide first evidence that occult
      infections can occur, despite the presence of sustained levels of antiretroviral
      drugs. Together, our results demonstrate that topically- or systemically
      administered rilpivirine offers significant coitus-dependent or coitus
      independent protection from HIV infection. 

PMID- 26271045
TI  - Rapid Characterization of Microalgae and Microalgae Mixtures Using Matrix
      Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time-Of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF
      MS).
AB  - Current molecular methods to characterize microalgae are time-intensive and
      expensive. Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass
      Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) may represent a rapid and economical alternative
      approach. The objectives of this study were to determine whether MALDI-TOF MS can
      be used to: 1) differentiate microalgae at the species and strain levels and 2)
      characterize simple microalgal mixtures. A common protein extraction sample
      preparation method was used to facilitate rapid mass spectrometry-based analysis
      of 31 microalgae. Each yielded spectra containing between 6 and 56 peaks in the
      m/z 2,000 to 20,000 range. The taxonomic resolution of this approach appeared
      higher than that of 18S rDNA sequence analysis. For example, two strains of
      Scenedesmus acutus differed only by two 18S rDNA nucleotides, but yielded
      distinct MALDI-TOF mass spectra. Mixtures of two and three microalgae yielded
      relatively complex spectra that contained peaks associated with members of each
      mixture. Interestingly, though, mixture-specific peaks were observed at m/z
      11,048 and 11,230. Our results suggest that MALDI-TOF MS affords rapid
      characterization of individual microalgae and simple microalgal mixtures.

PMID- 26271047
TI  - Is frailty in the elderly linked to inflammation?

PMID- 26271046
TI  - Role of Site-Specific N-Glycans Expressed on GluA2 in the Regulation of Cell
      Surface Expression of AMPA-Type Glutamate Receptors.
AB  - The AMPA-type glutamate receptor (AMPAR), which is a tetrameric complex composed
      of four subunits (GluA1-4) with several combinations, mediates the majority of
      rapid excitatory synaptic transmissions in the nervous system. Cell surface
      expression levels of AMPAR modulate synaptic plasticity, which is considered one
      of the molecular bases for learning and memory formation. To date, a unique
      trisaccharide (HSO3-3GlcAbeta1-3Galbeta1-4GlcNAc), human natural killer-1 (HNK-1)
      carbohydrate, was found expressed specifically on N-linked glycans of GluA2 and
      regulated the cell surface expression of AMPAR and the spine maturation process.
      However, evidence that the HNK-1 epitope on N-glycans of GluA2 directly affects
      these phenomena is lacking. Moreover, it is thought that other N-glycans on GluA2
      also have potential roles in the regulation of AMPAR functions. In the present
      study, using a series of mutants lacking potential N-glycosylation sites (N256,
      N370, N406, and N413) within GluA2, we demonstrated that the mutant lacking the N
      glycan at N370 strongly suppressed the intracellular trafficking of GluA2 from
      the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in HEK293 cells. Cell surface expression of GluA1,
      which is a major subunit of AMPAR in neurons, was also suppressed by co
      expression of the GluA2 N370S mutant. The N370S mutant and wild-type GluA2 were
      co-immunoprecipitated with GluA1, suggesting that N370S was properly associated
      with GluA1. Moreover, we found that N413 was the main potential site of the HNK-1
      epitope that promoted the interaction of GluA2 with N-cadherin, resulting in
      enhanced cell surface expression of GluA2. The HNK-1 epitope on N-glycan at the
      N413 of GluA2 was also involved in the cell surface expression of GluA1. Thus,
      our data suggested that site-specific N-glycans on GluA2 regulate the
      intracellular trafficking and cell surface expression of AMPAR.

PMID- 26271044
TI  - Survival and Effectiveness of Tumour Necrosis Factor-alpha Inhibitors in the
      Treatment of Plaque Psoriasis under Daily Life Conditions: Report from the
      Psoriasis Registry Austria.
AB  - This retrospective multicentre analysis from the Psoriasis Registry Austria
      (PsoRA) was conducted to determine drug effectiveness and survival of anti-tumour
      necrosis factor alpha (anti-TNF-alpha) agents in patients with moderate-to-severe
      chronic plaque psoriasis over a 9-year period. Data on 1,019 treatment cycles
      with adalimumab (n = 460), etanercept (n = 501), and/or infliximab (n = 58)
      administered to 827 patients (272 women, 555 men) were available for analysis.
      Compared with etanercept, adalimumab and infliximab showed superior short-term
      effectiveness. Intention-to-treat-calculated median drug survivals for adalimumab
      (1,264 days) and etanercept (1,438 days) were similar to each other (p = 0.74),
      but significantly superior to that of infliximab (477 days) (p = 7.0e-07 vs.
      adalimumab and p=2.2e-07 vs. etanercept, respectively). Their drug survival rates
      at 36 months were 51.6%, 56.0%, and 22.6%, respectively. Survival rates
      correlated significantly with effectiveness for adalimumab and etanercept, but
      not for infliximab. 

PMID- 26271049
TI  - Intellectual and physical activities, but not social activities, are associated
      with better global cognition: a multi-site evaluation of the cognition and
      lifestyle activity study for seniors in Asia (CLASSA).
AB  - BACKGROUND: population ageing will lead to a leap in the dementia population in
      Asia. However, information about potentials for low-cost and low-risk
      interventions is limited. OBJECTIVES: to study the associations between lifestyle
      activities and global cognition from the Cognitive and Lifestyle Activity Study
      for Seniors in Asia (CLASSA). DESIGN: a cross-sectional study. METHODOLOGY: we
      studied the association between global cognition and lifestyle activity
      participation in community living older adults (60 years or over) across nine
      sites in East Asia. A standardised lifestyle activity questionnaire exploring
      activities from four categories (intellectual, physical, social and recreational)
      was used to measure the pattern. Global cognition was categorised by locally
      validated versions of Mini-mental state examination (MMSE) or Montreal Cognitive
      Assessment (MoCA) (good cognition, GC-scored at the top 25% among participants
      with no significant cognitive deficit (SCD); normal cognition, NC-middle 50%
      among participants with no SCD; mild cognitive deficit, MCD-lowest 25% among
      participants with no SCD; SCD-below local cut-offs for dementia). RESULTS: two
      thousand four hundred and four (1,009 men; 1,395 women) participants were
      recruited. The mean age was 71.0 (7.2) years. A higher variety of intellectual
      and physical activities were associated with GC; more social activities were
      associated with higher risks of having impaired cognition (multinomial logistic
      regression). The same association was found in participants with no SCD and had
      regular activities for over 10 years (n = 574). CONCLUSION: intellectual activity
      and physical exercise were associated with better cognitive states in Asian older
      adults. Community-based intervention may take considerations into specific types
      of activities to optimise cognition.

PMID- 26271048
TI  - Falls and fractures 2 years after acute stroke: the North Dublin Population
      Stroke Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Stroke patients are at increased risk of falls and fractures. The aim
      of this study was to determine the rate, predictors and consequences of falls
      within 2 years after stroke in a prospective population-based study in North
      Dublin, Ireland. DESIGN: Prospective population-based cohort study. SUBJECTS: 567
      adults aged >18 years from the North Dublin Population Stroke Study. METHODS:
      Participants were enrolled from an Irish urban population of 294,592 individuals,
      according to recommended criteria. Patients were followed for 2 years. Outcome
      measures included death, modified Rankin Scale (mRS), fall and fracture rate.
      RESULTS: At 2 years, 23.5% (124/522) had fallen at least once since their stroke,
      14.2% (74/522) had 2 or more falls and 5.4% (28/522) had a fracture. Of 332
      survivors at 2 years, 107 (32.2%) had fallen, of whom 60.7% (65/107) had 2 or
      more falls and 23.4% (25/107) had fractured. In a multivariable model controlling
      for age and gender, independent risk factors for falling within the first 2 years
      of stroke included use of alpha-blocker medications for treatment of hypertension
      (P = 0.02). When mobility measured at Day 90 was included in the model, patients
      who were mobility impaired (mRS 2-3) were at the highest risk of falling within 2
      years of stroke [odds ratio (OR) 2.30, P = 0.003] and those functionally
      dependent (mRS 4-5) displayed intermediate risk (OR 2.02, P = 0.03) when compared
      with independently mobile patients. CONCLUSION: Greater attention to falls risk,
      fall prevention strategies and bone health in the stroke population are required.

PMID- 26271051
TI  - Reply: To PMID 25825070.

PMID- 26271050
TI  - Efficacy of Ciprofloxacin for Treatment of Cholera Associated with Diminished
      Susceptibility to Ciprofloxacin to Vibrio cholerae O1.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We identified a poor clinical response to treatment of cholera with a
      single 1 g dose of ciprofloxacin, a standard treatment for cholera. METHODS: To
      determine reasons for the poor response and better therapeutic approaches we
      examined the minimal inhibitor concentration (MIC, n = 275) and disc-diffusion
      zone sizes (n = 205) for ciprofloxacin and nalidixic acid of V. cholerae O1
      strains isolated in Bangladesh from 1994 to 2012, and reexamined data from 161
      patients infected with Vibrio cholerae O1 recruited in four clinical trials who
      received single- or multiple-dose ciprofloxacin for treatment of cholera and
      compared their clinical response to the V. cholerae O1 susceptibility. RESULTS:
      Although all 275 isolates of V. cholerae O1 remained susceptible to ciprofloxacin
      using standard MIC and disc-diffusion thresholds, the MIC90 to ciprofloxacin
      increased from 0.010 in 1994 to 0.475 MUgm/ml in 2012. Isolates became frankly
      resistant to nalidixic with the MIC90 increasing from 21 MUgm/ml in 1994 to >256
      MUgm/ml and 166 of 205 isolates from 1994 to 2005 being frankly resistant using
      disc-diffusion testing. Isolates resistant to nalidixic acid by disc-diffusion
      testing had a median ciprofloxacin MIC of 0.190 MUgm/ml (10th-90th centiles 0.022
      to 0.380); nalidixic acid-susceptible isolates had a median ciprofloxacin MIC of
      0.002 (0.002 to 0.012).The rate of clinical success with single-dose
      ciprofloxacin treatment for nalidixic acid-susceptible strains was 94% (61 of 65
      patients) and bacteriologic success 97% (63/65) compared to 18% (12/67) and 8%
      (5/67) respectively with nalidixic acid-resistant strains (P<0.001 for both
      comparisons). Multiple-dose treatment with ciprofloxacin had 86% and 100%
      clinical and bacteriologic success rates respectively in patients infected with
      nalidixic acid-susceptible strains of V. cholerae O1 compared to clinical success
      67% and bacteriologic success 60% with nalidixic acid-resistant strains.
      CONCLUSIONS: Single-dose ciprofloxacin is not effective for treating cholera
      caused by V. cholerae O1 with diminished susceptibility to ciprofloxacin, and
      nalidixic acid disc-diffusion testing effectively screens for such isolates.

PMID- 26271053
TI  - Multispectral hybrid Cerenkov luminescence tomography based on the finite element
      SPn method.
AB  - Cerenkov luminescence tomography (CLT) is a promising tool that enables three
      dimensional noninvasive in vivo detection of radiopharmaceuticals.
      Conventionally, multispectral information and diffusion theory were introduced to
      achieve whole-body tomographic reconstruction. However, the diffusion theory
      inevitably causes systematic error in blue bands of the electromagnetic spectrum
      due to high-tissue absorption, and CL has a blue-weighted broad spectrum.
      Therefore, it is challenging to improve the accuracy of CLT. The performance of
      the n -order simplified spherical harmonics approximation (SPn) in different
      spectra is evaluated, and a multispectral hybrid CLT based on the combination of
      different SPn models is proposed to handle the Cerenkov photon transport problem
      in complex media. The in vivo xenograft experiment shows that this approach can
      effectively improve the quality and accuracy of the reconstructed light source.
      We believe that the new reconstruction method will advance the development of CLT
      for more in vivo imaging applications

PMID- 26271054
TI  - Increasing depth penetration in biological tissue imaging using 808-nm excited
      Nd3+/Yb3+/Er3+-doped upconverting nanoparticles.
AB  - Ytterbium (Yb 3+ )-sensitized upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) are excited at
      975 nm causing relatively high absorption in tissue. A new type of UCNPs with
      neodymium (Nd 3+ ) and Yb 3+ codoping is excitable at a 808-nm wavelength. At
      this wavelength, the tissue absorption is lower. Here we quantify, both
      experimentally and theoretically, to what extent Nd 3+ -doped UCNPs will provide
      an increased signal at larger depths in tissue compared to conventional 975-nm
      excited UCNPs.

PMID- 26271052
TI  - Hybrid imaging of fluorescently labeled cancer drugs and label-free four-wave
      mixing microscopy of cancer cells and tissues.
AB  - Fluorescent labels are well suited as tracers for cancer drug monitoring.
      Identifying cellular target regions of these drugs with a high resolution is
      important to assess the working principle of a drug. We investigate the
      applications of label-free nonresonant four-wave mixing (NR-FWM) microscopy in
      biological imaging in combination with fluorescence imaging of fluorescently
      labeled cancer drugs. Results from human A431 tumor cells with stained nuclei and
      incubated with IRdye 800CW labeled cancer drug cetuximab targeting epidermal
      growth factor receptor at the cell membrane show that NR-FWM is well suited for
      cellular imaging. A comparison of vibrationally nonresonant FWM imaging with
      vibrational resonant coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering signals revealed
      nearly identical qualitative information in cellular imaging. NR-FWM is also
      suitable for tumor tissue imaging in combination with fluorescence imaging of
      IRdye 800CW labeled, human epidermal growth factor 2 targeting cancer drug
      pertuzumab and provides additional information over transmission microscopy.

PMID- 26271055
TI  - Static laser speckle contrast analysis for noninvasive burn diagnosis using a
      camera-phone imager.
AB  - Laser speckle contrast analysis (LASCA) is an established optical technique for
      accurate widefield visualization of relative blood perfusion when no or minimal
      scattering from static tissue elements is present, as demonstrated, for example,
      in LASCA imaging of the exposed cortex. However, when LASCA is applied to
      diagnosis of burn wounds, light is backscattered from both moving blood and
      static burn scatterers, and thus the spatial speckle contrast includes both
      perfusion and nonperfusion components and cannot be straightforwardly associated
      to blood flow. We extract from speckle contrast images of burn wounds the
      nonperfusion (static) component and discover that it conveys useful information
      on the ratio of static-to-dynamic scattering composition of the wound, enabling
      identification of burns of different depth in a porcine model in vivo within the
      first 48 h postburn. Our findings suggest that relative changes in the static-to
      dynamic scattering composition of burns can dominate relative changes in blood
      flow for burns of different severity. Unlike conventional LASCA systems that
      employ scientific or industrial-grade cameras, our LASCA system is realized here
      using a camera phone, showing the potential to enable LASCA-based burn diagnosis
      with a simple imager.

PMID- 26271056
TI  - Mechanical contrast in spectroscopic magnetomotive optical coherence
      elastography.
AB  - The viscoelastic properties of tissues are altered during pathogenesis of
      numerous diseases and can therefore be a useful indicator of disease status and
      progression. Several elastography studies have utilized the mechanical frequency
      response and the resonance frequencies of tissue samples to characterize their
      mechanical properties. However, using the resonance frequency as a source of
      mechanical contrast in heterogeneous samples is complicated because it not only
      depends on the viscoelastic properties but also on the geometry and boundary
      conditions. In an elastography technique called magnetomotive optical coherence
      elastography (MM-OCE), the controlled movement of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs)
      within the sample is used to obtain the mechanical properties. Previous
      demonstrations of MM-OCE have typically used point measurements in elastically
      homogeneous samples assuming a uniform concentration of MNPs. In this study, we
      evaluate the feasibility of generating MM-OCE elastograms in heterogeneous
      samples based on a spectroscopic approach which involves measuring the
      magnetomotive response at different excitation frequencies. Biological tissues
      and tissue-mimicking phantoms with two elastically distinct regions placed in
      side-by-side and bilayer configurations were used for the experiments, and finite
      element method simulations were used to validate the experimental results. 

PMID- 26271058
TI  - Why Optimal Medical Therapy Should Be a Universal Standard of Care.

PMID- 26271057
TI  - Comprehensive Cardiovascular Risk Factor Control Improves Survival: The BARI 2D
      Trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It is unclear whether achieving multiple risk factor (RF) goals
      through protocol-guided intensive medical therapy is feasible or improves
      outcomes in type 2 diabetes mellitus. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to quantify
      the relationship between achieved RF goals in the BARI 2D (Bypass Angioplasty
      Investigation Revascularization 2 Diabetes) trial and cardiovascular
      events/survival. METHODS: We performed a nonrandomized analysis of
      survival/cardiovascular events and control of 6 RFs (no smoking, non-high-density
      lipoprotein cholesterol <130 mg/dl, triglycerides <150 mg/dl, blood pressure
      [systolic <130 mm Hg; diastolic <80 mm Hg], glycosylated hemoglobin <7%) in BARI
      2D. Cox models with time-varying number of RFs in control were adjusted for
      baseline number of RFs in control, clinical characteristics, and trial
      randomization assignments. RESULTS: In 2,265 patients (mean age 62 years, 29%
      women) followed up for 5 years, the mean +/- SD number of RFs in control improved
      from 3.5 +/- 1.4 at baseline to 4.2 +/- 1.3 at 5 years (p < 0.0001). The number
      of RFs in control during the trial was strongly related to death (global p =
      0.0010) and the composite of death, myocardial infarction, and stroke (global p =
      0.0035) in fully adjusted models. Participants with 0 to 2 RFs in control during
      follow-up had a 2-fold higher risk of death (hazard ratio: 2.0; 95% confidence
      interval: 1.3 to 3.3; p = 0.0031) and a 1.7-fold higher risk of the composite
      endpoint (hazard ratio: 1.7; 95% confidence interval: 1.2 to 2.5; p = 0.0043),
      compared with those with 6 RFs in control. CONCLUSIONS: Simultaneous control of
      multiple RFs through protocol-guided intensive medical therapy is feasible and
      relates to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with coronary
      disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus. (Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization
      Investigation in Type 2 Diabetes [BARI 2D]; NCT00006305).

PMID- 26271059
TI  - Apixaban Plus Mono Versus Dual Antiplatelet Therapy in Acute Coronary Syndromes:
      Insights From the APPRAISE-2 Trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Bleeding limits anticoagulant treatment in patients with acute
      coronary syndromes (ACS). OBJECTIVES: We investigated whether background
      concomitant antiplatelet therapy influences the effects of apixaban after ACS.
      METHODS: This study examined high-risk ACS patients who were treated with aspirin
      or aspirin plus clopidogrel and who were randomized to apixaban 5 mg twice daily
      or placebo. In a post-hoc analysis, we assessed whether the effect of apixaban on
      efficacy and safety outcomes varied by the concomitant antiplatelet regimen by
      using simple Cox modeling and marginal structural models with propensity scores
      and antiplatelet therapy as a time-dependent covariate. RESULTS: At baseline, of
      7,364 patients, 16.3% (n = 1,202) were on aspirin alone, and 79.0% (n = 5,814)
      were on aspirin plus clopidogrel. A total of 19.2% (n = 1,415) switched
      antiplatelet therapy during follow-up. No differential effect of apixaban versus
      placebo was observed for the composite endpoint of cardiovascular death,
      myocardial infarction, and ischemic stroke in patients taking aspirin (12.21 per
      100 patient-years vs. 13.21 per 100 patient-years; adjusted hazard ratio [HR]:
      0.91; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.62 to 1.32) or aspirin plus clopidogrel
      (13.22 vs. 14.24; adjusted HR: 0.95; 95% CI: 0.78 to 1.14; p(interaction)= 0.84).
      Compared with placebo, apixaban increased Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction
      major bleeding in patients taking aspirin (1.48 vs. 0.25; adjusted HR: 6.62; 95%
      CI: 0.75 to 51.73) and in patients taking aspirin plus clopidogrel (2.58 vs.
      1.02; adjusted HR: 2.44; 95% CI: 1.34 to 4.45; p(interaction)= 0.41). Similar
      results were obtained with marginal structural models and in patients treated
      with and without percutaneous coronary intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Post-ACS
      treatment with apixaban versus placebo showed no efficacy, but it increased
      bleeding regardless of concomitant therapy with aspirin alone or aspirin plus
      clopidogrel. (Apixaban for Prevention of Acute Ischemic Events 2 [APPRAISE-2];
      NCT00831441).

PMID- 26271060
TI  - The Challenge of Getting it Just Right: Optimizing Long-Term Antithrombotic
      Therapy After Acute Coronary Syndrome.

PMID- 26271061
TI  - 1-Year Outcomes After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement With Balloon
      Expandable Versus Self-Expandable Valves: Results From the CHOICE Randomized
      Clinical Trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The use of a balloon-expandable transcatheter heart valve previously
      resulted in a greater rate of device success compared with a self-expandable
      transcatheter heart valve. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate
      clinical and echocardiographic outcome data at longer term follow-up. METHODS:
      The investigator-initiated trial randomized 241 high-risk patients with
      symptomatic severe aortic stenosis and anatomy suitable for treatment with both
      balloon- and self-expandable transcatheter heart valves to transfemoral
      transcatheter aortic valve replacement with either device. Patients were followed
      up for 1 year, with assessment of clinical outcomes and echocardiographic
      evaluation of valve function. RESULTS: At 1 year, the rates of death of any cause
      (17.4% vs. 12.8%; relative risk [RR]: 1.35; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.73 to
      2.50; p = 0.37) and of cardiovascular causes (12.4% vs. 9.4%; RR: 1.32; 95% CI:
      0.63 to 2.75; p = 0.54) were not statistically significantly different in the
      balloon- and self-expandable groups, respectively. The frequencies of all strokes
      (9.1% vs. 3.4%; RR: 2.66; 95% CI: 0.87 to 8.12; p = 0.11) and repeat
      hospitalization for heart failure (7.4% vs. 12.8%; RR: 0.58; 95% CI: 0.26 to
      1.27; p = 0.19) did not statistically significantly differ between the 2 groups.
      Elevated transvalvular gradients during follow-up were observed in 4 patients in
      the balloon-expandable group (3.4% vs. 0%; p = 0.12); all were resolved with
      anticoagulant therapy, suggesting a thrombotic etiology. More than mild
      paravalvular regurgitation was more frequent in the self-expandable group (1.1%
      vs. 12.1%; p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the higher device success rate with
      the balloon-expandable valve, 1-year follow-up of patients in CHOICE (Randomized
      Comparison of Transcatheter Heart Valves in High Risk Patients With Severe Aortic
      Stenosis: Medtronic CoreValve Versus Edwards SAPIEN XT Trial), with limited
      statistical power, revealed clinical outcomes after transfemoral transcatheter
      aortic valve replacement with both balloon- and self-expandable prostheses that
      were not statistically significantly different. (A Comparison of Transcatheter
      Heart Valves in High Risk Patients With Severe Aortic Stenosis: The CHOICE Trial;
      NCT01645202).

PMID- 26271062
TI  - The Choice Will Be Tailored TAVR Therapy: "The Talent Is in the Choices".

PMID- 26271063
TI  - 1-Year Outcomes After Transfemoral Transcatheter or Surgical Aortic Valve
      Replacement: Results From the Italian OBSERVANT Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of prospective and controlled data on the
      comparative effectiveness of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) versus
      surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in a real-world setting. OBJECTIVES:
      This analysis aims to describe 1-year clinical outcomes of a large series of
      propensity-matched patients who underwent SAVR and transfemoral TAVR. METHODS:
      The OBSERVANT (Observational Study of Effectiveness of SAVR-TAVI Procedures for
      Severe Aortic Stenosis Treatment) trial is an observational prospective
      multicenter cohort study that enrolled patients with aortic stenosis (AS) who
      underwent SAVR or TAVR. The propensity score method was applied to select 2
      groups with similar baseline characteristics. All outcomes were adjudicated
      through a linkage with administrative databases. The primary endpoints of this
      analysis were death from any cause and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular
      events (MACCE) at 1 year. RESULTS: The unadjusted enrolled population (N = 7,618)
      included 5,707 SAVR patients and 1,911 TAVR patients. The matched population had
      a total of 1,300 patients (650 per group). The propensity score method generated
      a low-intermediate risk population (mean logistic EuroSCORE 1: 10.2 +/- 9.2% vs.
      9.5 +/- 7.1%, SAVR vs. transfemoral TAVR; p = 0.104). At 1 year, the rate of
      death from any cause was 13.6% in the surgical group and 13.8% in the
      transcatheter group (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.99; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.72
      to 1.35; p = 0.936). Similarly, there were no significant differences in the
      rates of MACCE, which were 17.6% in the surgical group and 18.2% in the
      transcatheter group (HR: 1.03; 95% CI: 0.78 to 1.36; p = 0.831). The cumulative
      incidence of cerebrovascular events, and rehospitalization due to cardiac reasons
      and acute heart failure was similar in both groups at 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: The
      results suggest that SAVR and transfemoral TAVR have comparable mortality, MACCE,
      and rates of rehospitalization due to cardiac reasons at 1 year. These data need
      to be confirmed in longer term and dedicated ongoing randomized trials.

PMID- 26271064
TI  - Aortic Stenosis: Valve Replacement or Valve Implantation?

PMID- 26271066
TI  - Building a Unified Mechanistic Insight Into the Bimodal Pattern of Edema in
      Reperfused Acute Myocardial Infarctions: Observations, Interpretations, and
      Outlook.

PMID- 26271065
TI  - Pathophysiology Underlying the Bimodal Edema Phenomenon After Myocardial
      Ischemia/Reperfusion.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Post-ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) myocardial edema was recently shown
      to follow a consistent bimodal pattern: an initial wave of edema appears on
      reperfusion and dissipates at 24 h, followed by a deferred wave that initiates
      days after infarction, peaking at 1 week. OBJECTIVES: This study examined the
      pathophysiology underlying this post-I/R bimodal edematous reaction. METHODS:
      Forty instrumented pigs were assigned to different myocardial infarction
      protocols. Edematous reaction was evaluated by water content quantification,
      serial cardiac magnetic resonance T2-mapping, and histology/immunohistochemistry.
      The association of reperfusion with the initial wave of edema was evaluated in
      pigs undergoing 40-min/80-min I/R and compared with pigs undergoing 120-min
      ischemia with no reperfusion. The role of tissue healing in the deferred wave of
      edema was evaluated by comparing pigs undergoing standard 40-min/7-day I/R with
      animals subjected to infarction without reperfusion (chronic 7-day coronary
      occlusion) or receiving post-I/R high-dose steroid therapy. RESULTS:
      Characterization of post-I/R tissue changes revealed maximal interstitial edema
      early on reperfusion in the ischemic myocardium, with maximal content of
      neutrophils, macrophages, and collagen at 24 h, day 4, and day 7 post-I/R,
      respectively. Reperfused pigs had significantly higher myocardial water content
      at 120 min and T2 relaxation times on 120 min cardiac magnetic resonance than
      nonreperfused animals. Permanent coronary occlusion or high-dose steroid therapy
      significantly reduced myocardial water content on day 7 post-infarction. The
      dynamics of T2 relaxation times during the first post-infarction week were
      altered significantly in nonreperfused pigs compared with pigs undergoing regular
      I/R. CONCLUSIONS: The 2 waves of the post-I/R edematous reaction are related to
      different pathophysiological phenomena. Although the first wave is secondary to
      reperfusion, the second wave occurs mainly because of tissue healing processes.

PMID- 26271068
TI  - Orthostatic Hypotension: Epidemiology, Prognosis, and Treatment.
AB  - Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is a common cardiovascular disorder, with or without
      signs of underlying neurodegenerative disease. OH is diagnosed on the basis of an
      orthostatic challenge and implies a persistent systolic/diastolic blood pressure
      decrease of at least 20/10 mm Hg upon standing. Its prevalence is age dependent,
      ranging from 5% in patients <50 years of age to 30% in those >70 years of age. OH
      may complicate treatment of hypertension, heart failure, and coronary heart
      disease; cause disabling symptoms, faints, and traumatic injuries; and
      substantially reduce quality of life. Despite being largely asymptomatic or with
      minimal symptoms, the presence of OH independently increases mortality and the
      incidence of myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure, and atrial
      fibrillation. In this review, we outline the etiology and prevalence of OH in the
      general population, summarize its relationship with morbidity and mortality,
      propose a diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm, and delineate current challenges
      and future perspectives. 

PMID- 26271069
TI  - Medicare and Medicaid: An Anniversary to Remember.

PMID- 26271067
TI  - Duration of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy After Coronary Stenting: A Review of the
      Evidence.
AB  - The duration of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after coronary stenting has been
      evaluated in randomized studies with apparently conflicting results. Although
      longer exposure associates with more bleeding complications, late stent
      thrombosis (ST) and myocardial infarction are reduced. In addition, as new drug
      eluting stents carry a lower risk of ST compared with the first-generation drug
      eluting stents and possibly even bare-metal stents, a shift toward better
      protection from ST may have an effect on the duration and intensity of DAPT.
      Whether the duration of DAPT should be shorter or longer than the currently
      recommended 6 to 12 months is analyzed in this review, drawing on lessons from
      the most recent studies. 

PMID- 26271070
TI  - The Role of Nurses in Promoting Cardiovascular Health Worldwide: The Global
      Cardiovascular Nursing Leadership Forum.

PMID- 26271071
TI  - Inpatient Cardiology Consultation Service: Transitioning Fellows-in-Training to
      Independent Cardiovascular Consultants.

PMID- 26271072
TI  - Incidence of Metabolic Risk Factors Among Healthy Obese Adults: 20-Year Follow
      Up.

PMID- 26271073
TI  - The Value of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Evaluation of Pediatric
      Patients for Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia/Cardiomyopathy.

PMID- 26271074
TI  - Reply: The Value of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Evaluation of Pediatric
      Patients for Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia/Cardiomyopathy.

PMID- 26271075
TI  - Management of Patients With Prosthetic Valve Thrombosis After Failed Thrombolytic
      Therapy.

PMID- 26271077
TI  - Incidental radiographic finding of the concealed art of susuk.
AB  - Susuk, or charm needles, are small, metallic needles inserted under the skin,
      considered to enhance beauty, health and luck. This hidden secret of inserting
      susuk is a traditional superstitious ritual, widely practiced among women of
      Southeast Asia. Here, we present an interesting case of incidental radiographic
      finding of the concealed art of susuk, which was exposed on a panoramic
      radiograph taken on a routine basis as a part of diagnostic work up at our
      centre. An orthopantomogram revealed bilateral metallic foreign bodies in the
      maxillo-facial region. Anamnestic data affirmed the practice of the body art of
      susuk. The charm needles were present in the orofacial region without the patient
      experiencing any pathological signs or symptoms. 

PMID- 26271078
TI  - Destabilizing DNA during Rejoining Enhances Fidelity of Repair.
AB  - A new study shows that during repair of DNA, the effect of a single-strand
      annealing protein is to destabilize DNA duplex formation so that annealing only
      occurs between perfectly matched strands; the protein then clamps the strands
      together for repair. Read the Research Article. 

PMID- 26271079
TI  - Developmental Status: Impact of Short-Term Ischemia on Follicular Survival of
      Whole Ovarian Transplantation in a Rabbit Model.
AB  - Ischemia is the first mechanism that provokes the loss of follicles in ovarian
      grafts over the long term. In whole ovarian transplantation, it remains unknown,
      however, how changes in follicular development are influenced by short-term
      ischemia. Fresh whole ovarian orthotopic auto-transplantation was performed in
      rabbits with 45 min ischemia, and the impact of ischemia on follicular survival
      and development status was evaluated at different time-points (1 day, 3 days, 1
      week, 2 weeks and 1 month). Assessment of follicular quantity and morphology was
      carried out via histologic analysis. Follicle proliferating status was evidenced
      by immunostaining with proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and the
      Hedgehog signaling pathway (Patched and Gli); was verified via TUNEL assay.
      Quantitative PCR was carried out to quantify the mRNA of target genes including
      PCNA, Patched, Gli, Caspase 3, Bax, and Bcl-2. Compared with its contralateral
      fresh controls, the morphology, proliferation and apoptosis of the follicles in
      the grafts showed no significant differences and most primordial follicles were
      quiescent. However, morphology and proliferation status were significantly
      decreased 1 week after grafting, in comparison with the longitudinal grafting
      time. Patched and Gli in the Hedgehog signaling pathway were activated in only
      the follicles of the grafts. Short-term ischemia slightly impacts follicular
      survival and development status in whole ovarian grafting. Receiving intervention
      in the first week post-transplantation might be helpful. 

PMID- 26271081
TI  - Non-invasive cardiac imaging to unmask a very uncommon aetiology of an embolic
      stroke.

PMID- 26271080
TI  - Parental Monitoring, Parent-Adolescent Communication, and Adolescents' Trust in
      Their Parents in China.
AB  - PURPOSE: Trust is an important aspect of interpersonal relationships, but little
      is known about adolescents' interpersonal trust. The aim of the present study was
      to examine the associations among parental monitoring, parent-adolescent
      communication, and adolescents' trust in their parents in China. METHODS: Data in
      this study were collected as part of the cross-sectional study of children in
      China. 3349 adolescents (female 48.6%, age range of 12-15 years) were randomly
      selected from 35 secondary schools in April, 2009 and administered to the
      Adolescent Interpersonal Trust Scale, the Parental Monitoring Scale, and the
      Parent-Adolescent Communication Scale. RESULTS: Adolescents' trust in their
      parents was positively related to parental monitoring and parent-adolescent
      communication. Furthermore, parent-adolescent communication mediated the
      association between parental monitoring and adolescents' trust in their parents.
      The mediation model fit data of both genders and three age groups equally well.
      CONCLUSIONS: Parental monitoring and parent-adolescent communication play an
      importance role in fostering adolescents' trust in their parents.

PMID- 26271082
TI  - Intraocular Radio-Opaque Ring.
AB  - A radiologist noted a radio-opaque object in the eye of a woman undergoing X-ray
      examination to determine the safety of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Water's
      X-ray shows the titanium locking c-ring of a type 1 Boston keratoprosthesis. This
      ring was added in 2004 to prevent intraocular disassembly of the device. The
      nonmagnetic ring does not prevent MRI imaging. The titanium locking c-ring and
      the titanium or polymethyl methacrylate back plate of the Boston keratoprosthesis
      are safe for MRI imaging.

PMID- 26271083
TI  - Letter to the Editor: Subluxated Lens May Mimic Choroidal Metastasis of Cutaneous
      Malignant Melanoma.

PMID- 26271084
TI  - Current concepts in managing retinal vein occlusion in young patients.

PMID- 26271085
TI  - Diagnostic Imaging, Radiation Exposure, and Carcinogenic Risk: Let's Be
      Realistic, Reasonable, and Rational.

PMID- 26271086
TI  - Radiation Dose Reduction in Coronary CT Angiography: Time to Buckle Down.

PMID- 26271088
TI  - Detecting Skeletal Microvascular Flow Abnormalities in Diabetes: Could
      Microvascular Recruitment Be a Fundamental Problem?

PMID- 26271087
TI  - When Nothing Is Really Something: New Evidence of the Importance of Zero Coronary
      Calcium.

PMID- 26271089
TI  - Staphylococcus aureus Bloodstream Infection: When Is Transthoracic
      Echocardiography Sufficient?

PMID- 26271090
TI  - Left Ventricular Noncompaction: A Clinically Useful Diagnostic Label?

PMID- 26271091
TI  - Cardiovascular Imaging Research: Time to Think Beyond Risk Prediction?

PMID- 26271092
TI  - Transcatheter Valve Implantation in Failed Surgically Inserted Bioprosthesis:
      Review and Practical Guide to Echocardiographic Imaging in Valve-in-Valve
      Procedures.
AB  - An increased use of bioprosthetic heart valves has stimulated an interest in
      possible transcatheter options for bioprosthetic valve failure given the high
      operative risk. The encouraging results of transcatheter aortic valve
      implantation in high-risk surgical candidates with native disease have led to the
      development of the transcatheter valve-in-valve (VIV) procedures for failed
      bioprostheses. VIV procedures are unique in many ways, and there is an increased
      need for multimodality imaging in a team-based approach. The echocardiographic
      approach to VIV procedures has not previously been described. In this review, we
      summarize key echocardiographic requirements for optimal patient selection,
      procedural guidance, and immediate post-procedural assessment for VIV procedures.

PMID- 26271093
TI  - Contrast-Enhanced TEE During Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair Procedure.

PMID- 26271094
TI  - The Role of 3D Printing in Structural Heart Disease: All That Glitters Is Not
      Gold.

PMID- 26271095
TI  - Reply: The Role of 3D Printing in Structural Heart Disease: All That Glitters Is
      Not Gold.

PMID- 26271096
TI  - Is Seeing The Same As Knowing: The Dilemma of Imaging.

PMID- 26271097
TI  - Application of the Exradin W1 scintillator to determine Ediode 60017 and
      microDiamond 60019 correction factors for relative dosimetry within small MV and
      FFF fields.
AB  - In this work we use EBT3 film measurements at 10 MV to demonstrate the
      suitability of the Exradin W1 (plastic scintillator) for relative dosimetry
      within small photon fields. We then use the Exradin W1 to measure the small field
      correction factors required by two other detectors: the PTW unshielded Ediode
      60017 and the PTW microDiamond 60019. We consider on-axis correction-factors for
      small fields collimated using MLCs for four different TrueBeam energies: 6 FFF, 6
      MV, 10 FFF and 10 MV. We also investigate percentage depth dose and lateral
      profile perturbations. In addition to high-density effects from its silicon
      sensitive region, the Ediode exhibited a dose-rate dependence and its known over
      response to low energy scatter was found to be greater for 6 FFF than 6 MV. For
      clinical centres without access to a W1 scintillator, we recommend the
      microDiamond over the Ediode and suggest that 'limits of usability', field sizes
      below which a detector introduces unacceptable errors, can form a practical
      alternative to small-field correction factors. For a dosimetric tolerance of 2%
      on-axis, the microDiamond might be utilised down to 10 mm and 15 mm field sizes
      for 6 MV and 10 MV, respectively.

PMID- 26271098
TI  - Genetic ablation of caspase-7 promotes solar-simulated light-induced mouse skin
      carcinogenesis: the involvement of keratin-17.
AB  - Solar ultraviolet irradiation is an environmental carcinogen that causes skin
      cancer. Caspase-7 is reportedly expressed at reduced levels in many cancers. The
      present study was designed to examine the role of caspase-7 in solar-simulated
      light (SSL)-induced skin cancer and to elucidate its underlying molecular
      mechanisms. Our study revealed that mice with genetic deficiency of caspase-7 are
      highly susceptible to SSL-induced skin carcinogenesis. Epidermal hyperplasia,
      tumor volume and the average number of tumors were significantly increased in
      caspase-7 knockout (KO) mice compared with SKH1 wild-type mice irradiated with
      SSL. The expression of cell proliferation markers, such as survivin and Ki-67,
      was elevated in SSL-irradiated skin of caspase-7 KO mice compared with those
      observed in SSL-exposed wild-type SKH1 mouse skin. Moreover, SSL-induced
      apoptosis was abolished in skin from caspase-7 KO mice. Two-dimensional gel
      electrophoresis, followed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of
      flight analysis of skin tissue lysates from SSL-irradiated SKH1 wild-type and
      caspase-7 KO mice revealed an aberrant induction of keratin-17 in caspase-7 KO
      mice. Immunohistochemical analysis of skin tumors also showed an increase of
      keratin-17 expression in caspase-7 KO mice compared with SKH1 wild-type mice. The
      expression of keratin-17 was also elevated in SSL-irradiated caspase-7 KO
      keratinocytes as well as in human basal cell carcinomas. The in vitro caspase
      activity assay showed keratin-17 as a substrate of caspase-7, but not caspase-3.
      Overall, our study demonstrates that genetic loss of caspase-7 promotes SSL
      induced skin carcinogenesis by blocking caspase-7-mediated cleavage of keratin
      17. 

PMID- 26271100
TI  - A Comparison of Ci/Gli Activity as Regulated by Sufu in Drosophila and Mammalian
      Hedgehog Response.
AB  - Suppressor of fused (Su(fu)/Sufu), one of the most conserved components of the
      Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway, binds Ci/Gli transcription factors and impedes
      activation of target gene expression. In Drosophila, the Su(fu) mutation has a
      minimal phenotype, and we show here that Ci transcriptional activity in large
      part is regulated independently of Su(fu) by other pathway components. Mutant
      mice lacking Sufu in contrast show excessive pathway activity and die as embryos
      with patterning defects. Here we show that in cultured cells Hh stimulation can
      augment transcriptional activity of a Gli2 variant lacking Sufu interaction and,
      surprisingly, that regulation of Hh pathway targets is nearly normal in the
      neural tube of Sufu-/- mutant embryos that also lack Gli1 function. Some degree
      of Hh-induced transcriptional activation of Ci/Gli thus can occur independently
      of Sufu in both flies and mammals. We further note that Sufu loss can also reduce
      Hh induction of high-threshold neural tube fates, such as floor plate, suggesting
      a possible positive pathway role for Sufu. 

PMID- 26271099
TI  - Fat Metaplasia on Sacroiliac Joint Magnetic Resonance Imaging at Baseline Is
      Associated with Spinal Radiographic Progression in Patients with Axial
      Spondyloarthritis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship between inflammatory and structural lesions
      in the sacroiliac joints (SIJs) on MRI and spinal progression observed on
      conventional radiographs in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA).
      METHODS: One hundred and ten patients who fulfilled the ASAS axSpA criteria were
      enrolled. All underwent SIJ MRI at baseline and lumbar spine radiographs at
      baseline and after 2 years. Inflammatory and structural lesions on SIJ MRI were
      scored using the SPondyloArthritis Research Consortium of Canada (SPARCC) method.
      Spinal radiographs were scored using the Stoke AS Spinal Score (SASSS).
      Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of
      spinal progression. RESULTS: Among the 110 patients, 25 (23%) showed significant
      radiographic progression (change of SASSS>=2) over 2 years. There was no change
      in the SASSS over 2 years according to the type of inflammatory lesion. Patients
      with fat metaplasia or ankyloses on baseline MRI showed a significantly higher
      SASSS at 2 years than those without (p<0.001). According to univariate logistic
      regression analysis, age at diagnosis, HLA-B27 positivity, the presence of fat
      metaplasia, erosion, and ankyloses on SIJ MRI, increased baseline CRP levels, and
      the presence of syndesmophytes at baseline were associated with spinal
      progression over 2 years. Multivariate analysis identified syndesmophytes and
      severe fat metaplasia on baseline SIJ MRI as predictive of spinal radiographic
      progression (OR, 14.74 and 5.66, respectively). CONCLUSION: Inflammatory lesions
      in the SIJs on baseline MRI were not associated with spinal radiographic
      progression. However, fat metaplasia at baseline was significantly associated
      with spinal progression after 2 years.

PMID- 26271101
TI  - The tRNA methyltransferase Dnmt2 is required for accurate polypeptide synthesis
      during haematopoiesis.
AB  - The Dnmt2 enzyme utilizes the catalytic mechanism of eukaryotic DNA
      methyltransferases to methylate several tRNAs at cytosine 38. Dnmt2 mutant mice,
      flies, and plants were reported to be viable and fertile, and the biological
      function of Dnmt2 has remained elusive. Here, we show that endochondral
      ossification is delayed in newborn Dnmt2-deficient mice, which is accompanied by
      a reduction of the haematopoietic stem and progenitor cell population and a cell
      autonomous defect in their differentiation. RNA bisulfite sequencing revealed
      that Dnmt2 methylates C38 of tRNA Asp(GTC), Gly(GCC), and Val(AAC), thus
      preventing tRNA fragmentation. Proteomic analyses from primary bone marrow cells
      uncovered systematic differences in protein expression that are due to specific
      codon mistranslation by tRNAs lacking Dnmt2-dependent methylation. Our
      observations demonstrate that Dnmt2 plays an important role in haematopoiesis and
      define a novel function of C38 tRNA methylation in the discrimination of near
      cognate codons, thereby ensuring accurate polypeptide synthesis. 

PMID- 26271104
TI  - Initiation and preliminary evaluation of an oncology pharmacy training course for
      staff pharmacists.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: There is currently a disparity between oncology pharmacy job
      openings and PGY2 trained pharmacists completing residency training each year. As
      a result, pharmacists without specialized training in oncology are filling much
      needed oncology positions and may need on-the-job oncology training. To improve
      oncology knowledge among non-PGY2 trained pharmacists working in oncology
      positions, Novant Health coordinated an Oncology Pharmacy Training Course (OPTC).
      OBJECTIVES: The primary objective was to assess efficacy of the OPTC through
      evaluation of post-intervention oncology knowledge. Secondary objectives included
      efficacy of each lecture, assessment of knowledge improvement in those with and
      without residency or chemotherapy training, and assessment of satisfaction with
      the OPTC. METHODS: This was a prospective, cohort study. All pharmacists
      expressing interest in the OPTC were included unless PGY2 oncology residency
      trained or Board-Certified in Oncology Pharmacy (BCOP). Participants were invited
      to attend twice monthly lectures and were evaluated using questionnaires at
      baseline, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. RESULTS: At the 3-month evaluation, 29
      pharmacists completed the per-protocol evaluation. Knowledge scores increased
      from a mean of 29.6% to 52.2% (p < 0.01). Ten participants were chemotherapy
      trained. Baseline knowledge scores were slightly higher in the chemotherapy
      trained than training naive participants (mean 42.5% vs. 27.4%). Both groups
      experienced significantly improved knowledge scores at 3 months (mean 59% and
      48.1% respectively, p < 0.01). DISCUSSION: Implementation of a formalized OPTC
      can improve oncology knowledge among staff pharmacists in a community hospital
      system. This improvement in knowledge is consistent regardless of baseline
      chemotherapy training.

PMID- 26271105
TI  - Stability of four standardized preparations of methotrexate, cytarabine, and
      hydrocortisone for intrathecal use.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Intrathecal administration of methotrexate, cytarabine, and
      hydrocortisone is commonly used to treat and prevent central nervous system
      involvement in leukemias and lymphomas. The use of intrathecal solutions with pH
      and osmolarity values close to physiologic range of CSF (pH 7.31-7.37, osmolarity
      281-306 mOsm/kg) and standardization of the methotrexate, cytarabine, and
      hydrocortisone doses in children and adults based on age is highly recommended.
      Stability studies of standardized intrathecal mixtures under these conditions
      have not yet been published. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate
      the physical and chemical stabilities of four standardized mixtures of
      methotrexate, cytarabine, and hydrocortisone stored at 2-8C and 25C up to 7 days
      after preparation. METHODS: Four different standardized intrathecal mixtures were
      prepared and stored at 2-8C and 25C and protected from light. Triplicate samples
      were taken at different times and precipitation, appearance, color, pH, and
      osmolarity were analyzed. Methotrexate, cytarabine, and hydrocortisone
      concentrations were measured using a modified high-performance liquid
      chromatography method. RESULTS: No variation greater than 10% of the initial
      concentration of methotrexate, cytarabine, and hydrocortisone was observed in any
      of the four standardized mixtures for the 7 days of study when stored at 2-8C and
      25C and protected from light. The osmolarity of the four preparations was within
      the physiologic range of CSF for 7 days at both 2-8C and 25C. The pH values close
      to the physiologic range of CSF were stable for 48 h at 25C and for 120 h at 2
      8C. CONCLUSIONS: Triple intrathecal standardized preparations of methotrexate,
      cytarabine, and hydrocortisone sodium phosphate are physically and chemically
      stable at 25C for 48 h and at 2-8C for 5 days.

PMID- 26271103
TI  - Notch signaling regulates gastric antral LGR5 stem cell function.
AB  - The major signaling pathways regulating gastric stem cells are unknown. Here we
      report that Notch signaling is essential for homeostasis of LGR5(+) antral stem
      cells. Pathway inhibition reduced proliferation of gastric stem and progenitor
      cells, while activation increased proliferation. Notch dysregulation also altered
      differentiation, with inhibition inducing mucous and endocrine cell
      differentiation while activation reduced differentiation. Analysis of gastric
      organoids demonstrated that Notch signaling was intrinsic to the epithelium and
      regulated growth. Furthermore, in vivo Notch manipulation affected the efficiency
      of organoid initiation from glands and single Lgr5-GFP stem cells, suggesting
      regulation of stem cell function. Strikingly, constitutive Notch activation in
      LGR5(+) stem cells induced tissue expansion via antral gland fission. Lineage
      tracing using a multi-colored reporter demonstrated that Notch-activated stem
      cells rapidly generate monoclonal glands, suggesting a competitive advantage over
      unmanipulated stem cells. Notch activation was associated with increased mTOR
      signaling, and mTORC1 inhibition normalized NICD-induced increases in
      proliferation and gland fission. Chronic Notch activation induced
      undifferentiated, hyper-proliferative polyps, suggesting that aberrant activation
      of Notch in gastric stem cells may contribute to gastric tumorigenesis.

PMID- 26271102
TI  - Collaborative protein filaments.
AB  - It is now well established that prokaryotic cells assemble diverse proteins into
      dynamic cytoskeletal filaments that perform essential cellular functions.
      Although most of the filaments assemble on their own to form higher order
      structures, growing evidence suggests that there are a number of prokaryotic
      proteins that polymerise only in the presence of a matrix such as DNA, lipid
      membrane or even another filament. Matrix-assisted filament systems are
      frequently nucleotide dependent and cytomotive but rarely considered as part of
      the bacterial cytoskeleton. Here, we categorise this family of filament-forming
      systems as collaborative filaments and introduce a simple nomenclature.
      Collaborative filaments are frequent in both eukaryotes and prokaryotes and are
      involved in vital cellular processes including chromosome segregation, DNA repair
      and maintenance, gene silencing and cytokinesis to mention a few. In this review,
      we highlight common principles underlying collaborative filaments and correlate
      these with known functions. 

PMID- 26271106
TI  - Endothelial Activation Is Associated With Cognitive Performance in Patients With
      Hypertension.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hypertension is associated with the occurrence of cognitive deficits
      and dementia, probably because hypertension is a major risk factor for the
      occurrence of brain damage as a result of cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD).
      Endothelial activation and inflammation have been suggested to play an important
      role in the pathogenesis of cSVD. We investigated if compound scores of
      endothelial activation or inflammation, based on several blood markers, are
      associated with cognitive performance 3 years later in patients with essential
      hypertension. METHODS: At baseline, levels of blood markers of endothelial
      activation (soluble vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), soluble
      intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), sP-selectin, and sE-selectin) and
      markers of inflammation (neopterin, C-reactive protein, and sICAM-1) were
      measured and transformed into compound scores using z-scores. In addition, a
      brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed to determine the presence of
      cSVD-related MRI markers. Three years later, patients underwent a
      neuropsychological assessment to determine cognitive performance. RESULTS: A
      total of 101 patients with hypertension were included in the present study. In
      multiple linear regression analyses with correction for demographics and MRI
      markers, the compound score of endothelial activation (B = -0.19, 95% confidence
      interval = -0.34 to -0.04, P = 0.014), but not of inflammation (B = -0.09, 95%
      confidence interval = -0.22 to 0.05, P = 0.198), was associated with worse
      cognitive performance. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that an overall measure of
      endothelial activation is associated with cognitive performance in patients with
      essential hypertension. This indicates that a process involving endothelial
      activation might play a role in the pathogenesis of cognitive problems in
      patients with hypertension.

PMID- 26271108
TI  - Association of Brachial-Ankle Pulse Wave Velocity With Cardiovascular Events in
      Atrial Fibrillation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and increased arterial stiffness share
      several risk factors and the 2 diseases often coexist. However, the prognostic
      value of increased arterial stiffness remains uncertain in the AF population. We
      evaluated whether brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), a marker of
      arterial stiffness, can predict cardiovascular events, and determined that the
      baPWV is a more favorable prognostic marker compared with conventional clinical
      and echocardiographic markers in patients with AF. METHODS: We enrolled 167
      patients with persistent AF. Arterial stiffness was assessed using baPWV.
      Cardiovascular events were defined as cardiovascular death, nonfatal stroke,
      nonfatal myocardial infarction, and hospitalization for heart failure. The
      relative risk of cardiovascular events was analyzed using Cox regression models.
      An improvement in model prediction was determined using the -2 log likelihood
      ratio statistic. RESULTS: During a median 26-month follow-up, 42 (24.9%)
      cardiovascular events were observed. The baPWV emerged as an independent
      predictor of cardiovascular events (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.152; 95% confidence
      interval: 1.054-1.259; P = 0.002) in the multivariate analysis. Furthermore, the
      addition of baPWV to a Cox model comprising standard clinical, biochemical, and
      echocardiographic parameters improved the prediction of adverse cardiovascular
      events (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with AF, a high baPWV is associated
      with increased cardiovascular events and improve the prediction of adverse
      cardiovascular events. Hence, baPWV might be included when examining patients
      with AF for prediction of adverse cardiovascular outcomes.

PMID- 26271109
TI  - Blood Pressure Levels at the Time of Percutaneous Coronary Revascularization and
      Risk of Coronary In-Stent Restenosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: High blood pressure (BP) levels expose patients treated with
      percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) to very high risk of 10-year
      cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of BP
      levels at the time of PCI on the risk of in-stent restenosis (ISR). METHODS: We
      retrospectively included 796 patients previously treated with PCI, who underwent
      repeated angiography for recurrent angina or reversible myocardial ischemia.
      Patients were stratified into either case (n = 354) and control (n = 442) groups
      in the presence or absence of ISR (defined as in-stent diameter stenosis >=50%).
      BP levels were measured at the time of first and second procedures. Normal BP
      levels were defined for <140/90 mm Hg. RESULTS: Patients with normal BP showed
      significantly higher ISR-free survival (Log-rank: 5.937; P = 0.015). Both
      systolic (HR (95% CI): 0.731 (0.590-0.906)) and systolic/diastolic BP (HR (95%
      CI): 0.757 (0.611-0.939)) were significantly and independently associated with
      lower risk of ISR at Cox-regression analysis, adjusted for potential confounding
      factors, including stent type and concomitant medications. Patients with ISR
      showed lower rates of normal systolic/diastolic BP values (166 (47%) vs. 254
      (57%); P = 0.003) compared to controls. They also received higher stent number
      (1.40+/-0.74 vs. 1.24+/-0.51; P < 0.001) with higher stent length (24.3+/-15.6
      vs. 21.7+/-13.9 mm; P = 0.012), and lower rate of drug-eluting stents (DESs) (210
      (48%) vs. 139 (40%); P = 0.025) compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS: Normal BP at
      the time of PCI is associated with nearly 24% risk reduction of ISR as evaluated
      in a new angiography in patients with coronary artery disease.

PMID- 26271107
TI  - Myocardial Performance Index in Childhood Onset Essential Hypertension and White
      Coat Hypertension.
AB  - BACKGROUND: As a global measure of ventricular systolic and diastolic function,
      the myocardial performance index (MPI) can be an early indicator of hypertensive
      cardiomyopathy in children with essential hypertension (EH). METHODS: Children
      with untreated newly diagnosed EH and white coat hypertension (WCH) by a 24-hour
      ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), both groups without any identifiable
      etiology for the hypertension, were enrolled for the study. Echocardiograms and
      vascular ultrasounds for carotid artery intimal medial thickness were performed
      on all children prior to therapy. Diastolic function (peak E and A velocities,
      E/A ratio, isovolumic relaxation time, and deceleration times) and MPI were
      evaluated by simultaneous transmitral and transaortic spectral Doppler flow
      velocities. Systolic function was evaluated by shortening fraction and ejection
      fraction. RESULTS: A cohort of 66 children (24 with EH, 42 with WCH, males 61%,
      median age of 13 years, range 10-17 years) were enrolled in the study. The
      demographic, anthropometric, laboratory tests, vascular ultrasound, and
      conventional echocardiographic parameters were similar between the 2 groups.
      There was a very small difference in MPI between the EH and WCH children (0.28
      SD: 0.07 vs. 0.31 SD: 0.08, P = 0.045). However, in EH children, MPI increased by
      0.14 units for every 10 unit increase in mean ABPM systolic BP (95% confidence
      interval: 0.03-0.25). CONCLUSIONS: We found the increasing MPI was associated
      with increasing 24-hour mean systolic BP in children with EH. Therefore, MPI may
      have utility as a single, quick, noninvasive method of detection and tracking of
      subclinical hypertensive heart disease.

PMID- 26271110
TI  - Altered Human Memory Modification in the Presence of Normal Consolidation.
AB  - Following initial learning, the memory is stabilized by consolidation mechanisms,
      and subsequent modification of memory strength occurs via reconsolidation. Yet,
      it is not clear whether consolidation and memory modification are the same or
      different systems-level processes. Here, we report disrupted memory modification
      in the presence of normal consolidation of human motor memories, which relate to
      differences in lesioned brain structure after stroke. Furthermore, this
      behavioral dissociation was associated with macrostructural network architecture
      revealed by a graph-theoretical approach, and with white-matter microstructural
      integrity measured by diffusion-weighted MRI. Altered macrostructural network
      architecture and microstructural integrity of white-matter underlying critical
      nodes of the related network predicted disrupted memory modification. To the best
      of our knowledge, this provides the first evidence of mechanistic differences
      between consolidation, and subsequent memory modification through
      reconsolidation, in human procedural learning. These findings enable better
      understanding of these memory processes, which may guide interventional
      strategies to enhance brain function and resulting behavior.

PMID- 26271111
TI  - Functional Connectivity Patterns of Visual Cortex Reflect its Anatomical
      Organization.
AB  - The brain is continuously active, even without external input or task demands.
      This so-called resting-state activity exhibits a highly specific spatio-temporal
      organization. However, how exactly these activity patterns map onto the
      anatomical and functional architecture of the brain is still unclear. We
      addressed this question in the human visual cortex. We determined the
      representation of the visual field in visual cortical areas of 44 subjects using
      fMRI and examined resting-state correlations between these areas along the visual
      hierarchy, their dorsal and ventral segments, and between subregions representing
      foveal versus peripheral parts of the visual field. We found that retinotopically
      corresponding regions, particularly those representing peripheral visual fields,
      exhibit strong correlations. V1 displayed strong internal correlations between
      its dorsal and ventral segments and the highest correlation with LGN compared
      with other visual areas. In contrast, V2 and V3 showed weaker correlations with
      LGN and stronger between-area correlations, as well as with V4 and hMT+.
      Interhemispheric correlations between homologous areas were especially strong.
      These correlation patterns were robust over time and only marginally altered
      under task conditions. These results indicate that resting-state fMRI activity
      closely reflects the anatomical organization of the visual cortex both with
      respect to retinotopy and hierarchy.

PMID- 26271112
TI  - Differential Roles of Ventral and Dorsal Streams for Conceptual and Production
      Related Components of Tool Use in Acute Stroke Patients.
AB  - Impaired tool use despite preserved basic motor functions occurs after stroke in
      the context of apraxia, a cognitive motor disorder. To elucidate the
      neuroanatomical underpinnings of different tool use deficits, prospective
      behavioral assessments of 136 acute left-hemisphere stroke patients were combined
      with lesion delineation on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images for voxel
      based lesion-symptom mapping. Deficits affecting both the selection of the
      appropriate recipient for a given tool (ToolSelect, e.g., choosing the nail for
      the hammer), and the performance of the typical tool-associated action (ToolUse,
      e.g., hammering in the nail) were associated with ventro-dorsal stream lesions,
      particularly within inferior parietal lobule. However, ToolSelect compared with
      ToolUse deficits were specifically related to damage within ventral stream
      regions including anterior temporal lobe. Additional retrospective error
      dichotomization based on the videotaped performances of ToolUse revealed that
      spatio-temporal errors (movement errors) were mainly caused by inferior parietal
      damage adjacent to the intraparietal sulcus while content errors, that is,
      perplexity, unrecognizable, or semantically incorrect movements, resulted from
      lesions within supramarginal gyrus and superior temporal lobe. In summary, our
      results suggest that in the use of tools, conceptual and production-related
      aspects can be differentiated and are implemented in anatomically distinct
      streams.

PMID- 26271114
TI  - More than Light Alcohol Consumption Predicts Early Cessation from Employment in
      French Middle-Aged Men.
AB  - AIMS: To investigate the association between alcohol consumption and different
      causes of work cessation and estimate the loss of occupational activity among
      high consumers compared with low consumers. METHODS: From the prospective study
      of men employed in the French gas and electric company, 8442 men during a median
      follow-up of 8.4 years reported on their alcohol consumption. Information on work
      cessation was collected from the company administrative records. Hazard Ratios
      (HRs) by cause of work cessation (death, disability, retirement before or after
      age 55) were estimated using a competing risk method. RESULTS: An increasing
      quantity of daily alcohol consumption was associated with an increased risk of
      death, disability and retirement before age 55 (P trend <= 0.01, = 0.03 and <=
      0.01, respectively), but not of retirement after age 55 (P trend = 0.56).
      Moreover, compared with low consumption, moderate, high or very high daily
      intakes were associated with an increased risk of early work cessation
      (combination of the three causes: death, disability and retirement before age 55)
      (HR = 1.14, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.05-1.25; HR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.12
      1.35 and HR = 1.49, 95% CI = 1.15-1.92 respectively). Between ages 50 and 60, we
      estimated that high or very high consumers could gain 6.04 months of occupational
      activity if they drank like low consumers. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide
      evidence of a dose-effect relationship between alcohol consumption and early work
      cessation.

PMID- 26271115
TI  - GET73 Prevents Ethanol-Induced Neurotoxicity in Primary Cultures of Rat
      Hippocampal Neurons.
AB  - AIMS: N-[(4-trifluoromethyl) benzyl] 4-methoxybutyramide (GET73) may be
      considered a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of alcohol use
      disorders. The compound displayed anti-alcohol and anxiolytic properties in rat.
      In the present study, an in vitro experimental model of chronic ethanol treatment
      was used to investigate the ability of the compound to counteract the ethanol
      induced neurotoxicity. METHODS: Primary cultures of rat hippocampal neurons were
      exposed to ethanol (75 mM; 4 days) and the neuroprotective effects of GET73 were
      assessed by evaluating cell viability, cell morphology, glutamate levels and
      reactive oxygen species production. RESULTS: The exposure to ethanol induced a
      reduction of cell viability, an alteration of cytoskeleton, a decrease in
      extracellular glutamate levels and an increase of reactive oxygen species
      production. The addiction of GET73 (1 and 10 uM) 1 h before and during chronic
      ethanol exposure prevented all the above ethanol-induced effects. Based on the
      proposed GET73 mechanism of action, the effects of mGlu5 receptor negative
      allosteric modulator, 2-methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)-pyridine (MPEP), on ethanol
      induced reduction of cell viability were also assessed. The results indicated
      that the addiction of MPEP (100 uM) 1 h before and during chronic ethanol
      exposure prevented the ethanol-induced cell viability reduction. CONCLUSION: The
      present findings provide the first evidence that GET73 shows a neuroprotective
      role against ethanol-induced neurotoxicity in primary cultures of rat hippocampal
      neurons. Together with previous findings, these results suggest that GET73
      possesses multifaceted properties thus lending further support to the
      significance of developing GET73 as a therapeutic tool for use in the treatment
      of alcohol use disorders.

PMID- 26271117
TI  - Do changes in neighborhood and household levels of smoking and deprivation result
      in changes in individual smoking behavior? A large-scale longitudinal study of
      New Zealand adults.
AB  - Health behavior takes place within social contexts. In this study, we
      investigated whether changes in exposure to neighborhood deprivation and smoking
      prevalence and to household smoking were associated with change in personal
      smoking behavior. Three waves of biannual data collection (2004-2009) in a New
      Zealand longitudinal study, the Survey of Family, Income and Employment (SoFIE)
      Health, were used, with 13,815 adults (persons aged >=15 years) contributing to
      the analyses. Smoking status was dichotomized as current smoking versus never/ex
      smoking. Fixed-effects regression analyses removed time-invariant confounding and
      adjusted for time-varying covariates (neighborhood smoking prevalence and
      deprivation, household smoking, labor force status, income, household tenure, and
      family status). A between-wave decile increase in neighborhood deprivation was
      significantly associated with increased odds of smoking (odds ratio (OR) = 1.08,
      95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02, 1.14), but a between-wave increase in
      neighborhood smoking prevalence was not (OR = 1.04, 95% CI: 0.98, 1.10). Changing
      household exposures between waves to live with another smoker (compared with a
      nonsmoker (referent)) increased the odds of smoking (OR = 2.48, 95% CI: 1.84,
      3.34), as did changing to living in a sole-adult household (OR = 1.52, 95% CI:
      1.07, 2.14). Tobacco control policies and programs should address the broader
      household and neighborhood circumstances within which individual smoking takes
      place. 

PMID- 26271116
TI  - Common immune-related exposures/conditions and risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma: a
      case-control study of disease-discordant twin pairs.
AB  - We evaluated the association between common immune system-altering experiences
      and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) risk using a case-control study of 162 like-sex
      twin pairs discordant for NHL, identified from the International Twin Study.
      Information on medical history and evidence of childhood exposure to microbes was
      obtained by questionnaire from 1998 to 2002. Conditional logistic regression was
      used to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Intra-twin-pair
      agreement between twins on individual exposures was high (76%-97%). A negative
      association between NHL and seasonal hay fever (odds ratio (OR) = 0.28, 95%
      confidence interval (CI): 0.10, 0.75) and certain allergies (OR = 0.29, 95% CI:
      0.13, 0.68) was observed. The number of atopic diseases was negatively associated
      with NHL (P for trend = 0.0003). A history of infectious mononucleosis was
      negatively associated with NHL risk (OR = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.14, 0.90). NHL risk was
      associated with more frequent childhood exposure to microbes during early life (P
      for trend = 0.04). No differences in association by NHL subtype were observed,
      although statistical power for these comparisons was low. These observations
      support the hypothesis that immune-related exposures, especially atopy, are
      associated with decreased NHL risk. Use of the within-twin-pair study design
      mitigates confounding by genome, family structure, and unmeasured characteristics
      of early childhood factors. 

PMID- 26271113
TI  - From Phineas Gage and Monsieur Leborgne to H.M.: Revisiting Disconnection
      Syndromes.
AB  - On the 50th anniversary of Norman Geschwind's seminal paper entitled
      'Disconnexion syndrome in animal and man', we pay tribute to his ideas by
      applying contemporary tractography methods to understand white matter
      disconnection in 3 classic cases that made history in behavioral neurology. We
      first documented the locus and extent of the brain lesion from the computerized
      tomography of Phineas Gage's skull and the magnetic resonance images of Louis
      Victor Leborgne's brain, Broca's first patient, and Henry Gustave Molaison. We
      then applied the reconstructed lesions to an atlas of white matter connections
      obtained from diffusion tractography of 129 healthy adults. Our results showed
      that in all 3 patients, disruption extended to connections projecting to areas
      distant from the lesion. We confirmed that the damaged tracts link areas that in
      contemporary neuroscience are considered functionally engaged for tasks related
      to emotion and decision-making (Gage), language production (Leborgne), and
      declarative memory (Molaison). Our findings suggest that even historic cases
      should be reappraised within a disconnection framework whose principles were
      plainly established by the associationist schools in the last 2 centuries. 

PMID- 26271118
TI  - Germination and seedling establishment in orchids: a complex of requirements.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Seedling recruitment is essential to the sustainability of any plant
      population. Due to the minute nature of seeds and early-stage seedlings, orchid
      germination in situ was for a long time practically impossible to observe,
      creating an obstacle towards understanding seedling site requirements and
      fluctuations in orchid populations. The introduction of seed packet techniques
      for sowing and retrieval in natural sites has brought with it important insights,
      but many aspects of orchid seed and germination biology remain largely
      unexplored. KEY CONSIDERATIONS: The germination niche for orchids is extremely
      complex, because it is defined by requirements not only for seed lodging and
      germination, but also for presence of a fungal host and its substrate. A
      mycobiont that the seedling can parasitize is considered an essential element,
      and a great diversity of Basidiomycota and Ascomycota have now been identified
      for their role in orchid seed germination, with fungi identifiable as imperfect
      Rhizoctonia species predominating. Specificity patterns vary from orchid species
      employing a single fungal lineage to species associating individually with a
      limited selection of distantly related fungi. A suitable organic carbon source
      for the mycobiont constitutes another key requirement. Orchid germination also
      relies on factors that generally influence the success of plant seeds, both
      abiotic, such as light/shade, moisture, substrate chemistry and texture, and
      biotic, such as competitors and antagonists. Complexity is furthermore increased
      when these factors influence seeds/seedling, fungi and fungal substrate
      differentially. CONCLUSIONS: A better understanding of germination and seedling
      establishment is needed for conservation of orchid populations. Due to the
      obligate association with a mycobiont, the germination niches in orchid species
      are extremely complex and varied. Microsites suitable for germination can be
      small and transient, and direct observation is difficult. An experimental
      approach using several levels of environmental manipulation/control is
      recommended.

PMID- 26271119
TI  - Seed birth to death: dual functions of reactive oxygen species in seed
      physiology.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are considered to be detrimental to
      seed viability. However, recent studies have demonstrated that ROS have key roles
      in seed germination particularly in the release of seed dormancy and
      embryogenesis, as well as in protection from pathogens. SCOPE: This review
      considers the functions of ROS in seed physiology. ROS are present in all cells
      and at all phases of the seed life cycle. ROS accumulation is important in
      breaking seed dormancy, and stimulating seed germination and protection from
      pathogens. However, excessive ROS accumulation can be detrimental. Therefore,
      knowledge of the mechanisms by which ROS influence seed physiology will provide
      insights that may not only allow the development of seed quality markers but also
      help us understand how dormancy can be broken in several recalcitrant species.
      CONCLUSIONS: Reactive oxygen species have a dual role in seed physiology.
      Understanding the relative importance of beneficial and detrimental effects of
      ROS provides great scope for the improvement and maintenance of seed vigour and
      quality, factors that may ultimately increase crop yields.

PMID- 26271121
TI  - Immediate Large-Volume Grafting of Autologous Fat to the Breast Following Implant
      Removal.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To optimize autologous breast augmentation, a simple and reproducible
      surgical approach that maximizes the volume of fat transferred to the breast
      while minimizing the number of sessions and the operating time is needed.
      OBJECTIVES: The authors describe a novel approach for large-volume fat grafting
      to the expanded skin and subcutaneous tissue of the breast immediately after
      explantation, exchanging the volume provided by the implants with transplanted
      fat in a single session. METHODS: Eighty patients (160 breasts) undergoing
      explantation and autologous fat transfer were evaluated in a prospective study.
      Fat was harvested with the lipomatic power-assisted liposuction machine
      (Lipomatic Eva SP, Euromi SA, Verviers, Belgium) and was injected with
      simultaneous vibration and tunnelization of the recipient site by means of the
      same machine with suction disabled. Changes in breast volume were measured in
      terms of bra cup size, and patients were monitored by mammography and
      ultrasonography. Patient satisfaction was assessed with a questionnaire
      administered 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Injected fat volumes ranged from
      300 to 600 mL per breast. Operating times ranged from 45 to 90 minutes. For all
      patients, one injection session was sufficient to replace the volume of the
      previous implant. Patients were monitored for an average of 2 years, and
      complications included cyst formation in 9 of 160 breasts (5.6%) and infection in
      2 breasts (1.25%). CONCLUSIONS: Power-assisted transfer of autologous fat to the
      breast improves the ability of the recipient site to receive the graft and allows
      for explantation and fat transplantation in a single session. This approach is
      suitable for patients who desire a natural-appearing breast that is similar in
      volume to their previous implant.

PMID- 26271120
TI  - Cryptococcal phosphoglucose isomerase is required for virulence factor
      production, cell wall integrity and stress resistance.
AB  - Regulation of virulence factor production in the pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans
      remains to be fully illustrated. We present here a finding that a gene, encoding
      the glycolysis enzyme phosphoglucose isomerase (Pgi1), is critical for the
      biosynthesis of melanin and capsule, cell wall integrity and resistance to stress
      conditions. A leaky mutant of the yeast, LZM19, resulted from an insertion of T
      DNA in the PGI1 promoter region, expressed PGI1 at a level only 1.9% of the wild
      type. LZM19 could synthesize the pigment melanin in the presence of 2% glucose,
      suggesting a status of LAC1 derepression. Phenotypically, capsule biosynthesis in
      LZM19 was remarkably reduced. Integrity of the cell wall and plasma membrane of
      LZM19 were impaired based on its sensitivity to Congo red and SDS. Also, LZM19
      exhibited hypersensitivity to osmotic stress generated by 2 M NaCl or 1 M KCl,
      indicating possible impairment in the HOG signaling pathway. Furthermore, LZM19
      failed to utilize mannose and fructose, suggesting a possible involvement of Pgi1
      in the breakdown of these two sugars. Our results revealed a crucial role of PGI1
      in coordination of the production of virulence factors, cell wall integrity and
      stress response in C. neoformans. 

PMID- 26271122
TI  - Concomitant Overlap Steal Tip-plasty: A Versatile Technique to Simultaneously
      Adjust the Rotation, Definition, Projection, and Symmetry of the Nasal Tip.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tip-plasty is a particularly challenging stage of aesthetic nose
      surgery. The diversity of nasal tip deformities has necessitated the development
      of numerous surgical techniques that can be difficult to master and may yield
      unpredictable surgical results when combined. OBJECTIVES: The authors describe
      how concomitant overlap steal tip-plasty (COST) can enable surgeons to address
      all of the aesthetic characteristics of the nasal tip simultaneously. COST
      involves lateral crural steal followed by medial crural overlap. METHODS: The
      medical records of 1617 patients who underwent primary open septorhinoplasty with
      COST were evaluated in a retrospective study. Pre- and postoperative patient
      photographs were compared for nasal length, nasolabial angle, tip projection, and
      deviation of the nasal axis. RESULTS: Pre- and postoperative mean nasal lengths
      were 5.66 cm and 5.17 cm, respectively (P < .05). The mean nasolabial angle was
      86.95 degrees  preoperatively and 101.8 degrees  postoperatively (P < .05). The
      projection of the nasal tip was reduced from 3.09 cm to 2.53 cm, and tip symmetry
      was achieved by decreasing the nasal axis deviation from 7.76 degrees  to 1.71
      degrees  (both P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: COST does not obviate all other tip-plasty
      techniques for specific situations. Once mastered, however, COST can become the
      only procedure needed to achieve all of the aesthetic goals of the nasal tip in
      most cases. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 4: Therapeutic.

PMID- 26271123
TI  - Food capacities and satisfaction in participants in food security community
      interventions in Montreal, Canada.
AB  - Food insecurity is steadily increasing in Canada. The objective of this paper is
      to determine if food capacities and satisfaction of recently enrolled
      participants in food security interventions are associated with the intervention
      having either a traditional or an alternative type of approach. Participants
      having recently accessed traditional (n = 711) or alternative community
      interventions (n = 113) in the Montreal metropolitan area, Canada, were
      interviewed with a questionnaire. The categorizing variable was participation in
      a community organization providing either traditional interventions, aimed to
      help people cope with the urgent need of food, or alternative interventions,
      aimed at first assistance, in addition to the creation of long-term solutions
      such as social integration and skills development. Participants' food and
      nutrition-related capacities and food satisfaction are studied. Multilevel
      regression models were used to assess whether participants took part in a
      traditional or alternative interventions. These interventions do not reach the
      same population. Relative to participants in alternative food security
      interventions, participants in traditional interventions demonstrated less
      capacity for accessing information about food safety and healthiness, and
      perceived their diet as less healthy. Traditional food security participants also
      paid less attention to the nutritional properties of food and reported less
      satisfaction with quantity, variety and taste of the food they accessed. The
      reasons why individuals who may benefit the most from alternative interventions
      were unlikely to participate should be investigated. The potential that food
      security interventions may inadvertently reinforce social inequalities in health
      should be considered in future intervention research.

PMID- 26271124
TI  - Whole body computed tomography for trauma patients in the Nordic countries 2014:
      survey shows significant differences and a need for common guidelines.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Whole body computed tomography in trauma (WBCTT) is a standardized CT
      examination of trauma patients. It has a relatively high radiation dose.
      Therefore, well-defined clinical indications and imaging protocols are needed.
      This information regarding Nordic countries is limited. PURPOSE: To identify
      Nordic countries' WBCTT imaging protocols, radiation dose, and integration in
      trauma care, and to inquire about the need for common Nordic guidelines. MATERIAL
      AND METHODS: A survey with 23 multiple choice questions or free text responses
      was sent to 95 hospitals and 10 trauma centers in and outside the Nordic region,
      respectively. The questions were defined and the hospitals selected in
      collaboration with board members of "Nordic Forum for Trauma and Emergency
      Radiology" (www.nordictraumarad.com). RESULTS: Two Nordic hospitals declined to
      take part in the survey. Out of the remaining 93 Nordic hospitals, 56 completed
      the questionnaire. Arterial visualization is routine in major trauma centers but
      only in 50% of the Nordic hospitals. The CT scanner is located within 50 m of the
      emergency department in all non-Nordic trauma centers but only in 60% of Nordic
      hospitals. Radiation dose for WBCTT is in the range of 900-3600 mGy * cm. Of the
      56 responding Nordic hospitals, 84% have official guidelines for WBCTT. Eighty
      nine percent of the responders state there is a need for common guidelines.
      CONCLUSION: Scanning protocols, radiation doses, and routines differ
      significantly between hospitals and trauma centers. Guideline for WBCTT is
      presently defined locally in most Nordic hospitals. There is an interest in most
      Nordic hospitals to endorse new and common guidelines for WBCTT.

PMID- 26271126
TI  - Male doctors are more likely to have legal action taken against them, analysis
      finds.

PMID- 26271125
TI  - CT texture analysis can help differentiate between malignant and benign lymph
      nodes in the mediastinum in patients suspected for lung cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In patients with non-small-cell lung carcinoma NSCLC the lymph node
      staging in the mediastinum is important due to impact on management and
      prognosis. Computed tomography texture analysis (CTTA) is a postprocessing
      technique that can evaluate the heterogeneity of marked regions in images.
      PURPOSE: To evaluate if CTTA can differentiate between malignant and benign lymph
      nodes in a cohort of patients with suspected lung cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS:
      With tissue sampling as reference standard, 46 lymph nodes from 29 patients were
      analyzed using CTTA. For each lymph node, CTTA was performed using a research
      software "TexRAD" by drawing a region of interest (ROI) on all available axial
      contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) slices covering the entire volume of
      the lymph node. Lymph node CTTA comprised image filtration-histogram analysis
      undertakes two stages: the first step comprised an application of a Laplacian of
      Gaussian filter to highlight fine to coarse textures within the ROI, followed by
      a quantification of textures via histogram analysis using mean gray-level
      intensity from the entire volume of the lymph nodes. RESULTS: CTTA demonstrated a
      statistically significant difference between the malignant and the benign lymph
      nodes (P = 0.001), and by binary logistic regression we obtained a sensitivity of
      53% and specificity of 97% in the test population. The area under the receiver
      operating curve was 83.4% and reproducibility was excellent. CONCLUSION: CTTA may
      be helpful in differentiating between malignant and benign lymph nodes in the
      mediastinum in patients suspected for lung cancer, with a low intra-observer
      variance.

PMID- 26271127
TI  - Meta-Analysis Comparing Rosuvastatin and Atorvastatin in Reducing Concentration
      of C-Reactive Protein in Patients With Hyperlipidemia.
AB  - We conducted a meta-analysis of 13 randomized trials comparing the efficacy of
      rosuvastatin versus atorvastatin in reducing concentrations of C-reactive protein
      (CRP). We searched PubMed, Ovid, and Elsevier databases until June 2014. Search
      terms included C-reactive protein or CRP, rosuvastatin, atorvastatin, randomized,
      randomly, and randomization; 13 trials (3798 patients) were included. Funnel
      plots for CRP were inspected to assess publication bias. The pooled analysis
      demonstrated the benefit of rosuvastatin over atorvastatin therapy for all 13
      trials (mean difference [MD] = -0.11, which is standardized mean with no unit
      although the raw data before pooling is mg/L, 95% confidence interval -0.15 to 
      0.07, P < .0001) with no evidence of significant publication bias (I(2) = 6.9%, P
      = .377). Subgroup analysis indicated a significant benefit of rosuvastatin over
      atorvastatin regarding the 1/1 dose ratio (MD = -0.14, 95% CI -0.21 to -0.06) and
      1/2 dose ratio (MD= -0.11, 95% CI -0.16 to -0.05). Cumulative and influence
      analyses showed accuracy and stability for the estimation mentioned earlier. Our
      meta-analysis shows that rosuvastatin produces better reduction in CRP
      concentrations than atorvastatin at a dose ratio of 1/1 and 1/2
      (rosuvastatin/atorvastatin), respectively.

PMID- 26271129
TI  - Strategic Ability Updating in Concurrent Games by Coalitional Commitment.
AB  - Strategic ability updating relates to establishing some required properties,
      which can be expressed by strategic abilities, in a multicomponent reactive
      system. We model such a reactive system as a concurrent game structure (CGS),
      which is the semantic model of Alternating-time Temporal Logic (ATL). Then, we
      propose coalitional commitment as a tool for achieving the required strategic
      ability updating. Intuitively, a coalitional commitment can extend the state
      space of a CGS by a context function and then delete some transitions by a
      coalitional normative system (CNS). We propose coordinated ATL (co-ATL) for
      reasoning about strategic abilities in the structures obtained from a CGS by
      implementing a CNS. The model-checking problem for co-ATL is proved to be PTIME
      complete, just like that of ATL, and is thus tractable. Then, we characterize the
      limitation of coalitional commitment power by identifying the set of co-ATL
      formulas whose satisfaction cannot be established and the set of co-ATL formulas
      whose satisfaction cannot be avoided. Afterward, we show that the effectiveness
      problem, feasibility problem, and synthesis problem for coalitional commitment
      are PTIME-complete, NP-complete, and FNP-complete, respectively. Finally, we
      treat the coalitional commitment synthesis problem as an extended planning
      problem and present an algorithm based on the planning as model checking
      paradigm. Our work can be seen as an improvement for both social law research and
      planning via model checking research. 

PMID- 26271128
TI  - Anemia and Outcome in Outpatients With Peripheral Artery Disease.
AB  - The influence of anemia on outcome in stable outpatients with peripheral artery
      disease (PAD) has not been consistently investigated. We used data from the
      Factores de Riesgo y ENfermedad Arterial (FRENA) Registry to compare ischemic
      events and mortality rates in stable outpatients with symptomatic PAD and anemia.
      Of 1663 patients with PAD, 208 (12.5%) had anemia. Over 18 months, patients with
      anemia had a higher rate of myocardial infarction (MI; rate ratio [RR]: 2.10; 95%
      confidence interval [CI]: 1.04-3.99), limb amputation (RR: 2.98; 95%CI: 1.70
      5.05), and higher mortality (RR: 3.58; 95%CI: 2.39-5.28) than those without
      anemia. The rates of ischemic stroke (RR: 0.75; 95%CI: 0.23-1.93) and major
      bleeding (RR: 0.93; 95%CI: 0.15-3.51) were similar. On multivariable analysis,
      anemia was associated with an increased risk to die (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.32;
      95%CI: 1.53-3.50) but not to develop MI (HR: 1.49; 95%CI: 0.73-3.05) or to have
      limb amputation (HR: 1.49; 95%CI: 0.86-2.59). In stable outpatients with PAD,
      anemia was associated with increased mortality but not with an increased rate of
      subsequent ischemic events or major bleeding. 

PMID- 26271130
TI  - Augmented Complex Common Spatial Patterns for Classification of Noncircular EEG
      From Motor Imagery Tasks.
AB  - A novel augmented complex-valued common spatial pattern (CSP) algorithm is
      introduced in order to cater for general complex signals with noncircular
      probability distributions. This is a typical case in multichannel
      electroencephalogram (EEG), due to the power difference or correlation between
      the data channels, yet current methods only cater for a very restrictive class of
      circular data. The proposed complex-valued CSP algorithms account for the
      generality of complex noncircular data, by virtue of the use of augmented complex
      statistics and the strong-uncorrelating transform (SUT). Depending on the degree
      of power difference of complex signals, the analysis and simulations show that
      the SUT based algorithm maximizes the inter-class difference between two motor
      imagery tasks. Simulations on both synthetic noncircular sources and motor
      imagery experiments using real-world EEG support the approach. 

PMID- 26271131
TI  - Objective Automatic Assessment of Rehabilitative Speech Treatment in Parkinson's
      Disease.
AB  - Vocal performance degradation is a common symptom for the vast majority of
      Parkinson's disease (PD) subjects, who typically follow personalized one-to-one
      periodic rehabilitation meetings with speech experts over a long-term period.
      Recently, a novel computer program called Lee Silverman voice treatment (LSVT)
      Companion was developed to allow PD subjects to independently progress through a
      rehabilitative treatment session. This study is part of the assessment of the
      LSVT Companion, aiming to investigate the potential of using sustained vowel
      phonations towards objectively and automatically replicating the speech experts'
      assessments of PD subjects' voices as "acceptable" (a clinician would allow
      persisting during in-person rehabilitation treatment) or "unacceptable" (a
      clinician would not allow persisting during in-person rehabilitation treatment).
      We characterize each of the 156 sustained vowel /a/ phonations with 309 dysphonia
      measures, select a parsimonious subset using a robust feature selection
      algorithm, and automatically distinguish the two cohorts (acceptable versus
      unacceptable) with about 90% overall accuracy. Moreover, we illustrate the
      potential of the proposed methodology as a probabilistic decision support tool to
      speech experts to assess a phonation as "acceptable" or "unacceptable." We
      envisage the findings of this study being a first step towards improving the
      effectiveness of an automated rehabilitative speech assessment tool. 

PMID- 26271132
TI  - [Impacts on neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio in patients of chronic stable angina
      pectoris treated with acupuncture at Neiguan (PC 6)].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy on chronic stable angina pectoris
      treated with acupuncture at Neiguan (PC 6) and explore the impacts of acupuncture
      on peripheral blood neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in the patients of
      stable angina pectoris. METHODS: Thirty patients of chronic stable angina
      pectoris met the inclusive criteria were randomized into an acupuncture group (15
      cases) and a medication group (15 cases), and a healthy control group (15 cases
      of the same ages) was set up separately. In the acupuncture group, at the same
      time of the basic medication, acupuncture was applied to bilateral Neiguan (PC
      6), once every two days, 3 days a week, totally for 4 weeks. In the medication
      group, the basic medication was applied, without acupuncture intervention. In the
      healthy control group, no any intervention was applied. The attack frequency of
      angina pectoris, dose of nitrogly-cerin, the evaluation of visual analogue scale
      (VAS), Seattle angina questionnaire (SAQ), the six-minute walking test (6MWT),
      the self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and the self-rating depression scale (SDS)
      were observed before and after treatment in the subjects. Additionally, the
      peripheral blood cells were detected to analyze specifically the changes in NLR
      before and after treatment and observe the relationship between NLR and clinical
      efficacy. RESULTS: Compared with the medication group, the attack frequency of
      angina pectoris was reduced within 30 days (P<0.01); the dose of nitroglycerin
      was reduced (P<0.01); VAS was reduced (P<0.01) and SAQ was increased (P<0.05) in
      the acupuncture group. The differences in 6 MWT, SAS and SDS were not significant
      between the two groups after treatment (all P>0.05). Additionally, compared with
      the medication group, in 30 days of acupuncture, NLR was reduced apparently in
      the acupuncture group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture relieves the clinical
      symptoms of chronic stable angina pectoris, but has not apparent effects on motor
      ability and psychological health. Corresponding to that before treatment, the
      decreased NRL in the patients of acupuncture group suggests the potential good
      prognosis on coronary heart disease after acupuncture.

PMID- 26271134
TI  - Remembering Connie: A Life and Legacy That Just Keeps Giving.

PMID- 26271135
TI  - Assessing potential divers with a history of congenital heart disease.
AB  - This article describes a structured approach to assessing the medical fitness of
      potential divers who have a history of congenital heart disease. The importance
      of a complete and accurate cardiac history, including details of surgery and
      other interventions is emphasized. Specific assessment of intracardiac shunts,
      exercise capacity and ability to deal with the physical challenge of diving, risk
      of diving-included pulmonary oedema, of arrhythmia and of incapacity in case of
      arrhythmia and the consequences of surgical and catheter treatment are discussed,
      including the risks associated with lung injury and the pressure limitations of
      implanted devices like pacemakers. Clinical assessment will usually include
      echocardiography and exercise testing with additional investigations such as MRI
      scanning, CT of heart or lungs, cardiopulmonary exercise testing and ECG
      monitoring, as required. Examples of different congenital lesions are given
      applying this approach (atrial septal defect, tetralogy of Fallot, bicuspid
      aortic valve and the Fontan circulation). The approach is based on an individual
      cardiologist's opinion and is not specifically evidence-based, but seeks to apply
      what is known in other areas of diving medicine to this potentially complex group
      of patients.

PMID- 26271137
TI  - [Abstracts of the 2th Congress of the Hungarian Radiotherapy Association, May 14
      16, 2015, Kecskemet, Hungary].

PMID- 26271136
TI  - Codon usage patterns in Nematoda: analysis based on over 25  million codons in
      thirty-two species.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Codon usage has direct utility in molecular characterization of
      species and is also a arker for molecular evolution. To understand codon usage
      within the diverse phylum Nematoda,we analyzed a total of 265,494 expressed
      sequence tags (ESTs) from 30 nematode species. The full genomes of Caenorhabditis
      elegans and C. briggsae were also examined. A total of 25,871,325 codons ere
      analyzed and a comprehensive codon usage table for all species was generated.
      This is the first codon usage table available for 24 of these organisms. RESULTS:
      Codon usage similarity in Nematoda usually persists over the breadth of a genus
      but thenrapidly diminishes even within each clade. Globodera, Meloidogyne,
      Pristionchus, and Strongyloides have the most highly derived patterns of codon
      usage. The major factor affecting differences in codon usage between species is
      the coding sequence GC content, which varies in nematodes from 32%to 51%. Coding
      GC content (measured as GC3) also explains much of the observed variation in the
      effective number of codons (R = 0.70), which is a measure of codon bias, and it
      even accounts for differences in amino acid frequency. Codon usage is also
      affected by neighboring nucleotides(N1 context). Coding GC content correlates
      strongly with estimated noncoding genomic GC content (R = 0.92). On examining
      abundant clusters in five species, candidate optimal codons were identified that
      may be preferred in highly expressed transcripts. CONCLUSION: Evolutionary models
      indicate that total genomic GC content, probably the product of directional
      mutation pressure, drives codon usage rather than the converse, a conclusion that
      is supported by examination of nematode genomes.

PMID- 26271139
TI  - Serum Lipid and Serum Metabolite Components in relation to anthropometric
      parameters in EPIC-Potsdam participants.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: Lipidomic and metabolomic techniques become more and more
      important in human health research. Recent developments in analytical techniques
      enable the investigation of high amounts of substances. The high numbers of
      metabolites and lipids that are detected with among others mass spectrometric
      techniques challenge in most cases the statistical processes to bring out stable
      and interpretable results. This study targets to use the novel non-established
      statistical method treelet transform (TT) to investigate high numbers of
      metabolites and lipids and to compare the results with the established method
      principal component analysis (PCA). Serum lipid and metabolite profiles are
      investigated regarding their association to anthropometric parameters associated
      to obesity. METHODS: From 226 participants of the EPIC (European Prospective
      Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition)-Potsdam study blood samples were
      investigated with an untargeted metabolomics approach regarding serum metabolites
      and lipids. Additionally, participants were surveyed anthropometrically to assess
      parameters of obesity, such as body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip-ratio (WHR)
      and body fat mass. TT and PCA are used to generate treelet components (TCs) and
      factors summarizing serum metabolites and lipids in new, latent variables without
      too much loss of information. With partial correlations TCs and factors were
      associated to anthropometry under the control for relevant parameters, such as
      sex and age. RESULTS: TT with metabolite variables (p=121) resulted in 5 stable
      and interpretable TCs explaining 18.9% of the variance within the data. PCA on
      the same variables generated 4 quite complex, less easily interpretable factors
      explaining 37.5% of the variance. TT on lipidomic data (p=353) produced 3 TCs as
      well as PCA on the same data resulted in 3 factors; the proportion of explained
      variance was 17.8% for TT and 39.8% for PCA. In both investigations TT ended up
      with stable components that are easier to interpret than the factors from the
      PCA. In general, the generated TCs and factors were similar in their structure
      when the factors are considered regarding the original variables loading high on
      them. Both TCs and factors showed associations to anthropometric measures.
      CONCLUSIONS: TT is a suitable statistical method to generate summarizing, latent
      variables in data sets with more variables than observations. In the present
      investigation it resulted in similar latent variables compared to the established
      method of PCA. Whereby less variance is explained by the summarizing constructs
      of TT compared to the factors of PCA, TCs are easier to interpret. Additionally
      the resulting TCs are quite stable in bootstrap samples.

PMID- 26271138
TI  - Does health insurance mitigate inequities in non-communicable disease treatment?
      Evidence from 48 low- and middle-income countries.
AB  - Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the greatest contributor to morbidity and
      mortality in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, NCD care is
      limited in LMICs, particularly among the disadvantaged and rural. We explored the
      role of insurance in mitigating socioeconomic and urban-rural disparities in NCD
      treatment across 48 LMICs included in the 2002-2004 World Health Survey (WHS). We
      analyzed data about ever having received treatment for diagnosed high-burden NCDs
      (any diagnosis, angina, asthma, depression, arthritis, schizophrenia, or
      diabetes) or having sold or borrowed to pay for healthcare. We fit multivariable
      regression models of each outcome by the interaction between insurance coverage
      and household wealth (richest 20% vs. poorest 50%) and urbanicity, respectively.
      We found that insurance was associated with higher treatment likelihood for NCDs
      in LMICs, and helped mitigate socioeconomic and regional disparities in treatment
      likelihood. These influences were particularly strong among women. Insurance also
      predicted lower likelihood of borrowing or selling to pay for health services
      among the poorest women. Taken together, insurance coverage may serve as an
      important policy tool in promoting NCD treatment and in reducing inequities in
      NCD treatment by household wealth, urbanicity, and sex in LMICs. 

PMID- 26271140
TI  - Inhibition of tumor energy pathways for targeted esophagus cancer therapy.
AB  - Interest in targeting cancer metabolism has been renewed in recent years with the
      discovery that many cancer related pathways have a profound effect on metabolism
      and that many tumors become dependent on specific metabolic processes.
      Accelerated glucose uptake during anaerobic glycolysis and loss of regulation
      between glycolytic metabolism and respiration, are the major metabolic changes
      found in malignant cells. The non-metabolizable glucose analog, 2-deoxy-D-glucose
      inhibits glucose synthesis and adenosine triphosphate production. The adenosine
      monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a key sensor of cellular energy
      and AMPK is a potential target for cancer prevention and/or treatment. Metformin
      is an activator of AMPK which inhibits protein synthesis and gluconeogenesis
      during cellular stress. This article reviews the status of clinical and
      laboratory researches exploring targeted therapies via metabolic pathways for
      treatment of esophageal cancer. 

PMID- 26271141
TI  - Effect of golimumab and pamidronate on clinical efficacy and MRI inflammation in
      axial spondyloarthritis: a 48-week open randomized trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To compare the effect of golimumab (GLM) and pamidronate (PAM) on
      clinical efficacy and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) inflammation in axial
      spondyloarthritis (aSpA). METHOD: Patients who fulfilled the Assessment of
      SpondyloArthritis Society (ASAS) criteria for aSpA and had active disease [Bath
      Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) score >= 4] were
      randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive either GLM (50 mg) or PAM (60 mg) 4 weekly
      for 48 weeks. Clinical efficacy was assessed at intervals. Inflammation of the
      spine and sacroiliac joints (SIJs) on MRI was graded by the Spondyloarthritis
      Research Consortium of Canada (SPARCC) scoring system. RESULTS: Twenty patients
      were assigned to GLM and 10 to PAM (83% men; age 33.4 +/- 10.9 years; disease
      duration 4.4 +/- 3.4 years). The baseline characteristics of the two groups were
      similar. At week 48, the proportions of patients who achieved an ASAS20 response
      were not significantly different between the GLM and PAM groups (65% vs. 56%; p =
      0.69). Although there were no differences in BASDAI, spinal pain, and Medical
      Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) scores between the two
      groups at week 48, the Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS),
      Bath AS Functional Index (BASFI), C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte
      sedimentation rate (ESR) levels were significantly lower in GLM-treated patients.
      The SPARCC scores of the spine and SIJs decreased significantly in GLM- but not
      in PAM-treated patients. The differences in SPARCC scores between the two groups
      at week 48 were statistically significant. The frequency of adverse events (AEs)
      was similar in both arms. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with aSpA, the clinical
      response rate and improvement in pain and quality of life (QoL) were similar
      between GLM and PAM groups after 48 weeks. However, significant reduction in
      inflammatory markers and MRI inflammation was only observed with GLM treatment.

PMID- 26271142
TI  - Diversity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis lineages in French Polynesia.
AB  - BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: French Polynesia is an overseas territory located in the
      South Pacific. The incidence of tuberculosis in French Polynesia has been stable
      since 2000 with an average of 20 cases/y/100,000 inhabitants. Molecular
      epidemiology of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in French Polynesia is unknown because
      M. tuberculosis isolates have not been routinely genotyped. METHODS: From 2009 to
      2012, 34 isolates collected from 32 French Polynesian patients were identified as
      M. tuberculosis by probe hybridization. These isolates were genotyped using
      spoligotyping and 24-loci mycobacterial interspersed repetitive units (MIRUs)
      variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR). Spoligotype patterns obtained using
      commercial kits were compared with the online international database SITVIT. MIRU
      VNTR genotyping was performed using an in-house protocol based on capillary
      electrophoresis sizing for 24-loci MIRU-VNTR genotyping. RESULTS: The results of
      the spoligotyping method revealed that 25 isolates grouped into six previously
      described spoligotypes [H1, H3, U likely (S), T1, Manu, and Beijing] and nine
      isolates grouped into six new spoligotypes. Comparison with the international
      database MIRU-VNTRplus distributed 30 isolates into five lineages (Haarlem, Latin
      American Mediterranean, S, X, and Beijing) and four as unassigned isolates.
      CONCLUSION: Genotyping identified four phylogenetic lineages belonging to the
      modern Euro-American subgroup, one Beijing genotype responsible for worldwide
      pandemics, including remote islands in the South Pacific, and one Manu genotype
      of the ancestral lineage of M. tuberculosis.

PMID- 26271143
TI  - Regulation of brown fat by AMP-activated protein kinase.
AB  - Novel strategies are needed to reduce the obesity epidemic. One promising
      strategy is activation of brown adipose tissue (BAT), either via the brain or
      directly, which increases energy expenditure by combustion of fatty acids (FAs)
      into heat. The enzyme complex AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is crucially
      involved in energy metabolism and is highly expressed in both brain and BAT,
      regulating thermogenesis. As a general rule, BAT activity and energy expenditure
      are increased either by suppression of AMPK activity in the brain, resulting in
      enhanced sympathetic outflow towards BAT, or by activation of AMPK in BAT.
      Targeting AMPK may thus hold therapeutic potential for the treatment of obesity
      and related disorders. 

PMID- 26271144
TI  - Clinical and prognostic relevance of EZH2 in breast cancer: A meta-analysis.
AB  - The polycomb group protein enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is regarded as a
      tightly linking oncogene in many types of cancer. However, the prognostic role of
      EZH2 in breast cancer (BC) still remains controversial. Our study aimed to
      evaluate the clinical and prognostic relevance of EZH2 in BC patients based on
      published studies. 11 studies totally containing 2330 patients (1052 EZH2
      positive and 1278 EZH2-negative) were included in our meta-analysis. Our data
      showed that EZH2 over-expression was significantly associated with estrogen
      receptor (ER) negativity [OR=0.227, 95% CI=0.174-0.297, P=0.000], progesterone
      receptor (PR) negativity [OR=0.454, 95% CI=0.300-0.687, P=0.000], human epidermal
      growth factor receptor type 2 (HER-2) positivity [OR=1.846, 95% CI=1.366-2.496,
      P=0.000], invasive ductal cancer (IDC) [OR=2.237, 95% CI=1.489-3.361, P=0.000],
      race (Caucasian) [OR=0.707, 95% CI=0.522-0.957, P=0.025], high histological grade
      [OR=3.177, 95% CI=2.012-5.014, P=0.000] and triple-negative status (TNBCs)
      [OR=5.380, 95% CI=1.065-27.187, P=0.042], which led to a poor OS rate in BC
      [RR=2.193, 95% CI=1.495-3.217, P=0.000]. In conclusion, EZH2 participated in the
      progression of BC as a putative factor, and over-expression of EZH2 was
      distinctly correlated with a poor patient survival. EZH2 may serve as a
      prognostic biomarker and target in BC patients. 

PMID- 26271145
TI  - Acute Kidney Disease Due to Excessive Vitamin C Ingestion and Remote Roux-en-Y
      Gastric Bypass Surgery Superimposed on CKD.
AB  - A 69-year-old woman presented with acute kidney failure of unknown cause that
      ultimately required dialysis. Kidney biopsy revealed the diagnosis of oxalate
      nephropathy. In retrospect, the patient had several risk factors for this entity,
      including excessive vitamin C intake, a remote history of Roux-en-Y gastric
      bypass for weight loss, and chronic kidney disease. This presentation of multiple
      risk factors for oxalate nephropathy is especially relevant to patients and
      physicians considering the increase in the United States of vitamin C
      supplementation use and gastric bypass surgery. It is important for physicians to
      maintain an awareness of this diagnosis and its risk factors. 

PMID- 26271147
TI  - Imaging findings of fallopian tube leiomyoma with myxoid degeneration: a case
      report.
AB  - Leiomyomas from the fallopian tube are very rare and usually asymptomatic but may
      cause symptoms by torsion or obstruction. Herein, we describe the detailed
      imaging findings of tubal leiomyoma with myxoid degeneration. Tubal leiomyoma
      appeared as a well-defined juxtauterine tumor marginated by low-signal rims with
      intervening bridging vessels between the tumor and uterus. A tubal mass showing
      heterogeneous speckled high signals with intermediate signal background on T2
      weighted image without diffusion restriction could suggest the probability of
      tubal leiomyoma with mxoid degeneration. 

PMID- 26271146
TI  - Remote ischemic preconditioning for kidney protection: GSK3beta-centric insights
      into the mechanism of action.
AB  - Preventing acute kidney injury (AKI) in high-risk patients following medical
      interventions is a paramount challenge for clinical practice. Recent data from
      animal experiments and clinical trials indicate that remote ischemic
      preconditioning, represented by limb ischemic preconditioning, confers a
      protective action on the kidney. Ischemic preconditioning is effective in
      reducing the risk for AKI following cardiovascular interventions and the use of
      iodinated radiocontrast media. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanisms for this
      protective effect are elusive. A protective signal is conveyed from the remote
      site undergoing ischemic preconditioning, such as the limb, to target organs,
      such as the kidney, by multiple potential communication pathways, which may
      involve humoral, neuronal, and systemic mechanisms. Diverse transmitting pathways
      trigger a variety of signaling cascades, including the reperfusion injury salvage
      kinase and survivor activating factor enhancement pathways, all of which converge
      on glycogen synthase kinase 3beta (GSK3beta). Inhibition of GSK3beta subsequent
      to ischemic preconditioning reinforces the Nrf2-mediated antioxidant defense,
      diminishes the nuclear factor-kappaB-dependent proinflammatory response, and
      exerts prosurvival effects ensuing from the desensitized mitochondria
      permeability transition. Thus, therapeutic targeting of GSK3beta by ischemic
      preconditioning or by pharmacologic preconditioning with existing US Food and
      Drug Administration-approved drugs having GSK3beta-inhibitory activities might
      represent a pragmatic and cost-effective adjuvant strategy for kidney protection
      and prophylaxis against AKI. 

PMID- 26271148
TI  - The computed tomographic angiography finding of hepatic artery dissection after
      living donor liver transplantation; what is the clinical significance?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To correlate computed tomography (CT) findings of hepatic artery
      dissection (HAD) to clinical manifestations of arterial insufficiency and biliary
      stricture after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). METHODS: Among 737
      consecutive patients, we retrospectively reviewed incidence, CT findings, and
      complications of the HAD. RESULTS: HADs occurred in 43 patients, exclusively in
      recipient arteries. Most were resolved with recovery of true lumen without
      specific treatment. Five patients had insignificant hepatic arterial infarctions,
      and incidence of biliary stricture did not significantly differ with control
      group. CONCLUSIONS: HADs frequently occurred shortly after LDLT. Most HADs
      spontaneously improved and did not affect incidence of late biliary stricture.

PMID- 26271149
TI  - Extragastrointestinal stromal tumor of lesser omentum: a challenging radiological
      and histological diagnosis.
AB  - Extragastrointestinal stromal tumors (EGISTs) are a rare subgroup of
      gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), arising from outside the walls of
      gastrointestinal tubular organs. We report a case of an EGIST of the lesser
      omentum that represented a diagnostic challenge. Due to its atypical radiologic
      findings, it was preoperatively mistaken for pedunculated hepatic hemangioma.
      Histopathologically, it showed epithelioid structure and c-kit negative, very
      uncommon for GIST. Only a few cases of EGISTs have been previously reported. We
      discuss imaging and histological features, emphasizing potential pitfalls. 

PMID- 26271150
TI  - Genomic organization of a novel victorivirus from the rice blast fungus
      Magnaporthe oryzae.
AB  - Two double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) mycoviruses were found in isolate QSP5 of the
      rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae. Sequence analysis of the two dsRNA
      mycoviruses revealed that one is closely related to Magnaporthe oryzae virus 2
      (MoV2), and the other one is related to Magnaporthe oryzae chrysovirus 1-A (MoCV1
      A). Therefore, they were named Magnaporthe oryzae virus 3 (MoV3) and Magnaporthe
      oryzae chrysovirus 1-C (MoCV1-C), respectively. In this paper, the molecular and
      structural characteristics of MoV3 were analyzed in detail. The full genome
      sequence (5181 bp) of MoV3 was obtained by cDNA cloning. Sequence analysis
      indicated that MoV3 has two overlapping open reading frames (ORF1 and ORF2). The
      5'-proximal ORF1 encodes a putative coat protein (CP) with a molecular weight of
      80,939 Da; the 3'-proximal ORF2 encodes a putative RNA-dependent RNA polymerase
      (RdRp) with a molecular weight of 90,506 Da. The stop codon of ORF1 overlaps the
      start codon of ORF2, with the tetranucleotide sequence AUGA, which is
      characteristic of members of the genus Victorivirus of the family Totiviridae.
      Phylogenetic analysis of RdRp and CP further supported the view that MoV3, a
      novel mycovirus, belongs to the genus Victorivirus of the family Totiviridae.

PMID- 26271151
TI  - Complete genome analysis of equine coronavirus isolated in Japan.
AB  - Equine coronavirus has been responsible for several outbreaks of disease in the
      United States and Japan. Only one complete genome sequence (NC99 isolated in the
      US) had been reported for this pathogenic RNA virus. Here, we report the complete
      genome sequences of three equine coronaviruses isolated in 2009 and 2012 in
      Japan. The genome sequences of Tokachi09, Obihiro12-1 and Obihiro12-2 were
      30,782, 30,916 and 30,916 nucleotides in length, respectively, excluding the 3'
      poly (A) tails. All three isolates were genetically similar to NC99 (98.2-98.7%),
      but deletions and insertions were observed in the genes nsp3 of ORF1a, NS2 and
      p4.7.

PMID- 26271152
TI  - A porcine circovirus-2 mutant isolated in Brazil contains low-frequency
      substitutions in regions of immunoprotective epitopes in the capsid protein.
AB  - Porcine circovirus-2 (PCV2) is the etiologic agent of several diseases in pigs,
      including multi-systemic wasting syndrome (PMWS). In this work, a new mutant
      PCV2b was isolated from PMWS-affected pigs on a Brazilian farm. Its genome showed
      high sequence similarity (>99% identity) to those from a group of emerging
      mutants isolated from cases of PMWS outbreaks in vaccinated pigs in China, the
      USA and South Korea. Here, we show that these isolates share a combination of low
      frequency substitutions (single amino acid polymorphisms with a frequency of
      <=25%) in the viral capsid protein, mainly in regions of immunoprotective
      epitopes, and an additional lysine residue at position 234. These isolates were
      phylogenetically grouped in the PCV2b clade, reinforcing the idea of the
      emergence of a new group of mutants PCV2b associated with outbreaks worldwide.
      The identification of these polymorphisms in the viral capsid highlights the
      importance of considering these isolates for the development of more-effective
      vaccines.

PMID- 26271153
TI  - Effect of truncation of the N-terminal region of the viral hemorrhagic septicemia
      virus (VHSV) P protein on viral replication.
AB  - The phosphoprotein (P) of viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV) plays an
      essential role in viral replication by interconnecting the L protein and the N
      protein-RNA complex. In this study, to investigate the role of the N-terminal
      region of the P protein in viral replication, we mutated the first or the first
      and second or the first, second, and third ATG codon into TGA stop codons. The
      respective mutants were named P1, P2, and P3. Recombinant VHSVs containing each
      mutated P gene (rVHSV-P1, -P2, and -P3) were successfully generated by supplying
      the intact P protein in trans. The rVHSV-P2 and -P3 were not generated from cells
      expressing truncated P proteins (P1, P2 or P3 protein), but the rVHSV-P1 produced
      infectious viruses, even in cells without any P-protein-expressing plasmids.
      Nucleotide sequence analysis of the P gene of rVHSV-P1 showed that a mutation had
      occurred that resulted in the fourth amino acid (isoleucine, ATT) being changed
      to methionine (ATG) without a frameshift (P0.5), suggesting that strong selection
      pressure might facilitate mutations that are advantageous or essential for virus
      replication. Infectious rVHSV-P2 and -P3 were produced in cells expressing the
      P0.5 protein, suggesting that the first three amino acids of the P protein of
      VHSV are dispensable for viral replication. Furthermore, although the P1 protein
      was shorter than the P0.5 protein by only two amino acid residues, no viruses
      were produced when the P1 protein was supplied indicating that the fourth and the
      fifth amino acid residues are indispensable for normal P protein functions
      involved in viral replication. 

PMID- 26271154
TI  - Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation Induces a Spatial Bias in Whole-body Position
      Estimates.

PMID- 26271155
TI  - Final overall survival and safety analysis of OCEANS, a phase 3 trial of
      chemotherapy with or without bevacizumab in patients with platinum-sensitive
      recurrent ovarian cancer.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: OCEANS is a randomized, placebo (PL)-controlled, phase 3 trial
      evaluating the efficacy and safety of bevacizumab combined with
      gemcitabine+carboplatin (GC) for patients with platinum-sensitive recurrent
      ovarian cancer (ROC). The study met its primary endpoint, demonstrating improved
      progression-free survival with GC+bevacizumab compared with GC+PL. Herein, we
      describe results of final overall survival (OS) and updated safety. METHODS:
      Patients with recurrent platinum-sensitive ROC (recurring >=6months after first
      line platinum-based therapy) and measurable disease at baseline were randomized
      to receive GC+bevacizumab or GC+PL for 6-10cycles; PL or bevacizumab was then
      continued until disease progression. In this updated analysis, a Cox proportional
      hazards model was used to compare OS between the 2 treatment arms. RESULTS: At
      the data cutoff date (July 19, 2013), 353 patients (72.9%) had died. Median
      follow-up for OS was 58.2months in the experimental arm and 56.4months in the
      control arm. Consistent with interim analyses, median OS was comparable between
      arms (GC+bevacizumab: 33.6months; GC+PL: 32.9months; hazard ratio=0.95; log-rank
      p=0.65), and was consistent across all examined patient subgroups. The frequency
      and severity of adverse events were consistent with previous analyses; no new
      safety concerns were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Results from final OS analysis of
      the phase 3 OCEANS study showed no significant difference in OS for patients
      treated with GC+bevacizumab compared with GC+PL.

PMID- 26271156
TI  - Candidate biomarkers for mosquito age-grading identified by label-free
      quantitative analysis of protein expression in Aedes albopictus females.
AB  - We applied a "shotgun" approach based on nanoliquid chromatography-high
      resolution mass spectrometry associated to label free quantification (LFQ) to
      identify proteins varying with age, independently from the physiological state,
      in Aedes albopictus, a mosquito species which in the last decades invaded
      temperate regions in North America and Europe, creating concerns for associated
      high nuisance and risk of arbovirus transmission. The combined "shotgun" and LFQ
      approach was shown to be highly suitable to simultaneously compare several
      biological samples, as needed in a study aimed to analyze different age-groups
      and physiological states of adult mosquito females. The results obtained
      represent the first wide-scale analysis of protein expression in Ae. albopictus
      females: >1000 and 665 proteins were identified from few micrograms of crude
      protein extracts of mosquito heads and thoraxes, respectively. Six of these
      proteins were shown to significantly vary from 2- to 16-day-old females,
      independently from their physiological state (i.e. virgin, mated, host-seeking,
      blood-fed, and gravid). BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Mosquito-borne diseases, such as
      malaria, dengue and other arboviroses, are a persistent cause of global mortality
      and morbidity, affecting hundreds of thousands of people. Billions of people
      living in tropical areas are at risk of being bitten every day by an infective
      mosquito female and the spread of tropical species such as Aedes albopictus to
      temperate areas is creating alarm in the northern hemisphere. Mosquito longevity
      is a critical factor affecting mosquito-borne pathogen transmission cycles and
      the mosquito capacity to transmit pathogens. However, large scale analyses of the
      age structure of mosquito field populations is hampered by the lack of optimal
      age-grading approaches. Our findings open new perspectives for the development of
      reliable, simple and cheap protein-based assays to age-grade Ae. albopictus
      females and, most likely, other mosquito species of higher medical relevance,
      such as the main dengue vector, Aedes aegypti, and the major Afrotropical malaria
      vectors. These assays would greatly contribute to epidemiological studies aimed
      at defining the actual vectorial capacity of a given mosquito species. Moreover,
      they would be very valuable in assessing the effectiveness of mosquito control
      interventions based on the relative ratio between young and old individuals
      before and after the intervention.

PMID- 26271158
TI  - Aldur W. Eriksson 7.1.1927-3.4.2015.

PMID- 26271159
TI  - Preparation of size-selective Mn3O4 hexagonal nanoplates with superior
      electrochemical properties for pseudocapacitors.
AB  - Porous Mn3O4 hexagonal nanoplates were synthesized through annealing the
      hydrohausmannite precursor obtained by a one-pot hydrothermal process and by
      precisely controlling the concentrations of potassium hydroxide and glucose. The
      effect of potassium hydroxide and glucose on the growth of hexagonal nanoplates
      was investigated, and a growth mechanism was also proposed. Due to its abundant
      pores, the pure Mn3O4-based electrode exhibits excellent cycling stability with
      100% capacity retention after 5000 cycles. The asymmetric supercapacitor
      exhibited high performance with an energy density of 17.276 W h kg(-1) at a power
      density of 207.3 W kg(-1) in a wide potential window of 1.5 V. 

PMID- 26271157
TI  - Proteome analysis of the triton-insoluble erythrocyte membrane skeleton.
AB  - Erythrocyte shape and membrane integrity is imparted by the membrane skeleton,
      which can be isolated as a Triton X-100 insoluble structure that retains the
      biconcave shape of intact erythrocytes, indicating isolation of essentially
      intact membrane skeletons. These erythrocyte "Triton Skeletons" have been studied
      morphologically and biochemically, but unbiased proteome analysis of this
      substructure of the membrane has not been reported. In this study, different
      extraction buffers and in-depth proteome analyses were used to more fully define
      the protein composition of this functionally critical macromolecular complex. As
      expected, the major, well-characterized membrane skeleton proteins and their
      associated membrane anchors were recovered in good yield. But surprisingly, a
      substantial number of additional proteins that are not considered in erythrocyte
      membrane skeleton models were recovered in high yields, including myosin-9, lipid
      raft proteins (stomatin, flotillin1 and 2), multiple chaperone proteins (HSPs,
      protein disulfide isomerase and calnexin), and several other proteins. These
      results show that the membrane skeleton is substantially more complex than
      previous biochemical studies indicated, and it apparently has localized regions
      with unique protein compositions and functions. This comprehensive catalog of the
      membrane skeleton should lead to new insights into erythrocyte membrane biology
      and pathogenic mutations that perturb membrane stability. Biological significance
      Current models of erythrocyte membranes describe fairly simple homogenous
      structures that are incomplete. Proteome analysis of the erythrocyte membrane
      skeleton shows that it is quite complex and includes a substantial number of
      proteins whose roles and locations in the membrane are not well defined. Further
      elucidation of interactions involving these proteins and definition of
      microdomains in the membrane that contain these proteins should yield novel
      insights into how the membrane skeleton produces the normal biconcave erythrocyte
      shape and how it is perturbed in pathological conditions that destabilize the
      membrane. 

PMID- 26271160
TI  - Smoking-Related Beliefs and Susceptibility Among United States Youth Nonsmokers.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to examine racial/ethnic disparities in
      smoking beliefs and susceptibility in a nationally representative sample of
      United States youth nonsmokers (N = 21,931). METHODS: Weighted regression models
      were used to examine smoking-related beliefs and susceptibility by race/ethnicity
      adjusting for demographics, exposure to pro-tobacco advertising and promotions,
      parental guidance against tobacco use, and peer norms. RESULTS: Compared with non
      Hispanic whites, racial/ethnic minority youth endorsed pro-smoking beliefs and
      were susceptible to smoking. Non-Hispanic blacks, non-Hispanic Asians, and
      Hispanics embraced social benefits of smoking (all p < .05). Hispanics had lower
      perceptions of tobacco-related risks (adjusted odds ratio = .87) and were more
      susceptible to smoking (adjusted odds ratio = 1.56). Disparities in smoking
      beliefs and susceptibility persisted between minority and non-Hispanic white
      youth after adjusting for exposure to pro-tobacco advertising and promotions,
      parental guidance against tobacco use, and peer norms. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking
      related beliefs and susceptibility varied by race/ethnicity among youth
      nonsmokers after accounting for known predictors of youth smoking.

PMID- 26271161
TI  - Teen Dating Violence Victimization and Patterns of Substance Use Among High
      School Students.
AB  - PURPOSE: Substance use in adolescence is a significant concern, particularly the
      use of multiple drugs. Yet, most studies examine a single substance in isolation,
      with limited consideration of the use of multiple substances. Furthermore, few
      studies have examined how teen dating violence (TDV) victimization is associated
      with patterns of substance use. METHODS: Using latent class analysis and latent
      class regression, the present study aimed to (1) identify subtypes of substance
      use among high school students and (2) examine the association between past-year
      physical and psychological TDV victimization and pattern of substance use. We
      focused on 30-day use of alcohol, binge drinking, marijuana, cigarette,
      cigarillo, and prescription drug use. Analyses were conducted on data from 18,680
      adolescents in Grades 9-12, across 58 high schools. RESULTS: The latent class
      analysis indicated a five-class model best fit the data; the largest class was
      composed of nonusers, whereas the other classes were high polysubstance use,
      alcohol use, alcohol and marijuana use, and moderate polysubstance use. The
      multinomial regression analyses indicated that adolescents who had experienced
      physical and psychological TDV were more likely to be in the two polysubstance
      use classes and the alcohol and marijuana use class, as compared with
      nonvictimized adolescents. CONCLUSION: There is heterogeneity in adolescents'
      self-reported recent substance use, although a large proportion of substance
      using youth reported recent alcohol and marijuana use. Preventive interventions
      should focus their efforts on preventing substance use among victims of TDV, in
      part because substance use is a risk factor for TDV victimization.

PMID- 26271163
TI  - Tailoring mechanical response through coronal layer overlap in tethered micelle
      hydrogel networks.
AB  - Tethered micelle hydrogel networks based on the solution assembly of amphiphilic
      ABA-type block copolymers are prevalent throughout the hydrogel literature.
      However, the mechanical response of such systems is often determined largely by
      the integrity of the micellar core produced during solution assembly, not by the
      elements of the network structure upon which it is based. Using a solvent-free
      fabrication method based on the melt-state self-assembly of sphere-forming
      polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene oxide) (SO) diblock and SOS triblock copolymers
      blends, we have been able to produce tethered micelle hydrogel networks with
      fully vitrified cores that enable the elements of the network structure to
      determine the mechanical response. Here, we explore the impact of using PEO
      midblocks of different lengths within the SOS tethers, in an effort to elucidate
      the role played by water content, tether concentration, and tether length in
      mechanical property determination. In doing so, we were able to establish coronal
      layer overlap as the primary contributing factor in regulating the dynamic
      elastic moduli exhibited by tethered micelle systems. Variation of either tether
      concentration or tether length could be used to tune the degree of coronal layer
      overlap, enabling direct and accurate control over hydrogel mechanical response.
      While such control is likely a unique feature of the melt-state fabrication
      approach applied here, the conclusions with respect to the role of coronal layer
      overlap and tether (bridging) concentration in determining the mechanical
      potential of the network should be applicable to all ABA-type tethered micelle
      systems, regardless of fabrication methodology. 

PMID- 26271162
TI  - Do Savings Mediate Changes in Adolescents' Future Orientation and Health-Related
      Outcomes? Findings From Randomized Experiment in Uganda.
AB  - PURPOSE: This present study tests the proposition that an economic strengthening
      intervention for families caring for AIDS-orphaned adolescents would positively
      affect adolescent future orientation and psychosocial outcomes through increased
      asset accumulation (in this case, by increasing family savings). METHODS: Using
      longitudinal data from the cluster-randomized experiment, we ran generalized
      estimating equation models with robust standard errors clustering on individual
      observations. To examine whether family savings mediate the effect of the
      intervention on adolescents' future orientation and psychosocial outcomes,
      analyses were conducted in three steps: (1) testing the effect of intervention on
      mediator; (2) testing the effect of mediator on outcomes, controlling for the
      intervention; and (3) testing the significance of mediating effect using Sobel
      Goodman method. Asymmetric confidence intervals for mediated effect were obtained
      through bootstrapping-to address the assumption of normal distribution. RESULTS:
      Results indicate that participation in a matched Child Savings Account (CSA)
      program improved adolescents' future orientation and psychosocial outcomes by
      reducing hopelessness, enhancing self-concept, and improving adolescents'
      confidence about their educational plans. However, the positive intervention
      effect on adolescent future orientation and psychosocial outcomes was not
      transmitted through saving. In other words, participation in the matched CSA
      program improved adolescent future orientation and psychosocial outcomes
      regardless of its impact on reported savings. CONCLUSIONS: Further research is
      necessary to understand exactly how participation in economic strengthening
      interventions, for example, those that employ matched CSAs, shape adolescent
      future orientation and psychosocial outcomes: what, if not savings, transmits the
      treatment effect and how?

PMID- 26271164
TI  - In vitro fertilization in pigs: New molecules and protocols to consider in the
      forthcoming years.
AB  - Assisted reproduction technology (ART) protocols are used in livestock for the
      improvement and preservation of their genetics and to enhance reproductive
      efficiency. In the case of pigs, the potential use of embryos for biomedicine is
      being followed with great interest by the scientific community. Owing to the
      physiological similarities with humans, embryos produced in vitro and many of
      those produced in vivo are used in research laboratories for the procurement of
      stem cells or the production of transgenic animals, sometimes with the purpose of
      using their organs for xenotransplantation. Several techniques are required for
      the production of an in vitro-derived embryo. These include in vitro oocyte
      maturation, sperm preparation, IVF, and further culture of the putative zygotes.
      Without doubt, among these technologies, IVF is still a critical limiting factor
      because of the well-known, but still unsolved, question of polyspermy. Despite
      the improvements made in the past decade, current IVF systems hardly reach 50% to
      60% efficiency and any progression in porcine ARTs requires an unavoidable
      improvement in the monospermy rate. It is time, then, to learn from what happens
      under in vivo physiological conditions and to transfer this knowledge into ART.
      This review describes the latest advances in porcine IVF, from sperm preparation
      procedures to culture media supplements with special attention paid to molecules
      with a known or potential role in in vivo fertilization. Oviductal fluid is the
      natural medium in which fertilization takes place, and, in the near future, could
      become the definitive supplement for culture media, where it would help to solve
      many of the problems inherent in ARTs in swine and improve the quality of in
      vitro-derived porcine embryos.

PMID- 26271166
TI  - [Gastric volvulus in children].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Gastric volvulus in children is rare and can be life-threatening if
      not recognised in time. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 3.5-year-old boy presented to his GP
      with severe, non-bilious vomiting, abdominal distension and abdominal pain.
      Additional diagnostic tests showed hypochloraemic alkalosis and abdominal
      ultrasonography suggested gastric volvulus. A barium study showed slow passage of
      contrast into the duodenum combined with craniomedial displacement of the
      duodenum. This image matches that of mesenteroaxial gastric volvulus. The
      diagnosis was confirmed during surgery and gastropexy was successfully performed.
      CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of gastric volvulus can be difficult. Easily accessible
      additional diagnostics in the form of ultrasonography, possibly followed by a
      barium study, may be helpful.

PMID- 26271165
TI  - Effect of the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus on the expression of genes
      involved in European eel spermatogenesis.
AB  - Positive effects of probiotics on fish reproduction have been reported in several
      species. In the present study, 40 male European eels were weekly treated with
      recombinant hCG for 9 weeks and with three different concentrations (10(3),
      10(5), and 10(6) CFU/mL) of probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus IMC 501 (Sinbyotec,
      Italy). The probiotics were daily added to the water from the sixth week of the
      hCG treatment. Males from the treated and control groups were sacrificed after 1,
      2, and 3 weeks of probiotic treatment (seventh-ninth weeks of hCG treatment); at
      this point, sperm and testis samples were also collected. Sperm volume was
      estimated, and motility was analyzed by computer-assisted sperm analysis
      software. Alternations in transcription of specific genes involved in
      reproductive process such as activin, androgen receptors alpha and beta (aralpha
      and arbeta), progesterone receptor 1 (pr1), bone morphogenetic protein 15
      (bmp15), and FSH receptor (fshr) were analyzed in the testis. After 2 weeks of
      probiotic treatment, sperm production and sperm motility parameters (percentage
      of motile cells and percentage of straight-swimming spermatozoa) were increased
      in the European eel treated with 10(5) CFU/mL compared to controls or to the
      other probiotic doses. These changes were associated with increases in messenger
      RNA expression of activin, aralpha, arbeta, pr1, and fshr. Conversely, after 3
      weeks, activin and pr1 expression decreased. No significant changes were observed
      on bmp15 expression throughout the duration of the treatment with 10(5) CFU/mL
      dose. The lowest and highest probiotic dose (10(3) and 10(6) CFU/mL,
      respectively) inhibited the transcription of all genes along all the experiment,
      except for aralpha and arbeta after 1 week of probiotic treatment when compared
      to controls. The changes observed by transcriptomic analysis and the sperm
      parameters suggest that a treatment with L rhamnosus at 10(5) CFU/mL for 2 weeks
      could improve spermatogenesis process in Anguilla anguilla. 

PMID- 26271167
TI  - [Dutch-language patient-reported outcome measures for foot and ankle injuries; a
      systematic review].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate which valid and reliable patient-reported outcome
      measures (PROMs) are available for foot and ankle disorders in the Dutch
      population, and which of these is the most suitable for uniform use. DESIGN:
      Systematic review. METHOD: PubMed, Embase and Google Scholar were systematically
      searched for relevant articles; subsequently two researchers screened first the
      title and the abstract, and then the full article within a selection of these
      articles. Studies that described a validation process for foot- and ankle-PROMs
      in a Dutch population were included. Data on measurement characteristics and
      translation procedure were extracted, and methodological quality of the studies
      was assessed using the COSMIN checklist. ('COSMIN' stands for 'Consensus-based
      standards for the selection of health status measurement instruments'.) RESULTS:
      Two general foot- and ankle-PROMs in the Dutch language were validated: the Foot
      and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) and the Foot and Ankle Ability Measurement (FAAM);
      two foot-PROMs: the Manchester Foot Pain and Disability Index (MFPDI) and the 5
      point Foot Function Index (FFI-5pt) were also validated. There were also two
      disorder-specific PROMs available in Dutch: the Victorian Institute of Sports
      Assessment-Achilles (VISA-A) for Achilles tendinopathies and the Foot Impact
      Scale for Rheumatoid Arthritis (FIS-RA) for rheumatoid arthritis patients.
      CONCLUSION: The FAOS and the FFI-5pt showed the strongest evidence for having
      good measurement characteristics. Currently, we regard the FAOS as the most
      appropriate foot- and ankle-PROM for general foot and ankle problems. Further
      studies of higher methodological quality are, however, required to draw firmer
      conclusions.

PMID- 26271168
TI  - [A man with vision problems after coronary angiography].
AB  - A 71-year-old man underwent a coronary angiography (CAG). Afterwards he
      experienced vision loss. Neurologic examination revealed bilateral cortical
      blindness. A cerebral CT-scan showed occipital hyperdensity, due to contrast
      accumulation and oedema. There was complete recovery of vision within 2 days.
      Transient cortical blindness after CAG is a rare complication of iodinated
      contrast agents. 

PMID- 26271169
TI  - [A supracondylar process in a child with arm pain].
AB  - A 14-year-old boy had arm pain after a traumatic event. An X-ray showed a
      supracondylar process of the humerus, which is a coincidental finding but
      sometimes has clinical consequences. It may compress the median nerve or brachial
      artery, leading to symptoms. Resection can give complete relieve of symptoms. 

PMID- 26271170
TI  - [Decision-making in preoperative radiotherapy in rectal cancer: variation in
      provision of information].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the information provision concerning possible benefits
      and harms of short-course preoperative radiotherapy (PRT) at pre-treatment
      consultations between radiation oncologists and rectal cancer patients. DESIGN:
      Observational study. METHOD: We audiotaped the consultations between 17 radiation
      oncologists and 81 patients with primary rectal cancer who were eligible for PRT.
      The recordings were transcribed and analysed descriptively. RESULTS: A median of
      seven benefits/harms of PRT were addressed at each consultation (range, 2-13).
      This number differed both in and between individual oncologists and was not
      consistently associated with the patient's characteristics. A total of 30
      different treatment outcomes was addressed. The effect of PRT on local control
      was addressed in all consultations, and the effect on survival in 16%. The most
      important adverse effects according to the literature are bowel dysfunction and
      sexual dysfunction. These were addressed in 82% and 85% of consultations,
      respectively; sexual problems were discussed significantly more often with male
      than female patients. Four out of five patients did not initiate discussion on
      potential benefits/harms. CONCLUSION: There was a considerable variation in the
      number and nature of benefits and harms of PRT that were discussed prior to
      treatment. This variation indicates a lack of clarity concerning which
      benefits/harms of radiotherapy should be discussed with newly-diagnosed patients.
      This suboptimal provision of information to patients hampers the process of
      shared decision making, in which the decision is based on each individual
      patient's weighing of benefits and harms. We do not believe our findings to be
      specific for PRT, but expect to find similar variation in provision of
      information with regard to other treatment decisions.

PMID- 26271171
TI  - [Unravelling medical leadership].
AB  - Medical leadership is a popular topic in the Netherlands, and several interest
      groups now incorporate medical leadership into postgraduate medical education.
      However, there is no consensus on what this concept entails. By conducting a
      discourse analysis, a qualitative method which uses language and text to reveal
      existing viewpoints, this article reveals three perspectives on medical
      leadership: administrative leadership, leadership within organisations and
      leadership within each doctor's daily practice. Text analysis shows that the
      first two perspectives refer to medical leadership mainly in a defensive manner:
      by demonstrating medical leadership doctors could 'take the lead' once again;
      patient care only seems to play a small part in the process. These perspectives
      are not free of consequences, they will determine how the medical profession is
      constructed. For this reason, it is argued that there should be more emphasis on
      the third perspective, in which the quality of care for patients is of primary
      importance. 

PMID- 26271172
TI  - [Dose-reduction of TNF-alpha blockers in patients with rheumatoid arthritis].
AB  - Tumour-necrosis-factor alpha (TNF-alpha) blockers are highly effective in
      patients with rheumatoid arthritis, but their use is limited by the high costs of
      the drug: around ? 10,000 to ? 15,000 per patient per year. In a recent
      randomised study, it was shown that dose reduction, or even stopping the
      medication, was possible in 43% and 20% of patients, respectively; the percentage
      of patients with a major flare was comparable: 10% versus 12%. Another study, in
      patients with rheumatoid arthritis in clinical remission, showed no difference in
      response between patients continuing etanercept 50 mg per week and patients in
      whom the dosage was reduced to 25 mg per week. These studies suggest that dose
      reduction is possible in a substantial number of patients with rheumatoid
      arthritis. It is not yet possible, however, to predict which individuals are at
      high risk for flares when reducing the dosage of TNF-alpha blocking agents.

PMID- 26271173
TI  - [Pneumococcal vaccine for pneumonia mostly unnecessary].
AB  - The efficacy of 13-valent polysaccharide conjugate vaccine (PCV13) was studied in
      a randomised, placebo-controlled trial involving 84,496 adults aged >= 65 years
      of age. PCV13 was partly effective in preventing vaccine-type pneumococcal
      pneumonia, but not in preventing either community-acquired pneumonia from any
      cause or death. The limited added value for individuals and society calls for
      reflection rather than mass vaccination. Emphasis on adequate and timely
      diagnosis of pneumonia with appropriate, personalised management - combined with
      'tender loving care', particularly for the frail elderly - is a better option
      than the ongoing, costly search for the ultimate vaccine to prevent pneumococcal
      pneumonia. 

PMID- 26271174
TI  - [Serious infection due to biologicals: risk only mildly elevated in patients with
      rheumatoid arthritis].
AB  - Biologicals are often thought to increase the risk of infection. A recent review
      shows that the risk of serious infection in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
      being treated with biologicals (standard dose) is only mildly elevated compared
      with those who are treated with conventional DMARDs only (odds ratio: 1.3). If
      biologicals are used at a lower dosage, e.g. tapering studies, the risk of
      serious infection does not seem to be increased. Alertness for infection in these
      patients, dose tapering and preventive measures such as vaccination, patient
      education and tuberculosis screening may potentially further reduce this serious
      side effect of biologicals. 

PMID- 26271175
TI  - [Shared decision-making becoming increasingly important].
AB  - The paper by Kunneman and colleagues published in the Dutch Journal of Medicine
      (NTvG) touches upon a timely and important health care issue: shared decision
      making. The study focused on the adequacy of the information given to patients by
      their treating radiation oncologists before undergoing preoperative radiotherapy
      for rectal cancer. The main conclusion of this study is that there is a wide
      variation in the quantity and quality of the information given regarding the
      advantages and disadvantages of this treatment. This commentary reviews the data
      presented and relates them to several ongoing national initiatives to improve
      information provision to patients and to stimulate shared decision-making.

PMID- 26271176
TI  - [Earlier case finding and immediate treatment of HIV: Time2Act].
AB  - Recent studies show that HIV-infected persons who start directly with their anti
      retroviral therapy (ART) have better outcomes in terms of morbidity and mortality
      than those who wait till their CD4 count decreases. In the Netherlands 24-34% is
      unaware of their HIV infection and 43% present late, especially migrants.
      Implementing proactive early case-finding will benefit both individual wellbeing
      as well as public health, as ART will also reduce or eliminate onward
      transmission to partners. 

PMID- 26271177
TI  - [Treatment of patients with Alzheimer's disease: a breakthrough or not?].
AB  - The results of an open-label extension study of the Expedition I and II studies
      with solanezumab in patients with Alzheimer's disease, neither of which had shown
      an effect on cognition and functional ability, were recently presented at the
      Alzheimer's Association International Conference in Toronto. Placebo and
      intervention patients with mild Alzheimer's disease from both studies were
      offered the option of continuing with solanezumab for 2 additional years. The
      data from this group were re-analysed using a new analysis technique, the so
      called 'delayed start analysis'. On the basis of the re-analysis it was concluded
      that solanezumab does show disease-modifying activity and should be considered a
      promising candidate for treatment of Alzheimer's disease in the near future. This
      conclusion, however, is poorly supported by the data presented in the study. A
      more definite positioning of solanezumab will not be possible until data from the
      ongoing Expedition III study becomes available in 2017 at the earliest. 

PMID- 26271178
TI  - Abdominal vasculature in dynamic contrast-enhanced liver MRI at 3.0T: an
      intraindividual comparative study using gadoxetate disodium and gadofosveset
      trisodium.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To intraindividually compare gadoxetate disodium and gadofosveset
      trisodium regarding vessel contrast, image quality and vessel delineation in
      dynamic contrast-enhanced liver MRI at 3.0T. METHODS: Twelve patients underwent
      3.0T MRI twice (24 examinations) with a single dose of gadoxetate disodium and
      gadofosveset trisodium, respectively. Signal intensity in abdominal vessels and
      tissue was determined. Vessel-to-background ratio (VBR) was calculated for each
      vessel and dynamic phase. All images were evaluated by two radiologists regarding
      image quality, vessel delineation and anatomic variants or pathologies with
      digital subtraction angiography as the standard of reference. RESULTS:
      Gadofosveset trisodium demonstrated a significantly higher VBR compared to
      gadoxetate disodium (arterial phase: 0.57+/-0.12 [SD] vs. 0.46+/-0.19; portal
      venous phase: 0.51+/-0.11 vs. 0.37+/-0.14; equilibrium phase: 0.48+/-0.10 vs.
      0.31+/-0.13; p<=0.01). Image quality and vessel delineation were rated equal or
      better for gadofosveset trisodium in all cases. These differences were not
      significant for most vessel segments. All anatomic variants were correctly
      identified by both readers for both contrast agents. CONCLUSIONS: Although
      gadofosveset trisodium provides a significantly higher vessel contrast at 3.0T,
      gadoxetate disodium is equivalent by qualitative measurements. Thus, gadoxetate
      enhanced liver MRI at 3.0T enables reliable assessment of the upper abdominal
      vasculature with the additional benefit of hepatobiliary imaging.

PMID- 26271179
TI  - Introduction and empirical assessment of executive functioning as a predictor of
      job performance.
AB  - The primary purposes of this study were (a) to introduce the concept of executive
      functioning (higher-level cognitive processes which monitor events, actions, and
      outcomes) to the employee selection literature and (b) to provide an empirical
      assessment of executive functioning in relation to key selection variables. Two
      of the three main components of executive functioning (set shifting and
      inhibition) appear to have considerable potential for selection because of their
      unique nature (e.g., self-directed, goal-oriented) and because they appear to be
      only modestly associated with general mental ability. While our empirical results
      were inconsistent, there may be underlying reasons for this, such as the unstable
      nature of the retail job sector. We believe there is considerable justification
      for continued exploration of this unique and potentially promising construct, and
      identify a number of directions for future research. 

PMID- 26271180
TI  - Excelling at selling: The charming personality style predicts occupational
      activities, sales performance, and persuasive competence.
AB  - The present research investigates how individual differences in charming
      personality are related to occupational activities, sales performance, and
      persuasive competence. Study 1 showed that sales representatives had higher
      scores on the charming personality style than executive managers. Study 2 showed
      that the charming personality style predicted actual sales performance among
      branch managers of a large German insurance company over a period of 2 years; the
      explicit power motivation served as a mediator in this relation. Finally, Study
      3, carried out in a laboratory setting, confirmed the hypothesis that a charming
      personality is associated with persuasive competence, which suggests that this
      style is more relevant for sales representatives than for executive managers. The
      authors conclude that the charming personality style represents an important
      psychological resource for organizations. 

PMID- 26271182
TI  - National narcissism: Internal dimensions and international correlates.
AB  - In studies conducted in the United States and China, we explored the impact of
      national narcissism, grandiosity, and entitlement, demonstrating that: (a)
      national narcissism was distinct from both individual narcissism and collective
      self-esteem (patriotism); (b) national entitlement and national grandiosity
      constituted two distinct dimensions of national narcissism; and (c) national
      narcissism, national grandiosity, and national entitlement, but not individual
      narcissism, were uniquely predictive of political attitudes, foreign policy
      preferences, and purchase intentions. Together, these findings provided
      convergent evidence for the utility of national narcissism and its two internal
      dimensions, national entitlement and national grandiosity. 

PMID- 26271181
TI  - The relation between prospective memory and working memory: Evidence from event
      related potential data.
AB  - Event-related potentials were used in this study to investigate the neural
      correlates of prospective memory and whether working memory is involved in
      prospective remembering. Thirty undergraduate or graduate students participated
      in the study. All participants completed a working memory test, namely, the
      Chinese Letter-Number Span Test, and were divided into two groups: the longer and
      shorter working memory span groups. They also undertook a prospective memory task
      while electrophysiological data were recorded. The results showed that
      participants in the longer working memory span group had shorter reaction times
      and smaller amplitudes in prospective positivity than participants in the shorter
      working memory span group. The results suggested that working memory resources
      are involved in the intention retrieval process of prospective remembering. 

PMID- 26271183
TI  - Chinese school teachers' organizational citizenship behavior (OCB): Predictors
      and outcomes.
AB  - Teacher's organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) is a multifaceted construct
      that is critical to school effectiveness and to the education enterprise. Four
      hundred ninety-three teachers in eight different cities on the Chinese mainland
      were surveyed using the OCB scale developed by Bo Shiuan Cheng, a Taiwanese
      scholar. The antecedent and outcome variables of OCB were examined in this study.
      The results showed that the teachers' attitudinal characteristics of career
      satisfaction and career commitment, and the dispositional characteristic of locus
      of control, influenced teachers' OCB. In addition, teachers' OCB influenced their
      work performance as well as their career and organizational turnover intention.
      The implications of this study suggest a base of knowledge from which school
      administrators could enhance their school's organizational function and retain
      teachers. 

PMID- 26271185
TI  - Endoluminal stenting via the suture-assisted flange engagement technique.

PMID- 26271186
TI  - Variability in microRNA recovery from plasma: Comparison of five commercial kits.
AB  - Numerous studies have indicated that microRNAs (miRNAs) are present and stable in
      multiple biological fluids, suggesting a great potential as biomarkers for
      molecular diagnostics and prognostics. Variations in the amount of starting
      material and isolation method to obtain miRNA may introduce bias and contribute
      to quantification errors. Given these concerns, we compared five commercially
      available kits for serum/plasma miRNA isolation to determine whether the plasma
      miRNA profile varies with the isolation method. We isolated miRNAs in blood
      plasma from colorectal cancer patients and healthy donors with five commercially
      available kits: Exiqon, Norgen, Macherey-Nagel, Qiagen, and Zymo Research. First,
      we assessed the robustness of the RNA isolation process and the quality of
      isolated miRNAs with the miRCURY microRNA QC PCR Panel (Exiqon), which contains
      six RNA spike-ins for quality control of RNA isolation (UniSp2, -4, and -5),
      complementary DNA (cDNA) synthesis (UniSp6 and cel-miR-39-3p), and polymerase
      chain reaction (PCR) amplification (UniSp3). This panel also includes circulating
      human miR-103, miR-191, miR-23a, and miR-451. Second, to evaluate the variability
      in miRNA profiling in relation to the extraction method, we analyzed plasma
      levels of candidate miRNA biomarkers for colorectal cancer (miR-18a, miR-21, and
      miR-29a). To determine PCR efficiencies per amplicon and per sample, we used
      LinRegPCR software. We found that all isolation methods were suitable for
      extracting miRNA from plasma samples and that all had similar Cq values in the
      three steps analyzed: RNA isolation, cDNA synthesis, and quantitative reverse
      transcription (qRT)-PCR. However, although the PCR replicates were excellent, the
      intersample variability of the spike-ins was unsatisfactorily high and all kits
      yielded suboptimal PCR efficiencies for some amplicons. Overall, our results
      underline the great difficulties involved in measuring miRNAs in plasma. The use
      of spike-ins is critical to control technical factors that affect final miRNA
      levels. We recommend that researchers investigating circulating miRNAs verify the
      PCR efficiency for each amplicon because quantification may be influenced by
      sample and PCR components. 

PMID- 26271187
TI  - Cu(I)-NHC-Catalyzed (2 + 3)-Annulation of Tetramic Acids with 2H-Azirines:
      Stereoselective Synthesis of Functionalized Hexahydropyrrolo[3,4-b]pyrroles.
AB  - A stereoselective and high-yield synthesis of hexahydropyrrolo[3,4-b]pyrroles
      from tetramic acids and 2H-azirines under Cu(I)-NHC catalysis is developed. An
      unusual N-C2 azirine bond cleavage, initiated by a copper enolate, was
      rationalized in terms of a free radical reaction mechanism. 

PMID- 26271184
TI  - Gastrointestinal traits: individualizing therapy for obesity with drugs and
      devices.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The aims of this article were to review the discrepancy
      between numbers of people requiring weight loss treatment and results and to
      assess the potential effects of pharmacologic treatments (recently approved for
      obesity) and endoscopically deployed devices on quantitative GI traits in
      development for obesity treatment. METHODS: We conducted a review of relevant
      literature to achieve our objectives. RESULTS: The 2013 guidelines increased the
      number of adults recommended for weight loss treatment by 20.9% (116.0 million to
      140.2 million). There is an imbalance between efficacy and costs of commercial
      weight loss programs and drug therapy (average weight loss about 5 kg). The
      number of bariatric procedures performed in the United States has doubled in the
      past decade. The efficacy of bariatric surgery is attributed to reduction in the
      volume of the stomach, nutrient malabsorption with some types of surgery,
      increased postprandial incretin responses, and activation of farnesoid X receptor
      mechanisms. These GI and behavioral traits identify sub-phenotypes of obesity,
      based on recent research. CONCLUSIONS: The mechanisms or traits targeted by drug
      and device treatments include centrally mediated alterations of appetite or
      satiation, diversion of nutrients, and alteration of stomach capacity, gastric
      emptying, or incretin hormones. Future treatment may be individualized based on
      quantitative GI and behavioral traits measured in obese patients.

PMID- 26271188
TI  - Metabolically healthy and unhealthy obesity: differential effects on myocardial
      function according to metabolic syndrome, rather than obesity.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The term 'metabolically healthy obese (MHO)' is distinguished using
      body mass index (BMI), yet BMI is a poor index of adiposity. Some epidemiological
      data suggest that MHO carries a lower risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) or
      mortality than being normal weight yet metabolically unhealthy. OBJECTIVES: We
      aimed to undertake a detailed phenotyping of individuals with MHO by using
      imaging techniques to examine ectopic fat (visceral and liver fat deposition) and
      myocardial function. We hypothesised that metabolically unhealthy individuals
      (irrespective of BMI) would have adverse levels of ectopic fat and myocardial
      dysfunction compared with MHO individuals. SUBJECTS: Individuals were categorised
      as non-obese or obese (BMI ?30 kg m(-2)) and as metabolically healthy or
      unhealthy according to the presence or absence of metabolic syndrome. METHODS:
      Sixty-seven individuals (mean+/-s.d.: age 49+/-11 years) underwent measurement of
      (i) visceral, subcutaneous and liver fat using magnetic resonance imaging and
      proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy, (ii) components of metabolic syndrome,
      (iii) cardiorespiratory fitness and (iv) indices of systolic and diastolic
      function using tissue Doppler echocardiography. RESULTS: Cardiorespiratory
      fitness was similar between all groups; abdominal and visceral fat was highest in
      the obese groups. Compared with age- and BMI-matched metabolically healthy
      counterparts, the unhealthy (lean or obese) individuals had higher liver fat and
      decreased early diastolic strain rate, early diastolic tissue velocity and
      systolic strain indicative of subclinical systolic and diastolic dysfunction. The
      magnitude of dysfunction correlated with the number of components of metabolic
      syndrome but not with BMI or with the degree of ectopic (visceral or liver) fat
      deposition. CONCLUSIONS: Myocardial dysfunction appears to be related to poor
      metabolic health rather than simply BMI or fat mass. These data may partly
      explain the epidemiological evidence on CVD risk relating to the different
      obesity phenotypes.

PMID- 26271189
TI  - Compression-Coated Tablet for Colon Targeting: Impact of Coating and Core
      Materials on Drug Release.
AB  - This work was envisaged to develop compression-coated tablets using a blend of
      Ca(+2) ion cross-linked carboxymethyl xanthan gum (CMXG) and sodium alginate
      (SAL) for delayed release of immediate pulse release tablets of prednisolone
      (PDL) in the colon without the need of colonic bacterial intervention for
      degradation of the polysaccharide coat. The core tablets containing PDL and other
      compatible excipients were prepared by direct compression method and subsequently
      compression coated with different ratios of CMXG and SAL. Long T lag, the time
      required to restrict the drug release below 10%, and short T rap, the time
      required for immediate release following the T lag, were considered as suitable
      release parameters for evaluation of colon targeting of PDL tablets. Among the
      various compression coats, a blend of CMXG and SAL in a ratio of 1.5:3.5 provided
      T lag of 5.12 +/- 0.09 h and T rap of 6.50 +/- 0.05 h. The increase in
      microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and crospovidone (CP) in the core tablets did
      not change T lag significantly although decreased the T rap marginally. Inclusion
      of an osmogen in the core tablets decreased the T lag to 4.05 +/- 0.08 h and T
      rap to 3.56 +/- 0.06 h. The increase in coat weight to 225 mg provided a
      reasonably long T lag (6.06 +/- 0.09 h) and short T rap (4.36 +/- 0.20 h). Drug
      release from most of the formulations followed the Hixson-Crowell equation and
      sigmoidal pattern as confirmed by the Weibull equation. In conclusion, tablets,
      compression coated with CMXG and SAL in a ratio of 1.5:3.5 and having 225-mg coat
      weight, were apparently found suitable for colon targeting.

PMID- 26271190
TI  - Apoptosis Susceptibility Prolongs the Lack of Memory B Cells in Acute Leukemic
      Patients After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.
AB  - Long-term survival after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
      requires intact immunosurveillance, which is hampered by lymphoid organ damage
      associated with conditioning therapy, graft-versus-host disease, and
      immunosuppression. Our study aimed to identify the mechanisms contributing to
      sustained low memory B cell numbers after transplantation. Peripheral B and T
      cell subset recovery and functional marker expression were investigated in 35
      acute leukemic patients up to 1 year after transplantation. Apoptosis of B cells
      after CD40/TLR-9, CD40/BCR, and CD40/BCR/TLR-9-dependent stimulation and drug
      efflux capacity were analyzed. One half of the patients suffered from infections
      after day 180. All patients had strongly diminished CD27(+) memory B cells
      despite already normalized total B cell numbers and fully recovered CD27(-)IgD(-)
      memory B cells, putatively of extra-follicular origin. Circulating memory
      follicular helper T cells were reduced in the majority of patients as well. Naive
      B cells exhibited a decreased expression of CXCR5, which mediates follicular B
      cell entry. Additionally, a lower HLA-DR expression was found on naive B cells,
      impairing antigen presentation. Upon CD40/TLR-9-dependent activation, B cells
      underwent significantly increased apoptosis paralleled by an aberrant up
      regulation of Fas-L on activated T cells and Fas on resting B cells.
      Significantly increased B cell apoptosis was also observed after CD40/BCR and
      CD40/BCR/TLR-9-dependent activation. Drug efflux capacity of naive B cells was
      diminished in cyclosporin A-treated patients, additionally contributing to an
      apoptosis-prone phenotype. We conclude that B cell survival and migration and T
      cell communication defects are contributing candidates for an impaired germinal
      center formation of memory B cells after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell
      transplantation. Follow-up studies should evaluate effectiveness of
      revaccinations on the cellular level and should address the long-term sequelae of
      B cell defects after transplantation. 

PMID- 26271192
TI  - Comparison of Outcomes for Pediatric Patients With Acute Myeloid Leukemia in
      Remission and Undergoing Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation With
      Myeloablative Conditioning Regimens Based on Either Intravenous Busulfan or Total
      Body Irradiation: A Report From the Japanese Society for Hematopoietic Cell
      Transplantation.
AB  - Pediatric patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) mainly receive myeloablative
      conditioning regimens based on busulfan (BU) or total body irradiation (TBI)
      before allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT); however, the
      optimal conditioning regimen remains unclear. To identify which of these regimens
      is better for pediatric patients, we performed a retrospective analysis of
      nationwide registration data collected in Japan between 2006 and 2011 to assess
      the outcomes of patients receiving these regimens before a first allo-HCT.
      Myeloablative conditioning regimens based on i.v. BU (i.v. BU-MAC) (n = 69) or
      TBI (TBI-MAC) (n = 151) were compared in pediatric AML patients in first or
      second complete remission (CR1/CR2). The incidences of sinusoid obstruction
      syndrome, acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease, and early nonrelapse
      mortality (NRM) before day 100 were similar for both conditioning groups;
      however, the incidence of bacterial infection during the acute period was higher
      in the TBI-MAC group (P = .008). Both groups showed a similar incidence of NRM,
      and there was no significant difference in the incidence of relapse between the
      groups. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed no significant differences
      in the 2-year relapse-free survival rates for the i.v. BU-MAC and TBI-MAC groups
      in the CR1/CR2 setting (71% versus 67%, P = .36; hazard ratio, .73; 95% CI, .43
      to 1.24, respectively). TBI-MAC was no better than i.v. BU-MAC for pediatric AML
      patients in remission. Although this retrospective registry-based analysis has
      several limitations, i.v. BU-MAC warrants further evaluation in a prospective
      trial.

PMID- 26271193
TI  - Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation after Solid Organ Transplantation.
AB  - Solid organ transplantation (SOT) followed by hematopoietic cell transplantation
      (HCT) has been used to treat a single disease with multiorgan involvement or 2
      separate diseases, the first requiring SOT and the second often a possible
      complication of SOT. Results of such serial transplants have been reported
      sporadically in the literature, usually as single case studies. Thirteen
      autologous and 27 allogeneic HCTs after SOT published previously are summarized.
      A more detailed review is provided for an additional 16 patients transplanted at
      a single institution, 8 of whom had autologous and 8 of whom had allogeneic HCT
      after SOT. Five of 8 autologous transplant recipients are alive a median of 4.6
      years after HCT. Four of 8 allogeneic HCT recipients are alive a median of 8.7
      years after HCT. In carefully selected patients, HCT after SOT is feasible and
      associated with a low incidence of either solid organ or hematopoietic cell
      rejection. 

PMID- 26271191
TI  - Robust Vaccine Responses in Adult and Pediatric Cord Blood Transplantation
      Recipients Treated for Hematologic Malignancies.
AB  - Because cord blood (CB) lacks memory T and B cells and recent decreases in herd
      immunity to vaccine-preventable diseases in many developed countries have been
      documented, vaccine responses in CB transplantation (CBT) survivors are of great
      interest. We analyzed vaccine responses in double-unit CBT recipients
      transplanted for hematologic malignancies. In 103 vaccine-eligible patients,
      graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) most commonly precluded vaccination. Sixty-five
      patients (63%; engrafting units median HLA-allele match 5/8; range, 2 to 7/8)
      received protein conjugated vaccines, and 63 patients (median age, 34 years;
      range, .9 to 64) were evaluated for responses. Median vaccination time was 17
      months (range, 7 to 45) post-CBT. GVHD (n = 42) and prior rituximab (n = 13)
      delayed vaccination. Responses to Prevnar 7 and/or 13 vaccines (serotypes 14,
      19F, 23F) were seen in children and adults (60% versus 49%, P = .555). Responses
      to tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, Haemophilus influenzae, and polio were
      observed in children (86% to 100%) and adults (53% to 89%) even if patients had
      prior GVHD or rituximab. CD4(+)CD45RA(+) and CD19(+) cell recovery significantly
      influenced tetanus and polio responses. In a smaller cohort responses were seen
      to measles (65%), mumps (50%), and rubella (100%) vaccines. No vaccine side
      effects were identified, and all vaccinated patients survived (median follow-up,
      57 months). Although GVHD and rituximab can delay vaccination, CBT recipients
      (including adults and those with prior GVHD) have similar vaccine response rates
      to adult donor allograft recipients supporting vaccination in CBT recipients.

PMID- 26271195
TI  - A small-scale open-label study of the treatment of canine flea allergy dermatitis
      with fluralaner.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Fluralaner is an isoxazoline systemic insecticide and acaricide that
      provides persistent flea-killing activity on dogs for 12 weeks. European and US
      field studies have shown that fluralaner treatment alleviates the signs of flea
      allergy dermatitis (FAD) in client-owned dogs. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVE: To assess
      the clinical response in FAD affected dogs over the 12-week period following a
      single oral fluralaner treatment. ANIMALS: Twenty client-owned dogs were
      diagnosed with FAD on the basis of compatible clinical signs and a positive
      response in flea antigen tests, using intradermal and or serological methods.
      METHODS: An open-label small-scale study with all dogs receiving a single oral
      fluralaner treatment. All enrolled dogs were diagnosed with FAD and then
      clinically monitored at 4-week intervals for 12 weeks. Twenty dogs completed the
      study. RESULTS: All dogs were flea-free at all post-treatment assessments except
      for one dog that had a single flea at the first post-enrollment assessment at 4
      weeks. At the 4-week post-treatment assessment active FAD signs had resolved in
      all dogs; at 8 weeks post-treatment, two dogs showed mild signs. All clinical
      signs of FAD had resolved at the final assessment of 12 weeks after treatment.
      CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: A single administration of fluralaner
      alleviated or resolved signs associated with FAD in all treated dogs over the
      recommended 12-week treatment period.

PMID- 26271194
TI  - Suitability Criteria for Adult Related Donors: A Consensus Statement from the
      Worldwide Network for Blood and Marrow Transplantation Standing Committee on
      Donor Issues.
AB  - The number of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplants performed
      globally each year continues to increase. Advances in HLA typing, better
      supportive care, and administration of reduced-intensity conditioning regimens
      allow treatment of older patients with older sibling donors. Pretransplant donor
      assessment and testing are very important processes affecting the quality and
      safety of donation. For unrelated HSC donors detailed recommendations for health
      assessment have been published, allowing donation only if they are unrestrictedly
      healthy. Eligibility criteria for related donors are less strict and vary
      significantly between centers. In situations where a family donor does not meet
      the suitability criteria for unrelated donors, involved physicians often struggle
      with the decision whether the matched relative is suitable for donation or not.
      On behalf of the Worldwide Network for Blood and Marrow Transplantation Standing
      Committee on Donor Issues, we intended to develop a consensus document with
      recommendations for donor workup and final clearance of family donors who would
      not be able to serve as unrelated donors because of their age or pre-existing
      diseases. This article covers different topics intending to support decision
      making, with the goal of minimizing medical risk to the donor and protection of
      the recipient from transmissible diseases. 

PMID- 26271196
TI  - Impact of early thiopurines on surgery in 2770 children and young people
      diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease: a national population-based study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The role of early thiopurine treatment in inflammatory bowel disease
      (IBD) is unproven. AIM: To quantify the impact of timing and duration of
      thiopurines on the risk of first surgery in children and young people with IBD
      using a population-based cohort. METHODS: We constructed an incident cohort of
      children and young people aged <25 years, diagnosed with Crohn's disease (CD) or
      ulcerative colitis (UC) from 1990 to 2009. We used Cox proportional hazards
      modelling to determine the impact of early thiopurine use, commenced within a
      year of diagnosis on risk of first surgery. RESULTS: We identified 1595 and 1175
      incident cases of CD and UC respectively with a mean length of follow-up of 4.3
      years/person. There were 216 (13.5%) and 73 (6.2%) surgeries for CD and UC
      patients between 1990 and 2009 respectively. In CD among thiopurine users, the
      absolute risk of surgery at 5 years for early thiopurine use vs. late was 15.3%
      (95% CI: 10.5-22.1) vs. 22.1% (95% CI: 18.1-26.9) respectively. After adjustment,
      the early use of thiopurines was associated with a reduction in risk of first
      surgery of 39% (HR 0.61, 95% CI: 0.41-0.91) over the 20-year study period. In UC,
      early thiopurine use offered no additional benefit. CONCLUSIONS: In Crohn's
      disease, early treatment with thiopurines in children and young people is
      associated with an appreciable reduction in the risk of surgery, but early
      treatment does not reduce surgical risk in UC.

PMID- 26271197
TI  - The acrosome of eutherian mammals.
AB  - The acrosome is not just a bag of enzymes, most of which, if not all, are singly
      non-essential for sperm-oocyte interaction. The Golgi-derived acrosomal cap
      reveals some extraordinary development and structure particularities. The
      acrosome of eutherian spermatozoa basically consists of two parts, the anterior
      and equatorial segments; the present review is devoted to the former, the initial
      actor in fertilization. Its occasional fanciful morphological changes during
      epididymal maturation are analyzed, together with its heterogeneous contents:
      enzymes, zona binding proteins, structural proteins (matrix) and yet to be
      chemically characterized crystalloids. The plasma and acrosomal membranes present
      stabilized ordered domains, whereas glycoprotein-free areas appear during
      capacitation and before fusion. Exocytosis, induced by the cumulus oophorus
      and/or the zona pellucida, may generally start proximally and progress
      anteriorly, resulting in the detachment of a hybrid membrane shroud, whose entity
      is probably maintained by the bound matrix. Immediately released soluble enzymes
      must be active during the first interactions of the gametes, whereas other
      lysins, bound to the matrix or stored as proenzymes, are only progressively
      released. Zona binding is probably achieved via the shroud and/or the IAM
      (depending on species). Penetration along an incurved slit through the stratified
      zona is allowed by the rigid and denuded head tip and flagellar hyperactivity,
      and assisted by the local proteolytic activity of proteasomes bound to the IAM,
      the unique essential zona lysin system.

PMID- 26271199
TI  - Exercise echocardiography in asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis.

PMID- 26271198
TI  - Bayesian analysis of two diagnostic methods for paediatric ringworm infections in
      a teaching hospital.
AB  - Quantitatively, conventional methods of diagnosis of tinea capitis or paediatric
      ringworm, microscopic and culture tests were evaluated with Bayes rule. This
      analysis would help in quantifying the pervasive errors in each diagnostic
      method, particularly the microscopic method, as a long-term treatment would be
      involved to eradicate the infection by the use of a particular antifungal
      chemotherapy. Secondly, the analysis of clinical data would help in obtaining
      digitally the fallible standard of the microscopic test method, as the culture
      test method is taken as gold standard. Test results of 51 paediatric patients
      were of 4 categories: 21 samples were true positive (both tests positive), and 13
      were true negative; the rest samples comprised both 14 false positive
      (microscopic test positivity with culture test negativity) and 3 false negative
      (microscopic test negativity with culture test positivity) samples. The
      prevalence of tinea infection was 47.01% in the population of 51 children. The
      microscopic test of a sample was efficient by 87.5%, in arriving at a positive
      result on diagnosis, when its culture test was positive; and, this test was
      efficient by 76.4%, in arriving at a negative result, when its culture test was
      negative. But, the post-test probability value of a sample with both microscopic
      and culture tests would be correct in distinguishing a sample from a sick or a
      healthy child with a chance of 71.5%. However, since the sensitivity of the
      analysis is 87.5%, the microscopic test positivity would be easier to detect in
      the presence of infection. In conclusion, it could be stated that Trychophyton
      rubrum was the most prevalent species; sensitivity and specificity of treating
      the infection, by antifungal therapy before ascertaining by the culture method
      remain as 0.8751 and 0.7642, respectively. A correct/coveted diagnostic method of
      fungal infection would be could be achieved by modern molecular methods (matrix
      assisted laser desorption ionisation-time of flight mass spectrometry or
      fluorescence in situ hybridization or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]
      or restriction fragment length polymorphism or DNA/RNA probes of known fungal
      taxa) in advanced laboratories. 

PMID- 26271200
TI  - Edoxaban for treatment of venous thromboembolism in patients with cancer.
      Rationale and design of the Hokusai VTE-cancer study.
AB  - Direct oral anticoagulants may be effective and safe for treatment of venous
      thromboembolism (VTE) in cancer patients, but they have not been compared with
      low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH), the current recommended treatment for these
      patients. The Hokusai VTE-cancer study is a randomised, open-label, clinical
      trial to evaluate whether edoxaban, an oral factor Xa inhibitor, is non-inferior
      to LMWH for treatment of VTE in patients with cancer. We present the rationale
      and some design features of the study. One such feature is the composite primary
      outcome of recurrent VTE and major bleeding during a 12-month study period. These
      two complications occur frequently in cancer patients receiving anticoagulant
      treatment and have a significant impact. The evaluation beyond six months will
      fill the current gap in the evidence base for the long-term treatment of these
      patients. Based on the observation that the risk of recurrent VTE in patients
      with active cancer is similar to that in those with a history of cancer, the
      Hokusai VTE-cancer study will enrol patients if whose cancer was diagnosed within
      the past two years. In addition, patients with incidental VTE are eligible
      because their risk of recurrent VTE is similar to that in patients with
      symptomatic disease. The unique design features of the Hokusai VTE-cancer study
      should lead to enrolment of a broad spectrum of cancer patients with VTE who
      could benefit from oral anticoagulant treatment. 

PMID- 26271201
TI  - Validation of a gastric cancer nomogram using a cancer registry.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSKCC) nomogram predicts disease specific
      survival (DSS) for gastric adenocarcinoma. The goal of this study is to use a
      cancer registry to compare nomogram predicted survival with actual survival in
      the general population. METHODS: All patients undergoing surgery for gastric
      adenocarcinoma from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)
      database (1988-2012) were studied. RESULTS: 6954 patients were identified.
      Majority of cancers were in the antrum (30.2%), and had intestinal histology
      (73.7%). Median follow-up was 8.2 years. Five year DSS for nomogram risk groups
      (0-25%, 26-50%, 51-75%, and 76-100%) was 23%, 48%, 57%, and 81% respectively.
      Actual DSS was 7-15% lower than nomogram predicted DSS. Relative to patients in
      the 76-100% 5-year DSS risk group, patients in the 0-25%, 26-50%, and 51-75%
      groups had significantly higher risks of death with hazard ratios of 6.84 (95%CI
      6.12-7.65), 3.30 (95%CI 2.83-3.86), and 2.64 (95%CI 2.30-3.03), respectively (all
      P < 0.001). The concordance index for 5-year nomogram predicted DSS was 0.68
      (95%CI 0.67-0.69). CONCLUSIONS: The MSKCC gastric cancer nomogram over-estimates
      DSS from gastric cancer in the general population and has a moderate concordance
      index. Predictive tools generated at specialized institutions may not perform as
      well in the general population.

PMID- 26271202
TI  - TRIzol and Alu qPCR-based quantification of metastatic seeding within the
      skeleton.
AB  - Current methods for detecting disseminated tumor cells in the skeleton are
      limited by expense and technical complexity. We describe a simple and inexpensive
      method to quantify, with single cell sensitivity, human metastatic cancer in the
      mouse skeleton, concurrently with host gene expression, using TRIzol-based
      DNA/RNA extraction and Alu sequence qPCR amplification. This approach enables
      precise quantification of tumor cells and corresponding host gene expression
      during metastatic colonization in xenograft models. 

PMID- 26271203
TI  - Quantitative precision of optical frequency domain imaging: direct comparison
      with frequency domain optical coherence tomography and intravascular ultrasound.
AB  - No systematic validation study is available with optical frequency domain imaging
      (OFDI), directly compared with frequency domain optical coherence tomography (FD
      OCT) and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). Controversy also remains about the
      impact of different stent contour tracing methods by OFDI/FD-OCT. In vitro:
      coronary phantom models (1.51-5.04 mm) were imaged with OFDI, FD-OCT, and IVUS,
      demonstrating excellent quantitative precision with a slight overestimation of
      mean lumen diameter (difference 0.01-0.02 mm). In vivo: corresponding 64
      OFDI/IVUS images of stented coronary segments from 20 swines were analyzed.
      Minimum lumen area by OFDI was larger than IVUS at baseline (P < 0.001), whereas
      it was smaller than IVUS at follow-up. When stent was traced at leading edges of
      struts by OFDI, minimum stent area was similar between OFDI and IVUS (P = 0.60).
      When traced at the highest intensity points of struts by OFDI, it was
      significantly larger in OFDI than in IVUS (P < 0.001). Three modalities have
      clinically acceptable precision across the wide range of lumen diameters. In vivo
      measurements by OFDI and IVUS could slightly be discrepant depending on the
      parameters and time points. In stent assessment by OFDI, the 2 methods led to a
      small but systematic difference; therefore, consistency in methodology is advised
      for comparative studies. 

PMID- 26271205
TI  - Hepatitis C virus increases the risk of kidney disease among HIV-positive
      patients: Systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - Kidney disease has become an important co-morbidity among human immunodeficiency
      virus-infected patients as they live longer in the era of highly effective
      antiretroviral therapy. It remains unclear how co-infection with hepatitis C
      virus impacts on the trajectory of kidney disease among HIV-infected patients. To
      evaluate the effect of co-infection with HCV on the risk of kidney disease in HIV
      infected populations. We conducted a systematic review of the published medical
      literature to determine if hepatitis C co-infection is associated with increased
      likelihood of chronic kidney disease in HIV-positive adults. We used the random
      effects model of DerSimonian and Laird to generate a summary estimate of the
      relative risk for chronic kidney disease (defined by reduced glomerular
      filtration rate and/or detectable proteinuria) with hepatitis C virus across the
      published studies. Meta-regression and stratified analysis were also conducted.
      We identified 19 studies (146,151 unique patients with HIV) and separate meta
      analyses were performed according to the outcome. Aggregation of longitudinal
      studies (n = 8, 105,462 unique patients) showed a relationship between HCV
      infection and increased risk of reduced glomerular filtration rate among HIV
      infected individuals, the summary estimate for adjusted hazard ratio was 1.64
      (95%CI, 1.28; 2.0, P < 0.001) in HIV-HCV co-infected individuals compared with
      those having HIV mono-infection. No between-studies heterogeneity was noted (P
      value by Q test = 0.08). HCV positive serology was an independent risk factor for
      proteinuria; adjusted effect estimate, 1.23 (95% confidence interval, 1.18; 1.28,
      P = 0.001) (n = 6 studies; 26,835 unique patients). In meta-regression, we noted
      the impact of ageing (P = 0.0001) upon the adjusted hazard ratio of incidence of
      reduced glomerular filtration rate among HCV-HIV co-infected patients; a negative
      association between frequency of males (P = 0.001) and the adjusted hazard ratio
      of prevalence of low glomerular filtration rate was found. Hepatitis C co
      infection is associated with a significant increase in the risk of reduced
      glomerular filtration rate and/or detectable proteinuria among HIV-infected
      individuals.

PMID- 26271207
TI  - A highly N-doped carbon phase "dressing" of macroscopic supports for catalytic
      applications.
AB  - The straightforward "dressing" of macroscopically shaped supports (i.e.beta-SiC
      and alpha-Al2O3) with a mesoporous and highly nitrogen-doped carbon-phase
      starting from food-processing raw materials is described. The as-prepared
      composites serve as highly efficient and selective metal-free catalysts for
      promoting industrial key-processes at the heart of renewable energy technology
      and environmental protection. 

PMID- 26271206
TI  - Greater preference consistency during the Willingness-to-Pay task is related to
      higher resting state connectivity between the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and
      the ventral striatum.
AB  - The significance of why a similar set of brain regions are associated with the
      default mode network and value-related neural processes remains to be clarified.
      Here, we examined i) whether brain regions exhibiting willingness-to-pay (WTP)
      task-related activity are intrinsically connected when the brain is at rest, ii)
      whether these regions overlap spatially with the default mode network, and iii)
      whether individual differences in choice behavior during the WTP task are
      reflected in functional brain connectivity at rest. Blood-oxygen-level dependent
      (BOLD) signal was measured by functional magnetic resonance imaging while
      subjects performed the WTP task and at rest with eyes open. Brain regions that
      tracked the value of bids during the WTP task were used as seed regions in an
      analysis of functional connectivity in the resting state data. The seed in the
      ventromedial prefrontal cortex was functionally connected to core regions of the
      WTP task-related network. Brain regions within the WTP task-related network,
      namely the ventral precuneus, ventromedial prefrontal and posterior cingulate
      cortex overlapped spatially with publically available maps of the default mode
      network. Also, those individuals with higher functional connectivity during rest
      between the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and the ventral striatum showed
      greater preference consistency during the WTP task. Thus, WTP task-related
      regions are an intrinsic network of the brain that corresponds spatially with the
      default mode network, and individual differences in functional connectivity
      within the WTP network at rest may reveal a priori biases in choice behavior.

PMID- 26271208
TI  - Dirac directional emission in anisotropic zero refractive index photonic
      crystals.
AB  - A certain class of photonic crystals with conical dispersion is known to behave
      as isotropic zero-refractive-index medium. However, the discrete building blocks
      in such photonic crystals are limited to construct multidirectional devices, even
      for high-symmetric photonic crystals. Here, we show multidirectional emission
      from low-symmetric photonic crystals with semi-Dirac dispersion at the zone
      center. We demonstrate that such low-symmetric photonic crystal can be considered
      as an effective anisotropic zero-refractive-index medium, as long as there is
      only one propagation mode near Dirac frequency. Four kinds of Dirac
      multidirectional emitters are achieved with the channel numbers of five, seven,
      eleven, and thirteen, respectively. Spatial power combination for such kind of
      Dirac directional emitter is also verified even when multiple sources are
      randomly placed in the anisotropic zero-refractive-index photonic crystal. 

PMID- 26271209
TI  - The rights and responsibilities of citizenship for service users: some terms and
      conditions apply.
AB  - ACCESSIBLE SUMMARY: What is known about the subject? Citizenship is an important
      yet largely overlooked concept within psychiatric and mental health nursing
      practice Many service users are subject to legally mandated restrictions that
      place conditions on their rights and responsibilities as citizens. What this
      paper adds to existing knowledge? Even though service users have legal status as
      citizens, they continue to experience many conditions on their rights and
      responsibilities. Concerns about services users' trustworthiness and doubts about
      their levels of insight impact on their status as full citizens. What are the
      implications for practice? Nurses' understandings of the conditions placed on the
      citizenship rights and responsibilities of service users will ensure inclusive
      and less restrictive care and treatment Integration of the principles of
      therapeutic reciprocity and procedural justice within practice will help nurses
      balance both the rights of services users and legal restrictions on their liberty
      and autonomy ABSTRACT:  INTRODUCTION: Service users have long been lobbying for
      equal participation as citizens, yet citizenship is an important and largely
      overlooked concept within nursing education and practice. AIMS: The study
      explored service users' understandings of their rights and responsibilities of
      citizenship and the conditions placed on these. METHODS: A total of 17 service
      users participated in semi-structured interviews. Isin's theory of the content of
      citizenship was used to analyze the data using a framework approach. RESULTS:
      Service users experience conditional citizenship that includes barriers to their
      participation and their rights and responsibilities that others in society enjoy.
      DISCUSSION: When the world of the service user is constructed through the
      language of the biomedical model, nurses may unwittingly reinforce psychiatric
      labels and thus perpetuate the stereotype that service users lack the competence
      to fully enact their rights and responsibilities. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: When
      providing care, nurses should incorporate the notion of therapeutic jurisprudence
      and the principles of reciprocity, procedural justice and the implementation of
      advanced directives to reduce conditions on service users' status as citizens.

PMID- 26271212
TI  - Post-Ebolavirus disease syndrome: What do we know?
AB  - As the current Zaire ebolavirus disease outbreak in West Africa fades, the health
      problems of the more than 16,500 survivors have come to light. A wide range of
      mental and physical symptoms may occur during the convalescence stage. Reported
      symptoms of "post-Ebolavirus disease syndrome" (PEVDS) include chronic joint and
      muscle pain, fatigue, anorexia, hearing loss, blurred vision, headache, sleep
      disturbances, low mood and short-term memory problems. PEVDS has been associated
      with a decrease in functionality and difficulties to return to work. Further
      studies are needed to fully categorize the clinical spectrum of PEVDS. Diagnostic
      criteria and surrogate markers for the early diagnosis of PEVDS, and
      implementation of specialized health services to treat and follow-up survivors
      are also needed.

PMID- 26271211
TI  - Erratum to: DHEA metabolism to the neurosteroid androsterone: a possible
      mechanism of DHEA's antidepressant action.

PMID- 26271210
TI  - Involvement of endoplasmic reticulum stress in optic nerve degeneration after
      chronic high intraocular pressure in DBA/2J mice.
AB  - DBA/2J mice are one of several animal strains used for experimental models of
      both intraocular hypertension and glaucoma. This study investigates the
      relationship between endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and optic nerve
      degeneration in DBA/2J mice. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured in DBA/2J
      mice between the ages of 6 and 15 months. Optic nerve damage was assessed at 15
      months of age. The nerve was immunostained with antibodies to either
      neurofilament heavy chain (NFH) or phosphorylated NFH (pNFH), and optic nerve
      damage was assessed by performing NFH- and pNFH-positive axon counts. Expression
      levels of the ER stress proteins 78-kDa glucose-regulated protein, also known as
      binding immunoglobulin protein, and C/EBP homologous protein were assayed with
      Western blotting. We also investigated ER stress localization in the optic nerve
      by double immunostaining with antibodies to ionized calcium-binding adaptor
      molecule 1, myelin basic protein, and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). In
      DBA/2J mice, IOP began to rise at 8 months of age, and retinal degeneration was
      detected at 15 months of age. DBA/2J mice had fewer axons than controls at 15
      months of age. ER stress-related protein levels were higher in the optic nerves
      of DBA/2J mice and were colocalized with GFAP-positive astrocytes. Our findings
      suggest that ER stress plays a role in optic nerve degeneration during chronic
      ocular hypertension. Furthermore, ER stress may be related in some way to
      astrocyte activation.

PMID- 26271213
TI  - Text analysis tools for identification of emerging topics and research gaps in
      conservation science.
AB  - Keeping track of conceptual and methodological developments is a critical skill
      for research scientists, but this task is increasingly difficult due to the high
      rate of academic publication. As a crisis discipline, conservation science is
      particularly in need of tools that facilitate rapid yet insightful synthesis. We
      show how a common text-mining method (latent Dirichlet allocation, or topic
      modeling) and statistical tests familiar to ecologists (cluster analysis,
      regression, and network analysis) can be used to investigate trends and identify
      potential research gaps in the scientific literature. We tested these methods on
      the literature on ecological surrogates and indicators. Analysis of topic
      popularity within this corpus showed a strong emphasis on monitoring and
      management of fragmented ecosystems, while analysis of research gaps suggested a
      greater role for genetic surrogates and indicators. Our results show that
      automated text analysis methods need to be used with care, but can provide
      information that is complementary to that given by systematic reviews and meta
      analyses, increasing scientists' capacity for research synthesis. 

PMID- 26271214
TI  - Editorial Comment on "Sex Offenders Seeking Treatment for Sexual Dysfunction
      Ethics, Medicine, and the Law".

PMID- 26271204
TI  - Impact of gender on efficacy and acute toxicity of alkylating agent -based
      chemotherapy in Ewing sarcoma: secondary analysis of the Euro-Ewing99-R1 trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Based on the randomised Euro-EWING99-R1 trial, vincristine,
      adriamycin, cyclophosphamide (VAC) may be able to replace vincristine,
      adriamycin, ifosfamide (VAI) in the treatment of standard-risk Ewing sarcoma.
      However some heterogeneity of treatment effect by gender was observed. The
      current exploratory study aimed at investigating the influence of gender on
      treatment efficacy and acute toxicity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Impact of gender on
      event-free survival (EFS), acute toxicity by course, switches between treatment
      arms and cumulative dose of alkylating agents was evaluated in multivariable
      models adjusted for age including terms to test for heterogeneity of treatment
      effect by gender. The analysis of the EFS was performed on the intention-to-treat
      population. RESULTS: EFS did not significantly differ between the 509 males and
      347 females (p=0.33), but an interaction in terms of efficacy was suspected
      between treatment and gender (p=0.058): VAC was associated with poorer EFS than
      VAI in males, hazard ratio (HR) (VAC/VAI)=1.37 [95% confidence interval (CI),
      0.98-1.90], contrasting with HR=0.81 [95%CI, 0.53-1.24] in females. Severe
      toxicity was more frequent in females, whatever the toxicity type. Thirty
      patients switched from VAI to VAC (9/251 males, 4%, and 21/174 females, 12%)
      mostly due to renal toxicity, and three from VAC to VAI (2/258 males, 0.8%, and
      1/173 females, 0.6%). A reduction of alkylating agent cumulative dose >20% was
      more frequent in females (15% versus 9%, p=0.005), with no major difference
      between VAC and VAI (10% versus 13%, p=0.15). CONCLUSION: Differences of acute
      toxicity rate and cumulative doses of alkylating agents could not explain the
      marginal interaction observed in the Euro-EWING99-R1 trial data. Effects of
      gender-dependent polymorphism/activity of metabolic enzymes (e.g. known for
      CYP2B6) of ifosfamide versus cyclophosphamide should be explored. External data
      are required to further evaluate whether there is heterogeneity of alkylating
      agent effect by gender. TRIAL NUMBERS: NCT00987636 and EudraCT 2008-003658-13.

PMID- 26271215
TI  - Long-term outcomes of laparoscopic repair of cystocoele.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is little information on the effectiveness of laparoscopic
      techniques for native tissue repair of cystocoele. AIM: To assess the long-term
      outcome of laparoscopic cystocoele repair. METHODS: Two hundred and twenty-three
      women with symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse underwent laparoscopic paravaginal
      repair and treatment of associated conditions. Women were assessed pre
      operatively and postoperatively at 6 weeks, 6 months, 12 months and then annually
      or biannually with pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POPQ) and subjective
      assessment at each visit. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 5.2 years (range: 1-12
      years) with 140 women (63%) followed for at least 5 years. During follow-up, 79%
      of women developed prolapse of at least POPQ stage 2 in one or more compartments
      and 58% became symptomatic again. Overall, 48% underwent further prolapse
      surgery, but only 24% of women had an anterior prolapse beyond the hymen. Thirty
      per cent eventually had a further cystocoele repair. CONCLUSION: Long-term follow
      up of laparoscopic cystocoele repair shows that cystocoeles are difficult to
      repair successfully.

PMID- 26271216
TI  - Biomimetic apatite-based composite materials obtained by spark plasma sintering
      (SPS): physicochemical and mechanical characterizations.
AB  - Nanocrystalline calcium phosphate apatites are biomimetic compounds analogous to
      bone mineral and are at the origin of the bioactivity of most biomaterials used
      as bone substitutes. Their unique surface reactivity originates from the presence
      of a hydrated layer containing labile ions (mostly divalent ones). So the setup
      of 3D biocompatible apatite-based bioceramics exhibiting a high reactivity
      requests the development of "low" temperature consolidation processes such as
      spark plasma sintering (SPS), in order to preserve the characteristics of the
      hydrated nanocrystals. However, mechanical performances may still need to be
      improved for such nanocrystalline apatite bioceramics, especially in view of load
      bearing applications. The reinforcement by association with biopolymers
      represents an appealing approach, while preserving the advantageous biological
      properties of biomimetic apatites. Herein, we report the preparation of
      composites based on biomimetic apatite associated with various quantities of
      microcrystalline cellulose (MCC, 1-20 wt%), a natural fibrous polymer. The SPS
      consolidated composites were analyzed from both physicochemical (X-ray
      diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, solid state NMR) and mechanical
      (Brazilian test) viewpoints. The preservation of the physicochemical
      characteristics of apatite and cellulose in the final material was observed.
      Mechanical properties of the composite materials were found to be directly
      related to the polymer/apatite ratios and a maximum crushing strength was reached
      for 10 wt% of MCC. 

PMID- 26271218
TI  - Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm as a Long Time Cause of Low Back Pain and Vertebral
      Scalloping.

PMID- 26271217
TI  - Preparation and characterization of fibrous chitosan-glued phosphate glass fiber
      scaffolds for bone regeneration.
AB  - Phosphate glass fibers (PGF) have emerged as promising building blocks for
      constructing bone scaffolds. In this study, fibrous scaffolds (PGFS) were
      fabricated using a facile binding method at room temperature. PGFS exhibited an
      extracellular matrix-like morphology and were composed of PGF as matrix and
      chitosan as the natural binding glue. They showed an interconnected porous
      structure with a porosity of ~87% and pore size of 100-500 um. PGFS exhibited the
      typical compressive stress-strain behaviour of highly porous, low-density, open
      cell scaffolds. Their yield stress and modulus were ~0.38 and ~2.84 MPa,
      respectively, with the strength being higher than the lower bound of the
      compressive strength of cancellous bone. PGFS were degradable and the weight loss
      was about 25% after immersion in stimulated body fluid (SBF) for 28 days. In
      addition, the yield stress and the modulus decreased with increasing immersion
      time in SBF. Apatite formation could be detected on the surface of PGFS within 7
      days of immersion in SBF. MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5
      diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay indicated that PGFS were non-cytotoxic against
      bone marrow stromal cells (bMSCs) after culture for up to 72 h. These results
      suggest that PGFS could be promising scaffolds for bone regeneration
      applications.

PMID- 26271219
TI  - [Biomechanics of implant augmentation].
AB  - BACKGROUND: The rising incidence of osteoporotic fractures requires novel
      treatment strategies. OBJECTIVE: Implant augmentation with bone cement is
      considered to be a promising approach but the benefits and risks need to be
      carefully evaluated. METHODS: Experimental investigation of the biomechanical
      potential and the associated risks with special reference to the osteoporotic
      proximal femur and proximal humerus. RESULTS: Even small amounts of bone cement
      (3 ml) applied to the proximal femur in combination with intramedullary nailing
      led to more than a 50% increase in the number of test cycles before failure. The
      heat and pressure generated in the bone did not exceed critical thresholds. Short
      to midterm effects of subchondral cement placement on the adjacent cartilage can
      be excluded. The risk for cement leakage needs to be considered. CONCLUSION:
      Implant augmentation offers high biomechanical potential to prevent mechanical
      complications after fracture fixation in osteoporotic bone. Early and confident
      mobilization of elderly patients therefore appears to be possible. With
      appropriate handling, associated risks seem controllable; however, implant
      augmentation cannot be applied as a routine concept for osteoporotic fracture
      management. The application requires careful evaluation on a case by case basis
      under comprehensive consideration of mechanical and biological factors.

PMID- 26271220
TI  - [Type 2 dens fracture in the elderly and therapy-linked mortality : Conservative
      or operative treatment].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Type II fractures of the odontoid process of the axis are the most
      common injury of the cervical spine in elderly patients. Only little evidence
      exists on whether elderly patients should be treated conservatively or
      surgically. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The mortality and survival probability of 51
      patients were determined in a retrospective study. The range of motion, pain and
      the neck disability index were clinically investigated. RESULTS: Of the 51
      patients 37 were treated surgically and 14 conservatively. The conservatively
      treated group showed a higher mortality (64 % vs. 32 %). Kaplan-Meier analysis
      revealed a median survival of the conservatively treated group of 29 months,
      whereby during the first 3 months of treatment this group showed a higher
      survival probability and afterwards the surgically treated group showed a higher
      survival probability. The clinical examination of 20 patients revealed limited
      range of motion of the cervical spine. Additionally, moderate levels of pain and
      complaints were recorded using the neck disability index. CONCLUSION: Fractures
      of the odontoid process pose a far-reaching danger for elderly patients. A
      balanced assessment of the general condition should be carried out at the
      beginning of treatment of these patients. In the early phase following trauma no
      differences were found with respect to survival rates but for long-term survival
      the operatively treated group showed advantages; however, these advantages cannot
      be causally attributed to the choice of therapy.

PMID- 26271221
TI  - Hydration status moderates the effects of drinking water on children's cognitive
      performance.
AB  - Changes in hydration status throughout the day may affect cognitive performance
      with implications for learning success in the classroom. Our study tested the
      hypothesis that the benefit of drinking water on working memory and attention
      depends upon children's hydration status and renal response to water intake.
      Fifty-two children aged 9-12 years old were tested under two experimental
      conditions. The treatment session (Water session) consisted of a standard
      breakfast with 200 ml water, a baseline test, consumption of 750 ml of water over
      a period of two hours and subsequently retested. No water was provided after
      breakfast during the control session. Changes in hydration were assessed via
      urine samples. Cognitive testing consisted of digit span, pair cancellation, and
      delayed match to sample tasks. Children who exhibited smaller decreases in urine
      osmolality following water intake performed significantly better on the water day
      compared to the control day on a digit-span task and pair-cancellation task.
      Children who exhibited larger decreases in urine osmolality following water
      intake performed better on the control day compared to the water day on the digit
      span task and pair-cancellation task. These results suggest that focusing on
      adequate hydration over time may be key for cognitive enhancement.

PMID- 26271223
TI  - Role of astrocytes and microglia in central nervous system inflammation.
      Introduction.

PMID- 26271222
TI  - How do mothers manage their preschool children's eating habits and does this
      change as children grow older? A longitudinal analysis.
AB  - The practices mothers adopt in relation to feeding their children have been
      identified as important predictors of children's quality of diet. However, most
      studies of the impact of these practices on quality of children's diets have been
      cross-sectional in design, limiting conclusions about change and causality.
      Previous research has called for qualitative exploration of the way these
      practices are used in a real-life setting. This study set out to address these
      gaps in knowledge. At baseline, mothers recruited to a community-based
      intervention study and who had a preschool child, completed a questionnaire about
      their use of covert and overt control practices, child food neophobia and
      demographics. The quality of children's diets was assessed using a validated food
      frequency questionnaire. Both questionnaires were repeated with the mothers two
      years later. Complete data at both time points were available for 228 mother
      child pairs. Four focus group discussions were conducted with 29 mothers of
      preschool children to explore their experiences of feeding young children.
      Mothers who increased their use of overt control had children whose level of food
      neophobia also increased (P = 0.02). Mothers who used more covert control had
      children with better quality diets at both time points (P = <0.01) and mothers
      who increased their use of covert control over the two year follow-up had
      children whose diet quality improved (P = 0.003). These associations were
      independent of confounders such as mother's level of education. In the focus
      groups, mothers suggested that feeding young children was stressful and that
      control was often relinquished in order to reduce conflict at mealtimes.
      Supporting parents to adopt more covert techniques to control their children's
      eating habits may be an effective way of improving the quality of young
      children's diets.

PMID- 26271224
TI  - Pediatric alveolar soft part sarcoma of the orbit: a case report.
AB  - Alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS) of the orbit is exceedingly rare and little is
      known regarding its radiologic features. Here, we reviewed the CT and MRI
      findings of one case of ASPS of the orbit with emphasis on its salient imaging
      features.

PMID- 26271226
TI  - Association of sarcopenic obesity with the risk of all-cause mortality: A meta
      analysis of prospective cohort studies.
AB  - Many prospective studies have investigated the relationship between sarcopenic
      obesity (SO) and risk of mortality. However, the results have been controversial.
      The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between SO and all
      cause mortality in adults by a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. A
      systematic literature search was carried out through electronic databases up to
      September 2014. A total of nine articles with 12 prospective cohort studies,
      including 35 287 participants and 14 306 deaths, were included in the meta
      analysis. Overall, compared with healthy subjects, subjects with SO had a
      significant increased risk of all-cause mortality (pooled HR 1.24, 95% CI 1.12
      1.37, P < 0.001), with significant heterogeneity among studies (I(2)  = 53.18%, P
      = 0.0188), but no indication for publication bias (P = 0.7373). Heterogeneity
      became low and no longer significant in the subgroup analyses by three SO
      definitions. More importantly, SO, defined by mid-arm muscle circumference and
      muscle strength criteria, significantly increased the risk of mortality (HR 1.46,
      95% CI 1.23-1.73 and 1.23, 1.09-1.38, respectively). The risk of all-cause
      mortality did not appreciably change considering the geography (USA cohorts and
      non-USA cohorts) or the duration of follow up (>=10 years and <10 years).
      However, the risk estimate was only significant in men (HR 1.23, 95% CI 1.08
      1.41, P = 0.0017), not in women (HR 1.16, P = 0.1332). The results of the present
      study show that subjects with SO are associated with a 24% increase risk of all
      cause mortality, compared with those without SO, in particular in men; the
      significant association was found independent of geographical location and
      duration of follow up.

PMID- 26271225
TI  - Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase dependent angiogenesis revealed by a bioengineered
      macrolide inhibitor.
AB  - Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (AARSs) catalyze an early step in protein synthesis,
      but also regulate diverse physiological processes in animal cells. These include
      angiogenesis, and human threonyl-tRNA synthetase (TARS) represents a potent pro
      angiogenic AARS. Angiogenesis stimulation can be blocked by the macrolide
      antibiotic borrelidin (BN), which exhibits a broad spectrum toxicity that has
      discouraged deeper investigation. Recently, a less toxic variant (BC194) was
      identified that potently inhibits angiogenesis. Employing biochemical, cell
      biological, and biophysical approaches, we demonstrate that the toxicity of BN
      and its derivatives is linked to its competition with the threonine substrate at
      the molecular level, which stimulates amino acid starvation and apoptosis. By
      separating toxicity from the inhibition of angiogenesis, a direct role for TARS
      in vascular development in the zebrafish could be demonstrated. Bioengineered
      natural products are thus useful tools in unmasking the cryptic functions of
      conventional enzymes in the regulation of complex processes in higher metazoans. 

PMID- 26271228
TI  - Mild and Soft Catalyzed Trifluoromethylthiolation of Boronic Acids: The Crucial
      Role of Water.
AB  - The most reactive 2nd generation of trifluoromethanesulfenamides undergoes a
      copper-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction with boronic acids to afford CF3 S
      molecules. Contrary to the previous methods in the literature, no base addition,
      no heating, and no large excess of reagents are required to obtain good results.
      Furthermore, a crucial role of a small amount of water to favor this reaction has
      been demonstrated. This constitutes the mildest described conditions for such a
      reaction. 

PMID- 26271229
TI  - Syntactic bootstrapping.
AB  - Children use syntax to guide verb learning in a process known as syntactic
      bootstrapping. Recent work explores how syntactic bootstrapping works-how it
      begins, and how it interacts with progress in syntax acquisition. We review
      evidence for three claims about the mechanisms and representations underlying
      syntactic bootstrapping: (1) Learners are biased to represent linguistic
      knowledge in a usefully abstract mental vocabulary, permitting rapid
      generalization of newly acquired syntactic knowledge to new verbs. (2) Toddlers
      collect information about each verb's combinatorial behavior in sentences based
      on listening experience, before they know anything about the verb's semantic
      content. (3) Syntactic bootstrapping begins with an unlearned bias to map nouns
      in sentences one-to-one onto the participant roles in events. These lines of
      evidence point toward a picture of early verb learning in which shallow
      structural analyses of sentences are intrinsically meaningful to learners, and in
      which information about verbs' combinatorial behavior pervades the lexicon from
      very early in development. Copyright (c) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. For further
      resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26271230
TI  - Language and brain.
AB  - The human faculty of language has been the focus of researchers from different
      disciplines such as linguistics, psychology, neurology, biology, anthropology,
      and more recently genetics. However, the mystery of how the human brain acquires
      and represents language to ensure its fast and effortless use has still not been
      entirely solved, although our knowledge base has enlarged dramatically over the
      past decades. Based on functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies, we
      are today able to define separate frontotemporal neural networks for the
      processing of syntactic and semantic information in the left hemisphere and for
      prosodic processes in the right. Data from electro- and magnetencephalographic
      (EEG/MEG) studies allow us to describe the interaction of these processes in
      time. Patients with lesions in language-relevant brain structures provide crucial
      information for the validation of neurocognitive models. These models of adult
      language systems are used as a template against which the neural basis of first
      language acquisition and second language processing are investigated. The adult
      language system is characterized by fast processes supported by Broca's area in
      the prefrontal cortex and Wernicke's area in the temporal cortex. During language
      learning in adulthood, these processing routines slowly develop initially
      recruiting brain regions beyond those of the neural language network involved in
      adult native language processing. Copyright (c) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. For
      further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26271227
TI  - Cancer in women after assisted reproductive technology.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the risk of cancer after assisted reproductive technology
      (ART) therapy. DESIGN: Longitudinal cohort study. SETTING: Not applicable.
      PATIENT(S): New York, Texas, and Illinois residents between 2004 and 2009,
      treated with ART, comprising cycles of 113,226 women, including 53,859 women
      without prior ART treatment, who were linked to their respective state cancer
      registries and whose cycles were reported to the Society for Assisted
      Reproductive Technology Clinic Outcomes Reporting System (SART CORS).
      INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Diagnosis of cancer, as reported
      to the state cancer registry; standardized incidence ratios (SIR) and their 95%
      confidence intervals, comparing the observed to expected cancer cases based on
      age-specific cancer rates in the general population of each state. RESULT(S):
      Among the cohort of women without prior ART therapy, hazard ratios (HR) and 95%
      confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for treatment parameters and
      reproductive history factors. The mean follow-up period was 4.87 years; among
      women without prior ART, 450 women developed 460 cancers. Women treated with ART
      had a statistically significantly lower risk for all cancers (for all women: SIR
      0.78; CI, 0.73-0.83; women without prior ART: SIR 0.75; CI, 0.68-0.82), breast
      cancer, and all female genital cancers; a non-statistically-significant lower
      risk for endocrine and uterine cancer; and a non-statistically-significant higher
      risk for melanoma and ovarian cancer. Among women without prior ART, we found no
      statistically significant increased HR by parity, number of cycles, cumulative
      follicle-stimulating hormone dosage, or cycle outcome. CONCLUSION(S): Women
      initiating ART treatment have no greater risk for developing cancer after nearly
      5 years of follow-up compared with the general population and with other women
      treated with ART.

PMID- 26271231
TI  - Social cognition.
AB  - Social cognition research investigates the way information present in the social
      environment is represented and used in adaptively guiding behavior.
      Representations of persons and of social relationships form the basic building
      blocks of social cognition, and we review what is known about how such
      representations are constructed and constituted. In particular, we review a range
      of mechanisms whereby observers can infer the psychological qualities of the
      actors they encounter, including relatively automatic processes as well as more
      thoughtful and deliberative ones. Prominent approaches for situating person
      representations within the context of interpersonal relationships are also
      reviewed. Copyright (c) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. For further resources
      related to this article, please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26271232
TI  - The self: as a construct in psychology and neuropsychological evidence for its
      multiplicity.
AB  - What is the self? Philosophers and psychologists pursuing an answer to this
      question immediately find themselves immersed in a host of questions about mind
      and body, subject and object, object and process, the homunculus, free will, self
      awareness, and a variety of other puzzling matters that largely have eluded
      satisfying theoretical explication. In this paper I argue that some of this
      difficulty is attributable to our implicit, phenomenologically-based belief that
      the self is unitary entity-i.e., a singular "I" that remembers, chooses, thinks,
      plans, and feels. In this article I address the question of what the self is by
      reviewing research, conducted primarily with neuropsychological participants,
      that converges on the idea that the self may be more complex and differentiated
      than many previous treatments of the topic have assumed. Although some aspects of
      self-knowledge such as episodic recollection may be compromised by cognitive and
      neurological disorders, other aspects-for instance, semantic trait summaries
      appear largely intact. Taken together, these findings support the idea that there
      is no single, unified "I" to be found. Rather, I argue "the" self may best be
      construed as a set of interrelated, functionally independent systems. Copyright
      (c) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. For further resources related to this article,
      please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26271233
TI  - Decision/action, philosophical issues about.
AB  - Are conscious decisions or intentions ever among the causes of corresponding
      intentional actions? This article provides conceptual background for an
      examination of this question, including a discussion of the nature of decisions,
      intentions, and actions and a sketch of a model of conscious deciding. It also
      examines evidence that conscious decisions and intentions sometimes play a role
      in producing corresponding actions. Copyright (c) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
      For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26271234
TI  - The split-brain.
AB  - Research on split-brain individuals started to flourish approximately 70 years
      ago and has since then significantly contributed to our understanding of
      hemispheric specialization. This overview aims to capture the essential of its
      progress. Amongst other things, the disconnection syndrome is exposed through a
      description of its manifestations on sensory, motor, and cognitive functions.
      Ground work and recent studies on split-brain individuals are integrated.
      Copyright (c) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. For further resources related to this
      article, please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26271235
TI  - Agnosias.
AB  - The neuropsychological disorder, known as visual agnosia, refers to the
      impairment in deriving the meaning of a visually presented stimulus, in spite of
      the affected individual having intact sensory and low-level vision, and normal
      language and semantic function. This type of disorder is intriguing both
      clinically and scientifically, and vision scientists have studied visual agnosia
      as a means of shedding light on how the normal visual system functions.
      Considerable progress has been made in this domain, in parallel with detailed
      behavioral and neural investigations of the visual system of neurologically
      intact individuals and of nonhuman primates. Here, we focus specifically on the
      neuropsychological studies and provide a broad overview of the wide range of
      impairments that fall under the label 'visual agnosia', including those acquired
      following brain damage in premorbidly normal individuals, those that appear to
      have been present since birth, and those whose onset is late in life and is
      associated with neurodegeneration. We also outline the different subtypes of
      visual agnosia, including those that affect primarily the recognition of faces,
      words, or objects, and we lay out some of the key questions currently being
      addressed by researchers in this domain. Copyright (c) 2010 John Wiley & Sons,
      Ltd. For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs
      website. 

PMID- 26271236
TI  - The archeology of cognitive evolution.
AB  - This discussion of archeology of cognition is concerned primarily with the
      evolutionary emergence of the cognition particular to modern humans but there is
      an implication for the evolution of cognition among modern humans. Archeological
      evidence can provide important insights into the evolutionary emergence of human
      cognition, but theoretical considerations are fundamental in understanding what
      sorts of cognition there might have been between the ape-like common ancestor and
      modern humans. Archeology is the only source of evidence for the behavior
      associated with such theoretical stages. Cognitive archeology, therefore,
      involves an iterative interaction between theory from outside archeology and more
      or less direct evidence from the past. This review considers the range of
      possible evidence from archeology and genetics and summarizes some of the results
      of analysis of nonhuman primates particularly to assess characteristics of the
      last common ancestor (LCA) of apes and humans. The history of changes in size and
      shape of the brain since separation from other apes introduces the need to assess
      the appropriate cognitive theories to interpret such evidence. The review
      concentrates on two such approaches: Baddeley's working memory model as
      interpreted by Coolidge and Wynn, and Barnard's interacting cognitive subsystems
      as it has been elaborated to define the cognitive conditions for hominins between
      the LCA and modern people. Most of the rest of the review considers how the
      evidence from stone tools might be consistent with such theoretical models of
      cognition. This evidence is consistent with views that modern human behavior only
      emerged in the last 100,000 years (or so) but it gives an explanation for that in
      terms of cognition. Copyright (c) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. For further
      resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26271237
TI  - Assessment of language acquisition.
AB  - This review addresses questions of what should be assessed in language
      acquisition, and how to do it. The design of a language assessment is crucially
      connected to its purpose, whether for diagnosis, development of an intervention
      plan, or for research. Precise profiles of language strengths and weaknesses are
      required for clear definitions of the phenotypes of particular language and
      neurodevelopmental disorders. The benefits and costs of formal tests versus
      language sampling assessments are reviewed. Content validity, theoretically and
      empirically grounded in child language acquisition, is claimed to be centrally
      important for appropriate assessment. Without this grounding, links between
      phenomena can be missed, and interpretations of underlying difficulties can be
      compromised. Sensitivity and specificity of assessment instruments are often
      assessed using a gold standard of existing tests and diagnostic practices, but
      problems arise if that standard is biased against particular groups or dialects.
      The paper addresses the issues raised by the goal of unbiased assessment of
      children from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds, especially speakers of
      non-mainstream dialects or bilingual children. A variety of new approaches are
      discussed for language assessment, including dynamic assessment, experimental
      tools such as intermodal preferential looking, and training studies that assess
      generalization. Stress is placed on the need for measures of the process of
      acquisition rather than just levels of achievement. Copyright (c) 2010 John Wiley
      & Sons, Ltd. For further resources related to this article, please visit the
      WIREs website. 

PMID- 26271238
TI  - Introspection.
AB  - Two main questions about introspection are addressed: whether it exists, and
      whether it is a reliable source of self-knowledge. Most philosophers have assumed
      that the answers to both questions are positive, whereas an increasing number of
      cognitive scientists take the view that introspection is either nonexistent (with
      self-attributions of mental states being made on the same sort of interpretative
      basis as attributions of mental states to other people) or unreliable. A number
      of different models of self-knowledge are discussed, and the evidence bearing on
      the existence and reliability of introspection is reviewed. New experiments are
      required to tease apart some of the alternatives. Copyright (c) 2010 John Wiley &
      Sons, Ltd. For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs
      website. 

PMID- 26271239
TI  - Cultural psychology.
AB  - Humans are a cultural species, constantly navigating a complex web of culturally
      bound practices, norms, and worldviews. This article provides a brief overview of
      the relatively young field of cultural psychology, which investigates the many
      ways psychology and culture interweave with one another. Highlighting the
      cultural nature of the human species, it draws upon research on cultural
      evolution, enculturation, and developmental processes. This review further
      summarizes a number of cultural differences in how people perceive the self, and
      the behavioral consequences that follow from these differences, in the domains of
      internal and external attribution styles, motivations for self-enhancement,
      approach/avoidance, primary and secondary control, as well as motivations for
      distinctiveness and conformity. Additionally, the review discusses research on
      the intersection of culture and emotion, as well as cultural differences in
      cognition, perception, and reasoning. Copyright (c) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
      For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26271240
TI  - Infant memory.
AB  - This article provides an overview of developments in long-term memory during the
      first 2 years of life. Results from three of the most commonly used techniques to
      assess remembering in preverbal infants-visual paired comparison and visual
      habituation, conjugate reinforcement, and elicited and deferred imitation-are
      described. They illustrate infants' ability to encode and retain information as
      well as the rapid improvements in memory in infancy. A distinction between types
      or forms of memory is provided in the service of considering how infant memory
      abilities relate to memory development in early childhood. The review also
      features discussion of the likely sources of age-related changes in memory in
      infancy, including the basic processes of memory trace formation and developments
      in the neural substrate that subserve them. Copyright (c) 2010 John Wiley & Sons,
      Ltd. For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs
      website. 

PMID- 26271241
TI  - Inductive reasoning.
AB  - Inductive reasoning entails using existing knowledge or observations to make
      predictions about novel cases. We review recent findings in research on category
      based induction as well as theoretical models of these results, including
      similarity-based models, connectionist networks, an account based on relevance
      theory, Bayesian models, and other mathematical models. A number of touchstone
      empirical phenomena that involve taxonomic similarity are described. We also
      examine phenomena involving more complex background knowledge about premises and
      conclusions of inductive arguments and the properties referenced. Earlier models
      are shown to give a good account of similarity-based phenomena but not knowledge
      based phenomena. Recent models that aim to account for both similarity-based and
      knowledge-based phenomena are reviewed and evaluated. Among the most important
      new directions in induction research are a focus on induction with uncertain
      premise categories, the modeling of the relationship between inductive and
      deductive reasoning, and examination of the neural substrates of induction. A
      common theme in both the well-established and emerging lines of induction
      research is the need to develop well-articulated and empirically testable formal
      models of induction. Copyright (c) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. For further
      resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26271244
TI  - Effect of inhaled corticosteroids on salival composition: a cross-sectional study
      in patients with bronchial asthma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To date, no evidence exists in the literature as to the effects of
      inhaled corticosteroids (ICs) on salivary composition in patients with bronchial
      asthma. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of ICs on
      salival composition. METHODS: Adult patients attending an outpatient respiratory
      clinic who were classified into two groups (controls and patients with bronchial
      asthma receiving ICs), were recruited in this cross-sectional study. For each
      participant, data of clinical records, baseline history of asthma, and regular IC
      dose were recorded. A sample of stimulated saliva was collected and processed for
      investigation of mucin 5B (MUC5B), lipoxygenase (LPO), total antioxidant
      capacity, and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels. RESULTS: Overall, 103
      patients (49 controls and 54 patients receiving regular treatment with ICs) were
      recruited. No differences in comorbidities or smoking habits were observed.
      Patients treated with high-doses of ICs showed lower levels of salival MUC5B
      compared with those treated with medium IC doses or those not treated with ICs
      (1.60 vs. 2.20 vs. 2.53 ng/mL; p = 0.042). CONCLUSION: In patients with asthma,
      treatment with high-doses of ICs is associated with reduced levels of salivary
      MUC5B. This effect can explain some of the effects of ICs on oral health.

PMID- 26271242
TI  - Azadircta indica as a modulator of membrane stability parameters and surface
      changes during 1,2 dimethylhydrazine-induced colorectal carcinogenesis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to study the modulatory potential of
      Azadirta indica on colonic surface abnormalities and membrane fluidity changes
      following 1,2 dimethylhydrazine-induced [DMH] colon carcinogenesis. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Brush border membranes [BBM] were isolated from the colon of rats and
      the viscosity as well as fluidity parameters were assessed by using the membrane
      extrinsic fluorophore pyrene. RESULTS: DMH treatment resulted in a significant
      increase in lipid peroxidation [LPO]. Reduced glutathione levels [GSH] and the
      activities of glutathione reductase [GR], glutathione transferase [GST],
      superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT] and glutathione peroxidase [GPx] were
      found to be significantly decreased following DMH treatment. On the other hand,
      supplementation with AI, DMH-treated rats resulted in a significant decrease in
      the levels of lipid peroxidation but caused a significant increase in the levels
      of GSH as well in the activities of GR, GST, SOD, CAT and GPx. The results
      further demonstrated a marked decrease in membrane microviscosity following DMH
      treatment. On the other hand, a significant increase was observed in the
      excimer/monomer ratio and fluidity parameter of DMH-treated rats when compared to
      normal control rats. However, the alterations in membrane microviscosity and the
      fluidity parameters were significantly restored following A. indica treatment.
      Further, histological as well as colon surface alterations were also observed
      following DMH treatment, which however were greatly prevented upon AI co
      administration. CONCLUSIONS: The study, therefore, concludes that A. indica
      proves to be useful in modulating the colonic surface abnormalities and membrane
      stability following DMH-induced colon carcinogenesis.

PMID- 26271243
TI  - A learnable parallel processing architecture towards unity of memory and
      computing.
AB  - Developing energy-efficient parallel information processing systems beyond von
      Neumann architecture is a long-standing goal of modern information technologies.
      The widely used von Neumann computer architecture separates memory and computing
      units, which leads to energy-hungry data movement when computers work. In order
      to meet the need of efficient information processing for the data-driven
      applications such as big data and Internet of Things, an energy-efficient
      processing architecture beyond von Neumann is critical for the information
      society. Here we show a non-von Neumann architecture built of resistive switching
      (RS) devices named "iMemComp", where memory and logic are unified with single
      type devices. Leveraging nonvolatile nature and structural parallelism of
      crossbar RS arrays, we have equipped "iMemComp" with capabilities of computing in
      parallel and learning user-defined logic functions for large-scale information
      processing tasks. Such architecture eliminates the energy-hungry data movement in
      von Neumann computers. Compared with contemporary silicon technology, adder
      circuits based on "iMemComp" can improve the speed by 76.8% and the power
      dissipation by 60.3%, together with a 700 times aggressive reduction in the
      circuit area. 

PMID- 26271245
TI  - Tectonic control on the persistence of glacially sculpted topography.
AB  - One of the most fundamental insights for understanding how landscapes evolve is
      based on determining the extent to which topography was shaped by glaciers or by
      rivers. More than 10(4) years after the last major glaciation the topography of
      mountain ranges worldwide remains dominated by characteristic glacial landforms
      such as U-shaped valleys, but an understanding of the persistence of such
      landforms is lacking. Here we use digital topographic data to analyse valley
      shapes at sites worldwide to demonstrate that the persistence of U-shaped valleys
      is controlled by the erosional response to tectonic forcing. Our findings
      indicate that glacial topography in Earth's most rapidly uplifting mountain
      ranges is rapidly replaced by fluvial topography and hence valley forms do not
      reflect the cumulative action of multiple glacial periods, implying that the
      classic physiographic signature of glaciated landscapes is best expressed in, and
      indeed limited by, the extent of relatively low-uplift terrain. 

PMID- 26271246
TI  - Reliability of pedigree-based and genomic evaluations in selected populations.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Reliability is an important parameter in breeding. It measures the
      precision of estimated breeding values (EBV) and, thus, potential response to
      selection on those EBV. The precision of EBV is commonly measured by relating the
      prediction error variance (PEV) of EBV to the base population additive genetic
      variance (base PEV reliability), while the potential for response to selection is
      commonly measured by the squared correlation between the EBV and breeding values
      (BV) on selection candidates (reliability of selection). While these two measures
      are equivalent for unselected populations, they are not equivalent for selected
      populations. The aim of this study was to quantify the effect of selection on
      these two measures of reliability and to show how this affects comparison of
      breeding programs using pedigree-based or genomic evaluations. METHODS: Two
      scenarios with random and best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) selection were
      simulated, where the EBV of selection candidates were estimated using only
      pedigree, pedigree and phenotype, genome-wide marker genotypes and phenotype, or
      only genome-wide marker genotypes. The base PEV reliabilities of these EBV were
      compared to the corresponding reliabilities of selection. Realized genetic
      selection intensity was evaluated to quantify the potential of selection on the
      different types of EBV and, thus, to validate differences in reliabilities.
      Finally, the contribution of different underlying processes to changes in
      additive genetic variance and reliabilities was quantified. RESULTS: The
      simulations showed that, for selected populations, the base PEV reliability
      substantially overestimates the reliability of selection of EBV that are mainly
      based on old information from the parental generation, as is the case with
      pedigree-based prediction. Selection on such EBV gave very low realized genetic
      selection intensities, confirming the overestimation and importance of genotyping
      both male and female selection candidates. The two measures of reliability
      matched when the reductions in additive genetic variance due to the Bulmer
      effect, selection, and inbreeding were taken into account. CONCLUSIONS: For
      populations under selection, EBV based on genome-wide information are more
      valuable than suggested by the comparison of the base PEV reliabilities between
      the different types of EBV. This implies that genome-wide marker information is
      undervalued for selected populations and that genotyping un-phenotyped female
      selection candidates should be reconsidered.

PMID- 26271248
TI  - Are bronchoalveolar lavages a good source for microbial profiling? Differences
      between throat and bronchoalveolar lavage microbiomes.

PMID- 26271247
TI  - Alteration in amyloid beta42, phosphorylated tau protein, interleukin 6, and
      acetylcholine during diabetes-accelerated memory dysfunction in diabetic rats:
      correlation of amyloid beta42 with changes in glucose metabolism.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Diabetes accelerates memory dysfunction in a continuous, slowly
      pathological process. Studies suggest that the time course of certain biomarkers
      can characterize the pathological course of the disease to provide information
      for early intervention. Thus, there is an urgent need for validated biomarkers to
      characterize the cognitive impairment induced by DM. We aimed to detect changes
      in cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers such as amyloid beta42, phosphorylated tau
      protein, interleukin 6, and acetylcholine in diabetic rats over time, and to
      analyse the relationship between diabetes and cognitive impairment. METHODS: Rats
      were injected once intraperitoneally with 1% of streptozotocin to establish a
      diabetic model. Index changes were investigated longitudinally and all were
      measured at the end of the experiment at day 75. Abeta42, P-tau, IL-6, and ACh
      levels in CSF, insulin levels in plasma, and Abeta42 levels in plasma and brain
      tissue were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: Compared with control, the diabetic model
      showed ACh in CSF to be decreased by day 15, continuing lower out to day 75.
      Abeta42 changes in brain and blood showed the same trends but exhibited minima at
      different time points: day 30 in CSF and day 15 in plasma. After the minimum,
      Abeta42 in cerebrospinal fluid rose and levelled off lower than in the control
      group, whereas Abeta42 in plasma rose and went above the controls at day 30,
      slowly trending upwards for the remainder of the experiment. P-tau protein in CSF
      in diabetic rats showed an increasing trend, becoming significantly different
      from the controls at day 60 and day 75. Abeta42 in CSF was strongly negatively
      correlated with blood glucose at day 15 and was negatively correlated with
      insulin in serum, particularly at day 45. CONCLUSION: Our longitudinal research
      model suggest that changes in the measured biomarkers appear before learning and
      memory impairments do. Abeta42 and ACh in the diabetes model group clearly
      changed from day 0 to day 45, and then P-tau and IL-6 varied significantly from
      day 45 to day 75. The reduced ACh levels observed possibly correlated with the
      factors common to changes in Abeta42, P-tau, and IL-6.

PMID- 26271249
TI  - Genetic polymorphisms in XRCC1 genes and colorectal cancer susceptibility.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The objective of this study is to investigate the association among
      the polymorphisms of XRCC1 gene, smoking, drinking, family history of tumors, and
      the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) in the population of Han nationality in
      Jiangsu Province, China. METHODS: A case-control study of 320 patients with CRC
      and 350 cancer-free subjects as a control group was conducted. The three
      polymorphic sites, codons 194, 280, and 399, of XRCC1 genes were analyzed by PCR
      RFLP. RESULTS: We find that heavy smoking (>500 cigarettes per year)
      significantly increased the susceptibility of CRC (OR=1.89, 95% confidence
      interval (CI) 1.27-2.84) after stratification by total smoking amount. There was
      also significant difference between cases and controls when family history of
      tumors (OR=2.96, 95% CI 1.76-4.99) was considered. Comparing with individuals
      carrying XRCC1 399Arg/Arg genotype, the subjects with 399Arg/Gln (OR=1.46, 95% CI
      1.06-2.01) or 399Gln/Gln genotype (OR=1.93, 95% CI 1.05-3.54) had a significantly
      increased risk for CRC. Taking smoking and drinking habits into consideration, we
      found that subjects with heavy smoking history and XRCC1 194Arg allele had the
      significantly increased risk for CRC (OR=2.91, 95% CI 1.35-6.24). Individuals,
      who carry 399Gln allele and have a heavy smoking (OR=2.72, 95% CI 1.52-4.89) or
      drinking habit (OR=1.98, 95% CI 1.06-3.67), also have higher risk. In smoking
      population, 194Arg (P=0.491) and 399Gln (P=0.912) had not significantly increased
      risk for CRC, so did 399Gln (P=0.812) in smoking population. CONCLUSIONS:
      Individuals carrying XRCC1 399Gln allele with a smoking or drinking habit were in
      increased risk, and heavy-smoking subjects with 194Arg allele also have higher
      risk for CRC in the Han nationality population of Jiangsu Province, which also
      showed a positive correlation with exposure dose of tobacco. But XRCC1 399Gln
      allele or 194Arg allele were not independent risk factors for CRC in smoking or
      drinking population.

PMID- 26271250
TI  - FORENSIC Autopsy of People Having Committed Suicide in 2002 and in 2012:
      Comparison of Epidemiological and Sociological Data.
AB  - This work compares epidemiological and sociological data on persons having
      committed suicide in 2002 and in 2012 through a retrospective study of every
      suicide case having led to an autopsy at the Institute for Forensic Medicine of
      Lyon in 2002 and in 2012. The study included sociodemographic data, medical data,
      and toxicological data. A total of 486 cases were included (242 cases in 2002 and
      244 cases in 2012). People committing suicide were on average older in 2012 than
      in 2002 with a larger proportion of over 55. There was also an increase in the
      proportion of psychiatric antecedents (p < 0.001). Whatever the date of death by
      suicide, the most affected age range is the 45-54. The results highlight the
      necessity of bolstering the prevention plans, in particular for people over 45.

PMID- 26271251
TI  - Prevalence of menopausal symptoms among mid-life women: findings from electronic
      medical records.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To assess the prevalence of menopausal symptoms among women
      prescribed hormone therapy (HT) using electronic medical record data from a
      regional healthcare organization. METHODS: Retrospective data from the Reliant
      Medical Group from 1/1/2006-12/31/2011 were assessed for 102 randomly-selected
      patients. Study eligibility criteria included: females aged 45 to 65; prescribed
      oral or transdermal HT; no history of breast cancer, venous thromboembolism,
      stroke, gynecological cancer, or hysterectomy; continuously enrolled in the
      health plan for 1 year before and after the first observed HT prescription.
      Prevalence of menopause-related symptoms was analyzed descriptively at both the
      patient and visit levels. RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 54 years. The most
      common menopausal symptoms were: hot flushes (40%), night sweats (17%), insomnia
      (16%), vaginal dryness (13%), mood disorders (12%), and weight gain (12%). Among
      the 102 patients, 163 individual visits listing menopausal symptoms were
      identified, of which hot flushes (71 visits) were the most common symptom
      identified. CONCLUSION: Our findings provide recent data on the types of
      menopausal symptoms experienced by mid-life women prescribed HT. Electronic
      medical records may be a rich source of data for future studies of menopausal
      symptoms in this population.

PMID- 26271252
TI  - Bipolar risk and mental imagery susceptibility in a representative sample of
      Chinese adults residing in the community.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We need to better understand the cognitive factors associated with
      risk for bipolar disorders. Recent research suggests that increased
      susceptibility to mental imagery may be one such factor. However, since this
      research was primarily conducted with Western students and at a single time
      point, it is not known whether the relationship between imagery susceptibility
      and bipolar symptoms exists across cultures or within the general community, or
      whether this relationship remains stable over time. AIM: This study evaluated
      whether Chinese adults identified as being at high (HR) versus low (LR) risk of
      developing bipolar disorders showed greater mental imagery susceptibility. We
      aimed to test whether such a relationship was stable over time by measuring
      imagery characteristics at baseline and at the 7-week follow-up. METHOD: This
      prospective study recruited a community sample of N = 80 Chinese adults screened
      for the absence of neurotic and psychotic disorders. The sample was split into HR
      (n = 18) and LR (n = 62) groups at baseline based on a criterion cut-off score on
      a measure of hypomania, the Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ). Participants
      completed measures of imagery susceptibility and its impact: the Spontaneous Use
      of Imagery Scale (SUIS) and the Impact of Future Events Scale (IFES), at baseline
      and 7 weeks later. RESULTS: HR group reported greater tendency to use imagery in
      daily life (SUIS) and greater emotional impact of prospective imagery (IFES) than
      LR group at baseline. These results remained stable at follow-up. CONCLUSION:
      This study provides preliminary evidence for increased susceptibility to mental
      imagery in individuals at high risk of bipolar disorders recruited from a
      community sample of Chinese adults. This extends previous research in Western
      student samples suggesting that imagery (both levels of use and its emotional
      impact) may be a cognitive factor with cross-cultural relevance that is stable
      over time.

PMID- 26271254
TI  - RE: Doll and Peto's Quantitative Estimates of Cancer Risks: Holding Generally
      True for 35 Years.

PMID- 26271253
TI  - Mice lacking prostaglandin E receptor subtype 4 manifest disrupted lipid
      metabolism attributable to impaired triglyceride clearance.
AB  - Upon high-fat feeding, prostaglandin E receptor subtype 4 (EP4)-knockout mice
      gain less body weight than their EP4(+/+) littermates. We investigated the cause
      of the lean phenotype. The mice showed a 68.8% reduction in weight gain with
      diminished fat mass that was not attributable to reduced food intake, fat
      malabsorption, or increased energy expenditure. Plasma triglycerides in the mice
      were elevated by 244.9%. The increase in plasma triglycerides was independent of
      changes in hepatic very low density lipoprotein (VLDL)-triglyceride production or
      intestinal chylomicron-triglyceride synthesis. However, VLDL-triglyceride
      clearance was drastically impaired in the EP4-knockout mice. The absence of EP4
      in mice compromised the activation of lipoprotein lipase (LPL), the key enzyme
      responsible for trafficking of plasma triglycerides into peripheral tissues.
      Deficiency in EP4 reduced hepatic mRNA expression of the transcriptional factor
      cAMP response element binding protein H (by 36.8%) and LPL activators, including
      apolipoprotein (Apo)a5 (by 40.2%) and Apoc2 (by 61.3%). In summary, the lean
      phenotype of EP4-deficient mice resulted from reduction in adipose tissue and
      accretion of other peripheral organs caused by impaired triglyceride clearance.
      The findings identify a new metabolic dimension in the physiologic role played by
      endogenous EP4.

PMID- 26271255
TI  - Together We Learn: Analyzing the Interprofessional Internal Medicine Residents'
      and Master of Public Health Students' Quality Improvement Education Experience.
AB  - Although the value of interprofessional collaborative education has been
      promoted, it is unclear how teams of clinical and nonclinical learners perceive
      this experience. The authors studied an interprofessional quality improvement
      (QI) curriculum implemented in 2013 integrating internal medicine residents (n =
      90) and Master of Public Health (MPH) students (n = 33) at an urban safety net
      academic medical center. Pre and post curriculum surveys assessed attitudes
      toward QI and interprofessional education and team performance. Resident
      attitudes toward learning and engaging in QI work improved at the end of the
      curriculum. Overall, MPH students demonstrated significantly more positive
      attitudes about interprofessional learning and work than residents. They also
      agreed more strongly than residents that patients would benefit if residents and
      public health students worked together. As health care organizations evolve to
      become more integrated, it is crucial that interprofessional educational
      opportunities be developed and evaluated to help encourage a culture of
      collaboration among health care providers.

PMID- 26271256
TI  - DeDaL: Cytoscape 3 app for producing and morphing data-driven and structure
      driven network layouts.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Visualization and analysis of molecular profiling data together with
      biological networks are able to provide new mechanistic insights into biological
      functions. Currently, it is possible to visualize high-throughput data on top of
      pre-defined network layouts, but they are not always adapted to a given data
      analysis task. A network layout based simultaneously on the network structure and
      the associated multidimensional data might be advantageous for data visualization
      and analysis in some cases. RESULTS: We developed a Cytoscape app, which allows
      constructing biological network layouts based on the data from molecular profiles
      imported as values of node attributes. DeDaL is a Cytoscape 3 app, which uses
      linear and non-linear algorithms of dimension reduction to produce data-driven
      network layouts based on multidimensional data (typically gene expression). DeDaL
      implements several data pre-processing and layout post-processing steps such as
      continuous morphing between two arbitrary network layouts and aligning one
      network layout with respect to another one by rotating and mirroring. The
      combination of all these functionalities facilitates the creation of insightful
      network layouts representing both structural network features and correlation
      patterns in multivariate data. We demonstrate the added value of applying DeDaL
      in several practical applications, including an example of a large protein
      protein interaction network. CONCLUSIONS: DeDaL is a convenient tool for applying
      data dimensionality reduction methods and for designing insightful data displays
      based on data-driven layouts of biological networks, built within Cytoscape
      environment. DeDaL is freely available for downloading at http://bioinfo
      out.curie.fr/projects/dedal/.

PMID- 26271257
TI  - Sampling strategies for phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in Europe.
AB  - The distribution of phlebotomine sand flies is widely reported to be changing in
      Europe. This can be attributed to either the discovery of sand flies in areas
      where they were previously overlooked (generally following an outbreak of
      leishmaniasis or other sand fly-related disease) or to true expansion of their
      range as a result of climatic or environmental changes. Routine surveillance for
      phlebotomines in Europe is localized, and often one of the challenges for
      entomologists working in non-leishmaniasis endemic countries is the lack of
      knowledge on how to conduct, plan and execute sampling for phlebotomines, or how
      to adapt on-going sampling strategies for other haematophagous diptera. This
      review brings together published and unpublished expert knowledge on sampling
      strategies for European phlebotomines of public health concern in order to
      provide practical advice on: how to conduct surveys; the collection and
      interpretation of field data; suitable techniques for the preservation of
      specimens obtained by different sampling methods; molecular techniques used for
      species identification; and the pathogens associated with sand flies and their
      detection methods. 

PMID- 26271258
TI  - Violent and non-violent methods of attempted and completed suicide in Swedish
      young men: the role of early risk factors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of studies on the role of early risk factors for
      the choice of methods for violent suicide attempts. Adolescent risk factors for
      the choice of violent or non-violent methods for suicide attempts and the risk of
      subsequent suicide were studied using a longitudinal design. METHODS: A national
      Swedish cohort of 48 834 18-20-year-old young men conscripted for military
      service from 1969 to 1970 was followed through official registers during a 37
      year period. Two questionnaires concerning their psychosocial background were
      answered by each conscript. Cox proportional hazard regression analyses were used
      to estimate the risk for different methods of attempted suicide and later
      suicide. RESULTS: A total of 1195 (2.4 %) men had made a suicide attempt and of
      these, 133 (11.1 %) committed suicide later. The number of suicide victims among
      the non-attempters was 482 (1 %). Half of the suicides occurred during the same
      year as the attempt. Suicide victims had earlier onset of suicidal behaviour and
      had more often used hanging as a method of attempted suicide than those who did
      not later commit suicide. The early risk factors for both violent and non-violent
      methods of suicide attempt were quite similar. CONCLUSION: Violent suicide
      attempts, especially by hanging, are associated with a clearly elevated suicide
      risk in men and require special clinical and public health attention. The early
      risk factors related to the choice of either a violent or a non-violent suicide
      attempt method are interlinked and circumstantial factors temporally close to the
      suicide attempt, such as access to a specific method, may partly explain the
      choice of method.

PMID- 26271259
TI  - Risk and protective factors for falls on one level in young children: multicentre
      case-control study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Childhood falls are an important global public health problem, but
      there is lack of evidence about their prevention. Falls on one level result in
      considerable morbidity and they are costly to health services. OBJECTIVE: To
      estimate ORs for falls on one level in children aged 0-4 years for a range of
      safety behaviours, safety equipment use and home hazards. DESIGN, SETTING AND
      PARTICIPANTS: Multicentre case-control study at hospitals, minor injury units and
      general practices in and around four UK study centres. Participants included 582
      children less than 5 years of age with a medically attended fall injury occurring
      at home and 2460 controls matched on age, sex, calendar time and study centre.
      MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Fall on one level. RESULTS: Cases' most common injuries
      were bangs on the head (52%), cuts or grazes not needing stitches (29%) or cuts
      or grazes needing stitches (17%). Comparing cases to community controls in the
      adjusted analyses, significant findings were observed for only two exposures.
      Injured children were significantly less likely to live in a household without
      furniture corner covers (adjusted OR (AOR) 0.72, 95% CI 0.55 to 0.95), or without
      rugs and carpets firmly fixed to the floor (AOR 0.76, 95% CI 0.59 to 0.98).
      CONCLUSIONS: We did not find any safety practices, use of safety equipment or
      home hazards associated with a reduced risk of fall on one level. Our findings do
      not provide evidence to support changes to current injury prevention practice.

PMID- 26271260
TI  - Precision prevention: time to move beyond universal interventions.

PMID- 26271261
TI  - The effect of combined mechanism ankle support on postural control of patients
      with chronic ankle instability.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic ankle instability is associated with neuromechanical changes
      and poor postural stability. Despite variety of mechanisms of foot and ankle
      orthoses, almost none apply comprehensive mechanisms to improve postural control
      in all subgroups of chronic ankle instability patients. OBJECTIVES: The purpose
      of this study was to investigate the effect of an ankle support implementing
      combined mechanisms to improve postural control in chronic ankle instability
      patients. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: An ankle support with
      combined mechanism was designed based on most effective action mechanisms of foot
      and ankle orthoses. The effect of this orthosis on postural control was evaluated
      in 20 participants with chronic ankle instability and 20 matched healthy
      participants. The single-limb stance balance test was measured in both groups
      with and without the new orthosis using a force platform. RESULTS: The results
      showed that application of combined mechanism ankle support significantly
      improved all postural sway parameters in chronic ankle instability patients.
      There were no differences in means of investigated parameters with and without
      the orthosis in the healthy group. No statistically significant differences were
      found in postural sway between chronic ankle instability patients and healthy
      participants after applying the combined mechanism ankle support. CONCLUSION: The
      combined mechanism ankle support is effective in improving static postural
      control of chronic ankle instability patients to close to the postural sway of
      healthy individual. the orthosis had no adverse effects on balance performance of
      healthy individuals. Clinical relevance Application of the combined mechanism
      ankle support for patients with chronic ankle instability is effective in
      improving static balance. This may be helpful in reduction of recurrence of ankle
      sprain although further research about dynamic conditions is needed.

PMID- 26271262
TI  - Influence of heel design in an orthopedic shoe on ground reaction forces during
      walking.
AB  - BACKGROUND: One of the treatments prescribed for musculoskeletal patients is
      orthopedic shoe. The use of an orthopedic shoe is thought to produce a more
      typical ground reactive force pattern. OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to
      determine the influence of three heel designs of an orthopedic shoe on the ground
      reaction forces during walking in healthy subjects. STUDY DESIGN: Quasi
      experimental. METHOD: In total, 30 healthy adults (12 males, 18 females) walked
      at a self-selected pace for six trials in each of the three shoe conditions
      having three different heels which included the following: standard heel, beveled
      heel, and positive posterior heel flare. For each trial, ground reaction force
      parameters were recorded using a force plate. RESULTS: Repeated measures analysis
      of variance indicated that the impact force was significantly reduced for the
      positive posterior heel flare condition by 8% and 13% compared with standard and
      beveled heels, respectively (p < 0.001). The first peak of vertical force showed
      a significant reduction in the beveled heel by 5% and 4% compared with the
      standard heel and the positive posterior heel flare, respectively (p < 0.001).
      Loading rate was significantly reduced in the beveled heel and the positive
      posterior heel flare conditions (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Positive posterior heel
      flare reduced impact force due to its geometry flexibility, while a beveled heel
      reduced first peak of vertical force. The findings of this study show that the
      shape of the heel therefore has the potential to modify impact loads during
      walking. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study provides new evidence that by changing
      shape in the heel of orthopedic shoe impact loads are reduced during walking.
      Thus, these findings indicate that use of heel design may be beneficial for
      various musculoskeletal disorders, including key public health problems.

PMID- 26271264
TI  - The zebra sign: an unknown known.
AB  - A 65-year-old woman became obtunded following routine laminectomy and was found
      to have bilateral cerebellar haemorrhage and convexity subarachnoid haemorrhage.
      We discuss the possible mechanisms of remote cerebellar haemorrhage-cerebellar
      haemorrhage that develops after spinal or intracranial surgery-giving rise to the
      'zebra sign' and the possible mechanism of convexity subarachnoid haemorrhage in
      this context [corrected].

PMID- 26271263
TI  - Hyponatremia during hospitalization and in-hospital mortality in patients
      hospitalized from heart failure.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To date, the majority of studies on hyponatremia focussed on
      hyponatremia at admission, and came from developed countries. This study aimed to
      identify the prevalence of hyponatremia during hospitalization in patients
      hospitalized for HF and its association with in-hospital mortality. METHODS: This
      was an observational study using retrospective data from patients' records
      between 2010-2013. It focused on those patients carrying an ICD-10 code of
      150.0(Congestive Heart Failure) as their primary diagnosis. Hyponatremia during
      hospitalization was defined as serum sodium level lower than 135 mEq/L obtained
      from a blood chemistry measurement on the next days after admission. Patients'
      characteristics were examined and the association between hyponatremia during
      hospitalization and in-hospital mortality was analyzed. RESULTS: Among 464
      patients hospitalized for HF, hyponatremia during hospitalization was observed in
      22 % of patients with 44 % of this group had normal serum sodium level on
      admission. Hyponatremia during hospitalization was associated with lower blood
      pressure on admission, both systolic and diastolic, peripheral oedema, ascites
      and fatigue. Patients having history of hospitalization for cardiac diseases and
      renal failure were higher in patients developing hyponatremia during
      hospitalization. In this group, amiodarone, heparin, insulin and antibiotics were
      administered more frequently. Factors potentially increase the risk of
      hyponatremia during hospitalization include history of fatigue (OR = 3.23, 95 %
      CI 1.79-5.82), presence of ascites (4.14, 1.84-9.31), and administration of
      heparin (3.85, 1.78-8.31) and antibiotics (3.08, 1.71-5.53). Length of hospital
      stay was significantly longer in patients with hyponatremia during
      hospitalization and in-hospital mortality was also higher compared to non
      hyponatremic patients, 7.7 % and 29.1 %, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study
      found that the prevalence of hyponatremia during hospitalization in patients
      hospitalized for HF was almost the same as hyponatremia on admission and
      administration of heparin and antibiotics can potentially worsen hyponatremia
      during hospitalization. In this study population, hyponatremia during
      hospitalization was found to be associated with in-hospital mortality.

PMID- 26271266
TI  - Video telemetry: current concepts and recent advances.
AB  - Epilepsy is a clinical diagnosis based on the history of the patient and of
      witnesses. Sometimes this is not available or is incomplete, thus making
      diagnosis uncertain. In other cases, specifically in patients with intractable
      epilepsy being considered for epilepsy surgery, the diagnosis of epilepsy is not
      in doubt but the precise localisation of the epileptogenic zone needs to be
      determined. In both these situations, video telemetry plays a key role and is now
      a routine in most neuroscience units. This review covers existing practice and
      the exciting recent development of home video telemetry. 

PMID- 26271265
TI  - Functional cognitive disorder: what is it and what to do about it?
AB  - To err is human, and it is normal to make minor cognitive errors from time to
      time. Some people experience persistent subjective cognitive difficulties that
      cause distress and functional impairment, with no underlying structural,
      neurodegenerative, toxic or metabolic cause. This is considered a form of
      functional disorder. In this article, we review functional cognitive disorder and
      outline its core clinical features. Patients with this are typically of working
      age and have a source of psychological distress, such as chronic pain, work
      stress or family difficulties. Its distinction from incipient dementia is
      difficult and usually requires interval follow-up. Pointers towards possible
      dementia include abnormal neuroimaging or loss of insight. Many patients accept a
      functional cognitive disorder diagnosis and willingly engage with psychological
      therapies but there is no defined optimal treatment. Functional cognitive
      disorder is common but under-studied; future research priorities include the
      development of clear diagnostic criteria and robust trials of therapeutic
      strategies. 

PMID- 26271267
TI  - Evaluation of a low-cost design keratoprosthesis in end-stage corneal disease: a
      preliminary study.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the indications, outcomes and complications of Auro
      keratoprosthesis (a low-cost design based on type I Boston Keratoprosthesis) in
      the end-stage corneal disease in a preliminary study. METHODS: In this
      prospective interventional study, 10 eyes of 10 patients with an end-stage
      corneal disease underwent implantation of Auro keratoprosthesis with the mean
      follow-up of 14.5+/-2.1 months. The indications included multiple failed grafts
      (n=7), aphakic bullous keratopathy (n=2) and chemical injury (n=1). The
      additional intraoperative procedures performed were synechiolysis (n=9),
      cataractous lens extraction (n=2), Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation (n=1) and
      vitreoretinal surgery (n=1). Antibiotic prophylaxis was administered
      postoperatively, and patients were followed up at 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month and
      thereafter at monthly intervals. The main outcome measures were best corrected
      visual acuity (BCVA), retention of prosthesis, complications and need for
      secondary surgical interventions. RESULTS: The most common indication for
      keratoprosthesis implantation was graft failure (7/10, 70%). The postoperative
      BCVA improved to >=20/200 in six patients. Nine out of 10 patients had retained
      keratoprosthesis. The complications seen were inflammatory debris behind
      keratoprosthesis (n=4), retroprosthetic membrane (n=2), glaucoma (n=4), small (<2
      mm) sterile stromal necrosis or erosions at the graft edge (n=3) and microbial
      keratitis (n=1). Explantation of the keratoprosthesis was performed in one eye
      due to fungal keratitis. CONCLUSIONS: Auro keratoprosthesis, a low-cost
      keratoprosthesis, is a viable option in the end-stage corneal disease in this
      preliminary study. Multicentre studies with long-term follow-up are required to
      conclusively prove its safety and efficacy.

PMID- 26271269
TI  - New vessels detected on wide-field imaging compared to two-field and seven-field
      imaging: implications for diabetic retinopathy screening image analysis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Wide-field retinal imaging (Optomap), used for detecting diabetic
      retinopathy (DR), has been shown to compare well with seven-field early treatment
      diabetic retinopathy study (ETDRS) photographs. An Optomap 200 degrees  image
      covers 80% of the retinal surface, compared with the standard seven-field, 30
      degrees  images, covering 30% of the retinal surface. In England, DR screening is
      performed by grading two, 45 degrees  images per eye, by the DR screening service
      (DRSS). PURPOSE: To assess how often retinal new vessels (NVs) are observed on
      Optomap imaging, outside the DRSS two fields and standard seven-field
      photography, in a cohort of patients referred by the DRSS. METHOD: A consecutive
      series of treatment naive patients with DR, referred from DRSS with pre
      proliferative or proliferative DR or diabetic maculopathy, were imaged with
      Optomap colour images, within 3 months of DRSS referral. The incidence and
      distribution of NVs were recorded in relation to two-field and seven-field areas.
      RESULTS: NVs were found in 102 of 1562 treatment naive eyes (6.5%) of 781
      patients. Of these, 72 were referred from DRSS as having NVs, but an additional
      30 eyes (29% of NVs detected) from 25 patients were referred with a lesser degree
      of DR. In 25 of the 30 eyes without NVs reported on referral, NVs were located
      outside the standard two fields taken at DRSS, and in 12, NVs were outside the
      area covered on seven-field imaging (11.7% of eyes with NVs). CONCLUSIONS: Wide
      field imaging with Optomap detected approximately 30% more NVs than standard two
      field imaging in patients referred from a UK DRSS.

PMID- 26271268
TI  - Systematic screening for diabetic retinopathy (DR) in Hong Kong: prevalence of DR
      and visual impairment among diabetic population.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy (DR), sight
      threatening DR (STDR), visual impairment and other eye diseases in a systematic
      DR screening programme among primary care Chinese patients with diabetes mellitus
      (DM) in Hong Kong. METHODS: Screening for DR was provided to all subjects with DM
      in public primary care using digital fundus photography according to the English
      national screening programme. STDR was defined as preproliferative DR (R2),
      proliferative DR (R3) and/or maculopathy (M1). The presence of other eye diseases
      was noted. Visual impairment was classified as none (visual acuity in the better
      eye of 6/18 or better), mild (6/18 to >6/60) and severe (6/60 or worse). RESULTS:
      Of 174 532 subjects screened, most had never been screened before. The prevalence
      of DR was 39.0% (95% CI 38.8% to 39.2%) and STDR 9.8% (95% CI 9.7% to 9.9%). The
      most common DR status was R1 (35.7%), followed by M1 (8.6%), R2 (3.0%) and R3
      (0.3%). The prevalence of mild and severe visual impairment was 4.2% and 1.3%,
      respectively. Subjects with STDR had a higher prevalence (9.8%) of visual
      impairment than those without (3.5%). CONCLUSIONS: DR was prevalent in this
      population and one in 10 had STDR. This suggests the need for systematic
      screening to ensure timely referral to an ophthalmologist for monitoring and/or
      treatment.

PMID- 26271270
TI  - Uncertain thrombophilia markers.
AB  - The development of venous thromboembolism (VTE), which includes deep-vein
      thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, may be associated with inherited or acquired
      risk factors that can be measured in plasma or DNA testing. The main inherited
      thrombophilias include the plasma deficiencies of the natural anticoagulants
      antithrombin, protein C and S; the gain-of-function mutations factor V Leiden and
      prothrombin G20210A; some dysfibrinogenaemias and high plasma levels of
      coagulation factor VIII. Besides these established biomarkers, which usually
      represent the first-level laboratory tests for thrombophilia screening, a number
      of additional abnormalities have been less consistently associated with an
      increased VTE risk. These uncertain causes of thrombophilias will be discussed in
      this narrative review, focusing on their clinical impact and the underlying
      pathogenetic mechanisms. Currently, there is insufficient ground to recommend
      their inclusion within the framework of conventional thrombophilia testing. 

PMID- 26271272
TI  - Endogenous event-related potentials in patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome
      without central nervous system involvement.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Endogenous cognitive event-related potentials (CERPs) reflect higher
      level processing of sensory information and can be used to evaluate cognitive
      functions. The aim of this paper was to determine whether there are any
      abnormalities in the electrophysiological parameters of CERPs in patients with
      primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS) but without symptoms of central nervous system
      (CNS) involvement or mental disorder. The analysis of CERP parameters was then
      correlated with the clinical status of the patients and with some of the
      immunological parameters in the patient group. METHOD: Thirty consecutive
      patients with pSS (29 females, one male) were included in the study. All the
      patients underwent CERP examination. RESULTS: There was a significant
      prolongation of the latency of P300 and N200 potentials in patients with pSS.
      Abnormalities in electrophysiological parameters of CERPs correlated with the
      duration of the disease, salivary gland abnormalities, and elevated erythrocyte
      sedimentation rate (ESR) values. Patients with coexisting chronic fatigue
      syndrome (CFS) had larger P300 amplitudes. There were no statistically
      significant changes in the electrophysiological parameters of CERPs in patients
      with pSS dependent on the presence of peripheral nervous system (PNS) lesions,
      skin changes, arthritis, abnormalities in white blood cells and the immune system
      or the levels of blood lipids. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study suggest the
      presence of a minor cognitive dysfunction in patients with pSS without symptoms
      of CNS involvement or mental disorder. Cognitive dysfunction correlated with the
      disease duration time and the severity of inflammatory changes (salivary gland
      abnormalities and inflammatory markers in the blood). Further and larger
      longitudinal studies are necessary for confirmation of this correlation.

PMID- 26271274
TI  - Remogliflozin etabonate : a novel SGLT2 inhibitor for treatment of diabetes
      mellitus.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Inhibitors of sodium-glucose co-transporter type 2 (SGLT2)
      represent a new class of anti-hyperglycemic agents with a unique mechanism of
      action. These drugs lower blood glucose by increasing urinary glucose excretion.
      Remogliflozin etabonate (RE) is a prodrug of remogliflozin, an SGLT2 inhibitor
      under development. Areas covered: The following article reviews all of the
      clinical studies published regarding metabolism, drug interaction, safety and
      efficacy of RE in healthy subjects, patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
      Expert opinion: Available data suggest low potential for RE to interact with
      other drugs affecting the P450 system. Compared with placebo, RE reduces
      hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels by an average of 0.5 - 1.0% after 12 weeks of
      therapy in drug-naive patients with type 2 diabetes. Because of its relatively
      short half-life, RE may be slightly more effective when used twice daily than
      once daily. One preliminary study also showed that RE decreased plasma glucose
      levels in type 1 diabetes. Advantages of RE include modest weight loss of ~ 2 kg,
      low risk of hypoglycemia, and a trend toward decrease in blood pressure. The
      commonest adverse effects of RE are genital mycotic infections, urinary tract
      infections, and dizziness. However, further studies are needed to establish its
      long-term safety and efficacy, and to determine whether it has specific
      advantages over currently approved SGLT2 inhibitors.

PMID- 26271273
TI  - Higher Incidence of Hypospadias in Monochorionic Twins.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hypospadias is associated with twinning. The incidence of hypospadias
      in monochorionic and dichorionic male twins is, however, yet to be determined.
      METHODS: All medical records of monochorionic and dichorionic twins admitted to
      our neonatal nursery between January 2004 and August 2013 were reviewed for the
      presence of hypospadias. RESULTS: A total of 350 monochorionic and 303
      dichorionic male twins were included in the study. The incidence of hypospadias
      in monochorionic and dichorionic groups was 4% (14/350) and 1% (3/303) (p = .016)
      respectively. In 11 of the 15 twin couples, hypospadias occurred in the twin with
      the lowest birth weight. The rate of hypospadias in twin infants small-for
      gestational-age group was 10% (6/60) compared with 2% (11/593) in the appropriate
      for-gestational-age group (p = .002). In a multivariate analysis, both
      monochorionicity and small-for-gestational-age were independently associated with
      hypospadias, odds ratio 4.1 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1-14.7) and 6.1 (95%
      CI: 2.2-17.2) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of hypospadias is four
      fold higher in monochorionic twins compared with dichorionic twins. Hypospadias
      is also independently associated with small-for-gestational-age.

PMID- 26271275
TI  - Effect of Sugammadex on Postoperative Bleeding and Coagulation Parameters After
      Septoplasty: A Randomized Prospective Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sugammadex is a reversal agent with well known advantages but it's
      effects on haemostasis and bleeding have been a topic of interest. Septoplasty is
      a common surgical procedure with postoperative respiratory complications and
      bleeding. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of sugammadex on
      postoperative coagulation parameters and bleeding after septoplasty procedure.
      MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this randomized controlled study, fifty patients were
      grouped into two groups; neostigmine (Group N) vs. sugammadex (Group S). For the
      evaluation of PT, aPTT and INR, blood samples were taken for at the postoperative
      120th minutes and alteration of these values with respect to preoperative values
      were documented. Postoperative bleeding was measured by evaluating the amount of
      blood absorbed on the nasal tip dressing during 3 hours postoperatively. RESULTS:
      Postoperative bleeding amount was significantly higher in the Group S compared to
      Group N (p=0.013). No significant difference was observed between two groups
      according to coagulation parameters (PT; p=0.953, aPTT; p=0.734, INR; p=0.612).
      CONCLUSIONS: Sugammadex was associated with higher amount of postoperative
      bleeding than neostigmine in septoplasty patients. In surgical procedures having
      high risk of bleeding the safety of sugammadex need to be verified.

PMID- 26271276
TI  - Frontal facial proportions of 12-year-old southern Chinese: a photogrammetric
      study.
AB  - This study aimed to establish norm values for facial proportion indices among 12
      year-old southern Chinese children, to determine lower facial proportion, and to
      identify gender differences in facial proportions.A random population sample of
      514 children was recruited. Fifteen facial landmarks were plotted with ImageJ
      (V1.45) on standardized photos and 22 Facial proportion index values were
      obtained. Gender differences were analyzed by 2-sample t-test with 95% confidence
      interval. Repeated measurements were conducted on approximately 10% of the
      cases.The rate of adopted subjects was 52.5% (270/514). Intraclass correlation
      coefficient values (ICC) for intra- examiner reliability were >0.87. Population
      facial proportion index values were derived. Gender differences in 11 of the
      facial proportion indices were evident (P < 0.05).Upper face-face height (N- Sto/
      N- Gn), vermilion height (Ls-Sto/Sto-Li), upper face height-biocular width (N
      Sto/ExR-ExL) and nose -face height (N-Sn/N-Gn) indices were found to be larger
      among girls (P < 0.01). Males had larger lower face-face height (Sn -Gn/ N-Gn),
      mandibulo-face height (Sto-Gn/N-Gn), mandibulo-upper face height (Sto-Gn/N-Sto),
      nasal (AlR-AlL/N-Sn), upper lip height-mouth width (Sn-Sto/ChR-ChL), upper lip
      upper face height (Sn-Sto/N-Sto) and upper lip-nose height (Sn-Sto/N-Sn) indices
      (P < 0.05).Population norm of facial proportion indices for 12-year-old Southern
      Chinese were derived and mean lower facial proportion were obtained. Sexual
      dimorphism is apparent.

PMID- 26271277
TI  - Molecular species identification, host preference and detection of myxoma virus
      in the Anopheles maculipennis complex (Diptera: Culicidae) in southern England,
      UK.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Determining the host feeding patterns of mosquitoes by identifying
      the origin of their blood-meals is an important part of understanding the role of
      vector species in current and future disease transmission cycles. Collecting
      large numbers of blood-fed mosquitoes from the field is difficult, therefore it
      is important to maximise the information obtained from each specimen. This study
      aimed to use mosquito genome sequence to identify the species within Anopheles
      maculipennis sensu lato (An. maculipennis s.l.), identify the vertebrate hosts of
      field-caught blood-fed An. maculipennis s.l. , and to test for the presence of
      myxoma virus (Poxviridae, genus Leporipoxvirus) in specimens found to have fed on
      the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). METHODS: Blood-fed An. maculipennis
      s.l. were collected from resting sites at Elmley Nature Reserve, Kent, between
      June and September 2013. Hosts that An. maculipennis s.l. had fed on were
      determined by a PCR-sequencing approach based on the partial amplification of the
      mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit I gene. Mosquitoes were then
      identified to species by sequencing a region of the internal transcribed spacer
      2. DNA extracts from all mosquitoes identified as having fed on rabbits were
      subsequently screened using PCR for the presence of myxoma virus. RESULTS: A
      total of 94 blood-fed Anopheles maculipennis s.l. were collected, of which 43
      (46%) provided positive blood-meal identification results. Thirty-six of these
      specimens were identified as Anopheles atroparvus, which had fed on rabbit (n =
      33, 92%) and cattle (n = 3, 8%). Seven mosquitoes were identified as Anopheles
      messeae, which had fed on cattle (n = 6, 86%) and dog (n = 1, 14%). Of the 33 An.
      atroparvus that contained rabbit blood, nine (27%) were positive for myxoma
      virus. CONCLUSIONS: Results demonstrate that a single DNA extract from a blood
      fed mosquito can be successfully used for molecular identification of members of
      the An. maculipennis complex, blood-meal identification, and for the targeted
      detection of a myxoma virus. This study shows that An. atroparvus has a strong
      feeding preference for both healthy and myxoma-infected rabbits, providing
      evidence that this species may play a significant role in the transmission of
      myxomatosis among wild rabbit populations in the United Kingdom (UK).

PMID- 26271278
TI  - Gallbladder perforation: a rare complication of postoperative chemotherapy of
      gastric cancer.
AB  - A middle-aged man presented 1 day after being discharged from hospital with
      completing the first course of postoperative chemotherapy. He suffered a sudden
      persistent high fever and chills. It was noted that he had a history of a total
      gastrectomy (with D2 lymphadenectomy) 1 month ago. His admission bloods revealed
      total bilirubin was 142.2 umol/L, indirect bilirubin of 107.6 umol/L and white
      cell count of 20.05*10(9)/L. A color doppler ultrasound scan confirmed fluid and
      gas around liver and hilus lienis while the gallbladder cannot be detected.
      During Computed Tomography (CT) guided puncture positioning technology and
      setting a three-channel tube, about 400 ml of foul smell hazel turbid liquid was
      drained out. He was diagnosed as gallbladder perforation and he was underwent
      conservative treatment consist of drainage, banning diet, total parenteral
      nutrition and intravenous antibiotics. Then he recovered well within the
      subsequent 10 days and was discharged.

PMID- 26271279
TI  - Stauntonia hexaphylla (Lardizabalaceae) leaf methanol extract inhibits
      osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption activity via proteasome-mediated
      degradation of c-Fos protein and suppression of NFATc1 expression.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Natural plants, including common vegetables and fruits, have been
      recognized as essential sources for drug discovery and the development of new,
      safe, and economical medicaments. Stauntonia hexaphylla (Lardizabalaceae) is
      widely distributed in Korea, Japan, and China, and is a popular herbal supplement
      in Korean and Chinese folk medicine owing to its analgesic, sedative, and
      diuretic properties. However, the exact pharmacological effects of S. hexaphylla
      extract, particularly its effect on osteoclastogenesis, are not known. METHODS:
      Osteoclast differentiation and function were identified with tartrate-resistant
      acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining and bone resorption assay, and the underling
      mechanisms were determined by real-time RT-PCR and western blot analysis.
      RESULTS: S. hexaphylla was found to inhibit early-stage receptor activator of
      nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) ligand (RANKL)-mediated osteoclast
      differentiation in bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) without cytotoxicity and bone
      resorbing activity in mature osteoclasts in a dose-dependent manner. This S.
      hexaphylla-mediated blockade of osteoclastogenesis involved abrogation of the NF
      kappaB, ERK, and c-Src-Btk-PLCgamma2 calcium signal pathways. Interestingly, we
      found that S. hexaphylla down-regulated RANKL-associated c-Fos protein induction
      by suppressing its translation. Furthermore, ectopic overexpression of c-Fos and
      NFATc1 rescued the inhibition of osteoclast differentiation by S. hexaphylla.
      Furthermore, S. hexaphylla inhibited the c-Fos- and NFATc1-regulated expression
      of genes required for osteoclastogenesis, such as TRAP, OSCAR, beta3-integrin,
      ATP6v0d2, and CtsK. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that S. hexaphylla might
      be useful for the development of new anti-osteoporosis agents.

PMID- 26271280
TI  - Development of the Perinatal Depression Inventory (PDI)-14 using item response
      theory: a comparison of the BDI-II, EPDS, PDI, and PHQ-9.
AB  - The objective of this study is to develop a simple, brief, self-report perinatal
      depression inventory that accurately measures severity in a number of
      populations. Our team developed 159 Likert-scale perinatal depression items using
      simple sentences with a fifth-grade reading level. Based on iterative cognitive
      interviewing (CI), an expert panel improved and winnowed the item pool based on
      pre-determined criteria. The resulting 67 items were administered to a sample of
      628 pregnant and 251 postpartum women with different levels of depression at
      private and public sector obstetrics clinics, together with the Beck Depression
      Inventory (BDI-II), Edinburg Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS), and the Patient
      Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), as well as Module A of the Structured Clinical
      Interview for DSM-IV Diagnoses (SCID). Responses were evaluated using Item
      Response Theory (IRT). The Perinatal Depression Inventory (PDI)-14 items are
      highly informative regarding depression severity and function similarly and
      informatively across pregnant/postpartum, white/non-white, and private
      clinic/public-clinic populations. PDI-14 scores correlate well with the PHQ-9,
      EPDS, and BDI-II, but the PDI-14 provides a more precise measure of severity
      using far fewer words. The PDI-14 is a brief depression assessment that excels at
      accurately measuring depression severity across a wide range of severity and
      perinatal populations. 

PMID- 26271281
TI  - Maternal depression from pregnancy to 4 years postpartum and
      emotional/behavioural difficulties in children: results from a prospective
      pregnancy cohort study.
AB  - Considerable attention has been focused on women's mental health in the perinatal
      period and the subsequent impacts on children. Comparatively, we know much less
      about maternal depression at later time points and the potential implications for
      child mental health. The objective of this paper was to explore the association
      between maternal depression and child emotional/behavioural difficulties at 4
      years postpartum, taking into account earlier episodes of perinatal depression.
      The Maternal Health Study is a prospective cohort study of 1,507 nulliparous
      women. Maternal depressive symptoms were assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal
      Depression Scale (EPDS) in early pregnancy and at 3, 6 and 12 months postpartum
      and again at 4 years postpartum. Maternal depressive symptoms at 4 years
      postpartum were associated with significantly increased odds of child
      emotional/behavioural difficulties (odds ratio (OR) = 3.46, 95 % confidence
      interval (CI) = 2.21-5.43). This remained significant after adjusting for earlier
      episodes of perinatal depression and socio-demographic characteristics (OR =
      2.07, 95 % CI = 1.18-3.63). We also observed a robust association between child
      difficulties at age 4 and measures of socio-economic disadvantage. Our findings
      suggest a pressing need to rethink current paradigms of maternal health
      surveillance and extend mental health surveillance and support to at least 4
      years postpartum.

PMID- 26271282
TI  - A new outbreak of fox rabies at the Russian-Mongolian border.

PMID- 26271283
TI  - Construction and characterization of infectious cDNA clones of enterovirus 71
      (EV71).

PMID- 26271284
TI  - Detection of seed DNA in regurgitates of granivorous carabid beetles.
AB  - Granivory can play a pivotal role in influencing regeneration, colonization as
      well as abundance and distribution of plants. Due to their high abundance,
      nutrient content and longevity, seeds are an important food source for many
      animals. Among insects, carabid beetles consume substantial numbers of seeds and
      are thought to be responsible for a significant amount of seed loss. However, the
      processes that govern which seeds are eaten and are therefore prevented from
      entering the seedbank are poorly understood. Here, we assess if DNA-based diet
      analysis allows tracking the consumption of seeds by carabids. Adult individuals
      of Harpalus rufipes were fed with seeds of Taraxacum officinale and Lolium
      perenne allowing them to digest for up to 3 days. Regurgitates were tested for
      the DNA of ingested seeds at eight different time points post-feeding using
      general and species-specific plant primers. The detection of seed DNA decreased
      with digestion time for both seed species, albeit in a species-specific manner.
      Significant differences in overall DNA detection rates were found with the
      general plant primers but not with the species-specific primers. This can have
      implications for the interpretation of trophic data derived from next-generation
      sequencing, which is based on the application of general primers. Our findings
      demonstrate that seed predation by carabids can be tracked, molecularly, on a
      species-specific level, providing a new way to unravel the mechanisms underlying
      in-field diet choice in granivores. 

PMID- 26271285
TI  - Air pocket stability and the imbibition pathway in droplet wetting.
AB  - The stability of air pockets formed in grooves on a surface is relevant to
      contact angle hysteresis of droplet wetting and it is investigated by imbibition
      experiments and surface evolver (SE) simulations. Liquid drops of different
      wettabilities are placed atop a conical hole on a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)
      substrate. The stability of the air pocket depends on surface wettability. Four
      kinds of imbibition behaviors ranging from wetting to nonwetting are observed.
      The imbibition pathway for the kinetically unstable air pocket is observed by
      using the olive oil droplet. It involves an inward flow of a thin liquid film
      along the wall of the hole. The accumulation of liquid at the bottom leads to the
      rise of the air bubble. The energy-barrier profile associated with the imbibition
      pathway acquired by SE simulations is able to interpret the outcome of
      imbibition. The advancing and receding contact angles of various liquids on a
      PMMA substrate with drilled holes are also determined. Their wetting behaviors
      can be categorized into three types. Our experimental results for substrates with
      or without fluorination are in good agreement with the theory based on the
      stability of air pockets. 

PMID- 26271286
TI  - Erratum to: Predator interference alters foraging behavior of a generalist
      predatory arthropod.

PMID- 26271287
TI  - Distribution, behavior, and condition of herbivorous fishes on coral reefs track
      algal resources.
AB  - Herbivore distribution can impact community structure and ecosystem function. On
      coral reefs, herbivores are thought to play an important role in promoting coral
      dominance, but how they are distributed relative to algae is not well known.
      Here, we evaluated whether the distribution, behavior, and condition of
      herbivorous fishes correlated with algal resource availability at six sites in
      the back reef environment of Moorea, French Polynesia. Specifically, we tested
      the hypotheses that increased algal turf availability would coincide with (1)
      increased biomass, (2) altered foraging behavior, and (3) increased energy
      reserves of herbivorous fishes. Fish biomass and algal cover were visually
      estimated along underwater transects; behavior of herbivorous fishes was
      quantified by observations of focal individuals; fish were collected to assess
      their condition; and algal turf production rates were measured on standardized
      tiles. The best predictor of herbivorous fish biomass was algal turf production,
      with fish biomass increasing with algal production. Biomass of herbivorous fishes
      was also negatively related to sea urchin density, suggesting competition for
      limited resources. Regression models including both algal turf production and
      urchin density explained 94 % of the variation in herbivorous fish biomass among
      sites spread over ~20 km. Behavioral observations of the parrotfish Chlorurus
      sordidus revealed that foraging area increased as algal turf cover decreased.
      Additionally, energy reserves increased with algal turf production, but declined
      with herbivorous fish density, implying that algal turf is a limited resource for
      this species. Our findings support the hypothesis that herbivorous fishes can
      spatially track algal resources on coral reefs.

PMID- 26271289
TI  - Hydrogen-bonding interactions of uric acid complexes with water/melamine by mid
      infrared spectroscopy.
AB  - Hydrogen (H)-bonding interactions of uric acid (UA) with water have been
      investigated via IR-UV double resonance measurements in the mid-IR region.
      Comparison of the present results with those obtained previously in the near-IR
      region enables us to examine microscopic hydration effects that are specific to
      the H-bonding acceptor sites of UA. It is shown that hydration of the C8O site
      promotes the mode coupling of this stretch with the C2O stretch. The occurrence
      of this coupling is manifested in the IR intensity pattern, in which the
      transition associated with the in-phase contribution C8O + C2O is significantly
      suppressed, whereas the corresponding out-of-phase contribution gives rise to a
      strong peak. We also measured the mid-IR spectra of the 1 : 1 complex formed
      between UA and melamine (MEL) and carried out a structural analysis using the
      spectroscopic signature of the H-bonding derived from the result of the
      monohydrated cluster. It is shown that the complex possesses a triple H-bonding
      structure with the C2O acceptor site of UA H-bonded to MEL. Furthermore, the IR
      depleted UV spectroscopy technique was employed in order to ascertain whether
      other structural isomers are present in the probe UV spectra.

PMID- 26271288
TI  - beta-Asarone Mitigates Amyloidosis and Downregulates RAGE in a Transgenic Mouse
      Model of Alzheimer's Disease.
AB  - Elevated beta-amyloid (Abeta) is a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recent
      evidence has suggested that the receptor of advanced glycation end products
      (RAGE) is a key target for Abeta-induced perturbation in AD, and blockade of RAGE
      significantly alleviates synaptic injury. Our previous study has suggested that
      beta-asarone could reduce neuronal apoptosis and improve memory deficits in beta
      amyloid precursor protein and presenilin-1 (APP/PS1) double transgenic AD-model
      mice. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of beta-asarone on
      amyloidosis in APP/PS1 mice. We found that the survival of neurons of APP/PS1
      mice was improved by beta-asarone, meanwhile, beta-asarone decreased Abeta
      deposition and down-regulated Abeta1-42 levels in cortex and hippocampus of
      APP/PS1 mice brain. Interestingly, the level of RAGE was also significantly down
      regulated by beta-asarone. Our findings suggest that beta-asarone might be
      effective for the treatment of AD, and the decreasing effects of beta-asarone on
      Abeta might associate with its down-regulation of RAGE. 

PMID- 26271290
TI  - [Comments on the PREFERE study].

PMID- 26271291
TI  - Robotic distal pancreatectomy versus conventional laparoscopic distal
      pancreatectomy: a comparative study for short-term outcomes.
AB  - Robotic system has been increasingly used in pancreatectomy. However, the
      effectiveness of this method remains uncertain. This study compared the surgical
      outcomes between robot-assisted laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy and
      conventional laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy. During a 15-year period, 35
      patients underwent minimally invasive approach of distal pancreatectomy in our
      center. Seventeen of these patients had robot-assisted laparoscopic approach, and
      the remaining 18 had conventional laparoscopic approach. Their operative
      parameters and perioperative outcomes were analyzed retrospectively in a
      prospective database. The mean operating time in the robotic group (221.4 min)
      was significantly longer than that in the laparoscopic group (173.6 min) (P =
      0.026). Both robotic and conventional laparoscopic groups presented no
      significant difference in spleen-preservation rate (52.9% vs. 38.9%) (P = 0.505),
      operative blood loss (100.3 ml vs. 268.3 ml) (P = 0.29), overall morbidity rate
      (47.1% vs. 38.9%) (P = 0.73), and post-operative hospital stay (11.4 days vs.
      14.2 days) (P = 0.46). Both groups also showed no perioperative mortality.
      Similar outcomes were observed in robotic distal pancreatectomy and conventional
      laparoscopic approach. However, robotic approach tended to have the advantages of
      less blood loss and shorter hospital stay. Further studies are necessary to
      determine the clinical position of robotic distal pancreatectomy. 

PMID- 26271292
TI  - Small cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder without gross hematuria: a case
      report.
AB  - Small cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder (SCCB) is a rare and aggressive form
      of bladder cancer with poor prognosis. Hematuria is the main symptom of this
      malignancy, and most patients have a history of smoking. The disease incidence of
      malignant bladder tumors in China is approximately 0.74%. Early and accurate
      diagnosis of SCCB can ensure timely and appropriate treatment of this malignant
      disease. Oncologic surgery is the standard treatment; however, it may not be a
      curative approach. Chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy should be performed following
      surgical removal. This case report describes a patient with a single neoplasm
      diagnosed as SCCB that arose because of recurrence of bladder cancer after
      bladder tumor resection. In contrast to previously reported cases, this patient
      had no gross hematuria and no history of smoking. 

PMID- 26271293
TI  - Cushing's syndrome during pregnancy caused by adrenal cortical adenoma: a case
      report and literature review.
AB  - Cushing's syndrome (CS) during pregnancy is a rare condition with significant
      maternal and fetal complications. A case of CS during the third trimester of
      pregnancy secondary to adrenocortical adenoma was reported. Literature review
      revealed the disadvantages of different treatments in this period. Besides the
      conservative treatment, surgery is recommended for CS during the third trimester
      of pregnancy secondary to adrenal adenoma, if an experienced surgeon is
      available. 

PMID- 26271294
TI  - Tendinopathy after ofloxacin ear drops.

PMID- 26271296
TI  - Comments of Environmental Conditions for the Maintenance of Leptospira in
      Tropical Scenarios.

PMID- 26271295
TI  - Plant Pathogenic Microbial Communication Affected by Elevated Temperature in
      Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum.
AB  - Gram-negative plant pathogenic bacteria regulate specific gene expression in a
      population density-dependent manner by sensing level of Acyl-Homoserine Lactone
      (HSL) molecules which they produce and liberate to the environment, called Quorum
      Sensing (QS). The production of virulence factors (extracellular enzyme viz.
      cellulase, pectinase, etc.) in Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum
      (Pcc) is under strong regulation of QS. The QS signal molecule, N-(3-oxohexanoyl)
      L-Homoserine Lactone (OHHL) was found as the central regulatory system for the
      virulence factor production in Pcc and is also under strict regulation of
      external environmental temperature. Under seven different incubation temperatures
      (24, 26, 28, 30, 33, 35, and 37  degrees C) in laboratory condition, highest
      amount of OHHL (804 violacein unit) and highest (79 %) Disease Severity Index
      (DSI) were measured at 33  degrees C. The OHHL production kinetics showed
      accumulation of highest concentration of OHHL at late log phase of the growth but
      diminution in the concentration occurred during stationary phase onwards to death
      phase. At higher temperature (35 and 37  degrees C) exposure, OHHL was not at
      detectable range. The effect of temperature on virulence factor production is the
      concomitant effect of HSL production and degradation which justifies less disease
      severity index in cross-inoculated tomato fruits incubated at 35 and 37  degrees
      C. The nondetection of the OHHL in the elevated temperature may because of
      degradation as these signal molecules are quite sensitive and prone to get
      degraded under different physical factors. This result provides the rationale
      behind the highest disease severity up to certain elevated temperature and leaves
      opportunities for investigation on mutation, co-evolution of superior plant
      pathogen with more stable HSL signals-mediated pathogenesis under global warming
      context.

PMID- 26271297
TI  - Characterization and Genome Sequencing of a Novel Bacteriophage PH101 Infecting
      Pseudoalteromonas marina BH101 from the Yellow Sea of China.
AB  - A novel Pseudoalteromonas marina bacteriophage, PH101, specifically infecting
      Pseudoalteromonas BH101 was isolated from the water sample of the Yellow Sea of
      China using the agar overlay method. 16S rDNA sequence identification was used to
      identify the host bacteria. Efficiency of infection, multiplicity of infection
      value, morphological characterization, one-step growth curve, and host range of
      the bacteriophage were determined. Purified PH101 genomic DNA was extracted and
      its genome was completely sequenced and analyzed. The phage morphology showed
      that PH101 belongs to the Myoviridae family with a head of 60 nm in diameter and
      a tail of 40 nm with a tail fiber of 10-20 nm. Microbiological characterization
      demonstrated that phage PH101 is stable at a wide range of temperatures (0-70 
      degrees C) and showed acid and alkaline resistance (pH 3-12). The one-step growth
      curve showed a latent period of about 20 min, a rise period of 20 min, and a
      burst size of about 31.6 virions. The genome sequencing and bioinformatic
      analysis shows that phage PH101 was a novel bacteriophage which was found to
      consist of a linear, double-stranded 131,903-bp DNA molecule with a GC content of
      37.36 % and 228 putative open reading frames without RNA, which were classified
      into seven functional groups, including phage structure, adsorption, packaging,
      gene transfer protease, terminase, DNA binding, and regulation.

PMID- 26271298
TI  - The on-surface synthesis of imine-based covalent organic frameworks with non
      aromatic linkage.
AB  - A pair of isomeric imine-based covalent organic frameworks with non-aromatic
      linkage has been fabricated at the graphite surface, which extends the structural
      diversity of surface covalent organic frameworks. 

PMID- 26271299
TI  - Feasibility and Reliability of a Coding System to Capture In-Session Group
      Behavior in Adolescents.
AB  - Limited research has explored the role of in-session behavior during motivational
      enhancement (ME) in group formats. The current study presents initial feasibility
      of assessing behavior of high school students (N = 425) attending Project
      Options, a voluntary secondary drug and alcohol prevention program utilizing ME
      techniques. Building on previous research exploring client language
      supporting/opposing health behavior, student group behavior was coded live at the
      specific utterance and global level; group leader behavior was also coded
      globally. Interrater reliability of the coding system was assessed, and
      preliminary validity of the coding system was examined by exploring associations
      between characteristics of group members and in-session group behavior. Initial
      reliability estimates were excellent for the specific behavior codes. Reliability
      of the global codes was mixed, with raters demonstrating good reliability on
      support for unhealthy behavior, opposition to unhealthy behavior, and support for
      healthy behavior. Reliability of the group leader codes was fair to poor. Greater
      percent healthy talk was associated with a lower percentage of group members
      reporting lifetime alcohol use. The results of the current study suggest that
      some in-session behavior at the group level can be coded reliably via live
      observation and that in-session behavior at the group level is associated with
      alcohol use prior to attending the program. Future research is needed to explore
      the utility of in-session behavior in terms of predicting future behavior at the
      group and individual level.

PMID- 26271300
TI  - An Experimental Study of Procedures to Enhance Ratings of Fidelity to an Evidence
      Based Family Intervention.
AB  - The valid and reliable assessment of fidelity is critical at all stages of
      intervention research and is particularly germane to interpreting the results of
      efficacy and implementation trials. Ratings of protocol adherence typically are
      reliable, but ratings of therapist competence are plagued by low reliability.
      Because family context and case conceptualization guide the therapist's delivery
      of interventions, the reliability of fidelity ratings might be improved if the
      coder is privy to client context in the form of an ecological assessment. We
      conducted a randomized experiment to test this hypothesis. A subsample of 46
      families with 5-year-old children from a multisite randomized trial who
      participated in the feedback session of the Family Check-Up (FCU) intervention
      were selected. We randomly assigned FCU feedback sessions to be rated for
      fidelity to the protocol using the COACH rating system either after the coder
      reviewed the results of a recent ecological assessment or had not. Inter-rater
      reliability estimates of fidelity ratings were meaningfully higher for the
      assessment information condition compared to the no-information condition.
      Importantly, the reliability of the COACH mean score was found to be
      statistically significantly higher in the information condition. These findings
      suggest that the reliability of observational ratings of fidelity, particularly
      when the competence or quality of delivery is considered, could be improved by
      providing assessment data to the coders. Our findings might be most applicable to
      assessment-driven interventions, where assessment data explicitly guides
      therapist's selection of intervention strategies tailored to the family's context
      and needs, but they could also apply to other intervention programs and
      observational coding of context-dependent therapy processes, such as the working
      alliance. 

PMID- 26271301
TI  - Quality of life predictors in chronic stable post-stroke patients and prognostic
      value of SF-36 score as a mortality surrogate.
AB  - Perceived quality of life (QoL) and psychological well-being represents an
      important target of secondary prevention practice in post-stroke patients. We
      aimed to identify the major covariates of impaired QoL in stable post-stroke
      patients and whether impaired QoL itself represents independent mortality
      predictor.The study consisted of a cross-sectional and a prospective part. Three
      hundred forty-one patients [mean age 69.0 (SD 9.1)] were interviewed at least 6
      months after discharge from hospital for their first-ever ischemic stroke. QoL
      was objectivized using 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) scoring. Standard
      health-related questionnaires, including Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale
      (HADS), risk factors, and biochemical markers, were assessed. To estimate the 5
      year all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, we ascertained the vital status and
      declared cause of death.Anxiety, depression (HADS score >=11), brain natriuretic
      peptide levels >=100 ng/mL, residual motor impairment at interview, Rankin Scale
      >=4 at discharge from hospitalization, and raised blood pressure were identified
      as main determinants of impaired QoL in the cross-sectional part. The 5-year all
      cause and cardiovascular mortality rates were 25.8 and 19.9 %, respectively.
      After adjustment for potential covariates, patients with an SF-36 score <=40 at
      baseline had more than a twofold higher risk of all-cause and cardiovascular
      mortality (with HRRs 2.01 (95 % CI 1.21-3.32), p < 0.007 and 2.32 (95 % CI 1.32
      4.09), p < 0.003, respectively) during the 5 years of follow-up.In conclusion,
      anxiety, depression, and raised brain natriuretic peptide levels were the most
      important covariates of impaired QoL in post-stroke patients. Moreover, a
      decreased SF-36 score (<=40) represents an independent surrogate of increased
      additive mortality risk. 

PMID- 26271302
TI  - (13)CHD2-CEST NMR spectroscopy provides an avenue for studies of conformational
      exchange in high molecular weight proteins.
AB  - An NMR experiment for quantifying slow (millisecond) time-scale exchange
      processes involving the interconversion between visible ground state and
      invisible, conformationally excited state conformers is presented. The approach
      exploits chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) and makes use of (13)CHD2
      methyl group probes that can be readily incorporated into otherwise highly
      deuterated proteins. The methodology is validated with an application to a G48A
      Fyn SH3 domain that exchanges between a folded conformation and a sparsely
      populated and transiently formed unfolded ensemble. Experiments on a number of
      different protein systems, including a 360 kDa half-proteasome, establish that
      the sensitivity of this (13)CHD2 (13)C-CEST technique can be upwards of a factor
      of 5 times higher than for a previously published (13)CH3 (13)C-CEST approach
      (Bouvignies and Kay in J Biomol NMR 53:303-310, 2012), suggesting that the
      methodology will be powerful for studies of conformational exchange in high
      molecular weight proteins. 

PMID- 26271304
TI  - Evaluation of the retinal, choroidal, and nerve fiber layer thickness changes in
      patients with toxic anterior segment syndrome.

PMID- 26271303
TI  - Comparison of refractive outcomes in three corneal transplantation techniques for
      keratoconus.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) has a much lower incidence
      of immunologic reactions than penetrating keratoplasty (PK) for patients with
      keratoconus. However, it is unclear whether DALK is better on refractive outcomes
      than PK, due to its high postoperative myopia. METHODS: We retrospectively
      studied the clinical records of keratoconus patients who underwent PK, DALK, or
      predescemetic DALK (pre-DALK, DALK with residual stroma) between June 2004 and
      September 2008. The main outcome measures included refractive sphere, manifest
      cylinder, corneal power, keratometric astigmatism, and best-corrected visual
      acuity (BCVA) at the latest visit and the methods of visual correction.
      Postoperative manifest refractions and topography data were compared at
      postoperative 3, 5, 7, and 9 years among the three groups. Additionally, the
      final BCVA and the methods of vision correction were compared. RESULTS: A total
      of 172 subjects (172 eyes) screened out of 207 keratoconus patients underwent PK
      (79 eyes), DALK (68 eyes), or pre-DALK (25 eyes). Postoperative myopic refractive
      sphere increased in all groups, but the most obvious increase was noted in the
      pre-DALK group. At the 9-year follow-up, both the pre-DALK group (-6.5 +/- 1.7 D)
      and DALK group (-6.1 +/- 1.8 D) had higher myopic refractive sphere than the PK
      group (-5.0 +/- 1.5 D, p < 0.05). Postoperative myopic manifest astigmatism
      progressively increased in 5 years, but there were no differences among the
      groups. The progressive increases in postoperative corneal power were recorded in
      all groups, with the highest one in the pre-DALK group and the lowest in the PK
      group. At the 9-year follow-up, both the pre-DALK (49.8 +/- 2.7 D) and DALK (48.8
      +/- 2.1 D) groups had higher corneal power than the PK group (47.3 +/- 2.0 D);
      meanwhile, the corneal power was higher in the pre-DALK group than the DALK group
      (p < 0.05). No differences were noted with respect to keratometric astigmatism
      among the groups. Mean LogMAR BCVA was 0.12 +/- 0.12 in the DALK group, 0.17 +/-
      0.10 in the pre-DALK group, and 0.1 +/- 0.11 in the PK group (p = 0.325) at 9
      years after surgery. Moreover, the methods of achieving BCVA seem to be similar
      among the treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although DALK has a slightly higher
      degree of myopic refraction than PK, DALK and PK have comparable visual acuity
      outcomes and similar methods of vision correction. DALK is recommended for the
      treatment of keratoconus.

PMID- 26271305
TI  - Heavy Metal Dietary Intake and Potential Health Risks for University Hostel
      Students.
AB  - The study was conducted to determine the residual concentration of Cd, Pb, Asand
      Hg in some foodstuffs served to university students living at hostels of Beni
      Suef University (BSU), Egypt, and to estimate the dietary intake of such metals,
      as well as to assess the potential health risks associated with the consumption
      of such foods. Therefore, a total of 200 samples, 50 each of, soft cheese, UHT
      milk, raw broiler carcasses and canned tuna, were periodically collected from
      university hostels of BSU and examined for the residual levels of these metals
      using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The obtained results revealed that the
      mean residual levels of Cd in soft cheese, UHT milk, broiler's meat and canned
      tuna samples were 0.37, 0.26, 0.089 and 0.093 mg/kg, respectively, while those of
      Pb were 0.187, 0.20, 0.181 and 0.164 mg/kg, respectively. Regarding As, they were
      0.196, 0.24, 0.14 and 0.201 mg/kg, respectively, and Hg mean residual
      concentration accounted for 0.05, 0.05, 0.117 and 0.235 mg/kg, respectively. Some
      of the examined food samples had heavy metals' concentrations above the
      international standards. The total weekly dietary intakes of Cd, Pb, As and Hg
      were 4.99, 5.38, 4.77 and 2.76 MUg/kg bw/week, respectively, that were comparable
      to the provisional tolerable weekly intake recommended by the Joint Expert
      Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). The total target hazard quotient (TTHQ) of
      broiler's meat was over 1 (1.686), thus indicating possible health risks in
      contrast to the TTHQs of other foodstuffs that were below one. 

PMID- 26271306
TI  - ZnO Nanoparticles Upregulates Adipocyte Differentiation in 3T3-L1 Cells.
AB  - The present study was aimed to investigate the effect of zinc oxide (ZnO)
      nanoparticles on 3T3-L1 cell differentiation, by quantitating peroxisome
      proliferators-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma), CCAAT/enhancer binding
      protein alpha (C/EBPalpha), fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4), sterol
      regulatory element-binding transcription factor 1 (SREBP1), and serine-threonine
      kinase cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (cdk4), which are critical for adipogenesis. 3T3
      L1 preadipocyte cells were cultured and differentiated with the standard
      differentiation medium. Sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay determined 3T3-L1 cell
      viability. ZnO nanoparticles increased the lipid accumulation in differentiated
      adipocytes as evidenced by Oil Red O staining. The quantitative PCR (qPCR)
      analysis showed that the PPARgamma, FABP4, C/EBPalpha, and SREBP1 messenger RNA
      (mRNA) expression was significantly increased in the ZnO nanoparticle-treated 3T3
      L1 adipocytes. Western blot analysis showed increased PPARgamma, FABP4,
      C/EBPalpha, and SREBP1 protein expression compared to their respective controls.
      Also, the immunofluorescence study showed the increased cdk4 and PPARgamma
      expression in the nanoparticle-treated cells. Taking all these data together, it
      is concluded that ZnO nanoparticles may be a potent substance to alter 3T3-L1
      preadipocyte differentiation and adipogenesis. 

PMID- 26271307
TI  - Correlation Analysis of Exercise-Induced Changes in Plasma Trace Element and
      Hormone Levels During Incremental Exercise in Well-Trained Athletes.
AB  - This study analyzes the relationship between hormonal changes induced by exercise
      and variations in trace elements associated with oxidative stress during
      incremental exercise. Nineteen well-trained endurance athletes performed a cycle
      ergometer test: after a warm-up of 10 min at 2.0 W kg(-1), workload increased by
      0.5 W kg(-1) every 10 min until exhaustion. The analysis was controlled for prior
      diet and activity patterns, levels of exercise training, and time of day
      (circadian rhythms). Whole blood lactate concentration and plasma concentrations
      of ions (Zn, Se, Mn, and Co), insulin, glucagon, aldosterone, thyroid stimulating
      hormone (TSH), calcitonin, and parathyroid hormone (PTH) were measured at rest;
      at the end of each stage; and 3, 5, and 7 min post-exercise. The statistical
      analysis involved paired non-parametric tests and correlation coefficients. No
      significant differences were found in Mn or Co levels as a function of exercise
      intensity. Zn and Se levels at the end of the exercise protocol and over the
      recovery time were significantly different to baseline. Further, Zn levels were
      significantly correlated with aldosterone, calcitonin, and PTH levels, while Se
      levels were associated with aldosterone, calcitonin, and TSH levels. Our results
      indicate several different patterns of association between acute changes in
      hormone concentrations and variations in trace element concentrations related to
      oxidative stress during submaximal exercise. 

PMID- 26271308
TI  - The search for optimal anticoagulation therapy in ACS: The gap between clinical
      trials and current clinical guidelines.

PMID- 26271309
TI  - Spatial conception of activities: a socio-cognitive perspective for simulating
      work practices.
AB  - People conceive their everyday affairs (their practices) as social actors in
      activities, in which they perceive, infer, move, manipulate objects, and
      communicate in some physical setting (e.g., going to the grocery to buy dinner).
      These behaviors are conceptually choreographed in an ongoing, usually tacit
      understanding of "what I'm doing now," encapsulating roles ("who I'm being now"),
      norms ("what I should be doing"; "how I should be dressed/talking/sitting"), and
      progress appraisals ("how well I'm doing"). Activity motives and modalities vary
      widely (e.g., waiting in line, listening to music, sleeping), all of which
      require time and occur in particular settings. Brahms is a multi-agent work
      systems design tool for modeling and simulating activities, used extensively to
      design aerospace work systems. For example, the Generalized Uberlingen Model
      (Brahms-GUM) simulates air transportation practices, focusing on how pilots and
      air traffic controllers interact with automated systems in safety-critical, time
      pressured encounters. Spatial cognition is pervasive: scanning displays of
      multiple workstations; coordinating airspaces and flight paths; and prioritizing
      and timing interventions to maintain aircraft separations. Brahms-GUM
      demonstrates how events may become unpredictable when aspects of the work system
      are missing or malfunctioning, making a routinely complicated system into one
      that is cognitively complex and becomes out of control. Normally, asynchronous
      processes become coupled in space and time, leading to difficulty comprehending
      the situation ("what is happening now") as a familiar multi-modal flow of events.
      Such examples illustrate the dynamics of spatial cognition inherent in our
      conceptually situated experience--our consciousness--of who we are and what we
      are doing.

PMID- 26271311
TI  - Efficacy and site specificity of hydrogen abstraction from DNA 2-deoxyribose by
      carbonate radicals.
AB  - The carbonate radical anion CO(3)(*-) is a potent reactive oxygen species (ROS)
      produced in vivo through enzymatic one-electron oxidation of bicarbonate or,
      mostly, via the reaction of CO(2) with peroxynitrite. Due to the vitally
      essential role of the carbon dioxide/bicarbonate buffer system in regulation of
      physiological pH, CO(3)(*-) is arguably one of the most important ROS in
      biological systems. So far, the studies of reactions of CO(3)(*-) with DNA have
      been focused on the pathways initiated by oxidation of guanines in DNA. In this
      study, low-molecular products of attack of CO(3)(*-) on the sugar-phosphate
      backbone in vitro were analyzed by reversed phase HPLC. The selectivity of damage
      in double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) was found to follow the same pattern C4' > C1' >
      C5' for both CO(3)(*-) and the hydroxyl radical, though the relative contribution
      of the C1' damage induced by CO(3)(*-) is substantially higher. In single
      stranded DNA (ssDNA) oxidation at C1' by CO3(*-) prevails over all other sugar
      damages. An approximately 2000-fold preference for 8-oxoguanine (8oxoG) formation
      over sugar damage found in our study identifies CO(3)(*-) primarily as a one
      electron oxidant with fairly low reactivity toward the sugar-phosphate backbone.

PMID- 26271310
TI  - Cannabinoids for the Treatment of Agitation and Aggression in Alzheimer's
      Disease.
AB  - Alzheimer's disease (AD) is frequently associated with neuropsychiatric symptoms
      (NPS) such as agitation and aggression, especially in the moderate to severe
      stages of the illness. The limited efficacy and high-risk profiles of current
      pharmacotherapies for the management of agitation and aggression in AD have
      driven the search for safer pharmacological alternatives. Over the past few
      years, there has been a growing interest in the therapeutic potential of
      medications that target the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The behavioural effects
      of ECS medications, as well as their ability to modulate neuroinflammation and
      oxidative stress, make targeting this system potentially relevant in AD. This
      article summarizes the literature to date supporting this rationale and evaluates
      clinical studies investigating cannabinoids for agitation and aggression in AD.
      Letters, case studies, and controlled trials from four electronic databases were
      included. While findings from six studies showed significant benefits from
      synthetic cannabinoids-dronabinol or nabilone-on agitation and aggression,
      definitive conclusions were limited by small sample sizes, short trial duration,
      and lack of placebo control in some of these studies. Given the relevance and
      findings to date, methodologically rigorous prospective clinical trials are
      recommended to determine the safety and efficacy of cannabinoids for the
      treatment of agitation and aggression in dementia and AD.

PMID- 26271312
TI  - Levels of F2-isoprostanes, F4-neuroprostanes, and total nitrate/nitrite in plasma
      and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with traumatic brain injury.
AB  - Several events occurring during the secondary damage of traumatic brain injury
      (TBI) can cause oxidative stress. F(2)-isoprostanes (F(2)-IsoPs) and F(4)
      neuroprostanes (F(4)-NPs) are specific lipid peroxidation markers generated from
      arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, respectively. In this study, we
      evaluated oxidative stress in patients with moderate and severe TBI. Since
      sedatives are routinely used to treat TBI patients and propofol has been
      considered an antioxidant, TBI patients were randomly treated with propofol or
      midazolam for 72 h postoperation. We postoperatively collected cerebrospinal
      fluid (CSF) and plasma from 15 TBI patients for 6-10 d and a single specimen of
      CSF or plasma from 11 controls. Compared with the controls, the TBI patients
      exhibited elevated levels of F(2)-IsoPs and F(4)-NPs in CSF throughout the
      postsurgery period regardless of the sedative used. Compared with the group of
      patients who received midazolam, those who received propofol exhibited markedly
      augmented levels of plasma F(2)-IsoPs, which were associated with higher F(4)-NPs
      levels and lower total nitrate/nitrite levels in CSF early in the postsurgery
      period. Furthermore, the higher CSF F(2)-IsoPs levels correlated with 6-month and
      12-month worse outcomes, which were graded according to the Glasgow Outcome
      Scale. The results demonstrate enhanced oxidative damage in the brain of TBI
      patients and the association of higher CSF levels of F(2)-IsoPs with a poor
      outcome. Moreover, propofol treatment might promote lipid peroxidation in the
      circulation, despite possibly suppressing nitric oxide or peroxynitrite levels in
      CSF, because of the increased loading of the lipid components from the propofol
      infusion.

PMID- 26271313
TI  - Tensiomyography parameters and jumping and sprinting performance in Brazilian
      elite soccer players.
AB  - Tensiomyography has been suggested as an indirect marker of muscle stiffness,
      which is associated with strength/power performance. Therefore, it is reasonable
      to suggest that tensiomyography parameters could be associated with power-related
      motor tasks. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between
      tensiomyography parameters (from rectus and biceps femoris) and jumping and
      sprinting abilities in elite soccer players. In addition, we used tensiomyography
      parameters to compare the lateral symmetry between dominant and non-dominant
      legs. Twenty elite soccer players (age: 23.3 +/- 4.8 years; height: 183.5 +/- 6.6
      cm; weight: 77.8 +/- 7.5 kg) volunteered to participate in the study. Significant
      moderate negative correlations between biceps femoris displacement and contact
      time (r = -0.5, p = 0.03), rectus femoris displacement and contact time (r = 
      0.51, p = 0.02), and a significant moderate correlation between biceps femoris
      displacement and reactive strength index (r = 0.5, p = 0.03) were found. There
      were no correlations between tensiomyography parameters and power-related motor
      tasks. In addition, no differences in tensiomyography parameters between dominant
      and non-dominant legs were found. Our data suggest that tensiomyography
      parameters are not associated with power-related motor tasks performance in elite
      soccer players.

PMID- 26271314
TI  - Academic Institutions' Critical Guidelines for Health Care Workers Who Deploy to
      West Africa for the Ebola Response and Future Crises.
AB  - The unprecedented Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in West Africa, with its
      first cases documented in March 2014, has claimed the lives of thousands of
      people, and it has devastated the health care infrastructure and workforce in
      affected countries. Throughout this outbreak, there has been a critical lack of
      health care workers (HCW), including physicians, nurses, and other essential non
      clinical staff, who have been needed, in most of the affected countries, to
      support the medical response to EVD, to attend to the health care needs of the
      population overall, and to be trained effectively in infection protection and
      control. This lack of sufficient and qualified HCW is due in large part to three
      factors: 1) limited HCW staff prior to the outbreak, 2) disproportionate illness
      and death among HCWs caused by EVD directly, and 3) valid concerns about personal
      safety among international HCWs who are considering responding to the affected
      areas. These guidelines are meant to inform institutions who deploy professional
      HCWs.

PMID- 26271316
TI  - [Cardiopulmonary bypass duration as predictor of immediate results after cardiac
      surgery].
AB  - It was analyzed the results of treatment of 152 patients who underwent heart
      valve surgery. Depending on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) duration patients were
      divided into 4 groups: the 1st--up to 90 min, the 2nd--90-120 min, the 3rd--120
      180 min, the 4th--more than 180 min. Severity of initial comorbidities was
      comparable in all groups. It was revealed that CPB duration effects on
      intraoperative blood loss, incidence of acute renal failure, encephalopathy, use
      of inotropic and angiotonic support (p<0.05). Accession of CPB duration was
      associated with increased number of postoperative complications in all groups
      (p<0.05). "Critical periods" of CPB for every type of postoperative complications
      are defined.

PMID- 26271317
TI  - [Perforating veins insufficiency in patients with varicose disease].
AB  - MATERIAL AND METHODS: It was analyzed the results of complex survey and treatment
      of 181 patients with varicose disease CEAP degrees C3-C6. Ultrasonic scanning was
      applied to define localization, severity and extension of blood reflux in venous
      system. RESULTS: Superficial reflux was revealed in all patients, perforating--in
      59.7%, deep--in 22.8% of cases. We concluded that high-intensive total-subtotal
      blood reflux in superficial veins was main hemodynamic factor resulted
      perforating insufficiency in 42% of patients, high-intensive deep reflux--in
      17.7% of cases additionally. In patients with subcompensated course of disease
      superficial reflux removal and large perforating veins (diameter 4.5+/-0.5 mm)
      ligation are advisable. Small perforating veins insufficiency (diameter 3.5+/-0.5
      mm) is eliminated independently after superficial reflux removal. Two-staged
      treatment should be used in patients with decompensated course of disease and
      trophic disorders ofshin. Perforating veins sclerotherapy under ultrasonic
      control is advisable secondarily after superficial reflux removal.

PMID- 26271318
TI  - [Cold-plasma sternotomy and postoperative sternal consolidation].
AB  - MATERIAL AND METHODS: It is presented the results of cold-plasma sternotome
      application in 16 patients. Efficiency of this technique, its effect on sternal
      reparation as well as on the incidence of early and remote (4-5 months)
      postoperative wound complications were analyzed. Control group included 19
      patients who underwent conventional sternotomy using high-temperature
      electrocoagulation and medical wax for hemostasis. Risk factors for sternal
      infection were comparable in both groups. Physical examination and computed
      tomography were performed in all patients to access incidence of complications
      and degree of bone tissueconsolidation respectively in postoperative period.
      RESULTS: It is shown that cold-plasma sternotomy leads to early inflammation
      resolution in oversplitting area and to reduction of wound complications
      incidence.

PMID- 26271319
TI  - [Robot-assisted operations for non-organ retroperitoneal tumors].
AB  - MATERIAL AND METHODS: Robot-assisted operations for non-organ retroperitoneal
      tumors were performed in 20 patients. The biggest tumor's diameter was 160 mm,
      the smallest--32 mm, mean value was 79.1+/-37.8 mm. According to morphological
      investigation data lymphangioma was diagnosed in 4 (20%) patients, lipoma--in 3
      (15%) cases, peritoneal cyst--in 2 (10%) patients. Solitary lymphatic node,
      teratoma, leiomyosarcoma, accessory stomach, bronchogenic cyst, adenogenous
      cancer, ureterocele, megaureter, schwannoma, leiomyoma, malignant paraganglioma
      were observed in 1 (5%) case respectively. RESULTS: Surgery duration was 138+/
      55.9 min. Blood loss was 69+/-112.7 ml (range 0-500 ml). Intraoperative
      complications (bleeding) were diagnosed in 3 (15%) patients. There were no
      conversions. Robot-assisted variant has been demonstrated in case of non-organ
      retroperitoneal tumors with diameter not more than 100-120 mm.

PMID- 26271320
TI  - [Blood iron metabolism in patients with stomach cancer].
AB  - AIM: To investigate the changes of iron metabolism values in patients with
      stomach cancer degree II and III within 7 days after surgery. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: Levels of ferritin, transferrin, serum iron and unsaturated iron binding
      capacity were defined in 24 patients with stomach cancer preoperatively and in 1,
      3 and 7 days after surgery using biochemical analyzer Cobas Integra 400.
      Comparison group included donors without cancer. RESULTS: Studied parameters were
      normal before surgery excluding serum iron and hemoglobin. Level of ferritin
      significantly increased by 160% and transferrin decreased by 78% in comparison
      with those in donors in 7 days postoperatively (p<0.05; Mann-Whitney criterion).
      Total iron binding capacity considerably reduced by 300%. There are significant
      changes of serum iron values from the 1st to the 7th days postoperatively. It is
      suggested the supposition about detoxication role of increased level of ferritin
      as one of the mechanisms explaining efficiency of intraoperative
      autoplasmachemotherapy.

PMID- 26271321
TI  - [Laparoscopic operations for chronic duodenal obstruction in children].
AB  - Brief literature review devoted to chronic duodenal obstruction is presented in
      the article. We described an experience of treatment of 5 children with
      mechanical form of chronic duodenal obstruction. Duodenal stenosis was observed
      in 2 patients. Arteriomesenteric compression caused chronic duodenal obstruction
      in other children. Duodenal obstruction was cured using laparoscopy in all cases.
      Thus enteroalimentation has been started in early terms and intensive care unit
      stay and hospital stay was reduced. 

PMID- 26271322
TI  - [Spleen trauma in children].
AB  - The aim was to determine blood loss degree in case of spleen trauma in children
      and to justify safety of victims treatment without surgery. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: It was performed retrospective cohort study of 105 autopsies of children
      who died of combined trauma. 33 of them had spleen injury. Prospective cohort
      study was performed in 75 children with spleen injury, 69 (92%) from whom were
      treated without surgery. RESULTS: It was established that thanatogenetic feature
      of spleen injury in children is moderate blood loss (89.6% of victims), incidence
      of large and massive blood loss was 6.8% and 3.4% respectively. In unoperated
      children blood loss did not exceed 15% of blood volume. In group of operated
      children (n=6; 8%) incidence of large blood loss was 4% (n=3) and did not exceed
      28% of blood volume. Prevalence of moderate blood loss in case of spleen trauma
      due to anatomic and physiological features and mechanisms of spleen injury is
      theoretically justified.

PMID- 26271323
TI  - [Interintestinal anastomoses formation using permanent magnet in surgical
      treatment of children with intestinal stomas].
AB  - It was analyzed the results of treatment of 48 children aged from 1 month to 14
      years. In these observations by the 6th - 7th days after doubleintestinalstoma
      formation magnetic dies with inductance from 300 to 360 mTl and energy force at
      least 255 kJ/m3 were introduced into lumen of afferent and efferent intestinal
      loops. Attractive or compression force between dies was 600 g, i.e. force per 1
      cm2 was 200 g according to dies' surface 1.12.83.0 cm. Magnets are not only
      surgical instruments but also physiotherapeutic devices improving
      microcirculation and stimulating regeneration in the area of anastomosis.
      Interintestinal anastomosis has been completely formed for 5-7 days. Thereafter
      magnetic dies have been removed. Stool was normalized in 45 of 48 observations
      after surgery (1-3 times daily). Intestinal discharge from ileostomy reduced to
      minimal amount. In 2 patients irregular bowel movements was observed due to
      adhesive stenosis of interintestinal anastomosis. Magnetic dies can't be
      established in 1 case due to adhesive process. Hospital stay was from 10 to 25
      days in 41 children. 7 patients were discharged for outpatient treatment later.
      All children were under observation for the period 2-4 months after discharge.
      Signs of hypotrophy including body weight deficit within 10% of age norm were
      diagnosed only in 3 children with prematurity degree I-II. Hereafter children
      were repeatedly hospitalized; intestinal stomas were surgically removed using
      conventional technique. Thus complete convalescence was obtained. 

PMID- 26271324
TI  - [Modified Limberg plasty in treatment of epithelial coccygeal passage].
AB  - The aim was analysis of results of Limberg skin-plastic closure of wound defect
      after excision of extensive fistulous forms of coccygeal passage with some
      modifications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 41 patients with fistulous form of
      epithelial coccygeal passage degree III were enrolled into investigation. Mean
      age was 35.6+/-6.4 years. The modification consisted of asymmetric displacement
      of the lowermost part of excised diamond-shaped defect laterally from the median
      line and fixation of flap to inter-gluteal fold bottom especially its caudal
      part. RESULTS: Noncomplicated course of early postoperative period with wound
      healing by first intention was observed in 38 (92.7%) patients. Recurrent
      coccygeal passage developed in 1 (2.4%) patient and it was limited (fistulous
      passage in one of the wound edges).

PMID- 26271325
TI  - [The state of cytokine status in patients with mechanical jaundice of benign
      origin].
AB  - The results of survey of 67 patients with obstructive jaundice (OJ) of benign
      origin are analyzedin the article. In all patients the cause of obstructive
      jaundice was choledocholithiasis. The degree of hepatic dysfunction (HD) was
      identified taking into account of cholestasis (total serum bilirubin and alkaline
      phosphatase activity in blood) and cytolysis syndromes (levels of alanine
      aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase). Liver dysfunction degree I was
      observed in 21 patients, degree II--in 14, degree III--in 10 and degree IV--in 9
      patients. In 13 patients OJ was complicated with purulent cholangitis (PCh).
      Serum concentration of TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10 was
      determined. Cytokine status imbalance was diagnosed in all patients with benign
      mechanical jaundice on admission. Levels of serum proinflammatory cytokines TNF
      alpha, IFN-gamma and IL-6 were greater and the level of IL-2 was lower than those
      in healthy people. The analysis has showed that severity of cytokine imbalance
      depends on the degree of LD and level of hyperbilirubinemia. Imbalance in
      cytokine regulation manifests in disorders of pro- and anti-inflammatory
      cytokinesratio.

PMID- 26271326
TI  - [The first experience of using a single-layer intra-abdominal collagen plate].
AB  - The aim of this study was to define the possibility of using a collagen substance
      CollGARA as a protective barrier between the polypropylene mesh implant and
      abdominal organs. The drug is a sterile bioabsorbable membrane consisting of
      refolded equine collagen. Indications--use as barrier separating adjoining
      tissues and organs in the areas of the abdominal cavity, where the formation of
      adhesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Were performed 10 operations in patients with
      ventral hernias with different localization. 8 patients had postoperative hernia
      in 2--linea alba hernia. 8 patients were operated open, 2--laparoscopically.
      After intra-abdominal hernia repair was performed plastic mesh implant,
      delimiting it from the abdominal cavity membrane CollGARA. Serious complications
      from the abdominal cavity and the surgical wound wasnt observed. RESULTS: The
      first experience with intra-abdominal plastic polypropylene mesh implant coated
      with collagen plate indicates the possibility of applying this method in the
      future.

PMID- 26271328
TI  - Correction.

PMID- 26271327
TI  - Design of a randomized controlled trial of disclosing genomic risk of coronary
      heart disease: the Myocardial Infarction Genes (MI-GENES) study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Whether disclosure of a genetic risk score (GRS) for a common disease
      influences relevant clinical outcomes is unknown. We describe design of the
      Myocardial Infarction Genes (MI-GENES) Study, a randomized clinical trial to
      assess whether disclosing a GRS for coronary heart disease (CHD) leads to
      lowering of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. METHODS AND
      DESIGN: We performed an initial screening genotyping of 28 CHD susceptibility
      single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that are not associated with blood
      pressure or lipid levels, in 1000 individuals from Olmsted County, Minnesota who
      were participants in the Mayo Clinic BioBank and met eligibility criteria. We
      calculated GRS based on 28 SNPs and will enroll 110 patients each in two CHD
      genomic risk categories: high (GRS >=1.1), and average/low (GRS <1.1). The study
      coordinator will obtain informed consent for the study that includes placing
      genetic testing results in the electronic health record. Participants will
      undergo a blood draw and return 6-10 weeks later (Visit 2) once genotyping is
      completed and a GRS calculated. At this visit, patients will be randomized (1:1)
      to receive CHD risk estimates from a genetic counselor based on a conventional
      risk score (CRS) vs. GRS, followed by shared decision making with a physician
      regarding statin use. Three and six months following the disclosure of CHD risk,
      participants will return for measurement of fasting lipid levels and assessment
      of changes in dietary fat intake and physical activity levels. Psychosocial
      measures will be assessed at baseline and after disclosure of CHD risk.
      DISCUSSION: The proposed trial will provide insights into the clinical utility of
      genetic testing for CHD risk assessment. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION:
      ClinicalTrials.gov registration number: NCT01936675 .

PMID- 26271330
TI  - Implant treatment in periodontally compromised subjects--quality of life and
      patient satisfaction.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to determine the quality of life of
      periodontally compromised patients after implant treatment (primary aim) and
      their satisfaction with the restoration and treatment approach (secondary aim).
      MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study, 61 adult subjects were evaluated following
      non-surgical periodontal treatment, under regular maintenance and implant therapy
      with a fixed restoration. Oral health-related quality of life (OHQoL) was
      assessed using the German short form of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP
      G14). Patient satisfaction with the restoration and treatment procedure was
      investigated applying a self-designed questionnaire focusing on social
      psychological aspects. Statistical analysis of the collected data was performed
      using Kruskal-Wallis and Man-Whitney U test for the relationship between OHIP
      score and number of implants, patient age and level of education. RESULTS: The
      average OHIP-G14 score of the examined study population was 2.78 (SD +/-4.2),
      while the item pain had the biggest influence on the number of points. No
      statistical significance was detected between the relationship of OHIP-G14 score
      and the number of placed implants (p = 0.98). Furthermore, there was no
      statistically significant correlation between OHIP-G14 score and patient age (p =
      0.67) or for level of education (p = 0.39). The questionnaire focusing on patient
      satisfaction showed a high level of contentment in this study population. All
      patients declared that they would repeat the treatment and most (98.4%) would
      recommend it to their friends. Furthermore, a high level of satisfaction with
      aesthetics, stability, cleanability and speech comprehension was reported.
      CONCLUSION: The examined study population showed a quality of life after implant
      therapy comparable to pre-existing reference values of a healthy non-restored
      population. There was no statistical significance between OHIP-G 14 score and the
      number of implants, patients' age and education level. Analysis of the
      satisfaction with the realized implant therapy provided consistently positive
      results. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: When restoring periodontally compromised patients,
      implant treatment should be considered to achieve potentially higher oral health
      related quality of life compared to for example removable dentures. This needs to
      be investigated in randomized controlled clinical trials.

PMID- 26271329
TI  - Relationship of BMI to the incidence of hypertension: a 4 years' cohort study
      among children in Guangzhou, 2007-2011.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In China, there has been a dramatic increase in overweight and
      obesity among children and adolescents in recent decades. However, little
      longitudinal studies reported BMI in relation to the risk for hypertension among
      children in China. We examined the longitudinal relations between BMI and
      hypertension in Chinese schoolchildren via a retrospective cohort study. METHODS:
      The cohort study was carried out in 7203 children (3821 boys and 3382 girls) in
      Guangzhou aged 6-8 years, with a continuous 4 years of follow-up. The
      participants, evaluated by body mass index (BMI), were categorized as thinness,
      normal weight, overweight, and obesity groups. The age and gender-specific BMI
      cutoffs newly developed by the Working Group on Obesity in China (WGOC) were used
      to define overweight and obesity. The thinness was defined by the international
      age- and gender-specific cut-off points for BMI for thinness grade 1.
      Hypertension was defined by using percentiles of systolic and diastolic values on
      the basis of height percentile, age, and gender. The Cox proportional hazards
      model was used to estimate the single or joint effect of BMI on the risk of
      hypertension. This study was approved by The Ethical Committee of School of
      Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University. RESULTS: During a follow-up of 4 years, a
      shocking high cumulative incidence of hypertension was found in Chinese
      overweight (50.1 %) and obesity (70 %) schoolchildren. The incidence of children
      hypertension were markedly higher among overweight and obesity group than normal
      weight and thinness group (24.3 %, 18.5 % vs 11.1 %, 7.4 %). Compared with the
      children in the normal weight group, the adjusted HRs and 95 % CIs of developing
      hypertension in thinness, overweight, and obesity group were 0.972 (0.851,
      1.110), 1.313 (1.179, 1.461), and 1.816 (1.634, 2.081), respectively.
      Additionally, the protective effect of thinness on hypertension was observed in
      boys 0.808 (0.666, 0.981), but not in girls 1.158 (0.966, 1.389). CONCLUSIONS:
      The 4-year longitudinal study indicated that the overweight and obesity can
      predict the higher risk of hypertension in Chinese children, whereas, the
      thinness predict the lower risk of hypertension only in boys.

PMID- 26271331
TI  - Learning before leaping: integration of an adaptive study design process prior to
      initiation of BetterBirth, a large-scale randomized controlled trial in Uttar
      Pradesh, India.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pragmatic and adaptive trial designs are increasingly used in quality
      improvement (QI) interventions to provide the strongest evidence for effective
      implementation and impact prior to broader scale-up. We previously showed that an
      on-site coaching intervention focused on the World Health Organization Safe
      Childbirth Checklist (SCC) improved performance of essential birth practices
      (EBPs) in one facility in Karnataka, India. We report on the process and outcomes
      of adapting the intervention prior to larger-scale implementation in a randomized
      controlled trial in Uttar Pradesh (UP), India. METHODS: Initially, we trained a
      local team of physicians and nurses to coach birth attendants in SCC use at two
      public facilities for 4-6 weeks. Trained observers evaluated adherence to EBPs
      before and after coaching. Using mixed methods and a systematic adaptation
      process, we modified and strengthened the intervention. The modified intervention
      was implemented in three additional facilities. Pre/post-change in EBP prevalence
      aggregated across facilities was analyzed. RESULTS: In the first two facilities,
      limited improvement was seen in EBPs with the exception of post-partum oxytocin.
      Checklists were used <25 % of observations. We identified challenges in
      physicians coaching nurses, need to engage district and facility leadership to
      address system gaps, and inadequate strategy for motivating SCC uptake. Revisions
      included change to peer-to-peer coaching (nurse to nurse, physician to
      physician); strengthened coach training on behavior and system change; adapted
      strategy for effective leadership engagement; and an explicit motivation strategy
      to enhance professional pride and effectiveness. These modifications resulted in
      improvement in multiple EBPs from baseline including taking maternal blood
      pressure (0 to 16 %), post-partum oxytocin (36 to 97 %), early breastfeeding
      initiation (3 to 64 %), as well as checklist use (range 32 to 88 %), all p <
      0.01. Further adaptations were implemented to increase the effectiveness prior to
      full trial launch. CONCLUSIONS: The adaptive study design of implementation,
      evaluation, and feedback drove iterative redesign and successfully developed a
      SCC-focused coaching intervention that improved EBPs in UP facilities. This work
      was critical to develop a replicable BetterBirth package tailored to the local
      context. The multi-center pragmatic trial is underway measuring impact of the
      BetterBirth program on EBP and maternal-neonatal morbidity and mortality. TRIAL
      REGISTRATION:  CLINICAL TRIALS IDENTIFIER: NCT02148952 .

PMID- 26271332
TI  - Human cystic and alveolar echinococcosis in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR),
      China.
AB  - Human cystic echinococcosis (CE) is known to be endemic in the Tibet Autonomous
      Region (TAR), China; however, there is relatively little data from hospital
      records or community prevalence studies, and the situation regarding occurrence
      of human alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is unclear. Here we review the available
      reports about human echinococcosis in the seven prefectures of TAR. In addition,
      two pilot studies by mass screening using ultrasound (with serology) were
      undertaken (2006/7) in Dangxiong County of Lhasa Prefecture (north central TAR)
      and Dingqing County of Changdu Prefecture (eastern TAR). In Dangxiong County a
      prevalence of 9.9% (55/557) for human CE was obtained but no human AE cases were
      detected. By contrast, in Dingqing County (N= 232 persons screened), 11 CE cases
      (4.7%) and 12 AE cases (5.2%) (including one mixed CE and AE case) were diagnosed
      by ultrasound. Hospital records and published reports indicated that CE cases
      were recorded in all of seven prefectures in Tibet Autonomous Region, and AE
      cases in four prefectures. Incidence rates of human CE were estimated to range
      from 1.9 to 155 per 100,000 across the seven prefectures of TAR, with a regional
      incidence of 45.1 per 100,000. Incidence of AE was estimated to be between 0.6
      and 2.8 cases per 100,000. Overall for TAR, human AE prevalence appeared
      relatively low; however, the pilot mass screening in Dingqing in eastern TAR
      indicated that human AE disease is a potential public health problem, possibly
      similar to that already well described in Tibetan communities bordering TAR in
      north-west Sichuan and south-west Qinghai provinces.

PMID- 26271334
TI  - Extracellular fluid flow and chloride content modulate H(+) transport by
      osteoclasts.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Bone resorption takes place within the basic multicellular units
      (BMU), and the surface to be resorbed is isolated from adjacent bone surfaces by
      a sealing zone between osteoclast membrane and bone matrix, which defines the
      limits of the resorption lacuna. Considering that the extracellular fluid (ECF)
      in both BMU and the resorption lacuna can be isolated from its surroundings, I
      hypothesize that flow and ion composition of the bone ECF in these sites might
      contribute to the regulation of osteoclast H(+) secretion. To investigate this
      hypothesis, I evaluated the H(+) secretion properties of individual osteoclasts
      and osteoclast-like cells (OCL-cells) and investigated whether changes in flow or
      chloride content of the extracellular solution modify the H(+) secretion
      properties in vitro. RESULTS: The results show that 1) osteoclasts are unable to
      secrete H(+) and regulate intracellular pH (pHi) under continuous flow conditions
      and exhibit progressive intracellular acidification; 2) the cessation of flow
      coincides with the onset of H(+) secretion and subsequent progressive
      intracellular alkalinization of osteoclasts and OCL-cells; 3) osteoclasts exhibit
      spontaneous rhythmic oscillations of pHi in non-flowing ECF, 4) pHi oscillations
      are not abolished by concanamycin, NPPB, or removal of extracellular Na(+) or Cl(
      ); 5) extracellular Cl(-) removal modifies the pattern of oscillations, by
      diminishing H(+) secretion; 6) pHi oscillations are abolished by continuous
      flowing of ECF over osteoclasts and OCL-cells. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest, for
      the first time, that ECF flow and Cl(-) content have direct effects on osteoclast
      H(+) secretion and could be part of a mechanism determining the onset of
      osteoclast H(+) secretion required for bone resorption.

PMID- 26271336
TI  - Total Synthesis of the Potent HIF-1 Inhibitory Antitumor Natural Product, (8R)
      Mycothiazole, via Baldwin-Lee CsF/CuI sp(3)-sp(2)-Stille Cross-Coupling.
      Confirmation of the Crews Reassignment.
AB  - A convenient asymmetric total synthesis of the potent HIF-1 inhibitory antitumor
      natural product, (-)- or (+)-(8R)-mycothiazole (1), is described. Not only does
      our synthesis confirm the 2006 structural reassignment made by Crews ( Crews , P.
      , et al. J. Nat. Prod. 2006 , 69 , 145 ), it revises the [alpha]D data previously
      reported for this molecule in MeOH from -13.7 degrees  to +42.3 degrees . The
      newly developed route to (8R)-1 sets the C(8)-OH stereocenter via Sharpless
      AE/2,3-epoxy alcohol reductive ring opening and utilizes two Baldwin-Lee CsF/cat.
      CuI Stille cross-coupling reactions with vinylstannanes 8 and 3 to efficiently
      elaborate the C(1)-C(4) and C(14)-C(18) sectors. 

PMID- 26271335
TI  - Ribozyme-Spherical Nucleic Acids.
AB  - Ribozymes are highly structured RNA sequences that can be tailored to recognize
      and cleave specific stretches of mRNA. Their current therapeutic efficacy remains
      low due to their large size and structural instability compared to shorter
      therapeutically relevant RNA such as small interfering RNA (siRNA) and microRNA
      (miRNA). Herein, a synthetic strategy that makes use of the spherical nucleic
      acid (SNA) architecture to stabilize ribozymes and transfect them into live cells
      is reported. The properties of this novel ribozyme-SNA are characterized in the
      context of the targeted knockdown of O(6)-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase
      (MGMT), a DNA repair protein involved in chemotherapeutic resistance of solid
      tumors, foremost glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Data showing the direct cleavage
      of full-length MGMT mRNA, knockdown of MGMT protein, and increased sensitization
      of GBM cells to therapy-mediated apoptosis, independent of transfection agents,
      provide compelling evidence for the promising properties of this new chemical
      architecture. 

PMID- 26271337
TI  - Waste lubricating oil removal in a batch reactor by mixed bacterial consortium: a
      kinetic study.
AB  - The growth kinetics and biodegradation of two waste lubricating oil samples
      including waste engine oil (WEO) and waste transformer oil (WTO) were studied
      using pure isolates and mixed culture of Ochrobactrum sp. C1 and Bacillus sp. K1.
      The mixed culture significantly influenced degradation efficiency of the pure
      isolates through bioaugmentation process. In particular, the mixed culture was
      capable of growing on various n-alkanes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and
      was able to tolerate unusually high concentrations of waste lubricants (WEO-86.0
      g/L and WTO-81.5 g/L). The initial concentration of waste lubricating oils has
      been varied in the range of 1-10 % (v/v). Under this experimental range, the
      bacterial growth has been observed to follow Haldane-type kinetics characterizing
      the presence of substrate inhibition. Haldane model was used to fit the
      exponential growth data and the following kinetic parameters were obtained: MU
      max = 0.078 h(-1), K S = 23.101 g/L, K i = 43.844 g/L for WEO; and MU max = 0.044
      h(-1), K S = 10.662 g/L, K i = 58.310 g/L for WTO. The values of intrinsic
      kinetic parameters, like specific growth rate MU max, half saturation constant, K
      S, inhibition constant, K i and the maximum substrate concentration, S max and
      growth yield coefficient Y x/s , have been determined using each model
      hydrocarbon and their mixture as limiting substrate. Relative changes in the
      values of the kinetic parameters have been correlated to the number of carbon
      atoms present in n-alkanes. The metabolites from degradation of model hydrocarbon
      compounds have been identified by GC-MS to elucidate the possible pathway of
      waste lubricating oil degradation process. 

PMID- 26271339
TI  - Synergistic assembly of nanoparticles in smectic liquid crystals.
AB  - We report synergistic co-assembly between smectic A liquid crystal (SmA LC) and
      planar anchoring fluorosilane functionalized silica (F-SiO2) nanoparticles (NPs).
      Both scanning electron microscope (SEM) images and grazing incidence X-ray
      diffraction (GIXD) patterns show that when cooled from the isotropic phase to SmA
      phase, F-SiO2 NPs (100-500 nm in diameter) migrate from the bottom to the top of
      the LC film through the central cusp defects of toric focal conic domains
      (TFCDs). When the NPs form a monolayer on top, replacing the LC/air interface,
      vertically aligned SmA layers are formed between the top and bottom planar
      surfaces. When F-SiO2 NP diameter is small (<500 nm), we observe a weak-anchoring
      regime, where NPs do not cause appreciable layer curvature and NP migration is
      driven by surface energy. When F-SiO2 particle diameter > 500 nm, strong
      distortions occur in the smectic layers, and the particle is found suspended at
      the TFCD defect core. The knowledge of the intermediate states of the NP/LC
      hybrid structures will provide valuable insights to assemble functional
      nanomaterials such as quantum dots and metallic NPs in an anisotropic medium, and
      take advantage of their collective assembly behaviors to create more complex and
      dynamic structures. 

PMID- 26271340
TI  - Enhanced conductivity of (110)-textured ScSZ films tuned by an amorphous alumina
      interlayer.
AB  - Herein a novel strategy to tune the crystallite orientation and the ionic
      conductivity of solid electrolyte films through interfacial control has been
      reported. 10 mol% Sc2O3-doped ZrO2 (10ScSZ) thin films were prepared with an
      amorphous alumina (AO) interlayer (AO/10ScSZ) using magnetron sputtering. It has
      been found that a (110)-preferred orientation develops in AO/10ScSZ films
      annealed at 1000  degrees C due to a strong interfacial interaction, while 10ScSZ
      films deposited without the AO interlayer are (111)-textured. The (110)-oriented
      AO/10ScSZ films show an ionic conductivity nearly 4 times higher than that of the
      (111)-oriented 10ScSZ films. This is explained by the fact that the (110)-texture
      provides faster migration pathways with lower energy barrier for oxygen
      vacancies. These results reveal the relationship between the crystal structure
      and the conductivity of AO/ScSZ heterostructured films, which can facilitate the
      development of high-performance multilayered electrolytes and enable the
      miniaturization of solid-state electrochemical devices operable at temperatures
      below 600  degrees C. 

PMID- 26271338
TI  - New Synthesis Route of Hydrogel through A Bioinspired Supramolecular Approach:
      Gelation, Binding Interaction, and in Vitro Dressing.
AB  - Peptide-based supramolecular hydrogels have been comprehensively investigated in
      biomaterial applications because of their unique bioactivity, biofunctionality,
      and biocompatible features. However, the presence of organic building blocks in
      peptide-based hydrogels often results in low mechanical stability. To expand
      their practical use and range of applications, it is necessary to develop the
      tool kit available to prepare bioinspired, peptide-based supramolecular hydrogels
      with improved mechanical stability. In this paper, we present an innovative
      electrostatic and cross-linking approach in which naphthyl-Phe-Phe-Cys (NapFFC)
      oligopeptides are combined with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and calcium ions
      (Ca(2+)) to produce peptide-based supramolecular hydrogels. We further
      investigate the interactions among NapFFC, AuNPs and Ca(2+) by microscopy. The
      morphology of the nanofibrous network constructions and the binding forces
      exhibited from the hydrogel demonstrated that the combination of two mechanisms
      successfully enhanced the mechanical stability through the formation of a densely
      entangled fibrous network of peptide multimers that is attributed to the AuNP
      linkage and Ca(2+)-induced agglomeration. UV-vis spectrophotometry and
      fluorescence analysis were also used to demonstrate the enhanced stability of the
      hydrogel under various conditions such as thermal, solvent erosion, pH value and
      sonication. All results indicate that the presence of AuNPs and Ca(2+) can
      strengthen the prepared hydrogel by more than doubling the diameter of NapFFC
      nanofibers, enabling the formation of stronger frameworks and slowing the release
      of components. Further experiments confirmed that HeLa cells can grow on the
      bioinspired NapFFC-AuNP hydrogel and exhibit high cell viability and that these
      cells were killed on contact with a hydrogel containing a drug. Our peptide-based
      supramolecular hydrogels prepared from the observed electrostatic and cross
      linking mechanisn exhibited a significantly improved mechanical stability, making
      them well suited to use as a drug carrier in hydrogel dressings and as
      extracellular materials (ECMs) for tissue engineering. 

PMID- 26271333
TI  - Vitamin D deficiency in chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases: results of the
      cardiovascular in rheumatology [CARMA] study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The aim was to study the association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D
      (25(OH)D) levels and the clinical characteristics of patients with chronic
      inflammatory rheumatic diseases (CIRD). METHODS: We studied a cross-section from
      the baseline visit of the CARMA project (CARdiovascular in rheuMAtology), a 10
      year prospective study evaluating the risk of cardiovascular events in rheumatoid
      arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA)
      patients, and non-CIRD patients who attended rheumatology outpatient clinics from
      67 hospitals in Spain. Non-CIRD group was frequency matched by age with the joint
      distribution of the three CIRD groups included in the study. 25(OH)D deficiency
      was defined if 25(OH)D vitamin levels were < 20 ng/ml. RESULTS: 2.234 patients
      (775 RA, 738 AS and 721 PsA) and 677 non-CIRD subjects were assessed. The median
      (p25-p75) 25(OH)D levels were: 20.4 (14.4-29.2) ng/ml in RA, 20.9 (13.1-29.0) in
      AS, 20.0 (14.0-28.8) in PsA, and 24.8 (18.4-32.6) ng/ml in non-CIRD patients. We
      detected 25(OH)D deficiency in 40.5 % RA, 39.7 % AS, 40.9 % PsA and 26.7 % non
      CIRD controls (p < 0.001). A statistically significant positive association
      between RA and 25(OH)D deficiency was found (adjusted (adj.) OR = 1.46; 95 % CI =
      1.09-1.96); p = 0.012. This positive association did not reach statistical
      significance for AS (adj. OR 1.23; 95 % CI = 0.85-1.80) and PsA (adj. OR 1.32; 95
      % CI = 0.94-1.84). When the parameters of disease activity, severity or
      functional impairment were assessed, a marginally significant association between
      25(OH)D deficiency and ACPA positivity in RA patients (adj. OR = 1.45; 95 % CI =
      0.99-2.12; p = 0.056), and between 25(OH)D deficiency and BASFI in AS patients
      (adj. OR = 1.08; 95 % CI = 0.99-1.17); p = 0.07) was also found. CONCLUSIONS:
      Patients with RA show an increased risk of having 25(OH)D deficiency compared to
      non-CIRD controls.

PMID- 26271341
TI  - Feasibility of Targeting PIK3CA Mutations in Head and Neck Squamous Cell
      Carcinoma.
AB  - PIK3CA is the only frequently-mutated, directly druggable oncogene in head and
      neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, it is unclear if a molecularly
      driven intervention trial can be launched successfully, particularly within a
      single-institution setting secondary to the infrastructure necessary for mutation
      detection, mutation prevalence, and patient willingness to participate. This
      study aimed to evaluate 1) local frequency of PIK3CA activating mutations in
      HNSCC, 2) timeliness of our mutation-profiling clinical pathway, and 3) patients'
      willingness to enroll in a novel neoadjuvant drug trial. Tissue biopsies of 25
      consecutive cases of HNSCC were tested for activating PIK3CA mutations at three
      mutational hotspots by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Mutations prevalence
      and number of working days accrued in determining PIK3CA mutational status were
      calculated. In addition, 30 HNSCC patients were surveyed prospectively regarding
      their willingness to participate in a hypothetical drug trial. Survey data were
      summarized descriptively. 4 of 25 (16 %) tumors harbored a PIK3CA activating
      mutation, including one at codon E542K, two at codon E545K/D, and one at codon
      H1047R. On average, this result was obtained in approximately 15 working days
      (range, 9-24 working days). The majority of patients surveyed (70 %) indicated
      their willingness to participate in a targeted PIK3CA trial. This study provides
      evidence that within a single institution, PIK3CA activating mutations can be
      detected with expected frequency, with sufficient timeliness and sufficient
      patient interest to mount a targeted intervention trial that may lead to improved
      tumor response in selected HNSCC patients. 

PMID- 26271342
TI  - Haploinsufficiency of interferon regulatory factor 4 strongly protects against
      autoimmune diabetes in NOD mice.
AB  - AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Interferon regulatory factor (IRF)4 plays a critical role in
      lymphoid development and the regulation of immune responses. Genetic deletion of
      IRF4 has been shown to suppress autoimmune disease in several mouse models, but
      its role in autoimmune diabetes in NOD mice remains unknown. METHODS: To address
      the role of IRF4 in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diabetes in NOD mice, we
      generated IRF4-knockout NOD mice and investigated the impact of the genetic
      deletion of IRF4 on diabetes, insulitis and insulin autoantibody; the effector
      function of T cells in vivo and in vitro; and the proportion of dendritic cell
      subsets. RESULTS: Heterozygous IRF4-deficient NOD mice maintained the number and
      phenotype of T cells at levels similar to NOD mice. However, diabetes and
      autoantibody production were completely suppressed in both heterozygous and
      homozygous IRF4-deficient NOD mice. The level of insulitis was strongly
      suppressed in both heterozygous and homozygous IRF4-deficient mice, with minimal
      insulitis observed in heterozygous mice. An adoptive transfer study revealed that
      IRF4 deficiency conferred disease resistance in a gene-dose-dependent manner in
      recipient NOD/severe combined immunodeficiency mice. Furthermore, the proportion
      of migratory dendritic cells in lymph nodes was reduced in heterozygous and
      homozygous IRF4-deficient NOD mice in an IRF4 dose-dependent manner. These
      results suggest that the levels of IRF4 in T cells and dendritic cells are
      important for the pathogenesis of diabetes in NOD mice.
      CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Haploinsufficiency of IRF4 halted disease development
      in NOD mice. Our findings suggest that an IRF4-targeted strategy might be useful
      for modulating autoimmunity in type 1 diabetes.

PMID- 26271343
TI  - Tissue factor/factor VIIa signalling promotes cytokine-induced beta cell death
      and impairs glucose-stimulated insulin secretion from human pancreatic islets.
AB  - AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Patients diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes have elevated
      levels of coagulation factor VIIa (FVIIa) and its receptor tissue factor (TF) in
      their bloodstream. This may affect the fate of the beta cells. We aimed to study
      the effects of TF/FVIIa signalling on cytokine-induced beta cell death and islet
      function in vitro. METHODS: Human pancreatic islets and MIN-6 beta cells were
      used to study TF mRNA and protein expression using real-time PCR, immunoblotting
      and flow cytometry. The effects of TF/FVIIa on cytokine-induced beta cell death
      were studied in MIN-6 cells and human pancreatic islets using cell-death ELISA
      and propidium iodide and cleaved caspase-3 staining. Effects of TF/FVIIa on the
      phosphorylation of p38, extracellular signal-regulated kinase and c-Jun N
      terminal kinase (JNK) were investigated by immunoblotting. Glucose-stimulated
      insulin secretion (GSIS) from human islets was measured with an insulin ELISA.
      RESULTS: A combination of the cytokines IL-1beta, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma induced
      TF expression in human pancreatic islets and in beta cells. TF/FVIIa did not
      affect basal beta cell death but, independently of downstream coagulation
      activity, augmented beta cell death in response to cytokines. The effect of
      TF/FVIIa on cytokine-induced beta cell death was found to be dependent on the
      stress kinase JNK, since FVIIa addition potentiated cytokine-induced JNK
      activation and JNK inhibition abolished the effect of TF/FVIIa on cytokine
      induced beta cell death. Moreover, TF/FVIIa signalling resulted in inhibition of
      GSIS from human pancreatic islets. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: These results
      indicate that TF/FVIIa signalling has a negative effect on beta cell function and
      promotes beta cell death in response to cytokines.

PMID- 26271344
TI  - Endogenous glucose production increases in response to metformin treatment in the
      glycogen-depleted state in humans: a randomised trial.
AB  - AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Metformin is believed to reduce glucose levels primarily by
      inhibiting hepatic glucose production. Recent data indicate that metformin
      antagonises glucagon-dependent glucose output, suggesting that compensatory
      mechanisms protect against hypoglycaemia. Here, we examined the effect of
      metformin on glucose metabolism in humans after a glycogen-depleting fast and the
      role of reduced-function alleles in OCT1 (also known as SLC22A1). METHODS: In a
      randomised, crossover trial, healthy individuals with or without reduced-function
      alleles in OCT1 were fasted for 42 h twice, either with or without prior
      treatment with 1 g metformin twice daily. Participants were recruited from the
      Pharmacogenomics Biobank of the University of Southern Denmark. Treatment
      allocation was generated by the Good Clinical Practice Unit, Odense University
      Hospital, Denmark. Variables of whole-body glucose metabolism were assessed using
      [3-(3)H]glucose, indirect calorimetry and measurement of substrates and counter
      regulatory hormones. The primary outcome was endogenous glucose production (EGP).
      RESULTS: Thirty-seven individuals were randomised. Thirty-four completed the
      study (12 had none, 13 had one and nine had two reduced-function alleles in
      OCT1). Three were excluded from the analysis because of early dropout. Metformin
      significantly stimulated glucose disposal rates and non-oxidative glucose
      metabolism with no effect on glucose oxidation. This increase in glucose
      utilisation was explained by a concomitant increase in glycolytic flux and
      accompanied by increased EGP, most likely mediated by increased plasma lactate,
      glucagon and cortisol levels. There was no effect of reduced-function OCT1
      alleles on any of these measures. All individuals completed the glycogen
      depleting fast without hypoglycaemia. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Metformin
      stimulates glycolytic glucose utilisation and lactate production in the glycogen
      depleted state. This may trigger a rise in glucose counter-regulatory hormones
      and subsequently an increase in EGP, which protects against hypoglycaemia. TRIAL
      REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01400191 FUNDING: Danish Research Council for
      Health and Disease (0602-02695B) and Odense University Hospital Free Research
      Fund, 2012.

PMID- 26271345
TI  - Depressed Adolescents' Pupillary Response to Peer Acceptance and Rejection: The
      Role of Rumination.
AB  - Heightened emotional reactivity to peer feedback is predictive of adolescents'
      depression risk. Examining variation in emotional reactivity within currently
      depressed adolescents may identify subgroups that struggle the most with these
      daily interactions. We tested whether trait rumination, which amplifies emotional
      reactions, explained variance in depressed adolescents' physiological reactivity
      to peer feedback, hypothesizing that rumination would be associated with greater
      pupillary response to peer rejection and diminished response to peer acceptance.
      Twenty currently depressed adolescents (12-17) completed a virtual peer
      interaction paradigm where they received fictitious rejection and acceptance
      feedback. Pupillary response provided a time-sensitive index of physiological
      arousal. Rumination was associated with greater initial pupil dilation to both
      peer rejection and acceptance, and diminished late pupillary response to peer
      acceptance trials only. Results indicate that depressed adolescents high on trait
      rumination are more reactive to social feedback regardless of valence, but fail
      to sustain cognitive-affective load on positive feedback.

PMID- 26271347
TI  - Reply to Letter to the Editor: Bariatric Surgery Worldwide 2013 Reveals a Rise in
      Mini-Gastric Bypass.

PMID- 26271346
TI  - Using a Brief Parent-Report Measure to Track Outcomes for Children and Teens with
      ADHD.
AB  - The Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC) is a widely used, parent-completed measure
      of children's emotional and behavioral functioning. Previous research has shown
      that the PSC and its subscales are responsive to patient progress over the course
      of psychiatric treatment. In this naturalistic study, parents and clinicians of
      1736 patients aged 17 or younger completed standardized measures at intake and 3
      month follow-up appointments. We assessed the 5-item PSC Attention Subscale (PSC
      AS) as a longitudinal measure of attention-related symptoms in routine outpatient
      psychiatry treatment. Secondarily, we compared PSC-AS scores with clinician
      reported diagnoses, psychomotor excitation symptoms, and overall functioning.
      Change scores on the PSC-AS were larger among patients with ADHD diagnoses than
      those with non-ADHD diagnoses. Comparisons between PSC-AS scores and clinician
      reports also showed acceptable levels of agreement. Given its effectiveness in
      tracking attention-related symptoms, the PSC may be particularly useful as a
      quality assurance or treatment outcome measure for clinicians treating ADHD.

PMID- 26271348
TI  - Conversion of Carbon Dioxide by Methane Reforming under Visible-Light
      Irradiation: Surface-Plasmon-Mediated Nonpolar Molecule Activation.
AB  - A novel CO2 photoreduction method, CO2 conversion through methane reforming into
      syngas (DRM) was adopted as an efficient approach to not only reduce the
      environmental concentration of the greenhouse gas CO2 but also realize the net
      energy storage from solar energy to chemical energy. For the first time it is
      reported that gold, which was generally regarded to be inactive in improving the
      performance of a catalyst in DRM under thermal conditions, enhanced the catalytic
      performance of Rh/SBA-15 in DRM under visible-light irradiation (1.7 times, CO2
      conversion increased from 2100 to 3600 MUmol g(-1) s(-1)). UV/Vis spectra and
      electromagnetic field simulation results revealed that the highly energetic
      electrons excited by local surface plasmon resonances of Au facilitated the
      polarization and activation of CO2 and CH4 with thermal assistance. This work
      provides a new route for CO2 photoreduction and offers a distinctive method to
      photocatalytically activate nonpolar molecules.

PMID- 26271350
TI  - Atypical Williams syndrome in an infant with complete atrioventricular canal
      defect.
AB  - Williams-Beuren Syndrome (WBS) is a well-described microdeletion syndrome
      characterized by specific dysmorphic facial features, peripheral pulmonic
      stenosis, supravalvular aortic stenosis, hypercalcemia, feeding difficulties,
      gastroesophageal reflux, short stature, and specific intellectual disabilities
      (such as visual spatial problems). WBS is caused by 7q11.23 deletions that
      contain multiple genes known to contribute to the above phenotype. We report a
      neonate with a complete atrioventricular canal (CAVC) defect, an atypical cardiac
      lesion for WBS, and few typical phenotypic features of WBS, diagnosed at 20 days
      of life.

PMID- 26271349
TI  - Short CCG repeat in huntingtin gene is an obstacle for replicative DNA
      polymerases, potentially hampering progression of replication fork.
AB  - Trinucleotide repeats (TNRs) are highly unstable in genomes, and their expansions
      are linked to human disorders. DNA replication is reported to be involved in TNR
      instability, but the current models are insufficient in explaining TNR expansion
      is induced during replication. Here, we investigated replication fork progression
      across huntingtin (HTT)-gene-derived fragments using an Escherichia coli oriC
      plasmid DNA replication system. We found most of the forks to travel smoothly
      across the HTT fragments even when the fragments had a pathological length of
      CAG/CTG repeats (approximately 120 repeats). A little fork stalling in the
      fragments was observed, but it occurred within a short 3'-flanking region
      downstream of the repeats. This region contains another short TNR, (CCG/CGG)7 ,
      and the sense strand containing CCG repeats appeared to impede the replicative
      DNA polymerase Pol III. Examining the behavior of the human leading and lagging
      replicative polymerases Pol epsilon (hPolepsilon) and Pol delta (hPoldelta) on
      this sequence, we found hPoldelta replicating DNA across the CCG repeats but
      hPolepsilon stalling at the CCG repeats even if the secondary structure is
      eliminated by a single-stranded binding protein. These findings offer insights
      into the distinct behavior of leading and lagging polymerases at CCG/CGG repeats,
      which may be important for understanding the process of replication arrest and
      genome instability at the HTT gene. 

PMID- 26271352
TI  - Cluster formation in a heterogeneous metapopulation model.
AB  - A spatially explicit heterogeneous metapopulation model with two different patch
      types is analyzed. Some network topologies support a partially synchronized
      dynamics, a state where two different clusters of patches are formed. Within each
      cluster the dynamics of all patches are synchronized. The linearized asymptotic
      stability of the partially synchronized attractor is studied. The transversal
      stability is analyzed and a simple expression for the transversal Lyapunov number
      of partially synchronized attractors is obtained. 

PMID- 26271351
TI  - The potential of at-home prediction of the formation of urolithiasis by simple
      multi-frequency electrical conductivity of the urine and the comparison of its
      performance with urine ion-related indices, color and specific gravity.
AB  - It is important to control daily diet, water intake and life style as well as
      monitor the quality of urine for urolithiasis prevention. For decades, many ion
      related indices have been developed for predicting the formation of urinary
      stones or urolithiasis, such as EQUILs, relative supersaturation (RSS), Tiselius
      indices (TI), Robertson risk factor algorithms (RRFA) and more recently, the Bonn
      risk index. However, they mostly demand robust laboratory analysis, are work
      intensive, and even require complex computational programs to get the
      concentration patterns of several urine analytes. A simple and fast platform for
      measuring multi-frequency electrical conductivity (MFEC) of morning spot urine
      (random urine) to predict the onset of urolithiasis was implemented in this
      study. The performance thereof was compared to ion-related indices, urine color
      and specific gravity. The concentrations of relevant ions, color, specific
      gravity (SG) and MFEC (MFEC tested at 1, 10, 100, 5001 KHz and 1 MHz) of 80
      random urine samples were examined after collection. Then, the urine samples were
      stored at 4  degrees C for 24 h to determine whether sedimentation would occur or
      not. Ion-activity product index of calcium oxalate (AP(CaOx) EQ2) was calculated.
      The correlation between AP(CaOx) EQ2, urine color, SG and MFEC were analyzed.
      AP(CaOx) EQ2, urine color and MFEC (at 5 frequencies) all demonstrated good
      prediction (p = 0.01, 0.01, 0.01, respectively) for stone formation. The positive
      correlation between AP(CaOx) EQ2 and MFEC is also significant (p = 0.01). MFEC
      provides a good metric for predicting the onset of urolithiasis, which is
      comparable to conventional ion-related indices and urine color. This technology
      can be implemented with much ease for objectively monitoring the quality of urine
      at points-of-care or at home.

PMID- 26271353
TI  - Protein dynamics and the all-ferrous [Fe4 S4 ] cluster in the nitrogenase iron
      protein.
AB  - In nitrogen fixation by Azotobacter vinelandii nitrogenase, the iron protein
      (FeP) binds to and subsequently transfers electrons to the molybdenum-FeP, which
      contains the nitrogen fixation site, along with hydrolysis of two ATPs. However,
      the nature of the reduced state cluster is not completely clear. While reduced
      FeP is generally thought to contain an [Fe4 S4 ](1+) cluster, evidence also
      exists for an all-ferrous [Fe4 S4 ](0) cluster. Since the former indicates a
      single electron is transferred per two ATPs hydrolyzed while the latter indicates
      two electrons could be transferred per two ATPs hydrolyzed, an all-ferrous [Fe4
      S4 ](0) cluster in FeP is potenially two times more efficient. However, the 1+/0
      reduction potential has been measured in the protein at both 460 and 790 mV,
      causing the biological significance to be questioned. Here, "density functional
      theory plus Poisson Boltzmann" calculations show that cluster movement relative
      to the protein surface observed in the crystal structures could account for both
      measured values. In addition, elastic network mode analysis indicates that such
      movement occurs in low frequency vibrations of the protein, implying protein
      dynamics might lead to variations in reduction potential. Furthermore, the
      different reductants used in the conflicting measurements of the reduction
      potential could be differentially affecting the protein dynamics. Moreover, even
      if the all-ferrous cluster is not the biologically relevant cluster, mutagenesis
      to stabilize the conformation with the more exposed cluster may be useful for
      bioengineering more efficient enzymes.

PMID- 26271354
TI  - Prescription Opioid and Benzodiazepine Use After Road Traffic Injury.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Motor vehicle crash victims with physical injury are likely to
      receive prescription opioids and benzodiazepines. Potential mental trauma and
      lack of primary treating physician contribute to the risk of adverse opioid
      outcomes for this group. The purpose of this study is to characterise opioid and
      benzodiazepine prescribing after road traffic injury. METHOD: Individuals who
      claimed Transport Accident Commission compensation for a noncatastrophic injury
      that occurred between 2010 and 2012 in Victoria, Australia and who provided
      consent for pharmaceutical benefits scheme (PBS) linkage were included (n = 734).
      PBS records dating between 12 months preinjury and 18 months postinjury were
      provided by the Department of Human Services. RESULTS: In the year before injury,
      10.5% of participants received prescription opioids; after injury, 45.1% of
      hospitalized and 21.1% of nonhospitalized participants received opioids.
      Benzodiazepines were used by 4.8% preinjury, and 7.0% and 7.4% postinjury (with
      and without hospitalization, respectively). Postinjury, 39% of opioid use and 73%
      of benzodiazepine use was potentially unrelated to the injury. CONCLUSIONS:
      Prescription opioid and benzodiazepine before road traffic injury was
      substantial: the significance of postinjury prescription drug use cannot be
      established without taking preinjury use into account. It may be beneficial for
      pain medication to be managed by a pain treatment coordinator, in this injured
      population with high rates of pre-existing opioid and benzodiazepine use.

PMID- 26271355
TI  - Gelfoam embolization or 125I seed implantation may be a more effective treatment
      than surgical treatment for giant benign sacral neurogenic tumors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The goal of the present study was to assess the effects of computed
      tomography (CT)-guided iodine-125 (125I) seed implantation or gelatin sponge
      particle (GSP) embolization on patients with giant benign sacral neurogenic
      tumors. METHODS: A total of 24 cases with giant sacral neurogenic tumor were
      performed in a retrospective study between 2000 and 2012. Nineteen cases received
      surgical resection, and five cases received non-surgical treatment. In surgical
      group, patients with type III sacral tumor had received a combined anterior
      posterior approach and patients with type IV were treated with simple anterior
      approach. In non-surgical group, CT-guided 125I seed implantation or GSP
      embolization was applied to occlude vessels. Besides, CT scanning or magnetic
      resonance imaging was used to assess the size and development of tumors. RESULTS:
      Two of the five patients were treated three times with GSP embolization, one had
      received GSP embolization combined with CT-guided 125I seed implantation, one
      case did not receive any treatment, and one patient was lost to follow-up.
      Patients in non-surgical group were followed up for 2-8 years. CONCLUSIONS: Our
      study suggested that CT-guided 125I seed implantation or GSP embolization
      treatment is very useful to slow down the development of giant benign sacral
      neurogenic tumors.

PMID- 26271356
TI  - Integrated disaster relief logistics: a stepping stone towards viable civil
      military networks?
AB  - The twenty-first century has seen a significant rise in all forms of disasters
      and this has resulted in military and humanitarian organisations becoming more
      frequently engaged in the provision of support to those affected. Achieving an
      efficient and effective logistic preparation and response is one of the key
      elements in mitigating the impact of such events, but the establishment of
      mechanisms to deliver an appropriately integrated civil-military approach remains
      elusive. Not least because of the high percentage of assistance budgets spent on
      logistics, this area is considered to represent fertile ground for developing
      improved processes and understanding. In practice, the demands placed on civilian
      and military logisticians are broadly similar, as is the solution space. Speaking
      a common language and using common concepts, it is argued, therefore, that the
      logistic profession should be in the vanguard of the development of an improved
      civil-military interface. 

PMID- 26271357
TI  - Improved survival with early adjuvant chemotherapy after colonic resection for
      stage III colonic cancer: A nationwide study.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In stage III colonic cancer, time from surgery to
      start of adjuvant chemotherapy may influence survival. In this study, we
      evaluated the effect of timing of adjuvant therapy on survival. METHODS: Database
      study from the Danish Colorectal Cancer Group's national database. Data on
      patients with stage III colonic cancer operated between January 1, 2005 and
      August 31, 2012 were retrieved. Perioperative variables, surgical modality, and
      time to adjuvant therapy (<4, 4-8, or >8 weeks) were evaluated and Cox regression
      was performed to identify factors influencing survival. RESULTS: The final
      population included 1,827 patients scheduled for adjuvant chemotherapy. Adjuvant
      therapy started within 4 and 8 weeks improved survival when compared to start
      later than 8 weeks (HR [95%CI]: 1.7 [1.1-2.6]; P = 0.024 and 1.4 [1.07-1.8]; P =
      0.013, respectively), whereas there was no significant difference in survival
      with start after 4 versus 8 weeks (1.2 [0.8-1.8]; P = 0.37). CONCLUSIONS:
      Survival increased when adjuvant therapy was started within 8 weeks after surgery
      for stage III colonic cancer.

PMID- 26271360
TI  - Executive inhibition: A study of postcommission error slowing and postomission
      error speeding.
AB  - Error detection, error regulation, and the way of facilitating regulation are
      fundamental to successful adaptation to the environment. Previous studies have
      demonstrated the cognitive process that underlies error detection, but it is
      still not clear whether this cognitive process is influenced by internal and
      external factors of error type and feedback. The purpose of this study was to
      investigate the regulation of commission and omission errors in executive
      inhibition tasks and the effects of feedback on error regulation. Three tasks,
      including a go/no-go task with visual feedback, a go/no-go task with auditory
      feedback, and a stop signal task with visual feedback were conducted separately
      with three independent groups of healthy university students. We found
      postcommission error slowing and postomission error speeding in the reaction
      times. Correct visual feedback increased all the reaction times for executive
      inhibition compared with incorrect feedback. The results indicated that the
      regulation of reaction time after different types of error may be an adaptive
      behavioral manifestation and that performance feedback facilitates overall
      inhibitory control. 

PMID- 26271359
TI  - Prebiotic effects of diet supplemented with the cultivated red seaweed Chondrus
      crispus or with fructo-oligo-saccharide on host immunity, colonic microbiota and
      gut microbial metabolites.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal microbial communities are diverse and are composed
      of both beneficial and pathogenic groups. Prebiotics, such as digestion-resistant
      fibers, influence the composition of gut microbiota, and can contribute to the
      improvement of host health. The red seaweed Chondrus crispus is rich in dietary
      fiber and oligosaccharides, however its prebiotic potential has not been studied
      to date. METHODS: Prebiotic effects were investigated with weaning rats fed a
      cultivated C. crispus-supplemented diet. Comparison standards included a fructo
      oligo-saccharide (FOS) diet and a basal diet. The colonic microbiome was profiled
      with a 16S rRNA sequencing-based Phylochip array. Concentrations of short chain
      fatty acids (SCFAs) in the feacal samples were determined by gas chromatography
      with a flame ionization detector (GC-FID) analysis. Immunoglobulin levels in the
      blood plasma were analyzed with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
      Histo-morphological parameters of the proximal colon tissue were characterized by
      hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. RESULTS: Phylochip array analysis indicated
      differing microbiome composition among the diet-supplemented and the control
      groups, with the C. crispus group (2.5% supplementation) showing larger
      separation from the control than other treatment groups. In the 2.5% C. crispus
      group, the population of beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacterium breve
      increased (4.9-fold, p=0.001), and the abundance of pathogenic species such as
      Clostridium septicum and Streptococcus pneumonia decreased. Higher concentrations
      of short chain fatty acids (i.e., gut microbial metabolites), including acetic,
      propionic and butyric acids, were found in faecal samples of the C. crispus-fed
      rats. Furthermore, both C. crispus and FOS supplemented rats showed significant
      improvements in proximal colon histo-morphology. Higher faecal moisture was noted
      in the 2.5% C. crispus group, and elevated plasma immunoglobulin (IgA and IgG)
      levels were observed in the 0.5% C. crispus group, as compared to the basal feed
      group. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest multiple prebiotic effects, such as
      influencing the composition of gut microbial communities, improvement of gut
      health and immune modulation in rats supplemented with cultivated C. crispus.

PMID- 26271358
TI  - Impact of the early use of immunomodulators or TNF antagonists on bowel damage
      and surgery in Crohn's disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The impact of early treatment with immunomodulators (IM) and/or TNF
      antagonists on bowel damage in Crohn's disease (CD) patients is unknown. AIM: To
      assess whether 'early treatment' with IM and/or TNF antagonists, defined as
      treatment within a 2-year period from the date of CD diagnosis, was associated
      with development of lesser number of disease complications when compared to 'late
      treatment', which was defined as treatment initiation after >2 years from the
      time of CD diagnosis. METHODS: Data from the Swiss IBD Cohort Study were
      analysed. The following outcomes were assessed using Cox proportional hazard
      modelling: bowel strictures, perianal fistulas, internal fistulas, intestinal
      surgery, perianal surgery and any of the aforementioned complications. RESULTS:
      The 'early treatment' group of 292 CD patients was compared to the 'late
      treatment' group of 248 CD patients. We found that 'early treatment' with IM or
      TNF antagonists alone was associated with reduced risk of bowel strictures
      [hazard ratio (HR) 0.496, P = 0.004 for IM; HR 0.276, P = 0.018 for TNF
      antagonists]. Furthermore, 'early treatment' with IM was associated with reduced
      risk of undergoing intestinal surgery (HR 0.322, P = 0.005), and perianal surgery
      (HR 0.361, P = 0.042), as well as developing any complication (HR 0.567, P =
      0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with immunomodulators or TNF antagonists within
      the first 2 years of CD diagnosis was associated with reduced risk of developing
      bowel strictures, when compared to initiating these drugs >2 years after
      diagnosis. Furthermore, early immunomodulators treatment was associated with
      reduced risk of intestinal surgery, perianal surgery and any complication.

PMID- 26271361
TI  - Cognitive functioning and cortisol suppression in recurrent major depression.
AB  - Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is often associated with high levels of stress
      and disturbances in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) system, yielding
      high levels of cortisol in addition to cognitive dysfunction. The aim of the
      present study was to examine the relation between cortisol levels after the
      dexamethasone suppression test and cognitive function in recurrent unipolar MDD
      patients. Twenty-four patients meeting the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of
      Mental Disorders (4th ed., text rev.) criteria for a recurrent MDD diagnosis were
      included in the study. The control group was matched for age, sex, and education
      level. Cortisol was measured in saliva collected with Salivette sampling devices.
      Saliva samples were collected four times during a 24-hr period over two
      consecutive days: at awakening, after 45 min, after 7 hr, and at 11:00 p.m. One
      milligram of dexamethasone was given on Day 1 at 11:00 p.m. The
      neuropsychological test battery consisted of standardized tests measuring
      cognitive functioning within verbal and visual memory, as well as executive
      functioning. Cortisol levels did not differ between patients and controls on Day
      1. Cortisol levels in patients were higher than in controls at awakening on Day 2
      (D2S1), after dexamethasone administration the previous evening. All significant
      correlations between cognitive measures and cortisol at D2S1 were negative,
      indicating that low suppression after intake of dexamethasone is related to poor
      cognitive functioning. Significant relations were found in three of the cognitive
      tests measuring verbal memory, semantic fluency, and inhibition. The present
      findings indicate that dysregulation of the HPA-axis is related to poor verbal
      memory functioning. There was no firm evidence that abnormal cortisol levels were
      associated with inhibition difficulties. 

PMID- 26271363
TI  - Markers of good planning behavior as a cue for separating true and false intent.
AB  - The study adds to the growing body of research on true and false intentions,
      traditionally a neglected area of deception research. Specifically, the goal was
      to examine the claim that statements of true intent would be colored by markers
      of good planning behavior to a greater extent than statements of false intent.
      Participants (N = 132) were divided into truth tellers and liars. Truth tellers
      were given a neutral task to plan and carry out. Liars were given a mock crime to
      plan and carry out and were also told to plan a cover story to be used in case
      they were apprehended. The cover story (i.e., liars' false intention) was to be
      thematically similar to the truth tellers' task. Following the planning phase,
      but before the task commenced, participants were interviewed about their intent.
      Transcribed interviews were coded for markers of good planning behavior (e.g.,
      effective time allocation, implementation intention related utterances, and
      likelihood to speak of potential problems). As predicted, truth tellers'
      statements were colored to a higher degree than those of liars by such markers.
      The results earmark this approach as a viable direction for future research. 

PMID- 26271362
TI  - The nature and extent of working memory dysfunction in schizophrenia.
AB  - This study aimed to examine verbal and visual-spatial working memory (WM)
      dysfunction in patients with schizophrenia. We compared 60 patients with
      schizophrenia with 57 healthy controls (matched for age, educational level, and
      IQ) on three WM tasks. Patients with schizophrenia performed significantly more
      poorly than healthy controls on verbal, visual, and spatial WM tests. Moreover,
      WM deficits were inversely associated with both the positive and negative
      symptoms of the patients. Taken together, these findings suggest that there are
      pervasive WM impairments in patients with schizophrenia. In addition, clinical
      features may play a significant role in the expression of WM deficits. 

PMID- 26271364
TI  - Privatizing health care in times of new public management: Investigating the role
      of psychological empowerment using cluster analysis.
AB  - Although privatization within health care is usually justified using arguments
      based on efficiency and productivity, the empirical investigations underpinning
      such arguments are few and ambiguous in their results. Presenting a new
      theoretical and analytical approach to this research field, we argue that
      psychological empowerment, reflecting individuals' intrinsic change motivation
      state, is a crucial prerequisite for the transformation of a nonprofit health
      care organization to a for-profit one. The general aims of this study were to
      explore empowerment cognitions during a privatization, to relate these to a
      selection of key work-related outcome variables, and to identify the effects of
      privatization in terms of individual level changes in empowerment after
      privatization. A sample of health care workers (n = 210) provided survey
      longitudinal data that were analyzed using cluster analysis. Eight clusters were
      identified at both pre- and postprivatization with each cluster mirroring
      specific empowerment patterns: Empowered, In Control, Quasi-Empowered,
      Competent/Normed, Reference, Underused, Misfit, and Powerless. The clusters
      discriminated on positive work attitudes, mental health complaints, and turnover
      intentions. The analysis also revealed the complexity of privatization in that a
      homogenization as well as a differentiation tendency was observed, thereby
      implicating both socio-structural equality and inequality effects. The results
      highlighted the relevance of allocating importance to health care workers'
      psychological empowerment during the privatization process, and of viewing such
      organizational transformations not as simple shifts in the state of affairs, but
      as nonlinear processes involving dynamic changes in individual perceptions over
      time. 

PMID- 26271365
TI  - Self-image in adolescents with deliberate self-harm behavior.
AB  - This study tested the hypothesis of a positive relation between deliberate self
      harm and poor self-image in adolescents and investigated the relation between
      substance abuse (drugs, cigarettes, and alcohol) and deliberate self-harm. One
      hundred thirteen high-school students, aged predominantly 16-18 years, responded
      to the 16-item version of the Deliberate Self-Harm Inventory, the 36-item
      Structural Analysis of Social Behavior, and single questions about use of drugs,
      cigarettes, and alcohol. The results showed a positive relation between
      deliberate self-harm and poor self-image, and between deliberate self-harm and
      cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption. These results imply that poor self
      image and a large extent of substance use may be markers for identifying
      adolescents at risk for deliberate self-harm. 

PMID- 26271366
TI  - Profilin Expression Is Regulated by Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) in
      Osteoblastic Cells.
AB  - Profilin 1 (Pfn1) regulates cytoskeletal reorganization and migration, but its
      role in osteoblasts is not known. BMP (bone morphogenetic protein) is a
      multifunctional cytokine involved in osteoblastic differentiation and promotes
      bone regeneration and repair. Although several molecules are known to modulate
      BMP signaling, mechanisms that determine the levels of BMP action in osteoblastic
      function are still incompletely understood. We therefore examine the expression
      of Pfn1 in osteoblasts and its role in BMP-induced differentiation in
      osteoblasts. In osteoblastic MC3T3-E1(MC) cells, Pfn1 mRNA is expressed
      constitutively and its expression levels are declined during the culture in a
      time dependent manner in contrast to the increase in alkaline phosphatase
      activity revealing that Pfn1 expression is down regulated along with
      differentiation. To test the effects of osteoblastic differentiation on
      Pfn1expression further, MC cells are treated with BMP. BMP treatment suppresses
      the levels of Pfn1 mRNA. This suppressive effect of BMP is time dependent and
      further down regulation of Pfn1 mRNA levels is observed when the BMP treatment is
      continued for a longer period of time. Pfn1mRNA knock down (KD) by siRNAs
      enhances BMP-induced increase in alkaline phosphatase (Alp) activity in MC cells.
      To analyze the regulatory mechanism, Alp mRNA levels are examined and Pfn1 KD
      enhances the BMP-induced increase in the levels of Alp mRNA expression.
      Furthermore, Pfn1 KD enhances BMP-induced transcriptional expression of
      luciferase reporter activity via BMP response element in osteoblasts. These data
      indicate that Pfn1 is a novel target of BMP and suppresses BMP-induced
      differentiation of osteoblasts at least in part via transcriptional event.

PMID- 26271368
TI  - Government Quality Measures: First Do No Harm.
AB  - A technical expert panel (TEP) was convened to evaluate all available literature
      in the area of bone and mineral metabolism and advise the Centers for Medicare
      and Medicaid services on the creation and collection of quality measures. The
      proposed quality measures were evaluated for importance, usability, feasibility,
      and scientific acceptability. All are important parameters to avoid unintended
      harmful consequences of a quality measure causing harm to patients or to the
      delivery of their health care. 

PMID- 26271367
TI  - Is preoperative state anxiety a risk factor for postoperative delirium among
      elderly hip fracture patients?
AB  - AIM: To determine if preoperative state anxiety is a risk factor for
      postoperative delirium in older hip fracture patients. METHODS: A secondary data
      analysis comprising data from a prospective non-randomized trial including 86
      patients with a hip fracture aged 65 years and older was carried out. State
      anxiety was measured preoperatively using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory.
      Delirium and its severity was measured pre- and postoperatively (day 1, 3, 5, 8)
      by trained research nurses using the Confusion Assessment Method and Delirium
      Index. RESULTS: A total of 24 patients (27.9%) developed delirium
      postoperatively. Preoperative state anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) was
      not associated with postoperative delirium (rb  = 0.135, P = 0.353), duration of
      postoperative delirium (rho = 0.038, P = 0.861) or severity of postoperative
      delirium (rho = 0.153, P = 0.160). Independent predictors of postoperative
      delirium were lower MMSE scores (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.60-0.95, P = 0.015),
      osteosynthesis surgery (OR 3.66, 95% CI 1.02-13.15, P = 0,047) and lowest
      intraoperative diastolic blood pressure (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.85-0.99, P = 0.031).
      CONCLUSION: No relationship between state anxiety and postoperative delirium was
      found, but significant methodological hurdles were observed and discussed
      providing important groundwork for further research in this area. Further
      research should focus on reliable measurement of state anxiety in cognitively
      impaired older populations. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16: 948-955.

PMID- 26271369
TI  - Highly selective two-photon imaging of cysteine in cancerous cells and tissues.
AB  - Abnormal concentrations of Cys have been reported to be implicated in various
      health problems, including cancer, neuropathy, and cardiomyopathy. We present a
      novel two-photon fluorescent probe for the specific recognition of cysteine over
      homocysteine and glutathione, and the bioapplication of this probe for the
      imaging of live cancerous cells and thick tissues. 

PMID- 26271370
TI  - Preference-based health-related quality of life among victims of bullying.
AB  - PURPOSE: No previous study has estimated the association between bullying and
      preference-based health-related quality of life (HRQoL) ("utility"), knowledge of
      which may be used for cost-effectiveness studies of interventions designed to
      prevent bullying. Therefore, the aim of the study was to estimate preference
      based HRQoL among victims of bullying compared to non-victims. METHODS: A cross
      sectional survey data collection among Swedish adolescents aged 15-17 years in
      the first year of upper secondary school was conducted in the city of Gothenburg
      in Sweden (N = 758). Preference-based HRQoL was estimated with the SF-6D.
      Regression analyses were conducted to adjust for some individual-level background
      variable. RESULTS: Mean preference-based health-related quality of life scores
      were 0.77 and 0.71 for non-victims and victims of bullying, respectively. The
      difference of 0.06 points was statistically significant (p < 0.05) and robust to
      inclusion of gender, age, and parental immigrant status. CONCLUSIONS: The
      preference-based HRQoL estimates in this study may be used as an upper bound in
      economic evaluations of bullying prevention interventions, facilitating a
      comparison between costs and quality-adjusted life-years.

PMID- 26271372
TI  - Formalism and functionalism in linguistics.
AB  - Formalism and functionalism in linguistics are often taken to be diametrically
      opposed approaches. However, close examination of the relevant phenomena reveals
      that the two are complementary, rather than being irrevocably in opposition to
      each other. One can be a formal linguist and a functional linguist at the same
      time, without there being any contradiction. Copyright (c) 2010 John Wiley &
      Sons, Ltd. For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs
      website. 

PMID- 26271373
TI  - Adaptation to sensory loss.
AB  - The human brain has the remarkable ability to adapt to changes in its environment
      by benefiting from its 'plastic' properties. Following brain injury, the
      amputation of a limb, or the loss of a sensory input such as peripheral
      blindness, brain circuitry often seems to be able to reorganize itself in order
      to compensate for the handicap by being recruited to carry out tasks not
      associated with their prior 'default' functioning. The purpose of this review is
      to illustrate the brain's remarkable ability to adapt to changes in its
      environment, particularly when it is faced with a sensory loss. Two excellent
      models to study this phenomenon are provided by blind and deaf individuals. In
      both cases, studies have shown that they appear to compensate for the loss of
      sensory input with enhanced abilities in their remaining senses. These behavioral
      modifications are often coupled with changes in cerebral processing, generally in
      the form of crossmodal recruitment of deaffarented primary and secondary sensory
      areas. We will also discuss the possible mechanisms underlying these changes and
      whether the functional topography of these regions present in unimpaired
      individuals is preserved in blindness and deafness. The notion of a critical
      period for plastic changes will also be discussed and its importance will be
      shown to be twofold. On the one hand, the functional relevance of crossmodal
      processing appears to decrease as a function of the age of onset of the
      deficiency. On the other hand, the more cortical reorganization takes place, the
      less likely brain areas will be able to process input from its original sensory
      modality. This is especially important for deaf individuals as auditory input can
      now be restored thanks to cochlear implants. Copyright (c) 2010 John Wiley &
      Sons, Ltd. For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs
      website. 

PMID- 26271371
TI  - Pharmacokinetic interaction between the CYP3A4 inhibitor ketoconazole and the
      hormone drospirenone in combination with ethinylestradiol or estradiol.
AB  - AIMS: The present study was conducted to investigate the influence of the strong
      CYP3A4 inhibitor ketoconazole (KTZ) on the pharmacokinetics of drospirenone
      (DRSP) administered in combination with ethinylestradiol (EE) or estradiol (E2).
      METHODS: This was a randomized, multicentre, open label, one way crossover, fixed
      sequence study with two parallel treatment arms. A group sequential design
      allowed terminating the study for futility after first study cohort. About 50
      healthy young women were randomized 1 : 1 to 'DRSP/EE' or 'DRSP/E2'. Subjects in
      the 'DRSP/EE' group received DRSP 3 mg/EE 0.02 mg (YAZ(r), Bayer) once daily for
      21 to 28 days followed by DRSP 3 mg/EE 0.02 mg once daily plus KTZ 200 mg twice
      daily for 10 days. Subjects in the 'DRSP/E2' group received DRSP 3 mg/E2 1.5 mg
      (research combination) once daily for 21 to 28 days followed by DRSP 3 mg/E2 1.5
      mg once daily plus KTZ 200 mg twice daily for 10 days. RESULTS: Oral co
      administration of DRSP/EE or DRSP/E2 and KTZ resulted in an increase in DRSP
      exposure (AUC(0,24 h)) in both treatment groups: DRSP/EE group: 2.68-fold DRSP
      increase (90% CI 2.44, 2.95); DRSP/E2 group: 2.30-fold DRSP increase (90% CI
      2.08, 2.54). EE and estrone (metabolite of E2) exposures were increased ~1.4-fold
      whereas E2 exposure was largely unaffected by KTZ co-administration. CONCLUSIONS:
      A moderate pharmacokinetic drug-drug interaction between DRSP and KTZ was
      demonstrated in this study. No relevant changes of medical concern were detected
      in the safety data collected in this study.

PMID- 26271374
TI  - Learning sciences.
AB  - The aims of the learning sciences (LS) are to understand the nature of learning
      from a broad range of perspectives, and to shape the ways that learning
      environments and resources are designed and used. LS incorporates both systemic
      and elemental approaches to investigating questions about learning, as a
      complement to the primarily elemental approach emphasized in cognitive science
      research. Thus, its greatest potential is in the integration of systemic and
      elemental perspectives. Four major themes are central. First, research in LS
      attempts to bridge the divide between research and practice. Second, research in
      LS is motivated by limitations of theories of learning and cognition for
      specifying instruction. Third, research in LS embraces the importance of
      analyzing and assessing complex interventions through both experimental and
      design-based research. Fourth, research in LS emphasizes the learning and
      behavior of the individual in interaction with the physical, social, and cultural
      world, as well as with semiotic and technical resources. Research in LS can be
      conceptualized along a continuum of time scales, from the more microscopic to the
      more macroscopic. The time-scale framework illustrates how disparate research
      traditions and research methods can function within a unifying framework for the
      study of learning and complex behavior. The effort to 'scale-up' from more
      elemental findings to more complex, authentic settings has been generative for
      LS, but faces serious challenges. There is an alternate route to establishing a
      cumulative scientific knowledge base, namely, 'scaling down' from more complex,
      ecologically valid levels to more elemental levels. Studies of basic learning
      processes, framed in the context of the larger system, are well positioned to
      support impact in authentic settings. Copyright (c) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
      For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26271375
TI  - Aging and cognition.
AB  - As we grow older, we gain knowledge and experience greater emotional balance, but
      we also experience memory loss and difficulties in learning new associations.
      Which cognitive abilities decline, remain stable or improve with age depends on
      the health of the brain and body as well as on what skills are practiced or
      challenged in everyday life. Recent research provides a growing understanding of
      the relationship between physical and cognitive changes across the life span and
      reveals ways to increase mental sharpness and avoid cognitive decline. Copyright
      (c) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. For further resources related to this article,
      please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26271376
TI  - Desire: philosophical issues.
AB  - To desire something is to want it, wish it, long for it. Various leading theories
      of this attitude exist, with the most prominent theory holding that to desire
      something is nothing more than to be inclined to take actions that will obtain
      that thing. Other important theories tie desires to pleasure and displeasure, to
      reasons and goodness, or to reward learning. All of these theories leave room for
      scientific investigation of what causes us to desire, and of what else desires
      might cause in us. Philosophical speculation on these topics has focused, in the
      former case, on the generation of new desires from existing desires. In the
      latter case, it has roamed across topics diverse as the influence of desire on
      cognition, the relation of desire to mental disorder, and causation of self
      knowledge of one's own desires. Copyright (c) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. For
      further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26271377
TI  - Discourse processing-examining our everyday language experiences.
AB  - Studies of discourse processing focus on the ways in which readers and listeners
      comprehend language. The linguistic segments of interest to the field tend to be
      larger than sound, word, or sentence-level units; they include the books and
      conversational communications that comprise our everyday cognitive and social
      interactions. The current review focuses on discourse comprehension (specifically
      text processing), highlighting three core issues of primary interest to the
      research field. First, we outline the particular elements that make up
      naturalistic discourse activity. Second, we identify potential interactions among
      the elements, and how investigations of these interactions have resulted in
      influential frameworks for the field. Finally, we examine contemporary work (both
      theoretical and applied) that might further enhance current accounts of discourse
      processing. As appropriate, the review includes references to relevant empirical
      research outlining the processes that guide, and are guided by, our discourse
      experiences. Copyright (c) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. For further resources
      related to this article, please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26271378
TI  - Two systems of reasoning: architecture and relation to emotion.
AB  - Distinguishing cognitive systems that support intuition and deliberation has
      proven necessary to explain how people reason,1, 2 decide,3 categorize,4 form
      attitudes,5 make confidence6 and moral7 judgments, and prioritize goals.8 Both
      behavioral and neuroimaging evidence show that the evidence supports similar
      distinctions in each field. Deliberative processing enlists working memory, and
      intuitive processing depends more directly on long-term memory retrieval. One of
      the key unanswered questions concerns how the systems interact. The data suggest
      that one of the key functions of deliberation is to suppress intuition. It does
      not invariably succeed, however, and leakage is common. Another question concerns
      the relations between affect and reasoning systems. The evidence suggests that
      emotions are not exclusively related to the intuitive system. Instead, emotional
      reactions that are directly tied to the perception of objects and events (e.g.,
      fear) are associated with intuition, emotions that arise when alternative
      possibilities are considered (e.g., regret) are tied to deliberation, and moods
      (e.g., happy, sad) influence how much each system is relied on. Copyright (c)
      2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. For further resources related to this article,
      please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26271379
TI  - Unraveling the paradox of the autistic self.
AB  - Paradoxically, individuals with autism spectrum conditions have been
      characterized as both impaired in self-referential cognitive processing, yet also
      egocentric. How can the self in autism be both 'absent' (i.e., impaired self
      referential cognition), yet 'all too present' (i.e., egocentric)? In this paper,
      we first review evidence in support of both claims. Second, we highlight new
      evidence illustrating atypical function of neural systems underlying self
      representation in autism. We suggest that egocentrism and impaired self
      referential cognition are not independent phenomena. Instead, both egocentrism
      and impaired self-referential cognition in autism can be resolved as expressions
      of one common mechanism linked to the atypical function of neural circuitry
      coding for self-relevant information. We discuss how autism provides a unique
      window into the neurodevelopmental mechanisms enabling a critical developmental
      transition in self-awareness. This transition involves a dual understanding that
      one is similar to, yet distinct from others. The neural and cognitive basis of
      this developmental transition is central to understanding the development of
      social cognition as well as the paradox of the autistic self and its relation to
      social impairment in autism. Copyright (c) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. For
      further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26271380
TI  - Expertise.
AB  - The study of expertise is based on the premise that experts in different domains
      follow a similar path of acquisition and development. This article distinguishes
      two research approaches to the study of expertise. The traditional approach
      assumes a steady progression from novice to expert as a function of training as
      well as years of experience often without measures of reproducible skill. A
      second and more recent one focuses on the identification of individuals with
      reproducibly superior performance for representative tasks that capture expertise
      in the domain. The focus of this review is on the latter, namely the expert
      performance approach. The article describes how superior performance can be
      captured by standardized tasks, and how analyses of that superior performance can
      identify superior abilities, cognitive mechanisms, and physiological adaptations.
      The last part of the article reviews how deliberate practice and training can
      lead to the acquisition of complex mechanisms and physiological adaptations,
      which in turn can explain the experts' attained superior performance. The review
      is concluded with a discussion of future directions of studies of expert
      performance and the challenges in understanding the development of general
      abilities and the motivation to engage in sustained daily deliberate practice.
      Copyright (c) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. For further resources related to this
      article, please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26271381
TI  - The development of emotion.
AB  - Given that they are responsible for much of the meaning that we attribute to our
      existence, emotions could be said to have a central role in the psychological
      life of humans. But given this fundamental level of significance, the construct
      of emotion remains poorly understood, with the field of emotion research being
      full of conflicting definitions and opposing theoretical perspectives. In this
      review, one particular aspect of research into emotion is considered: the
      development of emotion in infancy and early childhood. The development of the
      emotional life of the child has been the focus of a vast amount of research and
      theorizing, so in a brief review it is only possible to scratch the surface of
      this topic. Rather than any attempt at a comprehensive account, three perennial
      questions in theorizing and research on early emotional development will be
      considered. First, what develops in emotional development? Second, what is the
      relation of cognitive development to emotional development? Third, how has the
      study of early individual differences in emotion expression typically been
      approached? In relation to the first question, four theoretical approaches to
      emotional development are described. For the second question, the focus is on the
      relation of self-awareness to the development of emotion. Finally, for the third
      question, the use of temperament theory as a framework for understanding
      individual differences in emotion expression is examined. Copyright (c) 2010 John
      Wiley & Sons, Ltd. For further resources related to this article, please visit
      the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26271383
TI  - Asymmetry of interhemispheric communication.
AB  - The role of the corpus callosum (CC) in ensuring communication between the
      cerebral hemispheres is an undisputed great discovery of the 20th century. In the
      past 20 years, it has been repeatedly shown by behavioral and
      electrophysiological experiments that callosal transmission is asymmetric. It is
      faster from the right to the left hemispheres for a host of behavioral and
      cognitive processes. The functional meaning and the neural bases of the asymmetry
      are still being investigated but one possibility is that it is related to a
      larger proportion of cortical neurones, projecting their axon from the right to
      the left hemisphere than in the reverse direction in the CC. This asymmetry might
      be related to the necessity to rapidly access the left hemisphere for response
      during tasks mainly subserved by the right hemisphere. Copyright (c) 2010 John
      Wiley & Sons, Ltd. For further resources related to this article, please visit
      the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26271382
TI  - Dyslexia (neuropsychological).
AB  - In this article, we review research into the underlying deficits associated with
      the failure to learn to read normally, or developmental dyslexia. We focus on the
      heterogeneity within this broad category of disorder and on the relationship
      between the proposed deficits and the acquisition of specific kinds of reading
      skill. We also distinguish between 'high-level' cognitive or language deficits
      associated with developmental dyslexia and 'low-level' perceptual or neurological
      deficits. We conclude that the mixed and sometimes contradictory sets of findings
      associated with most of the proposed deficits reveal something important: that
      there is no single cause of developmental dyslexia and that it is likely that
      multiple causes interact in complex ways to impair reading acquisition. Copyright
      (c) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. For further resources related to this article,
      please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26271384
TI  - Cognition and animal welfare.
AB  - Animals exhibit species-typical adaptations of behavior and may suffer stress in
      captivity if they are prevented from performing these patterns of behavior. This
      article considers whether these particular 'needs' rely on cognitive processes or
      are performed without complex cognition despite their appearance of behavioral
      complexity. Emotion and cognition in animals are also discussed, particularly
      whether animals can feel emotions and, if so, what ranges of emotions they might
      feel. Cognitive capacities that would contribute to suffering include empathy
      with the suffering of others, memories of negative events and suffering in
      anticipation of future events. Cognitive bias of individual animals toward
      positive or negative feelings is related to dominance of the left or right
      hemisphere, respectively. These biases might be reflected in the animal's
      preferred limb to pick up food. Hence, limb preference could be a useful measure
      of cognitive bias. Post-traumatic stress disorder is a cognitive condition that,
      it is suggested, might involve dominance of the right hemisphere. This
      debilitating condition is experience-dependent and not infrequently seen in
      animals in captivity. In conclusion, it is argued that there is an obvious need
      for more research on cognition as it relates to animal welfare and as a basis for
      changing legislature to protect animals from suffering. Copyright (c) 2010 John
      Wiley & Sons, Ltd. For further resources related to this article, please visit
      the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26271385
TI  - The Influence of New Technologies on the Visual Attention of CSIs Performing a
      Crime Scene Investigation.
AB  - Currently, a series of promising new tools are under development that will enable
      crime scene investigators (CSIs) to analyze traces in situ during the crime scene
      investigation or enable them to detect blood and provide information on the age
      of blood. An experiment is conducted with thirty CSIs investigating a violent
      robbery at a mock crime scene to study the influence of such technologies on the
      perception and interpretation of traces during the first phase of the
      investigation. Results show that in their search for traces, CSIs are not
      directed by the availability of technologies, which is a reassuring finding.
      Qualitative findings suggest that CSIs are generally more focused on analyzing
      perpetrator traces than on reconstructing the event. A focus on perpetrator
      traces might become a risk when other crime-related traces are overlooked, and
      when analyzed traces are in fact not crime-related and in consequence lead to the
      identification of innocent suspects.

PMID- 26271386
TI  - The isoforms generated by alternative translation initiation adopt similar
      conformation in the selectivity filter in TREK-2.
AB  - TREK-2 (TWIK-related K(+) channel-2), a member of two-pore domain potassium (K2P)
      channel family, tunes cellular excitability via conducting leak or background
      currents. In TREK-2, the isoforms generated by alternative translation initiation
      (ATI) mechanism exhibit large divergence in unitary conductance, but similar in
      selectivity to K(+). Up to now, the structural basis for this similarity in ion
      selectivity is unknown. Here, we report that externally applied Ba(2+) inhibits
      the currents of TREK-2 in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. The
      blocking effect is blunted by elevated extracellular K(+) or mutation of S4 K(+)
      binding site, which suggests that the inhibitory mechanism of Ba(2+) is due to
      its competitive docking properties within the selectivity filter (SF). Next, we
      demonstrate that all the ATI isoforms exhibit analogous behaviors upon the
      application of Ba(2+) and alteration of extracellular pH (pHo), which acts on the
      outer position of the SF. These results strongly support the notion that all the
      ATI isoforms of TREK-2 possess resembled SF conformation in S4 site and the
      position defined by pHo, which implicates that neither the role of N-terminus
      (Nt) nor the unitary conductance is associated with SF conformation. Our findings
      might help to understand the detail gating mechanism of TREK-2 and K2P channels. 

PMID- 26271387
TI  - Paradoxical Expansion of Th1 and Th17 Lymphocytes in Rheumatoid Arthritis
      Following Infliximab Treatment: a Possible Explanation for a Lack of Clinical
      Response.
AB  - PURPOSE: The immunogenicity of anti-TNF-alpha drugs may affect their safety and
      efficacy. Infliximab (IFX), a chimeric monoclonal antibody, induces antibody
      formation in up to 60% of cases. Some studies have suggested the involvement of a
      Th1 response to TNFalpha blockers following immunization, but the triggering of
      Th17 responses has never been reported. The aim of this study is to investigate
      whether the immunogenicity of IFX affects the Th1, Th17 and Treg compartments in
      rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients failing IFX therapy, and verify whether this
      may be responsible for treatment failure. METHODS: The study involved 55 patients
      with RA (15 treatment-naive patients; 20 IFX responders; 20 IFX non-responders)
      and 10 healthy controls. PBMCs were cultured in the presence/absence of IFX, and
      the variations in the percentage of Th1, Th17 and Treg lymphocytes following IFX
      treatment were analysed. RESULTS: IFX-specific Th1 and Th17 responses and an
      increase in IL-21 production were observed in patients failing IFX (p < 0.01, p <
      0.05, and p < 0.01 respectively). In contrast, IFX incubation reduced
      significantly Th1 and Th17 responses and IL-21 production (p < 0.05) in
      successfully-treated subjects, but did not affect these responses in healthy
      controls or treatment-naive patients. CONCLUSIONS: RA patients may have impaired
      peripheral tolerance, which could favour the development of an aberrant
      immunological response to biological drugs. The loss of therapeutic effectiveness
      of IFX and the onset of adverse events may be due to a paradoxical activation of
      Th17 or Th1 lymphocytes following sensitisation, thus worsening the patients'
      inflammatory status.

PMID- 26271388
TI  - Novel Mutation in the Class II Transactivator Associated with Immunodeficiency
      and Autoimmunity.

PMID- 26271389
TI  - Validity of Primary Immunodeficiency Disease Diagnoses in United States Medicaid
      Data.
AB  - PURPOSE: Primary immunodeficiency diseases (PID) are a rare group of disorders
      with a wide array of clinical presentations. The absence of validated methods to
      identify these diseases in electronic databases has limited understanding of
      their epidemiology and the impact of drug therapies on outcomes. We measured the
      positive predictive values (PPVs) of ICD-9 diagnoses for identifying PID within
      US Medicaid. METHODS: We identified Medicaid patients from California, Florida,
      New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania with PID ICD-9 diagnoses (common variable
      immunodeficiency [279.06], X-linked agammaglobulinemia [279.04], hyper
      immunoglobulin M syndrome [279.05], Wiskott Aldrich Syndrome [279.12]) recorded
      at least twice from 1999 to 2007. Outpatient records were reviewed by a clinical
      immunologist to adjudicate diagnoses. PPVs with 95% confidence intervals (CIs)
      for confirmed outcomes were determined for individual ICD-9 diagnoses and
      combinations of diagnoses and Current Procedural Terminology codes for a
      quantitative immunoglobulin test (82784) or immunoglobulin infusion (96365).
      RESULTS: Among 83 patients with PID ICD-9 diagnoses, 16 were adjudicated as
      having the condition (PPV, 19.3%; 95% CI, 11.4-29.4%). Individual ICD-9 diagnoses
      had low PPVs (range, 16.7-33.3%). Requiring procedural codes for quantitative
      immunoglobulins or intravenous immunoglobulin did not increase PPVs of these
      diagnoses (range, 11.1-41.7%). An X-linked agammaglobulinemia diagnosis plus
      intravenous immunoglobulin had the highest PPV among the algorithms evaluated
      (PPV, 41.7%; 95% CI, 15.1-72.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Algorithms comprising PID ICD-9
      diagnoses and procedures for quantitative immunoglobulin tests and immunoglobulin
      infusion had low PPVs for adjudicated diagnoses in Medicaid. Alternative data
      sources should be evaluated to study the epidemiology of these diseases.

PMID- 26271390
TI  - Nijmegen Breakage Syndrome: Clinical and Immunological Features, Long-Term
      Outcome and Treatment Options - a Retrospective Analysis.
AB  - PURPOSE: Nijmegen Breakage Syndrome (NBS) is a rare inherited condition,
      characterized by microcephaly, chromosomal instability, immunodeficiency, and
      predisposition to malignancy. This retrospective study, characterizing the
      clinical and immunological status of patients with NBS at time of diagnosis, was
      designed to assess whether any parameters were useful in disease prognosis, and
      could help determine patients qualified for hematopoietic stem cell
      transplantation. METHODS: The clinical and immunological characteristics of 149
      NBS patients registered in the online database of the European Society for Immune
      Deficiencies were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 149 NBS patients, 91 (61%), of median
      age 14.3 years, remained alive at the time of analysis. These patients were
      clinically heterogeneous, with variable immune defects, ranging from negligible
      to severe dysfunction. Humoral deficiencies predisposed NBS patients to
      recurrent/chronic respiratory tract infections and worsened long-term clinical
      prognosis. Eighty malignancies, most of lymphoid origin (especially non-Hodgkin's
      lymphomas), were diagnosed in 42% of patients, with malignancy being the leading
      cause of death in this cohort. Survival probabilities at 5, 10, 20 and 30 years
      of age were 95, 85, 50 and 35%, respectively, and were significantly lower in
      patients with than without malignancies. CONCLUSIONS: The extremely high
      incidence of malignancies, mostly non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, was the main risk
      factor affecting survival probability in NBS patients. Because treatment of NBS
      is very difficult and frequently unsuccessful, the search for an alternative
      medical intervention such as hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is of great
      clinical importance.

PMID- 26271392
TI  - Measurement of ankle plantar flexor spasticity following stroke: Assessment of a
      new quantitative tool.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the ability of a newly developed portable instrument (the
      Electric Spastic Ankle Measure (E-SAM)) to quantitatively measure ankle plantar
      flexor muscle tone and spasticity. DESIGN: Comparison of quantitative
      measurements of the E-SAM with those obtained manually with the Modified Ashworth
      Scale (MAS). PARTICIPANTS: Seven adult men with stroke of more than 8 months'
      duration with a MAS score of 3, and 7 healthy age-matched control subjects. MAIN
      OUTCOME MEASURES: Quantitative measurements of the reactive and viscoelastic
      components of muscle tonus and spasticity. RESULTS: Analysis of the pooled data
      of all subjects revealed 2 components: an initial negative peak (indicating visco
      elasticity), and subsequent positive peaks (denoting reactive contractions of the
      plantar flexor muscles). Positive, reactive contraction, peaks of the subjects
      with stroke were significantly higher than those of age-matched controls (p<0.01,
      t-test). CONCLUSION: The E-SAM appears to provide meaningful information on
      muscle tone and spasticity that is more specific and quantitative than that
      obtained with the MAS. While further study is necessary, this instrument shows
      promise as an easy-to-use clinical and research tool for the measurement of
      spasticity and muscle viscosity.

PMID- 26271391
TI  - The impact of sleep restriction while performing simulated physical firefighting
      work on cortisol and heart rate responses.
AB  - PURPOSE: Physical work and sleep restriction are two stressors faced by
      firefighters, yet the combined impact these demands have on firefighters' acute
      stress responses is poorly understood. The purpose of the present study was to
      assess the effect firefighting work and sleep restriction have on firefighters'
      acute cortisol and heart rate (HR) responses during a simulated 3-day and 2-night
      fire-ground deployment. METHODS: Firefighters completed multiple days of
      simulated physical work separated by either an 8-h (control condition; n = 18) or
      4-h sleep opportunity (sleep restriction condition; n = 17). Salivary cortisol
      was sampled every 2 h, and HR was measured continuously each day. RESULTS: On day
      2 and day 3 of the deployment, the sleep restriction condition exhibited a
      significantly higher daily area under the curve cortisol level and an elevated
      cortisol profile in the afternoon and evening when compared with the control
      condition. Firefighters' HR decreased across the simulation, but there were no
      significant differences found between conditions. CONCLUSION: Findings highlight
      the protective role an 8-h sleep opportunity between shifts of firefighting work
      has on preserving normal cortisol levels when compared to a 4-h sleep opportunity
      which resulted in elevated afternoon and evening cortisol. Given the adverse
      health outcomes associated with chronically high cortisol, especially later in
      the day, future research should examine how prolonged exposure to firefighting
      work (including restricted sleep) affects firefighters' cortisol levels long
      term. Furthermore, monitoring cortisol levels post-deployment will determine the
      minimum recovery time firefighters need to safely return to the fire-ground.

PMID- 26271393
TI  - Skin Reduction Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy.
AB  - Nipple-sparing mastectomy has been shown to be a safe and effective treatment for
      many patients with early stage breast cancer. Large-breasted women who are gene
      positive or who have early breast cancer are not traditionally candidates for
      nipple-sparing mastectomy. The blood supply to the nipple is via the breast
      tissue and also the dermis, both of which would be severed if standard skin
      reduction were combined with mastectomy. This video shows how a nipple-sparing
      mastectomy can be combined with skin reduction while preserving the blood supply
      to the nipple. The excess skin is deepithelialized to preserve the dermal
      vessels. After mastectomy, the excess skin is imbricated to reduce the skin
      envelope. The deepithelialized lower flap "autoderm" can be sewn to the
      pectoralis muscle for coverage of the tissue expander. This technique allows
      large-breasted and ptotic patients to undergo mastectomy with preservation of
      their nipple-areolar complex as well as skin reduction to yield an improved
      cosmetic result. 

PMID- 26271394
TI  - Impact of Timeliness of Resection and Thyroidectomy Margin Status on Survival for
      Patients with Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer: An Analysis of 335 Cases.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Controversies regarding anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) surround
      aggressiveness of tumor resection in the presence of extrathyroidal extension and
      the impact of delayed surgery on patient survival. Our goal was to analyze the
      survival implications of complete and timely resections. METHODS: Adult patients
      with ATC were culled from the National Cancer Data Base for the years 2003-2006.
      Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazard regression analyses were used for
      univariate and multivariate survival analyses, respectively. RESULTS: A total of
      680 ATC patients were identified. In the surgical cohort (n = 335), the female-to
      male ratio was 1.6:1; mean age was 68.6 years. Patients with ATCs were staged as
      IVA in 42.7 % of cases, IVB in 32.2 %, and IVC in 25.1 %. Median time from
      diagnosis to surgery was 15 days. Negative margin status was more often achieved
      in patients diagnosed with stage IVA disease (p < 0.001). Compared to surgical
      patients, those who did not receive thyroid resections were older and had a more
      advanced stage of disease (both p < 0.001). In multivariable analyses, positive
      margin status was associated with increased mortality in stage IVA ATC (p =
      0.017) but had no survival impact in stages IVB and IVC (p > 0.05). After
      adjustment for possible confounders, increasing time from diagnosis to surgery
      was not found to be associated with compromised survival outcomes for any disease
      stage. CONCLUSIONS: Timely and aggressive surgical management should be pursued
      in patients with intrathyroidal disease; however, aggressive resections may not
      be recommended for patients with stage IVB and IVC disease when morbidity and
      operative risks outweigh the limited benefits of surgery.

PMID- 26271396
TI  - TGF Beta1 Expression Correlates with Survival and Tumor Aggressiveness of
      Prostate Cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although biopsy Gleason score and clinical stage can be used to
      inform treatment decisions for prostate cancer, identifying molecular markers of
      tumor aggressiveness could lead to a more tailored approaches to therapy. In the
      present study, we investigated the association of transforming growth factor
      (TGF)-beta1 levels and various markers of tumor aggressiveness and explore some
      potential mechanisms underlying the associations. METHODS: We used human and
      murine prostate cancer cell lines and their respective hormone resistance sub
      lines, in vitro and in vivo to examine the changes in tumor aggressiveness, as
      well as the pathway responsible for these changes. Furthermore, 105 prostate
      cancer biopsy specimens were analyzed to correlate the level of TGF-beta1 with
      the clinical characteristics of patients. RESULTS: Our data revealed that
      activated TGF-beta1 signaling resulted in more aggressive tumor growth and
      augmented the epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Activated IL-6 signaling was
      associated with TGF-beta1 levels and the aggressive tumor features noted in TGF
      beta1-positive prostate cancers in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, the TGF-beta1
      levels significantly correlated with Tregs accumulation in vivo. The clinical
      data indicated that TGF-beta1 immunoreactivity had a moderate positive
      correlation with IL-6 staining, advanced clinical stage, higher Gleason score,
      and pretreatment PSA in patients with prostate cancer. CONCLUSIONS: TGF-beta1
      levels are significantly associated with aggressive prostate features. In vitro
      and in vivo alternations of TGF-beta1 expression impacts tumor invasiveness,
      tumor growth rate and recruitment of immunosuppressive Treg cells in the tumor
      microenvironment. TGF-beta1 expression may represent a clinical useful biomarker
      to guide prostate cancer treatment decisions.

PMID- 26271395
TI  - Pathologic Major Response After FOLFIRINOX is Prognostic for Patients Secondary
      Resected for Borderline or Locally Advanced Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: An AGEO
      FRENCH, Prospective, Multicentric Cohort.
AB  - PURPOSE: In view of increased response rates and survivals in patients with
      metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAC) with FOLFIRINOX, many centers proposed
      this regimen as induction chemotherapy for borderline (BR) or locally advanced
      (LA) PAC. The aim of this study was to assess surgical and oncological outcomes
      of patients who underwent resection after induction FOLFIRINOX therapy. METHODS:
      We prospectively identified surgical consecutive BR or LA PAC patients after
      induction FOLFIRINOX in 20 observational French centers between November 2010 and
      December 2013. Two independent experts retrospectively evaluated initial CT scan
      for central review. RESULTS: Eighty patients were included, 47 had BR and 33 had
      LA PAC. Median number of FOLFIRINOX cycles was 6 (range 1-30) and 65 % of
      patients received chemoradiation. The 30-day-mortality, major complications, and
      symptomatic pancreatic fistula rates were 2.5, 22.5, and 4 %, respectively. R0
      resection was achieved in 84 %. After a median follow-up of 38.2 months since
      diagnosis, disease-free survival (DFS) was 17.16 months. The overall survival
      rates at 12 and 24 months were 92 and 81 %, respectively. A 26 % (n = 21)
      pathologic major response (pMR) rate was reached. In univariate and multivariate
      analysis, pMR was a prognostic factor for DFS (hazard ratio 0.33; P = 0.01 and
      hazard ratio 0.38; P = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS: Resection after induction FOLFIRINOX
      is safe and associated with similar or better outcomes as upfront surgery in
      patients with PAC. A pMR was observed in 26 % of cases and was prognostic of DFS.
      This therapeutic design should be investigated in prospective studies.

PMID- 26271397
TI  - Defective Mismatch Repair Status was not Associated with DFS and OS in Stage II
      Colon Cancer Treated with Adjuvant Chemotherapy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mismatch repair (MMR) status has been proposed, with some
      controversy, as a prognostic and predictive marker in stage II colon cancer. The
      aim of this study was to evaluate the association between MMR and survival in
      stage II colon cancer. METHODS: A total of 860 patients with curatively resected
      stage II colon cancer were selected for inclusion between January 2003 and
      December 2008. Tumors lacking expression of MLH1 and/or MSH2, as determined by
      immunohistochemistry, were classified as having deficient MMR (dMMR), whereas
      other tumors were classified as having proficient MMR (pMMR). Clinical risk (CR)
      factors were used to divide patients into high or standard CR groups. RESULTS: Of
      860 patients, 14.7 % were dMMR, 42.4 % had >=1 CR factors, and 85.8 % patients
      received adjuvant chemotherapy. MMR status did not affect disease-free survival
      (DFS; hazard ratio [HR] 1.191, p = 0.415) or overall survival (OS; HR 1.300, p =
      0.344). Among CR factors, only pathologic T4 disease tended to associate with
      poor OS (HR 1.979, p = 0.071). Adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with better
      DFS (HR 0.393, p < 0.0001) in patients with pMMR tumors. However, in patients
      with dMMR tumors, adjuvant chemotherapy was not associated with DFS. CONCLUSIONS:
      MMR status did not affect DFS or OS in patients with stage II colon cancer. In
      patients treated with adjuvant chemotherapy, dMMR was not associated with DFS and
      OS. However, adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with improved DFS in pMMR
      patients.

PMID- 26271399
TI  - Routine outcome monitoring: An international endeavour.

PMID- 26271398
TI  - A Practical Approach to the Management of Radiation-Induced Hemorrhagic Cystitis.
AB  - Radiation-induced hemorrhagic cystitis (HC) is a complication of pelvic
      radiotherapy, mainly for prostate and uterine cancers. In the acute phase,
      patients feel urinary urgency and bladder pain. This phase is reversible after
      radiotherapy. In the chronic stage, an irritative syndrome is coupled with
      hematuria during the 2-10 years following radiotherapy. Cystoscopy shows white
      and frosted mucosa with telangiectasia. The incidence is estimated at 5 % or
      less. It is suggested that the radiation oncologist reviews the dosimetry plan to
      validate that the lesions coincide with significant radiation exposure confirming
      diagnosis of radiation-induced HC. The treatment for HC is first symptomatic,
      with bladder lavage, clot evacuation, coagulation via cystoscopy and blood
      transfusions if necessary. Subsequently, hyaluronic acid bladder instillation can
      be done with little toxicity. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy delivers pure oxygen to
      patients in a pressurized cabin, promoting angio-neogenesis and lowering hypoxia
      to the irradiated tissues. The clinical response rate is estimated to be around
      80 %. Nevertheless, this approach is limited by the low availability, and length
      of treatment. While surgery remains an effective treatment for HC, it is the last
      option because of the high morbidity and mortality risks. Prospective studies
      need to be conducted to identify and evaluate new interventions, particularly for
      HC.

PMID- 26271400
TI  - Training of deep microsurgical skill: Establishment of a high-volume intracranial
      carotid bypass model.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To establish a model for a high-volume intracranial carotid bypass
      operation. METHODS: High-volume internal carotid-middle cerebral artery bypass
      was performed on 9 cadaver heads with arteries of porcine forearms as grafts by 6
      residents with no previous experience in vascular anastomosis on cadavers. The
      intima was dissected immediately after the anastomoses were completed to observe
      the patency of anastomosis. RESULTS: After different duration periods of training
      using this model, 36 vascular anastomoses on 18 sides were successfully performed
      by the 6 residents with a self-made difficulty regulation device. As the
      difficulty level increased, the time needed for anastomosis lengthened and
      patency rate showed a decreasing trend. As the amount of training increased, the
      residents were able to decrease the amount of time to complete the operation with
      increasing patency rates. CONCLUSIONS: The model of high-volume internal carotid
      middle cerebral artery bypass with arteries of porcine forearms has the
      advantages of material similarity, easy access of grafts, better simulation of
      intraoperative conditions, and adjustable difficulties. Our results suggest that
      this new procedure has a better simulation-training platform which is closer to
      the real surgical procedure for surgeons willing to master the technique of a
      high-volume bypass operation.

PMID- 26271402
TI  - Sex differences in lower extremity stiffness and kinematics alterations during
      double-legged drop landings with changes in drop height.
AB  - The aim of this study was to determine whether sex differences and effect of drop
      heights exist in stiffness alteration of the lower extremity during a landing
      task with a drop height increment. Twelve male participants and twelve female
      participants performed drop landings at two drop heights (DL40 and DL60; in cm).
      The leg and joint stiffnesses were calculated using a spring-mass model, and the
      joint angular kinematics were calculated using motion capture. Ground reaction
      forces (GRFs) were recorded using a force plate. The peak vertical GRF of the
      females was significantly increased when the drop height was raised from 40 to 60
      cm. Significantly less leg and knee stiffness was observed for DL60 in females.
      The ankle, knee, and hip angular displacement during landing were significantly
      increased with drop height increment in both sexes. The knee and hip flexion
      angular velocities at contact were significantly greater for the 60 cm drop
      height relative to the 40 cm drop height in males. These sex disparities
      regarding the lower extremity stiffness and kinematics alterations during drop
      landing with a drop height increment would predispose females to lower extremity
      injury. 

PMID- 26271401
TI  - Olfaction preservation after removal of large tuberculum sellae meningiomas via a
      superior interhemispheric approach. A quantitative and qualitative study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: We present a prospective series of tuberculum sellae meningioma
      (TSM) resected via a superior interhemispheric (IH) approach in 10 patients who
      preoperatively and postoperatively underwent extensive olfaction testing using a
      standardised test battery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective longitudinal
      study evaluated the olfactory function after TSM resection. The resection was
      performed via a superior interhemispheric (IH) approach. The quantitative and
      qualitative analyses of the olfactory function were assessed with the Biolfa((r))
      olfactory test (at 6 months). RESULTS: Between November 2009 and April 2012, 10
      consecutive patients with symptomatic TSM and preserved olfactory function were
      operated via a superior IH approach. For the self-evaluation criteria of the
      olfactory function, the mean preoperative visual analog scale score was 8.8. The
      mean preoperative total quantitative (/27) scored 18.2 +/- 6.3 for this cohort of
      10 patients. In the postoperative period, the mean total score decreased non
      significantly to 15.8 +/- 8.8 (Wilcoxon test, P = 0.085). The mean preoperative
      qualitative score (/8) was 5.5 +/- 1.7 and in the postoperative period decreased,
      non-significantly, to 4.7 +/- 2.6 (Wilcoxon test, P = 0.12). The olfactory
      function was quantitatively and qualitatively preserved in 6 patients (60%), but
      a postoperative deterioration occurred in 2 (20%) and an anosmia in 2 (20%). Size
      and invasive characteristics of the meningioma determined the post-surgical
      deterioration. CONCLUSION: Olfaction is an important factor of emotional and
      social life, which needs to be integrated into the challenge regarding the
      resection of TSM. The risks of nerve damage are reviewed.

PMID- 26271403
TI  - Bioinformatics tools for lncRNA research.
AB  - Current experimental methods to identify the functions of a large number of the
      candidates of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are limited in their throughput.
      Therefore, it is essential to know which tools are effective for understanding
      lncRNAs so that reasonable speed and accuracy can be achieved. In this paper, we
      review the currently available bioinformatics tools and databases that are useful
      for finding non-coding RNAs and analyzing their structures, conservation,
      interactions, co-expressions and localization. This article is part of a Special
      Issue entitled: Clues to long noncoding RNA taxonomy1, edited by Dr. Tetsuro
      Hirose and Dr. Shinichi Nakagawa. 

PMID- 26271404
TI  - Emerging challenges in implementing universal health coverage in Asia.
AB  - As countries in Asia converge on the goal of universal health coverage (UHC),
      some common challenges are emerging. One is how to ensure coverage of the
      informal sector so as to make UHC truly universal; a second is how to design a
      benefit package that is responsive and appropriate to current health challenges,
      yet fiscally sustainable; and a third is how to ensure "supply-side readiness",
      i.e. the availability and quality of services, which is a necessary condition for
      translating coverage into improvements in health outcomes. Using examples from
      the Asia region, this paper discusses these three challenges and how they are
      being addressed. On the first challenge, two promising approaches emerge: using
      general revenues to fully cover the informal sector, or employing a combination
      of tax subsidies, non-financial incentives and contributory requirements. The
      former can produce fast results, but places pressure on government budgets and
      may induce informality, while the latter will require a strong administrative
      mandate and systems to track the ability-to-pay. With respect to benefit
      packages, we find considerable variation in the nature and rigor of processes
      underlying the selection and updating of the services included. Also, in general,
      packages do not yet focus sufficiently on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and
      related preventive outpatient care. Finally, there are large variations and
      inequities in the supply-side readiness, in terms of availability of
      infrastructure, equipment, essential drugs and staffing, to deliver on the
      promises of UHC. Health worker competencies are also a constraint. While the UHC
      challenges are common, experience in overcoming these challenges is varied and
      many of the successes appear to be highly context-specific. This implies that
      researchers and policymakers need to rigorously, and regularly, assess different
      approaches, and share these findings across countries in Asia - and across the
      world. 

PMID- 26271407
TI  - Raising the standard for clinical care of patients with Ebola virus disease.

PMID- 26271406
TI  - Clinical presentation, biochemical, and haematological parameters and their
      association with outcome in patients with Ebola virus disease: an observational
      cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Clinical management of Ebola virus disease remains challenging.
      Routine laboratory analytics are often unavailable in the outbreak setting, and
      few data exist for the associated haematological and biochemical abnormalities.
      We aimed to assess laboratory and clinical data from patients with Ebola virus
      disease to better inform clinical management algorithms, improve understanding of
      key variables associated with outcome, and provide insight into the
      pathophysiology of Ebola virus disease. METHODS: We recruited all patients, alive
      on arrival, with confirmed Ebola virus disease who were admitted to the Kerry
      Town Ebola treatment centre in Sierra Leone. At admission, all patients had
      clinical presentation recorded and blood taken for Ebola confirmation using
      reverse-transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR) and for haematological and biochemical
      analysis. We studied the association between these and clinical outcome. The
      primary outcome was discharge from the Ebola treatment centre. FINDINGS: 150
      patients were admitted to the treatment centre between Dec 8, 2014, and Jan 9,
      2015. The mean age of patients was 26 years (SD 14.7). Case fatality rate was 37%
      (55/150). Most patients presented with stage 2 (gastrointestinal involvement,
      72/118 [61%]) and stage 3 (severe or complicated, 12/118 [10%]) disease. Acute
      kidney injury was common (52/104 [50%]), as were abnormal serum potassium (32/97
      [33%]), severe hepatitis (54/92 [59%]), and raised C-reactive protein (21/100
      [21%]). Haematological abnormalities were common, including raised haematocrit
      (15/100 [15%]), thrombocytopenia (47/104 [45%]), and granulocytosis (44/104
      [42%]). Severe acute kidney injury, low RT-PCR cycle threshold (<20 cycles), and
      severe hepatitis were independently associated with mortality. INTERPRETATION:
      Ebola virus disease is associated with a high prevalence of haematological and
      biochemical abnormalities, even in mild disease and in the absence of
      gastrointestinal symptoms. Clinical care that targets hypovolaemia, electrolyte
      disturbance, and acute kidney injury is likely to reduce historically high case
      fatality rates. FUNDING: None.

PMID- 26271408
TI  - Using association rule mining to identify risk factors for early childhood
      caries.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Early childhood caries (ECC) is a potentially severe
      disease affecting children all over the world. The available findings are mostly
      based on a logistic regression model, but data mining, in particular association
      rule mining, could be used to extract more information from the same data set.
      METHODS: ECC data was collected in a cross-sectional analytical study of the 10%
      sample of preschool children in the South Backa area (Vojvodina, Serbia).
      Association rules were extracted from the data by association rule mining. Risk
      factors were extracted from the highly ranked association rules. RESULTS:
      Discovered dominant risk factors include male gender, frequent breastfeeding
      (with other risk factors), high birth order, language, and low body weight at
      birth. Low health awareness of parents was significantly associated to ECC only
      in male children. CONCLUSIONS: The discovered risk factors are mostly confirmed
      by the literature, which corroborates the value of the methods.

PMID- 26271409
TI  - [Acute myelopathy: importance of early diagnosis].

PMID- 26271410
TI  - [Teledermatology in Paediatrics. Observations in daily clinical practice].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Teledermatology is a technique that is increasingly being
      developed. There are many studies that assess this discipline in the general
      population, but few studies analyse the paediatric population exclusively. The
      aims of this study are to describe the distribution of diseases consulted through
      teledermatology, the use of this technique to avoid face-to-face consultations,
      and the agreement between virtual and face-to-face diagnoses, in the paediatric
      population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The work consisted of an observational and
      retrospective study of the virtual consultations made between May 2011 and
      January 2015 through a store-and-forward teledermatology programme, involving
      patients from 0 to 15 years. We collected demographic data, as well as the
      diagnoses made by the paediatrician who made the virtual consultation, and by the
      dermatologists who assessed the virtual and the face-to-face consultations, the
      indication given by the dermatologist who assessed the virtual consultation
      (discharge or referral), reason for referral, and diagnostic agreement rate.
      RESULTS: A total of 183 virtual consultations were analysed. The most frequent
      diagnoses were inflammatory diseases (39%), benign pigmented lesions (23%), and
      infectious diseases (20%). Almost half of the virtual consultations (48%) were
      referred for a face-to-face diagnosis. Diagnostic agreement between the
      dermatologist who evaluated the virtual consultation and the dermatologist who
      evaluated the face-to-face consultation was 89%, and 66% between the
      paediatrician who made the virtual consultation and the dermatologist who
      assessed it. CONCLUSIONS: Virtual consultations have a similar disease
      distribution to conventional (face-to-face) referrals. Approximately half of the
      virtual consultations do not require a subsequent face-to-face visit. The
      agreement rate between the diagnoses given by both dermatologists (virtual and
      face-to-face diagnoses) is high.

PMID- 26271412
TI  - Comparison of TP53 mutations screening by functional assay of separated allele in
      yeast and next-generation sequencing in myelodysplastic syndromes.
AB  - TP53 mutations are major prognostic factors in many hematological malignancies
      including acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Next
      generation sequencing (NGS) has improved the detection of such mutations by
      identifying small mutated clones but functional method like FASAY (functional
      assay of separated allele in yeast) may prove interesting. We compared the
      detection of TP53 mutations by FASAY and NGS in 91 patients with AML or MDS. By
      FASAY, 91% of assays were evaluable and 47 patients (57%) had a functional and 36
      (43%) a non-functional p53 protein. FASAY could not conclude in 8 cases (9%),
      mainly because of poor RNA quality. No TP53 mutation was found using NGS in 50
      cases (55%), and at least one mutation was detected in 41 cases (45%). The p53
      status was concordant between FASAY and NGS in 95% (79/83) of cases. The four
      discordances included mutations detected by FASAY only in two cases, and by NGS
      only in two cases. Mutations not detected by NGS consisted of insertions in
      intronic regions, which were not analyzed by this assay. Mutations not detected
      by FASAY were mutations for which the percentage of mutated allele was less than
      10%, including one mutation reported as non-deleterious in the IARC database.
      Overall, our data suggest that FASAY is an effective and reliable method to
      detect TP53 mutations in AML and MDS, which allows the assessment of the protein
      functionality, contrary to a sequencing approach.

PMID- 26271411
TI  - Metabolic syndrome and risk of major coronary events among the urban diabetic
      patients: North Indian Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease Study-NIDCVD-2.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed at estimating the prevalence of metabolic
      syndrome (MetS) and prospectively, evaluating cardiovascular events among Asian
      Indians type 2 diabetic subjects. METHODS: The sample comprised 1522 type 2
      diabetic mellitus (T2DM) subjects aged 25-91years, who participated in the North
      Indian Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease Study (NIDCVD). The participants were
      screened for hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity and cardiovascular events.
      Anthropometric, clinical and biochemical measurements were done in all subjects.
      The prevalence of MetS was estimated in all the subjects according to the
      harmonized criteria of 2009. RESULTS: The prevalence of MetS among urban Indian
      diabetic subjects was 71.9% and was significantly higher in females (86%) as
      compared to males (57.9%). To determine the independent predictors of the MetS in
      diabetic sample, binary logistic regression analyses were performed using
      demographic and biochemical parameters. Significant differences in the indices of
      generalized and abdominal obesity and lipids (total cholesterol, high density
      lipoprotein) were observed (p<0.01) in male:female and MetS and non-MetS
      comparisons. Regression analysis for prediction of CAD showed that family
      history, age, body mass index (BMI), SBP, physical inactivity and hypertension
      independently and significantly predicted the disease outcome. Binary logistic
      regression analysis revealed that MetS may be an independent risk/predictor of
      CAD (odd ratio (OR)=3.44, CI 1.31-9.01, p=0.012) along with higher age groups,
      BMI and hypertension in Indian population. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated
      that the high prevalence of MetS and its different components were positively
      associated with a higher risk of CAD in north Indian diabetic subjects.
      Nevertheless, MetS is a major health problem in India, comprehensive population
      studies are warranted for estimation of incidence and prevalence, and education
      should be provided on its prevention and control to reduce the diabetes-related
      morbidity and mortality.

PMID- 26271413
TI  - Toxicity of doxorubicin-transferrin conjugate is connected to the modulation of
      Wnt/beta-catenin pathway in human leukemia cells.
AB  - Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a disorder of hematopoietic stem cells caused
      by constitutive activation of the BCR/ABL tyrosine kinase. However, the tyrosine
      kinase inhibitors like imatinib mesylate are not effective in the patients with
      advanced-stage of CML. Hence, there is an urgent need for new approaches to
      overcome a cancer cell's resistance in CML long term therapy. Development of new
      drug carriers, is presently one of the most challenging tasks in experimental
      oncology. In this report we investigated whether the toxicity of newly
      synthetized doxorubicin transferrin conjugate (DOX-TRF) may be connected to the
      limitation of multidrug resistance in CML cells by the alternations of Wnt/beta
      catenin signaling pathway. The studies were performed on human chronic myeloid
      leukemia cell lines sensitive (K562) and resistant (K562/DOX) to doxorubicin. Our
      research proves that DOX-TRF conjugate displays higher cytotoxicity toward both
      examined cell lines than the reference free drug (DOX) and induces more extensive
      pro-apoptotic changes. Moreover, by the of engagement of Wnt pathway agonist
      (LiCl) and antagonist (ICG 001) we demonstrate that DOX-TRF conjugate effectively
      reduces transcription of key genes involved in beta-catenin signaling
      transduction trial (Wnt3a, DVL-1, FZD-3, LRP5, beta-catenin, DKK2) and triggers
      morphology alternations of CML cells. 

PMID- 26271414
TI  - The importance of analysis of long-range rearrangement of BRCA1 and BRCA2 in
      genetic diagnosis of familial breast cancer.
AB  - Germline BRCA gene mutations are reportedly associated with hereditary breast and
      ovarian cancers. Identification of BRCA mutations greatly improves the preventive
      strategies and management of breast cancer. Sanger sequencing has been the gold
      standard in identifying these mutations. However, 4-28% of inherited BRCA
      mutations may be due to large genomic rearrangements (LGRs), which could be
      missed by using Sanger sequencing alone. Our aim is to evaluate the pick-up rate
      of LGRs in our cohort. A total of 1,236 clinically high-risk patients with breast
      and/or ovarian cancers were recruited through The Hong Kong Hereditary Breast
      Cancer Family Registry from 2007 to 2014. Full gene sequencing (either Sanger or
      next generation sequencing) and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification
      (MLPA) were performed. We identified 120 deleterious BRCA mutations: 57 (4.61%)
      were in BRCA1 and 63 (5.10%) were in BRCA2. LGRs accounted for 6.67% (8 of 120)
      of all BRCA mutations, whereas 8.77 % (5 of 57) were BRCA1 mutations and 4.76% (3
      of 63) were BRCA2 mutations. Through this integrated approach, both small
      nucleotide variations and LGRs could be detected. We suggest that MLPA should be
      incorporated into the standard practice for genetic testing to avoid false
      negative results, which would greatly affect the management of these high-risk
      families. 

PMID- 26271415
TI  - Comparative transcriptome analysis reveals that the extracellular matrix receptor
      interaction contributes to the venous metastases of hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of liver cancer in the
      world. Portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) is one of the most serious complications
      of HCC and is strongly correlated with a poor prognosis for HCC patients.
      However, the detailed mechanism of PVTT development remains to be explored. In
      this study, we present a large-scale transcriptome analysis, by RNA sequencing,
      of 11 patients diagnosed with HCC with PVTT. The dysregulated genes between HCC
      and PVTT suggested that the extracellular matrix receptor interaction was
      correlated with the venous metastases of HCC. Among all of the recurrent
      alternative splicing events, we identified exon 6 skipping of RPS24, which is
      likely to be a cancer driver. We also identified five common fusion genes between
      HCC and its corresponding PVTT samples, including ARID1A-GPATCH3, MDM1-NUP107,
      PTGES3-RARG, PRLR-TERT, and C9orf3-TMC1. All of these findings broaden our
      knowledge of PVTT development and may also contribute to the diagnosis and
      treatment of HCC patients with PVTT. 

PMID- 26271417
TI  - [Surgical risks and their prevention in laparoscopic cholecystectomy].
AB  - It was analyzed the treatment results of 3739 patients with chronic and acute
      cholecystitis who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Three groups of
      predisposing factors were determined in 427 high risk patients. Laparoscopic
      cholecystectomy in view of these factors and enhancement of approach to dissect
      gall-bladder decreases the number of intraoperative complications. 

PMID- 26271418
TI  - [Estimation of the role of octreotide in treatment of severe pancreatic
      necrosis].
AB  - It was analyzed the results of treatment of 204 patients with severe course of
      destructive pancreatitis (severity of organs' dysfunction was 9 and more scores
      according to APACHE-II scale upon admission to the hospital). Logistic regression
      and Cox regression were used along with univariant statistical analysis, what
      permitted to estimate overall effect of octreotide and other potential predictors
      including severity of condition and medical factors on the mortality rate and
      extension of necrosis in patients with pancreatic necrosis. It was established
      that the use of octreotide in case of severe pancreatic necrosis significantly
      decreases mortality and extension of necrosis. 

PMID- 26271416
TI  - [Cerebral dysfunction as a component of multiple organ failure in surgical
      patients (lecture)].
AB  - Development of delirium in critically ill patients is considered complication of
      basic disease which increases patients' hospital stay, mortality rate and the
      cost of treatment. Despite wide prevalence delirium often remains undiagnosed by
      physicians in ICU. Routine use of screening scales permits to diagnose delirium
      timely. Multicomponent preventive strategy with intermittent sedation and
      dexmedetomidine improves the results of treatment. 

PMID- 26271419
TI  - [Choice of surgical treatment in patients with acute destructive pancreatitis].
AB  - Medical and diagnostic algorithm in patients with pancreatic necrosis is
      developed. It takes into consideration features and expansion of necrotic process
      in retroperitoneal space, objective severity of patients' condition according to
      SAPS scale and inflammatory process according to serum procalcitonin
      concentration. Comparative analysis revealed that the use of developed algorithm
      improves results of treatment. 

PMID- 26271420
TI  - [State of immune and cytokine status in acute ulcerative gastroduodenal
      bleeding].
AB  - The paper analyzes the results of a survey of 37 patients with acute ulcerative
      gastroduodenal hemorrhage. During endoscopy found that 7 patients the cause of
      bleeding was gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer in 27 and 3 concomitant ulcer.
      Hemostasis was evaluated by J. Forrest and the severity of blood loss was
      assessed by the A.A. Shalimov: with blood loss was mild in 11 patients, the
      average degree--12 and with severe--14. In all patients on admission in the
      peripheral blood were studied state of cellular, humoral and cytokine profile:
      CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+/CD8 + and CD19+, FI, FF, CEC, IgA, M, G, TNF-alpha, IFN
      gamma, IL-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10. In general patients with on
      admission revealed significant changes in the immune and cytokine status. In
      cellular immunity occurs immunosuppression. Disturbances in humoral immunity
      manifests itself in increased levels of lymphocytes in blood loss and hardships
      of all multi-directional changes in the concentration of immunoglobulins
      depending on the amount of blood loss. When there is an imbalance in cytokine
      status, the depth of which depends on the degree of blood loss.

PMID- 26271421
TI  - [Prevalence of erosive esophagitis and peptic esophageal strictures].
AB  - Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a widespread among population in economically
      developed countries including Russia. It was analyzed the results of 34 903
      endoscopic examinations of upper gastrointestinal tract in ethnically and
      socially homogeneous population of Leningrad region with symptoms of gastric
      dispepsia. Procedures were performed for the period 2007-2013. Prevalence of
      erosive esophagitis was 4.9%. Peptic esophageal strictures due to chronic reflux
      associated inflammation were revealed in 0.2% of examined patients (3.7% of
      patients with erosive esophagitis). Obtained data allow to
      considergastroesophageal reflux disease as a socially significant problem in
      Russia requiring close attention and further study. 

PMID- 26271422
TI  - [Endoprosthetic replacement with lifting of abdominal wall in treatment of
      umbilical and postoperative ventral hernias].
AB  - The results of complex clinical and ultrasonic investigation of abdominal wall
      and following surgical treatment in 60 women with umbilical and postoperative
      large ventral hernias combined with abdomen ptosis were analyzed. Patients were
      divided into 2 groups with 30 people per group. Endoprosthetic replacement of
      abdominal wall defect using standard polypropylene prosthesis was applied in the
      1st group, endoprosthetic replacement with musculoaponeurotic tissues lifting in
      hypogastric area using original super lightweight
      polypropylenepolyvinylidenefluoride prosthesis--in the 2nd group. Polypropylene
      endoprosthesisconsist of main flap 15*15 cm with roundish edges and additional
      flap 5*40 cm in the form of wide stripe placed at the lower edge of main flap
      transversely to its direction. It was revealed increased physical health
      component in 1.8 times, psychic--in 2.5 times in the 2nd group. Thus number of
      excellent results increased on 33.3% and amount of satisfactory outcomes reduced
      on 30%.

PMID- 26271423
TI  - [Infectious complications after kindred kidney allotransplantation].
AB  - It was analyzed the medical records of 231 patients who underwent living kindred
      donor kidney transplantation. Early postoperative complications were observed in
      51 (22%) patients including infectious events in 30 cases namely pyelonephritis
      (13), pneumonia (6), sepsis (5), wound infection (3), pulmonary tuberculosis (2)
      and esophageal mycosis (1). Microflora investigation revealed predominantly gram
      negative bacteria including enterobacteriaceae (K. pneumoniae, E. coli and E.
      cloacae) and nonfermentable bacteria (P. aeruginosa, Acinetobacter spp.).
      Analysis of 7-year antibiotic susceptibility showed that polymyxin, imipenem,
      cefoperazone/sulbactam and amikacin preserve their activity against
      enterobacteriaceae and pseudomonas; linezolid, vancomycinum and moxifloxacin-
      against staphylococcus; voriconazole, amphotericinum B and fluconazole--against
      Candida spp. These medicines are preferred for antibiotic prevention of
      perioperative and early postoperative infectious complications.

PMID- 26271424
TI  - [Efficiency of minimally invasive methods in treatment of varicose veins].
AB  - It was analyzed the results of studies comparing an efficiency of minimally
      invasive methods in treatment of varicose veins of lower extremities. Based on
      presented data similar efficiency of minimally invasive methods and conventional
      surgical treatment was proved. The graph reflecting remote results was made. 

PMID- 26271426
TI  - [Clinical-economic features of different hemostasis strategies in advanced liver
      resection].

PMID- 26271425
TI  - [Features of lower extremities deep veins recanalization in patients with
      thrombosis by using of sulodexide].

PMID- 26271427
TI  - [Simultaneous surgery in patient with common iliac artery false aneurysm and
      pancreatic cancer].

PMID- 26271428
TI  - [Laparoscopic ileocecal resection for cecalangiodysplasia].

PMID- 26271429
TI  - [Method of pancreatojejunostomy in case of pancreatic head subtotal resection].

PMID- 26271430
TI  - [Surgical treatment of recurrent echinococcosis].

PMID- 26271431
TI  - [Dangerous foreign matter of esophagus and stomach].

PMID- 26271432
TI  - Tea and Parkinson's disease: Constituents of tea synergize with antiparkinsonian
      drugs to provide better therapeutic benefits.
AB  - The major neurodegenerative movement disorder Parkinson's disease (PD) is
      characterized by rest-tremor, akinesia, rigidity and inability to initiate
      movements. PD syndromes result from excessive loss of dopamine from the forebrain
      striatal region, due to dopaminergic neuronal death in the midbrain substantia
      nigra pars compacta. PD with multifactorial etiology is believed to ideally
      require a drug or different drugs that act(s) at multiple sites of action for
      symptomatic relief. Replenishing striatal dopamine by providing L-3,4
      dihydroxyphenylalanine (l-DOPA) along with a peripheral aromatic amino acid
      decarboxylase inhibitor is the mainstay treatment for PD. Such prolonged therapy
      leads to debilitating effects, often worsening the affection. Interestingly some
      under-appreciated pharmaceutical compounds, including constituents of plants and
      nutraceuticals can synergize with l-DOPA to support mitochondrial function,
      suppress inflammation, ease oxidative stress, and in turn slow the progression of
      the disease. Tea and other dietary polyphenols are shown to provide relief to the
      disease syndromes and provide neuroprotection in cellular and animal models of
      PD. At par with these findings, random epidemiological studies in certain
      populations of the world support habitual tea drinking to reduce the risk of PD.
      The present review addresses how these tea constituents work at the cellular
      level to render effective control of the disease syndromes and suggests that tea
      synergizes with established drugs, such as l-DOPA to maximize their effects at
      certain levels in the disease phenotype-inducing canonical pathways of PD. 

PMID- 26271434
TI  - Diabetes-related emotional distress instruments: a systematic review of
      measurement properties.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to identify all available diabetes
      related emotional distress instruments and evaluate the evidence regarding their
      measurement properties to help in the selection of the most appropriate
      instrument for use in practice and research. DESIGN: A systematic literature
      search was performed. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and PsycINFO were
      searched systematically for articles on diabetes-related emotional distress
      instruments. REVIEW METHODS: The Consensus-based Standards for the Selection of
      Health Measurement Instruments checklist was used to evaluate the methodological
      quality of the identified studies. The quality of results with respect to the
      measurement properties of each study was evaluated using Terwee's quality
      criteria. An ancillary meta-analysis was performed. RESULTS: Of the 2345 articles
      yielded by the search, 19 full-text articles evaluating 6 diabetes-related
      emotional distress instruments were included in this study. No instrument
      demonstrated evidence for all measurement properties. The Problem Areas in
      Diabetes scale (PAID) was the most frequently studied and the best validated of
      the instruments. Pooled summary estimates of the correlation coefficient between
      the PAID and serum glycated hemoglobin revealed a positive but weak correlation.
      CONCLUSIONS: No diabetes-related emotional distress instrument demonstrated
      evidence for all measurement properties. No instrument was better than another,
      although the PAID was the best validated and is thus recommended for use. Further
      psychometric studies of the diabetes-related emotional distress instruments with
      rigorous methodologies are required.

PMID- 26271433
TI  - Cell and brain tissue imaging of the flavonoid fisetin using label-free two
      photon microscopy.
AB  - Over the last few years, we have identified an orally active, novel
      neuroprotective and cognition-enhancing molecule, the flavonoid fisetin. Fisetin
      not only has direct antioxidant activity but it can also increase the
      intracellular levels of glutathione, the major intracellular antioxidant. Fisetin
      can also activate key neurotrophic factor signaling pathways. In addition, it has
      anti-inflammatory activity against microglia and astrocytes and inhibits the
      activity of lipoxygenases, thereby reducing the production of pro-inflammatory
      eicosanoids and their by-products. However, key questions about its targets and
      brain penetration remain. In this study, we used label-free two-photon microscopy
      of intrinsic fisetin fluorescence to examine the localization of fisetin in
      living nerve cells and the brains of living mice. In cells, fisetin but not
      structurally related flavonols with different numbers of hydroxyl groups,
      localized to the nucleoli suggesting that key targets of fisetin may reside in
      this organelle. In the mouse brain, following intraperitoneal injection and oral
      administration, fisetin rapidly distributed to the blood vessels of the brain
      followed by a slower dispersion into the brain parenchyma. Thus, these results
      provide further support for the effects of fisetin on brain function. In
      addition, they suggest that label-free two-photon microscopy may prove useful for
      studying the intracellular and tissue distribution of other intrinsically
      fluorescent flavonoids. 

PMID- 26271435
TI  - Effect of lignin on water vapor barrier, mechanical, and structural properties of
      agar/lignin composite films.
AB  - Biodegradable composite films were prepared using two renewable resources based
      biopolymers, agar and lignin alkali. The lignin was used as a reinforcing
      material and agar as a biopolymer matrix. The effect of lignin concentration (1,
      3, 5, and 10wt%) on the performance of the composite films was studied. In
      addition, the mechanical, water vapor barrier, UV light barrier properties, FE
      SEM, and TGA of the films were analyzed. The agar/lignin films exhibited higher
      mechanical and UV barrier properties along with lower water vapor permeability
      compared to the neat agar film. The FTIR and SEM results showed the compatibility
      of lignin with agar polymer. The swelling ratio and moisture content of
      agar/lignin composite films were decreased with increase in lignin content. The
      thermostability and char content of agar/lignin composite films increased with
      increased lignin content. The results suggested that agar/lignin films have a
      potential to be used as a UV barrier food packaging material for maintaining food
      safety and extending the shelf-life of the packaged food. 

PMID- 26271436
TI  - Validation of a commercially available enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay for
      the quantification of human alpha-Synuclein in cerebrospinal fluid.
AB  - The quantification of alpha-Synuclein in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) as a biomarker
      has gained tremendous interest in the last years. Several commercially available
      immunoassays are emerging. We here describe the full validation of one
      commercially available ELISA assay for the quantification of alpha-Synuclein in
      human CSF (Covance alpha-Synuclein ELISA kit). The study was conducted within the
      BIOMARKAPD project in the European initiative Joint Program for Neurodegenerative
      Diseases (JPND). We investigated the effect of several pre-analytical and
      analytical confounders: i.e. (1) need for centrifugation of freshly drawn CSF,
      (2) sample stability, (3) delay of freezing, (4) volume of storage aliquots, (5)
      freeze/thaw cycles, (6) thawing conditions, (7) dilution linearity, (8)
      parallelism, (9) spike recovery, and (10) precision. None of these confounders
      influenced the levels of alpha-Synuclein in CSF significantly. We found a very
      high intra-assay precision. The inter-assay precision was lower than expected due
      to different performances of kit lots used. Overall the validated immunoassay is
      useful for the quantification of alpha-Synuclein in human CSF. 

PMID- 26271438
TI  - Reply: To PMID 25887629.

PMID- 26271437
TI  - Fast conversion of scFv to Fab antibodies using type IIs restriction enzymes.
AB  - Single chain variable fragment (scFv) antibody libraries are widely used for
      developing novel bioaffinity reagents, although Fab or IgG molecules are the
      preferred antibody formats in many final applications. Therefore, rapid
      conversion methods for combining multiple DNA fragments are needed to attach
      constant domains to the scFv derived variable domains. In this study we describe
      a fast and easy cloning method for the conversion of single framework scFv
      fragments to Fab fragments using type IIS restriction enzymes. All cloning steps
      excluding plating of the Fab transformants can be done in 96 well plates and the
      procedure can be completed in one working day. The concept was tested by
      converting 69 scFv clones into Fab format on 96 well plates, which resulted in
      93% success rate. The method is particularly useful as a high-throughput tool for
      the conversion of the chosen scFv clones into Fab molecules in order to analyze
      them as early as possible, as the conversion can significantly affect the binding
      properties of the chosen clones. 

PMID- 26271439
TI  - Rapid start-up and microbial characteristics of partial nitrification granular
      sludge treating domestic sewage at room temperature.
AB  - The successful suppression of nitrite-oxidizing bacteria in the partial
      nitrification (PN) stage was the main challenge for the application of
      autotrophic nitrogen removal process treating mainstream sewage. In this study,
      two identical PN granular reactors (P1 and P2) were rapid started-up using the
      simultaneous PN and granulation strategy, for treating the domestic sewage. P1
      was seeded with 30% PN granular sludge to induce nucleation, in which the granule
      size achieved to more than 400MUm in 12d, with ammonia oxidation rate and nitrite
      accumulation rate of 80% and 95%, respectively, while P2 realized granulation in
      42d. The presence of organic matters and specific structure of granules were
      profitable for the stability of PN for treating sewage with low ammonia. High
      throughput pyrosequencing results indicated the biodiversity of both reactors
      decreased after start-up, and Nitrosomonas was the predominant specie of aerobic
      ammonia-oxidizing bacteria in PN granular sludge.

PMID- 26271440
TI  - Exploring biochemical and functional features of Leishmania major
      phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase.
AB  - This work reports the first functional characterization of leishmanial PEPCK. The
      recombinant Leishmania major enzyme (Lmj_PEPCK) exhibits equivalent kcat values
      for the phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) and oxaloacetate (OAA) forming reactions. The
      apparent Km towards OAA is 10-fold lower than that for PEP, while the Km values
      for ADP and ATP are equivalent. Mutagenesis studies showed that D241, D242 and
      H205 of Lmj_PEPCK like the homologous residues of all known PEPCKs are implicated
      in metal ions binding. In contrast, the replacement of R43 for Q nearly abolishes
      Lmj_PEPCK activity. Moreover, the Y180F variant exhibits unchanged Km values for
      PEP, Mn(2+), and [Formula: see text] , being the kcat for PEP- but not that for
      OAA-forming reaction more notably decreased. Instead, the Y180A mutant displays
      an increase in the Km value towards Mn(2+). Therefore in Lmj_PEPCK, Y180 seems to
      exert different functions to those of the analogous residue in ATP- and GTP
      dependant enzymes. Besides, the guanidinium group of R43 appears to play an
      essential but yet unknown role. These findings promote the need for further
      structural studies to disclose whether Y180 and R43 participate in the catalytic
      mechanism or/and in the transitions between the open and the catalytically
      competent (closed) forms of Lmj_PEPCK. 

PMID- 26271441
TI  - Rate-limiting steps of a stereochemistry retaining beta-d-xylosidase from
      Geobacillus stearothermophilus acting on four substrates.
AB  - Kinetic experiments of GSXynB2, a GH52 retaining beta-xylosidase, acting on 2
      nitrophenyl-beta-d-xylopyranoside (2NPX), 4-nitrophenyl-beta-d-xylopyranoside
      (4NPX), 4-methylumbelliferyl-beta-d-xylopyranoside (MuX) and xylobiose (X2) were
      conducted at pH 7.0 and 25  degrees C. Catalysis proceeds in two steps
      (xylodidation followed by dexylosidation): E + substrate TO E-xylose + leaving
      group TO E + xylose. kcat falls into two groups: 4NPX (1.95 s(-1)) and 2NPX, MuX
      and X2 (15.8 s(-1), 12.6 s(-1), 12.8 s(-1), respectively). Dexylosylation (E
      xylose to E + xylose), the common step for the enzymatic hydrolysis of the four
      substrates, must exceed 15.8 s(-1). kcat of 4NPX would seem mainly limited by
      xylosylation (step 1) and the other three substrates would seem mainly limited by
      dexylosylation (step 2) - a conclusion that critically lacks chemical
      justification (compare 4NPX and 2NPX). Presteady-state rates indicate rapid
      xylosidation rates for all substrates so a later step (not dexylosidation) is
      rate-limiting for 4NPX. That 2NPX is an onlier and 4NPX is an outlier (both
      leaving group pKa of 7.2) of the Bronsted plot pattern (logkcat vs pKa of phenol
      leaving group) is thus possibly explained by 4NP release. The pH dependency of
      kcat 2NPX encompasses 2 bell-shaped curves with peaks of pH 3 and pH 7. 

PMID- 26271442
TI  - Type 2 diabetes is associated with postprandial amino acid measures.
AB  - Most studies examining the association between type 2 diabetes (T2D) and amino
      acids have focused on fasting concentrations. We hypothesized that, besides
      fasting concentrations, amino acid responses to a standardized meal challenge are
      also associated with T2D. In a cross-sectional study of 525 participants (165
      newly-diagnosed T2D, 186 newly-diagnosed impaired fasting glycaemia, and 174
      normal fasting glucose), we examined postprandial amino acid concentrations and
      the responses (defined as the concentrations and responses 150 min after a
      standardized meal) of fourteen amino acids in relation to T2D. T2D was associated
      with lower postprandial concentration of seven amino acids compared to the normal
      fasting glucose group (lowest effect estimate for serine: -0.54 standard
      deviations (SD) (95% CI: -0.77, -0.32)), and higher concentrations of
      phenylalanine, tryptophan, tyrosine and (iso-)leucine (highest effect estimate
      for (iso-)leucine: 0.44 SD (95% CI: 0.20, 0.67)). Regarding the meal responses,
      T2D was associated with lower responses of seven amino acids (ranging from -0.55
      SD ((95% CI): -0.78, -0.33) for serine to -0.25 SD ((95% CI: -0.45, -0.02) for
      ornithine). We conclude that T2D is associated with postprandial concentrations
      of amino acids and a reduced amino acid meal response, indicating that these
      measures may also be potential markers of T2D. 

PMID- 26271443
TI  - 4-O-methylascochlorin suppresses differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes by
      inhibiting PPARgamma expression through regulation of AMPK/mTOR signaling
      pathways.
AB  - Obesity increases the risk of developing many chronic diseases, including type 2
      diabetes and certain cancers, and is thereby associated with premature death. The
      present study was conducted to identify the inhibitory effect of the ascochlorin
      derivative 4-O-methylascochlorin (MAC) on the differentiation of 3T3-L1
      preadipocytes. MAC suppressed the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and
      inhibited the expression of adipocyte differentiation marker genes, FABP4,
      PPARgamma and C/EBPalpha. In addition, we found that the inhibitory effects of
      MAC on differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were caused by suppression of
      mTORC1 via inhibition of mTOR/p70S6K/4E-BP1 phosphorylation and activation of
      Raptor phosphorylation. MAC also regulated the PPARgamma expression and the
      mTORC1 activation by increasing AMPK phosphorylation and inhibiting PI3K/Akt,
      which suggest that MAC suppresses the differentiation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes by
      regulating the AMPK- and PI3K-mTOR-PPARgamma signaling pathways. Furthermore,
      animal model results showed that the phosphorylation of AMPK was enhanced in the
      liver of C57BL/6 mice intraperitoneally injected with MAC. These results indicate
      that MAC could be a therapeutic agent for obesity involving PPARgamma and AMPK. 

PMID- 26271444
TI  - Open challenges in structure-based virtual screening: Receptor modeling, target
      flexibility consideration and active site water molecules description.
AB  - Structure-based virtual screening is currently an established tool in drug lead
      discovery projects. Although in the last years the field saw an impressive
      progress in terms of algorithm development, computational performance, and
      retrospective and prospective applications in ligand identification, there are
      still long-standing challenges where further improvement is needed. In this
      review, we consider the conceptual frame, state-of-the-art and recent
      developments of three critical "structural" issues in structure-based drug lead
      discovery: the use of homology modeling to accurately model the binding site when
      no experimental structures are available, the necessity of accounting for the
      dynamics of intrinsically flexible systems as proteins, and the importance of
      considering active site water molecules in lead identification and optimization
      campaigns. 

PMID- 26271445
TI  - Increase in Mexican and Latin American scientific articles on irritable bowel
      syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is an implied perception that little scientific information on
      irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) comes out of Mexico and Latin America in the
      international medical literature, but the number and tendencies of articles from
      the region on IBS are not known. AIMS: To determine the number and type of
      Mexican and Latin American articles on IBS published between 1990-2015. METHODS:
      A systematic search of Medline was carried out employing the terms " Irritable
      Bowel Syndrome " or its abbreviation (IBS). Mexico and every other Latin American
      country were added to specify the search. The articles were selected if they were
      published in Mexico and/or the rest of Latin America, if they were international
      papers on IBS in the region, or if they were written by Mexican and/or Latin
      American authors. In addition, the articles were classified into the following
      categories: Reviews/Editorials/Letters to the Editor (REV/ED),
      Epidemiology/Quality of Life/Psychosocial Factors (EPI/QOL), Diagnostic (DX),
      Treatment (TX), and Translational/Pathophysiologic (TRANS) studies. RESULTS: A
      total of 66 articles from Mexico and 47 from Latin America were identified, but
      only 87.7 and 48.9%, respectively, fit the selection criteria. Category
      distribution was: EPI/QOL: 36.2%, REV/ED: 27.5%, TRANS: 18.8, TX: 10%, and DX:
      7.5% and was similar between Mexico and Latin America (p=0.33). The year 2005 saw
      an increase in the number of articles in Mexico, with a peak in 2010. The figures
      for Latin American articles remained stable over the years, with a peak in 2012.
      CONCLUSIONS: A noticeable increase has been observed over the last decade in the
      research conducted on IBS in Mexico and Latin America. Even though the EPI/QOL
      studies predominate, the sophistication of research is reflected in the TRANS
      studies that are in third place of frequency. The information referred to herein
      demonstrates maturity in the field, making it possible to carry out consensuses
      based on local data.

PMID- 26271446
TI  - Relationship between hospital volume and major cardiac complications of
      rotational atherectomy: A nationwide retrospective cohort study in Japan.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previous studies on life-threatening complications of rotational
      atherectomy (RA) were based on small sample sizes from a limited number of
      cardiovascular centers. No study has examined the relationship between hospital
      volume of RA and complications. METHODS: Using the Diagnosis Procedure
      Combination database in Japan, we identified inpatients aged >=20 years who
      underwent RA. Hospital volume was defined as the annual number of patients
      undergoing RA at each hospital and eligible patients were categorized into
      hospital-volume tertile (low-, medium-, and high-volume) groups. The composite
      outcome consisted of cardiac complications requiring urgent procedures (covered
      stent implantation, coronary artery bypass grafting, or pericardiocentesis) or
      death on the day of RA. We examined the association between hospital-volume
      categories and the composite outcome by using a multivariable logistic regression
      model fitted with a generalized estimating equation. RESULTS: A total of 9970
      patients (median age, 73 years; male, 69.8%) underwent RA in 309 hospitals. The
      309 hospitals were categorized into 215 low-volume (<=15/year), 67 medium-volume
      (16-30/year), and 27 high-volume hospitals (>=31/year). Overall, the composite
      outcome occurred in 62 (0.62%) patients (36 covered stent implantation, 11
      coronary artery bypass grafting, 9 pericardiocentesis, and 14 death). Patients in
      the high-volume group had a significantly lower rate of the composite outcome
      (0.29%) than those in the low-volume (0.72%, p=0.010) or medium-volume group
      (0.89%, p=0.001). With reference to the low-volume group, risk-adjusted odds
      ratios (95% confidence intervals) of the medium-volume and high-volume groups for
      the composite outcome were 1.10 (0.64-1.89) and 0.42 (0.20-0.88), respectively.
      CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that higher hospital volume was significantly
      associated with lower complication rates of RA. Our results also suggested that
      the major complication rates were low even in low-volume hospitals.

PMID- 26271447
TI  - Donor age is a predictor of early low output after heart transplantation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Using hearts from marginal donors could be related to increased risk
      of primary graft dysfunction and poor long-term survival. However, factors
      associated with delayed myocardial recovery after heart transplantation (HTx)
      remain unknown. We sought to clarify risk factors that predict early low output
      after HTx, and investigated whether early low output affects mid-term graft
      dysfunction. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed patients who had undergone HTx
      at The University of Tokyo Hospital. We defined early low output patients as
      those whose cardiac index (CI) was <2.2 L/min/m(2) despite the use of intravenous
      inotrope at 1 week after HTx. RESULTS: We included 45 consecutive HTx recipients,
      and classified 11 patients into early low output group, and the others into early
      preserved output group. We performed univariable logistic analysis and found that
      donor age was the only significant factor that predicted early low output (odds
      ratio 1.107, 95% confidence interval 1.034-1.210, p=0.002). CI of early low
      output patients gradually increased and it caught up with that of early preserved
      output patients at 2 weeks after HTx (2.4+/-0.6 L/min/m(2) in early low output
      group vs 2.5+/-0.5 L/min/m(2) in early preserved output group, p=0.684). Plasma B
      type natriuretic peptide concentration of early low output patients was higher
      (1118.5+/-1250.2 pg/ml vs 526.4+/-399.5 pg/ml; p=0.033) at 1 week, 703.6+/-518.4
      pg/ml vs 464.6+/-509.0 pg/ml (p=0.033) at 2 weeks, and 387.7+/-231.9 pg/ml vs
      249.4+/-209.5 pg/ml (p=0.010) at 4 weeks after HTx, and it came down to that of
      early preserved output patients at 12 weeks after HTx. CONCLUSIONS: Donor age was
      a predictor of early low output after HTx. We should be careful after HTx from
      old donors. However, hemodynamic parameters of early low output patients
      gradually caught up with those of early preserved output patients.

PMID- 26271448
TI  - Is insulin truly harmful in diabetic patients undergoing percutaneous coronary
      intervention?

PMID- 26271449
TI  - Remote ischemic preconditioning in aortic valve surgery: Results of a randomized
      controlled study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) has emerged as an
      attractive strategy to reduce cardiac injury in patients undergoing diverse
      cardiac surgical procedures, it is unclear whether RIPC has protective effects in
      patients undergoing aortic valve replacement surgery without coronary artery
      bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS: Hence, 100 adult patients undergoing elective
      aortic valve replacement for aortic valve stenosis, without combined surgery with
      CABG, were prospectively randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the RIPC
      group or the control group. The RIPC group underwent three cycles of 5-min
      inflation to 200mmHg and 5-min deflation of an automated upper-arm cuff inflator
      after induction of anesthesia. The control group had a deflated cuff placed on
      upper arm for 30min. The primary endpoint was 72-h area under curve (AUC) for
      troponin I (cTnI). Secondary endpoints were 72-h AUC for creatine kinase-MB
      isoenzyme (CK-MB) release, incidence of acute kidney injury, extubation time,
      length of stay in intensive care unit, and simplified acute physiology score
      (SAPS II). RESULTS: There were no significant differences in cTnI AUC [195+/-190
      arbitrary units (a.u.) in RIPC group vs. 169+/-117 a.u. in the control group;
      p=0.41] and CK-MB AUC between groups. None of the other secondary endpoints
      differed between groups. Acute kidney injury occurred in 12 patients (24.5%) in
      the control group and in 13 (26.0%) in the RIPC group (p=0.86). CONCLUSIONS: RIPC
      did not exhibit significant cardiac or kidney protective effects in patients
      undergoing aortic valve replacement surgery without CABG.

PMID- 26271450
TI  - Identification of a novel splice variant of neuronal nitric oxide synthase,
      nNOSbeta, in myofilament fraction of murine cardiomyocytes.
AB  - Splice variant forms of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS or NOS1), nNOSalpha
      and nNOSMU, are well established to be functionally expressed in discrete
      compartments in cardiomyocytes (e.g. sarcoplasmic reticulum, SR, caveolae in
      plasma membrane or mitochondria). So far, whether nNOS is expressed in
      myofilament fraction of cardiomyocytes and the splice variant form of nNOS are
      unknown. Immunoblotting results using two nNOS specific antibodies (BD
      Transduction Laboratories aa 1095-1289 and Santa Cruz Biotechnology aa 2-300)
      clearly demonstrated that nNOS was abundantly expressed in myofilament-enriched
      fraction of cardiomyocytes. Whilst the molecular weight of nNOS in
      membrane/cytosol fractions was ~165 kDa, nNOS in myofilament was below 140 kDa,
      suggesting that the predominant splice variant of nNOS in myofilament is
      nNOSbeta. RT-PCR results confirmed the expressions of both nNOSalpha and nNOSbeta
      mRNAs in rat cardiomyocytes. Similarly, immunoprecipitation experiments using
      myofilament lysates of cardiomyocytes identified nNOS with low molecular weight
      (M.W. ~140 kDa), confirming nNOSbeta. Intriguingly, all three splice variants of
      nNOS were undetectable in the lysates of cardiomyocytes (including myofilament
      fractions) from nNOS-/- mice (which lacks nNOSalpha/MU). Furthermore, nNOSbeta
      expression in myofilament of cardiomyocytes was not different in hypertensive
      rats compared to the level expressed in sham. iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomics
      analysis revealed that nNOS regulates phosphorylations of ~20 proteins in cardiac
      myofilaments. Collectively, we provide direct evidence that different splice
      variants of nNOS are expressed in myofilament and membrane/cytosol fractions of
      cardiomyocytes. Discrete expressions of various splice variants in different
      compartments of cardiomyocytes suggest diverse roles nNOS play in healthy and
      diseased heart.

PMID- 26271451
TI  - Depression and the risk of autoimmune disease: a nationally representative,
      prospective longitudinal study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Autoimmune diseases are associated with substantial morbidity and
      mortality, yet the etiology remains unclear. Depression has been implicated as a
      risk factor for various immune-related disorders but little is known about the
      risk of autoimmune disease. This study examined the association between
      depression and the risk of autoimmune disease, and investigated the temporal and
      dose-response nature of these relationships. METHOD: A prospective population
      based study including approximately 1.1 million people was conducted using linked
      Danish registries. Depression and autoimmune diseases were diagnosed by
      physicians and documented in medical records. In total, 145 217 individuals with
      depression were identified between 1995 and 2012. Survival analyses were used to
      estimate the relative risk of autoimmune disease among those with, compared to
      without, depression. Analyses were adjusted for gender, age, and co-morbid mental
      disorders. RESULTS: Depression was associated with a significantly increased risk
      of autoimmune disease [incidence rate ratio (IRR) 1.25, 95% CI 1.19-1.31],
      compared to those without a history of depression. Results suggest a general
      increased risk of autoimmune diseases following the onset of depression during
      first year (IRR 1.29, 95% CI 1.05-1.58), which remained elevated for the ensuing
      11 years and beyond (IRR 1.53, 95% CI 1.34-1.76). Findings did not support a dose
      response relationship. CONCLUSIONS: Depression appears to be associated with an
      increased risk of a range of autoimmune diseases. Depression may play a role in
      the etiology of certain autoimmune conditions. If replicated, findings could
      highlight additional clinical implications in the treatment and management of
      depression. Future studies are needed to investigate the possible social,
      genetic, and neurobiological underpinnings of these relationships.

PMID- 26271452
TI  - Geochemical influences and mercury methylation of a dental wastewater microbiome.
AB  - The microbiome of dental clinic wastewater and its impact on mercury methylation
      remains largely unknown. Waste generated during dental procedures enters the
      sewer system and contributes a significant fraction of the total mercury (tHg)
      and methyl mercury (MeHg) load to wastewater treatment facilities. Investigating
      the influence of geochemical factors and microbiome structure is a critical step
      linking the methylating microorganisms in dental wastewater (DWW) ecosystems. DWW
      samples from a dental clinic were collected over eight weeks and analyzed for
      geochemical parameters, tHg, MeHg and bacterio-toxic heavy metals. We employed
      bacterial fingerprinting and pyrosequencing for microbiome analysis. High
      concentrations of tHg, MeHg and heavy metals were detected in DWW. The microbiome
      was dominated by Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Chloroflexi and
      many unclassified bacteria. Significant correlations were found between the
      bacterial community, Hg levels and geochemical factors including pH and the
      predicted total amount (not fraction) of neutral Hg-sulfide species. The most
      prevalent known methylators included Desulfobulbus propionicus, Desulfovibrio
      desulfuricans, Desulfovibrio magneticus and Geobacter sulfurreducens. This study
      is the first to investigate the impact of high loads of Hg, MeHg and other heavy
      metals on the dental clinic wastewater microbiome, and illuminates the role of
      many known and unknown sulfate-reducing bacteria in Hg methylation. 

PMID- 26271453
TI  - Boundaries for martensitic transition of (7)Li under pressure.
AB  - Physical properties of lithium under extreme pressures continuously reveal
      unexpected features. These include a sequence of structural transitions to lower
      symmetry phases, metal-insulator-metal transition, superconductivity with one of
      the highest elemental transition temperatures, and a maximum followed by a
      minimum in its melting line. The instability of the bcc structure of lithium is
      well established by the presence of a temperature-driven martensitic phase
      transition. The boundaries of this phase, however, have not been previously
      explored above 3 GPa. All higher pressure phase boundaries are either
      extrapolations or inferred based on indirect evidence. Here we explore the
      pressure dependence of the martensitic transition of lithium up to 7 GPa using a
      combination of neutron and X-ray scattering. We find a rather unexpected
      deviation from the extrapolated boundaries of the hR3 phase of lithium.
      Furthermore, there is evidence that, above ~3 GPa, once in fcc phase, lithium
      does not undergo a martensitic transition. 

PMID- 26271455
TI  - Rapid and efficient genome-wide characterization of Xanthomonas TAL effector
      genes.
AB  - Xanthomonas TALE transcriptional activators act as virulence or avirulence
      factors by activating host disease susceptibility or resistance genes. Their
      specificity is determined by a tandem repeat domain. Some Xanthomonas pathogens
      contain 10-30 TALEs per strain. Although TALEs play critical roles in
      pathogenesis, their studies have so far been limited to a few examples, due to
      their highly repetitive gene structure and extreme similarity among different
      members, which constrict sequencing and assembling. To facilitate TALE studies,
      we developed an efficient and rapid pipeline for genome-wide cloning of tal genes
      as many as possible from a strain. Here, we report the pipeline and its use to
      identify all 18 tal genes from a newly isolated strain of the rice pathogen
      Xathomonas oryzae. Target prediction revealed a number of potential rice targets
      including several notable genes such as genes encoding SWEET, WRKY, Hen1, and
      BAK1 proteins, which provide candidates for further experimental functional
      analysis of the TALEs. 

PMID- 26271456
TI  - Sub-0.5 V Highly Stable Aqueous Salt Gated Metal Oxide Electronics.
AB  - Recently, growing interest in implantable bionics and biochemical sensors spurred
      the research for developing non-conventional electronics with excellent device
      characteristics at low operation voltages and prolonged device stability under
      physiological conditions. Herein, we report high-performance aqueous electrolyte
      gated thin-film transistors using a sol-gel amorphous metal oxide semiconductor
      and aqueous electrolyte dielectrics based on small ionic salts. The proper
      selection of channel material (i.e., indium-gallium-zinc-oxide) and precautious
      passivation of non-channel areas enabled the development of simple but highly
      stable metal oxide transistors manifested by low operation voltages within 0.5 V,
      high transconductance of ~1.0 mS, large current on-off ratios over 10(7), and
      fast inverter responses up to several hundred hertz without device degradation
      even in physiologically-relevant ionic solutions. In conjunction with excellent
      transistor characteristics, investigation of the electrochemical nature of the
      metal oxide-electrolyte interface may contribute to the development of a viable
      bio-electronic platform directly interfacing with biological entities in vivo.

PMID- 26271454
TI  - ESCAP Expert Article: borderline personality disorder in adolescence: an expert
      research review with implications for clinical practice.
AB  - Borderline personality disorder (BPD) has onset in adolescence, but is typically
      first diagnosed in young adulthood. This paper provides a narrative review of the
      current evidence on diagnosis, comorbidity, phenomenology and treatment of BPD in
      adolescence. Instruments available for diagnosis are reviewed and their strengths
      and limitations discussed. Having confirmed the robustness of the diagnosis and
      the potential for its reliable clinical assessment, we then explore current
      understandings of the mechanisms of the disorder and focus on neurobiological
      underpinnings and research on psychological mechanisms. Findings are accumulating
      to suggest that adolescent BPD has an underpinning biology that is similar in
      some ways to adult BPD but differs in some critical features. Evidence for
      interventions focuses on psychological therapies. Several encouraging research
      studies suggest that early effective treatment is possible. Treatment development
      has just begun, and while adolescent-specific interventions are still in the
      process of evolution, most existing therapies represent adaptations of adult
      models to this developmental phase. There is also a significant opportunity for
      prevention, albeit there are few data to date to support such initiatives. This
      review emphasizes that there can be no justification for failing to make an early
      diagnosis of this enduring and pervasive problem. 

PMID- 26271457
TI  - The pleiotropic effects of metformin: time for prospective studies.
AB  - The global prevalence of diabetes has risen to epidemic proportions and the trend
      is predicted to continue. The consequent burden of cardiovascular morbidity and
      mortality is a major public health concern and new treatments are required to
      mitigate the deleterious effects of cardiovascular disease in diabetic patients.
      Ischaemia-reperfusion injury is well known to exacerbate the harmful effects of
      acute myocardial infarction and subsequent therapeutic reperfusion, and several
      mechanical and pharmacological approaches to mitigating this injury have been
      investigated. Metformin, which is cheap, relatively safe and widely used in type
      2 diabetes, is one such pharmacotherapy with considerable pre-clinical evidence
      for cardioprotective utility beyond its glucose-lowering effect. However, despite
      convincing basic evidence its translation to clinical application has largely
      been limited to studies of cardiovascular risk. There are several barriers to
      prospective randomized assessment in the context of acute myocardial infarction,
      not least the accessibility and already widespread use of metformin among
      patients with type 2 diabetes at high risk of cardiovascular events. In the place
      of class 1 evidence, well-designed prospective cohort studies of the potential
      pleiotropic utility of metformin in cardiovascular disease, and particularly its
      benefit in ischaemia-reperfusion injury, are needed. Given the availability of
      metformin worldwide, this is particularly true in low- and middle-income
      countries where the optimal therapy for acute myocardial infarction, primary
      percutaneous coronary intervention, may not be available, and instead patients
      are managed with thrombolysis. As this is less effective, metformin as an adjunct
      to thrombolysis (or PPCI) could represent an effective, cheap means of
      cardioprotection with global relevance. 

PMID- 26271458
TI  - Revealing the trehalose mediated inhibition of protein aggregation through
      lysozyme-silver nanoparticle interaction.
AB  - We propose a facile and robust carbohydrate-mediated method for the prevention of
      nanoparticle induced denaturation and aggregation of proteins. Using label-free
      plasmon-enhanced Raman spectroscopy measurements, the mechanistic principles of
      trehalose stabilization in a model protein-nanoparticle system are elucidated for
      the first time, facilitating its further application in diagnostic and
      therapeutic nanoplex development. 

PMID- 26271459
TI  - A Guide for a Cardiovascular Genomics Biorepository: the CATHGEN Experience.
AB  - The CATHeterization GENetics (CATHGEN) biorepository was assembled in four
      phases. First, project start-up began in 2000. Second, between 2001 and 2010, we
      collected clinical data and biological samples from 9334 individuals undergoing
      cardiac catheterization. Samples were matched at the individual level to clinical
      data collected at the time of catheterization and stored in the Duke Databank for
      Cardiovascular Diseases (DDCD). Clinical data included the following: subject
      demographics (birth date, race, gender, etc.); cardiometabolic history including
      symptoms; coronary anatomy and cardiac function at catheterization; and fasting
      chemistry data. Third, as part of the DDCD regular follow-up protocol, yearly
      evaluations included interim information: vital status (verified via National
      Death Index search and supplemented by Social Security Death Index search),
      myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, rehospitalization, coronary revascularization
      procedures, medication use, and lifestyle habits including smoking. Fourth,
      samples were used to generate molecular data. CATHGEN offers the opportunity to
      discover biomarkers and explore mechanisms of cardiovascular disease. 

PMID- 26271460
TI  - Adiposity and psychosocial outcomes at ages 30 and 35.
AB  - PURPOSE: To examine associations between adiposity and adult psychosocial
      outcomes (depressive symptoms, life satisfaction, self-esteem, household income,
      personal income, savings/investments) in a New Zealand birth cohort, by gender.
      Adiposity was assessed using Body Mass Index scores classified on a 3-point scale
      of BMI: <25.0, overweight (25.0-29.9) or obese (>=30). METHODS: Data were
      gathered via face-to-face and telephone interviews for the Christchurch Health
      and Development Study (CHDS), comprising a birth cohort of 1265 children born in
      Christchurch, New Zealand, in 1977. BMI and psychosocial outcome information was
      collected in 2007 (30 years; n = 977) and in 2012 (35 years; n = 923). RESULTS:
      Population-averaged regression modeling showed evidence of statistically
      significant (p < 0.05) associations between increasing adiposity and adverse
      psychosocial outcomes for females, but not for males. After adjustment for child
      and family background covariates the strength of the associations for females was
      reduced; with four associations (depressive symptoms, life satisfaction,
      equivalized household income and savings/investments) remaining statistically
      significant (p < 0.05). In contrast, for males there was a significant (p =
      0.008) positive association between adiposity and higher personal net weekly
      income after covariate adjustment. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest evidence of
      gender differences in the associations between adiposity and psychosocial
      outcomes. For females, there were small but pervasive tendencies for increasing
      adiposity to be related to more adverse mental health, psychological well-being
      and economic outcomes; whereas for males adiposity was either unrelated to these
      outcomes, or in the case of personal income, associated with greater economic
      advantage. The implications of these findings are discussed.

PMID- 26271462
TI  - The in vitro and in vivo effects of the low molecular weight fucoidan on the bone
      osteogenic differentiation properties.
AB  - Osteoporosis has been reported as a hidden death factor in aged people. So far,
      prevention and treatment therapies for osteoporosis only slow down the progress
      but do not treat the disease. Fucoidan has been recognized its roles in anti
      tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-coagulant and antiviral activities. To date, low
      molecular weight (LMW) fucoidan role in bone loss disease has been not determined
      yet. Therefore, this study aims to figure out potential effects of LMW fucoidan
      in osteoporosis in vitro and in vivo. LMW fucoidan was extracted from fresh
      Sargassum hemiphyllum showing a significant increase in 7F2 cell viability to
      150.33 +/- 6.50 % relative to normal fucoidan (130.12 +/- 5.74 %). The expression
      of level BMP-2, ALP, osteocalcin significantly increased with 2.28 +/- 0.06, 2.18
      +/- 0.12 and 2.06 +/- 0.07 fold, respectively. The RT-PCR assay showed that LMW
      fucoidan increased mRNA expression of BMP-2, ALP, osteocalcin, COL I, BSP and
      osteonectin. Furthermore, the bone density and bone ash weight were considerably
      boosted by the oral administration of 280 mg/kg LMW fucoidan and 100 mg/kg
      calcium carbonate in C57BL/6J female aged mice. The present finding indicated
      that LMW fucoidan triggered osteogenic differentiation in vitro, and had an
      anabolic effect on bone mineralization in vivo. Dietary intake of LMW fucoidan
      from S. hemiphyllum suggested playing a role in the enhancement of bone loss with
      increasing age. 

PMID- 26271463
TI  - Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and risk of cerebrovascular events in
      patients with osteoarthritis: a nested case-control study.
AB  - Recent studies show that the risk of cardiovascular adverse events for certain
      traditional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is similar to that of
      rofecoxib. While these results are focused on ischemic cardiomyopathy, there is
      little evidence concerning the risk of ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack
      and hemorrhagic stroke. Additionally, there is no information on nimesulide and
      ketoprofen, the most frequently prescribed NSAIDs in Italy, along with
      diclofenac. This study aims to determine whether the use of NSAIDs is associated
      with an increased risk of cerebrovascular events in Italy. We performed a case
      control analysis nested in a cohort of patients with osteoarthritis between 2002
      and 2011 who were newly treated with NSAIDs. The patients were followed until
      December 31, 2012. Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate odds
      ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) of cerebrovascular events
      (index date) associated with current (until 30 days before the index date),
      recent (31-365 days) and past (>365 days) use of NSAIDs. Within a cohort of
      29,722 patients, 1566 cases (1546 matched with controls) were identified
      (incidence rate = 11.0/1000 person-years). The overall rate of cerebrovascular
      event was not elevated with current NSAIDs overall when compared with past use.
      Among individual NSAIDs, diclofenac and ketoprofen were the molecules
      significantly associated with an increased rate of cerebrovascular events (OR =
      1.53; 95% CI 1.04-2.24; OR = 1.62; 95% CI 1.02-2.58, respectively). The most
      frequent event was hemorrhagic stroke following the use of ketoprofen (OR = 2.09;
      95% CI 1.05-4.15). Diclofenac and ketoprofen seemed to increase the risk of
      cerebrovascular events. These findings might influence the choice of NSAIDs
      according to patient characteristics.

PMID- 26271464
TI  - Interferon gamma-inducible protein 16 in primary Sjogren's syndrome: a novel
      player in disease pathogenesis?
AB  - INTRODUCTION: There is evidence that interferon is involved in the pathogenesis
      of primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS). The interferon-inducible IFI16 protein,
      normally expressed in cell nuclei, may be overexpressed, mislocalized in the
      cytoplasm and secreted in the extracellular milieu in several autoimmune
      disorders. This leads to tolerance breaking to this self-protein with consequent
      development of anti-IFI16 antibodies. The aim of this study was to identify the
      pathogenic and clinical significance of IFI16 and anti-IFI16 in pSS. METHODS:
      IFI16 and anti-IFI16 were assessed in the serum of 67 pSS patients and over 100
      healthy donors by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. IFI16 was also evaluated by
      immunohistochemistry in minor salivary glands of 15 pSS patients and 10 subjects
      with sicca symptoms but without any clinical, serological or histological
      features of pSS. RESULTS: pSS patients display higher serum levels of both IFI16
      and anti-IFI16 compared to healthy donors. IFI16 concentration was directly
      correlated with disease duration and focus score and inversely correlated with
      age at diagnosis. Moreover, IFI16 positivity was associated with concurrent
      positivity for rheumatoid factor. Interestingly, the direct correlation between
      IFI16 positivity and focus score was independent of disease duration and age at
      diagnosis. pSS minor salivary glands display marked expression and cytoplasmic
      mislocalization of IFI16 by acinar and ductal epithelial cells as well as
      infiltrating lymphocytes and peri/intralesional endothelium compared to minor
      salivary glands with normal architecture or nonspecific chronic sialadenitis.
      Within the mononuclear cell infiltrate, IFI16 expression appears to parallel the
      distribution of T lymphocytes. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the IFI16
      protein may be involved in the pathogenesis of glandular inflammation occurring
      in pSS.

PMID- 26271465
TI  - Visible-Light-Driven Photoisomerization and Increased Rotation Speed of a
      Molecular Motor Acting as a Ligand in a Ruthenium(II) Complex.
AB  - Toward the development of visible-light-driven molecular rotary motors, an
      overcrowded alkene-based ligand and the corresponding ruthenium(II) complex is
      presented. In our design, a 4,5-diazafluorenyl coordination motif is directly
      integrated into the motor function. The photochemical and thermal isomerization
      behavior has been studied by UV/Vis and NMR spectroscopy. Upon coordination to a
      Ru(II) bipyridine complex, the photoisomerization process can be driven by
      visible (lambdamax = 450 nm) instead of UV light and furthermore, a large
      increase of the speed of rotation is noted. DFT calculations point to a
      contraction of the diazafluorenyl lower half upon metal-coordination resulting in
      reduced steric hindrance in the "fjord region" of the molecule. Consequently, it
      is shown that metal-ligand interactions can play an important role in the
      adjustment of both photophysical and thermodynamic properties of molecular
      motors.

PMID- 26271461
TI  - Binocular pattern deprivation interferes with the expression of proteins involved
      in primary visual cortex maturation in the cat.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Binocular pattern deprivation from eye opening (early BD) delays the
      maturation of the primary visual cortex. This delay is more pronounced for the
      peripheral than the central visual field representation within area 17,
      particularly between the age of 2 and 4 months [Laskowska-Macios, Cereb Cortex,
      2014]. RESULTS: In this study, we probed for related dynamic changes in the
      cortical proteome. We introduced age, cortical region and BD as principal
      variables in a 2-D DIGE screen of area 17. In this way we explored the potential
      of BD-related protein expression changes between central and peripheral area 17
      of 2- and 4-month-old BD (2BD, 4BD) kittens as a valid parameter towards the
      identification of brain maturation-related molecular processes. Consistent with
      the maturation delay, distinct developmental protein expression changes observed
      for normal kittens were postponed by BD, especially in the peripheral region.
      These BD-induced proteomic changes suggest a negative regulation of neurite
      outgrowth, synaptic transmission and clathrin-mediated endocytosis, thereby
      implicating these processes in normal experience-induced visual cortex
      maturation. Verification of the expression of proteins from each of the
      biological processes via Western analysis disclosed that some of the transient
      proteomic changes correlate to the distinct behavioral outcome in adult life,
      depending on timing and duration of the BD period [Neuroscience 2013;255:99-109].
      CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, the plasticity potential to recover from BD, in
      relation to ensuing restoration of normal visual input, appears to rely on
      specific protein expression changes and cellular processes induced by the loss of
      pattern vision in early life.

PMID- 26271466
TI  - Thymic emigration patterns in patients with type 2 diabetes treated with
      metformin.
AB  - Recent data suggest that thymic output, which provides the naive T cells
      necessary for the normal functioning of T-cell-dependent immunosurveillance
      cellular immunity including anti-cancer protection, can be disturbed in the
      course of type 2 diabetes. Metformin, an anti-diabetic drug commonly confirmed as
      an agent with many potential anti-cancer activities, might be helpful in this
      immune correction. The profile of thymic output was evaluated in the current
      study on the basis of the signal-joint T-cell receptor excision circle (sjTREC)
      concentration in peripheral blood polymorphonuclear cells and thymic emigrant
      content in peripheral blood evaluated from CD127 and/or CD132 antigen expression.
      It was revealed that recent thymic emigrants and more differentiated CD127(+)
      CD132(+) cell populations were decreased among naive T cells and CD8(+) T cells,
      whereas RTE count was increased in CD4(+) T cells, and the CD127(+) CD132(+) cell
      population was less numerous than in non-diabetic participants. Terminally
      differentiated thymic emigrants, i.e. CD127(-) CD132(+) cells, were increased in
      naive T cells and in CD8(+) T cells. Metformin affects mainly the early phases of
      thymic export, increasing CD127(+) CD132(-) and CD127(+) CD132(+) cell
      populations in naive T cells and the CD127(+) CD132(-) population in CD4(+) T
      lymphocytes. It could be concluded that type 2 diabetes deteriorates thymic
      immunostasis. The decreased thymic output could be compensated by metformin,
      especially with regard to CD4(+) naive T cells. It is the first time that therapy
      with metformin has been documented by us as particularly useful in the control
      and normalization of thymus function, regarding correction of early populations
      of thymic emigrants. 

PMID- 26271467
TI  - The role of cytoplasmic p57 in invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Our previous research suggested that p57 downregulation could
      accelerate the growth and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma in vitro and in
      vivo. AIM: To evaluate the role of cytoplasmic p57 and its regulatory mechanism
      during hepatocellular carcinoma invasion. METHODS: We examined the subcellular
      localization of p57 by immunohistochemistry in 45 pairs of cancerous tissues and
      adjacent non-cancerous tissues. Moreover, we generated stable p57 knockdown
      hepatoma cell lines to investigate the mechanism of cytoplasmic p57-mediated
      regulation of invasion by immunoprecipitation, confocal immunofluorescence
      microscopy and western blot of nuclear and cytoplasmic extracts. RESULTS: Our
      results showed that cytoplasmic expression of p57 was reduced in specimens from
      patients with capsular invasion and metastasis (P < 0.05). Moreover, the level of
      p-cofilin was decreased in the group lacking cytoplasmic p57 expression (P <
      0.05). Co-expression of p57 and p-cofilin was reduced in specimens from patients
      with tumors at later stages (III + IV), tumors showing capsular invasion and
      metastatic tumors. We further observed that p57 downregulation decreased the
      assembly of p57 and LIM domain kinase 1 and its kinase activity, subsequently
      reducing the level of p-cofilin in the cytoplasm. CONCLUSIONS: Cytoplasmic p57
      might be a key regulator in hepatocellular carcinoma invasion via the LIM domain
      kinase 1/p-cofilin pathway.

PMID- 26271468
TI  - Self-perceived stress is associated with adiposity and atherosclerosis. The GEA
      Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A growing body of evidence suggests that psychological stress is an
      independent cardiovascular risk factor. Obesity prevalence shows accelerating
      trends worldwide, and is known to be associated with a range of comorbidities and
      survival. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between self
      perceived psychological stress with parameters of adiposity, metabolic syndrome,
      and subclinical atherosclerosis in Mexican participants. METHODS: Metabolic
      Syndrome was defined using the Adult Treatment Panel III criteria, obesity was
      defined as BMI >30, subclinical atherosclerosis disease was determined by
      computed tomography, and carotid intima media thickness was determined by
      ultrasonography. Self-perceived psychological stress was assessed using a single
      item questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 1243 control subjects were included in
      the sample, mean age 54.2 +/- 9 years old; the prevalence of chronic self
      perceived psychological stress (>5 years) was 10.13 %, female gender (62.7 %),
      obesity prevalence (48.4 %), and self-reporting sedentary lifestyle (56.3 %). The
      chronic stressed cohort presented higher subcutaneous abdominal fat content (285
      vs 319 cm(2)), and carotid intima media thickness (0.63 vs 0.66 mm; p < 0.01 for
      both). However, after adjustment for lifestyle/social covariates (Model 1) and
      biological mediators (Model 2), chronic self-perceived stress was independently
      associated with obesity in men (OR 2.85, 95 % CI 1.51 - 5.40) and carotid
      atherosclerosis in women (OR 2.262, 95 % CI 1.47 - 4.67; p < 0.01 for both).
      CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that self-reported chronic stress is an
      independent risk factor for obesity in men. In addition, carotid atherosclerosis
      was also found to be an independent risk factor in women in a Mexican population
      sample.

PMID- 26271471
TI  - Congenital Pulmonary Vein Stenosis: Encouraging Mid-term Outcome.
AB  - Congenital pulmonary vein stenosis (PVS) is a rare entity with limited outcome
      literature. Multiple interventional approaches have evolved including surgical
      and catheterization techniques. Our objective is to report our center experience
      and to compare short-term and mid-term outcomes among these therapeutic
      modalities. Retrospective study on 23 patients (n = 23) with PVS that required
      intervention over the last 13 years (2000-2013). Patients were divided into three
      groups based on type of initial intervention. Of these, 10 (43.5%) had balloon
      angioplasty, 3 (13.0 %) had surgical dilation, and 10 (43.5%) had surgical
      marsupialization. Mortality and number of re-interventions were our primary
      outcomes. Mean age at diagnosis was 10.9 +/- 18.4 months. Mean age at initial
      intervention was 14.5 +/- 18.0 months. Mean pre- and post-initial intervention
      PVS gradients were 9.2 +/- 3.4 and 3.4 +/- 2.2 mmHg, respectively. Mean survival
      time and re-intervention-free survival time were 4.8 +/- 4.0 and 2.8 +/- 3.4
      years. No statistical significance was found between the interventions with
      respect to survival time (p = 0.52) and re-intervention free time (p = 0.78).
      High initial pre- and post-intervention gradients were significantly associated
      with re-intervention-free survival (p = 0.01 and p = 0.03, respectively).
      Patients with bilateral disease have increased mortality (p = 0.01) and decreased
      5-year survival (p = 0.009) compared to patients with unilateral disease
      irrespective of type of intervention. No statistically significant difference in
      mortality or re-intervention rate was present among these different therapeutic
      modalities. This study has the longest follow-up so far reported in the current
      literature (58 months) with overall survival of 78%.

PMID- 26271470
TI  - National Acute Medicine Programme--improving the care of all medical patients in
      Ireland.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The National Acute Medicine Programme (NAMP) was established to
      address the unsatisfactory management of acutely ill medical patients in Ireland.
      It aimed to improve quality of care and patient safety, streamline access to
      healthcare, and reduce cost through efficiency gains. METHOD: A model of care was
      developed to describe 4 distinct clinical pathways for medical patients streamed
      through acute medical assessment units. A patient flow model was used to build
      system capacity and predict demand for each hospital. Specific practice changes
      necessary were identified for each pathway. A performance framework, with
      national benchmarks that mirrored the model of care, was also developed. The
      program team met regularly with hospitals and fed back performance information
      and, using appreciative enquiry, supported local improvement plans. RESULTS:
      Thirty-two out of 33 Irish hospitals that admit acute medical patients are now
      operating the program. Process improvement lies at the core of all the success
      achieved by the program. Available inpatient data were improved and harnessed to
      support ongoing audit and quality improvement. A reduction of 1.6 days in average
      length of stay nationally was achieved between 2010 and 2013. CONCLUSION: Despite
      a 25% increase in hospital discharges and the severe financial constraints
      experienced during this implementation period, the NAMP achieved significant
      efficiency gains through process improvements, while ensuring patient safety and
      likely improving the quality of care delivered to patients in Ireland.

PMID- 26271469
TI  - The relevance of applying exercise training principles when designing therapeutic
      interventions for patients with inflammatory myopathies: a systematic review.
AB  - Physical exercise seems to be a safe and effective intervention in patients with
      inflammatory myopathy (IM). However, the optimal training intervention is not
      clear. To achieve an optimum training effect, physical exercise training
      principles must be considered and to replicate research findings, FITT components
      (frequency, intensity, time, and type) of exercise training should be reported.
      This review aims to evaluate exercise interventions in studies with IM patients
      in relation to (1) the application of principles of exercise training, (2) the
      reporting of FITT components, (3) the adherence of participants to the
      intervention, and (4) to assess the methodological quality of the included
      studies. The literature was searched for exercise studies in IM patients. Data
      were extracted to evaluate the application of the training principles, the
      reporting of and the adherence to the exercise prescription. The Downs and Black
      checklist was used to assess methodological quality of the included studies. From
      the 14 included studies, four focused on resistance, two on endurance, and eight
      on combined training. In terms of principles of exercise training, 93 % reported
      specificity, 50 % progression and overload, and 79 % initial values.
      Reversibility and diminishing returns were never reported. Six articles reported
      all FITT components in the prescription of the training though no study described
      adherence to all of these components. Incomplete application of the exercise
      training principles and insufficient reporting of the exercise intervention
      prescribed and completed hamper the reproducibility of the intervention and the
      ability to determine the optimal dose of exercise. 

PMID- 26271472
TI  - Assessments of Coronary Artery Visibility and Radiation Dose in Infants with
      Congenital Heart Disease on Cardiac 128-slice CT and on Cardiac 64-slice CT.
AB  - The aim of this study was to compare the coronary artery visibility and radiation
      dose in infants with CHD on cardiac 128-slice CT and on cardiac 64-slice CT. The
      images of 200 patients were analyzed in this study, 100 patients were selected
      randomly from a group of 789 infants (<1 years old) with CHD undergoing 128-slice
      CT prospective ECG-triggered axial scan, and 100 were selected randomly from 911
      infants with CHD undergoing 64-slice CT retrospective ECG-gated spiral scan. The
      visibility of coronary artery segments was graded on a four-point scale. The
      coronary arteries were considered to be detected or visible when grade was 2 or
      higher. The visibility of the coronary artery segments and the radiation dose was
      compared between the two groups. Except for the rate of LM (96 vs. 99%), the
      detection rates of the total, LAD, LCX, RCA, and the proximal segment of the RCA
      in the 256-slice CT group were significantly higher than those in the 64-slice CT
      group (51.7, 53.33, 33.67, 53.33, and 99 vs. 34.8, 34.33, 18, 30.67, and 75%,
      respectively). The counts of visibility score (4/3/2/1) for the LM and the
      proximal segment of the RCA were 62/22/12/4 and 56/20/17/7, respectively, in the
      128-slice CT group and 17/42/30/1 and 9/30/38/25, respectively, in the 64-slice
      CT group. There were significant differences, especially for score 4 and 3,
      between the two groups. The radiation dose in the 128-slice CT group was
      significantly decreased than those in the 64-slice CT group (CTDIvol 1.88 +/-
      0.51 vs. 5.61 +/- 0.63 mGy; SSDE 4.48 +/- 1.15 vs. 13.97 +/- 1.52 mGy; effective
      radiation dose 1.36 +/- 0.44 vs. 4.06 +/- 0.7 mSv). With reduced radiation dose,
      the visibility of the coronary artery in infants with CHD via prospective ECG
      triggered mode on a 128-slice CT is superior to that of the 64-slice CT using
      retrospective ECG-gated spiral mode.

PMID- 26271473
TI  - Response to Letter by Finsterer and Zarrouk.

PMID- 26271474
TI  - Familial Contributions to Self-Reported Sleep and Pain in Female Twins.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The relationship between sleep quality and pain has been studied in
      populations with chronic pain and in nonclinical populations using experimental
      paradigms. Little is known about the familial contributions to this relationship.
      This study examines self-reported sleep quality and pain in a nonclinical sample
      and to explore familial (i.e., shared genetic and common family environment)
      confounding in those relationships. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SUBJECTS: Ninety
      nine community-based female twin pairs (N = 198) with a mean age of 29 years; 72%
      monozygotic. METHODS: The short form McGill Pain Questionnaire (McGill), a visual
      analog scale (VAS), a body map, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)
      measured self-reported pain and sleep quality. Mixed model regression adjusted
      for age was used to examine relationships between the pain indices and PSQI in
      overall and within-pair models. RESULTS: Higher PSQI total scores were
      significantly associated with higher scores across the McGill sensory (B = 0.37,
      p < 0.001), affective (B = 0.16, p < 0.001), total scores (B = 0.54, p < 0.001),
      the VAS (B = 2.41, p < 0.001), and number of sites with any pain on the body map
      (B = 0.42, p = 0.001). All of these associations were diminished and rendered
      nonsignificant in within-pair analyses that accounted for genetic and familial
      factors (all p's >= 0.01; Bonferroni alpha = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: These findings
      support an association between poor sleep quality and pain and suggest that this
      relationship may be confounded by shared genetic and environmental factors, which
      could elucidate biological mechanisms that underlie the development and
      maintenance of pain and sleep problems.

PMID- 26271475
TI  - Hfqs in Bacillus anthracis: Role of protein sequence variation in the structure
      and function of proteins in the Hfq family.
AB  - Hfq proteins in Gram-negative bacteria play important roles in bacterial
      physiology and virulence, mediated by binding of the Hfq hexamer to small RNAs
      and/or mRNAs to post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression. However, the
      physiological role of Hfqs in Gram-positive bacteria is less clear. Bacillus
      anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax, uniquely expresses three distinct Hfq
      proteins, two from the chromosome (Hfq1, Hfq2) and one from its pXO1 virulence
      plasmid (Hfq3). The protein sequences of Hfq1 and 3 are evolutionarily distinct
      from those of Hfq2 and of Hfqs found in other Bacilli. Here, the quaternary
      structure of each B. anthracis Hfq protein, as produced heterologously in
      Escherichia coli, was characterized. While Hfq2 adopts the expected hexamer
      structure, Hfq1 does not form similarly stable hexamers in vitro. The impact on
      the monomer-hexamer equilibrium of varying Hfq C-terminal tail length and other
      sequence differences among the Hfqs was examined, and a sequence region of the
      Hfq proteins that was involved in hexamer formation was identified. It was found
      that, in addition to the distinct higher-order structures of the Hfq homologs,
      they give rise to different phenotypes. Hfq1 has a disruptive effect on the
      function of E. coli Hfq in vivo, while Hfq3 expression at high levels is toxic to
      E. coli but also partially complements Hfq function in E. coli. These results set
      the stage for future studies of the roles of these proteins in B. anthracis
      physiology and for the identification of sequence determinants of phenotypic
      complementation. 

PMID- 26271477
TI  - Building community resilience: business preparedness lessons in the case of
      Adapazari, Turkey.
AB  - The lack of attention paid to businesses in disaster management systems from the
      standpoint of state policies hampers efforts to build community resilience. This
      paper examines, therefore, the extent of business preparedness for disasters.
      Empirical research was conducted in Adapazari, Turkey, 13 years after the Izmit
      earthquake, which struck the northwest of the country on 17 August 1999, claiming
      the lives of some 17,000 people. For the study, 232 firms were selected to
      inquire about their preparedness before and after the event. It is hypothesised
      that business preparedness is influenced by the following set of variables:
      business size; business sector; business age; financial condition prior to the
      disaster; occupancy tenure; market range; education level; and previous disaster
      experience. In line with the findings of the research, a policy framework is
      constructed to rationalise the allocation of resources for building resilience at
      the aggregate level by facilitating business preparedness. 

PMID- 26271476
TI  - Localization of nonpalpable pulmonary nodules using CT-guided needle puncture.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Surgical resection of small pulmonary nodule is challenging via
      thoracoscopic procedure. We describe our experience of computed tomography (CT)
      guided needle puncture localization of indeterminate pulmonary nodules prior to
      video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). METHODS: From January 2011 to July
      2014, 78 consecutive patients underwent CT-guided marking for the localization of
      91 small pulmonary nodules. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data,
      technical details, surgical findings and pathologic results, and complications
      associated with CT-guided localization. RESULTS: Seventy-eight consecutive
      patients (36 men and 42 women) underwent CT-guided marking localization of 91
      indeterminate pulmonary nodules (62 pure ground-glass opacity nodules, 27 part
      solid nodules, and 2 solid nodules). The mean size of the nodules was 8.6 mm (3.0
      23.0 mm). The mean pleural distance between the nodule and lung surface was 11.5
      mm (3.0-31.3 mm). The mean procedure time of CT-guided localization was 15.2 min
      (8-42 min). All patients stood the procedures well without requiring conversion
      to open thoracotomy. Twenty-four patients (30.77%) developed pneumothorax after
      the procedures. Only one patient required retention of the puncture needle
      introducer for air drainage. The mean visual assessment pain score was 1.7 (0-3).
      Fifty-seven nodules (62.63%) were confirmed as malignances, including 45 primary
      lung cancer, and 34 nodules (37.37%) were confirmed as benign lesions.
      CONCLUSIONS: CT-guided needle puncture can be an effective and safe procedure
      prior to VATS, enabling accurate resection and diagnosis of small pulmonary
      nodules.

PMID- 26271478
TI  - Retinoic Acid Inhibits Adipogenesis Modulating C/EBPbeta Phosphorylation and Down
      Regulating Srebf1a Expression.
AB  - Adipogenesis comprises a complex network of signaling pathways and
      transcriptional cascades; the GSK3beta-C/EBPbeta-srebf1a axis is a critical
      signaling pathway at early stages leading to the expression of PPARgamma2, the
      master regulator of adipose differentiation. Previous work has demonstrated that
      retinoic acid inhibits adipogenesis affecting different signaling pathways. Here,
      we evaluated the anti-adipogenic effect of retinoic acid on the adipogenic
      transcriptional cascade, and the expression of adipogenic genes cebpb, srebf1a,
      srebf1c, pparg2, and cebpa. Our results demonstrate that retinoic acid blocks
      adipose differentiation during commitment, returning cells to an apparent non
      committed state, since they have to be newly induced to adipose conversion after
      the retinoid is removed from the culture medium. Retinoic acid down regulates the
      expression of the adipogenic genes, srebf1a, srebf1c, pparg2, and cebpa; however,
      it did not down regulate the expression of cebpb, but it inhibited C/EBPbeta
      phosphorylation at Thr188, a critical step for the progression of the adipogenic
      program. We also found that RA inhibition of adipogenesis did not increase the
      expression of dlk1, the gene encoding for Pref1, a well-known anti-adipogenic
      factor.

PMID- 26271479
TI  - A rechargeable aluminum-ion battery utilizing a copper hexacyanoferrate cathode
      in an organic electrolyte.
AB  - Reversible aluminum intercalation/deintercalation from an organic electrolyte
      into copper hexacyanoferrate is presented. Evidence suggest that an aluminum
      solute complex is the intercalating species. The system shows initial discharge
      capacities as high as 60 mA h g(-1) and reversible capacities between 5 and 14 mA
      h g(-1), with capacity typically fading after 10 to 15 cycles. 

PMID- 26271480
TI  - Not all non-natives are equally unequal: reductions in herbivore beta-diversity
      depend on phylogenetic similarity to native plant community.
AB  - Effects of host plant alpha- and beta-diversity often confound studies of
      herbivore beta-diversity, hindering our ability to predict the full impact of non
      native plants on herbivores. Here, while controlling host plant diversity, we
      examined variation in herbivore communities between native and non-native plants,
      focusing on how plant relatedness and spatial scale alter the result. We found
      lower absolute magnitudes of beta-diversity among tree species and among sites on
      non-natives in all comparisons. However, lower relative beta-diversity only
      occurred for immature herbivores on phylogenetically distinct non-natives vs.
      natives. Locally in that comparison, non-native gardens had lower host
      specificity; while among sites, the herbivores supported were a redundant subset
      of species on natives. Therefore, when phylogenetically distinct non-natives
      replace native plants, the community of immature herbivores is likely to be
      homogenised across landscapes. Differences in communities on closely related non
      natives were subtler, but displayed community shifts and increased generalisation
      on non-natives within certain feeding guilds. 

PMID- 26271482
TI  - The 9th Asia-Pacific Conference on Vision (APCV 2013). July 5th-8th, 2013.
      Suzhou, China.

PMID- 26271481
TI  - In Vivo anti-trypanosomal activity of dichloromethane and methanol crude leaf
      extracts of Dovyalis abyssinica (Salicaceae) against Trypanosoma congolense.
AB  - BACKGROUND: African trypanosomiasis affects both humans and livestock in sub
      Saharan countries including Ethiopia. Due to limitations to current chemotherapy,
      there is an urgent need for the development of new, safe, cheap and effective
      drugs. In the present study, the leaf of Dovyalis abyssinica was tested for its
      in vivo antitrypanosomal activity against Trypanosoma congolense field isolate on
      mice. METHODS: The leaf of D. abyssinica was macerated using dichloromethane and
      methanol. The extracts at doses of 250, 200, 150 and 100 mg/kg body weight were
      administered intraperitonealy daily for 7 days to mice infected with T.
      congolense. Following administration, parasitemia, packed cell volume, rectal
      temperature, body weight and survival time were monitored. RESULTS:
      Administration of dichloromethane and methanol extracts at 250 and 200 mg/kg
      reduced (p<0.05) parasitemia and rectal temperature, and improved (p<0.05) PCV,
      mean body weight, and mean survival time compared to dimethylsulfoxide treatment.
      CONCLUSION: Crude dichloromethane and methanol leaf extracts of D. abyssinica
      displayed anti-trypanosomal activity that may serve as lead for the development
      of effective alternative antitrypanosomal drugs.

PMID- 26271483
TI  - Cytotoxicity of the CD37 antibody BI 836826 against chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
      cells in combination with chemotherapeutic agents or PI3K inhibitors.

PMID- 26271484
TI  - Prevalence and risk factors of Helicobacter pylori infection in asymptomatic
      Chinese children: a prospective, cross-sectional, population-based study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Limited research has been published on current Helicobacter pylori
      infection rate in asymptomatic children in China. AIM: To assess current
      Helicobacter pylori infection rate, distribution characteristics and risk factors
      in Chinese asymptomatic children. METHODS: A prospective, cross-sectional,
      population-based study was performed from 2009 to 2011 in three cities of China.
      Helicobacter pylori infection was diagnosed by a stool antigen test. Multi-stage
      cluster random sampling was used to select asymptomatic children including
      neonates. Socioeconomic details were obtained through a standardised
      questionnaire. RESULTS: Among total of 3491 children (0-18 years), the global
      infection rate was 6.8% and there were no significant differences between
      genders. Age specific infection rate between regions was significantly different
      (P < 0.05). The infection rate significantly increased with age (P for trend
      <0.01). It was low during the newborn (0.6%) to preschool period and was
      significantly increased in high school students (13.5%) (P < 0.01). Multivariable
      regression indicated that hand sanitisation, individually served meals, higher
      education level of mother, above average living space and residence in urban
      areas were significantly protective against infection (OR 0.749, 0.698, 0.720,
      0.838 and 0.770 respectively). Conversely, consuming meals in unsanitised
      conditions, sharing towels, receiving pre-chewed food from the mother, artificial
      feeding and family history of gastrointestinal disease were significantly
      associated with the risk of infection (OR 1.200, 1.965, 2.002, 1.071 and 2.093
      respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Helicobacter pylori infection rate increases with age
      in Chinese asymptomatic children and is common after 10 years of age. The rate of
      infection is related to socioeconomic status.

PMID- 26271485
TI  - Liver transplantation from living donors with Gilbert's syndrome is a safe
      procedure for both donors and recipients.
AB  - Liver transplantation (LT) has become a favorable therapeutic option for patients
      with end-stage liver diseases. Gilbert's syndrome (GS) is a benign condition
      characterized by intermittent mild jaundice due to unconjugated
      hyperbilirubinemia. It is not obvious whether living-donor liver transplantation
      (LDLT) from a donor with GS could result in a normal outcome for both the
      recipient and the donor. We aimed to determine whether right lobe hepatectomy is
      a safe procedure for living donors with GS and LT recipients. Between September
      2011 and March 2015, 305 LDLT procedures using right lobe grafts were performed
      at Atasehir Memorial Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. Nineteen of 305 LT candidates
      who had been diagnosed with GS were included in the current study. After a 12-h
      overnight fast, total and indirect bilirubin levels of donors and recipients were
      measured. The median follow-up after transplant was 16 months (range 3-36
      months). The median age of donors was 25 (range 20-55 yr). Four donors (21%) were
      female, and 15 donors (89%) were male. The median age of donors was 51 (range 23
      68 yr). Eleven recipients (57%) were female, and 8 (43%) were male. The median
      preoperative total bilirubin level of donors was 1.69 mg/dL (range 1.26-2.43
      mg/dL) (normal range <1.2 mg/dL). The median total bilirubin level of donors on
      postoperative day 7 was 1.04 mg/dL (range 0.71-3.23 mg/dL). As our study has
      included a large number of donors with GS, it produced reliable evidence that
      right lobe hepatectomy is a safe procedure for living donors with GS and LT
      recipients.

PMID- 26271486
TI  - Engraftment and bone mass are enhanced by PTHrP 1-34 in ectopically transplanted
      vertebrae (vossicle model) and can be non-invasively monitored with
      bioluminescence and fluorescence imaging.
AB  - Evidence exists that parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) 1-34 may be more
      anabolic in bone than parathyroid hormone 1-34. While optical imaging is growing
      in popularity, scant information exists on the relationships between traditional
      bone imaging and histology and bioluminescence (BLI) and fluorescence (FLI)
      imaging. We aimed to evaluate the effects of PTHrP 1-34 on bone mass and
      determine if relationships existed between radiographic and histologic findings
      in bone and BLI and FLI indices. Vertebrae (vossicles) from mice coexpressing
      luciferase and green fluorescent protein were implanted subcutaneously into
      allogenic nude mice. Transplant recipients were treated daily with saline or
      PTHrP 1-34 for 4 weeks. BLI, FLI, radiography, histology, and uCT of the
      vossicles were performed over time. PTHrP 1-34 increased bioluminescence the most
      after 2 weeks, fluorescence at all time points, and decreased the time to peak
      bioluminescence at 4 weeks (P <= 0.027), the latter of which suggesting enhanced
      engraftment. PTHrP 1-34 maximized vertebral body volume at 4 weeks (P < 0.0001).
      The total amount of bone observed histologically increased in both groups at 2
      and 4 weeks (P <= 0.002); however, PTHrP 1-34 exceeded time-matched controls (P
      <= 0.044). A positive linear relationship existed between the percentage of
      trabecular bone and (1) total bioluminescence (r = 0.595; P = 0.019); (2) total
      fluorescence (r = 0.474; P = 0.074); and (3) max fluorescence (r = 0.587; P =
      0.021). In conclusion, PTHrP 1-34 enhances engraftment and bone mass, which can
      be monitored non-invasively by BLI and FLI.

PMID- 26271487
TI  - Downregulation of Critical Oncogenes by the Selective SK2 Inhibitor ABC294640
      Hinders Prostate Cancer Progression.
AB  - The bioactive sphingolipid sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) drives several hallmark
      processes of cancer, making the enzymes that synthesize S1P, that is, sphingosine
      kinase 1 and 2 (SK1 and SK2), important molecular targets for cancer drug
      development. ABC294640 is a first-in-class SK2 small-molecule inhibitor that
      effectively inhibits cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo. Given that AR and
      Myc are two of the most widely implicated oncogenes in prostate cancer, and that
      sphingolipids affect signaling by both proteins, the therapeutic potential for
      using ABC294640 in the treatment of prostate cancer was evaluated. This study
      demonstrates that ABC294640 abrogates signaling pathways requisite for prostate
      cancer growth and proliferation. Key findings validate that ABC294640 treatment
      of early-stage and advanced prostate cancer models downregulate Myc and AR
      expression and activity. This corresponds with significant inhibition of growth,
      proliferation, and cell-cycle progression. Finally, oral administration of
      ABC294640 was found to dramatically impede xenograft tumor growth. Together,
      these pre-clinical findings support the hypotheses that SK2 activity is required
      for prostate cancer function and that ABC294640 represents a new pharmacological
      agent for treatment of early stage and aggressive prostate cancer. IMPLICATIONS:
      Sphingosine kinase inhibition disrupts multiple oncogenic signaling pathways that
      are deregulated in prostate cancer.

PMID- 26271488
TI  - AZ17: a new bispecific drug targeting IL-6 and IL-23 with potential clinical use-
      improves psoriasis in a human xenograft transplantation model.
AB  - Targeting more than one molecule in multifactorial diseases involving several
      disease mediators may provide improved therapeutic efficacy. Psoriasis is a
      multifactorial disease in which interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-23 are important
      disease mediators because they facilitate development of Th17 cells; widely
      accepted to be associated with psoriasis. To meet the need for new therapeutics,
      we aimed to create a clinically relevant bispecific drug, by combining the
      inhibitory properties of anti-IL-6 and anti-IL-23 antibodies, exhibiting high
      affinity, high stability and the ability to be produced in high yield. The
      bispecific molecule AZ17 was created by combining high affinity binding domains
      originating from monoclonal antibodies targeting human IL-6 and IL-23. To allow
      for high and efficient production, AZ17 was assembled by site-specific
      bioconjugation from two individual single chain fragment variables that were
      synthesized separately in Escherichia coli. To improve stability and extend
      pharmacokinetics, a flexible poly-ethylene glycol molecule was used as linker. In
      preclinical psoriasis models, AZ17 reduced IL-23-induced ear inflammation and
      improved psoriasis in a xenograft transplantation model where psoriasis skin is
      transplanted onto immune-deficient mice. The data presented here suggest AZ17 to
      be a promising drug candidate in psoriasis and other inflammatory diseases
      associated with Th17 cell development. 

PMID- 26271489
TI  - Heart-Focused Anxiety in Patients With Noncardiac Chest Pain: Structure and
      Validity.
AB  - Heart-focused anxiety (HFA) is a fear of cardiac sensations driven by worries of
      physical health catastrophe. HFA is impairing and distressing and has been shown
      to disproportionately affect individuals with noncardiac chest pain (NCCP), chest
      pain that persists in the absence of an identifiable source. The Cardiac Anxiety
      Questionnaire (CAQ) is a measure designed to assess HFA. The aim of this study
      was to evaluate the psychometric properties and factor structure of the CAQ in a
      sample of 229 adults diagnosed with NCCP. Results demonstrated that the CAQ is a
      useful measure of HFA in patients with NCCP and that a four-factor model
      including fear of cardiac sensations, avoidance of activities that elicit cardiac
      sensations, heart-focused attention, and reassurance seeking was the best fit for
      the data. Additionally, associations between CAQ subscales and two measures of
      health-related behaviors-pain-related interference and health care utilization
      provided evidence of concurrent validity. Treatment implications are also
      discussed.

PMID- 26271490
TI  - Are microRNAs opening up a new world of regulation?

PMID- 26271491
TI  - The truths we seek and the randomised trial in orthopaedic surgery.

PMID- 26271493
TI  - Differences between hypothetical and experience-based value sets for EQ-5D used
      in Sweden: Implications for decision makers.
AB  - AIMS: A number of value sets are available today for converting EQ-5D
      questionnaire responses to quality-adjusted life year-weights used in health
      economic evaluations. The aim of this study is to analyse the differences between
      the commonly used hypothetical UK value set and the newly introduced Swedish
      experience-based value set and to evaluate health economic implications of such
      differences on policy decisions. METHODS: Differences between the two value sets
      were studied using two methods: a comparison of health states and improvements as
      well as an empirical comparison. In the comparison of health states and
      improvements, the valuations of all EQ-5D states and all pure improvements were
      compared. In the empirical study, a database of 23,925 individuals was used to
      identify patient groups that could be affected by the implementation of the
      Swedish experience-based value set. RESULTS: The comparison of health states and
      possible improvements showed that only three health states were assigned a lower
      quality-adjusted life year-weight and most improvements were given smaller
      absolute values if the experience-based value set was used. The empirical
      comparison showed that severe conditions were assigned higher values when using
      the experience-based value set. CONCLUSIONS: The Swedish experience-based value
      set seems to render a higher estimated level of health-related quality of life in
      virtually all health conditions compared to the hypothetical UK value set. In
      extension, health-related quality of life enhancing interventions are likely to
      be given higher priority in decision-making situations where hypothetical values
      are used to construct quality-adjusted life year-weights. In situations where
      experience-based quality-adjusted life year-weights are used, life-prolonging
      interventions would be prioritised.

PMID- 26271492
TI  - Systematic review on the prevalence, frequency and comparative value of adverse
      events data in social media.
AB  - AIM: The aim of this review was to summarize the prevalence, frequency and
      comparative value of information on the adverse events of healthcare
      interventions from user comments and videos in social media. METHODS: A
      systematic review of assessments of the prevalence or type of information on
      adverse events in social media was undertaken. Sixteen databases and two internet
      search engines were searched in addition to handsearching, reference checking and
      contacting experts. The results were sifted independently by two researchers.
      Data extraction and quality assessment were carried out by one researcher and
      checked by a second. The quality assessment tool was devised in-house and a
      narrative synthesis of the results followed. RESULTS: From 3064 records, 51
      studies met the inclusion criteria. The studies assessed over 174 social media
      sites with discussion forums (71%) being the most popular. The overall prevalence
      of adverse events reports in social media varied from 0.2% to 8% of posts. Twenty
      nine studies compared the results from searching social media with using other
      data sources to identify adverse events. There was general agreement that a
      higher frequency of adverse events was found in social media and that this was
      particularly true for 'symptom' related and 'mild' adverse events. Those adverse
      events that were under-represented in social media were laboratory-based and
      serious adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Reports of adverse events are identifiable
      within social media. However, there is considerable heterogeneity in the
      frequency and type of events reported, and the reliability or validity of the
      data has not been thoroughly evaluated.

PMID- 26271494
TI  - Construction grammar.
AB  - Construction grammar, or constructionist approaches more generally, emphasize the
      function of particular constructions as well as their formal properties.
      Constructions vary in their degree of generality, from words to idioms to more
      abstract patterns such as argument structure constructions, topicalization, and
      passive. There is also no division drawn between semantics and pragmatics, as all
      conventional aspects of constructions are encoded within the constructions
      themselves; thus constructions can include information about information
      structure, register, or genre. The majority of constructionist approaches are
      also usage based, in that they recognize that we retain a great deal of item
      specific information. An important desideratum of constructionist approaches is
      that they interface naturally with what we know about language acquisition,
      language change, and language typology. In order to capture generalizations
      within a given language, constructions are related via an inheritance hierarchy,
      with more abstract, productive constructions being directly related to their more
      idiomatic instantiations. The functions of particular constructions as well as
      domain general cognitive and social cognition are appealed in order to capture
      cross-linguistically valid typological generalizations. Copyright (c) 2010 John
      Wiley & Sons, Ltd. For further resources related to this article, please visit
      the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26271495
TI  - Memory systems.
AB  - The idea that there are multiple memory systems can be traced to early
      philosophical considerations and introspection. However, the early experimental
      work considered memory a unitary phenomenon and focused on finding the mechanism
      upon which memory is based. A full reconciliation of debates about that
      mechanism, and a coincidental rediscovery of the idea of multiple memory systems,
      emerged from studies in the cognitive neuroscience of memory. This research has
      identified three major forms of memory that have distinct operating principles
      and are supported by different brain systems. These include: (1) a cortical
      hippocampal circuit that mediates declarative memory, our capacity to recollect
      facts and events; (2) procedural memory subsystems involving a cortical-striatal
      circuit that mediates habit formation and a brainstem-cerebellar circuit that
      mediates sensorimotor adaptations; and (3) a circuit involving subcortical and
      cortical pathways through the amygdala that mediates the attachment of affective
      status and emotional responses to previously neutral stimuli. Copyright (c) 2010
      John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. For further resources related to this article, please
      visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26271496
TI  - Sleep and cognition.
AB  - Sleep is a complex physiologic state, the importance of which has long been
      recognized. Lack of sleep is detrimental to humans and animals. Over the past
      decade, an important link between sleep and cognitive processing has been
      established. Sleep plays an important role in consolidation of different types of
      memory and contributes to insightful, inferential thinking. While the mechanism
      by which memories are processed in sleep remains unknown, several experimental
      models have been proposed. This article explores the link between sleep and
      cognition by reviewing (1) the effects of sleep deprivation on cognition, (2) the
      influence of sleep on consolidation of declarative and non-declarative memory,
      and (3) some proposed models of how sleep facilitates memory consolidation in
      sleep. Copyright (c) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. For further resources related
      to this article, please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26271498
TI  - Moral psychology (ethics).
AB  - This article examines a selection of currently lively debates in the quickly
      evolving, interdisciplinary field of moral psychology. Topics discussed include
      the possibility of amoralism, the nature of rationality, the (ir)rationality of
      emotions and intuitions, the psychology of cooperation and of (rational)
      commitment, weakness of will, free will, and the assignment of moral
      responsibility. Copyright (c) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. For further resources
      related to this article, please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26271497
TI  - Model-based approaches to neuroimaging: combining reinforcement learning theory
      with fMRI data.
AB  - The combination of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) with
      computational models for a given cognitive process provides a powerful framework
      for testing hypotheses about the neural computations underlying such processes in
      the brain. Here, we outline the steps involved in implementing this approach with
      reference to the application of reinforcement learning (RL) models that can
      account for human choice behavior during value-based decision making. The model
      generates internal variables which can be used to construct fMRI predictor
      variables and regressed against individual subjects' fMRI data. The resulting
      regression coefficients reflect the strength of the correlation with blood
      oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) activity and the relevant internal variables
      from the model. In the second part of this review, we describe human neuroimaging
      studies that have employed this analysis strategy to identify brain regions
      involved in the computations mediating reward-related decision making. Copyright
      (c) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. For further resources related to this article,
      please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26271499
TI  - The acquisition of semantics.
AB  - This review piece looks at how children acquire various elements of linguistic
      meaning. It considers issues in the acquisition of word meaning, argument
      structure, tense and aspect, and quantification and scope. For each of these
      areas, it considers the problems they pose for the acquisition process in
      general, reviews basic findings from the field of acquisition, and identifies
      outstanding questions in the field. Copyright (c) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
      For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26271500
TI  - Simulation theory.
AB  - Simulation plays a significant role in human cognition. This article reviews
      evidence for a simulational account of mind reading. Drawing on findings in
      developmental psychology and cognitive neuroscience, it shows that mind reading
      involves the imitation, copying, or reexperience of the mind reading target's
      mental processes. The article also introduces evidence for simulational accounts
      of episodic memory and prospection. It identifies relevant similarities between
      mind reading, memory, and prospection as well as independent evidence for a role
      for simulation in memory. Copyright (c) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. For further
      resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26271501
TI  - Epiphenomenalism.
AB  - Epiphenomenalists hold that mental properties are not reducible to neural
      properties and are not efficacious. The view and its motivations are explained
      for two kinds of mental properties. Objections, and replies on behalf of
      epiphenomenalism, are considered. While strict epiphenomenalism is a
      philosophical view, there are related views that have some empirical support.
      Examples of this work are discussed, and their relation to the strictly
      philosophical view is explained. Copyright (c) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. For
      further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26271502
TI  - Language and conceptual development.
AB  - Linguistic and conceptual development converge crucially in the process of early
      word learning. Acquiring a new word requires the child to identify a conceptual
      unit, identify a linguistic unit, and establish a mapping between them. On the
      conceptual side, the child has to not only identify the relevant part of the
      scene being labeled, but also isolate a concept at the correct level of
      abstraction-the word 'dog' must be mapped to the concept dog and not to the
      concepts petting or collie, for example. On the linguistic side, the child must
      use the syntactic context in which the word appears to determine its grammatical
      category (e.g., noun, verb, adjective). But she also uses syntactic information,
      along with observation of the world and social-communicative cues, to make
      guesses at which concept the word picks out as well as its level of abstraction.
      We present evidence that young learners learn new words rapidly and extend them
      appropriately. However, the relative import of observational and linguistic cues
      varies as a function of the kind of word being acquired, with verbs requiring a
      richer set of conceptual and linguistic cues than nouns. Copyright (c) 2010 John
      Wiley & Sons, Ltd. For further resources related to this article, please visit
      the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26271503
TI  - Bilingualism.
AB  - The cognitive and linguistic processes involved in the acquisition and use of two
      languages are systematically different from those processes engaged in
      monolingual language use, leading to detectable changes in language and cognitive
      outcomes for bilinguals. The present article describes these differences and
      offers speculation on possible mechanisms. Measures of linguistic proficiency and
      processing are often poorer in bilinguals than in monolinguals: bilingual
      children have a smaller vocabulary in each language than comparable monolingual
      children in that language and bilingual adults take longer to retrieve specific
      words than monolinguals. In contrast, measures of nonverbal executive control,
      including the ability to selectively attend to relevant information, inhibit
      distraction, and shift between tasks is generally better in bilinguals than in
      monolinguals. These two types of outcomes are illustrated and explained through
      behavioral and neuroimaging evidence. The implications of these effects of
      bilingualism on cognitive and linguistic processing are considered in terms of
      both their clinical and theoretical consequences. Copyright (c) 2010 John Wiley &
      Sons, Ltd. For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs
      website. 

PMID- 26271504
TI  - Working memory.
AB  - The working memory system maintains the limited information that can be kept in
      mind at one time. These memories are distinct from the vast amount of information
      stored in long-term memory. Here we give a brief summary of findings over the
      past half-century in the areas of working memory that we see as particularly
      important for understanding its nature. We discuss several current controversies,
      including whether there are different systems or brain modules for different
      kinds of working memory, why we lose items from working memory, and how
      individuals and age groups differ. We try to describe what is and is not known.
      Last, a discussion of findings from neuroimaging helps to constrain working
      memory theory. Copyright (c) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. For further resources
      related to this article, please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26271505
TI  - Embodiment as a unifying perspective for psychology.
AB  - A basic claim of the embodiment framework is that all psychological processes are
      influenced by body morphology, sensory systems, motor systems, and emotions. As
      such, the framework holds the promise of providing a unifying perspective for
      psychological research. This article begins with a sketch of several arguments,
      from evolution to philosophy, as to why the embodiment framework is a good bet.
      These arguments are followed by a review of approaches to embodiment, including
      those from cognitive linguistics, perceptual symbol theory, and action-based
      theories. Finally, examples are provided for how a unifying perspective might
      work for cognition (including language and memory), cognitive and social
      development, social psychology, neuroscience, clinical psychology, and psychology
      applied to education. Copyright (c) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. For further
      resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26271506
TI  - The development of stereotyping and exclusion.
AB  - This article reviews the developmental science literature on stereotyping and
      exclusion, with a focus on gender, race, and ethnicity. Stereotyping of others,
      which is defined as the attribution of traits to individuals based on group
      membership, is often used to justify exclusion of others in social group
      contexts. This review includes a focus on the links between these two constructs.
      Research on stereotyping and exclusion has drawn on several theoretical
      traditions, including social domain theory, social identity developmental theory,
      and subjective group dynamics theory, which are also discussed in the context of
      the research findings. Key findings on stereotyping include categorization and
      classification in relationship with decreased in-group bias, and the role of
      stereotypes in encoding information. Findings on exclusion include the use of
      available information to make judgments, preferences for in-group members who are
      normative and out-group members who are deviant, the increased importance, with
      age, of group functioning in exclusion decisions, and decreased negative
      evaluation of in-group members who partake in exclusionary behaviors. Though
      little research has explicitly studied the links between stereotyping and
      exclusion from groups, this review describes the current literature in both areas
      and suggests future directions for research. Copyright (c) 2010 John Wiley &
      Sons, Ltd. For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs
      website. 

PMID- 26271507
TI  - Hormonal effects on the plasticity of cognitive brain functions.
AB  - Sex hormones have powerful neuronal actions in the brain and affect the
      interaction between functionally linked cortical areas within and across cerebral
      hemispheres, probably via their neuromodulatory properties on gamma-aminobutyric
      acid and glutamate receptors. Menstrual cycle-related dynamic fluctuations in
      functional cerebral asymmetries and interhemispheric crosstalk have been shown to
      be a useful experimental model to investigate the activating effects of sex
      hormones on cognitive brain functions, particularly those of estradiol and
      progesterone. Besides a better understanding of sex hormonal effects on cognitive
      brain functions, this research may significantly contribute to addressing the
      question of whether sex differences in cognitive brain functioning truly exist
      and where they originate from. Copyright (c) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. For
      further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26271508
TI  - Neural basis of thinking: laboratory problems versus real-world problems.
AB  - Cognitive psychologists have long argued about the reality and significance of
      the distinction between well-structured and ill-structured problems. Laboratory
      problems are usually well-structured, whereas real-world problems have both well
      structured and ill-structured components. This article shows how the
      neuropsychological data reinforce this distinction and suggests how this
      distinction may help to explain a puzzle about discontinuous performance of some
      neurological patients in laboratory and real-world problem situations. Copyright
      (c) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. For further resources related to this article,
      please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26271509
TI  - Direct intercellular communications dominate the interaction between adipose
      derived MSCs and myofibroblasts against cardiac fibrosis.
AB  - The onset of cardiac fibrosis post myocardial infarction greatly impairs the
      function of heart. Recent advances of cell transplantation showed great benefits
      to restore myocardial function, among which the mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has
      gained much attention. However, the underlying cellular mechanisms of MSC therapy
      are still not fully understood. Although paracrine effects of MSCs on residual
      cardiomyocytes have been discussed, the amelioration of fibrosis was rarely
      studied as the hostile environment cannot support the survival of most cell
      populations and impairs the diffusion of soluble factors. Here in order to
      decipher the potential mechanism of MSC therapy for cardiac fibrosis, we
      investigated the interplay between MSCs and cardiac myofibroblasts (mFBs) using
      interactive co-culture method, with comparison to paracrine approaches, namely
      treatment by MSC conditioned medium and gap co-culture method. Various fibrotic
      features of mFBs were analyzed and the most prominent anti-fibrosis effects were
      always obtained using direct co-culture that allowed cell-to-cell contacts.
      Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), a well-known anti-fibrosis factor, was
      demonstrated to be a major contributor for MSCs' anti-fibrosis function.
      Moreover, physical contacts and tube-like structures between MSCs and mFBs were
      observed by live cell imaging and TEM which demonstrate the direct cellular
      interactions.

PMID- 26271510
TI  - The use of heart rate variability measures as indicators of autonomic nervous
      modulation must be careful in patients after orthotopic heart transplantation.
AB  - The precise relation between heart rate variability (HRV) and autonomic re
      innervation has not been established explicitly in patients after orthotopic
      heart transplantation (OHT), but can be inferred from the fact that the HRV is
      reduced immediately after OHT and may increase gradually with time. The aim of
      this study was to investigate the residual HRV in patients about 1-2 years after
      OHT, as compared with patients after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.
      Thirteen patients who had received OHT and 14 patients who had received CABG
      surgery were recruited. HRV analysis was performed and the HRV measures in supine
      position were compared between these two groups of patients. We found that the
      mean (mRRI), standard deviation and coefficient of variation of RR intervals,
      total power, very low frequency power (VLFP), low frequency power, high frequency
      power (HFP), normalized VLFP (nVLFP) and low-/high-frequency power ratio in the
      OHT group were all significantly decreased, while the heart rate (HR) and
      normalized HFP (nHFP) were significantly increased, as compared with the CABG
      group. The decrease in HRV was more severe in the VLFP region. A smaller nVLFP
      and a greater nHFP were associated with a smaller mRRI and a larger HR in the OHT
      patients. The slope of the power law relation of HRV became positive in OHT
      patients, instead of negative in CABG patients. We conclude that patients after
      OHT have residual HRV which were characterized by severely depressed time and
      frequency domain HRV, increased HR and nHFP, decreased nVLFP, and positive slope
      of the power-law relation of HRV. The use of nHFP as the indicator of vagal
      modulation and the use of nVLFP as the indicator of renin-angiotensin modulation,
      thermoregulation and vagal withdrawal must be careful in the OHT patients. 

PMID- 26271511
TI  - Evaluation of a fiber-optic technique for recording intramuscular pressure in the
      human leg.
AB  - To evaluate a forward-sensing fiber-optic pressure technique for recording of
      intramuscular pressure (IMP) in the human leg and investigate factors that may
      influence IMP measurements used in diagnosing compartment syndromes. IMP in the
      tibialis anterior muscle was recorded simultaneously by a fiber-optic technique
      and needle-injection technique in 12 legs of 7 healthy subjects. Both measurement
      catheters were placed in parallel with the muscle fibers to the same depth, as
      verified by sonography. IMP recordings were performed at rest before, during and
      after applying a model of abnormally elevated IMP (simulated compartment
      syndrome). IMP was elevated by venous obstruction induced by a thigh tourniquet
      of a casted leg. IMP was also measured during injections of 0.1 ml of saline into
      the muscle through the catheters. IMP at baseline was 5.1 (SD = 2.6) mmHg
      measured with the fiber-optic technique and 7.1 (SD = 2.5) mmHg with the needle
      injection technique (p < 0.001). It increased to 48.5 (SD = 6.9) mmHg and 47.6
      (SD = 6.6) mmHg respectively, during simulated compartment syndrome. IMP
      increased significantly following injection of 0.1 ml of saline, measured by both
      techniques. It remained increased 1 min after injection. The fiber-optic
      technique was able to record pulse-synchronous IMP oscillations. The fiber-optic
      technique may be used for IMP measurements in a muscle with both normal and
      abnormally elevated IMP. It has good dynamic properties allowing for measurement
      of IMP oscillations. Saline injection used with needle-injection systems to
      ensure catheter patency compromises IMP readings at least one minute after
      injection. 

PMID- 26271512
TI  - Computerized Dental Comparison: A Critical Review of Dental Coding and Ranking
      Algorithms Used in Victim Identification.
AB  - Comparison of antemortem and postmortem dental records is a leading method of
      victim identification, especially for incidents involving a large number of
      decedents. This process may be expedited with computer software that provides a
      ranked list of best possible matches. This study provides a comparison of the
      most commonly used conventional coding and sorting algorithms used in the United
      States (WinID3) with a simplified coding format that utilizes an optimized
      sorting algorithm. The simplified system consists of seven basic codes and
      utilizes an optimized algorithm based largely on the percentage of matches. To
      perform this research, a large reference database of approximately 50,000
      antemortem and postmortem records was created. For most disaster scenarios, the
      proposed simplified codes, paired with the optimized algorithm, performed better
      than WinID3 which uses more complex codes. The detailed coding system does show
      better performance with extremely large numbers of records and/or significant
      body fragmentation. 

PMID- 26271513
TI  - Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase-C2alpha Regulates Polycystin-2 Ciliary Entry and
      Protects against Kidney Cyst Formation.
AB  - Signaling from the primary cilium regulates kidney tubule development and cyst
      formation. However, the mechanism controlling targeting of ciliary components
      necessary for cilium morphogenesis and signaling is largely unknown. Here, we
      studied the function of class II phosphoinositide 3-kinase-C2alpha (PI3K-C2alpha)
      in renal tubule-derived inner medullary collecting duct 3 cells and show that
      PI3K-C2alpha resides at the recycling endosome compartment in proximity to the
      primary cilium base. In this subcellular location, PI3K-C2alpha controlled the
      activation of Rab8, a key mediator of cargo protein targeting to the primary
      cilium. Consistently, partial reduction of PI3K-C2alpha was sufficient to impair
      elongation of the cilium and the ciliary transport of polycystin-2, as well as to
      alter proliferation signals linked to polycystin activity. In agreement,
      heterozygous deletion of PI3K-C2alpha in mice induced cilium elongation defects
      in kidney tubules and predisposed animals to cyst development, either in genetic
      models of polycystin-1/2 reduction or in response to ischemia/reperfusion-induced
      renal damage. These results indicate that PI3K-C2alpha is required for the
      transport of ciliary components such as polycystin-2, and partial loss of this
      enzyme is sufficient to exacerbate the pathogenesis of cystic kidney disease.

PMID- 26271517
TI  - Sonochemical Synthesis of Hydrophilic Drug Loaded Multifunctional Bovine Serum
      Albumin Nanocapsules.
AB  - A facile sonochemical approach is designed to fabricate protein nanocapsules for
      hydrophilic drugs (HDs), and HD-loaded multifunctional bovine serum albumin (BSA)
      nanocapsules (MBNCs) have been prepared for the first time. The as-synthesized HD
      loaded MBNCs have a satisfying size range and an excellent magnetic responsive
      ability. Moreover, high-dose hydrophilic drugs could be loaded into the MBNCs. As
      carriers, HD-loaded MBNCs also show attractive redox-responsive controlled
      release ability for hydrophilic drugs and could be internalized selectively by
      the tumor cells through the folate-mediated endocytosis. 

PMID- 26271518
TI  - A rehabilitation training partnership in Madagascar.
AB  - We describe here the development of a mid-level training programme for doctors in
      Madagascar to direct regional and national rehabilitation services. Eight doctors
      enrolled and all gained their diplomas and have gone on to form the Association
      of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine of Madagascar, which is leading further
      training and service developments. The course was specific to Madagascar's needs,
      and was devised according to the vision of the senior rehabilitation specialist
      in the Ministry of Health in Madagascar with support from the University of
      Antananarivo. The syllabus was developed with a senior Rehabilitation Medicine
      consultant responsible for setting up a comprehensive range of services and
      teaching in a University teaching hospital in the UK. Major barriers to success
      include the economic and political situation in Madagascar, which worsened
      steadily over the period of the training, the lack of resources for health,
      rehabilitation and rehabilitation workshops, and the withdrawal of aid. The
      sustainability of the training and the improved services that have been initiated
      will be evaluated, but these will be influenced by the situation of the country.
      It is hoped that this description of a highly practical training using modern
      teaching methods will be of use in other low-resource countries. Much of the
      teaching input was given by clinicians from a UK teaching hospital, and this
      resource will continue to be needed. 

PMID- 26271519
TI  - Chronic Eccentric Exercise and the Older Adult.
AB  - Eccentric exercise has gained increasing attention as a suitable and promising
      intervention to delay or mitigate the known physical and physiological declines
      associated with aging. Determining the relative efficacy of eccentric exercise
      when compared with the more conventionally prescribed traditional resistance
      exercise will support evidence-based prescribing for the aging population. Thus,
      original research studies incorporating chronic eccentric exercise interventions
      in the older adult population were included in this review. The effects of a
      range of eccentric exercise modalities on muscular strength, functional capacity,
      body composition, muscle architecture, markers of muscle damage, the immune
      system, cardiovascular system, endocrine system, and rating of perceived exertion
      were all reviewed as outcomes of particular interest in the older adult. Muscular
      strength was found to increase most consistently compared with results from
      traditional resistance exercise. Functional capacity and body composition showed
      significant improvements with eccentric endurance protocols, especially in older,
      frail or sedentary cohorts. Muscle damage was avoided with the gradual
      progression of novel eccentric exercise, while muscle damage from intense acute
      bouts was significantly attenuated with repeated sessions. Eccentric exercise
      causes little cardiovascular stress; thus, it may not generate the overload
      required to elicit cardiovascular adaptations. An anabolic state may be
      achievable following eccentric exercise, while improvements to insulin
      sensitivity have not been found. Finally, rating of perceived exertion during
      eccentric exercise was often significantly lower than during traditional
      resistance exercise. Overall, evidence supports the prescription of eccentric
      exercise for the majority of outcomes of interest in the diverse cohorts of the
      older adult population. 

PMID- 26271520
TI  - A Review of Material Degradation Modelling for the Analysis and Design of
      Bioabsorbable Stents.
AB  - The field of percutaneous coronary intervention has witnessed many progressions
      over the last few decades, more recently with the advancement of fully degradable
      bioabsorbable stents. Bioabsorbable materials, such as metallic alloys and
      aliphatic polyesters, have the potential to yield stents which provide temporary
      support to the blood vessel and allow native healing of the tissue to occur. Many
      chemical and physical reactions are reported to play a part in the degradation of
      such bioabsorbable materials, including, but not limited to, corrosion mechanisms
      for metals and the hydrolysis and crystallization of the backbone chains in
      polymers. In the design and analysis of bioabsorbable stents it is important to
      consider the effect of each aspect of the degradation on the material's in vivo
      performance. The development of robust computational modelling techniques which
      fully capture the degradation behaviour of these bioabsorbable materials is a key
      factor in the design of bioabsorable stents. A critical review of the current
      computational modelling techniques used in the design and analysis of these next
      generation devices is presented here, with the main accomplishments and
      limitations of each technique highlighted. 

PMID- 26271515
TI  - Role of the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein in health and disease.
AB  - Steroid hormones are an important class of regulatory molecules that are
      synthesized in steroidogenic cells of the adrenal, ovary, testis, placenta,
      brain, and skin, and influence a spectrum of developmental and physiological
      processes. The steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (STAR) predominantly
      mediates the rate-limiting step in steroid biosynthesis, i.e., the transport of
      the substrate of all steroid hormones, cholesterol, from the outer to the inner
      mitochondrial membrane. At the inner membrane, cytochrome P450 cholesterol side
      chain cleavage enzyme cleaves the cholesterol side chain to form the first
      steroid, pregnenolone, which is converted by a series of enzymes to various
      steroid hormones in specific tissues. Both basic and clinical evidence have
      demonstrated the crucial involvement of the STAR protein in the regulation of
      steroid biosynthesis. Multiple levels of regulation impinge on STAR action.
      Recent findings demonstrate that hormone-sensitive lipase, through its action on
      the hydrolysis of cholesteryl esters, plays an important role in regulating STAR
      expression and steroidogenesis which involve the liver X receptor pathway.
      Activation of the latter influences macrophage cholesterol efflux that is a key
      process in the prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Appropriate
      regulation of steroid hormones is vital for proper functioning of many important
      biological activities, which are also paramount for geriatric populations to live
      longer and healthier. This review summarizes the current level of understanding
      on tissue-specific and hormone-induced regulation of STAR expression and
      steroidogenesis, and provides insights into a number of cholesterol and/or
      steroid coupled physiological and pathophysiological consequences. 

PMID- 26271521
TI  - A Comparative Study of Collagen Matrix Density Effect on Endothelial Sprout
      Formation Using Experimental and Computational Approaches.
AB  - A thorough understanding of determining factors in angiogenesis is a necessary
      step to control the development of new blood vessels. Extracellular matrix
      density is known to have a significant influence on cellular behaviors and
      consequently can regulate vessel formation. The utilization of experimental
      platforms in combination with numerical models can be a powerful method to
      explore the mechanisms of new capillary sprout formation. In this study, using an
      integrative method, the interplay between the matrix density and angiogenesis was
      investigated. Owing the fact that the extracellular matrix density is a global
      parameter that can affect other parameters such as pore size, stiffness, cell
      matrix adhesion and cross-linking, deeper understanding of the most important
      biomechanical or biochemical properties of the ECM causing changes in sprout
      morphogenesis is crucial. Here, we implemented both computational and
      experimental methods to analyze the mechanisms responsible for the influence of
      ECM density on the sprout formation that is difficult to be investigated
      comprehensively using each of these single methods. For this purpose, we first
      utilized an innovative approach to quantify the correspondence of the simulated
      collagen fibril density to the collagen density in the experimental part.
      Comparing the results of the experimental study and computational model led to
      some considerable achievements. First, we verified the results of the
      computational model using the experimental results. Then, we reported parameters
      such as the ratio of proliferating cells to migrating cells that was difficult to
      obtain from experimental study. Finally, this integrative system led to gain an
      understanding of the possible mechanisms responsible for the effect of ECM
      density on angiogenesis. The results showed that stable and long sprouts were
      observed at an intermediate collagen matrix density of 1.2 and 1.9 mg/ml due to a
      balance between the number of migrating and proliferating cells. As a result of
      weaker connections between the cells and matrix, a lower collagen matrix density
      (0.7 mg/ml) led to unstable and broken sprouts. However, higher matrix density
      (2.7 mg/ml) suppressed sprout formation due to the high level of matrix
      entanglement, which inhibited cell migration. This study also showed that
      extracellular matrix density can influence sprout branching. Our experimental
      results support this finding.

PMID- 26271522
TI  - Cervical Spine Disc Deformation During In Vivo Three-Dimensional Head Movements.
AB  - Although substantial research demonstrates that intervertebral disc cells respond
      to mechanical signals, little research has been done to characterize the in vivo
      mechanical environment in the disc tissue. The objective of this study was to
      estimate cervical disc strain during three-dimensional head movements. Twenty
      nine young healthy adults performed full range of motion flexion/extension,
      lateral bending, and axial rotation of the head within a biplane radiography
      system. Three-dimensional vertebral kinematics were determined using a validated
      model-based tracking technique. A computational model used these kinematics to
      estimate subject-specific intervertebral disc deformation (C3-4 to C6-7). Peak
      compression, distraction and shear strains were calculated for each movement,
      disc level, and disc region. Peak compression strain and peak shear strain were
      highest during flexion/extension (mean +/- 95% confidence interval) (32 +/- 3 and
      86 +/- 8%, respectively), while peak distraction strain was highest during
      lateral bending (57 +/- 5%). Peak compression strain occurred at C4-5 (33 +/-
      4%), while peak distraction and shear strain occurred at C3-4 (54 +/- 8 and 83 +/
      11%, respectively). Peak compression, distraction, and shear strains all
      occurred in the posterior-lateral annulus (48 +/- 4, 80 +/- 8, and 109 +/- 12%,
      respectively). These peak strain values may serve as boundary conditions for in
      vitro loading paradigms that aim to assess the biologic response to physiologic
      disc deformations.

PMID- 26271523
TI  - The self-harm inventory: A meta-analysis of its relationship to the personality
      diagnostic questionnaire-4 as a measure of borderline personality disorder.
AB  - OBJECTIVE:  The purpose of the present study was to further examine the efficacy
      of the Self-Harm Inventory (SHI) as a proxy measure in diagnosing borderline
      personality disorder, with the comparison measure being the Personality
      Diagnostic Questionnaire-4 (PDQ-4). METHODS:  We undertook a meta-analysis of
      data from our previous studies of psychiatric inpatients (N = 270) and internal
      medicine outpatients (N = 2587), all of whom completed both the SHI and the PDQ
      4. RESULTS:  Scores on the SHI and PDQ-4 were strongly correlated, especially
      after correcting for attenuation due to measurement unreliability (0.78 in the
      compiled inpatient psychiatry sample and 0.83 in the compiled internal medicine
      sample). Moreover, the SHI demonstrated statistically significantly greater
      reliability coefficients relative to the PDQ-4. CONCLUSIONS:  Based upon
      comparison with the PDQ-4, the SHI appears to be an efficacious proxy measure of
      borderline personality symptomatology in both psychiatric inpatient samples and
      primary care outpatient samples.

PMID- 26271514
TI  - Insights into the molecular mechanisms of diabetes-induced endothelial
      dysfunction: focus on oxidative stress and endothelial progenitor cells.
AB  - Diabetes mellitus is a heterogeneous, multifactorial, chronic disease
      characterized by hyperglycemia owing to insulin insufficiency and insulin
      resistance (IR). Recent epidemiological studies showed that the diabetes epidemic
      affects 382 million people worldwide in 2013, and this figure is expected to be
      600 million people by 2035. Diabetes is associated with microvascular and
      macrovascular complications resulting in accelerated endothelial dysfunction
      (ED), atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Unfortunately, the
      complex pathophysiology of diabetic cardiovascular damage is not fully
      understood. Therefore, there is a clear need to better understand the molecular
      pathophysiology of ED in diabetes, and consequently, better treatment options and
      novel efficacious therapies could be identified. In the light of recent extensive
      research, we re-investigate the association between diabetes-associated metabolic
      disturbances (IR, subclinical inflammation, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia,
      dysregulated production of adipokines, defective incretin and gut hormones
      production/action, and oxidative stress) and ED, focusing on oxidative stress and
      endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). In addition, we re-emphasize that oxidative
      stress is the final common pathway that transduces signals from other conditions
      either directly or indirectly-leading to ED and CVD. 

PMID- 26271525
TI  - Routine use of U-tube drainage for necrotizing pancreatitis: a step toward less
      morbidity and resource utilization.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A U-tube drainage catheter (UTDC) is a novel intervention for
      necrotizing pancreatitis, with multiple benefits: bidirectional flushing, greater
      interface with large fluid collections, less risk of dislodgement, and creation
      of a large-diameter fistula tract for potential fistulojejunostomy. We report the
      first clinical experience with UTDC for necrotizing pancreatitis. METHODS: From
      2011 to 2014, all patients undergoing UTDC for necrotizing pancreatitis at our
      institution were identified. Clinical variables including patient, disease, and
      intervention-specific characteristics as well as long-term outcomes populated our
      dataset. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients underwent UTDC for necrotizing
      pancreatitis; the median follow-up was 10.2 months. Necrotizing pancreatitis was
      most commonly owing to gallstones (n = 9; 41%), idiopathic disease (n = 5; 23%),
      and alcohol abuse (n = 4; 18%). During the course of UTDC and definitive
      operative therapy (when required), patients had median hospital stays of 31 days,
      6 interventional radiology procedures, and 6 CT scans. Operative intervention was
      not necessary in 9 patients (41%). Among the other 13 patients, 4 patients
      underwent distal pancreatectomy/splenectomy, 8 had a fistulojejunostomy
      performed, and 1 underwent both procedures. CONCLUSION: UTDC for necrotizing
      pancreatitis patients is associated with effective drainage and low
      morbidity/hospital resource utilization. With skilled interventional radiologists
      and multidisciplinary coordination, this technique is a valuable means of
      minimizing morbidity for patients with necrotizing pancreatitis.

PMID- 26271526
TI  - A urologist's contemporary guide to penile cancer.
AB  - Few urologists deal with penile cancer on a daily basis. Owing to the rarity of
      the disease and its diversity in presentation, clinical experience accumulates
      slowly and new paradigms spread sporadically. This review provides a concise
      update on the background, clinical features and multidisciplinary management
      strategies of penile cancer. The evidence base of penile cancer management
      recommendations is devoid of randomized controlled trials and relies mainly on
      retrospective cohort studies from single institutions. In recent years,
      international multicentre collaboration has increased the quality of evidence.
      Larger study cohorts allow researchers to engage in subgroup analysis of patients
      with poor prognosis, of which the literature so far has been scarce.
      Comprehensive evidence-based guidelines are available through the European
      Association of Urology. This review highlights the importance of early and
      minimally invasive regional lymph-node staging of all patients of stage T1G2 or
      higher, and underlines the therapeutic potential of inguinal lymph-node
      dissection in lymph-node positive patients. A discussion of the oncological
      safety of current trends towards more phallus-sparing treatment techniques
      emphasizes the importance of proper case selection, thorough patient information,
      consequent follow-up and the possibility of a reconstructive procedure after
      organ-sparing ablative penile surgery. The aetiological role of human papilloma
      virus (HPV) is touched upon and the evidence for circumcision and HPV vaccination
      of boys is briefly weighed. The value of multidisciplinary treatment of advanced
      penile cancer is underlined and the role of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and
      radiochemotherapy is discussed. Finally, the perspectives for hybrid tracer
      sentinel node, robot-assisted lymph-node surgery and targeted therapies are
      addressed.

PMID- 26271527
TI  - Circulating concentrations of vitamin E isomers: Association with bone turnover
      and arterial stiffness in post-menopausal women.
AB  - The effects of vitamin E on cardiovascular and bone health are conflicting with
      beneficial and detrimental findings reported. To investigate this further, we
      carried out a cross-sectional study to determine the relationship between
      circulating concentrations of the 2 vitamin E isomers, alpha- and gamma
      tocopherol (TP) with bone turnover and arterial stiffness. Two hundred and
      seventy eight post-menopausal women with mean age [SD] 60.9 [6.0] years were
      studied. Fasting serum alpha-TP and gamma-TP, bone turnover markers; procollagen
      type 1 amino-terminal propeptide (P1NP) and C-terminal telopeptide of type 1
      collagen (CTX), parathyroid hormone (PTH), total cholesterol (TC) and
      triglycerides (TG) were measured. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) and central
      augmentation index (AI) as markers of arterial stiffness were also determined. A
      positive correlation was observed between alpha-TP and gamma-TP (r=0.14,
      p=0.022). A significant negative association between alpha-TP and P1NP only was
      seen in multiple linear regression analysis following adjustment for serum TC and
      TG (p=0.016). In a full multi-linear regression model, following correction for
      age, years since menopause, smoking habits, alcohol intake, use of calcium
      supplements, BMI, PTH, serum calcium, and estimated glomerular filtration rate
      (eGFR), the association between alpha-TP and P1NP remained significant (p=0.011).
      We did not observe any significant association between gamma-TP or alpha-TP/gamma
      TP ratio with P1NP or CTX. P1NP was significantly lower in subjects with alpha-TP
      concentrations of >30 MUmol/L (alpha-TP >30 MUmol/L; P1NP: 57.5 [20.7], alpha
      TP<30 MUmol/L; P1NP: 65.7 [24.9] MUg/L, p=0.005). PWV was significantly
      associated with alpha-TP/gamma-TP ratio (p=0.04) but not with serum alpha-TP or
      gamma-TP in a full multi-linear regression model adjusting for serum lipids, age,
      and blood pressure. The data suggest that high serum concentrations of alpha-TP
      may have a negative effect on bone formation. The balance of alpha-TP and gamma
      TP may be important in maintaining arterial compliance. Longitudinal studies are
      needed to investigate the impact of the vitamin E isomers on bone and
      cardiovascular health.

PMID- 26271528
TI  - Incisional metastasis from lung cancer after transcervical extended mediastinal
      lymphadenectomy.

PMID- 26271529
TI  - National consensus on the diagnosis, risk stratification and treatment of
      patients with pulmonary embolism: An update.

PMID- 26271531
TI  - A diagnostic algorithm for Parkinson's disease: what next?

PMID- 26271533
TI  - Genetically Encoded Voltage Indicators: Mapping Cardiac Electrical Activity Under
      a New Light.

PMID- 26271535
TI  - AntimiR-34a to Enhance Cardiac Repair After Ischemic Injury.

PMID- 26271534
TI  - Peering Into the Cardiomyocyte Nuclear Epigenetic State.

PMID- 26271537
TI  - Correction.

PMID- 26271536
TI  - Alloantibodies and Allograft Arteriosclerosis: Accelerated Adversity Ahead?

PMID- 26271538
TI  - Variations in Phase and Amplitude of Rhythmic Clock Gene Expression across
      Prefrontal Cortex, Hippocampus, Amygdala, and Hypothalamic Paraventricular and
      Suprachiasmatic Nuclei of Male and Female Rats.
AB  - The molecular circadian clock is a self-regulating transcription/translation
      cycle of positive (Bmal1, Clock/Npas2) and negative (Per1,2,3, Cry1,2) regulatory
      components. While the molecular clock has been well characterized in the body's
      master circadian pacemaker, the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), only
      a few studies have examined both the positive and negative clock components in
      extra-SCN brain tissue. Furthermore, there has yet to be a direct comparison of
      male and female clock gene expression in the brain. This comparison is warranted,
      as there are sex differences in circadian functioning and disorders associated
      with disrupted clock gene expression. This study examined basal clock gene
      expression (Per1, Per2, Bmal1 mRNA) in the SCN, prefrontal cortex (PFC), rostral
      agranular insula, hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN), amygdala, and
      hippocampus of male and female rats at 4-h intervals throughout a 12:12 h
      light:dark cycle. There was a significant rhythm of Per1, Per2, and Bmal1 in the
      SCN, PFC, insula, PVN, subregions of the hippocampus, and amygdala with a 24-h
      period, suggesting the importance of an oscillating molecular clock in extra-SCN
      brain regions. There were 3 distinct clock gene expression profiles across the
      brain regions, indicative of diversity among brain clocks. Although, generally,
      the clock gene expression profiles were similar between male and female rats,
      there were some sex differences in the robustness of clock gene expression (e.g.,
      females had fewer robust rhythms in the medial PFC, more robust rhythms in the
      hippocampus, and a greater mesor in the medial amygdala). Furthermore, females
      with a regular estrous cycle had attenuated aggregate rhythms in clock gene
      expression in the PFC compared with noncycling females. This suggests that
      gonadal hormones may modulate the expression of the molecular clock. 

PMID- 26271532
TI  - Diagnosis of Parkinson's disease on the basis of clinical and genetic
      classification: a population-based modelling study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Accurate diagnosis and early detection of complex diseases, such as
      Parkinson's disease, has the potential to be of great benefit for researchers and
      clinical practice. We aimed to create a non-invasive, accurate classification
      model for the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, which could serve as a basis for
      future disease prediction studies in longitudinal cohorts. METHODS: We developed
      a model for disease classification using data from the Parkinson's Progression
      Marker Initiative (PPMI) study for 367 patients with Parkinson's disease and
      phenotypically typical imaging data and 165 controls without neurological
      disease. Olfactory function, genetic risk, family history of Parkinson's disease,
      age, and gender were algorithmically selected by stepwise logistic regression as
      significant contributors to our classifying model. We then tested the model with
      data from 825 patients with Parkinson's disease and 261 controls from five
      independent cohorts with varying recruitment strategies and designs: the
      Parkinson's Disease Biomarkers Program (PDBP), the Parkinson's Associated Risk
      Study (PARS), 23andMe, the Longitudinal and Biomarker Study in PD (LABS-PD), and
      the Morris K Udall Parkinson's Disease Research Center of Excellence cohort (Penn
      Udall). Additionally, we used our model to investigate patients who had imaging
      scans without evidence of dopaminergic deficit (SWEDD). FINDINGS: In the
      population from PPMI, our initial model correctly distinguished patients with
      Parkinson's disease from controls at an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.923 (95%
      CI 0.900-0.946) with high sensitivity (0.834, 95% CI 0.711-0.883) and specificity
      (0.903, 95% CI 0.824-0.946) at its optimum AUC threshold (0.655). All Hosmer
      Lemeshow simulations suggested that when parsed into random subgroups, the
      subgroup data matched that of the overall cohort. External validation showed good
      classification of Parkinson's disease, with AUCs of 0.894 (95% CI 0.867-0.921) in
      the PDBP cohort, 0.998 (0.992-1.000) in PARS, 0.955 (no 95% CI available) in
      23andMe, 0.929 (0.896-0.962) in LABS-PD, and 0.939 (0.891-0.986) in the Penn
      Udall cohort. Four of 17 SWEDD participants who our model classified as having
      Parkinson's disease converted to Parkinson's disease within 1 year, whereas only
      one of 38 SWEDD participants who were not classified as having Parkinson's
      disease underwent conversion (test of proportions, p=0.003). INTERPRETATION: Our
      model provides a potential new approach to distinguish participants with
      Parkinson's disease from controls. If the model can also identify individuals
      with prodromal or preclinical Parkinson's disease in prospective cohorts, it
      could facilitate identification of biomarkers and interventions. FUNDING:
      National Institute on Aging, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and
      Stroke, and the Michael J Fox Foundation.

PMID- 26271539
TI  - Longitudinal Study of Changes in Daily Activity Rhythms over the Lifespan in
      Individual Male and Female C57BL/6J Mice.
AB  - Mice are used widely for research on circadian, molecular and other processes;
      however, little is known of circadian age- and, particularly, sex-related changes
      that occur over the entire lifespan of this species. To shed light on this
      question, the authors used a longitudinal design for the first continuous
      actogram measurements of general circadian locomotor activity rhythms unperturbed
      by photocycle or other experimental manipulations over the lifespan in male and
      female C57BL/6J mice. These weaning-to-death actograms are the most inclusive
      undertaken to date. Comparisons of circadian parameters (phase angle of
      entrainment, length of daily activity, bout length/intensity) were made among 4
      life stages (adolescence, adult, middle age, and senescence). The present data
      reveal the progressive and sex-related changes in general locomotor activity
      pattern that occur throughout the lifespan. From the overall perspective of this
      study, there appears to be a need for wider age and sex representation in
      circadian research.

PMID- 26271541
TI  - Posterior Mini-Incision With Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Nine to Ten Year
      Follow Up Study.
AB  - The question has been raised as to whether small incision surgery will compromise
      long term results of total hip arthroplasty. We report nine to ten years' outcome
      with posterior mini-incision. Radiographs were measured for component position,
      polyethylene wear, fixation, and osteolysis. Sixty-two of the original 86
      patients (76 of 100 hips) were alive and available for study with 17 patients
      deceased (with known results) and seven (8%) lost to follow-up. The result was
      rated as excellent in 70 of 75 remaining hips (93%). Eighty-nine of 93 hips (96%)
      with known results had the original implants. Radiographically, wear was a mean
      0.015 +/- 0.009 mm/year, and no hip had impending failure. There were four
      revisions, 2 for dislocation, 1 for fracture, and 1 for loose cup.

PMID- 26271540
TI  - The Effect of Subluxation of Articulating Antibiotic Spacers on Bone Defects and
      Degree of Constraint in Revision Knee Arthroplasty.
AB  - This study investigated whether subluxation of articulating antibiotic spacers is
      associated with the bone defects found and constraint required when re-implanting
      the knee arthroplasty components. Staged revisions for infections of primary
      total knee arthroplasties between 2004 and 2012 were examined. Radiographic
      sagittal and coronal subluxations of 72 knees were measured prior to second stage
      revision. Coronal subluxation was found to be associated with increased
      requirement for constrained knee systems (P<0.035). Sagittal subluxation was
      associated with greater tibia bone defects (P<0.037). Careful surgical technique
      and monitoring of articulating spacers should be done to avoid subluxation after
      stage 1 revision. If subluxation of the articulating spacer is present,
      constrained revision knee systems as well as augments should be available at time
      of re-implantation. 

PMID- 26271542
TI  - The Influence of Hip Rotation on Femoral Offset Following Short Stem Total Hip
      Arthroplasty.
AB  - Short stem total hip arthroplasty (THA) is thought to be an advantageous surgical
      option for young patients. Femoral offset has been identified as an important
      factor for clinical outcome of THA. However, little is known on functional
      implications of femoral offset after short stem THA. Importantly, hip rotation
      influences the projected femoral offset and may lead to significant
      underestimation. Therefore, a novel method to identify and account for hip
      rotation was applied to a prospectively enrolled series of 37 patients (48
      radiographs) undergoing short stem THA. Repeated measurements were performed and
      intraobserver and interobserver reliability was assessed and femoral offset was
      corrected for rotation. Based on this study, rotation-correction of femoral
      offset is of highest relevance for the correct interpretation in future studies. 

PMID- 26271543
TI  - Determining the True Cost to Deliver Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty Over the
      Full Cycle of Care: Preparing for Bundling and Reference-Based Pricing.
AB  - The Affordable Care Act accelerates health care providers' need to prepare for
      new care delivery platforms and payment models such as bundling and reference
      based pricing (RBP). Thriving in this environment will be difficult without
      knowing the true cost of care delivery at the level of the clinical condition
      over the full cycle of care. We describe a project in which we identified true
      costs for both total hip and total knee arthroplasty. With the same tool, we
      identified cost drivers in each segment of care delivery and collected patient
      experience information. Combining cost and experience information with outcomes
      data we already collect allows us to drive costs down while protecting outcomes
      and experiences, and compete successfully in bundling and RBP programs. 

PMID- 26271544
TI  - The burden of acute myocardial infarction after a regional cardiovascular center
      project in Korea.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the impact of a government
      directed regional cardiovascular center (RCVC) project on the length of stay
      (LOS) and medical costs due to acute myocardial infarction (AMI). DESIGN: A
      retrospective claim data review. SETTING: Forty hospitals including four RCVCs in
      Korea. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1469 AMI patients who visited a RCVC in two
      regions between February 2009 and December 2011. INTERVENTIONS: RCVC project has
      been fostering specialized center by region for management of cardiovascular
      disease. It has built a system that could receive intensive care quickly within 3
      h when disease occurred. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes in the LOS and cost were
      evaluated using the difference-in-differences (DIDs) method combined with
      propensity score matching (1:1) and multilevel analysis with adjustment for
      patient's and institutional factors. RESULTS: The net effect of RCVC project
      implementation showed decline of LOS (-0.71 days) and total medical costs (-797
      US dollars) by DID. After the RCVC project, the LOS for patients with AMI
      hospitalized in a RCVC was decreased by 8.9% (beta = -0.094, P = 0.041) compared
      with patients hospitalized in a hospital not designed as a RCVC. Compared with
      costs before the RCVC project, they were decreased by 11.5% (beta = -0.122, P =
      0.004). CONCLUSIONS: We provided evidence regarding the change in the societal
      burden due to AMI after regionalization. Although there was a reduction of LOS
      and direct medical costs reported in limited number of regionalized hospitals, in
      the long term we can anticipate an expanding impact in all regionalized
      hospitals.

PMID- 26271545
TI  - Differences between nurse- and physician-assessed ICU characteristics using a
      standardized survey.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Surveys are often used to assess intensive care unit (ICU)
      organizational characteristics for quality improvement. Typically these surveys
      target ICU nurse managers and/or physician directors. However, it is unclear
      whether these providers' assessments differ. We sought to determine whether
      differences existed in nurse- and physician-assessed ICU characteristics using a
      standardized survey. DESIGN: We administered a previously developed survey to
      nurse managers and medical directors in adult ICUs within a single healthcare
      system in 2013. The survey asked about interprofessional staffing and evidence
      based protocols. We examined differences between nurse managers' and medical
      directors' responses using McNemar's test and assessed concordance using the
      kappa statistic. SETTING: Twenty-three ICUs in 10 hospitals in Southwestern
      Pennsylvania. RESULTS: Sixteen (69%) were specialty ICUs. The median number of
      ICU beds was 34. Concordance was moderate for high- vs. low-intensity physician
      staffing (kappa = 0.60) and almost perfect on questions related to
      interprofessional staffing (kappa = 0.83 nurse practitioners/physician
      assistants; 1.0 respiratory therapists; 0.83 physical therapists). However,
      concordance was slight to fair with regard to the presence of these providers on
      rounds (kappa = 0.20-0.21) and poor to slight for protocols for liberation from
      mechanical ventilation (kappa = 0.19), sedation (kappa = -0.03) and central line
      insertion (kappa = -0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Despite a standardized survey, we found
      substantial disagreement on ICU characteristics when assessed by the nurse
      manager or physician director. This study raises questions about the use of
      surveys to examine ICU organizational characteristics and suggests that
      differences in nurse managers' and medical directors' assessments could be
      helpful in guiding future ICU quality improvement projects.

PMID- 26271546
TI  - Synthetic polynucleotides as endosomolytic agents and bioenergy sources.
AB  - Nucleotides (NTs), such as adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and guanosine
      triphosphate (GTP), are signaling and bioenergy molecules to mediate a range of
      cellular pathways. We recently reported their significant endosomolytic activity.
      To evaluate whether polymeric NTs keep endosomolytic and bioenergetic functions
      of NTs in drug delivery and cell survival, NTs were polymerized by a coupling
      reaction to form polynucleotides (pNTs: pATP and pGTP) with their molecular
      weights around 500kDa. The cellular toxicity, indicated by IC50, of pNT was as
      low as that of corresponding monomeric NT. pNTs were degraded by an intracellular
      enzyme, alkaline phosphatase. Introduction of pNTs in a polycation-gene complex
      (polyplex) enhanced the extent of gene expression in cancerous, non-cancerous,
      and stem cells, up to 1500-fold higher than that of pNT-free polyplex. In
      addition, cells stored in a pATP solution resulted in a significantly higher
      survival rate (e.g., up to 20% increase) when exposed to low temperatures than
      pATP-free solution. The presence of pNT in polyplexes prevented the reduction of
      transfection efficiency induced by a low temperature. The findings in this study
      suggest that endosomolytic and bioenergetic pNTs serve as a non-toxic gene
      carrier component and protect cells from a cold shock or energy depletion. 

PMID- 26271547
TI  - BCL2-like 11 intron 2 deletion polymorphism is not associated with non-small cell
      lung cancer risk and prognosis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: BCL2-Like 11(BIM), which encodes a BH3-only protein, is a major pro
      apoptotic molecule that facilitates cell death. We hypothesized that a BIM intron
      2 deletion polymorphism increases lung cancer risk and predicts poor prognosis in
      non-small lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively
      recruited 450 lung cancer patients and 1:1 age, sex, and smoking status matched
      control subjects from February 2013 to April 2014 among patients treated at
      Severance, Gangnam Severance, and Chonnam Hwasoon Hospital. The presence of a
      2903-bp genomic DNA deletion polymorphism of intron 2 of BIM was analyzed by PCR
      and validated by sequencing. Odds ratios were calculated by chi-square tests and
      survival analysis with Kaplan-Meier estimation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Sixty
      nine out of 450 (15.3%) lung cancer patients carried the BIM deletion
      polymorphism, while 66 out of 450 (14.7%) control subjects carried the BIM
      deletion polymorphism, with an odds ratio of for lung cancer of 1.054 (95% CI;
      0.731-1.519). We categorized 406 NSCLC patients according to the presence of the
      polymorphism and found that there were no statistically significant differences
      in age, sex, histologic type, or stage between subjects with and without the
      deletion polymorphism. The BIM deletion polymorphism did not influence overall
      survival (OS) or progression free survival (PFS) in our sample (OS; 37.6 vs 34.4
      months (P=0.759), PFS; 49.6 vs 26.0 months (P=0.434)). These findings indicate
      that the BIM deletion polymorphism is common in Korean NSCLC patients but does
      not significantly affect the intrinsic biologic function of BH3-only protein.
      Furthermore, the BIM deletion polymorphism did not predict clinical outcomes in
      patients with NSCLC.

PMID- 26271548
TI  - Authors' response--Risk of malignancy in pulmonary nodules: a validation study of
      four prediction models.

PMID- 26271549
TI  - Healthy Chinese with benign pancreatic hyperenzymemia.
AB  - Benign pancreatic hyperenzymemia, or Gullo's syndrome, is an uncommon syndrome
      characterized by a long-term increase of serum pancreatic enzyme in the absence
      of pancreatic diseases. It is primarily discovered incidentally and occurs in
      either sporadic or familial form. Herein, we report the first case of benign
      pancreatic hyperenzymemia in Taiwan. A 57-year-old Chinese male was incidentally
      noted with elevated serum amylase and lipase levels during a health check-up and
      was diagnosed with benign pancreatic hyperenzymemia using a series of image and
      serological tests. Although this is the first case of benign pancreatic
      hyperenzymemia in Taiwan, its prevalence may be underestimated due to the
      diagnostic difficulties. Correct diagnosis of this disease is important to avoid
      costly test duplication, unfounded anxieties, and multiple consultations. 

PMID- 26271550
TI  - Regarding "Patient perception of physician reimbursement in elective shoulder
      surgery".

PMID- 26271551
TI  - Accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging in detecting biceps pathology in patients
      with rotator cuff disorders: comparison with arthroscopy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is limited information on the validity of magnetic resonance
      imaging (MRI) in detection of biceps disease. The purpose of this study was to
      examine the measurement properties of noncontrasted MRI in diagnosis of biceps
      disease using arthroscopic surgery as the "gold standard." MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Prospectively collected surgical data of patients with impingement syndrome or
      rotator cuff tear, with biceps disease (study group) or without biceps disease
      (control group), were reviewed. MRI reports of radiologists with fellowship
      training in musculoskeletal imaging were retrospectively reviewed and compared
      with surgical findings. RESULTS: Data of 183 (130 study and 53 control) patients
      (73 women [40%], 110 men [60%]; mean age, 62 years [standard deviation, 9]) who
      had undergone arthroscopic rotator cuff-related surgery during a period of 11
      years were used for analysis. Sensitivity and specificity of MRI for detection of
      full tears of the biceps tendon were 0.54 and 0.98, respectively. Sensitivity and
      specificity were 0.27 and 0.86 for partial tears of the biceps tendon,
      respectively. For biceps subluxation or dislocation, sensitivity was 1.00 and
      specificity was 0.83. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic
      curves, which quantify the overall accuracy of the tests, were 0.57, 0.75, and
      0.92 for partial tear, full tear, and instability of the biceps tendon,
      respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Noncontrasted MRI has a low sensitivity and high
      specificity for detection of full-thickness tears of the biceps tendon. It is
      highly sensitive for diagnosis of instability of the long head of the biceps.
      However, its usefulness for diagnosis of partial tears of the biceps tendon
      remains limited.

PMID- 26271553
TI  - A Rapid Assessment Study on the Implementation of a Core Set of Interventions to
      Improve Cardiovascular Health in Latin America and the Caribbean.

PMID- 26271552
TI  - Opportunistic Screening for CVD Risk Factors: The Dubai Shopping for
      Cardiovascular Risk Study (DISCOVERY).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Comprehensive cardiovascular disease risk factor (CVDRF) screening
      programs are limited in the developing world. Simplifying screening can increase
      its utility. OBJECTIVES: The present study aims to estimate the burden of CVDRF
      in volunteers and the yield of newly discovered CVDRF comparing different sites
      and nationalities using this screening method. METHODS: Voluntary point-of-care
      CVDRF screening was conducted in 4 shopping malls, 9 health care facilities, and
      3 labor camps in 5 cities in the United Arab Emirates. Follow-up for newly
      diagnosed diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and dyslipidemia was made 1 month
      after screening to inquire about physician consultation, confirmation of
      diagnosis, and lifestyle changes. RESULTS: A total of 4,128 subjects were
      screened (43% at malls, 36% at health care facilities, and 22% at labor camps).
      Subjects were relatively young (38 +/- 11 years), predominantly male (75%), and
      of diverse nationalities (United Arab Emirates: 7%, other Arabs: 10%, South
      Asians: 74%, other Asians: 5%, and other nationalities: 5%). CVDRF were frequent
      (diabetes mellitus: 32%, hypertension: 31%, dyslipidemia: 69%, current smokers:
      21%, obesity: 20%, and central obesity: 24%). Most subjects (85%) had >=1 CVDRF,
      and many (17%) had >=3 CVDRF. A new diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, hypertension,
      or dyslipidemia was uncovered in 61.5%, with the highest yield (74.0%) in labor
      camps. At follow-up of those with new CVDRF, positive lifestyle changes were
      reported in 60%, but only 33% had consulted a doctor; of these, diagnosis was
      confirmed in 63% for diabetes mellitus, 93% for hypertension, and 87% for
      dyslipidemia. CONCLUSIONS: In this relatively young and ethnically diverse
      cohort, CVDRF burden and yield of screening was high. Screening in these settings
      is pertinent and can be simplified.

PMID- 26271555
TI  - Clinical application of WHF-MOGE(S) classification for hypertrophic
      cardiomyopathy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recently, a new MOGE(S) (Morphofunctional, Organ involvement,
      Genetics, Etiology of details of the genetic disease or underlying cause, and
      functional Status) genotype to phenotype nosology system for classification of
      cardiomyopathies was proposed, but its clinical use has not been described.
      OBJECTIVES: This study presents the comprehensive geno-phenotypic evaluation of
      hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients by employing the newly proposed World
      Heart Federation classification of cardiomyopathies - the MOGE(S) classification.
      METHODS: From January 2011 to March 2014, 254 patients were evaluated (190
      probands and 64 family members). Of those, 181 were HCM phenotype-positive
      probands, and 54.7% were male patients. Mean maximal left ventricular thickness
      was 2.2 +/- 0.6 cm, with >2.5 cm thickness seen in 21.5% of patients. Obstructive
      HCM was present in 66.3% of patients, with an average peak gradient of 57.1 +/-
      47.2. Detailed clinical, imaging, and follow-up data were analyzed. Gene testing
      was performed in 129 patients (67.9%), and they were categorized into gene
      positive (MHOHGADEG+) and gene-negative (MHOHGADEG-) groups based on the MOGE(S)
      classification. RESULTS: MHOHGADEG+ patients were younger at time of diagnosis,
      more likely to be female, more likely to have ventricular tachycardia and a
      family history of HCM or sudden death, had lower peak gradients, and were more
      likely to have sudden death risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to employing
      genotype-to-phenotype nosology to describe HCM, we propose a modification to the
      current MOGE(S) classification for HCM based on the presence or absence of
      obstruction and location of hypertrophy within the morphology.

PMID- 26271554
TI  - DS-Connect: A Promising Tool to Improve Lives and Engage Down Syndrome
      Communities Worldwide.
AB  - Down syndrome (DS) is the most common genetic cause of intellectual and
      developmental disabilities in the United States with an estimated birth
      prevalence of 1:691 births; however, worldwide estimates of the number of
      individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including DS,
      remain speculative. Little is known about the global health impact of DS, such as
      heart defects, gastrointestinal malformations, and other medical and behavioral
      issues. Further research is needed to develop the next generation of novel
      therapies and compounds aimed at improving cognition, reducing dementia, and
      mitigating other manifestations of DS. To address these challenges, the National
      Institutes of Health has created the first web-based, voluntary registry and data
      resource called DS-Connect: The Down Syndrome Registry to collect demographic and
      health information about individuals with DS. 

PMID- 26271557
TI  - Canadian trends in filicide by gender of the accused, 1961-2011.
AB  - This paper provides a comprehensive historical and contemporary picture of
      filicide in Canada for more than half a century. Focusing on 1,612 children under
      age 18 that were killed by their parents between 1961 and 2011, regional and
      temporal trends in the gender of accused are examined as well as differences in
      maternal and paternal filicides by the gender and age of the victim, the age and
      marital status of the accused, type of parental relationship, cause of death,
      motive, history of family violence, and clearance status. Results show that there
      are significant differences in filicides by mothers and fathers. Five possible
      emerging trends were identified: an increasing gender gap in accused, increasing
      presence of relationship breakdown, growing number of cases involving stepfathers
      and a prior history of family violence, and declines in accused who committed
      suicide. Implications of these trends for interventions and prevention are
      discussed and future research priorities highlighted. 

PMID- 26271556
TI  - Longitudinal examination of peer and partner influences on gender-specific
      pathways from child abuse to adult crime.
AB  - Research provides increasing evidence of the association of child abuse with
      adult antisocial behavior. However, less is known about the developmental
      pathways that underlie this association. Building on the life course model of
      antisocial behavior, the present study examined possible developmental pathways
      linking various forms of child abuse (physical, emotional, sexual) to adult
      antisocial behavior. These pathways include child and adolescent antisocial
      behavior, as well as adulthood measures of partner risk taking, warmth, and
      antisocial peer influences. Data are from the Lehigh Longitudinal Study, a
      prospective longitudinal study examining long-term developmental outcomes
      subsequent to child maltreatment. Participant families in the Lehigh Longitudinal
      Study were followed from preschool age into adulthood. Analyses of gender
      differences addressed the consistency of path coefficients across genders.
      Results for 297 adult participants followed from early childhood showed that, for
      both genders, physical and emotional child abuse predicted adult crime indirectly
      through child and adolescent antisocial behavior, as well as adult partner and
      antisocial peer influences. However, for females, having an antisocial partner
      predicted an affiliation with antisocial peers, and that in turn predicted adult
      crime. For males, having an antisocial partner was associated with less partner
      warmth, which in turn predicted an affiliation with antisocial peers, itself a
      proximal predictor of adult crime. Sexual abuse also predicted adolescent
      antisocial behavior, but only for males, supporting what some have called "a
      delayed-onset pathway" for females, whereby the exposure to early risks produce
      much later developmental outcomes. 

PMID- 26271558
TI  - [Treatment of upper esophageal sphincter achalasia as a little-known chapter of
      surgery].
AB  - It is presented the results of survey and treatment of 32 patients with upper
      esophageal sphincter achalasia. In 29 of them achalasia was consequence of stroke
      in brain stem (Zakharchenko-Wallenberg syndrome). 28 patients were operated using
      P. Chodoch method in 7 cases and author's technique of myotomy with
      pharyngoesophageal junction plasty in 21 patients. Plastic myotomy gives
      excellent and good results in 81% of observations due to preservation of
      innervation of muscles providing function of epiglottis and pharyngeal
      constrictors. Severe condition of patients and elderly age are indication for P.
      Chodoch myotomy. 

PMID- 26271560
TI  - [Possibilities of videothoracoscopy for penetrating thoracic injuries].
AB  - It was analyzed the medical reports of 596 victims with thoracic injuries
      including 360 cases with following conventional therapeutic approach and 236
      patients who underwent videothoracoscopy. We estimated condition severity in case
      of injuries of thoracic wall, lungs, pericardium and heart. Hemodynamic disorders
      were estimated according to Allgower-Burri shock index. Intrapleural bleeding was
      calculated using volume of hemothorax and time before injury and operation.
      Severity of physiological damages was determined using RTS criterion, anatomic-
      using ISS criterion. We estimated possibility for videothoracoscopy in patients
      with conventional therapeutic approach comparing severity of injuries, severity
      of condition in both groups and volume of surgery. Retrospective analysis
      revealed possibility of videothoracoscopy in 86.7% of victims with pulmonary
      injury, in 83.3% with bleeding at the muscular vessels of thoracic wall, in 40.3%
      with intercostal vessels injury, in 31.2% with heart injury, in 27.3% with damage
      of pericardium and in 18.8% with internal thoracic vessels injury. Our
      investigation revealed that videothoracoscopy may be used more widely in case of
      thoracic injury.

PMID- 26271559
TI  - [Risk factors of suppurative complications in case of thoracic injury].
AB  - It was performed retrospective analysis of 463 cases of suppurative thoracic
      complications after injury (232) and closed thoracic trauma (231) for 20-year
      period. Incidence of purulent complications was 3.2% and 1.6% in case of injury
      and closed thoracic trauma respectively including pleural empyema in 1.5 and
      1.3%, pulmonary abscess in 0.3 and 0.4%, mediastinitis in 0.35 and 0.12%,
      pericarditis in 1.5 and 0.26%, osteomyelitis in 0.4 and 0.18% respectively.
      Factors preceding suppurative complications in case of injuries and closed trauma
      have been considered as predictors. Multivariant regression analysis established
      significant risk factors of suppurative thoracic complications. Clotted
      hemothorax, mediastinal hemorrhage, heart injury, late appeal for medical
      assistance and mechanical ventilation over 5 days were identified irrespective of
      character of trauma. In case of thoracic injury there were damage of
      osteochondrous frame, hollow thoracic and abdominal organs, gunshot wound of
      lung, delirium and injuries severity over 20 scores according to ISS scale.
      Pulmonary bleeding, sternal fracture and Glasgow Coma Scale rate<12 scores were
      identified as risk factors in case of closed trauma.

PMID- 26271561
TI  - [Liver tissue regeneration under the influence of cryoprecipitate and alloplant].
AB  - AIM: To study the effectiveness and impact of cryoprecipitate and alloplant on
      regeneration of liver tissue in patients with cirrhosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS:
      114 patients with liver cirrhosis have been treated at the Department of Faculty
      Surgery of I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University from 2007 to 2014.
      Cryoprecipitate and alloplant were injected into cirrhotic liver tissue in the
      first (72 patients) and second (42 patients) groups under ultrasound control
      respectively. Patients' age was 48.9+/-12.14 years (range 18-75). There were 66
      men (58%) and 48 (42%) women. Mixed (toxic and viral) etiology of cirrhosis was
      observed in 40.3% of patients, viral--in 25.8%, toxic--in 34.2%. RESULTS:
      Minimally invasive treatment under ultrasound showed significant (p>0.05)
      positive dynamics of hepatocellular failure, cytolytic and cholestatic syndromes,
      hypersplenism in 3, 6 and 12 months after cryoprecipitate administration in most
      patients with cirrhosis Child-Pugh class A, B and C (group 1). Alloplant injected
      into hepatic tissue causes less regeneration of liver tissue. It improves
      clinical and laboratory parameters in patients with cirrhosis Child-Pugh classes
      A and B. In case of class C allopolant is not effective.

PMID- 26271562
TI  - [Endovascular treatment of post-traumatic arteriovenous fistulae].
AB  - AIM: To summarize the experience of endovascular treatment of traumatic
      arteriovenous fistulae. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Endovascular interventions for
      arteriovenous fistulae of different locations were applied in 16 patients aged 19
      to 83 years (mean 50.4+/-14.3) in A.V. Vishnevskiy Institute of Surgery from 2003
      to 2014. Among causes there were stab wounds, gunshot wounds, blunt trauma,
      iatrogenic. Different endovascular methods including stenting with self-opening
      and balloon-expanding stent-grafts, embolic coils and occluders implantation were
      used. RESULTS: Pain syndrome, disorders of support function and trophic changes
      were observed in patients with arteriovenous fistulae more localized more distal
      than lower one third of the thigh. More proximally located arteriovenous fistulae
      regardless of their diameter resulted severe heart failure and portal
      hypertension. Angiographic and clinical success was achieved in 100% of cases.
      Manifestations of heart failure and portal hypertension disappeared in all
      patients after endovascular interventions. Also support function restored, pain
      and trophic disorders were cured. CONCLUSION: Arteriovenous fistulae regardless
      of their size, location and time of existence must be dissociated. Prolonged
      arteriovenous shunting leads to severe heart failure. Current technologies and
      tools used in endovascular interventions provide reliable dissociation of
      arteriovenous fistulae even in case of difficult anatomical features.

PMID- 26271563
TI  - [Robot-assisted and laparoscopic partial splenectomy for nonparasitic cysts].
AB  - 21 patients with nonparasitic spleen cysts were operated. Robot-assisted (RA)
      interventions were applied in 10 cases, laparoscopic--in 11 patients. Men surgery
      duration was 124 minutes in case of RA-technique and 120 minutes if laparoscopy
      was used. Blood loss was significantly lower in the group of RA resection
      (p=0.035). There were no conversions of access in the group of RA-operations
      while in group of laparoscopy conversion has been required in 1 case. We did not
      observe complications in case of RA-surgeries. Laparoscopic method was associated
      with 2 complications (left-sided hydrothorax and fluid accumulation in resection
      area). Postoperative hospital-stay did not differ in both groups and was 7.1 and
      6.4 room-nights in case of RA-interventions and laparoscopy respectively. There
      were no deaths. Indications for robot-assisted partial splenectomy for
      nonparasitic cysts include location of mass in upper pole or hilus of spleen, its
      diameter more than 8 cm, body mass index more than 30 and splenomegaly. Lower
      pole resection and splenectomy are more advisable using laparoscopic method.

PMID- 26271564
TI  - [Estimation of regional blood flow in reimplanted segments of upper extremity].
AB  - AIM: To examine the state of regional circulation in replanted segment of upper
      limb and hand, to determine diagnostic and prognostic value of radionuclide
      scintigraphy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 26 patients who underwent
      replantation of upper extremity segments. The control group included 12 patients
      who underwent autologous transplantation of toes on hand. All patients underwent
      isotope scintigraphy, ultrasound Doppler and pulse oximetry. Groups were
      comparable by gender, age, severity of injury. RESULTS: Depending on
      postoperative course two groups were determined: with favorable (27 patients) and
      complicated postoperative period (11 patients). Two types of regional circulation
      were identified according to dynamic scintigraphy: prevalence of blood flow in
      operated limb (type 1); prevalence of blood flow in healthy limb, or equal
      volumetric blood flow in operated and healthy limbs (type 2). Favorable early
      postoperative period was associated with prevalence of blood flow in operated
      limb. Only in 2 (7.7%) patients patients in this group acute arterial thrombosis
      was diagnosed. At the same time thrombosis of microanastomosis occurred in 45.4%
      of cases in the second group what is 5.5 times higher than in the first group.
      CONCLUSION: Significant prevalence of blood flow in operated limb is favorable
      prognostic sign of the early postoperative period. On the other hand the identity
      of blood flow or prevalence of such in healthy limb predispose to acute vascular
      complications in replantate or autoplantate. Radionuclide scintigraphy provides
      detailed assessment of regional blood flow in operated limb. However clinical
      monitoring has leading role in diagnosis of acute circulatory disorders in
      replantate or autoplantate.

PMID- 26271565
TI  - [Infectious arthritis of sternoclavicular joint: surgical approach to the issue].
AB  - AIM: To study the features of occurrence, diagnosis, clinical course of
      infectious arthritis of sternoclavicular joint, as well as to develop
      differentiated therapeutic tactics depending on the clinical form and stage of
      disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: It was analyzed treatment of 18 patients with
      infectious arthritis of sternoclavicular joint aged 27 to 88 years who were
      hospitalized for the period 2008-2014. Acute or chronic forms were determined
      depending on clinical course and serous arthritis, para-articular phlegmon and
      osteoarthritis--according to nature of tissue damage. Hypothermia and blunt
      trauma were often preceded to onset of disease. Diabetes and drug addiction were
      present as comorbidities. Also disease as the variant of purulent metastasis in
      case of sepsis was noted. Bone scintigraphy, CT and magnetic resonance imaging
      are the most informative. RESULTS: Infectious arthritis of sternoclavicular joint
      often had hematogenous origin, and Staphylococcus aureus was the most common
      cause. At the stage of serous arthritis antibacterial therapy was effective.
      Incision and drainage were performed urgently in case of para-articular phlegmon.
      Sternoclavicular joint resection was performed usually in 2-3 months after
      subsidence of inflammation.

PMID- 26271566
TI  - [Endovascular interventions for acute ischemia of intestine].
AB  - It is presented 5 clinical observations of acute ischemia of intestine in which
      different endovascular interventions including isolated superior mesenteric
      artery stenting, rheolytic and aspiration thrombectomy and combination of
      techniques were applied. Surgical success with blood flow restoration in superior
      mesenteric artery was achieved in 4 of 5 patients. 2 patients have required
      laparotomy and intestinal resection. In 1 case extent of resection was
      significantly reduced after previous endovascular thrombectomy. There were no
      deaths. It is concluded that endovascular interventions may be considered as
      independent method of treatment of patients with acute mesenteric ischemia. 

PMID- 26271568
TI  - [Treatment of wound defects in patients with neuroischemic form of diabetic foot
      syndrome].
AB  - AIM: Developing an algorithm of diagnosis and treatment of wound defects in
      patients with neuroischemic form of diabetic foot syndrome, study of the
      effectiveness of collagen implants in closing of wound defects. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: The paper describes the diagnostic algorithm for patients with wound
      defects in neuroischemic form of DFS. Wound cleansing from areas of necrosis,
      purulent-fibrinous plaque, biofilm of the wound was conducted on the day of
      hospitalization using hydrosurgery ultrasonic cavitation. We propose the method
      of closing the wound defect with high-tech biomaterials based on type I collagen.
      RESULTS: Implantation of type I collagen increased the relative rate of wound
      healing, reduced the amount of high amputation, and significantly reduced the
      average time of patients' stay in hospitals and their transfer to outpatient
      treatment. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Patients with neuroischemic form of diabetic foot
      syndrome should be timely and promptly pass the diagnostic phase. 2. Ultrasonic
      debridement is most effective method of wound preparation before its closure. 3.
      The use of bioplastic material Collost in patients with neuroischemic form of
      diabetic foot syndrome increases the rate of wound healing that leads to decrease
      the average patient's stay in hospital and reduce high amputations. 4. The
      average patient's stay in hospital reduced up to 20% that decreases the treatment
      costs of such category of patients.

PMID- 26271567
TI  - [Treatment of diffuse peritonitis in children].
AB  - THE PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Improving the treatment of advanced peritonitis via use
      in therapy antihypoxant Reamberin and hepatoprotector Remaxol, nutritional
      support, sanitation laparoscopic abdominal cavity. SUBJECTS: A total of 232
      children aged 1 to 15 years with generalized purulent peritonitis treated at the
      children's surgical departments of Samara from 2001 to 2014. A study group
      comprised 148 patients who used the optimized pathogenetic therapy. In the study
      group was allocated two groups: 64 patients in the pathogenetic therapy that used
      antihypoxant reamberin, and 84 children in the treatment of which reamberin and
      hepatoprotector remaxol. All the children of the main group received nutritional
      support (trophic feedings), used in the surgical treatment of abdominal
      laparoscopic sanitation. Comprehensive survey includes the study of the dynamics
      of the level of white blood cells, leukocyte index on Kalf-Caliph, erythrocyte
      sedimentation rate, temperature, total albumin concentration, transaminase
      levels. RESULTS: Comparison of the studied parameters in the study and control
      groups, showed a more rapid decrease in the symptoms and signs of intoxication
      (leukocytosis, LII, body temperature), relief of enteric disease, recovery of
      protein-synthetic function of the liver, a decrease of cytolytic and mesenchymal
      inflammatory syndrome in the study group, especially in the subgroup in which
      therapy was included remaxol. CONCLUSIONS: Optimization of treatment involving
      the application of the combined drugs--antihypoxant reamberin, hepatoprotector
      remaxol, nutritional support and implementation of laparoscopic abdominal
      sanitation led to improved results of therapy common purulent peritonitis in
      children.

PMID- 26271570
TI  - [Surgical treatment of postoperative suppurative sternomediastinitis].

PMID- 26271569
TI  - [Surgical accesses to retroperitoneal organs and anatomic structures in case of
      abdominal trauma].
AB  - It is presented the detailed description with illustrations of 3 surgical
      accesses which are used by authors to dissect retroperitoneal organs and anatomic
      structures in victims with closed trauma and abdominal injury. We reported
      clinical observations of successful use of developed accesses. 

PMID- 26271571
TI  - [Giant basalioma of scalp with intracranial invasion].

PMID- 26271572
TI  - [Surgical treatment of degenerative two-level stenosis in thoracic spine].

PMID- 26271573
TI  - [Hydatid disease of the left hip].

PMID- 26271574
TI  - Broccoli seed extract: Genotoxicity and subchronic toxicity studies.
AB  - Potential health benefits have been attributed to broccoli consumption. Hence,
      there is potential for use of broccoli seed extract (BSE) in food or for use as a
      dietary supplement. To assess the potential safety of a BSE product, three
      genotoxicity experiments, including an Ames, in vivo mouse micronucleus, and in
      vivo mouse sperm abnormality assay, were carried out. BSE was subject to an acute
      oral toxicity test and was evaluated in a 30-day feeding study in rats. BSE
      showed no mutagenic activity in the Ames assay and no evidence of genotoxic
      potential in the in vivo assays at doses up to 10 g/kg body weight (bw). The LD50
      of BSE in rats was >10 g/kg bw/d. In the 30-day feeding study, in which BSE was
      administered in the diet to provide doses of 0, 0.3, 1.0, or 3.0 g/kg bw/d, no
      toxicological significant effects were noted on body weight, body weight gain,
      organ weights, or on the results of hematological, clinical chemistry and
      histopathological evaluations. The no-observed-adverse-effect level was
      considered to be 3.0 g/kg bw/d, the highest dose tested. Collectively, these
      results support the safe use of BSE as a food ingredient or product.

PMID- 26271575
TI  - Immunological and histopathological characterization of cutaneous candidiasis.
AB  - Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis constitutes a heterogeneous group of syndromes,
      characterized by non-invasive infection of the skin, nails and mucosal membranes
      by the fungus Candida spp. Although symptoms are heterogeneous, in all cases
      there is a reduction in protective cytokines, favouring the development of
      disease. The normal role of cytokines in skin lesions is not well understood. The
      present study aimed to investigate the progression of disease, understand
      specific cellular and molecular components involved in immunity to Candida
      albicans and determine the balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines
      over the course of cutaneous infection in immunocompetent mice. BALB/c mice (five
      per group) were inoculated with 5 * 10(6)C. albicans pseudohyphae in the deep
      dermis of the paw and analysed over 1-14  days post-infection. The contralateral
      paws were used for negative controls. Haematoxylin and eosin staining of skin
      sections during C. albicans infection was performed to analyse structural
      modifications to the epidermis such as hyperplasia, and infiltration of
      neutrophils and fibroblasts in the dermis. The cytokine populations were
      determined by capture ELISA using popliteal lymph node tissue. Pro-inflammatory
      cytokines (IL-6, TNF-alpha, IL-12, IFN-gamma and IL-17) were detected at
      significant levels during the initial phase of cutaneous infection and correlated
      with the rapid elimination of C. albicans. Anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-13, IL
      4, IL-10 and transforming growth factor-beta) were detected on day 4 post
      infection, and prevented exacerbation of inflammation and participated in healing
      of lesions. Thus, a balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines was
      fundamental for the resolution of infection. Importantly, these findings broaden
      our understanding of the immune mechanisms involved in chronic cutaneous
      candidiasis.

PMID- 26271576
TI  - First report of Urosporidium sp., a haplosporidian hyperparasite infecting
      digenean trematode Parvatrema duboisi in Manila clam, Ruditapes philippinarum on
      the west coast of Korea.
AB  - In this study, we first report on the occurrence of Urosporidium sp., a
      haplosporidian hyperparasite infecting the trematode, Parvatrema duboisi, which
      parasitizes Manila clams, Ruditapes philippinarum on the west and south coasts of
      Korea. The larval P. duboisi infected by the sporocyst stage of Urosporidium sp.
      demonstrated numerous small yellowish spores in their tissues. The heavily
      infected metacercariae exhibited degenerate bodies and the larvae were often
      motionless. Clams heavily infected by the metacercariae of P. duboisi also
      displayed abnormal golden spots on the mantle tissue. In histology, different
      life stages of Urosporidium sp. could be identified, including the uni-nucleate,
      plasmodial, sporogonic stages and the acid fast mature spores released from the
      cyst. In scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the mature spore exhibited a semi
      circular rim around the apical end and the orifice was covered internally with a
      flap. Loop-like filaments ornamentation was also identified from Urosporidium sp.
      in SEM, suggesting that Urosporidium sp. found in this study is a new member in
      the genus. Prevalence of Urosporidium sp.-infected trematodes in this study
      ranged from 2.5% to 24.0% in April 2010 and the infection was observed from 8
      sampling sites out of the 26 sites surveyed on the west and south coasts. 

PMID- 26271577
TI  - Deletion of luxS further attenuates the virulence of the avian pathogenic
      Escherichia coli aroA mutant.
AB  - In this study, an aroA-deletion avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) mutant
      (strain DE17DeltaaroA) and aroA and luxS double deletion APEC mutant (strain
      DE17DeltaluxSDeltaaroA) were constructed from the APEC DE17 strain. The results
      showed that as compared to DE17DeltaaroA, the virulence of DE17DeltaluxSDeltaaroA
      was further attenuated by 200- and 31.7-fold, respectively, in ducklings based on
      the 50% lethal dose. The adherence and invasion abilities of
      DE17DeltaluxSDeltaaroA and DE17DeltaaroA were reduced by 36.5%/42.5% and
      25.8%/29.3%, respectively, as compared to the wild-type strain DE17 (p < 0.05 and
      0.01, respectively). Furthermore, in vivo studies showed that the bacterial loads
      of DE17DeltaluxSDeltaaroA were reduced by 8400- and 11,333-fold in the spleen and
      blood of infected birds, respectively, while those of DE17DeltaaroA were reduced
      by 743- and 1000-fold, respectively, as compared to the wild-type strain DE17.
      Histopathological analysis showed both that the mutants were associated with
      reduced pathological changes in the liver, spleen, and kidney of ducklings, and
      changes in DE17DeltaluxSDeltaaroA-infected ducklings were reduced to a greater
      degree than those infected with DE17DeltaaroA. Real-time polymerase chain
      reaction analysis further demonstrated that the mRNA levels of virulence-related
      genes (i.e., tsh, ompA, vat, iucD, pfs, fyuA, and fimC) were significantly
      decreased in DE17DeltaaroA, especially in DE17DeltaluxSDeltaaroA, as compared to
      DE17 (p < 0.05). In addition, the deletion of aroA or the double deletion of aroA
      and luxS reduced bacterial motility. To evaluate the potential use of
      DE17DeltaluxSDeltaaroA as a vaccine candidate, 50 7-day-old ducklings were
      divided randomly into five groups of ten each for the experiment. The results
      showed that the ducklings immunized with inactivated DE17, DE17DeltaluxS,
      DE17DeltaaroA, and DE17DeltaluxSDeltaaroA were 70.0%, 70.0%, 70.0, and 80.0%
      protected, respectively, after challenge with strain APEC DE17. The results of
      this study suggest that the double deletion of luxS and aroA attenuated APEC
      pathogenicity and DE17DeltaluxSDeltaaroA was more appropriate for development of
      a future vaccine against avian colibacillosis than DE17DeltaaroA.

PMID- 26271578
TI  - Increased Distance From the Tertiary Cardiac Center Is Associated With Worse 30
      Day Outcomes After Cardiac Operations.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have examined the effect of geographic place of
      residence on access to cardiovascular care, but few have examined their effect on
      outcomes after cardiac operations. This study examined the effect of geographic
      place of residence on in-hospital and 30-day outcomes after cardiac operations.
      METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of all patients undergoing
      nonemergency cardiac operations at a single institution between April 2004 and
      March 2011. Geographic place of residence was defined as the driving distance
      from the patient's home to the tertiary cardiac care center divided into the
      following categories: 0 to 50 km, 50 to 100 km, 100 to 150 km, 150 to 200 km, 200
      to 250 km, and more than 250 km. Multivariable logistic regression was used to
      determine the independent effect of driving distance on in-hospital and 30-day
      outcomes. RESULTS: The final study population included 4,493 patients, of whom
      3,897 (86.7%) had 30-day follow-up. After adjusting for differences among patient
      groups, no consistent relationship existed between distance and in-hospital
      outcomes. However, increased distance beyond 100 km was significantly associated
      with a greater risk of adverse outcomes at 30 days (0 to 50 km: referent; 50 to
      100 km: odds ratio, 1.16 [95% confidence interval, 0.83 to 1.62]; 100 to 150 km:
      1.32 [1.05 to 1.65], 150 to 200 km: 1.68 [1.33 to 2.11], 200 to 250 km: 1.41
      [1.06 to 1.88], and >250 km: 1.30 [1.04 to 1.63]). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who live
      at an increased distance from the tertiary cardiac care center are more likely to
      have worse 30-day outcomes after cardiac operations. Further study is required to
      determine the mechanisms underlying this relationship and how such inequalities
      may be minimized.

PMID- 26271579
TI  - Potential Impact of Modifiable Clinical Variables on Length of Stay After First
      Time Cardiac Surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recent financial challenges highlight the importance of accurate
      prediction of length of hospital stay (LOS). We assessed reliability of The
      Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) risk prediction for extended and shorter LOS
      and examined whether modifiable clinical variables are associated with LOS in
      first-time cardiac surgery patients. METHODS: Isolated aortic valve, mitral
      valve, and coronary artery bypass graft surgery patients since 2008 were included
      (n = 3,472). Multivariate regression was used to evaluate nonmodifiable and
      potentially modifiable (preoperative hematocrit, hemoglobin A1c, body mass index,
      current smoker, major perioperative morbidity, and blood product transfusion)
      predictors of LOS in days. RESULTS: Mean age was 63.9 +/- 11.2 years, 76% were
      males, and mean STS mortality risk was 1.9% +/- 3.2%. Median (interquartile
      range) LOS was 4 (3 to 6) days. Predicted STS risk was 6.2% +/- 7.1% for extended
      LOS (>14 days) and 48.3% +/- 20.2% for short LOS (<6 days). Extended LOS was
      observed in 5.2% of patients (observed versus expected, 0.84; p = 0.019).
      Observed short LOS was better than predicted (67.8%; observed versus expected,
      1.40; p < 0.001). Inclusion of modifiable variables in the LOS prediction model
      was significant (p < 0.001). Significant modifiable predictors were lower
      hematocrit, higher hemoglobin A1c, major morbidity, and transfusion. Longer
      predicted LOS from the model correlated with longer actual LOS (rs = 0.63; p <
      0.001). Applying the prediction equation from the model to a hypothetical average
      patient, predicted LOS was 4.6 days. CONCLUSIONS: The STS risk model was reliably
      predictive of short and extended LOS but did not allow prediction of exact LOS in
      days. Accounting for potentially modifiable clinical variables, such as low
      hematocrit and blood transfusion, especially in elective patients, should lead to
      shorter LOS, higher satisfaction, and reduced financial burden.

PMID- 26271581
TI  - Transcatheter and Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement in Dialysis Patients: A
      Propensity-Matched Comparison.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) clinical trials in
      North America excluded patients on dialysis and, consequently, the outcomes of
      TAVR in dialysis-dependent patients remain unknown. METHODS: All Medicare fee-for
      service patients undergoing TAVR (n = 5,005) or surgical aortic valve replacement
      (SAVR) (n = 32,634) between January 1, 2011, and November 30, 2012, were
      identified using procedural codes collected by the Centers for Medicare &
      Medicaid Services. Dialysis status and comorbidities were identified using
      diagnosis codes present on arrival for TAVR hospitalization. Patients supported
      on dialysis who underwent TAVR (n = 224) were compared with non-dialysis patients
      who underwent TAVR as well as a propensity-matched group of contemporaneous
      dialysis patients who underwent SAVR (n = 194 pairs). RESULTS: The TAVR patients
      on dialysis were younger than non-dialysis TAVR patients (79.2 years vs 84.1
      years; p < 0.01) but had higher prevalence of comorbidities. Dialysis TAVR
      patients had increased mortality at 30 days (13% vs 6%, p < 0.01) and
      significantly worse survival by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Multivariable regression
      found dialysis to be independently associated with worse survival (hazard ratio,
      1.73; 95% confidence interval, 1.33% to 2.25%, p < 0.01) in TAVR patients.
      Propensity-matched dialysis SAVR and dialysis TAVR patients had no significant
      differences in demographic or risk factors. Matched dialysis TAVR patients had
      shorter length of stay (6 interquartile range, 4 to 10] vs 10 [IQR 7 to 18] days;
      p < 0.01) and comparable survival. CONCLUSIONS: TAVR in dialysis patients is
      associated with decreased survival compared with non-dialysis patients; however,
      it is comparable with SAVR in high risk dialysis patients based on a propensity
      matched comparison.

PMID- 26271582
TI  - Is Total Arch Replacement Associated With Worse Outcomes During Repair of Acute
      Type A Aortic Dissection?
AB  - BACKGROUND: As acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) remains a challenge, the
      extent of resection of the transverse arch remains debated during operative
      repair. The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of total arch
      repair versus ascending/proximal arch repair for ATAAD. METHODS: We
      retrospectively reviewed our aortic database of ATAAD between October 1999 and
      December 2014. Patients were divided into two groups: total arch repair versus
      proximal arch repair (hemiarch). Indications for arch replacement during ATAAD
      include aneurysm greater than 5 cm, complex arch tear, and arch rupture.
      Inhospital and long-term outcomes were compared between the two groups using
      univariate analysis and multiple logistic regression analysis. Survival was
      analyzed using Kaplan-Meier and log rank statistics, and assessment of risk
      factors for survival was conducted by Cox proportional hazards regression
      analysis. RESULTS: During the study period, we performed 489 repairs of ATAAD, 49
      patients (10%) with total arch replacement and 440 patients (90%) with proximal
      arch replacement. Patients with total arch repair were older (62.4 +/- 13.4 years
      versus 57.9 +/- 14.8 years, p = 0.046) and had significantly increased retrograde
      aortic dissection, circulatory arrest, and retrograde cerebral perfusion times.
      The incidences of early mortality, stroke, and need for renal dialysis between
      the total arch and proximal arch group were not significantly different: 20.4%
      (10 of 49) versus 12.9% (57 of 440), 8.2% (4 of 49) versus 10.5% (46 of 440), and
      27% (13 of 49) versus 17.6% (76 of 432), respectively. Late survival did not
      demonstrate a difference between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Acute type A aortic
      dissection remains a challenge associated with significant mortality and
      morbidity. When compared with a less aggressive resection, total arch replacement
      performed in an individualized fashion can be associated with acceptable early
      and late outcomes for ATAAD and was not associated with worse outcomes.

PMID- 26271580
TI  - Beating-Heart Versus Conventional On-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: A Meta
      Analysis of Clinical Outcomes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Beating-heart on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (BH-ONCAB)
      offers a hybrid coronary revascularization technique that may confer the benefits
      of an "off-pump" operation while maintaining the hemodynamic stability and
      mechanical support of conventional on-pump CABG (C-ONCAB). This study aimed to
      identify whether BH-ONCAB confers a morbidity or mortality benefit over C-ONCAB
      in the immediate and midterm postoperative period. METHODS: A systematic
      literature review identified 13 studies incorporating 3,930 patients (937 BH
      ONCAB; 2,993 C-ONCAB) fulfilling our inclusion criteria. Outcomes were meta
      analyzed using random-effects modelling. Between-study heterogeneity was
      investigated through quality assessment, subgroup, and risk of bias analysis.
      RESULTS: No difference was seen in overall 30-day mortality (13 studies; odds
      ratio, 0.60; 95% confidence interval, 0.32 to 1.14; p = 0.12), or midterm
      survival (5 studies; hazard ratio, 0.65; 95% confidence interval, 0.22 to 1.88; p
      = 0.43) between BH-ONCAB and C-ONCAB. BH-ONCAB was associated with significantly
      fewer postoperative myocardial infarction events (odds ratio, 0.32; 95%
      confidence interval, 0.11 to 0.92; p = 0.03); however, no significant difference
      was observed in other postoperative morbidity outcomes. Intraoperatively, BH
      ONCAB resulted in significantly less intraaortic balloon pump use, shorter
      cardiopulmonary bypass time, and less blood loss. The number of anastomoses and
      vessels grafted were not significantly different between BH-ONCAB and C-ONCAB.
      CONCLUSIONS: BH-ONCAB is a safe and comparable alternative to C-ONCAB in terms of
      early mortality and late survival. Furthermore, BH-ONCAB may confer a particular
      advantage in preventing perioperative myocardial infarction and reducing overall
      blood loss. Future work should focus on larger matched studies and multicenter
      randomized controlled trials that risk-stratify patients according to
      preoperative ventricular function and renal insufficiency to allow us to optimize
      our surgical revascularization strategy in these high-risk patients.

PMID- 26271583
TI  - Nadir Oxygen Delivery on Bypass and Hypotension Increase Acute Kidney Injury Risk
      After Cardiac Operations.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) continues to complicate cardiac operations.
      We sought to determine whether nadir oxygen delivery (DO2) on cardiopulmonary
      bypass (CPB) was a risk factor for AKI while also accounting for other
      postoperative factors. METHODS: Using propensity scoring, we matched 85 patients
      who developed AKI after cardiac operations on CPB with 85 control patients who
      did not. We analyzed the following variables through midnight on postoperative
      day 1 (POD1): DO2, antibiotics, blood products and vasopressors (intraoperatively
      and postoperatively), and hemodynamic variables. RESULTS: Univariable analysis
      revealed AKI patients had lower nadir DO2 on CPB (208 vs 230 mL O2/min/m(2) body
      surface area, p = 0.03), lower intensive care unit admission blood pressure
      gradient across the kidney (mean arterial pressure minus central venous pressure;
      60 vs 68 mm Hg; p < 0.001), a greater proportion of patients with mean arterial
      pressure of less than 60 mm Hg for more than 15 minutes in the postoperative
      period (70% vs 42%, p < 0.001), a greater chance of having a cardiac index of
      less than 2.2 (74% vs 49%, p = 0.02), and greater total vasopressor use through
      the end of POD1 (5.2 vs 2.3 mg, p = 0.002). On multivariable analysis, predictors
      of AKI were a DO2 on CPB of less than 225 mL O2/min/m(2) (odds ratio, 2.46; 95%
      confidence interval, 1.21 to 5.03; p = 0.01) and postoperative mean arterial
      pressure of less than 60 mm Hg for more than 15 minutes (odds ratio, 3.96; 95%
      confidence interval, 1.92 to 8.20; p < 0.001). An average postoperative pressor
      dose greater than 0.03 MUg/kg/min did not reach significance (odds ratio, 1.98;
      95% confidence interval, 0.95 to 4.11; p = 0.07). CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative
      hypotension on POD0 or POD1 and low DO2 on CPB both independently increase the
      AKI risk in cardiac surgical patients.

PMID- 26271584
TI  - Midterm Outcome of Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting in Young Patients: A
      Multicenter Italian Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Myocardial revascularization in young patients should be durable
      enough to avoid new cardiovascular events or repeated revascularization
      procedures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the late outcomes of patients
      less than 50 years of age undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in
      comparison with older patients. METHODS: This study was a survival analysis of a
      pooled multicenter prospective cohort of patients who underwent CABG. RESULTS:
      Five percent of patients (572 of 11,087) were less than 50 years of age. The
      prevalence of female sex, pulmonary disease, diabetes, stroke, and extracardiac
      arteriopathy was lower compared with that in older patients. Left ventricular
      function was more well preserved in patients less than 50 years of age, but the
      prevalence of recent myocardial infarction and the need for emergency surgical
      intervention was significantly higher in young patients. Multiple propensity
      score-adjusted analysis showed that patients aged less than 50 years had a
      significantly lower risk of mortality, even when compared with the 50- to 59-year
      stratum. In the propensity score-matched population (544 pairs), patients less
      than 50 years of age had significantly better 7-year outcomes compared with
      patients aged 50 years or more: survival (95.6% versus 81.1%; p < 0.0001),
      freedom from stroke (97.4% versus 95.3%; p = 0.009), freedom from major adverse
      cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) (76.6% versus 63.9%; p = 0.002).
      Similar freedom from myocardial infarction (90.1% versus 90.1%; p = 0.68) and
      repeated revascularization (87.1% versus 87.2%; p = 0.65) was observed in
      patients less than 50 years of age and those older than 50 years. CONCLUSIONS:
      Patients less than 50 years of age undergoing CABG have an excellent outcome
      compared with elderly patients. These data indicate that despite its premature
      onset, coronary artery disease in young patients does not have a more aggressive
      course than that in older patients.

PMID- 26271585
TI  - Design of novel dispirooxindolopyrrolidine and dispirooxindolopyrrolothiazole
      derivatives as potential antitubercular agents.
AB  - With the aim to develop new potent antitubercular agents, a series of novel
      dispirooxindolopyrrolidines and dispirooxindolopyrrolothiazoles have been
      synthesized via a three-component 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of (Z)-3
      arylidenebenzofuran-2-ones, substituted isatin derivatives and alpha-aminoacids.
      The stereochemistry of the spiroadducts has been confirmed by an X-ray
      diffraction analysis. All the target heterocycles were evaluated for in vitro
      antitubercular activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv strain and the
      most active compounds were subjected to cytotoxicity studies against (RAW 264.7)
      cell lines. Among them, twelve compounds showed potent anti-tubercular activity
      with MIC ranging from 1.56 to 6.25 MUg/mL. In particular
      dispirooxindolopyrrolothiazole derivatives 5c and 5f were found to be the most
      active (MIC of 1.56 MUg/mL) with a good safety profile (27.53% and 20.74% at 50
      MUM, respectively). This is the first report demonstrating the benzofuranone
      oxindole hybrids as potential antimycobacterial agents.

PMID- 26271586
TI  - Isolation and structure of vanitaracin A, a novel anti-hepatitis B virus compound
      from Talaromyces sp.
AB  - Two new tricyclic polyketides, vanitaracin A (1) and B (2), together with three
      novel compounds 3, 4 and 5, were isolated from a culture broth of a fungus,
      Talaromyces sp. The chemical structures of these compounds were determined from
      spectroscopic data (1D/2D NMR, MS and IR). The five isolated compounds were then
      tested for anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) activity and vanitaracin A was found to
      exhibit an IC50 value of 10.5 MUM using a HBV-susceptible cell line. By contrast,
      the derivative 2 displayed weak anti-HBV action, which suggested that the
      substituents at C-9 in 1 are likely to be important for its antiviral activity.
      We believe the two vanitaracin derivatives constitute a new class of anti-HBV
      agents.

PMID- 26271588
TI  - Recent progress in the development of small-molecule glucagon receptor
      antagonists.
AB  - The endocrine hormone glucagon stimulates hepatic glucose output via its action
      at the glucagon receptor (GCGr) in the liver. In the diabetic state,
      dysregulation of glucagon secretion contributes to abnormally elevated hepatic
      glucose output. The inhibition of glucagon-induced hepatic glucose output via
      antagonism of the GCGr using small-molecule ligands is a promising mechanism for
      improving glycemic control in the diabetic state. Clinical data evaluating the
      therapeutic potential of small-molecule GCGr antagonists is currently emerging.
      Recently disclosed clinical data demonstrates the potential efficacy and possible
      therapeutic limitations of small-molecule GCGr antagonists. Recent pre-clinical
      work on the development of GCGr antagonists is also summarized. 

PMID- 26271589
TI  - Vascular barrier protective effects of 3-N- or 3-O-cinnamoyl carbazole
      derivatives.
AB  - In this Letter, we investigated the barrier protective effects of 3-N-(MeO)n
      cinnamoyl carbazoles (BS 1; n=1, BS 2; n=2, BS 3; n=3) and 3-O-(MeO)3-cinnamoyl
      carbazole (BS 4) against high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1)-mediated vascular
      disruptive responses in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and in
      mice for the first time. Data showed that BS 2, BS 3, and BS 4, but not BS 1,
      inhibited HMGB1-mediated vascular disruptive responses and transendothelial
      migration of human neutrophils to HUVECs. BS 2, BS3, and BS 4 also suppressed
      HMGB1-induced hyperpermeability and leukocyte migration in mice. Interestingly,
      the barrier protective effects of BS 3 and BS 4 were better than those of BS 2.
      These results suggest that the number of methoxy groups substituted on the
      cinnamamide or cinnamate moiety of the 9H-3-carbazole derivative is an important
      pharmacophore for the barrier protective effects of these compounds.

PMID- 26271587
TI  - Discovery of selective N-[3-(1-methyl-piperidine-4-carbonyl)-phenyl]-benzamide
      based 5-HT1 F receptor agonists: Evolution from bicyclic to monocyclic cores.
AB  - Preclinical experiments and clinical observations suggest the potential
      effectiveness of selective 5-HT1F receptor agonists in migraine. Identifying
      compounds with enhanced selectivity is crucial to assess its therapeutic value.
      Replacement of the indole nucleus in 2 (LY334370) with a monocyclic phenyl ketone
      moiety generated potent and more selective 5-HT1F receptor agonists. Focused SAR
      studies around this central phenyl ring demonstrated that the electrostatic and
      steric interactions of the substituent with both the amide CONH group and the
      ketone CO group play pivotal roles in affecting the adopted conformation and thus
      the 5-HT1F receptor selectivity. Computational studies confirmed the observed
      results and provide a useful tool in the understanding of the conformational
      requirements for 5-HT1F receptor agonist activity and selectivity. Through this
      effort, the 2-F-phenyl and N-2-pyridyl series were also identified as potent and
      selective 5-HT1F receptor agonists. 

PMID- 26271590
TI  - Microbiological and molecular epidemiological analyses of community-associated
      methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus at a tertiary care hospital in Japan.
AB  - Molecular characterization of community-associated methicillin-resistant
      Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) is generally conducted referred to staphylococcal
      cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) type IV or V. CA-MRSA is now a cause of concern
      since such strains have been isolated not only from individuals in a community
      but also from patients in healthcare settings. The aim of this study was to
      analyze microbiological and molecular epidemiological features of CA-MRSA strains
      at a Japanese tertiary care hospital using PCR based-open reading frame typing
      (POT). This technique allows for molecular classification into CA-MRSA (POT-CA)
      and hospital-associated (HA-) MRSA (POT-HA) with clonal discrimination. Clinical
      MRSA isolates obtained from consecutive patients between October 1, 2012 and
      September 30, 2013 at the hospital were analyzed in combination with the clinical
      definition for CA-MRSA by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and POT.
      Of 219 isolates (76 clonal groups), 64 (29.3%) were clinical-HA/POT-CA isolates
      (22 clonal groups). Some clones of them accumulated in this hospital and might be
      involved in nosocomial transmission. Virulent factors of the isolates were
      analyzed, and only one (1.6%) Panton-Valentine leukocidin gene positive isolate
      but no arginine catabolic mobile element genes positive isolate were found in
      clinical-HA/POT-CA. Additionally, clinical-HA/POT-CA isolates showed higher
      antimicrobial susceptibility than clinical-HA/POT-HA, especially to minocycline,
      doxycycline, and amikacin. The most frequent genotype of molecular CA-MRSA was
      multi-locus sequence type 5-SCCmecIV, previously not detected in Japan. Although
      CA-MRSA at this hospital showed low virulence and higher antimicrobial
      susceptibility, the risk of nosocomial infection from them should be recognized,
      requiring stricter infection control measures. 

PMID- 26271591
TI  - Gene polymorphisms of mannose-binding lectin confer susceptibility to
      Pneumocystis pneumonia in HIV-infected patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) plays an important role in innate
      immunity. The aim of this study was to determine whether genetic variants of MBL
      confer susceptibility to Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) in patients with advanced
      human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections. OBJECTIVE: HIV patients (n = 53)
      having CD4 counts <200/MUL who were admitted to our hospital were analyzed. Of
      these 53 patients, 30 had PCP at admission, and 23 did not. Genotypes at six
      single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in MBL2 gene and serum MBL levels were
      determined for each patient, and compared between patients with or without PCP.
      We also examined whether MBL enhances phagocytosis of macrophages against rat
      type Pneumocystis organism in vitro. RESULTS: Genotypes associated with low
      production of MBL were significantly more common in the PCP group than in the non
      PCP group (P = 0.049, odds ratio 2.17, 95% CI 1.02-4.63). Serum MBL levels were
      significantly higher in the non-PCP group (P = 0.039). Findings from in vitro
      experiments indicated that MBL act as a direct opsonin enhancing macrophage
      mediated phagocytosis of Pneumocystis organisms. CONCLUSION: Genetic variation of
      MBL production influences susceptibility to PCP in patients with advanced HIV
      infection, and can be regarded as a risk factor for PCP.

PMID- 26271593
TI  - Effective ATPase activity and moderate chaperonin-cochaperonin interaction are
      important for the functional single-ring chaperonin system.
AB  - Escherichia coli chaperonin GroEL and its cochaperonin GroES are essential for
      cell growth as they assist folding of cellular proteins. The double-ring assembly
      of GroEL is required for the chaperone function, and a single-ring variant
      GroEL(SR) is inactive with GroES. Mutations in GroEL(SR) (A92T, D115N, E191G, and
      A399T) have been shown to render GroEL(SR)-GroES functional, but the molecular
      mechanism of activation is unclear. Here we examined various biochemical
      properties of these functional GroEL(SR)-GroES variants, including ATP hydrolysis
      rate, chaperonin-cochaperonin interaction, and in vitro protein folding activity.
      We found that, unlike the diminished ATPase activity of the inactive GroEL(SR)
      GroES, all four single-ring variants hydrolyzed ATP at a level comparable to that
      of the double-ring GroEL-GroES. The chaperonin-cochaperonin interaction in these
      single-ring systems was weaker, by at least a 50-fold reduction, than the highly
      stable inactive GroEL(SR)-GroES. Strikingly, only GroEL(SR)D115N-GroES and
      GroEL(SR)A399T-GroES assisted folding of malate dehydrogenase (MDH), a commonly
      used folding substrate. These in vitro results are interesting considering that
      all four of the single-ring systems were able to substitute GroEL-GroES to
      support cell growth, suggesting that the precise action of chaperonin on MDH
      folding may not represent that on the intrinsic cellular substrates. Our findings
      that both effective ATP hydrolysis rate and moderate chaperonin-cochaperonin
      interaction are important factors for functional single-ring GroEL(SR)-GroES are
      reminiscent of the naturally occurring single-ring human mitochondrial chaperonin
      mtHsp60-mtHsp10. Differences in biochemical properties between the single- and
      double-ring chaperonin systems may be exploited in designing molecules for
      selective targeting.

PMID- 26271594
TI  - Key subdomains in the C-terminal of cerebral dopamine neurotrophic factor
      regulate the protein secretion.
AB  - Cerebral dopamine neurotrophic factor (CDNF) is a novel evolutionary conserved
      neurotrophic factor (NTF) which can protect and repairs dopamine neurons in
      animal models of Parkinson's disease. The crystal structure of CDNF is dominated
      by eight alpha-helices and the 3-dimensional structure of CDNF consists of an N
      terminal saposin-like domain and a C-terminal SAP-domain. In particular, the C
      terminal domain contains two critical motifs, a CXXC motif and a putative ER
      retention signal sequences (KTEL) at the C-terminus, which indicate that CDNF may
      be involved in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. In this study, we found that
      disrupting helix-7 in the C-terminal could significantly increase CDNF secretion.
      Moreover, we identified the 149aa-154aa is the key amino acids in helix-7. In
      all, these findings suggest that helix-7 in the C-terminal is important for CDNF
      secretion, which maybe potential affect CDNF function in ER stress. 

PMID- 26271592
TI  - Magnetic nanoparticle-based drug delivery for cancer therapy.
AB  - Nanoparticles have belonged to various fields of biomedical research for quite
      some time. A promising site-directed application in the field of nanomedicine is
      drug targeting using magnetic nanoparticles which are directed at the target
      tissue by means of an external magnetic field. Materials most commonly used for
      magnetic drug delivery contain metal or metal oxide nanoparticles, such as
      superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs). SPIONs consist of an iron
      oxide core, often coated with organic materials such as fatty acids,
      polysaccharides or polymers to improve colloidal stability and to prevent
      separation into particles and carrier medium [1]. In general, magnetite and
      maghemite particles are those most commonly used in medicine and are, as a rule,
      well-tolerated. The magnetic properties of SPIONs allow the remote control of
      their accumulation by means of an external magnetic field. Conjugation of SPIONs
      with drugs, in combination with an external magnetic field to target the
      nanoparticles (so-called "magnetic drug targeting", MDT), has additionally
      emerged as a promising strategy of drug delivery. Magnetic nanoparticle-based
      drug delivery is a sophisticated overall concept and a multitude of magnetic
      delivery vehicles have been developed. Targeting mechanism-exploiting, tumor
      specific attributes are becoming more and more sophisticated. The same is true
      for controlled-release strategies for the diseased site. As it is nearly
      impossible to record every magnetic nanoparticle system developed so far, this
      review summarizes interesting approaches which have recently emerged in the field
      of targeted drug delivery for cancer therapy based on magnetic nanoparticles. 

PMID- 26271597
TI  - Dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol suppresses monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells by
      attenuation of JNK signaling pathway.
AB  - Several clinical studies have shown that the intake of aged garlic extract
      improves endothelial dysfunction. Lignan compounds, (+)-(2S,3R)
      dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol (DDC) and (-)-(2R,3S)-dihydrodehydrodiconiferyl
      alcohol (DDDC), have been isolated as antioxidants in aged garlic extract. There
      is evidence showing the importance of oxidative stress in endothelial
      dysfunction. In the present study, we examined whether DDC and DDDC enhance
      endothelial cell function in vitro. Cell adhesion assay was performed using THP-1
      monocyte and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) which were activated
      by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or advanced glycation end products (AGEs)-BSA.
      Cellular ELISA method was used for the evaluation of vascular cell adhesion
      molecule 1 (VCAM-1) expression on HUVECs. DDC and DDDC suppressed the adhesion of
      THP-1 to HUVECs which was activated by LPS or AGEs-BSA. DDC and DDDC also
      inhibited VCAM-1 expression induced by LPS or AGEs-BSA, but DDDC was less
      effective than DDC. In addition, the inhibitory effect of DDC on VCAM-1
      expression involved suppressing JNK/c-Jun pathway rather than NF-kappaB pathway.
      DDC has an inhibitory effect on VCAM-1 expression via JNK pathway in endothelial
      cells and therefore may serve as a novel pharmacological agent to improve
      endothelial dysfunction. 

PMID- 26271595
TI  - Lithium protects against methamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells via
      Akt/GSK3beta/mTOR pathway.
AB  - Methamphetamine (MA) is neurotoxic, especially in dopaminergic neurons. Long
      lasting exposure to MA causes psychosis and increases the risk of Parkinson's
      disease. Lithium (Li) is a known mood stabilizer and has neuroprotective effects.
      Previous studies suggest that MA exposure decreases the phosphorylation of
      Akt/GSK3beta pathway in vivo, whereas Li facilitates the phosphorylation of
      Akt/GSK3beta pathway. Moreover, GSK3beta and mTOR are implicated in the locomotor
      sensitization induced by psychostimulants and mTOR plays a critical role in MA
      induced toxicity. However, the effect of MA on Akt/GSK3beta/mTOR pathway has not
      been fully investigated in vitro. Here, we found that MA exposure significantly
      dephosphorylated Akt/GSK3beta/mTOR pathway in PC12 cells. In addition, Li
      remarkably attenuated the dephosphorylation effect of MA exposure on
      Akt/GSK3beta/mTOR pathway. Furthermore, Li showed obvious protective effects
      against MA toxicity and LY294002 (Akt inhibitor) suppressed the protective
      effects of Li. Together, MA exposure dephosphorylates Akt/GSK3beta/mTOR pathway
      in vitro, while lithium protects against MA-induced neurotoxicity via
      phosphorylation of Akt/GSK3beta/mTOR pathway.

PMID- 26271596
TI  - Lamp-2 deficiency prevents high-fat diet-induced obese diabetes via enhancing
      energy expenditure.
AB  - Autophagy process is essential for maintaining intracellular homeostasis and
      consists of autophagosome formation and subsequent fusion with lysosome for
      degradation. Although the role of autophagosome formation in the pathogenesis of
      diabetes has been recently documented, the role of the latter process remains
      unclear. This study analyzed high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice lacking lysosome
      associated membrane protein-2 (lamp-2), which is essential for the fusion with
      lysosome and subsequent degradation of autophagosomes. Although lamp-2 deficient
      mice showed little alteration in glucose metabolism under normal diet feeding,
      they showed a resistance against high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity,
      hyperinsulinemic hyperglycemia and tissues lipid accumulation, accompanied with
      higher energy expenditure. The expression levels of thermogenic genes in brown
      adipose tissue were significantly increased in HFD-fed lamp-2-deficient mice. Of
      some serum factors related to energy expenditure, the serum level of fibroblast
      growth factor (FGF) 21 and its mRNA expression level in the liver were
      significantly higher in HFD-fed lamp-2-deficient mice in an ER stress-, but not
      PPARalpha-, dependent manner. In conclusion, a lamp-2-depenedent fusion and
      degradation process of autophagosomes is involved in the pathogenesis of obese
      diabetes, providing a novel insight into autophagy and diabetes. 

PMID- 26271599
TI  - Assays for therapeutic drug monitoring of beta-lactam antibiotics: A structured
      review.
AB  - In some patient groups, including critically ill patients, the pharmacokinetics
      of beta-lactam antibiotics may be profoundly disturbed due to pathophysiological
      changes in distribution and elimination. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is a
      strategy that may help to optimise dosing. The aim of this review was to identify
      and analyse the published literature on the methods used for beta-lactam
      quantification in TDM programmes. Sixteen reports described methods for the
      simultaneous determination of three or more beta-lactam antibiotics in
      plasma/serum. Measurement of these antibiotics, due to low frequency of usage
      relative to some other tests, is generally limited to in-house chromatographic
      methods coupled to ultraviolet or mass spectrometric detection. Although many
      published methods state they are fit for TDM, they are inconvenient because of
      intensive sample preparation and/or long run times. Ideally, methods used for
      routine TDM should have a short turnaround time (fast run-time and fast sample
      preparation), a low limit of quantification and a sufficiently high upper limit
      of quantification. The published assays included a median of 6 analytes
      [interquartile range (IQR) 4-10], with meropenem and piperacillin being the most
      frequently measured beta-lactam antibiotics. The median run time was 8 min (IQR
      5.9-21.3 min). There is also a growing number of methods measuring free
      concentrations. An assay that measures antibiotics without any sample preparation
      would be the next step towards real-time monitoring; no such method is currently
      available.

PMID- 26271598
TI  - Combined anti CXC receptors 1 and 2 therapy is a promising anti-inflammatory
      treatment for respiratory diseases by reducing neutrophil migration and
      activation.
AB  - Neutrophil infiltration and activation in the lung are important
      pathophysiological features in COPD, severe asthma and bronchiectasis mostly
      mediated by CXCL8 and CXCL1 via CXCR1 and CXCR2. No thorough study to date has
      been performed to compare the anti-inflammatory effect profile of dual CXCR1/2
      vs. selective CXCR2 antagonists in relevant human neutrophil assays and pulmonary
      inflammation models. Dual CXCR1/2 (SCH527123, diaminocyclobutandione-1) and
      selective CXCR2 (SB265610, thiopyrimidine-1) antagonist activity and receptor
      residence time were determined by [(35)S]GTPgammaS binding in human (h)- and
      guinea pig (gp)-CXCR1 and CXCR2 overexpressing membranes. h-neutrophil
      chemotaxis, degranulation and ROS production were established using CXCL8 or
      CXCL1 to evaluate dual CXCR1/2- or selective CXCR2-dependent activities. LPS
      induced lung inflammation in gp was selected to assess in vivo potency. Dual
      CXCR1/2 antagonists blocked both CXCL8 and CXCL1-induced h-neutrophil functions
      and [(35)S]GTPgammaS binding. In contrary, selective CXCR2 antagonists displayed
      significantly reduced potency in CXCL8 -mediated h-neutrophil responses despite
      being active in CXCR2 assays. Upon LPS challenge in gp, administration of
      SCH527123 inhibited the increase of neutrophils in BALF, modestly reduced blood
      neutrophils and induced minor neutrophil accumulation in bone marrow.
      Differentiation of CXCR1/2 vs. CXCR2 antagonists could not be extended to in vivo
      due to differences in CXCR1 receptor homology between h and gp. Dual CXCR1/2
      therapy may represent a promising anti-inflammatory treatment for respiratory
      diseases reducing more effectively neutrophil migration and activation in the
      lung than a CXCR2 selective treatment. However, the in vivo confirmation of this
      claim is still missing due to species differences in CXCR1.

PMID- 26271601
TI  - Multiple Sclerosis Mortality Rates in Canada, 1975-2009.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study examined mortality due to multiple sclerosis (MS) in
      Canada, 1975-2009 to determine whether there has been a change in age at death
      relative to the general population and decrease in MS mortality rates. METHODS:
      Mortality rates/100,000 population for MS and all causes were calculated using
      data derived from Statistics Canada, age-standardized to the 2006 population.
      RESULTS: The average annual Canadian MS mortality rate, 1975-2009 was
      1.23/100,000. Five-year rates for 1975-79, 1980-84, 1985-89, 1990-94, 1995-99,
      2000-04, 2005-09 were: 1.16, 0.94, 1.01, 1.16, 1.30, 1.43, 1.33. Trend analysis
      showed mortality rates over the entire 35 years were stable (average annual
      percent change of less than one percent). The average annual 1975-2009 rates for
      females and males were 1.45 and 0.99. Five-year female rates were always higher
      than males. Regardless of gender, there was a decrease in MS mortality rates in
      the 0-39 age group and increases in the 60-69, 70-79, and 80+ groups over time.
      In contrast, there were decreases in all-cause mortality rates across each age
      group. The highest MS mortality rates for 1975-2009 were consistently in the 50
      59 and 60-69 groups for both genders, while the highest all-cause mortality rates
      were in the 80+ group. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in the age distribution of MS
      mortality rates indicate a shift to later age at death, possibly due to improved
      health care. However MS patients remain disadvantaged relative to the general
      population and changes in age at death are not reflected in decreased mortality
      rates.

PMID- 26271600
TI  - A shrimp pacifastin light chain-like inhibitor: molecular identification and role
      in the control of the prophenoloxidase system.
AB  - Pacifastin is a recently classified family of serine proteinase inhibitors that
      play essential roles in various biological processes, including in the regulation
      of the melanization cascade. Here, a novel pacifastin-related gene, termed
      PmPacifastin-like, was identified from a reverse suppression subtractive
      hybridization (SSH) cDNA library created from hemocytes of the prophenoloxidase
      PmproPO1/2 co-silenced black tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon. The full-length
      sequences of PmPacifastin-like and its homologue LvPacifastin-like from the
      Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei were determined. Sequence analysis
      revealed that both sequences contained thirteen conserved pacifastin light chain
      domains (PLDs), followed by two putative kunitz domains. Expression analysis
      demonstrated that the PmPacifastin-like transcript was expressed in all tested
      shrimp tissues and larval developmental stages, and its expression responded to
      Vibrio harveyi challenge. To gain insight into the functional roles of
      PmPacifastin-like protein, the in vivo RNA interference experiment was employed;
      the results showed that PmPacifastin-like depletion strongly increased PO
      activity. Interestingly, suppression of PmPacifastin-like also down-regulated the
      expression of the proPO-activating enzyme PmPPAE2 transcript; the PmPacifastin
      like transcript was down-regulated after the PmproPO1/2 transcripts were
      silenced. Taken together, these results suggest that PmPacifastin-like is
      important in the shrimp proPO system and may play an essential role in shrimp
      immune defense against bacterial infection. These results also expand the
      knowledge of how pacifastin-related protein participates in the negative
      regulation of the proPO system in shrimp. 

PMID- 26271603
TI  - Self-powered thin-film motion vector sensor.
AB  - Harnessing random micromeso-scale ambient energy is not only clean and
      sustainable, but it also enables self-powered sensors and devices to be realized.
      Here we report a robust and self-powered kinematic vector sensor fabricated using
      highly pliable organic films that can be bent to spread over curved and uneven
      surfaces. The device derives its operational energy from a close-proximity
      triboelectrification of two surfaces: a polytetrafluoroethylene film coated with
      a two-column array of copper electrodes that constitutes the mover and a
      polyimide film with the top and bottom surfaces coated with a two-column aligned
      array of copper electrodes that comprises the stator. During relative
      reciprocations, the electrodes in the mover generate electric signals of +/-5 V
      to attain a peak power density of >=65 mW m(-2) at a speed of 0.3 ms(-1). From
      our 86,000 sliding motion tests of kinematic measurements, the sensor exhibits
      excellent stability, repeatability and strong signal durability. 

PMID- 26271604
TI  - Getting to Know Viral Evolutionary Strategies: Towards the Next Generation of
      Quasispecies Models.
AB  - Viral populations are formed by complex ensembles of genomes with broad
      phenotypic diversity. The adaptive strategies deployed by these ensembles are
      multiple and often cannot be predicted a priori. Our understanding of viral
      dynamics is mostly based on two kinds of empirical approaches: one directed
      towards characterizing molecular changes underlying fitness changes and another
      focused on population-level responses. Simultaneously, theoretical efforts are
      directed towards developing a formal picture of viral evolution by means of more
      realistic fitness landscapes and reliable population dynamics models. New
      technologies, chiefly the use of next-generation sequencing and related tools,
      are opening avenues connecting the molecular and the population levels. In the
      near future, we hope to be witnesses of an integration of these still decoupled
      approaches, leading into more accurate and realistic quasispecies models able to
      capture robust generalities and endowed with a satisfactory predictive power. 

PMID- 26271602
TI  - Duration of an intense laser pulse can determine the breakage of multiple
      chemical bonds.
AB  - Control over the breakage of a certain chemical bond in a molecule by an
      ultrashort laser pulse has been considered for decades. With the availability of
      intense non-resonant laser fields it became possible to pre-determine femtosecond
      to picosecond molecular bond breakage dynamics by controlled distortions of the
      electronic molecular system on sub-femtosecond time scales using field-sensitive
      processes such as strong-field ionization or excitation. So far, all successful
      demonstrations in this area considered only fragmentation reactions, where only
      one bond is broken and the molecule is split into merely two moieties. Here,
      using ethylene (C2H4) as an example, we experimentally investigate whether
      complex fragmentation reactions that involve the breakage of more than one
      chemical bond can be influenced by parameters of an ultrashort intense laser
      pulse. We show that the dynamics of removing three electrons by strong-field
      ionization determines the ratio of fragmentation of the molecular trication into
      two respectively three moieties. We observe a relative increase of two-body
      fragmentations with the laser pulse duration by almost an order of magnitude.
      Supported by quantum chemical simulations we explain our experimental results by
      the interplay between the dynamics of electron removal and nuclear motion. 

PMID- 26271605
TI  - Label-Free Biosensing with High Selectivity in Complex Media using Microtoroidal
      Optical Resonators.
AB  - Although label-free biosensors comprised of optical microcavities inherently
      possess the capability of resolving molecular interactions at individual level,
      this extreme sensitivity restricts their convenience for large scale applications
      by inducing vulnerability towards non-specific interactions that readily occur
      within complex media. Therefore, the use of optical microresonators for
      biosensing is mostly limited within strictly defined laboratory conditions,
      instead of field applications as early detection of cancer markers in blood, or
      identification of contamination in food. Here, we propose a novel surface
      modification strategy suitable for but not limited to optical microresonator
      based biosensors, enabling highly selective biosensing with considerable
      sensitivity as well. Using a robust, silane-based surface coating which is
      simultaneously protein resistant and bioconjugable, we demonstrate that it
      becomes possible to perform biosensing within complex media, without compromising
      the sensitivity or reliability of the measurement. Functionalized microtoroids
      are successfully shown to resist nonspecific interactions, while simultaneously
      being used as sensitive biological sensors. This strategy could pave the way for
      important applications in terms of extending the use of state-of-the-art
      biosensors for solving problems similar to the aforementioned. 

PMID- 26271606
TI  - Treatment outcomes, health-care resource utilization and costs of bortezomib and
      dexamethasone, with cyclophosphamide or lenalidomide, in newly diagnosed multiple
      myeloma.

PMID- 26271608
TI  - Correction: Magnetically induced structural anisotropy in binary colloidal gels
      and its effect on diffusion and pressure driven permeability.
AB  - Correction for 'Magnetically induced structural anisotropy in binary colloidal
      gels and its effect on diffusion and pressure driven permeability' by Christoffer
      Abrahamsson et al., Soft Matter, 2014, 10, 4403-4412. 

PMID- 26271607
TI  - Stearic acid induces proinflammatory cytokine production partly through
      activation of lactate-HIF1alpha pathway in chondrocytes.
AB  - The biomechanics stress and chronic inflammation in obesity are causally linked
      to osteoarthritis. However, the metabolic factors mediating obesity-related
      osteoarthritis are still obscure. Here we scanned and identified at least two
      elevated metabolites (stearic acid and lactate) from the plasma of diet-induced
      obese mice. We found that stearic acid potentiated LDH-a-dependent production of
      lactate, which further stabilized HIF1alpha protein and increased VEGF and
      proinflammatory cytokine expression in primary mouse chondrocytes. Treatment with
      LDH-a and HIF1alpha inhibitors notably attenuated stearic acid-or high fat diet
      stimulated proinflammatory cytokine production in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore,
      positive correlation of plasma lactate, cartilage HIF1alpha and cytokine levels
      with the body mass index was observed in subjects with osteoarthritis. In
      conclusion, saturated free fatty acid induced proinflammatory cytokine production
      partly through activation of a novel lactate-HIF1alpha pathway in chondrocytes.
      Our findings hold promise of developing novel clinical strategies for the
      management of obesity-related diseases such as osteoarthritis. 

PMID- 26271610
TI  - Characterization of the phase behaviour of a novel polymerizable lyotropic ionic
      liquid crystal.
AB  - The development of new polymerizable lyotropic liquid crystals (LLCs) utilizing
      charged amphiphilic molecules such as those based on long chain imidazolium
      compounds, is a relatively new design direction for producing robust membranes
      with controllable nano-structures. Here we have developed a novel polymerizable
      ionic liquid based LLC, 1-hexadecyl-3-methylimidazolium acrylate (C16mimAcr),
      where the acrylate anion acts as the polymerizable moiety. The phase behaviour of
      the C16mimAcr upon the addition of water was characterized using small and wide
      angle X-ray scatterings, differential scanning calorimetry and polarized optical
      microscopy. We compare the phase behaviour of this new polymerizable LLC to that
      of the well known LLC chloride analogue, 1-hexadecyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride
      (C16mimCl). We find that the C16mimAcr system has a more complex phase behaviour
      compared to the C16mimCl system. Additional lyotropic liquid crystalline
      mesophases such as hexagonal phase (H1) and discontinuous cubic phase (I1) are
      observed at 20  degrees C for the acrylate system at 50 and 65 wt% water
      respectively. The appearance of the hexagonal phase (H1) and discontinuous cubic
      phase (I1) for the acrylate system is likely due to the strong hydrating nature
      of the acrylate anion, which increases the head group area. The formation of
      these additional mesophases seen for the acrylate system, especially the
      hexagonal phase (H1), coupled with the polymerization functionality offers great
      potential in the design of advanced membrane materials with selective and
      anisotropic transport properties. 

PMID- 26271609
TI  - Electrophysiological Investigations of Shape and Reproducibility of Oropharyngeal
      Swallowing: Interaction with Bolus Volume and Age.
AB  - Electrophysiological assessment provides valuable information on physiological
      and pathophysiological characteristics of human swallowing. Here, new
      electrophysiological measures for the evaluation of oropharyngeal swallowing were
      assessed: (1) the activation pattern of the submental/suprahyoid EMG activity
      (SHEMG); (2) the reproducibility of the oral and pharyngeal phases of swallowing,
      by calculating the similarity index (SI) of the SHEMG (SI-SHEMG) and of the
      laryngeal-pharyngeal mechanogram (SI-LPM) during repeated swallows; and (3)
      kinesiological measures related to the LPM. An electrophysiological-mechanical
      method for measuring the activation pattern of the SHEMG, the SI-SHEMG, and the
      SI-LPM, and maximal LPM velocity and acceleration during swallowing was applied
      in 65 healthy subjects divided into three age groups (18-39, 40-59, 60 years or
      over). All the measures were assessed during three trials of eight consecutive
      swallows of different liquid bolus volumes (3, 12, and 20 ml). A high overall
      reproducibility of oropharyngeal swallowing in healthy humans was recorded.
      However, while values of SI-SHEMG were similar in all the age groups, the SI-LPM
      was found to fall significantly in the older age group. Both the SI-SHEMG and the
      SI-LPM were found to fall with increasing bolus volumes. The activation pattern
      of the SHEMG and the LPM kinesiological measures were differently modified by
      bolus volume and age in the older subjects with respect to the others. We
      describe a new approach to the electrophysiological study of swallowing based on
      computed semi-automatic analyses. Our findings provide insight into some
      previously uninvestigated aspects of oropharyngeal swallowing physiology,
      considered in relation to bolus volume and age. The new electrophysiological
      measures here described could prove useful in the clinical setting, as it is
      likely that they could be differently affected in patients with different kinds
      of dysphagia.

PMID- 26271611
TI  - Comparison between Ki67 labeling index determined using image analysis software
      with virtual slide system and that determined visually in breast cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In recent papers, Ki67 labeling index (LI) has been used to classify
      breast cancer patients into the low and high Ki67LI groups for comparison
      studies, which showed significant differences in many prognostic factors. It has
      not been clarified whether image analysis software can be used for calculating LI
      in breast cancer. In our study, we examined whether Ki67LI in breast cancer
      calculated using image analysis software correlates with that measured on the
      basis of visual. METHODS: Fifty patients were randomly selected among breast
      cancer patients who underwent surgical operation from March, 2010 to May, 2010 in
      our hospital without preoperative chemotherapy. In this study, for the virtual
      slide system (VSS: VS120-L100, Olympus, Tokyo, Japan), the high-resolution VSs of
      all the 50 patients were prepared as samples. The image analysis software use for
      calculating LI was Tissuemorph Digital Pathology (Tissuemorph DP: Visiopharm,
      Hoersholm, Denmark). The calculated LI was extracted from 3 to 5 views containing
      hot spots. The LI calculated using Tissuemorph DP was designed as LI/image/T. The
      digital image of 3 to 5 LI/image/T views was printed out, and on the digital
      photograph, we counted visually the number of Ki67-immunopositive cells in
      exactly the same area, and the percentage of Ki67-immunopositive cells was
      designed as LI/direct. Moreover, a pathologist's assistant (PA) determined the
      tumor area in the same specimen using VSS and calculated LI using Tissuemorph DP,
      which was designed as LI/image/PA. The chief pathologist (CP) similarly
      calculated LI which was designed as LI/image/CP. We evaluated the degree of
      agreement between different data sets "LI/image/T and LI/direct" and "LI/image/T,
      LI/image/CP, and LI/image/PA" by using interclass correlation coefficient (ICC).
      RESULTS: The average counts of cells were as follows: LI/direct, 3209.7 +/-
      1970.4 (SD); LI/image/T, 2601.6 +/- 1697.1; LI/image/PA, 2886.5 +/- 2027.5;
      LI/image/CP, 18805.5 +/- 22293.4. The values of LI/direct and LI/image/T showed
      almost perfect agreement as showed by an ICC of 0.885 (95 % CI, 0.806-0.933; p <
      0.001). The agreement among three investigators was almost perfect. The obtained
      ICC was 0.825 (95 % CI, 0.739-0.890; p < 0.001) among the data of LI/image/T,
      LI/image/CP and LI/image/PA. There were five cases that immunopositivity for Ki67
      showed a more than 10 % disagreement between LI/direct and LI/image/T.
      CONCLUSION: The merits of calculating Ki67 LI using Tissuemorph DP are as
      follows. First, the staining intensity of the cells to be counted can be
      adjusted. Second, the portion of a tumor including "hot spots" for counting can
      be chosen. Third, many cancer cells can be counted more rapidly using Tissuemorph
      DP than by visual observation. However, it is important that pathologist should
      check and carry out the final decision of the data, when Ki67 LI using
      Tissuemorph DP is calculated.

PMID- 26271612
TI  - Using Heavy Metal Content and Lipid Peroxidation Indicators in the Tissues of the
      Mussel Crenomytilus grayanus for Pollution Assessment After Marine Environmental
      Remediation.
AB  - We examined the effects of environmental remediation on the heavy metal
      concentration and lipid peroxidation activity in the digestive gland and gills of
      the marine mussel Crenomytilus grayanus. Changes in heavy metal concentrations
      and lipid peroxidation biomarkers in the tissues of mussels collected at a
      contaminated site were compared with those obtained from a reference site. Prior
      to remediation the concentration of Pb, Cu, Cd, Fe and Zn and the levels of
      malondialdehyde, conjugated dienes and lipofuscin in mussels collected from the
      contaminated site were significantly increased compared with those obtained from
      the reference site. Three years after remediation, these parameters did not
      significantly exceed the reference site parameters, except Pb, whose
      concentration, though markedly decreased, yet was much higher than in tissues of
      mussels from the reference site. 

PMID- 26271613
TI  - Accumulation and Risk of Triclosan in Surface Sediments Near the Outfalls of
      Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants.
AB  - Triclosan is an antimicrobial agent which is widely used in many personal care
      products. This toxic chemical is frequently found in the aquatic environment. The
      municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluent has been reported to be one
      of the major sources for triclosan in the aquatic system. The aim of the present
      study was to investigate the accumulation of triclosan in the surface sediments
      near the outfalls of the five major municipal WWTPs of Nanjing, China, as well as
      to evaluate its potential ecological risk. The concentration of triclosan in the
      sediment samples ranged from 48.3 to 226 ng/g dry weight, which was well
      correlated with the acute and genetic toxicity by bioassay. The results suggested
      that triclosan released from municipal WWTPs could accumulate in the surface
      sediments nearby and may pose undetermined risk to aquatic organisms. 

PMID- 26271616
TI  - Important Issues Regarding Serum 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D Measurement in Inflammatory
      Bowel Disease Patients.

PMID- 26271615
TI  - Fecal Human beta-Defensin 2 in Children with Cystic Fibrosis: Is There a
      Diminished Intestinal Innate Immune Response?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Defects in bacterial host defenses in the cystic fibrosis (CF)
      airways have been extensively investigated, but the role of the intestinal innate
      immune system in CF is unknown. Human beta-defensin 2 (HBD-2) is an antimicrobial
      protein produced by epithelial surfaces and upregulated by inflammation. Its
      expression in the CF intestine is unknown. AIM: To determine whether HBD-2 was
      present in the feces of patients with CF, and to compare fecal HBD-2 levels
      between CF and healthy controls (HC). To compare fecal HBD-2 levels in inflamed
      and noninflamed states, as measured by fecal calprotectin, as a secondary aim.
      METHODS: Feces from children with CF and HC were collected for analysis. RESULTS:
      Thirty-three CF patients and 33 HC were recruited. All CF patients had detectable
      fecal HBD-2. There was no difference between fecal HBD-2 in CF and HC (median
      (IQR) 49.1 (19.7-77.2) versus 43.4 (26.5-71.9) ng/g; P = 0.7). Fecal calprotectin
      was significantly higher in the CF cohort than in HC (median (IQR) 61.3 (43.8
      143.8) versus 19.5 (19.5-35.1) mg/kg; P < 0.0001). There was no difference in
      fecal HBD-2 levels between CF subjects with fecal calprotectin >=50 mg/kg and <50
      mg/kg (50.5 (19.6-80.2) versus 43.0 (19.0-70.4); P = 0.7). There was no
      correlation between fecal HBD-2 and calprotectin in CF (r = 0.14; P = 0.4).
      CONCLUSION: Fecal HBD-2 levels were not increased in children with CF, in
      inflamed or noninflamed states. The lack of HBD-2 induction and upregulation
      under inflammatory conditions may suggest a diminished intestinal innate immune
      response in CF.

PMID- 26271614
TI  - L-Methionine repressible promoters for tuneable gene expression in Trichoderma
      reesei.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Trichoderma reesei is the main producer of lignocellulolytic enzymes
      that are required for plant biomass hydrolysis in the biorefinery industry.
      Although the molecular toolbox for T. reesei is already well developed,
      repressible promoters for strain engineering and functional genomics studies are
      still lacking. One such promoter that is widely employed for yeasts is that of
      the L-methionine repressible MET3 gene, encoding ATP sulphurylase. RESULTS: We
      show that the MET3 system can only be applied for T. reesei when the cellulase
      inducing carbon source lactose is used but not when wheat straw, a relevant
      lignocellulosic substrate for enzyme production, is employed. We therefore
      performed a transcriptomic screen for genes that are L-methionine repressible in
      a wheat straw culture. This analysis retrieved 50 differentially regulated genes
      of which 33 were downregulated. Among these, genes encoding transport proteins as
      well as iron containing DszA like monooxygenases and TauD like dioxygenases were
      strongly overrepresented. We show that the promoter region of one of these
      dioxygenases can be used for the strongly repressible expression of the
      Aspergillus niger sucA encoded extracellular invertase in T. reesei wheat straw
      cultures. This system is also portable to other carbon sources including D
      glucose and glycerol as demonstrated by the repressible expression of the
      Escherichia coli lacZ encoded beta-galactosidase in T. reesei. CONCLUSION: We
      describe a novel, versatile set of promoters for T. reesei that can be used to
      drive recombinant gene expression in wheat straw cultures at different expression
      strengths and in an L-methionine repressible manner. The dioxygenase promoter
      that we studied in detail is furthermore compatible with different carbon sources
      and therefore applicable for manipulating protein production as well as
      functional genomics with T. reesei.

PMID- 26271618
TI  - Chiral gamma-Lactams by Enantioselective Palladium(0)-Catalyzed Cyclopropane
      Functionalizations.
AB  - Cyclopropanes fused to pyrrolidines are important structural features found in a
      number of marketed drugs and development candidates. Typically, their synthesis
      involves the cyclopropanation of a dihydropyrrole precursor. Reported herein is a
      complementary approach which employs a palladium(0)-catalyzed C-H
      functionalization of an achiral cyclopropane to close the pyrrolidine ring in an
      enantioselective manner. In contrast to aryl-aryl couplings, palladium(0)
      catalyzed C-H functionalizations involving the formation of C(sp(3) )-C(sp(3) )
      bonds of saturated heterocycles are very scarce. The presented strategy yields
      cyclopropane-fused gamma-lactams from chloroacetamide substrates. A bulky Taddol
      phosphonite ligand in combination with adamantane-1-carboxylic acid as a
      cocatalyst provides the gamma-lactams in excellent yields and
      enantioselectivities.

PMID- 26271617
TI  - Fucoxanthin Enhances Chain Elongation and Desaturation of Alpha-Linolenic Acid in
      HepG2 Cells.
AB  - Dietary fucoxanthin (FX), a carotenoid compound from brown algae, was found to
      increase docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) and arachidonic acid (ARA, 20:4n-6)
      in the liver of mice. DHA and ARA are known to be biosynthesized from the
      respective precursor alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3n-3) and linoleic acid (LNA,
      18:2n-6), through desaturation and chain elongation. We examined the effect of FX
      on the fatty acid metabolism in HepG2 cells (Hepatocellular carcinoma, human). In
      the first experiment, cells were co-treated with ALA (100 MUM) and FX (0-100 MUM)
      or vehicle for 48 h. FX increased eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3),
      docosapentaenoic acid (DPA, 22:5n-3), DHA at concentrations of >= 50 MUM. To
      clarify the change in the metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), in the
      second experiment, cells were co-treated with universally-[(13)C]-labeled (U
      [(13)C]-) ALA (100 MUM) and FX (100 MUM) for 0.5, 3, 6, 24 and 48 h. [(13)C]
      labeled-EPA, DPA and DHA content in HepG2 cells were all increased by FX after 48
      h treatment. Furthermore, estimated delta-5 desaturase (D5D) but not delta-6
      desaturase (D6D) activity index was increased at 48 h. These results suggested
      that FX may enhance the conversion of ALA to longer chain n-3 PUFA through
      increasing D5D activity in the liver.

PMID- 26271619
TI  - Physician report cards and rankings yield long-lasting hand hygiene compliance
      exceeding 90%.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Hand hygiene is an effective, low-cost intervention that prevents
      the spread of multidrug-resistant bacteria. Despite mandatory education and
      reminders, compliance by physicians in our hospital remained stubbornly low. Our
      objective was to study whether surveillance by our unit coordinator (secretary)
      paired with regular feedback to chiefs of service would increase physician hand
      hygiene compliance in the ICU. METHOD: The ICU unit coordinator was trained to
      observe and measure hand hygiene compliance. Data were collected on hand hygiene
      compliance at room entry and exit for 9 months. Percentage compliance for each
      medical and surgical subspecialty was reported to chiefs of service at the end of
      each month. Comparative rankings by service were widely distributed throughout
      the physician organization and the medical center. RESULTS: The hand hygiene
      compliance rate among physicians increased from 65.1% to 91.6% during the study
      period (p < 0.0001). More importantly in the succeeding 24 months after study
      completion, physician hand hygiene compliance remained >90% in every month.
      CONCLUSIONS: Physician hand hygiene compliance increased as a consequence of the
      surveillance conducted by a full-time ICU team member, leading to a highly
      significant increase in the number of observations. In turn, this allowed for
      specific comparative monthly feedback to individual chiefs of service. Over the
      next 2 years after the study ended, these gains were sustained, suggesting an
      enduring culture change in physician behavior.

PMID- 26271620
TI  - Incidence of malignancy in adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a meta
      analysis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at an increased risk of
      malignancies compared with the general population. This has raised concerns
      regarding these patients, particularly with the widespread use of
      immunomodulating therapies, including biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic
      drugs (DMARDs). We performed a systematic literature review and analysis to
      quantify the incidence of malignancies in patients with RA and the general
      population to update previously published data. METHODS: A literature search was
      conducted that was consistent with and similar to that in a meta-analysis
      published in 2008. MEDLINE, BIOSIS Previews, Embase, Derwent Drug File and
      SciSearch databases were searched using specified search terms. Predefined
      inclusion criteria identified the relevant observational studies published
      between 2008 and 2014 that provided estimates of relative risk of malignancy in
      patients with RA compared with the general population. Risk data on overall
      malignancy and site-specific malignancies (lymphoma, melanoma and lung,
      colorectal, breast, cervical and prostate cancer) were extracted. The
      standardized incidence ratios (SIRs; a measure of risk) relative to the general
      population were evaluated and compared with published rates. RESULTS: A total of
      nine publications met the inclusion criteria. Seven of these reported SIRs for
      overall malignancy; eight for lymphoma, melanoma, and lung, colorectal and breast
      cancer; seven for prostate cancer; and four for cervical cancer. Compared with
      those in the general population, the SIR estimates for patients with RA suggest a
      modest increased risk in overall malignancy, as previously observed. Patients
      with RA continued to show an increased risk of lymphoma and lung cancer compared
      with the general population. Overall, SIR estimates for colorectal and breast
      cancers continued to show a decrease in risk, whereas cervical cancer, prostate
      cancer and melanoma appeared to show no consistent trend in risk among patients
      with RA compared with the general population. CONCLUSIONS: The additional data
      evaluated here are consistent with previously reported data. Patients with RA are
      at an increased risk of lung and lymphoma malignancies compared with the general
      population. Quantifying differences in malignancy rates between non-biologic and
      biologic DMARD-treated patients with RA may further highlight which malignancies
      may be related to treatment rather than to the underlying disease.

PMID- 26271623
TI  - Decadal transition of adult mortality pattern at Ballabgarh HDSS: evidence from
      verbal autopsy data.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mortality levels and patterns are significant indicators of
      population health, and are of importance to prioritize the goals of health
      systems and efficient resource allocation. We ascertained the decadal transition
      of mortality pattern in adult population aged 15 years and above during the years
      2002-2011. METHODS: All adult deaths aged 15 years and above during the years
      2002 to 2011 were included in the study. Cause of death was ascertained by verbal
      autopsy tool for adults which is a validated questionnaire developed at
      Ballabgarh Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS). Cause and age
      specific mortality, and mean age at death was determined for individual years.
      RESULTS: A total of 4,276 deaths (>=15 years) occurred in the Ballabgarh HDSS
      during the years 2002 to 2011. Of these, 96.8 % deaths were investigated using
      verbal autopsy tool. Of total deaths investigated, 60.6 % were males.
      Cardiovascular diseases (19.6 %) were the leading cause of death, followed by
      respiratory diseases (16.5 %). In the age group of 15-59 years, the most common
      cause of mortality was external causes of mortality (28.9 %). Most common cause
      of death was senility (20.8 %) in females, whereas cardiovascular diseases were
      commonest cause (19.6 %) in males. Road traffic injuries contributed 6.7 % deaths
      in males compared to 1.5 % in females. Over the years, the proportions of
      mortality due to cardiovascular diseases had increased (12.6 % to 18.8 %).
      Mortality proportions had decreased for infectious diseases (12.1 % to 9.5 %) and
      respiratory diseases (24.7 % to 10.9 %). Mortality due to neoplasms remained
      nearly stagnant (6.6 % to 6.4 %). Mean age at death due to cardiovascular
      diseases and neoplasm had increased from 57 years (95 % CI: 52.2-62.9) to 62
      years (95 % CI: 59.2-65.4) and 58 years (95 % CI: 53.1-63.2) to 62 years (95 %
      CI: 57.0-66.7), respectively, during the decade. Mean age at death had decreased
      for road traffic injuries and infectious diseases from 41 years (95 % CI: 31.7
      50.8) to 39 years (95 % CI: 34-43.4) and 53 years (95 % CI: 48.3-58.6) to 50
      years (95 % CI: 44.1-55.8), respectively over the years. CONCLUSION: Mortality
      surveillance using verbal autopsy tool revealed a transition in cause specific
      deaths from respiratory diseases to cardiovascular diseases over the decade. The
      apparent epidemiological transition in the community demands reorientation of
      healthcare priorities.

PMID- 26271622
TI  - Risks to the fetus from diagnostic imaging during pregnancy: review and proposal
      of a clinical protocol.
AB  - Every day, medical practitioners face the dilemma of exposing pregnant or
      possibly pregnant patients to radiation from diagnostic examinations. Both
      doctors and patients often have questions about the risks of radiation. The most
      vulnerable period is between the 8th and 15th weeks of gestation. Deterministic
      effects like pregnancy loss, congenital malformations, growth retardation and
      neurobehavioral abnormalities have threshold doses above 100-200 mGy. The risk is
      considered negligible at 50 mGy and in reality no diagnostic examination exceeds
      this limit. The risk of carcinogenesis is slightly higher than in the general
      population. Intravenous iodinated contrast is discouraged, except in highly
      selected patients. Considering all the possible noxious effects of radiation
      exposure, measures to diminish radiation are essential and affect the fetal
      outcome. Nonionizing procedures should be considered whenever possible and every
      radiology center should have its own data analysis on fetal radiation exposure.
      In this review, we analyze existing literature on fetal risks due to radiation
      exposure, producing a clinical protocol to guide safe radiation use in a clinical
      setting.

PMID- 26271621
TI  - Reduction of metallic coil artefacts in computed tomography body imaging: effects
      of a new single-energy metal artefact reduction algorithm.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the effect of a single-energy metal artefact reduction
      (SEMAR) algorithm for metallic coil artefact reduction in body imaging. METHODS:
      Computed tomography angiography (CTA) was performed in 30 patients with metallic
      coils (10 men, 20 women; mean age, 67.9 +/- 11 years). Non-SEMAR images were
      reconstructed with iterative reconstruction alone, and SEMAR images were
      reconstructed with the iterative reconstruction plus SEMAR algorithms. We
      compared image noise around metallic coils and the maximum diameters of artefacts
      from coils between the non-SEMAR and SEMAR images. Two radiologists visually
      evaluated the metallic coil artefacts utilizing a four-point scale: 1 =
      extensive; 2 = strong; 3 = mild; 4 = minimal artefacts. RESULTS: The image noise
      and maximum diameters of the artefacts of the SEMAR images were significantly
      lower than those of the non-SEMAR images (65.1 +/- 33.0 HU vs. 29.7 +/- 10.3 HU;
      163.9 +/- 54.8 mm vs. 10.3 +/- 19.0 mm, respectively; P < 0.001). Better visual
      scores were obtained with the SEMAR technique (3.4 +/- 0.6 vs. 1.0 +/- 0.0, P <
      0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The SEMAR algorithm significantly reduced artefacts caused
      by metallic coils compared with the non-SEMAR algorithm. This technique can
      potentially increase CT performance for the evaluation of post-coil embolization
      complications. KEY POINTS: * The new algorithm involves a raw data- and image
      based reconstruction technique. * The new algorithm mitigates artefacts from
      metallic coils on body CT images. * The new algorithm significantly reduced
      artefacts caused by metallic coils. * The metal artefact reduction algorithm
      improves CT image quality after coil embolization.

PMID- 26271624
TI  - C-reactive protein level at 2 weeks following initiation of infliximab induction
      therapy predicts outcomes in patients with ulcerative colitis: a 3 year follow-up
      study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Poor response to anti-tumour necrosis factor biologicals like
      infliximab (IFX) is observed in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), which may
      lead to prolonged morbidity and waste of medical resources. We aimed to look for
      potential biomarkers of response to IFX in patients with UC who were to undergo
      IFX induction therapy. METHODS: Seventy-two IFX naive UC patients with partial
      Mayo (pMayo) score of 4-9 received IFX infusion at weeks 0, 2 and 6 as induction
      therapy. The pMayo score, trough IFX and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations
      were measured. At week 14, patients who achieved a pMayo score of <= 2 with no
      individual subscore exceeding 1 were judged as responders, while patients who
      responded, but did not achieve a pMayo score of <= 2 were judged as partial
      responders. Likewise, patients who showed unchanged pMayo score or worsened were
      judged as non-responders. Patients were followed for up to 3.3 years. RESULTS:
      Response, partial response and no response rates were 40.3, 33.3, and 26.4%,
      respectively. CRP level at week 2 in responders was significantly lower vs
      partial-responders (P = 0.0135) or non-responders (P = 0.0084) in spite of
      similar trough IFX level. Further, the median CRP (week 2/week 0) ratio was
      significantly lower in patients who responded vs partial-responders or non
      responders, 0.06, 0.39 and 1.00, respectively. When the cut-off value was set at
      0.19 for the CRP (week 2/week 0) ratio, this ratio could predict partial
      responders with 79.1% sensitivity and 75.9% specificity. Patients with the CRP
      (week 2/week 0) ratio greater than 0.19 were likely to be partial-responder, with
      odds ratio 10.371 (P < 0.0001; 95% confidence interval 3.596-33.440).
      CONCLUSIONS: In this study, CRP level at week 2 following initiation of IFX
      induction therapy appeared to be a clinically relevant biomarker of response to
      IFX in UC patients.

PMID- 26271625
TI  - Can a native rodent species limit the invasive potential of a non-native rodent
      species in tropical agroforest habitats?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Little is known about native and non-native rodent species
      interactions in complex tropical agroecosystems. We hypothesised that the native
      non-pest rodent Rattus everetti may be competitively dominant over the invasive
      pest rodent Rattus tanezumi within agroforests. We tested this experimentally by
      using pulse removal for three consecutive months to reduce populations of R.
      everetti in agroforest habitat, and assessed over 6 months the response of R.
      tanezumi and other rodent species. RESULTS: Following removal, R. everetti
      individuals rapidly immigrated into removal sites. At the end of the study
      period, R. tanezumi were larger and there was a significant shift in their
      microhabitat use with respect to the use of ground vegetation cover following the
      perturbation of R. everetti. Irrespective of treatment, R. tanezumi selected
      microhabitat with less tree canopy cover, indicative of severely disturbed
      habitat, whereas R. everetti selected microhabitat with a dense canopy.
      CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that sustained habitat disturbance in agroforests
      favours R. tanezumi, while the regeneration of agroforests towards a more natural
      state would favour native species and may reduce pest pressure in adjacent crops.
      In addition, the rapid recolonisation of R. everetti suggests this species would
      be able to recover from non-target impacts of short-term rodent pest control. (c)
      2015 Society of Chemical Industry.

PMID- 26271626
TI  - Immediate behavioural responses to earthquakes in Christchurch, New Zealand, and
      Hitachi, Japan.
AB  - This study examines people's immediate responses to earthquakes in Christchurch,
      New Zealand, and Hitachi, Japan. Data collected from 257 respondents in
      Christchurch and 332 respondents in Hitachi revealed notable similarities between
      the two cities in people's emotional reactions, risk perceptions, and immediate
      protective actions during the events. Respondents' physical, household, and
      social contexts were quite similar, but Hitachi residents reported somewhat
      higher levels of emotional reaction and risk perception than did Christchurch
      residents. Contrary to the recommendations of emergency officials, the most
      frequent response of residents in both cities was to freeze. Christchurch
      residents were more likely than Hitachi residents to drop to the ground and take
      cover, whereas Hitachi residents were more likely than Christchurch residents to
      evacuate immediately the building in which they were situated. There were
      relatively small correlations between immediate behavioural responses and
      demographic characteristics, earthquake experience, and physical, social, or
      household context. 

PMID- 26271627
TI  - Direct Analysis of Leucine and Its Metabolites beta-Hydroxy-beta-methylbutyric
      Acid, alpha-Ketoisocaproic Acid, and alpha-Hydroxyisocaproic Acid in Human Breast
      Milk by Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry.
AB  - A direct, quantitative, and confirmatory method based on stable isotope dilution
      liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was developed and validated for the
      analysis of leucine and metabolites beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyric acid (HMB),
      alpha-ketoisocaproic acid (KIC), and alpha-hydroxyisocaproic acid (HICA) in human
      breast milk. Chromatographic resolution was achieved between isobaric leucine and
      isoleucine. Accuracy and intermediate precision were 89-117% and <10% relative
      standard deviation (RSD) across three validation runs. Limits of quantitation for
      HMB, KIC, HICA, and leucine in human breast milk were 20 MUg/L, 20 MUg/L, 10
      MUg/L, and 1 mg/L. Measured concentrations of HMB, KIC, HICA, and free leucine in
      human breast milk from six donors at various stages of lactation were 42-164
      MUg/L, < 20-1057 MUg/L, < 10 MUg/L, and 2.1-88.5 mg/L. HMB and KIC were confirmed
      in human breast milk by orthogonal hydrophilic interaction chromatography
      (HILIC). This work provides a tool for further study of human breast milk
      composition and its effect on protein turnover in developing infants. 

PMID- 26271628
TI  - Sheila Kitzinger (1929-2015).

PMID- 26271629
TI  - Midwifery Facilitation: Exploring the Functionality of Labor Discomfort.

PMID- 26271633
TI  - Recombinant oxalate decarboxylase: enhancement of a hybrid catalytic cascade for
      the complete electro-oxidation of glycerol.
AB  - The complete electro-oxidation of glycerol to CO2 is performed through an
      oxidation cascade using a hybrid catalytic system combining a recombinant enzyme,
      oxalate decarboxylase from Bacillus subtilis, and an organic oxidation catalyst,
      4-amino-TEMPO. This system is capable of electrochemically oxidizing glycerol at
      a carbon electrode collecting all 14 electrons per molecule. 

PMID- 26271636
TI  - Editorial: Distraction of attention by sound.

PMID- 26271634
TI  - Unexpected features of breast cancer subtype.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Gene expression profiling of breast cancers identifies distinct
      molecular subtypes that affect prognosis. The aim of this study was to determine
      whether features of tumors especially the risks of lymph node (LN) metastases
      differ among molecular subtypes. METHODS: Subtypes were classified by
      immunohistochemical surrogates as luminal A, luminalHer2-, luminalHer2+, TNBC,
      and HER-2+. Data were obtained from an established, registered database of
      patients with invasive breast cancer treated at our hospital between July 2012
      and October 2014. A total of 929 tumors were classifiable into molecular
      subtypes. RESULTS: The distribution of subtypes was luminal A (24.2%),
      luminalHer2- (27.8%), luminalHer2+ (9.1%), TNBC (21.3%), and HER-2+ (17.5%).
      Marked differences in age, tumor size, extent of lymph node involvement, and
      grade were observed among subtypes. On univariate analysis, the LN positivity
      varied across subtypes with 33.6% in luminal A, 40.3% in luminalHer2-, 37.3% in
      luminalHer2+, 37.6% in TNBC, and 47.4 % in HER-2+ (p=0.201). There was no
      significant difference in LN positivity among subtypes. On multivariable
      analysis, grade and tumor size were independent predictors of LN positivity.
      CONCLUSIONS: Predictors of LN metastases include higher grade and larger tumor
      size. Even though breast cancer subtype is not a statistically significant
      predictor of LN positivity, this information may still be useful in selecting the
      appropriate therapy in clinical practice.

PMID- 26271632
TI  - Red blood cell storage in additive solution-7 preserves energy and redox
      metabolism: a metabolomics approach.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Storage and transfusion of red blood cells (RBCs) has a huge medical
      and economic impact. Routine storage practices can be ameliorated through the
      implementation of novel additive solutions (ASs) that tackle the accumulation of
      biochemical and morphologic lesion during routine cold liquid storage in the
      blood bank, such as the recently introduced alkaline solution AS-7. Here we
      hypothesize that AS-7 might exert its beneficial effects through metabolic
      modulation during routine storage. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Apheresis RBCs were
      resuspended either in control AS-3 or experimental AS-7, before ultrahigh
      performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry metabolomics analysis.
      RESULTS: Unambiguous assignment and relative quantitation was achieved for 229
      metabolites. AS-3 and AS-7 results in many similar metabolic trends over storage,
      with AS-7 RBCs being more metabolically active in the first storage week. AS-7
      units had faster fueling of the pentose phosphate pathway, higher total
      glutathione pools, and increased flux through glycolysis as indicated by higher
      levels of pathway intermediates. Metabolite differences are especially observed
      at 7 days of storage, but were still maintained throughout 42 days. CONCLUSION:
      AS-7 formulation (chloride free and bicarbonate loading) appears to improve
      energy and redox metabolism in stored RBCs in the early storage period, and the
      differences, though diminished, are still appreciable by Day 42. Energy
      metabolism and free fatty acids should be investigated as potentially important
      determinants for preservation of RBC structure and function. Future studies will
      be aimed at identifying metabolites that correlate with in vitro and in vivo
      circulation times.

PMID- 26271637
TI  - Auditory distraction and perceptual organization: Streams of unconscious
      processing.
AB  - Perceptual organization is key to understanding auditory distraction. In order to
      achieve a fundamental understanding of distraction it is necessary to understand
      how auditory stimuli are perceived; specifically, how they are organized into
      entities that do not map directly onto simple single stimuli as defined by the
      experimenter. It is important not to mistake some arbitrary unit of analysis,
      such as the word, as the correct unit for understanding auditory processing;
      rather, the unit of the auditory object and its relative position to other
      auditory objects is the key to understanding distraction (as well as the whole of
      auditory cognition more generally). Here I provide two illustrative examples of
      auditory perceptual organization showing the superlative power of organizational
      principles: streaming by similarity and stimulus capture. I go on to show how
      these have been used to refine our understanding of distraction, and of the
      effects of distraction from sequences of sound, from single sounds, or single
      changes within a sequence. A common feature of work described here is that it
      compares the effects of different forms of organization: The nominal stimuli
      themselves are largely unchanged but the way they relate to each other can change
      distraction appreciably. That is, it is not the mere presence of sound that
      causes distraction but its organization and the way that relates to the currently
      prevailing activity. 

PMID- 26271635
TI  - Diet specialization selects for an unusual and simplified gut microbiota in two-
      and three-toed sloths.
AB  - Symbiotic microbial communities are critical to the function and survival of
      animals. This relationship is obligatory for herbivores that engage gut
      microorganisms for the conversion of dietary plant materials into nutrients such
      as short-chain organic acids (SCOAs). The constraint on body size imposed by
      their arboreal lifestyle is thought to make this symbiosis especially important
      for sloths. Here, we use next-generation sequencing to identify the bacteria
      present in the fore and distal guts of wild two- and three-toed sloths, and
      correlate these communities with both diet and SCOAs. We show that, unlike other
      mammalian herbivores, sloth gut communities are dominated by the bacterial phyla
      Proteobacteria and Firmicutes. Specifically, three-toed sloths possess a highly
      conserved, low-diversity foregut community with a highly abundant Neisseria
      species associated with foregut lactate. In contrast, two-toed sloths have a more
      variable and diverse foregut microbiota correlated with a variety of SCOAs. These
      differences support the hypothesis that feeding behaviour selects for specific
      gut bacterial communities, as three-toed sloths subsist primarily on Cecropia
      tree leaves while two-toed sloths have a more generalist diet. The less diverse
      diet and gut microbiota of three-toed sloths may render them more susceptible to
      habitat loss and other diet-altering conditions.

PMID- 26271638
TI  - Auditory distraction: A duplex-mechanism account.
AB  - A body of laboratory work is reviewed suggesting that auditory distraction comes
      in two functionally distinct forms. Interference-by-process is produced when the
      involuntary processing of the sound competes with a similar process applied
      deliberately to perform a focal task. In contrast, attentional capture is
      produced when the sound causes a disengagement of attention away from the
      prevailing task, regardless of the task processes involved. Particular attention
      is devoted to reviewing a range of converging evidence from both experimental and
      individual- and group-differences-based research, indicating that auditory
      attentional capture is controllable via greater top-down task engagement whereas
      interference-by-process is not. 

PMID- 26271640
TI  - On the development of auditory distraction: A review.
AB  - The present review focuses on the development of involuntary attention mechanisms
      in the context of the occurrence of unexpected events during childhood. We
      introduce a prevailing three-stage model of auditory involuntary attention
      describing the processes leading to, accompanying, and following the distraction
      of attention by prediction violations: (a) the automatic detection of prediction
      violations (associated with the event-related potential [ERP] component mismatch
      negativity [MMN]), (b) the involuntary orienting of attention processes towards
      the prediction violating sound (associated with the ERP component P3a), and (c)
      the reorienting back to task-relevant information (associated with the ERP
      components reorienting negativity [RON] or late discriminative negativity [LDN]).
      Within this framework we give an overview of studies investigating MMN, P3a,
      RON/LDN, and behavioral distraction effects in children. We discuss the
      development of the underlying involuntary attention mechanisms and highlight the
      relevance of and future perspectives for this important field of research. 

PMID- 26271639
TI  - Predictability and distraction: Does the neural model represent postcategorical
      features?
AB  - Two experiments examined the role of predictability within the elements of a task
      irrelevant auditory sequence on the disruption produced to visual-verbal serial
      recall. Experiment 1 showed that participants did not benefit from having a long
      term representation of the irrelevant sequence: A highly predictable, canonical
      sequence ("1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9") produced as much disruption as a repeated random
      sequence (which was the same on each trial) and an unpredictable, random sequence
      (which differed on each trial), as compared with quiet. In line with this
      finding, there was also no difference between a predictable canonical and an
      unpredictable random sequence in Experiment 2. However, a deviant within the
      predictable, canonical sequence ("1 2 3 4 5 5 7 8 9") produced greater disruption
      than a deviant within an unpredictable, random sequence ("4 8 2 9 5 5 7 3 1").
      This effect was confined to early trials within the block. The results showed
      that long-term knowledge about the order of the individual elements in the
      sequence did not help attenuate the effect of auditory distraction on serial
      recall. Nevertheless, attentional capture was amplified when a deviant violated a
      well-known, canonical sequence, providing evidence that the neural model
      represents postcategorical sequential information. 

PMID- 26271641
TI  - Massive haemolysis and erythrophagocytosis in Gram-negative sepsis.

PMID- 26271643
TI  - Leukemia inhibitory factor promotes tumor growth and metastasis in human
      osteosarcoma via activating STAT3.
AB  - The leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) has been demonstrated to be an oncogene and
      participated in multiple procedures during the initiation and progression of many
      human malignancies. However, the role of LIF in osteosarcoma is still largely
      unknown. Here, we performed a series of in vitro and in vivo experiments to
      investigate the expression and biological functions of LIF in osteosarcoma.
      Compared to that in the non-cancerous tissues, LIF was significantly
      overexpressed in a panel of 68 osteosarcoma samples (p < 0.0001). Moreover, the
      overexpression of LIF was significantly correlated with advanced tumor stage,
      larger tumor size, and shorter overall survival. In addition, knockdown of LIF
      notably suppressed the proliferation and invasion of osteosarcoma via blocking
      the STAT3 signal pathway; in contrast, treatment with the recombinant LIF protein
      significantly promoted the growth and invasion of osteosarcoma through enhancing
      the phosphorylation of STAT3, which can be partially neutralized by the STAT3
      inhibitor, HO-3867. In conclusion, we demonstrated that LIF was frequently
      overexpressed in osteosarcoma, which could promote the growth and invasion
      through activating the STAT3 pathway. Our findings proposed that LIF might be a
      potent therapeutic target for osteosarcoma. 

PMID- 26271642
TI  - Eosinophilic oesophagitis: relationship of quality of life with clinical,
      endoscopic and histological activity.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Knowledge about determinants of quality of life (QoL) in eosinophilic
      oesophagitis (EoO) patients helps to identify patients at risk of experiencing
      poor QoL and to tailor therapeutic interventions accordingly. AIM: To evaluate
      the impact of symptom severity, endoscopic and histological activity on EoE
      specific QoL in adult EoE patients. METHODS: Ninety-eight adult EoE patients were
      prospectively included (64% male, median age 39 years). Patients completed two
      validated instruments to assess EoE-specific QoL (EoO-QoL-A) and symptom severity
      (adult EoE activity index patient-reported outcome) and then underwent
      esophagogastroduodenoscopy with biopsy sampling. Physicians reported standardised
      information on EoE-associated endoscopic and histological alterations. The
      Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was calculated to determine the
      relationship between QoL and symptom severity. Linear regression and analysis of
      variance was used to quantify the extent to which variations in severity of EoE
      symptoms, endoscopic and histological findings explain variations in QoL.
      RESULTS: Quality of life strongly correlated with symptom severity (r = 0.610, P
      < 0.001). While the variation in severity of symptoms, endoscopic and
      histological findings alone explained 38%, 35% and 22% of the variability in EoE
      related QoL, respectively, these together explained 60% of variation. Symptom
      severity explained 18-35% of the variation in each of the five QoL subscale
      scores. CONCLUSIONS: Eosinophilic oesophagitis symptom severity and biological
      disease activity determine QoL in adult patients with eosinophilic oesophagitis.
      Therefore, reduction in both eosinophilic oesophagitis symptoms as well as
      biological disease activity is essential for improvement of QoL in adult
      patients. Clinicaltrials.gov number, NCT00939263.

PMID- 26271644
TI  - A suggestion for pathological grossing and reporting based on prognostic
      indicators of malignancies from a pooled analysis of renal epithelioid
      angiomyolipoma.
AB  - PURPOSE: Epithelioid angiomyolipoma (EAML) is a rare entity of the kidney. The
      guideline for grossing and reporting of renal EAML has not been established for
      Chinese patients. We planned this study to provide some preliminary indicators
      for draft guidelines of pathological diagnosis among Chinese people. METHODS: The
      histopathological characteristics of 11 EAML cases from Cancer Hospital, Chinese
      Academy of Medical Sciences, were reviewed, and a pooled analysis based on our
      cases and cases from published articles was performed on the histopathological
      characteristics and prognosis of 56 Chinese patients with EAML. All the cases met
      the criteria of the 2004 World Health Organization classification of renal
      tumors. RESULTS: The ratio of female to male was 1.2:1 with the mean age of 43.4
      in the 11 cases. All the 11 cases were sampled following the guideline of renal
      cell carcinoma. The mean tumor size was 6.5 cm. Four (36.4 %) cases showed
      necrosis. Six (54.5 %) cases showed invasive borders. Only one case showed
      metastases. In pooled analysis of the total 56 cases with EAML, 10 cases (17.9 %)
      showed adverse prognosis. Tumor size, necrosis and invasive edge showed
      significant difference between favorite and adverse prognostic groups (P < 0.05).
      CONCLUSION: The majority of EAML is benign, and true malignant EAML is rare. The
      sample of EAML should follow the sample guidelines of renal cell carcinoma with
      some modifications, emphasizing the presence of necrosis and invading edge. The
      information of tumor size, necrosis and invasive edge should be included in the
      diagnostic report of each EAML case.

PMID- 26271646
TI  - Building momentum toward underactive bladder research and education.

PMID- 26271645
TI  - Evaluation of fine particles in surgical smoke from an urologist's operating room
      by time and by distance.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Electrocautery, harmonic scalpel tissue dissection and other
      surgical techniques can generate surgical smoke with high proportion of 'fine
      particles' (PM(2.5)) <2.5 MUm, which is known to have adverse effects on human
      health. The high-risk zone for PM(2.5) during surgeries by time and by distance
      has not been well evaluated. METHODS: The study included open superficial, open
      abdominal, open pelvic, laparoscopic and transurethral urology surgeries, five of
      each. A particle counter was placed at three different distances from the
      incision site, and the real-time PM(2.5) concentration was displayed after each
      cut. Air Quality Index (AQI) revised by the US Environmental Protection Agency
      and the calculated inhalation dose were used to evaluate the severity of PM(2.5).
      RESULTS: In superficial, abdominal and pelvic surgeries, the peak PM(2.5)
      concentration may reach 245.7, 149.4 and 165.1 MUg/m(3) 3-6 s after a single cut
      40 cm from the incision site. By the time, AQI usually turns to 'unhealthy' or
      'very unhealthy.' In laparoscopic surgeries, 40 cm from the trocar, the air
      quality reached 'hazardous' in 3 s after opening of the trocar valve with a peak
      concentration of 517.5 MUg/m(3). In transurethral surgeries, the AQI 40 cm away
      from the resectoscope is generally at moderate level. In each surgery, the chief
      surgeon may inhale most of the PM(2.5), while the assistant will inhale less than
      half the dose, and the scrub nurse may inhale nearly none. The use of wall
      suction may induce a 48-65 % decrease in fine particle inhalation. CONCLUSIONS:
      During surgeries, the concentration of PM(2.5) could reach a very unhealthy
      status, especially for the chief surgeon who is the nearest to the incision site.
      Surgical smoke evacuation in the first few seconds of a cut is essential;
      however, using smoke evacuators such as a wall suction alone may not be enough.

PMID- 26271649
TI  - Language evolution as cultural evolution: how language is shaped by the brain.
AB  - This paper reviews arguments against the evolutionary plausibility of a
      traditional genetically specified universal grammar. We argue that no such
      universal grammar could have evolved, either by a process of natural selection or
      by other evolutionary mechanisms. Instead, we propose that the close fit between
      languages and language learners, which make language acquisition possible, arises
      not because humans possess a specialized biological adaptation for language, but
      because language has been shaped to fit the brain, a process of cultural
      evolution. On this account, many aspects of the structure of human languages may
      be explained as cultural adaptations to the human brain. Copyright (c) 2010 John
      Wiley & Sons, Ltd. For further resources related to this article, please visit
      the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26271647
TI  - How well does pre-service education prepare midwives for practice: competence
      assessment of midwifery students at the point of graduation in Ethiopia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Midwifery support and care led by midwives is the most appropriate
      strategy to improve maternal and newborn health. The Government of Ethiopia has
      recently improved the availability of midwives by scaling up pre-service
      education. However, the extent to which graduating students acquire core
      competencies for safe and effective practice is not known. The purpose of this
      study was to evaluate the quality of midwifery education by assessing the
      competence of graduating midwifery students. METHODS: We conducted a cross
      sectional study to assess the competence of students who completed basic
      midwifery education in Ethiopia in 2013. We interviewed students to obtain their
      perceptions of the sufficiency and quality of teachers and educational resources
      and processes. We assessed achievement of essential midwifery competencies
      through direct observation, using a 10-station Objective Structured Clinical
      Examination (OSCE). We calculated average percentage scores of performance for
      each station and an average summary score for all stations. Chi-square test,
      independent sample t test, and linear regression analysis were used to assess the
      statistical significance of differences and associations. RESULTS: We assessed
      484 graduating students from 25 public training institutions. Majority of
      students rated the learning environment unfavorably on 8 out of 10 questions.
      Only 32 % of students managed 20 or more births during training, and just 6 %
      managed 40 or more births. Students' overall average competence score was 51.8 %;
      scores ranged from 32.2 % for manual vacuum aspiration to 69.4 % for active
      management of the third stage of labor. Male gender, reporting sufficient
      clinical experience, and managing greater numbers of births during training were
      significant predictors of higher competence scores. CONCLUSIONS: The quality of
      pre-service midwifery education needs to be improved, including strengthening of
      the learning environment and quality assurance systems. In-service training and
      mentoring to fill competence gaps of new graduates is also essential.

PMID- 26271648
TI  - Elevated transmission of upper respiratory illness among new recruits in military
      barracks in Thailand.
AB  - BACKGROUND: New recruits within military barracks present conditions favorable
      for the spread of respiratory pathogens. However, respiratory pathogen
      transmission in such confined settings in the tropics has not been well studied.
      METHODS: Recruits in four successive Royal Thai Army basic training classes
      living in military barracks were monitored for the symptoms of influenza-like
      illness (ILI) or upper respiratory illness (URI). Classes 1 and 2 were also
      monitored after basic training. Nasal/throat swabs from acute illnesses were
      collected and tested by influenza RT-PCR (all four classes). In addition, class 1
      had multiplex PCR performed along with the analysis of bed locations within the
      barracks. RESULTS: Influenza-like illness/upper respiratory illness rates ranged
      from 4.7 to 6.9 per 100 recruit-weeks in the four classes and generally decreased
      during the course of basic training (P < 0.05 in three of four classes). Rates
      during basic training were 1.7 (95% CI: 1.29, 2.29) and 2.5 (95% CI: 1.5, 4.1)
      times higher than after basic training (classes 1 and 2, respectively). In class
      1, coronavirus, parainfluenza virus, and rhinovirus were the most commonly
      identified respiratory pathogens; only one influenza PCR-positive infection was
      detected in all four classes. Bed locations of URI/ILI cases in class 1 tended to
      be in closer proximity to each other. CONCLUSION: Basic training recruits in
      military barracks in the tropics had high rates of acute respiratory illnesses
      with illness patterns consistent with external seeding followed by substantial
      internal transmission. Our findings may contribute to control measures in similar
      confined settings both within and outside the military.

PMID- 26271651
TI  - Bayesian data analysis.
AB  - Bayesian methods have garnered huge interest in cognitive science as an approach
      to models of cognition and perception. On the other hand, Bayesian methods for
      data analysis have not yet made much headway in cognitive science against the
      institutionalized inertia of 20th century null hypothesis significance testing
      (NHST). Ironically, specific Bayesian models of cognition and perception may not
      long endure the ravages of empirical verification, but generic Bayesian methods
      for data analysis will eventually dominate. It is time that Bayesian data
      analysis became the norm for empirical methods in cognitive science. This article
      reviews a fatal flaw of NHST and introduces the reader to some benefits of
      Bayesian data analysis. The article presents illustrative examples of multiple
      comparisons in Bayesian analysis of variance and Bayesian approaches to
      statistical power. Copyright (c) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. For further
      resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26271650
TI  - Philosophy of mind.
AB  - Philosophy of mind concerns questions about mental phenomena that empirical
      research alone can't settle, such as the nature of mental states and which sorts
      of things can have them-only living things, or also machines? Settling them
      requires reflection on such phenomena as consciousness, rationality, and
      intentionality; the 'explanatory gaps' that seem to exist between these; and
      underlying physical phenomena and the different strategies-dualist,
      eliminativist, physicalist, and functionalist-that have been proposed for dealing
      with them. Copyright (c) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. For further resources
      related to this article, please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26271652
TI  - Language acquisition and language change.
AB  - Children acquire a mature language system and sometimes this system differs from
      that of their parents. This is a significant part of language change and
      understanding acquisition is key to understanding this kind of change in people's
      internal grammars. I outline one approach to language acquisition, based on
      children finding cues expressed in the input they are exposed to. This enables us
      to understand historical change in grammars: change in external language
      sometimes triggers a new internal grammar as cues come to be expressed
      differently. Work on language variation, acquisition, and change converges, and
      these three areas are mutually dependent; empirical work in one area may enrich
      understanding more generally, opening the way to new kinds of empirical work.
      Seen this way, language is a complex system and language change can be treated
      productively in the context of complexity science. Copyright (c) 2010 John Wiley
      & Sons, Ltd. For further resources related to this article, please visit the
      WIREs website. 

PMID- 26271653
TI  - Imitation: what animal imitation tells us about animal cognition.
AB  - Imitation of actions is widespread in the animal kingdom, but the mental
      capacities thereby implied vary greatly according to the adaptive function of
      copying. Behavioral synchrony in social species has many possible benefits,
      including minimizing predation risk and using food resources optimally, but can
      be understood by the simple cognitive mechanism of response facilitation by
      priming. Imitation can send a social message, either one of short-term meshing or
      group identity. Where the imitative match is opaque, as in neonatal imitation,
      the correspondence problem may imply an innate system of behavior matching; but
      in other cases, no more than priming may be involved, although there are
      persistent suggestions that great ape imitation implies empathic abilities.
      Imitation in the service of learning new skills by following another's example
      can be divided into contextual imitation (when to employ a familiar action, and
      to what problem) and production imitation (learning of new skills by imitation).
      Cognitively, the former requires little more than response facilitation, whereas
      production imitation needs at least the ability to extract the statistical
      regularities of repeated action and to incorporate the result into hierarchical
      program construction. Among our close relatives, only the great apes show much
      evidence of production imitation of actions, along with the ability to
      selectively imitate the most rational components of what they observe. Copyright
      (c) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. For further resources related to this article,
      please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26271654
TI  - Computational perspectives on cognitive development.
AB  - This article reviews the efforts to develop process models of infants' and
      children's cognition. Computational process models provide a tool for elucidating
      the causal mechanisms involved in learning and development. The history of
      computational modeling in developmental psychology broadly follows the same
      trends that have run throughout cognitive science-including rule-based models,
      neural network (connectionist) models, ACT-R models, ART models, decision tree
      models, reinforcement learning models, and hybrid models among others. Copyright
      (c) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. For further resources related to this article,
      please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26271655
TI  - Understanding genetic, neurophysiological, and experiential influences on the
      development of executive functioning: the need for developmental models.
AB  - Flexibility is a cornerstone of adaptive behavior and is made possible by a
      family of processes referred to collectively as executive functions. Executive
      functions vary in efficacy from individual to individual and also across
      developmental time. Infants and young children, for example, have difficulty
      flexibly adapting their behavior, and often repeat actions that are no longer
      appropriate. And although older children do not typically make such striking
      errors, they have more difficulty exercising control than adolescents and adults.
      Such developmental variability parallels (at least in some respects) inter
      individual variability in executive functions. Individuals who suffer damage or
      dysfunction in regions of the prefrontal cortex, for example, often experience
      difficulty in flexibly adapting their behavior to changes in context. As well,
      genetic differences between individuals are strongly associated with differences
      in executive control. Parallels between developmental and inter-individual
      variability suggest hypotheses about possible mechanisms underlying the
      development of executive functions but carry risks when interpreted improperly.
      Overcoming these pitfalls will require mechanistic characterizations of executive
      functioning that are more deeply rooted in developmental principles. Copyright
      (c) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. For further resources related to this article,
      please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26271656
TI  - Judgment and decision making.
AB  - The study of judgment and decision making entails three interrelated forms of
      research: (1) normative analysis, identifying the best courses of action, given
      decision makers' values; (2) descriptive studies, examining actual behavior in
      terms comparable to the normative analyses; and (3) prescriptive interventions,
      helping individuals to make better choices, bridging the gap between the
      normative ideal and the descriptive reality. The research is grounded in
      analytical foundations shared by economics, psychology, philosophy, and
      management science. Those foundations provide a framework for accommodating
      affective and social factors that shape and complement the cognitive processes of
      decision making. The decision sciences have grown through applications requiring
      collaboration with subject matter experts, familiar with the substance of the
      choices and the opportunities for interventions. Over the past half century, the
      field has shifted its emphasis from predicting choices, which can be successful
      without theoretical insight, to understanding the processes shaping them. Those
      processes are often revealed through biases that suggest non-normative processes.
      The practical importance of these biases depends on the sensitivity of specific
      decisions and the support that individuals have in making them. As a result, the
      field offers no simple summary of individuals' competence as decision makers, but
      a suite of theories and methods suited to capturing these sensitivities.
      Copyright (c) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. For further resources related to this
      article, please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26271658
TI  - The mental representation of bilingualism.
AB  - This article addresses the question of how different languages are represented in
      our memory and how bilingual speakers access these languages in language
      production. The first section discusses diverse approaches to language storage.
      It introduces a model that considers connections between different levels of
      language representation, i.e., conceptual and lexical features, morpho-syntactic
      information, and phonological patterns. The second section is concerned with
      access to different languages: the focus here is on language production and
      models of interactive activation. The next section focuses on control mechanisms
      that are capable of inhibiting one language while the other is spoken. These
      theoretical assumptions are illustrated by authentic speech production data that
      provide insights into the cognitive workings of bilingual speakers. Finally,
      differences in mental representation due to age of acquisition or language
      proficiency are discussed and explained by dissimilarities in memory types and
      neural processes of knowledge activation. Copyright (c) 2010 John Wiley & Sons,
      Ltd. For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs
      website. 

PMID- 26271657
TI  - Decision making under risk and uncertainty.
AB  - Decision making is studied from a number of different theoretical approaches.
      Normative theories focus on how to make the best decisions by deriving algebraic
      representations of preference from idealized behavioral axioms. Descriptive
      theories adopt this algebraic representation, but incorporate known limitations
      of human behavior. Computational approaches start from a different set of
      assumptions altogether, focusing instead on the underlying cognitive and
      emotional processes that result in the selection of one option over the other.
      This review comprehensively but concisely describes and contrasts three
      approaches in terms of their theoretical assumptions and their ability to account
      for behavioral and neurophysiological evidence from experimental research.
      Although each approach contributes substantially to our understanding of human
      decision making, we argue that the computational approach is more fruitful and
      parsimonious for describing and predicting choices in both laboratory and applied
      settings and for understanding the neurophysiological substrates of decision
      making. Copyright (c) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. For further resources related
      to this article, please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26271659
TI  - Mathematical psychology.
AB  - Mathematical psychology is a sub-field of psychology that started in the 1950s
      and has continued to grow as an important contributor to formal psychological
      theory, especially in the cognitive areas of psychology such as learning, memory,
      classification, choice response time, decision making, attention, and problem
      solving. In addition, there are several scientific sub-areas that were originated
      by mathematical psychologists such as the foundations of measurement, stochastic
      memory models, and psychologically motivated reformulations of expected utility
      theory. Mathematical psychology does not include all uses of mathematics and
      statistics in psychology, and indeed there is a long history of such uses
      especially in the areas of perception and psychometrics. What is most unique
      about mathematical psychology is its approach to theory construction. While
      accepting the behaviorist dictum that the data in psychology must be observable
      and replicable, mathematical models are specified in terms of unobservable formal
      constructs that can predict detailed aspects of data across multiple experimental
      and natural settings. By now almost all the substantive areas of cognitive and
      experimental psychology have formal mathematical models and theories, and many of
      these are due to researchers that identify with mathematical psychology.
      Copyright (c) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. For further resources related to this
      article, please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26271660
TI  - Long-term potentiation (LTP) of human sensory-evoked potentials.
AB  - Long-term potentiation (LTP) is the principal candidate synaptic mechanism
      underlying learning and memory, and has been studied extensively at the cellular
      and molecular level in laboratory animals. Inquiry into the functional
      significance of LTP has been hindered by the absence of a human model as, until
      recently, LTP has only been directly demonstrated in humans in isolated cortical
      tissue obtained from patients undergoing surgery, where it displays properties
      identical to those seen in non-human preparations. In this brief review, we
      describe the results of paradigms recently developed in our laboratory for
      inducing LTP-like changes in visual-, and auditory-evoked potentials. We describe
      how rapid, repetitive presentation of sensory stimuli leads to a persistent
      enhancement of components of sensory-evoked potential in normal humans.
      Experiments to date, investigating the locus, stimulus specificity, and NMDA
      receptor dependence of these LTP-like changes suggest that they have the
      essential characteristics of LTP seen in experimental animals. The ability to
      elicit LTP from non-surgical patients will provide a human model system allowing
      the detailed examination of synaptic plasticity in normal subjects and may have
      future clinical applications in the assessment of cognitive disorders. Copyright
      (c) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. For further resources related to this article,
      please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26271661
TI  - Personalizing initial calcineurin inhibitor dosing by adjusting to donor CYP3A
      status in liver transplant patients.
AB  - AIMS: Inter-individual variability in dose requirements of calcineurin inhibitors
      (CNI) has been linked to genetic polymorphisms of CYP3A enzymes. CYP3A5*3,
      CYP3A4*1B and CYP3A4*22 alleles of liver grafts may explain about one third of
      the inter-individual differences in pharmacokinetics of ciclosporin and
      tacrolimus in recipients. However, non-genetic factors, influencing CYP3A
      expression, can contribute to the variability of CYP3A function due to
      phenoconversion. The present study evaluated the association between CYP3A4
      expression combined with CYP3A5 genotype of donor livers and recipients' CNI
      therapy after transplantation. METHODS: The contribution of donors' CYP3A5
      genotype and CYP3A4 expression to the blood concentrations and dose requirements
      of CNIs was evaluated in 131 liver transplant recipients. RESULTS: The recipients
      with grafts from normal CYP3A4 expresser donors carrying CYP3A5*3/*3 required CNI
      maintenance doses more or less similar to the bodyweight-controlled starting
      doses (9.1 mg kg(-1) of ciclosporin and 0.1 mg kg(-1) of tacrolimus). The
      patients transplanted with grafts from low CYP3A4 expressers required substantial
      reduction (by about 50%, 4.2 mg kg(-1) of ciclosporin, 0.047 mg kg(-1) of
      tacrolimus, P < 0.001), while the recipients with grafts from high expressers or
      with grafts carrying at least one copy of the functional CYP3A5*1 allele required
      an increase (by about 50% [12.8-13.8 mg kg(-1)] for ciclosporin and 100% [0.21 mg
      kg(-1) ] for tacrolimus, P < 0.001) of the initial CNI dose for achieving target
      blood concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Donor livers' CYP3A-status, taking both CYP3A5
      allelic variations and CYP3A4 expression into account, can better identify the
      risk of CNI over- or underexposure, and may contribute to the avoidance of
      misdosing-induced graft injury in the early post-operative period.

PMID- 26271662
TI  - Tumor Lysis Syndrome in an Unusual Metastatic Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor
      with Ectopic ACTH Secretion.

PMID- 26271663
TI  - Etiology, Diagnosis and Treatment of Tendinous Knee Extensor Mechanism Injuries.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Quadriceps and patella tendon ruptures are uncommon injuries
      often resulting from minor trauma typically consisting of an eccentric
      contraction of the quadriceps muscle. Since rupture of a healthy tendon is very
      rare, such injuries usually represent the end stage of a long process of chronic
      tendon degeneration and overuse. This review aims to give an overview of the
      current understanding of the pathophysiology, diagnostic principles, and
      recommended treatment protocols as supported by the literature and institutional
      experience. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A non-systematic review of the current
      literature on the subject was conducted and reflected against the current
      practice in our level 1 trauma center. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Risk factors for
      patella and quadriceps tendon rupture include increasing age, repetitive micro
      trauma, genetic predisposition, and systemic diseases, as well as certain
      medications. Diagnosis is based on history and clinical findings, but can be
      complemented by ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging. Accurate diagnosis at
      an early stage is of utmost importance since delay in surgical repair of over 3
      weeks results in significantly poorer outcomes. Operative treatment of acute
      ruptures yields good clinical results with low complication rates. Use of
      longitudinal transpatellar drill holes is the operative method of choice in the
      majority of acute cases. In chronic ruptures, tendon augmentation with auto- or
      allograft should be considered. Postoperative treatment protocols in the
      literature range from early mobilization with full weight bearing to cast
      immobilization for up to 12 weeks. Respecting the biology of tendon healing, we
      advocate the use of a removable knee splint or orthotic with protected full
      weight bearing and limited passive mobilization for 6 weeks.

PMID- 26271664
TI  - Genetic and biochemical characterization of arginine biosynthesis in
      Sinorhizobium meliloti 1021.
AB  - L-Ornithine production in the alfalfa microsymbiont Sinorhizobium meliloti occurs
      as an intermediate step in arginine biosynthesis. Ornithine is required for
      effective symbiosis but its synthesis in S. meliloti has been little studied.
      Unlike most bacteria, S. meliloti 1021 is annotated as encoding two enzymes
      producing ornithine: N-acetylornithine (NAO) deacetylase (ArgE) hydrolyses NAO to
      acetate and ornithine, and glutamate N-acetyltransferase (ArgJ) transacetylates l
      glutamate with the acetyl group from NAO, forming ornithine and N-acetylglutamate
      (NAG). NAG is the substrate for the second step of arginine biosynthesis
      catalysed by NAG kinase (ArgB). Inactivation of argB in strain 1021 resulted in
      arginine auxotrophy. The activity of purified ArgB was significantly inhibited by
      arginine but not by ornithine. The purified ArgJ was highly active in NAO
      deacetylation/glutamate transacetylation and was significantly inhibited by
      ornithine but not by arginine. The purified ArgE protein (with a 6His-Sumo
      affinity tag) was also active in deacetylating NAO. argE and argJ single mutants,
      and an argEJ double mutant, are arginine prototrophs. Extracts of the double
      mutant contained aminoacylase (Ama) activity that deacetylated NAO to form
      ornithine. The purified products of three candidate ama genes (smc00682 (hipO1),
      smc02256 (hipO2) and smb21279) all possessed NAO deacetylase activity. hipO1 and
      hipO2, but not smb21279, expressed in trans functionally complemented an
      Escherichia coli DeltaargE : : Km mutant. We conclude that Ama activity accounts
      for the arginine prototrophy of the argEJ mutant. Transcriptional assays of argB,
      argE and argJ, fused to a promoterless gusA gene, showed that their expression
      was not significantly affected by exogenous arginine or ornithine.

PMID- 26271665
TI  - Erratum to: Thioridazine specifically sensitizes drug-resistant cancer cells
      through highly increase in apoptosis and P-gp inhibition.

PMID- 26271666
TI  - Compound 13, an alpha1-selective small molecule activator of AMPK, potently
      inhibits melanoma cell proliferation.
AB  - It is vital to develop new therapeutic agents for the treatment of melanoma. In
      the current study, we studied the potential effect of Compound 13 (C13), a novel
      alpha1-selective AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activator, in melanoma
      cells. We showed that C13 exerted mainly cytostatic, but not cytotoxic activities
      in melanoma cells. C13 potently inhibited proliferation in melanoma cell lines
      (A375, OCM-1 and B16), but not in B10BR melanocytes. Meanwhile, the AMPK
      activator inhibited melanoma cell cycle progression by inducing G1-S arrest.
      Significantly, we failed to detect significant melanoma cell death or apoptosis
      after the C13 treatment. For the mechanism study, we showed that C13 activated
      AMPK and inhibited mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling in
      melanoma cells through interaction with the alpha1 subunit. Short hairpin RNA
      (shRNA)-mediated knockdown of AMPKalpha1 not only blocked C13-mediated AMPK
      activation but also abolished its antiproliferative activity against melanoma
      cells. Together, these results show that C13 inhibits melanoma cell proliferation
      through activating AMPK signaling. Our data suggest that C13 along with other
      small molecular AMPK activators may be beneficial for patients with melanoma. 

PMID- 26271668
TI  - MSX1 inhibits cell migration and invasion through regulating the Wnt/beta-catenin
      pathway in glioblastoma.
AB  - Glioblastoma is a type of primary brain tumor with poor prognosis. The hallmark
      phenotype of glioblastoma is its aggressive invasion. Understanding the molecular
      mechanism of the invasion behavior of glioblastoma is essential for the
      development of effective treatment of the disease. In our present study, we found
      that the expression levels of a homeobox transcription factor, MSX1, were
      significantly reduced in glioblastoma compared to normal brain tissues. The
      levels of MSX1 in glioblastoma tissues were also correlated with the survival of
      the patients. In cultured glioblastoma cells, MSX1 was a negative regulator of
      cell migration and invasion. Loss of MSX1 enhanced cell migration and induced
      mesenchymal transition as characterized by the downregulation of E-cadherin and
      the upregulation of N-cadherin. Overexpression of MSX1 on the other hand led to
      the inhibition of both cell migration and mesenchymal transition. We also found
      that MSX1 was able to inhibit the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway, and that
      the ability to regulate the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway is critical for
      MSX1 to suppress glioblastoma cell migration and invasion. 

PMID- 26271671
TI  - Interactions Between a Belowground Herbivore and Primary and Secondary Root
      Metabolites in Wild Cabbage.
AB  - Plants are attacked by both above- and belowground herbivores. Toxic secondary
      compounds are part of the chemical defense arsenal of plants against a range of
      antagonists, and are subject to genetic variation. Plants also produce primary
      metabolites (amino acids, nutrients, sugars) that function as essential compounds
      for growth and survival. Wild cabbage populations growing on the Dorset coast of
      the UK exhibit genetically different chemical defense profiles, even though they
      are located within a few kilometers of each other. As in other Brassicaceae, the
      defensive chemicals in wild cabbages constitute, among others, secondary
      metabolites called glucosinolates. Here, we used five Dorset populations of wild
      cabbage to study the effect of belowground herbivory by the cabbage root fly on
      primary and secondary chemistry, and whether differences in chemistry affected
      the performance of the belowground herbivore. There were significant differences
      in total root concentrations and chemical profiles of glucosinolates, amino
      acids, and sugars among the five wild cabbage populations. Glucosinolate
      concentrations not only differed among the populations, but also were affected by
      root fly herbivory. Amino acid and sugar concentrations also differed among the
      populations, but were not affected by root fly herbivory. Overall, population
      related differences in plant chemistry were more pronounced for the
      glucosinolates than for amino acids and sugars. The performance of the root
      herbivore did not differ among the populations tested. Survival of the root fly
      was low (<40%), suggesting that other belowground factors may override potential
      differences in effects related to primary and secondary chemistry.

PMID- 26271667
TI  - The long noncoding RNA, EGFR-AS1, a target of GHR, increases the expression of
      EGFR in hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - LncRNA has provided an important new perspective regarding gene regulation. Both
      the expression and activation of EGFR have been proven to be under the tight
      control of the GHR pathway. EGFR-AS1 has been found to inhibit the expression of
      EGFR. GHR-siRNA and EGFR-AS1-siRNA were transfected into HCC cell lines, and a
      series of WB, q-PCR, and IF experiments was conducted to evaluate whether EGFR
      AS1 participated in the regulation of GHR and EGFR. We found that impeded
      expression of GHR decreased the expression of EGFR and EGFR-AS1 in vivo and in
      vitro. Then, it was verified that EGFR and EGFR-AS1 were relatively upregulated
      in HCC tissue, and they were significantly related to some clinical
      characteristics and patient prognosis. Furthermore, EGFR-AS1 was determined to
      promote HCC development by improving the ability of invasion and proliferation of
      HCC cells in vitro, and it was also found to affect the cell cycle. Our study
      identified that EGFR-AS1 may promote HCC genesis and development. EGFR-AS1 may
      act as a prognostic factor in HCC. More importantly, we observed that the
      inhibition of EGFR-AS1 in HCC cells significantly impeded cell proliferation and
      invasion in vivo, which might provide a potential possibility for targeted
      therapy of HCC. 

PMID- 26271669
TI  - The involvement of survivin in insulin-like growth factor 1-induced epithelial
      mesenchymal transition in gastric cancer.
AB  - It has been identified that insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) activated
      various pathways of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in a couple of
      tumors. At the same time, survivin is implicated in EMT of gastric cancer (GC).
      To date, the impact of survivin on IGF-1-mediated EMT of GC has not been
      featured. In this work, we used the immunohistochemistry and molecular and
      cellular experiments to investigate the existence and significance of IGF-1 and
      survivin. Our findings revealed that survivin protein can be observed in majority
      of samples in all GC samples. Importantly, survivin expression has an obvious
      association with GC stage, and metastasis. In vitro, GC cell line BGC823 was
      treated with different concentrations of IGF-1, resulting in the activation of p
      ERK, p-AKT, survivin, and the expression of EMT biomarkers, including N-cadherin,
      MMP2, and Snail. However, the silencing of survivin eradicated the expression IGF
      1-induced EMT biomarkers and affected the migration and invasion of BGC823 cells.
      In conclusion, IGF-1 signaling activated survivin expression and controlled the
      expression of EMT biomarkers in the development of GC. This study lays a new
      stage for the molecular therapy of GC patients in the clinical treatment. 

PMID- 26271673
TI  - The Scent Glands of the Neotropical Harvestman Discocyrtus pectnifemur:
      Morphology, Behavior and Chemistry.
AB  - Harvestmen have a pair of scent glands that open through ozopores. The literature
      suggests a link between the morphology of the ozopore area and the emission of a
      defensive secretion. A previous study on a species that aggregates in open areas,
      where individuals are probably more easily spotted by predators, showed that this
      defensive secretion causes conspecifics to flee. However, it is unknown whether
      this behavior occurs in species that aggregate in sheltered areas, where prey are
      harder to find. Herein, we describe the morphology of the ozopore area, the mode
      of emission of the defensive secretion, and its chemical composition in the
      harvestman Discocyrtus pectinifemur. We also tested if the defensive secretion is
      used as an alarm pheromone. We found that D. pectinifemur releases the defensive
      secretion in different ways, one of them being as a jet. Emission as a jet
      contrasts with that known for all congeners previously studied, and is in accord
      with the expected morphology of the ozopore. We found that the defensive
      secretion of D. pectinifemur does not function as an alarm pheromone. The
      composition of the defensive secretion, a mixture of quinones, is congruent with
      those already described for the clade that includes Discocyrtus. Our results
      support the link between the morphology of the scent glands area and the emission
      behavior of the defensive secretion, and they suggest that the alarm pheromone
      function in harvestmen may be dependent on ecological factors. 

PMID- 26271672
TI  - Identification of the Female-Produced Sex Pheromone of the Leafminer Holocacista
      capensis Infesting Grapevine in South Africa.
AB  - We report the first identification of a sex pheromone in a heliozelid moth,
      Holocacista capensis van Nieukerken & Geertsema. This leafminer recently infested
      grapevine in South Africa. Compared to solvent extraction of pheromone glands,
      solid phase microextraction (SPME) proved to be highly effective for collection
      of the pheromone from calling females. The volatiles collected by SPME were
      analyzed by gas chromatography with electroantennographic detection (GC/EAD).
      Three compounds eliciting electrophysiological activity from the male antenna
      were identified as (Z)-5-tetradecenal, (Z)-7-tetradecenal, and (Z)-9-hexadecenal
      by coupled gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). GC/MS analysis of
      dimethyldisulphide (DMDS) derivatives of fatty acyl moieties in pheromone gland
      extracts confirmed the presence of the corresponding putative pheromone
      precursors with double bonds in the same position and with Z geometry. Field
      trapping experiments in a South African vineyard confirmed that both (Z)-5
      tetradecenal and (Z)-7-tetradecenal are essential for the attraction of male H.
      capensis, whereas addition of (Z)-9-hexadecenal to the blend did not affect the
      attractiveness. The composition of the pheromone is discussed in relation to the
      phylogeny of this family of moths. 

PMID- 26271670
TI  - Determination of Nitrite in Whole Blood by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography
      with Electrochemical Detection and a Case of Nitrite Poisoning.
AB  - Although nitrite is widely used in meat processing, it is a major toxicity hazard
      to children and is responsible for the blue-baby syndrome. A simple and effective
      method to determine nitrite in whole blood has been devised using ion
      chromatography with suppressed conductivity detection. The blood sample was
      deproteinized by adding acetonitrile and purified with mini-cartridges to remove
      hydrophobic compounds, chloride ions, and metal ions. An aliquot of the filtrate
      was injected onto the ion chromatography. The retention time for nitrite was 13.8
      min and the detection limit of nitrite in whole blood was 0.4 MUmol/L. The
      calibration curve was linear (r(2) = 0.9999) over the concentration working
      range. The blood nitrite concentration of a victim who attempted suicide by
      ingesting sodium nitrite powder was determined using the present method. The
      basal levels for nitrite in human blood was determined with 7.1 +/- 0.9 MUmol/L
      (n = 12).

PMID- 26271674
TI  - (7E,11E)-3,5,9,11-Tetramethyltridecadienal: Sex Pheromone of the Strepsipteran
      Xenos peckii.
AB  - Xenos peckii is a strepsipteran parasitoid of the common North American paper
      wasp, Polistes fuscatus. Mate-seeking X. peckii males respond to a long-range sex
      pheromone emitted by the female, which remains permanently embedded within the
      abdomen of a mobile host wasp. During peak pheromone signalling, we excised the
      female from her host, severed the cephalothorax containing the pheromone gland,
      extracted it in hexane, and analyzed aliquots of combined extracts by coupled gas
      chromatographic-electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD). These analyses revealed
      a candidate pheromone component (CPC) that consistently elicited strong responses
      from male antennae. We identified the CPC as (7E,11E)-3,5,9,11
      tetramethyltridecadienal based on its retention indices (RI) on three GC-columns,
      RI inter-column differentials, mass and NMR spectra, and synthesis of an
      authentic standard that matched the GC-retention and spectrometric
      characteristics of the CPC. For a field experiment, we prepared (7E,11E)
      3,5,9R,11-tetramethyltridecadienal and (7E,11E)-3,5,9S,11
      tetramethyltridecadienal. Xenos peckii males were caught in traps baited with
      either compound singly or a 1:1 mixture of the two but not in unbaited control
      traps. The sex pheromone of X. peckii resembles that reported for the
      strepsipterans Stylops mellittae and S. muelleri, (R,R,R)-3,5,9
      trimethyldodecanal, suggesting a common biosynthetic pathway across taxonomic
      genera. 

PMID- 26271676
TI  - Supporting rehabilitation in developing countries.

PMID- 26271675
TI  - HSP90 Inhibitor-SN-38 Conjugate Strategy for Targeted Delivery of Topoisomerase I
      Inhibitor to Tumors.
AB  - The clinical benefits of chemotherapy are commonly offset by insufficient drug
      exposures, narrow safety margins, and/or systemic toxicities. Over recent
      decades, a number of conjugate-based targeting approaches designed to overcome
      these limitations have been explored. Here, we report on an innovative strategy
      that utilizes HSP90 inhibitor-drug conjugates (HDC) for directed tumor targeting
      of chemotherapeutic agents. STA-12-8666 is an HDC that comprises an HSP90
      inhibitor fused to SN-38, the active metabolite of irinotecan. Mechanistic
      analyses in vitro established that high-affinity HSP90 binding conferred by the
      inhibitor backbone could be exploited for conjugate accumulation within tumor
      cells. In vivo modeling showed that the HSP90 inhibitor moiety was required for
      selective retention of STA-12-8666, and this enrichment promoted extended release
      of active SN-38 within the tumor compartment. Indeed, controlled intratumoral
      payload release by STA-12-8666 contributed to a broad therapeutic window,
      sustained biomarker activity, and remarkable degree of efficacy and durability of
      response in multiple cell line and patient-derived xenograft models. Overall, STA
      12-8666 has been developed as a unique HDC agent that employs a distinct
      mechanism of targeted drug delivery to achieve potent and sustained antitumor
      effects. These findings identify STA-12-8666 as a promising new candidate for
      evaluation as novel anticancer therapeutic.

PMID- 26271677
TI  - Kids are not little adults: what MET threshold captures sedentary behavior in
      children?
AB  - PURPOSE: The study compares MET-defined cutpoints used to classify sedentary
      behaviors in children using a simulated free-living design. METHODS: A sample of
      102 children (54 boys and 48 girls; 7-13 years) completed a set of 12 activities
      (randomly selected from a pool of 24 activities) in a random order. Activities
      were predetermined and ranged from sedentary to vigorous intensities.
      Participant's energy expenditure was measured using a portable indirect
      calorimetry system, Oxycon mobile. Measured minute-by-minute VO2 values (i.e.,
      ml/kg/min) were converted to an adult- or child-MET value using the standard 3.5
      ml/kg/min or the estimated child resting metabolic rate, respectively.
      Classification agreement was examined for both the "standard" (1.5 adult-METs)
      and an "adjusted" (2.0 adult-METs) MET-derived threshold for classifying
      sedentary behavior. Alternatively, we also tested the classification accuracy of
      a 1.5 child-MET threshold. Classification accuracy of sedentary activities was
      evaluated relative to the predetermined intensity categorization using receiver
      operator characteristic curves. RESULTS: There were clear improvements in the
      classification accuracy for sedentary activities when a threshold of 2.0 adult
      METs was used instead of 1.5 METs (Se1.5 METs = 4.7%, Sp1.5 METs = 100.0%; Se2.0
      METs = 36.9%, Sp2.0 METs = 100.0 %). The use of child-METs while maintaining the
      1.5 threshold also resulted in improvements in classification (Se = 45.1%, Sp =
      100.0%). CONCLUSION: Adult-MET thresholds are not appropriate for children when
      classifying sedentary activities. Classification accuracy for identifying
      sedentary activities was improved when either an adult-MET of 2.0 or a child-MET
      of 1.5 was used.

PMID- 26271678
TI  - Ventilatory responses to prolonged exercise with heavy load carriage.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this experiment was to study breathing pattern and
      operating lung volume during 45 min of exercise with a heavy backpack (25 kg) and
      examine the effect of this exercise on respiratory muscle strength. METHODS:
      Fifteen males completed randomly ordered graded exercise tests on a treadmill
      with and without a correctly sized and fitted 25 kg pack. Subsequently, each
      subject completed, in random order, on separate days, 45 min of treadmill walking
      with and without the pack. Oxygen demand was matched between conditions (loaded:
      3.01 +/- 0.11 and unloaded 3.02 +/- 0.11 L min(-1)). RESULTS: With load,
      breathing frequency (f B) and minute ventilation increased by 21.7 and 15.1 % (P
      < 0.05), respectively, while tidal volume (V T) and end-inspiratory lung volume
      (EILV) were reduced by 6.3 and 6.4% (P < 0.05), respectively, compared to
      unloaded. Following loaded exercise, maximal inspiratory pressure decreased by
      6.7% (P < 0.05) with no change in maximal expiratory pressure. No changes in
      maximal inspiratory or expiratory pressures were observed following unloaded
      exercise. Despite equivalent oxygen demand, perceived exercise stress and
      breathing discomfort was higher (P < 0.05) in the loaded condition. CONCLUSIONS:
      The mechanical disadvantage placed on the respiratory system during exercise with
      a heavy pack led to compensatory changes in breathing pattern and EILV, and a
      reduction in maximal inspiratory pressure post-exercise. We suggest that in an
      attempt to minimize the work of breathing, subjects adopted a shallow and
      frequent breathing pattern. However, this pattern increased deadspace and minute
      ventilation, which likely contributed to altered perceptions of exercise stress
      and breathing discomfort.

PMID- 26271679
TI  - DaPeCa-2: Implementation of fast-track clinical pathways for penile cancer
      shortens waiting time and accelerates the diagnostic process--A comparative
      before-and-after study in a tertiary referral centre in Denmark.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the feasibility and impact of a
      fast-track referral pathway on clinical time intervals in penile cancer.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: This observational study from a tertiary referral centre
      included 263 patients diagnosed before and after the introduction of an
      intervention to reduce clinical time intervals, the Cancer Patient Pathway (CPP).
      The CPP included fast-track referral and set time-frames for units participating
      in cancer diagnosis and treatment, and was introduced for penile cancer in
      Denmark on 1 January 2009. Median time intervals (in calendar days) with
      interquartile range were the main outcome measure. RESULTS: A trend towards
      reduction was observed in all clinical time intervals, with a statistically
      significant reduction in the system interval (p = 0.01) and tertiary centre
      interval (p < 0.0001). The proportion of patients treated within the maximum
      accepted time-frame of 37 days after referral steadily increased after
      implementation of the CPP. In particular, unjustified waiting time was reduced
      significantly. This was mainly achieved through pre-booking of appointments and
      diagnostic time slots by a dedicated clinical coordinator. CONCLUSIONS: To the
      authors' knowledge, this is the first study examining the feasibility and impact
      of an intervention to reduce clinical time intervals in penile cancer. The Danish
      CPP was successful in reducing system and tertiary centre intervals. Future
      interventions need to address the long patient interval. Longer follow-up is
      needed to study the impact of CPP on mortality.

PMID- 26271680
TI  - Seizure ending signs in patients with dyscognitive focal seizures.
AB  - AIM: Signs indicating the end of a focal seizure with loss of awareness and/or
      responsiveness but without progression to focal or generalized motor symptoms are
      poorly defined and can be difficult to determine. Not recognizing the transition
      from ictal to postictal behaviour can affect seizure reporting accuracy by family
      members and may lead to delayed or a lack of examination during EEG monitoring,
      erroneous seizure localization and inadequate medical intervention for prolonged
      seizure duration. METHODS: Our epilepsy monitoring unit database was searched for
      focal seizures without secondary generalization for the period from 2007 to 2011.
      The first focal seizure in a patient with loss of awareness and/or responsiveness
      and/or behavioural arrest, with or without automatisms, was included. Seizures
      without objective symptoms or inadequate video-EEG quality were excluded.
      RESULTS: A total of 67 patients were included, with an average age of 41.7 years.
      Thirty-six of the patients had seizures from the left hemisphere and 29 from the
      right. All patients showed an abrupt change in motor activity and resumed contact
      with the environment as a sign of clinical seizure ending. Specific ending signs
      (nose wiping, coughing, sighing, throat clearing, or laughter) were seen in 23 of
      47 of temporal lobe seizures and 7 of 20 extra-temporal seizures. CONCLUSIONS:
      Seizure ending signs are often subtle and the most common finding is a sudden
      change in motor activity and resumption of contact with the environment. More
      distinct signs, such as nose wiping, coughing or throat clearing, are not
      specific to temporal lobe onset. A higher proportion of seizures during sleep
      went unexamined, compared to those during wakefulness. This demonstrates that
      seizure semiology can be very subtle and arousals from sleep during monitoring
      should alert staff. Patient accounts of seizure frequency appear to be unreliable
      and witness reports need to be taken into account. [Published with video
      sequences].

PMID- 26271681
TI  - Rising to the challenge: acute stress appraisals and selection centre performance
      in applicants to postgraduate specialty training in anaesthesia.
AB  - The ability to work under pressure is a vital non-technical skill for doctors
      working in acute medical specialties. Individuals who evaluate potentially
      stressful situations as challenging rather than threatening may perform better
      under pressure and be more resilient to stress and burnout. Training programme
      recruitment processes provide an important opportunity to examine applicants'
      reactions to acute stress. In the context of multi-station selection centres for
      recruitment to anaesthesia training programmes, we investigated the factors
      influencing candidates' pre-station challenge/threat evaluations and the extent
      to which their evaluations predicted subsequent station performance. Candidates
      evaluated the perceived stress of upcoming stations using a measure of
      challenge/threat evaluation-the cognitive appraisal ratio (CAR)-and consented to
      release their demographic details and station scores. Using regression analyses
      we determined which candidate and station factors predicted variation in the CAR
      and whether, after accounting for these factors, the CAR predicted candidate
      performance in the station. The CAR was affected by the nature of the station and
      candidate gender, but not age, ethnicity, country of training or clinical
      experience. Candidates perceived stations involving work related tasks as more
      threatening. After controlling for candidates' demographic and professional
      profiles, the CAR significantly predicted station performance: 'challenge'
      evaluations were associated with better performance, though the effect was weak.
      Our selection centre model can help recruit prospective anaesthetists who are
      able to rise to the challenge of performing in stressful situations but results
      do not support the direct use of challenge/threat data for recruitment decisions.

PMID- 26271682
TI  - Label-Free Electrochemiluminescent Immunosensor for Detection of Carcinoembryonic
      Antigen Based on Nanocomposites of GO/MWCNTs-COOH/Au@CeO2.
AB  - A high-sensitivity electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensor was conducted to detect
      carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Nanocomposites of graphene oxide/carboxylated
      multiwall carbon nanotubes/gold/cerium oxide nanoparticles (GO/MWCNTs
      COOH/Au@CeO2) were used as antibody carriers and sensing platforms to modify on
      glassy carbon electrodes (GCE). CeO2 nanoparticles were first exploited as an ECL
      luminescent material and the possible ECL mechanism was proposed in this work.
      GO/MWCNTs-COOH was used as a loading matrix for CeO2 nanoparticles because of the
      superior conductivity and large specific surface area. Au nanoparticles were
      further deposited on this matrix to attach anti-CEA and enhance the sensitivity
      of immunosensor. The proposed sensing platform showed excellent cathodic ECL
      performance and sensitive response to CEA. The effects of experimental conditions
      on the ECL performance were investigated. The proposed immunosensor showed the
      broad linear range (0.05-100 ng/mL) and the low detection limit (LOD, 0.02 ng/mL,
      signal-to-noise ratio = 3) according to the selected experimental conditions. The
      excellent analysis performance for determination of CEA in the human serum
      samples simplied this immunosensor displayed high sensitivity and excellent
      repeatability. More importantly, this conducted immunosensor broadens the use
      scope of CeO2 nanoparticles. 

PMID- 26271685
TI  - Prone positioning improves oxygenation in spontaneously breathing nonintubated
      patients with hypoxemic acute respiratory failure: A retrospective study.
AB  - PURPOSE: Prone positioning (PP) improves oxygenation and outcome of patients with
      acute respiratory distress syndrome undergoing invasive ventilation. We evaluated
      feasibility and efficacy of PP in awake, non-intubated, spontaneously breathing
      patients with hypoxemic acute respiratory failure (ARF). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We
      retrospectively studied non-intubated subjects with hypoxemic ARF treated with PP
      from January 2009 to December 2014. Data were extracted from medical records.
      Arterial blood gas analyses, respiratory rate, and hemodynamics were retrieved 1
      to 2 hours before pronation (step PRE), during PP (step PRONE), and 6 to 8 hours
      after resupination (step POST). RESULTS: Fifteen non-intubated ARF patients
      underwent 43 PP procedures. Nine subjects were immunocompromised. Twelve subjects
      were discharged from hospital, while 3 died. Only 2 maneuvers were interrupted,
      owing to patient intolerance. No complications were documented. PP did not alter
      respiratory rate or hemodynamics. In the subset of procedures during which the
      same positive end expiratory pressure and Fio2 were utilized throughout the
      pronation cycle (n=18), PP improved oxygenation (Pao2/Fio2 124+/-50 mmHg, 187+/
      72 mmHg, and 140+/-61 mmHg, during PRE, PRONE, and POST steps, respectively,
      P<.001), while pH and Paco2 were unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: PP was feasible and
      improved oxygenation in non-intubated, spontaneously breathing patients with ARF.

PMID- 26271684
TI  - A combined systems and structural modeling approach repositions antibiotics for
      Mycoplasma genitalium.
AB  - Bacteria are increasingly resistant to existing antibiotics, which target a
      narrow range of pathways. New methods are needed to identify targets, including
      repositioning targets among distantly related species. We developed a novel
      combination of systems and structural modeling and bioinformatics to reposition
      known antibiotics and targets to new species. We applied this approach to
      Mycoplasma genitalium, a common cause of urethritis. First, we used quantitative
      metabolic modeling to identify enzymes whose expression affects the cellular
      growth rate. Second, we searched the literature for inhibitors of homologs of the
      most fragile enzymes. Next, we used sequence alignment to assess that the binding
      site is shared by M. genitalium, but not by humans. Lastly, we used molecular
      docking to verify that the reported inhibitors preferentially interact with M.
      genitalium proteins over their human homologs. Thymidylate kinase was the top
      predicted target and piperidinylthymines were the top compounds. Further work is
      needed to experimentally validate piperidinylthymines. In summary, combined
      systems and structural modeling is a powerful tool for drug repositioning. 

PMID- 26271686
TI  - Epidemiological trends in invasive mechanical ventilation in the United States: A
      population-based study.
AB  - PURPOSE: Epidemiological trends for invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) have
      not been clearly defined. We sought to define trends for IMV in the United States
      and assess for disease-specific variation for 3 common causes of respiratory
      failure: pneumonia, heart failure (HF), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
      (COPD). METHODS: We calculated national estimates for utilization of nonsurgical
      IMV cases from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 1993 to 2009 and compared
      trends for COPD, HF, and pneumonia. RESULTS: We identified 8309344 cases of IMV
      from 1993 to 2009. Utilization of IMV for nonsurgical indications increased from
      178.9 per 100000 in 1993 to 310.9 per 100000 US adults in 2009. Pneumonia cases
      requiring IMV showed the largest increase (103.6%), whereas COPD cases remained
      relatively stable (2.5% increase) and HF cases decreased by 55.4%. Similar
      demographic and clinical changes were observed for pneumonia, COPD, and HF, with
      cases of IMV becoming younger, more ethnically diverse, and more frequently
      insured by Medicaid. Outcome trends for patients differed based on diagnosis.
      Adjusted hospital mortality decreased over time for cases of pneumonia (odds
      ratio [OR] per 5 years, 0.89; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.88-0.90) and COPD
      (OR per 5 years, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.97-0.98) but increased for HF (OR per 5 years,
      1.10; 95% CI, 1.09-1.12). CONCLUSION: Utilization of IMV in the US increased from
      1993 to 2009 with a decrease in overall mortality. However, trends in utilization
      and outcomes of IMV differed markedly based on diagnosis. Unlike favorable
      outcome trends in pneumonia and COPD, hospital mortality for HF has not improved.
      Further studies to investigate the outcome gap between HF and other causes of
      respiratory failure are needed.

PMID- 26271687
TI  - Revisiting endotracheal self-extubation in the surgical and trauma intensive care
      unit: Are they all fine?
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Endotracheal self-extubation (ESE) is a serious health care concern.
      We designed this study to test our hypothesis that not all patients with ESE are
      successful in spontaneous breathing and reintubation has negative impact on
      outcomes. METHODS: Data on all 39 patients of ESE in our surgical and trauma
      intensive care unit (ICU) in 2012 were prospectively collected and
      retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: There were 42 episodes of ESE in 39 of 939
      intubated patients (frequency, 4.0%), with 54% of events requiring reintubation.
      Pre-ESE positive end-expiratory pressure was higher and Pao2/fraction of inspired
      oxygen ratio was lower, and the post-ESE respiration rate was higher in the
      reintubated group. On univariate analysis, weaning and spontaneous breathing
      trial before ESE were favorable predictors for nonreintubation. Multivariate
      regression analysis demonstrated that agitation before ESE was an independent
      predictor of reintubation. The need for reintubation was associated with
      increased risk of pulmonary infectious complications, ventilator days, the need
      for tracheostomy, and ICU and hospital LOS. The financial costs for ventilator
      days and ICU rooms were significantly higher in patients with reintubation.
      CONCLUSION: Not all patients were fine after ESE. We have not decreased the
      frequency of ESE or improved outcomes if the patients were reintubated. The need
      for reintubation was not only associated with a high pulmonary complication rate
      but also prolonged duration on mechanical ventilation and hospital/ICU stay and
      increased the hospital costs.

PMID- 26271688
TI  - Trees and shrubs differ biomechanically.

PMID- 26271690
TI  - Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Standards of Practice and Standards of
      Professional Performance for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (Competent,
      Proficient, and Expert) in Public Health and Community Nutrition.
AB  - The need and demand for population-level disease prevention has increased,
      especially with the passage of the Affordable Care Act, a worldwide increase in
      obesity and chronic disease, and a global emphasis on preventative health care
      that includes behavioral, environmental, and policy interventions. In response to
      these evolving needs, the Public Health and Community Nutrition Dietetic Practice
      Group, with guidance from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Quality
      Management Committee, has developed Standards of Practice and Standards of
      Professional Performance as tools for registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs)
      currently in practice or interested in working in public health and community
      nutrition, to assess their current skill levels and to identify areas for
      professional development. The Standards of Practice address the four steps of the
      Nutrition Care Process for community and public health RDNs, which are
      assessment, diagnosis, intervention, and evaluation/monitoring. The Standards of
      Professional Performance consist of the following six domains of professional
      performance for community and public health RDNs: Quality in Practice, Competence
      and Accountability, Provision of Services, Application of Research, Communication
      and Application of Knowledge, and Utilization and Management of Resources. Within
      each standard, specific indicators provide measurable action statements that
      illustrate the ways in which RDNs can address client and population nutrition and
      health. The indicators describe three skill levels (competent, proficient, and
      expert) for RDNs. These tools highlight the unique scope of expertise that RDNs
      provide to the field of public health and community nutrition. 

PMID- 26271692
TI  - Remote Nutrition Counseling: Considerations in a New Channel for Client
      Communication.

PMID- 26271693
TI  - GM crops and the rat digestive tract: A critical review.

PMID- 26271689
TI  - Comparative Efficacy of Intracoronary Allogeneic Mesenchymal Stem Cells and
      Cardiosphere-Derived Cells in Swine with Hibernating Myocardium.
AB  - RATIONALE: Allogeneic bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and
      cardiosphere-derived cells (CDCs) have each entered clinical trials, but a direct
      comparison of these cell types has not been performed in a large animal model of
      hibernating myocardium. OBJECTIVE: Using completely blinded methodology, we
      compared the efficacy of global intracoronary allogeneic MSCs (icMSCs, ~35*10(6))
      and CDCs (icCDCs, ~35*10(6)) versus vehicle in cyclosporine-immunosuppressed
      swine with a chronic left anterior descending coronary artery stenosis (n=26).
      METHODS AND RESULTS: Studies began 3 months after instrumentation when wall
      thickening was reduced (left anterior descending coronary artery % wall
      thickening [mean+/-SD], 38+/-11% versus 83+/-26% in remote; P<0.01) and similar
      among groups. Four weeks after treatment, left anterior descending coronary
      artery % wall thickening increased similarly after icCDCs and icMSCs, whereas it
      remained depressed in vehicle-treated controls (icMSCs, 51+/-13%; icCDCs, 51+/
      17%; vehicle, 34+/-3%, treatments P<0.05 versus vehicle). There was no change in
      myocardial perfusion. Both icMSCs and icCDCs increased left anterior descending
      coronary artery myocyte nuclear density (icMSCs, 1601+/-279 nuclei/mm(2); icCDCs,
      1569+/-294 nuclei/mm(2); vehicle, 973+/-181 nuclei/mm(2); treatments P<0.05
      versus vehicle) and reduced myocyte diameter (icMSCs, 16.4+/-1.5 MUm; icCDCs,
      16.8+/-1.2 MUm; vehicle, 20.2+/-3.7 MUm; treatments P<0.05 versus vehicle) to the
      same extent. Similar changes in myocyte nuclear density and diameter were
      observed in the remote region of cell-treated animals. Cell fate analysis using Y
      chromosome fluorescent in situ hybridization demonstrated rare cells from sex
      mismatched donors. CONCLUSIONS: Allogeneic icMSCs and icCDCs exhibit comparable
      therapeutic efficacy in a large animal model of hibernating myocardium. Both cell
      types produced equivalent increases in regional function and stimulated myocyte
      regeneration in ischemic and remote myocardium. The activation of endogenous
      myocyte proliferation and regression of myocyte cellular hypertrophy support a
      common mechanism of cardiac repair.

PMID- 26271691
TI  - Food Environment Interventions to Improve the Dietary Behavior of Young Adults in
      Tertiary Education Settings: A Systematic Literature Review.
AB  - The current obesity-promoting food environment, typified by highly accessible
      unhealthy foods and drinks, may lead to an increased risk of chronic disease,
      particularly within young adults. A number of university-based intervention
      trials have been conducted in the United States and Europe to improve the food
      environment in this setting. However, there are no systematic reviews focusing on
      these interventions conducted exclusively in tertiary education settings. Our
      objective was to conduct a systematic literature review evaluating food
      environment interventions targeting dietary behavior in young adults in college
      and university settings. Eight databases were searched for randomized controlled
      trials, pre- and postintervention studies, quasiexperimental studies, cross
      sectional studies, and other nonexperimental studies from 1998 to December 2014
      that were conducted in tertiary education settings (ie, colleges and
      universities). Studies that evaluated a food environment intervention and
      reported healthier food choices, reductions in unhealthy food choices, nutrition
      knowledge, and/or food and drink sales as primary outcomes were included. Fifteen
      studies of high (n=5), medium (n=7), and poor quality (n=3) met the inclusion
      criteria, 13 of which showed positive improvements in outcome measures.
      Information relating to healthy foods through signage and nutrition labels (n=10)
      showed improvements in outcomes of interest. Increasing the availability of
      healthy foods (n=1) and decreasing the portion size of unhealthy foods (n=2)
      improved dietary intake. Price incentives and increased availability of healthy
      foods combined with nutrition information to increase purchases of healthy foods
      (n=2) were identified as having a positive effect on nutrition-related outcomes.
      Potentially useful interventions in tertiary education settings were nutrition
      messages/nutrient labeling, providing healthy options, and portion size control
      of unhealthy foods. Price decreases for and the increased availability of healthy
      options combined with nutrition information resulted in improvements in dietary
      habits. Additional research comparing the long-term effectiveness of
      environmental and combinations of environmental interventions on improving health
      outcomes is warranted. 

PMID- 26271695
TI  - [Age-related enamel features in healthy and decayed teeth].
AB  - The aim of the study was to identify the age-related variety of structural
      features of healthy and decayed enamel. The study included 125 people divided in
      subgroups according to age with both intact teeth and teeth affected by caries.
      Age-related differences were observed and the development of compensatory
      reactions was found in 43.3% of caries sites. 

PMID- 26271694
TI  - [Dynamics of osteogenesis after inoculation of autogenic mesenchymal stem cells
      of adipose tissue].
AB  - Experiment was conducted on 40 rats of Wister line. On the artificially
      reproduced experimental model autogenic mesenchimal stem cells (MSC) of adipose
      tissue were inoculated in space between bone autograph of tibia and mandible. MSC
      wasn't inoculated in the comparison group. Formation of a new bone substance in
      space between an autograph and mandible bone was observed. It was clear that
      after 120 days (180 days), there was a statistically significant decline of the
      area occupied by an immature fibroreticular bone. Described phenomenon,
      presumably, could be explained as a result of decline of the number of active
      cells in the population of inoculated MSC according to phenomenon of limited
      number divisions of cells on telomeres, described by Hayflick L. and Moorhead
      P.S. 

PMID- 26271696
TI  - [Epidemiology of teeth hypersensitivity].
AB  - A clinical examination of 98 patients aged 20 to 75 years was carried out to
      identifyclinical and epidemiological features of hard tooth
      tissueshypersensitivity. The survey found out what stimuli (cold, hot, sour,
      mechanical, chemical) cause the appearance of dental hyperesthesia. The detailed
      survey of the affected area aimed to determine the presence of dental caries,
      gingival recession, wedge-shaped defects, erosions, microcracks and chipped
      enamel, as well as wear of the tooth crown. Forty-threepatients of 98 (43.88%)
      had tooth sensitivity. Most affected age group was 25-34 years (33%). Among
      patients studied with hyperesthesia 86% complained of pain. It was
      establishedthat dental hyperesthesia most often causes an intense, but quickly
      passing pain response, wherein upon exposure of several types of stimuli. Teeth
      with high sensitivity showed signs of abrasion (74.1%), most often--on the
      vestibular surface (44.4%). Patients under 45 years had notable cracks and wedge
      shaped defects. In patients 45 years and older cracks and increased abrasion of
      hard dental tissues was seen.

PMID- 26271698
TI  - [Anatomical rationale for lingual nerve injury prevention during mandibular
      block].
AB  - The topographic and anatomical study of lingual nerve structural features was
      done. It was revealed that during mandibular anesthesia possible lingual nerve
      injury can occur if puncture needle is lower than 1 cm. of molars occlusal
      surface level. The position of the lingual nerve varies withmandible movements.
      At the maximum open mouth lingual nerve is not mobile and is pressed against the
      inner surface of the mandibular ramus by the medial pterygoid muscle and the
      temporal muscle tendon. When closing the mouth to 1.25+/-0.2 cmfrom the
      physiological maximum, lingual nerve is displaced posteriorly from the internal
      oblique line of the mandible and gets mobile. On the basis of topographic and
      anatomic features of the lingual nervestructure the authors recommend the re-do
      of inferior alveolar nerve block, a semi-closed mouth position or the use the
      "high block techniques" (Torus anesthesia, Gow-Gates, Vazirani-Akinozi). 

PMID- 26271699
TI  - [Optimization of staged treatment in patients with extensive combined face
      defects].
AB  - Free autotransplantation of revascularized flaps allow reconstructing soft tissue
      integrity with simultaneous bone defects elimination in patients with extensive
      combined face defects, but for eligible reconstruction of facial proportions one
      may need additional surgical procedures. The study included 161 patients who
      underwent free autotransplantation of revascularized flaps. Main pitfalls of the
      method are revealed and reviewed in the paper. When corresponding to deformity
      type free autotransplantation of revascularized flaps results in full functional
      and esthetic rehabilitation. 

PMID- 26271697
TI  - [Choice of local anesthetic volume at the infiltration anesthesia on the upper
      jaw].
AB  - The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of volume and pressure, at
      which the solution of local anesthetic is injected into the tissue, on the
      effectiveness of infiltration anesthesia of the periosteum on the upper jaw. We
      used the technique of tooth pain sensitivity thresholds. According to the rate of
      development and the duration of the maximum analgesia effect, the optimum volume
      for different levels of pressure was determined. The influence of the tissue
      density at the injection site on the effect criteria of analgesia was
      demonstrated. 

PMID- 26271700
TI  - [Use of adaptogens for antioxidant system correction in complex treatment of
      mandibular fractures].
AB  - Antioxidatic protection has been studied in 84 patients with mandibular fractures
      between the ages of 21 and 40; the patients were divided into two groups.
      Activation of lipid peroxidation in both groups was revealed. The increase of
      antioxidant's activity system in 37.18% in the main study group that along with
      traditional treatment received Epsorin was determined. No complications in the
      main group during the post-surgery period were recorded. 

PMID- 26271701
TI  - [Visual perception of dentition esthetic parameters (part 1)].
AB  - The article presents a study on the impact of violations of aesthetic parameters
      as the inclination of the incisalline, thedislocation of median interincisal line
      and the width of dental arch on visual perception. Comparison of the data of
      objective assessment data the subjective assessment of the respondents was
      conducted. It is proved that all dependencies are linear and can be described by
      a linear regression equations. A similar method can be used for objective
      quantitative method for the assessment of aesthetics teeth when you smile before
      and after dental treatment. 

PMID- 26271704
TI  - [Financing of dental care in the outpatient settings in the system of obligatory
      medical insurance].

PMID- 26271702
TI  - [EMG functional changes in masticatory muscles by elastopositioner use in
      patients with TMJ dysfunction].
AB  - The analysis of the results of EMG studies in patients with TMJ dysfunction was
      carried out before and after use of elastpositioner "Corrector". The study
      revealed significant functional disturbances of the masticatory muscles, which
      were corrected after applying elastpositioner: there was a trend to decreased
      activity of masseter and temporal muscles, especially in the stage of rest. 

PMID- 26271703
TI  - [Late morphological teeth changes in children after chemotherapy].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Teeth changes after chemotherapy are of clinical importance, but no
      morphological studies were conducted on microscopic level. AIM: To assess
      morphological changes in teeth developing under chemotherapy. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Twenty-nine adolescents aged 13-16 years that received chemotherapy at
      the age of 2-13 were included in the study. Teeth morphology was evaluated by
      means of clinical and radiological data as well as microscopy of extracted teeth
      (n=13). Thirty healthy children aged 13-16 and 8 teeth extracted for orthodontic
      reasons served as a control. RESULTS: Chemotherapy has arresting impact on teeth
      development confirmed by aplasia of germs when influenced on stages I-II
      (p=0.0001), preliminary apexogenesis resulting in shortened roots in teeth at the
      later stages of growth and development (p=0.01). Enamel and dentine defects
      usually located in cervical area are also a specific feature, while caries
      incidence was not higher when compared to control group. CONCLUSION: Children
      receiving chemotherapy have high risk of secondary teeth loss because of germs
      aplasia and extraction of severely decayed teeth. Early diagnostics helps to
      prevent secondary deformations of dental arches by prompt prosthetic
      rehabilitation. Root morphology changes should be considered by root canal
      treatment.

PMID- 26271705
TI  - [Legal state of dental service in Ryazan region].
AB  - Analysis showed that the organizational-legal basis of dental service of the
      Ryazan region consists of limited liability companies (50.2%) and government
      budgetary institutions (40.3%). 

PMID- 26271706
TI  - Aflatoxins ingestion and canine mammary tumors: There is an association?
AB  - The aim of this study was to determine the presence of mycotoxins on dogs feed
      and to explore the potential association between mycotoxins exposure and the
      chance of mamary tumors in a case-control study. The study included 256 female
      dogs from a hospital population, 85 with mammary tumors (case group) and 171
      without mammary tumors (control group). An epidemiological questionnaire was
      applied to both groups, and the data were analyzed by the EpiInfo statistical
      package. For the study, 168 samples of the feed offered to dogs were analyzed for
      the presence of aflatoxins, fumonisins and zearalenone by high-performance liquid
      chromatography. Mycotoxins were found in 79 samples (100%) in the case group and
      87/89 (97.8%) in the control group. Mycotoxins were detected in all types of
      feed, regardless feed quality. Level of aflatoxin B1 (p = 0.0356, OR = 2.74, 95%,
      CI 1.13 to 6.60), aflatoxin G1 (AFG1) (p = 0.00007, OR = 4.60, 95%, CI = 2.16 to
      9.79), and aflatoxin G2 (AFG2) (p = 0.0133, OR = 9.91, 95%, CI 1.21 to 81.15)
      were statistically higher in case of mammary cancer. In contrast, neutering was a
      protective factor for mammary cancer (p = 0.0004, OR = 0.32, 95%, CI = 0.17 to
      0.60).

PMID- 26271708
TI  - Re: Gut microbiota depletion from early adolescence in mice: Implications for
      brain and behaviour.

PMID- 26271709
TI  - A numerical investigation of the functionality of coronary bifurcation lesions
      with respect to lesion configuration and stenosis severity.
AB  - The intervention of coronary bifurcation lesions is associated with higher rates
      of peri- and post-procedural clinical events compared to the treatment of
      isolated lesions. Overall, the factors that influence the dynamics of these types
      of configurations are still not well understood. A geometric multiscale model,
      consisting of a 3D representation of the left main coronary artery bifurcation
      and a 0D representation of the rest of the cardiovascular system, was developed.
      Computational fluid dynamics simulations of the 3D domain were executed by
      implementing the multiscale algorithm, in order to characterize the functionality
      of different multilesional configurations as a function of stenosis severity. The
      investigation found that coronary branch steal has a significant impact on the
      functionality of the disease and can render a two-lesion configuration more
      severe compared to a three-lesion configuration. As a result of the complexity of
      this phenomenon, it was also suggested that certain lesion configurations could
      result in false negatives in diagnosis when employing a pullback pressure
      recording across the tandem lesions. In conclusion, this study showed that
      coronary bifurcation lesions are subject to intricate haemodynamic interactions
      which render the characterization of their functionality complex and could have
      significant clinical implications with regards to their diagnosis and prognosis.

PMID- 26271707
TI  - Bisphenol A and its analogs exhibit different apoptotic potential in peripheral
      blood mononuclear cells (in vitro study).
AB  - There are only a few studies that have assessed the effect of bisphenol A (BPA)
      on human blood cells and no study has been conducted to analyze the impact of BPA
      analogs on human leucocytes. In this study, we have investigated the effect of
      BPA and its analogs like bisphenol F (BPF), bisphenol S (BPS) and bisphenol AF
      (BPAF) on apoptosis induction in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells
      (PBMCs). In order to clarify the mechanism of bisphenols-induced programmed cell
      death, changes in various signaling molecules of this process have been assessed.
      We observed an increase in cytosolic calcium ions (Ca(2+)) level and reduction of
      transmembrane mitochondrial potential (DeltaPsim) in PBMCs incubated with all
      compounds examined, and particularly BPA and BPAF. All compounds studied changed
      PBMCs membrane permeability, activated caspase-8, -9, -3 and induced PARP-1
      cleavage and chromatin condensation, which confirmed that they were capable of
      inducing apoptosis both via intrinsic and extrinsic pathway. Moreover, we have
      found that modus operandi of bisphenols studied was different. We noticed that
      BPAF and BPS caused mainly necrotic and apoptotic changes, respectively, whereas
      BPA induced comparable apoptotic and necrotic effects in the incubated cells. 

PMID- 26271710
TI  - Barriers and facilitators for male carers in accessing formal and informal
      support: A systematic review.
AB  - Unpaid, informal carers play a vital role in supporting people with long-term
      conditions. Being a carer can be challenging and carers may need support but they
      frequently fail to access it. Compared to research investigating the experiences
      of female carers, research with male carers is underdeveloped. The available
      evidence suggests male and female carers have many experiences in common but some
      research suggests that compared to females, male carers are even less likely to
      access services. The aim of this systematic review was therefore to synthesise
      research investigating adult male carers' experiences of accessing formal and
      informal support focussing on the barriers and facilitators. Nine health and
      social care electronic databases were searched (e.g. PubMed, PsychINFO, CINAHL
      Plus, Social Policy and Practice, Scopus). Seven studies (five qualitative and
      two quantitative) fitting the inclusion criteria were identified. All came from
      North America and most focussed on older carers caring for people with dementia.
      All seven studies described barriers to accessing support and three highlighted
      facilitators. Male carers felt committed to their role, seeing it as their
      responsibility but were often ambivalent about seeking help. Insufficient service
      information was frequently emphasised. Participants highlighted positive past
      experiences and professional or voluntary sector support in providing information
      and helping access services. Research into male carers' experiences in accessing
      support remains underdeveloped. Research that distinguishes between, for example,
      the experiences of spouses and sons and with direct comparisons between male and
      female carers is needed. Whether gender specific services would benefit male
      carers remains undetermined. 

PMID- 26271711
TI  - Phosphorylation sites in the Hook domain of CaVbeta subunits differentially
      modulate CaV1.2 channel function.
AB  - Regulation of L-type calcium current is critical for the development, function,
      and regulation of many cell types. Ca(V)1.2 channels that conduct L-type calcium
      currents are regulated by many protein kinases, but the sites of action of these
      kinases remain unknown in most cases. We combined mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
      and whole-cell patch clamp techniques in order to identify sites of
      phosphorylation of Ca(V)beta subunits in vivo and test the impact of mutations of
      those sites on Ca(V)1.2 channel function in vitro. Using the Ca(V)1.1 channel
      purified from rabbit skeletal muscle as a substrate for phosphoproteomic
      analysis, we found that Ser(193) and Thr(205) in the HOOK domain of Ca(V)beta1a
      subunits were both phosphorylated in vivo. Ser(193) is located in a potential
      consensus sequence for casein kinase II, but it was not phosphorylated in vitro
      by that kinase. In contrast, Thr(205) is located in a consensus sequence for cAMP
      dependent phosphorylation, and it was robustly phosphorylated in vitro by PKA.
      These two sites are conserved in multiple Ca(V)beta subunit isoforms, including
      the principal Ca(V)beta subunit of cardiac Ca(V)1.2 channels, Ca(V)beta2b. In
      order to assess potential modulatory effects of phosphorylation at these sites
      separately from the effects of phosphorylation of the alpha11.2 subunit, we
      inserted phosphomimetic or phosphoinhibitory mutations in Ca(V)beta2b and
      analyzed their effects on Ca(V)1.2 channel function in transfected nonmuscle
      cells. The phosphomimetic mutation Ca(V)beta2b(S152E) decreased peak channel
      currents and shifted the voltage dependence of both activation and inactivation
      to more positive membrane potentials. The phosphoinhibitory mutation
      Ca(V)beta2b(S152A) had opposite effects. There were no differences in peak
      Ca(V)1.2 currents or voltage dependence between the phosphomimetic mutation
      Ca(V)beta2b(T164D) and the phosphoinhibitory mutation Ca(V)beta2b(T164A).
      However, calcium-dependent inactivation was significantly increased for the
      phosphomimetic mutation Ca(V)beta2b(T164D). This effect was subunit-specific, as
      the corresponding mutation in the palmitoylated isoform, Ca(V)beta2a, had no
      effect. Overall, our data identify two conserved sites of phosphorylation of the
      Hook domain of Ca(V)beta subunits in vivo and reveal differential modulatory
      effects of phosphomimetic mutations in these sites. These results reveal a new
      dimension of regulation of Ca(V)1.2 channels through phosphorylation of the Hook
      domains of their beta subunits.

PMID- 26271712
TI  - Estradiol mediates vasculoprotection via ERRalpha-dependent regulation of lipid
      and ROS metabolism in the endothelium.
AB  - The estrogen-mediated vasculoprotective effect has been widely reported in many
      animal studies, although the clinical trials are controversial and the detailed
      mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we focused on the molecular mechanism
      and consequence of 17beta-estradiol (E2)-induced ERRalpha (estrogen-related
      receptor alpha) expression in endothelium and its potential beneficial effects on
      vascular function. The human aorta endothelial cells were used to identify the
      detailed molecular mechanism and consequences for E2-induced ERRalpha expression
      through estrogen receptors (ER), where ERalpha responses E2-induced ERRalpha
      activation, and ERbeta responses basal ERRalpha expression. E2-induced ERRalpha
      expression increases fatty acid uptake/oxidation with increased mitochondrial
      replication, ATP generation and attenuated reactive oxygen species (ROS)
      formation. We have obtained further in vivo proof from high-fat diet mice that
      the lentivirus-carried endothelium-specific delivery of ERRalpha expression on
      the vascular wall normalizes E2 deficiency-induced increased plasma lipids with
      ameliorated vascular damage. ERRalpha knockdown worsens the problem, and the E2
      could only partly restore this effect. This is the first time we report the
      detailed mechanism with direct evidence that E2-induced ERRalpha expression
      modulates the fatty acid metabolism and reduces the circulating lipids through
      endothelium. We conclude that E2-induced ERRalpha expression in endothelium plays
      an important role for the E2-induced vasculoprotective effect. 

PMID- 26271714
TI  - On the long-term outcome of orthostatic tremor.

PMID- 26271713
TI  - The changing role of ER in endocrine resistance.
AB  - Estrogen receptor (ER) is expressed in approximately 70% of newly diagnosed
      breast tumors. Although endocrine therapy targeting ER is highly effective,
      intrinsic or acquired resistance is common, significantly jeopardizing treatment
      outcomes and minimizing overall survival. Even in the presence of endocrine
      resistance, a continued role of ER signaling is suggested by several lines of
      clinical and preclinical evidence. Indeed, inhibition or down-regulation of ER
      reduces tumor growth in preclinical models of acquired endocrine resistance, and
      many patients with recurrent ER+ breast tumors progressing on one type of ER
      targeted treatment still benefit from sequential endocrine treatments that target
      ER by a different mechanism. New insights into the nature and biology of ER have
      revealed several mechanisms sustaining altered ER signaling in endocrine
      resistant tumors, including deregulated growth factor receptor signaling that
      results in ligand-independent ER activation, unbalanced ER co-regulator activity,
      and genomic alterations involving the ER gene ESR1. Therefore, biopsies of
      recurrent lesions are needed to assess the changes in epi/genomics and signaling
      landscape of ER and associated pathways in order to tailor therapies to
      effectively overcome endocrine resistance. In addition, more completely
      abolishing the levels and activity of ER and its co-activators, in combination
      with selected signal transduction inhibitors or agents blocking the upstream or
      downstream targets of the ER pathway, may provide a better therapeutic strategy
      in combating endocrine resistance.

PMID- 26271715
TI  - The H2S-producing enzyme CSE is dispensable for the processing of inflammatory
      and neuropathic pain.
AB  - Accumulating lines of evidence indicate that hydrogen sulfide (H2S) contributes
      to the processing of chronic pain. However, the sources of H2S production in the
      nociceptive system are poorly understood. Here we investigated the expression of
      the H2S releasing enzyme cystathionine gamma-lyase (CSE) in the nociceptive
      system and characterized its role in chronic pain signaling using CSE deficient
      mice. We show that paw inflammation and peripheral nerve injury led to
      upregulation of CSE expression in dorsal root ganglia. However, conditional
      knockout mice lacking CSE in sensory neurons as well as global CSE knockout mice
      demonstrated normal pain behaviors in inflammatory and neuropathic pain models as
      compared to WT littermates. Thus, our results suggest that CSE is not critically
      involved in chronic pain signaling in mice and that sources different from CSE
      mediate the pain relevant effects of H2S. 

PMID- 26271716
TI  - Hippocampal NMDA receptors are involved in rats' spontaneous object recognition
      only under high memory load condition.
AB  - The possible involvement of hippocampal N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in
      spontaneous object recognition was investigated in rats under different memory
      load conditions. We first estimated rats' object memory span using 3-5 objects in
      "Different Objects Task (DOT)" in order to confirm the highest memory load
      condition in object recognition memory. Rats were allowed to explore a field in
      which 3 (3-DOT), 4 (4-DOT), or 5 (5-DOT) different objects were presented. After
      a delay period, they were placed again in the same field in which one of the
      sample objects was replaced by another object, and their object exploration
      behavior was analyzed. Rats could differentiate the novel object from the
      familiar ones in 3-DOT and 4-DOT but not in 5-DOT, suggesting that rats' object
      memory span was about 4. Then, we examined the effects of hippocampal AP5
      infusion on performance in both 2-DOT (2 different objects were used) and 4-DOT.
      The drug treatment before the sample phase impaired performance only in 4-DOT.
      These results suggest that hippocampal NMDA receptors play a critical role in
      spontaneous object recognition only when the memory load is high.

PMID- 26271718
TI  - Clinical and microbiologic characteristics of adult patients with recurrent
      bacteraemia caused by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli
      or Klebsiella pneumoniae.
AB  - The characteristics of patients with recurrent bacteraemia caused by extended
      spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli or Klebsiella
      pneumoniae (EK) are rarely described. Flomoxef belongs to the cephamycins group
      and demonstrates in vitro activity against ESBL-producing organisms. Whether
      flomoxef may be used for the treatment of such infections remains controversial.
      This retrospective case-control study enrolled adult patients who had bacteraemia
      caused by ESBL-EK during 2005-2011. Case patients were those who had more than
      one episode of ESBL-EK bacteraemia. Controls were those who were matched for age
      and interval time of blood sampling and had only one episode of ESBL-EK
      bacteraemia with subsequent bacteraemia episodes caused by other non-ESBL-EK
      bacteria. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and microbiologic profiles of the
      initial and subsequent ESBL-EK isolates were analysed. During the study period,
      424 patients were found to have at least one positive blood culture after the
      first ESBL-EK bacteraemia episode, and 67 (15.8%) had a second episode of ESBL-EK
      bacteraemia. Bacteraemia resulting from vascular catheter-related infection (odds
      ratio, 3.24; 95% confidence interval, 1.31-8.05), and definitive therapy with
      flomoxef (odds ratio, 2.99; 95% confidence interval, 1.10-8.15) were both
      independent risk factors for the recurrence. Among the 56 patients with available
      ESBL-EK isolates for analysis, 38 (67.8%) were infected by genetically similar
      strains. In three of these 38 recurrent ESBL-EK bacteraemia cases caused by an
      identical strain, the minimum inhibitory concentrations of carbapenem for the
      subsequent K. pneumoniae isolates were fourfold or higher than the initial
      isolates. Recurrent bacteraemia was not uncommon in our patients with ESBL-EK
      bacteraemia, and most of the episodes were caused by identical strains. 

PMID- 26271719
TI  - The neural basis of hand gesture comprehension: A meta-analysis of functional
      magnetic resonance imaging studies.
AB  - Gestures play an important role in face-to-face communication and have been
      increasingly studied via functional magnetic resonance imaging. Although a large
      amount of data has been provided to describe the neural substrates of gesture
      comprehension, these findings have never been quantitatively summarized and the
      conclusion is still unclear. This activation likelihood estimation meta-analysis
      investigated the brain networks underpinning gesture comprehension while
      considering the impact of gesture type (co-speech gestures vs. speech-independent
      gestures) and task demand (implicit vs. explicit) on the brain activation of
      gesture comprehension. The meta-analysis of 31 papers showed that as hand
      actions, gestures involve a perceptual-motor network important for action
      recognition. As meaningful symbols, gestures involve a semantic network for
      conceptual processing. Finally, during face-to-face interactions, gestures
      involve a network for social emotive processes. Our finding also indicated that
      gesture type and task demand influence the involvement of the brain networks
      during gesture comprehension. The results highlight the complexity of gesture
      comprehension, and suggest that future research is necessary to clarify the
      dynamic interactions among these networks. 

PMID- 26271717
TI  - S-nitrosoglutathione reduces tau hyper-phosphorylation and provides
      neuroprotection in rat model of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion.
AB  - We have previously reported that treatment of rats subjected to permanent
      bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (pBCCAO), a model of chronic cerebral
      hypoperfusion (CCH), with S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO), an endogenous nitric oxide
      carrier, improved cognitive functions and decreased amyloid-beta accumulation in
      the brains. Since CCH has been implicated in tau hyperphosphorylation induced
      neurodegeneration, we investigated the role of GSNO in regulation of tau
      hyperphosphorylation in rat pBCCAO model. The rats subjected to pBCCAO had a
      significant increase in tau hyperphosphorylation with increased neuronal loss in
      hippocampal/cortical areas. GSNO treatment attenuated not only the tau
      hyperphosphorylation, but also the neurodegeneration in pBCCAO rat brains. The
      pBCCAO rat brains also showed increased activities of GSK-3beta and Cdk5 (major
      tau kinases) and GSNO treatment significantly attenuated their activities. GSNO
      attenuated the increased calpain activities and calpain-mediated cleavage of p35
      leading to production of p25 and aberrant Cdk5 activation. In in vitro studies
      using purified calpain protein, GSNO treatment inhibited calpain activities while
      3-morpholinosydnonimine (a donor of peroxynitrite) treatment increased its
      activities, suggesting the opposing role of GSNO vs. peroxynitrite in regulation
      of calpain activities. In pBCCAO rat brains, GSNO treatment attenuated the
      expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression and also reduced
      the brain levels of nitro-tyrosine formation, thereby indicating the protective
      role of GSNO in iNOS/nitrosative-stress mediated calpain/tau pathologies under
      CCH conditions. Taken together with our previous report, these data support the
      therapeutic potential of GSNO, a biological NO carrier, as a neuro- and cognitive
      protective agent under conditions of CCH. 

PMID- 26271721
TI  - The role of branched chain amino acid and tryptophan metabolism in rat's
      behavioral diversity: Intertwined peripheral and brain effects.
AB  - Previously, we showed that a transient early-in-life interference with the
      expression of multiple genes by mithramycin (MTR) followed by later-in-life
      exposure to chronic stress, leads to a "daring" and novelty seeking behavior in
      rats. In this study we searched for molecular changes that contribute to this
      behavioral alteration. We applied a non-hypothesis driven strategy using whole
      genome cDNA array analysis (WGA) followed by Genome Scale Metabolic modeling
      analysis (GSMM). Gene expression validation was performed by qRT-PCR and
      immunoblotting. Brain and serum amino acids levels were measured by HPLC. WGA
      data directed us towards metabolic pathways and GSMM pointed at branched chain
      amino acids (BCAA) pathway. Out of 21 amino acids analyzed in the prefrontal
      cortex of MTR+Stress rats only tryptophan, whose brain levels depend on serum
      BCAA levels, showed a significant decrease. No change was observed in serotonin
      or kynurenine levels. However, a significant reduction in mRNA and protein levels
      of the large neutral amino acid transporter (LAT1), which transports BCAA and
      tryptophan into the brain, as well as in serum levels of tryptophan/BCAA ratio
      were observed. The latter may be attributed to the failure to increase serum
      insulin, following stress, in rats pre-exposed to mithramycin. Finally,
      significant correlations were observed between the anxiety index and tryptophan
      and between T-maze errors and LAT1. This study shows a specific behavioral
      pattern, which is linked to modulations in fluxes of amino acids both peripheral
      and central, which converge and reciprocally interact, and may thus be equally
      important targets for therapeutic intervention.

PMID- 26271722
TI  - Sonic hedgehog signaling regulates amygdalar neurogenesis and extinction of fear
      memory.
AB  - It is now recognized that neurogenesis occurs throughout life predominantly in
      the subgranular zone (SGZ) of the hippocampus and the subventricular zone (SVZ)
      of the lateral ventricle. In the present study, we investigated the relationship
      between neurogenesis in the amygdala and extinction of fear memory. Mice received
      15 tone-footshock pairings. Twenty-four hours after training, the mice were given
      15 tone-alone trials (extinction training) once per day for 7 days. Two hours
      before extinction training, the mice were injected intraperitoneally with 5-bromo
      3-deoxyuridine (BrdU). BrdU-positive and NeuN-positive cells were analyzed 52
      days after the training. A group of mice that received tone-footshock pairings
      but no extinction training served as controls (FC+No-Ext). The number of
      BrdU(+)/NeuN(+) cells was significantly higher in the extinction (FC+Ext) than in
      the FC+No-Ext mice. Proliferation inhibitor methylazoxymethanol acetate (MAM) or
      DNA synthesis inhibitor cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C) reduced neurogenesis and
      retarded extinction. Silencing Sonic hedgehog (Shh) gene with short hairpin
      interfering RNA (shRNA) by means of a retrovirus expression system to knockdown
      Shh specifically in the mitotic neurons reduced neurogenesis and retarded
      extinction. By contrast, over-expression of Shh increased neurogenesis and
      facilitated extinction. These results suggest that amygdala neurogenesis and Shh
      signaling are involved in the extinction of fear memory.

PMID- 26271723
TI  - Novel microscopy-based screening method reveals regulators of contact-dependent
      intercellular transfer.
AB  - Contact-dependent intercellular transfer (codeIT) of cellular constituents can
      have functional consequences for recipient cells, such as enhanced survival and
      drug resistance. Pathogenic viruses, prions and bacteria can also utilize this
      mechanism to spread to adjacent cells and potentially evade immune detection.
      However, little is known about the molecular mechanism underlying this
      intercellular transfer process. Here, we present a novel microscopy-based
      screening method to identify regulators and cargo of codeIT. Single donor cells,
      carrying fluorescently labelled endocytic organelles or proteins, are co-cultured
      with excess acceptor cells. CodeIT is quantified by confocal microscopy and image
      analysis in 3D, preserving spatial information. An siRNA-based screening using
      this method revealed the involvement of several myosins and small GTPases as
      codeIT regulators. Our data indicates that cellular protrusions and tubular
      recycling endosomes are important for codeIT. We automated image acquisition and
      analysis to facilitate large-scale chemical and genetic screening efforts to
      identify key regulators of codeIT. 

PMID- 26271720
TI  - Evidence for the role of corticotropin-releasing factor in major depressive
      disorder.
AB  - Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a devastating disease affecting over 300
      million people worldwide, and costing an estimated 380 billion Euros in lost
      productivity and health care in the European Union alone. Although a wealth of
      research has been directed toward understanding and treating MDD, still no
      therapy has proved to be consistently and reliably effective in interrupting the
      symptoms of this disease. Recent clinical and preclinical studies, using genetic
      screening and transgenic rodents, respectively, suggest a major role of the CRF1
      gene, and the central expression of CRF1 receptor protein in determining an
      individual's risk of developing MDD. This gene is widely expressed in brain
      tissue, and regulates an organism's immediate and long-term responses to social
      and environmental stressors, which are primary contributors to MDD. This review
      presents the current state of knowledge on CRF physiology, and how it may
      influence the occurrence of symptoms associated with MDD. Additionally, this
      review presents findings from multiple laboratories that were presented as part
      of a symposium on this topic at the annual 2014 meeting of the International
      Behavioral Neuroscience Society (IBNS). The ideas and data presented in this
      review demonstrate the great progress that has been made over the past few
      decades in our understanding of MDD, and provide a pathway forward toward
      developing novel treatments and detection methods for this disorder. 

PMID- 26271725
TI  - Recombinant interferon-alpha in myelofibrosis reduces bone marrow fibrosis,
      improves its morphology and is associated with clinical response.
AB  - Recombinant interferon-alpha represents a well-established therapeutic option for
      the treatment of polycythemia vera and essential thrombocythemia. Recent studies
      also suggest a role for recombinant interferon-alpha in the treatment of 'early
      stage' primary myelofibrosis, but few studies have reported the bone marrow
      changes after clinically successful interferon therapy. The aim of the present
      study is to detail the histological responses to recombinant interferon-alpha in
      primary myelofibrosis and post-polycythemia vera/post-essential thrombocythemia
      myelofibrosis and to correlate these with clinical findings. We retrospectively
      studied 12 patients with primary myelofibrosis or post-polycythemia vera/post
      essential thrombocythemia myelofibrosis, who had been treated with recombinant
      interferon-alpha. Six patients had received other prior cytoreductive therapies.
      Bone marrow biopsy was assessed for the following histological parameters: (i)
      cellularity; (ii) myeloid-to-erythroid ratio; (iii) megakaryocyte tight clusters;
      (iv) megakaryocyte and naked nuclei density; (v) megakaryocytic atypia; (vi)
      fibrosis; and (vii) the percentage of blasts. Clinical and laboratory data were
      included: (i) constitutional symptoms; (ii) splenomegaly, if present; and (iii)
      complete cell blood count. The clinical response to therapy was evaluated using
      the International Working Group for Myelofibrosis Research and Treatment/European
      LeukemiaNet response criteria. The Dynamic International Prognostic Scoring
      System (DIPSS) score was calculated before and after recombinant interferon-alpha
      administration. Successful interferon therapy for myelofibrosis was associated
      with a significant reduction of marrow fibrosis, cellularity, megakaryocyte
      density and naked nuclei density. The presence of JAK2(V617F) mutation correlated
      with improved DIPSS score. JAK2(V617F)-negative cases showed worsening of such
      score or evolution to acute myeloid leukemia. Cytogenetic analysis documented a
      normal karyotype in all cases. In conclusion, successful clinical response to
      interferon-alpha correlates well with an improvement of bone marrow morphology.
      The prognostic effect of such therapy may be influenced by the JAK2 mutational
      status. Additional studies are needed to confirm these preliminary data. 

PMID- 26271726
TI  - Fulminant Central Plus Peripheral Nervous System Demyelination without Antibodies
      to Neurofascin.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Combined central and peripheral nervous system demyelination is a
      rare and poorly described phenomenon. Recently, anti-neurofascin antibodies were
      reported to be positive in 86% of these patients in a Japanese cohort. Yet, there
      seems to be a clinical, radiological, and serological heterogeneity among these
      patients. In this report, our aim is to describe characteristics of our patients
      with this entity and compare with others in the literature. METHODS: We report
      clinical, electrophysiological, radiological, and laboratory characteristics of
      five patients with both multiple sclerosis and chronic inflammatory demyelinating
      polyradiculoneuropathy from our institutional database containing 1890 MS
      patients. RESULTS: Three patients presented with extensive, active demyelination
      of both central nervous system and peripheral nervous system with hypertrophic
      peripheral nerves. Plexuses, trunks, division and cords were involved in the
      process. Oligoclonal band was negative. Conduction block was not detected.
      Corticosteroid treatment was not adequate. Others had a slowly progressive
      clinical course. Serum anti-neurofascin antibody was negative. Review of the
      literature revealed similar cases with active disease, early-onset hypertrophic
      peripheral nerves, and central demyelination, in addition to other cases with an
      insidious course. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with combined central and peripheral
      demyelination form a spectrum. Some patients may have an antibody-mediated
      syndrome with or without anti-neurofascin antibodies and others seem to represent
      a coincidence.

PMID- 26271724
TI  - BRAF V600E and risk stratification of thyroid microcarcinoma: a multicenter
      pathological and clinical study.
AB  - Studies from single institutions have analyzed BRAF in papillary microcarcinomas,
      sometimes with contradictory results. Most of them have provided limited
      integration of histological and clinical data. To obtain a comprehensive picture
      of BRAF V600E-mutated microcarcinomas and to evaluate the role of BRAF testing in
      risk stratification we performed a retrospective multicenter analysis integrating
      microscopical, pathological, and clinical information. Three hundred and sixty
      five samples from 300 patients treated at six medical institutions covering
      different geographical regions of Italy were analyzed with central review of all
      cases. BRAF V600E statistical analysis was conducted on 298 microcarcinomas from
      264 patients after exclusion of those that did not meet the required criteria.
      BRAF V600E was identified in 145/298 tumors (49%) including the following
      subtypes: 35/37 (95%, P<0.0001) tall cell and 72/114 (64%, P<0.0001) classic;
      conversely 94/129 follicular variant papillary microcarcinomas (73%, P<0.0001)
      were BRAF wild type. BRAF V600E-mutated microcarcinomas were characterized by
      markedly infiltrative contours (P<0.0001) with elongated strings of neoplastic
      cells departing from the tumor, and by intraglandular tumor spread (P<0.0001),
      typically within 5 mm of the tumor border. Multivariate analysis correlated BRAF
      V600E with specific microscopic features (nuclear grooves, optically clear
      nuclei, tall cells within the tumor, and tumor fibrosis), aggressive growth
      pattern (infiltrative tumor border, extension into extrathyroidal tissues, and
      intraglandular tumor spread), higher American Thyroid Association recurrence risk
      group, and non-incidental tumor discovery. The following showed the strongest
      link to BRAF V600E: tall cell subtype, many neoplastic cells with nuclear grooves
      or with optically clear nuclei, infiltrative growth, intraglandular tumor spread,
      and a tumor discovery that was non-incidental. BRAF V600E-mutated microcarcinomas
      represent a distinct biological subtype. The mutation is associated with
      conventional clinico-pathological features considered to be adverse prognostic
      factors for papillary microcarcinoma, for which it could be regarded as a
      surrogate marker. BRAF analysis may be useful to identify tumors (BRAF wild type)
      that have negligible clinical risk. 

PMID- 26271727
TI  - High-yield isolation of extracellular vesicles using aqueous two-phase system.
AB  - Extracellular vesicles (EVs) such as exosomes and microvesicles released from
      cells are potential biomarkers for blood-based diagnostic applications. To
      exploit EVs as diagnostic biomarkers, an effective pre-analytical process is
      necessary. However, recent studies performed with blood-borne EVs have been
      hindered by the lack of effective purification strategies. In this study, an
      efficient EV isolation method was developed by using polyethylene glycol/dextran
      aqueous two phase system (ATPS). This method provides high EV recovery efficiency
      (~70%) in a short time (~15 min). Consequently, it can significantly increase the
      diagnostic applicability of EVs.

PMID- 26271729
TI  - UPRT, a suicide-gene therapy candidate in higher eukaryotes, is required for
      Drosophila larval growth and normal adult lifespan.
AB  - Uracil phosphoribosyltransferase (UPRT) is a pyrimidine salvage pathway enzyme
      that catalyzes the conversion of uracil to uridine monophosphate (UMP). The
      enzyme is highly conserved from prokaryotes to humans and yet phylogenetic
      evidence suggests that UPRT homologues from higher-eukaryotes, including
      Drosophila, are incapable of binding uracil. Purified human UPRT also do not show
      any enzymatic activity in vitro, making microbial UPRT an attractive candidate
      for anti-microbial drug development, suicide-gene therapy, and cell-specific mRNA
      labeling techniques. Nevertheless, the enzymatic site of UPRT remains conserved
      across the animal kingdom indicating an in vivo role for the enzyme. We find that
      the Drosophila UPRT homologue, krishah (kri), codes for an enzyme that is
      required for larval growth, pre-pupal/pupal viability and long-term adult
      lifespan. Our findings suggest that UPRT from all higher eukaryotes is likely
      enzymatically active in vivo and challenges the previous notion that the enzyme
      is non-essential in higher eukaryotes and cautions against targeting the enzyme
      for therapeutic purposes. Our findings also suggest that expression of the
      endogenous UPRT gene will likely cause background incorporation when using
      microbial UPRT as a cell-specific mRNA labeling reagent in higher eukaryotes. 

PMID- 26271730
TI  - Enhancing the hydrogen bond between the bridged hydrogen atom of diborane and
      ammonia.
AB  - The character of the bridged hydrogen atom (Hb) of B2H6 has become a hot issue in
      recent years. In this work, the complexes B2H6 . . . NH3, B2H2X4 . . . nNH3 (n =
      1, 2) and 2HF . . . B2H2X4 . . . 2NH3 (X = Cl, Br, I) were constructed and
      studied based on the M06-2X calculations to investigate how to enhance the Hb . .
      . N hydrogen-bonded interaction. When the terminal hydrogen atoms (Ht) of B2H6
      were replaced by X (X = Cl, Br, I) atoms, the Hb . . . N hydrogen bond were
      strengthened. According to the electrostatic potentials in B2H2X4, two HF
      molecules were added to the interspace of the B-H-B-H four-membered ring of the
      B2H2X4 . . . 2NH3 complexes, and H . . . X hydrogen bond formed, resulting in
      further enhancing effect of Hb . . . N hydrogen bond. As a result, the positive
      cooperative effect of Hb . . . N hydrogen bond and H . . . X hydrogen bond do
      enhance the interactions of each other. The two measures not only enhance the
      strength of Hb . . . N hydrogen bond, but also achieve the goal to make the Hb .
      . . N hydrogen bond perpendicular to B . . . B direction.

PMID- 26271728
TI  - Bax monomers form dimer units in the membrane that further self-assemble into
      multiple oligomeric species.
AB  - Bax is a key regulator of apoptosis that mediates the release of cytochrome c to
      the cytosol via oligomerization in the outer mitochondrial membrane before pore
      formation. However, the molecular mechanism of Bax assembly and regulation by
      other Bcl-2 members remains obscure. Here, by analysing the stoichiometry of Bax
      oligomers at the single-molecule level, we find that Bax binds to the membrane in
      a monomeric state and then self-assembles in <1 min. Strikingly, active Bax does
      not exist in a unique oligomeric state, but as several different species based on
      dimer units. Moreover, we show that cBid activates Bax without affecting its
      assembly, while Bcl-xL induces the dissociation of Bax oligomers. On the basis of
      our experimental data and theoretical modelling, we propose a new mechanism for
      the molecular pathway of Bax assembly to form the apoptotic pore. 

PMID- 26271731
TI  - Structures and formation mechanisms of aquo/hydroxo oligomeric beryllium in
      aqueous solution: a density functional theory study.
AB  - The structures and formation mechanisms of a wide variety of aquo/hydroxo
      oligomeric beryllium clusters were investigated using density functional theory.
      The structural parameters of beryllium clusters were found to vary regularly with
      the stepwise substitution of bound water molecules in the inner coordination
      sphere by hydroxyl groups. According to the Gibbs free energies deduced from SMD
      solvation model computations, unhydrolyzed oligomeric beryllium species are the
      most favorable products of polymerization, independent of the degrees of
      hydrolysis of the reactants. Simulation of the formation processes of oligomeric
      beryllium showed that polymerization, in essence, involves the nucleophilic
      attack of a terminal hydroxyl group in one BeO4 tetrahedron on the beryllium
      center in another BeO4 tetrahedron, leading to the bridging of two BeO4
      tetrahedrons by a hydroxyl group. 

PMID- 26271732
TI  - An insight into hydration structure of sodium glycinate from ab initio quantum
      chemical study.
AB  - The hydration structure of sodium glycinate (Na(+)GL(-)) is probed by the Monte
      Carlo multiple minimum (MCMM) method combined with quantum mechanical (QM)
      calculations at the MP2/6-311++G(d,p) level. In the gas phase, the energy of
      [Na(+)GL(-)]beta is more than 30 kJ mol(-1) higher than [Na(+)GL(-)]alpha. With
      higher degrees of hydration, our results indicate that the most stable conformers
      of [Na(+)GL(-)]?(H2O)8 were derived from [Na(+)GL(-)]beta instead of [Na(+)GL(
      )]alpha. The stable conformers determined by the conductor-like polarizable
      continuum model (CPCM) also show that [Na(+)GL(-)]beta is more stable than
      [Na(+)GL(-)]alpha in the liquid phase. By analyzing the hydration process,
      water...water hydrogen bonding interaction will be more preferable than
      ion...water interaction as the number of water molecules increases. According to
      the electronic density at the bond critical point on the Na-X bonds (X = O1, O2,
      N) in the low-energy conformers, Na(+)GL(-) will be dissociated as Na(+) and GL(
      ) in the bulk water, which is not predicted by the CPCM model. The structure
      features and the charge redistribution of Na(+)GL(-) will provide a physical
      explanation for the weakening Na-O1 interaction.

PMID- 26271733
TI  - Molecular dynamic simulations of the water absorbency of hydrogels.
AB  - A polymer gel can imbibe solvent molecules through surface tension effect. When
      the solvent happens to be water, the gel can swell to a large extent and forms an
      aggregate called hydrogel. The large deformation caused by such swelling makes it
      difficult to study the behaviors of hydrogels. Currently, few molecular dynamic
      simulation works have been reported on the water absorbing mechanism of
      hydrogels. In this paper, we first use molecular dynamic simulation to study the
      water absorbing mechanism of hydrogels and propose a hydrogel-water interface
      model to study the water absorbency of the hydrogel surface. Also, the saturated
      water content and volume expansion rate of the hydrogel are investigated by
      building a hydrogel model with different cross-linking degree and by comparing
      the water absorption curves under different temperatures. The sample hydrogel
      model used consists of Polyethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (PEGDGE) as epoxy and
      the Jeffamine, poly-oxy-alkylene-amines, as curing agent. The conclusions
      obtained are useful for further investigation on PEGDGE/Jeffamine hydrogel.
      Moreover, the simulation methods, including hydrogel-water interface modeling, we
      first propose are also suitable to study the water absorbing mechanism of other
      hydrogels. 

PMID- 26271734
TI  - Highly conductive and stable polysiloxane-modified perylenebisimide nanosheets
      and nanowires by self-assembly and subsequent condensation.
AB  - Perylenebisimide (PBI) nanowires and nanosheets with high chemical and mechanical
      stability are prepared by a simple way. Firstly, a PBI-based organosilane
      precursor PBI-Si(OEt)3 was synthesized. Its nanostructures were then assembled by
      a solvent-exchange method. The nanostructures could be adjusted by assembling in
      different solvents. The obtained nanostructures were finally fixed by acetic acid
      vapor treatment through polycondensation of the triethoxysilyl groups in the
      precursors. After polycondensation, the nanostructures hardly change and they
      become insoluble in common solvents. Moreover, the conductivity of the
      polycondensed nanowires and nanosheets are ca. 35-40 times than that of
      polycondensed spin-coated PBI-Si(OEt)3 film by current sensing atomic force
      microscopy (CSAFM). 

PMID- 26271735
TI  - Chloroquine inhibits the malignant phenotype of glioblastoma partially by
      suppressing TGF-beta.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Glioblastoma (GBM), the most common and aggressive primary brain
      tumor, is characterized by excessive brain infiltration which prevents the
      complete surgical resection. These tumors also display treatment non-compliance
      and responses to standard therapy are invariably transient; consequently, the
      prognosis barely exceeds 14 months and recurrence is inevitable. Accordingly,
      several new treatment strategies have been studied. One such option is the use of
      chloroquine (CQ), a lysosomotropic weak base and renowned antimalarial drug, that
      has shown promising results in several pre-clinical studies. In this paper, we
      investigate the efficiency of CQ to hinder the malignant phenotype of GBM, namely
      extensive proliferation, invasion and radio-resistance. RESULTS: In cell cycle
      analysis, proliferation assays and immunofluorescence, CQ treatments halved
      proliferation of primary cultures from GBM specimens and GBM cell lines (U-373 MG
      et U-87 MG). Gelatin zymography and Matrigel(TM)-coated transwell invasion assays
      also revealed a 50 % CQ induced inhibition of MMP-2 activity and GBM invasion.
      Concomitant treatment with CQ and radiation also radiosensitized GBM cells as
      shown by an accumulation in the G2/M phase, increased cell death and reduced
      clonogenic formation. Moreover, radiation-induced invasion was considerably
      restrained by CQ. We also observe that these effects are owed to CQ-induced
      inhibition of TGF-beta secretion and signaling pathway, a predominant growth
      factor in GBM progression. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that CQ, alone or as
      an adjuvant therapeutic, could be used to inhibit the GBM malignant phenotype and
      could benefit GBM afflicted patients.

PMID- 26271737
TI  - [Long-term results of autologous transplantation of limbal epithelium cultivated
      ex vivo for limbal stem cell deficiency].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study reports the long-term clinical outcome of autologous limbal
      epithelial cells cultivated ex vivo on intact amniotic membranes (AM) for ocular
      surface reconstruction in limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD). PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: A total of 61 eyes from 57 patients (46 males and 11 females) with LSCD
      were treated by transplantation of autologous limbal epithelial cells cultivated
      on intact AM. The etiology of the LSCD was chemical and thermal burns (n = 34),
      recurrent or primary large-sized pterygium (n = 12), mitomycin C and tumor
      excision-induced LSCD (n = 9), severe infectious keratitis (n = 3), perforating
      injury, epidermolysis bullosa and contact lens-associated keratopathy (each n =
      1). Only eyes with a follow-up time of at least 12 months were included in the
      analysis. The main outcome end points were restoration of ocular surface
      integrity and improvement of visual acuity (VA). RESULTS: The mean follow-up time
      was 50.8 +/- 32.7 months. An entirely stable corneal surface was reconstructed in
      46 (75.4%) eyes. Visual acuity significantly increased in 40 (65.6 %) eyes, was
      stable in 12 (19.7%) eyes and decreased in 9 eyes (14.8%). The mean visual acuity
      significantly increased (p < 0.0001) from 1.4 +/- 0.91 LogMAR preoperatively to
      0.8+/- 0.67 LogMAR postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Transplantation of limbal
      epithelium cultivated ex vivo on intact AM leads to restoration of a stable
      corneal surface and resulted in a significant increase of visual acuity in most
      cases of LSCD. Autologous transplantation of cultivated limbal epithelium showed
      an excellent prognosis and outcome after long-term follow-up.

PMID- 26271736
TI  - Efficacy of artemether-lumefantrine therapy for the treatment of uncomplicated
      Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Southwestern Ethiopia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The development and spread of chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium
      falciparum threatens the health of millions of people and poses a major challenge
      to the control of malaria. Monitoring drug efficacy in 2-year intervals is an
      important tool for establishing rational anti-malarial drug policies. This study
      addresses the therapeutic efficacy of artemether-lumefantrine (AL) for the
      treatment of Plasmodium falciparum in southwestern Ethiopia. METHODS: A 28-day in
      vivo therapeutic efficacy study was conducted from September to December, 2011,
      in southwestern Ethiopia. Participants were selected for the study if they were
      older than 6 months, weighed more than 5 kg, symptomatic, and had microscopically
      confirmed, uncomplicated P. falciparum. All 93 eligible patients were treated
      with AL and followed for 28 days. For each patient, recurrence of parasitaemia,
      the clinical condition, and the presence of gametoytes were assessed on each
      visit during the follow-up period. PCR was conducted to differentiate re
      infection from recrudescence. RESULTS: Seventy-four (83.1 %) of the study
      subjects cleared fever by day 1, but five (5.6 %) had fever at day 2. All study
      subjects cleared fever by day 3. Seventy-nine (88.8 %) of the study subjects
      cleared the parasite by day 1, seven (7.9 %) were blood-smear positive by day 1,
      and three (3.4 %) were positive by day 2. In five patients (5.6 %), parasitaemia
      reappeared during the 28-day follow-up period. From these five, one (1.1 %) was a
      late clinical failure, and four (4.5 %) were a late parasitological failure. On
      the day of recurrent parasitaemia, the level of chloroquine/desethylchloroquine
      (CQ-DCQ) was above the minimum effective concentration (>100 ng/ml) in one
      patient. There were 84 (94.4 %) adequate clinical and parasitological responses.
      The 28-day, PCR-uncorrected (unadjusted by genotyping) cure rate was 84 (94.4 %),
      whereas the 28-day, PCR-corrected cure rate was 87 (97.8 %). Of the three re
      infections, two (2.2 %) were due to P. falciparum and one (1.1 %) was due to P.
      vivax. From 89 study subjects, 12 (13.5 %) carried P. falciparum gametocytes at
      day 0, whereas the 28-day gametocyte carriage rate was 2 (2.2 %). CONCLUSIONS:
      Years after the introduction of AL in Ethiopia, the finding of this study is that
      AL has been highly effective in the treatment of uncomplicated P. falciparum
      malaria and reducing gametocyte carriage in southwestern Ethiopia.

PMID- 26271738
TI  - [Recurrent keratoconjunctivitis].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Molluscum contagiosum is a highly infectious viral disease of the
      skin and mucous membranes. These lesions are found particularly often in children
      and young adults and are generally self-limiting. Nevertheless, molluscum
      contagiosum lesions in close vicinity to the eyes should be actively removed if
      they cause conjunctival or corneal irritation. CASE REPORT: We report the case of
      a 14-year-old boy who was treated for approximately 9 months for recurrent
      chronic keratoconjunctivitis with corneal neovascularization. Careful inspection
      of the eyelids revealed molluscum contagiosum. After removal of the lesions on
      both sides, short-term anti-inflammatory therapy and long-term surface
      lubrication, a gradual improvement was observed so that an almost complete visual
      recovery was achieved. CONCLUSION: In long-standing keratoconjunctivitis
      refractory to treatment, special attention should be paid to the possible
      presence of molluscum contagiosum, particularly in children and the lesions
      should be promptly removed.

PMID- 26271739
TI  - [Stem cell therapy for retinal diseases].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Due to an ageing population the incidence and prevalence of retinal
      diseases and visual disabilities will continue to grow. A great number of
      patients would principally be able to benefit from a stem cell-based therapy.
      OBJECTIVES: To introduce readers to the terminology and current concepts
      associated with stem cell therapy in ocular research and to provide an overview
      of the current status of preclinical and clinical research. MATERIAL AND METHODS:
      We performed a systematic review of relevant entries on ocular stem cell therapy
      for retinal diseases in PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov. Differences between
      various stem cell types are displayed systematically, followed by a discussion of
      preclinical studies. Translational aspects are highlighted leading to the first
      clinical trials, including surgical and ethical facets. RESULTS: In preclinical
      studies, photoreceptor cell precursors and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells
      were differentiated and subretinally transplanted into animal models. Besides
      exclusion of a teratoma formation, some functional improvements were also
      observed. Intraocular transplantation of stem cell-derived RPE cells was the
      first successful clinical application of pluripotent stem cells in man.
      CONCLUSION: Promising results of preclinical and clinical studies have identified
      important challenges and confirmed the potential of stem cell therapy for
      ophthalmology.

PMID- 26271740
TI  - Microbial Community Composition and Extracellular Enzyme Activities Associated
      with Juncus roemerianus and Spartina alterniflora Vegetated Sediments in
      Louisiana Saltmarshes.
AB  - Saltmarshes are typically dominated by perennial grasses with large underground
      rhizome systems that can change local sediment conditions and be important in
      shaping the sediment microbial community. Factors such as salinity that control
      plant zonation in saltmarshes are also likely to influence the microbial
      community, but little is known as to whether microbial communities share
      distribution patterns with plants in these systems. To determine the extent to
      which microbial assemblages are influenced by saltmarsh plant communities, as
      well as to examine patterns in microbial community structure at local and
      regional scales, we sampled sediments at three saltmarshes in Louisiana, USA. All
      three systems exhibit a patchy distribution of Juncus roemerianus stands within a
      Spartina alterniflora marsh. Sediment samples were collected from the interior of
      several J. roemerianus stands as well as from the S. alterniflora matrix. Samples
      were assayed for extracellular enzyme activity and DNA extracted to determine
      microbial community composition. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis of rRNA
      gene fragments was used to determine regional patterns in bacterial, archaeal,
      and fungal assemblages, while Illumina sequencing was used to examine local,
      vegetation-driven, patterns in community structure at one site. Both enzyme
      activity and microbial community structure were primarily influenced by regional
      site. Within individual saltmarshes, bacterial and archaeal communities differed
      between J. roemerianus and S. alterniflora vegetated sediments, while fungal
      communities did not. These results highlight the importance of the plant
      community in shaping the sediment microbial community in saltmarshes but also
      demonstrate that regional scale factors are at least as important.

PMID- 26271742
TI  - Tracheostomy procedures in the intensive care unit: an international survey.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) is one of the most
      frequent procedures performed in the intensive care unit (ICU). PDT may add
      potential benefit to clinical management of critically ill patients. Despite
      this, no clinical guidelines are available. We sought to characterize current
      practice in this international survey. METHODS: An international survey, endorsed
      and peer reviewed by European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM), was
      carried out from May to October 2013. The questionnaire was accessible from the
      ESICM website in the 'survey of the month' section. RESULTS: 429 physicians from
      59 countries responded to this survey. Single step dilatational tracheostomy was
      the most used PDT in ICU. Almost 75% of PDT's were performed by intensive care
      physicians. The main indication for PDT was prolonged mechanical ventilation.
      Tracheostomies were most frequently performed between 7-15 days after ICU
      admission. Volume control mechanical ventilation, and a combination of sedation,
      analgesia, neuromuscular blocking agents and fiberoptic bronchoscopy were used.
      Surgical tracheostomy was mainly performed in ICU by ENT specialists, and was
      generally chosen when for patients at increased risk for difficult PDT insertion.
      Bleeding controlled by compression and stoma infection/inflammation were the most
      common intra-procedural and late complications, respectively. Informed consent
      for PDT was obtained in only 60% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: This first international
      picture of current practices in regard to tracheostomy insertion demonstrates
      considerable geographic variation in practice, suggesting a need for greater
      standardization of approaches to tracheostomy insertion.

PMID- 26271743
TI  - Outcomes of surgical resection and loco-regional therapy in patients with stage
      3A hepatocellular carcinoma: a retrospective review from the national cancer
      database.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: In advanced stages, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is often
      associated with major vascular involvement (cava, portal vein). The aim of the
      present study was to analyse the role of surgical resection (SR) and loco
      regional therapy (LRT) in these advanced stage patients to determine if there was
      a survival benefit. METHODS: The study is a retrospective analysis from the
      Commission on Cancer's National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) from 1998 to 2011. In
      total, 148,882 patients with liver cancer were identified, of which 126,984 had
      HCC. Of these, 64,264 patients (1998-2006) had 5-year survival data available and
      8825 patients had Stage 3A disease based on AJCC classification. Of these
      patients, 884 had SR, 771 had LRT and 7170 patients had neither intervention.
      Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank tests were used for statistical analysis.
      RESULTS: Eight thousand eight hundred and twenty-five patients met analysis
      criteria. The mean age (years) in the SR, LRT and no intervention group were
      62.5, 64.3 and 64.2, respectively. Most patients were males in all three groups
      (77.5%, 74.5% and 68.1%). The mean tumour size (cm) in the three groups was 9.8,
      6.4 and 8.4, respectively. SR and LRT were primarily performed in major academic
      and comprehensive cancer programmes compared with community cancer programmes and
      other centres (SR: 93% versus 7%; LRT: 94.6% versus 5.4%). The median 5-year
      survival (months) was 26.6 in SR, 16.5 in LRT and 4.8 in the no intervention
      group (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: A SR and LRT offer a survival benefit in select
      patients diagnosed with Stage 3A HCC.

PMID- 26271741
TI  - Microbiome Variation Across Amphibian Skin Regions: Implications for
      Chytridiomycosis Mitigation Efforts.
AB  - Cutaneous bacteria may play an important role in the resistance of amphibians to
      the pathogenic fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). Microbial communities
      resident on hosts' skin show topographical diversity mapping to skin features, as
      demonstrated by studies of the human microbiome. We examined skin microbiomes of
      wild and captive fire-bellied toads (Bombina orientalis) for differences across
      their body surface. We found that bacterial communities differed between ventral
      and dorsal skin. Wild toads showed slightly higher bacterial richness and
      diversity in the dorsal compared to the ventral region. On the other hand,
      captive toads hosted a higher richness and diversity of bacteria on their ventral
      than their dorsal skin. Microbial community composition and relative abundance of
      major bacterial taxonomic groups also differed between ventral and dorsal skin in
      all populations. Furthermore, microbiome diversity patterns varied as a function
      of their Bd infection status in wild toads. Bacterial richness and diversity was
      greater, and microbial community structure more complex, in wild than captive
      toads. The results suggest that bacterial community structure is influenced by
      microhabitats associated with skin regions. These local communities may be
      differentially modified when interacting with environmental bacteria and Bd. A
      better understanding of microbiome variation across skin regions will be needed
      to assess how the skin microbiota affects the abilities of amphibian hosts to
      resist Bd infection, especially in captive breeding programs. 

PMID- 26271744
TI  - Simulating the fate and transport of nursery-box-applied pesticide in rice paddy
      fields.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Pesticide Concentration in a Paddy Field model (PCPF-1) was
      modified by adding a root zone compartment to simulate nursery-box-applied (NB
      applied) pesticide. The PCPF-NB model was validated for predicting the
      concentrations of NB-applied fipronil and imidacloprid in rice paddy fields using
      two treatment methods: before transplanting (BT) and at sowing (AS). Uncertainty
      and sensitivity analyses were used to evaluate the robustness of the
      concentrations predicted by the model. RESULTS: The hourly predicted
      concentrations of imidacloprid and fipronil were accurate in both paddy water and
      1 cm deep paddy soil. The coefficient of determination and Nash-Sutcliffe model
      efficiency were greater than 0.87 and 0.60 respectively. The 95th percentiles of
      the predicted concentrations of fipronil and imidacloprid indicated that the
      influence of input uncertainty was minor in paddy water but important in paddy
      soil. The pesticide deposition rate and the desorption rate from the root zone
      were identified to be the major contributors to the variation in the predicted
      concentrations in paddy water and soil. CONCLUSION: The PCPF-NB model was
      validated for predicting the fate and transport of NB-applied fipronil and
      imidacloprid using the BT and AS treatment methods. (c) 2015 Society of Chemical
      Industry.

PMID- 26271745
TI  - Chronic institutional failure and enhanced vulnerability to flash-floods in the
      Cuenca Altadel Rio Lerma, Mexico.
AB  - The dominant paradigm in disaster risk reduction (DRR) policies has been
      seriously contested because of its reliance on interventions based on
      technocratic expertise. In the Mexican context, the influence of informal
      practices such as clientelism and cartelisation of the political system produces
      environmental degradation and vulnerability to disasters within the communities
      in the study site. This paper contributes to understanding of failed
      institutional processes and parallel practices that intensify vulnerability to
      disasters by contrasting the discourses of agents within a peri-urban community
      in central Mexico. Employing the Situational Analysis Approach as a
      methodological framework, the study identifies divergent views and practices
      within the community, leading to different responses to disasters and to
      different perceptions regarding institutional performance. In addition, it finds
      that institutional decision-making, based only on scientific and technical
      expertise, has resulted in unintended consequences that influence ongoing
      vulnerability to floods in the site under review. 

PMID- 26271747
TI  - Assessment of contamination using an ATP bioluminescence assay on doorknobs in a
      university-affiliated hospital in Japan.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Doorknobs are inevitable points of hand contact. We monitored
      doorknob contamination in a university hospital using an ATP bioluminescence
      assay and stamp agar method. We selected grip-, lever-, push-, insert-, and two
      pull-type doorknobs in staff lavatories and break rooms, a linen closet, dirty
      utility rooms, a newborn care unit, clinical lavatories and examination rooms,
      dressing rooms for radiological tests, and lavatories for health examination, as
      monitoring points in wards and clinics. Sequential monitoring with an ATP assay
      (six times) and culture (once) were performed at the same time of day in autumn,
      winter, and summer. We provided contamination data to appropriate healthcare
      providers and housekeepers, and queried the staff regarding decontamination of
      doorknobs. RESULTS: When comparing ATP values on the same type of doorknobs,
      significant differences in contamination were demonstrated among several clinical
      rooms and several rooms in wards during all three seasons. No correlation was
      observed between ATP values on clinical-examination-room doorknobs and outpatient
      numbers, or between ATP values at any monitoring point and microbial colony
      forming units. ATP values on clinical-examination-room doorknobs were reduced
      after cleaning according to instructions. CONCLUSIONS: ATP assay is useful for
      measuring baseline doorknob contamination in clinical rooms. Our findings confirm
      the need to improve routine decontamination in clinical departments. We need to
      analyze further the relationship between hospital-acquired infections and
      doorknob contamination, as assessed by ATP assay in clinics.

PMID- 26271748
TI  - Are daylight saving time transitions associated with changes in myocardial
      infarction incidence? Results from the German MONICA/KORA Myocardial Infarction
      Registry.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Some studies suggest that transitions to and from daylight saving
      time (DST) have an influence on acute myocardial infarction (AMI) incidence.
      However, the available publications have a number of limitations e.g. regarding
      sample size, exclusion of fatal AMI cases, precise assessment of AMI onset, and
      consideration of possible confounders, and they were conducted in countries with
      different geographical location. The objective of this study was to examine the
      association of DST transitions with AMI incidence recorded in the population
      based German MONICA/KORA Myocardial Infarction Registry. METHODS: The study
      sample consisted of 25,499 coronary deaths and non-fatal AMI cases aged 25-74
      years. We used Poisson regression with indicator variables for the 3 days or the
      week after the spring and the autumn transition and adjusted for potential
      confounders to model the association between DST transitions and AMI incidence.
      In addition, we built an excess model by calculating observed over expected
      events per day. RESULTS: Overall, no significant changes of AMI risk during the
      first 3 days or 1 week after the transition to and from DST were found. However,
      subgroup analyses on the spring transition revealed significantly increased risks
      for men in the first 3 days after transition (RR 1.155, 95 % CI 1.000-1.334) and
      for persons who took angiotensine converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors prior to the
      AMI (3 days: RR 1.489, 95 % CI 1.151-1.927; 1 week: RR 1.297, 95 % CI 1.063
      1.582). After the clock shift in autumn, patients with a prior infarction had an
      increased risk to have a re-infarction (3 days: RR 1.319, 95 % CI 1.029-1.691; 1
      week: RR 1.270, 95 % CI 1.048-1.539). CONCLUSIONS: Specific subgroups such as men
      and persons with a history of AMI or prior treatment with ACE inhibitors, may
      have a higher risk for AMI during DST. Further studies which include data on
      chronotype and sleep duration are needed in order to confirm these results.

PMID- 26271746
TI  - Transcriptional maturation of the mouse auditory forebrain.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The maturation of the brain involves the coordinated expression of
      thousands of genes, proteins and regulatory elements over time. In sensory
      pathways, gene expression profiles are modified by age and sensory experience in
      a manner that differs between brain regions and cell types. In the auditory
      system of altricial animals, neuronal activity increases markedly after the
      opening of the ear canals, initiating events that culminate in the maturation of
      auditory circuitry in the brain. This window provides a unique opportunity to
      study how gene expression patterns are modified by the onset of sensory
      experience through maturity. As a tool for capturing these features, next
      generation sequencing of total RNA (RNAseq) has tremendous utility, because the
      entire transcriptome can be screened to index expression of any gene. To date,
      whole transcriptome profiles have not been generated for any central auditory
      structure in any species at any age. In the present study, RNAseq was used to
      profile two regions of the mouse auditory forebrain (A1, primary auditory cortex;
      MG, medial geniculate) at key stages of postnatal development (P7, P14, P21,
      adult) before and after the onset of hearing (~P12). Hierarchical clustering,
      differential expression, and functional geneset enrichment analyses (GSEA) were
      used to profile the expression patterns of all genes. Selected genesets related
      to neurotransmission, developmental plasticity, critical periods and brain
      structure were highlighted. An accessible repository of the entire dataset was
      also constructed that permits extraction and screening of all data from the
      global through single-gene levels. To our knowledge, this is the first whole
      transcriptome sequencing study of the forebrain of any mammalian sensory system.
      Although the data are most relevant for the auditory system, they are generally
      applicable to forebrain structures in the visual and somatosensory systems, as
      well. RESULTS: The main findings were: (1) Global gene expression patterns were
      tightly clustered by postnatal age and brain region; (2) comparing A1 and MG, the
      total numbers of differentially expressed genes were comparable from P7 to P21,
      then dropped to nearly half by adulthood; (3) comparing successive age groups,
      the greatest numbers of differentially expressed genes were found between P7 and
      P14 in both regions, followed by a steady decline in numbers with age; (4)
      maturational trajectories in expression levels varied at the single gene level
      (increasing, decreasing, static, other); (5) between regions, the profiles of
      single genes were often asymmetric; (6) GSEA revealed that genesets related to
      neural activity and plasticity were typically upregulated from P7 to adult, while
      those related to structure tended to be downregulated; (7) GSEA and pathways
      analysis of selected functional networks were not predictive of expression
      patterns in the auditory forebrain for all genes, reflecting regional specificity
      at the single gene level. CONCLUSIONS: Gene expression in the auditory forebrain
      during postnatal development is in constant flux and becomes increasingly stable
      with age. Maturational changes are evident at the global through single gene
      levels. Transcriptome profiles in A1 and MG are distinct at all ages, and differ
      from other brain regions. The database generated by this study provides a rich
      foundation for the identification of novel developmental biomarkers, functional
      gene pathways, and targeted studies of postnatal maturation in the auditory
      forebrain.

PMID- 26271749
TI  - Is There a Role for Oncotype Dx Testing in Invasive Lobular Carcinoma?
AB  - Oncotype Dx Breast Cancer Assay is a 21-gene assay used in estrogen receptor (ER)
      positive breast cancer to predict benefit from chemotherapy (CT). Tumors are
      placed into one of three risk categories based on their recurrence score (RS).
      This paper explores the impact of tumor histopathologic features and Oncotype Dx
      RS on the treatment plan for invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC). Invasive lobular
      carcinoma cases submitted for Oncotype Dx testing were identified from a clinical
      data base. The histopathologic and immunohistochemical features and RS
      subcategory of each tumor, and treatment regimen and medical oncologic
      assessments of each patient were reviewed. A total of 135 cases of ILC had RS
      testing, which represented 15% of all ILC diagnosed at the institution over the
      time period. 80% of ILC was of the classical subtype and all tumors were ER
      positive and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) negative by
      immunohistochemistry. Sixty three percent of cases were low risk (LR), 35.5% were
      intermediate risk (IR) and 1.5% were high risk (HR). Both HR cases were
      pleomorphic ILC. Sixty eight percent of classical ILC had a LR score, while 70%
      of pleomorphic ILC had an IR score. Patients in the IR category were
      significantly more likely to undergo CT than patients in the LR category (54%
      versus 18%; p < 0.0001). In the LR category, those undergoing CT were
      significantly younger and more likely to have positive lymph nodes (p < 0.05).
      Qualitative analysis of medical oncologic assessments showed that RS played a
      role in decision-making on CT in 74% of cases overall. At our institution,
      Oncotype Dx RS currently plays a role in the management of a proportion of ILC
      and impacts on treatment decisions.

PMID- 26271750
TI  - Changes in microbiota during experimental human Rhinovirus infection.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Human Rhinovirus (HRV) is responsible for the majority of common
      colds and is frequently accompanied by secondary bacterial infections through
      poorly understood mechanisms. We investigated the effects of experimental human
      HRV serotype 16 infection on the upper respiratory tract microbiota. METHODS: Six
      healthy volunteers were infected with HRV16. We performed 16S ribosomal RNA
      targeted pyrosequencing on throat swabs taken prior, during and after infection.
      We compared overall community diversity, phylogenetic structure of the ecosystem
      and relative abundances of the different bacteria between time points. RESULTS:
      During acute infection strong trends towards increases in the relative abundances
      of Haemophilus parainfluenzae and Neisseria subflava were observed, as well as a
      weaker trend towards increases of Staphylococcus aureus. No major differences
      were observed between day-1 and day 60, whereas differences between subjects were
      very high. CONCLUSIONS: HRV16 infection is associated with the increase of three
      genera known to be associated with secondary infections following HRV infections.
      The observed changes of upper respiratory tract microbiota could help explain why
      HRV infection predisposes to bacterial otitis media, sinusitis and pneumonia.

PMID- 26271752
TI  - End-of-life decision-making for newborns: a 12-year experience in Hong Kong.
AB  - SETTING: Neonatal end-of-life decisions could be influenced by cultural and
      ethnic backgrounds. These practices have been well described in the West but have
      not been systematically studied in an Asian population. OBJECTIVES: To determine:
      (1) different modes of neonatal death and changes over the past 12 years and (2)
      factors influencing end-of-life decision-making in Hong Kong. DESIGN: A
      retrospective study was conducted to review all death cases from 2002 to 2013 in
      the busiest neonatal unit in Hong Kong. Modes of death, demographical data,
      diagnoses, counselling and circumstances around the time of death, were collected
      and compared between groups. RESULTS: Of the 166 deaths, 46% occurred despite
      active resuscitation (group 1); 35% resulted from treatment withdrawal (group 2)
      and 19% occurred from withholding treatment (group 3). A rising trend towards
      treatment withdrawal was observed, from 20% to 47% over the 12-year period.
      Similar number of parents chose extubation (n=44, 27%) compared with other
      modalities of treatment limitation (n=45, 27%). Significantly more parents chose
      to withdraw rather than to withhold treatment if clinical conditions were
      'stable' (p=0.03), whereas more parents chose withholding therapy if treatment
      was considered futile (p=0.03). CONCLUSION: In Hong Kong, a larger proportion of
      neonatal deaths occurred despite active resuscitation compared with Western data.
      Treatment withdrawal is, however, becoming increasingly more common. Unlike
      Western practice, similar percentages of parents chose other modalities of
      treatment limitation compared with direct extubation. Cultural variance could be
      a reason for the different end-of-life practice adopted in Hong Kong.

PMID- 26271751
TI  - Simultaneous Detection of Androgen and Estrogen Abuse in Breeding Animals by Gas
      Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry/Combustion/Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (GC
      MS/C/IRMS) Evaluated against Alternative Methods.
AB  - The administration of synthetic homologues of naturally occurring steroids can be
      demonstrated by measuring (13)C/(12)C isotopic ratios of their urinary
      metabolites. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry/combustion/isotope ratio mass
      spectrometry (GC-MS/C/IRMS) was used in this study to appraise in a global
      approach isotopic deviations of two 17beta-testosterone metabolites (17alpha
      testosterone and etiocholanolone) and one 17beta-estradiol metabolite (17alpha
      estradiol) together with those of 5-androstene-3beta,17alpha-diol as endogenous
      reference compound (ERC). Intermediate precisions of 0.350/00, 1.050/00,
      0.350/00, and 0.210/00, respectively, were observed (n = 8). To assess the
      performance of the analytical method, a bull and a heifer were treated with
      17beta-testosterone propionate and 17beta-estradiol-3-benzoate. The sensitivity
      of the method permitted the demonstration of 17beta-estradiol treatment up to 24
      days. For 17beta-testosterone treatment, the detection windows were 3 days and 24
      days for the bull and the heifer, respectively. The capability of GC-MS/C/IRMS to
      demonstrate natural steroid abuse for urinary steroids was eventually compared to
      those of mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) when measuring intact steroid esters in
      blood and hair. 

PMID- 26271754
TI  - An atom-scale interfacial coordination strategy to prepare hierarchically porous
      Fe3O4-graphene frameworks and their application in charge and size selective dye
      removal.
AB  - A novel atom-scale interfacial coordination assisted synthesis method for the
      textural engineering of three-dimensional (3D) Fe3O4-graphene oxide frameworks
      with hierarchical macro- and meso-porous structures is developed. 

PMID- 26271753
TI  - A randomised controlled trial of flow driver and bubble continuous positive
      airway pressure in preterm infants in a resource-limited setting.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The variable-flow flow driver (FD; EME) and continuous-flow bubble
      (Fisher-Paykel) continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) systems are widely
      used. As these differ in cost and technical requirements, determining comparative
      efficacy is important particularly where resources are limited. DESIGN: We
      performed a randomised, controlled, equivalence trial of CPAP systems. We
      specified the margin of equivalence as 2 days. We analysed binary variables by
      logistical regression adjusted for gestation, and log transformed continuous
      variables by multiple linear regression adjusted for gestation, sex and antenatal
      steroids. SETTING: A neonatal unit with no blood gas analyser or surfactant
      availability and limited X-ray and laboratory facilities PATIENTS: Neonates <37
      weeks of gestation. INTERVENTIONS: We provided CPAP at delivery followed by
      randomisation to FD or bubble (B). OUTCOMES: Primary outcome included total days
      receiving CPAP; secondary outcomes included days receiving CPAP, supplemental
      oxygen, ventilation, death, pneumothorax and nasal excoriation. RESULTS: We
      randomised 125 infants (B 66, FD 59). Differences in infant outcomes on B and FD
      were not statistically significant. The median (range) for CPAP days for
      survivors was B 0.8 (0.04 to 17.5), FD 0.5 (0.04 to 5.3). B:FD (95% CI) ratios
      were CPAP days 1.3 (0.9 to 2.1), CPAP plus supplementary oxygen days 1.2 (0.7 to
      1.9). B:FD (95% CI) ORs were death 2.3 (0.2 to 28), ventilation 2.1 (0.5 to 9),
      nasal excoriation 1.2 (0.2 to 8) and pneumothorax 2.4 (0.2 to 26). CONCLUSIONS:
      In a resource-limited setting we found B CPAP equivalent to FD CPAP in the total
      number of days receiving CPAP within a margin of 2 days. TRIAL REGISTRATION
      NUMBER: ISRCTN22578364.

PMID- 26271757
TI  - The Opioid Epidemic: Impact on Orthopaedic Surgery.

PMID- 26271756
TI  - Low Back Pain and Pelvic Girdle Pain in Pregnancy.
AB  - Pregnancy has a profound effect on the human body, particularly the
      musculoskeletal system. Hormonal changes cause ligamentous joint laxity, weight
      gain, and a shift in the center of gravity that leads to lumbar spine
      hyperlordosis and anterior tilting of the pelvis. In addition, vascular changes
      may lead to compromised metabolic supply in the low back. The most common
      musculoskeletal complaints in pregnancy are low back pain and/or pelvic girdle
      pain. They can be diagnosed and differentiated from each other by history taking,
      clinical examination, provocative test maneuvers, and imaging. Management ranges
      from conservative and pharmacologic measures to surgical treatment. Depending on
      the situation, and given the unique challenges pregnancy places on the human body
      and the special consideration that must be given to the fetus, an orthopaedic
      surgeon and the obstetrician may have to develop a plan of care together
      regarding labor and delivery or when surgical interventions are indicated. 

PMID- 26271755
TI  - Saving lives, maintaining safety, and science-based policy: qualitative interview
      findings from the Blood Donation Rules Opinion Study (Blood DROPS).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Indefinite deferral from donation for any man who discloses having
      had sex with another man even once since 1977 (MSM77) is the US FDA's standing
      policy. This qualitative component of the Blood Donation Rules and Opinion Study
      was designed to provide insight into the perceptions and practices of current or
      previous donors with MSM history. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Forty human
      immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative MSM completed an online survey, indicating
      that they had donated blood and were willing to be interviewed. Semistructured,
      individual interviews with these key informants covered donation experience and
      motivations, perceptions of MSM77, policy change preferences, and possible impact
      of a change to a time-limited deferral. Transcripts were coded deductively and
      inductively, following a modified Grounded Theory approach. Analysis identified
      recurrent and divergent themes. RESULTS: Ninety-five percent of participants
      endorsed modifying MSM77. Preferred deferral length ranged from none to 5 years;
      a common opinion was that a science-based deferral period would be less than 1
      year. Other policy change recommendations included incorporating questions about
      specific HIV risk behaviors to the donor questionnaire for all potential donors.
      Interviewees recognized HIV infection rates are higher in MSM than the general US
      population, but participants considered themselves low-risk for HIV, donated
      blood "to save lives," and justified their recommendations as being more
      effective ways to identify donors at risk for HIV. CONCLUSION: Results suggest
      that MSM donors are concerned with blood safety; they can be appealed to as such.
      Communications about a new deferral policy should include scientific explanations
      and acknowledge altruistic motivations of potential donors.

PMID- 26271758
TI  - Pediatric Knee Dislocations and Physeal Fractures About the Knee.
AB  - Given the high incidence of vascular and neurologic injury associated with
      pediatric knee dislocations and displaced physeal injuries about the knee, a
      thorough understanding of the clinical and radiographic signs associated with
      these injuries, relevant anatomy, workup, reduction techniques, and surgical
      management is crucial. A higher incidence of these injuries in children is
      anticipated because of increased participation in high-energy activities that
      result in contact or collision during sports or recreation. Complications, such
      as vascular and nerve injuries and compartment syndrome, can be diagnosed early
      in the workup to prevent catastrophic outcomes. The clinical examination should
      include evaluation of the motor and sensory status of the limb, palpation of
      pulses, and measurement of ankle brachial indices. Radiographic examination
      should include plain radiography and supplemental advanced imaging, if indicated.
      Vascular imaging or expert consultation should be considered when the pulse or
      ankle brachial index is abnormal on clinical examination. Selection of
      nonsurgical or surgical treatment depends on the fracture pattern and stability. 

PMID- 26271760
TI  - Every base matters: assessing small subunit rRNA primers for marine microbiomes
      with mock communities, time series and global field samples.
AB  - Microbial community analysis via high-throughput sequencing of amplified 16S rRNA
      genes is an essential microbiology tool. We found the popular primer pair 515F
      (515F-C) and 806R greatly underestimated (e.g. SAR11) or overestimated (e.g.
      Gammaproteobacteria) common marine taxa. We evaluated marine samples and mock
      communities (containing 11 or 27 marine 16S clones), showing alternative primers
      515F-Y (5'-GTGYCAGCMGCCGCGGTAA) and 926R (5'-CCGYCAATTYMTTTRAGTTT) yield more
      accurate estimates of mock community abundances, produce longer amplicons that
      can differentiate taxa unresolvable with 515F-C/806R, and amplify eukaryotic 18S
      rRNA. Mock communities amplified with 515F-Y/926R yielded closer observed
      community composition versus expected (r(2)  = 0.95) compared with 515F-Y/806R
      (r(2)  ~ 0.5). Unexpectedly, biases with 515F-Y/806R against SAR11 in field
      samples (~4-10-fold) were stronger than in mock communities (~2-fold). Correcting
      a mismatch to Thaumarchaea in the 515F-C increased their apparent abundance in
      field samples, but not as much as using 926R rather than 806R. With plankton
      samples rich in eukaryotic DNA (> 1 MUm size fraction), 18S sequences averaged
      ~17% of all sequences. A single mismatch can strongly bias amplification, but
      even perfectly matched primers can exhibit preferential amplification. We show
      that beyond in silico predictions, testing with mock communities and field
      samples is important in primer selection.

PMID- 26271761
TI  - Association of dopamine receptor D2 TaqI A polymorphism and cannabis use disorder
      in Lagos, Nigeria.
AB  - TaqI A polymorphism (rs1800497) has been linked to many substance use disorders
      but there is a shortage of data on cannabis use disorder. Nigeria has a huge
      burden of cannabis use disorder, prompting our investigation of the relation
      between cannabis use disorder and the TaqI A polymorphism among males in Lagos,
      Nigeria. We recruited 106 males with cannabis use disorder based on International
      Classification of Diseases, version 10 (ICD-10) and 98 cannabis-naive males for
      the study. Cannabis use disorder was assessed using the Severity of Dependence
      Scale (SDS) and Cannabis Use Disorder Identification Test (CUDIT). Genotyping was
      done using the Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP). The frequency of
      the A1 allele was higher among the cannabis users (57.8%) compared with the
      nonusers (42.2%). The genotype distribution was found to be in Hardy-Weinberg
      equilibrium in both populations. The homozygous A1 genotype alone contributed
      11.8% to the variance in the SDS scores. However, both A1/A1 and A1/A2 genotypes
      contributed to the variance in the CUDIT scores (10.2% and 5.1%, respectively).
      In conclusion, the distribution of the A1 allele among the general population in
      this study correlates with the previously reported findings in a southwestern
      Nigerian population. We also found that carrying an A1 allele appears to be a
      significant predictor of cannabis use disorder. The result suggests that carrying
      just a single allele of the A1 is enough to predict cannabis abuse, as shown by
      the allele association with CUDIT scores. However, double A1 alleles seem to be
      necessary for the prediction of dependence. 

PMID- 26271759
TI  - Perioperative Treatment of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.
AB  - Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease mediated by a widespread chronic
      systematic inflammatory process that causes joint deterioration, which leads to
      pain, disability, and poor quality of life. The increased use of disease
      modifying antirheumatic drugs has been shown to markedly slow disease
      progression, which has translated into a decrease in the need for orthopaedic
      intervention in this population. However, a substantial percentage of patients
      with the disease fail optimal pharmacologic treatment and still require surgical
      intervention. A thorough understanding of medical considerations in these
      patients and improved knowledge of the medical complications caused by the
      disease process and the pharmacologic therapy used to treat it may lead to
      improved preoperative planning and medical clearance, which may ultimately
      improve the overall postoperative outcome. 

PMID- 26271762
TI  - Developing a Chinese PTSD Inventory (CPI) based on interviews with earthquake
      victims in Sichuan.
AB  - Although some of the self-report scales for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
      are available in Chinese and are currently in use in China, cultural limitations
      exist. An indigenous Chinese PTSD self-rating scale-the Chinese PTSD Inventory
      (CPI)-has been developed. The item generation of the CPI was based on interviews
      of Sichuan earthquake victims. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted on a
      sample of 313 earthquake victims, acquiring five factors with 27 items:
      Intrusion, Avoidance, Hyperarousal, Dysphoria, and Somatization. Another sample
      of 227 debris-flow victims was administered the 27-item CPI. It demonstrated high
      internal consistency and test-retest reliability, and the result of confirmatory
      factor analysis indicated a good fit for the five-factor model. 

PMID- 26271764
TI  - Single and aggregate salivary cortisol measures during two schooldays in
      midadolescent girls and boys.
AB  - The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, including its regulation of
      cortisol, is central to bodily functioning and salivary cortisol is a commonly
      used biomarker that reflects the functioning of the HPA axis. However, knowledge
      of diurnal cortisol rhythms in healthy adolescents is limited and few studies
      have examined patterns in midadolescent girls and boys across single and
      aggregate cortisol measures. To fill this gap, the present study investigated
      single and aggregate cortisol measures reflecting diurnal rhythms in 14 to 16
      year-old girls and boys. Self-administered salivary samples from 79 girls and 42
      boys were collected during two schooldays at four timepoints: (a) immediately at
      awakening, (b) 30 min after waking up, (c) 60 min after waking up, and (d) at
      8:00 p.m. Additionally, diary data including time of awakening, sampling times,
      and other potential confounders were analyzed. As for single measures, both girls
      and boys exhibited a typical diurnal cortisol profile with high levels in the
      morning that decreased throughout the day. However, girls had higher morning
      cortisol than did boys with significant differences at time of awakening, and at
      30 and 60 min postawakening. For the aggregate measures, girls had a larger total
      level of cortisol in terms of cortisol awakening response (CARG ), area under the
      curve (AUCG ), and rise over run (slopeawake to last ), while no differences
      emerged for reactivity measures. Taken together, these findings suggest
      differences in single and aggregate cortisol measures between midadolescent girls
      and boys. Such differences in diurnal cortisol between pubertal girls and boys
      may play a role for the differential health trajectories typically found among
      adult women and men. 

PMID- 26271763
TI  - Voice-associated static face image releases speech from informational masking.
AB  - In noisy, multipeople talking environments such as a cocktail party, listeners
      can use various perceptual and/or cognitive cues to improve recognition of target
      speech against masking, particularly informational masking. Previous studies have
      shown that temporally prepresented voice cues (voice primes) improve recognition
      of target speech against speech masking but not noise masking. This study
      investigated whether static face image primes that have become target-voice
      associated (i.e., facial images linked through associative learning with voices
      reciting the target speech) can be used by listeners to unmask speech. The
      results showed that in 32 normal-hearing younger adults, temporally prepresenting
      a voice-priming sentence with the same voice reciting the target sentence
      significantly improved the recognition of target speech that was masked by
      irrelevant two-talker speech. When a person's face photograph image became
      associated with the voice reciting the target speech by learning, temporally
      prepresenting the target-voice-associated face image significantly improved
      recognition of target speech against speech masking, particularly for the last
      two keywords in the target sentence. Moreover, speech-recognition performance
      under the voice-priming condition was significantly correlated to that under the
      face-priming condition. The results suggest that learned facial information on
      talker identity plays an important role in identifying the target-talker's voice
      and facilitating selective attention to the target-speech stream against the
      masking-speech stream. 

PMID- 26271765
TI  - Emotional well-being and time pressure.
AB  - We propose a conceptual model of how time pressure affects emotional well-being
      associated with mundane routine activities. A selective review of research in
      several areas affirms the plausibility of the conceptual model, which posits
      negative effects on emotional well-being of insufficient time allocated to
      restorative and other activities instrumental for attaining desirable work,
      family life, and leisure goals. Previous research also affirms that practicing
      time management can have indirect positive effects by decreasing time pressure,
      whereas material wealth can have both negative indirect effects and positive
      indirect effects by increasing and decreasing time pressure, respectively.
      Several issues remain to be studied empirically. The conceptual model is a ground
      for additional, preferably cross-cultural, research. 

PMID- 26271767
TI  - In support of a hot hand in professional basketball and baseball.
AB  - Recent studies have found little empirical evidence to suggest that National
      Basketball Association (NBA) and Major League Baseball (MLB) players have hot
      streaks. This has led some to suggest that hot hands do not exist and that
      offensive and defensive strategies adjusting to perceived hot hands are
      suboptimal. We study the MLB's Home Run Derby and the NBA's 3-point Shootout.
      When there is no defense, extended time between shots has been removed, and shot
      or swing selection is constant, we find evidence that player performance is
      nonstationary. Our results are consistent with beliefs long held by players,
      coaches, and fans, research on the importance of self-efficacy in sports, and
      studies that support the existence of hot streaks in sports with no or limited
      defense. 

PMID- 26271766
TI  - Mental health literacy: Public knowledge and beliefs about mental disorders in
      mainland China.
AB  - This study was concerned with the general mental health literacy of lay people in
      mainland China. It replicates in part many studies done in America, Australia,
      and Europe. A total of 212 participants were asked to read vignettes depicting
      people with schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social phobia,
      depression, bipolar disorder, stress, child attention-deficit hyperactivity
      disorder (ADHD), child depression, and child "daily troubles." For each vignette
      they were asked to label the vignette character's main problem, to evaluate
      various suggestions for helping that person, to rate their attitudes towards the
      character, and finally their confidence in all their responses. Overall ADHD was
      the best identified, and bipolar disorder and stress were the least frequently
      identified mental health disorders. Professional help from a
      psychologist/psychiatrist was most frequently endorsed for all disorders, which
      was followed by help from parents or friends. No significant correlation was
      found between psychological knowledge and "correct" recognition as defined by the
      psychiatric label. The findings were discussed in relation to the Chinese
      language and culture, social beliefs about mental disorders, and suggestions for
      improvements in mental health literacy. Limitations of this study were also
      acknowledged, particularly with respect to sampling. Suggestions for future work
      research were considered. 

PMID- 26271768
TI  - The hot hand belief as an inference of local temporal instability.
AB  - The correspondence article (Shea, 2013, "In support of a hot hand...") examines
      MLB's Home Run Derby and the NBA's 3-point Shootout data, and reveals
      nonstationarity as empirical evidence supporting the hot hand belief. This
      result, together with recent understanding on human probabilistic reasoning with
      sparse data, suggests that the hot hand belief may have been driven by local and
      temporal instability in the task environment. We argue that computational models
      of the hot hand belief should take into consideration not only top-down cognitive
      biases but also the statistical structures of the task environment, where global
      structures evolve from intrinsically local properties centered on temporal
      instability. 

PMID- 26271769
TI  - Dose-response relationship between light exposure and cycling performance.
AB  - Light has a stimulating effect on physical performance if scheduled according to
      the chronotype, but dose-dependent effects on performance have not yet been
      examined. Three groups of healthy men (25.1 +/- 3.1 years) were exposed to light
      for different durations in a parallel group design before a 40-min time-trial. In
      each group, subjects were exposed to either bright light (BL, 4420 lx) or
      moderate light (ML, 230 lx) in a randomized order in a crossover design. The
      durations of light exposure were 120 min prior to and during exercise (2HEX; n =
      16), 60 min prior to and during exercise (1HEX; n = 10), or only for 60 min prior
      to exercise (1H; n = 15). Total work performed during the time-trial in kJ in the
      2HEX group was significantly higher in the BL setting (527 kJ) than in ML (512
      kJ) (P = 0.002), but not in 1HEX (BL: 485 kJ; ML: 498 kJ) or 1H (BL: 519 kJ; ML:
      514 kJ) (P = 0.770; P = 0.485). There was a significant (P = 0.006) positive dose
      response relationship between the duration of light exposure and the work
      performed over the three doses of light exposure. A long duration light exposure
      is an effective tool to increase total work in a medium length time-trial in
      subjects normalized for their individual chronotype. 

PMID- 26271771
TI  - Supply Chain Vulnerability Analysis Using Scenario-Based Input-Output Modeling:
      Application to Port Operations.
AB  - Disruptive events such as natural disasters, loss or reduction of resources, work
      stoppages, and emergent conditions have potential to propagate economic losses
      across trade networks. In particular, disruptions to the operation of container
      port activity can be detrimental for international trade and commerce. Risk
      assessment should anticipate the impact of port operation disruptions with
      consideration of how priorities change due to uncertain scenarios and guide
      investments that are effective and feasible for implementation. Priorities for
      protective measures and continuity of operations planning must consider the
      economic impact of such disruptions across a variety of scenarios. This article
      introduces new performance metrics to characterize resiliency in interdependency
      modeling and also integrates scenario-based methods to measure economic
      sensitivity to sudden-onset disruptions. The methods will be demonstrated on a
      U.S. port responsible for handling $36.1 billion of cargo annually. The methods
      will be useful to port management, private industry supply chain planning, and
      transportation infrastructure management.

PMID- 26271772
TI  - Simultaneous heavy metals removal and municipal sewage sludge dewaterability
      improvement in bioleaching processes by various inoculums.
AB  - The heavy metals content and dewaterability of municipal sewage sludge (MSS) are
      important parameters affecting its subsequent disposal and land application. Six
      kinds of inoculums were prepared to examine the characteristics of heavy metals
      removal and MSS dewaterability improvement in bioleaching processes. The results
      showed that Cu, Zn and Cd bioleaching efficiencies (12 days) were 81-91, 87-93
      and 81-89%, respectively, which were significantly higher than those of Fe-S
      control (P < 0.05) and blank control (P < 0.01). The bioleaching boosted by the
      prepared inoculums could also significantly enhance MSS dewaterability (P <
      0.01). The centrifugal dehydration efficiency of MSS rose from 73.00 to 90.00% at
      day 12. Microscopic observations and energy dispersive spectrum analysis
      demonstrated that the dewaterability improvement might be attributed to the
      changes of sludge structure from flocculent to obvious granular and the formation
      of secondary minerals mainly consisting of iron, oxygen and sulfur elements. The
      results above demonstrated that bacterial consortium enriched from acid mine
      drainage (AMD) was suitable to boost sludge bioleaching for heavy metals removal
      and dewaterability improvement. It also suggested that the synergy of
      sulfur/ferrous-oxidizing bacteria (SFOB) enriched from AMD and the cooperation of
      exogenous and indigenous SFOB significantly promoted bioleaching efficiencies.

PMID- 26271770
TI  - Comparison of clinical outcome between laparoscopic and open right hemicolectomy:
      a nationwide study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare clinical outcome between laparoscopic and
      open right hemicolectomy. METHODS: The data were sourced from Taiwan's National
      Health Insurance Research Database. This study included 14,320 and 1313 patients
      who underwent open and laparoscopic right hemicolectomies, respectively. The
      study outcome included "intensive care unit (ICU) admission," "over 2 h of
      general anesthesia," "use of mechanical ventilation," "acute respiratory
      failure," "in-hospital death," and "hospitalization for pneumonia." Separate
      conditional logistic regressions were performed for each clinical outcome.
      RESULTS: The results showed that patients who underwent an open right
      hemicolectomy had significantly higher likelihood of ICU admission (31.4 vs.
      13.4%, p<0.001), acute respiratory failure (3.6 vs. 0.8%, p<0.001), mechanical
      ventilation (12.8 vs. 4.1%, p<0.001), in-hospital death (3.7 vs. 0.9%, p<0.001),
      over 2 h of general anesthesia (4.6 vs. 1.2%, p<0.001), and hospitalization for
      pneumonia (5.8 vs. 3.1%, p<0.001) than patients who underwent a laparoscopic
      right hemicolectomy. Adjusted conditional logistic regression analyses revealed
      that patients who underwent an open right hemicolectomy were 2.96, 4.98, 3.41,
      4.01, 3.44, and 1.78 times more likely to be admitted to the ICU, to have acute
      respiratory failure, the use of mechanical ventilation, in-hospital death, over 2
      h of general anesthesia, and hospitalization for pneumonia, respectively, than
      patients who underwent a laparoscopic right hemicolectomy. CONCLUSIONS:
      Laparoscopic right hemicolectomy reduced risk of post-operative pulmonary
      complications.

PMID- 26271773
TI  - Investigation of lead(II) uptake by Bacillus thuringiensis 016.
AB  - In this work, we investigated the lead(II) biosorption mechanism of Bacillus
      thuringiensis (Bt) 016 through batch and microscopic experiments. We found that
      the maximum lead(II) biosorption capacity of Bt 016 was 164.77 mg/g (dry weight).
      The pH value could affect the biosorption of lead(II) in a large extent. Fourier
      transform infrared analyses and selective passivation experiments suggested that
      the carboxyl, amide and phosphate functional groups of Bt 016 played an important
      role in lead(II) biosorption. Scanning electron microscopy observation showed
      that noticeable lead(II) precipitates were accumulated on bacterial surfaces.
      Further transmission electron microscopy thin section analysis coupled with
      energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy as well as selected area electron
      diffraction indicated that lead(II) immobilized on the bacteria could be
      transformated into random-shaped crystalline lead-containing minerals eventually.
      This work provided a new insight into lead(II) uptake of Bt, highlighting the
      potential of Bt in the restoration of lead(II) contaminated repositories. 

PMID- 26271774
TI  - Vision, Identity, and Career in the Clinical and Translational Sciences: Building
      upon the Formative Years.
AB  - This paper is the second in a five-part series on the clinical and translational
      science educational pipeline. It focuses on the role that Clinical and
      Translational Science Award (CTSA) programs can play in supporting science,
      technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education in primary and secondary
      schools, as well as in facilitating these interests during transition to
      undergraduate training. Special emphasis should be placed on helping to form and
      sustain an identity as a scientist, and on instilling the persistence necessary
      to overcome numerous barriers to its actualization. CTSAs can contribute to
      cementing this sense of self by facilitating peer support, mentorship, and family
      involvement that will reinforce early educational decisions leading to clinical
      and translational science research careers. Meanwhile, the interests, skills, and
      motivation induced by participation in STEM programs must be sustained in
      transition to the next level in the educational pipeline, typically undergraduate
      study. Examples of CTSA collaborations with local schools, businesses, interest
      groups, and communities at large illustrate the emerging possibilities and
      promising directions with respect to each of these challenges. 

PMID- 26271776
TI  - Narrativity and non-Narrativity.
AB  - I argue against two popular claims. The first is a descriptive, empirical claim
      about the nature of ordinary human experience which I call the psychological
      Narrativity thesis (PNT). According to PNT, 'each of us constructs and lives a
      "narrative" ... this narrative is us, our identities' (Sacks O. The Man Who
      Mistook His Wife for a Hat. London: Duckworth; 1985, 110). The second is a
      normative, ethical claim which I call the ethical Narrativity thesis (ENT).
      According to ENT, we ought to live our lives narratively, or as a story: a 'basic
      condition of making sense of ourselves is that we grasp our lives in a narrative'
      and have an understanding of our lives 'as an unfolding story' (Taylor C. Sources
      of the Self. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 1989, 47-52). On this view a
      person 'creates his identity (only) by forming an autobiographical narrative-a
      story of his life', and must be in possession of a full and 'explicit narrative
      (of his life) to develop fully as a person' (Schechtman M. The Constitution of
      Selves. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press; 1996, 93. WIREs Cogn Sci 2010 1 775
      780 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs
      website. 

PMID- 26271775
TI  - Turoctocog alfa (recombinant factor VIII). Manufacturing, characteristics and
      clinical trial results.
AB  - Turoctocog alfa (NovoEight(r)) is a new recombinant factor VIII (rFVIII) with a
      truncated B domain and a high degree of tyrosine sulphation, similar to plasma
      derived FVIII products. The manufacturing process includes double nanofiltration
      with a 20-nm pore size and immunoaffinity chromatography with monoclonal F25 anti
      FVIII antibodies. Treatment with turoctocog alfa can be monitored with both one
      stage and chromogenic substrate assays without a product-specific laboratory
      standard. In total, 213 previously-treated patients with severe haemophilia A
      participated in the pivotal part of the clinical trial programme guardianTM. The
      median annualised bleeding rate during turoctocog alfa prophylaxis was 3.7 and
      3.0 in adolescents/adults and children, respectively, with marked differences
      between participating countries. The success rate for the treatment of
      breakthrough bleeds was 85% (adults/adolescents) and 94% (children). A total of
      41 surgical procedures (15 major, 26 minor) were performed in 33 patients, with a
      successful haemostatic response reported in all cases. No patient developed
      confirmed inhibitors in any of the trials. 

PMID- 26271777
TI  - Visual hallucinations.
AB  - Understanding of visual hallucinations is developing rapidly. Single-factor
      explanations based on specific pathologies have given way to complex multifactor
      models with wide potential applicability. Clinical studies of disorders with
      frequent hallucinations-dementia, delirium, eye disease and psychosis-show that
      dysfunction within many parts of the distributed ventral object perception system
      is associated with a range of perceptions from simple flashes and dots to complex
      formed figures and landscapes. Dissociations between these simple and complex
      hallucinations indicate at least two hallucinatory syndromes, though exact
      boundaries need clarification. Neural models of hallucinations variably emphasize
      the importance of constraints from top down dorsolateral frontal systems, bottom
      up occipital systems, interconnecting tracts, and thalamic and brainstem
      regulatory systems. No model has yet gained general acceptance. Both qualitative
      (a small number of necessary and sufficient constraints) and quantitative
      explanations (an accumulation of many nonspecific factors) fit existing data.
      Variable associations of hallucinations with emotional distress and thought
      disorders across and within pathologies may reflect the roles of cognitive and
      regulatory systems outside of the purely perceptual. Functional imaging
      demonstrates that hallucinations and veridical perceptions occur in the same
      brain areas, intimating a key role for the negotiating interface between top down
      and bottom up processes. Thus, hallucinations occur when a perception that
      incorporates a hallucinatory element can provide a better match between predicted
      and actual sensory input than does a purely veridical experience. Translational
      research that integrates understandings from clinical hallucinations and basic
      vision science is likely to be the key to better treatments. WIREs Cogn Sci 2010
      1 781-786 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs
      website. 

PMID- 26271778
TI  - Perception and action.
AB  - The phrase perception and action is used widely but in diverse ways in the
      context of the relationship between perceptual and motor processes. This review
      describes and integrates five perspectives on perception and action which rely on
      both neurophysiological and behavioral levels of analysis. The two visual systems
      view proposes dissociable but interactive systems for conscious processing of
      objects/space and the visual control of action. The integrative view proposes
      tightly calibrated but flexible systems for perception and motor control in
      spatial representation. The embodied view posits that action underlies
      perception, involving common coding or motor simulation systems, and examines the
      relationship between action observation, imitation, and the understanding of
      intention. The ecological view emphasizes environmental information and
      affordances in perception. The functional view defines the relationship between
      perception, action planning, and semantics in goal-directed actions. Although
      some of these views/approaches differ in significant ways, their shared emphasis
      on the importance of action in perception serves as a useful unifying framework.
      WIREs Cogn Sci 2010 1 800-810 For further resources related to this article,
      please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26271779
TI  - Bayesian models of cognition.
AB  - There has been a recent explosion in research applying Bayesian models to
      cognitive phenomena. This development has resulted from the realization that
      across a wide variety of tasks the fundamental problem the cognitive system
      confronts is coping with uncertainty. From visual scene recognition to on-line
      language comprehension, from categorizing stimuli to determining to what degree
      an argument is convincing, people must deal with the incompleteness of the
      information they possess to perform these tasks, many of which have important
      survival-related consequences. This paper provides a review of Bayesian models of
      cognition, dividing them up by the different aspects of cognition to which they
      have been applied. The paper begins with a brief review of Bayesian inference.
      This falls short of a full technical introduction but the reader is referred to
      the relevant literature for further details. There follows reviews of Bayesian
      models in Perception, Categorization, Learning and Causality, Language
      Processing, Inductive Reasoning, Deductive Reasoning, and Argumentation. In all
      these areas, it is argued that sophisticated Bayesian models are enhancing our
      understanding of the underlying cognitive computations involved. It is concluded
      that a major challenge is to extend the evidential basis for these models,
      especially to accounts of higher level cognition. WIREs Cogn Sci 2010 1 811-823
      For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26271780
TI  - Robot soccer.
AB  - Robot soccer is a test bed for a variety of robotic and Artificial Intelligence
      (AI) methods. Its relevance to Cognitive Science is that it confronts the
      designer with a task that requires the integration of almost all aspects of AI to
      create an agent that is capable of working in a complex, dynamic environment
      inhabited by other agents, some of which are cooperative and others competitive.
      We describe the main elements that make up a robot soccer player and how these
      players associate to create effective teams. We pay special attention to the
      architecture of the players. WIREs Cogn Sci 2010 1 824-833 For further resources
      related to this article, please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26271781
TI  - Language production.
AB  - Linguistic expressions are produced through a multicomponent multistage process.
      This article describes the major components of the language-production process
      and discusses issues of current research focus. General mechanisms of word and
      sentence production are described. This is followed by discussion of language
      production in conversation, different modes of production (written production,
      sign language, monitoring, bilingualism, aphasia, corpus research), and the
      relationship of language-production mechanisms to other cognitive systems (eye
      movements, attention, memory, gesture), before ending with concluding thoughts.
      WIREs Cogn Sci 2010 1 834-844 For further resources related to this article,
      please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26271782
TI  - Models of processing: discourse.
AB  - This article discusses models of discourse processing, primarily from a
      psycholinguistic perspective, though considerations from the other cognitive
      sciences are mentioned where appropriate. It also touches on issues of discourse
      representation, because questions about representation and questions about
      process are closely intertwined. The origins of an interest in questions about
      discourse are identified in Bransford's ideas from the early 1970s. Their
      development into more detailed models of discourse processing is discussed, and
      detailed descriptions are given of, in particular, anaphor processing and, to a
      lesser extent the establishment of coherence. Some issues that arise in
      connection with the production of discourse are briefly discussed, as are their
      relation to dialog rather than to monolog. WIREs Cogn Sci 2010 1 845-853 For
      further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26271783
TI  - Stimulus-driven capture and contingent capture.
AB  - Whether or not certain physical events can capture attention has been one of the
      most debated issues in the study of attention. This discussion is concerned with
      how goal-directed and stimulus-driven processes interact in perception and
      cognition. On one extreme of the spectrum is the idea that attention capture is
      primarily stimulus driven and automatic. On the other end is the notion that
      attention capture is always contingent on the goals of the observer, and thus
      under top-down control. This review discusses the empirical evidence for each of
      these viewpoints and the theoretical consequences. In addition, there is a
      discussion of the issues that remain controversial within the debate between the
      two viewpoints. It is concluded that visual selection depends on the interaction
      between bottom-up and top-down processes with a special role for spatial
      attention as the top-down gatekeeper for attention capture. WIREs Cogn Sci 2010 1
      872-881 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs
      website. 

PMID- 26271785
TI  - Infant categorization.
AB  - In this article, we review the principal findings on infant categorization from
      the last 30 years. The review focuses on behaviorally based experiments with
      visual preference, habituation, object examining, sequential touching, and
      inductive generalization procedures. We propose that although this research has
      helped to elucidate the 'what' and 'when' of infant categorization, it has failed
      to clarify the mechanisms that underpin this behavior and the development of
      concepts. We outline a number of reasons for why the field has failed in this
      regard, most notably because of the context-specific nature of infant
      categorization and a lack of ground rules in interpreting data. We conclude by
      suggesting that one remedy for this issue is for infant categorization
      researchers to adopt more of an interdisciplinary approach by incorporating
      imaging and computational methods into their current methodological arsenal.
      WIREs Cogn Sci 2010 1 894-905 For further resources related to this article,
      please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26271784
TI  - Animal cognition.
AB  - The main topics in the study of animal cognition are reviewed with special
      reference to direct links to human, and in particular developmental, cognitive
      sciences. The material is organized with regard to the general idea that
      biological organisms would be endowed with a small set of separable systems of
      core knowledge, a prominent hypothesis in the current developmental cognitive
      sciences. Core knowledge systems would serve to represent inanimate physical
      objects and their mechanical interactions (natural physics); numbers with their
      relationships of ordering, addition, and subtraction (natural mathematics);
      places in the spatial layout with their geometric relationships (natural
      geometry); and animate psychological objects (agents) with their goal-directed
      actions (natural psychology). Some advanced forms of animal cognition, such as
      episodic-like representations and planning for the future, are also discussed.
      WIREs Cogn Sci 2010 1 882-893 For further resources related to this article,
      please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26271786
TI  - Mental time travel in animals.

PMID- 26271787
TI  - Development of Genome-Wide Insertion and Deletion Polymorphism Markers from Next
      Generation Sequencing Data in Rice.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Next-generation sequencing technologies enable the re-sequencing of a
      large number of genomes and provide an unprecedented opportunity to discover
      numerous DNA polymorphisms throughout the genome of a species. As the second most
      abundant form of genetic variation, InDels, with characteristics of co-dominance,
      multiple alleles and high stability and density and that are easy to genotype,
      have received an increasing amount attention. RESULTS: In this work, a total of
      2,329,544 InDels were identified in 1767 rice genomes; these InDels were
      dispersed across all 12 rice chromosomes, with one InDel marker found, on
      average, every 160.22 bp. There were 162,380 highly polymorphic InDels with a
      polymorphism information content (PIC) >= 0.5, contributing 1.81 % to the unique
      primer set. Of these highly polymorphic InDels, we also selected InDels with
      major allele differences (the size difference between the most and second most
      frequent alleles) >= 3 bp or 8 bp for primer design, which provided a more
      flexible choice for researchers. Finally, we experimentally validated 100 highly
      polymorphic InDels for accuracy and polymorphism. The PCR results showed that the
      accuracy of the InDel markers was 95.70 %, while the average PIC value was 0.56,
      with a range of 0.19 to 0.78; the average allele number was 3.02, with a range of
      2 to 5. CONCLUSIONS: Our genome-wide and easily used InDel markers with high
      polymorphism and density in both cultivated and wild rice will undoubtedly have
      practical implications in rice marker-assisted breeding and will also meet the
      need of fine-scale genetic mapping in map-based rice gene cloning.

PMID- 26271788
TI  - Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms/drug-induced
      hypersensitivity syndrome: clinical features of 27 patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) [also
      called drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DIHS)] includes severe reactions
      to drugs that need to be promptly recognized by physicians. AIM: To explore
      heterogeneity in the clinical presentation of DRESS/DIHS at a large academic
      hospital in Latin America, using the criteria defined by the European Registry of
      Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions (RegiSCAR) scoring system. METHODS: A
      retrospective medical record review of 60 patients with diagnostic suspicion of
      DRESS/DIHS admitted to our hospital between July 2008 and April 2012 was
      performed, including demographic data, clinical features, laboratory findings and
      treatment. RESULTS: Of the 60 patients, 27 fulfilled the criteria for DRESS/DIHS.
      Maculopapular exanthema (85.1%), fever (96.2%) and hepatic involvement (85.1%)
      were the most common features. Anticonvulsants were the most common causal drugs
      (77.7%); Phenytoin was the most common individual drug (44.4%), followed by
      carbamazepine (29.6%). All patients were treated initially with prednisone 1
      mg/kg/day. Mortality rate was 4%. CONCLUSION: The major findings of this study
      (to our knowledge the largest collection of data on DRESS/DIHS in Latin America)
      include a positive statistical association between presence of atypical
      lymphocytes and higher levels of alanine aminotransferase (P < 0.001) and
      reinforce the importance of anticonvulsants in the pathogenesis of this severe
      reaction.

PMID- 26271789
TI  - Advances in Radiation Therapy in Pediatric Neuro-oncology.
AB  - Radiation therapy remains a highly effective therapy for many pediatric central
      nervous system tumors. With more children achieving long-term survival after
      treatment for brain tumors, late-effects of radiation have become an important
      concern. In response to this problem, treatment protocols for a variety of
      pediatric central nervous system tumors have evolved to reduce radiation fields
      and doses when possible. Recent advances in radiation technology such as image
      guidance and proton therapy have led to a new era of precision treatment with
      significantly less exposure to healthy tissues. These developments along with the
      promise of molecular classification of tumors and targeted therapies point to an
      optimistic future for pediatric neuro-oncology. 

PMID- 26271790
TI  - Pilot Testing Behavior Therapy for Chronic Tic Disorders in Neurology and
      Developmental Pediatrics Clinics.
AB  - Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT) is an efficacious treatment
      with limited regional availability. As neurology and pediatric clinics are often
      the first point of therapeutic contact for individuals with tics, the present
      study assessed preliminary treatment response, acceptability, and feasibility of
      an abbreviated version, modified for child neurology and developmental pediatrics
      clinics. Fourteen youth (9-17) with Tourette disorder across 2 child neurology
      clinics and one developmental pediatrics clinic participated in a small case
      series. Clinician-rated tic severity (Yale Global Tic Severity Scale) decreased
      from pre- to posttreatment, z = -2.0, P < .05, r = -.48, as did tic-related
      impairment, z = -2.4, P < .05, r = -.57. Five of the 9 completers (56%) were
      classified as treatment responders. Satisfaction ratings were high, and
      therapeutic alliance ratings were moderately high. Results provide guidance for
      refinement of this modified CBIT protocol. 

PMID- 26271791
TI  - Persistence of Cerebral Palsy Diagnosis: Assessment of a Low-Birth-Weight Cohort
      at Ages 2, 6, and 9 Years.
AB  - We examined the stability of nondisabling and disabling cerebral palsy at age 2
      in a longitudinally followed tri-county low-birth-weight (<2000 g) birth cohort.
      A total of 1105 newborns were enrolled, 901 (81.5%) survived to age 2, and 86% (n
      = 777) were followed up. Of the 113 cerebral palsy diagnoses at age 2, 61 (9% of
      the cohort, n = 61/777) had disabling cerebral palsy and 52 (7%, n = 52/777) had
      nondisabling cerebral palsy. Of 48 followed children diagnosed with disabling
      cerebral palsy at age 2, 98% were again classified as having cerebral palsy at
      school age, and 1 had an uncertain cerebral palsy status. By contrast, 41% (n =
      17) of the 43 children diagnosed with nondisabling cerebral palsy at age 2 were
      classified as not having cerebral palsy. Of the 517 followed children who were
      not diagnosed with cerebral palsy at age 2, 7% (n = 35) were classified as having
      late emerging nondisabling cerebral palsy at school age.

PMID- 26271792
TI  - Prevalence and Clinical Characteristics of Headaches in PHACE Syndrome.
AB  - PHACE (posterior fossa brain malformation, hemangiomas, arterial anomalies,
      coarctation of the aorta and cardiac defects, and eye abnormalities) syndrome is
      a neurocutaneous disorder often involving the cerebral vasculature. PHACE
      patients appear to have early-onset and severe headaches more commonly than
      children without PHACE. The objective of this study was to characterize the
      clinical features and prevalence of headache by conducting a cross-sectional
      survey of families in 2 large PHACE registries. Sixty-six percent of eligible
      families completed the survey in which 62.7% of respondents reported headaches.
      Average age of headache onset was 48.8 months. Females were more likely to have
      headaches (68.6% vs 30.8%, P = .014). Families reported associated migrainous
      features including nausea (62.5%), vomiting (37.5%), photophobia (75%), and
      phonophobia (75%). Headaches occurred at least weekly in 29.4%, lasted >=1 hour
      in 85.4%, and led to >=1 hospital admission in 15.7%. Three respondents with
      headaches had at least 1 ischemic stroke. We demonstrated that headaches are
      common among PHACE patients, develop at an early age, and have migrainous
      features. 

PMID- 26271793
TI  - Diagnostic Approach to Genetic Causes of Early-Onset Epileptic Encephalopathy.
AB  - Epileptic encephalopathies are characterized by recurrent clinical seizures and
      prominent interictal epileptiform discharges seen during the early infantile
      period. Although epileptic encephalopathies are mostly associated with structural
      brain defects and inherited metabolic disorders, pathogenic gene mutations may
      also be involved in the development of epileptic encephalopathies even when no
      clear genetic inheritance patterns or consanguinity exist. The most common
      epileptic encephalopathies are Ohtahara syndrome, early myoclonic encephalopathy,
      epilepsy of infancy with migrating focal seizures, West syndrome and Dravet
      syndrome, which are usually unresponsive to traditional antiepileptic medication.
      Many of the diagnoses describe the phenotype of these electroclinical syndromes,
      but not the underlying causes. To date, approximately 265 genes have been defined
      in epilepsy and several genes including STXBP1, ARX, SLC25A22, KCNQ2, CDKL5,
      SCN1A, and PCDH19 have been found to be associated with early-onset epileptic
      encephalopathies. In this review, we aimed to present a diagnostic approach to
      primary genetic causes of early-onset epileptic encephalopathies.

PMID- 26271794
TI  - Combination of external beam radiotherapy and Californium (Cf)-252 neutron
      intracavity brachytherapy is more effective in control of cervical squamous cell
      carcinoma than that of cervical adenocarcinoma.
AB  - The objective of this study was to compare the effect of combined external beam
      radiotherapy (EBRT) and Californium (Cf)-252 neutron intracavity brachytherapy
      (ICBT) on cervical squamous versus adenocarcinoma. A total of 106 patients with
      stage IB-IIIB cervical cancer were accrued between January 2005 and May 2011 and
      divided into squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma (AC) as a pair with
      53 patients in each group according to tumor size, stage, age, and hemoglobin
      level using matched-pair design. The whole pelvic EBRT was performed with 2
      Gy/fraction, 4 fractions/week. The total dose was 48-54 Gy (the center of whole
      pelvic field was blocked by 4 cm in width after 20-36 Gy). Cf-252 neutron ICBT
      was delivered with 11 and 12 Gy-eq/f with the total dose at point A of 44 and 48
      Gy-eq for SCC and AC patients, respectively. The mean follow-up time was 43
      months. The 5-year LC, OS, DFS, LAC rates, and mean survival time were 66.0,
      56.6, 52.8.0, 17.0%, and 76.4 +/- 6.2 months, respectively, for AC patients,
      whereas they were 81.1, 69.8, 67.9, 11.3%, and 93.3 +/- 4.3 months, respectively,
      for SCC patients. Furthermore, the early treatment toxicity was mild in both
      groups, the late treatment complications were mainly radiation-induced proctitis
      and cystitis, and there were no grade 3 or higher complications. Although the
      combination of Cf-252 neutron ICBT and EBRT was effective in both histology types
      of cervical cancer, a more aggressive strategy is needed to control cervical AC.

PMID- 26271795
TI  - Comparison Review of Short-Acting and Long-Acting Glucagon-like Peptide-1
      Receptor Agonists.
AB  - Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are useful tools
      for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus. In their recent position statement, the
      American Diabetes Association and European Association for the Study of Diabetes
      recommend GLP1-RAs as add-on to metformin when therapeutic goals are not achieved
      with monotherapy, particularly for patients who wish to avoid weight gain or
      hypoglycemia. GLP1-RAs differ substantially in their duration of action,
      frequency of administration and clinical profile. Members of this class approved
      for clinical use include exenatide twice-daily, exenatide once-weekly,
      liraglutide and lixisenatide once-daily. Recently, two new once-weekly GLP1-RAs
      have been approved: dulaglutide and albiglutide. This article summarizes
      properties of short- and long-acting GLP-1 analogs, and provides useful
      information to help choose the most appropriate compound for individual patients.

PMID- 26271797
TI  - Effects of learning content in context on knowledge acquisition and recall: a
      pretest-posttest control group design.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It is generally assumed that learning in context increases
      performance. This study investigates the relationship between the characteristics
      of a paper-patient context (relevance and familiarity), the mechanisms through
      which the cognitive dimension of context could improve learning (activation of
      prior knowledge, elaboration and increasing retrieval cues), and test
      performance. METHODS: A total of 145 medical students completed a pretest of 40
      questions, of which half were with a patient vignette. One week later, they
      studied musculoskeletal anatomy in the dissection room without a paper-patient
      context (control group) or with (ir)relevant-(un)familiar context (experimental
      groups), and completed a cognitive load scale. Following a short delay, the
      students completed a posttest. RESULTS: Surprisingly, our results show that
      students who studied in context did not perform better than students who studied
      without context. This finding may be explained by an interaction of the
      participants' expertise level, the nature of anatomical knowledge and students'
      approaches to learning. A relevant-familiar context only reduced the negative
      effect of learning the content in context. Our results suggest discouraging the
      introduction of an uncommon disease to illustrate a basic science concept. Higher
      self-perceived learning scores predict higher performance. Interestingly,
      students performed significantly better on the questions with context in both
      tests, possibly due to a 'framing effect'. CONCLUSIONS: Since studies focusing on
      the physical and affective dimensions of context have also failed to find a
      positive influence of learning in a clinically relevant context, further research
      seems necessary to refine our theories around the role of context in learning.

PMID- 26271796
TI  - Validation of the New Interpretation of Gerasimov's Nasal Projection Method for
      Forensic Facial Approximation Using CT Data(.).
AB  - The most common method to predict nasal projection for forensic facial
      approximation is Gerasimov's two-tangent method. Ullrich H, Stephan CN (J
      Forensic Sci, 2011; 56: 470) argued that the method has not being properly
      implemented and a revised interpretation was proposed. The aim of this study was
      to compare the accuracy of both versions using a sample of 66 postmortem cranial
      CT data. The true nasal tip was defined using pronasale and nasal spine line, as
      it was not originally specified by Gerasimov. The original guidelines were found
      to be highly inaccurate with the position of the nasal tip being overestimated by
      c. 2 cm. Despite the revised interpretation consistently resulting in smaller
      distance from true nasal tip, the method was not statistically accurate (p >
      0.05) in positioning the tip of the nose (absolute distance >5 mm). These results
      support that Gerasimov's method was not properly performed, and Ullrich H,
      Stephan CN (J Forensic Sci, 2011; 56: 470) interpretation should be used instead.

PMID- 26271798
TI  - Relative biological effectiveness of carbon ions for tumor control, acute skin
      damage and late radiation-induced fibrosis in a mouse model.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to compare the biological
      effectiveness of carbon ions relative to x-rays between tumor control, acute skin
      reaction and late RIF of CDF1 mice. MATERIAL AND METHODS: CDF1 mice with a C3H
      mouse mammary carcinoma implanted subcutaneously on the foot of the right hind
      limb were irradiated with single fractions of either photons, or (12)C ions using
      a 30-mm spread-out Bragg peak. The endpoint of the study was local control (no
      tumor recurrence within 90 days). For the acute skin reaction, non-tumor bearing
      CDF1 mice were irradiated with a comparable radiation scheme, and monitored for
      acute skin damage between Day 7 and 40. Late RIF was assessed in the irradiated
      mice. RESULTS: The TCD50 (dose producing tumor control in 50% of mice) values
      with 95% confidence interval were 29.7 (25.4-34.8) Gy for C ions and 43.9 (39.2
      49.2) Gy for photons, with a corresponding Relative biological effectiveness
      (RBE) value of 1.48 (1.28-1.72). For acute skin damage the MDD50 (dose to produce
      moist desquamation in 50% of mice) values with 95% confidence interval were 26.3
      (23.0-30.1) Gy for C ions and 35.8 (32.9-39.0) Gy for photons, resulting in a RBE
      of 1.36 (1.20-1.54). For late radiation-induced fibrosis the FD50 (dose to
      produce severe fibrosis in 50% of mice) values with 95% confidence interval were
      26.5 (23.1-30.3) Gy for carbon ions and 39.8 (37.8-41.8) Gy for photons, with a
      RBE of 1.50 (1.33-1.69). CONCLUSION: The observed RBE values were very similar
      for tumor response, acute skin damage and late RIF when irradiated with large
      doses of high- linear energy transfer (LET) carbon ions. This study adds
      information to the variation in biological effectiveness in different tumor and
      normal tissue models.

PMID- 26271800
TI  - Prognostic factors for the feasibility of chemotherapy and the Geriatric
      Prognostic Index (GPI) as risk profile for mortality before chemotherapy in the
      elderly.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) is a multidimensional method
      to detect frailty in elderly patients. Time saving could be accomplished by
      identifying those individual items that classify elderly cancer patients at risk
      for feasibility of chemotherapy and for mortality. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients
      older than 70 years of age were assessed before the first chemotherapy
      administration. GA consisted of the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), Informant
      Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE), Groningen Frailty
      Indicator (GFI) and Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). Predictive individual
      items for feasibility of chemotherapy and mortality were entered in the
      multivariable logistic regression and Cox-regression models, and a three-item sum
      scale was constructed: the Geriatric Prognostic Index (GPI). RESULTS: The 494
      patients had a median age of 75 years (range 70-92 years). The majority of the
      patients had malignancies of the digestive tract (41.7%) followed by
      hematological tumors (22.3%). Three items of the MNA ('psychological distress or
      acute disease in the past three months', 'neuropsychological problems' and 'using
      > 3 prescript drugs') independently predicted for feasibility of chemotherapy.
      Two items of the MNA and one of the GFI ('declining food intake in past 3
      months', 'using > 3 prescript drugs', and 'dependence in shopping') independently
      predicted for mortality. In comparison with patients without any positive item on
      the three-item GPI, patients with one, two or three positive items had hazard
      ratios (HRs) of 1.58, 2.32, and 5.58, respectively (all p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS:
      With only three items of the MNA, feasibility of chemotherapy can be predicted.
      The three-item GPI may help to identify elderly cancer patients at elevated risk
      for mortality.

PMID- 26271799
TI  - Impact of radiation dose and standardized uptake value of (18)FDG PET on nodal
      control in locally advanced cervical cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite local control now exceeding 90% with image-guided adaptive
      brachytherapy (IGABT), regional and distant metastases continue to curb survival
      in locally advanced cervical cancer. As regional lymph nodes often represent
      first site of metastatic spread, improved nodal control could improve survival.
      The aim of this study was to examine optimal volume and dose of external beam
      radiotherapy (EBRT) to maximize regional control including dose contribution from
      IGABT. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In total 139 patients from the EMBRACE study were
      analyzed. Individual nodal dose was determined by dose-maps from EBRT and IGABT.
      All PET/CT scans were re-evaluated and nodal maximal standard uptake value
      (SUVmax) was determined. Nodal failures were registered to planning scans and
      related to boosted nodes and treated volume. Relation between SUVmax and nodal
      control as well as the pattern of regional nodal failure were analyzed. RESULTS:
      Eighty-four patients were node positive. Nine patients had all metastatic nodes
      surgically removed. Seventy-five patients had 209 nodes boosted with EBRT. Median
      nodal boost dose was 62 Gy EQD2 (53-69 Gy EQD2). Median SUVmax was 6 (2-22). No
      patients had persistent nodal disease, but six patients recurred in a boosted
      node. SUVmax was significantly higher in nodes that recurred (p = 0.02). However,
      there was no correlation to nodal dose or volume. Twenty-one patients had a nodal
      failure including para-aortic nodal (PAN) metastases above the irradiated volume.
      Nine patients had a PAN-only failure. Patients receiving <= 4 cycles of weekly
      cisplatin had higher risk of nodal failure (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Current RT
      practice provides a high level of control in both boosted nodes and the elective
      irradiated regional target. However, a high nodal SUVmax is a negative prognostic
      predictor for nodal control. Attention should be raised to administration of a
      complete schedule of concurrent chemotherapy as well as treatment of para-aortic
      nodes.

PMID- 26271801
TI  - SPECT/CT Assessment of Infected Intracardiac Devices With and Without Attenuation
      Correction.
AB  - Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) provide the ability to maintain cardiac
      output and sustain life as a bridge to transplantation, definitive therapy, or a
      permanent decision. We present a case of LVAD drive infection that was
      differentiated from pump infection by the use of attenuation-corrected and non
      attenuation-corrected CT, along with correlation with the planar images.
      Clinically, the patient was suspected of having infection; however, the clinician
      did not know which components of the device were involved. The patient's scan
      showed abnormal activity along the driveline with and without attenuation
      correction, whereas the pump showed abnormal activity with attenuation correction
      only. This finding suggested that the drive line was infected but that the
      activity within the pump was secondary to overcorrection of attenuation. The
      driveline was cultured, confirming infection. 

PMID- 26271802
TI  - Influence of Statistical Fluctuation on Reproducibility and Accuracy of SUVmax
      and SUVpeak: A Phantom Study.
AB  - Standardized uptake values (SUVs) have been widely used in the diagnosis of
      malignant tumors and in clinical trials of tumor therapies as semiquantitative
      metrics of tumor (18)F-FDG uptake. However, SUVs for small lesions are liable to
      errors due to partial-volume effect and statistical noise. The purpose of this
      study was to evaluate the reproducibility and accuracy of maximum and peak SUV
      (SUVmax and SUVpeak, respectively) of small lesions in phantom experiments.
      METHODS: We used a body phantom with 6 spheres in a quarter warm background. The
      PET data were acquired for 1,800 s in list-mode, from which data were extracted
      to generate 15 PET images for each of the 60-, 90-, 120-, 150-, and 180-s
      scanning times. The SUVmax and SUVpeak of the hot spheres in the 1,800-s scan
      were used as a reference (SUVref,max and SUVref,peak). Coefficients of variation
      for both SUVmax and SUVpeak in hot spheres (CVmax and CVpeak) were calculated to
      evaluate the variability of the SUVs. On the other hand, percentage differences
      between SUVmax and SUVref,max and between SUVpeak and SUVref,peak were calculated
      for evaluation of the accuracy of SUV. We additionally examined the coefficients
      of variation of background activity and the percentage background variability as
      parameters for the physical assessment of image quality. RESULTS: Visibility of a
      10-mm-diameter hot sphere was considerably different among scan frames. The CVmax
      and CVpeak increased as the sphere size became smaller and as the acquisition
      time became shorter. SUVmax was generally overestimated as the scan time
      shortened and the sphere size increased. The SUVmax and SUVpeak of a 37-mm
      diameter sphere for 60-s scans had average positive biases of 28.3% and 4.4%,
      compared with the reference. CONCLUSION: SUVmax was variable and overestimated as
      the scan time decreased and the sphere size increased. In contrast, SUVpeak was a
      more robust and accurate metric than SUVmax. The measurements of SUVpeak (or
      SUVpeak normalized to lean body mass) in addition to SUVmax are desirable for
      reproducible and accurate quantification in clinical situations.

PMID- 26271803
TI  - Tailoring 99mTc-Macroaggregated Albumin Administration to Optimize Patient Dose
      Reduction.
AB  - In the ever-changing field of nuclear medicine, best-practice considerations
      cannot simply go unchallenged for months and years, with the need to minimize
      radiation exposure to patients highlighted in "as low as reasonably achievable"
      principles. The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency reports
      that the dose for (99m)Tc-macroaggregated albumin ((99m)Tc-MAA) administered
      should be 180-200 MBq. An objective of imaging in pulmonary embolism, or indeed
      any diagnostic procedure involving radiation, is to minimize radiation exposure
      without sacrificing image quality and diagnostic accuracy. The amount of
      radiation involved must be considered together with imaging protocols. Our aim
      was to reduce the amount of (99m)Tc-MAA administered without compromising the
      diagnostic quality of the scan. METHODS: To achieve a ventilation-to-perfusion
      ratio of 1:4, we ventilated the patient as per standard protocol and then placed
      intravenous access into the patient. For the perfusion component, 180-200 MBq
      were prepared in a 2-mL injection. Aliquots of 0.5 mL of (99m)Tc-MAA were
      administered every 30 s followed by a 5-mL saline flush until the required
      ventilation-to-perfusion ratio was achieved. RESULTS: With this protocol, the
      average administered dose was 105 +/- 20.7 MBq (vs. 180 +/- 5.3 MBq, P < 0.0001).
      CONCLUSION: By individually tailoring the administered dose, diagnostic quality
      is maintained while achieving a significant dose reduction.

PMID- 26271804
TI  - Diagnosis of Dual Malignancy by 18F-FDG PET/CT in the Setting of Paraneoplastic
      Cerebellar Degeneration.
AB  - We describe a rare case of paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration (with
      detectable antineuronal antibody anti-Yo) in which (18)F-FDG PET/CT aided in the
      detection of 2 synchronous malignancies (one thyroid cancer and the other breast
      cancer). Interestingly, the primary breast malignancy was non-(18)F-FDG-avid and
      was detected through the presence of a metastatic (18)F-FDG-avid axillary lymph
      node. Surgery for both was undertaken in the same sitting, and there was
      improvement of the neurologic features soon after the surgical removal of the
      malignancies. 

PMID- 26271805
TI  - The Evaluation of Cardiac Sarcoidosis with 18F-FDG PET.
AB  - Cardiac involvement in sarcoidosis is associated with poor prognosis. (18)F-FDG
      PET can detect the presence of cardiac sarcoidosis, assess disease activity, and
      serve as a means to monitor treatment response in patients with cardiac
      sarcoidosis. 

PMID- 26271806
TI  - Technical Considerations in Brain Amyloid PET Imaging with 18F-Florbetapir.
AB  - Technical factors play a critical role in the production of best-quality amyloid
      PET images for interpretation. This article provides specific instructions and
      general technical information about PET brain scanning of beta-amyloid neuritic
      plaques. The focus of tracer-specific information will be on (18)F-florbetapir
      (indications, contraindications, dosing, administration, uptake time, scanning
      time, acquisition, processing, biodistribution, radiation dose, adverse events,
      and display). General scanning information relevant to all amyloid-imaging agents
      will be also be presented (e.g., mechanism of uptake, safe handling, positioning,
      prevention of patient motion, processing, and artifacts). 

PMID- 26271807
TI  - The Relationship Between Problem Gambling and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
      Disorder.
AB  - Recent studies indicate that treatment-seeking problem gamblers display elevated
      rates of ADHD and that adolescents who screen positive for ADHD are more likely
      to engage in gambling, develop gambling problems, and experience a greater
      severity in gambling problems. This study aimed to (a) compare the prevalence of
      ADHD in treatment-seeking problem gamblers to the general population; (b)
      investigate the relationships between ADHD and problem gambling severity, cluster
      B personality disorders, motor impulsivity, alcohol use, substance use, gender,
      and age; and (c) investigate the degree to which these factors moderate the
      relationship between ADHD and problem gambling severity. Participants included
      214 adults (154 males, 58 females, 2 unspecified) who sought treatment for their
      gambling problems at a specialist gambling agency in Melbourne, Australia. Almost
      one-quarter (24.9 %) of treatment-seeking problem gamblers screened positively
      for ADHD, which was significantly higher than the 14 % prevalence in a community
      sample. ADHD was significantly positively correlated with problem gambling
      severity, motor impulsivity, and cluster B personality disorders, but was not
      associated with alcohol and substance use, gender or age. None of the factors
      significantly moderated the relationship between ADHD and problem gambling
      severity. These findings suggest that a considerable proportion of treatment
      seeking problem gamblers report ADHD and that their clinical profile is
      complicated by the presence of high impulsivity and cluster B personality
      disorders. They highlight the need for specialist gambling agencies to develop
      screening, assessment, and management protocols for co-occurring ADHD to enhance
      the effectiveness of treatment. 

PMID- 26271808
TI  - Genome mining of fungal lipid-degrading enzymes for industrial applications.
AB  - Lipases are interesting enzymes, which contribute important roles in maintaining
      lipid homeostasis and cellular metabolisms. Using available genome data, seven
      lipase families of oleaginous and non-oleaginous yeast and fungi were categorized
      based on the similarity of their amino acid sequences and conserved structural
      domains. Of them, triacylglycerol lipase (patatin-domain-containing protein) and
      steryl ester hydrolase (abhydro_lipase-domain-containing protein) families were
      ubiquitous enzymes found in all species studied. The two essential lipases
      rendered signature characteristics of integral membrane proteins that might be
      targeted to lipid monolayer particles. At least one of the extracellular lipase
      families existed in each species of yeast and fungi. We found that the diversity
      of lipase families and the number of genes in individual families of oleaginous
      strains were greater than those identified in non-oleaginous species, which might
      play a role in nutrient acquisition from surrounding hydrophobic substrates and
      attribute to their obese phenotype. The gene/enzyme catalogue and relevant
      informative data of the lipases provided by this study are not only valuable
      toolboxes for investigation of the biological role of these lipases, but also
      convey potential in various industrial applications. 

PMID- 26271809
TI  - The extracellular matrix protein matrilin-2 induces post-burn inflammatory
      responses as an endogenous danger signal.
AB  - OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: This prospective experimental study aims to investigate
      whether matrilin-2 is released from burn injury and induces post-burn
      inflammatory responses as an endogenous danger signal. SUBJECTS: Fifteen burn
      patients, 15 volunteers, 12 matrilin-2-deficient mice, 36 C57BL/6 mice and raw
      264.7 cells. METHODS: Matrilin-2 levels were detected by enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and real-time polymerase chain reaction. The
      inflammatory cytokines production in Matn2 deficient mice and wide type mice were
      detected by ELISA. Macrophages were activated by recombinant mouse MATN2 with or
      without adding anti-Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 antibody. Student's t test and one
      way analysis of variance were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The
      matrilin-2 levels in serum of burned patients were drastically elevated as
      compared to those of healthy controls. The matrilin-2 levels in burned mice were
      significantly increased than those of non-burned controls, whereas the matrilin-2
      mRNA expression was not significantly changed after burn. In addition, Matn2
      deficient mice showed remarkably less inflammatory cytokines production and less
      neutrophil infiltration in lung. Exogenous MATN2 induced potent expression of
      proinflammatory cytokines production in macrophages, which was inhibited by anti
      TLR4 antibody. CONCLUSION: Matrilin-2 induces post-burn inflammatory responses as
      an endogenous danger signal, partly through a TLR4-mediated mechanism.

PMID- 26271811
TI  - Lymphoproliferative associated type 1 cryoglobulinemia.

PMID- 26271812
TI  - Mechanoresponsive nanotherapeutic for localized drug delivery to flow obstructed
      blood vessels.

PMID- 26271810
TI  - Drosophila Shep and C. elegans SUP-26 are RNA-binding proteins that play diverse
      roles in nervous system development.
AB  - The Caenorhabditis elegans gene sup-26 encodes a well-conserved RNA-recognition
      motif-containing RNA-binding protein (RBP) that functions in dendrite
      morphogenesis of the PVD sensory neuron. The Drosophila ortholog of sup-26, alan
      shepard (shep), is expressed throughout the nervous system and has been shown to
      regulate neuronal remodeling during metamorphosis. Here, we extend these studies
      to show that sup-26 and shep are required for the development of diverse cell
      types within the nematode and fly nervous systems during embryonic and larval
      stages. We ascribe roles for sup-26 in regulating dendrite number and the
      expression of genes involved in mechanosensation within the nematode peripheral
      nervous system. We also find that in Drosophila, shep regulates dendrite length
      and branch order of nociceptive neurons, regulates the organization of neuronal
      clusters of the peripheral nervous system and the organization of axons within
      the ventral nerve cord. Taken together, our results suggest that shep/sup-26
      orthologs play diverse roles in neural development across animal species.
      Moreover, we discuss potential roles for shep/sup-26 orthologs in the human
      nervous system. 

PMID- 26271813
TI  - Young Men's Social Network Characteristics and Associations with Sexual
      Partnership Concurrency in Tanzania.
AB  - Social network influence on young people's sexual behavior is understudied in sub
      Saharan Africa. Previous research identified networks of mostly young men in Dar
      es Salaam who socialize in "camps". This study describes network characteristics
      within camps and their relationship to young men's concurrent sexual
      partnerships. We conducted surveys with a nearly complete census of ten camp
      networks (490 men and 160 women). Surveys included name generators to identify
      camp-based networks. Fifty seven percent of sexually active men (n = 471)
      reported past year concurrency, measured using the UNAIDS method. In a
      multivariable model, men's individual concurrency was associated with being a
      member of a closer knit camp in which concurrency was the normative behavior.
      Younger men who had older members in their networks were more likely to engage in
      concurrency. Respondent concurrency was also associated with inequitable personal
      gender norms. Our findings suggest strategies for leveraging social networks for
      HIV prevention among young men.

PMID- 26271814
TI  - High HIV Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors Among Female Sexual Partners of
      Male Injection Drug Users (MWID) in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
AB  - Injection drug use is a major factor in acquiring and transmitting HIV in
      Vietnam. This analysis aims to present estimates of HIV infection and factors
      associated with HIV infection among female sex partners (FSP) of MWID in Ho Chi
      Minh City (HCMC), Vietnam. Cross-sectional surveys were conducted in 2011 and
      2013 among males who inject drugs (MWID) who then referred their FSP for a
      behavioral and biologic survey. In total, 445 MWID and FSPs were enrolled. HIV
      prevalence among MWID was 50 and 35 % among FSPs. Among FSPs, 60.3 % reported
      ever using illegal drugs and among those, 72.7 % reported ever injecting illicit
      drugs. Among FSP, injection drug for >1 year [adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR), 95 % CI
      2.94, 1.19-7.26), p value = <0.001] and having a male partner infected with HIV
      [(aOR 3.35: 1.97-5.69), p value = <0.001] were associated with HIV infection. The
      prevalence of HIV infection is high among FSP of MWID in HCMC and is highly
      associated with the injection drug use behavior of the FSP. Harm-reduction
      intervention programs that focus on the MWID-FSP couple or directly on the FSPs
      are required.

PMID- 26271815
TI  - Effectiveness of peer support on care engagement and preventive care intervention
      utilization among pre-antiretroviral therapy, HIV-infected adults in Rakai,
      Uganda: a randomized trial.
AB  - 442 pre-ART, HIV-infected adults were randomized to peer support consisting of
      structured home visits to promote clinic attendance and preventive care
      intervention use or standard of care. At baseline, 62 % reported previously
      visiting an HIV clinic, 45 % reported taking cotrimoxazole prophylaxis, and 31 %
      were "care-naive" (no previous clinic visit and not on cotrimoxazole). After 1
      year, intervention participants were more likely to report being in care (92 vs
      84 %; PRR 1.09, p = 0.039), on cotrimoxazole (89 vs 81 %; PRR 1.10, p = 0.047),
      and safe water vessel adherence (23 vs 14 %; PRR 1.64, p = 0.024). The effect was
      observed only among care-naive participants (n = 139) with 83 % intervention
      versus 56 % controls reporting being in HIV care (PRR 1.47, p = 0.006), 78 versus
      58 % on cotrimoxazole (PRR 1.35, p = 0.04), and 20 versus 4 % safe water vessel
      adherence (PRR 5.78, p = 0.017). Peer support may be an effective intervention to
      facilitate pre-ART care compliance in this important population. 

PMID- 26271816
TI  - Prevalence and Risk Factors of Sleep Disturbance in a Large HIV-Infected Adult
      Population.
AB  - This cross-sectional study evaluates the prevalence and factors associated with
      sleep disturbances in French adult HIV-infected outpatients. Patients fullfilled
      a self-administered questionnaire on their health behavior, sleep attitudes
      (Pittsburgh sleep quality index, PSQI), quality of life and depression; 1354
      patients were enrolled. Median sleeping time was 7 h. Poor sleep quality was
      observed in 47 % of the patients, and moderate to serious depressive symptoms in
      19.7 %. Factors significantly associated with sleep disturbances were depression,
      male gender, active employment, living single, tobacco-smoking, duration of HIV
      infection, nevirapine or efavirenz-including regimen. Prevalence of poor sleepers
      is high in this HIV adult outpatient population. Associated factors seem poorly
      specific to HIV infection and more related to social and psychological status.
      Taking care of these disturbances may prove to be an effective health management
      strategy.

PMID- 26271818
TI  - Vagus nerve stimulation in children with drug-resistant epilepsy: age at
      implantation and shorter duration of epilepsy as predictors of better efficacy?
AB  - AIM: To study the efficacy of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy in a highly
      drug-resistant childhood epilepsy patient group and to investigate the effect of
      age at implantation on efficacy. METHODS: The efficacy of VNS treatment was
      analysed in a cohort of 70 patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. Both children
      with focal (n=16) and generalized epilepsies (n=54) were included. Age at
      implantation varied between 19 months and 25 years. RESULTS: Overall, responder
      rate was 54% with 5.7% children becoming seizure-free. The only factor in our
      analysis that could predict good outcome was age at implantation. In the youngest
      group (<5 years), the responder rate was 77% and this group also included three
      of the four seizure-free children. These three seizure-free children were known
      to have tuberous sclerosis. There were no outcome differences between generalized
      and focal epilepsies. CONCLUSIONS: Our single centre study confirms previous
      studies on the efficacy of VNS in children. A larger study using multivariate
      analysis to disentangle the contribution of different factors (such as age at
      implantation, aetiology, and epilepsy duration) is necessary to confirm our
      preliminary finding that younger age at VNS implantation might result in a better
      outcome.

PMID- 26271819
TI  - Densitometric evaluation of bone remodelling around Trabecular Metal Primary
      stem: a 24-month follow-up.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Today, an increasing number of total hip arthroplasty (THA)
      procedures are being performed. Osseointegration is a physiological phenomenon
      that leads to the direct anchorage of an implant by the formation of bony tissue
      around the implant without the growth of fibrous tissue at the bone-implant
      interface. Several factors may affect this phenomenon: some of these depend on
      the patient and others may depend on implant design and materials. Variations in
      periprosthetic bone mineral density (BMD) can be studied through several scans by
      dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) around the femoral stem. AIMS: The
      purpose of this study is to investigate correlations between periprosthetic BMD
      and the factors affecting osseointegration. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed
      patients who underwent primary THA. In all the patients, Trabecular Metal Primary
      (TMP), a standard uncemented tapered stem with a proximal porous tantalum
      coating, was implanted. Preoperatively, postoperatively, 3 and 6 months, 1 year
      and 2 years after implantation, DEXA scans were performed around the femoral
      stem. The patients were matched for diagnosis, sex, BMD of the lumbar spine and
      contralateral femur, Body Mass Index and age. RESULTS: One hundred and eight
      patients (51 males and 57 females) with a mean age of 73 years were studied.
      Different BMD changing patterns were observed and a greater bone resorption was
      noted in all the conditions associated with poor bone quality. DISCUSSION: The
      proximal coating of Trabecular Metal Primary (TMP) seemed to be effective in
      promoting new bone formation in the proximal femur also in the conditions
      associated with poor bone quality. CONCLUSIONS: At the present time, DEXA is
      considered the most reliable tool for evaluating bone remodelling after THA.

PMID- 26271820
TI  - MicroRNA-Responsive Cancer Cell Imaging and Therapy with Functionalized Gold
      Nanoprobe.
AB  - Integration of cancer cell imaging and therapy is critical to enhance the
      theranostic efficacy and prevent under- or overtreatment. Here, a multifunctional
      gold nanoprobe is designed for simultaneous miRNA-responsive fluorescence imaging
      and therapeutic monitoring of cancer. By assembling with folic acid as the
      targeted moiety and a dye-labeled molecular beacon (MB) as the recognition
      element and signal switch, the gold nanoprobe is folate receptor-targeted
      delivered into the cancer cells, and the fluorescence is lighted with the
      unfolding of MB by intracellular microRNA (miRNA), resulting in an efficient
      method for imaging and detecting nucleic acid. The average quantity of miRNA-21
      is measured to be 1.68 pg in a single HeLa cell. Upon the near-infrared
      irradiation at 808 nm, the real-time monitoring and assessing of photothermal
      therapeutic efficacy is achieved from the further enhanced fluorescence of the
      dye-labeled MB, caused by the high photothermal transformation efficiency of the
      gold nanocarrier to unwind the remaining folded MB and depart the dye from the
      nanocarrier. The fluorescence monitoring is also feasible for applications in
      vivo. This work provides a simple but powerful protocol with great potential in
      cancer imaging, therapy, and therapeutic monitoring. 

PMID- 26271817
TI  - Exploring the Impact of Childhood Abuse on HIV Social and Attitudinal Factors
      Among Adults With and Without this History in Sub-Saharan Africa: Findings from
      NIMH Project Accept (HPTN 043).
AB  - Using data from four sites in three African countries, this community randomized
      study examined the association between childhood sexual and/or physical abuse
      (CSA and/or CPA) and HIV disclosure, HIV-related stigma, stress, and social
      support among adults with and without a history of abuse. A history of abuse
      among men was associated with higher levels of adult-reported stress and HIV
      related stigma, and with significantly lower rates of HIV test result disclosure
      to current partners. Women with a history of CSA and/or CPA had significantly
      higher perceived stigma, discrimination and stress. Although childhood abuse was
      significantly associated with adult stress and stigmatization, participants with
      histories of CSA and/or CPA also reported significantly higher perceived social
      support compared to people without such experiences. These findings may reflect
      support received in response to disclosure of CSA or CPA or emotional ambivalence
      in relationships that have been found to be associated with child abuse. We
      conclude that it is critical for HIV prevention interventions to advocate for the
      primary prevention of child abuse, for early identification of adolescents and
      adults who report experiencing childhood abuse, and to address stigma and stress
      related attitudinal, behavioral and relationship difficulties experiences as an
      aftermath of early abuse that increase their risk of HIV. 

PMID- 26271824
TI  - Hepatitis A virus antibodies in Australian blood donors: implications for
      immunoglobulin sufficiency.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Passive immunisation is an important means of preventing hepatitis A
      in the most vulnerable populations in the event they are exposed. Trends in
      hepatitis A seroprevalence may impact on the production of effective
      immunoglobulin products for passive immunisation. METHODS: The seroprevalence of
      hepatitis A antibodies in blood donors in capital cities around Australia was
      measured using a commercial ELISA. Hepatitis A antibodies were quantified using
      the same commercial kit in a random sample of those who were seropositive.
      RESULTS: An estimated 51% (95% CI 48-54%) of Australian blood donors were
      seropositive for hepatitis A. Rates varied across the country and increased with
      age. The geometric mean titre (GMT) of those who were seropositive among our
      sample was 1246.8mIU/mL (geometric standard deviation 11.8mIU/mL) and increased
      with age. CONCLUSION: Comparison with published data supported an increase in
      seroprevalence in younger age groups. The seeming increase in seroprevalence
      among donors is encouraging regarding Australia's ability to maintain
      immunoglobulin sufficiency. However, the overall GMT of hepatitis A antibodies in
      donations may be prone to decrease as current donor cohorts age.

PMID- 26271822
TI  - Post-surgical infections and perioperative antibiotics usage in pediatric
      genitourinary procedures.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Post-surgical infections (PSIs) are a source of preventable
      perioperative morbidity. No guidelines exist for the use of perioperative
      antibiotics in pediatric urologic procedures. OBJECTIVE: This study reports the
      rate of PSIs in non-endoscopic pediatric genitourinary procedures at our
      institution. Secondary aims evaluate the association of PSI with other
      perioperative variables, including wound class (WC) and perioperative antibiotic
      administration. STUDY DESIGN: Data from consecutive non-endoscopic pediatric
      urologic procedures performed between August 2011 and April 2014 were examined
      retrospectively. The primary outcome was the rate of PSIs. PSIs were classified
      as superficial skin (SS) and deep/organ site (D/OS) according to Centers for
      Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, and urinary tract infection (UTI).
      PSIs were further stratified by WC1 and WC2 and perioperative antibiotic usage. A
      relative risk and chi-square analysis compared PSI rates between WC1 and WC2
      procedures. RESULTS: A total of 1185 unique patients with 1384 surgical sites
      were reviewed; 1192 surgical sites had follow-up for inclusion into the study.
      Ten total PSIs were identified, for an overall infection rate of 0.83%. Of these,
      six were SS, one was D/OS, and three were UTIs. The PSI rate for WC1 (885 sites)
      and WC2 (307 sites) procedures was 0.34% and 2.28%, respectively, p < 0.01.
      Relative risk of infection in WC2 procedures was 6.7 (CI 1.75-25.85, p = 0.0055).
      The rate of infections in WC1 procedures was similar between those receiving and
      not receiving perioperative antibiotics (0.35% vs. 0.33%). All WC2 procedures
      received antibiotics. DISCUSSION: Post-surgical infections are associated with
      significant perioperative morbidity. In some studies, PSI can double hospital
      costs, and contribute to hospital length of stay, admission to intensive care
      units, and impact patient mortality. Our study demonstrates that the rate of PSI
      in WC1 operations is low, irrespective of whether the patient received
      perioperative antibiotics (0.35%) or no antibiotics (0.33%). WC2 operations were
      the larger source of morbidity with an infection rate of 2.28% and a 6.7 fold
      higher increase in relative risk. CONCLUSIONS: WC1 procedures have a rate of
      infection around 0.3%, which is independent of the use of perioperative
      antibiotics. WC2 procedures have a higher rate of infection, with a relative risk
      of 6.7 for the development of PSI, and should be the target of guidelines for
      periprocedural prophylaxis.

PMID- 26271825
TI  - Immunogenicity and performance of an enterovirus 71 virus-like-particle vaccine
      in nonhuman primates.
AB  - A vaccine against human enterovirus 71 (EV-A71) is urgently needed to combat
      outbreaks of EV-A71 and in particular, the serious neurological complications
      that manifest during these outbreaks. In this study, an EV-A71 virus-like
      particle (VLP) based on a B5 subgenogroup (EV-A71-B5 VLP) was generated using an
      insect cell/baculovirus platform. Biochemical analysis demonstrated that the
      purified VLP had a highly native procapsid structure and initial studies in vivo
      demonstrated that the VLPs were immunogenic in mice. The impact of VLP
      immunization on infection was examined in non-human primates using a VLP prime
      boost strategy prior to EV-A71 challenge. Rhesus macaques were immunized on day 0
      and day 21 with VLPs (100 MUg/dose) containing adjuvant or with adjuvant alone
      (controls), and were challenged with EV-A71 on day 42. Complete blood counts,
      serum chemistry, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, and histopathology
      results were mostly normal in vaccinated and control animals after virus
      challenge demonstrating that the fatal EV-A71-B3 clinical isolate used in this
      study was not highly virulent in rhesus macaques. Viral genome and/or infectious
      virus were detected in blood, spleen or brain of two of three control animals,
      but not in any specimens from the vaccinated animals, indicating that VLP
      immunization prevented systemic spread of EV-A71 in rhesus macaques. High levels
      of IgM and IgG were detected in VLP-vaccinated animals and these responses were
      highly specific for EV-A71 particles and capsid proteins. Serum from vaccinated
      animals also exhibited similar neutralizing activity against different
      subgenogroups of EV-A71 demonstrating that the VLPs induced cross-neutralizing
      antibodies. In conclusion, our EV-A71-B5 VLP is safe, highly immunogenic, and
      prevents systemic EV-A71-B3 infection in nonhuman primates making it a viable
      attractive vaccine candidate for EV-A71.

PMID- 26271823
TI  - A 13-year survey of pneumococcal nasopharyngeal carriage in children with acute
      otitis media following PCV7 and PCV13 implementation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This nasopharyngeal (NP) carriage surveillance study was requested by
      the European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products as a post-licensing
      commitment to determine whether the use of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccines
      (PCVs) including 7 then 13 valents (introduced in 2001 and 2010, respectively)
      caused a shift in the distribution of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes in
      children with acute otitis media and modified the resistance of this bacterial
      species to antibiotics. METHODS: Between 2001 and 2014, 121 pediatricians
      obtained nasopharyngeal swabs from children with acute otitis media aged 6-24
      months. The swabs were analyzed by the French National Reference Centre for
      Pneumococci. Demographics, medical history and physical examination findings were
      recorded. RESULTS: Over the 13 years, among the 7991 enrolled patients, the
      proportion of PCV-vaccinated children (>=1 dose) increased (54.3-99.7%, p<0.001).
      Overall, pneumococcal carriage was reduced from 71.2% to 56.2% from 2001 to 2014
      (p<0.001) and carriage of PCV7 serotypes (STs) from 44.5% to 1.2% (p<0.001). The
      carriage of 6 additional STs plus 6C increased from 17.2% to 24.3% from 2001 to
      2010 (p<0.001) and decreased after PCV13 implementation (21.4-3.5%, p<0.001). The
      proportion of ST 19A carriage increased from 8.6% to 15.8% from 2001 to 2010
      (p<0.001) and decreased to 1.2% in 2014. After PCV13 implementation, the most
      frequently carried non-PCV13 STs were ST 15B/C, 11A, 15A, and 35B. Penicillin non
      susceptible pneumococcal strains decreased from 67.1% in 2001 to 33.1% in 2014
      (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: By the number of patients enrolled and the duration, this
      study is the largest performed to date. It allows to demonstrate a strong impact
      of PCVs and to describe the complex dynamics of pneumococcal carriage during AOM.
      As pneumococcal carriage decreased during AOM, a reduction in the incidence of
      pneumococcal AOM could be expected.

PMID- 26271828
TI  - Mucosal administration of raccoonpox virus expressing highly pathogenic avian
      H5N1 influenza neuraminidase is highly protective against H5N1 and seasonal
      influenza virus challenge.
AB  - We previously generated recombinant poxviruses expressing influenza antigens and
      studied their efficacy as potential highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI)
      vaccines in mice. While both modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) and raccoon poxvirus
      (RCN) expressing hemagglutinin (HA) provided strong protection when administered
      by parenteral routes, only RCN-neuraminidase (NA) showed promise as a mucosal
      vaccine. In the present study we evaluated the efficacy of RCN-NA constructs by
      both intradermal (ID) and intranasal (IN) routes. Surprisingly, while RCN-NA
      completely protected mice when administered by the IN route, it failed to protect
      mice when administered by the ID route. After challenge, significantly less virus
      induced pathology was observed in the lungs of mice vaccinated with RCN-NA by the
      IN route as compared to the ID route. Furthermore, IN administration of RCN-NA
      elicited neutralizing antibodies detected in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)
      samples. We also determined the role of cellular immune responses in protection
      elicited by RCN-NA by depleting CD4 and CD8 T cells prior to challenge. Finally,
      we demonstrated for the first time that antibodies against NA can block viral
      entry in addition to viral spread in vitro. These studies demonstrate the
      importance of mucosal administration of RCN viral vectors for eliciting
      protective immune responses against the NA antigen.

PMID- 26271826
TI  - Rubella seronegativity in antenatal screening - Is it influenced by the
      introduction of universal childhood rubella immunization?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study examined the impact of rubella immunization, implemented in
      Hong Kong in phases since 1978, on antenatal rubella serological status in
      Chinese women. METHODS: In a retrospective cohort study, the incidence of
      antenatal rubella seronegative status in our parturients managed from 1998 to
      2013 was analyzed by their year-of-birth as follows: <1965 (no childhood
      immunization), 1965-1982 (single dose at Primary 6), and >=1983 (two doses at age
      12 months and 12 years), adjusting for other factors including age, parity, body
      mass index, place-of-birth status and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) status.
      FINDINGS: Rubella seronegativity decreased from 12.9%, 10.5%, to 9.8%
      respectively, and correlated inversely (P<0.001) with year-of-birth cohorts.
      Despite similar demographic profiles, this correlation was found only in Hong
      Kong-born women (from 12.6%, 7.5% to 6.5% respectively), who also had significant
      lower incidences of rubella seronegativity (OR 0.73, 0.31 and 0.29 respectively)
      and HBsAg seropositivity (OR 1.09, 0.63 and 0.48 respectively) than China-born
      women. On regression analysis, rubella seronegativity was actually significantly
      increased following the implementation of immunization (aOR 1.20) while it was
      the reverse for non-residents (aOR 0.61). CONCLUSION: Although rubella
      seronegativity decreased with immunization, the effect was less than expected
      when adjusted for other risk factors.

PMID- 26271829
TI  - Reduced dose human papillomavirus vaccination: an update of the current state-of
      the-art.
AB  - Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the primary cause of genital warts, some
      oropharyngeal cancers and anogenital cancers, including cervical, vagina, vulvar,
      anal and penile cancers. Primary prevention of cervical cancer requires the
      prevention of high-risk HPV infections, particularly HPV genotypes 16 and 18.
      Both Gardasil(r) and Cervarix(r) vaccines when administered by a three-dose
      schedule have been demonstrated to be effective against cervical, vulva, and
      vaginal cancer precursors from vaccine genotypes in phase III clinical trials,
      and post-marketing studies; Gardasil(r) vaccine also offers additional protection
      against anal cancer precursors. However, high costs of HPV vaccines and the
      logistics of delivering a three-dose schedule over 6 months are challenging in
      countries with limited resources. Several studies have demonstrated non
      inferiority in antibody response between adolescents (9-15 years old) who
      received two doses (6 months apart) and women (>15 years old) who received the
      standard three-dose schedule. These studies provided evidence for the World
      Health Organization and European Medical Association to revise its recommendation
      to give two instead of three doses of HPV vaccine to adolescents below 15 years
      of age, provided the 2nd dose is given 6 months apart. Although reduced dose
      schedules can alleviate costs and logistics associated with HPV vaccination,
      especially in resource-poor countries, there are still gaps in this area of
      research, particularly regarding long-term protection. This review discusses the
      findings on antibody response and clinical outcomes in studies evaluating reduced
      dose HPV schedules, and highlights the important considerations of its
      implementation. In addition, other important immunological biomarkers that may be
      associated with long-term protection are highlighted and discussed.

PMID- 26271827
TI  - Incidence of medically attended influenza infection and cases averted by
      vaccination, 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 influenza seasons.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We estimated the burden of outpatient influenza and cases prevented
      by vaccination during the 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 influenza seasons using data
      from the United States Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness (US Flu VE) Network.
      METHODS: We defined source populations of persons who could seek care for acute
      respiratory illness (ARI) at each of the five US Flu VE Network sites. We
      identified all members of the source population who were tested for influenza
      during US Flu VE influenza surveillance. Each influenza-positive subject received
      a sampling weight based on the proportion of source population members who were
      tested for influenza, stratified by site, age, and other factors. We used the
      sampling weights to estimate the cumulative incidence of medically attended
      influenza in the source populations. We estimated cases averted by vaccination
      using estimates of cumulative incidence, vaccine coverage, and vaccine
      effectiveness. RESULTS: Cumulative incidence of medically attended influenza
      ranged from 0.8% to 2.8% across sites during 2011/2012 and from 2.6% to 6.5%
      during the 2012/2013 season. Stratified by age, incidence ranged from 1.2% among
      adults 50 years of age and older in 2011/2012 to 10.9% among children 6 months to
      8 years of age in 2012/2013. Cases averted by vaccination ranged from 4 to 41 per
      1000 vaccinees, depending on the study site and year. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence
      of medically attended influenza varies greatly by year and even by geographic
      region within the same year. The number of cases averted by vaccination varies
      greatly based on overall incidence and on vaccine coverage.

PMID- 26271832
TI  - Ethical considerations for designing GBS maternal vaccine efficacy trials in low
      middle income countries.
AB  - Many in the scientific community agree that a randomized, placebo-controlled
      trial would offer the most scientifically rigorous study design for establishing
      the efficacy of a Group B Streptococcus (GBS) vaccine administered to pregnant
      women for the prevention of invasive GBS disease in young infants. There are
      compelling reasons to conduct such a trial in low-middle income countries (LMICs)
      with a high burden of disease, such as South Africa, and to adopt an add-on trial
      design in which participants are randomized to receive the GBS vaccine or placebo
      in addition to the locally available standard of care. Yet there is a
      longstanding debate about whether trials in LMICs should offer participants the
      worldwide best available standard of care. In this article, we examine both the
      risk-benefit profile and the potential for exploitation with an add-on trial
      design in the context of the locally available standard of care in South Africa.
      Our analysis suggests that providing the local standard of care to participants
      in this case may be not only more scientifically valuable but also more ethically
      acceptable than attempting to provide the worldwide best available standard of
      care in the South African setting. Moreover, the example of GBS in the South
      African setting can help to elucidate important ethical considerations for
      determining the acceptability of testing vaccine efficacy in the context of
      locally available rather than the worldwide best available standard of care in
      Phase III trials of other new maternal vaccines. 

PMID- 26271830
TI  - Evaluation of hyaluronic acid-based combination adjuvant containing
      monophosphoryl lipid A and aluminum salt for hepatitis B vaccine.
AB  - Here, monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA) and aluminum salt (Alum) were introduced into
      a hyaluronic acid (HA)-based combination vaccine adjuvant for hepatitis B vaccine
      (HBV). Although Alum is a well-known hepatitis B vaccine adjuvant that induces an
      enhanced humoral immune response, it cannot induce the cellular immune responses.
      On the other hand, MPLA has been generally reported to promote IFN-gamma
      production via antigen-specific CD4(+) T cells, but it is not water soluble as a
      result of its long hydrophobic alkyl chains. To this end, water insoluble MPLA
      could be solubilized in an aqueous solution with the help of HA, which contains
      many carboxyl and hydroxyl groups that can be used to attach to the hydroxyl head
      groups of MPLA via hydrogen bonds. Three groups of mice were treated with either
      hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) alone, HBsAg_Alum complex, or
      HBsAg_Alum_MPLA/HA complex. The group immunized with the HBsAg_Alum_MPLA/HA
      complex exhibited a high increase in cellular immune response as well as in
      humoral immune response relative to the other two groups. The antibody, cytokine
      and T cell levels were most elevated in the group of mice immunized with
      HBsAg_Alum_MPLA/HA complex, even at a 1MUg/mice dose, and the magnitude was still
      maintained even after 8 weeks. Specifically, the antibody value was 120 times
      larger in mice vaccinated with HBsAg_Alum_MPLA/HA complex than in mice vaccinated
      with HBsAg_Alum complex designed similar to commercially available hepatitis B
      vaccine, Engerix B. The cytokine and T cell proliferation levels were 2 times and
      6 times larger in mice adjuvanted with HBsAg_Alum_MPLA/HA complex than in those
      vaccinated with HBsAg_Alum. The results therefore indicate that incorporating
      MPLA and Alum with HA can be a potent strategy to increase both the magnitude and
      the persistence of HBsAg-specific immune responses to protect hosts against
      hepatitis B virus infection. 

PMID- 26271833
TI  - Critical review of current and emerging quantification methods for the
      development of influenza vaccine candidates.
AB  - Significant improvements in production and purification have been achieved since
      the first approved influenza vaccines were administered 75 years ago. Global
      surveillance and fast response have limited the impact of the last pandemic in
      2009. In case of another pandemic, vaccines can be generated within three weeks
      with certain platforms. However, our Achilles heel is at the quantification
      level. Production of reagents for the quantification of new vaccines using the
      SRID, the main method formally approved by regulatory bodies, requires two to
      three months. The impact of such delays can be tragic for vulnerable populations.
      Therefore, efforts have been directed toward developing alternative
      quantification methods, which are sensitive, accurate, easy to implement and
      independent of the availability of specific reagents. The use of newly-developed
      antibodies against a conserved region of hemagglutinin (HA), a surface protein of
      influenza, holds great promises as they are able to recognize multiple subtypes
      of influenza; these new antibodies could be used in immunoassays such as ELISA
      and slot-blot analysis. HA concentration can also be determined using reversed
      phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC), which obviates the need
      for antibodies but still requires a reference standard. The number of viral
      particles can be evaluated using ion-exchange HPLC and techniques based on flow
      cytometry principles, but non-viral vesicles have to be taken into account with
      cellular production platforms. As new production systems are optimized, new
      quantification methods that are adapted to the type of vaccine produced are
      required. The nature of these new-generation vaccines might dictate which
      quantification method to use. In all cases, an alternative method will have to be
      validated against the current SRID assay. A consensus among the scientific
      community would have to be reached so that the adoption of new quantification
      methods would be harmonized between international laboratories. 

PMID- 26271831
TI  - Chitosan-based mucosal adjuvants: Sunrise on the ocean.
AB  - Mucosal vaccination, which is shown to elicit systemic and mucosal immune
      responses, serves as a non-invasive and convenient alternative to parenteral
      administration, with stronger capability in combatting diseases at the site of
      entry. The exploration of potent mucosal adjuvants is emerging as a significant
      area, based on the continued necessity to amplify the immune responses to a wide
      array of antigens that are poorly immunogenic at the mucosal sites. As one of the
      inspirations from the ocean, chitosan-based mucosal adjuvants have been developed
      with unique advantages, such as, ability of mucosal adhesion, distinct trait of
      opening the junctions to allow the paracellular transport of antigen, good
      tolerability and biocompatibility, which guaranteed the great potential in
      capitalizing on their application in human clinical trials. In this review, the
      state of art of chitosan and its derivatives as mucosal adjuvants, including
      thermo-sensitive chitosan system as mucosal adjuvant that were newly developed by
      author's group, was described, as well as the clinical application perspective.
      After a brief introduction of mucosal adjuvants, chitosan and its derivatives as
      robust immune potentiator were discussed in detail and depth, in regard to the
      metabolism, safety profile, mode of actions and preclinical and clinical
      applications, which may shed light on the massive clinical application of
      chitosan as mucosal adjuvant. 

PMID- 26271834
TI  - Extension of the celiac intestinal antibody (CIA) pattern through eight antibody
      assessments in fecal supernatants from patients with celiac disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Detection of anti-transglutaminase, anti-endomysium and anti-gliadin
      antibodies is commonly used to screen celiac disease patients. Besides that in
      serum, these antibodies are detectable in culture supernatants of oral, duodenal
      and colonic biopsy samples, saliva, gut lavage fluid samples, and fecal
      supernatants. Our aim was to extend the intestinal antibody pattern in fecal
      supernatants from patients with celiac disease. METHODS: The fecal supernatants
      obtained from 25 celiac disease patients and 12 healthy volunteers were used to
      determine IgA and IgG1 anti-endomysium by immunofluorescence analysis, IgA and
      IgG anti-transglutaminase, IgA and IgG anti-deamidated gliadin peptides, IgA/IgG
      anti-transglutaminase/deamidated gliadin peptides and IgA anti-actin by enzyme
      linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: IgA anti-endomysium were found in 11 of 25
      (44.0%) celiac disease patients and in none of healthy volunteers (p=0.0066). The
      levels of IgA anti-transglutaminase, IgA anti-deamidated gliadin peptides,
      IgA/IgG anti-transglutaminase/deamidated gliadin peptides and IgA anti-actin
      determined in celiac disease patients were significantly higher (p=0.0005,
      p=0.0018, p=0.0061 and p=0.0477, respectively) than those measured in healthy
      volunteers. The ROC curve analysis showed a diagnostic significance in IgA anti
      transglutaminase (AUC=0.862, p<0.0001), IgA anti-deamidated gliadin peptides
      (AUC=0.822, p<0.0001) and IgA/IgG anti-transglutaminase/deamidated gliadin
      peptides (AUC=0.783, p=0.0003) fecal tests. CONCLUSIONS: Our data extend the
      intestinal antibody pattern detectable in fecal supernatants, thus increasing the
      knowledge in the humoral immunity of celiac disease. Further studies are needed
      to better evaluate the role of fecal antibody tests in identifying celiac disease
      patients.

PMID- 26271836
TI  - The transition from fellowship: much ado about quality.

PMID- 26271835
TI  - The history of China's maternal and child health care development.
AB  - The history of maternal and child health (MCH) development in China can be
      divided into six stages: before 1949 when the People's Republic of China was
      founded, traditional Chinese medicine shielded women's and children's health
      while modern medicine began to bud; 1949-1966, the MCH system was established and
      gradually improved; 1966-1976, the decade of the Cultural Revolution, the road to
      improve MCH twisted and turned along with the political instability; 1976-1990,
      especially after the "Reform" and "Opening Up", China's MCH care had been booming
      and the MCH status continued to improve with the rapid social and economic
      development; 1990-2008, with the booming economy, MCH care gained increasingly
      national and international attention. Through improving legislation and
      investment, China made great strides in the improvement of MCH. After 2009, the
      comprehensive health care reform laid an institutional basis for the development
      of MCH and promotion of health equity. 

PMID- 26271837
TI  - The Misunderstood Asthma of Theodore Roosevelt.
AB  - In this special article, we examine the asthma of President Theodore "TR"
      Roosevelt (1858-1919). Through a comprehensive review of thousands of source
      documents, and a modern understanding of asthma, we examine several
      misunderstandings, including the longstanding assertion that TR's illness was
      "psychosomatic." TR's respiratory problems began in early childhood, and the
      historical record provides strong evidence for poorly controlled, persistent
      asthma. Like many patients, his asthma entered a relatively quiescent stage
      during adolescence, coincident with initiation of a vigorous exercise program
      when TR was 12 years old. Nevertheless, TR continued to suffer serious asthma
      exacerbations, both in adolescence and adulthood. Although psychosocial issues
      affect most chronic diseases, there is little (if any) support for assertions
      that TR's asthma was psychosomatic. We believe that TR's childhood struggles with
      asthma, and the misconception that he vanquished his illness through exercise,
      were experiences that profoundly affected his worldview. TR is known for his
      appreciation of life's struggles and for a bedrock belief that people can create
      major change with sufficient motivation and hard work. In different ways,
      misunderstandings about asthma contributed to the early development of these
      personal characteristics. Together with later experiences, they contributed to a
      lifetime of action that changed modern history.

PMID- 26271838
TI  - Clinical Characterization of LRPAP1-Related Pediatric High Myopia.

PMID- 26271840
TI  - Whole Exome Profiling of Ocular Surface Squamous Neoplasia.

PMID- 26271839
TI  - Five-Year Clinical Trial on Atropine for the Treatment of Myopia 2: Myopia
      Control with Atropine 0.01% Eyedrops.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare the safety and efficacy of different concentrations of
      atropine eyedrops in controlling myopia progression over 5 years. DESIGN:
      Randomized, double-masked clinical trial. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 400 children
      originally randomized to receive atropine 0.5%, 0.1%, or 0.01% once daily in both
      eyes in a 2:2:1 ratio. METHODS: Children received atropine for 24 months (phase
      1), after which medication was stopped for 12 months (phase 2). Children who had
      myopia progression (>=-0.50 diopters [D] in at least 1 eye) during phase 2 were
      restarted on atropine 0.01% for a further 24 months (phase 3). MAIN OUTCOME
      MEASURES: Change in spherical equivalent and axial length over 5 years. RESULTS:
      There was a dose-related response in phase 1 with a greater effect in higher
      doses, but an inverse dose-related increase in myopia during phase 2 (washout),
      resulting in atropine 0.01% being most effective in reducing myopia progression
      at 3 years. Some 24%, 59%, and 68% of children originally in the atropine 0.01%,
      0.1%, and 0.5% groups, respectively, who progressed in phase 2 were restarted on
      atropine 0.01%. Younger children and those with greater myopic progression in
      year 1 were more likely to require re-treatment. The lower myopia progression in
      the 0.01% group persisted during phase 3, with overall myopia progression and
      change in axial elongation at the end of 5 years being lowest in this group (
      1.38+/-0.98 D; 0.75+/-0.48 mm) compared with the 0.1% (-1.83+/-1.16 D, P = 0.003;
      0.85+/-0.53 mm, P = 0.144) and 0.5% (-1.98+/-1.10 D, P < 0.001; 0.87+/-0.49 mm, P
      = 0.075) groups. Atropine 0.01% also caused minimal pupil dilation (0.8 mm),
      minimal loss of accommodation (2-3 D), and no near visual loss compared with
      higher doses. CONCLUSIONS: Over 5 years, atropine 0.01% eyedrops were more
      effective in slowing myopia progression with less visual side effects compared
      with higher doses of atropine.

PMID- 26271841
TI  - The First 100 Eyes of Standardized Descemet Stripping Automated Endothelial
      Keratoplasty versus Standardized Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare results of the first 100 eyes of Descemet stripping automated
      endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) and Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty
      (DMEK) that were performed with a standardized technique at a single institution.
      DESIGN: Single-center, retrospective case series. PARTICIPANTS: The first 100
      eyes of standardized DSAEK and DMEK that underwent surgery for Fuchs corneal
      dystrophy at our center. We excluded patients with prior ocular surgery other
      than cataract surgery to limit confounding variables. METHODS: Best spectacle
      corrected visual acuity (BSCVA; in logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution
      [logMAR] units) was obtained and specular microscopy of donor corneal tissue was
      performed before surgery. Postoperative complications, BSCVA, and the percent of
      endothelial cell loss (ECL) recorded at 6 months were compared with the Student t
      test. Patients with pre-existing ocular comorbidity that impacted visual
      potential such as macular degeneration, amblyopia, advanced glaucoma, and other
      optic neuropathies were excluded from the analysis of visual acuity, but were
      included for the outcomes of complications and ECL. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Visual
      acuity improvement, ECL 6 months after surgery, postoperative complications,
      iatrogenic primary graft failure (IPGF), and rebubbling. RESULTS: Of the 200
      eyes, 62 DSAEK eyes and 70 DMEK eyes had 6-month BSCVA available and no vision
      limiting comorbidities. Mean BSCVA increased from 0.41+/-0.19 logMAR and 0.27+/
      0.11 logMAR before surgery to 0.20+/-0.13 logMAR and 0.11+/-0.13 logMAR 6 months
      after DSAEK and DMEK, respectively (P<0.001). Seventy-one DSAEK eyes and 70 DMEK
      eyes had 6-month ECL data available: ECL was 25.9+/-14.0% after DSAEK and 27.9+/
      16.0% after DMEK (P=0.38). There were no IPGFs in the DSAEK cohort and there were
      4 of 100 IPGFs after DMEK (P=0.12). Rebubbling was performed in 2 of 100 eyes
      after DSAEK and in 6 of 100 eyes after DMEK (P=0.28). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with
      DSAEK, DMEK provided better visual recovery and comparable 6-month ECL. The DMEK
      group had a higher, although not statistically significant, percentage of
      rebubbling procedures and IPGFs.

PMID- 26271842
TI  - Factors Associated with Recurrence of Age-Related Macular Degeneration after Anti
      Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Treatment: A Retrospective Cohort Study.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the predictive factors associated with recurrence after
      anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment for neovascular age
      related macular degeneration (AMD). DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study.
      PARTICIPANTS: A total of 343 eyes of 326 patients with subfoveal neovascular AMD
      who were treated with an as-needed regimen after 3 monthly loading doses of
      intravitreal ranibizumab. METHODS: Patients were followed up by an as-needed
      regimen for more than 1 year after the first injection. Baseline data and CFH
      I62V and ARMS2 A69S polymorphisms were analyzed for their association with
      recurrence after anti-VEGF treatment. Regression analysis was used to identify
      independent predictors of visual acuity (VA) prognosis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
      The primary end point was the presence or absence of recurrence. The secondary
      end point was VA improvement. RESULTS: In total, 236 eyes (68.8%) showed complete
      resolution of retinal exudative change after the 3 loading injections, and 81
      eyes (34.3%) experienced no recurrence during the first year. Of the 236 eyes,
      139 (58.9%) were followed for more than 2 years and 35 (25.2%) showed no
      recurrent retinal exudation during 24 months. Visual acuity improvement was
      significantly better in eyes without recurrence than in eyes with recurrence
      during the 2-year period. Baseline characteristics and genotypes had no influence
      on response to ranibizumab loading treatment. Stepwise analysis revealed that age
      (P<0.001), subtype of AMD (P=0.041), and VA at baseline (P<0.001) were associated
      with VA at 24 months. Older patients (P=0.006) and male patients (P=0.018) tended
      to require re-treatment for recurrence during the first year, yet the statistical
      significance disappeared when evaluated in 2 years. The subtypes of neovascular
      AMD were solely associated with the interval to the recurrence, which was shorter
      in eyes with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) than in eyes with typical
      AMD (P=0.015). CONCLUSIONS: Older age and male sex may predict recurrence after 3
      monthly ranibizumab injections, and PCV may be associated with shorter interval
      to recurrence. Predicting the risk of recurrence would help us to choose the most
      appropriate follow-up treatment strategy for patients with AMD.

PMID- 26271844
TI  - The good old new old days.

PMID- 26271845
TI  - Prescriptions and drugs: A new generation.

PMID- 26271846
TI  - Erratum.

PMID- 26271847
TI  - Fix a jaw off the floor.

PMID- 26271848
TI  - Patient safety: Cochlear implants.

PMID- 26271849
TI  - Continuing development: The blame game.

PMID- 26271851
TI  - Feature: Why am I feeling stressed?

PMID- 26271843
TI  - Corneal Changes in Children after Unilateral Cataract Surgery in the Infant
      Aphakia Treatment Study.
AB  - PURPOSE: We report endothelial cell (EC) characteristics and central corneal
      thickness (CCT) from the Infant Aphakia Treatment Study (IATS) patients at the 5
      year examination. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled trial of the treatment of
      unilateral cataract with aphakic contact lens (CL) versus primary intraocular
      lens (IOL) implant. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 114 infants with unilateral
      cataract. METHODS: The EC density, coefficient of variation (CV), and percent
      hexagonal cells were measured by noncontact specular microscopy. The CCT was
      measured using contact pachymetry. Fellow eyes served as controls. MAIN OUTCOME
      MEASURES: Mean differences between treated and fellow eyes of CL and IOL groups
      were compared with a paired t test. A 1-way analysis of variance model and the
      Tukey-Kramer multiple comparison procedure were used to assess the effect of a
      diagnosis of glaucoma or glaucoma suspect. RESULTS: A total of 105 subjects (52
      with CLs, 53 with IOLs) had specular microscopy or corneal thickness data
      recorded. Mean EC densities were higher in aphakic eyes compared with fellow eyes
      (3921 vs. 3495 cells/mm2, P<0.0001). Mean CV was higher (27 vs. 24, P=0.0002) and
      mean percent hexagonal cells was lower (72% vs. 76%, P=0.002) in aphakic eyes
      compared with fellow eyes. Mean CCT of aphakic eyes was higher than in controls
      (637 vs. 563 MUm, P<0.0001). There was no difference in EC density in eyes
      treated with IOLs compared with fellow eyes (3445 and 3487 cells/mm2, P=0.68).
      Means for CV (25 vs. 24, P=0.07) and percent hexagonal cells (74 vs. 76%, P=0.27)
      were also not significantly different. Mean CCT was higher in eyes with IOLs (605
      vs. 571 MUm, P<0.0001) compared with fellow eyes. Compared with treated eyes
      without glaucoma or glaucoma suspect, treated eyes with glaucoma had lower EC
      density (3289 vs. 3783 cells/mm2, P=0.03) and treated eyes with glaucoma suspect
      had greater mean corneal thickness (660 vs. 612 MUm, P=0.0036). CONCLUSIONS:
      Cataract extraction during infancy with IOL implantation was not associated with
      a reduced EC count in treated compared with fellow eyes, although CCT was
      increased. Extended-wear aphakic CLs may cause corneal polymegathism with
      increased EC density and CCT. Glaucoma diagnosis was associated with reduced EC
      counts and increased CCT.

PMID- 26271850
TI  - In practice: Alveolar nerve injuries.

PMID- 26271852
TI  - We need your help.

PMID- 26271855
TI  - A day in the life: At the centre of innovation.

PMID- 26271854
TI  - Summer lecture: Looking to the future at the Anniversary Lecture.

PMID- 26271858
TI  - Parental knowledge gap leaving NHS with L22M early dental care bill.

PMID- 26271860
TI  - 'A good relationship and good communication are not sufficient for patient
      centred care'.

PMID- 26271861
TI  - NHS Health Checks in a primary care dental setting - an opportunity for the
      profession to maximise uptake for public health partners?
AB  - This opinion piece considers an opportunity for primary dental care practitioners
      to work in partnership with public health teams to maximise the uptake of the NHS
      Health Check. Public Health England and Local Authority partners remain committed
      to offering the NHS Health Check to those aged 40-74 years old. The programme
      previously explored alternative points of delivery - such as community
      pharmacists. This piece discusses and reflects on the efforts within Manchester
      to use skill mix in primary dental care services and widen access to target
      individuals eligible for an NHS Health Check. The pilot schemes in Manchester
      illustrated the willingness and enthusiasm for primary care dentists to embrace
      change and work alongside new partners to deliver patient benefit beyond the
      provision of dental care. However, substantial barriers to implementation
      prevented the desired level of progress. 

PMID- 26271862
TI  - Are e-cigarettes a gateway to smoking or a pathway to quitting?
AB  - Over recent years there has been a massive increase in the usage of electronic
      cigarettes (e-cigs) by the general public. There are mixed views regarding the
      safety and efficacy of e-cigs, even among healthcare professionals. While some
      individuals view e-cigs as a public health concern, others recommend them as a
      safe alternative to conventional cigarettes for smokers who are willing to quit.
      Since e-cigs are a new phenomena, many clinicians are unaware of their impact on
      users (known as vapers), who may seek medical advice regarding their use. This
      clinical review aims to educate healthcare professionals regarding the advantages
      and disadvantages of e-cigarettes and to discuss whether e-cigarettes help users
      quit smoking or whether they renormalise smoking. This article will describe the
      contents of e-cigs and how they are used, the history, advantages, disadvantages
      and then balance the positive and negative aspects of their use. Due to the lack
      of long-term follow up of the health effects of e-cigarettes, caution is advised
      with their use.

PMID- 26271868
TI  - Blood investigations prior to oral surgery for suspected alcohol-induced
      coagulopathy. Are they necessary?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the current practice of pre-oral surgery haematological
      investigation in patients with disclosed regular and prolonged high alcohol
      consumption above the national recommendation for coagulopathy due to potential
      alcohol induced liver impairment. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of data.Setting
      University of Bristol Dental Hospital, United Kingdom, 2013.Subjects Adults (over
      16 years old) with a reported high alcohol intake with no history of non-alcohol
      related liver impairment or pre-existing coagulopathy.Main outcome measures
      Alcohol and bleeding history recorded, haematology test requested with results
      and actions for abnormal results. RESULTS: From a sample size of 58 patients,
      75.9% of cases had their alcohol intake recorded; only 10.3% of cases had the
      duration of drinking recorded. Bleeding history was recorded in 82.9% of cases to
      which 6.9% of cases had a positive bleeding history. The most common combination
      of tests requested was full blood count, coagulation screen and liver function
      test. In 46.6% of cases, results were out of range - in all cases but 1, the
      patients abnormal haematology results were not followed up further. CONCLUSION:
      It was found that 1.7% of cases met the locally agreed standard (from best
      available evidence) that haematology requests, including full blood count and
      coagulation screen, should only be undertaken in those with disclosed high
      alcohol intake and positive bleeding history. A consistent bleeding history and
      alcohol intake should always be documented thoroughly.

PMID- 26271869
TI  - A randomised clinical study to evaluate the efficacy of alcohol-free or alcohol
      containing mouthrinses with chlorhexidine on gingival bleeding.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Gingival bleeding following twice-daily use of 0.2% w/v chlorhexidine
      digluconate mouthrinse with and without alcohol (0.2% CHX-alcohol; 0.2% CHX
      alcohol-free, respectively) and brushing with a standard fluoride toothpaste was
      compared to brushing alone. METHODS: Three hundred and nineteen subjects with
      mild-to-moderate gingivitis (with >=16 gradable permanent teeth including four
      molars, bleeding after brushing and >=20 bleeding sites) completed this
      randomised, examiner-blinded, parallel-group study. A prophylaxis was performed
      at baseline. Gingival Severity Index (GSI; primary objective), Gingival Index
      (GI) and Plaque Index (PI) were assessed at baseline and after 6 weeks of
      treatment. Adverse events (AEs) were recorded throughout the study. RESULTS:
      Between treatment differences at week 6 demonstrated significantly lower GSI for
      the 0.2% CHX-alcohol and 0.2% CHX-alcohol-free groups compared to brushing alone
      (primary endpoint; treatment difference -0.061 [95% CI -0.081, -0.041] and -0.070
      [95% CI -0.090, -0.050], respectively; both p <0.0001). There were also
      significant reductions in GI and PI for the 0.2% CHX-alcohol and 0.2% CHX-alcohol
      free groups compared to brushing alone (all p <0.0001). The proportion of
      subjects reporting >=1 treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) was 27.8% (0.2%
      CHX-alcohol), 24.8% (0.2% CHX-alcohol-free) and 3.7% (brushing alone).
      CONCLUSIONS: Chlorhexidine mouthrinse with or without alcohol as an adjunct to
      brushing with regular fluoride toothpaste significantly reduces bleeding scores,
      plaque and gingival inflammation compared to brushing alone. TRAEs are
      characteristic of those associated with the use of chlorhexidine and are similar
      for both mouthrinses.

PMID- 26271870
TI  - Perception of studying dental law and ethics among postgraduate dental students
      in the UK.
AB  - Law and ethics is an integral part of medical and dental professional practice.
      The subject is touched upon in the undergraduate curriculum. Historically,
      dentists interested in postgraduate study in this subject have accessed courses
      on medical law and ethics. While there are areas of shared interest (for example,
      consent, confidentiality) there are differences in emphasis and content (for
      example, end of life care, organ transplants, etc) which are not relevant to
      dentistry. A new postgraduate certificate (PgCert) course was approved by the
      University of Bedfordshire designed specifically for dental practitioners, making
      it the only university accredited course in the UK that is specific to dental
      staff. Students' perception of the subject of dental law and ethics at a
      postgraduate level was not known. The first PgCert student cohort was assessed at
      the start and the end of the course using two questionnaires. Sixteen students,
      all qualified dental practitioners working in the UK, took part. The perception
      toward the subject of dental law and ethics was in-line with the current
      guideline and regulations governing the dental profession. Perception of dental
      law was clearer at the end of the course compared to the beginning while dental
      ethics remained a challenging subject. 

PMID- 26271871
TI  - Smart dental practice: capitalising on smart mobile technology.
AB  - To keep pace with consumer adoption of smart mobile devices, such as smartphones
      and tablets, and the applications ('apps') developed for these devices, dental
      professionals should consider how this technology could be used to simultaneously
      improve both patient service experiences and dental practice management. Using U
      Commerce as a theoretical lens, this article discusses the potential value of
      smart mobile technology to the dental practice context, with a particular focus
      on the unique and customisable capabilities of apps. To take full advantage of
      this technology, a process is outlined for identifying and designing bespoke
      dental apps that takes into account the unique advantages of these devices.
      Dental practices, with increasing financial and competitive pressures, may
      improve the efficiency and profitability of operations and better manage
      patients, employees and stakeholders by integrating smart mobile technology. 

PMID- 26271883
TI  - Simon Edward Lewis.

PMID- 26271884
TI  - Brian Birkett.

PMID- 26271885
TI  - A national survey of the public's views on quality in dental care.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is a lack of evidence and poor understanding of quality
      measurement and improvement in dentistry. The aim of this study was to undertake
      a nationally representative survey of the public in England to explore their
      views on the meaning of quality in dentistry. METHODS: A cross sectional survey
      of the adult population (18 years and over) of England was undertaken. A sample
      size of 500 was set to provide a precision to plus or minus 5% after allowing for
      item non-response. A quota sampling approach was used, with predetermined quotas
      set for sex, age, working status and tenure to ensure the sample was nationally
      representative. Question selection and design were informed by the literature and
      a series of interviews with the public. Simple content analysis was used to
      identify themes in the responses to open questions. Dental service use, gender,
      age, ethnicity and social class were recorded. Frequency distributions were
      computed and outputs were cross-tabulated with various population sub-group
      categories. RESULTS: Five hundred and thirteen people were interviewed.
      Approximately 20% of patients reported that their care was suboptimal; a third
      thought it was poor value for money and 20% did not trust their dentist. Good
      interpersonal communication, politeness and being put at ease were the most
      important factors that elicited positive responses. Negative factors were cost of
      care and waiting times. In making an assessment of quality, access (40% of all
      responses), technical quality of care (35%), professionalism (30%),
      hygiene/cleanliness (30%), staff attitude (27%), pain-free treatment (23%), value
      for money (22%), and staff putting patients at ease (21%) all emerged as
      important factors. CONCLUSIONS: Quality in dentistry is multi-dimensional in
      nature, and includes different elements and emphases to other areas of
      healthcare. The results will inform the development of a measure of quality in
      dentistry.

PMID- 26271886
TI  - Differential regulation of angiotensin converting enzyme 2 and nuclear factor
      kappaB by angiotensin II receptor subtypes in type 2 diabetic kidney.
AB  - Angiotensin II (Ang II) acts through Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE)/Ang II
      type 1 receptor (AT1R) axis to promote renal failure whereas the Ang II type 2
      receptor (AT2R)/Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2)/Ang1-7/Mas axis
      constitutes the protective arm of Renin Angiotensin System (RAS). Though Ang II
      has been known to activate the Nuclear Factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) signalling
      pathway through different receptor subtype(s) in different tissues under various
      diseases, the subtype orchestrating this stimulation in type 2 diabetic kidney
      remains elusive. ACE2, a protective monocarboxypeptidase, responsible for
      conversion of Ang II to Ang1-7, opposes the deleterious effects of RAS pathway
      but how its expression is altered with blockade of AT1R and AT2R is not yet
      known. Hence, the present study was conceived to understand the regulation of NF
      kappaB and ACE2 by using specific AT1 and AT2 receptor antagonists in non-genetic
      model of type 2 diabetic nephropathy. Our results show that the AT1R and AT2R
      antagonists lead to the repression and activation of NF-kappaB signalling
      pathway, respectively which suggests the role of AT1R in NF-kappaB activation.
      The blockade of AT2R led to an increase in ACE2 expression, which may be a
      compensatory response to the drastically increased inflammatory mediators and
      oxidative stress in the diabetic kidney. To the best of our knowledge, this is
      the first study showing the differential regulation of NF-kappaB and ACE2 by Ang
      II receptor subtypes and thus this study improves our understanding regarding
      regulation of inflammatory cascade and ACE2 by AT1R and AT2R in type 2 diabetic
      kidney, which may help in designing novel strategies to combat the disease in
      future. 

PMID- 26271887
TI  - Behavioral and thyroid effects of in utero and lactational exposure of Sprague
      Dawley rats to the polybrominated diphenyl ether mixture DE71.
AB  - Exposure of rodents during gestation and lactation to polybrominated diphenyl
      ethers (PBDEs) has been reported to disrupt neurobehavioral function in
      offspring, as well as to disrupt thyroid function. To assess this we evaluated
      development and behavior after gestational and lactational exposure to the
      technical PBDE mixture DE71. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to 0, 0.3,
      3.0 or 30 mg/kg/day of DE71 from gestation day 1 to postnatal day (PND) 21 and
      were assessed on a wide range of behavioral functions from early postnatal period
      until old age (PND 450). DE71 exposure decreased thyroid hormone levels (T3 and
      T4) in mothers and offspring with offspring being more sensitive that mothers.
      Developmental landmarks, neuromotor function, anxiety, learning and memory were
      not affected by DE71 at any age. DE71 produced small changes in motor activity
      rearing only at PND 110 but not at any other age and no other activity measure
      was altered by DE71. Cholinergic sensitivity measured by nicotine-stimulated
      motor activity was not affected by perinatal DE71 exposure. Acoustic startle
      responses were potentiated by DE71 at PND 90 indicating delayed effects on
      sensory reactivity. Habituation was measured in motor activity tests at five ages
      but was not altered by DE71 at any age. Habituation measured in startle tests was
      also not affected by exposure to DE71. For thyroid hormone levels at PND 21, the
      lowest adverse effect level was 3.0 mg/kg. Few behavioral effects were observed
      and the lowest adverse effect level was 30 mg/kg. Our results confirm that DE71
      produces transient effects on thyroid hormone levels but does not result in
      learning or motor impairment and does not alter non-associative learning
      (habituation).

PMID- 26271889
TI  - Smartphone ECG aids real time diagnosis of palpitations in the competitive
      college athlete.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Rapidly detecting dangerous arrhythmias in a symptomatic athlete
      continues to be an elusive goal. The use of handheld smartphone electrocardiogram
      (ECG) monitors could represent a helpful tool connecting the athletic trainer to
      the cardiologist. OBSERVATIONS: Six college athletes presented to their athletic
      trainers complaining of palpitations during exercise. A single lead ECG was
      performed using the AliveCor Heart Monitor and sent wirelessly to the Team
      Cardiologist who confirmed an absence of dangerous arrhythmia. CONCLUSIONS AND
      RELEVANCE: AliveCor monitoring has the potential to enhance evaluation of
      symptomatic athletes by allowing trainers and team physicians to make diagnosis
      in real-time and facilitate faster return to play.

PMID- 26271888
TI  - Prenatal and childhood polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) exposure and
      attention and executive function at 9-12 years of age.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: California children's exposures to polybrominated diphenyl ether flame
      retardants (PBDEs) are among the highest measured worldwide. We previously
      reported associations for prenatal and childhood PBDE exposures with decrements
      in attention, processing speed, fine motor coordination, and cognition in
      children at ages 5 and 7 years. Here, we investigate associations of PBDEs with
      attention and executive function at ages 9 to 12 years in the expanded CHAMACOS
      cohort. METHODS: We measured PBDEs in prenatal and child age 9 year serum samples
      for families enrolled in the study since pregnancy ("CHAM1", N=321). In a
      subsequent cohort for which families were enrolled at child age 9 ("CHAM2",
      N=301), we measured PBDEs in maternal and child samples collected at child age 9,
      and used predictive modeling to estimate prenatal exposure levels. We examined
      associations of measured and estimated PBDE concentrations on children's
      attention and executive functioning at ages 9, 101/2, and 12 years. RESULTS:
      Geometric means for prenatal and childhood SigmaPBDE levels (sum of PBDE-47, -99,
      -100, -153) for the expanded CHAMACOS cohort were 26.3 and 63.2 ng/g lipid,
      respectively, and did not differ significantly between CHAM1 and CHAM2 families.
      We found consistent associations of prenatal exposure to PBDEs with poorer
      attention and executive function, measured with parent report and direct
      neuropsychological testing of the child. For example, using GEE models of
      repeated outcome measures at ages 9 and 12, a 10-fold increase in prenatal
      SigmaPBDE was associated with poorer response consistency on the Conners'
      Continuous Performance Test II (beta=2.9; 95% CI: 0.9, 4.8) and poorer working
      memory on the Behavioral Rating Inventory of Executive Function (beta=2.5; 95%
      CI: 0.5, 4.4). Child age 9 SigmaPBDE levels were associated with poorer parent
      reported attention and executive function for girls but not boys. CONCLUSIONS:
      Our results suggest that the prefrontal cortex may be a potential target for PBDE
      exposure and add to a growing literature showing that these ubiquitous toxicants
      may adversely affect neurodevelopment.

PMID- 26271891
TI  - On the Bayesness, minimaxity and admissibility of point estimators of allelic
      frequencies.
AB  - In this paper, decision theory was used to derive Bayes and minimax decision
      rules to estimate allelic frequencies and to explore their admissibility.
      Decision rules with uniformly smallest risk usually do not exist and one approach
      to solve this problem is to use the Bayes principle and the minimax principle to
      find decision rules satisfying some general optimality criterion based on their
      risk functions. Two cases were considered, the simpler case of biallelic loci and
      the more complex case of multiallelic loci. For each locus, the sampling model
      was a multinomial distribution and the prior was a Beta (biallelic case) or a
      Dirichlet (multiallelic case) distribution. Three loss functions were considered:
      squared error loss (SEL), Kulback-Leibler loss (KLL) and quadratic error loss
      (QEL). Bayes estimators were derived under these three loss functions and were
      subsequently used to find minimax estimators using results from decision theory.
      The Bayes estimators obtained from SEL and KLL turned out to be the same. Under
      certain conditions, the Bayes estimator derived from QEL led to an admissible
      minimax estimator (which was also equal to the maximum likelihood estimator). The
      SEL also allowed finding admissible minimax estimators. Some estimators had
      uniformly smaller variance than the MLE and under suitable conditions the
      remaining estimators also satisfied this property. In addition to their
      statistical properties, the estimators derived here allow variation in allelic
      frequencies, which is closer to the reality of finite populations exposed to
      evolutionary forces. 

PMID- 26271890
TI  - Continuum model of T-cell avidity: Understanding autoreactive and regulatory T
      cell responses in type 1 diabetes.
AB  - Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease that results from the destruction
      of insulin-secreting pancreatic beta cells, leading to abolition of insulin
      secretion and onset of diabetes. Cytotoxic CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells, activated
      by antigen presenting cells (APCs), are both implicated in disease onset and
      progression. Regulatory T cells (Tregs), on the other hand, play a leading role
      in regulating immunological tolerance and resistant homoeostasis in T1D by
      suppressing effector T cells (Teffs). Recent data indicates that after
      activation, conventional Teffs transiently produce interleukin IL-2, a cytokine
      that acts as a growth factor for both Teffs and Tregs. Tregs suppress Teffs
      through IL-2 deprivation, competition and Teff conversion into inducible Tregs
      (iTregs). To investigate the interactions of these components during T1D
      progression, a mathematical model of T-cell dynamics is developed as a predictor
      of beta-cell loss, with the underlying hypothesis that avidity of Teffs and
      Tregs, i.e., the binding affinity of T-cell receptors to peptide-major
      histocompatibility complexes on host cells, is continuum. The model is used to
      infer a set of criteria that determines susceptibility to T1D in high risk
      subjects. Our findings show that diabetes onset is guided by the absence of Treg
      to-Teff dominance at specific high avidities, rather than over the whole range of
      avidity, and that the lack of overall dominance of Teffs-to-Tregs over time is
      the underlying cause of the "honeymoon period", the remission phase observed in
      some T1D patients. The model also suggests that competition between Teffs and
      Tregs is more effective than Teff-induction into iTregs in suppressing Teffs, and
      that a prolonged full width at half maximum of IL-2 release is a necessary
      condition for curbing disease onset. Finally, the model provides a rationale for
      observing rapid and slow progressors of T1D based on modest heterogeneity in the
      kinetic parameters.

PMID- 26271892
TI  - Current Science on Consumer Use of Mobile Health for Cardiovascular Disease
      Prevention: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association.

PMID- 26271893
TI  - The IL-33/ST2 axis: Role in health and disease.
AB  - IL-33, an IL-1 family member, is expressed by many cell types and can regulate
      gene transcription. IL-33 is released upon cell necrosis and the precursor form
      is enzymatically processed, and then drives inflammation as a damage-associated
      molecular pattern. The IL-33 receptor ST2, encoded by IL1RL1, is expressed as
      both a membrane-anchored receptor (ST2L) activated by IL-33, and as a soluble
      variant (sST2) that exhibits anti-inflammatory properties. The IL-33/ST2 axis is
      involved in the pathogenesis of atopic and autoimmune diseases, cancer, and
      central nervous system disorders. Here, we review recent findings on the role of
      the IL-33/ST2 axis in health and disease. 

PMID- 26271894
TI  - Hydrogen-rich water attenuates amyloid beta-induced cytotoxicity through
      upregulation of Sirt1-FoxO3a by stimulation of AMP-activated protein kinase in SK
      N-MC cells.
AB  - Amyloid beta (Abeta) peptides are identified in cause of neurodegenerative
      diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Previous evidence suggests Abeta
      induced neurotoxicity is linked to the stimulation of reactive oxygen species
      (ROS) production. The accumulation of Abeta-induced ROS leads to increased
      mitochondrial dysfunction and triggers apoptotic cell death. This suggests
      antioxidant therapies may be beneficial for preventing ROS-related diseases such
      as AD. Recently, hydrogen-rich water (HRW) has been proven effective in treating
      oxidative stress-induced disorders because of its ROS-scavenging abilities.
      However, the precise molecular mechanisms whereby HRW prevents neuronal death are
      still unclear. In the present study, we evaluated the putative pathways by which
      HRW protects against Abeta-induced cytotoxicity. Our results indicated that HRW
      directly counteracts oxidative damage by neutralizing excessive ROS, leading to
      the alleviation of Abeta-induced cell death. In addition, HRW also stimulated AMP
      activated protein kinase (AMPK) in a sirtuin 1 (Sirt1)-dependent pathway, which
      upregulates forkhead box protein O3a (FoxO3a) downstream antioxidant response and
      diminishes Abeta-induced mitochondrial potential loss and oxidative stress. Taken
      together, our findings suggest that HRW may have potential therapeutic value to
      inhibit Abeta-induced neurotoxicity. 

PMID- 26271895
TI  - Wif1 and Ifitm3 gene expression preferentially altered in the colon mucosa of
      benzo[a]pyrene pre-treated mice following exposure to dextran sulfate sodium.
AB  - Benzo[a]pyrene (BP) is highly mutagenic and yet does not lead to tumor
      development in the murine colon. We recently reported the generation of colonic
      tumors one week after treatment with BP followed by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS),
      a colitis-inducer. In this BP/DSS model, male CD2F1 mice were treated orally with
      BP at 125 mg/kg/day for 5 days, followed by 4% DSS in drinking water for one
      week. There has been no report so far on the molecular mechanisms involved in
      tumor development in this model. In the present study, we performed global gene
      expression analysis on the colonic mucosae obtained from BP-exposed mice one week
      after treatment with DSS and those treated with the vehicle, BP, or DSS alone.
      Global gene expression analysis revealed that there were 563 genes preferentially
      altered (>=2-fold vs vehicle group) in the colonic mucosae exposed to both BP and
      DSS. Furthermore, comparative gene expression analysis combined with Ingenuity
      Pathway AnalysisTM identified 2 genes associated with Wnt/beta-catenin signaling
      pathway that were preferentially up-regulated (>=2-fold vs vehicle group) when BP
      and DSS were treated in combination in the distal part (site of predilection for
      tumor induction) of the colonic mucosae, especially in colonic tumors: WNT
      inhibitory factor 1 (Wif1; 14.6-fold increase) and interferon induced membrane
      protein 3 (Ifitm3; 5.7-fold increase). In colonic tumors, expression of Wif1 and
      Ifitm3 proteins were both confirmed by western blot analysis. These findings
      suggest that these genes are associated with rapid induction of colonic tumors in
      mice after exposure to BP/DSS, providing insights into the mechanisms of the
      BP/DSS short-term colon carcinogenesis. 

PMID- 26271896
TI  - delta-Amyrone inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory cytokines and
      protects against endotoxic shock in mice.
AB  - delta-Amyrone (13(18)-Oleanen-3-one), which is an active constituent extracted
      and separated from Sedum lineare Thunb., has been found to possess a potent anti
      inflammatory effect in different inflammation model animals. But its effects on
      lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced endotoxic shock have not been previous explored.
      The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of delta-Amyrone on LPS-induced
      inflammatory cytokines and the protective effect on endotoxic shock mice.
      Experimental animals received delta-amyrone (4 and 8 mg/kg, i.p.) and
      dexamethasone (DEX) (5 mg/kg, i.p.) at 24 and 1 h before LPS injection. delta
      Amyrone treatment significantly decreased mortality rate, tissues myeloperoxodase
      (MPO) activity, p65 NF-kappaB protein expression when compared with the LPS
      groups. The levels of tumor nectosis factor-alphagene (TNF-alpha) and interleukin
      6 (IL-6) both in serum and lung, liver, kidney tissues, as well as the
      accumulation of nitric oxide (NO) in serum were decreased by delta-amyrone in
      response to p65 nuclear factors-kappa B (NF-kappaB). These results suggest that
      the protective activity of delta-amyrone on LPS-induced endotoxic shock is
      attributed to reducing NO production and mediating the pro-inflammatory
      cytokines, inhibited NF-kappaB expression.

PMID- 26271897
TI  - Epidemiology of Human Herpes Virus 8 in Pregnant Women and their Newborns--A
      cross-sectional delivery survey in Central Gabon.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: On the background of a high prevalence of HHV-8 infection in pre
      pubertal Central African children, this study investigated the potential for in
      utero transmission of HHV-8. PATIENTS: Gabonese pregnant women were invited to
      provide peripheral and cord blood samples for serological and PCR diagnostics of
      HHV-8 infection at delivery for this cross-sectional survey. RESULTS: Out of 344
      participants 120 (35%, 95% CI: 30-40%) were serologically positive for HHV-8. 31%
      (95% CI: 22-40%) of cord blood samples of seropositive women had detectable IgG
      antibodies. Among all seropositive participants HHV-8 was detected by PCR in one
      maternal peripheral blood sample at delivery (1%, 95% CI: 0.2-7%) and in none of
      cord blood samples. There was no association between demographic characteristics
      and infection status. Similarly, there was no difference in risk for premature
      delivery, low birth weight, and maternal anaemia in HHV-8 seropositive women.
      DISCUSSION: These data suggest a high seroprevalence of HHV-8 infection in
      pregnant women, however viraemia at delivery does not commonly occur in Central
      Africa. Based on these observations it may be speculated that infection of
      children may occur more commonly either antepartum or later on in infancy and
      childhood.

PMID- 26271898
TI  - Serum IP-10 in the diagnosis of latent and active tuberculosis.

PMID- 26271899
TI  - Hybrid quantum gates between flying photon and diamond nitrogen-vacancy centers
      assisted by optical microcavities.
AB  - Hybrid quantum gates hold great promise for quantum information processing since
      they preserve the advantages of different quantum systems. Here we present
      compact quantum circuits to deterministically implement controlled-NOT, Toffoli,
      and Fredkin gates between a flying photon qubit and diamond nitrogen-vacancy (NV)
      centers assisted by microcavities. The target qubits of these universal quantum
      gates are encoded on the spins of the electrons associated with the diamond NV
      centers and they have long coherence time for storing information, and the
      control qubit is encoded on the polarizations of the flying photon and can be
      easily manipulated. Our quantum circuits are compact, economic, and simple.
      Moreover, they do not require additional qubits. The complexity of our schemes
      for universal three-qubit gates is much reduced, compared to the synthesis with
      two-qubit entangling gates. These schemes have high fidelities and efficiencies,
      and they are feasible in experiment. 

PMID- 26271900
TI  - Absorption-induced scattering and surface plasmon out-coupling from absorber
      coated plasmonic metasurfaces.
AB  - Interactions between absorbers and plasmonic metasurfaces can give rise to unique
      optical properties not present for either of the individual materials and can
      influence the performance of a host of optical sensing and thin-film
      optoelectronic applications. Here we identify three distinct mode types of
      absorber-coated plasmonic metasurfaces: localized and propagating surface
      plasmons and a previously unidentified optical mode type called absorption
      induced scattering. The extinction of the latter mode type can be tuned by
      controlling the morphology of the absorber coating and the spectral overlap of
      the absorber with the plasmonic modes. Furthermore, we show that surface plasmons
      are backscattered when the crystallinity of the absorber is low but are absorbed
      for more crystalline absorber coatings. This work furthers our understanding of
      light-matter interactions between absorbers and surface plasmons to enable
      practical optoelectronic applications of metasurfaces. 

PMID- 26271902
TI  - Feline lungworms unlock a novel mode of parasite transmission.
AB  - Snail-borne lungworms exert an enormous toll on the health and welfare of animals
      and humans. Of these parasites, Aelurostrongylus abstrusus and Troglostrongylus
      brevior affect the respiratory tract of felids. These lungworms share both the
      ecological niche and the species of snail (Helix aspersa) acting as intermediate
      host. Recently, the ability of H. aspersa to shed infective third-stage larvae
      (L3s) of A. abstrusus and T. brevior in the environment has been demonstrated,
      matching previous knowledge of mode of transmission of zoonotic lungworms. Here,
      we evaluated, for the first time, the ability of A. abstrusus and T. brevior L3s
      to infect new, susceptible snail hosts following their release from
      experimentally infected molluscs, and refer to this novel route of parasite
      transmission as intermediesis. The implications of snail-to-snail transmission in
      the epidemiology of snail-borne diseases are also discussed.

PMID- 26271903
TI  - Corrigendum: Cell migration and antigen capture are antagonistic processes
      coupled by myosin II in dendritic cells.

PMID- 26271901
TI  - Social class based on occupation is associated with hospitalization for
      A(H1N1)pdm09 infection. Comparison between hospitalized and ambulatory cases.
AB  - This study aimed to analyse the existence of an association between social class
      (categorized by type of occupation) and the occurrence of A(H1N1)pmd09 infection
      and hospitalization for two seasons (2009-2010 and 2010-2011). This multicentre
      study compared ambulatory A(H1N1)pmd09 confirmed cases with ambulatory controls
      to measure risk of infection, and with hospitalized A(H1N1)pmd09 confirmed cases
      to asses hospitalization risk. Study variables were: age, marital status, tobacco
      and alcohol use, pregnancy, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic
      respiratory failure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic liver disease,
      body mass index >40, systemic corticosteroid treatment and influenza vaccination
      status. Occupation was registered literally and coded into manual and non-manual
      worker occupational social class groups. A conditional logistic regression
      analysis was performed. There were 720 hospitalized cases, 996 ambulatory cases
      and 1062 ambulatory controls included in the study. No relationship between
      occupational social class and A(H1N1)pmd09 infection was found [adjusted odds
      ratio (aOR) 0.97, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.74-1.27], but an association
      (aOR 1.53, 95% CI 1.01-2.31) between occupational class and hospitalization for
      A(H1N1)pmd09 was observed. Influenza vaccination was a protective factor for
      A(H1N1)pmd09 infection (aOR 0.41, 95% CI 0.23-0.73) but not for hospitalization.
      We conclude that manual workers have the highest risk of hospitalization when
      infected by influenza than other occupations but they do not have a different
      probability of being infected by influenza. 

PMID- 26271905
TI  - Ten situations in which ECMO is unlikely to be successful.

PMID- 26271904
TI  - Improved human visuomotor performance and pupil constriction after choline
      supplementation in a placebo-controlled double-blind study.
AB  - Only few nutrients are known to enhance cognition. Here we explore whether
      visuomotor performance can be improved through the intake of the nutrient
      choline, an essential chemical compound in a vertebrate's diet. Choline is
      abundant in for example eggs and shrimps and many animal studies suggest that it
      serves as a cognitive enhancer. As choline is important for the communication
      between motor neurons and the control of skeletal muscles, we assumed that
      choline supplementation may have positive effects on action coordination in
      humans. A group of twenty-eight individuals ingested two grams of choline
      bitartrate or a placebo in two separate sessions. Seventy minutes post ingestion,
      participants performed a visuomotor aiming task in which they had to rapidly hit
      the centers of targets. Results showed that participants hit targets more
      centrally after choline supplementation. Pupil size (a cognition-sensitive
      biomarker) also significantly decreased after choline intake and correlated
      positively with the hit distance to the targets and the number of target misses,
      and negatively with reaction times. These findings point to a choline-induced
      bias towards action precision in the trade-off between speed and accuracy. The
      changes in pupil size suggest that choline uptake alters cholinergic functions in
      the nervous system. 

PMID- 26271906
TI  - 'I just have admitted an interesting sepsis'. Do we dehumanize our patients?

PMID- 26271907
TI  - Low-dose heparin during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation treatment in adults.

PMID- 26271908
TI  - What's new in myocarditis?

PMID- 26271909
TI  - Understanding stress cardiomyopathy.

PMID- 26271910
TI  - Activity and stability trends of perovskite oxides for oxygen evolution catalysis
      at neutral pH.
AB  - Perovskite oxides (ABO3) have been studied extensively to promote the kinetics of
      the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline electrolytes. However, developing
      highly active catalysts for OER at near-neutral pH is desirable for many
      photoelectrochemical/electrochemical devices. In this paper, we systematically
      studied the activity and stability of well-known perovskite oxides for OER at pH
      7. Previous activity descriptors established for perovskite oxides at pH 13, such
      as having an eg occupancy close to unity or having an O p-band center close to
      Fermi level, were shown to scale with OER activity at pH 7. Stability was a
      greater challenge at pH 7 than at pH 13, where two different modes of instability
      were identified from combined transmission electron microscopy and density
      functional theory analyses. Perovskites with O p-band close to Fermi level showed
      leaching of A-site atoms and surface amorphization under all overpotentials
      examined at pH 7, while those with O p-band far from Fermi level were stable
      under low OER current/potential but became unstable at high current/potential
      accompanied by leaching of B-site atoms. Therefore, efforts are needed to enhance
      the activity and stability of perovskites against A-site or B-site loss if used
      at neutral pH. 

PMID- 26271911
TI  - [Visceral pain].
AB  - Chronic visceral pain is an unresolved neurobiological, medical and socioeconomic
      challenge. Up to 20% of the adult population suffer from chronic visceral pain
      and abdominal complaints constitute a prevalent symptom also in children and
      adolescents. Existing treatment approaches are often unsuccessful and patients
      typically suffer from multiple somatic and psychological symptoms. This complex
      situation requires integrative treatment approaches. This review summarizes
      current basic and clinical research on acute and chronic visceral pain with a
      focus on research groups in Germany. Despite significant clinical and scientific
      advances, a number of questions remain open calling for more funding to support
      research to elucidate the complex pathophysiology of chronic visceral pain and to
      develop and test new treatment approaches. Research support should focus on
      interdisciplinary concepts and methodology using expertise from multiple
      disciplines. The field would also benefit from a broader integration of visceral
      pain into teaching curricula in medicine and psychology and should aim to
      motivate young clinicians and scientists to strive for a career within this
      important and highly fascinating area.

PMID- 26271912
TI  - [Multimodal pain therapy. Current situation].
AB  - A multidisciplinary approach for the management of patients with chronic pain is
      now well-established in many countries, especially in situations involving a
      complex disease process in the sense of a biopsychosocial model. Both the
      efficacy and cost-effectiveness of multidisciplinary pain treatment programs and
      their superiority compared to unimodal therapy has been documented in a number of
      studies, reviews and meta-analyses, in particular for patients suffering from
      chronic low back pain. Nevertheless, there are still major shortcomings
      concerning the definition of multimodal and multidisciplinary treatment and the
      quality of structures and processes, compared for example to the standards
      defined by the German Pain Society (Deutsche Schmerzgesellschaft). Furthermore,
      there is still no consensus on specific therapeutic approaches, the
      differentiation between responders and non-responders as well as on the tools
      required for measurement. All these questions will have to be answered by
      concerted efforts in a multicenter setting. 

PMID- 26271914
TI  - How Portuguese and American teachers plan for literacy instruction.
AB  - This study explored American and Portuguese elementary teachers' preferences in
      planning for literacy instruction using the Language Arts Activity Grid (LAAG;
      Cunningham, Zibulsky, Stanovich, & Stanovich, 2009), on which teachers described
      their preferred instructional activities for a hypothetical 2-h language arts
      block. Portuguese teachers (N = 186) completed Portuguese versions of a
      background questionnaire and LAAG electronically, in Survey Monkey; American
      teachers (N = 102) completed identical English measures using paper and pencil.
      Results showed that teachers in both groups usually addressed comprehension and
      reading fluency on their LAAGs and that they also allocated the most time to
      these two areas. However, American teachers were more likely to include teacher
      directed fluency activities, whereas Portuguese teachers were more likely to
      include fluency activities that were not teacher directed. Significantly more
      American than Portuguese teachers addressed phonics in their planning, whereas
      significantly more Portuguese than American teachers addressed writing processes
      such as revision. Both groups of educators demonstrated large variability in
      planning, with many teachers omitting important components of literacy identified
      by researchers, for writing as well as reading. The study highlights the
      importance of providing teachers with comprehensive, research-based core literacy
      curricula as well as professional development on key components of literacy.
      Study findings also suggest significant relationships between orthographic
      transparency and teachers' instructional planning.

PMID- 26271913
TI  - Iron ore pollution in Mandovi and Zuari estuarine sediments and its fate after
      mining ban.
AB  - Iron ore was mined from the banded iron formations of Goa, India, and transported
      through the Mandovi and Zuari estuaries for six decades until the ban on mining
      from September 2012. Here we focus on the environmental magnetic properties of
      sediments from the catchment area, upstream and downstream of these estuaries,
      and adjacent shelf during peak mining time. Magnetic susceptibility (chi lf) and
      saturation isothermal remanent magnetization (SIRM) values of sediments were
      highest in upstream (catchment area and estuaries), decreased gradually towards
      downstream (catchment area and estuaries), and were lowest on the adjacent shelf.
      The chi lf values of the Mandovi estuary were two to fourfold higher than those
      in the Zuari. The sediments of these two estuaries after the mining ban showed
      enrichment of older magnetite and sharp decrease in the SIRM values. Although the
      input of ore material has been reduced after mining ban, more flushing of
      estuarine sediments is required for healthier environment.

PMID- 26271916
TI  - Reading under the skin: physiological activation during reading in children with
      dyslexia and typical readers.
AB  - The aim of this study was to investigate physiological activation during reading
      and control tasks in children with dyslexia and typical readers. Skin conductance
      response (SCR) recorded during four tasks involving reading aloud, reading
      silently, and describing illustrated stories aloud and silently was compared for
      children with dyslexia (n = 16) and a control group of typical readers (n = 16).
      Children's school wellness was measured through self- and parent-proxy reports.
      Significantly lower SCR was found for dyslexic children in the reading-aloud
      task, compared to the control group, whereas all participants showed similar
      physiological reactions to the other experimental conditions. SCR registered
      during reading tasks correlated with "Child's emotional difficulties," as
      reported by parents. Possible interpretations of the lower activation during
      reading aloud in dyslexic children are discussed.

PMID- 26271915
TI  - Enhancing the metalinguistic abilities of pre-service teachers via coursework
      targeting language structure knowledge.
AB  - Low metalinguistic knowledge of pre-service and in-service teachers is likely to
      restrict the provision of evidence-based literacy instruction in the classroom.
      Despite such concerns, relatively few studies have examined the effects of
      teacher preparation coursework in building pre-service teachers' language
      structure knowledge. This study examined the effects of 7 h of language structure
      coursework, delivered over 7 weeks, on 121 New Zealand pre-service teachers in
      their initial year of study. Changes in participants' phonological awareness,
      morphological awareness, and orthographic knowledge were tracked across the
      teaching period. The impact of the coursework for participants who presented with
      strong spelling (n = 24) and poor spelling (n = 24) ability was also compared.
      The cohort demonstrated significant gains across all measures. Strong spellers
      responded more favourably to the teaching than poor spellers, even when
      accounting for initial levels of meta-linguistic knowledge. Implications for the
      development of teacher preparation programmes that enhance the provision of
      effective literacy instruction are discussed.

PMID- 26271917
TI  - Situational variations in ethnic identity across immigration generations:
      Implications for acculturative change and cross-cultural adaptation.
AB  - This study examined whether the acculturation of ethnic identity is first evident
      in more public situations with greater opportunity for intercultural interaction
      and eventually penetrates more intimate situations. It also investigated whether
      situational variations in identity are associated with cross-cultural adaptation.
      First-generation (G1), second-generation (G2) and mixed-parentage second
      generation (G2.5) young adult Canadians (n = 137, n = 169, and n = 91,
      respectively) completed a questionnaire assessing their heritage and Canadian
      identities across four situational domains (family, friends, university and
      community), global heritage identity and cross-cultural adaptation. Consistent
      with the acculturation penetration hypothesis, the results showed Canadian
      identity was stronger than heritage identity in public domains, but the converse
      was true in the family domain; moreover, the difference between the identities in
      the family domain was attenuated in later generations. Situational variability
      indicated better adaptation for the G1 cohort, but poorer adaptation for the G2.5
      cohort. For the G2 cohort, facets of global identity moderated the relation, such
      that those with a weaker global identity experienced greater difficulties and
      hassles with greater identity variability but those with a stronger identity did
      not. These results are interpreted in light of potential interpersonal issues
      implied by situational variation for each generation cohort. 

PMID- 26271918
TI  - Uncertainty in the Bayesian meta-analysis of normally distributed surrogate
      endpoints.
AB  - We investigate the effect of the choice of parameterisation of meta-analytic
      models and related uncertainty on the validation of surrogate endpoints.
      Different meta-analytical approaches take into account different levels of
      uncertainty which may impact on the accuracy of the predictions of treatment
      effect on the target outcome from the treatment effect on a surrogate endpoint
      obtained from these models. A range of Bayesian as well as frequentist meta
      analytical methods are implemented using illustrative examples in relapsing
      remitting multiple sclerosis, where the treatment effect on disability worsening
      is the primary outcome of interest in healthcare evaluation, while the effect on
      relapse rate is considered as a potential surrogate to the effect on disability
      progression, and in gastric cancer, where the disease-free survival has been
      shown to be a good surrogate endpoint to the overall survival. Sensitivity
      analysis was carried out to assess the impact of distributional assumptions on
      the predictions. Also, sensitivity to modelling assumptions and performance of
      the models were investigated by simulation. Although different methods can
      predict mean true outcome almost equally well, inclusion of uncertainty around
      all relevant parameters of the model may lead to less certain and hence more
      conservative predictions. When investigating endpoints as candidate surrogate
      outcomes, a careful choice of the meta-analytical approach has to be made. Models
      underestimating the uncertainty of available evidence may lead to overoptimistic
      predictions which can then have an effect on decisions made based on such
      predictions.

PMID- 26271919
TI  - Are reductions in emergency department length of stay associated with
      improvements in quality of care? A difference-in-differences analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We sought to determine whether patients seen in hospitals who had
      reduced overall emergency department (ED) length of stay (LOS) in the 2 years
      following the introduction of the Ontario Emergency Room Wait Time Strategy were
      more likely to experience improvements in other measures of ED quality of care
      for three important conditions. METHODS: Retrospective medical record review
      using difference-in-differences analysis to compare changes in performance on
      quality indicators over the 3-year period between 11 Ontario hospitals where the
      median ED LOS had improved from fiscal year 2008 to 2010 and 13 matched sites
      where ED LOS was unchanged or worsened. Patients with acute myocardial infarction
      (AMI), asthma and paediatric and adult upper limb fractures in these hospitals in
      2008 and 2010 were evaluated with respect to 18 quality indicators reflecting
      timeliness and safety/effectiveness of care in the ED. In a secondary analysis,
      we examined shift-level ED crowding at the time of the patient visit and
      performance on the quality indicators. RESULTS: Median ED LOS improved by up to
      26% (63 min) from 2008 to 2010 in the improved hospitals, and worsened by up to
      47% (91 min) in the unimproved sites. We abstracted 4319 and 4498 charts from
      improved and unimproved hospitals, respectively. Improvement in a hospital's
      overall median ED LOS from 2008 to 2010 was not associated with a change in any
      of the other ED quality indicators over the same time period. In our secondary
      analysis, shift-level crowding was associated only with indicators that reflected
      timeliness of care. During less crowded shifts, patients with AMI were more
      likely to be reperfused within target intervals (rate ratio 1.59, 95% CI 1.03 to
      2.45), patients with asthma more often received timely administration of steroids
      (rate ratio 1.88, 95% CI 1.59 to 2.24) and beta-agonists (rate ratio 1.47, 95% CI
      1.25 to 1.74), and adult (but not paediatric) patients with fracture were more
      likely to receive analgesia or splinting within an hour (rate ratio 1.66, 95% CI
      1.22 to 2.26). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that a policy approach that
      targets only reductions in ED LOS is not associated with broader improvements in
      selected quality measures. At the same time, there is no evidence that efforts to
      address crowding have a detrimental effect on quality of care.

PMID- 26271920
TI  - What happens when healthcare innovations collide?

PMID- 26271922
TI  - Theoretical Study of alpha-V2O5 -Based Double-Wall Nanotubes.
AB  - First-principles calculations of the atomic and electronic structure of double
      wall nanotubes (DWNTs) of alpha-V2 O5 are performed. Relaxation of the DWNT
      structure leads to the formation of two types of local regions: 1) bulk-type
      regions and 2) puckering regions. Calculated total density of states (DOS) of
      DWNTs considerably differ from that of single-wall nanotubes and the single
      layer, as well as from the DOS of the bulk and double layer. Small shoulders that
      appear on edges of valence and conduction bands result in a considerable decrease
      in the band gaps of the DWNTs (up to 1 eV relative to the single-layer gaps). The
      main reason for this effect is the shift of the inner- and outer-wall DOS in
      opposite directions on the energetic scale. The electron density corresponding to
      shoulders at the conduction-band edges is localized on vanadium atoms of the bulk
      type regions, whereas the electron density corresponding to shoulders at the
      valence-band edges belongs to oxygen atoms of both regions. 

PMID- 26271921
TI  - Unravelling the patterns of host immune responses in Plasmodium vivax malaria and
      dengue co-infection.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Concurrent malaria and dengue infection is frequently diagnosed in
      endemic countries, but its immunopathology remains largely unknown. In the
      present study, a large panel of cytokines/chemokines and clinical laboratory
      markers were measured in patients with Plasmodium vivax and dengue co-infection
      as well as in individuals with malaria or dengue mono-infections in order to
      identify biosignatures of each clinical condition. METHODS: Individuals from the
      Brazilian Amazon were recruited between 2009 and 2013 and classified in three
      groups: vivax malaria (n = 52), dengue (n = 30) and vivax malaria and dengue co
      infection (n = 30). P. vivax malaria was diagnosed by thick blood smear and
      confirmed by PCR; dengue cases were detected by IgM ELISA or NS1 protein. The
      plasma levels of cytokines and chemokines were determined by multiplex assay.
      RESULTS: Individuals with malaria and dengue co-infection displayed lower levels
      of platelets and haemoglobin than those with malaria or dengue mono-infections (p
      = 0.0047 and p = 0.0001, respectively). The group of individuals co-infected
      exhibited the highest median concentrations of IFN-gamma, IL-6, CCL4 than the
      mono-infected groups. Network analyses of plasma cytokines/chemokines revealed
      that malaria and dengue co-infection exhibits a distinct immune profile with
      critical roles for TNF, IL-6 and IFN-gamma. Further, parasitaemia levels
      displayed positive significant interactions with IL-6, CCL4 and IL-10 in the
      group of patients co-infected with malaria and dengue. No differences were
      observed in distribution of dengue virus serotypes and Plasmodium parasitaemia
      levels between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The findings described here identify
      unique patterns of circulating immunological markers in cases of malaria and
      dengue co-infection and provide insights on the immunopathology of this co-morbid
      condition.

PMID- 26271923
TI  - Comparison of the performance of zotarolimus- and everolimus-eluting stents by
      optical coherence tomography and coronary angioscopy.
AB  - Overall stent performance should be characterized by geometric luminal gain
      acquisition, neointimal coverage of the stent struts, and stabilization of the
      underlying inflammatory neoatheroma. The aim of this study was to compare the
      performance of zotarolimus-eluting stent (ZES), everolimus-eluting stent (EES)
      and bare metal stent (BMS) using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and coronary
      angioscopy. For 36 stented coronary lesions (BMS, 12 lesions; ZES, 11 lesions;
      EES, 13 lesions) in 27 patients, we calculated neointimal area and uncovered
      stent strut rate based on OCT findings at 10 months after stent placement. The
      grades of neointimal coverage and yellow color, both of which were classified
      from 0 to 3, were also assessed by coronary angioscopy. The plaque area of the
      ZES lesions was larger than that of the EES lesions (P < 0.05) but smaller than
      that of the BMS lesions (P < 0.05). The OCT-based uncovered rate of the ZES
      lesions was less than that of the EES lesions (P < 0.01), but similar to that of
      the BMS lesions. The stent coverage grade by angioscopy was higher in the ZES
      lesions than in the EES lesions (P < 0.05), but similar to the BMS lesions. The
      yellow grade was less in the ZES lesions than in the EES lesions (P < 0.01), but
      similar to the BMS lesions. ZES might be better than BMS in terms of neointimal
      thickening, and better than EES in terms of neointimal coverage as well as
      prevention of neoatheroma formation. ZES may have superior performance compared
      with EES. 

PMID- 26271924
TI  - Comparison of predicted pesticide concentrations in groundwater from SCI-GROW and
      PRZM-GW models with historical monitoring data.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A key factor in the human health risk assessment process for the
      registration of pesticides by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is an
      estimate of pesticide concentrations in groundwater used for drinking water. From
      1997 to 2011, these estimates were obtained from the EPA empirical model SCI
      GROW. Since 2012, these estimates have been obtained from the EPA deterministic
      model PRZM-GW, which has resulted in a significant increase in estimated
      groundwater concentrations for many pesticides. RESULTS: Historical groundwater
      monitoring data from the National Ambient Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA)
      Program (1991-2014) were compared with predicted groundwater concentrations from
      both SCI-GROW (v.2.3) and PRZM-GW (v.1.07) for 66 different pesticides of varying
      environmental fate properties. The pesticide environmental fate parameters
      associated with over- and underprediction of groundwater concentrations by the
      two models were evaluated. CONCLUSION: In general, SCI-GROW2.3 predicted
      groundwater concentrations were close to maximum historically observed
      groundwater concentrations. However, for pesticides with soil organic carbon
      content values below 1000 L kg(-1) and no simulated hydrolysis, PRZM-GW
      overpredicted, often by greater than 100 ppb. (c) 2015 Society of Chemical
      Industry.

PMID- 26271926
TI  - Identification of components of health complexity on internal medicine units by
      means of the INTERMED method.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The INTERMED was developed for the early identification of
      biological, psychological, social and health system factors considered
      interacting in health complexity. This is defined as the interference with the
      achievement of expected or desired health and service use outcomes when patients
      are exposed to standard care. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to test the
      INTERMED's ability to identify 'case' and 'care' complexity, identifying patients
      that would especially benefit from integrated care. METHODS: Observational
      longitudinal study of Internal medicine in patients in two National Health System
      hospitals in Spain using the INTERMED (patients scoring >= 21 were considered to
      be 'complex'); the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale (CIRS), a severity of illness
      assessment; and standard clinical variables. RESULTS: Six hundred and fifteen
      consecutives were included, and the prevalence of health complexity was 27.6%.
      The greatest differences between patients with and without health complexity were
      observed in the non-biological domains. Eighty-five per cent of patients with
      health complexity had non-biological items considered to require timely
      (immediately or soon) assistance or intervention compared to 30% of those
      without, nearly a threefold difference. Complex patients had a significantly
      higher number of medical diagnoses (p = 0.002) and number of psychiatric
      referrals (p = 0.041), but there were no differences in CIRS scores or lengths of
      stay. CONCLUSION: The INTERMED has the potential to identify a considerable
      subset of complex internal medicine inpatients for which timely corrective action
      related to non-biological risk factors not typically uncovered during standard
      medical evaluations would be considered beneficial.

PMID- 26271925
TI  - Distinct polymer physics principles govern chromatin dynamics in mouse and
      Drosophila topological domains.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In higher eukaryotes, the genome is partitioned into large
      "Topologically Associating Domains" (TADs) in which the chromatin displays
      favoured long-range contacts. While a crumpled/fractal globule organization has
      received experimental supports at higher-order levels, the organization
      principles that govern chromatin dynamics within these TADs remain unclear. Using
      simple polymer models, we previously showed that, in mouse liver cells, gene-rich
      domains tend to adopt a statistical helix shape when no significant locus
      specific interaction takes place. RESULTS: Here, we use data from diverse 3C
      derived methods to explore chromatin dynamics within mouse and Drosophila TADs.
      In mouse Embryonic Stem Cells (mESC), that possess large TADs (median size of 840
      kb), we show that the statistical helix model, but not globule models, is
      relevant not only in gene-rich TADs, but also in gene-poor and gene-desert TADs.
      Interestingly, this statistical helix organization is considerably relaxed in
      mESC compared to liver cells, indicating that the impact of the constraints
      responsible for this organization is weaker in pluripotent cells. Finally,
      depletion of histone H1 in mESC alters local chromatin flexibility but not the
      statistical helix organization. In Drosophila, which possesses TADs of smaller
      sizes (median size of 70 kb), we show that, while chromatin compaction and
      flexibility are finely tuned according to the epigenetic landscape, chromatin
      dynamics within TADs is generally compatible with an unconstrained polymer
      configuration. CONCLUSIONS: Models issued from polymer physics can accurately
      describe the organization principles governing chromatin dynamics in both mouse
      and Drosophila TADs. However, constraints applied on this dynamics within
      mammalian TADs have a peculiar impact resulting in a statistical helix
      organization.

PMID- 26271927
TI  - Pleural sarcoidosis diagnosed on the basis of an increased CD4/CD8 lymphocyte
      ratio in pleural effusion fluid: a case report.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Pleural effusion induced by sarcoidosis is rare, and pleural
      sarcoidosis is often diagnosed by thoracoscopic surgery. The diagnosis of pleural
      sarcoidosis using thoracentesis may be less invasive when sarcoidosis is already
      diagnosed histologically in more than one organ specimen. Here we report the case
      of a 64-year-old woman with pleural sarcoidosis diagnosed on the basis of an
      increased CD4/CD8 lymphocyte ratio in pleural effusion fluid obtained by
      thoracentesis. This case report is important because it highlights the usefulness
      of the CD4/CD8 lymphocyte ratio in pleural effusion as an indicator of pleural
      involvement of sarcoidosis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 64-year-old Japanese woman
      visited our hospital with an initial symptom of dyspnea on exertion for a period
      of 4 months. Chest computed tomography showed bilateral hilar and multiple
      mediastinal lymphadenopathy, multiple small nodular shadows in her bilateral
      lungs, small nodular shadows along the interlobar pleura, and bilateral pleural
      effusion. Her serum angiotensin-converting enzyme and soluble interleukin-2
      receptor levels were elevated. Histological analysis of a resected subcutaneous
      nodule, and biopsy specimens from a right mediastinal lymph node and from her
      right lung revealed non-caseous epithelioid granulomas. Her bronchoalveolar
      lavage fluid exhibited a predominance of lymphocytes together with an increase in
      the CD4/CD8 lymphocyte ratio. The lymphocytic predominance and the increased
      CD4/CD8 lymphocyte ratio were also detected in the right-sided pleural effusion
      fluid obtained by thoracentesis. We diagnosed sarcoidosis with pleural
      involvement. Because pleural effusion did not resolve spontaneously and her
      symptom of dyspnea on exertion worsened, corticosteroid therapy was initiated,
      which ameliorated the sarcoidosis and the pleuritis. CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of the
      CD4/CD8 lymphocyte ratio in pleural effusion fluid obtained by thoracentesis may
      be helpful for the diagnosis of pleural sarcoidosis when the diagnosis is already
      made by histological examination of more than one organ specimen.

PMID- 26271928
TI  - Reducing electronic media use in 2-3 year-old children: feasibility and efficacy
      of the Family@play pilot randomised controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Participation in electronic media use among 2-3 year olds is high and
      associated with adverse health and developmental outcomes. This study sought to
      test the feasibility and potential efficacy of a family-based program to decrease
      electronic media (EM) use in 2-3-year-old children. METHODS: Family@play was a
      six-session pilot randomised controlled trial delivered to parents of 2-3 year
      old children from August to September 2012 in a community environment in the
      Illawarra region of New South Wales, Australia. Development of program content
      was guided by Social Cognitive and Family Systems Theories. The primary outcome
      was children's electronic media use. Secondary outcomes included children's time
      in sitting, standing and stepping. Data collectors were blinded to group
      allocation. Parents completed comprehensive process evaluation measures and
      participated in focus group discussions following completion of the program.
      Regression analyses were undertaken and effect sizes calculated using principles
      of intention to treat. RESULTS: Twenty-two participants (n = 12 intervention; n =
      10 control) provided complete baseline data; complete data from 16 participants
      (n = 6 intervention; n = 10 control) were available post-intervention. Process
      evaluation results were high, showing the acceptability of the program. Compared
      with children in the control group, there were greater decreases in total EM use
      among children in the intervention group (adjusted difference [95 % CI] = -31.2
      mins/day [-71.0-8.6] Cohen's d = 0.70). Differences for other outcomes were in
      the hypothesised direction and ranged from small for postural (sitting, standing,
      stepping) outcomes to moderate to large for individual electronic media (e.g. TV
      viewing, DVD/video viewing). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first family-based study to
      engage families of 2-3 year old children outside the United States and target
      multiple EM behaviours. Family@play was shown to be a feasible and acceptable
      intervention to deliver to families of 2-3 year old children. Potential efficacy
      is evident from moderate to large effect sizes. A larger trial is warranted to
      test the efficacy of the program. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand
      Clinical Trials Registry ( ACTRN12612000470897 ).

PMID- 26271929
TI  - Hemodynamic monitoring using a single-use indwelling transesophageal
      echocardiography probe in an unstable patient after open-heart surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hemodynamic monitoring is frequently needed in ventilated patients
      with unstable hemodynamics after open-heart surgery. Novel miniaturized single
      use transesophageal echocardiographic probe has been scarcely used in this
      clinical setting. CASE PRESENTATION: A patient who underwent a scheduled open
      heart surgery developed a ventilator-associated pneumonia and was referred to the
      intensive care unit for post-operative acute respiratory distress syndrome.
      Hemodynamic monitoring was performed with a single-use indwelling transesophageal
      echocardiography probe during 50 h. Initially, a contrast study depicted a patent
      foramen ovale with a right-to-left shunt. Nitric oxide was administered and
      positive end-expiration pressure was reduced. Subsequently, the patient became
      hemodynamically unstable and the identification of a localized tamponade due to
      compressive left atrial hematoma prompted reoperation. CONCLUSIONS: The novel
      hemodynamic monitoring device described here appears valuable to help identifying
      severe post-operative complications and guide acute care.

PMID- 26271930
TI  - ASSOCIATION STUDY BETWEEN OLIGODENDROCYTE TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR 2 GENE AND
      OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER IN A CHINESE HAN POPULATION.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Oligodendrocyte transcription factor 2 (OLIG2) is primarily
      concentrated in the brain and spinal cord ventricular zone, where this protein
      stimulates oligodendrocytes and specific neurons, determines motor neuron and
      oligodendrocyte differentiation, and sustains replication in early development.
      Recent studies have demonstrated that OLIG2 gene is associated with mental
      disorders, such as schizophrenia, mood disorder, and obsessive-compulsive
      disorder (OCD). METHODS: The aim of the present study was to explore whether
      OLIG2 gene is associated with OCD in a Chinese Han population through the
      assessment and analysis of three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), namely,
      rs762178, rs1059004, and rs9653711, selected from OLIG2 gene sequences from 400
      OCD samples and 459 healthy controls in a case-controlled association study.
      RESULTS: We demonstrated three principal results. First, SNP rs762178 was
      associated with OCD, female OCD, and early-onset OCD; rs1059004 was associated
      with OCD and early-onset OCD; and rs9653711 was also associated with OCD and
      early-onset OCD. Second, the pairs of loci rs762178 and rs1059004, rs1059004 and
      rs9653711, and rs762178 and rs9653711 exhibited linkage disequilibrium. Third,
      the three-locus A-C-G haplotype was associated with early-onset OCD. CONCLUSIONS:
      The present study is the first to verify the associations of SNPs rs762178,
      rs1059004, and rs9653711 of the OLIG2 gene with OCD in a Chinese Han population.
      Thus, OLIG2 might serve as a potential target for OCD treatment in future
      studies. Further studies should verify the current findings.

PMID- 26271931
TI  - Strength training improves muscle aerobic capacity and glucose tolerance in
      elderly.
AB  - The primary aim of this study was to investigate the effect of short-term
      resistance training (RET) on mitochondrial protein content and glucose tolerance
      in elderly. Elderly women and men (age 71 +/- 1, mean +/- SEM) were assigned to a
      group performing 8 weeks of resistance training (RET, n = 12) or no training
      (CON, n = 9). The RET group increased in (i) knee extensor strength (concentric
      +11 +/- 3%, eccentric +8 +/- 3% and static +12 +/- 3%), (ii) initial (0-30 ms)
      rate of force development (+52 +/- 26%) and (iii) contents of proteins related to
      signaling of muscle protein synthesis (Akt +69 +/- 20 and mammalian target of
      rapamycin +69 +/- 32%). Muscle fiber type composition changed to a more oxidative
      profile in RET with increased amount of type IIa fibers (+26.9 +/- 6.8%) and a
      trend for decreased amount of type IIx fibers (-16.4 +/- 18.2%, P = 0.068).
      Mitochondrial proteins (OXPHOS complex II, IV, and citrate synthase) increased in
      RET by +30 +/- 11%, +99 +/- 31% and +29 +/- 8%, respectively. RET resulted in
      improved oral glucose tolerance measured as reduced area under curve for glucose
      (-21 +/- 26%) and reduced plasma glucose 2 h post-glucose intake (-14 +/- 5%). In
      CON parameters were unchanged or impaired. In conclusion, short-term resistance
      training in elderly not only improves muscular strength, but results in robust
      increases in several parameters related to muscle aerobic capacity. 

PMID- 26271932
TI  - The Incident Command System: a literature review.
AB  - Given the foundational and the fundamental role that the Incident Command System
      (ICS) is intended to play in on-scene response efforts across the United States,
      it is important to determine what is known about the system and how this is
      known. Accordingly, this study addresses the following research question: 'How
      has research explored the ICS?'. To probe this question, a methodological review
      of the scant, but widening, pool of research literature directly related to the
      ICS was conducted. This paper reports on the findings of the analysis related to
      the focus, theoretical frameworks, population and sampling, methods, results, and
      conclusions of the existing research literature. While undertaken using different
      methodological approaches, the ICS research suggests that the system may be
      limited in its usefulness. In addition, the paper discusses the implications of
      the research for the state of knowledge of the system and for the direction of
      future research. 

PMID- 26271935
TI  - Correction: Thymidylate synthase inspired biomodel reagent for the conversion of
      uracil to thymine.
AB  - Correction for 'Thymidylate synthase inspired biomodel reagent for the conversion
      of uracil to thymine' by Palwinder Singh et al., Chem. Commun., 2015, 51, 9961
      9964. 

PMID- 26271936
TI  - Effects of walker gender and observer gender on biological motion walking
      direction discrimination.
AB  - The ability to recognize the movements of other biological entities, such as
      whether a person is walking toward you, is essential for survival and social
      interaction. Previous studies have shown that the visual system is particularly
      sensitive to approaching biological motion. In this study, we examined whether
      the gender of walkers and observers influenced the walking direction
      discrimination of approaching point-light walkers in fine granularity. The
      observers were presented a walker who walked in different directions and were
      asked to quickly judge the walking direction (left or right). The results showed
      that the observers demonstrated worse direction discrimination when the walker
      was depicted as male than when the walker was depicted as female, probably
      because the observers tended to perceive the male walkers as walking straight
      ahead. Intriguingly, male observers performed better than female observers at
      judging the walking directions of female walkers but not those of male walkers, a
      result indicating perceptual advantage with evolutionary significance. These
      findings provide strong evidence that the gender of walkers and observers
      modulates biological motion perception and that an adaptive perceptual mechanism
      exists in the visual system to facilitate the survival of social organisms. 

PMID- 26271934
TI  - Both the central and peripheral retina contribute to myopia development in
      chicks.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study examined the contribution of the central and peripheral
      retina to the development of form deprivation myopia in chicks. METHODS: Chicks
      were treated for 7 days either with centrally form-deprived (CFD) lenses of
      2/4/6/8 mm diameter central diffuse zone, or a full size diffuser lens on their
      right eyes. The left eyes wore a full field plano lens. Axial dimensions and
      refractions were measured before and after 4 and 7 days of lens wear. RESULTS:
      All eyes that had worn CFD lenses of 2/4/6/8 mm had significant changes in
      refractive errors (from -2.69 +/- 0.40 D to -6.13 +/- 0.76 D, p < 0.05), vitreous
      chamber depth (from 0.19 +/- 0.04 mm to 0.56 +/- 0.04 mm, p < 0.05) and axial
      length (from 0.42 +/- 0.03 mm to 0.96 +/- 0.04 mm, p < 0.05) during the
      experiment, except for the changes in refractive error (-2.81 +/- 0.33 D, p =
      0.053) and axial length (0.77 +/- 0.04 mm, p = 0.050) in the 2 mm lens group
      after 7 days of lens wear. The myopic shift in the CFD lens wearing eyes was due
      primarily to an increase in vitreous chamber depth. Linear regression analysis
      showed that the changes of refractive error, vitreous chamber depth and axial
      length were positively correlated with the size of central form-deprived retina.
      Form depriving the central retina produced axial myopia even in the presence of
      clear peripheral vision. CONCLUSIONS: The current study showed that both the
      central and peripheral retina contributes to myopia development in chicks. The
      amount of myopia induced increased linearly with the area of retina being form
      deprived. It suggests that in terms of decoding optical input for growth, the
      area of retina being exposed to optical signals may be critical in determining
      eye growth.

PMID- 26271933
TI  - Defining the structural characteristics of annexin V binding to a mimetic
      apoptotic membrane.
AB  - Annexin V is of crucial importance for detection of the phosphatidylserine of
      apoptotic cell membranes. However, the manner in which different amounts of
      phosphatidylserine at the membrane surface at different stages of apoptosis
      contribute to binding of annexin V is unclear. We have used a quartz crystal
      microbalance combined with dissipative monitoring (QCM-D) and neutron
      reflectivity to characterize binding of human annexin V to supported bilayers of
      different phospholipid composition. We created model apoptotic bilayers of 1
      palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycerophosphocholine and 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn
      glycerophosphoserine (POPS) in the ratios 19:1, 9:1, 6.7:1, 4:1, 3:1, and 2:1
      (w/w) in the presence of 2.5 mM CaCl2. QCM-D data revealed that annexin V bound
      less to supported fluid lipid bilayers with higher POPS content (>25 % POPS).
      Neutron reflectivity was used to further characterize the detailed composition of
      lipid bilayers with membrane-bound annexin V. Analysis confirmed less annexin V
      binding with higher POPS content, that bound annexin V formed a discrete layer
      above the lipid bilayer with little effect on the overall structure of the
      membrane, and that the thickness and volume fraction of the annexin V layer
      varied with POPS content. From these results we show that the POPS content of the
      outer surface of lipid bilayers affects the structure of membrane-bound annexin
      V.

PMID- 26271937
TI  - A new research trend in social neuroscience: Towards an interactive-brain
      neuroscience.
AB  - The ability to flexibly modulate our behaviors in social contexts and to
      successfully interact with other persons is a fundamental, but pivotal,
      requirement for human survival. Although previous social neuroscience research
      with single individuals has contributed greatly to our understanding of the basic
      mechanisms underlying social perception and social emotions, much of the dynamic
      nature of interactions between persons remains beyond the reach of single-brain
      studies. This has led to a growing argument for a shift to the simultaneous
      measurement of the brain activity of two or more individuals in realistic social
      interactions-an approach termed "hyperscanning." Although this approach offers
      important promise in unlocking the brain's role in truly social situations, there
      are multiple procedural and theoretical questions that require review and
      analysis. In this paper we discuss this research trend from four aspects:
      hyperscanning apparatus, experimental task, quantification method, and
      theoretical interpretation. We also give four suggestions for future research:
      (a) electroencephalography and near-infrared spectroscopy are useful tools by
      which to explore the interactive brain in more ecological settings; (b) games are
      an appropriate method to simulate daily life interactions; (c) transfer entropy
      may be an important method by which to quantify directed exchange of information
      between brains; and (d) more explanation is needed of the results of interbrain
      synchronization itself. 

PMID- 26271938
TI  - Mineralocorticoid receptors in the ventral hippocampus are involved in extinction
      memory in rats.
AB  - Fear extinction decreases conditioned fear responses that normally occur when a
      conditioned stimulus (CS) is repeatedly presented in the absence of an aversive
      unconditioned stimulus (US), which is the behavioral basis of exposure therapy
      for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, knowledge about the
      neurobiology of extinction is insufficient. The present study investigated
      changes in the protein expression of mineralocorticoid receptors (MRs) and
      glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) in the dorsal hippocampus (DH)and ventral
      hippocampus (VH), induced by extinction and return of conditioned fear responses
      to an auditory signal. Western blot analysis indicated that shock stress enhanced
      the expression of MRs in only the DH, whereas extinction selectively increased
      the expression of MRs in the VH. The infusion of MRs antagonist spironolactone in
      the VH indicated that MRs in the VH did not affect the retrieval of fear and
      extinction memories, but facilitated the formation of extinction memory. However,
      no changes in GRs in either the DH or VH were observed in each phase of auditory
      fear conditioning. These results suggest that MRs in the DH and VH have
      differential functions in the extinction of auditory fear conditioning. MRs in
      the DH appear to be related to only stressful experiences, whereas MRs in the VH
      are involved in extinction formation. The enhancement of MRs in the VH might be
      necessary to improve PTSD. 

PMID- 26271939
TI  - The processing course of conflicts in third-party punishment: An event-related
      potential study.
AB  - In social decision-making games, uninvolved third parties usually severely punish
      norm violators, even though the punishment is costly for them. For this
      irrational behavior, the conflict caused by punishment satisfaction and monetary
      loss is obvious. In the present study, 18 participants observed a Dictator Game
      and were asked about their willingness to incur some cost to change the offers by
      reducing the dictator's money. A response-locked event-related potential (ERP)
      component, the error negativity or error-related negativity (Ne/ERN), which is
      evoked by error or conflict, was analyzed to investigate whether a trade-off
      between irrational punishment and rational private benefit occurred in the brain
      responses of third parties. We examined the effect of the choice type ("to change
      the offer" or "not to change the offer") and levels of unfairness (90:10 and
      70:30) on Ne/ERN amplitudes. The results indicated that there was an ERN effect
      for unfair offers as Ne/ERN amplitudes were more negative for not to change the
      offer choices than for to change the offer choices, which suggested that
      participants encountered more conflict when they did not change unfair offers.
      Furthermore, it was implied that altruistic punishment, rather than rational
      utilitarianism, might be the prepotent tendency for humans that is involved in
      the early stage of decision-making. 

PMID- 26271940
TI  - Influences of face, stigma, and psychological symptoms on help-seeking attitudes
      in Macao.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between concerns about
      loss of face, stigma, psychological symptoms, and attitudes toward seeking mental
      health services such as counseling in Macao. Participants included 391 students
      attending the largest public university in Macao: 277 were from Macao and 114
      were from Mainland China. Participants completed questionnaires measuring
      attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help, concerns about loss of
      face, self-stigma, public-stigma, and psychological symptoms. Results showed that
      positive attitudes toward help-seeking were significantly negatively correlated
      with self-stigma, public-stigma, and concerns about loss of face but there was no
      significant correlation with psychological symptoms. Psychological symptoms were
      positively correlated with face concerns, self-stigma, and public-stigma. Stigma
      (self and public) was found to be significantly positively associated with face
      concerns, but the correlations were weak. Findings also showed that Macao
      students had higher levels of distress, and endorsed greater self- and public
      stigma than Mainland Chinese students; however, the groups did not differ in face
      concerns or attitudes toward help-seeking. Regression analysis indicated that
      group membership was not a significant predictor of help-seeking. Self-stigma was
      the strongest predictor of professional help-seeking. Age and sex were also found
      to be significant predictors. Results suggested that younger students were more
      likely to seek help and that female students reported greater levels of distress
      and tended to have more positive attitudes toward seeking psychological services
      than male students. 

PMID- 26271941
TI  - Use of alveolar distraction osteogenesis for implant placement: a case report
      with eight-year follow-up.
AB  - Insufficient alveolar ridge width may impede the success of dental implants.
      Techniques for resolving this problem include autologous bone grafts, guided bone
      regeneration, bone splitting and bone spreading techniques. Recently, alveolar
      distraction osteogenesis has become an alternative method for alveolar
      augmentation. We propose the use of alveolar bone distraction for insufficient
      alveolar ridge width. A healthy 33-year-old female presented with missing teeth
      to our clinic. Clinical and radiographic examination revealed the alveolar ridge
      was too narrow for placement of dental implants. Therefore, horizontal
      distraction osteogenesis of the posterior mandibular ridge was chosen for
      augmentation. Two months later, two implants were placed. No significant marginal
      bone resorption was seen around the implants eight years after placement. Our
      results indicate that horizontal alveolar distraction is recommended to increase
      ridge width and allow placement of standard dental implants.

PMID- 26271942
TI  - Mobilization of horizontally acquired island 2 is induced in planta in the
      phytopathogen Pectobacterium atrosepticum SCRI1043 and involves the putative
      relaxase ECA0613 and quorum sensing.
AB  - Integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs) contribute to the rapid evolution of
      bacterial pathogens via horizontal gene transfer of virulence determinants. ICEs
      have common mechanisms for transmission, yet the cues triggering this process
      under natural environmental or physiological conditions are largely unknown. In
      this study, mobilization of the putative ICE horizontally acquired island 2
      (HAI2), present in the chromosome of the phytopathogen Pectobacterium
      atrosepticum SCRI1043, was examined during infection of the host plant potato.
      Under these conditions, mobilization of HAI2 increased markedly compared with in
      vitro cultures. In planta-induced mobilization of HAI2 was regulated by quorum
      sensing and involved the putative ICE-encoded relaxase ECA0613. Disruption of
      ECA0613 also reduced transcription of genes involved in production of coronafacic
      acid (Cfa), the major virulence factor harboured on HAI2, whereas their
      expression was unaffected in the quorum-sensing (expI) mutant. Thus, suppression
      of cfa gene expression was not regulated by the mobilization of the ICE per se,
      but was due directly to inactivation of the relaxase. The identification of
      genetic factors associated solely with in planta mobilization of an ICE
      demonstrates that this process is highly adapted to the natural environment of
      the bacterial host and can influence the expression of virulence determinants. 

PMID- 26271943
TI  - Pediatric obesity and walking duration increase medial tibiofemoral compartment
      contact forces.
AB  - With the high prevalence of pediatric obesity there is a need for structured
      physical activity during childhood. However, altered tibiofemoral loading during
      physical activity in obese children likely contribute to their increased risk of
      orthopedic disorders of the knee. The goal of this study was to determine the
      effects of pediatric obesity and walking duration on medial and lateral
      tibiofemoral contact forces. We collected experimental biomechanics data during
      treadmill walking at 1 m*s(-1) for 20 min in 10 obese and 10 healthy-weight 8-12
      year-olds. We created subject-specific musculoskeletal models using radiographic
      measures of tibiofemoral alignment and centers-of-pressure, and predicted medial
      and lateral tibiofemoral contact forces at the beginning and end of each trial.
      Obesity and walking duration affected tibiofemoral loading. At the beginning of
      the trail, the average percent of the total load passing through the medial
      compartment during stance was 85% in the obese children and 63% in the healthy
      weight children; at the end of the trial, the medial distribution was 90% in the
      obese children and 72% in the healthy-weight children. Medial compartment loading
      rates were 1.78 times greater in the obese participants. The medial compartment
      loading rate increased 17% in both groups at the end compared to the beginning of
      the trial (p = 0.001). We found a strong linear relationship between body-fat
      percentage and the medial-lateral load distribution (r(2) = 0.79). Altered
      tibiofemoral loading during walking in obese children may contribute to their
      increased risk of knee pain and pathology.

PMID- 26271944
TI  - Influence of nevirapine administration on the pharmacokinetics of dolutegravir in
      patients infected with HIV-1.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The metabolic pathways of dolutegravir and nevirapine suggest a
      potential pharmacokinetic interaction between these drugs. The objective of this
      study was to investigate the influence of nevirapine administration on the
      pharmacokinetics of dolutegravir in patients infected with HIV-1. PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: This study was an investigator-initiated trial registered at
      ClinicalTrials.gov under identifier NCT02067767. Dolutegravir (50 mg once daily)
      was added to the antiretroviral regimen (400 mg of nevirapine once daily +
      600/300 mg of abacavir/lamivudine once daily) in 10 adult patients for 5 days.
      After discontinuation of nevirapine, the combination of dolutegravir +
      abacavir/lamivudine was continued. Full pharmacokinetic profiles were assessed on
      the day of nevirapine discontinuation and 2 weeks after discontinuation of
      nevirapine. The pharmacokinetic parameters of dolutegravir were calculated by non
      compartmental analysis. The log-transformed values of these parameters were
      compared between periods with and without nevirapine co-administration. RESULTS:
      The co-administration of nevirapine led to a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in
      the area under the plasma concentration-time curve for dolutegravir from the time
      the dose was administered until the end of the dosing interval (-19%, P = 0.011),
      as well as decreases in trough plasma concentration (-34%, P = 0.018) and
      terminal half-life (-15%, P = 0.039), and a significant increase (P < 0.05) in
      apparent oral clearance for dolutegravir (+23%, P = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS: The
      decrease in dolutegravir exposure in combination with nevirapine suggests that
      the metabolism of dolutegravir is induced by nevirapine. According to therapeutic
      drug monitoring for dolutegravir, some patients may need a higher dose than 50 mg
      of dolutegravir once daily to maintain the therapeutic plasma concentration
      throughout the dosing interval.

PMID- 26271945
TI  - Evolution of Volatile Sulfur Compounds during Wine Fermentation.
AB  - Volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) play a significant role in the aroma of foods
      and beverages. With very low sensory thresholds and strong unpleasant aromas,
      most VSCs are considered to have a negative impact on wine quality. In this
      study, headspace solid phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass
      spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS) was used to analyze the time course of the
      biosynthesis of 12 VSCs formed during wine fermentation. Two different strains of
      Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the laboratory strain BY4743 and a commercial strain,
      F15, were assessed using two media: synthetic grape media and Sauvignon Blanc
      juice. Seven VSCs were detected above background, with three rising above their
      sensory thresholds. The data revealed remarkable differences in the timing and
      evolution of production during fermentation, with a transient spike in
      methanethiol production early during anaerobic growth. Heavier VSCs such as
      benzothiazole and S-ethyl thioacetate were produced at a steady rate throughout
      grape juice fermentation, whereas others, such as diethyl sulfide, appear toward
      the very end of the winemaking process. The results also demonstrate significant
      differences between yeast strains and fermentation media. 

PMID- 26271947
TI  - Engineering tailored nanoparticles with microbes: quo vadis?
AB  - In the quest for less toxic and cleaner methods of nanomaterials production,
      recent developments in the biosynthesis of nanoparticles have underscored the
      important role of microorganisms. Their intrinsic ability to withstand variable
      extremes of temperature, pressure, and pH coupled with the minimal downstream
      processing requirements provide an attractive route for diverse applications.
      Yet, controlling the dispersity and facile tuning of the morphology of the
      nanoparticles of desired chemical compositions remains an ongoing challenge. In
      this Focus Review, we critically review the advances in nanoparticle synthesis
      using microbes, ranging from bacteria and fungi to viruses, and discuss new
      insights into the cellular mechanisms of such formation that may, in the near
      future, allow complete control over particle morphology and functionalization. In
      addition to serving as paradigms for cost-effective, biocompatible, and eco
      friendly synthesis, microbes hold the promise for a unique template for synthesis
      of tailored nanoparticles targeted at therapeutic and diagnostic platform
      technologies.

PMID- 26271946
TI  - Diabetes increases the risk of deep-vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. A
      population-based cohort study.
AB  - We evaluated the effects of diabetes on the risks of developing deep-vein
      thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) in a nationwide, population-based
      cohort study in Taiwan. The patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes
      mellitus (T2DM) were identified, and DM-free controls were randomly selected from
      the general population and frequency-matched according to age, sex, and index
      year by using the records of the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database between
      2000 and 2011. Both cohorts were followed up until the end of 2011 to measure the
      incidence of DVT and PE. We analysed the risks of DVT and PE using Cox
      proportional-hazards regression models. The overall incidence of VTE was higher
      in the T2DM patients than in the controls (12.0 vs 7.51 per 10,000 person-years).
      The T2DM patients exhibited a 1.44-fold adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of VTE
      development compared with the controls (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.27
      1.63). The risks of DVT (aHR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.23-1.65) and PE (aHR = 1.52, 95%
      CI = 1.22-1.90) were greater in the T2DM than those in the controls. The T2DM
      patients had a substantially higher risk of DVT (aHR = 5.10, 95% CI = 3.12-8.32)
      and PE (aHR = 7.50, 95% CI = 3.29-17.1) development than the controls did in
      adults aged 49 years and younger. In conclusion, the longitudinal nationwide
      cohort study indicated that T2DM patients carried greater risks of developing VTE
      than did the general population.

PMID- 26271948
TI  - Localized primary gastrointestinal diffuse large B cell lymphoma received a
      surgical approach: an analysis of prognostic factors and comparison of staging
      systems in 101 patients from a single institution.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) represents the most common
      histological subtype of primary gastrointestinal lymphoma and is a heterogeneous
      group of disease. Prognostic characterization of individual patients is an
      essential prerequisite for a proper risk-based therapeutic choice. METHODS:
      Clinical and pathological prognostic factors were identified, and predictive
      value of four previously described prognostic systems were assessed in 101
      primary gastrointestinal DLBCL (PG-DLBCL) patients with localized disease,
      including Ann Arbor staging with Musshoff modification, International Prognostic
      Index (IPI), Lugano classification, and Paris staging system. RESULTS: Univariate
      factors correlated with inferior survival time were clinical parameters [age>60
      years old, multiple extranodal/gastrointestinal involvement, elevated serum
      lactate dehydrogenase and beta2-microglobulin, and decreased serum albumin], as
      well as pathological parameters (invasion depth beyond serosa, involvement of
      regional lymph node or adjacent tissue, Ki-67 index, and Bcl-2 expression). Major
      independent variables of adverse outcome indicated by multivariate analysis were
      multiple gastrointestinal involvement. In patients unfit for Rituximab but
      received surgery, radical surgery significantly prolonged the survival time,
      comparing with alleviative surgery. Addition of Rituximab could overcome the
      negative prognostic effect of alleviative surgery. Among the four prognostic
      systems, IPI and Lugano classification clearly separated patients into different
      risk groups. IPI was able to further stratify the early-stage patients of Lugano
      classification into groups with distinct prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: Radical surgery
      might be proposed for the patients unfit for Rituximab treatment, and a
      combination of clinical and pathological staging systems was more helpful to
      predict the disease outcome of PG-DLBCL patients.

PMID- 26271950
TI  - Oral health in patients treated by positive airway pressure for obstructive sleep
      apnea: a population-based case-control study.
AB  - PURPOSE: Recent epidemiological evidence suggests that patients with obstructive
      sleep apnea (OSA) have an increased risk of periodontal disease. Little is known
      about the oral health of OSA patients treated by continuous or bi-level positive
      airway pressure (CPAP/BiPAP). The aim of this population-based case-control study
      was to compare oral health variables (amount of plaque, calculus, gingival
      inflammation, and masticatory function) between CPAP/BiPAP users and control
      subjects. METHODS: The study population was retrieved from a French cohort
      examined between 2012 and 2013 at the Centre d'Investigations Preventives et
      Cliniques of Paris. Cases were selected if they reported to be treated by
      CPAP/BiPAP; controls were age-, gender-, and BMI-matched based on a 1:2 ratio.
      Univariate and logistic regression analyses were performed for group comparisons.
      RESULTS: Over a total of 20,436 subjects, 287 CPAP/BiPAP users (mean age (SD)
      57.6 years (11.5); 76.3 % males) who underwent medical and dental examinations
      were compared with 574 matched controls (no OSA, no CPAP/BiPAP). CPAP/BiPAP users
      reported significantly higher prevalence of diabetes (15.6 vs. 10.3 %; p = 0.012;
      odds ratio (OR) 1.68), history of hypertension (36.5 vs. 26.1 %; p = 0.003; OR
      1.62), cardiovascular diseases (14.1 vs. 8.8 %; p = 0.029; OR 1.69), and sleep
      complaints (59 vs. 34.4 %; p = 0.0001; OR 2.75). CPAP/BiPAP users also showed
      higher levels of depression and stress compared to controls. However, no group
      difference was observed for the amount of dental plaque, calculus, gingival
      inflammation, and masticatory function. CONCLUSION: Oral health of OSA patients
      treated by CPAP/BiPAP is comparable to that of matched controls in terms of
      amount of plaque, gingival inflammation, and masticatory function.

PMID- 26271951
TI  - Analyses of melatonin, cytokines, and sleep in chronic renal failure.
AB  - PURPOSE: Inflammation and oxidative stress are involved in the process of chronic
      renal failure (CRF). CRF patients show indication of sleep disturbances, and the
      melatonin rhythm, which modulates sleep, is abnormal in these patients; however,
      it is still unclear whether inflammation could be related to the blockage of
      melatonin production and sleep disturbances in this population. The aim of this
      study was to characterize and correlate sleep, the melatonin rhythm, and the
      levels of the inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin
      (IL)-6 in patients with CRF and controls. METHODS: Sleep was evaluated by the
      "Sleep Quality Index Pittsburgh" (PSQI) questionnaire, and melatonin and cytokine
      contents in saliva and blood samples, respectively, were analyzed by ELISA.
      RESULTS: The CRF group scored higher on the global PSQI, which indicates a lower
      sleep quality and a higher prevalence of sleep disorders, than the control group.
      The CRF individuals also showed lower melatonin content than the control groups,
      both during the day and at night, and lacked rhythmicity in melatonin production.
      The CRF group also showed higher contents of TNF and IL-6 than the control group
      and a negative correlation between TNF and melatonin content. CONCLUSION: These
      results suggest that the sleep disorders observed in the CRF group were probably
      related to the low production of melatonin observed in this population. The high
      level of TNF, as previously demonstrated in other pathologies, is probably
      involved in this blockage of melatonin production in CRF.

PMID- 26271952
TI  - The Endocannabinoid System and its Modulation by Phytocannabinoids.
AB  - The endocannabinoid system is currently defined as the ensemble of the two 7
      transmembrane-domain and G protein-coupled receptors for Delta(9)
      tetrahydrocannabinol (but not for most other plant cannabinoids or
      phytocannabinoids)-cannabinoid receptor type-1 (CB1R) and cannabinoid receptor
      type-2 (CB2R); their two most studied endogenous ligands, the "endocannabinoids"
      N-arachidonoylethanolamine (anandamide) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG); and
      the enzymes responsible for endocannabinoid metabolism. However, anandamide and 2
      AG, and also the phytocannabinoids, have more molecular targets than just CB1R
      and CB2R. Furthermore, the endocannabinoids, like most other lipid mediators,
      have more than just one set of biosynthetic and degrading pathways and enzymes,
      which they often share with "endocannabinoid-like" mediators that may or may not
      interact with the same proteins as Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol and other
      phytocannabinoids. In some cases, these degrading pathways and enzymes lead to
      molecules that are not inactive and instead interact with other receptors.
      Finally, some of the metabolic enzymes may also participate in the chemical
      modification of molecules that have very little to do with endocannabinoid and
      cannabinoid targets. Here, we review the whole world of ligands, receptors, and
      enzymes, a true "endocannabinoidome", discovered after the cloning of CB1R and
      CB2R and the identification of anandamide and 2-AG, and its interactions with
      phytocannabinoids.

PMID- 26271953
TI  - Cannabis in the Treatment of Dystonia, Dyskinesias, and Tics.
AB  - Cannabis has been used for many medicinal purposes, including management of
      spasms, dystonia, and dyskinesias, with variable success. Its use for tetanus was
      described in the second century BCE, but the literature continues to include more
      case reports and surveys of its beneficial effects in managing symptoms of
      hyperkinetic movement disorders than randomized controlled trials, making
      evidence-based recommendations difficult. This paper reviews clinical research
      using various formulations of cannabis (botanical products, oral preparations
      containing ?(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol and/or cannabidiol) and currently available
      preparations in the USA (nabilone and dronabinol). This has been expanded from a
      recent systematic review of cannabis use in several neurologic conditions to
      include case reports and case series and results of anonymous surveys of patients
      using cannabis outside of medical settings, with the original evidence
      classifications marked for those papers that followed research protocols. Despite
      overlap in some patients, dyskinesias will be treated separately from dystonia
      and chorea; benefit was not established beyond individual patients for these
      conditions. Tics, usually due to Tourettes, did respond to cannabis preparations.
      Side effects reported in the trials will be reviewed but those due to
      recreational use, including the dystonia that can be secondary to synthetic
      marijuana preparations, are outside the scope of this paper.

PMID- 26271949
TI  - Arterial Catheterization and Infection: Toll-like Receptors in Defense against
      Microorganisms and Therapeutic Implications.
AB  - Radial artery catheterization has become a preferred route over femoral artery
      catheterization, in order to monitor the blood pressure of hemodynamically
      unstable patients or for repeated sampling of arterial blood gases. While the
      incidence of catheter-related infection is lower in the radial artery than the
      femoral artery, infection remains a major issue that requires attention. In this
      review of the literature, we discuss infectious complications of radial artery
      catheterization, with a focus on various risk factors and establishing the most
      common causative agents. We also critically review the role of the innate immune
      system involving Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in host-defense, with the goal of
      establishing a common pathway used by the innate immune system via TLRs to combat
      the pathogens that most commonly cause infection in radial artery
      catheterization. If this pathway can be therapeutically manipulated to
      preemptively attack pathogenic agents, immunomodulation may be an option in
      reducing the incidence of infection in this procedure. 

PMID- 26271956
TI  - Applied ethics for nuclear cardiology: Beginning a dialogue.

PMID- 26271954
TI  - A Distinct Region in Erythropoietin that Induces Immuno/Inflammatory Modulation
      and Tissue Protection.
AB  - Beneficial effects of short-term whole-molecule erythropoietin (EPO) therapy have
      been demonstrated on several animal models of diverse central nervous system
      pathology. However, the increased hematocrit induced by EPO-driven marrow
      stimulation greatly limits its potential for side effect-free therapy. We created
      a library of EPO-derived fragments based on the hypothesis that 2 distinct
      functions, erythropoiesis and tissue protection, reside in different regions of
      the molecule. Several small EPO-derived peptides within the Abeta loop of whole
      EPO molecule were screened for tissue protection in EAE mice. The 19-mer JM-4
      peptide that contains 2 cysteine molecules consistently demonstrated the most
      potent clinical beneficial effects without producing hematocrit alterations in
      animal models of EAE. The JM-4-induced tissue protection was associated with
      modulation of the immunoregulatory process that drives inflammation and provokes
      subsequent autoimmune damage. Like the whole EPO molecule, JM-4 effectively
      modulated immune/inflammatory reaction within both the peripheral lymphatic
      tissue and central nervous system. The major effects induced by JM-4 include
      blocked expansion of monocyte/dendritic antigen presenting cell and T helper 17
      cell populations, decreased proinflammatory cytokine production, and sharply
      enhanced expansion of the regulatory T-cell population. JM-4 shows promise for
      treatment of a broad spectrum of neural and non-neural conditions associated with
      inflammation.

PMID- 26271957
TI  - Collegial pressure and patient-centered shared-decision making: A case-based
      ethics discussion.

PMID- 26271958
TI  - How to approach an inappropriately ordered myocardial perfusion stress study: A
      case-based ethics discussion.

PMID- 26271960
TI  - Understanding the past to appropriately guide us in the future.

PMID- 26271959
TI  - Responsibility for follow-up of abnormal findings in myocardial perfusion
      imaging: A case-based ethics discussion.

PMID- 26271955
TI  - Suppression Subtractive Hybridization Versus Next-Generation Sequencing in Plant
      Genetic Engineering: Challenges and Perspectives.
AB  - Suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) is an effective method to identify
      different genes with different expression levels involved in a variety of
      biological processes. This method has often been used to study molecular
      mechanisms of plants in complex relationships with different pathogens and a
      variety of biotic stresses. Compared to other techniques used in gene expression
      profiling, SSH needs relatively smaller amounts of the initial materials, with
      lower costs, and fewer false positives present within the results. Extraction of
      total RNA from plant species rich in phenolic compounds, carbohydrates, and
      polysaccharides that easily bind to nucleic acids through cellular mechanisms is
      difficult and needs to be considered. Remarkable advancement has been achieved in
      the next-generation sequencing (NGS) field. As a result of progress within fields
      related to molecular chemistry and biology as well as specialized engineering,
      parallelization in the sequencing reaction has exceptionally enhanced the overall
      read number of generated sequences per run. Currently available sequencing
      platforms support an earlier unparalleled view directly into complex mixes
      associated with RNA in addition to DNA samples. NGS technology has demonstrated
      the ability to sequence DNA with remarkable swiftness, therefore allowing
      previously unthinkable scientific accomplishments along with novel biological
      purposes. However, the massive amounts of data generated by NGS impose a
      substantial challenge with regard to data safe-keeping and analysis. This review
      examines some simple but vital points involved in preparing the initial material
      for SSH and introduces this method as well as its associated applications to
      detect different novel genes from different plant species. This review evaluates
      general concepts, basic applications, plus the probable results of NGS technology
      in genomics, with unique mention of feasible potential tools as well as
      bioinformatics. 

PMID- 26271961
TI  - Dermatological postoperative patient information leaflets: is it time for more
      uniformity?
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Patient information leaflets (PILs) are an important source of
      information for patients postoperatively. There are currently no nationally
      agreed standards by dermatologists for postoperative advice following skin
      surgery. AIM: To assess the common themes and areas of variation in advice given
      in PILs after skin surgery across all National Health Service (NHS) hospitals in
      England and Wales. METHODS: All acute trusts in England (n = 159) and local
      health boards in Wales (n = 7) were requested to provide their postoperative
      dermatological PILs for general sutured wound care or excision biopsy. Eight
      preselected parameters were assessed: minimum dressing duration, duration of
      pressing on a bleeding wound, postoperative analgesia, explanation of infection
      signs, application of petroleum jelly, scarring, whom to contact if there is a
      problem, and the recommended postoperative time for abstaining from active
      exercise. RESULTS: PILs were received from 137 different dermatology departments
      belonging to 127/166 (76.5%) organisations across England and Wales. Of these,
      102 PILs gave a specific duration for dressings: 45/102 (44.1%) advised a minimum
      of 48 h, but 28/102 (27.5%) recommended leaving dressings in place until suture
      removal. Regarding duration of pressing on a bleeding wound, 117 PILs gave
      advice, with the most common recommendation being 15 min (30/117, 25.6%),
      followed closely by 10 min (26/117, 22.2%). Of the 137 PILs received, 125 gave
      advice regarding postoperative analgesia, with paracetamol alone being the most
      common recommendation (24/125, 19.2%). For the remaining parameters, 111/137
      (81.0%) PILs described >= 2 signs of infection, 42/137 (30.7%) recommended the
      application of petroleum jelly, 65/137 (47.4%) mentioned scarring, 137/137 (100%)
      highlighted whom to contact if there were postoperative problems and 87/137
      (63.5%) PILs gave advice regarding postoperative abstinence from active exercise.
      CONCLUSIONS: The advice given in dermatology postoperative PILs across England
      and Wales is highly variable. A nationally agreed template or set of
      postoperative advice should be considered to improve consistency.

PMID- 26271962
TI  - The Forecast Is Bright: Recent Advances in Melanoma Treatment.

PMID- 26271963
TI  - The Relationship of Obesity With the Severity of Psoriasis: A Systematic Review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with obesity.
      The increased production of adipocytokines in central adiposity contributes to
      the systemic inflammation of obesity and perhaps to psoriasis. OBJECTIVE: The
      objective of this systematic review is to determine the association of obesity
      with psoriasis severity. METHODS: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane
      Database for English-language papers involving human subjects for all years. We
      extracted data on age, sex, body mass index (BMI), proportion obese, and
      psoriasis severity index score (PASI). RESULTS: We identified 254 articles in our
      search and included 9. The sample size was 134 823 psoriasis patients. Seven of
      the 9 studies found a statistically significant association of increased
      psoriasis severity with higher BMI. CONCLUSION: Increased severity of psoriasis
      appears to be associated with increased BMI. Most studies were cross-sectional or
      case-control, making it difficult to determine temporality. Dermatologists should
      consider recording BMI for psoriasis patients and offering them lifestyle
      counseling.

PMID- 26271964
TI  - Intralesional Bleomycin for Warts: Patient Satisfaction and Treatment Outcomes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The treatment of warts is challenging with regards to both
      tolerability and efficacy. OBJECTIVE: Ascertain the efficacy, tolerability, and
      patient satisfaction of intralesional bleomycin in the treatment of warts.
      METHODS: Retrospective chart review followed by telephone interviews with
      patients from university-based dermatology referral centers. RESULTS: Seventy
      four percent (34/46) of patients had complete resolution (CR) of all warts. Of 34
      patients who experienced CR, an average of 1.7 treatments were required. Pain
      experienced during the procedure and recovery, irrespective of outcome, was rated
      5.8 out of 10 (range, 1-10; SD, 2.72; SEM, 0.40). Approximately 70% of patients
      had pain that lasted less than 2 days after treatment. Seventy-eight percent
      (36/46) of patients in the study were satisfied with treatment and would
      recommend it to others. CONCLUSION: Patients felt bleomycin to be an effective
      treatment modality for warts, offering high rates of CR in lesions resistant to
      more traditional therapies.

PMID- 26271965
TI  - Microskin Grafting for Stable Vitiligo of the Penis and Vulva: Near Total Uniform
      Pigmentation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The vitiligo of the penis and vulva is a difficult to treat region of
      the body where the existing surgical repigmentation methods usually do not give
      satisfactory results. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to evaluate the
      efficacy of microskin grafting in stable genital vitiligo. METHODS: Four male
      patients and 1 female patient were included in this study, and microskin grafting
      was performed in the stable vitiliginous areas of genitals under regional
      anaesthesia. RESULTS: The microskin grafting technique has shown desired results
      at these sites with near total pigmentation and negligible donor area deformity.
      CONCLUSION: The microskin grafting for vitiligo is simple, reliable, and the most
      cost-effective technique of tissue grafting that has all the benefits of the
      latest cellular grafting techniques without its high cost and infrastructure.

PMID- 26271966
TI  - Barriers to Treatment of Tinea Capitis in Children Living in the Jane Finch
      Community of Toronto.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tinea capitis is a common fungal infection of the scalp. If left
      untreated, tinea capitis infection can cause severe inflammatory reactions and
      the development of kerion. Tinea capitis is effectively treated with oral
      antifungals, but at present these are not covered under government assistance
      programs. OBJECTIVE: To assess the potential impact of a limited use code for
      antifungal therapy in the treatment of childhood tinea capitis. METHOD: Fourteen
      family physicians practicing in the Jane Finch area were surveyed on their
      experience treating tinea capitis in this community. RESULTS: Seventy-one percent
      of surveyed family physicians felt that cost impedes the treatment of tinea
      capitis in their practice, and 100% felt that a limited use code would have a
      positive impact on their patients. CONCLUSION: A limited use code for oral
      antifungal treatments of tinea capitis may provide a simple, cost-effective
      solution to a major problem impacting children in the Jane Finch area.

PMID- 26271969
TI  - [Collection and verification of murine allo-transplantation major
      histocompatibility complex peptides].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To establish a method of collecting transplantation major
      histocompatibility complex (MHC) peptides. METHODS: Splenic cells of C57BL/6
      donor mice were injected into BALB/c recipient mice. The splenic cells of the
      recipient mice were soaked in pH3.3 citric acid buffer to wash off the MHC
      conjugated peptides. Peptide contents and components in the elutriant were
      detected by BCA protein assay and high performance liquid chromatography-tandem
      mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). Antigenicity of the peptides was verified by
      murine heterotopic heart transplantation. RESULTS: Fifty micro-gram mixed
      peptides (including short peptides) per 10(8) cells were collected by the elution
      method. HPLC-MS/MS revealed that there were differences in peptide components
      between allo-transplantation group and control group. Medial survival time of
      heart grafts of same strain MHC peptide pre-immunization group was 8 days, and
      that of allo-MHC peptide pre-immunization group was 4 days. Medial survival time
      of heart grafts was shortened significantly by pre-immunization with allo-MHC
      peptides. CONCLUSION: Transplantation MHC peptides can be obtained by donor
      splenic cell immunization and elution from recipients' splenic cells with mild
      acid. They can be used for screening transplantation antigenic determinants.

PMID- 26271968
TI  - A tangible head model showing semicircular canals for demonstrating the physical
      treatment for BPPV.
AB  - CONCLUSIONS: It was shown that practicing with a tangible head model with
      semicircular canals is a useful educational tool for learning the physical
      treatment for BPPV. OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy of using a tangible head
      model with semicircular canals to teach the physical treatment for BPPV. METHODS:
      This study compared the number of canalith particles in the posterior
      semicircular canal that 20 participants could move from the ampulla to the
      utricle, before and after practicing with the tangible model. RESULTS: Before
      practicing with the model, they could move 2.5 (mean value) of 10 canalith
      particles. However, after practicing, they could move 6.6 (mean value) of 10
      canalith particles. There was a statistical difference (p < 0.01) between the two
      trials.

PMID- 26271967
TI  - Improved human gingival fibroblast response to titanium implants coated with
      ultraviolet-irradiated vitamin D precursor and vitamin E.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Ultraviolet (UV)-irradiated 7-dehydrocholesterol (7
      DHC) and vitamin E (VitE)-coated titanium (Ti) implants have a beneficial effect
      on bone cells. Human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) are the most abundant cells in
      periodontal tissues and are involved in the wound healing and repair. The
      objective of this study was to evaluate the response of HGFs to Ti implants
      coated with UV-irradiated 7-DHC and VitE, for improved soft-tissue integration of
      dental implants. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ti surfaces were coated with 7-DHC and
      VitE, irradiated with UV light and incubated for 48 h at 23 degrees C to allow
      cholecalciferol (D3 ) synthesis from 7-DHC onto the Ti surface. HGFs were
      cultured on the modified surfaces and the influence of the coating on these cells
      was evaluated through the analysis of: (i) biocompatibility; (ii) the mRNA levels
      of genes involved in the composition and turnover of the extracellular matrix,
      the inflammatory response, periodontal bone resorption and wound healing; and
      (iii) the levels of MMP-1 and TIMP-1 proteins. RESULTS: We found a beneficial
      effect of UV-irradiated 7-DHC:VitE-coated Ti implants on HGFs. Besides being
      biocompatible with HGFs, the UV-irradiated 7-DHC and VitE coating increased the
      levels of collagen III alpha1 and fibronectin mRNAs. and decreased the level of
      interleukin-8 mRNA. TIMP-1 was increased at both mRNA and protein levels in HGFs
      cultured on UV-irradiated 7-DHC:VitE-coated Ti implants. Finally, the UV
      irradiated 7-DHC and VitE coating decreased the level of RANKL mRNA in HGFs.
      CONCLUSION: UV-irradiated 7-DHC:VitE-coated Ti implants have a positive effect on
      HGFs in vitro by reducing the inflammatory response and extracellular matrix
      breakdown.

PMID- 26271970
TI  - [Mutation of palmitoylation site of linker for activation of T cells inhibits
      signal transduction mediated by glycosyl phosphatidyl inositol-anchored CD59 in T
      cells].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To construct the lentivirus carrying the mutated palmitoylation site
      of the linker for activation of T cells (LAT) and infect Jurkat cells with it to
      establish stable cell line, and to investigate the effect of LAT palmitoylation
      mutation on T cell signaling induced by CD59. METHODS: Negative control (neg
      EGFP) and LAT-M-EGFP fusion protein gene vectors were respectively constructed
      and then packaged using lentivirus. Subsequently, Jurkat cells were infected with
      them to establish stable cell lines. Confocal laser scanning microscopy was used
      to observe the infection efficiency and the distribution of fusion proteins in
      Jurkat cells. CCK-8 assay was used to detect the change of cell proliferation
      activity after CD59 mAb supplementation. Flow cytometry was used to determine the
      apoptosis rate. Western blotting was used to examine the levels of phospholipase
      C-gamma1 (PLC-gamma1) and lymphocyte-specific protein tyrosine kinase (LCK).
      RESULTS: Confocal laser scanning microscopy revealed that LAT molecules of LAT-M
      group scattered on cell membrane, and there was no obvious clustered region after
      cross linkage with CD59 mAb. Compared with the negative control group, the cell
      proliferation activity of LAT-M group significantly decreased, and the quantity
      of middle-late apoptotic cells significantly increased; Western blotting showed
      that the expression levels of PLC-gamma1 and LCK in LAT-M group was roughly the
      same with those in negative control group, and after CD59 mAb stimulation, there
      was no obvious change in LAT-M group, while the levels in negative control group
      were reduced. CONCLUSION: LAT-M-EGFP fusion protein could not locate on lipid
      rafts of Jurkat cells infected with LAT palmitoylation mutation. In addition, the
      growth of the cells carrying the LAT-M-EGFP was inhibited. The palmitoylation
      mutation of LAT attenuated the signal transduction induced by
      glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored CD59 in T cells.

PMID- 26271971
TI  - [Over-expression of augmenter of liver regeneration promotes proliferation and
      suppresses hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis in LO2 cells].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of over-expression of 23 kDa augmenter of
      liver regeneration (ALR) on cell proliferation and apoptosis in the normal human
      hepatic cell line LO2. METHODS: The recombinant plasmid expressing 23 kDa ALR
      (pcDNA6/23 kDa ALR) was constructed and transfected into LO2 cells with MegaTran
      1.0 transfection reagent. The expressions of ALR mRNA and protein in LO2 cells
      were detected by real-time quantitative PCR and Western blotting, respectively;
      MTS assay was used to detect the cell proliferation of LO2 cells; cell cycle and
      apoptosis of LO2 cells were measured by flow cytometry. RESULTS: The recombinant
      expression plasmid pcDNA6/23 kDa ALR was constructed successfully, and the
      expression of the target protein 23 kDa ALR increased significantly in the
      transfected cells. Compared with pcDNA6-myc/HisA group, the transient
      transfection of pcDNA6/23 kDa ALR into LO2 cells promoted cell proliferation and
      inhibited cell apoptosis induced by H2O2, however, no significant differences
      were detected in G0 phase and S phase. CONCLUSION: The over-expression of 23 kDa
      ALR in LO2 cells promoted the cell proliferation and enhanced cell resistance to
      H2O2.

PMID- 26271972
TI  - [Up-regulated expression of FcgammaRIIB inhibits phagocytosis and chemotaxis of
      macrophages].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To construct an inducible lentivirus vector of FcgammaRIIB and observe
      its effect on rat macrophages. METHODS: FcgammaRIIB gene fragment was obtained
      from rat liver mRNA as the template by reverse transcription PCR, and then cloned
      into tetracycline response element (TRE) plasmid to establish recombinant plasmid
      TRE-FcgammaRIIB. Lentiviral packaging plasmid was transfected into HEK293T cells
      together with the recombinant plasmid TRE-FcgammaRIIB and Tet plasmid,
      respectively. Then the titers of the above lentiviruses were measured. Rat
      macrophages were co-infected by FcgammaRIIB-lentivirus and Tet-lentivirus,
      thereafter induced by doxycycline (DOX) of gradient concentrations. The mRNA and
      protein levels of FcgammaRIIB were measured by immunofluorescence, real-time
      quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting. After induced by DOX,
      macrophages were detected in phagocytic and chemotactic function. RESULTS: The
      recombinant plasmid we constructed was confirmed correct by PCR, enzyme digestion
      and sequencing. The titers of FcgammaRIIB-lentivirus and Tet-lentivirus reached
      10(6) TU/mL. FcgammaRIIB was expressed under DOX induction in macrophages which
      were co-infected by the packaged lentiviruses. In addition, FcgammaRIIB level was
      positively correlated with the concentration of DOX, but was negatively
      correlated with phagocytosis and chemotaxis of macrophages. CONCLUSION: The up
      regulation of FcgammaRIIB expression in macrophages might suppress cell
      phagocytosis and chemotaxis.

PMID- 26271973
TI  - [Inhibition of proliferation and migration of human umbilical vein endothelial
      cells by knockdown of cylindromatosis (CYLD) gene].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To down-regulate the expression of cylindromatosis (CYLD) gene by
      shRNA and investigate its effect on proliferation, migration and cell signal
      pathways of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). METHODS: HUVECs were
      infected by adenoviruses of CYLD shRNA (experiment group) and GFP (control
      group), respectively. The proliferation of HUVECs was detected by CCK-8 assay;
      the cell migration was assessed by a wound healing assay; the related cell signal
      pathways were analyzed by Western blotting. RESULTS: CCK-8 showed that the
      proliferation of the CYLD shRNA-infected HUVECs were significantly lower than
      that of the control group at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 days after infection. The wound
      healing assay revealed that the migration rate of the CYLD shRNA-infected HUVECs
      was significantly reduced compared with the control HUVECs at 48 hours. Western
      blotting indicated that the phosphorylation of protein kinase B (AKT) and
      glycogen synthase kinase 3alpha/beta (GSK3alpha/beta) significantly decreased in
      the CYLD shRNA-infected HUVECs compared with the control HUVECs. CONCLUSION:
      Inhibiting the expression of CYLD gene can suppress the proliferation and
      migration of HUVECs, which may be attributed to the inhibition of the
      AKT/GSK3alpha/beta pathway.

PMID- 26271974
TI  - [Sirtuin 3 inhibits cardiomyocyte apoptosis by reducing cytochrome C release in
      myocardiac H9c2 cells with calcium overload].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Sirtuin 3 on cytochrome C (CytC) release
      and caspase-3 activation in myocardiac H9c2 cells with calcium overload. METHODS:
      H9c2 cells were randomly divided into four groups: control group, Sirtuin 3
      group, ionomycin group, ionomycin & Sirtuin 3 group. Myocyte calcium overload
      models were established by ionomycin revulsion. The levels of CytC and caspase-3
      in mitochondria and cytoplasm were examined by Western blotting. Intracellular
      caspase-3 activity was examined by spectrophotometry. H9c2 cell apoptosis rate in
      each group was detected by annexin V-FITC/PI double staining combined with flow
      cytometry. RESULTS: Calcium overload models of H9c2 cells were successfully
      established. Western blotting showed that CytC level in mitochondria of the
      ionomycin group was significantly lower than that in the control group, and that
      it was significantly higher in the ionomycin & Sirtuin 3 group than that in the
      ionomycin group. Changes of CytC level in cytoplasm was just opposite to that in
      mitochondria. Caspase-3 level in the ionomycin group was significantly higher
      than that in the control group, and it was significantly lower in the ionomycin &
      Sirtuin 3 group than that in the ionomycin group. Spectrophotometry showed that
      caspase-3 activity in the ionomycin group was significantly higher than that in
      the control group, and that it was obviously lower in the ionomycin & Sirtuin 3
      group than that in the ionomycin group. Flow cytometry combined with double
      staining revealed that the apoptosis rate in the ionomycin group was
      significantly higher than that in the control group, and that it was
      significantly lower in the ionomycin & Sirtuin 3 group than that in the ionomycin
      group. CONCLUSION: Sirtuin 3 could inhibit cell apoptosis by reducing CytC
      release and inhibiting caspase-3 activation in cardiomyocyte models with calcium
      overload.

PMID- 26271975
TI  - [Inhibition of nuclear factor kappa B mediated by miRNA plasmid carried by novel
      polyethyleneimine nanogel particles in Kupffer cells of rats].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To test a novel gene carrier, named polyethyleneimine nanogel
      particles (PEI-NP), for delivering the mircroRNA (miRNA) into Kupffer cells (KCs)
      for silencing the expression of nuclear transcription factor kappaB (NF-kappaB)
      P65. METHODS: The capacity of PEI-NPs to carry miRNA was tested by gel
      electrophoresis. RAW264.7 cell line was transfected with the cationic polymers
      which mixed together PEI-NP and miRNA. Then, the cytotoxicity of the RAW264.7
      cells was detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8); the cell apoptosis and
      transfection efficiency were analyzed by flow cytometry combined with annexin V
      FITC/PI staining; the gene and protein levels of NF-kappaB P65 were determined
      respectively by real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting. The
      distribution of the cationic polymers in RAW264.7 cells and liver KCs was
      observed by transmission electron microscope (TEM). The protein level of NF
      kappaB P65 in KCs was detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: PEI-NPs were
      able to completely combine with miRNA at the least mass ratio of 20:1. The
      highest transfection efficiency of 48 hours was (33.63+/-1.94)% in vitro. The
      protein level of NF-kappaB P65 at 48 hours of PEI-NP/miRNA transfection into
      RAW264.7 cells was significantly inhibited. TEM showed the cationic polymers in
      RAW264.7 cytoplasm and only in KCs of liver tissue after transfection.
      Immunohistochemistry indicated that the protein expression of NF-kappaB P65 in
      KCs was significantly lower than that in control group. CONCLUSION: Macrophages
      and KCs were successfully transfected with the cationic polymers in vitro and in
      vivo, respectively. The expression of NF-kappaB P65 was knocked down
      significantly after transfection.

PMID- 26271976
TI  - [Prediction of regulating network of innate immune signaling molecule hsa-miR
      181a in stroke development based on bioinformatics analysis].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To predict the regulating network of innate immunity signaling
      molecule hsa-miR-181a in stroke based on the methods of bioinformatics. METHODS:
      The UCSC genome browser, the human miRNA disease database (HMDD), the
      transcription factor-miRNA regulation database (TransmiR), the database on
      predicted and validated miRNA targets (miRwalk), the Genecards, the long non
      coding RNA (LncRNA) disease database, the DIANA LAB-LncBase and the ConSite were
      employed to study the upstream transcription factor, downstream target genes and
      the interactive LncRNA of hsa-miR-181a and to draw the core regulating network of
      hsa-miR-181a. To verify the hsa-miR-181a regulating network, we used
      lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to stimulate the BV2 cells transfected by lentivirus and
      real-time quantitative PCR to detect the changes of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4),
      tumor protein 63 (p63), miR-181a and nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) p65.
      RESULTS: The UCSC genome browser showed that hsa-miR-181a had two subtypes, which
      were demonstrated with high conservatism in several species. Diseases analysis
      and literatures investigation revealed that the hsa-miR-181a was related with
      many diseases, especially ischemia diseases. Bioinformatics analysis indicated
      that hsa-miR-181a was regulated by the transcription factors p63, and at the same
      time, it could regulate 58 target genes such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor
      (BDNF), TLR4 etc. IncRNA CDKN2B-AS1 and its transcription factors Snail and n-MYC
      might also interact with hsa-miR-181a. All the relative genes composed a
      regulatory network with hsa-miR-181a as a core and played important roles in the
      process of stroke. In LPS-stimulated BV2 cells, the expression levels of TLR4,
      p63, miR-181a were up-regulated; while the levels of p63, miR-181a and NF-kappaB
      p65 decreased in the lentivirus-infected BV2 cells, indicating that p63 was the
      key signaling molecule in the process of TLR4 regulating miR-181a. CONCLUSION:
      The bioinformatics analysis and preliminary experimental verification predicted
      and demonstrated the regulating network of hsa-miR-181a in stroke.

PMID- 26271977
TI  - [Down-regulation of human intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression in MCF-7
      cells infected by lentiviral short hairpin RNA interference vectors].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To construct lentiviral interference vectors of human intercellular
      adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), then infect human breast cancer MCF-7 cells and
      identify the interference effects. METHODS: Three short hairpin RNA (shRNA)
      interference sequences targeting human ICAM-1 gene (ICAM-1 shRNA1, ICAM-1 shRNA2
      and ICAM-1 shRNA3) and a negative control sequence (NS) were designed,
      synthesized and cloned into the pLKO.1-SP6-PGK-GFP vector. After DNA sequencing,
      three plasmid-based lentiviral packaging system (vector plasmid-psPAX2-pMD2.G)
      was used to transfect HEK293T cells to package lentiviruses. The supernatants
      containing viruses were harvested to detect the viral titer. Human MCF-7 breast
      cancer cells were infected with the lentiviruses and the interference efficiency
      was detected by real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting.
      RESULTS: PCR showed that the designed sequences were successfully inserted into
      the pLKO.1-SP6-PGK-GFP vector and DNA sequencing results were correct. The qRT
      PCR and Western blotting showed that the mRNA and protein expression levels of
      ICAM-1 in the infected MCF-7 cells decreased significantly in the ICAM-1 shRNA3
      group. CONCLUSION: Lentiviral interference vectors of human ICAM-1 were
      constructed successfully and the expression of ICAM-1 in MCF-7 cells was down
      regulated by ICAM-1 shRNA.

PMID- 26271978
TI  - [Up-regulated expressions of HIF-1alpha, VEGF and CD34 promote synovial
      angiogenesis in rats with adjuvant arthritis].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To observe the alterations of hypoxia inducible factor 1alpha (HIF
      1alpha), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and CD34 in synovial tissues
      in rats with adjuvant arthritis and explore the mechanism of angiogenesis in
      rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS: Thirty SD rats were randomly divided into normal
      control and model groups. Adjuvant arthritis was induced using Freund's complete
      adjuvant in the rats of the model group. Nineteen days after the modeling, the
      expressions of HIF-1alpha, VEGF and CD34 were detected using
      immunohistochemistry. The mRNA and protein levels of HIF-1alpha and VEGF were
      detected by reverse transcription PCR and Western blotting, respectively.
      RESULTS: Compared with the normal control group, the model group showed paw
      swelling, increased arthritic index, and significantly up-regulated expressions
      of VEGF, HIF-1alpha, CD34 in synovial tissue. VEGF mRNA was positively correlated
      with paw swelling degree, HIF-1alpha protein was positively correlated with the
      arthritis index, and VEGF mRNA and HIF-1alpha protein were positively correlated
      with CD34. CONCLUSION: The synovial angiogenesis is associated with the over
      expressions of VEGF, HIF-1alpha and CD34 in rats with adjuvant arthritis.

PMID- 26271979
TI  - [The morphological changes of SW620 cells induced by over-expression of human
      sorting nexin 3].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of human sorting nexin 3 (hSNX3) on the
      morphology and migration of colorectal cancer cells through over-expression of
      hSNX3 in SW620 cells. METHODS: A lentiviral vector pEZ-Lv201 (pEZ-SV40-eGFP-IRES
      Puro) inserted with hSNX3 gene was transferred into SW620 cells to construct and
      package recombinant lentiviral expression vector pEZ-hSNX3-Lv201. The cell clones
      stably over-expressing hSNX3 (SW620hSNX3) were screened to observe cell
      morphology and migration ability using Transwell(TM) assay and wound scratch
      assay. E-cadherin was detected by Western blotting. RESULTS: Sequence analysis
      demonstrated that the lentiviral expression vector pEZ-hSNX3-Lv201 was
      successfully constructed. The packaging titers of the recombinant lentivirus and
      control virus were 2.12*10(9) copies/mL and 7.9*10(10) copies/mL, respectively.
      After SW620 cells were transfected with the lentivirus, we got stable hSNX3
      overexpressed SW620hSNX3 cells. Most of SW620hSNX3 cells (88%) became oval
      instead of the original spindle-like shape. However, cell migration ability and
      expression of E-cadherin showed no significant differences between SW620hSNX3
      cells and SW620 cells. CONCLUSION: Over-expression of hSNX3 alters the morphology
      of SW620 cells, but hardly affects cell migration.

PMID- 26271980
TI  - [Protective effect of Astragalus polysaccharide on MRC-5 cells from oxidative
      damage induced by hydrogen peroxide].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) on the
      expressions of apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease/redox factor-1 (APE/Ref-1) and
      thioredoxin (TRX) in MRC-5 human embryo lung fibroblasts induced by hydrogen
      peroxide (H2O2) and explore the mechanism of APS protecting MRC-5 cells from
      oxidative damage. METHODS: The MRC-5 cells were randomly divided into groups: the
      normal control group, groups induced by H2O2 of different concentrations, groups
      treated with 200, 400, 800 mg/L APS. The inhibitory rate of cell proliferation in
      H2O2-induced MRC-5 cells was measured by MTT assay to make sure the successful
      establishment of oxidative damage model. With the optimal concentration of H2O2
      and different concentrations of APS on MRC-5 cells, we determined the optimal
      concentrate of APS to prevent oxidative damage in MRC-5 cells. The level of 8
      hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) was detected by immunofluorescence staining.
      The apoptotic cells were identified by flow cytometry (FCM). The mRNA and protein
      levels of APE/Ref-1 and TRX were respectively detected by reverse transcription
      PCR and Western blotting. RESULTS: H2O2 induced oxidative damage in MRC-5 cells
      in a concentration-dependent manner. We chose the oxidative damage model induced
      by 800 MUmol/L H2O2 for 24 hours to further study the protective mechanism of
      APS. Compared with H2O2 control groups, 200 mg/L APS significantly increased the
      protein level of APE/Ref-1 and TRX, decreased the content of 8-OHdG and the
      apoptosis of MRC-5 cells, and improved dramatically the cell viability.
      CONCLUSION: H2O2 can induce oxidative damage in MRC-5 cells. APS can promote
      APE/Ref-1 and TRX expressions in the damaged MRC-5 cells to relieve the oxidative
      damage and inhibit cell apoptosis.

PMID- 26271981
TI  - [Th9 cells and related cytokines increase in the lung of mice with bronchial
      asthma].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the number of T helper 9 (Th9) cells and the level of
      Th9 cell related cytokines in the lung tissues of mice with bronchial asthma and
      understand their relationship to the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma. METHODS:
      Sixteen SPF BALB/c mice were randomized into normal group and asthma group (8
      mice in each group). After asthmatic models were established, the airway
      responsiveness was detected with non-invasive lung function machine, ELISA was
      used for determining the concentrations of cytokine interleukin-9 (IL-9), IL-10
      and IL-13 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), HE staining and PAS staining
      was employed for observing the lung pathological changes, flow cytometry was used
      for testing the percentages of lung IL-9+ lymphocytes, IL-10+ lymphocytes and IL
      13+ lymphocytes in lung CD3+ lymphocytes. RESULTS: Compared with normal group,
      asthma group showed higher airway responsiveness, more severe airway inflammation
      and increased concentrations of cytokine IL-9 and IL-13, decreased concentration
      of cytokine IL-10 in BALF, higher percentages of lung IL-9+ lymphocytes and IL
      13+ lymphocytes in CD3+ lymphocytes, and lower percentage of IL-10+ lymphocytes.
      CONCLUSION: The expression of IL-9 was higher, but IL-10 was lower in asthma
      group. Th9 cells might play an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma.

PMID- 26271982
TI  - [Screening of deformed epidermal autoregulatory factor 1-related functional
      proteins].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To obtain HEK293T cell line which expresses deformed epidermal
      autoregulatory factor-1 (DEAF1) highly and stably, and to screen candidate
      proteins which can interact with DEAF1 by co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) and mass
      spectrometry (MS). METHODS: Plasmids pEGFP-mDEAF1 and pEGFP-N1 were transfected
      into HEK293T and 2F-2B cell lines with TurboFect transfection reagent,
      respectively. The localization of DEAF1 was observed in the two kinds of cell
      lines by a fluorescence microscope. Plasmid p3*FLAG-mDEAF1 was transfected into
      HEK293T and 2F-2B cell lines, respectively. Non-transfected cells were used as a
      control group. The expression levels of DEAF1 mRNA and protein were detected by
      reverse transcription PCR, real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western
      blotting, respectively. Plasmid p3*FLAG-mDEAF1 was transfected into HEK293T
      cells, and then HEK293T cell line expressing stably DEAF1 was selected with G418
      and identified by Western blotting, immunofluorescence and flow cytometry.
      Nuclear proteins of HEK293T-DEAF1 and HEK293T cell lines were extracted and
      detected using Co-IP and SDS-PAGE with EZview(TM) Red ANTI-FLAG M2 affinity gel.
      Bands, which were obviously enriched and did not exist in the control lanes, were
      analyzed with MS. RESULTS: DEAF1 was located in the nucleus under the
      fluorescence microscope. Reverse transcription PCR and qRT-PCR showed that the
      mRNA level of DEAF1 in DEAF1-expressed HEK293T cells was higher than that in
      control cell line. Western blotting revealed the expression of mDEAF1-FLAG fusion
      protein in the transfected cells. HEK293T-DEAF1 cells which expressed DEAF1
      highly and stably were obtained successfully. Some candidate proteins which might
      interact with DEAF1 were screened by Co-IP and MS, such as cytokines and enzymes
      required for pre-mRNA processing, postinitiation RNA polymerase, and other
      transcription factors involved in peptide bond breaking and spatial structure
      formatting, and so on. CONCLUSION: The study obtained HEK293T-DEAF1 cells which
      expressed DEAF1 highly and stably as well as a large set of candidate proteins
      which might interact with DEAF1 using Co-IP and MS.

PMID- 26271983
TI  - [The attachment manner of ubiquitin to proinflammatory molecule discoidin domain
      receptor 2].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To understand which lysine (K) residue in ubiquitin (Ub) is used to
      form a poly-Ubs chain on discoidin domain receptor 2 (DDR2). METHODS: The
      constructs encoding human DDR2 and Cbl-b were transiently transfected into
      HEK293T cells together with the Ub mutants with lysine mutation at different
      sites, and the transfected cells were stimulated with collagens in order to
      induce the activation of DDR2. Immunoprecipitation was performed to isolate DDR2,
      and the immunoprecipitates were then subjected to immunoblot analysis for the
      conjugation of DDR2 with Ub. RESULTS: Ub K27-only mutant displayed the strongest
      poly-Ub chain formation on DDR2, while Ub K33-only mutant exhibited weak ability
      to be conjugated with DDR2. These findings were further confirmed by Ub K27R and
      K33R mutants, which reduced DDR2 polyubiquitination. CONCLUSION: DDR2 is linked
      to a polyUb chain predominantly through K27 conjugation and slightly through K33.

PMID- 26271984
TI  - [Expressions and co-localization of HIV capsid protein p24 and TRIM22 in HEK293T
      cells].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To observe the co-localization of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
      capsid protein p24 and tripartite motif containing 22 (TRIM22) in HEK293T cells.
      METHODS: The retroviral packaging vector pLP1 was used as the template of p24.
      After the amplification by PCR, the sequence of p24 was cloned into the
      eukaryotic expression vector pDsRed-Monomer-N1. The recombinant vector was
      confirmed by colony PCR, double restriction enzyme digestion and DNA sequencing.
      HEK293T cells were co-transfected with the vector pDsRed-Monomer-N1-p24 together
      with pEGFP-N3-TRIM22. After 24 hours, the co-localization of p24-DsRed-Monomer
      and TRIM22-EGFP was detected under a fluorescence microscope. RESULTS: Colony
      PCR, double restriction enzyme digestion and DNA sequencing confirmed that the
      eukaryotic expression vector pDsRed-Monomer-N1-p24 was constructed successfully.
      Fluorescence microscope showed that p24-DsRed-Monomer was co-localized with
      TRIM22-EGFP in HEK293T cells. CONCLUSION: HIV capsid protein p24 is co-localized
      with TRIM22 in HEK293T cells.

PMID- 26271986
TI  - [Leukotriene B4 level in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with tuberculosis
      meningitis and clinical significance].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the level of leukotriene B4 (LTB4) in the cerebrospinal
      fluid (CSF) of patients with tuberculosis meningitis (TBM) and analyze the
      relationships of LTB4 level with cytological parameters and disease severity.
      METHODS: By ELISA, LTB4 levels were measured in the CSF of the patients with TBM
      (diagnosed by modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining), cryptococcal meningitis (CM),
      central nervous system leukemia (CNSL) or non-inflammatory neurological disease
      (NIND). CSF cytological testing was performed in TBM patients. Disease severity
      was evaluated by modified Rankin scale (mRS). LTB4 levels were compared between
      different disease groups, and the relationships of LTB4 level with white blood
      cell (WBC) counts, neutrophil counts and disease severity were analyzed
      statistically. RESULTS: Compared with CM, CNSL or NIND patients, CSF LTB4 level
      in TBM patients was remarkably higher. CSF LTB4 level in TBM patients was related
      to neutrophil counts and neutrophil percentages, but not related to WBC counts.
      No simple linear correlation was found between CSF LTB4 level and disease
      severity. CONCLUSION: CSF LTB4 level in TBM patients can be used as a predictor
      of inflammation degree, but its relationship with disease severity and prognosis
      need further exploration.

PMID- 26271985
TI  - [The effects of CEACAM6 and FOXP3 on tumor infiltrating lymphocytes and prognosis
      in patients with pancreatic cancer].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expressions of carcinoembryonic antigen-related
      cell adhesion molecule 6 (CEACAM6) and forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) on tumor
      infiltrating lymphocytes and prognosis in patients with pancreatic cancer.
      METHODS: The expressions of CEACAM6, FOXP3, CD3, CD8, CD45RO in pancreatic cancer
      tissues of 40 cases were assessed by immunohistochemistry, and their
      relationships with clinicopathological features and prognosis were also analyzed.
      RESULTS: The strong positive rates of CEACAM6 and FOXP3 in pancreatic cancer
      tissues were 50% and 60%, respectively. The higher strong positive rate were
      observed in stage III and IV. High expression of CEACAM6 was negatively
      correlated with the positive rates of CD8 and CD45RO cells. The strong positive
      rate of FOXP3 was higher in poorly differentiated pancreatic cancer, and its
      expression was negatively correlated with the positive rates of CD3, CD8 and
      CD45RO cells. The patients which had higher expressions of CEACAM6 and FOXP3 had
      a shorter survival time. CONCLUSION: CEACAM6 and FOXP3 are associated with the
      malignant degree of pancreatic cancer. The tumor with higher levels of CEACAM6
      and FOXP3 shows inhibited T lymphocyte infiltration.

PMID- 26271987
TI  - [Preparation and application of monoclonal antibody against human myoglobin].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To prepare the monoclonal antibody (mAb) against human myoglobin (MYO)
      of high titer and specificity and develop double-antibody sandwich ELISA for
      detecting MYO in human serum samples. METHODS: The BALB/c mice were immunized
      with natural human MYO, and the hybridoma cell lines secreting anti-MYO mAb were
      established using cell fusion and hybridoma screening techniques. The
      characteristics of the mAb were identified after affinity purification from
      ascites. Then the best antibody pair was selected from mAb to establish a one
      step sandwich ELISA method. Sixty human serum samples were detected by the
      homemade ELISA kit and the imported one, respectively. RESULTS: Nine strains of
      hybridoma cell lines stably secreted anti-MYO mAb. Four strains named 2M1, 3M4,
      5M7 and 10M4 could secrete high-quality mAb and the titers of them were in the
      range of 1.0*10(6) to 2.6*10(6) (A450 value was about 1.0). Three antibody pairs
      (2M1/HRP-3M4, 5M7/HRP-3M4, 10M4/HRP-5M7) were selected by double-antibody
      sandwich ELISA. Among them, the 5M7/HRP-3M4 had higher sensitivity and larger
      linear range. The homemade ELISA kit had a larger linear range (25-1000 ng/mL)
      than the imported one (25-500 ng/mL) and showed high accuracies in detecting
      human serum samples, being 95% (19/20) in positive samples and 100% (40/40) in
      negative samples. CONCLUSION: With the anti-human MYO mAbs of high specificity
      and affinity, a one-step sandwich ELISA for detecting human MYO has been
      established successfully, which provides a basis for the development of domestic
      ELISA kit.

PMID- 26271988
TI  - [Preparation and application of polyclonal antibody against Ras-related C3
      botulinum toxin substrate 1].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To prepare rabbit polyclonal antibody (pAb) against Ras-related C3
      botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac1) and identify the functions of the antibody.
      METHODS: The Rac1 fragment was amplified from cDNA of human cervical cancer HeLa
      cells, and then inserted into the vector pET-32a to construct the recombinant
      plasmid pET-32a-Rac1. The recombinant protein Rac1 was fused with His-tag and the
      fusion protein His-Rac1 was expressed in E.coli expression system. Thereafter,
      His-tagged Rac1 was purified to immunize rabbits as immunogen. The titer and
      specificity of rabbit polyclonal antibody against Rac1 were identified by ELISA,
      Western blotting and immunohistochemistry, respectively. RESULTS: The fusion
      protein His-Rac1 was successfully expressed in E.coli. The pAb could specifically
      detect Rac1 in human HeLa cells and MCF-7 cells in Western blotting. Moreover,
      the pAb could specifically recognized Rac1 protein in human kidney tissues.
      CONCLUSION: The pAb of human Rac1 protein was successfully prepared, which could
      specifically recognize Rac1 protein in several natural samples.

PMID- 26271989
TI  - A polymerase engineered for bisulfite sequencing.
AB  - Bisulfite sequencing is a key methodology in epigenetics. However, the standard
      workflow of bisulfite sequencing involves heat and strongly basic conditions to
      convert the intermediary product 5,6-dihydrouridine-6-sulfonate (dhU6S)
      (generated by reaction of bisulfite with deoxycytidine (dC)) to uracil (dU).
      These harsh conditions generally lead to sample loss and DNA damage while milder
      conditions may result in incomplete conversion of intermediates to uracil. Both
      can lead to poor recovery of bisulfite-treated DNA by the polymerase chain
      reaction (PCR) as either damaged DNA and/or intermediates of bisulfite treatment
      are poor substrate for standard DNA polymerases. Here we describe an engineered
      DNA polymerase (5D4) with an enhanced ability to replicate and PCR amplify
      bisulfite-treated DNA due to an ability to bypass both DNA lesions and bisulfite
      intermediates, allowing significantly milder conversion conditions and increased
      sensitivity in the PCR amplification of bisulfite-treated DNA. Incorporation of
      the 5D4 DNA polymerase into the bisulfite sequencing workflow thus promises
      significant sensitivity and efficiency gains. 

PMID- 26271990
TI  - Large-scale profiling of microRNAs for The Cancer Genome Atlas.
AB  - The comprehensive multiplatform genomics data generated by The Cancer Genome
      Atlas (TCGA) Research Network is an enabling resource for cancer research. It
      includes an unprecedented amount of microRNA sequence data: ~11 000 libraries
      across 33 cancer types. Combined with initiatives like the National Cancer
      Institute Genomics Cloud Pilots, such data resources will make intensive analysis
      of large-scale cancer genomics data widely accessible. To support such
      initiatives, and to enable comparison of TCGA microRNA data to data from other
      projects, we describe the process that we developed and used to generate the
      microRNA sequence data, from library construction through to submission of data
      to repositories. In the context of this process, we describe the computational
      pipeline that we used to characterize microRNA expression across large patient
      cohorts.

PMID- 26271991
TI  - mRNA and DNA selection via protein multimerization: YB-1 as a case study.
AB  - Translation is tightly regulated in cells for keeping adequate protein levels,
      this task being notably accomplished by dedicated mRNA-binding proteins
      recognizing a specific set of mRNAs to repress or facilitate their translation.
      To select specific mRNAs, mRNA-binding proteins can strongly bind to specific
      mRNA sequences/structures. However, many mRNA-binding proteins rather display a
      weak specificity to short and redundant sequences. Here we examined an
      alternative mechanism by which mRNA-binding proteins could inhibit the
      translation of specific mRNAs, using YB-1, a major translation regulator, as a
      case study. Based on a cooperative binding, YB-1 forms stable homo-multimers on
      some mRNAs while avoiding other mRNAs. Via such inhomogeneous distribution, YB-1
      can selectively inhibit translation of mRNAs on which it has formed stable
      multimers. This novel mechanistic view on mRNA selection may be shared by other
      proteins considering the elevated occurrence of multimerization among mRNA
      binding proteins. Interestingly, we also demonstrate how, by using the same
      mechanism, YB-1 can form multimers on specific DNA structures, which could
      provide novel insights into YB-1 nuclear functions in DNA repair and multi-drug
      resistance. 

PMID- 26271992
TI  - Oct-2 forms a complex with Oct-1 on the iNOS promoter and represses transcription
      by interfering with recruitment of RNA PolII by Oct-1.
AB  - Oct-1 (POU2f1) and Oct-2 (POU2f2) are members of the POU family of transcription
      factors. They recognize the same DNA sequence but fulfil distinct functions: Oct
      1 is ubiquitous and regulates a variety of genes while Oct-2 is restricted to B
      cells and neurones. Here we examine the interplay and regulatory mechanisms of
      these factors to control the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS, NOS2). Using
      two breast cancer cell lines as a comparative model, we found that MCF-7 express
      iNOS upon cytokine stimulation while MDA-MB-231 do not. Oct-1 is present in both
      cell lines but MDA-MB-231 also express high levels of Oct-2. Manipulation of Oct
      2 expression in these cell lines demonstrates that it is directly responsible for
      the repression of iNOS in MDA-MB-231. In MCF-7 cells Oct-1 binds the iNOS
      promoter, recruits RNA PolII and triggers initiation of transcription. In MDA-MB
      231 cells, both Oct-1 and Oct-2 bind the iNOS promoter, forming a higher-order
      complex which fails to recruit RNA PolII, and as a consequence iNOS transcription
      does not proceed. Unravelling the mechanisms of transcription factor activity is
      paramount to the understanding of gene expression patterns that determine cell
      behaviour.

PMID- 26271993
TI  - Extensive RPA2 hyperphosphorylation promotes apoptosis in response to DNA
      replication stress in CHK1 inhibited cells.
AB  - The replication protein A (RPA)-ssDNA complex formed at arrested replication
      forks recruits key proteins to activate the ATR-CHK1 signalling cascade. When
      CHK1 is inhibited during DNA replication stress, RPA2 is extensively
      hyperphosphorylated. Here, we investigated the role of RPA2 hyperphosphorylation
      in the fate of cells when CHK1 is inhibited. We show that proteins normally
      involved in DNA repair (RAD51) or control of RPA phosphorylation (the PP4 protein
      phosphatase complex) are not recruited to the genome after treatment with CHK1
      and DNA synthesis inhibitors. This is not due to RPA2 hyperphosphorylation as
      suppression of this response does not restore loading suggesting that recruitment
      requires active CHK1. To determine whether RPA2 hyperphosphorylation protects
      stalled forks from collapse or induction of apoptosis in CHK1 inhibited cells
      during replication stress, cells expressing RPA2 genes mutated at key
      phosphorylation sites were characterized. Mutant RPA2 rescued cells from RPA2
      depletion and reduced the level of apoptosis induced by treatment with CHK1 and
      replication inhibitors however the incidence of double strand breaks was not
      affected. Our data indicate that RPA2 hyperphosphorylation promotes cell death
      during replication stress when CHK1 function is compromised but does not appear
      to be essential for replication fork integrity. 

PMID- 26271994
TI  - Topoisomerase 1-dependent deletions initiated by incision at ribonucleotides are
      biased to the non-transcribed strand of a highly activated reporter.
AB  - DNA polymerases incorporate ribonucleoside monophosphates (rNMPs) into genomic
      DNA at a low level and such rNMPs are efficiently removed in an error-free manner
      by ribonuclease (RNase) H2. In the absence of RNase H2 in budding yeast,
      persistent rNMPs give rise to short deletions via a mutagenic process initiated
      by Topoisomerase 1 (Top1). We examined the activity of a 2-bp, rNMP-dependent
      deletion hotspot [the (TG)2 hotspot] when on the transcribed or non-transcribed
      strand (TS or NTS, respectively) of a reporter placed in both orientations near a
      strong origin of replication. Under low-transcription conditions, hotspot
      activity depended on whether the (TG)2 sequence was part of the newly synthesized
      leading or lagging strand of replication. In agreement with an earlier study,
      deletions occurred at a much higher rate when (TG)2 was on the nascent leading
      strand. Under high-transcription conditions, however, hotspot activity was not
      dependent on replication direction, but rather on whether the (TG)2 sequence was
      on the TS or NTS of the reporter. Deletion rates were several orders of magnitude
      higher when (TG)2 was on the NTS. These results highlight the complex interplay
      between replication and transcription in regulating Top1-dependent genetic
      instability. 

PMID- 26271995
TI  - Challenges for quality management in implementation, maintenance, and
      sustainability of research tissue biobanks.
AB  - Availability of high-quality human tissue samples and access to associated
      histopathological and clinical data is essential for basic and translational
      biomedical research, especially in areas of personalized medicine, drug, and
      biomarker development and mechanistically oriented biomedical research projects.
      Therefore, it is pivotal to establish and maintain quality-assured tissue
      biobanks that provide high-quality biomaterial to research thereby increasing the
      impact and reliability of scientific results. Quality concerns do not only
      address the biomaterial specimen itself but include all biobanking-related
      procedures. Tissue biobanks thus face essential challenges that encompass the
      implementation of adequate structural components, documentation of tissue sample
      collection and storage (procedures), as well as data and project management and
      IT. An integral and indispensable component of tissue biobanks is expert-driven
      evaluation (entry and exit controls) of tissue specimen to guarantee provision of
      high-quality assured biomaterials. 

PMID- 26271996
TI  - The association between bone mineral density, quality of life, quality of sleep
      and fatigue.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study was undertaken to examine quality of life (QoL), the
      quality of sleep and fatigue level in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis (OP)
      but without fractures, to assess the associations between these parameters and to
      compare the results with those for subjects who have osteopenia or normal bone
      mineral density (BMD). METHODS: In this study, 113 postmenopausal osteoporosis
      (PMO) subjects without fractures, 172 subjects with osteopenia and 102 subjects
      with normal BMD were included. The severity of pain, QoL, quality of sleep and
      fatigue were assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS), the QoL
      Questionnaire of the European Foundation for Osteoporosis (QUALEFFO-41), the
      Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Checklist of Individual Strength
      (CIS) questionnaire. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences between
      the three groups were found in terms of VAS and QUALEFFO-41 total scores (p >
      0.05). On the other hand, PSQI and CIS total scores were significantly different
      in the PMO and osteopenia groups (P = 0.015 and 0.007, respectively) compared to
      the group with normal BMD. CONCLUSIONS: During the follow-up and treatment of
      women with PMO or osteopenia, QoL, quality of sleep and fatigue should be
      assessed and incorporated into treatment decisions, even in the absence of
      fractures.

PMID- 26271998
TI  - The viability of mesoporous silica nanoparticles for drug delivery.

PMID- 26271997
TI  - Do relationships exist between the scope and intensity of quality improvement
      activities and hospital operation performance? A 10-year observation in Taiwan.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The relationship between the scope and intensity of quality
      improvement (QI) activities and hospital performance remains unclear. This study
      investigated the relationship between performance, external environment, and the
      scope and intensity of QI activities in hospitals. METHODS: The study used a
      longitudinal observation. Data regarding the scope and intensity of QI activities
      were collected using a questionnaire survey among the administrative deputy
      superintendents / directors of quality management center in 139 hospitals.
      Hospital performance indicators were abstracted from the 2000-2009 national
      hospitals profiles. We adopted year 2000 as the baseline, and divided the study
      period into three 3-year periods. The Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE)
      model was used for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: Seventy-two hospitals
      responded to the survey, giving a response rate of 52%. The results showed a
      significant increase in the scope and intensity of QI activities between 2000 and
      2009. The results also showed that the scope and intensity of a hospital's QI
      activities were associated with the scope and intensity of its competitors' QI
      activities in the previous period and its own prior performance. The scope of QI
      activities in the previous period was not significantly related to the selected
      hospital performance measures. However, the intensity of QI activities in the
      previous period showed a significant and positive relationship with the number of
      inpatients and the turnover of beds. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrates that the
      intensity of QI activities is associated with the external environment and the
      hospital's own performance in the previous period. Furthermore, some performance
      measures are associated with the intensity of the QI activities in the previous
      period.

PMID- 26272000
TI  - 12th European Federation of Audiology Societies (EFAS) Congress, Istanbul,
      Turkey, May 27-30th, 2015 Abstract Book.

PMID- 26271999
TI  - Suspended sediment, carbon and nitrogen transport in a regulated Pyrenean river.
AB  - Regulation alters the characteristics of rivers by transforming parts of them
      into lakes, affecting their hydrology and also the physical, chemical, and
      biological characteristics and dynamics. Reservoirs have proven to be very
      effective retaining particulate materials, thereby avoiding the downstream
      transport of suspended sediment and the chemical substances associated with it
      (e.g. Carbon, C, or Nitrogen, N). The study of fluvial transport of C and N is of
      great interest since river load represents a major link to the global C and N
      cycles. Moreover, reservoirs are the most important sinks for organic carbon
      among inland waters and have a potential significance as nitrogen sinks. In this
      respect, this paper investigates the effects of a Pyrenean reservoir on the
      runoff, suspended sediment, C and N derived from the highly active Esera and
      Isabena rivers. Key findings indicate that the reservoir causes a considerable
      impact on the Esera-Isabena river fluxes, reducing them dramatically as almost
      all the inputs are retained within the reservoir. Despite the very dry study year
      (2011-2012), it can be calculated that almost 300,000 t of suspended sediment
      were deposited into the Barasona Reservoir, from which more than 16,000 were C
      (i.e. 2200 t as organic C) and 222 t were N. These values may not be seen as
      remarkable in a wider global context but, assuming that around 30 h m(3) of
      sediment are currently stored in the reservoir, figures would increase up to ca.
      2.6*10(6) t of C (i.e. 360,000 t of organic C) and 35,000 t of N. Nevertheless,
      these values are indicative and should be treated with caution as there is
      incomplete understanding of all the processes which affect C and N. Further
      investigation to establish a more complete picture of C and N yields and budgets
      by monitoring the different processes involved is essential.

PMID- 26272001
TI  - All-solid-state potentiometric sensors with a multiwalled carbon nanotube inner
      transducing layer for anion detection in environmental samples.
AB  - While ion to electron transducing layers for the fabrication of potentiometric
      membrane electrodes for the detection of cations have been well established,
      similar progress for the sensing of anions has not yet been realized. We report
      for this reason on a novel approach for the development of all-solid-state anion
      selective electrodes using lipophilic multiwalled carbon nanotubes (f-MWCNTs) as
      the inner ion to electron transducing layer. This material can be solvent cast,
      as it conveniently dissolves in tetrahydrofuran (THF), an important advantage to
      develop uniform films without the need for using surfactants that might
      deteriorate the performance of the electrode. Solid contact sensors for
      carbonate, nitrate, nitrite, and dihydrogen phosphate are fabricated and
      characterized, and all exhibit comparable analytical characteristics to the inner
      liquid electrodes. For example, the carbonate sensor exhibits a Nernstian slope
      of 27.2 +/- 0.8 mV.dec(-1), a LOD = 2.3 MUM, a response time of 1 s, a linear
      range of four logarithmic units, and a medium-term stability of 0.04 mV.h(-1) is
      obtained in a pH 8.6 buffered solution. Water layer test, reversibility, and
      selectivity for chloride, nitrate, and hydroxide are also reported. The excellent
      properties of f-MWCNTs as a transducer are contrasted to the deficient
      performance of poly(3-octyl-thiophene) (POT) for carbonate detection. This is
      evidenced both with a significant drift in the potentiometric measures as well as
      a pronounced sensitivity to light (either sunlight or artificial light). This
      latter aspect may compromise its potential for environmental in situ measurements
      (night/day cycles). The concentration of carbonate is determined in a river
      sample (Arve river, Geneva) and compared to a reference method (automatic
      titrator with potentiometric pH detection). The results suggest that
      nanostructured materials such as f-MWCNTs are an attractive platform as a general
      ion-to-electron transducer for anion-selective electrodes. 

PMID- 26272003
TI  - Development and Testing of Women's Perception for the Scale of Supportive Care
      Given During Labor.
AB  - The aim of this study was to develop and validate women's perceptions of the
      supportive care received during labor. This study had a methodological design. A
      total of 360 women giving birth at two state hospitals in 2012 participated.
      Written permission was obtained from the Ethics Committee, the hospitals, and the
      participants. Data were collected via participant characteristics forms and the
      Scale of Women's Perception for Supportive Care Given During Labor. Content
      validity of the scale (0.94) was achieved with expert views. Three factors
      comfortable behaviors, education, and disturbing behaviors-were exposed to
      exploratory factor analysis, and factor loading varied between 0.38 and 0.76. The
      factor structures were confirmed by confirmatory factor analysis. Cronbach's
      coefficient was 0.94 for the scale, 0.92 for comforting behaviors, 0.85 for
      education, and 0.87 for disturbing behaviors. The correlation coefficient between
      the first and second part of the scale was 0.80. Item-total point correlations of
      the scale varied between 0.42 and 0.77. The scale was valid and reliable for
      measuring women's perception of supportive care given during labor. It can be
      used to determine the care aspects that midwives/nurses should develop, to
      improve the quality of care, and to help women have more positive labor
      experiences and higher labor satisfaction. 

PMID- 26272004
TI  - Objective and Subjective Outcomes Following Maxillomandibular Advancement Surgery
      for Treatment of Patients With Extremely Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea (Apnea
      Hypopnea Index >100).
AB  - PURPOSE: It is important for patients and treating clinicians to know whether
      maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) surgery is effective when treating patients
      with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and an extremely high apnea-hypopnea
      index (AHI) score. The purpose of this study was to evaluate objective and
      subjective treatment outcomes after MMA surgery for the treatment of OSAS in
      patients with a preoperative AHI score higher than 100. PATIENTS AND METHODS:
      This retrospective study included all patients who underwent MMA surgery for OSAS
      by members of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, QEII Health
      Science Centre (Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada) from November 1996 through February
      2014. Objective data were available in the form of polysomnographs (PSGs)
      obtained before and a minimum of 6 months after surgery. Patients completed a
      self-administered questionnaire before and after surgery regarding snoring,
      witnessed apneas, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) use, daytime
      somnolence, and overall satisfaction. RESULTS: Two hundred sixty-five patients
      had MMA surgery, of which 13 had pre- and postoperative PSGs. PSGs showed a mean
      preoperative AHI score of 117.9 and a mean postsurgical AHI score of 16.1 (P <
      .001). Pre- and postoperative questionnaires were available for 9 patients. After
      surgery, 7 patients denied having any daytime sleepiness and 2 patients reported
      minimal daytime sleepiness. The mean preoperative Epworth Sleepiness Scale score
      was 12.9 (standard deviation [SD], 5.5), whereas the postoperative mean score was
      5.0 (SD, 4.1; P = .004). Before surgery, all 9 patients reported loud snoring and
      8 reported witnessed apneas. After surgery, 2 patients reported minimal snoring
      and only 1 patient continued to have witnessed apneas. Six patients used CPAP
      preoperatively and only 1 patient continued to use CPAP after surgery.
      CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that MMA surgery for treatment of
      extremely severe OSA can be a highly successful 1-stage surgery, which eliminates
      the use of CPAP, improves subjective outcomes, and considerably decreases the AHI
      score.

PMID- 26272005
TI  - Single-Fraction Helical Tomotherapy for Ameloblastic Carcinoma.
AB  - Ameloblastic carcinoma (AC) is a rare malignant odontogenic tumor. Surgical
      resection of the tumor is the mainstay of its treatment. To date, radiotherapy
      for this tumor remains controversial. This report describes a case of AC with
      intracranial extension and provides the first report of the efficacy of single
      fraction helical tomotherapy for the treatment of residual AC after surgical
      resection. 

PMID- 26272006
TI  - Current Role of Carnoy's Solution in Treating Keratocystic Odontogenic Tumors.
AB  - PURPOSE: To understand the frequency of use of Carnoy's solution, as a means of
      chemical curettage, for treating the keratocystic odontogenic tumor (KCOT).
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: A Web-based survey was distributed by e-mail to 6,880
      members listed in the 2013 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial
      Surgeons directory. RESULTS: Eight hundred nine participants across the United
      States responded to the survey (12% response rate). The most common procedures
      performed to definitively treat a KCOT were enucleation plus mechanical curettage
      (curette with or without peripheral ostectomy; 66%). Of the survey participants,
      198 (25%) currently use Carnoy's solution, 111 (56%) of whom are using the
      solution with chloroform and 83 (42%) are using it without chloroform.
      CONCLUSION: Carnoy's solution remains a common method of chemical curettage for
      the definitive treatment of the KCOT. Carnoy's solution with and without
      chloroform is being used for chemical cautery.

PMID- 26272007
TI  - SmartWatch by SmartMonitor: Assessment of Seizure Detection Efficacy for Various
      Seizure Types in Children, a Large Prospective Single-Center Study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Patients with epilepsy and their caregivers are constantly burdened
      with the possibility of a seizure and its consequences, such as accidents,
      injuries, and sudden unexplained death in epilepsy. It is the unpredictable
      nature of seizures that often affects both patients with seizures and their
      caregivers, limits independence, and hinders quality of life. There are several
      types of motion detectors on the market, each with varying degrees of
      sensitivity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We prospectively tested the SmartWatch, a
      wrist-worn monitor, on children, adolescents, and young adults with various types
      of seizures in an epilepsy monitoring unit. Confirmation of seizure type and if
      there was rhythmic upper extremity jerking associated with the seizure was
      determined by review of the video electroencephalograph. This was compared with
      the standard detection system of the watch. RESULTS: This study analyzed a total
      of 191 seizures in 41 patients aged 5-41 years. Fifty-one of the seizures were
      generalized tonic-clonic. Forty-seven of the seizures had a rhythmic arm movement
      component. The SmartWatch detected 30 seizures (16%) of the total, 16 (31%) of
      the generalized tonic-clonic seizures, and 16 (34%) seizures associated with
      rhythmic arm movements. DISCUSSION: Overall, only a minority of generalized tonic
      clonic seizures or seizures with rhythmic movements were detected, highlighting
      the need for an effective seizure detection device.

PMID- 26272008
TI  - An international comparison of reimbursement for DIEAP flap breast
      reconstruction.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEAP) flap is
      currently considered the gold standard for autologous breast reconstruction. With
      the current economic climate and health cutbacks, we decided to survey
      reimbursement for DIEAP flaps performed at the main international centres in
      order to assess whether they are funded consistently. METHODS: Data were
      collected confidentially from the main international centres by an anonymous
      questionnaire. RESULTS: Our results illustrate the wide disparity in
      international DIEAP flap breast reconstruction reimbursement: a unilateral DIEAP
      flap performed in New York, USA, attracts ?20,759, whereas the same operation in
      Madrid, Spain, will only be reimbursed for ?300. Only 35.7% of the surgeons can
      set up their own fee. Moreover, 85.7% of the participants estimated that the
      current fees are insufficient, and most of them feel that we are evolving towards
      an even lower reimbursement rate. In 55.8% of the countries represented, there is
      no DIEAP-specific coding; in comparison, 74.4% of the represented countries have
      a specific coding for transverse rectus abdominis (TRAM) flaps. Finally, despite
      the fact that DIEAP flaps have become the gold standard for breast
      reconstruction, they comprise only a small percentage of all the total number of
      breast reconstruction procedures performed (7-15%), with the only exception being
      Belgium (40%). CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that DIEAP flap breast
      reconstruction is inconsistently funded. Unfortunately though, it appears that
      the current reimbursement offered by many countries may dissuade institutions and
      surgeons from offering this procedure. However, substantial evidence exists
      supporting the cost-effectiveness of perforator flaps for breast reconstruction,
      and, in our opinion, the long-term clinical benefits for our patients are so
      important that this investment of time and money is absolutely essential.

PMID- 26272009
TI  - Fistula after single-stage primary hypospadias repair - A systematic review of
      the literature.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The reporting of fistula after hypospadias repair varies greatly in
      the worldwide literature, with incidence ranging from 0% to over 35%. With
      multiple techniques employed within a heterogeneous patient cohort, to date, no
      "average" incidence of fistula has been reported. METHODS: A systematic review of
      the contemporary English-language literature from 2005 to 2015 identifying
      articles reporting complications after primary, single-stage hypospadias repair
      (the most commonly performed hypospadias operation) was performed. Identified
      reports were reviewed according to the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials
      (CONSORT) and the Methodological Index or Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS). A
      random effects analysis model was produced, in order to calculate a pooled
      outcome rates across the included studies. Separate models were then produced for
      subgroups of studies, with the resulting pooled rates compared. RESULTS: After
      application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, 44 articles progressed to the
      final analysis. A total of 6603 patients were included. The incidence of fistula
      was 7.5% (95% CI: 5.8-9.4), stricture or stenosis 4.4% (95% CI: 3.1-5.8) and
      dehiscence 2.1% (95% CI: 1.3-3.1). CONCLUSIONS: With pooled proportions of
      complications from over 6600 patients over a 10-year period, a standard may be
      set for outcomes after single-stage primary hypospadias repair for surgeons to
      audit their own outcomes against.

PMID- 26272012
TI  - Simple Suturing Technique for Umbilical Dimple Wound after Single-Incision
      Laparoscopic Surgery.

PMID- 26272010
TI  - Transit-time ultrasound technology-assisted lymphatic supermicrosurgery.

PMID- 26272013
TI  - Parenchyma-Sparing Liver Surgery for Large Segment 1 Tumors: Ultrasound-Guided
      Lateral and Superior Approaches as Safe Alternatives to Major Hepatectomy.

PMID- 26272011
TI  - Effect of negative pressure on growth, secretion and biofilm formation of
      Staphylococcus aureus.
AB  - Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has gained popularity in the management of
      contaminated wounds as an effective physical therapy, although its influence on
      the bacteria in the wounds remains unclear. In this study, we attempted to
      explore the effect of negative pressure conditions on Staphylococcus aureus, the
      most frequently isolated pathogen during wound infection. S. aureus was cultured
      in Luria-Bertani medium at subatmospheric pressure of -125 mmHg for 24 h, with
      the bacteria grown at ambient pressure as the control. The application of
      negative pressure was found to slow down the growth rate and inhibit biofilm
      development of S. aureus, which was confirmed by static biofilm assays.
      Furthermore, decreases in the total amount of virulence factors and biofilm
      components were observed, including alpha-hemolysin, extracellular adherence
      protein, polysaccharide intercellular adhesin and extracellular DNA. With
      quantitative RT-PCR analysis, we also revealed a significant inhibition in the
      transcription of virulence and regulatory genes related to wound infections and
      bacterial biofilms. Together, these findings indicated that negative pressure
      could inhibit the growth, virulence and biofilm formation of S. aureus. A topical
      subatmospheric pressure condition, such as NPWT, may be a potential antivirulence
      and antibiofilm strategy in the field of wound care.

PMID- 26272014
TI  - Can 360-Degree Reviews Help Surgeons? Evaluation of Multisource Feedback for
      Surgeons in a Multi-Institutional Quality Improvement Project.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Medical organizations have increased interest in identifying and
      improving behaviors that threaten team performance and patient safety. Three
      hundred and sixty degree evaluations of surgeons were performed at 8 academically
      affiliated hospitals with a common Code of Excellence. We evaluate participant
      perceptions and make recommendations for future use. STUDY DESIGN: Three hundred
      and eighty-five surgeons in a variety of specialties underwent 360-degree
      evaluations, with a median of 29 reviewers each (interquartile range 23 to 36).
      Beginning 6 months after evaluation, surgeons, department heads, and reviewers
      completed follow-up surveys evaluating accuracy of feedback, willingness to
      participate in repeat evaluations, and behavior change. RESULTS: Survey response
      rate was 31% for surgeons (118 of 385), 59% for department heads (10 of 17), and
      36% for reviewers (1,042 of 2,928). Eighty-seven percent of surgeons (95% CI, 75%
      94%) agreed that reviewers provided accurate feedback. Similarly, 80% of
      department heads believed the feedback accurately reflected performance of
      surgeons within their department. Sixty percent of surgeon respondents (95% CI,
      49%-75%) reported making changes to their practice based on feedback received.
      Seventy percent of reviewers (95% CI, 69%-74%) believed the evaluation process
      was valuable, with 82% (95% CI, 79%-84%) willing to participate in future 360
      degree reviews. Thirty-two percent of reviewers (95% CI, 29%-35%) reported
      perceiving behavior change in surgeons. CONCLUSIONS: Three hundred and sixty
      degree evaluations can provide a practical, systematic, and subjectively accurate
      assessment of surgeon performance without undue reviewer burden. The process was
      found to result in beneficial behavior change, according to surgeons and their
      coworkers.

PMID- 26272015
TI  - Investigating the Impact of the 2011 ACGME Resident Duty Hour Regulations on
      Surgical Residency Programs: The Program Director Perspective.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The 2011 ACGME regulations required substantial changes to the
      structure of general surgery residency programs, due primarily to the 16-hour in
      house rule for PGY1 residents. However, the scope of changes that programs have
      undertaken to meet these requirements, and the educational impact of those
      changes, are poorly understood. STUDY DESIGN: We performed in-depth qualitative
      interviews with general surgery program directors. Twenty program directors
      participated in the study; interviews were conducted until adequate thematic
      saturation was achieved. Participants were recruited from a stratified random
      sampling of residency programs in the United States to ensure a representative
      cohort. Interviews focused on changes in call schedule, interns' educational
      requirements, development, and satisfaction. RESULTS: Most programs used a month
      long night float (NF) rotation (14 of 20 [75%]). A minority of programs (5 of 20
      [25%]) used a weekly rotating schedule, in which interns worked 5 to 6 nights in
      a month. Multiple programs (65%) had an NF in place before 2011; these programs
      made changes to and expanded their existing schedule to accommodate the new
      regulations. Commonly cited challenges to instituting NF included weekend
      coverage (60%) and providing adequate days off during day-to-night transition.
      Interns spent as much as 3 months of the year on NF. Only 5 programs made
      explicit changes to teaching schedules or developed a curriculum for residents on
      NF. Seventy-five percent of programs excused interns, explicitly or implicitly,
      from didactic teaching when on NF. Common themes noted by program directors
      included delayed maturation of trainees, interns being isolated from the team
      culture, and a conflict between the professional behaviors of "following the
      rules" and "doing what is right."

PMID- 26272016
TI  - Preoperative Glycosylated Hemoglobin and Postoperative Glucose Together Predict
      Major Complications after Abdominal Surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is diagnostic of and a measure of the
      quality of control of diabetes mellitus. Both HbA1c and perioperative
      hyperglycemia have been targeted as modifiable risk factors for postoperative
      complications. The HbA1c percent cutoff that best predicts major complications
      has not been defined. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective study of all abdominal
      operations from a single institution from 2007 to 2010 was performed. All
      patients with HbA1c within 3 months before surgery were included. The primary end
      point was major complication, using the Clavien-Dindo complication system, within
      30 days of surgery. Stepwise, multivariate analysis was performed including
      clinically relevant variables chosen a priori. RESULTS: Among 438 patients who
      had a measured HbA1c, 96 (21.9%) experienced a major complication. On
      multivariate analysis, HbA1c >= 6.5% (odds ratio = 1.95; 95% CI, 1.17-3.24; p =
      0.01) was found to be the most significant predictor of major complications.
      Glyosylated hemoglobin and glucose were strongly correlated (correlation
      coefficient 0.414, p < 0.01). Predicted probabilities demonstrated that both
      HbA1c and glucose together contributed to major complications; and HbA1c impacted
      the ability to achieve optimal perioperative glucose control. Patients with a BMI
      >30 kg/m(2), history of coronary artery disease, and nonwhite race were more
      likely to have a HbA1c >= 6.5%. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated HbA1c >= 6.5% and
      perioperative hyperglycemia were associated with an increased rate of major
      complications after abdominal surgery. Elevated peak postoperative glucose levels
      were correlated with elevated HbA1c and were independently associated with major
      complications. More liberal HbA1c testing should be considered in high-risk
      patients before elective surgery. Safe, feasible, and effective strategies to
      reduce both HbA1c and perioperative hyperglycemia need to be developed to
      optimize patient outcomes.

PMID- 26272017
TI  - Is Laparoscopy Contraindicated for Gallbladder Cancer? A 10-Year Prospective
      Cohort Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic treatment for gallbladder cancer (GBC) has long been
      contraindicated, but few studies have demonstrated the oncologic outcomes of this
      treatment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate long-term survival after
      intended laparoscopic surgery for early-stage GBC based on our 10 years of
      experience. STUDY DESIGN: Between May 2004 and April 2014, eighty-three patients
      suspected of having early-stage GBC with no evidence of liver invasion were
      enrolled in the prospective protocol for laparoscopic surgery. Data for 45 of
      these patients with pathologically proven GBC were analyzed to determine the
      safety and oncologic outcomes of a laparoscopic approach to GBC. Twenty-six
      patients whose postoperative follow-up exceeded 5 years were investigated to
      determine the 5-year actual survival outcomes. RESULTS: Extended cholecystectomy,
      including laparoscopic lymphadenectomy, was performed in 32 patients and simple
      cholecystectomy in 13 patients. The T stages based on final pathologic results
      were Tis (n = 2), T1a (n = 10), T1b (n = 8), and T2 (n = 25). After a median
      follow-up of 60 months after surgery, recurrence was detected in 4 patients as
      distant metastases. There was no local recurrence around the gallbladder bed or
      lymphadenectomy. Disease-specific 5-year survival rate of the 45 patients was
      94.2%. Disease-specific actual survival rate of 26 patients whose postoperative
      follow-up period exceeded 5 years was 92.3% at 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: The
      favorable long-term oncologic results shown in this study confirm the oncologic
      safety of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, including laparoscopic lymphadenectomy in
      selected patients with GBC.

PMID- 26272019
TI  - Valence-based Word-Face Stroop task reveals differential emotional interference
      in patients with major depression.
AB  - Word-Face Stroop task creates emotional conflict between affective words and
      affective faces. In this task, healthy participants consistently slow down while
      responding to incongruent cases. Such interference related slowdown is associated
      with recruitment of inhibitory processes to eliminate task-irrelevant
      information. We created a valence-based Word-Face Stroop task, in which
      participants were asked to indicate whether the words in the foreground are
      positive, negative or neutral. Healthy participants were faster and more accurate
      than un-medicated patients with major depression disorder (MDD). In addition, a
      significant congruence by group interaction is observed: healthy participants
      slowed down for incongruent cases, but MDD patients did not. Furthermore, for the
      negative words, healthy individuals made more errors while responding to
      incongruent cases but MDD patients made the lowest number of errors for this
      category. The emotional percepts of the patients were intact, because correct
      response rates in word valence judgments for positive/negative words, and
      reaction times for happy/sad faces had similar patterns with those of controls.
      These findings are supported by the analytical rumination interpretation of
      depression: patients lose speed/accuracy in laboratory tasks due to processing
      load spent during continuous rumination. However, for tasks in line with their
      preoccupation, continual practice makes the patients more vigilant and adept. 

PMID- 26272020
TI  - Adjustment disorder as proposed for ICD-11: Dimensionality and symptom
      differentiation.
AB  - Although Adjustment Disorder as a diagnostic category is widely used in clinical
      practice it is critically discussed that it has not been conceptualized as a
      category with unique symptoms. Hence, the conceptualization of Adjustment
      Disorder is subject to substantive change in ICD-11 including core symptoms and
      additional features in a uni-faceted concept. Adjustment Disorder was assessed
      with a self-rating instrument in a representative sample of the German general
      population (N=2512). Confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) were applied to test the
      dimensionality of symptoms according to the new diagnostic concept. Latent class
      analysis (LCA) was applied to test whether there are distinguishable subgroups
      with respect to symptomatology. 2.0% of the sample were diagnosed with Adjustment
      Disorder according to the new diagnostic algorithm. The proposed six factor model
      shows best fit with good reliability of the factors in the CFA compared to
      competing models. However the factors are highly correlated and not
      distinguishable. The LCA identified three latent classes, reflecting low, mild
      and moderate to severe symptoms. The findings support the uni-faceted concept of
      Adjustment Disorder as it is conceptualized in the new diagnostic concept in ICD
      11 in a general population sample. This clearer diagnostic concept will inform
      research as well as clinical practice. 

PMID- 26272022
TI  - Exploring cognitive heterogeneity in first-episode psychosis: What cluster
      analysis can reveal.
AB  - Variable outcomes in first-episode psychosis (FEP) are partly attributable to
      heterogeneity in cognitive functioning. To aid identification of those likely to
      have poorer or better outcomes, we examined whether purported cognitive profiles
      identified through use of cluster analysis in chronic schizophrenia were evident
      in FEP. We also aimed to assess whether there was a relationship between
      cognitive profile and factors independent of the solution, providing external
      validation that the cognitive profiles represented distinct subgroups. Ward's
      method hierarchical cluster analysis, verified by a k-means cluster solution, was
      performed using data obtained from a cognitive test battery administered to 128
      participants aged 15-25 years. Four cognitive profiles were identified. A
      continuity element was evident; participants in cluster four were more
      cognitively impaired compared to participants in cluster three, who appeared more
      cognitively intact. Clusters one and two were distinguishable across measures of
      attention and working memory and visual recognition memory, most likely
      reflecting sample specific patterns of deficit. Participants in cluster four had
      significantly lower premorbid and current IQ and higher negative symptoms
      compared to participants in cluster three. The distinct levels and patterns of
      cognition found in chronic schizophrenia cohorts are also evident across
      diagnostic categories in FEP. 

PMID- 26272021
TI  - The association between childhood trauma and facial emotion recognition in adults
      with bipolar disorder.
AB  - Many patients with bipolar disorder (BD) have difficulties in facial emotion
      recognition, which may also be impaired in maltreated children and in subjects
      who have a positive history of childhood traumatic experiences. Childhood trauma
      is reported with a high prevalence in BD and it is considered a risk factor for
      the disorder. As the relationship between facial emotion recognition and
      childhood trauma in BD has not yet been directly investigated, in this study we
      examined whether the presence of a childhood trauma in affectively stable BD
      patients was associated with poorer performance in emotion recognition. Seventy
      five BD I and II participants completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire
      retrospectively assessing five types of childhood trauma (emotional, physical and
      sexual abuse, and emotional and physical neglect) and the Emotion Recognition
      Task evaluating the ability to correctly identify six basic facial emotions
      (happiness, sadness, anger, disgust, fear and surprise). Our results suggest that
      the presence of childhood trauma in participants with BD is associated with a
      more severe clinical presentation (earlier onset, longer duration of illness, and
      higher depressive symptom ratings) and that BD patients with a positive childhood
      history of emotional neglect perform worse than those without such a history in
      recognizing anger. 

PMID- 26272023
TI  - Emotional memory in pregnant women at risk for postpartum depression.
AB  - Postpartum depression (PPD) is associated with debilitating effects on mothers
      and their infants. A previous history of depression is considered the strongest
      risk factor for PPD. Depressed individuals recall more negative than positive
      content and higher levels of stress hormones released during encoding are
      associated with enhanced recall of emotional stimuli. This study examined the
      impact of a previous history of major depressive disorder (MDD) and pregnancy on
      emotional memory. Seventy-seven participants completed the study [44 pregnant
      women in the second trimester of pregnancy with and without a lifetime history of
      MDD and 33 non-pregnant women with and without a lifetime history of MDD]. All
      completed an encoding task and provided salivary cortisol (sCORT) and alpha
      amylase (sAA) samples. Participants returned one week later for a surprise
      incidental recognition memory task. Women with a history of MDD had worse
      recognition than women without a history of MDD for negative, but not positive
      images; this effect was independent of sCORT and sAA levels. Pregnancy did not
      affect emotional memory. Considering that several previous studies found enhanced
      memory bias for negative content during depressive states, our results suggest
      that clinical remission may be associated with an opposite cognitive processing
      of negative emotional content. 

PMID- 26272024
TI  - The estrogen receptor alpha nuclear localization sequence is critical for
      fulvestrant-induced degradation of the receptor.
AB  - Fulvestrant, a selective estrogen receptor down-regulator (SERD) is a pure
      competitive antagonist of estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha). Fulvestrant binds
      ERalpha and reduces the receptor's half-life by increasing protein turnover,
      however, its mechanism of action is not fully understood. In this study, we show
      that removal of the ERalpha nuclear localization sequence (ERDeltaNLS) resulted
      in a predominantly cytoplasmic ERalpha that was degraded in response to 17-beta
      estradiol (E2) but was resistant to degradation by fulvestrant. ERDeltaNLS bound
      the ligands and exhibited receptor interaction similar to ERalpha, indicating
      that the lack of degradation was not due to disruption of these processes.
      Forcing ERDeltaNLS into the nucleus with a heterologous SV40-NLS did not restore
      degradation, suggesting that the NLS domain itself, and not merely receptor
      localization, is critical for fulvestrant-induced ERalpha degradation. Indeed,
      cloning of the endogenous ERalpha NLS onto the N-terminus of ERDeltaNLS
      significantly restored both its nuclear localization and turnover in response to
      fulvestrant. Moreover, mutation of the sumoylation targets K266 and K268 within
      the NLS impaired fulvestrant-induced ERalpha degradation. In conclusion, our
      study provides evidence for the unique role of the ERalpha NLS in fulvestrant
      induced degradation of the receptor. 

PMID- 26272025
TI  - A Lactobacillus plantarum strain isolated from kefir protects against intestinal
      infection with Yersinia enterocolitica O9 and modulates immunity in mice.
AB  - Lactobacillus plantarum C4, previously isolated from kefir and characterized as a
      potential probiotic strain, was tested for its protective and immunomodulatory
      capacity in a murine model of yersiniosis. The inoculation of BALB/c mice with a
      low pathogenicity serotype O9 strain of Yersinia enterocolitica results in a
      prolonged intestinal infection with colonization of Peyer's patches. Pretreatment
      with C4 was without effect on fecal excretion of yersiniae, but shortened the
      colonization of Peyer's patches. This protective effect was associated with pro
      inflammatory status in the intestinal mucosa (TNF-alpha production in infected
      mice was increased by C4) and an increase in total IgA secretion. At a systemic
      level, C4 did not promote a pro-inflammatory response, although production of the
      immunoregulatory cytokine IFN-gamma was enhanced. These findings suggest that L.
      plantarum C4 can increase resistance to intestinal infections through its
      immunomodulatory activity. 

PMID- 26272027
TI  - Susceptibility loci for sporadic brain arteriovenous malformation; a replication
      study and meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Case-control studies have reported multiple genetic loci to be
      associated with sporadic brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) but most of
      these have not been replicated in independent populations. The aim of this study
      was to find additional evidence for these reported associations and perform a
      meta-analysis including all previously published results. METHODS: We included
      167 Dutch patients and 1038 Dutch controls. Case genotyping was performed by
      KASPar assays. Controls had been previously genotyped with a genome wide single
      nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) array. Differences in genotype frequencies between
      cases and controls were estimated by chi(2) testing in Plink V.1.07. Meta
      analysis was performed in RevMan V.5.3. RESULTS: In our case-control study we
      found no significant association with brain AVM (BAVM) for previously discovered
      SNPs near ANGPTL4, IL-1beta, GPR124, VEGFA and MMP-3. The meta-analysis revealed
      a statistically significant association with BAVMs for the polymorphism
      rs11672433 near ANGPTL4 (OR 1.39; 95% CI 1.10 to 1.75, p value 0.005).
      CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study support a role for the previously
      identified SNP near ANGPTL4 in the pathogenesis of AVMs. Previously found
      associations with SNPs near IL-1beta, GPR124, VEGFA and MMP-3 genes could not be
      substantiated in our replication cohort or in the meta-analysis.

PMID- 26272026
TI  - Inhibition of the Aurora A kinase augments the anti-tumor efficacy of oncolytic
      measles virotherapy.
AB  - Oncolytic measles virus (MV) strains have demonstrated broad spectrum preclinical
      anti-tumor efficacy, including breast cancer. Aurora A kinase controls mitotic
      spindle formation and has a critical role in malignant transformation. We
      hypothesized that the Aurora A kinase inhibitor MLN8237 (alisertib) can increase
      MV oncolytic effect and efficacy by causing mitotic arrest. Alisertib enhanced MV
      oncolysis in vitro and significantly improved outcome in vivo against breast
      cancer xenografts. In a disseminated MDA-231-lu-P4 lung metastatic model, the
      MV/alisertib combination treatment markedly increased median survival to 82.5
      days with 20% of the animals being long-term survivors versus 48 days median
      survival for the control animals. Similarly, in a pleural effusion model of
      advanced breast cancer, the MV/alisertib combination significantly improved
      outcome with a 74.5 day median survival versus the single agent groups (57 and 40
      days, respectively). Increased viral gene expression and IL-24 upregulation were
      demonstrated, representing possible mechanisms for the observed increase in anti
      tumor effect. Inhibiting Aurora A kinase with alisertib represents a novel
      approach to enhance MV-mediated oncolysis and antitumor effect. Both oncolytic MV
      strains and alisertib are currently tested in clinical trials, this study
      therefore provides the basis for translational applications of this combinatorial
      strategy in the treatment of patients with advanced breast cancer.

PMID- 26272028
TI  - A longitudinal study of cortical grey matter lesion subtypes in relapse-onset
      multiple sclerosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cortical grey matter (GM) lesions are common in multiple sclerosis
      (MS), but little is known about their temporal evolution. We investigated this in
      people with relapsing-remitting (RR) and secondary progressive (SP) MS. METHODS:
      27 people with RRMS, and 22 with SPMS were included in this study. Phase
      sensitive inversion recovery scans were acquired on 2 occasions. Cortical GM
      lesions were classified as intracortical (IC, only involving GM) and
      leucocortical (LC, mixed GM-white matter (WM)); WM lesions touching the cortex as
      juxtacortical (JC). On follow-up scans, new IC, LC and JC lesions were
      identified, and any change in classification of lesions previously observed was
      noted. WM lesion counts in the whole brain were assessed on PD/T2-weighted scans.
      RESULTS: Over a mean (SD) of 21.0 (5.8) months, the number of new IC lesions per
      person per year was greater in SPMS (1.6 (1.9)) than RRMS (0.8 (1.9)) (Mann
      Whitney p=0.039). All new LC lesions arose from previously seen IC lesions (SPMS
      1.4 (1.8) per person per year, and RRMS 1.1 (1.0)), and none arose de novo, or
      from previously seen JC lesions. Changes in cortical GM (either new IC or IC
      converting to LC) lesion counts did not correlate with the changes in WM lesion
      counts. CONCLUSIONS: New cortical GM lesions rarely arise from the WM and the
      rate of new IC lesion formation is not closely linked with WM lesion accrual. IC
      lesion formation appears to be more common in SPMS than RRMS.

PMID- 26272029
TI  - Comparison of retraction phenomenon and BI-RADS-US descriptors in differentiating
      benign and malignant breast masses using an automated breast volume scanner.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the diagnostic values of retraction phenomenon in the
      coronal planes and descriptors in the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System
      Ultrasound (BI-RADS-US) lexicon in differentiating benign and malignant breast
      masses using an automated breast volume scanner (ABVS). MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Two hundred and eight female patients with 237 pathologically proven breast
      masses (120 benign and 117 malignant) were included in this study. ABVS was
      performed for each mass after preoperative localization by conventional
      ultrasonography (US). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to
      assess independent variables for malignancy prediction. Diagnostic performance
      was evaluated through the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.
      RESULTS: Retraction phenomenon (odds ratio [OR]: 76.70; 95% confidence interval
      [CI]: 12.55, 468.70; P<0.001) was the strongest independent predictor for
      malignant masses, followed by microlobulated margins (OR: 55.87; 95% CI: 12.56,
      248.44; P<0.001), angular margins (OR: 36.44; 95% CI: 4.55, 292.06; P=0.001),
      calcifications (OR: 5.53; 95% CI: 1.34, 22.88; P=0.018,) and patient age (OR:
      1.10; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.17; P=0.004). Mass shape, orientation, echo pattern,
      indistinct margins, spiculated margins, and mass size were not significantly
      associated with breast malignancy. Area under the ROC curve (Az) for
      microlobulated margins and retraction phenomenon was higher than that for other
      significant independent predictors. Az, sensitivity, and specificity were 0.877
      (95% CI: 0.829, 0.926) and 0.838 (95% CI: 0.783, 0.892), 82.9% and 70.1%, and
      92.5% and 98.3%, respectively, for microlobulated margins and retraction
      phenomenon. CONCLUSIONS: Retraction phenomenon and microlobulated margins have
      high diagnostic values in the differentiation of benign and malignant breast
      masses using an ABVS.

PMID- 26272030
TI  - Mammography with and without radiolucent positioning sheets: Comparison of
      projected breast area, pain experience, radiation dose and technical image
      quality.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare projected breast area, image quality, pain experience and
      radiation dose between mammography performed with and without radiolucent
      positioning sheets. METHODS: 184 women screened in the Dutch breast screening
      programme (May-June 2012) provided written informed consent to have one
      additional image taken with positioning sheets. 5 cases were excluded (missing
      data). Pain was scored using the Numeric Rating Scale. Radiation dose was
      estimated using the Dance model and projected breast area using computer
      software. Two radiologists and two radiographers assessed image quality. RESULTS:
      With positioning sheets significantly more pectoral muscle, lateral and medial
      breast tissue was projected (CC-views) and more and deeper depicted pectoral
      muscle (MLO-views). In contrast, visibility of white and darker areas was better
      on images without positioning sheets, radiologists were therefore better able to
      detect abnormalities (MLO-views). Women experienced more pain with positioning
      sheets (MLO-views only, mean difference NRS 0.98; SD 1.71; p=0,00). CONCLUSION:
      Mammograms with positioning sheets showed more breast tissue. Increased breast
      thickness after compression with sheets resulted in less visibility of white and
      darker areas and thus reduced detection of abnormalities. Also, women experienced
      more pain (MLO-views) due to the sheet material. A practical consideration is the
      fact that more subcutaneous fat tissue and skin are being pulled forward leading
      to folds in the nipple area. On balance, improvement to the current design is
      required before implementation in screening practice can be considered.

PMID- 26272031
TI  - Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging Predicts Postoperative Pathology but
      Misses Aggressive Prostate Cancers as Assessed by Cell Cycle Progression Score.
AB  - PURPOSE: We identified prognostic biomarkers in prostate cancer by a
      radiogenomics strategy that integrates gene expression using the cell cycle
      progression score and medical images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We obtained
      institutional review board approval and written informed consent from 106 men
      with prostate cancer, including 60% at low risk, who underwent multiparametric
      magnetic resonance imaging before radical prostatectomy was done and a cell cycle
      progression score was determined. The correlation between the results of
      multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging and Gleason grade or cell cycle
      progression score was assessed by logistic regression. RESULTS: Patients with
      primary Gleason grade greater than 3 had a longer median maximal tumor diameter
      (13 vs 10 mm) and a lower median apparent diffusion coefficient (0.745 vs
      0.88*10(-3) mm2 per second, each p=0.0001) than those with primary Gleason grade
      3 or less. Maximal diameter 10 mm or greater (OR 4.9, 95% CI 1.7 to 14.0,
      p=0.0012) and apparent diffusion coefficient 0.80*10(-3) mm2 per second or less
      (OR 7.5, 95% CI 3.0 to 18.7, p<0.0001) were significantly associated with primary
      Gleason grade greater than 3. The combined measure of maximal diameter less than
      10 mm and apparent diffusion coefficient greater than 0.80*10(-3) mm2 per second
      identified only index lesions harboring primary Gleason grade 3. However, 7 of
      those lesions showed a molecular pattern of high risk lethal prostate cancer
      (cell cycle progression score greater than 0). CONCLUSIONS: Multiparametric
      magnetic resonance imaging is able to predict low and high risk Gleason scores in
      the tumor. However, the cell cycle progression score did not completely match the
      imaging result. These findings suggest that management of early stages prostate
      cancer could strongly benefit by performing magnetic resonance imaging targeted
      biopsy coupled with molecular analysis.

PMID- 26272034
TI  - Studies of the physicochemical and structural properties of self-assembling
      cationic pyridine derivatives as gene delivery agents.
AB  - New amphiphilic pyridine derivatives containing dodecyloxycarbonyl substituents
      at positions 3 and 5 and cationic moieties at positions 2 and 6 have been
      designed and synthesised. Compounds of this type can be considered as synthetic
      lipids. The corresponding 1,4-dihydropyridine (1,4-DHP) derivatives have earlier
      been proposed as a promising tool for plasmid DNA (pDNA) delivery in vitro. In
      this work studies of the self-assembling properties of amphiphilic pyridine
      derivatives leading to the formation of liposomes, determination of particle
      size, zeta-potential and critical micelle concentration (CMC) with dynamic light
      scattering (DLS) measurements are described. Furthermore, thermal analysis of
      pyridine derivatives was performed using thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) and
      differential thermal analysis (DTA) as well as the ability to deliver the pEGFP
      C1 plasmid DNA (that encodes GFP reporter) into the Baby hamster kidney-derived
      (BHK-21) cell line was used for evaluation of gene delivery properties. We have
      revealed that the new pyridine derivatives possessed self-assembling properties
      which were proved by formation of nanoparticles with the average size from 115 to
      743nm, the zeta-potentials in the range of 48-79mV and CMC values in the range of
      2-67MUM. DTA data showed that all processes were endothermic for all compounds.
      Additionally, we established that among the tested pyridines the representatives
      with N-methylpyrrolidinium or pyridinium moieties as cationic head-group at the
      positions 2 and 6 possessed higher pEGFP-C1 transfection activity into the BHK-21
      cell line. Nevertheless, the obtained results indicated that correlation of the
      physicochemical, structural properties and gene delivery activities of the tested
      compounds were not completely elucidated yet. On the other hand, the synthesised
      pyridines as possible metabolites of promising delivery systems on the 1,4-DHP
      core possessed lower pDNA transfection activity than the corresponding 1,4-DHP
      amphiphiles. 

PMID- 26272035
TI  - Identifying compound efficacy targets in phenotypic drug discovery.
AB  - The identification of the efficacy target(s) for hits from phenotypic compound
      screens remains a key step to progress compounds into drug development. In
      addition to efficacy targets, the characterization of epistatic proteins
      influencing compound activity often facilitates the elucidation of the underlying
      mechanism of action; and, further, early determination of off-targets that cause
      potentially unwanted secondary phenotypes helps in assessing potential
      liabilities. This short review discusses the most important technologies
      currently available for characterizing the direct and indirect target space of
      bioactive compounds following phenotypic screening. We present a comprehensive
      strategy employing complementary approaches to balance individual technology
      strengths and weaknesses. 

PMID- 26272033
TI  - Pulmonary endothelial cell barrier enhancement by novel FTY720 analogs: methoxy
      FTY720, fluoro-FTY720, and beta-glucuronide-FTY720.
AB  - Effective therapeutic agents are lacking for the prevention and reversal of
      vascular leak, a frequent pathophysiologic result of inflammatory processes such
      as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and sepsis. We previously
      demonstrated the potent barrier-enhancing effects of related compounds
      sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), the pharmaceutical agent FTY720, and its analog
      (S)-FTY720 phosphonate (Tys) in models of inflammatory lung injury. In this
      study, we characterize additional novel FTY720 analogs for their potential to
      reduce vascular leak as well as utilize them as tools to better understand the
      mechanisms by which this class of agents modulates permeability. Transendothelial
      resistance (TER) and labeled dextran studies demonstrate that (R)-methoxy-FTY720
      ((R)-OMe-FTY), (R)/(S)-fluoro-FTY720 (FTY-F), and beta-glucuronide-FTY720 (FTY-G)
      compounds display in vitro barrier-enhancing properties comparable or superior to
      FTY720 and S1P. In contrast, the (S)-methoxy-FTY720 ((S)-OMe-FTY) analog disrupts
      lung endothelial cell (EC) barrier integrity in TER studies in association with
      actin stress fiber formation and robust intracellular calcium release, but
      independent of myosin light chain or ERK phosphorylation. Additional mechanistic
      studies with (R)-OMe-FTY, FTY-F, and FTY-G suggest that lung EC barrier
      enhancement is mediated through lipid raft signaling, Gi-linked receptor coupling
      to downstream tyrosine phosphorylation events, and S1PR1-dependent receptor
      ligation. These results provide important mechanistic insights into modulation of
      pulmonary vascular barrier function by FTY720-related compounds and highlight
      common signaling events that may assist the development of novel therapeutic
      tools in the prevention or reversal of the pulmonary vascular leak that
      characterizes ARDS. 

PMID- 26272036
TI  - In silico assessment of adverse drug reactions and associated mechanisms.
AB  - During recent years, various in silico approaches have been developed to estimate
      chemical and biological drug features, for example chemical fragments, protein
      targets, pathways, among others, that correlate with adverse drug reactions
      (ADRs) and explain the associated mechanisms. These features have also been used
      for the creation of predictive models that enable estimation of ADRs during the
      early stages of drug development. In this review, we discuss various in silico
      approaches to predict these features for a certain drug, estimate correlations
      with ADRs, establish causal relationships between selected features and ADR
      mechanisms and create corresponding predictive models. 

PMID- 26272032
TI  - Structure-activity studies of Wnt/beta-catenin inhibition in the Niclosamide
      chemotype: Identification of derivatives with improved drug exposure.
AB  - The Wnt signaling pathway plays a key role in regulation of organ development and
      tissue homeostasis. Dysregulated Wnt activity is one of the major underlying
      mechanisms responsible for many diseases including cancer. We previously reported
      the FDA-approved anthelmintic drug Niclosamide inhibits Wnt/beta-catenin
      signaling and suppresses colon cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo.
      Niclosamide is a multi-functional drug that possesses important biological
      activity in addition to inhibition of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling. Here, we
      studied the SAR of Wnt signaling inhibition in the anilide and salicylamide
      region of Niclosamide. We found that the 4'-nitro substituent can be effectively
      replaced by trifluoromethyl or chlorine and that the potency of inhibition was
      dependent on the substitution pattern in the anilide ring. Non-anilide, N-methyl
      amides and reverse amide derivatives lost significant potency, while acylated
      salicylamide derivatives inhibited signaling with potency similar to non-acyl
      derivatives. Niclosamide's low systemic exposure when dosed orally may hinder its
      use to treat systemic disease. To overcome this limitation we identified an acyl
      derivative of Niclosamide, DK-520 (compound 32), that significantly increased
      both the plasma concentration and the duration of exposure of Niclosamide when
      dosed orally. The studies herein provide a medicinal chemical foundation to
      improve the pharmacokinetic exposure of Niclosamide and Wnt-signaling inhibitors
      based on the Niclosamide chemotype. The identification of novel derivatives of
      Niclosamide that metabolize to Niclosamide and increase its drug exposure may
      provide important research tools for in vivo studies and provide drug candidates
      for treating cancers with dysregulated Wnt signaling including drug-resistant
      cancers. Moreover, since Niclosamide is a multi-functional drug, new research
      tools such as DK520 could directly result in novel treatments against bacterial
      and viral infection, lupus, and metabolic diseases such as type II diabetes, NASH
      and NAFLD. 

PMID- 26272037
TI  - Psychopathic traits in adolescents are associated with higher structural
      connectivity.
AB  - Altered structural connectivity has been reported in antisocial juveniles, but
      findings have been inconsistent. Given the phenotypical heterogeneity among
      individuals showing antisocial behavior, specification of the association between
      structural connectivity and the dimensions of psychopathic traits (i.e., callous
      unemotional, grandiose-manipulative, and impulsive-irresponsible traits) may aid
      in more reliably elucidating the neural mechanisms underlying antisocial behavior
      during adolescence. In this study, a sample of 145 adolescents (mean age 17.6, SD
      1.6) from a childhood arrestee cohort participated in a neuroimaging protocol
      including diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Fractional anisotropy (FA), radial
      diffusivity (RD) and axial diffusivity (AD), as obtained by tract-based spatial
      statistics, were associated with juveniles' scores on the Youth Psychopathic
      Traits Inventory. Grandiose-manipulative traits were positively associated with
      FA and negatively with RD in a wide range of white matter tracts, suggesting
      abnormal myelination related to these traits. Callous-unemotional traits were
      positively associated with FA and AD in specific white matter tracts, including
      the corpus callosum and corticospinal tract. The differential associations
      between dimensions of psychopathic traits and measures of structural connectivity
      support the notion that multiple distinct neural mechanisms underlie antisocial
      and psychopathic development. 

PMID- 26272038
TI  - Striatal dopamine type 2 receptor availability in anorexia nervosa.
AB  - The neurobiology of anorexia nervosa remains incompletely understood. Here we
      utilized PET imaging with the radiotracer [(11)C]raclopride to measure striatal
      dopamine type 2 (D2) receptor availability in patients with anorexia nervosa. 25
      women with anorexia nervosa who were receiving treatment in an inpatient program
      participated, as well as 25 control subjects. Patients were scanned up to two
      times with the PET tracer [(11)C]raclopride: once while underweight, and once
      upon weight restoration. Control subjects underwent one PET scan. In the primary
      analyses, there were no significant differences between underweight patients
      (n=21) and control subjects (n=25) in striatal D2 receptor binding potential.
      Analysis of subregions (sensorimotor striatum, associative striatum, limbic
      striatum) did not reveal differences between groups. In patients completing both
      scans (n=15), there were no detectable changes in striatal D2 receptor binding
      potential after weight restoration. In this sample, there were no differences in
      striatal D2 receptor binding potential between patients with anorexia nervosa and
      control subjects. Weight restoration was not associated with a change in striatal
      D2 receptor binding. These findings suggest that disturbances in reward
      processing in this disorder are not attributable to abnormal D2 receptor
      characteristics, and that other reward-related neural targets may be of greater
      relevance. 

PMID- 26272040
TI  - The pharmacology of bitter taste receptors and their role in human airways.
AB  - The receptors involved in bitter taste perception (bitter taste receptors--T2Rs)
      constitute a family of G-protein-coupled receptors, of which around 29 subtypes
      have been identified in humans. T2R expression was initially thought to be
      confined to the oral cavity but has recently been described in a range of other
      tissues (such as the heart, gut, nasal cavity and lungs) and cell types
      (chemosensory, smooth muscle, endothelial, epithelial and inflammatory cells).
      Although it is still not clear whether endogenous T2R agonists exist, the T2R
      receptors recognize many natural and synthetic compounds, such as the acyl
      homoserine lactones produced by bacteria, caffeine, chloroquine, and
      erythromycin. In the upper airways, T2Rs are involved in neurogenic inflammation
      and bacterial clearance. Their known effects in the lungs are exerted at three
      different levels. Firstly, T2R agonists increase the beating frequency of cilia
      on epithelial cells. Secondly, the T2Rs induce bronchial smooth muscle cells to
      relax. Thirdly, the T2R receptors expressed on immune cells (such as macrophages
      and mast cells) modulate production of pro-inflammatory mediators. Furthermore,
      T2R agonists are effective in inhibiting lung inflammation or smooth muscle
      contraction in ex vivo and asthma animal models, and are known to be involved in
      bacterial killing in the nasal cavity and enhancing lung function in humans. This
      review focuses on the pharmacology and physiological functions of T2R receptors
      in the upper and lower airways. It presents recently acquired knowledge
      suggesting that T2Rs may become valuable drug targets in the treatment of
      diseases such as asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis.

PMID- 26272039
TI  - Motor overflow in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is
      associated with decreased extent of neural activation in the motor cortex.
AB  - Motor overflow is a developmental phenomenon that typically disappears by late
      childhood. Abnormal persistence of motor overflow is often present in children
      with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This study employed
      functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during a finger-sequencing task to
      examine whether excessive motor overflow in children with ADHD is associated with
      decreased extent of motor circuit activation. Thirty-four right-handed children
      (18 typically developing controls, 16 ADHD) completed fMRI while performing a
      finger-sequencing task. Motor overflow was evaluated during a finger-sequencing
      task and a motor examination (the PANESS) performed outside the scanner.
      Diagnostic differences in behavioral measures of overflow and extent of
      activation in the contralateral and ipsilateral motor network ROIs were examined,
      along with correlations between overflow and extent of activation. Children with
      ADHD demonstrated greater overflow and lesser extent of activation in left
      primary motor cortex (BA4) and bilateral premotor cortex (BA6) and supplementary
      motor area (SMA) during right-hand finger-sequencing compared to controls.
      Decreased extent of primary motor and premotor activation correlated with
      increased hand-related overflow movements in children with ADHD but not controls.
      These findings suggest that overflow movements in children with ADHD may reflect
      decreased recruitment of neural circuitry involved in active inhibition of
      homologous motor circuitry unnecessary to task execution. 

PMID- 26272041
TI  - Large single crystal growth, transport property, and spectroscopic
      characterizations of three-dimensional Dirac semimetal Cd3As2.
AB  - The three dimensional (3D) Dirac semimetal is a new quantum state of matter that
      has attracted much attention recently in physics and material science. Here, we
      report on the growth of large plate-like single crystals of Cd3As2 in two major
      orientations by a self-selecting vapor growth (SSVG) method, and the optimum
      growth conditions have been experimentally determined. The crystalline
      imperfections and electrical properties of the crystals were examined with
      transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), and
      transport property measurements. This SSVG method makes it possible to control
      the as-grown crystal compositions with excess Cd or As leading to mobilities near
      5-10(5) cm(2)V(-1)s(-1). Zn-doping can effectively reduce the carrier density to
      reach the maximum residual resistivity ratio (RRRrho300K/rho5K) of 7.6. A vacuum
      cleaved single crystal has been investigated using angle-resolved photoemission
      spectroscopy (ARPES) to reveal a single Dirac cone near the center of the surface
      Brillouin zone with a binding energy of approximately 200 meV.

PMID- 26272042
TI  - The KICA Carer: informant information to enhance the Kimberley Indigenous
      Cognitive Assessment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A quality dementia-screening tool is required for older remote
      Aboriginal Australians who have high rates of dementia and limited access to
      appropriate medical equipment and clinicians. The Kimberley Indigenous Cognitive
      Assessment (KICA Cog) is a valid cognitive test for dementia in Aboriginal and
      Torres Strait Islander peoples. The KICA cognitive informant questionnaire (KICA
      Carer) had yet to be analyzed to determine validity alone or in combination with
      the KICA Cog. METHODS: The KICA Carer was completed by nominated informants of
      349 remote-living Aboriginal Australians in the Kimberley region, Western
      Australia. Validity was assessed by comparing KICA Carer with Diagnostic and
      Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) and International Classification
      of Diseases (ICD-10) consensus diagnoses based on a blinded specialist review.
      KICA Carer and KICA Cog were then compared to determine joint validity. RESULTS:
      A KICA Carer score of >=3/16 gave optimum sensitivity (76.2%) and specificity
      (81.4%), area under curve (AUC) 0.89 (95% CI = 0.85, 0.94) with positive
      predictive value (PPV) of 35.8%, and negative predictive value (NPV) of 96.2%. A
      KICA Cog score of <=33/39 gave a sensitivity of 92.9% and specificity of 89.9%,
      AUC 0.96 (95% CI = 0.94, 0.98), with PPV of 55.6% and NPV of 98.9%. Cut-off
      scores of KICA Cog <= 33/39 and KICA Carer >= 2/16 in series indicate possible
      dementia, with sensitivity of 90.5% and specificity of 93.5%. In this setting,
      PPV was 66.5% and NPV was 98.6%. CONCLUSIONS: The KICA Carer is an important tool
      to accurately screen dementia in remote Aboriginal Australians when the KICA Cog
      is unable to be used for a patient. It is readily accepted by caregivers. KEY
      POINTS: * For the best practice in the cognitive assessment of an Aboriginal
      Australian aged over 45 years, KICA Cog should be utilized. * In cases where
      Aboriginal patients are not assessed directly, KICA Carer should be conducted
      with an informant. A cut-off score of >=3/16 should be used (these tools can be
      downloaded from www.wacha.org.au/kica.html).

PMID- 26272043
TI  - Myristoylation confers noncanonical AMPK functions in autophagy selectivity and
      mitochondrial surveillance.
AB  - AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) plays a central role in cellular energy
      sensing and bioenergetics. However, the role of AMPK in surveillance of
      mitochondrial damage and induction of mitophagy remains unclear. We demonstrate
      herein that AMPK is required for efficient mitophagy. Mitochondrial damage
      induces a physical association of AMPK with ATG16-ATG5-12 and an AMPK-dependent
      recruitment of the VPS34 and ATG16 complexes with the mitochondria. Targeting
      AMPK to the mitochondria is both sufficient to induce mitophagy and to promote
      cell survival. Recruitment of AMPK to the mitochondria requires N-myristoylation
      of AMPKbeta by the type-I N-myristoyltransferase 1 (NMT1). Our data support a
      spatiotemporal model wherein recruitment of AMPK in association with components
      of the VPS34 and ATG16 complex to damaged mitochondria regulates selective
      mitophagy to maintain cancer cell viability. 

PMID- 26272044
TI  - The expanding spectrum of EBV+ lymphomas.
AB  - In this issue of Blood, Nicolae et al at the National Cancer Institute describe a
      series of Epstein-Barr virus-positive (EBV+) diffuse large B-cell lymphomas
      (DLBCLs) in young patients (median age 23 years) without known immunodeficiency.

PMID- 26272045
TI  - C3dg-CR3 interaction in erythrophagocytosis.
AB  - In this issue of Blood, Lin et al elegantly demonstrate that the erythrocytes
      from patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) undergoing
      eculizumab treatment, which are opsonized with the complement C3dg, can interact
      with complement receptor 3 (CR3) on activated monocytes, thus leading to
      erythrophagocytosis.

PMID- 26272046
TI  - Game, set, match for factor VIII mismatch?
AB  - In this issue of Blood, Gunasekera et al provide evidence that the high rate of
      factor VIII (FVIII) inhibitors seen in black hemophilia A (HA) patients is not
      due to a mismatch between the structure of treatment products and FVIII genotypes
      common in blacks.

PMID- 26272047
TI  - COMP: an endogenous thrombin inhibitor.
AB  - In this issue of Blood, Liang and colleagues demonstrate that cartilage
      oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) acts as a major endogenous plasma- and platelet
      derived inhibitor of thrombin activity in vitro and in vivo.

PMID- 26272048
TI  - Guidelines for determination of the number of prior lines of therapy in multiple
      myeloma.

PMID- 26272049
TI  - Specific Inhibition of Phosphodiesterase-4B Results in Anxiolysis and Facilitates
      Memory Acquisition.
AB  - Cognitive dysfunction is a core feature of dementia and a prominent feature in
      psychiatric disease. As non-redundant regulators of intracellular cAMP gradients,
      phosphodiesterases (PDE) mediate fundamental aspects of brain function relevant
      to learning, memory, and higher cognitive functions. Phosphodiesterase-4B (PDE4B)
      is an important phosphodiesterase in the hippocampal formation, is a major
      Disrupted in Schizophrenia 1 (DISC1) binding partner and is itself a risk gene
      for psychiatric illness. To define the effects of specific inhibition of the
      PDE4B subtype, we generated mice with a catalytic domain mutant form of PDE4B
      (Y358C) that has decreased ability to hydrolyze cAMP. Structural modeling
      predictions of decreased function and impaired binding with DISC1 were confirmed
      in cell assays. Phenotypic characterization of the PDE4B(Y358C) mice revealed
      facilitated phosphorylation of CREB, decreased binding to DISC1, and upregulation
      of DISC1 and beta-Arrestin in hippocampus and amygdala. In behavioral assays,
      PDE4B(Y358C) mice displayed decreased anxiety and increased exploration, as well
      as cognitive enhancement across several tests of learning and memory, consistent
      with synaptic changes including enhanced long-term potentiation and impaired
      depotentiation ex vivo. PDE4B(Y358C) mice also demonstrated enhanced
      neurogenesis. Contextual fear memory, though intact at 24 h, was decreased at 7
      days in PDE4B(Y358C) mice, an effect replicated pharmacologically with a non
      selective PDE4 inhibitor, implicating cAMP signaling by PDE4B in a very late
      phase of consolidation. No effect of the PDE4B(Y358C) mutation was observed in
      the prepulse inhibition and forced swim tests. Our data establish specific
      inhibition of PDE4B as a promising therapeutic approach for disorders of
      cognition and anxiety, and a putative target for pathological fear memory.

PMID- 26272050
TI  - Oxytocin Facilitates Pavlovian Fear Learning in Males.
AB  - In human evolution, social group living and Pavlovian fear conditioning have
      evolved as adaptive mechanisms promoting survival and reproductive success. The
      evolutionarily conserved hypothalamic peptide oxytocin is a key modulator of
      human sociality, but its effects on fear conditioning are still elusive. In the
      present randomized controlled study involving 97 healthy male subjects, we
      therefore employed functional magnetic resonance imaging and simultaneous skin
      conductance response (SCR) measures to characterize the modulatory influence of
      intranasal oxytocin (24 IU) on Pavlovian fear conditioning. We found that the
      peptide strengthened conditioning on both the behavioral and neural levels.
      Specifically, subjects exhibited faster task-related responses and enhanced SCRs
      to fear-associated stimuli in the late phase of conditioning, which was
      paralleled by heightened activity in cingulate cortex subregions in the absence
      of changes in amygdala function. This speaks against amygdalocentric views of
      oxytocin having pure anxiolytic-like effects. Instead, it suggests that the
      peptide enables extremely rapid and flexible adaptation to fear signals in social
      contexts, which may confer clear evolutionary advantages but could also elevate
      vulnerability for the pathological sequelae of interpersonal trauma. 

PMID- 26272051
TI  - 5alpha-Reductase Inhibition Prevents the Luteal Phase Increase in Plasma
      Allopregnanolone Levels and Mitigates Symptoms in Women with Premenstrual
      Dysphoric Disorder.
AB  - Changes in neurosteroid levels during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle may
      precipitate affective symptoms. To test this hypothesis, we stabilized
      neurosteroid levels by administering the 5alpha-reductase inhibitor dutasteride
      to block conversion of progesterone to its neurosteroid metabolite
      allopregnanolone in women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and in
      asymptomatic control women. Sixteen women with prospectively confirmed PMDD and
      16 control women participated in one of two separate randomized, double-blind,
      placebo-controlled, cross-over trials, each lasting three menstrual cycles. After
      one menstrual cycle of single-blind placebo, participants were randomized to
      receive, for the next two menstrual cycles, either double-blind placebo or
      dutasteride (low-dose 0.5 mg/day in the first eight PMDD and eight control women
      or high-dose 2.5 mg/day in the second group of women). All women completed the
      daily rating form (DRF) and were evaluated in clinic during the follicular and
      luteal phases of each menstrual cycle. Main outcome measures were the DRF
      symptoms of irritability, sadness, and anxiety. Analyses were performed with SAS
      PROC MIXED. In the low-dose group, no significant effect of dutasteride on PMDD
      symptoms was observed compared with placebo (ie, symptom cyclicity maintained),
      and plasma allopregnanolone levels increased in women with PMDD from follicular
      to the luteal phases, suggesting the absence of effect of the low-dose
      dutasteride on 5alpha-reductase. In contrast, the high-dose group experienced a
      statistically significant reduction in several core PMDD symptoms (ie,
      irritability, sadness, anxiety, food cravings, and bloating) on dutasteride
      compared with placebo. Dutasteride had no effect on mood in controls.
      Stabilization of allopregnanolone levels from the follicular to the luteal phase
      of the menstrual cycle by blocking the conversion of progesterone to its 5alpha
      reduced neurosteroid metabolite mitigates symptoms in PMDD. These data provide
      preliminary support for the pathophysiologic relevance of neurosteroids in this
      condition.

PMID- 26272052
TI  - Urban spring phenology in the middle temperate zone of China: dynamics and
      influence factors.
AB  - Urbanization and its resultant urban heat island provide a means for evaluating
      the impact of climate warming on vegetation phenology. To predict the possible
      response of vegetation phenology to rise of temperature, it is necessary to
      investigate factors influencing vegetation phenology in different climate zones.
      The start of growing season (SOS) in seven cities located in the middle temperate
      humid, semi-humid, semi-arid, and arid climate zones in China was extracted based
      on satellite-derived normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) data. The
      dynamics of urban SOS from 2000 to 2009 and the correlations between urban SOS
      and land surface temperatures (LST), precipitation, and sunshine duration,
      respectively, were analyzed. The results showed that there were no obvious change
      trends for urban SOS, and the heat island induced by urbanization can make SOS
      earlier in urban areas than that in adjacent rural areas. And the impact of
      altitude on SOS was also not negligible in regions with obvious altitude
      difference between urban and adjacent rural areas. Precipitation and temperature
      were two main natural factors influencing urban SOS in the middle temperate zone,
      but their impacts varied with climate zones. Only in Harbin city with lower
      sunshine duration in spring, sunshine duration had more significant impact than
      temperature and precipitation. Interference of human activities on urban
      vegetation was non-negligible, which can lower the dependence of urban SOS on
      natural climatic factors.

PMID- 26272053
TI  - Evolutionary conservation analysis between the essential and nonessential genes
      in bacterial genomes.
AB  - Essential genes are thought to be critical for the survival of the organisms
      under certain circumstances, and the natural selection acting on essential genes
      is expected to be stricter than on nonessential ones. Up to now, essential genes
      have been identified in approximately thirty bacterial organisms by experimental
      methods. In this paper, we performed a comprehensive comparison between the
      essential and nonessential genes in the genomes of 23 bacterial species based on
      the Ka/Ks ratio, and found that essential genes are more evolutionarily conserved
      than nonessential genes in most of the bacteria examined. Furthermore, we also
      analyzed the conservation by functional clusters with the clusters of orthologous
      groups (COGs), and found that the essential genes in the functional categories of
      G (Carbohydrate transport and metabolism), H (Coenzyme transport and metabolism),
      I (Transcription), J (Translation, ribosomal structure and biogenesis), K (Lipid
      transport and metabolism) and L (Replication, recombination and repair) tend to
      be more evolutionarily conserved than the corresponding nonessential genes in
      bacteria. The results suggest that the essential genes in these subcategories are
      subject to stronger selective pressure than the nonessential genes, and
      therefore, provide more insights of the evolutionary conservation for the
      essential and nonessential genes in complex biological processes. 

PMID- 26272054
TI  - Genetic characterization of three qnrS1-harbouring multidrug-resistance plasmids
      and qnrS1-containing transposons circulating in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
AB  - Plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) refers to a family of closely
      related genes that confer decreased susceptibility to fluoroquinolones. PMQR
      genes are generally associated with integrons and/or plasmids that carry
      additional antimicrobial resistance genes active against a range of
      antimicrobials. In Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Vietnam, we have previously shown a
      high frequency of PMQR genes within commensal Enterobacteriaceae. However, there
      are limited available sequence data detailing the genetic context in which the
      PMQR genes reside, and a lack of understanding of how these genes spread across
      the Enterobacteriaceae. Here, we aimed to determine the genetic background
      facilitating the spread and maintenance of qnrS1, the dominant PMQR gene
      circulating in HCMC. We sequenced three qnrS1-carrying plasmids in their entirety
      to understand the genetic context of these qnrS1-embedded plasmids and also the
      association of qnrS1-mediated quinolone resistance with other antimicrobial
      resistance phenotypes. Annotation of the three qnrS1-containing plasmids revealed
      a qnrS1-containing transposon with a closely related structure. We screened 112
      qnrS1-positive commensal Enterobacteriaceae isolated in the community and in a
      hospital in HCMC to detect the common transposon structure. We found the same
      transposon structure to be present in 71.4 % (45/63) of qnrS1-positive hospital
      isolates and in 36.7 % (18/49) of qnrS1-positive isolates from the community. The
      resulting sequence analysis of the qnrS1 environment suggested that qnrS1 genes
      are widely distributed and are mobilized on elements with a common genetic
      background. Our data add additional insight into mechanisms that facilitate
      resistance to multiple antimicrobials in Gram-negative bacteria in Vietnam. 

PMID- 26272055
TI  - Wide mutation spectrum and frequent variant Ala27Thr of FBN1 identified in a
      large cohort of Chinese patients with sporadic TAAD.
AB  - Genetic etiology in majority of patients with sporadic thoracic aortic aneurysm
      and dissections (STAAD) remains unknown. Recent GWAS study suggested common
      variant(s) in FBN1 is associated with STAAD. The present study aims to test this
      hypothesis and to identify mutation spectrum by targeted exome sequencing of the
      FBN1 gene in 146 unrelated patients with STAAD. Totally, 15.75% of FBN1 variants
      in STAAD were identified, including 5 disruptive and 18 missense mutations. Most
      of the variants were novel. Genotype-phenotype correlation analysis suggested
      that the maximum aortic diameter in the disruptive mutation group was
      significantly larger than that in the non-Cys missense mutation group.
      Interestingly, the variant Ala27Thr at -1 position, which is predicted to change
      the cleavage site of the signal peptidase of fibrillin-1, was detected in two
      unrelated patients. Furthermore, genotyping analysis of this variant detected 10
      heterozygous Ala27Thr from additional 666 unrelated patients (1.50%), versus 7
      from 1500 controls (0.47%), indicating a significant association of this variant
      with STAAD. Collectively, the identification of the variant Ala27Thr may
      represent a relatively common genetic predisposition and a novel pathogenetic
      mechanism for STAAD. Also, expansion of the mutation spectrum in FBN1 will be
      helpful in genetic counselling for Chinese patients with STAAD. 

PMID- 26272056
TI  - Transcriptional Regulation of the Pancreatic Islet: Implications for Islet
      Function.
AB  - Islets of Langerhans contain multiple hormone-producing endocrine cells
      controlling glucose homeostasis. Transcription establishes and maintains islet
      cellular fates and identities. Genetic and environmental disruption of islet
      transcription triggers cellular dysfunction and disease. Early transcriptional
      regulation studies of specific islet genes, including insulin (INS) and the
      transcription factor PDX1, identified the first cis-regulatory DNA sequences and
      trans-acting factors governing islet function. Here, we review how human islet
      "omics" studies are reshaping our understanding of transcriptional regulation in
      islet (dys)function and diabetes. First, we highlight the expansion of islet
      transcript number, form, and function and of DNA transcriptional regulatory
      elements controlling their production. Next, we cover islet transcriptional
      effects of genetic and environmental perturbation. Finally, we discuss how these
      studies' emerging insights should empower our diabetes research community to
      build mechanistic understanding of diabetes pathophysiology and to equip
      clinicians with tailored, precision medicine options to prevent and treat islet
      dysfunction and diabetes. 

PMID- 26272057
TI  - The prevalence of severe fatigue in rheumatic diseases: an international study.
AB  - Fatigue is a common, disabling, and difficult-to-manage problem in rheumatic
      diseases. Prevalence estimates of fatigue within rheumatic diseases vary
      considerably. Data on the prevalence of severe fatigue across multiple rheumatic
      diseases using a similar instrument is missing. Our aim was to provide an
      overview of the prevalence of severe fatigue across a broad range of rheumatic
      diseases and to examine its association with clinical and demographic variables.
      Online questionnaires were filled out by an international sample of 6120 patients
      (88 % female, mean age 47) encompassing 30 different rheumatic diseases. Fatigue
      was measured with the RAND(SF)-36 Vitality scale. A score of <=35 was taken as
      representing severe fatigue (90 % sensitivity and 81 % specificity for chronic
      fatigue syndrome). Severe fatigue was present in 41 to 57 % of patients with a
      single inflammatory rheumatic disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic
      lupus erythematosus, ankylosing spondylitis, Sjogren's syndrome, psoriatic
      arthritis, and scleroderma. Severe fatigue was least prevalent in patients with
      osteoarthritis (35 %) and most prevalent in patients with fibromyalgia (82 %). In
      logistic regression analysis, severe fatigue was associated with having
      fibromyalgia, having multiple rheumatic diseases without fibromyalgia, younger
      age, lower education, and language (French: highest prevalence; Dutch: lowest
      prevalence). In conclusion, one out of every two patients with a rheumatic
      disease is severely fatigued. As severe fatigue is detrimental to the patient,
      the near environment, and society at large, unraveling the underlying mechanisms
      of fatigue and developing optimal treatment should be top priorities in
      rheumatologic research and practice.

PMID- 26272058
TI  - Views on clinically suspect arthralgia: a focus group study.
AB  - The rheumatology field is moving towards identifying individuals with an
      increased risk for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) at a stage when arthritis is still
      absent but persons having clinically suspect arthralgia (CSA). Incorporating
      patients' views in rheumatologic care is pivotal; however, the views of persons
      with CSA on their condition are unknown. We aimed to help fill this gap by
      exploring illness perceptions of persons with CSA and their views on hypothetical
      prognoses for developing RA. Persons with CSA were invited to participate in a
      semi-structured focus group discussion. Illness perceptions according to the
      Common Sense Model (CSM) and four a priori formulated themes were explored in
      detail during the group discussion. The discussion was audio-taped and
      transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were analysed in an interpretative
      phenomenological approach manner, on the basis of the dimensions of the CSM by
      three researchers independently. The views of four participants with CSA were
      explored during one focus group discussion. Four dimensions of the CSM were
      mainly observed: Identity, Consequences, Personal Control and Concern. None of
      the patients identified themselves as being a patient. They did experience pain
      and impairments in daily functioning and were concerned that their symptoms would
      progress. In the absence of physician-initiated treatment, some patients changed
      lifestyle in order to reduce pain and to promote health. Patients unanimously
      said that they could not interpret prognostic information on RA development
      expressed in hypothetical chances. Persons with CSA do not consider themselves
      patients. Prognostic information related to the development of RA based on risk
      percentages was considered as not useful by persons with CSA. Understanding of
      the illness perceptions of persons with CSA by health care professionals might
      improve medical management and facilitate shared decision-making. 

PMID- 26272059
TI  - Effects of plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF) on biomechanical properties of
      Achilles tendon repair.
AB  - PURPOSE: To assess the biomechanical effects of intra-tendinous injections of
      PRGF on the healing Achilles tendon after repair in a sheep model. METHODS:
      Thirty sheep were randomly assigned into one of the six groups depending on the
      type of treatment received (PRGF or placebo) and survival time (2, 4 and 8
      weeks). The Achilles tendon injury was repaired by suturing the tendinous edges
      employing a three-loop pulley pattern. A trans-articular external fixation system
      was then used for immobilization. The PRGF or placebo was administered on a
      weekly basis completing a maximum of three infiltrations. The force, section and
      tension values were compared between the operated and healthy Achilles tendons
      across all groups. RESULTS: The PRGF-treated tendons had higher force at 8 weeks
      compared with the placebo group (p = 0.007). Between 2 and 4 weeks, a significant
      increase in force in both the PRGF-treated tendon (p = 0.0027) and placebo group
      (p = 0.0095) occurred. No significant differences were found for section ratio
      between PRGF-treated tendons and the placebo group for any of the time periods
      evaluated. At 2 weeks, PRGF-treated tendons had higher tension ratio compared
      with placebo group tendons (p = 0.0143). Both PRGF and placebo treatments
      significantly improved the force (p < 0.001 and p = 0.0095, respectively) and
      tension (p = 0.009 and p = 0.0039, respectively) ratios at 8 weeks compared with
      2 weeks. CONCLUSION: The application of PRGF increases Achilles tendon repair
      strength at 8 weeks compared with the use of placebo. The use of PRGF does not
      modify section and tension ratios compared with placebo at 8 weeks. The tension
      ratio progressively increases between 2 and 8 weeks compared with the placebo.

PMID- 26272060
TI  - Converting round tendons to flat tendon constructs: Does the preparation process
      have an influence on the structural properties?
AB  - PURPOSE: The structural properties of hamstring tendon grafts were evaluated in a
      porcine model, after processing it to a flat shape, to better replace or augment
      anatomic flat structures (e.g. ACL, MPFL or MCL). METHODS: In this biomechanical
      study, porcine flexor tendons were used which have a comparable shape to
      semitendinosus and gracilis tendons. One part of the tendon was prepared to a
      flat tendon construct by splitting the tendon longitudinally with a knife to half
      of the diameter of the tendon. The semi-split tendon was scratched out to a flat
      shape. The other matched part was tested in its original round shape. The tendons
      (n = 40) have been fixed in a uniaxial testing machine (Zwick/Roell) by cryo
      clamps after preparing the fixed ends by 2-0 polyester sutures (2-0 Ethibond(r)
      EXCEL, Ethicon, Somerville, NJ). In every specimen, there was a free 60-mm tendon
      part between both clamps. The tendons have been loaded to failure to evaluate
      typical biomechanical parameters such as stiffness, yield load and maximum load.
      RESULTS: No statistically significant differences (n.s.) regarding stiffness,
      yield load and maximum load between natively round and processed flat tendons
      could be detected. CONCLUSION: A prepared flat-shaped tendon does not show any
      different structural properties compared with an original round tendon.
      Therefore, a flat tendon seems to be a biomechanical stable graft option for
      anatomic reconstruction or augmentation of injured natively flat-shaped
      structures such as MCL, MPFL or ACL.

PMID- 26272061
TI  - The results of two-stage revision TKA using Ceftazidime-Vancomycin-impregnated
      cement articulating spacers in Tsukayama Type II periprosthetic joint infections.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study examined the success and factors associated with failure, of
      using cement spacers impregnated with high-dose Ceftazidime and Vancomycin when
      performing two-stage revision for infected total knee arthroplasty (TKA).
      METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed using a prospectively collected
      database of 82 patients (median age 68 years, range 39-87) with a confirmed deep
      TKA infection treated with a two-stage revision. All cement spacers were
      impregnated with high-dose Ceftazidime and Vancomycin. The rate of success was
      recorded-an association between failure of treatment, and patient factors,
      previous surgical treatment, and microbial characteristics was sought. RESULTS:
      The mean time to infection from index arthroplasty was 45 months (range 3-240).
      The initial two-stage revision was successful in 70/82 patients (85.4 %), who
      remained free of infection at average follow-up of 36.2 months (range 24-85). A
      second two-stage revision for infection was required in 12/82 patients (14.6 %),
      which was successful in 4/12 (33 %). A third two-stage revision was performed in
      three patients, all of whom had a polymicrobial infection of which only one
      patient had successful eradication of infection. Recurrent infection was
      correlated with irrigation and debridement with implant retention prior to
      initial two-stage revision (p < 0.01), polymicrobial infections (p = 0.035), and
      infections presenting <6 months after index surgery (p = 0.031). No correlation
      was seen with age, BMI, type of organism, diabetes mellitus, or Charlson
      Comorbidity Index. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that the
      combination of Ceftazidime and Vancomycin in cement spacers is as efficacious as
      other published single or combined antibiotic mixtures, which is clinically
      relevant to clinicians treating this difficult problem in the setting of patients
      with compromised renal function.

PMID- 26272062
TI  - Integrating Murine and Clinical Trials with Cabozantinib to Understand Roles of
      MET and VEGFR2 as Targets for Growth Inhibition of Prostate Cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: We performed parallel investigations in cabozantinib-treated patients in
      a phase II trial and simultaneously in patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models to
      better understand the roles of MET and VEGFR2 as targets for prostate cancer
      therapy. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: In the clinical trial, radiographic imaging and
      serum markers were examined, as well as molecular markers in tumors from bone
      biopsies. In mice harboring PDX intrafemurally or subcutaneously, cabozantinib
      effects on tumor growth, MET, PDX in which MET was silenced, VEGFR2, bone
      turnover, angiogenesis, and resistance were examined. RESULTS: In responsive
      patients and PDX, islets of viable pMET-positive tumor cells persisted, which
      rapidly regrew after drug withdrawal. Knockdown of MET in PDX did not affect
      tumor growth in mice nor did it affect cabozantinib-induced growth inhibition but
      did lead to induction of FGFR1. Inhibition of VEGFR2 and MET in endothelial cells
      reduced the vasculature, leading to necrosis. However, each islet of viable cells
      surrounded a VEGFR2-negative vessel. Reduction of bone turnover was observed in
      both cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: Our studies demonstrate that MET in tumor cells is not
      a persistent therapeutic target for metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer
      (CRPC), but inhibition of VEGFR2 and MET in endothelial cells and direct effects
      on osteoblasts are responsible for cabozantinib-induced tumor inhibition.
      However, vascular heterogeneity represents one source of primary therapy
      resistance, whereas induction of FGFR1 in tumor cells suggests a potential
      mechanism of acquired resistance. Thus, integrated cross-species investigations
      demonstrate the power of combining preclinical models with clinical trials to
      understand mechanisms of activity and resistance of investigational agents.

PMID- 26272063
TI  - MEK plus PI3K/mTORC1/2 Therapeutic Efficacy Is Impacted by TP53 Mutation in
      Preclinical Models of Colorectal Cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: PI3K pathway activation occurs in concomitance with RAS/BRAF mutations
      in colorectal cancer, limiting the sensitivity to targeted therapies. Several
      clinical studies are being conducted to test the tolerability and clinical
      activity of dual MEK and PI3K pathway blockade in solid tumors. EXPERIMENTAL
      DESIGN: In the present study, we explored the efficacy of dual pathway blockade
      in colorectal cancer preclinical models harboring concomitant activation of the
      ERK and PI3K pathways. Moreover, we investigated if TP53 mutation affects the
      response to this therapy. RESULTS: Dual MEK and mTORC1/2 blockade resulted in
      synergistic antiproliferative effects in cell lines bearing alterations in
      KRAS/BRAF and PIK3CA/PTEN. Although the on-treatment cell-cycle effects were not
      affected by the TP53 status, a marked proapoptotic response to therapy was
      observed exclusively in wild-type TP53 colorectal cancer models. We further
      interrogated two independent panels of KRAS/BRAF- and PIK3CA/PTEN-altered cell
      line- and patient-derived tumor xenografts for the antitumor response toward this
      combination of agents. A combination response that resulted in substantial
      antitumor activity was exclusively observed among the wild-type TP53 models (two
      out of five, 40%), but there was no such response across the eight mutant TP53
      models (0%). Interestingly, within a cohort of 14 patients with colorectal cancer
      treated with these agents for their metastatic disease, two patients with long
      lasting responses (32 weeks) had TP53 wild-type tumors. CONCLUSIONS: Our data
      support that, in wild-type TP53 colorectal cancer cells with ERK and PI3K pathway
      alterations, MEK blockade results in potent p21 induction, preventing apoptosis
      to occur. In turn, mTORC1/2 inhibition blocks MEK inhibitor-mediated p21
      induction, unleashing apoptosis. Clin Cancer Res; 21(24); 5499-510. (c)2015 AACR.

PMID- 26272064
TI  - Raman Spectroscopy of Experimental Oral Carcinogenesis: Study on Sequential
      Cancer Progression in Hamster Buccal Pouch Model.
AB  - Oral cancers suffer from poor 5-year survival rates, owing to late detection of
      the disease. Current diagnostic/screening tools need to be upgraded in view of
      disadvantages like invasiveness, tedious sample preparation, long output times,
      and interobserver variances. Raman spectroscopy has been shown to identify many
      disease conditions, including oral cancers, from healthy conditions. Further
      studies in exploring sequential changes in oral carcinogenesis are warranted. In
      this Raman spectroscopy study, sequential progression in experimental oral
      carcinogenesis in Hamster buccal pouch model was investigated using 3 approaches
      ex vivo, in vivo sequential, and in vivo follow-up. In all these studies,
      spectral changes show lipid dominance in early stages while later stages and
      tumors showed increased protein to lipid ratio and nucleic acids. On similar
      lines, early weeks of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-treated and control groups
      showed higher overlap and low classification. The classification efficiency
      increased progressively, reached a plateau phase and subsequently increased up to
      100% by 14 weeks. The misclassifications between treated and control spectra
      suggested some changes in controls as well, which was confirmed by a careful
      reexamination of histopathological slides. These findings suggests Raman
      spectroscopy may be able to identify microheterogeneity, which may often go
      unnoticed in conventional biochemistry wherein tissue extracts are employed, as
      well as in histopathology. In vivo findings, quite comparable to gold-standard
      supported ex vivo findings, give further proof of Raman spectroscopy being a
      promising label-free, noninvasive diagnostic adjunct for future clinical
      applications.

PMID- 26272065
TI  - Effect of temperature and diet on wound healing in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar
      L.).
AB  - Compromised skin integrity of farmed Atlantic salmon, commonly occurring under
      low temperature and stressful conditions, has major impacts on animal welfare and
      economic productivity. Even fish with minimal scale loss and minor wounds can
      suffer from secondary infections, causing downgrading and mortalities. Wound
      healing is a complex process, where water temperature and nutrition play key
      roles. In this study, Atlantic salmon (260 g) were held at different water
      temperatures (4 or 12  degrees C) and fed three different diets for 10 weeks,
      before artificial wounds were inflicted and the wound healing process monitored
      for 2 weeks. The fish were fed either a control diet, a diet supplemented with
      zinc (Zn) or a diet containing a combination of functional ingredients in
      addition to Zn. The effect of diet was assessed through subjective and
      quantitative skin histology and the transcription of skin-associated chemokines.
      Histology confirmed that wound healing was faster at 12  degrees C. The epidermis
      was more organised, and image analyses of digitised skin slides showed that fish
      fed diets with added Zn had a significantly larger area of the epidermis covered
      by mucous cells in the deeper layers after 2 weeks, representing more advanced
      healing progression. Constitutive levels of the newly described chemokines,
      herein named CK 11A, B and C, confirmed their preferential expression in skin
      compared to other tissues. Contrasting modulation profiles at 4 and 12  degrees C
      were seen for all three chemokines during the wound healing time course, while
      the Zn-supplemented diets significantly increased the expression of CK 11A and B
      during the first 24 h of the healing phase.

PMID- 26272066
TI  - Peptide self-assembly for nanomaterials: the old new kid on the block.
AB  - Peptide self-assembly is an increasingly attractive tool for nanomaterials.
      Perfected in biology peptide self-assembling systems have impacted on nearly any
      conceivable nanomaterial type. However, with all the information available to us
      commercialisation of peptide materials remains in its infancy. In an attempt to
      better understand the reasons behind this shortcoming we categorise peptide self
      assembled materials in relation to their non-peptide counterparts. A particular
      emphasis is placed on the versatility of peptide self-assembly in terms of
      modularity, responsiveness and functional diversity, which enables direct
      comparisons with more traditional material chemistries. 

PMID- 26272067
TI  - The use of intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy and insecticide-treated
      bed nets for malaria prevention by women of child-bearing age in eight districts
      in Malawi.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy (IPTp) and insecticide
      treated bed nets (ITNs) can reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with
      malaria in pregnancy. Although the coverage for both IPTp and ITN use have been
      described in Malawi, the analysis of factors associated with IPTp receipt and ITN
      use is lacking. This analysis was conducted to assess IPTp and ITN use and
      predictors of use by women of child-bearing age (WOCBA). METHODS: A two-stage
      cluster-sample cross-sectional survey was conducted April 16-30, 2009 in eight
      districts across Malawi. Information on receipt of two or more doses of IPTp, ITN
      ownership, and ITN use the night before the survey was collected. Multivariate
      logistic regression was used to assess predictors of IPTp and ITN use. RESULTS:
      Data were collected from 7407 households containing 6985 WOCBA and 3213 recently
      pregnant women (women who reported a completed pregnancy in the 2 years before
      the survey). Most recently pregnant women (96 %) had at least one antenatal care
      (ANC) clinic visit; 91 % reported receiving at least one dose of IPTp, and 72 %
      reported receiving two or more doses of IPTp. Women in Phalombe, Rumphi, and
      Lilongwe were more likely to receive two doses of IPTp than those in Blantyre
      [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.5 (95 % CI 1.5-4.5), 2.5 (95 % CI 1.5-4.3), and 2.0
      (95 % CI 1.2-3.1), respectively]. Educated women were more likely to have
      received IPTp compared to women with no education [aOR 1.6 (95 % CI 1.0-2.6) for
      those who completed primary school, aOR1.9 (95 % CI 1.1-3.3) for some secondary
      school, and aOR 4.1 (95 % CI 1.9-8.7) for completed secondary school or above],
      and women in the poorest socioeconomic status quintile were less likely to
      receive IPTp than those in the least poor quintile [aOR 0.68 (95 % CI 0.48
      0.97)]. In all, 53 % of WOCBA used an ITN the previous night. Women in Nkhotkhota
      and Phalombe were less likely to have slept under an ITN the previous night
      compared to those in Blantyre [aOR 0.52 (95 % CI 0.39-0.69) and aOR 0.67 (95 % CI
      0.47-0.95), respectively]. In addition, age [aOR 0.61 (95 % CI 0.45-0.83) for
      women 15-19 years old], and either being currently pregnant [aOR 1.5 (95 % CI 1.2
      2.0)] or having been pregnant in the previous 2 years [aOR 2.4, (95 % CI 2.1
      2.8)] were associated with ITN use. CONCLUSION: In Malawi in 2009, IPTp and ITN
      use in WOCBA fell short of national and international goals. Adoption of new
      guidelines encouraging administration of IPTp at every scheduled ANC visit might
      increase IPTp use. Increasing health promotion activities to encourage earlier
      attendance at ANC clinics and create demand for IPTp and ITNs might improve
      overall IPTp and ITN use.

PMID- 26272069
TI  - Early severe impairment of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells from the bone
      marrow caused by CLP sepsis and endotoxemia in a humanized mice model.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: An effective immune response to severe bacterial infections
      requires a robust production of the innate immunity cells from hematopoietic stem
      and progenitor cells (HSPCs) in a process called emergency myelopoiesis. In
      sepsis, an altered immune response that leads to a failure of bacterial clearance
      is often observed. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the impact of sepsis on
      human HSPCs in the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment of humanized mice subjected
      to acute endotoxemia and polymicrobial sepsis. METHODS: Humanized mice (hu-NSG)
      were generated by transplanting NOD.Cg-Prkdc/scidIL2rgamma (NSG) mice with the
      human cord blood CD34(+) cells. Eight weeks after the transplantation, hu-NSG
      mice were subjected to sepsis induced by endotoxemia-Escherichia coli
      lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-or by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Twenty-four
      hours later, HSPCs from BM were analyzed by flow cytometry and colony-forming
      unit (CFU) assay. CLP after inhibition of Notch signaling was also performed. The
      effects of LPS on the in vitro proliferation of CD34(+) cells from human BM were
      tested by CellTrace Violet dye staining. RESULTS: The expression of Toll-like
      receptor 4 receptor was present among engrafted human HSPCs. Both CLP and
      endotoxemia decreased (by 43 % and 37 %) cellularity of the BM. In addition, in
      both models, accumulation of early CD34(+) CD38(-) HSCs was observed, but the
      number of CD34(+) CD38(+) progenitors decreased. After CLP, there was a 1.5-fold
      increase of proliferating CD34(+) CD38(-)Ki-67(+) cells. Moreover, CFU assay
      revealed a depressed (by 75 % after LPS and by 50 % after CLP) production of
      human hematopoietic colonies from the BM of septic mice. In contrast, in vitro
      LPS stimulated differentiation of CD34(+) CD38(-) HSCs but did not induce
      proliferation of these cells in contrast to the CD34(+) CD38(+) progenitors. CLP
      sepsis modulated the BM microenvironment by upregulation of Jagged-1 expression
      on non-hematopoietic cells, and the proliferation of HSCs was Notch-dependent.
      CONCLUSIONS: CLP sepsis and endotoxemia induced a similar expansion and
      proliferation of early HSCs in the BM, while committed progenitors decreased. It
      is suggestive that the Notch pathway contributed to this effect. Targeting early
      hematopoiesis may be considered as a viable alternative in the existing arsenal
      of supportive therapies in sepsis.

PMID- 26272071
TI  - Molecular aspects and chemoprevention of dimethylaminoazobenzene-induced
      hepatocarcinogenesis: A review.
AB  - The lipophilic azo dye dimethylaminoazobenzene (DAB) is a potent hepatocarcinogen
      accounted as a group-2B carcinogen causing risk to humans. DAB is commonly used
      as a coloring agent in food, pharmaceuticals, beverages, soap and polishes. The
      exploration of DAB-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in animal models helped to an
      extent to perceive the histological, biochemical and molecular mechanisms of DAB
      carcinogenesis and also the severity of DAB exposure to humans. In experimental
      animal models, it is well-proved that the procarcinogen DAB is predominantly
      metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes giving rise to the formation of toxic
      electrophiles and reactive oxygen species (ROS), which further forms DNA adducts
      leading to the development of hepatic tumors. Recently, research evidence
      suggests that dietary phytochemicals and plant polyphenols are promising agents
      to control the incidence of DAB-induced hepatocarcinogenesis by preventing the
      generation of toxic electrophiles and ROS thereby inhibiting the formation of DNA
      adducts. This review highlights the role of specific dietary factors,
      biotransformation of DAB, phenotypic and genotypic alterations, and significance
      of certain chemopreventive agents against DAB-induced hepatocarcinogenesis. 

PMID- 26272068
TI  - Transcriptome analysis of the Holly mangrove Acanthus ilicifolius and its
      terrestrial relative, Acanthus leucostachyus, provides insights into adaptation
      to intertidal zones.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Acanthus is a unique genus consisting of both true mangrove and
      terrestrial species; thus, it represents an ideal system for studying the origin
      and adaptive evolution of mangrove plants to intertidal environments. However,
      little is known regarding the two respects of mangrove species in Acanthus. In
      this study, we sequenced the transcriptomes of the pooled roots and leaves
      tissues for a mangrove species, Acanthus ilicifolius, and its terrestrial
      congener, A. leucostachyus, to illustrate the origin of the mangrove species in
      this genus and their adaptive evolution to harsh habitats. RESULTS: We obtained
      73,039 and 69,580 contigs with N50 values of 741 and 1557 bp for A. ilicifolius
      and A. leucostachyus, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses based on four nuclear
      segments and three chloroplast fragments revealed that mangroves and terrestrial
      species in Acanthus fell into different clades, indicating a single origin of the
      mangrove species in Acanthus. Based on 6634 orthologs, A. ilicifolius and A.
      leucostachyus were found to be highly divergent, with a peak of synonymous
      substitution rate (Ks) distribution of 0.145 and an estimated divergence time of
      approximately 16.8 million years ago (MYA). The transgression in the Early to
      Middle Miocene may be the major reason for the entry of the mangrove lineage of
      Acanthus into intertidal environments. Gene ontology (GO) classifications of the
      full transcriptomes did not show any apparent differences between A. ilicifolius
      and A. leucostachyus, suggesting the absence of gene components specific to the
      mangrove transcriptomes. A total of 99 genes in A. ilicifolius were identified
      with signals of positive selection. Twenty-three of the 99 positively selected
      genes (PSGs) were found to be involved in salt, heat and ultraviolet stress
      tolerance, seed germination and embryo development under periodic inundation.
      These stress-tolerance related PSGs may be crucial for the adaptation of the
      mangrove species in this genus to stressful marine environments and may
      contribute to speciation in Acanthus. CONCLUSIONS: We characterized the
      transcriptomes of one mangrove species of Acanthus, A. ilicifolius, and its
      terrestrial relative, A. leucostachyus, and provided insights into the origin of
      the mangrove Acanthus species and their adaptive evolution to abiotic stresses in
      intertidal environments.

PMID- 26272070
TI  - Seasonal variations in mortality and clinical indicators in international
      hemodialysis populations from the MONDO registry.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Seasonal mortality differences have been reported in US hemodialysis
      (HD) patients. Here we examine the effect of seasons on mortality, clinical and
      laboratory parameters on a global scale. METHODS: Databases from the
      international Monitoring Dialysis Outcomes (MONDO) consortium were queried to
      identify patients who received in-center HD for at least 1 year. Clinics were
      stratified by hemisphere and climate zone (tropical or temperate). We recorded
      mortality and computed averages of pre-dialysis systolic blood pressure (pre
      SBP), interdialytic weight gain (IDWG), serum albumin, and log C-reactive protein
      (CRP). We explored seasonal effects using cosinor analysis and adjusted linear
      mixed models globally, and after stratification. RESULTS: Data from 87,399
      patients were included (northern temperate: 63,671; northern tropical: 7,159;
      southern temperate: 13,917; southern tropical: 2,652 patients). Globally,
      mortality was highest in winter. Following stratification, mortality was
      significantly lower in spring and summer compared to winter in temperate, but not
      in tropical zones. Globally, pre-SBP and IDWG were lower in summer and spring as
      compared to winter, although less pronounced in tropical zones. Except for
      southern temperate zone, serum albumin levels were higher in winter. CRP levels
      were highest in winter. CONCLUSION: Significant global seasonal variations in
      mortality, pre-SBP, IDWG, albumin and CRP were observed. Seasonal variations in
      mortality were most pronounced in temperate climate zones.

PMID- 26272073
TI  - Measurement of anti-drug antibodies to biologic drugs.

PMID- 26272072
TI  - An Immunochip-based interaction study of contrasting interaction effects with
      smoking in ACPA-positive versus ACPA-negative rheumatoid arthritis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the gene-environment interaction between smoking and
      single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), using Immunochip material, on the risk of
      developing either of two serologically defined subsets of RA. METHODS:
      Interaction between smoking and 133,648 genetic markers from the Immunochip was
      examined for two RA subsets, defined by the presence or absence of ACPA. A total
      of 1590 ACPA-positive and 891 ACPA-negative cases were compared with 1856
      controls in the Swedish Epidemiological Investigation of RA (EIRA) case-control
      study. Logistic regression models were used to determine the presence of
      interaction. The proportion attributable to interaction was calculated for each
      smoking-SNP pair. Replication was carried out in an independent dataset from
      northern Sweden. To further validate and extend the results, interaction analysis
      was also performed using genome-wide association studies data on EIRA
      individuals. RESULTS: In ACPA-positive RA, 102 SNPs interacted significantly with
      smoking, after Bonferroni correction. All 102 SNPs were located in the HLA
      region, mainly within the HLA class II region, 51 of which were replicated. No
      additional loci outside chromosome 6 were identified in the genome-wide
      association studies validation. After adjusting for HLA-DRB1 shared epitope, 15
      smoking-SNP pairs remained significant for ACPA-positive RA, with 8 of these
      replicated (loci: BTNL2, HLA-DRA, HLA-DRB5, HLA-DQA1, HLA-DOB and TAP2). For ACPA
      negative RA, no smoking-SNP pairs passed the threshold for significance.
      CONCLUSION: Our study presents extended gene variation patterns involved in gene
      smoking interaction in ACPA-positive, but not ACPA-negative, RA. Notably,
      variants in HLA-DRB1 and those in additional genes within the MHC class II
      region, but not in any other gene regions, showed interaction with smoking.

PMID- 26272074
TI  - Does hepatic hilum morphology influence long-term prognosis in type I/I cyst
      biliary atresia?
AB  - PURPOSE: Some patients with cystic biliary atresia (BA) achieve exceptionally
      good postoperative courses. Early differentiation of pediatric patients with the
      favorable-type disease can lead to beneficial long-term postoperative management.
      We examined whether the hepatic hilum morphology affects long-term prognosis in
      type I/I cyst BA, atresia of the common bile duct with/without a cyst. METHODS:
      Of 253 BA patients identified since 1972, 40 were classified as having type I/I
      cysts and were divided into two subtypes according to hepatic duct size (subtype
      alpha: n = 18; duct diameter, >= 1 mm and subtype beta: n = 22; duct diameter, <1
      mm) to compare postoperative clinical courses. RESULTS: In subtypes alpha and
      beta, jaundice disappeared in 16 (89 %) and 19 (86 %) patients, respectively (p =
      0.81), and 13 (72 %) and 12 (55 %) survived with native livers (p = 0.18) at a
      mean age of 23.3 and 25.5 years, respectively (p = 0.42). CONCLUSIONS: There were
      no significant differences in long-term outcomes between subtypes alpha and beta,
      although approximately 40 % developed liver failure during the postoperative
      course. Thus, close long-term follow-up is essential in type I/I cysts,
      regardless of the hepatic hilum morphology.

PMID- 26272075
TI  - Severe acquired subglottic stenosis in children: analysis of clinical features
      and surgical outcomes based on the range of stenosis.
AB  - PURPOSE: The present study analyzed the clinical features and surgical outcomes
      of laryngotracheal reconstruction (LTR) in pediatric patients with severe
      acquired subglottic stenosis (SGS) based on the range of stenosis. The aim was to
      clarify the indications for LTR in severe acquired SGS. METHODS: The medical
      records of 33 pediatric patients with severe acquired SGS (Myer-Cotton grade III
      or IV) at our institution between January 1994 and December 2013 were
      retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Nine patients had stenosis localized at the
      subglottis (localized SGS), and twenty-four patients had stenosis extending to
      the glottis or supraglottis from the subglottis (extended SGS). 66.7 % (6/9) of
      localized SGS patients were intubated after infancy, and 95.8 % (22/23) of
      extended SGS patients were intubated in the neonatal period. The duration of
      intubation was significantly shorter with localized than with extended SGS.
      Sixteen patients underwent LTR. The operation-specific decannulation rate was
      80.0 % (4/5) in the localized SGS group and 14.3 % (1/7) in the extended SGS
      group. CONCLUSION: The range of stenosis was affected by the period and duration
      of endotracheal intubation. Surgical outcomes of LTR tended to differ between
      localized SGS and extended SGS. LTR can be effective for localized SGS.

PMID- 26272076
TI  - Hepatic ductoplasty and hepaticojejunostomy to treat narrow common hepatic duct
      during laparoscopic surgery for choledochal cyst.
AB  - We describe a novel technique for laparoscopic hepatic ductoplasty and
      hepaticojejunostomy in choledochal cyst with a narrow common hepatic duct. After
      complete cyst excision, a longitudinal incision was made in the anterior wall of
      the narrow common hepatic duct to enlarge the anastomotic opening. Next, the
      anterior wall was everted, then anchored to the hepatic hilum by suturing.
      Anchoring of the anterior wall provided a good field of view for creating the
      anastomosis, and the lumen of the anastomotic region was also secured. We believe
      that our technique is feasible and useful when the duct size is small. 

PMID- 26272080
TI  - Ag on Pt(111): Changes in Electronic and CO Adsorption Properties upon
      PtAg/Pt(111) Monolayer Surface Alloy Formation.
AB  - The electronic and chemical (adsorption) properties of bimetallic Ag/Pt(111)
      surfaces and their modification upon surface alloy formation, that is, during
      intermixing of Ag and Pt atoms in the top atomic layer upon annealing, were
      studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and, using CO as probe
      molecule, by temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) and infrared reflection
      absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS), respectively. The surface alloys are prepared by
      deposition of sub-monolayer Ag amounts on a Pt(111) surface at room temperature,
      leading to extended Ag monolayer islands on the substrate, and subsequent
      annealing of these surfaces. Surface alloy formation starts at ~600-650 K, which
      is evidenced by core-level shifts (CLSs) of the Ag(3d5/2 ) signal. A distinct
      change of the CO adsorption properties is observed when going to the intermixed
      PtAg surface alloys. Most prominently, we find the growth of a new desorption
      feature at higher temperature (~550 K) in the TPD spectra upon surface alloy
      formation. This goes along with a shift of the COad -related IR bands to lower
      wave number. Surface alloy formation is almost completed after heating to 700 K. 

PMID- 26272077
TI  - The mobilize center: an NIH big data to knowledge center to advance human
      movement research and improve mobility.
AB  - Regular physical activity helps prevent heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and
      other chronic diseases, yet a broad range of conditions impair mobility at great
      personal and societal cost. Vast amounts of data characterizing human movement
      are available from research labs, clinics, and millions of smartphones and
      wearable sensors, but integration and analysis of this large quantity of mobility
      data are extremely challenging. The authors have established the Mobilize Center
      (http://mobilize.stanford.edu) to harness these data to improve human mobility
      and help lay the foundation for using data science methods in biomedicine. The
      Center is organized around 4 data science research cores: biomechanical modeling,
      statistical learning, behavioral and social modeling, and integrative modeling.
      Important biomedical applications, such as osteoarthritis and weight management,
      will focus the development of new data science methods. By developing these new
      approaches, sharing data and validated software tools, and training thousands of
      researchers, the Mobilize Center will transform human movement research. 

PMID- 26272078
TI  - Heterosexual men who patronise entertainment establishments versus brothels in an
      Asian urban setting - which group practises riskier sexual behaviours?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sex work has shifted from brothels to entertainment establishments
      (EEs) in Asia. Men who patronise EEs could act as a bridging population for human
      immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted infection (STI)
      transmission through unprotected sex with the female EE workers to their spouses
      and regular partners. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence and
      factors associated with risky sexual behaviours among the heterosexual men who
      patronised the EEs and brothels in Singapore. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional
      survey involving 569 heterosexual men (297 recruited from brothels and 272 from
      EEs). A 2-stage sampling involving proportional stratified random sampling of the
      brothels and EEs, followed by time location sampling of the men, was conducted.
      For multivariable analysis, we used a mixed effects logistic model with backward
      elimination to account for clustering by venue and to obtain the adjusted odds
      ratio (aOR) for the association of various factors with consistent condom use in
      vaginal and oral sex respectively. RESULTS: Men who patronised EEs were younger,
      more likely to be single, more highly-educated and comprised more professionals
      compared to the brothel group. On multivariable analysis, consistent condom use
      for vaginal sex decreased at the EE setting (aOR 0.64; 95 % CI: 0.42 -0.97) and
      with alcohol use before sex (aOR 0.67; 95 % CI: 0.46 - 0.98) and increased with
      perceived high risk of getting HIV/STIs from partner (aOR 2.08; 95 % CI: 1.30 -
      3.32) and partner's request for condom use (aOR 5.48; 95 % CI: 1.20 - 25.11). For
      consistent condom use with oral sex, this decreased at the EE setting (aOR 0.64;
      95 % CI: 0.39 - 0.98) and with alcohol use before sex (aOR 0.50; 95 % CI: 0.31 -
      0.81) and increased with partner's request for condom use (aOR 5.19; 95 % CI:
      1.38 - 19.57). CONCLUSIONS: Men who patronised EEs practised risker sexual
      behaviours compared to the brothel group. Priority should be given for
      intervention programmes to target men who patronise EEs, which could involve the
      female EE workers, the EE owners as well as the managers for effective HIV/STI
      prevention.

PMID- 26272081
TI  - Maximum basal FSH predicts reproductive outcome better than cycle-specific basal
      FSH levels: waiting for a "better" month conveys limited retrieval benefits.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Elevated follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is associated with poor
      vaginal oocyte retrieval (VOR) outcomes and cycle cancellations but intercycle
      variability in basal FSH reportedly does not predict ovarian response. METHODS:
      We conducted a retrospective cohort study of basal FSH (n = 15573 cycles) in
      couples (n = 9132) who initiated IVF cycle(s) with basal estradiol (E2) <100
      pg/mL between 2002 and 2014 to reevaluate this hypothesis. The most recent
      (current) FSH, maximum FSH (Max FSH) and prior cycle maximum basal FSH (PMax FSH)
      were computed for each cycle. Metaphase II (MII) oocyte counts were modeled by
      age, stimulation type, prior peak E2 level, prior MII count, Max FSH, PMax FSH
      and current FSH. Antral follicle counts, pregnancy, clinical pregnancy and live
      birth rates were modeled as secondary outcomes. RESULTS: Max FSH level
      distinguished completed cycles from cancelled cycles better than PMax FSH or
      current FSH (AUC of 0.72, 0.71 and 0.61, respectively, p < 0.001). Fewer MIIs
      were retrieved (5.7 +/- 3.8) in cycles with Max FSH >13 mIU/mL (n = 1475) than
      those with <=13 mIU/mL (n = 11978) (11.6 +/- 7.1) (p < 0.001). Max FSH was a
      better predictor of MII count than PMax FSH or current FSH after controlling for
      age, stimulation type, prior peak E2 level and prior MII count. Additional MIIs
      were retrieved on average in cycles with PMax FSH >13 mIU/mL (n = 1930) whose
      current FSH was <=13 mIU/ml rather than >13 mIU/ml (p < 0.01) after controlling
      for age, cycle number and stimulation type. However, no improvement in pregnancy
      or live birth rate was detected. CONCLUSIONS: Max FSH is the best FSH-based
      predictor of ovarian reserve. Retrieval benefits from waiting for a "better"
      month appear to exist but are limited.

PMID- 26272082
TI  - Skeletal Muscle Vascular Control During Exercise: Impact of Nitrite Infusion
      During Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibition in Healthy Rats.
AB  - The nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-independent pathway of nitric oxide (NO)
      production in which nitrite (NO2 (-)) is reduced to NO may have therapeutic
      applications for those with cardiovascular diseases in which the NOS pathway is
      downregulated. We tested the hypothesis that NO2 (-) infusion would reduce mean
      arterial pressure (MAP) and increase skeletal muscle blood flow (BF) and vascular
      conductance (VC) during exercise in the face of NOS blockade via L-NAME.
      Following infusion of L-NAME (10 mg kg(-1), L-NAME), male Sprague-Dawley rats (3
      6 months, n = 8) exercised without N(G)-nitro-L arginine methyl ester (L-NAME)
      and after infusion of sodium NO2 (-) (7 mg kg(-1); L-NAME + NO2 (-)). MAP and
      hindlimb skeletal muscle BF (radiolabeled microsphere infusions) were measured
      during submaximal treadmill running (20 m min(-1), 5% grade). Across group
      comparisons were made with a published control data set (n = 11). Relative to L
      NAME, NO2 (-) infusion significantly reduced MAP (P < 0.03). The lower MAP in L
      NAME+NO2 (-) was not different from healthy control animals (control: 137 +/- 3 L
      NAME: 157 +/- 7, L-NAME + NO2 (-): 136 +/- 5 mm Hg). Also, NO2 (-) infusion
      significantly increased VC when compared to L-NAME (P < 0.03), ultimately
      negating any significant differences from control animals (control: 0.78 +/-
      0.05, L-NAME: 0.57 +/- 0.03, L-NAME + NO2 (-); 0.69 +/- 0.04 mL min(-1) 100 g(-1)
      mm Hg(-1)) with no apparent fiber-type preferential effect. Overall, hindlimb BF
      was decreased significantly by L-NAME; however, in L-NAME + NO2 (-), BF improved
      to a level not significantly different from healthy controls (control: 108 +/- 8,
      L-NAME: 88 +/- 3, L-NAME + NO2 (-): 94 +/- 6 mL min(-1) 100 g(-1), P = 0.38 L
      NAME vs L-NAME + NO2 (-)). Individuals with diseases that impair NOS activity,
      and thus vascular function, may benefit from a NO2 (-)-based therapy in which NO
      bioavailability is elevated in an NOS-independent manner. 

PMID- 26272083
TI  - Mitochondrial dynamics in the pathogenic mold Aspergillus fumigatus: therapeutic
      and evolutionary implications.
AB  - Mitochondria within eukaryotic cells continuously fuse and divide. This
      phenomenon is called mitochondrial dynamics and crucial for mitochondrial
      function and integrity. We performed a comprehensive analysis of mitochondrial
      dynamics in the pathogenic mold Aspergillus fumigatus. Phenotypic
      characterization of respective mutants revealed the general essentiality of
      mitochondrial fusion for mitochondrial genome maintenance and the mold's
      viability. Surprisingly, it turned out that the mitochondrial rhomboid protease
      Pcp1 and its processing product, s-Mgm,1 which are crucial for fusion in yeast,
      are dispensable for fusion, mtDNA maintenance and viability in A. fumigatus. In
      contrast, mitochondrial fission mutants show drastically reduced growth and
      sporulation rates and increased heat susceptibility. However, reliable
      inheritance of mitochondria to newly formed conidia is ensured. Strikingly,
      mitochondrial fission mutants show a significant and growth condition-dependent
      increase in azole resistance. Parallel disruption of fusion in a fission mutant
      partially rescues growth and sporulation defects and further increases the azole
      resistance phenotype. Taken together, our results indicate an emerging
      dispensability of the mitochondrial rhomboid protease function in mitochondrial
      fusion, the suitability of mitochondrial fusion machinery as antifungal target
      and the involvement of mitochondrial dynamics in azole susceptibility. 

PMID- 26272085
TI  - Gap prepulse inhibition of the auditory late response in healthy subjects.
AB  - The gap-startle paradigm has been used as a behavioral method for tinnitus
      screening in animal studies. This study aimed to investigate gap prepulse
      inhibition (GPI) of the auditory late response (ALR) as the objective response of
      the gap-intense sound paradigm in humans. ALRs were recorded in response to gap
      intense and no-gap-intense sound stimuli in 27 healthy subjects. The amplitudes
      of the baseline-to-peak (N1, P2, and N2) and the peak-to-peak (N1P2 and P2N2)
      were compared between two averaged ALRs. The variations in the inhibition ratios
      of N1P2 and P2N2 during the experiment were analyzed by increasing stimuli
      repetitions. The effect of stimulus parameter adjustments on GPI ratios was
      evaluated. No-gap-intense sound stimuli elicited greater peak amplitudes than gap
      intense sound stimuli, and significant differences were found across all peaks.
      The overall mean inhibition ratios were significantly lower than 1.0, where the
      value 1.0 indicates that there were no differences between gap-intense and no-gap
      intense sound responses. The initial decline in GPI ratios was shown in N1P2 and
      P2N2 complexes, and this reduction was nearly complete after 100 stimulus
      repetitions. Significant effects of gap length and interstimulus interval on GPI
      ratios were observed. We found significant inhibition of ALR peak amplitudes in
      performing the gap-intense sound paradigm in healthy subjects. The N1P2 complex
      represented GPI well in terms of suppression degree and test-retest reliability.
      Our findings offer practical information for the comparative study of healthy
      subjects and tinnitus patients using the gap-intense sound paradigm with the ALR.

PMID- 26272086
TI  - Industry update: 1-30 April 2015.

PMID- 26272087
TI  - I-SceI-mediated double-strand DNA breaks stimulate efficient gene targeting in
      the industrial fungus Trichoderma reesei.
AB  - Targeted integration of expression cassettes for enzyme production in industrial
      microorganisms is desirable especially when enzyme variants are screened for
      improved enzymatic properties. However, currently used methods for targeted
      integration are inefficient and result in low transformation frequencies. In this
      study, we expressed the Saccharomyces cerevisiae I-SceI meganuclease to generate
      double-strand breaks at a defined locus in the Trichoderma reesei genome. We
      showed that the double-strand DNA breaks mediated by I-SceI can be efficiently
      repaired when an exogenous DNA cassette flanked by regions homologous to the I
      SceI landing locus was added during transformation. Transformation efficiencies
      increased approximately sixfold compared to control transformation. Analysis of
      the transformants obtained via I-SceI-mediated gene targeting showed that about
      two thirds of the transformants resulted from a homologous recombination event at
      the predetermined locus. Counter selection of the transformants for the loss of
      the pyrG marker upon integration of the DNA cassette showed that almost all of
      the clones contained the cassette at the predetermined locus. Analysis of
      independently obtained transformants using targeted integration of a glucoamylase
      expression cassette demonstrated that glucoamylase production among the
      transformants was high and showing limited variation. In conclusion, the gene
      targeting system developed in this study significantly increases transformation
      efficiency as well as homologous recombination efficiency and omits the use of
      Deltaku70 strains. It is also suitable for high-throughput screening of enzyme
      variants or gene libraries in T. reesei. 

PMID- 26272088
TI  - Development and validation of an ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem
      mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method for the quantitative determination of
      rhamnolipid congeners.
AB  - Rhamnolipids (RLs) are synthesised as a complex mixture of congeners comprising
      either one or two molecules of rhamnose glycosidically linked to a dimer of 3
      hydroxy fatty acids varying in chain length and degree of saturation. Currently,
      HPLC-MS/MS is the most precise and accurate method for RL determination, while
      accurate quantification is limited. In this study, a rapid ultra pressure liquid
      chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method was developed and
      validated for the rapid and quantification of individual RL congeners. Increased
      RLs specificity was achieved using tandem mass spectrometry in multiple reaction
      monitoring (MRM) mode which was used to quantify RL isomer pairs such as Rha-Rha
      C8-C10/Rha-Rha-C10-C8 which are difficult to resolve chromatographically. UPLC
      showed an 18-fold reduction in retention time for Rha-Rha-C10-C10 (1.07 min) and
      a 17-fold reduction for Rha-C10-C10 (1.36), the major rhamnolipids present,
      compared to HPLC, with a total run time less than 2.2 min. The results show that
      the linear range for the main RL congeners (Rha-C10-C10 and Rha-Rha-C10-C10) is
      0.1 to 100 MUg/mL. The LOD and LOQ for Rha-C10-C10 is 0.05 and 0.1 MUg/mL and for
      Rha-Rha-C10-C10 is 0.1 and 0.5 MUg/mL, respectively. The method was validated for
      linearity, intra- and inter-day precision and accuracy in accordance with FDA
      guidelines. The method was applied for the quantification of 14 individual RL
      congeners produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa ST5 and comparison of RLs
      composition on four different carbon sources. Quantification of the individual
      congeners showed a conserved congener distribution irrespective of carbon source
      with a preferential selection for C10 beta-hydroxyacids as the lipid component of
      RLs. The only statistically significant differences detected were between actual
      RL yields on the various carbon sources.

PMID- 26272090
TI  - Lactate and glucose concomitant consumption as a self-regulated pH detoxification
      mechanism in HEK293 cell cultures.
AB  - One of the most important limitations of mammalian cell-based processes is the
      secretion and accumulation of lactate as a by-product of their metabolism. Among
      the cell lines commonly used in industrial bioprocesses, HEK293 has been gaining
      importance over the last years. Up recently, HEK293 cells were known to consume
      lactate in late stages of cell culture usually when glucose and/or glutamine were
      depleted from media. Remarkably, in both scenarios, no significant cell growth
      was reported. However, we have observed a different metabolic behavior regarding
      lactate production and consumption in HEK293 cultures. HEK293 cells were able to
      co-metabolize glucose and lactate simultaneously, even in exponentially growing
      cell cultures. Our deep study of the effects of environmental conditions on
      lactate metabolism revealed that pH was the key to trigger the metabolic shift
      from lactate production to lactate and glucose concomitant consumption.
      Remarkably, this shift could be triggered at will when pH was set at 6.8. Even
      more interesting was the fact that lowering pH to 6.6 and supplementing media
      with exogenous lactate resulted in co-consumption of glucose and lactate from the
      beginning of cell culture, without affecting cell growth or protein productivity.
      On the contrary, cell growth was clearly hampered at this low pH if extracellular
      lactate was lacking. From our results, we hypothesize that HEK293 cells
      metabolize extracellular lactate as a strategy for pH detoxification, by means of
      co-transporting extracellular protons together with lactate into the cytosol.
      This novel hypothesis for unraveling lactate metabolism in HEK293 cells could
      open a door to re-direct genetic engineering strategies in order to obtain more
      efficient cell lines and also to further develop animal cell technology
      applications. 

PMID- 26272089
TI  - Irradiation of Yarrowia lipolytica NRRL YB-567 creating novel strains with
      enhanced ammonia and oil production on protein and carbohydrate substrates.
AB  - Increased interest in sustainable production of renewable diesel and other
      valuable bioproducts is redoubling efforts to improve economic feasibility of
      microbial-based oil production. Yarrowia lipolytica is capable of employing a
      wide variety of substrates to produce oil and valuable co-products. We irradiated
      Y. lipolytica NRRL YB-567 with UV-C to enhance ammonia (for fertilizer) and lipid
      (for biodiesel) production on low-cost protein and carbohydrate substrates. The
      resulting strains were screened for ammonia and oil production using color
      intensity of indicators on plate assays. Seven mutant strains were selected
      (based on ammonia assay) and further evaluated for growth rate, ammonia and oil
      production, soluble protein content, and morphology when grown on liver infusion
      medium (without sugars), and for growth on various substrates. Strains were
      identified among these mutants that had a faster doubling time, produced higher
      maximum ammonia levels (enzyme assay) and more oil (Sudan Black assay), and had
      higher maximum soluble protein levels (Bradford assay) than wild type. When grown
      on plates with substrates of interest, all mutant strains showed similar results
      aerobically to wild-type strain. The mutant strain with the highest oil
      production and the fastest doubling time was evaluated on coffee waste medium. On
      this medium, the strain produced 0.12 g/L ammonia and 0.20 g/L 2-phenylethanol, a
      valuable fragrance/flavoring, in addition to acylglycerols (oil) containing
      predominantly C16 and C18 residues. These mutant strains will be investigated
      further for potential application in commercial biodiesel production.

PMID- 26272091
TI  - Isolation and characterisation of non-anaerobic butanol-producing symbiotic
      system TSH06.
AB  - Butanol-producing microorganisms are all obligate anaerobes. In this study, a
      unique symbiotic system TSH06 was isolated to be capable of producing butanol
      under non-anaerobic condition. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE)
      analysis of 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) revealed that two strains coexist in TSH06.
      The two strains were identical to Clostridium acetobutylicum and Bacillus cereus,
      respectively. They were isolated individually and named as C. acetobutylicum TSH1
      and B. cereus TSH2. C. acetobutylicum TSH1 is a butanol-producing, obligate
      anaerobic strain. Facultative anaerobic B. cereus TSH2 did not possess the
      ability of butanol production; however, it offered C. acetobutylicum TSH1 the
      viability under non-anaerobic condition. Moreover, B. cereus TSH2 enhanced
      butanol yield and speed of fermentation. TSH06 produced 12.97 g/L butanol and
      15.39 g/L total solvent under non-anaerobic condition, which is 25 and 24 %,
      respectively, higher than those of C. acetobutylicum TSH1. In addition, TSH06
      produced butanol faster under non-anaerobic condition than under anaerobic
      condition. Butanol accounted for more than 80 % of total solvent, which is higher
      than the known report. TSH06 was stable during passage. In all, TSH06 is a
      promising candidate for industrialisation of biobutanol with high yield, high
      butanol proportion, easy-handling and time-saving system. These results
      demonstrated the potential advantage of symbiosis. This study also provides a
      promising strategy for butanol fermentation.

PMID- 26272092
TI  - Biotechnological applications of extremophiles, extremozymes and extremolytes.
AB  - In the last decade, attention to extreme environments has increased because of
      interests to isolate previously unknown extremophilic microorganisms in pure
      culture and to profile their metabolites. Microorganisms that live in extreme
      environments produce extremozymes and extremolytes that have the potential to be
      valuable resources for the development of a bio-based economy through their
      application to white, red, and grey biotechnologies. Here, we provide an overview
      of extremophile ecology, and we review the most recent applications of microbial
      extremophiles and the extremozymes and extremolytes they produce to
      biotechnology.

PMID- 26272093
TI  - Towards an effective biosensor for monitoring AD leachate: a knockout E. coli
      mutant that cannot catabolise lactate.
AB  - Development of a biosensor for the convenient measurement of acetate and
      propionate concentrations in a two-phase anaerobic digestor (AD) requires a
      bacterium that will be unresponsive to the other organic acids present in the
      leachate, of which lactate is the most abundant. Successive gene knockouts of
      E.coli W3110 D-lactate dehydrogenase (dld), L-lactate dehydrogenase (lldD),
      glycolate oxidase (glcD) and a suspected L-lactate dehdrogenase (ykgF) were
      performed. The resulting quadruple mutant (IMD Wldgy) was incapable of growth on
      D- and L-lactate, whereas the wild type grew readily on these substrates.
      Furthermore, the O2 consumption rates of acetate-grown IMD Wldgy cell suspensions
      supplied with either acetate (0.1 mM) or a synthetic leachate including acetate
      (0.1 mM) and DL-lactate (1 mM) were identical (2.79 and 2.70 mg l(-1) min(-1),
      respectively). This was in marked contrast to similar experiments with the wild
      type which gave initial O2 consumption rates of 2.00, 2.36 and 2.97 mg l(-1) min(
      1) when cell suspensions were supplied with acetate (0.1 mM), acetate (0.1 mM)
      plus D-lactate (1 mM) or acetate (0.1 mM) plus L-lactate (1 mM), respectively.
      The knockout strain provides a platform for the design of a biosensor that can
      accessibly monitor acetate and propionate concentrations in AD leachate via O2
      uptake measurements. 

PMID- 26272094
TI  - Expression and properties of three novel fungal lipases/sterol esterases
      predicted in silico: comparison with other enzymes of the Candida rugosa-like
      family.
AB  - Lipases from the Candida rugosa-like family are enzymes with great
      biotechnological interest. In a previous work, several enzymes from this family
      were identified by in silico mining of fungal genomes. Here, we describe the
      cloning, expression, and characterization of putative lipases from the genomes of
      Nectria haematococca, Trichoderma reesei, and Aspergillus niger and compared
      their catalytic properties with those of OPE, a well-characterized sterol
      esterase/lipase from Ophiostoma piceae. All of them hydrolyzed p-nitrophenol
      esters and triglycerides with different efficiency, but their activity against
      sterol esters was dissimilar, and the enzyme from A. niger was unable of
      hydrolyzing these substrates while OPE showed the best k cat values, which in
      general leads to an improved catalytic efficiency. Similarly, OPE was the best
      catalyst in the synthesis of beta-sitostanyl oleate, followed by the commercial
      CRL from C. rugosa, while the A. niger enzyme was unable to produce this
      compound. When the enzymes were evaluated for caprolactone oligomerization, the
      A. niger enzyme gave similar results than CRL, being OPE slightly more efficient.
      The expression of the putative selected proteins allowed their functional
      validation, suggesting that the hydrophobicity of the lid region may be an
      important factor, although the enzymatic efficiency is also influenced by other
      parameters, as the aggregation state and the size and morphology of the tunnel,
      where substrate recognition and catalysis takes place. 

PMID- 26272095
TI  - DasR is a pleiotropic regulator required for antibiotic production, pigment
      biosynthesis, and morphological development in Saccharopolyspora erythraea.
AB  - The GntR-family transcription regulator, DasR, was previously identified as
      pleiotropic, controlling the primary amino sugar N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) and
      chitin metabolism in Saccharopolyspora erythraea and Streptomyces coelicolor. Due
      to the remarkable regulatory impact of DasR on antibiotic production and
      development in the model strain of S. coelicolor, we here identified and
      characterized the role of DasR to secondary metabolite production and
      morphological development in industrial erythromycin-producing S. erythraea. The
      physiological studies have shown that a constructed deletion of dasR in S.
      erythraea resulted in antibiotic, pigment, and aerial hyphae production deficit
      in a nutrient-rich condition. DNA microarray assay, combined with quantitative
      real-time reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR), confirmed these results by showing
      the downregulation of the genes relating to secondary metabolite production in
      the dasR null mutant. Notably, electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA)
      showed DasR as being the first identified regulator that directly regulates the
      pigment biosynthesis rpp gene cluster. In addition, further studies indicated
      that GlcNAc, the major nutrient signal of DasR-responsed regulation, blocked
      secondary metabolite production and morphological development. The effects of
      GlcNAc were shown to be caused by DasR mediation. These findings demonstrated
      that DasR is an important pleiotropic regulator for both secondary metabolism and
      morphological development in S. erythraea, providing new insights for the genetic
      engineering of S. erythraea with increased erythromycin production. 

PMID- 26272096
TI  - The biostimulation of anaerobic digestion with (semi)conductive ferric oxides:
      their potential for enhanced biomethanation.
AB  - The effect of biostimulation with ferric oxides, semiconductive ferric
      oxyhydroxide, and conductive magnetite on the anaerobic digestion of dairy
      wastewater was examined in a batch mode. The reactors supplemented with ferric
      oxyhydroxide (R2) and magnetite (R3) showed significantly enhanced biomethanation
      performance compared with the control (R1). The removal of chemical oxygen demand
      (COD) after 30 days was 31.9, 59.3, and 82.5% in R1, R2, and R3, respectively.
      The consumed COD was almost fully recovered as biogas in R2 and R3, while only
      79% was recovered in R1. The total energy production as biogas was accordingly
      32.2, 71.0, and 97.7 kJ in R1, R2, and R3, respectively. The reactors also
      differed in the acid formation profile with more propionate and butyrate found in
      R1 and more acetate found in R3. The enhanced biomethanation seems to be
      associated with variations in the bacterial community structure supposedly
      induced by the ferric oxides added. In contrast, no evident variation was
      observed in the archaeal community structure among the reactors. The potential
      electric syntrophy formed between Methanosaeta concilii-like methanogens and
      electroactive iron-reducing bacteria, particularly Trichococcus, was likely
      responsible for the enhanced performance. The stimulated growth of fermentative
      iron reducers may also have contributed by altering the metabolic characteristics
      of the bacterial communities to produce more favorable acidogenic products for
      methanogenesis. The overall results suggest the potential of biostimulation with
      (semi)conductive ferric oxides to enhance the rate and efficiency of the
      biomethanation of organic wastes. This seems to be potentially attractive, as
      increasing attention is being paid to the energy self-sufficiency of
      waste/wastewater treatment processes today.

PMID- 26272097
TI  - Biosynthesis and function of bacterial dialkylresorcinol compounds.
AB  - This review summarizes the research of bacterially produced dialkylresorcinols
      (DARs). We will give an overview about the DAR-related research during the last
      40 years. Furthermore, a brief introduction into the class of ketosynthases (KS)
      and examples of these enzymes which show a deviation to the usual catalytic
      activity is given. One of these is DarB, which is involved in the DAR
      biosynthesis. The clustering and distribution of the DAR biosynthesis gene
      clusters (BGC), that has been identified in more than 100 genomes from
      taxonomically distinct bacteria, is discussed regarding the structures of the
      biosynthetic products from these BGCs. Finally, the biological activities of
      described DARs are summarized and possible methods for the detection and
      structure elucidation of DARs are given.

PMID- 26272099
TI  - Factors affecting the interactions between beta-lactoglobulin and fatty acids as
      revealed in molecular dynamics simulations.
AB  - Beta-lactoglobulin (BLG), a bovine dairy protein, is a promiscuously interacting
      protein that can bind multiple hydrophobic ligands. Fatty acids (FAs), common
      hydrophobic molecules bound to BLG, are important sources of fuel for life
      because they yield large quantities of ATP when metabolized. The binding affinity
      increases with the length of the ligands, indicating the importance of the van
      der Waals (vdW) interactions between the hydrocarbon tail and the hydrophobic
      calyx of BLG. An exception to this rule is caprylic acid (OCA) which is two
      carbon shorter but has a stronger binding affinity than capric acid. Theoretical
      calculations in the current literature are not accurate enough to shed light on
      the underlying physics of this exception. The computed affinity values are
      greater for longer fatty acids without respect for the caprylic exception and
      those values are generally several orders of magnitude away from the experimental
      data. In this work, we used hybrid steered molecular dynamics to accurately
      compute the binding free energies between BLG and the five saturated FAs of 8 to
      16 carbon atoms. The computed binding free energies agree well with experimental
      data not only in rank but also in absolute values. We gained insights into the
      exceptional behavior of caprylic acid in the computed values of entropy and
      electrostatic interactions. We found that the electrostatic interaction between
      the carboxyl group of caprylic acid and the two amino groups of K60/69 in BLG is
      much stronger than the vdW force between the OCA's hydrophobic tail and the BLG
      calyx. This pulls OCA to the top of the beta barrel where it is easier to
      fluctuate, giving rise to greater entropy of OCA at the binding site. 

PMID- 26272098
TI  - Experience of the Spiritist Hospital Chaplaincy Service: A Retrospective Study.
AB  - The Hospital Chaplaincy service is made of religious volunteer work done by
      representatives of various religions properly trained to offer spiritual support
      to hospitalized patients, as well as their families, contributing as a source of
      protection, comfort and restoring faith in the face of illness. The objective of
      this study is to present a retrospective analysis of records made by chaplains,
      guided by the Spiritist Medical Association of Piracicaba, through 7419 calls to
      2191 patients admitted at Unimed Hospital of Piracicaba in 2014. The results
      contributed to the production of scientific documentation about this new holistic
      model that still lies in acceptance phase in the country. 

PMID- 26272101
TI  - Sources of organisational resiliency during the Thailand floods of 2011: a test
      of the bonding and bridging hypotheses.
AB  - Based on the Institutional Collective Action framework, this research tests the
      impact of two competing hypotheses--bonding and bridging--on enhancing
      organisational resiliency. The bonding hypothesis posits that organisational
      resiliency can be achieved if an organisation works closely with others, whereas
      the bridging hypothesis argues that such a structure places considerable stress
      on an organisation and advocates for an organisation to position itself as a
      central actor to gain access to novel resources from a diverse set of entities to
      achieve resiliency. The paper analyses data gathered from semi-structured
      interviews with 44 public, private, and non-profit organisations serving
      communities affected by the Great Floods of 2011 in the Thai capital, Bangkok
      (urban), and in Pathum Thani (suburban) and Ayutthaya (rural) provinces. The
      findings suggest that: organisational resiliency was associated with the bridging
      effect; organisations in the rural province were more resilient than those in the
      suburban and urban centres; and private and non-governmental organisations
      generally were more resilient than public sector organisations. The findings
      highlight the importance of fostering multi-sector partnerships to enhance
      organisational resiliency for disaster response.

PMID- 26272100
TI  - What are patients' expectations about the organization of their primary care
      physicians' practices?
AB  - BACKGROUND: To our knowledge no study has at the same time assessed patients'
      satisfaction and their expectations concerning the organizational and contextual
      aspects of health care provided by their primary care physician (PCP). Assessing
      these aspects is important to inform future primary healthcare service planning.
      Our objective was thus to document patients' satisfaction with and expectations
      from their PCP, in terms of availability and organization of their practices, and
      to assess whether these indicators varied across age groups and type of practice
      (solo, duo, group). METHODS: Cross-sectional study based on the answers to
      questionnaires completed by patients consulting their PCP in Geneva, Switzerland.
      A random sample of PCPs was asked to recruit consecutively between 50 and 100
      patients coming to the practice for a scheduled medical consultation. The
      patients were asked to complete an anonymous questionnaire centered on their
      satisfaction levels and expectations towards their PCP. RESULTS: One thousand six
      hundred thirty-seven patients agreed to participate (participation rate: 97%,
      women: 63%, mean age: 54 years). Patient satisfaction was high for all the items,
      except for the availability of the doctor by phone and for the waiting time in
      the waiting room. The satisfaction rate increased with age and was higher for
      small practices. In relation to patients' expectations from their doctor, older
      patients and patients visiting larger practices tended to be more demanding.
      CONCLUSIONS: Patients are generally highly satisfied with their PCP. They have a
      wide range of expectations which should be taken into account when considering
      potential improvements.

PMID- 26272103
TI  - Abnormal megakaryopoiesis and platelet function in cyclooxygenase-2-deficient
      mice.
AB  - Previous studies suggest that cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) might influence
      megakaryocyte (MK) maturation and platelet production in vitro. Using a gene
      deletion model, we analysed the effect of COX-2 deficiency on megakaryopoiesis
      and platelet function. COX-2-/- mice (10-12 weeks old) have hyper-responsive
      platelets as suggested by their enhanced aggregation, TXA2 biosynthesis, CD62P
      and CD41/CD61 expression, platelet-fibrinogen binding, and increased
      thromboembolic death after collagen/epinephrine injection compared to wild-type
      (WT). Moreover, increased platelet COX-1 expression and reticulated platelet
      fraction were observed in COX-2-/- mice while platelet count was similar to WT.
      MKs were significantly reduced in COX-2-/- bone marrows (BMs), with high
      nuclear/cytoplasmic ratios, low ploidy and poor expression of lineage markers of
      maturation (CD42d, CD49b). However, MKs were significantly increased in COX-2-/-
      spleens, with features of MK maturation markers which were not observed in MKs of
      WT spleens. Interestingly, the expression of COX-1, prostacyclin and PGE2
      synthases and prostanoid pattern were modified in BMs and spleens of COX-2-/-
      mice. Moreover, COX-2 ablation reduced the percentage of CD49b+ cells, the
      platelet formation and the haematopoietic stem cells in bone marrow and increased
      their accumulation in the spleen. Splenectomy decreased peripheral platelet
      number, reverted their hyper-responsive phenotype and protected COX-2-/- mice
      from thromboembolism. Interestingly, fibrosis was observed in spleens of old COX
      2-/- mice (28 weeks old). In conclusion, COX-2 deletion delays BM
      megakaryopoiesis promoting a compensatory splenic MK hyperplasia, with a release
      of hyper-responsive platelets and increased thrombogenicity in vivo. COX-2 seems
      to contribute to physiological MK maturation and pro-platelet formation. 

PMID- 26272104
TI  - Paravertebral nerve block catheters using chloroprocaine in infants with
      prolonged mechanical ventilation for treatment of long-gap esophageal atresia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Infants with long-gap esophageal atresia (LGEA) undergo repeated
      thoracotomies for staged surgical repair known as the Foker process (FP).
      Associated prolonged mechanical ventilation results in exposure to high doses of
      opioids and benzodiazepines, and prolonged weaning times and ICU stays. AIM: The
      aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of short-term paravertebral
      nerve block (PVNB) catheters in reducing opioid/benzodiazepine exposure and
      effects on clinical variables. METHODS: The medical records of seventeen infants
      were retrospectively reviewed; 11 with PVNB and six without (CG). PVNB were
      placed using ultrasound-guidance and chloroprocaine infusions implemented in the
      ICU. Opioids and benzodiazepines were administered via the protocol for 5 days
      following thoracotomies for Foker-I and Foker-II. RESULTS: Foker-I: Average
      reduction in morphine and midazolam consumption was 36% (2.18 vs 3.40 mg.kg(-1)
      .day(-1) ; P < 0.001) and 31% (2.25 vs 3.25 mg.kg(-1) .day(-1) ; P = 0.033),
      respectively, in the PVNB compared with CG. Foker-II: Average reduction in
      morphine and midazolam consumption was 39% (3.19 vs 5.27 mg.kg(-1) .day(-1) ) and
      38% (3.46 mg.kg(-1) .day(-1) vs 5.62; P < 0.001), respectively in the PVNB
      compared with CG. 24-h prior to extubation: Average reduction in morphine and
      midazolam consumption was 50% (2.91 vs 5.85 mg.kg(-1) .24 h(-1) ; p = 0.023) and
      61% (2.27 vs 5.83 mg.kg(-1) .24 h(-1) ; P = 0.004), respectively, in the PVNB
      compared with CG. Infusion wean time, (independence from opioid/midazolam
      infusions) following extubation was 5 days in the PVNB group and 15 days in CG (P
      = 0.005). Median ICU stay (IQR) was 40 days (34-45 days) in PVNB patients and 71
      days (42-106 days) in controls (P = 0.02). PVNB catheters were left an average of
      7 days and there were no complications associated with the nerve blocks.
      CONCLUSION: Short-term PVNB placement decreases opioid and benzodiazepine
      exposure, weaning days and ICU stay in infants undergoing prolonged mechanical
      ventilation for LGEA repair in this small pilot study. Larger studies are
      warranted to confirm results.

PMID- 26272107
TI  - Chip calorimetry for the sensitive identification of hexogen and pentrite from
      their decomposition inside copper oxide nanoparticles.
AB  - Smart detection systems for explosive sensors are designed both to detect
      explosives in the air at trace level and identify the threat for a specific
      response. Following this need we have succeeded in using microthermal analysis to
      sensitively identify and discriminate between RDX and PETN explosive vapors at
      trace level. Once the explosive vapor is trapped in a porous material, heating
      the material at a fast rate of 3000 K/s up to 350  degrees C will result in a
      thermal pattern specifically corresponding to the explosive and its interaction
      with the porous material. The explosive signatures obtained make it possible to
      simultaneously identify the presence and the nature of the explosive vapor in
      just a few milliseconds. Therefore, this also allows the development of
      multitarget devices using porous material for capturing the vapor combined with
      microthermal analysis for fast detection and identification. So far it is the
      first time that chip calorimetry has been used to characterize and identify
      explosives in vapor state. 

PMID- 26272105
TI  - Deregulation of microRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from
      patients with HCV-related malignancies.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the major causes of death
      due to cancer worldwide, and its association with hepatitis C virus infection has
      been definitively established. Hepatitis C virus is also involved in the
      pathogenesis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. This is the only virus infecting humans
      that is able to induce two different malignancies. We analyzed the expression
      levels of a panel of microRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients
      with hepatitis C virus-related malignancies in order to find a disease-associated
      deregulation and identify specific biomarkers. METHODS: We tested peripheral
      blood mononuclear cells isolated from patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, non
      Hodgkin's lymphoma, hepatitis C virus without malignancies and healthy subjects
      for a panel of microRNA selected on the basis of previous studies. MicroRNA
      expression was evaluated by real-time PCR. RESULTS: Our results showed an
      upregulation of miRNA-21 and downregulation of miRNA-26b in hepatocellular
      carcinoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients compared to controls (p < 0.001).
      Deregulation of miRNA-16 and miRNA-155 was limited to lymphoma patients.
      CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that some microRNAs are differently expressed in
      peripheral blood mononuclear cells from hepatitis C virus patients who develop
      hepatocellular carcinoma or lymphoma, while others share a common behavior. Thus,
      analysis of the expression of microRNAs could be a noninvasive marker of
      hepatitis C virus-related carcinogenesis. This analysis could be a suitable tool
      for identifying the existence of a malignancy and also discriminating between
      these two hepatitis C virus-related cancers.

PMID- 26272106
TI  - Admissions for hepatitis B reactivation in patients receiving immunosuppressive
      therapy remain unchanged from 1999 to 2014.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Reactivation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication in patients with
      chronic or past HBV infection receiving immunosuppressive therapy (IST) can be
      prevented through HBV screening and prophylactic antiviral therapy. We aimed to
      determine the occurrence of severe HBV reactivation secondary to IST in the era
      of HBV nucleos/tide analogs, the implicated IST, and outcomes. METHODS: We
      conducted a retrospective chart review of adult patients who were HBsAg+ and HBV
      DNA+ and had received IST within 90 days of admission to our hospital. RESULTS:
      Of 1446 patients with HBV diagnosis code admitted from 1999 to 2014, 17 had HBV
      reactivation, 8 of whom were admitted after 2009. Nine patients had hematologic
      conditions, three solid organ transplants, one hepatocellular carcinoma, and four
      other nonmalignant diseases. Implicated IST included chemotherapy, prednisone,
      antirejection therapies, budesonide, and a JAK-2 inhibitor. Three patients were
      screened for HBV prior to IST, but none was given antiviral prophylaxis. Six
      patients were initially admitted to other facilities, only two were tested for
      HBV, and one was started on antiviral therapy prior to transfer. At admission to
      our hospital, all 17 were HBsAg+ and HBV DNA+. Despite antiviral therapy, five
      patients decompensated, three died, and two had a liver transplant. CONCLUSION:
      Severe HBV reactivation requiring hospital admission continues to occur because
      HBV screening was not performed and a prophylactic antiviral not given to those
      who tested positive. HBV reactivation can occur in a variety of clinical settings
      and in association with drugs not considered to be highly immunosuppressive.

PMID- 26272109
TI  - Idiopathic Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Evaluation of the Depth of the Carpal Tunnel
      by Ultrasonography.
AB  - The objective of the work described here was to evaluate the depth of the carpal
      tunnel (DCT) in patients with idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and healthy
      volunteers by ultrasonography (US), through measurement of the distance from the
      flexor retinaculum to the surface of the capitate bone at the carpal tunnel
      outlet, and compare it with other ultrasonographic and electrophysiologic
      parameters in CTS. The study was conducted in 60 non-diabetic patients with
      idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome (unilateral n = 37, bilateral n = 23) evidenced
      by electrophysiologic diagnosis according to the criteria of the American
      Association of Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AAEM). Furthermore, 40 hands from 20
      healthy volunteers were examined. Median nerve cross-sectional area (CSA);
      flattening ratio (FR), the ratio of the length to the width of the median nerve;
      and DCT at the canal outlet were measured for all participants. The mean age was
      35.6 +/- 9.48 y. The female-to-male ratio was 47:13 in the CTS patients. The
      sensitivity and specificity were 82% and 95% for CSA, 75% and 60% for FR and 75%
      and 87.5% for DCT, respectively. Differences between patients and healthy
      controls were significant for all three parameters, greatest for DCT, followed by
      CSA and then FR. We conclude that DCT increased in CTS and this new parameter is
      comparable in sensitivity and specificity to CSA and FR. DCT increased
      independently of the cause of the CTS (decrease in size of canal or increase in
      contents).

PMID- 26272108
TI  - Respiration artifact correction in three-dimensional proton resonance frequency
      MR thermometry using phase navigators.
AB  - PURPOSE: To develop reliable three-dimensional (3D) segmented echo planar imaging
      (seg-EPI) proton resonance frequency (PRF) temperature monitoring in the presence
      of respiration-induced B0 variation. METHODS: A free induction decay (FID) phase
      navigator was inserted into a 3D seg-EPI sequence before and after EPI readout to
      monitor B0 field variations. Using the field change estimates, the phase of each
      k-space line was adjusted to remove the additional phase from the respiratory
      induced off-resonance. This correction technique was evaluated while heating with
      MR-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) in phantoms with simulated breathing and
      during nonheating conditions in healthy in vivo breasts. RESULTS: With k-space
      phase correction, the standard deviation of magnitude images and PRF temperature
      measurements in breast from five volunteers improved by an average factor of 1.5
      and 2.1, respectively. Improved accuracy of temperature estimates was observed
      after correction while heating with MRgFUS in phantoms. CONCLUSION: Phase
      correction based on two FID navigators placed before and after the echo train
      provides promising results for implementing 3D monitoring of thermal therapy
      treatments in the presence of field variations due to respiration. Magn Reson Med
      76:206-213, 2016. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 26272112
TI  - Methodology for solid state NMR off-resonance study of molecular dynamics in
      heteronuclear systems.
AB  - Methodology for the study of dynamics in heteronuclear systems in the laboratory
      frame was described in the previous paper [1]. Now the methodology for the study
      of molecular dynamics in the solid state heteronuclear systems in the rotating
      frame is presented. The solid state NMR off-resonance experiments were carried
      out on a homemade pulse spectrometer operating at the frequency of 30.2 MHz for
      protons. This spectrometer includes a specially designed probe which contains two
      independently tuned and electrically isolated coils installed in the coaxial
      position on the dewar. A unique probe design allows working at three slightly
      differing frequencies off and on resonance for protons and at the frequency of
      28.411 MHz for fluorine nuclei with complete absence of their electrical
      interference. The probe allows simultaneously creating rf magnetic fields at off
      resonance frequencies within the range of 30.2-30.6 MHz and at the frequency of
      28.411 MHz. Presented heteronuclear cross-relaxation off-resonance experiments in
      the rotating frame provide information about molecular dynamics.

PMID- 26272110
TI  - Regulation of alpha4beta2alpha5 nicotinic acetylcholinergic receptors in rat
      cerebral cortex in early and late adolescence: Sex differences in response to
      chronic nicotine.
AB  - Chronic nicotine administration in animals, and smoking in humans, causes up
      regulation of alpha4beta2* neuronal nicotinic receptors (nAChRs), which has been
      hypothesized to contribute to the addictive actions of nicotine. We used a rat
      model to test whether such up-regulatory effects differ in adolescents versus
      adults, and in males versus females. Following chronic treatment with nicotine or
      saline via subcutaneous osmotic minipumps, we measured alpha4beta2 and
      alpha4beta2alpha5 nAChRs in cerebral cortex using [3H]epibatidine to label
      assembled nAChRs, and selective antibodies to measure the individual subunits via
      immunoprecipitation. For the first time, we provide a detailed characterization
      of the response of both alpha4beta2 and alpha4beta2alpha5 nAChRs in female
      adolescent rat cerebral cortex. We found differences in nicotine-induced up
      regulation between males and females in early adolescence that are absent in both
      late adolescence and adulthood. Males showed significant up-regulation at PN28
      which was absent in age-matched females. These results demonstrate sex
      differences in the susceptibility of alpha4beta2* nAChRs to the effects of
      chronic nicotine exposure in the cerebral cortex based on age.

PMID- 26272111
TI  - Association of Hepatitis C Virus Infection with Proteinuria and Glomerular
      Filtration Rate.
AB  - AIM: Despite several studies, the extent to which hepatitis C virus (HCV)
      infection is associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains controversial.
      Thus, we examined the relationship between HCV and CKD using the continuous
      National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999-2012). METHODS: Specimens
      positive for anti-HCV antibodies were retested and confirmed with recombinant
      immunoblot assay (RIBA). Proteinuria was defined as urine albumin creatinine
      ratio > 30 mg/g. CKD was defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <
      60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) . We used linear and logistic regression models to examine
      the association between HCV and outcomes with and without adjustment for age,
      sex, race, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and body mass index and accounting
      for the complex survey design. RESULTS: Of the 33,729 eligible participants, HCV
      infection was present in 659 (1.73%). In unadjusted and adjusted analyses, HCV
      was associated with proteinuria (OR = 1.40, p = 0.01 and OR = 1.50, p = 0.02,
      respectively). In both unadjusted and adjusted analyses, individuals with HCV had
      significantly higher GFR than individuals without (1.4 mL/min, p = 0.04 and 2.7
      mL/min, p < 0.001, respectively). We did not find an association of HCV with CKD
      in adjusted or unadjusted analyses. CONCLUSION: HCV infection is associated with
      proteinuria and high GFR but not with CKD. The biological mechanism of the
      observed association needs further study.

PMID- 26272114
TI  - Towards a dimensional model of depression: Evidence from Chinese samples.

PMID- 26272113
TI  - Changes in aquaporin 5 in the non-ciliated cells of mouse oviduct according to
      sexual maturation and oestrous cycle.
AB  - Aquaporin (AQP) water channels play an important role in fluid homeostasis and
      the control of epithelial cell volume. To understand the oviductal fluid
      homeostasis, the expression of aqp5 was examined in mouse oviduct. In the oviduct
      of cycling females, aqp1, aqp3, aqp4, aqp5, aqp6, aqp7, aqp8, and aqp11 mRNA were
      detected. Of these, expression of aqp5 mRNA increased significantly from the
      early prepubertal period to puberty. Epithelial AQP5 immunoreactivity was
      markedly increased during the same period and was most notable in the
      infundibulum. In immature female mice (3 weeks old), gonadotropin (pregnant
      mare's serum gonadotropin (5IU/head) and human chorionic gonadotropin (5IU/head),
      single intraperitoneal injection) significantly increased oviductal aqp5 mRNA and
      AQP5 immunoreactivity in oviduct epithelia. In adult mouse oviduct epithelia,
      AQP5 was primarily found in the apical membrane, subapical cytoplasm and
      basolateral membrane of secretory non-ciliated cells, whereas weak to negligible
      immunoreactivity was found in beta-tubulin-positive ciliated cells. Taking into
      account the fact that non-ciliated cells are well developed with subapical
      secretory vesicles as well as endosomes, AQP5 may also participate in the
      secretion and endocytosis in addition to water movement through non-ciliated
      secretory cells. AQP5 immunoreactivity was also found in the isthmic muscle and
      lamina propria beneath the epithelia. In cycling females, oviductal aqp5 mRNA
      levels were the highest at oestrus and the lowest at di-oestrus. AQP5
      immunoreactivity in non-ciliated cells was notable in the infundibulum, where
      AQP5 immunoreactivity was relatively high at oestrus but low at dioestrus and pro
      oestrus, indicating synchrony between aqp5 gene activation and the ovarian cycle.
      Together, the findings of the present study indicate that aqp5 specific to non
      ciliated cells is activated during sexual maturation, supporting fluid
      homeostasis in mouse oviduct.

PMID- 26272115
TI  - The latent structure of depression among Chinese: A taxometric analysis in a
      nationwide urban sample.
AB  - The latent structure of psychopathology is one of the fundamental issues in
      psychopathology research and one which has caused considerable and prolonged
      debate. To determine the latent structure of depression in the Chinese
      population, taxometric procedures were used to evaluate the latent structure of
      depressive symptoms as assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies
      Depression Scale (CES-D). Four indicators were included: (1) depressed mood, (2)
      positive affect, (3) somatic, and (4) interpersonal symptoms. Participants were
      6,132 individuals from a general population-based nationwide urban sample. We
      applied three taxometric analyses: mean above minus below a cut, maximum
      eigenvalue, and latent mode as well as simulated comparison data analyses to
      depression data. Results of the analyses provided converging evidence for a
      dimensional solution. Hence, the latent structure of depressive symptoms measured
      using the CES-D exists on a continuum rather than as discrete categories. Future
      studies using thresholds for dichotomizing depression and comparing depressed and
      nondepressed groups formed on the basis of CES-D scores could be reconsidered. 

PMID- 26272117
TI  - Etiological heterogeneity of symptom dimensions of adolescent depression.
AB  - The aim was to investigate the underlying factor structure of adolescent
      depression and etiological heterogeneity in the symptom dimensions of adolescent
      depression. The sample included 842 pairs of same-sex adolescent twins, among
      which 613 pairs were monozygotic twins and 229 pairs were dizygotic twins. The
      ages of the participants ranged from 11 to 17 years (M = 13.64, SD = 1.80).
      Adolescents' depressive symptoms were assessed using the self-reported Children's
      Depression Inventory. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used to
      explore the factor structure of youth depression and twin genetic analyses were
      employed to estimate genetic and environmental influences on the derived
      dimensions. Results showed that adolescent depression encompassed five correlated
      dimensions: dysphoria mood, somatic symptoms, study and externalizing problems,
      anhedonia symptoms, and cognitive symptoms. These five symptom dimensions had
      heterogeneous etiologies: Dysphoria mood, somatic symptoms, and cognitive
      symptoms were moderately heritable (heritability ranged from 33 to 40%), whereas
      study and externalizing problems, and anhedonia symptoms were mainly
      environmentally influenced with minimal genetic basis. Our findings supported the
      multidimensionality of adolescent depression and the etiological heterogeneity of
      these symptom dimensions. 

PMID- 26272116
TI  - Aberrant functional connectivity of the hippocampus in older adults with
      subthreshold depression.
AB  - Major depression disorder (MDD) is closely associated with functional and
      structural changes in the hippocampus (HC). Neuroimaging studies have
      demonstrated abnormal functional connectivity (FC) of the HC in patients with
      MDD, but it remains unknown whether this abnormal hippocampal FC pattern occurs
      in individuals with subthreshold depression (StD) who are at high risk of MDD.
      Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data were collected from 19
      elderly individuals with StD and 18 normal controls. Whole brain voxel-wise FC
      analyses were conducted to investigate the hippocampal FC pattern by selecting
      the HC as the region of interest, and correlation analyses were performed to
      explore the association of altered FC of the HC with self-reported depressive
      symptoms. The results showed that elderly individuals with StD had substantially
      decreased FC of the HC to the prefrontal and cuneus cortices compared with
      healthy normal controls. Moreover, the strength of HC-cuneus connectivity was
      correlated with self-reported depressive symptoms in elderly individuals with
      StD. These findings suggest that dysfunctional integration within the HC and
      cortical regions may occur at an early stage of depression. 

PMID- 26272118
TI  - The COMT gene variant is associated with depression's decreased positive affect
      symptoms in Chinese adults.
AB  - This study examined the association between the COMT Val(158) Met genotype and
      depression symptoms. A total of 326 Chinese adults who experienced the deadly
      2008 Wenchuan earthquake and lost children during the disaster participated in
      this study. Depression symptoms were measured using the Center for
      Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). The single nucleotide
      polymorphism (SNP) was successfully genotyped using the MassARRAY system. Results
      indicated that although the Val(158) Met genotype was not associated with total
      depression symptoms, it was significantly correlated with decreased positive
      affect symptoms of depression in males. The findings indicated that COMT may play
      an important functional role in the development of depression, and contribute to
      the extant knowledge of the genetic basis and sex-specific expression of symptoms
      in depression. 

PMID- 26272119
TI  - Low self-esteem as a vulnerability differentially predicts symptom dimensions of
      depression in university students in China: A 6-month longitudinal study.
AB  - This 6-month longitudinal study examined how self-esteem as a vulnerability
      differentially predicts symptom dimensions of depression in a sample of
      university students from Hunan Province, China. Baseline and 6-month follow-up
      data were obtained from 659 university students. During an initial assessment,
      participants completed measures assessing their low self-esteem, depressive
      symptoms, and the occurrence of daily hassle. Participants subsequently completed
      measures assessing daily hassle and depressive symptoms once per month for 6
      months. Higher low self-esteem scores were associated with greater increases in
      the somatic complaints and positive affect dimensions, but not the depressed
      affect and interpersonal problem dimensions of depressive symptoms following
      daily hassle in Chinese university students. The results of the current study
      suggest that low self-esteem plays a significant role in the etiology and course
      of depressive symptoms that develop in response to exposure to daily hassles.
      Consistent with the vulnerability-stress model of depression, the results suggest
      that low self-esteem serves as a risk factor and daily hassles serve as a
      precipitating factor. 

PMID- 26272122
TI  - (99m)Tc-MDP bone scintigraphy of three brothers affected by Multiple
      Osteochondromas.

PMID- 26272121
TI  - Use of positron emission tomography (PET) for the diagnosis of large-vessel
      vasculitis.
AB  - The term vasculitis encompasses a heterogeneous group of diseases that share the
      presence of inflammatory infiltrates in the vascular wall. The diagnosis of large
      vessel vasculitis is often a challenge because the presenting clinical features
      are nonspecific in many cases and they are often shared by different types of
      autoimmune and inflammatory diseases including other systemic vasculitides.
      Moreover, the pathogenesis of large-vessel vasculitis is not fully understood.
      Nevertheless, the advent of new imaging techniques has constituted a major
      breakthrough to establish an early diagnosis and a promising tool to monitor the
      follow-up of patients with largevessel vasculitis. This is the case of the
      molecular imaging with the combination of positron emission tomography with
      computed tomography (PET/CT) using different radiotracers, especially the (18)F
      fluordeoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG). In this review we have focused on the contribution
      of (18)F-FDG PET in the diagnosis of large-vessel vasculitis. 

PMID- 26272123
TI  - Saffron: a natural product with potential pharmaceutical applications.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Recently, a great deal of interest has been developed to isolate and
      investigate novel bioactive components from natural resources with health
      beneficial effects. Saffron is the dried stigma of Crocus sativus L. and has been
      used for centuries in traditional medicine mainly for its healing properties, as
      well as for the treatment of various pathological conditions. Objectives of the
      present review are to unravel its therapeutic properties and investigate the
      potential applications of saffron in contemporary therapy of a wide spectrum of
      diseases and summarize previous and current evidence regarding the
      biological/pharmacological activities of saffron and its active ingredients and
      their possible therapeutic uses. KEY FINDINGS: Recent phytochemistry and
      pharmacological experiments have indicated that crocin and safranal, the major
      active ingredients of saffron, exert important actions, such as antioxidant, anti
      tumor, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory and anti-atherosclerotic. Unfortunately,
      the vast majority of those data derive from in vitro studies, whereas a limited
      number of in vivo experiments support the aforementioned effects. In addition to
      studies with mechanistic implications, very few clinical trials provide
      preliminary evidence of saffron potentiality to alleviate depression and increase
      cognitive function in patients with Alzheimer's disease. SUMMARY: The history and
      structural features of saffron constituents are given in the first part of the
      review, followed by a comprehensive and critical presentation of the published
      preclinical and clinical studies and review papers on the pharmacology and
      possible therapeutic uses of saffron and its main active components crocin and
      safranal.

PMID- 26272125
TI  - Optimal design for studying mucoadhesive polymers interaction with gastric mucin
      using a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D): Comparison of two
      different mucin origins.
AB  - The objective of this present study was to develop an efficient and simple
      method, based on the use of a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM
      D), to evaluate the mucoadhesive characteristics of cationic polymers; chitosan,
      thiolated chitosan (chitosan-SH), and polyallylamine hydrochloride (PAH), and
      anionic polymers; hyaluronic acid (HA) and thiolated hyaluronic acid (HA-SH). The
      experiments were carried out at pH 4 to assess the interaction between
      mucoadhesive polymers and a mucin-coated gold surface. A key point in the QCM-D
      protocol development was to evaluate two sources of mucin: native porcine gastric
      mucin (NPGM) and commercially available porcine gastric mucin (CPGM). QCM-D has
      shown its potential as a highly sensitive technique that provides information
      about the interaction of mucoadhesive polymers with gastric mucin. The technique
      would allow the classification of these polymers in order to further assess their
      application as base materials for nanocarriers, designed to interact with the
      mucosal barrier which represents a stumbling block for drug adsorption. 

PMID- 26272126
TI  - Common and rare variants associated with kidney stones and biochemical traits.
AB  - Kidney stone disease is a complex disorder with a strong genetic component. We
      conducted a genome-wide association study of 28.3 million sequence variants
      detected through whole-genome sequencing of 2,636 Icelanders that were imputed
      into 5,419 kidney stone cases, including 2,172 cases with a history of recurrent
      kidney stones, and 279,870 controls. We identify sequence variants associating
      with kidney stones at ALPL (rs1256328[T], odds ratio (OR)=1.21, P=5.8 * 10(-10))
      and a suggestive association at CASR (rs7627468[A], OR=1.16, P=2.0 * 10(-8)).
      Focusing our analysis on coding sequence variants in 63 genes with preferential
      kidney expression we identify two rare missense variants SLC34A1 p.Tyr489Cys
      (OR=2.38, P=2.8 * 10(-5)) and TRPV5 p.Leu530Arg (OR=3.62, P=4.1 * 10(-5))
      associating with recurrent kidney stones. We also observe associations of the
      identified kidney stone variants with biochemical traits in a large population
      set, indicating potential biological mechanism. 

PMID- 26272128
TI  - Bayesian restricted spatial regression for examining session features and patient
      outcomes in open-enrollment group therapy studies.
AB  - Group-based interventions have been developed for treating patients across a
      range of health conditions. Enrollment into such groups often occurs on an open
      (or rolling) basis. Conditional autoregression modeling of random session effects
      has been proposed to account for the expected correlation in session effects
      associated with the overlap in patient participation session to session. However,
      when the analytic objective is to examine the relationship between a fixed-effect
      session feature and a patient outcome using conditional autoregression,
      confounding might arise if the fixed session feature of interest and the random
      session effects vary across sessions in similar ways, resulting in bias and
      inflated standard errors of a fixed-effect session feature of interest. Motivated
      by the goal of examining the relationships between outcomes and the session
      features of leader and session module theme, we applied restricted spatial
      regression to the analysis of patient outcomes collected from 132 participants in
      an open-enrollment group for treating depression among patients of a residential
      alcohol and other drug treatment program, adapting the approach to the multilevel
      data structure of open-enrollment group data. As compared with standard
      conditional autoregression, the restricted regression approach resulted in more
      precise estimates of regression coefficients of the module theme and leader
      predictor variables. The restricted regression approach provides an important
      analytic tool for group therapy researchers who are investigating the
      relationship between key components of open-enrollment group therapy
      interventions and patient outcomes.

PMID- 26272129
TI  - Fluorescently-labeled RNA packaging into HIV-1 particles: Direct examination of
      infectivity across central nervous system cell types.
AB  - HIV penetrates the central nervous system (CNS), and although it is clear that
      microglia and to a lesser extent astrocytes are infected, whether certain other
      cell types such as neurons are infected remains unclear. Here, we confirmed the
      finding that RNAs of both cellular and viral origins are present in native HIV-1
      particles and exploited this phenomenon to directly examine HIV-1 infectivity of
      CNS cell types. Using in vitro transcribed mRNAs that were labeled with a
      fluorescent dye, we showed that these fluorescent mRNAs were packaged into HIV-1
      particles by directly examining infected cells using fluorescence microscopy.
      Cells in culture infected with these labeled virions showed the fluorescent
      signals of mRNA labels by a distinct pattern of punctate, focal signals within
      the cells which was used to demonstrate that the CXCR4-tropic NL4-3 strain was
      able to enter microglia and to a lesser extent astrocytes, but not neurons. The
      strategy used in the present study may represent a novel approach of simplicity,
      robustness and reliability for versatile applications in HIV studies, such as the
      determination of infectivity across a broad range of cell types and within sub
      populations of an individual cell type by direct visualization of viral entry
      into cells. 

PMID- 26272127
TI  - Increased hepatic expression of miRNA-122 in patients infected with HCV genotype
      3.
AB  - Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection affects approximately 3 % of the world
      population. HCV targets hepatic tissue, and most infected patients develop a
      chronic infection. Currently, studies have demonstrated an association between
      HCV-RNA replication and miR-122, the most abundant microRNA in the liver. Our aim
      was to evaluate liver and serum expression of miR-122 in patients infected with
      HCV genotypes 1 and 3, and to identify possible associations between miR-122
      expression and lipid profiles, HCV viral load, apolipoproteins and liver enzymes.
      MicroRNAs were isolated from blood and liver tissue, and miR-122 expression was
      quantified by real-time PCR. HCV viral load was quantified by real-time PCR and
      HCV genotype, and serum biomarkers were obtained from medical report. The levels
      of miR-122 were higher in liver than those in blood from individuals infected
      with HCV genotypes 1 and 3 (p < 0.0001). The tissue levels of miR-122 were higher
      in subjects infected with HCV genotype 3 (6.22-fold, p < 0.001). A positive
      correlation was observed between the blood and hepatic levels of miR-122 in
      patients infected with HCV genotype 1 (r = 0.302, p = 0.026); in these patients,
      an inverse correlation was observed between serum apolipoprotein A-II (ApoA-II)
      levels and the blood (r = -0.330; p = 0.014) and hepatic (r = -0.311; p = 0.020)
      levels of miR-122. In patients infected with HCV genotype 3, there was a positive
      correlation between the hepatic miR-122 and the high-density lipoprotein-HDL (r =
      0.412, p = 0.036) and insulin (r = 0.478, p = 0.044). Lipid metabolism proteins
      and miR-122 expression levels have different relations in HCV-3- and HCV-1
      infected patients. 

PMID- 26272130
TI  - Systemic review of the prevention of pit and fissure caries of permanent molars
      by resin sealants in children in China.
AB  - AIM: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between pit
      and fissure sealants and the prevention of dental caries in permanent molars of
      children in China. METHODS: The Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of
      Interventions was followed. Articles published in English and Chinese from 2002
      to 2013 were selected. All these studies were randomized clinical trials related
      to pit and fissure sealants on caries prevention. Data were analyzed using
      Software Review Manager 5.1. RESULTS: A search of the four largest Chinese
      medical literature databases and the PubMed/Medline database yielded a total of
      397 clinical research studies about the effects of pit and fissure sealants on
      the prevention of dental caries; 20 original research studies were selected. In
      this meta-analysis, a total of 12 187 participants were included. Statistical
      analyses demonstrated a significant association between pit and fissure sealants
      and dental caries prevention for a 6-month follow-up period (combined odds ratio
      = 0.06, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.32, P < 0.0001). For other follow ups, there was a trend
      in pit and fissure sealants preventing the occurrence of dental caries.
      CONCLUSION: Current clinical evidence suggests that pit and fissure sealants are
      effective for dental caries prevention. Sealants should be placed as part of an
      overall caries prevention approach. Further research with larger sample sizes and
      rigorously-designed clinical trials are required to corroborate the current
      results.

PMID- 26272131
TI  - Isolation and Culture of Mouse Hepatocytes: Gender-Specific Gene Expression
      Responses to Chemical Treatments.
AB  - In this chapter, the isolation of primary mouse hepatocytes and their response to
      chemical treatment are described. We show that it is important to consider, in
      the experimental design, the sex of the animals to be used. We demonstrate this
      by measuring the effect of sex hormones or xenobiotics on the expression of
      flavin-containing monooxygenase 5 in cultures of primary hepatocytes isolated
      from male and female mice. 

PMID- 26272132
TI  - Cryopreservation of Hepatocytes.
AB  - The use of cryopreserved hepatocytes has increased in the last decade due to the
      improvement of the freezing and thawing methods, and has even achieved acceptance
      by the US Food and Drug Administration for use in drug metabolizing enzyme
      induction studies. This chapter provides an overview of the theories behind the
      process of cryopreservation as well as practical advice on methods to
      cryopreserve hepatocytes, which retain functions similar to fresh cells after
      thawing. Parameters, such as cell density, cryoprotectants, freezing media,
      storage conditions, and thawing techniques, should be critically considered.
      Special emphasis is put on human hepatocytes, but information for the
      cryopreservation of animal hepatocytes is also described. 

PMID- 26272133
TI  - Culture Conditions Promoting Hepatocyte Proliferation and Cell Cycle
      Synchronization.
AB  - The liver overcomes damages induced by harmful substances or viral infections and
      allows the use of extended resection in human therapy through its remarkable
      ability to regenerate. The regeneration process relies on the massive
      proliferation of differentiated hepatocytes that exit quiescence and undergo a
      limited number of cell cycles to restore the hepatic mass. Many discoveries on
      the regulation of hepatocyte proliferation have benefited from the use of in
      vitro models of cultures of primary hepatocytes as well as hepatoma cells as
      opposed to data obtained from in vivo models of liver regeneration, such as
      following partial hepatectomy in rodents. In this chapter, the most pertinent in
      vitro models used to promote the proliferation of hepatocytes and technical
      procedures to synchronize their progression throughout the cell cycle are
      presented with the goal to investigate the regulation of the hepatocyte cell
      cycle and the molecular pathways regulating liver regeneration. 

PMID- 26272135
TI  - Culture and Functional Characterization of Human Hepatoma HepG2 Cells.
AB  - Hepatoma cell lines are frequently used as in vitro alternatives to primary human
      hepatocytes. Cell lines are characterized by their unlimited life span, stable
      phenotype, high availability, and easy handling. However, their major limitation
      is the lower expression of some metabolic activities compared with hepatocytes.
      HepG2 is a human hepatoma that is most commonly used in drug metabolism and
      hepatotoxicity studies. HepG2 cells are nontumorigenic cells with high
      proliferation rates and an epithelial-like morphology that perform many
      differentiated hepatic functions. In this chapter, freezing, thawing, and
      subculturing procedures for HepG2 cells are described. We further provide
      protocols for evaluating lipid accumulation, glycogen storage, urea synthesis,
      and phase I and phase II drug metabolizing activities in HepG2 cells. 

PMID- 26272137
TI  - Serum-Free Directed Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells to Hepatocytes.
AB  - The increase in human liver disease worldwide is a major concern. At present, the
      only successful mode of treatment for failing liver function is organ
      transplantation. While highly successful, donor organs are a limited resource
      that cannot meet current demands. Therefore, alternative liver support strategies
      have been explored, including the use of the major and metabolic cell within the
      liver, the hepatocyte. While current approaches using human hepatocytes are very
      promising, donor material is still required and therefore suffers from similar
      limitations to whole organ transplantation. One alternative source of human
      hepatocytes being actively pursued in the field is pluripotent stem cells.
      Pluripotent stem cells are a scalable and renewable cell-based resource, which
      can be efficiently differentiated towards hepatocytes, including pluripotent stem
      cell lines that have been derived under good manufacturing practice conditions.
      Therefore, it is believed that this approach provides a promising model system
      for cell scale-up and differentiation. In the future, pluripotent stem cell
      derived hepatocytes could be used in the clinic to support failing liver function
      if they should be deemed fit for purpose. 

PMID- 26272138
TI  - Human Skin-Derived Precursor Cells: Isolation, Expansion, and Hepatic
      Differentiation.
AB  - Human skin-derived precursor cells are a multipotent stem cell population that
      resides within the dermis throughout adulthood. Human skin-derived precursor
      cells can be isolated, purified, and expanded in large quantities from any
      patient, in health and disease, and differentiated to mesodermal and ectodermal
      cell types. Recently, it was also found that they can be directed towards hepatic
      cells with acquired properties of toxicological relevance. As such, they
      represent a valuable cell source for the further development of human-relevant in
      vitro models for the identification and quantification of hepatotoxic compounds.
      In this chapter, a robust basic methodology to isolate, expand, and differentiate
      human skin-derived precursor cells into hepatic cells in a sequential and time
      dependent way is provided. 

PMID- 26272136
TI  - Establishment and Characterization of an In Vitro Model of Fas-Mediated
      Hepatocyte Cell Death.
AB  - Fas-mediated apoptosis underlies a plethora of liver pathologies and toxicities.
      As a consequence, this process is a major research topic in the field of
      experimental and clinical hepatology. The present chapter describes the setup of
      an in vitro model of hepatocellular apoptotic cell death. In essence, this system
      consists of freshly isolated hepatocytes cultured in a monolayer configuration,
      which are exposed to a combination of Fas ligand and cycloheximide. This in vitro
      model has been characterized by using a set of well-acknowledged cell death
      markers. This experimental system allows the study of the entire course of Fas
      mediated hepatocellular cell death, going from early apoptosis to secondary
      necrosis, and hence can serve a broad range of in vitro pharmaco-toxicological
      purposes. 

PMID- 26272139
TI  - Generation of Hepatocytes from Pluripotent Stem Cells for Drug Screening and
      Developmental Modeling.
AB  - Hepatocytes produced from the differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells can
      be used to study human development and liver disease, to investigate the
      toxicological response of novel drug candidates, and as an alternative source of
      primary cells for transplantation therapies. Here, we describe a method to
      produce hepatocytes by differentiating human pluripotent stem cells into
      definitive endoderm, patterning definitive endoderm into anterior definitive
      endoderm, specifying anterior definitive endoderm into hepatic endoderm, and
      differentiating hepatic endoderm into immature hepatocytes. These cells are
      further matured in either two-dimensional or three-dimensional culture conditions
      to produce cells capable of metabolizing xenobiotics and generating liver
      specific proteins, such as albumin and alpha 1 antitrypsin. 

PMID- 26272134
TI  - Immortalized Human Hepatic Cell Lines for In Vitro Testing and Research Purposes.
AB  - The ubiquitous shortage of primary human hepatocytes has urged the scientific
      community to search for alternative cell sources, such as immortalized hepatic
      cell lines. Over the years, several human hepatic cell lines have been produced,
      whether or not using a combination of viral oncogenes and human telomerase
      reverse transcriptase protein. Conditional approaches for hepatocyte
      immortalization have also been established and allow generation of growth
      controlled cell lines. A variety of immortalized human hepatocytes have already
      proven useful as tools for liver-based in vitro testing and fundamental research
      purposes. The present chapter describes currently applied immortalization
      strategies and provides an overview of the actually available immortalized human
      hepatic cell lines and their in vitro applications. 

PMID- 26272140
TI  - Differentiation-Promoting Medium Additives for Hepatocyte Cultivation and
      Cryopreservation.
AB  - Isolated primary hepatocytes are considered as the reference system for in vitro
      hepatic methods. Following the isolation of primary hepatocytes from liver
      tissue, an unfavorable process named dedifferentiation is initiated leading to
      the attenuation of the hepatocellular phenotype both at the morphological and
      functional level. Freshly isolated hepatocytes can be used immediately or can be
      cryopreserved for future purposes. Currently, a number of antidedifferentiation
      strategies exist to extend the life span of isolated hepatocytes. The addition of
      differentiation-promoting compounds to the hepatocyte culture medium is the
      oldest and simplest antidedifferentiation approach applied. In the present
      chapter, the most commonly used medium additives for cultivation and
      cryopreservation of primary hepatocytes are reviewed. 

PMID- 26272141
TI  - Coculture and Long-Term Maintenance of Hepatocytes.
AB  - The liver is the largest internal organ in mammals, serving a wide spectrum of
      vital functions. Loss of liver function due to drug toxicity, progressive fatty
      liver disease, or viral infection is a major cause of death in the United States
      of America. Pharmaceutical and cosmetic toxicity screening, basic research and
      the development of bioartificial liver devices require long-term hepatocyte
      culture techniques that sustain hepatocyte morphology and function. In recent
      years, several techniques have been developed that can support high levels of
      liver-specific gene expression, metabolic function, and synthetic activity for
      several weeks in culture. These include the collagen double gel configuration,
      hepatocyte spheroids, coculture with nonparenchymal cells, and micropatterned
      cocultures. This chapter will cover the current status of hepatocyte culture
      techniques, including media formulation, oxygen supply, and heterotypic cell-cell
      interactions. 

PMID- 26272142
TI  - Primary Hepatocytes in Sandwich Culture.
AB  - Hepatocytes in sandwich configuration constitute of primary hepatocytes cultured
      between two layers of extracellular matrix. Sandwich-cultured hepatocytes
      maintain expression of liver-specific proteins and gradually form intact bile
      canaliculi with functional biliary excretion of endogenous compounds and
      xenobiotics. Both freshly isolated and cryopreserved hepatocytes can be used to
      establish sandwich cultures. Therefore, this preclinical model has become an
      invaluable in vitro tool to evaluate hepatobiliary drug transport, metabolism,
      hepatotoxicity, and drug interactions. In this chapter, commonly used procedures
      to cultivate primary hepatocytes from human and rat in sandwich configuration are
      described. 

PMID- 26272144
TI  - Epigenetic Modifications as Antidedifferentiation Strategy for Primary
      Hepatocytes in Culture.
AB  - A well-known problem of cultured primary hepatocytes is their rapid
      dedifferentiation. During the last years, several strategies to counteract this
      phenomenon have been developed, of which changing the in vitro environment is the
      most popular one. However, mimicking the in vivo setting in vitro by adding
      soluble media additives or the restoration of both cell-cell and cell
      extracellular matrix contacts is not sufficient and only delays the
      dedifferentiation process instead of counteracting it. In this chapter, new
      strategies to prevent the deterioration of the liver-specific phenotype of
      primary hepatocytes in culture by targeting the (epi)genetic mechanisms that
      drive hepatocellular gene expression are described. 

PMID- 26272143
TI  - Establishing Liver Bioreactors for In Vitro Research.
AB  - In vitro systems that can effectively model liver function for long periods of
      time are fundamental tools for preclinical research. Nevertheless, the adoption
      of in vitro research tools at the earliest stages of drug development has been
      hampered by the lack of culture systems that offer the robustness, scalability,
      and flexibility necessary to meet industry's demands. Bioreactor-based
      technologies, such as stirred tank bioreactors, constitute a feasible approach to
      aggregate hepatic cells and maintain long-term three-dimensional cultures. These
      three-dimensional cultures sustain the polarity, differentiated phenotype, and
      metabolic performance of human hepatocytes. Culture in computer-controlled
      stirred tank bioreactors allows the maintenance of physiological conditions, such
      as pH, dissolved oxygen, and temperature, with minimal fluctuations. Moreover, by
      operating in perfusion mode, gradients of soluble factors and metabolic by
      products can be established, aiming at resembling the in vivo microenvironment.
      This chapter provides a protocol for the aggregation and culture of hepatocyte
      spheroids in stirred tank bioreactors by applying perfusion mode for the long
      term culture of human hepatocytes. This in vitro culture system is compatible
      with feeding high-throughput screening platforms for the assessment of drug
      elimination pathways, being a useful tool for toxicology research and drug
      development in the preclinical phase. 

PMID- 26272145
TI  - Transfection of Primary Hepatocytes with Liver-Enriched Transcription Factors
      Using Adenoviral Vectors.
AB  - Primary cultured hepatocytes are probably the best model to study endogenous
      metabolic pathways, toxicity, or drug metabolism. Many of these studies require
      expression of ectopic genes. It would be desirable to use a method of
      transfection that allows dose-response studies, high efficiency of transfection,
      and the possibility to express several genes at the same time. Adenoviral vectors
      fulfill these requirements, becoming a valuable tool for primary hepatocyte
      transfection. Moreover, they are easy to generate and do not require a high level
      of biocontainment. In the present chapter, we describe the generation, cloning,
      amplification, and purification of an adenoviral vector capable of infecting
      primary cultured hepatocytes. This recombinant adenovirus induces robust
      expression of the protein of interest in hepatocytes within a wide range of
      doses. 

PMID- 26272147
TI  - Global MicroRNA Analysis in Primary Hepatocyte Cultures.
AB  - MicroRNAs are small non-coding molecules that regulate gene expression and in
      return affect diverse biological functions, including those involved in toxicity
      and development of disease. Recent evidence suggests that microRNAs play an
      important role in liver pathologies, like viral hepatitis, alcoholic liver,
      hepatocellular carcinoma, or drug-induced liver injury. Furthermore, numerous
      studies demonstrated the high potential of microRNAs as promising non-invasive
      biomarkers of liver disease or as relevant targets for therapeutic treatment.
      This chapter describes a method for global microRNA analysis of primary
      hepatocytes by high-throughput sequencing. The method comprises the isolation of
      high-quality total RNA, analysis of microRNA sequencing data, and the validation
      of the findings by reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction
      analysis. 

PMID- 26272146
TI  - Transcriptomics of Hepatocytes Treated with Toxicants for Investigating Molecular
      Mechanisms Underlying Hepatotoxicity.
AB  - Transcriptomics is a powerful tool for high-throughput gene expression profiling.
      Transcriptome microarray experiments conducted with RNA isolated from hepatocytes
      after exposure to toxicants enable a deep insight into the molecular mechanisms
      of hepatotoxicity. This understanding, along with structure-activity
      relationships underlying hepatotoxicity, will provide a novel strategy to design
      cost-effective and safer therapeutics. Transcriptomics studies conducted with
      established hepatotoxic drugs in various in vitro and in vivo hepatotoxicity test
      systems have contributed to the elucidation of the mechanistic basis of liver
      insults, which were later on substantiated at the proteomics and metabolomics
      levels. The present chapter is focused on comprehensive transcriptomics of
      cultured primary hepatocytes treated with chemicals by applying Affymetrix
      microarray technology. It also describes the detailed protocol for culturing of
      hepatocytes, their exposure to toxicants as well as sample collection, including
      RNA isolation, RNA target preparation and finally the hybridization to gene chips
      for microarray expression analysis. 

PMID- 26272148
TI  - Mass Spectrometry-Based Proteomics for Relative Protein Quantification and
      Biomarker Identification in Primary Human Hepatocytes.
AB  - Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry-based proteomics is a highly
      sensitive and effective tool to identify and quantify potential biomarkers in
      repeated dose toxicity studies using primary cell culture systems. In this
      respect, 8-plex isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantification labeling is
      the method of choice for relative quantification. After cell lysis and tryptic
      protein digestion, an individual isobaric tag is added to the amine groups of
      arginine and lysine. Then, up to eight differentially labeled samples are mixed
      and analyzed together in a mass spectrometry experiment. During peptide
      fragmentation in the mass spectrometer, the individual tag intensity of each
      identified peptide could be detected, reflecting the peptide intensities in the
      eight samples. The identified peptides are matched to their specific protein
      using specific search engines and finally to eight individual relative protein
      quantities. The two-dimensional fractionation of complex peptide mixtures
      minimizes the possibility of co-fragmentation of peptides from different origin
      in the mass spectrometer, which leads to a higher number of peptide search
      matches and therefore to better identification and quantification results. 

PMID- 26272150
TI  - Measurement of Cytochrome P450 Enzyme Induction and Inhibition in Human Hepatoma
      Cells.
AB  - Cytochrome P450 enzymes are a diverse group of catalytic enzymes in the liver
      that are mainly responsible for the biotransformation of organic substances.
      Cytochrome P450 activity as well as both its induction and inhibition are key
      factors in drug biotransformation and can be involved in deactivation,
      activation, detoxification and toxification processes. Thus, the modulation of
      cytochrome P450 activity is an important parameter when evaluating the potential
      toxicity of chemical compounds using an in vitro system. The cytochrome P450 3A
      subfamily proteins are among the most important drug-metabolizing enzymes in
      human liver and are responsible for about half of all cytochrome P450-dependent
      drug oxidations. In vitro, these enzymes are active not only in primary human
      hepatocyte cultures, but also in differentiated human hepatoma HepaRG cells. The
      present protocol describes the culture of cryopreserved differentiated HepaRG
      cells and the evaluation of its cytochrome P450 activity upon exposure to a
      chemical compound using a commercially available luminogenic cytochrome P450
      assay. This in vitro model can be used to monitor the induction and inhibition of
      cytochrome P450 3A following exposure to a particular test compound. 

PMID- 26272149
TI  - Targeted Metabolomics for Homocysteine-Related Metabolites in Primary
      Hepatocytes.
AB  - Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry has become the most convenient
      method to identify and quantify low molecular weight metabolites from various
      sources. Metabolomics studies of hepatocytes hold promise for the identification
      of the mechanisms of toxicant-related disease processes. In this chapter, we
      present a rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry
      method for the quantification of intracellular concentrations of nine
      homocysteine-based metabolites, namely homocysteine, methionine, cysteine,
      dimethylglycine, cystathionine, S-adenosylmethionine, S-adenosylhomocysteine,
      choline, and betaine. The method is specifically designed for the analysis of
      cultured primary hepatocytes. 

PMID- 26272152
TI  - Measurement of Albumin Secretion as Functionality Test in Primary Hepatocyte
      Cultures.
AB  - One of the most important functions of hepatocytes is the synthesis of serum
      proteins, more specifically of serum albumin. Albumin secretion in serum is
      essential, since it maintains the oncotic pressure in the body. Measurement of
      albumin secretion is used as a liver function test to indicate potential liver
      injury and liver pathology. In this chapter, a protocol for the measurement of
      albumin secretion in the supernatant of cultured rat hepatocytes is described.
      The procedure relies on an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay allowing rat albumin
      to be quantitatively measured. 

PMID- 26272151
TI  - Analysis of Sinusoidal Drug Uptake Transporter Activities in Primary Human
      Hepatocytes.
AB  - Hepatic drug transporters play an important role in pharmacokinetics and drug
      drug interactions. Among these membrane transporters, the sodium taurocholate
      cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP/SLC10A1), the organic anion transporting
      polypeptides (OATPs) 1B1 (SLCO1B1), 1B3 (SLCO1B3) and 2B1 (SLCO2B1), the organic
      anion transporter 2 (OAT2/SLC22A7) and the organic cation transporter 1
      (OCT1/SLC22A1) are likely major ones, notably mediating sinusoidal uptake of
      various drugs or endogenous compounds, like bile acids, from blood into
      hepatocytes. Studying putative interactions of drugs, including those in
      development processes, with these transporters is an important issue. For this
      purpose, cultured human hepatocytes, that exhibit functional expression of NTCP,
      OATPs, OAT2 and OCT1, are considered as a relevant in vitro cellular model. This
      chapter describes a method allowing to accurately analyze NTCP, OATP, OAT2 and
      OCT1 transport activities in primary human hepatocyte cultures, which can be
      applied to the determination of potential interactions of drugs with these
      hepatic uptake transporters.

PMID- 26272153
TI  - Measurement of Blood Coagulation Factor Synthesis in Cultures of Human
      Hepatocytes.
AB  - An important function of the liver is the synthesis and secretion of blood
      coagulation factors. Within the liver, hepatocytes are involved in the synthesis
      of most blood coagulation factors, such as fibrinogen, prothrombin, factor V,
      VII, IX, X, XI, XII, as well as protein C and S, and antithrombin, whereas liver
      sinusoidal endothelial cells produce factor VIII and von Willebrand factor. Here,
      we describe methods for the detection and quantification of most blood
      coagulation factors in hepatocytes in vitro. Hepatocyte cultures indeed provide a
      valuable tool to study blood coagulation factors. In addition, the generation and
      expansion of hepatocytes or hepatocyte-like cells may be used in future for cell
      based therapies of liver diseases, including blood coagulation factor
      deficiencies. 

PMID- 26272154
TI  - Functionality Testing of Primary Hepatocytes in Culture by Measuring Urea
      Synthesis.
AB  - One of the mechanisms of healthy hepatocytes to detoxify ammonia in the liver
      consists of converting it into urea. When liver function is impaired, this
      detoxification capacity decreases and may cause severe pathologies, such as
      hepatic encephalopathy. Consequently, urea synthesis is a parameter that can be
      used to monitor liver functionality. In this chapter, a protocol for the
      measurement of urea synthesis in the culture medium of cultured rat hepatocytes
      is described. The procedure relies on a chromogenic reagent that specifically
      forms a colored complex with urea. The latter can be measured colorimetrically
      and is directly proportional to the urea concentration in the sample. 

PMID- 26272155
TI  - Assay of Bile Acid Conjugation and Excretion in Human Hepatocytes.
AB  - Primary hepatocytes isolated from human, mouse and rat liver as well as cell
      lines, such as HepG2 cells, are frequently used in vitro systems in liver
      research. In regenerative medicine, stem cells are used for differentiation
      towards hepatocyte-like cells with the goal of creating differentiated functional
      hepatocytes. It is therefore important to measure the quality and function of
      highly specialized hepatocyte-specific functions using appropriate methods. In
      this chapter, we describe an assay to assess conjugation and excretion of labeled
      bile acids in cultured hepatocytes. 

PMID- 26272156
TI  - General Cytotoxicity Assessment by Means of the MTT Assay.
AB  - Cytotoxicity assays were among the first in vitro bioassay methods used to
      predict toxicity of substances to various tissues. In vitro cytotoxicity testing
      provides a crucial means for safety assessment and screening, and for ranking
      compounds. The choice of using a particular cytotoxicity assay technology may be
      influenced by specific research goals. As such, four main classes of assays are
      used to monitor the response of cultured cells after treatment with potential
      toxicants. These methods measure viability, cell membrane integrity, cell
      proliferation, and metabolic activity. In this chapter, we focus on the 3-(4,5
      dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide tetrazolium reduction
      colorimetric assay to evaluate detrimental intracellular effects on metabolic
      activity. This assay is well-characterized, simple to use and remains popular in
      several laboratories worldwide. 

PMID- 26272157
TI  - Measurement of Apoptotic and Necrotic Cell Death in Primary Hepatocyte Cultures.
AB  - Hepatotoxicity, including drug-induced liver injury, is frequently accompanied by
      cell death. The latter is typically driven by apoptosis or necrosis, which
      substantially differ based upon biochemical and morphological criteria. This
      chapter describes two commonly used methods to probe apoptotic and necrotic
      activities in adherent monolayer cultures of primary hepatocytes. The apoptosis
      assay uses a prototypical substrate of caspase 3, the main executor of apoptotic
      cell death, which can be cleaved, yielding a product that can be measured
      fluorimetrically. The second assay relies on the disruption of the cell plasma
      membrane, which typically occurs in necrotic cell death and that results in the
      extracellular release of cytoplasmic enzymes, such as lactate dehydrogenase. The
      latter can be indirectly assessed by spectrophotometrically measuring the
      consumption of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. 

PMID- 26272159
TI  - In Vitro Cell Culture Models of Hepatic Steatosis.
AB  - The liver is the systemic hub of lipid metabolism. The excessive accumulation of
      lipids in hepatocytes, steatosis, is a major clinical concern, whose progressive
      forms lead to end-stage liver disease. Currently, animal studies are the gold
      standard in toxicological risk assessment. Fueled by an integration of modern
      omics technologies, in silico models and in vitro system optimization, a new
      paradigm in the basis for toxicological risk assessment is emerging away from the
      use of animals. In recent years, in vitro assays have been developed for the
      early screening of the steatogenic potential of compounds. The present chapter
      describes an assay for the intracellular detection of lipids, a high-content
      screen for the distinction between steatosis and phospholipidosis, a
      multiparametric high-content screen for steatogenic potential and a liver X
      receptor reporter cell line. 

PMID- 26272158
TI  - Critical Factors in the Assessment of Cholestatic Liver Injury In Vitro.
AB  - Cholestasis is a common pathological component of numerous liver diseases. The
      initiating event during cholestatic liver injury is widely believed to be the
      accumulation of bile acids in hepatocytes and the hepatic parenchyma. As bile
      acids are considered the primary toxic compounds in the injury, numerous in vitro
      models of bile acid-induced injury and bile acid-induced changes in gene
      expression have been developed to attempt to better define cholestasis at a
      cellular level. This chapter focuses on the establishment of a system for
      determining the effects of cholestatic concentrations of bile acids on
      hepatocytes using primary hepatocytes or hepatoma cell lines. Moreover, this
      chapter addresses significant differences in the response of different species to
      bile acid exposure and novel information on the relevance of treating hepatocytes
      with concentrations of specific bile acids. 

PMID- 26272160
TI  - Assessment of Liver Fibrotic Insults In Vitro.
AB  - In vitro systems are required to evaluate potential liver fibrogenic effects of
      drugs and compounds during drug development and toxicity screening, respectively.
      Upon liver injury or toxicity, hepatic stellate cells are activated, thereby
      acquiring a myofibroblastic phenotype and participating in extracellular matrix
      deposition and liver fibrosis. The most widely used in vitro models to
      investigate liver fibrogenesis are primary cultures of hepatic stellate cells,
      which can be isolated from healthy human livers. Currently, there are no
      effective methods to maintain hepatic stellate cells in vitro in a quiescent
      phenotype. Therefore, when cells are plated, they spontaneously become activated
      in few days. Most in vitro studies in this area have been performed with
      monocultures of hepatic stellate cells in order to assess the direct effects of a
      given factor on hepatic stellate cell activation or the induction of inflammatory
      and fibrogenic responses. In this chapter, focus is put on basic protocols to
      isolate hepatic stellate cells from human tissue and to maintain them in culture
      as well as on common in vitro assays to evaluate their response to profibrogenic
      factors. 

PMID- 26272162
TI  - Direct probing of contact electrification by using optical second harmonic
      generation technique.
AB  - Contact electrification between two different materials is one of the oldest
      fields of study in solid-state physics. Here, we introduced an innovative system
      based on optical electric-field-induced second harmonic generation (EFI-SHG)
      technique that can directly monitor the dynamic performance of the contact
      electrification on the surface of polyimide film. After the contact, the EFI-SHG
      system visualized briefly three relaxations of the tribo-induced charges on the
      surface of a polyimide film, a fast relaxation within 3 min followed by two much
      slower relaxations, which were possibly related to different charge diffusion
      routes. The contact electrification under several special experimental conditions
      (wind, water and steam) was studied to demonstrate the high flexibility and
      material selectivity of the EFI-SHG. The EFI-SHG studies confirmed the motion of
      the water can remove the surface charge, while the appearance and the evaporation
      of a thin water layer cannot enhance the charge diffusion. We anticipate that
      this experimental technique will find a variety of applications in the field of
      contact electrification and the development of the recently invented
      triboelectric nano generator.

PMID- 26272161
TI  - Density and growth rates of spider mites in relation to phenological stages of
      soybean cultivars in Brazil.
AB  - The population fluctuations of spider mites on different soybean cultivars were
      studied in two experiments performed in the municipalities of Sao Sepe
      (experiment 1) and Santa Maria (experiment 2) in the state of Rio Grande do Sul,
      Brazil. The number of cultivars was 20 in Sao Sepe and 25 in Santa Maria, and at
      each location leaves were sampled from 15 plants per cultivar every week
      throughout the entire plant developmental cycle, amounting to 11 and 10 samplings
      in experiment 1 and 2, respectively. The statistical analysis revealed that mite
      densities varied significantly with cultivar and time. Besides, the interaction
      between soybean cultivars and sampling times was significant at both locations.
      This indicates that the populations did not vary in the same way among cultivars
      over time, which is attributed to differences among the cultivars with respect to
      their phenology and response to spider mites. Equations for describing the mite
      population dynamics were estimated for each cultivar, mostly by fitting cubic
      equations to the weekly growth rates (per capita changes) in mite densities. We
      also found that the highest growth rates for mites on soybean cultivars in both
      locations occurred after the beginning of flowering, when the plants shifted from
      the vegetative to reproductive stages, about 3 weeks before reaching the peak
      densities.

PMID- 26272163
TI  - Understanding the Experiences of Rural Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Using a
      New DVD-Delivered Otago Exercise Program: A Qualitative Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The home-based Otago Exercise Program (OEP) has been shown to reduce
      the occurrence of falls in community-dwelling seniors. A new OEP DVD was recently
      developed for people living in rural communities to be used with minimal coaching
      by a physical therapist. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to understand older adults'
      experiences using the DVD-delivered OEP and explore barriers and facilitators to
      implementing the DVD-delivered OEP from the participants' perspectives. METHODS:
      Rural community-dwelling older adults (75 years and older) who participated in a
      six-month DVD-delivered OEP study were invited to participate in this qualitative
      study. Two small group interviews were initially conducted to explore the breadth
      of participants' experiences with the program. These were followed by semi
      structured individual interviews to gain an in-depth understanding of these
      experiences. An inductive constant comparison analysis of the transcripts was
      performed. To ensure methodological rigor, field notes, journaling, and an audit
      trail were maintained, supplemented by peer-review. RESULTS: Of 32 eligible
      participants, five participated in group interviews and 16 in individual
      interviews. Three themes emerged. Theme 1, The OEP DVD-useful training tool but
      in need of more pep, represented participants' experiences that the DVD provided
      important guidance at program onset, but was too slow and low-energy for longer
      term use. Theme 2, Gaining control over one's exercise regimen, but sometimes
      life gets in the way of staying active, described participants' appreciation of
      the program's flexibility, but personal health concerns and everyday lives posed
      challenges to adhering to the program. Theme 3, Social creatures-wanting greater
      human connection during exercise, described how some participants desired further
      social interactions for enhancing motivation and receiving guidance. CONCLUSIONS:
      Individuals should be encouraged to refer to the OEP user manual or DVD as needed
      and engage friends and family in exercises. The importance of exercise even when
      living with health problems should be raised at program onset, and participants
      should be supported in working through challenging issues. Health professionals
      should work with individuals to integrate the program with their everyday
      activities.

PMID- 26272164
TI  - Do extant elephants have superior canal dehiscence syndrome?
AB  - CONCLUSION: X-ray CT of an Asian elephant's skull suggest that elephants do not
      have a labyrinthine 3(rd) mobile window. This excludes the concept that elephants
      benefit from enhancement of bone conducted vibration by an extra opening of the
      labyrinth. This finding does not, however, exclude that elephants use bone
      conducted hearing for seismic detection, nor that other species may use an extra
      labyrinthine opening for improved detection of seismic signals. OBJECTIVES: In
      man, a pathologic extra opening of the bony labyrinth causes altered hearing with
      supranormal bone conduction. Theoretically, this variation in auditory
      performance could be advantageous for detection of seismic waves. METHOD: The
      skull of an adult Asian elephant was examined by X-ray computed tomography to
      investigate whether a natural '3(rd) mobile window' mechanism for enhanced
      sensitivity of body sounds exist in elephants. RESULTS: Although the entire
      elephant's skull was otherwise broadly aerated, the labyrinth areas were
      surrounded by dense bone.

PMID- 26272165
TI  - Optimal moderator materials at various proton energies considering photon dose
      rate after irradiation for an accelerator-driven 9Be(p, n) boron neutron capture
      therapy neutron source.
AB  - We evaluated the accelerator beam power and the neutron-induced radioactivity of
      (9)Be(p, n) boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) neutron sources having a MgF2,
      CaF2, or AlF3 moderator and driven by protons with energy from 8 MeV to 30 MeV.
      The optimal moderator materials were found to be MgF2 for proton energies less
      than 10 MeV because of lower required accelerator beam power and CaF2 for higher
      proton energies because of lower photon dose rate at the treatment position after
      neutron irradiation.

PMID- 26272166
TI  - Positron annihilation lifetime studies of changes in free volume on some
      biorelevant nitrogen heterocyclic compounds and their S-glycosylation.
AB  - A series of N-heterocyclic compounds was investigated by positron annihilation
      lifetime spectroscopy as well as Doppler broadening of annihilation radiation
      (DBAR) at room temperature. The results showed that the formation probability and
      life time of ortho-positronium in this series are structure and electron-donation
      character dependent, and can give more information about the structure. The DBAR
      provides direct information about the change of core and valance electrons as
      well as the number of defect types present in these compounds. 

PMID- 26272167
TI  - "Now I see it, now I don't": Determining Threshold Levels of Facial Emotion
      Recognition for Use in Patient Populations.
AB  - The importance of including measures of emotion processing, such as tests of
      facial emotion recognition (FER), as part of a comprehensive neuropsychological
      assessment is being increasingly recognized. In clinical settings, FER tests need
      to be sensitive, short, and easy to administer, given the limited time available
      and patient limitations. Current tests, however, commonly use stimuli that either
      display prototypical emotions, bearing the risk of ceiling effects and unequal
      task difficulty, or are cognitively too demanding and time-consuming. To overcome
      these limitations in FER testing in patient populations, we aimed to define FER
      threshold levels for the six basic emotions in healthy individuals. Forty-nine
      healthy individuals between 52 and 79 years of age were asked to identify the six
      basic emotions at different intensity levels (25%, 50%, 75%, 100%, and 125% of
      the prototypical emotion). Analyses uncovered differing threshold levels across
      emotions and sex of facial stimuli, ranging from 50% up to 100% intensities.
      Using these findings as "healthy population benchmarks", we propose to apply
      these threshold levels to clinical populations either as facial emotion
      recognition or intensity rating tasks. As part of any comprehensive social
      cognition test battery, this approach should allow for a rapid and sensitive
      assessment of potential FER deficits.

PMID- 26272168
TI  - A miR-130a-YAP positive feedback loop promotes organ size and tumorigenesis.
AB  - Organ size determination is one of the most intriguing unsolved mysteries in
      biology. Aberrant activation of the major effector and transcription co-activator
      YAP in the Hippo pathway causes drastic organ enlargement in development and
      underlies tumorigenesis in many human cancers. However, how robust YAP activation
      is achieved during organ size control remains elusive. Here we report that the
      YAP signaling is sustained through a novel microRNA-dependent positive feedback
      loop. miR-130a, which is directly induced by YAP, could effectively repress
      VGLL4, an inhibitor of YAP activity, thereby amplifying the YAP signals.
      Inhibition of miR-130a reversed liver size enlargement induced by Hippo pathway
      inactivation and blocked YAP-induced tumorigenesis. Furthermore, the Drosophila
      Hippo pathway target bantam functionally mimics miR-130a by repressing the VGLL4
      homolog SdBP/Tgi. These findings reveal an evolutionarily conserved positive
      feedback mechanism underlying robustness of the Hippo pathway in size control and
      tumorigenesis. 

PMID- 26272169
TI  - Longitudinal relationship between insulin-like growth factor-1 levels and
      vertical facial growth.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Facial growth in the vertical dimension is the last to be completed
      and can often be detrimental to the success of dental implants, orthodontic
      treatment, and orthognathic surgery that young individuals undergo. AIM: The
      purpose of this study was to evaluate the longitudinal relationship between
      changes in total anterior facial height and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1)
      levels measured using blood-spot samples. METHODS: Our sample included 25
      orthodontic patients from whom we had access to annual lateral cephalometric
      radiographs and IGF-1 measurements. Each subject was observed between 2 and 6
      times, resulting in 43 annual intervals from a total of 77 observations. RESULTS:
      We noted a significant moderate positive correlation (+ 0.48) between the
      percentage of change in blood-spot IGF-1 levels and the percentage of change in
      total anterior face height (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Longitudinal changes in IGF-1
      levels can be used to predict a patient's vertical facial growth. There was no
      significant correlation between changes in vertical facial development and a
      single cross-sectional IGF-1 measurement.

PMID- 26272170
TI  - Pain reduced by low-level laser therapy during use of orthodontic separators in
      early mixed dentition.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this work was to investigate whether low-level laser
      therapy (LLLT) applied at a defined distance from the gingiva has a pain-reducing
      effect in young patients undergoing orthodontic separation during the early mixed
      dentition stage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 40 children in early mixed
      dentition (mean age 8.05 years) who required separation of molars were included.
      The study comprised a group of 20 patients whose treatment included laser
      application on the day of separation and a control group of 20 patients not
      receiving LLLT. All patients recorded their maximum pain intensities on the day
      of separation (day 1) and on the following 4 days. RESULTS: Compared to the
      control group, pain perception was significantly reduced (p < 0.05) in the LLLT
      group on day 1 and continued to be reduced on day 2. Equivalent pain levels were
      recorded in both groups on days 3-5. CONCLUSION: Given our findings of a pain
      reducing effect in young patients undergoing orthodontic separation during the
      early mixed-dentition stage, LLLT is an interesting alternative option of
      providing analgesia even in very young patients.

PMID- 26272172
TI  - Transcriptome profiling of larvae of the marine medaka Oryzias melastigma by
      Illumina RNA-seq.
AB  - We sequenced the whole transcriptome of the 24h-old larval stage of the marine
      medaka Oryzias melastigma using Illumina RNA-seq. De novo assembly of 64,914,324
      raw reads was performed using Trinity, resulting in 144,953 contigs. TransDecoder
      found 58,246 candidate coding contigs with homology to other species based on
      BLAST analysis. Functional gene annotation was performed by GO, KEGG pathway, and
      COG analyses. We determined an expressed gene catalog for O. melastigma for gene
      information-based environmental genomic and ecotoxicogenomic research. This
      information will serve as a resource for elucidating the molecular mechanisms
      underlying the response of O. melastigma to environmental stresses and chemicals.

PMID- 26272171
TI  - A novel mutation in NCF2 associated with autoimmune disease and a solitary late
      onset infection.
AB  - Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is typically characterized by recurrent
      infections, granulomatous disease, and an increased susceptibility to autoimmune
      disease. We report a novel homozygous mutation in NCF2 that permits residual
      expression of an alternatively spliced variant in a patient with duodenitis and
      systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), followed by a late-onset, single pulmonary
      infection in the setting of immunosuppressive medications. This report highlights
      the importance of considering CGD in patients who present initially exclusively
      with autoimmune disease. 

PMID- 26272173
TI  - Effect of subcutaneous insulin detemir on glucose flux, lipolysis and
      electroencephalography in type 1 diabetes.
AB  - The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of subcutaneous
      detemir on glucose flux, lipid metabolism and brain function. Twelve people with
      type 1 diabetes received, in random order, 0.5 units/kg body weight detemir or
      NPH insulin. Glucose concentration was clamped at 5 mmol/l then increased to 10
      mmol/l. Glucose production rate (glucose Ra), glucose uptake (glucose Rd) and
      glycerol production (glycerol Ra) were measured with a constant intravenous
      infusion of [6,6(2) H(2)]glucose and [(2)H(5)]glycerol. Electroencephalography
      direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) potentials were measured. While
      detemir induced similar effects on glucose Ra, glucose Rd and glycerol Ra during
      euglycaemia compared with NPH, it triggered a distinct negative shift in DC
      potentials, with a significant treatment effect in frontal cerebrocortical
      channels (p < 0.001). AC spectral power showed significant differences in theta
      and alpha frequencies during euglycaemia (p = 0.03). Subcutaneous detemir exerts
      different effects on brain function when compared with NPH in people with type 1
      diabetes. This may be an important mechanism behind the limitation of weight gain
      with detemir.

PMID- 26272174
TI  - An assessment of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for non-communicable
      diseases (NCDs): more and higher quality research is required in less developed
      countries.
AB  - Research is crucial to implement evidence-based health interventions for control
      of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This study aims to assess main features of
      randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for control of NCDs, and to identify gaps in
      clinical research on NCDs between high-income and less developed countries. The
      study included 1177 RCTs in 82 Cochrane Systematic reviews (CSRs) and evaluated
      interventions for adults with hypertension, diabetes, stroke, or heart diseases.
      Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to explore factors
      associated with risk of bias in included RCTs. We found that 78.2% of RCTs of
      interventions for major NCDs recruited patients in high-income countries. The
      number of RCTs included in the CSRs was increasing over time, and the increasing
      speed was more noticeable for RCTs conducted in middle-income countries. RCTs
      conducted in less developed countries tended to be more recently published, less
      likely to be published in English, with smaller sample sizes, and at a higher
      risk of bias. In conclusion, there is still a lack of research evidence for
      control of NCDs in less developed countries. To brace for rising NCDs and avoid
      waste of scarce research resources, not only more but also higher quality
      clinical trials are required in low-and-middle-income countries. 

PMID- 26272175
TI  - Gut microbiota modulate the immune effect against hepatitis B virus infection.
AB  - The immunological mechanisms by which hepatitis B virus (HBV) initiates and
      maintains acute or chronic infection, even the formation of cirrhosis and
      hepatocellular carcinoma, are still undefined. An increasing number of studies
      have shown that intestinal flora regulate immune homeostasis, and, thus, protect
      the immunologic function against hepatitis virus infection. In this article, we
      discuss gut microbiota and its potential immune effects against HBV infection. It
      may provide a novel insight into the pathogenesis of HBV infection, as well as a
      potential therapeutic target to HBV-related disease. 

PMID- 26272177
TI  - Breed differences in development of anti-insulin antibodies in diabetic dogs and
      investigation of the role of dog leukocyte antigen (DLA) genes.
AB  - Administration of insulin for treatment of diabetes mellitus in dogs can
      stimulate an immune response, with a proportion of animals developing anti
      insulin antibodies (AIA). For an IgG antibody response to occur, this would
      require B cell presentation of insulin peptides by major histocompatibility
      complex (MHC) class II molecules, encoded by dog leukocyte antigen (DLA) genes,
      in order to receive T-cell help for class switching. DLA genes are highly
      polymorphic in the dog population and vary from breed to breed. The aim of the
      present study was to evaluate AIA reactivity in diabetic dogs of different breeds
      and to investigate whether DLA genes influence AIA status. Indirect ELISA was
      used to determine serological reactivity to insulin in diabetic dogs, treated
      with either a porcine or bovine insulin preparation. DLA haplotypes for diabetic
      dogs were determined by sequence-based typing of DLA-DRB1, -DQA1 and -DQB1 loci.
      Significantly greater insulin reactivity was seen in treated diabetic dogs
      (n=942) compared with non-diabetic dogs (n=100). Relatively few newly diagnosed
      diabetic dogs (3/109) were found to be AIA positive, although this provides
      evidence that insulin autoantibodies might be involved in the pathogenesis of the
      disease in some cases. Of the diabetic dogs treated with a bovine insulin
      preparation, 52.3% (182/348) were AIA positive, compared with 12.6% (75/594) of
      dogs treated with a porcine insulin preparation, suggesting that bovine insulin
      is more immunogenic. Breeds such as dachshund, Cairn terrier, miniature schnauzer
      and Tibetan terrier were more likely to develop AIA, whereas cocker spaniels were
      less likely to develop AIA, compared with crossbreed dogs. In diabetic dogs, DLA
      haplotype DRB1*0015--DQA1*006--DQB1*023 was associated with being AIA positive,
      whereas the haplotype DLA-DRB1*006--DQA1*005--DQB1*007 showed an association with
      being AIA negative. These research findings suggest that DLA genes influence AIA
      responses in treated diabetic dogs. 

PMID- 26272176
TI  - Invasive Fusobacterium necrophorum infections and Lemierre's syndrome: the role
      of thrombophilia and EBV.
AB  - The purpose of this investigation was to describe the clinical spectrum of
      invasive Fusobacterium necrophorum infections and Lemierre's syndrome, to examine
      the role of underlying thrombophilia and concomitant mononucleosis in Lemierre's
      syndrome, and to describe thromboembolic complications. Patients with invasive F.
      necrophorum infections were identified either prospectively or retrospectively
      through the regional database of clinical microbiology from 2000 to 2015. Patient
      records were reviewed and blood samples from patients with Lemierre's syndrome
      were collected for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) serology and screening for
      thrombophilia. Of the 65 patients included, 33 had Lemierre's syndrome. Of the
      remaining 32 patients, other infections of the respiratory tract and abdominal or
      urogenital infections were most common. Patients with Lemierre's syndrome or
      other tonsillar infections were younger than patients from the other groups. For
      Lemierre's syndrome, the 26 patients with severe sepsis on admittance had longer
      duration of symptoms. Three of five patients who developed distant manifestations
      had more than 14 days of symptoms. Jugular vein thrombosis was verified in 14
      patients, two of whom developed serious complications. Three of 26 patients
      tested had factor V Leiden mutation, corresponding to the background prevalence.
      One of 22 patients tested had a concomitant EBV infection. This study confirms
      earlier studies of the clinical spectrum caused by F. necrophorum. For Lemierre's
      syndrome, the study adds to the knowledge on thromboembolic outcome,
      demonstrating that jugular vein thrombosis may cause severe complications. The
      time to treatment seems to be important for the risk of severe disease. In this
      study, concomitant EBV infection or underlying thrombophilia was uncommon. 

PMID- 26272178
TI  - Low Socioeconomic Status is an Independent Risk Factor for Survival After
      Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair and Open Surgery for Peripheral Artery Disease.
AB  - OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND: The association between socioeconomic status (SES),
      presentation, and outcome after vascular surgery is largely unknown. This study
      aimed to determine the influence of SES on post-operative survival and severity
      of disease at presentation among vascular surgery patients in the Dutch setting
      of equal access to and provision of care. METHODS: Patients undergoing surgical
      treatment for peripheral artery disease (PAD), abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA),
      or carotid artery stenosis between January 2003 and December 2011 were
      retrospectively included. The association between SES, quantified by household
      income, disease severity at presentation, and survival was studied using logistic
      and Cox regression analysis adjusted for demographics, and medical and behavioral
      risk factors. RESULTS: A total of 1,178 patients were included. Low income was
      associated with worse post-operative survival in the PAD cohort (n = 324, hazard
      ratio 1.05, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00-1.10, per 5,000 Euro decrease) and
      the AAA cohort (n = 440, quadratic relation, p = .01). AAA patients in the lowest
      income quartile were more likely to present with a ruptured aneurysm (odds ratio
      [OR] 2.12, 95% CI 1.08-4.17). Lowest income quartile PAD patients presented more
      frequently with symptoms of critical limb ischemia, although no significant
      association could be established (OR 2.02, 95% CI 0.96-4.26). CONCLUSIONS: The
      increased health hazards observed in this study are caused by patient related
      factors rather than differences in medical care, considering the equality of care
      provided by the study setting. Although the exact mechanism driving the
      association between SES and worse outcome remains elusive, consideration of SES
      as a risk factor in pre-operative decision making and focus on treatment of known
      SES related behavioral and psychosocial risk factors may improve the outcome of
      patients with vascular disease.

PMID- 26272179
TI  - Restricted Maximum Likelihood Estimation for Parameters of the Social Relations
      Model.
AB  - In many areas of research, the round-robin design is used to study interpersonal
      judgments and behaviors. The resulting data are analyzed with the social
      relations model (SRM), whereby almost all previously published studies have used
      ANOVA-based methods or multilevel-based methods to obtain SRM parameter
      estimates. In this article, the SRM is embedded into the linear mixed model
      framework, and it is shown how restricted maximum likelihood can be employed to
      estimate the SRM parameters. It is also described how the effect of covariates on
      the SRM-specific effects can be estimated. An example is presented to illustrate
      the approach. We also present the results of a simulation study in which the
      performance of the proposed approach is compared to the ANOVA method.

PMID- 26272180
TI  - Tumor microenvironment and cancer therapy resistance.
AB  - Innate resistance to various therapeutic interventions is a hallmark of cancer.
      In recent years, however, acquired resistance has emerged as a daunting challenge
      to anticancer treatments including chemotherapy, radiation and targeted therapy,
      which abolishes the efficacy of otherwise successful regimens. Cancer cells gain
      resistance through a variety of mechanisms in both primary and metastatic sites,
      involving cell intrinsic and extrinsic factors, but the latter often remains
      overlooked. Mounting evidence suggests critical roles played by the tumor
      microenvironment (TME) in multiple aspects of cancer progression particularly
      therapeutic resistance. The TME decreases drug penetration, confers proliferative
      and antiapoptotic advantages to surviving cells, facilitates resistance without
      causing genetic mutations and epigenetic changes, collectively modifying disease
      modality and distorting clinical indices. Recent studies have set the baseline
      for future investigation on the intricate relationship between cancer resistance
      and the TME in pathological backgrounds. This review provides an updated outline
      of research advances in TME biology and highlights the prospect of targeting the
      TME as an essential strategy to overcome cancer resistance and improve
      therapeutic outcomes through precise intervention. In the long run, continued
      inputs into translational medicine remain highly desired to achieve durable
      responses in the current era of personalized clinical oncology.

PMID- 26272181
TI  - The progress and prospects of routine prophylactic antiviral treatment in
      hepatitis B-related hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - Liver cancer is a common cancer and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths.
      Among all types of primary liver cancers, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the
      major histological subtype, and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the leading
      cause of HCC. Treatments for hepatitis B related HCC include hepatectomy, liver
      transplantation, transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), ablative therapy, and
      Sorafenib treatment. However, HBV reactivation can occur in patients who receive
      these treatments, resulting in poor clinical outcomes. However, prophylactic
      antiviral treatment in patients with hepatitis B-related HCC, can reduce the
      copies of HBV DNA, prevent HBV reactivation, reduce hepatic inflammation, reverse
      liver fibrosis, decrease tumor recurrence and metastasis, and extend survival
      time. Prophylactic antiviral treatment should be routinely performed as an
      important adjuvant therapy in HBV-related HCC patients.

PMID- 26272183
TI  - Characteristics of liver cancer stem cells and clinical correlations.
AB  - Liver cancer is an aggressive malignant disease with a poor prognosis. Patients
      with liver cancer are usually diagnosed at an advanced stage and thus miss the
      opportunity for surgical resection. Chemotherapy and radiofrequency ablation,
      which target tumor bulk, have exhibited limited therapeutic efficacy to date.
      Liver cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small subset of undifferentiated cells
      existed in liver cancer, which are considered to be responsible for liver cancer
      initiation, metastasis, relapse and chemoresistance. Elucidating liver CSC
      characteristics and disclosing their regulatory mechanism might not only deepen
      our understanding of the pathogenesis of liver cancer but also facilitate the
      development of diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic approaches to improve the
      clinical management of liver cancer. In this review, we will summarize the recent
      advances in liver CSC research in terms of the origin, identification, regulation
      and clinical correlation.

PMID- 26272182
TI  - Tumor cell-secreted angiogenin induces angiogenic activity of endothelial cells
      by suppressing miR-542-3p.
AB  - Therapeutic strategies for targeting angiogenesis have been proven as successful
      treatments for divergent cancers. We previously discovered an anti-angiogenic miR
      542-3p, which directly targeted the key angiogenesis-promoting protein
      Angiopoietin-2 to inhibit tumor angiogenesis in breast cancer models. In this
      study, to further investigate the mechanism of miR-542-3p induced angiogenic
      inhibition, we screened for tumor cell derived factors which were responsible for
      miR-542-3p alteration in endothelial cells. We found that tumor cell-derived
      angiogenin downregulated miR-542-3p in endothelial cells. Overexpression of
      angiogenin in tumor cells facilitated angiogenic activation in both in vitro and
      in vivo models via inhibition of miR-542-3p. Furthermore, our results showed that
      angiogenin could suppress CEBPB and POU2F1, which were transcription factors for
      miR-542-3p, suggesting a novel tumor cell-endothelial cell signal pathway. In
      addition, the level of angiogenin in primary breast carcinomas correlated with
      clinical progression. Serum levels of angiogenin were associated with metastatic
      development of breast cancer patients. Together, these findings reveal a novel
      regulatory pathway whereby tumor-derived angiogenin directly activates
      angiogenesis through inhibition of miR-542-3p, suggesting that angiogenin may
      represent a promising target for anti-angiogenic therapy and a potential marker
      for monitoring disease progression. 

PMID- 26272184
TI  - Suppression of motor protein KIF3C expression inhibits tumor growth and
      metastasis in breast cancer by inhibiting TGF-beta signaling.
AB  - Breast cancer is the most common cause of death among women. KIF3C, a member of
      kinesin superfamily, functions as a motor protein involved in axonal transport in
      neuronal cells. To explore the expression, regulation and mechanism of KIF3C in
      breast cancer, 4 breast cancer cell lines and 93 cases of primary breast cancer
      and paired adjacent tissues were examined. Immunohistochemistry, Real Time
      Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), Western blot, flow cytometry, short hairpin
      RNA (shRNA) interference, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium
      bromide (MTT), colony formation techniques and xenograft mice model were used. We
      found that KIF3C was over-expressed in breast cancer tissues and such high KIF3C
      expression was also associated with tumor recurrence and lymph node metastasis.
      Silencing of KIF3C by shRNA inhibited epithelial-mesenchymal transition and
      metastasis by inhibiting TGF-beta signaling and suppressed breast cancer cell
      proliferation through inducing G2/M phase arrest. The tumor size was smaller and
      the number of lung metastatic nodules was less in KIF3C depletion MDA-MB-231 cell
      xenograft mice than in negative control group. These results suggested that high
      expression of KIF3C in breast cancer may be associated with the tumor progression
      and metastasis. 

PMID- 26272186
TI  - Strong textured SmCo5 nanoflakes with ultrahigh coercivity prepared by multistep
      (three steps) surfactant-assisted ball milling.
AB  - The high coercivity of 26.2 kOe for SmCo5 nanoflakes are obtained by multistep
      (three steps) surfactant-assisted ball milling. The magnetic properties, phase
      structure and morphology are studied by VSM, XRD and SEM, respectively. The
      results demonstrate that the three step ball-milling can keep more complete
      crystallinity (relatively less defects) during the process of milling compared
      with one step high energy ball-milling, which enhances the texture degree and
      coercivity. In addition, the mechanism of coercivity are also studied by the
      temperature dependence of demagnetization curves for aligned SmCo5
      nanoflakes/resin composite, the result indicates that the magnetization reversal
      could be controlled by co-existed mechanisms of pinning and nucleation.

PMID- 26272188
TI  - Antiviral drugs: Novel antibodies defeat dengue virus.

PMID- 26272187
TI  - Novel Biomarker Approaches for Managing Patients With Cardiac Transplantation.
AB  - Despite major advances in the medical care of patients following heart
      transplantation (HTx) and a steady increase in long-term survival, allograft
      surveillance is still based on endomyocardial biopsy, the gold standard since the
      1970s. This invasive procedure calls for less burdening and more cost-effective
      approaches. In recent years, impressive progress has been made in utilizing blood
      based biomarkers for the diagnosis and management of diseases in a variety of
      fields. Hence, a number of trials have been performed testing the usefulness of
      circulating molecules or other technical methods to overcome the need for
      surveillance myocardial biopsy in HTx patients. Here, we review current
      approaches and the state of research on novel biomarkers for the management of
      patients following heart transplantation.

PMID- 26272189
TI  - Anticancer drugs: A one-two punch for KRAS-driven cancer.

PMID- 26272185
TI  - Abnormalities of serotonergic neurotransmission in animal models of SUDEP.
AB  - Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is a devastating event, and both
      DBA/1 and DBA/2 mice have been shown to be relevant animal models for studying
      SUDEP. DBA mice exhibit seizure-induced respiratory arrest (S-IRA), leading to
      cardiac arrest and subsequent sudden death after generalized audiogenic seizures
      (AGSs). This sequence of terminal events is also observed in the majority of
      witnessed human SUDEP cases. Several pathophysiological mechanisms, including
      respiratory/cardiac dysfunction, have been proposed to contribute to human SUDEP.
      Several (but not all) selective serotonin (5-HT) reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs),
      including fluoxetine, can reversibly block S-IRA, and abnormal expression of 5-HT
      receptors is found in the brainstem of DBA mice. DBA mice, which do not initially
      show S-IRA, exhibit S-IRA after treatment with a nonselective 5-HT antagonist.
      These studies suggest that abnormalities of 5-HT neurotransmission are involved
      in the pathogenesis of S-IRA in DBA mice. Serotonergic (5-HT) transmission plays
      an important role in normal respiration, and DBA mice exhibiting S-IRA can be
      resuscitated using a rodent ventilator. It is important and interesting to know
      if fluoxetine blocks S-IRA in DBA mice by enhancing respiratory ventilation. To
      test this, the effects of breathing stimulants, doxapram, and 5,6,7,8
      tetrahydropyrido[4,3-d]pyrimidine (PK-THPP) were compared with the effects of
      fluoxetine on S-IRA in DBA/1 mice. Although fluoxetine reduces the incidence of S
      IRA in DBA/1 mice, as reported previously, the same dose of fluoxetine fails to
      enhance baseline respiratory ventilation in the absence of AGSs. Doxapram and PK
      THPP augment the baseline ventilation in DBA/1 mice. However, these breathing
      stimulants are ineffective in preventing S-IRA in DBA/1 mice. These data suggest
      that fluoxetine blocks S-IRA in DBA/1 mice by cellular/molecular mechanisms other
      than enhancement of basal ventilation. Future research directions are also
      discussed. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "Genetic and Reflex
      Epilepsies, Audiogenic Seizures and Strains: From Experimental Models to the
      Clinic".

PMID- 26272190
TI  - Ageing: GRBbing longevity with both insulin signalling arms.

PMID- 26272191
TI  - Trends in breakthrough therapy designation.

PMID- 26272192
TI  - Market watch: Forecasting market share in the US pharmaceutical market.

PMID- 26272193
TI  - The potential therapeutic role of myeloid-derived suppressor cells in autoimmune
      arthritis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this review is to evaluate the roles of myeloid-derived
      suppressor cells (MDSC) in autoimmune arthritis. METHODS: The terms "myeloid
      derived suppressor cells," "regulatory T cell," "Th17 cell" and "autoimmune
      arthritis" were used for literature search from the PubMed. The publications
      about the characteristics of MDSC, the immunosuppression of MDSC, the role of
      MDSC in the regulation of Tregs and Th17 cells, and the potential clinical
      applications of MDSC against rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were identified, retrieved
      and reviewed. RESULTS: MDSC are defined as a heterogeneous population of
      pathologically activated immature and mature myeloid cells consisting of
      granulocytic and monocytic subsets. Published data showed that the role of MDSC
      in Tregs and Th17 cells expansion were inconsistent. Given their role in
      suppressing T-cell responses, MDSC have been tested for their capability of
      preventing RA. CONCLUSIONS: Although MDSC hold promise in the treatment of RA,
      their exact role in the expansion of Tregs and Th17 cells is unclear during RA.
      The definite effect of MDSC in RA therapy needs to be studied further.

PMID- 26272195
TI  - Pattern of online communication in teaching a blended oral surgery course.
AB  - AIM: To explore the factors that might affect the patterns of interaction amongst
      dental students that can be found in asynchronous online discussion fora.
      SUBJECTS AND METHODS: It is a qualitative study that involved the participation
      of 71 dental students (42 male and 29 female) who belong to one academic year.
      Students were participated in asynchronous online discussion fora as a part of a
      blended oral surgery course that involved both face-to-face lecture and an online
      learning environment using the Blackboard learning management system. Qualitative
      analysis of students' pattern of discussion was performed using Transcript
      Analysis Tool. RESULTS: The total number of postings was 410. Sixty-seven of 71
      students participated in the discussion by writing posts, whereas all of the
      students had accessed all of the postings. A positive correlation between
      imposing vertical questions and the number of non-referential and referential
      statements was observed. Regarding horizontal questions, a positive correlation
      was observed with the number of referential statements, whilst there was a
      negative correlation with the number of non-referential statements. CONCLUSION:
      Asynchronous online discussion fora that are integrated as a part of a whole
      pedagogical practice may provide an opportunity for promoting learning,
      especially when consideration is given to the structure of problems, timely
      feedback by tutors and supportive strategies within the discussion threads.

PMID- 26272196
TI  - pi-pi interactions in carbon nanostructures.
AB  - pi-pi Interactions are the dominating supramolecular forces in systems like
      carbon nanostructures, which are inherently constituted by large conjugated pi
      systems. Their skilful use has allowed the construction of fascinating
      supramolecular ensembles, thus opening a new avenue in carbon chemistry. In this
      tutorial review, we provide a short introduction to carbon nanostructures, and
      show the basic concepts of pi-pi interactions involving fullerenes, carbon
      nanotubes, and graphene. 

PMID- 26272194
TI  - A right ventricular diastolic impairment is common in systemic sclerosis and is
      associated with other target-organ damage.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Heart involvement in systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a strong prognostic
      factor. Our aim was to examine left ventricle (LV) and right ventricle (RV)
      involvement. METHODS: We examined LV and RV, systolic and diastolic functions,
      using echocardiography and Tissue-Doppler echocardiography (TDE) indexes, in a
      cohort of 212 consecutive SSc patients seen during a 9-month period at 2
      institutions (Paris, France and Los Angeles, USA). They were compared to 50
      healthy controls. RESULTS: When compared to controls, SSc patients had
      consistently impaired RV indices that include reduced RV contractility (p <
      0.001), larger right atrial area (p = 0.027) and overall RV diastolic dysfunction
      (25% of SSc patients versus 0% of controls; p < 0.001). Patients also exhibited
      alterations in LV contractility and diastolic function (p < 0.001 each). In
      multivariate analysis, RV contractility as expressed by the TDE S(T) parameter
      was associated with TDE LV contractility S(M) (p = 0.030), DLCO (p = 0.013)
      whereas RV diastolic impairment was associated with systolic pulmonary artery
      pressure (p = 0.015). A subgroup of 27 patients had proven pulmonary arterial
      hypertension (PAH); comparison between SSc-PAH versus SSc free of PAH patients
      revealed reduced LV diastolic function (transmitral E/A ratio, p = 0.045 and E(A)
      < 10 cm/s, p = 0.029), reduced overall RV contractility (21.5% versus 4.5%; p =
      0.03) and reduced RV diastolic function (transtricuspid E/A ratio; p = 0.014 and
      68% versus 29% with impaired function; p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our data show
      that RV is commonly affected in SSc with predominant impaired diastolic function.
      Several factors, including primary heart, lung vascular disease and pulmonary
      hypertension, contribute to such impairment.

PMID- 26272197
TI  - Enteral nutrition for maintaining remission in patients with quiescent Crohn's
      disease: current status and future perspectives.
AB  - PURPOSE: The value of enteral nutrition (EN) as maintenance therapy in patients
      with quiescent Crohn's disease (CD) has not been fully evaluated. The purpose of
      this study was to review the efficacy of EN for the maintenance of remission in
      patients with quiescent CD. METHODS: Seven prospective cohort studies evaluating
      the efficacy of EN for the maintenance of remission in quiescent CD were
      included. Three of the seven studies were randomized-controlled trials (RCTs). In
      all studies, patients used EN as a supplement or as a nocturnal tube feeding in
      addition to their normal food. RESULTS: One study compared the efficacy of
      elemental diet and polymeric diet. Elemental and polymeric diets were equally
      effective for the maintenance of clinical remission and for allowing tapering and
      cessation of steroid therapy. The other six studies compared the outcomes between
      patients treated with and without EN. The maintained clinical remission rate at 1
      year was significantly higher in patients treated with EN in four of the six
      studies. Quantitative pooling of the studies was not feasible due to a small
      number of RCTs and a narrative account of the study characteristics. CONCLUSIONS:
      Our review suggests that EN is useful for the maintenance of remission in
      patients with quiescent CD. However, there are several limitations in the
      reviewed studies. There are few RCTs. Further, the sample size is small, and the
      duration of intervention and follow-up is short. Large and well-designed RCTs
      should be conducted to rigorously evaluate the efficacy of EN for maintaining
      remission.

PMID- 26272198
TI  - Dual-modal ablation treatment for refractory radiation proctitis.

PMID- 26272199
TI  - Patient- and procedure-related factors affecting proximal and distal detection
      rates for polyps and adenomas: results from 1603 screening colonoscopies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Screening colonoscopy is less effective in reducing the incidence of
      proximal compared to distal colorectal cancer, presumably because of missed
      adenomas and advanced lesions during endoscopy. Thus, effectiveness and success
      of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening programs depend decisively on the quality of
      the endoscopic procedures. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 1603 average risk
      screening colonoscopies to calculate and to identify determinants of separate
      detection rates for proximally and distally located polyps, adenomas, and
      advanced adenomas was performed. RESULTS: 56.1 % of 1603 individuals included
      were men, and the mean age was 60.2 +/- 10.2 years. Distal detection rates were
      markedly higher compared to proximal detection rates for polyps (40.9 vs. 23.8
      %), adenomas (21.3 vs. 16.2 %), and advanced adenomas (4.0 vs. 2.0 %). A gradual
      increase in detection rates with increasing age was found for proximal and distal
      localization. Gender difference was also seen for polyps and adenomas, but not
      for advanced adenomas. In multivariate analysis, age <65.0 years and female
      gender were independently associated with a lower separate polyp detection rate
      (PDR) and adenoma detection rate (ADR). The use of propofol was the only
      procedure-related variable significantly associated with higher polyp detection
      rate. CONCLUSION: Since age and gender affect detection rates of proximally and
      distally located polyps and adenomas, the requirement of a specific gender
      related limit in total detection rates may be insufficient as a quality indicator
      for screening colonoscopies.

PMID- 26272200
TI  - Performance characteristics of six automated 25-hydroxyvitamin D assays: Mind
      your 3s and 2s.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Measurement of 25(OH)D has evolved rapidly, with an increased number
      of high-throughput automated immunoassays becoming available in recent years. The
      aim of this study was to fully evaluate six commercially available automated
      25(OH)D immunoassays, including 2 newly available (Beckman Coulter) and one
      recalibrated (Siemens) assay. Comparisons were made to specifically identify the
      effect of the absence or presence of 25(OH)D2 on these assays. DESIGN AND
      METHODS: Access2 and UniCel DxI 800 (Beckman Coulter), ARCHITECT i2000SR (Abbott
      Diagnostics), ADVIA Centaur XP (Siemens), Liaison XL (DiaSorin) and MODULAR E170
      (Roche Diagnostics) assays were assessed for accuracy, imprecision, interference,
      limit of blank, and linearity. All were compared to an in-house LC-MS/MS method
      (traceable to NIST SRM 972) using Passing-Bablok regression and Bland-Altman bias
      plots. Method comparisons used residual serum samples with both endogenous
      25(OH)D2 and 25(OH)D3 (n=50) or 25(OH)D3 only (n=86). Comparisons with all 136
      samples were intended to simulate real-world laboratory testing. RESULTS: The
      majority of assays under-recovered 25(OH)D in comparison to LC-MS/MS, with three
      of six immunoassays affected by the presence of 25(OH)D2. Imprecision was
      greatest at 25(OH)D concentrations near the decision limits used to assess
      deficiency. Only two of six immunoassays would meet the recommended bias criteria
      of <5%. CONCLUSIONS: Although standardization efforts continue, these differences
      in performance remain a concern. Clinicians should be aware when comparing
      results among assays and using them to determine adequacy of 25(OH)D stores in
      various patient populations.

PMID- 26272202
TI  - Treatment of bladder pain syndrome and interstitial cystitis: a systematic
      review.
AB  - INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC)
      has various treatments; however, no standardized treatment has been established.
      The aim was to analyze different types of treatment of BPS/IC and their
      effectiveness. METHODS: A literature review with a search strategy for articles
      related to BPS/IC published between 1990 and 2014 was conducted on MEDLINE,
      PUBMED, and SCOPUS. Only randomized controlled trials in women were included in
      the meta-analysis, while other experimental studies were used as bases for a
      systematic review of the topic. Clinical trial quality was defined according to
      the Jadad scale. RESULTS: Of 356 articles, 13 were included in the analysis. The
      intervention methods were as follows: instillation of hyaluronic acid, botulinum
      toxin A, intravesical lidocaine, hyperbaric chamber, massage, physiotherapy,
      phosphate-buffered saline, piroxicam in combination with doxepin, and others. We
      did not find any treatment with at least two randomized controlled trials for
      meta-analysis. Among the assessment tools for symptoms of BPS/IC, the most
      frequently used were the visual analogue scale, voiding record, and the O'Leary
      Sant questionnaire. CONCLUSION: Existing studies were not able to define the best
      approach for the treatment of BPS/IC. The lack of standardized treatment may be
      related to the diversity of interventions used; therefore, further studies with
      better methodological quality are needed.

PMID- 26272203
TI  - Predicting chromatin organization using histone marks.
AB  - Genome-wide mapping of three dimensional chromatin organization is an important
      yet technically challenging task. To aid experimental effort and to understand
      the determinants of long-range chromatin interactions, we have developed a
      computational model integrating Hi-C and histone mark ChIP-seq data to predict
      two important features of chromatin organization: chromatin interaction hubs and
      topologically associated domain (TAD) boundaries. Our model accurately and
      robustly predicts these features across datasets and cell types. Cell-type
      specific histone mark information is required for prediction of chromatin
      interaction hubs but not for TAD boundaries. Our predictions provide a useful
      guide for the exploration of chromatin organization. 

PMID- 26272204
TI  - Comparative analysis of anti-viral transcriptomics reveals novel effects of
      influenza immune antagonism.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Comparative analysis of genome-wide expression profiles are
      increasingly being used to study virus-specific host interactions. In order to
      gain mechanistic insights, gene expression profiles can be combined with
      information on DNA-binding sites of transcription factors to detect transcription
      factor activity (by analysis of target gene sets) during viral infections. Here,
      we apply this approach to study mechanisms of immune antagonism elicited by
      Influenza A virus (New Caledonia/20/1999) by comparing the transcriptional
      response with the non-pathogenic Newcastle disease virus (NDV), which lacks human
      immune antagonism. RESULTS: Existing gene set approaches do not quantify activity
      in a way that can be statistically compared between responses. We thus developed
      a new method for Bayesian Estimation of Transcription factor Activity (BETA) that
      allows for such quantification and comparative analysis across multiple
      responses. BETA predicted decreased ISGF3 activity during influenza A infection
      of human dendritic cells (reflected in lower expression of Interferon Stimulated
      Genes, ISGs). This prediction was confirmed through a combination of mathematical
      modeling and experiments at different multiplicities of infection to show that
      ISGs were specifically blocked in infected cells. Suppression of the
      transcription factor SATB1 was also predicted as a novel effect of influenza
      mediated immune antagonism, and validated experimentally. CONCLUSIONS:
      Comparative analysis of genome-wide transcriptional profiles can reveal new
      effects of viral immune antagonism. We have developed a computational framework
      (BETA) that enables quantitative comparative analysis of transcription factor
      activities. This method will aid future studies to identify mechanistic
      differences in the host-pathogen interactions. Application of BETA to genome-wide
      transcriptional profiling data from human DCs identified SATB1 as a novel effect
      of influenza antagonism.

PMID- 26272206
TI  - Comparison of the nutrient content of children's menu items at US restaurant
      chains, 2010-2014.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine changes in the nutritional content of children's menu
      items at U.S. restaurant chains between 2010 and 2014. METHODS: The sample
      consisted of 13 sit down and 16 fast-food restaurant chains ranked within the top
      50 US chains in 2009. Nutritional information was accessed in June-July 2010 and
      2014. Descriptive statistics were calculated for nutrient content of main dishes
      and side dishes, as well as for those items that were added, removed, or
      unchanged during the study period. RESULTS: Nutrient content of main dishes did
      not change significantly between 2010 and 2014. Approximately one-third of main
      dishes at fast-food restaurant chains and half of main dishes at sit down
      restaurant chains exceeded the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommended
      levels for sodium, fat, and saturated fat in 2014. Improvements in nutrient
      content were observed for side dishes. At sit down restaurant chains, added side
      dishes contained over 50% less calories, fat, saturated fat, and sodium, and were
      more likely to contain fruits/vegetables compared to removed sides (p < 0.05 for
      all comparisons). Added side dishes at fast-food restaurant chains contained less
      saturated fat (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of menu items, especially
      main dishes, available to children still contain high amounts of calories, fat,
      saturated fat, and sodium. Efforts must be made by the restaurant industry and
      policy makers to improve the nutritional content of children's menu items at
      restaurant chains to align with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Additional
      efforts are necessary to help parents and children make informed choices when
      ordering at restaurant chains.

PMID- 26272208
TI  - A finger photoplethysmography waveform during the valsalva maneuver detects
      changes in left heart filling pressure after hemodialysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A noninvasive system for determining left ventricular (LV) filling
      pressure may help to improve personalized fluid removal goals in hemodialysis
      patients. We previously showed that the change in photoplethysmography (PPG)
      pulse amplitude measured by finger PPG during a Valsalva maneuver correlates with
      invasively measured left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP). This key PPG
      change, the ratio of finger PPG pulse amplitude at end-Valsalva to baseline, is
      known as the Pulse Amplitude Ratio, PAR. The objective of this study was to
      determine how PAR changes after fluid removal in hemodialysis. METHODS: We tested
      subjects with end-stage renal disease, before and after hemodialysis. Each
      subject performed a Valsalva maneuver with an effort of 20 mmHg for 10 s, guided
      by the device display. Finger PPG was recorded continuously before and during the
      maneuver. PAR was calculated automatically. RESULTS: Twenty-seven subjects (21
      Males) ages 25-75 years were tested. Access sites were AV-fistulas of the arm
      predominantly. Weight decreased from 99.7 +/- 36.9 kg to 97.0 +/- 6.0 kg (p <
      0.0003) with an average fluid removal of 3.07 +/- 1.08 l. Correspondingly, PAR
      decreased from 0.74 +/- 0.24 to 0.62 +/- 0.23 (p = 0.003). The change in PAR was
      correlated with baseline PAR (r = 0.48, p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: An index of left
      heart filling pressure obtained noninvasively using finger photoplethysmography
      during the Valsalva maneuver is sensitive enough to detect reductions in filling
      pressure after fluid removal with hemodialysis. Further studies are warranted to
      determine if this method can be used to guide fluid removal during hemodialysis.

PMID- 26272209
TI  - Cytologic Diagnosis of Heterobilharzia americana Infection in a Liver Aspirate
      From a Dog.
AB  - Heterobilharzia americanais a trematode of the Schistosomatidae family that
      infects dogs, raccoons, and other mammals as definitive hosts. This parasite is
      considered endemic in the southern Atlantic and Gulf coasts; however, only a few
      cases are reported. A 7-year-old dog from Louisiana was referred for persistent
      hypercalcemia, hyperglobulinemia, and weight loss. Abdominal ultrasound revealed
      diffuse hyperechogenicity of the liver with several hyperechoic nodules of
      varying size. Cytologic examination of fine-needle aspirates of the liver
      revealed few ovoid to round basophilic thin-walled eggshell fragments and rare
      ciliated miracidia.H. americanaeggs were identified on fecal sedimentation. 

PMID- 26272207
TI  - Erratum to: Study protocol: differential effects of diet and physical activity
      based interventions in pregnancy on maternal and fetal outcomes: individual
      patient data (IPD) meta-analysis and health economic evaluation.

PMID- 26272210
TI  - Competition between Halogen Bonding and pi-Hole Interactions Involving Various
      Donors: The Role of Dispersion Effects.
AB  - In this study several sigma- and pi-hole complexes between IF and pnicogen ZO2 F
      (Z=P, As), chalcogen ChO3 (Ch=S, Se) and tetrel TrOF2 (Tr=Si, Ge) -bearing
      compounds were optimized at the RI-MP2/def2-TZVPD level of theory. All complexes
      were characterized as minima by frequency analysis calculations. In addition, a
      comparative CCSD(T) and DFT (with and without dispersion correction) study using
      the BP86, B3LYP and M06-2X method was done in order to analyze the role of
      dispersion effects in the sigma-/pi-hole binding. Finally the Bader's AIM
      analysis of several complexes was performed to further characterize the
      interactions discussed herein. 

PMID- 26272211
TI  - Examining the Effects of Parental Influence on Adolescent Smoking Behaviors: A
      Multilevel Analysis of the Global School-Based Student Health Survey (2003-2011).
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Based on a large cross-national dataset, we investigated the role
      of parental smoking (a risk factor) and parental supervision (a protective
      factor) on the frequency of smoking by youths in resource-poor countries. In
      addition, we tested for cross-level interactions between these two predictors and
      national wealth on the outcome variable. METHODS: Pooled cross-sectional data
      from the Global School-based Student Health Survey (2003-2011) were analyzed,
      which consists of 58956 students in 31 countries. Hierarchical linear models were
      estimated to examine the associations between the two parental influence
      variables and adolescent smoking. RESULTS: Among the control variables, age,
      gender (male), the experience of being bullied, frequency of getting into
      physical fights, truancy, and anxiety were significantly related to higher
      frequency of smoking. With respect to the main predictors, both at the individual
      level, parental supervision was negatively associated with adolescent smoking,
      while parental smoking was positively related to it. Two cross-level interaction
      terms were also observed. National wealth (GDP per capita) significantly
      moderated, that is, increased, these effects of parental influence on how often
      the adolescents smoked. CONCLUSIONS: We provided new evidence on the factors
      related to adolescent smoking in low-income countries, a topic that has received
      very little attention. We showed that the associations between parental
      influences and adolescent smoking behaviors are not constant but vary according
      to the level of economic development. Future research should incorporate this
      comparative dimension in elaborating and specifying the conditions under which
      parental influences and other predictors differentially affect adolescent
      smoking. IMPLICATIONS: Prior research on adolescent smoking focused on developed
      countries. Based on the secondary analysis of the Global School-based Student
      Health Survey (2003-2011), this study examines the associations between parental
      influence (parental smoking and parental supervision) on the frequency of youth
      smoking behaviors in resource-poor countries. We show that parental smoking is
      positively related to adolescent smoking, while parental supervision is
      negatively related to it. We also find that these two associations vary according
      to national wealth: both effects are stronger in a country with higher per capita
      GDP.

PMID- 26272212
TI  - Acute Exposure to Electronic and Combustible Cigarette Aerosols: Effects in an
      Animal Model and in Human Alveolar Cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Smoking electronic cigarettes (ECIG) is promoted as a safer
      alternative to smoking combustible cigarettes. This study investigates the
      effects of ECIG aerosol and cigarette smoke (CS) in an animal model and in human
      alveolar cell cultures (A549). METHODS: Mice were divided into Control, ECIG, and
      CS. Animals were exposed for 6h/d to either lab air, ECIG or CS, for of 3 days.
      Total particulate matter exposure for the ECIG was set at higher levels compared
      to CS. Lung injury was determined by: (1) measurement of wet-to-dry ratio; (2)
      albumin concentration in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid; (3) transcriptional
      expression of inflammatory mediators IL-1beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha; (4) oxidative
      stress; (5) assessment of cell death; and (6) lung histopathology. Human alveolar
      cell cultures were treated with various concentrations of ECIG and CS aerosol
      extracts and the effects on cell proliferation were evaluated. RESULTS: Wet-to
      dry ratio was higher in CS when compared to ECIG. Albumin leak in bronchoalveolar
      lavage fluid was evident in CS but not in ECIG. ECIG exposure was only associated
      with a significant increase in IL-1beta. In contrast, CS exposure resulted in
      significant increases in IL-1beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha expression, and oxidative
      stress. TUNEL staining demonstrated significant cell death in CS but not in ECIG.
      At the cellular level, ECIG and CS extracts reduced cell proliferation, however,
      CS exhibited effects at lower concentrations. CONCLUSION: Despite higher exposure
      conditions, ECIG exhibited less toxic effects on lungs of experimental animals
      and on A549 cell cultures when compared to CS.

PMID- 26272213
TI  - Association between plasma fluorescent oxidation products and erectile
      dysfunction: A prospective study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Existing epidemiological studies of the association between oxidative
      stress and erectile dysfunction (ED) are sparse and inconclusive, which is likely
      due to cross-sectional design and small sample size. Therefore, we investigated
      the association between biomarkers of oxidative stress and ED in prospective
      setting among a relatively large sample size of men. METHODS: We conducted the
      prospective study among 917 men ages between 47 and 80 years at the time of blood
      draw, which is a part of nested prospective case-control study of prostate cancer
      in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. Plasma fluorescent oxidation
      products (FlOPs), a global biomarker for oxidative stress, were measured at three
      excitation/emission wavelengths (360/420 nm named as FlOP_360; 320/420 nm named
      as FlOP_320 and 400/475 nm named as FlOP_400). RESULTS: Approximately 35% of men
      developed ED during follow-up. We did not find an independent association between
      FlOP_360, FlOP_320, FlOP_400 and risk of ED in the multivariable adjusted model
      (Tertile 3 vs. tertile 1: odds ratio [OR] = 0.90, 95% confidence interval [CI] =
      0.61-1.34, P(trend) = 0.54 for FlOP_360; OR = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.49-1.07, P(trend)
      = 0.27 for FlOP_320; and OR = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.66-1.45, P(trend) = 0.72 for
      FlOP_400). Further analysis of the association between FlOPs and ED in the
      fasting samples or controls only (free of prostate cancer incidence) did not
      change the results appreciably. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma FlOPs were not associated
      with the risk of ED, suggesting oxidative stress may not be an independent risk
      factor for ED.

PMID- 26272214
TI  - Anti-lung Cancer Effects of Polyphyllin VI and VII Potentially Correlate with
      Apoptosis In Vitro and In Vivo.
AB  - Polyphyllin VI (PVI) and polyphyllin VII (PVII) derived from Paris polyphylla
      possess anti-cancer activities. However, the mechanisms for the anti-lung cancer
      effects of PVI and PVII remain poorly understood. In this study, PVI and PVII
      exhibited inhibitory effects on the proliferation of A549 and NCI-H1299 cells.
      PVI and PVII induced G2/M cell cycle arrest and triggered apoptosis. PVI and PVII
      upregulated the tumor suppressor protein p53 and downregulated cyclin B1. The two
      treatments significantly increased the expression levels of death receptor 3,
      death receptor 5, Fas, cleaved PARP, and cleaved caspase-3. Furthermore, PVI and
      PVII significantly inhibited the growth of A549 cells in vivo. The tumor
      inhibitory rates of PVI were 25.74%, 34.62%, and 40.43% at 2, 3, and 4 mg/kg,
      respectively, and those of PVII were 25.63%, 41.71%, and 40.41% at 1, 2, and 3
      mg/kg, respectively. Finally, PVI and PVII regulated the expression of proteins
      related to the apoptotic pathway in A549 xenografts. In summary, PVI and PVII
      exhibited strong inhibitory effects on lung cancer cell growth in vitro and in
      vivo by inducing G2/M cell cycle arrest and triggering apoptosis.

PMID- 26272215
TI  - Poly(U) RNA-templated synthesis of AppA.
AB  - Simple nucleotide templating activities are of interest as potential primordial
      reactions. Here we describe the acceleration of 5'-5' AppA synthesis by 3'-5'
      poly(U) under normal solution conditions. This reaction is apparently templated
      via complementary U:A base-pairing, despite the involvement of two different RNA
      backbones, because poly(U), unlike other polymers, significantly stimulates AppA
      synthesis. These interactions occur in moderate (K(+)) and (Mg(2+)) and are
      temperature sensitive, being more efficient at 10 degrees C than at 4 degrees C,
      but absent at 20 degrees C. The reaction is only slightly pH sensitive, despite
      potentially relevant substrate pKa's. Kinetic data explicitly support production
      of AppA by interaction of stacked 2MeImpA and pA nucleotides paired with a single
      molecule of U template. At a lower rate, AppA can also be produced by a chemical
      reaction between 2MeImpA and pA, without participation of poly(U). Molecular
      modeling suggests that 5'-5' joining between stacked or concurrently paired A's
      can occur without major departures from normal U-A helical coordinates. So,
      coenzyme-like 5'-5' purine dinucleotides might be readily synthesized from 3'-5'
      RNAs with complementary sequences. 

PMID- 26272216
TI  - DC-SIGN-expressing macrophages trigger activation of mannosylated IgM B-cell
      receptor in follicular lymphoma.
AB  - Follicular lymphoma (FL) results from the accumulation of malignant germinal
      center (GC) B cells leading to the development of an indolent and largely
      incurable disease. FL cells remain highly dependent on B-cell receptor (BCR)
      signaling and on a specific cell microenvironment, including T cells,
      macrophages, and stromal cells. Importantly, FL BCR is characterized by a
      selective pressure to retain surface immunoglobulin M (IgM) BCR despite an active
      class-switch recombination process, and by the introduction, in BCR variable
      regions, of N-glycosylation acceptor sites harboring unusual high-mannose
      oligosaccharides. However, the relevance of these 2 FL BCR features for
      lymphomagenesis remains unclear. In this study, we demonstrated that IgM(+) FL B
      cells activated a stronger BCR signaling network than IgG(+) FL B cells and
      normal GC B cells. BCR expression level and phosphatase activity could both
      contribute to such heterogeneity. Moreover, we underlined that a subset of IgM(+)
      FL samples, displaying highly mannosylated BCR, efficiently bound dendritic cell
      specific intercellular adhesion molecule-3-grabbing nonintegrin (DC-SIGN), which
      could in turn trigger delayed but long-lasting BCR aggregation and activation.
      Interestingly, DC-SIGN was found within the FL cell niche in situ. Finally, M2
      macrophages induced a DC-SIGN-dependent adhesion of highly mannosylated IgM(+) FL
      B cells and triggered BCR-associated kinase activation. Interestingly,
      pharmacologic BCR inhibitors abolished such crosstalk between macrophages and FL
      B cells. Altogether, our data support an important role for DC-SIGN-expressing
      infiltrating cells in the biology of FL and suggest that they could represent
      interesting therapeutic targets. 

PMID- 26272217
TI  - How I treat high-risk myeloma.
AB  - The treatment of patients with myeloma has dramatically changed over the past
      decade due in part to the development of new agents and myeloma-specific targets.
      Despite these advancements, a group for whom the long-term benefit remains less
      clear are patients with genetically or clinically defined high-risk myeloma. In
      order to successfully treat these patients, it is important to first identify
      these patients, treat them with aggressive combination therapy, and employ the
      use of aggressive long-term maintenance therapy. Future directions include the
      use of new immune-based treatments (antibodies or cellular-based therapies) as
      well as target-driven approaches. Until these treatment approaches are better
      defined, this review will provide a potential treatment approach for standard-
      and high-risk myeloma that can be followed using agents and strategies that are
      currently available with the goal of improving progression-free and overall
      survival for these patients today. 

PMID- 26272218
TI  - Folic acid supplementation for pregnant women and those planning pregnancy: 2015
      update.
AB  - During the last decade critical new information has been published pertaining to
      folic acid supplementation in the prevention of neural tube defects (NTDs) and
      other folic acid-sensitive congenital malformations. These new data have
      important implications for women, their families, and health care professionals.
      We performed a review looking for the optimal dosage of folic acid that should be
      given to women of reproductive age who are planning or not avoiding conception to
      propose updated guidelines and thus help health care providers and patients. In
      addition to fortification of dietary staples with folic acid, women of
      reproductive age should supplement before conception with 0.4-1.0 mg of folic
      acid daily as part of their multivitamins. In the United States all enriched rice
      is also fortified with folic acid at 0.7 mg per pound of raw rice. However, this
      is not the case in many countries, and it has been estimated that only 1% of
      industrially milled rice is fortified with folic acid. In countries where rice is
      the main staple (eg, China), this does not allow effective folate fortification.
      Whereas the incidence of NTDs is around 1/1000 in the United States, it is 3- to
      5-fold higher in Northern China and 3-fold higher in India. A recent population
      based US study estimated that the reduction in NTD rates by folic acid is more
      modest than previously predicted. The potential of NTD prevention by folic acid
      is underutilized due to low adherence with folic acid supplementation, and calls
      for revising the policy of supplementation have been raised. We identified groups
      of women of reproductive age who may benefit from higher daily doses of folic
      acid, and this should be considered in current practice. These include women who
      have had previous pregnancies with NTDs, those who did not plan their pregnancy
      and hence did not supplement, and women with low intake or impaired adherence to
      daily folic acid supplementation. In addition, women with known genetic
      variations in the folate metabolic cycle, those exposed to medications with
      antifolate effects, smokers, diabetics, and the obese may benefit from higher
      doses of folic acid daily during the first trimester.

PMID- 26272219
TI  - Interaction of milk proteins and Binder of Sperm (BSP) proteins from boar,
      stallion and ram semen.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mammalian semen contains a family of closely related proteins known
      as Binder of SPerm (BSP proteins) that are added to sperm at ejaculation. BSP
      proteins extract lipids from the sperm membrane thereby extensively modifying its
      composition. These changes can ultimately be detrimental to sperm storage. We
      have demonstrated that bovine BSP proteins interact with major milk proteins and
      proposed that this interaction could be the basis of sperm protection by milk
      extenders. In the present study, we investigated if homologous BSP proteins
      present in boar, stallion and ram seminal plasma display a similar affinity for
      the milk proteins in order to assess whether the mechanism of sperm protection by
      milk for these species could be general. METHODS: Skim milk was incubated with
      seminal plasma proteins (boar, stallion and ram), chromatographed on a Sepharose
      CL-4B column and protein fractions were analyzed by immunoblotting. RESULTS:
      Boar, stallion and ram BSP proteins displayed affinity for a milk protein
      fraction (F1) mainly composed of alpha-lactalbumin, beta-lactoglobulin, and kappa
      casein. They also had affinity for another milk protein fraction (F2) composed
      mostly of casein micelles. However, stallion BSP showed higher affinity for the
      fraction (F1). CONCLUSIONS: These results further extend our view that the
      association of BSP proteins with milk proteins could be a general feature of the
      mechanism of mammalian sperm protection by milk to prevent detrimental effect of
      prolonged exposure of sperm to seminal plasma.

PMID- 26272221
TI  - Tocopherols in the Prevention and Treatment of Atherosclerosis and Related
      Cardiovascular Disease.
AB  - Oxidants/antioxidants play an important role in cellular homeostasis. The human
      body has endogenous molecules that work as antioxidants, such as glutathione,
      superoxide dismutase, peroxidases, and catalase. Exogenous substances in the
      diet, such as beta-carotene, ascorbate, and vitamin E, are vital antioxidants. Of
      these, vitamin E is likely the most important antioxidant in the human diet, and
      many studies have been performed to elucidate its role in health and disease.
      Vitamin E is a family of several compounds, of which alpha-tocopherol is the most
      widely known analog. alpha-Tocopherol exhibits antioxidative property in vitro
      and inhibits oxidation of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. In addition, alpha
      tocopherol shows anti-inflammatory activity and modulates expression of proteins
      involved in the uptake, transport, and degradation of atherogenic lipids. Though
      alpha-tocopherol exhibits important antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and
      antiatherogenic features in vitro, alpha-tocopherol supplements have failed to
      consistently reduce atherosclerosis-related events in human trials. The
      conflicting results have led to reconsideration of the importance previously
      given to alpha-tocopherol and led to interest in other members of vitamin E
      family, especially gamma-tocopherol, which exerts a much more potent antioxidant,
      anti-inflammatory, and cardioprotective effect than alpha-tocopherol. This
      reconsideration has been backed by solid laboratory and clinical research. We
      suggest that the absence of gamma-tocopherol in traditional preparations may be
      one reason for the lack of consistent salutary effects of vitamin E preparations
      in clinical trials. This review summarizes our current understanding of
      tocopherols as antioxidant molecules and emerging evidence of an important role
      of gamma-tocopherol in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis-related
      cardiovascular disease. 

PMID- 26272222
TI  - Why most oral insulin formulations do not reach clinical trials.
AB  - Oral insulin able to induce an efficient antihyperglycemic effect either to
      replace or complement diabetes mellitus therapy is the major goal of health
      providers, governments and diabetic patients. Oral therapy is associated not only
      with the desire to exclude needles from the daily routine of diabetic patient but
      also with the physiological provision of insulin they would get. Despite numerous
      efforts over the past few decades to develop insulin delivery systems, there is
      still no commercially available oral insulin. The reasons why the formulations
      developed to administer insulin orally fail to reach clinical trials are
      critically discussed in this review. The principal features of nanoformulations
      used so far are also addressed as well as the undergoing clinical trials. 

PMID- 26272220
TI  - Components and characteristics of the dopamine reward utility signal.
AB  - Rewards are defined by their behavioral functions in learning (positive
      reinforcement), approach behavior, economic choices, and emotions. Dopamine
      neurons respond to rewards with two components, similar to higher order sensory
      and cognitive neurons. The initial, rapid, unselective dopamine detection
      component reports all salient environmental events irrespective of their reward
      association. It is highly sensitive to factors related to reward and thus detects
      a maximal number of potential rewards. It also senses aversive stimuli but
      reports their physical impact rather than their aversiveness. The second response
      component processes reward value accurately and starts early enough to prevent
      confusion with unrewarded stimuli and objects. It codes reward value as a
      numeric, quantitative utility prediction error, consistent with formal concepts
      of economic decision theory. Thus, the dopamine reward signal is fast, highly
      sensitive and appropriate for driving and updating economic decisions.

PMID- 26272223
TI  - The effect of Duschinsky rotation on charge transport properties of molecular
      junctions in the sequential tunneling regime.
AB  - We present here a systematic theoretical study on the effect of Duschinsky
      rotation on charge transport properties of molecular junctions in the sequential
      tunneling regime. In the simulations we assume that only two electronic charging
      states each coupled to a two dimensional vibrational potential energy surface
      (PES) are involved in the transport process. The Duschinsky rotation effect is
      accounted by varying the rotational angle between the two sets of displaced PESs.
      Both harmonic potential and anharmonic Morse potential have been considered for
      the cases of the intermediate to strong electron-vibration couplings. Our
      calculations show that the inclusion of the Duschinsky rotation effect can
      significantly change the charge transport properties of a molecular junction.
      Such an effect makes the otherwise symmetric Coulomb diamond become asymmetric in
      harmonic potentials. Depending on the angle of the rotation, the low bias current
      could be significantly suppressed or enhanced. This effect is particularly
      prominent in the Franck-Condon (FC) blockade regime where the electron-vibration
      coupling is strong. These changes are caused by the variation of the FC factors
      which are closely related to the rotational angle between the two sets of PESs
      involved in the charge transport process. For a molecular junction with Morse
      potentials, the changes caused by Duschinsky rotation are much more complicated.
      Both the amplitude and shape of the Coulomb diamond are closely dependent on the
      rotational angle in the whole range from 0 to 2pi. One interesting result is that
      with a rotation angle of pi (and also pi/2 for certain cases) symmetric Coulomb
      diamonds can even be formed from the intrinsically asymmetric Morse potential.
      These results could be important for the interpretation of experimental
      observations. 

PMID- 26272224
TI  - The role of natural disaster in individual and relational adjustment in Sri
      Lankan mothers following the 2004 tsunami.
AB  - The purpose of this study is to examine the associations between maternal mental
      health distress symptoms, including depression and post-traumatic stress
      disorder, the extent to which the presence of a child's disaster-related physical
      health problem(s) have interfered with daily functioning, and family cohesion
      over time among Sri Lankan mothers who survived the tsunami on 26 December 2004.
      Study variables were measured using a self-report questionnaire administered
      approximately four months after the event and three years later in summer 2008.
      Univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were conducted. Path analysis
      was employed to assess the relationships between the key variables over time and
      the correlations in the study variables at each time point. Among other findings,
      the results of the path analysis indicated that post-traumatic stress symptom
      distress four months after the disaster significantly predicted variance in
      family cohesion three years later. Clinical and empirical research implications
      are presented and discussed. 

PMID- 26272225
TI  - The human oral metaproteome reveals potential biomarkers for caries disease.
AB  - Tooth decay is considered the most prevalent human disease worldwide. We present
      the first metaproteomic study of the oral biofilm, using different mass
      spectrometry approaches that have allowed us to quantify individual peptides in
      healthy and caries-bearing individuals. A total of 7771 bacterial and 853 human
      proteins were identified in 17 individuals, which provide the first available
      protein repertoire of human dental plaque. Actinomyces and Coryneybacterium
      represent a large proportion of the protein activity followed by Rothia and
      Streptococcus. Those four genera account for 60-90% of total diversity. Healthy
      individuals appeared to have significantly higher amounts of L-lactate
      dehydrogenase and the arginine deiminase system, both implicated in pH buffering.
      Other proteins found to be at significantly higher levels in healthy individuals
      were involved in exopolysaccharide synthesis, iron metabolism and immune
      response. We applied multivariate analysis in order to find the minimum set of
      proteins that better allows discrimination of healthy and caries-affected dental
      plaque samples, detecting seven bacterial and five human protein functions that
      allow determining the health status of the studied individuals with an estimated
      specificity and sensitivity over 96%. We propose that future validation of these
      potential biomarkers in larger sample size studies may serve to develop
      diagnostic tests of caries risk that could be used in tooth decay prevention. 

PMID- 26272226
TI  - Far-Red Emitting Fluorescent Dyes for Optical Nanoscopy: Fluorinated Silicon
      Rhodamines (SiRF Dyes) and Phosphorylated Oxazines.
AB  - Far-red emitting fluorescent dyes for optical microscopy, stimulated emission
      depletion (STED), and ground-state depletion (GSDIM) super-resolution microscopy
      are presented. Fluorinated silicon-rhodamines (SiRF dyes) and phosphorylated
      oxazines have absorption and emission maxima at about lambda~660 and 680 nm,
      respectively, possess high photostability, and large fluorescence quantum yields
      in water. A high-yielding synthetic path to introduce three aromatic fluorine
      atoms and unconventional conjugation/solubilization spacers into the scaffold of
      a silicon-rhodamine is described. The bathochromic shift in SiRF dyes is achieved
      without additional fused rings or double bonds. As a result, the molecular size
      and molecular mass stay quite small (<600 Da). The use of the lambda=800 nm STED
      beam instead of the commonly used one at lambda=750-775 nm provides excellent
      imaging performance and suppresses re-excitation of SiRF and the oxazine dyes.
      The photophysical properties and immunofluorescence imaging performance of these
      new far-red emitting dyes (photobleaching, optical resolution, and switch-off
      behavior) are discussed in detail and compared with those of some well
      established fluorophores with similar spectral properties. 

PMID- 26272227
TI  - The cost-utility of dabigatran etexilate compared with warfarin in treatment and
      extended anticoagulation of acute VTE in the UK.
AB  - The relative efficacy and safety of dabigatran etexilate and warfarin have been
      evaluated in two head-to-head, phase III, treatment of acute venous
      thromboembolism (VTE) trials, and one extended prophylaxis trial, in patients
      with high risk of recurrent VTE. Dabigatran etexilate demonstrated similar
      efficacy to warfarin, and was associated with a reduced risk of major or
      clinically relevant bleeds. Based on results of these trials, and real-life
      disease prognosis following discontinuation of anticoagulation treatment, we
      evaluated the cost-utility of dabigatran etexilate compared with warfarin in six
      months anticoagulation, and in extended, up to 24 months anticoagulation, in
      patients with acute VTE, acute deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) or acute, symptomatic,
      pulmonary embolism (PE). Costs were analysed from the perspective of the National
      Health Services (NHS) and Public Social Services (PSS) in England and Wales.
      Outcomes were quantified in quality-adjusted life years (QALY). The estimated
      incremental, lifetime cost/QALY gain following acute, symptomatic VTE (DVT or PE)
      was L1,252/QALY when dabigatran etexilate or warfarin were administered for up to
      six months treatment. In treatment of acute, symptomatic PE and in DVT respective
      ratios were L1,767/QALY and L1,075/QALY. In extended, up to 24 months
      anticoagulation, dabigatran etexilate projected costs/QALY of L8,242/QALY, when
      compared with warfarin. Results obtained herein were robust across a number of
      sensitivity analyses and suggest dabigatran etexilate to be a cost-effective
      alternative to current standard of care when evaluated in six months treatment
      and in extended anticoagulation following acute VTE (DVT and/or PE). 

PMID- 26272228
TI  - Understanding nurses' and physicians' fear of repercussions for reporting errors:
      clinician characteristics, organization demographics, or leadership factors?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Identifying and understanding factors influencing fear of
      repercussions for reporting and discussing medical errors in nurses and
      physicians remains an important area of inquiry. Work is needed to disentangle
      the role of clinician characteristics from those of the organization-level and
      unit-level safety environments in which these clinicians work and learn, as well
      as probing the differing reporting behaviours of nurses and physicians. This
      study examines the influence of clinician demographics (age, gender, and tenure),
      organization demographics (teaching status, location of care, and province) and
      leadership factors (organization and unit leadership support for safety) on fear
      of repercussions, and does so for nurses and physicians separately. METHODS: A
      cross-sectional analysis of 2319 nurse and 386 physician responders from three
      Canadian provinces to the Modified Stanford patient safety climate survey (MSI
      06). Data were analyzed using exploratory factor analysis, multiple linear
      regression, and hierarchical linear regression. RESULTS: Age, gender, tenure,
      teaching status, and province were not significantly associated with fear of
      repercussions for nurses or physicians. Mental health nurses had poorer fear
      responses than their peers outside of these areas, as did community physicians.
      Strong organization and unit leadership support for safety explained the most
      variance in fear for both nurses and physicians. CONCLUSIONS: The absence of
      associations between several plausible factors including age, tenure and teaching
      status suggests that fear is a complex construct requiring more study.
      Substantially differing fear responses across locations of care indicate areas
      where interventions may be needed. In addition, since factors affecting fear of
      repercussions appear to be different for nurses and physicians, tailoring patient
      safety initiatives to each group may, in some instances, be fruitful. Although
      further investigation is needed to examine these and other factors in detail,
      supportive safety leadership appears to be central to reducing fear of reporting
      errors for both nurses and physicians.

PMID- 26272229
TI  - Glycaemic control is a predictor of infection-related hospitalization on
      haemodialysis patients: Miyazaki Dialysis Cohort study (MID study).
AB  - AIM: Although infection is the second leading cause of death in maintenance
      haemodialysis patients, the effects of glycaemic control on infection in diabetic
      haemodialysis patients have not yet been examined in detail. We examined the
      relationship between diabetes or glycemic control and infection-related
      hospitalization (IRH) in haemodialysis patients. METHODS: Patients receiving
      maintenance haemodialysis (n = 1551, 493 diabetic patients) were enrolled in this
      prospective cohort study in December 2009 and followed-up for 3 years. IRH during
      the follow-up period was abstracted from medical records. Kaplan-Meier and Cox
      regression analyses were used to investigate the relationship between diabetes or
      glycaemic control and IRH. RESULTS: The Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that the
      risk of IRH was significantly higher in haemodialysis patients with diabetes,
      particularly in those with poorly controlled HbA1c levels (HbA1c >= 7.0%), than
      in haemodialysis patients without diabetes. When patients with >=HbA1c 7.0% were
      divided into two groups using a median value of HbA1c, the risk of IRH was
      significantly higher in those with the poorest glycaemic control (HbA1c >= 7.4%),
      an older age, or lower albumin levels. The multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio
      for the risk of IRH was not higher in the second criteria of HbA1c (HbA1c 7.0
      7.3%), but was significantly higher in the group with the poorest glycaemic
      control (HbA1c >= 7.4%) than in those in the good control criterion (HbA1c <
      7.0%). CONCLUSIONS: Although diabetes is a risk factor for IRH among maintenance
      haemodialysis patients, the relationship between glycaemic control and the risk
      of infection is not linear. Therefore, the risk of infection may increase in a
      manner that is dependent on the glycaemic control threshold.

PMID- 26272231
TI  - Ratiometric fluorescent sensing of pH values in living cells by dual-fluorophore
      labeled i-motif nanoprobes.
AB  - We designed a new ratiometric fluorescent nanoprobe for sensing pH values in
      living cells. Briefly, the nanoprobe consists of a gold nanoparticle (AuNP),
      short single-stranded oligonucleotides, and dual-fluorophore-labeled i-motif
      sequences. The short oligonucleotides are designed to bind with the i-motif
      sequences and immobilized on the AuNP surface via Au-S bond. At neutral pH, the
      dual fluorophores are separated, resulting in very low fluorescence resonance
      energy transfer (FRET) efficiency. At acidic pH, the i-motif strands fold into a
      quadruplex structure and leave the AuNP, bringing the dual fluorophores into
      close proximity, resulting in high FRET efficiency, which could be used as a
      signal for pH sensing. The nanoprobe possesses abilities of cellular
      transfection, enzymatic protection, fast response and quantitative pH detection.
      The in vitro and intracellular applications of the nanoprobe were demonstrated,
      which showed excellent response in the physiological pH range. Furthermore, our
      experimental results suggested that the nanoprobe showed excellent spatial and
      temporal resolution in living cells. We think that the ratiometric sensing
      strategy could potentially be applied to create a variety of new multicolor
      sensors for intracellular detection. 

PMID- 26272230
TI  - Sexually Transmitted Pathogens, Depression, and Other Manifestations Associated
      with Premenstrual Syndrome.
AB  - This study investigated whether sexually transmitted infections and lifestyle
      variables are associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) as well as particular
      manifestations commonly associated with PMS. Data were gathered from medical
      records of 500 regularly cycling women. The following infectious agents were
      investigated: human papillomavirus, Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrheae,
      Gardnerella vaginalis, Candida albicans, and Trichomonas vaginalis. Bivariate
      tests and multivariate logistic regressions were used to evaluate whether these
      pathogens were associated with headache, pain, nausea, and depression. Chlamydia
      trachomatis was significantly associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and two
      common manifestations of PMS: depression and pain. Trichomonas vaginalis was
      significantly correlated with headache and Gardnerella vaginalis with nausea.
      None of the illness manifestations was significantly associated with the tested
      lifestyle variables: dietary calcium supplementation, alcohol and drug use,
      exercise, and smoking. These associations provide a basis for assessment of
      infectious causation of PMS and several manifestations of illness that are
      commonly associated with PMS. 

PMID- 26272232
TI  - Clopidogrel and CYP2C19: pharmacogenetic testing ready for clinical prime time?

PMID- 26272233
TI  - Circulating tumor DNA outperforms circulating tumor cells for KRAS mutation
      detection in thoracic malignancies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Circulating biomarkers, such as circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and
      circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), are both considered for blood-based mutation
      detection, but limited studies have compared them in a head-to-head manner. Using
      KRAS (Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog), we performed such a comparison
      in patients who underwent surgery for suspected lung cancer. METHODS: We
      recruited 93 patients, including 82 with lung cancer and 11 with benign diseases
      of the lung. Mutations were detected in codons 12 and 13 of KRAS in DNA extracted
      from CTCs, plasma, and matched tumors or lung tissues with custom-designed
      coamplification at lower denaturation temperature (COLD)-PCR assays, high
      resolution melt analysis (HRM), and commercial assays (Roche Cobas((r)) KRAS
      mutation test and Qiagen Therascreen((r)) pyrosequencing KRAS kit). RESULTS: With
      the Cobas mutation test, we identified KRAS mutations in 21.3% of tumors.
      Mutation analysis in matched CTC DNA and ctDNA samples by COLD-PCR/HRM assay
      revealed mutations in 30.5% (ctDNA) and 23.2% (CTC DNA) of patients with lung
      cancer. Combined results of different tests revealed KRAS-positive cases for 28%
      of tumors. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of KRAS mutation detection
      in tumors achieved with ctDNA was 0.96 (95% CI 0.81-1.00) and 0.95 (0.85-0.99),
      respectively. The diagnostic test performance was lower for CTC DNA, at 0.52
      (0.34-0.73) and 0.88 (0.79-0.95). CONCLUSIONS: Our results support ctDNA as a
      preferential specimen type for mutation screening in thoracic malignancies vs CTC
      DNA, achieving greater mutation detection than either CTCs or limited amounts of
      tumor tissue alone.

PMID- 26272234
TI  - Detecting long-term drift in reagent lots.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Between-reagent lot verification is a routine laboratory exercise in
      which a set of samples is tested in parallel with an existing reagent lot and a
      candidate reagent lot (before the candidate lot is committed to test patient
      samples). The exercise aims to verify and maintain consistency in the analytical
      performance of a test. We examined the limitations of a routine between-reagent
      lot verification procedure in detecting long-term analytical drift and looked for
      a more sensitive alternative. METHOD: Via numerical simulations, we examined the
      statistical power of the current regression-based (weighted Deming regression)
      procedure for between-reagent lot verification in detecting proportional bias and
      constant bias. An alternative procedure applying the Student t-test to separately
      examine cumulative regression slopes and intercepts across multiple reagent lots
      was proposed and evaluated by numerical simulations. RESULTS: The regression
      based procedure had poor statistical power in detecting proportional bias and
      constant bias when small numbers of samples were used in each between-reagent lot
      verification exercise. Furthermore, the method failed to detect long-term drifts
      in analytical performance. The proposed approach based on the Student t-test can
      detect long-term (cumulative) drifts in regression slopes and intercepts. This
      method detected a mild downward drift in the serum sodium assay in our hospital
      that was missed by routine between-reagent lot verification. CONCLUSIONS: The
      proposed method objectively and systematically detects long-term proportional and
      constant bias separately. However, the statistical power of this procedure
      remains unsatisfactory when used with small sample sizes. Sharing of information
      between laboratories may provide sufficient statistical power to detect
      clinically important analytical shifts.

PMID- 26272235
TI  - Melatonin: an ancient molecule that makes oxygen metabolically tolerable.
AB  - Melatonin is remarkably functionally diverse with actions as a free radical
      scavenger and antioxidant, circadian rhythm regulator, anti-inflammatory and
      immunoregulating molecule, and as an oncostatic agent. We hypothesize that the
      initial and primary function of melatonin in photosynthetic cyanobacteria, which
      appeared on Earth 3.5-3.2 billion years ago, was as an antioxidant. The evolution
      of melatonin as an antioxidant by this organism was necessary as photosynthesis
      is associated with the generation of toxic-free radicals. The other secondary
      functions of melatonin came about much later in evolution. We also surmise that
      mitochondria and chloroplasts may be primary sites of melatonin synthesis in all
      eukaryotic cells that possess these organelles. This prediction is made on the
      basis that mitochondria and chloroplasts of eukaryotes developed from purple
      nonsulfur bacteria (which also produce melatonin) and cyanobacteria when they
      were engulfed by early eukaryotes. Thus, we speculate that the melatonin
      synthesizing actions of the engulfed bacteria were retained when these organelles
      became mitochondria and chloroplasts, respectively. That mitochondria are likely
      sites of melatonin formation is supported by the observation that this organelle
      contains high levels of melatonin that are not impacted by blood melatonin
      concentrations. Melatonin has a remarkable array of means by which it thwarts
      oxidative damage. It, as well as its metabolites, is differentially effective in
      scavenging a variety of reactive oxygen and reactive nitrogen species. Moreover,
      melatonin and its metabolites modulate a large number of antioxidative and pro
      oxidative enzymes, leading to a reduction in oxidative damage. The actions of
      melatonin on radical metabolizing/producing enzymes may be mediated by the Keap1
      Nrf2-ARE pathway. Beyond its direct free radical scavenging and indirect
      antioxidant effects, melatonin has a variety of physiological and metabolic
      advantages that may enhance its ability to limit oxidative stress.

PMID- 26272236
TI  - Identifying the Most Informative Prediction Tool for Cancer-specific Mortality
      After Radical Prostatectomy: Comparative Analysis of Three Commonly Used
      Preoperative Prediction Models.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The D'Amico risk stratification, Cancer of the Prostate Risk
      Assessment (CAPRA) score, and Stephenson nomogram are widely used prediction
      tools for biochemical recurrence and survival after radical prostatectomy (RP).
      These models have not been compared with respect to cancer-specific mortality
      (CSM) prediction. OBJECTIVE: To validate and compare the prediction tools for 10
      yr CSM. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Overall, 2485 prostate cancer patients
      underwent RP in a European tertiary care center. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND
      STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Three preoperative models (D'Amico, CAPRA, and Stephenson)
      were compared in terms of their ability to predict 10-yr CSM; therefore, accuracy
      tests (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC]), calibration
      plots, and decision curve analysis (DCA) were assessed for each model. RESULTS
      AND LIMITATIONS: CSM at 10 yr was 3.6%. The AUC was 0.76, 0.77, and 0.80 for the
      D'Amico, CAPRA, and Stephenson models, respectively. In calibration plots,
      predicted probabilities were close to the observed probabilities for the D'Amico
      model but showed underestimation of CSM for the Stephenson nomogram and
      overestimation of CSM for the CAPRA score. DCA identified a benefit for the CAPRA
      score. These results apply to patients treated at a European tertiary care
      center. CONCLUSIONS: Despite good discriminatory power, all tested models had
      some shortcomings in terms of prediction of 10-yr CSM. All three models showed
      good performance in North American cohorts, but our results suggested a lack of
      generalizability to European patients. To overcome this issue, local
      recalibration of the variable weights could be performed. Another possibility is
      the development of more universal markers that are independent of regional
      practice differences or, alternatively, the development of better tools to
      quantify clinical practice differences. PATIENT SUMMARY: Prediction tools can
      predict cancer survival prior surgery, relying on points for age, prostate
      specific antigen levels, aggressiveness, and percentage of cancer at biopsy.
      These tools are reliable in North American patients but have shortcomings for
      identifying patients at high risk of prostate cancer death in Europe.

PMID- 26272237
TI  - A Single-centre Early Phase Randomised Controlled Three-arm Trial of Open,
      Robotic, and Laparoscopic Radical Cystectomy (CORAL).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic radical cystectomy (LRC) and robot-assisted radical
      cystectomy (RARC) are increasingly popular, but high-level evidence for these
      techniques remains lacking. OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcomes of patients
      undergoing open radical cystectomy (ORC), RARC, and LRC. DESIGN, SETTING, AND
      PARTICIPANTS: From March 2009 to July 2012, 164 patients requiring radical
      cystectomy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer or high-risk non-muscle-invasive
      bladder cancer were invited to participate, with an aim of recruiting 47 patients
      into each arm. Overall, 93 were suitable for trial inclusion; 60 (65%) agreed and
      33 (35%) declined. INTERVENTION: ORC, RARC, or LRC with extracorporeal urinary
      diversion. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Primary end points were
      30- and 90-d complication rates. Secondary end points were perioperative
      clinical, pathologic, and oncologic outcomes, and quality of life (QoL). The
      Fisher exact test and analysis of variance were used for statistical analyses.
      RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: The 30-d complication rates (classified by the Clavien
      Dindo system) varied significantly between the three arms (ORC: 70%; RARC: 55%;
      LRC: 26%; p=0.024). ORC complication rates were significantly higher than LRC
      (p<0.01). The 90-d complication rates did not differ significantly between the
      three arms (ORC: 70%; RARC: 55%; LRC 32%; p=0.068). Mean operative time was
      significantly longer in RARC compared with ORC or LRC. ORC resulted in a slower
      return to oral solids than RARC or LRC. There were no significant differences in
      QoL measures. Major limitations are the small sample size and potential surgeon
      bias. CONCLUSIONS: The 30-d complication rates varied by type of surgery and were
      significantly higher in the ORC arm than the LRC arm. There was no significant
      difference in 90-d Clavien-graded complication rates between the three arms.
      PATIENT SUMMARY: We compared patients having open, robotic, or laparoscopic
      bladder removal surgery for bladder cancer and found no difference in Clavien
      graded complication rates at 90 d.

PMID- 26272238
TI  - Copper-Catalyzed Thioetherification Reactions of Alkyl Halides, Triphenyltin
      Chloride, and Arylboronic Acids with Nitroarenes in the Presence of Sulfur
      Sources.
AB  - In this article, we report three odorless methods for the thioarylation and
      thioalkylation of different nitroarenes using alkyl halides (Br, Cl),
      triphenyltin chloride, and arylboronic acids as the coupling partners.
      Triphenyltin chloride is capable of delivering all of its phenyl groups to the
      product. Depending on the reaction, sodium thiosulfate pentahydrate
      (Na2S2O3.5H2O), S8/KF, and S8/NaOH systems are found to be effective sources of
      sulfur in the presence of copper salts. The use of green solvents, inexpensive
      catalysts, and user-friendly starting materials has made these methods
      interesting from a green chemistry standpoint. 

PMID- 26272240
TI  - Impaired functional differentiation for categories of objects in the ventral
      visual stream: A case of developmental visual impairment.
AB  - We report the case of a 14-year-old girl suffering from severe developmental
      visual impairment along with delayed language and cognitive development, and
      featuring a clear-cut dissociation between spared dorsal and impaired ventral
      visual pathways. Visual recognition of objects, including faces and printed
      words, was affected. In contrast, movement perception and visually guided motor
      control were preserved. Structural MRI was normal on inspection, but Voxel Based
      Morphometry (VBM) revealed reduced grey matter density in the mesial occipital
      and ventral occipito-temporal cortex. Functional MRI during the perception of
      line drawings uncovered impaired differentiation which is normally observed at
      even younger ages: no local category preferences could be identified within the
      occipito-temporal cortex for faces, houses, words or tools. In contrast, movement
      related activations appeared to be normal. Finally, those abnormalities evolved
      on the background of chronic bilateral occipital epileptic activity, including
      continuous spike-wave discharges during sleep, which may be considered as the
      primary cause of non-specific intellectual disability and visual impairment. 

PMID- 26272239
TI  - Crossmodal enhancement in the LOC for visuohaptic object recognition over
      development.
AB  - Research has provided strong evidence of multisensory convergence of visual and
      haptic information within the visual cortex. These studies implement crossmodal
      matching paradigms to examine how systems use information from different sensory
      modalities for object recognition. Developmentally, behavioral evidence of
      visuohaptic crossmodal processing has suggested that communication within sensory
      systems develops earlier than across systems; nonetheless, it is unknown how the
      neural mechanisms driving these behavioral effects develop. To address this gap
      in knowledge, BOLD functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) was measured
      during delayed match-to-sample tasks that examined intramodal (visual-to-visual,
      haptic-to-haptic) and crossmodal (visual-to-haptic, haptic-to-visual) novel
      object recognition in children aged 7-8.5 years and adults. Tasks were further
      divided into sample encoding and test matching phases to dissociate the relative
      contributions of each. Results of crossmodal and intramodal object recognition
      revealed the network of known visuohaptic multisensory substrates, including the
      lateral occipital complex (LOC) and the intraparietal sulcus (IPS). Critically,
      both adults and children showed crossmodal enhancement within the LOC, suggesting
      a sensitivity to changes in sensory modality during recognition. These groups
      showed similar regions of activation, although children generally exhibited more
      widespread activity during sample encoding and weaker BOLD signal change during
      test matching than adults. Results further provided evidence of a bilateral
      region in the occipitotemporal cortex that was haptic-preferring in both age
      groups. This region abutted the bimodal LOtv, and was consistent with a medial to
      lateral organization that transitioned from a visual to haptic bias within the
      LOC. These findings converge with existing evidence of visuohaptic processing in
      the LOC in adults, and extend our knowledge of crossmodal processing in adults
      and children. 

PMID- 26272241
TI  - Revealing deposition mechanism of colloid particles on human serum albumin
      monolayers.
AB  - Colloid particle deposition was applied in order to characterize human serum
      albumin (HSA) monolayers on mica adsorbed under diffusion transport at pH 3.5.
      The surface concentration of HSA was determined by a direct AFM imaging of single
      molecules. The electrokinetic characteristics of the monolayers for various ionic
      strength were done by in situ streaming potential measurements. In this way the
      mean-field zeta potential of monolayers was determined. It was shown that the
      initially negative potential changed its sign for HSA surface concentrations
      above 2800MUm(-2) that was interpreted as overcharging effect. The monolayers
      were also characterized by the colloid deposition method where negatively charged
      polystyrene particles, 810nm in diameter were used. The kinetics of particle
      deposition and their maximum coverage were determined as a function of the HSA
      monolayer surface concentration. An anomalous deposition of particles on
      substrates exhibiting a negative zeta potential was observed, which contradicts
      the mean-field theoretical predictions. This effect was quantitatively
      interpreted in terms of the random site sequential adsorption model. It was shown
      that efficient immobilization of particles only occurs at adsorption sites formed
      by three and more closely adsorbed HSA molecules. These results can be exploited
      as useful reference data for the analysis of deposition phenomena of bioparticles
      at protein monolayers that has practical significance for the regulation of the
      bioadhesive properties of surfaces. 

PMID- 26272242
TI  - Pseudorhabdosynochus species (Monogenoidea, Diplectanidae) parasitizing groupers
      (Serranidae, Epinephelinae, Epinephelini) in the western Atlantic Ocean and
      adjacent waters, with descriptions of 13 new species.
AB  - Seventeen of twenty-three species of groupers collected from the western Atlantic
      Ocean and adjacent waters were infected with 19 identified species (13 new) of
      Pseudorhabdosynochus Yamaguti, 1958 (Dactylogyridea, Diplectanidae); specimens of
      the Spanish flag Gonioplectrus hispanus, coney Cephalopholis fulva, marbled
      grouper Dermatolepis inermis, mutton hamlet Alphestes afer, and misty grouper
      Hyporthodus mystacinus were not infected; the yellowmouth grouper Mycteroperca
      interstitialis and yellowfin grouper Mycteroperca venenosa were infected with
      unidentified species of Pseudorhabdosynochus; the Atlantic creolefish Paranthias
      furcifer was infected with an unidentified species of Diplectanidae that could
      not be accommodated in Pseudorhabdosynochus. The following species of
      Pseudorhabdosynochus are described or redescribed based entirely or in part on
      new collections: Pseudorhabdosynochus americanus (Price, 1937) Kritsky & Beverley
      Burton, 1986 from Atlantic goliath grouper Epinephelus itajara;
      Pseudorhabdosynochus yucatanensis Vidal-Martinez, Aguirre-Macedo & Mendoza
      Franco, 1997 and Pseudorhabdosynochus justinella n. sp. from red grouper
      Epinephelus morio; Pseudorhabdosynochus kritskyi Dyer, Williams & Bunkley
      Williams, 1995 from gag Mycteroperca microlepis; Pseudorhabdosynochus capurroi
      Vidal-Martinez & Mendoza-Franco, 1998 from black grouper Mycteroperca bonaci;
      Pseudorhabdosynochus hyphessometochus n. sp. from Mycteroperca interstitialis;
      Pseudorhabdosynochus sulamericanus Santos, Buchmann & Gibson, 2000 from snowy
      grouper Hyporthodus niveatus and Warsaw grouper Hyporthodus nigritus (new host
      record); Pseudorhabdosynochus firmicoleatus n. sp. from yellowedge grouper
      Hyporthodus flavolimbatus and snowy grouper H. niveatus; Pseudorhabdosynochus
      mcmichaeli n. sp., Pseudorhabdosynochus contubernalis n. sp., and
      Pseudorhabdosynochus vascellum n. sp. from scamp Mycteroperca phenax;
      Pseudorhabdosynochus meganmarieae n. sp. from graysby Cephalopholis cruentata;
      Pseudorhabdosynochus beverleyburtonae (Oliver, 1984) Kritsky & Beverley-Burton,
      1986 from dusky grouper Mycteroperca marginata; Pseudorhabdosynochus mizellei n.
      sp. from red hind Epinephelus guttatus; Pseudorhabdosynochus williamsi n. sp.
      from rock hind Epinephelus adscensionis; Pseudorhabdosynochus bunkleywilliamsae
      n. sp. from Nassau grouper Epinephelus striatus; Pseudorhabdosynochus
      mycteropercae n. sp. from tiger grouper Mycteroperca tigris; and
      Pseudorhabdosynochus tumeovagina n. sp. from speckled hind Epinephelus
      drummondhayi. Pseudorhabdosynochus woodi n. sp. from red hind Epinephelus
      guttatus is described based on specimens from the US National Parasite Collection
      (USNPC). Drawings of the haptoral and copulatory sclerites of the type specimens
      in the USNPC of Pseudorhabdosynochus monaensis Dyer, Williams & Bunkley-Williams,
      1994 from rock hind Epinephelus adscensionis are presented. Finally, a note
      confirming Pseudorhabdosynochus epinepheli Yamaguti, 1958 rather than its senior
      synonym Pseudorhabdosynochus epinepheli (Yamaguti, 1938) Kritsky & Beverley
      Burton, 1986 as the type species of Pseudorhabdosynochus is provided. 

PMID- 26272243
TI  - The year of transparency: measuring quality of cardiac care.
AB  - The assessment of quality of care is becoming increasingly important in
      healthcare, both globally and in the Netherlands. The Dutch Minister of Health
      declared 2015 to be the year of transparency, thereby aiming to improve quality
      of care by transparent reporting of outcome data. With the increasing importance
      of transparency, knowledge on quality measurement will be essential for a
      cardiologist in daily clinical care. To that end, this paper provides a
      comprehensive overview of the Dutch healthcare structure, quality indicators and
      the current and future assessment of quality of cardiac care in the Netherlands. 

PMID- 26272244
TI  - Factors associated with self-reported unprotected anal intercourse among men who
      have sex with men in Changsha city of Hunan province, China.
AB  - Men who have sex with men (MSM) in China are highly susceptible to HIV infection
      and HIV prevalence among Chinese MSM is rapidly increasing in recent years.
      Unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) is a major contributing factor of HIV
      transmission. This study aims to identify factors associated with UAI among MSM
      in Changsha city, China. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 642 MSM in
      Changsha city from July 2009 to June 2011 via a venue-based sampling method. Data
      on socio-demographic characteristics, sexual behaviours and utilisation of
      HIV/AIDS services were collected to determine the associates of UAI in MSM. Among
      the 642 MSM, 184 (28.7%) reported having UAI with male partners at the last
      sexual episode. UAI was associated with the venues where MSM met other MSM, and
      having unprotected sex with female partners at last the sexual episode and in the
      past six months. In addition, UAI was significant associated with not being
      exposed to HIV interventions, including free condom, lubricant, HIV testing and
      counselling, and peer education. MSM who have UAI practice are more likely to
      have unprotected sex with female; hence, potentially bridging HIV to the general
      female population. Specific harm-reduction programmes are shown to have
      significant impacts in reducing UAI and should be scaled up among MSM in China. 

PMID- 26272245
TI  - One-step production of darunavir solid dispersion nanoparticles coated with
      enteric polymers using electrospraying.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this work was to investigate the feasibility of producing
      darunavir (DRV) solid dispersion nanoparticles coated with an enteric polymer in
      one single step using electrospraying. METHODS: The core-shell nanoparticles were
      made using coaxial electrospraying. A solution of DRV with hydroxypropyl
      methylcellulose in a mixture of organic solvents formed the core, while the shell
      was produced from an enteric polymer (Eudragit L100) dissolved in an organic
      solvent. The final particles were evaluated in terms of morphology, physical
      state, encapsulation efficiency and in-vitro dissolution. KEY FINDINGS:
      Nanoparticles of encapsulated DRV solid dispersions within Eudragit L100 were
      successfully prepared with high encapsulation efficiency (90%). The enteric
      coating layer reduced the percentage of DRV release in acidic medium in the in
      vitro dissolution test to less than 20%. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed the
      potential of coaxial electrospraying for encapsulating solid dispersions within
      core-shell structured nanoparticles.

PMID- 26272248
TI  - Rapid Identification and Quantification of Linear Olefin Isomers by Online
      Ozonolysis-Single Photon Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry.
AB  - The specific locations of the double bonds in linear olefins can facilitate
      olefin catalytic synthetic reactions to improve the quality of target olefin
      products. We developed a simple and efficient approach based on single photon
      ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SPI-TOFMS) combined with online
      ozonolysis to identify and quantify the linear olefin double bond positional
      isomers. The online ozonolysis cleaved the olefins at the double bond positions
      that led to formation of corresponding characteristic aldehydes. The aldehydes
      were then detected by SPI-TOFMS to achieve unique spectrometric "fingerprints"
      for each linear olefin to successfully identify the isomeric ones. To accurately
      quantify the isomeric components in olefin mixtures, an algorithm was proposed to
      quantify three isomeric olefin mixtures based on characteristic ion intensities
      and their equivalent ionization coefficients. The relative concentration errors
      for the olefin components were lower than 2.5% while the total analysis time was
      less than 2 min. These results demonstrate that the online ozonolysis SPI-TOFMS
      has the potential for real-time monitoring of catalytic olefin synthetic
      reactions.

PMID- 26272247
TI  - Flavivirus RNA synthesis in vitro.
AB  - Establishment of in vitro systems to study mechanisms of RNA synthesis for
      positive strand RNA viruses have been very useful in the past and have shed light
      on the composition of protein and RNA components, optimum conditions, the nature
      of the products formed, cis-acting RNA elements and trans-acting protein factors
      required for efficient synthesis. In this review, we summarize our current
      understanding regarding the requirements for flavivirus RNA synthesis in vitro.
      We describe details of reaction conditions, the specificity of template used by
      either the multi-component membrane-bound viral replicase complex or by purified,
      recombinant RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. We also discuss future perspectives to
      extend the boundaries of our knowledge.

PMID- 26272249
TI  - The SnRK2-APC/C(TE) regulatory module mediates the antagonistic action of
      gibberellic acid and abscisic acid pathways.
AB  - Abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellic acid (GA) antagonistically regulate many
      developmental processes and responses to biotic or abiotic stresses in higher
      plants. However, the molecular mechanism underlying this antagonism is still
      poorly understood. Here, we show that loss-of-function mutation in rice Tiller
      Enhancer (TE), an activator of the APC/C(TE) complex, causes hypersensitivity and
      hyposensitivity to ABA and GA, respectively. We find that TE physically interacts
      with ABA receptor OsPYL/RCARs and promotes their degradation by the proteasome.
      Genetic analysis also shows OsPYL/RCARs act downstream of TE in mediating ABA
      responses. Conversely, ABA inhibits APC/C(TE) activity by phosphorylating TE
      through activating the SNF1-related protein kinases (SnRK2s), which may interrupt
      the interaction between TE and OsPYL/RCARs and subsequently stabilize
      OsPYL/RCARs. In contrast, GA can reduce the level of SnRK2s and may promote
      APC/C(TE)-mediated degradation of OsPYL/RCARs. Thus, we propose that the SnRK2
      APC/C(TE) regulatory module represents a regulatory hub underlying the
      antagonistic action of GA and ABA in plants. 

PMID- 26272250
TI  - Flurbiprofen axetil increases arterial oxygen partial pressure by decreasing
      intrapulmonary shunt in patients undergoing one-lung ventilation.
AB  - PURPOSES: In the present study, we investigated whether flurbiprofen axetil (FA)
      alleviates hypoxemia during one-lung ventilation (OLV) by reducing the pulmonary
      shunt/total perfusion (Q s/Q t) ratio, and examined the relationship between the
      Q s/Q t ratio and the thromboxane B2 (TXB2)/6-keto-prostaglandin F1alpha (6-K
      PGF1alpha) ratio. METHODS: Sixty patients undergoing esophageal resection for
      carcinoma were randomly assigned to groups F and C (n = 30 for each group). FA
      and placebo were administered i.v. 15 min before skin incision in groups F and C,
      respectively. The partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2) was measured and the
      Q s/Q t ratio was calculated. Serum TXB2, 6-K-PGF1alpha, and endothelin (ET) were
      measured by radioimmunoassay. The relationship between TXB2/6-K-PGF1alpha and Q
      s/Q t was investigated. RESULTS: Compared with group C, PaO2 was higher and the Q
      s/Q t ratio was lower during OLV in group F (P < 0.05). After treatment with FA,
      both serum TXB2 and 6-K-PGF1alpha decreased significantly (P < 0.05) but the
      TXB2/6-K-PGF1alpha ratio increased significantly (P < 0.01). Increases in the
      TXB2/6-K-PGF1alpha ratio were correlated with reductions in the Q s/Q t ratio
      during OLV in group F (r = -0.766, P < 0.01). There was no significant difference
      in serum ET between groups F and C. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with FA reduced the Q
      s/Q t ratio and further increased the PaO2 level during OLV, possibly due to
      upregulation of the vasoactive agent TXB2/6-K-PGF1alpha ratio.

PMID- 26272252
TI  - Prospective, cross-sectional study on MSSA and MRSA colonisation in hospitalised
      children.
AB  - There is a global trend for an increase in prevalence of nasal methicillin
      resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonisation in children. A decade ago,
      MRSA colonisation was studied in Swiss paediatric hospitals and revealed an
      extraordinarily low proportion (<1 %). The primary goal of this study was to
      determine if the current proportion of nasal colonisation with MRSA in
      hospitalised children was still favourable. We aimed to screen all children from
      the age of 0-16 years admitted to the paediatric and surgical wards at the
      University Children's Hospital Basel (UKBB) during 8 pre-defined surveillance
      weeks. After obtaining consent, a nasal swab was taken and analysed for growth of
      S. aureus. Furthermore, a standardised questionnaire was completed by interview
      with a parent. Of 535 eligible children, 340 (64 %) were enrolled. Mean age was
      6.2 years (median 4.3, IQR 1 to 11.25), 111 (33 %) children were colonised with
      S. aureus but no MRSA was found. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of MRSA in children
      admitted to the UKBB during this surveillance period was zero. General MRSA
      screening in hospitalised children continues to be unjustified in our area. WHAT
      IS KNOWN: * The prevalence of nasal methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
      (MRSA) colonisation in children is increasing in many regions worldwide. *
      Surveillance for MRSA colonisation in healthcare settings varies considerably.
      WHAT IS NEW: * Periodic and risk-factor-based surveillance for MRSA colonisation
      is sufficient when regional prevalence is low.

PMID- 26272251
TI  - Effect of carbamazepine or phenytoin therapy on blood level of intravenously
      administered midazolam: a prospective cohort study.
AB  - Dental treatment of intellectually disabled patients is frequently performed
      under general anesthesia or sedation. Many of these patients have epilepsy and
      are medicated with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Carbamazepine (CBZ) and phenytoin
      (PHT) are known to promote the metabolism of midazolam, and the blood levels of
      midazolam in patients medicated with CBZ or PHT may be different from those in
      healthy individuals. In this study, we clarified the influences of CBZ and PHT on
      the blood level of intravenously administered midazolam in patients medicated
      with CBZ or PHT. The subjects were divided into the following groups: not
      medicated with AEDs (control group), medicated with only CBZ or PHT (mono CBZ/PHT
      group), and medicated with CBZ or PHT or both and other AEDs (poly CBZ/PHT
      group). General anesthesia was achieved using midazolam, propofol, and
      remifentanil, and then the blood midazolam level was measured at 10, 30, and 60
      min after intravenous midazolam administration. According to the results, the
      blood midazolam level was significantly lower in the mono and poly CBZ/PHT groups
      than in the control group. This finding suggests that intravenously administered
      midazolam may have a weaker effect in patients medicated with CBZ or PHT. 

PMID- 26272253
TI  - A bundle with a preformatted medical order sheet and an introductory course to
      reduce prescription errors in neonates.
AB  - The objective of this study was to assess whether the introduction of a new
      preformatted medical order sheet coupled with an introductory course affected
      prescription quality and the frequency of errors during the prescription stage in
      a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Two-phase observational study consisting
      of two consecutive 4-month phases: pre-intervention (phase 0) and post
      intervention (phase I) conducted in an 11-bed NICU in a Swiss university
      hospital. Interventions consisted of the introduction of a new preformatted
      medical order sheet with explicit information supplied, coupled with a staff
      introductory course on appropriate prescription and medication errors. The main
      outcomes measured were formal aspects of prescription and frequency and nature of
      prescription errors. Eighty-three and 81 patients were included in phase 0 and
      phase I, respectively. A total of 505 handwritten prescriptions in phase 0 and
      525 in phase I were analysed. The rate of prescription errors decreased
      significantly from 28.9% in phase 0 to 13.5% in phase I (p < 0.05). Compared with
      phase 0, dose errors, name confusion and errors in frequency and rate of drug
      administration decreased in phase I, from 5.4 to 2.7% (p < 0.05), 5.9 to 0.2% (p
      < 0.05), 3.6 to 0.2% (p < 0.05), and 4.7 to 2.1% (p < 0.05), respectively. The
      rate of incomplete and ambiguous prescriptions decreased from 44.2 to 25.7 and
      8.5 to 3.2% (p < 0.05), respectively. CONCLUSION: Inexpensive and simple
      interventions can improve the intelligibility of prescriptions and reduce
      medication errors. WHAT IS KNOWN: Medication errors are frequent in NICUs and
      prescription is one of the most critical steps. CPOE reduce prescription errors,
      but their implementation is not available everywhere. WHAT IS NEW: Preformatted
      medical order sheet coupled with an introductory course decrease medication
      errors in a NICU. Preformatted medical order sheet is an inexpensive and readily
      implemented alternative to CPOE.

PMID- 26272255
TI  - Routine nail clipping leads to the diagnosis of amelanotic nail unit melanoma in
      a young construction worker.

PMID- 26272254
TI  - Increased left atrial size in obese children and its association with insulin
      resistance: a pilot study.
AB  - Subclinical cardiac abnormalities represent predisposing factors for
      cardiovascular disease (CVD) in obese subjects. The aim of this study was to
      evaluate early cardiac abnormalities in obese youth and the potential association
      with insulin resistance (IR). Thirty obese (12 males (M)/18 females (F); age =
      11.5 +/- 2.4 years; body mass index (BMI)-standard deviation score (SDS) = +2.1
      +/- 0.5) and 15 normal weight (10 M/5 F; age = 12.8 +/- 3.1 years; BMI-SDS = +0.3
      +/- 0.9) children and adolescents underwent Doppler two-dimensional
      echocardiographic assessments of left atrial (LA) and ventricular (LV) geometry
      and LV diastolic function (peak early [E] and late waves, E wave deceleration
      time, myocardial flow velocities). Homeostasis model assessment of IR (HOMA-IR)
      was used as an IR index. LA size was increased in obese children, as indicated by
      higher LA diameter (4.9 +/- 0.5 vs 4.1 +/- 0.4 cm, p < 0.001), area (14.3 +/- 2.5
      vs 10.7 +/- 2.0 cm(2), p < 0.001), and volume (33.8 +/- 10.6 vs 23.7 +/- 6.4 ml,
      p = 0.003). LV mass was also increased in obese children (87.0 +/- 16.6 vs 68.8
      +/- 13.2 g, p = 0.003), who also showed subtle diastolic dysfunctions, as
      indicated by higher values of E (97.1 +/- 14.3 vs 86.2 +/- 11.9 cm/s, p = 0.02).
      All the above parameters were significantly associated with BMI-SDS (p < 0.05).
      In addition, HOMA-IR was independently associated with LA diameter, area, and
      volume (beta = 0.314, p = 0.040; beta = 0.415, p = 0.008; beta = 0.535, p =
      0.001). CONCLUSION: Obese children feature increased LA size, which emerged to be
      mainly correlated to, and possibly driven by IR, suggesting an increased CVD
      risk. WHAT IS KNOWN: Left atrial and ventricular alterations have been reported
      in obese adults, and they represent predisposing factors for cardiovascular
      disease. There is some evidence suggesting that obese children show increased
      left ventricular mass and also increased atrial size, although with conflicting
      results. WHAT IS NEW: Obese normotensive children showed a moderately increased
      atrial size, subtle alterations in left cardiac diastolic function, and
      ventricular mass. An association between insulin resistance and left cardiac
      changes was found, although its mechanism remains to be determined.

PMID- 26272257
TI  - Metabolism and function of hepatitis B virus cccDNA: Implications for the
      development of cccDNA-targeting antiviral therapeutics.
AB  - Persistent hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection relies on the stable maintenance and
      proper functioning of a nuclear episomal form of the viral genome called
      covalently closed circular (ccc) DNA. One of the major reasons for the failure of
      currently available antiviral therapeutics to achieve a cure of chronic HBV
      infection is their inability to eradicate or inactivate cccDNA. In this review
      article, we summarize our current understanding of cccDNA metabolism in
      hepatocytes and the modulation of cccDNA by host pathophysiological and
      immunological cues. Perspectives on the future investigation of cccDNA biology,
      as well as strategies and progress in therapeutic elimination and/or
      transcriptional silencing of cccDNA through rational design and phenotypic
      screenings, are also discussed. This article forms part of a symposium in
      Antiviral Research on "An unfinished story: from the discovery of the Australia
      antigen to the development of new curative therapies for hepatitis B." 

PMID- 26272258
TI  - Zinc dyshomeostasis during polymicrobial sepsis in mice involves zinc transporter
      Zip14 and can be overcome by zinc supplementation.
AB  - Integrity of the immune system is particularly dependent on the availability of
      zinc. Recent data suggest that zinc is involved in the development of sepsis, a
      life-threatening systemic inflammation with high death rates, but with limited
      therapeutic options. Altered cell zinc transport mechanisms could contribute to
      the inflammatory effects of sepsis. Zip14, a zinc importer induced by
      proinflammatory stimuli, could influence zinc metabolism during sepsis and serve
      as a target for therapy. Using cecal ligation-and-puncture (CLP) to model
      polymicrobial sepsis, we narrowed the function of ZIP14 to regulation of zinc
      homeostasis in hepatocytes, while hepatic leukocytes were mostly responsible for
      driving inflammation, as shown by higher expression of IL-1beta, TNFalpha,
      S100A8, and matrix metalloproteinase-8. Using Zip14 knockout (KO) mice as a novel
      approach, we found that ablation of Zip14 produced a delay in development of
      leukocytosis, prevented zinc accumulation in the liver, altered the kinetics of
      hypozincemia, and drastically increased serum IL-6, TNFalpha, and IL-10
      concentrations following CLP. Hence, this model revealed that the zinc
      transporter ZIP14 is a component of the pathway for zinc redistribution that
      contributes to zinc dyshomeostasis during polymicrobial sepsis. In contrast,
      using the identical CLP model, we found that supplemental dietary zinc reduced
      the severity of sepsis, as shown by amelioration of cytokines, calprotectins, and
      blood bacterial loads. We conclude that the zinc transporter ZIP14 influences
      aspects of the pathophysiology of nonlethal polymicrobial murine sepsis induced
      by CLP through zinc delivery. The results are promising for the use of zinc and
      its transporters as targets for future sepsis therapy.

PMID- 26272259
TI  - Lactobacillus acidophilus counteracts enteropathogenic E. coli-induced inhibition
      of butyrate uptake in intestinal epithelial cells.
AB  - Butyrate, a key short-chain fatty acid metabolite of colonic luminal bacterial
      action on dietary fiber, serves as a primary fuel for the colonocytes,
      ameliorates mucosal inflammation, and stimulates NaCl absorption. Absorption of
      butyrate into the colonocytes is essential for these intracellular effects.
      Monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1) plays a major role in colonic luminal
      butyrate absorption. Previous studies (Tan J, McKenzie C, Potamitis M, Thorburn
      AN, Mackay CR, Macia L. Adv Immunol 121: 91-119, 2014.) showed decreased MCT1
      expression and function in intestinal inflammation. We have previously shown
      (Borthakur A, Gill RK, Hodges K, Ramaswamy K, Hecht G, Dudeja PK. Am J Physiol
      Gastrointest Liver Physiol 290: G30-G35, 2006.) impaired butyrate absorption in
      human intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells due to decreased MCT1 level at the
      apical cell surface following enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) infection. Current
      studies, therefore, examined the potential role of probiotic Lactobacilli in
      stimulating MCT1-mediated butyrate uptake and counteracting EPEC inhibition of
      MCT1 function. Of the five species of Lactobacilli, short-term (3 h) treatment
      with L. acidophilus (LA) significantly increased MCT1-mediated butyrate uptake in
      Caco-2 cells. Heat-killed LA was ineffective, whereas the conditioned culture
      supernatant of LA (LA-CS) was equally effective in stimulating MCT1 function,
      indicating that the effects are mediated by LA-secreted soluble factor(s).
      Furthermore, LA-CS increased apical membrane levels of MCT1 protein via
      decreasing its basal endocytosis, suggesting that LA-CS stimulation of butyrate
      uptake could be secondary to increased levels of MCT1 on the apical cell surface.
      LA-CS also attenuated EPEC inhibition of butyrate uptake and EPEC-mediated
      endocytosis of MCT1. Our studies highlight distinct role of specific LA-secreted
      molecules in modulating colonic butyrate absorption. 

PMID- 26272260
TI  - Effects of birth asphyxia on the modulation of pharyngeal provocation-induced
      adaptive reflexes.
AB  - Perinatal asphyxia and aerodigestive symptoms are troublesome. We tested the
      hypothesis that pharyngeal provocation alters proximal and distal aerodigestive
      reflex coordination and kinetics in infants with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy
      (HIE), compared with healthy controls. Specifically, we characterized the sensory
      motor properties of pharyngeal provocation-induced effects on upper esophageal
      sphincter (UES) and lower esophageal sphincter (LES) reflexes. Ten orally fed
      controls (32.0 +/- 1.5 wk gestation) and 25 infants with HIE (38.1 +/- 0.4 wk
      gestation) were evaluated at 39.7 +/- 0.9 and 41.9 +/- 0.6 wk postmenstrual age
      respectively. Pharyngo-esophageal reflexes evoked upon graded water stimuli were
      tested using water-perfusion micromanometry methods. Analysis included sensory
      motor characteristics of pharyngeal reflexive swallow (PRS), pharyngo-UES
      contractile reflex (PUCR), esophageal body-waveform kinetics, and pharyngo-LES
      relaxation reflex (PLESRR). For controls vs. infants with HIE, median appearance,
      pulse, grimace, activity, respiration (APGAR) scores were 6 vs. 1 at 1 min (P <
      0.001) and 8 vs. 3 at 5 min (P < 0.001). Upon pharyngeal- stimulation, HIE
      infants (vs. controls) had frequent PUCR (P = 0.01); increased UES basal tone (P
      = 0.03); decreased LES basal tone (P = 0.002); increased pharyngeal-waveforms per
      stimulus (P = 0.03); decreased frequency of LES relaxation (P = 0.003); and
      decreased proximal esophageal contractile amplitude (P = 0.002), with prolonged
      proximal esophageal contractile duration (P = 0.008). Increased tonicity and
      reactivity of the UES and dysregulation of LES may provide the pathophysiological
      basis for pooling of secretions, improper bolus clearance, and aspiration risk.
      Deficits in function at the nuclear or supranuclear level involving
      glossopharyngeal and vagal neural networks and respiratory regulatory pathways
      involved with aerodigestive protection may be contributory. 

PMID- 26272261
TI  - Imaging approach to measuring small bowel motility.

PMID- 26272262
TI  - Methods for Dissecting Motivation and Related Psychological Processes in Rodents.
AB  - Motivational impairments are increasingly recognized as being critical to
      functional deficits and decreased quality of life in patients diagnosed with
      psychiatric disease. Accordingly, much preclinical research has focused on
      identifying psychological and neurobiological processes which underlie motivation
      . Inferring motivation from changes in overt behavioural responding in animal
      models, however, is complicated, and care must be taken to ensure that the
      observed change is accurately characterized as a change in motivation , and not
      due to some other, task-related process. This chapter discusses current methods
      for assessing motivation and related psychological processes in rodents. Using an
      example from work characterizing the motivational impairments in an animal model
      of the negative symptoms of schizophrenia, we highlight the importance of careful
      and rigorous experimental dissection of motivation and the related psychological
      processes when characterizing motivational deficits in rodent models . We suggest
      that such work is critical to the successful translation of preclinical findings
      to therapeutic benefits for patients. 

PMID- 26272263
TI  - Polymorphism in apoptotic BAX (-248G>A) gene but not in anti-apoptotic BCL2 (
      938C>A) gene and its protein and mRNA expression are associated with cervical
      intraepithelial neoplasia.
AB  - HPV is associated with cervical cancer and plays a crucial role in tumor
      formation. Apoptosis is regulated by different pathways involving genes that
      either promote (BCL2 gene) or inhibit (BAX gene) cell death. Our goal was to
      determine whether the BCL2-938C>A (rs2279115) and BAX-248G>A (rs4645878) single
      nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are associated with squamous intraepithelial
      neoplasia (SIL) risk, and whether their phenotypic expression was impaired in
      these lesions. Two hundred and thirty-one cases showing SIL were classified as
      low SIL (LSIL, n = 101) or high SIL (HSIL, n = 130), and control subjects (n =
      266) with no gynecologically proven SIL were recruited. No statistical difference
      in the genotype and allelic frequency of the BCL-2-938C>A polymorphism was
      observed among the groups. BCL2-938C/A and A/A homozygotes carriers had higher
      distribution of BCL-2-expressing cells in stroma in the SIL group. BCL2 mRNA
      expression was not correlated with BCL2-938C>A SNPs in both groups. We did find a
      strong association of the BAX GG genotype and risk for SIL. No difference was
      observed between LSIL and HSIL groups. In BAX-248G/A and A/A homozygote carriers,
      the number of BAX-expressing cells was lower the epithelium area in SIL. However,
      mRNA expression was higher in SIL patients than in the control group. In
      conclusion, our data provide evidence that allele G carriers in the BAX-248G>A
      promoter SNP may influence the development of SIL. However, this genotype does
      not influence the SIL outcome. Additionally, we suggest a possible role of HPV
      infection in the inhibition of the expression of BAX protein, decreasing cell
      death, and favoring cervical carcinogenesis. 

PMID- 26272264
TI  - Stabilisation of Fe2O3-rich Perovskite Nanophase in Epitaxial Rare-earth Doped
      BiFeO3 Films.
AB  - Researchers have demonstrated that BiFeO3 exhibits ferroelectric hysteresis but
      none have shown a strong ferromagnetic response in either bulk or thin film
      without significant structural or compositional modification. When remanent
      magnetisations are observed in BiFeO3 based thin films, iron oxide second phases
      are often detected. Using aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron
      microscopy, atomic resolution electron energy loss spectrum-mapping and
      quantitative energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis, we reveal the
      existence of a new Fe2O3-rich perovskite nanophase, with an approximate formula
      (Fe0.6Bi0.25Nd0.15)(3+) Fe(3+)O3, formed within epitaxial Ti and Nd doped BiFeO3
      perovskite films grown by pulsed laser deposition. The incorporation of Nd and Bi
      ions on the A-site and coherent growth with the matrix stabilise the Fe2O3-rich
      perovskite phase and preliminary density functional theory calculations suggest
      that it should have a ferrimagnetic response. Perovskite-structured Fe2O3 has
      been reported previously but never conclusively proven when fabricated at high
      pressure high-temperature. This work suggests the incorporation of large A-site
      species may help stabilise perovskite-structured Fe2O3. This finding is therefore
      significant not only to the thin film but also to the high-pressure community. 

PMID- 26272266
TI  - Effects of green tea (Camellia sinensis) mouthwash containing 1% tannin on dental
      plaque and chronic gingivitis: a double-blinded, randomized, controlled trial.
AB  - AIM: The aim of the present study was to explore the effects of Iranian green tea
      mouthwash containing 1% tannin on dental plaque and chronic gingivitis. METHODS:
      In this randomized, double-blinded, parallel, controlled clinical trial, 40
      volunteer dental students with a gingival index >=1 were enrolled. At baseline,
      gingival, plaque, and bleeding indices were recorded and all the participants
      received dental polishing. Based on random allocation, 20 participants used the
      test and 20 used chlorhexidine mouthwash with no change in regular toothbrushing
      methods. The participants were asked to use 15 mL of the respective mouthwash for
      1 min, twice a day for 28 days. All indices, as well as stain index, were
      recorded after 1 and 4 weeks post-rinsing. Data were analyzed using repeated
      measures ANOVA and Bonferroni tests. RESULTS: Significant in-group differences,
      but not between-group differences, were observed in all indices after 1 and 4
      weeks compared to baseline. The test mouthwash resulted in significantly less
      tooth staining than the control. CONCLUSION: The 1% tannin green tea mouthwash
      could be a safe and feasible adjunct to mechanical plaque control. The tested
      green tea mouthwash could be considered a good alternative for chlorhexidine in
      contraindicating situations.

PMID- 26272265
TI  - Assessment of executive functioning in children and young adults treated for
      frontal lobe tumours using ecologically valid tests.
AB  - There is a lack of studies assessing executive functions (EF) using ecologically
      valid tests in children with frontal lobe lesions. This study aimed to (1)
      evaluate EF in children, adolescents and young adults treated for childhood
      frontal lobe tumours, (2) identify factors influencing performance, such as age
      at diagnosis or type of treatment, and (3) examine correlations between
      intellectual ability and classical and ecological tests of EF. Twenty-one
      patients, aged 8-27 years, treated for a childhood benign or malignant frontal
      lobe tumour, and 42 healthy controls (matched for gender, age and socio-economic
      status) were assessed using classical tests of EF, and the BADS-C ecological
      battery. Patients also underwent assessment of intellectual ability and parent
      and teacher ratings of the BRIEF questionnaire. IQ scores ranged from 45 to 125
      (mean FSIQ = 84) and were lower in case of epilepsy, hydrocephalus and lower
      parental education. Patients displayed deficits in most, but not all measures of
      EF. Most classical and ecological measures of EF were strongly correlated to IQ.
      This study confirms the frequency of EF deficits in this population; it also
      highlights the utility of ecological measures of EF and some limitations of
      classical tests of EF in children. 

PMID- 26272268
TI  - Synthesis of ([(11)C]carbonyl)raclopride and a comparison with
      ([(11)C]methyl)raclopride in a monkey PET study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The selective dopamine D2 receptor antagonist raclopride is usually
      labeled with carbon-11 using [(11)C]methyl iodide or [(11)C]methyl triflate for
      use in the quantification of dopamine D2 receptors in human brain. The aim of
      this work was to label raclopride at the carbonyl position using [(11)C]carbon
      monoxide chemistry and to compare ([(11)C]carbonyl)raclopride with
      ([(11)C]methyl)raclopride in non-human primate (NHP) using PET with regard to
      quantitative outcome measurement, metabolism of the labeled tracers and protein
      binding. METHODS: Palladium-mediated carbonylation using [(11)C]carbon monoxide,
      4,6-dichloro-2-iodo-3-methoxyphenol and (S)-(-)-2-aminomethyl-1-ethylpyrrolidine
      was applied in the synthesis of ([(11)C]carbonyl)raclopride. The reaction was
      performed at atmospheric pressure using xantphos as supporting phosphine ligand
      and palladium (pi-cinnamyl) chloride dimer as the palladium source.
      ([(11)C]Methyl)raclopride was prepared by a previously published method. In the
      PET study, two female cynomolgus monkeys were used under gas anesthesia of
      sevoflurane. A dynamic PET measurement was performed for 63 min with an HRRT PET
      camera after intravenous injection of ([(11)C]carbonyl)raclopride and
      ([(11)C]methyl)raclopride, respectively, during the same day. The order of
      injection of the two PET radioligands was changed between the two monkeys. The
      venous blood sample for measurement of protein binding was taken 3 min prior to
      the PET scan. Binding potential (BPND) of the putamen and caudate was calculated
      with SRTM using the cerebellum as a reference region. RESULTS: The target
      compound ([(11)C]carbonyl)raclopride was obtained with 50 +/- 5% decay corrected
      radiochemical yield and 95% radiochemical purity. The trapping efficiency (TE) of
      [(11)C]carbon monoxide was 65 +/- 5% and the specific radioactivity of the final
      product was 34 +/- 1 GBq/MUmol after a 50 min of synthesis time. The
      radiochemical yield of ([(11)C]methyl)raclopride was in the same range as
      published previously i. e. 50-60% and specific radioactivity of those two batches
      which were used in the present PET study were 192 GBq/MUmol and 638 GBq/MUmol
      respectively after a synthesis time of 32 min. In monkey PET studies, the
      percentage difference of BPND in putamen was <3% and that in caudate was <9% for
      the two radioligands. The plasma protein binding was 86.2 +/- 0.3% and 85.7 +/-
      0.6% for ([(11)C]carbonyl)raclopride and ([(11)C]methyl)raclopride, respectively.
      The radiometabolite pattern was similar for both radioligands. CONCLUSION:
      Raclopride was (11)C-labeled at the carbonyl position using a palladium-mediated
      [(11)C]carbonylation reaction. A comparison between ([(11)C]carbonyl)raclopride
      and ([(11)C]methyl)raclopride with regard to quantitative PET outcome
      measurements, metabolism of radioligands and protein binding in monkey was
      performed. The monkey PET study with ([(11)C]carbonyl)raclopride showed similar
      results as for ([(11)C]methyl)raclopride. The PET studies were performed on 2
      subjects.

PMID- 26272267
TI  - The Impact of Social Media on Dissemination and Implementation of Clinical
      Practice Guidelines: A Longitudinal Observational Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) are statements
      that provide recommendations to optimize patient care for a specific clinical
      problem or question. Merely reading a guideline rarely leads to implementation of
      recommendations. The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) has a formal process of
      guideline development and dissemination. The last few years have seen a
      burgeoning of social media such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and newer
      methods of dissemination such as podcasts and webinars. The role of these media
      in guideline dissemination has not been studied. Systematic evaluation of
      dissemination methods and comparison of the effectiveness of newer methods with
      traditional methods is not available. It is also not known whether specific
      dissemination methods may be more effectively targeted to specific audiences.
      OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to (1) develop an innovative dissemination strategy by
      adding social media-based dissemination methods to traditional methods for the
      AAN clinical practice guidelines "Complementary and alternative medicine in
      multiple sclerosis" ("CAM in MS") and (2) evaluate whether the addition of social
      media outreach improves awareness of the CPG and knowledge of CPG
      recommendations, and affects implementation of those recommendations. METHODS:
      Outcomes were measured by four surveys in each of the two target populations:
      patients and physicians/clinicians ("physicians"). The primary outcome was the
      difference in participants' intent to discuss use of complementary and
      alternative medicine (CAM) with their physicians or patients, respectively, after
      novel dissemination, as compared with that after traditional dissemination.
      Secondary outcomes were changes in awareness of the CPG, knowledge of CPG
      content, and behavior regarding CAM use in multiple sclerosis (MS). RESULTS:
      Response rates were 25.08% (622/2480) for physicians and 43.5% (348/800) for
      patients. Awareness of the CPG increased after traditional dissemination
      (absolute difference, 95% confidence interval: physicians 36%, 95% CI 25-46, and
      patients 10%, 95% CI 1-11) but did not increase further after novel dissemination
      (physicians 0%, 95% CI -11 to 11, and patients -4%, 95% CI -6 to 14). Intent to
      discuss CAM also increased after traditional dissemination but did not change
      after novel dissemination (traditional: physicians 12%, 95% CI 2-22, and patients
      19%, 95% CI 3-33; novel: physicians 11%, 95% CI -1 to -21, and patients -8%, 95%
      CI -22 to 8). Knowledge of CPG recommendations and behavior regarding CAM use in
      MS did not change after either traditional dissemination or novel dissemination.
      CONCLUSIONS: Social media-based dissemination methods did not confer additional
      benefit over print-, email-, and Internet-based methods in increasing CPG
      awareness and changing intent in physicians or patients. Research on audience
      selection, message formatting, and message delivery is required to utilize Web
      2.0 technologies optimally for dissemination.

PMID- 26272269
TI  - Relationship between Insulin-Resistance Processing Speed and Specific Executive
      Function Profiles in Neurologically Intact Older Adults.
AB  - This study investigated the relationship between insulin-resistance and
      constituent components of executive function in a sample of neurologically intact
      older adult subjects using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) and latent
      factors of working memory, cognitive control and processing speed derived from
      confirmatory factor analysis. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), mean arterial
      pressure (MAP), along with body mass index (BMI) and white matter hypointensity
      (WMH) were used to control for vascular risk factors, adiposity and
      cerebrovascular injury. The study included 119 elderly subjects recruited from
      the University of California, San Francisco Memory and Aging Center. Subjects
      underwent neuropsychological assessment, fasting blood draw and brain magnetic
      resonance imaging (MRI). Partial correlations and linear regression models were
      used to examine the HOMA-IR-executive function relationship. Pearson correlation
      adjusting for age showed a significant relationship between HOMA-IR and working
      memory (rp = -.18; p = .047), a trend with cognitive control (rp = -.17; p =
      .068), and no relationship with processing speed (rp = .013; p = .892). Linear
      regression models adjusting for demographic factors (age, education, and gender),
      LDL, MAP, BMI, and WMH indicated that HOMA-IR was negatively associated with
      cognitive control (r = -.256; p = .026) and working memory (r = -.234; p = .054).
      These results suggest a greater level of peripheral insulin-resistance is
      associated with decreased cognitive control and working memory. After controlling
      for demographic factors, vascular risk, adiposity and cerebrovascular injury,
      HOMA-IR remained significantly associated with cognitive control, with working
      memory showing a trend. These findings substantiate the insulin-resistance
      executive function hypothesis and suggest a complex interaction, demonstrated by
      the differential impact of insulin-resistance on processing speed and specific
      aspects of executive function.

PMID- 26272270
TI  - N-acetyl-D-glucosamine kinase interacts with dynein light-chain roadblock type 1
      at Golgi outposts in neuronal dendritic branch points.
AB  - N-acetylglucosamine kinase (GlcNAc kinase or NAGK) is a ubiquitously expressed
      enzyme in mammalian cells. Recent studies have shown that NAGK has an essential
      structural, non-enzymatic role in the upregulation of dendritogenesis. In this
      study, we conducted yeast two-hybrid screening to search for NAGK-binding
      proteins and found a specific interaction between NAGK and dynein light-chain
      roadblock type 1 (DYNLRB1). Immunocytochemistry (ICC) on hippocampal neurons
      using antibodies against NAGK and DYNLRB1 or dynein heavy chain showed some
      colocalization, which was increased by treating the live cells with a
      crosslinker. A proximity ligation assay (PLA) of NAGK-dynein followed by tubulin
      ICC showed the localization of PLA signals on microtubule fibers at dendritic
      branch points. NAGK-dynein PLA combined with Golgi ICC showed the colocalization
      of PLA signals with somal Golgi facing the apical dendrite and with Golgi
      outposts in dendritic branch points and distensions. NAGK-Golgi PLA followed by
      tubulin or DYNLRB1 ICC showed that PLA signals colocalize with DYNLRB1 at
      dendritic branch points and at somal Golgi, indicating a tripartite interaction
      between NAGK, dynein and Golgi. Finally, the ectopic introduction of a small
      peptide derived from the C-terminal amino acids 74-96 of DYNLRB1 resulted in the
      stunting of hippocampal neuron dendrites in culture. Our data indicate that the
      NAGK-dynein-Golgi tripartite interaction at dendritic branch points functions to
      regulate dendritic growth and/or branching. 

PMID- 26272271
TI  - The Osborn wave: what have we learned?
AB  - The Osborn wave is a deflection with a dome-shaped configuration at the R-ST
      junction of the electrocardiogram. It is mainly encountered in hypothermic states
      but is also recognized in other nonhypothermic conditions. It has important
      prognostic implications that warrant its recognition by various health-care
      providers. Most important is its arrhythmogenic potential especially when
      observed in patients with myocardial ischemia where it was found to be a
      precursor of malignant ventricular arrhythmias. Herein, we provide a
      comprehensive review of the history, causes, electrocardiographic and
      electrophysiologic characteristics, as well as diagnostic and prognostic
      significance of the Osborn wave. 

PMID- 26272274
TI  - Do Genes Matter in Treating Eye Disease?

PMID- 26272273
TI  - Effects of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors on mortality,
      hospitalization, and diastolic function in patients with HFpEF. A meta-analysis
      of 13 randomized controlled trials.
AB  - AIM: The purpose of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the effects of renin
      angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitors on mortality, hospitalization,
      diastolic function, and exercise capacity in heart failure with preserved
      ejection fraction (HFpEF). METHODS: Thirteen randomized controlled trials (RCTs),
      totaling 12,532 patients with HFpEF, were selected. All-cause and cardiovascular
      mortality, all-cause and heart failure-related hospitalization, diastolic
      function, and the 6-min walk distance were assessed. The risk ratios (RR) of the
      dichotomous data, weighted mean difference (WMD) of continuous data, and 95 %
      confidence intervals (CI) were calculated to assess the effects of RAAS
      inhibitors. RESULTS: RAAS inhibitors significantly decreased heart failure
      related hospitalization (RR 0.89; 95 % CI 0.82-0.97; p = 0.01) and improved the
      diastolic function, as reflected in a reduced E/e' index (MD -1.38; 95 % CI -2.01
      to -0.74; p < 0.0001). However, there were no beneficial effects on all-cause
      cardiovascular mortality and all-cause hospitalization. Other diastolic
      parameters had few changes compared with the controls. The 6-min walk distance
      was not improved by the use of RAAS inhibitors. CONCLUSION: In patients with
      HFpEF, RAAS inhibitors decreased heart-failure hospitalization and the E/e' index
      without affecting mortality, all-cause hospitalization, other diastolic function
      parameters, and the 6-min walk distance.

PMID- 26272272
TI  - [Progression and regression of atherosclerotic plaques. New results based on
      intracoronary ultrasound].
AB  - Intravascular ultrasound has been established as the gold standard for analyzing
      alterations in coronary artery atherosclerosis during monitoring investigations.
      Cross-sectional imaging can be used to visualize the area of the lumen and the
      vessel size and the plaque size as the difference between them. New technology
      allows the 3-D reconstruction of the volume for prespecified vessel segments
      using specific algorithms. Investigations on the natural course demonstrated
      predominantly progression. Even regression of coronary atherosclerosis can be
      visualized and quantified. Regression can only be expected when the level of low
      density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is below the critical level of 75 mg/dl.
      Prospective randomized studies with highly effective statins showed that
      regression occurred in up to two thirds of patients when LDL cholesterol was
      below a cut-off of 78 mg/dl and was, therefore, very close to the threshold,
      which was calculated based on investigations of the natural course. Although the
      absolute values for plaque volume are in the range of 1 % over 1-2 years, it must
      be taken into consideration that coronary artery diseases are chronic diseases
      and a 1 % change per year will correspond to an enormous effect on plaque growth
      of coronary vessels. The great success of statins in reducing cardiovascular
      events is due to the possibility for reduction of progression and induction of
      regression. New developments in medication will be measured against the
      effectiveness of statins.

PMID- 26272275
TI  - Epstein-Barr virus infection is strictly associated with the metastatic spread of
      sinonasal squamous-cell carcinomas.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sinonasal squamous-cell carcinomas (SNSCC) are relatively rare. Thus,
      data regarding the rate of lymph node metastases are inconsistent in contrast
      with well-known high metastasis rates in squamous-cell carcinomas of the head and
      neck (HNSCC) (oral cavity, pharynx and larynx). Hence, the indication for
      elective neck dissection is difficult in SNSCC. The aim of this study was to
      assess common genetic alterations and EBV and HPV status as a function of
      metastasis in SNSCC and HNSCC. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 44 SNSCC and
      65 HNSCC for TP53, EGFR, KRAS, PIK3CA and BRAF mutations using a high-resolution
      melting analysis followed by Sanger sequencing. EBV and HPV detection was
      performed using in situ hybridization for virus encoded RNA. Tumor-associated
      p16(INK4a) expression was visualized by immunohistochemistry and correlated with
      HPV infection. The mutation data, EBV and HPV status were statistically compared
      with the clinical data in SNSCC and HNSCC. RESULTS: TP53 mutations were
      exclusively associated with shorter survival in SNSCC (p=0.048). All the other
      markers had no effect on the metastasis rate and survival. In total, 20 of 44
      SNSCC were EBV-positive. Only these EBV positive tumors developed lymph node or
      distant metastases (p=0.008). LMP1 was positive in 14/44 patients. When combining
      both methods significance for a correlation between EBV/LMP1 positive patients
      and metastases was even higher (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: In SNSCC, the presence of
      EBV is strictly associated with metastasis. We recommend an elective neck
      dissection in patients with EBV-positive SNSCC.

PMID- 26272276
TI  - Assessing the needs of siblings of persons with schizophrenia: A qualitative
      study from India.
AB  - There is a lack of studies on siblings of persons with schizophrenia (SOPS) in
      Asia. This study aims to explore the needs of SOPS in India. 15 SOPS participated
      in this qualitative explorative study. All the interviews were audio recorded and
      later transcribed. Data analysis was carried out using General Inductive
      Approach. Five themes emerged from the data: managing illness or socio
      occupational functioning; follow up services; informational needs; personal
      needs; and miscellaneous needs. SOPS in India have some distinctive needs.
      Identifying these needs might help in developing and designing specific
      psychosocial interventions for better management. 

PMID- 26272277
TI  - Does metal pollution matter with C retention by rice soil?
AB  - Soil respiration, resulting in decomposition of soil organic carbon (SOC), emits
      CO2 to the atmosphere and increases under climate warming. However, the impact of
      heavy metal pollution on soil respiration in croplands is not well understood.
      Here we show significantly increased soil respiration and efflux of both CO2 and
      CH4 with a concomitant reduction in SOC storage from a metal polluted rice soil
      in China. This change is linked to a decline in soil aggregation, in microbial
      abundance and in fungal dominance. The carbon release is presumably driven by
      changes in carbon cycling occurring in the stressed soil microbial community with
      heavy metal pollution in the soil. The pollution-induced increase in soil
      respiration and loss of SOC storage will likely counteract efforts to increase
      SOC sequestration in rice paddies for climate change mitigation. 

PMID- 26272279
TI  - Most cases of cow's milk allergy are able to ingest a partially hydrolyzed
      formula.

PMID- 26272278
TI  - Quality of life and nutritional consequences after aboral pouch reconstruction
      following total gastrectomy for gastric cancer: randomized controlled trial
      CCG1101.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Total gastrectomy has detrimental effects on postoperative
      nutritional status and quality of life (QOL), but it is often unavoidable in the
      treatment of gastric cancer. Roux-en-Y (RY) is the most common reconstruction
      method following total gastrectomy. Trials to explore other means of
      reconstruction have been conducted but have failed to identify a method that is
      globally accepted. METHODS: Aboral pouch reconstruction (AP), in which an
      anisoperistaltic jejunal pouch is created in the Y limb of the RY reconstruction,
      is considered effective and technically feasible. A prospective randomized trial
      was conducted to compare AP with RY. Gastric cancer patients requiring total
      gastrectomy for R0 resection were randomly assigned during surgery to receive
      either RY (n = 51) or AP (n = 49). Postoperative QOL as assessed by the EORTC QLQ
      C30 and STO22, body composition, and morbidity were compared between the two
      reconstruction methods. The physical functioning score of the QLQ-C30 was
      selected as the primary endpoint. RESULTS: The incidences of postoperative
      complications were similar between the two groups (29 % in the RY group and 27 %
      in the AP group). No significant difference was observed in the physical
      functioning score, and the superiority of AP was demonstrated only for the nausea
      and vomiting score at 12 months (p = 0.041) and the reflux score at 1 month (p =
      0.036). No significant differences were observed in body composition or serum
      biochemistry. CONCLUSIONS: Although AP was safely implemented, no increased
      benefits in nutritional or QOL-related parameters were observed for this method
      over RY within 12 months postoperatively.

PMID- 26272280
TI  - Relationship between in utero C-reactive protein levels and asthma in at-risk
      children.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Asthma research has focused on postnatal exposures, but there is
      recent evidence to indicate atopic immune responses might be initiated in utero.
      Systemic inflammation during pregnancy might indicate an environment that could
      increase propensity in the child to develop allergic disease. OBJECTIVE: To
      investigate the association of systemic inflammation, as measured by C-reactive
      protein (CRP) levels, with asthma and wheezing in offspring within an at-risk,
      mostly Mexican, cohort. METHODS: Using data from a randomized education
      intervention of families at risk for asthma from 1998 followed through 2009 in
      urban Chicago, asthma was defined as ever having a physician diagnosis of asthma
      by 3 years of age and wheezing before the third year. Logistic regression models
      controlling for confounders investigated the effect of prenatal CRP levels on
      these outcomes. RESULTS: There were 244 mother-child pairs included in the study
      analysis with median prenatal CRP levels of 4.9 mg/L (interquartile range 3.2
      7.7). Continuous prenatal CRP levels were predictive of asthma by year 3
      (relative risk 2.4, 95% confidence interval 1.3, 3.6) and wheezing in year 3
      (relative risk 1.7, 95% confidence interval 1.1, 2.4) after adjustment.
      Associations remained significant in mothers who were of Mexican ethnicity and
      were nonsmokers, suggesting that effects might be stronger in children at lower
      risk of disease. CONCLUSION: Prenatal CRP levels are associated with asthma by
      year 3 and wheezing in year 3 within a high-risk, urban, mostly Mexican, cohort.
      Maternal systemic inflammation might reflect a prenatal environment that could
      increase offspring susceptibility to develop wheezing and asthma young in life.

PMID- 26272282
TI  - Analysis of septic biomarker patterns: prognostic value in predicting septic
      state.
AB  - Patients with infection, sepsis, severe sepsis, or septic shock were compared to
      each other and to healthy controls with regard to serum levels of biomarkers and
      clinical symptoms. Of the 15 biomarkers assayed, 9 were detectable in patients,
      and 4, in controls. Both proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines were
      detected in the patients. No single biomarker could differentiate the 3 septic
      levels of severity from each other; however, interleukin (IL) 1 receptor
      antagonist (IL-1ra) had the best sensitivity and specificity for differentiating
      sepsis and severe sepsis from septic shock. IL-6 was the only cytokine able to
      differentiate infected patients without signs of sepsis from those with sepsis.
      Although IL-1ra, IL-6, IL-8, and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 could
      differentiate infection, sepsis, and severe sepsis from septic shock, the
      biomarkers could not differentiate sepsis from severe sepsis. The top scoring
      pair algorithm with clinical and biomarker analyses was able to correctly
      diagnose those with sepsis who will progress to a more severe state. 

PMID- 26272281
TI  - Efficacy and safety of a novel nasal steroid, S0597, in patients with seasonal
      allergic rhinitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis (AR) poses a significant global burden with
      increasing prevalence. Although intranasal glucocorticosteroids are effective,
      older agents can have limiting side effects. S0597, a novel intranasal
      glucocorticosteroid, has demonstrated good safety and tolerability during
      preclinical and phase 1 studies. OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical efficacy,
      safety, and tolerability of different doses of S0597 nasal spray vs placebo in
      patients with seasonal AR. METHODS: This phase 2, randomized, double-blinded,
      placebo-controlled, parallel-group, single-center study randomized 159 patients
      18 to 65 years old (mean age 37.8 years) with a positive skin prick test reaction
      for Dactylis glomerata to receive S0597 at 200, 400, or 800 MUg/d or placebo for
      15 days. On days 1 (baseline), 15, and 16, patients underwent a 4-hour pollen
      challenge to evaluate treatment efficacy measured by the change in total nasal
      symptom score (TNSS) from baseline to days 15 and 16 and changes in TNSS
      subscales and nasal secretion. RESULTS: Statistically significant improvements in
      TNSS from baseline to days 15 and 16 were observed with all S0597 doses vs
      placebo (P = .0005 overall), with the greatest improvements observed in the
      highest-dose group (P < .0001). Significant decreases were observed in each S0597
      dose group vs placebo for TNSS subscales and nasal secretion. Improvements in
      nasal secretion were related to dose, with the greatest decreases from baseline
      in the 800-MUg/d group on days 15 and 16 (P < .0001). CONCLUSION: Treatment with
      S0597 at 200, 400, and 800 MUg/d by 2 divided doses for 2 weeks was safe and
      significantly more effective than placebo for improving nasal symptoms associated
      with grass pollen-induced seasonal AR in adults. TRIAL REGISTRATION:
      ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT01614691.

PMID- 26272283
TI  - The synergy of berberine chloride and totarol against Staphylococcus aureus grown
      in planktonic and biofilm cultures.
AB  - Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is commonly associated with hospital-acquired
      infections and is known to form biofilms. Bacteria inside biofilms display an
      increased resistance to chemotherapeutics and host immune defences. Efficient
      antibiotics or combination therapy are urgently needed to treat patients with
      biofilm-associated MRSA infections. The objective of the current study was to
      evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial activities of totarol alone or in combination
      with berberine chloride (BBR) against S. aureus grown in planktonic and biofilm
      cultures. The synergistic antimicrobial effects between BBR and totarol were
      observed in all tested strains grown in biofilms using a chequerboard
      microdilution method, with the fractional inhibitory concentration index values
      ranging from 0.125 to 0.375. No antagonistic activity was observed in any of the
      strains tested in suspension or biofilm cultures. The synergistic activity
      against S. aureus biofilms was also corroborated by confocal laser scanning
      microscopy and adhesion assays. Moreover, the present study demonstrated that
      combination BBR and totarol treatment effectively decreased the formation of S.
      aureus biofilms by affecting extracellular genomic DNA release and polysaccharide
      intercellular adhesin expression. Subsequently, real-time reverse transcriptase
      PCR analysis revealed that the combination of BBR and totarol effectively
      inhibited the transcription of the biofilm-related genes sarA, cidA and icaA.
      These results suggest that the combination of totarol and BBR is momentous for
      the further development of a therapy protocol against S. aureus biofilms. 

PMID- 26272284
TI  - Association between cigarette smoking and Parkinson's disease: A meta-analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association of Parkinson's disease (PD) with smoking,
      and determine whether gender, source of controls, dose of smoking, and year of
      studies modify the observed effects of smoking on PD. METHODS: Available
      publications between 1959 and 2014 from PubMed, ScienceDirect, Springer Link and
      Web of Science databases were searched and carefully selected. Relative risks RR
      of specific study were weighted to obtain a pooled RR estimate and its 95%
      confidence interval CI. RESULTS: 61 case-control and 8 cohort studies were
      included. The pooled RR of PD was 0.59 (95% CI, 0.56-0.62) for ever smokers
      compared with never smokers. The stratified analyses indicated a somewhat greater
      impact of smoking on PD risk in cohort studies than in case-control studies, the
      protective effect was relatively significant in men more than in women and the
      inverse effect was slightly greater in hospital-based studies than in population
      based studies. Furthermore, a significant inverse dose-response relationship was
      observed for the number of pack-years smoked. The summary RR for those smoking
      more than 30 pack-years was 0.66 (95% CI, 0.49-0.88), and 0.39 (95% CI, 0.29
      0.53) for those smoking less than 30 pack-years. CONCLUSION: The results
      demonstrated the inverse association between cigarette smoking and the risk of
      PD. We suggest that effective drugs for PD might be developed using chemical
      substances derived from tobacco or tobacco smoke.

PMID- 26272285
TI  - Major adverse cardiac events in elderly patients with coronary artery disease
      undergoing noncardiac surgery: A multicenter prospective study in China.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) are important causes of
      perioperative morbidity and mortality for elderly patients undergoing non-cardiac
      surgery. Treatment and control rates for coronary artery disease (CAD) in Chinese
      patients are poorer than rates in western countries. However, no previous
      prospective study has focused on perioperative MACE in this population. Our aim
      was to ascertain the incidence and risk factors associated with MACEs in Chinese
      patients. METHODS: Consecutive CAD patients, aged >=60 years, who underwent non
      cardiac surgery at five medical centers in China, were prospectively enrolled.
      Clinical variables, including electrocardiogram and troponin I levels, were
      evaluated to estimate MACEs. The main outcome was occurrence of at least one
      perioperative MACE from admittance to 30 days after surgery, defined as any of
      the following complications: cardiac death, nonfatal cardiac arrest, acute
      myocardial infarction (MI), congestive heart failure (CHF), and angina. MACE
      independent risk factors were based on the Andersen-Gill multiplicative intensity
      model. RESULTS: Of the 1422 patients recruited, 129 (9.1%) developed at least one
      MACE, and cardiac death occurred in 11 patients (0.8%). The independent risk
      factors contributing to postoperative MACE included age >=75 years, female
      gender, history of MI, history of hypertension, high-risk surgery, intraoperative
      hypotension, and intraoperative hypoxemia. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of MACE in
      Chinese elderly patients with CAD who underwent non-cardiac surgery was 9.1%.
      Seven independent risk factors for a perioperative MACE were identified.
      Preventing intraoperative hypoxemia and hypotension may reduce the occurrence of
      MACE in these high risk patients.

PMID- 26272286
TI  - Frailty syndrome and pre-operative risk evaluation: A systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Frailty is a geriatric syndrome characterized by the clinical
      presentation of identifiable physical alterations and decreased physiological
      reserve. The assessment of frailty syndrome has been recently related with post
      surgical outcomes and overall mortality in older individuals. DESIGN AND DATA
      SOURCES: We performed searches in Pubmed, Embase, Scopus, SCIELO and IME (Spanish
      medical index) databases from their start dates to February 2014 for original
      papers about the identification of the relationship between frailty and pre
      operative risk evaluation in people aged 65 and over. REVIEW METHODS: We followed
      criteria of systematic PRISMA guidelines. Two independent reviewers extracted
      descriptive information on frailty criteria and outcomes from the selected
      papers: of the 77 articles retrieved from the searches, 32 met the study
      inclusion criteria. RESULTS: Severity of frailty syndrome significantly
      correlated with post-surgical mortality rates and with many although not all post
      surgical complications. These relationships emerge in different type of surgical
      procedures and patients' features. The comparison of diagnostic tools to assess
      frailty in pre-operative risk evaluation are very few and to date, no
      recommendation can be made about the best scale to measure it. CONCLUSION:
      Assessment of frailty syndrome should be added in the pre-operative risk
      assessment in older individuals.

PMID- 26272287
TI  - Identification and characterization of the chromosomal yefM-yoeB toxin-antitoxin
      system of Streptococcus suis.
AB  - Toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems are widely prevalent in the genomes of bacteria and
      archaea. These modules have been identified in Escherichia coli and various other
      bacteria. However, their presence in the genome of Streptococcus suis, an
      important zoonotic pathogen, has received little attention. In this study, we
      describe the identification and characterization of a type II TA system,
      comprising the chromosomal yefM-yoeB locus of S. suis. The yefM-yoeB locus is
      present in the genome of most serotypes of S. suis. Overproduction of S. suis
      YoeB toxin inhibited the growth of E. coli, and the toxicity of S. suis YoeB
      could be alleviated by the antitoxin YefM from S. suis and Streptococcus
      pneumoniae, but not by E. coli YefM. More importantly, introduction of the S.
      suis yefM-yoeB system into E. coli could affect cell growth. In a murine
      infection model, deletion of the yefM-yoeB locus had no effect on the virulence
      of S. suis serotype 2. Collectively, our data suggested that the yefM-yoeB locus
      of S. suis is an active TA system without the involvement of virulence. 

PMID- 26272288
TI  - Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in air and soil from a high-altitude pasture in
      the Italian Alps: evidence of CB-209 contamination.
AB  - This study analyses the seasonal trend of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB)
      concentrations in air and soil from a high-altitude mountain pasture in the
      Italian Alps. PCB concentrations in soil were generally comparable to background
      levels and were lower than those previously measured in the same area. Only CB
      209 unexpectedly showed high concentrations with respect to the other congeners.
      GC-MS-MS identification was very clear, rising a new problem of increasing PCB
      contamination concerning only CB-209, which is not present in commercial mixtures
      used in the past in Italy and Europe. Considering all of the congeners, seasonal
      PCB trends were observed both in air and in soil that were related to the
      temperature and precipitation measured specifically in the study area. Highly
      significant relationships were found between the temperature-normalised
      concentrations in soil and the precipitation amounts. A north/south enrichment
      factor was present only in soil with rapid early summer re-volatilisation
      kinetics from soil to air and autumn re-deposition events from air to soil.
      Fugacity ratio calculations confirmed these trends. Surface soils respond rapidly
      to meteorological variables, while subsurface soils respond much more slowly.
      Seasonal trends were different for the northern and southern sides of the
      mountain. A detailed picture of the interactions among temperature,
      precipitation, mountain aspects and soil features was obtained. 

PMID- 26272289
TI  - Comparison of subcellular distribution and chemical forms of cadmium among four
      soybean cultivars at young seedlings.
AB  - The hydroponic experiment was carried out to investigate the Cd subcellular
      distribution and chemical forms in roots and shoots among four soybean seedling
      cultivars with two Cd treatments. HX3 and GC8, two tolerant and low-grain-Cd
      accumulating cultivars, had the lowest Cd concentration in roots and high Cd
      concentration in shoots, while BX10 and ZH24, two sensitive and high-grain-Cd
      accumulating cultivars, had the highest Cd concentration in roots and the lowest
      Cd concentration in shoots at young seedling stage. Furthermore, the sequence of
      Cd subcellular distribution in roots at two Cd levels was cell wall (53.4-75.5 %)
      > soluble fraction (15.8-40.4 %) > organelle fraction (2.0-14.7 %), but in
      shoots, was soluble fraction (39.3-74.8 %) > cell wall (16.0-52.0 %) > organelle
      (4.8-19.5 %). BX10 and ZH24 had higher Cd concentration in all subcellular
      fractions in roots, but HX3 and GC8 had higher Cd concentration of soluble
      fraction in shoots. The sequence of Cd chemical forms in roots was FNacl (64.1
      79.5 %) > FHAC (3.4-21.5 %) > Fd-H2O (3.6-13.0 %) > Fethanol (1.4-21.8) > FHCl
      (0.3-1.6 %) > Fother (0.2-1.4 %) at two Cd levels but, in shoots, was FNacl (19.7
      51.4 %) >= FHAC (10.2-31.4 %) >= Fd-H2O (8.8-28.2 %) >= Fethanol (8.9-38.6 %) >
      FHCl (0.2-9.6 %) > Fother (2.5-11.2 %). BX10 and ZH24 had higher Cd
      concentrations in each extracted solutions from roots, but from shoots for GC8
      and HX3. Taken together, the results uncover that root cell walls and leaf
      vacuoles might play important roles in Cd detoxification and limiting the
      symplastic movement of Cd.

PMID- 26272290
TI  - Multistress effects on goldfish (Carassius auratus) behavior and metabolism.
AB  - Crossed effects between climate change and chemical pollutions were identified on
      community structure and ecosystem functioning. Temperature rising affects the
      toxic properties of pollutants and the sensitiveness of organisms to chemicals
      stress. Inversely, chemical exposure may decrease the capacity of organisms to
      respond to environmental changes. The aim of our study was to assess the
      individual and crossed effects of temperature rising and pesticide contamination
      on fish. Goldfish, Carassius auratus, were exposed during 96 h at two
      temperatures (22 and 32  degrees C) to a mixture of common pesticides (S
      metolachlor, isoproturon, linuron, atrazine-desethyl, aclonifen, pendimethalin,
      and tebuconazol) at two environmentally relevant concentrations (total
      concentrations MIX1 = 8.4 MUg L(-1) and MIX2 = 42 MUg L(-1)). We investigated the
      sediment reworking behavior, which has a major ecological functional role. We
      also focused on three physiological traits from the cellular up to the whole
      individual level showing metabolic status of fish (protein concentration in liver
      and muscle, hepatosomatic index, and Fulton's condition factor). Individual
      thermal stress and low concentrations of pesticides decreased the sediment
      reworking activity of fish and entrained metabolic compensation with global
      depletion in energy stores. We found that combined chemical and thermal stresses
      impaired the capacity of fish to set up an efficient adaptive response. Our
      results strongly suggest that temperature will make fish more sensitive to water
      contamination by pesticides, raising concerns about wild fish conservation
      submitted to global changes.

PMID- 26272291
TI  - The response and detoxification strategies of three freshwater phytoplankton
      species, Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, Pediastrum simplex, and Synedra acus, to
      cadmium.
AB  - The response and detoxification mechanisms of three freshwater phytoplankton
      species (the cyanobacterium Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, the green alga Pediastrum
      simplex, and the diatom Synedra acus) to cadmium (Cd) were investigated. The cell
      growth of each species was measured over 10 days, and chlorophyll a fluorescence,
      Cd bioaccumulation (including surface-adsorbed and intracellular Cd), and
      phytochelatin (PC) synthesis were determined after 96-h exposures. The growth of
      the three phytoplankton species was significantly inhibited when Cd
      concentrations were >=5 mg L(-1). Compared with P. simplex, greater growth
      inhibition in S. acus and A. flos-aquae occurred. The changes in chlorophyll
      fluorescence parameters including the maximal quantum yield of PSII (Fv/Fm) and
      relative variable fluorescence of the J point (Vj) demonstrated that the increase
      in Cd concentration damaged PSII in all three species. After 96-h exposures, the
      accumulation of surface-adsorbed Cd and intracellular Cd increased significantly
      in all three species, with the increase of Cd concentrations in the media; total
      cadmium accumulation was 245, 658, and 1670 times greater than that of the
      control in A. flos-aquae, P. simplex, and S. acus, respectively, after exposure
      to 10 mg L(-1). Total thiols exhibited a similar trend to that of Cd
      accumulation. PC3 was found in A. flos-aquae and P. simplex in all Cd treatments.
      Glutathione (GSH) and PC2 were also produced in response to exposure to high
      concentrations of Cd. PC4 was only discovered at exposure concentrations of 10 mg
      L(-1) Cd and only in S. acus. The intracellular Cd/PCs ratio increased in all
      three phytoplankton with an increase in Cd concentrations, and a linear
      relationship between the ratio and the growth inhibition rates was observed with
      P. simplex and S. acus. Our results have demonstrated that metal detoxification
      mechanisms were dependent on the species. This study suggested that the variance
      of metal detoxification strategies, such as cadmium accumulation and PCs, might
      be an explanation why algal species have different sensitivity to Cd at various
      levels.

PMID- 26272292
TI  - Differences in ozone photochemical characteristics between the megacity Nanjing
      and its suburban surroundings, Yangtze River Delta, China.
AB  - Rapid economic growth has led to a significant increase in ozone (O3) precursor
      emissions in many regions of China. Improved understanding of O3 formation in
      response to different precursor emissions is imperative to address the highly
      nonlinear O3 problem and to provide a solid scientific basis for efficient O3
      abatement in these regions. A comparative study was conducted in summer using a
      set of observational data at urban and suburban sites in Nanjing. The results
      showed that high O3 concentrations were frequently encountered at both sites. The
      probability distributions of O3 in both sites show a fair resemblance to each
      other, suggesting strong regional mixing over the polluted Nanjing. A distinction
      between the characteristics of O3 precursors has been found at different sites.
      During the observation period, O3 concentrations varied monthly, reaching a
      minimum in June and peaking in August. The daily maximum O3 concentration was
      found to exceed 80 ppb for 27 days at residential area (RA), whereas it only
      exceeded 80 ppb for 22 days at industrial area (IA), 16 days at traffic area
      (TA), and 14 days at commercial area (CA). This pattern suggests a higher
      continuous ozone exposure risk at RA. The daily maximum O3 concentrations at
      different sites were 135.1 ppb (IA), 134.1 ppb (RA), 129.2 ppb (TA), and 110.6
      ppb (CA), respectively. The daily maximum O3 concentration occurred at 16:00 in
      IA, at 17:00 in TA and CA, and at 18:00 in RA. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and carbon
      monoxide (CO) showed similar double-peak diurnal cycles. NO2 showed maximum
      values in June and minimum values in July. CO showed a similar diurnal variation
      to NO2. This effect may be explained by their common sources and the similar
      chemical losses. During the day, O3 tended to rapidly increase during the
      morning, reaching a maximum value of 9-11 ppb h(-1). The differences in O3 and
      NO2 between workdays and weekends were small. The CO levels were higher on
      weekdays than on weekends in urban areas and were higher on weekends than on
      weekdays in suburban areas. A sensitivity study performed with an observation
      based model (OBM) showed alkenes to be the largest contributor to O3 production.
      The production of O3 in the Nanjing area is generally limited by volatile organic
      compounds (VOCs), whereas high nitric oxide (NO) concentrations suppress O3
      concentrations.

PMID- 26272295
TI  - Innate immunity: Memory NK cells identified in primates.

PMID- 26272294
TI  - Making the case for chromatin profiling: a new tool to investigate the immune
      regulatory landscape.
AB  - Recent technological advances have enabled researchers to accurately and
      efficiently assay the chromatin dynamics of scarce cell populations. In this
      Opinion article, we advocate the application of these technologies to central
      questions in immunology. Unlike changes to other molecular structures in the
      cell, chromatin features can reveal the past (developmental history), present
      (current activity) and future (potential response to challenges) of a given
      immune cell type; chromatin profiling is therefore an important new tool for
      studying the immune-regulatory networks of health and disease.

PMID- 26272296
TI  - Bacteria, inflammation and cancer.

PMID- 26272293
TI  - Synchronizing transcriptional control of T cell metabolism and function.
AB  - During an immune response, cytokines and transcription factors regulate the
      differentiation and function of effector and memory T cells. At the same time, T
      cell metabolism undergoes dynamic and differentiation-stage-specific changes that
      are required for initial T cell activation, rapid proliferation and the
      acquisition of effector functions. Similarly, during the resolution of an immune
      response, metabolic regulation is crucial for restraining inflammatory responses
      and promoting peripheral tolerance, and it is required for the long-term
      maintenance of memory T cells. T cell receptor (TCR)-induced transcription
      factors, in particular MYC and interferon-regulatory factor 4 (IRF4), cooperate
      with canonical nutrient-sensing pathways to integrate antigen-specific and
      metabolic signals to appropriately modulate adaptive immune responses. In this
      Review, we focus on the emerging evidence that T cell differentiation and
      metabolism are closely linked and synchronized by immune cell-specific cytokines
      and transcription factors that are induced by TCR signalling. 

PMID- 26272297
TI  - Failure to rescue in colorectal surgery: How to minimize anastomotic leak
      mortality?

PMID- 26272299
TI  - [About "Factors determining irregular attendance to follow-up visits among human
      immunodeficiency virus patients: Results of a hospital survey of patients
      infected with human immunodeficiency virus, 2002-2012"].

PMID- 26272298
TI  - Changing Patterns of Glucose-Lowering Medication Use in VA Nursing Home Residents
      With Diabetes, 2005 to 2011.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Although nursing home (NH) residents make up a large and growing
      proportion of Americans with diabetes mellitus, little is known about how glucose
      lowering medications are used in this population. We sought to examine glucose
      lowering medication use in Veterans Affairs (VA) NH residents with diabetes
      between 2005 and 2011. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort study,
      using linked laboratory, pharmacy, administrative, and NH Minimum Dataset (MDS)
      2.0 databases in 123 VA NHs. A total of 9431 long-stay (>90 days) VA NH residents
      older than 65 followed for 52,313 person-quarters. We identified receipt of
      glucose-lowering medications, including insulin, metformin, sulfonylureas,
      thiazolidinediones, and others (alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, meglitinides,
      glucagonlike peptide-1 analogs, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors and amylin
      analogs) per quarter. RESULTS: The rates of sulfonylurea use in long-stay NH
      residents dropped dramatically from 24% in 2005 to 12% in 2011 (P < .001), driven
      in large part by the dramatic decrease in glyburide use (10% to 2%, P < .001).
      There was sharp drop in thiazolidinedione use in 2007 (4% to <1%, P < .001).
      Metformin use was stable, ranging between 7% and 9% (P = .24). Insulin use
      increased slightly from 30% to 32% (P < .001). Use of other classes of glucose
      lowering medications was stable (P = .22) and low, remaining below 1.3%.
      CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Between 2005 and 2011, there were dramatic declines in
      use of sulfonylureas and thiazolidinediones in VA NH residents, suggesting that
      prescribing practices can be quickly changed in this setting.

PMID- 26272300
TI  - Structured movement representations of a phantom limb associated with phantom
      limb pain.
AB  - The relation between phantom limb pain (PLP) and the movement representation of a
      phantom limb remains controversial in several areas of neurorehabilitation,
      although there are a few studies in which the representation of phantom limb
      movement was precisely evaluated. We evaluated the structured movement
      representation of a phantom limb objectively using a bimanual circle-line
      coordination task. We then investigated the relation between PLP and the
      structured movement representation. Nine patients with a brachial plexus avulsion
      injury were enrolled who perceived a phantom limb and had neuropathic pain. While
      blindfolded, the participants repeatedly drew vertical lines using the intact
      hand and intended to draw circles using the phantom limb simultaneously. "Drawing
      of circles" by the phantom limb resulted in an oval transfiguration of the
      vertical lines ("bimanual coupling" effect). We used an arbitrary ovalization
      index (OI) to quantify the oval transfiguration. When the OI neared 100%, the
      trajectory changed toward becoming more circular. A significant negative
      correlation was observed between the intensity of PLP and the OI (r=-0.66,
      p<0.05). Our findings directly suggest that structured movement representations
      of the phantom limb are necessary for alleviating PLP. 

PMID- 26272301
TI  - Perceiving emotions in human-human and human-animal interactions: Hemodynamic
      prefrontal activity (fNIRS) and empathic concern.
AB  - In the last years social neuroscience research attempted to identify the neural
      networks underlying the human ability to perceive others' emotions, a core
      process in establishing meaningful social bonds. A large amount of papers arose
      and identified common and specific empathy-based networks with respect to
      stimulus type and task. Despite the great majority of studies focused on human
      human contexts, we do not establish relations with only other humans, but also
      with non-human animals. The aim of the present work was to explore the brain
      mechanisms involved in empathic concern for people who interacts with both peers
      and other species. Participants have been assessed by functional near-infrared
      spectroscopy (fNIRS) while viewing pictures depicting humans interacting with
      both other men and women (human-human condition: HH), or with dogs and cats
      (human-animal: HA). Results showed that aggressive HH interactions elicited
      greater prefrontal activity (PFC) than HA ones while, when considering HA
      interactions, friendly ones were related to higher cortical activity. Finally,
      oxy (O2Hb) and deoxyhemoglobin (HHb) increasing related to the processing of
      aggressive interactions positively correlated with different empathic measures,
      within more specific brain regions. Results were elucidated with respect to
      available evidence on emotion perception, empathic neural mechanisms and their
      functional meaning for human-animal contexts. 

PMID- 26272302
TI  - Self-assessment of competencies in dental education in Germany - a multicentred
      survey.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The aim was to assess the competencies of undergraduate dental
      students in Germany in the domains team competence, communicative competence,
      learning competence and scholarship. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The survey was
      conducted at 11 dental schools that are equally distributed all over Germany.
      Competencies were assessed with the Freiburg Questionnaire to Assess Competencies
      in Medicine (FCM). A short version of the FCM was used in this study. This short
      form included the four domains: team competence (three items), communicative
      competence (eight items), learning competence (five items) and scholarship (four
      items). Students had to rate each item twice: first with regard to the
      respondent's current level of competence and second with regard to the level of
      competence that respondents think is required by their job. All items were rated
      on a five-point Likert scale (1 'very much' and 5 'not at all'). Responsible
      lecturers from all selected dental schools received another questionnaire to
      answer the questions whether the FCM domain corresponding learning objectives
      were taught at the respective dental school. RESULTS: A total of 317
      undergraduate students from 11 dental schools in their last clinical year
      participated. The response rate varied between 48% and 92%. Cronbach's alpha for
      the FCM scales addressing the current level of competencies ranged from 0.70 to
      0.89 and for the scales measuring the presumed level of competencies demanded by
      their job ranged from 0.72 to 0.82. The mean values of the scales for the
      assessment of the presumed level of competencies demanded by the job were
      significantly lower compared to the mean values of the scales for the current
      level of competencies (P < 0.001 in all analyses). We found large differences
      between the two levels - in terms of 'standardised response means' (SRM) - in the
      domains team competence (SRM 1.34), learning competence (SRM 1.27) and
      communicative competence (SRM 1.18). Overall, the learning objectives that
      correspond to the assessed domains of competencies were taught to 19.6%
      completely, to 55.4% partially and to 25% not at all at the participating dental
      schools. CONCLUSION: The results of the present survey revealed that the
      participating students perceived deficiencies in all domains of competencies.
      These results indicate that the assessed domains are still barely integrated into
      dental medicine curricula in Germany and that further research in this field is
      needed.

PMID- 26272303
TI  - Decreased level of cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) in patients with
      acute immune thrombocytopenia (ITP).
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Previously, we demonstrated the importance of T-cell immune
      response cDNA 7 (TIRC7) in acute immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). As the downstream
      molecule of TIRC7, cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) has been verified
      its negative regulation of acute ITP. This study aimed to investigate the exact
      role of CTLA-4 and its relationship with TIRC7 in acute ITP. PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: 37 patients with acute ITP were enrolled and received dexamethasone
      (40mg/day) for 4 consecutive days. Patients who had platelet counts more than
      50*10(9)/L or less were defined as responders or non-responders after treatment.
      The plasma, protein and mRNA levels of CTLA-4 and TIRC7 were monitored by ELISA,
      western blot and q-PCR, respectively. RESULTS: After high-dose dexamethasone
      therapy, CTLA-4 levels were significantly elevated not only in acute ITP patients
      (P<0.001; P<0.0001) but also in acute ITP responders (P<0.0001; P<0.0001). The
      levels of CTLA-4 were negatively correlated with the levels of TIRC7 before and
      after treatment; IFN-gamma (Th1), IL-17 (Th17) and IL-22 (Th22) levels were all
      elevated, which were decreased after treatment not only in patients with acute
      ITP (P<0.01) but also in acute ITP responders (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: CTLA-4 level
      might reflect treatment efficacy and it might be associated with the pathogenesis
      of acute ITP.

PMID- 26272304
TI  - Elevated Semaphorin 5A correlated with Th1 polarization in patients with chronic
      immune thrombocytopenia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an immune-mediated disorder
      in which cellular immunity deficiency and disturbed cytokine profiles have been
      found. Semaphorin 5A (Sema5A) has been showed to be implicated in cellular immune
      response. We aimed to evaluate the role of Sema5A in patients with chronic ITP.
      METHODS: Plasma levels of Sema5A, T helper (Th) cytokines (interferon [IFN] 
      gamma,interleukin [IL]-4,IL-17A) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent
      assay (ELISA) in ITP patients and healthy controls. Using real-time quantitative
      polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), mRNA levels of Sema5A and its receptor plexin
      B3, plexin-A1 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs)were studied in all
      subjects. Specific anti-platelet autoantibodies were measured by the Pak Auto
      method. The dynamic change of plasma Sema5A and mRNA levels of its receptors was
      measured in 9 patients after effective therapy. RESULTS: Plasma Sema5A levels
      were significantly increased in active patients with chronic ITP compared to
      patients in remission and healthy controls. Elevated levels of Sema5A were found
      positively correlated with higher levels of plasma IFN-gamma, IFN-gamma/IL-4
      ratio and negatively correlated with lower levels of plasma IL-4, platelet counts
      in ITP patients. The mRNA plexin-B3 was decreased in active ITP patients and
      inversely correlated with plasma Sema5A levels. Additionally, plasma levels of
      Sema5A and IFN-gamma were reduced with up-regulation of plexin-B3 expression
      after effective treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrated elevated plasma
      Sema5A in chronic ITP patients might be involved in Th1 polarization by down
      regulating receptor plexin-B3 expression and correlated with disease activity.

PMID- 26272305
TI  - Self-reported adherence to anticoagulation and its determinants using the Morisky
      medication adherence scale.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are used for treatment of venous
      thromboembolism (VTE) and stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (AF). Given
      the shorter half-life and lack of laboratory monitoring compared to vitamin-K
      antagonists (VKAs), adequate adherence to DOACs is important. Reported
      anticoagulation adherence is unclear in clinical practice. OBJECTIVES: To assess
      self-reported anticoagulation adherence in a tertiary center anticoagulation
      clinic. PATIENTS/METHODS: Cross-sectional study of patients on oral
      anticoagulants (VKAs, rivaroxaban, dabigatran and apixaban). Anticoagulation
      adherence was assessed using the 4-item Morisky score. Baseline characteristics
      were evaluated for association with adherence. RESULTS: Five hundred patients
      completed the survey; 74% were on VKAs and 26% on DOACs: rivaroxaban 102 (79%);
      dabigatran 26 (19%); apixaban 2 (2%). Main indications for anticoagulation were
      VTE (72%) and AF (18%). Self-reported anticoagulation adherence using the 4-item
      Morisky scale was 56.2% for patients on VKAs and 57.1% for patients on DOACs.
      Predictors of anticoagulation adherence were age (OR=1.02; 95% CI:1.01-1.03),
      female gender (OR=1.58; 95% CI:1.10-2.27), use of additional oral medications
      (OR=2.78; 95% CI:1.67-4.63), and retired employment status (OR=2.31; 95% CI:1.51
      3.55). In backward selection multivariate analyses age, female gender and use of
      other oral medications remained significantly associated with anticoagulation
      adherence. CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported anticoagulation adherence was similar
      between VKAs and DOACs. Until laboratory assays are universally available to
      evaluate DOAC adherence, physicians should emphasize the importance of
      anticoagulation adherence at each patient encounter. The Morisky scale provides
      simple assessment of anticoagulation adherence; however it has not yet been
      validation for this purpose.

PMID- 26272306
TI  - Abnormal uterine bleeding in VTE patients treated with rivaroxaban compared to
      vitamin K antagonists.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Rivaroxaban is a convenient oral anticoagulant for patients with
      venous thromboembolism (VTE). The impact of rivaroxaban and vitamin K antagonists
      (VKAs) on abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) in real life has not been previously
      explored. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a single-center retrospective study
      on AUB in female VTE patients of reproductive age who were treated with either
      rivaroxaban or VKAs. RESULTS: Questionnaire results were available for 52
      patients in each treatment group. Approximately two thirds of all women reported
      AUB after initiation of anticoagulant therapy. Patients using rivaroxaban were
      more likely to experience prolonged (>8days) menstrual bleeding (27 % vs. 8.3%,
      P=0.017). Rivaroxaban treatment increased the duration of menstrual bleeding from
      median 5 (IQR 3.5-6.0) days before start of treatment to 6 (IQR 4.1-8.9) days
      (P<0.001). VKA treatment did not lead to significant prolongation of the
      menstrual period. Patients on rivaroxaban more frequently reported an unscheduled
      contact with a physician for AUB than women using VKAs (41% vs. 25%, P=0.096).
      They also reported increased need for menorrhagia-related medical or surgical
      intervention (25% vs. 7.7%, P=0.032) and had more adaptations of anticoagulant
      therapy (15% vs. 1.9%, P=0.031). CONCLUSION: AUB is frequent after initiation of
      anticoagulant therapy for acute symptomatic VTE. Compared to VKAs, rivaroxaban
      was associated with prolonged menstrual bleeding and more medical interventions
      and adaptation of anticoagulant treatment for AUB. These data can guide proactive
      discussion with patients starting anticoagulant therapy.

PMID- 26272308
TI  - Fabrication and applications of complex-shaped microparticles via microfluidics.
AB  - Complex-shaped microparticles (MPs) have attracted extensive interest in a myriad
      of scientific and engineering fields in recent years for their distinct
      morphology and capability in combining different functions within a single
      particle. Microfluidic techniques offer an intriguing method for fabricating MPs
      with excellent monodispersity and complex morphology in parallel while
      controlling their number and size precisely and independently. To date, there are
      two notable microfluidics approaches for the synthesis of complex-shaped MPs,
      namely droplet based, and flow-lithography based microfluidics approaches. It is
      undoubted that the application of complex-shaped MPs via microfluidic fabrication
      will hold great promise in a variety of fields including microfabrication,
      analytical chemistry and biomedicine. 

PMID- 26272307
TI  - Pharmacogenomics of hypertension and heart disease.
AB  - Heart disease is a leading cause of death in the United States, and hypertension
      is a predominant risk factor. Thus, effective blood pressure control is important
      to prevent adverse sequelae of hypertension, including heart failure, coronary
      artery disease, atrial fibrillation, and ischemic stroke. Over half of Americans
      have uncontrolled blood pressure, which may in part be explained by interpatient
      variability in drug response secondary to genetic polymorphism. As such,
      pharmacogenetic testing may be a supplementary tool to guide treatment. This
      review highlights the pharmacogenetics of antihypertensive response and response
      to drugs that treat adverse hypertension-related sequelae, particularly coronary
      artery disease and atrial fibrillation. While pharmacogenetic evidence may be
      more robust for the latter with respect to clinical implementation, there is
      increasing evidence of genetic variants that may help predict antihypertensive
      response. However, additional research and validation are needed before clinical
      implementation guidelines for antihypertensive therapy can become a reality. 

PMID- 26272309
TI  - Combined hormonal contraceptive use among women with known dyslipidemias: a
      systematic review of critical safety outcomes.
AB  - CONTEXT: Dyslipidemias represent a spectrum of lipid disorders that are important
      risk factors for cardiovascular disease. In addition, elevated triglycerides are
      known to be associated with pancreatitis. Though less clear, it is possible that
      dyslipidemias may also contribute to risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE).
      Ethinyl estradiol and progestogen, contained within combined hormonal
      contraception, are known to impact lipid metabolism. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate from
      the literature whether use of combined hormonal contraception (CHC), including
      combined oral contraception (COC) pills, transdermal patch, vaginal ring or
      injectables, modifies the relative risk of acute myocardial infarction (MI),
      stroke, VTE or pancreatitis among women with known dyslipidemias and to determine
      if existing lipid abnormalities worsen with CHC use. METHODS: PubMed and the
      Cochrane Library databases were searched for all articles in all languages
      published between inception and September 2014 relevant to dyslipidemia, CHC use
      and serious adverse events (MI, stroke, VTE or pancreatitis). The quality of each
      individual study was assessed using the system for grading evidence developed by
      the United States Preventive Services Task Force. RESULTS: From 306 articles
      identified by our search strategy, 3 articles met inclusion criteria. In a poor
      quality case-control study, women with hypercholesterolemia but no COC use had an
      increased risk of MI (adjusted odds ratio [adj OR] 3.3, 95% confidence interval
      [CI] 1.6-6.8), as did women who used COCs but did not have hypercholesterolemia
      (adj OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.4-2.8), compared with non-COC users without
      hypercholesterolemia; women with both COC use and hypercholesterolemia had an
      adjusted OR of 24.7 (95% CI 5.6-108.5) compared with women with neither risk
      factor. A poor-quality cohort study examined COC users and reported that women
      with dyslipidemia had increased risk for VTE [crude risk ratio (RR) 1.39, 95% CI
      1.04-1.85] and transient ischemic attacks or cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs) (RR
      1.76, 95% CI 1.51-2.06) compared to those without dyslipidemia. Another poor
      quality cohort study provided direct evidence on changes in lipid levels among
      COC users with dyslipidemia. A minority of women with elevated total cholesterol
      or triglyceride levels at baseline showed normal results (25% and 28%,
      respectively) after 6 cycles of COC use. No evidence regarding risks associated
      with use of other CHC methods was identified. No evidence was identified for the
      outcome of pancreatitis. CONCLUSION: Limited data from poor-quality observational
      studies suggest that women with known dyslipidemias using CHC may be at increased
      risk for MI and may experience a minimal increase in risk for CVA or VTE. No
      evidence was identified on risk for pancreatitis in this context. The impact of
      CHC exposure on the status of lipid abnormalities over time, an intermediate
      marker for disease, is also unclear. Given the significant limitations of this
      body of evidence, the importance of access to effective contraception and
      theoretical concerns raised about the use of CHCs by women with known
      dyslipidemias, additional rigorous studies are needed to best estimate true
      associations. Contraceptive decision making should include consideration of both
      the known and theoretical risks of a given CHC method, safety and acceptability
      of alternative contraceptive methods, and risks associated with unintended
      pregnancy.

PMID- 26272310
TI  - Tenth anniversary of the Society of Family Planning.

PMID- 26272311
TI  - Fisetin Alleviates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Lung Injury via TLR4-Mediated
      NF-kappaB Signaling Pathway in Rats.
AB  - Acute lung injury (ALI), a common component of systemic inflammatory disease, is
      a life-threatening condition without many effective treatments. Fisetin, a
      natural flavonoid from fruits and vegetables, was reported to have wide
      pharmacological properties such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer
      activities. The aim of this study was to detect the effects of fisetin on
      lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury and investigate the potential
      mechanism. Fisetin was injected (1, 2, and 4 mg/kg, i.v.) 30 min before LPS
      administration (5 mg/kg, i.v.). Our results showed that fisetin effectively
      reduced the inflammatory cytokine release and total protein in bronchoalveolar
      lavage fluids (BALF), decreased the lung wet/dry ratios, and obviously improved
      the pulmonary histology in LPS-induced ALI. Furthermore, fisetin inhibited LPS
      induced increases of neutrophils and macrophage infiltration and attenuated MPO
      activity in lung tissues. Additionally, fisetin could significantly inhibit the
      Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) expression and the activation of NF-kappaB in lung
      tissues. Our data indicates that fisetin has a protective effect against LPS
      induced ALI via suppression of TLR4-mediated NF-kappaB signaling pathways, and
      fisetin may be a promising candidate for LPS-induced ALI treatment. 

PMID- 26272312
TI  - Sagittal balance of the spine in patients with osteoporotic vertebral fractures.
AB  - This study aims to compare the sagittal global spinal balance of patients
      consulting for osteoporosis, aged above 50 years with and without osteoporotic
      vertebral fractures (VFs). Global spinal balance is abnormal even in subjects
      without VFs. VFs and age are determinants of sagittal global balance; however,
      pelvic parameters play a role in compensatory mechanisms. INTRODUCTION: This
      study aims to compare the spine curvatures, pelvic parameters, and the sagittal
      global spinal balance of patients aged above 50 years with and without
      osteoporotic vertebral fractures. METHODS: Two hundred patients (95 % women) aged
      68.3 +/- 9.5 years underwent full skeleton radiographs in the standing position,
      by EOS(r), a low dose biplane X-ray imaging system. VFs were evaluated according
      to Genant's classification. Spinal (thoracic and lumbar Cobb's indices, thoracic
      and lumbar tilts) and pelvic (pelvic tilt, sacral slope, and pelvic incidence)
      parameters were measured. Sagittal spinal balance was measured using the C7 plumb
      line and the spinosacral angle (SSA). We compared these parameters in patients
      with and without vertebral fracture and assessed the determinants of abnormal
      sagittal spinal balance. RESULTS: Sixty-nine patients had at least one VF. The
      sagittal spinal balance was significantly altered in patients with at least one
      VF, and there was an effect of the number and severity of VFs on parameters.
      Discriminative value for identification of patients with at least one VF,
      assessed by Area Under the Curves (AUCs) was 0.652 and 0.706 for C7 plumbline and
      SSA, respectively. Using multivariate analysis, parameters significantly
      associated with abnormal spinal balance (SSA) were the presence of at least one
      VF (OR = 4.96, P < 0.0001), age (OR = 1.07, P = 0.0006), and high pelvic
      incidence as a protective factor (OR = 0.93, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Global
      spinal balance is abnormal in subjects consulting for osteoporosis, even in
      subjects without VFs. VFs and age are determinants of abnormal sagittal global
      balance; however, pelvic parameters play a role in compensatory mechanisms.

PMID- 26272313
TI  - In vivo effects of two novel ALN-EP4a conjugate drugs on bone in the
      ovariectomized rat model for reversing postmenopausal bone loss.
AB  - Two alendronate-EP4 agonist (ALN-EP4a) conjugate drugs, C1 and C2, which differ
      in structure by a short linker molecule, were evaluated in ovariectomized (OVX)
      rats for their anabolic effects. We showed that C1 led to significant anabolic
      effects on cortical and trabecular bone while anabolic effects associated with C2
      were minimal. INTRODUCTION: EP4as were covalently linked to ALN to create ALN
      EP4a conjugate anabolic bone drugs, C1 and C2, which differ in structure by a
      short linker molecule in C1. When administered systemically, C1 and C2 are
      delivered to bone through targeted binding of ALN, where local hydrolytic enzymes
      liberate EP4a from ALN to exert anabolic effects. Here, we compare effects of C1
      to C2 in a curative in vivo study. METHODS: Three-month-old female Sprague Dawley
      rats were OVX or sham operated and allowed to lose bone for 3 months. Animals
      were then treated via tail vein injections for 3 months and sacrificed. Treatment
      groups were as follows: C1L (5 mg/kg biweekly), C1H (5 mg/kg weekly), C2L (15
      mg/kg monthly), C2H (15 mg/kg biweekly), OVX and sham control (phosphate-buffered
      saline (PBS) biweekly), and ALN/EP4a-unconjugated mixture (0.75 mg/kg each
      biweekly). RESULTS: MicroCT analysis showed that C1H treatment significantly
      increased vertebral bone mineral density (vBMD) and trabecular bone volume versus
      OVX controls while C2 treatments did not. Biomechanical testing showed that C1H
      treatment but not C2 treatments led to significant improvement in the load
      bearing abilities of the vertebrae compared to OVX controls. C1 stimulated
      endocortical bone formation and increased load bearing in femurs, while C2 did
      not. CONCLUSIONS: We showed that C1 led to significant anabolic effects on
      cortical and trabecular bone while anabolic effects associated with C2 were
      minimal. These results led us to hypothesize a mode of action by which presence
      of a linker is crucial in facilitating the anabolic effects of EP4a when dosed as
      a prodrug with ALN.

PMID- 26272314
TI  - Antiepileptic drug prescribing before, during and after pregnancy: a study in
      seven European regions.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to explore antiepileptic drug (AED)
      prescribing before, during and after pregnancy as recorded in seven population
      based electronic healthcare databases. METHODS: Databases in Denmark, Norway, the
      Netherlands, Italy (Emilia Romagna/Tuscany), Wales and the Clinical Practice
      Research Datalink, representing the rest of the UK, were accessed for the study.
      Women with a pregnancy starting and ending between 2004 and 2010, which ended in
      a delivery, were identified. AED prescriptions issued (UK) or dispensed (non-UK)
      at any time during pregnancy and the 6 months before and after pregnancy were
      identified in each of the databases. AED prescribing patterns were analysed, and
      the choice of AEDs and co-prescribing of folic acid were evaluated. RESULTS: In
      total, 978 957 women with 1 248 713 deliveries were identified. In all regions,
      AED prescribing declined during pregnancy and was lowest during the third
      trimester, before returning to pre-pregnancy levels by 6 months following
      delivery. For all deliveries, the prevalence of AED prescribing during pregnancy
      was 51 per 10 000 pregnancies (CI95 49-52%) and was lowest in the Netherlands
      (43/10 000; CI95 33-54%) and highest in Wales (60/10 000; CI95 54-66%). In
      Denmark, Norway and the two UK databases lamotrigine was the most commonly
      prescribed AED; whereas in the Italian and Dutch databases, carbamazepine,
      valproate and phenobarbital were most frequently prescribed. Few women prescribed
      with AEDs in the 3 months before pregnancy were co-prescribed with high-dose
      folic acid: ranging from 1.0% (CI95 0.3-1.8%) in Emilia Romagna to 33.5% (CI95
      28.7-38.4%) in Wales. CONCLUSION: The country's differences in prescribing
      patterns may suggest different use, knowledge or interpretation of the scientific
      evidence base. The low co-prescribing of folic acid indicates that more needs to
      be done to better inform clinicians and women of childbearing age taking AEDs
      about the need to offer and receive complete preconception care.

PMID- 26272315
TI  - Locomotor muscle fatigue is not critically regulated after prior upper body
      exercise.
AB  - This study examined the effects of prior upper body exercise on subsequent high
      intensity cycling exercise tolerance and associated changes in neuromuscular
      function and perceptual responses. Eight men performed three fixed work-rate (85%
      peak power) cycling tests: 1) to the limit of tolerance (CYC); 2) to the limit of
      tolerance after prior high-intensity arm-cranking exercise (ARM-CYC); and 3)
      without prior exercise and for an equal duration as ARM-CYC (ISOTIME). Peripheral
      fatigue was assessed via changes in potentiated quadriceps twitch force during
      supramaximal electrical femoral nerve stimulation. Voluntary activation was
      assessed using twitch interpolation during maximal voluntary contractions.
      Cycling time during ARM-CYC and ISOTIME (4.33 +/- 1.10 min) was 38% shorter than
      during CYC (7.46 +/- 2.79 min) (P < 0.001). Twitch force decreased more after CYC
      (-38 +/- 13%) than ARM-CYC (-26 +/- 10%) (P = 0.004) and ISOTIME (-24 +/- 10%) (P
      = 0.003). Voluntary activation was 94 +/- 5% at rest and decreased after CYC (89
      +/- 9%, P = 0.012) and ARM-CYC (91 +/- 8%, P = 0.047). Rating of perceived
      exertion for limb discomfort increased more quickly during cycling in ARM-CYC
      [1.83 +/- 0.46 arbitrary units (AU)/min] than CYC (1.10 +/- 0.38 AU/min, P =
      0.003) and ISOTIME (1.05 +/- 0.43 AU/min, P = 0.002), and this was correlated
      with the reduced cycling time in ARM-CYC (r = -0.72, P = 0.045). In conclusion,
      cycling exercise tolerance after prior upper body exercise is potentially
      mediated by central fatigue and intolerable levels of sensory perception rather
      than a critical peripheral fatigue limit. 

PMID- 26272316
TI  - Tetraplegia is associated with enhanced peripheral chemoreflex sensitivity and
      ventilatory long-term facilitation.
AB  - Cardiorespiratory plasticity induced by acute intermittent hypoxia (AIH) may
      contribute to recovery following spinal cord injury (SCI). We hypothesized that
      patients with cervical SCI would demonstrate higher minute ventilation (Ve)
      following AIH compared with subjects with thoracic SCI and able-bodied subjects
      who served as controls. Twenty-four volunteers (8 with cervical SCI, 8 with
      thoracic SCI, and 8 able-bodied) underwent an AIH protocol during wakefulness.
      Each subject experienced 15 episodes of isocapnic hypoxia using mixed gases of
      100% nitrogen (N2), 8% O2, and 40% CO2 to achieve oxygen saturation <=90%
      followed by room air (RA). Measurements were obtained before, during, and 40 min
      after AIH to obtain ventilation and heart rate variability data [R-R interval
      (RRI) and low-frequency/high-frequency power (LF/HF)]. AIH results were compared
      with those of sham studies conducted in RA during the same time period.
      Individuals with cervical SCI had higher Ve after AIH compared with able-bodied
      controls (117.9 +/- 23.2% vs. 97.9 +/- 11.2%, P < 0.05). RRI decreased during
      hypoxia in all individuals (those with cervical SCI, from 1,009.3 +/- 65.0 ms to
      750.2 +/- 65.0 ms; those with thoracic SCI, from 945.2 +/- 65.0 ms to 674.9 +/-
      65.0 ms; and those who were able-bodied, from 949 +/- 75.0 to 682.2 +/- 69.5 ms;
      P < 0.05). LH/HF increased during recovery in individuals with thoracic SCI and
      those who were able-bodied (0.54 +/- 0.22 vs. 1.34 +/- 0.22 and 0.67 +/- 0.23 vs.
      1.82 +/- 0.23, respectively; P < 0.05) but remained unchanged in the group with
      cervical SCI. Our conclusion is that patients with cervical SCI demonstrate
      ventilatory long-term facilitation following AIH compared with able-bodied
      controls. Heart rate responses to hypoxia are acutely present in patients with
      cervical SCI but are absent during posthypoxic recovery.

PMID- 26272317
TI  - Regular exercise improves cardiac contractile activation by modulating MHC
      isoforms and SERCA activity in orchidectomized rats.
AB  - Data from the trial known as Testosterone in Older Men with Mobility Limitations
      (TOM) has indicated an association between testosterone administration and a
      greater risk for adverse cardiovascular events. We therefore propose that regular
      exercise is a cardioprotective alternative that prevents detrimental changes in
      contractile activation when a deficiency in male sex hormones exists. Ten-week
      old orchidectomized (ORX) rats were subjected to a 9-wk treadmill running program
      at moderate intensity starting 1 wk after surgery. Although exercise-induced
      cardiac hypertrophy was observed both in rats that underwent ORX and sham
      surgery, regular exercise enhanced cardiac myofilament Ca(2+) sensitivity and
      myosin light-chain 2 phosphorylation only in rats that underwent a sham
      operation. Although the rats that had sham surgery and and given exercise
      exhibited no change in maximum developed tension, regular running prevented the
      suppression of maximum active tension in the hearts of ORX rats. Regular exercise
      also prevented a shift in myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoforms toward beta-MHC, a
      reduction in sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA) activity, and an
      increase in SERCA sensitivity in the hearts of ORX rats. Neither SERCA content
      nor its modulating component, phospholamban (PLB), was altered by exercise in
      either sham-operated or ORX rats. However, decreases in the phosphorylated
      Thr(17) form of PLB and the phosphorylated Thr(287) form of Ca(2+)/calmodulin
      dependent kinase II in the hearts of ORX rats were abolished after regular
      exercise. These results thus support the use of regular running as a
      cardioprotective alternative to testosterone replacement in hypogonadal
      conditions. 

PMID- 26272318
TI  - New genetic and physiological factors for excessive erythrocytosis and Chronic
      Mountain Sickness.
AB  - In the last few years, genetic and functional studies have provided important
      insight on the pathophysiology of excessive erythrocytosis (EE), the main sign of
      Chronic Mountain Sickness (CMS). The recent finding of the association of the CMS
      phenotype with a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the Sentrin-specific
      Protease 1 (SENP1) gene, and its differential expression pattern in Andean
      highlanders with and without CMS, has triggered large interest in high-altitude
      studies because of the potential role of its gene product in the control of
      erythropoiesis. The SENP1 gene encodes for a protease that regulates the function
      of hypoxia-relevant transcription factors such as Hypoxia-Inducible Factor (HIF)
      and GATA, and thus might have an erythropoietic regulatory role in CMS through
      the modulation of the expression of erythropoietin (Epo) or Epo receptors. The
      different physiological patterns in the Epo-EpoR system found among Andeans, even
      among highlanders with CMS, together with their different degrees of
      erythropoietic response, might indicate specific underlying genetic backgrounds,
      which in turn might reflect different levels of adaptation to lifelong high
      altitude hypoxia. This minireview discusses recent genetic findings potentially
      underlying EE and CMS, and their possible physiological mechanisms in Andean
      highlanders. 

PMID- 26272319
TI  - Thrombospondin-2 deficiency in growing mice alters bone collagen ultrastructure
      and leads to a brittle bone phenotype.
AB  - Thrombospondin-2 (TSP2) is a matricellular protein component of the bone
      extracellular matrix. Long bones of adult TSP2-deficient mice have increased
      endosteal bone thickness due to expansion of the osteoblast progenitor cell pool,
      and these cells display deficits in osteoblastic potential. Here, we investigated
      the effects of TSP2 deficiency on whole bone geometric and mechanical properties
      in growing 6-wk-old male and female wild-type and TSP2-knockout (KO) mice.
      Microcomputed tomography and mechanical testing were conducted on femora and L2
      vertebrae to assess morphology and whole bone mechanical properties. In a second
      series of experiments, femoral diaphyses were harvested from wild-type and TSP2
      KO mice. Detergent-soluble type I collagen content was determined by Western blot
      of right femora. Total collagen content was determined by hydroxyproline analysis
      of left femora. In a third series of experiments, cortical bone was dissected
      from the anterior and posterior aspects of the femoral middiaphysis and imaged by
      transmission electron microscopy to visualize collagen fibrils. Microcomputed
      tomography revealed minimal structural effects of TSP2 deficiency. TSP2
      deficiency imparted a brittle phenotype on cortical bone. Femoral tissue mineral
      density was not affected by TSP2 deficiency. Instead, transmission electron
      microscopy revealed less intensely stained collagen fibrils with altered
      morphology in the extracellular matrix assembled by osteoblasts on the anterior
      surface of TSP2-KO femora. Femoral diaphyseal bone displayed comparable amounts
      of total collagen, but the TSP2-KO bones had higher levels of detergent
      extractable type I collagen. Together, our data suggest that TSP2 is required for
      optimal collagen fibrillogenesis in bone and thereby contributes to normal
      skeletal tissue quality. 

PMID- 26272320
TI  - Quadriceps exercise intolerance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary
      disease: the potential role of altered skeletal muscle mitochondrial respiration.
AB  - This study sought to determine if qualitative alterations in skeletal muscle
      mitochondrial respiration, associated with decreased mitochondrial efficiency,
      contribute to exercise intolerance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary
      disease (COPD). Using permeabilized muscle fibers from the vastus lateralis of 13
      patients with COPD and 12 healthy controls, complex I (CI) and complex II (CII)
      driven State 3 mitochondrial respiration were measured separately (State 3:CI and
      State 3:CII) and in combination (State 3:CI+CII). State 2 respiration was also
      measured. Exercise tolerance was assessed by knee extensor exercise (KE) time to
      fatigue. Per milligram of muscle, State 3:CI+CII and State 3:CI were reduced in
      COPD (P < 0.05), while State 3:CII and State 2 were not different between groups.
      To determine if this altered pattern of respiration represented qualitative
      changes in mitochondrial function, respiration states were examined as
      percentages of peak respiration (State 3:CI+CII), which revealed altered
      contributions from State 3:CI (Con 83.7 +/- 3.4, COPD 72.1 +/- 2.4%Peak, P <
      0.05) and State 3:CII (Con 64.9 +/- 3.2, COPD 79.5 +/- 3.0%Peak, P < 0.05)
      respiration, but not State 2 respiration in COPD. Importantly, a diminished
      contribution of CI-driven respiration relative to the metabolically less
      efficient CII-driven respiration (CI/CII) was also observed in COPD (Con 1.28 +/-
      0.09, COPD 0.81 +/- 0.05, P < 0.05), which was related to exercise tolerance of
      the patients (r = 0.64, P < 0.05). Overall, this study indicates that COPD is
      associated with qualitative alterations in skeletal muscle mitochondria that
      affect the contribution of CI and CII-driven respiration, which potentially
      contributes to the exercise intolerance associated with this disease. 

PMID- 26272323
TI  - Reorientation Dynamics of Chromophores in Photosensitive Polymers by Means of
      Coarse-Grained Modeling.
AB  - We study the photoisomerization of azobenzene chromophores embedded into a
      polymer matrix by using coarse-grained simulations. Two types of beads are
      considered: t- and c-beads, which are rich in trans and cis isomers,
      respectively. Simulations combine deterministic (molecular dynamics) and
      stochastic (random-type switching) parts. The ratio between the characteristic
      times for photoinduced reorientation and for orientation relaxation is tuned to
      be of the order found in experiments. The essential features of the phenomenon:
      1) the existence of a stationary state, and 2) anisotropic distribution of the
      orientations of t-beads (orientation hole-burning effect), are reproduced. We
      study population dynamics of c-beads and the strength of the orientation hole
      burning, depending on the illumination wavelength and its intensity. The form of
      the reorientation potential of the mean force acting on the t-beads is analyzed
      and its use is validated. 

PMID- 26272322
TI  - Macrophage migration inhibitory factor urinary excretion revisited - MIF a potent
      predictor of the immunosuppressive treatment outcomes in patients with
      proliferative primary glomerulonephritis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a cytokine that
      shares many activities with other pro-inflammatory cytokines in primary
      glomerulonephritis (GN). This study assesses the influence of immunosuppressive
      treatment on serum and urine MIF in patients with proliferative (PGN) and non
      proliferative (NPGN) glomerulonephritis, and evaluates the potential of MIF in
      predicting outcomes. METHODS: Eighty-four patients (45 males and 39 females) with
      primary GN were included. Urinary excretion of MIF (ng/mg of urinary creatinine)
      was measured both pre- and post-treatment with combined steroids and
      cyclophosphamide. After a 12-month follow-up, the patients were retrospectively
      divided into four subgroups: responders of proliferative GN (R-PGN), non
      responders of proliferative GN (NR-PGN), responders of non-proliferative GN (R
      NPGN) and non-responders of non-proliferative GN (NR-NPGN). RESULTS: The median
      pre-treatment urinary MIF values were higher in PGN than in NPGN (3.6 versus 2.2;
      ANOVA P = 0.039). The highest pre-treatment urinary excretion of MIF was observed
      in NR-PGN (median 6.1), which was significantly higher than other subgroups
      (ANOVA P < 0.05). The treatment significantly reduced MIF urinary excretion only
      in R-PGN (P < 0.01). In NR-PGN, pre- (5.9 +/- 2.9 pg/mgCr) and post-treatment
      mean MIF excretion (4.9 +/- 2.3 pg/mgCr) exceeded the calculated cut off value
      (3.3 pg/mgCr). CONCLUSION: MIF urinary excretion appears to be a prognostic
      marker of therapy outcomes only in proliferative glomerulonephritis, in which
      lower urinary MIF may be linked with good prognosis, whereas a higher MIF urinary
      excretion value was a marker of unfavorable therapy outcomes. In Non-Responders,
      urinary MIF measurements may help to reconsider the choice of the
      immunosuppressive regimen at early stages of the treatment and act as an impulse
      to search for new therapeutic strategies.

PMID- 26272321
TI  - Sympathetic control of reflex cutaneous vasoconstriction in human aging.
AB  - This Synthesis highlights a series of recent studies that has systematically
      interrogated age-related deficits in cold-induced skin vasoconstriction. In
      response to cold stress, a reflex increase in sympathetic nervous system activity
      mediates reductions in skin blood flow. Reflex vasoconstriction during cold
      exposure is markedly impaired in aged skin, contributing to the relative
      inability of healthy older adults to maintain core temperature during mild cold
      stress in the absence of appropriate behavioral thermoregulation. This
      compromised reflex cutaneous vasoconstriction in healthy aging can occur as a
      result of functional deficits at multiple points along the efferent sympathetic
      reflex axis, including blunted sympathetic outflow directed to the skin
      vasculature, reduced presynaptic neurotransmitter synthesis and/or release, and
      altered end-organ responsiveness at several loci, in addition to potential
      alterations in afferent thermoreceptor function. Arguments have been made that
      the relative inability of aged skin to appropriately constrict is due to the
      aging cutaneous arterioles themselves, whereas other data point to the neural
      circuitry controlling those vessels. The argument presented herein provides
      strong evidence for impaired efferent sympathetic control of the peripheral
      cutaneous vasculature during whole body cold exposure as the primary mechanism
      responsible for attenuated vasoconstriction. 

PMID- 26272325
TI  - Review of existing terrestrial bioaccumulation models and terrestrial
      bioaccumulation modeling needs for organic chemicals.
AB  - Protocols for terrestrial bioaccumulation assessments are far less-developed than
      for aquatic systems. This article reviews modeling approaches that can be used to
      assess the terrestrial bioaccumulation potential of commercial organic chemicals.
      Models exist for plant, invertebrate, mammal, and avian species and for entire
      terrestrial food webs, including some that consider spatial factors. Limitations
      and gaps in terrestrial bioaccumulation modeling include the lack of QSARs for
      biotransformation and dietary assimilation efficiencies for terrestrial species;
      the lack of models and QSARs for important terrestrial species such as insects,
      amphibians and reptiles; the lack of standardized testing protocols for plants
      with limited development of plant models; and the limited chemical domain of
      existing bioaccumulation models and QSARs (e.g., primarily applicable to nonionic
      organic chemicals). There is an urgent need for high-quality field data sets for
      validating models and assessing their performance. There is a need to improve
      coordination among laboratory, field, and modeling efforts on bioaccumulative
      substances in order to improve the state of the science for challenging
      substances.

PMID- 26272324
TI  - Can an antimicrobial stewardship program reduce length of stay of immune
      competent adult patients admitted to hospital with diagnosis of community
      acquired pneumonia? Study protocol for pragmatic controlled non-randomized
      clinical study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pneumonia is responsible for a large proportion of hospital
      admissions and antibiotic utilization. Physician adherence to evidence-based
      pneumonia management guidelines is poor. Antimicrobial stewardship programs
      (ASPs) are an effective intervention to mitigate against unwarranted variation
      from these guidelines. Despite this benefit, ASPs have not been shown to reduce
      the length of stay of hospitalized patients with pneumonia. In immune-competent
      adult patients admitted to a hospital ward with a diagnosis of community-acquired
      pneumonia, does a multi-faceted ASP utilizing prospective chart audit and
      feedback reduce the length of stay, compared with usual care, without increasing
      the risk of death or readmission 30 days after discharge from hospital?
      METHODS/DESIGN: Starting on 1 April 2013, all consecutive immune-competent adult
      patients (>18 years old) admitted to a hospital ward with a positive febrile
      respiratory illness screening questionnaire and a diagnosis of pneumonia by the
      attending physician will be eligible for inclusion in this non-randomized study.
      All eligible patients who fulfill the ASP review criteria will undergo a
      prospective chart audit, followed by an ASP recommendation provided to the
      attending physician. The attending physician is responsible for implementing or
      rejecting the ASP recommendation. This is a modified stepped-wedge design with a
      baseline data collection period of 3 months, followed by non-random sequential
      introduction of the ASP intervention on each of four hospital wards in a single
      community-based, academic-affiliated 339-bed acute-care hospital in Barrie, ON,
      Canada. The primary outcome measure is hospital length of stay; secondary outcome
      measures include days and duration of antibiotic therapy, and inadvertent adverse
      outcomes of 30 day post-discharge mortality and hospital readmission rates.
      Differences in outcome measures will be assessed using extended Cox regression
      analysis. Time to ASP intervention is included as a time-dependent covariate in
      the final model, to account for time-dependent bias. DISCUSSION: By designing a
      pragmatic clinical trial with unique design and analytic features, we not only
      expect to demonstrate the effectiveness of a real-world ASP, but also provide a
      model for program evaluation that can be used more broadly to improve patient
      safety and quality of care. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02264756 .

PMID- 26272326
TI  - Systematic review of school-based interventions to prevent smoking for girls.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The purpose of this review is to study the effect of school-based
      interventions on smoking prevention for girls. METHODS: We performed a systematic
      review of articles published since 1992 on school-based tobacco-control
      interventions in controlled trials for smoking prevention among children. We
      searched the databases of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, The Cochrane Databases,
      CINAHL, Social Science Abstracts, and PsycInfo. Two reviewers independently
      assessed trials for inclusion and quality and extracted data. A pooled random
      effects estimate was estimated of the overall relative risk. RESULTS: Thirty
      seven trials were included, of which 16 trials with 24,210 girls were included in
      the pooled analysis. The overall pooled effect was a relative risk (RR) of 0.96
      (95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.86-1.08; I (2)=75 %). One study in which a
      school-based intervention was combined with a mass media intervention showed more
      promising results compared to only school-based prevention, and four studies with
      girl-specific interventions, that could not be included in the pooled analysis,
      reported statistically significant benefits for attitudes and intentions about
      smoking and quit rates. CONCLUSIONS: There was no evidence that school-based
      smoking prevention programs have a significant effect on preventing adolescent
      girls from smoking. Combining school-based programs with mass media
      interventions, and developing girl-specific interventions, deserve additional
      study as potentially more effective interventions compared to school-based-only
      intervention programs. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42012002322.

PMID- 26272327
TI  - Physical fitness, serum relaxin and duration of gestation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Women are recommended to perform regular exercise during pregnancy
      but the impact of physical fitness on duration of gestation and miscarriage is
      inconsistent. In addition, a dose-response relation between the amount of weekly
      exercise and increased risk of miscarriage in early pregnancy has been observed.
      Previous studies have mostly used an epidemiologic method. Larger studies using
      careful measurement of physical fitness are needed. Besides physical fitness,
      maternal circulating concentrations of the hormone relaxin have been associated
      with decreased duration of gestation. METHODS: A prospective cohort including 20
      women with miscarriage and 460 women with spontaneous onset of labour, recruited
      from maternal health care centres in central Sweden, were examined in early
      pregnancy regarding estimated absolute peak oxygen uptake (VO2 peak, est.) by
      cycle ergometer test, and maternal circulating serum relaxin concentrations.
      RESULTS: Women with miscarriage displayed the highest level of absolute VO2 peak,
      est. (2.61 l/min) and the lowest serum relaxin concentrations (640 ng/l). Among
      women with spontaneous onset of labour, the mean absolute VO2 peak, est.
      increased successively from the lowest estimated oxygen uptake of 2.31 l/min
      among those with preterm birth (n = 28), to an oxygen uptake of 2.49 l/min among
      women with postterm birth (n = 31). An opposite trend was shown regarding serum
      relaxin concentrations from women with miscarriage to those with postterm birth.
      Serum relaxin concentrations, but not absolute VO2 peak, est. was significantly
      and independently associated with duration of gestation in women with
      miscarriages, and absolute VO2 peak, est., age and multiple pregnancy were
      independently associated with duration of gestation in women with spontaneous
      onset of labour. CONCLUSIONS: Physical fitness appears to be a protective factor
      of established pregnancies and not significantly involved in the risk of early
      miscarriage. Additional studies are needed to more clearly define the role of
      relaxin in miscarriage.

PMID- 26272328
TI  - Fast food increases postprandial cardiac workload in type 2 diabetes independent
      of pre-exercise: A pilot study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes aggravates the postprandial metabolic effects of
      food, which increase cardiovascular risk. We investigated the acute effects of
      fast food on postprandial left ventricular (LV) function and the potential
      effects of pre-exercise in type 2 diabetes individuals. METHODS: We used a cross
      over study including 10 type 2 diabetes individuals (7 male and 3 females; 53.4
      +/- 8.1 years; 28.3 +/- 3.8 kg/m(2); type 2 diabetes duration 3.1 +/- 1.8 years)
      and 10 controls (7 male and 3 females; 52.8 +/- 10.1 years; 28.5 +/- 4.2 kg/m(2))
      performing high intensity interval exercise (HIIE; 40 min, 4 * 4 min intervals,
      90-95% HRmax), moderate intensity exercise (MIE; 47 min, 70% HRmax) and no
      exercise (NE) in a random order 16-18 hours prior to fast-food ingestion.
      Baseline echocardiography, blood pressure and biochemical measurements were
      recorded prior to and 16-18 hours after exercise, and 30 minutes, 2 hours and 4
      hours after fast food ingestion. RESULTS: LV diastolic (peak early diastolic
      tissue velocity, peak early diastolic filling velocity), and systolic workload
      (global strain rate, peak systolic tissue velocity, rate pressure product)
      increased after consumption of fast food in both groups. In contrast to controls,
      the type 2 diabetes group had prolonged elevations in resting heart rate and
      indications of prolonged elevations in diastolic workload (peak early diastolic
      tissue velocity) as well as reduced systolic blood pressure after fast food
      consumption. No significant modifications due to exercise in the postprandial
      phase were seen in any group. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that fast-food
      induces greater and sustained overall cardiac workload in type 2 diabetes
      individuals versus body mass index and age matched controls; exercise 16-18 hours
      pre-meal has no acute effects to the postprandial phase. TRIAL REGISTRATION:
      ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01991769.

PMID- 26272329
TI  - Phytochemical and Botanical Therapies for Rosacea: A Systematic Review.
AB  - Botanical and cosmeceutical therapies are commonly used to treat symptoms of
      rosacea such as facial erythema, papules/pustule counts, and telangiectasia.
      These products may contain plant extracts, phytochemicals, and herbal
      formulations. The objective of this study was to review clinical studies
      evaluating the use of botanical agents for the treatment of rosacea. MEDLINE and
      Embase databases were searched for clinical studies evaluating botanical
      therapies for rosacea. Major results were summarized, and study methodology was
      analyzed. Several botanical therapies may be promising for rosacea symptoms, but
      few studies are methodologically rigorous. Several plant extract and
      phytochemicals effectively improved facial erythema and papule/pustule counts
      caused by rosacea. Many studies are not methodologically rigorous. Further
      research is critical, as many botanicals have been evaluated in only one study.
      Botanical agents may reduce facial erythema and effectively improve
      papule/pustule counts associated with rosacea. Although promising, further
      research in the area is imperative.

PMID- 26272330
TI  - Exploratory effects of a strong CYP3A inhibitor (ketoconazole), a strong CYP3A
      inducer (rifampicin), and concomitant ethanol on piragliatin pharmacokinetics and
      pharmacodynamics in type 2 diabetic patients.
AB  - Piragliatin is a CYP3A substrate; its inactive metabolite M4, formed through
      cytosolic reductase, is reversibly metabolized back to piragliatin through CYP3A.
      The impact of concomitant CYP3A modifiers thus cannot be predicted. Drinking
      alcohol under fasting conditions is associated with a recognized glucose-lowering
      effect, which might be synergistic with piragliatin's hypoglycemic effect. Two
      exploratory studies were conducted to examine these potential interactions in
      type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients: 16 completed an open-label, sequential 2-way
      crossover, 2-arm (randomized to ketoconazole and rifampicin) CYP3A study; another
      18 participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized 3-way crossover
      ethanol study. Administration of piragliatin (100-mg single dose) resulted in a
      32% Cmax and 44% area under the curve (AUCinfinity ) increase in piragliatin
      exposure without affecting glucose AUC0-6h following ketoconazole (400 mg QD * 5
      days); 30% Cmax and 72% AUCinfinity decrease in piragliatin exposure with a 13%
      increase in glucose AUC0-6h following rifampicin (600 mg QD * 5 days); and,
      unexpectedly, a 32% Cmax and 23% AUC0-6h decrease (no change in AUCinfinity ) in
      piragliatin exposure with a 13% increase in glucose AUC0-6h following alcohol (40
      g single dose). In conclusion, a strong CYP3A modifier or concomitant alcohol
      could lead to a change in exposure to piragliatin with a potential alteration in
      glucose-lowering effect. 

PMID- 26272331
TI  - Integrated DNA walking system to characterize a broad spectrum of GMOs in
      food/feed matrices.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In order to provide a system fully integrated with qPCR screening,
      usually used in GMO routine analysis, as well as being able to detect,
      characterize and identify a broad spectrum of GMOs in food/feed matrices, two
      bidirectional DNA walking methods targeting p35S or tNOS, the most common
      transgenic elements found in GM crops, were developed. These newly developed DNA
      walking methods are completing the previously implemented DNA walking method
      targeting the t35S pCAMBIA element. METHODS: Food/feed matrices containing
      transgenic crops (Bt rice or MON863 maize) were analysed using the integrated DNA
      walking system. RESULTS: First, the newly developed DNA walking methods, anchored
      on the sequences used for the p35S or tNOS qPCR screening, were tested on Bt rice
      that contains these two transgenic elements. Second, the methods were assessed on
      a maize sample containing a low amount of the GM MON863 event, representing a
      more complex matrix in terms of genome size and sensitivity. Finally, to
      illustrate its applicability in GMO routine analysis by enforcement laboratories,
      the entire workflow of the integrated strategy, including qPCR screening to
      detect the potential presence of GMOs and the subsequent DNA walking methods to
      characterize and identify the detected GMOs, was applied on a GeMMA Scheme
      Proficiency Test matrix. Via the characterization of the transgene flanking
      region between the transgenic cassette and the plant genome as well as of a part
      of the transgenic cassette, the presence of GMOs was properly confirmed or
      infirmed in all tested samples. CONCLUSION: Due to their simple procedure and
      their short time-frame to get results, the developed DNA walking methods proposed
      here can be easily implemented in GMO routine analysis by the enforcement
      laboratories. In providing crucial information about the transgene flanking
      regions and/or the transgenic cassettes, this DNA walking strategy is a key
      molecular tool to prove the presence of GMOs in any given food/feed matrix.

PMID- 26272332
TI  - Development of polymorphic microsatellite loci for conservation genetic studies
      of the coral reef fish Centropyge bicolor.
AB  - A total of 23 novel polymorphic microsatellite marker loci were developed for the
      angelfish Centropyge bicolor through 454 sequencing, and further tested on two
      spatially separated populations (90 individuals each) from Kimbe Bay in Papua New
      Guinea. The mean +/- s.e. number of alleles per locus was 14.65 +/- 1.05, and
      mean +/- s.e. observed (HO ) and expected (HE ) heterozygosity frequencies were
      0.676 +/- 0.021 and 0.749 +/- 0.018, respectively. The markers reported here
      constitute the first specific set for this genus and will be useful for future
      conservation genetic studies in the Indo-Pacific region.

PMID- 26272333
TI  - Relativistic state-specific multireference perturbation theory incorporating
      improved virtual orbitals: Application to the ground state single-bond
      dissociation.
AB  - Using four-component (4c) relativistic spinors, we present a computationally
      economical relativistic ab initio method for molecular systems employing our
      recently proposed second-order state-specific multireference perturbation theory
      (SSMRPT) incorporating the improved virtual orbital-complete active space
      configuration interaction (IVO-CASCI) reference wavefunction. The resulting
      method, 4c-IVO-SSMRPT [calculate one state at a time] is tested in pilot
      calculations on the homonuclear dimers including Li(2), Na(2), K(2), Rb(2), F(2),
      Cl(2), and Br(2) through the computations of the ground state potential energy
      curves (PECs). As SSMRPT curbs intruder effects, 4c-IVO-SSMRPT is numerically
      stable. To our knowledge, the SSMRPT in the 4c relativistic framework has not
      been explored in the past. Selective spectroscopic constants that are closely
      related to the correct shape and accuracy of the energy surfaces have been
      extracted from the computed PECs. For the halogen molecules, a relativistic
      destabilization of the bond has been found. Relativistic and electron correlation
      effects need to be incorporated to get reliable estimates. Our results are in
      good accordance with reference theoretical and experimental data which manifests
      the computational accuracy and efficiency of the new 4c-IVO-SSMRPT method. The
      method opens for an improved description of MR systems containing heavy elements.
      The inexpensiveness of IVO-CASCI makes 4c-IVO-SSMRPT method promising for studies
      on large systems of heavy elements.

PMID- 26272335
TI  - Radiographical measurements for distal intra-articular fractures of the radius
      using plain radiographs and cone beam computed tomography images.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Operative treatment of an intra-articular distal radius fracture is
      one of the most common procedures in orthopedic and hand surgery. The intra- and
      interobserver agreement of common radiographical measurements of these fractures
      using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and plain radiographs were evaluated.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-seven patients undergoing open reduction and volar
      fixation for a distal radius fracture were studied. Two radiologists analyzed the
      preoperative radiographs and CBCT images. Agreement of the measurements was
      subjected to intra-class correlation coefficient and the Bland-Altman analyses.
      RESULTS: Plain radiographs provided a slightly poorer level of agreement. For
      fracture diastasis, excellent intraobserver agreement was achieved for
      radiographs and good or excellent agreement for CBCT, compared to poor
      interobserver agreement (ICC 0.334) for radiographs and good interobserver
      agreement (ICC 0.621) for CBCT images. The Bland-Altman analyses indicated a
      small mean difference between the measurements but rather large variation using
      both imaging methods, especially in angular measurements. CONCLUSIONS: For most
      of the measurements, radiographs do well, and may be used in clinical practice.
      Two different measurements by the same reader or by two different readers can
      lead to different decisions, and therefore a standardization of the measurements
      is imperative. More detailed analysis of articular surface needs cross-sectional
      imaging modalities.

PMID- 26272336
TI  - Prognostic significance of morphological growth patterns and mitotic index of
      epithelioid malignant peritoneal mesothelioma.
AB  - AIMS: The prognostic significance of histological subtyping of epithelioid
      pleural mesotheliomas has been recently reported, but similar data are lacking
      for peritoneal mesotheliomas. The aim of this study was to investigate possible
      relationships between histological growth patterns of epithelioid peritoneal
      mesotheliomas, clinicopathological features, and patient outcome. METHODS AND
      RESULTS: Eighty-four cases of chemotherapy-naive epithelioid peritoneal
      mesothelioma were classified into tubulopapillary, micropapillary, papillary,
      tubular, solid and trabecular growth patterns. Pathological features such as
      depth of invasion, lymphocytic host response, mitotic count, nuclear grade,
      lymphovascular invasion, lymph node metastasis and stromal desmoplasia were
      analysed. The most common histological patterns were solid (n = 37, 44%),
      tubulopapillary (n = 24, 29%), and micropapillary (n = 11, 13%). The overall
      median survival was 36 months. Patients with solid mesothelioma had shorter
      overall survival (median, 29 months) than patients with tubulopapillary and
      micropapillary growth patterns (median, 51 and 53 months, respectively; P =
      0.053). A high mitotic index (>5 in 50 high-power fields) was found to be
      associated with poor survival (P < 0.03). A moderate to severe lymphocytic host
      response was associated with longer median survival (P = 0.13). CONCLUSIONS: Our
      study highlights the prognostic importance of the solid growth pattern among
      diffuse epithelioid peritoneal mesotheliomas, and reaffirms mitotic index as a
      predictor of overall survival.

PMID- 26272334
TI  - Drug carrier interaction with blood: a critical aspect for high-efficient
      vascular-targeted drug delivery systems.
AB  - Vascular wall endothelial cells control several physiological processes and are
      implicated in many diseases, making them an attractive candidate for drug
      targeting. Vascular-targeted drug carriers (VTCs) offer potential for reduced
      side effects and improved therapeutic efficacy, however, only limited therapeutic
      success has been achieved to date. This is perhaps due to complex interactions of
      VTCs with blood components, which dictate VTC transport and adhesion to
      endothelial cells. This review focuses on VTC interaction with blood as well as
      novel 'bio-inspired' designs to mimic and exploit features of blood in VTC
      development. Advanced approaches for enhancing VTCs are discussed along with
      applications in regenerative medicine, an area of massive potential growth and
      expansion of VTC utility in the near future. 

PMID- 26272339
TI  - Two phosphonium ionic liquids with high Li(+) transport number.
AB  - This work presents the physicochemical characterization of two ionic liquids
      (ILs) with small phosphonium cations, triethylpenthylphosphonium
      bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide ([P2225][Tf2N]) and (2
      methoxyethyl)trimethylphosphonium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide
      ([P222(201)][Tf2N]), and their mixtures with Li(+). Properties such as the
      electrochemical window, density, viscosity and ionic conductivity are presented.
      The diffusion coefficient was obtained using two different techniques, PGSE-NMR
      and Li electrodeposition with microelectrodes. In addition, the Li(+) transport
      number was calculated using the PGSE-NMR technique and an electrochemical
      approach. The use of these three techniques showed that the PGSE-NMR technique
      underestimates the diffusion coefficient for charged species. The Li(+) transport
      number was found to be as high as 0.54. Raman spectroscopy and molecular dynamics
      simulations were used to evaluate the short-range structure of the liquids. These
      experiments suggested that the interaction between the Li(+) and the Tf2N(-)
      anion is similar to that seen with other ILs containing the same anion. However,
      the MD simulations also showed that the Li(+) ions interact differently with the
      cation containing an alkyl ether chain. The results found in this work suggest
      that these Li(+) mixtures have promising potential to be applied as electrolytes
      in batteries. 

PMID- 26272337
TI  - Dexamethasone-dependent modulation of cyclic GMP synthesis in podocytes.
AB  - Podocytes may be direct target for glucocorticoid therapy in glomerular
      proteinuric disease. Permeability of podocytes largely depends on their capacity
      to migrate which involves the contractile apparatus in their foot processes. In
      this study, we examined the effect of synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone
      (DEX) on the ability of podocytes to produce cyclic guanosine monophosphate
      (cGMP) in the presence of vasoactive factors, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP),
      nitric oxide (NO), and angiotensin II (Ang II). We investigated also the effects
      of cGMP and DEX on podocyte motility. Primary rat podocytes and immortalized
      mouse podocytes were pretreated with 1 uM DEX for 4 or 24 h. Glomerular
      hypertension was mimicked by subjecting the cells to mechanical stress. Total and
      subcellular cGMP levels were determined in podocytes incubated with 0.1 uM ANP, 1
      uM S-nitroso-N-acetyl penicillamine (SNAP), and 1 uM Ang II. Cell motility was
      estimated by a wound-healing assay. The ANP-dependent production of cGMP
      increased after 4 h exposition to DEX, but was attenuated after 24 h. Adversely,
      a 24-h pretreatment with DEX augmented the NO-dependent cGMP synthesis. Ang II
      suppressed the ANP-dependent cGMP production and the effect was enhanced by DEX
      in mechanical stress conditions. Mechanical stress reduced total cGMP production
      in the presence of all stimulators, whereas extracellular to total cGMP ratio
      increased. 8-Br cGMP enhanced podocyte migration which was accompanied by F-actin
      disassembly. In the presence of DEX these effects were prevented. We conclude
      that DEX modulates the production of cGMP in podocytes stimulated with vasoactive
      factors such as Ang II, ANP, and NO, and the effect is time-dependent. cGMP
      increases podocyte motility, which is prevented by DEX. This mechanism may
      account for the antiproteinuric effect of glucocorticoids. 

PMID- 26272338
TI  - A novel adipokine C1q/TNF-related protein 3 is expressed in developing skeletal
      muscle and controls myoblast proliferation and differentiation.
AB  - Several hormones and growth factors, including adipokines, play important roles
      during muscle development and regeneration. CTRP3, a paralog of adiponectin, is a
      member of the C1q and tumor necrosis factor-related protein (CTRP) superfamily.
      CTRP3 is a novel adipokine previously reported to reduce glucose output in
      hepatocytes and lower glucose levels in mice models. In the present study, we
      provide the first evidence for a physiological role of the CTRP3 in myogenesis
      using C2C12 myoblasts. CTRP3 was expressed in developing skeletal muscle tissues,
      and the expression level of CTRP3 was increased during myogenic differentiation
      of C2C12 cells. Recombinant CTRP3 (rCTRP3) promoted the proliferation of
      undifferentiated C2C12 myoblasts and this response required activation of the
      extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) signaling pathway. In
      contrary, rCTRP3 inhibited myogenic differentiation and fusion of C2C12 cells by
      suppressing the expression of myogenic marker genes (myogenin and myosin heavy
      chain). CTRP3 mRNA expression was increased in C2C12 myoblasts treated with
      transforming growth factor-beta3 (TGF-beta3), suggesting that TGF-beta3 is one of
      the extracellular factors regulating CTRP3 expression during myogenesis. These
      results indicate a novel physiological role for CTRP3 during skeletal myogenesis.

PMID- 26272342
TI  - Judgement days: moral attitudes in the wake of local disasters.
AB  - The deaths and destruction stemming from a disaster are traumatic enough to
      implicate victims' beliefs not only about disasters themselves but also about
      other social and political concerns. In particular, disasters are associated with
      the scapegoating of out-groups, suggesting that even deep-rooted moral concerns
      may shift, at least temporarily, after disasters. This study uses exposure to
      local natural disaster fatalities to examine moral judgements regarding gays in
      United States surveys from 1984-98. Survey respondents whose county has suffered
      a disaster feel appreciably more negatively towards gays, even though most of the
      disasters in this data set are relatively small and local. The increased
      antipathy towards gays dissipates within months, and is most marked among those
      who had, before the disaster, considered themselves more religious. These results
      raise the possibility that some groups, especially those already marginalised by
      society, may suffer in a backlash in the wake of a natural disaster.

PMID- 26272341
TI  - Similar Adiponectin Levels in Obese Normotensive and Obese Hypertensive Men and
      No Vasorelaxant Effect of Adiponectin on Human Arteries.
AB  - Obesity is a strong risk factor for hypertension, but the mechanism linking
      obesity to hypertension is not fully elucidated. In obesity, circulating
      concentrations of adiponectin are decreased and hypoadiponectinaemia has in some
      but not all studies been associated with increased risk of hypertension. Due to
      this inconsistency, we decided to study adiponectin from two aspects in a cross
      sectional in vivo study and in an experimental in vitro study. In the cross
      sectional study, 103 men with body mass index (BMI) >= 30.0 kg/m(2) were studied;
      63 had 24-hr ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) >= 130/80 mmHg (ObeseHT) and 40 had
      24-hr ABP < 130/80 mmHg (ObeseNT). As controls, we studied 27 men with BMI
      between 20.0 and 24.9 kg/m(2) and 24-hr ABP < 130/80 mmHg (LeanNT). Serum
      concentrations of adiponectin and body composition using dual-energy X-ray
      absorptiometry scanning were determined. In vitro, the direct vasomotor response
      of adiponectin was tested on subcutaneous resistance arteries from human
      abdominal adipose tissue. The two obese groups had lower adiponectin
      concentrations compared with LeanNT (p < 0.01) [median (interquartile range)]:
      ObeseHT 6.5 (5.1-8.3) mg/L; ObeseNT 6.6 (5.2-7.8) mg/L; and LeanNT 9.4 (6.7-12.4)
      mg/L, with no significant difference in adiponectin concentrations (or body
      composition) between ObeseHT and ObeseNT (p = 0.67). In vitro, adiponectin did
      not have any direct vasodilatory effect and adiponectin did not affect
      angiotensin II-stimulated vasoconstriction. In conclusion, obese hypertensive men
      have similar serum concentrations of adiponectin as obese normotensive men. In
      combination with the in vitro data, these findings question a pathogenic role of
      adiponectin in human hypertension.

PMID- 26272340
TI  - Polymorphism in COMT is associated with IgG3 subclass level and susceptibility to
      infection in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is considered as a neuroimmunological
      disease but the etiology and pathophysiology is poorly understood. Patients
      suffer from sustained exhaustion, cognitive impairment and an increased
      sensitivity to pain and sensory stimuli. A subset of patients has frequent
      respiratory tract infections (RRTI). Dysregulation of the sympathetic nervous
      system and an association with genetic variations in the catechol-O
      methyltransferase (COMT) and glucocorticoid receptor genes influencing
      sympathetic and glucocorticoid metabolism were reported in CFS. Here, we analyzed
      the prevalence of SNPs of COMT and glucocorticoid receptor-associated genes in
      CFS patients and correlated them to immunoglobulin levels and susceptibility to
      RRTI. METHODS: We analyzed blood cells of 74 CFS patients and 76 healthy controls
      for polymorphisms in COMT, FKBP5 and CRHR1 by allelic discrimination PCR. Serum
      immunoglobulins were determined by immunoturbidimetric technique, cortisol levels
      by ECLIA. RESULTS: Contrary to previous reports, we found no difference between
      CFS patients and healthy controls in the prevalence of SNPs for COMT, FKBP5 and
      CRHR1. In patients with the Met/Met variant of COMT rs4680 we observed enhanced
      cortisol levels providing evidence for its functional relevance. Both enhanced
      IgE and diminished IgG3 levels and an increased susceptibility to RRTI were
      observed in CFS patients with the Met/Met variant. Such an association was not
      observed in 68 non-CFS patients with RRTI. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate a
      relationship of COMT polymorphism rs4680 with immune dysregulation in CFS
      providing a potential link for the association between stress and infection
      susceptibility in CFS.

PMID- 26272343
TI  - Effect of colestilan on serum phosphorus in dialysis patients: A meta-analysis of
      the literature.
AB  - AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of colestilan as a phosphorus binder in
      dialysis patients, we performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
      METHODS: We retrieved studies that compared colestilan with placebo in the
      treatment of dialysis patients from Medline, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library and
      conference proceedings. RESULTS: Four studies were included. The treatment
      durations ranged from 2 to 12 weeks, median 7.5 weeks. Compared with placebo
      group, colestilan significantly decreased serum phosphorus (WMD, -0.22 mmol/L;
      95% CI, -0.33 to -0.12, P < 0.0001), calcium phosphorus product (WMD, -0.70
      mmol(2) /L(2) ; 95% CI, -1.06 to -0.35, P = 0.0001), intact PTH (WMD, -5.37
      pmol/L; 95% CI, -8.38 to -2.36, P = 0.0005) and LDL cholesterol (WMD, -0.78
      mmol/L; 95% CI, -0.85 to -0.71, P < 0.00001). There was no significant difference
      in serum calcium between the two groups. Colestilan therapy increased
      gastrointestinal complaints significantly (OR = 4.07, 95% CI: 3.06-6.53, P <
      0.00001). Sensitivity analysis was performed by excluding studies with Jadad
      score of three or 3 g/day colestilan, the results did not change. CONCLUSIONS:
      Short-term administration of colestilan is effective for the treatment of
      hyperphosphataemia in dialysis patients. Long-term effectiveness and safety needs
      to be evaluated.

PMID- 26272344
TI  - Highly antiplasmodial non-natural oxidative products of dioncophylline A:
      synthesis, absolute configuration, and conformational stability.
AB  - Four new compounds, the monomeric dioncotetralones A (6 a) and B (6 b) and the
      dimeric compounds jozimine A3 (7) and jozimine A4 (9), were semi-synthesized from
      the natural product dioncophylline A (4) and its 5'-O-demethylated derivative
      (5), respectively, under phenol oxidative reaction conditions. Dioncotetralones A
      (6 a) and B (6 b) possess an unprecedented Z-configured double bond, in contrast
      to the classic biaryl axis that is present in the precursor dioncophylline A (4),
      and an additional stereogenic center at the C2' atom was generated due to the
      dearomatization. The resulting steric repulsion forced the expected planar double
      bond into a helical distorted conformation. The homocoupling of 5 yielded
      compounds 7 and 9, the latter of which is the first sp(3) -sp(2) coupled product
      of a monomeric naphthylisoquinoline with a reduced one and, thus, contains a
      newly generated stereogenic center. The full stereostructures of 6 a, 6 b, 7, and
      9 were successfully elucidated by the interplay of spectroscopic methods (1D/2D
      NMR and electronic circular-dichroism spectroscopy) in combination with quantum
      chemical calculations. In addition, compounds 6 a and 7 exhibited high
      antiplasmodial activities with excellent half-maximal inhibitory concentration
      values. 

PMID- 26272346
TI  - CoDiab-VD: protocol of a prospective population-based cohort study on diabetes
      care in Switzerland.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Diabetes represents an increasing health burden worldwide. In 2010,
      the Public Health Department of the canton of Vaud (Switzerland) launched a
      regional diabetes programme entitled "Programme cantonal Diabete" (PcD), with the
      objectives to both decrease the incidence of diabetes and improve care for
      patients with diabetes. The cohort entitled CoDiab-VD emerged from that
      programme. It specifically aimed at following quality of diabetes care over time,
      at evaluating the coverage of the PcD within this canton and at assessing the
      impact of the PcD on care of patients with diabetes. METHODS/DESIGN: The cohort
      CoDiab-VD is a prospective population-based cohort study. Patients with diabetes
      were recruited in two waves (autumn 2011--summer 2012) through community
      pharmacies. Eligible participants were non-institutionalised adult patients (>=
      18 years) with diabetes diagnosed for at least one year, residing in the canton
      of Vaud and coming to a participating pharmacy with a diabetes-related
      prescription. Women with gestational diabetes, people with obvious cognitive
      impairment or insufficient command of French were not eligible. Self-reported
      data collected, included the following primary outcomes: processes-of-care
      indicators (annual checks) and outcomes of care such as HbA1C, (health-related)
      quality of life measures (Short Form-12 Health Survey--SF-12, Audit of Diabetes
      Dependent Quality of Life 19--ADDQoL) and Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness
      Care (PACIC). Data on diabetes, health status, healthcare utilisation, health
      behaviour, self-management activities and support, knowledge of, or participation
      to, campaigns/activities proposed by the PcD, and socio-demographics were also
      obtained. For consenting participants, physicians provided few additional pieces
      of information about processes and laboratory results. Participants will be
      followed once a year, via a mailed self-report questionnaire. The core of the
      follow-up questionnaires will be similar to the baseline one, with the addition
      of thematic modules adapting to the development of the PcD. Physicians will be
      contacted every 2 years. DISCUSSION: CoDiab-VD will allow obtaining a broad
      picture of the care of patients with diabetes, as well as their needs regarding
      their chronic condition. The data will be used to evaluate the PcD and help
      prioritise targeted actions. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study is registered with
      ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT01902043, July 9, 2013.

PMID- 26272347
TI  - Relationship between fragmented QRS and paradoxical septal motion in coronary
      artery bypass graft patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Paradoxical septal motion (PSM) can cause confusion in the assessment
      of ventricular function with scintigraphy even in the absence of ventricular
      septal damage and ischemia. Fragmented QRS (fQRS) is associated with various
      cardiac disorders. In this study, we aimed to determine the correlation between
      paradoxical septal motion and fQRS after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).
      METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the hospital records showing scintigraphic
      images and electrocardiograms (ECG) of the patients who had undergone CABG. The
      patients were classified based on the evaluation of motion and thickening of the
      septal wall. The patients with regular thickening of the septal wall and abnormal
      motion were classified as PSM (+) group. The patients with normal motion and
      thickening of the septal wall were classified as PSM (-) group. fQRS complexes
      are defined as various RSR patterns either with or without Q-waves on a 12-lead
      resting ECG. RESULTS: PSM was found to be more common in fQRS patients (p <
      0.001). PSM was seen in 91.4 % of cases with fQRS and in 79.8 % of cases without
      fQRS. No significant differences were found in the phase analysis parameters. A
      correlation was found between septal wall motion values and the presence of fQRS
      (r = 0.197, p = 0.012). CONCLUSION: fQRS was associated with PSM. fQRS may cause
      PSM in patients with CABG without left bundle branch block due to a conduction
      defect. PSM and fQRS are predictive of cardiac mortality. Patients diagnosed with
      PSM and fQRS, should be monitored closely.

PMID- 26272345
TI  - Cell painting with an engineered EPCR to augment the protein C system.
AB  - The protein C (PC) system conveys beneficial anticoagulant and cytoprotective
      effects in numerous in vivo disease models. The endothelial protein C receptor
      (EPCR) plays a central role in these pathways as cofactor for PC activation and
      by enhancing activated protein C (APC)-mediated protease-activated receptor (PAR)
      activation. During inflammatory disease, expression of EPCR on cell membranes is
      often diminished thereby limiting PC activation and APC's effects on cells. Here
      a caveolae-targeting glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored EPCR (EPCR-GPI)
      was engineered to restore EPCR's bioavailability via "cell painting." The
      painting efficiency of EPCR-GPI on EPCR-depleted endothelial cells was time- and
      dose-dependent. The EPCR-GPI bioavailability after painting was long lasting
      since EPCR surface levels reached 400 % of wild-type cells after 2 hours and
      remained > 200 % for 24 hours. EPCR-GPI painting conveyed APC binding to EPCR
      depleted endothelial cells where EPCR was lost due to shedding or shRNA. EPCR
      painting normalised PC activation on EPCR-depleted cells indicating that EPCR-GPI
      is functional active on painted cells. Caveolin-1 lipid rafts were enriched in
      EPCR after painting due to the GPI-anchor targeting caveolae. Accordingly, EPCR
      painting supported PAR1 and PAR3 cleavage by APC and augmented PAR1-dependent Akt
      phosphorylation by APC. Thus, EPCR-GPI painting achieved physiological relevant
      surface levels on endothelial cells, restored APC binding to EPCR-depleted cells,
      supported PC activation, and enhanced APC-mediated PAR cleavage and
      cytoprotective signalling. Therefore, EPCR-GPI provides a novel tool to restore
      the bioavailability and functionality of EPCR on EPCR- depleted and -deficient
      cells. 

PMID- 26272348
TI  - Comparison of ultrasonography features and malignancy rate of toxic and nontoxic
      autonomous nodules: a preliminary study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: When a scintigraphically autonomous nodule does not produce thyroid
      hormones enough to suppress serum thyrotrophin, it is generally defined as
      nontoxic autonomous nodule. In this study, we aimed to compare clinical and
      ultrasonographical (US) features and cytological and histopathological results of
      toxic and nontoxic autonomous nodules. METHODS: Patients who underwent
      thyroidectomy and were evaluated with technetium-99m-pertechnetate scintigraphy
      preoperatively in our institution between May 2008 and December 2014 were
      identified from medical records. Among these, treatment naive patients with
      scintigraphically autonomous thyroid nodules were chosen and classified into
      toxic (hyperthyroid) and nontoxic (euthyroid) groups. The demographic data,
      preoperative US features of the nodules, fine needle aspiration biopsy and
      histopathological results were analyzed. RESULTS: There were 170 (89.0%) patients
      with toxic and 21 (11.0%) patients with nontoxic autonomous nodules. A total of
      258 scintigraphically autonomous nodules were analyzed among which 227 were
      clinically functional (toxic) and 31 were clinically euthyroid (nontoxic).
      Echogenity, texture, marginal irregularity, presence of halo and
      macrocalcification were similar in toxic and nontoxic autonomous nodules. Toxic
      autonomous nodules were significantly bigger and had a significantly higher rate
      of microcalcification compared to nontoxic ones (p = 0.001 and p = 0.025,
      respectively). There was no significant difference in terms of cytological
      diagnosis between toxic and nontoxic autonomous nodules (p = 0.052). Atypia of
      undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance cytology
      was significantly higher in nontoxic group (p = 0.01). 20 (8.8%) of 227 toxic and
      2 (6.5%) of 31 nontoxic autonomous nodules were malignant (p = 0.59). Considering
      all nodules regardless of the thyroid function, 8.5% of autonomous nodules was
      malignant. CONCLUSION: US features and malignancy potential of nontoxic
      autonomous nodules resemble toxic autonomous nodules. Lower diameter suggests
      that they can represent a preliminary stage of toxic ones and have potential of
      toxicity when get bigger in size. There is still a considerable risk of
      malignancy risk in autonomous nodules whether toxic or not.

PMID- 26272350
TI  - N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Palladium(II)-1-Methylimidazole Complex Catalyzed Direct C
      H Bond Arylation of Benzo[b]furans with Aryl Chlorides.
AB  - The first example of sole direct C-H bond arylation of benzo[b]furans with aryl
      chlorides was achieved catalyzed by a well-defined NHC-Pd(II)-Im complex. Under
      the suitable conditions, all reactions involving kinds of benzo[b]furans and
      (hetero)aryl chlorides proceeded well to give the desired C2-arylated
      benzo[b]furans in sole regioselectivity in acceptable to high yields, providing
      an efficient and economic pathway for the direct C2-H bond arylation of
      benzo[b]furans. 

PMID- 26272351
TI  - Iodine status of adults in Taiwan 2005-2008, 5 years after the cessation of
      mandatory salt iodization.
AB  - BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Iodine deficiency causes a broad spectrum of disorders across
      all ages. Mandatory salt iodization in Taiwan successfully reduced the goiter
      rate from 21.6% to 4.3% in schoolchildren surveyed in 1971. The program continued
      until 2003 when salt iodization was changed from mandatory to voluntary. The
      purpose of this study was to investigate the iodine status of Taiwanese
      individuals after the change in the iodine policy. METHODS: Urinary iodine (UI)
      was measured in samples from adults in the Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan
      2005-2008. RESULTS: The median UI level was 100 MUg/L, and the percentage of
      populations with UI levels below 100 MUg/L and 50 MUg/L was 50.1% and 15.1%,
      respectively, indicating that the iodine status was borderline adequate. Men had
      a higher UI level than women (102 MUg/L vs. 98 MUg/L, p = 0.003), and older
      individuals (age > 60 years) had a lower UI level than younger people,
      particularly in women. The iodine status of the population < 50 years was
      sufficient, but it was insufficient in older groups. Mild iodine insufficiency
      was noted in all areas of Taiwan except the Southern area and Penghu islands,
      with the lowest UI level of 79 MUg/L in the Mountain area. Although the UI level
      of women of childbearing age (19-44 years) was 103 MUg/L, there may be a risk of
      iodine deficiency during pregnancy. CONCLUSION: The iodine nutrition of the
      Taiwanese population in 2005-2008 was borderline adequate, with insufficiency in
      some subgroups. Further monitoring of the iodine status is necessary.

PMID- 26272349
TI  - Heterologous production of a feruloyl esterase from Pleurotus sapidus
      synthesizing feruloyl-saccharide esters.
AB  - The feruloyl esterase (FAE) gene EST1 from the basidiomycete Pleurotus sapidus
      was heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli and Pichia pastoris.
      Catalytically active recombinant Est1 was secreted using P. pastoris as a host.
      For expression in P. pastoris, the expression vector pPIC9K was applied. The EST1
      gene was cloned with an N-terminal alpha-mating factor pre-pro sequence and
      expressed under the control of a methanol inducible alcohol oxidase 1 promotor.
      Est1 was purified to homogeneity using ion exchange and hydrophobic interaction
      chromatography. The recombinant Est1 showed optima at pH 5.0 and 50  degrees C,
      and released ferulic acid from saccharide esters and from the natural substrate
      destarched wheat bran. Substrate specificity profile and descriptor-based
      analysis demonstrated unique properties, showing that Est1 did not fit into the
      current FAE classification model. Transferuloylation synthesis of feruloyl
      saccharide esters was proven for mono- and disaccharides.

PMID- 26272352
TI  - When and how do prosthetic hips fail after total hip arthroplasties?-A
      retrospective study.
AB  - BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Understanding failure modes, time to revision, and vulnerable
      components in revision hips could help reduce the risk of revision surgeries. Our
      aim was to investigate the association between the index diagnosis and the
      failure mode in patients undergoing revision surgeries. METHODS: A total of 402
      patients who underwent a first revision surgery in a single hospital between 2000
      and 2012 were recruited in a retrospective study. Multiple logistic regression
      analysis was used to evaluate the association of the index diagnosis of the
      primary total hip arthroplasty and short-term failure, as well as specific
      failure mode that occurred early, while controlling for sex, age, and the type of
      prosthesis. RESULTS: The mean time to revision due to all failure modes was 9.48
      (standard deviation = 6.08) years. Defining short-term failure as a time to
      revision <5 years after total hip arthroplasty, the primary failure mode was
      infection (32.4%), followed by loosening (25.7%) and instability (17.1%). In
      multivariate analysis, as compared to osteonecrosis, patients with index
      diagnosis as infection was significantly associated with revision due to
      infection (odds ratio = 9.69, p = 0.013). In addition, osteoarthritis increased
      the odds of loosening (odds ratio = 4.18, p = 0.012). In contrast to studies in
      the United States and Europe, acetabular component revisions were the most common
      type found in our study. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that, compared with
      patients with osteonecrosis, patients with infection and osteoarthritis had
      higher odds of revision due to infection and loosening, respectively. Further
      studies are needed to examine the cause-effect relationship between index
      diagnosis and mode of failure.

PMID- 26272353
TI  - How important are autonomy and work setting to nurse practitioners' job
      satisfaction?
AB  - PURPOSE: Nurse practitioners (NPs) have reported aspects of their jobs that they
      are more and less satisfied with. However, few studies have examined the factors
      that predict overall job satisfaction. This study uses a large national sample to
      examine the extent to which autonomy and work setting predict job satisfaction.
      DATA SOURCES: The 2012 National Sample Survey of Nurse Practitioners (n = 8311)
      was used to examine bivariate and multivariate relationships between work setting
      and three autonomy variables (independent billing practices, having one's NP
      skills fully utilized, and relationship with physician), and job satisfaction.
      CONCLUSIONS: NPs working in primary care reported the highest levels of autonomy
      across all three autonomy measures, while those working in hospital surgical
      settings reported the lowest levels. Autonomy, specifically feeling one's NP
      skills were fully utilized, was the factor most predictive of satisfaction. In
      multivariate analyses, those who strongly agreed their skills were being fully
      utilized had satisfaction scores almost one point higher than those who strongly
      disagreed. Work setting was only marginally related to job satisfaction.
      IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: In order to attract and retain NPs in the future,
      healthcare organizations should ensure that NPs' skills are being fully utilized.

PMID- 26272354
TI  - Inhibition of inflammation by astaxanthin alleviates cognition deficits in
      diabetic mice.
AB  - Neurons in the hippocampal and cortical functional regions are more susceptible
      to damage induced by hyperglycemia, which can result in severe spatial learning
      and memory impairment. Neuroprotection ameliorates cognitive impairment induced
      by hyperglycemia in diabetic encephalopathy (DE). Astaxanthin has been widely
      studied in diabetes mellitus and diabetic complications due to its hypoglycemic,
      antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects. However, whether astaxanthin can
      alleviate cognition deficits induced by DE and its precise mechanisms remain
      undetermined. In this study, DE was induced by streptozotocin (STZ, 150 mg/kg) in
      ICR mice. We observed the effect of astaxanthin on cognition and investigated its
      potential mechanisms in DE mice. Results showed that astaxanthin treatment
      significantly decreased the latency and enhanced the distance and time spent in
      the target quadrant in the Morris water maze test. Furthermore, neuronal survival
      was significantly increased in the hippocampal CA3 region and the frontal cortex
      following treatment with astaxanthin. Meanwhile, immunoblotting was used to
      observe the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) p65 and
      the expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in the hippocampus and
      frontal cortex. The results indicated that astaxanthin could inhibit NF-kappaB
      nuclear translocation and downregulate TNF-alpha expression in the hippocampus
      and frontal cortex. Overall, the present study implied that astaxanthin could
      improve cognition by protecting neurons against inflammation injury potentially
      through inhibiting the nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB and down-regulating TNF
      alpha.

PMID- 26272355
TI  - Disclosing Health and Health Behavior Information between Living Donors and Their
      Recipients.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Living donor guidelines-both national and
      international-either do not address or are vague about what information can be
      shared between prospective living donors and transplant candidates, as well as
      when to make such disclosures and who should make them. This study explored the
      attitudes of donors and recipients regarding how much information they believe
      should be shared. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS: Two Email
      invitations were sent by the National Kidney Foundation (national headquarters)
      to its Email listservs, inviting members to participate in an online survey to
      assess the attitudes of kidney transplant stakeholders regarding the disclosure
      of health and health risk behavior information. RESULTS: From approximately 4200
      unique Email addresses, 392 (9.3%) respondents completed part or all of the
      survey. The analyses were limited to the 236 respondents who self-identified as
      either donors (potential and actual, n=160) or recipients (candidates and actual,
      n=76). Overall, 79% (186 of 234) of respondents supported disclosure of general
      recipient health information that would affect post-transplant outcome to donors,
      and 88% (207 of 235) supported disclosure of general donor health information to
      recipients. Recipients and donors were also supportive of sharing donor and
      recipient information, particularly information relevant to graft and patient
      survival. There is some reticence, however, about sharing social information. The
      closer the relationship, the more information they are willing to share. Both
      donors and recipients wanted the transplant team involved in the information
      disclosure. Over three quarters of donors (79%) and recipients (78%) did not
      think the recipient had a right to know why a donor was excluded from donating.
      CONCLUSIONS: Both donors and recipients want a significant amount of health
      information to be disclosed. The opinions of other stakeholders need to be
      surveyed to determine whether a revision of current policies and practices is
      warranted.

PMID- 26272356
TI  - Inhibition of 2-methoxyestradiol glucuronidation by probenecid.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: 2-Methoxyestradiol (2ME2), a metabolite of estradiol, has antitumour
      activity in vitro. However, potential clinical applicability has been limited by
      low oral bioavailability. Probenecid was evaluated in vitro as an inhibitor of
      2ME2 glucuronidation for purposes of enhancing 2ME2 oral bioavailability.
      METHODS: Human liver microsomes were used to determine kinetic parameters for
      transformation of 2ME2 to its glucuronide metabolites (M1, M2) and inhibition of
      the reactions by probenecid. KEY FINDINGS: M1 and M2 formation from 2ME2
      proceeded with features of substrate inhibition. Probenecid inhibited metabolite
      formation, with mean inhibition constant (Ki ) values of 0.9 and 2.6 mM,
      respectively. Inhibition was reversible, with mixed competitive-non-competitive
      characteristics. CONCLUSION: The Ki values for probenecid inhibition of 2ME2
      glucuronide formation, when compared to maximum probenecid plasma concentrations
      anticipated clinically, indicate that probenecid co-administration has the
      potential to augment systemic plasma levels of 2ME2 after oral dosage in humans.

PMID- 26272357
TI  - Health-related quality of life in perinatally HIV-infected children in the
      Netherlands.
AB  - Combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) can alter HIV infection in children
      into a chronic condition. Studies investigating health-related quality of life
      (HRQoL) in HIV-infected children are scarce, and lacking from Western Europe.
      This study aimed to compare the HRQoL of clinically stable perinatally HIV
      infected children to healthy, socioeconomically (SES)-matched controls as well as
      the Dutch norm population, and to explore associations between HIV and cART
      related factors with HRQoL. HIV-infected and healthy children aged 8-18 years
      completed the Pediatric Quality of Life InventoryTM 4.0 (PedsQLTM). We determined
      differences between groups on PedsQLTM mean scores, and the proportion of
      children with an impaired HRQoL per group (>=1 SD lower than the Dutch norm
      population). Logistic regression models were used to explore associations between
      disease-related factors and HRQoL impairment. In total, 33 HIV-infected and 37
      healthy children were included. There were no differences in the mean PedsQLTM
      subscales between HIV-infected children and both control groups. The proportion
      of children with an impaired HRQoL was higher in the HIV-infected group (27%) as
      compared to the healthy control group (22%) and the Dutch norm (14%) on the
      school functioning subscale (HIV vs. Dutch norm: P = .045). Mean scores of HRQoL
      of perinatally HIV-infected children in the Netherlands were not different from a
      SES-matched control group, or from the Dutch norm population. However, the HIV
      infected group did contain more children with HRQoL impairment, suggesting that
      HIV-infected children in the Netherlands are still more vulnerable to a
      compromised HRQoL. 

PMID- 26272358
TI  - The Usability of CAT System for Assessing the Depressive Level of Japanese-A
      Study on Psychometric Properties and Response Behavior.
AB  - BACKGROUND: An innovative measurement system using a computerized adaptive
      testing technique based on the item response theory (CAT) has been expanding to
      measure mental health status. However, little is known about details in its
      measurement properties based on the empirical data. Moreover, the response time
      (RT) data, which are not available by a paper-and-pencil measurement but
      available by a computerized measurement, would be worth investigating for
      exploring the response behavior. PURPOSE: We aimed at constructing the CAT to
      measure depressive symptomatology in a community population and exploring its
      measurement properties. Also, we examined the relationships between RTs,
      individual item responses, and depressive levels. METHOD: For constructing the
      CAT system, responses of 2061 workers and university students to 24 depression
      scale plus four negatively revised positive affect items were subjected to a
      polytomous IRT analysis. The stopping rule was set for standard error of
      estimation < 0.30 or the maximum 15 items displayed. The CAT and non-adaptive
      computer-based test (CBT) were administered to 209 undergraduates, and 168 of
      them administered again after 1 week. RESULTS: On average, the CAT was converged
      by 10.4 items. The theta values estimated by CAT and CBT were highly correlated
      (r = 0.94 and 0.95 for the 1st and 2nd measurements) and with the traditional
      scoring procedures (r's > 0.90). The test-retest reliability was at a
      satisfactory level (r = 0.86). RTs to some items significantly correlated with
      the theta estimates. The mean RT varied by the item contents and wording, i.e.,
      the RT to positive affect items required additional 2 s or longer than the other
      subscale items. CONCLUSION: The CAT would be a reliable and practical measurement
      tool for various purposes including stress check at workplace.

PMID- 26272359
TI  - Decreased stathmin-1 expression inhibits trophoblast proliferation and invasion
      and is associated with recurrent miscarriage.
AB  - Fetal trophoblasts invade endometrium and establish a complex interaction with
      the maternal microenvironment during early pregnancy. However, the molecular
      mechanisms regulating trophoblast migration and invasion at the maternal-fetal
      interface remain poorly understood. Immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting have
      shown that stathmin-1 (STMN1) was down-regulated significantly in placental villi
      tissue and trophoblasts from patients with recurrent miscarriage. In vitro,
      overexpression of STMN1 promoted human trophoblast proliferation, migration, and
      invasion, whereas knockdown of STMN1 inhibited these processes. In addition,
      knockdown of STMN1 down-regulated N-cadherin and up-regulated E-cadherin in
      trophoblasts, whereas E-cadherin was up-regulated and N-cadherin was down
      regulated in recurrent miscarriage villi tissue. Knockdown of STMN1 attenuated
      cytoplasmic-nuclear translocation of beta-catenin and in turn down-regulated
      trophoblast matrix metalloproteases. Furthermore, tumor necrosis factor-alpha
      (TNF-alpha) down-regulated STMN1 expression, and serum TNF-alpha expression
      correlated inversely with trophoblast STMN1 levels. Interestingly, M1 macrophage
      derived TNF-alpha reduced trophoblast migration and invasion, and an anti-TNF
      alpha antibody reversed this effect. Collectively, this study indicated that
      STMN1 may play a key role in regulating trophoblast invasion, and that impaired
      STMN1 expression may lead to abnormal trophoblast invasion and result in
      recurrent miscarriage. 

PMID- 26272360
TI  - Motor deficit in a tauopathy model is induced by disturbances of axonal transport
      leading to dying-back degeneration and denervation of neuromuscular junctions.
AB  - Several neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by both cognitive and motor
      deficits associated with accumulation of tau aggregates in brain, brainstem, and
      spinal cord. The Tg30 murine tauopathy model expresses a human tau protein
      bearing two frontotemporal dementia with Parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17
      pathogenic mutations and develops a severe motor deficit and tau aggregates in
      brain and spinal cord. To investigate the origin of this motor deficit, we
      analyzed the age-dependent innervation status of the neuromuscular junctions and
      mutant tau expression in Tg30 mice. The human transgenic tau was detected from
      postnatal day 7 onward in motoneurons, axons in the sciatic nerve, and axon
      terminals of the neuromuscular junctions. The development and maturation of
      neuromuscular junctions were not disrupted in Tg30 mice, but their maintenance
      was disturbed in adult Tg30 mice, resulting in a progressive and severe muscle
      denervation. This muscle denervation was associated with early
      electrophysiological signs of muscle spontaneous activities and histological
      signs of muscle degeneration. Early loss of synaptic vesicles in axon terminals
      preceding motor deficits, accumulation of Gallyas-positive aggregates, and
      cathepsin-positive vesicular clusters in axons in the sciatic nerve suggest that
      this denervation results from disturbances of axonal transport. This
      physiopathological mechanism might be responsible for motor signs observed in
      some human tauopathies, and for synaptic dysfunction resulting from alterations
      at the presynaptic level in these diseases. 

PMID- 26272361
TI  - Smad3 deficiency leads to mandibular condyle degradation via the sphingosine 1
      phosphate (S1P)/S1P3 signaling axis.
AB  - Temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that is
      characterized by permanent cartilage destruction. Transforming growth factor
      (TGF)-beta is one of the most abundant cytokines in the bone matrix and is shown
      to regulate the migration of osteoprogenitor cells. It is hypothesized that TGF
      beta/Smad3 signaling affects cartilage homeostasis by influencing sphingosine 1
      phosphate (S1P)/S1P receptor signaling and chondrocyte migration. We therefore
      investigated the molecular mechanisms by which crosstalk may occur between TGF
      beta/Smad3 and S1P/S1P receptor signaling to maintain condylar cartilage and to
      prevent temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis. Abnormalities in the condylar
      subchondral bone, including dynamic changes in bone mineral density and
      microstructure, were observed in Smad3(-/-) mice by microcomputed tomography.
      Cell-free regions and proteoglycan loss characterized the cartilage degradation
      present, and increased numbers of apoptotic chondrocytes and matrix
      metalloproteinase 13(+) chondrocytes were also detected. Furthermore, expression
      of S1P receptor 3 (S1P3), but not S1P1 or S1P2, was significantly down-regulated
      in the condylar cartilage of Smad3(-/-) mice. By using RNA interference
      technology and pharmacologic tools, S1P was found to transactivate Smad3 in an
      S1P3/TGF-beta type II receptor-dependent manner, and S1P3 was found to be
      required for TGF-beta-induced migration of chondrocyte cells and downstream
      signal transduction via Rac1, RhoA, and Cdc42. Taken together, these results
      indicate that the Smad3/S1P3 signaling pathway plays an important role in the
      pathogenesis of temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis. 

PMID- 26272362
TI  - The prognostic significance of CXCL16 and its receptor C-X-C chemokine receptor 6
      in prostate cancer.
AB  - The chemokine CXCL16 and its receptor, C-X-C chemokine receptor (CXCR6), affect
      tumor progression through different pathways, including leukocyte recruitment and
      function, cellular senescence, tumor cell proliferation, survival, invasion, and
      metastasis. We examined how the expression of CXCL16/CXCR6 in prostate cancer
      (PC) was related to clinicopathological features and activation of inflammatory
      cells. Tissue microarrays from 535 patients were constructed from tumor
      epithelial and tumor stromal areas of primary PC. Immunohistochemistry was used
      to evaluate the expression of CXCL16/CXCR6, CD3(+) T cells (CD4(+), CD8(+)), and
      CD20(+) B cells. Survival analyses were used to evaluate their prognostic impact.
      Expression of CXCL16 in PC cell lines (DU145 and PC3) and the effect on
      proliferation and migration were examined. High expression levels of CXCL16
      [hazard ratio (HR), 2.52; 95% CI, 1.12-5.68; P = 0.026] and CXCR6 (HR, 2.29; 95%
      CI, 1.10-4.82; P = 0.028) were each independent predictors for clinical failure.
      High co-expression of CXCL16 and CXCR6 (HR, 5.1; 95% CI, 1-15.9; P = 0.05) was
      associated with negative prognostic factors, such as Gleason grade 4 + 3, Gleason
      score >=7, vascular infiltration, and positive surgical margins. As a conclusion,
      high protein expression of CXCL16 and high protein co-expression of CXCL16/CXCR6
      in PC were independent predictors for a worse clinical outcome. 

PMID- 26272363
TI  - MAGED1 is a negative regulator of bone remodeling in mice.
AB  - Melanoma antigen family D1 (MAGED1), an important adaptor protein, has been shown
      to ubiquitously express and play critical roles in many aspects of cellular
      events and physiological functions. However, its role in bone remodeling remains
      unknown. We, therefore, analyzed the bone phenotype of Maged1-deficient mice.
      Maged1-deficient mice displayed a significant osteoporotic phenotype with a
      marked decrease in bone density and deterioration of trabecular architecture.
      Histomorphometric analysis demonstrated an increased mineral apposition rate as
      well as increased osteoclast number and surface in Maged1 knockout mice. At the
      cellular level, Maged1-deficient osteoblasts exhibited an increased proliferation
      rate and accelerated differentiation. MAGED1 deficiency also caused a promotion
      in osteoclastogenesis, and that was attributed to the cell autonomous
      acceleration of differentiation in osteoclasts and an increased receptor
      activator of NF-kappaB ligand/osteoprotegerin ratio, a major index of
      osteoclastogenesis, in osteoblasts. Thus, we identified MAGED1 as a novel
      regulator of osteoblastogenesis, osteoclastogenesis, and bone remodeling in a
      mouse model. 

PMID- 26272365
TI  - New variant lymphomatoid papulosis type E preceding and coexisting with mycosis
      fungoides - a case report and review of the literature.
AB  - Angioinvasive (type E) lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP) is a recently described
      subtype of LyP presenting with eschar-like lesions that can be mistaken for
      aggressive forms of angiocentric cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. None of the cases of
      angioinvasive LyP described thus far have been associated with mycosis fungoides
      (MF). Herein, we describe a case of angioinvasive LyP type E coexisting with MF.
      The patient presented with an eschar on his chest and over time developed new
      nodules and large plaques with eschar formation, all of which resolved
      spontaneously over a period of a few weeks without intentional therapy. Biopsy
      revealed a CD30+ atypical inflammatory cell infiltrate with marked
      angiocentricity. Later, he developed erythematous annular scaly patches
      histologically consistent with MF. Our patient's clinical course confirms the
      indolent behavior characteristic of LyP despite the aggressive clinical and
      histologic appearance of lesions. The co-occurrence of angioinvasive LyP and MF
      in our patient highlights the propensity for LyP type E to coexist with MF, as is
      characteristic of other LyP subtypes, and supports the theory that LyP and MF are
      related T-cell lymphoproliferative disorders. Patients with LyP can present with
      large lesions exhibiting eschar formation and an atypical
      angiocentric/angiodestructive lymphoid infiltrate and should be spared
      overtreatment.

PMID- 26272364
TI  - Memory programming in CD8(+) T-cell differentiation is intrinsic and is not
      determined by CD4 help.
AB  - CD8(+) T cells activated without CD4(+) T-cell help are impaired in memory
      expansion. To understand the underlying cellular mechanism, here we track the
      dynamics of helper-deficient CD8(+) T-cell response to a minor histocompatibility
      antigen by phenotypic and in vivo imaging analyses. Helper-deficient CD8(+) T
      cells show reduced burst expansion, rapid peripheral egress, delayed antigen
      clearance and continuous activation, and are eventually exhausted. Contrary to
      the general consensus that CD4 help encodes memory programmes in CD8(+) T cells
      and helper-deficient CD8(+) T cells are abortive, these cells can differentiate
      into effectors and memory precursors. Importantly, accelerating antigen clearance
      or simply increasing the burst effector size enables generation of memory cells
      by CD8(+) T cells, regardless of CD4 help. These results suggest that the memory
      programme is CD8(+) T-cell-intrinsic, and provide insight into the role of CD4
      help in CD8(+) T-cell responses. 

PMID- 26272366
TI  - Ecological influences on individual differences in color preference.
AB  - How can the large, systematic differences that exist between individuals' color
      preferences be explained? The ecological valence theory (Palmer & Schloss,
      Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 107:8877-8882, 2010) posits that
      an individual's preference for each particular color is determined largely by his
      or her preferences for all correspondingly colored objects. Therefore,
      individuals should differ in their color preferences to the extent that they have
      different preferences for the same color-associated objects or that they
      experience different objects. Supporting this prediction, we found that
      individuals' color preferences were predicted better by their own preferences for
      correspondingly colored objects than by other peoples' preferences for the same
      objects. Moreover, the fit between color preferences and affect toward the
      colored objects was reliably improved when people's own idiosyncratic color
      object associations were included in addition to a standard set of color-object
      associations. These and related results provide evidence that individual
      differences in color preferences are reliably influenced by people's personal
      experiences with colored objects in their environment. 

PMID- 26272367
TI  - Assessing stimulus-stimulus (semantic) conflict in the Stroop task using saccadic
      two-to-one color response mapping and preresponse pupillary measures.
AB  - Conflict in the Stroop task is thought to come from various stages of processing,
      including semantics. Two-to-one response mappings, in which two response-set
      colors share a common response location, have been used to isolate stimulus
      stimulus (semantic) from stimulus-response conflict in the Stroop task. However,
      the use of congruent trials as a baseline means that the measured effects could
      be exaggerated by facilitation, and recent research using neutral, non-color-word
      trials as a baseline has supported this notion. In the present study, we sought
      to provide evidence for stimulus-stimulus conflict using an oculomotor Stroop
      task and an early, preresponse pupillometric measure of effort. The results
      provided strong (Bayesian) evidence for no statistical difference between two-to
      one response-mapping trials and neutral trials in both saccadic response
      latencies and preresponse pupillometric measures, supporting the notion that the
      difference between same-response and congruent trials indexes facilitation in
      congruent trials, and not stimulus-stimulus conflict, thus providing evidence
      against the presence of semantic conflict in the Stroop task. We also
      demonstrated the utility of preresponse pupillometry in measuring Stroop
      interference, supporting the idea that pupillary effects are not simply a residue
      of making a response. 

PMID- 26272368
TI  - Audio-visual object search is changed by bilingual experience.
AB  - The current study examined the impact of language experience on the ability to
      efficiently search for objects in the face of distractions. Monolingual and
      bilingual participants completed an ecologically-valid, object-finding task that
      contained conflicting, consistent, or neutral auditory cues. Bilinguals were
      faster than monolinguals at locating the target item, and eye movements revealed
      that this speed advantage was driven by bilinguals' ability to overcome
      interference from visual distractors and focus their attention on the relevant
      object. Bilinguals fixated the target object more often than did their
      monolingual peers, who, in contrast, attended more to a distracting image.
      Moreover, bilinguals', but not monolinguals', object-finding ability was
      positively associated with their executive control ability. We conclude that
      bilinguals' executive control advantages extend to real-world visual processing
      and object finding within a multi-modal environment. 

PMID- 26272369
TI  - Expression, purification, refolding, and enzymatic characterization of two
      secretory phospholipases A2 from Neurospora crassa.
AB  - Secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) catalyzes the hydrolysis of sn-2 linkage in
      the glycerophospholipid, thereby releasing fatty acid and 1-acyl
      lysophospholipid. Among sPLA2s from various organisms and tissues, group XIV
      fungal/bacterial sPLA2s are relatively less characterized compared to their
      mammalian counterparts. Here we report cloning, recombinant expression,
      refolding, and enzymatic characterization of two sPLA2s, NCU06650 and NCU09423,
      from the filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa. The hexahistidine-tagged putative
      mature region of both proteins was expressed in Escherichia coli. Inclusion
      bodies were solubilized using a high hydrostatic pressure refolding technique.
      NCU06650 was solubilized without any additives at alkaline pH, and the addition
      of arginine or non-detergent sulfobetain (NDSB) significantly improved the
      process at acidic pH. In contrast, NCU09423 was solubilized only when NDSB was
      added at alkaline pH. Both enzymes displayed a Ca(2+)-dependent lipolytic
      activity toward E. coli membrane. Mass spectrometry analysis using the synthetic
      phospholipids as substrates demonstrated that both enzymes preferentially cleaved
      the sn-2 ester linkage of substrates and generated 1-acyl lysophospholipids,
      demonstrating that they are bona fide PLA2. 

PMID- 26272370
TI  - The human rhabdomyosarcoma cell line TE671--Towards an innovative production
      platform for glycosylated biopharmaceuticals.
AB  - The market of therapeutic glycoproteins (including coagulation factors,
      antibodies, cytokines and hormones) is one of the profitable, fast-growing and
      challenging sectors of the biopharmaceutical industry. Although mammalian cell
      culture is still expensive and technically complex, the ability to produce
      desired post-translational modifications, in particular glycosylation, is a major
      issue. Glycans can influence ligand binding, serum half-life as well as
      biological activity or product immunogenicity. Aiming to establish a novel
      production platform for recombinant glycoproteins, the human TE671 cell line was
      investigated. Since the initial analysis of cell membrane proteins showed a
      promising glycosylation of TE671 cells for biotechnological purposes, we focused
      on the recombinant expression of two model glycoproteins of therapeutical
      relevance. The optimization of the cell transfection procedure and serum-free
      expression succeeded for the human serine protease inhibitor alpha-1-antitrypsin
      (A1AT) and the hematopoietic cytokine granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating
      factor (GM-CSF). N-glycan analyses of both purified proteins by matrix-assisted
      laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry provided
      first fundamental insights into the TE671 glycosylation potential. Besides
      protein specific pattern, strong distinctions - in particular for N-glycan
      fucosylation and sialylation - were observed depending on the medium conditions
      of the respective TE671 cell cultivations. The cell line's ability to synthesize
      complex and highly sialylated N-glycan structures has been shown. Our results
      demonstrate the TE671 cell line as a serious alternative to other existing human
      expression systems. 

PMID- 26272371
TI  - One-stage posterior spinal shortening by L5 partial spondylectomy for
      spondyloptosis or L5-S1 high-grade spondylolisthesis management.
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: A case series of seven consecutive patients with L5-S1
      spondyloptosis (SPP) and Meyerding IV spondylolisthesis (HGSPL) treated
      consecutively by a new surgical technique with partial reduction and fixation
      after spinal shortening. OBJECTIVE: To report clinical and radiological outcomes
      of a spinal shortening procedure by a single posterior approach in seven patients
      with HGSPL and SPP. BACKGROUND DATA: The surgical treatment of L5-S1 SPP and
      HGSPL remains challenging, and numbers of surgical treatment options have been
      described with several principles. We reported a new surgical technique achieving
      partial reduction and fixation of L5-S1 SPP and HGSPL and highlighted its
      clinical and radiological outcomes. METHODS: Seven patients with Meyerding Grade
      IV (2), and Grade V (5) were operated consecutively between 2004 and 2011 for
      HGSPL and SPP. Surgery time, blood loss and complications were collected for all
      patients. The slip angle or Dubousset lumbo-sacral Angle (Dub-LSA), L5 slip
      percentage (%slip), pelvic tilt (PT), lumbar lordosis (LL), thoracic kyphosis
      (TK) and C7-tilt were measured pre and postoperatively. All patients underwent
      posterior one-stage decompression with sacral dome osteotomy, L5 vertebrectomy
      with L5-S1 discectomy, and partial reduction and instrumented fusion in a single
      posterior approach. RESULTS: The mean age and follow-up were, respectively, 20
      years and 65 months. The mean preoperative %slip was 115 %, which improved to 63
      % postoperatively. The mean preoperative Dub-LSA, PT, LL, TK, and C7-tilt were 37
      degrees , 31 degrees , -74 degrees , 30 degrees , and 6 degrees , respectively,
      which improved to 94 degrees , 25 degrees , -44 degrees , 42 degrees  and -0.14
      degrees  postoperatively. No implant failure or pseudarthrosis were reported at
      last follow-up. CONCLUSION: This novel and efficient one-stage shortening
      technique offers the possibility to manage lumbosacral kyphosis and spinal local
      malalignment in L5-S1 SPP.

PMID- 26272372
TI  - Safety and compatibility of magnetic-controlled growing rods and magnetic
      resonance imaging.
AB  - PURPOSE: Magnetically controlled growth rods (MCGRs) are a new technology for the
      management of early-onset pediatric deformity enabling guided spinal growth by
      controlling the curvature. These rods contain a rare earth magnet and are
      contraindicated for MRI. We have investigated the behavior MCGRs to determine
      whether MRI adversely affects rod properties and to determine the extent of image
      distortion. METHODS: This is an in vitro experiment using two magnetic growth
      rods secured in a 1.5 T MRI. A gradient echo sequence MRI was performed to
      evaluate whether the rods elongated, contracted or rotated during scanning and a
      phantom model was used to evaluate the amount of artifact induced. RESULTS: The
      rod was not activated or subsequently impaired by the process of MRI. Image
      distortion of 28.9 cm along the long axis of the magnet and 20.1 cm perpendicular
      to this was seen with extension 10.6 cm cranial to the magnet housing. No
      negative effect was demonstrated on the magnetic rod elongation mechanism.
      CONCLUSIONS: This study has demonstrated that there are no detrimental effects of
      MRI on the MCGR and imaging of the head and neck phantom can still be
      interpreted. Further in vivo study is warranted.

PMID- 26272375
TI  - Minimally invasive instrumentation of uncomplicated cervical fractures.
AB  - PURPOSE: Many authors favor conservative treatment options in oligo-symptomatic
      non-dislocated cervical fractures. This is mainly because of adverse events,
      anesthesia times and blood loss associated with surgical treatment of these
      injuries. We, therefore, sought to minimize the invasiveness of the surgical
      treatment of simple cervical fractures using image-guidance and a percutaneous
      approach. METHODS: Iso-C3D-based image guidance was used to place unilateral lag
      screws and conventional screws in pedicles, isthmi and lateral masses C1-C6. The
      navigation reference marker array was attached to the Mayfield clamp avoiding any
      additional skin incisions. Drilling of the screws trajectories was performed
      using a high speed drill with diamond tip, minimizing the risk of dislocations of
      cervical vertebrae and/or bone fragments relative to the iso-C3D scan to which
      the navigation system was registered. RESULTS: Image-guided percutaneous
      placement of cervical pedicle, isthmic and lateral mass screws resulted in
      correct screw placement in all six cases (three hangman fractures, three odontoid
      fracture Anderson 2 in elderly patients and one C6 posttraumatic pedicular
      pseudoarthrosis). Average blood loss was 194 ml, total average operating time 106
      min and average X-ray time 3.8 min (395 cGy/cm(2)) including iso-C3D imaging.
      CONCLUSION: The technique presented here was found to be a feasible minimally
      invasive treatment option for uncomplicated cervical fractures. Besides to our
      best knowledge, we here present the first percutaneous implantation of lateral
      mass screws.

PMID- 26272373
TI  - Risk factors for adjacent segment pathology requiring additional surgery after
      single-level spinal fusion: impact of pre-existing spinal stenosis demonstrated
      by preoperative myelography.
AB  - PURPOSE: We determined the incidence of and risk factors for clinical adjacent
      segment pathology (C-ASP) requiring additional surgeries among patients
      previously treated with one-segment lumbar decompression and fusion surgery.
      METHODS: We retrospectively analysed 161 consecutive patients who underwent one
      segment lumbar decompression and fusion surgery for L4 degenerative
      spondylolisthesis. Patient age, sex, body mass index (BMI), facet orientation and
      tropism, laminar inclination angle, spinal canal stenosis ratio [on myelography
      and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)], preoperative adjacent segment instability,
      arthrodesis type, pseudarthrosis, segmental lordosis at L4-5, and the present L4
      slip were evaluated by a log-rank test using the Kaplan-Meier method. A
      multivariate Cox proportional-hazards model was used to analyse all factors found
      significant by the log-rank test. RESULTS: Of 161 patients, 22 patients (13.7 %)
      had additional surgeries at cranial segments located adjacent to the index
      surgery's location. Pre-existing canal stenosis >=47 % at the adjacent segment on
      myelography, greater facet tropism, and high BMI were significant risk factors
      for C-ASP. The estimated incidences at 10 years postoperatively for each of these
      factors were 51.3, 39.6, and 32.5 %, and the risks for C-ASP were 4.9, 3.7, and,
      3.1 times higher than their counterparts, respectively. Notably, spinal canal
      stenosis on myelography, but not on MRI, was found to be a significant risk
      factor for C-ASP (log-rank test P < 0.0001 and 0.299, respectively). CONCLUSIONS:
      Pre-existing spinal stenosis, greater facet tropism, and higher BMI significantly
      increased C-ASP risk. Myelography is a more accurate method for detecting latent
      spinal canal stenosis as a risk factor for C-ASP.

PMID- 26272374
TI  - What is the preclinical evidence on platelet rich plasma and intervertebral disc
      degeneration?
AB  - PURPOSE: Intervertebral disc degeneration is a common disease that usually starts
      from the third decade of life and it represents a significant cause of socio
      economic problems. The accepted surgical treatment for disc degeneration is disc
      removal and vertebral fusion or, in selected cases, intervertebral disc
      arthroplasty. Several studies have demonstrated the ability of platelet rich
      plasma (PRP) to stimulate cell proliferation and extracellular matrix
      regeneration. However, literature results are still limited and more studies are
      required to clarify the role of PRP in the prevention or in the treatment of
      degenerative disc disease. The aim of this review is to summarize and critically
      analyze the current preclinical evidence about the use of PRP in intervertebral
      disc degeneration. METHODS: Literature search was performed through various
      combinations of the following keywords: Intervertebral Disc Degeneration,
      Platelet Rich Plasma, PRP, Intervertebral disc regeneration. Papers included in
      our review cover the period between 2006 and 2014. The PRISMA 2009 checklist was
      followed. RESULTS: At the end of the review process, 12 articles were included in
      our final manuscript, including 6 "in vitro" and 6 "in vivo" studies. All the
      included studies lead to positive preclinical results. No standardization of
      methodological analysis was observed. CONCLUSION: It is not possible to draw
      definitive evidence about the use of PRP in IVD regeneration. We advise a proper
      standardization of the methodological analysis in order to compare the available
      data and achieve definitive results. This should be the cornerstone for future
      clinical applications.

PMID- 26272378
TI  - The transmembrane heparan sulphate proteoglycan syndecan-4 is involved in
      establishment of the lamellar structure of the annulus fibrosus of the
      intervertebral disc.
AB  - The annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc unites adjacent vertebral bodies
      along the length of the spine and provides tensile resistance towards
      compressive, twisting and bending movements arising through gait. It consists of
      a nested series of oriented collagenous lamellae, arranged in cross-ply
      circumferentially around the nucleus pulposus. The organisation of oriented
      collagen in the annulus is established during foetal development by an identical
      arrangement of oriented fibroblasts that are precisely organised into cell
      sheets, or laminae. These provide a template for ordered deposition of
      extracellular matrix material on cell surfaces, by means of a poorly understood
      mechanism involving the actin cytoskeleton. In this study, we investigate the
      role of two cell surface heparan sulphate proteoglycans (HSPGs), glypican-6 and
      syndecan-4, in the matrix assembly process in the developmental rat
      intervertebral disc. We compare their expression patterns with those of heparan
      sulphate and the interactive, cell-surface adhesive glycoprotein, fibronectin,
      and relate these to the stage-specific collagenous architectures present within
      the annulus at both light and electron microscopic levels. We show that both
      proteoglycans are strongly associated with the development, growth and aging of
      the intervertebral disc. Furthermore, the immunohistochemical labelling patterns
      suggest that syndecan-4, in particular, plays a potentially-significant role in
      annulus formation. We propose that this HSPG mediates interaction between the
      actin cytoskeleton and nascent extracellular matrix in the lamellar organisation
      of annulus tissue. These data add considerably towards an understanding of how
      cells organise and maintain complex, oriented extracellular matrices and has
      particular clinical relevance to the fields of tissue engineering and repair. 

PMID- 26272376
TI  - Application of protein misfolding cyclic amplification to detection of prions in
      anaerobic digestate.
AB  - The exceptional physio-chemical resistance of prions to established
      decontamination procedures poses a challenge to assessing the suitability of
      applied inactivation methods. Prion detection is limited by the sensitivity level
      of Western blotting or by the cost and time factors of bioassays. In addition,
      prion detection assays can be limited by either the unique or complex nature of
      matrices associated with environmental samples. To investigate anaerobic
      digestion (AD) as a practical and economical approach for potential conversion of
      specified risk materials (SRM) into value added products (i.e., renewable
      energy), challenges associated with detection of prions in a complex matrix need
      to be overcome to determine potential inactivation. Protein misfolding cyclic
      amplification (PMCA) assay, with subsequent Western blot visualization, was used
      to detect prions within the AD matrix. Anaerobic digestate initially inhibited
      the PMCA reaction and/or Western blot detection. However, at concentrations of
      <=1% of anaerobic digestate, 263K scrapie prions could be amplified and semi
      quantitatively detected. Infectious 263K prions were also proven to be
      bioavailable in the presence of high concentrations of digestate (10-90%).
      Development of the PMCA application to digestate provides extremely valuable
      insight into the potential degradation and/or fate of prions in complex
      biological matrices without requiring expensive and time-consuming bioassays. 

PMID- 26272379
TI  - Health and pink-collar work.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In recent years, there has been a decline in the manufacturing sector
      of the UK economy with a corresponding growth of service-orientated pink-collar
      jobs in some regions. While the health outcomes of white- and blue-collar workers
      are well-established, less is known about this emerging pink-collar group. AIMS:
      To outline the health of pink-collar workers in comparison to their white-collar
      counterparts across a range of indicators. METHODS: Area-level percentages for
      white-, pink- and blue-collar workers were derived from residents' routinely
      collected employment data in a northern English town. Area-level health data
      pertaining to male and female life expectancy, respiratory deaths and deaths from
      cardiovascular and circulatory causes (all age and under 75 years) were obtained
      from the local authority and public health observatory. Multivariate regression
      analyses were performed to assess relationships between job collar and health.
      RESULTS: When adjusted for deprivation, areas with higher percentages of pink
      collar workers experienced lower rates of death from circulatory disease under
      the age of 75 in comparison to white-collar workers. Other relationships between
      collar status and health outcomes were not statistically significant.
      CONCLUSIONS: The reasons underlying the apparent protective effect of pink-collar
      status for deaths from circulatory disease are uncertain and merit further study.
      Possibilities include differences in age, exposure to occupational hazards and
      lifestyle behaviours. Our work has a number of limitations and longitudinal
      studies with detailed exposure data should assess the long-term health outcomes
      of these workers using agreed definitions.

PMID- 26272377
TI  - Development of molecular tools to monitor conjugative transfer in rhizobia.
AB  - Evolution of bacterial populations has been extensively driven by horizontal
      transfer events. Conjugative plasmid transfer is considered the principal
      contributor to gene exchange among bacteria. Several conjugative and mobilizable
      plasmids have been identified in rhizobia, and two major molecular mechanisms
      that regulate their transfer have been described, under laboratory conditions.
      The knowledge of rhizobial plasmid transfer regulation in natural environments is
      very poor. In this work we developed molecular tools to easily monitor the
      conjugative plasmid transfer in rhizobia by flow cytometry (FC) or microscopy. 24
      cassettes were constructed by combining a variety of promotors, fluorescent
      proteins and antibiotic resistance genes, and used to tag plasmids and chromosome
      of donor strains. We were able to detect plasmid transfer after conversion of non
      fluorescent recipients into fluorescent transconjugants. Flow cytometry (FC) was
      optimized to count donor, recipient and transconjugant strains to determine
      conjugative transfer frequencies. Results were similar, when determined either by
      FC or by viable counts. Our constructions also allowed the visualization of
      transconjugants in crosses performed on bean roots. The tools presented here may
      also be used for other purposes, such as analysis of transcriptional fusions or
      single-cell tagging. Application of the system will allow the survey of how
      different environmental conditions or other regulators modulate plasmid transfer
      in rhizobia. 

PMID- 26272380
TI  - Repeatability of a cold stress test to assess cold sensitization.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Non-freezing cold injury (NFCI) is a syndrome in which damage to
      peripheral tissues occurs without the tissues freezing following exposure to low
      ambient temperatures. AIMS: To assess the test-retest reliability of a cold
      stress test (CST) used to assess cold sensitization. METHODS: Volunteers with no
      self-reported history of NFCI undertook the CST on three occasions. Thermal
      images were taken of the foot and hand before, immediately after and 5min after
      immersion of the limb in cold water for 2min. Cold sensitization was graded by
      the two clinicians and the lead author. Spot temperatures from the toe and finger
      pads were recorded. RESULTS: There were 30 white and 19 black male participants.
      The ratings indicated substantial agreement [a Cohen's kappa (kappa) value of
      0.61-0.8] to within +/- one grading category for the hands and feet of the white
      volunteers and the hands of the black volunteers. Limits of agreement (LoA)
      analysis for toe and finger pad temperatures indicated high agreement (absolute
      95% LoA < 5.5 degrees C). Test-retest reliability for the feet of the black
      volunteers was not supported by the gradings (kappa = 0.38) and toe pad
      temperatures (absolute 95% LoA = 9.5 degrees C and coefficient of variation =
      11%). CONCLUSIONS: The test-retest reliability of the CST is considered adequate
      for the assessment of the cold sensitization of the hands and feet of white and
      the hands of black healthy non-patients. The study should be repeated with
      patients who have suffered a NFCI.

PMID- 26272382
TI  - Potential risk factors for haematological cancers in semiconductor workers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There has recently been increased interest in cancer incidence in
      electronics workers. AIMS: To determine the cancer incidence ratio in electronics
      workers and the potential factors affecting the risk for development of cancer.
      METHODS: Epidemiological study performed in electronics workers who were employed
      between 1999 and 2008 in South Korea. Cancer incidence ratio was analysed with
      respect to departments, divisions, job titles, gender, age, hepatitis B and C
      virus infection and work duration. We compared the incidence of haematological
      cancer in this cohort with that expected in the general population. RESULTS: The
      study population was 56283. Overall, the standardized incidence ratio (SIR) for
      haematological cancer was 0.85. In particular, the SIR for leukaemia was 0.86 and
      for non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) was 0.93, which were not statistically
      significant. The SIR for NHL was significantly increased [SIR 5.23, 95%
      confidence interval (CI) 1.31-20.95] in female office workers. We also found that
      the SIR for NHL was significantly increased in female workers who tested positive
      for hepatitis virus infection (SIR 7.69, 95% CI 1.08-54.60). CONCLUSIONS: The
      raised SIR for NHL among female workers was due to potential risk factors such as
      hepatitis virus infection although additional research and an ongoing, long-term,
      prospective epidemiological cohort study is needed.

PMID- 26272381
TI  - Occupational asphalt is not associated with head and neck cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Epidemiologic studies that evaluate the relationship between
      occupational asphalt exposure and head and neck cancer have had a limited ability
      to control for known risk factors such as smoking, alcohol and human
      papillomavirus (HPV). AIMS: To better elucidate this relationship by including
      known risk factors in a large case-control study of head and neck squamous cell
      carcinoma (HNSCC) from the greater Boston area. METHODS: We analysed the
      relationship between occupational asphalt exposure and HNSCC among men in the
      Greater Boston area of Massachusetts. Analyses were conducted using unconditional
      multivariable logistic regression, performed with adjustments for age, race,
      education, smoking, alcohol consumption and HPV serology. RESULTS: There were 753
      cases and 913 controls. No associations between HNSCC and occupational asphalt
      exposure (neither among ever-exposed nor by occupational duration) were observed
      for exposures in any occupation or those restricted to the construction industry.
      We also observed no associations in subgroup analyses of never-smokers and ever
      smokers. Adjusting for known risk factors further reduced the estimated effect of
      asphalt exposure on HNSCC risk. CONCLUSIONS: We found no evidence for an
      association between occupational asphalt exposure and HNSCC. The null findings
      from this well-controlled analysis could suggest that the risk estimates stemming
      from occupational cohort studies may be overestimated due to uncontrolled
      confounding and enhance the literature available for weighing cancer risk from
      occupational exposure to bitumen.

PMID- 26272383
TI  - Association Between Anemia and Cerebral Venous Thrombosis: Case-Control Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Anemia is often considered to be a risk factor for
      cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT), but this assumption is mostly based on case
      reports. We investigated the association between anemia and CVT in a controlled
      study. METHODS: Unmatched case-control study: cases were adult patients with CVT
      included in a single-center, prospective database between July 2006 and December
      2014. Controls were subjects from the control population of the Multiple
      Environmental and Genetic Assessment of Risk Factors for Venous Thrombosis (MEGA)
      study. Anemia was defined according to World Health Organization criteria:
      nonpregnant women hemoglobin<7.5 mmol/L, pregnant women<6.9 mmol/L, and men<8.1
      mmol/L. We used logistic regression analysis, adjusting for age, sex, malignancy,
      oral contraceptive use, and pregnancy/puerperium. RESULTS: We included 152 cases
      and 2916 controls. Patients with CVT were younger (mean age, 40 versus 48 years)
      and more often women (74% versus 53%) than controls. Anemia was more frequent in
      cases (27.0%) than in controls (6.5%; P<0.001). Anemia was associated with CVT,
      both in univariate analysis (odds ratio, 5.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.6
      7.9) and after adjustment for potential confounders (adjusted odds ratio, 4.4;
      95% CI, 2.8-6.9). Hemoglobin as a continuous variable was inversely associated
      with CVT (adjusted odds ratio per 1 mmol/L change 0.53; 95% CI, 0.42-0.66).
      Stratification by sex showed a stronger association between anemia and CVT in men
      (adjusted odds ratio, 9.9; 95% CI, 4.1-23.8) than in women (3.6; 95% CI, 2.1
      6.0). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that anemia is a risk factor for CVT.

PMID- 26272384
TI  - Modeling Ischemia in the Immature Brain: How Translational Are Animal Models?

PMID- 26272385
TI  - Point-of-Care Testing of Coagulation in Patients Treated With Non-Vitamin K
      Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Specific coagulation assays for non-vitamin K antagonist
      oral anticoagulants (NOAC) are relatively slow and often lack availability.
      Although specific point-of-care tests (POCT) are currently not available, NOAC
      are known to affect established coagulation POCT. This study aimed at determining
      the diagnostic accuracy of the CoaguChek POCT to rule out relevant concentrations
      of rivaroxaban, apixaban, and dabigatran in real-life patients. METHODS: We
      consecutively enrolled 60 ischemic stroke patients newly started on NOAC
      treatment and obtained blood samples at 6 prespecified time points. Samples were
      tested using the CoaguChek POCT, laboratory-based coagulation assays (prothrombin
      time and activated partial thromboplastin time, anti-Xa test and Hemoclot), and
      liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for direct determination of NOAC
      concentrations. RESULTS: Three hundred fifty-six blood samples were collected.
      The CoaguChek POCT strongly correlated (r=0.82 P<0.001) with rivaroxaban
      concentrations but did not accurately detect dabigatran or apixaban. If used to
      estimate the presence of low rivaroxaban concentrations, POCT was superior to
      predictions based on normal prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin
      time values even if sensitive reagents were used. POCT-results<=1.0 predicted
      rivaroxaban concentrations<32 and <100 ng/mL with a specificity of 90% and 96%,
      respectively. CONCLUSIONS: If anti-Xa test is not available, we propose the use
      of the CoaguChek POCT to guide thrombolysis decisions after individual risk
      assessment in rivaroxaban-treated patients having acute ischemic stroke. CLINICAL
      TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier:
      NCT02371044.

PMID- 26272386
TI  - Prognostic Factors for Cognitive Decline After Intracerebral Hemorrhage.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Stroke and dementia are closely related, but no
      prospective study ever focused on poststroke cognitive decline in patients with
      intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). We aimed to determine prognostic factors for
      cognitive decline in patients with ICH. METHODS: We prospectively included 167
      consecutive ICH survivors without preexisting dementia from the Prognosis of
      Intra-Cerebral Hemorrhage (PITCH) cohort. Median follow-up was 4 years
      (interquartile range, 2.3-5.4). We explored factors associated with cognitive
      decline using linear mixed models. Cognitive decline was determined based on
      repeated mini-mental state examination. We investigated each prognostic factor
      separately in univariate models. Next, we constructed clinical and radiological
      multivariable models. In a sensitivity analysis, we excluded patients with
      preexisting cognitive impairment. RESULTS: Median age was 64 (interquartile
      range, 53-75) years, 69 (41%) patients were women, and median mini-mental state
      examination at 6 months was 27 (interquartile range, 23-29). Overall, 37% of the
      patients declined during follow-up. Factors associated with cognitive decline in
      univariate analyses were previous stroke or transient ischemic attack,
      preexisting cognitive impairment, microbleed presence, severity of white matter
      hyperintensities, and severity of cortical atrophy. In multivariable analyses,
      previous stroke or transient ischemic attack (beta [SE], -0.55 [0.23]; P<0.05),
      preexisting cognitive impairment (beta [SE], -0.56 [0.25]; P<0.01), and severity
      of cortical atrophy (beta [SE], -0.50 [0.19]; P<0.01) remained independent
      prognostic factors. In patients without preexisting cognitive impairment (n=139),
      severity of cortical atrophy (beta [SE], -0.38 [0.17]; P<0.05) was the only
      prognostic factor for future cognitive decline. CONCLUSIONS: Prognostic factors
      for cognitive decline after ICH are already present when ICH occurs, suggesting a
      process of ongoing cognitive impairment instead of new-onset decline induced by
      the ICH itself.

PMID- 26272387
TI  - Hospital Readmission Rates Among Mechanically Ventilated Patients With Stroke.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Tracheostomy is frequently performed in patients with
      severe ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, or subarachnoid hemorrhage.
      Little is known about readmission rates among stroke patients who undergo
      mechanical ventilation. METHODS: We used previously validated International
      Classification of Diseases, Ninth Edition-Clinical Modification codes and data on
      all discharges from nonfederal acute care hospitals in 3 states. We compared
      readmission rates among mechanically ventilated patients with stroke who were
      discharged with or without a tracheostomy. RESULTS: Among 39,881 patients who
      underwent mechanical ventilation during the index stroke hospitalization and
      survived to discharge, 10,690 (26.8%; 95% confidence interval, 26.4%-27.2%)
      underwent tracheostomy. During a mean follow-up period of 3.4 (+/-2.0) years, the
      overall incidence rate of readmissions was 4.25 (95% confidence interval, 4.22
      4.28) per 100 patients per 30 days. The rate of any readmissions within 30 days
      was 26.9% among patients with tracheostomy compared with 22.5% among those
      without a tracheostomy (absolute risk difference, 4.4%; 95% confidence interval,
      3.5%-5.4%; P<0.001). After adjustment for potentially confounding variables,
      tracheostomy was associated with a slightly increased readmission rate (incidence
      rate ratio, 1.07; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-1.11). CONCLUSIONS: Approximately
      one quarter of mechanically ventilated patients with stroke who survive to
      discharge are readmitted to the hospital within 30 days. Readmission rates are
      significantly higher in patients with stroke who undergo tracheostomy, but the
      difference is not clinically meaningful. Thirty-day readmission rates among
      mechanically ventilated patients with stroke are similar to Medicare
      beneficiaries hospitalized with major medical diseases such as pneumonia.

PMID- 26272388
TI  - Intracellular and membrane-damaging activities of methyl gallate isolated from
      Terminalia chebula against multidrug-resistant Shigella spp.
AB  - Shigella spp. (Shigella dysenteriae, Shigella flexneri, Shigella boydii and
      Shigella sonnei) cause bacillary dysentery (shigellosis), which is characterized
      by bloody mucous diarrhoea. Although a variety of antibiotics have been effective
      for treatment of shigellosis, options are becoming limited due to globally
      emerging drug resistance. In the present study, in vitro antibacterial activity
      of methyl gallate (MG) isolated from Terminalia chebula was determined by
      performing MIC, minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) and time-kill kinetic
      studies. Bacterial membrane-damaging activity of MG was determined by membrane
      perturbation and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Cellular drug
      accumulation, cell infection and assessment of intracellular activities of MG and
      reference antibiotics were performed using HeLa cell cultures. The bactericidal
      activity of MG against multidrug-resistant (MDR) Shigella spp. in comparison with
      other commonly used drugs including fluoroquinolone was demonstrated here. TEM
      findings in the present study revealed that MG caused the total disintegration of
      inner and outer membranes, and leakage of the cytoplasmic contents of S.
      dysenteriae. The level of accumulation of MG and tetracycline in HeLa cells
      incubated for 24  h was relatively higher than that of ciprofloxacin and
      nalidixic acid (ratio of intracellular concentration/extracellular concentration
      of antibiotic for MG and tetracycline>ciprofloxacin and nalidixic acid). The
      viable number of intracellular S. dysenteriae was decreased in a time-dependent
      manner in the presence of MG (4 * MBC) and reduced to zero within 20  h. The
      significant intracellular activities of MG suggested that it could potentially be
      used as an effective antibacterial agent for the treatment of severe infections
      caused by MDR Shigella spp.

PMID- 26272390
TI  - Removing chiral contamination of lactate solutions by selective metabolism of the
      D-enantiomer.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: A bio-based process is appealing for purification of L-lactic acid,
      the major enantiomer of polylactic acid syrup, generated by thermochemical
      processes at the end of life of PLA-based plastics, from its chiral impurity, D
      lactic acid, before reuse. RESULTS: Polylactic acid (PLA), a renewable
      alternative to petroleum-derived plastics, contains a mixture of L- and D-lactic
      acid (LA) isomers with the L-isomer dominating (up to 95 %). A novel bio-based
      process was developed to produce chirally pure L-LA from syrup produced during
      recycling of PLA-plastics. This process utilizes an engineered Escherichia coli
      (strain DC1001) containing novel gene deletions (lld, ykg) that eliminated the
      oxidative metabolism of L-lactate, leaving the membrane-bound D-lactate
      dehydrogenases to selectively metabolize the D-isomer. Strain DC1001 removed 8.7
      g D-lactate l(-1) from a PLA-syrup containing 135 g total lactic acid l(-1) in 24
      h. Average rates of removal of D-lactic acid were 0.25 g D-lactate h(-1) (g cell
      dry weight)(-1) and 0.36 g D-lactate l(-1) h(-1). CONCLUSION: Bio-based
      purification of PLA-syrup utilizing E. coli strain DC1001 is an attractive
      process step during recycling of PLA-plastics. This selective oxidation process
      can also be used to remove chiral contamination of L-lactate in medical
      applications.

PMID- 26272389
TI  - Generation of monoclonal antibodies against MGA and comparison of their
      application in breast cancer detection by immunohistochemistry.
AB  - Mammaglobin A (MGA) is an organ specific molecular biomarker for metastatic
      breast cancer diagnosis. However, there are still needs to develop optimal
      monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to detect MGA expression in breast carcinoma by
      immunohistochemistry. In this study, we first generated mAbs against MGA. Then,
      we used epitope prediction and computer-assisted structural analysis to screen
      five dominant epitopes and identified mAbs against five epitopes. Further
      immunohistochemical analysis on 42 breast carcinoma specimens showed that MHG1152
      and MGD785 had intensive staining mainly in membrane, while CHH11617, CHH995 and
      MJF656 had more intensive staining within the cytoplasm. MGA scoring results
      showed that MJF656 had the highest rate (92.8%) of positive staining among five
      mAbs, including higher staining intensity when compared with that of MHG1152 (p <
      0.01) and CHH995 (p < 0.05) and the highest the mean percentage of cells stained
      among mAbs. Furthermore, we analyzed the relationship of positive staining rate
      by mAbs with patient clinical characteristics. The results suggest that MJF656
      was able to detect MGA expression, especially in early clinical stage, low grade
      and lymph node metastasis-negative breast carcinoma. In conclusion, our study
      generated five mAbs against MGA and identified the best candidate for detection
      of MGA expression in breast cancer tissues.

PMID- 26272391
TI  - High doses of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate from green tea induces cardiac
      fibrosis in mice.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Tea is the most consumed beverage in the world. (-)-Epigallocatechin-3
      gallate (EGCG), a major green tea polyphenol, is effective in the prevention of
      several chronic diseases, and is marketed as part of many dietary supplements. We
      have now examined the myocardiotoxic effect of high doses of EGCG in mice.
      RESULTS: EGCG (500 and 1000 mg/kg.d) induced cardiac collagen synthesis and
      fibrosis-related protein expression, such as connective tissue growth factor
      (CTGF) and fibronectin (FN) in mice. Moreover, EGCG decreased the protein
      expression of p-AMPK and increased the levels of p-p70S6 K and p-S6. CONCLUSION:
      This is the first evidence that high oral doses of EGCG could induce cardiac
      fibrosis, and shed new light on the understanding of EGCG-mediated
      myocardiotoxicity.

PMID- 26272392
TI  - Xanthomonas campestris expansin-like X domain is a structurally disordered beta
      sheet macromolecule capable of synergistically enhancing enzymatic efficiency of
      cellulose hydrolysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To biochemically characterize an expansin-like X protein domain from
      Xanthomonas campestris (XcEXLX1) and to study its synergy with cellulases in
      cellulose depolymerization. RESULTS: The protein was purified using a combination
      of ion exchange and size exclusion chromatography rendering about 30 mg pure
      protein/l culture medium. Circular dichroism spectroscopy and small-angle X-ray
      scattering studies of XcEXLX1 reveal that it is a strongly disordered beta-sheet
      protein. Its low resolution envelope fits nicely the crystallographic structure
      of the homologous protein EXLX1 from Bacillus subtillis. Furthermore, we
      demonstrate that XcEXLX1 shows a synergistic, pH-dependent effect when combined
      with a commercial enzymatic preparation (Accellerase 1500), enhancing its
      hydrolytic activity on a cellulosic substrate. The strongest effect was observed
      in acid pHs with an increase in sugar release of up to 36 %. CONCLUSION: The
      synergistic effect arising from the action of the expansin-like protein was
      considerable in the presence of significantly larger amounts of the commercial
      enzymatic cocktail then previously observed (0.35 FPU of Accellerase 1500/g
      substrate).

PMID- 26272393
TI  - Microbial fuel cells for biosensor applications.
AB  - Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) face major hurdles for real-world applications as
      power generators with the exception of powering small sensor devices. Despite
      tremendous improvements made in the last two decades, MFCs are still too
      expensive to build and operate and their power output is still too small. In view
      of this, in recently years, intensive researches have been carried out to expand
      the applications into other areas such as acid and alkali production,
      bioremediation of aquatic sediments, desalination and biosensors. Unlike power
      applications, MFC sensors have the immediate prospect to be practical. This
      review covers the latest developments in various proposed biosensor applications
      using MFCs including monitoring microbial activity, testing biochemical oxygen
      demand, detection of toxicants and detection of microbial biofilms that cause
      biocorrosion. 

PMID- 26272394
TI  - A novel terpenoid indole alkaloid derived from catharanthine via
      biotransformation by suspension-cultured cells of Catharanthus roseus.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Although catharanthine (1) is well known as a biosynthetic precursor
      of the anticancer alkaloid, vinblastine, its alternative metabolic pathways are
      unclear. RESULTS: Biotransformation of 1 by suspension-cultured cells of
      Catharanthus roseus gave a new oxidative-cleavage product (2). The structure of 2
      was determined as 3-hydroxy-4-imino-catharanthine by spectroscopic methods.
      Maximum conversion (9.75 %) of 2 was observed after 120 h adding 6 mg of 1/100 ml
      to 12-day-old suspension-cultured cells of C. roseus. Furthermore, qRT-PCR
      experiment was performed to reveal the effect of 1 on the expression of the genes
      in the biosynthetic pathway of TIA 1 up-regulated the transcript level of D4H
      whilst down-regulating the transcript levels of G10H, LAMT, GES, and IRS.
      CONCLUSION: A new metabolite of catharanthine, 3-hydroxy-4-imino-catharanthine,
      is reported.

PMID- 26272395
TI  - Long-term response on growth, antioxidant enzymes, and secondary metabolites in
      salicylic acid pre-treated Uncaria tomentosa microplants.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To obtain micro propagated Uncaria tomentosa plantlets with enhanced
      secondary metabolites production, long-term responses to salicylic acid (SA) pre
      treatments at 1 and 100 uM were evaluated after propagation of the plantlets in a
      SA-free medium. RESULTS: SA pre-treatments of single node cuttings OF U.
      tomentosa produced long-term responses in microplants grown for 75 days in a SA
      free medium. Reduction in survival rate, root formation, and stem elongation were
      observed only with 100 uM SA pre-treatments with respect to the control (0 +
      DMSO).Both pre-treatments enhanced H2O2 and inhibited superoxide dismutase and
      catalase activities, while guaiacol peroxidase was increased only with 1 uM SA.
      Also, both pre-treatments increased total monoterpenoid oxindole alkaloids by ca.
      55 % (16.5 mg g(-1) DW), including isopteropodine, speciophylline, mitraphylline,
      isomitraphylline, rhynchopylline, and isorhynchopylline; and flavonoids by ca. 21
      % (914 MUg g(-1) DW), whereas phenolic compounds were increased 80 % (599 MUg g(
      1) DW) at 1 uM and 8.2 % (359 MUg g(-1) DW) at 100 uM SA. CONCLUSION: Pre
      treatment with 1 uM SA of U.tomentosa microplants preserved the survival rate and
      increased oxindole alkaloids, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds in correlation
      with H2O2 and peroxidase activity enhancements, offering biotechnological
      advantages over non-treated microplants.

PMID- 26272396
TI  - Characterization of the phenolic fraction from Argentine wine and its effect on
      viability and polysaccharide production of Pediococcus pentosaceus.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To qualitatively and quantitatively characterize a low molecular
      weight phenolic fraction (LMF) of Malbec wine from Cafayate, Argentina, and
      evaluate its effect on viability and exopolysaccharide production of Pediococcus
      pentosaceus 12p, a wine spoilage bacterium. RESULTS: The phenolic compounds
      detected were, in general, comparable to data previously reported but
      hydroxycinnamic acids were detected at higher concentrations than determined in
      other studies. Addition of LMF at identical concentrations present in wine or a
      four times concentrated LMF mixture to a synthetic wine-like medium produced a
      diminution in bacterial viability and exopolysaccharide production in the
      supernatant culture. Transmission electron microscopy revealed damage of
      bacterial cell integrity after 96 h of incubation only in the presence of four
      times concentrated LMF. CONCLUSION: This is the first time a low molecular weight
      phenolic fraction has been characterized in Cafayate wine and it has demonstrated
      a marked antimicrobial effect on an exopolysaccharide-producing wine spoilage
      bacterium.

PMID- 26272397
TI  - Development of an ELISA based on a multi-fragment antigen of infectious
      bronchitis virus for antibodies detection.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To develop a cost-effective ELISA for detection of antibodies against
      infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) by using a multi-fragment protein as coating
      antigen. RESULTS: A multi-fragment antigen, termed BE, which was composed of
      eight antigenic fragments selected from the three major proteins (S, M, and N) of
      IBV, was expressed in Escherichia coli. The entire protein had a molecular weight
      of 61.5 kDa. In addition to it, a smaller truncated protein was also produced;
      both could react with IBV-positive serum. Next, an indirect ELISA (BE-ELISA) was
      developed. Coefficients of variation of this assay were lower than 10 %, and no
      cross-reactivity between the coated antigen BE and antiserum against newcastle
      disease virus, avian influenza virus, or infectious bursal disease virus was
      observed. The performance of BE-ELISA was evaluated, and showed 95.4 %
      coincidence ratio with the whole virus based-ELISA (IDEXX). CONCLUSIONS: The
      multi-fragment antigen (BE) may represent a promising alternative to the whole
      virus without safety problems, and this newly established ELISA provides an
      effective method for anti-IBV antibody detection.

PMID- 26272398
TI  - Blocking Endogenous Leukemia Inhibitory Factor During Placental Development in
      Mice Leads to Abnormal Placentation and Pregnancy Loss.
AB  - The placenta forms the interface between the maternal and fetal circulation and
      is critical for the establishment of a healthy pregnancy. Specialized trophoblast
      cells derived from the embryonic trophectoderm play a pivotal role in the
      establishment of the placenta. Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is one of the
      predominant cytokines present in the placenta during early pregnancy. LIF has
      been shown to regulate trophoblast adhesion and invasion in vitro, however its
      precise role in vivo is unknown. We hypothesized that LIF would be required for
      normal placental development in mice. LIF and LIFRalpha were immunolocalized to
      placental trophoblasts and fetal vessels in mouse implantation sites during mid
      gestation. Temporally blocking LIF action during specific periods of placental
      development via intraperitoneal administration of our specific LIFRalpha
      antagonist, PEGLA, resulted in abnormal placental trophoblast and vascular
      morphology and reduced activated STAT3 but not ERK. Numerous genes regulating
      angiogenesis and oxidative stress were altered in the placenta in response to LIF
      inhibition. Pregnancy viability was also significantly compromised in PEGLA
      treated mice. Our data suggest that LIF plays an important role in placentation
      in vivo and the maintenance of healthy pregnancy. 

PMID- 26272399
TI  - Overshadowing and latent inhibition in nausea-based context conditioning in
      humans: Theoretical and practical implications.
AB  - Volunteer participants underwent nausea-inducing body rotation in a distinctive
      context, and the acquired ability of the contextual cues to evoke nausea was
      subsequently assessed by a symptom rating scale. One group received prior
      exposure to the context (a latent inhibition procedure); a second consumed a
      novel flavour prior to rotation (an overshadowing procedure); a third group
      experienced both procedures; and a control group received neither. When tested in
      the context in the absence of rotation, all groups reported an increase in nausea
      related symptoms at the time when rotation had previously occurred, an outcome
      consistent with the occurrence of conditioned nausea. The magnitude of this
      increase did not differ across the groups, but the overall level of
      responsiveness (the degree to which nausea-related symptoms were reported) was
      enhanced in the latent inhibition and reduced in the overshadowing condition.
      Cortisol levels showed the same pattern. The implications of these findings for
      the proposal that overshadowing and latent inhibition procedures might be used to
      control the development of anticipatory nausea in patients undergoing
      chemotherapy is considered. 

PMID- 26272400
TI  - Antimicrobials: Novel antibodies defeat dengue virus.

PMID- 26272401
TI  - Microbial ecology: Sorting out viral dark matter.

PMID- 26272411
TI  - Use of Mobile Clinical Decision Support Software by Junior Doctors at a UK
      Teaching Hospital: Identification and Evaluation of Barriers to Engagement.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Clinical decision support (CDS) tools improve clinical diagnostic
      decision making and patient safety. The availability of CDS to health care
      professionals has grown in line with the increased prevalence of apps and smart
      mobile devices. Despite these benefits, patients may have safety concerns about
      the use of mobile devices around medical equipment. OBJECTIVE: This research
      explored the engagement of junior doctors (JDs) with CDS and the perceptions of
      patients about their use. There were three objectives for this research: (1) to
      measure the actual usage of CDS tools on mobile devices (mCDS) by JDs, (2) to
      explore the perceptions of JDs about the drivers and barriers to using mCDS, and
      (3) to explore the perceptions of patients about the use of mCDS. METHODS: This
      study used a mixed-methods approach to study the engagement of JDs with CDS
      accessed through mobile devices. Usage data were collected on the number of
      interactions by JDs with mCDS. The perceived drivers and barriers for JDs to
      using CDS were then explored by interviews. Finally, these findings were
      contrasted with the perception of patients about the use of mCDS by JDs. RESULTS:
      Nine of the 16 JDs made a total of 142 recorded interactions with the mCDS over a
      4-month period. Only 27 of the 114 interactions (24%) that could be categorized
      as on-shift or off-shift occurred on-shift. Eight individual, institutional, and
      cultural barriers to engagement emerged from interviews with the user group. In
      contrast to reported cautions and concerns about the impact of clinicians' use of
      mobile phone on patient health and safety, patients had positive perceptions
      about the use of mCDS. CONCLUSIONS: Patients reported positive perceptions toward
      mCDS. The usage of mCDS to support clinical decision making was considered to be
      positive as part of everyday clinical practice. The degree of engagement was
      found to be limited due to a number of individual, institutional, and cultural
      barriers. The majority of mCDS engagement occurred outside of the workplace.
      Further research is required to verify these findings and assess their
      implications for future policy and practice.

PMID- 26272409
TI  - Sexual development in Plasmodium parasites: knowing when it's time to commit.
AB  - Malaria is a devastating infectious disease that is caused by blood-borne
      apicomplexan parasites of the genus Plasmodium. These pathogens have a complex
      lifecycle, which includes development in the anopheline mosquito vector and in
      the liver and red blood cells of mammalian hosts, a process which takes days to
      weeks, depending on the Plasmodium species. Productive transmission between the
      mammalian host and the mosquito requires transitioning between asexual and sexual
      forms of the parasite. Blood- stage parasites replicate cyclically and are mostly
      asexual, although a small fraction of these convert into male and female sexual
      forms (gametocytes) in each reproductive cycle. Despite many years of
      investigation, the molecular processes that elicit sexual differentiation have
      remained largely unknown. In this Review, we highlight several important recent
      discoveries that have identified epigenetic factors and specific transcriptional
      regulators of gametocyte commitment and development, providing crucial insights
      into this obligate cellular differentiation process. 

PMID- 26272410
TI  - Screening adherence and cancer risk perceptions in colorectal cancer survivors
      with Lynch-like syndrome.
AB  - Cancer screening recommendations for patients with Lynch-like syndrome (LLS) are
      not well defined. We evaluated adherence to Lynch syndrome (LS) screening
      recommendations, cancer risk perceptions, and communication within the families
      among colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors with LLS. Thirty-four participants with
      LLS completed a questionnaire about risk perception, adherence to LS screening
      recommendations, and communication with relatives. Clinical data were obtained
      from medical records. Most participants (76%) believed they should undergo
      colonoscopy every 1-2 years. Only 41% correctly interpreted their genetic tests
      as uninformative negative or as variant of unknown significance for LS. Less than
      half had had an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for screening purpose. Among
      female participants, 86% had been screened for endometrial cancer (EC) and 71%
      for ovarian cancer. Most participants had informed relatives about the CRC
      diagnosis and advised them to undergo CRC screening, but only 50% advised female
      relatives to be screened for EC and only one-third advised relatives to have
      genetic counseling. Most CRC survivors with LLS follow the same cancer screening
      recommended for LS patients but do not understand the meaning of LLS. Greater
      care must be devoted to communicating the implications of nondiagnostic germline
      mutation testing among patients with LLS. 

PMID- 26272408
TI  - Staphylococcal manipulation of host immune responses.
AB  - Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterial commensal of the human nares and skin, is a
      frequent cause of soft tissue and bloodstream infections. A hallmark of
      staphylococcal infections is their frequent recurrence, even when treated with
      antibiotics and surgical intervention, which demonstrates the bacterium's ability
      to manipulate innate and adaptive immune responses. In this Review, we highlight
      how S. aureus virulence factors inhibit complement activation, block and destroy
      phagocytic cells and modify host B cell and T cell responses, and we discuss how
      these insights might be useful for the development of novel therapies against
      infections with antibiotic resistant strains such as methicillin-resistant S.
      aureus. 

PMID- 26272412
TI  - Can performance on summative evaluation of wax-added dental anatomy projects be
      better predicted from the combination of supervised and unsupervised practice
      than from supervised practice alone?
AB  - PURPOSE: The study explored the effects of adding student-directed projects in
      pre-clinical dental anatomy laboratory on improving the predictability of
      students' eventual performance on summative evaluation exercises, given the
      presence of intervening faculty-controlled, in-class practice. METHOD: All
      students from four consecutive classes (n = 555) completed wax-added home
      projects (HP), spending as much or as little time as desired and receiving no
      faculty feedback; followed by similar laboratory projects (LP) with time limits
      and feedback; and then summative practical projects (PP) in a timed format but
      without faculty feedback. Path analysis was used to assess if the student
      directed HP had any effect over and above the laboratory projects. RESULTS:
      Average scores were HP = 0.785 (SD = 0.089); LP = 0.736 (SD = 0.092); and PP =
      0.743 (SD = 0.108). Path analysis was applied to show the effects of including a
      student-controlled home practice exercise on summative exercise performance. HP
      contributed 57% direct effect and 37% mediated effect through the LP condition.
      CONCLUSION: Student-directed home practice provided a measureable improvement in
      ability to predict eventual performance in summative test cases over and above
      the predictive contribution of intervening faculty-controlled practice
      conditions.

PMID- 26272413
TI  - Impact of cigarette smoking on the middle meatus microbiome in health and chronic
      rhinosinusitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although cigarette smoking aggravates chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), a
      detailed examination of the sinus microbiota in CRS and its clinical subtypes has
      yet to be performed in relation to history of smoking. Consequently, we examined
      associations between smoking history and sinonasal microbiome alterations in both
      CRS and non-CRS populations. METHODS: Middle meatus swabs collected during
      endoscopic sinus surgery were analyzed by analysis of 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA)
      sequences. Multiple analysis of variance tests were performed to determine
      whether microbiome composition varied with smoking history and other
      clinical/demographic covariates associated with CRS subtypes. RESULTS: A total 70
      CRS patients and 31 control subjects were analyzed. In a univariate analysis,
      smoking (p = 0.04), preoperative antibiotics (p = 0.03), and purulence (p =
      0.0002) were significantly associated with the genus-level composition of the
      middle meatus microbiota. When included in a multivariable model, smoking was
      found to have significant interactions with CRS (p = 0.02), polyposis (p = 0.03),
      purulence (p = 0.0004), and use of saline rinses (p = 0.05). Diverse bacterial
      taxa differed significantly in abundance between never-smokers and current/former
      smokers, as well as between different CRS subtypes. CONCLUSION: Substantial
      changes in sinus bacterial colonization were observed in smokers and nonsmokers.
      Although the microbiota of both CRS and non-CRS subjects were altered with
      smoking history, different bacterial taxa were affected by smoking in the 2
      patient groups. Thus, the effects of smoking on the sinus microbiota are likely
      to be modified by physiological and immunological functions of the underlying
      sinus mucosa.

PMID- 26272414
TI  - Factors influencing food preparation behaviours: findings from focus groups with
      Mexican-American mothers in southern California.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to explore food preparation
      behaviours, attitudes, meal planning and shopping among Mexican-American mothers.
      DESIGN: Data were collected through four focus groups with mothers of Mexican
      origin/ancestry who considered themselves to be the primary food preparer. Topics
      included food preparation behaviours and influencers (culture, family, attitudes,
      barriers, meal planning and shopping). Data were analysed using a qualitative
      grounded theory approach. All focus groups were audio recorded, transcribed
      verbatim and coded for themes. SETTING: Data were collected in southern
      California, USA in 2013. SUBJECTS: Of the sample of twenty-one Mexican-American
      mothers, thirteen were born outside the USA and the mean household size was five
      members. RESULTS: Participants reported that food was often prepared using
      traditional staples and food preparation behaviours were learned from maternal
      family members. Participants also suggested that health was influenced by foods
      eaten and how they were prepared. Salient factors influencing food preparation
      behaviours included culture and tradition, maternal family members' food
      preparation behaviours, food preparation self-efficacy and attitudes towards
      healthy eating. Time and busy schedules were cited as barriers. CONCLUSIONS:
      Future interventions should consider utilizing family-based approaches and
      teaching culturally relevant food preparation skills, especially to youth, while
      reinforcing more healthful dietary practices.

PMID- 26272415
TI  - Extracellular production of Pseudozyma (Candida) antarctica lipase B with genuine
      primary sequence in recombinant Escherichia coli.
AB  - An Escherichia coli expression system was established to produce recombinant
      extracellular Pseudozyma (Candida) antarctica lipase B (CALB). With the aim of
      producing the genuine CALB without additional amino acid residues, the mature
      portion of the CALB gene was fused seamlessly to a pelB signal sequence and
      expressed in E. coli BL21(DE3) using the pET system. Inducing gene expression at
      low temperature (20 degrees C) was crucial for the production of active CALB;
      higher temperatures caused inclusion body formation. Prolonged induction for 48 h
      at 20 degrees C allowed for the enzyme to be released into the culture medium,
      with more than half of the activity detected in the culture supernatant. A
      catalytically inactive CALB mutant (S105A) protein was similarly released,
      suggesting that the lipid-hydrolyzing activity of the enzyme was not the reason
      for the release. The CALB production level was further improved by optimizing the
      culture medium. Under the optimized conditions, the CALB in the culture
      supernatant amounted to 550 mg/L. The recombinant CALB was purified from the
      culture supernatant, yielding 5.67 mg of purified CALB from 50 mL of culture. N
      terminal sequencing and ESI-MS analyses showed proper removal of the pelB signal
      sequence and the correct molecular weight of the protein, respectively,
      confirming the structural integrity of the recombinant CALB. The kinetic
      parameters towards p-nitrophenylbutyrate and the enantiomeric selectivity on rac
      1-phenylethylacetate of the recombinant CALB were consistent with those of the
      authentic CALB. This is the first example of E. coli-based extracellular
      production of a CALB enzyme without extra amino acid residues. 

PMID- 26272416
TI  - TORC1 activity is partially reduced under nitrogen starvation conditions in sake
      yeast Kyokai no. 7, Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
AB  - Industrial yeasts are generally unable to sporulate but treatment with the
      immunosuppressive drug rapamycin restores this ability in a sake yeast strain
      Kyokai no. 7 (K7), Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This finding suggests that TORC1 is
      active under sporulation conditions. Here, using a reporter gene assay, Northern
      and Western blots, we tried to gain insight into how TORC1 function under
      nitrogen starvation conditions in K7 cells. Similarly to a laboratory strain,
      RPS26A transcription was repressed and Npr1 was dephosphorylated in K7 cells,
      indicative of the expected loss of TORC1 function under nitrogen starvation. The
      expression of nitrogen catabolite repression-sensitive genes, however, was not
      induced, the level of Cln3 remained constant, and autophagy was more slowly
      induced than in a laboratory strain, all suggestive of active TORC1. We conclude
      that TORC1 activity is partially reduced under nitrogen starvation conditions in
      K7 cells. 

PMID- 26272417
TI  - Correction: Understanding metal homeostasis in primary cultured neurons. Studies
      using single neuron subcellular and quantitative metallomics.
AB  - Correction for 'Understanding metal homeostasis in primary cultured neurons.
      Studies using single neuron subcellular and quantitative metallomics' by Robert
      A. Colvin et al., Metallomics, 2015, 7, 1111-1123. 

PMID- 26272418
TI  - Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and transcranial direct current
      stimulation in motor rehabilitation after stroke: an update.
AB  - Stroke is a leading cause of adult motor disability. The number of stroke
      survivors is increasing in industrialized countries, and despite available
      treatments used in rehabilitation, the recovery of motor functions after stroke
      is often incomplete. Studies in the 1980s showed that non-invasive brain
      stimulation (mainly repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation [rTMS] and
      transcranial direct current stimulation [tDCS]) could modulate cortical
      excitability and induce plasticity in healthy humans. These findings have opened
      the way to the therapeutic use of the 2 techniques for stroke. The mechanisms
      underlying the cortical effect of rTMS and tDCS differ. This paper summarizes
      data obtained in healthy subjects and gives a general review of the use of rTMS
      and tDCS in stroke patients with altered motor functions. From 1988 to 2012,
      approximately 1400 publications were devoted to the study of non-invasive brain
      stimulation in humans. However, for stroke patients with limb motor deficit, only
      141 publications have been devoted to the effects of rTMS and 132 to those of
      tDCS. The Cochrane review devoted to the effects of rTMS found 19 randomized
      controlled trials involving 588 patients, and that devoted to tDCS found 18
      randomized controlled trials involving 450 patients. Without doubt, rTMS and tDCS
      contribute to physiological and pathophysiological studies in motor control.
      However, despite the increasing number of studies devoted to the possible
      therapeutic use of non-invasive brain stimulation to improve motor recovery after
      stroke, further studies will be necessary to specify their use in rehabilitation.

PMID- 26272419
TI  - Acquired spatial dyslexia.
AB  - Acquired spatial dyslexia is a reading disorder frequently occurring after left
      or right posterior brain lesions. This article describes several types of spatial
      dyslexia with an attentional approach. After right posterior lesions, patients
      show left neglect dyslexia with errors on the left side of text, words, and non
      words. The deficit is frequently associated with left unilateral spatial neglect.
      Severe left neglect dyslexia can be detected with unlimited exposure duration of
      words or non-words. Minor neglect dyslexia is detected with brief presentation of
      bilateral words, one in the left and one in the right visual field (phenomenon of
      contralesional extinction). Neglect dyslexia can be explained as a difficulty in
      orienting attention to the left side of verbal stimuli. With left posterior
      lesions, spatial dyslexia is also frequent but multiform. Right neglect dyslexia
      is frequent, but right unilateral spatial neglect is rare. Attentional dyslexia
      represents difficulty in selecting a stimulus, letter or word among other similar
      stimuli; it is a deficit of attentional selection, and the left hemisphere plays
      a crucial role in selection. Two other types of spatial dyslexia can be found
      after left posterior lesions: paradoxical ipsilesional extinction and stimulus
      centred neglect dyslexia. Disconnections between left or right parietal
      attentional areas and the left temporal visual word form area could explain these
      deficits. Overall, a model of attention dissociating modulation, selection
      control, and selection positioning can help in understanding these reading
      disorders.

PMID- 26272420
TI  - Lentiviral shRNA against KCa3.1 inhibits allergic response in allergic rhinitis
      and suppresses mast cell activity via PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
AB  - Calcium-activated potassium ion channel-3.1 (KCa3.1) plays a pivotal role in the
      potassium-calcium exchange involved in atopy. This study aimed to explore the
      impact of lentiviral-mediated shRNA silencing KCa3.1 on allergic response in a
      murine allergic rhinitis (AR) model. The BALB/c mice were divided into four
      groups: untreated AR group, negative control AR group, lentiviral KCa3.1-shRNA
      treated AR group and normal control group. Concentrations of ovalbumin (OVA)
      specific IgE, histamine and leukotrienes C4 (LTC4) in serum, and IL-4, IL-9 and
      IL-17 in nasal lavage fluid (NLF) were analyzed. Goblet cells and mast cells were
      counted. KCa3.1 positive cells were counted after immunolabelling by
      immunofluorescence method. KCa3.1, Mucin 5AC (MUC5AC), and tryptase mRNA levels
      were determined using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Furthermore, P815 cell
      line was used to explore the role and mechanism of lentiviral KCa3.1-shRNA on
      mast cells. The results showed that LV-KCa3.1-shRNA intervention effectively
      attenuated allergic responses in LV-KCa3.1-shRNA treated mice. LV-KCa3.1-shRNA
      intervention effectively suppressed KCa3.1 levels and phosphorylation of AKT in
      P815 cells, leading to the downregulation of tryptase, IL-6 and IL-8 levels. LV
      KCa3.1-shRNA intervention effectively attenuated the allergic responses in AR and
      suppressed mast cell activity by inhibiting PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. 

PMID- 26272421
TI  - An Unusual Case of Chronic Abdominal Pain.

PMID- 26272422
TI  - A Case of Proton Pump Inhibitor-Resistant Multiple Gastric Ulcers Caused by
      Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis.

PMID- 26272423
TI  - [Hemangiolymphangioma of the spermatic cord in a 17 year-old: A case report].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hemangiolymphangiomas are extremely rare tumours arising from blood
      and lymphatic vessels. It is a benign disorder, and 95% are of the neck and
      axilla. OBJECTIVE: To present a case of hemangiolymphangioma of the spermatic
      cord with contralateral recurrence. CLINICAL CASE: A 17-year-old patient with a
      progressively growing tumour in the right inguinoscrotal region. Examination
      revealed a painless, movable and soft right inguinoscrotal tumour, mobile and
      soft. Surgical resection showed a 25*25cm tumour from spermatic cord, right
      testicle, and subcutaneous cellular tissue. Histopathological study reported a
      hemangiolymphangioma. CONCLUSIONS: The spermatic cord is an unusual location of
      hemangiolymphangiomas with contralateral recurrence. Surgical treatment, with
      histopathological diagnosis, is associated with good prognosis.

PMID- 26272424
TI  - [Acute abdomen with actinomycosis of the colon: A case report].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Actinomyces infection is a chronic inflammatory process that can
      sometimes, clinically and radiographically, closely mimic a malignant tumour,
      which may lead to giving a delayed or inappropriate treatment. CLINICAL CASE:
      Male 41 years old, with no previous history, with abdominal pain of one month
      onset, as well as weight loss, intermittent fever and diarrhoea. He developed
      acute abdomen and underwent surgery, finding a tumour in the distal ileum with
      necrosis and punctiform perforations. A resection was performed on the affected
      part of the ileum and colon, as well as an ileostomy using Hartmann's procedure.
      CONCLUSIONS: Actinomycosis is a disease that must be considered by the surgeon
      when faced with a clinical picture of subacute onset with intermittent fever,
      weight loss, abdominal pain, and even anaemia in patients with abdominal and
      retroperitoneal abscesses or previous history of surgery.

PMID- 26272425
TI  - [Clear cell adenocarcinoma arising from abdominal wall endometriosis].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Clear cell carcinoma originating in the abdominal wall is a rare
      event. It is generally associated with endometrial tissue implants left behind
      after a caesarean section or other gynaecological operations. Its pathophysiology
      is complex and controversial. CLINICAL CASE: The case is presented of a 45 year
      old female with history of three caesarean sections, who was seen due to having a
      tumour mass of 6 months onset in the anterior abdominal wall. Imaging studies
      confirmed its location, and due to measuring 9 by 7 cm it was suspected to be an
      urachal tumour. A resection with wide margins was performed. The histopathology
      report was of a clear cell adenocarcinoma originated in ectopic endometrial
      tissue, with negative margins. CONCLUSION: This is a very rare case, with few
      cases reported in the literature. This diagnosis should be included in tumours of
      the abdominal wall.

PMID- 26272426
TI  - Conjunctival and corneal sensitivity in patients under topical antiglaucoma
      treatment.
AB  - The purpose of the study is to measure corneal and conjunctival sensitivity in
      patients under glaucoma topical treatment as compared to a control group. It is a
      case-control study. Corneal and conjunctival esthesiometry were carried out
      through a Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer. We took healthy individuals as controls,
      who did not use any type of ophthalmic topical medications and without history of
      ocular surface pathology or irritation. The study group was subdivided per number
      of applications (1, 2, and 3 or more applications). From a total 182 eyes from 91
      patients, of which 26 (28.57 %) were controls and 65 (71.43 %) were in the study
      group, a mean corneal sensitivity of 58.98 +/- 2.25 mm was found in the control
      group and 52.97 +/- 6.41 mm in patients using topical medication. Mean
      conjunctival sensitivity was 18.80 +/- 5.40 mm in the control group and 11.76 +/-
      5.45 mm in the study group. There was no statistically significant difference
      among groups when separated by 1, 2, and 3 or more applications. Eyes under use
      of timolol-containing medications showed lower sensitivity values as compared to
      other topical antiglaucoma medications. Corneal and conjunctival sensitivities
      are diminished in patients with chronic use of topical hypotensive medications
      and these results can explain the lack of correlation between signs and symptoms
      that is typically found in patients treated for glaucoma or ocular hypertension. 

PMID- 26272427
TI  - Atrasentan in Patients With Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Phase 2 Trial of the
      ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group (E6800).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Atrasentan, an oral endothelin receptor A antagonist, demonstrated
      phase 1 activity in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC). A phase 2 study was
      undertaken in patients with measurable or bone-only metastatic RCC in the pre
      VEGF/TKI era. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Patients were stratified by disease status
      and prior immunotherapy. Eligible patients had no prior chemotherapy, 0 to 1
      prior immunotherapies, and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance
      status of 0 to 2. Patients received atrasentan 10 mg per day until progression.
      The primary end point was progression-free (PF) rate at 6 months. Rates of 25%
      among patients treated with prior immunotherapy and 45% among patients with no
      prior immunotherapy were considered promising. A 2-stage design was used for
      cohorts without prior immunotherapy. RESULTS: From 2003 to 2005, 98 patients were
      registered. Median treatment duration was 9.9 weeks (range, 0.3-107 weeks).
      Toxicities were mild; 71% of patients reported no grade 3 or higher treatment
      related events. Grade 4 events included neutropenia (n = 3), dyspnea (n = 2),
      thrombosis (n = 1), and arrhythmia (n = 1). Two grade 5 events (dyspnea and
      constitutional) were possibly treatment related. Six-month PF rates (90%
      confidence interval) were 14% (6-25), 0% (0-39), 8% (1-23), and 22% (8-44),
      respectively, for patients with prior immunotherapy/measurable disease (n = 44),
      prior immunotherapy/bone metastases (n = 6), no prior immunotherapy/measurable
      disease (n = 25), and no prior immunotherapy/bone metastases (n = 18). Median PF
      survival was 2.3 months (95% confidence interval, 2.0-3.5 months). CONCLUSION:
      Although well tolerated, atrasentan did not yield 6-month PF rates supporting its
      use as first-line monotherapy in patients with advanced RCC.

PMID- 26272428
TI  - Stereoselective Bioreduction of alpha-Azido Ketones by Whole Cells of Marine
      Derived Fungi.
AB  - Seven strains of marine-derived fungi (Aspergillus sclerotiorum CBMAI 849,
      Cladosporium cladosporioides CBMAI 857, Penicillium raistrickii CBMAI 931,
      Penicillium citrinum CBMA 1186, Mucor racemosus CBMAI 847, Beauveria felina CBMAI
      738, and Penicillium oxalicum CBMAI 1185) and terrestrial fungus Penicillium
      chrysogenum CBMA1199 were screened as catalysts for the asymmetric reduction of
      alpha-keto azides 5-8 to their corresponding beta-azidophenylethanols 9-12. The
      marine fungi showed Prelog and anti-Prelog selectivities to the reduction alpha
      keto azides 5-8. The fungi A. sclerotiorum CBMAI 849, C. cladosporioides CBMAI
      857, P. raistrickii CBMAI 931, and P. citrinum CBMA 1186 catalyzed the reduction
      of azido ketone 6 to the corresponding (R)-2-azido-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethanol
      (10) with good conversions (68-100 %) and excellent enantiomeric excesses (>99 %
      ee) according to Prelog rule.

PMID- 26272429
TI  - Identification, Phylogeny, and Function of fabp2 Paralogs in Two Non-Model
      Teleost Fish Species.
AB  - Intestinal fatty-acid-binding protein (IFABP or FABP2) is a cytosolic transporter
      of long-chain fatty acids, which is mainly expressed in cells of intestinal
      tissue. Fatty acids in teleosts are an important source of energy for growth,
      reproduction, and swimming and a main ingredient in the yolk sac of embryos and
      larvae. The fabp2 paralogs, fabp2a and fabp2b, were identified for 26 teleost
      fish species including the paralogs for the two non-model teleost fish species,
      namely the gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) and the European sea bass
      (Dicentrarchus labrax). Despite the high similarity of fabp2 paralogs, as well as
      the identical organization in four exons, paralogs were mapped to different
      chromosomes/linkage groups supporting the hypothesis that the identified
      transcripts are true paralogs originating from a single ancestor gene after
      genome duplication. This was also confirmed by phylogenetic analysis using fabp2
      sequences of 26 teleosts and by synteny analysis carried out with ten teleosts.
      Differential expression analysis of the gilthead sea bream and European sea bass
      fabp2 paralogs in the intestine after fasting and refeeding experiment further
      revealed their altered implication in metabolism. Additional expression studies
      in seven developmental stages of the two species detected fabp2 paralogs
      relatively early in the embryonic development as well as possible complementary
      or separated roles of the paralogs. The identification and characterization of
      the two fabp2 paralogs will contribute significantly to the understanding of the
      fabp2 evolution as well as of the divergences in fatty acid metabolism. 

PMID- 26272430
TI  - Omega-3 DHA- and EPA-dopamine conjugates induce PPARgamma-dependent breast cancer
      cell death through autophagy and apoptosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The omega-3 docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid
      (EPA) may form conjugates with amines that have potential health benefits against
      common diseases including cancers. Here we synthesized DHA-dopamine (DHADA) and
      EPA-dopamine (EPADA) conjugates and studied their biological effects on different
      breast cancer cell lines. METHODS AND RESULTS: MTT assays indicated that
      increasing concentrations of DHADA and EPADA significantly affected viability in
      MCF-7, SKBR3 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, whereas no effect was observed
      in MCF-10A non-tumorigenic epithelial breast cells. DHADA and EPADA enhanced
      Beclin-1 expression, as evidenced by immunoblotting, real-time-PCR and functional
      analyses. Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and Re-ChIP assays revealed that
      both compounds induced recruitment of Peroxisome-Proliferator-Activated-Receptor
      gamma (PPARgamma) and RNA Polymerase-II at the Retinoic-X-Receptor binding region
      on Beclin-1 promoter. Moreover, both compounds enhanced autophagosome formation,
      evaluated by LC-3 and monodansylcadaverine labeling, that was prevented by the
      PPARgamma antagonist GW9662, addressing the direct involvement of PPARgamma.
      Noteworthy, long-term treatment with DHADA and EPADA caused the blockade of
      autophagic flux followed by apoptotic cell death as evidenced by PARP cleavage
      and DNA fragmentation in all breast cancer cells. CONCLUSIONS: We have provided
      new insights into the molecular mechanism through which PPARgamma, as a central
      molecule in the cross talk between autophagy and apoptosis, mediates DHADA- and
      EPADA-induced cell death in breast cancer cells. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: Our
      findings suggest that omega-3 DHADA- and EPADA activation of PPARgamma may assume
      biological relevance in setting novel adjuvant therapeutic interventions in
      breast carcinoma.

PMID- 26272431
TI  - H2S-induced S-sulfhydration of pyruvate carboxylase contributes to
      gluconeogenesis in liver cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cystathionine gamma-lyase (CSE)-derived hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S)
      possesses diverse roles in the liver, affecting lipoprotein synthesis, insulin
      sensitivity, and mitochondrial biogenesis. H(2)S S-sulfhydration is now proposed
      as a major mechanism for H(2)S-mediated signaling. Pyruvate carboxylase (PC) is
      an important enzyme for gluconeogenesis. S-sulfhydration regulation of PC by
      H(2)S and its implication in gluconeogenesis in the liver have been unknown.
      METHODS: Gene expressions were analyzed by real-time PCR and western blotting,
      and protein S-sulfhydration was assessed by both modified biotin switch assay and
      tag switch assay. Glucose production and PC activity was measured with coupled
      enzyme assays, respectively. RESULTS: Exogenously applied H(2)S stimulates PC
      activity and gluconeogenesis in both HepG2 cells and mouse primary liver cells.
      CSE overexpression enhanced but CSE knockout reduced PC activity and
      gluconeogenesis in liver cells, and blockage of PC activity abolished H(2)S
      induced gluconeogenesis. H(2)S had no effect on the expressions of PC mRNA and
      protein, while H(2)S S-sulfhydrated PC in a dithiothreitol-sensitive way. PC S
      sulfhydration was significantly strengthened by CSE overexpression but attenuated
      by CSE knockout, suggesting that H(2)S enhances glucose production through S
      sulfhydrating PC. Mutation of cysteine 265 in human PC diminished H(2)S-induced
      PC S-sulfhydration and activity. In addition, high-fat diet feeding of mice
      decreased both CSE expression and PC S-sulfhydration in the liver, while glucose
      deprivation of HepG2 cells stimulated CSE expression. CONCLUSIONS: CSE/H(2)S
      pathway plays an important role in the regulation of glucose production through S
      sulfhydrating PC in the liver. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: Tissue-specific regulation
      of CSE/H(2)S pathway might be a promising therapeutic target of diabetes and
      other metabolic syndromes.

PMID- 26272432
TI  - On the physics of the emergence of sensorimotor control in the absence of the
      brain.
AB  - The evolutionary origin of sensorimotor control requires a sort of physical
      durability, other than Galilean inertia being accessible in third-person
      description in the present tense. One candidate to address this need is the
      'class property' of a material body's durability remaining invariant during the
      exchange of component elements. Using grammatical tense as a descriptive
      attribute, this durability is accessible only in the frequent update of the
      present perfect tense in the present progressive tense at the 'now' of the
      present moment. In this view, the update of the perfect tense is equated with the
      onset and occurrence of on/off switching behavior of physical origin underlying
      the phenomena of sensorimotor control. Notably, the physical update of the
      perfect tense is specific only to the 'now and here' that is central in the
      tradition of phenomenology. The phenomena upholding thermodynamics, when taken
      apart from its theory, are decisive in facilitating the onset of sensorimotor
      control. Instrumental to the emergence of both life in general and sensorimotor
      control in particular may be the occurrence of a 'physical and chemical affinity'
      of the material bodies of whatever type. Such will let the constant exchange of
      component elements be feasible, so that the class identity equipped with the
      capacity for measurement is made available within the phenomenon. Material bodies
      constantly exchanging such component elements would make the material world open
      to biology by allowing each element to experience the organizational whole from
      within. The internal observer responsible for the origins of life may do double
      duty of letting itself be durable on the material basis while observing the
      conditions making it durable on the linguistic ground. The origins of life appear
      to us a material phenomenon when they are approached with use of our linguistic
      tools that can get rid of the strict stipulation of an abstract nature applied to
      the description of dynamical laws in physics. 

PMID- 26272433
TI  - The Microbiome and Osteosarcopenic Obesity in Older Individuals in Long-Term Care
      Facilities.
AB  - Increasing evidence points to a role of altered microbiota on inflammation,
      obesity, and other chronic conditions. This commentary addresses the connection
      between osteosarcopenic obesity syndrome, an impairment in bone, muscle, and
      adipose tissues that occurs concurrently, with the altered microbiota in elderly
      individuals, particularly those living in long-term care facilities. As elderly
      move to long-term care facilities, they experience changes in gut bacteria that
      might exasperate the underlying conditions such as osteosarcopenic obesity. These
      individuals have exponentially higher osteoporotic fracture rates and immobility
      impairments compared to independently living individuals. However, there is very
      limited research on this topic and more insight is needed on the impact of
      probiotic treatment and diet in older individuals, especially those with chronic
      conditions related to aging, such as osteosarcopenic obesity.

PMID- 26272434
TI  - Manual small incision extracapsular cataract surgery in Australia: response.

PMID- 26272435
TI  - Within- and between-herd prevalence variation of Mycobacterium avium subsp.
      paratuberculosis infection among control programme herds in Denmark (2011-2013).
AB  - This study aimed to estimate the between- (HTP) and within- (TP) herd true
      prevalence distribution of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP)
      infection in dairy cattle herds participating in the Danish MAP control
      programme. All herds enrolled in the programme between 2011 and 2013 were
      included in the analysis, and one annual milk-ELISA test of all lactating cows
      present in such herds was considered. A Bayesian latent class model was used to
      obtain HTP and TP posterior distributions for each year. The model adjusts for
      uncertainty in age-specific test sensitivity and prior prevalence estimates.
      Bayesian posterior probabilities were computed in order to compare prevalence
      between the years. A total of 665,700 samples were included in the study, from
      221,914, 224,040, and 220,466 cows sourced from 1138, 1112, and 1059 herds in
      years 2011, 2012, and 2013, respectively. In that period, HTP estimates of 0.92
      (95% posterior probability interval (PPI), 0.87-0.96), 0.78 (95% PPI, 0.74-0.83),
      and 0.75 (95% PPI, 0.71-0.78) were recorded, respectively. Low TP were observed,
      with population mean estimates of 0.08 (95% PPI, 0.07-0.08), 0.07 (95% PPI, 0.07
      0.08), and 0.07 (95% PPI, 0.06-0.07) for the three consecutive years.
      Statistically-important differences were recorded for HTP and population mean TP
      estimates between years, indicating a trend for a decreasing level of MAP
      infection at both herd and animal level. Model results showed that MAP infection
      was widespread among the Dairy cattle herds participating in the Danish control
      programme, though in general it was kept at very low levels. 

PMID- 26272436
TI  - Structural insights into the benzophenanthridines binding to human glycine
      transporter GlyT1.
AB  - We previously identified cysteine 475 as a key residue for the inhibitory action
      of sanguinarine on the human glycine transporter GlyT1c. To define potential
      benzophenanthridine binding pocket more closely, we created a structural homology
      model of GlyT1 and also mutated several amino acids in the vicinity of cysteine
      475. Even though this area contains the molecular determinants of the glycine and
      sodium permeation pathways, and several mutations resulted in an inactive
      transporter, we found that the mutation of a polar aromatic tyrosine 370 to
      purely aromatic phenylalanine, but not to an aliphatic leucine, significantly
      increased the sensitivity of GlyT1 to both sanguinarine and chelerythrine. The
      reduction of sanguinarine to dihydrosanguinarine completely eliminated the
      alkaloid's inhibitory potency. Both these results suggest that aromaticity is
      important in the interaction of benzophenanthridines with GlyT1. Even though
      tyrosine 370 is part of the conformationaly highly flexible glycine binding site,
      and is accesible during the transport process from both intra and extracellular
      sites, the cytoplasmic location of the second alkaloid sensitive residue,
      cysteine 475, suggests that the benzophenanthridines might attack the area of the
      GlyT1 intracellular gates. 

PMID- 26272437
TI  - Coronary atherosclerosis and adverse outcomes in patients with recent-onset
      atrial fibrillation and troponin rise.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The relationship between troponin and atrial fibrillation (AF)
      without acute coronary syndrome is still unclear. We sought to investigate the
      presence of coronary atherosclerosis and adverse outcomes in patients with AF.
      METHODS: Consecutive patients with recent-onset AF and without severe
      comorbidities were enrolled between 2004 and 2013. Patients with a troponin rise
      or with adverse outcomes were considered for coronary angiography and
      revascularization when "critical" stenosis (>=70%) was recognized. Propensity
      score matching was performed to adjust for baseline characteristics; after
      matching, no differences existed between the groups of patients with or without
      troponin rise. The primary end point was the composite of acute coronary
      syndrome, revascularization, and cardiac death at 1- and 12-month follow-ups.
      RESULTS: Of 3627 patients enrolled, 3541 completed the study; 202 (6%) showed
      troponin rise; and 91 (3%), an adverse outcome. In the entire cohort, on
      multivariate analysis, the odds ratio for the occurrence of the primary end point
      of troponin rise was 14 (95% confidence interval [CI], 10-23; P<.001), and that
      of known coronary artery disease was 3 (CI, 2-5; P=.001). In the matching cohort,
      the odds ratio of troponin rise was 10 (CI, 4-22; P<.001), and that of TIMI score
      greater than 2 was 4 (CI, 2-9; P<=.001). In the entire cohort, patients with or
      without troponin rise achieved the primary end point in 38 (19%) and 43 (1%)
      patients, respectively (P<.001). Stroke occurred in 4 (2%) and 20 (1%),
      respectively (P=.018). Critical stenosis and revascularization account for 23
      (12%) and 15 (1%), respectively (P<.001). In the matching cohort, results were
      confirmed, but incidence of stroke was comparable. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with
      recent-onset AF and troponin rise showed higher prevalence of coronary
      atherosclerosis and adverse cardiac events. Stroke per se did not succeed in
      justifying the high morbidity. Thus, beyond stroke, coronary atherosclerosis
      might have a pivotal role in poor outcomes.

PMID- 26272439
TI  - Biomechanical behavior of plantar fat pad in healthy and degenerative foot
      conditions.
AB  - The plantar fat pad of the human foot is a specific tissue made up of adipose
      chambers enveloped by fibrous septa. Aging, pathology or trauma may affect its
      histo-morphological configuration and mechanical response. The correlation
      between histo-morphological configuration and mechanical properties is analyzed
      by a computational approach, aiming to identify the influence of degenerative
      phenomena on plantar fat pad mechanics. Finite element meso-models, as numerical
      model of an intermediate-length scale, are developed for healthy and degenerative
      conditions, considering the different properties that degenerative phenomena may
      affect, such as the adipose chambers dimension, the fibrous septa thickness, the
      fibers orientation and the sub-components mechanical behavior. Histo-morphometric
      data are analyzed to identify average configurations of the fat chambers and
      fibrous septa, while specific constitutive formulations are provided to define
      their mechanical response. Numerical analyses are performed to identify the
      stress-strain behavior of the plantar fat pad considering healthy and
      degenerative configurations. The results from meso-models are applied to identify
      the parameters of a phenomenological constitutive formulation that interprets the
      overall human fat pad tissue mechanics. The constitutive formulation is
      implemented within a 3D finite element model of the heel region that is applied
      to evaluate the influence of degenerative phenomena on the overall mechanical
      functionality of the foot. 

PMID- 26272440
TI  - [Analysis of pacemaker ECGs].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The key to a successful analysis of a pacemaker electrocardiogram
      (ECG) is the application of the systematic approach used for any other ECG
      without a pacemaker: analysis of (1) basic rhythm and rate, (2) QRS axis, (3) PQ,
      QRS and QT intervals, (4) morphology of P waves, QRS, ST segments and T(U) waves
      and (5) the presence of arrhythmias. METHODS: If only the most obvious
      abnormality of a pacemaker ECG is considered, wrong conclusions can easily be
      drawn. If a systematic approach is skipped it may be overlooked that e.g. atrial
      pacing is ineffective, the left ventricle is paced instead of the right
      ventricle, pacing competes with intrinsic conduction or that the atrioventricular
      (AV) conduction time is programmed too long. Apart from this analysis, a
      pacemaker ECG which is not clear should be checked for the presence of
      arrhythmias (e.g. atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, junctional escape rhythm
      and endless loop tachycardia), pacemaker malfunction (e.g. atrial or ventricular
      undersensing or oversensing, atrial or ventricular loss of capture) and activity
      of specific pacing algorithms, such as automatic mode switching, rate adaptation,
      AV delay modifying algorithms, reaction to premature ventricular contractions
      (PVC), safety window pacing, hysteresis and noise mode. CONCLUSION: A systematic
      analysis of the pacemaker ECG almost always allows a probable diagnosis of
      arrhythmias and malfunctions to be made, which can be confirmed by pacemaker
      control and can often be corrected at the touch of the right button to the
      patient's benefit.

PMID- 26272438
TI  - Effects of ethanol on systemic hemodynamics in a porcine model of accidental
      hypothermia.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Accidental hypothermia is frequently associated with ethanol
      intoxication. Each has independent effects on systemic hemodynamics, but their
      combined effects are poorly understood. We aimed to describe the hemodynamic
      effects of ethanol intoxication in a model of severe hypothermia and rewarming.
      METHODS: Anesthetized pigs was assigned to control (n=8) or ethanol groups (ETOH)
      (n=7, 3 mg/kg of ethanol via an orogastric tube). Subjects were cooled to 25
      degrees C using ice packs and then warmed to baseline core temperature with
      passive external and active core rewarming. RESULTS: In the ETOH group, peak
      serum ethanol concentration was 202 mg/dL at 25 degrees C. Ethanol had no effect
      on time of cooling or rewarming. In both the control and ETOH, there were similar
      maximal decreases in mean arterial pressure (from 94+/-24 to 50+/-15 mm Hg and
      100+/-27 to 31+/-12 mm Hg, respectively), ventricular contractility (rate of
      maximal left ventricular pressure rise from 5731+/-1462 to 2610+/-596 mm Hg/s and
      6832+/-1384 to 1937+/-437 mm Hg/s, respectively), and cardiac output (from 2.14+/
      0.8 to 0.53+/-0.3 L/min and 2.93+/-0.9, to 0.44+/-0.2 L/min, respectively; all
      P<.001). After rewarming, only in the ETOH group were persistent decreases in
      mean arterial pressure (59+/-14 mm Hg), contractility (3982+/-1573 mm Hg/s), and
      cardiac output (1.6+/-0.9 L/min, all P<.03) observed. CONCLUSIONS: Hypothermia
      caused significant adverse effects on cardiac function and systemic hemodynamics,
      which returned to baseline with rewarming. Ethanol intoxication had no additional
      effects on systemic hemodynamics during cooling; however, it caused more
      prolonged depression of cardiac function and adverse effects on systemic
      hemodynamics during rewarming. These data may have implications for resuscitation
      of ethanol-intoxicated victims of accidental hypothermia.

PMID- 26272441
TI  - [Localization of the origin of idiopathic ventricular extrasystoles and
      tachycardia from the outflow tract].
AB  - Premature ventricular contractions (PVC) are a common cause for complaints. As a
      rule PVCs are not life-threatening if no structural heart disease is present;
      however, due to the symptoms treatment is often required using either
      antiarrhythmic drugs or more commonly catheter ablation. The surface
      electrocardiogram (ECG) is very helpful in localizing the origin of the
      arrhythmia, in particular for differentiating right from left ventricular
      sources. 

PMID- 26272443
TI  - Intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor monotherapy for large
      submacular hemorrhage secondary to neovascular age-related macular degeneration.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor
      (VEGF) monotherapy for large submacular hemorrhage (SMH) secondary to neovascular
      age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). METHODS: A total of 49 treatment-naive
      patients (49 eyes) with large SMH (more than five disc areas (DAs)) secondary to
      nAMD were retrospectively included. All patients were treated with an initial
      series of 3 monthly intravitreal anti-VEGF injections, followed by as-needed
      injections. At the 12-month follow-up, changes in best-corrected visual acuity
      (BCVA), hemorrhage area, central foveal thickness, and development of vitreous
      hemorrhage after treatment were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean SMH area was 13.9 +/
      8.8 disk areas (DAs) and mean symptom duration was 7.25 +/- 5.9 days at
      baseline. The mean number of injections was 4.49 +/- 1.61. Twelve months after
      treatment, the mean BCVA significantly improved from 1.14 +/- 0.61 logarithm of
      the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR; 20/276, Snellen equivalent) to 0.82 +/-
      0.53 logMAR (20/132; P = 0.002). Twenty-four eyes (49%) showed improvement of
      more than three lines of BCVA at 12 months after treatment. Baseline BCVA (odds
      ratio (OR), 5.119; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.993-9.545; P = 0.004),
      duration of symptoms (OR, 0.727; 95% CI, 0.332-0.952; P = 0.024), hemorrhage area
      (OR, 0.892; 95% CI, 0.721-0.965; P = 0.011), and baseline central foveal
      thickness (OR, 0.881; 95% CI, 0.722-0.945; P = 0.032) were significantly
      associated with good visual acuity 12 months after treatment. CONCLUSIONS:
      Intravitreal anti-VEGF monotherapy is a valuable treatment option for large SMH
      secondary to nAMD.

PMID- 26272442
TI  - [Type of partner, socio-economic factors and risk practices in men who have sex
      with men].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Men who have sex with men (MSM) perform risk practices that pose a
      challenge to prevention strategies. The aim of this study was to analyse the
      association between receptive and insertive unprotected anal intercourse (RUAI
      and IUAI) according to the type of partner and the practice of barebacking with
      socioeconomic factors. METHODS: A descriptive study was conducted through a self
      administered questionnaire distributed by a software tool in social networks and
      non-governmental organizations from June-2014 to January-2015. Participants
      consisted of 601 people living in Spain. Pearson's chi(2) test and logistic
      regression models were applied with odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals
      (95% CI). RESULTS: In stable couples, the risk of RUAI increased in individuals
      with a medium income (OR: 1.79; 95%CI: 1.14-2.80) and in those who lived together
      (OR: 2.94; 95%CI: 1.74-4.98) and IUAI increased in individuals living with a
      partner (OR: 5.58; 95%IC: 3.24-9.59). When the partner was a friend, the risk of
      RUAI was higher among individuals with secondary education (OR: 2.20; 95%CI: 1.44
      3.36) and those who were retired (OR: 3.6; 95%CI: 1.25-10.37), while living with
      a partner was a protective factor (OR: 0.56; 95%CI: 0.32-0.98). The risk of
      barebacking was greater in younger men (OR: 2.59; 95%CI: 1.27-5.28), in those
      with secondary education (OR: 1.51; 95%CI: 0.99-2.29) and in those living with a
      partner (OR: 3.64; 95%CI: 2.12-6.24). DISCUSSION: There is a need to reduce
      vulnerability due to socioeconomic factors that influence engagement in risk
      practices and to highlight the importance of barebacking, mainly in young MSM.
      Partner-based interventions and harm reduction strategies should be incorporated
      into preventive strategies.

PMID- 26272446
TI  - Using food intake records to estimate compliance with the Eatwell Plate dietary
      guidelines.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The UK Eatwell Plate is consumer based advice recommending the
      proportions of five food groups for a balanced diet: starchy foods, fruit and
      vegetables, dairy foods, nondairy sources of protein and foods and drinks high in
      fat or sugar. Many foods comprise ingredients from several food groups and
      consumers need to consider how these fit with the proportions of the Eatwell
      Plate. This involves disaggregating composite dishes into proportions of
      individual food components. The present study aimed to match the diets of adults
      in Scotland to the Eatwell Plate dietary recommendations and to describe the
      assumptions and methodological issues associated with estimating Eatwell Plate
      proportions from dietary records. METHODS: Foods from weighed intake records of
      161 females and 151 males were assigned to a single Eatwell group based on the
      main ingredient for composite foods, and the overall Eatwell Plate proportions of
      each subject's diet were calculated. Food group proportions were then
      recalculated after disaggregating composite foods. RESULTS: The fruit and
      vegetables and starchy food groups consumed were significantly lower than
      recommended in the Eatwell Plate, whereas the proportions of the protein and
      foods high in fat or sugar were significantly higher. Failing to disaggregate
      composite foods gave an inaccurate estimate of the food group composition of the
      diet. CONCLUSIONS: Estimating Eatwell Plate proportions from dietary records is
      not straightforward, and is reliant on methodological assumptions. These need to
      be standardised and disseminated to ensure consistent analysis.

PMID- 26272445
TI  - Immunohistochemical localization of dopamine D2 receptor in the rat carotid body.
AB  - Dopamine modulates the chemosensitivity of arterial chemoreceptors, and dopamine
      D2 receptor (D2R) is expected to localize in the glomus cells and/or sensory
      nerve endings of the carotid body. In the present study, the localization of D2R
      in the rat carotid body was examined using double immunofluorescence for D2R with
      various cell markers. D2R immunoreactivity was mainly localized in glomus cells
      immunoreactive to tyrosine hydroxylase or dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH), but
      not in S100B-immunoreactive sustentacular cells. Furthermore, D2R
      immunoreactivity was observed in petrosal ganglion cells and nerve bundles in the
      carotid body, but not in the nerve endings with P2X2 immunoreactivity. In the
      carotid ganglion, a few punctate D2R-immunoreactive products were detected in DBH
      immunoreactive nerve cell bodies. These results showed that D2R was mainly
      distributed in glomus cells, and suggested that D2R plays a role in the
      inhibitory modulation of chemosensory activity in a paracrine and/or autocrine
      manner. 

PMID- 26272448
TI  - Chlamydia Outer Protein (Cop) B from Chlamydia pneumoniae possesses
      characteristic features of a type III secretion (T3S) translocator protein.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chlamydia spp. are believed to use a conserved virulence factor
      called type III secretion (T3S) to facilitate the delivery of effector proteins
      from the bacterial pathogen to the host cell. Important early effector proteins
      of the type III secretion system (T3SS) are a class of proteins called the
      translocators. The translocator proteins insert into the host cell membrane to
      form a pore, allowing the injectisome to dock onto the host cell to facilitate
      translocation of effectors. CopB is a predicted hydrophobic translocator protein
      within the chlamydial T3SS. RESULTS: In this study, we identified a novel
      interaction between the hydrophobic translocator, CopB, and the putative filament
      protein, CdsF. Furthermore, we identified a conserved PxLxxP motif in CopB (amino
      acid residues 166-171), which is required for interaction with its cognate
      chaperone, LcrH_1. Using a synthetic peptide derived from the chaperone binding
      motif of CopB, we were able to block the LcrH_1 interaction with either CopB or
      CopD; this CopB peptide was capable of inhibiting C. pneumoniae infection of HeLa
      cells at micromolar concentrations. An antibody raised against the N-terminus of
      CopB was able to inhibit C. pneumoniae infection of HeLa cells. CONCLUSION: The
      inhibition of the LcrH_1:CopB interaction with a cognate peptide and subsequent
      inhibition of host cell infection provides strong evidence that T3S is an
      essential virulence factor for chlamydial infection and pathogenesis. Together,
      these results support that CopB plays the role of a hydrophobic translocator.

PMID- 26272444
TI  - Impact of cataract surgery on vision-related life performances: the usefulness of
      Real-Life Vision Test for cataract surgery outcomes evaluation.
AB  - PURPOSE: Real-Life Vision Test (RLVT) is a newly developed performance-based
      measures of functional vision. This present study is designed to determine
      whether it could be a meaningful assessment for cataract surgery outcomes
      evaluation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Age-related cataract patients (56) who
      scheduled for bilateral cataract surgery and 44 age-matched controls were
      evaluated by four types of measurements: (1) demographic, medical, cognitive and
      depressive evaluation, and the reaction time testing; (2) clinical measures
      (visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, stereopsis, and color perception); (3) the
      25-item National Eye Institute's Visual Functioning Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ); (4)
      the RLVT. Spearman's coefficients and multiple regression analysis were conducted
      to investigate the relationship among RLVT, clinical measures, and self-report
      assessment of visual function. RESULTS: The results of RLVT, clinical measures,
      and NEI-VFQ total scores were improved significantly after cataract surgery.
      There were no differences between control subjects and post-surgery patients with
      respect to NEI-VFQ-25 total scores, self-rating depression scale scores and three
      tasks of RLVT. Change of RLVT was significantly associated with the change of
      clinical measures in the cataract group. Multiple regression analysis
      demonstrated that change of distance, intermediate, and near visual acuity, and
      binocular contrast sensitivity were significant predictors of improvements of
      RLVT. CONCLUSIONS: Cataract surgery could improve real-world visual ability
      effectively for cataract patients. Our study highlights the potential usefulness
      of RLVT as an adjunct to the current outcomes evaluation system for cataract
      surgery. The use of RLVT combined with clinical and self-survey methods may be
      the comprehensive strategy to manifest the impact of cataract surgery on
      patients' overall vision-related quality of life.

PMID- 26272449
TI  - A case study for evaluating potential soil sensitivity in aridland systems.
AB  - Globally, ecosystems are subjected to prolonged droughts and extreme heat events,
      leading to forest die-offs and dominance shifts in vegetation. Some scientists
      and managers view soil as the main resource to be considered in monitoring
      ecosystem responses to aridification. As the medium through which precipitation
      is received, stored, and redistributed for plant use, soil is an important factor
      in the sensitivity of ecosystems to a drying climate. This study presents a novel
      approach to evaluating where on a landscape soils may be most sensitive to
      drying, making them less resilient to disturbance, and where potential future
      vegetation changes could lead to such disturbance. The drying and devegetation of
      arid lands can increase wind erosion, contributing to aerosol and dust emissions.
      This has implications for air quality, human health, and water resources. This
      approach combines soil data with vegetation simulations, projecting future
      vegetation change, to create maps of potential areas of concern for soil
      sensitivity and dust production in a drying climate. Consistent with recent
      observations, the projections show shifts from grasslands and woodlands to
      shrublands in much of the southwestern region. An increase in forested area
      occurs, but shifts in the dominant types and spatial distribution of the forests
      also are seen. A net increase in desert ecosystems in the region and some changes
      in alpine and tundra ecosystems are seen. Approximately 124,000 km(2) of soils
      flagged as "sensitive" are projected to have vegetation change between 2041 and
      2050, and 82,927 km(2) of soils may become sensitive because of future vegetation
      changes. These maps give managers a way to visualize and identify where soils and
      vegetation should be investigated and monitored for degradation in a drying
      climate, so restoration and mitigation strategies can be focused in these areas.

PMID- 26272447
TI  - Comparison of the Effect of Massage Therapy and Isometric Exercises on Primary
      Dysmenorrhea: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVE: Dysmenorrhea is the most common cyclic pelvic pain, and it
      affects the quality of life of many women. We sought to compare the effects of
      massage and isometric exercises on primary dysmenorrhea. DESIGN, SETTING, AND
      PARTICIPANTS: We conducted a randomized controlled trial at the dormitories of
      Shiraz University among 102 students with primary dysmenorrheal. INTERVENTIONS:
      The student groups were randomly divided into massage, isometric exercises, and
      control groups. The first group received 2 consecutive cycles of effleurage
      massage with lavender oil. The second group had 8 weeks of isometric exercises.
      No intervention was performed for the control group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS:
      Pain intensity was measured and recorded by using a visual analog scale. In
      addition, the duration of pain was measured in hours, and Spielberger's
      questionnaire was used to measure the anxiety level. RESULTS: Pain intensity had
      significantly reduced in the massage and exercises groups; the reduction was more
      significant in the massage group (P < .001). The results revealed a significant
      difference among the 3 groups in regard to the mean duration of pain after the
      third cycle (P = .006). However, no significant difference was found among the 3
      groups concerning the mean level of anxiety. The results of intragroup
      comparisons only showed a significant reduction of anxiety level in the massage
      group after the third cycle (P = .017). CONCLUSION: Based on the present
      findings, it seems that massage therapy and isometric exercises were effective in
      reducing some symptoms of dysmenorrhea.

PMID- 26272450
TI  - Absolute bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of the angiotensin II receptor
      antagonist fimasartan in healthy subjects.
AB  - The present study was conducted to determine the absolute bioavailability of
      fimasartan (FMS; Kanarb((r)) ) after the single oral administration of a 60-mg
      tablet or a single 30-mg intravenous (IV) infusion. This investigation was a
      randomized, single-dose, open-labeled, two-way crossover study of 16 healthy
      Korean male subjects. The subjects were divided into two groups (n = 8) and each
      received either the oral or IV formulation followed by one-week washout period.
      The Cmax (ng/ml) and AUCinfinity (h . ng/ml) following oral and IV administration
      were 62.4 +/- 48.6 and 291.1 +/- 121.7; and 683.3 +/- 104.3 and 782.3 +/- 112.7
      (mean +/- SD), respectively. The Tmax (h) were 3.0 h (range: 0.5-5.0 h) and 1.0 h
      (range: 0.8-1.0 h) in the test and reference groups, respectively. The terminal
      elimination half-lives (t1/2 , h) were similar (5.8 and 5.5 h, respectively)
      indicating that the route of administration did not influence the absorption or
      elimination of FMS. The systemic clearance (CL, L/h) and the volume of
      distribution at steady-state (Vdss , L) were 331.3 +/- 444.5 L/h and 403.3 +/-
      710.4 L following oral administration and 39.1 +/- 5.3 L/h and 42.4 +/- 25.5 L
      following IV administration. The absolute bioavailability of the FMS tablet was
      18.6%.

PMID- 26272451
TI  - Knowledge and attitudes regarding medical research studies among patients with
      breast cancer and gynecological diseases.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Medical research studies are becoming increasingly important for
      optimizing the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of illnesses. Participation in
      research studies can have many benefits for patients. In randomized and
      controlled clinical studies, they can receive the best possible medical care
      currently available. However, only a small proportion of patients nowadays are
      treated within the framework of medical research. The primary endpoint of this
      study was to discover what level of knowledge patients have about clinical
      studies and how they currently perceive them, in order to identify ways of
      optimizing the information provided about studies from the patients' point of
      view. METHODS: The study included 2546 patients (breast cancer 21.6%,
      gynecological cancer 8.3%, obstetrics 32.7%, endometriosis 7.8%, fertility
      treatment 3.2%, other benign gynecological illnesses 19.2%, no information for
      7.2%) in the outpatient clinic (45.2%) and in the in-patient sector (54.8%) at
      the Department of Gynecology at Erlangen University Hospital and associated
      centers. In the single-center study, conducted between January 2011 and January
      2012, the patients were asked about their level of knowledge regarding the
      background to medical research studies and the ways in which they are carried out
      and used. The patients were also asked how they perceived medical studies and how
      they thought study conditions might be optimized. The three-page questionnaire
      was included in the feedback sheet received by patients as part of the hospital's
      quality management system. RESULTS: As a whole, the group only had moderate
      knowledge about clinical studies. A majority of the respondents considered that
      studies were valuable (91.6%), but only a few were also willing to take part in
      them (58.4%). Knowledge and willingness to participate strongly depended on age
      (P < 0.001), educational level (P < 0.001) and patient group (P < 0.001). Most
      patients would prefer to decide about participating in studies through a
      discussion with their outpatient physicians. CONCLUSIONS: The information that
      patients have about clinical studies affects whether they participate in them. It
      is therefore extremely important for patients to be well informed, for their
      anxieties about participation to be relieved, and for the benefits of
      participation to be explained to them.

PMID- 26272453
TI  - Inter-rater Reliability of Criteria-Based Content Analysis of Children's
      Statements of Abuse.
AB  - The evaluation of children's statements of sexual abuse cases in forensic cases
      is critically important and must and reliable. Criteria-based content analysis
      (CBCA) is the main component of the statement validity assessment (SVA), which is
      the most frequently used approach in this setting. This study investigated the
      inter-rater reliability (IRR) of CBCA in a forensic context. Three independent
      raters evaluated the transcripts of 95 statements of sexual abuse. IRR was
      calculated for each criterion, total score, and overall evaluation. The IRR was
      variable for the criteria, with several being unsatisfactory. But high IRR was
      found for the total CBCA scores (Kendall's W=0.84) and for overall evaluation
      (Kendall's W=0.65). Despite some shortcomings, SVA remains a robust method to be
      used in the comprehensive evaluation of children's statements of sexual abuse in
      the forensic setting. However, the low IRR of some CBCA criteria could justify
      some technical improvements.

PMID- 26272454
TI  - Long-term three-dimensional volumetric assessment of skin tightening using a
      sharply tapered non-insulated microneedle radiofrequency applicator with novel
      fractionated pulse mode in asians.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Non-insulated microneedle radiofrequency (NIMNRF) is a
      novel method that allows non-thermal penetration of the epidermis followed by
      radiofrequency (RF) coagulation at selected depths of the dermis that are
      surrounded by a zone of non-coagulative volumetric heating. The objective of this
      study was to investigate subjectively and objectively the efficacy of a single
      fractional NIMNRF treatment. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty Japanese
      patients underwent full face skin tightening using a sharply tapered NIMNRF
      applicator with a novel fractionated pulse mode. The system platform (1MHZ)
      incorporated six independent phase controlled RF generators coupled to RF
      microneedles that induced skin remodeling via controlled dermal coagulation.
      Patients received from 500 to 1000 pulses that were 80-110 milliseconds in
      duration at a power of 10-14 W, and a 1.5-2.5 mm penetration depth. Topical
      anesthetic cream was applied before the treatment. Monthly three-dimensional (3
      D) volumetric assessments were performed for 6 months after treatment. Patients
      rated their satisfaction using a 5-point scale. RESULTS: During the study
      patients showed significant skin tightening on the lower two-thirds of the face.
      Objective assessments with superimposed 3-D color images showed significant
      median volumetric reduction of 12.1 ml at 6 months post-treatment. Ninety percent
      of the patients were either "satisfied" or "very satisfied" with the treatment
      results. The treatments were well tolerated with minimal discomfort.
      Complications included a slight burning sensation and mild erythema that were
      minor and transitory; both resolved within 5 hours. Side effects such as post
      inflammatory hyperpigmentation, epidermal burns, and scar formation were not
      observed. CONCLUSION: The advantages of this NIMNRF treatment for skin tightening
      are its long-lasting high efficacy as shown through 3-D volumetric assessments.
      Moreover, NIMNRF produced minimal complications and downtime as well as few side
      effects. This non-invasive novel fractional NIMNRF approach provides safe and
      effective treatment of skin tightening in Asian patients.

PMID- 26272452
TI  - Continuous wound infusion of local anesthetic and steroid after major abdominal
      surgery: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Inflammatory response is one of the key components of pain
      perception. Continuous infusion (CWI) of local anesthetics has been shown to be
      effective in controlling pain and reducing postoperative morphine consumption,
      but the effect of adding a potent anti-inflammatory drug (such as a steroid) has
      never been addressed. In our study, we want to investigate the effect of CWI with
      local anesthetic + methylprednisolone on acute and persistent pain, correlating
      clinical data with biomarkers of inflammation and genetic background.
      METHODS/DESIGN: After approval by their institutional review board, three
      hospitals will enroll 120 patients undergoing major abdominal surgery in a
      randomized, double-blind, phase III study. After a 24-h CWI of ropivacaine 0.2 %
      + methylprednisolone 1 mg/kg, patients will be randomly assigned to receive
      either ropivacaine + steroid or placebo for the next 24 h. Then, patient
      controlled CWI with only ropivacaine 0.2 % or placebo (according to the group of
      randomization) is planned after 48 h up to 7 days (bolus 10 ml, lock-out 1 h,
      maximum dose of 40 ml in 4 h). Morphine equivalent consumption up to 7 days will
      be analyzed, together with any catheter- or drug-related side effect. Persistent
      post-surgical pain (PPSP) incidence will also be investigated. Our primary
      endpoint is analgesic consumption in the first 7 days after surgery; we will
      evaluate, as secondary endpoints, any catheter- or drug-related side effect,
      genotype/phenotype correlations between some polymorphisms and postoperative
      outcome in terms of morphine consumption, development of the inflammatory
      response, and incidence of PPSP. Finally, we will collect, in a subgroup of
      patients, wound exudate samples by micro-dialysis, blood samples, and urine
      samples up to 72 h to investigate local and systemic inflammation and oxidative
      stress. DISCUSSION: This is a phase III trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy
      of wound infusion with steroid and local anesthetic. The study is aimed also to
      evaluate how long this infusion has to be maintained in order to maximize
      effectiveness. Our data are intended to quantify the amount of ropivacaine and
      methylprednisolone needed by patients undergoing major abdominal surgery, to be
      stored in a new nanotechnology device for sustained pain treatment after surgery.
      We also aim to clarify the roles of inflammatory response, oxidative stress, and
      genetic background on postoperative and persistent pain after major abdominal
      surgery. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (
      NCT02002663 ) on 24 Oct. 2013.

PMID- 26272455
TI  - Outcome and prognostic factors of multimodal therapy for pulmonary large-cell
      neuroendocrine carcinomas.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is controversy whether patients diagnosed with large-cell
      neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) should be treated according to protocols for non
      small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) or small cell lung cancers (SCLC), especially
      with regard to the administration of prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI). This
      study was set up to determine the incidence of brain metastases and to
      investigate the outcome following multimodal treatment in 70 patients with LCNEC.
      METHODS: Seventy patients with histologically confirmed LCNEC were treated at the
      University Hospital of Heidelberg between 2001 and 2014. Data were collected
      retrospectively. Al most all patients received thoracic surgery as initial
      treatment (94 %). Chemotherapy was administered in 32 patients as part of the
      initial treatment. Fourteen patients were treated with adjuvant or definitive
      thoracic radiotherapy according to NSCLC protocols. Cranial radiotherapy due to
      brain metastases, mostly given as whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT), was received
      by fourteen patients. Statistical analysis was performed using the long-rank test
      and the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Without PCI, the detected rate for brain
      metastases was 25 % after a median follow-up time of 23.4 months, which is
      comparable to NSCLC patients in general. Overall (OS), local (LPFS), brain
      metastases-free survival (BMFS) and extracranial distant progression-free
      survival (eDPFS) was 43, 50, 63 and 50 % at 5 years, respectively. Patients with
      incomplete resection showed a survival benefit from adjuvant radiotherapy. The
      administration of adjuvant chemotherapy improved the general worse prognosis in
      higher pathologic stages. CONCLUSION: In LCNEC patients, the administration of
      radiotherapy according to NSCLC guidelines appears reasonable and contributes to
      acceptable results of multimodal treatment regimes. The low incidence of
      spontaneous brain metastases questions a possible role of PCI.

PMID- 26272458
TI  - The time scale of the quaternary structural changes in hemoglobin revealed using
      the transient grating technique.
AB  - The quaternary structural transition between the R and T states of human
      hemoglobin was investigated using the transient grating technique. The results
      presented herein reveal that the quaternary structural change accompanied by the
      R-T transition occurs within a few microseconds. 

PMID- 26272457
TI  - Analysis of NSCLC tumour heterogeneity, proliferative and 18F-FDG PET indices
      reveals Ki67 prognostic role in adenocarcinomas.
AB  - AIMS: The role of tumour metabolic and proliferative indices in predicting non
      small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients' prognosis is unclear. We correlated
      fluorine 18 ((18) F)-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET)
      value and Ki67 index to patients' survival, taking into account tumour
      heterogeneity, disease characteristics and genetic aberrations. METHODS AND
      RESULTS: A series of 383 NSCLCs was arranged into tissue microarrays and Ki67
      staining was analysed by immunohistochemistry. The maximum standardized uptake
      (SUV(MAX) ) value detected by (18) F-FDG-PET analysis was calculated over a
      region of interest. Large-cell and squamous cell carcinomas had higher
      proliferative and metabolic activities than adenocarcinomas, and the two measures
      were correlated significantly. The hot-spot Ki67 value was correlated with
      patients' survival and the cut-off to discriminate patients in the survival risk
      groups was 20%. Ki67 hot-spot values were greater in anaplastic lymphoma kinase
      (ALK) rearranged tumours. Adenocarcinomas showed the highest intratumour
      heterogeneity in proliferative activity and the hot-spot Ki67 value predicted
      only the prognosis of patients in this group. Although tumour metabolic activity
      was not associated with patients' prognosis, a SUV(MAX) > 2 was related to nodal
      metastases, tumour size and grade. CONCLUSIONS: Our results highlight how tumour
      heterogeneity influences evaluation of prognostic biomarkers. Our data support
      Ki67 evaluation to estimate NSCLC patients' prognosis, particularly for
      adenocarcinoma.

PMID- 26272456
TI  - Individual identification via electrocardiogram analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: During last decade the use of ECG recordings in biometric recognition
      studies has increased. ECG characteristics made it suitable for subject
      identification: it is unique, present in all living individuals, and hard to
      forge. However, in spite of the great number of approaches found in literature,
      no agreement exists on the most appropriate methodology. This study aimed at
      providing a survey of the techniques used so far in ECG-based human
      identification. Specifically, a pattern recognition perspective is here proposed
      providing a unifying framework to appreciate previous studies and, hopefully,
      guide future research. METHODS: We searched for papers on the subject from the
      earliest available date using relevant electronic databases (Medline, IEEEXplore,
      Scopus, and Web of Knowledge). The following terms were used in different
      combinations: electrocardiogram, ECG, human identification, biometric,
      authentication and individual variability. The electronic sources were last
      searched on 1st March 2015. In our selection we included published research on
      peer-reviewed journals, books chapters and conferences proceedings. The search
      was performed for English language documents. RESULTS: 100 pertinent papers were
      found. Number of subjects involved in the journal studies ranges from 10 to 502,
      age from 16 to 86, male and female subjects are generally present. Number of
      analysed leads varies as well as the recording conditions. Identification
      performance differs widely as well as verification rate. Many studies refer to
      publicly available databases (Physionet ECG databases repository) while others
      rely on proprietary recordings making difficult them to compare. As a measure of
      overall accuracy we computed a weighted average of the identification rate and
      equal error rate in authentication scenarios. Identification rate resulted equal
      to 94.95 % while the equal error rate equal to 0.92 %. CONCLUSIONS: Biometric
      recognition is a mature field of research. Nevertheless, the use of physiological
      signals features, such as the ECG traits, needs further improvements. ECG
      features have the potential to be used in daily activities such as access control
      and patient handling as well as in wearable electronics applications. However,
      some barriers still limit its growth. Further analysis should be addressed on the
      use of single lead recordings and the study of features which are not dependent
      on the recording sites (e.g. fingers, hand palms). Moreover, it is expected that
      new techniques will be developed using fiducials and non-fiducial based features
      in order to catch the best of both approaches. ECG recognition in pathological
      subjects is also worth of additional investigations.

PMID- 26272459
TI  - Meta-analysis shows that obesity may be a significant risk factor for prosthetic
      joint infections.
AB  - PURPOSE: Our aim was to evaluate the association between the different degree of
      obesity and prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) after total hip replacement (THR)
      by performing a meta-analysis. METHODS: PubMed, Cochrane library and Embase
      databases up to May, 2014 were retrieved for identifying relevant studies.
      Relative risk (RR) and their 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were used as effect
      sizes. RESULTS: A total of 15 articles were included in this meta-analysis. The
      overall analyses showed that the risk of PJIs in the BMI >= 30 group and in BMI
      >= 40 group were significantly higher than that in the BMI < 30 group. As well,
      the prospective pooled results showed that overweight and obesity could
      significantly increase the incidence of PJIs. CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis
      indicates that all of obesity levels can significantly increase the risk of PJIs.
      However, further studies with more strict design are need in the future.

PMID- 26272460
TI  - Comparison of perpendicular to the coronal plane versus medial inclination for
      atlas pedicle screw insertion: an anatomic and radiological study in human
      cadavers.
AB  - PURPOSE: To ascertain the anatomic and radiological parameters of the atlas (C1)
      pedicle and to explore a preferable method of C1 pedicle screw insertion.
      METHODS: Thirty-four conserved human cadaveric cervical spines (20 males, 14
      females) underwent computed tomography (CT) scanning. Trajectories P
      (perpendicular to the coronal plane) and I (with medial inclination) were
      designed for each C1 pedicle on CT images. External pedicle wall width, medullary
      cavity width, transverse angle, and optimal entry point along each trajectory
      were measured. Cortical screws of 3.5 mm in diameter were inserted into C1
      pedicles along trajectory P and I, respectively, and wall perforation was
      assessed (post-operative CT scanning). RESULTS: The external pedicle wall width
      and medullary cavity width along trajectory I were significantly wider than
      trajectory P (P < 0.01). Although external pedicle wall widths were all greater
      than 3.5 mm, medullary cavity width <3.5 mm was found in 16.1 % pedicles along
      trajectory P and only 2.9 % along trajectory I. Transverse angle was 21.8 degrees
      along trajectory I and 0 degrees  along trajectory P. Optimal entry point of
      trajectory I was 4.1 mm lateral from that of trajectory P. The lateral wall
      perforation rate was significantly lower along trajectory I than trajectory P (P
      < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: C1 pedicle screw trajectory with medial inclination and
      more lateral entry points yielded wider medullary cavity width than that
      perpendicular to the coronal plane, and might minimize lateral wall perforation.

PMID- 26272461
TI  - Relationship between Vasectomy and Sexual Frequency.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Men who are considering vasectomy as a means of contraception may
      have significant anxiety about their future sexual potency. As a result, couples
      may choose other forms of contraception with lower efficacy. AIM: We sought to
      determine the relationship between vasectomy and the frequency of sexual
      intercourse. METHODS: We analyzed data from cycles 6 (2002) to 7 (2006-2008) of
      the National Survey of Family Growth to compare the frequency of sexual
      intercourse of men who had undergone vasectomy with men who had not. Analysis was
      performed using data from male and female responders, and excluded men who had
      never had sex and those below age 25. We constructed a multivariate logistic
      regression model to adjust for demographic, socioeconomic, reproductive, and
      health factors. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The main outcome measure was the sexual
      frequency in the last 4 weeks. RESULTS: Among male responders, a total of 5838
      men met criteria for our study; 353 had undergone vasectomy. For vasectomized
      men, the average frequency of sexual intercourse was 5.9 times per month compared
      with 4.9 times for nonvasectomized men. After adjusting for age, marital status,
      race, education, health, body mass index, children, and income, vasectomized men
      had an 81% higher odds (95% confidence interval [CI] 6-201%) of having
      intercourse at least once a week compared with nonvasectomized men. A total
      number of 5211 female respondents reported 670 of their partners had undergone
      vasectomy. For partners of vasectomized men, the average frequency of intercourse
      was 6.3 times per month, compared with 6.0 times for partners of nonvasectomized
      men. After adjustment, women with vasectomized partners had a 46% higher odds
      (95% CI 5-103%) of having sexual intercourse at least once a week compared with
      women with nonvasectomized partners (P = 0.024). CONCLUSION: Vasectomy is not
      associated with decreased sexual frequency. This finding may be helpful to
      couples as they consider contraceptive options.

PMID- 26272463
TI  - Morphology and ontogeny of multiple lateral-line canals in the rock prickleback,
      Xiphister mucosus (Cottiformes: Zoarcoidei: Stichaeidae).
AB  - The structure and ontogeny of lateral-line canals in the Rock Prickleback,
      Xiphister mucosus, were studied using cleared-and-stained specimens, and the
      distribution and morphology of neuromasts within lateral-line canals were
      examined using histology. X. mucosus has seven cephalic canals in a pattern that,
      aside from four branches of the infraorbital canals, is similar to that of most
      teleostean fishes. Unlike most other teleosts, however, X. mucosus features
      multiple trunk lateral-line canals. These include a short median posterior
      extension of the supratemporal canal and three paired, branching canals located
      on the dorsolateral, mediolateral, and ventrolateral surfaces. The ventrolateral
      canal (VLC) includes a loop across the ventral surface of the abdomen. All trunk
      canals, as well as the branches of the infraorbitals, are supported by small,
      dermal, ring-like ossifications that develop independently from scales. Trunk
      canals develop asynchronously with the mediodorsal and dorsolateral canals (DLC)
      developing earliest, followed by the VLC, and, finally, by the mediolateral canal
      (MLC). Only the mediodorsal and DLC connect to the cephalic sensory canals.
      Fractal analysis shows that the complexity of the trunk lateral-line canals
      stabilizes when all trunk canals develop and begin to branch. Histological
      sections show that neuromasts are present in all cephalic canals and in the DLC
      and MLC of the trunk. However, no neuromasts were identified in the VLC or its
      abdominal loop. The VLC cannot, therefore, directly function as a part of the
      mechanosensory system in X. mucosus. The evolution and functional role of
      multiple lateral-line canals are discussed.

PMID- 26272462
TI  - Overproduction of pro-transglutaminase from Streptomyces hygroscopicus in
      Yarrowia lipolytica and its biochemical characterization.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Transglutaminases (TGase), synthesized as a zymogen (pro-TGase) in
      Streptomyces sp., are important enzymes in food industry. Due to the important
      applications of TGase in food industry, obtaining robust and food-safe TGase
      producing strains has attracted much attention during the past decade. In this
      study, Streptomyces hygroscopicus pro-TGase was efficiently expressed and
      secreted by a food-grade host, Yarrowia lipolytica, without antibiotic markers.
      RESULTS: The pro-TGase gene was cloned into integrative vectors pINA1296
      (monocopy) and pINA1297 (multicopy), and was used to transform the Y. lipolytica
      Po1g or Po1h strain, respectively. Expression was driven by a recombinant hp4d
      promoter and secretion obtained using a XPR2 pre-sequence as a signal peptide.
      The highest yield of extracellular pro-TGase produced by the recombinant Po1h
      strain corresponded to 5.3 U/mL of TGase, a level 8.8 fold higher than that
      obtained using the recombinant Po1g strain. Asparagines in two potential Asn
      linked glycosylation sites (Asn160 and Asn355) from pro-TGase were mutated to
      glutamine individually or simultaneously, yielding the deglycosylated variants
      N160Q, N355Q, and N160Q/N355Q. The activities of N160Q, N355Q and N160Q/N355Q
      constructs were respectively 5.3 U/mL, 7.8 U/mL, and 3.0 U/mL, equivalent to 100
      %, 147 %, and 57 % of that from wild-type pro-TGase. The TGase yield of N355Q
      variant was raised to 35.3 U/mL of by using a glycerol feeding strategy in a 3 L
      fermenter. The optimal pH and temperature of the activated pro-TGase, and of its
      deglycosylated variants, were in the range of 5.0-6.0 pH and 40-45  degrees C,
      respectively. The half-life of the recombinant wild-type pro-TGase at 37  degrees
      C reached 34.0 min, and those of the variants were from 24.2 min to 11.5 min. In
      contrast to the wild-type pro-TGase, all of the variants had decreased specific
      activities, and both the K m and k cat values of the variants decreased
      accordingly. CONCLUSIONS: This study constitutes the first report of the
      heterologous expression of a pro-TGase in Y. lipolytica, and provides new
      possibilities for the efficient production of TGases used in food processing.

PMID- 26272464
TI  - Primary pulmonary angiosarcoma: A case report.
AB  - Primary sarcoma is uncommon in the lung, and primary angiosarcoma is exceedingly
      rare. We report a case of primary pulmonary angiosarcoma of the left lung with
      emphasis on its growth pattern in the lung. A 48-year-old Japanese man was
      admitted to our hospital because of dyspnea on exertion. He was subsequently
      found to have left pleural effusion. Computed tomography shows a nodular lesion
      measuring 7 * 4 cm in his left lung. Obstruction of the left inferior lobar
      bronchus was observed, and endobronchial biopsy suggested angiosarcoma. Left
      pneumonectomy was performed. On macroscopic examination of the cut surface,
      multiple nodular lesions were observed particularly in portions around branches
      of pulmonary artery along bronchioles. Histological examination revealed vascular
      channel-like structure with vague lumen formations by atypical polygonal or
      spindle-shaped neoplastic cells. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic cells are
      positive for FLI-1, ERG, CD31 and von Willebrand factor/factor VIII-related
      antigen, but not CD34. Angiosarcoma is a particularly rare form of primary
      pulmonary tumors, and this case report describes its unique macroscopic growth
      pattern in the lung. 

PMID- 26272465
TI  - Design and synthesis of a berberine dimer: a fluorescent ligand with high
      affinity towards G-quadruplexes.
AB  - G-quadruplexes (G4) are thought to be important factors for telomerase inhibition
      and transcriptional/translational modulations. Bioinformatic analyses imply that
      the human genome and mRNA contain a multitude of G4-forming sequences; however,
      their analysis requires selective and detectable ligands. Given that two
      molecules of fluorescent berberine (BBR) coordinate to telomeric G4 in their co
      crystals, we designed hydrocarbon-linked BBR-analogue dimers because we expected
      the alignment of two BBR chromophores would avoid Watson-Crick base pair
      intercalation, which should result in high selectivity towards G4. An alkene-cis
      C2 BBR dimer showed the highest affinity (Kd <=2.6 nM) and selectivity (ca. 900
      fold vs. duplex) towards G4. The intrinsic "light-up" fluorescence properties of
      this BBR dimer, derived from its conformational switching by G4, allowed a
      selective visualization of various G4 in the gel without using additional bulky
      fluorescence dyes, which, combined with the observed lack of conformational
      change of the ligand, suggested future applications in in vitro detection
      systems. 

PMID- 26272466
TI  - Depressive Symptoms and Momentary Mood Predict Momentary Pain Among Rheumatoid
      Arthritis Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although a relationship between mood and pain has been established
      cross-sectionally, little research has examined this relationship using momentary
      within-person data. PURPOSE: We examined whether baseline depressive symptoms and
      within-person levels of negative and positive mood predicted momentary pain among
      31 individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Depressive symptomatology
      was measured at baseline. Mood and RA symptoms were self-reported via ecological
      momentary assessment five times a day for seven consecutive days. Analyses
      controlled for gender, age, weekend day, time of day, and experiences of stress.
      RESULTS: Greater momentary positive mood was associated with less momentary pain
      and fewer arthritis-related restrictions; negative mood was associated with more
      restrictions. Greater depressive symptomatology also predicted more pain and
      restrictions, an effect which was not accounted for by mood. CONCLUSIONS: Results
      suggest that both depression and mood are uniquely associated with momentary
      pain; as such, multi-component interventions may provide optimal disease
      management.

PMID- 26272467
TI  - Merino and Merino-derived sheep breeds: a genome-wide intercontinental study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Merino and Merino-derived sheep breeds have been widely distributed
      across the world, both as purebred and admixed populations. They represent an
      economically and historically important genetic resource which over time has been
      used as the basis for the development of new breeds. In order to examine the
      genetic influence of Merino in the context of a global collection of domestic
      sheep breeds, we analyzed genotype data that were obtained with the OvineSNP50
      BeadChip (Illumina) for 671 individuals from 37 populations, including a subset
      of breeds from the Sheep HapMap dataset. RESULTS: Based on a multi-dimensional
      scaling analysis, we highlighted four main clusters in this dataset, which
      corresponded to wild sheep, mouflon, primitive North European breeds and modern
      sheep (including Merino), respectively. The neighbor-network analysis further
      differentiated North-European and Mediterranean domestic breeds, with subclusters
      of Merino and Merino-derived breeds, other Spanish breeds and other Italian
      breeds. Model-based clustering, migration analysis and haplotype sharing
      indicated that genetic exchange occurred between archaic populations and also
      that a more recent Merino-mediated gene flow to several Merino-derived
      populations around the world took place. The close relationship between Spanish
      Merino and other Spanish breeds was consistent with an Iberian origin for the
      Merino breed, with possible earlier contributions from other Mediterranean
      stocks. The Merino populations from Australia, New Zealand and China were clearly
      separated from their European ancestors. We observed a genetic substructuring in
      the Spanish Merino population, which reflects recent herd management practices.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that intensive gene flow, founder effects and
      geographic isolation are the main factors that determined the genetic makeup of
      current Merino and Merino-derived breeds. To explain how the current Merino and
      Merino-derived breeds were obtained, we propose a scenario that includes several
      consecutive migrations of sheep populations that may serve as working hypotheses
      for subsequent studies.

PMID- 26272469
TI  - Anomalous Anisotropic Thermal Expansion in a One-Dimensional Coordination Polymer
      Driven by Conformational Flexibility.
AB  - A one-dimensional lithium(I) coordination polymer has been characterized by
      variable-temperature single-crystal X-ray diffraction and differential scanning
      calorimetry. This compound possesses an anisotropic packing arrangement that,
      along with a scissor-like or hingelike movement of the pyridyl ligand side arms,
      results in an extremely rare combination of positive, negative, and zero thermal
      expansion. Designing such types of materials and understanding the mechanistic
      details can facilitate the design of new thermoresponsive materials. 

PMID- 26272468
TI  - Adjuvant treatment with dexamethasone plus anti-C5 antibodies improves outcome of
      experimental pneumococcal meningitis: a randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We compared adjunctive treatment with placebo, dexamethasone, anti-C5
      antibodies, and the combination of dexamethasone plus anti-C5 antibodies in
      experimental pneumococcal meningitis. METHODS: In this prospective, investigator
      blinded, randomized trial, 96 mice were infected intracisternally with 10(7)
      CFU/ml Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 3, treated with intraperitoneal
      ceftriaxone at 20 h, and randomly assigned to intraperitoneal adjunctive
      treatment with placebo (saline), dexamethasone, anti-C5 antibodies, or
      dexamethasone plus anti-C5 antibodies. The primary outcome was survival during a
      72-h observational period that was analyzed with the log-rank test. Secondary
      outcome was clinical severity, scored on a validated scale using a linear mixed
      model. RESULTS: Mortality rates were 16 of 16 mice (100%) in the placebo group,
      12 of 15 mice (80%) in the dexamethasone group, 25 of 31 mice (80%) in the anti
      C5 antibody group, and 18 of 30 mice (60%) in the dexamethasone plus anti-C5
      antibody group (Fisher's exact test for overall difference, P = .012). Mortality
      of mice treated with dexamethasone plus anti-C5 antibodies was lower compared to
      the anti-C5 antibody-treated mice (log-rank P = .039) and dexamethasone-treated
      mice (log-rank P = .040). Clinical severity scores for the dexamethasone plus
      anti-C5 antibody-treated mice increased more slowly (0.199 points/h) as compared
      to the anti-C5 antibody-treated mice (0.243 points/h, P = .009) and dexamethasone
      treated mice (0.249 points/h, P = .012). Modeling of severity data suggested an
      additive effect of dexamethasone and anti-C5 antibodies. CONCLUSION: Adjunctive
      treatment with dexamethasone plus anti-C5 antibodies improves survival in severe
      experimental meningitis caused by S. pneumoniae serotype 3, posing an important
      new treatment strategy for patients with pneumococcal meningitis.

PMID- 26272470
TI  - Prioritizing Zoonotic Diseases: Differences in Perspectives Between Human and
      Animal Health Professionals in North America.
AB  - Zoonoses pose a significant burden of illness in North America. Zoonoses
      represent an additional threat to public health because the natural reservoirs
      are often animals, particularly wildlife, thus eluding control efforts such as
      quarantine, vaccination and social distancing. As there are limited resources
      available, it is necessary to prioritize diseases in order to allocate resources
      to those posing the greatest public health threat. Many studies have attempted to
      prioritize zoonoses, but challenges exist. This study uses a quantitative
      approach, conjoint analysis (CA), to overcome some limitations of traditional
      disease prioritization exercises. We used CA to conduct a zoonoses prioritization
      study involving a range of human and animal health professionals across North
      America; these included epidemiologists, public health practitioners, research
      scientists, physicians, veterinarians, laboratory technicians and nurses. A total
      of 699 human health professionals (HHP) and 585 animal health professionals (AHP)
      participated in this study. We used CA to prioritize 62 zoonotic diseases using
      21 criteria. Our findings suggest CA can be used to produce reasonable criteria
      scores for disease prioritization. The fitted models were satisfactory for both
      groups with a slightly better fit for AHP compared to HHP (84.4% certainty fit
      versus 83.6%). Human-related criteria were more influential for HHP in their
      decision to prioritize zoonoses, while animal-related criteria were more
      influential for AHP resulting in different disease priority lists. While the
      differences were not statistically significant, a difference of one or two ranks
      could be considered important for some individuals. A potential solution to
      address the varying opinions is discussed. The scientific framework for disease
      prioritization presented can be revised on a regular basis by updating disease
      criteria to reflect diseases as they evolve over time; such a framework is of
      value allowing diseases of highest impact to be identified routinely for resource
      allocation. 

PMID- 26272471
TI  - Hybrid treatment of atrial fibrillation.
AB  - Endocardial catheter ablation (CA) and surgical Maze-like procedures have become
      mainstays of interventional treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF). However, CA
      has limited efficacy particularly in patients with persistent AF who have a high
      risk of recurrent AF. Epicardial CA in conjunction with endocardial CA, a hybrid
      CA, offers the potential advantage for robust lesion formation, left atrial
      debulking, and mapping and CA of residual arrhythmia circuits. Hybrid CA
      procedures may improve the success rate of an ablation procedure for AF,
      particularly in those with persistent or long-standing persistent AF and those
      with significant structural heart disease. However, the ideal patient populations
      who may benefit from hybrid AF ablation and the ideal tools and techniques for
      hybrid AF ablation have yet to be determined. In this review, we discuss the
      hybrid CA procedure including motivation for and methods of hybrid CA, available
      tools, and reported efficacy of the procedure. 

PMID- 26272472
TI  - Mechanistic insight into the dramatic improvement of probucol dissolution in
      neutral solutions by solid dispersion in Eudragit E PO with saccharin.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Solid dispersion using Eudragit E PO (EPO) improves the dissolution
      of poorly water-soluble drugs in acidic solutions; however, the dissolution
      extremely decreases in neutral solutions. In this report, ternary solid
      dispersions containing probucol (PBC), EPO, and saccharin (SAC) were prepared to
      enable high drug dissolution at neutral pH. METHODS: Cryogenic-grinding was used
      to obtain ternary solid dispersions. Dissolution tests at neutral pH values were
      conducted to confirm the usefulness of the cryogenic-ground mixture (cryo-GM).
      The molecular state of each component and intermolecular interactions in the
      ternary cryo-GM were evaluated using powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and (13) C
      solid-state NMR including spin-lattice relaxation time evaluation. KEY FINDINGS:
      PBC dispersed in ternary cryo-GM had an improved dissolution in neutral
      solutions. PBC and SAC were in amorphous states in EPO polymer matrices. The weak
      hydrophobic interaction between PBC and EPO and the ionic bond or hydrogen bond
      between EPO and SAC were demonstrated. These two molecular interactions improved
      the dissolution of PBC in neutral solutions. CONCLUSION: Preparation of ternary
      solid dispersion is a potential method of improving drug solubility and
      absorption.

PMID- 26272473
TI  - Health-care providers' experiences with opt-out HIV testing: a systematic review.
AB  - HIV is now a manageable chronic disease with a good prognosis, but early
      detection and referral for treatment are vital. In opt-out HIV testing, patients
      are informed that they will be tested unless they decline. This qualitative
      systematic review explored the experiences, attitudes, barriers, and facilitators
      of opt-out HIV testing from a health-care provider (HCP) perspective. Four
      articles were included in the synthesis and reported on findings from
      approximately 70 participants, representing diverse geographical regions and a
      range of human development status and HIV prevalence. Two synthesized findings
      emerged: HCP attitudes and systems. The first synthesized finding encompassed HCP
      decision-making attitudes about who and when to test for HIV. It also included
      the assumptions the HCPs made about patient consequences. The second synthesized
      finding related to systems. System-related barriers to opt-out HIV testing
      included lack of time, resources, and adequate training. System-related
      facilitators included integration into standard practice, support of the medical
      setting, and electronic reminders. A common attitude among HCPs was the outdated
      notion that HIV is a terrible disease that equates to certain death. Some HCPs
      stated that offering the HIV test implied that the patient had engaged in immoral
      behaviour, which could lead to stigma or disengagement with health services. This
      paternalism diminished patient autonomy, because patients who were excluded from
      opt-out HIV testing could have benefited from it. One study highlighted the
      positive aspects of opt-out HIV testing, in which participants underscored the
      professional satisfaction that arose from making an HIV diagnosis, particularly
      when marginalized patients could be connected to treatment and social services.
      Recommendations for opt-out HIV testing should be disseminated to HCPs in a broad
      range of settings. Implementation of system-related factors such as electronic
      reminders and care coordination procedures should be considered, and a social
      justice commitment among HCPs should be encouraged. 

PMID- 26272474
TI  - A Complete and Accurate Ab Initio Repeat Finding Algorithm.
AB  - It has become clear that repetitive sequences have played multiple roles in
      eukaryotic genome evolution including increasing genetic diversity through
      mutation, changes in gene expression and facilitating generation of novel genes.
      However, identification of repetitive elements can be difficult in the ab initio
      manner. Currently, some classical ab initio tools of finding repeats have already
      presented and compared. The completeness and accuracy of detecting repeats of
      them are little pool. To this end, we proposed a new ab initio repeat finding
      tool, named HashRepeatFinder, which is based on hash index and word counting.
      Furthermore, we assessed the performances of HashRepeatFinder with other two
      famous tools, such as RepeatScout and Repeatfinder, in human genome data hg19.
      The results indicated the following three conclusions: (1) The completeness of
      HashRepeatFinder is the best one among these three compared tools in almost all
      chromosomes, especially in chr9 (8 times of RepeatScout, 10 times of
      Repeatfinder); (2) in terms of detecting large repeats, HashRepeatFinder also
      performed best in all chromosomes, especially in chr3 (24 times of RepeatScout
      and 250 times of Repeatfinder) and chr19 (12 times of RepeatScout and 60 times of
      Repeatfinder); (3) in terms of accuracy, HashRepeatFinder can merge the abundant
      repeats with high accuracy. 

PMID- 26272475
TI  - In Silico Approach to Support that p-Nitrophenol Monooxygenase from Arthrobacter
      sp. Strain JS443 Catalyzes the Initial Two Sequential Monooxygenations.
AB  - p-Nitrophenol (PNP), used primarily for manufacturing pesticides and dyes, has
      been recognized as a priority environmental pollutant. It is therefore important
      to reduce the input of this toxicant into the environment and to establish
      approaches for its removal from the contaminated sites. PNP monooxygenase, a
      novel enzyme from Gram-positive bacteria like Arthrobacter sp. and Bacillus sp.,
      that comprises two components, a flavoprotein reductase and an oxygenase,
      catalyzes the initial two sequential monooxygenations to convert PNP to
      trihydroxybenzene. Accurate and reliable prediction of this enzyme-substrate
      interactions and binding affinity are of vital importance in understanding these
      catalytic mechanisms of the two sequential reactions. As crystal structure of the
      enzyme has not yet been published, we built a homology model for PNP
      monooxygenase using crystallized chlorophenol 4-monooxygenase from Burkholderia
      cepacia AC1100 (3HWC) as the template. The model was assessed for its reliability
      using PROCHECK, ERRAT and ProSA. Molecular docking of the physiological
      substrates, PNP and 4-nitrocatechol (4-NC), was carried out using Glide v5.7
      implemented in Maestro v9.2, and the binding energies were calculated to
      substantiate the prediction. Docking complexes formed by molecular level
      interactions of PNP monooxygenase-PNP/4-NC without or with the cofactors, FAD and
      NADH, showed good correlation with the established experimental evidence that the
      two-component PNP monooxygenase catalyzes both the hydroxylation of PNP and the
      oxidative release of nitrite from 4-NC in B. sphaericus JS905. Furthermore,
      molecular dynamics simulations performed for docking complexes using Desmond v3.0
      showed stable nature of the interactions as well. 

PMID- 26272476
TI  - A role for E-cadherin in ensuring cohesive migration of a heterogeneous
      population of non-epithelial cells.
AB  - Collective cell migration is a key process underlying the morphogenesis of many
      organs as well as tumour invasion, which very often involves heterogeneous cell
      populations. Here we investigated how such populations can migrate cohesively in
      the Drosophila posterior midgut, comprised of epithelial and mesenchymal cells
      and show a novel role for the epithelial adhesion molecule E-cadherin (E-Cad) in
      mesenchymal cells. Despite a lack of junctions at the ultrastructure level,
      reducing E-Cad levels causes mesenchymal cells to detach from one another and
      from neighbouring epithelial cells; as a result, coordination between the two
      populations is lost. Moreover, Bazooka and recycling mechanisms are also required
      for E-Cad accumulation in mesenchymal cells. These results indicate an active
      role for E-Cad in mediating cohesive and ordered migration of non-epithelial
      cells, and discount the notion of E-Cad as just an epithelial feature that has to
      be switched off to enable migration of mesenchymal cells. 

PMID- 26272478
TI  - Operational parameters and their influence on particle-side mass transfer
      resistance in a packed bed bioreactor.
AB  - The influence of internal mass transfer on productivity as well as the
      performance of packed bed bioreactor was determined by varying a number of
      parameters; chitosan coating, flow rate, glucose concentration and particle size.
      Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells were immobilized in chitosan and non-chitosan
      coated alginate beads to demonstrate the effect on particle side mass transfer on
      substrate consumption time, lag phase and ethanol production. The results
      indicate that chitosan coating, beads size, glucose concentration and flow rate
      have a significant effect on lag phase duration. The duration of lag phase for
      different size of beads (0.8, 2 and 4 mm) decreases by increasing flow rate and
      by decreasing the size of beads. Moreover, longer lag phase were found at higher
      glucose medium concentration and also with chitosan coated beads. It was observed
      that by increasing flow rates; lag phase and glucose consumption time decreased.
      The reason is due to the reduction of external (fluid side) mass transfer as a
      result of increase in flow rate as glucose is easily transported to the surface
      of the beads. Varying the size of beads is an additional factor: as it reduces
      the internal (particle side) mass transfer by reducing the size of beads. The
      reason behind this is the distance for reactants to reach active site of catalyst
      (cells) and the thickness of fluid created layer around alginate beads is
      reduced. The optimum combination of parameters consisting of smaller beads size
      (0.8 mm), higher flow rate of 90 ml/min and glucose concentration of 10 g/l were
      found to be the maximum condition for ethanol production. 

PMID- 26272477
TI  - Squamous cell carcinoma with osteoclast-like giant cells: a morphologically
      heterologous group including carcinosarcoma and squamous cell carcinoma with
      stromal changes.
AB  - Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with osteoclast-like giant cells
      (hereafter, osteoclastic cells) is very rare; eight cases have been reported
      since 2006. Whether the osteoclastic cells represents a reactive or neoplastic
      change remains a matter of debate. Osteoclastic cells are often observed in the
      sarcomatous component of cutaneous carcinosarcoma. SCC with osteoclastic cells is
      a heterogeneous condition that includes SCC with stromal changes containing
      osteoclastic cells (also known as osteoclast-like giant cell reaction) and
      carcinosarcoma. In some cases, SCC with an associated osteoclast-like giant cell
      reaction has been differentiated from carcinosarcoma based on the degree of
      cytologic atypia in non-epithelial components. We summarized the clinical and
      histopathologic characteristics of 11 patients of SCC with osteoclastic cells,
      including our two cases of SCC with an osteoclast-like giant cell reaction and
      one case of carcinosarcoma. The affected patients were old and more likely to be
      male (64%). Seven cases (64%) were in the head and neck. Moreover, multiple
      features of high risk SCC were observed, such as a tumor size greater than 2 cm
      (56%), moderate or poor differentiation (100%), recurrence (33%) and nodal
      metastasis (17%) after excision and immunosuppression (27%). Interestingly, half
      of the previously reported cases of SCC with osteoclastic giant cell reaction had
      histopathologic findings that were overlapping with those of carcinosarcoma.

PMID- 26272480
TI  - Effect of the salts of deep ocean water on the production of cordycepin and
      adenosine of Cordyceps militaris-fermented product.
AB  - Cordyceps militaris is a type of entomogenous fungi and has been widely used as a
      medicinal fungus in Asia. Cordycepin produced by C. militaris has also been found
      to protect the liver. Moreover, deep ocean water (DOW) was proven to increase the
      functional compounds of functional fungi-fermented products. However, the
      regulation of the metals in DOW is still unclear. Therefore, this study
      investigated the effect of DOW and certain major ions on the production of
      cordycepin and adenosine of C. militaris. The results indicated that, compared
      with using ultra-pure water (UPW), using DOW to cultivate C. militaris in a
      submerged culture increases the production of biomass and adenosine (p < 0.05).
      In the results of solid culture, the concentration of DOW exhibits a dose effect
      on cordycepin production. DOW contains ions that can improve the effectiveness of
      cordycepin, such as Mg(2+), Na(+), Ca(2+), Fe(2+), and NO3 (-), whereas the ion
      Cl(-) features an inhibitory effect. Moreover, Mg(2+), Na(+), K(+), Ca(2+),
      Fe(2+), and SO4 (2-)can increase the production of adenosine, whereas Cl(-)
      cannot. However, the synthetic water made from various types of sodium salts
      (MgCl2, NaCl, KCl, CaCl2, FeCl2) had nearly the same effect on cordycepin
      production as that of DOW. 

PMID- 26272479
TI  - Fast and efficient three-step target-specific curing of a virulence plasmid in
      Salmonella enterica.
AB  - Virulence plasmids borne by serovars of Salmonella enterica carry genes involved
      in its pathogenicity, as well as other functions. Characterization of phenotypes
      associated with virulence plasmids requires a system for efficiently curing
      strains of their virulence plasmids. Here, we developed a 3-step protocol for
      targeted curing of virulence plasmids. The protocol involves insertion of an I
      SecI restriction site linked to an antibiotic resistance gene into the target
      plasmid using lambda-Red mutagenesis, followed by the transformation with a
      temperature-sensitive auxiliary plasmid which carries I-SecI nuclease expressed
      from a tetracycline-inducible promoter. Finally, the auxiliary plasmid is removed
      by incubation at 42  degrees C and the plasmid-less strains are verified on
      antibiotic-containing media. This method is fast and very efficient: over 90 % of
      recovered colonies lacked their virulence plasmid. 

PMID- 26272482
TI  - Poor graft function can be durably and safely improved by CD34+-selected stem
      cell boosts after allogeneic unrelated matched or mismatched hematopoietic cell
      transplantation.
AB  - PURPOSE: Insufficient production of leukocytes, thrombocytes and erythrocytes
      after allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) represents a
      life-threatening complication. METHODS: In 20 adult patients with poor graft
      function (PGF defined as transfusion-dependent platelet counts <20,000/ul, or
      leukocytes <1500/ul, or transfusion-dependent anemia) and variable causes of PGF
      after allogeneic PBSCT, immunomagnetically selected CD34(+) stem cell boosts
      (SCB) from matched unrelated (n = 8), mismatched unrelated (n = 11) or
      haploidentical (n = 1) donors were applied without prior conditioning. RESULTS:
      Patients received a median of 4.6 * 10(6) CD34(+) cells per kilogram bodyweight
      (1.9-9.1 * 10(6)) and low T cell numbers (median 0.2 * 10(4), range 0.04-0.6 *
      10(4)). All patients showed responses in at least one hematopoietic lineage.
      Engraftment for platelets, leukocytes and hemoglobin was 88, 88 and 100 % after a
      median of 14, 13 and 18 days, respectively. With regard to the complete cohort,
      90 % (n = 18) showed an increase in platelets (median 76,500/ul, range -7000 to
      223,000/ul), 95 % (n = 19) had an increase in leukocytes (median 3110/ul, range
      150-13,740/ul) and 90 % (n = 18) improved with regard to hemoglobin (median 1.9
      g/dl, range -0.9 to 5.1 g/dl). Due to effective T cell depletion, only one
      patient developed graft versus host disease (GvHD, grade III) after SCB. Patients
      were followed for a median of 7.5 months (1-74 months) with 11 patients being
      alive and disease free with normalized peripheral blood counts at the end of
      follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: CD34(+)-selected SCB are safe and effective and can
      durably improve PGF even in patients receiving grafts from unrelated matched or
      mismatched donors with low incidence of GvHD.

PMID- 26272481
TI  - Thinking Styles and University Self-Efficacy Among Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, and
      Hearing Students.
AB  - This study explores how students' thinking styles are related to their university
      self-efficacy, by administering the Thinking Styles Inventory-Revised II and the
      University Self-Efficacy Scale to 366 deaf or hard-of-hearing (DHH) and 467
      hearing university students in mainland China. Results showed that, among all
      participants, those with Type I styles (i.e., more creativity-generating, less
      structured, and cognitively more complex) had higher levels of university self
      efficacy. At the same time, DHH students with Type II styles (i.e., more norm
      favoring, more structured, and cognitively more simplistic) had lower levels of
      university self-efficacy. The contributions, limitations, and implications of the
      present research are discussed. 

PMID- 26272484
TI  - Structural and biochemical characterization of GTP cyclohydrolase II from
      Helicobacter pylori reveals its redox dependent catalytic activity.
AB  - GTP cyclohydrolase II (GCHII), catalyzes the conversion of GTP to 2,5-diamino-6
      beta-ribosyl-4(3H)-pyrimidinone-5'-phosphate and has been shown to be essential
      for pathogens. Here we describe the biochemical, kinetic and structural
      characterization of GCHII from Helicobacter pylori (hGCHII). The crystal
      structure of hGCHII, unlike other GCHII structures, revealed that cysteines at
      the active site existed in oxidized state forming two disulfide bonds and lacked
      Zn(2+) that was shown to be indispensable for catalytic activity in other
      species. However, incubation of hGCHII with hydrogen peroxide, an oxidizing
      agent, followed by PAR-assay showed that Zn(2+) was intrinsically present,
      indicating that all cysteines at the catalytic site remained in reduced state.
      Moreover, site directed mutagenesis of catalytic site cysteines revealed that
      only three, out of four cysteines were essential for hGCHII activity. These
      results, though, indicated that hGCHII crystallized in oxidized form, the
      expulsion of Zn(2+) upon oxidation of catalytic cysteines revealed its ability to
      act in response to the redox environment. Exploring further, incubation of hGCHII
      with reversible thiol modifying agent S-methyl-methane-thiosulfonate resulted in
      loss of GCHII activity due to oxidation of its cysteine residues as revealed by
      mass spectrometry studies. However, addition of reducing agent DTT partially
      restored the hGCHII catalytic activity. Taken together, these results demonstrate
      that hGCHII can regulate its catalytic activity depending on the redox
      environment, a function hitherto unknown for GCHII. 

PMID- 26272485
TI  - Is left upper lobectomy for lung cancer a risk factor for cerebral infarction?
AB  - PURPOSE: Cerebral infarction is a rare complication of lung resection that can
      result in severe sequelae. Our aim was to investigate the characteristics of
      patients who suffer from cerebral infarction after surgery for lung cancer.
      METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all patients who underwent resection of at
      least a single lobe for lung cancer at our institution between January 2008 and
      October 2013. We compared the patients who presented with cerebral infarction
      with those patients who did not within 30 days of surgery. RESULTS: A total of
      562 patients underwent surgery, with five males and one female subsequently
      experiencing cerebral infarction. Five patients underwent left upper lobectomy
      and one underwent left lower lobectomy. Patient age, sex, body mass index,
      smoking index, and operative time were not significantly different between the
      six patients with postoperative cerebral infarction and the other 556 patients;
      only the type of operative procedure was significantly different (p < 0.001).
      Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed thrombosis in the stump of the
      left superior pulmonary vein in patients with postoperative cerebral infarction.
      CONCLUSIONS: Cerebral infarction occurs at a high frequency in patients who
      undergo left upper lobectomy for lung cancer. Thrombosis in the left superior
      pulmonary-vein stump might cause cerebral infarction.

PMID- 26272486
TI  - Clinical importance of a transcription reverse-transcription concerted (TRC)
      diagnosis using peritoneal lavage fluids obtained pre- and post-lymphadenectomy
      from gastric cancer patients.
AB  - PURPOSE: Our previous study demonstrated that a transcription reverse
      transcription concerted (TRC) diagnosis using peritoneal lavage fluids at
      laparotomy was a potential prognostic factor for gastric cancer patients;
      however, the clinical importance of a TRC diagnosis from peritoneal lavage fluids
      after lymphadenectomy remains unclear. METHODS: TRC amplification targeting CEA
      mRNA was utilized to detect free cancer cells before and after lymphadenectomy
      during gastric cancer resection. Of 120 patients who underwent curative
      gastrectomy for cT2-T4 gastric cancer, 38 whose peritoneal lavage samples were
      collected pre- and post-lymphadenectomy were eligible for analysis. RESULTS: Six
      (16.0 %) patients had CEA positivity before lymphadenectomy (pre-CEA), whereas
      nine (23.7 %) had CEA positivity after lymphadenectomy (post-CEA). Post-CEA was
      significantly correlated with higher pathological N-stage. Moreover, the positive
      post-CEA group had significantly worse relapse-free survival than the negative
      post-CEA group (p = 0.001). Cox multivariate analysis revealed that post-CEA
      positivity was a significant predictor of poor relapse-free survival (p = 0.012).
      It was also a predictor of distant metastasis, but not specific for peritoneal
      recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrated that post-CEA positivity in
      a TRC diagnosis was a potential predictor of disease recurrence, but not a
      specific predictor of peritoneal recurrence.

PMID- 26272487
TI  - The D173G mutation in ADAMTS-13 causes a severe form of congenital thrombotic
      thrombocytopenic purpura. A clinical, biochemical and in silico study.
AB  - Congenital thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare form of thrombotic
      microangiopathy, inherited with autosomal recessive mode as a dysfunction or
      severe deficiency of ADAMTS-13 (A Disintegrin And Metalloprotease with
      ThromboSpondin 1 repeats Nr. 13), caused by mutations in the ADAMTS-13 gene.
      About 100 mutations of the ADAMTS-13 gene were identified so far, although only a
      few characterised by in vitro expression studies. A new Asp to Gly homozygous
      mutation at position 173 of ADAMTS-13 sequence was identified in a family of
      Romanian origin, with some members affected by clinical signs of TTP. In two male
      sons, this mutation caused a severe (< 3%) deficiency of ADAMTS-13 activity and
      antigen level, associated with periodic thrombocytopenia, haemolytic anaemia and
      mild mental confusion. Both parents, who are cousins, showed the same mutation in
      heterozygous form. Expression studies of the mutant ADAMTS-13, performed in
      HEK293 cells, showed a severe decrease of the enzyme's activity and secretion,
      although the protease was detected inside the cells. Molecular dynamics found
      that in the D173G mutant the interface area between the metalloprotease domain
      and the disintegrin-like domain significantly decreases during the simulations,
      while the proline-rich 20 residues linker region (LR, 285-304) between them
      undergoes extensive conformational changes. Inter-domain contacts are also
      significantly less conserved in the mutant compared to the wild-type. Both a
      decrease of the inter-domain contacts along with a substantial conformational
      rearrangement of LR interfere with the proper maturation and folding of the
      mutant ADAMTS-13, thus impairing its secretion.

PMID- 26272488
TI  - Heart rate variability as a transdiagnostic biomarker of psychopathology.
AB  - The Research Domain Criteria (RDoC), developed by the National Institute of
      Mental Health as a neuroscience-informed alternative to traditional psychiatric
      nosology, is an explicitly dimensional system in which classification of
      psychopathology is derived inductively (i.e., from basic science), across
      multiple levels of analysis (e.g., genetic, neural, psychophysiological, and
      behavioral). Although RDoC is often presented as paradigmatically revolutionary,
      a review of the history of psychophysiology suggests that roots of RDoC thinking
      extend at least as far back as the mid-20th Century. In this paper, we briefly
      and selectively review the historical emergence of neurobiologically-informed
      dimensional trait models of psychopathology, and we summarize our thinking
      regarding high frequency heart rate variability (HF-HRV) as a transdiagnostic
      biomarker of self-regulation and cognitive control. When functional interactions
      between HF-HRV and systems of behavioral approach and avoidance are considered,
      diverse patterns of behavioral maladjustment can be subsumed into a single model.
      This model accommodates the general bifactor structure of psychopathology, and
      suggests that HF-HRV can be viewed as an autonomic, transdiagnostic biomarker of
      mental illness. 

PMID- 26272489
TI  - Clinically-indicated replacement versus routine replacement of peripheral venous
      catheters.
AB  - BACKGROUND: US Centers for Disease Control guidelines recommend replacement of
      peripheral intravenous (IV) catheters no more frequently than every 72 to 96
      hours. Routine replacement is thought to reduce the risk of phlebitis and
      bloodstream infection. Catheter insertion is an unpleasant experience for
      patients and replacement may be unnecessary if the catheter remains functional
      and there are no signs of inflammation. Costs associated with routine replacement
      may be considerable. This is an update of a review first published in 2010.
      OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of removing peripheral IV catheters when
      clinically indicated compared with removing and re-siting the catheter routinely.
      SEARCH METHODS: For this update the Cochrane Vascular Trials Search Co-ordinator
      searched the Cochrane Vascular Specialised Register (March 2015) and CENTRAL
      (2015, Issue 3). We also searched clinical trials registries (April 2015).
      SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials that compared routine removal of
      peripheral IV catheters with removal only when clinically indicated in
      hospitalised or community dwelling patients receiving continuous or intermittent
      infusions. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently
      assessed trial quality and extracted data. MAIN RESULTS: Seven trials with a
      total of 4895 patients were included in the review. The quality of the evidence
      was high for most outcomes but was downgraded to moderate for the outcome
      catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI). The downgrade was due to wide
      confidence intervals, which created a high level of uncertainty around the effect
      estimate. CRBSI was assessed in five trials (4806 patients). There was no
      significant between group difference in the CRBSI rate (clinically-indicated
      1/2365; routine change 2/2441). The risk ratio (RR) was 0.61 (95% CI 0.08 to
      4.68; P = 0.64). No difference in phlebitis rates was found whether catheters
      were changed according to clinical indications or routinely (clinically-indicated
      186/2365; 3-day change 166/2441; RR 1.14, 95% CI 0.93 to 1.39). This result was
      unaffected by whether infusion through the catheter was continuous or
      intermittent. We also analysed the data by number of device days and again no
      differences between groups were observed (RR 1.03, 95% CI 0.84 to 1.27; P =
      0.75). One trial assessed all-cause bloodstream infection. There was no
      difference in this outcome between the two groups (clinically-indicated 4/1593
      (0.02%); routine change 9/1690 (0.05%); P = 0.21). Cannulation costs were lower
      by approximately AUD 7.00 in the clinically-indicated group (mean difference (MD)
      -6.96, 95% CI -9.05 to -4.86; P <= 0.00001). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: The review
      found no evidence to support changing catheters every 72 to 96 hours.
      Consequently, healthcare organisations may consider changing to a policy whereby
      catheters are changed only if clinically indicated. This would provide
      significant cost savings and would spare patients the unnecessary pain of routine
      re-sites in the absence of clinical indications. To minimise peripheral catheter
      related complications, the insertion site should be inspected at each shift
      change and the catheter removed if signs of inflammation, infiltration, or
      blockage are present.

PMID- 26272490
TI  - Crowdsourcing to Curb Bad Science.

PMID- 26272491
TI  - Adaptive Immune Resistance: How Cancer Protects from Immune Attack.
AB  - Adaptive immune resistance is a process in which the cancer changes its phenotype
      in response to a cytotoxic or proinflammatory immune response, thereby evading
      it. This adaptive process is triggered by the specific recognition of cancer
      cells by T cells, which leads to the production of immune-activating cytokines.
      Cancers then hijack mechanisms developed to limit inflammatory and immune
      responses and protect themselves from the T-cell attack. Inhibiting adaptive
      immune resistance is the mechanistic basis of responses to PD-1 or PD-L1-blocking
      antibodies, and may be of relevance for the development of other cancer
      immunotherapy strategies. SIGNIFICANCE: Several new immunotherapy strategies to
      treat cancer are based on inhibiting processes through which cancer adapts and
      evades from an immune response. Recognizing the specific adaptive resistance
      mechanisms in each case is likely to allow the personalized development of
      immunotherapies tailored to block how a particular cancer protects itself from
      the immune system.

PMID- 26272497
TI  - A nanopore membrane regulator device for laser modulated flow after glaucoma
      surgery.
AB  - Glaucoma, the second most common cause of blindness in the world, is a
      multifactorial disease with several risk factors, of which intraocular pressure
      (IOP) is a primary contributing factor. Filtration surgery is one of the most
      effective means to significantly lower IOP compared to medical or laser
      treatments, and it is typically reserved for advanced disease. However, there are
      high rates of postoperative complications associated with the procedure, often
      from over- or under-filtration. To address these problems, the glaucoma drainage
      device regulator (GDDR) implant was developed to allow post-operative control of
      aqueous flow and IOP. The device, a tube with a nanopore membrane, is placed
      beneath the scleral flap. Postoperatively, the membrane surface can be ruptured
      with a laser to augment flow through the system. This feature allows adjustable
      control of aqueous flow and diminishes the risk of hypotony in the early
      postoperative period. 

PMID- 26272496
TI  - Integrated analysis of miRNA/mRNA network in placenta identifies key factors
      associated with labor onset of Large White and Qingping sows.
AB  - Labour onset is a very complex physiological process, and its mechanism is poorly
      understood. Here, we obtained the mRNA and miRNA expression profiles from the
      placentas of four groups of sows: Qingping sows 112 days after insemination with
      signs of labour onset (QS), Qingping sows 114 days after insemination with signs
      of labour onset (QL), Large White sows 114 days after insemination with signs of
      labour onset (LL) and Large White sows 112 days after insemination without signs
      of labour onset (LN). A set of differentially expressed genes, including 2164
      mRNAs and 39 miRNAs, were found. A DAVID analysis of these differentially
      expressed genes revealed their critical roles in response to hormone stimulus,
      immune response. Cytoscape Network analysis of the functional genes found node
      mRNAs and that the regulatory network between the node mRNAs and miRNAs was
      established. A comparison of the sequencing data from the shorter gestation
      period (QS) and the normal gestation period (QL) indicated that these genes were
      responsible for the quicker and more sensitive reaction to the regulation of
      labour onset. This research not only detected the key factors that were involved
      in labour onset but also provided useful information for the research of
      gynaecological diseases. 

PMID- 26272498
TI  - Reality and understanding of asthma control.
AB  - The aim of this study was to describe the level and perception of control in
      severe asthma in Trinidad after the introduction of revised guidelines for asthma
      management. Adult asthmatics (N = 329) at Trinidad's chest clinics were cross
      sectionally examined for guideline-defined disease control. Patients' mean (SD)
      age was 54.36 (14.9) years, with body mass index = 28.54 (7.4) kg/meter(2), and
      females were proportionally more (246, 74.74%). Measured (45.29%) and perceived
      (18.96%) uncontrolled disease were poorly concordant (kappa statistic = 0.197).
      Co-morbidity (>=2 conditions) correlated with uncontrolled disease in 55.80% of
      patients (Spearman correlation p = 0.03). Absolute peak expiratory flow was
      higher (p < 0.001) in controlled and/or partially controlled disease than in
      uncontrolled asthma. Routine work limitation, night-time disturbances, work
      absenteeism, exacerbations, rescue inhalation and perceived control correlated
      with uncontrolled asthma (p < 0.001). Few patients self-monitored lung function
      (9.73%) or kept an asthma diary (6.69%), but 65.1% believed they had to live with
      their symptoms. The asthma burden was at least one hospitalization (53.80%) and
      emergency department visit (66.36%) in the past year, cough (74.49%), dyspnoea
      (84.50%), wheezing (80.55%) and chest tightness (66.87%). After the revised
      guidelines, uncontrolled asthma and related morbidity remain suboptimal, with
      disagreeing actual and perceived control. Efforts to transform guidelines into
      patient care with realistic interpretation of control are recommended. 

PMID- 26272499
TI  - Patient agenda setting in respiratory outpatients: A randomized controlled trial.
AB  - Soliciting a patient's agenda (the reason for their visit, concerns and
      expectations) is fundamental to health care but if not done effectively outcomes
      can be adversely affected. Forms to help patients consider important issues prior
      to a consultation have been tested with mixed results. We hypothesized that using
      an agenda form would impact the extent to which patients felt their doctor
      discussed the issues that were important to them. Patients were randomized to
      receive an agenda form to complete whilst waiting or usual care. The primary
      outcome measure was the proportion of patients agreeing with the statement 'My
      doctor discussed the issues that were important to me' rated on a four-point
      scale. Secondary outcomes included other experience and satisfaction measures,
      consultation duration and patient confidence. There was no significant effect of
      agenda form use on primary or secondary outcomes. Post hoc exploratory analyses
      suggested possible differential effects for new compared to follow-up patients.
      There was no overall benefit from the form and a risk of detrimental impact on
      patient experience for some patients. There is a need for greater understanding
      of what works for whom in supporting patients to get the most from their
      consultation. 

PMID- 26272500
TI  - Acute responses to exercise training and relationship with exercise adherence in
      moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
AB  - The objectives of our study were to (i) compare, in chronic obstructive pulmonary
      disease (COPD) patients, acute responses to continuous training at high intensity
      (CTHI), continuous training at ventilatory threshold (CTVT) and interval training
      (IT); (ii) examine associations between acute responses and 12-week adherence;
      and (iii) investigate whether the relationship between acute responses and
      adherence is mediated/moderated by affect/vigour. Thirty-five COPD patients
      (forced expiratory volume in 1 second = 60.2 +/- 15.8% predicted), underwent
      baseline assessments, were randomly assigned to CTHI, CTVT or IT, were monitored
      throughout about before training, and underwent 12 weeks of exercise training
      during which adherence was tracked. Compared with CTHI, CTVT was associated with
      lower respiratory exchange ratio, heart rate and respiratory rate (RR), while IT
      induced higher [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]maximal voluntary
      ventilation, RR and lower pulse oxygen saturation. From pre- to post-exercise,
      positive affect increased (F = 9.74, p < 0.001) and negative affect decreased (F
      = 6.43, p = 0.005) across groups. CTVT reported greater end-exercise vigour
      compared to CTHI (p = 0.01) and IT (p = 0.02). IT exhibited lowest post-exercise
      vigour (p = 0.04 versus CTHI, p = 0.02 versus CTVT) and adherence rate (F = 6.69,
      p = 0.004). Mean [Formula: see text] (r = -0.466, p = 0.007) and end-exercise
      vigour (r = 0.420, p = 0.017) were most strongly correlated with adherence. End
      exercise vigour moderated the relationship between [Formula: see text] and
      adherence (beta = 2.74, t(32) = 2.32, p = 0.03). In summary, CTHI, CTVT and IT
      improved affective valence from rest to post-exercise and induced a significant
      12-week exercise training effect. However, they elicited different acute
      physiological responses, which in turn were associated with differences in 12
      week adherence to the target training intensity. This association was moderated
      by acute end-exercise vigour. 

PMID- 26272501
TI  - Information behaviour of French-speaking speech-language therapists in Belgium:
      results of a questionnaire survey.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Speech-language therapists (SLTs) are encouraged to implement
      evidence-based practice (EBP). Nevertheless, EBP use by practitioners can be
      questioned. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to explore Belgian French
      speaking SLTs' information behaviour and their awareness of EBP. The collected
      data allow one to determine how far they have embraced this approach. METHODS:
      The two Belgian French-speaking SLT professional associations promoted an online
      questionnaire survey by email. Additionally, clinical supervisors of students
      were asked to participate. In March 2012, 2068 emails were sent. RESULTS: The
      participation rate was at least 20% (n = 415). The reported information needs
      mainly concerned treatment or diagnosis. Most of the time, to attempt to fulfil
      their information needs, SLTs relied on their own resources (personal experience
      and libraries) and on colleagues in the workplace. When they searched on the
      Internet, they preferred to use a general search engine rather than a specialised
      bibliographic database. Barriers to obtaining scientific information are
      highlighted. Only 12% of the respondents had already heard about EBP. CONCLUSION:
      This study provides the first overview of the information behaviour of SLTs
      working in the French community of Belgium. Several recommendations are suggested
      for SLTs and librarians.

PMID- 26272502
TI  - Predictive habitat suitability models to aid conservation of elasmobranch
      diversity in the central Mediterranean Sea.
AB  - Commercial fisheries have dramatically impacted elasmobranch populations
      worldwide. With high capture and bycatch rates, the abundance of many species is
      rapidly declining and around a quarter of the world's sharks and rays are
      threatened with extinction. At a regional scale this negative trend has also been
      evidenced in the central Mediterranean Sea, where bottom-trawl fisheries have
      affected the biomass of certain rays (e.g. Raja clavata) and sharks (e.g.
      Mustelus spp.). Detailed knowledge of elasmobranch habitat requirements is
      essential for biodiversity conservation and fisheries management, but this is
      often hampered by a poor understanding of their spatial ecology. Habitat
      suitability models were used to investigate the habitat preference of nine
      elasmobranch species and their overall diversity (number of species) in relation
      to five environmental predictors (i.e. depth, sea surface temperature, surface
      salinity, slope and rugosity) in the central Mediterranean Sea. Results showed
      that depth, seafloor morphology and sea surface temperature were the main drivers
      for elasmobranch habitat suitability. Predictive distribution maps revealed
      different species-specific patterns of suitable habitat while high assemblage
      diversity was predicted in deeper offshore waters (400-800 m depth). This study
      helps to identify priority conservation areas and diversity hot-spots for rare
      and endangered elasmobranchs in the Mediterranean Sea.

PMID- 26272503
TI  - Pathological and bacteriological characterization of neonatal porcine diarrhoea
      of uncertain aetiology.
AB  - Neonatal porcine diarrhoea of uncertain aetiology has been reported from a number
      of countries. This study investigated 50 diarrhoeic and 19 healthy piglets from
      10 affected Swedish herds. The piglets were blood-sampled for analysis of serum
      gamma-globulin and necropsied, and the intestines were sampled for histopathology
      and cultured for Escherichia coli, Clostridium perfringens and Clostridium
      difficile. Escherichia coli isolates (n = 276) were examined by PCR for virulence
      genes encoding LT, STa, STb, EAST1, VT2e, F4, F5, F6, F18, F41, AIDA-I, intimin,
      and for the genes aaiC and aggR. Selected isolates were analysed for additional
      virulence genes by a microarray and subjected to O-typing. Clostridium
      perfringens isolates (n = 152) were examined by PCR for genes encoding major
      toxins, enterotoxin and beta2-toxin. There was no difference in serum gamma
      globulin concentration between diarrhoeic and non-diarrhoeic piglets, and
      pathological lesions in the intestines were generally mild. Porcine
      enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, a common cause of piglet diarrhoea, was only
      found in two piglets. Further, the virulence gene profiling did not suggest
      involvement of other diarrhoeogenic pathotypes of Escherichia coli. Growth of
      Clostridium perfringens did not differ between diarrhoeic and non-diarrhoeic
      piglets. All isolates were type A, all were negative for enterotoxin, and 151 of
      152 isolates were beta2-toxin positive. In pigs >= 2  days old, moderate to
      profuse growth of Clostridium difficile was more common in the controls. In
      conclusion, it was not possible to relate Escherichia coli, Clostridium
      perfringens type A and C or Clostridium difficile to neonatal porcine diarrhoea
      in any of the investigated herds.

PMID- 26272505
TI  - Corrigendum: Long-term efficacy and safety of omalizumab in patients with
      persistent uncontrolled allergic asthma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PMID- 26272506
TI  - The public's voice about healthcare quality regulation policies. A population
      based survey.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In the wake of various high-profile incidents in a number of
      countries, regulators of healthcare quality have been criticised for their 'soft'
      approach. In politics, concerns were expressed about public confidence. It was
      claimed that there are discrepancies between public opinions related to values
      and the values guiding regulation policies. Although the general public are final
      clients of regulators' work, their opinion has only been discussed in research to
      a limited extent. The aim of this study is to explore possible discrepancies
      between public values and opinions and current healthcare quality regulation
      policies. METHODS: A questionnaire was submitted to 1500 members of the Dutch
      Healthcare Consumer Panel. Questions were developed around central ideas
      underlying healthcare quality regulation policies. RESULTS: The response rate was
      58.3%. The regulator was seen as being more responsible for quality of care than
      care providers. Patients were rated as having the least responsibility. Similar
      patterns were observed for the food service industry and the education sector.
      Complaints by patients' associations were seen as an important source of
      information for quality regulation, while fewer respondents trusted information
      delivered by care providers. However, respondents supported the regulator's
      imposition of lighter measures firstly. CONCLUSIONS: There are discrepancies and
      similarities between public opinion and regulation policies. The discrepancies
      correspond to fundamental concepts; decentralisation of responsibilities is not
      what the public wants. There is little confidence in the regulator's use of
      information obtained by care providers' internal monitoring, while a larger role
      is seen for complaints of patient organisations. This discrepancy seems not to
      exist regarding the regulator's approach of imposing measures. A gradual, and
      often soft approach, is favoured by the majority of the public in spite of the
      criticism that is voiced in the media regarding this approach. Our study
      contributes to the limited knowledge of public opinion on government regulation
      policies. This knowledge is needed in order to effectively assess different
      approaches to involve the public in regulation policies.

PMID- 26272507
TI  - A Nonstationary Markov Model Detects Directional Evolution in Hymenopteran
      Morphology.
AB  - Directional evolution has played an important role in shaping the morphological,
      ecological, and molecular diversity of life. However, standard substitution
      models assume stationarity of the evolutionary process over the time scale
      examined, thus impeding the study of directionality. Here we explore a simple,
      nonstationary model of evolution for discrete data, which assumes that the state
      frequencies at the root differ from the equilibrium frequencies of the
      homogeneous evolutionary process along the rest of the tree (i.e., the process is
      nonstationary, nonreversible, but homogeneous). Within this framework, we develop
      a Bayesian approach for testing directional versus stationary evolution using a
      reversible-jump algorithm. Simulations show that when only data from extant taxa
      are available, the success in inferring directionality is strongly dependent on
      the evolutionary rate, the shape of the tree, the relative branch lengths, and
      the number of taxa. Given suitable evolutionary rates (0.1-0.5 expected
      substitutions between root and tips), accounting for directionality improves tree
      inference and often allows correct rooting of the tree without the use of an
      outgroup. As an empirical test, we apply our method to study directional
      evolution in hymenopteran morphology. We focus on three character systems: wing
      veins, muscles, and sclerites. We find strong support for a trend toward loss of
      wing veins and muscles, while stationarity cannot be ruled out for sclerites.
      Adding fossil and time information in a total-evidence dating approach, we show
      that accounting for directionality results in more precise estimates not only of
      the ancestral state at the root of the tree, but also of the divergence times.
      Our model relaxes the assumption of stationarity and reversibility by adding a
      minimum of additional parameters, and is thus well suited to studying the nature
      of the evolutionary process in data sets of limited size, such as morphology and
      ecology. 

PMID- 26272508
TI  - Digital technologies for cognitive assessment to accelerate drug development in
      Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - For many neurological and psychiatric diseases, novel therapeutics have been
      elusive for decades. By focusing on attention interference in Alzheimer's disease
      (AD), we provide a future vision on how emerging mobile, computer, and device
      based cognitive tools are converting classically noisy, subjective, data-poor
      clinical endpoints associated with neuropsychiatric disease assessment into a
      richer, scalable, and objective set of measurements. Incorporation of such
      endpoints into clinical drug trials holds promise for more quickly and
      efficiently developing new medicines. 

PMID- 26272510
TI  - Business Modeling to Implement an eHealth Portal for Infection Control: A
      Reflection on Co-Creation With Stakeholders.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It is acknowledged that the success and uptake of eHealth improve
      with the involvement of users and stakeholders to make technology reflect their
      needs. Involving stakeholders in implementation research is thus a crucial
      element in developing eHealth technology. Business modeling is an approach to
      guide implementation research for eHealth. Stakeholders are involved in business
      modeling by identifying relevant stakeholders, conducting value co-creation
      dialogs, and co-creating a business model. Because implementation activities are
      often underestimated as a crucial step while developing eHealth, comprehensive
      and applicable approaches geared toward business modeling in eHealth are scarce.
      OBJECTIVE: This paper demonstrates the potential of several stakeholder-oriented
      analysis methods and their practical application was demonstrated using
      Infectionmanager as an example case. In this paper, we aim to demonstrate how
      business modeling, with the focus on stakeholder involvement, is used to co
      create an eHealth implementation. METHODS: We divided business modeling in 4 main
      research steps. As part of stakeholder identification, we performed literature
      scans, expert recommendations, and snowball sampling (Step 1). For stakeholder
      analyzes, we performed "basic stakeholder analysis," stakeholder salience, and
      ranking/analytic hierarchy process (Step 2). For value co-creation dialogs, we
      performed a process analysis and stakeholder interviews based on the business
      model canvas (Step 3). Finally, for business model generation, we combined all
      findings into the business model canvas (Step 4). RESULTS: Based on the applied
      methods, we synthesized a step-by-step guide for business modeling with
      stakeholder-oriented analysis methods that we consider suitable for implementing
      eHealth. CONCLUSIONS: The step-by-step guide for business modeling with
      stakeholder involvement enables eHealth researchers to apply a systematic and
      multidisciplinary, co-creative approach for implementing eHealth. Business
      modeling becomes an active part in the entire development process of eHealth and
      starts an early focus on implementation, in which stakeholders help to co-create
      the basis necessary for a satisfying success and uptake of the eHealth
      technology.

PMID- 26272509
TI  - A transcriptome-based classifier to identify developmental toxicants by stem cell
      testing: design, validation and optimization for histone deacetylase inhibitors.
AB  - Test systems to identify developmental toxicants are urgently needed. A
      combination of human stem cell technology and transcriptome analysis was to
      provide a proof of concept that toxicants with a related mode of action can be
      identified and grouped for read-across. We chose a test system of developmental
      toxicity, related to the generation of neuroectoderm from pluripotent stem cells
      (UKN1), and exposed cells for 6 days to the histone deacetylase inhibitors
      (HDACi) valproic acid, trichostatin A, vorinostat, belinostat, panobinostat and
      entinostat. To provide insight into their toxic action, we identified HDACi
      consensus genes, assigned them to superordinate biological processes and mapped
      them to a human transcription factor network constructed from hundreds of
      transcriptome data sets. We also tested a heterogeneous group of 'mercurials'
      (methylmercury, thimerosal, mercury(II)chloride, mercury(II)bromide, 4
      chloromercuribenzoic acid, phenylmercuric acid). Microarray data were compared at
      the highest non-cytotoxic concentration for all 12 toxicants. A support vector
      machine (SVM)-based classifier predicted all HDACi correctly. For validation, the
      classifier was applied to legacy data sets of HDACi, and for each exposure
      situation, the SVM predictions correlated with the developmental toxicity.
      Finally, optimization of the classifier based on 100 probe sets showed that eight
      genes (F2RL2, TFAP2B, EDNRA, FOXD3, SIX3, MT1E, ETS1 and LHX2) are sufficient to
      separate HDACi from mercurials. Our data demonstrate how human stem cells and
      transcriptome analysis can be combined for mechanistic grouping and prediction of
      toxicants. Extension of this concept to mechanisms beyond HDACi would allow
      prediction of human developmental toxicity hazard of unknown compounds with the
      UKN1 test system. 

PMID- 26272511
TI  - Perceived learned skills and professional development of graduates from a master
      in dental public health programme.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Assessing the impact of a training programme is important for
      quality assurance and further development. It also can helps with accountability
      and marketing purposes. This study evaluated the impact of King's College London
      (KCL) Master of Science programme in Dental Public Health in terms of graduates'
      perceived learned skills and professional development. METHODS: An online
      questionnaire was sent to individuals who completed successfully the KCL Master
      of Science programme in Dental Public Health and had a valid email address.
      Participants provided information on demographic characteristics, perceived
      learned skills (intellectual, practical and generic) and professional development
      (type of organisation, position in the organisation and functions performed at
      work before and after the programme). Learned skills' scores were compared by
      demographic factors in multiple linear regression models, and the distribution of
      responses on career development was compared using nonparametric tests for paired
      groups. RESULTS: Although all scores on learned skills were on the favourable
      side of the Likert scale, graduates reported higher scores for practical skills,
      followed by intellectual and generic skills. No differences in scores were found
      by sex, age, nationality or time since graduation. In terms of career
      development, there were significantly higher proportions of graduates working in
      higher education institutions and taking leadership/managerial roles in
      organisations as well as greater number and variety of functions at work after
      than before the programme. CONCLUSION: This online survey shows that the
      programme has had a positive impact on graduates in terms of perceived learned
      skills and professional development.

PMID- 26272512
TI  - Effect of sex, dietary glycerol or dietary fat during late fattening, on fatty
      acid composition and positional distribution of fatty acids within the
      triglyceride in pigs.
AB  - The effect of sex, source of saturated fat (lard v. palm oil) and glycerol
      inclusion in the fattening diet on composition and fatty acid positional
      distribution in the triglyceride molecule was studied in pigs from 78 to 110 kg
      BW. Average daily gain and carcass characteristics, including ham and loin
      weight, were not affected by dietary treatment but sex affected backfat depth (P
      < 0.01). A significant interaction between sex and glycerol inclusion was
      observed; dietary glycerol increased lean content in gilts but not in barrows (P
      < 0.05 for the interaction). Individual and total saturated fatty acid (SFA)
      concentrations were greater in barrows than in gilts. In contrast, the
      concentration of total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and of C18:2n-6, C18:3n
      3, C20:3n-9 and C20:4n-6 in the intramuscular fat (IMF) was higher (P < 0.05) in
      gilts than in barrows. Sex did not affect total monounsaturated fatty acids
      (MUFA) concentration in the IMF. The proportion of SFA in the subcutaneous fat
      (SF) was higher in barrows than in gilts (P < 0.001). Within the individual SFA,
      sex affected only the concentrations of C14:0 and C16:0 (P < 0.001). Dietary fat
      did not affect total SFA or PUFA concentrations of the IMF but the subcutaneous
      total MUFA concentration tended to be higher (P = 0.079) in pigs fed lard than in
      pigs fed palm oil. Dietary glycerol increased total MUFA and C18:1n-9
      concentration in the IMF and increased total MUFA and decreased C18:2n-6, C18:3n
      3 and total PUFA concentrations in the SF. The data indicate that altering the
      fatty acid composition of the triglyceride molecule at the 2-position, by dietary
      intervention during the fattening phase, is very limited.

PMID- 26272514
TI  - A pentacene monolayer trapped between graphene and a substrate.
AB  - A self-assembled pentacene monolayer can be fabricated between the solid-solid
      interface of few-layered graphene (FLG) and the mica substrate, through a
      diffusion-spreading method. By utilizing a transfer method that allows us to
      sandwich pentacene between graphene and mica, followed by controlled annealing,
      we enabled the diffused pentacene to be trapped in the interfaces and led to the
      formation of a stable monolayer. We found that the formation of a monolayer is
      kinetically favored by using a 2D Ising lattice gas model for pentacene trapped
      between the graphene-substrate interfaces. This kinetic Monte Carlo simulation
      results indicate that, due to the graphene substrate enclosure, the spreading of
      the first layer proceeds faster than the second layer, as the kinetics favors the
      filling of voids by molecules from the second layer. This graphene assisted
      monolayer assembly method provides a new avenue for the fabrication of two
      dimensional monolayer structures. 

PMID- 26272515
TI  - Arthroscopic Articular Reconstruction of Capitellar Osteochondral Defects.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Articular reconstruction is recommended for some unstable capitellar
      osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) lesions. Capitellar osteochondral autograft
      transplantation (OAT) through an open approach for optimal visualization and
      perpendicular graft implantation has been advocated. However, arthroscopic
      capitellar OAT may achieve the same treatment goals with decreased morbidity and
      ability to treat the entire joint for pathologic changes. PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: The
      purpose of this study was to assess the ability to resurface the capitellum
      arthroscopically. The hypothesis was that arthroscopy allows sufficient access to
      facilitate perpendicular graft placement in most clinically significant
      capitellar OCD lesions. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive laboratory study. METHODS:
      Arthroscopy was performed on 12 fresh-frozen cadaveric elbows. Of the tunnels
      created, 21 were used in final analysis. A 6-mm osteochondral transplantation
      bone graft harvester was used to generate perpendicular recipient sites in the
      capitellar articular surface. Both central (n = 11) and lateral (n = 10) OCD
      locations were studied. Fluoroscopy was used to measure the angle of the harvest
      relative to the axis of the humerus and tunnel perpendicularity. RESULTS: Among
      central and lateral lesions, the average (+/-SD) degree of perpendicularity
      achieved was 85.3 degrees  +/- 2.9 degrees  and 85.8 degrees  +/- 2.5 degrees ,
      respectively. Perpendicular harvests were achieved in central and lateral lesions
      as high as 74.9 degrees  and 80.4 degrees , anterior to the humeral shaft,
      respectively. No significant relationship was noted between increasing anterior
      location and ability to attain perpendicular harvests. Achieving perpendicularity
      in lesions that were more anterior to these values was not possible due to
      anatomic constraints of the radial head in maximal elbow flexion. CONCLUSION:
      Adequate recipient tunnels were created in lesions that were as high as 75
      degrees  to 80 degrees  anterior to the humeral shaft, which encompasses most
      clinically relevant lesions. Moreover, increasing the anterior position of the
      lesion did not compromise the ability to generate perpendicular tunnels. The
      findings of this cadaveric study suggest that most clinically relevant capitellar
      osteochondral lesions can be successfully resurfaced arthroscopically. CLINICAL
      RELEVANCE: This study demonstrates the feasibility of performing an arthroscopic
      versus open articular reconstruction when indicated for high-grade capitellar OCD
      lesions. These conclusions afford sports medicine surgeons another tool in the
      treatment of this challenging condition.

PMID- 26272513
TI  - Evaluation of exposure-response relationships for health effects of microbial
      bioaerosols - A systematic review.
AB  - Studies suggest adverse health effects following exposure to bioaerosols in the
      environment and in particular at workplaces. However, there is still a lack of
      health-related exposure limits based on toxicological or epidemiological studies
      from environmental health or from the working environment. The aim of this study
      was to derive health-based exposure limits for bioaerosols that can protect the
      general population as group "at risk" via environmental exposure using analysis
      of peer-reviewed studies related to occupational medicine, indoor air and
      environmental health. The derivation of exposure limits should be conducted by
      the members of a bioaerosol expert panel according to established toxicological
      criteria. A systematic review was performed in Medline (PubMed) including studies
      containing both data on exposure measurements and observed health outcomes. In
      addition, literature recommended by the experts was considered. A comprehensive
      search strategy was generated and resulted in a total of n=1569 studies in
      combination with the literature recommendations. Subsequently, abstracts were
      screened using defined exclusion criteria yielding a final number of n=44
      studies. A standardized extraction sheet was used to combine data on health
      effects and exposure to different bioaerosols. After full-text screening and
      extraction according to the defined exclusion criteria n=20 studies were selected
      all related to occupational exposures comprising the working areas wood
      processing, farming, waste processing and others. These studies were analyzed in
      collaboration with the bioaerosol expert network in terms of suitability for
      derivation of health-related exposure limits. The bioaerosol expert network
      concluded that none of the analyzed studies provided suitable dose-response
      relationships for derivation of exposure limits. The main reasons were: (1) lack
      of studies with valid dose-response data; (2) diversity of employed measuring
      methods for microorganisms and bioaerosol-emitting facilities; (3) heterogeneity
      of health effects; (4) insufficient exposure assessment. However, several
      indicator parameters and exposure concentrations could be identified for
      different bioaerosol-emitting facilities. Nevertheless, health-related exposure
      limits are urgently needed especially in approval procedures of facilities like
      composting plants or livestock farms emitting bioaerosols in the neighbourhood of
      residents. In the regulatory toxicology framework, it is common to use animal
      experimental studies for derivation of general exposure limits if appropriate
      environmental epidemiological studies on harmful substances are lacking. This
      might be another possibility to obtain health-related exposure limits for
      specific bioaerosol parameters. Furthermore, we recommend to use suitable
      measurable outcome parameters related to bioaerosols; to measure bioaerosols
      according to a protocol representative for exposure pattern and duration at the
      particular work place; to develop standardized detection methods for indicator
      parameters; to combine different detection methods to compensate for the
      limitations of each method; to apply new analysis methods to identify the real
      risk potential. 

PMID- 26272516
TI  - Deficits in Glenohumeral Passive Range of Motion Increase Risk of Shoulder Injury
      in Professional Baseball Pitchers: A Prospective Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Shoulder injuries from repetitive baseball pitching continue to be a
      serious, common problem. PURPOSE: To determine whether passive range of motion of
      the glenohumeral joint was predictive of shoulder injury or shoulder surgery in
      professional baseball pitchers. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.
      METHODS: Passive range of motion of the glenohumeral joint was assessed with a
      bubble goniometer during spring training for all major and minor league pitchers
      of a single professional baseball organization over a period of 8 successive
      seasons (2005-2012). Investigators performed a total of 505 examinations on 296
      professional pitchers. Glenohumeral external and internal rotation was assessed
      with the pitcher supine and the arm abducted to 90 degrees  in the scapular plane
      with the scapula stabilized anteriorly at the coracoid process. Total rotation
      was defined as the sum of internal and external glenohumeral rotation. Passive
      shoulder flexion was measured with the pitcher supine and the lateral border of
      the scapula manually stabilized. After examination, shoulder injuries and injury
      durations were recorded by each pitcher's respective baseball organization and
      reported to the league as an injury transaction as each player was placed on the
      disabled list. RESULTS: Highly significant side-to-side differences were noted
      within subjects for each range of motion measurement. There were 75 shoulder
      injuries and 20 surgeries recorded among 51 pitchers, resulting in 5570 total
      days on the disabled list. Glenohumeral internal rotation deficit, total rotation
      deficit, and flexion deficit were not significantly related to shoulder injury or
      surgery. Pitchers with insufficient external rotation (<5 degrees  greater
      external rotation in the throwing shoulder) were 2.2 times more likely to be
      placed on the disabled list for a shoulder injury (P = .014; 95% CI, 1.2-4.1) and
      were 4.0 times more likely to require shoulder surgery (P = .009; 95% CI, 1.5
      12.6). CONCLUSION: Insufficient shoulder external rotation on the throwing side
      increased the likelihood of shoulder injury and shoulder surgery. Sports medicine
      clinicians should be aware of these findings and develop a preventive plan that
      addresses this study's findings to reduce pitchers' risk of shoulder injury and
      surgery.

PMID- 26272517
TI  - European Code against Cancer, 4th Edition: Tobacco and cancer.
AB  - Tobacco use, and in particular cigarette smoking, is the single largest
      preventable cause of cancer in the European Union (EU). All tobacco products
      contain a wide range of carcinogens. The main cancer-causing agents in tobacco
      smoke are polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, tobacco-specific N-nitrosamines,
      aromatic amines, aldehydes, and certain volatile organic compounds. Tobacco
      consumers are also exposed to nicotine, leading to tobacco addiction in many
      users. Cigarette smoking causes cancer in multiple organs and is the main cause
      of lung cancer, responsible for approximately 82% of cases. In 2012, about
      313,000 new cases of lung cancer and 268,000 lung cancer deaths were reported in
      the EU; 28% of adults in the EU smoked tobacco, and the overall prevalence of
      current use of smokeless tobacco products was almost 2%. Smokeless tobacco
      products, a heterogeneous category, are also carcinogenic but cause a lower
      burden of cancer deaths than tobacco smoking. One low-nitrosamine product, snus,
      is associated with much lower cancer risk than other smokeless tobacco products.
      Smoking generates second-hand smoke (SHS), an established cause of lung cancer,
      and inhalation of SHS by non-smokers is still common in indoor workplaces as well
      as indoor public places, and more so in the homes of smokers. Several
      interventions have proved effective for stopping smoking; the most effective
      intervention is the use of a combination of pharmacotherapy and behavioural
      support. Scientific evidence leads to the following two recommendations for
      individual action on tobacco in the 4th edition of the European Code Against
      Cancer: (1) "Do not smoke. Do not use any form of tobacco"; (2) "Make your home
      smoke-free. Support smoke-free policies in your workplace". 

PMID- 26272518
TI  - Promoting the early detection of cancer: a systematic review of community
      pharmacy-based education and screening interventions.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Given that the burden of cancer is set to increase globally,
      strategies are needed to improve the early detection of cancer. As such,
      increasing focus is now placed on promoting the early detection of cancer through
      education and screening interventions. One healthcare setting that has
      significant potential in delivering these approaches is the community pharmacy.
      AIMS: This study aimed to systematically review the literature to identify and
      assess the current evidence for the role of community pharmacies in delivering
      early cancer detection initiatives. METHOD: A systematic literature search of
      four databases was undertaken (Medline, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO) from inception
      to June 2015 to identify peer-reviewed intervention studies. RESULTS: A total of
      3711 articles were identified from the search, of which twelve were included in
      the review. The studies focused on a range of different cancers and showed it is
      feasible to recruit patients to education and screening interventions within a
      community pharmacy setting. However, the interventions were poorly described in
      the literature. CONCLUSION: There is significant potential for community pharmacy
      to deliver education and screening-based interventions to promote the early
      detection of cancer, but more evidence is needed to ascertain how interventions
      delivered in this setting impact on patient outcomes.

PMID- 26272519
TI  - Unique Toll-Like Receptor 4 Activation by NAMPT/PBEF Induces NFkappaB Signaling
      and Inflammatory Lung Injury.
AB  - Ventilator-induced inflammatory lung injury (VILI) is mechanistically linked to
      increased NAMPT transcription and circulating levels of nicotinamide
      phosphoribosyl-transferase (NAMPT/PBEF). Although VILI severity is attenuated by
      reduced NAMPT/PBEF bioavailability, the precise contribution of NAMPT/PBEF and
      excessive mechanical stress to VILI pathobiology is unknown. We now report that
      NAMPT/PBEF induces lung NFkappaB transcriptional activities and inflammatory
      injury via direct ligation of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Computational analysis
      demonstrated that NAMPT/PBEF and MD-2, a TLR4-binding protein essential for LPS
      induced TLR4 activation, share ~30% sequence identity and exhibit striking
      structural similarity in loop regions critical for MD-2-TLR4 binding. Unlike MD
      2, whose TLR4 binding alone is insufficient to initiate TLR4 signaling,
      NAMPT/PBEF alone produces robust TLR4 activation, likely via a protruding region
      of NAMPT/PBEF (S402-N412) with structural similarity to LPS. The identification
      of this unique mode of TLR4 activation by NAMPT/PBEF advances the understanding
      of innate immunity responses as well as the untoward events associated with
      mechanical stress-induced lung inflammation. 

PMID- 26272520
TI  - Sinus rhythm R-wave amplitude as a predictor of ventricular fibrillation
      undersensing in patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillator.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ventricular fibrillation (VF) is induced during implantable
      cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation to ensure that the ICD will sense,
      detect, and defibrillate VF. ICD implant guidelines state that the amplitude of
      the sinus rhythm R wave recorded from the ventricular electrogram should have
      amplitude >=5 mV. No study has tested the relationship between sinus rhythm R
      wave amplitude and VF sensing using modern, transvenous sensing electrodes.
      OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to determine whether there is a sinus
      rhythm R-wave amplitude cutoff that can be used to determine which patients are
      not at risk of VF undersensing. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of induced and
      spontaneous VF episodes from 2 clinical trials with 2022 patients was performed.
      Episodes with undersensing during the initial detection of VF were identified,
      and the distribution of sinus rhythm R-wave amplitudes for patients with and
      without VF undersensing was analyzed. RESULTS: Only 3% of analyzed induced VF
      episodes were considered to have VF undersensing, and none had clinically
      significant detection delays. There was no correlation between device-measured,
      rectified sinus rhythm R-wave amplitude and VF undersensing at the time of
      implantation or during follow-up, although <4% of patients had sinus rhythm R
      waves with amplitude <3 mV. CONCLUSION: We analyzed true bipolar sensing of
      induced VF or spontaneous ventricular tachycardia/VF detected in the ICD VF zone.
      Sensing of VF was so reliable that clinically significant undersensing did not
      occur. Our findings do not support any recommended minimum sinus rhythm R wave to
      ensure reliable sensing of VF or the necessity of inducing VF to verify sensing
      for rectified sinus rhythm R-waves with amplitude >=3 mV.

PMID- 26272521
TI  - Effect of mental stress on dynamic electrophysiological properties of the
      endocardium and epicardium in humans.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Striking temporal associations exist between ventricular arrhythmia
      and acute mental stress, for example, during natural disasters, or defibrillator
      shocks associated with stressful events. We hypothesized that
      electrophysiological changes in response to mental stress may be exaggerated at
      short coupling intervals and hence relevant to arrhythmia initiation. OBJECTIVE:
      The aim of this study was to determine the dynamic response in human
      electrophysiology during mental stress. METHODS: Patients with normal hearts and
      supraventricular tachycardia underwent electrophysiological studies avoiding
      sedation. Conditions of relaxation and stress were induced with standardized
      psychometric protocols (mental arithmetic and anger recall) during decremental
      S1S2 right ventricular (RV) pacing. Unipolar electrograms were acquired
      simultaneously from the RV endocardium, left ventricular (LV) endocardium (LV
      endo), and epicardium (LV epi), and activation-recovery intervals (ARIs)
      computed. RESULTS: Twelve patients ( 9 women; median age 34 years) were studied.
      During stress, effective refractory period (ERP) reduced from 228 +/- 23 to 221
      +/- 21 ms (P < .001). ARIs reduced during mental stress (P < .001), with greater
      reductions in LV endocardium than in the epicardium or RV endocardium (LV endo -8
      ms; LV epi -5 ms; RV endo -4 ms; P < .001). Mental stress depressed the entire
      electrical restitution curve, with minimal effect on slope. A substantial
      reduction in minimal ARIs on the restitution curve in LV endo occurred,
      commensurate with the reduction in ERP (LV endo ARI 195 +/- 31 ms at rest to 182
      +/- 32 ms during mental stress; P < .001). Dispersion of repolarization increased
      sharply at coupling intervals approaching ERP during stress but not at rest.
      CONCLUSION: Mental stress induces significant electrophysiological changes. The
      increase in dispersion of repolarization at short coupling intervals may be
      relevant to observed phenomena of arousal-associated arrhythmia.

PMID- 26272523
TI  - Novel measure of electrical dyssynchrony predicts response in cardiac
      resynchronization therapy: Results from the SMART-AV Trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) reduces mortality and
      morbidity in selected heart failure patients. However, not all patients respond
      to CRT. OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that a novel measure of electrical
      dyssynchrony, sum absolute QRST integral (SAI QRST), predicts CRT response
      independent of QRS duration and morphology. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed
      baseline 12-lead electrocardiograms of SmartDelay Determined AV Optimization: A
      comparison to other AV delay methods used in cardiac resynchronization therapy
      (SMART-AV) trial study participants (N = 234; mean age 67 years; 163 (70%) men;
      140 (60%) ischemic cardiomyopathy; mean left ventricular ejection fraction 25%;
      mean QRS duration 152 ms; 179 (77%) had left bundle branch block). Baseline pre
      implant electrocardiograms were digitized, transformed into orthogonal XYZ, and
      analyzed automatically by customized MATLAB software. SAI QRST was measured as an
      averaged arithmetic sum of absolute areas under the QRST curve. Patients were
      followed prospectively 6 months after CRT-defibrillator implantation. Patients
      with a decrease in left ventricular end-systolic volume >=15 mL after 6 months of
      CRT were considered responders. The logistic regression model was adjusted for
      age, sex, bundle branch block morphology, left ventricular ejection fraction,
      cardiomyopathy type, and QRS duration. RESULTS: Patients with the high mean SAI
      QRST (third tertile) had 2.5 times greater odds of response than those with the
      low mean SAI QRST (first tertile: odds ratio [OR] 2.5; 95% confidence interval
      [CI] 1.3-5.0; P = .010) and 1.9 times greater than the lower 2 tertiles combined
      (OR 1.9; 95% CI 1.1-3.5; P = .03). Adjustment for renal function (OR 2.33; 95% CI
      1.32-4.11; P = .003) and left ventricular lead position in right anterior oblique
      and left anterior oblique views (OR 1.7; 95% CI 0.9-3.2; P = .087) did not
      attenuate association of SAI QRST with outcome. CONCLUSION: High SAI QRST
      independently predicts CRT response in the SMART-AV study.

PMID- 26272524
TI  - Contact force threshold for permanent lesion formation in atrial fibrillation
      ablation: A cardiac magnetic resonance-based study to detect ablation gaps.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Catheter contact force (CF) has a strong correlation with lesion
      formation during radiofrequency ablation. Delayed-enhancement cardiac magnetic
      resonance (DE-CMR) provides lesion information in patients with prior atrial
      fibrillation (AF) ablation. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the
      CF threshold to create permanent lesions detected by DE-CMR. METHODS: A total of
      36 patients referred for AF ablation were included. A CF catheter was used during
      the ablation procedure, and DE-CMR was performed 3 months after the ablation
      procedure. Eighteen pulmonary vein (PV) segments were defined, and 3-dimensional
      (3D) reconstructions of the left atrium (LA) derived from the DE-CMR images were
      obtained. One observer evaluated the presence of any discontinuity of previous
      ablation lesions (gap) in the 3D reconstructions of the LA, and another observer
      (blinded to the gap findings) determined the minimum CF value in each PV segment.
      RESULTS: The PV segments where a gap was observed had a lower maximal CF value
      than did the segments without gap in the 3D LA reconstructions (6.7 +/- 4.4 g vs
      12.2 +/- 4.7 g; P < .001). In receiver operating characteristic analysis, a CF
      threshold of >8 g provided 73% sensitivity and 81% specificity in the prediction
      of a complete PV lesion (positive predictive value [PPV] 84%). A CF threshold of
      >12 g had a specificity of 94% and increased the PPV to 91% in creating a
      complete lesion in the LA wall (area under the curve 0.834). CONCLUSION: A CF
      threshold of >12 g H5H20 predicts a complete lesion with high specificity and PPV
      when a dragging ablation strategy is used in AF ablation.

PMID- 26272522
TI  - Incidence of abnormal positron emission tomography in patients with unexplained
      cardiomyopathy and ventricular arrhythmias: The potential role of occult
      inflammation in arrhythmogenesis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The incidence of myocardial inflammation in patients with unexplained
      cardiomyopathy referred for ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) is unknown. OBJECTIVE:
      The purpose of this study was to report fasting positron emission tomographic
      (PET) scan findings in consecutive patients referred with unexplained
      cardiomyopathy and VA. METHODS: Fluorine-18 fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (18-FDG)
      PET/computed tomographic (CT) scans with a >16-hour fasting protocol were
      prospectively ordered for patients referred for VA and unexplained cardiomyopathy
      (ejection fraction <55%). Patients with focal myocardial FDG uptake were labeled
      as arrhythmogenic inflammatory cardiomyopathy (AIC) and classified into 4 groups
      based on the presence of lymph node uptake (AIC+) and perfusion abnormalities
      (early vs late stage). RESULTS: Over a 3-year period, 103 PET scans were
      performed, with 49% (AIC+ 17, AIC 33) exhibiting focal FDG uptake. Mean patient
      age was 52 +/- 12 years (ejection fraction 36% +/- 16%). Patients with AIC were
      more likely to have a history of pacemaker (32% vs 6%, P = .002) compared to
      those with normal PET. When biopsy was performed, histologic diagnosis revealed
      nongranulomatous inflammation in 6 patients and sarcoidosis in 18 patients.
      Ninety percent of patients with AIC/AIC+ were prescribed immunosuppressive
      therapy, and 58% underwent ablation. Correlation between low voltage regions on
      electroanatomic mapping and FDG uptake was observed in 74%. Magnetic resonance
      imaging findings matched abnormal PET regions in only 40%. CONCLUSION: Nearly 50%
      of patients referred with unexplained cardiomyopathy and VA demonstrate ongoing
      focal myocardial inflammation on FDG PET. These data suggest that a significant
      proportion of patients labeled "idiopathic" may have occult AIC, which may
      benefit from early detection and immunosuppressive medical therapy.

PMID- 26272526
TI  - To the Editor--Diabetes and sudden death: Let's assess the absolute risk increase
      rather than the proportional risk from sudden cardiac death!

PMID- 26272525
TI  - Effect of cryoballoon inflation at the right superior pulmonary vein orifice on
      phrenic nerve location.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cryoballoon catheter ablation was developed to simplify ablation for
      atrial fibrillation (AF). Initial enthusiasm for its widespread use has been
      dampened by phrenic nerve (PN) injury (PNI). OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study
      was to assess the effect of cryoballoon inflation at the right superior pulmonary
      vein (RSPV) orifice on PN location and to elucidate the potential mechanism of
      PNI. METHODS: Twenty patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation underwent
      ablation performed with a second-generation 28-mm cryoballoon catheter. Before
      ablation, the pacing-determined PN course was delineated along the right atrium.
      PN location and its relation to the RSPV as well as RSPV surface distortions
      after balloon inflation were established with a NavX mapping system. RESULTS:
      During RSPV ablation, the inflated balloon surface extended anteriorly 6.3 +/-
      1.8 mm outside the RSPV. This narrowed the distance between the PN capture points
      in the RSPV vs PN location from 11.4 +/- 5.0 mm to 7.5 +/- 5.0 mm (P = .0002) and
      increased the PN capture area from 1.9 +/- 1.3 cm(2) to 3.2 +/- 1.8 cm(2) (P =
      .0004). Furthermore, the PN capture points shifted toward the orifice within the
      RSPV and after balloon inflation were located significantly closer to the orifice
      in the 3 patients with transient PNI than in those without PNI. CONCLUSION:
      Cryoballoon inflation at the RSPV orifice alters PV/left atrial surface geometry,
      reducing the distance between the energy delivery source and the PN and
      increasing PN area, possibly explaining the mechanism of PNI. PN pacing within
      the RSPV after balloon inflation may be useful for preventing PNI.

PMID- 26272528
TI  - A comparison of patients with Q fever fatigue syndrome and patients with chronic
      fatigue syndrome with a focus on inflammatory markers and possible fatigue
      perpetuating cognitions and behaviour.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Comparison of Q fever fatigue syndrome (QFS) and chronic fatigue
      syndrome (CFS) patients, with a focus on markers of inflammation and fatigue
      related cognitive-behavioural variables. METHODS: Data from two independent
      prospective studies on QFS (n=117) and CFS (n=173), respectively, were pooled and
      analyzed. RESULTS: QFS patients were less often female, had a higher BMI, and had
      less often received treatment for depression before the onset of symptoms. After
      controlling for symptom duration and correcting for differences in diagnostic
      criteria for QFS and CFS with respect to the level of impairment and the presence
      of additional symptoms, differences in the proportion of females and BMI remained
      significant. After correction, QFS patients were also significantly older. In all
      analyses QFS patients were as fatigued and distressed as CFS patients, but
      reported less additional symptoms. QFS patients had stronger somatic
      attributions, and higher levels of physical activity. No differences were found
      with regard to inflammatory markers and in other fatigue-related cognitive
      behavioural variables. The relationship between cognitive-behavioural variables
      and fatigue, previously established in CFS, could not be confirmed in QFS
      patients with the exception of the negative relationship between physical
      activity and fatigue. CONCLUSION: Differences and similarities between QFS and
      CFS patients were found. Although the relationship between perpetuating factors
      and fatigue previously established in CFS could not be confirmed in QFS patients,
      the considerable overlap in fatigue-related cognitive-behavioural variables and
      the relationship found between physical activity and fatigue may suggest that
      behavioural interventions could reduce fatigue severity in QFS patients.

PMID- 26272529
TI  - Anterior mediastinal solid tumours in adults: characterisation using dynamic
      contrast-enhanced MRI, diffusion-weighted MRI, and FDG-PET/CT.
AB  - AIM: To find significant parameters to characterise anterior mediastinal solid
      tumours in adults using dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE
      MRI), diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI), and combined 2-[(18)F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-d
      glucose positron-emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT). MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: Forty-eight histologically confirmed anterior mediastinal solid
      tumours in 48 patients (24 men, 24 women; age range 21-83 years, mean 50.7 years)
      were examined. The parameters analysed were maximal diameter, presence of
      capsule/septa on T2-weighted images, time-signal intensity curves (TICs),
      apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), and maximum standardised uptake value
      (SUVmax). Also examined was whether any differences between histological types
      could be seen in these parameters. In a validation study, 42 anterior mediastinal
      solid tumours in 42 patients were examined consecutively. RESULTS: The washout
      pattern on TIC was seen only in thymic epithelial tumours (20/32). SUVmax of
      lymphoma (mean, 17.9), malignant germ cell tumours (14.2), and thymic carcinomas
      (15.6) were significantly higher than that of thymomas (6.1). The mean maximal
      diameter of thymic epithelial tumours was significantly smaller than that of
      lymphomas (p<0.01) and malignant germ cell tumours (p<0.05). The validation study
      also yielded high accuracy (38/42, 91%) in differentiation among the anterior
      mediastinal solid tumours. CONCLUSION: The SUVmax, TIC pattern on DCE-MRI, and
      maximal diameter might be useful to differentiate anterior mediastinal solid
      tumours in adults.

PMID- 26272530
TI  - Tumour progression or pseudoprogression? A review of post-treatment radiological
      appearances of glioblastoma.
AB  - Glioblastoma (GBM) is a common brain tumour in adults, which, despite
      multimodality treatment, has a poor median survival. Efficacy of therapy is
      assessed by clinical examination and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features.
      There is now a recognised subset of treated patients with imaging features that
      indicate "progressive disease" according to Macdonald's criteria, but
      subsequently, show stabilisation or resolution without a change in treatment. In
      these cases of "pseudoprogression", it is believed that non-tumoural causes lead
      to increased contrast enhancement and conventional MRI is inadequate in
      distinguishing this from true tumour progression. Incorrect diagnosis is
      important, as failure to identify pseudoprogression could lead to an
      inappropriate change of effective therapy. The purpose of this review is to
      outline the current research into radiological assessment with MRI and molecular
      imaging of post-treatment GBMs, specifically the differentiation between
      pseudoprogression and tumour progression. 

PMID- 26272531
TI  - Does Childhood Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Predict Levels of
      Depressive Symptoms during Emerging Adulthood?
AB  - Little is known about the development and course of depressive symptoms through
      emerging adulthood among individuals with a childhood history of attention
      deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The aim of this study was to examine if a
      history of ADHD in childhood significantly predicted depressive symptoms during
      emerging adulthood (i.e., ages 18-25 years), including the initial level of
      depressive symptoms, continued levels of depressive symptoms at each age year,
      and the rate of change in depressive symptoms over time. 394 participants (205
      with ADHD and 189 without ADHD; 348 males and 46 females) drawn from the
      Pittsburgh ADHD Longitudinal Study (PALS) completed annual self-ratings of
      depressive symptoms between the ages of 18 and 25 years. Childhood history of
      ADHD significantly predicted a higher initial level of depressive symptoms at age
      18, and higher levels of depressive symptoms at every age year during emerging
      adulthood. ADHD did not significantly predict the rate of change in depressive
      symptoms from age 18 to age 25. Childhood history of ADHD remained a significant
      predictor of initial level of depressive symptoms at age 18 after controlling for
      comorbid psychiatric diagnoses, but not after controlling for concurrent ADHD
      symptoms and psychosocial impairment. Participants with childhood histories of
      ADHD experienced significantly higher levels of depressive symptoms than non-ADHD
      comparison participants by age 18 and continued to experience higher, although
      not increasing, levels of depressive symptoms through emerging adulthood.
      Clinical implications and directions for future research are discussed. 

PMID- 26272532
TI  - Effects of aldose reductase inhibitor on microneurographically assessed
      peripheral sympathetic nerve activity in rats.
AB  - Autonomic neuropathy, one of the serious complications of diabetes, decreases
      quality of life. Aldose reductase inhibitor (ARI) blocks sorbitol production, and
      results in prevention of damage of nerve fibers. Beneficial effects of ARI have
      usually been confirmed through nerve conduction velocity tests in motor and
      sensory nerves. On the other hand, few reports have dealt with the effects of ARI
      on the small fiber activity such as sympathetic nerve one. In the present study,
      we administered eparlestat, ARI orally for 3weeks, to streptozotocin-induced
      diabetic (STZ+ARI) rats, and then recorded peripheral sympathetic nervous signal
      detected with microneurographic technique. Action potentials (APs) and bursts of
      APs were detected from the recorded signal, and their rates and incidences
      (=rates/heart rate) were compared with those in non-diabetic control (normal) and
      ARI-untreated streptozotocin-induced diabetic (STZ) rats. While streptozotocin
      and/or epalrestat did not influence burst parameters in all the three groups, AP
      parameters in the STZ+ARI and normal groups were higher than those in the STZ
      group. However, response of AP parameters to the intravenous glucose
      administration (IVGA) was not large in the STZ+ARI group, similar to that of the
      STZ group and different from that of the normal group in which AP parameters
      increased after IVGA. The results suggest that epalrestat may prevent sympathetic
      nerve activity (SNA) from reduction under hyperglycemic and insulin-depleted
      conditions, that enhancement of SNA was not induced after IVGA under that
      condition, and that AP parameters might be useful to assess the degree of
      neuropathy. 

PMID- 26272533
TI  - Predictive markers, including total lesion glycolysis, for the response of lymph
      node(s) metastasis from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma treated by
      chemoradiotherapy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is used to treat cervical lymph node(s)
      metastatic head and neck cancer patients. Evaluation and treatment of lymph
      node(s) after CRT is important to improve the prognosis. METHODS: Prior to CRT,
      we determined the TNM stage by visual and imaging examinations. Metabolic tumor
      volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) were calculated from the results
      of fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET). After CRT, the
      patients were divided in two groups-complete response (CR) and non-CR-and their
      responses were compared with the clinical characteristics. RESULTS: T4, N2b, N2c
      and TLG2.5 >= 18.8 were statistically significant predictive indices before CRT.
      The odds ratio, 95 % confidence interval and p value were, respectively-T4: 2.73,
      1.15-6.51, 0.0230; N2b: 6.96, 1.50-32.3, 0.0132; N2c: 11.80, 2.37-58.50, 0.00258;
      and TLG2.5 >= 18.8: 6.25, 2.17-18.00, 0.000672. CONCLUSIONS: TLG was found to be
      a good predictive factor for metastatic lymph node(s) prior to CRT treatment.
      After CRT treatment, FDG-PET was found to be highly specific and useful for
      negative screening.

PMID- 26272534
TI  - The effects of intra-dorsal hippocampus infusion of pregnenolone sulfate on
      memory function and hippocampal BDNF mRNA expression of biliary cirrhosis-induced
      memory impairment in rats.
AB  - Learning and memory impairment is one of the most challenging complications of
      cirrhosis and present treatments are unsatisfactory. The exact mechanism of
      cirrhosis cognitive dysfunction is unknown. Pregnenolone sulfate (PREGS) is an
      excitatory neurosteroid that acts as a N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor
      agonist and GABAA receptor antagonist. In this study we evaluated the effect of
      intra CA1 infusion of PREGS on cirrhotic rats' memory function using the Y-maze
      test. Hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA expression was
      also evaluated. Three weeks after bile duct ligation (BDL) surgery, rats were
      under stereotaxic surgery for insertion of two guide cannulas in the CA1 region
      of the hippocampus. After 1-week of recovery, PREGS was administered through CA1
      cannulas in cirrhotic rats, while control or sham groups received vehicle. For
      evaluation of NMDA receptor role in memory-enhancing effects of PREGS, DL-2-Amino
      5-phosphonopentanoic acid (AP5) which is a potent and competitive antagonist of
      NMDA receptor, co-administered with PREGS and for assessment of hippocampal BDNF
      mRNA expression, quantitative Real-time reverse transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR) was
      used. Results showed that 28 days after BDL, cirrhotic animals' memory
      significantly decreased in comparison with control and sham groups, while PREGS
      infusion could restore memory impairment (P<0.05). PREGS effects on memory of
      cirrhotic rats were antagonized by DAP5. RT-PCR findings have shown that
      hippocampal relative BDNF mRNA expression was up-regulated in PREGS-treated
      groups in comparison with the BDL group (P<0.001). Our findings suggest that
      PREGS has a memory-enhancing effect in cirrhosis memory deficit in acute therapy
      and this effect may be through NMDA (glutamate) receptor involvement and BDNF
      mRNA expression.

PMID- 26272536
TI  - Effects of environmental enrichment on behavioral deficits and alterations in
      hippocampal BDNF induced by prenatal exposure to morphine in juvenile rats.
AB  - Prenatal morphine exposure throughout pregnancy can induce a series of
      neurobehavioral and neurochemical disturbances by affecting central nervous
      system development. This study was designed to investigate the effects of an
      enriched environment on behavioral deficits and changes in hippocampal brain
      derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels induced by prenatal morphine in rats.
      On pregnancy days 11-18, female Wistar rats were randomly injected twice daily
      with saline or morphine. Offspring were weaned on postnatal day (PND) 21. They
      were subjected to a standard rearing environment or an enriched environment on
      PNDs 22-50. On PNDs 51-57, the behavioral responses including anxiety and
      depression-like behaviors, and passive avoidance memory as well as hippocampal
      BDNF levels were investigated. The light/dark (L/D) box and elevated plus maze
      (EPM) were used for the study of anxiety, forced swimming test (FST) was used to
      assess depression-like behavior and passive avoidance task was used to evaluate
      learning and memory. Prenatal morphine exposure caused a reduction in time spent
      in the EPM open arms and a reduction in time spent in the lit side of the L/D
      box. It also decreased step-through latency and increased time spent in the dark
      side of passive avoidance task. Prenatal morphine exposure also reduced
      immobility time and increased swimming time in FST. Postnatal rearing in an
      enriched environment counteracted with behavioral deficits in the EPM and passive
      avoidance task, but not in the L/D box. This suggests that exposure to an
      enriched environment during adolescence period alters anxiety profile in a task
      specific manner. Prenatal morphine exposure reduced hippocampal BDNF levels, but
      enriched environment significantly increased BDNF levels in both saline- and
      morphine-exposed groups. Our results demonstrate that exposure to an enriched
      environment alleviates behavioral deficits induced by prenatal morphine exposure
      and up-regulates the decreased levels of BDNF. BDNF may contribute to the
      beneficial effects of an enriched environment on prenatal morphine-exposed to
      rats. 

PMID- 26272537
TI  - Can Listeners Hear Who Is Singing? The Role of Familiarity.
AB  - OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS: This study sought to determine whether familiarity with
      voices increases discrimination of voices across pitch intervals. STUDY DESIGN:
      This is a between-group design. METHODS: This study used a forced-choice paradigm
      where listeners heard two different singers (singer 1 and singer 2) producing
      /alpha/ at the identical pitch and an unknown singer (either singer 1 or singer
      2) producing /alpha/ at a different pitch. Listeners had to identify which singer
      was the unknown singer. Two baritones and two tenors were recorded producing
      /alpha/ at the pitches C3, E3, G3, B3, D4, and F4. Two sopranos and two mezzo
      sopranos were recorded producing /alpha/ at the pitches C4, E4, G4, B4, D5, and
      F5. For each group of stimuli, male and female, all possible pairs of singers
      were constructed for the lowest pitch (C2 or C3, respectively) and for the
      highest pitch (F4 or F5, respectively). The unknown singer was varied across the
      remaining pitches. Participants in group 1 completed a training session where
      they were familiarized with the voices being tested. Participants in group 2 did
      not. RESULTS: Training did not significantly improve the ability to discriminate
      voices when the voices being compared were of the same voice category. However,
      training did significantly improve the ability to discriminate voices when the
      voices being compared were of different voice categories even when training
      lasted as little as 5 minutes. CONCLUSIONS: Small amount of exposure to human
      voices results in voice category formation but does not result in the formation
      of models of individual voices.

PMID- 26272535
TI  - The placebo effect: From concepts to genes.
AB  - Despite its initial treatment as a nuisance variable, the placebo effect is now
      recognized as a powerful determinant of health across many different diseases and
      encounters. This is in light of some remarkable findings ranging from
      demonstrations that the placebo effect significantly modulates the response to
      active treatments in conditions such as pain, anxiety, Parkinson's disease, and
      some surgical procedures. Here, we review pioneering studies and recent advances
      in behavioral, neurobiological, and genetic influences on the placebo effect.
      Consistent with recent conceptualizations, the placebo effect is presented as the
      product of a general expectancy learning mechanism in which verbal, conditioned,
      and social cues are centrally integrated to change behaviors and outcomes.
      Examples of the integration of verbal and conditioned cues, such as instructed
      reversal of placebo effects are also incorporated into this model. We discuss
      neuroimaging studies that have identified key brain regions and modulatory
      mechanisms underlying placebo effects using well-established behavioral
      paradigms. Finally, we present a synthesis of recent genetics studies on the
      placebo effect, highlighting a promising link between genetic variants in the
      dopamine, opioid, serotonin, and endocannabinoid pathways and placebo
      responsiveness. Greater understanding of the behavioral, neurobiological, and
      genetic influences on the placebo effect is critical for evaluating medical
      interventions and may allow health professionals to tailor and personalize
      interventions in order to maximize treatment outcomes in clinical settings. 

PMID- 26272538
TI  - Laryngeal Side Effects of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are common targeted drugs, used in
      the treatment of hematological and solid malignancies. These drugs present a
      multitude of potential adverse effects. Laryngeal manifestations, including
      laryngeal edema, secondary to TKIs treatment have not been well studied, despite
      their potential lethality. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included adult
      patients (>18 years) treated with TKIs who were followed in a secondary medical
      center and underwent a voluntary otolaryngological examination, which included
      laryngeal fiber-optic laryngoscopy (FOL). FOL was independently performed by two
      senior otolaryngologists, and results were recorded and evaluated by two grading
      systems, to assess the degree of laryngeal edema. In addition, medical files were
      reviewed, and data collected included past medical history, signs and symptoms,
      physical examination, laboratory results, treatment type, and duration. RESULTS:
      Sixteen patients, aged 68.2 +/- 13.6 years, were examined during October 2014 to
      December 2014. Of them, three (19%) were males. Eleven (68%) patients presented
      with varying degrees of laryngeal edema. A significant correlation was found
      between gastroesophageal reflux symptoms and laryngeal edema (P = 0.02). TKI
      treatment was stopped in one patient, because of symptomatic laryngeal edema,
      which completely resolved within 2 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Laryngeal edema was common
      in our study group. This edema was most often not life threatening. Yet, because
      of the potential severity of this side effect, we propose a routine FOL
      examination of patients before commencing TKI treatment and a reevaluation
      performed during treatment.

PMID- 26272539
TI  - Sex Differences in Depression: Does Inflammation Play a Role?
AB  - Women become depressed more frequently than men, a consistent pattern across
      cultures. Inflammation plays a key role in initiating depression among a subset
      of individuals, and depression also has inflammatory consequences. Notably, women
      experience higher levels of inflammation and greater autoimmune disease risk
      compared to men. In the current review, we explore the bidirectional relationship
      between inflammation and depression and describe how this link may be
      particularly relevant for women. Compared to men, women may be more vulnerable to
      inflammation-induced mood and behavior changes. For example, transient elevations
      in inflammation prompt greater feelings of loneliness and social disconnection
      for women than for men, which can contribute to the onset of depression. Women
      also appear to be disproportionately affected by several factors that elevate
      inflammation, including prior depression, somatic symptomatology, interpersonal
      stressors, childhood adversity, obesity, and physical inactivity. Relationship
      distress and obesity, both of which elevate depression risk, are also more
      strongly tied to inflammation for women than for men. Taken together, these
      findings suggest that women's susceptibility to inflammation and its mood effects
      may contribute to sex differences in depression. Depression continues to be a
      leading cause of disability worldwide, with women experiencing greater risk than
      men. Due to the depression-inflammation connection, these patterns may promote
      additional health risks for women. Considering the impact of inflammation on
      women's mental health may foster a better understanding of sex differences in
      depression, as well as the selection of effective depression treatments. 

PMID- 26272541
TI  - Psychometric integrity of the Chinese Happiness Inventory among retired older
      people in Taiwan.
AB  - AIM: Happiness is an important indicator of mental and physical health. It has
      been emphasized as one kind of well-being, and its definition varies from culture
      to culture. The main objective of the present study was to examine the
      psychometric integrity and dimensions of the Chinese Happiness Inventory (CHI) in
      relation to scores on Ryff's Psychological Well-Being Scale among retired older
      people in Taiwan. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out at social
      service centers in Taipei, Taiwan. Retired adults gave informed consent from
      September to November 2010, and completed a package of structured questionnaires
      measuring happiness and psychological well-being. Internal consistency, the
      factor structure of the CHI and criterion validity were assessed. RESULTS:
      Results from an exploratory factor analysis showed a three-factor solution for
      the CHI. These factors were named Positive Affect, Life Satisfaction and
      Interpersonal Relationships. Internal consistency coefficients were 0.95
      (Positive Affect), 0.91 (Life Satisfaction), 0.85 (Interpersonal Relationships)
      and 0.97 (total scale). The results of a canonical correlation analysis showed
      the presence of a strong relationship between CHI and Ryff's Psychological Well
      Being Scale (r = 0.69), and that two canonical variates could be derived from the
      relationship between them. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that the CHI is a three
      dimensional scale with high reliability and validity. The construct of happiness
      emphasizes relationships in relation to others and environment rather than
      autonomy in this sample. Although the components of happiness might be similar
      for Positive Affect and Life Satisfaction, their weights for Interpersonal
      Relationships should be considered when measuring happiness in different
      cultures. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16: 865-872.

PMID- 26272540
TI  - Neuroimaging the Menstrual Cycle and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder.
AB  - Knowledge of gonadal hormone-related influences on human brain anatomy, function,
      and chemistry is scarce. The present review scrutinized organizational and
      functional neuroimaging correlates of the menstrual cycle and premenstrual
      dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Supportive evidence of cyclic short-term structural
      and functional brain plasticity in response to gonadal hormonal modulation is
      provided. The paucity of studies, sparsity and discordance of findings, and
      weaknesses in study design at present hinder the drawing of firm conclusions.
      Ideal study designs should comprise high-resolution multimodal neuroimaging
      (e.g., MRI, DTI, rs-fMRI, fMRI, PET), hormones, genetic, and behavioral
      longitudinal assessments of healthy women and PMDD patients at critical time
      points of the menstrual cycle phase (i.e., early follicular phase, late
      follicular phase, mid-luteal phase) in a counter-balanced setup. Studies
      integrating large-scale brain network structural, functional, and molecular
      neuroimaging, as well as treatment data, will deepen the understanding of neural
      state, disorder, and treatment markers. 

PMID- 26272542
TI  - Overview: Core technical elements for early product development, evaluation, and
      control of human cell-based products.
AB  - Essential scientific elements for early product development, evaluation, and
      control of human cell-based products for cell therapy are addressed in a
      comprehensive and unifying way. Among them, donor issues (autologous and
      allogeneic), testing of raw materials, cell banking and cell substrate
      characterization, testing for adventitious agents (viral safety), and product
      sterility are very much related to each other. A significant amount of expertise
      exists in these areas both for traditional biologicals as well as for
      biotechnology products. Thus, core principles/concepts as well as the testing
      methodologies are already well defined. Other critical technical elements that
      are essential but need further discussion in terms of relevant regulatory
      requirements and testing methods are touched upon very briefly and followed by a
      detailed discussion (elsewhere). 

PMID- 26272543
TI  - Scanning EM of non-heavy metal stained biosamples: Large-field of view, high
      contrast and highly efficient immunolabeling.
AB  - Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is increasing its application in life sciences
      for electron density measurements of ultrathin sections. These are traditionally
      analyzed with transmission electron microscopy (TEM); by most labs, SEM analysis
      still is associated with surface imaging only. Here we report several advantages
      of SEM for thin sections over TEM, both for structural inspection, as well as
      analyzing immuno-targeted labels such as quantum dots (QDs) and gold, where we
      find that QD-labeling is ten times more efficient than gold-labeling.
      Furthermore, we find that omitting post-staining with uranyl and lead leads to
      QDs readily detectable over the ultrastructure, but under these conditions
      ultrastructural contrast was even almost invisible in TEM examination.
      Importantly, imaging in SEM with STEM detection leads to both outstanding QDs and
      ultrastructural contrast. STEM imaging is superior over back-scattered electron
      imaging of these non-contrasted samples, whereas secondary electron detection
      cannot be used at all. We conclude that examination of ultrathin sections by SEM,
      which may be immunolabeled with QDs, will allow rapid and straightforward
      analysis of large fields with more efficient labeling than can be achieved with
      immunogold. The large fields of view routinely achieved with SEM, but not with
      TEM, allows straightforward raw data sharing using virtual microscopy, also known
      as nanotomy when this concerns EM data in the life sciences. 

PMID- 26272544
TI  - Role of c-Jun N-terminal kinase in the osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation
      of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells.
AB  - Although previous studies have characterized the osteogenic potential of adipose
      derived mesenchymal stem cells (AMSCs) in vitro and in vivo, the molecular
      mechanism involved remains to be fully determined. Previously, we demonstrated
      that the ERK pathway plays an important role in osteogenesis and regulation of
      the balance between osteogenesis and adipogenesis. Here, we explored the possible
      role of JNKs in osteogenesis and adipogenesis of AMSCs. JNK activation in osteo
      induced AMSCs was initiated at 15 min, peaked at 30 min, and declined from 45 min
      to basal levels. Inhibition of the JNK signaling pathway using SP600125 blocked
      osteogenic differentiation in a dose-dependent manner, which was revealed by an
      ALP activity assay, extracellular calcium deposition detection, and expression of
      osteogenesis-relative genes (Runx2, ALP, and OCN) via RT-PCR and real-time PCR.
      However, blockage of JNK did not induce a switch between osteogenesis and
      adipogenesis of AMSCs in the presence of dexamethasone, which is different from
      that of blockage of ERK. Significantly, the blockage of JNK activation in adipo
      induced AMSCs by SP600125 stimulated adipogenic differentiation, which was
      confirmed by Oil Red O staining to detect intracellular lipid droplets, and RT
      PCR and real-time PCR analysis for expression of adipogenesis-relative genes
      (PPARgamma2 and aP2). This study suggested a potential function of the JNK
      pathway in committing osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of AMSCs in
      vitro. However, blockage of the JNK pathway is not sufficient to induce a switch
      from osteogenesis to adipogenesis of AMSCs.

PMID- 26272545
TI  - The effect of health insurance on workers' compensation filing: Evidence from the
      affordable care act's age-based threshold for dependent coverage.
AB  - This paper identifies the effect of health insurance on workers' compensation
      (WC) filing for young adults by implementing a regression discontinuity design
      using WC medical claims data from Texas. The results suggest health insurance
      factors into the decision to have WC pay for discretionary care. The implied
      instrumental variables estimates suggest a ten-percentage-point decrease in
      health insurance coverage increases WC bills by 15.3 percent. Despite the large
      impact of health insurance on the number of WC bills, the additional cost to WC
      at age 26 appears to be small as most of the increase comes from small bills. 

PMID- 26272546
TI  - Aortic Dissection Presenting as "Hysteria".
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients with medical conditions may present with psychiatric
      symptoms, which may lead to worse physical health care. Here we present the case
      of a patient with acute aortic dissection masked by psychiatric symptoms after a
      stressful event. CASE REPORT: A 29-year-old female medical student presented to
      the Emergency Department (ED) complaining about the feeling of "hysteria" after
      an argument with her boyfriend earlier the same day. She did not report other
      symptoms or pain. Careful physical examination, initially impeded by the
      patient's agitation, revealed pulseless extremities. Blood gas analysis showed
      metabolic acidosis. Transthoracic echocardiography and computed tomography
      ultimately led to the correct diagnosis: Stanford Type-A aortic dissection. WHY
      SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Medical conditions requiring
      acute diagnostic work-up and therapy may present with psychiatric symptoms.
      Increased awareness and the use of standardized operating procedures in the ED
      may prevent fatal misdiagnoses in these patients.

PMID- 26272547
TI  - Chinese Medicine Amygdalin and beta-Glucosidase Combined with Antibody Enzymatic
      Prodrug System As A Feasible Antitumor Therapy.
AB  - Amarogentin is an efficacious Chinese herbal medicine and a component of the
      bitter apricot kernel. It is commonly used as an expectorant and supplementary
      anti-cancer drug. beta-Glucosidase is an enzyme that hydrolyzes the glycosidic
      bond between aryl and saccharide groups to release glucose. Upon their
      interaction, beta-glucosidase catalyzes amarogentin to produce considerable
      amounts of hydrocyanic acid, which inhibits cytochrome C oxidase, the terminal
      enzyme in the mitochondrial respiration chain, and suspends adenosine
      triphosphate synthesis, resulting in cell death. Hydrocyanic acid is a cell-cycle
      stage-nonspecific agent that kills cancer cells. Thus, beta-glucosidase can be
      coupled with a tumor-specific monoclonal antibody. beta-Glucosidase can combine
      with cancer-cell-surface antigens and specifically convert amarogentin to an
      active drug that acts on cancer cells and the surrounding antibodies to achieve a
      killing effect. beta-Glucosidase is injected intravenously and recognizes cancer
      cell-surface antigens with the help of an antibody. The prodrug amarogentin is
      infused after beta-glucosidase has reached the target position. Coupling of cell
      membrane peptides with beta-glucosidase allows the enzyme to penetrate capillary
      endothelial cells and clear extracellular deep solid tumors to kill the cells
      therein. The Chinese medicine amarogentin and beta-glucosidase will become an
      important treatment for various tumors when an appropriate monoclonal antibody is
      developed.

PMID- 26272549
TI  - Panax ginseng inhibits intestinal absorption of toxic Aconitum carmichaeli
      alkaloids in Vitro.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the rationality and compatibility of Shenfu Formula (,
      SFF), a typical Chinese medicine (CM) comprised of Panax ginseng and Aconitum
      carmichaeli. METHODS: Caco-2 cells were used to study the permeability of
      Aconitum carmichaeli marker compounds when the CM preparation was combined with
      Panax ginseng. P-glycoprotein (P-gp) activity and protein as well as multidrug
      resistance 1 (MDR1) mRNA were analyzed with rhodamine123 efflflux, western blot
      and real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Aconitine (AC),
      mesaconitine (MA), hypaconitine (HA) and fifive other active alkaloids in
      Aconitum carmichaeli were selected as marker compounds. Panax ginseng inhibited
      intestinal absorption of highly toxic AC, MA and HA from Aconitum carmichaeli in
      Caco-2 cells. P-gp and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) were observed to
      be involved in AC, MA and HA efflflux. Panax ginseng induced P-gp activity in
      Caco-2 cells via increased MDR1/P-gp expression. Thus, Panax ginseng facilitated
      P-gp-mediated efflflux of toxic Aconitum carmichaeli alkaloids and restricted
      their intestinal absorption without inflfluencing other active components.
      CONCLUSION: Future studies to elucidate mechanism of reduced toxicity of Aconitum
      carmichaeli when combined with Panax ginseng will guide future formula
      optimization.

PMID- 26272548
TI  - Clinical study of pai-neng-da capsule in the treatment of chronic aplastic
      anemia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Pai-Neng-Da Capsule (panaxadiol
      saponins component, PND), a new Chinese patent medicine, on patients with chronic
      aplastic anemia (CAA) and to explore the optimal therapeutic regimen for CAA.
      METHOD: A total of 36 patients with CAA were enrolled and divided into three
      groups: the AP group (20 cases, andriol 120 mg/day + PND 240 mg/day), the ACP
      group (13 cases, andriol 120 mg/day + cyclosporine 3-6 mg kd(-1) day(-1) + PND
      240 mg/day), and the PND group (3 cases, PND 240 mg/day). All patients were
      treated and followed up for 6 months. Peripheral blood counts, renal and hepatic
      function and Chinese medical (CM) symptoms of patients were assessed and all
      indices were gathered at the beginning and end of the study. RESULT: In the AP
      group, no significant hematologic difference was observed at the end of 6-month
      treatment comparing with the beginning. In the ACP group, the blood counts were
      maintained at the same level after the 6-month treatment. In the PND group,
      trilineage hematologic improvement was displayed at the end of 6-month treatment
      comparing with the beginning. No significant difference was showed in renal and
      hepatic function in all patients. All patients' clinical symptom improved
      according to CM symptom score. The effective rates were 95%, 73% and 100%,
      respectively. CONCLUSION: PND improved the efficacy and decreased side effects by
      cutting down the dosage of andriol, and it could also improve patients' clinical
      symptom and quality of life. PND were effective and safe in the treatment of CAA,
      it could be used alone or in combination with pharmacological agents such as
      andriol and cyclosporine.

PMID- 26272550
TI  - In Vitro Angiogenesis Effect of Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction () and Vascular Endothelial
      Growth Factor: A Comparison Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the angiogenesis behaviors of vascular endothelial growth
      factor (VEGF) and Chinese medicine Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction (, XZD) treatments.
      METHODS: Human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1) were treated with various
      concentrations of either XZD-containing serum (XZD-CS) or VEGF for 24, 48, and 72
      h, respectively. Cell viability, proliferation, migration, adhesion, and in vitro
      tube formation assays were used to assess their angiogenic effects. RESULTS: VEGF
      promoted all cellular phases involved in angiogenesis including cell viability,
      proliferation, migration, adhesion, and tube formation (<0.05 or <0.01). Unlike
      the continuous promotion effects of VEGF at the above stages, XZD inhibited cell
      viability and proliferation (<0.05 or <0.01) and only promoted tube formation in
      the early phase of angiogenesis (<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: These two medications
      promote different angiogenesis behaviors, which might be an important reason for
      their distinct therapeutic profile in clinical usage.

PMID- 26272552
TI  - UV-B-Induced CPD Photolyase Gene Expression is Regulated by UVR8-Dependent and 
      Independent Pathways in Arabidopsis.
AB  - Plants have evolved various mechanisms that protect against the harmful effects
      of UV-B radiation (280-315 nm) on growth and development. Cyclobutane pyrimidine
      dimer (CPD) photolyase, the repair enzyme for UV-B-induced CPDs, is essential for
      protecting cells from UV-B radiation. Expression of the CPD photolyase gene (PHR)
      is controlled by light with various wavelengths including UV-B, but the
      mechanisms of this regulation remain poorly understood. In this study, we
      investigated the regulation of PHR expression by light with various wavelengths,
      in particular low-fluence UV-B radiation (280 nm, 0.2 umol m(-2) s(-1)), in
      Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings grown under light-dark cycles for 7 d and then
      adapted to the dark for 3 d. Low-fluence UV-B radiation induced CPDs but not
      reactive oxygen species. AtPHR expression was effectively induced by UV-B, UV-A
      (375 nm) and blue light. Expression induced by UV-A and blue light was
      predominantly regulated by the cryptochrome-dependent pathway, whereas
      phytochromes A and B played a minor but noticeable role. Expression induced by UV
      B was predominantly regulated by the UVR8-dependent pathway. AtPHR expression was
      also mediated by a UVR8-independent pathway, which is correlated with CPD
      accumulation induced by UV-B radiation. These results indicate that Arabidopsis
      has evolved diverse mechanisms to regulate CPD photolyase expression by multiple
      photoreceptor signaling pathways, including UVR8-dependent and -independent
      pathways, as protection against harmful effects of UV-B radiation. 

PMID- 26272551
TI  - Expression of Cyanobacterial Acyl-ACP Reductase Elevates the Triacylglycerol
      Level in the Red Alga Cyanidioschyzon merolae.
AB  - Nitrogen starvation is known to induce the accumulation of triacylglycerol (TAG)
      in many microalgae, and potential use of microalgae as a source of biofuel has
      been explored. However, nitrogen starvation also stops cellular growth. The
      expression of cyanobacterial acyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) reductase in the
      unicellular red alga Cyanidioschyzon merolae chloroplasts resulted in an
      accumulation of TAG, which led to an increase in the number and size of lipid
      droplets while maintaining cellular growth. Transcriptome and metabolome analyses
      showed that the expression of acyl-ACP reductase altered the activities of
      several metabolic pathways. The activities of enzymes involved in fatty acid
      synthesis in chloroplasts, such as acetyl-CoA carboxylase and pyruvate
      dehydrogenase, were up-regulated, while pyruvate decarboxylation in mitochondria
      and the subsequent consumption of acetyl-CoA by the tricarboxylic acid (TCA)
      cycle were down-regulated. Aldehyde dehydrogenase, which oxidizes fatty aldehydes
      to fatty acids, was also up-regulated in the acyl-ACP reductase expresser. This
      activation was required for the lipid droplet accumulation and metabolic changes
      observed in the acyl-ACP reductase expresser. Nitrogen starvation also resulted
      in lipid droplet accumulation in C. merolae, while cell growth ceased as in the
      case of other algal species. The metabolic changes that occur upon the expression
      of acyl-ACP reductase are quite different from those caused by nitrogen
      starvation. Therefore, there should be a method for further increasing the
      storage lipid level while still maintaining cell growth that is different from
      the metabolic response to nitrogen starvation. 

PMID- 26272553
TI  - Convoluted Plasma Membrane Domains in the Green Alga Chara are Depleted of
      Microtubules and Actin Filaments.
AB  - Charasomes are convoluted plasma membrane domains in the green alga Chara
      australis. They harbor H(+)-ATPases involved in acidification of the medium,
      which facilitates carbon uptake required for photosynthesis. In this study we
      investigated the distribution of cortical microtubules and cortical actin
      filaments in relation to the distribution of charasomes. We found that
      microtubules and actin filaments were largely lacking beneath the charasomes,
      suggesting the absence of nucleating and/or anchoring complexes or an inhibitory
      effect on polymerization. We also investigated the influence of cytoskeleton
      inhibitors on the light-dependent growth and the darkness-induced degradation of
      charasomes. Inhibition of cytoplasmic streaming by cytochalasin D significantly
      inhibited charasome growth and delayed charasome degradation, whereas
      depolymerization of microtubules by oryzalin or stabilization of microtubules by
      paclitaxel had no effect. Our data indicate that the membrane at the cytoplasmic
      surface of charasomes has different properties in comparison with the smooth
      plasma membrane. We show further that the actin cytoskeleton is necessary for
      charasome growth and facilitates charasome degradation presumably via trafficking
      of secretory and endocytic vesicles, respectively. However, microtubules are
      required neither for charasome growth nor for charasome degradation. 

PMID- 26272554
TI  - Mapping the pulmonary environment of animals protected from virulent H1N1
      influenza infection using the TLR-2 agonist Pam2Cys.
AB  - We have previously shown that intranasal administration of the Toll-like receptor
      2 agonist, S-(2,3-bis(palmitoyloxy)propyl) cysteine (Pam2Cys), provides immediate
      and antigen independent protection against challenge with influenza virus. Here
      we characterize the cellular pulmonary environments of mice which had either been
      treated with Pam2Cys or placebo and then challenged with influenza virus. We show
      that Pam2Cys treatment results in the influx of innate immune cells into the
      lungs and that depletion of phagocytic cells from this influx using clodronate
      loaded liposomes caused a reduction in the number of interstitial macrophages and
      monocytes. This resulted in abolition of the protective effect indicating the
      importance of this cellular subset in Pam2Cys-mediated protection. 

PMID- 26272556
TI  - Draft Genome Sequence of "Candidatus Hepatoplasma crinochetorum" Ps, a Bacterial
      Symbiont in the Hepatopancreas of the Terrestrial Isopod Porcellio scaber.
AB  - "Candidatus Hepatoplasma crinochetorum" Ps is an extracellular symbiont residing
      in the hepatopancreas of the terrestrial isopod Porcellio scaber. Its genome is
      highly similar to that of the close relative "Ca. Hepatoplasma crinochetorum" Av
      from Armadillidium vulgare. However, instead of a clustered regularly interspaced
      short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-Cas system, it encodes a type I restriction
      modification system. 

PMID- 26272555
TI  - IL-7 induces clathrin-mediated endocytosis of CD127 and subsequent degradation by
      the proteasome in primary human CD8 T cells.
AB  - Interleukin-7 (IL-7), a key immunoregulatory cytokine, plays an essential role in
      peripheral T-cell homeostasis and function. Signaling via the IL-7 receptor is
      tightly regulated and we and others have shown IL-7 provides negative feedback on
      its own signaling by downregulating expression of the IL-7 receptor alpha-chain
      (CD127) through both suppression of CD127 gene transcription and by
      internalization of existing CD127 proteins from the cell membrane. We show here
      for the first time in primary human CD8 T cells that upon stimulation with IL-7,
      CD127 is internalized through clathrin-coated pits, a process dependent on both
      lipid-raft formation and the activity of dynamin. As visualized by confocal
      microscopy, CD127 shows increased co-localization with clathrin within 5 min of
      IL-7 stimulation and within 15-30 min is seen in multiple intracellular punctae
      co-localizing with the early endosomal marker EEA1. By 2 h after addition of IL
      7, CD127 staining associates with the late endosomal marker RAB7 and with the
      proteasomal 20S subunit. By inducing receptor internalization and translocation
      from early endosomes to the proteasome, IL-7 directly influences its receptor
      density on the cell surface and thus regulates the intensity of its own signaling
      cascades. Given the important role IL-7 plays in T-cell development, homeostasis
      and function, deciphering how expression of its receptor is controlled on the
      cell surface is essential in understanding how T-cell activity can be regulated
      in different microenvironments and in response to different pathogens.

PMID- 26272557
TI  - Complete Genome Sequence of Phytopathogenic Pectobacterium atrosepticum
      Bacteriophage Peat1.
AB  - Pectobacterium atrosepticum is a common phytopathogen causing significant
      economic losses worldwide. To develop a biocontrol strategy for this blackleg
      pathogen of solanaceous plants, P. atrosepticum bacteriophage Peat1 was isolated
      and its genome completely sequenced. Interestingly, morphological and sequence
      analyses of the 45,633-bp genome revealed that phage Peat1 is a member of the
      family Podoviridae and most closely resembles the Klebsiella pneumoniae
      bacteriophage KP34. This is the first published complete genome sequence of a
      phytopathogenic P. atrosepticum bacteriophage, and details provide important
      information for the development of biocontrol by advancing our understanding of
      phage-phytopathogen interactions. 

PMID- 26272558
TI  - Complete Genome Sequence of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus
      KOR/KNIH/002_05_2015, Isolated in South Korea.
AB  - The full genome sequence of a Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS
      CoV) was identified from cultured and isolated in Vero cells. The viral genome
      sequence has high similarity to 53 human MERS-CoVs, ranging from 99.5% to 99.8%
      at the nucleotide level. 

PMID- 26272559
TI  - Draft Genome Sequences of Ralstonia solanacearum Race 3 Biovar 2 Strains with
      Different Temperature Adaptations.
AB  - Ralstonia solanacearum race 3 biovar 2 (R3bv2) causes brown rot of potato in
      countries with temperate climates. Here, we report two draft genome sequences of
      R. solanacearum R3bv2 NCPPB909 and CFIA906 with different temperature
      adaptations. Analysis of these genome sequences will provide detailed insight on
      virulence, functionality, and plant/pest interactions of this widely distributed
      and regulated pathogen. 

PMID- 26272560
TI  - Complete Genome Sequence of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS
      CoV) from the First Imported MERS-CoV Case in China.
AB  - On 26 May 2015, an imported Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS
      CoV) was identified in Guangdong Province, China, and found to be closely related
      to the MERS-CoV strain prevalent in South Korea. The full genome of the ChinaGD01
      strain was sequenced and analyzed to investigate the epidemiology and evolution
      of MERS-CoV circulating in South Korea and China. 

PMID- 26272561
TI  - Draft Genome Sequence of Bacillus ginsengihumi Strain M2.11 with Phytase
      Activity.
AB  - This paper announces the genome sequence of Bacillus ginsengihumi strain M2.11,
      which has been characterized as a strain which produces the enzyme with the
      ability to degrade phytase. The genome of the strain M2.11 is 3.7 Mb and harbors
      3,082 coding sequences. 

PMID- 26272562
TI  - Complete Genome Sequence of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Strain Co1-6, a Plant
      Growth-Promoting Rhizobacterium of Calendula officinalis.
AB  - The genome sequence of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain Co1-6, a plant growth
      promoting rhizobacterium (PGPR) with broad-spectrum antagonistic activity against
      plant-pathogenic fungi, bacteria, and nematodes, consists of a single 3.9-Mb
      circular chromosome. The genome reveals genes putatively responsible for its
      promising biocontrol and PGP properties. 

PMID- 26272563
TI  - Genome Sequences of Three Oenococcus oeni Strains Isolated from Maipo Valley,
      Chile.
AB  - Oenococcus oeni is part of the microbial terroir involved in wine production.
      Here, we present three genome sequences of O. oeni strains isolated from
      spontaneous malolactic fermentation of cultivar Cabernet Sauvignon Maipo Valley,
      Chile. 

PMID- 26272564
TI  - Draft Genome Sequence of Multidrug-Resistant Enterococcus faecium Clinical
      Isolate VRE3, with a Sequence Type 16 Pattern and Novel Structural Arrangement of
      Tn1546.
AB  - Multidrug-resistant Enterococcus faecium has emerged as a nosocomial pathogen
      that may infect the body at various sites, including the gastrointestinal tract,
      and has serious implications in human health and disease. Here, we present the
      draft genome sequence of clinical strain VRE3, which exhibited a sequence type 16
      (ST16) pattern and carried truncated Tn1546, a mobile genetic element encoding a
      high level of vancomycin resistance. 

PMID- 26272565
TI  - Draft Genome Sequence of the Picocyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. Strain GFB01,
      Isolated from a Freshwater Lagoon in the Brazilian Amazon.
AB  - We present the draft genome of the cyanobacterium strain Synechococcus sp. GFB01,
      the first genome sequencing of this genus isolated from South America. This draft
      genome consists of 125 contigs with a total size of 2,339,812 bp. Automatic
      annotation identified several genes involved with heavy metal resistance and
      natural transformation. 

PMID- 26272566
TI  - Complete Genome Sequence of the Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus Variant
      Tottori2/JPN/2014.
AB  - Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is a cause of diarrhea outbreaks at swine
      farms, causing vomiting, severe diarrhea, and mortality in piglets. We sequenced
      and analyzed the complete genome of recently isolated strains. Tottori2/JPN/2014,
      one of the sequenced PEDV strains, had a unique large deletion in the S gene. 

PMID- 26272567
TI  - Complete Genome Sequences of Low-Passage Virulent and High-Passage Avirulent
      Variants of Pathogenic Leptospira interrogans Serovar Manilae Strain UP-MMC-NIID,
      Originally Isolated from a Patient with Severe Leptospirosis, Determined Using
      PacBio Single-Molecule Real-Time Technology.
AB  - Here, we report the complete genome sequences of low-passage virulent and high
      passage avirulent variants of pathogenic Leptospira interrogans serovar Manilae
      strain UP-MMC-NIID, a major causative agent of leptospirosis. While there were no
      major differences between the genome sequences, the levels of base modifications
      were higher in the avirulent variant. 

PMID- 26272568
TI  - Draft Genome Sequence and Annotation of Phyllosphere-Persisting Salmonella
      enterica subsp. enterica Serovar Livingstone Strain CKY-S4, Isolated from an
      Urban Lake in Regina, Canada.
AB  - Here, we report the first draft genome sequence of Salmonella enterica subsp.
      enterica serovar Livingstone. This S. Livingstone strain CKY-S4 displayed biofilm
      formation and cellulose production and could persist on lettuce. This genome may
      help the study of mechanisms by which enteric pathogens colonize food crops. 

PMID- 26272569
TI  - Genome Sequence and Annotation of Trichoderma parareesei, the Ancestor of the
      Cellulase Producer Trichoderma reesei.
AB  - The filamentous fungus Trichoderma parareesei is the asexually reproducing
      ancestor of Trichoderma reesei, the holomorphic industrial producer of cellulase
      and hemicellulase. Here, we present the genome sequence of the T. parareesei type
      strain CBS 125925, which contains genes for 9,318 proteins. 

PMID- 26272570
TI  - Complete Genome Sequence of Staphylococcus aureus FCFHV36, a Methicillin
      Resistant Strain Heterogeneously Resistant to Vancomycin.
AB  - We report here the sequence of the entire chromosome of Staphylococcus aureus
      strain FCFHV36, a methicillin-resistant strain heterogeneously intermediate to
      vancomycin, bearing a type II staphylococcal chromosome cassette mec element
      (SCCmec), belonging to multilocus sequence type (MLST) 105, and isolated from a
      vertebra of a patient with osteomyelitis. 

PMID- 26272571
TI  - Complete Genome Sequence of Paenibacillus sp. Strain VT 400, Isolated from the
      Saliva of a Child with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
AB  - We report here the complete genome sequence of spore-forming Paenibacillus sp.
      strain VT 400, isolated from the saliva of a child with acute lymphoblastic
      leukemia. The genome consists of 6,986,122 bp, with a G+C content of 45.8%. It
      possesses 5,777 predicted protein-coding genes encoding multidrug resistance
      transporters, virulence factors, and resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs. 

PMID- 26272572
TI  - Draft Genome Sequence of Lactobacillus fermentum NB-22.
AB  - We announce here a draft genome sequence of Lactobacillus fermentum NB-22, a
      strain isolated from human vaginal microbiota. The assembled sequence consists of
      190 contigs, joined into 137 scaffolds, and the total size is 2.01 Mb. 

PMID- 26272573
TI  - Metagenome Sequencing of the Greater Kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) Rumen
      Microbiome.
AB  - Ruminant herbivores utilize a symbiotic relationship with microorganisms in their
      rumen to exploit fibrous foods for nutrition. We report the metagenome sequences
      of the greater kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) rumen digesta, revealing a diverse
      community of microbes and some novel hydrolytic enzymes. 

PMID- 26272574
TI  - High-Quality Draft Genome Sequence of Francisella tularensis subsp. holarctica
      Strain OR96-0246.
AB  - The bacterial pathogen Francisella tularensis was recently renewed as a tier-one
      select agent. F. tularensis subsp. tularensis (type A) and holarctica (type B)
      are of clinical relevance. Here, we report the complete genome of a virulent F.
      tularensis type B strain and describe its usefulness in comparative genomics. 

PMID- 26272575
TI  - Draft Genome Sequence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae Sequence Type 1407, a Multidrug
      Resistant Clinical Isolate.
AB  - Gonorrhea may become untreatable due to the spread of resistant or multidrug
      resistant strains. Cefixime-resistant gonococci belonging to sequence type 1407
      have been described worldwide. We report the genome sequence of Neisseria
      gonorrhoeae strain G2891, a multidrug-resistant isolate of sequence type 1407,
      collected in Italy in 2013. 

PMID- 26272576
TI  - Draft Genome Sequence of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus Strain GK1, a Hydrocarbon
      Degrading Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizospheric Bacterium.
AB  - The 3.94-Mb draft genome of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus GK1, a
      hydrocarbonoclastic plant growth-promoting Gram-negative rhizospheric bacterium,
      is presented here. Isolated at the Ford Motor Company site in Genk, Belgium, from
      poplar trees planted on a diesel-contaminated plume, GK1 is useful for enhancing
      hydrocarbon phytoremediation. 

PMID- 26272577
TI  - Draft Genome Sequences of Leptospira santarosai Strains U160, U164, and U233,
      Isolated from Asymptomatic Cattle.
AB  - In the present work, we announce the draft genomes for three new strains (U160,
      U164, and U233) of Leptospira santarosai, isolated from urine samples from
      asymptomatic cattle in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 

PMID- 26272578
TI  - Draft Genome Sequence of Purine-Degrading Clostridium cylindrosporum HC-1 (DSM
      605).
AB  - Here, we report the draft genome sequence of Clostridium cylindrosporum HC-1, a
      purine- and glycine-fermenting anaerobe, which uses selenoprotein glycine
      reductase for substrate degradation. The genome consists of a single chromosome
      (2.72 Mb) and a circular plasmid (14.4 kb). 

PMID- 26272579
TI  - Draft Genome Sequence of Bacillus pseudalcaliphilus PN-137T (DSM 8725), an
      Alkaliphilic Halotolerant Bacterium Isolated from Garden Soils.
AB  - Bacillus pseudalcaliphilus PN-137(T) (DSM 8725) is a Gram-positive, spore
      forming, alkaliphilic, and halotolerant bacterium. Here, we report the 4.49-Mb
      genome sequence of B. pseudalcaliphilus PN-137(T), which will accelerate the
      application of this alkaliphile and provide useful information for genomic
      taxonomy and phylogenomics of Bacillus-like bacteria. 

PMID- 26272580
TI  - Genome Sequence of Anaerobacillus macyae JMM-4T (DSM 16346), the First Genomic
      Information of the Newly Established Genus Anaerobacillus.
AB  - Anaerobacillus macyae JMM-4(T) (DSM 16346) is a Gram-positive, spore-forming,
      strictly anaerobic, and arsenate-respiring bacterium. Here, we report the 4.26-Mb
      genome sequence of A. macyae JMM-4(T), which is the first genome information of
      the newly established genus Anaerobacillus. 

PMID- 26272581
TI  - Soil Metagenomes from Different Pristine Environments of Northwest Argentina.
AB  - This is the first study to use a high-throughput metagenomic shotgun approach to
      explore the biosynthetic potential of soil metagenomes from different pristine
      environments of northwest Argentina. Our data sets characterize these metagenomes
      and provide information on the possible effect these ecosystems have on their
      diversity and biosynthetic potential. 

PMID- 26272582
TI  - Incapacity of work after arthroscopic Bankart repair.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION: The incapacity with respect to work following
      anterior-inferior shoulder dislocation and subsequent Bankart repair has not been
      previously examined. The objective of this study was to examine a patient's
      incapacity according to the classification by the REFA Association. The recovery
      time was measured and the outcome of patients with heavy workload was compared to
      those with lower workloads. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 74 patients who
      underwent isolated arthroscopic Bankart repair fulfilled the inclusion criteria.
      The Constant-Murley Score, UCLA Shoulder Score and ROWE Score for Shoulder
      Instability were recorded for clinical assessment. The mean follow-up time was
      43.1 months (SD +/- 17.4; 24-110 months) with a mean age of 34.7 years (SD +/-
      12.6). Workload was classified as per the REFA Association classification system.
      Postoperative duration of a patient's incapacity with respect to work and other
      subjective ratings were provided by the patients themselves. RESULTS: The mean
      incapacity of work was 2.73 months (95 % CI 1.19-5.36). The incapacity of work
      was 2.06 months (95 % CI 1.55-2.68) in the group with low physical strains at
      work (REFA 0-1) and 3.40 months (95 % CI 2.70-4.24) in the group with heavy
      workload (REFA 2-4/p = 0.005). Overall, the mean Constant-Murley Score was 87.7
      (SD +/- 13.5). The average UCLA Shoulder Score summed up to 31.9 (SD +/- 3.87)
      and the mean ROWE Score was 87.6 (SD +/- 21.7). 13 (17.5 %) patients had problems
      to compete in their jobs. Three patients had to change the job postoperatively.
      CONCLUSION: In this study, a relationship between the time of incapacity of work
      and the workload was observed; patients with low physical strains returned
      significantly earlier to work after arthroscopic Bankart repair (p = 0.005). In
      general, the clinical results as measured in the Constant/UCLA/Rowe score were
      comparable to other studies.

PMID- 26272583
TI  - Influences of fit and fill following hip arthroplasty using a cementless short
      stem prosthesis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study consisted in examining the effects of fit
      and fill ratio of the Metha prosthesis (BBraun, Aesculap, Tuttlingen, Germany) on
      radiological and clinical outcomes at a follow-up of 1 year. METHODS: 40 patients
      were included. Fit and fill ratio measurements, radiological and clinical
      examinations were performed preoperatively and postoperatively. Correlations were
      established between fit and fill ratio, and potential factors like sex, age, body
      mass index, Harris Hip Score and changes of radiological signs. RESULTS: The
      whole cohort (100%) had a tight fit and fill ratio (>0.8) at the proximal level
      and at each follow-up. "Champagne-flute" configuration provoked high distal tight
      fit and fill ratio. Poor distal fit and fill ratio compared to the proximal and
      the mid-stem level was measurable at each follow-up (p < 0.05). Correlations
      between fit and fill ratio and preoperative femur configurations were detectable.
      CONCLUSIONS: Implanting the Metha prosthesis induces tight fit and fill ratio at
      the proximal and coated sections. Preoperative femur configuration should be
      considered to achieve best fit and fill situation and therefore excellent primary
      stability. In most cases "normal" and "stove-pipe" configurations provide good
      proximal fit and fill. Since "champagne-flute" configuration induces undesirable
      tight distal fit and fill ratio the size of the Metha ((r)) stem should be
      adequately increased to achieve a more proximal load transmission.

PMID- 26272584
TI  - Anaplastic astrocytoma mimicking herpes simplex encephalitis in 13-year old girl.
AB  - Astrocytoma is the most common childhood brain tumor. Anaplastic astrocytoma (AA)
      are high grade gliomas (HGG), found very rarely in pediatric patients. AA mainly
      results from a dedifferentiation of a low grade astrocytoma. Clinical features of
      supra-tentorial tumors vary according to their anatomic location, biologic
      aggressiveness and age of the patient. They can be either completely asymptomatic
      or present with signs of raised intracranial pressure, seizures (about 40% of
      cases), behavior changes, speech disorders, declining school performance, or
      hemiparesis. There have been published adult cases of brain tumor misdiagnosed as
      viral encephalitis. Due to variety of clinical presentations, diagnosis of AA can
      be challenging. Here we report a case of a 13 year old girl who presented with
      clinical features suggestive of viral encephalitis, such as fever, headache,
      dizziness, and first seizure with postictal sleep and prolonged drowsiness.
      However, her brain MRI findings were consistent with long standing mass effect
      from the underlying intracranial contents and that coupled with her history of
      unusual taste led to further investigations and the diagnosis of the AA. In
      retrospect, this presentation could have been a temporal epileptic aura. High
      grade astrocytomas are particularly difficult to treat with a two-year survival
      rates range from 10% to 30%. The treatment is multimodal with gross total
      surgical resection of the tumor, followed by radiotherapy with or without
      nitrosourea-containing chemotherapy regimen. Recent promising results seen with
      the use of temozolamide in adults has not been yet demonstrated in the pediatric
      patients. The extent of tumor resection remains the most significant indicator of
      survival and early recognition of this tumor is essential. This case report
      emphasizes the fact that mass lesions in the temporal lobe, including high-grade
      astrocytoma, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of suspected
      herpes simplex encephalitis, especially those not responding to therapy.
      Remodeling of the calvarium adjacent to an intracranial lesion suggests a long
      standing process. 

PMID- 26272585
TI  - Review of laboratory-based terrestrial bioaccumulation assessment approaches for
      organic chemicals: Current status and future possibilities.
AB  - In the last decade, interest has been renewed in approaches for the assessment of
      the bioaccumulation potential of chemicals, principally driven by the need to
      evaluate large numbers of chemicals as part of new chemical legislation, while
      reducing vertebrate test organism use called for in animal welfare legislation.
      This renewed interest has inspired research activities and advances in
      bioaccumulation science for neutral organic chemicals in aquatic environments. In
      January 2013, ILSI Health and Environmental Sciences Institute convened experts
      to identify the state of the science and existing shortcomings in terrestrial
      bioaccumulation assessment of neutral organic chemicals. Potential modifications
      to existing laboratory methods were identified, including areas in which new
      laboratory approaches or test methods could be developed to address terrestrial
      bioaccumulation. The utility of "non-ecotoxicity" data (e.g., mammalian
      laboratory data) was also discussed. The highlights of the workshop discussions
      are presented along with potential modifications in laboratory approaches and new
      test guidelines that could be used for assessing the bioaccumulation of chemicals
      in terrestrial organisms.

PMID- 26272586
TI  - Effects of meal type on the oral bioavailability of the ALK inhibitor ceritinib
      in healthy adult subjects.
AB  - Ceritinib is a potent inhibitor of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), which has
      shown acceptable safety and substantial antitumor activity in ALK-positive non
      small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Two food-effect studies were conducted
      in healthy adults to investigate the influence of food on the oral
      bioavailability of ceritinib: a study with low- or high-fat meals at 500 mg and a
      study with a light snack at 750 mg. Compared with the fasted state, AUC0-infinity
      (90%CI) of ceritinib was increased by 58% (34%, 86%) after the intake of a low
      fat meal, by 73% (46%, 105%) after the intake of a high-fat meal, and by 54%
      (19%, 99%) after the intake of a light snack. Safety assessments also suggested
      that food may improve gastrointestinal (GI) tolerability after a single ceritinib
      dose. Based on the pharmacokinetic results, it is essential to avoid any type of
      meal during dosing of ceritinib because the intake of food may increase the
      occurrence of exposure-dependent, non-GI toxicities at the labeled dose of 750 mg
      daily during fasting. A randomized trial is ongoing to determine an alternative
      way to give ceritinib (450 mg or 600 mg with food) that may enhance GI
      tolerability in ALK-positive NSCLC patients. 

PMID- 26272587
TI  - Morphoscopic Trait Expression in "Hispanic" Populations.
AB  - This study evaluates population variation of eight cranial morphoscopic traits
      using samples of known southwest Hispanics (n=72), Guatemalans (n=106), American
      Blacks (n=146), and American Whites (n=218). We applied the support vector
      machine (SVM) method to build a prediction model based on a subsample (20%) of
      the data; the remainder of the data was used as a test sample. The SVM approach
      effectively differentiated between the four groups with correct classification
      rates between 72% (Guatemalan group) and 94% (American Black group). However,
      when the Guatemalan and southwest Hispanic samples were pooled, the same model
      correctly classified all groups with a higher degree of accuracy (American
      Black=96%; American White=77%; and the pooled Hispanic sample=91%). This study
      also identified significant differences between the two Hispanic groups in six of
      the eight traits using univariate statistical tests. These results speak to the
      unique population histories of these samples and the current use of the term
      "Hispanic" within forensic anthropology. Finally, we argue that the SVM can be
      used as a classification model for ancestry estimation in a forensic context and
      as a diagnostic tool may broaden the application of morphoscopic trait data for
      the assessment of ancestry.

PMID- 26272588
TI  - Expanded carrier screening: too much of a good thing?

PMID- 26272589
TI  - Structure and extent of DNA methylation-based epigenetic variation in wild emmer
      wheat (T. turgidum ssp. dicoccoides) populations.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The genetic structure and differentiation of wild emmer wheat
      suggests that genetic diversity is eco-geographically structured. However, very
      little is known about the structure and extent of the heritable epigenetic
      variation and its influence on local adaptation in natural populations. RESULTS:
      The structure and extent of the heritable methylation-based epigenetic variation
      were assessed within and among natural populations of Triticum turgidum ssp.
      dicoccoides. We used methylation sensitive amplified polymorphism (MSAP) and
      transposon methylation display (TMD) techniques, to assess the methylation status
      of random genomic CCGG sites and CCGG sites flanking transposable elements (TEs),
      respectively. Both techniques were applied to the DNA of 50 emmer accessions
      which were collected from five different geographically isolated regions. In
      order to ensure the assessment of heritable epigenetic variation, all accessions
      were grown under common garden conditions for two generations. In all accessions,
      the difference in methylation levels of CCGG sites, including CCGG sites that
      flanked TEs, were not statistically significant and relatively high, ranging
      between 46 and 76 %. The pattern of methylation was significantly different among
      accessions, such that clear and statistically significant population-specific
      methylation patterns were observed. CONCLUSION: In this study, we have observed
      population-unique heritable methylation patterns in emmer wheat accessions
      originating from five geographically isolated regions. Our data indicate that
      methylation-based epigenetic diversity might be eco-geographically structured and
      might be partly determined by climatic and edaphic factors.

PMID- 26272590
TI  - Overexpression of BRCA1 or BRCA2 in prostatectomy specimens is predictive of
      biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy.
AB  - AIMS: To investigate the protein expressions of breast cancer 1 (BRCA1) and 2
      (BRCA2) in prostatectomy specimens of localized prostate cancer (PC) patients,
      along with their associations with cancer characteristics and prognosis. METHODS
      AND RESULTS: Immunohistochemistry for BRCA1 and BRCA2 was performed on tissue
      microarrays of 510 PC cases treated from 2002 to 2012. The cytoplasmic
      immunoreactivity was scored for intensity, and clinicopathological parameters,
      including biochemical recurrence (BCR), were evaluated. During a median follow-up
      of 44 months, 128 patients developed BCR, with positive staining rates of 93.3%
      (n = 476) and 41.6% (n = 212) for BRCA1 and BRCA2, respectively, in the malignant
      tissues. The BRCA2 expression differed significantly between BCR-positive and BCR
      free cases [hazard ratio (HR): 1.75, P = 0.002]. BRCA1 and BRCA2 correlated
      significantly with age [odds ratio (OR): 0.131] and pN stage (OR: 6.00), pN stage
      (OR: 1.717) and BCR (OR: 1.972), respectively (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis
      showed that BRCA1 (HR: 0.435), BRCA2 (HR: 2.45), pT3 stage (HR: 2.253), resection
      margin positivity (HR: 1.58), prostate size (HR: 0.975) and Gleason score (HR:
      2.214-2.253) were independent predictors of BCR (P < 0.05). Moreover, BRCA2
      correlated significantly with BCR-free survival (P = 0.0017). CONCLUSIONS: BRCA1
      or BRCA2 overexpression is a significant predictive factor for BCR in PC
      patients.

PMID- 26272592
TI  - Energy-dependent gas-phase fragmentation of fluorofullerene multiply charged
      anions (MCAs).
AB  - Long-lived di- and trianions have been formed from fluorofullerenes in the gas
      phase by electrospray ionization. Fragmentation of multiply charged anions has
      been induced by multiple low-energy collisions. Two complementary dissociation
      experiments have been conducted. Firstly, unequivocal connectivity has been
      established between the precursor ion and the first and second generation of its
      product ions. Secondly, dianions have been studied in energy-resolved collisions,
      allowing the elucidation of the energetic demands of the dissociations. It was
      possible to study dianions with odd and even F numbers, possessing even and odd
      electron configurations, respectively. The fragmentation behavior is governed by
      the electronic stability of the anionic protagonists, in that ions with the less
      stable odd-electron configuration dissociate into species with the more stable
      even-electron configuration. Dianions with an odd electron count release an F
      atom to turn into an even electron system while retaining the charge state.
      Dianions with an even electron count undergo a more energy demanding charge
      separation reaction (Coulomb explosion) into an F(-) anion and an even electron
      monoanion. The studied trianions behave accordingly. F2 loss is prominent only
      with monoanions within an even-to-even electron fragmentation cascade. The
      trianions are long-lived with lifetimes of at least 0.1 s. 

PMID- 26272591
TI  - Protein Kinase A-induced tamoxifen resistance is mediated by anchoring protein
      AKAP13.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Estrogen Receptor alpha (ERalpha)-positive breast cancer patients
      receive endocrine therapy, often in the form of tamoxifen. However, resistance to
      tamoxifen is frequently observed. A signalling cascade that leads to tamoxifen
      resistance is dictated by activation of the Protein Kinase A (PKA) pathway, which
      leads to phosphorylation of ERalpha on Serine 305 and receptor activation,
      following tamoxifen binding. Thus far, it remains elusive what protein complexes
      enable the PKA-ERalpha interaction resulting in ERalpha Serine 305
      phosphorylation. METHODS: We performed immunohistochemistry to detect
      ERalphaSerine 305 phosphorylation in a cohort of breast cancer patients who
      received tamoxifen treatment in the metastatic setting. From the same tumor
      specimens, Agilent 44 K gene expression analyses were performed and integrated
      with clinicopathological data and survival information. In vitro analyses were
      performed using MCF7 breast cancer cells, which included immunoprecipitations and
      Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) analyses to illustrate ERalpha
      complex formation. siRNA mediated knockdown experiments were performed to assess
      effects on ERalphaSerine 305 phosphorylation status, ERalpha/PKA interactions and
      downstream responsive gene activity. RESULTS: Stratifying breast tumors on
      ERalpha Serine 305 phosphorylation status resulted in the identification of a
      gene network centered upon AKAP13. AKAP13 mRNA expression levels correlate with
      poor outcome in patients who received tamoxifen treatment in the metastatic
      setting. In addition, AKAP13 mRNA levels correlate with ERalphaSerine 305
      phosphorylation in breast tumor samples, suggesting a functional connection
      between these two events. In a luminal breast cancer cell line, AKAP13 was found
      to interact with ERalpha as well as with a regulatory subunit of PKA. Knocking
      down of AKAP13 prevented PKA-mediated Serine 305 phosphorylation of ERalpha and
      abrogated PKA-driven tamoxifen resistance, illustrating that AKAP13 is an
      essential protein in this process. CONCLUSIONS: We show that the PKA-anchoring
      protein AKAP13 is essential for the phosphorylation of ERalphaS305, which leads
      to tamoxifen resistance both in cell lines and tamoxifen-treated breast cancer
      patients.

PMID- 26272593
TI  - Effectiveness of prepregnancy care for women with pregestational diabetes
      mellitus: protocol for a systematic review of the literature and identification
      of a core outcomes set using a Delphi survey.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Women with pregnancy complicated by pregestational diabetes
      experience increased rates of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Prepregnancy care is
      the targeted support and additional care offered to those women who are planning
      pregnancy and is associated with improved outcomes. However, there is significant
      heterogeneity in the outcomes measured and reported in studies evaluating the
      effects of prepregnancy care, which makes meaningful comparison difficult. The
      aim of this article is to present a protocol for a study to develop a Core
      Outcome Set (COS) for trials and other studies evaluating the effectiveness of
      prepregnancy care for women with pregestational diabetes mellitus.
      METHODS/DESIGN: This study will include a systematic review of the literature to
      identify outcomes that have previously been reported in studies evaluating
      prepregnancy care for women with pregestational diabetes. We will then prioritise
      these outcomes from the perspective of key stakeholders, including women with
      pregestational diabetes as well as clinicians, using a Delphi survey. A final
      consensus meeting will be held with stakeholders to review and finalise the
      outcomes. DISCUSSION: The expectation is that the COS will always be collected
      and reported in all clinical trials, audits of practice and other forms of
      research that involve prepregnancy care programs for women with pregestational
      diabetes. This will facilitate comparing and contrasting of studies and allow for
      combining of appropriate studies with the ultimate goal of improved patient care.

PMID- 26272595
TI  - Models vs. Realities in Female Sexual Dysfunction.

PMID- 26272594
TI  - Laparoscopic Versus Open Loop Ileostomy Reversal: Is there an Advantage to a
      Minimally Invasive Approach?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ileostomy reversals are commonly performed procedures after colon and
      rectal operations. Laparoscopic ileostomy reversal (LIR) with lysis of adhesions
      has potential benefits over conventional open surgery. The aim of this study was
      to compare outcomes of laparoscopic and open ileostomy reversal. METHODS: 133
      consecutive patients undergoing ileostomy reversal at our institution between
      June 2009 and August 2013 were analyzed using a retrospective database. The group
      comprised 53 laparoscopic cases and 80 open cases, performed by four surgeons at
      a single center. The data were analyzed for patient demographics, operative
      characteristics, postoperative outcomes, and 30-day morbidity and mortality.
      RESULTS: The two groups had comparable mean age, gender distribution, ASA scores,
      and BMI. The laparoscopic group had a significantly longer duration of surgery
      compared to the open reversal group (109 versus 93 min, p < 0.05). However, this
      group underwent more lysis of adhesions (60.4 % versus 26.3 %, p < 0.01) as well
      as concurrent stoma site mesh reinforcement (32.1 % versus 6.3 %, p < 0.01). In
      the laparoscopy group, 20.7 % of patients underwent intra-corporeal ileo-ileal
      anastomosis. There were no significant differences between the laparoscopic and
      open groups with regard to estimated blood loss (31 versus 40 ml, respectively)
      or mean length of stay (5.3 vs. 5.7 days, respectively). The rates of overall 30
      day morbidity (16.9 % for laparoscopic vs. 21.3 % for open) as well as rates of
      specific complications were equivalent between groups. 30-day mortalities were
      not noted in either group. CONCLUSION: LIR is safe and effective with low
      perioperative morbidity and mortality. The use of laparoscopy as an option in
      terms of concomitant hernia repair and lysis of adhesions may be considered in
      selected patients.

PMID- 26272596
TI  - Estimating Ixodes ricinus densities on the landscape scale.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The study describes the estimation of the spatial distribution of
      questing nymphal tick densities by investigating Ixodes ricinus in Southwest
      Germany as an example. The production of high-resolution maps of questing tick
      densities is an important key to quantify the risk of tick-borne diseases.
      Previous I. ricinus maps were based on quantitative as well as semi-quantitative
      categorisations of the tick density observed at study sites with different
      vegetation types or indices, all compiled on local scales. Here, a quantitative
      approach on the landscape scale is introduced. METHODS: During 2 years, 2013 and
      2014, host-seeking ticks were collected each month at 25 sampling sites by
      flagging an area of 100 square meters. All tick stages were identified to species
      level to select nymphal ticks of I. ricinus, which were used to develop and
      calibrate Poisson regression models. The environmental variables height above sea
      level, temperature, relative humidity, saturation deficit and land cover
      classification were used as explanatory variables. RESULTS: The number of flagged
      nymphal tick densities range from zero (mountain site) to more than 1,000
      nymphs/100 m(2). Calibrating the Poisson regression models with these nymphal
      densities results in an explained variance of 72 % and a prediction error of 110
      nymphs/100 m(2) in 2013. Generally, nymphal densities (maximum 374 nymphs/100
      m(2)), explained variance (46 %) and prediction error (61 nymphs/100 m(2)) were
      lower in 2014. The models were used to compile high-resolution maps with 0.5
      km(2) grid size for the study region of the German federal state Baden
      Wurttemberg. The accuracy of the mapped tick densities was investigated by leave
      one-out cross-validation resulting in root-mean-square-errors of 227 nymphs/100
      m(2) for 2013 and 104 nymphs/100 m(2) for 2014. CONCLUSIONS: The methodology
      introduced here may be applied to further tick species or extended to other study
      regions. Finally, the study is a first step towards the spatial estimation of
      tick-borne diseases in Central Europe.

PMID- 26272598
TI  - Prevalence of hepatitis B virus in primary central nervous system lymphoma.

PMID- 26272597
TI  - Increased in-hospital mortality following severe head injury in young children:
      results from a nationwide trauma registry.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In the current literature, the outcome of paediatric brain injury is
      controversially discussed. According to the majority of the studies, there seems
      to be a decreased mortality but worse recovery in paediatric, traumatic brain
      injury in comparison with adults. However, there is a lack of information
      concerning the differences in various stages of development in patients younger
      than 18 years. The aim of our study was to verify the in-hospital outcome of
      different paediatric age groups in comparison to adults with respect to the
      treatment strategy. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of the
      TraumaRegister DGU((r)) from 2002 to 2012. Inclusion criteria were an Abbreviated
      Injury Scale (AIS) head >=3 points and an AIS <=2 points of the remaining body
      regions. The collective was divided into different subgroups according to age (1
      3, 4-6, 7-10, 11-14, 15-17) and an adult control group aged between 18 and 55
      years. We descriptively analysed the endpoint rate of sepsis, multiple organ
      failure, and mortality. Additionally, the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) at
      discharge was observed. RESULTS: Overall, 1110 children and 6491 adult control
      patients were included. Comparing the rate of intubation on-scene, the rate of
      cranial CT scans, the rate of craniotomies, and the rate and length of intensive
      care treatment, we could only identify minor differences between the age groups.
      The treatment after discharge from hospital was markedly different due to a very
      low rate of in-patient rehabilitation treatment in children. On one hand, the
      rate of systemic complications, such as sepsis and multiple organ failure
      increased with increasing age. On the other hand, we found a significantly
      increased mortality in children younger than 7 years after very (AIS head = 5)
      severe brain injury. The in-hospital functional outcome in survivors, according
      to the GOS, was beneficial for younger children in comparison to adolescents and
      adults. CONCLUSIONS: We were unable to identify marked age-related differences in
      the therapeutic approach. Nevertheless, we were able to demonstrate marked
      differences of outcome. Children younger than 7 years significantly die more
      often due to direct impact of severe trauma. But if they survive, they seem to
      develop less systemic complications and profit from a better functional outcome.

PMID- 26272599
TI  - Ischemic stroke in patients with gliomas at The University of Texas-M.D. Anderson
      Cancer Center.
AB  - Patients with gliomas are at risk of cerebrovascular accidents (CVA) with
      potential consequences on survival, function, and local tumor control. Our
      objective was to provide information about CVA in patients with gliomas and to
      estimate survival in this group. We reviewed all adult glioma patients with
      ischemic CVA at the University of Texas-M.D. Anderson Cancer Center from 2003
      through 2014. We extracted demographic, clinical, imaging, treatment and outcome
      data. We used descriptive summary data and estimated or compared survival rates
      where appropriate. 60 of 6500 patients (0.1%) with high-grade (HGG, n = 47) or
      low-grade glioma (LGG, n = 13) had ischemic CVA Thirty-two (53%) patients had
      postoperative strokes, and 20 (33%) had CVA after 2 weeks of surgery. Forty-one
      patients (68%) had gross total resection. For HGG and CVA, the poststroke median
      overall survival was 17 months versus 61 months in LGG and CVA (P = 0.03; hazard
      ratio (HR): 2.8; 95% CI 1.07-4.60). Survival stratified by modified Rankin Scale
      grade was significant (X(2) = 9.8, P = 0.007). Five patients received bevacizumab
      before stroke onset; none responded to antiangiogenic therapy. There was no
      stroke-related death. At our institution for 10 years, ischemic CVA in glioma
      patients was a rare complication, clearly associated in half of cases to surgery,
      and with a variable negative impact on performance status and neurologic
      function. In this group, patients with more neurological deficits lived less. The
      survival difference between and within subgroups was most likely due to tumor
      grade. More research is necessary to improve prevention of postoperative stroke
      in glioma patients.

PMID- 26272600
TI  - Detection of proneural/mesenchymal marker expression in glioblastoma:
      temporospatial dynamics and association with chromatin-modifying gene expression.
AB  - Proneural and mesenchymal are two subtypes of glioblastoma identified by gene
      expression profiling. In this study, the primary aim was to detect markers to
      develop a clinically applicable method for distinguishing proneural and
      mesenchymal glioblastoma. The secondary aims were to investigate the
      temporospatial dynamics of these markers and to explore the association between
      these markers and the expression of chromatin-modifying genes. One hundred thirty
      three glioma samples (grade II: 14 samples, grade III: 18, grade IV: 101) were
      analyzed. We quantified the expression of 6 signature genes associated with
      proneural and mesenchymal glioblastoma by quantitative reverse transcription
      polymerase chain reaction. We assigned proneural (PN) and mesenchymal (MES)
      scores based on the average of the 6 markers and calculated a predominant
      metagene (P-M) score by subtracting the MES from the PN score. We used these
      scores to analyze correlations with malignant transformation, tumor recurrence,
      tumor heterogeneity, chromatin-modifying gene expression, and HDAC7 expression.
      The MES score positively correlated with tumor grade, whereas the PN score did
      not. The P-M score was able to distinguish the proneural and mesenchymal
      subtypes. It was decreased in cases of tumor recurrence and malignant
      transformation and showed variability within a tumor, suggesting intratumoral
      heterogeneity. The PN score correlated with the expression of multiple histone
      modifying genes, whereas the MES score was associated only with HDAC7 expression.
      Thus, we demonstrated a simple and straightforward method of quantifying
      proneural/mesenchymal markers in glioblastoma. Of note, HDAC7 expression might be
      a novel therapeutic target in glioblastoma treatment. 

PMID- 26272602
TI  - Immunogenicity and safety of an inactivated quadrivalent influenza vaccine in
      healthy adults: a phase II, open-label, uncontrolled trial in Japan.
AB  - Two antigenically distinct B strain lineages of influenza virus have co
      circulated since the mid-1980s; however, inactivated trivalent influenza vaccines
      contain only one B lineage. The mismatch between the circulating and vaccine
      lineages has been a worldwide issue. In this study, an inactivated quadrivalent
      influenza vaccine (QIV) candidate containing two B lineages was manufactured and
      its immunogenicity and safety evaluated in an open-label, uncontrolled trial. In
      this phase II trial, 50 subjects aged 20-64 years received two doses of QIV s.c.
      1 to 4 weeks apart. Sera were collected pre- and post-vaccination and safety
      assessed from the first vaccination to 21 +/- 7 days after the second
      vaccination. After the first vaccination, hemagglutination inhibition titers
      against each strain increased markedly; the seroconversion rate, geometric mean
      titer ratio and seroprotection rate being 94.0%, 24.93, and 100.0%, respectively,
      for the A/H1N1pdm09 strain; 94.0%, 12.47, and 98.0%, respectively, for the A/H3N2
      strain; 54.0%, 4.99, and 66.0%, respectively, for B/Yamagata strain, and 72.0%,
      6.23 and 80.0%, respectively, for the B/Victoria strain, thus fulfilling the
      criteria of the European Medical Agency's Committee for Medicinal Products for
      Human Use. Also, the QIV induced sufficient single radial hemolysis and
      neutralizing antibodies against all four vaccine strains. No noteworthy adverse
      events were noted. The results of this trial demonstrate that QIV is well
      tolerated and immunogenic for each strain, suggesting that QIV potentially
      improves protection against influenza B by resolving the issue of B lineage
      mismatch.

PMID- 26272601
TI  - miR-429 inhibits glioma invasion through BMK1 suppression.
AB  - The purpose of this research was to examine the relationship between big mitogen
      activated protein kinase 1 (BMK1) and miRNA miR-429 and to determine the effect
      of miR-429 on glioma invasiveness. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate BMK1
      expression in glioma tissues. Real-time PCR was used to measure the expression of
      miR-429 and other RNAs. Western blot was used to detect the expression of BMK1
      and other related proteins. Wound healing, Matrigel invasion, and chemotaxis
      assays were performed to detect the invasion and migration of glioma cell lines.
      The actual binding site of miR-429 to the 3' untranslated region of BMK1 was
      confirmed by luciferase assay and RNA immunoprecipitation. BMK1 expression was
      associated with the World Health Organization grading of glioma and inversely
      correlated with patient survival. Suppression of BMK1 inhibited the migration and
      invasion of glioma cells by interfering with mesenchymal transition.
      Additionally, hepatocyte growth factor-induced GSK3beta phosphorylation was
      suppressed through BMK1 knockdown. Interestingly, our findings validated a novel
      role for miR-429 in suppressing the migration and invasion of glioma by directly
      inhibiting BMK1 expression. We also found that miR-429 expression in glioma cells
      and tissues was lower than that in normal cells and adjacent non-neoplastic
      tissues, and miR-429 overexpression inhibited invasive activity of glioma cells
      both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, our data validated that miR-429
      downregulation was due to the hypermethylation of its promoter region. Our
      results indicated that BMK1 modulation by miR-429 has an important function in
      glioma invasion both in vitro and in vivo. 

PMID- 26272603
TI  - Transient receptor potential melastatin 8 gene polymorphism is associated with
      cold-induced airway hyperresponsiveness in bronchial asthma.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Cold-induced airway hyperresponsiveness (CAH) is common
      in bronchial asthma (BA) patients and represents a problem for those living in
      cold climate. Transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) channel is the
      main cold temperature sensor in humans that could mediate cold response in
      asthmatics with CAH. No associations between TRPM8 gene polymorphisms and CAH
      have been reported. METHODS: The present study involved 123 BA patients. CAH was
      assessed by 3-min isocapnic (5% CO2 ) cold air (-20 degrees C) hyperventilation
      challenge. The c.750G > C (rs11562975), c.1256G > A (rs7593557), c.3048C > T
      (rs11563208) and c.3174C > G (rs11563071) polymorphisms of TRPM8 gene were
      genotyped by allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and PCR with
      subsequent restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. RESULTS: GC
      genotype and C allele carriers of the c.750G > C (rs11562975) polymorphism were
      more frequently observed to exhibit CAH. The estimated odds ratio for the GC
      genotype was 3.73 95%CI (1.48; 9.37), P = 0.005. Furthermore, GC heterozygotes
      had a prominent decrease in forced expiratory volume in 1 s after the challenge
      as compared to GG homozygotes (-12% (-16; -8.1) vs -6.45% (-11; -2.1), P <
      0.001). GC carriers also had a marked reduction in other spirometric parameters.
      CONCLUSIONS: The GC variant of the TRPM8:c.750G > C (rs11562975) polymorphism is
      associated with CAH in patients with BA, which suggests a potential role of TRPM8
      in CAH development.

PMID- 26272604
TI  - Tuning the Magnetic Interactions and Relaxation Dynamics of Dy2 Single-Molecule
      Magnets.
AB  - Efficient modulation of single-molecule magnet (SMM) behavior was realized by
      deliberate structural modification of the Dy2 cores of [Dy2(a'povh)2(OAc)2(DMF)2]
      (1) and [Zn2Dy2(a'povh)2(OAc)6]?4 H2O (2; H2a'povh = N'-[amino(pyrimidin-2
      yl)methylene]-o-vanilloyl hydrazine). Compound 1 having fourfold linkage between
      the two dysprosium ions shows high-performance SMM behavior with a thermal energy
      barrier of 322.1 K, whereas only slow relaxation is observed for compound 2 with
      only twofold connection between the dysprosium ions. This remarkable discrepancy
      is mainly because of strong axiality in 1 due to one pronounced covalent bond, as
      revealed by experimental and theoretical investigations. The significant
      antiferromagnetic interaction derived from bis(MU2-O) and two acetate bridging
      groups was found to be crucial in leading to a nonmagnetic ground state in 1, by
      suppressing zero-field quantum tunneling of magnetization.

PMID- 26272605
TI  - Disseminated intravascular coagulation in non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
AB  - The present study analyzed the incidence and clinical features of disseminated
      intravascular coagulation (DIC) developed in association with non-Hodgkin
      lymphoma (NHL). Two hundred thirty-six patients with newly diagnosed NHL were
      admitted to our institute since Jul. 2008 to Dec. 2014. Coagulation markers were
      evaluated in 161 of 236 patients at the time of diagnosis. DIC was diagnosed in
      18 patients (11.2 %) based on the criteria established by Ministry of Health,
      Labor, and Welfare of Japan. All of the 18 patients had Ann-Arbor Stage IV
      advanced disease, and 17 patients were in poor performance status. Liver function
      panels, such as bilirubin, aminotransferases, serum choline esterase, and albumin
      levels, were worse in patients with DIC than those without DIC, indicating
      impaired production of coagulation factors. Importantly, DIC exerts significantly
      negative impact on prognosis of NHL; median survival of both groups was 176
      versus 2430 days. The difference remains significant after statistically
      adjusting for age, performance status, Ann-Arbor stage, international prognostic
      index, and liver function panels. Nine of 18 patients with DIC received anti
      coagulants, which failed to improve clinical outcome. Nevertheless, early
      recognition and intervention to DIC state may contribute to improve prognosis of
      NHL.

PMID- 26272606
TI  - Neurocardiovascular instability may modulate end-organ damage: A review of this
      hypothesis investigating the eye and manifestations of NCVI.
AB  - Neurocardiovascular instability (NCVI) represents age-related changes in blood
      pressure and heart rate behaviour. It has been associated with increased
      leukoaraiosis in the brain and also conditions which are likely to be are related
      to cerebral end-organ damage, such as stroke and falls. The eye is a 'window'
      into the brain and cardiovascular (CV) system, changes in retinal
      microvasculature being independently predictive of cardiovascular events. The eye
      is highly vascular, having two circulatory systems and as such the ideal target
      end-organ to investigate NCVI and early end-organ damage. The retinal and
      choroidal circulations of the eye would be vulnerable to NCVI if ocular
      vasoregulation becomes impaired with age, particularly given the high metabolic
      activity of the retina. The choroid is predominantly extrinsically regulated by
      the autonomic nervous system. In patients with NCVI, autonomic dysfunction is
      more common and thus impairment of the tightly regulated ocular microcirculation
      may indeed be compromised. We review the evidence for the hypothesis that NCVI
      may modulate end-organ cardiovascular pathology and that the eye is the ideal
      target organ to monitor this. 

PMID- 26272607
TI  - Blood pressure and risk of cancer progression - A possible connection with salt
      and voltage-gated sodium channel.
AB  - Although it is well known that high blood pressure promotes cancer, the
      underlying cause(s) is not well understood. Here, we advance the hypothesis that
      the extracellular sodium level could be a contributing factor. The hypothesis is
      based upon emerging evidence showing (i) that voltage-gated sodium channels are
      expressed de novo in cancer cells and tissues, and (ii) that the influx of sodium
      from the extracellular medium into cancer cells, mediated by the channel
      activity, promotes their metastatic potential. Clinical and lifestyle
      implications of the hypothesis are discussed. 

PMID- 26272608
TI  - Development of a polymerase chain reaction assay for the rapid detection of the
      oral pathogenic bacterium, Selenomonas noxia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In recent studies, periodontal health has been linked to being
      overweight and/or obese. Among common oral bacteria, Selenomonas noxia has been
      implicated in converting periodontal health to disease, and Selenomonas species
      have also been found in gastric ulcers. The objective of this study was to
      develop and validate a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay for
      the specific and rapid detection of S. noxia. METHODS: Two oligonucleotide primer
      pairs and one probe were designed and tested to determine optimal amplification
      signal with three strains of S. noxia. The PCR assay was tested against fourteen
      non-target organisms, including closely related oral Selenomonads, one
      phylogenetically closely related bacterium, and two commonly isolated oral
      bacteria. RESULTS: One of the primer sets was more sensitive at detecting the
      target organism and was selected for optimization and validation experiments. The
      designed primers and probe amplified the target organism with 100% specificity.
      PCR inhibition was observed with an internal positive control, and inhibition was
      resolved by diluting the DNA extract. CONCLUSIONS: The qPCR assay designed in
      this study can be used to specifically detect S. noxia in the clinical setting
      and in future research involving the enhanced detection of S. noxia. The assay
      can also be used in epidemiological studies for understanding the role of S.
      noxia in disease processes including, but not limited to, oral health and obesity
      of infectious origin.

PMID- 26272609
TI  - Inhibition of oncogenic epidermal growth factor receptor kinase triggers release
      of exosome-like extracellular vesicles and impacts their phosphoprotein and DNA
      content.
AB  - Cancer cells emit extracellular vesicles (EVs) containing unique molecular
      signatures. Here, we report that the oncogenic EGF receptor (EGFR) and its
      inhibitors reprogram phosphoproteomes and cargo of tumor cell-derived EVs. Thus,
      phosphorylated EGFR (P-EGFR) and several other receptor tyrosine kinases can be
      detected in EVs purified from plasma of tumor-bearing mice and from conditioned
      media of cultured cancer cells. Treatment of EGFR-driven tumor cells with second
      generation EGFR kinase inhibitors (EKIs), including CI-1033 and PF-00299804 but
      not with anti-EGFR antibody (Cetuximab) or etoposide, triggers a burst in
      emission of exosome-like EVs containing EGFR, P-EGFR, and genomic DNA (exo-gDNA).
      The EV release can be attenuated by treatment with inhibitors of exosome
      biogenesis (GW4869) and caspase pathways (ZVAD). The content of P-EGFR isoforms
      (Tyr-845, Tyr-1068, and Tyr-1173), ERK, and AKT varies between cells and their
      corresponding EVs and as a function of EKI treatment. Immunocapture experiments
      reveal the presence of EGFR and exo-gDNA within the same EV population following
      EKI treatment. These findings suggest that targeted agents may induce cancer
      cells to change the EV emission profiles reflective of drug-related therapeutic
      stress. We suggest that EV-based assays may serve as companion diagnostics for
      targeted anticancer agents. 

PMID- 26272610
TI  - Catalysis of GTP hydrolysis by small GTPases at atomic detail by integration of X
      ray crystallography, experimental, and theoretical IR spectroscopy.
AB  - Small GTPases regulate key processes in cells. Malfunction of their GTPase
      reaction by mutations is involved in severe diseases. Here, we compare the GTPase
      reaction of the slower hydrolyzing GTPase Ran with Ras. By combination of time
      resolved FTIR difference spectroscopy and QM/MM simulations we elucidate that the
      Mg(2+) coordination by the phosphate groups, which varies largely among the x-ray
      structures, is the same for Ran and Ras. A new x-ray structure of a Ran.RanBD1
      complex with improved resolution confirmed this finding and revealed a general
      problem with the refinement of Mg(2+) in GTPases. The Mg(2+) coordination is not
      responsible for the much slower GTPase reaction of Ran. Instead, the location of
      the Tyr-39 side chain of Ran between the gamma-phosphate and Gln-69 prevents the
      optimal positioning of the attacking water molecule by the Gln-69 relative to the
      gamma-phosphate. This is confirmed in the RanY39A.RanBD1 crystal structure. The
      QM/MM simulations provide IR spectra of the catalytic center, which agree very
      nicely with the experimental ones. The combination of both methods can correlate
      spectra with structure at atomic detail. For example the FTIR difference spectra
      of RasA18T and RanT25A mutants show that spectral differences are mainly due to
      the hydrogen bond of Thr-25 to the alpha-phosphate in Ran. By integration of x
      ray structure analysis, experimental, and theoretical IR spectroscopy the
      catalytic center of the x-ray structural models are further refined to sub-A
      resolution, allowing an improved understanding of catalysis. 

PMID- 26272611
TI  - A Novel Basal Body Protein That Is a Polo-like Kinase Substrate Is Required for
      Basal Body Segregation and Flagellum Adhesion in Trypanosoma brucei.
AB  - The Polo-like kinase (PLK) in Trypanosoma brucei plays multiple roles in basal
      body segregation, flagellum attachment, and cytokinesis. However, the mechanistic
      role of TbPLK remains elusive, mainly because most of its substrates are not
      known. Here, we report a new substrate of TbPLK, SPBB1, and its essential roles
      in T. brucei. SPBB1 was identified through yeast two-hybrid screening with the
      kinase-dead TbPLK as the bait. It interacts with TbPLK in vitro and in vivo, and
      is phosphorylated by TbPLK in vitro. SPBB1 localizes to both the mature basal
      body and the probasal body throughout the cell cycle, and co-localizes with TbPLK
      at the basal body during early cell cycle stages. RNAi against SPBB1 in procyclic
      trypanosomes inhibited basal body segregation, disrupted the new flagellum
      attachment zone filament, detached the new flagellum, and caused defective
      cytokinesis. Moreover, RNAi of SPBB1 confined TbPLK at the basal body and the
      bilobe structure, resulting in constitutive phosphorylation of TbCentrin2 at the
      bilobe. Altogether, these results identified a basal body protein as a TbPLK
      substrate and its essential role in promoting basal body segregation and
      flagellum attachment zone filament assembly for flagellum adhesion and
      cytokinesis initiation.

PMID- 26272612
TI  - A Novel GLP1 Receptor Interacting Protein ATP6ap2 Regulates Insulin Secretion in
      Pancreatic Beta Cells.
AB  - GLP1 activates its receptor, GLP1R, to enhance insulin secretion. The activation
      and transduction of GLP1R requires complex interactions with a host of accessory
      proteins, most of which remain largely unknown. In this study, we used membrane
      based split ubiquitin yeast two-hybrid assays to identify novel GLP1R interactors
      in both mouse and human islets. Among these, ATP6ap2 (ATPase H(+)-transporting
      lysosomal accessory protein 2) was identified in both mouse and human islet
      screens. ATP6ap2 was shown to be abundant in islets including both alpha and beta
      cells. When GLP1R and ATP6ap2 were co-expressed in beta cells, GLP1R was shown to
      directly interact with ATP6ap2, as assessed by co-immunoprecipitation. In INS-1
      cells, overexpression of ATP6ap2 did not affect insulin secretion; however, siRNA
      knockdown decreased both glucose-stimulated and GLP1-induced insulin secretion.
      Decreases in GLP1-induced insulin secretion were accompanied by attenuated GLP1
      stimulated cAMP accumulation. Because ATP6ap2 is a subunit required for V-ATPase
      assembly of insulin granules, it has been reported to be involved in granule
      acidification. In accordance with this, we observed impaired insulin granule
      acidification upon ATP6ap2 knockdown but paradoxically increased proinsulin
      secretion. Importantly, as a GLP1R interactor, ATP6ap2 was required for GLP1
      induced Ca(2+) influx, in part explaining decreased insulin secretion in ATP6ap2
      knockdown cells. Taken together, our findings identify a group of proteins that
      interact with the GLP1R. We further show that one interactor, ATP6ap2, plays a
      novel dual role in beta cells, modulating both GLP1R signaling and insulin
      processing to affect insulin secretion.

PMID- 26272613
TI  - Identification of the Flavonoid Luteolin as a Repressor of the Transcription
      Factor Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4alpha.
AB  - Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4alpha (HNF4alpha) is a nuclear receptor that regulates
      the expression of genes involved in the secretion of apolipoprotein B (apoB)
      containing lipoproteins and in glucose metabolism. In the present study, we
      identified a naturally occurring flavonoid, luteolin, as a repressor of HNF4alpha
      by screening for effectors of the human microsomal triglyceride transfer protein
      (MTP) promoter. Luciferase reporter gene assays revealed that the activity of the
      MTP gene promoter was suppressed by luteolin and that the mutation of HNF4alpha
      binding element abolished luteolin responsiveness. Luteolin treatment caused a
      significant decrease in the mRNA levels of HNF4alpha target genes in HepG2 cells
      and inhibited apoB-containing lipoprotein secretion in HepG2 and differentiated
      Caco2 cells. The interaction between luteolin and HNF4alpha was demonstrated
      using absorption spectrum analysis and luteolin-immobilized beads. Luteolin did
      not affect the DNA binding of HNF4alpha to the promoter region of its target
      genes but suppressed the acetylation level of histone H3 in the promoter region
      of certain HNF4alpha target genes. Short term treatment of mice with luteolin
      significantly suppressed the expression of HNF4alpha target genes in the liver.
      In addition, long term treatment of mice with luteolin significantly suppressed
      their diet-induced obesity and improved their serum glucose and lipid parameters.
      Importantly, long term luteolin treatment lowered serum VLDL and LDL cholesterol
      and serum apoB protein levels, which was not accompanied by fat accumulation in
      the liver. These results suggest that the flavonoid luteolin ameliorates an
      atherogenic lipid profile in vivo that is likely to be mediated through the
      inactivation of HNF4alpha. 

PMID- 26272614
TI  - Microprocessor complex subunit DiGeorge syndrome critical region gene 8 (Dgcr8)
      is required for schwann cell myelination and myelin maintenance.
AB  - We investigated the role of a key component of the Microprocessor complex, DGCR8,
      in the regulation of myelin formation and maintenance. We found that
      conditionally ablating Dgcr8 in Schwann cells (SCs) during development results in
      an arrest of SC differentiation. Dgcr8 conditional knock-out (cKO) SCs fail to
      form 1:1 relationships with axons or, having achieved this, fail to form myelin
      sheaths. The expression of genes normally found in immature SCs, such as sex
      determining region Y-box 2 (Sox2), is increased in Dgcr8 cKO SCs, whereas the
      expression of myelin-related genes, including the master regulatory transcription
      factor early growth response 2 (Egr2), is decreased. Additionally, expression of
      a novel gene expression program involving sonic hedgehog (Shh), activated de novo
      in injured nerves, is elevated in Dgcr8 cKOs but not in Egr2 null mice, a model
      of SC differentiation arrest, suggesting that the injury-related gene expression
      program in Dgcr8 cKOs cannot be attributed to differentiation arrest. Inducible
      ablation of Dgcr8 in adult SCs results in gene expression changes similar to
      those found in cKOs, including an increase in the expression of Sox2 and Shh.
      Analyses of these nerves mainly reveal normal myelin thickness and axon size
      distribution but some dedifferentiated SCs and increased macrophage infiltration.
      Together our data suggest that Dgcr8 is responsible for modulation of gene
      expression programs underlying myelin formation and maintenance as well as
      suppression of an injury-related gene expression program. 

PMID- 26272615
TI  - Unliganded fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 forms density-independent dimers.
AB  - Fibroblast growth factors receptors (FGFRs) are thought to initiate intracellular
      signaling cascades upon ligand-induced dimerization of the extracellular domain.
      Although the existence of unliganded FGFR1 dimers on the surface of living cells
      has been proposed, this notion remains rather controversial. Here, we employed
      time-resolved Forster resonance energy transfer combined with SNAP- and ACP-tag
      labeling in COS7 cells to monitor dimerization of full-length FGFR1 at the cell
      surface with or without the coreceptor betaKlotho. Using this approach we
      observed homodimerization of unliganded FGFR1 that is independent of its surface
      density. The homo-interaction signal observed for FGFR1 was indeed as robust as
      that obtained for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and was further
      increased by the addition of activating ligands or pathogenic mutations.
      Mutational analysis indicated that the kinase and the transmembrane domains,
      rather than the extracellular domain, mediate the ligand-independent FGFR1
      dimerization. In addition, we observed a formation of a higher order ligand
      independent complex by the c-spliced isoform of FGFR1 and betaKlotho.
      Collectively, our approach provides novel insights into the assembly and dynamics
      of the full-length FGFRs on the cell surface. 

PMID- 26272618
TI  - Intensified fractionation of brewery yeast waste for the recovery of invertase
      using aqueous two-phase systems.
AB  - The potential recovery of high-value products from brewery yeast waste confers
      value to this industrial residue. Aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS) have
      demonstrated to be an attractive alternative for the primary recovery of
      biological products and are therefore suitable for the recovery of invertase from
      this residue. Sixteen different polyethylene glycol (PEG)-potassium phosphate
      ATPS were tested to evaluate the effects of PEG molecular weight (MW) and tie
      line length (TLL) upon the partition behavior of invertase. Concentrations of
      crude extract from brewery yeast waste were then varied in the systems that
      presented the best behaviors to intensify the potential recovery of the enzyme.
      Results show that the use of a PEG MW 400 g mol-1 system with a TLL of 45.0%
      (w/w) resulted in an invertase bottom phase recovery with a purification factor
      of 29.5 and a recovery yield of up to 66.2% after scaling the system to a total
      weight of 15.0 g. This represents 15.1 mg of invertase per mL of processed bottom
      phase. With these results, a single-stage ATPS process for the recovery of
      invertase is proposed.

PMID- 26272619
TI  - The potential Public Health Impact of Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis:
      Global Opinion Survey of Topic Specialists.
AB  - Global research knowledge has accumulated over the past few decades, and there is
      reasonable evidence for a positive association between Mycobacterium avium spp.
      paratuberculosis and Crohn's disease in humans, although its role as a human
      pathogen has not been entirely accepted. For this reason, management of public
      health risk due to M. paratuberculosis remains an important policy issue in agri
      food public health arenas in many countries. Responsible authorities must decide
      whether existing mitigation strategies are sufficient to prevent or reduce human
      exposure to M. paratuberculosis. A Web-based questionnaire was administered to
      topic specialists to elicit empirical knowledge and opinion on the overall public
      health impact of M. paratuberculosis, the importance of various routes of human
      exposure to the pathogen, existing mitigation strategies and the need for future
      strategies. The questionnaire had four sections and consisted of 20 closed and
      five open questions. Topic specialists believed that M. paratuberculosis is
      likely a risk to human health (44.8%) and, given the paucity of available
      evidence, most frequently ranked it as a moderate public health issue (40.1%). A
      significant correlation was detected between topic specialists' commitment to M.
      paratuberculosis in terms of the number of years or proportion of work dedicated
      to this topic, and the likelihood of an extreme answer (high or low) to the above
      questions. Topic specialists identified contact with ruminants and dairy products
      as the most likely routes of exposure for humans. There was consensus on exposure
      routes for ruminants and what commodities to target in mitigation efforts.
      Described mandatory programmes mainly focused on culling diseased animals and
      voluntary on-farm prevention programmes. Despite ongoing difficulties in the
      identification of subclinical infections in animals, the topic specialists
      largely agreed that further enhancement of on-farm programmes in affected
      commodities by the agri-food industry (68.4%) and allocation of resources by
      governments to monitor the issue (92%) are most appropriate given the current
      state of evidence. 

PMID- 26272616
TI  - Degenerate connective polypeptide 1 (CP1) domain from human mitochondrial leucyl
      tRNA synthetase.
AB  - The connective polypeptide 1 (CP1) editing domain of leucyl-tRNA synthetase
      (LeuRS) from various species either harbors a conserved active site to exclude
      tRNA mis-charging with noncognate amino acids or is evolutionarily truncated or
      lost because there is no requirement for high translational fidelity. However,
      human mitochondrial LeuRS (hmtLeuRS) contains a full-length but degenerate CP1
      domain that has mutations in some residues important for post-transfer editing.
      The significance of such an inactive CP1 domain and a translational accuracy
      mechanism with different noncognate amino acids are not completely understood.
      Here, we identified the essential role of the evolutionarily divergent CP1 domain
      in facilitating hmtLeuRS's catalytic efficiency and endowing enzyme with
      resistance to AN2690, a broad-spectrum drug acting on LeuRSs. In addition, the
      canonical core of hmtLeuRS is not stringent for noncognate norvaline (Nva) and
      valine (Val). hmtLeuRS has a very weak tRNA-independent pre-transfer editing
      activity for Nva, which is insufficient to remove mis-activated Nva. Moreover,
      hmtLeuRS chimeras fused with a functional CP1 domain from LeuRSs of other
      species, regardless of origin, showed restored post-transfer editing activity and
      acquired fidelity during aminoacylation. This work offers a novel perspective on
      the role of the CP1 domain in optimizing aminoacylation efficiency. 

PMID- 26272617
TI  - The cysteine dioxygenase homologue from Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a 3
      mercaptopropionate dioxygenase.
AB  - Thiol dioxygenation is the initial oxidation step that commits a thiol to
      important catabolic or biosynthetic pathways. The reaction is catalyzed by a
      family of specific non-heme mononuclear iron proteins each of which is reported
      to react efficiently with only one substrate. This family of enzymes includes
      cysteine dioxygenase, cysteamine dioxygenase, mercaptosuccinate dioxygenase, and
      3-mercaptopropionate dioxygenase. Using sequence alignment to infer cysteine
      dioxygenase activity, a cysteine dioxygenase homologue from Pseudomonas
      aeruginosa (p3MDO) has been identified. Mass spectrometry of P. aeruginosa under
      standard growth conditions showed that p3MDO is expressed in low levels,
      suggesting that this metabolic pathway is available to the organism. Purified
      recombinant p3MDO is able to oxidize both cysteine and 3-mercaptopropionic acid
      in vitro, with a marked preference for 3-mercaptopropionic acid. We therefore
      describe this enzyme as a 3-mercaptopropionate dioxygenase. Mossbauer
      spectroscopy suggests that substrate binding to the ferrous iron is through the
      thiol but indicates that each substrate could adopt different coordination
      geometries. Crystallographic comparison with mammalian cysteine dioxygenase shows
      that the overall active site geometry is conserved but suggests that the
      different substrate specificity can be related to replacement of an arginine by a
      glutamine in the active site. 

PMID- 26272620
TI  - Assessment of net knee moment-angle characteristics by instrumented hand-held
      dynamometry in children with spastic cerebral palsy and typically developing
      children.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The limited range of motion during walking in children with spastic
      cerebral palsy (SCP) may be the result of altered mechanical characteristics of
      muscles and connective tissues around the knee joint. Measurement of static net
      knee moment-angle relation will provide insights into these alterations, for
      which instrumented hand-held dynamometry may be applied. The aims of this study
      were: (1) to test the measurement error of the estimated net knee moment-angle
      characteristics, (2) to determine the correlation between knee extension angle
      measurement at a standardized knee moment and popliteal angle from common
      physical examination and (3) to compare net knee moment-angle characteristics in
      SCP versus typically developing children. METHODS: With the child lying in
      sideward position, the knee was extended by moving the lower leg by a hand-held
      force transducer on a low friction cart. Force data were collected for a range of
      knee angles. Data were excluded when activity (EMG) levels of knee extensor and
      flexor muscles exceeded the EMG level during rest by more than two standard
      deviations. The net knee flexion moments were calculated from recorded force data
      and measured moment arm. Reliability for knee angles corresponding with 0.5, 1,
      2, 3, and 4 Nm knee net flexion moments was assessed by standard error of
      measurements (SEM) and smallest detectable difference (SDD). RESULTS: For between
      day comparison, SEMs were about 5 degrees  and SDDs were below 14 degrees  for
      knee angles at 1-4 Nm net knee flexion moments. In SCP children, the knee angle
      measured at 4 Nm knee flexion moment was not related to the popliteal angle (r =
      0.52). The slope at 4 Nm of the knee moment-angle curve in SCP children was
      significantly higher than that in typically developing children. CONCLUSIONS: The
      presented knee hand-held dynamometry allows assessment of net knee flexion moment
      knee angle characteristics in typically developing and SCP children and can be
      used to identify clinically relevant changes as a result of treatment. Overall
      stiffness of structures that contribute to the net knee flexion moment at the
      knee (i.e. muscles, tendons, ligaments) is elevated in SCP children.

PMID- 26272621
TI  - Audiovisual distraction as a useful adjunct to epidural anesthesia and sedation
      for prolonged lower limb microvascular orthoplastic surgery.
AB  - Lower limb orthopedic operations are frequently performed under regional
      anesthesia, which allows avoidance of potential side effects and complications of
      general anesthesia and sedation. Often though, patients feel anxious about being
      awake during operations. To decrease intraoperative anxiety, we use multimedia
      equipment consisting of a tablet device, noise-canceling headphones, and a
      makeshift frame, where patients can listen to music, watch movies, or occupy
      themselves in numerous ways. These techniques have been extensively studies in
      minimally invasive, short, or minor procedures but not in prolonged orthoplastic
      operations. We report 2 cases where audiovisual distraction was successfully
      applied to 9.5-hour procedures, proved to be a very useful adjunct to epidural
      anesthesia + sedation, and made an important contribution to positive patients'
      outcomes and overall patients' experience with regional anesthesia for complex
      limb reconstructive surgery. In the era when not only patients' safety and
      clinical outcomes but also patients' positive experiences are of paramount
      importance, audiovisual distraction may provide a simple tool to help improve
      experience of appropriately informed patients undergoing suitable procedures
      under regional anesthesia. The anesthetic technique received a very positive
      appraisal by both patients and encouraged us to study further the impact of
      modern audiovisual technology on anxiolysis for major surgery under regional
      anesthesia. The duration of surgery per se is not a contraindication to the use
      of audiovisual distraction. The absolute proviso of successful application of
      this technique to major surgery is effective regional anesthesia and good
      teamwork between the clinicians and the patients. 

PMID- 26272622
TI  - MyD88 mediates in vivo effector functions of alveolar macrophages in acute lung
      inflammatory responses to carbon nanotube exposure.
AB  - Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are rapidly emerging as high-priority occupational
      toxicants. CNT powders contain fibrous particles that aerosolize readily in
      places of manufacture and handling, posing an inhalation risk for workers.
      Studies using animal models indicate that lung exposure to CNTs causes prolonged
      inflammatory responses and diffuse alveolar injury. The mechanisms governing CNT
      induced lung inflammation are not fully understood but have been suggested to
      involve alveolar macrophages (AMs). In the current study, we sought to
      systematically assess the effector role of AMs in vivo in the induction of lung
      inflammatory responses to CNT exposures and investigate their cell type-specific
      mechanisms. Multi-wall CNTs characterized for various physicochemical attributes
      were used as the CNT type. Using an AM-specific depletion and repopulation
      approach in a mouse model, we unambiguously demonstrated that AMs are major
      effector cells necessary for the in vivo elaboration of CNT-induced lung
      inflammation. We further investigated in vitro AM responses and identified
      molecular targets which proved critical to pro-inflammatory responses in this
      model, namely MyD88 as well as MAPKs and Ca(2+)/CamKII. We further demonstrated
      that MyD88 inhibition in donor AMs abrogated their capacity to reconstitute CNT
      induced inflammation when adoptively transferred into AM-depleted mice. Taken
      together, this is the first in vivo demonstration that AMs act as critical
      effector cell types in CNT-induced lung inflammation and that MyD88 is required
      for this in vivo effector function. AMs and their cell type-specific mechanisms
      may therefore represent potential targets for future therapeutic intervention of
      CNT-related lung injury. 

PMID- 26272624
TI  - Putting heterosynaptic plasticity in its place - as easy as PIE.

PMID- 26272623
TI  - Genome-wide association study of body weight in Australian Merino sheep reveals
      an orthologous region on OAR6 to human and bovine genomic regions affecting
      height and weight.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Body weight (BW) is an important trait for meat production in sheep.
      Although over the past few years, numerous quantitative trait loci (QTL) have
      been detected for production traits in cattle, few QTL studies have been reported
      for sheep, with even fewer on meat production traits. Our objective was to
      perform a genome-wide association study (GWAS) with the medium-density Illumina
      Ovine SNP50 BeadChip to identify genomic regions and corresponding haplotypes
      associated with BW in Australian Merino sheep. METHODS: A total of 1781
      Australian Merino sheep were genotyped using the medium-density Illumina Ovine
      SNP50 BeadChip. Among the 53 862 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on this
      array, 48 640 were used to perform a GWAS using a linear mixed model approach.
      Genotypes were phased with hsphase; to estimate SNP haplotype effects, linkage
      disequilibrium blocks were identified in the detected QTL region. RESULTS: Thirty
      nine SNPs were associated with BW at a Bonferroni-corrected genome-wide
      significance threshold of 1 %. One region on sheep (Ovis aries) chromosome 6
      (OAR6) between 36.15 and 38.56 Mb, included 13 significant SNPs that were
      associated with BW; the most significant SNP was OAR6_41936490.1 (P = 2.37 * 10(
      16)) at 37.69 Mb with an allele substitution effect of 2.12 kg, which corresponds
      to 0.248 phenotypic standard deviations for BW. The region that surrounds this
      association signal on OAR6 contains three genes: leucine aminopeptidase 3 (LAP3),
      which is involved in the processing of the oxytocin precursor; NCAPG non-SMC
      condensin I complex, subunit G (NCAPG), which is associated with foetal growth
      and carcass size in cattle; and ligand dependent nuclear receptor corepressor
      like (LCORL), which is associated with height in humans and cattle. CONCLUSIONS:
      The GWAS analysis detected 39 SNPs associated with BW in sheep and a major QTL
      region was identified on OAR6. In several other mammalian species, regions that
      are syntenic with this region have been found to be associated with body size
      traits, which may reflect that the underlying biological mechanisms share a
      common ancestry. These findings should facilitate the discovery of causative
      variants for BW and contribute to marker-assisted selection.

PMID- 26272625
TI  - Coupling cellular metabolism to neuronal signalling.

PMID- 26272626
TI  - Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Clinical and Pathological Features and Associated Risk
      Factors in an Observational Study of 118 Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: In the latest edition of its cancer staging manual, the
      American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) revised the criteria for staging
      squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) by introducing high-risk tumor features to define
      tumor stage (T) and help to identify tumors with a higher risk of metastasis. The
      aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics associated with SCC
      meeting the high-risk criteria defined by the AJCC for T2 lesions. PATIENTS AND
      METHOD: We performed a case-case observational study in which patients with SCC
      were included over a period of 18 months. We collected clinical, anthropometric,
      and tumor data, and analyzed these using PASW Statistics (SPSS) version 18.
      RESULTS: One-hundred eighteen patients, the majority of whom were men, were
      included. Mean age was 77 years. Over 70% of the tumors were located in the head
      region and a majority of tumors measured 2 cm or less. The prevalence of SCC T2
      was 61.9%. The risk factors significantly associated with SCC T2 were an age of
      over 85 years (odds ratio [OR], 4.48), location in the head and neck region (OR,
      3.38), presence of solar elastosis in the peritumoral tissue (OR, 2.08), a higher
      tumor growth rate (>1.5 mm.wk(-1); OR, 5.73), and higher cumulative exposure to
      smoking (>20 pack-years, OR, 3.63). CONCLUSIONS: Advanced age, location in the
      head and neck region, presence of solar elastosis, high tumor growth rate, and
      high cumulative smoking exposure were all significantly associated with the
      presence of SCC T2.

PMID- 26272627
TI  - Risky traditional practices and prevention of mother-to-child transmission of
      HIV: the case of Chiota community in Zimbabwe.
AB  - The objective of this study was to explore cultural practices that could expose
      babies to HIV infection during the postnatal period in Chiota community in
      Zimbabwe. Purposively selected and gender disaggregated members of the community
      (n = 231) were informants to 23 focus group discussions and 8 semi-structured key
      informant interviews. Data were analysed thematically. Emerging themes relating
      to risky practices were rituals surrounding open fontanelle, toning of child's
      sexual libido, initiation of sex after childbirth, treatment of eye and ear
      infections, tongue-tie and pre-mastication. These practices exposed babies to
      bodily fluids such as saliva, breast milk, vaginal fluids, pre-cum and semen
      which in turn put the babies at low to high risk of contracting HIV. This paper
      discusses implications for these risky practices in prevention of mother-to-child
      transmission of HIV. There is, therefore, need for studies to establish the
      prevalence of these practices. 

PMID- 26272628
TI  - Biometric measurements involving the terminal portion of the thoracic duct on
      left cervical level IV: an anatomic study.
AB  - To determine the point of entrance of the thoracic duct in the venous system, as
      well as to evaluate some biometric measurements concerning its terminal portion,
      we conducted an anatomic study on 25 non-preserved cadavers. The termination of
      the thoracic duct occurred on the confluence between the left internal jugular
      vein and the left subclavian vein in 60 % of the individuals. The average results
      for the biometric measurements were: distance between the end of left internal
      jugular vein and omohyoid muscle 31.2 +/- 2.7 mm; distance between the end of
      thoracic duct and the left internal jugular vein 0.0 +/- 0.0 mm; distance between
      the end of thoracic duct and the left subclavian vein 3.6 +/- 1.0 mm; distance
      between the end of thoracic duct and the left brachiocephalic vein 10.7 +/- 3.1
      mm. Moreover, it was identified that the left internal jugular vein length in
      level IV, measured between its entrance in the left subclavian vein and the
      omohyoid muscle, was able to predict the termination of the thoracic duct on the
      junction between the left internal jugular vein and the left subclavian vein (OR
      = 2.99) with high accuracy (79.3 %). In addition, the left internal jugular vein
      length at level IV was able to predict the localization of thoracic duct
      termination. Thus, this finding has practical value in minimizing the risk for a
      potential chyle leak during or after a left-sided neck dissection. 

PMID- 26272630
TI  - Orthokeratotic Bowen disease: a histopathologic, immunohistochemical and
      molecular study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Some examples of Bowen disease lack the characteristic broad
      parakeratosis making their histopathologic diagnosis particularly difficult in
      small and incomplete biopsies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The archives of our
      dermatopathology laboratory were searched for cases of Bowen disease with >75%
      orthokeratosis (orthokeratotic Bowen disease) and classic Bowen disease (>25%
      parakeratosis). Selected specimens were evaluated histopathologically, using
      immunohistochemical stains (CK10, CK7, Bcl-2, p16 and Ki-67) and by DNA
      amplification/sequencing for human papilloma virus (HPV) subtypes. RESULTS: Among
      102 consecutive samples 14 cases of orthokeratotic Bowen disease were identified.
      In comparison with 24 examples of classic Bowen disease, the orthokeratotic
      examples occurred more frequently in female and younger patients (p = 0.04 and
      0.008, respectively) but shared most of the histopathologic features of classic
      Bowen disease except a preserved granular layer and relative absence of the
      eyeliner sign (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.042, respectively). Immunohistochemical
      staining patterns were similar between the two groups. HPV types 11, 16 and 58
      were identified from five cases of orthokeratotic Bowen disease. CONCLUSION:
      Orthokeratotic Bowen disease is a distinct variant of squamous cell carcinoma in
      situ associated with HPV infection in less than half of the cases studied.

PMID- 26272629
TI  - A short N-terminal domain of HDAC4 preserves photoreceptors and restores visual
      function in retinitis pigmentosa.
AB  - Retinitis pigmentosa is a leading cause of inherited blindness, with no effective
      treatment currently available. Mutations primarily in genes expressed in rod
      photoreceptors lead to early rod death, followed by a slower phase of cone
      photoreceptor death. Rd1 mice provide an invaluable animal model to evaluate
      therapies for the disease. We previously reported that overexpression of histone
      deacetylase 4 (HDAC4) prolongs rod survival in rd1 mice. Here we report a key
      role of a short N-terminal domain of HDAC4 in photoreceptor protection.
      Expression of this domain suppresses multiple cell death pathways in
      photoreceptor degeneration, and preserves even more rd1 rods than the full-length
      HDAC4 protein. Expression of a short N-terminal domain of HDAC4 as a transgene in
      mice carrying the rd1 mutation also prolongs the survival of cone photoreceptors,
      and partially restores visual function. Our results may facilitate the design of
      a small protein therapy for some forms of retinitis pigmentosa. 

PMID- 26272632
TI  - Psychometric Properties of a German Translation of the PROMIS(r) Depression Item
      Bank.
AB  - The patient-reported outcome measurement information system (PROMIS(r))
      initiative has developed and evaluated a set of publicly available, efficient,
      and flexible measures of patient-reported outcomes in different health domains,
      including mental health. The objective of this study was to translate the PROMIS
      Depression item bank into German and evaluate the psychometric properties of the
      translated items. Items were translated using forward and backward translation
      and cognitive interviews. Distribution characteristics, unidimensionality, Rasch
      model fit, reliability, construct validity, and internal responsiveness were
      investigated in a sample of 234 patients in in-patient psychosomatic
      rehabilitation centers in Germany. The translated items showed good psychometric
      properties, the distribution characteristics were satisfactory, and the
      sufficient unidimensionality was obtained by fitting a bifactor model. The
      construct validity was demonstrated, and it was reliable and was shown to detect
      clinically significant changes. The translated items can be recommended for the
      assessment of depression. Future studies should examine the generalizability of
      the results.

PMID- 26272631
TI  - Exosomes or microvesicles? Two kinds of extracellular vesicles with different
      routes to modify protozoan-host cell interaction.
AB  - Parasite-host cell interaction can be modulated by a dynamic communication
      between extracellular vesicles (EVs). They should play key roles in cell-cell
      communications transferring biomolecules (miRNA, proteins, soluble factors) from
      one cell to another cell. While many names have been used to denominate EVs, a
      better comprehension to understand these vesicles is raised when we classify it
      according to biogenesis: originated from multivesicular bodies, named exosomes,
      and from plasmatic membranes, denominated microvesicles. Here, we have reviewed
      EV participation during the protozoan-host cell interaction and reinforced the
      differences and similarities between exosomes and microvesicles, suggesting
      different intracellular routes and functions. We also discussed perspectives to
      study EVs and the role of EVs in diagnosis and chemotherapies of infectious
      diseases. 

PMID- 26272633
TI  - Phenotypic and Genetic Variations in Obligate Parthenogenetic Populations of
      Eriosoma lanigerum Hausmann (Hemiptera: Aphididae).
AB  - The study of phenotypic and genetic variation of obligate parthenogenetic
      organisms contributes to an understanding of evolution in the absence of genetic
      variation produced by sexual reproduction. Eriosoma lanigerum Hausmann undergoes
      obligate parthenogenesis in Mexico City, Mexico, due to the unavailability of the
      host plants required for sexual reproduction. We analysed the phenotypic and
      genetic variation of E. lanigerum in relation to the dry and wet season and plant
      phenology. Aphids were collected on two occasions per season on a secondary host
      plant, Pyracantha koidzumii, at five different sites in the southern area of
      Mexico City, Mexico. Thirteen morphological characteristics were measured from
      147 to 276 individuals per site and per season. A multivariate analysis of
      variance was performed to test the effect of the season, site and their
      interaction on morphological traits. Morphological variation was summarised using
      a principal component analysis. Genetic variation was described using six
      enzymatic loci, four of which were polymorphic. Our study showed that the site
      and season has a significant effect on morphological trait variation. The largest
      aphids were recorded during cold temperatures with low relative humidity and when
      the plant was at the end of the fruiting period. The mean genetic diversity was
      low (mean H e =  .161), and populations were genetically structured by season and
      site. Morphological and genetic variations appear to be associated with
      environmental factors that directly affect aphid development and/or indirectly by
      host plant phenology.

PMID- 26272634
TI  - Rapid detection of ermB gene in Clostridium difficile by loop-mediated isothermal
      amplification.
AB  - Macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B resistance in Clostridium difficile is
      mostly due to the ermB resistance determinant. Here, we describe a sensitive and
      rapid molecular method to detect ermB in C. difficile to contribute to the wider
      epidemiological study. Five sets of loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP)
      primers were designed and optimized for rapid detection of ermB. The specificity
      and sensitivity of the primers for ermB were detected, and the ermB LAMP assay
      was compared to conventional PCR with 80 clinical isolates of C. difficile. Real
      time monitoring of turbidity and chromogenic reaction were used to determine
      negative and positive results. A total of 26 pathogenic bacterial strains of
      different species were found to be negative for ermB, which indicated the high
      specificity of the primers. ermB was detected in 78.8 % (63/80) of the clinical
      isolates by both LAMP and conventional PCR. The detection limit of LAMP was 36.1 
      pg DNA MUl- 1 and its sensitivity was 10-fold greater than that of conventional
      PCR. This study is the first report regarding the development and application of
      the LAMP assay for detection of the ermB gene in C. difficile strains. The
      developed LAMP method is sensitive, specific and provides a user-friendly visual
      approach for the rapid detection of ermB-bearing C. difficile.

PMID- 26272635
TI  - Intracranial dural arteriovenous fistula associated with a spinal tumor: a case
      report.

PMID- 26272636
TI  - Differential modulation of resistance biomarkers in skin of juvenile and mature
      pink salmon, Oncorhynchus gorbuscha by the salmon louse, Lepeophtheirus salmonis.
AB  - Juvenile pink salmon larger than 0.7 g reject the sea louse, Lepeophtheirus
      salmonis, and are considered resistant to the infection. Robust innate defense
      responses in the skin contribute to the observed resistance. In contrast adult
      pink salmon captured at sea or shortly before spawning carry large numbers of the
      parasite, suggesting inability to control the infection. The purpose of this
      research is to better understand these apparently contradictory conclusions by
      comparing a suite of genetic and cellular markers of resistance to L. salmonis in
      the skin of juvenile and mature pink salmon. The expression of major
      histocompatibility factor II, C-reactive protein, interleukin-1beta, interleukin
      8 and cyclooxygenase-2 was down-regulated in mature but not juvenile pink salmon.
      Similarly, skin at the site of parasite attachment in juvenile salmon was highly
      populated with MHIIbeta(+) and IL-1beta(+) cells that were either absent, or at
      reduced levels at similar sites in mature salmon. In addition, mucocyte density
      was relatively low in the skin of mature salmon, irrespective of louse infection.
      In juveniles, the higher mucocyte density decreased following louse attachment.
      We show that in mature pink salmon, genetic and histological responses in skin
      are depressed and speculate that salmonid defense against L. salmonis is
      modulated by maturation.

PMID- 26272637
TI  - Vitamin A supplementation enhances Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) early
      juvenile's immunocompetence: New insights on potential underlying pathways.
AB  - Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) has been considered since the 1990's to be a
      promising flatfish species for diversifying European marine aquaculture. However,
      pathogen outbreaks leading to high mortality rates can impair Senegalese sole
      commercial production at the weaning phase. Different approaches have been shown
      to improve fish immunocompetence; with this in mind the objective of the work
      described herein was to determine whether increased levels of dietary vitamin A
      (VA) improve the immune response in early juveniles of Senegalese sole. For this
      purpose, Senegalese sole were reared and fed with Artemia metanauplii containing
      increased levels of VA (37,000; 44,666; 82,666 and 203,000 total VA IU Kg(-1))
      from 6 to 60 days post-hatch (early juvenile stage). After an induced bacterial
      infection with a 50% lethal dose of Photobacterium damselae subsp. damselae,
      survival rate, as well as underlying gene expression of specific immune markers
      (C1inh, C3, C9, Lgals1, Hamp, LysC, Prdx1, Steap4 and Transf) were evaluated.
      Results showed that fish fed higher doses of dietary VA were more resistant to
      the bacterial challenge. The lower mortality was found to be related with
      differential expression of genes involved in the complement system and iron
      availability. We suggest that feeding metamorphosed Senegalese sole with 203,000
      total VA IU Kg(-1) might be an effective, inexpensive and environmentally
      friendly method to improve Senegalese sole immunocompetence, thereby improving
      survival of juveniles and reducing economic losses.

PMID- 26272638
TI  - Identification of a novel clip domain serine proteinase (Sp-cSP) and its roles in
      innate immune system of mud crab Scylla paramamosain.
AB  - Clip domain serine proteinases and their homologs are involved in the innate
      immunity of invertebrates. To identify the frontline defense molecules against
      pathogenic infection, we isolated a novel clip domain serine proteinase (Sp-cSP)
      from the hemocytes of mud crab Scylla paramamosain. The full-length 1362 bp Sp
      cSP contains a 1155 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding 384 amino acids.
      Multiple alignment analysis showed that the putative amino acid sequence of Sp
      cSP has about 52% and 51% identity with Pt-cSP2 (AFA42360) and Pt-cSP3 (AFA42361)
      from Portunus trituberculatus, respectively, while the similarity with other cSP
      sequences was lower than 30%. However, all cSP sequences possess a conserved clip
      domain at the N-terminal and a Tryp-SPc domain at the C-terminal. The genomic
      organization of Sp-cSP consists of nine exons and eight introns, with some
      introns containing one or more tandem repeats. RT-PCR results indicated that Sp
      cSP transcripts were predominantly expressed in the subcuticular epidermis,
      muscle and mid-intestine, but barely detectable in the brain and heart. Further,
      Sp-cSP transcripts were significantly up-regulated after challenge with
      lipopolysaccharides (LPS), Vibrio parahaemolyticus, polyinosinic polycytidylic
      acid (PolyI:C) or white spot syndrome virus (WSSV). Moreover, in vitro, the
      recombinant Sp-cSP revealed a strong antimicrobial activity against a Gram
      positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and four Gram-negative (V. parahaemolyticus,
      Vibrio alginolyticus, Escherichia coli, Aeromonas hydrophila) bacteria in a dose
      dependent manner. Taken together, the acute-phase response to immune challenges
      and the antimicrobial activity assay indicate that Sp-cSP is a potent immune
      protector and plays an important role in host defense against pathogen invasion
      in S. paramamosain.

PMID- 26272639
TI  - Determine the structure of phosphorylated modification of icariin and its
      antiviral activity against duck hepatitis virus A.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Our previous research showed that icariin (1) and its phosphorylated
      structural modification (2) improved the survival and attenuated oxidative stress
      and liver dysfunction induced by duck virus hepatitis. In this paper, we were one
      step closer to determine the structure of phosphorylation icariin (2) by the FT
      IR, HRESIMS and (13)C NMR. Anti-DHAV activities of 1 and 2 were compared in duck
      embryonic hepatocytes (DEHs) cultured in vitro and by artificial infection method
      in vivo. Additionally, the antiviral mechanisms of replication/release in vitro
      and the DHAV gene expression in vivo of 1 and 2 were analyzed. RESULTS: Compound
      2's molecular formula was C33H42O18P. The results indicated that 1 and 2
      effectively resisted DHAV invading DEHs, that they decreased the mortality of
      ducklings challenged with DHAV, and that 2 performed more effectively. 1 and 2
      performed evenly on DHAV release; however, 2 restrained virus replication far
      more effectively. Since the anti-DHAV mechanisms of 1 and 2 in vitro probably
      involve suppression of replication and release, 2's better performance in anti
      DHAV may result from its far more effectively inhibiting virus replication.
      CONCLUSIONS: The compound 2's chemical structure was defined as 8
      prenylkaempferol-4'-methylether-3-rhamnosyl-7-(6'''-phosphate)-glycoside. 1 and 2
      exhibited anti-virus activity on DHAV. Our results suggest that 1 and 2 might
      become an anti-virus plant material candidate.

PMID- 26272640
TI  - Antiplatelet drugs in patients with enhanced platelet turnover: biomarkers versus
      platelet function testing.
AB  - Platelets are key players in atherothrombosis. Antiplatelet therapy comprising
      aspirin alone or with P2Y12-inhibitors are effective for prevention of
      atherothrombotic complications. However, there is interindividual variability in
      the response to antiplatelet drugs, leaving some patients at increased risk of
      recurrent atherothrombotic events. Several risk factors associated with high on
      treatment platelet reactivity (HTPR), including elevated platelet turnover, have
      been identified. Platelet turnover is adequately estimated from the fraction of
      reticulated platelets. Reticulated platelets are young platelets, characterised
      by residual messenger RNA. They are larger, haemostatically more active and there
      is evidence that platelet turnover is a causal and prognostic factor in
      atherothrombotic disease. Whether platelet turnover per se represents a key
      factor in pathogenesis, progression and prognosis of atherothrombotic diseases
      (with focus on acute coronary syndromes) or whether it merely facilitates
      insufficient platelet inhibition will be discussed in this state-of-the art
      review. 

PMID- 26272641
TI  - Effects of chronic exposure to 950 MHz ultra-high-frequency electromagnetic
      radiation on reactive oxygen species metabolism in the right and left cerebral
      cortex of young rats of different ages.
AB  - PURPOSE: To assess the effect of 950 MHz ultra-high-frequency electromagnetic
      radiation (UHF-EMR) on biomarkers of oxidative damage to DNA, proteins and lipids
      in the left cerebral cortex (LCC) and right cerebral cortex (RCC) of neonate and
      6-day-old rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve rats were equally divided into two
      groups as controls (CR) and exposed (ER), for each age (0 and 6 days). The LCC
      and RCC were examined in ER and CR after exposure. Radiation exposure lasted 30
      min per day for up to 27 days (throughout pregnancy and 6 days postnatal). The
      specific absorption rate ranged from 1.32-1.14 W/kg. The damage to lipids,
      proteins and DNA was verified by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances,
      carbonylated proteins (CP) and comets, respectively. The concentration of glucose
      in the peripheral blood of the rats was measured by the Accu-Chek Active Kit due
      to increased CP in RCC. RESULTS: In neonates, no modification of the biomarkers
      tested was detected. On the other hand, there was an increase in the levels of CP
      in the RCC of the 6-day-old ER. Interestingly, the concentration of blood glucose
      was decreased in this group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that there is no
      genotoxicity and oxidative stress in neonates and 6 days rats. However, the RCC
      had the highest concentration of CP that do not seem to be a consequence of
      oxidative stress. This study is the first to demonstrate the use of UHF-EMR
      causes different damage responses to proteins in the LCC and RCC.

PMID- 26272642
TI  - Flavocoxid attenuates gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.
AB  - Gentamicin is a widely used antibiotic against serious and life-threatening
      infections; however, its usefulness is limited by the development of
      nephrotoxicity. The present study was designed to determine whether flavocoxid
      has a protective effect against gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. For
      this purpose, we quantitatively evaluated gentamicin-induced renal structural and
      functional alterations using histopathological and biochemical approaches.
      Furthermore, the effect of flavocoxid on gentamicin induced hypersensitivity of
      urinary bladder rings to acetylcholine (ACh) was determined. Twenty-four male
      Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into three groups, namely control,
      gentamicin (100 mg/kg, i.p.) and gentamicin plus flavocoxid (20 mg/kg, orally).
      At the end of the study, all rats were sacrificed and then blood, urine samples
      and kidneys were collected for further analysis. Gentamicin administration caused
      a severe nephrotoxicity which was evidenced by an elevated renal somatic index
      (RSI), serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, serum lactate dehydrogenase, and
      protein in urine with a concomitant reduction in serum albumin and normalized
      creatinine clearance value as compared with the controls. Moreover, a significant
      increase in renal contents of malondialdehyde, myeloperoxidase, and tumor
      necrosis factor-alpha with a significant decrease in renal reduced glutathione
      and superoxide dismutase activities was detected upon gentamicin administration
      together with increasing the sensitivity of isolated urinary bladder rings to
      ACh. Exposure to gentamicin induced necrosis of renal tubular epithelial cells.
      Flavocoxid protected kidney tissue against the oxidative damage and the
      nephrotoxic effect caused by gentamicin treatment. In addition, flavocoxid
      significantly reduced the responses of isolated bladder rings to ACh. The results
      from our study indicate that flavocoxid supplement attenuates gentamicin-induced
      renal injury via the amelioration of oxidative stress and inflammation of renal
      tubular cells. 

PMID- 26272645
TI  - Assessment of Protective Gloves for Use with Airfed Suits.
AB  - Gloves are often needed for hand protection at work, but they can impair manual
      dexterity, especially if they are multilayered or ill-fitting. This article
      describes two studies of gloves to be worn with airfed suits (AFS) for nuclear
      decommissioning or containment level 4 (CL4) microbiological work. Both sets of
      workers wear multiple layers of gloves for protection and to accommodate
      decontamination procedures. Nuclear workers are also often required to wear cut
      resistant gloves as an extra layer of protection. A total of 15 subjects
      volunteered to take part in manual dexterity testing of the different gloving
      systems. The subjects' hands were measured to ensure that the appropriate sized
      gloves were used. The gloves were tested with the subjects wearing the complete
      clothing ensembles appropriate to the work, using a combination of standard
      dexterity tests: the nine-hole peg test; a pin test adapted from the European
      Standard for protective gloves, the Purdue Pegboard test, and the Minnesota
      turning test. Specialized tests such as a hand tool test were used to test
      nuclear gloves, and laboratory-type manipulation tasks were used to test CL4
      gloves. Subjective assessments of temperature sensation and skin wettedness were
      made before and after the dexterity tests of the nuclear gloves only. During all
      assessments, we made observations and questioned the subjects about ergonomic
      issues related to the clothing ensembles. Overall, the results show that the
      greater the thickness of the gloves and the number of layers the more the levels
      of manual dexterity performance are degraded. The nuclear cut-resistant gloves
      with the worst level of dexterity were stiff and inflexible and the subjects
      experienced problems picking up small items and bending their hands. The work
      also highlighted other factors that affect manual dexterity performance,
      including proper sizing, interactions with the other garments worn at the time,
      and the work equipment in use. In conclusion, when evaluating gloves for use in
      the workplace it is important to use tests that reflect the working environment
      and always to consider the balance between protection and usability. 

PMID- 26272646
TI  - Dental Pulp Cell Behavior in Biomimetic Environments.
AB  - There is emerging recognition of the importance of a physiologically relevant in
      vitro cell culture environment to promote maintenance of stem cells for tissue
      engineering and regenerative medicine purposes. In vivo, appropriate cellular
      cues are provided by local tissue extracellular matrix (ECM), and these are not
      currently recapitulated well in vitro using traditional cultureware. We therefore
      hypothesized that better replication of the in vivo environment for cell culture
      and differentiation could be achieved by culturing dental pulp cells with their
      associated ECM. Primary dental pulp cells were subsequently seeded onto pulp
      derived ECM-coated cultureware. While at up to 24 h they exhibited the same level
      of adherence as those cells seeded on tissue culture-treated surfaces, by 4 d
      cell numbers and proliferation rates were significantly decreased in cells grown
      on pulp ECM compared with controls. Analysis of stem cell and differentiation
      marker transcripts, as well as Oct 3/4 protein distribution, supported the
      hypothesis that cells cultured on ECM better maintained a stem cell phenotype
      compared with those cultured on standard tissue culture-treated surfaces.
      Subsequent differentiation analysis of cells cultured on ECM demonstrated that
      they exhibited enhanced mineralization, as determined by alizarin red staining
      and mineralized marker expression. Supplementation of a 3% alginate hydrogel with
      pulp ECM components and dental pulp cells followed by differentiation induction
      in mineralization medium resulted in a time-dependent mineral deposition at the
      periphery of the construct, as demonstrated histologically and using micro
      computed tomography analysis, which was reminiscent of tooth structure. In
      conclusion, data indicate that culture of pulp cells in the presence of ECM
      better replicates the in vivo environment, maintaining a stem cell phenotype
      suitable for downstream tissue engineering applications. 

PMID- 26272647
TI  - Erratum: Differential immune mechanism to HIV-1 Tat variants and its regulation
      by AEA.

PMID- 26272644
TI  - Deconstructing chronic low back pain in the older adult--Step by step evidence
      and expert-based recommendations for evaluation and treatment part III:
      Fibromyalgia syndrome.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To present the third in a series of articles designed to deconstruct
      chronic low back pain (CLBP) in older adults. The series presents CLBP as a
      syndrome, a final common pathway for the expression of multiple contributors
      rather than a disease localized exclusively to the lumbosacral spine. Each
      article addresses one of 12 important contributors to pain and disability in
      older adults with CLBP. This article focuses on fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS).
      METHODS: A modified Delphi approach was used to create the evaluation and
      treatment algorithm, the table discussing the rationale behind each of the
      algorithm components, and the stepped-care drug recommendations. The team
      involved in the creation of these materials consisted of a principal
      investigator, a 5-member content expert panel, and a 9-member primary care panel.
      The evaluation and treatment recommendations were based on availability of
      medications and other resources within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
      facilities. However, non-VHA panelists were also involved in the development of
      these materials, which can be applied to both VA and civilian settings. The
      illustrative clinical case was taken from the clinical practice of the principal
      investigator. RESULTS: Following expert consultations and a review of the
      literature, we developed an evaluation and treatment algorithm with supporting
      materials to aid in the care of older adults with CLBP who have concomitant FMS.
      A case is presented that demonstrates the complexity of pain evaluation and
      management in older patients with CLBP and concomitant FMS. CONCLUSIONS:
      Recognition of FMS as a common contributor to CLBP in older adults and initiating
      treatment targeting both FMS and CLBP may lead to improved outcomes in pain and
      disability.

PMID- 26272648
TI  - Multiple risk factor interventions for primary prevention of cardiovascular
      disease in low- and middle-income countries.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) morbidity and
      mortality associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have grown exponentially
      over recent years. It is estimated that about 80% of CVD deaths occur in LMICs.
      People in LMICs are more exposed to cardiovascular risk factors such as tobacco,
      and often do not have access to effective and equitable healthcare services
      (including early detection services). Evidence from high-income countries
      indicates that multiple risk factor intervention programmes do not result in
      reductions in CVD events. Given the increasing incidence of CVDs and lower CVD
      health awareness in LMICs it is possible that such programmes may have beneficial
      effects. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effectiveness of multiple risk factor
      interventions (with or without pharmacological treatment) aimed at modifying
      major cardiovascular risk factors for the primary prevention of CVD in LMICs.
      SEARCH METHODS: We searched (from inception to 27 June 2014) the Cochrane Library
      (CENTRAL, HTA, DARE, EED), MEDLINE, EMBASE, Global Health and three other
      databases on 27 June 2014. We also searched two clinical trial registers and
      conducted reference checking to identify additional studies. We applied no
      language limits. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomised controlled trials
      (RCTs) of health promotion interventions to achieve behaviour change (i.e.
      smoking cessation, dietary advice, increasing activity levels) with or without
      pharmacological treatments, which aim to alter more than one cardiovascular risk
      factor (i.e. diet, reduce blood pressure, smoking, total blood cholesterol or
      increase physical activity) of at least six months duration of follow-up
      conducted in LMICs. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two authors independently
      assessed trial eligibility and risk of bias, and extracted data. We combined
      dichotomous data using risk ratios (RRs) and continuous data using mean
      differences (MDs), and presented all results with a 95% confidence interval (CI).
      The primary outcome was combined fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular disease
      events. MAIN RESULTS: Thirteen trials met the inclusion criteria and are included
      in the review. All studies had at least one domain with unclear risk of bias.
      Some studies were at high risk of bias for random sequence generation (two
      trials), allocation concealment (two trials), blinding of outcome assessors (one
      trial) and incomplete outcome data (one trial). Duration and content of multiple
      risk factor interventions varied across the trials. Two trials recruited healthy
      participants and the other 11 trials recruited people with varying risks of CVD,
      such as participants with known hypertension and type 2 diabetes. Only one study
      reported CVD outcomes and multiple risk factor interventions did not reduce the
      incidence of cardiovascular events (RR 0.57, 95% CI 0.11 to 3.07, 232
      participants, low-quality evidence); the result is imprecise (a wide confidence
      interval and small sample size) and makes it difficult to draw a reliable
      conclusion. None of the included trials reported all-cause mortality. The pooled
      effect indicated a reduction in systolic blood pressure (MD -6.72 mmHg, 95% CI 
      9.82 to -3.61, I2 = 91%, 4868 participants, low-quality evidence), diastolic
      blood pressure (MD -4.40 mmHg, 95% CI -6.47 to -2.34, I2 = 92%, 4701
      participants, low-quality evidence), body mass index (MD -0.76 kg/m2, 95% CI 
      1.29 to -0.22, I2 = 80%, 2984 participants, low-quality evidence) and waist
      circumference (MD -3.31, 95% CI -4.77 to -1.86, I2 = 55%, 393 participants,
      moderate-quality evidence) in favour of multiple risk factor interventions, but
      there was substantial heterogeneity. There was insufficient evidence to determine
      the effect of these interventions on consumption of fruit or vegetables, smoking
      cessation, glycated haemoglobin, fasting blood sugar, high density lipoprotein
      (HDL) cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and total
      cholesterol. None of the included trials reported on adverse events. AUTHORS'
      CONCLUSIONS: Due to the limited evidence currently available, we can draw no
      conclusions as to the effectiveness of multiple risk factor interventions on
      combined CVD events and mortality. There is some evidence that multiple risk
      factor interventions may lower blood pressure levels, body mass index and waist
      circumference in populations in LMIC settings at high risk of hypertension and
      diabetes. There was considerable heterogeneity between the trials, the trials
      were small, and at some risk of bias. Larger studies with longer follow-up
      periods are required to confirm whether multiple risk factor interventions lead
      to reduced CVD events and mortality in LMIC settings.

PMID- 26272649
TI  - Estimation of the optimal number of radiotherapy fractions for breast cancer: A
      review of the evidence.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: There is variation in radiotherapy fractionation
      practice, however, there is no evidence-based benchmark for appropriate activity.
      An evidence-based model was constructed to estimate the optimal number of
      fractions for the first course of radiotherapy for breast cancer to aid in
      services planning and performance benchmarking. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The
      published breast cancer radiotherapy utilisation model was adapted. Evidence
      based number of fractions was added to each radiotherapy indication. The overall
      optimal number of fractions was calculated based on the frequency of specific
      clinical conditions where radiotherapy is indicated and the recommended number of
      fractions for each condition. Sensitivity analysis was performed to assess the
      impact of uncertainties on the model. RESULTS: For the entire Australian breast
      cancer patient population, the estimated optimal number of fractions per patient
      was 16.8, 14.6, 13.7 and 0.8 for ductal carcinoma in situ, early, advanced and
      metastatic breast cancer respectively. Overall, the optimal number of fractions
      per patient was 14.4 (range 14.4-18.7). CONCLUSIONS: These results allow
      comparison with actual practices, and workload prediction to aid in services
      planning. The model can be easily adapted to other countries by inserting
      population-specific epidemiological data, and to future changes in cancer
      incidence, stage distribution and fractionation recommendations.

PMID- 26272650
TI  - A model-based longitudinal meta-analysis of FEV1 in randomized COPD trials.
AB  - A model-based, longitudinal meta-analysis of the efficacy on morning trough
      forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1 ) in chronic obstructive pulmonary
      disease (COPD) is presented. Literature data from 142 randomized maintenance
      trials were included, comprising 106,422 patients who received 19 compounds. 1982
      morning trough FEV1 observations were available, each representing the mean FEV1
      for a study arm at a specific timepoint. The final model for absolute FEV1
      included baseline, disease progression, placebo effect, and drug effect estimates
      for all compounds, with interstudy variability on all model components and
      additional interarm variability on baseline. A dose-response relationship was
      identifiable for 10 of the 19 compounds. Drug-drug interactions among direct
      bronchodilators and the effect of concomitant background COPD treatment were
      included. Covariates were identified on baseline. Disease progression was
      proportional to the baseline FEV1 , and a mean baseline of <1.2 L resulted in a
      lower efficacy, in particular for antiinflammatory treatments. 

PMID- 26272651
TI  - A dual functional peptide carrying in vitro selected catalytic and binding
      activities.
AB  - When minimal functional sequences are used, it is possible to integrate multiple
      functions on a single peptide chain, like a "single stroke drawing". Here a dual
      functional peptide was designed by combining in vitro selected catalytic and
      binding activities. For catalytic activity, we performed in vitro selection for a
      peptide aptamer binding to hemin by using ribosome display and isolated a peptide
      that had peroxidase activity in the presence of hemin. By combining the selected
      catalytic peptide with a peptide antigen, which can be recognized by an antibody,
      an enzyme-antibody conjugate-like peptide was obtained. This study demonstrates a
      successful strategy to create dual functionalized peptide chains for use in
      immunoassays. 

PMID- 26272653
TI  - Activity concentrations of (137)Caesium and (210)Polonium in seafood from fishing
      regions of New Zealand and the dose assessment for seafood consumers.
AB  - A study was undertaken to determine activity concentrations for (134)Caesium,
      (137)Caesium and (210)Polonium in New Zealand seafood, and establish if activity
      concentrations varied with respect to species/ecological niche and coastal
      region. Thirty seafood samples were obtained from six fishing regions of New
      Zealand along with a further six samples of two commercially important species
      (hoki and arrow squid) with well-defined fisheries. (134)Caesium was not detected
      in any sample. (137)Caesium was detected in 47% of samples, predominantly in
      pelagic fish species, with most activities at a trace level. Detections of
      (137)Caesium were evenly distributed across all regions. Activity concentrations
      were consistent with those expected from the oceanic inventory representing
      residual fallout from global nuclear testing. (210)Polonium was detected above
      the minimum detectable concentration in 33 (92%) of the analysed samples.
      Molluscs displayed significantly elevated activity concentrations relative to all
      other species groups. No significant regional variation in activity
      concentrations were determined. Two dose assessment models for high seafood
      consumers were undertaken. Dose contribution from (137)Caesium was minimal and
      far below the dose exemption limit of 1 mSv/year. Exposure to (210)Polonium was
      significant in high seafood consumers at 0.44-0.77 mSv/year (5th-95th
      percentile). (137)Caesium is concluded to be a valuable sentinel radionuclide for
      monitoring anthropogenic releases, such as global fallout and reactor releases,
      in the marine environment. (210)Polonium is of importance as a natural
      radionuclide sentinel due to its high contribution to dietary committed dose in
      seafood consumers.

PMID- 26272652
TI  - Tunable terahertz fishnet metamaterials based on thin nematic liquid crystal
      layers for fast switching.
AB  - The electrically tunable properties of liquid-crystal fishnet metamaterials are
      theoretically investigated in the terahertz spectrum. A nematic liquid crystal
      layer is introduced between two fishnet metallic structures, forming a voltage
      controlled metamaterial cavity. Tuning of the nematic molecular orientation is
      shown to shift the magnetic resonance frequency of the metamaterial and its
      overall electromagnetic response. A shift higher than 150 GHz is predicted for
      common dielectric and liquid crystalline materials used in terahertz technology
      and for low applied voltage values. Owing to the few micron-thick liquid crystal
      cell, the response speed of the tunable metamaterial is calculated as orders of
      magnitude faster than in demonstrated liquid-crystal based non-resonant terahertz
      components. Such tunable metamaterial elements are proposed for the advanced
      control of electromagnetic wave propagation in terahertz applications.

PMID- 26272655
TI  - Assessment of Myocardial Remodeling Using an Elastin/Tropoelastin Specific Agent
      with High Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Well-defined inflammation, proliferation, and maturation phases
      orchestrate the remodeling of the injured myocardium after myocardial infarction
      (MI) by controlling the formation of new extracellular matrix. The extracellular
      matrix consists mainly of collagen but also fractions of elastin. It is thought
      that elastin is responsible for maintaining elastic properties of the myocardium,
      thus reducing the risk of premature rupture. An elastin/tropoelastin-specific
      contrast agent (Gd-ESMA) was used to image tropoelastin and mature elastin fibers
      for in vivo assessment of extracellular matrix remodeling post-MI. METHODS AND
      RESULTS: Gd-ESMA enhancement was studied in a mouse model of myocardial
      infarction using a 7 T MRI scanner and results were compared to those achieved
      after injection of a nonspecific control contrast agent, gadolinium
      diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA). In the infarcted tissue, Gd-ESMA
      uptake (measured as R1 relaxation rate) steadily increased from day 3 to day 21
      as a result of the synthesis of elastin/tropoelastin. R1 values were in good
      agreement with histological findings. A similar R1 behavior was observed in the
      remote myocardium. No mature cross-linked elastin was found at any time point. In
      contrast, Gd-DTPA uptake was only observed in the infarct with no changes in R1
      values between 3 and 21 days post-MI. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate the feasibility
      of in vivo imaging of extracellular matrix remodeling post-MI using a
      tropoelastin/elastin binding MR contrast agent, Gd-ESMA. We found that
      tropoelastin is the main contributor to the increased MRI signal at late stages
      of MI where its augmentation in areas of infarction was in good agreement with
      the R1 increase.

PMID- 26272654
TI  - Effect of High-Calcium Diet on Coronary Artery Disease in Ossabaw Miniature Swine
      With Metabolic Syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Calcium is a shortfall essential nutrient that has been a mainstay of
      osteoporosis management. Recent and limited findings have prompted concern about
      the contribution of calcium supplementation to cardiovascular risk. A proposed
      mechanism is through the acceleration of coronary artery calcification.
      Determining causality between calcium intake and coronary artery calcification
      has been hindered by a lack of sensitive methodology to monitor early vascular
      calcium accumulation. The primary study aim was to assess the impact of high
      calcium intake on coronary artery calcification using innovative calcium tracer
      kinetic modeling in Ossabaw swine with diet-induced metabolic syndrome. Secondary
      end points (in vitro wire myography, histopathology, intravascular ultrasound)
      assessed coronary disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: Pigs (n=24; aged ~15 months) were
      fed an atherogenic diet with adequate calcium (0.33% by weight) or high calcium
      (1.90% from calcium carbonate or dairy) for 6 months. Following 5 months of
      feeding, all pigs were dosed intravenously with (41)Ca, a rare isotope that can
      be measured in serum and tissues at a sensitivity of 10(-18) mol/L by accelerator
      mass spectrometry. Kinetic modeling evaluated early coronary artery calcification
      using (41)Ca values measured in serial blood samples (collected over 27 days) and
      coronary artery samples obtained at sacrifice. Serum disappearance of (41)Ca and
      total coronary artery (41)Ca accumulation did not differ among groups. Secondary
      end points demonstrated no treatment differences in coronary artery disease or
      function. CONCLUSION: There was no detectable effect of high calcium diets (from
      dairy or calcium carbonate) on coronary artery calcium deposition in metabolic
      syndrome swine.

PMID- 26272656
TI  - Korean Atrial Fibrillation (AF) Network: Genetic Variants for AF Do Not Predict
      Ablation Success.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Genomewide association studies have identified several loci
      associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) and have been reportedly associated with
      response to catheter ablation for AF in patients of European ancestry; however,
      associations between top susceptibility loci and AF recurrence after ablation
      have not been examined in Asian populations. We examined whether the top single
      nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at chromosomes 4q25 (PITX2), 16q22 (ZFHX3), and
      1q21 (KCNN3) were associated with AF in a Korean population and whether these
      SNPs were associated with clinical outcomes after catheter ablation for AF.
      METHODS AND RESULTS: We determined the association between 4 SNPs and AF in 1068
      AF patients who underwent catheter ablation (74.6% male, aged 57.5+/-10.9 years,
      67.9% paroxysmal AF) and 1068 age- and sex-matched controls. The SNPs at the
      PITX2 and ZFHX3 loci, but not the KCNN3 locus, were significantly associated with
      AF (PITX2/rs6843082_G: odds ratio 3.41, 95% CI 2.55 to 4.55, P=1.32*10(-16);
      PITX2/rs2200733_T: odds ratio 2.05, 95% CI 1.66 to 2.53, P=2.20*10(-11);
      ZFHX3/rs2106261_A: odds ratio 2.33, 95% CI 1.87 to 2.91, P=3.75*10(-14);
      KCNN3/rs13376333_T: odds ratio 1.74, 95% CI 0.93 to 3.25, P=0.085). Among those
      patients who underwent catheter ablation for AF, none of the top AF-associated
      SNPs were associated with long-term clinical recurrence of AF after catheter
      ablation. CONCLUSIONS: SNPs at the PITX2 and ZFHX3 loci were strongly associated
      with AF in Korean patients. In contrast to prior reports, none of the 4 top AF
      susceptibility SNPs predicted clinical recurrence after catheter ablation.

PMID- 26272658
TI  - Optimal GHZ Paradox for Three Qubits.
AB  - Quatum nonlocality as a valuable resource is of vital importance in quantum
      information processing. The characterization of the resource has been extensively
      investigated mainly for pure states, while relatively less is know for mixed
      states. Here we prove the existence of the optimal GHZ paradox by using a novel
      and simple method to extract an optimal state that can saturate the tradeoff
      relation between quantum nonlocality and the state purity. In this paradox, the
      logical inequality which is formulated by the GHZ-typed event probabilities can
      be violated maximally by the optimal state for any fixed amount of purity (or
      mixedness). Moreover, the optimal state can be described as a standard GHZ state
      suffering flipped color noise. The maximal amount of noise that the optimal state
      can resist is 50%. We suggest our result to be a step toward deeper understanding
      of the role played by the AVN proof of quantum nonlocality as a useful physical
      resource. 

PMID- 26272657
TI  - Acetabuloplasties at Open Reduction Prevent Acetabular Dysplasia in Intentionally
      Delayed Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip: A Case-control Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Avascular necrosis (AVN) and residual acetabular dysplasia are the
      two main complications of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) treatment.
      Although early reduction of the hip may decrease the incidence of residual
      dysplasia, it may increase the incidence of AVN and vice versa. However, we do
      not know if changes in surgical technique may lead to a modification in these
      outcomes. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: Does an incomplete periacetabular acetabuloplasty,
      as an added step to delayed open reduction, (1) diminish the risk of developing
      acetabular dysplasia; or (2) increase the rate of AVN compared with patients
      treated with open reduction alone? METHODS: We conducted a retrospective matched
      case-control study comparing 22 patients (27 hips) with early isolated DDH who
      underwent intentionally delayed open reduction and acetabuloplasty from 2004 to
      2010 and followed up > 4 years (88% of the cohort) with early historic controls
      treated with delayed open reduction alone. Of 53 patients available for matching,
      45 (85%) had enough followup (> 10 years) to be considered. They were matched one
      to one for age at presentation and bilaterality (fuzz 45, 0). This generated a
      control group of 25 patients (27 hips). The mean followup was different between
      the groups (p < 0.001). Residual dysplasia considered when center-edge angle < 15
      degrees  (6-13 years old) or < 20 degrees  (>= 14 years old) or as a nonevolving
      acetabular index > 30 degrees  and pelvic osteotomies were used as our primary
      outcomes. The proportion of patients with AVN was also compared. RESULTS:
      Patients treated with open reduction and an incomplete periacetabular
      acetabuloplasty were less likely to develop acetabular dysplasia and undergo
      pelvic osteotomies than were patients in the control group (0% [zero of 27]
      versus 37% [10 of 27]; odds ratio [OR], 11; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2-80; p
      = 0.02 and 0% [zero of 27] versus 26% [seven of 27]; OR, 8; 95% CI, 1-60; p =
      0.025, respectively). With the available numbers, there was no difference in
      terms of the proportion of patients who developed AVN (11 of 27 [41%] both
      groups; OR, 1; 95% CI, 1-2; p = 1). CONCLUSIONS: The addition of an incomplete
      periacetabular acetabuloplasty to all hips undergoing open reduction eliminated
      residual acetabular dysplasia, whereas it did not appear to have deleterious
      effects as evidenced by the similar AVN proportion. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III,
      therapeutic study.

PMID- 26272659
TI  - Cytotoxic and antibacterial activities of the analogues of pogostone.
AB  - Six new (A5-A6, A8-A11) and six known (A1-A4, A7, PO) alpha-pyrone compounds were
      synthesized with dehydroacetate and aldehydes in tetrahydrofuran at room
      temperature. And their structures were determined by (1)H-NMR, (13)C-NMR and mass
      spectroscopy. In the bioscreening experiments, ten compounds (A1-A5, PO, A7-A10)
      exhibited antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 with
      minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 4-512 mg/L, and nine compounds
      (A1-A5, PO, A7-A8, A10) exhibited antibacterial activities against Methicillin
      resistant S. aureus (MRSA) ATCC 43300 with MIC values of 4-256 mg/L. Moreover,
      compound A10 showed the highest antibacterial activity against S. aureus ATCC
      25923 and MRSA with MIC values of 4 mg/L, while the MIC values of Amoxicillin
      were 8 mg/L and >256 mg/L, respectively. Two compounds (A8 and PO) exhibited
      antibacterial activities against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 with MIC values of
      32-512 mg/L. However, only one compound (A8) exhibited significant antibacterial
      activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa CVCC 3360 with MIC value of 256 mg/L.
      Moreover, A10 exhibited significant inhibition of proliferation in the four cell
      lines MCF-10, A549, A2780 and MFC, and showed stronger inhibitive activity of
      these four selected cell lines than cisplatin in the cytotoxic assay. Thus, this
      study suggests that pogostone analogues, especially A10, represented a kind of
      promising antibacterial and antineoplastic agents.

PMID- 26272660
TI  - Association of clusterin (CLU) variants and exfoliation syndrome: An analysis in
      two Caucasian studies and a meta-analysis.
AB  - Exfoliation syndrome (XFS) is an important risk factor for glaucoma (XFG)
      worldwide. LOXL1 variants are highly associated with XFS in most populations;
      however, the high frequency of risk alleles in normal individuals and the
      reversal of risk alleles in different ethnic populations suggest that other
      factors contribute to XFS pathogenesis. Clusterin (CLU) is an extracellular
      matrix chaperone that prevents protein aggregation and is highly expressed in
      ocular tissues affected by XFS. Studies examining common CLU variants for
      association with XFS have been inconsistent. The purpose of this study was to
      evaluate CLU variants for association with XFS in two independent datasets from
      the United States (222 cases and 344 controls) and Israel (92 cases and 102
      controls). Seven tag SNPs that captured >95% of alleles at r(2) greater than 0.8
      across the CLU genomic region were genotyped using TaqMan assays. Genotypes for
      an additional SNP, rs2279590, were imputed using phased haplotypes of HapMap
      reference CEU samples. Of the 8 CLU SNPs selected for the study, none were
      significantly associated with XFS in either case-control group (age and sex
      adjusted P > 0.14 and 0.36, respectively, in the US and Israeli datasets), or
      when they were meta-analyzed together (age and sex adjusted P > 0.13). Haplotype
      analysis using all 8 SNPs or only the promoter region SNPs also did not show
      significant associations of CLU with XFS in the combined US and Israeli dataset
      (P > 0.28). Meta-analysis of the data from this study and previous studies in
      Caucasian populations (1184 cases and 978 controls) resulted in statistically
      significant association of rs2279590 with XFS (summary OR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.03
      1.33, P = 0.01). Significant association between rs2279590 and XFS was also found
      in Indian populations (summary OR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.61-0.96; P = 0.02); however,
      significant heterogeneity between the Caucasian and Indian populations possibly
      due to reversal of the risk allele precluded an overall meta-analysis for
      rs2279590 (Q = 0.001, I(2) = 91%). No significant association was identified for
      rs3087554 in either Caucasian populations (summary OR = 0.90, 95% CI: 0.77-1.05,
      P = 0.17) or Indian populations (summary OR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.72-1.10, P = 0.28),
      or in both populations combined (1705 cases and 3713 controls; summary OR = 0.90,
      95% CI: 0.79-1.01, P = 0.08). Significant heterogeneity precluded the addition of
      the Japanese data to the meta-analysis for rs3087554 (Q = 0.006, I(2) = 87%). Our
      results suggest that common CLU variants may contribute to modest XFS risk but
      even larger datasets are required to confirm these findings. 

PMID- 26272661
TI  - PATRONUS1 is expressed in meiotic prophase I to regulate centromeric cohesion in
      Arabidopsis and shows synthetic lethality with OSD1.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Retention of sister centromere cohesion during meiosis I and its
      dissolution at meiosis II is necessary for balanced chromosome segregation and
      reduction of chromosome number. PATRONUS1 (PANS1) has recently been proposed to
      regulate centromere cohesion in Arabidopsis after meiosis I, during interkinesis.
      pans1 mutants lose centromere cohesion prematurely during interkinesis and
      segregate randomly at meiosis II. PANS1 protein interacts with components of the
      Anaphase Promoting Complex/Cyclosome (APC/C). RESULTS: We show here that PANS1
      protein is found mainly in prophase I of meiosis, with its level declining late
      in prophase I during diplotene. PANS1 also shows expression in dividing tissues.
      We demonstrate that, in addition to the previously reported premature loss of
      centromere cohesion during interkinesis, pans1 mutants show partially penetrant
      defects in centromere cohesion during meiosis I. We also determine that pans1
      shows synthetic lethality at the level of the sporophyte, with Omission of Second
      Division 1 (osd1), which encodes a known inhibitor of the APC/C that is required
      for cell cycle progression during mitosis, as well as meiosis I and II.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that PANS1 is expressed mainly in meiosis I where
      it has an important function and together with previous studies indicate that
      PANS1 and OSD1 are part of a network linking centromere cohesion and cell cycle
      progression through control of APC/C activity.

PMID- 26272663
TI  - Editorial.

PMID- 26272662
TI  - Metastatic endophthalmitis combined with subretinal abscess in a patient with
      diabetes mellitus--a case report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Endogenous endophthalmitis, extra-hepatic metastasis from liver
      abscess with diabetes mellitus, could lead to a devastating outcome without a
      prompt and appropriate management. We report a case of metastatic endophthalmitis
      combined with subretinal abscess with successful visual outcome after treatment.
      CASE PRESENTATION: A 56-year-old male patient with diabetes mellitus under poor
      control presented to our emergency room with fever, sore throat, cough and poor
      appetite for 2 weeks. Abdominal computed tomography showed a 2.2 * 2.0 cm liver
      abscess. During hospitalization, sudden onset of blurred vision with floaters in
      his left eye was noted. Meanwhile, Brain computed tomography demonstrated
      subdural abscess in right parietal area. With obvious vitritis, a localized
      subretinal abscess was also found over temporal arcade with size about four disc
      areas under indirect ophthalmoscopy. A pars plana vitrectomy with intravitreal
      injection of ceftazidime (2 mg/0.1 ml) and amikacin (0.4 mg/0.1 ml) was performed
      without retinectomy. The margin of the subretinal abscess became firm and the
      central area resolved after the operation. Finally, his vision improved to 6/6
      after cataract surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Subretinal abscess is an extremely rare
      presentation of metastatic endophthalmitis. It is difficult to develop
      appropriate treatment guidelines of endophthalmitis complicated with subretinal
      abscess. Our experience in this case demonstrated if the size of the subretinal
      abscess is smaller than four disc areas, pars plana vitrectomy with intravitreal
      injection of antibiotics without retinectomy could be considered to avoid further
      retinal detachment.

PMID- 26272664
TI  - Intra-nucleus-accumbens SKF38393 improved the impaired acquisition of morphine
      conditioned place preference in depression-like rats.
AB  - Dopaminergic activity in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and the globus pallidus (GP)
      is important for the interaction between depression and addiction, with D1- and
      D2-like receptors playing different roles. Here, we address the effect of
      depression on morphine reward and its underlying D1- and D2-like effects in the
      NAc and/or the GP. Novelty-seeking behaviors and the forced open-space swimming
      test were used to assess a depression-like state in rats that had undergone
      chronic mild restraint. Depression-like rats were then trained with morphine
      induced conditioned place preference (CPP, 3 mg/kg, 4 days), and showed impaired
      acquisition of the CPP compared with controls. To examine the receptor-specific
      dopaminergic mechanism underlying this phenomenon, we microinjected the D1-like
      agonist SKF38393 (1 MUg/side) or the D2-like agonist quinpirole (1 MUg/side) into
      the NAc or the GP. The impairment in acquisition of CPP was reversed only by
      injecting the D1- but not the D2-like agonist in the NAc. These results suggest
      that enhancement of dopaminergic transmission in the NAc (via D1-like receptors)
      may be effective in recovering impaired reward learning during a depression-like
      state. 

PMID- 26272665
TI  - The "hot hand" revisited: A nonstationarity argument.
AB  - The "hot hand belief," that a basketball player would experience elevated
      performance for a certain period of time, during which consecutive shots are made
      in streaks, has been suggested to be a "cognitive illusion," because, from the
      basketball-shooting data, no significant evidence has been found to reject the
      simple binomial model. The present study raises concerns about the statistical
      methods used to support this claim. It is argued that nonstationarity may
      manifest as a residual effect when the changes in shooting accuracy are
      interrupted by activities such as shot selection and defense effort. Reanalyses
      of the field goal data from the earlier study showed that the serial correlation
      varied substantially between positive ("hot hand shooting") and negative ("over
      alternation shooting"). In addition, a nested model comparison revealed that when
      a player's shooting accuracy fluctuated substantially in a short period of time,
      it was unlikely to be detected by the binomial model. Our results suggest that
      paying special attention to streak patterns in the hot hand belief may be an
      adaptive strategy in detecting changes in the environment. 

PMID- 26272666
TI  - Filial piety and traditional Chinese values: A study of high and mass cultures.
AB  - Two studies were conducted, using indigenous materials stemming from both high
      and mass culture to construct measures of filial piety and other traditional
      Chinese values. In Study 1, data were collected from a sample of 666 participants
      (334 men and 332 women) with a mean age of 31.2 years from Taiwan and Hong Kong.
      In Study 2, data were collected from university students at different times,
      based on two samples in Hong Kong and another two in mainland China. The major
      findings are: (a) Filial piety is rooted more firmly in the ideal values of high
      culture than in the folk values of mass culture; (b) traditional Chinese values
      tend to be negatively associated with socioeconomic status; (c) ideal values are
      held much more strongly than folk values; and (d) among university students,
      there has been a moderate decrease in folk values in Hong Kong; but a moderate
      increase in folk values and a fairly large increase in ideal values in mainland
      China. 

PMID- 26272667
TI  - Differential effects of acute amphetamine and phencyclidine treatment and
      withdrawal from repeated amphetamine or phencyclidine treatment on social
      interaction and social memory in rats.
AB  - Although animal models based on amphetamine (AMPH) or phencyclidine (PCP)
      treatment have been used extensively to study the neurobiological and behavioral
      characteristics of schizophrenia, there are conflicting reports regarding their
      validity in modeling the negative symptoms and cognitive deficits of
      schizophrenia. The present study examined how acute AMPH or PCP treatment
      (Experiment 1) and withdrawal from repeated AMPH treatment (Experiment 2) or PCP
      treatment (Experiment 3) affects social behavior and social recognition memory in
      male Sprague-Dawley rats. Each subject was tested on two consecutive days. On the
      first day, the rats were tested four times (5 min/each) at 10-min intervals with
      the same partner rat (termed "AAAA" day). One day later, the rats were tested
      with the previous partner in the first three sessions and with a new partner rat
      in the final session (termed "AAAB" day). The results show that acute AMPH
      treatment (1.5 mg/kg, sc) significantly reduced the time spent on social
      interaction, but did not affect social recognition on the first day. Acute AMPH
      only disrupted social recognition on the second day of drug testing. In contrast,
      acute PCP treatment (2.0 mg/kg, sc) had no effect on time spent on social
      interaction, but did significantly disrupt social recognition on both days.
      Withdrawal from repeated AMPH (3.0 mg/kg/day for 7 days, ip) or PCP (5.0
      mg/kg/twice daily for 7 days, ip) treatment did not affect social interaction or
      social recognition, indicating a lack of long-term detrimental effect of repeated
      AMPH or PCP treatment. These results suggest that acute AMPH treatment at a low
      dose (1.5 mg/kg) may be useful in modeling social withdrawal symptoms of
      schizophrenia, whereas acute PCP treatment at a similar dose range (2.0 mg/kg)
      may be useful in modeling the social cognitive deficit of schizophrenia. 

PMID- 26272669
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 26272668
TI  - Derivation of a fifteen gene prognostic panel for six cancers.
AB  - The hallmarks of cancer deem biological pathways and molecules to be conserved.
      This approach may be useful for deriving a prognostic gene signature. Weighted
      Gene Co-expression Network Analysis of gene expression datasets in eleven cancer
      types identified modules of highly correlated genes and interactive networks
      conserved across glioblastoma, breast, ovary, colon, rectal and lung cancers,
      from which a universal classifier for tumor stratification was extracted.
      Specific conserved gene modules were validated across different microarray
      platforms and datasets. Strikingly, preserved genes within these modules defined
      regulatory networks associated with immune regulation, cell differentiation,
      metastases, cell migration, metastases, oncogenic transformation, and resistance
      to apoptosis and senescence, with AIF1 and PRRX1 being suggested to be master
      regulators governing these biological processes. A universal classifier from
      these conserved networks enabled execution of common set of principles across
      different cancers that revealed distinct, differential correlation of biological
      functions with patient survival in a cancer-specific manner. Correlation analysis
      further identified a panel of 15 risk genes with potential prognostic value,
      termed as the GBOCRL-IIPr panel [(GBM-Breast-Ovary-Colon-Rectal-Lung)-Immune
      Invasion-Prognosis], that surprisingly, were not amongst the master regulators or
      important network hubs. This panel may now be integrated in predicting patient
      outcomes in the six cancers. 

PMID- 26272670
TI  - [What influences end-of-life decisions? Results of a representative German
      survey].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Because of demographic changes of an aging society, palliative care
      is becoming increasingly important. It is therefore necessary to evaluate
      preferences at the end of life at an early stage to meet the needs and requests
      of future patients. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to find out preferences
      in a theoretical scenario ("If you developed a serious medical condition such as
      cancer and you had less than a year to live...") regarding the desired
      involvement in decision-making at the end of life and the preferred place of
      death. MATERIALS AND METHODS: As part of the international PRISMA project, a
      representative telephone survey was carried out in Germany. RESULTS: A total of
      1,363 Germans took part in the survey (response rate 29.0 %, 47.1 +/- 15.7 years,
      42 % male). 90.8 % wanted to make their own decisions with regard to end-of-life
      care, which was most important for people with higher education. 83.3 % wanted to
      predetermine decisions by means of an advance directive in case they are no
      longer able to make them at the time. This was again more important for
      individuals with higher education and for older subjects (>= 65 years). The
      preferred place of death was their own home (63.3 %), and the least preferred
      place for death was in hospital in 48.2 %. In particular, women did not want to
      die in a hospital. CONCLUSION: These results should be considered when planning
      health care structures to meet the wishes of people at the end of their life, in
      particular to strengthen the importance of patient provision and the desire for
      their own home to be the preferred place to die.

PMID- 26272671
TI  - High dose therapy and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in
      septuagenarians with non-Hodgkin lymphoma: Feasible, but for which patients?

PMID- 26272672
TI  - Construction and characterization of an infectious clone of coxsackievirus A6
      that showed high virulence in neonatal mice.
AB  - Atypical hand, foot, and mouth disease (aHFMD) outbreaks have been frequently
      reported worldwide in recent years. It is believed that coxsackievirus A6 (CA6)
      is the major pathogen for aHFMD. Studies regarding CA6 infection are limited and
      the genetic mechanism for the high pathogenicity of some new CA6 variants is
      still unclear. Infectious clones are powerful tools for studying the genetic
      mechanisms of RNA viruses. In this study, we describe the construction of a full
      length cDNA clone of CA6 strain TW-2007-00141. The whole genome of CA6 was
      amplified in a single step and ligated into a plasmid vector through an efficient
      cloning method, Gibson assembly. The whole genome sequence of CA6 strain TW-2007
      00141 was determined and phylogenetic analysis indicated that it shared a high
      degree of similarity (>=94%) with the CA6 strains found in Taiwan in 2009. The
      infectious clone of CA6 viruses were recovered by transfection into 293FT cells
      and showed similar biological properties to the parental virus. Viral particles
      were purified by CsCl isopycnic centrifugation, and two types of viral particles
      were observed under transmission electron microscopy. The rescued virus showed
      high virulence in one-day-old suckling mice. This clone may be useful for
      establishing animal models for the evaluation of CA6 vaccine efficiency in
      future. 

PMID- 26272673
TI  - Identification of CD8 T cell epitopes in VP2 and NS1 proteins of African horse
      sickness virus in IFNAR(-/-) mice.
AB  - African horse sickness virus (AHSV) is an Orbivirus of the family Reoviridae that
      causes severe pathology in equids. Previous work in our laboratory showed the
      presence of AHSV-specific CD8(+) T cells in mice immunized with recombinant
      Modified Vaccinia Ankara (rMVA) expressing VP2 and NS1 proteins. In the present
      work, we selected potential CD8 T cell epitopes (MHC-class I binding peptides)
      for the 129 mouse strain from the VP2 and NS1 proteins of AHSV-4, using a
      combination of four epitope prediction algorithms (SYFPEITHI, BYMAS, NetMHC I and
      NetMHCpan). ELISPOT and Intracellular Cytokine Staining (ICS) analysis showed
      that the VP2-720 (MSLLNFGAV), VP2-1044 (YTFGNKFLL), and NS1-83 (CVIKNADYV)
      peptides elicited IFN-gamma production in splenocytes of MVA-VP2 and MVA-NS1
      immunized mice and were identified as CD8(+) T cell epitopes. In addition, these
      three MHC-class I-binding peptides induced the expression of CD107a in CD8(+) T
      cells, an indirect marker of cytotoxic activity. Importantly, VP2-1044 and NS1-83
      epitopes are conserved among all nine AHSV serotypes. These data demonstrate the
      activation of AHSV specific T-cell epitopes during vaccination with rMVAs
      expressing VP2 and NS1. Furthermore, the characterization of these CD8(+) T-cell
      epitopes provides information useful for the design of novel marker multiserotype
      vaccines against AHSV. 

PMID- 26272674
TI  - Primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumors: comparing CT and MRI features with
      pathology.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumors (PHNET) are extremely rare and
      difficult to distinguish from primary and metastatic liver cancers since PHNETs
      blood supply comes from the liver artery. This study aims to investigate CT and
      MR imaging findings of primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumor (PHNET) and
      correlation with the 2010 WHO pathological classification. METHODS: We examined
      CT and MRI scans from 29 patients who were diagnosed with PHNET and correlated
      the data with the 2010 WHO classification of neuroendocrine tumors. RESULTS:
      According to the 2010 WHO classification system, PHNETs are divided into three
      grades based on histological criteria. Grade 1 tumors are singular, solid nodules
      with enhancement at the arterial phase on CT and MRI scans. In grade 1 tumors,
      the dynamic-contrast enhancement curve shows rapid wash-in in the arterial phase.
      Grade 2 tumors can have a singular or multiple distribution pattern, necrosis,
      and nodule or marginal ring-like enhancements. Grade 3 tumors have multiple
      lesions, internal necrosis, and evidence of hemorrhage. Portal venous tumor
      thrombus was seen in one case. As tumor grades increase, the capsule begins to
      lose integrity and tumor apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values
      decrease(grade 1: 1.39 +/- 0.20* 10(-3) mm(2)/s versus grade 2: 1.26 +/- 0.23*
      10(-3) mm(2)/s versus grade 3: 1.14 +/- 0.17* 10(-3) mm(2)/s). CONCLUSION: CT and
      MRI can reflect tumor grade and pathological features of PHNETs, which are
      helpful in accurately diagnosing PHNETs.

PMID- 26272675
TI  - The Relationship Between Subthreshold Autistic Traits, Ambiguous Figure
      Perception and Divergent Thinking.
AB  - This research investigates the paradox of creativity in autism. That is, whether
      people with subclinical autistic traits have cognitive styles conducive to
      creativity or whether they are disadvantaged by the implied cognitive and
      behavioural rigidity of the autism phenotype. The relationship between divergent
      thinking (a cognitive component of creativity), perception of ambiguous figures,
      and self-reported autistic traits was evaluated in 312 individuals in a non
      clinical sample. High levels of autistic traits were significantly associated
      with lower fluency scores on the divergent thinking tasks. However autistic
      traits were associated with high numbers of unusual responses on the divergent
      thinking tasks. Generation of novel ideas is a prerequisite for creative problem
      solving and may be an adaptive advantage associated with autistic traits. 

PMID- 26272676
TI  - Erratum to: defining treatment response and symptom remission for anxiety
      disorders in pediatric autism spectrum disorders using the Pediatric Anxiety
      Rating Scale.

PMID- 26272677
TI  - Association between periodontitis and medical expenditure in older adults: A 33
      month follow-up study.
AB  - AIM: Along with rapid aging, medical expenditure for older adults has been
      increasing in Japan. Research has shown that periodontitis is a useful predictor
      for excess medical expenditure; however, limited information is available on the
      elderly population after adequately considering confounding factors. The aim of
      the present study was to evaluate the association between periodontitis and long
      term medical expenditure in elderly Japanese. METHODS: Baseline health and
      periodontal examinations were carried out in June 2008. Japanese adults (n = 245)
      aged 80 years were classified into quartiles based on periodontal inflamed
      surface area (PISA), which quantifies the degree of periodontal inflammation.
      Medical care use and costs were monitored by assessment of the National Health
      Insurance claim files from the baseline survey through the end of February 2011.
      Multivariable analysis of the differences in medical expenditure among PISA
      quartiles was carried out using linear regression with robust standard errors.
      RESULTS: The participants in the fourth (with the largest PISA) and third
      quartiles had significantly higher inpatient medical expenditure compared with
      those of the first quartile (P < 0.01 and = 0.04, respectively). Participants in
      the fourth quartile had significantly higher total medical expenditure (P < 0.01)
      compared with the first quartile. A trend was observed of higher inpatient and
      total medical expenditure with increasing PISA. CONCLUSIONS: A significant
      association was found between periodontitis and future increase in medical
      expenditure, suggesting that periodontitis might be a modifiable factor for the
      reduction of excess medical expenditure among elderly Japanese. Geriatr Gerontol
      Int 2016; 16: 856-864.

PMID- 26272678
TI  - Physical activity and sedentary behaviour of adults with mental illness.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To assess physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) in non
      institutionalised adults with mental illness, using a combination of self-report
      and objective measures. DESIGN: Cross-sectional METHODS: Participants completed
      PA questionnaires (time spent walking for transport, walking for recreation,
      gardening, vigorous-, and moderate-intensity activities), and SB questionnaires
      (time spent sitting for TV, travel, work, computer use, and reclining).
      Participants also wore an accelerometer for 7 days. Accelerometry estimates of
      time spent in SB, light activity, and moderate-to-vigorous activity (MVPA), bout
      durations, and, breaks in sedentary time, were calculated. RESULTS: 142
      participants completed the questionnaires. The median time spent in self-reported
      MVPA and SB was 4.5h/week and 10.7h/day, respectively. Walking for transport, and
      sitting to watch TV, contributed most to self-report estimates; time spent
      reclining was an important contributor to SB. Ninety-nine participants completed
      the accelerometry. The median time spent in accelerometer-derived MVPA and SB was
      26min/day and 9.2h/day respectively; 7% of MVPA time was in bouts of 10min or
      more, and 34% of SB time was in bouts of over 20min. CONCLUSIONS: A high
      proportion of participants reported activity levels consistent with physical
      activity guidelines; however, a small proportion of activity was accumulated in
      bouts of 10min or more. Participants also had high levels of SB, about one-third
      of which was accumulated in bouts over 20min. PA and SB interventions for this
      group could target increasing recreational walking, and reducing television time.

PMID- 26272679
TI  - Loading of osseointegrated implants for bone conduction hearing at 3 weeks: 3
      year stability, survival, and tolerability.
AB  - The objective of this study was to ascertain the long-term safety of loading
      osseointegrated implants for bone conduction hearing 3 weeks post-surgery. Thirty
      consecutive adult patients were implanted with the Baha BI300 (Cochlear Bone
      Anchored Solutions) in our tertiary referral center. Implants were loaded with
      the sound processor 3 weeks post-surgery. Follow-up examinations were performed
      at 10 days; 3, 4, 6, 8, and 12 weeks; 6 months; and 1, 2, and 3 years after
      implant surgery. At each follow-up visit, implant stability quotient (ISQ) values
      were recorded by means of resonance frequency analysis, and soft tissue status
      was evaluated according to Holgers' classification. ISQ trends, implant survival,
      and soft tissue reactions were compared to a population of 52 patients with the
      same type of implants loaded from 6 weeks post-surgery as part of another study.
      Subjective benefit was measured by means of the Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI).
      After an initial dip in ISQ at 10 days after implantation, a gradually increasing
      trend in ISQ was found until 6 months in both populations, after which ISQ values
      remained above baseline values. Implant survival was 97 % in the study population
      and 96 % in the comparison population. Clinically relevant soft tissue reactions
      were found in 0.9 % (study population) and 1.7 % (comparison population) of all
      visits. Patients reported subjective benefit; the mean GBI score was 22.8. In
      conclusion, loading these implants at 3 weeks post-surgery is safe based on the
      current study, as long-term results show high ISQ values and good implant
      survival and tolerability. 

PMID- 26272680
TI  - A flow cytometer-based method to simultaneously assess activity and selectivity
      of compounds against the intracellular forms of Trypanosoma cruzi.
AB  - Chagas disease is a major unsolved health issue in Latin America and an emerging
      threat worldwide. New drugs are urgently needed for chemotherapy as those
      available (benznidazole and nifurtimox) have variable efficacy and elevated
      toxicity. Efforts are actually oriented to improve tools and technologies (e.g.
      transgenic parasites, flow cytometry or image-based systems) for the screening of
      large numbers of candidate compounds for their activity against Trypanosoma cruzi
      (T. cruzi). Methods that test drug efficacy and selectivity in the same assay are
      suitable to accelerate the process of drug discovery. Here, we developed a GFP
      expressing T. cruzi from a moderate virulence stock and confirmed that the
      transgenic parasite retained the biological characteristics of the parental
      strain. With this tool, we established a flow cytometer-based method to
      simultaneously test drug activity against intracellular amastigotes and toxicity
      to the host cell. This one-step procedure allows determining the selectivity
      index of the tested compound in a sensitive and accurate manner even with low
      infection rates. This method can provide additional information on the
      interactions between drug, parasites and host cell and could be adapted to other
      trypanosomatids and protozoa with intracellular multiplication. 

PMID- 26272683
TI  - Validation of potential candidate biomarkers of drug-induced nephrotoxicity and
      allodynia in medication-overuse headache.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Medication-overuse headache (MOH) is a chronic disorder that results
      from the overuse of analgesics drugs, triptans or other acute headache compounds.
      Although the exact mechanisms underlying MOH remain still unknown, several
      studies suggest that it may be associated with development of "central
      sensitization", which may cause cutaneous allodynia (CA). Furthermore, the
      epidemiology of drug-induced disorders suggests that medication overuse could
      lead to nephrotoxicity. The aim of this work was to confirm and validate the
      results obtained from previous proteomics studies, in which we analyzed the
      urinary proteome of MOH patients in comparison with healthy non-abusers
      individuals. METHODS: MOH patients were divided into groups on the basis of the
      drug abused: triptans, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and
      mixtures, (mainly containing indomethacin, paracetamol and, in some cases,
      caffeine). Healthy subjects, with a history of normal renal function, were used
      as controls. In this study, four proteins that were found differentially
      expressed in urine, and, on the basis of the literature review, resulted related
      to kidney diseases, were verified by Western Blot and Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent
      Assay (ELISA); Prostaglandin-H2 D-synthase (PTGDS), uromodulin (UROM), alpha-1
      microglobulin (AMBP) and cystatin-C (CYSC). RESULTS: Western blot analysis
      allowed to validate our previous proteomics data, confirming that all MOH
      patients groups show a significant over-excretion of urinary PTGDS, UROM, AMBP
      and CYSC (excluding triptans group for this latter), in comparison with controls.
      Moreover, the expression of PTGDS was further evaluated by ELISA. Also by this
      assay, a significant increase of PTGDS was observed in all MOH abusers, according
      to 2-DE and Western blot results. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we confirmed
      previous findings concerning urinary proteins alterations in MOH patients,
      identified and demonstrated the over-expression of PTGDS, UROM, AMBP, and CYSC,
      particularly in NSAIDs and mixtures abusers. Over-expression of these proteins
      have been related to renal dysfunction and probably, PTGDS, to the development of
      CA. The detection and confirmation of this proteins pattern represent a promising
      tool for a better understanding of potential nephrotoxicity induced by drugs
      overuse and may enhance awareness related to the MOH-associated risks, even in
      absence of clinical symptoms.

PMID- 26272681
TI  - Migraine and restless legs syndrome are associated in adults under age fifty but
      not in adults over fifty: a population-based study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown an association between migraine and
      restless legs syndrome (RLS). However, migraine prevalence peaks from the 20s to
      40s whereas RLS prevalence peaks after the 50s. Despite this, reports on how
      migraine and RLS may be associated by age is limited. Therefore, the purpose of
      this study is to investigate the comorbidity between migraine and RLS according
      to age. METHODS: We selected a stratified random population sample of Koreans
      aged 19 to 69 years and evaluated them with a 60-item semi-structured interview
      designed to identify RLS, headache type, and clinical characteristics of
      migraine. To assess the association between migraine and RLS according to age, we
      divided participants into 5 age groups (19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, and 60-69
      years) and analysed each group. RESULTS: Subjects with migraine showed an
      increased RLS prevalence in the 19-29 (Odds ratio [OR] = 6.6, 95 % confidence
      interval [CI] = 1.2-36.8) and 40-49 (OR = 6.7, 95 % CI = 1.5-33.5) age groups
      compared to non-headache controls but failed to showed a significant association
      in the 50-59 (OR = 1.1, 95 % CI = 0.2-5.6) and 60-69 (OR = 0.4, 95 % CI = 0.1
      4.0) age groups. Migraineurs with 1-10 (12.5 %, OR = 2.0, 95 % CI = 1.3-3.2, p =
      0.003) and >10 (12.5 %, OR = 2.5, 95 % CI = 1.0-5.6, p = 0.038) attacks per month
      showed an increased RLS prevalence compared to migraineurs with <1 attack per
      month (2.1 %). Subjects with non-migraine headaches showed an increased odds for
      RLS (OR = 1.8, 95 % CI = 1.3-2.7) compared to non-headache controls. There was no
      significant difference (9.1 % vs. 6.9 %, p = 0.339) in the RLS prevalence between
      migraineurs and non-migraine headache subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest
      that migraine and RLS are differently associated according to age.

PMID- 26272682
TI  - A study of cochlear and auditory pathways in patients with tension-type headache.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to systematically evaluate the function
      of cochlear and auditory pathways in patients suffering from tension-type
      headache (TTH) using various audiological methods. METHODS: Twenty-three TTH
      patients (46 ears) and 26 healthy controls (52 ears) were included, and routine
      diagnostic audiometry, extended high-frequency audiometry, acoustic reflex (ASR),
      transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs), distortion product otoacoustic
      emissions (DPOAEs) and suppression TEOAEs were tested. RESULTS: The TTH group
      showed higher thresholds (P < 0.05) for both pure tone and extended high
      frequency audiometry at all frequencies except for 9, 14 and 16 kHz. All ASR
      thresholds were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the TTH group compared with
      the controls, except for the ipsilateral reflex at 1 kHz, but the threshold
      differences between the ASR and the corresponding pure tone audiometry did not
      differ (P > 0.05). For the DPOAEs, the detected rates were lower (P < 0.05) in
      the TTH group compared with the controls at 4 and 6 kHz, and the amplitudes and
      signal to noise ratio (S/N) were not significantly different between groups. No
      differences in the TEOAEs (P > 0.05) were observed for the detected rates,
      amplitudes, S/Ns or contralateral suppression, except for the S/Ns of the 0.5-1
      kHz TEOAE responses, which were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the TTH group.
      CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study indicate that subclinical changes in
      cochlear function are associated with TTH.

PMID- 26272684
TI  - Evaluation of ADMA-DDAH-NOS axis in specific brain areas following nitroglycerin
      administration: study in an animal model of migraine.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nitric oxide (NO) is known to play a key role in migraine
      pathogenesis, but modulation of NO synthesis has failed so far to show efficacy
      in migraine treatment. Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is a NO synthase (NOS)
      inhibitor, whose levels are regulated by dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase
      (DDAH). Systemic administration of nitroglycerin (or glyceryl trinitrate, GTN) is
      a NO donor that consistently induces spontaneous-like headache attacks in
      migraneurs. GTN administration induces an increase in neuronal NOS (nNOS) that is
      simultaneous with a hyperalgesic condition. GTN administration has been used for
      years as an experimental animal model of migraine. In order to gain further
      insights in the precise mechanisms involved in the relationships between NO
      synthesis and migraine, we analyzed changes induced by GTN administration in ADMA
      levels, DDHA-1 mRNA expression and the expression of neuronal and endothelial NOS
      (nNOS and eNOS) in the brain. We also evaluated ADMA levels in the serum.
      METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with GTN (10 mg/kg, i.p.) or
      vehicle and sacrificed 4 h later. Brain areas known to be activated by GTN
      administration were dissected out and utilized for the evaluation of nNOS and
      eNOS expression by means of western blotting. Cerebral and serum ADMA levels were
      measured by means of ELISA immunoassay. Cerebral DDAH-1 mRNA expression was
      measured by means of RT-PCR. Comparisons between experimental groups were
      performed using the Mann Whitney test. RESULTS: ADMA levels and nNOS expression
      increased in the hypothalamus and medulla following GTN administration.
      Conversely, a significant decrease in DDAH-1 mRNA expression was observed in the
      same areas. By contrast, no significant change was reported in eNOS expression.
      GTN administration did not induce any significant change in serum levels of ADMA.
      CONCLUSION: The present data suggest that ADMA accumulates in the brain after GTN
      administration via the inhibition of DDAH-1. This latter may represent a
      compensatory response to the excessive local availability of NO, released
      directly by GTN or synthetized by nNOS. These findings prompt an additional
      mediator (ADMA) in the modulation of NO axis following GTN administration and
      offer new insights in the pathophysiology of migraine.

PMID- 26272686
TI  - Expression of multiple formins in adult tissues and during developmental stages
      of mouse brain.
AB  - Formins are highly conserved heterogeneous family of proteins with several
      isoforms having significant contribution in multiple cellular functions. Formins
      play crucial role in remodelling of actin cytoskeleton and thus play important
      role in cell motility. Formins are also involved in many cellular activities like
      determining cell polarity, cytokinesis and morphogenesis. Formins are multi
      domain protein with characteristic homodimeric formin homology 2 (FH2) domain. It
      nucleates the actin filaments and its activity is regulated by the presence of
      characteristic formin homology 1 (FH1) domain. In higher mammals like human and
      mouse fifteen different formin isoforms are present. However the function and
      expression pattern of each and every formin in different adult tissues are not
      well characterized. Here we have found that multiple formins are expressing in
      each adult tissue of mouse, irrespective of their origin from the germ layer.
      Formins are also expressing from early stage of development to the adulthood in
      brain. The expression of many formins in a single tissue of adult mouse indicates
      that regulation of actin cytoskeleton dynamics by formins may be crucial for
      physiological processes like wound healing, tissue repairing, exocytosis,
      endocytosis, synapse formation and maintenance. Expression of FMNL2 and Fhdc1 are
      high in adult mouse brain as compare to embryonic stages. Higher expression of
      FMNL2 and Fhdc1 indicates that FMNL2 and Fhdc1 might be very important for the
      adult brain functions. 

PMID- 26272685
TI  - Comparative analysis of polymers for short interfering RNA delivery in vascular
      smooth muscle cells.
AB  - The use of short interfering RNA (siRNA) to degrade messenger RNA in the cell
      cytoplasm and transiently attenuate intracellular proteins shows promise in the
      inhibition of vascular pathogenesis. However, a critical obstacle for therapeutic
      application is a safe and effective delivery system. Biodegradable polymers are
      promising alternative molecular carriers for genetic material. Here, we aim to
      perform a comparative analysis of poly(B-amino ester) (PBAE) and polyethylenimine
      (PEI) polymers in their efficacy for vascular smooth muscle cell transfection
      using siRNA against the glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH)
      housekeeping gene as our test target. METHODS: Human aortic smooth muscle cells
      (HASMC) were transfected in vitro with polymers conjugated to GAPDH or negative
      control (NC) siRNAs. Increasing siRNA:polymer ratios were tested for optimal
      transfection efficiency. DharmaFECT2 chemical transfection complexes were used
      for comparative analysis. Live/dead dual stain was used to measure cell
      viability, and GAPDH gene silencing was measured by quantitative polymerase chain
      reaction normalized to 18S. RESULTS: The highest rate of PEI-mediated silencing
      was achieved with a 9MUL polymer:220 pmol/mL siRNA conjugate (16 +/- 2%
      expression versus NC; n = 6). Comparable PBAE-mediated silencing could be
      achieved with a 1.95MUL polymer:100 pmol/mL siRNA conjugate (10 +/- 1% expression
      versus NC; n = 5). Transfection using PEIs resulted in silencing equivalent to
      other methods but with less efficiency and increased cell toxicity at 24h polymer
      exposure. Decreasing PEI exposure time to 4 h resulted in similar silencing
      efficacy (21 +/- 9% expression versus NC, n = 6) with an improved toxicity
      profile. CONCLUSIONS: Polymeric bioconjugates transfected HASMCs in a manner
      similar to chemical complexes, with comparable cell toxicity and silencing
      efficiency. PEI bioconjugates demonstrated silencing equivalent to PBAE
      bioconjugates, although less efficient in terms of required polymer
      concentrations. Given the cost-to-benefit difference between the assayed
      polymers, and PEI's ability to transfect HASMCs within a short duration of
      exposure with an improved toxicity profile, this study shows that PEI
      bioconjugates are a potential transfection agent for vascular tissue. Future
      studies will expand on this method of gene therapy to validate delivery of gene
      specific inhibitors aimed at attenuating smooth muscle cell proliferation,
      adhesion, and migration. These studies will lay the framework for our future
      experimental plans to expand on this method of gene therapy for in vivo
      transfection in animal models of vascular disease.

PMID- 26272687
TI  - Comparison of Effectiveness of Laminaria versus Vaginal Misoprostol for Cervical
      Preparation Before Operative Hysteroscopy in Women of Reproductive Age: A
      Prospective Randomized Trial.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness and safety of intracervical
      laminaria dilator versus intravaginal misoprostol administered before surgery to
      facilitate cervical dilation before operative hysteroscopy. DESIGN: A prospective
      randomized study (Canadian Task Force classification 1). SETTING: A university
      hospital. PATIENTS: A total of 150 women were assigned at random to the following
      groups: laminaria dilation (n = 50), misoprostol dilation (n = 50), and
      mechanical dilation (n = 50). INTERVENTIONS: Hysteroscopic surgery of
      intrauterine lesions. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: In this study, 150 women
      were assigned at random to receive cervical priming with an intracervical
      laminaria dilator, 200 MUg of intravaginal misoprostol, or a mechanical dilator
      before operative hysteroscopy. Cervical response, surgical outcome, and
      complications of operative hysteroscopy were assessed. Visual analog scale (VAS)
      pain scores were recorded in the misoprostol and laminaria dilation groups.
      Demographic variables of the study groups were comparable (p = .278-.988). The
      duration of cervical pretreatment was similar with the intracervical laminaria
      dilator and intravaginal misoprostol (p = .803); however, intravaginal
      misoprostol was associated with more adverse effects (p = .031). Compared with
      the misoprostol dilation group, in which all patients required additional
      cervical dilation, notably fewer patients in the laminaria dilation group
      required additional cervical dilation after cervical preparation (p = .001). VAS
      pain scores were significantly higher in the laminaria dilation group, however (p
      = .001). CONCLUSION: Cervical priming with an intracervical laminaria dilator
      before operative hysteroscopy reduces the need for cervical dilation and better
      facilitates hysteroscopic surgery compared with intravaginal misoprostol. Oral
      analgesic use may be required before the use of this device.

PMID- 26272688
TI  - Robotic Versus Laparoscopic Hysterectomy for Benign Disease: A Systematic Review
      and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials.
AB  - We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the safety and
      effectiveness of robotic vs laparoscopic hysterectomy in women with benign
      uterine disease, as determined by randomized studies. We searched MEDLINE,
      EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Controlled-Trials.com from
      study inception to October 9, 2014, using the intersection of the themes
      "robotic" and "hysterectomy." We included only randomized and quasi-randomized
      controlled trials of robotic vs laparoscopic hysterectomy in women for benign
      disease. Four trials met our inclusion criteria and were included in the
      analyses. We extracted data, and assessed the studies for methodological quality
      in duplicate. For meta-analysis, we used random effects to calculate pooled risk
      ratios (RRs) and weighted mean differences. For our primary outcome, we used a
      modified version of the Expanded Accordion Severity Grading System to classify
      perioperative complications. We identified 41 complications among 326 patients.
      Comparing robotic and laparoscopic hysterectomy, revealed no statistically
      significant differences in the rate of class 1 and 2 complications (RR, 0.66; 95%
      confidence interval [CI], 0.23-1.89) or in the rate of class 3 and 4
      complications (RR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.22-4.40). Analyses of secondary outcomes were
      limited owing to heterogeneity, but showed no significant benefit of the robotic
      technique over the laparoscopic technique in terms of length of hospital stay
      (weighted mean difference, -0.39 day; 95% CI, -0.92 to 0.14 day), total operating
      time (weighted mean difference, 9.0 minutes; 95% CI, -31.27 to 47.26 minutes),
      conversions to laparotomy, or blood loss. Outcomes of cost, pain, and quality of
      life were reported inconsistently and were not amenable to pooling. Current
      evidence demonstrates neither statistically significant nor clinically meaningful
      differences in surgical outcomes between robotic and laparoscopic hysterectomy
      for benign disease. The role of robotic surgery in benign gynecology remains
      unclear.

PMID- 26272690
TI  - Use of Hormone Testing for the Diagnosis and Evaluation of Male Hypogonadism and
      Monitoring of Testosterone Therapy: Application of Hormone Testing Guideline
      Recommendations in Clinical Practice.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Clinical practice guidelines recommend that testosterone (T) levels
      be measured on >=2 occasions to confirm a diagnosis of hypogonadism,
      gonadotropins be measured to determine whether hypogonadism is primary or
      secondary, and T levels be measured to monitor the adequacy of T therapy.
      However, it is not known whether hormone testing as recommended by guidelines is
      routinely performed in real-world clinical practice. AIM: The aim of this study
      was to assess the use of hormone testing for the diagnosis and evaluation of
      hypogonadism and monitoring of T therapy in clinical practice. METHODS: In this
      retrospective cohort study of the Truven Health Marketscan((r)) Commercial and
      Medicare Supplemental Insurance Databases during 2010-2012, 63,534 men over 18
      years old who received T therapy and had continuous medical benefit enrollment
      for 1 year prior to and 6 months after T therapy initiation were included in this
      analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Proportion of patients who received >=2, 1, or
      no T-level determinations prior to or following T therapy initiation. RESULTS:
      Seventy-one percent of hypogonadal men had T measured at least once and 40% had
      >= 2 tests, but only 12% of men had luteinizing hormone and/or follicle
      stimulating hormone levels measured prior to T therapy initiation. Following T
      therapy initiation, 46% had >=1 follow-up T measurements. CONCLUSIONS:
      Appropriate use of T and gonadotropin levels in clinical practice as recommended
      by guidelines is suboptimal, increasing the possibility of overdiagnosis of male
      hypogonadism, underdiagnosis of secondary hypogonadism, and inappropriate T
      therapy use and management. Further investigation is needed into reasons for
      nonadherence to guidelines for appropriate hormone testing to inform future
      quality improvement efforts.

PMID- 26272689
TI  - Phytoecdysteroids as modulators of the Toxoplasma gondii growth rate in human and
      mouse cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Searching for new effective drugs against human and animal
      toxoplasmosis we decided to test the anti-Toxoplasma potential of
      phytoecdysteroids (alpha-ecdysone and 20-hydroxyecdysone) characterized by the
      pleiotropic activity on mammalian organisms including the enhancement of host's
      anti-parasitic defence. This objective was accomplished by the in vitro
      evaluation of T. gondii growth in phytoecdysteroid-treated immunocompetent cells
      of selected hosts: humans and two strains of inbred mice with genetically
      determined different susceptibility to toxoplasmosis. METHODS: Peripheral
      mononuclear blood cells were isolated from Toxoplasma-positive and Toxoplasma
      negative women (N = 43) and men (N = 21). Non-infected mice (C57BL/6, N = 10 and
      BALB/c, N = 14) and mice (BALB/c, N = 10) challenged intraperitoneally with 5
      tissue cysts of the T. gondii DX strain were also used in this study as a source
      of splenocytes. The effects of phytoecdysteroids on the viability of human PBMC
      and mouse splenocytes were evaluated using the MTT assay. The influence of
      phytoecdysteroids on PBMCs, splenocytes and T. gondii proliferation was measured
      using radioactivity tests (the level of 3[H] uracil incorporation by toxoplasms
      or 3[H] thymidine by PBMCs and splenocytes), which was confirmed by quantitative
      Real-Time PCR. Statistical analysis was performed using SigmaStat 3.5 (Systat
      Software GmbH). The best-fit IC50 curves were plotted using GraphPad Prism 6.0
      (GraphPad Software, Inc.). RESULTS: Our results showed that phytoecdysteroids
      promote the multiplication of Toxoplasma in cultures of human or murine immune
      cells, in contrast to another apicomplexan parasite, Babesia gibsoni.
      Additionally, the tested phytoecdysteroids did not stimulate the in vitro
      secretion of the essential protective cytokines (IFN-gamma, IL-2 and IL-10),
      neither by human nor by murine immune cells involved in an effective
      intracellular killing of the parasite. CONCLUSIONS: Judging by the effect of
      phytoecdysteroids on the T. gondii proliferation, demonstrated for the first time
      in this study, it seems that these compounds should not be taken into
      consideration as potential medications to treat toxoplasmosis. Phytoecdysteroids
      included in the food are most likely not harmful for human or animal health but
      certain nutrients containing ecdysteroids at high concentrations could promote T.
      gondii proliferation in chronically infected and immunocompromised individuals.
      In order to assess the real impact of ecdysteroids on the course of natural T.
      gondii invasion, in vivo research should be undertaken because it cannot be ruled
      out that the in vivo effect will be different than the in vitro one. However,
      taking into account the possible stimulating effect of ecdysteroids on some
      opportunistic parasites (such as Toxoplasma or Strongyloides) further studies are
      necessary and should focus on the mechanisms of their action, which directly or
      indirectly enhance the parasite growth. Since ecdysteroids are considered as
      potential drugs, it is essential to determine their effect on various parasitic
      pathogens, which may infect the host at the same time, especially in
      immunocompromised individuals.

PMID- 26272691
TI  - Aberrant expressions of c-KIT and DOG-1 in mucinous and nonmucinous colorectal
      carcinomas and relation to clinicopathologic features and prognosis.
AB  - c-KIT and DOG-1 are 2 highly expressed proteins in gastrointestinal stromal
      tumors. Few studies had investigated c-KIT, but not DOG-1, expression in
      colorectal carcinoma (CRC). This study aims to investigate expressions of c-KIT
      and DOG-1 in colorectal mucinous carcinoma and nonmucinous carcinoma using manual
      tissue microarray technique. In this work, we studied tumor tissue specimens from
      150 patients with colorectal mucinous (MA) and nonmucinous adenocarcinoma (NMA).
      High-density manual tissue microarrays were constructed using modified mechanical
      pencil tip technique, and immunohistochemistry for c-KIT and DOG-1 was done. We
      found that aberrant c-KIT expression was detected in 12 cases (8%); 6 cases (4%)
      showed strong expression. Aberrant DOG-1 expression was detected in 15 cases
      (10%); among them, only 4 cases (2.7%) showed strong expression. Nonmucinous
      adenocarcinoma showed a significantly high expression of c-KIT, but not DOG-1,
      than MA. Aberrant c-KIT and DOG-1 expressions were significantly unrelated but
      were associated with excessive microscopic abscess formation. Neither c-KIT nor
      DOG-1 expression showed a significant impact on disease-free survival or overall
      survival. In conclusion, aberrant c-KIT and DOG-1 expressions in CRC are rare
      events, either in NMA or MA. Nonmucinous adenocarcinoma showed a significantly
      higher expression of c-KIT, but not DOG-1, than MA. The expressions of both in
      CRC are significantly unrelated but are associated with microscopic abscess
      formation. Neither c-KIT nor DOG-1 expression showed a significant impact on
      disease-free survival or overall survival. So, c-KIT and DOG-1 immunostaining is
      not a cost-effective method of identifying patients with CRC who may benefit from
      treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors. 

PMID- 26272692
TI  - A statistical evaluation of the safety factor and species sensitivity
      distribution approaches to deriving environmental quality guidelines.
AB  - The species sensitivity distribution (SSD) distribution approach to estimating
      water quality guidelines (WQGs) is the preferred method in all jurisdictions
      reviewed (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Organisation for Economic Co-operation
      and Development [OECD] members, South Africa, United States) and is one of the
      recommended methods for European Commission members for 33 priority and priority
      hazardous substances. In the event that jurisdiction-specific criteria for data
      quality, quantity, and taxonomic representation are not met, all of these
      jurisdictions endorse the use of additional safety factors (SFs) applied to
      either the SSD-based WQG or, the lowest suitable toxicity test endpoint. In
      Canada, the British Columbia Ministry of Environment endorses this latter
      approach as the preferred approach in the belief that so-derived WQGs are more
      protective than SSD-based WQGs. The level of protection afforded by the latter SF
      approach was evaluated by statistically sampling minima from random samples of
      the following distributions: normal, Gumbel, logistic, and Weibull, using a range
      of coefficients of variation (cVs) and applying the SFs of 2 or 10 used in
      British Columbia. The simulations indicate that the potentially affected fraction
      of species (PAF) can be as high as 20%, or, approach 0%. The PAF varies with
      sample size and CV. Because CVs can vary systematically with mode of toxic
      action, the PAF using SF-based WQGs can also vary systematically with analyte
      class. The varying levels of protection afforded by SF-based WQGs are generally
      inconsistent with the common water quality management goal that allows for a
      small degree of change under long-term exposure. The findings suggest that
      further efforts be made to develop high-quality WQGs that support informed
      decision making and are consistent with the environmental management goal instead
      of using SFs in the hope of achieving an acceptable but unknown, degree of
      environmental protection.

PMID- 26272693
TI  - Anxiety and Depressed Mood Decline Following Smoking Abstinence in Adult Smokers
      with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: A preponderance of relevant research has indicated reduction in
      anxiety and depressive symptoms following smoking abstinence. This secondary
      analysis investigated whether the phenomenon extends to smokers with attention
      deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). METHODS: The study setting was an 11-Week
      double-blind placebo-controlled randomized trial of osmotic release oral system
      methylphenidate (OROS-MPH) as a cessation aid when added to nicotine patch and
      counseling. Participants were 255 adult smokers with ADHD. The study outcomes
      are: anxiety (Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI)) and depressed mood (Beck Depression
      Inventory II (BDI)) measured one Week and six Weeks after a target quit day
      (TQD). The main predictor is point-prevalence abstinence measured at Weeks 1 and
      6 after TQD. Covariates are treatment (OROS-MPH vs placebo), past major
      depression, past anxiety disorder, number of cigarettes smoked daily,
      demographics (age, gender, education, marital status) and baseline scores on the
      BAI, BDI, and the DSM-IV ADHD Rating Scale. RESULTS: Abstinence was significantly
      associated with lower anxiety ratings throughout the post-quit period (p<0.001).
      Depressed mood was lower for abstainers than non-abstainers at Week 1 (p<0.05),
      but no longer at Week 6 (p=0.83). Treatment with OROS-MPH relative to placebo
      showed significant reductions at Week 6 after TQD for both anxiety (p<0.05) and
      depressed mood (p<0.001), but not at Week 1. Differential abstinence effects of
      gender were observed. Anxiety and depression ratings at baseline predicted
      increased ratings of corresponding measures during the post-quit period.
      CONCLUSION: Stopping smoking yielded reductions in anxiety and depressed mood in
      smokers with ADHD treated with nicotine patch and counseling. Treatment with OROS
      MPH yielded mood reductions in delayed manner.

PMID- 26272694
TI  - Antioxidant fractions of Khaya grandifoliola C.DC. and Entada africana Guill. et
      Perr. induce nuclear translocation of Nrf2 in HC-04 cells.
AB  - The in vitro antioxidant properties, cytoprotective activity, and ability to
      induce nuclear translocation of nuclear factor E2-related factor-2 (Nrf-2) of
      five solvent fractions of the methylene chloride/methanol (1:1 v/v) extract of
      Khaya grandifoliola (Meliaceae) and Entada africana (Fabaceae) were evaluated.
      Five antioxidant endpoints were used in the antioxidant activity investigation.
      The total phenolic content of the fractions was assessed as to the Folin
      Ciocalteu method and the profile of interesting fractions analyzed by high
      performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The cytoprotective activity of
      fractions was determined by H2O2-induced oxidative stress in HC-04 cells by
      measuring lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage into culture medium. HC-04 cells
      were used to investigate the ability to induce nuclear translocation of Nrf2. For
      both plants, the methylene chloride/methanol (90/10; v/v) fraction (F10),
      methylene chloride/methanol (75/25; v/v) (F25), and the methanolic fraction
      (F100) were found to have the highest total polyphenol content and exhibited high
      antioxidant activity strongly correlated with total polyphenol content. The
      cytoprotective activity of fraction F25 from both plants was comparable to that
      of quercetin (3.40 +/- 0.05 MUg/mL), inhibiting LDH leakage with a low half
      inhibition concentration (IC50) of 4.05 +/- 0.03 and 3.8 +/- 0.02 MUg/mL for K.
      grandifoliola and E. africana, respectively. Lastly, fraction F25 of K.
      grandifoliola significantly (P < 0.05) induced nuclear Nrf2 translocation by
      sixfold, whereas that from E. africana and quercetin was only twofold. The
      results indicate for the first time that fraction F25 of the studied plants is
      more antioxidant and cytoprotective and induces nuclear translocation of Nrf2 in
      a human hepatocyte cell line.

PMID- 26272695
TI  - Chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) enhances the carcinogenic potential of 7,12
      dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) and accelerates the onset of tumor development
      in Swiss albino mice.
AB  - Social stressors evolving from individual and population interactions produce
      stress reactions in many organisms (including humans), influencing homeostasis,
      altering the activity of the immunological system, and thus leading to various
      pathological states including cancer and their progression. The present study
      sought to validate the effectiveness of chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) in
      cancer promotion and to assess oxidative stress outcomes in terms of various in
      vivo biochemical parameters, oxidative stress markers, DNA damage, and the
      development of skin tumors in Swiss albino mice. Animals were randomized into
      different groups based on their exposure to CUS alone, 7,12
      dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) alone (topical), and DMBA-12-O
      tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) (topical) and exposure to CUS prior to DMBA
      or DMBA-TPA treatments and sacrificed after 16 weeks of treatment. Prior exposure
      to CUS significantly increased the pro-oxidant effect of carcinogen, depicted by
      compromised levels of antioxidants in the circulation and skin, accompanied by
      enhanced lipid peroxidation, plasma corticosterone, and marker enzymes as
      compared to DMBA-alone or DMBA-TPA treatments. DNA damage results corroborated
      the above biochemical outcomes. Also, the development of skin tumors (in terms of
      their incidence, tumor yield, and tumor burden) in mice in the presence and
      absence of stress further strongly supported our above biochemical measurements.
      CUS may work as a promoter of carcinogenesis by enhancing the pro-oxidant
      potential of carcinogens. Further studies may be aimed at the development of
      interventions for disease prevention by identifying the relations between
      psychological factors and DNA damage.

PMID- 26272697
TI  - The Solid Solution Sr(1-x)Ba(x)Ga2: Substitutional Disorder and Chemical Bonding
      Visited by NMR Spectroscopy and Quantum Mechanical Calculations.
AB  - Complete miscibility of the intermetallic phases (IPs) SrGa2 and BaGa2 forming
      the solid solution Sr(1-x)Ba(x)Ga2 is shown by means of X-ray diffraction,
      thermoanalytical and metallographic studies. Regarding the distances of Sr/Ba
      sites versus substitution degree, a model of isolated substitution centres (ISC)
      for up to 10% cation substitution is explored to study the influence on the Ga
      bonding situation. A combined application of NMR spectroscopy and quantum
      mechanical (QM) calculations proves the electric field gradient (EFG) to be a
      sensitive measure of different bonding situations. The experimental resolution is
      boosted by orientation-dependent NMR on magnetically aligned powder samples,
      revealing in first approximation two different Ga species in the ISC regimes. EFG
      calculations using superlattice structures within periodic boundary conditions
      are in fair agreement with the NMR spectroscopy data and are discussed in detail
      regarding their application on disordered IPs.

PMID- 26272696
TI  - CD90+ liver cancer cells modulate endothelial cell phenotype through the release
      of exosomes containing H19 lncRNA.
AB  - BACKGROUND: CD90+ liver cancer cells have been described as cancer stem-cell-like
      (CSC), displaying aggressive and metastatic phenotype. Using two different in
      vitro models, already described as CD90+ liver cancer stem cells, our aim was to
      study their interaction with endothelial cells mediated by the release of
      exosomes. METHODS: Exosomes were isolated and characterized from both liver CD90+
      cells and hepatoma cell lines. Endothelial cells were treated with exosomes, as
      well as transfected with a plasmid containing the full length sequence of the
      long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) H19. Molecular and functional analyses were done to
      characterize the endothelial phenotype after treatments. RESULTS: Exosomes
      released by CD90+ cancer cells, but not by parental hepatoma cells, modulated
      endothelial cells, promoting angiogenic phenotype and cell-to-cell adhesion.
      LncRNA profiling revealed that CD90+ cells were enriched in lncRNA H19, and
      released this through exosomes. Experiments of gain and loss of function of H19
      showed that this LncRNA plays an important role in the exosome-mediated phenotype
      of endothelial cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate a new exosome-mediated
      mechanism by which CSC-like CD90+ cells could influence their tumor
      microenvironment by promoting angiogenesis. Moreover, we suggest the lncRNA H19
      as a putative therapeutic target in hepatocellular carcinoma.

PMID- 26272698
TI  - Impact of Body Size on Inferior Vena Cava Parameters for Estimating Right Atrial
      Pressure: A Need for Standardization?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Inferior vena cava (IVC) diameter and its respiratory change, as
      determined using echocardiography, are commonly used to assess right atrial
      pressure (RAP). Despite the widespread use of the IVC approach for RAP
      assessment, the relations among body surface area (BSA), IVC diameter, and
      respirophasic change remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the
      impact of BSA on IVC parameters for predicting elevated RAP. METHODS: Ninety
      consecutive patients undergoing right-heart catheterization or central venous
      catheter insertion were prospectively included. To investigate the impact of BSA
      on IVC parameters, patients were divided into higher and lower BSA groups by
      comparing individual BSA measurements with the median value. Optimal cutoff
      points of IVC parameters for detecting RAP of >= 10 mm Hg were defined using
      receiver operating characteristic curves. RESULTS: The median RAP and BSA were 8
      mm Hg (range, 1-25 mm Hg) and 1.61 m(2) (range, 1.23-2.22 m(2)), respectively. In
      all patients, the optimal cutoff point for maximal IVC diameter (IVCDmax) and IVC
      collapsibility for the detection of RAP >= 10 mm Hg were 20 mm and 49.0%,
      respectively. The optimal cutoff point of IVCDmax for predicting RAP of >= 10 mm
      Hg was significantly larger in patients with higher BSAs than in those with lower
      BSAs (21 vs 17 mm, P = .0342). No differences in collapsibility indices were
      detected between the two groups. IVCDmax was larger in men (19 +/- 5 vs 17 +/- 5
      mm in women, P = .0347) and weakly correlated with BSA (r = 0.35, P = .0007),
      whereas no relation was found between IVCDmax and age. However, the partial
      correlation coefficient of the entire cohort demonstrated that only BSA was still
      associated with IVCDmax after adjusting for age and gender (partial correlation
      coefficient = 0.32, P = .0020). CONCLUSIONS: Body size, measured as BSA, is
      important to consider when IVC diameter is used to assess RAP. The optimal cutoff
      point of IVCDmax was 21 mm for patients with larger BSAs and 17 mm for those with
      smaller BSAs. However, the cutoff point of IVC collapsibility was not influenced
      by the difference of BSA.

PMID- 26272699
TI  - Echocardiography before and after resect-plicate-release surgical myectomy for
      obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Anatomic features of obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy are
      septal hypertrophy, elongated mitral leaflets, and anterior displacement of the
      papillary muscles. In addition to extended myectomy, the resect-plicate-release
      operation adds horizontal plication of the anterior mitral leaflet (AML) and
      release of the anterolateral papillary muscle (APM) in selected patients. The aim
      of this study was to test the hypotheses that (1) preoperative findings would be
      associated with procedures applied, (2) anatomic corrections would be observable
      postoperatively, and (3) there would be consistently good physiologic outcomes.
      METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted of patients with obstructive
      hypertrophic cardiomyopathy who had adequate echocardiograms before and 9.5 +/-
      12 months after the resect-plicate-release operation was performed from 2006 to
      2012. RESULTS: Seventy-seven patients underwent myectomy, 50 AML plication, and
      50 APM release. Patients who underwent plication had longer AMLs (32 +/- 4 vs 28
      +/- 4 mm; P < .004). Anterior extension of the APM was more common with papillary
      muscle release (86% vs 62%, P < .04). Twenty-seven (35%) had septal thickness <=
      18 mm; mitral valve-sparing operations were possible because of plication in 19
      patients (70%), papillary release in 21 (78%), and one or both in 96%. Patients
      who underwent plication had decreased AML length by 16%, residual leaflet length
      by 33%, and protrusion by 24%. After APM release, there was decreased distance
      from mitral coaptation to the posterior wall. Surgery abolished severe systolic
      anterior motion and resting gradients and reduced mitral regurgitation.
      CONCLUSIONS: Echocardiographic AML length and directly observed slack provides a
      basis to recommend performance of plication and define its extent; plication
      decreases AML protrusion and stiffens the leaflet. Anterior APM recommends
      release, which drops the coaptation point posteriorly. Systematic relief of all
      aspects of obstructive pathophysiology results in consistent outcomes.

PMID- 26272700
TI  - Intra-abdominal ALK-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma in a patient with
      neurofibromatosis type 1.

PMID- 26272701
TI  - High-Yield Spreading of Water-Miscible Solvents on Water for Langmuir-Blodgett
      Assembly.
AB  - Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) assembly is a classical molecular thin-film processing
      technique, in which the material is spread onto water surface from a volatile,
      water-immiscible solvent to create floating monolayers that can be later
      transferred to solid substrates. LB has also been applied to prepare colloidal
      thin films with an unparalleled level of microstructural control and thickness,
      which has enabled the discovery of many exciting collective properties of
      nanoparticles and the construction of bulk nanostructured materials. To maximize
      the benefits of LB assembly, the nanoparticles should be well dispersed in both
      the spreading solvent and on water. This is quite challenging since colloids
      usually need contrasting surface properties in order to be stable in the water
      hating organic solvents and on water surface. In addition, many organic and
      polymeric nanostructures dissolve in those organic solvents and cannot be
      processed directly. Using water-liking spreading solvents can avoid this dilemma.
      However, spreading of water-miscible solvents on water surface is fundamentally
      challenging due to extensive mixing, which results in significant material loss.
      Here we report a conceptually simple strategy and a general technique that allows
      nearly exclusive spreading of such solvents on water surface using electrospray.
      Since the volume of these aerosolized droplets is reduced by many orders of
      magnitude, they are readily depleted during the initial spreading step before any
      significant mixing could occur. The new strategy drastically reduces the burden
      of material processing prior to assembly and broadens the scope of LB assembly to
      previously hard-to-process materials. It also avoids the use of toxic volatile
      organic spreading solvents, improves the reproducibility, and can be readily
      automated, making LB assembly a more robust tool for colloidal assembly and thin
      film fabrication. 

PMID- 26272702
TI  - Examination of a plasmid-based reverse genetics system for human astrovirus.
AB  - A plasmid-based reverse genetics system for human astrovirus type 1 (HAstV1) is
      examined. Upon transfection into 293T cells, the plasmid vector, which harbors a
      HAstV1 expression cassette, expressed astroviral RNA that appeared to be capable
      of viral RNA replication, as indicated by the production of subgenomic RNA and
      capsid protein expression irrespective of the heterologous 5' ends of the
      transcribed RNA. Particles infectious to Caco-2 cells were made in this system;
      however, their infectivity was much lower than would be expected from the amount
      of particles apparently produced. Using Huh-7 cells as the transfection host with
      the aim of improving viral capsid processing for virion maturation partially
      restored the efficiency of infectious particle formation. Our results support the
      possibility that the DNA transfection process induces a cellular response that
      targets late, but not early, stages of HAstV1 infection. 

PMID- 26272703
TI  - Anatomical configuration of the inferior alveolar neurovascular bundle: a
      histomorphometric analysis.
AB  - PURPOSE: The inferior alveolar neurovascular bundle (NVB) is important in implant
      placement and many other surgeries in dentistry because it is a major supplier of
      sensation and blood to the mandible via the mandibular canal. The purposes of the
      present study were to determine the areas and diameters of the NVB, the inferior
      alveolar nerve (IAN), and the inferior alveolar artery (IAA), and to verify the
      buccolingual location of the mandibular canal. METHODS: The anatomical
      configuration of the NVB was examined by histomorphometrically analyzing 20
      embalmed dentulous hemimandibles. The areas and maximum horizontal and vertical
      diameters of the NVB, IAN, and IAA were measured according to tooth region. The
      distances from the internal border of the mandibular canal to the outer surface
      of the buccal and lingual cortical plates were also measured. RESULTS: The areas
      of the vertically oval-shaped NVB and IAN appeared to be constant between the
      molar and premolar regions, which contain the mental branch, and decreased
      sharply in the lateral incisor after branching off of the mental branch via the
      mental canal. The mandibular canal was located close to the lingual cortical
      plate in the posterior tooth region before passing through the mental canal,
      immediately after which it was situated quite close to the buccal cortical plate,
      and then closer to the middle toward the anterior tooth region. CONCLUSIONS: The
      findings of this study provide useful anatomical information that should help to
      minimize the risk of injury to the NVB during surgical procedures in the
      mandibular region.

PMID- 26272705
TI  - Breast Biopsies Under Magnetic Resonance Imaging Guidance: Challenges of an
      Essential but Imperfect Technique.
AB  - Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided breast biopsy is an essential tool of a
      breast imager; yet, a decade after its introduction, this technique remains
      challenging and imperfect. This article presents the technique of MRI-guided
      biopsy, with an emphasis on challenges particular to the technique: technical
      considerations related to adequate lesion sampling and difficulties in confirming
      radiologic-pathologic correlation for enhancing lesions. Through clinical
      vignettes, challenges unique to MRI-guided biopsy are discussed and practical
      tips are offered. Prebiopsy planning including second-look targeted studies,
      patient preparation, and equipment is covered. Challenging situations pertaining
      to breast size, lesion location, or type of enhancement are illustrated, as well
      as the topic of performing multiple MRI-guided breast biopsies in a single
      session and biopsies of women with implants. Postbiopsy management is discussed.
      Success of MRI-guided biopsies requires careful prebiopsy planning, as well as
      appropriate choice of biopsy device, optimized for the specifics of breast shape
      and lesion size and location. Special features of biopsy systems (smaller
      apertures and blunt tips) facilitate the sampling of lesions in challenging
      locations. Vanishing lesions should undergo short-term follow-up, because
      malignancy cannot be excluded, as should lesions diagnosed as benign after
      pathologic analysis when the result is felt to be concordant with imaging
      features. To this end, radiologic-pathologic correlation is essential.
      Underestimation rates after MRI-guided breast biopsy are superior to those for
      vacuum-assisted stereotactic biopsy and ultrasound-guided biopsy. Close follow-up
      and rebiopsy should be considered when there is imaging-discordant histology. For
      benign and concordant histology, a first follow-up can be offered at 6 months. 

PMID- 26272704
TI  - Incidence of post-obturation pain after single-visit versus multiple-visit non
      surgical endodontic treatments.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Post-obturation pain is frustrating to both patients and dentists.
      Its incidence may change with the use of contemporary endodontic techniques. This
      randomised clinical trial aims to compare the incidence of post-obturation pain
      at one and seven days after single-visit and multiple-visit non-surgical
      endodontic treatments. METHODS: Patients who required primary endodontic
      treatment in the two clinical trial centres in Hong Kong (HK) and in Beijing (PK)
      were recruited. Three HK dentists and three PK dentists performed endodontic
      treatments on 567 teeth using the same procedures and materials, either in a
      single visit or over multiple visits, using either core carrier or cold lateral
      condensation for obturation. RESULTS: The attrition rate was 5.1%, and a total of
      538 teeth were evaluated. Among these teeth, 232 (43%) were operated in HK, 275
      (51%) were treated in a single visit, and 234 (43%) were treated using core
      carrier obturation. Logistic regression analysis showed that teeth with apical
      periodontitis (OR = 0.35, 95% CI = 0.21-0.57, p < 0.01) and less pre-operative
      pain (OR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.03-1.18, p < 0.01) had lower incidences of post
      obturation pain after one day. The incidences of post-obturation pain after one
      day for single-visit and multiple-visit treatments were 24.7% (68 of 275) and
      33.5% (88 of 263), respectively (p = 0.50). The incidences of post-obturation
      pain after seven days for single-visit and multiple-visit treatments were 4.0%
      (11 of 275) and 5.3% (14 of 263), respectively (p = 0.47). CONCLUSIONS: There was
      no significant difference in the incidences of post-obturation pain after one day
      and seven days with single-visit or multiple-visit endodontic treatments. TRIAL
      REGISTRATION: ChiCTR-IOR-15005989.

PMID- 26272706
TI  - Inhibiting oral intoxication of botulinum neurotoxin A complex by carbohydrate
      receptor mimics.
AB  - Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) cause the disease botulism manifested by flaccid
      paralysis that could be fatal to humans and animals. Oral ingestion of the toxin
      with contaminated food is one of the most common routes for botulism. BoNT
      assembles with several auxiliary proteins to survive in the gastrointestinal
      tract and is subsequently transported through the intestinal epithelium into the
      general circulation. Several hemagglutinin proteins form a multi-protein complex
      (HA complex) that recognizes host glycans on the intestinal epithelial cell
      surface to facilitate BoNT absorption. Blocking carbohydrate binding to the HA
      complex could significantly inhibit the oral toxicity of BoNT. Here, we identify
      lactulose, a galactose-containing non-digestible sugar commonly used to treat
      constipation, as a prototype inhibitor against oral BoNT/A intoxication. As
      revealed by a crystal structure, lactulose binds to the HA complex at the same
      site where the host galactose-containing carbohydrate receptors bind. In vitro
      assays using intestinal Caco-2 cells demonstrated that lactulose inhibits HA from
      compromising the integrity of the epithelial cell monolayers and blocks the
      internalization of HA. Furthermore, co-administration of lactulose significantly
      protected mice against BoNT/A oral intoxication in vivo. Taken together, these
      data encourage the development of carbohydrate receptor mimics as a therapeutic
      intervention to prevent BoNT oral intoxication.

PMID- 26272707
TI  - Hemiparetic gait and changes in functional performance due to OnabotulinumtoxinA
      injection to lower limb muscles.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To review gait alterations and evaluate the effects of
      OnabotulinumtoxinA on spatiotemporal walking parameters of patients with
      hemiparetic gait. DESIGN: Retrospective pre- and post-intervention analysis.
      SETTING: Gait analysis laboratory in a tertiary level rehabilitation hospital.
      PARTICIPANTS: 42 patients with hemiparesis. 19 males and 23 females, age 18-78
      years were included. INTERVENTION: Spatiotemporal parameters collected before and
      within 4-10 weeks after OnabotA injection to the ankle muscles. Data was recorded
      at self-selected velocity on a 12 m instrumented walkway. The most common muscles
      injected were medial and lateral gastrocnemius, soleus and tibialis posterior.
      Average total OnabotulinumtoxinA dose was 320 +/- 107 units. MAIN OUTCOME:
      Spatiotemporal parameters of walking assessed before (T0) and within 4-10 weeks
      post injection (T1). Paired t-test was used to compare pre- and post-intervention
      data. A sequential Holm-Bonferroni procedure was used to adjust for multiple
      comparisons and minimize the risk of type I error. Statistical significance was
      set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Statistically significant increases were seen for
      walking velocity (20%) (T0 = 0.40 +/- 0.26 m/s and T1 = 0.48 +/- 0.29 m/s; p =
      0.006), and increased cadence (T0 = 63.48 +/- 23.93 steps/min, and T1 = 70.88 +/-
      23.65 steps/min; p = 0.006) following OnabotulinumtoxinA injections. CONCLUSION:
      This study demonstrates that injection of OnabotulinumtoxinA 320 units to ankle
      muscles selected with the aid of dynamic electromyography can significantly
      increase gait velocity and enhance functional ambulation in adults with
      hemiparesis due to upper motor neuron syndrome.

PMID- 26272708
TI  - Characterization of Neuwiedin, a new disintegrin from Bothrops neuwiedi venom
      gland with distinct cysteine pattern.
AB  - Disintegrins are cysteine-rich toxins containing the RGD motif exposed in a loop
      that binds integrins such as alphaIIbbeta3, alpha5beta1 and alphavbeta3. The
      flexibility of the RGD loop, controlled by the profile of the cysteine pairs and
      the residues flanking the RGD sequence, are key structural features for the
      functional activity of these molecules. Recently, our group reported a transcript
      in the venom gland of Bothrops neuwiedi corresponding to a new P-II SVMP
      precursor, BnMPIIx, in which the RGD-binding loop includes many substituted
      residues and unique cysteine residues at the C-terminal. In this paper, we
      obtained the recombinant disintegrin domain of BnMPIIx, Neuwiedin, which
      inhibited ADP-induced platelet aggregation, endothelial cell adhesion to
      fibrinogen and tube formation in Matrigel with no particular selectivity to
      alphaIIbbeta3 or endothelial cell integrins. This value was also comparable to
      the inhibition observed with other recombinant disintegrins with conserved
      cysteine positions and residues in RGD loop. In this regard, Neuwiedin is an
      important component to understand the functional relevance of the diversity
      generated by accelerated evolution of venom toxins as well as to find out
      eventual new disintegrin-dependent targets that may be approached with
      disintegrins.

PMID- 26272709
TI  - GenomewidePDB 2.0: A Newly Upgraded Versatile Proteogenomic Database for the
      Chromosome-Centric Human Proteome Project.
AB  - Since the launch of the Chromosome-centric Human Proteome Project (C-HPP) in
      2012, the number of "missing" proteins has fallen to 2932, down from ~5932 since
      the number was first counted in 2011. We compared the characteristics of missing
      proteins with those of already annotated proteins with respect to transcriptional
      expression pattern and the time periods in which newly identified proteins were
      annotated. We learned that missing proteins commonly exhibit lower levels of
      transcriptional expression and less tissue-specific expression compared with
      already annotated proteins. This makes it more difficult to identify missing
      proteins as time goes on. One of the C-HPP goals is to identify alternative
      spliced product of proteins (ASPs), which are usually difficult to find by shot
      gun proteomic methods due to their sequence similarities with the representative
      proteins. To resolve this problem, it may be necessary to use a targeted
      proteomics approach (e.g., selected and multiple reaction monitoring [S/MRM]
      assays) and an innovative bioinformatics platform that enables the selection of
      target peptides for rarely expressed missing proteins or ASPs. Given that the
      success of efforts to identify missing proteins may rely on more informative
      public databases, it was necessary to upgrade the available integrative
      databases. To this end, we attempted to improve the features and utility of
      GenomewidePDB by integrating transcriptomic information (e.g., alternatively
      spliced transcripts), annotated peptide information, and an advanced search
      interface that can find proteins of interest when applying a targeted proteomics
      strategy. This upgraded version of the database, GenomewidePDB 2.0, may not only
      expedite identification of the remaining missing proteins but also enhance the
      exchange of information among the proteome community. GenomewidePDB 2.0 is
      available publicly at http://genomewidepdb.proteomix.org/.

PMID- 26272710
TI  - Fine grain separation for the production of biomass fuel from mixed municipal
      solid waste.
AB  - The main goal of the project MARSS (Material Advanced Sustainable Systems) is to
      build a demonstration plant in order to recover a renewable biomass fuel suitable
      for the use in biomass power plants out of mixed municipal solid waste (MMSW).
      The demonstration plant was constructed in Mertesdorf (Germany), working
      alongside an existing mechanical-biological treatment plant, where the MMSW is
      biological dried under aerobe conditions in rotting boxes. The focus of the
      presented sorting campaign was set on the processing of fine grain particles
      minor than 11.5mm which have the highest mass content and biogenic energy
      potential of the utilized grain size fractions. The objective was to produce a
      biomass fuel with a high calorific value and a low content of fossil (plastic,
      synthetic) materials while maximizing the mass recovery. Therefore, the biogenic
      components of the dried MMSW are separated from inert and fossil components
      through various classification and sifting processes. In three experimental
      process setups of different processing depths, the grain size fraction 4-11.5mm
      was sifted by the use of air sifters and air tables. 

PMID- 26272711
TI  - Enhanced mesophilic anaerobic digestion of food waste by thermal pretreatment:
      Substrate versus digestate heating.
AB  - Food waste (FW) represents a source of high potential renewable energy if
      properly treated with anaerobic digestion (AD). Pretreating the substrates could
      yield a higher biomethane production in a shorter time. In this study, the
      effects of thermal (heating the FW in a separate chamber) and thermophilic
      (heating the full reactor content containing both FW and inoculum) pretreatments
      at 50, 60, 70 and 80 degrees C prior to mesophilic AD were studied through a
      series of batch experiments. Pretreatments at a lower temperature (50 degrees C)
      and a shorter time (<12h) had a positive effect on the AD process. The highest
      enhancement of the biomethane production with an increase by 44-46% was achieved
      with a thermophilic pretreatment at 50 degrees C for 6-12h or a thermal
      pretreatment at 80 degrees C for 1.5h. Thermophilic pretreatments at higher
      temperatures (>55 degrees C) and longer operating times (>12h) yielded higher
      soluble chemical oxygen demand (CODs), but had a negative effect on the
      methanogenic activity. The thermal pretreatments at the same conditions resulted
      in a lower solubilization of COD. Based on net energy calculations, the enhanced
      biomethane production is sufficient to heat up the FW for the thermal, but not
      for the thermophilic pretreatment. 

PMID- 26272713
TI  - Validation of a modified FRAX(r) tool for improving outpatient efficiency--part
      of the "Catch Before a Fall" initiative.
AB  - We have validated our touch-screen-modified FRAX(r) tool against the traditional
      healthcare professional-led questionnaire, demonstrating strong concordance
      between doctor- and patient-derived results. We will use this in outpatient
      clinics and general practice to increase our capture rate of at-risk patients,
      making valuable use of otherwise wasted patient waiting times. INTRODUCTION:
      Outpatient clinics offer an opportunity to collect valuable health information
      from a captive population. We have previously developed a modified fracture risk
      assessment (FRAX(r)) tool, enabling patients to self-assess their osteoporotic
      fracture risk in a touch-screen computer format and demonstrated its
      acceptability with patients. We aim to validate the accuracy of our tool against
      the traditional questionnaire. METHODS: Fifty patients over 50 years of age
      within the fracture clinic independently completed a paper equivalent of our
      touch-screen-modified FRAX(r) questionnaire. Responses were analysed against the
      traditional healthcare professional (HCP)-led questionnaire which was carried out
      afterwards. Correlation was assessed by sensitivity, specificity, Cohen's kappa
      statistic and Fisher's exact test for each potential FRAX(r) outcome of "treat",
      "measure BMD" and "lifestyle advice". RESULTS: Age range was 51-98 years. The
      FRAX(r) tool was completed by 88 % of patients; six patients lacked confidence in
      estimating either their height or weight. Following question adjustment according
      to patient response and feedback, our tool achieved >95 % sensitivity and
      specificity for the "treat" and "lifestyle advice" groups, and 79 % sensitivity
      and 100 % specificity in the "measure BMD" group. Cohen's kappa value ranged from
      0.823 to 0.995 across all groups, demonstrating "very good" agreement for all.
      Fisher's exact test demonstrated significant concordance between doctor and
      patient decisions. DISCUSSION: Our modified tool provides a simple, accurate and
      reliable method for patients to self-report their own FRAX(r) score outside the
      clinical contact period, thus releasing the HCP from the time required to
      complete the questionnaire and potentially increasing our capture rate of at-risk
      patients.

PMID- 26272712
TI  - New vertebral fractures after vertebroplasty: 2-year results from a randomised
      controlled trial.
AB  - A randomised controlled trial of vertebroplasty (VP) versus placebo assessed the
      effect of VP on the risk of further vertebral fractures. While no statistically
      significant between-group differences for new or progressed fracture risk at 12
      and 24 months were observed, we observed a consistent trend towards higher risk
      of any type of fracture in the group undergoing VP. Our analysis was
      underpowered, and further adequately powered studies are needed to be able to
      draw firm conclusions about further vertebral risk with vertebroplasty. PURPOSE:
      This study seeks to assess the effect of VP on the risk of further radiologically
      apparent vertebral fracture within two years of the procedure. METHODS: We
      conducted a randomised placebo-controlled trial of VP in people with acute
      osteoporotic vertebral fracture. Eligible participants were randomly assigned to
      VP (n = 38) or placebo (n = 40). Cement volume and leakage were recorded for the
      VP group. Plain thoracolumbar radiographs were taken at baseline, 12 and 24
      months. Two independent radiologists assessed these for new and progressed
      fractures at the same, adjacent and non-adjacent levels. RESULTS: At 12 and 24
      months, radiographs were available for 45 (58 %) and 47 (60 %) participants,
      respectively. There were no between-group differences for new or progressed
      fractures: 32 and 40 in the VP group after 12 and 24 months compared with 21 and
      33 in the placebo group (hazard ratio (HR) 1.80, 95 % confidence interval (CI)
      0.82 to 3.94). Similar results were seen when considering only adjacent (HR (95 %
      CI) 2.30 (0.57 to 9.29)) and non-adjacent (HR (95 % CI) 1.45 (0.55 to 3.81)
      levels. In all comparisons, there was a consistent trend towards higher risk of
      any type of fracture in the group undergoing VP. Within the VP group, fracture
      risk was unrelated to total (HR (95 % CI) 0.91 (0.71 to 1.17)) or relative (HR
      (95 % CI) 1.31 (0.15 to 11.48)) cement volume or cement leakage (HR (95 % CI)
      1.20 (0.63 to 2.31)). CONCLUSION: For patients undergoing VP, our study did not
      demonstrate significant increases in subsequent fracture risk beyond that
      experienced by those with vertebral fractures who did not undergo the procedure.
      However, because of the non-significant numerical increases observed, studies
      with adequate power are needed to draw definite conclusions about fracture risk.

PMID- 26272714
TI  - Enhanced elimination of dabigatran: Identifying the appropriate patient for the
      use of continuous venovenous hemodialysis instead of intermittent hemodialysis-A
      simulation analysis.
AB  - There are clinical situations where rapid elimination of dabigatran is
      beneficial. Intermittent hemodialysis (IHD) removes dabigatran effectively but is
      not always available and requires a hemodynamically stable patient. We therefore
      investigated the continuous venovenous hemodialysis (CVVHD) technique for its
      potency in the elimination of dabigatran. Based on pharmacometric
      characterization of dabigatran in IHD, we simulated a broad range of dialysis
      settings for CVVHD and then applied the model to specific clinical situations.
      Dialysis of 3 hours' duration with typical clinical settings (dialysate flow rate
      50 mL/min; blood flow rate 150 mL/min) reduced dabigatran plasma concentration by
      14-17% in addition to the patient body clearance. Extending dialysis duration to
      8 or 16 hours for patients with severe renal dysfunction resulted in additional
      reductions from 26% up to 40%. When comparing with IHD for different endpoints
      (reaching 50% of initial dabigatran concentration, or nondetectability of
      dabigatran by the Hemoclot test), CVVHD did not reach comparable elimination
      rates. CVVHD is not fast enough to prepare for urgent interventions in patients
      with high bleeding risks. However, in situations where less hemodynamically
      stressful modalities seem indicated, CVVHD might be useful in moderately to
      severely renally impaired patients to accelerate dabigatran elimination. 

PMID- 26272715
TI  - Attitudes towards couples HIV testing and counseling among Latino men who have
      sex with men in the Seattle area.
AB  - Men who have sex with men (MSM) remain the most severely affected risk group in
      the US HIV/AIDS epidemic. One-third to two-thirds of HIV transmissions among MSM
      are estimated to come from primary sex partners. Couples HIV testing and
      counseling (CHTC), in which two individuals receive pre-test counseling, HIV
      testing and post-test prevention planning together, has been adapted for male
      couples in the USA, and is now available in more than 30 cities. Previous studies
      have demonstrated high levels of willingness to use CHTC among MSM, but to date
      no studies have explored this among Latino MSM (LMSM). To examine the willingness
      to use CHTC among and further cultural adaptation needed for LMSM, focus group
      discussions were held with men who self-identified as Latino, were in a
      relationship with another man, and resided in Seattle. Willingness to use CHTC
      was high. Participants reported that CHTC could strengthen and validate their
      relationships, help mitigate stigma, and provide a forum for support, protection,
      and information sharing. Barriers to CHTC use included fears of rejection,
      loneliness, and relationship dissolution, and concerns around deportation and
      financial burden. The high levels of reported willingness to use CHTC among this
      sample of LMSM point to the potential for CHTC to be further adapted to provide
      dyadic HIV testing services for LMSM. 

PMID- 26272716
TI  - Chemoreceptor Evolution in Hymenoptera and Its Implications for the Evolution of
      Eusociality.
AB  - Eusocial insects, mostly Hymenoptera, have evolved unique colonial lifestyles
      that rely on the perception of social context mainly through pheromones, and
      chemoreceptors are hypothesized to have played important adaptive roles in the
      evolution of sociality. However, because chemoreceptor repertoires have been
      characterized in few social insects and their solitary relatives, a comprehensive
      examination of this hypothesis has not been possible. Here, we annotate ~3,000
      odorant and gustatory receptors in recently sequenced Hymenoptera genomes and
      systematically compare >4,000 chemoreceptors from 13 hymenopterans, representing
      one solitary lineage (wasps) and three independently evolved eusocial lineages
      (ants and two bees). We observe a strong general tendency for chemoreceptors to
      expand in Hymenoptera, whereas the specifics of gene gains/losses are highly
      diverse between lineages. We also find more frequent positive selection on
      chemoreceptors in a facultative eusocial bee and in the common ancestor of ants
      compared with solitary wasps. Our results suggest that the frequent expansions of
      chemoreceptors have facilitated the transition to eusociality. Divergent
      expression patterns of odorant receptors between honeybee and ants further
      indicate differential roles of chemoreceptors in parallel trajectories of social
      evolution. 

PMID- 26272717
TI  - Assessing Recent Selection and Functionality at Long Noncoding RNA Loci in the
      Mouse Genome.
AB  - Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are one of the most intensively studied groups of
      noncoding elements. Debate continues over what proportion of lncRNAs are
      functional or merely represent transcriptional noise. Although characterization
      of individual lncRNAs has identified approximately 200 functional loci across the
      Eukarya, general surveys have found only modest or no evidence of long-term
      evolutionary conservation. Although this lack of conservation suggests that most
      lncRNAs are nonfunctional, the possibility remains that some represent recent
      evolutionary innovations. We examine recent selection pressures acting on lncRNAs
      in mouse populations. We compare patterns of within-species nucleotide variation
      at approximately 10,000 lncRNA loci in a cohort of the wild house mouse, Mus
      musculus castaneus, with between-species nucleotide divergence from the rat
      (Rattus norvegicus). Loci under selective constraint are expected to show reduced
      nucleotide diversity and divergence. We find limited evidence of sequence
      conservation compared with putatively neutrally evolving ancestral repeats (ARs).
      Comparisons of sequence diversity and divergence between ARs, protein-coding (PC)
      exons and lncRNAs, and the associated flanking regions, show weak, but
      significantly lower levels of sequence diversity and divergence at lncRNAs
      compared with ARs. lncRNAs conserved deep in the vertebrate phylogeny show lower
      within-species sequence diversity than lncRNAs in general. A set of 74
      functionally characterized lncRNAs show levels of diversity and divergence
      comparable to PC exons, suggesting that these lncRNAs are under substantial
      selective constraints. Our results suggest that, in mouse populations, most
      lncRNA loci evolve at rates similar to ARs, whereas older lncRNAs tend to show
      signals of selection similar to PC genes. 

PMID- 26272718
TI  - Chemical Analysis in the Corpus Callosum Following Traumatic Axonal Injury using
      Fourier Transform Infrared Microspectroscopy: A Pilot Study.
AB  - Evaluating traumatic axonal injury remains challenging in clinical and forensic
      sciences as its identification is difficult using routine diagnostic methods.
      This study used Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy to detect TAI within
      the corpus callosum in an animal model. Protein conformational analysis revealed
      significantly increased beta-sheet and beta-turn contents paralleled by a
      decrease in alpha-helix content at 24 h postinjury, while the antiparallel beta
      sheet content was decreased at 12 h postinjury. Compared with the control group,
      the lipid/protein ratio was significantly reduced in all of the injured groups.
      At 24 h postinjury, there were increases in the olefinic=CH and CH3 group of
      lipids accompanied by the decreased CH2 group, but the results at 12 and 72 h
      were contrary to that at 24 h. Our study showed that FTIRM could differentiate
      injured from normal white matter at different time points following TBI via
      examination of these infrared spectral parameters.

PMID- 26272720
TI  - Prophylactic intravenous ephedrine to minimize fetal bradycardia after combined
      spinal-epidural labour analgesia: a randomized controlled study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The combined spinal-epidural (CSE) technique for relief of labour
      pain offers both rapid onset and superior first-stage analgesia. Nevertheless,
      the known increased risk for early profound fetal bradycardia (EPFB) following
      CSE continues to be a concern that often limits its use. The purpose of this
      study was to determine if giving prophylactic intravenous ephedrine at the time
      of CSE administration would reduce EPFB. METHODS: We conducted this clinical
      trial at a large community hospital and enrolled healthy patients requesting
      epidural analgesia for labour. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either
      normal saline placebo or ephedrine 10 mg iv at the time of CSE. The primary
      outcome of EPFB (defined as bradycardia < 90 beats.min(-1) for > two minutes and
      occurring within the first 30 min after CSE) was compared between groups. The
      secondary outcomes included the incidence of urgent cesarean delivery, the
      requirement for additional doses of ephedrine, maternal blood pressure, uterine
      hypertonus and tachysystole, and abnormal fetal heart rate (FHR) patterns before
      and after CSE. RESULTS: There were 299 women randomized to the ephedrine (EPH)
      group and 297 randomized to the normal saline placebo (NS) group. There was no
      difference between groups in the incidence of EPFB (2.7% EPH group vs 4.7% NS
      group; relative risk, 0.57; 95% confidence interval, 0.24 to 1.33; P = 0.184).
      There was also no difference between groups in the incidence of urgent cesarean
      delivery, uterine hypertonus, uterine tachysystole, and abnormal FHR patterns.
      CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that prophylactic intravenous ephedrine administration
      at the time of CSE during labour was ineffective at reducing the risk for EPFB
      associated with CSE. Nevertheless, a lower than expected rate of EPFB resulted in
      the trial being underpowered. This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov,
      identifier: NCT02062801.

PMID- 26272721
TI  - Interfacial polymerization of conductive polymers: Generation of polymeric
      nanostructures in a 2-D space.
AB  - In the recent advances in the field of conductive polymers, the fibrillar or
      needle shaped nanostructures of polyaniline and polypyrrole have attracted
      significant attention due to the potential advantages of organic conductors that
      exhibit low-dimensionality, uniform size distribution, high crystallinity and
      improved physical properties compared to their bulk or spherically shaped
      counterparts. Carrying the polymerization reaction in a restricted two
      dimensional space, instead of the three dimensional space of the one phase
      solution is an efficient method for the synthesis of polymeric nanostructures
      with narrow size distribution and small diameter. Ultra-thin nanowires and
      nanofibers, single crystal nanoneedles, nanocomposites with noble metals or
      carbon nanotubes and layered materials can be efficiently synthesized with high
      yield and display superior performance in sensors and energy storage
      applications. In this critical review we will focus not only on the interfacial
      polymerization methods that leads to polymeric nanostructures and composites and
      their properties, but also on the mechanism and the physico-chemical processes
      that govern the diffusion and reactivity of molecules and nanomaterials at an
      interface. Recent advances for the synthesis of conductive polymer composites
      with an interfacial method for energy storage applications and future
      perspectives are presented. 

PMID- 26272719
TI  - Intrathecal hyperbaric 2% prilocaine versus 0.4% plain ropivacaine for same-day
      arthroscopic knee surgery: a prospective randomized double-blind controlled
      study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Short-duration spinal anesthesia is a good option for ambulatory knee
      surgery. Hyperbaric 2% prilocaine has short onset and rapid recovery times and,
      therefore, may be well suited in this setting. The aim of this study was to
      compare the times to reach motor block, motor block resolution, and discharge
      from the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) between hyperbaric 2% prilocaine and
      0.4% plain ropivacaine. METHODS: In this prospective randomized double-blind
      study, 140 patients (ages 18-80 yr and American Society of Anesthesiologists
      physical status I-II) scheduled for elective unilateral arthroscopic knee surgery
      lasting < 45 min were allocated to either 3 mL of 2% prilocaine (60 mg) or 3 mL
      of 0.4% plain ropivacaine (12 mg). Time to reach complete recovery of motor
      block, time to reach criteria for discharge, as well as side effects up to 48 hr
      after discharge were recorded. RESULTS: The median (interquartile range [IQR])
      time to recovery from the motor block was faster in the 2% prilocaine group
      compared with the 0.4% ropivacaine group (180 [169-240] min vs 240 [180-300] min,
      respectively; median difference, 60 min, 95% confidence interval (CI), 23 to 97
      min; P = 0.036). The median [IQR] time to reach discharge criteria was similar
      between the two groups (330 [295-365] min vs, 335 [290-395] min; median
      difference 5 min, 95% CI, -25 to 35 min; P = 0.330). The incidence of side
      effects was low and similar in both groups. No case of transient neurologic
      symptoms occurred in either group. CONCLUSION: The recovery of motor block was
      faster after intrathecal administration of hyperbaric 2% prilocaine compared with
      0.4% plain ropivacaine; however, discharge time was similar between the two
      groups. Both drugs showed a similar risk profile.

PMID- 26272722
TI  - Visualizing nanoscale 3D compositional fluctuation of lithium in advanced lithium
      ion battery cathodes.
AB  - The distribution of cations in Li-ion battery cathodes as a function of cycling
      is a pivotal characteristic of battery performance. The transition metal cation
      distribution has been shown to affect cathode performance; however, Li is
      notoriously challenging to characterize with typical imaging techniques. Here
      laser-assisted atom probe tomography (APT) is used to map the three-dimensional
      distribution of Li at a sub-nanometre spatial resolution and correlate it with
      the distribution of the transition metal cations (M) and the oxygen. As
      fabricated layered Li1.2Ni0.2Mn0.6O2 is shown to have Li-rich Li2MO3 phase
      regions and Li-depleted Li(Ni0.5Mn0.5)O2 regions. Cycled material has an overall
      loss of Li in addition to Ni-, Mn- and Li-rich regions. Spinel LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 is
      shown to have a uniform distribution of all cations. APT results were compared to
      energy dispersive spectroscopy mapping with a scanning transmission electron
      microscope to confirm the transition metal cation distribution. 

PMID- 26272724
TI  - Prevalence and Spatial Distribution of Salmonella Infections in the Pennsylvania
      Raccoon (Procyon lotor).
AB  - A study was conducted to determine the prevalence and spatial distribution of
      Salmonella infection in Pennsylvania raccoons (Procyon lotor), common wildlife
      mammals known to occupy overlapping habitats with humans and domestic food
      animals. The Pennsylvania Game Commission provided a total of 371 raccoon
      intestinal samples from trapped and road-killed raccoons collected between May
      and November 2011. Salmonella was isolated from the faeces of 56 (15.1%) of 371
      raccoons in 35 (54%) of 65 counties across Pennsylvania. The five most frequently
      isolated serotypes were Newport (28.6%), Enteritidis (19.6%), Typhimurium
      (10.7%), Braenderup (8.9%) and Bareilly (7.1%). Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis
      (PFGE) analysis of the Salmonella isolates and subsequent comparison to the
      Pennsylvania Department of Health human Salmonella PFGE database revealed 16
      different pulsetypes in Salmonella isolates recovered from raccoons that were
      indistinguishable from pulsetypes of Salmonella collected from clinically ill
      humans during the study period. The pulsetypes of seven raccoon Salmonella
      isolates matched those of 56 human Salmonella isolates by month and geographical
      region of sample collection. Results from Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short
      Palindromic Repeats and Multi-Virulence Locus Sequence Typing (CRISPR-MVLST)
      analysis corroborated the PFGE and serotyping data. The findings of this study
      show that several PFGE pulsetypes of Salmonella were shared between humans and
      raccoons in Pennsylvania, indicating that raccoons and humans might share the
      same source of Salmonella. 

PMID- 26272723
TI  - Genome-wide survey and expression analysis of the calcium-dependent protein
      kinase gene family in cassava.
AB  - Calcium-dependent protein kinases (CPKs) play important roles in regulating plant
      tolerance to abiotic stress and signal transduction; however, no data are
      currently available regarding the CPK family in cassava. Herein, we identified 27
      CPK genes from cassava based on our previous genome sequencing data. Phylogenetic
      analysis showed that cassava CPKs could be clustered into three groups, which was
      further supported by gene structure and conserved protein motif analyses. Global
      expression analysis suggested that MeCPK genes showed distinct expression
      patterns in different tissues between wild subspecies and cultivated varieties,
      indicating their involvement in the functional diversity of different varieties.
      Transcriptomics, interaction networks, and co-expression assays revealed a broad
      transcriptional response of cassava CPKs and CPK-mediated networks to drought
      stress and their differential expression profiles in different varieties,
      implying their contribution to drought stress tolerance in cassava. Expression
      analysis of eight MeCPK genes suggested a comprehensive response to osmotic
      stress, salt, cold, abscisic acid, and H2O2, which indicated that cassava CPKs
      might be convergence points for different signaling pathways. This study provides
      a basis for crop improvements and understanding of abiotic stress responses and
      signal transduction mediated by CPKs in cassava. 

PMID- 26272725
TI  - Short-term anesthesia inhibits formalin-induced extracellular signal-regulated
      kinase (ERK) activation in the rostral anterior cingulate cortex but not in the
      spinal cord.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The rostral anterior cingulate cortex (rACC) has been implicated in
      the negative affective response to injury, and importantly, it has been shown
      that activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling in the
      rACC contributes to the full expression of the affective component of pain in
      rodents. In this study, we investigated whether administration of anesthesia at
      the time of injury could reduce phosphorylated-ERK (PERK) expression in the rACC,
      which might eliminate the negative affective component of noxious stimulation.
      Intraplantar hindpaw formalin stimulation, an aversive event in the awake animal,
      was given with or without general isoflurane anesthesia, and PERK expression was
      subsequently quantified in the rACC using immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, as
      numerous studies have demonstrated the importance of spinal ERK signaling in the
      regulation of nociceptive behaviour, we also examined PERK in the superficial
      dorsal horn of the spinal cord. FINDINGS: Formalin injection with and without
      short-term (<10 min) general isoflurane anesthesia induced the same level of PERK
      expression in spinal cord laminae I-II. However, PERK expression was
      significantly inhibited across all laminae of the rACC in animals anesthetized
      during formalin injection. The effect of anesthesia was such that levels of PERK
      were the same in formalin and sham treated anesthesized animals. CONCLUSIONS:
      This study is the first to demonstrate that isoflurane anesthesia can inhibit
      formalin-induced PERK in the rACC and therefore might eliminate the
      unpleasantness of restraint associated with awake hindpaw injection.

PMID- 26272726
TI  - A case of indeterminate dendritic cell tumor presenting with leonine facies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Indeterminate dendritic cell tumor is an extremely rare neoplastic
      proliferation of dendritic cells that share immunophenotypic features of
      Langerhans cells and macrophages but lack Birbeck granules and Langerin
      expression. METHODS: We report a 55-year-old female presenting with a leonine
      facies and generalized multiple confluent papules, nodules and plaques on neck,
      upper trunk, arms and thighs. Laboratory evaluations were performed including
      skin biopsies, peripheral blood flow cytometry and positron emission tomography
      computed tomography. RESULTS: The lesional skin biopsy showed a dense dermal and
      perifollicular infiltrate composed of histiocytoid cells with nuclear grooves
      lacking dendritic processes in a background of lymphocytes. Eosinophils were
      absent. The histiocytoid cells were CD68+CD1a+Langerin- and only focally S100+.
      Special stains including GMS, Gram and Fite were all negative for infectious
      organisms. Although an initial diagnosis suggesting Langerhans cell histiocytosis
      was proposed due to CD1a positivity, a diagnosis of indeterminate dendritic cell
      tumor was finally rendered based on the histopathological findings and the lack
      of expression of Langerin. CONCLUSION: This case illustrates the variegated
      clinical presentation of indeterminate cell tumor and the necessity of
      appropriate immunohistochemical workup for its diagnosis.

PMID- 26272727
TI  - Semi-automated biobank sample processing with a 384 high density sample tube
      robot used in cancer and cardiovascular studies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In the postgenomic era, it has become evident that analysis of
      genetic and protein expression changes alone is not sufficient to understand most
      disease processes in e.g. cardiovascular and cancer disease. Biobanking has been
      identified as an important area for development and discovery of better
      diagnostic tools and new treatment modalities. Biobanks are developed in order to
      integrate the collection of clinical samples from both healthy individuals and
      patients and provide valuable information that will make possible improved
      patient care. Modern healthcare developments are intimately linked to information
      based on studies of patient samples from biobank archives in large scale studies.
      Today biobanks form important national, as well as international, networks that
      share and combine global resources. METHODS: We have developed and validated a
      novel biobanking workflow process that utilizes 384-tube systems with a high
      speed sample array robot with unique processing principles. RESULTS: The 384-tube
      format and robotic processing is incorporated into a cancer and cardiovascular
      diagnostic/prognostic research program with therapeutic interventions. Our
      biobank practice has gained acceptance within many hospitals and research units
      and is based on high-density sample storage with small aliquot sample volumes.
      The previous standard of 5-10 mL sample volume tubes is being replaced by smaller
      volumes of 50-70 MUL blood fractions that typically result in hundreds of
      thousands of aliquot fractions in 384-tube systems. CONCLUSIONS: Our novel
      biobanking workflow process is robust and well suited for clinical studies.

PMID- 26272729
TI  - Global tractography of multi-shell diffusion-weighted imaging data using a multi
      tissue model.
AB  - Diffusion-weighted imaging and tractography provide a unique, non-invasive
      technique to study the macroscopic structure and connectivity of brain white
      matter in vivo. Global tractography methods aim at reconstructing the full-brain
      fiber configuration that best explains the measured data, based on a generative
      signal model. In this work, we incorporate a multi-shell multi-tissue model based
      on spherical convolution, into a global tractography framework, which allows to
      deal with partial volume effects. The required tissue response functions can be
      estimated from and hence calibrated to the data. The resulting track
      reconstruction is quantitatively related to the apparent fiber density in the
      data. In addition, the fiber orientation distribution for white matter and the
      volume fractions of gray matter and cerebrospinal fluid are produced as ancillary
      results. Validation results on simulated data demonstrate that this data-driven
      approach improves over state-of-the-art streamline and global tracking methods,
      particularly in the valid connection rate. Results in human brain data correspond
      to known white matter anatomy and show improved modeling of partial voluming.
      This work is an important step toward detecting and quantifying white matter
      changes and connectivity in healthy subjects and patients. 

PMID- 26272730
TI  - Simultaneous control of error rates in fMRI data analysis.
AB  - The key idea of statistical hypothesis testing is to fix, and thereby control,
      the Type I error (false positive) rate across samples of any size. Multiple
      comparisons inflate the global (family-wise) Type I error rate and the
      traditional solution to maintaining control of the error rate is to increase the
      local (comparison-wise) Type II error (false negative) rates. However, in the
      analysis of human brain imaging data, the number of comparisons is so large that
      this solution breaks down: the local Type II error rate ends up being so large
      that scientifically meaningful analysis is precluded. Here we propose a novel
      solution to this problem: allow the Type I error rate to converge to zero along
      with the Type II error rate. It works because when the Type I error rate per
      comparison is very small, the accumulation (or global) Type I error rate is also
      small. This solution is achieved by employing the likelihood paradigm, which uses
      likelihood ratios to measure the strength of evidence on a voxel-by-voxel basis.
      In this paper, we provide theoretical and empirical justification for a
      likelihood approach to the analysis of human brain imaging data. In addition, we
      present extensive simulations that show the likelihood approach is viable,
      leading to "cleaner"-looking brain maps and operational superiority (lower
      average error rate). Finally, we include a case study on cognitive control
      related activation in the prefrontal cortex of the human brain. 

PMID- 26272728
TI  - Relevant feature set estimation with a knock-out strategy and random forests.
AB  - Group analysis of neuroimaging data is a vital tool for identifying anatomical
      and functional variations related to diseases as well as normal biological
      processes. The analyses are often performed on a large number of highly
      correlated measurements using a relatively smaller number of samples. Despite the
      correlation structure, the most widely used approach is to analyze the data using
      univariate methods followed by post-hoc corrections that try to account for the
      data's multivariate nature. Although widely used, this approach may fail to
      recover from the adverse effects of the initial analysis when local effects are
      not strong. Multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) is a powerful alternative to the
      univariate approach for identifying relevant variations. Jointly analyzing all
      the measures, MVPA techniques can detect global effects even when individual
      local effects are too weak to detect with univariate analysis. Current approaches
      are successful in identifying variations that yield highly predictive and compact
      models. However, they suffer from lessened sensitivity and instabilities in
      identification of relevant variations. Furthermore, current methods' user-defined
      parameters are often unintuitive and difficult to determine. In this article, we
      propose a novel MVPA method for group analysis of high-dimensional data that
      overcomes the drawbacks of the current techniques. Our approach explicitly aims
      to identify all relevant variations using a "knock-out" strategy and the Random
      Forest algorithm. In evaluations with synthetic datasets the proposed method
      achieved substantially higher sensitivity and accuracy than the state-of-the-art
      MVPA methods, and outperformed the univariate approach when the effect size is
      low. In experiments with real datasets the proposed method identified regions
      beyond the univariate approach, while other MVPA methods failed to replicate the
      univariate results. More importantly, in a reproducibility study with the well
      known ADNI dataset the proposed method yielded higher stability and power than
      the univariate approach. 

PMID- 26272731
TI  - Assessment of bleeding risk in patients with coronary artery disease on dual
      antiplatelet therapy. A systematic review.
AB  - Patients with coronary artery disease are usually treated with dual antiplatelet
      therapy (DAPT) after percutaneous coronary intervention. Patients on DAPT are at
      risk of both ischaemic and bleeding events. Although side-lined for a long time,
      real-life studies have shown that both the incidence and the associated morbidity
      and mortality of out-of-hospital bleeding are high. This indicates that
      prevention of (post-interventional) bleeding is as important as prevention of
      ischaemia. For this purpose it is crucial to reliably identify patients with a
      high bleeding risk. In order to postulate an algorithm, which could help
      identifying these patients, we performed a systematic review to determine the
      value of previously proposed prognostic modalities for bleeding. We searched and
      appraised the following tools: platelet function tests, genetic tests, bleeding
      scores and questionnaires and haemostatic tests. Most studies indicated that low
      on-treatment platelet reactivity (LTPR), as measured by several platelet function
      tests, and the carriage of CYP2C19*17 allele were independent risk factors for
      bleeding. A bleeding score also proved to be helpful in identifying patients at
      risk. No studies on haemostatic tests were retrieved. Several patient
      characteristics were also identified as independent predictors of bleeding, such
      as older age, female sex and renal failure. Combining these risk factors we
      propose an algorithm that would hypothetically facilitate identification of those
      patients at highest risk, warranting prevention measures for bleeding. This could
      be a starting point for further research concerning the topic. 

PMID- 26272732
TI  - Adenosine A1-receptor blockade impairs the ability of rat pups to autoresuscitate
      from primary apnea during repeated exposure to hypoxia.
AB  - Failure of gasping to bring about autoresuscitation from hypoxia-induced apnea
      has been suggested to play a role in sudden unexpected infant death. Little is
      known, however, about factors that influence the ability of gasping to restore
      life during severe hypoxia in newborns. Given that adenosine modulates cardiac
      function during hypoxia-induced apnea and that cardiac dysfunction plays a role
      in mediating autoresuscitation failure, the present experiments were carried out
      on 34, 5- to 6-, and 10- to 11-day-old rat pups to investigate their ability to
      autoresuscitate from hypoxia-induced apnea during repeated exposure to hypoxia
      after adenosine A1-receptor blockade. Each pup was placed into a temperature
      controlled chamber regulated to 37 +/- 1 degrees C and repeatedly exposed to an
      anoxic gas mixture (97% N2 and 3% CO2) until the occurrence of autoresuscitation
      failure. One group was studied following administration of the selective
      adenosine A1-receptor antagonist 8-Cyclopentyl-1,3,-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX) and
      one group was studied following vehicle. DPCPX significantly attenuated
      bradycardia during hypoxia-induced apnea and impaired the ability of both age
      groups of pups to autoresuscitate during repeated exposure to hypoxia (5-6 days
      tolerated - vehicle 17 +/- 4 vs. DPCPX 10 +/- 2 hypoxia exposures [P < 0.05]; 10
      11 days tolerated - vehicle 10 +/- 2 vs. DPCPX 7 +/- 2 hypoxia exposures [P <
      0.05]). Death in all pups resulted from the inability of gasping to restore
      cardiovascular function during hypoxia-induced apnea although the mechanism of
      cardiovascular dysfunction/failure was influenced and the occurrence hastened by
      DPCPX. Thus, our data provide evidence that adenosine acting via adenosine A1
      receptors enhances the ability of rat pups to tolerate repeated exposure to
      severe hypoxia during early postnatal maturation. 

PMID- 26272733
TI  - The effect of training volume and intensity on improvements in muscular strength
      and size in resistance-trained men.
AB  - This investigation compared the effect of high-volume (VOL) versus high-intensity
      (INT) resistance training on stimulating changes in muscle size and strength in
      resistance-trained men. Following a 2-week preparatory phase, participants were
      randomly assigned to either a high-volume (VOL; n = 14, 4 * 10-12 repetitions
      with ~70% of one repetition maximum [1RM], 1-min rest intervals) or a high
      intensity (INT; n = 15, 4 * 3-5 repetitions with ~90% of 1RM, 3-min rest
      intervals) training group for 8 weeks. Pre- and posttraining assessments included
      lean tissue mass via dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, muscle cross-sectional
      area and thickness of the vastus lateralis (VL), rectus femoris (RF), pectoralis
      major, and triceps brachii muscles via ultrasound images, and 1RM strength in the
      back squat and bench press (BP) exercises. Blood samples were collected at
      baseline, immediately post, 30 min post, and 60 min postexercise at week 3 (WK3)
      and week 10 (WK10) to assess the serum testosterone, growth hormone (GH), insulin
      like growth factor-1 (IGF1), cortisol, and insulin concentrations. Compared to
      VOL, greater improvements (P < 0.05) in lean arm mass (5.2 +/- 2.9% vs. 2.2 +/-
      5.6%) and 1RM BP (14.8 +/- 9.7% vs. 6.9 +/- 9.0%) were observed for INT. Compared
      to INT, area under the curve analysis revealed greater (P < 0.05) GH and cortisol
      responses for VOL at WK3 and cortisol only at WK10. Compared to WK3, the GH and
      cortisol responses were attenuated (P < 0.05) for VOL at WK10, while the IGF1
      response was reduced (P < 0.05) for INT. It appears that high-intensity
      resistance training stimulates greater improvements in some measures of strength
      and hypertrophy in resistance-trained men during a short-term training period. 

PMID- 26272734
TI  - Investigation of metabolic changes in STZ-induced diabetic rats with
      hyperpolarized [1-13C]acetate.
AB  - In the metabolism of acetate several enzymes are involved, which play an
      important role in free fatty acid oxidation. Fatty acid metabolism is altered in
      diabetes patients and therefore acetate might serve as a marker for pathological
      changes in the fuel selection of cells, as these changes occur in diabetes
      patients. Acetylcarnitine is a metabolic product of acetate, which enables its
      transport into the mitochondria for energy production. This study investigates
      whether the ratio of acetylcarnitine to acetate, measured by noninvasive
      hyperpolarized [1-(13)C]acetate magnetic resonance spectroscopy, could serve as a
      marker for myocardial, hepatic, and renal metabolic changes in rats with
      Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes in vivo. We demonstrate that the conversion
      of acetate to acetylcarnitine could be detected and quantified in all three
      organs of interest. More interestingly, we found that the hyperpolarized
      acetylcarnitine to acetate ratio was independent of blood glucose levels and
      prolonged hyperglycemia following diabetes induction in a type-1 diabetes model. 

PMID- 26272735
TI  - Potentiation of cGMP signaling increases oxygen delivery and oxidative metabolism
      in contracting skeletal muscle of older but not young humans.
AB  - Aging is associated with progressive loss of cardiovascular and skeletal muscle
      function. The impairment in physical capacity with advancing age could be related
      to an insufficient peripheral O2 delivery to the exercising muscles. Furthermore,
      the mechanisms underlying an impaired blood flow regulation remain unresolved.
      Cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) is one of the main second messengers that
      mediate smooth muscle vasodilation and alterations in cGMP signaling could,
      therefore, be one mechanism by which skeletal muscle perfusion is impaired with
      advancing age. The current study aimed to evaluate the effect of inhibiting the
      main enzyme involved in cGMP degradation, phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5), on blood
      flow and O2 delivery in contracting skeletal muscle of young and older humans. A
      group of young (23 +/- 1 years) and a group of older (72 +/- 2 years) male human
      subjects performed submaximal knee-extensor exercise in a control setting and
      following intake of the highly selective PDE5 inhibitor sildenafil. Sildenafil
      increased leg O2 delivery (6-9%) and leg O2 uptake (10-12%) at all three exercise
      intensities in older but not young subjects. The increase in leg O2 delivery with
      sildenafil in the older subjects correlated with the increase in leg O2 uptake (r
      (2) = 0.843). These findings suggest an insufficient O2 delivery to the
      contracting skeletal muscle of aged individuals and that reduced cGMP
      availability is a novel mechanism underlying impaired skeletal muscle perfusion
      with advancing age. 

PMID- 26272736
TI  - CPM Test-Retest Reliability: "Standard" vs "Single Test-Stimulus" Protocols.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Assessment of pain inhibitory mechanisms using conditioned pain
      modulation (CPM) is relevant clinically in prediction of pain and analgesic
      efficacy. Our objective is to provide necessary estimates of intersession CPM
      reliability, to enable transformation of the CPM paradigm into a clinical tool.
      DESIGN: Two cohorts of young healthy subjects (N = 65) participated in two dual
      session studies. In Study I, a Bath-Thermode CPM protocol was used, with hot
      water immersion and contact heat as conditioning- and test-stimuli, respectively,
      in a classical parallel CPM design introducing test-stimulus first, and then the
      conditioning- and repeated test-stimuli in parallel. Study II consisted of two
      CPM protocols: 1) Two-Thermodes, one for each of the stimuli, in the same
      parallel design as above, and 2) single test-stimulus (STS) protocol with a
      single administration of a contact heat test-stimulus, partially overlapped in
      time by a remote shorter contact heat as conditioning stimulus. Test-retest
      reliability was assessed within 3-7 days. RESULTS: The STS-CPM had superior
      reliability intraclass correlation (ICC2 ,: 1 = 0.59) over Bath-Thermode (ICC2 ,:
      1 = 0.34) or Two-Thermodes (ICC2 ,: 1 = 0.21) protocols. The hand immersion
      conditioning pain had higher reliability than thermode pain (ICC2 ,: 1 = 0.76 vs
      ICC2 ,: 1 = 0.16). Conditioned test-stimulus pain scores were of good (ICC2 ,: 1
      = 0.62) or fair (ICC2 ,: 1 = 0.43) reliability for the Bath-Thermode and the STS,
      respectively, but not for the Two-Thermodes protocol (ICC2 ,: 1 = 0.20).
      CONCLUSIONS: The newly developed STS-CPM paradigm was more reliable than other
      CPM protocols tested here, and should be further investigated for its clinical
      relevance. It appears that large contact size of the conditioning-stimulus and
      use of single rather than dual test-stimulus pain contribute to augmentation of
      CPM reliability.

PMID- 26272738
TI  - Erratum: Structural conservation among the rhodopsin-like and other G protein
      coupled receptors.

PMID- 26272739
TI  - Shortfalls of the use of HbA1C-derived eAG in older adults with diabetes.
AB  - AIMS: The hemoglobin HbA1C (HbA1C) value, translated into estimated average
      glucose concentration (eAG), is commonly used to assess glycaemic control and
      manage treatment regimens in people with diabetes. However, the relationships
      among HbA1C-derived eAG, and mean glucose concentration derived from continuous
      glucose monitoring (CGM) in different populations have not been well studied. We
      examined this relationship in older people with diabetes and compared the results
      to those currently used in clinical practice. METHODS: Data from three studies
      evaluating CGM in older adults (>=70 years of age), with stable glycaemic control
      were analyzed retrospectively. Mean glucose and mean amplitude of glucose
      excursion (MAGE) were calculated from CGM data and correlated with HbA1C and
      HbA1C-derived eAG using the ADAG study formula. RESULTS: HbA1C and CGM data were
      analyzed from 90 patients with mean age 76+/-5 years, HbA1C 7.9+/-1.2% (63+/-13
      mmol/mol) and 77% with Type 2 diabetes. The HbA1C and HbA1C-derived eAG
      correlated significantly with CGM-measured mean glucose (r(2)=0.30, p<0.0001) and
      MAGE (r(2)=0.16, p=0.00013) in this population and all its subgroups, but the
      slopes of the relationship between HbA1C and eAG or CGM-measured mean glucose
      were significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: HbA1C-derived eAG values may not
      accurately reflect CGM-measured mean glucose or MAGE in older adults with
      diabetes. Wide glucose excursions should be considered and HbA1C should be
      interpreted cautiously when making treatment changes based on HbA1C.

PMID- 26272737
TI  - Characterization of STAT3 expression, signaling and inhibition in feline oral
      squamous cell carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) plays a
      critical role in tumor development by regulating signaling pathways involved in
      cell proliferation, survival, metastasis and angiogenesis. STAT3 is activated in
      many cancers, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in people.
      Feline oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is similar to advanced or recurrent
      HNSCC as it is poorly responsive to traditional therapies and carries a poor long
      term prognosis. The purpose of this study was to characterize expression and
      activation of STAT3 in feline OSCC cell lines and tumor samples and to
      investigate the biologic activity of a novel, allosteric STAT3 inhibitor, LLL12,
      in feline OSCC cell lines. RESULTS: We evaluated 3 feline OSCC cell lines and one
      of these (SCCF2) exhibited high levels of constitutive STAT3 phosphorylation and
      high sensitivity to LLL12 treatment. Exposure of SCCF2 cells to LLL12 resulted in
      decreased expression of pSTAT3 and total STAT3, apoptosis as assessed by caspase
      3/7 activation, inhibition of colony formation and reduced expression of the
      STAT3 transcriptional target survivin. In contrast, the STAT3 transcriptional
      targets VEGF and MCL-1 increased after LLL12 treatment. This was, in part, likely
      due to LLL12 mediated upregulation of HIF-1alpha, which is known to drive VEGF
      and MCL-1 expression. The OSCC cell lines with low basal STAT3 phosphorylation
      did not exhibit these effects, suggesting that STAT3 inhibition was responsible
      for the observed results. Lastly, immunohistochemistry for pSTAT3 was performed
      using a feline OSCC tissue microarray, demonstrating expression in 48 % of
      samples tested. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate that LLL12 has biologic
      activity against a feline OSCC cell line expressing pSTAT3 and that STAT3
      represents a target for therapeutic intervention in this disease. However, given
      the up-regulation of several STAT3 transcriptional targets following treatment,
      further investigation of STAT3 and its related signaling pathways in OSCC is
      warranted.

PMID- 26272740
TI  - Electrodiagnostic testing in diabetic neuropathy: Which limb?
AB  - Electrodiagnosis of subclinical diabetic neuropathies by nerve conduction studies
      remains challenging. The question arises about which nerves should be tested and
      what the best electrodiagnostic protocol to make an early diagnosis of diabetic
      neuropathies would be. On the basis of our findings and other evidence, which
      highlighted the remarkable prevalence of electrophysiological abnormalities in
      nerve conduction studies of the upper limbs, often in the presence of normal
      lower limb conduction parameters, we suggest that both ulnar and median nerves,
      in their motor and sensitive component, should be the two target nerves for
      electrodiagnostic protocols in diabetic neuropathies. 

PMID- 26272741
TI  - Sudden cardiac and sudden unexpected death related to antipsychotics: A meta
      analysis of observational studies.
AB  - To estimate the risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) or sudden unexpected death
      (SUD) related to individual antipsychotics, a meta-analysis of observational
      studies was performed. Adjusted odds ratio (OR) of SCD/SUD with 95% confidence
      intervals (CI) were extracted and pooled; heterogeneity was studied using Q
      statistic and I(2) index, and its potential causes (e.g., hERG blockade potency)
      explored using meta-regression. Two cohort (740,306 person-years) and four case
      control (2,557 cases; 17,670 controls) studies, investigating nine
      antipsychotics, were included. Compared with nonusers, the risk was increased for
      quetiapine (OR = 1.72, 95% CI: 1.33-2.23), olanzapine (OR = 2.04, 1.52-2.74),
      risperidone (OR = 3.04, 2.39-3.86), haloperidol (OR = 2.97, 1.59-5.54), clozapine
      (OR = 3.67, 1.94-6.94), and thioridazine (OR = 4.58, 2.09-10.05). Heterogeneity
      was found (Q = 20.0, P = 0.01; I(2) = 60.0%), and the increasing mean hERG
      blockade potency (P = 0.01) accounted for 43% of this. The SCD/SUD risk differed
      between individual antipsychotics, and mean hERG blockade potency could be an
      explanatory factor. This should be considered when initiating antipsychotic
      treatment. 

PMID- 26272742
TI  - Exploring the relationship between anaesthesiologists' non-technical and
      technical skills.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A combination of non-technical skills (NTS) and technical skills (TS)
      is crucial for anaesthetic patient management. However, a deeper understanding of
      the relationship between these two skills remains to be explored. We investigated
      the characteristics of trainee anaesthesiologists' NTS and TS in a simulated
      unexpected difficult airway management scenario. METHODS: A mixed-method approach
      was used to explore the relationship between NTS and TS in 25 videos of 2nd year
      trainee anaesthesiologists managing a simulated difficult airway scenario. The
      videos were assessed using the customised version of the Anaesthetists' Non
      Technical Skills System, ANTSdk, and an adapted TS checklist for calculating the
      correlation between NTS and TS. Written descriptions of the observed NTS were
      analysed using directed content analysis. RESULTS: The correlation between the
      NTS and the TS ratings was 0.106 (two-tailed significance of 0.613). Inter-rater
      reliability was substantial. Themes characterising good NTS included a systematic
      approach, planning and communicating decisions as well as responding to the
      evolving situation. A list of desirable, concrete NTS for the specific airway
      management situation was generated. CONCLUSION: This study illustrates that
      anaesthesiologist trainees' NTS and TS were not correlated in this setting, but
      rather intertwined and how the interplay of NTS and TS can impact patient
      management. Themes describing the characteristics of NTS and a list of desirable,
      concrete NTS were developed to aid the understanding, training and use of NTS.

PMID- 26272743
TI  - Recurrence and survival among breast cancer patients achieving a pathological
      complete response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
AB  - Patients who achieve a pathological complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant
      therapy, including chemotherapy with or without trastuzumab (NAT) have better
      outcomes than patients with residual disease. Despite the excellent prognosis
      associated with achieving a pCR, tumors still recur. The objective of this study
      was to evaluate factors associated with tumor recurrence and survival among
      patients achieving pCR after NAT. We identified 749 patients with primary breast
      cancer who achieved pCR after NAT between 1988 and 2009. pCR was defined as no
      evidence of invasive cancer in the breast and ipsilateral axillary lymph nodes on
      pathological evaluation. The Kaplan-Meier product limit method and multivariate
      Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine the association between
      clinical and demographic factors and outcomes. Median follow-up was 35 months
      (range, 1-258 months). Overall 5-year distant metastasis-free survival was 93%
      (95% confidence interval [CI], 90-95%) and 5-year overall survival (OS) was 96%
      (95% CI, 93-97%). In the multivariable model, we observed that patients >50 years
      had significantly decreased risk of distant metastasis (hazard ratio [HR] 0.47;
      95% CI, 0.22-0.98) and that patients with clinical stage at diagnosis IIIB-C
      cancer had both an increased risk of distant metastasis (HR 3.92; 95% CI, 1.54
      10.00) and lower OS (HR 4.75; 95% CI, 1.60-14.08). Patients with pCR after NAT
      have excellent outcomes. However, our data show that younger patient and those
      with clinical stage at diagnosis IIIB and IIIC cancers are at increased risk of
      developing distant metastasis.

PMID- 26272744
TI  - Association between Met-BDNF allele and vulnerability to paclitaxel-induced
      peripheral neuropathy.

PMID- 26272745
TI  - The Steroid Hormone 20-Hydroxyecdysone Up-regulates Ste-20 Family
      Serine/Threonine Kinase Hippo to Induce Programmed Cell Death.
AB  - The steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) and the serine/threonine Ste20-like
      kinase Hippo signal promote programmed cell death (PCD) during development,
      although the interaction between them remains unclear. Here, we present evidence
      that 20E up-regulates Hippo to induce PCD during the metamorphic development of
      insects. We found that Hippo is involved in 20E-induced metamorphosis via
      promoting the phosphorylation and cytoplasmic retention of Yorkie (Yki), causing
      suppressed expression of the inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP), thereby releasing its
      inhibitory effect on caspase. Furthermore, we show that 20E induced the
      expression of Hippo at the transcriptional level through the ecdysone receptor
      (EcR), ultraspiracle protein (USP), and hormone receptor 3 (HR3). We also found
      that Hippo suppresses the binding of Yki complex to the HR3 promoter. In summary,
      20E up-regulates the transcription of Hippo via EcRB1, USP1, and HR3 to induce
      PCD, and Hippo has negative feedback effects on HR3 expression. These two
      signaling pathways coordinate PCD during insect metamorphosis.

PMID- 26272748
TI  - Transmitting information of an object behind the obstacle to infinity.
AB  - We propose an illusion device that transforms a metallic cylinder into a Luneburg
      lens by using transformation optics. Such a transformed focusing lens guides
      electromagnetic waves to propagate around the central metallic cylinder smoothly
      and be focused on one spot, and thus the information of an object behind the
      obstacle can be transmitted to infinity. In order to realize the required
      anisotropic parameters with high permittivity and low permeability, we design
      embedded split-ring resonators (SRRs) to increase the permittivity of the
      traditional SRR structures. In experiments, we fabricate and measure the
      transformed lens, and the tested results agree well with the numerical
      simulations and theoretical predictions. The proposed transformation lens can
      mimic some properties of Einstein gravitational lens because their wave
      propagation behaviors are very similar. 

PMID- 26272749
TI  - The health-seeking behaviours of first-time mothers with persistent pelvic girdle
      pain after childbirth in Ireland: A descriptive qualitative study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: to explore the health-seeking behaviours of primiparous women with
      pelvic girdle pain persisting for more than three months post partum. DESIGN: a
      descriptive qualitative design involving face-to-face semi-structured interviews
      following institutional ethical approval. Transcripts were analysed using
      thematic analysis. SETTING: an urban hospital in Ireland. PARTICIPANTS: a
      purposive sample of 23 consenting first-time mothers with pelvic girdle pain
      persisting for at least three months post partum. FINDINGS: 'they didn't ask, I
      didn't tell' was a key theme, which included emerging categories of a perceived
      lack of follow-up post partum, and feeling ignored by healthcare professionals.
      The theme 'Seeking advice and support' describes women's role of talking to
      others, and triggers and barriers to getting help. 'Coping strategies' was the
      third theme emerging from the interviews, whereby participants described
      different strategies they used to deal with their symptoms, although many
      expressed uncertainty about what to do or who to see. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS
      FOR PRACTICE: our findings show the importance of appropriate information and
      follow-up care for women with pelvic girdle pain and highlight barriers they
      encounter in seeking help. They also question the duration of postnatal care as
      participants felt that postnatal care was stopped too early. The findings may
      assist maternity care providers in addressing mothers' expectations and needs
      related to persistent pelvic girdle pain.

PMID- 26272746
TI  - Allosteric Activation of Bacterial Swi2/Snf2 (Switch/Sucrose Non-fermentable)
      Protein RapA by RNA Polymerase: BIOCHEMICAL AND STRUCTURAL STUDIES.
AB  - Members of the Swi2/Snf2 (switch/sucrose non-fermentable) family depend on their
      ATPase activity to mobilize nucleic acid-protein complexes for gene expression.
      In bacteria, RapA is an RNA polymerase (RNAP)-associated Swi2/Snf2 protein that
      mediates RNAP recycling during transcription. It is known that the ATPase
      activity of RapA is stimulated by its interaction with RNAP. It is not known,
      however, how the RapA-RNAP interaction activates the enzyme. Previously, we
      determined the crystal structure of RapA. The structure revealed the dynamic
      nature of its N-terminal domain (Ntd), which prompted us to elucidate the
      solution structure and activity of both the full-length protein and its Ntd
      truncated mutant (RapADeltaN). Here, we report the ATPase activity of RapA and
      RapADeltaN in the absence or presence of RNAP and the solution structures of RapA
      and RapADeltaN either ligand-free or in complex with RNAP. Determined by small
      angle x-ray scattering, the solution structures reveal a new conformation of
      RapA, define the binding mode and binding site of RapA on RNAP, and show that the
      binding sites of RapA and sigma(70) on the surface of RNAP largely overlap. We
      conclude that the ATPase activity of RapA is inhibited by its Ntd but stimulated
      by RNAP in an allosteric fashion and that the conformational changes of RapA and
      its interaction with RNAP are essential for RNAP recycling. These and previous
      findings outline the functional cycle of RapA, which increases our understanding
      of the mechanism and regulation of Swi2/Snf2 proteins in general and of RapA in
      particular. The new structural information also leads to a hypothetical model of
      RapA in complex with RNAP immobilized during transcription. 

PMID- 26272747
TI  - Genome-wide Mechanosensitive MicroRNA (MechanomiR) Screen Uncovers Dysregulation
      of Their Regulatory Networks in the mdm Mouse Model of Muscular Dystrophy.
AB  - Muscular dystrophies (MDs) are a heterogeneous group of genetic and neuromuscular
      disorders, which result in severe loss of motor ability and skeletal muscle mass
      and function. Aberrant mechanotransduction and dysregulated-microRNA pathways are
      often associated with the progression of MD. Here, we hypothesized that
      dysregulation of mechanosensitive microRNAs (mechanomiRs) in dystrophic skeletal
      muscle plays a major role in the progression of MD. To test our hypothesis, we
      performed a genome-wide expression profile of anisotropically regulated
      mechanomiRs and bioinformatically analyzed their target gene networks. We
      assessed their functional roles in the advancement of MD using diaphragm muscles
      from mdm (MD with myositis) mice, an animal model of human tibial MD
      (titinopathy), and their wild-type littermates. We were able to show that ex vivo
      anisotropic mechanical stretch significantly alters the miRNA expression profile
      in diaphragm muscles from WT and mdm mice; as a result, some of the genes
      associated with MDs are dysregulated in mdm mice due to differential regulation
      of a distinct set of mechanomiRs. Interestingly, we found a contrasting
      expression pattern of the highly expressed let-7 family mechanomiRs, let-7e-5p
      and miR-98-5p, and their target genes associated with the extracellular matrix
      and TGF-beta pathways, respectively, between WT and mdm mice. Gain- and loss-of
      function analysis of let-7e-5p in myocytes isolated from the diaphragms of WT and
      mdm mice confirmed Col1a1, Col1a2, Col3a1, Col24a1, Col27a1, Itga1, Itga4, Scd1,
      and Thbs1 as target genes of let-7e-5p. Furthermore, we found that miR-98
      negatively regulates myoblast differentiation. Our study therefore introduces
      additional biological players in the regulation of skeletal muscle structure and
      myogenesis that may contribute to unexplained disorders of MD.

PMID- 26272751
TI  - RNA transcripts for the quantification of differentiation allow marked
      improvements in the performance of embryonic stem cell test (EST).
AB  - Embryonic stem cell test (EST) is an in vitro validated assay for testing
      embryotoxicity. The EST needs improvements before being used for regulatory
      purposes, but also needs technical simplification for use in high throughput
      screenings. We propose the quantification in alterations of the differentiation
      of D3 monolayer cells cultures through the expression of biomarker genes in a
      shorter (5-day) and technically simpler (we use only monolayer cultures) test. We
      have defined a set of sixteen different genes biomarkers of ectoderm (Nrcam, Nes,
      Shh and Pnpla6), endoderm formation (Flk1 and Afp), mesoderm formation (Mesp1,
      Vegfa, Myo1e and Hdac7) and general cellular processes (Cdk1, Myc, Jun, Mixl, Cer
      and Wnt3). These, together with alterations in the viability of D3 and 3T3 cells
      and the prediction model of a classic EST, enhance the features of EST
      determinations to 100% concordance between in vivo-in vitro predictions with a
      set of seven different chemicals used in the validation of a classic EST. In
      conclusion, the proposed changes implemented in the classic EST confer it more
      reliability, speed and technical simplicity, which brings the EST closer to high
      throughput processes and regulatory purposes.

PMID- 26272750
TI  - Artificial biofilms establish the role of matrix interactions in staphylococcal
      biofilm assembly and disassembly.
AB  - We demonstrate that the microstructural and mechanical properties of bacterial
      biofilms can be created through colloidal self-assembly of cells and polymers,
      and thereby link the complex material properties of biofilms to well understood
      colloidal and polymeric behaviors. This finding is applied to soften and
      disassemble staphylococcal biofilms through pH changes. Bacterial biofilms are
      viscoelastic, structured communities of cells encapsulated in an extracellular
      polymeric substance (EPS) comprised of polysaccharides, proteins, and DNA.
      Although the identity and abundance of EPS macromolecules are known, how these
      matrix materials interact with themselves and bacterial cells to generate biofilm
      morphology and mechanics is not understood. Here, we find that the colloidal self
      assembly of Staphylococcus epidermidis RP62A cells and polysaccharides into
      viscoelastic biofilms is driven by thermodynamic phase instability of EPS. pH
      conditions that induce phase instability of chitosan produce artificial S.
      epidermidis biofilms whose mechanics match natural S. epidermidis biofilms.
      Furthermore, pH-induced solubilization of the matrix triggers disassembly in both
      artificial and natural S. epidermidis biofilms. This pH-induced disassembly
      occurs in biofilms formed by five additional staphylococcal strains, including
      three clinical isolates. Our findings suggest that colloidal self-assembly of
      cells and matrix polymers produces biofilm viscoelasticity and that biofilm
      control strategies can exploit this mechanism. 

PMID- 26272752
TI  - Elimination kinetics and molecular reaction mechanisms of cyclosarin (GF) by an
      oxime substituted beta-cyclodextrin derivative in vitro.
AB  - Detoxification mechanisms of the chemical warfare agent cyclosarin (GF) in
      presence of 6-OxP-CD were investigated in detail in in vitro model systems. Most
      important finding was the preference of 6-Ox-P-CD to eliminate the more toxic (-)
      GF. However, elimination of GF enantiomers was dependent on the 6-OxP-CD:GF
      ratios showing decreasing stereoselectivity and speed of the reaction with
      increasing GF concentrations. Formation of covalent mono, bis, tris and tetrakis
      conjugates ((CHMP)n-6-OxP-CD) and appearance of small molecular fragments (SMF)
      as possible decomposition products after consumption of 6-OxP-CD could be
      observed.. Interestingly, the non-toxic metabolite O-cyclohexyl methylphosphonic
      acid (CHMPA) and covalent mono and bis conjugates of 6-OxP-CD and GF were
      immediately formed, indicating that GF elimination proceeds along different
      pathways. These important new insights provide information about the mode of
      action of 6-Ox-P-CD including the role of the pyridinium aldoxime group on the
      cyclodextrin ring. They are the basis for further investigations in biological
      media, which could eventually lead to approval of 6-OxP-CD as a new antidote
      against nerve agent toxicity. 

PMID- 26272754
TI  - Heparin/heparan sulfates bind to and modulate neuronal L-type (Cav1.2) voltage
      dependent Ca(2+) channels.
AB  - Our previous studies revealed that L-type voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channels
      (Cav1.2 L-VDCCs) are modulated by the neural extracellular matrix backbone,
      polyanionic glycan hyaluronic acid. Here we used isothermal titration calorimetry
      and screened a set of peptides derived from the extracellular domains of
      Cav1.2alpha1 to identify putative binding sites between the channel and
      hyaluronic acid or another class of polyanionic glycans, such as heparin/heparan
      sulfates. None of the tested peptides showed detectable interaction with
      hyaluronic acid, but two peptides derived from the first pore-forming domain of
      Cav1.2alpha1 subunit bound to heparin. At 25  degrees C the binding of the
      peptide P7 (MGKMHKTCYN) was at ~50 MUM, and that of the peptide P8
      (GHGRQCQNGTVCKPGWDGPKHG) was at ~21 MUM. The Cav1.2alpha1 first pore forming
      segment that contained both peptides maintained a high affinity for heparin (~23
      MUM), integrating their enthalpic and entropic binding contributions. Interaction
      between heparin and recombinant as well as native full-length neuronal
      Cav1.2alpha1 channels was confirmed using the heparin-agarose pull down assay.
      Whole cell patch clamp recordings in HEK293 cells transfected with neuronal
      Cav1.2 channels revealed that enzymatic digestion of highly sulfated heparan
      sulfates with heparinase 1 affects neither voltage-dependence of channel
      activation nor the level of steady state inactivation, but did speed up channel
      inactivation. Treatment of hippocampal cultures with heparinase 1 reduced the
      firing rate and led to appearance of long-lasting bursts in the same manner as
      treatment with the inhibitor of L-VDCC diltiazem. Thus, heparan sulfate
      proteoglycans may bind to and regulate L-VDCC inactivation and network activity.

PMID- 26272755
TI  - TRPM4 in cardiac electrical activity.
AB  - TRPM4 forms a non-selective cation channel activated by internal Ca(2+). Its
      functional expression was demonstrated in cardiomyocytes of several mammalian
      species including humans, but the channel is also present in many other tissues.
      The recent characterization of the TRPM4 inhibitor 9-phenanthrol, and the
      availability of transgenic mice have helped to clarify the role of TRPM4 in
      cardiac electrical activity, including diastolic depolarization from the sino
      atrial node cells in mouse, rat, and rabbit, as well as action potential duration
      in mouse cardiomyocytes. In rat and mouse, pharmacological inhibition of TRPM4
      prevents cardiac ischaemia-reperfusion injuries and decreases the occurrence of
      arrhythmias. Several studies have identified TRPM4 mutations in patients with
      inherited cardiac diseases including conduction blocks and Brugada syndrome. This
      review identifies TRPM4 as a significant actor in cardiac electrophysiology. 

PMID- 26272756
TI  - Endothelial Galphaq/11 is required for VEGF-induced vascular permeability and
      angiogenesis.
AB  - AIMS: VEGF A (VEGF-A) is a central regulator of pre- and postnatal vascular
      development. In vitro studies suggested that heterotrimeric G-proteins of the
      Gq/11 family contribute to VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2) signalling, but the mechanism
      and physiological relevance of this finding is unknown. The aim of this study is
      to understand the role of endothelial Galphaq/11 in VEGF-dependent regulation of
      vascular permeability and angiogenesis. METHODS AND RESULTS: We show here that
      VEGF-A-induced signalling events, such as VEGFR2 autophosphorylation, calcium
      mobilization, or phosphorylation of Src and Cdh5, were reduced in Galphaq/11
      deficient endothelial cells (ECs), resulting in impaired VEGF-dependent barrier
      opening, tube formation, and proliferation. Agonists at Gq/11-coupled receptors
      facilitated VEGF-A-induced VEGFR2 autophosphorylation in a Galphaq/11-dependent
      manner, thereby enhancing downstream VEGFR2 signalling. In vivo, EC-specific
      Galphaq/11- and Galphaq-deficient mice showed reduced VEGF-induced fluid
      extravasation, and retinal angiogenesis was significantly impaired. Galphaq
      deficient ECs showed reduced proliferation, Cdh5 phosphorylation, and fluid
      extravasation, whereas apoptosis was increased. CONCLUSION: Galphaq/11 critically
      contributes to VEGF-A-dependent permeability control and angiogenic behaviour in
      vitro and in vivo.

PMID- 26272753
TI  - Activation of glucocorticoid receptors in Muller glia is protective to retinal
      neurons and suppresses microglial reactivity.
AB  - Reactive microglia and macrophages are prevalent in damaged retinas.
      Glucocorticoid signaling is known to suppress inflammation and the reactivity of
      microglia and macrophages. In the vertebrate retina, the glucocorticoid receptor
      (GCR) is known to be activated and localized to the nuclei of Muller glia
      (Gallina et al., 2014). Accordingly, we investigated how signaling through GCR
      influences the survival of neurons using the chick retina in vivo as a model
      system. We applied intraocular injections of GCR agonist or antagonist, assessed
      microglial reactivity, and the survival of retinal neurons following different
      damage paradigms. Microglial reactivity was increased in retinas from eyes that
      were injected with vehicle, and this reactivity was decreased by GCR-agonist
      dexamethasone (Dex) and increased by GCR-antagonist RU486. We found that
      activation of GCR suppresses the reactivity of microglia and inhibited the loss
      of retinal neurons resulting from excitotoxicity. We provide evidence that the
      protection-promoting effects of Dex were maintained when the microglia were
      selectively ablated. Similarly, intraocular injections of Dex protected ganglion
      cells from colchicine-treatment and protected photoreceptors from damage caused
      by retinal detachment. We conclude that activation of GCR promotes the survival
      of ganglion cells in colchicine-damaged retinas, promotes the survival of
      amacrine and bipolar cells in excitotoxin-damaged retinas, and promotes the
      survival of photoreceptors in detached retinas. We propose that suppression of
      microglial reactivity is secondary to activation of GCR in Muller glia, and this
      mode of signaling is an effective means to lessen the damage and vision loss
      resulting from different types of retinal damage. 

PMID- 26272758
TI  - A cross-cultural perspective on aging and memory: Comparisons between Bangladesh
      and Sweden.
AB  - Most studies on cognitive aging have been conducted in high-income countries
      (mainly on Western populations). The main aim of this study was to compare the
      relative importance of predictors of episodic and semantic memory performance in
      older people (>=60 years) from Bangladesh (n = 400) and Sweden (n = 1,098).
      Hierarchical regression models were used in order to study the importance of some
      commonly used predictors in the two countries. A main finding was that variations
      in age did not have much impact on episodic and semantic memory performance in
      Bangladesh. Instead, sex was a strong predictor for semantic memory performance.
      In Sweden this pattern was reversed. In the Western world, chronological age is
      believed to be strongly associated with memory performance in cross-sectional
      studies, particularly in people greater than 60 years of age. This study
      indicates that the difference between the two countries (in relative importance
      of the predictors included in this study) is mainly due to the fact that years of
      education is connected to age in the Western world but to sex in Bangladesh. It
      remains to be examined whether earlier selective survival is also responsible for
      the relative absence of cognitive age differences in Bangladesh. 

PMID- 26272757
TI  - The phospholipid-binding protein SESTD1 negatively regulates dendritic spine
      density by interfering with Rac1-Trio8 signaling pathway.
AB  - Dendritic spines are actin-rich protrusions from neuronal dendrites that harbor
      the majority of excitatory synapses. The balance of spine formation and
      retraction may influence dendritic integrity. While knowledge of the molecular
      mechanisms that promote dendritic spine formation has accumulated, little is
      known about the factors that limit spine formation. Here, we show that SESTD1, a
      phospholipid-binding protein containing a lipid-binding SEC14-like domain and two
      spectrin-repeat cytoskeleton interaction domains, negatively regulates dendritic
      spine density in cultured hippocampal neurons. Overexpression of SESTD1 decreases
      dendritic spine density in neurons by interfering with the interaction between
      Rac1 and its guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) Trio8. Conversely,
      knockdown of SESTD1 increases dendritic spine density. Further analysis reveals
      that the SPEC1 domain-mediated interaction with Rac1 is required for SESTD1
      activity toward a decrease in dendritic spine density. Transfection of GEF domain
      of Trio8 into neurons rescues SESTD1-mediated decrease in dendritic spine
      density. More importantly, overexpression of SESTD1 results in a decrease in the
      frequency of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs), whereas SESTD1
      knockdown increases the mEPSC frequency. These results suggest that SESTD1 may
      act as a negative regulator of the Rac1-Trio8 signaling pathway to reduce
      dendritic spine density and lower excitatory synaptic transmission in hippocampal
      neurons. 

PMID- 26272759
TI  - View combination in recognition of 3-D virtual reality layouts.
AB  - We investigated whether a normalization model or view combination model fit the
      performance of scene recognition of 3-D layouts using a virtual-reality paradigm.
      Participants learned a layout of seven objects from two training views (e.g., 0
      degrees  and 48 degrees ) by discriminating the "correct" layout from
      distracters. Later, they performed a discrimination task using the training views
      (e.g., 0 degrees  and 48 degrees ), an interpolated view (e.g., 24 degrees ), an
      extrapolated view (e.g., 72 degrees ), and a far view (e.g., 96 degrees ). The
      results showed that the interpolated view was easier to discriminate than the
      extrapolated view and even easier than the training views. These results extend
      the applicability of view combination accounts of recognition to 3-D stimuli with
      stereoscopic depth information. 

PMID- 26272760
TI  - Pathways to hostile collective action: The roles of general attitudes toward the
      advantaged group and situational anger.
AB  - Collective action is a group behavior that aims to improve the status, power, or
      influence of an entire group. The present study focused on hostile collective
      action performed for releasing negative emotions, and explored a pathway
      including the roles of general attitudes toward the advantaged group and
      situational group-based anger in predicting the disadvantaged groups' hostile
      collective action. Group-level data were collected via a laboratory experiment.
      The results obtained using multiple regression analysis suggested that general
      attitudes toward the advantaged group formed before the trigger event predicted
      hostile collective action indirectly through the mediating effects of situational
      group-based anger and collective action tendencies, which were both produced
      after that trigger event. In addition, situational group-based anger predicted
      hostile collective action fully through collective action tendencies. These
      pathways provided a continuous process of hostile collective action in which
      general attitudes toward the advantaged group that were formed before the trigger
      events would influence situational group-based anger when the trigger events
      occurred, and then affected hostile collective action for responding to these
      events. Thus, hostile collective action could be predicted before the trigger
      events by monitoring the disadvantaged groups' attitudes toward the advantaged
      group. Moreover, reducing destructive collective action by improving intergroup
      attitudes through some effective interventions was discussed in this study. 

PMID- 26272761
TI  - Neural bases for basic processes in heuristic problem solving: Take solving
      Sudoku puzzles as an example.
AB  - Newell and Simon postulated that the basic steps in human problem-solving involve
      iteratively applying operators to transform the state of the problem to
      eventually achieve a goal. To check the neural basis of this framework, the
      present study focused on the basic processes in human heuristic problem-solving
      that the participants identified the current problem state and then recalled and
      applied the corresponding heuristic rules to change the problem state. A new
      paradigm, solving simplified Sudoku puzzles, was developed for an event-related
      functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study in problem solving. Regions of
      interest (ROIs), including the left prefrontal cortex, the bilateral posterior
      parietal cortex, the anterior cingulated cortex, the bilateral caudate nuclei,
      the bilateral fusiform, as well as the bilateral frontal eye fields, were found
      to be involved in the task. To obtain convergent evidence, in addition to
      traditional statistical analysis, we used the multivariate voxel classification
      method to check the accuracy of the predictions for the condition of the task
      from the blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) response of the ROIs, using a new
      classifier developed in this study for fMRI data. To reveal the roles that the
      ROIs play in problem solving, we developed an ACT-R computational model of the
      information-processing processes in human problem solving, and tried to predict
      the BOLD response of the ROIs from the task. Advances in human problem-solving
      research after Newell and Simon are then briefly discussed. 

PMID- 26272762
TI  - Empathy, emotional contagion, and rapid facial reactions to angry and happy
      facial expressions.
AB  - The aim was to explore whether emotional empathy is related to the capacity to
      react with rapid facial reactions to facial expressions of emotion, and if
      emotional empathy is related to the ability to experience a similar emotion as
      expressed by another person. People high or low in emotional empathy were exposed
      to pictures of happy and angry faces while their facial electromyography from the
      zygomaticus major and corrugator supercilii muscle regions was detected. High
      empathy participants rapidly reacted with larger zygomatic muscle activity to
      happy as compared with angry faces as early as after 500 ms after stimulus onset,
      and with larger corrugator muscle activity to angry than to happy faces after 500
      ms. Accordingly, this group also reacted with a corresponding experience of
      emotion. The low empathy participants, in contrast, did not differentiate between
      the happy and angry stimuli with either facial muscles or in their self
      experience of emotion. The findings are related to the facial feedback hypothesis
      and the results are interpreted as support for the hypothesis that rapid and
      automatically evoked facial mimicry may be one important mechanism for emotional
      and empathic contagion to occur. 

PMID- 26272763
TI  - Eye movement control in reading: Logographic Chinese versus alphabetic scripts.
AB  - Eye tracking is widely used to study the reading process in different languages.
      Given the unique properties of written Chinese, it is important to identify the
      similarities and differences in eye-movement controls between readers of Chinese
      and alphabetic scripts. In this article, we review the data available for
      comparison in four domains: (a) the perceptual span, (b) parafoveal processing,
      (c) the basic encoding unit, and (d) computer modeling. Our review indicates
      that, while some aspects of eye movement control in reading appear to be
      universal (e.g., the availability of orthographic information in the parafoveal
      preview), others are more script-specific (e.g., the size of the perceptual
      span). It is concluded that the study of cross-language differences is important
      for the development of reading models that are generalizable across readers of
      different scripts. 

PMID- 26272764
TI  - Hyperbranched-hyperbranched polymeric nanoassembly to mediate controllable co
      delivery of siRNA and drug for synergistic tumor therapy.
AB  - This study reported a flexible nanoplatform constructed on the pH-dependent self
      assembly of two kinds of hyperbranched polymers, and then validated its potency
      as the controllable siRNA/drug co-delivery vehicle for the combination of
      chemotherapy with RNA interfering (RNAi) therapy. By virtue of pH-reversible
      phenylboronate linking, phenylboronic acid-tethered hyperbranched
      oligoethylenimine (OEI600-PBA) and 1,3-diol-rich hyperbranched polyglycerol
      (HBPO) can be spontaneously interlinked together into a core-corona
      nanoconstruction. The special buildup of compactly clustering OEI600-PBA units
      around hydrophobic HBPO aggregate offered significant advantages over parent
      OEI600-PBA, including strengthened affinity to siRNA, ability of further loading
      anticancer drug, easier cellular transport, and acidity-responsive release of
      payloads. To evaluate the co-delivery capability, Beclin1 siRNA and antitumor DOX
      were used as the therapeutic models in order to suppress the post-chemotherapy
      survival of tumor cells caused by drug-induced autophagy. The nanoassembly
      mediated single delivery of DOX displayed even better anticancer effects than
      free DOX, demonstrating the superiority of our pH-responsive nano-design. The
      nanoassembly-mediated co-delivery of siRNA together with DOX can effectively
      silence Beclin1 gene, suppress DOX-induced autophagy, and consequently provide
      strong synergism with a significant enhancement of cell-killing effects in
      cultured cancerous cells. The in vivo combinational treatment was shown to make
      the tumor more sensitive to DOX chemotherapy while displaying substantially
      improved safety as compared with the monochemotherapy. 

PMID- 26272766
TI  - Exposure of haptic of posterior chamber intraocular lens after sutureless
      intrascleral fixation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A technique of sutureless intrascleral fixation of an intraocular
      lens (IOL) in an eye that lacks a posterior capsular support has been reported.
      The advantage of this technique was that the suture-related complications did not
      develop. However, the long-term complications of a sutureless IOL implantation
      have not been reported. CASE PRESENTATION: A 75-years-old man had a sutureless
      intrascleral fixation (Y-fixation) of an IOL 4 months before our examination. The
      nasal haptic became exposed and the temporal haptic was seen in the
      subconjunctiva. The tilted IOL was removed and replaced by a posterior chamber
      IOL that was sutured to the sclera. At the 6 months examination, the eye was
      quiet and the IOL was stable. CONCLUSION: We suggest that the exposure of the
      nasal haptic of an IOL that was implanted by sutureless intrascleral fixation (Y
      fixation) was due to poor surgical technique and/or the erosion of a fragile
      sclera. Thus, eyes should be carefully and frequently monitored after sutureless
      intrascleral posterior chamber IOL implantation.

PMID- 26272765
TI  - Paclitaxel tumor priming promotes delivery and transfection of intravenous lipid
      siRNA in pancreatic tumors.
AB  - The major barrier for using small interfering RNA (siRNA) as cancer therapeutics
      is the inadequate delivery and transfection in solid tumors. We have previously
      shown that paclitaxel tumor priming, by inducing apoptosis, expands the tumor
      interstitial space, improves the penetration and dispersion of nanoparticles and
      siRNA-lipoplexes in 3-dimensional tumor histocultures, and promotes the delivery
      and transfection efficiency of siRNA-lipoplexes under the locoregional setting in
      vivo (i.e., intraperitoneal treatment of intraperitoneal tumors). The current
      study evaluated whether tumor priming is functional for systemically delivered
      siRNA via intravenous injection, which would subject siRNA to several additional
      delivery barriers and elimination processes. We used the same pegylated cationic
      (PCat)-siRNA lipoplexes as in the intraperitoneal study to treat mice bearing
      subcutaneous human pancreatic Hs766T xenograft tumors. The target gene was
      survivin, an inducible chemoresistance gene. The results show single agent
      paclitaxel delayed tumor growth but also significantly induced the survivin
      protein level in residual tumors, whereas addition of PCat-siSurvivin completely
      reversed the paclitaxel-induced survivin and enhanced the paclitaxel activity
      (p<0.05). In comparison, PCat-siSurvivin alone did not yield survivin knockdown
      or antitumor activity, indicating the in vivo effectiveness of intravenous siRNA
      mediated gene silencing requires paclitaxel cotreatment. Additional in vitro
      studies showed that paclitaxel promoted the cytoplasmic release of siGLO, a 22
      nucleotide double-stranded RNA that has no mRNA targets, from its PCat lipoplex
      and/or endosomes/lysosomes. Taken together, our earlier and current data show
      paclitaxel tumor priming, by promoting the interstitial transport and cytoplasmic
      release, is critical to promote the delivery and transfection of siRNA in vivo.
      In addition, because paclitaxel has broad spectrum activity and is used to treat
      multiple types of solid tumors including the hard-to-treat pancreatic cancer, the
      synergistic paclitaxel+siSurvivin combination represents a potentially useful
      chemo-gene therapy. 

PMID- 26272767
TI  - Relationship between swallowing function and the skeletal muscle mass of older
      adults requiring long-term care.
AB  - AIM: The present study investigated the risk factors for dysphagia among older
      adults who require long-term care, and also examined their systemic decrease in
      skeletal muscle mass. METHODS: We evaluated 399 people who required long-term
      care and who were residing in Omori town, Yokote city, Akita prefecture, Japan.
      We then analyzed data from 255 participants who had complete information
      available regarding their sex, age, case history (stroke, Parkinson's disease and
      dementia), Barthel Index, Skeletal Muscle Mass Index, oral function test and
      modified water swallowing test results. Participants' water swallowing test
      results were used to create groups with good or poor swallowing function, and a
      univariate analysis was carried out for each parameter. Parameters with a P-value
      of <0.25 in the univariate analysis were subsequently included in a multiple
      logistic regression model as explanatory variables, and good or poor swallowing
      function were defined as the dependent variables. RESULTS: After adjusting for
      age and sex, our analysis showed that poor tongue motility (odds ratio 17.23, 95%
      confidence interval 5.90-50.31, P < 0.001) and decreased Skeletal Muscle Mass
      Index (odds ratio 3.36, 95% confidence interval 1.41-7.99, P = 0.006) were
      significantly correlated with decreased swallowing function. CONCLUSIONS:
      Decreased swallowing function was closely correlated with poor tongue motility,
      and this finding is similar to those of previous studies. However, the present
      results also show that decreased Skeletal Muscle Mass Index is a novel risk
      factor for dysphagia among older adults who require long-term care.

PMID- 26272768
TI  - Safety and efficacy of rolapitant for prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea
      and vomiting after administration of moderately emetogenic chemotherapy or
      anthracycline and cyclophosphamide regimens in patients with cancer: a
      randomised, active-controlled, double-blind, phase 3 trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting is a common side-effect of
      many antineoplastic regimens and can occur for several days after treatment. We
      aimed to assess the neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist rolapitant, in combination
      with a serotonin (5-HT3) receptor antagonist and dexamethasone, for the
      prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in patients with cancer
      after administration of moderately emetogenic chemotherapy or regimens containing
      an anthracycline and cyclophosphamide. METHODS: We conducted a global,
      randomised, double-blind, active-controlled, phase 3 study at 170 cancer centres
      in 23 countries. We included patients with cancer aged 18 years or older, who had
      not received moderately or highly emetogenic chemotherapy before, with a
      Karnofsky performance score of 60 or higher, and a predicted life expectancy of 4
      months or longer. We used an interactive web-based randomisation system to
      randomly allocate patients to receive either oral rolapitant (one 180 mg dose;
      rolapitant group) or a placebo that was identical in appearance (active control
      group) 1-2 h before administration of moderately emetogenic chemotherapy.
      Patients were stratified by sex. All patients also received granisetron (2 mg
      orally) and dexamethasone (20 mg orally) on day 1 (except for patients receiving
      taxanes as part of moderately emetogenic chemotherapy, who received dexamethasone
      according to the package insert) and granisetron (2 mg orally) on days 2-3. Every
      cycle was a minimum of 14 days. In up to five subsequent cycles, patients
      received the same study drug they were assigned in cycle 1, unless they chose to
      leave the study or were removed at the treating clinician's discretion. Efficacy
      analysis was done in the modified intention-to-treat population (comprising all
      patients who received at least one dose of study drug at a study site compliant
      with Good Clinical Practice [GCP]). The primary endpoint was the proportion of
      patients achieving a complete response (defined as no emesis or use of rescue
      medication) in the delayed phase (>24-120 h after initiation of chemotherapy) in
      cycle 1. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01500226.
      The study has been completed. FINDINGS: Between March 5, 2012, and Sept 6, 2013,
      1369 patients were randomised to receive either rolapitant (n=684) or active
      control (n=685). 666 patients in each group received at least one dose of study
      drug at a GCP-compliant site and were included in the modified intention-to-treat
      population. A significantly greater proportion of patients receiving rolapitant
      had complete responses in the delayed phase than did those receiving active
      control (475 [71%] vs 410 [62%]; odds ratio 1.6, 95% CI 1.2-2.0; p=0.0002). The
      incidence of adverse events was similar in the rolapitant and control groups,
      with the most frequently reported treatment-related treatment-emergent adverse
      events being fatigue, constipation, and headache. For cycle 1, the most common
      grade 3-4 adverse event in the rolapitant versus active control groups was
      neutropenia (32 [5%] vs 23 [3%] patients). No serious adverse event was treatment
      related, and no treatment-related treatment-emergent adverse event resulted in
      death. INTERPRETATION: Rolapitant in combination with a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist
      and dexamethasone is well tolerated and shows superiority over active control for
      the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting during the 5-day (0
      120 h) at-risk period after administration of moderately emetogenic chemotherapy
      or regimens containing an anthracycline and cyclophosphamide. FUNDING: TESARO,
      Inc.

PMID- 26272769
TI  - Safety and efficacy of rolapitant for prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea
      and vomiting after administration of cisplatin-based highly emetogenic
      chemotherapy in patients with cancer: two randomised, active-controlled, double
      blind, phase 3 trials.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Highly emetogenic chemotherapy induces emesis in almost all patients
      in the absence of prophylaxis. Guidelines recommend use of a neurokinin-1 (NK-1)
      receptor antagonist in conjunction with a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist and
      corticosteroid in patients receiving highly emetogenic chemotherapy. We aimed to
      assess rolapitant, an NK-1 receptor antagonist, for prevention of chemotherapy
      induced nausea and vomiting in patients with cancer after administration of
      cisplatin-based highly emetogenic chemotherapy. METHODS: We conducted two global,
      randomised, double-blind, active-controlled, phase 3 trials (HEC-1 and HEC-2) at
      155 cancer centres (76 in HEC-1 and 79 in HEC-2) in 26 countries (17 in HEC-1 and
      14 in HEC-2). We enrolled patients with cancer aged 18 years or older, who had
      not previously been treated with cisplatin, with a Karnofsky performance score of
      60 or higher, and a predicted life expectancy of 4 months or longer. We used an
      interactive web-based randomisation system to randomly assign patients to
      treatment. Patients were stratified by sex and randomly allocated to either oral
      rolapitant (180 mg dose; rolapitant group) or a placebo that was identical in
      appearance (active control group) about 1-2 h before administration of highly
      emetogenic chemotherapy. All patients received granisetron (10 MUg/kg
      intravenously) and dexamethasone (20 mg orally) on day 1, and dexamethasone (8 mg
      orally) twice daily on days 2-4. Every cycle was a minimum of 14 days. In up to
      five subsequent cycles, patients were allowed to receive the same study drug they
      were assigned in cycle 1, unless removed at the clinician's discretion. Patients
      could also choose to leave the study at any point. Efficacy analysis was done in
      the modified intention-to-treat population (comprising all patients who received
      at least one dose of study drug at a cancer centre compliant with Good Clinical
      Practice [GCP]). The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving a
      complete response (no emesis or use of rescue medication) in the delayed phase
      (>24-120 h after initiation of chemotherapy) in cycle 1. These studies are
      registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, numbers NCT01499849 and NCT01500213. Both
      studies have been completed. FINDINGS: Between Feb 21, 2012, and March 12, 2014,
      532 patients in HEC-1 and 555 patients in HEC-2 were randomly assigned to
      treatment. 526 patients in HEC-1 (264 rolapitant and 262 active control) and 544
      in HEC-2 (271 rolapitant and 273 active control) received at least one dose of
      study drug at a GCP-compliant site and were included in the modified intention-to
      treat population. A significantly greater proportion of patients in the
      rolapitant group had complete responses in the delayed phase than did patients in
      the active control group (HEC-1: 192 [73%] vs 153 [58%]; odds ratio 1.9, 95% CI
      1.3-2.7; p=0.0006; HEC-2: 190 [70%] vs 169 [62%]; 1.4, 1.0-2.1; p=0.0426; pooled
      studies: 382 [71%] vs 322 [60%]; 1.6, 1.3-2.1; p=0.0001). The incidence of
      adverse events was similar across treatment groups. The most commonly reported
      treatment-related treatment-emergent adverse events in the rolapitant versus
      active control groups were headache (three [<1%] vs two [<1%]), hiccups (three
      [<1%] vs four [<1%]), constipation (two [<1%] vs three [<1%]), and dyspepsia (two
      [<1%] vs three [<1%]). For cycle 1, the most common grade 3-5 adverse events in
      patients allocated rolapitant versus active control were neutropenia (HEC-1: nine
      [3%] vs 14 [5%]; HEC-2: 16 [6%] vs 14 [5%]), anaemia (HEC-1: one [<1%] vs one
      [<1%]; HEC-2: seven [3%] vs two [<1%]), and leucopenia (HEC-1: six [2%] vs two
      [<1%]; HEC-2: two [<1%] vs two [<1%]). No serious treatment-emergent adverse
      events were treatment related, and no treatment-related treatment-emergent
      adverse events resulted in death. INTERPRETATION: Rolapitant in combination with
      a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist and dexamethasone is well-tolerated and shows
      superiority over active control for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea
      and vomiting during the at-risk period (120 h) after administration of highly
      emetogenic cisplatin-based chemotherapy. FUNDING: TESARO, Inc.

PMID- 26272771
TI  - Bevacizumab: no comeback in early breast cancer?

PMID- 26272772
TI  - Role of rolapitant in chemotherapy-induced emesis.

PMID- 26272770
TI  - Neoadjuvant plus adjuvant bevacizumab in early breast cancer (NSABP B-40 [NRG
      Oncology]): secondary outcomes of a phase 3, randomised controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: NSABP B-40 was a 3 * 2 factorial trial testing whether adding
      capecitabine or gemcitabine to docetaxel followed by doxorubicin plus
      cyclophosphamide neoadjuvant chemotherapy would improve outcomes in women with
      operable, HER2-negative breast cancer and whether adding neoadjuvant plus
      adjuvant bevacizumab to neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimens would also improve
      outcomes. As reported previously, addition of neoadjuvant bevacizumab increased
      the proportion of patients achieving a pathological complete response, which was
      the primary endpoint. We present secondary patient outcomes, including disease
      free survival, a specified endpoint by protocol, and data for distant recurrence
      free interval, and overall survival, which were not prespecified endpoints but
      were collected prospectively. METHODS: In this randomised controlled trial (NSABP
      B-40), we enrolled women aged 18 years or older, with operable, HER2-non
      amplified invasive adenocarcinoma of the breast, 2 cm or greater in diameter by
      palpation, clinical stage T1c-3, cN0, cN1, or cN2a, without metastatic disease
      and diagnosed by core needle biopsy. Patients received one of three docetaxel
      based neoadjuvant regimens for four cycles: docetaxel alone (100 mg/m(2)) with
      addition of capecitabine (825 mg/m(2) oral twice daily days 1-14, 75 mg/m(2)
      docetaxel) or with addition of gemcitabine (1000 mg/m(2) days 1 and 8
      intravenously, 75 mg/m(2) docetaxel), all followed by neoadjuvant doxorubicin and
      cyclophosphamide (60 mg/m(2) and 600 mg/m(2) intravenously) every 3 weeks for
      four cycles. Those randomly assigned to bevacizumab groups were to receive
      bevacizumab (15 mg/kg, every 3 weeks for six cycles) with neoadjuvant
      chemotherapy and postoperatively for ten doses. Randomisation was done
      (1:1:1:1:1:1) via a biased-coin minimisation procedure to balance the
      characteristics with respect to clinical nodal status, clinical tumour size,
      hormone receptor status, and age. Intent-to-treat analyses were done for disease
      free survival and overall survival. This study is registered with
      ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00408408. FINDINGS: Between Jan 5, 2007, and June
      30, 2010, 1206 patients were enrolled in the study. Follow-up data were collected
      from Oct 31, 2007 to March 27, 2014, and were available for overall survival in
      1186 patients, disease-free survival in 1184, and distant recurrence-free
      interval in 1181. Neither capecitabine nor gemcitabine increased disease-free
      survival or overall survival. Median follow-up was 4.7 years (IQR 4.0-5.2). The
      addition of bevacizumab significantly increased overall survival (hazard ratio
      0.65 [95% CI 0.49-0.88]; p=0.004) but did not significantly increase disease-free
      survival (0.80 [0.63-1.01]; p=0.06). Four deaths occurred on treatment due to
      vascular disorder (docetaxel plus capecitabine followed by doxorubicin plus
      cyclophosphamide group), sudden death (docetaxel plus capecitabine followed by
      doxorubicin plus cyclophosphamide group), infective endocarditis (docetaxel plus
      bevacizumab followed by doxorubicin plus cyclophosphamide and bevacizumab group),
      and visceral arterial ischaemia (docetaxel followed by doxorubicin plus
      cyclophosphamide group). The most common grade 3-4 adverse events in the
      bevacizumab group were neutropenia (grade 3, 99 [17%]; grade 4, 37 [6%]), hand
      foot syndrome (grade 3, 63 [11%]), and hypertension (grade 3, 60 [10%]; grade 4,
      two [<1%]) and in the non-bevacizumab group were neutropenia (grade 3, 98 [16%];
      grade 4, 36 [6%]), fatigue (grade 3, 53 [9%]), and hand-foot syndrome (grade 3,
      43 [7%]). INTERPRETATION: The addition of gemcitabine or capecitabine to
      neoadjuvant docetaxel plus doxorubicin plus cyclophosphamide does not seem to
      provide any benefit to patients with operable breast cancer, and should not
      change clinical practice in the short term. The improved overall survival with
      bevacizumab contradicts the findings of other studies of bevacizumab in breast
      cancer and may indicate the need for additional investigation of this agent.
      FUNDING: National Institutes of Health, Genentech, Roche Laboratories, Lilly
      Research Laboratories, and Precision Therapeutics.

PMID- 26272773
TI  - Docemur Docemus: Peer-Assisted Learning Improves the Knowledge Gain of Tutors in
      the Highest Quartile of Achievement but Not Those in the Lowest Quartile.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Peer-assisted learning (PAL) is a form of collaborative learning
      where members of a peer group act as teachers for each other. A reciprocal PAL
      program was designed to investigate whether there were differential gains in
      knowledge acquisition among tutors compared with tutees. DESIGN: Bayesian
      statistical analysis was used to quantitatively assess the effect of tutor status
      on performance in a knowledge-based examination. Subgroup analysis according to
      student achievement and question difficulty was performed. PARTICIPANTS AND
      SETTING: Final year undergraduate medical students in a 5-year degree program (n
      = 126). RESULTS: The overall probability of getting a correct answer on the
      knowledge examination was 49.7%. For questions on topics where a student had
      acted as a tutor this improved to 57.3%. However, students who performed in the
      upper quartile had a greater percentage gain in the probability of a correct
      answer in topics that they had taught vs students who performed in the lowest
      quartile. CONCLUSIONS: There was demonstrable overall knowledge gain associated
      with acting as a tutor in a PAL program but the greatest gain occurred in
      students of highest academic ability.

PMID- 26272774
TI  - A Diagnostic Pitfall: Salmonella Splenic Infarction in Hereditary Spherocytosis.

PMID- 26272775
TI  - Reversible parkinsonism with lentiform fork sign as an initial and dominant
      manifestation of uremic encephalopathy.

PMID- 26272776
TI  - Anxiety and depression in Parkinson's disease patients in Saudi Arabia Global
      neurology.

PMID- 26272777
TI  - Antibacterial and conductive injectable hydrogels based on quaternized chitosan
      graft-polyaniline/oxidized dextran for tissue engineering.
AB  - Biomaterials with injectability, conductivity and antibacterial effect
      simultaneously have been rarely reported. Herein, we developed a new series of in
      situ forming antibacterial conductive degradable hydrogels using quaternized
      chitosan (QCS) grafted polyaniline with oxidized dextran as crosslinker. The
      chemical structures, morphologies, electrochemical property, conductivity,
      swelling ratio, rheological property, in vitro biodegradation and gelation time
      of hydrogels were characterized. Injectability was verified by in vivo
      subcutaneous injection on a Sprague Dawley rat. The antibacterial activity of the
      hydrogels was firstly evaluated employing antibacterial assay using Escherichia
      coli and Staphylococcus aureus in vitro. The hydrogels containing polyaniline
      showed enhanced antibacterial activity compared to QCS hydrogel, especially for
      hydrogels with 3 wt% polyaniline showing 95 kill% and 90kill% for E. coli and S.
      aureus, respectively. Compared with QCS hydrogel, the hydrogels with 3 wt%
      polyaniline still showed enhanced antibacterial activity for E. coli in vivo. The
      adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) were used to evaluate the
      cytotoxicity of the hydrogels and hydrogels with polyaniline showed better
      cytocompatibility than QCS hydrogel. The electroactive hydrogels could
      significantly enhance the proliferation of C2C12 myoblasts compared to QCS
      hydrogel. This work opens the way to fabricate in situ forming antibacterial and
      electroactive degradable hydrogels as a new class of bioactive scaffolds for
      tissue regeneration applications.

PMID- 26272778
TI  - Sensitivity and Specificity of the Phallometric Test for Hebephilia.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The phallometric test has been examined most widely in the
      literature with regard to its ability to detect pedophilia; however, it has
      become of increasing interest to clinicians and researchers to ascertain to what
      extent the test accurately detects hebephilia: Whereas pedophilia refers to an
      adult's sexual interest in prepubescent children (age 10 or younger, on average),
      hebephilia refers to an adult's sexual interest in pubescent children (ages 11
      14, on average). AIM: The aim of this study was to estimate the accuracy of
      volumetric phallometry in distinguishing pedophilic men and hebephilic men from
      men who are teleiophilic (primarily sexually interested in adults, age 17 or
      older). METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted on the cumulate
      database of a large phallometric laboratory and clinic to identify a group of 239
      men who committed sexual offenses against extrafamilial adults age 17 or older
      and a group of 996 men who committed sexual offenses against extrafamilial
      children age 14 or younger, all of whom professed a greater sexual interest in
      adults over children. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The sensitivity and specificity of
      the phallometric test is calculated for its accuracy in distinguishing sexual
      preferences for children spanning various age ranges. RESULTS: Receiver operator
      characteristic curves were highly significant for each classification decision:
      Using its previously established cut-point of +0.25 standard deviation (SD)
      units, the phallometric test detected hebephilia with a sensitivity and
      specificity of 70.0% and 90.7%, detected pedophilia with 46.9% and 100%, and
      detected pedohebephilia with 75.3% and 90.7%. At a new cut-point of +0.0 SD
      units, the sensitivity and specificity of the test for pedophilia was 71.9% and
      95.3%. CONCLUSIONS: Volumetric phallometry significantly distinguishes
      teleiophilic sex offenders from each of pedophilic, hebephilic, and
      pedohebephilic sex offenders and can serve as a reliable diagnostic test of
      sexual age preference among men who deny sexual interest in children.

PMID- 26272779
TI  - Childhood abuse victimization, stress-related eating, and weight status in young
      women.
AB  - PURPOSE: Abuse in childhood predicts stress-related overeating and excess weight
      gain in young women. We investigated whether two stress-related overeating
      behaviors--binge eating and coping-motivated eating--explain childhood abuse
      associations with weight status in young women. METHODS: Analyses included 4377
      women participating in the Growing Up Today Study, a longitudinal cohort of youth
      enrolled at age 9 to 14 years. We used marginal structural models to estimate the
      effects of abuse before age 11 years on weight status at age 22 to 29 years with
      and without adjustment for binge eating and coping-motivated eating. RESULTS:
      Women with severe physical, sexual, and emotional abuse had early adult body mass
      indexes (BMIs) that were 0.74 kg/m(2) (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.15-1.33),
      0.69 (95% CI: -0.46 to 1.83), and 0.85 (95% CI: 0.24-1.45) kg/m(2) higher,
      respectively, than those without abuse. Adjustment for coping-motivated eating
      attenuated the excess BMI associated with severe physical abuse, but no other
      important attenuations were found. CONCLUSIONS: Physical, sexual, and emotional
      abuse before age 11 years were associated with higher early adult weight status,
      although the sexual abuse estimate was not statistically significant. Evidence
      for a role of stress-related eating in abuse--BMI associations was limited and
      inconsistent across abuse types.

PMID- 26272780
TI  - The prevalence and secular trends of abdominal obesity among Chinese adults, 1993
      2011.

PMID- 26272782
TI  - One-Year Efficacy Testing of Enabling Mothers to Prevent Pediatric Obesity
      Through Web-Based Education and Reciprocal Determinism (EMPOWER) Randomized
      Control Trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the
      Enabling Mothers to Prevent Pediatric Obesity through Web-Based Education and
      Reciprocal Determinism (EMPOWER) intervention at 1-year, postintervention follow
      up. METHOD: A mixed between-within subjects design was used to evaluate the
      trial. Independent variables included a two-level, group assignment: EMPOWER
      (experimental intervention) based on social cognitive theory (SCT) as well as a
      knowledge-based intervention Healthy Lifestyles (active control intervention).
      Dependent variables were evaluated across four levels of time: baseline (Week 0),
      posttest (Week 4), 1-month follow-up (Week 8), and 1-year follow-up (Week 60).
      Dependent variables included five maternal-facilitated SCT constructs
      (environment, emotional coping, expectations, self-control, and self-efficacy) as
      well as four child behaviors (minutes of child physical activity, cups of fruits
      and vegetables consumed, 8-ounce glasses of sugar-sweetened beverages consumed,
      and minutes of screen time). Null hypotheses implied no significant group-by-time
      interactions for the dependent variables under investigation. RESULTS: A
      significant group-by-time interaction for child fruit and vegetable consumption
      was found in the experimental group (p = .012) relative to the control group. At
      1 year, results suggested an overall increase of 1.847 cups of fruits and
      vegetables (95% confidence interval = 1.207-2.498) in the experimental group (p <
      .001). Analysis suggested changes in the maternal-facilitated home environment
      accounted for 13.3% of the variance in the change in child fruit and vegetable
      consumption. Improvements in child physical activity, sugar-free beverage intake,
      and screen time first detected at 1-month follow-up in both groups were no longer
      significant at 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: An online family-and-home-based
      intervention was efficacious for improving child fruit and vegetable consumption.
      Follow-up booster sessions may assist in maintaining treatment effects.

PMID- 26272781
TI  - High-intensity sweetener consumption and gut microbiome content and predicted
      gene function in a cross-sectional study of adults in the United States.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate gut microbiome in relation to recent high-intensity
      sweetener consumption in healthy adults. METHODS: Thirty-one adults completed a
      four-day food record and provided a fecal sample on the fifth day. Bacterial
      community in the samples was analyzed using multitag pyrosequencing. Across
      consumers and nonconsumers of aspartame and acesulfame-K, bacterial abundance was
      compared using nonparametric statistics, and bacterial diversity was compared
      using UniFrac analysis. Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by
      Reconstruction of Unobserved States (PICRUSt) was used to predict mean relative
      abundance of gene function. RESULTS: There were seven aspartame consumers and
      seven acesulfame-K consumers. Three individuals overlapped groups, consuming both
      sweeteners. There were no differences in median bacterial abundance (class or
      order) across consumers and nonconsumers of either sweetener. Overall bacterial
      diversity was different across nonconsumers and consumers of aspartame (P < .01)
      and acesulfame-K (P = .03). Mean predicted gene abundance did not differ across
      consumers and nonconsumers of aspartame or acesulfame-K. CONCLUSIONS: Bacterial
      abundance profiles and predicted gene function were not associated with recent
      dietary high-intensity sweetener consumption. However, bacterial diversity
      differed across consumers and nonconsumers. Given the increasing consumption of
      sweeteners and the role that the microbiome may have in chronic disease outcomes,
      work in further studies is warranted.

PMID- 26272784
TI  - Stress, Health Risk Behaviors, and Weight Status Among Community College
      Students.
AB  - The objective of this study was to describe the relationship between stress,
      weight-related health risk behaviors (e.g., eating behaviors, physical activity,
      sedentary behavior, sleep, cigarette smoking, and binge drinking), and weight
      status using cross-sectional data on 2-year community college students enrolled
      in a randomized controlled weight gain prevention trial. Modified Poisson
      regression and linear regression were used to examine crude and adjusted cross
      sectional associations. Higher stress was associated with higher prevalence of
      overweight/obesity (crude prevalence ratio [PR] = 1.05; 95% confidence interval
      [CI: 1.01, 1.09]), though the relationship was no longer statistically
      significant after controlling for a wide range of weight-related health risk
      behaviors (adjusted PR = 1.04; 95% CI [1.00, 1.08]). Stress levels were
      significantly associated with meal skipping and being a current smoker. Future
      research should investigate the mechanisms through which stress is related to
      obesity risk and examine the causes of stress among this understudied population
      to inform the design of appropriate interventions. 

PMID- 26272783
TI  - Postpartum Teens' Perception of the Food Environments at Home and School.
AB  - BACKGROUND: An environment that supports healthy eating is one factor to prevent
      obesity. However, little is known about postpartum teen's perceptions of their
      home and school environments and how this relates to dietary behaviors. PURPOSE:
      This study explores the relationship between home and school environments and
      dietary behaviors for postpartum teens. DESIGN: Conducted cross-sectionally
      during 2007-2009 across 27 states and included 889 postpartum teens enrolled in
      Parents as Teachers Teen Program. Data included measures of sociodemographics and
      perceptions of school and home food environments. A 7-day recall of snack and
      beverage frequency assessed dietary behaviors. Logistic regression explored
      associations between baseline environment measures and dietary behaviors at
      baseline and postintervention (approximately 5 months after baseline) for the
      control group. RESULTS: Respondents reported greater access and selection (i.e.,
      variety of choices) of healthy foods and beverages at home than school. At
      baseline, fruit and vegetable intake was associated with home selection (1.9, 95%
      confidence interval [CI: 1.3, 2.9]) and availability (1.8, 95% CI [1.3, 2.6]),
      sweet snack consumption was associated with selection (1.5, 95% CI [1.0, 2.1]),
      and total snack consumption and sugar-sweetened beverage intake were associated
      with selection (snack: 2.1, 95% CI [1.5, 3.0]; beverage: 1.7, 95% CI [1.2, 2.4])
      and availability (snack: 2.1, 95% CI [1.4, 3.1]; beverage: 1.5, 95% CI [1.0,
      2.3]). Water intake at baseline and at the postintervention for control group
      teens was associated with selection (1.6, 95% CI [1.1, 2.2]). No significant
      associations were identified between the school environment and dietary
      behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions should target improvements in the home
      environment for high-risk, postpartum teens.

PMID- 26272785
TI  - Hip Hop HEALS: Pilot Study of a Culturally Targeted Calorie Label Intervention to
      Improve Food Purchases of Children.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We explored the effect of a culturally targeted calorie label
      intervention on food purchasing behavior of elementary school students. METHOD:
      We used a quasi-experimental design with two intervention schools and one control
      school to assess food purchases of third through fifth graders at standardized
      school food sales before and after the intervention (immediate and delayed) in
      schools. The intervention comprised three 1-hour assembly-style hip-hop-themed
      multimedia classes. RESULTS: A mean total of 225 children participated in two
      baseline preintervention sales with and without calorie labels; 149 children
      participated in immediate postintervention food sales, while 133 children
      participated in the delayed sales. No significant change in purchased calories
      was observed in response to labels alone before the intervention. However, a mean
      decline in purchased calories of 20% (p < .01) and unhealthy foods (p < .01) was
      seen in immediately following the intervention compared to baseline purchases,
      and this persisted without significant decay after 7 days and 12 days.
      CONCLUSION: A 3-hour culturally targeted calorie label intervention may improve
      food-purchasing behavior of children.

PMID- 26272786
TI  - The HIV Risk Profiles of Latino Sexual Minorities and Transgender Persons Who Use
      Websites or Apps Designed for Social and Sexual Networking.
AB  - The use of websites and GPS-based mobile applications ("apps") designed for
      social and sexual networking has been associated with increased HIV risk;
      however, little is known about Latino sexual minorities' and transgender persons'
      use of these websites and apps and the risk profiles of those who use them
      compared with those who do not. Data from 167 participants who completed the
      baseline survey of a community-level HIV prevention intervention, which harnesses
      the social networks of Latino sexual minorities and transgender persons, were
      analyzed. One quarter of participants (28.74%, n = 48) reported using websites or
      apps designed for social and sexual networking, and 119 (71.26%) reported not
      using websites or apps designed for social and sexual networking. Those who used
      websites or apps were younger and reported more male sex partners, a sexually
      transmitted disease diagnosis, and illicit drug use other than marijuana. HIV
      prevention interventions for those who use websites or apps should consider
      addressing these risks for HIV. 

PMID- 26272787
TI  - Marfan syndrome patient experiences as ascertained through postings on social
      media sites.
AB  - Marfan syndrome (MS) is a connective tissue disorder that affects thousands of
      adolescents [Population Reference Bureau, 2013]. Some adolescent patients with MS
      may use social media to express their experiences and emotions, but little is
      known about what patients choose to share online. To investigate social media
      content related to Marfan syndrome we used search terms "Marfan syndrome" and
      "Marfans" on six different social media sites. The top five recent and popular
      posts for each site were collected and coded weekly for five weeks. Posts were
      excluded if they were reshared content or not in English. A codebook was
      developed using an iterative process to categorize posts and comments. Out of 300
      posts collected 147 posts (49.0%) were included for evaluation. Categories of
      displayed content included personal pictures, memes and pictures featuring
      symptoms of MS (41.5%) and personal MS experiences (27.1% of posts). One quarter
      of the posts specifically mentioned a positive experience or how thankful the
      profile owner was for their life. A unique category of posts (13.7%) referenced
      Austin Carlile, a celebrity singer with MS, as a role model. Physicians and
      healthcare providers may consider using social media to understand common MS
      concerns and to place future health education materials.

PMID- 26272789
TI  - Macrocyclic weakly coordinating anions.
AB  - Herein, the concept of macrocyclic weakly coordinating anions (M-WCAs) is
      introduced. Synthetic methodologies are described how to access M-WCAs by
      thermodynamically controlled self-assembly in high yields, in particular through
      condensation and alkyne metathesis reactions. The anticipated properties and
      applications of M-WCAs in solid state and in solution are discussed, specifically
      for gas storage and separation, homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis, and as
      liquid and solid electrolytes. 

PMID- 26272788
TI  - Thermus anatoliensis sp. nov., a thermophilic bacterium from geothermal waters of
      Buharkent, Turkey.
AB  - A Gram-stain-negative, lack of motility, catalase- and oxidase- positive
      bacterium (strain MT1(T)) was isolated from Buharkent hot spring in Aydin,
      Turkey. Its taxonomy was investigated using a polyphasic approach. The strain was
      able to grow at 45-80  degrees C, pH 5.5-10.5 and with a NaCI tolerance up to
      2.0% (w/v). Strain MT1(T) was able to utilize d-mannitol and l-arabinose, not
      able to utilize d-cellobiose as sole carbon source. 16S rRNA gene sequence
      analysis revealed that the strain belonged to the genus Thermus; strain MT1(T)
      detected low-level similarities of 16S rRNA gene sequences (below 97%) compared
      with all other species in this genus. The predominant fatty acids of strain
      MT1(T) were iso-C(15:0) (43.0%) and iso-C(17:0) (27.4%). Polar lipid analysis
      revealed a major phospholipid, one major glycolipid, one major aminophospholipid,
      two minor aminolipids, one minor phospholipid, and several minor glycolipids. The
      major isoprenoid quinone was MK-8. The DNA G+C content of MT1(T) was 69.6 mol%.
      On the basis of a taxonomic study using a polyphasic approach, strain MT1(T) is
      considered to represent a novel species of the genus Thermus, for which the name
      Thermus anatoliensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MT1(T) (=NCCB
      100425(T) =LMG 26880(T)).

PMID- 26272790
TI  - An evaluation of the difficulties and attitudes mental health professionals
      experience with people with personality disorders.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Working with people with a personality disorder (PD) can arouse
      strong feelings, and cause difficulties as well as different attitudes among
      mental health workers (MHWs). While attitudes towards people with PD and the
      difficulties experienced by MHWs have been previously investigated, the
      reciprocal relationship between the two has not been thoroughly investigated.
      AIM/QUESTION: This study aims to investigate (1) affective reactions of MHWs to
      people with personality disorders, (2) the difficulties that MHWs experience
      while working with these patients, (3) their attitudes towards these patients,
      and (4) the interaction between these variables. METHOD: The data for this study
      were collected through a Personal Information Questionnaire, the Difficulty of
      Working with Personality Disorders Scale and the Attitudes towards Patients with
      Personality Disorders Scale from 332 MHWs from several mental health clinics in
      Turkey, all of whom were experienced in working with people with PD. RESULTS: The
      results indicate that the participants described 'difficulty in forming a
      relationship, understanding the client, and establishing cooperation' among the
      primary reasons of difficulties. This study also shows that there is a strong
      relationship between MHWs' feelings of boredom/discontent, guilt/pity and a
      tendency to display positive behaviours/an inability of establishing borders
      against people with PD. DISCUSSION: The findings of this study imply that the
      level of education, expertise, psychotherapy treatment and clinical supervision
      of MHWs all affect perceived difficulties and attitudes towards people with PD.
      It is also noted that among nurses, a higher level of education results in
      reduced experience of difficulties while working with patients with PD.
      IMPLICATION FOR PRACTICE: The results foreground the need for specific skills to
      be developed in MHWs through theoretical training, case-focused supervision and
      receiving personal psychotherapy for MHWs.

PMID- 26272791
TI  - CONSORT extension for reporting N-of-1 trials (CENT) 2015: explanation and
      elaboration.
AB  - N-of-1 trials are a useful tool for clinicians who want to determine the
      effectiveness of a treatment in a particular individual. The reporting of N-of-1
      trials has been variable and incomplete, hindering their usefulness in clinical
      decision making and by future researchers. This document presents the CONSORT
      (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) extension for N-of-1 trials (CENT
      2015). CENT 2015 extends the CONSORT 2010 guidance to facilitate the preparation
      and appraisal of reports of an individual N-of-1 trial or a series of
      prospectively planned, multiple, crossover N-of-1 trials. CENT 2015 elaborates on
      14 items of the CONSORT 2010 checklist, totalling 25 checklist items (44 sub
      items), and recommends diagrams to help authors document the progress of one
      participant through a trial or more than one participant through a trial or
      series of trials, as applicable. Examples of good reporting and evidence based
      rationale for CENT 2015 checklist items are provided.

PMID- 26272793
TI  - A framework to assess the value of application of formal criteria to check
      clinical relevance in RCTs as part of a benefit assessment strategy.
AB  - Recently, the topic of assessing clinical relevance on top of statistical
      significance in the analysis of randomized control trials (RCTs) has got
      increasing attention, in particular as part of benefit assessments. Several
      formal criteria to serve this purpose have been published. In this paper, we
      present a framework to assess the value of the application of such criteria. We
      propose to quantify the need for the assessment of clinical relevance by the
      actual risk of having accepted a benefit for a treatment with an irrelevant
      effect in a successful RCT. We then study how this risk can be controlled by two
      popular criteria based on comparing the effect estimate or the lower bound of the
      confidence interval with a given threshold. We further propose to quantify the
      impact of using formal criteria by considering the expected costs when specifying
      error-specific costs for each of the three possible types of errors: A benefit
      may be accepted for a treatment, which is actually inferior, or which is not
      inferior, but only implies an irrelevant improvement, or a benefit may be
      rejected for a treatment implying a relevant improvement. This way we can
      demonstrate that the impact depends on parameters which are typically not
      explicitly defined in the frame of benefit assessments. Depending on the values
      of these parameters, formal checks of clinical relevance may imply better
      decisions on average, but they may also imply more harm than good on average. 

PMID- 26272792
TI  - CONSORT extension for reporting N-of-1 trials (CENT) 2015 Statement.
AB  - N-of-1 trials provide a mechanism for making evidence-based treatment decisions
      for an individual patient. They use key methodological elements of group clinical
      trials to evaluate treatment effectiveness in a single patient, for situations
      that cannot always accommodate large-scale trials: rare diseases, comorbid
      conditions, or in patients using concurrent therapies. Improvement in the
      reporting and clarity of methods and findings in N-of-1 trials is essential for
      reader to gauge the validity of trials and to replicate successful findings. A
      Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) extension for N-of-1 trials
      (CENT 2015) provides guidance on the reporting of individual and series of N-of-1
      trials. CENT provides additional guidance for 14 of the 25 items of the CONSORT
      2010 checklist, recommends a diagram for depicting an individual N-of-1 trial,
      and modifies the CONSORT flow diagram to address the flow of a series of N-of-1
      trials. The rationale, development process, and CENT 2015 checklist and diagrams
      are reported in this document.

PMID- 26272795
TI  - Hand Therapy Modalities for Proximal Interphalangeal Joint Stiffness.

PMID- 26272796
TI  - The Hand and Wrist in Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis.

PMID- 26272797
TI  - What does the closure of context-sensitive constraints mean for determinism,
      autonomy, self-determination, and agency?
AB  - The role of context-sensitive constraints - first as enablers of complexification
      and subsequently as regulators that maintain the integrity of self-organized,
      coherent wholes - has only recently begun to be examined. Conceptualizing such
      organizational constraints in terms of the operations of far from equilibrium,
      nonlinear dynamic processes rekindles old metaphysical discussions concerning
      primary and secondary relations, emergence, causality, and the logic of
      explanation. In particular, far-from-equilibrium processes allow us to rethink
      how parts-to-whole and whole-to-parts - so-called "mereological"- relationships
      are constituted. A renewed understanding of recursive feedback and the role
      context-dependence plays in generating the boundary conditions and the internal
      organization of complex adaptive systems in turn allows us to redescribe formal
      and final cause in such a way as to provide a meaningful sense of heretofore
      seemingly intractable philosophical problems such as autonomy, self
      determination, and agency. 

PMID- 26272794
TI  - MIEN1, a novel interactor of Annexin A2, promotes tumor cell migration by
      enhancing AnxA2 cell surface expression.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Migration and invasion enhancer 1 (MIEN1) is a novel gene found to be
      abundantly expressed in breast tumor tissues and functions as a critical
      regulator of tumor cell migration and invasion to promote systemic metastases.
      Previous studies have identified post-translational modifications by
      isoprenylation at the C-terminal tail of MIEN1 to favor its translocation to the
      inner leaflet of plasma membrane and its function as a membrane-bound adapter
      molecule. However, the exact molecular events at the membrane interface
      activating the MIEN1-driven tumor cell motility are vaguely understood. METHODS:
      MIEN1 was first studied using in-silico analysis on available RNA sequencing data
      of human breast tissues and its expression was ascertained in breast cells. We
      performed several assays including co-immunoprecipitation, wound healing, western
      blotting and immunofluorescence to decipher the molecular events involved in
      MIEN1-mediated tumor cell migration. RESULTS: Clinically, MIEN1 is predominantly
      overexpressed in Her-2 and luminal B subtypes of breast tumors, and its increased
      expression correlates with poor disease free survival. Molecular studies
      identified a phosphorylation-dependent activation signal in the immunoreceptor
      tyrosine based activation motif (ITAM) of MIEN1 and the phosphorylation-deficient
      MIEN1-mutants (Y39F/50 F) to regulate filopodia generation, migration and
      invasion. We found that ITAM-phosphorylation of MIEN1 is significantly impaired
      in isoprenylation-deficient MIEN1 mutants indicating that prenylation of MIEN1
      and membrane association is required for cross-phosphorylation of tyrosine
      residues. Furthermore, we identified MIEN1 as a novel interactor of Annexin A2
      (AnxA2), a Ca(2+) -dependent phospholipid binding protein, which serves as an
      extracellular proteolytic center regulating plasmin generation. Fluorescence
      resonance energy transfer (FRET) confirmed that MIEN1 physically interacts with
      AnxA2 and functional studies revealed that they mutually cooperate to accentuate
      tumor cell motility. Interestingly, our study identified that ectopic
      overexpression of MIEN1 significantly enhances Tyr23-phosphorylation on AnxA2,
      thereby stimulating cell surface translocation of AnxA2 and catalyzing the
      activation of its proteolytic activity. CONCLUSION: Our data show that the
      presence and interaction of both MIEN1 and AnxA2 in breast tumors are crucial
      drivers of cell motility. Our study has now deciphered a novel regulatory network
      governing the vicious process of breast tumor cell invasion-metastasis, and
      findings suggest MIEN1-AnxA2 as prospective targets to counter the deadly
      disease.

PMID- 26272798
TI  - Naturalizing phenomenology - A philosophical imperative.
AB  - Phenomenology since Husserl has always had a problematic relationship with
      empirical science. In its early articulations, there was Husserl's rejection of
      'the scientific attitude', Merleau-Ponty's distancing of the scientifically
      objectified self, and Heidegger's critique of modern science. These suggest an
      antipathy to science and to its methods of explaining the natural world. Recent
      developments in neuroscience have opened new opportunities for an engagement
      between phenomenology and cognitive science and through this, a re-thinking of
      science and its hidden assumptions more generally. This is so partly because of
      the shortcomings of conventional mechanistically-conceived science in dealing
      with complex and dynamic phenomena such as climate change, brain plasticity, the
      behaviour of collectives, the dynamics of various microbiological processes, etc.
      But it is also due to recent phenomenological scholarship focussed on the
      'embodied' phenomenology of Husserl's Ideen II and Merleau Ponty's later ontology
      of nature which have helped to extend the insights of phenomenology beyond the
      narrowly 'human' to an understanding of nature (which includes the human) more
      generally. Thus re-contextualised, phenomenology is well placed to examine some
      of the assumptions that give rise to the reductionism and associated scientism
      which has characterised conventional science in its approach to the study of
      natural processes. In light of this, it might be suggested that the 'anti
      science' of early articulations of phenomenology is more a hostility to the
      underlying assumptions of science as conventionally understood than to science
      itself - that it is scientism rather than science that is targeted. In this
      paper, I aim to show how a phenomenological naturalism might be seen as a
      necessary step towards the development of a non-reductionist and non-scientistic
      approach to scientific inquiry. A key to this is a reconceptualization of nature
      as inclusive of meanings and of mind. It is a conception developed by Merleau
      Ponty, especially in his later ontology of nature, and one that is shared by
      American pragmatist philosopher of science, C.S. Peirce (1839-1914). For both
      philosophers, meaning must be understood in terms of an ontology which is
      relational rather than atomistic, and dynamic or processual rather than static
      and substance-based. For Merleau-Ponty this is an experientially-derived
      ontology; for Peirce it is a more conceptually-based one. In this paper, I
      explore this connection between these two philosophers in two stages. The first
      is by reference to Peirce's theory of signs or semiotics. More specifically, I
      look at the application of this theory to the study of biological processes as
      developed in Peirce-inspired biosemiotics. In the light of this, I suggest that
      Merleau-Ponty's account of intentional relations in nature might be articulated
      as semiotic relations, and can serve as a philosophical basis for a non-reductive
      biological science. I then turn to questions relating to the ontology of nature.
      I explore Merleau-Ponty's experientially-based "ontology of flesh" and Peirce's
      distinctive form of naturalism to show affinities at this ontological level.
      These affinities consist in commitments to a reality that includes possibility,
      meaning, temporality, and final causation - that is, an ontology which is far
      more inclusive than that of conventional positivistic science. Peirce's broader
      scientific metaphysics enables us to extend Merleau-Ponty's phenomenological
      naturalism beyond the biological to the physical sciences. Whilst Merleau-Ponty's
      ontology of nature provides the experiential basis necessary for a critique of
      scientism, Peirce establishes the relevance of that ontology for a re-conceived
      empirical science. 

PMID- 26272799
TI  - Emotional sentience and the nature of phenomenal experience.
AB  - When phenomenal experience is examined through the lens of physics, several
      conundrums come to light including: Specificity of mind-body interactions,
      feelings of free will in a deterministic universe, and the relativity of
      subjective perception. The new biology of "emotion" can shed direct light upon
      these issues, via a broadened categorical definition that includes both affective
      feelings and their coupled (yet often subconscious) hedonic motivations. In this
      new view, evaluative (good/bad) feelings that trigger approach/avoid behaviors
      emerged with life itself, a crude stimulus-response information loop between
      organism and its environment, a semiotic signaling system embodying the first
      crude form of "mind". Emotion serves the ancient function of sensory-motor self
      regulation and affords organisms - at every level of complexity - an active,
      adaptive, role in evolution. A careful examination of the biophysics involved in
      emotional "self-regulatory" signaling, however, acknowledges constituents that
      are incompatible with classical physics. This requires a further investigation,
      proposed herein, of the fundamental nature of "the self" as the subjective
      observer central to the measurement process in quantum mechanics, and ultimately
      as an active, unified, self-awareness with a centrally creative role in "self
      organizing" processes and physical forces of the classical world. In this deeper
      investigation, a new phenomenological dualism is proposed: The flow of complex
      human experience is instantiated by both a classically embodied mind and a deeper
      form of quantum consciousness that is inherent in the universe itself, implying
      much deeper - more Whiteheadian - interpretations of the "self-regulatory" and
      "self-relevant" nature of emotional stimulus. A broad stroke, speculative,
      intuitive sketch of this new territory is then set forth, loosely mapped to
      several theoretical models of consciousness, potentially relevant mathematical
      devices and pertinent philosophical themes, in an attempt to acknowledge the
      myriad questions - and limitations - implicit in the quest to understand
      "sentience" in any ontologically pansentient universe. 

PMID- 26272800
TI  - Re-live and learn - Interlocutor-induced elicitation of phenomenal experiences in
      learning offline.
AB  - Contemporary neuroscience studies propose that sensory-motor experiences in the
      form of 're-enactments' or 'simulations' are significant to the individual's
      development of concepts and language use. To a certain extent, such studies align
      with non-Cartesian perspectives on situated cognition. Since perceptual activity
      is reflected neurally, however, the neural perspective of experiences and re
      enactments allows us to distinguish between online and offline conditions within
      situated cognition, thereby addressing the extent to which direct experiences
      contribute to a particular learning episode. Whereas online situated cognition
      reflects the 'traditional' 4e's (minds as embodied, embedded, enacted, and
      extended) and focus is on cognitive processes confined to the individual, offline
      situated cognition introduces Others as significant contributors to cognitive
      processes in the individual. In this paper, I analyse how offline situated
      cognition entails a hitherto underdescribed but radical receptivity to the social
      world that works through language. Based on the unfolding of how we acquire the
      concepts of mental states as part of theory of mind, I establish that in the
      hands of interlocutors, words cultivate minds by first eliciting phenomenal
      sensations and then facilitating an association of these to experiences that
      originate with a different phenomenal content. Thus, I conclude both that
      phenomenal experiences online are central to conceptual learning offline through
      re-enactions and that Others are profoundly essential in forming cognising
      Selves. 

PMID- 26272801
TI  - The importance of the proximal resection margin distance for proximal gastric
      adenocarcinoma: A multi-institutional study of the US Gastric Cancer
      Collaborative.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A 5 cm margin is advocated for distal gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC).
      The optimal proximal resection margin (PM) length for proximal GAC is not
      established. METHODS: Patients who underwent curative-intent resection for
      proximal GAC from 2000 to 2012 at 7 centers in the US Gastric Cancer
      Collaborative were included. PM length was sequentially dichotomized and analyzed
      at 0.5 cm increments (0.5-6.5 cm). Outcomes after negative margin (R0) and
      positive microscopic margin (R1) resections were compared. Primary endpoints were
      local recurrence (LR) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: All patients (n = 162)
      had R0 distal margins. 151 (93.2%) had an R0-PM with mean length of 2.6 cm
      (median:1.7 cm; range:0.1-15 cm). A greater PM distance was not associated with
      LR or OS. An R1-PM was associated with higher N-stage (N3:73% vs. 26%; P = 0.007)
      and increased LR (HR6.1; P = 0.009) but not associated with decreased OS. On
      multivariate analysis, an R1-PM was also not independently associated with LR.
      CONCLUSIONS: For resection of proximal gastric adenocarcinoma, proximal margin
      length is not associated with local recurrence or overall survival. An R1 margin
      is associated with advanced N-stage but is not independently associated with
      recurrence or survival. When performing resection of proximal gastric
      adenocarcinoma, efforts to achieve a specific margin distance, especially if it
      necessitates an esophagectomy, should be abandoned.

PMID- 26272802
TI  - Isolated C-C joint tuberculosis - A diagnostic dilemma.
AB  - Painful lytic lesions of the foot raise a diagnostic dilemma for the foot
      surgeon. The localization of the lytic lesion in the mid foot is rare and
      isolated involvement of the calcaneo-cuboid (C-C) joint is even rarer. Early
      diagnosis is imperative in the mid foot to avoid rapid disease spread due to
      multiple venous interconnections. The diagnostic possibilities include infection,
      tumor (primary and metastasis), inflammatory arthritis, foreign body prick among
      others. The clues to rule out other differential diagnoses of lytic lesions can
      be history and examination, both clinical and radiographic but the gold standard
      for final diagnosis remains biopsy and histo-pathological examination. We
      describe two cases of lytic lesion around the calcaneo-cuboid joint and discuss
      the diagnostic dilemma. The lesions were diagnosed as tubercular in nature after
      histo-pathological examination of open biopsy. Both cases had complete resolution
      of lytic lesions and had fair functional outcome after completing the course of
      anti-tubercular therapy. Tuberculosis (TB) is making a worldwide resurgence due
      to the epidemic of HIV. In order to control this global epidemic of TB, it is
      important to know about all the possible presentations of the disease, including
      rare ones. Tuberculosis if diagnosed early in the disease course, when the
      pathology is localized, can result in good to fair results in the foot if
      adequately managed by anti-tubercular therapy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: V.

PMID- 26272803
TI  - Gastrointestinal symptoms among endometriosis patients--A case-cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Women with endometriosis often experience gastrointestinal symptoms.
      Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogs are used to treat endometriosis;
      however, some patients develop gastrointestinal dysmotility following this
      treatment. The aims of the present study were to investigate gastrointestinal
      symptoms among patients with endometriosis and to examine whether symptoms were
      associated with menstruation, localization of endometriosis lesions, or treatment
      with either opioids or GnRH analogs, and if hormonal treatment affected the
      symptoms. METHODS: All patients with diagnosed endometriosis at the Department of
      Gynecology were invited to participate in the study. Gastrointestinal symptoms
      were registered using the Visual Analogue Scale for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (VAS
      IBS); socioeconomic and medical histories were compiled using a clinical data
      survey. Data were compared to a control group from the general population.
      RESULTS: A total of 109 patients and 65 controls were investigated. Compared to
      controls, patients with endometriosis experienced significantly aggravated
      abdominal pain (P = 0.001), constipation (P = 0.009), bloating and flatulence (P
      = 0.000), defecation urgency (P = 0.010), and sensation of incomplete evacuation
      (P = 0.050), with impaired psychological well-being (P = 0.005) and greater
      intestinal symptom influence on their daily lives (P = 0.001). The symptoms were
      not associated with menstruation or localization of endometriosis lesions, except
      increased nausea and vomiting (P = 0.010) in patients with bowel-associated
      lesions. Half of the patients were able to differentiate between abdominal pain
      from endometriosis and from the gastrointestinal tract. Patients using opioids
      experienced more severe symptoms than patients not using opioids, and patients
      with current or previous use of GnRH analogs had more severe abdominal pain than
      the other patients (P = 0.024). Initiation of either combined oral contraceptives
      or progesterone for endometriosis had no effect on gastrointestinal symptoms when
      the patients were followed prospectively. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of
      endometriosis patients experience more severe gastrointestinal symptoms than
      controls. A poor association between symptoms and lesion localization was found,
      indicating existing comorbidity between endometriosis and irritable bowel
      syndrome (IBS). Treatment with opioids or GnRH analogs is associated with
      aggravated gastrointestinal symptoms.

PMID- 26272804
TI  - Efficient Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Made from High Catalytic Ability of
      Polypyrrole@Platinum Counter Electrode.
AB  - Polypyrrole@platinum (PPy@Pt) composite film was successfully synthesized by
      using a one-step electrochemical method and served as counter electrode (CE) for
      efficient dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The PPy@Pt CE with one-dimensional
      structure exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity and superior charge
      transfer resistance for I(-)/I3 (-) electrolyte after being the cyclic
      voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy tested. The photocurrent
      photovoltage curves were further used to calculate the theoretical photoelectric
      performance parameters of the DSSCs. The DSSC based on the PPy@Pt CE achieved a
      remarkable power conversion efficiency of 7.35 %, higher about 19.9 % than that
      of conventional Pt CE (6.13 %). This strategy provides a new opportunity for
      fabricating low-cost and highly efficient DSSCs. 

PMID- 26272805
TI  - Sleep medicine education and knowledge among undergraduate dental students in
      Middle East universities.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the undergraduate dental
      education in sleep medicine in Middle East universities as well as the students'
      knowledge in this field. METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study was
      carried out during the period from September 2013 to April 2014.Two different
      questionnaires were used. A self-administered questionnaire and a cover letter
      were emailed and distributed to 51 randomly selected Middle East dental schools
      to gather information about their undergraduate sleep medicine education offered
      in the academic year 2012-2013.The second questionnaire was distributed to the
      fifth-year dental students in the 2nd Sharjah International Dental Student
      Conference in April 2014, to assess their knowledge on sleep medicine. A survey
      to assess knowledge of sleep medicine in medical education (Modified ASKME
      Survey) was used. RESULTS: Thirty-nine out of 51 (76%) responded to the first
      questionnaire. Out of the responding schools, only nine schools (23%) reported
      the inclusion of sleep medicine in their undergraduate curriculum. The total
      average hours dedicated to teaching sleep medicine in the responding dental
      schools was 1.2 hours. In the second questionnaire, 29.2% of the respondents were
      in the high score group, whereas 70.8% scored low in knowledge of sleep-related
      breathing disorders. DISCUSSION: Dental students in Middle East universities
      receive a weak level of sleep medicine education resulting in poor knowledge in
      this field.

PMID- 26272806
TI  - A phase I/II, open-label, randomised study of nintedanib plus mFOLFOX6 versus
      bevacizumab plus mFOLFOX6 in first-line metastatic colorectal cancer patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This randomised, open-label, phase I/II study evaluated the efficacy
      and safety of nintedanib, an oral, triple angiokinase inhibitor, combined with
      chemotherapy, relative to bevacizumab plus chemotherapy as first-line therapy in
      patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients
      with histologically confirmed mCRC (adenocarcinoma), an Eastern Cooperative
      Oncology Group performance status <= 2 and adequate organ function were included.
      Patients were randomised 2:1 to receive nintedanib 150 mg or 200 mg b.i.d. plus
      mFOLFOX6 (oxaliplatin 85 mg/m(2), l-leucovorin 200 mg/m(2) or d,l-leucovorin 400
      mg/m(2), 5-fluoruracil bolus 400 mg/m(2) followed by 2400 mg/m(2), every 2 weeks)
      or bevacizumab (5 mg/kg every 2 weeks) plus mFOLFOX6. During phase I, patients
      underwent a 3 + 3 dose-escalation schema to determine the maximum tolerated dose
      (MTD) of nintedanib in combination with mFOLFOX6. The primary end point was
      progression-free survival (PFS) rate at 9 months. Objective response (OR) was a
      secondary end point. RESULTS: The nintedanib recommended phase II dose was 200 mg
      b.i.d. plus mFOLFOX6 based on safety data from phase I (n = 12). Of 128 patients
      randomised in the phase II part, 126 received treatment (nintedanib plus
      mFOLFOX6, n = 85; bevacizumab plus mFOLFOX6, n = 41). PFS at 9 months was 62.1%
      with nintedanib and 70.2% with bevacizumab [difference: -8.1% (95% confidence
      interval -27.8 to 11.5)]. Confirmed ORs were recorded in 63.5% and 56.1% of
      patients in the nintedanib and bevacizumab groups, respectively. The incidence of
      adverse events (AEs) considered related to treatment was 98.8% with nintedanib
      and 97.6% with bevacizumab; the incidence of serious AEs was 37.6% with
      nintedanib and 53.7% with bevacizumab. The pharmacokinetics of nintedanib and the
      components of mFOLFOX6 were unaffected by their combination. CONCLUSIONS:
      Nintedanib in combination with mFOLFOX6 showed efficacy as first-line therapy in
      patients with mCRC with a manageable safety profile and further studies in this
      population are warranted.

PMID- 26272807
TI  - Clinical Utility of Enhanced Relative Activity Recovery on Systolic Myocardial
      Perfusion SPECT: Lessons from PET.
AB  - SPECT and PET myocardial perfusion images show greater myocardial intensity and
      homogeneity in systole than diastole because of greater systolic myocardial
      thickness, less partial volume loss, and enhanced activity recovery.
      Consequently, conventional myocardial perfusion images obtained from whole
      cardiac cycles have lower myocardial intensity and greater heterogeneity than
      systolic images. Considering relative activity distribution on SPECT systolic
      images may add clinical utility to whole-cycle images and wall motion. METHODS:
      Patients undergoing coronary angiogram within 4 mo after SPECT myocardial
      perfusion imaging were reviewed. Images were interpreted by 2 masked interpreters
      using a 17-segment, 5-point scale to determine summed rest scores (SSS), summed
      stress scores, and summed difference scores on conventional and systolic images
      in 603 patients (55.6% no coronary artery disease [no-CAD] and 44.4% CAD).
      Studies were considered normal when the SSS was less than 4 and summed difference
      score was less than 2. RESULTS: In the no-CAD group, systolic SSS was lower than
      SSS from conventional images (2 +/- 2.3 vs. 3 +/- 2.6, P < 0.001). In contrast,
      SSS derived from systolic and conventional images were not different in the
      obstructive CAD group (9.1 +/- 7.6 vs. 9.2 +/- 7.4, P = 0.559). When systolic
      images were considered, true-negative studies increased from 27.2% to 43.3% (P <
      0.001) whereas false-positive studies decreased from 28.4% to 12.3% (P < 0.001).
      True-positive (38% vs. 37.2%, P = 0.505) and false-negative studies (6.5% vs. 7%,
      P = 0.450) were not significantly changed. Diagnostic accuracy increased from
      65.2% to 80.8% (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: For gated SPECT myocardial perfusion
      imaging, when relative activity distribution on systolic images was considered,
      false-positive studies were reduced and diagnostic accuracy was improved.

PMID- 26272808
TI  - Nanoparticles for Cardiovascular Imaging and Therapeutic Delivery, Part 1:
      Compositions and Features.
AB  - Imaging agents made from nanoparticles are functionally versatile and have unique
      properties that may translate to clinical utility in several key cardiovascular
      imaging niches. Nanoparticles exhibit size-based circulation, biodistribution,
      and elimination properties different from those of small molecules and
      microparticles. In addition, nanoparticles provide versatile platforms that can
      be engineered to create both multimodal and multifunctional imaging agents with
      tunable properties. With these features, nanoparticulate imaging agents can
      facilitate fusion of high-sensitivity and high-resolution imaging modalities and
      selectively bind tissues for targeted molecular imaging and therapeutic delivery.
      Despite their intriguing attributes, nanoparticulate imaging agents have thus far
      achieved only limited clinical use. The reasons for this restricted advancement
      include an evolving scope of applications, the simplicity and effectiveness of
      existing small-molecule agents, pharmacokinetic limitations, safety concerns, and
      a complex regulatory environment. This review describes general features of
      nanoparticulate imaging agents and therapeutics and discusses challenges
      associated with clinical translation. A second, related review to appear in a
      subsequent issue of JNM highlights nuclear-based nanoparticulate probes in
      preclinical cardiovascular imaging. 

PMID- 26272809
TI  - Discrimination Between Brown and White Adipose Tissue Using a 2-Point Dixon Water
      Fat Separation Method in Simultaneous PET/MRI.
AB  - The purpose of the study was to evaluate signal-fat-fraction (SFF) analysis based
      on a 2-point-Dixon water-fat separation method in whole-body simultaneous PET/MR
      imaging for identifying brown adipose tissue (BAT) and discriminating it from
      white adipose tissue (WAT) using cross-validation via PET. METHODS: This
      retrospective, internal review board-approved study evaluated 66 PET/MR imaging
      examinations of 33 pediatric patients (mean age, 14.7 y; range, 7.4-21.4 y).
      Eleven elderly patients were evaluated as controls (mean age, 79.9 y; range, 76.3
      88.6 y). Pediatric patients were divided into 2 groups: with and without
      metabolically active supraclavicular BAT. The standard of reference for the
      presence of BAT was at least 1 PET examination showing (18)F-FDG uptake. PET/MR
      imaging included a 2-point Dixon water-fat separation method. Signal intensities
      in regions of interest on fat and water images and mean standardized uptake
      values (SUVmean) were determined bilaterally in supraclavicular and gluteal fat
      depots. SFF was calculated from the ratio of fat signal over summed water and fat
      signal. Statistical analysis was conducted using the Student t test and
      correlation analysis. RESULTS: SFF was significantly lower (P < 0.0001) in
      supraclavicular BAT than gluteal WAT in all pediatric subjects. Supraclavicular
      SFF was significantly higher in the control than in the pediatric group (P <
      0.0001). In PET-positive patients with multiple examinations, SFF stayed stable
      whereas SUVmean fluctuated (median intraindividual change, 5% vs. 91%). No
      significant correlation between SUVmean and SFF could be observed for BAT.
      CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate that MR imaging-SFF analysis is a
      reproducible imaging modality for the detection of human BAT and discrimination
      from WAT. SFF values of BAT are independent from its metabolic activity, making
      SFF a more reliable parameter for BAT than the commonly used PET signal. However,
      with the intent to investigate both the composition of BAT and its activation
      status, hybrid PET/MR imaging might provide supplemental information.

PMID- 26272811
TI  - Impact of Image-Derived Input Function and Fit Time Intervals on Patlak
      Quantification of Myocardial Glucose Uptake in Mice.
AB  - Limited blood volume in mice precludes repeated sampling, rendering a reliable
      image-derived input function (IDIF) desirable for quantification of glucose
      uptake. We aimed to compare different IDIF volumes and to evaluate the effects of
      changing fit time interval on Patlak uptake kinetics in hearts of healthy mice.
      METHODS: C57BL/6 mice (n=27) were studied under a range of metabolic conditions:
      no intervention (ctl), overnight fasting, insulin and glucose (6 mU/g, 1 mg/g)
      under isoflurane, and under ketamine-xylazine anesthesia to suppress glucose
      uptake. Dynamic PET imaging with 18F-FDG (7.7+/-0.9 MBq) was conducted. Images
      were analyzed using left ventricle cavity, left atrial cavity, or inferior vena
      cava as the IDIF. Patlak analysis was conducted using variable fit time
      intervals: automated fit, fit from 10 to 60 min (late), fit from 2 to 30 min
      (early), or fit from 2 to 10 min (very early). RESULTS: Both the ventricle and
      the atrial cavities displayed spill-in from the myocardium in late frames as
      compared with the vena cava (percentage injected dose per gram, ctl: 21.4+/-6.1
      vs. 10.0+/-3.9 vs. 2.5+/-0.3, P<0.001). Higher and more rapid passage of peak
      activity was observed in the vena cava, but the area under the curve over 2 min
      was similar. The Patlak slope was significantly higher for the vena cava than
      atrial IDIF (mL/g/min, ctl: 0.11+/-0.02 vs. 0.07+/-0.01; fasting: 0.09+/-0.03 vs.
      0.06+/-0.02; insulin: 0.52+/-0.09 vs. 0.23+/-0.12; ketamine-xylazine: 0.001+/
      0.001 vs. 0.002+/-0.002; P<0.01). The rate of glucose uptake was similarly
      elevated depending on the IDIF (P<0.01). The various IDIF Patlak values were
      significantly correlated (r=0.867, P<0.001). Automated fit performed reliably in
      untreated, fasted, and ketamine-xylazine-treated mice, with no statistical
      difference compared with late, early, or very early fits. The Patlak composite
      rate constant (Ki) was markedly underestimated with automated and late fit after
      acute insulin treatment, reflecting the rapid early 18F-FDG uptake. CONCLUSION:
      The choice of IDIF has a profound effect on Patlak kinetics and calculated 18F
      FDG uptake. Adjustment of the time interval for fit may be necessary for accurate
      calculations, particularly with acute insulin treatment. Even without partial
      volume correction, the inferior vena cava provides a reliable and reproducible
      IDIF for Patlak analysis of myocardial glucose uptake in mice.

PMID- 26272810
TI  - Decreased Nicotinic Receptor Availability in Smokers with Slow Rates of Nicotine
      Metabolism.
AB  - The nicotine metabolite ratio (NMR), a stable measure of hepatic nicotine
      metabolism via the CYP2A6 pathway and total nicotine clearance, is a predictive
      biomarker of response to nicotine replacement therapy, with increased quit rates
      in slower metabolizers. Nicotine binds directly to nicotinic acetylcholine
      receptors (nAChRs) to exert its psychoactive effects. This study examined the
      relationship between NMR and nAChR (alpha4beta2* subtype) availability using PET
      imaging of the radiotracer 2-(18)F-fluoro-3-(2(S)-azetidinylmethoxy)pyridine (2
      (18)F-FA-85380, or 2-(18)F-FA). METHODS: Twenty-four smokers-12 slow metabolizers
      (NMR < 0.26) and 12 normal metabolizers (NMR >= 0.26)-underwent 2-(18)F-FA-PET
      brain imaging after overnight nicotine abstinence (18 h before scanning), using a
      validated bolus-plus-infusion protocol. Availability of nAChRs was compared
      between NMR groups in a priori volumes of interest, with total distribution
      volume (VT/fP) being the measure of nAChR availability. Cravings to smoke were
      assessed before and after the scans. RESULTS: Thalamic nAChR alpha4beta2*
      availability was significantly reduced in slow nicotine metabolizers (P = 0.04).
      Slow metabolizers exhibited greater reductions in cravings after scanning than
      normal metabolizers; however, craving was unrelated to nAChR availability.
      CONCLUSION: The rate of nicotine metabolism is associated with thalamic nAChR
      availability. Additional studies could examine whether altered nAChR availability
      underlies the differences in treatment response between slow and normal
      metabolizers of nicotine.

PMID- 26272813
TI  - Neoadjuvant Treatment of Nonfunctioning Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors with
      [177Lu-DOTA0,Tyr3]Octreotate.
AB  - Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are rare neoplasms for which surgery has
      almost the only potential for cure. When surgery is not possible because of tumor
      size and vascular involvement, neoadjuvant treatment with [(177)Lu
      DOTA(0),Tyr(3)]octreotate ((177)Lu-octreotate) may be an option. METHODS: We
      studied 29 Dutch patients with a pathology-proven nonfunctioning pancreatic NET
      treated with (177)Lu-octreotate. All patients had a borderline or unresectable
      pancreatic tumor (group 1) or oligometastatic disease (defined as <=3 liver
      metastases) (group 2). Progression-free survival (PFS) was analyzed using the
      Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards modeling. RESULTS: After the
      treatment with (177)Lu-octreotate, successful surgery was performed in 9 of 29
      patients (31%). Six patients had a Whipple procedure, 2 patients had a pylorus
      preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy, and 1 patient had a distal pancreatectomy and
      splenectomy. The median PFS was 69 mo for patients with successful surgery and 49
      mo for the other patients. For comparison, the median PFS in 90 other patients
      with a nonfunctioning pancreatic NET with more than 3 liver metastases or other
      metastases was 25 mo. CONCLUSION: Neoadjuvant treatment with (177)Lu-octreotate
      is a valuable option for patients with initially unresectable pancreatic NETs.

PMID- 26272815
TI  - Validity Comparison of Three Dental Methods for Age Estimation Based on Tooth
      Root Translucency.
AB  - Age estimation of nonliving subjects plays a very important role in identifying
      human remains. When adult remains are in question, this process becomes even more
      complex. Among the numerous dental methods that exist for adults aging, the
      evaluation of root translucency is one of the most useful. This study studies the
      correlation between age and root translucency by investigating monoradicular
      teeth affected by pathological processes using the equations proposed by
      Lamendin, Prince & Ubelaker and from Singhal et al. The average age values
      calculated according to the three methods were compared with the values of known
      age. Age estimation using the Student's t-test resulted as more accurate in the
      methods by Singhal et al. and by Prince & Ubelaker, with respect to that of
      Lamendin. Age estimation based solely on the percentage of radicular dentinal
      translucency has been found to be more accurate when diseased teeth are involved.

PMID- 26272812
TI  - In Vivo Imaging of Natural Killer Cell Trafficking in Tumors.
AB  - Natural killer cells (NKs) are important effectors of the innate immune system,
      with marked antitumor activity. Imaging NK trafficking in vivo may be relevant to
      following up the efficacy of new therapeutic approaches aiming at increasing
      tumor-infiltrating NKs (TINKs). The specific aims of present study were to
      efficiently target NKs using a 99mTc-anti-CD56 and to image human NK trafficking
      in SCID mice bearing human cancer. METHODS: The anti-CD56 monoclonal antibody
      (mAb) was radiolabeled with 99mTc, and in vitro quality controls were performed
      to test labeling efficiency, stability, and binding affinity to CD56. In vivo
      biodistribution was determined by injecting 5.5 MBq (104 ng) of radiolabeled
      antibody in the tail vein of SCID mice, which were then sacrificed at 1, 3, 6,
      and 24 h after injection. Targeting experiments were performed on 2 groups of
      SCID mice inoculated subcutaneously with increasing numbers of human NKs in the
      right thigh (from 2.5*10(6) to 40*10(6)) and human granulocytes (CD56-) or
      anaplastic thyroid cancer (ARO) cells in the contralateral thigh as control. TINK
      trafficking imaging was achieved by injecting 5.5 MBq of 99mTc-anti-CD56 mAb in
      SCID mice bearing ARO tumor xenografts in the right thigh, 24 h after being
      reconstituted with 10(5), 10(6), or 10(7) human NKs. RESULTS: Anti-CD56 mAb was
      radiolabeled, achieving a radiochemical purity of more than 97% and a specific
      activity of 3,700 MBq/mg and retaining biochemical integrity and binding
      activity. In vivo studies revealed physiologic uptake in the liver and kidneys.
      Targeting experiments confirmed the specificity of labeled antibody to CD56+
      cells. Human NK cells injected in CD1 nude mice accumulated in the ARO tumors
      within 24 h and were imaged as early as 3 h after intravenous administration of
      (99m)Tc-anti-CD56. CONCLUSION: 99mTc-anti-CD56 is a promising tool for in vivo
      imaging of TINK cell trafficking.

PMID- 26272814
TI  - Administration of Radioactive Iodine Therapy Within 1 Year After Total
      Thyroidectomy Does Not Affect Vocal Function.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of radioactive iodine
      therapy (RIT) on vocal function during the early follow-up period after total
      thyroidectomy (TT) using perceptive and objective measurements, questionnaires
      regarding subjective symptoms, and data on vocal function in a prospectively
      enrolled and serially followed thyroid cancer cohort. METHODS: Of 212 patients
      who underwent TT and were screened between January and December 2010 at our
      hospital, 160 were included in the final analysis. Patients with the following
      histories were excluded: lateral neck dissection, organic vocal fold disease,
      external radiotherapy, and voice evaluation during thyroxine withdrawal. Patients
      were stratified into 3 groups: TT, TT with low-dose RIT (1.1-2.2 GBq), and TT
      with high-dose RIT (>=3.7 GBq). Voice evaluations were performed before surgery
      and at 1, 6, and 12 mo after TT. RESULTS: Vocal characteristics were altered
      after TT, including changes on the grade, roughness, and strain scale; increased
      amplitude perturbation; decreased fundamental frequency; narrowed pitch range;
      and global disturbances in subjective functional parameters on the voice handicap
      index. However, the degree of vocal changes among the 3 groups did not
      significantly differ within the 1-y postoperative follow-up period. According to
      the results of subgroup analyses of patients who demonstrated good voice outcomes
      after TT, there were no significant functional differences among the 3 groups.
      CONCLUSION: RIT at any dose does not affect vocal function within 1 y of TT.

PMID- 26272816
TI  - Surgical Ventricular Septal Myectomy for Patients With Noonan Syndrome and
      Symptomatic Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Obstruction.
AB  - Approximately 20% to 30% of patients with Noonan syndrome (NS) have asymmetric
      left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and LV outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO). The
      role of surgical myectomy in such patients is unknown. We sought to compare
      clinical features and outcomes of patients with NS and LVOTO with age- and gender
      matched patients with nonsyndromic, obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HC)
      after myectomy. Two cohorts were selected and retrospectively analyzed using Mayo
      Clinic databases from 1996 to 2014. Subjects included patients with NS with LVH
      and LVOTO and nonsyndromic controls with obstructive HC. Twenty-three patients
      with NS and LVH were identified, of whom 12 (8 males) underwent myectomy (10
      septal and 2 combined septal/apical) for severe LVOTO (10 pediatric and 2 adults;
      13 +/- 10 year old [range 1 to 39]). Similar echocardiographic improvements were
      noted in both groups. There were no perioperative deaths. Residual gradients were
      slightly higher in patients with NS. No improvement was noted in left atrial
      volume after myectomy in patients with NS. At early follow-up, the majority
      showed improvement in the New York Heart Association class (88% in NS vs 82% in
      HC, median of 6 and 2 months, respectively). At late follow-up (median of 7
      years), the survival rate was 92% in NS and 100% in HC. In patients with NS with
      LVH and symptomatic LVOTO, myectomy reduces both gradient and the New York Heart
      Association class, similar to patients with nonsyndromic obstructive HC. Residual
      gradients were slightly higher, and left atrial dilation persisted in patients
      with NS. In conclusion, myectomy should be considered in patients older than 1
      year with NS and symptomatic LVOTO. 

PMID- 26272817
TI  - Mechanical forces regulate the interactions of fibronectin and collagen I in
      extracellular matrix.
AB  - Despite the crucial role of extracellular matrix (ECM) in directing cell fate in
      healthy and diseased tissues--particularly in development, wound healing, tissue
      regeneration and cancer--the mechanisms that direct the assembly and regulate
      hierarchical architectures of ECM are poorly understood. Collagen I matrix
      assembly in vivo requires active fibronectin (Fn) fibrillogenesis by cells. Here
      we exploit Fn-FRET probes as mechanical strain sensors and demonstrate that
      collagen I fibres preferentially co-localize with more-relaxed Fn fibrils in the
      ECM of fibroblasts in cell culture. Fibre stretch-assay studies reveal that
      collagen I's Fn-binding domain is responsible for the mechano-regulated
      interaction. Furthermore, we show that Fn-collagen interactions are reciprocal:
      relaxed Fn fibrils act as multivalent templates for collagen assembly, but once
      assembled, collagen fibres shield Fn fibres from being stretched by cellular
      traction forces. Thus, in addition to the well-recognized, force-regulated, cell
      matrix interactions, forces also tune the interactions between different
      structural ECM components.

PMID- 26272818
TI  - Loss of primary cilia correlates with cytologic severity in dysplastic
      melanocytic nevi.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Primary cilia are ubiquitously present in cell surface organelles
      with essential functions in cellular proliferation, differentiation and
      development. We have previously shown that cilia in melanoma in situ, invasive
      melanoma and metastatic melanoma are nearly completely lost, whereas benign nevi
      are ciliated. Dysplastic nevi (DN) have a wide range of histopathologic features
      from mild (low-grade) to severe (high-grade) cytologic atypia and represent a key
      clinical and histopathologic marker for melanomagenesis. We sought to identify
      whether cilia are retained in these melanocytic lesions and whether increasing
      degree of dysplasia correlates with loss of ciliation. METHODS: We measured the
      percentage of ciliated melanocytes (ciliation index) in DN with mild (n = 9) and
      severe dysplasia (n = 10). We identified the primary cilium and basal bodies by
      immunofluorescence staining of sections with acetylated alpha-tubulin and gamma
      tubulin, respectively. RESULTS: Our results showed a significant decrease in the
      ciliation index from mild dysplastic (55%) to severe DN (14%) (p = 0.005).
      CONCLUSIONS: These data support the hypothesis that primary cilium loss may play
      a role in the underlying biology of severe DN. The ciliation index is a novel
      quantitative tool that may increase the reproducibility in grading severity of
      dysplasia for diagnostic and clinical management of melanocytic neoplasms.

PMID- 26272819
TI  - Sequential replication-coupled destruction at G1/S ensures genome stability.
AB  - Timely ubiquitin-mediated protein degradation is fundamental to cell cycle
      control, but the precise degradation order at each cell cycle phase transition is
      still unclear. We investigated the degradation order among substrates of a single
      human E3 ubiquitin ligase, CRL4(Cdt2), which mediates the S-phase degradation of
      key cell cycle proteins, including Cdt1, PR-Set7, and p21. Our analysis of
      synchronized cells and asynchronously proliferating live single cells revealed a
      consistent order of replication-coupled destruction during both S-phase entry and
      DNA repair; Cdt1 is destroyed first, whereas p21 destruction is always
      substantially later than that of Cdt1. These differences are attributable to the
      CRL4(Cdt2) targeting motif known as the PIP degron, which binds DNA-loaded
      proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA(DNA)) and recruits CRL4(Cdt2). Fusing
      Cdt1's PIP degron to p21 causes p21 to be destroyed nearly concurrently with Cdt1
      rather than consecutively. This accelerated degradation conferred by the Cdt1 PIP
      degron is accompanied by more effective Cdt2 recruitment by Cdt1 even though p21
      has higher affinity for PCNA(DNA). Importantly, cells with artificially
      accelerated p21 degradation display evidence of stalled replication in mid-S
      phase and sensitivity to replication arrest. We therefore propose that sequential
      degradation ensures orderly S-phase progression to avoid replication stress and
      genome instability. 

PMID- 26272822
TI  - Erratum: Targeted disruption of a single sex pheromone receptor gene completely
      abolishes in vivo pheromone response in the silkmoth.

PMID- 26272821
TI  - Effects of non-surgical factors on digital replantation survival rate: a meta
      analysis.
AB  - This study aimed to evaluate the risk factors affecting survival rate of digital
      replantation by a meta-analysis. A computer retrieval of MEDLINE, OVID, EMBASE,
      and CNKI databases was conducted to identify citations for digital replantation
      with digit or finger or thumb or digital or fingertip and replantation as
      keywords. RevMan 5.2 software was used to calculate the pooled odds ratios. In
      total, there were 4678 amputated digits in 2641 patients. Gender and ischemia
      time had no significant influence on the survival rate of amputation replantation
      (P > 0.05). Age, injured hand, injury type, zone, and the method of preservation
      the amputated digit significantly influence the survival rate of digital
      replantation (P < 0.05). Children, right hand, crush, or avulsion and little
      finger are the risk factors that adversely affect the outcome. THE LEVEL OF
      EVIDENCE: Level 5*.

PMID- 26272820
TI  - Neurofibromatosis-1 regulation of neural stem cell proliferation and multilineage
      differentiation operates through distinct RAS effector pathways.
AB  - Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder caused by
      impaired function of the neurofibromin RAS regulator. Using a combination of Nf1
      genetically engineered mice and pharmacological/genetic inhibition approaches, we
      report that neurofibromin differentially controls neural stem cell (NSC)
      proliferation and multilineage differentiation through the selective use of the
      PI3K/AKT and RAF/MEK pathways. While PI3K/AKT governs neurofibromin-regulated NSC
      proliferation, multilineage differentiation is MEK-dependent. Moreover, whereas
      MEK-regulated multilineage differentiation requires Smad3-induced Jagged-1
      expression and Notch activation, MEK/Smad3-regulated Hes1 induction is only
      responsible for astrocyte and neuronal differentiation. Collectively, these
      findings establish distinct roles for the RAS effector pathways in regulating
      brain NSC function. 

PMID- 26272823
TI  - Growth characteristics of Lactobacillus brevis KB290 in the presence of bile.
AB  - Live Lactobacillus brevis KB290 have several probiotic activities, including
      immune stimulation and modulation of intestinal microbial balance. We
      investigated the adaptation of L. brevis KB290 to bile as a mechanism of
      intestinal survival. Strain KB290 was grown for 5 days at 37  degrees C in
      tryptone-yeast extract-glucose (TYG) broth supplemented with 0.5% sodium acetate
      (TYGA) containing 0.15%, 0.3%, or 0.5% bile. Growth was determined by absorbance
      at 620 nm or by dry weight. Growth was enhanced as the broth's bile concentration
      increased. Bile-enhanced growth was not observed in TYG broth or with xylose or
      fructose as the carbon source, although strain KB290 could assimilate these
      sugars. Compared with cells grown without bile, cells grown with bile had twice
      the cell yield (dry weight) and higher hydrophobicity, which may improve
      epithelial adhesion. Metabolite analysis revealed that bile induced more lactate
      production by glycolysis, thus enhancing growth efficiency. Scanning electron
      microscopy revealed that cells cultured without bile for 5 days in TYGA broth had
      a shortened rod shape and showed lysis and aggregation, unlike cells cultured for
      1 day; cells grown with bile for 5 days had an intact rod shape and rarely
      appeared damaged. Cellular material leakage through autolysis was lower in the
      presence of bile than in its absence. Thus lysis of strain KB290 cells cultured
      for extended periods was suppressed in the presence of bile. This study provides
      new role of bile and sodium acetate for retaining an intact cell shape and
      enhancing cell yield, which are beneficial for intestinal survival. 

PMID- 26272824
TI  - EASL Recognition Award Recipient 2015: Prof. Roberto de Franchis.

PMID- 26272825
TI  - Structural insights into the O2 reduction mechanism of multicopper oxidase.
AB  - Multicopper oxidases are ubiquitous enzymes that catalyse the oxidation of
      various substrates via the reduction of O2 to H2O. The enzymes contain a common
      active centre consisting of four copper ions. The key component for O2 reduction
      is the trinuclear copper centre comprising one type II and a pair of type III
      copper ions. Although the crystal structures of many multicopper oxidases have
      been determined by X-ray crystallography, the geometric parameters in the
      trinuclear copper centre are different for each study. Recent studies have
      revealed that the redox state of copper ions is altered by X-ray irradiation. The
      reported crystal structures may represent mixtures of different stages of the
      catalytic reactions. In this review, we discuss recent findings related to the
      structure of the active site in multicopper oxidases. 

PMID- 26272826
TI  - Response to Letter by Dr. Lipetz.

PMID- 26272827
TI  - NMR structural characterization of the N-terminal active domain of the gyrase B
      subunit from Pseudomonas aeruginosa and its complex with an inhibitor.
AB  - The N-terminal ATP binding domain of the DNA gyrase B subunit is a validated drug
      target for antibacterial drug discovery. Structural information for this domain
      (pGyrB) from Pseudomonas aeruginosa is still missing. In this study, the
      interaction between pGyrB and a bis-pyridylurea inhibitor was characterized using
      several biophysical methods. We further carried out structural analysis of pGyrB
      using NMR spectroscopy. The secondary structures of free and inhibitor bound
      pGyrB were obtained based on backbone chemical shift assignment. Chemical shift
      perturbation and NOE experiments demonstrated that the inhibitor binds to the ATP
      binding pocket. The results of this study will be helpful for drug development
      targeting P. aeruginosa. 

PMID- 26272828
TI  - Redox-coupled structural changes of the catalytic a' domain of protein disulfide
      isomerase.
AB  - Protein disulfide isomerase functions as a folding catalyst in the endoplasmic
      reticulum. Its b' and a' domains provide substrate-binding sites and undergo a
      redox-dependent domain rearrangement coupled to an open-closed structural change.
      Here we determined the first solution structure of the a' domain in its oxidized
      form and thereby demonstrate that oxidation of the a' domain induces significant
      conformational changes not only in the vicinity of the active site but also in
      the distal b'-interfacial segment. Based on these findings, we propose that this
      conformational transition triggers the domain segregation coupled with the
      exposure of the hydrophobic surface. 

PMID- 26272831
TI  - Shaping the Future of Cognitive Science.
AB  - For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26272830
TI  - A case study of air quality above an urban roof top vegetable farm.
AB  - The effect of elevation and rooftop configuration on local air quality was
      investigated at the Brooklyn Grange rooftop farm during a short-term
      observational campaign. Using multiple particle counters and sonic anemometers
      deployed along vertical gradients, we found that PM2.5 concentration decayed with
      height above the street. Samples adjacent to the street had the highest average
      PM2.5 concentration and frequent stochastic spikes above background. Rooftop
      observations 26 m above ground showed 7-33% reductions in average PM2.5
      concentration compared with the curbside and had far fewer spikes. A relationship
      between the vertical extinction rate of PM2.5 and atmospheric stability was found
      whereby less unstable atmosphere and greater wind shear led to greater PM2.5
      extinction due to damped vertical motion of air. 

PMID- 26272832
TI  - The gestural origins of language.
AB  - The idea that language evolved from manual gestures rather than primate calls
      dates back at least to the 18th century, and was revived in modern form by the
      anthropologist, Gordon W. Hewes, in 1973. The main sources of current evidence
      are: (1) Signed languages invented by deaf communities share with speech the
      essential characteristics of language, including such properties as reference,
      generativity, grammar, and prosody; (2) Great apes in captivity are much better
      able to learn intentional communication systems based on manual gestures than to
      acquire speech; (3) The manual gestures of chimpanzees in the wild are more
      flexible and context-independent than their vocalizations; (4) The mirror system
      in the primate brain provides a natural platform for the evolution of language;
      it represents manual gestures and some nonvocal oral movements, but not
      vocalizations. Vocal gestures were probably incorporated into the mirror system
      late in hominin evolution, perhaps only with the emergence of our own species,
      Homo sapiens. Copyright (c) 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. For further resources
      related to this article, please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26272833
TI  - Deductive reasoning.
AB  - This article begins with an account of logic, and of how logicians formulate
      formal rules of inference for the sentential calculus, which hinges on analogs of
      negation and the connectives if, or, and and. It considers the various ways in
      which computer scientists have written programs to prove the validity of
      inferences in this and other domains. Finally, it outlines the principal
      psychological theories of how human reasoners carry out deductions. Copyright (c)
      2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. For further resources related to this article,
      please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26272829
TI  - E. coli MG1655 modulates its phospholipid composition through the cell cycle.
AB  - This paper describes a study of the phospholipid profile of Escherichia coli
      MG1655 cultures at the B and D periods of the cell cycle. The results indicate
      that the phosphatidyl glycerol fraction grows relatively rapidly and that the
      size of the cardiolipin (CL) fraction does not grow at all during cell
      elongation. This is consistent with observations that CL is located
      preferentially at the poles of E. coli. It also suggests that lipid production is
      controlled as a function of the cell cycle. 

PMID- 26272834
TI  - Neurolaw.
AB  - Less than three decades ago, the fields of cognitive psychology and neuroscience
      joined forces to form cognitive neuroscience. More recently, neuroscience has
      combined with social psychology and with economics to produce social neuroscience
      and neuroeconomics. Each of these amalgamations has been revolutionary in its own
      way. Neurolaw extends this trend. Copyright (c) 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. For
      further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26272835
TI  - Comparative cultural cognition.
AB  - Cultural learning is an adaptive mechanism which can lead to changes in behavior
      and cognition much faster than naturally selected genetic change. Although social
      learning is prevalent in many species, the capacity for significant cumulative
      culture remains restricted to humans. This capacity has been a driving force
      behind the evolution of complexity in our technologies and societies, and has
      allowed us to become the most widespread mammal on earth. The comparative study
      of cultural cognition assesses where important differences lie between species. A
      combination of observational studies in the wild, experimental studies in
      captivity, and field experiments together provide the most comprehensive methods
      with which to tackle the question. Copyright (c) 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. For
      further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26272836
TI  - Representation, philosophical issues about.
AB  - The concept of representation plays a central role in philosophical and
      scientific theorizing about the mind, and according to the representational
      theory of mind (RTM), a wide variety of cognitive and perceptual capacities are
      best explained in terms of the occurrence and processing of mental
      representations. The concept of representation remains elusive, however, and
      there is no widespread agreement among philosophers or cognitive scientists over
      what it is for one thing to represent another. One reason for the lack of
      consensus is that philosophers and scientists deploy the concept in many
      different ways for many different purposes. Another reason for the lack of
      consensus is that, while it is generally agreed that a scientifically useful
      notion of representation should be informed and constrained by what we know about
      brains, there is disagreement over what contemporary neuroscience does or does
      not suggest about the nature of representation. This article discusses some of
      the key issues involved in developing a general theory of mental representation,
      in light of these divergent purposes and conflicting views. Copyright (c) 2009
      John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. For further resources related to this article, please
      visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26272837
TI  - Government-binding/principles and parameters theory.
AB  - Principles and Parameters Theory is an approach to the study of the human
      language capacity based on an abstract underlying representation and operations
      called 'transformations' successively altering that structure. It has gradually
      evolved from the Government and Binding Theory to the Minimalist Program.
      Copyright (c) 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. For further resources related to this
      article, please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26272838
TI  - Attention and consciousness.
AB  - For the past three decades there has been a substantial amount of scientific
      evidence supporting the view that attention is necessary and sufficient for
      perceptual representations to become conscious (i.e., for there to be something
      that it is like to experience a representational perceptual state). This view,
      however, has been recently questioned on the basis of some alleged
      counterevidence. In this paper we survey some of the most important recent
      findings. In doing so, we have two primary goals. The first is descriptive: we
      provide a literature review for those seeking an understanding of the present
      debate. The second is editorial: we suggest that the evidence alleging
      dissociations between consciousness and attention is not decisive. Thus, this is
      an opinionated overview of the debate. By presenting our assessment, we hope to
      bring out both sides in the debate and to underscore that the issues here remain
      matters of intense controversy and ongoing investigation. Copyright (c) 2009 John
      Wiley & Sons, Ltd. For further resources related to this article, please visit
      the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26272839
TI  - Social neuroscience.
AB  - Social species, by definition, create emergent organizations beyond the
      individual that range in humans from dyads, families, and groups to cities,
      civilizations, and cultures. These emergent structures evolved hand-in-hand with
      neural, hormonal, and genetic mechanisms to support them because the consequent
      social behaviors helped these organisms survive, reproduce, and care for
      offspring sufficiently long that they too survived to reproduce. Social
      neuroscience is concerned with investigating these emergent structures and the
      underlying neural, hormonal, and genetic mechanisms that make them possible. As
      such, it represents an interdisciplinary approach devoted to understanding how
      biological systems implement social processes and behavior, and to using
      biological concepts and methods to inform and refine theories of social processes
      and behavior. Copyright (c) 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. For further resources
      related to this article, please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26272840
TI  - Categorical perception.
AB  - Categorical perception (CP) is the phenomenon by which the categories possessed
      by an observer influences the observers' perception. Experimentally, CP is
      revealed when an observer's ability to make perceptual discriminations between
      things is better when those things belong to different categories rather than the
      same category, controlling for the physical difference between the things. We
      consider several core questions related to CP: Is it caused by innate and/or
      learned categories, how early in the information processing stream do categories
      influence perception, and what is the relation between ongoing linguistic
      processing and CP? CP for both speech and visual entities are surveyed, as are
      computational and mathematical models of CP. CP is an important phenomenon in
      cognitive science because it represents an essential adaptation of perception to
      support categorizations that an organism needs to make. Sensory signals that
      could be linearly related to physical qualities are warped in a nonlinear manner,
      transforming analog inputs into quasi-digital, quasi-symbolic encodings.
      Copyright (c) 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. For further resources related to this
      article, please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26272841
TI  - Risk attitude and preference.
AB  - Citizens of Western countries are asked to make an increasing number of decisions
      that involve risk, from decisions about how much and how to save for their old
      age to choices among medical treatments and medical insurance plans. At the same
      time, uncertainty about choice outcomes has gone up as the result of ever faster
      social, environmental, and technological change. Accuracy in predicting what
      choices people will make, at least in the aggregate, is an important determinant
      for the success of public policy interventions. In addition, corporate and public
      policy often tries to influence and modify people's choices in the face of risk
      and uncertainty, for example, getting people to save more of their income or
      getting women to invest in less conservative instruments. Understanding the
      processes that underlie risky decisions and the drivers of risk taking is
      critical to both agendas. Copyright (c) 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. For further
      resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26272842
TI  - Animal learning.
AB  - Pavlov and Thorndike pioneered the experimental study of animal learning and
      provided psychologists with powerful tools to unveil its underlying mechanisms.
      Today's research developments and theoretical analyses owe much to the pioneering
      work of these early investigators. Nevertheless, in the evolution of our
      knowledge about animal learning, some initial conceptions have been challenged
      and revised. We first review the original experimental procedures and findings of
      Pavlov and Thorndike. Next, we discuss critical research and consequent
      controversies which have greatly shaped animal learning theory. For example,
      although contiguity seemed to be the only condition that is necessary for
      learning, we now know that it is not sufficient; the conditioned stimulus (CS)
      also has to provide information about the occurrence of the unconditioned
      stimulus (US). Also, animals appear to learn different things about the same
      stimuli when circumstances vary. For instance, when faced with situations in
      which the meaning of a CS changes, as in the case of acquisition and later
      extinction, animals seem to preserve the original knowledge (CS-US) in addition
      to learning about the new conditions (CS-noUS). Finally, we discuss how parallels
      among Pavlovian conditioning, operant conditioning, and human causal judgment
      suggest that causal knowledge may lie at the root of both human and animal
      learning. All of these empirical findings and theoretical developments prove that
      animal learning is more complex and intricate than was once imagined. Copyright
      (c) 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. For further resources related to this article,
      please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26272843
TI  - Episodic memory versus episodic foresight: Similarities and differences.
AB  - There are logical and empirical grounds that link episodic memory and the ability
      to imagine future events. In some sense, both episodic memory and episodic
      foresight may be regarded as two sides of the same capacity to travel mentally in
      time. After reviewing some of the recent evidence for commonalities, I discuss
      limits of these parallels. There are fundamental differences between thinking
      about past and future events that need to be kept in clear view if we are to make
      progress in understanding the nature of mental time travel. The reviewed evidence
      suggests that mental time travel is based on a complex system selected not for
      accuracy about past and future per se, but for fitness benefits. Functional
      analyses promise to lead to fruitful avenues for future research. Copyright (c)
      2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. For further resources related to this article,
      please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26272844
TI  - Brain injury: recovery and rehabilitation.
AB  - This paper discusses contributing factors relating to recovery and rehabilitation
      among patients who have sustained nonprogressive brain injury. Following a brief
      description of conditions observed in people with brain damage and their
      incidence and prevalence, the paper then focuses on survivors of traumatic brain
      injury (TBI), concentrating particularly on recovery and rehabilitation within
      this group. As recovery means different things to different people, the term is
      used here to mean partial recovery of function together with substitution of
      function.1 Consideration is given to factors influencing recovery from TBI,
      particularly age, gender, and cognitive reserve. Mechanisms of recovery are also
      examined, particularly regeneration, diaschisis, and plasticity. Attention is
      then focused on rehabilitation, a process whereby survivors of brain injury are
      helped to attain their optimum level of functioning and return to their own most
      appropriate environments. Cognitive rehabilitation is typically aimed at helping
      people compensate for their difficulties. The need to treat cognitive, emotional,
      and psychosocial consequences of brain injury is recognized, and different
      approaches to rehabilitation are described together with the main changes seen in
      the past few years. Finally, evidence for the success of neuropsychological
      rehabilitation is presented. Copyright (c) 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. For
      further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26272845
TI  - Attractor networks.
AB  - An attractor network is a network of neurons with excitatory interconnections
      that can settle into a stable pattern of firing. This article shows how attractor
      networks in the cerebral cortex are important for long-term memory, short-term
      memory, attention, and decision making. The article then shows how the random
      firing of neurons can influence the stability of these networks by introducing
      stochastic noise, and how these effects are involved in probabilistic decision
      making, and implicated in some disorders of cortical function such as poor short
      term memory and attention, schizophrenia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
      Copyright (c) 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. For further resources related to this
      article, please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26272846
TI  - Development of cross-modal processing.
AB  - The ability to process and integrate cross-modal input is important for many
      everyday tasks. The current paper reviews theoretical and empirical work
      examining cross-modal processing with a focus on recent findings examining
      infants' and children's processing of arbitrary auditory-visual pairings. The
      current paper puts forward a potential mechanism that may account for modality
      dominance effects found in a variety of cognitive tasks. The mechanism assumes
      that although early processing of auditory and visual input is parallel,
      attention is allocated in a serial manner with the modality that is faster to
      engage attention dominating later processing. Details of the mechanism, factors
      influencing processing of arbitrary auditory-visual pairings, and implications
      for higher-order tasks are discussed. Copyright (c) 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
      For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website. 

PMID- 26272848
TI  - [Ameliorer l'experience des patients par la personnalisation des services de
      sante].
AB  - De nombreux leaders trouvent difficile de mobiliser les patients, dont les
      attentes envers les services de sante exigent desormais une approche plus
      personnalisee. Le present article porte sur les tendances de consommation qui
      influent sur la mobilisation et l'autonomisation des patients a l'egard des
      technologies numeriques. Eclaires par les tendances de consommation et de sante
      en population susceptibles de personnaliser les services de sante, les leaders
      peuvent adopter trois strategies pour renforcer l'experience des patients :
      mettre davantage l'accent sur la sante et le bien-etre personnels, amorcer un
      virage vers des soins de sante personnalises plutot que normalises et faciliter
      la democratisation de l'information en matiere de sante. 

PMID- 26272849
TI  - Interventions to Improve Adolescent Vaccination: What May Work and What Still
      Needs to Be Tested.
AB  - Since the development of the "adolescent platform" of vaccination in 1997,
      hundreds of studies have been conducted, identifying barriers to and facilitators
      of adolescent vaccination. More recent research has focused on developing and
      evaluating interventions to increase uptake of adolescent vaccines. This review
      describes a selection of recent intervention studies for increasing adolescent
      vaccination, divided into three categories: those with promising results that may
      warrant more widespread implementation, those with mixed results requiring more
      research, and those with proven effectiveness in other domains that have not yet
      been tested with regard to adolescent vaccination. 

PMID- 26272847
TI  - Classification systems of communication for use in epidemiological surveillance
      of children with cerebral palsy.
AB  - AIM: Children with cerebral palsy (CP) often experience communication
      difficulties. We aimed to identify a classification system for communication of
      children with CP suitable for epidemiological surveillance. METHOD: Systems to
      classify the communication of children with CP were identified. The Communication
      Function Classification System (CFCS), Functional Communication Classification
      System (FCCS), and Viking Speech Scale (VSS) were chosen for further
      investigation and translated. They were administered to 155 children aged 4 to 13
      years with CP (across all motor severity levels) from eight European countries.
      Children's parents/carers, speech therapists, and other health professionals
      applied the systems through direct observation. Other professionals applied them
      from case notes only. The systems were assessed for agreement, stability, ease,
      and feasibility of application. RESULTS: Test-retest stability was moderate-to
      high for VSS (k=0.66-0.88), CFCS (k=uncomputed-0.91), and FCCS (k=0.52-0.91).
      Overall interrater agreement was fair to very good for every classification
      system. VSS achieved the best agreement between parents/carers and speech
      therapists. VSS was considered the easiest instrument to apply. INTERPRETATION:
      Because of its ease of use by a range of healthcare professionals, the VSS should
      be considered for CP registers which intend to survey speech intelligibility. For
      a wider assessment of communication, the CFCS or FCC should be considered.

PMID- 26272850
TI  - Cosolvency approach for assessing the solubility of drugs in
      poly(vinylpyrrolidone).
AB  - The log-linear cosolvency model was applied for estimating the solubility of four
      drugs: ritonavir, griseofulvin, itraconazole and ketoconazole in
      poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP). Cosolvent mixtures consisted of PVP mixed in
      different proportions with N-ethylpyrrolidone, which served as the monomeric
      analogue of the repeating unit of the polymer. Solubility in the monomer-polymer
      mixtures was determined by HPLC. As the configuration of the solvating unit in
      the solvent mixture changed from entirely monomeric to increasingly polymeric,
      the solubility of the drugs decreased in a fashion that follows the log-linear
      cosolvency model. The linear relationship was used to obtain estimates for the
      solubility of the drugs in the different grades of PVP. The solubility of the
      drugs in PVP is low (from <1% to ~15% w/w). Among the set of drug solutes,
      ritonavir exhibited the highest solubility in PVP (w/w). Mixing with the monomer
      is most favorable for griseofulvin among the four drugs. However, the detrimental
      effect of polymerization on its solubility is more pronounced than for ritonavir.
      The mixing of itraconazole with the monomer is more favorable than the mixing of
      ketoconazole. However, despite the molecular similarity between ketaconazole and
      itraconazole, the solubility of the latter is particularly affected by the
      polymeric configuration of the solvating unit, to the point of exhibiting
      differences in solubility resulting from the chain length of the grade of PVP
      used. The log-linear cosolvency model is a useful tool for estimating the
      solubility of the drugs in the polymer at room temperature, while providing
      quantitative information on the differences in mixing behavior of the four model
      compounds. 

PMID- 26272852
TI  - Reply to: Letter to the editor on "A comparison of primary and delayed wound
      closure in severe open tibial fractures initially treated with internal fixation
      and vacuum-assisted wound coverage: A case-controlled study".

PMID- 26272851
TI  - Computed Tomography Imaging in Patients with Congenital Heart Disease Part I:
      Rationale and Utility. An Expert Consensus Document of the Society of
      Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT): Endorsed by the Society of Pediatric
      Radiology (SPR) and the North American Society of Cardiac Imaging (NASCI).
AB  - This is an expert consensus document created to provide information about the
      current use of cardiovascular computed tomography (CT) in patients of all ages
      with proven or suspected congenital heart disease (CHD). The discussion and
      recommendations are based on available literature and the judgment of a diverse
      group of subspecialists with extensive experience in the use of CT imaging in
      CHD. The field of CHD CT imaging is evolving rapidly with the availability of new
      scanner technology. In addition, the prevalence of palliated CHD has increased
      with marked improvements in patient survival. We believe it is important to
      review the clinical indications, strengths, limitations, and risks of
      cardiovascular CT in this patient population. This is the first of two
      complementary documents. It will concentrate on the disease entities and
      circumstances in which CT may be used. The second document will focus on
      recommendations for the technical performance of cardiovascular CT in patients
      with CHD. Successful cardiovascular CT imaging of CHD requires an in depth
      understanding of the core teaching elements of both cardiology and radiology. The
      ability to perform and interpret high quality congenital cardiovascular CT in a
      clinical context requires focused time and effort regardless of the previous
      background of the cardiac imager. This is reflected by a writing committee that
      consists of pediatric and adult radiologists and cardiologists, all whom have
      extensive experience in performing CT in this patient population. Cardiovascular
      CT is complementary to other imaging modalities and its optimal use will be in
      centers where all diagnostic modalities are available. The choice of modality for
      an individual patient should be determined by age, diagnosis, clinical condition,
      clinical question and patient preference.(1-4) Use of CT in CHD should be
      reserved for situations in which it is expected to provide unique diagnostic
      information for the individual patient or clinical indication, and/or less risk
      than other modalities. This multi-disciplinary document is intended to guide the
      optimal selection of CHD patients for cardiovascular CT. The goals of this
      document apply to both pediatric and adult CHD patients and are to. 

PMID- 26272853
TI  - A new cholangiojejunostomy for multiple biliary ductal openings: A study in pigs.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To investigate the safety and feasibility of a new intrahepatic
      cholangiojejunostomy for multiple intrahepatic biliary ductal openings after
      hepatobiliary resection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-eight pigs were randomly
      assigned into two groups: the new intrahepatic cholangiojejunostomy group (n =
      24); and the control group (n = 24) with classical hepaticojejunostomy. Six pigs
      in each group were sacrificed on postoperative day 7, 30, 90 and 180. The primary
      outcomes were postoperative mortality, morbidity, and the pathological changes in
      the anastomoses. The secondary outcomes were levels of aspartate transaminase,
      bilirubin, albumin and alkaline phosphate. RESULTS: The operations were
      successfully carried out. The rates of anastomotic leakage and cholangitis in the
      study group were 0% and 8.3% (2/24), while in the control group they were 4.2%
      (1/24) and 20.8% (5/24), respectively. The stenotic rates of the sectional areas
      of the anastomotic stomas in the study group were lower than those in the control
      group on postoperative day 7, 30, 90 and 180 (p < 0.001, p = 0.002, p < 0.001,
      and p = 0.001, respectively). Under microscopy, in the study group, the anterior
      wall of the stoma was everted and sunken while the posterior wall was protruded
      in a semicircular-disc shaped. The liver transection plane was epithelialized
      with mucosal covering by post-operative day 30. In the control group, however,
      the stoma was centripetally protruded with a relative circular stenosis.
      CONCLUSIONS: The new intrahepatic cholangiojejunostomy is safe, simple, and
      convenient for multiple biliary ductal openings.

PMID- 26272854
TI  - Immunogenetics of type 1 diabetes: A comprehensive review.
AB  - Type 1 diabetes (T1D) results from the autoimmune destruction of insulin
      producing beta cells in the pancreas. Prevention of T1D will require the ability
      to detect and modulate the autoimmune process before the clinical onset of
      disease. Genetic screening is a logical first step in identification of future
      patients to test prevention strategies. Susceptibility to T1D includes a strong
      genetic component, with the strongest risk attributable to genes that encode the
      classical Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA). Other genetic loci, both immune and non
      immune genes, contribute to T1D risk; however, the results of decades of small
      and large genetic linkage and association studies show clearly that the HLA genes
      confer the most disease risk and protection and can be used as part of a
      prediction strategy for T1D. Current predictive genetic models, based on HLA and
      other susceptibility loci, are effective in identifying the highest-risk
      individuals in populations of European descent. These models generally include
      screening for the HLA haplotypes "DR3" and "DR4." However, genetic variation
      among racial and ethnic groups reduces the predictive value of current models
      that are based on low resolution HLA genotyping. Not all DR3 and DR4 haplotypes
      are high T1D risk; some versions, rare in Europeans but high frequency in other
      populations, are even T1D protective. More information is needed to create
      predictive models for non-European populations. Comparative studies among
      different populations are needed to complete the knowledge base for the genetics
      of T1D risk to enable the eventual development of screening and intervention
      strategies applicable to all individuals, tailored to their individual genetic
      background. This review summarizes the current understanding of the genetic basis
      of T1D susceptibility, focusing on genes of the immune system, with particular
      emphasis on the HLA genes.

PMID- 26272855
TI  - IL-33 released by alum is responsible for early cytokine production and has
      adjuvant properties.
AB  - Human vaccines have used aluminium-based adjuvants (alum) for >80 years despite
      incomplete understanding of how alum enhances the immune response. Alum can
      induce the release of endogenous danger signals via cellular necrosis which
      elicits inflammation-associated cytokines resulting in humoral immunity. IL-33 is
      proposed to be one such danger signal that is released from necrotic cells.
      Therefore, we investigated whether there is a role for IL-33 in the adjuvant
      activity of alum. We show that alum-induced cellular necrosis results in elevated
      levels of IL-33 following injection in vivo. Alum and IL-33 induce similar
      increases in IL-5, KC, MCP-1, MIP-1alpha and MIP-1beta; many of which are
      dependent on IL-33 as shown in IL-33 knockout mice or by using an IL-33
      neutralizing recombinant ST2 receptor. Furthermore, IL-33 itself functions as an
      adjuvant that, while only inducing a marginal primary response, facilitates a
      robust secondary response comparable to that observed with alum. However, IL-33
      is not absolutely required for alum-induced antibody responses since alum
      mediates similar humoral responses in IL-33 knockout and wild-type mice. Our
      results provide novel insights into the mechanism of action behind alum-induced
      cytokine responses and show that IL-33 is sufficient to provide a robust
      secondary antibody response independently of alum. 

PMID- 26272857
TI  - Randomized controlled trial of self-directed versus in-classroom teaching of
      narrow-band imaging for diagnosis of Barrett's esophagus-associated neoplasia.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Previous studies have shown that narrow-band imaging (NBI)
      can be taught to inexperienced gastroenterologists. However, it is unknown
      whether in-person training is more effective than self-directed training. The
      objective of this study was to compare the accuracy of diagnosing Barrett's
      esophagus (BE)-associated neoplasia by trainees with no prior NBI experience
      between in-classroom and self-directed didactic training programs. METHODS: This
      was a randomized controlled trial that took place at 2 tertiary-care medical
      centers, involving 33 participants--12 second-year medical students, 8 first-year
      gastroenterology fellows, 7 second-year gastroenterology fellows, and 6 third
      year gastroenterology fellows. A teaching module was developed for all
      participants to review. Half of the participants were taught in a classroom
      setting by an endoscopist with expertise in NBI, whereas the other participants
      were in a self-directed group that received an automated version of the
      presentation with audio commentary. Participants completed a test of 40
      randomized NBI images, predicting the histology and indicating their confidence
      levels in the diagnosis. RESULTS: There was no difference in accuracy between the
      in-classroom and self-directed groups (57.5% vs 57.2%; P = 1.0). The in-classroom
      group had a significantly higher percentage of high-confidence answers (57.2% vs
      41.1%; P <= .01), but there was no significant difference in accuracy with these
      high-confidence answers (60.7% vs 66.4%; P = .34). There was no significant
      difference in overall accuracy or accuracy with high-confidence predictions
      between the 2 study sites (57.4% vs 55.9%, P = .58; 63.1% vs 61.4%, P = .69) or
      between gastroenterology fellows and medical students (57.8% vs 54.6%, P = .27;
      62.8% vs 60.8%, P = .62). CONCLUSIONS: The overall accuracy of predicting NBI
      patterns in BE were modest in our study participants, and there was no difference
      between self-directed and in-classroom didactic training. Self-directed learning
      of NBI is adequate for teaching NBI to trainees.

PMID- 26272858
TI  - Split-dose sodium picosulfate-magnesium citrate colonoscopy preparation achieves
      lower residual gastric volume with higher cleansing effectiveness than a previous
      day regimen.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: It is known that sodium picosulfate-magnesium citrate (SPMC)
      bowel preparations are effective, well tolerated and safe, and that split-dosing
      is more effective for colon cleansing than previous-day regimens. Anesthetic
      guidelines consider that residual gastric fluid is independent of clear liquid
      fasting times. However, reluctance to use split-dosing persists. This may be due
      to limited data on residual gastric fluid volumes (RGFVs) and split-dosing bowel
      preparations, and that these may not be perceived as standard clear liquids.
      Furthermore, no studies are available on RGFV/residual gastric fluid pH (RGFpH)
      and SPMC. We aimed to evaluate the cleansing effectiveness and the RGFV/RGFpH
      achieved after an SPMC split-dosing regimen compared with a SPMC previous-day
      regimen. METHODS: This was a single-center observational study. A total of 328
      outpatients scheduled for simultaneous EGD and colonoscopy and following a split
      dosing or previous-day regimen of SPMC were included. We prospectively measured
      colon cleanliness by using the Ottawa Bowel Preparation Scale, RGFV, and RGFpH.
      RESULTS: Ottawa Bowel Preparation Scale scores for overall, right, mid-colon, and
      colon fluid were significantly better in the split-dosing group. In the split
      dosing group, the 3- to 4-hour fasting time consistently achieved the best
      cleansing quality. RGFV was significantly lower in the split-dosing group (11.09
      vs 18.62, P < .001). No significant differences in RGFpH were detected.
      CONCLUSIONS: Split-dosing SPMC provides higher colon cleansing quality with lower
      RGFVs than previous-day SPMC regimens. SPMC in split-dosing acts exactly as a
      standard clear liquid acts, and thus anesthetic guidelines on this issue may be
      applied with no concerns.

PMID- 26272859
TI  - Corticosterone combined with intramedial prefrontal cortex infusion of SCH 23390
      impairs the strong fear response in high-fear-reactivity rats.
AB  - Accumulating evidence suggests that stress-dose corticosteroids impair fear
      memory in animals and humans. Corticosteroid treatment after critical illness is
      seen as a potential psychotropic medication by which to prevent posttraumatic
      stress disorder. However, individual difference in the responsiveness to stress
      (i.e., stress reactivity) is a factor that modulates the efficacy of
      corticosteroids. To understand the contribution of fear reactivity to the effect
      of post-stress corticosterone, male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to
      classical tone-cued fear conditioning and separated into high and low reactivity
      (HR and LR, respectively) responder groups based on their levels of freezing
      during conditioning. The HR rats showed significantly higher fear responses than
      the LR rats during conditioning as assessed by freezing behavior. At two
      intervals, 30 min and 48 hr later, the HR rats still displayed more pronounced
      conditioned responses to cued stimuli compared with the LR rats. Moreover, in
      contrast to the LR rats, the enhanced fear response in the HR rats was difficult
      to attenuate by post-training high-dose corticosterone. These results suggest
      that fear reactivity results in stronger fear memory, and that it is difficult to
      disrupt this strong fear memory in the HR phenotype using monotherapy. However,
      the strong fear memory in the HR rats was impaired by concurrent intramedial
      prefrontal cortex infusion of a high dose of the dopamine D1 receptor antagonist
      SCH 23390 and systemic administration of corticosterone. SCH 23390 and
      corticosterone alone did not decrease freezing levels in the HR rats. The fear
      impairment induced by SCH 23390 combined with corticosterone was not attributable
      to the effect of these drugs on locomotor activity. This effect was not found
      with administration of the D2 antagonist eticlopride combined with
      corticosterone. Our findings demonstrate that the conditioned fear memory in
      individuals with high stress reactivity is difficult to disrupt using
      monotherapy, but that combined pharmacotherapy may be useful for treating
      intervention-resistant fear. 

PMID- 26272856
TI  - Effect of transgastric natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery
      peritoneoscopy on abdominal organ microcirculation: an experimental controlled
      study.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: On-demand insufflation during endoscopic peritoneoscopy
      causes wide variations in intra-abdominal pressure. Its effects on splanchnic
      microcirculation may differ from those of steady intra-abdominal pressure,
      because pressure characteristics affect crucial intravascular hemodynamic forces-
      pressure and shear--adapting flow to local metabolic needs. Our aim was to assess
      the effect of natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES)
      peritoneoscopy on splanchnic microcirculatory blood flow. METHODS: Twenty-one
      swine were randomized to the following: cholecystectomy by transgastric NOTES (n
      = 8), cholecystectomy by standard laparoscopy (Lap) (n = 8), and a sham group (n
      = 5). During NOTES, CO2 was manually insufflated with a maximum allowed pressure
      of 30 mm Hg. In the Lap group, intra-abdominal pressure was maintained at 14 mm
      Hg. Systemic hemodynamics were measured, and microcirculatory blood flow was
      quantified by using colored microspheres. RESULTS: Mean intra-abdominal pressure
      was lower in NOTES than in the Lap group (P = .038). In both groups, cardiac
      index and preload remained unchanged, whereas systemic vascular resistances
      increased over time, with a lesser increase in the Lap group (2-way analysis of
      variance; P = .041). In pneumoperitoneum groups, microcirculatory blood flow
      decreased similarly in the renal medulla, stomach, small bowel, colon, and
      mesocolon by 30%, 45%, 34%, 32%, and 37%, respectively. In NOTES, there was a
      greater microcirculatory blood flow decrease in the renal cortex (NOTES 41% vs
      Lap 35%; P = .044) and mesentery (NOTES 44% vs Lap 38%; P = .041). CONCLUSIONS:
      These findings suggest that both types of pneumoperitoneum have similar
      physiologic effects on microcirculatory blood flow. However, on-demand
      pneumoperitoneum (NOTES group) caused a greater microcirculatory blood flow
      decrease in areas with low metabolic needs, redistributing blood flow toward
      metabolically active areas.

PMID- 26272860
TI  - A glimpse of fear: Fast detection of threatening targets in visual search with
      brief stimulus durations.
AB  - Reliable detection of a threat based on temporally restricted information allows
      organisms to activate their defensive mechanisms. In the present study we
      investigated attentional efficiency for prototypical evolutionarily relevant
      stimuli, snakes (compared with spiders and mushrooms), during visual search
      conditions in which displays were presented for brief durations and under
      conditions of high perceptual load. Participants were exposed to a visual search
      paradigm in which the duration of the display varied between 150 and 300 ms.
      Perceptual load was manipulated using small, medium, and larger displays (4, 6,
      and 8 items, respectively). The results showed that fear stimuli, compared with
      neutral stimuli, were more accurately and quickly detected under both visually
      degraded conditions. The results also showed differences between the two
      categories of fear-relevant stimuli (snakes and spiders) in their dependency on
      perceptual load manipulations. Snake targets were overall detected more
      accurately than spiders, with this snake advantage effect being more clear-cut
      with many distracters (high load) than with few (low load). The results were
      interpreted in light of an evolutionary-based theory (the snake detection
      theory), which posits that snakes are the prototypical predators of primates. 

PMID- 26272861
TI  - Peer-comparison overconfidence: Does it measure bias in self-evaluation?
AB  - Overconfidence is generally regarded as one of the most robust findings in the
      psychology of judgment. A precise method for evaluating overconfidence is
      essential if researchers are to validate these findings. Although peer-comparison
      questions are a convenient tool for measuring overconfidence, their validity has
      been questioned. We employed a specific paradigm to verify the validity, and the
      respondents were asked to predict a verifiable future event in a real-world
      setting that allowed empirical checking and comparison between the actual result
      and the prediction. Studies 1 and 2 found that the actual percentile of
      overconfidence could be accurately predicted using our initial calculation of
      participants' peer-comparison overconfidence in answering questions about
      academic performance. Study 3 found a similar effect when using questions related
      to job hunting. All studies indicated that peer-comparison questions are valid
      for measuring bias in self-evaluation. Thus, future studies could employ peer
      comparison questions to investigate the domain specificity versus the domain
      generality of overconfidence. 

PMID- 26272862
TI  - Intergenerational transmission of educational attainment: Three levels of parent
      child communication as mediators.
AB  - Although the intergenerational transmission of educational attainment has been
      confirmed by many researchers, its mechanism still remains controversial. Parent
      child communication has been regarded as one of the important mediators. The
      present study primarily aimed to examine the potentially mediating role of parent
      child communication in the transmission of educational attainment, based on a
      sample of 366 Chinese fifth and sixth graders. Parent-child communication was
      measured against the three levels of the parents' communication ability, the
      quality of the father-child and mother-child communications, and the relation
      between the two dyadic communications. The results duplicated the positive effect
      of parents' educational attainment on children's academic achievement. Moreover,
      it was found that parents' communication ability alone played a mediating role,
      and that the three levels of parent-child communication constructed a "mediator
      chain" between the parents' educational attainment and the children's academic
      achievement. Finally, the intergenerational transmission of educational
      attainment in China and the mediating role of the three levels of parent-child
      communication were discussed. 

PMID- 26272863
TI  - The impact of creative tendency, academic performance, and self-concept on
      creative science problem-finding.
AB  - This study was designed to address the impacts of science performance, science
      self-concept, and creative tendency on the creative science problem-finding
      (CSPF) ability of a sample of Chinese middle-school students. Structural equation
      modeling was used to indicate that CSPF could be directly predicted by creative
      tendency and academic performance, and indirectly predicted by science self
      concept. The findings strongly support the idea that curiosity, imagination, and
      domain-specific knowledge are important for CSPF, and science self-concept could
      be mediated by knowledge that affects CSPF. 

PMID- 26272864
TI  - Impact of the aging process on event-, time-, and activity-based prospective
      memory.
AB  - The present study aimed to compare the impact of the aging process on event-,
      time-, and activity-based prospective memory (PM) and to explore the aging
      patterns of PM-related cognitive functions. Seventy-five participants were
      recruited and divided into three age groups: young (20-24 years old), young-old
      (60-70 years old), and older-old (greater than 70 years old). A computerized PM
      test and a set of tests capturing executive functions, retrospective memory, and
      working memory were administered to all participants. Significant age effects
      were only found for event-based PM and time-based PM. However, event-based PM was
      noted to decline gradually, whereas time-based PM was noted to deteriorate
      abruptly with age. For older, but not young participants, performance on the time
      based PM tasks was significantly improved under a more lenient scoring criterion
      which had an increased response time window. Measures of executive functions and
      retrospective memory were significantly associated with PM, but these relations
      disappeared after controlling for age and education. Working memory was found to
      be the most important contributor to the effect of age on PM. These findings
      suggest a differential aging process for event-, time-, and activity-based PM. 

PMID- 26272865
TI  - Reply: To PMID 25446660.

PMID- 26272867
TI  - Left Atrial Volume Index Predicts Recurrence of Stroke in Patients with
      Nonsustained Atrial Tachycardia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nonsustained atrial tachycardia (NSAT) is known to appear more
      frequently in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). Enlarged left
      atrium (LA) is considered to be an independent risk factor for newly diagnosed
      AF. METHODS: We investigated the risk factors for predicting the stroke
      recurrence in NSAT patients. In total, 252 patients (114 women, mean 70 +/- 11
      years) with acute ischemic stroke and documented NSAT in 24-hour Holter
      monitoring were enrolled and followed. All patients underwent echo-Doppler
      evaluations. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up period of 35 +/- 31 months, the
      stroke recurrence rate was 11.1% (28 of 252). The patients with recurrence (n =
      28) had higher left atrium volume index (LAVI, P < .001) and higher E/e' (P =
      .028) compared with those without recurrence (n = 224). On the Kaplan-Meier
      survival analysis, stroke recurrence rate was significantly higher in patients
      with enlarged LA (LAVI >28 mm3/m2; P < .001 by the log-rank test), and it
      remained significant in multivariate analysis (hazard ratio, 1.154; 95%
      confidence interval [CI], 1.099-1.212, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with
      acute ischemic stroke and NSAT, enlarged LA predicts an increased risk of stroke
      recurrence. This study supports the necessity of prolonged rhythm monitoring in
      stroke patients with NSAT and enlarged LA to detect undiagnosed AF and
      consequently considering anticoagulation therapy.

PMID- 26272866
TI  - Solitomab, an EpCAM/CD3 bispecific antibody construct (BiTE), is highly active
      against primary uterine serous papillary carcinoma cell lines in vitro.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Uterine serous carcinoma is an aggressive form of endometrial cancer
      that carries an extremely poor prognosis. Solitomab is a novel bispecific single
      chain antibody construct that targets epithelial cell adhesion molecule on tumor
      cells and also contains a CD3 binding region. We evaluated the expression levels
      of epithelial cell adhesion molecule and the in vitro activity of solitomab
      against primary uterine serous carcinoma cell lines in vitro and ex-vivo in the
      ascites of patients with uterine serous carcinoma. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this
      study was to determine the frequency of expression of epithelial cell adhesion
      molecule on uterine serous carcinoma cell lines and the ability of solitomab to
      modulate immune responses (T-cell proliferation, activation, cytokine production,
      and tumor killing) to tumor cells when it is combined with lymphocytes and
      epithelial cell adhesion molecule-positive cell lines or epithelial cell adhesion
      molecule-positive ascitic fluid in vitro. STUDY DESIGN: Epithelial cell adhesion
      molecule expression was evaluated by flow cytometry in a total of 14 primary
      uterine serous carcinoma cell lines. Sensitivity to solitomab-dependent cellular
      cytotoxicity was tested against a panel of primary uterine serous carcinoma cell
      lines that express different levels of epithelial cell adhesion molecule in
      standard 4-hour chromium release assays. The proliferative activity, activation,
      cytokine secretion (ie, type I vs type II), and cytotoxicity of solitomab in
      autologous tumor-associated T cells in the ascitic fluid of patients with uterine
      serous carcinoma was also evaluated by carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester and
      flow-cytometry assays. Differences in epithelial cell adhesion molecule
      expression, solitomab-dependent cellular-cytotoxicity levels were analyzed with
      the use of an unpaired t test. T-cell activation marker increase and cytokine
      release were analyzed by a paired t test. RESULTS: Surface expression of
      epithelial cell adhesion molecule was found in 85.7% (12 of 14) of the uterine
      serous carcinoma cell lines that were tested by flow cytometry. Epithelial cell
      adhesion molecule-positive cell lines were found resistant to natural killer
      cells or T-cell-mediated killing after exposure to peripheral blood lymphocytes
      in 4-hour chromium-release assays (mean killing +/- standard of the mean, 2.7% +/
      3.1% after incubation of epithelial cell adhesion molecule-positive cell lines
      with control bispecific antibody construct). In contrast, after incubation with
      solitomab, epithelial cell adhesion molecule-positive uterine serous carcinoma
      cells became highly sensitive to T-cell cytotoxicity (mean killing, 25.7% +/-
      4.5%; P < .0001) by peripheral blood lymphocytes. Ex vivo incubation of
      autologous tumor-associated lymphocytes with epithelial cell adhesion molecule
      that expressed malignant cells in ascites with solitomab resulted in a
      significant increase in T-cell proliferation in both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells,
      increase in T-cell activation markers (ie, CD25 and HLA-DR), and a reduction in
      number of viable uterine serous carcinoma cells in ascites (P < .001).
      CONCLUSION: Solitomab induces robust immunologic responses in vitro that result
      in increased T-cell activation, proliferation, production of cytokines, and
      direct killing of tumor cells. These findings suggest that solitomab may
      represent a novel, potentially effective agent for the treatment of
      recurrent/metastatic and/or chemo-resistant uterine serous carcinoma
      overexpressing epithelial cell adhesion molecule.

PMID- 26272868
TI  - Antiplatelet Drug Use and Cerebral Microbleeds: A Meta-analysis of Published
      Studies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Antiplatelet therapy is a potential risk factor for intracerebral
      hemorrhage, and cerebral microbleeds reflect small perivascular hemorrhages
      without clinical symptoms. The question regarding whether antiplatelet therapy
      increases the risk of cerebral microbleeds has not yet reached a consensus.
      METHODS: We conducted a search in English database and extracted data from
      studies assessing the relationship between antiplatelet therapy and cerebral
      microbleeds. Then, we adopted the Review Manager 5.2 package to calculate pooled
      odds ratios (ORs) with the method of the inverse variance. RESULTS: We pooled
      data from 11 studies involving 10429 participants. The results revealed that
      there was a significant association between antiplatelet therapy and cerebral
      microbleeds in hemorrhagic stroke patients (OR, 1.96; 95% confidence interval
      [CI], 1.22-3.16) and ischemic stroke patients (OR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.06-2.59), but
      not stroke-free population (OR, 1.30; 95% CI, .96-1.74). When stratified by
      population ethnicity, the association between antiplatelet therapy and cerebral
      microbleeds was significant in hemorrhagic stroke (OR, 2.26; 95% CI, 1.25-4.08)
      and ischemic stroke (OR, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.02-4.67) patients from Asian countries,
      but not significant in hemorrhagic stroke (OR, 1.95; 95% CI, .33-11.37) and
      ischemic stroke (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, .87-1.54) patients from European countries.
      CONCLUSIONS: Antiplatelet therapy may increase the risk of cerebral microbleeds
      in stroke population. In addition, the relationship between antiplatelet therapy
      and cerebral microbleeds may be influenced by ethnic factors. More and larger
      prospective studies are urgently required to verify our results, because the
      studies to date are retrospective and the available data are limited.

PMID- 26272869
TI  - Photonic ququart logic assisted by the cavity-QED system.
AB  - Universal quantum logic gates are important elements for a quantum computer. In
      contrast to previous constructions of qubit systems, we investigate the
      possibility of ququart systems (four-dimensional states) dependent on two DOFs of
      photon systems. We propose some useful one-parameter four-dimensional quantum
      transformations for the construction of universal ququart logic gates. The
      interface between the spin of a photon and an electron spin confined in a quantum
      dot embedded in a microcavity is applied to build universal ququart logic gates
      on the photon system with two freedoms. Our elementary controlled-ququart gates
      cost no more than 8 CNOT gates in a qubit system, which is far less than the 104
      CNOT gates required for a general four-qubit logic gate. The ququart logic is
      also used to generate useful hyperentanglements and hyperentanglement-assisted
      quantum error-correcting code, which may be available in modern physical
      technology. 

PMID- 26272870
TI  - Synergistic Effect of Dual Electron-Cocatalysts for Enhanced Photocatalytic
      Activity: rGO as Electron-Transfer Mediator and Fe(III) as Oxygen-Reduction
      Active Site.
AB  - For a high-performance cocatalyst-modified photocatalyst, an effective
      interfacial separation of photogenerated electron from its corresponding holes
      and its following reduction reaction at the active sites are highly required.
      However, it is difficult for a single-component cocatalyst to simultaneously
      realize the crucial functions. In this study, an effective interfacial transfer
      of photogenerated electrons and its following rapid oxygen-reduction can be
      easily realized in a dual electron-cocatalyst modified Fe(III)/rGO-TiO2
      photocatalyst, where the rGO nanosheets function as an electron-transfer mediator
      for the effective transfer of photogenerated electrons from the TiO2 surface
      while the Fe(III) cocatalyst serves as an electron-reduction active site to
      promote the following interfacial oxygen reduction. In this case, the rGO
      nanosheets were firstly loaded on the TiO2 nanoparticle surface by a hydrothermal
      method and then the Fe(III) cocatalyst was further modified on the rGO nanosheets
      by an impregnation method to prepare the Fe(III)/rGO-TiO2 photocatalyst. It was
      found that the dual electron-cocatalyst modified Fe(III)/rGO-TiO2 photocatalyst
      showed an obviously higher photocatalytic performance than the naked TiO2 and
      single-cocatalyst modified photocatalysts (such as Fe(III)/TiO2 and rGO-TiO2)
      owing to the synergistic effect of rGO and Fe(III) bi-cocatalysts. The present
      work can provide some new insights for the smart design of high-efficiency
      photocatalytic materials. 

PMID- 26272871
TI  - Treating liver fat and serum triglyceride levels in NAFLD, effects of PNPLA3 and
      TM6SF2 genotypes: Results from the WELCOME trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Genetic variation in both patatin-like phospholipase domain
      containing protein-3 (PNPLA3) (I148M) and the transmembrane 6 superfamily member
      2 protein (TM6SF2) (E167K) influences severity of liver disease, and serum
      triglyceride concentrations in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), but
      whether either genotype influences the responses to treatments is uncertain.
      METHODS: One hundred three patients with NAFLD were randomised to omega-3 fatty
      acids (DHA+EPA) or placebo for 15-18months in a double blind placebo controlled
      trial. Erythrocyte enrichment with DHA and EPA was measured by gas
      chromatography. PNPLA3 and TM6SF2 genotypes were measured by PCR technologies.
      Multivariable linear regression and analysis of covariance were undertaken to
      test the effect of genotypes on omega-3 fatty acid enrichment, end of study liver
      fat percentage and serum triglyceride concentrations. All models were adjusted
      for baseline measurements of each respective outcome. RESULTS: Fifty-five men and
      40 women (Genotypes PNPLA3 I148M, 148I/I=41, 148I/M=43, 148M/M=11; TM6SF2 E167K
      167E/E=78, 167E/K+167K/K=17 participants) (mean +/- SD age, 51 +/- 11 years)
      completed the trial. Adjusting for baseline measurement, measured covariates and
      confounders, PNPLA3 148M/M variant was independently associated with percentage
      of DHA enrichment (B coefficient -1.02 (95% CI -1.97, -0.07), p=0.036) but not
      percentage of EPA enrichment (B coefficient -0.31 (95% CI -1.38, 0.75), p=0.56).
      This genotype was also independently associated with end of study liver fat
      percentage (B coefficient 9.5 (95% CI 2.53, 16.39), p=0.008), but not end of
      study triglyceride concentration (B coefficient -0.11 (95% CI -0.64, 0.42),
      p=0.68). CONCLUSIONS: PNPLA3 148M/M variant influences the changes in liver fat
      and DHA tissue enrichment during the trial but not the change in serum
      triglyceride concentration.

PMID- 26272872
TI  - Upregulation of miR-125b by estrogen protects against non-alcoholic fatty liver
      in female mice.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Due to the protective effect of estrogen against hepatic fat
      accumulation, the prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in
      premenopausal women is lower than that in men at the same age and in
      postmenopausal women. Our study was to further elucidate an underlying mechanism
      by which estrogen prevents NAFLD from miRNA perspective in female mice. METHODS:
      miRNA expression was evaluated by TaqMan miRNA assay. Luciferase and ChIP assay
      were done to validate regulation of miR-125b by estrogen via estrogen receptor
      alpha (ERalpha). Nile red and Oil red O staining were used to check lipid
      content. Overexpressing or inhibiting the physiological role of miR-125b in the
      liver of mice through injecting adenovirus were used to identify the function of
      miR-125b in vivo. RESULTS: miR-125b expression was activated by estrogen via
      ERalpha in vitro and in vivo. miR-125b inhibited lipid accumulation both in HepG2
      cells and primary mouse hepatocytes. Consistently, ovariectomized or liver
      specific ERalpha knockdown mice treated with miR-125b overexpressing adenoviruses
      were resistant to hepatic steatosis induced by high-fat diet, due to decreased
      fatty acid uptake and synthesis and decreased triglyceride synthesis. Conversely,
      inhibiting the physiological role of miR-125b with a sponge decoy slightly
      promoted liver steatosis with a high-fat diet. Notably, we provided evidence
      showing that fatty acid synthase was a functional target of miR-125b. CONCLUSION:
      Our findings identify a novel mechanism by which estrogen protects against
      hepatic steatosis in female mice via upregulating miR-125b expression.

PMID- 26272873
TI  - The role of platelets in liver regeneration - What don't we know?

PMID- 26272874
TI  - Effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations, clipping regimen and
      differential day/night atmospheric warming on tissue nitrogen concentrations of a
      perennial pasture grass.
AB  - Forecasting the effects of climate change on nitrogen (N) cycling in pastures
      requires an understanding of changes in tissue N. We examined the effects of
      elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration, atmospheric warming and simulated grazing
      (clipping frequency) on aboveground and belowground tissue N concentrations and C
      : N ratios of a C3 pasture grass. Phalaris aquatica L. cv. 'Holdfast' was grown
      in the field in six transparent temperature gradient tunnels (18 * 1.5 * 1.5 m
      each), three at ambient atmospheric CO2 and three at 759 p.p.m. CO2. Within each
      tunnel, there were three air temperature treatments: ambient control, +2.2/+4.0 
      degrees C above ambient day/night warming and +3.0  degrees C continuous warming.
      A frequent and an infrequent clipping treatment were applied to each warming *
      CO2 combination. Green leaf N concentrations were decreased by elevated CO2 and
      increased by more frequent clipping. Both warming treatments increased leaf N
      concentrations under ambient CO2 concentrations, but did not significantly alter
      leaf N concentrations under elevated CO2 concentrations. Nitrogen resorption from
      leaves was decreased under elevated CO2 conditions as well as by more frequent
      clipping. Fine root N concentrations decreased strongly with increasing soil
      depth and were further decreased at the 10-60 cm soil depths by elevated CO2
      concentrations. The interaction between the CO2 and warming treatments showed
      that leaf N concentration was affected in a non-additive manner. Changes in leaf
      C : N ratios were driven by changes in N concentration. Overall, the effects of
      CO2, warming and clipping treatments on aboveground tissue N concentrations were
      much greater than on belowground tissue. 

PMID- 26272880
TI  - Do patients with a continuous-flow left ventricular assist device benefit from
      induced-pulsatility or are we just spinning our wheels?

PMID- 26272875
TI  - Specificity of Incident Diagnostic Outcomes in Patients at Clinical High Risk for
      Psychosis.
AB  - It is not well established whether the incident outcomes of the clinical high
      risk (CHR) syndrome for psychosis are diagnostically specific for psychosis or
      whether CHR patients also are at elevated risk for a variety of nonpsychotic
      disorders. We collected 2 samples (NAPLS-1, PREDICT) that contained CHR patients
      and a control group who responded to CHR recruitment efforts but did not meet CHR
      criteria on interview (help-seeking comparison patients [HSC]). Incident
      diagnostic outcomes were defined as the occurrence of a SIPS-defined psychosis or
      a structured interview diagnosis from 1 of 3 nonpsychotic Diagnostic and
      Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) groups (anxiety,
      bipolar, or nonbipolar mood disorder), when no diagnosis in that group was
      present at baseline. Logistic regression revealed that the CHR vs HSC effect did
      not vary significantly across study for any emergent diagnostic outcome; data
      from the 2 studies were therefore combined. CHR (n = 271) vs HSC (n = 171)
      emergent outcomes were: psychosis 19.6% vs 1.8%, bipolar disorders 1.1% vs 1.2%,
      nonbipolar mood disorders 4.4% vs 5.3%, and anxiety disorders 5.2% vs 5.3%. The
      main effect of CHR vs HSC was statistically significant (OR = 13.8, 95% CI 4.2
      45.0, df = 1, P < .001) for emergent psychosis but not for any emergent
      nonpsychotic disorder. Sensitivity analyses confirmed these findings. Within the
      CHR group emergent psychosis was significantly more likely than each nonpsychotic
      DSM-IV emergent disorder, and within the HSC group emergent psychosis was
      significantly less likely than most emergent nonpsychotic disorders. The CHR
      syndrome is specific as a marker for research on predictors and mechanisms of
      developing psychosis. 

PMID- 26272881
TI  - [Evaluation of the quality control of anticoagulation in patients with atrial
      fibrillation in a Primary Health Care Area of Madrid].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To calculate the time in therapeutic range (TTR), as well as the
      scores on the CHADS2 scale in anticoagulated patients with non-valvular atrial
      fibrillation, attending the Primary Care Health Centre of Aravaca. LOCATION:
      Basic health area of Aravaca (Madrid). DESIGN: Retrospective observational study.
      PARTICIPANTS: The Community of Madrid provides a list of patients with non
      valvular atrial fibrillation and on anticoagulant therapy in the centre.
      Excluding those with less than 8 INRs, who began treatment after January 2011,
      interrupted by inter-current treatment or had cancer or coagulopathy. The study
      period is from 1 January 2012 to 1 January 2013. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: The TTR
      (fraction of INRs in range) was the primary endpoint. The score was also
      calculated on the CHADS2 scale. RESULTS: A value of 56.28% TTR (59.5-53.1) was
      obtained from a sample of 963 INRs. Just over half (52%) of patients had a
      TTR<60%. There were 65 patients with a mean age of 80+/-7.5 years. The
      distribution of risk factors for the CHADS2 scale was: Heart failure 18.5%;
      hypertension 80%; diabetes 29.2%, and embolic events 18.5%. CONCLUSION: The
      results of our sample TTR is suboptimal (<60%), which implies an increased risk
      for embolic episodes and increased likelihood of bleeding. We need to incorporate
      into our clinical practice an objective measure of the quality of anticoagulation
      in order to identify poorly controlled patients and introduce corrective
      measures.

PMID- 26272884
TI  - Health Education Specialists' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions of the
      Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
AB  - The changing landscape of health care as a result of the Patient Protection and
      Affordable Care Act (ACA) may provide new opportunities for health education
      specialists (HES). The purpose of this study was to survey HES in the United
      States on their knowledge and attitudes of the ACA and assess their perceptions
      of job growth under the law. A random sample of 220 (36% response rate) certified
      HES completed a 53-item cross sectional survey administered online through
      Qualtrics. Findings were compared to public opinion on health care reform. HES
      are highly favorable of the law (70%) compared to the general public (23%). A
      total of 85% of respondents were able to list a provision of the ACA, and most
      (81%) thought the ACA would be successful at increasing insured Americans. Over
      half (64.6%) believe job opportunities will increase. Those who viewed the law
      favorably were significantly more likely to score better on a knowledge scale
      related to the ACA. HES understand publicized provisions but are uncertain about
      common myths and specific provisions related to Title IV, "Prevention of Chronic
      Disease and Improving Public Health." Directed and continuing education to HES
      regarding the ACA is warranted. 

PMID- 26272885
TI  - Dietary Adjuncts for Improving Testosterone Levels in Hypogonadal Males.
AB  - An increasing number of men are being diagnosed with hypogonadism. While many
      benefit from testosterone supplementation therapy, others who do not meet the
      criteria for hormone supplementation have turned to dietary adjuncts as a way or
      gaining improvements in libido, energy, and physical performance. These oral
      adjunct medications include controlled substances such as androstenedione,
      androstenediol as well as other "over-the-counter" options like DHEA
      (dehydroepiandrosterone) and herbal remedies like Tribulus terrestris This review
      will focus on the use of these adjunct medications in isolation, or in
      combination with testosterone supplementation therapy as well as the biochemical
      nature of the supplements, the results of scientific trials as well as the side
      effects that limit their use. At the end of this review, physicians will have an
      improved understanding of the popular testosterone adjuncts being used currently
      as well as the availability of these substances and how they are used.

PMID- 26272886
TI  - Factor Structure of the Gotland Scale of Male Depression in Two Samples of Men
      With Prostate Cancer: Implications for Treating Male Depression.
AB  - Up to a quarter of all prostate cancer (PCa) patients suffer from clinically
      significant depression but treatments are inconsistent and short-lived in their
      efficacy. One possible reason could be that "male depression" is not adequately
      diagnosed by the criteria for major depressive disorder (MDD) used in many
      clinical settings. In response to this limitation, the Gotland Scale of Male
      Depression (GSMD) was developed to identify the extra symptoms of MDD in men.
      Although the factor structure of the GSMD has been reported in non-PCa samples,
      it has not been determined for this group of men. Two samples of PCa patients
      were recruited, 191 from Australia and 138 from the United Kingdom and all
      patients received the GSMD individually, plus a background questionnaire. Two
      factor solutions were identified for each of the two samples. The Australian
      sample was characterized by changes in emotional and somatic function, followed
      by depressed mood. The U.K. sample exhibited the same two-factor solution but in
      reverse order of weighting. Targeted treatments for depression in PCa patients
      may benefit from identification of the loadings that individual patients have on
      these two GSMD factors so that specific clinical profiles and treatment needs may
      be based on this information about their depression.

PMID- 26272887
TI  - Patient Decision Making Prior to Radical Prostatectomy: What Is and Is Not
      Involved.
AB  - The current study assessed the decision-making process before surgery in prostate
      cancer patients. A structured telephone interview was conducted by an independent
      third party in 162 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for prostate
      cancer. Responders revealed that details regarding diagnosis and treatment
      alternatives were withheld from a significant number of patients. Radiation and
      active surveillance were presented as alternative options to surgery in 57 (39%)
      and 20 (14%) of responders, respectively. Twenty-six (18%) patients reported not
      being informed regarding potential surgical side effects. Patients were not
      active participants in critical aspects of decision making in 61 (42%) of the
      cases. Being inadequately informed and more frequent visits to the urologist
      appeared to make decisions more difficult. Treatment regret was reported by 23
      (16%) of the patients who underwent surgery and was more common when the patient
      was not involved in the decision or was inadequately informed. As such, shared
      decision making should replace paternalism when managing patients with localized
      prostate cancer in urologic practice.

PMID- 26272883
TI  - Natural Variation of Plant Metabolism: Genetic Mechanisms, Interpretive Caveats,
      and Evolutionary and Mechanistic Insights.
AB  - Combining quantitative genetics studies with metabolomics/metabolic profiling
      platforms, genomics, and transcriptomics is creating significant progress in
      identifying the causal genes controlling natural variation in metabolite
      accumulations and profiles. In this review, we discuss key mechanistic and
      evolutionary insights that are arising from these studies. This includes the
      potential role of transport and other processes in leading to a separation of the
      site of mechanistic causation and metabolic consequence. A reilluminated
      observation is the potential for genomic variation in the organelle to alter
      phenotypic variation alone and in epistatic interaction with the nuclear genetic
      variation. These studies are also highlighting new aspects of metabolic
      pleiotropy both in terms of the breadth of loci altering metabolic variation as
      well as the potential for broader effects on plant defense regulation of the
      metabolic variation than has previously been predicted. We also illustrate
      caveats that can be overlooked when translating quantitative genetics descriptors
      such as heritability and per-locus r(2) to mechanistic or evolutionary
      interpretations. 

PMID- 26272889
TI  - Comparison of bivalirudin to lepirudin and argatroban in patients with heparin
      induced thrombocytopenia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety, effectiveness, and dosing of off-label
      bivalirudin to argatroban and lepirudin in patients with heparin-induced
      thrombocytopenia (HIT) using a new pharmacist driven protocol. METHODS:
      Retrospective cohort study of forty eight patients treated with lepirudin,
      argatroban, or bivalirudin from November 2010 to February 2012 for suspected HIT.
      Patients were excluded if the bivalirudin therapy was being used for acute
      coronary syndrome or if the treatment duration was less than 24 hours. The
      primary endpoint was time to therapeutic activated partial thromboplastin time
      (aPTT 50-90 seconds for argatroban and bivalirudin and 50-85 seconds for
      lepirudin). The secondary endpoints were elevation in international normalized
      ratio (INR), bleeding episodes, and percent time in aPTT target range. RESULTS:
      Patients receiving bivalirudin reached a therapeutic aPTT more quickly than those
      receiving argatroban and lepirudin (3.7 hours vs. 14.2 hours vs. 14.7 hours, p
      <0.001). The INR was increased more in patients treated with argatroban than
      lepirudin and bivalirudin (1.3 vs. 0.3 vs. 0.4, p = 0.4). Clinically significant
      bleeding in patients treated with bivalirudin was significantly lower than that
      observed with argatroban or lepirudin (7% vs. 22% vs. 56%, p = 0.02). The average
      percentage of therapeutic aPTTs drawn was higher for patients treated with
      bivalirudin than those patients treated with argatroban and lepirudin (90% vs.
      66% vs. 67%, p = 0.2). CONCLUSION: A pharmacist-driven protocol for bivalirudin
      provided a significantly shorter time to therapeutic aPTT and lower bleeding rate
      for patients being treated for HIT when compared to lepirudin and argatroban. A
      larger study should be considered to confirm the results of this single center
      study.

PMID- 26272890
TI  - Evaluation of pharmacy services in emergency departments of Veterans Affairs
      Medical Centers.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: In 2008, the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)
      published a national survey that revealed only 6.8% of hospitals surveyed had a
      pharmacist assigned to the emergency department (ED) for any period of time. This
      survey was distributed among general and children's medical-surgical hospitals in
      the United States and did not include any Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Centers.
      To date, there have been no identified survey studies describing the prevalence
      of pharmacy services within VA EDs. The objectives of this study are to determine
      the prevalence of dedicated pharmacy services within VA EDs, categorize the types
      of pharmacy services, determine if interventions/outcomes related to pharmacy
      services were collected, and assess the desire for pharmacy services in
      facilities that did not currently have dedicated pharmacy services. METHODS: The
      study was designed as a cross-sectional survey study conducted between January
      14, 2010 and March 29, 2010. The study population included Pharmacy Clinical
      Coordinators employed at a VA facility. An initial email containing a link to the
      web-based survey was distributed via the national Pharmacy Clinical Coordinator
      listserv. Results of the survey were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
      RESULTS: The survey was distributed to 153 VA Medical Centers and a total of 33
      (21.6%) responses were received. Of the responses, 24 facilities (72.7%)
      documented the presence of an ED, and of those, 5 (20.8%) indicated that they had
      a pharmacist dedicated to providing pharmacy services to the ED. The most common
      pharmacy services provided included medication reconciliation, patient education/
      counseling, pharmacotherapy recommendations, ED staff education, precepting
      activities, adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting, and ensuring formulary
      compliance. Three of the 5 facilities documented interventions, with 1 facility
      documenting ADRs prevented and cost avoidance in addition to interventions. Of
      the 19 facilities that did not have a pharmacist dedicated to the ED, 16 (84.2%)
      indicated a desire for such services. CONCLUSION: A greater prevalence of ED
      pharmacy services was reported in VA facilities compared with a national sample
      of non-VA facilities. Despite the high prevalence and variety of dedicated
      pharmacy services provided to the ED, documentation of these services remains an
      area in need of improvement.

PMID- 26272891
TI  - Frequency and characteristics of hospital-sponsored pertussis revaccination
      programs in the southern United States.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released
      guidelines in December, 2006, recommending revaccination against Bordetella
      pertussis with Tdap for all post-partum women and healthcare workers. The CDC
      recommendations specifically state "the postpartum Tdap should be administered
      before discharge from the hospital or birthing center" and "hospitals and
      ambulatory-care facilities should provide Tdap for healthcare personnel." The
      purpose of this survey was to determine the frequency and characteristics of
      hospital-sponsored pertussis revaccination programs in the southern United
      States. METHODS: A twenty-six question electronic survey was sent to a
      representative of either the infection control or pharmacy department of
      hospitals in the following south central states: Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama,
      Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas. The survey was designed to
      collect information regarding the institution's demographic factors and Tdap
      vaccination policies. RESULTS: Thirty-seven of 120 surveys (30.8%) were returned.
      Thirty respondents (81.1%) reported awareness of the 2006 CDC recommendations. Of
      the 29 institutions offering labor and delivery services, 14 (48.3%) confirmed
      having a post-partum vaccination policy, 12 (41.4%) reported having no post
      partum vaccination policy, and 3 (10.3%) were unaware of whether a policy was
      currently in place. Of the 37 responding institutions, 34 (91.9%) offer employee
      vaccinations, although only 31 of those 34 programs (91.1%) offer Tdap to
      employees. CONCLUSION: According to survey responses, many institutions have not
      yet implemented Tdap vaccination programs for post-partum patients or healthcare
      workers according to CDC recommendations. There was no correlation between
      institution demographics and the presence or characteristics of Tdap
      revaccination programs.

PMID- 26272892
TI  - Reducing errors through discharge medication reconciliation by pharmacy services.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Adverse drug events are an important cause of admissions to hospitals.
      Discrepancies in admission and discharge medications can contribute significantly
      to these adverse events. Patients are at risk of discrepancies in medications any
      time they experience a transition of care. Medication discrepancies occur more
      commonly when patients are discharged. Prevention of errors by undergoing
      medication reconciliation with review by a pharmacist can help avoid medication
      discrepancy-related errors. The objective of this study was to determine whether
      integration of pharmacist review in the process of medication reconciliation at
      discharge identifies and corrects discrepancies. METHODS: In the study population
      of internal medicine patients cared for by hospitalist physicians, we
      prospectively collected data from medication lists via chart review and patient
      interview and identified, using a pharmacist, any medication discrepancies. We
      then counted the number of discrepancies for each patient and categorized them by
      severity of potential adverse effect to the patient. RESULTS: There were 63
      medication discrepancies in 104 included patients found by pharmacist's review
      and 41% (43) of patients had at least one medication discrepancy. Patients with 8
      or more discharge medications were found to be at an increased risk of
      discrepancy (OR 8.5, p <0.001, 95% CI 2.8,25.5). Most discrepancies were
      considered minimal risk, 44.4% (28/63), or moderate risk, 49.2% (20/63) for
      adverse effect. CONCLUSION: About 2 out of 5 patients on the hospitalist service
      studied have discrepancies in their medications at discharge that can be
      identified and corrected by pharmacist intervention. Inclusion of pharmacists
      could improve the process by correcting these discrepancies to help avoid
      preventable adverse drug events.

PMID- 26272882
TI  - Boosting vaccine efficacy the natural (killer) way.
AB  - Coordination of the innate and adaptive immune systems is paramount to the
      development of protective humoral and cellular immunity following vaccination.
      Natural killer (NK) cells are front-line soldiers of the innate immune system,
      and recent studies have revealed functions for NK cells in long-lived immune
      memory and the regulation of adaptive immune responses. These findings suggest
      that NK cells may play important roles in the development of efficacious
      vaccines, as well as, in some contexts, failed immunizations. Here, we review the
      current understanding of the immunomodulatory and memory differentiation
      capabilities of NK cells. We examine the context dependency of the mechanisms and
      the nature of NK cell-mediated modulation of the immune response, and discuss how
      these insights may impact immunization strategies and the development of next
      generation vaccines. 

PMID- 26272893
TI  - Development and implementation of a writing program to improve resident
      authorship rates.
AB  - PURPOSE: The development, implementation, and evaluation of a writing program
      with a formalized writing project as a component of postgraduate year 1 (PGY1)
      and postgraduate year 2 (PGY2) pharmacy residencies are described. SUMMARY: The
      writing program at Georgia Regents Medical Center/University of Georgia College
      of Pharmacy, a collaborative and jointly funded program, was initiated in the
      2010-11 residency year. The goals of the program are to teach residents to
      communicate effectively, apply leadership skills, employ project management
      skills, and provide medication- and practice- related education and training. The
      program combines both writing experiences and mentorship. At the beginning of the
      residency year, trainees are presented with opportunities to participate in both
      research projects and writing projects. Specifically, opportunities within the
      writing program include involvement in review articles, case reports, drug
      information rounds, book chapters, letters to the editor, and high-quality
      medication-use evaluations for potential publication. The writing project is
      highly encouraged, and completion of a manuscript to be submitted for publication
      is expected by graduation. Nine papers were published by 8 of 18 PGY1 and PGY2
      residents in the four years before program implementation. A total of 23
      publications were published by 18 (72%) of the 25 PGY1 and PGY2 residents in the
      four years after implementation of the writing program. CONCLUSION:
      Implementation of a formal writing program increased the overall publication rate
      of residents.

PMID- 26272888
TI  - Racial Disparities in Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption Change Efficacy Among
      Male First-Year College Students.
AB  - Racial disparities in weight-related outcomes among males may be linked to
      differences in behavioral change efficacy; however, few studies have pursued this
      line of inquiry. The purpose of this study was to determine the degree to which
      self-efficacy associated with changing sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption
      intake varies by race among male first-year college students. A self
      administered, cross-sectional survey was completed by a subsample of freshmen
      males (N = 203) at a medium-sized southern university. Key variables of interest
      were SSB intake and self-efficacy in reducing consumption of sugared beverages.
      African American and Whites had similar patterns of SSB intake (10.2 +/- 2.8 vs.
      10.1 +/- 2.6); however, African Americans had lower proportions of individuals
      who were sure they could substitute sugared beverages with water (42.2% vs.
      57.5%, p < .03). The results from logistic regression models suggest that self
      efficacy to reduce SSB intake among males vary by race. African American males
      were less likely to assert confidence in their ability to change behaviors
      associated with SSB (odds ratio = 0.51; confidence interval [0.27, 0.95]) in the
      full model adjusting for weight-related variables including SSB consumption. The
      findings suggest that weight loss and weight prevention interventions targeting
      young African American males require components that can elevate self-efficacy of
      this group to facilitate behavioral modifications that reduce SSB consumption and
      their risk for obesity-related diseases.

PMID- 26272894
TI  - Identifying opportunities to improve medication management in transitions of
      care.
AB  - PURPOSE: The types and causes of medication discrepancies during the transition
      from inpatient to ambulatory care were investigated. METHODS: A descriptive study
      was conducted at an academic outpatient group practice affiliated with a private
      nonacademic hospital to (1) describe discrepancies between inpatient discharge
      summaries and patient-reported medication lists, (2) identify patient and system
      factors related to breakdowns in medication documentation, and (3) determine
      reasons for medication discrepancies. During a four-month period, 17 patients at
      high risk for medication misadventures while transitioning from hospital care to
      outpatient follow-up were contacted by telephone soon after discharge and asked
      to provide information on all medications they were taking. Patient-reported
      medication lists were compared with the corresponding discharge summaries, and
      medication discrepancies were categorized by patient- and system-level factors
      using a validated instrument. RESULTS: Of the total of 96 discrepancies
      identified, more than two thirds (n = 67, 68%) involved the omission of a
      prescribed medication from either the patient-reported list or the discharge
      summary. Cardiovascular medications, including antihypertensives, antilipemics,
      diuretics, and antiarrhythmics, accounted for almost one quarter of all
      medication discrepancies. About 15% (n = 14) and 16% (n = 15) of identified
      discrepancies related to medication dose and frequency, respectively. CONCLUSION:
      Among 17 patients transitioning from inpatient to outpatient care, nearly 100
      discrepancies between patient-reported medication lists and discharge summaries
      were identified. Most discrepancies were attributed to nonintentional
      nonadherence and resumption of home medications without instructions to do so.
      All 17 patients had at least 1 medication discrepancy categorized as involving a
      system-level factor.

PMID- 26272896
TI  - Conversion from thrice- to twice-daily pregabalin dosing for pain: Economic and
      clinical outcomes in a veteran population.
AB  - PURPOSE: Results of a study analyzing economic and clinical outcomes one year
      after conversion from thrice- to twice-daily pregabalin dosing for pain are
      presented. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted at two Veterans
      Affairs facilities. The analyzed population included all patients receiving
      pregabalin for pain whose dosing was converted from thrice- to twice-daily
      pregabalin dosing during a one-year period. The primary endpoint was the economic
      impact of the conversion. Secondary endpoints included reversion to thrice-daily
      pregabalin dosing, pregabalin discontinuation, addition of medications for pain,
      and unscheduled neuropathy-related visits. RESULTS: Among the 57 patients
      included in the data analysis, 41 continued to take pregabalin twice daily, 10
      had pregabalin discontinued, and 6 had dosing reverted to thrice daily. The mean
      age of patients and the distribution of add-on pain medications did not differ
      significantly between patients whose pregabalin dosing frequency remained at
      twice daily and patients whose frequency reverted to thrice daily. The costs
      associated with pregabalin therapy differed significantly between the
      preconversion and postconversion periods. A savings of $115,867 was realized from
      this conversion for both facilities combined over the course of one year.
      CONCLUSION: In patients receiving pregabalin for pain, conversion from thrice- to
      twice-daily pregabalin dosing-while maintaining the same daily dose-resulted in
      substantial cost savings while having little effect on clinical outcomes.

PMID- 26272897
TI  - Quality-improvement initiatives focused on enhancing customer service in the
      outpatient pharmacy.
AB  - PURPOSE: The development and implementation of quality-improvement initiatives to
      enhance customer service in an outpatient pharmacy of a Veterans Affairs (VA)
      medical center are described. SUMMARY: Historically low customer service
      satisfaction rates with the outpatient pharmacy at the Philadelphia Veterans
      Affairs Medical Center prompted this quality-improvement project. A three
      question survey was designed to be easily and quickly administered to veterans in
      the outpatient pharmacy waiting area. Using 5-point Likert scale, veterans were
      asked to rate (1) their overall experience with the outpatient pharmacy service
      and (2) their satisfaction with the customer service provided by the pharmacy
      department. They were also asked how they thought the pharmacy department could
      improve its customer service. After receiving feedback from the survey, several
      quality-improvement initiatives were developed. The initiatives were categorized
      as environmental, personnel, communicative, and technological. For each
      initiative, one or more tasks were developed and the initiatives were
      subsequently implemented over eight months. After each task was completed,
      veterans were surveyed to measure the impact of the change. A total of 79
      veterans were surveyed before the implementation of the quality-improvement
      initiatives, and 49% and 68% rated their experience with the outpatient pharmacy
      and customer service favorably, respectively. Twenty-five veterans were surveyed
      after the implementation of numerous quality-improvement interventions, with 44%
      and 72% rating their experience with the outpatient pharmacy and customer service
      favorably. CONCLUSION: Customer service satisfaction with an outpatient pharmacy
      service at a VA medical center was enhanced through the implementation of various
      quality-improvement initiatives.

PMID- 26272895
TI  - Screening for diabetes in patients receiving second-generation atypical
      antipsychotics.
AB  - PURPOSE: Results of a study to assess adherence with a consensus statement for
      diabetes screening in patients receiving atypical antipsychotics and to evaluate
      the role of pharmacists in a patient-centered medical home in improving guideline
      adherence are presented. SUMMARY: For patients prescribed atypical
      antipsychotics, records were reviewed for glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) testing
      within the past 12 months. If no HbA1c results were found within that time frame,
      physicians were sent an alert in the patient's electronic medical record
      requesting an HbA1c order. Patient medical records were reviewed to analyze the
      number of HbA1c orders before and after pharmacist intervention. Prior to
      pharmacist intervention, 17 of 120 (14%) patients were screened with HbA1c. As a
      result of pharmacist intervention, 86 alerts were sent to physicians to order an
      HbA1c level, 24 (28%) of which included an order for an HbA1c level. Eleven of 24
      (46%) HbA1c test results were collected during study follow-up, and one
      prediabetic patient was identified. CONCLUSION: After pharmacist intervention, a
      greater number of patients receiving atypical antipsychotic medications had HbA1c
      levels monitored for evidence of type 2 diabetes.

PMID- 26272898
TI  - Implementation of a pharmacotherapy clinic into the patient centered medical home
      model by a second year pharmacy resident.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the impact a post graduate year 2 (PGY-2) pharmacy resident
      run clinic incorporated into the patient centered medical home (PCMH) model may
      have on achieving reduction in glycosylated hemoglobin (A1c), low density
      lipoprotein (LDL), and systolic and diastolic blood pressures (SBP and DBP) over
      six months in type 2 diabetics within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).
      METHODS: This was a prospective, quasi-experimental study enrolling type 2
      diabetics referred to the pharmacist-run clinic not meeting American Diabetes
      Association (ADA) treatment goals for A1c less than 7%, and/or LDL less than 100
      mg/dL, and/or blood pressure (BP) less than 130/80 mmHg. Once signed informed
      consent was obtained, veterans were followed according to usual standards of care
      for six months with visits and lab follow-up at baseline, three, and six months
      (+/-45 days). The primary endpoint was the change in HbA1c, LDL, and BP from
      baseline to six months. Secondary endpoints included the change from baseline to
      three months in A1c, LDL, and BP and the percentage of patients who achieved ADA
      treatment goals for A1c, LDL, and BP at six months. RESULTS: Among the 24
      patients included in the data analysis (100% male, 92% Caucasian), A1c decreased
      significantly from 7.56% to 7.19% (p = 0.0122) as well as LDL from 92.9 to 68.5
      mg/dL (p = 0.0023), SBP from 131 to 124 mmHg (p = 0.0302), and DBP from 71.5 to
      64.8 mmHg (p = 0.0012). The proportion of patients at recommended goal A1c <7%
      rose from 17% to 38%, as did the percentage of patients meeting ADA goals for LDL
      (75% to 96%), SBP (46% to 71%), and DBP (79% to 92%). CONCLUSION: Patients
      followed in a resident run pharmacotherapy clinic in the PCMH model with
      interventions over six months showed significant improvements in clinical
      endpoints including A1c, LDL, SBP, and DBP.

PMID- 26272899
TI  - Comparison of unfractionated heparin protocols using antifactor Xa monitoring or
      activated partial thrombin time monitoring.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine whether there is a difference between an activated
      partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) based unfractionated heparin (UFH) protocol
      versus an antifactor Xa based UFH protocol with respect to 24-hour attainment of
      therapeutic levels. METHODS: This was an observational study performed at a 500
      bed private, community hospital. The study included inpatients from January 2008
      to December 2009 on our institution's aPTT UFH protocol and inpatients from July
      2010 to March 2011 on our institution's antifactor Xa UFH protocol. The two
      groups were compared to determine whether a higher percentage of patients reached
      therapeutic goal within 24 hours of UFH initiation. Secondary outcomes evaluated
      the percentage of patients at therapeutic goal within 6 and 12 hours, incidence
      of bleeding, and number of UFH dosage adjustments within 24 hours between the two
      groups. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-one patients met inclusion criteria for this
      study; 79 in the aPTT group and 42 in the antifactor Xa group. At 24 hours, 74%
      of patients in the antifactor Xa group were at goal, versus 63% of patients in
      the aPTT group (p = 0.242). Nearly 57% of patients in the antifactor Xa group
      were at goal versus 27% in the aPTT group within 6 hours (p = 0.001). Subjects in
      the antifactor Xa group averaged 1.00 dosage adjustments per subject as compared
      to an 1.71 dosage adjustments per subject in the aPTT group within the first 24
      hours (p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: The antifactor Xa assay should be used to monitor
      UFH versus aPTT due to less variability in measurements, the absence of a need
      for calibration with new reagents/coagulometers, quicker attainment of
      therapeutic levels, fewer dose adjustments, and similar bleeding rates.

PMID- 26272900
TI  - Comparing prasugrel to twice daily clopidogrel post percutaneous coronary
      intervention in a Veterans Affairs population.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare various antiplatelet regimens
      in patients who experienced increased platelet reactivity on clopidogrel therapy
      with regards to cardiovascular outcomes, including need for revascularization,
      myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and cardiovascular (CV) death. METHODS: A
      retrospective chart review was conducted on patients who received percutaneous
      coronary intervention (PCI) at the Richard L. Roudebush Veterans Affairs Medical
      Center and were subsequently prescribed either clopidogrel 75 mg twice daily,
      prasugrel 10 mg daily, or clopidogrel 75 mg daily with high platelet reactivity
      between October 1, 2009 and November 30, 2010. Correlations between antiplatelet
      regimens and prevention of cardiovascular outcomes and bleeding events were
      evaluated. Groups were evaluated statistically as two separate comparisons; the
      first comparison being clopidogrel twice daily versus prasugrel and the second
      comparison being clopidogrel twice daily versus clopidogrel daily in those
      patients with a P2Y12 test result of less than 50%. RESULTS: A total of 108
      patients were included in the study. Eight events occurred in the clopidogrel
      twice daily group (n = 26), including five revascularizations and three MIs.
      Seven events occurred in the prasugrel group (n = 64), including two
      revascularizations, two MIs, two strokes, and one CV death. The difference
      between these groups was statistically significant (p = 0.031), with patients in
      the prasugrel group experiencing fewer events. Five events occurred in the
      clopidogrel daily group (n = 18), including one need for revascularization, two
      MIs, and two instances of CV death. There were no statistically significant
      differences in CV events between the clopidogrel twice daily group and
      clopidogrel daily group (p > 0.999). There were also no statistically significant
      differences in bleeding incidents for either of the comparisons; p > 0.999 and p
      = 0.676 respectively for the first and second comparisons. CONCLUSION: Patients
      on prasugrel had fewer cardiovascular events as compared to patients on
      clopidogrel twice daily with no difference in bleeding events. No difference was
      seen with regards to cardiovascular or bleeding events when comparing clopidogrel
      twice daily to clopidogrel daily in patients with increased platelet reactivity.
      Study results suggest that there is no benefit to dosing clopidogrel twice daily
      when compared to either prasugrel or once daily clopidogrel dosing.

PMID- 26272902
TI  - The Arabidopsis gene DIG6 encodes a large 60S subunit nuclear export GTPase 1
      that is involved in ribosome biogenesis and affects multiple auxin-regulated
      development processes.
AB  - The circularly permuted GTPase large subunit GTPase 1 (LSG1) is involved in the
      maturation step of the 60S ribosome and is essential for cell viability in yeast.
      Here, an Arabidopsis mutant dig6 (drought inhibited growth of lateral roots) was
      isolated. The mutant exhibited multiple auxin-related phenotypes, which included
      reduced lateral root number, altered leaf veins, and shorter roots. Genetic
      mapping combined with next-generation DNA sequencing identified that the mutation
      occurred in AtLSG1-2. This gene was highly expressed in regions of auxin
      accumulation. Ribosome profiling revealed that a loss of function of AtLSG1-2 led
      to decreased levels of monosomes, further demonstrating its role in ribosome
      biogenesis. Quantitative proteomics showed that the expression of certain
      proteins involved in ribosome biogenesis was differentially regulated, indicating
      that ribosome biogenesis processes were impaired in the mutant. Further
      investigations showed that an AtLSG1-2 deficiency caused the alteration of auxin
      distribution, response, and transport in plants. It is concluded that AtLSG1-2 is
      integral to ribosome biogenesis, consequently affecting auxin homeostasis and
      plant development. 

PMID- 26272901
TI  - Genome-wide mapping of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine in three rice cultivars reveals
      its preferential localization in transcriptionally silent transposable element
      genes.
AB  - 5-Hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC), a modified form of cytosine that is considered
      the sixth nucleobase in DNA, has been detected in mammals and is believed to play
      an important role in gene regulation. In this study, 5hmC modification was
      detected in rice by employing a dot-blot assay, and its levels was further
      quantified in DNA from different rice tissues using liquid chromatography
      multistage mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS/MS). The results showed large intertissue
      variation in 5hmC levels. The genome-wide profiles of 5hmC modification in three
      different rice cultivars were also obtained using a sensitive chemical labelling
      followed by a next-generation sequencing method. Thousands of 5hmC peaks were
      identified, and a comparison of the distributions of 5hmC among different rice
      cultivars revealed the specificity and conservation of 5hmC modification. The
      identified 5hmC peaks were significantly enriched in heterochromatin regions, and
      mainly located in transposable elements (TEs), especially around
      retrotransposons. The correlation analysis of 5hmC and gene expression data
      revealed a close association between 5hmC and silent TEs. These findings provide
      a resource for plant DNA 5hmC epigenetic studies and expand our knowledge of 5hmC
      modification. 

PMID- 26272903
TI  - Photosynthetic lesions can trigger accelerated senescence in Arabidopsis
      thaliana.
AB  - Senescence is a highly regulated process characterized by the active breakdown of
      cells, which ultimately leads to the death of plant organs or whole plants. In
      annual plants such as Arabidopsis thaliana senescence can be observed in each
      individual leaf. Whether deficiencies in photosynthesis promote the induction of
      senescence was investigated by monitoring chlorophyll degradation, photosynthetic
      parameters, and reactive oxygen species accumulation in photosynthetic mutants.
      Several mutations affecting components of the photosynthetic apparatus, including
      psal-2, psan-2, and psbs, were found to lead to premature or faster senescence,
      as did simultaneous inactivation of the STN7 and STN8 kinases. Premature
      senescence is apparently not directly linked to an overall reduction in
      photosynthesis but to perturbations in specific aspects of the process. Dark
      induced senescence is accelerated in mutants affected in linear electron flow,
      especially psad2-1, psan-2, and pete2-1, as well as in stn7 and stn8 mutants and
      STN7 and STN8 overexpressor lines. Interestingly, no direct link with ROS
      production could be observed. 

PMID- 26272905
TI  - TOPOLOGICAL MATTER. Observation of chiral currents at the magnetic domain
      boundary of a topological insulator.
AB  - A magnetic domain boundary on the surface of a three-dimensional topological
      insulator is predicted to host a chiral edge state, but direct demonstration is
      challenging. We used a scanning superconducting quantum interference device to
      show that current in a magnetized topological insulator heterostructure
      (EuS/Bi2Se3) flows at the edge when the Fermi level is gate-tuned to the surface
      band gap. We further induced micrometer-scale magnetic structures on the
      heterostructure and detected a chiral edge current at the magnetic domain
      boundary. The chirality of the current was determined by magnetization of the
      surrounding domain, and its magnitude by the local chemical potential rather than
      the applied current. Such magnetic structures provide a platform for detecting
      topological magnetoelectric effects and may enable progress in quantum
      information processing and spintronics. 

PMID- 26272904
TI  - Discovery and spectroscopy of the young jovian planet 51 Eri b with the Gemini
      Planet Imager.
AB  - Directly detecting thermal emission from young extrasolar planets allows
      measurement of their atmospheric compositions and luminosities, which are
      influenced by their formation mechanisms. Using the Gemini Planet Imager, we
      discovered a planet orbiting the ~20-million-year-old star 51 Eridani at a
      projected separation of 13 astronomical units. Near-infrared observations show a
      spectrum with strong methane and water-vapor absorption. Modeling of the spectra
      and photometry yields a luminosity (normalized by the luminosity of the Sun) of
      1.6 to 4.0 * 10(-6) and an effective temperature of 600 to 750 kelvin. For this
      age and luminosity, "hot-start" formation models indicate a mass twice that of
      Jupiter. This planet also has a sufficiently low luminosity to be consistent with
      the "cold-start" core-accretion process that may have formed Jupiter. 

PMID- 26272907
TI  - Complete biosynthesis of opioids in yeast.
AB  - Opioids are the primary drugs used in Western medicine for pain management and
      palliative care. Farming of opium poppies remains the sole source of these
      essential medicines, despite diverse market demands and uncertainty in crop
      yields due to weather, climate change, and pests. We engineered yeast to produce
      the selected opioid compounds thebaine and hydrocodone starting from sugar. All
      work was conducted in a laboratory that is permitted and secured for work with
      controlled substances. We combined enzyme discovery, enzyme engineering, and
      pathway and strain optimization to realize full opiate biosynthesis in yeast. The
      resulting opioid biosynthesis strains required the expression of 21 (thebaine)
      and 23 (hydrocodone) enzyme activities from plants, mammals, bacteria, and yeast
      itself. This is a proof of principle, and major hurdles remain before
      optimization and scale-up could be achieved. Open discussions of options for
      governing this technology are also needed in order to responsibly realize
      alternative supplies for these medically relevant compounds. 

PMID- 26272908
TI  - Broad-based molecular autopsy: a potential tool to investigate the involvement of
      subtle cardiac conditions in sudden unexpected death in infancy and early
      childhood.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Sudden unexplained death in children is a tragic and traumatic event,
      often worsened when the cause of death cannot be determined. This work aimed to
      investigate the presence of putative pathogenic genetic variants in a broad
      spectrum of cardiomyopathy, channelopathy and aortic disease associated genes
      that may have increased these children's vulnerability to sudden cardiac death.
      DESIGN: We performed molecular autopsy of 41 cases of sudden unexplained death in
      infants and children through massive parallel sequencing of up to 86 sudden
      cardiac death-related genes. Multiple in silico analyses were conducted together
      with a thorough review of the literature in order to prioritise the putative
      pathogenic variants. RESULTS: A total of 63 variants in 35 cases were validated.
      The largest proportion of these variants is located within cardiomyopathy genes
      although this would have been more expected of channelopathy gene variants.
      Subtle microscopic features of heart tissue may indicate the presence of an early
      onset cardiomyopathy as a predisposing condition to sudden unexpected death in
      some individuals. CONCLUSIONS: Next-generation sequencing technologies reveal the
      existence of a wide spectrum of rare and novel genetic variants in sarcomere
      genes, compared with that of cardiac ion channels, in sudden unexplained death in
      infants and children. Our findings encourage further investigation of the role of
      early onset inherited cardiomyopathies and other diseases involving myocardial
      dysfunction in these deaths. Early detection of variants in these individuals
      could help to unmask subtle forms of disease within their relatives, who would
      eventually benefit from better counselling about their genetic history.

PMID- 26272909
TI  - Intrauterine versus extrauterine influences on adult disease risk:
      epidemiological aspects and sociocultural issues.

PMID- 26272906
TI  - MUCOSAL IMMUNOLOGY. Individual intestinal symbionts induce a distinct population
      of RORgamma+ regulatory T cells.
AB  - T regulatory cells that express the transcription factor Foxp3 (Foxp3(+) T(regs))
      promote tissue homeostasis in several settings. We now report that symbiotic
      members of the human gut microbiota induce a distinct T(reg) population in the
      mouse colon, which constrains immuno-inflammatory responses. This induction-which
      we find to map to a broad, but specific, array of individual bacterial species
      requires the transcription factor Rorgamma, paradoxically, in that Rorgamma is
      thought to antagonize FoxP3 and to promote T helper 17 (T(H)17) cell
      differentiation. Rorgamma's transcriptional footprint differs in colonic T(regs)
      and T(H)17 cells and controls important effector molecules. Rorgamma, and the
      T(regs) that express it, contribute substantially to regulating colonic
      T(H)1/T(H)17 inflammation. Thus, the marked context-specificity of Rorgamma
      results in very different outcomes even in closely related cell types.

PMID- 26272910
TI  - Trends in admission and death rates due to paediatric head injury in England,
      2000-2011.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The number of children admitted to hospital is increasing year on
      year, with very short-stay admissions doubling in the last decade. Childhood head
      injury accounts for half a million emergency department attendances in the UK
      every year. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has
      issued three iterations of evidence-based national guidance for head injury since
      2003. OBJECTIVES: To assess if any changes in the rates of admission, death or
      causes of head injury could be temporally associated with the introduction of
      sequential national guidelines by longitudinal analysis of the epidemiology of
      paediatric head injury admissions in England from 2000 to 2011. METHODS:
      Retrospective analysis of English Hospital Episode Statistics data of children
      under the age of 16 years old admitted to hospital with the discharge diagnosis
      of head injury. RESULTS: The number of hospital admissions with paediatric head
      injury in England rose by 10% from 34 150 in 2000 to 37 430 in 2011, with the
      proportion admitted for less than 1 day rising from 38% to 57%. The main cause of
      head injury was falls (42-47%). Deaths due to head injury decreased by 52% from
      76 in 2000 to 40 in 2011. Road traffic accidents were the main cause of death in
      the year 2000 (67%) but fell to 40% by 2011. In 2000, children who were admitted
      or died from head injuries were more than twice as likely to come from the most
      deprived homes compared with least deprived homes. By 2011, the disparity for
      risk of admission had narrowed, but no change was seen for risk of death.
      CONCLUSIONS: Temporal relationships exist between implementation of NICE head
      injury guidance and increased admissions, shorter hospital stay and reduced
      mortality. The underlying cause of this association is likely to be
      multifactorial.

PMID- 26272911
TI  - Why do young children die in the UK? A comparison with Sweden.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The UK has a high child mortality rate, whereas Sweden's is lower
      (under-five mortality rates of five and three, respectively, in 2011).We
      therefore wished to compare causes of death in young children aged <5 years in
      the two countries. METHODS: Under-five mortality data were obtained from the
      Office of National Statistics for each of the individual countries within the UK
      for 3 years (2006-2008). Data for Sweden for the same period were obtained from
      the National Board of Health and Welfare. Causes of death were compared
      statistically using chi(2) test. RESULTS: There were a total of 14,104 and 1036
      deaths aged <5 years in the UK and Sweden, respectively, between 2006 and 2008.
      The total numbers of live births during the same period were 2,295,964 and
      315,884, respectively. The overall mortality rate in the UK was 614 per 100,000
      children which was significantly higher than that in Sweden (328; p<0.001). The
      mortality rates for the three main causes of death in the UK (prematurity,
      congenital malformations and infections) were 138.5, 112.1 and 63.9,
      respectively, per 100,000 children. The mortality rates for the same three
      conditions in Sweden were 10.1, 88.6 and 34.8, respectively. They were all
      significantly more frequent in the UK than in Sweden (p<0.001), as were the
      majority of the disorders. Treatable infections, such as pneumonia, meningitis
      and septicaemia, in both neonates and young children had significantly higher
      mortality rates in the UK than in Sweden (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In order to
      reduce the mortality rate in the UK, we need to try and reduce the causes of
      prematurity. Additionally, the care of children with treatable infections should
      be reviewed to understand ways in which to reduce the differences in mortality
      seen.

PMID- 26272912
TI  - Where do the differences in childhood mortality rates between England and Wales
      and Sweden originate?

PMID- 26272913
TI  - Pain and Prejudice: Does Collecting Information From the Standpoint of Exposed
      Workers Improve Scientific Examination of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders?
AB  - The meaning, feasibility, and importance of scientific objectivity have been
      debated among public health scientists. The debate is particularly relevant to
      occupational health, because of frequent opposition between employer and worker
      interests. This article suggests that the concept of standpoint (J. Eakin) may be
      more useful than that of objectivity in framing discussion of work-related
      musculoskeletal disorders. Studies done from a "worker" standpoint can, for
      example, investigate and characterize environmental risk factors for work-related
      musculoskeletal disorders, while studies from an "employer" standpoint may
      concentrate on identifying individual workers likely to report work-related
      musculoskeletal disorders or those for whom consequences of work-related
      musculoskeletal disorders are more severe. Within "worker" standpoints, a
      distinction between "high-prestige worker" and "lower-prestige worker"
      standpoints can be identified in the current scientific debate about the health
      costs and benefits of prolonged standing vs prolonged sitting at work. Contact
      with workers, particularly lower-prestige workers, is critical to developing and
      sustaining a worker-based standpoint among researchers in occupational health.
      This contact can be facilitated by formal collaborations between universities and
      unions or other community groups.

PMID- 26272914
TI  - Do 'flexicurity' Policies Work for People With Low Education and Health Problems?
      A Comparison of Labour Market Policies and Employment Rates in Denmark, The
      Netherlands, Sweden, and the United Kingdom 1990-2010.
AB  - People with limiting longstanding illness and low education may experience
      problems in the labor market. Reduced employment protection that maintains
      economic security for the individual, known as "flexicurity," has been proposed
      as a way to increase overall employment. We compared the development of labor
      market policies and employment rates from 1990 to 2010 in Denmark and the
      Netherlands (representing flexicurity), the United Kingdom, and Sweden.
      Employment rates in all countries were much lower in the target group than for
      other groups over the study period. However, "flexicurity" as practiced in
      Denmark, far from being a "magic bullet," appeared to fail low-educated people
      with longstanding illness in particular. The Swedish policy, on the other hand,
      with higher employment protection and higher economic security, particularly
      earlier in the study period, led to higher employment rates in this group.
      Findings also revealed that economic security policies in all countries were
      eroding and shifting toward individual responsibility. Finally, results showed
      that active labor market policies need to be subcategorized to better understand
      which types are best suited for the target group. Increasing employment among the
      target group could reduce adverse health consequences and contribute to
      decreasing inequalities in health. 

PMID- 26272915
TI  - Induction of lateral lumens through disruption of a monoleucine-based basolateral
      sorting motif in betacellulin.
AB  - Directed delivery of EGF receptor (EGFR) ligands to the apical or basolateral
      surface is a crucial regulatory step in the initiation of EGFR signaling in
      polarized epithelial cells. Herein, we show that the EGFR ligand betacellulin
      (BTC) is preferentially sorted to the basolateral surface of polarized MDCK
      cells. By using sequential truncations and site-directed mutagenesis within the
      BTC cytoplasmic domain, combined with selective cell-surface biotinylation and
      immunofluorescence, we have uncovered a monoleucine-based basolateral-sorting
      motif (EExxxL, specifically (156)EEMETL(161)). Disruption of this sorting motif
      led to equivalent apical and basolateral localization of BTC. Unlike other EGFR
      ligands, BTC mistrafficking induced formation of lateral lumens in polarized MDCK
      cells, and this process was significantly attenuated by inhibition of EGFR.
      Additionally, expression of a cancer-associated somatic BTC mutation (E156K) led
      to BTC mistrafficking and induced lateral lumens in MDCK cells. Overexpression of
      BTC, especially mistrafficking forms, increased the growth of MDCK cells. These
      results uncover a unique role for BTC mistrafficking in promoting epithelial
      reorganization. 

PMID- 26272916
TI  - mRNA encoding Sec61beta, a tail-anchored protein, is localized on the endoplasmic
      reticulum.
AB  - Although one pathway for the post-translational targeting of tail-anchored
      proteins to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) has been well defined, it is unclear
      whether additional pathways exist. Here, we provide evidence that a subset of
      mRNAs encoding tail-anchored proteins, including Sec61beta and nesprin-2, is
      partially localized to the surface of the ER in mammalian cells. In particular,
      Sec61b mRNA can be targeted to, and later maintained on, the ER using both
      translation-dependent and -independent mechanisms. Our data suggests that this
      process is independent of p180 (also known as RRBP1), a known mRNA receptor on
      the ER, and the transmembrane domain recognition complex (TRC) pathway
      components, TRC40 (also known as ASNA1) and BAT3 (also known as BAG6). In
      addition, our data indicates that Sec61b mRNA might access translocon-bound
      ribosomes. Our results show that certain tail-anchored proteins are likely to be
      synthesized directly on the ER, and this facilitates their membrane insertion.
      Thus, it is clear that mammalian cells utilize multiple mechanisms to ensure
      efficient targeting of tail-anchored proteins to the surface of the ER. 

PMID- 26272918
TI  - MyoD transcription factor induces myogenesis by inhibiting Twist-1 through miR
      206.
AB  - Twist-1 is mostly expressed during development and has been previously shown to
      control myogenesis. Because its regulation in muscle has not been fully
      exploited, the aim of this project was to identify micro (mi)RNAs in muscle that
      regulate Twist-1. miR-206, one of the most important muscle-specific miRNAs
      (myomiRs), was identified as a possible regulator of Twist-1 mRNA. Luciferase
      assays and transfections in human foetal myoblasts showed that Twist-1 is a
      direct target of miR-206 and that through this pathway muscle cell
      differentiation is promoted. We next investigated whether MyoD, a major myogenic
      transcription factor, regulates Twist-1 because it is known that MyoD induces
      expression of the miR-206 gene. We found that forced MyoD expression induced miR
      206 upregulation and Twist-1 downregulation through binding to the miR-206
      promoter, followed by increased muscle cell differentiation. Finally, experiments
      were performed in muscle cells from subjects with congenital myotonic dystrophy
      type 1, in which myoblasts fail to differentiate into myotubes. MyoD
      overexpression inhibited Twist-1 through miR-206 induction, which was followed by
      an increase in muscle cell differentiation. These results reveal a previously
      unidentified mechanism of myogenesis that might also play an important role in
      muscle disease. 

PMID- 26272919
TI  - Genetic evidence for a microtubule-capture mechanism during polarised growth of
      Aspergillus nidulans.
AB  - The cellular switch from symmetry to polarity in eukaryotes depends on the
      microtubule (MT) and actin cytoskeletons. In fungi such as Schizosaccharomyces
      pombe or Aspergillus nidulans, the MT cytoskeleton determines the sites of actin
      polymerization through cortical cell-end marker proteins. Here we describe A.
      nidulans MT guidance protein A (MigA) as the first ortholog of the karyogamy
      protein Kar9 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae in filamentous fungi. A. nidulans MigA
      interacts with the cortical ApsA protein and is involved in spindle positioning
      during mitosis. MigA is also associated with septal and nuclear MT organizing
      centers (MTOCs). Super-resolution photoactivated localization microscopy (PALM)
      analyses revealed that MigA is recruited to assembling and retracting MT plus
      ends in an EbA-dependent manner. MigA is required for MT convergence in hyphal
      tips and plays a role in correct localization of the cell-end markers TeaA and
      TeaR. In addition, MigA interacts with a class-V myosin, suggesting that an
      active mechanism exists to capture MTs and to pull the ends along actin
      filaments. Hence, the organization of MTs and actin depend on each other, and
      positive feedback loops ensure robust polar growth. 

PMID- 26272917
TI  - The NMDA receptor functions independently and as an LRP1 co-receptor to promote
      Schwann cell survival and migration.
AB  - NMDA receptors (NMDA-Rs) are ionotropic glutamate receptors, which associate with
      LDL-receptor-related protein-1 (LRP1) to trigger cell signaling in response to
      protein ligands in neurons. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that the NMDA
      R is expressed by rat Schwann cells and functions independently and with LRP1 to
      regulate Schwann cell physiology. The NR1 (encoded by GRIN1) and NR2b (encoded by
      GRIN2B) NMDA-R subunits were expressed by cultured Schwann cells and upregulated
      in sciatic nerves following crush injury. The ability of LRP1 ligands to activate
      ERK1/2 (also known as MAPK3 and MAPK1, respectively) and promote Schwann cell
      migration required the NMDA-R. NR1 gene silencing compromised Schwann cell
      survival. Injection of the LRP1 ligands tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA,
      also known as PLAT) or MMP9-PEX into crush-injured sciatic nerves activated
      ERK1/2 in Schwann cells in vivo, and the response was blocked by systemic
      treatment with the NMDA-R inhibitor MK801. tPA was unique among the LRP1 ligands
      examined because tPA activated cell signaling and promoted Schwann cell migration
      by interacting with the NMDA-R independently of LRP1, albeit with delayed
      kinetics. These results define the NMDA-R as a Schwann cell signaling receptor
      for protein ligands and a major regulator of Schwann cell physiology, which may
      be particularly important in peripheral nervous system (PNS) injury. 

PMID- 26272920
TI  - Polycomb RING1A- and RING1B-dependent histone H2A monoubiquitylation at
      pericentromeric regions promotes S-phase progression.
AB  - The functions of polycomb products extend beyond their well-known activity as
      transcriptional regulators to include genome duplication processes. Polycomb
      activities during DNA replication and DNA damage repair are unclear, particularly
      without induced replicative stress. We have used a cellular model of
      conditionally inactive polycomb E3 ligases (RING1A and RING1B), which
      monoubiquitylate lysine 119 of histone H2A (H2AK119Ub), to examine DNA
      replication in unperturbed cells. We identify slow elongation and fork stalling
      during DNA replication that is associated with the accumulation of mid and late S
      phase cells. Signs of replicative stress and colocalisation of double-strand
      breaks with chromocenters, the sites of coalesced pericentromeric heterocromatic
      (PCH) domains, were enriched in cells at mid S-phase, the stage at which PCH is
      replicated. Altered replication was rescued by targeted monoubiquitylation of PCH
      through methyl-CpG binding domain protein 1. The acute senescence associated with
      the depletion of RING1 proteins, which is mediated by p21 (also known as CDKN1A)
      upregulation, could be uncoupled from a response to DNA damage. These findings
      link cell proliferation and the polycomb proteins RING1A and RING1B to S-phase
      progression through a specific function in PCH replication. 

PMID- 26272921
TI  - FoxO1 inhibits transcription and membrane trafficking of epithelial Na+ channel.
AB  - The epithelial Na(+) channel (ENaC), regulated by insulin, is of fundamental
      importance in the control of Na(+) reabsorption in the distal nephron. The
      potential role of Forkhead box O1 (FoxO1), downstream of insulin signaling, in
      the regulation of ENaC remains to be investigated. Here, we found that the
      overexpression of a constitutively active form of FoxO1 (ADA-FoxO1) suppressed
      the mRNA level of the ENaC alpha subunit (alpha-ENaC; also known as SCCN1A) and
      the apical density of ENaC in mouse cortical collecting duct (mCCD) cells.
      Conversely, knockdown of FoxO1 increased the apical membrane levels of alpha-ENaC
      and Na(+) transport under basal conditions. Insulin elevated alpha-ENaC
      expression and induced FoxO1 phosphorylation; however, the increase in alpha-ENaC
      and phosphorylated FoxO1 expression observed with insulin treatment was blunted ~
      60% in cells expressing ADA-FoxO1. Moreover, insulin induced the interaction
      between phosphorylated FoxO1 and 14-3-3epsilon, indicating that FoxO1
      phosphorylation promotes ENaC membrane trafficking by binding to 14-3-3epsilon.
      FoxO1 also suppressed activity of the alpha-ENaC promoter, and the putative FoxO1
      target site is located in the -500 to -200 nt region of the alpha-ENaC promoter.
      These findings indicate that FoxO1 is a key negative regulatory factor in the
      insulin-dependent control of ENaC expression and forward trafficking in mCCD
      epithelia.

PMID- 26272922
TI  - Cellular functions of Rab GTPases at a glance.
AB  - Rab GTPases control intracellular membrane traffic by recruiting specific
      effector proteins to restricted membranes in a GTP-dependent manner. In this Cell
      Science at a Glance and the accompanying poster, we highlight the regulation of
      Rab GTPases by proteins that control their membrane association and activation
      state, and provide an overview of the cellular processes that are regulated by
      Rab GTPases and their effectors, including protein sorting, vesicle motility and
      vesicle tethering. We also discuss the physiological importance of Rab GTPases
      and provide examples of diseases caused by their dysfunctions. 

PMID- 26272924
TI  - Opinion: Is CRISPR-based gene drive a biocontrol silver bullet or global
      conservation threat?

PMID- 26272923
TI  - Origin of colossal magnetoresistance in LaMnO3 manganite.
AB  - Phase separation is a crucial ingredient of the physics of manganites; however,
      the role of mixed phases in the development of the colossal magnetoresistance
      (CMR) phenomenon still needs to be clarified. We report the realization of CMR in
      a single-valent LaMnO3 manganite. We found that the insulator-to-metal transition
      at 32 GPa is well described using the percolation theory. Pressure induces phase
      separation, and the CMR takes place at the percolation threshold. A large memory
      effect is observed together with the CMR, suggesting the presence of magnetic
      clusters. The phase separation scenario is well reproduced, solving a model
      Hamiltonian. Our results demonstrate in a clean way that phase separation is at
      the origin of CMR in LaMnO3. 

PMID- 26272925
TI  - Reply to Jee et al. and Israelachvili and Drummond: Lubricant films do not
      fluidize in intermittent stick-slip friction.

PMID- 26272926
TI  - Scrutinizing evidence of no dilatancy upon stick-slip of confined fluids.

PMID- 26272927
TI  - On the conformational state of molecules in molecularly thin shearing films.

PMID- 26272928
TI  - Obstructive sleep apnoea and cardiovascular calcification.

PMID- 26272930
TI  - Correction.

PMID- 26272929
TI  - Look back with (some) anger, and a lot of pleasure.

PMID- 26272932
TI  - Deficiencies Identified in Dated Case Reports Associated With Herbalife.

PMID- 26272933
TI  - Single-Dose Vaccines.

PMID- 26272934
TI  - Reply to Nalin.

PMID- 26272936
TI  - P-Glycoprotein Transport of Neurotoxic Pesticides.
AB  - P-glycoprotein (P-gp) has been associated with a number of neurodegenerative
      diseases, including Parkinson's disease, although the mechanisms remain unclear.
      Altered transport of neurotoxic pesticides has been proposed in Parkinson's
      disease, but it is unknown whether these pesticides are P-gp substrates. We used
      three in vitro transport models, stimulation of ATPase activity, xenobiotic
      induced cytotoxicity, and inhibition of rhodamine-123 efflux, to evaluate P-gp
      transport of diazinon, dieldrin, endosulfan, ivermectin, maneb, 1-methyl-4-phenyl
      4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP(+)), and rotenone. Diazinon and rotenone stimulated
      ATPase activity in P-gp-expressing membranes, with Vmax values of 22.4 +/- 2.1
      and 16.8 +/- 1.0 nmol inorganic phosphate/min per mg protein, respectively, and
      Km values of 9.72 +/- 3.91 and 1.62 +/- 0.51 uM, respectively, compared with the
      P-gp substrate verapamil, with a Vmax of 20.8 +/- 0.7 nmol inorganic
      phosphate/min per mg protein and Km of 0.871 +/- 0.172 MUM. None of the other
      pesticides stimulated ATPase activity. We observed an increased resistance to
      MPP(+) and rotenone in LLC-MDR1-WT cells compared with LLC-vector cells, with
      15.4- and 2.2-fold increases in EC50 values, respectively. The resistance was
      reversed in the presence of the P-gp inhibitor verapamil. None of the other
      pesticides displayed differential cytotoxicity. Ivermectin was the only pesticide
      to inhibit P-gp transport of rhodamine-123, with an IC50 of 0.249 +/- 0.048 MUM.
      Our data demonstrate that dieldrin, endosulfan, and maneb are not P-gp substrates
      or inhibitors. We identified diazinon, MPP(+), and rotenone as P-gp substrates,
      although further investigation is needed to understand the role of P-gp transport
      in their disposition in vivo and associations with Parkinson's disease. 

PMID- 26272935
TI  - Human Neutrophils Are Primed by Chemoattractant Gradients for Blocking the Growth
      of Aspergillus fumigatus.
AB  - The contribution of human neutrophils to the protection against fungal infections
      by Aspergillus fumigatus is essential but not fully understood. Whereas healthy
      people can inhale spores of A. fumigatus without developing disease, neutropenic
      patients and those receiving immunosuppressive drugs have a higher incidence of
      invasive fungal infections. To study the role of neutrophils in protection
      against A. fumigatus infections, we developed an in vitro assay in which the
      interactions between human neutrophils and A. fumigatus were observed in real
      time, at single-cell resolution, in precisely controlled conditions. We measured
      the outcomes of neutrophil-fungus interactions and found that human neutrophils
      have a limited ability to migrate toward A. fumigatus and block the growth of A.
      fumigatus conidia (proportion with growth blocked, 69%). The blocking ability of
      human neutrophils increased to 85.1% when they were stimulated by uniform
      concentrations of fMLP and was enhanced further, to 99.4%, in the presence of
      chemoattractant gradients. Neutrophils from patients receiving immunosuppressive
      treatment after transplantation were less effective against the fungus than those
      from healthy donors, and broader heterogeneity exists between patients, compared
      with healthy individuals. Further studies using this microfluidic platform will
      help understand the relevance of innate immune deficiencies responsible for the
      higher risk of fungal infections in patients with immunosuppressive disease. 

PMID- 26272938
TI  - Multisite Thrombus Imaging and Fibrin Content Estimation With a Single Whole-Body
      PET Scan in Rats.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Thrombosis is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide.
      Current diagnostic strategies rely on imaging modalities that are specific for
      distinct vascular territories, but a thrombus-specific whole-body imaging
      approach is still missing. Moreover, imaging techniques to assess thrombus
      composition are underdeveloped, although therapeutic strategies may benefit from
      such technology. Therefore, our goal was to test whether positron emission
      tomography (PET) with the fibrin-binding probe (64)Cu-FBP8 allows multisite
      thrombus detection and fibrin content estimation. APPROACH AND RESULTS:
      Thrombosis was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats (n=32) by ferric chloride
      application on both carotid artery and femoral vein. (64)Cu-FBP8-PET/CT imaging
      was performed 1, 3, or 7 days after thrombosis to detect thrombus location and to
      evaluate age-dependent changes in target uptake. Ex vivo biodistribution,
      autoradiography, and histopathology were performed to validate imaging results.
      Arterial and venous thrombi were localized on fused PET/CT images with high
      accuracy (97.6%; 95% confidence interval, 92-100). A single whole-body PET/MR
      imaging session was sufficient to reveal the location of both arterial and venous
      thrombi after (64)Cu-FBP8 administration. PET imaging showed that probe uptake
      was greater in younger clots than in older ones for both arterial and venous
      thrombosis (P<0.0001). Quantitative histopathology revealed an age-dependent
      reduction of thrombus fibrin content (P<0.001), consistent with PET results.
      Biodistribution and autoradiography further confirmed the imaging findings.
      CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that (64)Cu-FBP8-PET is a feasible approach for
      whole-body thrombus detection and that molecular imaging of fibrin can provide,
      noninvasively, insight into clot composition.

PMID- 26272941
TI  - A coalition partnership of vision health through a health-promoting school
      program for primary school students in Taiwan.
AB  - Myopia, the most common refractive error, is the most common cause of avoidable
      visual impairment among children and has reached epidemic proportions among
      children and young adults in urban areas of East and Southeast Asia that contain
      populations of Chinese ancestry. Moreover, vision health is an important theme of
      the health-promoting school program issued by the Ministry of Education in
      Taiwan. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of pre- and post
      intervention proposed by the health-promoting school (HPS) model. The objectives
      are to understand whether the HPS model influenced the vision screening results
      and the attitude, knowledge level, and vision care behavior of the students
      involved. A prospective cohort study design was used to evaluate a vision health
      program. Four elementary schools, local education authorities, and one university
      in northern Taiwan established a coalition partnership to design a six-month
      program to combat myopia among students. The target population was 6668 school
      children from local elementary schools. For the purpose of this study, the
      outcome of visual acuity testing (in logMAR) was analyzed with a sampling of 373
      school children (aged 11-12 years old) who were chosen from high prevalence of
      poor vision classes. After the HPS program, the attitudes, behaviors, and
      knowledge levels of the school children regarding vision health were
      significantly improved. The pre-intervention mean logMAR of all participating
      students ( N = 373) was -.10, which increased to -.19 after the intervention.
      Analysis using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test showed that the logMAR value was
      significantly improved after the intervention ( t = 2.13, p < 0.05). Our findings
      highlight the relevance and effectiveness of the coalition's efforts, which
      reinforces the usefulness of co-operatively implementing the HPS program.

PMID- 26272939
TI  - Gallstone Disease and the Risk of Ischemic Heart Disease.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Gallstone disease (GSD) is related to multiple cardiovascular risk
      factors; the present study was to prospectively examine the association between
      GSD and ischemic heart disease (IHD). APPROACH AND RESULTS: We examined the
      association of GSD with IHD among 199 292 men and 288 081 women aged 30-79 years
      in the China Kadoorie Biobank study. Participants with cancer, heart disease, and
      stroke at baseline were excluded. Cox proportional hazards regression model was
      used to estimate the association of GSD with IHD. The prevalence of self-reported
      GSD was 3.7% in men and 7.3% in women at baseline. During 3 431 124 person-years
      of follow-up between 2004 and 2013 (median, 7.2 years), we documented 10 245
      incident IHD cases in men and 14 714 in women. As compared with men without GSD
      at baseline, the multivariate-adjusted hazard ratio for IHD was 1.11 (95%
      confidence interval, 1.02-1.22) for men with GSD; the respective hazard ratio was
      1.27 (95% confidence interval, 1.20-1.34) in women and 1.23 (95% confidence
      interval, 1.17-1.28) in the whole cohort. The sex difference in IHD risk
      associated with GSD was statistically significant (P=0.009 for interaction with
      sex). In addition, we found that the association between GSD and IHD was stronger
      in nonhypertensive than in hypertensive women (P<0.001 for interaction).
      CONCLUSIONS: In this large prospective study, the presence of GSD was associated
      with an increased risk of incident IHD, independent of other risk factors of
      cardiovascular disease. Our findings suggest novel prevention strategy to
      mitigate heart disease through improvement of gastrointestinal health.

PMID- 26272940
TI  - Drug-Free Platelets Can Act as Seeds for Aggregate Formation During Antiplatelet
      Therapy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Reduced antiplatelet drug efficacy occurs in conditions of increased
      platelet turnover, associated with increased proportions of drug-free, that is,
      uninhibited, platelets. Here, we detail mechanisms by which drug-free platelets
      promote platelet aggregation in the face of standard antiplatelet therapy.
      APPROACH AND RESULTS: To model standard antiplatelet therapy, platelets were
      treated in vitro with aspirin, the P2Y12 receptor blocker prasugrel active
      metabolite, or aspirin plus prasugrel active metabolite. Different proportions of
      uninhibited platelets were then introduced. Light transmission aggregometry
      analysis demonstrated clear positive associations between proportions of drug
      free platelets and percentage platelet aggregation in response to a range of
      platelet agonists. Using differential platelet labeling coupled with advanced
      flow cytometry and confocal imaging we found aggregates formed in mixtures of
      aspirin-inhibited platelets together with drug-free platelets were characterized
      by intermingled platelet populations. This distribution is in accordance with the
      ability of drug-free platelets to generate thromboxane A2 and so drive secondary
      platelet activation. Conversely, aggregates formed in mixtures of prasugrel
      active metabolite-inhibited or aspirin plus prasugrel active metabolite-inhibited
      platelets together with drug-free platelets were characterized by distinct cores
      of drug-free platelets. This distribution is consistent with the ability of drug
      free platelets to respond to the secondary activator ADP. CONCLUSIONS: These
      experiments are the first to image the interactions of inhibited and uninhibited
      platelets in the formation of platelet aggregates. They demonstrate that a
      general population of platelets can contain subpopulations that respond
      strikingly differently to overall stimulation of the population and so act as the
      seed for platelet aggregation.

PMID- 26272937
TI  - HU-444, a Novel, Potent Anti-Inflammatory, Nonpsychotropic Cannabinoid.
AB  - Cannabidiol (CBD) is a component of cannabis, which does not cause the typical
      marijuana-type effects, but has a high potential for use in several therapeutic
      areas. In contrast to Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta(9)-THC), it binds very
      weakly to the CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors. It has potent activity in both
      in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory assays. Thus, it lowers the formation of
      tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, a proinflammatory cytokine, and was found to
      be an oral antiarthritic therapeutic in murine collagen-induced arthritis in
      vivo. However, in acidic media, it can cyclize to the psychoactive Delta(9)-THC.
      We report the synthesis of a novel CBD derivative, HU-444, which cannot be
      converted by acid cyclization into a Delta(9)-THC-like compound. In vitro HU-444
      had anti-inflammatory activity (decrease of reactive oxygen intermediates and
      inhibition of TNF-alpha production by macrophages); in vivo it led to suppression
      of production of TNF-alpha and amelioration of liver damage as well as lowering
      of mouse collagen-induced arthritis. HU-444 did not cause Delta(9)-THC-like
      effects in mice. We believe that HU-444 represents a potential novel drug for
      rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases. 

PMID- 26272942
TI  - Cellular mechanisms of MR regulation of adipose tissue physiology and
      pathophysiology.
AB  - In addition to the well-documented expression and activity of the
      mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) in the kidney, in the last decade research on MR
      has also revealed its important role in regulating functions of extrarenal
      tissues, including adipose tissue, where MR is involved in adipocyte fundamental
      processes such as differentiation, autophagy and adipokine secretion. MR
      expression is increased in adipose tissue of murine models of obesity and in
      obese human subjects, suggesting that over-activation of the mineralocorticoid
      signaling leads to dysfunctional adipocyte and associated metabolic disorders.
      Notably, pharmacological blockade of MR prevents metabolic dysfunctions observed
      in obese mice and suggests a potential therapeutic use of MR antagonists in the
      treatment of obesity and metabolic syndrome. However, the molecular pathways
      affected by MR blockade have been poorly investigated. This review summarizes the
      functions of MR in the adipocyte, discusses potential signaling pathways
      mediating MR action, and describes post-translational modifications regulating
      its activity. 

PMID- 26272943
TI  - Amyloid fibrils are the molecular trigger of inflammation in Parkinson's disease.
AB  - Parkinson's disease (PD) is an age-related movement disorder characterized by a
      progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the midbrain. Although the
      presence of amyloid deposits of alpha-synuclein (alpha-syn) is the main
      pathological feature, PD brains also present a severe permanent inflammation,
      which largely contributes to neuropathology. Although alpha-syn has recently been
      implicated in this process, the molecular mechanisms underlying neuroinflammation
      remain unknown. In the present study, we investigated the ability of different
      alpha-syn aggregates to trigger inflammatory responses. We showed that alpha-syn
      induced inflammation through activation of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and the
      nucleotide oligomerization domain-like receptor pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3)
      inflammasome only when folded as amyloid fibrils. Oligomeric species, thought to
      be the primary species responsible for the disease, were surprisingly unable to
      trigger the same cascades. As neuroinflammation is a key player in PD pathology,
      these results put fibrils back to the fore and rekindles discussions about the
      primary toxic species contributing to the disease. Our data also suggest that the
      inflammatory properties of alpha-syn fibrils are linked to their intrinsic
      structure, most probably to their cross-beta structure. Since fibrils of other
      amyloids induce similar immunological responses, we propose that the canonical
      fibril-specific cross-beta structure represents a new generic motif recognized by
      the innate immune system. 

PMID- 26272945
TI  - Review: High-performance computing to detect epistasis in genome scale data sets.
AB  - It is becoming clear that most human diseases have a complex etiology that cannot
      be explained by single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) or simple additive
      combinations; the general consensus is that they are caused by combinations of
      multiple genetic variations. The limited success of some genome-wide association
      studies is partly a result of this focus on single genetic markers. A more
      promising approach is to take into account epistasis, by considering the
      association of multiple SNP interactions with disease. However, as genomic data
      continues to grow in resolution, and genome and exome sequencing become more
      established, the number of combinations of variants to consider increases
      rapidly. Two potential solutions should be considered: the use of high
      performance computing, which allows us to consider a larger number of variables,
      and heuristics to make the solution more tractable, essential in the case of
      genome sequencing. In this review, we look at different computational methods to
      analyse epistatic interactions within disease-related genetic data sets created
      by microarray technology. We also review efforts to use epistatic analysis
      results to produce biomarkers for diagnostic tests and give our views on future
      directions in this field in light of advances in sequencing technology and
      variants in non-coding regions.

PMID- 26272944
TI  - Efficient entry of cell-penetrating peptide nona-arginine into adherent cells
      involves a transient increase in intracellular calcium.
AB  - Understanding the mechanism of entry of cationic peptides such as nona-arginine
      (R9) into cells remains an important challenge to their use as efficient drug
      delivery vehicles. At nanomolar to low micromolar R9 concentrations and at
      physiological temperature, peptide entry involves endocytosis. In contrast, at a
      concentration >=10 MUM, R9 induces a very effective non-endocytic entry pathway
      specific for cationic peptides. We found that a similar entry pathway is induced
      at 1-2 MUM concentrations of R9 if peptide application is accompanied by a rapid
      temperature drop to 15 degrees C. Both at physiological and at sub-physiological
      temperatures, this entry mechanism was inhibited by depletion of the
      intracellular ATP pool. Intriguingly, we found that R9 at 10-20 MUM and 37
      degrees C induces repetitive spikes in intracellular Ca(2+) concentration. This
      Ca(2+) signalling correlated with the efficiency of the peptide entry. Pre
      loading cells with the Ca(2+) chelator BAPTA (1,2-bis(o-aminophenoxy)ethane
      N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid) inhibited both Ca(2+) spikes and peptide entry,
      suggesting that an increase in intracellular Ca(2+) precedes and is required for
      peptide entry. One of the hallmarks of Ca(2+) signalling is a transient cell
      surface exposure of phosphatidylserine (PS), a lipid normally residing only in
      the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane. Blocking the accessible PS with the PS
      binding domain of lactadherin strongly inhibited non-endocytic R9 entry,
      suggesting the importance of PS externalization in this process. To conclude, we
      uncovered a novel mechanistic link between calcium signalling and entry of
      cationic peptides. This finding will enhance our understanding of the properties
      of plasma membrane and guide development of future drug-delivery vehicles. 

PMID- 26272946
TI  - N-terminal-mediated oligomerization of DnaA drives the occupancy-dependent
      rejuvenation of the protein on the membrane.
AB  - DnaA, the initiator of chromosome replication in most known eubacteria species,
      is activated once per cell division cycle. Its overall activity cycle is driven
      by ATP hydrolysis and ADP-ATP exchange. The latter can be promoted by binding to
      specific sequences on the chromosome and/or to acidic phospholipids in the
      membrane. We have previously shown that the transition into an active form
      (rejuvenation) is strongly co-operative with respect to DnaA membrane occupancy.
      Only at low membrane occupancy is DnaA reactivation efficiently catalysed by the
      acidic phospholipids. The present study was aimed at unravelling the molecular
      mechanism underlying the occupancy-dependent DnaA rejuvenation. We found that
      truncation of the DnaA N-terminal completely abolishes the co-operative
      transformation between the high and low occupancy states (I and II respectively)
      without affecting the membrane binding. The environmentally sensitive fluorophore
      specifically attached to the N-terminal cysteines of DnaA reported on occupancy
      correlated changes in its vicinity. Cross-linking of DnaA with a short
      homobifunctional reagent revealed that state II of the protein on the membrane
      corresponds to a distinct oligomeric form of DnaA. The kinetic transition of DnaA
      on the membrane surface is described in the present study by a generalized 2D
      condensation phase transition model, confirming the existence of two states of
      DnaA on the membrane and pointing to the possibility that membrane protein
      density serves as an on-off switch in vivo. We conclude that the DnaA
      conformation attained at low surface density drives its N-terminal-mediated
      oligomerization, which is presumably a pre-requisite for facilitated nt exchange.

PMID- 26272947
TI  - Strategies for High-Quality Nutrition Therapy in Brazil.
AB  - Strategies for improving nutrition therapy (NT) are of utmost importance in any
      healthcare system. The identification and treatment of malnourished patients
      improves clinical outcome and reduces the length of hospital length of stay and
      the associated costs. In particular, federal policy regulating the use of NT in
      Brazil and reimbursement of enteral nutrition (EN) treatment were 2 powerful
      mechanisms that stimulated the development of nutrition care. Basic and clinical
      research have also contributed to best practices in NT, thereby highlighting the
      need for nutrition therapy teams, quality indicators, and nutrition education for
      the delivery of high-quality NT. It is clear that the availability of training
      and continuing education programs in clinical nutrition is key to improving
      nutrition awareness and care, as well as patient outcome. On the basis of our
      experience, we recommend the Brazilian model as a strategy for improving
      nutrition care, with appropriate and necessary adaptations made to accommodate
      different settings. 

PMID- 26272949
TI  - Drug-associated arrhythmia in the military patient.
AB  - Members of the Armed Forces may be exposed to drugs, or combinations of drugs,
      with the potential to prolong the QRS or QT intervals. The effect of this is to
      increase the likelihood of developing dangerous ventricular tachyarrhythmias,
      including ventricular tachycardia, torsades de pointes or ventricular
      fibrillation. Common examples of the pharmacological agents associated include
      antibiotics, antiemetics and antimalarials. Genetic predisposition, electrolyte
      disturbance, anaesthesia and trauma may exacerbate the proarrhythmic effect of
      these medications. Screening of recruits does not detect all those with a genetic
      predisposition to drug-associated arrhythmias, so vigilance in preventing this
      iatrogenic disorder and recognising and appropriately managing it when present is
      important. This article explains the physiological basis of arrhythmogenesis,
      outlines the clinical features and provides guidance on investigation and
      management, with particular reference to military patients. 

PMID- 26272948
TI  - Experimental evaluation of spatial resolution in phase maps retrieved by
      transport of intensity equation.
AB  - The transport of intensity equation (TIE) is a convenient method of obtaining a
      potential distribution, as it requires only three transmission electron
      microscopy images with different amounts of defocus. However, the spatial
      resolution of the TIE phase map has not yet been evaluated experimentally. In
      this study, we investigated the phase distribution of spherical gold
      nanoparticles and its dependence on the defocus difference and found that the
      spatial resolution was finer than 2 nm, even for a defocus difference of 4 um.
      Theoretical calculations reproduced the experimental results well. 

PMID- 26272950
TI  - Defining the essential anatomical coverage provided by military body armour
      against high energy projectiles.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Body armour is a type of equipment worn by military personnel that
      aims to prevent or reduce the damage caused by ballistic projectiles to
      structures within the thorax and abdomen. Such injuries remain the leading cause
      of potentially survivable deaths on the modern battlefield. Recent developments
      in computer modelling in conjunction with a programme to procure the next
      generation of UK military body armour has provided the impetus to re-evaluate the
      optimal anatomical coverage provided by military body armour against high energy
      projectiles. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was undertaken to
      identify those anatomical structures within the thorax and abdomen that if
      damaged were highly likely to result in death or significant long-term morbidity.
      These structures were superimposed upon two designs of ceramic plate used within
      representative body armour systems using a computerised representation of human
      anatomy. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Those structures requiring essential medical
      coverage by a plate were demonstrated to be the heart, great vessels, liver and
      spleen. For the 50th centile male anthropometric model used in this study, the
      front and rear plates from the Enhanced Combat Body Armour system only provide
      limited coverage, but do fulfil their original requirement. The plates from the
      current Mark 4a OSPREY system cover all of the structures identified in this
      study as requiring coverage except for the abdominal sections of the aorta and
      inferior vena cava. Further work on sizing of plates is recommended due to its
      potential to optimise essential medical coverage.

PMID- 26272951
TI  - Gold Nanoparticles Increase Endothelial Paracellular Permeability by Altering
      Components of Endothelial Tight Junctions, and Increase Blood-Brain Barrier
      Permeability in Mice.
AB  - Gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) are being increasingly used as constituents in
      cosmetics, biosensors, bioimaging, photothermal therapy, and targeted drug
      delivery. This elevated exposure to Au-NPs poses systemic risks in humans,
      particularly risks associated with the biodistribution of Au-NPs and their potent
      interaction with biological barriers. We treated human umbilical vein endothelial
      cells with Au-NPs and comprehensively examined the expression levels of tight
      junction (TJ) proteins such as occludin, claudin-5, junctional adhesion
      molecules, and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), as well as endothelial paracellular
      permeability and the intracellular signaling required for TJ organization.
      Moreover, we validated the effects of Au-NPs on the integrity of TJs in mouse
      brain microvascular endothelial cells in vitro and obtained direct evidence of
      their influence on blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability in vivo. Treatment with
      Au-NPs caused a pronounced reduction of PKCzeta-dependent threonine
      phosphorylation of occludin and ZO-1, which resulted in the instability of
      endothelial TJs and led to proteasome-mediated degradation of TJ components. This
      impairment in the assembly of TJs between endothelial cells increased the
      permeability of the transendothelial paracellular passage and the BBB. Au-NPs
      increased endothelial paracellular permeability in vitro and elevated BBB
      permeability in vivo. Future studies must investigate the direct and indirect
      toxicity caused by Au-NP-induced endothelial TJ opening and thereby address the
      double-edged-sword effect of Au-NPs.

PMID- 26272954
TI  - Correction.

PMID- 26272953
TI  - Omeprazole Attenuates Pulmonary Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Activation and
      Potentiates Hyperoxia-Induced Developmental Lung Injury in Newborn Mice.
AB  - Hyperoxia contributes to the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in
      human preterm infants and a similar lung phenotype characterized by alveolar
      simplification in newborn mice. Omeprazole (OM) is a proton pump inhibitor that
      is used to treat humans with gastric acid related disorders. OM-mediated aryl
      hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) activation attenuates acute hyperoxic lung injury
      (HLI) in adult mice. Whether OM activates pulmonary AhR and protects C57BL/6J
      newborn mice against hyperoxia-induced developmental lung (alveolar and pulmonary
      vascular simplification, inflammation, and oxidative stress) injury (HDLI) is
      unknown. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that OM will activate pulmonary AhR
      and mitigate HDLI in newborn mice. Newborn mice were treated daily with i.p.
      injections of OM at doses of 10 (OM10) or 25 (OM25) mg/kg while being exposed to
      air or hyperoxia (FiO2 of 85%) for 14 days, following which their lungs were
      harvested to determine alveolarization, pulmonary vascularization, inflammation,
      oxidative stress, vascular injury, and AhR activation. To our surprise, hyperoxia
      induced alveolar and pulmonary vascular simplification, inflammation, oxidative
      stress, and vascular injury were augmented in OM25-treated animals. These
      findings were associated with attenuated pulmonary vascular endothelial growth
      factor receptor 2 expression and decreased pulmonary AhR activation in the OM25
      group. We conclude that contrary to our hypothesis, OM decreases functional
      activation of pulmonary AhR and potentiates HDLI in newborn mice. These
      observations are consistent with our previous findings, which suggest that AhR
      activation plays a protective role in HDLI in newborn mice.

PMID- 26272952
TI  - Integrated Model of Chemical Perturbations of a Biological Pathway Using 18 In
      Vitro High-Throughput Screening Assays for the Estrogen Receptor.
AB  - We demonstrate a computational network model that integrates 18 in vitro, high
      throughput screening assays measuring estrogen receptor (ER) binding,
      dimerization, chromatin binding, transcriptional activation, and ER-dependent
      cell proliferation. The network model uses activity patterns across the in vitro
      assays to predict whether a chemical is an ER agonist or antagonist, or is
      otherwise influencing the assays through a manner dependent on the physics and
      chemistry of the technology platform ("assay interference"). The method is
      applied to a library of 1812 commercial and environmental chemicals, including 45
      ER positive and negative reference chemicals. Among the reference chemicals, the
      network model correctly identified the agonists and antagonists with the
      exception of very weak compounds whose activity was outside the concentration
      range tested. The model agonist score also correlated with the expected potency
      class of the active reference chemicals. Of the 1812 chemicals evaluated, 111
      (6.1%) were predicted to be strongly ER active in agonist or antagonist mode.
      This dataset and model were also used to begin a systematic investigation of
      assay interference. The most prominent cause of false-positive activity (activity
      in an assay that is likely not due to interaction of the chemical with ER) is
      cytotoxicity. The model provides the ability to prioritize a large set of
      important environmental chemicals with human exposure potential for additional in
      vivo endocrine testing. Finally, this model is generalizable to any molecular
      pathway for which there are multiple upstream and downstream assays available.

PMID- 26272955
TI  - Spontaneous regression of intracranial aneurysm following remote ruptured
      aneurysm treatment with pipeline stent assisted coiling.
AB  - Spontaneous aneurysm regression is a rare phenomenon. We present the interesting
      case of a 54-year-old woman who was admitted with a Hunt/Hess grade IV, Fisher
      grade III subarachnoid hemorrhage and multiple intracranial aneurysms. She was
      treated with coiling of the largest paraclinoid aneurysm and placement of a flow
      diverting pipeline embolization device that covered all internal carotid artery
      (ICA) aneurysms. A follow-up angiogram at 6 months showed remodeling of the ICA
      with complete obliteration of all treated aneurysms. A distant, untreated, right
      frontal M2 aneurysm regressed spontaneously, after the flow was diverted away
      from it with the stent. The literature is reviewed, and potential
      pathophysiological mechanisms leading to aneurysm regression are discussed.

PMID- 26272956
TI  - Correction.

PMID- 26272957
TI  - Submandibular schwannoma: is excision a 'gold standard treatment'?
AB  - A 58-year-old man was referred to ear, nose and throat (ENT) with an 8-week
      history of painless right submandibular swelling with no history of weight loss,
      dysphagia or difficulty with mastication. On examination, there was enlargement
      of the right submandibular gland, which was diffuse, nodular and firm; but no
      calcification of the duct or cervical lymphadenopathy. ENT examination including
      fibreoptic laryngoscopy was normal. Fine-needle aspiration of the lump was
      inconclusive. Neck ultrasound scan showed a well-defined 3 cm * 3.8 cm * 4.3 cm
      heterogeneous mass with significant internal vascularity, anterior to the right
      submandibular gland. MRI (T2-weighted MRI) revealed a neurogenic tumour or a non
      sarcomatous soft tissue lesion. Complete excision of the lump was performed by
      intracapsular dissection and the specimen was submitted for histology, which
      confirmed the diagnosis of 'Ancient schwannoma' of the submandibular gland. The
      management resulted in complete resolution of symptoms with no cranial nerve
      deficits.

PMID- 26272960
TI  - Haemoperitoneum secondary to intrahepatic gallbladder perforation.
AB  - A 70-year-old man presented to the accident and emergency department with a 1-day
      history of right upper quadrant pain and nausea. Examination revealed mild
      tenderness in the right upper quadrant but no evidence of peritonism or
      haemodynamic instability. The patient was admitted to the general surgical ward
      with a diagnosis of cholecystitis and remained stable overnight. In the morning,
      he developed acute severe pain in the upper abdomen. Examination found him to be
      tachycardic, tachypnoeic and to have peritonism in the upper abdomen. An urgent
      CT scan demonstrated cholecystitis but also a small amount of fluid in the
      pelvis, with Hounsfield units suggestive of blood. The patient proceeded to
      laparotomy and was found to have massive haemoperitoneum secondary to
      intrahepatic gallbladder perforation causing liver capsule tear. Cholecystectomy
      was performed and the liver packed until haemostasis was achieved. The patient
      made an uneventful recovery. 

PMID- 26272958
TI  - Milk-sensitive eosinophilic gastroenteritis in a 2-month-old boy.
AB  - Eosinophilic gastroenteritis is a rare disease of unknown aetiology,
      characterised by eosinophilic infiltration of the gastrointestinal wall with
      various gastrointestinal manifestations. Clinical presentation and radiological
      findings are non-specific and there is an overlap with more frequent childhood
      diseases requiring a high degree of clinical suspicion for accurate diagnosis. We
      describe a 2-month-old boy with prolonged diarrhoea, vomiting and food refusal.
      Diagnosis was settled by histology. The treatment with elemental diet was
      successful, with clinical resolution and catch-up growth. 

PMID- 26272961
TI  - Xanthogranulomatous cystitis with malacoplakia, leading to spontaneous
      intraperitoneal perforation of the urinary bladder in a 9-year-old girl.
AB  - A 9-year-old girl presented with sudden onset continuous abdomen pain, oliguria
      and constipation for 2 days. Ultrasound of the abdomen and voiding
      cystourethrography revealed intraperitoneal perforation of the urinary bladder.
      Cystoscopy showed two perforations at the dome of the bladder. Open surgical
      repair of the perforations was performed and biopsy was taken from their edges.
      Histopathological examination of biopsied material revealed malacoplakia with
      xanthogranulomatous cystitis. The patient was doing well at 15 months follow-up.
      Xanthogranulomatous cystitis with malacoplakia leading to spontaneous bladder
      perforation has not been reported earlier in the English literature.

PMID- 26272959
TI  - Malignant cutaneous lesions.

PMID- 26272962
TI  - Right atrial myxoma mimicking tricuspid stenosis.
AB  - A 62-year-old man presented to the cardiology clinic with symptoms of fatigue,
      shortness of breath and swelling in the abdomen and legs. A pedunculated mobile
      mass with a short stalk in the right atrium was found to originate from the
      inferior vena caval opening and prolapse into the right ventricle through a
      tricuspid valve during diastole in echocardiography. The patient was referred to
      our department and surgery was planned for right atrial myxomas diagnosis. The
      mass with surrounding tissue was surgically removed using the cardiopulmonary
      bypass method. No postoperative complications were seen in the currently
      asymptomatic patient who is still under our follow-up schedule. 

PMID- 26272964
TI  - Varicella zoster virus infection is an unusual cause of splenic rupture.
AB  - A 22-year-old man presented with a 1-day history of severe abdominal pain. He
      developed a generalised vesicular rash 12 h prior to admission. On examination,
      he was maximally tender with peritonism in the lower abdomen. Working diagnosis
      was perforated appendix and a decision to investigate with CT was made, which
      showed intra-abdominal haemorrhage likely arising from a ruptured spleen. After a
      period of observation, he subsequently underwent laparotomy and emergency
      splenectomy. Viral PCR from vesicular fluid was positive for varicella zoster
      virus. Viral serology was otherwise negative.

PMID- 26272963
TI  - The woman without a history.
AB  - The differential diagnosis for altered mental status (AMS) is broad and
      aetiological pathologies can arise from nearly all organs and body systems.
      Further complicating the matter, the altered patient is poorly suited to provide
      a comprehensive and accurate historical account. Thus, the physician must rely on
      collateral information, laboratories and imaging, and their own clinical
      suspicion. We present the case of a 75-year-old woman, found prone in her home
      with AMS, who was unable to provide a history. As her hospital stay evolved, we
      were forced to consider the entire breadth of possible causes of AMS. Eventually,
      the patient was found to have cerebral venous thrombosis, the significant extent
      of which is rarely reported. During the course of caring for the patient, we were
      reminded of the importance of remaining unbiased and unanchored while attempting
      to identify the source of the patient's ailment. 

PMID- 26272965
TI  - Spontaneous coronary artery dissection: the management dilemma continues.
AB  - Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is an increasingly recognised cause
      of acute coronary syndrome, particularly in women. A 36-year-old Caucasian woman
      presented to our hospital with sudden onset chest pain and was diagnosed with a
      non-ST elevation myocardial infarction. Coronary angiography revealed mid and
      distal left anterior descending artery (LAD) dissection with distal LAD
      occlusion. A short segment of apical LAD filled late with incomplete
      opacification (Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) 1 flow). A decision
      was made to treat the patient conservatively, with subsequent resolution of
      dissection over the next 3 months. Our patient made a good clinical recovery with
      healing of her affected coronary vasculature on subsequent angiogram. The case
      illustrates that SCAD can be managed conservatively with antiplatelet agents,
      beta-blockers, heparin and statins, if the patient is haemodynamically stable and
      coronary flow is adequate.

PMID- 26272966
TI  - Idiopathic septic arthritis of a lumbar facet joint associated with paraspinal
      abscess.
AB  - A 48-year-old woman presented with a 1-month history of severe lower back pain on
      a background of 24 h of mild fever and general tiredness with an associated right
      sided foot drop. Five weeks after the onset and with no improvement in symptoms
      in spite of analgesia and physiotherapy, the patient had a lumbar spine MRI which
      demonstrated a collection extending from the facet joints of L5 and L6 to the
      iliacus muscle on the right. A CT-guided aspiration was performed with a lengthy
      hospital stay for intravenous antibiotic treatment. The culture and sensitivity
      study of the aspirate isolated Streptococcus pneumoniae.

PMID- 26272967
TI  - Biliary duct hamartomas in polycystic liver disease.

PMID- 26272968
TI  - Calcinosis universalis in adult-onset dermatomyositis.

PMID- 26272969
TI  - Progressive back pain due to epidural hygroma: an infrequent complication of
      lumbar puncture in adults.

PMID- 26272970
TI  - Initial Experience with p64: A Novel Mechanically Detachable Flow Diverter for
      the Treatment of Intracranial Saccular Sidewall Aneurysms.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Flow diverters are important tools for the treatment of
      intracranial aneurysms. We report a retrospective evaluation of the safety and
      efficacy of p64, a fully resheathable, detachable flow diverter, in the
      endovascular treatment of intracranial sidewall aneurysms. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Results of 121 patients with 130 aneurysms (median neck size, 3 mm; median fundus
      size, 4 mm), treated from April 2012 through October 2014, were analyzed.
      Aneurysms were unruptured or beyond the acute SAH phase. Thirteen aneurysms were
      located in the posterior circulation. Twenty-three aneurysms had previous
      saccular treatment but no previous parent vessel stent placement. In 19
      aneurysms, a combination of coiling and flow diversion was performed. RESULTS:
      Successful p64 deployment was achieved in 127/130 aneurysms. The average number
      of p64s used was 1.1 per aneurysm. The rates of transient and permanent morbidity
      and mortality were 5%, 1.7%, and 0.8%, respectively. Three-month DSA follow-up in
      123/130 aneurysms showed complete occlusion in 58.5%. Nine-month DSA follow-up in
      93/106 (87.7%) eligible aneurysms showed complete occlusion in 79.6%. Late follow
      up (median, 496 days) has already been performed in 35 aneurysms, showing
      complete occlusion in 30 (85.7%). CONCLUSIONS: p64 offers an efficacious
      treatment option for intracranial sidewall aneurysms with a high aneurysm
      occlusion and an acceptable complication rate. The possibility of repositioning
      or removing the device was an advantage. The higher attenuation may lead to fewer
      devices per case and early aneurysm occlusion. Long-term follow-up data are
      pending.

PMID- 26272971
TI  - Improved Image Quality in Head and Neck CT Using a 3D Iterative Approach to
      Reduce Metal Artifact.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Metal artifacts from dental fillings and other devices
      degrade image quality and may compromise the detection and evaluation of lesions
      in the oral cavity and oropharynx by CT. The aim of this study was to evaluate
      the effect of iterative metal artifact reduction on CT of the oral cavity and
      oropharynx. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from 50 consecutive patients with metal
      artifacts from dental hardware were reconstructed with standard filtered back
      projection, linear interpolation metal artifact reduction (LIMAR), and iterative
      metal artifact reduction. The image quality of sections that contained metal was
      analyzed for the severity of artifacts and diagnostic value. RESULTS: A total of
      455 sections (mean +/- standard deviation, 9.1 +/- 4.1 sections per patient)
      contained metal and were evaluated with each reconstruction method. Sections
      without metal were not affected by the algorithms and demonstrated image quality
      identical to each other. Of these sections, 38% were considered nondiagnostic
      with filtered back-projection, 31% with LIMAR, and only 7% with iterative metal
      artifact reduction. Thirty-three percent of the sections had poor image quality
      with filtered back-projection, 46% with LIMAR, and 10% with iterative metal
      artifact reduction. Thirteen percent of the sections with filtered back
      projection, 17% with LIMAR, and 22% with iterative metal artifact reduction were
      of moderate image quality, 16% of the sections with filtered back-projection, 5%
      with LIMAR, and 30% with iterative metal artifact reduction were of good image
      quality, and 1% of the sections with LIMAR and 31% with iterative metal artifact
      reduction were of excellent image quality. CONCLUSIONS: Iterative metal artifact
      reduction yields the highest image quality in comparison with filtered back
      projection and linear interpolation metal artifact reduction in patients with
      metal hardware in the head and neck area.

PMID- 26272972
TI  - Flow Diversion versus Standard Endovascular Techniques for the Treatment of
      Unruptured Carotid-Ophthalmic Aneurysms.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Over the past few years, flow diversion has been
      increasingly adopted for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms, especially in
      the paraclinoid and paraophthalmic carotid segment. We compared clinical and
      angiographic outcomes and complication rates in 2 groups of patients with
      unruptured carotid-ophthalmic aneurysms treated for 7 years by either standard
      coil-based techniques or flow diversion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From February
      2006 to December 2013, 162 unruptured carotid-ophthalmic aneurysms were treated
      endovascularly in 138 patients. Sixty-seven aneurysms were treated by coil-based
      techniques in 61 patients. Flow diverters were deployed in 95 unruptured
      aneurysms (77 patients), with additional coiling in 27 patients. Complication
      rates, clinical outcome, and immediate and long-term angiographic results were
      retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: No procedure-related deaths occurred. Four
      procedure-related thromboembolic events (6.6%) leading to permanent morbidity in
      1 case (1.6%) occurred in the coiling group. Neurologic complications were
      observed in 6 patients (7.8%) in the flow-diversion group, resulting in 3.9%
      permanent morbidity. No statistically significant difference was found between
      complication (P = .9) and morbidity rates (P = .6). In the coiling group (median
      follow-up, 31.5 +/- 24.5 months), recanalization occurred at 1 year in 23/50
      (54%) aneurysms and 27/55 aneurysms (50.9%) at the latest follow-up, leading to
      retreatment in 6 patients (9%). In the flow-diversion group (mean follow-up, 13.5
      +/- 10.8 months), 85.3% (35/41) of all aneurysms were occluded after 12 months,
      and 74.6% (50/67) on latest follow-up. The retreatment rate was 2.1%. Occlusion
      rates between the 2 groups differed significantly at 12 months (P < .001) and at
      the latest follow-up (P < .005). CONCLUSIONS: Our retrospective analysis shows
      better long-term occlusion of carotid-ophthalmic aneurysms after use of flow
      diverters compared with standard coil-based techniques, without significant
      differences in permanent morbidity.

PMID- 26272975
TI  - Morphologic Features of Carotid Plaque Rupture Assessed by Optical Coherence
      Tomography.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Rupture of the plaque fibrous cap and subsequent
      thrombosis are the major causes of stroke. This study evaluated morphologic
      features of plaque rupture in the carotid artery by using optical coherence
      tomography in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six carotid plaques with high
      grade stenosis were prospectively imaged by optical coherence tomography. "Plaque
      rupture" was defined as a plaque containing a cavity that had overlying residual
      fibrous caps. The fibrous cap thickness was measured at its thinnest part for
      both ruptured and nonruptured plaques. The distance between the minimum fibrous
      cap thickness site and the bifurcation point was also measured. Optical coherence
      tomography identified 24 ruptured and 12 nonruptured plaques. RESULTS: Multiple
      ruptures were observed in 9 (38%) patients: Six patients had 2 ruptures in the
      same plaque, 2 patients had 3 ruptures in the same plaque, and 1 patient had 5
      ruptures in the same plaque. Most (84%) of the fibrous cap disruptions were
      identified at the plaque shoulder and near the bifurcation point (within a 4.2-mm
      distance). The median thinnest cap thickness was 80 MUm (interquartile range, 70
      100 MUm), and 95% of ruptured plaques had fibrous caps of <130 MUm. Receiver
      operating characteristic analysis revealed that a fibrous cap thickness of <130
      MUm was the critical threshold value for plaque rupture in the carotid artery.
      CONCLUSIONS: Plaque rupture was common in high-grade stenosis and was located at
      the shoulder of the carotid plaque close to the bifurcation. A cap thickness of
      <130 MUm was the threshold for plaque rupture in the carotid artery.

PMID- 26272973
TI  - The Contribution of Common Surgically Implanted Hardware to Functional MR Imaging
      Artifacts.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Blood oxygenation level-dependent MR imaging is
      increasingly used clinically to noninvasively assess cerebrovascular reactivity
      and/or language and motor function. However, many patients have metallic
      implants, which will induce susceptibility artifacts, rendering the functional
      information uninformative. Here, we calculate and interpret blood oxygenation
      level-dependent MR imaging artifact impact arising from surgically implanted
      hardware. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all blood
      oxygenation level-dependent MRIs (n = 343; B0 = 3T; TE = 35 ms; gradient echo
      EPI) acquired clinically (year range = 2006-2014) at our hospital was performed.
      Blood oxygenation level-dependent MRIs were most commonly prescribed for patients
      with cerebrovascular disease (n = 80) or patients undergoing language or motor
      localization (n = 263). Artifact volume (cubic centimeters) and its impact on
      clinical interpretation were determined by a board-certified neuroradiologist.
      RESULTS: Mean artifact volume associated with intracranial hardware was 4.3 +/-
      3.2 cm(3) (range = 1.1-9.4 cm(3)). The mean artifact volume from extracranial
      hardware in patients with cerebrovascular disease was 28.4 +/- 14.0 cm(3) (range
      = 6.1-61.7 cm(3)), and in patients with noncerebrovascular disease undergoing
      visual or motor functional mapping, it was 39.9 (3)+/- 27.0 cm(3) (range = 6.9
      77.1 cm(3)). The mean artifact volume for ventriculoperitoneal shunts was 95.7 +/
      39.3 cm(3) (range = 64.0-139.6 cm(3)). Artifacts had no-to-mild effects on
      clinical interpretability in all patients with intracranial implants.
      Extracranial hardware artifacts had no-to-moderate impact on clinical
      interpretability, with the exception of 1 patient with 12 KLS-Martin maxDrive
      screws with severe artifacts precluding clinical interpretation. All examined
      ventriculoperitoneal shunts resulted in moderate-to-severe artifacts, limiting
      clinical interpretation. CONCLUSIONS: Blood oxygenation level-dependent MR
      imaging yields interpretable functional maps in most patients beyond a small (30
      40 cm(3)) artifact surrounding the hardware. Exceptions were ventriculoperitoneal
      shunts, particularly those with programmable valves and siphon gauges, and large
      numbers of KLS-Martin maxDrive screws.

PMID- 26272976
TI  - LEO Baby Stent Use following Balloon-Assisted Coiling: Single- and Dual-Stent
      Technique--Immediate and Midterm Results of 29 Consecutive Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We report our preliminary results in terms of safety and
      efficacy in using the low-profile LEO Baby stent for the treatment of large-neck
      and complex intracranial aneurysms with balloon-then-stent-assisted coiling and
      single- or dual-stent-assisted coiling. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical and
      radiologic data of all consecutive patients treated at our institution from
      September 2012 to October 2013 for an intracranial aneurysm by using a LEO Baby
      stent were retrospectively analyzed. Immediate and midterm clinical and anatomic
      follow-up of each patient is reported. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients with 29
      aneurysms were treated with LEO Baby stents at our institution. The mean age of
      patients was 48 years; 20 patients were women (71%). One patient was treated in
      the acute phase of a subarachnoid hemorrhage. In 8 procedures, a double-lumen
      catheter balloon was used for balloon-then-stent-assisted coiling. In 3 cases, a
      LEO Baby stent was used in a Y-, T-, and telescopic dual-stent configuration. In
      18 cases, a single LEO Baby stent was used. In 2 cases, technical failure to
      deploy the stent resulted in acute parent artery thrombosis. In 3 further cases,
      thromboembolic complications occurred intraoperatively. MR imaging and
      angiographic midterm follow-up showed complete aneurysm occlusion for 96% of the
      followed patients (27/29). Clinical outcome was favorable for all patients
      followed up. CONCLUSIONS: Results obtained in our study by using the LEO Baby
      stent for balloon-then-stent and single- or dual-stent-assisted coiling of
      complex and distally located intracranial aneurysms are encouraging. Incomplete
      or inadequate opening of the device is a potential cause of laminar blood flow
      alteration and thrombus formation.

PMID- 26272974
TI  - Could Statin Use Be Associated with Reduced Recurrence Rates following Coiling in
      Ruptured Intracranial Aneurysms?
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: A number of studies have examined the role of matrix
      metalloproteinases in aneurysm healing following endovascular coiling. Because
      ruptured aneurysms are known to express higher levels of matrix
      metalloproteinases, we hypothesized that patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage
      who were on a statin at the time of coil embolization would have lower aneurysm
      recanalization and retreatment rates than patients not on statins. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of patients who underwent
      intrasaccular coil embolization of ruptured intracranial aneurysms of <=10 mm
      with at least 6 months of imaging follow-up. Patients were separated into 2
      groups: 1) those on an oral statin medication at the time of coiling, and 2)
      those who were not. Outcomes studied were aneurysm recurrence and aneurysm
      retreatment after endovascular coiling. Student t and chi(2) tests were used for
      statistical significance of differences between groups. RESULTS: One hundred
      thirty-two patients with 132 ruptured aneurysms were included in our study.
      Sixteen were on statins (12.1%) and 116 were not (87.9%). The recurrence rate was
      6.3% in the statin group (1/16) and 36.2% in the nonstatin group (42/107) (P =
      .02). Unplanned retreatment rates were 6.3% (1/16) for the statin group and 25.9%
      (30/116) for the nonstatin group (P = .08). CONCLUSIONS: Statins were associated
      with a lower rate of aneurysm recurrence following endovascular coiling of small-
      and medium-sized ruptured aneurysms in this small retrospective study. Further
      studies are needed to confirm this finding to determine whether statins can be
      used to reduce recurrence rates in these aneurysms.

PMID- 26272977
TI  - Clopidogrel Resistance in Neurovascular Stenting: Correlations between Light
      Transmission Aggregometry, VerifyNow, and the Multiplate.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Clopidogrel resistance is blamed for thromboembolic
      complications in neurovascular stent placement. Platelet-function assays are
      weakly standardized. The aim of this study was to correlate the results of 3
      different platelet-inhibition measurements (from light transmission aggregometry,
      the VerifyNow P2Y12 test, and the Multiplate analyzer) and their relation to
      periprocedural thromboembolic complications in elective neurovascular stent
      placement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clopidogrel resistance was determined on the
      day of the intervention according to predefined platelet reactivity cutoff
      values. All 3 tests were performed in 103 consecutive neurovascular stent
      placement procedures in 97 patients (extracranial, n = 77; intracranial, n = 26).
      RESULTS: The clopidogrel resistance rates were 47.6% (light transmission
      aggregometry), 50.5% (VerifyNow), and 35.9% (Multiplate). In 67% of the patients,
      clopidogrel resistance was present according to at least one method. The
      correlations of qualitative results that classified a patient as responsive or
      resistant to clopidogrel were 67.9% for light transmission aggregometry with
      VerifyNow, 77.7% for light transmission aggregometry with the Multiplate, and 66%
      for VerifyNow with the Multiplate. Periprocedural thromboembolic complications (n
      = 9) occurred more frequently in patients who were determined by all 3 methods to
      be clopidogrel resistant. The difference was most pronounced with light
      transmission aggregometry (complication rates, 14.4% [clopidogrel-resistant
      patients] vs 3.7% [clopidogrel-responsive patients]). Sensitivity and specificity
      rates of clopidogrel resistance in relation to embolic complications were,
      respectively, 78% and 55% for light transmission aggregometry, 67% and 51% for
      VerifyNow, and 44% and 67% for the Multiplate. CONCLUSIONS: Clopidogrel
      resistance is a frequent finding in patients who undergo neurovascular stent
      placement. The correlations among the different testing methods are only modest
      and differ considerably. Light transmission aggregometry results seem to
      correlate with thromboembolic complications more accurately than with VerifyNow
      and Multiplate point-of-care methods.

PMID- 26272978
TI  - Prospective Hemorrhage Rates of Cerebral Cavernous Malformations in Children and
      Adolescents Based on MRI Appearance.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Current classifications of cerebral cavernous
      malformations focus solely on morphologic aspects. Our aim was to provide a
      morphologic classification that reflects hemorrhage rates. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      We retrospectively categorized 355 cavernous malformations of 70 children and
      adolescents according to their morphologic appearance on MR imaging and
      calculated prospective hemorrhage rates on the basis of survival functions for
      255 lesions in 25 patients with a radiologic observation period of >180 days.
      RESULTS: Overall, there were 199 MR imaging examinations with 1558 distinct
      cavernous malformation observations during a cumulative observation period of
      1094.2 lesion-years. The mean hemorrhage rate of all 355 cavernous malformations
      was 4.5% per lesion-year. According to Kaplan-Meier survival models, Zabramski
      type I and II cavernous malformations had a significantly higher hemorrhage rate
      than type III and IV lesions. The presence of acute or subacute blood-degradation
      products was the strongest indicator for an increased hemorrhage risk (P = .036,
      Cox regression): The mean annual hemorrhage rate and mean hemorrhage-free
      interval for cavernous malformations with and without signs of acute or subacute
      blood degradation products were 23.4% and 22.6 months and 3.4% and 27.9 months,
      respectively. Dot-sized cavernous malformations, visible in T2* and not or barely
      visible in T1WI and T2WI sequences, had a mean annual hemorrhage rate of 1.3% and
      a mean hemorrhage-free interval of 37.8 months. CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to
      predict hemorrhage rates based on the Zabramski classification. Our findings
      imply a tripartite classification distinguishing lesions with and without acute
      or subacute blood degradation products and dot-sized cavernous malformations.

PMID- 26272979
TI  - Unabridged Analysis of Human Histone H3 by Differential Top-Down Mass
      Spectrometry Reveals Hypermethylated Proteoforms from MMSET/NSD2 Overexpression.
AB  - Histones, and their modifications, are critical components of cellular
      programming and epigenetic inheritance. Recently, cancer genome sequencing has
      uncovered driver mutations in chromatin modifying enzymes spurring high interest
      how such mutations change histone modification patterns. Here, we applied Top
      Down mass spectrometry for the characterization of combinatorial modifications
      (i.e. methylation and acetylation) on full length histone H3 from human cell
      lines derived from multiple myeloma patients with overexpression of the histone
      methyltransferase MMSET as the result of a t(4;14) chromosomal translocation.
      Using the latest in Orbitrap-based technology for clean isolation of isobaric
      proteoforms containing up to 10 methylations and/or up to two acetylations, we
      provide extensive characterization of histone H3.1 and H3.3 proteoforms.
      Differential analysis of modifications by electron-based dissociation
      recapitulated antagonistic crosstalk between K27 and K36 methylation in H3.1,
      validating that full-length histone H3 (15 kDa) can be analyzed with site
      specific assignments for multiple modifications. It also revealed K36 methylation
      in H3.3 was affected less by the overexpression of MMSET because of its higher
      methylation levels in control cells. The co-occurrence of acetylation with a
      minimum of three methyl groups in H3K9 and H3K27 suggested a hierarchy in the
      addition of certain modifications. Comparative analysis showed that high levels
      of MMSET in the myeloma-like cells drove the formation of hypermethyled
      proteoforms containing H3K36me2 co-existent with the repressive marks H3K9me2/3
      and H3K27me2/3. Unique histone proteoforms with such "trivalent hypermethylation"
      (K9me2/3-K27me2/3-K36me2) were not discovered when H3.1 peptides were analyzed by
      Bottom-Up. Such disease-correlated proteoforms could link tightly to aberrant
      transcription programs driving cellular proliferation, and their precise
      description demonstrates that Top-Down mass spectrometry can now decode crosstalk
      involving up to three modified sites. 

PMID- 26272981
TI  - cyNeo4j: connecting Neo4j and Cytoscape.
AB  - We developed cyNeo4j, a Cytoscape App to link Cytoscape and Neo4j databases to
      utilize the performance and storage capacities Neo4j offers. We implemented a
      Neo4j NetworkAnalyzer, ForceAtlas2 layout and Cypher component to demonstrate the
      possibilities a distributed setup of Cytoscape and Neo4j have. AVAILABILITY AND
      IMPLEMENTATION: The app is available from the Cytoscape App Store at
      http://apps.cytoscape.org/apps/cyneo4j, the Neo4j plugins at
      www.github.com/gsummer/cyneo4j-parent and the community and commercial editions
      of Neo4j can be found at http://www.neo4j.com. CONTACT: georg.summer@gmail.com.

PMID- 26272980
TI  - Proteomic Profiling of Detergent Resistant Membranes (Lipid Rafts) of
      Prostasomes.
AB  - Prostasomes are exosomes derived from prostate epithelial cells through
      exocytosis by multivesicular bodies. Prostasomes have a bilayered membrane and
      readily interact with sperm. The membrane lipid composition is unusual with a
      high contribution of sphingomyelin at the expense of phosphatidylcholine and
      saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids are dominant. Lipid rafts are liquid
      ordered domains that are more tightly packed than the surrounding nonraft phase
      of the bilayer. Lipid rafts are proposed to be highly dynamic, submicroscopic
      assemblies that float freely within the liquid disordered membrane bilayer and
      some proteins preferentially partition into the ordered raft domains. We asked
      the question whether lipid rafts do exist in prostasomes and, if so, which
      proteins might be associated with them. Prostasomes of density range 1.13
      1.19g/ml were subjected to density gradient ultracentrifugation in sucrose
      fabricated by phosphate buffered saline (PBS) containing 1% Triton X-100 with
      capacity for banding at 1.10 g/ml, i.e. the classical density of lipid rafts.
      Prepared prostasomal lipid rafts (by gradient ultracentrifugation) were analyzed
      by mass spectrometry. The clearly visible band on top of 1.10g/ml sucrose in the
      Triton X-100 containing gradient was subjected to liquid chromatography-tandem MS
      and more than 370 lipid raft associated proteins were identified. Several of them
      were involved in intraluminal vesicle formation, e.g. tetraspanins, ESCRTs, and
      Ras-related proteins. This is the first comprehensive liquid chromatography
      tandem MS profiling of proteins in lipid rafts derived from exosomes. Data are
      available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD002163. 

PMID- 26272982
TI  - OVA: integrating molecular and physical phenotype data from multiple biomedical
      domain ontologies with variant filtering for enhanced variant prioritization.
AB  - MOTIVATION: Exome sequencing has become a de facto standard method for Mendelian
      disease gene discovery in recent years, yet identifying disease-causing mutations
      among thousands of candidate variants remains a non-trivial task. RESULTS: Here
      we describe a new variant prioritization tool, OVA (ontology variant analysis),
      in which user-provided phenotypic information is exploited to infer deeper
      biological context. OVA combines a knowledge-based approach with a variant
      filtering framework. It reduces the number of candidate variants by considering
      genotype and predicted effect on protein sequence, and scores the remainder on
      biological relevance to the query phenotype.We take advantage of several
      ontologies in order to bridge knowledge across multiple biomedical domains and
      facilitate computational analysis of annotations pertaining to genes, diseases,
      phenotypes, tissues and pathways. In this way, OVA combines information regarding
      molecular and physical phenotypes and integrates both human and model organism
      data to effectively prioritize variants. By assessing performance on both known
      and novel disease mutations, we show that OVA performs biologically meaningful
      candidate variant prioritization and can be more accurate than another recently
      published candidate variant prioritization tool. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION:
      OVA is freely accessible at http://dna2.leeds.ac.uk:8080/OVA/index.jsp.
      SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics
      online. CONTACT: umaan@leeds.ac.uk.

PMID- 26272985
TI  - Some advantages to having a parent with a disability.
AB  - Fertility specialists, adoption agents, judges and others sometimes take
      themselves to have a responsibility to fairly adjudicate conflicts that may arise
      between the procreative and parenting interests of people with disabilities and
      the interests that their children or potential children have to be nurtured,
      cared for and protected. An underlying assumption is that having a disability
      significantly diminishes a person's parenting abilities. My aim is to challenge
      the claim that having a disability tends to make someone a bad parent by arguing
      that the interests of prospective parents with disabilities and the interests of
      their children or potential children are often aligned and mutually supporting. 

PMID- 26272984
TI  - motifbreakR: an R/Bioconductor package for predicting variant effects at
      transcription factor binding sites.
AB  - Functional annotation represents a key step toward the understanding and
      interpretation of germline and somatic variation as revealed by genome-wide
      association studies (GWAS) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), respectively. GWAS
      have revealed numerous genetic risk variants residing in non-coding DNA
      associated with complex diseases. For sequences that lie within enhancers or
      promoters of transcription, it is not straightforward to assess the effects of
      variants on likely transcription factor binding sites. Consequently we introduce
      motifbreakR, which allows the biologist to judge whether the sequence surrounding
      a polymorphism or mutation is a good match, and how much information is gained or
      lost in one allele of the polymorphism or mutation relative to the other.
      MotifbreakR is flexible, giving a choice of algorithms for interrogation of
      genomes with motifs from many public sources that users can choose from.
      MotifbreakR can predict effects for novel or previously described variants in
      public databases, making it suitable for tasks beyond the scope of its original
      design. Lastly, it can be used to interrogate any genome curated within
      bioconductor. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: https://github.com/Simon
      Coetzee/MotifBreakR, www.bioconductor.org. CONTACT: dennis.hazelett@cshs.org.

PMID- 26272983
TI  - Mutadelic: mutation analysis using description logic inferencing capabilities.
AB  - MOTIVATION: As next generation sequencing gains a foothold in clinical genetics,
      there is a need for annotation tools to characterize increasing amounts of
      patient variant data for identifying clinically relevant mutations. While
      existing informatics tools provide efficient bulk variant annotations, they often
      generate excess information that may limit their scalability. RESULTS: We propose
      an alternative solution based on description logic inferencing to generate
      workflows that produce only those annotations that will contribute to the
      interpretation of each variant. Workflows are dynamically generated using a novel
      abductive reasoning framework called a basic framework for abductive workflow
      generation (AbFab). Criteria for identifying disease-causing variants in
      Mendelian blood disorders were identified and implemented as AbFab services. A
      web application was built allowing users to run workflows generated from the
      criteria to analyze genomic variants. Significant variants are flagged and
      explanations provided for why they match or fail to match the criteria.
      AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: The Mutadelic web application is available for
      use at http://krauthammerlab.med.yale.edu/mutadelic. CONTACT:
      michael.krauthammer@yale.edu. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supplementary data are
      available at Bioinformatics online.

PMID- 26272989
TI  - Education, Health, and the Default American Lifestyle.
AB  - Education has a large and increasing impact on health in America. This paper
      examines one reason why. Education gives individuals the ability to override the
      default American lifestyle. The default lifestyle has three elements: displacing
      human energy with mechanical energy, displacing household food production with
      industrial food production, and displacing health maintenance with medical
      dependency. Too little physical activity and too much food produce imperceptibly
      accumulating pathologies. The medical industry looks for products and services
      that promise to soften the consequences but do not eliminate the underlying
      pathologies. This "secondary prevention" creates pharmacologic accumulation:
      prolonging the use of medications, layering them, and accruing their side effects
      and interactions. Staying healthy depends on recognizing the risks of the default
      lifestyle. Overriding it requires insight, knowledge, critical analysis, long
      range strategic thinking, personal agency, and self-direction. Education develops
      that ability directly and indirectly, by way of creative work and a sense of
      controlling one's own life. 

PMID- 26272986
TI  - End-of-life decisions for children under 1 year of age in the Netherlands:
      decreased frequency of administration of drugs to deliberately hasten death.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess whether the frequency of end-of-life decisions for children
      under 1 year of age in the Netherlands has changed since ultrasound examination
      around 20 weeks of gestation became routine in 2007 and after a legal provision
      for deliberately ending the life of a newborn was set up that same year.
      METHODOLOGY: This was a recurrent nationwide cross-sectional study in the
      Netherlands. In 2010, a sample of death certificates from children under 1 year
      of age was derived from the central death registry. All 223 deaths that occurred
      in a 4-month study period were included. Physicians who had reported a non-sudden
      death (n=206) were sent a questionnaire on the end-of-life decisions made. 160
      questionnaires were returned (response 78%). FINDINGS: In 2010, 63% of all deaths
      of children under 1 year of age were preceded by an end-of-life decision-a
      percentage comparable to other times when this study was conducted (1995, 2001,
      2005). These end-of-life decisions were mainly decisions to withdraw or withhold
      potentially life-sustaining treatment. In 2010, the percentage of cases in which
      drugs were administered with the explicit intention to hasten death was 1%, while
      in 1995 and 2001, this was 9% and in 2005, this was 8%. DISCUSSION AND
      CONCLUSION: There has been a reduction of infant deaths that followed
      administration of drugs with the explicit intention to hasten death. One
      explanation for this reduction relates to the introduction of routine ultrasound
      examination around 20 weeks of gestation. In addition, the introduction of legal
      criteria and a review process for deliberately ending the life of a newborn may
      have left Dutch physicians with less room to hasten death.

PMID- 26272990
TI  - Acute Appendicitis and Pneumatosis in a Duplicated Appendix With Schistosoma
      Remnants.
AB  - Appendiceal pneumatosis is rare, reported either in the context of acute
      appendicitis or enterocolitis. Here, we report the case of an elderly adult in
      whom the acute appendicitis was associated with pneumatosis and occurred in the
      context of a malformed appendix with pathogenic organism remnants. A 72-year-old
      man presented with abdominal pain 3 weeks after posttraumatic dorsolumbar
      surgery. The computed tomography scan showed acute appendicitis and 2
      diverticula. On microscopy, the appendix showed acute appendicitis along with a
      Cave-Wallbridge type A duplication. In addition, several optically clear spaces
      were observed in the entire appendiceal wall consistent with pneumatosis of the
      appendix. Focally, calcified structures suggesting pathogenic organisms such as
      Schistosoma were noted as well. In conclusion, we report a case of appendiceal
      pneumatosis occurring in the context of acute appendicitis in a duplicated
      appendix, with presence of calcified structures suggestive of pathogenic
      organisms. 

PMID- 26272991
TI  - Palliative Medicine journal: What have we done, where should we be going and why?

PMID- 26272988
TI  - Marriage, Relationship Quality, and Sleep among U.S. Older Adults.
AB  - Sleep is a restorative behavior essential for health. Poor sleep has been linked
      to adverse health outcomes among older adults; however, we know little about the
      social processes that affect sleep. Using innovative actigraphy data from the
      National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (N = 727), we considered the role
      of marriage, positive marital relationship support, and negative marital
      relationship strain on older adults' (ages 62-90) self-reported and actigraph
      measured sleep characteristics. We found that married older adults had better
      actigraph-estimated but not self-reported sleep characteristics than the
      unmarried. However, among the married, those who reported more negative aspects
      of their marital relationship reported more insomnia symptoms, with the
      association reduced when psychosocial characteristics were added to the model.
      The married who reported more positive aspects of their marital relationship
      showed better actigraph-estimated sleep characteristics; taking characteristics
      of the physical and mental health and home environment into account reduced this
      association. 

PMID- 26272992
TI  - Application of the Vertex Exchange Method to estimate a semi-parametric mixture
      model for the MIC density of Escherichia coli isolates tested for susceptibility
      against ampicillin.
AB  - In the last decades, considerable attention has been paid to the collection of
      antimicrobial resistance data, with the aim of monitoring non-wild-type isolates.
      This monitoring is performed based on minimum inhibition concentration (MIC)
      values, which are collected through dilution experiments. We present a semi
      parametric mixture model to estimate the entire MIC density on the continuous
      scale. The parametric first component is extended with a non-parametric second
      component and a new back-fitting algorithm, based on the Vertex Exchange Method,
      is proposed. Our data example shows how to estimate the MIC density for
      Escherichia coli tested for ampicillin and how to use this estimate for model
      based classification. A simulation study was performed, showing the promising
      behavior of the new method, both in terms of density estimation as well as
      classification. 

PMID- 26272993
TI  - Causal mediation analysis for longitudinal data with exogenous exposure.
AB  - Mediation analysis is a valuable approach to examine pathways in epidemiological
      research. Prospective cohort studies are often conducted to study biological
      mechanisms and often collect longitudinal measurements on each participant.
      Mediation formulae for longitudinal data have been developed. Here, we formalize
      the natural direct and indirect effects using a causal framework with potential
      outcomes that allows for an interaction between the exposure and the mediator. To
      allow different types of longitudinal measures of the mediator and outcome, we
      assume two generalized mixed-effects models for both the mediator and the
      outcome. The model for the mediator has subject-specific random intercepts and
      random exposure slopes for each cluster, and the outcome model has random
      intercepts and random slopes for the exposure, the mediator, and their
      interaction. We also expand our approach to settings with multiple mediators and
      derive the mediated effects, jointly through all mediators. Our method requires
      the absence of time-varying confounding with respect to the exposure and the
      mediator. This assumption is achieved in settings with exogenous exposure and
      mediator, especially when exposure and mediator are not affected by variables
      measured at earlier time points. We apply the methodology to data from the
      Normative Aging Study and estimate the direct and indirect effects, via DNA
      methylation, of air pollution, and temperature on intercellular adhesion molecule
      1 (ICAM-1) protein levels. Our results suggest that air pollution and temperature
      have a direct effect on ICAM-1 protein levels (i.e. not through a change in ICAM
      1 DNA methylation) and that temperature has an indirect effect via a change in
      ICAM-1 DNA methylation. 

PMID- 26272995
TI  - Ellsworth C. Dougherty: A Pioneer in the Selection of Caenorhabditis elegans as a
      Model Organism.
AB  - Ellsworth Dougherty (1921-1965) was a man of impressive intellectual dimensions
      and interests; in a relatively short career he contributed enormously as
      researcher and scholar to the biological knowledge base for selection of
      Caenorhabditis elegans as a model organism in neurobiology, genetics, and
      molecular biology. He helped guide the choice of strains that were eventually
      used, and, in particular, he developed the methodology and understanding for the
      nutrition and axenic culture of nematodes and other organisms. Dougherty insisted
      upon a concise terminology for culture techniques and coined descriptive
      neologisms that were justified by their linguistic roots. Among other
      contributions, he refined the classification system for the Protista. 

PMID- 26272994
TI  - Methods that remove batch effects while retaining group differences may lead to
      exaggerated confidence in downstream analyses.
AB  - Removal of, or adjustment for, batch effects or center differences is generally
      required when such effects are present in data. In particular, when preparing
      microarray gene expression data from multiple cohorts, array platforms, or
      batches for later analyses, batch effects can have confounding effects, inducing
      spurious differences between study groups. Many methods and tools exist for
      removing batch effects from data. However, when study groups are not evenly
      distributed across batches, actual group differences may induce apparent batch
      differences, in which case batch adjustments may bias, usually deflate, group
      differences. Some tools therefore have the option of preserving the difference
      between study groups, e.g. using a two-way ANOVA model to simultaneously estimate
      both group and batch effects. Unfortunately, this approach may systematically
      induce incorrect group differences in downstream analyses when groups are
      distributed between the batches in an unbalanced manner. The scientific community
      seems to be largely unaware of how this approach may lead to false discoveries. 

PMID- 26273000
TI  - Strong opposition to closure of surveillance centre.

PMID- 26272998
TI  - Corrigendum.

PMID- 26273001
TI  - New priorities set out in dairy cow welfare strategy.

PMID- 26272996
TI  - Programmed Cell Death Initiation and Execution in Budding Yeast.
AB  - Apoptosis or programmed cell death (PCD) was initially described in metazoans as
      a genetically controlled process leading to intracellular breakdown and
      engulfment by a neighboring cell . This process was distinguished from other
      forms of cell death like necrosis by maintenance of plasma membrane integrity
      prior to engulfment and the well-defined genetic system controlling this process.
      Apoptosis was originally described as a mechanism to reshape tissues during
      development. Given this context, the assumption was made that this process would
      not be found in simpler eukaryotes such as budding yeast. Although basic
      components of the apoptotic pathway were identified in yeast, initial
      observations suggested that it was devoid of prosurvival and prodeath regulatory
      proteins identified in mammalian cells. However, as apoptosis became extensively
      linked to the elimination of damaged cells, key PCD regulatory proteins were
      identified in yeast that play similar roles in mammals. This review highlights
      recent discoveries that have permitted information regarding PCD regulation in
      yeast to now inform experiments in animals. 

PMID- 26272997
TI  - Freedom and Responsibility in Synthetic Genomics: The Synthetic Yeast Project.
AB  - First introduced in 2011, the Synthetic Yeast Genome (Sc2.0) PROJECT is a large
      international synthetic genomics project that will culminate in the first
      eukaryotic cell (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) with a fully synthetic genome. With
      collaborators from across the globe and from a range of institutions spanning
      from do-it-yourself biology (DIYbio) to commercial enterprises, it is important
      that all scientists working on this project are cognizant of the ethical and
      policy issues associated with this field of research and operate under a common
      set of principles. In this commentary, we survey the current ethics and
      regulatory landscape of synthetic biology and present the Sc2.0 Statement of
      Ethics and Governance to which all members of the project adhere. This statement
      focuses on four aspects of the Sc2.0 PROJECT: societal benefit, intellectual
      property, safety, and self-governance. We propose that such project-level
      agreements are an important, valuable, and flexible model of self-regulation for
      similar global, large-scale synthetic biology projects in order to maximize the
      benefits and minimize potential harms. 

PMID- 26273002
TI  - Revised guidelines on responsible use of antimicrobials in cattle production.

PMID- 26273004
TI  - Focusing on animal welfare education.

PMID- 26273003
TI  - FSA seeks information on edible insect consumption.

PMID- 26273005
TI  - Success in statutory exam celebrated.

PMID- 26273006
TI  - Dolly stars in festival exhibition.

PMID- 26273007
TI  - Synergies and challenges in tackling disease issues and emergency events.

PMID- 26273008
TI  - Antibiotics: expect to use less, more responsibly.

PMID- 26273010
TI  - Is EBVM ethical?

PMID- 26273011
TI  - Controlling porcine epidemic diarrhoea.

PMID- 26273009
TI  - Equine metabolic syndrome.
AB  - Laminitis is one of the most common and frustrating clinical presentations in
      equine practice. While the principles of treatment for laminitis have not changed
      for several decades, there have been some important paradigm shifts in our
      understanding of laminitis. Most importantly, it is essential to consider
      laminitis as a clinical sign of disease and not as a disease in its own right.
      Once this shift in thinking has occurred, it is logical to then question what
      disease caused the laminitis. More than 90 per cent of horses presented with
      laminitis as their primary clinical sign will have developed it as a consequence
      of endocrine disease; most commonly equine metabolic syndrome (EMS). Given the
      fact that many horses will have painful protracted and/or chronic recurrent
      disease, a good understanding of the predisposing factors and how to diagnose and
      manage them is crucial. Current evidence suggests that early diagnosis and
      effective management of EMS should be a key aim for practising veterinary
      surgeons to prevent the devastating consequences of laminitis. This review will
      focus on EMS, its diagnosis and management. 

PMID- 26273012
TI  - Forensic investigation of drowning.

PMID- 26273013
TI  - Developing a 'bedside' test for cervical neck pain in Cavalier King Charles
      spaniels with syringomyelia.

PMID- 26273014
TI  - Achieving specialist status.

PMID- 26273015
TI  - The safety and tolerability of adenosine as a pharmacological stressor in stress
      perfusion cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in the Chinese population.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the safety profile and effectiveness of adenosine as a
      pharmacological stressor in patients with known or suspected coronary artery
      disease who underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging perfusion study.
      SETTING: Regional hospital, Hong Kong. PATIENTS: All patients who underwent
      adenosine stress cardiac magnetic resonance imaging from May 2013 to August 2013
      were prospectively interviewed during the scan. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Common
      side-effects of adenosine as well as any other discomfort experienced during the
      scan were recorded. Haemodynamic changes including systolic and diastolic blood
      pressure and pulse rate before and during adenosine administration were also
      recorded. RESULTS: There were 98 consecutive patients with a mean (+/- standard
      deviation) age of 64.0 +/- 11.4 years (range, 10-83 years) and mean body weight
      of 67.5 +/- 12.0 kg. Male-to-female ratio was 2.5:1. Of the 98 patients
      interviewed, 62 (63.3%) experienced one or more adenosine-associated adverse
      effects. Chest discomfort was most frequently experienced (48.0%), followed by
      dyspnoea (29.6%) and headache (20.4%). No life-threatening event occurred.
      Following adenosine administration, a significant rise in pulse rate (75.1 +/-
      14.3 vs 93.2 +/- 14.7 beats/min; P<0.01) and a significant drop in diastolic
      blood pressure (75.1 +/- 13.3 vs 68.0 +/- 13.9 mm Hg; P<0.01) were noted. There
      was a general decrease in systolic blood pressure, although no statistically
      significant difference was observed (144.9 +/- 17.6 vs 143.1 +/- 21.4 mm Hg;
      P=0.18). CONCLUSION: Adenosine stress cardiac magnetic resonance perfusion study
      is safe and well tolerated in clinical practice.

PMID- 26273016
TI  - Clinical value of transforaminal epidural steroid injection in lumbar
      radiculopathy.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To identify the diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic values of
      transforaminal epidural steroid injection as interventional rehabilitation for
      lumbar radiculopathy. SETTING: Regional hospital, Hong Kong. PATIENTS: A total of
      232 Chinese patients with lumbar radiculopathy attributed to disc herniation or
      spinal stenosis received transforaminal epidural steroid injection between 1
      January 2007 and 31 December 2011. INTERVENTIONS: Transforaminal epidural steroid
      injection. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients' immediate response, response
      duration, proportion of patients requiring surgery, and risk factors affecting
      the responses to transforaminal epidural steroid injection for lumbar
      radiculopathy. RESULTS: Of the 232 patients, 218 (94.0%) had a single level of
      radiculopathy and 14 (6.0%) had multiple levels. L5 was the most commonly
      affected level. The immediate response rate to transforaminal epidural steroid
      injection was 80.2% in 186 patients with clinically diagnosed lumbar
      radiculopathy and magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine suggesting nerve
      root compression. Of patients with single-level radiculopathy and multiple-level
      radiculopathy, 175 (80.3%) and 11 (78.6%) expressed an immediate response to
      transforaminal epidural steroid injection, respectively. The analgesic effect
      lasted for 1 to <3 weeks in 35 (15.1%) patients, for 3 to 12 weeks in 37 (15.9%)
      patients, and for more than 12 weeks in 92 (39.7%) patients. Of the 232 patients,
      106 (45.7%) were offered surgery, with 65 (61.3%) undergoing operation, and with
      42 (64.6%) requiring spinal fusion in addition to decompression surgery. Symptom
      chronicity was associated with poor immediate response to transforaminal epidural
      steroid injection, but not with duration of pain reduction. Poor response to
      transforaminal epidural steroid injection was not associated with a preceding
      industrial injury. CONCLUSIONS: The immediate response to transforaminal epidural
      steroid injection was approximately 80%. Transforaminal epidural steroid
      injection is a useful diagnostic, prognostic, and short-term therapeutic tool for
      lumbar radiculopathy. Although transforaminal epidural steroid injection cannot
      alter the need for surgery in the long term, it is a reasonably safe procedure to
      provide short-term pain relief and as a preoperative assessment tool.

PMID- 26273017
TI  - Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia associated with Hodgkin's lymphoma: a case
      report.
AB  - Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia/lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (WM/LPL) is a low
      grade B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with an indolent clinical course. Higher
      grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and therapy-related myelodysplasia/acute
      leukemia (t-MDS/AML) have been reported in patients with WM/LPL in previous
      studies. However, only two cases with WM/LPL were reported to develop to Hodgkin
      lymphoma (HL). Here, we report the first case of WM/LPL who developed classical
      HL simultaneously 3 years after initial nucleoside analog-based chemotherapy.

PMID- 26273018
TI  - Differential mRNA expression profiling of oral squamous cell carcinoma by high
      throughput RNA sequencing.
AB  - Differentially expressed genes are thought to regulate the development and
      progression of oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC). The purpose of this study
      was to screen differentially expressed mRNAs in OSCC and matched paraneoplastic
      normal tissues, and to explore the intrinsic mechanism of OSCC development and
      progression. We obtained the differentially expressed mRNA expression profiles in
      10 pairs of fresh-frozen OSCC tissue specimens and matched paraneoplastic normal
      tissue specimens by high-throughput RNA sequencing. By using Gene Ontology
      enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway
      enrichment analyses, the functional significance of the differentially expressed
      genes were analyzed. We identified 1,120 significantly up-regulated mRNAs and 178
      significantly down-regulated mRNAs in OSCC, compared to normal tissue. The
      differentially expressed mRNAs were involved in 20 biological processes and 68
      signal pathways. Compared to adjacent normal tissue, the expression of MAGEA11
      was up-regulated; TCHH was down-regulated. These findings were verified by real
      time PCR. These differentially expressed mRNAs may function as oncogenes or tumor
      suppressors in the development and progression of OSCC. This study provides novel
      insights into OSCC. However, further work is needed to determine if these
      differentially expressed mRNAs have potential roles as diagnostic biomarkers and
      candidate therapeutic targets for OSCC.

PMID- 26273020
TI  - Long-term Consequences of Noninjurious and Injurious Falls on Well-being in Older
      Women.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The physical and mental health consequences of falls are known to
      influence well-being in the short term. The aim was to investigate the long-term
      consequences of noninjurious and injurious falls on well-being in older women
      over 12 years. METHODS: A total of 10,277 participants (aged 73-78 years, 98.8%
      community-dwelling) returned the 1999 survey of the Australian Longitudinal Study
      on Women's Health. Follow-up surveys were completed at 3-year intervals. Surveys
      included questions about falls and related injuries in the past year. Scores on
      the health-related quality of life Short Form-36 subscales (range 0-100) were
      used to compare well-being between noninjurious fallers, injurious fallers, and
      nonfallers using linear mixed modeling with adjustment for confounders. Scores in
      the years before and after the first fall since enrolment were graphically
      depicted with time relative to the first fall since enrolment. For this purpose,
      nonfallers were matched with noninjurious and injurious fallers based on pattern
      of surveys returned, chronic conditions, and age to assign them a fictitious
      "time-of-first-fall." RESULTS: Over 12 years, there were 22.5% noninjurious
      fallers, 30.1% injurious fallers, and 47.5% nonfallers. Compared with nonfallers,
      noninjurious and injurious fallers scored significantly lower on six and seven of
      the eight domains at the time of the reported fall, respectively. Significant
      differences were apparent 12 years before the injurious fall for the subscales
      role physical, bodily pain, and general health. A drop in scores after the
      reported injurious fall was seen for role physical, bodily pain, and social
      functioning. CONCLUSIONS: Among older women, a gap in well-being emerges years
      before the first reported fall, which may be driven by underlying risk factors
      rather than the fall itself.

PMID- 26273019
TI  - Are Performance Measures Necessary to Predict Loss of Independence in Elderly
      People?
AB  - BACKGROUND: The frailty phenotype (FP) proposed by Fried and colleagues (Fried
      LP, Tangen CM, Walston J, et al.; Cardiovascular Health Study Collaborative
      Research Group. Frailty in older adults: evidence for a phenotype. J Gerontol A
      Biol Sci Med Sci. 2001;56:M146-M156.) requires the administration of performance
      tests (gait speed, handgrip strength) not always feasible in routine clinical
      practice. Furthermore, the discriminative capacity of the instrument has been
      rarely investigated. Aim of this study was to evaluate the discriminative
      capacity of the FP and compare it with a modified version including only
      anamnestic information. METHODS: Data are from 890 participants of the InCHIANTI
      study without impairment in activities of daily living (ADL) at baseline (mean
      age 74 years, women 55%). Frailty was defined by (a) the presence of >= 3
      criteria of the FP, and (b) having >= 2 criteria of an anamnestic FP (AFP), not
      including gait speed and handgrip strength. Sensitivity, specificity, positive
      and negative predictive values (PPV, NPV) were used to evaluate the
      discriminative capacity of both definitions for incident disability (ie, loss of
      at least one ADL), incidence of "accelerated" disability (loss of >2 ADL) over a
      6-year follow-up, and 5-years mortality. RESULTS: FP and AFP yielded a frailty
      prevalence of 6.4% and 6.5%, respectively; only 32 patients were considered frail
      by both indices (kappa: .53). For incident disability, FP showed sensitivity =
      .194, specificity = .963, PPV = .400, and NPV = .903. Similarly, AFP had
      sensitivity = .129, specificity = .949, PPV = .245, and NPV = .894. Consistent
      results were found for accelerated disability and mortality. CONCLUSIONS: In our
      sample, both FP and AFP showed low sensitivity in identifying older people who
      would die or develop disability, but they could well discriminate people who
      would not experience adverse outcomes.

PMID- 26273021
TI  - Evaluation of Cutpoints for Low Lean Mass and Slow Gait Speed in Predicting Death
      in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2004.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia is commonly defined as loss of muscle mass with limited
      muscle function or strength. Different cutpoints of low lean mass and slow gait
      speed have been proposed by different professional working groups. We compared
      the performance of different cutpoints of low lean mass and slow gait speed in
      predicting death. METHODS: We analyzed data of participants aged 65 years or
      older from the continuous National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999
      2004 (N = 2,841), and the subsequent follow-up data on mortality up to December
      31, 2006. For low lean mass, cutpoints based on appendicular lean mass (ALM)
      alone, ALM adjusted for body mass index (ALMBMI), and ALM adjusted for height
      squared (ALMH2) were evaluated. For slow gait speed, the cutpoints based on 0.8
      and 1.0 m/s were evaluated. A Cox-proportional hazard regression model with
      adjustment for multiple confounding factors was used for the association
      analyses. RESULTS: For low lean mass, the cutpoints based on ALMBMI (<0.512 in
      women and <0.789 in men) showed the most significant association and highest
      hazard ratio with death (hazard ratio = 1.72; 95% CI: 1.28-2.29). For slow gait
      speed, all cutpoints tested showed significant association with death in the full
      model (p < .001), while the cutpoint 0.8 m/s showed the highest hazard ratio
      (2.32; 95% CI: 1.58-3.39). CONCLUSIONS: Low lean mass defined by ALMBMI showed
      the strongest association with death; while slow gait speed showed significant
      association with death, with the strongest association being observed for the
      cutpoint of 0.8 m/s. Further studies validating the cutpoints are warranted
      before using them in clinical settings.

PMID- 26273022
TI  - Frailty Index and Incident Mortality, Hospitalization, and Institutionalization
      in Alzheimer's Disease: Data From the ICTUS Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The identification of an objective evaluation of frailty capable of
      predicting adverse outcomes in Alzheimer's disease is increasingly discussed. The
      purpose of this study was to investigate whether the Frailty Index (FI) predicts
      hospitalization, institutionalization, and mortality in Alzheimer's disease
      patients. METHODS: A prospective multicenter cohort study (follow-up = 2 years)
      that included 1,191 participants with Alzheimer's disease was carried out. The
      outcomes of interest were incident hospitalization, institutionalization, and
      mortality. The FI was calculated as the ratio of actual to thirty potential
      deficits, that is, deficits presented by the participant divided by 30. Severity
      of dementia was assessed using the Clinical Dementia Rating score. Cox
      proportional hazard models were performed. RESULTS: Mean age of the study sample
      was 76.2 (SD = 7.6) years. A quadratic relationship of the FI with age was
      reported at baseline (R (2) = .045, p < .001). The FI showed a statistically
      significant association with mortality (age- and gender-adjusted hazard ratio
      [HR] = 1.019, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.002-1.037, p = .031) and
      hospitalization (age- and gender-adjusted HR = 1.017, 95% CI = 1.006-1.029, p =
      .004) and a borderline significance with institutionalization. When the Clinical
      Dementia Rating score was simultaneously included in the age- and gender-adjusted
      models, the FI confirmed its predictive capacity for hospitalization (HR = 1.019,
      95% CI = 1.006-1.032, p = .004), whereas the Clinical Dementia Rating score was
      the strongest predictor for mortality (HR = 1.922, 95% CI = 1.256-2.941, p =
      .003) and institutionalization (HR = 1.955, 95%CI = 1.427-2.679, p < .001).
      CONCLUSIONS: The FI is a robust predictor of adverse outcomes even after the
      stage of the underlying dementia is considered. Future work should evaluate the
      clinical implementation of the FI in the assessment of demented individuals in
      order to improve the personalization of care.

PMID- 26273026
TI  - Energy - A Hallmark of Physical Function.

PMID- 26273024
TI  - Independent Associations Between Sedentary Behaviors and Mental, Cognitive,
      Physical, and Functional Health Among Older Adults in Retirement Communities.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We examined the relationships between objective and self-reported
      sedentary time and health indicators among older adults residing in retirement
      communities. METHODS: Our cross-sectional analysis used data from 307
      participants who completed baseline measurements of a physical activity trial in
      11 retirement communities in San Diego County. Sedentary time was objectively
      measured with devices (accelerometers) and using self-reports. Outcomes assessed
      included emotional and cognitive health, physical function, and physical health
      (eg, blood pressure). Linear mixed-effects models examined associations between
      sedentary behavior and outcomes adjusting for demographics and accelerometer
      physical activity. RESULTS: Higher device-measured sedentary time was associated
      with worse objective physical function (Short Physical Performance Battery,
      balance task scores, 400-m walk time, chair stand time, gait speed), self
      reported physical function, and fear of falling but with less sleep disturbance
      (all ps < .05). TV viewing was positively related to 400-m walk time (p < .05).
      Self-reported sedentary behavior was related to better performance on one
      cognitive task (trails A; p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Sedentary time was mostly
      related to poorer physical function independently of moderate-to-vigorous
      physical activity and may be a modifiable behavior target in interventions aiming
      to improve physical function in older adults. Few associations were observed with
      self-reported sedentary behavior measures.

PMID- 26273027
TI  - "Old Oxen Cannot Plow": Stereotype Themes of Older Adults in Turkish Folklore.
AB  - PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Although much research has established the nature of
      attitudes and stereotypes toward older adults, there are conflicting explanations
      for the root cause of ageism, including the sociocultural view and interpersonal
      views, that age bias against older adults is uniquely a product of modernity and
      occurs through social interactions, and the evolutionary view and intraindividual
      views, that age bias against older adults is rooted in our naturally occurring
      and individually held fear of death. We make initial investigations into
      resolving this conflict, by analyzing literature from a society predating the
      Industrial Revolution, the society of Ottoman Turks. DESIGN AND METHODS: Using
      Grounded Theory, we analyzed 1,555 Turkish fairy tales of the most well-known
      older adult in Turkish folklore, Nasreddin Hoca, for stereotype themes of older
      adults. Using the same method, we then analyzed 22,000+ Turkish sayings and
      proverbs for the same themes. RESULTS: Results indicated older adults to be
      viewed both positively and negatively. Positive stereotypes included wisdom,
      warmth, deserving of respect, and retirement. Negative stereotypes included
      incompetence, inadaptability, and frailty/nearing of death. Older females were
      viewed more negatively relative to older males. IMPLICATIONS: Results indicated
      views of older adults to parallel those found in contemporary research. Results
      have implications for the design of interventions to reduce ageism and on the
      cross-cultural generalizability of age-based stereotypes.

PMID- 26273025
TI  - Depressive Trajectories and Risk of Disability and Mortality in Older Adults:
      Longitudinal Findings From the Health, Aging, and Body Composition Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Depression and disability are closely linked. Less is known regarding
      clinical and subclinical depressive symptoms over time and risk of disability and
      mortality. METHODS: Responses to the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Short
      Depression scale (CES-D10) were assessed over a 4-year period in men (n = 1032)
      and women (n = 1070) aged 70-79 years initially free from disability. Depressive
      symptom trajectories were defined with group-based models. Disability (2
      consecutive reports of severe difficulty walking one-quarter mile or climbing 10
      steps) and mortality were determined for 9 subsequent years. Hazard ratios (HRs)
      were estimated using Cox proportional hazards adjusted for covariates. RESULTS:
      Three trajectories were identified: persistently nondepressed (54% of men, 54% of
      women, mean baseline CES-D10: 1.16 and 1.46), mildly depressed and increasing
      (40% of men, 38% of women, mean baseline CES-D10: 3.60 and 4.35), and depressed
      and increasing (6% of men, 8% of women, mean baseline CES-D10: 7.44 and 9.61).
      Disability and mortality rates per 1,000 person years were 41.4 and 60.3 in men
      and 45.8 and 41.9 in women. Relative to nondepressed, men in the mildly depressed
      (HR = 1.45, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.11-1.89) and depressed trajectories
      (HR = 2.12, 95% CI 1.33-3.38) had increased disability; women in the depressed
      trajectory had increased disability (HR = 2.02, 95% CI 1.37-2.96). Men in the
      mildly depressed (HR = 1.24, 95% CI 1.01-1.52) and depressed trajectories (HR =
      1.63, 95% CI 1.10-2.41) had elevated mortality risk; women exhibited no mortality
      risk. CONCLUSIONS: Trajectories of depressive symptoms without recovery may
      predict disability and mortality in apparently healthy older populations, thus
      underscoring the importance of monitoring depressive symptoms in geriatric care.

PMID- 26273030
TI  - SCIENCE DIPLOMACY. Iran's atomic czar describes the art of the deal.

PMID- 26273028
TI  - Science, all inclusive.

PMID- 26273031
TI  - POLAR SCIENCE. Report sets new goals for U.S. Antarctic Program.

PMID- 26273033
TI  - MARINE GEOLOGY. Russian claim heats up battle to control Arctic sea floor.

PMID- 26273023
TI  - Increased Adipocyte Area in Injured Muscle With Aging and Impaired Remodeling in
      Female Mice.
AB  - We demonstrated that young male and female mice similarly regenerated injured
      skeletal muscle; however, female mice transiently increased adipocyte area within
      regenerated muscle in a sex hormone-dependent manner. We extended these
      observations to investigate the effect of aging and sex on sarcopenia and muscle
      regeneration. Cardiotoxin injury to the tibialis anterior muscle of young,
      middle, and old-aged C57Bl/6J male and female mice was used to measure
      regenerated myofiber cross-sectional area (CSA), adipocyte area, residual
      necrosis, and inflammatory cell recruitment. Baseline (uninjured) myofiber CSA
      was decreased in old mice of both sexes compared to young and middle-aged mice.
      Regenerated CSA was similar in male mice in all age groups until baseline CSA was
      attained but decreased in middle and old age female mice compared to young
      females. Furthermore, adipocyte area within regenerated muscle was transiently
      increased in young females compared to young males and these sex-dependent
      increases persisted in middle and old age female mice and were associated with
      increased Pparg Young female mice had more pro-inflammatory monocytes/macrophages
      in regenerating muscle than young male mice and increased Sca-1(+)CD45(-)cells.
      In conclusion, sex and age influence pro-inflammatory cell recruitment, muscle
      regeneration, and adipocyte area following skeletal muscle injury.

PMID- 26273032
TI  - SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY. Modified yeast produce opiates from sugar.

PMID- 26273034
TI  - ANTHROPOLOGY. Mashco Piro tribe emerges from isolation in Peru.

PMID- 26273035
TI  - The littlest farmhands.

PMID- 26273037
TI  - Satellites provide the big picture.

PMID- 26273038
TI  - Time for in situ renaissance.

PMID- 26273039
TI  - GEOPHYSICS. How mountains get made.

PMID- 26273040
TI  - DEVELOPMENT. Marmoset kids actually listen.

PMID- 26273041
TI  - NEUROSCIENCE. Astrocytes tell neurons when to listen up.

PMID- 26273042
TI  - CLIMATE CHANGE. Has there been a hiatus?

PMID- 26273043
TI  - VACCINES. Ebola virus vaccines--preparing for the unexpected.

PMID- 26273044
TI  - CANCER. Tumor angiogenesis, from foe to friend.

PMID- 26273045
TI  - QUANTUM OPTICS. The on-ramp to the all-optical quantum information processing
      highway.

PMID- 26273046
TI  - Parks for science, science for parks.

PMID- 26273047
TI  - Disaster response: Volunteers, unite!

PMID- 26273049
TI  - PALEOCEANOGRAPHY. A warm and poorly ventilated deep Arctic Mediterranean during
      the last glacial period.
AB  - Changes in the formation of dense water in the Arctic Ocean and Nordic Seas [the
      "Arctic Mediterranean" (AM)] probably contributed to the altered climate of the
      last glacial period. We examined past changes in AM circulation by reconstructing
      radiocarbon ventilation ages of the deep Nordic Seas over the past 30,000 years.
      Our results show that the glacial deep AM was extremely poorly ventilated
      (ventilation ages of up to 10,000 years). Subsequent episodic overflow of aged
      water into the mid-depth North Atlantic occurred during deglaciation. Proxy data
      also suggest that the deep glacial AM was ~2 degrees  to 3 degrees C warmer than
      modern temperatures; deglacial mixing of the deep AM with the upper ocean thus
      potentially contributed to the melting of sea ice, icebergs, and terminal ice
      sheet margins. 

PMID- 26273050
TI  - MAGNETISM. Imaging and control of ferromagnetism in LaMnO3/SrTiO3
      heterostructures.
AB  - Oxide heterostructures often exhibit unusual physical properties that are absent
      in the constituent bulk materials. Here, we report an atomically sharp transition
      to a ferromagnetic phase when polar antiferromagnetic LaMnO3 (001) films are
      grown on SrTiO3 substrates. For a thickness of six unit cells or more, the LaMnO3
      film abruptly becomes ferromagnetic over its entire area, which is visualized by
      scanning superconducting quantum interference device microscopy. The transition
      is explained in terms of electronic reconstruction originating from the polar
      nature of the LaMnO3 (001) films. Our results demonstrate that functionalities
      can be engineered in oxide films that are only a few atomic layers thick. 

PMID- 26273051
TI  - GEOPHYSICS. Layered deformation in the Taiwan orogen.
AB  - The underthrusting of continental crust during mountain building is an issue of
      debate for orogens at convergent continental margins. We report three-dimensional
      seismic anisotropic tomography of Taiwan that shows a nearly 90 degrees  rotation
      of anisotropic fabrics across a 10- to 20-kilometer depth, consistent with the
      presence of two layers of deformation. The upper crust is dominated by collision
      related compressional deformation, whereas the lower crust of Taiwan, mostly the
      crust of the subducted Eurasian plate, is dominated by convergence-parallel shear
      deformation. We interpret this lower crustal shearing as driven by the continuous
      sinking of the Eurasian mantle lithosphere when the surface of the subducted
      plate is coupled with the orogen. The two-layer deformation clearly defines the
      role of subduction in the formation of the Taiwan mountain belt. 

PMID- 26273052
TI  - 2D MATERIALS. Observation of tunable band gap and anisotropic Dirac semimetal
      state in black phosphorus.
AB  - Black phosphorus consists of stacked layers of phosphorene, a two-dimensional
      semiconductor with promising device characteristics. We report the realization of
      a widely tunable band gap in few-layer black phosphorus doped with potassium
      using an in situ surface doping technique. Through band structure measurements
      and calculations, we demonstrate that a vertical electric field from dopants
      modulates the band gap, owing to the giant Stark effect, and tunes the material
      from a moderate-gap semiconductor to a band-inverted semimetal. At the critical
      field of this band inversion, the material becomes a Dirac semimetal with
      anisotropic dispersion, linear in armchair and quadratic in zigzag directions.
      The tunable band structure of black phosphorus may allow great flexibility in
      design and optimization of electronic and optoelectronic devices. 

PMID- 26273053
TI  - APPLIED OPTICS. Voltage-tunable circular photogalvanic effect in silicon
      nanowires.
AB  - Electronic bands in crystals can support nontrivial topological textures arising
      from spin-orbit interactions, but purely orbital mechanisms can realize closely
      related dynamics without breaking spin degeneracies, opening up applications in
      materials containing only light elements. One such application is the circular
      photogalvanic effect (CPGE), which is the generation of photocurrents whose
      magnitude and polarity depend on the chirality of optical excitation. We show
      that the CPGE can arise from interband transitions at the metal contacts to
      silicon nanowires, where inversion symmetry is locally broken by an electric
      field. Bias voltage that modulates this field further controls the sign and
      magnitude of the CPGE. The generation of chirality-dependent photocurrents in
      silicon with a purely orbital-based mechanism will enable new functionalities in
      silicon that can be integrated with conventional electronics. 

PMID- 26273054
TI  - Circuit-specific signaling in astrocyte-neuron networks in basal ganglia
      pathways.
AB  - Astrocytes are important regulatory elements in brain function. They respond to
      neurotransmitters and release gliotransmitters that modulate synaptic
      transmission. However, the cell- and synapse-specificity of the functional
      relationship between astrocytes and neurons in certain brain circuits remains
      unknown. In the dorsal striatum, which mainly comprises two intermingled subtypes
      (striatonigral and striatopallidal) of medium spiny neurons (MSNs) and synapses
      belonging to two neural circuits (the direct and indirect pathways of the basal
      ganglia), subpopulations of astrocytes selectively responded to specific MSN
      subtype activity. These subpopulations of astrocytes released glutamate that
      selectively activated N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors in homotypic, but not
      heterotypic, MSNs. Likewise, astrocyte subpopulations selectively regulated
      homotypic synapses through metabotropic glutamate receptor activation. Therefore,
      bidirectional astrocyte-neuron signaling selectively occurs between specific
      subpopulations of astrocytes, neurons, and synapses. 

PMID- 26273055
TI  - LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT. The developmental dynamics of marmoset monkey vocal
      production.
AB  - Human vocal development occurs through two parallel interactive processes that
      transform infant cries into more mature vocalizations, such as cooing sounds and
      babbling. First, natural categories of sounds change as the vocal apparatus
      matures. Second, parental vocal feedback sensitizes infants to certain features
      of those sounds, and the sounds are modified accordingly. Paradoxically, our
      closest living ancestors, nonhuman primates, are thought to undergo few or no
      production-related acoustic changes during development, and any such changes are
      thought to be impervious to social feedback. Using early and dense sampling,
      quantitative tracking of acoustic changes, and biomechanical modeling, we showed
      that vocalizations in infant marmoset monkeys undergo dramatic changes that
      cannot be solely attributed to simple consequences of growth. Using parental
      interaction experiments, we found that contingent parental feedback influences
      the rate of vocal development. These findings overturn decades-old ideas about
      primate vocalizations and show that marmoset monkeys are a compelling model
      system for early vocal development in humans. 

PMID- 26273058
TI  - Creating a research brand.

PMID- 26273057
TI  - EVOLUTION. Fruit flies diversify their offspring in response to parasite
      infection.
AB  - The evolution of sexual reproduction is often explained by Red Queen dynamics:
      Organisms must continually evolve to maintain fitness relative to interacting
      organisms, such as parasites. Recombination accompanies sexual reproduction and
      helps diversify an organism's offspring, so that parasites cannot exploit static
      host genotypes. Here we show that Drosophila melanogaster plastically increases
      the production of recombinant offspring after infection. The response is
      consistent across genetic backgrounds, developmental stages, and parasite types
      but is not induced after sterile wounding. Furthermore, the response appears to
      be driven by transmission distortion rather than increased recombination. Our
      study extends the Red Queen model to include the increased production of
      recombinant offspring and uncovers a remarkable ability of hosts to actively
      distort their recombination fraction in rapid response to environmental cues.

PMID- 26273056
TI  - DNA REPAIR. Mus81 and converging forks limit the mutagenicity of replication fork
      breakage.
AB  - Most spontaneous DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) result from replication-fork
      breakage. Break-induced replication (BIR), a genome rearrangement-prone repair
      mechanism that requires the Pol32/POLD3 subunit of eukaryotic DNA Poldelta, was
      proposed to repair broken forks, but how genome destabilization is avoided was
      unknown. We show that broken fork repair initially uses error-prone Pol32
      dependent synthesis, but that mutagenic synthesis is limited to within a few
      kilobases from the break by Mus81 endonuclease and a converging fork. Mus81
      suppresses template switches between both homologous sequences and diverged human
      Alu repetitive elements, highlighting its importance for stability of highly
      repetitive genomes. We propose that lack of a timely converging fork or Mus81 may
      propel genome instability observed in cancer. 

PMID- 26273059
TI  - DEVICE TECHNOLOGY. Nanomaterials in transistors: From high-performance to thin
      film applications.
AB  - For more than 50 years, silicon transistors have been continuously shrunk to meet
      the projections of Moore's law but are now reaching fundamental limits on speed
      and power use. With these limits at hand, nanomaterials offer great promise for
      improving transistor performance and adding new applications through the coming
      decades. With different transistors needed in everything from high-performance
      servers to thin-film display backplanes, it is important to understand the
      targeted application needs when considering new material options. Here the
      distinction between high-performance and thin-film transistors is reviewed, along
      with the benefits and challenges to using nanomaterials in such transistors. In
      particular, progress on carbon nanotubes, as well as graphene and related
      materials (including transition metal dichalcogenides and X-enes), outlines the
      advances and further research needed to enable their use in transistors for high
      performance computing, thin films, or completely new technologies such as
      flexible and transparent devices. 

PMID- 26273060
TI  - Genomic patterns associated with hypoplastic compared to hyperplastic
      myelodysplastic syndromes.

PMID- 26273062
TI  - Agenda setting for maternal survival: the power of global health networks and
      norms.
AB  - Nearly 300,000 women--almost all poor women in low-income countries--died from
      pregnancy-related complications in 2010. This represents a decline since the
      1980s, when an estimated half million women died each year, but is still far
      higher than the aims set in the United Nations Millennium Development Goals
      (MDGs) at the turn of the century. The 1970s, 1980s and 1990 s witnessed a shift
      from near complete neglect of the issue to emergence of a network of individuals
      and organizations with a shared concern for reducing maternal deaths and growth
      in the number of organizations and governments with maternal health strategies
      and programmes. Maternal health experienced a marked change in agenda status in
      the 2000s, attracting significantly higher level attention (e.g. from world
      leaders) and greater resource commitments (e.g. as one issue addressed by US$40
      billion in pledges to the 2010 Global Strategy for Women's and Children's Health)
      than ever before. Several differences between network and actor features, issue
      characteristics and the policy environment pre- and post-2000 help to explain the
      change in agenda status for global maternal mortality reduction. Significantly, a
      strong poverty reduction norm emerged at the turn of the century; represented by
      the United Nations MDGs framework, the norm set unusually strong expectations for
      international development actors to advance included issues. As the norm grew, it
      drew policy attention to the maternal health goal (MDG 5). Seeking to advance the
      goals agenda, world leaders launched initiatives addressing maternal and child
      health. New network governance and framing strategies that closely linked
      maternal, newborn and child health shaped the initiatives. Diverse network
      composition--expanding beyond a relatively narrowly focused and technically
      oriented group to encompass allies and leaders that brought additional resources
      to bear on the problem--was crucial to maternal health's rise on the agenda in
      the 2000s.

PMID- 26273061
TI  - Comparison of long-term outcomes between children with aplastic anemia and
      refractory cytopenia of childhood who received immunosuppressive therapy with
      antithymocyte globulin and cyclosporine.
AB  - The 2008 World Health Organization classification proposed a new entity in
      childhood myelodysplastic syndrome, refractory cytopenia of childhood. However,
      it is unclear whether this morphological classification reflects clinical
      outcomes. We retrospectively reviewed bone marrow morphology in 186 children
      (median age 8 years; range 1-16 years) who were enrolled in the prospective study
      and received horse antithymocyte globulin and cyclosporine between July 1999 and
      November 2008. The median follow-up period was 87 months (range 1-146 months).
      Out of 186 patients, 62 (33%) were classified with aplastic anemia, 94 (49%) with
      refractory cytopenia of childhood, and 34 (18%) with refractory cytopenia with
      multilineage dysplasia. Aplastic anemia patients received granulocyte colony
      stimulating factor more frequently and for longer durations than other patients
      (P<0.01). After six months, response rates to immunosuppressive therapy were not
      significantly different among the 3 groups. Acquisition of chromosomal
      abnormalities was observed in 5 patients with aplastic anemia, 4 patients with
      refractory cytopenia of childhood, and 3 patients with refractory cytopenia with
      multilineage dysplasia. Although the cumulative incidence of total clonal
      evolution at ten years was not significantly different among the 3 groups, the
      cumulative incidence of monosomy 7 development was significantly higher in
      aplastic anemia than in the other groups (P=0.02). Multivariate analysis revealed
      that only granulocyte colony-stimulating factor administration duration of 40
      days or more was a significant risk factor for monosomy 7 development (P=0.02).
      These findings suggest that even the introduction of a strict morphological
      distinction from hypoplastic myelodysplastic syndrome cannot eradicate clonal
      evolution in children with aplastic anemia.

PMID- 26273063
TI  - Safe and Reproducible Preparation of Functional Dendritic Cells for Immunotherapy
      in Glioblastoma Patients.
AB  - Cell therapy based on dendritic cells (DCs) pulsed with tumor lysate is a
      promising approach in addition to conventional therapy for the treatment of
      patients with glioblastoma (GB). The success of this approach strongly depends on
      the ability to generate high-quality, functionally mature DCs (mDCs), with a high
      level of standardization and in compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices. In
      the cell factory of the Carlo Besta Foundation, two phase I clinical trials on
      immunotherapy with tumor lysate-loaded DCs as treatment for GB are ongoing. From
      2010 to 2014, 54 patients were enrolled in the studies and 54 batches of DCs were
      prepared. We retrospectively analyzed the results of the quality control tests
      carried out on each produced batch, evaluating yield of mDCs and their quality in
      terms of microbiological safety and immunological efficacy. The number of mDCs
      obtained allowed the treatment of all the enrolled patients. All 54 batches were
      sterile, conformed to acceptable endotoxin levels, and were free of Mycoplasma
      species and adventitious viruses. During culture, cells maintained a high
      percentage of viability (87%-98%), and all batches showed high viability after
      thawing (mean+/-SD: 94.6%+/-2.9%). Phenotype evaluation of mDCs showed an evident
      upregulation of markers typical of DC maturation; mixed lymphocyte reaction tests
      for the functional evaluation of DCs demonstrated that all batches were able to
      induce lymphocyte responses. These results demonstrated that our protocol for DC
      preparation is highly reproducible and permits generation of large numbers of
      safe and functional DCs for in vivo use in immunotherapy approaches.
      SIGNIFICANCE: Cell therapy based on antigen-pulsed dendritic cells (DCs) is a
      promising approach for the treatment of glioblastoma patients. The success of
      this approach strongly depends on the ability to generate high-quality,
      functional DCs with a high level of standardization, ensuring reproducibility,
      efficacy, and safety of the final product. This article summarizes the results of
      the quality controls on 54 batches, to demonstrate the feasibility of producing a
      therapeutic cell-based vaccine via a well-controlled Good Manufacturing Practices
      (GMP)-compliant production process. The findings may be of scientific interest to
      those working in the field of preparation of GMP-compliant products for cell
      therapy applications.

PMID- 26273066
TI  - Joint statement on redundant (duplicate) publication by the Editors of the
      undersigned cardio-thoracic journals.

PMID- 26273065
TI  - Feasibility Study of Canine Epidermal Neural Crest Stem Cell Transplantation in
      the Spinal Cords of Dogs.
AB  - This pilot feasibility study aimed to determine the outcome of canine epidermal
      neural crest stem cell (cEPI-NCSC) grafts in the normal spinal cords of healthy
      bred-for-research dogs. This included developing novel protocols for (a) the ex
      vivo expansion of cEPI-NCSCs, (b) the delivery of cEPI-NCSCs into the spinal
      cord, and (c) the labeling of the cells and subsequent tracing of the graft in
      the live animal by magnetic resonance imaging. A total of four million cEPI-NCSCs
      were injected into the spinal cord divided in two locations. Differences in
      locomotion at baseline and post-treatment were evaluated by gait analysis and
      compared with neurological outcome and behavioral exams. Histopathological
      analyses of the spinal cords and cEPI-NCSC grafts were performed at 3 weeks post
      transplantation. Neurological and gait parameters were minimally affected by the
      stem cell injection. cEPI-NCSCs survived in the canine spinal cord for the entire
      period of investigation and did not migrate or proliferate. Subsets of cEPI-NCSCs
      expressed the neural crest stem cell marker Sox10. There was no detectable
      expression of markers for glial cells or neurons. The tissue reaction to the cell
      graft was predominantly vascular in addition to a degree of reactive astrogliosis
      and microglial activation. In the present study, we demonstrated that cEPI-NCSC
      grafts survive in the spinal cords of healthy dogs without major adverse effects.
      They persist locally in the normal spinal cord, may promote angiogenesis and
      tissue remodeling, and elicit a tissue response that may be beneficial in
      patients with spinal cord injury. SIGNIFICANCE: It has been established that
      mouse and human epidermal neural crest stem cells are somatic multipotent stem
      cells with proved innovative potential in a mouse model of spinal cord injury
      (SCI) offering promise of a valid treatment for SCI. Traumatic SCI is a common
      neurological problem in dogs with marked similarities, clinically and
      pathologically, to the syndrome in people. For this reason, dogs provide a
      readily accessible, clinically realistic, spontaneous model for evaluation of
      epidermal neural crest stem cells therapeutic intervention. The results of this
      study are expected to give the baseline data for a future clinical trial in dogs
      with traumatic SCI.

PMID- 26273067
TI  - Osteopontin alters endothelial and valvular interstitial cell behaviour in
      calcific aortic valve stenosis through HMGB1 regulation.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAVS) is an important clinical
      problem predominantly affecting elderly individuals. Studies suggest that the
      progression of CAVS is actively regulated with valve endothelial injury leading
      to inflammation, fibrosis and calcification. The aim of this study was to
      delineate the possible regulatory role of osteopontin (OPN) on high-mobility
      group box 1 (HMGB1) function and the associated inflammatory and fibrotic
      response in CAVS. METHODS: Aortic valve leaflets were collected from CAVS
      patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (n = 40), and control aortic valve
      leaflets were obtained from heart transplant recipients (n = 15). Valves and
      plasma were analysed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR),
      immunohistochemical staining and Western blot. Recombinant OPN or neutralizing
      OPN antibody was added to cultured endothelial and valvular interstitial cells
      (VICs), and cell proliferation scores and HMGB1 expression were assessed.
      RESULTS: CAVS valves had a decreased total percentage of VICs but increased
      numbers of infiltrating macrophages relative to control valves. RT-PCR studies
      showed higher expression of OPN, the inflammatory cytokine tumour necrosis factor
      alpha as well as markers of fibrosis, tissue inhibitor of matrix
      metalloproteinase 1 and matrix metalloproteinase 2 in CAVS valves. Elevated
      expression of OPN was also observed in plasma of CAVS patients compared with
      controls. HMGB1 was detected in the secretory granules of cultured valve
      endothelial and VICs derived from CAVS valves. The addition of exogenous OPN
      inhibited the proliferation of cultured endothelial and VICs from CAVS valves and
      was associated with the extracellular expression of HMGB1, whereas neutralizing
      OPN had the opposite effect. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that altered OPN expression
      in CAVS affects cellular HMGB1 function inducing cytoplasmic translocation and
      secretion of HMGB1 in endothelial cells and VICs, thus indicating a regulatory
      role for OPN in the progression of CAVS through alteration of HMGB1 function.

PMID- 26273064
TI  - Chorion Mesenchymal Stem Cells Show Superior Differentiation, Immunosuppressive,
      and Angiogenic Potentials in Comparison With Haploidentical Maternal Placental
      Cells.
AB  - Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) of placental origin have become increasingly
      translational owing to their abundance and accessibility. MSCs of different
      origin share several features but also present biological differences that might
      point to distinct clinical properties. Hence, mixing fetal and maternal cells
      from the same placenta can lead to contradicting results. We analyzed the
      biological characteristics of haploidentical MSCs isolated from fetal sources,
      including the umbilical cord (UC-MSCs) and chorion (Ch-MSCs), compared with
      maternal decidua MSCs (Dc-MSCs). All MSCs were analyzed for general stem cell
      properties. In addition, immunosuppressive capacity was assessed by the
      inhibition of T-cell proliferation, and angiogenic potential was evaluated in a
      Matrigel transplantation assay. The comparison between haploidentical MSCs
      displayed several distinct features, including (a) marked differences in the
      expression of CD56, (b) a higher proliferative capacity for Dc-MSCs and UC-MSCs
      than for Ch-MSCs, (c) a diversity of mesodermal differentiation potential in
      favor of fetal MSCs, (d) a higher capacity for Ch-MSCs to inhibit T-cell
      proliferation, and (e) superior angiogenic potential of Ch-MSCs evidenced by a
      higher capability to form tubular vessel-like structures and an enhanced release
      of hepatocyte growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor under hypoxic
      conditions. Our results suggest that assessing the prevalence of fetomaternal
      contamination within placental MSCs is necessary to increase robustness and limit
      side effects in their clinical use. Finally, our work presents evidence
      positioning fetoplacental cells and notably Ch-MSCs in the forefront of the quest
      for cell types that are superior for applications in regenerative medicine.
      SIGNIFICANCE: This study analyzed the biological characteristics of mesenchymal
      stem cells (MSCs) isolated from fetal and maternal placental origins. The
      findings can be summarized as follows: (a) important differences were found in
      the expression of CD56, (b) a different mesodermal differentiation potential was
      found in favor of fetal MSCs, (c) a higher immunosuppressive capacity for chorion
      MSCs was noted, and (d) superior angiogenic potential of Ch-MSCs was observed.
      These results suggest that assessing the prevalence of fetomaternal contamination
      within placental MSCs is necessary to increase robustness and limit side effects
      in their clinical use. The evidence should allow clinicians to view fetoplacental
      cells, notably Ch-MSCs, favorably as candidates for use in regenerative medicine.

PMID- 26273068
TI  - Transatrial left-ventricular cannulation in acute aortic dissection type A: a
      novel cannulation technique.
AB  - Despite improvements in surgical and perfusion techniques, surgery for acute
      aortic dissection type A (AADA) remains associated with high mortality rates. All
      cannulation techniques currently used to establish arterial flow are associated
      with a varying but considerable risk of organ malperfusion, neurological
      complications or additional access site trauma. We introduce Rahimi's transatrial
      cannulation of the left ventricle via the right upper pulmonary vein as an
      innovative alternative for antegrade, arterial return in AADA. 

PMID- 26273069
TI  - Single-port video-assisted thoracoscopic mediastinal tumour resection.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To present the technique of single-port video-assisted thoracoscopic
      mediastinal tumour resection, which includes limited thymectomy, extended
      thymectomy, cyst excision and posterior mediastinal tumour excision, and the
      early results of resection with the use of this technique. METHODS: Twenty-nine
      patients with mediastinal tumours were treated with single-port thoracoscopic
      mediastinal resection at Chung Gung Memorial Hospital between April 2014 and May
      2015.The surgical intervention was performed through the fourth or fifth
      intercostal space at the anterior axillary line. A 5- or 10-mm 30 degrees  video
      camera and working instruments were employed simultaneously at this incision site
      throughout the surgery. The perioperative variables and outcomes were collected
      and analysed retrospectively. RESULTS: Among the 29 cases included in the final
      analysis, 8 extended thymectomies, 5 limited thymectomies, 7 cyst excisions and 9
      tumour excisions were performed successfully without the need for conversion. For
      the 29 patients who underwent single-port video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery
      (VATS), the mean operation time was 97.3 +/- 31.2 min and the average blood loss
      was 34.1 +/- 45.7 ml. The average length of the incision wound was 3.41 +/- 0.76
      cm and the average length of postoperative hospital stay was 3.75 +/- 1.53 days.
      There were no mortalities, and mobility was achieved 30 days after surgery.
      CONCLUSIONS: With regard to oncological concerns, the occurrence of postoperative
      myasthenia gravis or freedom from tumour recurrence is a paramount issue. Our
      cohort follow-up time was not long enough to address this, and more time and
      patients are needed for further evaluation. But our preliminary report showed
      that uniportal VATS for mediastinal tumour resection was a promising and safe
      technique with regard to short-term clinical outcome.

PMID- 26273070
TI  - Off-pump coronary endarterectomy with stent removal for in-stent restenosis in
      the left anterior descending artery.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: In-stent restenosis (ISR) remains a major complication of
      percutaneous coronary intervention, even in the current era of drug-eluting
      stents (DESs). We reviewed the clinical and angiographic outcomes of coronary
      endarterectomy with stent removal using an off-pump technique in patients with
      ISR in the left anterior descending artery (LAD). METHODS: Twelve patients with
      long-segment ISR in the LAD underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting
      with coronary endarterectomy and stent removal at our institution from November
      2005 to August 2012. Their mean age was 65.0 +/- 6.3 years, and 11 were male.
      DESs were used in 10 patients and bare-metal stents were used in the remaining 2
      patients. The interval from the latest intervention ranged from 4 to 102 months
      (median, 12 months). RESULTS: None of the procedures were converted to on-pump
      surgery, and there were no operative deaths. The left internal thoracic artery
      (LITA) was used to reconstruct the endarterectomized LAD in all patients, and the
      mean length of the arteriotomy in the LAD was 5.3 +/- 1.0 cm. The LITA and LAD
      were patent in all patients on both early postoperative and follow-up
      angiography. At the median 24-month follow-up (range, 12-78 months), there were
      no late deaths and all patients were at a Canadian Cardiovascular Society class
      of 0 or I. CONCLUSIONS: Coronary endarterectomy with stent removal can be safely
      performed using an off-pump technique and provides favourable clinical and
      angiographic outcomes in patients with long-segment ISR in the LAD.

PMID- 26273071
TI  - Field triage in the ambulance versus referral via non-percutaneous coronary
      intervention centre in ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients undergoing
      primary percutaneous coronary intervention: A systematic review.
AB  - AIMS: The purpose of this study was to determine whether direct ambulance
      transport of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients to a
      percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) hospital (field triage) leads to a lower
      30-day mortality compared to transport via a referral non-PCI hospital (referral
      via a spoke centre) in STEMI patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: We performed a
      systematic review of interventions. An experienced librarian searched in PubMed,
      EMBASE.com and The Cochrane Library (via Wiley) from January 1980-February 2013.
      Studies that examined field triage and/or referral via a spoke centre in STEMI
      patients treated with primary or facilitated PCI were included. Two authors
      independently conducted the study selection and data extraction. Multivariable
      frequency weighted logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the
      effect of the type of transfer on the outcome measures. We identified 14
      randomised clinical trials (RCTs), including 20 transfer groups and 4474
      participants. Thirty-day mortality was lower in patients who underwent field
      triage (3.0%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.2-4.2) compared to patients who were
      referred via a spoke centre (4.7%; 95% CI 4.0-5.5). In multivariable frequency
      weighted logistic regression analysis, field triage was independently associated
      with a lower incidence of 30-day mortality (odds ratio (OR): 0.58; 95% CI 0.37
      0.89). CONCLUSION: Field triage compared to referral via a spoke centre leads to
      a lower 30-day mortality in STEMI patients. Therefore, direct ambulance transport
      to a PCI hospital should become the transfer type for STEMI patients.

PMID- 26273072
TI  - Prescribing marijuana for chronic pain.

PMID- 26273074
TI  - Addressing the need for standardized concussion care in Canada: Concussion
      Awareness Training Tool.

PMID- 26273075
TI  - Advance care planning: Let's start sooner.

PMID- 26273076
TI  - Complementing undergraduate medical training.

PMID- 26273077
TI  - Complete dissociation from the health care and pharmaceutical industry.

PMID- 26273078
TI  - Response.

PMID- 26273079
TI  - Correction.

PMID- 26273081
TI  - Low FODMAP diet.

PMID- 26273080
TI  - Guideline for primary care management of headache in adults.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To increase the use of evidence-informed approaches to diagnosis,
      investigation, and treatment of headache for patients in primary care. QUALITY OF
      EVIDENCE: A comprehensive search was conducted for relevant guidelines and
      systematic reviews published between January 2000 and May 2011. The guidelines
      were critically appraised using the AGREE (Appraisal of Guidelines for Research
      and Evaluation) tool, and the 6 highest-quality guidelines were used as seed
      guidelines for the guideline adaptation process. MAIN MESSAGE: A
      multidisciplinary guideline development group of primary care providers and other
      specialists crafted 91 specific recommendations using a consensus process. The
      recommendations cover diagnosis, investigation, and management of migraine,
      tension-type, medication-overuse, and cluster headache. CONCLUSION: A clinical
      practice guideline for the Canadian health care context was created using a
      guideline adaptation process to assist multidisciplinary primary care
      practitioners in providing evidence-informed care for patients with headache.

PMID- 26273082
TI  - What's new in Alzheimer disease?

PMID- 26273083
TI  - Abnormal uterine bleeding: Taking the stress out of controlling the flow.

PMID- 26273084
TI  - Jennifer A. Parker MD CCFP.

PMID- 26273085
TI  - Friday mornings.

PMID- 26273087
TI  - Carter versus Canada: effects on us and our profession.

PMID- 26273092
TI  - Differential Genetic Effects on Statin-Induced Changes Across Low-Density
      Lipoprotein-Related Measures.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Statin therapy influences not only low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
      cholesterol levels but also LDL-related biomarkers, including non-high-density
      lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C), apolipoprotein B, total number of LDL
      particles, and mean LDL particle size. Recent studies have identified many
      genetic loci influencing circulating lipid levels and statin-induced LDL
      cholesterol reduction. However, it is unknown how these genetic variants
      influence statin-induced changes in LDL subfractions and non-HDL-C. METHODS AND
      RESULTS: One hundred sixty candidate single-nucleotide polymorphisms for effects
      on circulating lipid levels or statin-induced LDL-cholesterol lowering were
      tested for association with response of LDL subfractions and non-HDL-C to
      rosuvastatin or placebo for 1 year among 7046 participants from the Justification
      for Use of Statins in Prevention: an Intervention Trial Evaluating Rosuvastatin
      (JUPITER) trial. Of the 51 single-nucleotide polymorphisms associated with statin
      response for >= 1 of the LDL subfractions or non-HDL-C, 20 single-nucleotide
      polymorphisms could be clustered according to effects predominantly on LDL
      particle size, predominantly on LDL particle number, and on apolipoprotein B but
      not on LDL cholesterol or non-HDL-C. CONCLUSIONS: These differential associations
      point to pathways of LDL response to statin therapy and possibly to mechanisms of
      statin-dependent cardiovascular disease risk reduction. CLINICAL TRIAL
      REGISTRATION: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00239681.

PMID- 26273094
TI  - A Distress Protocol for Respiratory Emergencies in Terminally Ill Patients With
      Lung Cancer or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
AB  - A combination of opioid, midazolam, and scopolamine (that we call "distress
      protocol" [DP]) is used to induce transient sedation when emergencies occur in
      palliative care. We wished to describe the prescription and administration of DP
      in terminally ill patients with either lung cancer or chronic obstructive
      pulmonary disease (COPD). In a retrospective study, 96 of 100 patients with
      cancer and 85 of 100 patients with COPD had a DP prescribed. Thirty patients with
      cancer and 29 with COPD received at least 1 DP. All patients receiving a DP for
      an appropriate indication were sedated within 30 minutes. There was no difference
      in survival from DP administration among patients who received it and those who
      did not.

PMID- 26273095
TI  - Safe staffing in emergency departments.

PMID- 26273093
TI  - A Protocol for the Control of Agitation in Palliative Care.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Agitation is a distressing and dangerous behavior for all involved.
      OBJECTIVE: To study a protocol effectiveness and safety. METHODS: The time when
      the protocol was initiated and when the agitation was controlled, the number of
      doses needed and the complications observed were recorded. RESULTS: One hundred
      and thirty-five inpatients of a palliative care service were included. The most
      frequent diagnosis was head and neck cancer, 37 (27%). The protocol was used 584
      times, from 1 to 31 times on each patient, median of 3 times. Five hundred and
      thirty-four (91%) agitation episodes were controlled with only the first dose of
      the protocol, without significant complications. CONCLUSION: From those results,
      it can be said that this protocol is effective and safe.

PMID- 26273097
TI  - Removing a Titanium wedding ring.

PMID- 26273096
TI  - Safe staffing for nursing in emergency departments: evidence review.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Getting staffing levels wrong in hospitals is linked to excess
      mortality and poor patient experiences but establishing the safe nurse staffing
      levels in the emergency department (ED) is challenging because patient demand is
      so variable. This paper reports a review conducted for the National Institute for
      Health and Care Excellence (NICE) which sought to identify the research evidence
      to inform UK nursing workforce planning. DESIGN: We searched 10 electronic
      databases and relevant websites for English language studies published from 1994.
      Studies included reported a direct measure of nurse staffing relative to an
      activity measure (eg, attendances, patient throughput) or an estimate of nurse
      staffing requirements. Randomised or non-randomised trials, prospective or
      retrospective observational, cross-sectional or correlational studies,
      interrupted time-series, and controlled before and after studies were considered.
      RESULTS: We identified 16,132 items via databases and 2193 items through manual
      and other searching. After title/abstract screening (by one reviewer, checked by
      a second) 55 studies underwent full assessment by the review team. 18 studies met
      the inclusion criteria for the NICE review, however 3 simulation studies that
      reported simulated rather than measured outcomes are not reported here.
      CONCLUSIONS: The evidence is weak but indicates that levels of nurse staffing in
      the ED are associated with patients leaving without being seen, ED care time and
      patient satisfaction. Lower staffing is associated with worse outcomes. There
      remain significant gaps and in particular a lack of evidence on the impact of
      staffing on direct patient outcomes and adequate economic analyses to inform
      decisions about nurse staffing. Given that an association between nurse staffing
      levels and patient outcomes on inpatient wards has been demonstrated, this gap in
      the evidence about nurse staffing in EDs needs to be addressed.

PMID- 26273098
TI  - Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 Is an Independent and Specific Predictor of Mortality
      in Patients With Heart Failure and Reduced Ejection Fraction.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Strategies to improve risk prediction are of major importance in
      patients with heart failure (HF). Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) is an
      endocrine regulator of phosphate and vitamin D homeostasis associated with an
      increased cardiovascular risk. We aimed to assess the prognostic effect of FGF-23
      on mortality in HF patients with a particular focus on differences between
      patients with HF with preserved ejection fraction and patients with HF with
      reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). METHODS AND RESULTS: FGF-23 levels were
      measured in 980 patients with HF enrolled in the Ludwigshafen Risk and
      Cardiovascular Health (LURIC) study including 511 patients with HFrEF and 469
      patients with HF with preserved ejection fraction and a median follow-up time of
      8.6 years. FGF-23 was additionally measured in a second cohort comprising 320
      patients with advanced HFrEF. FGF-23 was independently associated with mortality
      with an adjusted hazard ratio per 1-SD increase of 1.30 (95% confidence interval,
      1.14-1.48; P<0.001) in patients with HFrEF, whereas no such association was found
      in patients with HF with preserved ejection fraction (for interaction, P=0.043).
      External validation confirmed the significant association with mortality with an
      adjusted hazard ratio per 1 SD of 1.23 (95% confidence interval, 1.02-1.60;
      P=0.027). FGF-23 demonstrated an increased discriminatory power for mortality in
      addition to N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (C-statistic: 0.59 versus
      0.63) and an improvement in net reclassification index (39.6%; P<0.001).
      CONCLUSIONS: FGF-23 is independently associated with an increased risk of
      mortality in patients with HFrEF but not in those with HF with preserved ejection
      fraction, suggesting a different pathophysiologic role for both entities.

PMID- 26273100
TI  - Energy and metabolic alterations in predisposition to pheochromocytomas and
      paragangliomas: the so-called Warburg (and more) effect, 15 years on.

PMID- 26273099
TI  - Hypomagnesemia and functional hypoparathyroidism due to novel mutations in the Mg
      channel TRPM6.
AB  - Primary hypomagnesemia with secondary hypocalcemia (HSH) is an autosomal
      recessive disorder characterized by neuromuscular symptoms in infancy due to
      extremely low levels of serum magnesium and moderate to severe hypocalcemia.
      Homozygous mutations in the magnesium transporter gene transient receptor
      potential cation channel member 6 (TRPM6) cause the disease. HSH can be
      misdiagnosed as primary hypoparathyroidism. The aim of this study was to describe
      the genetic, clinical and biochemical features of patients clinically diagnosed
      with HSH in a Norwegian cohort. Five patients in four families with clinical
      features of HSH were identified, including one during a national survey of
      hypoparathyroidism. The clinical history of the patients and their families were
      reviewed and gene analyses of TRPM6 performed. Four of five patients presented
      with generalized seizures in infancy and extremely low levels of serum magnesium
      accompanied by moderate hypocalcemia. Two of the patients had an older sibling
      who died in infancy. Four novel mutations and one large deletion in TRPM6 were
      identified. In one patient two linked homozygous mutations were located in exon
      22 (p.F978L) and exon 23 (p.G1042V). Two families had an identical mutation in
      exon 25 (p.E1155X). The fourth patient had a missense mutation in exon 4 (p.H61N)
      combined with a large deletion in the C-terminal end of the gene. HSH is a
      potentially lethal condition that can be misdiagnosed as primary
      hypoparathyroidism. The diagnosis is easily made if serum magnesium is measured.
      When treated appropriately with high doses of oral magnesium supplementation,
      severe hypomagnesemia is uncommon and the long-term prognosis seems to be good. 

PMID- 26273101
TI  - 15 YEARS OF PARAGANGLIOMA: Pheochromocytoma, paraganglioma and genetic syndromes:
      a historical perspective.
AB  - The last decades have elucidated the genetic basis of pheochromocytoma (PC) and
      paraganglioma (PGL) (PCPGL)-associated hereditary syndromes. However, the history
      of these syndromes dates back at least another 150 years. Detailed descriptions
      by clinicians and pathologists in the 19th and 20th centuries led to the
      recognition of the PCPGL-associated syndromes von Hippel-Lindau disease,
      neurofibromatosis type 1, and multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2. In the
      beginning of the current millennium the molecular basis of the hereditary PGL
      syndrome was elucidated by the discovery of mutations in genes encoding enzymes
      of the Krebs cycle, such as succinate dehydrogenase genes (SDHx) and other
      mutations, causing 'pseudo-hypoxia' signaling. These recent developments also
      marked a paradigm shift. It reversed the traditional order of genetic research
      that historically aimed to define the genetic basis of a known hereditary
      syndrome but now is challenged with defining the full clinical phenotype
      associated with a newly defined genetic basis. This challenge underscores the
      importance to learn from medical history, continue providing support for clinical
      research, and train physicians with regards to their skills to identify patients
      with PCPGL-associated syndromes to extend our knowledge of the associated
      phenotype. This historical overview provides details on the history of the
      paraganglial system and PCPGL-associated syndromes. As such, it hopefully will
      not only be an interesting reading for the physician with a historical interest
      but also emphasize the necessity of ongoing astute individual clinical
      observations and clinical registries to increase our knowledge regarding the full
      phenotypic spectrum of these conditions. 

PMID- 26273103
TI  - Longevity of biventricular defibrillators: not all devices are created equal.

PMID- 26273104
TI  - Management of patients with ventricular tachycardia in Europe: results of the
      European Heart Rhythm Association survey.
AB  - The purpose of this European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) survey was to assess
      clinical practice in the management of ventricular tachycardia (VT). The data are
      based on an electronic questionnaire sent to the members of the EHRA Research
      Network. Responses were received from 31 centres in 16 countries. The results of
      the survey show that the management of VT is in general in accordance with
      guidelines. Antiarrhythmic drugs are still frequently used for VT treatment. In
      patients at high risk of sudden cardiac death, an implantable cardioverter
      defibrillator is routinely recommended, while the treatment options vary for
      patients with moderate or low risk. A discreet attitude is adopted for catheter
      ablation in high-risk patients as demonstrated by a relatively low rate of
      catheter ablation. 

PMID- 26273105
TI  - Using Negotiated Joining to Construct and Fill Open-ended Roles in Elite Culinary
      Groups.
AB  - This qualitative study examines membership processes in groups operating in an
      uncertain environment that prevents them from fully predefining new members'
      roles. I describe how nine elite high-end, cutting-edge culinary groups in the
      U.S. and Europe, ranging from innovative restaurants to culinary R&D groups, use
      negotiated joining-a previously undocumented process-to systematically construct
      and fill these emergent, open-ended roles. I show that negotiated joining is a
      consistently patterned, iterative process that begins with a role that both
      aspirant and target group explicitly understand to be provisional. This
      provisional role is then jointly modified and constructed by the aspirant and
      target group through repeated iterations of proposition, validation through trial
      and evaluation, and selective integration of validated role components. The
      initially provisional role stabilizes and the aspirant achieves membership if
      enough role components are validated; otherwise the negotiated joining process is
      abandoned. Negotiated joining allows the aspirant and target group to learn if a
      mutually desirable role is likely and, if so, to construct such a role. In
      addition, the provisional roles in negotiated joining can support absorptive
      capacity by allowing novel role components to enter target groups through
      aspirants' efforts to construct stable roles for themselves, while the internal
      adjustment involved in integrating newly validated role components can have the
      unintended side effect of supporting adaptation by providing opportunities for
      the groups to use these novel role components to modify their role structure and
      goals to suit a changing and uncertain environment. Negotiated joining thus
      reveals role ambiguity's hitherto unexamined beneficial consequences and provides
      a foundation for a contingency theory of new-member acquisition.

PMID- 26273106
TI  - The evolution of antipredator behaviour following relaxed and reversed selection
      in Alaskan threespine stickleback fish.
AB  - Changing environments, whether through natural or anthropogenic causes, can lead
      to the loss of some selective pressures ('relaxed selection') and possibly even
      the reinstatement of selective agents not encountered for many generations
      ('reversed selection'). We examined the outcome of relaxed and reversed selection
      in the adaptive radiation of the threespine stickleback fish, Gasterostues
      aculeatus L., in which isolated populations encounter a variety of predation
      regimes. Oceanic stickleback, which represent the ancestral founders of the
      freshwater radiation, encounter many piscivorous fish. Derived, freshwater
      populations, on the other hand, vary with respect to the presence of predators.
      Some populations encounter native salmonids, whereas others have not experienced
      predation by large fish in thousands of generations (relax-selected populations).
      Some relax-selected populations have had sport fish, including rainbow trout,
      Oncorhynchus mykiss, introduced within the past several decades (reverse
      selected). We examined the behavioural responses of stickleback from three
      populations of each type to simulated attacks by trout and birds to determine
      whether relaxed and reversed selection has led to divergence in behaviour, and
      whether this divergence was predator specific. Fish from trout-free populations
      showed weak responses to trout, as predicted, but these responses were similar to
      those of oceanic (ancestral) populations. Fish from populations that co-occur
      with trout, whether native or introduced, showed elevated antipredator responses,
      indicating that in freshwater, trout predation selects for enhanced antipredator
      responses, which can evolve extremely rapidly. Comparison of laboratory-reared
      and wild-caught individuals suggests a combination of learned and genetic
      components to this variation. Responses to a model bird flyover were weakly
      linked to predation environment, indicating that the loss of predation by trout
      may partially influence the evolution of responses to birds. Our results reject
      the hypothesis that the consistent presence of predatory birds has been
      sufficient to maintain responses to piscivorous fish under periods of relaxed
      selection.

PMID- 26273102
TI  - 15 YEARS OF PARAGANGLIOMA: Clinical manifestations of paraganglioma syndromes
      types 1-5.
AB  - The paraganglioma (PGL) syndromes types 1-5 are autosomal dominant disorders
      characterized by familial predisposition to PGLs, phaeochromocytomas (PCs), renal
      cell cancers, gastrointestinal stromal tumours and, rarely, pituitary adenomas.
      Each syndrome is associated with mutation in a gene encoding a particular subunit
      (or assembly factor) of succinate dehydrogenase (SDHx). The clinical
      manifestations of these syndromes are protean: patients may present with features
      of catecholamine excess (including the classic triad of headache, sweating and
      palpitations), or with symptoms from local tumour mass, or increasingly as an
      incidental finding on imaging performed for some other purpose. As genetic
      testing for these syndromes becomes more widespread, presymptomatic diagnosis is
      also possible, although penetrance of disease in these syndromes is highly
      variable and tumour development does not clearly follow a predetermined pattern.
      PGL1 syndrome (SDHD) and PGL2 syndrome (SDHAF2) are notable for high frequency of
      multifocal tumour development and for parent-of-origin inheritance: disease is
      almost only ever manifest in subjects inheriting the defective allele from their
      father. PGL4 syndrome (SDHB) is notable for an increased risk of malignant PGL or
      PC. PGL3 syndrome (SDHC) and PGL5 syndrome (SDHA) are less common and appear to
      be associated with lower penetrance of tumour development. Although these
      syndromes are all associated with SDH deficiency, few genotype-phenotype
      relationships have yet been established, and indeed it is remarkable that such
      divergent phenotypes can arise from disruption of a common molecular pathway.
      This article reviews the clinical presentations of these syndromes, including
      their component tumours and underlying genetic basis. 

PMID- 26273107
TI  - Relationships Between Commuting and Social Capital Among Men and Women in
      Southern Sweden.
AB  - The societal need for a mobile workforce increases time spent commuting and thus
      also the total workday. How this affects individual well-being and social life
      is, however, surprisingly little known. We investigated the relation between
      commuting time and mode, and social participation and general trust in other
      people as measures of social capital, using data from public health surveys
      conducted in 2004 and 2008 in Scania, Sweden: in all, 21,088 persons ages 18 to
      65 and working at least 30 hr per week. Commuting by car was significantly
      associated with a higher prevalence of low social participation and low general
      trust compared with active commuting, and the association increased with the
      duration of commuting time. In contrast, public commuting was not significantly
      associated with decreased social capital measures except among long-duration
      commuters, who reported lower social participation. The overall pattern was
      similar for men and for women.

PMID- 26273108
TI  - Generating Charged Pharmaceutical Aerosols Intended to Improve Targeted Drug
      Delivery in Ventilated Infants.
AB  - The delivery of pharmaceutical aerosols to infants receiving mechanical
      ventilation is extremely challenging due to small diameter flow passages, low
      tidal volumes, and frequent exhalation of the aerosol. The use of small charged
      particles is proposed as a novel method to prevent deposition in ventilator
      components and foster deposition in the lower infant airways. The objective of
      this study was to compare the performance of multiple new devices for generating
      small charged particles that are expected to maximize respiratory drug delivery
      in ventilated infants. Criteria used to select a leading device included
      production of a charged aerosol with a mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) <=
      approximately 1.8 MUm; low device depositional loss of the aerosol (<20%);
      particle charge in the range of the Rayleigh limit/100; and high drug output with
      low performance variability. Proposed new devices were a wick electrospray (WES)
      system with accelerated cross-flow air; a condensational vapor (CV) system with a
      charged solution and strong field gradient; and a low flow - induction charger
      (LF-IC) designed to operate with a modified commercial mesh nebulizer. Based on
      infant ventilation conditions, flow rates through the devices were in a range of
      2-5 L/min and the devices were assessed in terms of depositional drug loss and
      emitted drug mass; droplet size distribution (DSD) using a Mini-MOUDI; and DSD
      and net charge with a modified ELPI. Considering the WES, primary limitations
      were (i) low and variable aerosol production rates and (ii) high device
      depositional losses. The CV device produced a high quality aerosol with a MMAD of
      0.14 MUm and a drug delivery rate of 25 MUg/min. However, the device was excluded
      because it failed to produce a charged aerosol. In contrast, the LF-IC produced a
      1.6 MUm aerosol with high net charge, low device depositional loss (<15% based on
      recovery), and low variability. In the ELPI size fraction bin nearest the MMAD,
      the LF-IC produced >100 elementary charges per particle, which was an order of
      magnitude increase compared to the case of zero charging voltage. In conclusion,
      the LF-IC was selected as a leading system that is expected to improve aerosol
      delivery efficiency in ventilated infants through the use of small charged
      particles.

PMID- 26273110
TI  - Total Synthesis of the Aglycone of IB-00208.
AB  - A total synthesis of the aglycone of IB-00208 was accomplished in 22 steps using
      a newly developed approach towards polycyclic 1,4-dioxygenated xanthones from
      benzocyclobutenones. The generality of this entry to xanthones was initially
      established on several model systems before it was successfully applied to the
      construction of the hexacyclic core of the natural product. A new and potentially
      general approach towards angularly-fused benzocyclobutenones using ring-closing
      metathesis (RCM) was also developed.

PMID- 26273109
TI  - Exchange of Alkyl and Tris(2-mercapto-1-t-butylimidazolyl)hydroborato Ligands
      Between Zinc, Cadmium and Mercury.
AB  - The tris(2-mercaptoimidazolyl)hydroborato ligand, [TmBut ], has been used to
      investigate the exchange of alkyl and sulfur donor ligands between the Group 12
      metals, Zn, Cd and Hg. For example, [TmBut ]2Zn reacts with Me2Zn to yield [TmBut
      ]ZnMe, while [TmBut ]CdMe is obtained readily upon reaction of [TmBut ]2Cd with
      Me2Cd. Ligand exchange is also observed between different metal centers. For
      example, [TmBut ]CdMe reacts with Me2Zn to afford [TmBut ]ZnMe and Me2Cd.
      Likewise, [TmBut ]HgMe reacts with Me2Zn to afford [TmBut ]ZnMe and Me2Hg.
      However, whereas the [TmBut ] ligand transfers from mercury to zinc in the methyl
      system, [TmBut ]HgMe/Me2Zn, transfer of the [TmBut ] ligand from zinc to mercury
      is observed upon treatment of [TmBut ]2Zn with HgI2 to afford [TmBut ]HgI and
      [TmBut ]ZnI. These observations demonstrate that the phenomenological preference
      for the [TmBut ] ligand to bind one metal rather than another is strongly
      influenced by the nature of the co-ligands.

PMID- 26273111
TI  - Reductive Cyclization of Halo-Ketones to Form 3-Hydroxy-2-Oxindoles via Palladium
      Catalyzed Hydrogenation: A Hydrogen-Mediated Grignard Addition.
AB  - The reductive cyclization of N-oxoacyl ortho-bromoanilides to form 3-hydroxy-2
      oxindoles under the conditions of palladium catalyzed hydrogenation is described.
      This work may be viewed as a prelude to intermolecular hydrogen-mediated Grignard
      type reductive couplings of organic halides with carbonyl compounds.

PMID- 26273112
TI  - Gold(I)-catalyzed enantioselective [3+2] and [3+3] cycloaddition reactions of
      propargyl acetals/ketals.
AB  - An asymmetric gold(I)-catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition of propargyl acetals/ketals
      and aldehydes is reported, which proceeds via stepwise migration-fragmentation of
      acetals/ketals and cycloaddition of the in situ generated gold-carbenoid
      intermediate. Various functionalized 2, 5-dihydrofurans were obtained in good
      yields and high enantioselectivities. Furthermore, an example of the first
      gold(I) catalyzed [3+3] cycloaddition of secondary propargyl ketals and nitrones
      is presented.

PMID- 26273113
TI  - Total synthesis of dihydrolysergic acid and dihydrolysergol: development of a
      divergent synthetic strategy applicable to rapid assembly of D-ring analogs.
AB  - The total syntheses of dihydrolysergic acid and dihydrolysergol are detailed
      based on a Pd(0)-catalyzed intramolecular Larock indole cyclization for the
      preparation of the embedded tricyclic indole (ABC ring system) and a subsequent
      powerful inverse electron demand Diels-Alder reaction of 5-carbomethoxy-1,2,3
      triazine with a ketone-derived enamine for the introduction of a functionalized
      pyridine, serving as the precursor for a remarkably diastereoselective reduction
      to the N-methylpiperidine D-ring. By design, the use of the same ketone-derived
      enamine and a set of related complementary heterocyclic azadiene [4 + 2]
      cycloaddition reactions permitted the late stage divergent preparation of a
      series of alternative heterocyclic derivatives not readily accessible by more
      conventional approaches.

PMID- 26273114
TI  - Construction of Tertiary Chiral Centers by Pd-catalyzed Asymmetric Allylic
      Alkylation of Prochiral Enolate Equivalents.
AB  - The palladium-catalyzed decarboxylative allylic alkylation of enol carbonates
      derived from lactams and ketones is described. Employing these substrates with an
      electronically tuned Pd catalyst system trisubstituted chiral centers are
      produced. These stereocenters have been previously challenging to achieve using
      Pd complex/chiral P-N ligand systems.

PMID- 26273115
TI  - Diastereoselective addition of monoorganocuprates to a chiral fumarate: reaction
      development and synthesis of (-)-dihydroprotolichesterinic acid.
AB  - Recent studies of diastereoselective conjugate additions of monoorganocuprates,
      Li[RCuI], to chiral gamma-alkoxycrotonates and fumarates are disclosed. This
      methodology was applied to the shortest total synthesis of (-)
      dihydroprotolichesterinic acid to date, but several attempts to prepare other
      succinate-derived natural products, such as pilocarpine and antrodin E, were
      unsuccessful.

PMID- 26273116
TI  - Reductions of aryl bromides in water at room temperature.
AB  - Micellar nanoreactors derived from commercially available 'Nok' (SPGS-550-M), in
      the presence of Fu's catalyst and a mild hydride source (NaBH4), are useful for
      facile debromination of functionalized aromatic derivatives. This mild and
      environemntally responsible process is utlized in water at room temperature, and
      the reaction mixtures can be smoothly recycled.

PMID- 26273117
TI  - Large, Sparse Optimal Matching with Refined Covariate Balance in an Observational
      Study of the Health Outcomes Produced by New Surgeons.
AB  - Every newly trained surgeon performs her first unsupervised operation. How do the
      health outcomes of her patients compare with the patients of experienced
      surgeons? Using data from 498 hospitals, we compare 1252 pairs comprised of a new
      surgeon and an experienced surgeon working at the same hospital. We introduce a
      new form of matching that matches patients of each new surgeon to patients of an
      otherwise similar experienced surgeon at the same hospital, perfectly balancing
      176 surgical procedures and closely balancing a total of 2.9 million categories
      of patients; additionally, the individual patient pairs are as close as possible.
      A new goal for matching is introduced, called "refined covariate balance," in
      which a sequence of nested, ever more refined, nominal covariates is balanced as
      closely as possible, emphasizing the first or coarsest covariate in that
      sequence. A new algorithm for matching is proposed and the main new results prove
      that the algorithm finds the closest match in terms of the total within-pair
      covariate distances among all matches that achieve refined covariate balance.
      Unlike previous approaches to forcing balance on covariates, the new algorithm
      creates multiple paths to a match in a network, where paths that introduce
      imbalances are penalized and hence avoided to the extent possible. The algorithm
      exploits a sparse network to quickly optimize a match that is about two orders of
      magnitude larger than is typical in statistical matching problems, thereby
      permitting much more extensive use of fine and near-fine balance constraints. The
      match was constructed in a few minutes using a network optimization algorithm
      implemented in R. An R package called rcbalance implementing the method is
      available from CRAN.

PMID- 26273118
TI  - Broad Energy Range Neutron Spectroscopy using a Liquid Scintillator and a
      Proportional Counter: Application to a Neutron Spectrum Similar to that from an
      Improvised Nuclear Device.
AB  - A novel neutron irradiation facility at the Radiological Research Accelerator
      Facility (RARAF) has been developed to mimic the neutron radiation from an
      Improvised Nuclear Device (IND) at relevant distances (e.g. 1.5 km) from the
      epicenter. The neutron spectrum of this IND-like neutron irradiator was designed
      according to estimations of the Hiroshima neutron spectrum at 1.5 km. It is
      significantly different from a standard reactor fission spectrum, because the
      spectrum changes as the neutrons are transported through air, and it is dominated
      by neutron energies from 100 keV up to 9 MeV. To verify such wide energy range
      neutron spectrum, detailed here is the development of a combined spectroscopy
      system. Both a liquid scintillator detector and a gas proportional counter were
      used for the recoil spectra measurements, with the individual response functions
      estimated from a series of Monte Carlo simulations. These normalized individual
      response functions were formed into a single response matrix for the unfolding
      process. Several accelerator-based quasi-monoenergetic neutron source spectra
      were measured and unfolded to test this spectroscopy system. These reference
      neutrons were produced from two reactions: T(p,n)3He and D(d,n)3He, generating
      neutron energies in the range between 0.2 and 8 MeV. The unfolded quasi
      monoenergetic neutron spectra indicated that the detection system can provide
      good neutron spectroscopy results in this energy range. A broad-energy neutron
      spectrum from the 9Be(d,n) reaction using a 5 MeV deuteron beam, measured at 60
      degrees to the incident beam was measured and unfolded with the evaluated
      response matrix. The unfolded broad neutron spectrum is comparable with published
      time-of-flight results. Finally, the pair of detectors were used to measure the
      neutron spectrum generated at the RARAF IND-like neutron facility and a
      comparison is made to the neutron spectrum of Hiroshima.

PMID- 26273119
TI  - Juvenile Justice, Mental Health, and the Transition to Adulthood: A Review of
      Service System Involvement and Unmet Needs in the U.S.
AB  - Although adolescents are the primary focus of juvenile justice, a significant
      number of young people involved with this system are considered transition age
      youth (i.e., 16-25 years of age). The aim of this review is to summarize the
      specific needs of transition age youth with mental health conditions involved
      with the juvenile justice system, identify the multiple service systems relevant
      to this group, and offer recommendations for policies and practice. A
      comprehensive search strategy was used to identify and synthesize the literature.
      Findings highlight the paucity of research specific to transition age youth.
      Thus, we also summarized relevant research on justice-involved adolescents, with
      a focus evaluating its potential relevance in the context of the unique
      milestones of the transition age, including finishing one's education, setting
      and working towards vocational goals, and transitioning from ones' family of
      origin to more independent living situations. Existing programs and initiatives
      relevant to transition age youth with mental health conditions are highlighted,
      and nine specific recommendations for policy and practice are offered.

PMID- 26273120
TI  - Employment of Low-Income African American and Latino Teens: Does Neighborhood
      Social Mix Matter?
AB  - We quantify how teen employment outcomes for low-income African Americans and
      Latinos relate to their neighborhood conditions during ages 14-17. Data come from
      surveys of Denver Housing Authority (DHA) households who have lived in public
      housing scattered throughout Denver County. Because DHA household allocation
      mimics random assignment to neighborhood, this program represents a natural
      experiment for overcoming geographic selection bias. Our logistic and Tobit
      regression analyses found overall greater odds of teen employment and more hours
      worked for those who lived in neighborhoods with higher percentages of pre-1940
      vintage housing, property crime rates and child abuse rates, though the strength
      of relationships was highly contingent on gender and ethnicity. Teen employment
      prospects of African Americans were especially diminished by residence in more
      socially vulnerable, violent neighborhoods, implying selective potential gains
      from social mixing alternatives.

PMID- 26273121
TI  - Neuropsychological and interpersonal antecedents of youth depression.
AB  - This research examined neuropsychological and interpersonal factors that jointly
      confer vulnerability to youth depression. We proposed that (1) a reduced
      posterior right hemisphere bias during the processing of facial expressions
      contributes to subsequent depressive symptoms in youth, and (2) maladaptive
      responses to interpersonal stress account for this association. Drawing from
      theory and research indicating sex differences in rates of hemispheric
      development, we also investigated sex differences in the associations among a
      reduced posterior right hemisphere bias, maladaptive responses to interpersonal
      stress, and depressive symptoms. Hypotheses were examined in a longitudinal study
      of 95 4th - 8th graders (M age = 12.33, SD = 1.10). Results supported the notion
      that a reduced posterior right hemisphere bias confers vulnerability to
      depressive symptoms over time in a sex-specific fashion, and implicate
      maladaptive stress responses as an explanatory mechanism.

PMID- 26273122
TI  - The long-term effects on children and adolescents of a policy providing work
      supports for low-income parents.
AB  - New Hope, an employment-based poverty-reduction intervention for adults evaluated
      in a random-assignment experimental design, had positive impacts on children's
      achievement and social behavior two and five years after random assignment. The
      question addressed in this paper was the following: Did the positive effects of
      New Hope on younger children diminish or even reverse when children reached the
      challenges of adolescence (eight years after random assignment)? Small positive
      impacts on school progress, school motivation, positive social behavior, child
      well-being, and parent control endured, but impacts on school achievement and
      problem behavior were no longer evident. The most likely reasons for lasting
      impacts were that New Hope families were slightly less likely to be poor, and
      children had spent more time in center-based child care and structured
      activities. New Hope represents a model policy that could produce modest
      improvements in the lives of low-income adults and children.

PMID- 26273123
TI  - The Effect of PAI-1 4G/5G Polymorphism and Clinical Factors on Coronary Artery
      Occlusion in Myocardial Infarction.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Data on the impact of PAI-1-675 4G/5G genotype for fibrinolysis during
      myocardial infarction are inconsistent. The aim of our study was to evaluate the
      association of clinical and genetic (PAI-1-675 4G/5G polymorphism) factors with
      coronary artery occlusion in patients with myocardial infarction. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: PAI-1-675 4G/5G detection was achieved by using Sanger sequencing in a
      sample of patients hospitalized for stent implantation due to myocardial
      infarction. We categorized the patients into two groups: patients with coronary
      artery occlusion and patients without coronary artery occlusion according to
      angiographic evaluation. RESULTS: We identified n = 122 (32.4%) 4G/4G, n = 186
      (49.5%) 4G/5G, and n = 68 (18.1%) 5G/5G PAI-1 genotype carriers. Univariate and
      multivariate analysis showed that only the 4G/5G genotype was associated with
      coronary artery occlusion (OR: 1.656 and 95% CI: 1.009-2.718, p = 0.046).
      CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that carriers of PAI-1 4G/5G genotype with
      myocardial infarction have increased odds of coronary artery occlusion more than
      1.6 times in comparison to the carriers of homozygous genotypes.

PMID- 26273124
TI  - Optimization of synthesis and peptization steps to obtain iron oxide
      nanoparticles with high energy dissipation rates.
AB  - Magnetic Fluid Hyperthermia (MFH) uses heat generated by magnetic nanoparticles
      exposed to alternating magnetic fields to cause a temperature increase in tumors
      to the hyperthermia range (43-47  degrees C), inducing apoptotic cancer cell
      death. As with all cancer nanomedicines, one of the most significant challenges
      with MFH is achieving high nanoparticle accumulation at the tumor site. This
      motivates development of synthesis strategies that maximize the rate of energy
      dissipation of iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles, preferable due to their
      intrinsic biocompatibility. This has led to development of synthesis strategies
      that, although attractive from the point of view of chemical elegance, may not be
      suitable for scale-up to quantities necessary for clinical use. On the other
      hand, to date the aqueous co-precipitation synthesis, which readily yields gram
      quantities of nanoparticles, has only been reported to yield sufficiently high
      specific absorption rates after laborious size selective fractionation. This work
      focuses on improvements to the aqueous co-precipitation of iron oxide
      nanoparticles to increase the specific absorption rate (SAR), by optimizing
      synthesis conditions and the subsequent peptization step. Heating efficiencies up
      to 1,048 W/gFe (36.5 kA/m, 341 kHz; ILP = 2.3 nH.m2.kg-1) were obtained, which
      represent one of the highest values reported for iron oxide particles synthesized
      by co-precipitation without size-selective fractionation. Furthermore, particles
      reached SAR values of up to 719 W/gFe (36.5 kA/m, 341 kHz; ILP = 1.6 nH.m2.kg-1)
      when in a solid matrix, demonstrating they were capable of significant rates of
      energy dissipation even when restricted from physical rotation. Reduction in
      energy dissipation rate due to immobilization has been identified as an obstacle
      to clinical translation of MFH. Hence, particles obtained with the conditions
      reported here have great potential for application in nanoscale thermal cancer
      therapy.

PMID- 26273125
TI  - Does Minority Status Increase the Effect of Disability Status on Elementary
      Schoolchildren's Academic Achievement?
AB  - We investigated whether children's reading and mathematics growth trajectories
      from kindergarten to fifth grade inter-related, and to what extent disability and
      minority status interacted to predict their achievement trajectories. We
      conducted secondary data analysis based on a nationally representative sample of
      6,446 U.S. schoolchildren from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study
      Kindergarten Cohort. Results indicated that children's reading and mathematics
      achievement highly correlated in both initial status and growth. Being disabled
      or a racial/ethnic minority independently predicted lower academic achievement.
      However, and contrary to what might be expected from prior research on minority
      children's special education experiences, disability status was associated with
      similar academic disadvantages for minority students and White students from
      kindergarten to fifth grade. Growth mixture models identified a group of children
      with lower and lagging achievement in both reading and mathematics from
      kindergarten until fifth grade.

PMID- 26273126
TI  - Standardized Screening for Mental Health Needs of Detained Youths from Various
      Ethnic Origins: The Dutch Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument-Second Version
      (MAYSI-2).
AB  - In the U.S., the Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument-Second Version (MAYSI
      2) has been shown to be a reliable and valid tool to identify youth with mental
      health needs upon entry in detention facilities. The present study examined the
      factor structure, internal consistency, and convergent validity of the Dutch
      MAYSI-2 administered as part of routine clinical assessments in up to 955
      detained male adolescents. Standardized mental health screening questionnaires
      (Youth Self-Report and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire) were used to
      test the convergent validity of the Dutch MAYSI-2. Confirmatory factor analyses
      showed that the factor structure of the original MAYSI-2 could be replicated with
      the Dutch MAYSI-2. Internal consistency indices showed that the Dutch MAYSI-2
      provides a reliable screening of mental health needs. In addition, the Dutch
      MAYSI-2 scales were related with conceptually parallel measures of the same
      targeted mental health needs in the total group. With a few exceptions, the
      internal consistency and convergent validity was supported across ethnic groups
      as well. Overall, these results suggest the psychometric properties of the Dutch
      MAYSI-2 to be promising. Implications and limitations of the current study's
      findings and directions for future research are discussed.

PMID- 26273127
TI  - Estimating added sugars in US consumer packaged goods: An application to
      beverages in 2007-08.
AB  - This study developed a method to estimate added sugar content in consumer
      packaged goods (CPG) that can keep pace with the dynamic food system. A team
      including registered dietitians, a food scientist and programmers developed a
      batch-mode ingredient matching and linear programming (LP) approach to estimate
      the amount of each ingredient needed in a given product to produce a nutrient
      profile similar to that reported on its nutrition facts label (NFL). Added sugar
      content was estimated for 7021 products available in 2007-08 that contain sugar
      from ten beverage categories. Of these, flavored waters had the lowest added
      sugar amounts (4.3g/100g), while sweetened dairy and dairy alternative beverages
      had the smallest percentage of added sugars (65.6% of Total Sugars; 33.8% of
      Calories). Estimation validity was determined by comparing LP estimated values to
      NFL values, as well as in a small validation study. LP estimates appeared
      reasonable compared to NFL values for calories, carbohydrates and total sugars,
      and performed well in the validation test; however, further work is needed to
      obtain more definitive conclusions on the accuracy of added sugar estimates in
      CPGs. As nutrition labeling regulations evolve, this approach can be adapted to
      test for potential product-specific, category-level, and population-level
      implications.

PMID- 26273128
TI  - Examining the Underlying Dimensions of Morphological Awareness and Vocabulary
      Knowledge.
AB  - We report results from two studies on the underlying dimensions of morphological
      awareness and vocabulary knowledge in elementary-aged children. In Study 1, 99
      fourth-grade students were given multiple measures of morphological awareness and
      vocabulary. A single factor accounted for individual differences in all
      morphology and vocabulary assessments. Study 2 extended these results by giving
      90 eighth-grade students expanded measures of vocabulary and morphology that
      assessed (a) definitional knowledge, (b) usage, (c) relational knowledge, and (d)
      knowledge of morphological variants, with each potential aspect of knowledge
      assessed using an identical set of 23 words to control for differential knowledge
      of specific vocabulary items. Results indicated that a single-factor model that
      encompassed morphological and vocabulary knowledge provided the best fit to the
      data. Finally, explanatory item response modeling was used to investigate sources
      of variance in the vocabulary and morphological awareness tasks we administered.
      Implications for assessment and instruction are discussed.

PMID- 26273129
TI  - Detecting De-gelation through Tissue Using Magnetically Modulated Optical
      Nanoprobes (MagMOONs).
AB  - Alginate gels are widely used for drug delivery and implanted devices. The rate
      at which these gels break down is important for controlling drug release. Since
      the de-gelation may be different in vivo, monitoring this process in situ is
      essential. However, it is challenging to monitor the gel through tissue due to
      optical scattering and tissue autofluorescence. Herein we describe a method to
      detect through tissue the chemically-induced changes in viscosity and de-gelation
      process of alginate gels using magnetically modulated optical nanoprobes
      (MagMOONs). The MagMOONs are fluorescent magnetic microspheres coated with a thin
      layer of opaque metal on one hemisphere. The metal layer prevents excitation and
      emission light from passing through one side of the MagMOONs, which creates
      orientation-dependent fluorescence intensity. The magnetic particles also align
      in an external magnetic field and give blinking signals when they rotate to
      follow an external modulated magnetic field. The blinking signals from these
      MagMOONs are distinguished from background autofluorescence and can be tracked on
      a single particle level in the absence of tissue, or for an ensemble average of
      particles blinking through tissue. When these MagMOONs are dispersed in calcium
      alginate gel, they become sensors for detecting gel degradation upon addition of
      either ammonium ion or alginate lyase. Our results show MagMOONs start blinking
      approximately 10 minutes after 2 mg/mL alginate lyase addition and this blinking
      is clearly detected even through up to 4 mm chicken breast. This approach can
      potentially be employed to detect bacterial biofilm formation on medical implants
      by sensing specific proteases that either activate a related function or regulate
      biofilm formation. It can also be applied to other biosensors and drug delivery
      systems based on enzyme-catalyzed breakdown of gel components.

PMID- 26273130
TI  - The domestication of Foucault: Government, critique, war.
AB  - Though Foucault was intrigued by the possibilities of radical social
      transformation, he resolutely resisted the idea that such transformation could
      escape the effects of power and expressed caution when it came to the question of
      revolution. In this article we argue that in one particularly influential line of
      development of Foucault's work his exemplary caution has been exaggerated in a
      way that weakens the political aspirations of post-Foucaldian scholarship. The
      site of this reduction is a complex debate over the role of normativity in
      Foucaldian research, where it has been claimed that Foucault's genealogical
      approach is unable to answer the question 'Why fight?' The terms of this debate
      (on the neo-Foucaldian side) are limited by a dominant though selective
      interpretation of Foucault's analytics of power, where power is understood
      primarily in terms of government, rather than struggle. In response we suggest
      that if we reconfigure power-as-government to power-as-war, this adjusts the
      central concern. 'Why fight?' becomes replaced by the more immediate question,
      'How fight?' Without denying the obvious benefits of cautious scholarly work, we
      argue that a reconfiguration of Foucault's analytics of power might help
      Foucaldian research to transcend the self-imposed ethic of political quietism
      that currently dominates the field.

PMID- 26273132
TI  - Dietary selenium regulation of glutathione peroxidase mRNA and other selenium
      dependent parameters in male rats.
AB  - Weanling male rats were fed a basal torula yeast diet (0.007 MUg Se/g diet)
      supplemented with graded levels of Se (0 to 0.2 MUg Se/g diet as Na2SeO3) (three
      rats/group) to evaluate classical glutathione peroxidase (GPX1, GSH:H2O2,
      oxidoreductase, EC 1.11.1.9) mRNA level as an indicator of intracellular Se
      status. Growth was followed throughout the dietary treatment and a number of Se
      dependent parameters including liver GPX1 mRNA levels were determined after 33
      days. Growth was not impaired at any level of dietary Se supplementation. In rats
      fed the Se-deficient basal diet, liver Se concentration was 5 +/- 1%, liver GPXI
      mRNA levels were 10 +/- 2%. plasma GPX activity was 2 +/- 1%, erythrocyte GPX
      activity was 37 +/- 1%, and liver GPX activity was 0 +/- 2% of the levels in rats
      fed 0.1 MUg Se/g diet; these parameters increased sigmoidally with increasing
      dietary Se, showing a breakpoint near 0.1 MUg Se/g diet. Graphical analysis
      indicated that the increase in liver GPX1 mRNA level with increasing dietary Se,
      preceded the increase in liver GPX activity. Se supplementation had no effect on
      polyadenylated mRNA levels or on beta-actin mRNA levels, demonstrating that Se
      regulation of GPX1 mRNA is specific. Se-deficient liver selenoprotein P mRNA
      levels were 69 +/- 2% of the levels in rats fed 0.1 MUg Se/g diet. We hypothesize
      that GPX1 mRNA is a primary target of the Se regulatory mechanism, making GPX1
      mRNA level a potentially useful indicator of the status of an important
      intracellular regulatory pool of Se.

PMID- 26273131
TI  - Attitudes toward Physician-Nurse Collaboration in Pediatric Workers and
      Undergraduate Medical/Nursing Students.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to compare the attitudes of pediatric workers and
      undergraduate medical/nursing students toward collaboration. Attitude toward
      collaboration was measured using an adaptation of the Jefferson Scale of Attitude
      toward Physician-Nurse Collaboration. The 656 questionnaires were gathered from
      pediatrician, pediatric interns, and medical students (PIS) and pediatric nurses,
      nursing interns, and nursing students (NIS). Results showed a statistically
      significant difference in the total mean scores in attitudes towards
      collaboration with NIS scoring higher. Among the participants of PIS, the
      pediatricians obtained the highest mean scores, while, among the participants of
      NIS, the pediatric nurses got higher mean scores than nursing interns. It is
      desirable that medical and nurse schools should include interprofessional
      education in their curriculum to increase the understanding of the complementary
      roles of physicians and nurses and to encourage establishment of an
      interdependent relationship between them. 

PMID- 26273133
TI  - Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor Trichostatin A Ameliorated Endotoxin-Induced
      Neuroinflammation and Cognitive Dysfunction.
AB  - Excessive production of cytokines by microglia may cause cognitive dysfunction
      and long-lasting behavioral changes. Activating the peripheral innate immune
      system stimulates cytokine secretion in the central nervous system, which
      modulates cognitive function. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) modulate cytokine
      synthesis and release. Trichostatin A (TSA), an HDAC inhibitor, is documented to
      be anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective. We investigated whether TSA reduces
      lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) induced neuroinflammation and cognitive dysfunction.
      ICR mice were first intraperitoneally (i.p.) injected with vehicle or TSA (0.3
      mg/kg). One hour later, they were injected (i.p.) with saline or Escherichia coli
      LPS (1 mg/kg). We analyzed the food and water intake, body weight loss, and
      sucrose preference of the injected mice and then determined the microglia
      activation and inflammatory cytokine expression in the brains of LPS-treated mice
      and LPS-treated BV-2 microglial cells. In the TSA-pretreated mice, microglial
      activation was lower, anhedonia did not occur, and LPS-induced cognitive
      dysfunction (anorexia, weight loss, and social withdrawal) was attenuated.
      Moreover, mRNA expression of HDAC2, HDAC5, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), TNF
      alpha, MCP-1, and IL-1beta in the brain of LPS-challenged mice and in the LPS
      treated BV-2 microglial cells was lower. TSA diminished LPS-induced inflammatory
      responses in the mouse brain and modulated the cytokine-associated changes in
      cognitive function, which might be specifically related to reducing HDAC2 and
      HDAC5 expression.

PMID- 26273134
TI  - Intravenous Infusion of Dexmedetomidine Combined Isoflurane Inhalation Reduces
      Oxidative Stress and Potentiates Hypoxia Pulmonary Vasoconstriction during One
      Lung Ventilation in Patients.
AB  - Inhalation anesthetic isoflurane inhibits hypoxia pulmonary vasoconstriction
      (HPV), while dexmedetomidine (Dex) could reduce the dose of isoflurane inhalation
      and potentiate HPV, but the mechanism is unclear. Inhibition of reactive oxygen
      species (ROS) production can favor HPV during one-lung ventilation (OLV).
      Similarly, nitric oxide (NO), an important endothelium-derived vasodilator in
      lung circulation, can decrease the regional pulmonary vascular resistance of
      ventilated lung and reduce intrapulmonary shunting. We hypothesized that Dex may
      augment HPV and improve oxygenation during OLV through inhibiting oxidative
      stress and increasing NO release. Patients undergoing OLV during elective
      thoracic surgery were randomly allocated to either isoflurane + saline (NISO, n =
      24) or isoflurane + dexmedetomidine (DISO, n = 25) group. Anesthesia was
      maintained with intravenous remifentanil and inhalational isoflurane (1.0-2.0%),
      with concomitant infusion of dexmedetomidine 0.7 MUgkg(-1)h(-1) in DISO and
      saline 0.25 mL kg(-1)h(-1) in NISO group. Hemodynamic variables or depth of
      anesthesia did not significantly differ between groups. Administration of Dex
      significantly reduced Qs/Qt and increased PaO2 after OLV, accompanied with
      reduced lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde and higher levels of SOD
      activity as well as serum NO (all P < 0.05 DISO versus NISO). In conclusion,
      reducing oxidative stress and increasing NO release during OLV may represent a
      mechanism whereby Dex potentiates HPV.

PMID- 26273135
TI  - Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Production following Cardiopulmonary Bypass Was Not
      Associated with Pulmonary Dysfunction after Cardiac Surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) causes release of matrix
      metalloproteinase- (MMP-) 9, contributing to pulmonary infiltration and
      dysfunction. The aims were to investigate MMP-9 production and associated
      perioperative variables and oxygenation following CPB. METHODS: Thirty patients
      undergoing elective cardiac surgery were included. Arterial blood was sampled at
      6 sequential points (before anesthesia induction, before CPB and at 2, 4, 6, and
      24 h after beginning CPB) for plasma MMP-9 concentrations by ELISA. The
      perioperative laboratory data and variables, including bypass time, PaO2/FiO2,
      and extubation time, were also recorded. RESULTS: The plasma MMP-9 concentrations
      significantly elevated at 2-6 h after beginning CPB (P < 0.001) and returned to
      the preanesthesia level at 24 h (P = 0.23), with predominant neutrophil counts
      after surgery (P < 0.001). The plasma MMP-9 levels at 4 and 6 h were not
      correlated with prolonged CPB time and displayed no association with
      postoperative PaO2/FiO2, regardless of reduced ratio from preoperative 342.9 +/-
      81.2 to postoperative 207.3 +/- 121.3 mmHg (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Elective
      cardiac surgery with CPB induced short-term elevation of plasma MMP-9
      concentrations within 24 hours, however, without significant correlation with CPB
      time and postoperative pulmonary dysfunction, despite predominantly increased
      neutrophils and reduced oxygenation.

PMID- 26273136
TI  - Protective Effect of CXCR3+CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Regulatory T Cells in Renal Ischemia
      Reperfusion Injury.
AB  - Regulatory T cells (Tregs) suppress excessive immune responses and are potential
      therapeutic targets in autoimmune disease and organ transplantation rejection.
      However, their role in renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is unclear. Levels
      of Tregs and expression of CXCR3 in Tregs were analyzed to investigate their
      function in the early phase of renal IRI. Mice were randomly divided into Sham,
      IRI, and anti-CD25 (PC61) + IRI groups. The PC61 + IRI group was established by
      i.p. injection of PC61 monoclonal antibody (mAb) to deplete Tregs before renal
      ischemia. CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) Tregs and CXCR3 on Tregs were analyzed by flow
      cytometry. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Scr) levels, and tubular
      necrosis scores, all measures of kidney injury, were greater in the IRI group
      than in the Sham group. Numbers of Tregs were increased at 72 h after reperfusion
      in kidney. PC61 mAb preconditioning decreased the numbers of Tregs and aggravated
      kidney injury. There was no expression of CXCR3 on Tregs in normal kidney, while
      it expanded at 72 h after reperfusion and inversely correlated with BUN, Scr, and
      kidney histology score. This indicated that recruitment of Tregs into the kidney
      was related to the recovery of renal function after IRI and CXCR3 might be
      involved in the migration of Tregs. 

PMID- 26273137
TI  - The Immediate Intramedullary Nailing Surgery Increased the Mitochondrial DNA
      Release That Aggravated Systemic Inflammatory Response and Lung Injury Induced by
      Elderly Hip Fracture.
AB  - Conventional concept suggests that immediate surgery is the optimal choice for
      elderly hip fracture patients; however, few studies focus on the adverse effect
      of immediate surgery. This study aims to examine the adverse effect of immediate
      surgery, as well as to explore the meaning of mtDNA release after trauma. In the
      experiment, elderly rats, respectively, received hip fracture operations or hip
      fracture plus intramedullary nail surgery. After fracture operations, the serum
      mtDNA levels as well as the related indicators of systemic inflammatory response
      and lung injury significantly increased in the rats. After immediate surgery, the
      above variables were further increased. The serum mtDNA levels were significantly
      related with the serum cytokine (TNF-alpha and IL-10) levels and pulmonary
      histological score. In order to identify the meaning of mtDNA release following
      hip fracture, the elderly rats received injections with mtDNA. After treatment,
      the related indicators of systemic inflammatory response and lung injury
      significantly increased in the rats. These results demonstrated that the
      immediate surgery increased the mtDNA release that could aggravate systemic
      inflammatory response and lung injury induced by elderly hip fracture; serum
      mtDNA might serve as a potential biomarker of systemic inflammatory response and
      lung injury following elderly hip fracture. 

PMID- 26273139
TI  - Origin of Circulating Free DNA in Sepsis: Analysis of the CLP Mouse Model.
AB  - Recently, it has been reported that circulating free DNA (cf-DNA) in the blood is
      increased in various infectious diseases, including sepsis. Moreover, a
      relationship between cf-DNA and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) has been
      suggested. However, it is still unclear what the source and physiological role of
      cf-DNA in sepsis are. In this study, we examined the source of cf-DNA by
      detecting citrullinated histone H3, a characteristic feature of NET formation, in
      cecal ligation and puncture- (CLP-)operated mice. In addition, neutrophil
      depletion using anti-Ly6G antibodies was performed to assess the association
      between neutrophils and cf-DNA. Increased cf-DNA levels were observed only in CLP
      mice and not in the control groups; the qPCR findings revealed that the cf-DNA
      was mainly host-derived, even in bacteremic conditions. Citrullinated histone H3
      was not increased in the neutrophils upon CLP, and the depletion of neutrophils
      showed limited effects on decreasing the amount of cf-DNA. Taken together, these
      results suggested that elevated cf-DNA levels during early-phase sepsis may
      represent a candidate biomarker for the severity of sepsis and that, contrary to
      previous findings, cf-DNA is not derived from neutrophils or NETs. 

PMID- 26273138
TI  - Flurbiprofen Axetil Enhances Analgesic Effects of Sufentanil and Attenuates
      Postoperative Emergence Agitation and Systemic Proinflammation in Patients
      Undergoing Tangential Excision Surgery.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Our present study tested whether flurbiprofen axetil could reduce
      perioperative sufentanil consumption and provide postoperative analgesia with
      decrease in emergency agitation and systemic proinflammatory cytokines release.
      METHODS: Ninety patients undergoing tangential excision surgery were randomly
      assigned to three groups: (1) preoperative dose of 100 mg flurbiprofen axetil and
      a postoperative dose of 2 MUg/kg sufentanil and 10 mL placebo by patient
      controlled analgesia (PCA) pump, (2) preoperative dose of 100 mg flurbiprofen
      axetil and a postoperative dose of 2 MUg/kg sufentanil and 100 mg flurbiprofen
      axetil by PCA pump, and (3) 10 mL placebo and a postoperative dose of 2 MUg/kg
      sufentanil and 10 mL placebo by PCA pump. RESULTS: Preoperative administration of
      flurbiprofen axetil decreased postoperative tramadol consumption and the visual
      analog scale at 4, 6, 12, and 24 h after surgery, which were further decreased by
      postoperative administration of flurbiprofen axetil. Furthermore, flurbiprofen
      axetil attenuated emergency agitation score and Ramsay score at 0, 5, and 10 min
      after extubation and reduced the TNF-alpha and interleukin- (IL-) 6 levels at 24
      and 48 h after the operation. CONCLUSION: Flurbiprofen axetil enhances analgesic
      effects of sufentanil and attenuates emergence agitation and systemic
      proinflammation in patients undergoing tangential excision surgery.

PMID- 26273140
TI  - Hypoxic Preconditioning Suppresses Glial Activation and Neuroinflammation in
      Neonatal Brain Insults.
AB  - Perinatal insults and subsequent neuroinflammation are the major mechanisms of
      neonatal brain injury, but there have been only scarce reports on the
      associations between hypoxic preconditioning and glial activation. Here we use
      neonatal hypoxia-ischemia brain injury model in 7-day-old rats and in vitro
      hypoxia model with primary mixed glial culture and the BV-2 microglial cell line
      to assess the effects of hypoxia and hypoxic preconditioning on glial activation.
      Hypoxia-ischemia brain insult induced significant brain weight reduction,
      profound cell loss, and reactive gliosis in the damaged hemisphere. Hypoxic
      preconditioning significantly attenuated glial activation and resulted in robust
      neuroprotection. As early as 2 h after the hypoxia-ischemia insult,
      proinflammatory gene upregulation was suppressed in the hypoxic preconditioning
      group. In vitro experiments showed that exposure to 0.5% oxygen for 4 h induced a
      glial inflammatory response. Exposure to brief hypoxia (0.5 h) 24 h before the
      hypoxic insult significantly ameliorated this response. In conclusion, hypoxic
      preconditioning confers strong neuroprotection, possibly through suppression of
      glial activation and subsequent inflammatory responses after hypoxia-ischemia
      insults in neonatal rats. This might therefore be a promising therapeutic
      approach for rescuing neonatal brain injury.

PMID- 26273141
TI  - Anti-Inflammatory and Organ-Protective Effects of Resveratrol in Trauma
      Hemorrhagic Injury.
AB  - Resveratrol, a natural polyphenolic compound of grape and red wine, owns
      potential anti-inflammatory effects, which results in the reduction of cytokines
      overproduction, the inhibition of neutrophil activity, and the alteration of
      adhesion molecules expression. Resveratrol also possesses antioxidant, anti
      coagulation and anti-aging properties, and it may control of cell cycle and
      apoptosis. Resveratrol has been shown to reduce organ damage following traumatic
      and shock-like states. Such protective phenomenon is reported to be implicated in
      a variety of intracellular signaling pathways including the activation of
      estrogen receptor, the regulation of the sirtuin 1/nuclear factor-kappa B and
      mitogen-activated protein kinases/hemeoxygenase-1 pathway, and the mediation of
      proinflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species formation and reaction. In
      the recent studies, resveratrol attenuates hepatocyte injury and improves cardiac
      contractility due to reduction of proinflammatory mediator expression and
      ameliorates hypoxia-induced liver and kidney mitochondrial dysfunction following
      trauma and hemorrhagic injuries. Moreover, through anti-inflammatory effects and
      antioxidant properties, the resveratrol is believed to protect organ function in
      trauma-hemorrhagic injury. In this review, the organ-protective and anti
      inflammatory effects of resveratrol in trauma-hemorrhagic injury will be
      discussed. 

PMID- 26273142
TI  - In Vivo Evaluation of the Ameliorating Effects of Small-Volume Resuscitation with
      Four Different Fluids on Endotoxemia-Induced Kidney Injury.
AB  - Acute kidney injury associated with renal hypoperfusion is a frequent and severe
      complication during sepsis. Fluid resuscitation is the main therapy. However,
      heart failure is usually lethal for those patients receiving large volumes of
      fluids. We compared the effects of small-volume resuscitation using four
      different treatment regimens, involving saline, hypertonic saline (HTS),
      hydroxyethyl starch (HES), or hypertonic saline hydroxyethyl starch (HSH), on the
      kidneys of rats treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce endotoxemia. LPS
      injection caused reduced and progressively deteriorated systemic (arterial blood
      pressure) and renal hemodynamics (renal blood flow and renal vascular resistance
      index) over time. This deterioration was accompanied by marked renal functional
      and pathological injury, as well as an oxidative and inflammatory response,
      manifesting as increased levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, nitric oxide, and
      malondialdehyde and decreased activity of superoxide dismutase. Small-volume
      perfusion with saline failed to improve renal and systemic circulation. However,
      small-volume perfusion with HES and HSH greatly improved the above parameters,
      while HTS only transiently improved systemic and renal hemodynamics with obvious
      renal injury. Therefore, single small-volume resuscitation with HES and HSH could
      be valid therapeutic approaches to ameliorate kidney injury induced by
      endotoxemia, while HTS transiently delays injury and saline shows no protective
      effects. 

PMID- 26273143
TI  - Captopril Pretreatment Produces an Additive Cardioprotection to Isoflurane
      Preconditioning in Attenuating Myocardial Ischemia Reperfusion Injury in Rabbits
      and in Humans.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pretreatment with the angiotensin-converting inhibitor captopril or
      volatile anesthetic isoflurane has, respectively, been shown to attenuate
      myocardial ischemia reperfusion (MI/R) injury in rodents and in patients. It is
      unknown whether or not captopril pretreatment and isoflurane preconditioning
      (Iso) may additively or synergistically attenuate MI/R injury. METHODS AND
      RESULTS: Patients selected for heart valve replacement surgery were randomly
      assigned to five groups: untreated control (Control), captopril pretreatment for
      3 days (Cap3d), or single dose captopril (Cap1hr, 1 hour) before surgery with or
      without Iso (Cap3d+Iso and Cap1hr+Iso). Rabbit MI/R model was induced by
      occluding coronary artery for 30 min followed by 2-hour reperfusion. Rabbits were
      randomized to receive sham operation (Sham), MI/R (I/R), captopril (Cap, 24 hours
      before MI/R), Iso, or the combination of captopril and Iso (Iso+Cap). In
      patients, Cap3d+Iso but not Cap1hr+Iso additively reduced postischemic myocardial
      injury and attenuated postischemic myocardial inflammation. In rabbits, Cap or
      Iso significantly reduced postischemic myocardial infarction. Iso+Cap additively
      reduced cellular injury that was associated with improved postischemic myocardial
      functional recovery and reduced myocardial apoptosis and attenuated oxidative
      stress. CONCLUSION: A joint use of 3-day captopril treatment and isoflurane
      preconditioning additively attenuated MI/R by reducing oxidative stress and
      inflammation.

PMID- 26273144
TI  - Bone Components Downregulate Expression of Toll-Like Receptor 4 on the Surface of
      Human Monocytic U937 Cells: A Cell Model for Postfracture Immune Dysfunction.
AB  - To mimic the immune status of monocyte in the localized fracture region, toll
      like receptor 4 (TLR4) surface expression in human monocytic U937 cells was used
      as the main target to assess immune dysfunction following bone component
      exposure. We first identified the effects of bone components (including the
      marrow content) on TLR4 surface expression and then examined the mechanisms
      underlying the changes. The level of microRNA-146a expression, an indicator of
      endotoxin tolerance, was also assayed. Bone component exposure downregulated TLR4
      surface expression at 24 h by flow cytometry analysis, compatible with the result
      obtained from the membranous portion of TLR4 by western blot analysis. The
      cytoplasmic portion of TLR4 paradoxically increased after bone component
      exposure. Impaired TLR4 trafficking from the cytoplasm to the membrane was
      related to gp96 downregulation, as observed by western blot analysis, and this
      was further evidenced by gp96-TLR4 colocalization under confocal microscopy.
      TaqMan analysis revealed that the expression of microRNA-146a was also
      upregulated. This cell model demonstrated that bone component exposure
      downregulated TLR4 surface expression in a gp96-related manner in human monocytic
      U937 cells, an indicator of immunosuppression at 24 h. Immune dysfunction was
      further evidenced by upregulation of microRNA-146a expression at the same time
      point. 

PMID- 26273147
TI  - The Health and Social Care Act 2012: The emergence of equal treatment for mental
      health care or another false dawn?
AB  - Although the National Health Service (NHS) is regarded as a national treasure, it
      is no longer immune from the colossal financial pressures brought about by global
      recession. Economic sustainability has largely driven the reform process leading
      to the Health and Social Care Act (HSCA) 2012, however; other considerations have
      also played a role in the journey to turn the health and social care service into
      an institution which is fit for the 21st-century needs. This article examines the
      impact of the HSCA 2012 on those made vulnerable through mental ill health. It
      then considers three issues: First, whether parity between mental and physical
      health can have life beyond political rhetoric; second, what impact driving up
      efficiency within the NHS will have upon mental health patients; and finally, the
      extent to which the personalisation agenda can be meaningfully applied within the
      mental health context.

PMID- 26273145
TI  - Dexmedetomidine Ameliorate CLP-Induced Rat Intestinal Injury via Inhibition of
      Inflammation.
AB  - The aim was to verify that dexmedetomidine (DEX) can attenuate CLP-induced
      intestinal injury via inhibition of inflammation. Male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats
      were randomly allocated into Sham group and the other three CLP model groups, in
      terms of different treatments: placebo, DEX, and yohimbine plus DEX (DEX + YOH)
      groups. Pathology examination was conducted with HE stain. To identify
      differences among groups, the levels of DAO, and D-lactate in serum were measured
      by spectrophotometry, and the levels of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-6 in serum
      and organ were measured by ELISA. The expressions of occludin and TLR4 in tissue
      were detected by Western blot. The survival rate of an additional group of
      animals within 7 d was recorded. In DEX group, mortality was lower, histology
      change was minor, DAO, and D-lactate levels were reduced, and occludin expression
      was increased; the expressions of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, and TLR4 were also
      decreased in DEX group. These results indicated that acute intestinal injury
      induced by CLP was mitigated by DEX treatment. However, these effects of DEX were
      significantly attenuated by yohimbine in DEX + YOH group. Our study indicated the
      protective effects of DEX on CLP-induced injury, which may be associated with the
      inhibition of inflammation via modulating TLR4 pathway and can be blocked by
      yohimbine. 

PMID- 26273146
TI  - I-gel Laryngeal Mask Airway Combined with Tracheal Intubation Attenuate Systemic
      Stress Response in Patients Undergoing Posterior Fossa Surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The adverse events induced by intubation and extubation may cause
      intracranial hemorrhage and increase of intracranial pressure, especially in
      posterior fossa surgery patients. In this study, we proposed that I-gel combined
      with tracheal intubation could reduce the stress response of posterior fossa
      surgery patients. METHODS: Sixty-six posterior fossa surgery patients were
      randomly allocated to receive either tracheal tube intubation (Group TT) or I-gel
      facilitated endotracheal tube intubation (Group TI). Hemodynamic and respiratory
      variables, stress and inflammatory response, oxidative stress, anesthesia
      recovery parameters, and adverse events during emergence were compared. RESULTS:
      Mean arterial pressure and heart rate were lower in Group TI during intubation
      and extubation (P < 0.05 versus Group TT). Respiratory variables including peak
      airway pressure and end-tidal carbon dioxide tension were similar intraoperative,
      while plasma beta-endorphin, cortisol, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor
      alpha, malondialdehyde concentrations, and blood glucose were significantly lower
      in Group TI during emergence relative to Group TT. Postoperative bucking and
      serious hypertensions were seen in Group TT but not in Group TI. CONCLUSION:
      Utilization of I-gel combined with endotracheal tube in posterior fossa surgery
      patients is safe which can yield more stable hemodynamic profile during
      intubation and emergence and lower inflammatory and oxidative response, leading
      to uneventful recovery.

PMID- 26273148
TI  - Personalized Immunomodulatory Therapy for Atopic Dermatitis: An Allergist's View.
AB  - The current standard medical therapy for atopic dermatitis (AD) mainly focuses on
      symptomatic relief by controlling skin inflammation with topical corticosteroids
      and/or topical calcineurin inhibitors. However, the clinical efficacy of
      pharmacological therapy is often disappointing to both patients and physicians.
      The terminology of AD contains a historical meaning of eczematous dermatitis
      caused by hypersensitivity reaction to environmental inhalant or food allergen.
      Complex interrelationships among genetic abnormalities, environmental triggers,
      skin barrier defects, and immune dysfunction resulting in a vicious domino-circle
      seem to be involved in the development and maintenance of AD. In the viewpoint of
      AD as an allergic disease, complete avoidance of clinically relevant allergen or
      induction of specific immune tolerance through administrations of allergen
      (allergen immunotherapy) can provide clinical remission by breaking the vicious
      domino-circle maintaining a chronic disease state. In recent clinical studies,
      monoclonal antibodies including the anti-interleukin-4 receptor antibody and anti
      B cell antibody induced significant clinical improvements in patients with AD.
      The detailed characteristics of immune dysfunction are heterogeneous among
      patients with AD. Therefore, a personalized combination of immunomodulatory
      therapies to reduce hypersensitivity (allergen immunotherapy) and correct immune
      dysfunction (monoclonal antibody therapy) could be a reasonable therapeutic
      approach for patients with AD. Future immunomodulatory therapies for AD should be
      developed to achieve long-term treatment-free clinical remission by induction of
      immune tolerance. 

PMID- 26273149
TI  - Protease-Activated Receptor-2 Is Associated with Terminal Differentiation of
      Epidermis and Eccrine Sweat Glands.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR-2) participates in various
      biological activities, including the regulation of epidermal barrier homeostasis,
      inflammation, pain perception, and melanosome transfer in the skin. OBJECTIVE: To
      evaluate the basic physiological role of PAR-2 in skin. METHODS: We investigated
      PAR-2 expression in human epidermis, skin tumors, and cultured epidermal cells
      using western blot and immunohistochemical analysis. Additionally, we examined
      the effect of the PAR-2 agonist, SLIGRL-NH2, on cultured keratinocytes. RESULTS:
      Strong PAR-2 immunoreactivity was observed in the granular layer of normal human
      skin and the acrosyringium of the eccrine sweat glands. In contrast, weak PAR-2
      immunoreactivity was seen in the granular layer of callused skin and in the duct
      and gland cells of the eccrine sweat glands. Interestingly, PAR-2
      immunoreactivity was very weak or absent in the tumor cells of squamous cell
      carcinoma (SCC) and syringoma. PAR-2 was detected in primary keratinocytes and SV
      40T-transformed human epidermal keratinocytes (SV-HEKs), an immortalized
      keratinocyte cell line, but not in SCC12 cells. SV-HEKs that were fully
      differentiated following calcium treatment displayed higher PAR-2 expression than
      undifferentiated SV-HEKs. Treatment of cultured SV-HEKs with PAR-2 agonist
      increased loricrin and filaggrin expression, a terminal differentiation marker.
      CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that PAR-2 is associated with terminal
      differentiation of epidermis and eccrine sweat glands.

PMID- 26273150
TI  - Efficacy and Safety of Calcipotriol/Betamethasone Dipropionate Ointment for the
      Treatment of Trachyonychia: An Open-Label Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite efforts to treat trachyonychia, there is no promising
      treatment modality. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of
      calcipotriol plus betamethasone dipropionate ointment on trachyonychia. METHODS:
      A total of 39 patients with 432 nails affected by trachyonychia were enrolled.
      All patients applied calcipotriol/betamethasone ointment once daily without
      occlusion for 6 months. Outcome measures were assessed by physician's global
      assessment (degree of roughness: 0, clear; 1, mild; 2, moderate; 3, marked; 4,
      severe) at all time points. RESULTS: After 6 months of therapy, 98.6% (426/432)
      of nails showed significant clinical improvement; 4.2% were completely free from
      nail lesions. The mean physician global assessment score decreased significantly
      from 3.5 to 1.7 points (p< 0.05). No serious side effects were reported, except
      mild pruritus and erythema in 2 patients. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to
      prospectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of calcipotriol/betamethasone
      ointment for the treatment of trachyonychia. The results indicate topical
      calcipotriol/betamethasone is an effective and safe treatment for symptom
      improvement of trachyonychia.

PMID- 26273151
TI  - Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate Regulates the Expression of Inflammatory Biomarkers
      in Cultured Sebocytes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Acne is an inflammatory skin disorder caused by inflammatory
      biomarkers. Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate (MAP) is a stable precursor of vitamin
      C. It achieves a constant delivery of vitamin C into the skin and has
      antioxidative effects. OBJECTIVE: We performed this study to evaluate the effect
      of MAP on the expression of inflammatory biomarkers in cultured sebocytes.
      METHODS: Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and enzyme
      linked immunosorbent assay were performed for inflammatory cytokines and matrix
      metalloproteinases (MMPs) before and after treatment of cultured sebocytes with
      MAP (10(-2) M), lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (5 ug/ml) and a combination of MAP and
      LPS. RT-PCR and western blotting were also performed for antimicrobial peptides
      (AMPs) and Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 before and after treatment of cultured
      sebocytes with MAP, LPS, and a combination of MAP and LPS. Quantification of
      lipid peroxidation was also conducted. RESULTS: The increased expression of
      inflammatory cytokines after treatment of cultured sebocytes with LPS was
      decreased after treatment with MAP. MMPs, AMPs, and TLR-4 were decreased after
      treatment of cultured sebocytes with MAP and a combination of MAP and LPS, and
      increased after treatment of cultured sebocytes with LPS alone. Lipid
      peroxidation was significantly decreased after treatment of cultured sebocytes
      with MAP and a combination of MAP and LPS. MAP decreased the increased lipid
      peroxidation after treatment of cultured sebocytes with LPS. CONCLUSION: MAP may
      be an effective alternative agent to improve inflammatory reactions in acne.

PMID- 26273152
TI  - A Family-Engaged Educational Program for Atopic Dermatitis: A Seven-Year,
      Multicenter Experience in Daegu-Gyeongbuk, South Korea.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It is important to educate families of pediatric patients with atopic
      dermatitis (AD) so that they have a correct understanding of AD. OBJECTIVE: The
      purpose of this study is to introduce, evaluate, and improve our family-engaged
      educational program. METHODS: Children suffering from AD and their families have
      participated in a half-day educational program called "AD school" with catchy
      slogans such as "Enjoy with AD Families!" every year since 2005. Educational
      lectures were conducted for parents. For children with AD, various entertaining
      programs were provided. A feedback survey about AD school was administered for
      the purpose of evaluation. RESULTS: A total of 827 people (376 patients and 451
      family members) participated in this program over 7 years. On-site surveys showed
      a positive response (i.e., "excellent" or "good") for the prick test (95.1%),
      emollient education (78.4%), educational lecture (97.0%), drawing contest and
      games (90.2%), and recreation (magic show; 99.0%) respectively. Telephone surveys
      one year later also elicited a positive response. CONCLUSION: We herein introduce
      the experience of a half-day, family-engaged educational program for AD. Family
      engaged education programs for AD such as this AD school encourage and validate
      family participation in the treatment of their children's AD.

PMID- 26273153
TI  - Patch Testing with Dental Screening Series in Oral Disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The oral mucosa is constantly exposed to several irritants and
      allergens including dental materials, but the role of contact allergy in oral
      disease is obscure. OBJECTIVE: To analyze positive patch test results in patients
      with oral diseases and evaluate the clinical relevance of oral diseases with
      contact allergy to dental materials. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed patch
      test results with dental screening series in 44 patients with oral disease from
      2004~2011. RESULTS: Oral diseases included oral lichen planus (54.5%), cheilitis
      (27.3%), burning mouth syndrome (9.1%), and others (9.1%). Thirty-one of 44
      patients (70.5%) had positive reactions to one or more allergens. The most
      commonly detected allergens were gold sodium thiosulfate (25.0%) and nickel
      sulfate (25.0%), followed by potassium dichromate (22.7%), cobalt (15.9%),
      palladium (6.8%), mercury (4.5%), copper (4.5%), and methylhydroquinone (4.5%).
      Six of 24 patients with oral lichen planus had a symptom in areas adjacent to
      dental materials and positive patch test reactions to allergens contained in the
      suspected dental materials. CONCLUSION: Patch tests with dental screening series
      are worth considering for oral diseases, especially for oral lichen planus.

PMID- 26273154
TI  - Button Osteoma: A Review of Ten Cases.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Button osteoma presents as small circumscribed ivory-like lumps on
      the skull vault. Although not rare, its diagnosis can be challenging for
      dermatologists. OBJECTIVE: To clarify the clinical characteristics of button
      osteoma by reviewing 10 cases. METHODS: Ten patients diagnosed with button
      osteoma at the Department of Dermatology, Kyungpook National University Hospital,
      between January 2011 and August 2014 were enrolled. We retrospectively reviewed
      medical records and analyzed demographic and clinical characteristics including
      sex, age, sites, number of lesions, symptoms, duration, histopathological
      finding, radiological findings, and treatment. RESULTS: All patients presented
      with an asymptomatic small circumscribed hard lump fixed to a bony structure.
      There were 9 female and 1 male patient, and the mean age was 54 years (range,
      28~61 years). The most common site was the forehead, and disease duration ranged
      from 2 weeks to more than 20 years. The differential diagnosis included cranial
      exostosis, ballooned osteoma, epidermal cyst, and lipoma. Simple radiography,
      ultrasonography, and computed tomography (CT) were used to make a confirmative
      diagnosis. Histopathological findings showed lamellated bony structures with poor
      vascularization. Ostectomy was performed for 5 patients, and no recurrence was
      detected within an average of 13.4 months after treatment. CONCLUSION: This
      review characterized button osteoma. Surgical excision is a useful therapeutic
      modality after CT-based diagnosis. Further studies with more patients are
      required to confirm the findings.

PMID- 26273155
TI  - Antibiotic Susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus in Atopic Dermatitis: Current
      Prevalence of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Korea and Treatment
      Strategies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Staphylococcus aureus is a well-known microbe that colonizes or
      infects the skin in atopic dermatitis (AD). The prevalence of methicillin
      resistant S. aureus (MRSA) in AD has recently been increasing. OBJECTIVE: This
      study aimed to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns in AD skin
      lesions and evaluate the prevalence of MRSA in Korea. We also recommend proper
      first-line topical antibiotics for Korean patients with AD. METHODS: We studied
      S. aureus-positive skin swabs (n=583) from the lesional skin of infants,
      children, and adults who presented to our outpatient clinic with AD from July
      2009 to April 2012. RESULTS: S. aureus exhibited high susceptibility against most
      antimicrobial agents. However, it exhibited less susceptibility to
      benzylpenicillin, erythromycin, clindamycin, and fusidic acid. The prevalence of
      MRSA was 12.9% among 583 S. aureus isolates, and the susceptibility to oxacillin
      was significantly lower in infants in both acute and chronic AD lesions.
      CONCLUSION: S. aureus from AD has a high prevalence of MRSA and multidrug
      resistance, especially in infants. In addition, the rate of fusidic acid
      resistance is high among all age groups, and mupirocin resistance increases with
      age group regardless of lesional status. This is the first study comparing the
      antimicrobial susceptibility rates of S. aureus isolates from AD cases with
      respect to age and lesion status in Korea.

PMID- 26273156
TI  - Characteristics and Clinical Manifestations of Pigmented Purpuric Dermatosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pigmented purpuric dermatoses (PPD) are a spectrum of disorders
      characterized by a distinct purpuric rash. Although PPD can be easily diagnosed,
      the disease entity remains an enigma and a therapeutic challenge. OBJECTIVE: The
      purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics and clinical
      manifestations of PPD and to elucidate the relationship between assumed etiologic
      factors and the clinical manifestations of PPD and treatment responses. METHODS:
      Retrograde analyses were performed to identify appropriate PPD patients who
      visited Korea University Medical Center Anam Hospital from 2002 to 2012. RESULTS:
      Information on 113 patients with PPD was analyzed, and 38 subjects with skin
      biopsy were included for this study. Schamberg's disease was the most frequent
      clinical type (60.5%). Concomitant diseases included hypertension (15.8%),
      diabetes (10.5%), and others. Associated medication histories included statins
      (13.2%), beta blockers (10.5%), and others. Possibly associated etiologic factors
      were recent upper respiratory infection (5.3%), high orthostatic pressure due to
      prolonged standing (2.6%), and strenuous exercise (2.6%). A total of 36 patients
      (94.7%) were treated with one or more treatment methods, including oral
      antihistamines, pentoxifylline, topical steroids, and/or phototherapy. There was
      no significant difference in disease progress according to underlying diseases,
      medications, or association factors (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Our overall results
      were grossly consistent with the existing literature, excluding several findings.
      Although a possible relationship between PPD and cardiovascular disease or
      cardiovascular medication was proposed at the beginning of the study, no
      statistically significant correlations were found according to the specific
      clinical types and treatment responses (p>0.05).

PMID- 26273158
TI  - Delayed Reconstruction for the Non-Amputative Treatment of Subungual Melanoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In cases of early stage subungual melanoma (SUM), conservative
      treatment with non-amputative wide excision of the nail unit and subsequent skin
      graft is preferred over amputation to preserve the involved digit. OBJECTIVE: We
      report a series of patients with SUM treated with conservative surgery and
      suggest an effective supplementary treatment process. METHODS: We retrospectively
      reviewed 10 patients (2 males, 8 females) who were diagnosed with in situ or
      minimally invasive SUM on the first biopsy and underwent non-amputative wide
      excision of the nail unit. All patients underwent secondary intention healing
      during the histopathological re-evaluation of the entire excised lesion, and
      additional treatment was administered according to the final report. RESULTS: In
      two of 10 patients, amputation was performed because of the detection of deep
      invasion (Breslow thickness: 4.0, 2.3 mm) from the final pathologic results,
      which differed from the initial biopsy. In six patients who received delayed skin
      graft, the mean total time required for complete healing after secondary
      intention healing and the skin graft was 66.83+/-15.09 days. As a result of this
      delayed skin graft, the final scarring was similar to the original shape of the
      nail unit, scored between 5 and 10 on a visual analogue scale. Most patients were
      satisfied with this conservative surgery except one patient, who had volar
      portion involvement and received an interpolated flap instead of a skin graft.
      CONCLUSION: Our treatment process can reduce the risk of incomplete resection and
      improve cosmetic outcomes in patients with SUM.

PMID- 26273159
TI  - Vitamin D as a Marker for Disease Severity in Chronic Urticaria and Its Possible
      Role in Pathogenesis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic urticaria is defined as repeated episodes of wheals lasting
      for 6 weeks or longer. Nowadays, the role of vitamin D in various chronic
      diseases is a matter of great interest, but limited data is available on the
      vitamin D status in patients with chronic urticaria. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this
      study was to investigate the relationship between vitamin D status and clinical
      characteristics of chronic urticaria. METHODS: The clinical records of 72
      patients with chronic urticaria, 26 with acute urticaria and 26 with atopic
      dermatitis, along with 72 healthy controls, were retrospectively reviewed.
      RESULTS: The serum 25-(OH)D3 level was found to be significantly reduced in
      patients with chronic urticaria compared to those in the other groups. In
      particular, the proportion of patients with critically low vitamin D levels (<10
      ng/ml) was significantly higher in the chronic urticaria group than in the other
      groups. The serum vitamin D levels showed significant negative associations with
      urticaria activity score and disease duration. In addition, serum vitamin D
      levels were significantly lower in subjects with a positive autologous serum skin
      test than in subjects with a negative result. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the
      serum vitamin D level was more likely to be critically low in patients with
      chronic urticaria, and an inverse relationship with disease severity and disease
      duration was observed. These findings may open up the possibility of the clinical
      use of vitamin D as a contributing factor in the pathogenesis of chronic
      urticaria and a predictive marker for disease activity in chronic urticaria.

PMID- 26273157
TI  - Alopecia Areata in the Elderly: A 10-Year Retrospective Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Alopecia areata (AA) is an organ-specific autoimmune disease that
      typically occurs in young adults. AA in the elderly is relatively rare, thus
      little data have been reported. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to understand the
      clinical characteristics of AA in the elderly. METHODS: We performed a 10-year
      retrospective study of AA in the elderly who visited our dermatologic clinic from
      January 2002 to December 2011. A clinical review of medical records and telephone
      interviews were performed by two dermatologists. RESULTS: Among 1,761 patients
      with newly diagnosed AA, 61 (3.5%) were older than 60 years at the first visit.
      Among those who completed a telephone interview, 74.3% (26/35) had less than 50%
      of scalp-localized hair loss. There was no association between the extent of AA
      and hair graying (p=0.679). Favorable therapeutic response was observed in 62.9%
      (22/35) of cases. CONCLUSION: AA in the elderly shows mild disease severity and
      favorable treatment response. There is no association between graying and the
      extent of AA. However, the influence of aging on the pathogenesis of AA in the
      elderly deserves further investigation.

PMID- 26273160
TI  - Successful Treatment of Hydroxychloroquine-Induced Recalcitrant Acute Generalized
      Exanthematous Pustulosis with Cyclosporine: Case Report and Literature Review.
AB  - Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) is a cutaneous reaction
      principally induced by drugs. Spontaneous resolution is observed in most
      patients. However, severe cases required systemic corticosteroid administration.
      Hydroxychloroquine, which is used to treat some dermatologic and rheumatologic
      diseases because of its anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects, is an
      uncommon cause of AGEP. A 67-year-old female patient presented with severe AGEP
      due to hydroxychloroquine treatment. She was recalcitrant to supportive care and
      systemic corticosteroid treatment butwas successfully treated with cyclosporine.
      Hydroxychloroquine-induced AGEP occurs in women with underlying rheumatologic
      diseases, has a longer latent period, and has a severe course usually requiring
      systemic treatment. 

PMID- 26273161
TI  - Multiple Segmental Eccrine Spiradenoma with a Zosteriform Pattern: A Case Report
      and Literature Review.
AB  - Eccrine spiradenoma usually occurs as solitary tender nodules. However, it rarely
      occurs as multifocal localized tumors or has zosteriform distribution. We report
      the case of a 32-year-old woman with a 20-year history of itchy lesions on the
      left side of the back and forearm with a zosteriform distribution. Before disease
      onset, almost no patients have inducing factors, but our patient received an
      injection beforehand; however, whether this was coincidental or causative remains
      unknown. The lesions became very itchy after perspiration or eating spicy food,
      which has never been reported. A literature search revealed 22 cases of multiple
      segmental eccrine spiradenoma; we summarized the clinical characteristic in order
      to aid diagnosis and treatment selection. 

PMID- 26273162
TI  - A Case of Metastatic Gastric Adenocarcinoma Mimicking Preseptal Cellulitis.
AB  - Cutaneous metastasis from gastric adenocarcinoma is uncommon, and the eyelid is a
      rare metastatic site. Three patterns of clinical presentation of eyelid
      metastasis have been described: nodular, infiltrative, and ulcerated. The
      infiltrative pattern, also known as an inflammatory diffuse pattern or mask-like
      metastasis, can be easily misdiagnosed as cellulitis or contact dermatitis. Here,
      we report a case of gastric adenocarcinoma in a 75-year-old man who presented
      with a localized erythematous plaque on his eyelid that developed four months
      earlier. The patient had been treated with an antimicrobial agent owing to
      suspicion of preseptal cellulitis. Gastric adenocarcinoma metastasis was
      diagnosed on the basis of histopathological examination and immunophenotyping
      (i.e., cytoplasmic epithelial membrane antigen, cytokeratin- 7, cytokeratin-20,
      and carcinoembryonic antigen). For patients with malignant neoplasms, persistent
      skin lesions similar to cellulitis or contact dermatitis should be suspected of
      metastasis derived from an internal malignancy, even for very rare sites of
      metastasis. 

PMID- 26273163
TI  - Marjolin's Ulcer Presenting with In-Transit Metastases: A Case Report and
      Literature Review.
AB  - Marjolin's ulcer is an aggressive cutaneous malignancy common in previously
      traumatized or chronically inflamed skin. It has high regional metastasis and
      fatality rates. Our patient presented with subcutaneous nodules and ulcerations
      on the right limb. He had a history of osteomyelitis of the fifth toe.
      Histopathological examination of the nodule and ulceration demonstrated squamous
      cell carcinoma. The nodules and ulcerations were in-transit metastases of
      Marjolin's ulcer. Here, we present a case of squamous cell carcinoma arising at a
      site of a chronic osteomyelitis with resultant in-transit metastases. 

PMID- 26273165
TI  - Effects of Topical N-Acetylcysteine on Skin Hydration/Transepidermal Water Loss
      in Healthy Volunteers and Atopic Dermatitis Patients.

PMID- 26273166
TI  - Acquired Perforating Osteoma Cutis.

PMID- 26273167
TI  - Cyclosporine-Induced Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome in a Patient
      with Pemphigus Vulgaris.

PMID- 26273164
TI  - Erythrodermic Psoriasis Treated with Golimumab: A Case Report.
AB  - Erythrodermic psoriasis (EP) is a very severe variant of psoriasis whose
      management poses a challenge to physicians, as currently available therapies
      often provide unsatisfactory results. Many biologics have been used to treat
      chronic plaque psoriasis, the most common form of psoriasis; however, their
      effectiveness for EP is poorly understood. A recently developed biologic,
      golimumab, has been extensively studied for the treatment of moderate-to-severe
      active rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, active ankylosing spondylitis,
      and chronic plaque psoriasis. However, no clinical trials have been performed for
      EP. Here, we report the case of a 32-year-old man who presented with severe
      psoriasis that previously failed to respond satisfactorily to methotrexate,
      cyclosporine, retinoid, narrow-band ultraviolet B phototherapy, and topical
      agents (i.e., steroids and calcipotriol). Skin lesions worsened progressively and
      developed into erythroderma. Psoriatic arthritis was also detected. Conventional
      therapies lacked efficacy. Therefore, we administered golimumab 50 mg. The skin
      lesions improved significantly according to the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index
      score after the first administration; lesions improved further throughout the
      treatment course. Although additional studies are required to fully evaluate the
      efficacy and safety of golimumab, this agent may be an alternative treatment
      strategy for some patients with recalcitrant EP. 

PMID- 26273168
TI  - Synchronous Onset of Symmetrically Associated Extragenital Lichen Sclerosus and
      Vitiligo on both Breasts and the Vulva.

PMID- 26273169
TI  - Generalized Eosinophilic Pustular Folliculitis of Infancy Responding to
      Hydroxyzine.

PMID- 26273170
TI  - A Case of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Agonist-Induced Sterile Abscess Showing
      a Good Response to Systemic Steroid Therapy.

PMID- 26273172
TI  - Cefaclor-Induced Generalized Fixed Drug Eruption.

PMID- 26273173
TI  - A Case of Sporadic Dyschromatosis Universalis Hereditaria.

PMID- 26273171
TI  - Diagnostic Pitfalls of Differentiating Cellular Digital Fibroma from Superficial
      Acral Fibromyxoma.

PMID- 26273174
TI  - Mycosis Fungoides Diagnosed with an Initial Sign Resembling Benign Dermatosis on
      the Upper Eyelids.

PMID- 26273175
TI  - A Rare Case of Multiple Spindle Cell Lipomas.

PMID- 26273176
TI  - Mutations in EDA and EDAR Genes in a Large Mexican Hispanic Cohort with
      Hypohidrotic Ectodermal Dysplasia.

PMID- 26273177
TI  - Scleredema of Buschke Following Streptococcal Infection.

PMID- 26273178
TI  - Acral Angioosteoma Cutis on the Great Toe Mimicking Pyogenic Granuloma.

PMID- 26273179
TI  - Eccrine Chromhidrosis Resembling Clinical Features of Pompholyx with Bile-Like
      Greenish Pigmentation on the Right Palm and Soles.

PMID- 26273180
TI  - Efficient coding of natural images with a population of noisy Linear-Nonlinear
      neurons.
AB  - Efficient coding provides a powerful principle for explaining early sensory
      coding. Most attempts to test this principle have been limited to linear,
      noiseless models, and when applied to natural images, have yielded oriented
      filters consistent with responses in primary visual cortex. Here we show that an
      efficient coding model that incorporates biologically realistic ingredients -
      input and output noise, nonlinear response functions, and a metabolic cost on the
      firing rate - predicts receptive fields and response nonlinearities similar to
      those observed in the retina. Specifically, we develop numerical methods for
      simultaneously learning the linear filters and response nonlinearities of a
      population of model neurons, so as to maximize information transmission subject
      to metabolic costs. When applied to an ensemble of natural images, the method
      yields filters that are center-surround and nonlinearities that are rectifying.
      The filters are organized into two populations, with On- and Off-centers, which
      independently tile the visual space. As observed in the primate retina, the Off
      center neurons are more numerous and have filters with smaller spatial extent. In
      the absence of noise, our method reduces to a generalized version of independent
      components analysis, with an adapted nonlinear "contrast" function; in this case,
      the optimal filters are localized and oriented.

PMID- 26273181
TI  - Efficient and direct estimation of a neural subunit model for sensory coding.
AB  - Many visual and auditory neurons have response properties that are well explained
      by pooling the rectified responses of a set of spatially shifted linear filters.
      These filters cannot be estimated using spike-triggered averaging (STA). Subspace
      methods such as spike-triggered covariance (STC) can recover multiple filters,
      but require substantial amounts of data, and recover an orthogonal basis for the
      subspace in which the filters reside rather than the filters themselves. Here, we
      assume a linear-nonlinear-linear-nonlinear (LN-LN) cascade model in which the
      first linear stage is a set of shifted ('convolutional') copies of a common
      filter, and the first nonlinear stage consists of rectifying scalar
      nonlinearities that are identical for all filter outputs. We refer to these
      initial LN elements as the 'subunits' of the receptive field. The second linear
      stage then computes a weighted sum of the responses of the rectified subunits. We
      present a method for directly fitting this model to spike data, and apply it to
      both simulated and real neuronal data from primate V1. The subunit model
      significantly outperforms STA and STC in terms of cross-validated accuracy and
      efficiency.

PMID- 26273182
TI  - Relations of Anxiety Sensitivity, Control Beliefs, and Maternal Over-Control to
      Fears in Clinic-Referred Children with Specific Phobia.
AB  - The relations of fear to anxiety sensitivity, control beliefs, and maternal
      overprotection were examined in 126 7- to 13-year-old clinically referred
      children with specific phobias. Results indicated that anxiety sensitivity and
      control beliefs were significant predictors of children's fear levels, accounting
      for approximately 48% of the total variance. Unexpectedly, age, gender, and
      maternal overprotection did not emerge as significant predictors of fear in the
      overall sample. In subsequent analyses, anxiety sensitivity was found to be a
      consistent, significant predictor for both girls and boys, for both younger and
      older children, and for children with and without an additional anxiety disorder
      diagnosis. Control beliefs were only a significant predictor for girls, younger
      children, and children with an additional anxiety diagnosis. Maternal
      overprotection was not a significant predictor for any group. Children with an
      additional anxiety disorder diagnosis had higher levels of fear, anxiety
      sensitivity, and maternal overprotection, as well as lower levels of control
      beliefs than the non-additional anxiety disorder subgroup. Future directions and
      clinical implications are explored.

PMID- 26273183
TI  - Kindergarten Predictors of Recurring Externalizing and Internalizing
      Psychopathology in 3rd and 5th grade.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to evaluate the extent to which a range of risk
      factors (e.g., gender, race/ethnicity, low socioeconomic status [SES], whether
      the child's family had divorced or separated, low reading readiness, inattention)
      predicted kindergarten children's likelihood of later recurring psychopathology.
      Multilevel logistic regression was used to analyze teacher-ratings of frequent
      and recurring externalizing and internalizing problem behaviors in a longitudinal
      sample of 4,674 K-5th grade children participating in the Early Childhood
      Longitudinal Study-Kindergarten Cohort, 1998-1999. Results indicated that certain
      groups of kindergarten children are at higher risk. Those most at risk of
      displaying high levels of externalizing problem behaviors in both 3rd and 5th
      grade are children entering school already displaying high levels of these
      behaviors, as well as those displaying low reading readiness. Boys and those from
      low SES households are also at higher risk. Hispanics (compared to whites) are at
      reduced risk of such problem behaviors. Those most at risk of displaying 3rd and
      5th grade recurring internalizing behavior problems are those entering
      kindergarten with such problems, and children displaying inattention and other
      learning-related behavior problems. Boys, those from low SES households, and
      children not being raised by both biological parents are also more likely to
      display recurrent internalizing behavior problems in 3rd and 5th grade. Asian
      children are at reduced risk of engaging in these behavior problems.

PMID- 26273184
TI  - Evaluating an Electronic Measure of Colorectal Cancer Screening at Indian Health
      Service Facilities, 2008-2010.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer mortality in
      American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) people, and incidence rates vary
      considerably among AIAN populations throughout the United States. Screening has
      the potential to prevent CRC deaths by detection and treatment of early disease
      or removal of precancerous polyps. Surveillance of CRC screening is critical to
      efforts to improve delivery of this preventive service, but existing CRC
      screening surveillance methods for AIAN are limited. The Government Performance
      and Results Act (GPRA) CRC screening clinical care measure provides data on CRC
      screening among AIAN populations. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate
      the accuracy of the GPRA measure for CRC screening (sensitivity, specificity,
      positive predictive value and negative predictive value), determine reasons for
      CRC screening misclassification (procedures noted as screening when they were
      actually diagnostic exams), and to suggest opportunities for improving
      surveillance for CRC screening nationwide for AIAN populations. METHODS: Medical
      record reviews (paper and electronic) were compared to the GPRA-reported CRC
      screening status for 1,071 patients receiving care at tribal health facilities. A
      total of 8 tribal health facilities (2 small, 3 medium, and 3 large) participated
      in the study from the Pacific Coast, the Southwest, the Southern Plains, and
      Alaska IHS regions. Screening-eligible patients were identified using queries of
      the local electronic health record from January 2007 to December 2008, and
      medical chart reviews were completed at participating facilities from September
      2008 to June 2010. RESULTS: Among 545 patients classified as screened by the GPRA
      measure, 305 (56%, CI: 52%-60%) had a false positive for screening as compared
      with medical record review. The overall sensitivity of the GPRA measure for CRC
      screening was 93% (CI=89%-95%) while specificity was 62% (CI: 59%-66%). The most
      common reasons for misclassification were for diagnostic or surveillance tests to
      be recorded as screening (67%), as well as medical record miscoding (18%) due to
      miscoding, charting errors, screenings performed outside the IHS, testing for a
      non-screening purpose, and categorization of patients as screened when a test had
      been ordered but not actually completed. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that the
      GPRA CRC screening clinical measure overestimates the true screening rate due to
      the inclusion of diagnostic and surveillance exams, especially colonoscopy, as
      well as misclassification errors. The results of this study suggest a need to
      more accurately use the ICD-9 diagnostic code V76.51, which was associated with
      frequent coding errors. In combination with other programmatic efforts that focus
      on screening average- risk, asymptomatic American Indian and Alaska Native
      persons, improving the coding used for CRC screening may help to more accurately
      detect decreases in AIAN CRC incidence and mortality.

PMID- 26273185
TI  - Early Diagnosis of Colonic Anastomotic Leak With Peritoneal Endoscopy.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: At present, we do not have a reliable method for the
      early diagnosis of colorectal anastomotic leakage (AL). We tested peritoneal
      flexible endoscopy through a port placed in the abdominal wall in the early
      postoperative course, as a new diagnostic method for detection of this
      complication and evaluated the suggested method for safety, feasibility, and
      accuracy. METHODS: Ten swine were randomized into 2 groups: group A, colorectal
      anastomosis without leakage; and group B, colorectal anastomosis with leakage. A
      button gastrostomy feeding tube was inserted percutaneously into the peritoneal
      cavity. Colorectal anastomosis (with or without defect) was created 48 hours
      after the first operation. The swine were examined by peritoneal flexible
      endoscopy 8 and 24 hours after the colonic operation, by a consultant surgeon who
      was blinded to both the presence and the allocated location of the of the
      anastomotic defect. RESULTS: None of the animals showed signs of illness 48 hours
      after the intraperitoneal gastrostomy tube placement. More than half of the
      anastomosis circumference was identified in 60 and 10% of the animals at
      endoscopy 8 and 24 hours, respectively, after the anastomosis was created.
      Excessive adhesion formation was observed in all animals, irrespective of AL. The
      sensitivity and specificity of endoscopy in detecting peritonitis 24 hours after
      AL were both 60%. CONCLUSIONS: Peritoneal endoscopy is a safe and simple
      procedure. Visualization of the peritoneal cavity in the early postoperative
      course was limited due to adhesion formation. Further studies are needed to
      clarify the accuracy of the procedure and to address additional methodological
      concerns.

PMID- 26273187
TI  - Self-Reported Mental Health Predicts Acute Respiratory Infection.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Poor mental health conditions, including stress and depression, have
      been recognized as a risk factor for the development of acute respiratory
      infection. Very few studies have considered the role of general mental health in
      acute respiratory infection occurrence. The aim of this analysis is to determine
      if overall mental health, as assessed by the mental component of the Short Form
      12 Health Survey, predicts incidence, duration, or severity of acute respiratory
      infection. METHODS: Data utilized for this analysis came from the National
      Institute of Health-funded Meditation or Exercise for Preventing Acute
      Respiratory Infection (MEPARI) and MEPARI-2 randomized controlled trials
      examining the effects of meditation or exercise on acute respiratory infection
      among adults aged > 30 years in Madison, Wisconsin. A Kendall tau rank
      correlation compared the Short Form 12 mental component, completed by
      participants at baseline, with acute respiratory infection incidence, duration,
      and area-under-the-curve (global) severity, as assessed by the Wisconsin Upper
      Respiratory Symptom Survey. RESULTS: Participants were recruited from Madison,
      Wis, using advertisements in local media. Short Form 12 mental health scores
      significantly predicted incidence (P = 0.037) of acute respiratory infection, but
      not duration (P = 0.077) or severity (P = 0.073). The Positive and Negative
      Affect Schedule (PANAS) negative emotion measure significantly predicted global
      severity (P = 0.036), but not incidence (P = 0.081) or duration (P = 0.125).
      Mindful Attention Awareness Scale scores significantly predicted incidence of
      acute respiratory infection (P = 0.040), but not duration (P = 0.053) or severity
      (P = 0.70). The PHQ-9, PSS-10, and PANAS positive measures did not show
      significant predictive associations with any of the acute respiratory infection
      outcomes. CONCLUSION: Self-reported overall mental health, as measured by the
      mental component of Short Form 12, predicts acute respiratory infection
      incidence.

PMID- 26273186
TI  - Current Trends in Laparoscopic Ventral Hernia Repair.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to analyze the surgical
      technique, postoperative complications, and possible recurrence after
      laparoscopic ventral hernia repair (LVHR) in comparison with open ventral hernia
      repair (OVHR), based on the international literature. DATABASE: A Medline search
      of the current English literature was performed using the terms laparoscopic
      ventral hernia repair and incisional hernia repair. CONCLUSIONS: LVHR is a safe
      alternative to the open method, with the main advantages being minimal
      postoperative pain, shorter recovery, and decreased wound and mesh infections.
      Incidental enterotomy can be avoided by using a meticulous technique and sharp
      dissection to avoid thermal injury.

PMID- 26273188
TI  - Colon-targeted delivery of piceatannol enhances anti-colitic effects of the
      natural product: potential molecular mechanisms for therapeutic enhancement.
AB  - Piceatannol (PCT), an anti-colitic natural product, undergoes extensive Phase II
      hepatic metabolism, resulting in very low bioavailability. We investigated
      whether colon-targeted delivery of PCT could enhance anti-colitic effects and how
      therapeutic enhancement occurred at the molecular level. Molecular effects of PCT
      were examined in human colon carcinoma cells and inflamed colons. The anti
      colitic effects of PCT in a colon-targeted capsule (colon-targeted PCT) were
      compared with PCT in a gelatin capsule (conventional PCT) in a trinitrobenzene
      sulfonic acid-induced rat colitis model. Colon-targeted PCT elicited greatly
      enhanced recovery of the colonic inflammation. In HCT116 cells, PCT inhibited
      nuclear factor kappaB while activating anti-colitic transcription factors,
      nuclear factor-erythroid 2 (NF-E2) p45-related factor 2, and hypoxia-inducible
      factor-1. Colon-targeted PCT, but not conventional PCT, modulated production of
      the target gene products of the transcription factors in the inflamed colonic
      tissues. Rectal administration of PCT, which simulates the therapeutic action of
      colon-targeted PCT, also ameliorated rat colitis and reproduced the molecular
      effects in the inflamed colonic tissues. Colon-targeted delivery increased
      therapeutic efficacy of PCT against colitis, likely resulting from multitargeted
      effects exerted by colon-targeted PCT. The drug delivery technique may be useful
      for therapeutic optimization of anti-colitic lead compounds including natural
      products. 

PMID- 26273189
TI  - Emerging treatment options to improve cardiovascular outcomes in patients with
      acute coronary syndrome: focus on losmapimod.
AB  - Each year, despite optimal use of recommended acute and secondary prevention
      therapies, 4%-5% of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) experience
      relapse of ACS or other cardiovascular events including stroke, heart failure, or
      sudden cardiac death after the index ACS. The sudden atherosclerotic plaque
      rupture leading to an ACS event is often accompanied by inflammation, which is
      thought to be a key pathogenic pathway to these excess cardiovascular events.
      Losmapimod is a novel, oral p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor
      that targets MAPKs activated in macrophages, myocardium, and endothelial cells
      that occur as a part of global coronary vascular inflammation following plaque
      rupture. This review aims to 1) discuss the pathophysiological pathways through
      which p38 MAPKs may play key roles in initiation and progression of inflammatory
      disease and how losmapimod is thought to counteract these p38 MAPKs, and 2) to
      describe the efficacy and safety data for losmapimod obtained from preclinical
      studies and randomized controlled trials that support the hypothesis that it has
      promise as a treatment for patients with ACS. 

PMID- 26273190
TI  - Hidden costs of antiretroviral treatment: the public health efficiency of drug
      packaging.
AB  - While the overall percentage of unused antiretroviral medicines returned to the
      hospital pharmacy is low, their cost is quite high. Adverse events, treatment
      failure, pharmacokinetic interactions, pregnancy, or treatment simplification are
      common reasons for unplanned treatment changes. Socially inefficient
      antiretroviral packages prevent the reuse of drugs returned to the hospital
      pharmacy. We defined antiretroviral package categories based on the excellence of
      drug packaging and analyzed the number of pills and costs of drugs returned
      during a period of 1 year in a hospital-based HIV unit attending to 2,413 treated
      individuals. A total of 6,090 pills (34% of all returned antiretrovirals) - with
      a cost of 47,139.91 ? - would be totally lost, mainly due to being packed up in
      the lowest efficiency packages. Newer treatments are packaged in low-excellence
      categories of packages, thus favoring the maintenance of these hidden costs in
      the near future. Therefore, costs of this low-efficiency drug packaging, where
      medication packages are started but not completed, in high-cost medications are
      substantial and should be properly addressed. Any improvement in the packaging by
      the manufacturer, and favoring the choice of drugs supplied through efficient
      packages (when efficacy, toxicity, and convenience are similar), should minimize
      the treatment expenditures paid by national health budgets.

PMID- 26273191
TI  - Randomized, open-label, blinded-endpoint, crossover, single-dose study to compare
      the pharmacodynamics of torasemide-PR 10 mg, torasemide-IR 10 mg, and furosemide
      IR 40 mg, in patients with chronic heart failure.
AB  - PURPOSE: Diuretics are the primary treatment for the management of chronic heart
      failure (HF) symptoms and for the improvement of acute HF symptoms. The rate of
      delivery to the site of action has been suggested to affect diuretic
      pharmacodynamics. The main objective of this clinical trial was to explore
      whether a prolonged release tablet formulation of torasemide (torasemide-PR) was
      more natriuretically efficient in patients with chronic HF compared to immediate
      release furosemide (furosemide-IR) after a single-dose administration. Moreover,
      the pharmacokinetics of torasemide-PR, furosemide-IR, and torasemide-IR were
      assessed in chronic HF patients as well as urine pharmacodynamics. METHODS:
      Randomized, open-label, blinded-endpoint, crossover, and single-dose Phase I
      clinical trial with three experimental periods. Torasemide-PR and furosemide-IR
      were administered as a single dose in a crossover fashion for the first two
      periods, and torasemide-IR 10 mg was administered for the third period. Blood and
      urine samples were collected at fixed timepoints. The primary endpoint was the
      natriuretic efficiency after administration of torasemide-PR and furosemide-IR,
      defined as the ratio between the average drug-induced natriuresis and the average
      drug recovered in urine over 24 hours. RESULTS: Ten patients were included and
      nine completed the study. Here, we present the results from nine patients.
      Torasemide-PR was more natriuretically efficient than furosemide-IR (0.096 +/-
      0.03 mmol/MUg vs 0.015 +/- 0.0007 mmol/MUg; P < 0.0001). Mictional urgency was
      lower and more delayed with torasemide-PR than with furosemide-IR. CONCLUSION: In
      a study with a limited sample size, our results suggest that 10 mg of torasemide
      PR is more natriuretically efficient than 40 mg of furosemide-IR after single
      dose administration in patients with chronic HF over a 24-hour collection period.
      Further studies are necessary to evaluate potential pharmacodynamic differences
      between torasemide formulations and to assess its impact on clinical
      therapeutics.

PMID- 26273192
TI  - The role of taxanes in triple-negative breast cancer: literature review.
AB  - Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequent tumor worldwide. Triple-negative BCs are
      characterized by the negative estrogen and progesterone receptors and negative
      HER2, and represent 15% of all BCs. In this review, data on the use of taxanes in
      triple-negative BCs are analyzed, concluding they are effective in any clinical
      setting (neoadjuvant, adjuvant, and metastatic). Further, the role of nab
      paclitaxel (formulation of albumin-bound paclitaxel) in these tumors is also
      evaluated. The available data show the clinical potential of nab-paclitaxel based
      combinations in terms of long-duration response, increased survival, and better
      quality of life of patients with triple-negative metastatic BC. The ongoing
      trials will give further information on the better management of this type of
      tumor. 

PMID- 26273193
TI  - Characterization of preclinical in vitro and in vivo pharmacokinetics properties
      for KBP-7018, a new tyrosine kinase inhibitor candidate for treatment of
      idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
AB  - KBP-7018 is a novel selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor with potential for the
      treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The objective of this study was to
      characterize the preclinical pharmacokinetics of KBP-7018 in vitro and in vivo,
      and then to assess the likelihood of developing KBP-7018 as a clinical candidate.
      The systemic clearance (CL) of KBP-7018 was relatively low in rodents and monkeys
      with a value of less than 30% of hepatic blood flow, while it was high in dogs.
      The steady-state volume of distribution (V ss) ranged from 1.51 L/kg to 4.65 L/kg
      across the species tested. The maximum concentration (C max) of KBP-7018 occurred
      at 0.25-6 hours after oral dosing, and the bioavailability was moderate (21%
      68%). The human CL (~20% of hepatic blood flow) and V ss (1.6-5.3 L/kg) were
      predicted by allometric scaling method and together with the other modeling
      methods indicated low metabolism and acceptable half-time (4.8-19.3 hours) in
      vivo. Overall, the preclinical data make it amenable to further oral solid dosage
      from design for the upcoming Phase I trials in human. 

PMID- 26273194
TI  - Modeling the longitudinal latent effect of pregabalin on self-reported changes in
      sleep disturbances in outpatients with generalized anxiety disorder managed in
      routine clinical practice.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Anxiety disorders are among the most common psychiatric illnesses,
      with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) being one of the most common. Sleep
      disturbances are highly prevalent in GAD patients. While treatment with
      pregabalin has been found to be associated with significant improvement in GAD
      related sleep disturbance across many controlled clinical trials, mediational
      analysis has suggested that a substantial portion of this effect could be the
      result of a direct effect of pregabalin. Thus, the objective of this study was to
      model the longitudinal latent effect of pregabalin or usual care (UC) therapies
      on changes in sleep in outpatients with GAD under routine clinical practice.
      METHODS: Male and female GAD outpatients, aged 18 years or above, from a 6-month
      prospective noninterventional trial were analyzed. Direct and indirect effects of
      either pregabalin or UC changes in anxiety symptoms (assessed with Hamilton
      Anxiety Scale) and sleep disturbances (assessed with Medical Outcomes Study-Sleep
      Scale [MOS-S]) were estimated by a conditional latent curve model applying
      structural equation modeling. RESULTS: A total of 1,546 pregabalin-naive patients
      were analyzed, 984 receiving pregabalin and 562 UC. Both symptoms of anxiety and
      sleep disturbances were significantly improved in both groups, with higher mean
      (95% confidence interval) score reductions in subjects receiving pregabalin: 
      15.9 (-15.2; -16.6) vs -14.5 (-13.5; -15.5), P=0.027, in Hamilton Anxiety Scale;
      and -29.7 (-28.1; -31.3) vs -24.0 (-21.6; -26.4), P<0.001, in MOS-S. The
      conditional latent curve model showed that the pregabalin effect on sleep
      disturbances was significant (gamma =-3.99, P<0.001), after discounting the
      effect on reduction in anxiety symptoms. A mediation model showed that 70% of the
      direct effect of pregabalin on sleep remained after discounting the mediated
      effect of anxiety improvement. CONCLUSION: A substantial proportion of the
      incremental improvements in anxiety-related sleep disturbances with pregabalin vs
      UC were explained by its direct effect, not mediated by improvements in anxiety
      symptoms.

PMID- 26273195
TI  - The pitfall of the transient, inconsistent anticancer capacity of antiestrogens
      and the mechanism of apparent antiestrogen resistance.
AB  - Although antiestrogens have been available for breast cancer therapy since the
      early 1970s, neither their inconsistent anticancer capacity nor the developing
      antiestrogen resistance of tumors can be fully understood. Although clinical and
      experimental investigations revealed many tiny details concerning the link
      between estrogen signaling and tumor development, they yielded fairly
      controversial findings. Estrogen receptor (ER) overexpression in tumor cells
      induced by estrogen treatment was erroneously regarded as a promoter of DNA
      damage, genomic instability, and tumor growth. Similarly, compensatory ER
      overexpression caused by antiestrogen treatment or estrogen withdrawal was
      mistakenly evaluated as a key for rapid tumor growth attributed to acquired
      antiestrogen resistance. Nevertheless, ER upregulation induced by estrogen
      treatment is a physiologic process even in tumor cells, whereas in the case of
      antiestrogen administration, it is a contraregulatory action to defend the
      endangered estrogen signaling. Upregulation of estrogen signaling displays a
      unique dichotomy, ensuring the survival and safe proliferative activity of
      healthy cells, while inducing apoptotic death of malignant tumor cells. Analysis
      of the fairly controversial results justifies that whatever type of available
      endocrine therapies may be used, including estrogen, antiestrogen treatment, or
      oophorectomy, an extreme upregulation of ER signaling seems to be the crucial
      mechanism of successful prevention and treatment for breast cancer. The
      inconsistent therapeutic effects of antiestrogen administration may be explained
      by the different genetic capacities of patients for the compensatory upregulation
      of ER and aromatase enzyme expressions. The weaker the defensive counteraction
      against the inhibition of estrogen signaling, the poorer is the prognosis of the
      disease. De novo or acquired antiestrogen resistance of tumors may be associated
      with the missing capacity of patients for the extreme upregulation of estrogen
      signaling or with the exhaustion of defensive counteractions in cases that
      previously showed good reactivity. High-dose estrogen treatment is capable of
      restoring ER signaling and anticancer capacity even after heavy exposure to
      antiestrogen therapy. 

PMID- 26273197
TI  - Erratum: Itraconazole solid dispersion prepared by a supercritical fluid
      technique: preparation, in vitro characterization, and bioavailability in beagle
      dogs [Corrigendum].

PMID- 26273196
TI  - Gamma scintigraphic evaluation of floating gastroretentive tablets of metformin
      HCl using a combination of three natural polymers in rabbits.
AB  - The present research was aimed at formulating a metformin HCl sustained-release
      formulation from a combination of polymers, using the wet granulation technique.
      A total of 16 formulations (F1-F16) were produced using different combinations of
      the gel-forming polymers: tamarind kernel powder, salep (palmate tubers of Orchis
      morio), and xanthan. Post-compression studies showed that there were no
      interactions between the active drug and the polymers. Results of in vitro drug
      release studies indicated that the F10 formulation which contained 5 mg of
      tamarind kernel powder, 33.33 mg of xanthan, and 61.67 mg of salep could sustain
      a 95% release in 12 hours. The results also showed that F2 had a 55% similarity
      factor with the commercial formulation (C-ER), and the release kinetics were
      explained with zero order and Higuchi models. The in vivo study was performed in
      New Zealand White rabbits by gamma scintigraphy; the F10 formulation was
      radiolabeled using samarium (III) oxide ((153)Sm2O3) to trace transit of the
      tablets in the gastrointestinal tract. The in vivo data supported the retention
      of F10 formulation in the gastric region for 12 hours. In conclusion, the use of
      a combination of polymers in this study helped to develop an optimal
      gastroretentive drug-delivery system with improved bioavailability, swelling, and
      floating characteristics. 

PMID- 26273198
TI  - The role of aflibercept in the management of diabetic macular edema.
AB  - Diabetic macular edema (DME) represents one of the leading causes of visual
      impairment in working-age adults. Although there are several proven treatments
      available for this condition, pharmacotherapy through the use of intravitreal
      antivascular endothelial growth factor agents has revolutionized the management
      of DME over the past decade with superior outcomes compared to laser therapy.
      This review summarizes the pathophysiology and available treatment options for
      the management of DME, with an emphasis on the efficacy and safety profile of a
      single particular intravitreal antivascular endothelial growth factor agent,
      aflibercept. 

PMID- 26273200
TI  - Recruiting older patients with peripheral arterial disease: evaluating challenges
      and strategies.
AB  - Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a group of syndromes characterized by
      chronic and progressive atherosclerosis with a high burden of physical disability
      and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Recruiting patients for clinical
      research is therefore challenging. In this article, we describe and evaluate our
      methods for recruiting participants for a cross-sectional feasibility study of
      PAD, nutritional status, and body composition. We used convenience and purposive
      sampling approaches to identify potential participants. Between May 2012 and
      April 2013, 1,446 patients were identified, and 165 patients (11.4%) responded to
      recruitment requests. The final enrollment was 64 participants (64/1,446; 4.4%),
      and four subjects (6.3%) subsequently withdrew from the study. Recruiting PAD
      patients presents a variety of challenges, due largely to the burdens of living
      with coexistent illnesses, and patients' reluctance or inability to travel for
      research. In this article, we delineate suggestions for improving the efficacy of
      recruitment methods in future PAD studies. 

PMID- 26273199
TI  - High-throughput virtual screening with e-pharmacophore and molecular simulations
      study in the designing of pancreatic lipase inhibitors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Obesity is a progressive metabolic disorder in the current world
      population, and is characterized by the excess deposition of fat in the adipose
      tissue. Pancreatic lipase is one of the key enzymes in the hydrolysis of
      triglycerides into monoglycerides and free fatty acids, and is thus considered a
      promising target for the treatment of obesity. The present drugs used for
      treating obesity do not give satisfactory results, and on prolonged usage result
      in severe side effects. In view of the drastic increase in the obese population
      day-to-day, there is a greater need to discover new drugs with lesser side
      effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: High-throughput virtual screening combined with e
      pharmacophore screening and ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and
      excretion) and PAINS (pan-assay interference compounds) filters were applied to
      screen out the ligand molecules from the ZINC natural molecule database. The
      screened molecules were subjected to Glide XP docking to study the molecular
      interactions broadly. Further, molecular dynamic simulations were used to
      validate the stability of the enzyme-ligand complexes. Finally, the molecules
      with better results were optimized for in vitro testing. RESULTS: The screening
      protocols identified eight hits from the natural molecule database, which were
      further filtered through pharmacological filters. The final four hits were
      subjected to extra precision docking, and the complexes were finally studied with
      molecular dynamic simulations. The results pointed to the zinc 85893731 molecule
      as the most stable in the binding pocket, producing consistent H-bond interaction
      with Ser152 (G=-7.18). The optimized lead molecule exhibited good docking score,
      better fit, and improved ADME profile. CONCLUSION: The present study specifies
      zinc 85893731 as a lead molecule with higher binding score and energetically
      stable complex with pancreatic lipase. This lead molecule, along with its various
      analogs, can be further tested as a novel inhibitor against pancreatic lipase
      using in vitro protocols.

PMID- 26273201
TI  - Shared decision-making in the People's Republic of China: current status and
      future directions.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Severe insufficiencies in the supply and inequities in the
      distribution of health care professionals, facilities, and services create
      conditions for limited quality of care and lack of trust - even violent conflict 
      between clinicians and patients in the People's Republic of China. Alongside
      structural reform, shared decision-making (SDM) may help meet the needs and
      advance the goals of each patient. Little is known, however, about the realities
      and opportunities for SDM in the People's Republic of China. METHODS: To identify
      reports of SDM in the People's Republic of China, we used multiple sources,
      including: several databases, searched in English and Chinese, online journals,
      and clinical trial registries. In addition, we contacted experts in the field to
      identify any articles missed through our other search strategies. We included all
      trials and surveys reporting on SDM in Chinese patients. We summarized these
      studies by describing them with particular attention to reports of patient
      decisional preference and of the impact of SDM interventions on outcomes in
      Chinese patients. RESULTS: We identified five surveys examining patient
      preference for SDM and nine studies examining constructs related to SDM in
      Chinese patients, but none involving patients in Mainland China. We could not
      find any reports of development, testing, or implementation of SDM tools for
      patients in Mainland China. CONCLUSION: The research on SDM in the People's
      Republic of China is limited, with almost no direct evidence to inform clinical
      policies or implementation. Although multiple barriers are apparent, the value of
      implementing, testing, and disseminating effective SDM in the People's Republic
      of China in terms of patient experience and outcomes demands urgent realization.

PMID- 26273203
TI  - The impact of nocturnal disturbances on daily quality of life in patients with
      Parkinson's disease.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to explore nocturnal disturbances in
      patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and to assess their impact on quality of
      life (QoL). METHODS: A total of 211 patients with PD were recruited for this
      study, and each participant was evaluated using the mini-mental state
      examination, PD sleep scale - second version (PDSS-2), pittsburgh sleep quality
      index (PSQI), PD QoL questionnaire (PDQ), Epworth sleepiness scale, Hoehn and
      Yahr (H&Y) staging, and unified Parkinson's disease rating scale (UPDRS).
      Multiple regression analyses were performed to determine the contribution of the
      predictive variables on QoL. RESULTS: There were 56.4% males (mean age: 64.08
      years; disease duration: 6.02 years; H&Y stage: 2.25; and UPDRS: 33.01) in this
      study. Our patients' actual sleep time was 5.96+/-1.16 hours and the average
      sleep efficiency was 82.93%+/-12.79%. Up to 64.4% of patients were classified as
      "poor" sleepers and 23.8% suffered from daytime sleepiness. The final stepwise
      regression model revealed that UPDRS parts I and II, the sleep disturbance and
      daytime dysfunction components of the PSQI, the PD symptoms at night subscale of
      the PDSS-2, and the levodopa equivalent dose were significant predictors of the
      PDQ score (R (2)=53, F 7,165=28.746; P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Most of the PD
      patients have sleep problems, and nearly one-quarter of them have abnormal
      daytime somnolence. The nocturnal disturbances were found to result in worse QoL
      in PD patients. Ethnicity-specific effects of susceptibility to sleep
      disturbances were discussed, and these results also highlighted the direction for
      further studies to explore when examining effective management programs toward
      these disturbances.

PMID- 26273202
TI  - Rare and very rare adverse effects of clozapine.
AB  - Clozapine (CLZ) is the drug of choice for the treatment of resistant
      schizophrenia; however, its suitable use is limited by the complex adverse
      effects' profile. The best-described adverse effects in the literature are
      represented by agranulocytosis, myocarditis, sedation, weight gain, hypotension,
      and drooling; nevertheless, there are other known adverse effects that
      psychiatrists should readily recognize and manage. This review covers the "rare"
      and "very rare" known adverse effects of CLZ, which have been accurately
      described in literature. An extensive search on the basis of predefined criteria
      was made using CLZ and its combination with adverse effects as keywords in
      electronic databases. Data show the association between the use of CLZ and
      uncommon adverse effects, including ischemic colitis, paralytic ileus,
      hematemesis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, priapism, urinary incontinence,
      pityriasis rosea, intertriginous erythema, pulmonary thromboembolism, pseudo
      pheochromocytoma, periorbital edema, and parotitis, which are influenced by other
      variables including age, early diagnosis, and previous/current pharmacological
      therapies. Some of these adverse effects, although unpredictable, are often
      manageable if promptly recognized and treated. Others are serious and potentially
      life-threatening. However, an adequate knowledge of the drug, clinical vigilance,
      and rapid intervention can drastically reduce the morbidity and mortality related
      to CLZ treatment. 

PMID- 26273204
TI  - A role of Yueju in fast-onset antidepressant action on major depressive disorder
      and serum BDNF expression: a randomly double-blind, fluoxetine-adjunct, placebo
      controlled, pilot clinical study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Conventional antidepressants, including fluoxetine, have a major
      disadvantage in delayed onset of efficacy. Yueju, an herbal medicine used to
      treat mood disorders was recently found to exhibit rapid antidepressant effects.
      The present study was conducted to evaluate the role of Yueju in rapidly acting
      on major depressive disorder (MDD). METHODS: Participants were MDD patients with
      scores of 24-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-24) >=20 and without
      history of antidepressant use. They randomly received daily oral doses of Yueju
      (23 g/day) plus fluoxetine (20 mg/day) (experimental group) or placebo plus
      fluoxetine (control group) for 7 days. HDRS-24 was used as the primary outcome
      measurement at baseline, and on days 1, 3, 5, and 7. Concentrations of serum
      brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were assessed at baseline and on days 1
      and 7. RESULTS: In all, 18 participants met the criteria for data analysis.
      Compared to baseline level, only experimental group showed significant decrease
      of HDRS-24 score from day 3 to day 7 (P<0.05). Experimental group also showed
      significant improvement compared with control group from day 3 to day 7 (P<0.05).
      No correlation between treatment outcomes with serum BDNF levels was observed.
      However, experimental group showed significant correlation for serum BDNF level
      on day 1 with day 7 (r=0.721, P=0.028), whereas the control group did not.
      CONCLUSION: Yueju likely contributes to fast-onset antidepressant effects on MDD.
      Further investigation is necessary to firmly establish the ancient formula as a
      safe, efficacious, and rapidly acting alternative medicine for MDD treatment.

PMID- 26273206
TI  - Associations between deepness of response and clinical outcomes among Japanese
      patients with metastatic colorectal cancer treated with second-line FOLFIRI plus
      cetuximab.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In the FIRE-3 trial, overall survival (OS) was significantly longer
      in patients treated with FOLFIRI plus cetuximab (C-mab) than in those treated
      with FOLFIRI plus bevacizumab (Bev), but progression-free survival (PFS) was not
      significantly different. This may be associated with the deepness of response
      (DpR) in patients treated with FOLFIRI plus C-mab. We aimed to evaluate the
      relationship between clinical outcome and DpR in metastatic colorectal cancer
      (mCRC) patients treated with second-line FOLFIRI plus C-mab. METHODS: A total of
      112 patients with histopathologically confirmed mCRC treated with second-line
      FOLFIRI in combination with C-mab (N=42) or Bev (N=70) were retrospectively
      enrolled between October 2008 and June 2013. The relationship between DpR and
      clinical outcome in patients treated with FOLFIRI plus C-mab or Bev was
      determined. RESULTS: Forty-two patients treated with FOLFIRI plus C-mab had a
      mean DpR of 6.1% (inter-quartile range: -13.7%, 20.8%) and a minimum DpR of 
      62.7%. On the other hand, 70 patients treated with FOLFIRI plus Bev had a mean
      DpR of 0% (interquartile range: -16%, 10%) and a minimum DpR of -111%. DpR >=30%
      was associated with significantly longer OS and PFS when compared with DpR <=30%
      in patients given FOLFIRI plus C-mab. DpR (>=30%) was independently associated
      with prolongation of OS and PFS. In patients treated with FOLFIRI plus C-mab,
      there was a moderate positive correlation between DpR and clinical outcomes (OS:
      r=0.51, P<0.001; PFS: r=0.54, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: FOLFIRI plus C-mab yielded a
      stronger correlation between DpR and clinical outcomes. These results indicate
      the potential of DpR as a new measure of efficacy in mCRC patients treated with
      second-line chemotherapy plus C-mab.

PMID- 26273205
TI  - Pain perception in schizophrenia: influence of neuropeptides, cognitive
      disorders, and negative symptoms.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The causes and nature of insensitivity to pain in schizophrenia
      remain unknown. The role of endorphins and the association of cognitive
      dysfunction and negative symptoms are postulated. METHODS: In this study, 43
      patients with schizophrenia, five first-degree relatives, and 34 healthy controls
      were examined. Participants' plasma concentrations of substance P, beta
      endorphin, and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) were assessed. In patients,
      the Trail-Making Test, the Color Reading Interference Test (Stroop test), and the
      Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale Negative Syndrome subscale (PANSS N) test
      were performed. We also evaluated pain threshold using nociceptive reflex (RTIII)
      testing. RESULTS: The mean beta-endorphin concentration was about 20% higher in
      patients than in healthy controls (P<0.05). CGRP concentrations were
      significantly higher in patients than in controls (5.34 ng/mL versus 4.16 ng/mL;
      P<0.01). Subjects treated with antipsychotic polytherapy had higher
      concentrations of CGRP than did patients treated with second-generation
      antipsychotic monotherapy (5.92 ng/mL versus 5.02 ng/mL; P<0.05). There were no
      correlations between any biochemical parameters and Trail-Making Test, Stroop
      test, and PANSS N scores. There were no differences in RTIII among study groups.
      Strong negative correlation (P<0.001) was found between PANSS N scores and
      subjective pain threshold on the right lower limb. CONCLUSION: The insensitivity
      to pain in schizophrenia is a complex phenomenon that is probably not related to
      changes in nociceptive pathways. Increase in beta-endorphin level may be related
      to this issue, but it is uncertain if such concentration ensures analgesic
      effect. It is unknown if patients with schizophrenia in fact experience less
      pain. Cognitive impairment and excess negative symptoms may strongly influence
      the patient's expression of pain.

PMID- 26273207
TI  - Nivolumab in the treatment of malignant melanoma: review of the literature.
AB  - Nivolumab was developed as a monoclonal antibody against programmed death
      receptor-1, an immune checkpoint inhibitor which negatively regulates T-cell
      proliferation and activation. Intravenous administration of nivolumab was
      approved for the treatment of unresectable malignant melanoma in 2014 in Japan.
      When advanced melanoma patients were treated with nivolumab, median overall
      survival became longer. Overall survival rate was significantly better in
      nivolumab-treated melanoma patients than dacarbazine-treated melanoma patients.
      Nivolumab had an acceptable long-term tolerability profile, with 22% of patients
      experiencing grade 3 or 4 adverse events related to the drug. Therefore,
      nivolumab can become an alternative therapy for advanced malignant melanoma. 

PMID- 26273209
TI  - Bridging the Gap: A Regulator of NF-kappaB Linking Inflammation and Cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A close connection between inflammation and cancer has now been
      firmly established. While tumor initiation is typically independent of
      inflammatory events, immune cells infiltrating the tumor microenvironment secrete
      inflammatory cytokines that enhance the aberrant growth of tumor cells and thus
      facilitate tumor progression. Therefore, inflammation and tumor growth are
      usually interpreted as closely related on a systemic level but as distinct,
      independently regulated processes at a molecular level. HIGHLIGHT: Recently, we
      reported that a sub-class of small GTPases, namely kappaB-Ras1 and kappaB-Ras2,
      regulate both inflammation and tumor growth, thereby providing a unique molecular
      bridge between the two biological processes. CONCLUSION: Here, we briefly
      summarize the known contact points between inflammation and cancer, including
      oral cancers, and put into context the identification of kappaB-Ras proteins as
      molecular link between two independent pathways important for tumor growth.

PMID- 26273208
TI  - Phytochemicals modulate carcinogenic signaling pathways in breast and hormone
      related cancers.
AB  - Over the years, nutrition and environmental factors have been demonstrated to
      influence human health, specifically cancer. Owing to the fact that cancer is a
      leading cause of death worldwide, efforts are being made to elucidate molecular
      mechanisms that trigger or delay carcinogenesis. Phytochemicals, in particular,
      have been shown to modulate oncogenic processes through their antioxidant and
      anti-inflammatory activities and their ability to mimic the chemical structure
      and activity of hormones. These compounds can act not only by influencing
      oncogenic proteins, but also by modulating noncoding RNAs such as microRNAs and
      long noncoding RNAs. Although we are only beginning to understand the complete
      effects of many natural compounds, such as phytochemicals, researchers are
      motivated to combine these agents with traditional, chemo-based, or hormone-based
      therapies to fight against cancer. Since ongoing studies continue to prove
      effective, herein we exalt the importance of improving dietary choices as a chemo
      preventive strategy. 

PMID- 26273210
TI  - Border Enforcement and Return Migration by Documented and Undocumented Mexicans.
AB  - Using data from the Mexican Migration Project we compute probabilities of
      departure and return for first and later trips to the United States in both
      documented and undocumented status. We then estimate statistical models to
      analyze the determinants of departure and return according to legal status. Prior
      to 1986, Mexico-U.S. migration was characterized by great circularity, but since
      then circularity has declined markedly for undocumented migrants but increased
      dramatically for documented migrants. Whereas return migration by undocumented
      migrants dropped in response to the massive increase in border enforcement, that
      of documented migrants did not. At present, the Mexico-U.S. migration system has
      reached a new equilibrium in which undocumented migrants are caged in as long
      term settlers in the United States while documented migrants increasingly range
      freely and circulate back and forth across the border within rising frequency.

PMID- 26273211
TI  - Optimizing the 'demographic dividend' in young developing countries: The role of
      contractual savings and insurance for financing education.
AB  - Many developing regions are facing a youth bulge, meaning that young people
      comprise the highest proportion of the population. These regions are at risk of
      losing what could be a tremendous opportunity for economic growth and development
      if they do not capitalize on this young and economically productive population -
      also referred to as the "demographic dividend," defined as the increase in
      economic growth that tends to follow increases in the ratio of the working-age
      population - essentially the labor force - to dependents. Nations undergoing this
      population transition have the opportunity to capitalize on the demographic
      dividend if the right social, economic, and human capital policies are in place.
      In particular, sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, and North Africa are at risk
      of losing the demographic dividend. These regions face high youth unemployment,
      low primary school completion, and low secondary school enrollment. This results
      in an undereducated and unskilled segment of the population. The prohibitive
      costs of education prevent young people from finishing school, thereby entering
      the labor market unprepared. This article presents a case for youth-focused
      financial inclusion programs as one of the antidotes to the masses of poor,
      undereducated, and low-skilled young people swelling the labor markets of poor
      developing countries.

PMID- 26273213
TI  - Synthesis, structural studies, and oxidation catalysis of the manganese(II),
      iron(II), and copper(II) complexes of a 2-pyridylmethyl pendant armed side
      bridged cyclam.
AB  - The first 2-pyridylmethyl pendant armed structurally reinforced cyclam ligand has
      been synthesized and successfully complexed to Mn2+, Fe2+, and Cu2+ cations. X
      ray crystal structures were obtained for the diprotonated ligand and its Cu2+
      complex demonstrating pentadentate binding of the ligand with trans-II
      configuration of the side-bridged cyclam ring, leaving a potential labile binding
      site cis to the pyridine donor for interaction of the complex with oxidants
      and/or substrates. The electronic properties of these complexes were determined
      by means of solid state magnetic moment, with a low value of MU = 3.10 MUB for
      the Fe2+ complex suggesting it has a trigonal bipyramidal coordination geometry,
      matching the crystal structure of the Cu2+ complex, while the MU = 5.52 MUB value
      for the Mn2+ complex suggests it is high spin octahedral. Cyclic voltammetry in
      acetonitrile revealed reversible redox processes in all three complexes,
      suggesting catalytic reactivity involving electron transfer processes are
      possible for these complexes. Screening for oxidation catalysis using hydrogen
      peroxide as the terminal oxidant identified the Fe2+ complex as the oxidation
      catalysts most worthy of continued development.

PMID- 26273214
TI  - CYP3A5 genotyping for assessing the efficacy of treatment with simvastatin and
      atorvastatin.
AB  - In this work, we examined the impact of polymorphism in the cytochrome P450 (CYP)
      3A5 gene, CYP3A5*1 (6986A > G, rs 776746), on the reduction in the lipid levels
      caused by simvastatin and atorvastatin. We studied 350 hyperlipidemic patients
      who received 10-40 mg of atorvastatin (n = 175) or simvastatin (n = 175) daily.
      Genotyping for CYP3A5 was done by PCR-RFLP analysis. Differences in the lipid
      profile before and after treatment were expressed as the % difference. The
      frequency of CYP3A5polymorphism was 13.4% for heterozygotes and 86.6% for
      homozygotes. Comparison of the responses to same dose of each drug showed that
      the highest % difference was associated with total cholesterol (TC) in subjects
      receiving atorvastatin 40 mg compared with simvastatin 40 mg (p = 0.048).
      However, comparison of the responses to equivalent doses of atorvastatin vs.
      simvastatin revealed no difference in the % change in any of the lipid parameters
      examined. In individuals with the same CYP3A5 genotype, a head to head comparison
      of the efficacy of the same dose of simvastatin vs. atorvastatin revealed an
      advantage for atorvastatin. For equivalent doses of atorvastatin vs. simvastatin
      there was no difference in the % change in any of the lipid parameters examined.
      Within the same genotype there was a significant difference in the % change
      related to the drug treatment. 

PMID- 26273212
TI  - Multi-trait multi-environment quantitative trait loci mapping for a sugarcane
      commercial cross provides insights on the inheritance of important traits.
AB  - Breeding trials typically consist of phenotypic observations for various traits
      evaluated in multiple environments. For sugarcane in particular, repeated
      measures are obtained for plant crop and one or more ratoons, such that joint
      analysis through mixed models for modeling heterogeneous genetic (co)variances
      between traits, locations and harvests is appropriate. This modeling approach
      also enables us to include molecular marker information, aiding in understanding
      the genetic architecture of quantitative traits. Our work aims at detecting QTL
      and QTL by environment interactions by fitting mixed models with multiple QTLs,
      with appropriate modeling of multi-trait multi-environment data for outcrossing
      species. We evaluated 100 individuals from a biparental cross at two locations
      and three  years for fiber content, sugar content (POL) and tonnes of cane per
      hectare (TCH). We detected 13 QTLs exhibiting QTL by location, QTL by harvest or
      the three-way interaction. Overall, 11 of the 13 effects presented some degree of
      pleiotropy, affecting at least two traits. Furthermore, these QTLs always
      affected fiber and TCH in the same direction, whereas POL was affected in the
      opposite way. There was no evidence in favor of the linked QTL over the
      pleiotropic QTL hypothesis for any detected genome position. These results
      provide valuable insights into the genetic basis of quantitative variation in
      sugarcane and the genetic relation between traits.

PMID- 26273215
TI  - Genetic association of single nucleotide polymorphisms in dystrobrevin binding
      protein 1 gene with schizophrenia in a Malaysian population.
AB  - Dystrobrevin binding protein 1 (DTNBP1) gene is pivotal in regulating the
      glutamatergic system. Genetic variants of the DTNBP1 affect cognition and thus
      may be particularly relevant to schizophrenia. We therefore evaluated the
      association of six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with schizophrenia in a
      Malaysian population (171 cases; 171 controls). Associations between these six
      SNPs and schizophrenia were tested in two stages. Association signals with p <
      0.05 and minor allele frequency > 0.05 in stage 1 were followed by genotyping the
      SNPs in a replication phase (stage 2). Genotyping was performed with sequenced
      specific primer (PCR-SSP) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR
      RFLP). In our sample, we found significant associations between rs2619522 (allele
      p = 0.002, OR = 1.902, 95%CI = 1.266 - 2.859; genotype p = 0.002) and rs2619528
      (allele p = 0.008, OR = 1.606, 95%CI = 1.130 - 2.281; genotype p = 6.18 * 10(-5))
      and schizophrenia. Given that these two SNPs may be associated with the
      pathophysiology of schizophrenia, further studies on the other DTNBP1 variants
      are warranted. 

PMID- 26273216
TI  - DNM2 mutations in a cohort of sporadic patients with centronuclear myopathy.
AB  - Centronuclear myopathy (CNM) is a rare congenital muscle disease characterized by
      fibers with prominent centralized nuclei in muscle biopsies. The disease is
      clinically heterogeneous, ranging from severe neonatal hypotonic phenotypes to
      adult-onset mild muscle weakness, and can have multiple modes of inheritance in
      association with various genes, including MTM1, DNM2, BIN1 and RYR1. Here we
      analyzed 18 sporadic patients with clinical and histological diagnosis of CNM and
      sequenced the DNM2 gene, which codes for the dynamin 2 protein. We found DNM2
      missense mutations in two patients, both in exon 8, one known (p.E368K) and one
      novel (p.F372C), which is found in a position of presumed pathogenicity and
      appeared de novo. The patients had similar phenotypes characterized by neonatal
      signs followed by improvement and late childhood reemergence of slowly
      progressive generalized muscle weakness, elongated face with ptosis and
      ophthalmoparesis, and histology showing fibers with radiating sarcoplasmic
      strands (RSS). These patients were the only ones in the series to present this
      histological marker, which together with previous reports in the literature
      suggest that, when RSS are present, direct sequencing of DNM2 mutation hot spot
      regions should be the first step in the molecular diagnosis of CNM, even in
      sporadic cases. 

PMID- 26273217
TI  - Human population genetic structure detected by pain-related mu opioid receptor
      gene polymorphisms.
AB  - Several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the Mu Opioid Receptor gene
      (OPRM1) have been identified and associated with a wide variety of clinical
      phenotypes related both to pain sensitivity and analgesic requirements. The A118G
      and other potentially functional OPRM1 SNPs show significant differences in their
      allele distributions among populations. However, they have not been properly
      addressed in a population genetic analysis. Population stratification could lead
      to erroneous conclusions when they are not taken into account in association
      studies. The aim of our study was to analyze OPRM1 SNP variability by comparing
      population samples of the International Hap Map database and to analyze a new
      population sample from the city of Corrientes, Argentina. The results confirm
      that OPRM1 SNP variability differs among human populations and displays a clear
      ancestry genetic structure, with three population clusters: Africa, Asia, and
      Europe-America. 

PMID- 26273218
TI  - Cytogenetic studies in six species of Scinax (Anura, Hylidae) clade Scinax ruber
      from northern and northeastern Brazil.
AB  - Scinax species are still underrepresented in cytogenetic studies, mainly with
      respect to populations from northeastern and northern Brazil. In this study, we
      provide new chromosomal information on Scinax boesemani, S. camposseabrai, S.
      garbei, S. pachycrus, S. trilineatus and S. x-signatus, all belonging to clade S.
      ruber. They were collected at two locations in the Caatinga biome (northeastern
      Brazil) and at one in the Amazon (northern Brazil) biomes. Chromosomes were
      analyzed by conventional staining, C-banding, Ag-NOR staining, and fluorochrome
      staining. All species shared a modal diploid value of 2n = 24 and fundamental arm
      number (FN) of 48. Moreover, both chromosomal size and morphology were similar to
      other species in this Scinaxclade. C-banding revealed centromeric heterochromatin
      in all species, along with terminal species-specific C-bands in some species.
      Active nucleolar organizer regions (Ag-NORs) were identified at 11q in most
      species, except for S. boesemani and S. garbei (Ag-NORs at interstitial region of
      8q). Differing from most anurans, GC-rich regions were not restricted to NORs,
      but also coincident with some centromeric and terminal C-bands. These data
      contribute to the cytotaxonomy of Scinax by providing chromosomal markers and
      demonstrating the occurrence of microstructural rearrangements and inversions on
      chromosomal evolution of Scinax. 

PMID- 26273219
TI  - The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the little egret (Egretta
      garzetta).
AB  - Many phylogenetic questions in the Ciconiiformes remain unresolved and complete
      mitogenome data are urgently needed for further molecular investigation. In this
      work, we determined the complete mitogenome sequence of the little egret (Egretta
      garzetta). The genome was 17,361 bp in length and the gene organization was
      typical of other avian mtDNA. In protein-coding genes (PCGs), a C insertion was
      found in ND3, and COIII and ND4 terminated with incomplete stop codons (T). tRNA
      Val and tRNA-Ser (AGY) were unable to fold into canonical cloverleaf secondary
      structures because they had lost the DHU arms. Long repetitive sequences
      consisting of five types of tandem repeats were found at the 3' end of Domain III
      in the control region. A phylogenetic analysis of 11 species of Ciconiiformes was
      done using complete mitogenome data and 12 PCGs. The tree topologies obtained
      with these two strategies were identical, which strongly confirmed the monophyly
      of Ardeidae, Threskiorothidae and Ciconiidae. The phylogenetic analysis also
      revealed that Egretta was more closely related to Ardea than to Nycticorax in the
      Ardeidae, and Platalea was more closely related to Threskiornis than to Nipponia
      in the Threskiornithidae. These findings contribute to our understanding of the
      phylogenetic relationships of Ciconiiformes based on complete mitogenome data. 

PMID- 26273220
TI  - Presence of two mitochondrial genomes in the mytilid Perumytilus purpuratus:
      Phylogenetic evidence for doubly uniparental inheritance.
AB  - This study presents evidence, using sequences of ribosomal 16S and COI mtDNA, for
      the presence of two mitochondrial genomes in Perumytilus purpuratus. This may be
      considered evidence of doubly uniparental mtDNA inheritance. The presence of the
      two types of mitochondrial genomes differentiates females from males. The F
      genome was found in the somatic and gonadal tissues of females and in the somatic
      tissues of males; the M genome was found in the gonads and mantle of males only.
      For the mitochondrial 16S region, ten haplotypes were found for the F genome
      (nucleotide diversity 0.004), and 7 haplotypes for the M genome (nucleotide
      diversity 0.001), with a distance Dxy of 0.125 and divergence Kxy of 60.33%. For
      the COI gene 17 haplotypes were found for the F genome (nucleotide diversity
      0.009), and 10 haplotypes for the M genome (nucleotide diversity 0.010), with a
      genetic distance Dxy of 0.184 and divergence Kxy of 99.97%. Our results report
      the presence of two well-differentiated, sex-specific types of mitochondrial
      genome (one present in the male gonad, the other in the female gonad), implying
      the presence of DUI in P. purpuratus. These results indicate that care must be
      taken in phylogenetic comparisons using mtDNA sequences of P. purpuratus without
      considering the sex of the individuals. 

PMID- 26273221
TI  - Galactinol synthase transcriptional profile in two genotypes of Coffea canephora
      with contrasting tolerance to drought.
AB  - Increased synthesis of galactinol and raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFOs)
      has been reported in vegetative tissues in response to a range of abiotic
      stresses. In this work, we evaluated the transcriptional profile of a Coffea
      canephora galactinol synthase gene (CcGolS1) in two clones that differed in
      tolerance to water deficit in order to assess the contribution of this gene to
      drought tolerance. The expression of CcGolS1 in leaves was differentially
      regulated by water deficit, depending on the intensity of stress and the
      genotype. In clone 109A (drought-susceptible), the abundance of CcGolS1
      transcripts decreased upon exposure to drought, reaching minimum values during
      recovery from severe water deficit and stress. In contrast, CcGolS1 gene
      expression in clone 14 (drought-tolerant) was stimulated by water deficit.
      Changes in galactinol and RFO content did not correlate with variation in the
      steady-state transcript level. However, the magnitude of increase in RFO
      accumulation was higher in the tolerant cultivar, mainly under severe water
      deficit. The finding that the drought-tolerant coffee clone showed enhanced
      accumulation of CcGolS1 transcripts and RFOs under water deficit suggests the
      possibility of using this gene to improve drought tolerance in this important
      crop. 

PMID- 26273222
TI  - Eucalyptus urograndis stem proteome is responsive to short-term cold stress.
AB  - Eucalyptus urograndis is a hybrid eucalyptus of major economic importance to the
      Brazilian pulp and paper industry. Although widely used in forest nurseries
      around the country, little is known about the biochemical changes imposed by
      environmental stress in this species. In this study, we evaluated the changes in
      the stem proteome after short-term stimulation by exposure to low temperature.
      Using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis coupled to high-resolution mass
      spectrometry-based protein identification, 12 proteins were found to be
      differentially regulated and successfully identified after stringent database
      searches against a protein database from a closely related species (Eucalyptus
      grandis). The identification of these proteins indicated that the E. urograndis
      stem proteome responded quickly to low temperature, mostly by down-regulating
      specific proteins involved in energy metabolism, protein synthesis and signaling.
      The results of this study represent the first step in understanding the molecular
      and biochemical responses of E. urograndis to thermal stress. 

PMID- 26273224
TI  - Microbial quality of soil from the Pampa biome in response to different grazing
      pressures.
AB  - The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of different grazing pressures
      on the activity and diversity of soil bacteria. We performed a long-term
      experiment in Eldorado do Sul, southern Brazil, that assessed three levels of
      grazing pressure: high pressure (HP), with 4% herbage allowance (HA), moderate
      pressure (MP), with 12% HA, and low pressure (LP), with 16% HA. Two reference
      areas were also assessed, one of never-grazed native vegetation (NG) and another
      of regenerated vegetation after two years of grazing (RG). Soil samples were
      evaluated for microbial biomass and enzymatic (beta-glucosidase, arylsulfatase
      and urease) activities. The structure of the bacterial community and the
      population of diazotrophic bacteria were evaluated by RFLP of the 16S rRNA and
      nifH genes, respectively. The diversity of diazotrophic bacteria was assessed by
      partial sequencing of the 16S rDNA gene. The presence of grazing animals
      increased soil microbial biomass in MP and HP. The structures of the bacterial
      community and the populations of diazotrophic bacteria were altered by the
      different grazing managements, with a greater diversity of diazotrophic bacteria
      in the LP treatment. Based on the characteristics evaluated, the MP treatment was
      the most appropriate for animal production and conservation of the Pampa biome. 

PMID- 26273223
TI  - Comparative karyotype analysis of populations in the Alstroemeria presliana
      Herbert (Alstroemeriaceae) complex in Chile.
AB  - Alstroemeria L., one of the most diverse genera of the Chilean flora and of high
      floricultural value, is represented by 35 species, most of them distributed
      between 28-38 degrees  S in the Mediterranean zone of Central Chile. There are 24
      complex-forming taxa, of which 18 have conservation problems (8 are considered
      "endangered" and 10 as "vulnerable"). One of these complexes is Alstroemeria
      presliana Herb. with two subspecies: subsp. presliana and subsp. australis Bayer.
      Alstroemeria presliana grows in Chile and Argentina: subsp. presliana is
      distributed from Reserva Nacional Siete Tazas (35 degrees 27' S, Region of Maule)
      to Antuco, (37 degrees 25' S, Region of Bio-Bio), and is also found in Neuquen,
      Argentina; subsp. australis is endemic to the Cordillera of Nahuelbuta. A
      comparative karyotype study was carried out among six populations of A. presliana
      subsp. presliana and five populations of A. presliana subsp. australis. The
      eleven populations presented an asymmetric karyotype, with 2n = 2* = 16
      chromosomes but with different karyotype formulae. A. presliana subsp. presliana
      shows the haploid formula 2m + 2m-sat + 1sm-sat + 1st-sat + 1t + 1 t-sat, and A.
      preslianasubsp. australis presents a formula 1m + 2m-sat + 1sm + 2t + 2t-sat
      chromosomes. The architecture of the karyotype between the subspecies is very
      different. The scatter plot among CVCL vs. MCA shows different groupings between
      populations of the two subspecies. According to the results obtained it is
      possible to consider raising Alstroemeria presliana subsp. australis at species
      level. 

PMID- 26273225
TI  - X1X1X2X2/X1X2Y sex chromosome systems in the Neotropical Gymnotiformes electric
      fish of the genus Brachyhypopomus.
AB  - Several types of sex chromosome systems have been recorded among Gymnotiformes,
      including male and female heterogamety, simple and multiple sex chromosomes, and
      different mechanisms of origin and evolution. The X1X1X2X2/X1X2Y systems
      identified in three species of this order are considered homoplasic for the
      group. In the genus Brachyhypopomus, only B. gauderio presented this type of
      system. Herein we describe the karyotypes of Brachyhypopomus pinnicaudatus and B.
      n. sp. FLAV, which have an X1X1X2X2/X1X2Y sex chromosome system that evolved via
      fusion between an autosome and the Y chromosome. The morphology of the
      chromosomes and the meiotic pairing suggest that the sex chromosomes of B.
      gauderio and B. pinnicaudatus have a common origin, whereas in B . n. sp. FLAV
      the sex chromosome system evolved independently. However, we cannot discard the
      possibility of common origin followed by distinct processes of differentiation.
      The identification of two new karyotypes with an X1X1X2X2/X1X2Y sex chromosome
      system in Gymnotiformes makes it the most common among the karyotyped species of
      the group. Comparisons of these karyotypes and the evolutionary history of the
      taxa indicate independent origins for their sex chromosomes systems. The
      recurrent emergence of the X1X1X2X2/X1X2Y system may represent sex chromosomes
      turnover events in Gymnotiformes. 

PMID- 26273227
TI  - Exposure to an extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field only slightly
      modifies the proteome of Chromobacterium violaceumATCC 12472.
AB  - Several studies of the physiological responses of different organisms exposed to
      extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) have been described. In
      this work, we report the minimal effects of in situ exposure to ELF-EMF on the
      global protein expression of Chromobacterium violaceum using a gel-based
      proteomic approach. The protein expression profile was only slightly altered,
      with five differentially expressed proteins detected in the exposed cultures; two
      of these proteins (DNA-binding stress protein, Dps, and alcohol dehydrogenase)
      were identified by MS/MS. The enhanced expression of Dps possibly helped to
      prevent physical damage to DNA. Although small, the changes in protein expression
      observed here were probably beneficial in helping the bacteria to adapt to the
      stress generated by the electromagnetic field. 

PMID- 26273228
TI  - Social work and gender: An argument for practical accounts.
AB  - This article contributes to the debate on gender and social work by examining
      dominant approaches within the field. Anti-discriminatory, woman-centered and
      intersectional accounts are critiqued for reliance upon both reification and
      isolation of gender. Via examination of poststructural, queer and trans theories
      within social work, the author then presents accounts based upon
      structural/materialist, ethnomethodological and discursive theories, in order to
      open up debates about conceptualization of gender. These are used to suggest that
      social work should adopt a focus on gender as a practical accomplishment that
      occurs within various settings or contexts.

PMID- 26273226
TI  - The ability of mouse nuclear transfer embryonic stem cells to differentiate into
      primordial germ cells.
AB  - Nuclear transfer embryonic stem cells (ntESCs) show stem cell characteristics
      such as pluripotency but cause no immunological disorders. Although ntESCs are
      able to differentiate into somatic cells, the ability of ntESCs to differentiate
      into primordial germ cells (PGCs) has not been examined. In this work, we
      examined the capacity of mouse ntESCs to differentiate into PGCs in vitro. ntESCs
      aggregated to form embryoid bodies (EB) in EB culture medium supplemented with
      bone morphogenetic protein 4(BMP4) as the differentiation factor. The expression
      level of specific PGC genes was compared at days 4 and 8 using real time PCR.
      Flow cytometry and immunocytochemical staining were used to detect Mvh as a
      specific PGC marker. ntESCs expressed particular genes related to different
      stages of PGC development. Flow cytometry and immunocytochemical staining
      confirmed the presence of Mvh protein in a small number of cells. There were
      significant differences between cells that differentiated into PGCs in the group
      treated with Bmp4 compared to non-treated cells. These findings indicate that
      ntESCs can differentiate into putative PGCs. Improvement of ntESC differentiation
      into PGCs may be a reliable means of producing mature germ cells. 

PMID- 26273229
TI  - Effect of home-based light treatment on persons with dementia and their
      caregivers.
AB  - Sleep disorders are problematic for persons with dementia and their family
      caregivers. This randomized controlled trial with crossover evaluated the effects
      of an innovative blue-white light therapy on 17 pairs of home-dwelling persons
      with dementia and their caregivers. Subjects with dementia received blue-white
      light and control ('red-yellow' light) for six weeks separated by a four-week
      washout. Neither actigraphic nor most self-reported sleep measures significantly
      differed for subjects with dementia. For caregivers, both sleep and role strain
      improved. No evidence of retinal light toxicity was observed. Six weeks of modest
      doses of blue-white light appear to improve sleep in caregivers but not in
      persons with dementia. Greater or prolonged circadian stimulation may be needed
      to determine if light is an effective treatment for persons with dementia.

PMID- 26273230
TI  - ACUTE PELVIC PAIN IN THE ADOLESCENT: A CASE REPORT.
AB  - Diagnosis and treatment of acute pelvic pain in the adolescent female requires
      differentiating among a broad differential diagnosis that includes potentially
      serious illness across several organ systems. The case presented provides an
      illustration of the assessment and management of acute pelvic pain, and key
      teaching points about important potential causes.

PMID- 26273231
TI  - Pathways among Caregiver Education, Household Resources, and Infant Growth in 39
      Low- and Middle-Income Countries.
AB  - Caregiver education is known to relate to the growth of children, but possible
      mediation mechanisms of this association are poorly characterized and generally
      lack empirical support. We test whether instructional capital (caregiver
      education) leads to improved infant growth through availability of physical
      capital (household resources) across a wide swath of low- and middle-income
      countries (LMIC). Using the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS3), we explore
      relations among caregiver education, household resources, and infant (M age = .99
      years) growth in 117,881 families living in 39 LMIC. Overall, household resources
      mediated 76% of the small association between caregiver education and infant
      growth. When disaggregated by countries characterized by low, medium, and high
      levels of human development (as indexed by average life expectancy, education,
      and gross domestic product), household resources mediated 48% to 78% of the
      association between caregiver education and infant growth. Caregiver education
      had effects on infant growth through household resources in countries
      characterized by low, medium, and high levels of human development; for girls and
      boys; and controlling for indexes of infant feeding and health.

PMID- 26273233
TI  - The Cultural Ecogram: A Tool for Enhancing Culturally Anchored Shared
      Understanding in the Treatment of Ethnic Minority Families.
AB  - Ethnic and racial disparities in mental health care continue to exist,
      highlighting the increasing concern within the realm of clinical practice as to
      how clinicians are to effectively integrate the central role of culture and
      context into the treatment delivery process for culturally diverse children and
      families. The current paper presents the Cultural Ecogram, - a clinical
      engagement tool designed to facilitate the development of a culturally anchored
      shared understanding - as one method that may facilitate clinician-client shared
      understanding on the client's cultural, ethnic and racial context central to the
      effective implementation of treatments with ethnic minority children and
      families.

PMID- 26273232
TI  - The Infant Orienting With Attention task: Assessing the neural basis of spatial
      attention in infancy.
AB  - Infant visual attention develops rapidly over the first year of life,
      significantly altering the way infants respond to peripheral visual events. Here
      we present data from 5-, 7- and 10-month-old infants using the Infant Orienting
      With Attention (IOWA) task, designed to capture developmental changes in visual
      spatial attention and saccade planning. Results indicate rapid development of
      spatial attention and visual response competition between 5 and 10 months. We use
      a dynamic neural field (DNF) model to link behavioral findings to neural
      population activity, providing a possible mechanistic explanation for observed
      developmental changes. Together, the behavioral and model simulation results
      provide new insights into the specific mechanisms that underlie spatial cueing
      effects, visual competition, and visual interference in infancy.

PMID- 26273234
TI  - Thromboelastography: A Practice Summary for Nurse Practitioners Treating
      Hemorrhage.
AB  - Nurse practitioners may manage patients with coagulopathic bleeding which can
      lead to life-threatening hemorrhage. Routine plasma-based tests such as
      prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time are inadequate in
      diagnosing hemorrhagic coagulopathy. Indiscriminate administration of fresh
      frozen plasma, platelets or cryoprecipitate for coagulopathic states can be
      extremely dangerous. The qualitative analysis that thromboelastography provides
      can facilitate the administration of the right blood product, at the right time,
      thereby permitting the application of goal-directed therapy for coagulopathic
      intervention application and patient survival.

PMID- 26273235
TI  - The Use of an Open Field Model to Assess Sound-Induced Fear and Anxiety
      Associated Behaviors in Labrador Retrievers.
AB  - Previous studies have shown that the playing of thunderstorm recordings during an
      open-field task elicits fearful or anxious responses in adult beagles. The goal
      of our study was to apply this open field test to assess sound-induced behaviors
      in Labrador retrievers drawn from a pool of candidate improvised explosive
      devices (IED)-detection dogs. Being robust to fear-inducing sounds and recovering
      quickly is a critical requirement of these military working dogs. This study
      presented male and female dogs, with 3 minutes of either ambient noise (Days 1, 3
      and 5), recorded thunderstorm (Day 2), or gunfire (Day 4) sounds in an open field
      arena. Behavioral and physiological responses were assessed and compared to
      control (ambient noise) periods. An observer blinded to sound treatment analyzed
      video records of the 9-minute daily test sessions. Additional assessments
      included measurement of distance traveled (activity), heart rate, body
      temperature, and salivary cortisol concentrations. Overall, there was a decline
      in distance traveled and heart rate within each day and over the five-day test
      period, suggesting that dogs habituated to the open field arena. Behavioral
      postures and expressions were assessed using a standardized rubric to score
      behaviors linked to canine fear and anxiety. These fear/anxiety scores were used
      to evaluate changes in behaviors following exposure to a sound stressor. Compared
      to control periods, there was an overall increase in fear/anxiety scores during
      thunderstorm and gunfire sound stimuli treatment periods. Fear/anxiety scores
      were correlated with distance traveled, and heart rate. Fear/anxiety scores in
      response to thunderstorm and gunfire were correlated. Dogs showed higher
      fear/anxiety scores during periods after the sound stimuli compared to control
      periods. In general, candidate IED-detection Labrador retrievers responded to
      sound stimuli and recovered quickly, although dogs stratified in their response
      to sound stimuli. Some dogs were robust to fear/anxiety responses. The results
      suggest that the open field sound test may be a useful method to evaluate the
      suitability of dogs for IED-detection training.

PMID- 26273236
TI  - Prolonged antibiotic use induces intestinal injury in mice that is repaired after
      removing antibiotic pressure: implications for empiric antibiotic therapy.
AB  - Metabolic profiling of urine and fecal extracts, histological investigation of
      intestinal ilea, and fecal metagenomics analyses were used to investigate effects
      of prolonged antibiotic use in mice. The study provides insight into the effects
      of extended empiric antibiotic therapy in humans. Mice were administered a broad
      spectrum antibiotic for four consecutive days followed by oral gavage with
      Clostridium butyricum, an opportunistic gram-positive pathogenic bacteria
      commonly isolated in fecal and blood cultures of necrotizing enterocolitis
      patients. Metagenomics data indicated loss of bacterial diversity after 4 days on
      antibiotics that was restored after removing antibiotic pressure. Histological
      analyses indicated damage to ileal villi after antibiotic treatment that
      underwent repair after lifting antibiotic pressure. Metabolic profiling confirmed
      intestinal injury in antibiotic-treated mice indicated by increased urinary trans
      4-hydroxy-l-proline, a breakdown product of collagen present in connective tissue
      of ileal villi that may serve as a biomarker for antibiotic-induced injury in at
      risk populations.

PMID- 26273237
TI  - Untargeted metabolomics studies employing NMR and LC-MS reveal metabolic coupling
      between Nanoarcheum equitans and its archaeal host Ignicoccus hospitalis.
AB  - Interspecies interactions are the basis of microbial community formation and
      infectious diseases. Systems biology enables the construction of complex models
      describing such interactions, leading to a better understanding of disease states
      and communities. However, before interactions between complex organisms can be
      understood, metabolic and energetic implications of simpler real-world host
      microbe systems must be worked out. To this effect, untargeted metabolomics
      experiments were conducted and integrated with proteomics data to characterize
      key molecular-level interactions between two hyperthermophilic microbial species,
      both of which have reduced genomes. Metabolic changes and transfer of metabolites
      between the archaea Ignicoccus hospitalis and Nanoarcheum equitans were
      investigated using integrated LC-MS and NMR metabolomics. The study of such a
      system is challenging, as no genetic tools are available, growth in the
      laboratory is challenging, and mechanisms by which they interact are unknown.
      Together with information about relative enzyme levels obtained from shotgun
      proteomics, the metabolomics data provided useful insights into metabolic
      pathways and cellular networks of I. hospitalis that are impacted by the presence
      of N. equitans, including arginine, isoleucine, and CTP biosynthesis. On the
      organismal level, the data indicate that N. equitans exploits metabolites
      generated by I. hospitalis to satisfy its own metabolic needs. This finding is
      based on N. equitans's consumption of a significant fraction of the metabolite
      pool in I. hospitalis that cannot solely be attributed to increased biomass
      production for N. equitans. Combining LC-MS and NMR metabolomics datasets
      improved coverage of the metabolome and enhanced the identification and
      quantitation of cellular metabolites.

PMID- 26273239
TI  - Assortment of carbon sources in medium for Yarrowia lipolytica lipase production:
      A statistical approach.
AB  - Glycerol is considered an important renewable feedstock as well as an undesirable
      side-product of biodiesel production. The aim of this study was to determine
      whether supplementing a culture medium with a combination of three different
      carbon sources (olive oil, glucose and glycerol) would optimize lipase production
      by the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica. The optimization experiments were conducted
      with a statistical approach using the mixture design. Analysis of the response
      surface revealed that it would be possible to compose a medium in which both an
      an extracellular lipase activity of 0.1 U/mL and up to 37.5 g/L of pure glycerol
      could be obtained. An YPO-Gl30 medium consisting of 30 g/L glycerol and 19.2 mL/L
      olive oil was selected for further investigation. Although a high biomass yield
      was found in all cultures, the glycerol content of the YPO-Gl30 medium slightly
      influenced yeast growth, but it did not prolong the duration of the lag phase.
      The hydrolytic activity of the extracellular lipases produced in YPO-Gl30 medium
      was satisfactory.

PMID- 26273238
TI  - Environmental scanning electron microscopy analysis of Proteus mirabilis biofilms
      grown on chitin and stainless steel.
AB  - Proteus mirabilis is a human pathogen able to form biofilms on the surface of
      urinary catheters. Little is known about P. mirabilis biofilms on natural or
      industrial surfaces and the potential consequences for these settings. The main
      aim of this work was to assess and compare the adhesion and biofilm formation of
      P. mirabilis strains from different origins on chitin and stainless steel
      surfaces within 4 to 96 h. Using environmental scanning electron microscopy, the
      biofilms of a clinical strain grown on chitin at 4 h showed greater adhesion,
      aggregation, thickness, and extracellular matrix production than those grown on
      stainless steel, whereas biofilms of an environmental strain had less aggregation
      on both surfaces. Biofilms of both P. mirabilis strains developed different
      structures on chitin, such as pillars, mushrooms, channels, and crystalline-like
      precipitates between 24 and 96 h, in contrast with flat-layer biofilms produced
      on stainless steel. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were found in the
      frequency of pillars and channels. Images of transmission electron microscopy
      demonstrated abundant fimbriae in 100 % of cells from both strains, which could
      be related to surface adherence and biofilm formation. This represents the first
      study of P. mirabilis showing adhesion, biofilm formation, and development of
      different structures on surfaces found outside the human host.

PMID- 26273240
TI  - Antimicrobial activity of low-pressure plasma treatment against selected
      foodborne bacteria and meat microbiota.
AB  - The effects of helium and argon plasma treatments on inactivation of both pure
      bacterial cultures inoculated onto the surface of agarized media and the surface
      microbiota of meat were investigated. Cold plasmas were generated by high voltage
      discharge at low pressure (20 kPa) for 2, 5, and 10 min. The number of viable
      microorganisms was determined using a plate count method. Morphological changes
      were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Microbial log reduction
      depended on time of exposure and type of gas used. After a 10-min treatment with
      helium plasma, the total number of microorganisms, yeasts and molds, and
      psychrotrophic microorganisms was reduced in the range of 1.14-1.48 log cycles
      for pork and 0.98-2.09 log cycles for beef. A significant reduction of 2.00 log
      for Bacillus subtilis and Yersinia enterocolitica was achieved within 2 min of
      helium plasma treatment. Similar results were obtained for Staphylococcus aureus,
      Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas fluorescens after 5 min and 10 min of exposure.
      SEM revealed disruption and lysis of E. coli cells treated with helium plasma for
      10 min, suggesting a bactericidal effect.

PMID- 26273241
TI  - Soil chemical properties affect the reaction of forest soil bacteria to drought
      and rewetting stress.
AB  - Reaction of soil bacteria to drought and rewetting stress may depend on soil
      chemical properties. The objectives of this study were to test the reaction of
      different bacterial phyla to drought and rewetting stress and to assess the
      influence of different soil chemical properties on the reaction of soil bacteria
      to this kind of stress. The soil samples were taken at ten forest sites and
      measured for pH and the contents of organic C (Corg) and total N (Nt), Zn, Cu,
      and Pb. The samples were kept without water addition at 20 - 30  degrees C for 8
      weeks and subsequently rewetted to achieve moisture equal to 50 - 60 % of their
      maximum water-holding capacity. Prior to the drought period and 24 h after the
      rewetting, the structure of soil bacterial communities was determined using
      pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA genes. The drought and rewetting stress altered
      bacterial community structure. Gram-positive bacterial phyla, Actinobacteria and
      Firmicutes, increased in relative proportion after the stress, whereas the Gram
      negative bacteria in most cases decreased. The largest decrease in relative
      abundance was for Gammaproteobacteria and Bacteroidetes. For several phyla the
      reaction to drought and rewetting stress depended on the chemical properties of
      soils. Soil pH was the most important soil property influencing the reaction of a
      number of soil bacterial groups (including all classes of Proteobacteria,
      Bacteroidetes, Acidobacteria, and others) to drought and rewetting stress. For
      several bacterial phyla the reaction to the stress depended also on the contents
      of Nt and Corg in soil. The effect of heavy metal pollution was also noticeable,
      although weaker compared to other chemical soil properties. We conclude that soil
      chemical properties should be considered when assessing the effect of stressing
      factors on soil bacterial communities.

PMID- 26273242
TI  - Injectable Hydrogels with In Situ Double Network Formation Enhance Retention of
      Transplanted Stem Cells.

PMID- 26273243
TI  - Neuropsychological Characteristics and Their Association with Higher-Level
      Functional Capacity in Parkinson's Disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Little is known about the relationship between cognitive
      functions and higher-level functional capacity (e.g. intellectual activity,
      social role, and social participation) in Parkinson's disease (PD). The purpose
      of this study was to clarify neuropsychological characteristics and their
      association with higher-level functional capacity in PD patients. METHODS:
      Participants were 31 PD patients and 23 demographically matched healthy controls.
      Neuropsychological tests were conducted. One year later, a questionnaire survey
      evaluated higher-level functional capacity in daily living. RESULTS: The PD group
      scored significantly lower than the control group in all cognitive domains,
      particularly executive function and processing. Executive function, processing
      speed, language, and memory were significantly correlated with higher-level
      functional capacity in PD patients. Stepwise regression showed that only
      executive function (Trail Making Test-B), together with disease severity (HY
      stage), predicted the higher-level functional capacity. CONCLUSION: Our findings
      provide evidence of a relationship between executive function and higher-level
      functional capacity in patients with PD.

PMID- 26273244
TI  - Daytime Sleepiness and Sleep Inadequacy as Risk Factors for Dementia.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: To examine the association between self-reported sleep problems
      and incidence of dementia in community-dwelling elderly people. METHODS: 1,041
      nondemented participants over 65 years old were examined longitudinally. Sleep
      problems were estimated using the RAND Medical Outcomes Study Sleep Scale
      examining sleep disturbance, snoring, sleep short of breath or with a headache,
      sleep adequacy, and sleep somnolence. Cox regression analysis was used to examine
      the association between sleep problems and risk for incident dementia. Age,
      gender, education, ethnicity, APOE-epsilon4, stroke, heart disease, hypertension,
      diabetes, and depression were included as covariates. RESULTS: Over 3 years of
      follow-up, 966 (92.8%) participants remained nondemented, while 78 (7.2%)
      developed dementia. In unadjusted models, sleep inadequacy ('Get the amount of
      sleep you need') at the initial visit was associated with increased risk of
      incident dementia (HR = 1.20; 95% CI 1.02-1.42; p = 0.027). Adjusting for all the
      covariates, increased risk of incident dementia was still associated with sleep
      inadequacy (HR = 1.20; 95% CI 1.01-1.42; p = 0.040), as well as with increased
      daytime sleepiness ('Have trouble staying awake during the day') (HR = 1.24; 95%
      CI 1.00-1.54; p = 0.047). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that sleep inadequacy
      and increased daytime sleepiness are risk factors for dementia in older adults,
      independent of demographic and clinical factors.

PMID- 26273245
TI  - Psychrotrophic bacteria in milk: How much do we really know?
AB  - The occurrence of psychrotrophic bacteria in raw milk is studied worldwide due to
      the difficulties associated with controlling their growth during cold storage and
      the consequent negative effects upon fluid milk or dairy products. Among the
      psychrotrophic bacteria, the genus Pseudomonas (represented primarily by P.
      fluorescens) has been highlighted as the cause of numerous defects in dairy
      products. In light of its perceived predominance, this species has frequently
      been chosen as a model organism to assess the effects of psychrotrophic bacteria
      on milk or to evaluate the efficacy of control measures. However, recent findings
      derived from the application of molecular biological techniques have exposed a
      number of deficiencies in our knowledge of the biology of milk-associated
      psychrotrophs. Furthermore, it has been revealed that microbe to microbe
      communication plays a significant role in determining both the identities and the
      extent to which different groups of microbes develop during cold storage. The
      application of molecular identification methods has exposed errors in the
      classification of members of the genus Pseudomonas isolated from cold stored milk
      and has stimulated a reevaluation of the presumed status of P. fluorescens as the
      predominant milk-associated psychrotrophic species. This article presents a
      succinct review of data from studies on psychrotrophic bacteria in milk, some of
      which contest established theories in relation to the microbiology of cold stored
      raw milk, and poses the question: how much do we really know? 

PMID- 26273246
TI  - Fermentative hydrogen production from agroindustrial lignocellulosic substrates.
AB  - To achieve economically competitive biological hydrogen production, it is crucial
      to consider inexpensive materials such as lignocellulosic substrate residues
      derived from agroindustrial activities. It is possible to use (1) lignocellulosic
      materials without any type of pretreatment, (2) lignocellulosic materials after a
      pretreatment step, and (3) lignocellulosic materials hydrolysates originating
      from a pretreatment step followed by enzymatic hydrolysis. According to the
      current literature data on fermentative H2 production presented in this review,
      thermophilic conditions produce H2 in yields approximately 75% higher than those
      obtained in mesophilic conditions using untreated lignocellulosic substrates. The
      average H2 production from pretreated material is 3.17 +/- 1.79 mmol of H2/g of
      substrate, which is approximately 50% higher compared with the average yield
      achieved using untreated materials (2.17 +/- 1.84 mmol of H2/g of substrate).
      Biological pretreatment affords the highest average yield 4.54 +/- 1.78 mmol of
      H2/g of substrate compared with the acid and basic pretreatment - average yields
      of 2.94 +/- 1.85 and 2.41 +/- 1.52 mmol of H2/g of substrate, respectively. The
      average H2 yield from hydrolysates, obtained from a pretreatment step and
      enzymatic hydrolysis (3.78 +/- 1.92 mmol of H2/g), was lower compared with the
      yield of substrates pretreated by biological methods only, demonstrating that it
      is important to avoid the formation of inhibitors generated by chemical
      pretreatments. Based on this review, exploring other microorganisms and
      optimizing the pretreatment and hydrolysis conditions can make the use of
      lignocellulosic substrates a sustainable way to produce H2. 

PMID- 26273247
TI  - A biotechnology perspective of fungal proteases.
AB  - Proteases hydrolyze the peptide bonds of proteins into peptides and amino acids,
      being found in all living organisms, and are essential for cell growth and
      differentiation. Proteolytic enzymes have potential application in a wide number
      of industrial processes such as food, laundry detergent and pharmaceutical.
      Proteases from microbial sources have dominated applications in industrial
      sectors. Fungal proteases are used for hydrolyzing protein and other components
      of soy beans and wheat in soy sauce production. Proteases can be produced in
      large quantities in a short time by established methods of fermentation. The
      parameters such as variation in C/N ratio, presence of some sugars, besides
      several other physical factors are important in the development of fermentation
      process. Proteases of fungal origin can be produced cost effectively, have an
      advantage faster production, the ease with which the enzymes can be modified and
      mycelium can be easily removed by filtration. The production of proteases has
      been carried out using submerged fermentation, but conditions in solid state
      fermentation lead to several potential advantages for the production of fungal
      enzymes. This review focuses on the production of fungal proteases, their
      distribution, structural-functional aspects, physical and chemical parameters,
      and the use of these enzymes in industrial applications. 

PMID- 26273248
TI  - Halotolerant bacteria in the Sao Paulo Zoo composting process and their
      hydrolases and bioproducts.
AB  - Halophilic microorganisms are able to grow in the presence of salt and are also
      excellent source of enzymes and biotechnological products, such as
      exopolysaccharides (EPSs) and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs). Salt-tolerant
      bacteria were screened in the Organic Composting Production Unit (OCPU) of Sao
      Paulo Zoological Park Foundation, which processes 4 ton/day of organic residues
      including plant matter from the Atlantic Rain Forest, animal manure and carcasses
      and mud from water treatment. Among the screened microorganisms, eight
      halotolerant bacteria grew at NaCl concentrations up to 4 M. These cultures were
      classified based on phylogenetic characteristics and comparative partial 16S rRNA
      gene sequence analysis as belonging to the genera Staphylococcus, Bacillus and
      Brevibacterium. The results of this study describe the ability of these
      halotolerant bacteria to produce some classes of hydrolases, namely, lipases,
      proteases, amylases and cellulases, and biopolymers. The strain characterized as
      of Brevibacterium avium presented cellulase and amylase activities up to 4 M NaCl
      and also produced EPSs and PHAs. These results indicate the biotechnological
      potential of certain microorganisms recovered from the composting process,
      including halotolerant species, which have the ability to produce enzymes and
      biopolymers, offering new perspectives for environmental and industrial
      applications. 

PMID- 26273249
TI  - A new culture medium for recovering the agents of Cryptococcosis from
      environmental sources.
AB  - The isolation of Cryptococcosis agents from environmental samples may be
      difficult due to the presence of groups of fast-growing fungi. We propose a new
      culture medium based on a modification of Dichloran Rose-Bengal Chloramphenicol
      Medium (DRBCm) to detect colonies of Cryptococcus neoformans. Our results
      indicate that DRBCm is superior to the classical Bird Seed Agar in its ability to
      detect colonies of C. neoformans. 

PMID- 26273250
TI  - Antifungal and proteolytic activities of endophytic fungi isolated from Piper
      hispidum Sw.
AB  - Endophytes are being considered for use in biological control, and the enzymes
      they secrete might facilitate their initial colonization of internal plant
      tissues and direct interactions with microbial pathogens. Microbial proteases are
      also biotechnologically important products employed in bioremediation processes,
      cosmetics, and the pharmaceutical, photographic and food industries. In the
      present study, we evaluated antagonism and competitive interactions between 98
      fungal endophytes and Alternaria alternata, Colletotrichum sp., Phyllosticta
      citricarpa and Moniliophthora perniciosa. We also examined the proteolytic
      activities of endophytes grown in liquid medium and conducted cup plate assays.
      The results showed that certain strains in the assemblage of P. hispidum
      endophytes are important sources of antifungal properties, primarily
      Lasiodiplodia theobromae JF766989, which reduced phytopathogen growth by
      approximately 54 to 65%. We detected 28 endophytes producing enzymatic halos of
      up to 16.40 mm in diameter. The results obtained in the present study highlight
      the proteolytic activity of the endophytes Phoma herbarum JF766995 and
      Schizophyllum commune JF766994, which presented the highest enzymatic halo
      diameters under at least one culture condition tested. The increased activities
      of certain isolates in the presence of rice or soy flour as a substrate (with
      halos up to 17.67 mm in diameter) suggests that these endophytes have the
      potential to produce enzymes using agricultural wastes. 

PMID- 26273251
TI  - Initial pH of medium affects organic acids production but do not affect phosphate
      solubilization.
AB  - The pH of the culture medium directly influences the growth of microorganisms and
      the chemical processes that they perform. The aim of this study was to assess the
      influence of the initial pH of the culture medium on the production of 11 low
      molecular-weight organic acids and on the solubilization of calcium phosphate by
      bacteria in growth medium (NBRIP). The following strains isolated from cowpea
      nodules were studied: UFLA03-08 (Rhizobium tropici), UFLA03-09 (Acinetobacter
      sp.), UFLA03-10 (Paenibacillus kribbensis), UFLA03-106 (Paenibacillus kribbensis)
      and UFLA03-116 (Paenibacillus sp.). The strains UFLA03-08, UFLA03-09, UFLA03-10
      and UFLA03-106 solubilized Ca3(PO4)2 in liquid medium regardless of the initial
      pH, although without a significant difference between the treatments. The
      production of organic acids by these strains was assessed for all of the initial
      pH values investigated, and differences between the treatments were observed.
      Strains UFLA03-09 and UFLA03-10 produced the same acids at different initial pH
      values in the culture medium. There was no correlation between phosphorus
      solubilized from Ca3(PO4)2 in NBRIP liquid medium and the concentration of total
      organic acids at the different initial pH values. Therefore, the initial pH of
      the culture medium influences the production of organic acids by the strains
      UFLA03-08, UFLA03-09, UFLA03-10 and UFLA03-106 but it does not affect calcium
      phosphate solubilization. 

PMID- 26273252
TI  - Biodegradation of crude oil by individual bacterial strains and a mixed bacterial
      consortium.
AB  - Three bacterial isolates identified as Alcanivorax borkumensis SK2, Rhodococcus
      erythropolis HS4 and Pseudomonas stutzeri SDM, based on 16S rRNA gene sequences,
      were isolated from crude oil enrichments of natural seawater. Single strains and
      four bacterial consortia designed by mixing the single bacterial cultures
      respectively in the following ratios: (Alcanivorax: Pseudomonas, 1:1),
      (Alcanivorax: Rhodococcus, 1:1), (Pseudomonas: Rhodococcus, 1:1), and
      (Alcanivorax: Pseudomonas: Rhodococcus, 1:1:1), were analyzed in order to
      evaluate their oil degrading capability. All experiments were carried out in
      microcosms systems containing seawater (with and without addition of inorganic
      nutrients) and crude oil (unique carbon source). Measures of total and live
      bacterial abundance, Card-FISH and quali-, quantitative analysis of hydrocarbons
      (GC-FID) were carried out in order to elucidate the co-operative action of mixed
      microbial populations in the process of biodegradation of crude oil. All data
      obtained confirmed the fundamental role of bacteria belonging to Alcanivorax
      genus in the degradation of linear hydrocarbons in oil polluted environments. 

PMID- 26273253
TI  - Hypocholesterolemic effects of Kluyveromyces marxianus M3 isolated from Tibetan
      mushrooms on diet-induced hypercholesterolemia in rat.
AB  - To investigate the effects of Kluyveromyces marxianus M3 isolated from Tibetan
      mushrooms on diet-induced hypercholesterolemia in rats, female Wistar rats were
      fed a high-cholesterol diet (HCD) for 28 d to generate hyperlipidemic models.
      Hyperlipidemic rats were assigned to four groups, which were individually treated
      with three different dosages of K. marxianus M3+HCD or physiological saline+HCD
      via oral gavage for 28 d. The total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high
      density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol
      (LDL-C) levels in the serum and liver of the rats were measured using
      commercially available enzyme kits. In addition, the liver morphology was also
      examined using hematoxylin and eosin staining and optical microscopy. According
      to our results, the serum and liver TC, TG, LDL-C levels and atherogenic index
      (AI) were significantly decreased in rats orally administered K. marxianus M3 (p
      <0.01), and the HDL-C levels and anti atherogenic index (AAI) were significantly
      increased (p <0.01) compared to the control group. Moreover, K. marxianus M3
      treatment also reduced the build-up of lipid droplets in the liver and exhibited
      normal hepatocytes, suggesting a protective effect of K. marxianus M3 in
      hyperlipidemic rats. 

PMID- 26273254
TI  - Biodegradation of kerosene: Study of growth optimization and metabolic fate of P.
      janthinellum SDX7.
AB  - Penicillum janthinellum SDX7 was isolated from aged petroleum hydrocarbon
      affected soil at the site of Anand, Gujarat, India, and was tested for different
      pH, temperature, agitation and concentrations for optimal growth of the isolate
      that was capable of degrading upto 95%, 63% and 58% of 1%, 3% and 5% kerosene,
      respectively, after a period of 16 days, at optimal growth conditions of pH 6.0,
      30  degrees C and 180 rpm agitation. The GC/MS chromatograms revealed that then
      alkane fractions are easily degraded; however, the rate might be lower for
      branched alkanes, n-alkylaromatics, cyclic alkanes and polynuclear aromatics. The
      test doses caused a concentration-dependent depletion of carbohydrates of P.
      janthinellum SDX7 by 3% to 80%, proteins by 4% to 81% and amino acids by 8% to
      95% upto 16 days of treatment. The optimal concentration of 3% kerosene resulted
      in the least reduction of the metabolites of P. janthinellum such as
      carbohydrates, proteins and amino acids with optimal growth compared to 5% and 1%
      (v/v) kerosene doses on the 12(th) and 16(th) day of exposure. Phenols were found
      to be mounted by 43% to 66% at lower and higher concentrations during the
      experimental period. Fungal isolate P. janthinellum SDX7 was also tested for
      growth on various xenobiotic compounds. 

PMID- 26273255
TI  - Industrial wastewater as raw material for exopolysaccharide production by
      Rhizobium leguminosarum.
AB  - The objective of this study was to evaluate the exopolysaccharide (EPS)
      production by Rhizobium leguminosarum cultivated in wastewater generated by oil
      companies (WWOC1 and WWOC2) and fish processing industry (WWFP). The results
      obtained in Erlenmeyer flasks indicated that the rhizobial strain grew well in
      industrial wastewater. Generally, wastewater composition affected the growth and
      the EPS production. WWFP allowed good bacterial growth similar to that obtained
      with the standard medium (YMB). During growth, various quantities of EPS were
      produced and yields varied depending on the media. Growing in YMB, EPS production
      did not exceed 9.7 g/L obtained after 72 h of growth. In wastewater, the maximum
      EPS value reached 11.1 g/L obtained with the fish processing wastewater, after 72
      h of growth. The use of a mixture of the oil company wastewater (WWOC2) and the
      fish processing wastewater (WWFP) as culture medium affected not only the
      rhizobial strain growth, but also EPS production. The highest EPS (42.4 g/L,
      after 96 h of culture) was obtained using a ratio of WWFP and WWOC2 of 50:50
      (v:v). Therefore, this work shows the ability of Rhizobium leguminosarum, growing
      in industrial wastewater as new economic medium, to produce EPS. This biopolymer
      could be applied in enormous biotechnological areas. 

PMID- 26273256
TI  - Efficacy of fungal decolorization of a mixture of dyes belonging to different
      classes.
AB  - Dyes are the most difficult constituents to remove by conventional biological
      wastewater treatment. Colored wastewater is mainly eliminated by physical and
      chemical procedures, which are very expensive and have drawbacks. Therefore, the
      advantage of using biological processes, such as the biotransformation of dyes,
      is that they may lead to complete mineralization or formation of less toxic
      products. To prove the possibility of using fungal processes for decolorization
      and other applications, the analysis of the toxicity of the processes' products
      is required. The decolorization of the mixture of two dyes from different classes
      - triphenylmethane brilliant green and azo Evans blue (GB - total concentration
      0.08 g/L, proportion 1:1 w/w) - by Pleurotus ostreatus (BWPH and MB),
      Gloeophyllum odoratum (DCa), RWP17 (Polyporus picipes) and Fusarium oxysporum
      (G1) was studied. Zootoxicity (Daphnia magna) and phytotoxicity (Lemna minor)
      changes were estimated at the end of the experiment. The mixture of dyes was
      significantly removed by all the strains that were tested with 96 h of
      experimental time. However, differences among strains from the same species (P.
      ostreatus) were noted. Shaking improved the efficacy and rate of the dye removal.
      In static samples, the removal of the mixture reached more than 51.9% and in
      shaken samples, more than 79.2%. Tests using the dead biomass of the fungi only
      adsorbed up to 37% of the dye mixture (strain BWPH), which suggests that the
      process with the living biomass involves the biotransformation of the dyes. The
      best results were reached for the MB strain, which removed 90% of the tested
      mixture under shaking conditions. Regardless of the efficacy of the dye removal,
      toxicity decreased from class V to class III in tests with D. magna. Tests with
      L. minor control samples were classified as class IV, and samples with certain
      strains were non-toxic. The highest phytotoxicity decrease was noted in shaken
      samples where the elimination of dye mixture was the best. 

PMID- 26273257
TI  - Isolation of an aryloxyphenoxy propanoate (AOPP) herbicide-degrading strain
      Rhodococcus ruber JPL-2 and the cloning of a novel carboxylesterase gene (feh).
AB  - The strain JPL-2, capable of degrading fenoxaprop-P-ethyl (FE), was isolated from
      the soil of a wheat field and identified as Rhodococcus ruber. This strain could
      utilize FE as its sole carbon source and degrade 94.6% of 100 mg L(-1) FE in 54
      h. Strain JPL-2 could also degrade other aryloxyphenoxy propanoate (AOPP)
      herbicides. The initial step of the degradation pathway is to hydrolyze the
      carboxylic acid ester bond. A novel esterase gene feh, encoding the FE
      hydrolyzing carboxylesterase (FeH) responsible for this initial step, was cloned
      from strain JPL-2. Its molecular mass was approximately 39 kDa, and the catalytic
      efficiency of FeH followed the order of FE > quizalofop-P-ethyl > clodinafop
      propargyl > cyhalofop-butyl > fluazifop-P-butyl > haloxyfop-P-methyl > diclofop
      methy, which indicated that the chain length of the alcohol moiety strongly
      affected the hydrolysis activity of the FeH toward AOPP herbicides. 

PMID- 26273258
TI  - Isolation and 2,4-D-degrading characteristics of Cupriavidus campinensis BJ71.
AB  - An indigenous bacterial strain capable of utilizing 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic
      acid as the sole carbon and energy source was isolated from a soil used for grown
      wheat with a long-term history of herbicide use in Beijing, China. The strain
      BJ71 was identified as Cupriavidus campinensis based on its 16S rRNA sequence
      analysis and morphological, physiological, and biochemical characteristics. The
      degradation characteristics of strain BJ71 were evaluated. The optimal conditions
      for 2,4-D degradation were as follows: pH 7.0, 30  degrees C, 3% (v/v) inoculum
      size, and an initial 2,4-D concentration of 350 mg L(-1). Up to 99.57% of the 2,4
      D was degraded under optimal conditions after 6 days of incubation. Strain BJ71
      was also able to degrade quizalofop and fluroxypyr. This is the first report of a
      2,4-D-degrader containing tfdA gene that can utilize these two herbicides. In a
      biodegradation experiment, 87.13% and 42.53% of 2,4-D (initial concentration, 350
      mg kg(-1)) was degraded in non-sterile and sterilized soil inoculated with BJ71,
      respectively, after 14 days. The 2,4-D degradation was more rapid in a soil
      microcosm including BJ71 than in a soil microcosm without BJ71. These results
      indicate that strain BJ71 is a potential candidate for the bioremediation of soil
      contaminated with the herbicide 2,4-D. 

PMID- 26273259
TI  - Thermophilic bacteria in Moroccan hot springs, salt marshes and desert soils.
AB  - The diversity of thermophilic bacteria was investigated in four hot springs,
      three salt marshes and 12 desert sites in Morocco. Two hundred and forty (240)
      thermophilic bacteria were recovered, identified and characterized. All isolates
      were Gram positive, rod-shaped, spore forming and halotolerant. Based on BOXA1R
      PCR and 16S rRNA gene sequencing, the recovered isolates were dominated by the
      genus Bacillus (97.5%) represented by B. licheniformis (119), B. aerius (44), B.
      sonorensis (33), B. subtilis (subsp. spizizenii (2) and subsp. inaquosurum (6)),
      B. amyloliquefaciens (subsp. amyloliquefaciens (4) and subsp. plantarum (4)), B.
      tequilensis (3), B. pumilus (3) and Bacillus sp. (19). Only six isolates (2.5%)
      belonged to the genus Aeribacillus represented by A. pallidus (4) and
      Aeribacillus sp. (2). In this study, B. aerius and B. tequilensis are described
      for the first time as thermophilic bacteria. Moreover, 71.25%, 50.41% and 5.41%
      of total strains exhibited high amylolytic, proteolytic or cellulolytic activity
      respectively. 

PMID- 26273260
TI  - Biomineralization processes of calcite induced by bacteria isolated from marine
      sediments.
AB  - Biomineralization is a known natural phenomenon associated with a wide range of
      bacterial species. Bacterial-induced calcium carbonate precipitation by marine
      isolates was investigated in this study. Three genera of ureolytic bacteria,
      Sporosarcina sp., Bacillus sp. and Brevundimonas sp. were observed to precipitate
      calcium carbonate minerals. Of these species, Sporosarcina sp. dominated the
      cultured isolates. B. lentus CP28 generated higher urease activity and
      facilitated more efficient precipitation of calcium carbonate at 3.24 +/- 0.25 *
      10(-4) mg/cell. X-ray diffraction indicated that the dominant calcium carbonate
      phase was calcite. Scanning electron microscopy showed that morphologies of the
      minerals were dominated by cubic, rhombic and polygonal plate-like crystals. The
      dynamic process of microbial calcium carbonate precipitation revealed that B.
      lentus CP28 precipitated calcite crystals through the enzymatic hydrolysis of
      urea, and that when ammonium ion concentrations reached 746 mM and the pH reached
      9.6, that favored calcite precipitation at a higher level of 96 mg/L. The results
      of this research provide evidence that a variety of marine bacteria can induce
      calcium carbonate precipitation, and may influence the marine carbonate cycle in
      natural environments. 

PMID- 26273261
TI  - Identification of Leptospira serovars by RFLP of the RNA polymerase beta subunit
      gene (rpoB).
AB  - Leptospires are usually classified by methods based on DNA-DNA hybridization and
      the conventional cross-agglutination absorption test, which uses polyclonal
      antibodies against lipopolysaccharides. In this study, the amplification of the
      rpoB gene, which encodes the beta-subunit of RNA polymerase, was used as an
      alternative tool to identify Leptospira. DNA extracts from sixty-eight serovars
      were obtained, and the hypervariable region located between 1990 and 2500-bp in
      the rpoB gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The 600-bp
      amplicons of the rpoB gene were digested with the restriction endonucleases TaqI,
      Tru1I, Sau3AI and MslI, and the restriction fragments were separated by 6%
      polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Thirty-five fragment patters were obtained
      from the combined data of restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP)
      analysis and used to infer the phylogenetic relationships among the Leptospira
      species and serovars. The species assignments obtained were in full agreement
      with the established taxonomic classifications. Twenty-two serovars were
      effectively identified based on differences in their molecular profiles. However,
      the other 46 serovars remained clustered in groups that included more than one
      serovar of different species. This study demonstrates the value of RFLP analysis
      of PCR-amplified rpoB as an initial method for identifying Leptospira species and
      serovars. 

PMID- 26273263
TI  - Descriptive study of onychomycosis in a hospital in Sao Paulo.
AB  - Onychomychosis, a nail fungus infection is the most frequent nail ailment,
      constituting about half of all nail disorders. It can be caused by dermatophytes,
      non-dermatophytes, yeasts and Prothoteca spp. Methods include 5407 samples of
      patients with suspected onychomycosis, studied from January 2002 to December
      2006, by direct mycological examination and fungi culture. The diagnosis of
      onychomycosis was confirmed in samples from 3822 direct mycological and/or
      culture positive. The diagnosis was established by culture for fungi. Among the
      1.428 identified agents, the dermatophytes were responsible for 68.6% (N = 980)
      of cases, followed by yeasts with 27.6% (N = 394), non-dermatophytes fungi with
      2.2% (N = 31), Prothoteca spp with 0.1% (N = 2), and associations with 1.5% (N =
      22). Females were more affected, with 66% (N = 2527) of cases, and the most
      affected age group ranged from 31 to 60 years of age (median 47 years). Fungal
      microbiota is often changed in the world, both quantitatively and qualitatively,
      and is affected by several environmental factors. Thus, the periodic review of
      the composition of this microbiota is important to evaluate the epidemiology and
      thus proportion a better therapeutic response. 

PMID- 26273262
TI  - Nosocomial candidiasis in Rio de Janeiro State: Distribution and fluconazole
      susceptibility profile.
AB  - One hundred and forty-one Candida species isolated from clinical specimens of
      hospitalized patients in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, during 2002 to 2007, were
      analized in order to evaluate the distribution and susceptibility of these
      species to fluconazole. Candida albicans was the most frequent species (45.4%),
      followed by C. parapsilosis sensu lato (28.4%), C. tropicalis (14.2%), C.
      guilliermondii (6.4%), C. famata (2.8%), C. glabrata (1.4%), C. krusei (0.7%) and
      C. lambica (0.7%). The sources of fungal isolates were blood (47.5%), respiratory
      tract (17.7%), urinary tract (16.3%), skin and mucous membrane (7.1%), catheter
      (5.6%), feces (2.1%) and mitral valve tissue (0.7%). The susceptibility test was
      performed using the methodology of disk-diffusion in agar as recommended in the
      M44-A2 Document of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). The
      majority of the clinical isolates (97.2%) was susceptible (S) to fluconazole,
      although three isolates (2.1%) were susceptible-dose dependent (S-DD) and one of
      them (0.7%) was resistant (R). The S-DD isolates were C. albicans, C.
      parapsilosis sensu lato and C. tropicalis. One isolate of C. krusei was resistant
      to fluconazole. This work documents the high susceptibility to fluconazole by
      Candida species isolated in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 

PMID- 26273264
TI  - Long-term evaluation of the antimicrobial susceptibility and microbial profile of
      subgingival biofilms in individuals with aggressive periodontitis.
AB  - This study evaluates the antimicrobial susceptibility and composition of
      subgingival biofilms in generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAP) patients
      treated using mechanical/antimicrobial therapies, including chlorhexidine (CHX),
      amoxicillin (AMX) and metronidazole (MET). GAP patients allocated to the placebo
      (C, n = 15) or test group (T, n = 16) received full-mouth disinfection with CHX,
      scaling and root planning, and systemic AMX (500 mg)/MET (250 mg) or placebos.
      Subgingival plaque samples were obtained at baseline, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months post
      therapy from 3-4 periodontal pockets, and the samples were pooled and cultivated
      under anaerobic conditions. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of AMX,
      MET and CHX were assessed using the microdilution method. Bacterial species
      present in the cultivated biofilm were identified by checkerboard DNA-DNA
      hybridization. At baseline, no differences in the MICs between groups were
      observed for the 3 antimicrobials. In the T group, significant increases in the
      MICs of CHX (p < 0.05) and AMX (p < 0.01) were detected during the first 3
      months; however, the MIC of MET decreased at 12 months (p < 0.05). For several
      species, the MICs significantly changed over time in both groups, i.e.,
      Streptococci MICs tended to increase, while for several periodontal pathogens,
      the MICs diminished. A transitory increase in the MIC of the subgingival biofilm
      to AMX and CHX was observed in GAP patients treated using enhanced mechanical
      therapy with topical CHX and systemic AMX/MET. Both protocols presented limited
      effects on the cultivable subgingival microbiota. 

PMID- 26273265
TI  - KPC-2-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in a hospital in the Midwest region of
      Brazil.
AB  - The emergence of beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in the last few
      decades has become major challenge faced by hospitals. In this study, isolates of
      Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase-2 (KPC-2)-producing K. pneumoniae from a
      tertiary hospital in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, were characterized. Bacterial
      identification was performed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time
      of-flight (MALDI-TOF; Bruker Daltonics, Germany) mass spectrometry. The minimum
      inhibitory concentrations of carbapenems were determined using the agar dilution
      method as recommended by the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines.
      Carbapenemase production was detected using the modified Hodge test (MHT) and
      polymerase chain reaction (PCR), followed by DNA sequencing. Of 360 (12.2%) K.
      pneumoniae isolates obtained between May 2009 and May 2010, 44 (12.2%) were
      carbapenem nonsusceptible. Of these 44 isolates, thirty-six K. pneumoniae
      isolates that were positive by MHT and PCR carried the bla KPC-2 gene. Thus, KPC
      2producing Klebsiella pneumoniae has been present in a Brazilian hospital located
      in the Midwest region since at least 2009. 

PMID- 26273266
TI  - Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in children in eastern Turkey and molecular
      typing of isolates.
AB  - The objectives of the present study were to determine Helicobacter pylori via
      culture, polymerase chain reaction and histopathological diagnosis in 101
      children ranging in age from 4 to 18 years, to identify the association among
      restriction fragment length polymorphism types and clinical disease and to
      investigate the relationships among different isolates of H. pylori in different
      age groups. We observed a high prevalence of H. pylori infections in children
      between the ages of 13 and 18 (75.8%), while children aged 4 to 6 years had the
      lowest prevalence of infection (40%). H. pylori was detected in 30.7% (31 of
      101), 66.3% (67 of 101) and 63.2% (60 of 95) of children as determined by culture
      methods, PCR and histological examination, respectively. H. pylori isolates with
      RFLP types I and III were the most common among children with antral nodularity,
      whereas RFLP types II and IV were the least detected types. Interestingly, all
      isolates from peptic ulcer patients were type III. Although our results show a
      high prevalence of H. pylori infections in the pediatric population in eastern
      Turkey, no association was identified between H. pylori infection with antral
      nodularity and recurring abdominal pain. In addition, we found low genetic
      variation among H. pylori isolates from children and no association between RFLP
      types and antral nodularity (p > 0.05). Additionally, we found that H. pylori
      isolates with specific RFLP types were predominant in different age groups. 

PMID- 26273267
TI  - Seroepidemiology of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis infection in horses from Rio
      Grande do Sul, Brazil.
AB  - Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is the etiological agent of the major systemic
      mycosis in Brazil, called paracoccidioidomycosis. Although the Rio Grande do Sul
      is considered an endemic area of the disease, there are few studies on the
      ecology of P. brasiliensis in the state. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate
      the infection of P. brasiliensis in horses from the mesoregion of Southwest
      Riograndense, using these animals as sentinels. Serological techniques, such as
      double immunodiffusion in agar gel (AGID) and indirect ELISA, were performed to
      detect the anti-gp43 P. brasiliensis antibody in horses from five different farms
      in the region of Bage, RS, Brazil. Serology was performed in 200 Pure Blood
      English horses up to two years of age that were born and raised exclusively at
      the farms. Of these horses, 12% had anti-gp43 antibodies according to the ELISA
      results, with rates ranging from 0 to 30% according to the farm of origin (p <
      0.001). Based on the immunodiffusion results, all equine serum samples were
      negative. These results indicate the presence of the fungus P. brasiliensis in
      the middle region of the southwestern state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. 

PMID- 26273268
TI  - Antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of Tetradenia riparia (Hochst.) Codd.
      (Lamiaceae) against cariogenic bacteria.
AB  - In Brazilian folk medicine, Tetradenia riparia (Hochst.) Codd. (Lamiaceae) is
      used to treat toothaches and dental abscesses and diseases induced by worms,
      bacteria, or fungi. This paper aims to investigate the chemical composition and
      the antibacterial effects of the essential oil obtained from Tetradenia riparia
      leaves (TR-EO) grown in Southeastern Brazil against a representative panel of
      oral pathogens. We evaluated the antibacterial activity of TR-EO in terms of the
      minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). We identified aromadendrene oxide
      (14.0%), (E,E)-farnesol (13.6%), dronabinol (12.5%), and fenchone (6.2%) as the
      major constituents of TR-EO. TR-EO displayed MIC values between 31.2 and 500
      MUg/mL, with the lowest MIC value being obtained against Streptococcus mitis
      (31.2 MUg/mL), S. mutans (62.5 MUg/mL), S. sobrinus (31.2 MUg/mL), and
      Lactobacillus casei (62.5 MUg/mL). In time-kill experiments, TR-EO demonstrated
      bactericidal activity against S. mutans within the first 12 h, resulting in a
      curve profile similar to that of chlorhexidine. These results revealed that the
      essential oil of Tetradenia riparia displays promising activity against most of
      the selected cariogenic bacteria, including Streptococcus mutans. 

PMID- 26273269
TI  - Invasive infection due to Saprochaete capitata in a young patient with
      hematological malignancies.
AB  - We report a case of invasive infection due to Saprochaete capitata in a patient
      with hematological malignancies after chemotherapy treatment and empiric
      antifungal therapy with caspofungin. Although severely immunocompromised the
      patient survived been treated with amphotericin B lipid complex associated with
      voriconazole. 

PMID- 26273270
TI  - Mannitol-negative methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus from nasal swab
      specimens in Brazil.
AB  - The isolation of mannitol-negative methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
      from nasal swabs is reported. Among the 59 isolates, 9 (15%) isolates were
      mannitol-negative; all of these isolates were categorized as staphylococcal
      cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) type IVa. This report emphasizes that mannitol
      fermentation on mannitol salt agar should not be used as the sole criterion when
      screening nasal swab specimens for S. aureus. 

PMID- 26273272
TI  - Differences in the antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of Moraxella bovis, M.
      bovoculi and M. ovis.
AB  - The aim of this study was to determine the differences in the antimicrobial
      susceptibility profiles of Moraxella bovis, M. bovoculi and M. ovis. Thirty-two
      strains of Moraxella spp. isolated from cattle and sheep with infectious
      keratoconjunctivitis were tested via broth microdilution method to determine
      their susceptibility to ampicillin, cefoperazone, ceftiofur, cloxacillin,
      enrofloxacin, florfenicol, gentamicin, neomycin, oxytetracycline and penicillin.
      The results demonstrated that Moraxella spp. strains could be considered
      sensitive for most of the antimicrobials tested in this study, but differences
      between the antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of these three Moraxella
      species were found. M. bovis might differ from other species due to the higher
      MIC and MBC values it presented. 

PMID- 26273273
TI  - The use of singleplex and nested PCR to detect Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in
      free-living frogs.
AB  - Many microorganisms are able to cause diseases in amphibians, and in the past few
      years one of the most reported has been Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. This
      fungus was first reported in Brazil in 2005; following this, other reports were
      made in specimens deposited in museum collections, captive and free-living frogs.
      The aim of this study was to compare singleplex and nested-PCR techniques to
      detect B. dendrobatidis in free-living and apparently healthy adult frogs from
      the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. The sample collection area was a protected
      government park, with no general entrance permitted and no management of the
      animals there. Swabs were taken from the skin of 107 animals without macroscopic
      lesions and they were maintained in ethanol p.a. Fungal DNA was extracted and
      identification of B. dendrobatidis was performed using singleplex and nested-PCR
      techniques, employing specific primers sequences. B. dendrobatidis was detected
      in 61/107 (57%) and 18/107 (17%) animals, respectively by nested and singleplex
      PCR. Nested-PCR was statistically more sensible than the conventional for the
      detection of B. dendrobatidis (Chi-square = 37.1; alpha = 1%) and the agreement
      between both techniques was considered just fair (Kappa = 0.27). The high
      prevalence obtained confirms that these fungi occur in free-living frogs from the
      Brazilian Atlantic Forest with no macroscopic lesions, characterizing the state
      of asymptomatic carrier. We concluded that the nested-PCR technique, due to its
      ease of execution and reproducibility, can be recommended as one of the
      alternatives in epidemiological surveys to detect B. dendrobatidis in healthy
      free-living frog populations. 

PMID- 26273271
TI  - Clonal profile, virulence and resistance of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from
      sheep milk.
AB  - The objective of this study was to characterize the clonal profile, virulence
      factors and antimicrobial resistance, particularly oxacillin resistance, of
      Staphylococcus aureus isolated from sheep milk. Milk samples were collected from
      all teats for the California Mastitis Test (CMT), somatic cell count,
      identification of S. aureus, investigation in these strains of genes encoding
      toxins (sea, seb, sec, sed, tst), biofilm (icaA, icaC, icaD, bap), leukocidin
      (luk-PV) oxacillin resistance by mecA gene detection and susceptibility testing
      (12 antibiotics). Messenger RNA expression was evaluated by RT-PCR in isolates
      carrying toxin and biofilm genes. Biofilm formation was also evaluated
      phenotypically by adherence to polystyrene plates. The clonal profile of S.
      aureus was investigated by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. A total of 473 milk
      samples were collected from 242 animals on three farms and 20 S. aureus strains
      were isolated and none carried the mecA gene. The two sec gene-positive isolates
      and the isolates carrying the tst and luk-PV genes were positive by RT-PCR.
      Staphylococcus aureus isolated from the three flocks studied showed high
      susceptibility to the drugs tested and none was biofilm producer, indicating that
      biofilm formation was not a virulence factor causing infection by these strains.
      The typing of 17 S. aureus isolates revealed the presence of a common clone on
      the three farms studied, and the presence and expression of the sec and tst genes
      in one strain of this clone suggest the possible acquisition of virulence genes
      by this clone, a fact that is important for animal health and food hygiene. 

PMID- 26273274
TI  - Molecular typing of Argentinian Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis
      isolates by multiple-locus variable number-tandem repeat analysis.
AB  - Multiple-locus variable number-tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) of Mycobacterium
      avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) isolates may contribute to the knowledge
      of strain diversity in Argentina. Although the diversity of MAP has been
      previously investigated in Argentina using IS900-RFLP, a small number of isolates
      were employed, and a low discriminative power was reached. The aim of the present
      study was to test the genetic diversity among MAP isolates using an MLVA approach
      based on 8 repetitive loci. We studied 97 isolates from cattle, goat and sheep
      and could describe 7 different patterns: INMV1, INMV2, INMV11, INMV13, INMV16,
      INMV33 and one incomplete pattern. INMV1 and INMV2 were the most frequent
      patterns, grouping 76.3% of the isolates. We were also able to demonstrate the
      coexistence of genotypes in herds and co-infection at the organism level. This
      study shows that all the patterns described are common to those described in
      Europe, suggesting an epidemiological link between the continents. 

PMID- 26273275
TI  - Molecular characterization of Brazilian equid herpesvirus type 1 strains based on
      neuropathogenicity markers.
AB  - Partial nucleotide sequences of ORF72 (glycoprotein D, gD), ORF64 (infected cell
      protein 4, ICP4) and ORF30 (DNA polymerase) genes were compared with
      corresponding sequences of EHV-1 reference strains to characterize the molecular
      variability of Brazilian strains. Virus isolation assays were applied to 74
      samples including visceral tissue, total blood, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and
      nasal swabs of specimens from a total of 64 animals. Only one CSF sample
      (Iso07/05 strain) was positive by virus isolation in cell culture. EHV-1 Iso07/05
      neurologic strain and two abortion visceral tissues samples (Iso11/06 and
      Iso33/06) were PCR-positive for ORF33 (glycoprotein B, gB) gene of EHV-1. A
      sequence analysis of the ORF72, ORF64 and ORF30 genes from three EHV-1 archival
      strains (A3/97, A4/72, A9/92) and three clinical samples (Iso07/05, Iso11/06 and
      Iso33/06) suggested that among Brazilian EHV-1 strains, the amplified region of
      the gD gene sequence is highly conserved. Additionally, the analysis of ICP4 gene
      showed high nucleotide and amino acid identities when compared with genotype P
      strains, suggesting that the EHV-1 Brazilian strains belonged to the same group.
      All the EHV-1 Brazilian strains were classified as non-neuropathogenic variants
      (N752) based on the ORF30 analysis. These findings indicate a high conservation
      of the gD-, ICP4- and ORF30-encoding sequences. Different pathotypes of the EHV-1
      strain might share identical genes with no specific markers, and tissue tropism
      is not completely dependent on the gD envelope, immediate-early ICP4 and DNA
      polymerase proteins. 

PMID- 26273276
TI  - Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in humans in a rural area of Parana State,
      Brazil.
AB  - This study describes the detection of Borrelia garinii and Borrelia burgdorferi
      sensu stricto (s.s.) in Brazilian individuals using PCR and DNA sequencing. Our
      results suggest that these species are emerging pathogens in this country, and
      additional studies are necessary to determine the epidemiological characteristics
      of this disease in Brazil. 

PMID- 26273277
TI  - In vitro ability of beer fermentation residue and yeast-based products to bind
      aflatoxin B1.
AB  - This study aimed to verify the in vitro ability of beer fermentation residue
      (BFR) containing Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells and five commercial products that
      differed in the viability and integrity of S. cerevisiae cells to remove
      aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) from a citrate-phosphate buffer solution (CPBS). BFR was
      collected at a microbrewery and prepared by drying and milling. The commercial
      yeast-based products were as follows: inactive intact yeast cells from beer
      alcoholic fermentation, inactive intact yeast cells from sugarcane alcoholic
      fermentation, hydrolyzed yeast cells, yeast cell walls and active yeast cells.
      Adsorption assays were performed in CPBS spiked with 1.0 MUg AFB1/mL at pH 3.0
      and 6.0 for a contact time of 60 min at room temperature. Analysis of AFB1 in the
      samples was performed by high performance liquid chromatography. AFB1 adsorption
      by the products ranged from 45.5% to 69.4% at pH 3.0 and from 24.0% to 63.8% at
      pH 6.0. The higher percentages (p < 0.05) of AFB1 binding at both pH values were
      achieved with products containing hydrolyzed yeast cells or yeast cell walls
      rather than intact cells. The AFB1 binding percentages of BFR were 55.0 +/- 5.0%
      at pH 3.0 and 49.2 +/- 4.5% at pH 6.0, which was not significantly different (p >
      0.05) from commercial products containing inactive intact yeast cells. The
      results of this trial indicate that the yeast-based products tested, especially
      the BFR, have potential applications in animal feeds as a suitable biological
      method for reducing the adverse effects of aflatoxins. 

PMID- 26273278
TI  - Microbiological quality and safe handling of enteral diets in a hospital in Minas
      Gerais, Brazil.
AB  - Contamination of enteral diets represents a high risk of compromising the
      patient's medical condition. To assess the microbiological quality and aseptic
      conditions in the preparation and administration of handmade and industrialized
      enteral diets offered in a hospital in the Valley of Jequitinhonha, MG, Brazil,
      we performed a microbiological analysis of 50 samples of diets and 27 samples of
      surfaces, utensils, and water used in the preparation of the diets. In addition,
      we assessed the good handling practices of enteral diets according to the
      requirements specified by the Brazilian legislation. Both kinds of enteral diets
      showed contamination by coliforms and Pseudomonas spp. No sample was positive for
      Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella spp. On the other hand, Listeria spp. was
      detected in only one sample of handmade diets. Contamination was significantly
      higher in the handmade preparations (p < 0.05). Nonconformities were detected
      with respect to good handling practices, which may compromise the diet safety.
      The results indicate that the sanitary quality of the enteral diets is
      unsatisfactory, especially handmade diets. Contamination by Pseudomonas spp. is
      significant because it is often involved in infection episodes. With regard to
      aseptic practices, it was observed the need of implementing new procedures for
      handling enteral diets. 

PMID- 26273279
TI  - Effect of rosemary essential oil and modified-atmosphere packaging (MAP) on meat
      quality and survival of pathogens in poultry fillets.
AB  - The effect of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) essential oil (REO) and
      modified-atmosphere packaging (MAP) on the survival of certain pathogens
      (Salmonella Typhimurium and Listeria monocytogenes) in poultry fillets and on
      their meat quality during 7 days of refrigerated storage were investigated.
      Because REO at 0.05% and 0.1% had weak antibacterial activity and REO at 0.3%,
      0.5% and 1.0% imparted unacceptable organoleptic properties, only REO at 0.2% was
      used to treat the poultry meat. The results showed that adding 0.2% REO to
      poultry fillets did not reduce the size of the population of S. Typhimurium and
      L. monocytogenes. However, REO treatment significantly decreased the L*
      (lightness) value and increased the a* (redness) value of stored fillets, and
      adding REO in combination with MAP reduced the level of lipid oxidation. In
      conclusion, in a suitable combination, REO can be applied to improve the quality
      of meat, but further studies should be conducted to determine the appropriate
      commercial level for different meat products. 

PMID- 26273280
TI  - Characteristics of dr1790 disruptant and its functional analysis in Deinococcus
      radiodurans.
AB  - Deinococcus radiodurans (DR) is an extremophile that is well known for its
      resistance to radiation, oxidants and desiccation. The gene dr1790 of D.
      radiodurans was predicted to encode a yellow-related protein. The primary
      objective of the present study was to characterize the biological function of the
      DR1790 protein, which is a member of the ancient yellow/major royal jelly (MRJ)
      protein family, in prokaryotes. Fluorescence labeling demonstrated that the
      yellow-related protein encoded by dr1790 is a membrane protein. The deletion of
      the dr1790 gene decreased the cell growth rate and sensitivity to hydrogen
      peroxide and radiation and increased the membrane permeability of D. radiodurans.
      Transcript profiling by microarray and RT-PCR analyses of the dr1790 deletion
      mutant suggested that some genes that are involved in protein secretion and
      transport were strongly suppressed, while other genes that are involved in
      protein quality control, such as chaperones and proteases, were induced. In
      addition, the expression of genes with predicted functions that are involved in
      antioxidant systems, electron transport, and energy metabolism was significantly
      altered through the disruption of dr1790. Moreover, the results of proteomic
      analyses using 2-DE and MS also demonstrated that DR1790 contributed to D.
      radiodurans survival. Taken together, these results indicate that the DR1790
      protein from the ancient yellow protein family plays a pleiotropic role in the
      survival of prokaryotic cells and contributes to the extraordinary resistance of
      D. radiodurans against oxidative and radiation stresses. 

PMID- 26273281
TI  - Oleanolic acid and ursolic acid inhibit peptidoglycan biosynthesis in
      Streptococcus mutans UA159.
AB  - In this study, we revealed that OA and UA significantly inhibited the expression
      of most genes related to peptidoglycan biosynthesis in S. mutans UA159. To the
      best of our knowledge, this is the first report to introduce the antimicrobial
      mechanism of OA and UA against S. mutans. 

PMID- 26273282
TI  - LAMP technology: Rapid identification of Brucella and Mycobacterium avium subsp.
      paratuberculosis.
AB  - In this study, we developed new sets of primers to detect Brucella spp. and M.
      avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) through isothermal amplification. We selected
      a previously well-characterized target gene, bscp31, specific for Brucella spp.
      and IS900 for MAP. The limits of detection using the loop-mediated isothermal
      amplification (LAMP) protocols described herein were similar to those of
      conventional PCR targeting the same sequences. Hydroxynaphtol blue and SYBR
      Green(TM) allowed direct naked-eye detection with identical sensitivity as
      agarose gel electrophoresis. We included the LAMP-based protocol in a rapid
      identification scheme of the respective pathogens, and all tested isolates were
      correctly identified within 2 to 3 h. In addition, both protocols were suitable
      for specifically identifying the respective pathogens; in the case of Brucella,
      it also allowed the identification of all the biovars tested. We conclude that
      LAMP is a suitable rapid molecular typing tool that could help to shorten the
      time required to identify insidious bacteria in low-complexity laboratories,
      mainly in developing countries. 

PMID- 26273283
TI  - Platelets can be a biological compartment for the Hepatitis C Virus.
AB  - Although HCV has hepatic tropism, the presence of the virus in extra-hepatic
      compartments has been well documented. Platelets have been described as carriers
      of the virus in the circulation and may be a natural reservoir for the virus.
      However, few studies have been performed to evaluate the levels of HCV RNA in
      plasma and platelets are equal or differ in some way. Therefore, the aim of this
      study was to perform a comparative evaluation of the stability of HCV RNA in
      plasma and isolated platelets. Four aliquots of whole plasma obtained from
      patients infected with HCV were incubated at 37  degrees C for 0, 48, 96 and 144
      h. After incubation, the plasma and platelet pellet was obtained from each
      aliquot. Viral RNA in plasma and platelets was quantified by q-PCR. The results
      showed a decrease in HCV RNA levels in plasma with incubation time. However,
      platelet HCV RNA levels were stable up to 144 h incubation. The results of this
      study showed that HCV RNA in platelets, although at lower concentrations than in
      plasma, is preserved from degradation over time, suggesting that the virus may
      persist longer in the body when associated with platelets, which could have an
      impact on the efficiency of antiviral therapy. 

PMID- 26273284
TI  - Enhanced production of prodigiosin by Serratia marcescens MO-1 using ram horn
      peptone.
AB  - This work addresses the production of prodigiosin from ram horn peptone (RHP)
      using MO-1, a local isolate in submerged culture. First, a novel gram-negative
      and rod-shaped bacterial strain, MO-1, was isolated from the body of the
      grasshopper (Poecilemon tauricola Ramme 1951), which was collected from pesticide
      contaminated fields. Sequence analysis of 16S rDNA classified the microbe as
      Serratia marcescens. The substrate utilization potential (BIOLOG) and fatty acid
      methyl ester profile (FAME) of S. marcescens were also determined. The effect of
      RHP on the production of prodigiosin by S. marcescens MO-1 was investigated, and
      the results showed that RHP supplementation promoted the growth of MO-1 and
      increased the production of prodigiosin. A concentration of 0.4% (w/v) RHP
      resulted in the greatest yield of prodigiosin (277.74 mg/L) after 48 h when
      mannitol was used as the sole source of carbon. The pigment yield was also
      influenced by the types of carbon sources and peptones. As a result, RHP was
      demonstrated to be a suitable substrate for prodigiosin production. These results
      revealed that prodigiosin could be produced efficiently by S. marcescens using
      RHP. 

PMID- 26273286
TI  - Biological characterization of compounds from Rhinella schneideri poison that act
      on the complement system.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The skin secretions of toads of the family Bufonidae contain biogenic
      amines, alkaloids, steroids (bufotoxins), bufodienolides (bufogenin), peptides
      and proteins. The poison of Rhinella schneideri, formerly classified as Bufo
      paracnemis, presents components that act on different biological systems,
      including the complement system. The aim of this study was to isolate and examine
      the activity of Rhinella schneideri poison (RsP) components on the complement
      system. METHODS: The components active on the complement system were purified in
      three chromatographic steps, using a combination of cation-exchange, anion
      exchange and gel filtration chromatography. The resulting fractions were analyzed
      by SDS-PAGE and screened for their activity in the hemolytic assay of the
      classical/lectin complement pathways. Fractions active on the complement system
      were also assessed for their ability to generate C3 fragments evaluated by two
      dimensional immunoelectrophoresis assay, C3a and C5a by neutrophil chemotaxis
      assay and SC5b-9 complex by ELISA assay. RESULTS: The fractionation protocol was
      able to isolate the component S5 from the RsP, as demonstrated by SDS-PAGE and
      the RP-FPLC profile. S5 is a protein of about 6000 Da, while S2 presents
      components of higher molecular mass (40,000 to 50,000 Da). Fractions S2 and S5
      attenuated the hemolytic activity of the classical/lectin pathways after
      preincubation with normal human serum. Both components stimulated complement
      dependent neutrophil chemotaxis and the production of C3 fragments, as shown by
      two-dimensional immunoelectrophoresis. S2 showed a higher capacity to generate
      the SC5b - 9 complex than the other fractions. This action was observed after the
      exposure of normal human serum to the fractions. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first
      study to examine the activity of RsP components on the complement system.
      Fractions S2 and S5 reduced the complement hemolytic activity, stimulated
      complement-dependent neutrophil chemotaxis and stimulated the production of C3
      fragments, indicating that they were able to activate the complement cascade.
      Furthermore, fraction S2 was also able to generate the SC5b-9 complex. These
      components may be useful tools for studying dysfunction of the complement
      cascade.

PMID- 26273285
TI  - Arachnids of medical importance in Brazil: main active compounds present in
      scorpion and spider venoms and tick saliva.
AB  - Arachnida is the largest class among the arthropods, constituting over 60,000
      described species (spiders, mites, ticks, scorpions, palpigrades,
      pseudoscorpions, solpugids and harvestmen). Many accidents are caused by
      arachnids, especially spiders and scorpions, while some diseases can be
      transmitted by mites and ticks. These animals are widely dispersed in urban
      centers due to the large availability of shelter and food, increasing the
      incidence of accidents. Several protein and non-protein compounds present in the
      venom and saliva of these animals are responsible for symptoms observed in
      envenoming, exhibiting neurotoxic, dermonecrotic and hemorrhagic activities. The
      phylogenomic analysis from the complementary DNA of single-copy nuclear protein
      coding genes shows that these animals share some common protein families known as
      neurotoxins, defensins, hyaluronidase, antimicrobial peptides, phospholipases and
      proteinases. This indicates that the venoms from these animals may present
      components with functional and structural similarities. Therefore, we described
      in this review the main components present in spider and scorpion venom as well
      as in tick saliva, since they have similar components. These three arachnids are
      responsible for many accidents of medical relevance in Brazil. Additionally, this
      study shows potential biotechnological applications of some components with
      important biological activities, which may motivate the conducting of further
      research studies on their action mechanisms. 

PMID- 26273287
TI  - Bordonein-L, a new L-amino acid oxidase from Crotalus durissus terrificus snake
      venom: isolation, preliminary characterization and enzyme stability.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Crotalus durissus terrificus venom (CdtV) is one of the most studied
      snake venoms in Brazil. Despite presenting several well known proteins, its L
      amino acid oxidase (LAAO) has not been studied previously. This study aimed to
      isolate, characterize and evaluate the enzyme stability of bordonein-L, an LAAO
      from CdtV. METHODS: The enzyme was isolated through cation exchange, gel
      filtration and affinity chromatography, followed by a reversed-phase fast protein
      liquid chromatography to confirm its purity. Subsequently, its N-terminal amino
      acid sequence was determined by Edman degradation. The enzyme activity and
      stability were evaluated by a microplate colorimetric assay and the molecular
      mass was estimated by SDS-PAGE using periodic acid-Schiff staining and determined
      by mass spectrometry. RESULTS: The first 39 N-terminal amino acid residues
      exhibited high identity with other snake venom L-amino acid oxidases. Bordonein-L
      is a homodimer glycoprotein of approximately 101 kDa evaluated by gel filtration.
      Its monomer presents around 53 kDa estimated by SDS-PAGE and 58,702 Da determined
      by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The enzyme exhibited maximum activity at pH 7.0
      and lost about 50 % of its activity after five days of storage at 4  degrees C.
      Bordonein-L's activity was higher than the control when stored in 2.8 % mannitol
      or 8.5 % sucrose. CONCLUSIONS: This research is pioneering in its isolation,
      characterization and enzyme stability evaluation of an LAAO from CdtV,
      denominated bordonein-L. These results are important because they increase the
      knowledge about stabilization of LAAOs, aiming to increase their shelf life.
      Since the maintenance of enzymatic activity after long periods of storage is
      essential to enable their biotechnological use as well as their functional
      studies.

PMID- 26273288
TI  - Purification procedure for the isolation of a P-I metalloprotease and an acidic
      phospholipase A2 from Bothrops atrox snake venom.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Snake venoms are complex mixtures of inorganic and organic
      components, mainly proteins and peptides. Standardization of methods for
      isolating bioactive molecules from snake venoms is extremely difficult due to the
      complex and highly variable composition of venoms, which can be influenced by
      factors such as age and geographic location of the specimen. Therefore, this
      study aimed to standardize a simple purification methodology for obtaining a P-I
      class metalloprotease (MP) and an acidic phospholipase A2 (PLA2) from Bothrops
      atrox venom, and biochemically characterize these molecules to enable future
      functional studies. METHODS: To obtain the toxins of interest, a method has been
      standardized using consecutive isolation steps. The purity level of the molecules
      was confirmed by RP-HPLC and SDS-PAGE. The enzymes were characterized by
      determining their molecular masses, isoelectric points, specific functional
      activity and partial amino acid sequencing. RESULTS: The metalloprotease
      presented molecular mass of 22.9 kDa and pI 7.4, with hemorrhagic and
      fibrin(ogen)olytic activities, and its partial amino acid sequence revealed high
      similarity with other P-I class metalloproteases. These results suggest that the
      isolated metalloprotease is Batroxase, a P-I metalloprotease previously described
      by our research group. The phospholipase A2 showed molecular mass of 13.7 kDa and
      pI 6.5, with high phospholipase activity and similarity to other acidic PLA2s
      from snake venoms. These data suggest that the acidic PLA2 is a novel enzyme from
      B. atrox venom, being denominated BatroxPLA2. CONCLUSIONS: The present study
      successfully standardized a simple methodology to isolate the metalloprotease
      Batroxase and the acidic PLA2 BatroxPLA2 from the venom of B. atrox, consisting
      mainly of classical chromatographic processes. These two enzymes will be used in
      future studies to evaluate their effects on the complement system and the
      inflammatory process, in addition to the thrombolytic potential of the
      metalloprotease.

PMID- 26273289
TI  - Bothrops snake venoms and their isolated toxins, an L-amino acid oxidase and a
      serine protease, modulate human complement system pathways.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Activation of the complement system plays an important role in the
      regulation of immune and inflammatory reactions, and contributes to inflammatory
      responses triggered by envenomation provoked by Bothrops snakes. The present
      study aimed to assess whether Bothrops jararacussu and Bothrops pirajai crude
      venoms and their isolated toxins, namely serine protease (BjussuSP-I) and L-amino
      acid oxidase (BpirLAAO-I), modulate human complement system pathways. METHODS:
      Lyophilized venom and toxin samples solubilized in phosphate buffered saline were
      diluted in appropriate buffers to evaluate their hemolytic activity on the
      alternative and classical pathways of the complement system. Venom- and toxin
      treated normal human serum was added to the erythrocyte suspension, and the
      kinetic of hemolysis was measured spectrophotometrically at 700 nm. The kinetic
      96-well microassay format was used for this purpose. We determined the t(1/2)
      values (time required to lyse 50 % of target erythrocytes), which were employed
      to calculate the percentage of inhibition of the hemolytic activity promoted by
      each sample concentration. To confirm complement system activation, complement
      dependent human neutrophil migration was examined using the Boyden chamber model.
      RESULTS: At the highest concentration tested (120 MUg/mL), B. jararacussu and B.
      pirajai crude venoms inhibited the hemolytic activity of the classical pathway
      (65.3 % and 72.4 %, respectively) more strongly than they suppressed the
      hemolytic activity of the alternative pathway (14.2 and 13.6 %, respectively).
      BjussuSP-I (20 MUg/mL) did not affect the hemolytic activity of the classical
      pathway, but slightly decreased the hemolytic activity of the alternative pathway
      (13.4 %). BpirLAAO-I (50 MUg/mL) inhibited 24.3 and 12.4 % of the hemolytic
      activity of the classical and alternative pathways, respectively. Normal human
      serum treated with B. jararacussu and B. pirajai crude venoms induced human
      neutrophil migration at a level similar to that induced by zymosan-activated
      normal human serum. CONCLUSION: Together, the results of the kinetics of
      hemolysis and the neutrophil chemotaxis assay suggest that pre-activation of the
      complement system by B. jararacussu and B. pirajai crude venoms consumes
      complement components and generates the chemotactic factors C3a and C5a. The
      kinetic microassay described herein is useful to assess the effect of venoms and
      toxins on the hemolytic activity of the complement system.

PMID- 26273290
TI  - First serine protease inhibitor isolated from Rhinella schneideri poison.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Toad secretions are a source of molecules with potential
      biotechnological application on a wide spectrum of diseases. Toads from the
      Rhinella family have two kinds of poisonous glands, namely granular and mucous
      glands. Rhinella schneideri toads produce granular secretions that comprise a
      great number of molecules, including serine proteases inhibitors. Serine
      proteases, such as trypsin, chymotrypsin and elastase, are enzymes that have a
      serine amino acid into its catalytic site and can be found in a large number of
      vertebrate species and pathogenic microorganisms. Therefore, the present work
      aims to purify a serine protease inhibitor from Rhinella schneideri granular
      secretions. FINDINGS: This study presents the protocol used to purify a serine
      protease inhibitor from the Rhinella schneideri poison. The granular secretion
      was submitted to dialysis in order to separate the low molecular weight
      compounds, which were submitted to a reversed phase-fast protein liquid
      chromatography fractionation step in a C2C18 column. The major fractions were
      tested over trypsin, chymotrypsin and elastase through colorimetric assay. The
      inhibition tests were performed with the enzyme in absence (positive control) and
      presence of fractions, denatured enzyme (negative control) and the respective
      chromogenic substrate. Rs20 was the compound with the major inhibitory activity
      over chymotrypsin, inducing a delay in the formation of the chromogenic enzymatic
      product. The structure characterization of Rs20 was performed by high resolution
      electronspray ionization-mass spectrometry (HRESI-MS) and gas chromatography
      coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). HRESI showed an intense signal suggesting
      the presence of bufadienolide with less than 10 ppm error. In addition, it was
      observed a low intense signal at m/z 399 that could be lithocholic acid, a
      biosynthetic precursor of bufadienolide. Finally, GC-MS analysis applying NIST
      library identification reinforced this hypothesis. CONCLUSIONS: The current study
      have isolated and partially characterized the function and structure of the first
      bufadienolide with inhibitory action over chymotrypsin.

PMID- 26273291
TI  - The Inhibitory Effect of Alisol A 24-Acetate from Alisma canaliculatum on
      Osteoclastogenesis.
AB  - Osteoporosis is a disease that decreases bone mass. The number of patients with
      osteoporosis has been increasing, including an increase in patients with bone
      fractures, which lead to higher medical costs. Osteoporosis treatment is all
      important in preventing bone loss. One strategy for osteoporosis treatment is to
      inhibit osteoclastogenesis. Osteoclasts are bone-resorbing multinucleated cells,
      and overactive osteoclasts and/or their increased number are observed in bone
      disorders including osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis. Bioactivity-guided
      fractionations led to the isolation of alisol A 24-acetate from the dried tuber
      of Alisma canaliculatum. Alisol A 24-acetate inhibited RANKL-mediated osteoclast
      differentiation by downregulating NFATc1, which plays an essential role in
      osteoclast differentiation. Furthermore, it inhibited the expression of DC-STAMP
      and cathepsin K, which are related to cell-cell fusion of osteoclasts and bone
      resorption, respectively. Therefore, alisol A 24-acetate could be developed as a
      new structural scaffold for inhibitors of osteoclast differentiation in order to
      develop new drugs against osteoporosis. 

PMID- 26273292
TI  - Validity of 12-Month Falls Recall in Community-Dwelling Older Women Participating
      in a Clinical Trial.
AB  - Objectives. To compare 12-month falls recall with falls reported prospectively on
      daily falls calendars in a clinical trial of women aged >=70 years. Methods.
      2,096 community-dwelling women at high risk of falls and/or fracture completed a
      daily falls calendar and standardised interviews when falls were recorded, for 12
      months. Data were compared to a 12-month falls recall question that categorised
      falls status as "no falls," "a few times," "several," and "regular" falls.
      Results. 898 (43%) participants reported a fall on daily falls calendars of whom
      692 (77%) recalled fall(s) at 12 months. Participants who did not recall a fall
      were older (median 79.3 years versus 77.8 years, P = 0.028). Smaller proportions
      of fallers who sustained an injury or accessed health care failed to recall a
      fall (all P < 0.04). Among participants who recalled "no fall," 85% reported zero
      falls on daily calendars. Few women selected falls categories of "several times"
      or "regular" (4.1% and 0.4%, resp.) and the sensitivity of these categories was
      low (30% to 33%). Simply categorising participants into fallers or nonfallers had
      77% sensitivity and 94% specificity. Conclusion. For studies where intensive
      ascertainment of falls is not feasible, 12-month falls recall questions with
      fewer responses may be an acceptable alternative. 

PMID- 26273293
TI  - Association between rs12045440 Polymorphism in the CAPZB Intron and Serum TSH
      Concentrations in Chinese Thyroid Tumor Patients.
AB  - The aim of this study was to investigate the possible influence of different
      genotypes of the lead single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs10917468 and
      rs12045440 in the CAPZB gene on the thyroid function in papillary thyroid
      carcinoma (PTC) and benign thyroid neoplasm (BN) patients. In the study, a
      significant association was detected between rs12045440 and serum TSH
      concentrations in thyroid tumor patients (p = 0.001). After the adjustment of
      relevant covariates, the difference between the mean serum TSH levels in
      different genotypes of rs12045440 was still significant in the BN group (p =
      0.003) but was not significant in the PTC cases (p = 0.115). No significant
      association of rs10917468 with TSH levels was found. The SNP rs12045440 was
      associated with the serum TSH concentrations in Chinese thyroid tumor patients,
      especially in benign thyroid tumor cases. 

PMID- 26273294
TI  - Micro/Nanostructures and Mechanical Properties of Trabecular Bone in
      Ovariectomized Rats.
AB  - Bone mechanical properties encompass both geometric and material factors, while
      the effects of estrogen deficiency on the material and structural characteristics
      of bone at micro- to nanoscales are still obscure. We performed a series of
      combined methodological experiments, including nanoindentation assessment of
      intrinsic material properties, atomic force microscopy (AFM) characterization of
      trabecular (Tb) nanostructure, and Tb microarchitecture and 2D BMD. At 15 weeks
      after surgery, we found significantly less Tb bone mineral density (BMD) at organ
      (-27%) and at tissue level (-12%), Tb bone volume fraction (-29%), Tb thickness (
      14%), and Tb number (-17%) in ovariectomy (OVX) rats than in sham operated (SHAM)
      rats, while the structure model index (+91%) and Tb separation (+19%) became
      significantly greater. AFM images showed lower roughness Tb surfaces with loosely
      packed large nodular structures and less compacted interfibrillar space in OVX
      than in SHAM. However, no statistically significant changes were in the Tb
      intrinsic material properties-nanoindentation hardness, elastic modulus, and
      plastic deformation-nanoindentation depths, and residual areas. Therefore,
      estrogen deprivation results in a dramatic deterioration in Tb
      micro/nanoarchitectures, 3D volumetric BMD at both organ and tissue levels, and
      2D BMD, but not in the nanomechanical properties of the trabeculae per se. 

PMID- 26273296
TI  - Elastography Evaluation of Benign Thyroid Nodules in Patients Affected by
      Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.
AB  - The aim of the present prospective study was to evaluate the predictive value of
      elastography in benign thyroid nodules of patients affected by Hashimoto's
      thyroiditis (HT). From January 2011 to January 2012, 242 nodules in patients
      affected by HT were submitted to fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). All of
      the patients underwent sonography and elastography performed before FNAC. 230
      (95%) nodules were benign, 8 papillary cancers, and 4 follicular lesions. Score 1
      was found in 79.1% of benign lesions (sensitivity 79.1%; specificity 66.7%; PPV
      97.8%; NPV 14.3%; accuracy 78.5%; p < 0.05). In order to evaluate the outcome of
      thyroid ultrasound echogenicity in relation to elastography features of
      nodule(s), all the patients with benign nodules were stratified according to
      their hypoechoic pattern of thyroid (mild-moderate and severe). Following
      stratification score 1 was found in 84.2% of benign nodules (sensitivity 75.0%;
      specificity 88.9%; PPV 27.3%; NPV 98.4%; accuracy 88.2%; p < 0.0001) of patients
      with a mild-moderate ultrasound thyroid hypoechogenicity, whereas it was found in
      60% of benign nodules (p = 0.715) of patients with a marked thyroid
      hypoechogenicity. Elastography appears to have limited value in detecting thyroid
      cancer in patients affected by Hashimoto's thyroiditis with severe hypoechoic
      thyroid tissue. 

PMID- 26273297
TI  - Low Magnesium Exacerbates Osteoporosis in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients with
      Diabetes.
AB  - The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of serum Mg on bone mineral
      metabolism in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients with or without diabetes. A
      total of 56 CKD patients not receiving dialysis were recruited and divided into
      two groups, one group of 27 CKD patients with diabetes and another group of 29
      CKD patients without diabetes. Biochemical determinations were made, and the
      estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was measured. Bone mineral density
      was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Serum Mg was inversely
      correlated with serum Ca (P = 0.023) and positively correlated with serum
      parathyroid hormone (PTH) (P = 0.020), alkaline phosphatase (P = 0.044), and
      phosphate (P = 0.040) in the CKD patients with diabetes. The CKD patients with
      diabetes had lower serum albumin and a higher proportion of hypomagnesemia and
      osteoporosis than the nondiabetic patients did (P < 0.05). Serum Mg was inversely
      correlated with eGFR in the CKD patients with or without diabetes (P < 0.05).
      Serum Mg showed an inverse correlation with 25-hydroxyvitamin D in CKD patients
      without diabetes (P = 0.006). Furthermore, the diabetic CKD patients with low
      serum Mg had a lower iPTH (P = 0.007) and a higher serum Ca/Mg ratio (P < 0.001)
      than the other CKD patients. The lower serum Mg subgroup showed a higher
      incidence of osteoporosis than the moderate and higher serum Mg subgroups did
      (66.7%, 39.4%, and 29.4%, resp.). In conclusion, low serum Mg may impact iPTH and
      exacerbates osteoporosis in CKD patients, particularly with diabetes. 

PMID- 26273298
TI  - Sarco-Osteoporosis: Prevalence and Association with Frailty in Chinese Community
      Dwelling Older Adults.
AB  - The aim was to apply AWGS criteria to estimate the prevalence of sarco
      osteoporosis and investigate its relationship with frailty, in a sample of 316
      community-dwelling Chinese older people. Regression analysis was performed using
      frailty as the dependent variable. The results showed that the prevalence rate of
      sarco-osteoporosis was 10.4% in older men and 15.1% in older women. ?80 years old
      (OR 4.8; 95% CI, 3.05-10.76; P = 0.027), women (OR 2.6; 95% CI, 1.18-2.76; P =
      0.036), and higher level of comorbidity (OR 3.71; 95% CI, 1.61-10.43; P = 0.021)
      were independently associated with the likelihood of being sarco-osteoporosis. In
      the frail group, sarco-osteoporosis occurred in 26.3% of men, in 38.5% of women,
      and in lower proportion in the prefrail (13.6% of men; 16.2% of women) and
      nonfrail group (1.6% of men; 1.9% of women) (P < 0.05, resp.). Furthermore, the
      likelihood of being frail/prefrail was substantially higher in the presence of
      sarco-osteoporosis (OR 4.16; 95% CI, 2.17-17.65; P = 0.019 in men; and OR 4.67;
      95% CI, 2.42-18.86; P = 0.007 in women). The results indicate that patients with
      sarco-osteoporosis are more likely to be ?80 yrs with higher burden of
      comorbidities and to have frailty/prefrailty, especially for women. 

PMID- 26273295
TI  - Mechanism and Treatment Strategy of Osteoporosis after Transplantation.
AB  - Osteoporosis (OP) has emerged as a frequent and devastating complication of organ
      solid transplantation process. Bone loss after organ transplant is related to
      adverse effects of immunosuppressants on bone remodeling and bone quality. Many
      factors contribute to the pathogenesis of OP in transplanted patients. Many
      mechanisms of OP have been deeply approached. Drugs for OP can be generally
      divided into "bone resorption inhibitors" and "bone formation accelerators," the
      former hindering bone resorption by osteoclasts and the latter increasing bone
      formation by osteoblasts. Currently, bisphosphonates, which are bone resorption
      inhibitors drugs, are more commonly used clinically than others. Using the
      signaling pathway or implantation bone marrow stem cell provides a novel
      direction for the treatment of OP, especially OP after transplantation. This
      review addresses the mechanism of OP and its correlation with organ
      transplantation, lists prevention and management of bone loss in the transplant
      recipient, and discusses the recipients of different age and gender. 

PMID- 26273299
TI  - Effects of Alendronate Sodium Content on the Interface Strengths of Composite
      Acrylic Bone Cement.
AB  - Objective. Aim to study how the content of alendronate affected shear strengths
      at bone-bone cement-metal interfaces. Methods. All samples were divided into 6
      groups, G0-G5. On the 1st and 60th day after surgery, bone-bone cement interface
      shear strengths and bone densities were examined. Interface strengths of metal
      bone cement specimens were studied before immersion and 4 weeks after immersion.
      Results. On the 60th day, bone-bone cement interface shear strengths and bone
      densities showed significant differences (P < 0.05), and compared with G0, G2-G5
      values increased significantly (P < 0.05), and the peak value was met in G3.
      Compared with the 1st day, on the 60th postoperative day both factors decreased
      significantly in G0 and G1 (P < 0.05). Four weeks after immersion, with the
      increasing dose of alendronate, the shear strengths decreased gradually and in G5
      decreased significantly (P < 0.05). Compared with before immersion, the metal
      bone cement interface strengths decreased significantly 4 weeks after immersion
      (P < 0.05). Conclusions. 50-500 mg alendronate in 50 g cement powders could
      prevent the decrease of shear strengths at bone-bone cement interfaces and had no
      effect on metal-bone cement interface strengths. While the addition dose was 100
      mg, bone cement showed the best strengths. 

PMID- 26273300
TI  - The Clinicopathological Features of BRAF Mutated Papillary Thyroid Cancers in
      Chinese Patients.
AB  - The BRAF(V600E) mutation is commonly found in papillary thyroid cancers (PTCs) at
      different frequencies in different regions. However, the association between the
      BRAF(V600E) mutation and clinicopathological features in Chinese PTC patients is
      unknown. A total of 543 Chinese patients with histologically confirmed PTC were
      enrolled in this study. For the BRAF mutation assay, the target fragments were
      amplified and sequenced with an ABI 3500 gene analyzer. In 170 of 543 samples
      (31.3%), the BRAF(V600E) mutation was detected. In the bivariate analysis, the
      BRAF(V600E) mutation showed an association with bilaterality, tumor size,
      extrathyroidal invasion, and lymph node metastases (LNM). However, in the
      multivariate analysis, the BRAF(V600E) mutation was positively related to only
      tumor size (>1 cm) and extrathyroidal invasion. In addition, the multivariate
      analysis also showed that the age at diagnosis (<45 y) and tumor size (>1 cm)
      were independent predictors for LNM. In this study, the BRAF(V600E) mutation is
      positively associated with worse prognostic factors, including larger tumor size
      and the tumor extending to the thyroid capsule or extrathyroidal region; however,
      it is not an independent predictor for LNM. 

PMID- 26273301
TI  - Comparison of the Spine and Hip BMD Assessments Derived from Quantitative
      Computed Tomography.
AB  - Quantification of bone mineral density (BMD) is being used as the main method to
      diagnose osteoporosis. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is the most common
      tools for measuring BMD. Compared to DXA, quantitative computed tomography (QCT)
      can determine in three dimensions the true volumetric BMD (vBMD) at any skeletal
      site. In addition to the spine, the hip is an important site for axial BMD
      measurement. This study examines lumbar spine and hip BMD of Chinese adults by
      QCT. Age related changes in bone mass derived by QCT measurements were
      determined. The osteoporosis QCT detection rates at the spine and hip are
      assessed in both female and male, and agreement of skeletal status category
      between the spine and hip in older adults is also assessed. 

PMID- 26273302
TI  - Vitamin D and Osteoporosis in HIV/HCV Coinfected Patients: A Literature Review.
AB  - Vitamin D deficiency further increases the risk of osteoporosis in HIV-positive
      patients coinfected with hepatitis C virus (HCV); however, it is still unclear
      whether HCV-related increased fracture risk is a function of the severity of
      liver disease. The aim of this review was to identify studies on associative
      vitamin D deficiency patterns in high-risk populations such as HIV/HCV coinfected
      patients. We did this by searching MEDLINE and EMBASE databases, from inception
      to August 2014, and included bibliographies. The final 12 articles selected are
      homogeneous in terms of age but heterogeneous in terms of sample size,
      participant recruitment, and data source. Most of the HIV/HCV coinfected patients
      have less than adequate levels of vitamin D. After reviewing the selected
      articles, we concluded that vitamin D deficiency should be regarded as a
      continuum and that the lower limit of the ideal range is debatable. We found that
      vitamin D deficiency might influence liver disease progression in HIV/HCV
      coinfected patients. Methodological issues in evaluating vitamin D
      supplementation as a relatively inexpensive therapeutic option are discussed, as
      well as the need for future research, above all on its role in reducing the risk
      of HCV-related fracture by modifying liver fibrosis progression. 

PMID- 26273303
TI  - Correlations between Perceived Oral Malodor Levels and Self-Reported Oral
      Complaints.
AB  - Objectives. Even though objective data indicating the absence of oral malodor are
      presented to patients, they may be skeptical about the results, possibly due to
      the presence of some discomfort in the oral cavity. The objective of this study
      was to investigate whether there is an association among self-perceptions of oral
      malodor, oral complaints, and the actual oral malodor test result. Materials and
      Methods. Questions concerning self-perceptions of oral malodor and subjective
      intraoral symptoms were extracted from a questionnaire on oral malodor completed
      by 363 subjects who visited the clinic for oral malodor of Tokyo Dental College
      Chiba Hospital and gave consent to this study. In addition, the association of
      self-perception of oral malodor with values obtained after organoleptic and
      OralChroma measurement was analyzed. Results. No correlation between 195 subjects
      (54%) who were judged "with oral malodor" (organoleptic score of >=1) and 294
      subjects (81.6%) who had a self-perceptions of oral malodor was observed. Self
      perception of oral malodor was significantly correlated with tongue coating (p =
      0.002) and a strange intraoral taste (p = 0.016). Conclusions. Subjects with a
      self-perception of oral malodor were not necessarily consistent with those
      actually having an oral malodor. In addition, it was suggested that patients
      became aware of oral malodor when they felt oral complaints. 

PMID- 26273304
TI  - Regenerative Translation of Human Blood-Vessel-Derived MSC Precursors.
AB  - Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) represent a promising adult progenitor cell
      source for tissue repair and regeneration. Their mysterious identity in situ has
      gradually been unveiled by the accumulating evidence indicating an association
      between adult multipotent stem/progenitor cells and vascular/perivascular niches.
      Using immunohistochemistry and fluorescence-activated cell sorting, we and other
      groups have prospectively identified and purified subpopulations of multipotent
      precursor cells associated with the blood vessels within multiple human organs.
      The three precursor subsets, myogenic endothelial cells (MECs), pericytes (PCs),
      and adventitial cells (ACs), are located, respectively, in the three structural
      tiers of typical blood vessels: intima, media, and adventitia. MECs, PCs, and ACs
      have been extensively characterized in prior studies and are currently under
      investigation for their therapeutic potentials in preclinical animal models. In
      this review, we will briefly discuss the identification, isolation, and
      characterization of these human blood-vessel-derived stem cells (hBVSCs) and
      summarize the current status of regenerative applications of hBVSC subsets. 

PMID- 26273305
TI  - Adult Mesenchymal Stem Cells: When, Where, and How.
AB  - Adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have profound medicinal effects at body sites
      of tissue injury, disease, or inflammation as either endogenously or exogenously
      supplied. The medicinal effects are either immunomodulatory or trophic or both.
      When to deliver these mediators of regeneration, where, and by what delivery
      apparatus or mechanism will directly determine their medical efficacy. The MSCs
      help manage the innate regenerative capacity of almost every body tissue and the
      MSCs have only recently been fully appreciated. Perhaps the most skilled
      physician-manager of the body's innate regenerative capacity is in orthopedics
      where the vigorous regeneration and repair capacity of bone through local MSCs
      titers is expertly managed by the orthopaedic physician. The challenge is to
      extend MSCs expertise to address other tissue dysfunctions and diseases. The
      medicine of tomorrow will encompass optimizing the tissues' intrinsic
      regenerative potential through management of local MSCs. 

PMID- 26273306
TI  - Modulation of Hyaluronan Synthesis by the Interaction between Mesenchymal Stem
      Cells and Osteoarthritic Chondrocytes.
AB  - Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) are considered a good source for
      cellular therapy in cartilage repair. But, their potential to repair the
      extracellular matrix, in an osteoarthritic environment, is still controversial.
      In osteoarthritis (OA), anti-inflammatory action and extracellular matrix
      production are important steps for cartilage healing. This study examined the
      interaction of BM-MSC and OA-chondrocyte on the production of hyaluronan and
      inflammatory cytokines in a Transwell system. We compared cocultured BM-MSCs and
      OA-chondrocytes with the individually cultured controls (monocultures). There was
      a decrease in BM-MSCs cell count in coculture with OA-chondrocytes when compared
      to BM-MSCs alone. In monoculture, BM-MSCs produced higher amounts of hyaluronan
      than OA-chondrocytes and coculture of BM-MSCs with OA-chondrocytes increased
      hyaluronan production per cell. Hyaluronan synthase-1 mRNA expression was
      upregulated in BM-MSCs after coculture with OA-chondrocytes, whereas
      hyaluronidase-1 was downregulated. After coculture, lower IL-6 levels were
      detected in BM-MSCs compared with OA-chondrocytes. These results indicate that,
      in response to coculture with OA-chondrocytes, BM-MSCs change their behavior by
      increasing production of hyaluronan and decreasing inflammatory cytokines. Our
      results indicate that BM-MSCs per se could be a potential tool for OA
      regenerative therapy, exerting short-term effects on the local microenvironment
      even when cell:cell contact is not occurring. 

PMID- 26273307
TI  - Bottlenecks in the Efficient Use of Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products Based on
      Mesenchymal Stromal Cells.
AB  - Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been established as promising candidate
      sources of universal donor cells for cell therapy due to their contributions to
      tissue and organ homeostasis, repair, and support by self-renewal and
      multidifferentiation, as well as by their anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative,
      immunomodulatory, trophic, and proangiogenic properties. Various diseases have
      been treated by MSCs in animal models. Additionally, hundreds of clinical trials
      related to the potential benefits of MSCs are in progress. However, although all
      MSCs are considered suitable to exert these functions, dissimilarities have been
      found among MSCs derived from different tissues. The same levels of efficacy and
      desired outcomes have not always been achieved in the diverse studies that have
      been performed thus far. Moreover, autologous MSCs can be affected by the disease
      status of patients, compromising their use. Therefore, collecting information
      regarding the characteristics of MSCs obtained from different sources and the
      influence of the host (patient) medical conditions on MSCs is important for
      assuring the safety and efficacy of cell-based therapies. This review provides
      relevant information regarding factors to consider for the clinical application
      of MSCs. 

PMID- 26273308
TI  - Multipotent Mesenchymal Stromal Cells: Possible Culprits in Solid Tumors?
AB  - The clinical use of bone marrow derived multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (BM
      MSCs) in different settings ranging from tissue engineering to immunotherapies
      has prompted investigations on the properties of these cells in a variety of
      other tissues. Particularly the role of MSCs in solid tumors has been the subject
      of many experimental approaches. While a clear phenotypical distinction of tumor
      associated fibroblasts (TAFs) and MSCs within the tumor microenvironment is still
      missing, the homing of bone marrow MSCs in tumor sites has been extensively
      studied. Both, tumor-promoting and tumor-inhibiting effects of BM-MSCs have been
      described in this context. This ambiguity requires a reappraisal of the different
      studies and experimental methods employed. Here, we review the current literature
      on tumor-promoting and tumor-inhibiting effects of BM-MSCs with a particular
      emphasis on their interplay with components of the immune system and also
      highlight a potential role of MSCs as cell of origin for certain mesenchymal
      tumors. 

PMID- 26273310
TI  - A Survey of Residents' Perceptions of the Effect of Large-Scale Economic
      Developments on Perceived Safety, Violence, and Economic Benefits.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Emerging research highlights the promise of community- and policy
      level strategies in preventing youth violence. Large-scale economic developments,
      such as sports and entertainment arenas and casinos, may improve the living
      conditions, economics, public health, and overall wellbeing of area residents and
      may influence rates of violence within communities. OBJECTIVE: To assess the
      effect of community economic development efforts on neighborhood residents'
      perceptions on violence, safety, and economic benefits. METHODS: Telephone survey
      in 2011 using a listed sample of randomly selected numbers in six Pittsburgh
      neighborhoods. Descriptive analyses examined measures of perceived violence and
      safety and economic benefit. Responses were compared across neighborhoods using
      chi-square tests for multiple comparisons. Survey results were compared to census
      and police data. RESULTS: Residents in neighborhoods with the large-scale
      economic developments reported more casino-specific and arena-specific economic
      benefits. However, 42% of participants in the neighborhood with the entertainment
      arena felt there was an increase in crime, and 29% of respondents from the
      neighborhood with the casino felt there was an increase. In contrast, crime
      decreased in both neighborhoods. CONCLUSIONS: Large-scale economic developments
      have a direct influence on the perception of violence, despite actual violence
      rates.

PMID- 26273309
TI  - Low Reactive Level Laser Therapy for Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Therapies.
AB  - Low reactive level laser therapy (LLLT) is mainly focused on the activation of
      intracellular or extracellular chromophore and the initiation of cellular
      signaling by using low power lasers. Over the past forty years, it was realized
      that the laser therapy had the potential to improve wound healing and reduce pain
      and inflammation. In recent years, the term LLLT has become widely recognized in
      the field of regenerative medicine. In this review, we will describe the
      mechanisms of action of LLLT at a cellular level and introduce the application to
      mesenchymal stem cells and mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) therapies. Finally,
      our recent research results that LLLT enhanced the MSCs differentiation to
      osteoblast will also be described. 

PMID- 26273311
TI  - Zuogui Jiangtang Jieyu Formulation Prevents Hyperglycaemia and Depressive-Like
      Behaviour in Rats by Reducing the Glucocorticoid Level in Plasma and Hippocampus.
AB  - Aim. To determine whether Zuogui Jiangtang Jieyu prescription (ZGJTJY) has
      hypoglycemic and antidepressant effects which are mediated by corticosterone
      through adjustment of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11beta-HSD1)
      and glucocorticoid (GR) levels. Materials and Methods. The diabetes-related
      depression rats were randomly divided into four groups: the model group,
      metformin (1.8 mg/kg) combined with fluoxetine (10.8 mg/kg) group, and ZGJTJY
      high and low dose groups. Four weeks after modeling, blood glucose, behavior, and
      cognitive function of depression were detected. The expressions of 11beta-HSD1
      and GR in hippocampus were measured by western blotting and immunohistochemical
      experiments. Results. We found that (1) the treatment with ZGJTJY (10.26 g/kg)
      increases the motor activities and improves cognition ability. (2) ZGJTJY (10.26
      g/kg) significantly relieves the disorder in blood and the relative indexes. (3)
      ZGJTJY (10.26 g/kg) can reduce hippocampal corticosterone expression levels and
      further improve hippocampus pathological changes. (4) ZGJTJY increased the
      expression of GR accompanied with decreasing 11beta-HSD1 in hippocampus.
      Conclusions. ZGJTJY inhibits the expression of 11beta-HSD1 and increases GR in
      hippocampus and subsequently modulates blood glucose levels, and therefore it is
      potential property that ZGJTJY could be of benefit for the treatment of behavior
      and cognitive function of diabetes-related depression. 

PMID- 26273312
TI  - Si Shen Wan Regulates Phospholipase Cgamma-1 and PI3K/Akt Signal in Colonic
      Mucosa from Rats with Colitis.
AB  - The present study explored the feasible pathway of Si Shen Wan (SSW) in
      inhibiting apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) by observing
      activation of phospholipase Cgamma-1 (PLC-gamma1) and PI3K/Akt signal in colonic
      mucosa from rats with colitis. Experimental colitis was induced by 2,4,6
      trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) in the Sprague-Dawley rats. After SSW was
      administrated for 7 days after TNBS infusion, western blot showed an increment in
      levels of PI3K, p-Akt, and IL-23 and a decrement in levels of PLC-gamma1 and
      HSP70 in colonic mucosal injury induced by TNBS. Meanwhile, assessments by ELISA
      revealed an increment in concentrations of IL-2, IL-6, and IL-17 and a reduction
      in level of TGF-beta after TNBS challenge. Impressively, treatment with SSW for 7
      days significantly attenuated the expressions of PI3K and p-Akt and the secretion
      of IL-2, IL-6, IL-17, and IL-23 and promoted the activation of PLC-gamma1, HSP70,
      and TGF-beta. Our previous studies had demonstrated that SSW restored colonic
      mucosal ulcers by inhibiting apoptosis of IECs. The present study demonstrated
      that the effect of SSW on inhibiting apoptosis of IECs was realized probably by
      activation of PLC-gamma1 and suppression of PI3K/Akt signal pathway. 

PMID- 26273313
TI  - Complementary Therapies for Idiopathic Hirsutism: Topical Licorice as Promising
      Option.
AB  - Hirsutism is one of the most prevalent health problems in women. The aim of the
      study was to compare the effect of 755 nm alexandrite hair removal laser with
      that of alexandrite laser plus topical licorice on the improvement of idiopathic
      hirsutism. A double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled study was performed on
      90 female subjects. The patients were divided into two groups: alexandrite laser
      plus 15% licorice gel (group A) and placebo (group B). Each subject received one
      of both products over one side of the face, twice daily for 24 weeks on the
      hirsute locations. Each group underwent five sessions of alexandrite laser at 6
      week intervals. To minimize the effects of confounding variables, the test was
      performed on two separate zones of patients' skin. The mean +/- SD numbers of
      terminal hairs in group A were 7.05 +/- 4.55 for zone 1 and 6.06 +/- 3.70 for
      zone 2. In group B, they were 3.18 +/- 1.75 for zone 1 and 2.49 +/- 1.63 for zone
      2. The difference in the mean number of terminal hairs was statistically
      significant between the two groups (p < 0.001), and there were no serious adverse
      reactions. The treatment of idiopathic hirsutism with 755 nm alexandrite laser
      plus topical licorice is more effective than alexandrite laser only. 

PMID- 26273314
TI  - Allium cepa L. and Quercetin Inhibit RANKL/Porphyromonas gingivalis LPS-Induced
      Osteoclastogenesis by Downregulating NF-kappaB Signaling Pathway.
AB  - Objectives. We evaluated the in vitro modulatory effects of Allium cepa L.
      extract (AcE) and quercetin (Qt) on osteoclastogenesis under inflammatory
      conditions (LPS-induced). Methods. RAW 264.7 cells were differentiated with 30
      ng/mL of RANKL, costimulated with PgLPS (1 ug/mL), and treated with AcE (50-1000
      ug/mL) or Qt (1.25, 2.5, or 5 uM). Cell viability was determined by alamarBlue
      and protein assays. Nuclei morphology was analysed by DAPI staining. TRAP assays
      were performed as follows: p-nitrophenyl phosphate was used to determine the acid
      phosphatase activity of the osteoclasts and TRAP staining was used to evaluate
      the number and size of TRAP-positive multinucleated osteoclast cells. Von Kossa
      staining was used to measure osteoclast resorptive activity. Cytokine levels were
      measured on osteoclast precursor cell culture supernatants. Using western blot
      analysis, p-IkappaBalpha and IkappaBalpha degradation, inhibitor of NF-kappaB,
      were evaluated. Results. Both AcE and Qt did not affect cell viability and
      significantly reduced osteoclastogenesis compared to control. We observed lower
      production of IL-6 and IL-1alpha and an increased production of IL-3 and IL-4.
      AcE and Qt downregulated NF-kappaB pathway. Conclusion. AcE and Qt may be
      inhibitors of osteoclastogenesis under inflammatory conditions (LPS-induced) via
      attenuation of RANKL/PgLPS-induced NF-kappaB activation. 

PMID- 26273315
TI  - Central Antinociceptive and Mechanism of Action of Pereskia bleo Kunth Leaves
      Crude Extract, Fractions, and Isolated Compounds.
AB  - Pereskia bleo (Kunth) DC. (Cactaceae) is a plant commonly used in popular
      medicine in Malaysia. In this work, we evaluate the antinociceptive effect of P.
      bleo leaf extracts and isolated compounds in central antinociceptive model.
      Ethanol extract (E), hexane (H), ethyl acetate (EA), or butanol (B) fractions
      (30, 50, or 100 mg/kg, p.o.), sitosterol (from hexane) and vitexin (from ethyl
      acetate), were administered to mice. Antinociceptive effect was evaluated in the
      hot plate and capsaicin- or glutamate-induced licking models. Morphine (1 mg/kg,
      p.o.) was used as reference drug. Naloxone (1 mg/kg, i.p.), atropine (1 mg/kg,
      i.p.), and L-nitro arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 3 mg/kg, i.p.) were
      administered 30 min earlier (100 mg/kg, p.o.) in order to evaluate the mechanism
      of the antinociceptive action. Higher dose of B developed an effect significantly
      superior to morphine-treated group. Naloxone prevented the antinociceptive effect
      of all fractions. L-NAME demonstrated effect against E, EA, and B. In all
      fractions, sitosterol and vitexin reduced the licking time after capsaicin
      injection. Glutamate-induced licking response was blocked by H, EA, and B. Our
      results indicate that Pereskia bleo fractions, sitosterol and vitexin, possessed
      a central antinociceptive effect. Part of this effect is mediated by opioid
      receptors and nitrergic pathway. 

PMID- 26273316
TI  - Swertianlarin, an Herbal Agent Derived from Swertia mussotii Franch, Attenuates
      Liver Injury, Inflammation, and Cholestasis in Common Bile Duct-Ligated Rats.
AB  - Swertianlarin is an herbal agent abundantly distributed in Swertia mussotii
      Franch, a Chinese traditional herb used for treatment of jaundice. To study the
      therapeutic effect of swertianlarin on cholestasis, liver injury, serum
      proinflammatory cytokines, and bile salt concentrations were measured by
      comparing rats treated with swertianlarin 100 mg/kg/d or saline for 3, 7, or 14
      days after bile duct ligation (BDL). Serum alanine aminotransferase (ATL) and
      aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were significantly decreased in BDL rats
      treated with swertianlarin for 14 days (P < 0.05). The reduced liver injury in
      BDL rats by swertianlarin treatment for 14 days was further confirmed by liver
      histopathology. Levels of serum tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) were
      decreased by swertianlarin in BDL rats for 3 and 7 days (P < 0.05). Moreover,
      reductions in serum interleukins IL-1beta and IL-6 levels were also observed in
      BDL rats treated with swertianlarin (P < 0.05). In addition, most of serum toxic
      bile salt concentrations (e.g., chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) and deoxycholic acid
      (DCA)) in cholestatic rats were decreased by swertianlarin (P < 0.05). In
      conclusion, the data suggest that swertianlarin derived from Swertia mussotii
      Franch attenuates liver injury, inflammation, and cholestasis in bile duct
      ligated rats. 

PMID- 26273317
TI  - Serum Pharmacochemistry Analysis Using UPLC-Q-TOF/MS after Oral Administration to
      Rats of Shenfu Decoction.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to study the serum pharmacochemistry of SFD as well
      as the material basis through analyzing the constituents absorbed in blood. The
      SFD was orally administrated to Wistar rats at 20 g.kg(-1), and Ultra Performance
      Liquid Chromatography (UPLC) fingerprints of SFD were created. Serum samples were
      collected for analysis, and further data processing used MarkerLynx XS software.
      19 ginsenosides and 16 alkaloids were detected in SFD. The absorption of
      alkaloids (mainly monoester diterpenoid alkaloids) increased when Aconitum
      carmichaeli Debx. was combined with Panax ginseng, while the ginsenosides
      remained stable. Diester diterpenoid alkaloids were not present in the serum
      samples. A suitable serum pharmacochemistry method was successfully established
      to study pharmacological effects and potential improvements in formulation. This
      may also be useful for toxicity reduction. We suspect that the increased
      absorption of the monoester diterpenoid alkaloids from the mixture of Panax and
      Radix, compared to the Panax only extract, may be the reason for the combination
      of the two herbs in popular medicine formulas in China. 

PMID- 26273318
TI  - Epidemiology of anorexia nervosa in Japanese adolescents.
AB  - BACKGROUND: No epidemiologic survey examining eating disorders in Japan has been
      done at a national level since 1992. The prevalence of anorexia nervosa, as
      assessed by questionnaires to hospitals, is thought to be underestimated because
      patients with anorexia nervosa tend to avoid consultations. In conformity with
      the School Health and Safety Act of Japan, schools are required to have
      physicians perform a medical examination of students every year. The teachers in
      charge of health education and school physicians determine the height, weight,
      and health condition, and examine the medical records of each student. Therefore,
      we as members of the Survey Committee for Eating Disorders of the Japanese
      Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare conducted an epidemiologic survey using
      questionnaires sent to schools in seven prefectures to determine the current
      prevalence of anorexia nervosa among adolescents. METHODS: We sent a
      questionnaire to elementary, junior high, and senior high schools. Questionnaires
      contained items on the number of students, patients with anorexia nervosa in each
      grade who were diagnosed by specialists, and students who the school physician
      strongly suspected to have anorexia nervosa but who did not undergo a clinical
      examination in a medical institution. RESULTS: We found patients of both sexes
      with anorexia nervosa aged 9-10 years in elementary schools. The point prevalence
      of anorexia nervosa for girls, including strongly suspected cases, in the three
      grades of junior high school and three grades of senior high school were 0-0.17
      %, 0-0.21 %, 0.17-0.40 %, 0.05-0.56 %, 0.17-0.42 % and 0.09-0.43 %, respectively.
      We also confirmed a prominent sex difference in the prevalence of anorexia
      nervosa. The prevalence of boys was one third that of girls in some prefectures.
      One third to one half of diagnosed and strongly suspected students with anorexia
      nervosa had not received medical consultation or treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Although
      the prevalence of anorexia nervosa had regional differences in Japan, it has
      reached levels comparable to those in Western societies. Because no eating
      disorder center exists and the treatment environment is poor, national action to
      address this disease is a pressing need in Japan.

PMID- 26273320
TI  - Bioelectrochemical production of hydrogen in an innovative pressure-retarded
      osmosis/microbial electrolysis cell system: experiments and modeling.
AB  - BACKGROUND: While microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) can simultaneously produce
      bioelectrochemical hydrogen and treat wastewater, they consume considerable
      energy to overcome the unfavorable thermodynamics, which is not sustainable and
      economically feasible in practical applications. This study presents a proof-of
      concept system in which hydrogen can be produced in an MEC powered by
      theoretically predicated energy from pressure-retarded osmosis (PRO). The system
      consists of a PRO unit that extracts high-quality water and generates electricity
      from water osmosis, and an MEC for organic removal and hydrogen production. The
      feasibility of the system was demonstrated using simulated PRO performance (in
      terms of energy production and effluent quality) and experimental MEC results
      (e.g., hydrogen production and organic removal). RESULTS: The PRO and MEC models
      were proven to be valid. The model predicted that the PRO unit could produce 485
      mL of clean water and 579 J of energy with 600 mL of draw solution (0.8 M of
      NaCl). The amount of the predicated energy was applied to the MEC by a power
      supply, which drove the MEC to remove 93.7 % of the organic compounds and produce
      32.8 mL of H2 experimentally. Increasing the PRO influent volume and draw
      concentration could produce more energy for the MEC operation, and
      correspondingly increase the MEC hydraulic retention time (HRT) and total
      hydrogen production. The models predicted that at an external voltage of 0.9 V,
      the MEC energy consumption reached the maximum PRO energy production. With a
      higher external voltage, the MEC energy consumption would exceed the PRO energy
      production, leading to negative effects on both organic removal and hydrogen
      production. CONCLUSIONS: The PRO-MEC system holds great promise in addressing
      water-energy nexus through organic removal, hydrogen production, and water
      recovery: (1) the PRO unit can reduce the volume of wastewater and extract clean
      water; (2) the PRO effluents can be further treated by the MEC; and (3) the
      osmotic energy harvested from the PRO unit can be applied to the MEC for
      sustainable bioelectrochemical hydrogen production.

PMID- 26273319
TI  - Transcriptional analysis of Kluyveromyces marxianus for ethanol production from
      inulin using consolidated bioprocessing technology.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ethanol production from non-crop materials, such as Jerusalem
      artichokes, would make a great contribution to the energy industry. The non
      conventional yeast, Kluyveromyces marxianus, is able to carry out ethanol
      fermentation of sugar molecules obtained from inulin-containing materials by
      consolidated bioprocessing. Lower inulin concentrations and micro-aeration can
      lead to a relatively fast and ideal fermentation process; however, it is unclear
      what causes the inhibition of higher concentrations of inulin and the promotion
      effect of aeration. RESULTS: Next-generation sequencing technology was used to
      study the global transcriptional response of K. marxianus Y179 under three
      fermentation conditions, including 120 g/L inulin without aeration (120-N), 230
      g/L inulin without aeration (230-N), 230 g/L inulin with aeration by ORP
      controlling at -130 mV (230-130mV). A total of 35.55 million clean reads were
      generated from three samples, of which 4,820 predicted that open reading frames
      were annotated. For differential expression analysis, 950 and 1,452
      differentially expressed genes were discovered under the conditions of 230-130mV
      and 120-N, respectively, and the sample 230-N was used as the control. These
      genes are mainly associated with the pathways of central carbon metabolism and
      ethanol formation. Increased expression of inulinase and the low activity of the
      autophagy-related gene, ATG8, ensured fast and ideal fermentation processes.
      CONCLUSIONS: Despite being reported as the "crabtree-negative" species, K.
      marxianus Y179 could achieve favorable ethanol fermentation profiles under micro
      aeration and high inulin concentrations. K. marxianus Y179 cells responded to
      inulin concentrations and micro-aeration that is involved in the whole ethanol
      metabolism network. These results will serve as an important foundation for
      further exploration of the regulatory mechanisms involved in ethanol fermentation
      from inulin by consolidated bioprocessing and also provide a valuable reference
      for future studies on optimization and reconstruction of the metabolism network
      in K. marxianus.

PMID- 26273321
TI  - Simultaneous utilization of glucose and xylose for lipid accumulation in black
      soldier fly.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lignocellulose is known to be an abundant source of glucose and
      xylose for biofuels. Yeasts can convert glucose into bioethanol. However,
      bioconversion of xylose by yeasts is not very efficient, to say nothing of the
      presence of both glucose and xylose. Efficient utilization of xylose is one of
      the critical factors for reducing the cost of biofuel from lignocelluloses.
      However, few natural microorganisms preferentially convert xylose to ethanol. The
      simultaneous utilization of both glucose and xylose is the pivotal goal in the
      production of biofuels. RESULTS: In this paper, we found that 97.3 % of the
      glucose and 93.8 % of the xylose in our experiments was consumed by black soldier
      fly (BSF) simultaneously. The content of lipid reached its highest level (34.60
      %) when 6 % xylose was added into the standard feed. 200 g of rice straw was
      pretreated with 1 % KOH, followed by enzymatic hydrolysis for fermentation of
      ethanol, the residue from this fermentation was then fed to BSF for lipid
      accumulation. In total, 10.9 g of bioethanol and 4.3 g of biodiesel were
      obtained. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that BSF is a very
      promising organism for use in converting lignocellulose into lipid for biodiesel
      production.

PMID- 26273322
TI  - Reversing chromatin accessibility differences that distinguish homologous mitotic
      metaphase chromosomes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chromatin-modifying reagents that alter histone associating proteins,
      DNA conformation or its sequence are well established strategies for studying
      chromatin structure in interphase (G1, S, G2). Little is known about how these
      compounds act during metaphase. We assessed the effects of these reagents at
      genomic loci that show reproducible, non-random differences in accessibility to
      chromatin that distinguish homologous targets by single copy DNA probe
      fluorescence in situ hybridization (scFISH). By super-resolution 3-D structured
      illumination microscopy (3D-SIM) and other criteria, the differences correspond
      to 'differential accessibility' (DA) to these chromosomal regions. At these
      chromosomal loci, DA of the same homologous chromosome is stable and epigenetic
      hallmarks of less accessible interphase chromatin are present. RESULTS: To
      understand the basis for DA, we investigate the impact of epigenetic modifiers on
      these allelic differences in chromatin accessibility between metaphase homologs
      in lymphoblastoid cell lines. Allelic differences in metaphase chromosome
      accessibility represent a stable chromatin mark on mitotic metaphase chromosomes.
      Inhibition of the topoisomerase IIalpha-DNA cleavage complex reversed DA. Inter
      homolog probe fluorescence intensity ratios between chromosomes treated with ICRF
      193 were significantly lower than untreated controls. 3D-SIM demonstrated that
      differences in hybridized probe volume and depth between allelic targets were
      equalized by this treatment. By contrast, DA was impervious to chromosome
      decondensation treatments targeting histone modifying enzymes, cytosine
      methylation, as well as in cells with regulatory defects in chromatid cohesion.
      These data altogether suggest that DA is a reflection of allelic differences in
      metaphase chromosome compaction, dictated by the localized catenation state of
      the chromosome, rather than by other epigenetic marks. CONCLUSIONS: Inhibition of
      the topoisomerase IIalpha-DNA cleavage complex mitigated DA by decreasing DNA
      superhelicity and axial metaphase chromosome condensation. This has potential
      implications for the mechanism of preservation of cellular phenotypes that
      enables the same chromatin structure to be correctly reestablished in progeny
      cells of the same tissue or individual.

PMID- 26273323
TI  - Apoptosis induction by combination of drugs or a conjugated molecule associating
      non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and nitric oxide donor effects in medullary
      thyroid cancer models: implication of the tumor suppressor p73.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is a C-cell neoplasm. Surgery remains
      its main treatment. Promising therapies based on tyrosine kinase inhibitors
      demand careful patient selection. We previously observed that two non-steroidal
      anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), indomethacin, celecoxib, and nitric oxide (NO)
      prevented tumor growth in a model of human MTC cell line (TT) in nude mice.
      METHODS: In the present study, we tested the NO donor: glyceryl trinitrate (GTN),
      at pharmacological dose, alone and in combination with each of the two NSAIDs on
      TT cells. We also assessed the anti-proliferative potential of NO-indomethacin,
      an indomethacin molecule chemically conjugated with a NO moiety (NCX 530, Nicox
      SA) on TT cells and indomethacin/GTN association in rMTC 6-23 cells. The anti
      tumoral action of the combined sc. injections of GTN with oral delivery of
      indomethacin was also studied on subcutaneous TT tumors in nude mice. Apoptosis
      mechanisms were assessed by expression of caspase-3, TAp73alpha, TAp73alpha
      inhibition by siRNA or Annexin V externalisation. RESULTS: The two NSAIDs and GTN
      reduced mitotic activity in TT cells versus control (cell number and PCNA protein
      expression). The combined treatments amplified the anti-tumor effect of single
      agents in the two tested cell lines and promoted cell death. Moreover,
      indomethacin/GTN association stopped the growth of established TT tumors in nude
      mice. We observed a significant cleavage of full length PARP, a caspase-3
      substrate. The cell death appearance was correlated with a two-fold increase in
      TAp73alpha expression, with inhibition of apoptosis after TAp73alpha siRNA
      addition, demonstrating its crucial role in apoptosis. CONCLUSION: Association of
      NO with NSAID exhibited amplified anti-tumoral effects on in vitro and in vivo
      MTC models by inducing p73-dependent apoptotic cell death.

PMID- 26273325
TI  - Robust optimization of SVM hyperparameters in the classification of bioactive
      compounds.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Support Vector Machine has become one of the most popular machine
      learning tools used in virtual screening campaigns aimed at finding new drug
      candidates. Although it can be extremely effective in finding new potentially
      active compounds, its application requires the optimization of the
      hyperparameters with which the assessment is being run, particularly the C and
      [Formula: see text] values. The optimization requirement in turn, establishes the
      need to develop fast and effective approaches to the optimization procedure,
      providing the best predictive power of the constructed model. RESULTS: In this
      study, we investigated the Bayesian and random search optimization of Support
      Vector Machine hyperparameters for classifying bioactive compounds. The
      effectiveness of these strategies was compared with the most popular optimization
      procedures-grid search and heuristic choice. We demonstrated that Bayesian
      optimization not only provides better, more efficient classification but is also
      much faster-the number of iterations it required for reaching optimal predictive
      performance was the lowest out of the all tested optimization methods. Moreover,
      for the Bayesian approach, the choice of parameters in subsequent iterations is
      directed and justified; therefore, the results obtained by using it are
      constantly improved and the range of hyperparameters tested provides the best
      overall performance of Support Vector Machine. Additionally, we showed that a
      random search optimization of hyperparameters leads to significantly better
      performance than grid search and heuristic-based approaches. CONCLUSIONS: The
      Bayesian approach to the optimization of Support Vector Machine parameters was
      demonstrated to outperform other optimization methods for tasks concerned with
      the bioactivity assessment of chemical compounds. This strategy not only provides
      a higher accuracy of classification, but is also much faster and more directed
      than other approaches for optimization. It appears that, despite its simplicity,
      random search optimization strategy should be used as a second choice if Bayesian
      approach application is not feasible.Graphical abstractThe improvement of
      classification accuracy obtained after the application of Bayesian approach to
      the optimization of Support Vector Machines parameters.

PMID- 26273326
TI  - Erratum: Neuroendocrine and metabolic components of dopamine agonist amelioration
      of metabolic syndrome in SHR rats.
AB  - [This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/1758-5996-6-104.]. 

PMID- 26273324
TI  - Mechanistic insights revealed by lipid profiling in monogenic insulin resistance
      syndromes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Evidence from several recent metabolomic studies suggests that
      increased concentrations of triacylglycerols with shorter (14-16 carbon atoms),
      saturated fatty acids are associated with insulin resistance and the risk of type
      2 diabetes. Although causality cannot be inferred from association studies,
      patients in whom the primary cause of insulin resistance can be genetically
      defined offer unique opportunities to address this challenge. METHODS: We
      compared metabolite profiles in patients with congenital lipodystrophy or loss-of
      function insulin resistance (INSR gene) mutations with healthy controls. RESULTS:
      The absence of significant differences in triacylglycerol species in the INSR
      group suggest that changes previously observed in epidemiological studies are not
      purely a consequence of insulin resistance. The presence of triacylglycerols with
      lower carbon numbers and high saturation in patients with lipodystrophy suggests
      that these metabolite changes may be associated with primary adipose tissue
      dysfunction. The observed pattern of triacylglycerol species is indicative of
      increased de novo lipogenesis in the liver. To test this we investigated the
      distribution of these triacylglycerols in lipoprotein fractions using size
      exclusion chromatography prior to mass spectrometry. This associated these
      triacylglycerols with very low-density lipoprotein particles, and hence release
      of triacylglycerols into the blood from the liver. To test further the hepatic
      origin of these triacylglycerols we induced de novo lipogenesis in the mouse,
      comparing ob/ob and wild-type mice on a chow or high fat diet, confirming that de
      novo lipogenesis induced an increase in relatively shorter, more saturated fatty
      acids. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, these studies highlight hepatic de novo lipogenesis
      in the pathogenesis of metabolic dyslipidaemia in states where energy intake
      exceeds the capacity of adipose tissue.

PMID- 26273327
TI  - The new open era for Thoracic Cancer.

PMID- 26273328
TI  - Roles of miR-182 in sensory organ development and cancer.
AB  - Micro ribonucleic acids (miRNAs) are a cluster of small non-coding RNA molecules
      predicted to regulate more than 30% of coding messenger (m)RNAs in the human
      genome and proven to be essential in developmental and pathological processes.
      The miR-182 gene was first found to be abundantly expressed in sensory organs and
      regulates the development of the retina and inner ear. Further studies revealed
      its roles in osteogenesis and T cell differentiation. In addition, the
      involvement of miR-182 in cancer initiation and progression has recently been
      uncovered by a growing body of evidence, the majority of which supports its
      promoting effects in cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and invasion, as well as
      distant metastasis of various cancer types. Clinical analyses demonstrated the
      link of miR-182 expression to poor prognosis in cancer patients. Mechanistically,
      multiple downstream genes including missing-in-metastasis, microphthalm
      associated transcription factor, FoxO1, cylindromatiosis, and others, can be
      targeted by miR-182 and mediate its roles in cancer. miR-182 is also
      interconnected with prominent cancer-related signaling pathways, such as
      transforming growth factor beta and nuclear factor kappa beta. Interestingly, it
      was shown that in vivo targeting of miR-182 prevented liver metastasis of
      melanoma. miR-182 is emerging as an important regulator of malignancies, which
      warrants further study to establish the application potential of miR-182 in
      cancer diagnosis and treatment. 

PMID- 26273329
TI  - Medical management of lung cancer: Experience in China.
AB  - Lung cancer is the leading cause of death from cancer worldwide, as well as in
      China. A multidisciplinary treatment strategy for lung cancer, which includes
      medical and radiation oncology, surgery, and pathology is used in clinical
      practice in China. Chinese lung cancer patients are treated according to
      different pathologic and genetic types of the disease. For those with active
      epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation, EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors
      (EGFR-TKIs) are used in first-, second- or third-line and maintenance treatment
      of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). For patients with anaplastic lymphoma
      kinase (ALK) gene rearrangement, Crizotinib is a promising treatment in advanced
      NSCLC patients. A platinum-based regimen remains the mainstay of first-line
      systemic therapy for advanced NSCLC patients who are negative for EGFR mutation
      or ALK gene rearrangement. For patients with non-squamous NSCLC, Pemetrexed plus
      Cisplatin is recommended in first-line systemic therapy. An Endostatin
      combination with chemotherapy is used in first- and second-line advanced NSCLC
      patients. S-1 presents a new option of chemotherapy in advanced NSCLC cases.
      Cisplatin-based doublet chemotherapy is commonly used in NSCLC patients after
      surgery as adjuvant therapy. EGFR-TKIs are now being assessed in the adjuvant
      setting. The standard first-line chemotherapy regimen of small cell lung cancer
      (SCLC) is platinum with Etoposide (PE). Amrubicin provides similar survival
      compared with the PE regimen with an acceptable toxicity profile in extensive
      stage SCLC patients. Supportive care, such as traditional Chinese medicine and
      pegylated filgrastim, play an important role in improving patients' quality of
      life. 

PMID- 26273331
TI  - Clinical characteristics of the mixed form of neuroendocrine tumor in the lung: A
      retrospective study in 2501 lung cancer cases.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A neuroendocrine tumor (NET) is a special kind of epithelial tumor
      with predominant neuroendocrine differentiation, which arises throughout the
      body, including the lung. A subpopulation of lung cancer patients suffer from the
      mixed (combined) form of NET with components of non-neuroendocrine carcinoma.
      However, the clinical characteristics of the mixed form of NET are not well
      established. METHODS: We analyzed 2501 consecutive cases of primary lung cancer
      from 2009 to 2011. The diagnosis, histology, therapy, and outcome were collected.
      RESULTS: A total of 22 patients were enrolled. The occurrence rate of lung cancer
      was 0.9%. Neither gender (1.2% and 0.3% for male and female, respectively, P =
      0.35) nor age (0.6% and 1.3% for patients aged <=60 and >60, respectively, P =
      0.13) was associated with the onset of this disease; however it has become more
      frequent in recent years (0.6% and 1.6% at the time <= and >2010 respectively, P
      = 0.03). This cohort of 22 patients had a median survival of 60.0 months (95%
      confidence interval: 14.3-105.6 months). Patients with metastatic disease (60
      months and not reached [NR], P = 0.18) or a small-cell lung cancer component
      tended to have a shorter survival (35 months and NR, P = 0.16). Patients who
      underwent surgery had a significantly longer survival period (NR and 17.0 months,
      P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A mixed form of NET in the lung is a rare disease. While
      stage and histology might influence prognosis, surgery is the critical factor for
      long-term survival.

PMID- 26273330
TI  - Review of aerobic glycolysis and its key enzymes - new targets for lung cancer
      therapy.
AB  - Most tumor cells show different metabolic pathways than normal cells. Even under
      the conditions of sufficient oxygen, they produce energy by a high rate of
      glycolysis followed by lactic acid fermentation in the cytosol, which is known as
      aerobic glycolysis or the Warburg effect. Lung cancer is a malignant tumor with
      one of the highest incidence and mortality rates in the world at present.
      However, the exact mechanisms underlying lung cancer development remain unclear.
      The three key enzymes of glycolysis are hexokinase, phosphofructokinase, and
      pyruvate kinase. Lactate dehydrogenase catalyzes the transfer of pyruvate to
      lactate. All four enzymes have been reported to be overexpressed in tumors,
      including lung cancer, and can be regulated by many oncoproteins to promote tumor
      proliferation, migration, and metastasis with dependence or independence of
      glycolysis. The discovery of aerobic glycolysis in the 1920s has provided new
      means and potential therapeutic targets for lung cancer. 

PMID- 26273332
TI  - Silencing of tripartite motif (TRIM) 29 inhibits proliferation and invasion and
      increases chemosensitivity to cisplatin in human lung squamous cancer NCI-H520
      cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: TRIM29 belongs to the tripartite motif (TRIM) protein family. It has
      been reported to be a tumor suppressor or have oncogenic function in many cancer
      types. The aim of this study was to investigate whether downregulation of TRIM29
      by small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) could inhibit cell proliferation
      and invasion and increase chemosensitivity to cisplatin in human lung squamous
      cancer NCI-H520 cells in vitro. METHODS: We transformed TRIM29 siRNA into NCI
      H520 cells. Real time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and Western
      blotting assay were employed to determine TRIM29 messenger (m)RNA and protein
      expressions. MTT assay was used to determine the cell proliferation. Transwell
      invasion assay was used to determine the cell invasion. An Annexin V-propidium
      iodide (AnnV/PI) staining apoptosis test was used for detecting apoptosis.
      RESULTS: TRIM29 siRNA could specifically and efficiently suppress TRIM29
      expression at both mRNA and protein levels. Silencing of the TRIM29 by siRNA in
      NCI-H520 cells inhibited cell proliferation and invasion in vitro. TRIM29
      knockdown resulted in chemosensitivity enhancement in NCI-H520 cells. CONCLUSION:
      Downregulation of TRIM29 can lead to potent antitumor activity and
      chemosensitizing effect in human lung squamous cancer NCI-H520 cells.

PMID- 26273333
TI  - Prognostic factors in patients with postoperative brain recurrence from
      completely resected non-small cell lung cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Treatment strategies for brain metastasis from lung cancer have been
      making progress. The aim of this retrospective analysis was to investigate the
      post-recurrent prognostic factors in patients with brain metastasis after
      complete resection of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: We
      retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 40 patients found to have
      postoperative brain metastasis from NSCLC in our institution from 2002 to 2008.
      All patients had undergone radical pulmonary resection for the lung cancer. The
      impact of numerous variables on survival were assessed, including gender, age,
      carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), tumor size, N status, histological type, number
      of brain metastases, tumor size of brain metastasis, presence of symptoms from
      the brain tumor(s), and use of perioperative chemotherapy. RESULTS: The median
      follow-up was 20.6 months (range, 3.4-66 months). The five-year survival rate
      from the diagnosis of brain recurrence was 22.5%. In univariate analysis, the
      favorable prognostic factors after brain recurrence included a normal range of
      CEA, no extracranial metastasis, no symptoms from the brain metastasis, brain
      metastasis (less than 2 cm), and radical treatment (craniotomy or stereotactic
      radiosurgery [SRS]). The multivariate Cox model identified that a small brain
      metastasis and radical treatment were independent favorable prognostic factors.
      CONCLUSIONS: This study found that the implementation of radical therapy for
      metastatic brain tumor(s) when the tumor is still small contributed to an
      increase in patients' life expectancy.

PMID- 26273334
TI  - Pharmacokinetic profile of paclitaxel in the plasma, lung, and diaphragm
      following intravenous or intrapleural administration in rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The optimal chemotherapy route for non-small cell lung cancers
      involving the phrenic nerve and diaphragm is unclear. The pharmacokinetic
      properties of paclitaxel following intravenous (IV) or intrapleural (IP)
      administration were analyzed in the plasma, lung, and diaphragm in a rat model.
      The purpose of this study was to determine whether IP injection increased
      paclitaxel concentration in the diaphragm. METHODS: Paclitaxel was administered
      by IV or IP to male Sprague-Dawley rats. The concentration of drug in the plasma,
      lung, and diaphragm was determined using liquid chromatography-tandem mass
      spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The pharmacokinetic parameters area under the curve
      (AUC), mean residence time (MRT), peak plasma concentration (Cmax), and half-life
      (t1/2) were analyzed. RESULTS: Paclitaxel concentration in the plasma, lung, and
      diaphragm decreased quickly following IV administration. However, after IP
      injection, paclitaxel reached a high concentration in the plasma, lung, and
      diaphragm that declined gradually. Significant differences in all parameters,
      except Cmax in the lung, were observed between the two routes of administration
      (all P < 0.05). Plasma exposure to paclitaxel IP was 41.1% of that observed after
      IV in the first 24 hours (P < 0.05). IP also significantly increased exposure of
      paclitaxel in comparison with IV administration to 267.3% and 905.7% of IV
      administration in the lung and diaphragm, respectively (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION:
      These results suggest that IP administration may reduce systemic distribution of
      paclitaxel and increase the concentration in the lung and diaphragm. This could
      increase therapeutic efficacy by increasing the available drug and reduce
      systemic toxicity.

PMID- 26273335
TI  - Predictive factors for acute radiation pneumonitis in postoperative intensity
      modulated radiation therapy and volumetric modulated arc therapy of esophageal
      cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Radiation pneumonitis (RP) is a common side reaction in radiotherapy
      for esophageal cancer. There are few reports about RP in esophageal cancer
      patients receiving postoperative intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and
      volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT). This study aims to analyze clinical or
      dosimetric factors associated with RP, and provides data for radiotherapy
      planning. METHODS: We reviewed 68 postoperative esophageal cancer patients who
      were treated with radiotherapy at the West China Hospital from October 2010 to
      November 2012 to identify any correlation between the clinical or dosimetric
      parameters and acute radiation pneumonitis (ARP) or severe acute radiation
      pneumonitis (SARP) by t-test, chi-square test, and logistic regression analysis.
      RESULTS: Of the 68 patients, 33 patients (48.5%) developed ARP, 13 of which
      (19.1%) developed SARP. Of these 33 patients, 8 (11.8%), 12 (17.6%), 11 (16.2%),
      and 2 (2.9%) patients were grade 1, 2, 3, and 4 ARP, respectively. Univariate
      analysis showed that lung infection during radiotherapy, use of VMAT, mean lung
      dose (MLD), and dosimetric parameters (e.g. V20, V30) are significantly
      correlated with RP. Multivariate analysis found that lung infection during
      radiotherapy, MLD >= 12 Gy, and V30 >= 13% are significantly correlated with an
      increased risk of RP. CONCLUSION: Lung infection during radiotherapy and low
      radiation dose volume distribution were predictive factors associated with RP and
      should be accounted for during radiation planning.

PMID- 26273336
TI  - Establishment and management of a lung cancer biobank in Eastern China.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The prevalence of lung cancer, a highly complex neoplasm, increases
      annually. Thus, a lung cancer biobank, which stores lung cancer tissue and blood
      matched according to standard methods, is needed to advance lung cancer research
      and develop promising therapies. METHODS: To accomplish this aim, we implemented
      standardized procedures for tissue samples and patient information acquired from
      consenting donors. The banked tissue includes blood, pleural effusions, and
      surgical resection samples. An independent information management system was used
      to match samples and collect data, including clinical cancer manifestation,
      laboratory tests, and de-identified data about cancer patients. RESULTS: From
      2009 to 2013, more than 2000 lung cancer cases were collected. At this time, we
      have more than 10 000 biological samples stored in our biobank. DNA, ribonucleic
      acid (RNA), and protein quality were confirmed to be appropriate for clinical and
      basic research. CONCLUSION: Our standardized, large-scale lung cancer biobank
      offers high quality cancer research samples for China and the world.

PMID- 26273337
TI  - Evaluation of hormone receptor, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 and Ki
      67 with core needle biopsy and neoadjuvant chemotherapy effects in breast cancer
      patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We investigated the reliability of core needle biopsy (CNB) in
      evaluating the status of hormone receptor (HR), human epidermal growth factor
      receptor (HER)-2, and Ki-67 status, and the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy
      (NAC) on the expression of these immunohistochemical markers. METHODS: Among 177
      patients with breast adenocarcinoma, 95 patients underwent NAC and the remaining
      82 patients made up the control group. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to
      evaluate the expression status of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor
      (PR), HER-2, and Ki-67 in the specimens obtained by surgical excision or CNB.
      RESULTS: In the control group, the expression of ER, PR, HER-2, and Ki-67 was
      highly consistent between samples from surgical excision or CNB (all r > 0.8, P <
      0.05). In the NAC group, the proportions of samples with changes in ER, PR, HER
      2, and Ki-67 expression were 12.7%, 24.1%, 5.1%, and 38.0%, respectively; the
      figures in the control group were 2.4%, 4.9%, 2.4%, and 7.3%, respectively, which
      significantly differed in ER, PR, and Ki-67 (P < 0.05), but not HER-2 (P > 0.05).
      In the NAC group, pre- and post-treatment ER(+) rates did not significantly
      differ (P > 0.05), although PR(+) and high Ki-67 expression rates did
      significantly differ (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Neither CNB nor surgical excision
      samples gave highly consistent results in HR, HER-2, and Ki-67 status. NAC can
      alter HR and Ki-67 status in breast adenocarcinoma patients. NAC decreased PR(+)
      rate and Ki-67 expression. The mean ER(+) rate exhibited a decreasing, but
      insignificant trend after NAC treatment. NAC had no significant effect on HER-2
      expression.

PMID- 26273338
TI  - Analysis for the mechanism between the small cell lung cancer and non-small cell
      lung cancer combing the miRNA and mRNA expression profiles.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We investigated the relationship between small cell lung cancer
      (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) based on micro ribonucleic acid
      (miRNA) and messenger (m)RNA expression profiles. METHODS: Utilizing the
      differentially expressed mRNAs and the targeting miRNAs, the mRNA-miRNA network
      for the two cancers was constructed. By integrating the miRNA expression profile,
      drug, and drug targets, miRNA-drug target-drug networks were established and the
      mechanisms in drug therapy efficacy were compared between SCLC and NSCLC.
      RESULTS: Drug targets of different expressed miRNAs of SCLC are mainly located in
      the organelle, act in the electron carrier activity, and consist of the synapse;
      while drug targets of NSCLC are the membrane-enclosed lumen, mainly distributed
      in the extracellular region and synapse, and function in the binding. Drug
      targets of miRNA expressed commonly in the two cancers are involved in the
      reproduction multi-organism process. In SCLC, the miR-16 in the miRNA-drug target
      drug network is significant and follows the result of the mRNA-miRNA network. The
      pigmentation and rhythmic process of SCLC is different from NSCLC, while the
      process of cellular component biogenesis and cellular component organization are
      important for the occurrence of NSCLC. miR-16 in the miRNA-mRNA-drug network of
      SCLC is significant and we acquired 11 potential drugs, such as dexamethasone and
      budesonide. The miR-124 for NSCLC is important in the network and 17 potential
      drugs were screened, including dexamethasone and budesonide. CONCLUSIONS: These
      findings suggest that miR-16 and miR-124 might be novel diagnostic and
      prognostics markers for SCLC and NSCLC, respectively.

PMID- 26273339
TI  - Expression of interleukin-12 by adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells for
      treatment of lung adenocarcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Studies have revealed mesenchymal cells tend to directionally migrate
      toward tumor cells and inhibit tumor growth. However, there have been rare
      reports about adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AMSCs), which achieved
      stable expression of interleukin (IL)-12 to inhibit lung adenocarcinoma cell
      migration and invasion. We aimed to achieve stable expression of IL-12 in AMSCs
      through transgenic technology and utilize the paracrine effect of IL-12 to
      inhibit lung adenocarcinoma cell migration and invasion. METHODS: Adipose-derived
      AMSCs were transduced with lentivirus encoding IL-12. IL-12/AMSCs and lung
      adenocarcinoma A549 cells were co-cultured using a cylinder column to assess
      cellular attraction, and expression of Ki67 was detected. Dual-chamber transwell
      experiments were used to assess migration and invasiveness of A549 cells exposed
      to conditioned media from IL-12/AMSCs. RESULTS: When A549 cells were co-cultured
      with lentivirus vectors (LV)-IL-12-green fluorescent protein (GFP)/AMSCs, the
      intercellular distance was great (346.44 +/- 41.07 MUm vs. 201.58 +/- 27.96 MUm
      vs. 191.45 +/- 24.07 MUm) (F = 25.414, P < 0.05); the Ki67-positive rate was low
      (59.13 +/- 17.21% vs. 92.31 +/- 6.11% vs. 94.25 +/- 5.27%) (F = 21.426, P <
      0.05). When the lower Transwell chamber contained culture medium from LV-IL-12
      GFP/AMSCs, the percentage of the invasive A549 cells was low (31.55 +/- 6.21% vs.
      70.65 +/- 10.46% vs. 68.65 +/- 9.50%) (F = 27.494, P < 0.05). The percentages of
      colonized A549 cells that invaded the culture media of LV-IL-12-GFP/AMSCs were
      low (4.46 +/- 1.21 vs. 10.11 +/- 2.07 vs. 9.48 +/- 1.4) (F = 23.219, P < 0.05).
      CONCLUSIONS: AMSCs could target lung carcinoma and mediate stable expression of
      IL-12, to play a role in tumor treatment.

PMID- 26273340
TI  - Clinicopathologic characteristics, treatment outcomes, and prognostic factors of
      primary thoracic soft tissue sarcoma: A multicenter study of the Anatolian
      Society of Medical Oncology (ASMO).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) are rare malignant tumors of embryogenic
      mesoderm origin. Primary thoracic STSs account for a small percentage of all STSs
      and limited published information is available. This study aimed to identify the
      prognostic factors for thoracic STSs and evaluate the disease's clinical
      outcomes. METHODS: The medical records of 109 patients with thoracic STSs who
      were treated between 2003 and 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients'
      survival rates were analyzed and potential prognostic factors evaluated. RESULTS:
      The median follow-up period was 29 months (range: 1-121 months). STSs were most
      frequently localized on the chest wall (n = 42; 38.5%) and lungs (n = 42; 38.5%).
      The most common histological types were malignant fibrous histiocytoma (n = 23;
      21.1%), liposarcoma (n = 17; 15.6%), and leiomyosarcoma (n = 16; 14.7%). The
      median survival time of all patients was 40.3 months (95% confidence interval,
      14.22-66.37 months), with one and five-year survival rates of 93.4% and 63.5%,
      respectively. Univariate analysis of all groups revealed that metastatic stage,
      unresectability, tumor diameter of >10 cm, tumor location other than the chest
      wall, and grade 3 diseases were predictable of poor survival. However, only grade
      3 diseases and tumor location other than the chest wall were confirmed by
      multivariate analysis as poor prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS: Primary thoracic
      STSs are rarely seen malignant tumors. Our results indicated that patients with
      low-grade tumors and those localized on the chest wall often experienced better
      survival outcomes.

PMID- 26273341
TI  - Mouse double minute-2 homolog (MDM2)-rs2279744 polymorphism associated with lung
      cancer risk in a Northeastern Chinese population.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Altered expression or function of mouse double minute-2 (MDM2)
      protein could contribute to lung carcinogenesis; thus, this study investigated
      MDM2-rs2279744 polymorphism together with other epidemiologic factors for their
      association with lung cancer risk. METHODS: A total of 500 lung cancer patients
      and 500 age and gender-matched healthy controls living in Northeastern China were
      recruited for genotyping of MDM2-rs2279744. Clinicopathological data was
      collected and subjected to univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: In
      univariate analysis, the MDM2-rs2279744 G/G genotype versus T/T + T/G genotypes
      showed a tendency toward a higher incidence of lung cancer in the recessive model
      (P = 0.043). However, there were no significant differences when it was analyzed
      by the dominant, additive, or multiplicative models. A significantly increased
      lung cancer risk was observed associated with lower education level, lower body
      mass index, cancer family history, prior diagnosis of chronic obstructive
      pulmonary disease and pneumonia, exposure to pesticide or gasoline/diesel,
      tobacco smoking, and heavy cooking emissions when assessed by multivariate
      analyses. Moreover, MDM2-rs2279744 was still a significant risk factor even after
      incorporating environmental and lifestyle factors. However, there was no
      association between MDM2-rs2279744 and other factors. CONCLUSIONS: The MDM2
      rs2279744 G/G genotype was associated with a higher lung cancer risk, even after
      incorporating other epidemiologic factors.

PMID- 26273342
TI  - Solitary pulmonary metastasis from malignant melanoma of the bulbar conjunctiva
      presenting as a pulmonary ground glass nodule: Report of a case.
AB  - We herein report a case of solitary pulmonary metastasis from malignant melanoma
      that presented as a pulmonary ground glass nodule. A 57-year-old man who had
      undergone resection of a malignant melanoma of the right bulbar conjunctiva at
      the age of 51 was referred to our hospital for management of ground glass opacity
      in his left lung. Because radiological examination suggested the nodule was an
      adenocarcinoma in situ, computed tomography (CT) follow-up was planned. CT
      examination performed nine months later showed that the nodule had grown from 6
      mm to 8 mm. Moreover, CT performed one and a half years after first detection
      revealed that the nodule had grown up to 10 mm. The patient, therefore, underwent
      partial resection of the lung for diagnosis and treatment. Pathological
      examination of the resected specimen revealed atypical cells with melanin
      granules proliferating in a lepidic-like fashion. The cells were positive on S
      100 staining, indicating a pulmonary metastasis from malignant melanoma. Thus,
      metastatic tumors from malignant melanoma can present as ground glass opacities. 

PMID- 26273343
TI  - Intrathymic ectopic parathyroid adenoma caused primary hyperparathyroidism with
      vitamin D deficiency several years after bariatric surgery.
AB  - Up to 25% of patients with primary hyperparathyroidism have ectopic parathyroid
      adenoma. A 45-year-old formerly obese woman underwent extended thymectomy for a
      parathyroid adenoma located in hyperplastic thymic tissue, associated with
      primary hyperparathyroidism and severe vitamin D deficiency, but normal bone
      mineral density. At nine months follow-up, all laboratory test results were
      within normal limits and she presented no symptoms and no recurrence of disease.
      In this case, autonomous growth of a parathyroid adenoma was reasonably secondary
      to chronic calcium and vitamin D malabsorption, which often occurs after
      bariatric surgery for pathologic obesity. 

PMID- 26273344
TI  - Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) producing malignant pleural
      mesothelioma: Report of a case.
AB  - This report presents a case of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) producing
      granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) that was treated by tumor
      resection. A 76-year-old male presented with a huge right-side chest wall tumor,
      along with a slight fever and chest wall pain. Laboratory findings showed an
      increased white blood cell count (64600 cells/MUL) and C-reactive protein level
      (20.57 mg/dL). The patient underwent surgical removal of the tumor along with
      tissue from the chest wall and histopathological analysis led to a diagnosis of
      sarcomatous type of MPM. Immunohistochemical findings for both anti-human G-CSF
      and interleukin-6 monoclonal antibodies were positive. Although the general
      condition of the patient quickly improved after surgery, local recurrence
      occurred two months later and he died of respiratory failure seven months after
      the operation, though surgery provided symptom relief. G-CSF-producing MPMs
      usually show a poor prognosis, though less-invasive surgery may be considered for
      relief of symptoms. 

PMID- 26273345
TI  - Bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax and massive pneumomediastinum under Pazopanib
      therapy.

PMID- 26273346
TI  - Chinese expert consensus workshop report: Guidelines for thermal ablation of
      primary and metastatic lung tumors.
AB  - Although surgical resection is the primary means of curing both primary and
      metastatic lung cancers, about 80% of lung cancers cannot be removed by surgery.
      As most patients with unresectable lung cancer receive only limited benefits from
      traditional radiotherapy and chemotherapy, many new local treatment methods have
      emerged, including local ablation therapy. The Minimally Invasive and
      Comprehensive Treatment of Lung Cancer Branch, Professional Committee of
      Minimally Invasive Treatment of Cancer of the Chinese Anti-Cancer Association has
      organized multidisciplinary experts to develop guidelines for this treatment
      modality. These guidelines aim at standardizing thermal ablation procedures and
      criteria for selecting treatment candidates and assessing outcomes; and for
      preventing and managing post-ablation complications. 

PMID- 26273348
TI  - Magnetic resonance imaging for N staging in non-small cell lung cancer: A
      systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lymph node staging in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is essential
      for deciding appropriate treatment. This study systematically reviews the
      literature regarding the diagnostic performance of magnetic resonance imaging
      (MRI) in lymph node staging of patients with NSCLC, and determines its pooled
      sensitivity and specificity. METHODS: PubMed and Embase databases and the
      Cochrane library were used to search for relevant studies. Two reviewers
      independently identified the methodological quality of each study. A meta
      analysis of the reported sensitivity and specificity of each study was performed.
      RESULTS: Nine studies were included. These studies had moderate to good
      methodological quality. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood
      ratio (LR+), negative likelihood ratio (LR-) and diagnosis odds ratio (DOR) for
      per-patient based analyses (7 studies) were 74%, 90%, 7.5, 0.26, and 36.7,
      respectively, and those for per-lymph node based analyses (5 studies) were 77%,
      98%, 42.24, 0.21, and 212.35, respectively. For meta-analyses of quantitative
      short time inversion recovery imaging (STIR) and diffusion-weighted imaging
      (DWI), pooled sensitivity and specificity were 84% and 91%, and 69% and 93%,
      respectively. Pooled LR+ and pooled LR- were 8.44 and 0.18, and 8.36 and 0.36,
      respectively. The DOR was 56.29 and 27.2 respectively. CONCLUSION: MRI showed
      high specificity in the lymph node staging of NSCLC. Quantitative STIR has
      greater DOR than quantitative DWI. Large, direct, and prospective studies are
      needed to compare the diagnostic power of STIR versus DWI; consistent diagnostic
      criteria should be established.

PMID- 26273349
TI  - Pazopanib diminishes non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) growth and metastases in
      vivo.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Anti-angiogenesis has been demonstrated to have a critical role in
      lung cancer pathogenesis. Here, we characterized the effect of the small-molecule
      angiogenesis inhibitor pazopanib on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells.
      METHODS: NSCLC cells were tested for viability and migration after incubation
      with varying concentrations of pazopanib. Further, the phosphorylation status of
      extracellular signal-regulated kinase, protein kinase B, and MEK were assessed in
      vitro. For in vivo testing, mice grafted with NSCLC cell lines L9981 and A549
      were treated orally with pazopanib. RESULTS: Pazopanib inhibits signaling
      pathways in tumor cells, thus blocking NSCLC cell growth and migration in vitro
      and inducing tumor cell arrest at G0/G1 phase. We show that pazopanib could
      inhibit tumor cell growth, decrease metastases, and prolong survival in two mouse
      xenograft models of human NSCLC. CONCLUSION: These preclinical studies of
      pazopanib show the possibility of clinical application and, ultimately,
      improvement in patient outcome.

PMID- 26273350
TI  - Surgical results of resectable small cell lung cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The standard of care for patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC)
      is chemotherapy and radiotherapy, even for patients with limited disease. To
      define the role of surgical resection in patients with limited SCLC, we
      investigated the outcomes of patients diagnosed with limited-stage disease (LD)
      SCLC. METHODS: The records of 57 LD SCLC patients who underwent surgical
      resection from April 1974 to March 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS:
      There were six women and 51 men, with a median age of 63.5 years. The overall
      five-year survival rate was 28.6% (median, 18.2 months). The p-stage II and III
      patients had a significantly worse survival than the p-stage I patients (13.4%
      vs. 43.4%, P = 0.0036). However, the c-stage was not found to correlate with
      survival. Patients who underwent pneumonectomy had a significantly worse outcome
      than those who underwent other surgical procedures (0.0% vs. 32.0%, P = 0.0002).
      In a multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis, p-stage II or III (hazard
      ratio [HR] 3.040 P = 0.0017) and pneumonectomy (HR 6.177, P = 0.00159) were
      significant independent predictors of an adverse survival outcome. CONCLUSIONS:
      Surgical treatment can be considered in SCLC patients with pathologically proven
      N0 status, although pneumonectomy should be avoided.

PMID- 26273351
TI  - Clinical study on postoperative recurrence in patients with pN1 esophageal
      squamous cell carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The 7th edition Union for International Cancer Control esophageal
      cancer staging system has changed the pathological N stage from N0, N1 (the
      existence state of regional lymph node metastasis) to N0, N1, N2, and N3 (number
      of regional lymph node metastasis). This study was designed to analyze the
      influencing factors of early recurrence in patients with pathological N1 stage
      (pN1 stage) esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after radical
      esophagectomy. METHOD: A retrospective study of 95 consecutive pN1 stage ESCC
      patients was conducted. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to determine
      the independent risk factors for recurrence. RESULTS: Recurrence was recognized
      in 52 patients (54.7%) within three years after surgery. The median time to tumor
      recurrence was 14.2 months. Locoregional recurrence was found in 42 patients
      (44.2%) and hematogenous metastasis in 10 patients (10.5%). Recurrence closely
      correlated with pT stage, positive lymph node metastasis (LNM) in 2-station
      and/or 2-field, pathologic stage, intramural metastasis, lymph-vascular invasion,
      and postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy (chi(2) = 8.853~65.695, P < 0.05). Cox
      multivariate analysis showed that pT3-4a stage (odds ratio [OR] = 3.604, P =
      0.027), positive LNM in 2-station (OR = 4.834, P = 0.009) or 2-field (OR = 5.689,
      P = 0.003) and no adjuvant chemotherapy (OR = 1.594, p = 0.048) were independent
      risk factors for postoperative recurrence. CONCLUSION: Adjuvant chemotherapy
      might be helpful to reduce the recurrence rate of pN1 patients with thoracic
      ESCC. Induction therapy could further improve the therapeutic effect of pN1 ESCC
      with suspected multi-station and/or multi-field LNM.

PMID- 26273352
TI  - Transthoracic biopsy of lung masses: Non technical factors affecting complication
      occurrence.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To investigate the transthoracic computed tomography (CT)-guided lung
      nodule biopsy complications and risk factors associated with the development of
      these complications. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated a total of 41 CT
      guided transthoracic biopsy complications. Data was analyzed by chi-square and
      independent sample t-tests. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients (28.7%) developed
      pneumothorax and eight patients (8.5%) developed parenchymal hemorrhage, and four
      patients (4.3%) hemothorax and two (2.1%) patients developed subcutaneous
      emphysema. A significant correlation was obtained between the development of
      pneumothorax and lesion size (P = 0.040), and the distance that traversed the
      parenchyma (P = 0.001). There was a statistically significant difference between
      the parenchymal hemorrhage and lesion size and the distance from passed
      parenchyma (P values were 0.021 and 0.008, respectively). An increased incidence
      of parenchymal hemorrhage and pneumothorax was observed at small size and deep
      seated lesions. CONCLUSION: Lesion size and the distance that traversed the
      parenchyma on the biopsy tract are the most important factors that influence the
      development of complications in CT-guided transthoracic biopsy.

PMID- 26273353
TI  - Multiple primary cancers involving lung cancer at a single tertiary hospital:
      Clinical features and prognosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The development of other primary cancers in patients with lung cancer
      is unfortunate and uncommon, although the frequency is increasing. The aim of
      this study was to determine the clinical features and prognosis in patients with
      multiple primary cancers (MPC) involving lung cancer. METHODS: After a
      retrospective review of 1644 patients who were newly diagnosed with primary lung
      cancer between 1998 and August 2012 at a tertiary hospital, 105 patients were
      included. RESULTS: The median age at the time of lung cancer diagnosis was 67
      years, and 68 patients were male. Synchronous primary cancers occurred in 47% of
      the study population (49/105). Among those with metachronous cancer (56/105), the
      median interval between the diagnosis of lung cancer and another malignancy was
      47.1 months; 21 patients were diagnosed with lung cancer as the first primary
      tumor. The most frequent type of other malignancy was urogenital (30%), followed
      by gastrointestinal (30%) and thyroid malignancies (16%). Advanced stage of lung
      cancer (hazard ratio (HR), 3.2; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.8-5.7; P <
      0.001), supportive care only as treatment for lung cancer (HR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.3
      6.0; P = 0.006), and head and neck cancer as another malignancy (HR, 3.9; 95% CI,
      1.4-10.8; P = 0.010) were independent predictors of shorter survival from the
      time of diagnosis of the second primary cancer. CONCLUSION: Advanced lung cancer
      stage, symptomatic supportive care only without antitumor therapy for lung
      cancer, and head and neck cancer as another primary malignancy were poor
      prognostic factors in patients with MPC involving primary lung cancer.

PMID- 26273354
TI  - Risk factors for recurrence after complete resection of pathological stage N2 non
      small cell lung cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tumor recurrence is the most common cause of treatment failure,
      especially after complete resection of pathological stage N2 non-small cell lung
      cancer (NSCLC). In this study, we investigated the clinicopathological
      characteristics in order to identify independent risk factors for postoperative
      recurrence. METHODS: Between January 2001 and December 2013, 96 patients who
      underwent surgical resection for pathological N2 NSCLC were retrospectively
      reviewed. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier
      method to explore risk factors, while the Cox proportional hazard model was used
      to assess independent predictors. RESULTS: The median and five-year RFS rates
      were 15 months and 27.4%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed a
      significantly poorer prognosis for non-regional N2 metastasis, more than three
      metastatic N2 lymph nodes, multiple N2 station, and multiple N2 zone involvement.
      Multivariate analysis demonstrated that non-regional N2 metastasis (hazard ratio
      [HR] 1.857, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.061-3.249, P = 0.030) and more than
      three metastatic N2 lymph nodes (HR 2.555, 95% CI 1.164-5.606, P = 0.019) were
      independent risk factors for RFS. Additionally, the incidence of non-regional N2
      metastasis was higher in patients with a primary tumor in the left lower (57.1%)
      or right lower lobe (48.1%), followed by left upper (31.8%), right middle (14.3%)
      and right upper lobe (7.7%). CONCLUSION: The combination of the distribution and
      number of metastatic N2 lymph nodes provides a more accurate prediction for N2
      NSCLC regarding recurrence. Non-regional N2 metastasis could occur with a primary
      tumor in any lobe, but occurs more frequently in the lower lobe.

PMID- 26273355
TI  - In vitro study of the effect of small interfering ribonucleic acid on the
      expression of FOXN1 and B cell-attracting chemokine 1 in thymoma cell lines.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To determine the relationship between FOXN1 (a transcription factor)
      and B cell-attracting chemokine 1 (BCA1, a chemotactic factor), and their
      influence on thymoma cell proliferation. METHODS: We initially used
      immunohistochemical methods to compare the expression levels of FOXN1 and BCA1 in
      thymoma and non-thymomatous tissue samples. Reverse transcription polymerase
      chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting were used to compare the expression
      of FOXN1 and BCA1 in thymoma cells (Thy0517) and normal thymic epithelial cells
      (CRL7660). We used ribonucleic acid interference (RNAi) to downregulate FOXN1 and
      BCA1 expression in Thy0517 cells to determine the relationship of the two factors
      with cell regulation. We also performed methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) [3
      (4,5)-dimethylthiahiazo(-z-y1)-3,5-di-phenytetrazoliumromide] assays to detect
      the changes in Thy0517 cells after RNAi of FOXN1 and BCA1. RESULTS: FOXN1 and
      BCA1 expression levels were higher in thymoma tissues and Thy0517 cells compared
      to non-thymomatous tissue and CRL7660 cells (P < 0.05). RT-PCR and Western blot
      following RNAi showed that FOXN1 controlled BCA1 expression. MTT assay showed
      that FOXN1 and BCA1 downregulation rapidly inhibited Thy0517 cell proliferation.
      CONCLUSIONS: FOXN1 and BCA1 expression was higher in thymoma tissue samples and
      cell lines than in non-thymomatous tissue and normal thymic epithelial cells.
      FOXN1 acts upstream of BCA1 and both FOXN1 and BCA1 promote thymoma cell
      proliferation.

PMID- 26273356
TI  - Analysis of the coincidence rate between imaging and pathological findings of
      pulmonary metastasis in 45 cases with invasive bone and soft tissue sarcoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It is not uncommon for imaging examinations of invasive bone and soft
      tissue sarcoma patients during initial treatment or postoperative follow-up to
      detect pulmonary nodules. This has important significance in determining the
      nature of nodules either for tumor staging and therapeutic regimen selection or
      for prognosis evaluation. METHODS: A review was carried out of invasive bone and
      soft tissue sarcoma patients diagnosed and treated in the department of
      orthopedic oncology of Beijing Jishuitan Hospital from June 2002 to June 2012.
      Data from patients who developed pulmonary metastases, diagnosed by imaging and
      treated surgically, were analyzed for consistency between imaging and
      postoperative pathological diagnoses. RESULTS: A total of 45 patients with
      pulmonary metastasis diagnosed by imaging and treated with resection of pulmonary
      lesions were included in the study. Thirty-eight cases with pulmonary metastases
      (84.4%) and seven cases without pulmonary metastases (15.6%) were confirmed by
      postoperative pathological examination. The most common pathological type in the
      latter patients was tuberculosis, with a total of four cases (57.1%). CONCLUSION:
      There is a certain degree of misdiagnosis when using imaging for diagnosis of
      pulmonary metastasis, and attention should be paid to the pathological diagnosis
      of pulmonary metastasis in order to avoid overtreatment. Tuberculosis is most
      common in invasive bone and soft tissue sarcoma patients with pulmonary benign
      lesions, and it should be distinguished.

PMID- 26273357
TI  - Imaging characteristics of local recurrences after stereotactic body radiation
      therapy for stage I non-small cell lung cancer: Evaluation of mass-like fibrosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate stereotactic body radiation therapy
      (SBRT) in patients with stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in terms of
      radiation-induced changes and computed tomography (CT) features of local
      recurrence by 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography ((18)F-FDG
      PET). METHODS: From January 2006 to December 2012, 81 patients with NSCLC
      received SBRT. Follow-up consisted of non-contrast enhanced CT scans performed
      before and every four months after SBRT. In addition, 18F-FDG-PET/CT was
      conducted before SBRT for each patient, and one year later for each case
      suspected of recurrence. The CT findings were classified into two categories:
      mass-like fibrosis and others. The mass-like fibrosis category was subdivided
      into two patterns: mass-like consolidation (with air bronchogram) and mass-like
      opacity. RESULTS: Six patients had histologically confirmed local recurrence,
      including 83% (5/6) with mass-like opacity pattern and one case of modified
      conventional pattern (P = 0.02). In contrast, the non-recurrent group exhibited
      only 7% (5/75) with mass-like opacity and 13% (10/75) with mass-like
      consolidation pattern. Five patients with local recurrence presented with the
      mass-like opacity pattern, compared with 33% of patients (5/15) from the non
      recurrent group (P = 0.01) and showed an increase in maximum diameter at >=12
      months after SBRT. The recurrent group also had a significantly higher
      standardized uptake value (SUVmax) than the non-recurrent group (P < 0.001), with
      all values >5 (range: 5.7-25.4). CONCLUSION: The following characteristics of
      mass-like fibrosis should be considered indicators of local recurrence after
      SBRT: opacity pattern, increasing maximum diameter, and SUVmax > 5.

PMID- 26273358
TI  - Establishment and characterization of a novel cell line derived from thymoma with
      myasthenia gravis patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Thymoma is a cancer with rare incidence, but it is a major malignancy
      in adult anterior mediastinum, occurring in about 40% of patients with myasthenia
      gravis. Because of the lack of thymic epithelial tumor cell lines, thymoma has
      lagged far behind other tumors in cytological studies. It is, therefore, quite
      necessary to establish a new thymic epithelial tumor cell line from Chinese
      patients to study the pathogenic mechanism and therapeutic methods. METHODS:
      Twenty-three samples of tumor tissues were collected from thymoma and thymic
      carcinoma patients for primary culture by tissue explant, suspension cell culture
      method, and collagenase digestion. We detected the biological characteristics and
      origin of the cell line after the establishment of a novel thymoma cell line.
      RESULTS: A novel cell line, designed as Thy0517, was established from thymoma
      type AB with myasthenia gravis patients by tissue explant. As an immortalized
      cell line, it always has a stable growth cycle, and there is no change in
      characteristics and morphology after culturing for 18 months and passing 160
      generations in vitro. The experimental data demonstrate that the cell line
      exhibits the growth characteristics of tumor cells, the doubling time of 37
      hours, with tumorigenicity in vitro and chromosome abnormality.
      Immunocytochemistry indicated that the cell line positive expression of CK7,
      CK8/18, CK19, CK-pan, CD24, BCL-2, P63, Vimentin, epithelial membrane antigen and
      epidermal growth factor receptor, lymphocyte related antigen CD99, and TdT were
      negatively expressed. CONCLUSIONS: The newly established thymic epithelial tumor
      cell line from Chinese patients provides a model in the study of thymoma and
      molecularly targeted therapies.

PMID- 26273359
TI  - Effects of histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A combined with cisplatin
      on apoptosis of A549 cell line.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors combined with other drugs for
      the treatment of malignant tumors are used more and more widely. In this study,
      we investigated the effect of trichostatin A (TSA), a HDAC inhibitor, in
      combination with cisplatin, a cytotoxic chemotherapy agent, on the apoptosis of
      lung cancer A549 cells. METHODS: A549 cells were treated with TSA alone,
      cisplatin alone or the two drugs combined. Cell viability and apoptosis were
      evaluated using a light microscope, methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) (3-[4, 5
      dimethylthiazol-2-yl] -2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay and Hochst33258
      staining. Moreover, Western blot analysis was employed to examine the alterations
      of apoptosis protein: cellular Fas-associated death domain-like interleukin-1
      beta converting enzyme inhibitory protein (cFLIP) and caspase-8 in A549 cells in
      response to the different exogenous stimuli. RESULTS: Compared with single-agent
      treatment, the co-treatment of A549 cells with TSA and cisplatin synergistically
      inhibited cell proliferation, induced apoptosis, and increased the inhibition
      rate. Treatment with TSA and cisplatin led to a significant decrease of cFLIP
      expression. Furthermore, the treatment of A549 cells with TSA and cisplatin
      resulted in a significant decrease of pro-caspase-8 and a significant increase of
      caspase-8. CONCLUSIONS: Synergistic anti-tumor effects are observed between
      cisplatin and TSA in lung cancer cells. The combination of TSA with cisplatin may
      be a more effective method in human lung cancer treatment.

PMID- 26273360
TI  - Epidemiology of lung cancer in China.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is the most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer
      death in China. Along with socioeconomic development, environmental problems have
      intensified and the burden of lung cancer continues to increase. METHODS: In this
      study, national cancer registry data was used for evaluating incidence,
      mortality, time trend, and prediction. RESULTS: In China in 2010, 605 900
      patients were diagnosed and 486 600 patients died of lung cancer. Throughout the
      last three decades, the mortality of lung cancer has dramatically increased, as
      shown in national death surveys. From 2000 to 2010, age specific incidence of
      lung cancer increased in most age groups. It is estimated that in 2015, the total
      number of new cases of lung cancer will reach 733 300. CONCLUSIONS: Lung cancer
      is a serious disease affecting public health and an effective control strategy is
      needed in China.

PMID- 26273361
TI  - Poor response to gefitinib in lung adenocarcinoma with concomitant epidermal
      growth factor receptor mutation and anaplastic lymphoma kinase rearrangement.
AB  - A patient presenting with concomitant epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)
      mutation and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) translocation is rare. We report a
      non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patient with concomitant ALK rearrangement and
      exon 19 (E746-A750del) EGFR mutation. The ALK rearrangement was confirmed not
      only in the primary tumor biopsy specimen, but also in the pleural effusion cell
      block by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Ventana ALK
      immunohistochemistry assay, and fluorescence in situ hybridization. No clinical
      benefit using chemotherapy or EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor gefitinib was
      obtained in this case. 

PMID- 26273362
TI  - Case report of polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma in the trachea with
      metastasis to the right middle lobe bronchus.
AB  - Polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma (PLGA) is a low-grade malignant
      infiltrative tumor of the minor salivary glands. According to data from PubMed
      (National Center for Biotechnology), one case of PLGA involving the left main
      bronchus and one case involving the right main and upper lobar bronchi have
      previously been reported. Here, we describe the first case of PLGA originating in
      the trachea with metastasis to the right middle lobe bronchus, all initially
      misdiagnosed as adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC). It is particularly important to
      distinguish this tumor from other types of salivary gland tumors, especially ACC.
      Complete surgical excision is the curative treatment of choice for PLGA. 

PMID- 26273363
TI  - Clinically beneficial continued treatment with gefitinib after asymptomatic
      progression of lung adenocarcinoma.
AB  - We report a case showing the long-term clinical benefit of the continued use of
      gefitinib in a patient with asymptomatic progression of lung adenocarcinoma
      harboring an exon 19 deletion of the epidermal growth factor receptor gene.
      Although follow-up studies showed smoldering progression of metastatic lesions,
      continued treatment with gefitinib controlled pulmonary adenocarcinoma for more
      than six years. 

PMID- 26273364
TI  - Asymptomatic air-embolism following percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of lung
      tumor: Rare or underestimated complication?

PMID- 26273365
TI  - Subxyphoid single-incision thoracoscopic pulmonary metastasectomy.
AB  - Single-incision thoracoscopic surgery has increasingly attracted public interest
      and been applied in numerous thoracic procedures. However, single-incision
      thoracoscopic surgery is associated with requiring subsequent procedures, such as
      intercostal neuralgia. Herein, we extend the single-port technique of pulmonary
      metastasectomy through a single subxiphoid approach, and report the first two
      cases of this procedure to date. 

PMID- 26273367
TI  - Current small cell lung cancer treatment in China.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The treatment status of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) in Mainland
      China has never been reported; therefore, this study is the first multicenter
      survey investigating the status of epidemiology and treatment options of SCLC in
      Mainland China. METHODS: Two questionnaires were designed to obtain information
      in 12 medical centers in five major Chinese cities. The hospital information
      questionnaire was designed to outline SCLC patients' characteristics and
      treatment preferences in each medical institution, and the patient information
      questionnaire collected detailed treatment information of 298 SCLC cases in these
      hospitals. RESULTS: SCLC represented 13.7% and 18.3% of all lung cancer patients
      in 2005 and 2010, respectively. Clinical management of SCLC follows mainstream
      clinical guidelines in general. The most widely applied first-line treatment mode
      for limited-stage patients was combined chemoradiotherapy (66.2%), while 77.0% of
      the extensive-stage patients received chemotherapy alone as initial treatment.
      Etoposide with cisplatin or carboplatin were the most accepted first-line
      chemotherapy regimens. The objective response rate was 58.3% after first-line
      chemotherapy and 23% of the patients who responded well to first-line treatment
      received prophylactic cranial irradiation. As for second-line chemotherapy,
      single regimen topotecan or a combined regimen containing topotecan were
      preferred (53.0%). CONCLUSIONS: The treatment options indicated in our study are
      in accordance with the international clinical guidelines, which is valuable for
      the improvement of future guidelines, health care standard, and even the better
      distribution of health care resources in China.

PMID- 26273368
TI  - Usefulness of target delineation based on the two extreme phases of a four
      dimensional computed tomography scan in stereotactic body radiation therapy for
      lung cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: An evaluation of the usefulness of target delineation based only on
      the two extreme phases of a four-dimensional computed tomography (4D CT) scan in
      lung stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). METHODS: Seventeen patients
      treated with SBRT via 4D CT scans for lung cancer were retrospectively enrolled.
      Volumetric and geometric analyses were performed for the internal target volumes
      (ITVs) and planning target volumes (PTVs) generated using different respiratory
      phases (all phases and 2 extreme phases) and setup margins (3 mm and 5 mm).
      RESULTS: As the setup margins were added to the ITVs, the overlap percentage
      between the PTVs based on all phases and the two extreme phases increased (85.1%
      for ITVs, 89.8% for PTVs_3 mm, and 91.3% for PTVs_5 mm), and there were no
      differences according to the tumor parameters, such as the gross tumor volume and
      3D mobility. The missing-volume differences for ITVs derived from cone-beam CT
      images also decreased, with values of 5.3% between ITVs, 0.5% between PTVs_3 mm,
      and 0.2% between PTVs_5 mm. Compared with the plan based on all phases and a 3 mm
      margin, the average lung-dose differences found for the PTV based on the two
      extreme phases and a 5 mm margin were 0.41 Gy for the mean lung dose and 0.93%
      for V20. CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of tumor characteristics, PTV construction based
      only on the two extreme phases and a 5 mm setup margin may be a useful tool for
      reducing the clinical workload involved in target delineation in SBRT for lung
      cancer.

PMID- 26273369
TI  - Chest wall tumors and prosthetic reconstruction: A comparative analysis on
      functional outcome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To address the question of how much chest-wall (CW) resections and
      prosthetic reconstructions influence functional outcome. METHODS: We
      retrospectively reviewed 175 patients who underwent surgery for CW tumors. The
      clinical, histological, surgical, oncological, and functional factors were
      analyzed. RESULTS: We performed: 75 rib resections; 20 sternal resections; 15
      combined resections; and 27 lung resections. In 39 cases (22.2%) CW was
      stabilized with non-rigid prosthesis (Vicryl-mesh: 8 patients; Goretex-mesh: 31
      patients). Postoperative complications occurred in 22 cases (12.6%): a
      correlation with lung resection was evidenced by multivariate analysis (P =
      0.025). Five-year survival for primary and secondary tumors was 50% and 36%,
      respectively: multivariate analysis (P = 0.048) showed a worse survival in men
      only. In the prosthesis subset, pulmonary function tested as percentage of forced
      expiratory volume in one second (%FEV1) (pre: 87.1 +/- 18.9%; post: 82.3 +/-
      23.0%, P = ns), percentage of forced vital capacity (pre: 94.1 +/- 19.3%; post:
      82.0 +/- 21.6%, P = ns), diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide
      (pre: 15.7 +/- 7.4; post: 12.1 +/- 4.1, P = ns) and paO2 (pre: 82.6 +/- 10.9
      mmHg; post: 83.9 +/- 7.3 mmHg, P = ns) was slightly modified from pre to
      postoperative. Interestingly, the decline of FEV1% was lower in the prosthesis
      subset (4.1 +/- 15.9%) compared with the subgroup who did not undergo prosthetic
      stabilization (17.5 +/- 16.2%), but this difference was not statistically
      significant (P = ns). CONCLUSION: Because of the low decrease of lung parameters,
      CW prosthetic reconstruction could be helpful for avoiding postoperative
      worsening of functional outcome, mostly in patients with pre-existing pulmonary
      diseases.

PMID- 26273370
TI  - Influence of different image-guided tracking methods upon the local efficacy of
      CyberKnife treatment in lung tumors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to explore the influence of image-guided
      tumor localization modality (Synchrony tracking vs. Xsight spine-based
      localization) on the local efficacy of CyberKnife treatment in lung cancer and
      lung metastases. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 64 patients with pulmonary
      metastases and primary tumor cases (72 targets) treated with stereotactic body
      radiotherapy using CyberKnife was conducted. Synchrony respiratory tracking was
      used to treat 45 targets, and the remaining 27 targets were treated using Xsight
      spine (with an extended margin to account for positional uncertainty). The median
      (80%) isodose line (70-94%) covered the planning target volume at a total dose of
      6000 cGy delivered in three fractions. Local efficacy was evaluated by Response
      Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, accompanied by the follow-up of local
      recurrence cases and analysis of tracking methods. RESULTS: Short-term local
      control was superior for targets tracked with Synchrony than for targets
      localized with Xsight spine. There was no statistical difference for targets in
      the upper lung, but for targets in the lower lung Synchrony tracking was better.
      Small targets (less than 15 mL) were better controlled when Synchrony was used,
      but there was no difference for treatment volumes larger than 15 mL. Treatment
      failures were more likely in the lower lung and for small tumors localized with
      Xsight spine. CONCLUSIONS: The local efficacy of CyberKnife treatment in lung
      cancer and lung metastases was influenced by image-guided localization method,
      target location within the lung, and tumor volume.

PMID- 26273371
TI  - Inhibition of lung adenocarcinoma cells by insulin-like growth factor-I receptor
      and Kirsten rat sarcoma mutations: A mutation analysis with antisense
      oligodeoxynucleotide.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Kirsten rat sarcoma (KRAS) mutations are widespread in lung
      adenocarcinoma patients. The combined utilization of KRAS antisense
      oligodeoxynucleotide (ASODN) and insulin-like growth factor-I receptor (IGF-IR)
      may inhibit the proliferation of A549 cell lines of lung adenocarcinoma. METHODS:
      Point mutations of the KRAS gene in A549 cells were detected by polymerase chain
      reaction with special sequence primers (PCR-SSP) and gene sequence analysis;
      ASODN was designed and synthesized according to the mutation specialty of KRAS;
      and the correlation of gene mutations and clinicopathological features were
      analyzed. Inhibition on the proliferation and morphostructure change were
      measured by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium and colony-forming unit assays. Flow
      cytometry was used to evaluate the expression of KRAS and IGF-IR proteins and
      cell apoptosis and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction were used to
      detect the expression of KRAS and IGF-IR messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA). Male
      nude mice were used to form the mice-human lung cancer model and show the
      inhibition of KRAS ASODN on A549 cells. RESULTS: PCR-SSP and gene sequence
      analysis results showed that the codon 12 of KRAS had changed from GGT to GTT.
      KRAS ASODN or IGF-IR ASODN could inhibit cell proliferation and promote apoptosis
      of A549 cells. However, the combined utilization of KRAS ASODN and IGF-IR ASODN
      could inhibit cell proliferation and promote apoptosis more powerfully than
      exclusive use of KRAS ASODN or IGF-IR ASODN. CONCLUSION: The two ASODNs can
      inhibit the proliferation of lung adenocarcinoma cells through decreasing the
      expression of KRAS and IGF-IR mRNA and protein.

PMID- 26273372
TI  - Prevalence and clinical significance of BRAF V600E in Chinese patients with lung
      adenocarcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence,
      distribution, and prognostic role of v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog
      B (BRAF) V600E mutations in Chinese patients with lung adenocarcinoma (ADC), and
      to explore the possibility of BRAF V600E mutation detection in plasma DNA.
      METHODS: Data from 190 patients with lung ADCs treated at the Peking University
      Cancer Hospital from July 2011 to March 2012 were collected. The amplification
      refractory mutation system was used for BRAF V600E testing and denaturing high
      performance liquid chromatography for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)
      mutation detection. In BRAF V600E-mutant cases, paired plasma DNA was tested for
      mutation status of BRAF V600E and EGFR. The distribution and prognostic role of
      BRAF V600E mutations were analyzed using SPSS 13.0. RESULTS: Among 190 patients
      with advanced lung ADC, eight (4.2%) cases carried BRAF V600E mutations. V600E
      mutations presented more frequently in women than in men (6 of 96, 6.3% vs. P =
      0.1). BRAF and EGFR mutations were concomitantly presented in three patients.
      Five of the eight patients with BRAF V600E mutations had matched plasma DNA
      samples and V600E mutations were found in three plasma samples. CONCLUSION: The
      prevalence of BRAF V600E mutations in Chinese patients with lung ADC is 4.2%.
      Circulating plasma DNA may be used for BRAF V600E mutation analysis in lung
      adenocarcinoma.

PMID- 26273373
TI  - Combination of platelet to lymphocyte ratio and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio is
      a useful prognostic factor in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was recently shown to be a
      remarkable prognostic factor in tumors. Moreover, some studies have indicated
      that the combination of NLR and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) could be a
      better prognostic factor. As the combined prognostic value of NLR and PLR in non
      small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is not clear, we conducted this study to explore
      this further. METHODS: A total of 366 primary NSCLC patients with stage III or IV
      were finally included. The neutrophil, platelet, and lymphocyte counts were
      recorded before treatment was initiated. NLR and PLR were calculated and NLR >
      2.68 or PLR > 119.50 was defined as elevated. Univariate and multivariate
      survival analyses were conducted to test their prognostic value. RESULTS: The
      median of NLR and PLR were 3.14 and 152.63, respectively, in all patients. It was
      indicated that PLR is linearly associated with NLR. PLR is associated with
      survival, but is not an independent prognostic factor. Removing NLR, PLR is an
      independent prognostic factor (overall survival [OS]: hazard ratio [HR] = 1.918,
      P = 0.003; progression-free survival [PFS]: HR = 1.822, P = 0.007 in condition of
      NLR <= 2.68). It was also indicated that elevated NLR is an independent
      prognostic factor (OS: HR = 1.778, P = 0.009; PFS: HR = 1.535, P = 0.022) in all
      patients. CONCLUSIONS: PLR is a useful complement of NLR, thus, advanced NSCLC
      patients could be divided into three prognostic groups prior to treatment: poor:
      NLR > 2.68; moderate: NLR <= 2.68 and PLR > 119.50; and good: NLR <= 2.68 and PLR
      <= 119.50.

PMID- 26273374
TI  - Expression of p63 and CK5/6 in early-stage lung squamous cell carcinoma is not
      only an early diagnostic indicator but also correlates with a good prognosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for 80% of lung cancers,
      and lung squamous cell carcinoma (SQCC) is one of the main types. Advances in the
      treatment of lung SQCC are lacking when compared to lung adenocarcinoma. The main
      treatment for early-stage SQCC is surgery. However, factors affecting the
      efficacy of surgical treatments for early-stage lung SQCC remain unclear. In this
      study, we examined the significance of commonly used lung SQCC diagnostic markers
      p63, p40, and cytokeratin (CK)5/6 in prognosis. METHODS: Seventy-six cases of
      early-stage lung SQCC (N0) were obtained from our lung cancer database (January
      2000 to December 2009). Tissue microarray and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining
      were used to detect the expression of p63, p40, and CK5/6. The effect of the
      expression level of each marker on patients' survival was examined. RESULTS:
      Sensitivity and specificity of each marker for detecting lung SQCC was 87.0% and
      81.0% for p63, 75.9% and 97.9% for p40, and 78.9% and 97.7% for CK5/6. Survival
      rates of patients with high expression levels of p63 or CK5/6 or both were higher
      than in patients with low expression levels (P < 0.05). Expression levels of p40
      had no effect on survival (P > 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that high
      levels of p63 expression p63+CK5/6 co-expression were independent prognostic
      factors for good survival. CONCLUSION: IHC staining detection of p63 and CK5/6 in
      specimens should be routinely performed in postoperative early-stage lung SQCC
      patients. Its significance lies not only in differential diagnosis, but also in
      determining prognosis.

PMID- 26273375
TI  - Alternative method for jejunostomy in Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To supplement nutrition, jejunostomy has been widely adopted as an
      adjunct surgical procedure for Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy. Most Chinese surgeons
      have a preference for parenteral nutrition even though it has some disadvantages
      compared with jejunostomy. In this report, we describe a new approach that allows
      the quick insertion of a feeding tube in Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy. We
      retrospectively analyze cases that have applied this approach and compare the
      advantages and disadvantages of jejunostomy. METHODS: Between January 2010 and
      December 2012, 131 patients underwent Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy in our hospital.
      These patients were divided into three groups: the total parenteral nutrition
      (PN) group, the jejunostomy (JT) group and the feeding tube (FT) group. The
      effect and safety of the procedure were compared. RESULTS: It took approximately
      20 minutes longer to perform jejunostomy compared to placing a feeding tube (P <
      0.05). The nutrition cost of the JT group was higher than the FT group (P <
      0.05). There was no significant difference between the FT and JT groups (P >
      0.05) in the ratio of body weight loss seven days post-surgery. The anal
      exsufflation time of the FT group was similar to the JT group (P > 0.05). The
      incidence of intestinal adhesion and obstruction in the JT group was 26.3%, which
      is much higher than in the FT and PN groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Placing the
      feeding tube after Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy can decrease operative damage and
      bring sufficient nutrition. We believe it can be an alternative to jejunostomy in
      Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy.

PMID- 26273376
TI  - Comparison of perioperative outcomes between open and minimally invasive
      esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To compare surgical outcomes of thoracoscopic and laparoscopic
      esophagectomy with open esophagectomy in order to study the learning curve of
      minimally invasive surgery for esophageal cancers. METHODS: Among 109 esophageal
      cancer patients retrospectively studied, 59 patients underwent minimally invasive
      esophagectomy (MIE) and 50 underwent open surgery (OE). In the MIE group, the
      first 30 patients received hybrid procedures, including 16 thoracoscopic
      esophagectomies and 14 laparoscopic maneuvers. The later 29 patients received
      thoraco-laparoscopic esophagectomy (TLE). RESULTS: The overall morbidity of MIE
      and OE was 42.4% (25/59) and 44.0% (22/50), respectively, with no statistical
      difference. However, the MIE group had a significantly lower incidence of
      functional complication (1.79%, 1/59) than the OE group (32.0%, 16/50, P < 0.01).
      The technical complication rate was not significantly different between the two
      groups (14/59, 23.7% vs. 6/50, 12.0%, P = NS), nor was the overall complication
      rate between the 30 early period cases and the 29 later cases (P = NS); although
      the later cases had TLE and there was no recurrent laryngeal nerve injury.
      CONCLUSION: Minimally invasive approaches may help to decrease the risk of
      functional complication but not technical problems, after esophagectomy. For
      esophageal cancer patients to benefit from this minimally invasive surgery, an
      extended learning curve is necessary to avoid technical problems, such as
      anastomotic leakage and recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy.

PMID- 26273377
TI  - Traffic-related air pollution and lung cancer: A meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the association between
      traffic-related air pollution and lung cancer in order to provide evidence for
      control of traffic-related air pollution. METHODS: Several databases were
      searched for relevant studies up to December 2013. The quality of articles
      obtained was evaluated by the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational
      Studies in Epidemiology checklist. Statistical analysis, including pooling
      effective sizes and confidential intervals, was performed. RESULTS: A total of
      1106 records were obtained through the database and 36 studies were included in
      our analysis. Among the studies included, 14 evaluated the association between
      ambient exposure to traffic-related air pollution and lung cancer and 22 studies
      involved occupational exposure to air pollution among professional drivers.
      Twenty-two studies were marked A level regarding quality, 13 were B level, and
      one was C level. Exposure to nitrogen dioxide (meta-odds ratio [OR]: 1.06, 95%
      confidence interval [CI]: 0.99-1.13), nitrogen oxide (meta-OR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.01
      1.07), sulfur dioxide (meta-OR: 1.03, 95% CI: 1.02-1.05), and fine particulate
      matter (meta-OR: 1.11, 95% CI: 1.00-1.22) were positively associated with a risk
      of lung cancer. Occupational exposure to air pollution among professional drivers
      significantly increased the incidence (meta-OR: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.19-1.36) and
      mortality of lung cancer (meta-OR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.04-1.26). CONCLUSION: Exposure
      to traffic-related air pollution significantly increased the risk of lung cancer.

PMID- 26273378
TI  - Epidermal growth factor receptor variant III mutation in Chinese patients with
      squamous cell cancer of the lung.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution of
      epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)vIII mutation in Chinese non-small cell
      lung cancer (NSCLC) patients and to explore the likely relationship between
      EGFRvIII mutation and response to EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in
      squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). METHODS: Samples were derived from two patient
      cohorts: (i) 114 early-stage NSCLC who received surgical resection; and (ii) 31
      advanced-stage SCC who received EGFR-TKI EGFRvIII. EGFR and V-Ki-ras2 Kirsten rat
      sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) mutations were detected by reverse
      transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), denaturing high-performance
      liquid chromatography, and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism,
      respectively. The associations of EGFRvIII, EGFR, and KRAS mutations with
      clinical outcome of EGFR-TKI treatment were evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier
      method, descriptive analysis, and multi-variable Cox regression analysis.
      RESULTS: In the first cohort, EGFRvIII mutation was detected in eight of 114
      (7.0%) patients, including 11.1% (6/54) SCC and 3.6% (2/55) adenocarcinomas (ADC)
      (P = 0.269). In the second cohort, five (16.1%) and 10 out of 31 advanced SCC
      presented EGFRvIII and EGFR mutations, respectively. No appreciable discrepancy
      of progression-free survival or disease control rate was detected between the
      patients with and without EGFRvIII mutation (P > 0.05). However, longer median
      overall survival (OS) was observed in patients harboring EGFRvIII compared to
      those without EGFRvIII, although the difference did not reach statistical
      significance. CONCLUSION: The frequency of EGFRvIII mutation in SCC was higher
      than in ADC. SCC patients harboring EGFRvIII mutations had a tendency for
      prolonged OS.

PMID- 26273379
TI  - Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for medically inoperable patients with
      clinical stage I non-small cell lung cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A retrospective evaluation of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation
      (RFA) in medically inoperable patients with clinical stage I non-small cell lung
      cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: Between 2008 and 2014, 29 medically inoperable patients
      with clinical stage I NSCLC underwent percutaneous RFA. We evaluated the
      feasibility, safety, and effectiveness. RESULTS: There were 18 men and 11 women
      with a median age of 78.0 years (range 56-85), mean 76.0 years. No procedure
      related deaths occurred in any of the 33 ablation procedures. The mean follow-up
      was 25 months. The incidence of local tumor progression was 21.0% at 25 months of
      median time to progression after the initial RFA. The mean overall survival (OS)
      was 57 months (95% confidence interval (CI) 44-70 months). The mean cancer
      specific survival CSS was 63 months (95% CI 50-75 months). OS was 90.5% +/- 6.4%
      at one year, 76.4% +/- 10.7% at two, and 65.5% +/- 13.6% at three years. CSS was
      95.2% +/- 4.6% at one, 86.6% +/- 9.3% at two, and 74.2% +/- 13.9% at three years
      in all patients. The survival for stage IA and IB cancers were 87.5% and 92.3% at
      one, 87.5% and 73.4% at two, and 87.5% and 58.7% at three years, respectively.
      Survival rates were not significantly different between the two groups (P =
      0.596), with mean survival times of 65 (95% CI: 51-79 months) and 55 months (95%
      CI: 38-71 months), respectively. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous RFA is a safe,
      feasible, and effective procedure in medically inoperable clinical stage I NSCLC
      patients.

PMID- 26273380
TI  - Self-reported depression among patients with non-small cell lung cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is a disease with a poor prognosis and psychological
      impact. Lung cancer causes both physical and psychological burdens on patients,
      and financial burdens on families and society. The aim of this study was to
      examine the relationship between depression and influencing factors in non-small
      cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. METHODS: A quantitative study was applied.
      Data was obtained from the Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital in China. One hundred and
      four patients with NSCLC were surveyed. Self-rating depression scale (SDS),
      social support rating scale (SSRS), and visual analog scale (VAS) were used.
      RESULTS: Among the 104 patients, 48 (46.1%) were diagnosed with depression.
      Gender (P = 0.000), disease duration (P = 0.006), self-care ability (P = 0.004),
      and pain (P = 0.003) were statistically significant predictors of self-reported
      depression in non-small-cell lung cancer patients. CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported
      depression is highly prevalent in NSCLC patients. In addition, gender, disease
      duration, self-care ability, pain and social support may increase self-reported
      depression.

PMID- 26273381
TI  - Analysis of the factors influencing lung cancer hospitalization expenses using
      data mining.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hospitalization expenses for the therapy of lung cancer are not only
      a direct economic burden on patients, but also the focus of medical insurance
      departments. Therefore, the method for classifying and analyzing lung cancer
      hospitalization expenses so as to predict reasonable medical cost has become an
      issue of common interest for both hospitals and insurance institutions. METHODS:
      A C5.0 algorithm is adopted to analyze factors influencing hospitalization
      expenses of 731 lung cancer patients. A C5.0 algorithm is a data mining method
      used to classify calculation. RESULTS: Increasing the number of input variables
      leads to variation in the importance of different variables, but length of stay
      (LOS), major therapy, and medicine cost are the three variables of greater
      importance. They are important factors that affect the hospitalization cost of
      lung cancer patients. In all three calculations, the classification accuracy rate
      of training and testing partition sets reached 84% and above. The classification
      accuracy rate reached over 95% after addition of the cost variables. CONCLUSION:
      The classification rules are proven to be in accordance with actual clinical
      practice. The model established by the research can also be applied to other
      diseases in the screening and analysis of disease hospitalization costs according
      to selected feature variables.

PMID- 26273382
TI  - Selection of proper candidates with resected pathological stage IIIA-N2 non-small
      cell lung cancer for postoperative radiotherapy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To establish a prediction model in selecting fit patients with
      resected pIIIA-N2 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) for postoperative
      radiotherapy (PORT), and evaluate the model in clinical practice. METHODS:
      Between January 2003 and December 2005, 221 patients with resected pIIIA-N2 NSCLC
      were retrospectively analyzed. The effect of PORT on overall survival (OS) of
      patients with different clinicopathological factors was evaluated and the results
      were used to establish a prediction model to select patients fit for PORT.
      RESULTS: Compared with the control, PORT significantly improved the OS of
      patients with a smoking index <=400 (P = 0.033), cN2 (P = 0.003), pT3 (P =
      0.014), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (P = 0.013), or >=4 positive nodes (P =
      0.025). Patients were divided from zero to all five factors into low, middle, and
      high PORT index (PORT-I) groups (scored 0-1, 2, and 3-5, respectively). PORT did
      not improve OS (3-year, P = 0.531), disease free survival (DFS) (P = 0.358), or
      loco-regional recurrence free survival (LRFS) (P = 0.412) in the low PORT-I
      group. PORT significantly improved OS (P = 0.033), and tended to improve DFS (P =
      0.064), but not LRFS (P = 0.287) in the middle PORT-I group. PORT could
      significantly improve OS (P = 0.000), DFS (P = 0.000), and LRFS (P = 0.006) in
      the high PORT-I group. CONCLUSION: The prediction model is valuable in selecting
      patients with resected pIIIA-N2 NSCLC fit for PORT. PORT is strongly recommended
      for patients with three or more of the five factors of smoking index <=400, cN2,
      pT3, SCC, and >=4 positive nodes.

PMID- 26273383
TI  - Incidence and management of chylothorax after esophagectomy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chylothorax is a rare but serious postoperative complication in
      esophageal cancer patients. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors
      associated with chylothorax and the indication for surgical intervention.
      METHODS: A consecutive series of 1290 patients who underwent esophagectomy for
      esophageal cancer was included. Peri-operative data, including postoperative
      morbidity and mortality, were analyzed. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients (2.6%)
      developed chylothorax and had significantly higher instances of pneumonia (26.5%
      vs. 11.1%, P = 0.012) and arrhythmia (17.6% vs. 2.9%, P = 0.001), and a longer
      hospital stay (22 vs. 18 days, P < 0.001). Reoperation was performed in 11
      patients at a rate of 77.8%, 42.9%, 20%, and 0% for chylothorax diagnosed in two,
      three, four, and >= 5 days, respectively, after esophagectomy (P < 0.001). After
      three days of conservative therapy, the chest tube output was significantly
      greater in patients whose medical management had failed than in those
      successfully treated (P < 0.001). All patients who required reoperation had >=
      13.5 ml/kg of drainage (sensitivity 100%); four of 23 patients with successful
      medical management had a chest tube output >= 13.5 ml/kg (specificity 83%).
      Logistic regression analysis showed that body mass index (BMI) < 25 was an
      independent risk factor for chylothorax (hazard ratio = 9.256, P = 0.029).
      CONCLUSIONS: Patients with a BMI < 25 are more likely to develop chylothorax
      after esophagectomy. Operative therapy should be seriously considered in patients
      who develop chylothorax early postoperatively. In addition, a high daily chylous
      output of >= 13.5 ml/kg after three days of conservative therapy might be a
      reliable indicator for reoperation.

PMID- 26273384
TI  - Myelomatous pleural effusion involvement in 23 patients with multiple myeloma: A
      single-center clinical analysis.
AB  - We investigated the treatment and prognosis of pleural effusion (PE) in multiple
      myeloma (MM) patients. From June 2005 to December 2013, 296 MM patients
      participated in this study. There were 23 PE patients, including 11 men and 12
      women, with a median age of 56.8 years (range 37-68 years). A diagnosis of PE was
      based on physical examination, chest X-ray or computed tomography, and pleural
      fluid analysis. All patients demonstrated myeloma cells in the pleural fluid, and
      six patients were positive for PE M protein. PE patients received bortezomib
      combined with other drugs. Only one patient demonstrated a complete response; 10
      patients showed partial responses, and 12 patients developed progressive disease
      and died. MM linked with myelomatous PE is associated with a poor prognosis.
      Myelomatous PE is likely a late manifestation of the natural history of MM or an
      expression of the aggressive behavior of the disease. 

PMID- 26273385
TI  - Differential diagnosis and cancer staging of a unique case with multiple nodules
      in the lung - lung adenocarcinoma, metastasis of colon adenocarcinoma, and colon
      adenocarcinoma metastasizing to lung adenocarcinoma.
AB  - Lung cancer is the most common cancer in the world. Despite this, there have been
      few cases of simultaneous primary and metastatic cancers in the lung reported,
      let alone coexisting with tumor-to-tumor metastasis. Herein, we describe an
      extremely unusual case. A 61-year-old man with a history of colon adenocarcinoma
      was revealed as having three nodules in the lung 11 months after colectomy. The
      nodule in the left upper lobe was primary lung adenocarcinoma, the larger one in
      the right upper lobe was a metastasis of colon adenocarcinoma, and the smaller
      one in the right upper lobe was colon adenocarcinoma metastasizing to lung
      adenocarcinoma. Our paper focused on the differential diagnosis and cancer
      staging of this unique case, and discussed the uncommon phenomenon of the lung
      acting as a recipient in tumor-to-tumor metastasis. 

PMID- 26273386
TI  - Giant solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura: A case report.
AB  - A 62-year-old male farmer weighing 79 kg was taken to a hospital after
      experiencing exertional dyspnea and shortness of breath for a month. A chest
      roentgenogram and computed tomography showed a giant mass in his right thorax. A
      CT-guided biopsy demonstrated a solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura (SFTP).
      Because of the large size of the tumor and the substantial pleural effusion in
      the right hemithorax, the patient was referred to our institution for
      radiofrequency ablation. After one month, we performed an exploratory thoracotomy
      to dissect the giant mass with the right, middle, and lower lobes. The
      measurement of the tumor was 20 cm * 18 cm * 13 cm and it weighed 3250 g. The
      histopathology of the resected specimen confirmed SFTP. The patient had no
      postoperative complications; six months after surgery, no recurrence occurred. 

PMID- 26273387
TI  - Medical thoracoscopy in MALT lymphoma causing pleural effusion: A case report.
AB  - Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma is a form of low-grade
      malignant B-cell extranodal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. It is classified as marginal
      zone lymphoma and represents less than 1% of all lung cancer. We describe a case
      of MALT lymphoma limited exclusively to the lung that came to our attention with
      infective pleural effusion and concomitant lung consolidation of the left lower
      lobe. Our case demonstrates that MALT can begin with an acute clinical
      presentation. The clinical scenario, with fever, parietal chest pain, and
      leukocytosis, suggested an infective process. Radiological and sonographic
      examinations and the endoscopic aspect during medical thoracoscopy (MT) were
      typical of an infective etiology. The histological outcome of non-specific
      inflammatory pleuritis confirmed our suppositions. However, the missing
      resolution of lung consolidation after several weeks led us to an alternative
      diagnosis. Parenchymal biopsies obtained by bronchoscopy allowed us to reach the
      correct diagnosis: MALT lymphoma limited to the lung. 

PMID- 26273388
TI  - Thymectomy and transpericardial nodal dissection.
AB  - Neuroendocrine thymic tumors (NETTs) are rare neoplasms. Surgical resection of
      the tumor and the involved lymph node remains the treatment of choice. We
      describe the surgical technique adopted in a patient with preoperative diagnosis
      of thymic malignant tumor and subcarinal nodal involvement. Through a median
      sternotomy, an extended thymectomy was performed as a first step. Then, through
      the transpericardial approach (opening of the anterior and posterior pericardium
      and isolation of ascending aorta, superior vena cava, and main right pulmonary
      artery), mediastinal nodal dissection (#2R, #4R, #4L, #5 and #7) was performed.
      Definitive pathology showed a NETT without nodal involvement. The patient
      received adjuvant chemotherapy, and is alive without disease 19 months after the
      surgery. Complete surgical excision and adjuvant therapy appears to offer the
      best hope for prolonged survival for NETTs. The surgical technique should be
      individualized according to tumor location. Thoracic surgeons should be familiar
      with this technique, which provides a good technical and oncological result. 

PMID- 26273390
TI  - Clinical experiences with molecular targeted therapy in lung cancer in China.
AB  - In the past decade, a dramatic shift has been witnessed in cancer therapy in
      China. Although traditional cytotoxic chemotherapy still remains the treatment of
      choice for many malignancies, targeted therapies are now a component of treatment
      for many types of cancer, including lung cancer. As molecular target agents are
      widely used in clinical practice and relevant studies have been conducted, we
      have accumulated valuable experience in the treatment strategy for advanced non
      small cell lung cancer. On this basis we have successfully developed our Class-I
      new drug through independent research, which significantly accelerates the
      clinical development of targeted therapy for lung cancer. This article summarizes
      the clinical practice and relevant studies of current targeted therapies for lung
      cancer in China. 

PMID- 26273391
TI  - Early detection of lung cancer: Low-dose computed tomography screening in China.
AB  - Lung cancer is currently the leading cause of cancer-related death in China and
      western countries for both men and women. Overall, the five-year survival rate of
      lung cancer is approximately 15%, whereas the five-year survival for patients
      with surgically resected early-stage disease is 60-80%. Screening is conceptually
      a good strategy for reducing the mortality rate of lung cancer. Randomized
      controlled trials in the 1960s and 1970s found that chest radiographic screening
      did not result in a reduction in mortality for high-risk individuals. Recently
      published data from the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) showed a 20%
      reduction in lung cancer mortality in subjects who underwent low-dose computed
      tomography (LDCT) screening compared to those randomized to conventional chest X
      ray. The encouraging results of the NLST, however, could not be confirmed by the
      preliminary results of ongoing European trials. More results from European
      randomized controlled trials are expected in the next few years. Recently, a
      number of lung cancer screening studies using LDCT have been initiated in China.
      This article briefly summarizes the results of the current and previous lung
      cancer screening trials worldwide, and focuses on the current status of LDCT lung
      cancer screening in China. 

PMID- 26273393
TI  - Role of radiotherapy in treating patients with primary malignant mediastinal non
      seminomatous germ cell tumor: A 21-year experience at a single institution.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics
      and outcomes of patients with primary malignant mediastinal non-seminomatous germ
      cell tumor (MMNSGCT) by comparing the efficacies of different treatment
      modalities. METHODS: The charts of 62 consecutive patients with MMNSGCT between
      1990 and 2010 were reviewed. Analyses included Kaplan-Meier survival and Cox
      multivariate regression. RESULTS: There was sufficient data of 61 patients for
      inclusion in the study. The median age was 25 years. At diagnosis, 35 patients
      had tumors located in the mediastinum, 26 had lung and/or distant metastases. At
      a median follow-up of 47.2 months, 32 patients had died and 43 had developed
      progressive disease. The one, three, and five-year overall survival (OS) and
      progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 72.1%, 50.8%, 49.2% and 47.5%, 32.8%,
      32.8%, respectively. Patients who received radiotherapy in the primary treatment
      regimen showed improved five-year OS (68.2% vs. 38.5%, P = 0.043), PFS (45.5% vs.
      20.5%, P = 0.023), and local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) (77.3% vs. 38.5%, P
      = 0.003) compared with those who did not receive radiotherapy. Multivariate
      analysis revealed that radiotherapy was an independent prognostic factor of five
      year OS (hazard ratio [HR] 0.39, P = 0.037), PFS (HR 0.42, P = 0.017), and LRFS
      (HR 0.31, P = 0.019). CONCLUSION: Radiotherapy in a chemotherapy-based treatment
      regimen could significantly reduce local recurrence and improve survival of
      MMNGCT patients.

PMID- 26273392
TI  - Role of acetylcholinesterase in lung cancer.
AB  - Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) plays a key role in catalytic hydrolysis of
      cholinergic neurotransmitters. Intensive research has proven the involvement of
      this protein in novel functions, such as cell adhesion, differentiation, and
      proliferation. In addition, several recent studies have indicated that
      acetylcholinesterase is potentially a marker and regulator of apoptosis.
      Importantly, AChE is also a promising tumor suppressor. In this review, we
      briefly summarize the involvement of AChE in apoptosis and cancer, focusing on
      the role of AChE in lung cancer, as well as the therapeutic consideration of AChE
      for cancer therapy. 

PMID- 26273394
TI  - Treatment and prognostic analysis of patients with leptomeningeal metastases from
      non-small cell lung cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Leptomeningeal metastases (LM) from non-small cell lung cancer
      (NSCLC) are associated with poor prognosis and optimal treatment for this
      subgroup of NSCLC patients is controversial. The purpose of this study is to
      evaluate treatment options and prognostic factors of NSCLC patients with LM.
      METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data of 108 patients who had been diagnosed
      with LM from NSCLC between May 2006 and August 2013. RESULTS: The median survival
      time (MST) of the 108 patients was 5.3 months, and the one-year survival rate was
      23.7%. Forty-nine patients received whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) and the MST
      of patients who received WBRT and those who did not were 6.4 and 4.3 months,
      respectively. Forty-two patients were treated with epidermal growth factor
      receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) after being diagnosed with LM.
      These patients had prolonged survival (11.1 vs. 4.4 months). Patients who
      received concomitant WBRT and EGFR-TKIs had the longest MST (12.3 months).
      Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, whether patients received
      WBRT, and/or EGFR-TKIs were independent prognostic factors for patients with LM
      from NSCLC. CONCLUSION: WBRT, EGFR-TKIs or combined therapy, could lead to better
      clinical outcomes for NSCLC patients with LM. EGFR-TKIs plus WBRT has the
      potential to be the standard strategy for LM in NSCLC patients.

PMID- 26273395
TI  - Clinicopathological characteristics and outcomes of ROS1-rearranged patients with
      lung adenocarcinoma without EGFR, KRAS mutations and ALK rearrangements.
AB  - BACKGROUND: c-ros oncogene 1 (ROS1) rearrangement presents one of the newest
      molecular targets in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). ROS1 rearrangement is
      predominantly found in adenocarcinoma cases and is exclusive to other oncogenes,
      such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), Kirsten rat sarcoma viral
      oncogene homolog (KRAS), and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK). The aim of this
      study was to investigate the clinicopathological characteristics and outcomes of
      ROS1-rearranged patients with lung adenocarcinoma without EGFR and KRAS mutations
      and ALK rearrangements. METHODS: Wild-type EGFR/KRAS/ALK patients with lung
      adenocarcinoma were selected from Beijing Chest Hospital. Specimens were
      conducted in tissue microarrays. ROS1 rearrangement was screened using
      fluorescence in situ hybridization. RESULTS: Our study included 127 patients with
      lung adenocarcinoma without EGFR and KRAS mutations and ALK rearrangements. ROS1
      rearrangement was detected in five (3.9%) of the 127 patients. Compared with ROS1
      negative patients, the positive rate of ROS1 in female patients was significantly
      higher than in male patients (9.8% vs. 0.0%, P = 0.009). There were no
      differences in age, smoking status, stage or histological subtype between ROS1
      positive and ROS1-negative patients. No significant difference in survival was
      detected between the ROS1-positive and ROS1-negative patients. CONCLUSIONS: ROS1
      rearrangement is a rare subset of lung adenocarcinoma. In 127 patients with lung
      adenocarcinoma, 3.9% of ROS1-positive patients with wild-type EGFR/KRAS/ALK were
      found.

PMID- 26273396
TI  - Loss expression of micro ribonucleic acid (miRNA)-200c induces adverse post
      surgical prognosis of advanced stage non-small cell lung carcinoma and its
      potential relationship with ETAR messenger RNA.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer
      mortality worldwide. As micro ribonucleic acid (miRNA)-200 and ETAR may play an
      essential role in the process of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT)
      simultaneously, the purpose of this study was to detect the expression of miRNA
      200c and ETAR messenger (m)RNA and assess their prognostic significance in early
      stage NSCLC. METHODS: Our study included 78 advanced stage (IIB, IIIA, IIIB)
      NSCLC patients. All patients were smokers. Using quantitative reverse
      transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analysis, we detected the expression of
      miRNA-200c and ETAR mRNA and assessed their correlation by chi(2) test. Time to
      progression was used as the recurrent index and was assessed by univariate and
      multivariate analysis in the Cox hazard model. RESULTS: Both miRNA-200c and ETAR
      mRNA expression are associated with N stage and tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage
      in a series of advanced NSCLC patients. Among N stage and TNM stage patients,
      significant differences were found in IIB (P = 0.0126), IIIB (P = 0.0107) and N0
      (P = 0.0023) and in N1 + N2 groups (P = 0.0133). Using both univariate and
      multivariate survival analyses, we found that miRNA-200c (hazard ratio [HR] =
      0.352, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.187-0.662) and ETAR mRNA (HR = 2.500 95%
      CI: 1.345-4.647) were independent prognostic factors, independent of TNM stage
      (HR = 2.414, 95% CI: 1.600-3.642) and differentiation (HR = 1.530, 95% CI: 1.050
      2230). CONCLUSIONS: miRNA-200c induces an expedient surgical survival, whereas
      ETAR mRNA has the reverse prognosis in advanced stage NSCLC patients. A potential
      relationship exists in that miRNA-200c targets ETAR mRNA during EMT.

PMID- 26273397
TI  - Overexpression of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1
      induces the alteration of immune status in H1299 lung cancer cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1 (4E
      BP1) is an important factor regulating protein translation. It also impacts
      proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, and the cell cycle of cancer cells. The aim
      of this study was to investigate the relationship between 4E-BP1 and human immune
      status, recognizing immunomodulatory molecules involved in the overexpression of
      4E-BP1. METHODS: A lentivirus expression system was used to overexpress 4E-BP1 in
      the H1299 cell line. Western blot was performed to investigate the expression
      level of 4E-BP1 and P-4E-BP1, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used
      to quantify gene expression of immunomodulatory molecules. RESULTS: The
      expression level of 4E-BP1 increased significantly after lentivirus infection (P
      < 0.05). Overexpression of 4E-BP1 upregulated the expression of interleukin (IL)
      1beta (P < 0.05), IL-5 (P < 0.001), IL-23 (P < 0.001), macrophage inflammatory
      protein-1beta (P < 0.001), Eota-3 (P < 0.05), and MCP-4 (P < 0.05). Most of the
      increases were observed at the seventh day. The variation trend of IL-10, cell
      division cycle protein 2, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and phosphatase and
      tensin homolog was not clear. CONCLUSION: Overexpression of 4E-BP1 altered immune
      status by upregulating the expression of a series of immunomodulatory molecules,
      indicating that 4E-BP1 could serve as a potential therapeutic target against
      cancer.

PMID- 26273398
TI  - Conflicting or complementary role of computed tomography (CT) and positron
      emission tomography (PET)/CT in the assessment of thymic cancer and thymoma: our
      experience and literature review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To evaluate the role of computed tomography (CT) and positron
      emission tomography (PET)/CT in patients with thymic cancer and thymoma at
      initial staging. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed CT and PET/CT scans of 26
      patients with a thymic cancer (n = 9) or thymoma (n = 17). Chest CT findings
      documented were qualitative and quantitative. Both qualitative and
      semiquantitative data were recovered by PET/CT. The comparisons among
      histological entities, outcome, and qualitative data from CT and PET/CT were made
      by non-parametric analysis. RESULTS: PET/CT resulted positive in 15/17 patients
      with thymoma. CT was available in 5/9 (56%) patients with thymic cancer and in
      3/17 with thymoma. All quantitative CT parameters were significantly higher in
      patients with thymic cancer than thymoma (maximum axial diameter: 45 vs. 20 mm,
      maximum longitudinal diameter: 69 vs. 21 mm and volume: 77.91 vs. 4.52 mL; all P
      < 0.05). Conversely, only metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and total lesion
      glycolysis were significantly different in patients with thymic cancer than
      thymoma (126.53 vs. 6.03 cm3 and 246.05 vs. 20.32, respectively; both P < 0.05).
      After a median follow-up time of 17.45 months, four recurrences of disease
      occurred: three in patients with thymic cancer and one with a type B2 thymoma. CT
      volume in patients with recurrent disease was 102.19 mL versus a median value of
      62.5 mL in six disease-free patients. MTV was higher in the recurrent than
      disease-free patient subset (143.3 vs. 81.13 cm(3)), although not statistically
      significant (P = 0.075). CONCLUSION: Our preliminary results demonstrated that
      both morphological and metabolic volume could be useful from a diagnostic and
      prognostic point of view in thymic cancer and thymoma patients. A large multi
      center clinical trial experience for confirming the findings of this study seems
      mandatory.

PMID- 26273399
TI  - Cardiopulmonary exercise testing screening and pre-operative pulmonary
      rehabilitation reduce postoperative complications and improve fast-track recovery
      after lung cancer surgery: A study for 342 cases.
AB  - BACKGROUND: An evaluation of cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) screening
      and pre-operative pulmonary rehabilitation in reducing postoperative
      complications and improving fast-track recovery in high-risk patients who undergo
      resection for lung cancer. METHODS: Of 342 potential lung cancer cases, 142 high
      risk patients were finally divided into two groups: group R (n = 71) underwent an
      intensive pre-operative pulmonary rehabilitation program (PRP), followed by
      lobectomy; group S (n = 71) underwent only lobectomy with conventional
      management. Postoperative complications, average days in hospital, postoperative
      days in hospital, and cost were analyzed. RESULTS: The 142 high-risk patients
      were screened by smoking history and CPET. Sixty-eight patients had bronchial
      hyperresponsiveness (BHR) and 47 patients had peak expiratory flow <250 L/minute
      by CPET. The rate of postoperative total complications in group R (16.90%) was
      significantly lower than in group S (83.31%) (P = 0.00), as was the rate of
      postoperative pulmonary complications PPC: group R (12.81%) versus S (13.55%) (P
      = 0.009); the PPC in the left lung (17.9%) was higher than in the right lung
      (2.3%) (P = 0.00). The average days in hospital in group S was significantly
      higher than in group R (P = 0.03). There was no difference between groups in
      average hospital cost (P = 0.304). CONCLUSION: Pre-operative screening using CPET
      is conducive to identifying high-risk patients for lung resection. Pre-operative
      pulmonary rehabilitation is helpful to reduce postoperative complications and
      improve fast-track recovery.

PMID- 26273400
TI  - Basic fibroblast growth factor shows prognostic impact on survival in operable
      non-small cell lung cancer patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The important role of angiogenesis displaying in tumor development
      and metastasis has been generally realized. Vascular endothelial growth factor
      (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and endostatin (ES) are critical
      members of angiogenesis modulating the balance between pro-angiogenenic and anti
      angiogenenic factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the circulating level
      of these factors in serum and explore their prognostic significance in 96
      operable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. METHODS: Pre-operational
      serum VEGF, bFGF, and ES were determined by commercially available enzyme-link
      immunosorbent assay for 96 NSCLC patients and compared to a cohort of healthy
      controls (n = 51). Values were correlated with clinicopathological features and
      overall survival (OS). RESULTS: The pretreatment serum levels of VEGF, bFGF and
      ES in NSCLC were significantly higher than in the healthy control (P < 0.001, P =
      0.009 and P = 0.016, respectively). Univariate survival analysis showed that a
      high bFGF level correlated with shorter OS and remained an independent factor in
      multivariate analysis (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.918, 95% confidence interval [CI],
      1.061-3.464). In the squamous subtype, a high bFGF indicated a particularly poor
      prognosis (HR = 2.609, 95% CI, 1.188-5.729). CONCLUSIONS: bFGF is an independent
      predictor of poor survival in patients with NSCLC. For patients with high serum
      bFGF, aggressive antitumor treatments should be given after surgery. Approaches
      targeting the bFGF signaling pathway should be considered as potentially
      promising therapeutic strategies in NSCLC, especially for the squamous subtype.

PMID- 26273401
TI  - Effect of inhibition proliferation in human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells by
      cytokine-induced killer cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer, is one of main
      human malignant tumors. In this paper, we focus on the effect of antitumor
      activity of cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells on human lung adenocarcinoma cell
      line A549. METHODS: CIK cells were obtained by inducing peripheral blood
      mononuclear cells with recombinant human (rh) interferon-gamma, monoclonal anti
      CD3 antibody, rh interleukin (IL)-1alpha, and rhIL-2, which were added into the
      culture. A549 cell viability of CIK cells was determined using MTS assay. Flow
      cytometry (FCM) experiments were performed to detect cell cycle changes. The
      expression of P27 in A549 cells treated by CIK cells was evaluated by Western
      blot. RESULT: The percentage of CD3+CD16+CD56+ T cells in a representative
      peripheral blood mononucleated cell sample was 33.7 +/- 1.3%. CIK cells, in dose
      and time dependent manners, inhibited the proliferation of A549. FCM demonstrated
      that A549 cells were accumulated in G2/M and G0/G1 phases when treated with CIK
      cells. FCM was used to analyze whether A549 cells treated with CIK cells induced
      apotosis or necrosis at 10:1 or 20:1. Compared to the control group, P27 was
      prominently upregulated in the CIK treated group. CONCLUSION: We propose that the
      pharmacological mechanisms of A549 cells inhibited by CIK cells can be estimated
      to possibly elicit different biological significance, which, in part, can be
      ascribed to a different mass transport rate in vitro.

PMID- 26273402
TI  - Utilization of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer and
      Wang's nodal map for the identification of mediastinum and hilar lymph nodes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA), serving as a remarkably
      invaluable and minimally invasive technique, has been widely used for the
      diagnosis and staging of mediastinal adenopathy and masses. To date, the
      International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) and Wang's nodal
      map are two well-documented intrathoracic lymph node guidelines for the TBNA
      procedure. METHOD: We characterized IASLC's and Wang's map, and interpreted the
      correlation of the two maps station by station. RESULTS: The pivotal role of
      IASLC map is to determine N descriptor in the tumor node metastasis (TNM) staging
      system of lung cancer, whilst Wang's map is employed to facilitate the
      localization of biopsy sites for bronchoscopists during TBNA performance.
      Furthermore, stations 1, 3 and 5 in Wang' map are equivalent to 4R station in
      IASLC' system, while stations 4 and 6 in Wang's account for IASLC station 4L as
      N2 stations. In addition, Wang's stations 2, 8 and 10 are correlated with station
      7 in IASLC's. Wang's stations 7 and 9 are responsible for station 11R in IASLC's
      map. CONCLUSION: Given their unique benefits and limitations, and the practical
      links between the two maps, it appears reasonable to highlight the significance
      of their complementary utilization upon TBNA performance and lung cancer staging.

PMID- 26273403
TI  - Diagnostic value of protein chips constructed by lung-cancer-associated markers
      selected by the T7 phage display library.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Traditional diagnostic technology with tumor biomarkers is
      inefficient, expensive and requires a large number of serum samples. The purpose
      of this study was to construct human lung cancer protein chips with new lung
      cancer biomarkers screened by the T7-phage display library, and improve the early
      diagnosis rate of lung cancer. METHODS: A T7-phage cDNA display library was
      constructed of fresh samples from 30 lung cancer patients. With biopanning and
      high-throughput screening, we gained the immunogenic phage clones from the cDNA
      library. The insert of selected phage was blasted at GeneBank for alignment to
      find the exact or the most similar known genes. Protein chips were then
      constructed and used to assay their expression level in lung cancer serum from
      217 cases of lung cancer groups:80 cases of benign lung disease and 220 healthy
      controls. RESULTS: After four rounds of Biopanning and two rounds of enzyme
      linked immunosorbent assay, 12 phage monoclonal samples were selected from 2880
      phage monoclonal samples. After blasting at GeneBank, six similar genes were used
      to construct diagnostic protein chips. The protein chips were then used to assay
      expression level in lung cancer serum. The expression level of six genes in lung
      cancer groups was significantly higher than those in the other two groups (P <
      0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we successfully constructed diagnostic protein
      chips with biomarkers selected from the lung cancer T7-phage cDNA library, which
      can be used for the early screening of lung cancer patients.

PMID- 26273404
TI  - The Prevalence and clinical characteristics of primary Sjogren's syndrome
      patients with lung cancer: An analysis of ten cases in China and literature
      review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A retrospective analysis of clinical data from primary Sjogren's
      syndrome (pSS) patients with lung cancer was conducted in order to guide further
      clinical work. METHODS: From January 1993 to December 2010, 10 pSS patients with
      lung cancer were hospitalized at the Peking Union Medical College Hospital. One
      hundred and three pSS patients were recruited as the controls. Patients' clinical
      data was retrospectively analyzed. RESULT: The incidence rate of lung cancer in
      pSS patients was 0.477%. The duration from diagnosis of pSS to lung cancer in the
      10 patients was 0.92~42 years. The pSS patients with lung cancer were
      significantly older than those without lung cancer (60.8 +/- 8.9 vs. 44.9 +/-
      12.1, P < 0.001). Eight of the pSS patients with lung cancer (80%) were female
      nonsmokers; five pSS patients with lung cancer (50%) had lung involvement,
      exhibiting diffuse parenchymal lung disease. Adenocarcinoma was the most common
      pathological type of lung cancer (90%). Tumor node metastasis staging of lung
      cancer included: four cases of Ib (40%), one case of IIIb (10%), four cases of IV
      (40%) and one case undetermined (10%). CONCLUSION: The incidence rate of lung
      cancer in pSS patients was higher with respect to the normal population.
      Physicians should closely observe lung cancer incidence during the pSS follow-up
      period. Adenocarcinoma was the most frequently seen lung cancer pathology in pSS
      patients. Clinical stages and individualized treatment for pSS patients with lung
      cancer should be carefully determined.

PMID- 26273405
TI  - Analysis of lung tumor initiation and progression in transgenic mice for Cre
      inducible overexpression of Cul4A gene.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is the leading cause of morbidity and death worldwide.
      Although the available lung cancer animal models have been informative and
      further propel our understanding of human lung cancer, they still do not fully
      recapitulate the complexities of human lung cancer. The pathogenesis of lung
      cancer remains highly elusive because of its aggressive biologic nature and
      considerable heterogeneity, compared to other cancers. The association of Cul4A
      amplification with aggressive tumor growth and poor prognosis has been suggested.
      Our previous study suggested that Cul4A is oncogenic in vitro, but its oncogenic
      role in vivo has not been studied. METHODS: Viral delivery approaches have been
      used extensively to model cancer in mouse models. In our experiments, we used Cre
      recombinase induced overexpression of the Cul4A gene in transgenic mice to study
      the role of Cul4A on lung tumor initiation and progression and have developed a
      new model of lung tumor development in mice harboring a conditionally expressed
      allele of Cul4A. RESULTS: Here we show that the use of a recombinant adenovirus
      expressing Cre-recombinase ("AdenoCre") to induce Cul4A overexpression in the
      lungs of mice allows controls of the timing and multiplicity of tumor initiation.
      Following our mouse models, we are able to study the potential role of Cul4A in
      the development and progression in pulmonary adenocarcinoma as well. CONCLUSION:
      Our findings indicate that Cul4A is oncogenic in vivo, and this mouse model is a
      tool in understanding the mechanisms of Cul4A in human cancers and for testing
      experimental therapies targeting Cul4A.

PMID- 26273406
TI  - Novel link between prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and cholinergic signaling in lung
      cancer: The role of c-Jun in PGE2-induced alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor
      expression and tumor cell proliferation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cyclooxygenase-2-derived prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) stimulates tumor
      cell growth and progression. alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) is a
      major mediator of cholinergic signaling in tumor cells. In the present study, we
      investigated the mechanisms by which PGE2 increases non-small cell lung cancer
      (NSCLC) proliferation via alpha7 nAChR induction. METHODS: The effects of PGE2 on
      alpha7 nAChR expression, promoter activity, and cell signaling pathways were
      detected by Western blot analysis, real time reverse transcriptase polymerase
      chain reaction, and transient transfection assay. The effect of PGE2 on cell
      growth was determined by cell viability assay. RESULTS: We found that PGE2
      induced alpha7 nAChR expression and its promoter activity in NSCLC cells. The
      stimulatory role of PGE2 on cell proliferation was attenuated by alpha7 nAChR
      small interfering ribonucleic acids (siRNA) or acetylcholinesterase. PGE2-induced
      alpha7 nAChR expression was blocked by an antagonist of the PGE2 receptor subtype
      EP4 and by EP4 siRNA. Furthermore, PGE2 enhanced alpha7 nAChR expression via
      activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3
      K), and protein kinase A (PKA) pathways followed by increased c-Jun expression, a
      critical transcription factor. Blockade of c-Jun diminished the effects of PGE2
      on alpha7 nAChR promoter activity and protein expression, and cell growth.
      CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that PGE2 promotes NSCLC cell growth through
      increased alpha7 nAChR expression. This effect is dependent on EP4-mediated
      activation of JNK, PI3K, and PKA signals that induce c-Jun protein expression and
      alpha7 nAChR gene promoter activity. Our findings unveil a novel link between
      prostanoids and cholinergic signaling.

PMID- 26273407
TI  - Mining featured micro ribonucleic acids associated with lung cancer based on
      bioinformatics.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Few genetic markers useful for the screening of lung cancer risk
      exist. Although related research has shown that certain expression profiles of
      micro ribonucleic acids (miRNAs) are different in lung cancer versus the normal
      lung, such as miR-29a and miR-29s, the precise molecular mechanism of lung cancer
      remains obscure. In order to get a better understanding of the pathogenetic
      mechanism of lung cancer, we analyzed the differentially expressed genes (DEGs)
      and identified featured miRNAs in lung cancer tissues. METHODS: We used the gene
      expression profile GSE10072, including 49 gene chips of non-tumor tissues and 58
      gene chips of lung tumor specimens. The DEGs between these two groups were
      identified by Limma package in R language. The TarBase database was used to
      construct the networks of miRNA regulating DEGs related to lung cancer. After
      ordering miRNAs regulating DEGs, we further screened featured miRNAs combined
      with the miR2Disease database. RESULTS: A total of 5572 DEGs were obtained
      between lung cancer and control specimens. After constructing a miRNA regulatory
      network, a total of 398 regulations between 57 miRNAs and 321 target genes
      existed. By intergrating the miR2Disease database and using a sorting algorithm,
      a total of six featured miRNAs related to lung cancer were identified, including
      miR-520h, miR-133a, miR-34, miR-103, miR-370, and miR-148. They might be involved
      in lung cancer progression by regulating ABCG2, PKM2, VAMP2, GPD1, MAP3K8, and
      DNMT3B, respectively. CONCLUSION: The top 10 significant miRNAs, such as miR
      520h, miR-133a, miR-34, and miR-103 may be potential therapeutic targets for lung
      cancer.

PMID- 26273408
TI  - Potential anti-cancer effect of curcumin in human lung squamous cell carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To explore the molecular mechanisms of the anti-cancer effect of
      curcumin in human lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSQCC) SK-MES-1 cells. METHODS:
      Cell viability was determined using MTT assay. Ribonucleic acid sequencing was
      performed to measure expression levels of transcripts in LSQCC cells treated with
      15 MUmol/L curcumin (treatment groups) or an equal amount of dimethylsulfoxide
      (control). Cuffdiff software was used to identify differentially expressed genes
      (DEGs) in treatment groups, followed by enrichment analysis of DEGs using the
      Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integration Discovery. The protein
      protein interaction (PPI) networks for up and downregulated DEGs were constructed
      by Cytoscape software using Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes
      data to identify hub nodes. RESULTS: Curcumin significantly reduced cell
      viability in LSQCC cells. In total, 380 DEGs including 154 upregulated and 126
      downregulated genes were found in the treatment groups. The upregulated genes
      were enriched in base excision repair (BER, such as PCNA, POLL, and MUTYH) and
      Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAT-STAT)
      signaling pathways (such as AKT1 and STAT5A), while the downregulated genes were
      enriched in nine pathways, including the vascular endothelial growth factor
      (VEGF) signaling pathway (such as PTK2, VEGFA, MAPK1, and MAPK14) and mitogen
      activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway (ARRB2, MAPK1, MAPK14, and
      NFKB1). PCNA and AKT1 were the hub nodes in the PPI network of upregulated genes
      while MAPK1, MAPK14, VEGFA, and NFKB1 were the hub nodes in the PPI network of
      downregulated genes. CONCLUSIONS: Curcumin might exert anti-cancer effects on
      LSQCC via regulating BER, JAT-STAT, VEGF, and MAPK signaling pathways.

PMID- 26273409
TI  - Diagnostic yield of non-guided flexible bronchoscopy for peripheral pulmonary
      neoplasia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The role of conventional bronchoscopy for peripheral pulmonary
      neoplasia remains controversial. We aimed to assess the diagnostic yield and the
      added value of non-guided bronchial aspiration, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), and
      brushing for the diagnosis of pulmonary neoplasia not visible endoscopically.
      METHODS: We retrospectively assessed 207 consecutive patients with a final
      diagnosis of peripheral lung malignancy who underwent bronchoscopy with non
      guided aspiration, brushing, and BAL as their initial evaluation. The influence
      of clinical and radiological factors on diagnostic yield was assessed using
      univariate logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: The overall sensitivity of non
      guided bronchoscopy was 25.6%, whereas sensitivities for bronchial aspiration,
      BAL, and brushing were 14.2%, 11.6%, and 16.5%, respectively. Younger age, larger
      lesion, central/intermediate distance from the hilum, presence of a bronchus
      sign, and higher standardized uptake value (SUV) on positron emission tomography
      scan were predictors of a higher diagnostic yield. Conversely, forced expiratory
      volume in one second, fellow implication in the procedure, and tumor histology
      did not influence sensitivity. The overall sensitivity of bronshoscopy was >40%
      for tumors >4 cm, located in the central/intermediate thirds of the lung, showing
      a bronchus sign, with an SUV >12 or occurring in patients <50 years of age.
      Conversely, the sensitivity was <10% for tumors <2 cm, located peripherally or
      with an SUV <4. CONCLUSION: Neoplasia characteristics may help targeting
      situations in which conventional bronchoscopy could be used as the initial
      diagnostic procedure when advanced techniques are unavailable. However, advanced
      diagnostic tools should probably be proposed as the initial modality for the
      diagnosis of peripheral malignant lesions when available.

PMID- 26273410
TI  - Micro ribonucleic acid-93 promotes proliferation and migration of esophageal
      squamous cell carcinoma by targeting disabled 2.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Accumulated evidence has revealed that the dysregulation of micro
      ribonucleic acids (miRNAs) may contribute to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
      (ESCC). MiR-93, which is a member of the miRNA cluster miR-106b~25, has been
      widely studied for its tumor promoting effect on different types of cancers.
      However, our knowledge of miR-93 function in ESCC remains unclear. METHODS: The
      expression levels of miR-93 in ESCC and the adjacent non-tumor tissues were
      measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Cell counting kit-8, flow
      cytometry, and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation and transwell migration
      assays were employed to explore the effects of miR-93 on proliferation and
      migration capabilities in EC109 cells. To determine the possible target gene of
      miR-93, cell transfection, Western blot analysis and luciferase reporter gene
      assays were performed. RESULTS: A significant upregulation of miR-93 expression
      in ESCC tissues was determined, combined with a downregulation of the predicted
      target gene, disabled 2 (DAB2). The introduction of miR-93 significantly promotes
      cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, and the metastatic capability of
      EC109 cells. By cell transfection and luciferase reporter assay, DAB2 was
      confirmed as a direct target of miR-93. In addition, the knockdown of DAB2 by
      small interfering RNA displayed a consentaneous phenocopy with miR-93
      overexpression in EC109 cells. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that miR-93 acts
      as a tumor promoter in ESCC, and its promotion effects on ESCC cell proliferation
      and migration depend largely upon DAB2 suppression.

PMID- 26273411
TI  - Circulating PD-L1 in NSCLC patients and the correlation between the level of PD
      L1 expression and the clinical characteristics.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The programmed cell death-1/programmed cell death-1 ligand (PD-1/PD
      L1) pathway plays a crucial role in tumor evasion. This study evaluated the
      association between circulating PD-L1 expression and clinical characteristics in
      patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: A total of
      109 advanced NSCLC and 65 healthy patients from the Beijng Cancer Hospital were
      enrolled in the study. Circulating PD-L1 expression was tested by enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay. The associations between the level of PD-L1 expression and
      clinicopathologic features and prognosis were statistically analyzed. RESULTS:
      The expression of PD-L1 in advanced NSCLC patients was significantly upregulated
      compared with the healthy control (P < 0.001). The expression of PD-L1 was
      significantly correlated with abdominal organ metastasis (P = 0.004). A high PD
      L1 expression had a worse prognosis than a low expression in patients (18.7 vs.
      26.8 month, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: PD-L1 was elevated in advanced NSCLC
      patients and may play an important role in tumor immune evasion and patient
      prognosis.

PMID- 26273412
TI  - New agent to treat advanced or metastasized thyroid cancer, its efficacy, safety,
      and mechanism.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Vandetanib is the first US Food and Drug Administration approved
      agent to treat advanced or metastasized thyroid cancer. To gain a better
      understanding of the drug, we conducted a systematic review of its efficacy and
      safety in patients with thyroid cancers. METHODS: Trial data was retrieved from
      Pubmed, EMBASE, Medline, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and the
      Cochrane database without restrictions on language. A systematic review of the
      literature was performed to assess median progression-free survival (PFS) and
      adverse events associated with vandetanib therapy for advanced or metastasized
      thyroid cancers. RESULTS: Vandetanib statistically prolonged PFS in comparison
      with the placebo (30.5 vs. 19.3 months, hazard ratio 0.46), It even prolonged PFS
      in surgically unresectable or metastatic differentiated thyroid cancer cases
      compared with the placebo (11.1 vs. 5.9 months, hazard ratio 0.63). Rash,
      diarrhea, neutropenia, and hypertension were the most frequent side effects.
      CONCLUSION: Vandetanib can significantly improve PFS. Though it has some side
      effects, it is still a promising agent in the treatment of advanced or
      metastasized thyroid cancer, especially in those with metastasized or advanced
      medullary thyroid carcinoma.

PMID- 26273413
TI  - Four-year natural clinical course of pulmonary epithelioid hemangioendothelioma
      without therapy.
AB  - Pulmonary epithelial hemangioendothelioma is a rare low to intermediate malignant
      vascular tumor originating from vascular endothelial cells. The therapy for this
      disease, if possible, is surgical resection. However, there is no standard
      treatment for patients with multiple unresectable lesions. We present the case of
      a 42-year-old woman treated with a natural clinical course of
      hemangioendothelioma for four years without therapy. The nodules have increased
      in number and size extremely slowly, and the patient is alive and asymptomatic
      four years after diagnosis. 

PMID- 26273414
TI  - Metastases of basal-like breast invasive ductal carcinoma to the endometrium: A
      case report and review of the literature.
AB  - We present a case of single endometrial metastasis from breast invasive ductal
      cancer. This case was unique because the immunohistochemical staining was
      negative for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2/neu and estrogen and
      progesterone receptors, and positive for cytokeratin 5/6 and epidermal growth
      factor receptor in the primary and metastatic tumor cells. No gross evidence of
      tumor was observed in other sites. We identified 12 cases of metastases to the
      endometrium from breast carcinoma from series and case reports in the literature
      between 1985 and 2014. This review indicated that hormone receptor-positive
      invasive lobular breast cancer cells are more likely to metastasize to the
      endometrium than other cell types in patients over 50 years of age. 

PMID- 26273415
TI  - Preoperative computed tomography-guided percutaneous localization of ground glass
      pulmonary opacity with polylactic acid injection.
AB  - Localization of a ground glass nodule is a difficult challenge for thoracic
      surgeons, especially for ground glass opacities (GGOs) less than 10 mm in
      diameter. In this study we implement a new method for preoperative localization
      of pulmonary (GGOs). From October 2013 to December 2014, computed tomography
      guided percutaneous polylactic acid injection localizations were performed for
      five pulmonary nodules in five patients (2 men and 3 women; mean age, 59.8 years;
      range, 54-65 years). The injection was feasible in all patients and the
      localization effect was excellent. The total procedure duration was 12.6 minutes
      (range; 10-15) and the volume of polylactic acid injected was 0.38 mL. The wedge
      resections were easily and successfully performed in all five cases. The cutting
      margin was no less than 2 cm from the lesion. This technique is promising for the
      determination of GGO location in thoracoscopic surgery for wedge resection. 

PMID- 26273417
TI  - In Vitro System for Measuring Chordal Force Changes Following Mitral Valve Patch
      Repair.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Attention towards optimization of mitral valve repair methods is
      increasing. Patch augmentation is one strategy utilized to correct functional
      mitral regurgitation or systolic anterior motion in complex mitral valve repairs.
      This article describes a system for investigating the redistribution of chordae
      tendineae tension as a reflection of altered stress distribution of the valve
      leaflet following patch augmentation. METHODS AND MATERIALS: An in vitro test
      setup was constructed to hold native porcine mitral valves containing an annulus
      and papillary muscle positioning system. The alterations caused by patch
      augmentation should be visual from both the atrial and ventricular views.
      Ventricular pressure was regulated stepwise in a range of 0-150 mmHg. To test the
      system, the anterior mitral leaflet was extended by a pericardial patch sutured
      to the mid/basal part of the leaflet, and the chordae tendineae force was
      measured as the ventricular pressure was applied. RESULTS: The system
      demonstrated the capacity to hold native porcine mitral valves and introducing
      patch repairs according to clinical practice. The porcine mitral valve test setup
      indicated strong correlation between the forces in the mitral valve secondary
      chordae tendineae and the applied transvalvular pressure (R2 = 0.95). CONCLUSION:
      This test setup proved the ability to obtain normal mid-systolic mitral valve
      function, secondary chordae force measurements, and important preservation of the
      visual access: Hence, obtaining the pressure-force relationship as well as
      identifying any shift of the secondary chordae insertion point on the anterior
      leaflet relative to the coaptation zone was made possible.

PMID- 26273418
TI  - Nuclear Nox4 Role in Stemness Power of Human Amniotic Fluid Stem Cells.
AB  - Human amniotic fluid stem cells (AFSC) are an attractive source for cell therapy
      due to their multilineage differentiation potential and accessibility advantages.
      However the clinical application of human stem cells largely depends on their
      capacity to expand in vitro, since there is an extensive donor-to-donor
      heterogeneity. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cellular oxidative stress are
      involved in many physiological and pathophysiological processes of stem cells,
      including pluripotency, proliferation, differentiation, and stress resistance.
      The mode of action of ROS is also dependent on the localization of their target
      molecules. Thus, the modifications induced by ROS can be separated depending on
      the cellular compartments they affect. NAD(P)H oxidase family, particularly Nox4,
      has been known to produce ROS in the nucleus. In the present study we show that
      Nox4 nuclear expression (nNox4) depends on the donor and it correlates with the
      expression of transcription factors involved in stemness regulation, such as
      Oct4, SSEA-4, and Sox2. Moreover nNox4 is linked with the nuclear localization of
      redox sensitive transcription factors, as Nrf2 and NF-kappaB, and with the
      differentiation potential. Taken together, these results suggest that nNox4
      regulation may have important effects in stem cell capability through modulation
      of transcription factors and DNA damage. 

PMID- 26273419
TI  - Controlling Redox Status for Stem Cell Survival, Expansion, and Differentiation.
AB  - Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have long been considered as pathological agents
      inducing apoptosis under adverse culture conditions. However, recent findings
      have challenged this dogma and physiological levels of ROS are now considered as
      secondary messengers, mediating numerous cellular functions in stem cells. Stem
      cells represent important tools for tissue engineering, drug screening, and
      disease modeling. However, the safe use of stem cells for clinical applications
      still requires culture improvements to obtain functional cells. With the examples
      of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), this review
      investigates the roles of ROS in the maintenance of self-renewal, proliferation,
      and differentiation of stem cells. In addition, this work highlights that the
      tight control of stem cell microenvironment, including cell organization, and
      metabolic and mechanical environments, may be an effective approach to regulate
      endogenous ROS generation. Taken together, this paper indicates the need for
      better quantification of ROS towards the accurate control of stem cell fate. 

PMID- 26273421
TI  - Isoflavones Reduce Copper with Minimal Impact on Iron In Vitro.
AB  - Isoflavones are commonly consumed in many Asian countries and have potentially
      positive effects on human being. Only a few and rather controversial data on
      their interactions with copper and iron are available to date. 13 structurally
      related isoflavones were tested in the competitive manner for their Cu/Fe
      chelating/reducing properties. Notwithstanding the 5-hydroxy-4-keto chelation
      site was associated with ferric, ferrous, and cupric chelation, the chelation
      potential of isoflavones was low and no cuprous chelation was observed. None of
      isoflavones was able to substantially reduce ferric ions, but the vast majority
      reduced cupric ions. The most important feature for cupric reduction was the
      presence of an unsubstituted 4'-hydroxyl; contrarily the presence of a free 5
      hydroxyl decreased or abolished the reduction due to chelation of cupric ions.
      The results from this study may enable additional experiments which might clarify
      the effects of isoflavones on human being and/or mechanisms of copper absorption.

PMID- 26273420
TI  - Increased Oxidative Stress as a Selective Anticancer Therapy.
AB  - Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are closely related to tumorgenesis. Under hypoxic
      environment, increased levels of ROS induce the expression of hypoxia inducible
      factors (HIFs) in cancer stem cells (CSCs), resulting in the promotion of the
      upregulation of CSC markers, and the reduction of intracellular ROS level, thus
      facilitating CSCs survival and proliferation. Although the ROS level is regulated
      by powerful antioxidant defense mechanisms in cancer cells, it is observed to
      remain higher than that in normal cells. Cancer cells may be more sensitive than
      normal cells to the accumulation of ROS; consequently, it is supposed that
      increased oxidative stress by exogenous ROS generation therapy has an effect on
      selectively killing cancer cells without affecting normal cells. This paper
      reviews the mechanisms of redox regulation in CSCs and the pivotal role of ROS in
      anticancer treatment. 

PMID- 26273422
TI  - Reactive Oxygen Species in Mesenchymal Stem Cell Aging: Implication to Lung
      Diseases.
AB  - MSCs have become an emerging cell source with their immune modulation, high
      proliferation rate, and differentiation potential; indeed, they have been
      challenged in clinical trials. Recently, it has shown that ROS play a dual role
      as both deleterious and beneficial species depending on their concentration in
      MSCs. Various environmental stresses-induced excessive production of ROS triggers
      cellular senescence and abnormal differentiation on MSCs. Moreover, MSCs have
      been suggested to participate in the treatment of ALI/ARDS and COPD as a major
      cause of high morbidity and mortality. Therapeutic mechanisms of MSCs in the
      treatment of ARDS/COPD were focused on cell engraftment and paracrine action.
      However, ROS-mediated therapeutic mechanisms of MSCs still remain largely
      unknown. Here, we review the key factors associated with cell cycle and chromatin
      remodeling to accelerate or delay the MSC aging process. In addition, the
      enhanced ROS production and its associated pathophysiological pathways will be
      discussed along with the MSC senescence process. Furthermore, the present review
      highlights how the excessive amount of ROS-mediated oxidative stress might
      interfere with homeostasis of lungs and residual lung cells in the pathogenesis
      of ALI/ARDS and COPD. 

PMID- 26273423
TI  - Reactive Oxygen Species Are Required for Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Initiate
      Proliferation after the Quiescence Exit.
AB  - The present study focuses on the involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in
      the process of mesenchymal stem cells "waking up" and entering the cell cycle
      after the quiescence. Using human endometrial mesenchymal stem cells (eMSCs), we
      showed that intracellular basal ROS level is positively correlated with the
      proliferative status of the cell cultures. Our experiments with the eMSCs
      synchronized in the G0 phase of the cell cycle revealed a transient increase in
      the ROS level upon the quiescence exit after stimulation of the cell
      proliferation. This increase was registered before the eMSC entry to the S-phase
      of the cell cycle, and elimination of this increase by antioxidants (N-acetyl-L
      cysteine, Tempol, and Resveratrol) blocked G1-S-phase transition. Similarly, a
      cell cycle arrest which resulted from the antioxidant treatment was observed in
      the experiments with synchronized human mesenchymal stem cells derived from the
      adipose tissue. Thus, we showed that physiologically relevant level of ROS is
      required for the initiation of human mesenchymal stem cell proliferation and that
      low levels of ROS due to the antioxidant treatment can block the stem cell self
      renewal. 

PMID- 26273425
TI  - GC-Rich Extracellular DNA Induces Oxidative Stress, Double-Strand DNA Breaks, and
      DNA Damage Response in Human Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cell free DNA (cfDNA) circulates throughout the bloodstream of both
      healthy people and patients with various diseases. CfDNA is substantially
      enriched in its GC-content as compared with human genomic DNA. PRINCIPAL
      FINDINGS: Exposure of haMSCs to GC-DNA induces short-term oxidative stress
      (determined with H2DCFH-DA) and results in both single- and double-strand DNA
      breaks (comet assay and gammaH2AX, foci). As a result in the cells significantly
      increases the expression of repair genes (BRCA1 (RT-PCR), PCNA (FACS)) and
      antiapoptotic genes (BCL2 (RT-PCR and FACS), BCL2A1, BCL2L1, BIRC3, and BIRC2 (RT
      PCR)). Under the action of GC-DNA the potential of mitochondria was increased.
      Here we show that GC-rich extracellular DNA stimulates adipocyte differentiation
      of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (haMSCs). Exposure to GC-DNA
      leads to an increase in the level of RNAPPARG2 and LPL (RT-PCR), in the level of
      fatty acid binding protein FABP4 (FACS analysis) and in the level of fat (Oil Red
      O). CONCLUSIONS: GC-rich fragments in the pool of cfDNA can potentially induce
      oxidative stress and DNA damage response and affect the direction of mesenchymal
      stem cells differentiation in human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Such
      a response may be one of the causes of obesity or osteoporosis.

PMID- 26273426
TI  - Upregulation of Multidrug Resistance-Associated Protein 1 by Allyl Isothiocyanate
      in Human Bronchial Epithelial Cell: Involvement of c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase
      Signaling Pathway.
AB  - Multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (MRP1) plays a protective role in the
      etiology and progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) which
      results from oxidative stress and inflammation of lung injury. The lower
      functional MRP1 activity is related to COPD development. Our previous study
      showed that Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) induced the expression and activity of
      MRP1 in a dose-dependent manner. However, which signaling pathway contributes to
      the upregulation of MRP1 by AITC is unclear. In this study, signaling pathway
      specific inhibitors were used to examine the mechanism of AITC. We found that JNK
      inhibitor SP600125 treatment decreased MRP1 mRNA expression in 16HBE14o- cells.
      But the ERK inhibitor U0126 or PI3K/Akt inhibitor LY294002 produced no obvious
      effect. The AITC-induced increase of MRP1 mRNA expression was abolished by
      cotreatment of SP600125, while it was not obviously affected by U0126 or
      LY294002. Furthermore, AITC acivates the JNK signaling pathway in 16HBE14o-
      cells. Finally, we found that JNK pathway mediated the upregulation of AITC
      induced expression and function of MRP1. Taken together, our results indicated
      that AITC increased the expression and the activity of MRP1 via a JNK-dependent
      pathway. ERK and PI3K signaling pathway were not involved in the expression of
      MRP1 mRNA. 

PMID- 26273424
TI  - Redox Regulation in Cancer Stem Cells.
AB  - Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and ROS-dependent (redox regulation) signaling
      pathways and transcriptional activities are thought to be critical in stem cell
      self-renewal and differentiation during growth and organogenesis. Aberrant ROS
      burst and dysregulation of those ROS-dependent cellular processes are strongly
      associated with human diseases including many cancers. ROS levels are elevated in
      cancer cells partially due to their higher metabolism rate. In the past 15 years,
      the concept of cancer stem cells (CSCs) has been gaining ground as the
      subpopulation of cancer cells with stem cell-like properties and characteristics
      have been identified in various cancers. CSCs possess low levels of ROS and are
      responsible for cancer recurrence after chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
      Unfortunately, how CSCs control ROS production and scavenging and how ROS
      dependent signaling pathways contribute to CSCs function remain poorly
      understood. This review focuses on the role of redox balance, especially in ROS
      dependent cellular processes in cancer stem cells (CSCs). We updated recent
      advances in our understanding of ROS generation and elimination in CSCs and their
      effects on CSC self-renewal and differentiation through modulating signaling
      pathways and transcriptional activities. The review concludes that targeting CSCs
      by manipulating ROS metabolism/dependent pathways may be an effective approach
      for improving cancer treatment. 

PMID- 26273427
TI  - Ethnic Identity as a Moderator against Discrimination for Transracially and
      Transnationally Adopted Korean American Adolescents.
AB  - Despite the growing practice of international adoption over the past 60 years,
      the racial and ethnic experiences of adopted youth are not well known. This study
      examined the moderating role of ethnic identity in the association between
      racial/ethnic discrimination and adjustment among transracially, transnationally
      adopted Korean American adolescents (N = 136). Building on self-categorization
      theory and past empirical research on Asian Americans, it was hypothesized that
      ethnic identity would exacerbate negative outcomes associated with
      discrimination. The moderating role of ethnic identity was found to vary by
      specific ethnic identity dimensions. For individuals with more pride in their
      ethnic group (affective dimension of ethnic identity), discrimination was
      positively associated with externalizing problems. For individuals with greater
      engagement with their ethnic group (behavioral dimension of ethnic identity),
      discrimination was positively associated with substance use. By contrast, clarity
      regarding the meaning and importance of one's ethnic group (cognitive dimension
      of ethnic identity) did not moderate the relationship between discrimination and
      negative outcomes.

PMID- 26273428
TI  - Hypomethylation of miR-142 promoter and upregulation of microRNAs that target the
      oxytocin receptor gene in the autism prefrontal cortex.
AB  - BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs are small RNA molecules that regulate the translation of
      protein from gene transcripts and are a powerful mechanism to regulate gene
      networks. Next-generation sequencing technologies have produced important
      insights into gene transcription changes that occur in the brain of individuals
      diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (asd). However, these technologies have
      not yet been employed to uncover changes in microRNAs in the brain of individuals
      diagnosed with asd. METHODS: Small RNA next-generation sequencing was performed
      on RNA extracted from 12 human autism brain samples and 12 controls. Real-time
      PCR was used to validate a sample of the differentially expressed microRNAs, and
      bioinformatic analysis determined common pathways of gene targets. MicroRNA
      expression data was correlated to genome-wide DNA methylation data to determine
      if there is epigenetic regulation of dysregulated microRNAs in the autism brain.
      Luciferase assays, real-time PCR, and Western blot analysis were used to
      determine how dysregulated microRNAs may regulate the expression and translation
      of an autism-related gene transcript. RESULTS: We determined that miR-142-5p, miR
      142-3p, miR-451a, miR-144-3p, and miR-21-5p are overexpressed in the asd brain.
      Furthermore, the promoter region of the miR-142 gene is hypomethylated in the
      same brain samples, suggesting that epigenetics plays a role in dysregulation of
      microRNAs in the brain. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that these microRNAs
      target genes that are involved in synaptic function. Further bioinformatic
      analysis, coupled with in vitro luciferase assays, determined that miR-451a and
      miR-21-5p can target the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene. OXTR gene expression is
      increased in these same brain samples, and there is a positive correlation
      between miR-21-5p and OXTR expression. However, miR-21-5p expression negatively
      correlates to production of OXTR protein from the OXTR transcript. Therefore, we
      suggest that miR-21-5p may attenuate OXTR expression in the human autism brain.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggests that dysregulation of microRNAs may play a
      biological role in the brain of individuals of autism. In addition, we suggest an
      interaction between epigenetic mechanisms and microRNA dysregulation in the
      brain. Overall, this data adds an important link in our understanding of the
      molecular events that are dysregulated in the brain of individuals diagnosed with
      autism.

PMID- 26273429
TI  - Senescent mesenchymal stem cells promote colorectal cancer cells growth via
      galectin-3 expression.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cellular senescence is linked to aging and tumorigenesis. The
      senescence of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) may influence the tumor growth,
      metastasis, and angiogenesis by secreting a variety of cytokines and growth
      factors. RESULTS: The conditioned media of adipose derived MSCs (AD-MSCs)
      stimulated the proliferation of human LoVo colorectal-cancer cells, and the
      replicative senescent MSCs had the more obvious effects in comparison to that of
      premature AD-MSCs. Analysis of the factors secreted in the MSCs culture media
      determined that senescent MSCs expressed and secreted high levels of galectin-3.
      Galectin-3 expression correlated with the stimulatory effect of senescent AD-MSCs
      on LoVo cells proliferation, as knockdown of galectin-3 in senescent AD-MSCs
      significantly reversed the effect of MSCs-mediated growth stimulation of LoVo
      cells. Furthermore, the simultaneous addition of recombinant galectin-3 to the co
      culture systems partially restored the tumor-promoting effect of the senescent AD
      MSCs. Analysis of the mechanisms of senescent MSCs and galectin-3 on LoVo cells
      signal transduction determined that senescent MSCs and exogenous galectin-3
      promoted cell growth by activating the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)
      (extracellular signal-regulated kinase [ERK]1/2) pathway. CONCLUSIONS: Senescent
      MSCs may alter the tissue microenvironment and affect nearby malignant cells via
      cytokine secretion, and galectin-3 is an important mediator of senescent AD-MSC
      mediated stimulation of colon cancer cell growth. Therefore, thorough assessment
      of AD-MSCs prior to their implementation in clinical practice is warranted.

PMID- 26273430
TI  - Comparing the Bbs10 complete knockout phenotype with a specific renal epithelial
      knockout one highlights the link between renal defects and systemic inactivation
      in mice.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Bardet-Biedl Syndrome (BBS) is a genetically heterogeneous ciliopathy
      with clinical cardinal features including retinal degeneration, obesity and renal
      dysfunction. To date, 20 BBS genes have been identified with BBS10 being a major
      BBS gene found to be mutated in almost 20 percent of all BBS patients worldwide.
      It codes for the BBS10 protein which forms part of a chaperone complex localized
      at the basal body of the primary cilium. Renal dysfunction in BBS patients is one
      of the major causes of morbidity in human patients and is associated initially
      with urinary concentration defects related to water reabsorption impairment in
      renal epithelial cells. The aim of this study was to study and compare the impact
      of a total Bbs10 inactivation (Bbs10 (-/-)) with that of a specific renal
      epithelial cells inactivation (Bbs10  (fl/fl) ; Cdh16-Cre (+/-)). RESULTS: We
      generated the Bbs10 (-/-) and Bbs10  (fl/fl) ; Cadh16-Cre (+/-) mouse model and
      characterized them. Bbs10 (-/-) mice developed obesity, retinal degeneration,
      structural defects in the glomeruli, polyuria associated with high circulating
      arginine vasopressin (AVP) concentrations, and vacuolated, yet ciliated, renal
      epithelial cells. On the other hand, the Bbs10  (fl/fl) ; Cadh16-Cre (+/-)mice
      displayed no detectable impairment. CONCLUSIONS: These data highlight the
      importance of a systemic Bbs10 inactivation to trigger averted renal dysfunction
      whereas a targeted absence of BBS10 in the renal epithelium is seemingly non
      deleterious.

PMID- 26273433
TI  - Coagulopathy and functional hyposplenism during an episode of thrombotic
      thrombocytopenic purpura in a HgbS/beta (+)-thalassemia patient.
AB  - We report a case of TTP in a sickle cell/beta+-thalassemia heterozygote with
      nonspecific complaints and a evidence of hemolysis, initially attributed to
      sickle crisis. Included in this case is a discussion of the development of
      functional hyposplenism, a rarely reported complication, limitation of ADAMTS-13
      in diagnosis, and the use of platelet transfusion. 

PMID- 26273434
TI  - Recurrent undifferentiated shock: Idiopathic Systemic Capillary Leak Syndrome.
AB  - Idiopathic Systemic Capillary Leak Syndrome is a potentially fatal disorder that
      is under diagnosed. It commonly presents as recurrent undifferentiated shock with
      hypotension, hypoalbuminemia and hemoconcentration. There are three distinct
      phases that define the syndrome; Prodromal, Extravasation and Recovery. 

PMID- 26273431
TI  - Reliability of a new test battery for fitness assessment of the European
      Astronaut corps.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To optimise health for space missions, European astronauts follow
      specific conditioning programs before, during and after their flights. To
      evaluate the effectiveness of these programs, the European Space Agency conducts
      an Astronaut Fitness Assessment (AFA), but the test-retest reliability of
      elements within it remains unexamined. The reliability study described here
      presents a scientific basis for implementing the AFA, but also highlights
      challenges faced by operational teams supporting humans in such unique
      environments, especially with respect to health and fitness monitoring of crew
      members travelling not only into space, but also across the world. The AFA tests
      assessed parameters known to be affected by prolonged exposure to microgravity:
      aerobic capacity (VO2max), muscular strength (one repetition max, 1 RM) and power
      (vertical jumps), core stability, flexibility and balance. Intraclass correlation
      coefficients (ICC3.1), standard error of measurement and coefficient of variation
      were used to assess relative and absolute test-retest reliability. RESULTS: Squat
      and bench 1 RM (ICC3.1 = 0.94-0.99), hip flexion (ICC3.1 = 0.99) and left and
      right handgrip strength (ICC3.1 = 0.95 and 0.97), showed the highest test-retest
      reliability, followed by VO2max (ICC3.1 = 0.91), core strength (ICC3.1 = 0.78
      0.89), hip extension (ICC3.1 = 0.63), the countermeasure (ICC3.1 = 0.76) and
      squat (ICC3.1 = 0.63) jumps, and single right- and left-leg jump height (ICC3.1 =
      0.51 and 0.14). For balance, relative reliability ranged from ICC3.1 = 0.78 for
      path length (two legs, head tilted back, eyes open) to ICC3.1 = 0.04 for average
      rotation velocity (one leg, eyes closed). CONCLUSIONS: In a small sample (n = 8)
      of young, healthy individuals, the AFA battery of tests demonstrated acceptable
      test-retest reliability for most parameters except some balance and single-leg
      jump tasks. These findings suggest that, for the application with astronauts,
      most AFA tests appear appropriate to be maintained in the test battery, but that
      some elements may be unreliable, and require either modification (duration,
      selection of task) or removal (single-leg jump, balance test on sphere) from the
      battery. The test battery is mobile and universally applicable for occupational
      and general fitness assessment by its comprehensive composition of tests covering
      many systems involved in whole body movement.

PMID- 26273435
TI  - Age-related Epstein-Barr virus-positive mucocutaneous ulcer: a case report.
AB  - Key Clinical Message The oral manifestations of EBV-positive mucocutaneous ulcers
      have a worrisome clinical appearance but relatively benign clinical course,
      responding well to conservative treatment. Elderly patients who develop an
      unexplained, persistent ulcer of the oral mucosa should have the lesion examined
      for EBV. 

PMID- 26273432
TI  - Lysozyme as an alternative to growth promoting antibiotics in swine production.
AB  - Lysozyme is a naturally occurring enzyme found in bodily secretions such as
      tears, saliva, and milk. It functions as an antimicrobial agent by cleaving the
      peptidoglycan component of bacterial cell walls, which leads to cell death.
      Antibiotics are also antimicrobials and have been fed at subtherapeutic levels to
      swine as growth promoters. These compounds benefit swine producers by minimizing
      production losses by increasing feed efficiency and decreasing susceptibility to
      bacterial infection and disease. This manuscript reviews the knowledge of the
      effects of lysozyme, as compared to traditional subtherapeutic antibiotics in
      swine feed, on pig performance and health. It is clear from decades of studies
      that antibiotic use in feeds increases pig performance, particularly in the
      nursery. Similarly, lysozyme, as a feed additive, increases growth and feed
      efficiency. While the mechanism by which antibiotics and lysozyme improve
      performance is not clearly understood, both of these feed additives improve
      gastrointestinal health, improve the metabolic profile, and alter the
      gastrointestinal bacteria ecology of swine. Therefore, lysozyme is a suitable
      alternative to growth-promoting subtherapeutic antibiotic use in swine feed. 

PMID- 26273436
TI  - Infantile pyknocytosis, a rare cause of hemolytic anemia in newborns: report of
      two cases in twin girls and literature overview.
AB  - Infantile pyknocytosis is a rare cause of neonatal jaundice and hemolytic anemia.
      We report on two cases in twin girls that were diagnosed on peripheral blood
      smear reading. Pyknocytosis should be considered in cases of early unexplained
      severe hemolytic anemia, and systematic peripheral smear review performed. Its
      management consists of phototherapy and RBC transfusion. 

PMID- 26273437
TI  - Necrobiosis lipoidica associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis and positive
      detection of ANA and ASMA autoantibodies.
AB  - Necrobiosis lipoidica (NL) is a rare idiopathic cutaneous condition exceptionally
      associated with autoimmune thyroiditis. We describe the first case of NL,
      Hashimoto's thyroiditis and positive detection of autoantibodies. Appropriate
      screening for NL in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis may clarify its real
      incidence and the existence of a common pathogenetic pathway. 

PMID- 26273438
TI  - A case report of Progressive subluxation leading to an anterior dislocation of
      the hip following sliding hip screw fixation for pertrochanteric Extracapsular 4
      part fracture neck of femur.
AB  - Unstable 4 part pertrochanteric fractures without lateral cortical support
      presents considerable technical problem in treatment with high risk of failure
      with any implant. Anatomical or slight valgus reduction and subchondral central
      position of the lag screw (TAD <25 mm) reduces the chance of screw cut out and
      other complications. 

PMID- 26273439
TI  - Management for traumatic chronic subdural hematoma patients with well-controlled
      shunt system for hydrocephalus.
AB  - Traumatic CSDH enlarged in two cases with VP or LP shunt system although the
      shunt valve pressure was increased to 200 mmH2O. In surgery, the hematoma cavity
      pressure was found to be 130 and 140 mmH2O, suggesting that to raise the shunt
      valve pressure is not effective for decreasing CSDH volume. 

PMID- 26273440
TI  - A case of myelodysplastic syndrome/myeloproliferative neoplasm (MDS/MPN)
      successfully treated with lenalidomide.
AB  - Lenalidomide is an immunomodulatory drug which is used to treat patients with MDS
      with deletion 5q chromosomal abnormality. In 2008, WHO introduced a new disease
      entity called MDS/MPN. No specific treatment for MDS/MPN subtype has yet been
      identified. We report a patient with MDS/MPN who responded well to lenalidomide
      therapy. 

PMID- 26273441
TI  - Paradoxical increase in blood pressure following bilateral native nephrectomy.
AB  - Hypertension with Chronic kidney disease is often difficult to control medically.
      In such patients, nephrectomy can help to control blood pressure (BP). We
      describe a case of a 6-year-old boy with autosomal recessive polycystic kidney
      disease who showed a paradoxical increase in BP following bilateral nephrectomy. 

PMID- 26273442
TI  - Is STEP the future for patients requiring proctocolectomy? A new therapeutic
      proposal from pediatric experience.
AB  - We present a pediatric case of medically unmanageable juvenile colonic polyposis,
      initially treated with subtotal colectomy and an ileostomy followed by a
      proctectomy, ileal-J-pouch and serial transverse enteroplasties (STEP) of the
      distal ileum. The STEP procedure in an adequate length was able to control
      stooling of our patient. 

PMID- 26273443
TI  - Gastric Schwannoma: Case report from Tanzania and brief review of literature.
AB  - Upper gastrointestinal bleeding causes significant morbidity and mortality
      worldwide. We report a rare case of hematemesis secondary to a gastric schwannoma
      in a Tanzanian female. Gastric schwannomas should be considered in the
      differential diagnosis of gastric masses and distinguished from other etiologies,
      given their excellent postresection prognosis. 

PMID- 26273444
TI  - A multifaceted approach to calcium channel blocker overdose: a case report and
      literature review.
AB  - Calcium channel blocker toxicity can be devastating. Initial therapy with fluid,
      calcium, and adrenoreceptor agonists should be prompt and novel therapies can be
      added if no response. Determining cardiogenic shock versus vasoplegia with
      echocardiogram or other hemodynamic monitoring may guide treatment options. 

PMID- 26273445
TI  - Genomic characterization of chromosome 8 pericentric trisomy.
AB  - We present a patient with trisomy 8p11.21q11.21 associated with language, gross
      motor, fine motor, and cognitive delay. Furthermore, using array-based
      comparative genomic hybridization, we identify the specific genes duplicated in
      our patient. 

PMID- 26273446
TI  - Synchronous adenomyomas of the ileum in an adult-an exceptional cause of
      intussusception.
AB  - In this article, we report a case of two synchronous ileal adenomyomas leading to
      intussusception. This rare occurrence has never been reported in the literature.
      Our case is noteworthy, because the lesion is rare and should be considered in
      the differential diagnosis of intussusception in adults. 

PMID- 26273447
TI  - Bilateral femur metastases in low-grade endometrial carcinoma.
AB  - Lower-limb bone metastases are uncommon in low-grade endometrial carcinoma, and
      are mostly located on the axial skeleton. Here, we present a rare case of
      bilateral femur metastases in low-grade endometrial carcinoma and performed a
      review of the current literature. 

PMID- 26273448
TI  - Successful treatment of a noninhibitory antibody-mediated acquired factor X
      deficiency in a patient with marginal-zone lymphoma.
AB  - Prolonged clotting times were observed in a patient with spontaneous hemorrhage.
      Analysis showed severe factor X deficiency due to clearance by a noninhibitory
      antibody. Lymphadenopathy identified on imaging led to diagnosis of marginal B
      cell lymphoma. Treatment of lymphoma with rituximab and chlorambucil resulted in
      complete disappearance of the bleeding disorder. 

PMID- 26273449
TI  - Isolated deep T-wave inversion on an electrocardiogram with normal wall motion.
AB  - The electrocardiogram (ECG) of a 73-year-old, asymptomatic woman showed deep T
      wave inversion. The complete workup was negative. Ten years later, she developed
      takotsubo cardiomyopathy with abnormal ECG again. Isolated deep T-wave inversion
      might be an aftereffect of takotsubo cardiomyopathy that does not warrant an
      invasive workup. 

PMID- 26273450
TI  - Regenerative therapy for the management of a large skin wound in a dog.
AB  - Extensive full-thickness skin wounds are quite common in domestic animals. In
      these report, following the failure of reconstructive surgery, adipose tissue
      derived mesenchymal stem cells, and platelet-rich plasma were successfully used
      in a dog to improve speed and quality of skin tissue healing, avoiding suffering,
      and debilitating effects. 

PMID- 26273451
TI  - Nonsyndromic X-linked intellectual deficiency in three brothers with a novel
      MED12 missense mutation [c.5922G>T (p.Glu1974His)].
AB  - X-linked intellectual deficiency (XLID) is a large group of genetic disorders.
      MED12 gene causes syndromic and nonsyndromic forms of XLID. Only seven
      pathological mutations have been identified in this gene. Here, we report a novel
      mutation segregating with XLID phenotype. This mutation could be in favor of
      genotype-phenotype correlations. 

PMID- 26273452
TI  - Sandwich osteotomy of the atrophic posterior mandible prior to implant placement.
AB  - Key Clinical Message The continuing resorption of the alveolar ridge will
      eventually result in insufficient bone height superior to the IAN, making dental
      implant placement impossible. The augmentation procedure above the IAN in terms
      of height provides sufficient bone for implant placement and allows long-term
      successful restoration of missing teeth with implant-supported prosthesis. 

PMID- 26273453
TI  - Ibrutinib and rituximab induced rapid response in refractory Richter syndrome.
AB  - We report a 53-year-old man diagnosed with Richter syndrome. He was heavily
      pretreated and was refractory to prior therapy. He received rituximab and
      ibrutinib, and achieved a significant response after 1 month of therapy. Our case
      illustrates the importance of investigation of rituximab and ibrutinib in
      Richter's syndrome. 

PMID- 26273454
TI  - Immunogenicity of pneumococcal vaccination in a patient with sickle
      hemoglobinopathy: a case report.
AB  - Despite decrease in morbidity and mortality from invasive pneumococcal disease
      (IPD), individuals with asplenia remain at risk for IPD compared to the general
      population. This report describes a young adult with hemoglobin SD and documented
      splenic autoinfarction with pneumococcal sepsis, meningitis, and pneumonia within
      seven months of immunization with PPSV-23. 

PMID- 26273455
TI  - A case of Manila type Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in Japan.
AB  - A 76-year-old Japanese woman contracted a Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB, Manila
      type) infection in Japan, despite never having traveled. However, her son was
      treated for TB in the Philippines 3 years before he stayed at her house.
      Spoligotyping allows us to identify the TB genotype and identify the route of
      infection. 

PMID- 26273456
TI  - Pulmonary amyloidosis mimicking prostate cancer metastasis.
AB  - Localized nodular pulmonary amyloidosis is rare. However, the disease should be
      considered in the differential diagnosis of multiple lung nodules. 

PMID- 26273457
TI  - Acute kidney injury due to abdominal compartment syndrome caused by duodenal
      metastases of prostate cancer.
AB  - Organ dysfunctions caused by intraabdominal hypertension is named as abdominal
      compartment syndrome (ACS). A patient with prostate cancer admitted with dyspnea
      and oliguria. After decompression his health status improved. For patients with
      malignant disorders presented with oliguria and respiratory problems who have
      abdominal distension, ACS should be in mind. 

PMID- 26273458
TI  - Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) in the treatment of emphysematous COPD: a case
      report.
AB  - Emphysema results in narrowing of the small airways due to inhaling of cigarette
      smoke and other noxious particles. Oxygen therapy, corticosteroids, and
      bronchodilators increase the risk of pneumonia, arrhythmia, and fractures in long
      term. Therapy with human embryonic stem cells resulted in improved symptoms of a
      patient with emphysema. 

PMID- 26273459
TI  - Low-dose niacin supplementation modulates GPR109A, niacin index and ameliorates
      Parkinson's disease symptoms without side effects.
AB  - A 65-year-old male, Parkinson's disease patient, was evaluated for GPR109A
      expression, niacin index, UPDRS scale, handwriting test, and quality of sleep
      with and without niacin treatment. The evaluation was repeated 3 months after
      niacin was stopped. Niacin modulated the abovementioned parameters and showed the
      overall improvement without side effects. 

PMID- 26273460
TI  - Iliopsoas abscess in adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus.
AB  - Iliopsoas abscesses have been reported in adult diabetic patients, but only one
      case has been so far reported in the pediatric diabetic literature. We report
      three cases of iliopsoas abscesses in three adolescents with type 1 diabetes
      mellitus, suggesting that an increased awareness of this condition is required
      for its early recognition and prompt treatment. 

PMID- 26273461
TI  - Prenatal diagnosis of X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy associated with isolated
      pericardial effusion.
AB  - This is the first reported case of fetal pericardial effusion in association with
      X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy and hypocortisolism from a nonautoimmune cause. Our
      hypothesis is that in experienced hands and after accurate genetic counseling,
      isolated pericardial effusion can constitute an indication for a severe metabolic
      disease. 

PMID- 26273462
TI  - Brentuximab vedotin in the treatment of a patient with refractory Hodgkin disease
      and Proteus syndrome - a case report and discussion.
AB  - Treatment of patients with refractory Hodgkin lymphoma is a significant issue. We
      report a patient with Proteus syndrome and relapsed Hodgkin lymphoma, whose
      remission was finally achieved after brentuximab vedotin therapy, allowing her to
      receive a haploidentical stem cell transplant. The possible relationship between
      both disorders was discussed. 

PMID- 26273463
TI  - Severe fludarabine neurotoxicity after reduced intensity conditioning regimen to
      allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a case report.
AB  - We present a case of severe, irreversible neurotoxicity in a 55-year-old-patient
      with myelofibrosis undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation following a
      reduced intensity conditioning including fludarabine. The patient developed
      progressive sensory-motor, visual and consciousness disturbances, eventually
      leading to death. MRI imaging pattern was unique and attributable to fludarabine
      neurotoxicity. 

PMID- 26273464
TI  - Convulsion and cerebellar ataxia associated with maternally inherited diabetes
      and deafness: a case report.
AB  - Convulsion in diabetics is often considered as a result from fluctuation of blood
      glucose level. However, if a diabetic patient also presents abnormal neurological
      signs, mitochondrial diseases need to be considered in the differential
      diagnosis. 

PMID- 26273465
TI  - A case of delayed hemothorax with an inferior phrenic artery injury detected and
      treated endovascularly.
AB  - We report the rare case of delayed hemothorax (DHX) with an inferior phrenic
      artery (IPA) injury due to blunt thoracic trauma. Our case suggests that DHX
      almost always occurs early after injury, and endovascular treatment is an
      effective procedure for traumatic hemothorax including DHX. 

PMID- 26273466
TI  - Association of long-term tacrolimus (FK506) therapy with abnormal
      megakaryocytosis, bone marrow fibrosis, and dyserythropoiesis.
AB  - Haematopoietic abnormalities associated with tacrolimus are relatively rare with
      reversible pure red cell aplasia being the most common. We report for the first
      time, to our best knowledge, tacrolimus therapy associated with bone marrow
      fibrosis, abnormal megakaryocytosis, and dyserythopoiesis in a 17-year-old male
      treated with tacrolimus for nephrotic syndrome. 

PMID- 26273468
TI  - Therapeutic application of C1 esterase inhibitor concentrate for clinical
      amniotic fluid embolism: a case report.
AB  - We present the successful application of C1 esterase inhibitor (C1INH)
      concentrate to a patient with clinical amniotic fluid embolism (AFE). 

PMID- 26273469
TI  - Unilateral foveal hypoplasia in a child with bilateral anterior segment
      dysgenesis.
AB  - In patients with foveal hypoplasia, anterior segment dysgenesis and an absence of
      systemic findings, consider a recently described syndrome of foveal hypoplasia,
      optic nerve decussation defects and anterior segment dysgenesis (FHONDA) in the
      differential diagnosis. 

PMID- 26273467
TI  - Atypical manifestation of cat-scratch disease: isolated epigastric pain in an
      immunocompetent, 12-year-old child.
AB  - We present a 12-year-old immunocompetent girl with hepato splenic cat-scratch
      disease (CSD). Her sole inaugural complaint was isolated epigastric pain. She
      fully recovered, with normalized abdominal CT scan following 2 weeks course of
      Azythromycin(r). CSD should be included in differential diagnosis in children
      with epigastric pain, especially in those with domestic pets. 

PMID- 26273470
TI  - Snapshot quiz - "Tattoo of Scheepers".
AB  - An ink marker at the descending part of the gastrojejunostomy or
      duodenojejunostomy after a pancreaticoduodenectomy or pylorus-preserving
      pancreaticoduodenectomy prevents a misplacing of a postoperative endoscopic
      intervention. 

PMID- 26273473
TI  - The importance of IgG4 in the predictive model of thyroiditis.
AB  - Immunoglobulin (Ig)G4-related sclerosing disease (IgG4-RSD) is a new disease
      entity first proposed with regard to autoimmune pancreatitis. A 67-year-old male
      patient was examined because of weight loss and an abdominal pain. Based on the
      clinical characteristics, laboratory parameters and ultrasound features, we
      identified the diagnosis of the IgG4-related systemic disease (IgG4-RSD), that
      was confirmed by the histopathological analysis after the biopsy of the head of
      pancreas. After confirmation, we started with the corticosteroid therapy with a
      good clinical, biochemical and morphological response. During the previous
      therapy, the disturbance of glucoregulation appeared, so we had to change the
      modality of treatment. We decided to add Azathioprine to the therapy in a dose of
      150 mg/day. We achieved a stable phase of the disease with IgG 4.37 g/l and IgG4
      0.179 g/l, and with no side effects from the therapy. LEARNING POINTS: There are
      potential clinical applications of identifying subsets of patients with IgG4
      thyroiditis (FVHT and Riedel thyroiditis).A trial of immunosuppressive therapy
      should be included if a resection is deemed inadvisable.In particular, cases of
      FVHT that mimic malignancy, tissue and serum IgG4 may provide supportive
      diagnostic information.

PMID- 26273474
TI  - Neurofibromatosis-related phaeochromocytoma: two cases with large tumours and
      elevated plasma methoxytyramine.
AB  - We present two cases of adrenal phaeochromocytoma in patients with a previous
      diagnosis of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). One had an adrenergic phenotype. The
      other had a more noradrenergic phenotype. Both had large primary tumours, which
      increases the likelihood of malignancy. Both also had elevated plasma-free
      methoxytyramine, which has been linked with malignancy even in non-SDHB
      phaeochromocytomas. LEARNING POINTS: Phaeochromocytoma can have varied clinical
      presentations.Methoxytyramine can be useful in the biochemical work-up of both
      SDHB-positive and SDHB-negative phaeochromocytoma.The utility of methoxytyramine
      as a marker of malignancy in NF1-related phaeochromocytoma is unclear, and cases
      with elevated titres warrant longer follow-up.

PMID- 26273472
TI  - Study protocol of a multicenter randomized controlled trial comparing the
      effectiveness of group and individual internet-based Mindfulness-Based Cognitive
      Therapy with treatment as usual in reducing psychological distress in cancer
      patients: the BeMind study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mindfulness-based interventions have shown to reduce psychological
      distress in cancer patients. The accessibility of mindfulness-based interventions
      for cancer patients could be further improved by providing mindfulness using an
      individual internet-based format. The aim of this study is to test the
      effectiveness of a Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) group intervention
      for cancer patients in comparison with individual internet-based MBCT and
      treatment as usual (TAU). METHODS/DESIGN: A three-armed multicenter randomized
      controlled trial comparing group-based MBCT to individual internet-based MBCT and
      TAU in cancer patients who suffer from at least mild psychological distress
      (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) >= 11). Measurements will be
      conducted prior to randomization (baseline), post-treatment and at 3 months and 9
      months post-treatment. Participants initially allocated to TAU are subsequently
      randomized to either group- or individual internet-based MBCT and will receive a
      second baseline measurement after 3 months. Thus, the three-armed comparison will
      have a time span of approximately 3 months. The two-armed intervention comparison
      includes a 9-month follow-up and will also consist of participants randomized to
      the intervention after TAU. Primary outcome will be post-treatment psychological
      distress (HADS). Secondary outcomes are fear of cancer recurrence (Fear of Cancer
      Recurrence Inventory), rumination (Rumination and Reflection Questionnaire),
      positive mental health (Mental Health Continuum - Short Form), and cost
      effectiveness (health-related quality of life (EuroQol -5D and Short Form-12) and
      health care usage (Trimbos and iMTA questionnaire on Costs associated with
      Psychiatric illness). Potential predictors: DSM-IV-TR mood/anxiety disorders
      (SCID-I) and neuroticism (NEO-Five Factor Inventory) will be measured. Mediators
      of treatment effect: mindfulness skills, (Five-Facets of Mindfulness
      Questionnaire- Short Form), working alliance (Working Alliance Inventory) and
      group cohesion (Group Cohesion Questionnaire) will also be measured. DISCUSSION:
      This trial will provide valuable information on the clinical and cost
      effectiveness of group versus internet-based MBCT versus TAU for distressed
      cancer patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02138513. Registered 6
      May 2014.

PMID- 26273475
TI  - Pure aldosterone-secreting adrenocortical carcinoma in a patient with refractory
      primary hyperaldosteronism.
AB  - We describe a young male patient with longstanding hypertension, who was
      diagnosed with primary hyperaldosteronism and treated by an attempted
      retroperitoneoscopic total unilateral adrenalectomy for a left-sided presumed
      aldosterone-secreting adenoma. Imaging had shown an unremarkable focal adrenal
      lesion with normal contralateral adrenal morphology, and histology of the
      resected specimen showed no adverse features. Post-operatively, his blood
      pressure and serum aldosterone levels fell to the normal range, but 9 months
      later, his hypertension recurred, primary aldosteronism was again confirmed and
      he was referred to our centre. Repeat imaging demonstrated an irregular left
      sided adrenal lesion with normal contralateral gland appearances. Adrenal venous
      sampling was performed, which supported unilateral (left-sided) aldosterone
      hypersecretion. Redo surgery via a laparoscopically assisted transperitoneal
      approach was performed and multiple nodules were noted extending into the
      retroperitoneum. It was thought unlikely that complete resection had been
      achieved. His blood pressure returned to normal post-operatively, although
      hypokalaemia persisted. Histological examination, from this second operation,
      showed features of an adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC; including increased mitoses
      and invasion of fat) that was assessed as malignant using the scoring systems of
      Weiss and Aubert. Biochemical hyperaldosteronism persisted post-operatively, and
      detailed urine steroid profiling showed no evidence of adrenal steroid precursors
      or other mineralocorticoid production. He received flank radiotherapy to the left
      adrenal bed and continues to receive adjunctive mitotane therapy for a diagnosis
      of a pure aldosterone-secreting ACC. LEARNING POINTS: Pure aldosterone-secreting
      ACCs are exceptionally uncommon, but should be considered in the differential
      diagnosis of patients presenting with primary aldosteronism.Aldosterone-producing
      ACCs may not necessarily show typical radiological features consistent with
      malignancy.Patients who undergo surgical treatment for primary aldosteronism
      should have follow-up measurements of blood pressure to monitor for disease
      recurrence, even if post-operative normotension is thought to indicate a surgical
      'cure'.Owing to the rarity of such conditions, a greater understanding of their
      natural history is likely to come from wider cooperation with, and contribution
      to, large multi-centre outcomes databases.

PMID- 26273476
TI  - Perceived Impact of Care Managers' Work on Patient and Clinician Outcomes.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to assess the contributions of care
      management as perceived by care managers themselves. STUDY DESIGN: Focus groups
      and interviews with care managers who coordinate care for chronic obstructive
      pulmonary disease and congestive heart failure patients, as well as patients
      undergoing major surgery. METHODS: We collected data in focus groups and
      interviews with 12 care managers working in the Keystone Beacon Community
      project, including 5 care managers working in hospitals, 2 employed in outpatient
      clinics and 4 telephoning discharged patients from a Transitions of Care (TOC)
      call center. RESULTS: Inpatient care managers believe that (1) ensuring primary
      care provider follow-up, (2) coordinating appropriate services, (3) providing
      patient education, and (4) ensuring accurate medication reconciliation have the
      greatest impact on patient clinical outcomes. In contrast, outpatient and TOC
      care managers believe that (1) teaching patients the signs and symptoms of acute
      exacerbations and (2) building effective relationships with patients improve
      patient outcomes most. Some care management activities were perceived to have
      greater impact on patients with certain conditions (e.g., outpatient and TOC care
      managers saw effective relationships as having more impact on patients with
      COPD). All care managers believed that relationships with patients have the
      greatest impact on patient satisfaction, while the support they provide
      clinicians has the greatest impact on clinician satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: These
      findings may improve best practice for care managers by focusing interventions on
      the most effective activities for patients with specific medical conditions.

PMID- 26273477
TI  - Therapeutic Effect of Saponin Rich Fraction of Achyranthes aspera Linn. on
      Adjuvant-Induced Arthritis in Sprague-Dawley Rats.
AB  - Objective. Achyranthes aspera Linn. (AA) is used in folklore for the treatment of
      various inflammatory ailments and arthritis like conditions. Anti-inflammatory
      activity of saponin rich (SR) fraction of AA has been previously reported. The
      objective of this study was to assess the antiarthritic effect of SR fraction of
      Achyranthes aspera in adjuvant-induced arthritic rats. Methods. Arthritis was
      assessed by arthritis score, paw volume, changes in tibiotarsal joint thickness,
      hyperalgesic parameters, and spleen and thymus index. Haematological, serum,
      biochemical, and inflammatory cytokine and in vivo antioxidant parameters were
      measured on the last day of the study. Results. SR fraction significantly
      suppressed paw swelling and arthritic score and improved the pain threshold in
      motility and stair climbing tests. There was a reversal in the levels of altered
      parameters, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline
      phosphatase, and antioxidant parameters like superoxide dismutase, catalase,
      glutathione, malondialdehyde, and nitric oxide. SR fraction significantly
      decreased plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6.
      Moreover, histopathology revealed a significant reduction in synovial
      hyperplasia, inflammatory cell infiltration, and bone destruction in the joints.
      Conclusion. These observations explain the therapeutic benefit of SR fraction of
      AA in suppressing the progression of adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats. 

PMID- 26273479
TI  - Less Than One-Third of Caretakers Sought Formal Health Care Facilities for Common
      Childhood Illnesses in Ethiopia: Evidence from the 2011 Ethiopian Demographic
      Health Survey.
AB  - Background. Most of the childhood illnesses can be proven with effective
      interventions. However, countless children die needlessly in developing countries
      due to the failure of their guardians to seek care timely. The aim of this study
      was to assess health care seeking behavior of caretakers of children under the
      age of five years for treatment of common childhood illnesses. Methods. Further
      analysis of the Ethiopian 2011 demographic and health survey was done. All
      children under the age of five reported to have been ill from the three common
      childhood illnesses and their caretakers were included in the analysis. A complex
      sample logistic regression model was employed to determine factors associated
      with the health care seeking behavior of caretakers. Result. A total of 2,842
      caregivers who reported that their index child had at least one of the three
      common childhood illnesses in the two weeks preceding the survey were captured,
      of which 849 (29.87%; 95% CI: 28, 32%) sought formal health care facilities.
      Conclusion and Recommendation. In Ethiopia health care seeking behavior of
      caretakers for common childhood illnesses is low. Increasing mass media exposure
      can possibly improve the health seeking behavior of caretakers. 

PMID- 26273478
TI  - Fructosamine and Hemoglobin A1c Correlations in HIV-Infected Adults in Routine
      Clinical Care: Impact of Anemia and Albumin Levels.
AB  - Fructosamine is an alternative method to hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) for determining
      average glycemia. However, its use has not been extensively evaluated in persons
      living with HIV (PLWH). We examined the relationship between HbA1c and
      fructosamine values, specifically focusing on anemia (which can affect HbA1c) and
      albumin as a marker of liver disease. We included 345 PLWH from two sites. We
      examined Spearman rank correlations between fructosamine and HbA1c and performed
      linear test for trends to compare fructosamine and HbA1c correlations by
      hemoglobin and albumin quartiles. We examined discrepant individuals with values
      elevated only on one test. We found a correlation of 0.70 between fructosamine
      and HbA1c levels. Trend tests for correlations between fructosamine and HbA1c
      were significant for both albumin (p = 0.05) and hemoglobin (p = 0.01) with the
      lowest correlations in the lowest hemoglobin quartile. We identified participants
      with unremarkable HbA1c values but elevated fructosamine values. These discrepant
      individuals had lower mean hemoglobin levels than those elevated by both tests.
      We demonstrated a large correlation between HbA1c and fructosamine across a range
      of hemoglobin and albumin levels. There were discrepant cases particularly among
      those with lower hemoglobin levels. Future studies are needed to clarify the use
      of fructosamine for diabetes management in PWLH. 

PMID- 26273480
TI  - Health Status and Health Determinants of Older Immigrant Women in Canada: A
      Scoping Review.
AB  - Increasing international migration in the context of aging populations makes a
      comprehensive understanding of older immigrant women's health status and
      determinants of their health particularly urgent. Using Arksey and O'Malley's
      framework, we conducted a scoping review to examine the available literature on
      the health of older immigrant women in Canada. We searched CINAHL, PsycINFO,
      Embase, Medline, and Cochrane databases for the period of 1990 to 2014 for
      Canadian-based, peer-reviewed studies on the topic. A total of 20 articles met
      the inclusion criteria. These articles were divided into six areas of focus:
      physical health; mental health; abuse; health promotion and chronic disease
      prevention; barriers to healthcare access and utilization; and health beliefs,
      behaviours, and practices. Our results show that the health of older immigrant
      women is affected by the interplay of various social determinants of health
      including the physical and social environment; economic conditions; cultural
      beliefs; gendered norms; and the healthcare delivery system. Our results also
      revealed that older immigrant women tend to have more health problems,
      underutilize preventive services, such as cancer screening, and experience more
      difficulties in accessing healthcare services. 

PMID- 26273482
TI  - Successful Pregnancy in a Couple with Severe Male Factor Infertility after
      Selection of Sperm with Cytoplasmic Droplets.
AB  - We present live births resulting from two separate IVF cycles in a couple in
      which ICSI was performed with sperm specifically selected for presence of small
      cytoplasmic droplets. These cycles followed previous cycles using standard sperm
      selection methods in which very poor embryo development and no pregnancies
      ensued. The male partner was diagnosed with severe male factor infertility
      including elevated DNA fragmentation. 

PMID- 26273483
TI  - Pregnancy in a Previously Conjoined Thoracopagus Twin with a Crisscross Heart.
AB  - Background. Crisscross heart (CCH) is a complex, rare, congenital, rotational,
      cardiac abnormality that accounts for <0.1% of congenital heart defects (CHD).
      CCH is characterized by the crossing of the inflow streams of the two ventricles
      due to an abnormal twisting of the heart. A case of maternal CCH has not been
      previously reported. Case. We report a case of a primigravida with a CCH, who was
      separated at birth from her thoracopagus conjoined twin. Pregnancy was managed by
      congenital cardiology, maternal-fetal medicine, anesthesiology, and obstetrics.
      She underwent a 39-week vaginal delivery without maternal or neonatal
      complication. Conclusion. A successful term pregnancy outcome was achieved in a
      patient with CCH using a multidisciplinary approach to address her cardiac
      condition. 

PMID- 26273484
TI  - Surgical Correction of Posttraumatic Scapulothoracic Bursitis, Rhomboid Major
      Muscle Injury, Ipsilateral Glenohumeral Instability, and Headaches Resulting from
      Circus Acrobatic Maneuvers.
AB  - We report the case of a 28-year-old transgender (male-to-female) patient that had
      a partial tear of the rhomboid major tendon, scapulothoracic bursitis, and
      glenohumeral instability on the same side. These conditions resulted from
      traumatic events during circus acrobatic maneuvers. Additional aspects of this
      case that make it unique include (1) the main traumatic event occurred during a
      flagpole exercise, where the patient's trunk was suspended horizontally while a
      vertical pole was grasped with both hands, (2) headaches were associated with the
      periscapular injury and they improved after scapulothoracic bursectomy and
      rhomboid tendon repair, (3) surgical correction was done during the same
      operation with an open anterior capsular-labral reconstruction, open
      scapulothoracic bursectomy without bone resection, and rhomboid tendon repair,
      (4) a postoperative complication of tearing of the serratus anterior and rhomboid
      muscle attachments with recurrent scapulothoracic pain occurred from patient
      noncompliance, and (5) the postoperative complication was surgically corrected
      and ultimately resulted in an excellent outcome at the one-year final follow-up. 

PMID- 26273485
TI  - Pulmonary Sequestration: Early Diagnosis and Management.
AB  - Intralobar sequestration is characterized by aberrant formation of nonfunctional
      lung tissue that has no communication with the bronchial tree and receives
      systemic arterial blood supply. Failure of earlier diagnosis can lead to
      recurrent pneumonia, failure to thrive, multiple hospital admissions, and more
      morbidity. The aim of this case report is to increase the awareness about the
      lung sequestration, to diagnose and treat it early, so that it is resected before
      repeated infection, and prevent the morbidity and mortality. 

PMID- 26273481
TI  - Microglia-Induced Maladaptive Plasticity Can Be Modulated by Neuropeptides In
      Vivo.
AB  - Microglia-induced maladaptive plasticity is being recognized as a major cause of
      deleterious self-sustaining pathological processes that occur in
      neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory diseases. Microglia, the primary
      homeostatic guardian of the central nervous system, exert critical functions both
      during development, in neural circuit reshaping, and during adult life, in the
      brain physiological and pathological surveillance. This delicate critical role
      can be disrupted by neural, but also peripheral, noxious stimuli that can prime
      microglia to become overreactive to a second noxious stimulus or worsen
      underlying pathological processes. Among regulators of microglia, neuropeptides
      can play a major role. Their receptors are widely expressed in microglial cells
      and neuropeptide challenge can potently influence microglial activity in vitro.
      More relevantly, this regulator activity has been assessed also in vivo, in
      experimental models of brain diseases. Neuropeptide action in the central nervous
      system has been associated with beneficial effects in neurodegenerative and
      neuroinflammatory pathological experimental models. This review describes some of
      the mechanisms of the microglia maladaptive plasticity in vivo and how
      neuropeptide activity can represent a useful therapeutical target in a variety of
      human brain pathologies. 

PMID- 26273486
TI  - Immunoadjuvant Therapy and Noninvasive Ventilation for Acute Respiratory Failure
      in Lung Tuberculosis: A Case Study.
AB  - Acute respiratory failure caused by pulmonary tuberculosis is a rare event but
      with a high mortality even while receiving mechanical ventilatory support. We
      report the case of a young man with severe pulmonary tuberculosis refractory to
      conventional therapy who successfully overcame the critical period of his
      condition using noninvasive ventilation and immunoadjuvant therapy that included
      three doses of etanercept 25 mg subcutaneously. We conclude that the use of
      etanercept along with antituberculosis treatment appears to be safe and effective
      in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis presenting with acute respiratory
      failure. 

PMID- 26273487
TI  - Talcoma: A Diagnostic Challenge in Differential Diagnosis of Pleural Masses.
AB  - Talcoma is a pleural mass which may develop as a rare complication following talc
      pleurodesis. Talc pleurodesis is performed to obliterate the pleural space to
      prevent recurrent pleural effusions or persistent pneumothoraces. The present
      report describes a case of a patient who developed enlarging pleural mass
      (talcoma) following talc pleurodesis. 

PMID- 26273488
TI  - A Rare Complication of Biliary Stent Migration: Small Bowel Perforation in a
      Patient with Incisional Hernia.
AB  - Endoscopic biliary stents have been recently applied with increasing frequency as
      a palliative and curable method in several benign and malignant diseases. As a
      reminder, although most of the migrated stents pass through the intestinal tract
      without symptoms, a small portion can lead to complications. Herein, we present a
      case of intestinal perforation caused by a biliary stent in the hernia of a
      patient with a rarely encountered incarcerated incisional hernia. 

PMID- 26273490
TI  - Inaugural Editorial.

PMID- 26273489
TI  - An Improved Micropropagation Protocol by Ex Vitro Rooting of Passiflora edulis
      Sims. f. flavicarpa Deg. through Nodal Segment Culture.
AB  - A procedure for rapid clonal propagation of Passiflora edulis Sims. f. flavicarpa
      Deg. (Passifloraceae) has been developed in this study. Nodal explants were
      sterilized with 0.1% HgCl2 and inoculated on Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal
      medium. The addition of 2.0 mgL(-1) 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) to MS medium caused
      an extensive proliferation of multiple shoots (8.21 +/- 1.13) primordial from the
      nodal meristems. Subculturing of these multiple shoots on the MS medium augmented
      with 1.0 mgL(-1) of each BAP and Kinetin (Kin) was successful for the
      multiplication of the shoots in vitro with maximum numbers of shoots (25.73 +/-
      0.06) within four weeks of incubation. Shoots were rooted best (7.13 +/- 0.56
      roots/shoots) on half strength MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mgL(-1) indole-3
      butyric acid (IBA). All in vitro regenerated shoots were rooted by ex vitro
      method, and this has achieved 6-7 roots per shoot by pulsing of cut ends of the
      shoots using 200 as well as 300 mgL(-1) IBA. The plantlets were hardened in the
      greenhouse for 4-5 weeks. The hardened plantlets were shifted to manure
      containing nursery polybags after five weeks and then transferred to a sand bed
      for another four weeks for acclimatization before field planting with 88%
      survival rate. 

PMID- 26273491
TI  - Osteoclasts: New Insights.
AB  - Osteoclasts, the bone-resorbing cells, play a pivotal role in skeletal
      development and adult bone remodeling. They also participate in the pathogenesis
      of various bone disorders. Osteoclasts differentiate from cells of the
      monocyte/macrophage lineage upon stimulation of two essential factors, the
      monocyte/macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) and receptor activation of
      NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL). M-CSF binds to its receptor c-Fms to activate distinct
      signaling pathways to stimulate the proliferation and survival of osteoclast
      precursors and the mature cell. RANKL, however, is the primary osteoclast
      differentiation factor, and promotes osteoclast differentiation mainly through
      controlling gene expression by activating its receptor, RANK. Osteoclast function
      depends on polarization of the cell, induced by integrin alphavbeta3, to form the
      resorptive machinery characterized by the attachment to the bone matrix and the
      formation of the bone-apposed ruffled border. Recent studies have provided new
      insights into the mechanism of osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption. In
      particular, c-Fms and RANK signaling have been shown to regulate bone resorption
      by cross-talking with those activated by integrin alphavbeta3. This review
      discusses new advances in the understanding of the mechanisms of osteoclast
      differentiation and function. 

PMID- 26273494
TI  - Osteoblast-restricted Disruption of the Growth Hormone Receptor in Mice Results
      in Sexually Dimorphic Skeletal Phenotypes.
AB  - Growth hormone (GH) exerts profound anabolic actions during postnatal skeletal
      development, in part, through stimulating the production of insulin-like growth
      factor-1 (IGF-1) in liver and skeletal tissues. To examine the requirement for
      the GH receptor (GHR) in osteoblast function in bone, we used Cre-LoxP methods to
      disrupt the GHR from osteoblasts, both in vitro and in vivo. Disruption of GHR
      from primary calvarial osteoblasts in vitro abolished GH-induced signaling, as
      assessed by JAK2/STAT5 phosphorylation, and abrogated GH-induced proliferative
      and anti-apoptotic actions. Osteoblasts lacking GHR exhibited reduced IGF-1
      induced Erk and Akt phosphorylation and attenuated IGF-1-induced proliferation
      and anti-apoptotic action. In addition, differentiation was modestly impaired in
      osteoblasts lacking GHR, as demonstrated by reduced alkaline phosphatase staining
      and calcium deposition. In order to determine the requirement for the GHR in bone
      in vivo, we generated mice lacking the GHR specifically in osteoblasts
      (DeltaGHR), which were born at the expected Mendelian frequency, had a normal
      life span and were of normal size. Three week-old, female DeltaGHR mice had
      significantly reduced osteoblast numbers, consistent with the in vitro data. By
      six weeks of age however, female DeltaGHR mice demonstrated a marked increase in
      osteoblasts, although mineralization was impaired; a phenotype similar to that
      observed previously in mice lacking IGF-1R specifically in osteoblasts. The most
      striking phenotype occurred in male mice however, where disruption of the GHR
      from osteoblasts resulted in a "feminization" of bone geometry in 16 week-old
      mice, as observed by MUCT. These results demonstrate that the GHR is required for
      normal postnatal bone development in both sexes. GH appears to serve a primary
      function in modulating local IGF-1 action. However, the changes in bone geometry
      observed in male DeltaGHR mice suggest that, in addition to facilitating IGF-1
      action, GH may function to a greater extent than previously appreciated in
      establishing the sexual dimorphism of the skeleton. 

PMID- 26273493
TI  - Bone Remodeling and Energy Metabolism: New Perspectives.
AB  - Bone mineral, adipose tissue and energy metabolism are interconnected by a
      complex and multilevel series of networks. Calcium and phosphorus are utilized
      for insulin secretion and synthesis of high energy compounds. Adipose tissue
      store lipids and cholecalciferol, which, in turn, can influence calcium balance
      and energy expenditure. Hormones long-thought to solely modulate energy and
      mineral homeostasis may influence adipocytic function. Osteoblasts are a target
      of insulin action in bone. Moreover, endocrine mediators, such as osteocalcin,
      are synthesized in the skeleton but regulate carbohydrate disposal and insulin
      secretion. Finally, osteoblasts and adipocytes originate from the same
      mesenchymal progenitor. The mutual crosstalk between osteoblasts and adipocytes
      within the bone marrow microenvironment plays a crucial role in bone remodeling.
      In the present review we provide an overview of the reciprocal control between
      bone and energy metabolism and its clinical implications. 

PMID- 26273495
TI  - Dynamic Fluid Flow Mechanical Stimulation Modulates Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem
      Cells.
AB  - Osteoblasts are derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which initiate and
      regulate bone formation. New strategies for osteoporosis treatments have aimed to
      control the fate of MSCs. While functional disuse decreases MSC growth and
      osteogenic potentials, mechanical signals enhance MSC quantity and bias their
      differentiation toward osteoblastogenesis. Through a non-invasive dynamic
      hydraulic stimulation (DHS), we have found that DHS can mitigate trabecular bone
      loss in a functional disuse model via rat hindlimb suspension (HLS). To further
      elucidate the downstream cellular effect of DHS and its potential mechanism
      underlying the bone quality enhancement, a longitudinal in vivo study was
      designed to evaluate the MSC populations in response to DHS over 3, 7, 14, and 21
      days. Five-month old female Sprague Dawley rats were divided into three groups
      for each time point: age-matched control, HLS, and HLS+DHS. DHS was delivered to
      the right mid-tibiae with a daily "10 min on-5 min off-10 min on" loading regime
      for five days/week. At each sacrifice time point, bone marrow MSCs of the
      stimulated and control tibiae were isolated through specific cell surface markers
      and quantified by flow cytometry analysis. A strong time-dependent manner of bone
      marrow MSC induction was observed in response to DHS, which peaked on day 14.
      After 21 days, this effect of DHS was diminished. This study indicates that the
      MSC pool is positively influenced by the mechanical signals driven by DHS.
      Coinciding with our previous findings of mitigation of disuse bone loss, DHS
      induced changes in MSC number may bias the differentiation of the MSC population
      towards osteoblastogenesis, thereby promoting bone formation under disuse
      conditions. This study provides insights into the mechanism of time-sensitive MSC
      induction in response to mechanical loading, and for the optimal design of
      osteoporosis treatments. 

PMID- 26273496
TI  - Endogenous Glucocorticoids and Bone.
AB  - While the adverse effects of glucocorticoids on bone are well described, positive
      effects of glucocorticoids on the differentiation of osteoblasts are also
      observed. These paradoxical effects of glucocorticoids are dose dependent. At
      both physiologicaland supraphysiological levels of glucocorticoids, osteoblasts
      and osteocytes are the major glucocorticoid target cells. However, the response
      of the osteoblasts to each of these is quite distinct. At physiology levels,
      glucocorticoids direct mesenchymal progenitor cells to differentiate towards
      osteoblasts and thus increase bone formation in a positive way. In contrast with
      ageing, the excess production of glucocorticoids, at both systemic and
      intracellular levels, appear to impact on osteoblast and osteocytes in a negative
      way in a similar fashion to that seen with therapeutic glucocorticoids. This
      review will focus on therole of glucocorticoids in normal bone physiology, with
      particular emphasis on the mechanism by which endogenous glucocorticoids impact
      on bone and its constituent cells. 

PMID- 26273492
TI  - A Comprehensive Overview of Skeletal Phenotypes Associated with Alterations in
      Wnt/beta-catenin Signaling in Humans and Mice.
AB  - The Wnt signaling pathway plays key roles in differentiation and development and
      alterations in this signaling pathway are causally associated with numerous human
      diseases. While several laboratories were examining roles for Wnt signaling in
      skeletal development during the 1990s, interest in the pathway rose exponentially
      when three key papers were published in 2001-2002. One report found that loss of
      the Wnt co-receptor, Low-density lipoprotein related protein-5 (LRP5), was the
      underlying genetic cause of the syndrome Osteoporosis pseudoglioma (OPPG). OPPG
      is characterized by early-onset osteoporosis causing increased susceptibility to
      debilitating fractures. Shortly thereafter, two groups reported that individuals
      carrying a specific point mutation in LRP5 (G171V) develop high-bone mass.
      Subsequent to this, the causative mechanisms for these observations heightened
      the need to understand the mechanisms by which Wnt signaling controlled bone
      development and homeostasis and encouraged significant investment from
      biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies to develop methods to activate Wnt
      signaling to increase bone mass to treat osteoporosis and other bone disease. In
      this review, we will briefly summarize the cellular mechanisms underlying Wnt
      signaling and discuss the observations related to OPPG and the high-bone mass
      disorders that heightened the appreciation of the role of Wnt signaling in normal
      bone development and homeostasis. We will then present a comprehensive overview
      of the core components of the pathway with an emphasis on the phenotypes
      associated with mice carrying genetically engineered mutations in these genes and
      clinical observations that further link alterations in the pathway to changes in
      human bone. 

PMID- 26273497
TI  - FGF23 and Phosphate Wasting Disorders.
AB  - A decade ago, only two hormones, parathyroid hormone and 1,25(OH)2D, were widely
      recognized to directly affect phosphate homeostasis. Since the discovery of
      fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) in 2000 (1), our understanding of the
      mechanisms of phosphate homeostasis and of bone mineralization has grown
      exponentially. FGF23 is the link between intestine, bone, and kidney together in
      phosphate regulation. However, we still do not know the complex mechanism of
      phosphate homeostasis and bone mineralization. The physiological role of FGF23 is
      to regulate serum phosphate. Secreted mainly by osteocytes and osteoblasts in the
      skeleton (2,3), it modulates kidney handling of phosphate reabsorption and
      calcitriol production. Genetic and acquired abnormalities in FGF23 structure and
      metabolism cause conditions of either hyper-FGF23 or hypo-FGF23. Hyper-FGF23 is
      related to hypophosphatemia, while hypo-FGF23 is related to hyperphosphatemia.
      Both hyper-FGF23 and hypo-FGF23 are detrimental to humans. In this review, we
      will discuss the pathophysiology of FGF23 and hyper-FGF23 related renal phosphate
      wasting disorders (4). 

PMID- 26273498
TI  - Osteogenesis of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells.
AB  - Current treatment options for skeletal repair, including immobilization, rigid
      fixation, alloplastic materials and bone grafts, have significant limitations.
      Bone tissue engineering offers a promising method for the repair of bone
      deficieny caused by fractures, bone loss and tumors. The use of adipose derived
      stem cells (ASCs) has received attention because of the self-renewal ability,
      high proliferative capacity and potential of osteogenic differentiation in vitro
      and in vivo studies of bone regeneration. Although cell therapies using ASCs are
      widely promising in various clinical fields, no large human clinical trials exist
      for bone tissue engineering. The aim of this review is to introduce how they are
      harvested, examine the characterization of ASCs, to review the mechanisms of
      osteogenic differentiation, to analyze the effect of mechanical and chemical
      stimuli on ASC osteodifferentiation, to summarize the current knowledge about
      usage of ASC in vivo studies and clinical trials, and finally to conclude with a
      general summary of the field and comments on its future direction. 

PMID- 26273500
TI  - Primary Hyperparathyroidism: A Tale of Two Cities Revisited - New York and
      Shanghai.
AB  - In the 1970s, with the advent of biochemical multichannel screening in the United
      States and other western countries, the clinical presentation of primary
      hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) changed from a symptomatic to an asymptomatic
      disorder. However, in Asian countries, like China, PHPT did not show this
      evolution, but rather continued to be a symptomatic disease with target organ
      involvement. In this paper, we revisit the clinical features of PHPT in New York
      and Shanghai, representative United States and Chinese cites, over the past
      decade. The questions we address are whether the disease evolved in China to a
      more asymptomatic one and, whether in the United States further changes are
      evident. The results indicate that while PHPT continues to present primarily as
      an asymptomatic disease in the United States, a new phenotype characterized by
      normal serum calcium and high parathyroid hormone levels, normocalcemic PHPT, has
      emerged. Data from Shanghai demonstrates a trend for PHPT to present more
      commonly as an asymptomatic disorder in China. However, most patients with PHPT
      in China still manifest classical symptoms, i.e. nephrolithiasis and fractures. A
      comparison of the two cohorts shows that Chinese patients with PHPT are younger,
      with higher serum calcium and PTH levels, and lower 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels
      than patients in New York. Normocalcemic PHPT has not yet been recognized in
      Shanghai. In summary, although the phenotypes of PHPT in both cities are evolving
      towards less evident disease, sharp clinical and biochemical differences are
      still apparent in PHPT as expressed in China and the United States. 

PMID- 26273499
TI  - Role and Mechanisms of Actions of Thyroid Hormone on the Skeletal Development.
AB  - The importance of the thyroid hormone axis in the regulation of skeletal growth
      and maintenance has been well established from clinical studies involving
      patients with mutations in proteins that regulate synthesis and/or actions of
      thyroid hormone. Data from genetic mouse models involving disruption and
      overexpression of components of the thyroid hormone axis also provide direct
      support for a key role for thyroid hormone in the regulation of bone metabolism.
      Thyroid hormone regulates proliferation and/or differentiated actions of multiple
      cell types in bone including chondrocytes, osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Thyroid
      hormone effects on the target cells are mediated via ligand-inducible nuclear
      receptors/transcription factors, thyroid hormone receptor (TR) alpha and beta, of
      which TRalpha seems to be critically important in regulating bone cell functions.
      In terms of mechanisms for thyroid hormone action, studies suggest that thyroid
      hormone regulates a number of key growth factor signaling pathways including
      insulin-like growth factor-I, parathyroid hormone related protein, fibroblast
      growth factor, Indian hedgehog and Wnt to influence skeletal growth. In this
      review we describe findings from various genetic mouse models and clinical
      mutations of thyroid hormone signaling related mutations in humans that pertain
      to the role and mechanism of action of thyroid hormone in the regulation of
      skeletal growth and maintenance. 

PMID- 26273501
TI  - microRNA Expression in Rat Apical Periodontitis Bone Lesion.
AB  - Apical periodontitis, dominated by dense inflammatory infiltrates and increased
      osteoclast activities, can lead to alveolar bone destruction and tooth loss. It
      is believed that miRNA participates in regulating various biological processes,
      osteoclastogenesis included. This study aims to investigate the differential
      expression of miRNAs in rat apical periodontitis and explore their functional
      target genes. Microarray analysis was used to identify differentially expressed
      miRNAs in apical periodontitis. Bioinformatics technique was applied for
      predicting the target genes of differentially expressed miRNAs and their
      biological functions. The result provided us with an insight into the potential
      biological effects of the differentially expressed miRNAs and showed particular
      enrichment of target genes involved in the MAPK signaling pathways. These
      findings may highlight the intricate and specific roles of miRNA in inflammation
      and osteoclastogenesis, both of which are key aspects of apical periodontitis,
      thus contributing to the future investigation into the etiology, underlying
      mechanism and treatment of apical periodontitis. 

PMID- 26273502
TI  - IGF-1 Signaling is Essential for Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells for
      Peak Bone Mass.
AB  - Survival of children with chronic medical illnesses is leading to an increase in
      secondary osteoporosis due to impaired peak bone mass (PBM). Insulin-like growth
      factor type 1 (IGF-1) levels correlate with the pattern of bone mass accrual and
      many chronic illnesses are associated with low IGF-1 levels. Reduced serum levels
      of IGF-1 minimally affect the integrity of the skeleton, whereas recent studies
      suggest that skeletal IGF-I regulates PBM. To determine the role of IGF-1 in
      postnatal bone mass accrual regardless of source, we established an inducible
      type 1 Igf receptor Cre/lox knockout mouse model, in which the type 1 Igf
      receptor was deleted inducibely in the mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from 3-7
      weeks of age. The size of the mouse was not affected as knockout and wild type
      mice had similar body weights and nasoanal and femoral lengths. However, bone
      volume and trabecular bone thickness were decreased in the secondary spongiosa of
      female knockout mice relative to wild type controls, indicating that IGF-1 is
      critical for bone mass. IGF-1 signaling in MSCs in vitro has been implicated to
      be involved in both migration to the bone surface and differentiation into bone
      forming osteoblasts. To clarify the exact role of IGF-1 in bone, we found by
      immunohistochemical analysis that a similar number of Osterix-positive
      osteoprogenitors were on the bone perimeter, indicating migration of MSCs was not
      affected. Most importantly, 56% fewer osteocalcin-positive mature osteoblasts
      were present on the bone perimeter in the secondary spongiosa in knockout mice
      versus wild type littermates. These in vivo data demonstrate that the primary
      role of skeletal IGF-1 is for the terminal differentiation of osteoprogenitors,
      but refute the role of IGF-1 in MSC migration in vivo. Additionally, these
      findings confirm that impaired IGF-1 signaling in bone MSCs is sufficient to
      impair bone mass acquisition. 

PMID- 26273503
TI  - The Craniofacial Morphology in Adult Patients with Unoperated Isolated Cleft
      Palate.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To address the effect of intrinsic factors on craniofacial growth by
      analyzing the craniofacial morphology of unoperated isolated cleft palate in
      Chinese adult. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 37 nonsyndromic
      isolated cleft palate and 39 age and gender matched non-clefts. Twenty-six
      cephalometric measurements were employed to evaluate the facial morphology.
      Independent samples T test and Mann-Whitney U were used for comparison.
      Significant difference was defined at 95% level. RESULTS: Data from this study
      showed patients with unoperated isolated cleft palate have a reduced maxillary
      sagittal length (ANS-PMP, A-PMP, P<0.05), a smaller ANB angle (ANB, P<0.05) and a
      retrusive ANS point (S-N-ANS, P<0.05; Ba-N-ANS, P<0.05). Measurements descripted
      position of maxilla (S-Ptm, P>0.05), depth of bony pharynx (Ba-PMP, P>0.05),
      anterior and posterior maxillary height (N-ANS, P>0.05; R-PMP, P>0.05) and
      mandible morphology (including linear measurements and angle measurements) did
      not show any significant difference between case and control groups. CONCLUSIONS:
      Patients with isolated cleft palate were characterized by maxillary retrusion.
      Mandible morphology and cranial basal morphology in isolated cleft palate showed
      no significant difference with nonclefts. Patients with isolated cleft palate are
      more vulnerable to cross bite than nonclefts. Intrinsic deficiencies did
      detrimental effect on maxilla sagittal length, but did no detrimental effect on
      maxilla position, mandible size and position.

PMID- 26273504
TI  - The Key Role of the Blood Supply to Bone.
AB  - The importance of the vascular supply for bone is well-known to orthopaedists but
      is still rather overlooked within the wider field of skeletal research. Blood
      supplies oxygen, nutrients and regulatory factors to tissues, as well as removing
      metabolic waste products such as carbon dioxide and acid. Bone receives up to
      about 10% of cardiac output, and this blood supply permits a much higher degree
      of cellularity, remodelling and repair than is possible in cartilage, which is
      avascular. The blood supply to bone is delivered to the endosteal cavity by
      nutrient arteries, then flows through marrow sinusoids before exiting via
      numerous small vessels that ramify through the cortex. The marrow cavity affords
      a range of vascular niches that are thought to regulate the growth and
      differentiation of hematopoietic and stromal cells, in part via gradients of
      oxygen tension. The quality of vascular supply to bone tends to decline with age
      and may be compromised in common pathological settings, including diabetes,
      anaemias, chronic airway diseases and immobility, as well as by tumours.
      Reductions in vascular supply are associated with bone loss. This may be due in
      part to the direct effects of hypoxia, which blocks osteoblast function and bone
      formation but causes reciprocal increases in osteoclastogenesis and bone
      resorption. Common regulatory factors such as parathyroid hormone or nitrates,
      both of which are potent vasodilators, might exert their osteogenic effects on
      bone via the vasculature. These observations suggest that the bone vasculature
      will be a fruitful area for future research. 

PMID- 26273507
TI  - New Clues that May Link Osteoporosis to the Circulating Lipid Profile.
AB  - Bone Mineral Density (BMD) is a gold standard for the diagnosis of osteoporosis
      and is also important in the assessment of fracture risk. Other risk factors have
      been identified that together make up fracture risk assessment tools such as
      FRAX. Another potential factor, circulating lipids, has been suggested because of
      reports linking statins to fracture risk reduction. We analyzed the lipid profile
      in a cohort of women diagnosed with postmenopausal osteoporosis based on bone
      density determination: 610 women with osteoporosis (mean lumbar spine T-score 
      3.16+/-0.81, mean yrs. since menopause 15.79+/-8.9) were grouped according to age
      at evaluation (< 50 years, 51-60 years, 61-70 years, > 70 years), the
      presence/absence of a history of a fragility fracture, statin and/or
      antiresorptive drug use. There was no correlation between BMD and Body Mass Index
      (BMI: P>0.05, r (2)<0.02). However, when BMD was correlated with both BMI and the
      lipid profile (Triglycerides, Cholesterol, LDLc, HDLc), significant correlations
      were found in 5 cohorts: 51-60 years with fractures (n=61, r (2)=0.14, P<0.01),
      61-70 years (n=201, r (2)=0.09, P<0.01) with fractures (n=88, r (2)=0.14, P<0.01)
      or without fractures (n=113, r (2)=0.24, P=0.02) and over 70 years (n=247, r
      (2)=0.11, P<0.01). 

PMID- 26273506
TI  - Autocrine and Paracrine Actions of IGF-I Signaling in Skeletal Development.
AB  - Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) regulates cell growth, survival, and
      differentiation by acting on the IGF-I receptor, (IGF-IR)-a tyrosine kinase
      receptor, which elicits diverse intracellular signaling responses. All skeletal
      cells express IGF-I and IGF-IR. Recent studies using tissue/cell-specific gene
      knockout mouse models and cell culture techniques have clearly demonstrated that
      locally produced IGF-I is more critical than the systemic IGF-I in supporting
      embryonic and postnatal skeletal development and bone remodeling. Local IGF-I/IGF
      IR signaling promotes the growth, survival and differentiation of chondrocytes
      and osteoblasts, directly and indirectly, by altering other autocrine/paracrine
      signaling pathways in cartilage and bone, and by enhancing interactions among
      these skeletal cells through hormonal and physical means. Moreover, local IGF
      I/IGF-IR signaling is critical for the anabolic bone actions of growth hormone
      and parathyroid hormone. Herein, we review evidence supporting the actions of
      local IGF-I/IGF-IR in the above aspects of skeletal development and remodeling. 

PMID- 26273508
TI  - Comparison of Effects of Mechanical Stretching on Osteogenic Potential of ASCs
      and BMSCs.
AB  - Mechanical forces play critical roles in the development and remodeling processes
      of bone. As an alternative cell source for bone engineering, adipose-derived stem
      cells (ASCs) should be fully investigated for their responses to mechanical
      stress. Similarly, the osteogenic potential, stimulated by mechanical stress,
      should be compared with bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs), which have been
      clinically used for bone tissue engineering. In this study, ASCs and BMSCs were
      osteogenic-induced for 48 hours, and then subjected to uniaxial mechanical
      stretching for 2 or 6 hours. Cell orientation, osteogenic regulatory genes,
      osteogenic genes and ALP activities were measured and compared between ASCs and
      BMSCs. ASCs could align in a perpendicular way to the direction of stretching
      stress, while BMSCs did not present a specific alignment. Both 2 and 6 hours
      mechanical stretching could enhance the mRNA expression of Osx and Runx2 in BMSCs
      and ASCs, while OCN mRNA only increased in ASCs after 6 hours mechanical loading.
      Mechanical stretching enhanced the BMP-2 mRNA expression in ASCs, while only
      after 6 hours of mechanical loading significantly increased the BMP-2 gene
      expression in BMSCs. Significant differences only exist between ASCs and BMSCs
      loaded at 2 hours of mechanical stretching. It is concluded that ASCs are more
      rapid responders to mechanical stress, and have greater potential than BMSCs in
      osteogenesis when stimulated by mechanical stretching, indicating their
      usefulness for bone study in a rat model. 

PMID- 26273505
TI  - Bone Regeneration Based on Tissue Engineering Conceptions - A 21st Century
      Perspective.
AB  - The role of Bone Tissue Engineering in the field of Regenerative Medicine has
      been the topic of substantial research over the past two decades. Technological
      advances have improved orthopaedic implants and surgical techniques for bone
      reconstruction. However, improvements in surgical techniques to reconstruct bone
      have been limited by the paucity of autologous materials available and donor site
      morbidity. Recent advances in the development of biomaterials have provided
      attractive alternatives to bone grafting expanding the surgical options for
      restoring the form and function of injured bone. Specifically, novel bioactive
      (second generation) biomaterials have been developed that are characterised by
      controlled action and reaction to the host tissue environment, whilst exhibiting
      controlled chemical breakdown and resorption with an ultimate replacement by
      regenerating tissue. Future generations of biomaterials (third generation) are
      designed to be not only osteoconductive but also osteoinductive, i.e. to
      stimulate regeneration of host tissues by combining tissue engineering and in
      situ tissue regeneration methods with a focus on novel applications. These
      techniques will lead to novel possibilities for tissue regeneration and repair.
      At present, tissue engineered constructs that may find future use as bone grafts
      for complex skeletal defects, whether from post-traumatic, degenerative,
      neoplastic or congenital/developmental "origin" require osseous reconstruction to
      ensure structural and functional integrity. Engineering functional bone using
      combinations of cells, scaffolds and bioactive factors is a promising strategy
      and a particular feature for future development in the area of hybrid materials
      which are able to exhibit suitable biomimetic and mechanical properties. This
      review will discuss the state of the art in this field and what we can expect
      from future generations of bone regeneration concepts. 

PMID- 26273510
TI  - Osteoporosis Treatment: When to Discontinue and When to Re-start.
AB  - A number of effective therapies for the treatment of osteoporosis have become
      available in recent years. However, uncertainty exists regarding their long-term
      use and effectiveness. Bisphosphonate treatment, unlike hormone replacement,
      denosumab or teriparatide, is associated with benefits extended even after
      treatment discontinuation. The extended benefits are most apparent for
      alendronate (ALN) and zoledronate (ZOL). A drug holiday might be considered in
      patients at low-moderate risk and who have been fully compliant with treatment,
      and who have had a response to treatment. In patients at low-moderate risk of
      fractures the decision to consider a drug holiday should be balanced also with
      the safety profile of each treatment. 

PMID- 26273509
TI  - Skeletal Blood Flow in Bone Repair and Maintenance.
AB  - Bone is a highly vascularized tissue, although this aspect of bone is often
      overlooked. In this article, the importance of blood flow in bone repair and
      regeneration will be reviewed. First, the skeletal vascular anatomy, with an
      emphasis on long bones, the distinct mechanisms for vascularizing bone tissue,
      and methods for remodeling existing vasculature are discussed. Next, techniques
      for quantifying bone blood flow are briefly summarized. Finally, the body of
      experimental work that demonstrates the role of bone blood flow in fracture
      healing, distraction osteogenesis, osteoporosis, disuse osteopenia, and bone
      grafting is examined. These results illustrate that adequate bone blood flow is
      an important clinical consideration, particularly during bone regeneration and in
      at-risk patient groups. 

PMID- 26273511
TI  - Mice Deficient in NF-kappaB p50 and p52 or RANK Have Defective Growth Plate
      Formation and Post-natal Dwarfism.
AB  - NF-kappaBp50/p52 double knockout (dKO) and RANK KO mice have no osteoclasts and
      develop severe osteopetrosis associated with dwarfism. In contrast, Op/Op mice,
      which form few osteoclasts, and Src KO mice, which have osteoclasts with
      defective resorptive function, are osteopetrotic, but they are not dwarfed. Here,
      we compared the morphologic features of long bones from p50/p52 dKO, RANK KO,
      Op/Op and Src KO mice to attempt to explain the differences in their long bone
      lengths. We found that growth plates in p50/p52 dKO and RANK KO mice are
      significantly thicker than those in WT mice due to a 2-3-fold increase in the
      hypertrophic chondrocyte zone associated with normal a proliferative chondrocyte
      zone. This growth plate abnormality disappears when animals become older, but
      their dwarfism persists. Op/Op or Src KO mice have relatively normal growth plate
      morphology. In-situ hybridization study of long bones from p50/p52 dKO mice
      showed marked thickening of the growth plate region containing type 10 collagen
      expressing chondrocytes. Treatment of micro-mass chondrocyte cultures with RANKL
      did not affect expression levels of type 2 collagen and Sox9, markers for
      proliferative chondrocytes, but RANKL reduced the number of type 10 collagen
      expressing hypertrophic chondrocytes. Thus, RANK/NF-kappaB signaling plays a
      regulatory role in post-natal endochondral ossification that maintains
      hypertrophic conversion and prevents dwarfism in normal mice. 

PMID- 26273512
TI  - Trabecular Plate Loss and Deteriorating Elastic Modulus of Femoral Trabecular
      Bone in Intertrochanteric Hip Fractures.
AB  - Osteoporotic hip fracture is associated with significant trabecular bone loss,
      which is typically characterized as low bone density by dual-energy X-ray
      absorptiometry (DXA) and altered microstructure by micro-computed tomography
      (MUCT). Emerging morphological analysis techniques, e.g. individual trabecula
      segmentation (ITS), can provide additional insights into changes in plate-like
      and rod-like trabeculae, two major microstructural types serving different roles
      in determining bone strength. Using ITS, we evaluated trabecular microstructure
      of intertrochanteric bone cores obtained from 23 patients undergoing hip
      replacement surgery for intertrochanteric fracture and 22 cadaveric controls.
      Micro-finite element (MUFE) analyses were performed to further understand how the
      abnormalities seen by ITS might translate into effects on bone strength. ITS
      analyses revealed that, near fracture site, plate-like trabeculae were seriously
      depleted in fracture patients, but trabecular rod volume was maintained. Besides,
      decreased plate area and rod length were observed in fracture patients. Fracture
      patients also showed decreased elastic moduli and shear moduli of trabecular
      bone. These results provided evidence that in intertrochanteric hip fracture,
      preferential loss of plate-like trabeculae led to more rod-like microstructure
      and deteriorated mechanical competence adjacent to the fracture site, which
      increased our understanding of the biomechanical pathogenesis of hip fracture in
      osteoporosis. 

PMID- 26273513
TI  - Elevated Intracellular Ca(2+) Signals by Oxidative Stress Activate Connexin 43
      Hemichannels in Osteocytes.
AB  - Elevated oxidative stress (OS) during aging leads to bone loss. OS increases
      intracellular Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)]i), resulting in cellular damage and death. We show
      earlier that Cx43 hemichannels open in response to OS, which serves as a
      protective mechanism for osteocytes. However, the underlying mechanism is
      unknown. Here, we found that treatment with H2O2 increased [Ca(2+)]i in
      osteocytes with [Ca(2+)]i being primarily derived from an extracellular Ca(2+)
      source. Hemichannel opening induced by OS was inhibited by the depletion of
      [Ca(2+)]i with BAPTA-AM, a Ca(2+) chelator, suggesting that [Ca(2+)]i influenced
      the activity of Cx43 hemichannels. Conversely, blockade of hemichannels had no
      effect on [Ca(2+)]i. A biotinylation assay showed that cell surface-expressed
      Cx43 was increased by OS, which could be inhibited by BAPTA-AM, suggesting that
      [Ca(2+)]i is necessary for Cx43 migration to the cell surface in response to OS.
      Together, these data suggest that increased hemichannel activity induced by OS
      was likely to be caused by elevated [Ca(2+)]i through increased Cx43 on the cell
      surface. 

PMID- 26273514
TI  - Suppressive Effects of Plumbagin on Invasion and Migration of Breast Cancer Cells
      via the Inhibition of STAT3 Signaling and Down-regulation of Inflammatory
      Cytokine Expressions.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of plumbagin
      (PL), a naphthoquinone derived from the medicinal plant plumbago zeylanica, on
      the invasion and migration of human breast cancer cells. METHODS: Human breast
      cancer MDA-MB-231SArfp cells were treated with different concentrations of
      plumbagin for 24 h. The effects of plumbagin on the migration and invasion were
      observed by a transwell method. The expressions of IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL
      8, TGF-beta, TNFalpha, MMP-2 and MMP-9 mRNA in MDA-MB-231SArfp cells were
      detected using Real-Time PCR. MDA-MB-231SArfp cells were treated with plumbagin
      at different concentrations for 45 minutes. The activation of STAT3 was detected
      by western blot. Following this analysis, STAT3 in MDA-MB-231SArfp cells was
      knocked out using specific siRNA. mRNA levels of IL-1alpha, TGF-beta, MMP-2 and
      MMP-9 were then detected. Consequently, MDA-MB-231SArfp cells were injected
      intracardially into BALB/c nude mice to construct a breast cancer bone metastatic
      model. The mice were injected intraperitoneally with plumbagin. Non-invasive in
      vivo monitoring, X-ray imaging and histological staining were performed to
      investigate the effects of plumbagin on the invasion and migration of breast
      cancer cells in vivo. RESULTS: The in vitro results showed that plumbagin could
      suppress the migration and invasion of breast cancer cells and down-regulate mRNA
      expressions of IL-1alpha, TGF-beta, MMP-2 and MMP-9. Western blotting
      demonstrated that plumbagin inhibited the activation of STAT3 signaling in MDA-MB
      231SArfp cells. The inactivation of STAT3 was found to have an inhibitory effect
      on the expressions of IL-1alpha, TGF-beta, MMP-2 and MMP-9. In vivo studies
      showed that plumbagin inhibited the metastasis of breast cancer cells and
      decreased osteolytic bone metastases, as well as the secretion of MMP-2 and MMP-9
      by tumor cells at metastatic lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Plumbagin can suppress the
      invasion and migration of breast cancer cells via the inhibition of STAT3
      signaling and by downregulation of IL-1alpha, TGF-beta, MMP-2 and MMP-9.

PMID- 26273515
TI  - Osteoporosis in men: a review.
AB  - Osteoporosis and consequent fracture are not limited to postmenopausal women.
      There is increasing attention being paid to osteoporosis in older men. Men suffer
      osteoporotic fractures about 10 years later in life than women, but life
      expectancy is increasing faster in men than women. Thus, men are living long
      enough to fracture, and when they do the consequences are greater than in women,
      with men having about twice the 1-year fatality rate after hip fracture, compared
      to women. Men at high risk for fracture include those men who have already had a
      fragility fracture, men on oral glucocorticoids or those men being treated for
      prostate cancer with androgen deprivation therapy. Beyond these high risk men,
      there are many other risk factors and secondary causes of osteoporosis in men.
      Evaluation includes careful history and physical examination to reveal potential
      secondary causes, including many medications, a short list of laboratory tests,
      and bone mineral density testing by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) of
      spine and hip. Recently, international organizations have advocated a single
      normative database for interpreting DXA testing in men and women. The
      consequences of this change need to be determined. There are several choices of
      therapy for osteoporosis in men, with most fracture reduction estimation based on
      studies in women. 

PMID- 26273517
TI  - Wnt7b can replace Ihh to induce hypertrophic cartilage vascularization but not
      osteoblast differentiation during endochondral bone development.
AB  - Indian hedgehog (Ihh) is an essential signal that regulates endochondral bone
      development. We have previously shown that Wnt7b promotes osteoblast
      differentiation during mouse embryogenesis, and that its expression in the
      perichondrium is dependent on Ihh signaling. To test the hypothesis that Wnt7b
      may mediate some aspects of Ihh function during endochondral bone development, we
      activated Wnt7b expression from the R26-Wnt7b allele with Col2-Cre in the Ihh(-/
      ) mouse. Artificial expression of Wnt7b rescued vascularization of the
      hypertrophic cartilage in the Ihh(-/-) mouse, but failed to restore orthotopic
      osteoblast differentiation in the perichondrium. Similarly, Wnt7b did not recover
      Ihh-dependent perichondral bone formation in the Ihh(-/-); Gli3(-/-) embryo.
      Interestingly, Wnt7b induced bone formation at the diaphyseal region of long
      bones in the absence of Ihh, possibly due to increased vascularization in the
      area. Thus, Ihh-dependent expression of Wnt7b in the perichondrium may contribute
      to vascularization of the hypertrophic cartilage during endochondral bone
      development. 

PMID- 26273518
TI  - Hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha restricts the anabolic actions of parathyroid
      hormone.
AB  - The hypoxia inducible factors (Hifs) are evolutionarily conserved transcriptional
      factors that control homeostatic responses to low oxygen. In developing bone, Hif
      1 generated signals induce angiogenesis necessary for osteoblast specification,
      but in mature bone, loss of Hif-1 in osteoblasts resulted in a more rapid
      accumulation of bone. These findings suggested that Hif-1 exerts distinct
      developmental functions and acts as a negative regulator of bone formation. To
      investigate the function of Hif-1alpha in osteoanabolic signaling, we assessed
      the effect of Hif-1alpha loss-of-function on bone formation in response to
      intermittent parathyroid hormone (PTH). Mice lacking Hif-1alpha in osteoblasts
      and osteocytes form more bone in response to PTH, likely through a larger
      increase in osteoblast activity and increased sensitivity to the hormone.
      Consistent with this effect, exposure of primary mouse osteoblasts to PTH
      resulted in the rapid induction of Hif-1alpha protein levels via a post
      transcriptional mechanism. The enhanced anabolic response appears to result from
      the removal of Hif-1alpha-mediated suppression of beta-catenin transcriptional
      activity. Together, these data indicate that Hif-1alpha functions in the mature
      skeleton to restrict osteoanabolic signaling. The availability of pharmacological
      agents that reduce Hif-1alpha function suggests the value in further exploration
      of this pathway to optimize the therapeutic benefits of PTH. 

PMID- 26273519
TI  - LRP6 in mesenchymal stem cells is required for bone formation during bone growth
      and bone remodeling.
AB  - Lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6 (LRP6) plays a critical role in skeletal
      development and homeostasis in adults. However, the role of LRP6 in mesenchymal
      stem cells (MSCs), skeletal stem cells that give rise to osteoblastic lineage, is
      unknown. In this study, we generated mice lacking LRP6 expression specifically in
      nestin(+) MSCs by crossing nestin-Cre mice with LRP6(flox) mice and investigated
      the functional changes of bone marrow MSCs and skeletal alterations. Mice with
      LRP6 deletion in nestin(+) cells demonstrated reductions in body weight and body
      length at 1 and 3 months of age. Bone architecture measured by microCT (uCT)
      showed a significant reduction in bone mass in both trabecular and cortical bone
      of homozygous and heterozygous LRP6 mutant mice. A dramatic reduction in the
      numbers of osteoblasts but much less significant reduction in the numbers of
      osteoclasts was observed in the mutant mice. Osterix(+) osteoprogenitors and
      osteocalcin(+) osteoblasts significantly reduced at the secondary spongiosa area,
      but only moderately decreased at the primary spongiosa area in mutant mice. Bone
      marrow MSCs from the mutant mice showed decreased colony forming, cell viability
      and cell proliferation. Thus, LRP6 in bone marrow MSCs is essential for their
      survival and proliferation, and therefore, is a key positive regulator for bone
      formation during skeletal growth and remodeling. 

PMID- 26273520
TI  - In vivo evidence of IGF-I-estrogen crosstalk in mediating the cortical bone
      response to mechanical strain.
AB  - Although insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and estrogen signaling pathways
      have been shown to be involved in mediating the bone anabolic response to
      mechanical loading, it is not known whether these two signaling pathways
      crosstalk with each other in producing a skeletal response to mechanical loading.
      To test this, at 5 weeks of age, partial ovariectomy (pOVX) or a sham operation
      was performed on heterozygous IGF-I conditional knockout (H IGF-I KO) and control
      mice generated using a Cre-loxP approach. At 10 weeks of age, a 10 N axial load
      was applied on the right tibia of these mice for a period of 2 weeks and the left
      tibia was used as an internal non-non-loaded control. At the cortical site,
      partial estrogen loss reduced total volumetric bone mineral density (BMD) by 5%
      in control pOVX mice (P=0.05, one-way ANOVA), but not in the H IGF-I KO pOVX
      mice. At the trabecular site, bone volume/total volume (BV/TV) was reduced by 5%
      6% in both control pOVX (P<0.05) and H IGF-I KO pOVX (P=0.05) mice. Two weeks of
      mechanical loading caused a 7%-8% and an 11%-13% (P<0.05 vs. non-loaded bones)
      increase in cortical BMD and cortical thickness (Ct.Th), respectively, in the
      control sham, control pOVX and H IGF-I KO sham groups. By contrast, the magnitude
      of cortical BMD (4%, P=0.13) and Ct.Th (6%, P<0.05) responses were reduced by 50%
      in the H IGF-I KO pOVX mice compared to the other three groups. The interaction
      between genotype and estrogen deficiency on the mechanical loading-induced
      cortical bone response was significant (P<0.05) by two-way ANOVA. Two weeks of
      axial loading caused similar increases in trabecular BV/TV (13%-17%) and
      thickness (17%-23%) in all four groups of mice. In conclusion, partial loss of
      both estrogen and IGF-I significantly reduced cortical but not the trabecular
      bone response to mechanical loading, providing in vivo evidence of the above
      crosstalk in mediating the bone response to loading. 

PMID- 26273516
TI  - Role of FGF/FGFR signaling in skeletal development and homeostasis: learning from
      mouse models.
AB  - Fibroblast growth factor (FGF)/fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) signaling
      plays essential roles in bone development and diseases. Missense mutations in
      FGFs and FGFRs in humans can cause various congenital bone diseases, including
      chondrodysplasia syndromes, craniosynostosis syndromes and syndromes with
      dysregulated phosphate metabolism. FGF/FGFR signaling is also an important
      pathway involved in the maintenance of adult bone homeostasis. Multiple kinds of
      mouse models, mimicking human skeleton diseases caused by missense mutations in
      FGFs and FGFRs, have been established by knock-in/out and transgenic
      technologies. These genetically modified mice provide good models for studying
      the role of FGF/FGFR signaling in skeleton development and homeostasis. In this
      review, we summarize the mouse models of FGF signaling-related skeleton diseases
      and recent progresses regarding the molecular mechanisms, underlying the role of
      FGFs/FGFRs in the regulation of bone development and homeostasis. This review
      also provides a perspective view on future works to explore the roles of FGF
      signaling in skeletal development and homeostasis. 

PMID- 26273522
TI  - Validating cone-beam computed tomography for peri-implant bone morphometric
      analysis.
AB  - Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) has been recently used to analyse trabecular
      bone structure around dental implants. To validate the use of CBCT for three
      dimensional (3D) peri-implant trabecular bone morphometry by comparing it to two
      dimensional (2D) histology, 36 alveolar bone samples (with implants n=27 vs.
      without implants n=9) from six mongrel dogs, were scanned ex vivo using a high
      resolution (80 um) CBCT. After scanning, all samples were decalcified and then
      sectioned into thin histological sections (~6 MUm) to obtain high contrast 2D
      images. By using CTAn imaging software, bone morphometric parameters including
      trabecular number (Tb.N), thickness (Tb.Th), separation (Tb.Sp) and bone volume
      fraction (BV/TV) were examined on both CBCT and corresponding histological
      images. Higher Tb.Th and Tb.Sp, lower BV/TV and Tb.N were found on CBCT images
      (P<0.001). Both measurements on the peri-implant trabecular bone structure showed
      moderate to high correlation (r=0.65-0.85). The Bland-Altman plots showed
      strongest agreement for Tb.Th followed by Tb.Sp, Tb.N and BV/TV, regardless of
      the presence of implants. The current findings support the assumption that peri
      implant trabecular bone structures based on high-resolution CBCT measurements are
      representative for the underlying histological bone characteristics, indicating a
      potential clinical diagnostic use of CBCT-based peri-implant bone morphometric
      characterisation. 

PMID- 26273521
TI  - The Chinese skeleton: insights into microstructure that help to explain the
      epidemiology of fracture.
AB  - Osteoporotic fractures are a major public health problem worldwide, but incidence
      varies greatly across racial groups and geographic regions. Recent work suggests
      that the incidence of osteoporotic fracture is rising among Asian populations.
      Studies comparing areal bone mineral density and fracture across races generally
      indicate lower bone mineral density in Asian individuals including the Chinese,
      but this does not reflect their relatively low risk of non-vertebral fractures.
      In contrast, the Chinese have relatively high vertebral fracture rates similar to
      that of Caucasians. The paradoxically low risk for some types of fractures among
      the Chinese despite their low areal bone mineral density has been elucidated in
      part by recent advances in skeletal imaging. New techniques for assessing bone
      quality non-invasively demonstrate that the Chinese compensate for smaller bone
      size by differences in hip geometry and microstructural skeletal organization.
      Studies evaluating factors influencing racial differences in bone remodeling, as
      well as bone acquisition and loss, may further elucidate racial variation in bone
      microstructure. Advances in understanding the microstructure of the Chinese
      skeleton have not only helped to explain the epidemiology of fracture in the
      Chinese, but may also provide insight into the epidemiology of fracture in other
      races as well. 

PMID- 26273523
TI  - Insulin exerts direct, IGF-1 independent actions in growth plate chondrocytes.
AB  - Insufficient insulin production or action in diabetic states is associated with
      growth retardation and impaired bone healing, while the underling mechanisms are
      unknown. In this study, we sought to define the role of insulin signaling in the
      growth plate. Insulin treatment of embryonic metatarsal bones from wild-type mice
      increased chondrocyte proliferation. Mice lacking insulin receptor (IR)
      selectively in chondrocytes (CartIR (-/-)) had no discernable differences in
      total femoral length compared to control littermates. However, CartIR (-/-) mice
      exhibited an increase in chondrocyte numbers in the growth plate than that of the
      controls. Chondrocytes lacking IR had elevated insulin-like growth factor (IGF)
      1R mRNA and protein levels. Subsequently, IGF-1 induced phosphorylation of Akt
      and ERK was enhanced, while this action was eliminated when the cells were
      treated with IGF-1R inhibitor Picropodophyllin. Deletion of the IR impaired
      chondrogenic differentiation, and the effect could not be restored by treatment
      of insulin, but partially rescued by IGF-1 treatment. Intriguingly, the size of
      hypertrophic chondrocytes was smaller in CartIR (-/-) mice when compared with
      that of the control littermates, which was associated with upregulation of
      tuberous sclerosis complex 2 (TSC2). These results suggest that deletion of the
      IR in chondrocytes sensitizes IGF-1R signaling and action, IR and IGF-1R
      coordinate to regulate the proliferation, differentiation and hypertrophy of
      growth plate chondrocytes. 

PMID- 26273524
TI  - Stability of unicortical locked fixation versus bicortical non-locked fixation
      for forearm fractures.
AB  - Locking plate fixation is being widely applied for fixation of forearm fractures
      and has many potential advantages, such as fixed angle fixation and improved
      construct stability, especially in osteoporotic bone. Biomechanical data
      comparing locking devices to commonly used Low Contact Dynamic Compression
      (LCDCP) plates for the fixation of forearm fractures has been lacking. The
      purpose of this study was to compare the fixation stability of a 3.5-mm
      unicortical locked plate with bicortical non-locked LCDCP plates. Six matched
      pairs of fresh frozen cadaveric forearms were randomly assigned to unicortical
      locked and bicortical unlocked groups. Non-destructive four-point bending and
      torsional test was performed on the ulna and radius separately, using a
      servohydraulic testing system to obtain construct stiffness of the intact
      specimens and specimens after osteotomy and plating. The specimens were then
      loaded to failure to test the fixation strength. The locked unicortical fixation
      showed significantly higher bending stiffness than the unlocked bicortical
      fixation, but with significantly lower stiffness and strength in torsion.
      Fixation strength was comparable between the two groups under bending, but
      significantly greater in the bicortical non-locked group under torsion. Findings
      from this study suggest that postoperative rehabilitation protocols may need
      modification to limit torsional loading in the early stage when using locked
      unicortical fixation. The study also points out the potential advantage of a
      hybrid fixation that combines locked unicortical and unlocked bicortical screws. 

PMID- 26273525
TI  - Bone density, microarchitecture and stiffness in Caucasian and Caribbean Hispanic
      postmenopausal American women.
AB  - Hispanic Americans of Caribbean origin are a fast-growing subset of the US
      population, but there are no studies on bone density, microstructure and
      biomechanical integrity in this minority group. In this study, we aimed to
      compare Caucasian and Caribbean Hispanic postmenopausal American women with
      respect to these characteristics. Thirty-three Caribbean Hispanics were age
      matched to thirty-three Caucasian postmenopausal women. At the lumbar spine, the
      Hispanic women had significantly lower areal bone mineral density (aBMD). At the
      radius by high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT),
      there were minimal differences between Hispanic and Caucasian women. At the
      tibia, Hispanic women had lower trabecular volumetric bone density and trabecular
      number, and higher trabecular separation. Individual trabecula segmentation (ITS)
      analyses indicated that at the tibia, Hispanic women not only had significantly
      lower bone volume fraction, but also had significantly lower rod bone volume
      fraction, plate trabecular number, rod trabecular number and lower plate-plate,
      plate-rod and rod-rod junction densities compared to Caucasian women. The
      differences in bone quantity and quality contributed to lower whole bone
      stiffness at the radius, and both whole bone and trabecular bone stiffness at the
      tibia in Hispanic women. In conclusion, Hispanic women had poorer bone mechanical
      and microarchitectural properties than Caucasian women, especially at the load
      bearing distal tibia. 

PMID- 26273527
TI  - TLR signaling that induces weak inflammatory response and SHIP1 enhances
      osteogenic functions.
AB  - Toll-like receptor (TLR)-mediated inflammatory response could negatively affect
      bone metabolism. In this study, we determined how osteogenesis is regulated
      during inflammatory responses that are downstream of TLR signaling. Human primary
      osteoblasts were cultured in collagen gels. Pam3CSK4 (P3C) and Escherichia coli
      lipopolysaccharide (EcLPS) were used as TLR2 and TLR4 ligand respectively.
      Porphyromonas gingivalis LPS having TLR2 activity with either TLR4 agonism
      (Pg1690) or TLR4 antagonism (Pg1449) and mutant E. coli LPS (LPxE/LPxF/WSK) were
      used. IL-1beta, SH2-containing inositol phosphatase-1 (SHIP1) that has regulatory
      roles in osteogenesis, alkaline phosphatase and mineralization were analyzed.
      3alpha-Aminocholestane (3AC) was used to inhibit SHIP1. Our results suggest that
      osteoblasts stimulated by P3C, poorly induced IL-1beta but strongly upregulated
      SHIP1 and enhanced osteogenic mediators. On the contrary, EcLPS significantly
      induced IL-1beta and osteogenic mediators were not induced. While Pg1690
      downmodulated osteogenic mediators, Pg1449 enhanced osteogenic responses,
      suggesting that TLR4 signaling annuls osteogenesis even with TLR2 activity.
      Interestingly, mutant E. coli LPS that induces weak inflammation upregulated
      osteogenesis, but SHIP1 was not induced. Moreover, inhibiting SHIP1 significantly
      upregulated TLR2-mediated inflammatory response and downmodulated osteogenesis.
      In conclusion, these results suggest that induction of weak inflammatory response
      through TLR2 (with SHIP1 activity) and mutant TLR4 ligands could enhance
      osteogenesis. 

PMID- 26273526
TI  - Bone tissue engineering via nanostructured calcium phosphate biomaterials and
      stem cells.
AB  - Tissue engineering is promising to meet the increasing need for bone
      regeneration. Nanostructured calcium phosphate (CaP) biomaterials/scaffolds are
      of special interest as they share chemical/crystallographic similarities to
      inorganic components of bone. Three applications of nano-CaP are discussed in
      this review: nanostructured calcium phosphate cement (CPC); nano-CaP composites;
      and nano-CaP coatings. The interactions between stem cells and nano-CaP are
      highlighted, including cell attachment, orientation/morphology, differentiation
      and in vivo bone regeneration. Several trends can be seen: (i) nano-CaP
      biomaterials support stem cell attachment/proliferation and induce osteogenic
      differentiation, in some cases even without osteogenic supplements; (ii) the
      influence of nano-CaP surface patterns on cell alignment is not prominent due to
      non-uniform distribution of nano-crystals; (iii) nano-CaP can achieve better bone
      regeneration than conventional CaP biomaterials; (iv) combining stem cells with
      nano-CaP accelerates bone regeneration, the effect of which can be further
      enhanced by growth factors; and (v) cell microencapsulation in nano-CaP scaffolds
      is promising for bone tissue engineering. These understandings would help
      researchers to further uncover the underlying mechanisms and interactions in nano
      CaP stem cell constructs in vitro and in vivo, tailor nano-CaP composite
      construct design and stem cell type selection to enhance cell function and bone
      regeneration, and translate laboratory findings to clinical treatments. 

PMID- 26273528
TI  - Nrf2 is required for normal postnatal bone acquisition in mice.
AB  - A large body of literature suggests that bone metabolism is susceptible to the
      ill effects of reactive species that accumulate in the body and cause cellular
      dysfunction. One of the body's front lines in defense against such damage is the
      transcription factor, Nrf2. This transcription factor regulates a plethora of
      antioxidant and cellular defense pathways to protect cells from such damage.
      Despite the breadth of knowledge of both the function of Nrf2 and the effects of
      reactive species in bone metabolism, the direct role of Nrf2 in skeletal biology
      has yet to be thoroughly examined. Thus, in the current study, we have examined
      the role of Nrf2 in postnatal bone metabolism in mice. Mice lacking Nrf2 (Nrf2(-/
      )) exhibited a marked deficit in postnatal bone acquisition, which was most
      severe at 3 weeks of age when osteoblast numbers were 12-fold less than observed
      in control animals. While primary osteoblasts from Nrf2(-/-) mice functioned
      normally in vitro, the colony forming capacity of bone marrow stromal cells
      (BMSCs) from these mice was significantly reduced compared to controls. This
      defect could be rescued through treatment with the radical scavenger N-acetyl
      cysteine (NAC), suggesting that increased reactive species stress might impair
      early osteoblastogenesis in BMSCs and lead to the failure of bone acquisition
      observed in Nrf2(-/-) animals. Taken together, these studies suggest Nrf2
      represents a key pathway in regulating bone metabolism, which may provide future
      therapeutic targets to treat osteoporosis. 

PMID- 26273530
TI  - New simulation model for bone formation markers in osteoporosis patients treated
      with once-weekly teriparatide.
AB  - Daily 20-MUg and once-weekly 56.5-MUg teriparatide (parathyroid hormone 1-34)
      treatment regimens increase bone mineral density (BMD) and prevent fractures, but
      changes in bone turnover markers differ between the two regimens. The aim of the
      present study was to explain changes in bone turnover markers using once-weekly
      teriparatide with a simulation model. Temporary increases in bone formation
      markers and subsequent decreases were observed during once-weekly teriparatide
      treatment for 72 weeks. These observations support the hypothesis that repeated
      weekly teriparatide administration stimulates bone remodeling, replacing old bone
      with new bone and leading to a reduction in the active remodeling surface. A
      simulation model was developed based on the iterative remodeling cycle that
      occurs on residual old bone. An increase in bone formation and a subsequent
      decrease were observed in the preliminary simulation. For each fitted time point,
      the predicted value was compared to the absolute values of the bone formation and
      resorption markers and lumbar BMD. The simulation model strongly matched actual
      changes in bone turnover markers and BMD. This simulation model indicates
      increased bone formation marker levels in the early stage and a subsequent
      decrease. It is therefore concluded that remodeling-based bone formation
      persisted during the entire treatment period with once-weekly teriparatide. 

PMID- 26273532
TI  - Mechanical force enhanced bony formation in defect implanted with calcium
      sulphate cement.
AB  - To improve the osteogenic property of bone repairing materials and to accelerate
      bone healing are major tasks in bone biomaterials research. The objective of this
      study was to investigate if the mechanical force could be used to accelerate bone
      formation in a bony defect in vivo. The calcium sulfate cement was implanted into
      the left distal femoral epiphyses surgically in 16 rats. The half of rats were
      subjected to external mechanical force via treadmill exercise, the exercise
      started at day 7 postoperatively for 30 consecutive days and at a constant speed
      8 m.min(-1) for 45 min.day(-1), while the rest served as a control. The rats were
      scanned four times longitudinally after surgery using microcomputed tomography
      and newly formed bone was evaluated. After sacrificing, the femurs had
      biomechanical test of three-point bending and histological analysis. The results
      showed that bone healing under mechanical force were better than the control with
      residual defect areas of 0.64+/-0.19 mm(2) and 1.78+/-0.39 mm(2) (P<0.001), and
      the ultimate loads to failure under mechanical force were 69.56+/-4.74 N,
      stronger than the control with ultimate loads to failure of 59.17+/-7.48 N
      (P=0.039). This suggests that the mechanical force might be used to improve new
      bone formation and potentially offer a clinical strategy to accelerate bone
      healing. 

PMID- 26273533
TI  - Parathyroid hormone pulsatility: physiological and clinical aspects.
AB  - Parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion is characterized by an ultradian rhythm with
      tonic and pulsatile components. In healthy subjects, the majority of PTH is
      secreted in tonic fashion, whereas approximately 30% is secreted in low-amplitude
      and high-frequency bursts occurring every 10-20 min, superimposed on tonic
      secretion. Changes in the ultradian PTH secretion were shown to occur in patients
      with primary and secondary osteoporosis, with skeletal effects depending on the
      reciprocal modifications of pulsatile and tonic components. Indeed,
      pathophysiology of spontaneous PTH secretion remains an area potentially suitable
      to be explored, particularly in those conditions such as secondary forms of
      osteoporosis, in which conventional biochemical and densitometric parameters may
      not always give reliable diagnostic and therapeutic indications. This review will
      highlight the literature data supporting the hypothesis that changes of ultradian
      PTH secretion may be correlated with skeletal fragility in primary and secondary
      osteoporosis. 

PMID- 26273531
TI  - Chronic kidney disease and the skeleton.
AB  - Fractures across the stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) could be due to
      osteoporosis, some form of renal osteodystrophy defined by specific quantitative
      histomorphometry or chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD).
      CKD-MBD is a systemic disease that links disorders of mineral and bone metabolism
      due to CKD to either one or all of the following: abnormalities of calcium,
      phosphorus, parathyroid hormone or vitamin D metabolism; abnormalities in bone
      turnover, mineralization, volume, linear growth or strength; or vascular or other
      soft-tissue calcification. Osteoporosis, as defined by the National Institutes of
      Health, may coexist with renal osteodystrophy or CKD-MBD. Differentiation among
      these disorders is required to manage correctly the correct disorder to reduce
      the risk of fractures. While the World Health Organization (WHO) bone mineral
      density (BMD) criteria for osteoporosis can be used in patients with stages 1-3
      CKD, the disorders of bone turnover become so aberrant by stages 4 and 5 CKD that
      neither the WHO criteria nor the occurrence of a fragility fracture can be used
      for the diagnosis of osteoporosis. The diagnosis of osteoporosis in stages 4 and
      5 CKD is one of the exclusion-excluding either renal osteodystrophy or CKD-MBD as
      the cause of low BMD or fragility fractures. Differentiations among the disorders
      of renal osteodystrophy, CKD-MBD or osteoporosis are dependent on the measurement
      of specific biochemical markers, including serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) and/or
      quantitative bone histomorphometry. Management of fractures in stages 1-3 CKD
      does not differ in persons with or without CKD with osteoporosis assuming that
      there is no evidence for CKD-MBD, clinically suspected by elevated PTH,
      hyperphosphatemia or fibroblast growth factor 23 due to CKD. Treatment of
      fractures in persons with osteoporosis and stages 4 and 5 CKD is not evidence
      based, with the exception of post-hoc analysis suggesting efficacy and safety of
      specific osteoporosis therapies (alendronate, risedronate and denosumab) in stage
      4 CKD. This review also discusses how to diagnose and manage fragility fractures
      across the five stages of CKD. 

PMID- 26273534
TI  - Contaminated open fracture and crush injury: a murine model.
AB  - Modern warfare has caused a large number of severe extremity injuries, many of
      which become infected. In more recent conflicts, a pattern of co-infection with
      Acinetobacter baumannii and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus has
      emerged. We attempted to recreate this pattern in an animal model to evaluate the
      role of vascularity in contaminated open fractures. Historically, it has been
      observed that infected bones frequently appear hypovascular, but vascularity in
      association with bone infection has not been examined in animal models. Adult
      rats underwent femur fracture and muscle crush injury followed by stabilization
      and bacterial contamination with A. baumannii complex and methicillin-resistant
      Staphylococcus aureus. Vascularity and perfusion were assessed by microCT
      angiography and SPECT scanning, respectively, at 1, 2 and 4 weeks after injury.
      Quantitative bacterial cultures were also obtained. Multi-bacterial infections
      were successfully created, with methicillin-resistant S. aureus predominating.
      There was overall increase in blood flow to injured limbs that was markedly
      greater in bacteria-inoculated limbs. Vessel volume was greater in the infected
      group. Quadriceps atrophy was seen in both groups, but was greater in the
      infected group. In this animal model, infected open fractures had greater
      perfusion and vascularity than non-infected limbs. 

PMID- 26273529
TI  - High-throughput screening of mouse gene knockouts identifies established and
      novel skeletal phenotypes.
AB  - Screening gene function in vivo is a powerful approach to discover novel drug
      targets. We present high-throughput screening (HTS) data for 3 762 distinct
      global gene knockout (KO) mouse lines with viable adult homozygous mice generated
      using either gene-trap or homologous recombination technologies. Bone mass was
      determined from DEXA scans of male and female mice at 14 weeks of age and by
      microCT analyses of bones from male mice at 16 weeks of age. Wild-type (WT)
      cagemates/littermates were examined for each gene KO. Lethality was observed in
      an additional 850 KO lines. Since primary HTS are susceptible to false positive
      findings, additional cohorts of mice from KO lines with intriguing HTS bone data
      were examined. Aging, ovariectomy, histomorphometry and bone strength studies
      were performed and possible non-skeletal phenotypes were explored. Together,
      these screens identified multiple genes affecting bone mass: 23 previously
      reported genes (Calcr, Cebpb, Crtap, Dcstamp, Dkk1, Duoxa2, Enpp1, Fgf23,
      Kiss1/Kiss1r, Kl (Klotho), Lrp5, Mstn, Neo1, Npr2, Ostm1, Postn, Sfrp4, Slc30a5,
      Slc39a13, Sost, Sumf1, Src, Wnt10b), five novel genes extensively characterized
      (Cldn18, Fam20c, Lrrk1, Sgpl1, Wnt16), five novel genes with preliminary
      characterization (Agpat2, Rassf5, Slc10a7, Slc26a7, Slc30a10) and three novel
      undisclosed genes coding for potential osteoporosis drug targets. 

PMID- 26273535
TI  - Disruption of bone and skeletal muscle in severe burns.
AB  - Severe burn injury triggers the body's nonspecific adaptive responses to acute
      insult, including the systemic inflammatory and stress responses, as well as the
      sympathetic response to immobilization. These responses trigger inflammatory bone
      resorption followed by glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis of osteoblasts and
      probably osteocytes. Because these patients are catabolic, they suffer
      concomitant muscle wasting and negative nitrogen balance. The use of anabolic
      agents such as recombinant human growth hormone and oxandrolone results in
      improved bone mineral content and muscle strength after approximately 1 year. Use
      of bisphosphonates within the first 10 days of a severe burn completely blocks
      the resorptive bone loss and has the added advantage of appearing to preserve
      muscle protein from excessive breakdown. The mechanism for the protective effect
      on muscle is not currently known. However, if the effect of bisphosphonates on
      muscle can be confirmed, it raises the possibility that bone communicates with
      muscle. 

PMID- 26273536
TI  - Decreased osteogenesis of adult mesenchymal stem cells by reactive oxygen species
      under cyclic stretch: a possible mechanism of age related osteoporosis.
AB  - Age related defect of the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells
      (MSCs) plays a key role in osteoporosis. Mechanical loading is one of the most
      important physical stimuli for osteoblast differentiation. Here, we compared the
      osteogenic potential of MSCs from young and adult rats under three rounds of 2 h
      of cyclic stretch of 2.5% elongation at 1 Hz on 3 consecutive days. Cyclic
      stretch induced a significant osteogenic differentiation of MSCs from young rats,
      while a compromised osteogenesis in MSCs from the adult rats. Accordingly, there
      were much more reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in adult MSCs under
      cyclic stretch compared to young MSCs. Moreover, ROS scavenger N-acetylcysteine
      rescued the osteogenic differentiation of adult MSCs under cyclic stretch. Gene
      expression analysis revealed that superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) was significantly
      downregulated in those MSCs from adult rats. In summary, our data suggest that
      reduced SOD1 may result in excessive ROS production in adult MSCs under cyclic
      stretch, and thus manipulation of the MSCs from the adult donors with antioxidant
      would improve their osteogenic ability. 

PMID- 26273538
TI  - Axial strain enhances osteotomy repair with a concomitant increase in connexin43
      expression.
AB  - The mechanical environment is known to influence fracture healing. We speculated
      that connexin43 (Cx43) gap junctions, which impact skeletal homeostasis, fracture
      healing and the osteogenic response to mechanical load, may play a role in
      mediating the response of the healing bone to mechanical strain. Here, we used an
      established rat fracture model, which uses a 2 mm osteotomy gap stabilized by an
      external fixator, to examine the impact of various cyclical axial loading
      protocols (2%, 10%, and 30% strain) on osteotomy healing. We examined the
      presence of Cx43 in the osteotomy-healing environment and assessed how mechanical
      strain modulates Cx43 expression patterns in the callus. We demonstrated that
      increased cyclical axial strain results in increased radiographic and histologic
      bone formation. In addition, we show by immunohistochemistry that Cx43 is
      abundantly expressed in the healing callus, with the expression most robust in
      samples exposed to increased cyclical axial strain. These data are consistent
      with the concept that an increase in Cx43 expression by mechanical load may be
      part of the mechanisms by which mechanical forces enhances fracture healing. 

PMID- 26273539
TI  - The effect of the fibre orientation of electrospun scaffolds on the matrix
      production of rabbit annulus fibrosus-derived stem cells.
AB  - Annulus fibrosus (AF) tissue engineering has recently received increasing
      attention as a treatment for intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration; however,
      such engineering remains challenging because of the remarkable complexity of AF
      tissue. In order to engineer a functional AF replacement, the fabrication of cell
      scaffold constructs that mimic the cellular, biochemical and structural features
      of native AF tissue is critical. In this study, we fabricated aligned fibrous
      polyurethane scaffolds using an electrospinning technique and used them for
      culturing AF-derived stem/progenitor cells (AFSCs). Random fibrous scaffolds,
      also prepared via electrospinning, were used as a control. We compared the
      morphology, proliferation, gene expression and matrix production of AFSCs on
      aligned scaffolds and random scaffolds. There was no apparent difference in the
      attachment or proliferation of cells cultured on aligned scaffolds and random
      scaffolds. However, compared to cells on random scaffolds, the AFSCs on aligned
      scaffolds were more elongated and better aligned, and they exhibited higher gene
      expression and matrix production of collagen-I and aggrecan. The gene expression
      and protein production of collagen-II did not appear to differ between the two
      groups. Together, these findings indicate that aligned fibrous scaffolds may
      provide a favourable microenvironment for the differentiation of AFSCs into cells
      similar to outer AF cells, which predominantly produce collagen-I matrix. 

PMID- 26273537
TI  - TGF-beta/BMP signaling and other molecular events: regulation of
      osteoblastogenesis and bone formation.
AB  - Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta)/bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) plays
      a fundamental role in the regulation of bone organogenesis through the activation
      of receptor serine/threonine kinases. Perturbations of TGF-beta/BMP activity are
      almost invariably linked to a wide variety of clinical outcomes, i.e., skeletal,
      extra skeletal anomalies, autoimmune, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases.
      Phosphorylation of TGF-beta (I/II) or BMP receptors activates intracellular
      downstream Smads, the transducer of TGF-beta/BMP signals. This signaling is
      modulated by various factors and pathways, including transcription factor Runx2.
      The signaling network in skeletal development and bone formation is
      overwhelmingly complex and highly time and space specific. Additive, positive,
      negative, or synergistic effects are observed when TGF-beta/BMP interacts with
      the pathways of MAPK, Wnt, Hedgehog (Hh), Notch, Akt/mTOR, and miRNA to regulate
      the effects of BMP-induced signaling in bone dynamics. Accumulating evidence
      indicates that Runx2 is the key integrator, whereas Hh is a possible modulator,
      miRNAs are regulators, and beta-catenin is a mediator/regulator within the
      extensive intracellular network. This review focuses on the activation of BMP
      signaling and interaction with other regulatory components and pathways
      highlighting the molecular mechanisms regarding TGF-beta/BMP function and
      regulation that could allow understanding the complexity of bone tissue dynamics.

PMID- 26273540
TI  - (99m)TC-Methylene diphosphonate uptake at injury site correlates with osteoblast
      differentiation and mineralization during bone healing in mice.
AB  - (99m)Tc-Methylene diphosphonate ((99m)Tc-MDP) is widely used in clinical settings
      to detect bone abnormalities. However, the mechanism of (99m)Tc-MDP uptake in
      bone is not well elucidated. In this study, we utilized a mouse tibia injury
      model, single-photon emission computed tomography (gamma scintigraphy or SPECT),
      ex vivo micro-computed tomography, and histology to monitor (99m)Tc-MDP uptake in
      injury sites during skeletal healing. In an ex vivo culture system, calvarial
      cells were differentiated into osteoblasts with osteogenic medium, pulsed with
      (99m)Tc-MDP at different time points, and quantitated for (99m)Tc-MDP uptake with
      a gamma counter. We demonstrated that (99m)Tc-MDP uptake in the injury sites
      corresponded to osteoblast generation in those sites throughout the healing
      process. The (99m)Tc-MDP uptake within the injury sites peaked on day 7 post
      injury, while the injury sites were occupied by mature osteoblasts also starting
      from day 7. (99m)Tc-MDP uptake started to decrease 14 days post-surgery, when we
      observed the highest level of bony tissue in the injury sites. We also found that
      (99m)Tc-MDP uptake was associated with osteoblast maturation and mineralization
      in vitro. This study provides direct and biological evidence for (99m)Tc-MDP
      uptake in osteoblasts during bone healing in vivo and in vitro. 

PMID- 26273542
TI  - Did the "Woman in the Attic" in Jane Eyre Have Huntington Disease?
AB  - BACKGROUND: References to neurologic disorders are frequently found in fictional
      literature and may precede description in the medical literature. AIM: Our aim
      was to compare Charlotte Bronte's depiction of Bertha Mason in Jane Eyre to the
      tenets set forth in George Huntington's original essay "On chorea" with the
      hypothesis that Mason was displaying features of Huntington disease. RESULTS:
      Charlotte Bronte's 1847 Victorian novel Jane Eyre features the character Bertha
      Mason, who is portrayed with a progressive psychiatric illness, violent
      movements, and possible cognitive decline. Similar to Huntington's tenets, Mason
      has a disorder with a strong family history suggestive of autosomal dominant
      inheritance with onset in adulthood, and culminating in suicide. CONCLUSION:
      Bronte's character had features of Huntington disease as originally described by
      Huntington. Bronte's keen characterization may have increased awareness of
      treatment of neuropsychiatric patients in the Victorian era.

PMID- 26273541
TI  - Contemporary approaches for imaging skeletal metastasis.
AB  - The skeleton is a common site of cancer metastasis. Notably high incidences of
      bone lesions are found for breast, prostate, and renal carcinoma. Malignant bone
      tumors result in significant patient morbidity. Identification of these lesions
      is a critical step to accurately stratify patients, guide treatment course,
      monitor disease progression, and evaluate response to therapy. Diagnosis of
      cancer in the skeleton typically relies on indirect bone-targeted radiotracer
      uptake at sites of active bone remodeling. In this manuscript, we discuss
      established and emerging tools and techniques for detection of bone lesions,
      quantification of skeletal tumor burden, and current clinical challenges. 

PMID- 26273543
TI  - Evidence that Human Prostate Cancer is a ZIP1-Deficient Malignancy that could be
      Effectively Treated with a Zinc Ionophore (Clioquinol) Approach.
AB  - Despite decades of research, no efficacious chemotherapy exists for the treatment
      of prostate cancer. Malignant prostate zinc levels are markedly decreased in all
      cases of prostate cancer compared to normal/benign prostate. ZIP1 zinc
      transporter down regulation decreases zinc to prevent its cytotoxic effects.
      Thus, prostate cancer is a "ZIP1-deficient" malignancy. A zinc ionophore (e.g.
      Clioquinol) treatment to increase malignant zinc levels is a plausible treatment
      of prostate cancer. However, skepticism within the clinical/biomedical research
      community impedes significant progress leading to such a zinc treatment. This
      report reviews the clinical and experimental background, and presents new
      experimental data showing Clioquinol suppression of prostate malignancy; which
      provides strong support for a zinc ionophore treatment for prostate cancer.
      Evaluation of often-raised opposing issues is presented. These considerations
      lead to the conclusion that the compelling evidence dictates that a zinc
      treatment approach for prostate cancer should be pursued with additional research
      leading to clinical trials.

PMID- 26273546
TI  - Cost-effectiveness of three treatment strategies for lumbar spinal stenosis:
      Conservative care, laminectomy, and the Superion interspinous spacer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lumbar spinal stenosis is a painful and debilitating condition
      resulting in healthcare costs totaling tens of billions of dollars annually.
      Initial treatment consists of conservative care modalities such as physical
      therapy, NSAIDs, opioids, and steroid injections. Patients refractory to these
      therapies can undergo decompressive surgery, which has good long-term efficacy
      but is more traumatic and can be associated with high post-operative adverse
      event (AE) rates. Interspinous spacers have been developed to offer a less
      invasive alternative. The objective of this study was to compare the costs and
      quality adjusted life years (QALYs) gained of conservative care (CC) and
      decompressive surgery (DS) to a new minimally-invasive interspinous spacer.
      METHODS: A Markov model was developed evaluating 3 strategies of care for lumbar
      spinal stenosis. If initial therapies failed, the model moved patients to more
      invasive therapies. Data from the Superion FDA clinical trial, a prospective
      spinal registry, and the literature were used to populate the model. Direct
      medical care costs were modeled from 2014 Medicare reimbursements for healthcare
      services. QALYs came from the SF-12 PCS and MCS components. The analysis used a 2
      year time horizon with a 3% discount rate. RESULTS: CC had the lowest cost at
      $10,540, while Spacers and DS were nearly identical at about $13,950. CC also had
      the lowest QALY increase (0.06), while Spacers and DS were again nearly identical
      (.28). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER) for Spacers compared to
      CC was $16,300 and for DS was $15,200. CONCLUSIONS: Both the Spacer and DS
      strategies are far below the commonly cited $50,000/QALY threshold and produced
      several times the QALY increase versus CC, suggesting that surgical care provides
      superior value (cost / effectiveness) versus sustained conservative care in the
      treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis.

PMID- 26273544
TI  - Brain Imaging in Gambling Disorder.
AB  - Gambling disorder recently was reclassified under the category "substance-related
      and addictive disorders." With regard to the diagnostic criteria, it overlaps a
      great deal with substance use disorder, i.e., loss of control,
      craving/withdrawal, and neglect of other areas of life. However, the gambling
      disorder symptom "chasing one's losses" is the only criterion absent from
      substance use disorder. Therefore, special forms of reward (i.e., gain/loss)
      processing, such as the processing of loss avoidance and loss aversion, have just
      recently attracted attention among gambling disorder researchers. Because
      gambling disorder might be considered an addiction in its "pure" form, i.e.,
      without the influence of a drug of abuse, investigating brain volume changes in
      people with this behavioral addiction is an important task for neuroimaging
      researchers in exploring the neural signatures of addiction. Because the brain is
      a complex network, investigation of alterations in functional connectivity has
      gained interest among gambling disorder researchers in order to get a more
      complete picture of functional brain changes in people with gambling disorder.
      However, only a few studies on brain structure and functional connectivity in
      gambling disorder have been performed so far. This review focuses on brain
      imaging studies of reward and loss processing, with an emphasis on loss avoidance
      and aversion as well as brain volume and functional connectivity in gambling
      disorder.

PMID- 26273547
TI  - Remote Cerebellar Hemorrhage Complicating Unintended Durotomy in Lumbar Spine
      Surgery.
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: Case reports and retrospective review of accidental durotomies in
      lumbar surgeries during 5 years. OBJECTIVES: To draw attention to a potentially
      serious complication of incidental durotomy-remote cerebellar hemorrhage. SUMMARY
      AND BACKGROUND DATA: Accidental durotomy is a frequent complication of spinal
      surgery. In most cases the outcome of incidental durotomy is favorable. A delayed
      potentially serious complication of CSF loss during and after lumbar surgery is
      remote cerebellar hemorrhage (RCH). METHODS: During 2008-2012, 1169 lumbar spine
      procedures were performed at our spine center. In 210 surgeries incidental or
      intentional durotomies occurred. All patients with durotomies were managed with
      suturing of the dural wound followed by deep wound drainage left for 5 days and
      tight wound closure. RESULTS: Of the 210 patients with CSF loss three patients
      were identified to suffer from RCH-an incidence of 0.26%. The three patients ages
      56, 67 and 75 years developed RCH between 36-192 hours after surgery. All three
      were managed with supportive treatment and close clinical supervision. A gradual
      clinical and radiological improvement was noted in all three patients.
      CONCLUSIONS: Severe headache after spinal surgery and or declining mental status
      should not be attributed only to low CSF pressure secondary to dural tearing. It
      can also be the result of remote cerebral or cerebellar hemorrhage. Once the
      diagnosis of RCH is made, close clinical supervision is mandatory. In most cases
      non-operative supportive treatment may lead to eventual full clinical recovery.

PMID- 26273545
TI  - Cruciferous vegetables, isothiocyanates, and prevention of bladder cancer.
AB  - Approximately 80% of human bladder cancers (BC) are non-muscle invasive when
      first diagnosed and are usually treated by transurethral tumor resection. But 50
      80% of patients experience cancer recurrence. Agents for prevention of primary BC
      have yet to be identified. Existing prophylactics against BC recurrence, e.g.,
      Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), have limited efficacy and utility; they engender
      significant side effects and require urethral catheterization. Many cruciferous
      vegetables, rich sources of isothiocyanates (ITCs), are commonly consumed by
      humans. Many ITCs possess promising chemopreventive activities against BC and its
      recurrence. Moreover, orally ingested ITCs are selectively delivered to bladder
      via urinary excretion. This review is focused on urinary delivery of ITCs to the
      bladder, their cellular uptake, their chemopreventive activities in preclinical
      and epidemiological studies that are particularly relevant to prevention of BC
      recurrence and progression, and their chemopreventive mechanisms in BC cells and
      tissues.

PMID- 26273548
TI  - Assessment of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Artifact Following Cervical Total Disc
      Arthroplasty.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cervical disc arthroplasty has become a technique for the treatment
      of cervical degenerative disc disease. Clinically, the need to accurately assess
      the neural elements at the operative and adjacent levels is critical
      postoperatively. The purpose of this study was to quantitatively and
      qualitatively measure the amount of MRI artifact produced by various cervical
      total disc replacements. METHODS: T1 and T2-weighted turbo spin-echo MRI
      sequences were collected on the cervical spine (C2-T1) of a 68 year-old
      unembalmed male cadaver. A discectomy was performed at C5-6, followed by
      successive implantation of six different total disc replacements. The scans were
      quantitatively evaluated by three of the authors. The volume of artifact was
      measured using image analysis software. Qualitative analysis of the adjacent and
      index neural elements was performed. RESULTS: The artifact in the T2 weighted
      images was noted to be 58.6+/-7.3 cm3 for Prestige ST, 14.2+/-1.3 cm3 for ProDisc
      C, 7.5+/-0.8 cm3 for Discover, 8.0+/-0.3 cm3 for Prestige LP, 6.6+/-0.7 cm3 for
      Bryan, and 7.3+/-0.6 cm3 for ProDisc-C titanium prototype. Acceptable
      intraobserver and excellent interobsever correlation was demonstrated using
      Pearson Correlation and Concordance Correlation Coefficient analysis. The
      adjacent and implanted level neural elements (spinal cord and neuroforamina) were
      easily visualized on the T2 weighted images after the implantation of titanium
      devices (ProDisc-C titanium prototype, Discover, Prestige LP and Bryan). After
      implantation of a cobalt chrome implant (ProDisc-C), the adjacent level neural
      elements were easily visualized but the implanted level could not be fully
      visualized due to distortion of the images. The quality of the distortion was
      least favorable after the implantation of the stainless steel implant (Prestige
      ST), where neither the adjacent nor the index level could be fully visualized.
      CONCLUSION: The volume of the artifact seen following cervical total disc
      arthroplasty is highly dependent upon the material property of the implant.
      Quantitative analysis described in this study demonstrated sufficiently low
      intraobserver and interobserver variability to be considered a reliable
      technique.

PMID- 26273549
TI  - Foreword, Biomechanics Special Issue.

PMID- 26273550
TI  - Comparison of Intervertebral ROM in Multi-Level Cadaveric Lumbar Spines Using
      Distinct Pure Moment Loading Approaches.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pure-moment loading is the test method of choice for spinal implant
      evaluation. However, the apparatuses and boundary conditions employed by
      laboratories in performing spine flexibility testing vary. The purpose of this
      study was to quantify the differences, if they exist, in intervertebral range of
      motion (ROM) resulting from different pure-moment loading apparatuses used in two
      laboratories. METHODS: Twenty-four (laboratory A) and forty-two (laboratory B)
      intact L1-S1 specimens were loaded using pure moments (+/-7.5 Nm) in flexion
      extension (FE), lateral bending (LB) and axial torsion (AT). At laboratory A,
      pure moments were applied using a system of cables, pulleys and suspended weights
      in 1.5 Nm increments. At laboratory B, specimens were loaded in a pneumatic
      biaxial test frame mounted with counteracting stepper-motor-driven biaxial
      gimbals. ROM was obtained in both labs using identical optoelectronic systems and
      compared. RESULTS: In FE, total L1-L5 ROM was similar, on average, between the
      two laboratories (lab A: 37.4 degrees  +/- 9.1 degrees ; lab B: 35.0 degrees  +/-
      8.9 degrees , p=0.289). Larger apparent differences, on average, were noted
      between labs in AT (lab A: 19.4 degrees  +/- 7.3 degrees ; lab B: 15.7 degrees 
      +/- 7.1 degrees , p=0.074), and this finding was significant for combined right
      and left LB (lab A: 45.5 degrees  +/- 11.4 degrees ; lab B: 35.3 degrees  +/- 8.5
      degrees , p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first study
      comparing ROM of multi-segment lumbar spines between laboratories utilizing
      different apparatuses. The results of this study show that intervertebral ROM in
      multi-segment lumbar spine constructs are markedly similar in FE loading.
      Differences in boundary conditions are likely the source of small and sometimes
      statistically significant differences between the two techniques in LB and AT
      ROM. The relative merits of each testing strategy with regard to the physiologic
      conditions that are to be simulated should be considered in the design of a study
      including LB and AT modes of loading. An understanding of these differences also
      serves as important information when comparing study results across different
      laboratories.

PMID- 26273551
TI  - Biomechanical Comparison of Robotically Applied Pure Moment, Ideal Follower Load,
      and Novel Trunk Weight Loading Protocols on L4-L5 Cadaveric Segments during
      Flexion-Extension.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Extremely few in-vitro biomechanical studies have incorporated shear
      loads leaving a gap for investigation, especially when applied in combination
      with compression and bending under dynamic conditions. The objective of this
      study was to biomechanically compare sagittal plane application of two standard
      protocols, pure moment (PM) and follower load (FL), with a novel trunk weight
      (TW) loading protocol designed to induce shear in combination with compression
      and dynamic bending in a neutrally potted human cadaveric L4-L5 motion segment
      unit (MSU) model. A secondary objective and novelty of the current study was the
      application of all three protocols within the same testing system serving to
      reduce artifacts due to testing system variability. METHODS: Six L4-L5 segments
      were tested in a Cartesian load controlled system in flexion-extension to 8Nm
      under PM, simulated ideal 400N FL, and vertically oriented 400N TW loading
      protocols. Comparison metrics used were rotational range of motion (RROM),
      flexibility, neutral zone (NZ) range of motion, and L4 vertebral body
      displacements. RESULTS: Significant differences in vertebral body translations
      were observed with different initial force applications but not with subsequent
      bending moment application. Significant reductions were observed in combined
      flexion-extension RROM, in flexibility during extension, and in NZ region
      flexibility with the TW loading protocol as compared to PM loading. Neutral zone
      ranges of motion were not different between all protocols. CONCLUSIONS: The
      combined compression and shear forces applied across the spinal joint in the
      trunk weight protocol may have a small but significantly increased stabilizing
      effect on segment flexibility and kinematics during sagittal plane flexion and
      extension.

PMID- 26273553
TI  - Fine grained osseointegrative coating improves biocompatibility of PEEK in
      heterotopic sheep model.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) materials already have been used
      successfully in orthopedic and especially spine surgery. PEEK is radiolucent and
      comparable with bone regarding elasticity. However, PEEK is inert and the
      adhesion of PEEK implants to bone tissue proceeds slowly because of their
      relatively low biocompatibility. The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect
      of titanium and CaP coating on the adhesion of bone tissue. MATERIAL AND METHODS:
      Six adult sheep (body weight 57.6 +/- 3.9 kg) were included in this study. Three
      different types of cylindrical dowels (12 mm length x 8 mm diameter) were
      implanted in long bones (tibia and femur): PEEK dowels without coating (the
      control group), and PEEK dowels with a nanocoating of calcium phosphate (CaP
      group) or titanium (titanium group). Animals were sacrificed after 6, 12 and 26
      weeks. Dowels were explanted for micro CT and histology. RESULTS: Bone implant
      contact (BIC) ratio was significantly higher in the titanium versus control
      groups in the 6 to 12 weeks period (p = 0.03). The ratio between bone volume and
      tissue volume (BV/TV) was significantly higher in titanium versus control in the
      6 to 12 weeks period (p = 0.02). A significant correlation between BIC and BV/TV
      was seen (r = 0.85, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Coating of PEEK dowels with a
      nanocoating of titanium has beneficial effects on adhesion of bone tissue.

PMID- 26273554
TI  - Measurement Performance of a Computer Assisted Vertebral Motion Analysis System.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Segmental instability of the lumbar spine is a significant cost
      within the US health care system; however current thresholds for indication of
      radiographic instability are not well defined. PURPOSE: To determine the
      performance measurements of sagittal lumbar intervertebral measurements using
      computerassisted measurements of the lumbar spine using motion sequences from a
      video-fluoroscopic technique. STUDY DESIGN: Sensitivity, specificity, predictive
      values, prevalence, and test-retest reliability evaluation of digitized manual
      versus computer-assisted measurements of the lumbar spine. PATIENT SAMPLE: A
      total of 2239 intervertebral levels from 509 symptomatic patients, and 287
      intervertebral levels from 73 asymptomatic participants were retrospectively
      evaluated. OUTCOME MEASURES: Specificity, sensitivity, negative predictive value
      (NPV), diagnostic accuracy, and prevalence between the two measurement
      techniques; Measurements of Coefficient of repeatability (CR), limits of
      agreement (LOA), intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC; type 3,1), and standard
      error of measurement for both measurement techniques. METHODS: Asymptomatic
      individuals and symptomatic patients were all evaluated using both the Vertebral
      Motion Analysis (VMA) system and fluoroscopic flexion extension static
      radiographs (FE). The analysis was compared to known thresholds of 15%
      intervertebral translation (IVT, equivalent to 5.3mm assuming a 35mm vertebral
      body depth) and 25 degrees  intervertebral rotation (IVR). RESULTS: The VMA
      measurements demonstrated greater specificity, % change in sensitivity, NPV,
      prevalence, and reliability compared with FE for radiographic evidence of
      instability. Specificity was 99.4% and 99.1% in the VMA compared to 98.3% and
      98.2% in the FE for IVR and IVT, respectively. Sensitivity in this study was
      41.2% and 44.6% greater in the VMA compared to the FE for IVR and IVT,
      respectively. NPV was 91% and 88% in the VMA compared to 62% and 66% in the FE
      for IVR and IVT, respectively. Prevalence was 12.3% and 11.9% for the VMA
      compared to 6.1% and 5.4% for the FE in IVR and IVT, respectively. Intra-observer
      IVR and IVT had a CR of 2.49 and 2.62, respectively. Inter-observer IVR and IVT
      had a CR of 1.99 and 2.81, respectively. Intra-subject (test/retest) CR were 2.49
      and 3.11 for IVR and IVT, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The VMA system showed
      greater measurement performance in the detection of radiographic instability
      compared with FE radiographs.

PMID- 26273552
TI  - Advanced Multi-Axis Spine Testing: Clinical Relevance and Research
      Recommendations.
AB  - Back pain and spinal degeneration affect a large proportion of the general
      population. The economic burden of spinal degeneration is significant, and the
      treatment of spinal degeneration represents a large proportion of healthcare
      costs. However, spinal surgery does not always provide improved clinical outcomes
      compared to non-surgical alternatives, and modern interventions, such as total
      disc replacement, may not offer clinically relevant improvements over more
      established procedures. Although psychological and socioeconomic factors play an
      important role in the development and response to back pain, the variation in
      clinical success is also related to the complexity of the spine, and the multi
      faceted manner by which spinal degeneration often occurs. The successful surgical
      treatment of degenerative spinal conditions requires collaboration between
      surgeons, engineers, and scientists in order to provide a multi-disciplinary
      approach to managing the complete condition. In this review, we provide relevant
      background from both the clinical and the basic research perspectives, which is
      synthesized into several examples and recommendations for consideration in
      increasing translational research between communities with the goal of providing
      improved knowledge and care. Current clinical imaging, and multi-axis testing
      machines, offer great promise for future research by combining invivo kinematics
      and loading with in-vitro testing in six degrees of freedom to offer more
      accurate predictions of the performance of new spinal instrumentation. Upon
      synthesis of the literature, it is recommended that in-vitro tests strive to
      recreate as many aspects of the in-vivo environment as possible, and that a
      physiological preload is a critical factor in assessing spinal biomechanics in
      the laboratory. A greater link between surgical procedures, and the outcomes in
      all three anatomical planes should be considered in both the in-vivo and in-vitro
      settings, to provide data relevant to quality of motion, and stability. 

PMID- 26273555
TI  - Development of a novel radiographic measure of lumbar instability and validation
      using the facet fluid sign.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lumbar spinal instability is frequently referenced in clinical
      practice and the scientific literature despite the lack of a standard definition
      or validated radiographic test. The Quantitative Stability Index (QSI) is being
      developed as a novel objective test for sagittal plane lumbar instability. The
      QSI is calculated using lumbar flexion-extension radiographs. The goal of the
      current study was to use the facet fluid sign on MRI as the "gold standard" and
      determine if the QSI is significantly different in the presence of the fluid
      sign. METHODS: Sixty-two paired preoperative MRI and flexion-extension exams were
      obtained from a large FDA IDE study. The MRI exams were assessed for the presence
      of a facet fluid sign, and the QSI was calculated from sagittal plane
      intervertebral rotation and translation measurements. The QSI is based on the
      translation per degree of rotation (TPDR) and is calculated as a Z-score. A QSI >
      2 indicates that the TPDR is > 2 std dev above the mean for an asymptomatic and
      radiographically normal population. The reproducibility of the QSI was also
      tested. RESULTS: The mean difference between trained observers in the measured
      QSI was between -0.28 and 0.36. The average QSI was significantly (P = 0.047, one
      way analysis of variance) higher at levels with a definite fluid sign (2.3+/-3.2
      versus 0.60+/-2.4). CONCLUSIONS: Although imperfect, the facet fluid sign
      observed may be the best currently available test for lumbar spine instability.
      Using the facet fluid sign as the "gold standard" the current study documents
      that the QSI can be expected to be significantly higher in the presence of the
      facet fluid sign. This supports that QSI might be used to test for sagittal plane
      lumbar instability. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A validated, objective and practical test
      for spinal instability would facilitate research to understand the importance of
      instability in diagnosis and treatment of low-back related disorders.

PMID- 26273556
TI  - Effect of TLIF Cage Placement on In Vivo Kinematics.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The influence of interbody cage positioning on clinical outcomes
      following lumbar interbody fusion is not well understood, though it has been
      hypothesized to play a significant role in stability of the treated level. The
      purpose of this study was to evaluate any correlations between cage placement in
      TLIF procedures and post-operative kinematics. METHODS: Thirteen patients who had
      previously undergone a TLIF procedure were evaluated using the Vertebral Motion
      Analysis (VMA) system, an automated fluoroscopic method of tracking kinematics in
      vivo. Upright and recumbent bending platforms were used to guide patients through
      a set range of motion (ROM) standing up and lying down, respectively, in both
      flexion-extension (FE) and lateral bending (LB). Intervertebral ROM was measured
      via fluoroscopic images captured sequentially throughout the movement. DICOM
      images acquired by the VMA system were used to calculate cage positioning. Intra
      rater and inter-rater reliability of TLIF cage position were also assessed.
      RESULTS: Statistically significant correlations were noted between sagittal cage
      position and lying LB (r = -0.583, p = 0.047), and coronal cage positioning with
      both standing (r = 0.672, p = 0.012) and lying LB (r = 0.632, p = 0.027).
      Additionally, the correlation between sagittal cage position and standing FE was
      trending towards significance (r = -0.542, p = 0.055). CONCLUSIONS: The intuitive
      correlation between coronal cage position and both standing and lying lateral
      bending ROM is supported by the data from this study, suggesting placement closer
      to midline is optimal for stability. Additionally, the VMA system appears to be a
      sensitive and repeatable means to obtain information on postoperative kinematic
      outcomes. Further work to establish the relationship between cage placement,
      these kinematic outcomes and, potentially, functional pain outcomes seems to be
      warranted based on the results obtained here.

PMID- 26273557
TI  - Early Radiographic and Clinical Outcomes Study Evaluating an Integrated Screw and
      Interbody Spacer for One- and Two-Level ACDF.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Multiple techniques and implants can be used in ACDF, the newest of
      which are integrated cage and screw constructs. These devices may be beneficial
      over anterior plate constructs due to a negligible anterior profile that may
      reduce dysphagia. The goal of this study is to review the early radiographical
      and clinical results associated with a low profile integrated intervertebral cage
      in one- and two-level anterior column fusions. METHODS: Fusion rates, incidence
      of hardware failure and deformity correction were assessed through 1 year.
      Patientreported scores, including VAS for neck pain, and improvements in axial
      neck pain and neurologic deficit from the preoperative baseline were quantified
      at 3, 6 and 12 months post-operatively. The incidence of dysphagia was recorded.
      RESULTS: Lordosis and disc space height at the operated levels increased an
      average of 4.5 degrees  and 3.3mm after device placement (p<0.001). Sagittal
      plane correction was maintained at 1 year. VAS improved from an average of 5.1
      preoperatively to 3.1 immediately postoperatively and was maintained at 12
      months. At 3 months, patient-reported improvements in axial neck pain and
      neurologic deficit were 85% and 93%, respectively. Reported improvements were
      sustained for both parameters at 12 months (77% and 86%, respectively). Fusion
      was noted in 93% of the operated levels. There were two documented cases of
      dysphagia that lasted more than 5 weeks, both following two level ACDFs with the
      test device (3.5% rate of chronic dysphagia). CONCLUSIONS: The low profile
      integrated device improved lordosis at the operated level that was maintained at
      1 year. Fusion rates with the new device are consistent with ACDF using anterior
      plating. In combination with improvements in pain and a minimal rate of
      dysphagia, study findings support the use of integrated interbody spacers for use
      in one- and two-level ACDF procedures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, Case Series.

PMID- 26273558
TI  - A systematic review of minimally invasive sacroiliac joint fusion utilizing a
      lateral transarticular technique.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A number of studies have been published regarding minimally invasive
      surgical (MIS) fusion of the sacroiliac (SI) joint using a lateral transarticular
      approach. Herein we report a systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize
      operative measures and clinical outcomes reported in published studies of MIS SI
      joint fusion. METHODS: The systematic review was done according to PRISMA
      standards. PubMed and EMBASE were searched using the terms sacroiliac joint AND
      fusion. Original peer-reviewed articles in the English language that reported
      clinical outcomes on at least 5 cases of MIS SI joint fusion using a lateral
      transarticular approach were included. Random effects meta-analysis (RMA) was
      performed on selected variables using the DerSimonian and Laird method, including
      operative measures, VAS SI joint pain ratings (0-10 scale) and Oswestry
      Disability Index (ODI). Mean and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated
      and heterogeneity was assessed. Other findings were summarized qualitatively.
      RESULTS: A total of 18 articles met the inclusion criteria. After accounting for
      overlapping cohorts, 12 unique cohorts from 4 countries were extracted for a
      total of 432 subjects. The RMA mean (range) was 59 minutes (27-78) for procedure
      time, 36.9cc (10-70) for estimated blood loss and 1.7 days (range 0-7) for length
      of stay (LOS). The RMA mean [95% CI] pain score dropped by 5.2 points at 6 months
      and 5.3 points at 12 months (baseline score of 8.1 [7.8-8.4], 12-month score of
      2.7 [2.1-3.3]), and a 24-month score of 2.0(1.4-2.5). ODI decreased by 31 points
      at 12 months (baseline score of 56.2 [51.0-61.5], 6-month score of 30.7 [21.8
      39.6], and 12-month score of 25.1 [12.3-37.9]). Some estimates showed significant
      variation across studies and between the types of implants used. Other reported
      outcomes were supportive of the positive effects of SI joint fusion. CONCLUSION:
      Published studies of MIS SI joint fusion using a lateral transarticular approach
      confirm its minimally invasive characteristics with minimal blood loss and short
      operating room times, and show consistent, rapid, sustained and clinically
      important improvements in patient reported SI joint pain, disability and quality
      of life scores.

PMID- 26273559
TI  - An HcpR paralog of Desulfovibrio gigas provides protection against nitrosative
      stress.
AB  - Desulfovibrio gigas belongs to the group of sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB).
      These ubiquitous and metabolically versatile microorganisms are often exposed to
      reactive nitrogen species (RNS). Nonetheless, the mechanisms and regulatory
      elements involved in nitrosative stress protection are still poorly understood.
      The transcription factor HcpR has emerged as a putative regulator of nitrosative
      stress response among anaerobic bacteria. HcpR is known to orchestrate the
      expression of the hybrid cluster protein gene, hcp, proposed to be involved in
      cellular defense against RNS. According to phylogenetic analyses, the occurrence
      of hcpR paralog genes is a common feature among several Desulfovibrio species.
      Within the D. gigas genome we have identified two HcpR-related sequences. One of
      these sequences, hcpR1, was found in the close vicinity of the hcp gene and this
      finding prompted us to proceed with its functional characterization. We observed
      that the growth of a D. gigas strain lacking hcpR1 is severely impaired under
      nitrosative stress. An in silico search revealed several putative targets of
      HcpR1 that were experimentally validated. The fact that HcpR1 regulates several
      genes encoding proteins involved in nitrite and nitrate metabolism, together with
      the sensitive growth phenotype to NO displayed by an hcpR1 mutant strain,
      strongly supports a relevant role of this factor under nitrosative stress.
      Moreover, the finding that several Desulfovibrio species possess HcpR paralogs,
      which have been transmitted vertically in the evolution and diversification of
      the genus, suggests that these sequences may confer adaptive or survival
      advantage to these organisms, possibly by increasing their tolerance to
      nitrosative stress. 

PMID- 26273560
TI  - Proteasome inhibitors prevent cell death and prolong survival of mice challenged
      by Shiga toxin.
AB  - Shiga toxin (Stx) causes fatal systemic complications. Stx induces apoptosis, but
      the mechanism of which is unclear. We report that Stx induced rapid reduction of
      short-lived anti-apoptotic proteins followed by activation of caspase 9 and the
      progression of apoptosis. Proteasome inhibitors prevented the reduction of anti
      apoptotic proteins, and inhibited caspase activation and apoptosis, suggesting
      that the reduction of anti-apoptotic proteins is a prerequisite for Stx-induced
      apoptosis. A clinically approved proteasome inhibitor, bortezomib, prolonged the
      survival of mice challenged by Stx. These results imply that proteasome
      inhibition may be a novel approach to prevent the fatal effects of Stx. 

PMID- 26273561
TI  - Plasma treatment of dentin surfaces for improving self-etching adhesive/dentin
      interface bonding.
AB  - This study is to evaluate plasma treatment effects on dentin surfaces for
      improving self-etching adhesive and dentin interface bonding. Extracted unerupted
      human third molars were used after crown removal to expose dentin. One half of
      each dentin surface was treated with atmospheric non-thermal argon plasmas, while
      another half was untreated and used as the same tooth control. Self-etching
      adhesive and universal resin composite was applied to the dentin surfaces as
      directed. After restoration, the adhesive-dentin bonding strength was evaluated
      by micro-tensile bonding strength (MUTBS) test. Bonding strength data was
      analyzed using histograms and Welch's t-test based on unequal variances. MUTBS
      test results showed that, with plasma treatment, the average MUTBS value
      increased to 69.7+/-11.5 MPa as compared with the 57.1+/-17.5 MPa obtained from
      the untreated controls. After 2 months immersion of the restored teeth in 37 
      degrees C phosphate buffered saline (PBS), the adhesive-dentin bonding strengths
      of the plasma-treated specimens slightly decreased from 69.7+/-11.5 MPa to 63.9+/
      14.4 MPa, while the strengths of the untreated specimens reduced from 57.1+/-17.5
      MPa to 48.9+/-14.6 MPa. Water contact angle measurement and scanning electron
      microscopy (SEM) examination verified that plasma treatment followed by water
      rewetting could partially open dentin tubules, which could enhance adhesive
      penetration to form thicker hybrid layer and longer resin tags and consequently
      improve the adhesive/dentin interface quality.

PMID- 26273562
TI  - Mutation rate estimation for 15 autosomal STR loci in a large population from
      Mainland China.
AB  - STR, short tandem repeats, are well known as a type of powerful genetic marker
      and widely used in studying human population genetics. Compared with the
      conventional genetic markers, the mutation rate of STR is higher. Additionally,
      the mutations of STR loci do not lead to genetic inconsistencies between the
      genotypes of parents and children; therefore, the analysis of STR mutation is
      more suited to assess the population mutation. In this study, we focused on 15
      autosomal STR loci. DNA samples from a total of 42,416 unrelated healthy
      individuals (19,037 trios) from the population of Mainland China collected
      between Jan 2012 and May 2014 were successfully investigated. In our study, the
      allele frequencies, paternal mutation rates, maternal mutation rates and average
      mutation rates were detected. Furthermore, we also investigated the relationship
      between paternal ages, maternal ages, area, the time of pregnancy and average
      mutation rate. We found that the paternal mutation rate was higher than the
      maternal mutation rate and the paternal, maternal, and average mutation rates had
      a positive correlation with paternal age, maternal age and the time of pregnancy
      respectively. Additionally, the average mutation rate of coastal areas was higher
      than that of inland areas. 

PMID- 26273563
TI  - Association analysis of polymorphism in thyroglobulin gene promoter with milk
      production traits in riverine buffalo (Bubalus bubalis).
AB  - Polymorphism within the promoter region of bovine thyroglobulin has been reported
      to be associated with milk and meat quality. In this study, we investigated the
      genetic variation within thyroglobulin promoter region of swamp and riverine
      buffaloes using PCR-SSCP technique and sequencing, and also analyzing association
      of polymorphism with the milk production traits. The study revealed four
      conformational patterns, A, B, C, and D among 323 buffaloes of two riverine
      breeds and different swamp populations. The frequency of SSCP variant 'A' was
      found to be invariably high among all buffalo populations. Variant 'C' was found
      to be absent in pure swamp population and present with higher frequency among
      riverine dairy breeds Mehsana and Nili Ravi. Frequency of D variant was observed
      to be highest in buffalo population, representing riverine and hybrid types.
      Sequencing of three representative PCR products of each of the SSCP variants,
      revealed three polymorphic sites responsible, 33C > T, 176G > T and 221C > T, in
      the buffalo TG promoter region. Further, association studies of SSCP variants
      with various milk production and milk quality traits indicated significant effect
      on fat percentage in buffaloes belonging to Mehsana and Nili Ravi dairy breeds.
      The preliminary results also showed the substantial variations in the
      distribution of SSCP variants' frequencies across swamp and riverine buffaloes,
      two distinct populations being reared for meat and milk production, respectively.

PMID- 26273565
TI  - The power and promise of applying genomics to honey bee health.
AB  - New genomic tools and resources are now being used to both understand honey bee
      health and develop tools to better manage it. Here, we describe the use of
      genomic approaches to identify and characterize bee parasites and pathogens,
      examine interactions among these parasites and pathogens, between them and their
      bee hosts, and to identify genetic markers for improved breeding of more
      resilient bee stocks. We also discuss several new genomic techniques that can be
      used to more efficiently study, monitor and improve bee health. In the case of
      using RNAi-based technologies to mitigate diseases in bee populations, we
      highlight advantages, disadvantages and strategies to reduce risk. The increased
      use of genomic analytical tools and manipulative technologies has already led to
      significant advances, and holds great promise for improvements in the health of
      honey bees and other critical pollinator species.

PMID- 26273566
TI  - Beneficial paracrine effects of adipocytes from obese rats on cultured
      endothelial cells.
AB  - The purpose was to test the hypothesis that adipocytes from obese rats would
      exert pro-atherogenic paracrine effects on cultured endothelial cells compared to
      adipocytes from lean rats, and that the adverse obesity-associated paracrine
      effects of adipocytes would be more pronounced in visceral than subcutaneous
      adipose tissue. Epididymal and subcutaneous adipose tissues were harvested from
      32-wk old obese Otsuka Long Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) and lean Long Evans
      Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) rats. Cultured rat aortic endothelial cells were treated
      for 24 hours with media conditioned with LETO subcutaneous adipocytes (LSA),
      OLETF subcutaneous adipocytes (OSA), LETO epididymal adipocytes (LEA), and OLETF
      epididymal adipocytes (OEA). The amounts of key adipokines secreted by ATs was
      measured in the supernatant fluid with ELISA and mRNA levels of a number of pro-
      and anti-atherogenic genes was assessed in treated endothelial cells via
      quantitative real-time PCR. Compared to adipocytes from other depots, secretion
      of leptin and TNFalpha was highest and vaspin secretion was lowest from OEA.
      However, endothelial cells treated with OEA conditioned media exhibited lower
      expression of several pro-atherogenic genes. These data suggest that adipocytes
      isolated from obese visceral adipose tissue secrete some as-yet unidentified
      factor(s) that confers a beneficial effect on transcription of pro- and anti
      atherogenic genes of endothelial cells.

PMID- 26273564
TI  - Antiviral Defense Mechanisms in Honey Bees.
AB  - Honey bees are significant pollinators of agricultural crops and other important
      plant species. High annual losses of honey bee colonies in North America and in
      some parts of Europe have profound ecological and economic implications. Colony
      losses have been attributed to multiple factors including RNA viruses, thus
      understanding bee antiviral defense mechanisms may result in the development of
      strategies that mitigate colony losses. Honey bee antiviral defense mechanisms
      include RNA-interference, pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP) triggered
      signal transduction cascades, and reactive oxygen species generation. However,
      the relative importance of these and other pathways is largely uncharacterized.
      Herein we review the current understanding of honey bee antiviral defense
      mechanisms and suggest important avenues for future investigation.

PMID- 26273567
TI  - Online prevention of postpartum depression for Spanish- and English-speaking
      pregnant women: A pilot randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a maternal mental health problem that
      affects women from all regions of the world. Unfortunately, even in developed
      countries, half of the cases go undetected and, consequently, untreated.
      Individuals from low and middle income countries trend toward underutilization of
      mental health services, partly due to the limited number of available
      psychological resources. The primary aims of this pilot randomized controlled
      trial were to adapt to the Internet the Mothers and Babies Course/Curso Mamas y
      Bebes, a prevention of PPD intervention, to describe the characteristics of the
      pregnant women who engaged in the intervention site, and to obtain preliminary
      data on the efficacy of the Internet intervention to reduce the risk of PPD.
      METHODS: Pregnant women, 18 years or older who were interested in using the site
      for themselves were recruited and randomly assigned to a fully-automated self
      help Internet intervention or to an information-only control condition.
      Randomized participants were invited to complete monthly depression assessments
      up to six months postpartum. To examine the prevention effects of the Internet
      intervention, pregnant women who did not meet current criteria for a major
      depressive episode, who engaged with the study website, and who provided
      depression data during the postpartum follow-up period were included in the study
      analyses. RESULTS: Participants were 111 predominantly Spanish-speaking (82.9%)
      and Latino/Hispanic (71.3%) pregnant women residing in 23 countries worldwide.
      The effect of the prevention intervention condition failed to reach significance
      at the a priori alpha-level. However, the observed coefficient trended in the
      hypothesized direction (b = -0.514, chi2 (1) = 3.43, p = .061; HR = 0.598). The
      benefits of receiving the e-MB Internet intervention was greater for pregnant
      women reporting high (vs. low) levels of prenatal depression symptoms (b = 
      0.605, chi2 (1) = 5.20, p =.023). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides preliminary
      evidence that Internet interventions are a promising method toward expanding the
      reach of psychological resources to perinatal women at-risk for PPD.

PMID- 26273568
TI  - INTERMITTENT DEGRADATION AND SCHIZOTYPY.
AB  - Intermittent degradation refers to transient detrimental disruptions in task
      performance. This phenomenon has been repeatedly observed in the performance data
      of patients with schizophrenia. Whether intermittent degradation is a feature of
      the liability for schizophrenia (i.e., schizotypy) is an open question. Further,
      the specificity of intermittent degradation to schizotypy has yet to be
      investigated. To address these questions, 92 undergraduate participants completed
      a battery of self-report questionnaires assessing schizotypy and psychological
      state variables (e.g., anxiety, depression), and their reaction times were
      recorded as they did so. Intermittent degradation was defined as the number of
      times a subject's reaction time for questionnaire items met or exceeded three
      standard deviations from his or her mean reaction time after controlling for each
      item's information processing load. Intermittent degradation scores were
      correlated with questionnaire scores. Our results indicate that intermittent
      degradation is associated with total scores on measures of positive and
      disorganized schizotypy, but unrelated to total scores on measures of negative
      schizotypy and psychological state variables. Intermittent degradation is
      interpreted as potentially derivative of schizotypy and a candidate
      endophenotypic marker worthy of continued research.

PMID- 26273569
TI  - Establishing Composite Cognitive Endpoints for Use in Preclinical Alzheimer's
      Disease Trials.

PMID- 26273570
TI  - Pneumococcal disease and use of pneumococcal vaccines in Taiwan.
AB  - The use of pneumococcal vaccine plays an important role for prevention of
      invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). However, introducing the pneumococcal
      vaccine into the national immunization program (NIP) is complex and costly. The
      strategy of progressively integrating the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV)
      into the NIP in Taiwan provides valuable experience for policy makers. The 7
      valent PCV (PCV7) was first available in Taiwan in late 2005. PCV7 was first
      provided free to children with underlying diseases, those in vulnerable
      socioeconomic status, and those with inadequate health care resources. The catch
      up immunization program with the 13-valent PCV was launched in 2013 and the
      national pneumococcal immunization program was implemented in 2015. Children aged
      2-5 years had the highest incidence of IPD among pediatric population in Taiwan.
      Although the incidence of IPD caused by PCV7 serotypes has declined, the overall
      incidence of IPD remained high in the context of PCV7 use in the private sector.
      A surge of IPD caused by serotype 19A occurred, accounting for 53.6% of IPD cases
      among children aged <= 5 years in 2011-2012. After the implementation of the
      national pneumococcal immunization program, serogroup 15 has become the leading
      serogroup for IPD in children. Continued surveillance is necessary to monitor the
      serotype epidemiology in Taiwan. 

PMID- 26273571
TI  - The present and future of veterinary vaccines for Japanese encephalitis in Korea.
AB  - Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a mosquito-borne zoonotic disease that affects
      approximately 50,000 people annually in Asia, causing 10,000 deaths. Considering
      the role of pigs as the virus-amplifying host and the economic loss in the swine
      industry, JE is an important disease for both public and animal health. A
      nationwide JE virus (JEV) vaccination program has been conducted annually for
      more than 30 years to prevent severe reproductive disorders in the Korean sow
      population. Remarkable progress in molecular biology has made it possible to
      analyze the genome of the vaccine strain at the nucleotide and amino acid levels.
      However, the scientific record of the current JEV veterinary vaccine has not been
      reported. Therefore, this article outlines the current JEV vaccine strain used in
      animals and discusses future directions for developing new veterinary JEV
      vaccines. 

PMID- 26273572
TI  - Safety of influenza vaccination in children with allergic diseases.
AB  - Global guidelines strongly recommend annual influenza vaccination in people age 6
      months and older, particularly in asthmatic children. There is no doubt about the
      benefit of influenza vaccination in asthmatic children. However, some of the
      vaccine's components may elicit an IgE mediated hypersensitivity or disease
      exacerbation, including life-threatening events, in children with allergic
      diseases. As a result, concerns regarding the safety of the vaccine still
      continue today. The influenza vaccine is grown on hens' eggs and contains a trace
      of egg protein. Consequently, it can provoke an allergic reaction or anaphylaxis
      in children with an egg allergy or exacerbation in those with asthma. Therefore,
      we need to know the risks and benefits of the influenza vaccine and the best
      strategy for safe vaccination. Although most guidelines have consistently
      reported the safety of influenza vaccination in children with allergic disease,
      and have recommended annual administration, safety concerns impede guideline
      based performance in practice. The safety and efficacy of influenza vaccination
      for allergic children are summarized in the present review. 

PMID- 26273574
TI  - Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus vaccine does not fit in
      classical vaccinology.
AB  - All vaccines are developed to elicit an effective immune response in vaccinated
      animals such as innate, humoral and cell mediated response to protect animal
      health. Quality and intensity of the immune responses are differing by
      characteristics of the vaccine formulation and nature of the infectious agent.
      Modified live virus vaccines showed advantages over killed vaccines in terms of
      rapid immune response, duration of the immunity and better cell mediated
      protection mechanism. The porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus
      (PRRSV) is relatively newly emerging (1986 in United States, 1990 in Europe)
      viral pathogen in pigs and tremendous effort has been made to protect pigs from
      this economically devastating disease such as developing killed, modified live,
      recombinant protein based and DNA vaccines. However, only cell culture attenuated
      virus vaccine is practiced with arguably limited efficacy. The PRRSV vaccine did
      not clear virus from infected pigs nor prevent re-infection of the virus. The
      vaccine showed very limited innate immune response, low anamnestic immune
      response and negligible cell mediated immune response. Despite of the current
      developed scientific technology, there still remain many questions to solve a
      most important pig disease worldwide. 

PMID- 26273573
TI  - Application of radiation technology in vaccines development.
AB  - One of the earliest methods used in the manufacture of stable and safe vaccines
      is the use of chemical and physical treatments to produce inactivated forms of
      pathogens. Although these types of vaccines have been successful in eliciting
      specific humoral immune responses to pathogen-associated immunogens, there is a
      large demand for the development of fast, safe, and effective vaccine
      manufacturing strategies. Radiation sterilization has been used to develop a
      variety of vaccine types, because it can eradicate chemical contaminants and
      penetrate pathogens to destroy nucleic acids without damaging the pathogen
      surface antigens. Nevertheless, irradiated vaccines have not widely been used at
      an industrial level because of difficulties obtaining the necessary equipment.
      Recent successful clinical trials of irradiated vaccines against pathogens and
      tumors have led to a reevaluation of radiation technology as an alternative
      method to produce vaccines. In the present article, we review the challenges
      associated with creating irradiated vaccines and discuss potential strategies for
      developing vaccines using radiation technology. 

PMID- 26273575
TI  - Porcine epidemic diarrhea: a review of current epidemiology and available
      vaccines.
AB  - Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), an Alphacoronavirus in the family
      Coronaviridae, causes acute diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, and high mortality
      rates in neonatal piglets. PEDV can also cause diarrhea, agalactia, and abnormal
      reproductive cycles in pregnant sows. Although PEDV was first identified in
      Europe, it has resulted in significant economic losses in many Asian swine
      raising countries, including Korea, China, Japan, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
      However, from April 2013 to the present, major outbreaks of PEDV have been
      reported in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Moreover, intercontinental
      transmission of PEDV has increased mortality rates in seronegative neonatal
      piglets, resulting in 10% loss of the US pig population. The emergence and re
      emergence of PEDV indicates that the virus is able to evade current vaccine
      strategies. Continuous emergence of multiple mutant strains from several regions
      has aggravated porcine epidemic diarrhea endemic conditions and highlighted the
      need for new vaccines based on the current circulating PEDV. Epidemic PEDV
      strains tend to be more pathogenic and cause increased death in pigs, thereby
      causing substantial financial losses for swine producers. In this review, we
      described the epidemiology of PEDV in several countries and present molecular
      characterization of current strains. We also discuss PEDV vaccines and related
      issues. 

PMID- 26273576
TI  - Production of specific IgY Helicobacter pylori recombinant OipA protein and
      assessment of its inhibitory effects towards attachment of H. pylori to AGS cell
      line.
AB  - PURPOSE: The common triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori is challenged by the
      increasing cases of antibiotic resistant infections, raising the need to explore
      alternative therapies. Oral administration of egg yolk immunoglobulin Y (IgY) has
      been previously reported as a means of passive immunization therapy for H. pylori
      infections. In this work, we investigated the inhibitory effect of IgY on the
      attachment of H. pylori to AGS cell line. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Recombinant OipA
      was prepared. Hens were immunized with recombinant protein three times. IgY was
      purified from egg yolks of immunized hens using polyethylene glycol precipitation
      method. The inhibitory effect of the specific immunoglobulin was evaluated in AGS
      cell line infected with H. pylori. RESULTS: The presence of recombinant OipA (30
      kD) was confirmed via sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis
      (SDS-PAGE). Immunization of hens was confirmed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent
      assay. The purified IgY from egg yolks were assessed using SDS-PAGE and confirmed
      by western blot. CONCLUSION: The results showed that IgY-OipA had inhibitory
      effect on attachment of H. pylori to AGS cell line and may be utilized as a
      therapeutic or prophylaxis material.

PMID- 26273577
TI  - Immunity to tetanus in major beta thalassemia patients.
AB  - PURPOSE: Patients with beta thalassemia major are at increased risk for bacterial
      infections specially splenectomized patients. The aim of this study was to
      determine the anti-tetanus antibody concentration among patients with beta
      thalassemia major. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The anti-tetanus antibody concentration
      was investigated in 224 patients with thalassemia major and 224 healthy subjects
      matched for age and gender. Tetanus antibody and ferritin serum level were
      determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method using commercial kits.
      Subjects who had antibody level >= 0.1 IU/mL was defined as complete protection,
      0.01 to < 0.1 IU/mL as partial protection and < 0.01 IU/mL as no protection. For
      the analysis, we used SPSS version 11.5 software. A two-sided p-value less 0.05
      was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: In patients with beta
      thalassemia major, antibody level against tetanus was inversely dependent about
      29.3% to serum ferritin level. Thus, when serum ferritin increased 1 ng/mL, serum
      antibody against tetanus decreased 0.002 IU/mL. Mean anti-tetanus (IgG) antibody
      titers was lower in thalassemia patients compared to healthy subjects (1.53 +/-
      1.71 vs. 2.02 +/- 2.05, p = 0.007) that was no significantly associated to age
      and gender in both study groups. All of participants had serum antibody level
      0.01 IU/mL or greater. The complete protective level of anti-tetanus antibody was
      lower in thalassemia subjects in compare to healthy persons (71% vs. 87.9%, p <
      0.001). CONCLUSION: Patients with thalassemia had lower anti-tetanus antibody
      level than healthy subjects. Thus the vaccine recommendation seems essential for
      patients with beta thalassemia major.

PMID- 26273578
TI  - Application of recombinant adenoviruses expressing glycoprotein or nucleoprotein
      of rabies virus to Korean raccoon dogs.
AB  - PURPOSE: A new rabies vaccine for animals, including raccoon dogs, in Korea is
      needed to eradicate rabies infection. In this study, we constructed two
      recombinant adenoviruses expressing the glycoprotein or nucleoprotein of the
      rabies virus (RABV). We then investigated the safety and immunogenicity of these
      strains in raccoon dogs, depending on inoculation route. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Recombinant adenoviruses expressing the glycoprotein (Ad-0910G) or nucleoprotein
      (Ad-0910N) of rabies were constructed in 293A cells using an adenoviral system.
      One-year-old raccoon dogs underwent intramuscular (IM) inoculation or oral
      administration of the recombinant Ad-0910G and Ad-0910N. Clinical symptoms were
      observed and virus-neutralizing antibodies (VNA) against RABV were measured at 0,
      2, 4, and 6 weeks after the immunization. Raccoons were considered positive if
      VNA titers were >= 0.1 IU/mL. RESULTS: Raccoon dogs inoculated with the combined
      Ad-0910G and Ad-0910N virus via the IM route did not exhibit any clinical sign of
      rabies during the observation period. All raccoon dogs (n = 7) immunized IM had
      high VNA titers, ranging from 0.17 to 41.6 IU/mL at 2 weeks after inoculation,
      but 70% (7/10) of raccoon dogs administered viruses via the oral route responded
      by 6 weeks after administration against RABV. CONCLUSION: Raccoon dogs inoculated
      with Ad-0910G and Ad-0910N viruses showed no adverse effects. Immunization with
      the combined Ad-0910G and Ad-0910N strains may play an important role in inducing
      VNA against RABV in raccoon dogs.

PMID- 26273579
TI  - Adverse reactions to Mycobacterium bovis bacille Calmette-Guerin vaccination
      against tuberculosis in Iranian children.
AB  - PURPOSE: There are considerable variations in the number of adverse reaction
      reports related to vaccine from different countries. The aim of this study was to
      review the development of adverse reactions to bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG)
      vaccination among hospitalized patients in an Iranian referral hospital.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified hospitalized patients with BCG complications
      in Pediatric Infectious Disease Research Center, Tehran University of Medical
      Sciences, Tehran, Iran during January 2007-April 2009. Data on demographics,
      clinical features, laboratory findings, personal history (including vaccination
      history), family history, and outcomes were retrieved from medical records.
      RESULTS: There were 46 cases with BCG complication during the 2 years period. All
      of the children received vaccination at birth. Twenty-eight patients (61%) were
      male. The mean age of the patients was 13.5 +/-11.3 months (range, 1 to 52
      months; median, 10 months). The majority of children (57%) with BCG complication
      were less than 1 year old. Among hospitalized patients due to BCG complications,
      suppurative lymphadenitis was occurred in 28 children (61%) and lymphadenopathy
      was seen in 9 children (20%). Disseminated BCG was detected in 8 patients (17%)
      and only 1 child (2%) was presented with abscess. In 7% (n = 3) of children, the
      family history of BCG complications were positive. CONCLUSION: The most common
      side effect of the BCG vaccine in our study was suppurative lymphadenitis.
      Disseminated BCG infection in complications leading to hospitalization in our
      study was 17%. With regard to the difficulty in implementing such a guideline in
      settings where BCG is given to all newborns, registration of Iranian primary
      immunodeficiency disorders (PID) patients would be helpful to increase the
      awareness of medical community of Iran to investigate underlying disease. In
      addition, BCG vaccination should postpone in each newborn with a family history
      of PID until the definite condition has been ruled out.

PMID- 26273580
TI  - Suggested guidelines for vaccination of cattle in Korea.
AB  - There is no published vaccination guideline to cattle even though each vaccine
      company suggested the program based on their products. Also, most of veterinary
      vaccines are multivalent. Therefore, it is very difficult to standardize the
      program. Now, we are suggesting the general vaccine programs based current
      situations in cattle industry in Korea. 

PMID- 26273581
TI  - Nonlocal Electrostatics in Spherical Geometries Using Eigenfunction Expansions of
      Boundary-Integral Operators.
AB  - In this paper, we present an exact, infinite-series solution to Lorentz nonlocal
      continuum electrostatics for an arbitrary charge distribution in a spherical
      solute. Our approach relies on two key steps: (1) re-formulating the PDE problem
      using boundary-integral equations, and (2) diagonalizing the boundary-integral
      operators using the fact that their eigenfunctions are the surface spherical
      harmonics. To introduce this uncommon approach for calculations in separable
      geometries, we first re-derive Kirkwood's classic results for a protein
      surrounded concentrically by a pure-water ion-exclusion (Stern) layer and then a
      dilute electrolyte, which is modeled with the linearized Poisson-Boltzmann
      equation. The eigenfunction-expansion approach provides a computationally
      efficient way to test some implications of nonlocal models, including estimating
      the reasonable range of the nonlocal length-scale parameter lambda. Our results
      suggest that nonlocal solvent response may help to reduce the need for very high
      dielectric constants in calculating pH-dependent protein behavior, though more
      sophisticated nonlocal models are needed to resolve this question in full. An
      open-source MATLAB implementation of our approach is freely available online.

PMID- 26273582
TI  - Comment on "Some Aspects of Nonbeverage Alcohol Consumption in the Former Soviet
      Union".

PMID- 26273583
TI  - Does Diacylglycerol Accumulation in Fatty Liver Disease Cause Hepatic Insulin
      Resistance?
AB  - Numerous studies conducted on obese humans and various rodent models of obesity
      have identified a correlation between hepatic lipid content and the development
      of insulin resistance in liver and other tissues. Despite a large body of the
      literature on this topic, the cause and effect relationship between hepatic
      steatosis and insulin resistance remains controversial. If, as many believe,
      lipid aggregation in liver drives insulin resistance and other metabolic
      abnormalities, there are significant unanswered questions as to which lipid
      mediators are causative in this cascade. Several published papers have now
      correlated levels of diacylglycerol (DAG), the penultimate intermediate in
      triglyceride synthesis, with development of insulin resistance and have
      postulated that this occurs via activation of protein kinase C signaling.
      Although many studies have confirmed this relationship, many others have reported
      a disconnect between DAG content and insulin resistance. It has been postulated
      that differences in methods for DAG measurement, DAG compartmentalization within
      the cell, or fatty acid composition of the DAG may explain these discrepancies.
      The purpose of this review is to compare and contrast some of the relevant
      findings in this area and to discuss a number of unanswered questions regarding
      the relationship between DAG and insulin resistance. 

PMID- 26273584
TI  - Differences in Velopharyngeal Structure during Speech among Asians Revealed by 3
      Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging Movie Mode.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Different bony structures can affect the function of the
      velopharyngeal muscles. Asian populations differ morphologically, including the
      morphologies of their bony structures. The purpose of this study was to compare
      the velopharyngeal structures during speech in two Asian populations: Japanese
      and Thai. METHODS: Ten healthy Japanese and Thai females (five each) were
      evaluated with a 3-Tesla (3 T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner while
      they produced vowel-consonant-vowel syllable (/asa/). A gradient-echo sequence,
      fast low-angle shot with segmented cine and parallel imaging technique was used
      to obtain sagittal images of the velopharyngeal structures. RESULTS: MRI was
      carried out in real time during speech production, allowing investigations of the
      time-to-time changes in the velopharyngeal structures. Thai subjects had a
      significantly longer hard palate and produced shorter consonant than Japanese
      subjects. The velum of the Thai participants showed significant thickening during
      consonant production and their retroglossal space was significantly wider at
      rest, whereas the dimensional change during task performance was similar in the
      two populations. CONCLUSIONS: The 3 T MRI movie method can be used to investigate
      velopharyngeal function and diagnose velopharyngeal insufficiency. The racial
      differences may include differences in skeletal patterns and soft-tissue
      morphology that result in functional differences for the affected structures.

PMID- 26273585
TI  - Tobacco Usage in Uttarakhand: A Dangerous Combination of High Prevalence,
      Widespread Ignorance, and Resistance to Quitting.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nearly one-third of adults in India use tobacco, resulting in 1.2
      million deaths. However, little is known about knowledge, attitudes, and
      practices (KAP) related to smoking in the impoverished state of Uttarakhand.
      METHODS: A cross-sectional epidemiological prevalence survey was undertaken.
      Multistage cluster sampling selected 20 villages and 50 households to survey from
      which 1853 people were interviewed. Tobacco prevalence and KAP were analyzed by
      income level, occupation, age, and sex. 95% confidence intervals were calculated
      using standard formulas and incorporating assumptions in relation to the
      clustering effect. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of tobacco usage, defined
      using WHO criteria, was 38.9%. 93% of smokers and 86% of tobacco chewers were
      male. Prevalence of tobacco use, controlling for other factors, was associated
      with lower education, older age, and male sex. 97.6% of users and 98.1% of
      nonusers wanted less tobacco. Except for lung cancer (89% awareness), awareness
      of diseases caused by tobacco usage was low (cardiac: 67%; infertility: 32.5%;
      stroke: 40.5%). CONCLUSION: A dangerous combination of high tobacco usage
      prevalence, ignorance about its dangers, and few quit attempts being made
      suggests the need to develop effective and evidence based interventions to
      prevent a health and development disaster in Uttarakhand.

PMID- 26273586
TI  - The Current and Future Use of Ridge Regression for Prediction in Quantitative
      Genetics.
AB  - In recent years, there has been a considerable amount of research on the use of
      regularization methods for inference and prediction in quantitative genetics.
      Such research mostly focuses on selection of markers and shrinkage of their
      effects. In this review paper, the use of ridge regression for prediction in
      quantitative genetics using single-nucleotide polymorphism data is discussed. In
      particular, we consider (i) the theoretical foundations of ridge regression, (ii)
      its link to commonly used methods in animal breeding, (iii) the computational
      feasibility, and (iv) the scope for constructing prediction models with nonlinear
      effects (e.g., dominance and epistasis). Based on a simulation study we gauge the
      current and future potential of ridge regression for prediction of human traits
      using genome-wide SNP data. We conclude that, for outcomes with a relatively
      simple genetic architecture, given current sample sizes in most cohorts (i.e., N
      < 10,000) the predictive accuracy of ridge regression is slightly higher than the
      classical genome-wide association study approach of repeated simple regression
      (i.e., one regression per SNP). However, both capture only a small proportion of
      the heritability. Nevertheless, we find evidence that for large-scale
      initiatives, such as biobanks, sample sizes can be achieved where ridge
      regression compared to the classical approach improves predictive accuracy
      substantially. 

PMID- 26273587
TI  - An Association Rule Mining Approach to Discover lncRNAs Expression Patterns in
      Cancer Datasets.
AB  - In the past few years, the role of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in tumor
      development and progression has been disclosed although their mechanisms of
      action remain to be elucidated. An important contribution to the comprehension of
      lncRNAs biology in cancer could be obtained through the integrated analysis of
      multiple expression datasets. However, the growing availability of public
      datasets requires new data mining techniques to integrate and describe
      relationship among data. In this perspective, we explored the powerness of the
      Association Rule Mining (ARM) approach in gene expression data analysis. By the
      ARM method, we performed a meta-analysis of cancer-related microarray data which
      allowed us to identify and characterize a set of ten lncRNAs simultaneously
      altered in different brain tumor datasets. The expression profiles of the ten
      lncRNAs appeared to be sufficient to distinguish between cancer and normal
      tissues. A further characterization of this lncRNAs signature through a
      comodulation expression analysis suggested that biological processes specific of
      the nervous system could be compromised. 

PMID- 26273589
TI  - Histological and Histomorphometric Human Results of HA-Beta-TCP 30/70 Compared to
      Three Different Biomaterials in Maxillary Sinus Augmentation at 6 Months: A
      Preliminary Report.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this investigation was to examine the bone regenerative
      potential of newly biphasic calcium phosphate ceramics (HA-beta-TCP 30/70), by
      assessing histological and histomorphometric results of human specimens retrieved
      from sinuses augmented with HA-beta-TCP 30/70, and comparing them to anorganic
      bovine bone (ABB), mineralized solvent-dehydrated bone allograft (MSDBA), and
      equine bone (EB), after a healing period of 6 months. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four
      consecutive patients with edentulous atrophic posterior maxilla were included in
      this report. A two-stage procedure was carried out for sinus augmentation with HA
      beta-TCP 30/70, ABB, MSDBA, and EB. After 6 months, specimens were retrieved at
      the time of implant placement and processed for histological and
      histomorphometric analyses. RESULTS: At histological examination, all
      biomaterials were in close contact with the newly formed bone and showed the same
      pattern of bone formation; the grafted granules were surrounded by a bridge-like
      network of newly formed bone. A limited number of ABB particles were partially
      covered by connective tissue. The histomorphometric analysis revealed 30.2% newly
      formed bone for Ha-beta-TCP 30/70, 20.1% for ABB, 16.4% for MSDBA, and 21.9% for
      EB. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of the present investigation, these
      results support the successful use of HA-beta-TCP 30/70 for sinus augmentation.

PMID- 26273588
TI  - Splicing Regulators and Their Roles in Cancer Biology and Therapy.
AB  - Alternative splicing allows cells to expand the encoding potential of their
      genomes. In this elegant mechanism, a single gene can yield protein isoforms with
      even antagonistic functions depending on the cellular physiological context.
      Alterations in splicing regulatory factors activity in cancer cells, however, can
      generate an abnormal protein expression pattern that promotes growth, survival,
      and other processes, which are relevant to tumor biology. In this review, we
      discuss dysregulated alternative splicing events and regulatory factors that
      impact pathways related to cancer. The SR proteins and their regulatory kinases
      SRPKs and CLKs have been frequently found altered in tumors and are examined in
      more detail. Finally, perspectives that support splicing machinery as target for
      the development of novel anticancer therapies are discussed. 

PMID- 26273590
TI  - Oral Streptococci Biofilm Formation on Different Implant Surface Topographies.
AB  - The establishment of the subgingival microbiota is dependent on successive
      colonization of the implant surface by bacterial species. Different implant
      surface topographies could influence the bacterial adsorption and therefore
      jeopardize the implant survival. This study evaluated the biofilm formation
      capacity of five oral streptococci species on two titanium surface topographies.
      In vitro biofilm formation was induced on 30 titanium discs divided in two
      groups: sandblasted acid-etched (SAE- n = 15) and as-machined (M- n = 15)
      surface. The specimens were immersed in sterilized whole human unstimulated
      saliva and then in fresh bacterial culture with five oral streptococci species:
      Streptococcus sanguinis, Streptococcus salivarius, Streptococcus mutans,
      Streptococcus sobrinus, and Streptococcus cricetus. The specimens were fixed and
      stained and the adsorbed dye was measured. Surface characterization was performed
      by atomic force and scanning electron microscopy. Surface and microbiologic data
      were analyzed by Student's t-test and two-way ANOVA, respectively (P < 0.05). S.
      cricetus, S. mutans, and S. sobrinus exhibited higher biofilm formation and no
      differences were observed between surfaces analyzed within each species (P >
      0.05). S. sanguinis exhibited similar behavior to form biofilm on both implant
      surface topographies, while S. salivarius showed the lowest ability to form
      biofilm. It was concluded that biofilm formation on titanium surfaces depends on
      surface topography and species involved. 

PMID- 26273592
TI  - Isolation and Characterization of Phages Infecting Bacillus subtilis.
AB  - Bacteriophages have been suggested as an alternative approach to reduce the
      amount of pathogens in various applications. Bacteriophages of various
      specificity and virulence were isolated as a means of controlling food-borne
      pathogens. We studied the interaction of bacteriophages with Bacillus species,
      which are very often persistent in industrial applications such as food
      production due to their antibiotic resistance and spore formation. A comparative
      study using electron microscopy, PFGE, and SDS-PAGE as well as determination of
      host range, pH and temperature resistance, adsorption rate, latent time, and
      phage burst size was performed on three phages of the Myoviridae family and one
      phage of the Siphoviridae family which infected Bacillus subtilis strains. The
      phages are morphologically different and characterized by icosahedral heads and
      contractile (SIOPhi, SUBomega, and SPOsigma phages) or noncontractile (ARpi
      phage) tails. The genomes of SIOPhi and SUBomega are composed of 154 kb. The
      capsid of SIOPhi is composed of four proteins. Bacteriophages SPOsigma and ARpi
      have genome sizes of 25 kbp and 40 kbp, respectively. Both phages as well as
      SUBomega phage have 14 proteins in their capsids. Phages SIOPhi and SPOsigma are
      resistant to high temperatures and to the acid (4.0) and alkaline (9.0 and 10.0)
      pH.

PMID- 26273591
TI  - Drug Induced Steatohepatitis: An Uncommon Culprit of a Common Disease.
AB  - Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a leading cause of liver disease in
      developed countries. Its frequency is increasing in the general population mostly
      due to the widespread occurrence of obesity and the metabolic syndrome. Although
      drugs and dietary supplements are viewed as a major cause of acute liver injury,
      drug induced steatosis and steatohepatitis are considered a rare form of drug
      induced liver injury (DILI). The complex mechanism leading to hepatic steatosis
      caused by commonly used drugs such as amiodarone, methotrexate, tamoxifen,
      valproic acid, glucocorticoids, and others is not fully understood. It relates
      not only to induction of the metabolic syndrome by some drugs but also to their
      impact on important molecular pathways including increased hepatocytes
      lipogenesis, decreased secretion of fatty acids, and interruption of
      mitochondrial beta-oxidation as well as altered expression of genes responsible
      for drug metabolism. Better familiarity with this type of liver injury is
      important for early recognition of drug hepatotoxicity and crucial for preventing
      severe forms of liver injury and cirrhosis. Moreover, understanding the
      mechanisms leading to drug induced hepatic steatosis may provide much needed
      clues to the mechanism and potential prevention of the more common form of
      metabolic steatohepatitis. 

PMID- 26273593
TI  - Clinical Outcomes of Primary Palatal Surgery in Children with Nonsyndromic Cleft
      Palate with and without Lip.
AB  - This study presents clinical outcomes of primary cleft palate surgery, including
      rate of oronasal fistula development, rate of velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI)
      requiring secondary surgery, and speech outcomes. We examined the effect of cleft
      type on the clinical outcomes. Retrospective analysis was performed using
      clinical records of all patients who received a primary palatoplasty at the Cleft
      Palate Clinic at Seoul Asan Medical Center, South Korea, between 2007 and 2012.
      The study included 292 patients with nonsyndromic overt cleft palate (+/- cleft
      lip). The results revealed that the rate of oronasal fistula was 7.9% and the
      incidence of VPI based on the rate of secondary palatal surgery was 19.2%. The
      results showed that 50.3% of all the patients had received speech therapy and
      28.8% and 51.4% demonstrated significant hypernasality and articulatory deficits,
      respectively. The results of the rate of VPI and speech outcomes were
      significantly different in terms of cleft type. Except for the rate of oronasal
      fistula, patients with cleft palate generally exhibited better clinical outcomes
      compared to those with bilateral or unilateral cleft lip and palate. This study
      suggests that several factors, including cleft type, should be identified and
      comprehensively considered to establish an optimal treatment regimen for patients
      with cleft palate.

PMID- 26273594
TI  - Bacterial Diversity Associated with the Coccolithophorid Algae Emiliania huxleyi
      and Coccolithus pelagicus f. braarudii.
AB  - Coccolithophores are unicellular calcifying marine phytoplankton that can form
      large and conspicuous blooms in the oceans and make significant contributions to
      oceanic carbon cycling and atmospheric CO2 regulation. Despite their importance,
      the bacterial diversity associated with these algae has not been explored for
      ecological or biotechnological reasons. Bacterial membership of Emiliania huxleyi
      and Coccolithus pelagicus f. braarudii cultures was assessed using cultivation
      and cultivation-independent methods. The communities were species rich compared
      to other phytoplankton cultures. Community analysis identified specific taxa
      which cooccur in all cultures (Marinobacter and Marivita). Hydrocarbon-degrading
      bacteria were found in all cultures. The presence of Acidobacteria,
      Acidimicrobidae, Schlegelella, and Thermomonas was unprecedented but were
      potentially explained by calcification associated with coccolith production. One
      strain of Acidobacteria was cultivated and is closely related to a marine
      Acidobacteria isolated from a sponge. From this assessment of the bacterial
      diversity of coccolithophores, a number of biotechnological opportunities are
      evident, from bioprospecting for novel taxa such as Acidobacteria to helping
      understand the relationship between obligate hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria
      occurrence with phytoplankton and to revealing bacterial taxa that have a
      specific association with algae and may be suitable candidates as a means to
      improve the efficiency of mass algal cultivation. 

PMID- 26273596
TI  - Network Comparison of Inflammation in Colorectal Cancer and Alzheimer's Disease.
AB  - Recently, a large clinical study revealed an inverse correlation of individual
      risk of cancer versus Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, no explanation exists
      for this anticorrelation at the molecular level; however, inflammation is crucial
      to the pathogenesis of both diseases, necessitating a need to understand
      differing signaling usage during inflammatory responses distinct to both
      diseases. Using a subpathway analysis approach, we identified numerous well-known
      and previously unknown pathways enriched in datasets from both diseases. Here, we
      present the quantitative importance of the inflammatory response in the two
      disease pathologies and summarize signal transduction pathways common to both
      diseases that are affected by inflammation. 

PMID- 26273595
TI  - Current Controversies in Diagnosis and Management of Cleft Palate and
      Velopharyngeal Insufficiency.
AB  - BACKGROUND: One of the most controversial topics concerning cleft palate is the
      diagnosis and treatment of velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI). OBJECTIVE: This
      paper reviews current genetic aspects of cleft palate, imaging diagnosis of VPI,
      the planning of operations for restoring velopharyngeal function during speech,
      and strategies for speech pathology treatment of articulation disorders in
      patients with cleft palate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An updated review of the
      scientific literature concerning genetic aspects of cleft palate was carried out.
      Current strategies for assessing and treating articulation disorders associated
      with cleft palate were analyzed. Imaging procedures for assessing velopharyngeal
      closure during speech were reviewed, including a recent method for performing
      intraoperative videonasopharyngoscopy. RESULTS: Conclusions from the analysis of
      genetic aspects of syndromic and nonsyndromic cleft palate and their use in its
      diagnosis and management are presented. Strategies for classifying and treating
      articulation disorders in patients with cleft palate are presented. Preliminary
      results of the use of multiplanar videofluoroscopy as an outpatient procedure and
      intraoperative endoscopy for the planning of operations which aimed to correct
      VPI are presented. CONCLUSION: This paper presents current aspects of the
      diagnosis and management of patients with cleft palate and VPI including 3 main
      aspects: genetics and genomics, speech pathology and imaging diagnosis, and
      surgical management.

PMID- 26273597
TI  - New Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine Strategies in Periodontology, Oral
      Surgery, Esthetic and Implant Dentistry.

PMID- 26273598
TI  - Association of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease with Subclinical Cardiovascular
      Changes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
AB  - In the last 20 years, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the
      leading cause of chronic liver disease worldwide, primarily as a result of the
      epidemic of obesity. NAFLD is strongly associated with insulin resistance,
      glucose intolerance, and dyslipidemia and is currently regarded as the liver
      manifestation of the metabolic syndrome, a highly atherogenic condition even at a
      very early age. Patients with NAFLD including pediatric subjects have a higher
      prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis, as shown by impaired flow-mediated
      vasodilation, increased carotid artery intima-media thickness, and arterial
      stiffness, which are independent of obesity and other established risk factors.
      More recent work has identified NAFLD as a risk factor not only for premature
      coronary heart disease and cardiovascular events, but also for early subclinical
      abnormalities in myocardial structure and function. Thus, we conducted a
      systematic review and meta-analysis to test the hypothesis that NAFLD is
      associated with evidence of subclinical cardiac structural and functional
      abnormalities. 

PMID- 26273599
TI  - Inhibitory Effect of a Novel Antirheumatic Drug T-614 on the IL-6-Induced
      RANKL/OPG, IL-17, and MMP-3 Expression in Synovial Fibroblasts from Rheumatoid
      Arthritis Patients.
AB  - T-614 (also named as iguratimod), a novel antirheumatic drug, could attenuate
      joint inflammation and articular damage in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients,
      providing a new therapy for RA. Here, we tested the role T-614 on the IL-6
      induced receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB ligand
      (RANKL)/osteoprotegerin (OPG), IL-17, and MMP-3 expression in synovial
      fibroblasts from rheumatoid arthritis (RASFs) patients. T-614 decreased RANKL
      expression and RANKL/OPG ratio in IL-6-induced RASFs. We confirmed this effect by
      a decrease of the mRNA and protein RANKL and mRNA RANKL/OPG in RASFs exposed in
      vitro to T-614 or MTX. Markedly decreased levels of IL-17, retinoid-related
      orphan receptor C (RORc), and MMP-3 mRNA expression were also observed in IL-6
      induced RASFs in the presence of T-614 or MTX compared with those in its absence.
      Furthermore, T-614 blocked expression of p-ERK1/2 protein without affecting
      ERK1/2 expression, indicating that the way that T-614 regulated RANKL expression
      might be ERK1/2 pathway. Our results suggest that T-614 yields a strong
      improvement in arthritis via exact suppression of RANKL/OPG, IL-17, and MMP-3
      expression in RASFs. 

PMID- 26273600
TI  - Diverse Reductive Dehalogenases Are Associated with Clostridiales-Enriched
      Microcosms Dechlorinating 1,2-Dichloroethane.
AB  - The achievement of successful biostimulation of active microbiomes for the
      cleanup of a polluted site is strictly dependent on the knowledge of the key
      microorganisms equipped with the relevant catabolic genes responsible for the
      degradation process. In this work, we present the characterization of the
      bacterial community developed in anaerobic microcosms after biostimulation with
      the electron donor lactate of groundwater polluted with 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2
      DCA). Through a multilevel analysis, we have assessed (i) the structural analysis
      of the bacterial community; (ii) the identification of putative dehalorespiring
      bacteria; (iii) the characterization of functional genes encoding for putative
      1,2-DCA reductive dehalogenases (RDs). Following the biostimulation treatment,
      the structure of the bacterial community underwent a notable change of the main
      phylotypes, with the enrichment of representatives of the order Clostridiales.
      Through PCR targeting conserved regions within known RD genes, four novel
      variants of RDs previously associated with the reductive dechlorination of 1,2
      DCA were identified in the metagenome of the Clostridiales-dominated bacterial
      community. 

PMID- 26273601
TI  - The Anthropometric Measurement of Schober's Test in Normal Taiwanese Population.
AB  - The measurement of lower back mobility is essential in the assessment of lower
      back pain including ankylosing spondylitis. Original Schober's test (OST) and
      modified Schober's test (MST) are popularly conducted in daily rheumatology and
      orthopedics clinical practices. To our knowledge, this report is the only
      anthropometric reference study in a normal oriental population. The OST declined
      with age from 5.0 cm in the youngest (20-30 years old) to 3.1 cm in the aged (70
      80 years old) male subjects and from 3.6 cm to 2.4 cm in the female subjects. The
      male OST was significantly more than the female OST. There was a good correlation
      between OST and MST in each of the three age groups of both sexes.

PMID- 26273602
TI  - Smoking Cessation and Socioeconomic Status: An Update of Existing Evidence from a
      National Evaluation of English Stop Smoking Services.
AB  - Smokers from lower socioeconomic groups are less likely to be successful in
      stopping smoking than more affluent smokers, even after accessing cessation
      programmes. Data were analysed from 3057 clients of nine services. Routine
      monitoring data were expanded with CO validated smoking status at 52-week follow
      up. Backwards logistic regression modelling was used to consider which factors
      were most important in explaining the relationship between SES and quitting. The
      odds ratio of stopping smoking among more affluent clients, compared with more
      disadvantaged clients, after taking into account design variables only, was 1.85
      (95% CI 1.44 to 2.37) which declined to 1.44 (1.11 to 1.87) when all controls
      were included. The factors that explained more than 10% of the decline in the
      odds ratio were age, proportion of friends and family who smoked, nicotine
      dependence, and taking varenicline. A range of factors contribute to lower
      cessation rates for disadvantaged smokers. Some of these can be modified by
      improved smoking cessation service provision, but others require contributions
      from wider efforts to improve material, human, and social capital. 

PMID- 26273603
TI  - Posttranscriptional Regulation of Splicing Factor SRSF1 and Its Role in Cancer
      Cell Biology.
AB  - Over the past decade, alternative splicing has been progressively recognized as a
      major mechanism regulating gene expression patterns in different tissues and
      disease states through the generation of multiple mRNAs from the same gene
      transcript. This process requires the joining of selected exons or usage of
      different pairs of splice sites and is regulated by gene-specific combinations of
      RNA-binding proteins. One archetypical splicing regulator is SRSF1, for which we
      review the molecular mechanisms and posttranscriptional modifications involved in
      its life cycle. These include alternative splicing of SRSF1 itself, regulatory
      protein phosphorylation events, and the role of nuclear versus cytoplasmic SRSF1
      localization. In addition, we resume current knowledge on deregulated SRSF1
      expression in tumors and describe SRSF1-regulated alternative transcripts with
      functional consequences for cancer cell biology at different stages of tumor
      development. 

PMID- 26273604
TI  - The Potential Role of Iron and Copper in Pediatric Obesity and Nonalcoholic Fatty
      Liver Disease.
AB  - Obesity is a rapidly growing health problem and is paralleled by a multitude of
      comorbidities, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD has
      become the most common chronic liver disease in both adults and children. The
      current understanding of NAFLD is still fragmentary. While simple steatosis is
      characterized by the interplay between excessive free fatty acid accumulation and
      hepatic insulin resistance, the progression to NASH has been related to oxidative
      stress and a proinflammatory state with dysbalanced adipokine, cytokine levels,
      and endotoxin-mediated immune response. In addition, oxidative stress has been
      suggested to play a central role for the sequelae leading to NASH. Trace elements
      are critical in regulatory, immunologic, and antioxidant functions resulting in
      protection against inflammation and peroxidation and consequently against the
      known comorbidities of obesity. Disruptions of the metal detoxification processes
      located in the liver are plausibly related to NAFLD development via oxidative
      stress. Perturbations of iron and copper (Cu) homeostasis have been shown to
      contribute to the pathogenesis of NAFLD. This review presents current data from
      pediatric studies. In addition, data from adult studies are summarized where
      clinical relevance may be extrapolated to pediatric obesity and NAFLD. 

PMID- 26273605
TI  - Expression of Heterologous Cellulases in Thermotoga sp. Strain RQ2.
AB  - The ability of Thermotoga spp. to degrade cellulose is limited due to a lack of
      exoglucanases. To address this deficiency, cellulase genes Csac_1076 (celA) and
      Csac_1078 (celB) from Caldicellulosiruptor saccharolyticus were cloned into T.
      sp. strain RQ2 for heterologous overexpression. Coding regions of Csac_1076 and
      Csac_1078 were fused to the signal peptide of TM1840 (amyA) and TM0070 (xynB),
      resulting in three chimeric enzymes, namely, TM1840-Csac_1078, TM0070-Csac_1078,
      and TM0070-Csac_1076, which were carried by Thermotoga-E. coli shuttle vectors
      pHX02, pHX04, and pHX07, respectively. All three recombinant enzymes were
      successfully expressed in E. coli DH5alpha and T. sp. strain RQ2, rendering the
      hosts with increased endo- and/or exoglucanase activities. In E. coli, the
      recombinant enzymes were mainly bound to the bacterial cells, whereas in T. sp.
      strain RQ2, about half of the enzyme activities were observed in the culture
      supernatants. However, the cellulase activities were lost in T. sp. strain RQ2
      after three consecutive transfers. Nevertheless, this is the first time
      heterologous genes bigger than 1 kb (up to 5.3 kb in this study) have ever been
      expressed in Thermotoga, demonstrating the feasibility of using engineered
      Thermotoga spp. for efficient cellulose utilization. 

PMID- 26273606
TI  - The Epidemiology of Tobacco Use among Khat Users: A Systematic Review.
AB  - Khat, an "amphetamine-like green leaf," may influence the consumption of tobacco.
      This study reviews the epidemiology of tobacco use among khat users. Electronic
      database searches using appropriate keywords/terms were conducted to identify
      observational studies of khat use. Assessment of quality and risk of bias of all
      included studies was conducted, and the results were synthesised descriptively.
      Nine eligible cross-sectional studies were identified. All assessed self-reported
      tobacco among khat users and were carried out in Africa and the Middle East.
      Eight reported cigarettes and one reported waterpipes as the mode of use. Methods
      of tobacco use prevalence assessment varied. Prevalence of "current" tobacco use
      among students and university teachers ranged from 29 to 37%; "lifetime" tobacco
      use in university teachers was 58% and "undefined" tobacco use in nonspecific
      adults and students ranged from 17 to 78%. Daily tobacco use among adults was
      reported as 17% whilst simultaneous tobacco and khat use was reported as between
      14 and 30% in students. In conclusion, tobacco prevalence among khat users
      appears significant. Findings should be interpreted cautiously due to self
      reported tobacco use, diversity in questions assessing tobacco use, and type of
      tobacco consumption. Future research should address the methodological
      shortcomings identified in this review before appropriate policy interventions
      can be developed. 

PMID- 26273607
TI  - Gene Coexpression and Evolutionary Conservation Analysis of the Human
      Preimplantation Embryos.
AB  - Evolutionary developmental biology (EVO-DEVO) tries to decode evolutionary
      constraints on the stages of embryonic development. Two models--the "funnel-like"
      model and the "hourglass" model--have been proposed by investigators to
      illustrate the fluctuation of selective pressure on these stages. However,
      selective indices of stages corresponding to mammalian preimplantation embryonic
      development (PED) were undetected in previous studies. Based on single cell RNA
      sequencing of stages during human PED, we used coexpression method to identify
      gene modules activated in each of these stages. Through measuring the
      evolutionary indices of gene modules belonging to each stage, we observed change
      pattern of selective constraints on PED for the first time. The selective
      pressure decreases from the zygote stage to the 4-cell stage and increases at the
      8-cell stage and then decreases again from 8-cell stage to the late blastocyst
      stages. Previous EVO-DEVO studies concerning the whole embryo development
      neglected the fluctuation of selective pressure in these earlier stages, and the
      fluctuation was potentially correlated with events of earlier stages, such as
      zygote genome activation (ZGA). Such oscillation in an earlier stage would
      further affect models of the evolutionary constraints on whole embryo
      development. Therefore, these earlier stages should be measured intensively in
      future EVO-DEVO studies.

PMID- 26273608
TI  - FARMS: A New Algorithm for Variable Selection.
AB  - Large datasets including an extensive number of covariates are generated these
      days in many different situations, for instance, in detailed genetic studies of
      outbreed human populations or in complex analyses of immune responses to
      different infections. Aiming at informing clinical interventions or vaccine
      design, methods for variable selection identifying those variables with the
      optimal prediction performance for a specific outcome are crucial. However,
      testing for all potential subsets of variables is not feasible and alternatives
      to existing methods are needed. Here, we describe a new method to handle such
      complex datasets, referred to as FARMS, that combines forward and all subsets
      regression for model selection. We apply FARMS to a host genetic and
      immunological dataset of over 800 individuals from Lima (Peru) and Durban (South
      Africa) who were HIV infected and tested for antiviral immune responses. This
      dataset includes more than 500 explanatory variables: around 400 variables with
      information on HIV immune reactivity and around 100 individual genetic
      characteristics. We have implemented FARMS in R statistical language and we
      showed that FARMS is fast and outcompetes other comparable commonly used
      approaches, thus providing a new tool for the thorough analysis of complex
      datasets without the need for massive computational infrastructure. 

PMID- 26273609
TI  - Development of Electroactive and Anaerobic Ammonium-Oxidizing (Anammox) Biofilms
      from Digestate in Microbial Fuel Cells.
AB  - Microbial Fuel cells (MFCs) have been proposed for nutrient removal and energy
      recovery from different wastes. In this study the anaerobic digestate was used to
      feed H-type MFC reactors, one with a graphite anode preconditioned with Geobacter
      sulfurreducens and the other with an unconditioned graphite anode. The data
      demonstrate that the digestate acts as a carbon source, and even in the absence
      of anode preconditioning, electroactive bacteria colonise the anodic chamber,
      producing a maximum power density of 172.2 mW/m(2). The carbon content was also
      reduced by up to 60%, while anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) bacteria,
      which were found in the anodic compartment of the reactors, contributed to
      nitrogen removal from the digestate. Overall, these results demonstrate that MFCs
      can be used to recover anammox bacteria from natural sources, and it may
      represent a promising bioremediation unit in anaerobic digestor plants for the
      simultaneous nitrogen removal and electricity generation using digestate as
      substrate.

PMID- 26273610
TI  - High Body Mass Index Is an Indicator of Maternal Hypothyroidism,
      Hypothyroxinemia, and Thyroid-Peroxidase Antibody Positivity during Early
      Pregnancy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Maternal thyroid dysfunction in early pregnancy may increase the risk
      of adverse pregnancy complications and neurocognitive deficiencies in the
      developing fetus. Currently, some researchers demonstrated that body mass index
      (BMI) is associated with thyroid function in nonpregnant population. Hence, the
      American Thyroid Association recommended screening thyroid function in obese
      pregnant women; however, the evidence for this is weak. For this purpose, our
      study investigated the relationship between high BMI and thyroid functions during
      early pregnancy in Liaoning province, an iodine-sufficient region of China.
      METHODS: Serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), thyroid
      peroxidase antibody (TPOAb), thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb) concentration, urinary
      iodine concentration (UIC), and BMI were determined in 6303 pregnant women.
      RESULTS: BMI >= 25 kg/m(2) may act as an indicator of hypothyroxinemia and TPOAb
      positivity and BMI >= 30 kg/m(2) was associated with increases in the odds of
      hypothyroidism, hypothyroxinemia, and TPOAb positivity. The prevalence of
      isolated hypothyroxinemia increased among pregnant women with BMI > 24 kg/m(2).
      CONCLUSIONS: High BMI during early pregnancy may be an indicator of maternal
      thyroid dysfunction; for Asian women whose BMI > 24 kg/m(2) and who are within 8
      weeks of pregnancy, thyroid functions should be assessed especially.

PMID- 26273611
TI  - Association between Hyperuricemia and Metabolic Syndrome: An Epidemiological
      Study of a Labor Force Population in Taiwan.
AB  - The increasing prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) has become an important
      issue worldwide. Metabolic comorbidities of hypertension, obesity, and
      hyperlipidemia are shown as important risk factors for incident gout. The purpose
      of this study was to investigate the relationship between hyperuricemia and MetS.
      This is a cross-sectional study. The effective sample included 21,544 individuals
      who received worker health examinations at a local teaching hospital in Changhua
      County from 2008~2012. We used multiple logistic regression analysis to
      investigate the influences of hyperuricemia on MetS. The results showed that
      individuals with MetS had significantly higher blood pressure, fasting plasma
      glucose, triglycerides, waist circumference, and high-density lipoprotein
      cholesterol than those without MetS (P < 0.001). Multiple logistic regression
      analysis revealed hyperuricemia to be an important factor of MetS. The risk of
      developing MetS is higher with high levels of serum uric acid (SUA) and the odds
      ratio (OR) of having MetS is 4.98 times higher for Tertile 3 than for Tertile 1
      (95% CI = 4.16-5.97) and 4 times higher for Quartile 4 than for Quartile 1 (95%
      CI = 3.59-4.46). In conclusion, males are more likely to develop MetS than
      females, and the risk of having MetS increases with age and SUA concentration. 

PMID- 26273612
TI  - Influence of Leukocyte- and Platelet-Rich Fibrin (L-PRF) in the Healing of Simple
      Postextraction Sockets: A Split-Mouth Study.
AB  - The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of leukocyte- and platelet-rich
      fibrin (L-PRF) on the pain and soft tissue healing after tooth extractions.
      Twenty-six patients (9 males and 17 females) were treated with multiple
      extractions (2 to 8), with a total of 108 extractions. This was an exploratory
      single blinded randomized clinical trial with a split-mouth design. The pain
      after the surgery was assessed in each patient by the VAS scale (1 to 10) at
      intervals of 24-48-72-96 hours. The soft tissue healing was clinically evaluated
      at 3, 7, 14, and 21 days after surgery by the same examiner surgeon, using the
      modified Healing Index (4 to 12). The mean value of postextraction pain was 3.2
      +/- 0.3 in the experimental sides and 4.1 +/- 0.1 in the control sides. After 7
      days from the extractions, the values of modified Healing Index in the
      experimental and control groups were, respectively, 4.8 +/- 0.6 and 5.1 +/- 0.9.
      The use of L-PRF in postextraction sockets filling can be proposed as a useful
      procedure in order to manage the postoperative pain and to promote the soft
      tissue healing process, reducing the early adverse effects of the inflammation. 

PMID- 26273613
TI  - The Adoption of Smoking and Its Effect on the Mortality Gender Gap in
      Netherlands: A Historical Perspective.
AB  - We examine in depth the effect of differences in the smoking adoption patterns of
      men and women on the mortality gender gap in Netherlands, employing a historical
      perspective. Using an indirect estimation technique based on observed lung cancer
      mortality from 1931 to 2012, we estimated lifetime smoking prevalence and smoking
      attributable mortality. We decomposed the sex difference in life expectancy at
      birth into smoking-related and nonsmoking-related overall and cause-specific
      mortality. The smoking epidemic in Netherlands, which started among men born
      around 1850 and among women from birth cohort 1900 onwards, contributed
      substantially to the increasing sex difference in life expectancy at birth from
      1931 (1.3 years) to 1982 (6.7 years), the subsequent decline to 3.7 years in
      2012, and the high excess mortality among Dutch men born between 1895 and 1910.
      Smoking-related cancer mortality contributed most to the increase in the sex
      difference, whereas smoking-related cardiovascular disease mortality was mainly
      responsible for the decline from 1983 onwards. Examining nonsmoking-related
      (cause-specific) mortality shed new light on the mortality gender gap and
      revealed the important role of smoking-related cancers, the continuation of
      excess mortality among women aged 40-50, and a smaller role of biological factors
      in the sex difference than was previously estimated. 

PMID- 26273614
TI  - Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1 Is an Inductor of Transcription Factor Activating
      Protein 2 Epsilon Expression during Chondrogenic Differentiation.
AB  - The transcription factor AP-2epsilon (activating enhancer-binding protein
      epsilon) is expressed in cartilage of humans and mice. However, knowledge about
      regulatory mechanisms influencing AP-2epsilon expression is limited. Using
      quantitative real time PCR, we detected a significant increase in AP-2epsilon
      mRNA expression comparing initial and late stages of chondrogenic differentiation
      processes in vitro and in vivo. Interestingly, in these samples the expression
      pattern of the prominent hypoxia marker gene angiopoietin-like 4 (Angptl4)
      strongly correlated with that of AP-2epsilon suggesting that hypoxia might
      represent an external regulator of AP-2epsilon expression in mammals. In order to
      show this, experiments directly targeting the activity of hypoxia-inducible
      factor-1 (HIF1), the complex mediating responses to oxygen deprivation, were
      performed. While the HIF1-activating compounds 2,2'-dipyridyl and desferrioxamine
      resulted in significantly enhanced mRNA concentration of AP-2epsilon, siRNA
      against HIF1alpha led to a significantly reduced expression rate of AP-2epsilon.
      Additionally, we detected a significant upregulation of the AP-2epsilon mRNA
      level after oxygen deprivation. In sum, these different experimental approaches
      revealed a novel role for the HIF1 complex in the regulation of the AP-2epsilon
      gene in cartilaginous cells and underlined the important role of hypoxia as an
      important external regulatory stimulus during chondrogenic differentiation
      modulating the expression of downstream transcription factors. 

PMID- 26273615
TI  - Dimensions of Velopharyngeal Space following Maxillary Advancement with Le Fort I
      Osteotomy Compared to Zisser Segmental Osteotomy: A Cephalometric Study.
AB  - The objectives of this study are to assess the velopharyngeal dimensions using
      cephalometric variables of the nasopharynx and oropharynx as well as to compare
      the Le Fort I osteotomy technique to Zisser's anterior maxillary osteotomy
      technique based on patients' outcomes within early and late postoperative follow
      ups. 15 patients with severe maxillary deficiency treated with Le Fort I
      osteotomy and maxillary segmental osteotomy were assessed. Preoperative, early
      postoperative, and late postoperative follow-up lateral cephalograms, patient
      histories, and operative reports are reviewed with a focus on defined
      cephalometric landmarks for assessing velopharyngeal space dimension and
      maxillary movement (measured for three different tracing points). A significant
      change was found between preoperative and postoperative lateral cephalometric
      measurements regarding the distance between the posterior nasal spine and the
      posterior pharyngeal wall in Le Fort I osteotomy cases. However, no significant
      difference was found between preoperative and postoperative measurements in
      maxillary segmental osteotomy cases regarding the same measurements. The
      velopharyngeal area calculated for the Le Fort I osteotomy group showed a
      significant difference between the preoperative and postoperative measurements.
      Le Fort I osteotomy for advancement of upper jaw increases velopharyngeal space.
      On the other hand, Zisser's anterior maxillary segmental osteotomy does not alter
      the dimension of the velopharyngeal space significantly. 

PMID- 26273616
TI  - Unravelling the RNA-Binding Properties of SAFB Proteins in Breast Cancer Cells.
AB  - Scaffold attachment factor B1 (SAFB1) and SAFB2 proteins are oestrogen (ER)
      corepressors that bind to and modulate ER activity through chromatin remodelling
      or interaction with the basal transcription machinery. SAFB proteins also have an
      internal RNA-recognition motif but little is known about the RNA-binding
      properties of SAFB1 or SAFB2. We utilised crosslinking and immunoprecipitation
      (iCLIP) coupled with high-throughput sequencing to enable a transcriptome-wide
      mapping of SAFB1 protein-RNA interactions in breast cancer MCF-7 cells. Analysis
      of crosslinking frequency mapped to transcript regions revealed that SAFB1 binds
      to coding and noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs). The highest proportion of SAFB1 crosslink
      sites mapped to ncRNAs, followed by intergenic regions, open reading frames
      (ORFs), introns, and 3' or 5' untranslated regions (UTR). Furthermore, we reveal
      that SAFB1 binds directly to RNA and its binding is particularly enriched at
      purine-rich sequences not dissimilar to the RNA-binding motifs for SR proteins.
      Using RNAi, we also show, for the first time, that single depletion of either
      SAFB1 or SAFB2 leads to an increase in expression of the other SAFB protein in
      both MCF-7 and MDA-MD231 breast cancer cells. 

PMID- 26273617
TI  - Characterization, Microbial Community Structure, and Pathogen Occurrence in Urban
      Faucet Biofilms in South China.
AB  - The composition and microbial community structure of the drinking water system
      biofilms were investigated using microstructure analysis and 454 pyrosequencing
      technique in Xiamen city, southeast of China. SEM (scanning electron microscope)
      results showed different features of biofilm morphology in different fields of
      PVC pipe. Extracellular matrix material and sparse populations of bacteria
      (mainly rod-shaped and coccoid) were observed. CLSM (confocal laser scanning
      microscope) revealed different distributions of attached cells, extracellular
      proteins, alpha-polysaccharides, and beta-polysaccharides. The biofilms had
      complex bacterial compositions. Differences in bacteria diversity and composition
      from different tap materials and ages were observed. Proteobacteria was the
      common and predominant group in all biofilms samples. Some potential pathogens
      (Legionellales, Enterobacteriales, Chromatiales, and Pseudomonadales) and
      corrosive microorganisms were also found in the biofilms. This study provides the
      information of characterization and visualization of the drinking water biofilms
      matrix, as well as the microbial community structure and opportunistic pathogens
      occurrence. 

PMID- 26273618
TI  - Can Whole-Body Cryotherapy with Subsequent Kinesiotherapy Procedures in Closed
      Type Cryogenic Chamber Improve BASDAI, BASFI, and Some Spine Mobility Parameters
      and Decrease Pain Intensity in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis?
AB  - The present study investigated whether whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) procedures
      could potentially have more beneficial effects on index of BASDAI and BASFI, pain
      intensity, and spine mobility parameters: Ott test, modified Schober test, chest
      expansion in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients, than kinesiotherapy procedures
      used separately. AS patients were exposed to a cycle of WBC procedures lasting 3
      minutes a day, with a subsequent 60 minutes of kinesiotherapy or 60 minutes of
      kinesiotherapy only, for 10 consecutive days excluding weekend. After the
      completion of the cycle of WBC procedures with subsequent kinesiotherapy in the
      AS patients, BASDAI index decreased about 40% in comparison with the input value,
      whereas in the group of patients who received only kinesiotherapy it decreased
      only about 15% in comparison with the input value. After the completion of the
      treatment in the WBC group, BASFI index decreased about 30% in comparison with
      the input value, whereas in the kinesiotherapy group it only decreased about 16%
      in comparison with the input value. The important conclusion was that, in WBC
      group with subsequent kinesiotherapy, we observed on average about twice better
      results than in the group treated only by kinesiotherapy. 

PMID- 26273619
TI  - Fractionated Repetitive Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy: A New Standard in
      Shock Wave Therapy?
AB  - BACKGROUND: ESWT has proven clinical benefit in dermatology and plastic surgery.
      It promotes wound healing and improves tissue regeneration, connective tissue
      disorders, and inflammatory skin diseases. However, a single treatment session or
      long intervals between sessions may reduce the therapeutic effect. The present
      study investigated the effects of fractionated repetitive treatment in skin
      microcirculation. METHODS: 32 rats were randomly assigned to two groups and
      received either fractionated repetitive high-energy ESWT every ten minutes or
      placebo shock wave treatment, applied to the dorsal lower leg. Microcirculatory
      effects were continuously assessed by combined laser Doppler imaging and
      photospectrometry. RESULTS: In experimental group, cutaneous tissue oxygen
      saturation was increased 1 minute after the first application and until the end
      of the measuring period at 80 minutes after the second treatment (P < 0.05). The
      third ESWT application boosted the effect to its highest extent. Cutaneous
      capillary blood flow showed a significant increase after the second application
      which was sustained for 20 minutes after the third application (P < 0.05).
      Placebo group showed no statistically significant differences. CONCLUSIONS:
      Fractionated repetitive extracorporeal shock wave therapy (frESWT) boosts and
      prolongs the effects on cutaneous hemodynamics. The results indicate that frESWT
      may provide greater benefits in the treatment of distinct soft tissue disorders
      compared with single-session ESWT.

PMID- 26273620
TI  - Improvement of BMI after Lifestyle Intervention Is Associated with Normalisation
      of Elevated ELF Score and Liver Stiffness in Obese Children.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Noninvasive tools to diagnose nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
      (NAFLD), including transient elastography (TE) and enhanced liver fibrosis panel
      (ELF), have only been evaluated in children with biopsy-proven NAFLD. We
      evaluated the prevalence of ELF and TE abnormalities in obese children without
      clinical liver disease and examined the effects of BMI stabilization on ELF and
      TE in a longitudinal approach. METHODS: 39 obese children (17 m, age 12.3 (7.6
      17.4) years) who participated in a 12-month lifestyle-intervention program
      underwent TE and ELF testing at baseline and at completion of the program.
      Results were compared with data from a nonobese paediatric cohort. RESULTS: TE
      and ELF at baseline were significantly elevated compared to controls (TE: 5.9
      (3.4-8.3) kPa versus 4.45 (2.45-8.85) kPa, P < 0.01; ELF: 9.0 (7.87-9.60) versus
      8.6 (7.33-11.52), P = 0.033). All children with elevated TE and ELF results had
      normal transaminases. After the program, ELF and TE normalized. Reduction of ELF
      and TE was associated with a decrease in BMI centile. CONCLUSION: Abnormal TE and
      ELF results in obese children suggest presence of NAFLD even when transaminases
      are normal. TE and ELF might be used as monitoring tools for NAFLD. BMI
      stabilisation normalizes TE and ELF, underlining the impact of lifestyle
      intervention.

PMID- 26273622
TI  - Statistical Genomic Approach Identifies Association between FSHR Polymorphisms
      and Polycystic Ovary Morphology in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the follicle stimulating
      hormone receptor (FSHR) gene are associated with PCOS. However, their
      relationship to the polycystic ovary (PCO) morphology remains unknown. This study
      aimed to investigate whether PCOS related SNPs in the FSHR gene are associated
      with PCO in women with PCOS. METHODS: Patients were grouped into PCO (n = 384)
      and non-PCO (n = 63) groups. Genomic genotypes were profiled using Affymetrix
      human genome SNP chip 6. Two polymorphisms (rs2268361 and rs2349415) of FSHR were
      analyzed using a statistical approach. RESULTS: Significant differences were
      found in the allele distributions of the GG genotype of rs2268361 between the PCO
      and non-PCO groups (27.6% GG, 53.4% GA, and 19.0% AA versus 33.3% GG, 36.5% GA,
      and 30.2% AA), while no significant differences were found in the allele
      distributions of the GG genotype of rs2349415. When rs2268361 was considered,
      there were statistically significant differences of serum follicle stimulating
      hormone, estradiol, and sex hormone binding globulin between genotypes in the PCO
      group. In case of the rs2349415 SNP, only serum sex hormone binding globulin was
      statistically different between genotypes in the PCO group. CONCLUSIONS:
      Functional variants in FSHR gene may contribute to PCO susceptibility in women
      with PCOS.

PMID- 26273621
TI  - Genetic Factors in the Pathogenesis of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver and
      Steatohepatitis.
AB  - Liver fat accumulation generally related to systemic insulin resistance
      characterizes nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which in the presence of
      nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) can progress towards cirrhosis and
      hepatocellular carcinoma. Due to the epidemic of obesity, NAFLD is now the most
      frequent liver disease in Western countries. Epidemiological, familial, and twin
      studies provide evidence for a strong genetic component of NAFLD susceptibility.
      Recently, genome-wide association studies led to the identification of the major
      inherited determinants of hepatic fat accumulation: patatin-like phospholipase
      domain-containing 3 (PNPLA3) I148M gene and transmembrane 6 superfamily member 2
      (TM6SF2) E167K gene variants, involved in lipid droplets remodelling and very low
      density lipoproteins secretion, are the major determinants of interindividual
      differences in liver steatosis, and susceptibility to progressive NASH. In this
      review, we aimed to provide an overview of recent insights into the genetics of
      hepatic fat accumulation and steatohepatitis. 

PMID- 26273623
TI  - Disorders of MicroRNAs in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells: As Novel Biomarkers
      of Ankylosing Spondylitis and Provocative Therapeutic Targets.
AB  - BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs can potentially regulate every aspect of cellular activity.
      In this study, we investigated whether AS pathogenesis involves microRNAs
      disorders. RESULT: The expression of 2 microRNAs, hsa-miR-126-3p and hsa-miR-29a,
      was significantly lower in active AS group before etanercept therapy than in
      control group. Marched fold changes of them were 3.76 and 16.22. Moreover,
      expressions of hsa-miR-126-3p and hsa-miR-29a were dramatically upregulated after
      12-weeks etanercept treatment. Fold changes were 2.20 and 3.18. All regulations
      of microRNAs expression mentioned before were statistically significant (fold
      change >2 and P < 0.05). The expression disorders of the 2 microRNAs did not
      statistically significantly correlated with BASDAI, CRP, and ESR. CONCLUSION: AS
      pathogenesis involved dysregulation of microRNAs. Hsa-miR-126-3p and hsa-miR-29a
      will probably become the potential biomarkers and provocative therapeutic targets
      of AS.

PMID- 26273624
TI  - Flap Necrosis after Palatoplasty in Patients with Cleft Palate.
AB  - Palatal necrosis after palatoplasty in patients with cleft palate is a rare but
      significant problem encountered by any cleft surgeon. Few studies have addressed
      this disastrous complication and the prevalence of this problem remains unknown.
      Failure of a palatal flap may be attributed to different factors like kinking or
      section of the pedicle, anatomical variations, tension, vascular thrombosis, type
      of cleft, used surgical technique, surgeon's experience, infection, and
      malnutrition. Palatal flap necrosis can be prevented through identification of
      the risk factors and a careful surgical planning should be done before any
      palatoplasty. Management of severe fistulas observed as a consequence of palatal
      flap necrosis is a big challenge for any cleft surgeon. Different techniques as
      facial artery flaps, tongue flaps, and microvascular flaps have been described
      with this purpose. This review article discusses the current status of this
      serious complication in patients with cleft palate. 

PMID- 26273625
TI  - The Surgical Treatment Principles of Atlantoaxial Instability Focusing on
      Rheumatoid Arthritis.
AB  - OBJECT: This retrospective review was conducted to determine the surgical
      treatment principle for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with atlantoaxial
      instability (AAI). METHODS: Thirteen patients with AAI, including 5 RA patients,
      received preoperative computed tomography- (CT-) based image-guided navigation
      system (IGS) in C1 lateral mass-C2 pedicle screw-rod system fixation (LC1-PC2
      fixation). These 13 patients were analyzed for 52 screws inserted into C1 and C2.
      We defined these patients as non-RA group (8 patients, 32 screws) and RA group (5
      patients, 20 screws). The neurological status for RA group was evaluated using
      the Ranawat classification. The causes of AAI, surgical indications,
      complications, surgical method revolution, and CT-based navigation application
      are discussed. RESULTS: None of the 13 patients expressed neurological function
      deterioration. The non-RA group screw accuracy was 100%. In the RA group, 1 RA
      patient developed left C2 screw loosening at 1(+) months after operation due to
      screw malposition. The screw accuracy for this group was 95%. CONCLUSIONS: Higher
      intraoperative surgical complication rate was described in RA patients.
      Preoperative CT-based IGS in LC1-PC2 fixation can provide good neurological
      function and screw accuracy results. However, for higher screw accuracy in RA
      patients, intraoperative CT-based IGS application may be considered.

PMID- 26273626
TI  - SAM68: Signal Transduction and RNA Metabolism in Human Cancer.
AB  - Alterations in expression and/or activity of splicing factors as well as
      mutations in cis-acting splicing regulatory sequences contribute to cancer
      phenotypes. Genome-wide studies have revealed more than 15,000 tumor-associated
      splice variants derived from genes involved in almost every aspect of cancer cell
      biology, including proliferation, differentiation, cell cycle control,
      metabolism, apoptosis, motility, invasion, and angiogenesis. In the past decades,
      several RNA binding proteins (RBPs) have been implicated in tumorigenesis. SAM68
      (SRC associated in mitosis of 68 kDa) belongs to the STAR (signal transduction
      and activation of RNA metabolism) family of RBPs. SAM68 is involved in several
      steps of mRNA metabolism, from transcription to alternative splicing and then to
      nuclear export. Moreover, SAM68 participates in signaling pathways associated
      with cell response to stimuli, cell cycle transitions, and viral infections.
      Recent evidence has linked this RBP to the onset and progression of different
      tumors, highlighting misregulation of SAM68-regulated splicing events as a key
      step in neoplastic transformation and tumor progression. Here we review recent
      studies on the role of SAM68 in splicing regulation and we discuss its
      contribution to aberrant pre-mRNA processing in cancer.

PMID- 26273628
TI  - Serum Vitamin D and Pyridinoline Cross-Linked Carboxyterminal Telopeptide of Type
      I Collagen in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the serum vitamin D and ICTP levels in patients with
      ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and investigate their relationship with disease
      activity and bone mineral density (BMD). METHOD: 150 patients and 168 controls
      were included. Serum 25(OH)D, ICTP, C-reaction protein (CRP), Bath AS Disease
      Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath AS Functional Index (BASFI), and Hip BMD were
      assessed in patients. 25(OH)D and ICTP were detected in controls. RESULTS: The
      serum 25(OH)D in AS was 57.92 +/- 24.42 nmol/L, significantly lower than controls
      (91.24 +/- 42.02 nmol/L). Serum ICTP in AS was 5.72 +/- 3.88 ug/L, significantly
      higher than controls (3.69 +/- 1.26 ug/L). ICTP level was higher in men than in
      women patients (6.07 +/- 4.05 versus 3.84 +/- 1.96 ug/L, P <= 0.01); it was also
      higher in JAS than in AAS (9.52 +/- 3.79 versus 5.27 +/- 3.65 ug/L, P <= 0.01).
      Furthermore, 25(OH)D was negatively correlated with ICTP. Low 25(OH)D and high
      ICTP were one of the reasons of AS patients' low hip BMD. Besides, a significant
      relationship was found between serum ICTP and CRP. CONCLUSION: There was a high
      incidence of vitamin D inadequacy in AS. Serum ICTP level was elevated in AS,
      especially in JAS and male patients. 25(OH)D and ICTP seem to be valuable markers
      to detect bone loss in AS.

PMID- 26273627
TI  - Splicing Regulation: A Molecular Device to Enhance Cancer Cell Adaptation.
AB  - Alternative splicing (AS) represents a major resource for eukaryotic cells to
      expand the coding potential of their genomes and to finely regulate gene
      expression in response to both intra- and extracellular cues. Cancer cells
      exploit the flexible nature of the mechanisms controlling AS in order to increase
      the functional diversity of their proteome. By altering the balance of splice
      isoforms encoded by human genes or by promoting the expression of aberrant
      oncogenic splice variants, cancer cells enhance their ability to adapt to the
      adverse growth conditions of the tumoral microenvironment. Herein, we will review
      the most relevant cancer-related splicing events and the underlying regulatory
      mechanisms allowing tumour cells to rapidly adapt to the harsh conditions they
      may face during the occurrence and development of cancer. 

PMID- 26273629
TI  - Prevalence and Genotyping of Cryptosporidium Infection in Pet Parrots in North
      China.
AB  - Cryptosporidiosis is a worldwide zoonosis caused by Cryptosporidium spp.,
      sometimes leading to severe diarrhea in humans and animals. In the present study,
      311 parrots, belonging to four species, namely, Budgerigars (Melopsittacus
      undulatus), Lovebirds (Agapornis sp.), Alexandrine parakeets (Psittacula
      eupatria), and Cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus), from Beijing and Weifang
      cities, were examined for Cryptosporidium spp. infection. Blood samples of each
      bird were examined using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and fecal
      samples were examined by Sheather's sugar flotation technique. Prevalence of
      Cryptosporidium infection were 3.22% (10/311) and 0.64% (2/311) by ELISA and
      Sheather's sugar flotation technique, respectively. Seroprevalence of
      Cryptosporidium infection in different breeds varied from 0 to 15.39%. Sequencing
      analysis showed that both positive samples from fecal samples belonged to
      Cryptosporidium avian genotype V. This is the first report of Cryptosporidium
      avian genotype V in Budgerigars. The results of the present study provided
      foundation-data for prevention and control of cryptosporidiosis in pet birds in
      China. 

PMID- 26273630
TI  - Comparison of National Institutes of Health-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index
      with International Index of Erectile Function 5 in Men with Chronic
      Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome: A Large Cross-Sectional Study in China.
AB  - The purpose of the study is to evaluate the relationship between NIH-CPSI and
      IIEF-5 in Chinese men with CP/CPPS. A large cross-sectional and multicenter
      survey was conducted from July 2012 to January 2014. Men were recruited from
      urology clinics which were located at the five cities in China. All men
      participated in the survey by completing a verbal questionnaire (consisted of
      sociodemographics, past medical history, sexual history, and self-estimated
      scales). The results showed that 1,280 men completed the survey. Based on the
      CP/CPPS definition, a total of 801 men were diagnosed as having CP/CPPS. Men with
      CP/CPPS reported higher scores of NIH-CPSI and lower scores of IIEF-5 than men
      without CP/CPPS. NIH-CPSI scores were significantly negatively correlated with
      IIEF-5 scores. The total scores of NIH-CPSI were significantly more strongly
      correlated with question 5 than other questions of IIEF-5. The total scores of
      IIEF-5 were significantly more strongly correlated with pain symptoms scores of
      NIH-CPSI. Strongest correlation was found between QoL impact and question 5 of
      IIEF-5. The findings suggested that NIH-CPSI scores were significantly negatively
      correlated with IIEF-5 scores. Strongest correlation was found between QoL impact
      and question 5 of IIEF-5. 

PMID- 26273631
TI  - Social Media Use for Public Health Campaigning in a Low Resource Setting: The
      Case of Waterpipe Tobacco Smoking.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Waterpipe tobacco smoking prevalence is increasing worldwide
      despite its documented health effects. A general belief that it is less harmful
      than cigarettes may be fuelled by the lack of media campaigns highlighting its
      health effects. We aimed to create and assess the impact of a social media
      campaign about dangers of waterpipe smoking. METHODS: The "ShishAware" campaign
      included three social media (Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube) and a website. Nine
      months after launch we collected data to assess use of, and reaction to, our
      media accounts. RESULTS: Requiring limited maintenance resources, Facebook
      attracted campaign supporters but YouTube attracted opposers. Twitter enabled the
      most organisation-based contact but Facebook was the most interactive medium.
      Facebook users were more likely to "like" weekday than weekend statuses and more
      likely to comment on "shisha fact" than "current affairs" statuses. Follower
      subscription increased as our posting rate increased. Our YouTube video gained
      19,428 views (from all world continents) and 218 comments (86% from pro-waterpipe
      smokers). CONCLUSIONS: Social media campaigns can be created and maintained
      relatively easily. They are innovative and have the potential for wide and rapid
      diffusion, especially towards target audiences. There is a need for more rigorous
      evaluation of their effects, particularly among the youth.

PMID- 26273632
TI  - Tobacco and Health Disparities.

PMID- 26273633
TI  - Low-Rank and Sparse Matrix Decomposition for Genetic Interaction Data.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Epistatic miniarray profile (EMAP) studies have enabled the mapping
      of large-scale genetic interaction networks and generated large amounts of data
      in model organisms. One approach to analyze EMAP data is to identify gene modules
      with densely interacting genes. In addition, genetic interaction score (S score)
      reflects the degree of synergizing or mitigating effect of two mutants, which is
      also informative. Statistical approaches that exploit both modularity and the
      pairwise interactions may provide more insight into the underlying biology.
      However, the high missing rate in EMAP data hinders the development of such
      approaches. To address the above problem, we adopted the matrix decomposition
      methodology "low-rank and sparse decomposition" (LRSDec) to decompose EMAP data
      matrix into low-rank part and sparse part. RESULTS: LRSDec has been demonstrated
      as an effective technique for analyzing EMAP data. We applied a synthetic dataset
      and an EMAP dataset studying RNA-related processes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
      Global views of the genetic cross talk between different RNA-related protein
      complexes and processes have been structured, and novel functions of genes have
      been predicted.

PMID- 26273634
TI  - Clinical Features in Juvenile-Onset Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients Carrying
      Different B27 Subtypes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a common rheumatic disease and is
      characterized by inflammation of the axial skeleton. HLA-B27 is strongly
      associated with AS. Juvenile-onset AS (JAS) with disease onset before 16 years of
      age differs from adult-onset AS (AAS) in many respects. OBJECTIVE: To compare the
      clinical features in JAS with different B27 subtypes and analyze the differences
      between JAS and AAS. METHODS: 145 JAS and 360 AAS patients were included. The
      demographic data, clinical manifestations, laboratory markers, Bath AS indices,
      and B27 subtypes were recorded. RESULTS: Peripheral arthritis, enthesitis,
      BASDAI, ESR, and CRP were significantly higher in JAS patients with HLA-B(*)2704
      than those with B27-negative. Enthesitis and ESR were significantly higher in
      patients with HLA-B(*)2705 than those with B27-negative. The onset age of HLA
      B(*)2715 group was much earlier than the other groups. The peripheral arthritis,
      enthesitis, and hip joint involvement in JAS with HLA-B(*)2704 were significantly
      higher than those in AAS with HLA-B(*)2704. CONCLUSION: JAS with different B27
      subtypes had similar features in most of manifestations; JAS and AAS patients
      with the same subtype could have distinctive courses. Early diagnosis, hip
      detection, and control of systemic active inflammation in JAS patients will be
      helpful for improving the prognosis.

PMID- 26273635
TI  - In Situ and Home Care Nasopharyngeal Intubation Improves Respiratory Condition
      and Prevents Surgical Procedures in Early Infancy of Severe Cases of Robin
      Sequence.
AB  - AIM: To evaluate the clinical outcome of infants with Robin Sequence (RS) and
      severe respiratory obstruction managed with nasopharyngeal intubation (NPI).
      METHODS: This prospective study was conducted with 107 infants with RS admitted
      to the Hospital for Craniofacial Anomalies of the University of Sao Paulo (HRAC
      USP), from July 2003 to June 2010, diagnosed with severe RS and treated with NPI.
      The infants were followed up for the first year of life. Clinical findings,
      morbidity, and mortality were recorded. RESULTS: Of the 223 infants with RS
      admitted to the hospital in the period studied, 149 were diagnosed with severe
      respiratory distress and 107 (71.81%) matched all the inclusion criteria. Of
      those, 78 (73%) presented Isolated Robin Sequence and 29 (27%) presented other
      syndromes or anomalies associated with RS. NPI treatment lasted an average of 57
      days and the mean hospitalization time was 18 days. Although all infants
      presented feeding difficulties, 85% were fed orally and only 15% underwent
      gastrostomy. Morbidity was 14% and no deaths occurred. CONCLUSIONS: The children
      treated with the RS treatment protocol adopted at the HRAC-USP had improved
      respiratory and feeding difficulties, required a shorter hospitalization time,
      and presented low morbidity and mortality during the first year of life. The
      general outcome prevented surgical procedures in early infancy.

PMID- 26273636
TI  - Elevated Serum Levels of Soluble CD30 in Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients and Its
      Association with Disease Severity-Related Parameters.
AB  - Soluble CD30 (sCD30), a transmembrane glycoprotein that belongs to the tumor
      necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) superfamily, has been shown to be associated with
      various pathological conditions. This study was designed to measure the levels of
      serum sCD30 in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and to evaluate the
      relationships between serum sCD30 levels and other disease severity-related
      indexes, including bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index (BASDAI),
      ankylosing spondylitis disease activity score (ASDAS), and bath ankylosing
      spondylitis functional index (BASFI). Our results demonstrated significantly
      elevated sCD30 levels in AS patients compared to healthy controls (HCs) with mean
      values of 32.0 +/- 12.2 and 24.9 +/- 8.0 ng/mL, respectively (P(**) = 0.007),
      suggesting a potential role of sCD30 in the pathogenesis of AS. However, no
      significant correlations of sCD30 with BASDAI, ASDAS, or BASFI were detected in
      our study (P > 0.05). Therefore, sCD30 cannot be used as a reliable marker for
      reflecting disease activity and functional ability of AS patients.

PMID- 26273637
TI  - Network-Based Association Study of Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes with Gene
      Expression Profiles.
AB  - The increased prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) has become an
      important factor affecting the health of the human. Obesity is commonly
      considered as a major risk factor for the development of T2D. However, the
      molecular mechanisms of the disease relations are not well discovered yet. In
      this study, the combination of multiple differential expression profiles and a
      comprehensive biological network of obesity and T2D allowed us to identify and
      compare the disease-responsive active modules and subclusters. The results
      demonstrated that the connection between obesity and T2D mainly relied on several
      pathways involved in the digestive metabolism, immunization, and signal
      transduction, such as adipocytokine, chemokine signaling pathway, T cell receptor
      signaling pathway, and MAPK signaling pathways. The relationships of almost all
      of these pathways with obesity and T2D have been verified by the previous reports
      individually. We also found that the different parts in the same pathway are
      activated in obesity and T2D. The association of cancer, obesity, and T2D was
      identified too here. As a conclusion, our network-based method not only gives
      better support for the close connection between obesity and T2D, but also
      provides a systemic view in understanding the molecular functions underneath the
      links. It should be helpful in the development of new therapies for obesity, T2D,
      and the associated diseases. 

PMID- 26273638
TI  - Second-Hand Smoking among Intermediate and Secondary School Students in Madinah,
      Saudi Arabia.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Second-hand smoke (SHS) is an important public health
      problem worldwide. The study aimed to estimate the prevalence of SHS exposure and
      its associated risk factors among intermediate and secondary school students.
      METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2013 among 3400 students from
      34 intermediate and secondary schools in Madinah City, Saudi Arabia. Data about
      sociodemographic and smoking-related factors and SHS exposure were collected
      using a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: Of the 3210 students analyzed,
      the prevalence of SHS exposure was 32.7% 49.3%, and 25% inside, outside, and both
      inside and outside the home, respectively. The highest risk of SHS exposure was
      associated with the adolescent's smoking status, parental smoking, close friends
      smoking, and family structure. The risk was markedly increased in association
      with parental smoking for exposure inside the home (OR = 6.49; 95% CI = 5.44
      7.73) and with close friends smoking for exposure outside the home (OR = 4.16;
      95% CI = 3.54-4.77). The risk of SHS, however, was lower among adolescents having
      knowledge about smoking and highly educated parents. CONCLUSION: The study
      revealed a considerably high prevalence of SHS both inside and outside the home
      among adolescents. Knowledge and beliefs about SHS exposure are the main
      preventable approach.

PMID- 26273639
TI  - Emerging Roles of MicroRNAs in EGFR-Targeted Therapies for Lung Cancer.
AB  - Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Several molecular
      pathways underlying mechanisms of this disease have been partly elucidated, among
      which the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway is one of the well
      known signaling cascades that plays a critical role in tumorigenesis.
      Dysregulation of the EGFR signaling is frequently found in lung cancer. The
      strategies to effectively inhibit EGFR signaling pathway have been mounted for
      developing anticancer therapeutic agents. However, most anti-EGFR-targeted agents
      fail to repress cancer progression because of developing drug-resistance.
      Therefore, studies of the mechanisms underpinning the resistance toward anti-EGFR
      agents may provide important findings for lung cancer treatment using anti-EGFR
      therapies. Recently, increasing numbers of miRNAs are correlated with the drug
      resistance of lung cancer cells to anti-EGFR agents, indicating that miRNAs may
      serve as novel targets and/or promising predictive biomarkers for anti-EGFR
      therapy. In this paper, we summarize the emerging role of miRNAs as regulators to
      modulate the EGFR signaling and the resistance of lung cancer cells to anti-EGFR
      therapy. We also highlight the evidence supporting the use of miRNAs as
      biomarkers for response to anti-EGFR agents and as novel therapeutic targets to
      circumvent the resistance of lung cancer cells to EGFR inhibitors. 

PMID- 26273640
TI  - Weaker Self-Esteem in Adolescence Predicts Smoking.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To study whether weaker self-esteem in adolescence is connected with
      smoking behavior in adulthood. METHODS: An age cohort born in 1979 responded to
      the Lawrence Self-Esteem Questionnaire (LAWSEQ) at the age of 16 (n = 1,072).
      Respondents' smoking behavior was monitored annually during adolescence and 75.3%
      (n = 813) of them remained nonsmokers during adolescence. A follow-up
      questionnaire eliciting smoking behavior was sent to the adolescent nonsmokers at
      the age of 29 years. Response rate at follow-up was 46.2% (n = 376). RESULTS:
      Weaker self-esteem (LAWSEQ score >= 3) during the adolescence was not
      significantly associated with smoking in adulthood. However, those respondents
      who had weaker self-esteem in adolescence had increased risk of having been
      smoking regularly (adjusted OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1-3.0) although not all of them were
      smokers at the time of the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Those with weaker self-esteem
      in adolescence are more likely to smoke regularly in adulthood.

PMID- 26273641
TI  - Translational Control Protein 80 Stimulates IRES-Mediated Translation of p53 mRNA
      in Response to DNA Damage.
AB  - Synthesis of the p53 tumor suppressor increases following DNA damage. This
      increase and subsequent activation of p53 are essential for the protection of
      normal cells against tumorigenesis. We previously discovered an internal ribosome
      entry site (IRES) that is located at the 5'-untranslated region (UTR) of p53 mRNA
      and found that the IRES activity increases following DNA damage. However, the
      mechanism underlying IRES-mediated p53 translation in response to DNA damage is
      still poorly understood. In this study, we discovered that translational control
      protein 80 (TCP80) has increased binding to the p53 mRNA in vivo following DNA
      damage. Overexpression of TCP80 also leads to increased p53 IRES activity in
      response to DNA damage. TCP80 has increased association with RNA helicase A (RHA)
      following DNA damage and overexpression of TCP80, along with RHA, leads to
      enhanced expression of p53. Moreover, we found that MCF-7 breast cancer cells
      with decreased expression of TCP80 and RHA exhibit defective p53 induction
      following DNA damage and diminished expression of its downstream target PUMA, a
      proapoptotic protein. Taken together, our discovery of the function of TCP80 and
      RHA in regulating p53 IRES and p53 induction following DNA damage provides a
      better understanding of the mechanisms that regulate IRES-mediated p53
      translation in response to genotoxic stress. 

PMID- 26273642
TI  - Impact of Waterpipe Tobacco Pack Health Warnings on Waterpipe Smoking Attitudes:
      A Qualitative Analysis among Regular Users in London.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite the rise in prevalence of waterpipe tobacco smoking, it has
      received little legislative enforcement from governing bodies, especially in the
      area of health warning labels. METHODS: Twenty regular waterpipe tobacco smokers
      from London took part in five focus groups discussing the impact of waterpipe
      tobacco pack health warnings on their attitudes towards waterpipe smoking. We
      presented them with existing and mock waterpipe tobacco products, designed to be
      compliant with current and future UK/EU legislation. Data were analysed using
      thematic analysis. RESULTS: Participants felt packs were less attractive and
      health warnings were more impactful as health warnings increased in size and
      packaging became less branded. However, participants highlighted their lack of
      exposure to waterpipe tobacco pack health warnings due to the inherent nature of
      waterpipe smoking, that is, smoking in a cafe with the apparatus already
      prepacked by staff. Health warnings at the point of consumption had more reported
      impact than health warnings at the point of sale. CONCLUSIONS: Waterpipe tobacco
      pack health warnings are likely to be effective if compliant with existing laws
      and exposed to end-users. Legislations should be reviewed to extend health
      warning labels to waterpipe accessories, particularly the apparatus, and to
      waterpipe-serving premises.

PMID- 26273643
TI  - Regulation of Cell Cycle Regulators by SIRT1 Contributes to Resveratrol-Mediated
      Prevention of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.
AB  - Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality
      in rheumatic diseases. Vascular remodeling due to the proliferation of pulmonary
      arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) is central to the development of PAH. To
      date, it is still unclear if Silence Information Regulator 1 (SIRT1) regulates
      cell cycle regulators in the proliferation of PASMCs and contributes to
      prevention of PAH by resveratrol. In this study, we found that a significant
      decrease of SIRT1 expression levels in platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF
      BB) treated human PASMCs (HPASMCs) and in monocrotaline (MCT) induced PAH rat.
      Overexpression of SIRT1 induced G1 phase arrest and increased p21 expression but
      decreased cyclin D1 expression in PDGF-BB treated HPASMCs. Moreover, resveratrol
      attenuated pulmonary arterial remodeling, decreased pulmonary arterial pressure,
      and upregulated SIRT1 and p21 expression but downregulated cyclin D1 expression
      in MCT induced PAH rat. Notably, knockdown of SIRT1 eliminated the regulation of
      resveratrol on p21 and cyclin D1 expression in PDGF-BB treated HPASMCs. These
      results demonstrated that SIRT1 mediated the regulation of resveratrol on the
      expression of cell cycle regulatory molecules. It suggests that SIRT1 exerts a
      protective role in PAH associated with rheumatic diseases and can be a potential
      treatment target. 

PMID- 26273644
TI  - A Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Surgery for Infectious Spondylodiscitis of the
      Thoracic and Upper Lumbar Spine in Immunocompromised Patients.
AB  - This study evaluates the safety and effectiveness of computed tomography- (CT-)
      assisted endoscopic surgery in the treatment of infectious spondylodiscitis of
      the thoracic and upper lumbar spine in immunocompromised patients. From October
      2006 to March 2014, a total of 41 patients with infectious spondylodiscitis
      underwent percutaneous endoscopic surgery under local anesthesia, and 13 lesions
      from 13 patients on the thoracic or upper lumbar spine were selected for
      evaluation. A CT-guided catheter was placed before percutaneous endoscopic
      surgery as a guide to avoid injury to visceral organs, major vessels, and the
      spinal cord. All 13 patients had quick pain relief after endoscopic surgery
      without complications. The bacterial culture rate was 77%. Inflammatory
      parameters returned to normal after adequate antibiotic treatment. Postoperative
      radiographs showed no significant kyphotic deformity when compared with
      preoperative films. As of the last follow-up visit, no recurrent infections were
      noted. Traditional transthoracic or diaphragmatic surgery with or without
      posterior instrumentation is associated with high rates of morbidity and
      mortality, especially in elderly patients, patients with multiple comorbidities,
      or immunocompromised patients. Percutaneous endoscopic surgery assisted by a CT
      guided catheter provides a safe and effective alternative treatment for
      infectious spondylodiscitis of the thoracic and upper lumbar spine. 

PMID- 26273645
TI  - Prediction of MicroRNA-Disease Associations Based on Social Network Analysis
      Methods.
AB  - MicroRNAs constitute an important class of noncoding, single-stranded, ~22
      nucleotide long RNA molecules encoded by endogenous genes. They play an important
      role in regulating gene transcription and the regulation of normal development.
      MicroRNAs can be associated with disease; however, only a few microRNA-disease
      associations have been confirmed by traditional experimental approaches. We
      introduce two methods to predict microRNA-disease association. The first method,
      KATZ, focuses on integrating the social network analysis method with machine
      learning and is based on networks derived from known microRNA-disease
      associations, disease-disease associations, and microRNA-microRNA associations.
      The other method, CATAPULT, is a supervised machine learning method. We applied
      the two methods to 242 known microRNA-disease associations and evaluated their
      performance using leave-one-out cross-validation and 3-fold cross-validation.
      Experiments proved that our methods outperformed the state-of-the-art methods. 

PMID- 26273646
TI  - Bioprecipitation of Calcium Carbonate Crystals by Bacteria Isolated from Saline
      Environments Grown in Culture Media Amended with Seawater and Real Brine.
AB  - The precipitation of calcium carbonate and calcium sulphate by isolated bacteria
      from seawater and real brine obtained in a desalination plant growth in culture
      media containing seawater and brine as mineral sources has been studied. However,
      only bioprecipitation was detected when the bacteria were grown in media with
      added organic matter. Biomineralization process started rapidly, crystal
      formation taking place in the beginning a few days after inoculation of media;
      roughly 90% of total cultivated bacteria showed. Six major colonies with
      carbonate precipitation capacity dominated bacterial community structure
      cultivated in heterotrophic platable bacteria medium. Taxonomic identification of
      these six strains through partial 16S rRNA gene sequences showed their
      affiliation with Gram-positive Bacillus and Virgibacillus genera. These strains
      were able to form calcium carbonate minerals, which precipitated as calcite and
      aragonite crystals and showed bacterial fingerprints or bacteria calcification.
      Also, carbonic anhydrase activity was observed in three of these isolated
      bacteria. The results of this research suggest that microbiota isolated from sea
      water and brine is capable of precipitation of carbonate biominerals, which can
      occur in situ with mediation of organic matter concentrations. Moreover, calcium
      carbonate precipitation ability of this microbiota could be of importance in
      bioremediation of CO2 and calcium in certain environments. 

PMID- 26273647
TI  - Quitline Use and Outcomes among Callers with and without Mental Health
      Conditions: A 7-Month Follow-Up Evaluation in Three States.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To examine abstinence outcomes among tobacco users with and without a
      reported mental health condition (MHC) who enrolled in state tobacco quitline
      programs. METHODS: Data were analyzed from a 7-month follow-up survey (response
      rate: 41% [3,132/7,459]) of three state-funded telephone quitline programs in the
      United States that assessed seven self-reported MHCs at quitline registration. We
      examined 30-day point prevalence tobacco quit rates for callers with any MHC
      versus none. Data were weighted to adjust for response bias and oversampling.
      Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine cessation outcomes.
      RESULTS: Overall, 45.8% of respondents reported >= 1 MHC; 57.4% of those
      reporting a MHC reported >= 2 MHCs. The unadjusted quit rate for callers with any
      MHC was lower than for callers with no MHC (22.0% versus 31.0%, P < 0.001). After
      adjusting for demographics, nicotine dependence, and program engagement, callers
      reporting >= 1 MHC were less likely to be abstinent at follow-up (adjusted OR =
      0.63, 95% CI = 0.51-0.78, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: More intensive or tailored
      quitline programs may need to be developed among callers with MHCs as their quit
      rates appear to be lower than callers without MHCs.

PMID- 26273648
TI  - Social Inequality in Cigarette Consumption, Cigarette Dependence, and Intention
      to Quit among Norwegian Smokers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The study aim was to examine the influence of education and income on
      multiple measures of risk of smoking continuation. METHODS: Three logistic
      regression models were run on cigarette consumption, dependence, and intention to
      quit based on nationally representative samples (2007-2012) of approximately 1
      200 current smokers aged 30-66 years in Norway. RESULTS: The relative risk ratio
      for current versus never smokers was RRR 5.37, 95% CI [4.26-6.77] among
      individuals with low educational level versus high and RRR 1.53, 95% CI [1.14
      2.06] in the low-income group versus high (adjusted model). Low educational level
      was associated with high cigarette consumption, high cigarette dependence, and no
      intention to quit. The difference in predicted probability for having high
      cigarette consumption, high cigarette dependence, and no intention to quit were
      in the range of 10-20 percentage points between smokers with low versus those
      with high educational level. A significant difference between low- and high
      income levels was observed for intention to quit. The effect of education on high
      consumption and dependence was mainly found in smokers with high income.
      CONCLUSION: Increased effort to combat social differences in smoking behaviour is
      needed. Implementation of smoking cessation programmes with high reach among low
      socioeconomic groups is recommended.

PMID- 26273649
TI  - Socioeconomic Gradients in Different Types of Tobacco Use in India: Evidence from
      Global Adult Tobacco Survey 2009-10.
AB  - Socioeconomic differences in tobacco use have been reported, but there is a lack
      of evidence on how they vary according to types of tobacco use. This study
      explored socioeconomic differences associated with cigarette, bidi, smokeless
      tobacco (SLT), and dual use (smoking and smokeless tobacco use) in India and
      tested whether these differences vary by gender and residential area. Secondary
      analysis of Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) 2009-10 (n = 69,296) was
      conducted. The primary outcomes were self-reported cigarette, bidi smoking, SLT,
      and dual use. The main explanatory variables were wealth, education, and
      occupation. Associations were assessed using multinomial logistic regressions.
      69,030 adults participated in the study. Positive association was observed
      between wealth and prevalence of cigarette smoking while inverse associations
      were observed for bidi smoking, SLT, and dual use after adjustment for potential
      confounders. Inverse associations with education were observed for all four types
      after adjusting for confounders. Significant interactions were observed for
      gender and area in the association between cigarette, bidi, and smokeless tobacco
      use with wealth and education. The probability of cigarette smoking was higher
      for wealthier individuals while the probability of bidi smoking, smokeless
      tobacco use, and dual use was higher for those with lesser wealth and education. 

PMID- 26273650
TI  - Management of Deep Infection after Instrumentation on Lumbar Spinal Surgery in a
      Single Institution.
AB  - Postoperative surgical site infections (SSIs) are more common complications after
      spinal surgery. SSIs often require extended hospitalisation and may worsen
      overall clinical outcomes. A retrospective database review of consecutive
      patients with traditional open lumbar spinal surgery was performed. SSIs patients
      were identified and reviewed for clinically relevant details, and postoperative
      SSIs' incidence was calculated for the entire cohort as well as for subgroups
      with or without spinal implants. In 15 years, 1,176 patients underwent open
      lumbar spinal surgery with spinal implants and 699 without. Thirty-eight
      developed postoperative SSIs. Total SSI rate for the entire group was 2.03%. The
      incidence of postoperative SSIs in the nonimplant group was relatively low.
      Patients received antibiotics, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and wet dressing. We
      provided the precise rates of postoperative SSIs in traditional open spinal
      surgery obtained from a single-centre data. Patients with spinal implants had
      higher SSIs' incidence than those without. 

PMID- 26273651
TI  - Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis: Involvement of the Telomerase and Proinflammatory
      Mediators.
AB  - Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis or NASH is an excessive accumulation of fat in
      hepatocytes accompanied by inflammation and hepatic injury. Proinflammatory
      molecules such as IL-17, CCL20, S100A8, S100A9, and S100A8/A9 have been shown to
      be implicated in many types of cancer. Telomerase activity has been found to be
      associated with chronic inflammation and cancer. NASH can progress to fibrosis
      then cirrhosis and finally to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Our objective is to
      try to find a relation between inflammation and the progression of NASH into HCC.
      We found that there was a significant elevation in the telomerase activity,
      detected by real-time PCR, between NASH and fibrotic NASH in the liver biopsies
      of patients. The expression of S100A8, S100A9, S100A8/A9, CCL20, and IL-17,
      detected by ELISA, is significantly increased in NASH patients with fibrosis in
      comparison with controls. But, in NASH patients, S100A9, S100A8/A9, and IL-17
      only are significantly elevated in comparison with controls. The same, on the
      mRNA level, expression of IL-17, detected by RT-PCR, is significantly elevated in
      NASH patients in comparison with controls. Therefore, there is a direct link
      between the expression of IL-17, CCL20, telomerase, S100A8, and S100A9 in the
      fibrotic condition and the progression towards cancer. 

PMID- 26273652
TI  - A High Diversity in Chitinolytic and Chitosanolytic Species and Enzymes and Their
      Oligomeric Products Exist in Soil with a History of Chitin and Chitosan Exposure.
AB  - Chitin is one of the most abundant biomolecules on earth, and its partially de-N
      acetylated counterpart, chitosan, is one of the most promising biotechnological
      resources due to its diversity in structure and function. Recently, chitin and
      chitosan modifying enzymes (CCMEs) have gained increasing interest as tools to
      engineer chitosans with specific functions and reliable performance in
      biotechnological and biomedical applications. In a search for novel CCME, we
      isolated chitinolytic and chitosanolytic microorganisms from soils with more than
      ten-years history of chitin and chitosan exposure and screened them for chitinase
      and chitosanase isoenzymes as well as for their patterns of oligomeric products
      by incubating their secretomes with chitosan polymers. Of the 60 bacterial
      strains isolated, only eight were chitinolytic and/or chitosanolytic, while 20
      out of 25 fungal isolates were chitinolytic and/or chitosanolytic. The bacterial
      isolates produced rather similar patterns of chitinolytic and chitosanolytic
      enzymes, while the fungal isolates produced a much broader range of different
      isoenzymes. Furthermore, diverse mixtures of oligosaccharides were formed when
      chitosan polymers were incubated with the secretomes of select fungal species.
      Our study indicates that soils with a history of chitin and chitosan exposure are
      a good source of novel CCME for chitosan bioengineering. 

PMID- 26273653
TI  - Lipid Emulsion Attenuates Acetylcholine-Induced Relaxation in Isolated Rat Aorta.
AB  - We investigated the effect of Lipofundin MCT/LCT and Intralipid on acetylcholine
      induced nitric oxide- (NO-) mediated relaxation in rat aorta to determine which
      lipid emulsion (LE) is more potent in terms of inhibition of NO-induced
      relaxation. Dose-response curves of responses induced by acetylcholine, the
      calcium ionophore A23187, and sodium nitroprusside were generated using isolated
      rat aorta with or without LE. The effect of Lipofundin MCT/LCT on acetylcholine
      induced endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation in human
      umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was investigated using western
      blotting. Lipofundin MCT/LCT (0.1 and 0.2%) attenuated acetylcholine-induced
      relaxation in endothelium-intact aorta with or without tiron, whereas 0.2%
      Intralipid only inhibited relaxation. Lipofundin MCT/LCT inhibited relaxation
      induced by the calcium ionophore A23187 and sodium nitroprusside in endothelium
      intact aorta, but Lipofundin MCT/LCT had no effect on sodium nitroprusside
      induced relaxation in the endothelium-denuded aorta. Combined pretreatment with l
      arginine plus Lipofundin MCT/LCT increased acetylcholine-induced maximal
      relaxation in endothelium-intact aorta compared with Lipofundin MCT/LCT alone. L
      Arginine attenuated Lipofundin MCT/LCT-mediated inhibition of acetylcholine
      induced eNOS phosphorylation in HUVECs. Taken together, Lipofundin MCT/LCT
      attenuated acetylcholine-induced NO-mediated relaxation via an inhibitory effect
      on the endothelium including eNOS, which is proximal to activation of guanylyl
      cyclase.

PMID- 26273654
TI  - Predictive Factors of Clinical Response of Infliximab Therapy in Active
      Nonradiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis Patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficiency and the predictive factors of clinical
      response of infliximab in active nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis
      patients. METHODS: Active nonradiographic patients fulfilling ESSG criteria for
      SpA but not fulfilling modified New York criteria were included. All patients
      received infliximab treatment for 24 weeks. The primary endpoint was ASAS20
      response at weeks 12 and 24. The abilities of baseline parameters and response at
      week 2 to predict ASAS20 response at weeks 12 and 24 were assessed using ROC
      curve and logistic regression analysis, respectively. RESULTS: Of 70 axial SpA
      patients included, the proportions of patients achieving an ASAS20 response at
      weeks 2, 6, 12, and 24 were 85.7%, 88.6%, 87.1%, and 84.3%, respectively.
      Baseline MRI sacroiliitis score (AUC = 0.791; P = 0.005), CRP (AUC = 0.75; P =
      0.017), and ASDAS (AUC = 0.778, P = 0.007) significantly predicted ASAS20
      response at week 12. However, only ASDAS (AUC = 0.696, P = 0.040) significantly
      predicted ASAS20 response at week 24. Achievement of ASAS20 response after the
      first infliximab infusion was a significant predictor of subsequent ASAS20
      response at weeks 12 and 24 (wald chi(2) = 6.87, P = 0.009, and wald chi(2) =
      5.171, P = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: Infliximab shows efficiency in active
      nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis patients. ASDAS score and first-dose
      response could help predicting clinical efficacy of infliximab therapy in these
      patients.

PMID- 26273655
TI  - MUTYH Gene Polymorphisms as Risk Factors for Rheumatoid Arthritis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: MUTYH glycosylase involved in DNA repair pathways may be associated
      with the risk of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
      Therefore, the association between polymorphisms in the MUTYH gene and RA was
      evaluated. METHODS: We recruited 192 RA patients and 192 healthy subjects in
      Taiwan. The 4 MUTYH polymorphisms (rs3219463, rs3219476, rs3219489, and
      rs3219493) were detected and haplotype analysis was performed using the Bayesian
      method. The genotype and allelic frequency distributions of the polymorphisms in
      both RA patients and healthy patients were compared by the chi-square test.
      RESULTS: Comparison of the genotype/allele frequencies between individuals with
      RA and the control groups revealed significant differences in 2 MUTYH gene
      polymorphisms, rs3219463 and rs3219476. After we performed a haplotype-specific
      analysis, the haplotypes Ht6-GTGC and Ht8-GGCG had lower presenting rates in RA
      patients than in the control groups. Furthermore, the genotype frequency of
      rs3219463 G/  was significantly increased among patients with immunoglobulin M
      rheumatoid factors, whereas that of rs3219476 was not. CONCLUSION: We
      demonstrated that the rs3219463 and rs3219476 polymorphisms in RA patients from a
      Taiwan Chinese population were associated with disease susceptibility. These data
      indicate that the MUTYH gene may play a role in the progression of RA.

PMID- 26273656
TI  - Fructose-Drinking Water Induced Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and
      Ultrastructural Alteration of Hepatocyte Mitochondria in Male Wistar Rat.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the complications
      of the metabolic syndrome. It encompasses a wide range of disease spectrum from
      simple steatosis to liver cirrhosis. Structural alteration of hepatic
      mitochondria might be involved in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. AIMS: In the present
      study, we used a newly established model of fructose-induced metabolic syndrome
      in male Wistar rats in order to investigate the ultrastructural changes in
      hepatic mitochondria that occur with fructose consumption and their association
      with NAFLD pathogenesis. METHODS: The concentration of fructose-drinking water
      (FDW) used in this study was 20%. Six male Wistar rats were supplemented with FDW
      20% for eight weeks. Body composition and metabolic parameters were measured
      before and after 8 weeks of FDW 20%. Histomorphology of the liver was evaluated
      and ultrastructural changes of mitochondria were assessed with transmission
      electron micrograph. RESULTS: After 8 weeks of fructose consumption, the animals
      developed several features of the metabolic syndrome. Moreover, fructose
      consumption led to the development of macrovesicular hepatic steatosis and
      mitochondrial ultrastructural changes, such as increase in mitochondrial size,
      disruption of the cristae, and reduction of matrix density. CONCLUSION: We
      conclude that in male Wistar rat 8-week consumption of FDW 20% leads to NAFLD
      likely via mitochondrial structural alteration.

PMID- 26273657
TI  - Posttranscriptional Regulation and RNA Binding Proteins in Cancer Biology.

PMID- 26273658
TI  - Deciphering the Correlation between Breast Tumor Samples and Cell Lines by
      Integrating Copy Number Changes and Gene Expression Profiles.
AB  - Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers with high incident rate and high
      mortality rate worldwide. Although different breast cancer cell lines were widely
      used in laboratory investigations, accumulated evidences have indicated that
      genomic differences exist between cancer cell lines and tissue samples in the
      past decades. The abundant molecular profiles of cancer cell lines and tumor
      samples deposited in the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia and The Cancer Genome
      Atlas now allow a systematical comparison of the breast cancer cell lines with
      breast tumors. We depicted the genomic characteristics of breast primary tumors
      based on the copy number variation and gene expression profiles and the breast
      cancer cell lines were compared to different subgroups of breast tumors. We
      identified that some of the breast cancer cell lines show high correlation with
      the tumor group that agrees with previous knowledge, while a big part of them do
      not, including the most used MCF7, MDA-MB-231, and T-47D. We presented a
      computational framework to identify cell lines that mostly resemble a certain
      tumor group for the breast tumor study. Our investigation presents a useful guide
      to bridge the gap between cell lines and tumors and helps to select the most
      suitable cell line models for personalized cancer studies. 

PMID- 26273659
TI  - Effect of Intraoperative Corneal Stromal Pocket Irrigation in Small Incision
      Lenticule Extraction.
AB  - This study aimed at evaluating the effect of intraoperative corneal pocket
      irrigation in small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) and compares it to that
      in femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK). Sixteen rabbit
      eyes underwent a SMILE procedure, with 8 eyes having corneal pocket irrigation,
      while the other 8 eyes were without irrigation. Another 16 eyes underwent a FS
      LASIK procedure for comparison, with 8 eyes having flap irrigation, while the
      other 8 eyes were without irrigation. The results showed that the changes in the
      total corneal thickness, anterior and posterior lamellar thickness, measured by
      the anterior segment optical coherence tomography, were comparable between the
      SMILE with and without irrigation groups, suggesting that the irrigation did not
      lead to significant changes in the corneal thickness. However, at postoperative 8
      hours, in vivo confocal microscopy showed that the interface reflectivity in the
      SMILE with irrigation group was significantly higher than that in other three
      groups. The presence of interface fluid was further confirmed by the
      identification of fluid pockets with undulated collagen shown on histological
      section in the post-SMILE with irrigation eyes. Our findings might contribute to
      the occurrence of post-SMILE delayed immediate visual quality recovery and
      further clinical study is required. 

PMID- 26273660
TI  - Analysis of Erythrocyte C4d to Complement Receptor 1 Ratio: Use in Distinguishing
      between Infection and Flare-Up in Febrile Patients with Systemic Lupus
      Erythematosus.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Fever in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can be caused by infection
      or flare-up of the disease. This study aimed to determine whether the ratio of
      the level of erythrocyte-bound C4d to that of complement receptor 1 (C4d/CR1) can
      serve as a useful biomarker in the differentiation between infection and flare-up
      in febrile SLE patients. METHODS: We enrolled febrile SLE patients and determined
      the ratio on the day of admission. The patients were divided into 2 groups
      according to the subsequent clinical course. RESULTS: Among the febrile SLE
      patients, those with flare-up had higher ratios and lower C-reactive protein
      (CRP) levels than those with infection. Cut-off values of <1.2447 and >4.67 for
      C4d/CR1 ratio and CRP, respectively, were 40.91% sensitive and 100.0% specific
      for the presence of infection in febrile SLE patients; similarly, cut-off values
      of >1.2447 and <2.2, respectively, were 80% sensitive and 100% specific for the
      absence of infection in febrile SLE patients. CONCLUSION: The C4d/CR1 ratio is a
      simple and quickly determinable biomarker that enables the differentiation
      between infection and flare-up in febrile SLE patients at initial evaluation.
      Further, when combined with the CRP level, it is useful to evaluate disease
      activity in SLE patients with infection.

PMID- 26273661
TI  - Bacterial Diversity and Bioremediation Potential of the Highly Contaminated
      Marine Sediments at El-Max District (Egypt, Mediterranean Sea).
AB  - Coastal environments worldwide are threatened by the effects of pollution, a risk
      particularly high in semienclosed basins like the Mediterranean Sea that is
      poorly studied from bioremediation potential perspective especially in the
      Southern coast. Here, we investigated the physical, chemical, and microbiological
      features of hydrocarbon and heavy metals contaminated sediments collected at El
      Max bay (Egypt). Molecular and statistical approaches assessing the structure of
      the sediment-dwelling bacterial communities showed correlations between the
      composition of bacterial assemblages and the associated environmental parameters.
      Fifty strains were isolated on mineral media supplemented by 1% crude oil and
      identified as a diverse range of hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria involved in
      different successional stages of biodegradation. We screened the collection for
      biotechnological potential studying biosurfactant production, biofilm formation,
      and the capability to utilize different hydrocarbons. Some strains were able to
      grow on multiple hydrocarbons as unique carbon source and presented biosurfactant
      like activities and/or capacity to form biofilm and owned genes involved in
      different detoxification/degradation processes. El-Max sediments represent a
      promising reservoir of novel bacterial strains adapted to high hydrocarbon
      contamination loads. The potential of the strains for exploitation for in situ
      intervention to combat pollution in coastal areas is discussed. 

PMID- 26273662
TI  - Association of the Genetic Polymorphisms in Transcription Factor 7-Like 2 and
      Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors- gamma 2 with Type 2 Diabetes
      Mellitus and is Interaction with Obesity Status in Emirati Population.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Transcription factor 7-like 2 gene (TCF7L2) and peroxisome
      proliferator-activated receptors-gamma2 (PPAR-gamma2) have a profound effect on
      the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and had previously been found to
      be associated with T2DM risk in various ppopulations. However, studies in the
      Arab population are inconsistent. We conducted a case control study to confirm
      the association of variants rs10885409 of TCF7L2 and Pro12Ala (rs1801282) of PPAR
      gamma2 with risk of T2DM and related complications in Emirati population of Arab
      origin. We also investigated the interaction of these associations with obesity
      status. METHODS: DNA was extracted from the saliva samples of 272 T2DM patients
      and 216 nondiabetic Emiratis. Genotyping for rs10885409 (TCF7L2) and rs1801282
      (PPAR-gamma2 P12A) variants was accomplished with a TaqMan assay. The subgroups
      were constituted according to obesity status. RESULTS: In the nonobese group, the
      rs10885409 C allele in the recessive model was significantly associated with the
      incidence of T2DM (OR 1.975 [95% CI 1.127-3.461], P = 0.017), but this
      association was not observed in the obese group or when BMI was not considered.
      PPAR-gamma2 risk allele Pro12 frequency (0.96) was similar in the groups tested
      and more than 90% population was homozygous for this allele. CONCLUSIONS: Our
      case-control study is the first of its kind in Emiratis which establishes TCF7L2
      rs10885409 C allele as a T2DM risk factor in Emiratis and this association is
      modulated by obesity status. We also confirmed that Pro12Ala mutation in PPAR
      gamma2 is not associated with T2DM risk in this population.

PMID- 26273663
TI  - Study of Protein Biomarkers of Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 and Therapy with Vitamin
      B1.
AB  - In the present research work, the levels of protein biomarkers specific to
      diabetes mellitus type 2 in the Pakistani population using proteomic technology
      have been identified and characterized and effect of high dose thiamine has been
      seen on the levels of these marker proteins. Diabetic patients and normal healthy
      controls were recruited from the Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan. Total
      biochemical assays and proteins were estimated by modern proteomic techniques.
      Some proteins were up- and downregulated in diabetic samples as compared to
      control and decreased after thiamine therapy, while other protein markers did not
      show a significant change after the thiamine therapy. The effect of high dose
      thiamine on the levels of these identified protein biomarkers in the human urine
      has also been observed. Assessment of the levels of these biomarkers will be
      helpful in not only early diagnosis but also prognosis of diabetes mellitus type
      2. 

PMID- 26273665
TI  - Wide-Field Megahertz OCT Imaging of Patients with Diabetic Retinopathy.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility of wide-field Megahertz (MHz) OCT imaging in
      patients with diabetic retinopathy. METHODS: A consecutive series of 15 eyes of
      15 patients with diagnosed diabetic retinopathy were included. All patients
      underwent Megahertz OCT imaging, a close clinical examination, slit lamp
      biomicroscopy, and funduscopic evaluation. To acquire densely sampled, wide-field
      volumetric datasets, an ophthalmic 1050 nm OCT prototype system based on a
      Fourier-domain mode-locked (FDML) laser source with 1.68 MHz A-scan rate was
      employed. RESULTS. We were able to obtain OCT volume scans from all included 15
      patients. Acquisition time was 1.8 seconds. Obtained volume datasets consisted of
      2088 * 1044 A-scans of 60 degrees  of view. Thus, reconstructed en face images
      had a resolution of 34.8 pixels per degree in x-axis and 17.4 pixels per degree.
      Due to the densely sampled OCT volume dataset, postprocessed customized cross
      sectional B-frames through pathologic changes such as an individual microaneurysm
      or a retinal neovascularization could be imaged. CONCLUSIONS: Wide-field
      Megahertz OCT is feasible to successfully image patients with diabetic
      retinopathy at high scanning rates and a wide angle of view, providing
      information in all three axes. The Megahertz OCT is a useful tool to screen
      diabetic patients for diabetic retinopathy.

PMID- 26273664
TI  - Glycemic Variability Assessed by Continuous Glucose Monitoring and Short-Term
      Outcome in Diabetic Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: An
      Observational Pilot Study.
AB  - Poor glycemic control is associated with unfavorable outcome in patients
      undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), irrespective of diabetes
      mellitus. However a complete assessment of glycemic status may not be fully
      described by glycated hemoglobin or fasting blood glucose levels, whereas daily
      glycemic fluctuations may influence cardiovascular risk and have even more
      deleterious effects than sustained hyperglycemia. Thus, this paper investigated
      the effectiveness of a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), registering the mean
      level of glycemic values but also the extent of glucose excursions during
      coronary revascularization, in detecting periprocedural outcome such as renal or
      myocardial damage, assessed by serum creatinine, neutrophil gelatinase-associated
      lipocalin (NGAL), and troponin I levels. High glycemic variability (GV) has been
      associated with worse postprocedural creatinine and NGAL variations. Moreover,
      GV, and predominantly hypoglycemic variations, has been observed to increase in
      patients with periprocedural myocardial infarction. Thus, our study investigated
      the usefulness of CGM in the setting of PCI where an optimal glycemic control
      should be achieved in order to prevent complications and improve outcome. 

PMID- 26273666
TI  - Association of Metabolic Syndrome with the Cardioankle Vascular Index in
      Asymptomatic Korean Population.
AB  - AIM: Metabolic syndrome is characterized by a cluster of atherosclerotic
      cardiovascular risk factors. The cardioankle vascular index (CAVI) reflects
      arterial stiffness and may be used as an indicator of atherosclerotic
      cardiovascular disease. In this study, we investigated the association of CAVI
      with metabolic syndrome. METHODS: A total of 1,144 adults were included in this
      study. We measured CAVIs and examined blood samples to identify metabolic
      syndrome according to WHO Asia Pacific criteria and NCEP-ATPIII criteria. AST,
      ALT, r-GTP, BUN, creatinine, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, and uric acid
      were also measured. RESULTS: CAVI values were significantly higher in subjects
      with metabolic syndrome than those without metabolic syndrome and increased
      according to the number of metabolic syndrome components present. Subjects with
      high fasting blood sugar levels or high blood pressure showed high CAVI values.
      Multiple regression analysis showed that age, sex, diastolic blood pressure, and
      uric acid were independent predictors of CAVI. CONCLUSION: Subjects with
      metabolic syndrome had high CAVIs, which indicated arterial stiffness, and were
      closely associated with an increase in the number of metabolic risk factors. The
      individual risk factors for metabolic syndrome have the synergistic effect of
      elevating arterial stiffness in asymptomatic Korean population.

PMID- 26273667
TI  - Recent Trends in Therapeutic Approaches for Diabetes Management: A Comprehensive
      Update.
AB  - Diabetes highlights a growing epidemic imposing serious social economic crisis to
      the countries around the globe. Despite scientific breakthroughs, better
      healthcare facilities, and improved literacy rate, the disease continues to
      burden several sections, especially middle and low income countries. The present
      trends indicate the rise in premature death, posing a major threat to global
      development. Scientific and technological advances have witnessed the development
      of newer generation of drugs like sulphonylureas, biguanides, alpha glucosidase
      inhibitors, and thiazolidinediones with significant efficacy in reducing
      hyperglycemia. Recent approaches in drug discovery have contributed to the
      development of new class of therapeutics like Incretin mimetics, Amylin
      analogues, GIP analogs, Peroxisome proliferator activated receptors, and
      dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor as targets for potential drugs in diabetes
      treatment. Subsequently, the identification and clinical investigation of
      bioactive substances from plants have revolutionized the research on drug
      discovery and lead identification for diabetes management. With a focus on the
      emerging trends, the review article explores the current statistical prevalence
      of the disease, discussing the benefits and limitations of the commercially
      available drugs. Additionally, the critical areas in clinical diabetology are
      discussed, with respect to prospects of statins, nanotechnology, and stem cell
      technology as next generation therapeutics and why the herbal formulations are
      consistently popular choice for diabetes medication and management. 

PMID- 26273668
TI  - Population-Based Studies on the Epidemiology of Insulin Resistance in Children.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In view of the alarming incidence of obesity in children, insight
      into the epidemiology of the prediabetic state insulin resistance (IR) seems
      important. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review was to give an overview
      of all population-based studies reporting on the prevalence and incidence rates
      of IR in childhood. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane library were searched
      in order to find all available population-based studies describing the
      epidemiology of IR in pediatric populations. Prevalence rates together with
      methods and cut-off values used to determine IR were extracted and summarized
      with weight and sex specific prevalence rates of IR if available. RESULTS:
      Eighteen population-based studies were identified, describing prevalence rates
      varying between 3.1 and 44%, partly explained by different definitions for IR.
      Overweight and obese children had higher prevalence rates than normal weight
      children. In seven out of thirteen studies reporting sex specific results, girls
      seemed to be more affected than boys. CONCLUSION: Prevalence rates of IR reported
      in children vary widely which is partly due to the variety of definitions used.
      Overweight and obese children had higher prevalence and girls were more insulin
      resistant than boys. Consensus on the definition for IR in children is needed to
      allow for comparisons between different studies.

PMID- 26273669
TI  - Dysglycaemia and Other Predictors for Progression or Regression from Impaired
      Fasting Glucose to Diabetes or Normoglycaemia.
AB  - AIMS: Diabetes mellitus is a growing health problem worldwide. This study aimed
      to describe dysglycaemia and determine the impact of body composition and
      clinical and lifestyle factors on the risk of progression or regression from
      impaired fasting glucose (IFG) to diabetes or normoglycaemia in Australian women.
      METHODS: This study included 1167 women, aged 20-94 years, enrolled in the
      Geelong Osteoporosis Study. Multivariable logistic regression was used to
      identify predictors for progression to diabetes or regression to normoglycaemia
      (from IFG), over 10 years of follow-up. RESULTS: At baseline the proportion of
      women with IFG was 33.8% and 6.5% had diabetes. Those with fasting dysglycaemia
      had higher obesity-related factors, lower serum HDL cholesterol, and lower
      physical activity. Over a decade, the incidence of progression from IFG to
      diabetes was 18.1 per 1,000 person-years (95% CI, 10.7-28.2). Fasting plasma
      glucose and serum triglycerides were important factors in both progression to
      diabetes and regression to normoglycaemia. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show a
      transitional process; those with IFG had risk factors intermediate to
      normoglycaemics and those with diabetes. This investigation may help target
      interventions to those with IFG at high risk of progression to diabetes and
      thereby prevent cases of diabetes.

PMID- 26273670
TI  - The Genetic Profile from HLA and Non-HLA Loci Allows Identification of Atypical
      Type 2 Diabetes Patients.
AB  - The complex diagnosis and treatment of diabetes highlight the need for markers to
      define how to monitor patients correctly during the course of their disease.
      Different studies demonstrate the existence of patients who cannot be clearly
      classified. We have previously shown that it is possible to differentiate
      "atypical diabetic patients" based on genotyping the HLA. In this work we show
      that the analysis of non-HLA related to type 1 diabetes in the INS-VNTR, SNP
      rs689, and rs3842753 improves the identification of these patients. We genotyped
      913 individuals comprising controls from the general population and "classic" and
      "atypical" diabetic patients. We compared the distribution of these loci and
      analyzed linkage disequilibrium. The haplotype was in LD for all the SNPs that
      were evaluated. Regarding their association with the disease, the haplotype IAC
      was associated with type 1 (odds 2.60, 1.82-3.72, CI 95%) and "atypical diabetes"
      (odds 1.50, 1.01-2.23, CI 95%), whereas we did not observe an association with
      type 2 diabetes. Therefore, our results confirm that atypical diabetes is a
      different entity of the disease where the patient presents with a genetic
      background of T1D and a T2D phenotype, findings that are likely to be relevant
      for patient diagnosis and management in the clinic. 

PMID- 26273671
TI  - GDF-15 as a Target and Biomarker for Diabetes and Cardiovascular Diseases: A
      Translational Prospective.
AB  - Growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) is a stress responsive cytokine. It is
      highly expressed in cardiomyocytes, adipocytes, macrophages, endothelial cells,
      and vascular smooth muscle cells in normal and pathological condition. GDF-15
      increases during tissue injury and inflammatory states and is associated with
      cardiometabolic risk. Increased GDF-15 levels are associated with cardiovascular
      diseases such as hypertrophy, heart failure, atherosclerosis, endothelial
      dysfunction, obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes, and chronic kidney diseases
      in diabetes. Increased GDF-15 level is linked with the progression and prognosis
      of the disease condition. Age, smoking, and environmental factors are other risk
      factors that may increase GDF-15 level. Most of the scientific studies reported
      that GDF-15 plays a protective role in different tissues. However, few reports
      show that the deficiency of GDF-15 is beneficial against vascular injury and
      inflammation. GDF-15 protects heart, adipose tissue, and endothelial cells by
      inhibiting JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase), Bad (Bcl-2-associated death promoter),
      and EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) and activating Smad, eNOS, PI3K, and
      AKT signaling pathways. The present review describes the different animal and
      clinical studies and patent updates of GDF-15 in diabetes and cardiovascular
      diseases. It is a challenge for the scientific community to use GDF-15
      information for patient monitoring, clinical decision-making, and replacement of
      current treatment strategies for diabetic and cardiovascular diseases. 

PMID- 26273672
TI  - NLRP3 Inflammasome Polymorphism and Macrovascular Complications in Type 2
      Diabetes Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It is generally accepted that poor glycemic control, arterial
      hypertension and/or hyperlipidemia, and the associated oxidative stress may
      contribute to the development of macro- and microvascular complications in type 2
      diabetes (T2D). Such metabolic damage signals may activate inflammasome and
      trigger chronic inflammation. We investigated common polymorphisms in
      inflammasome coding genes and the risk for macro- and microvascular complications
      in T2D. METHODS: In total 181 clinically well-characterised T2D patients were
      genotyped for NLRP3 rs35829419 and CARD8 rs2043211. Risk for diabetic
      complications was assessed using logistic regression. RESULTS: Patients with
      median duration of T2D 11 (6-17) years had relatively well controlled blood
      glucose and lipid levels and blood pressure on the prescribed treatment regimen.
      Duration of T2D and plasma cholesterol levels were the most important clinical
      risk factors for macrovascular complications (P = 0.007 and P = 0.031). NLRP3
      rs35829419 was associated with increased risk for macrovascular complications (P
      = 0.004), with myocardial infarction in particular (P = 0.052). No association
      was observed between CARD8 polymorphism and any of T2D complications.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary data suggest the role of NLRP3 polymorphism in
      diabetic macrovascular complications, especially in myocardial infarction.

PMID- 26273673
TI  - Comment on "Alpha-Lipoic Acid and Antioxidant Diet Help to Improve Endothelial
      Dysfunction in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes: A Pilot Trial".

PMID- 26273674
TI  - Edible Bird's Nest Prevents High Fat Diet-Induced Insulin Resistance in Rats.
AB  - Edible bird's nest (EBN) is used traditionally in many parts of Asia to improve
      wellbeing, but there are limited studies on its efficacy. We explored the
      potential use of EBN for prevention of high fat diet- (HFD-) induced insulin
      resistance in rats. HFD was given to rats with or without simvastatin or EBN for
      12 weeks. During the intervention period, weight measurements were recorded
      weekly. Blood samples were collected at the end of the intervention and oral
      glucose tolerance test conducted, after which the rats were sacrificed and their
      liver and adipose tissues collected for further studies. Serum adiponectin,
      leptin, F2-isoprostane, insulin, and lipid profile were estimated, and
      homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance computed. Effects of the
      different interventions on transcriptional regulation of insulin signaling genes
      were also evaluated. The results showed that HFD worsened metabolic indices and
      induced insulin resistance partly through transcriptional regulation of the
      insulin signaling genes. Additionally, simvastatin was able to prevent
      hypercholesterolemia but promoted insulin resistance similar to HFD. EBN, on the
      other hand, prevented the worsening of metabolic indices and transcriptional
      changes in insulin signaling genes due to HFD. The results suggest that EBN may
      be used as functional food to prevent insulin resistance. 

PMID- 26273675
TI  - Healthy Chilean Adolescents with HOMA-IR >= 2.6 Have Increased Cardiometabolic
      Risk: Association with Genetic, Biological, and Environmental Factors.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the optimal cutoff of the homeostasis model assessment
      insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) for diagnosis of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) in
      adolescents and examine whether insulin resistance (IR), determined by this
      method, was related to genetic, biological, and environmental factors. METHODS:
      In 667 adolescents (16.8 +/- 0.3 y), BMI, waist circumference, glucose, insulin,
      adiponectin, diet, and physical activity were measured. Fat and fat-free mass
      were assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Family history of type 2
      diabetes (FHDM) was reported. We determined the optimal cutoff of HOMA-IR to
      diagnose MetS (IDF criteria) using ROC analysis. IR was defined as HOMA-IR values
      above the cutoff. We tested the influence of genetic, biological, and
      environmental factors on IR using logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Of the
      participants, 16% were obese and 9.4 % met criteria for MetS. The optimal cutoff
      for MetS diagnosis was a HOMA-IR value of 2.6. Based on this value, 16.3% of
      participants had IR. Adolescents with IR had a significantly higher prevalence of
      obesity, abdominal obesity, fasting hyperglycemia, and MetS compared to those who
      were not IR. FHDM, sarcopenia, obesity, and low adiponectin significantly
      increased the risk of IR. CONCLUSIONS: In adolescents, HOMA-IR >= 2.6 was
      associated with greater cardiometabolic risk.

PMID- 26273676
TI  - Comparative Evaluation of Two Venous Sampling Techniques for the Assessment of
      Pancreatic Insulin and Zinc Release upon Glucose Challenge.
AB  - Advances in noninvasive imaging modalities have provided opportunities to study
      beta cell function through imaging zinc release from insulin secreting beta
      cells. Understanding the temporal secretory pattern of insulin and zinc corelease
      after a glucose challenge is essential for proper timing of administration of
      zinc sensing probes. Portal venous sampling is an essential part of
      pharmacological and nutritional studies in animal models. The purpose of this
      study was to compare two different percutaneous image-guided techniques:
      transhepatic ultrasound guided portal vein access and transsplenic fluoroscopy
      guided splenic vein access for ease of access, safety, and evaluation of temporal
      kinetics of insulin and zinc release into the venous effluent from the pancreas.
      Both techniques were safe, reproducible, and easy to perform. The mean time
      required to obtain desired catheter position for venous sampling was 15 minutes
      shorter using the transsplenic technique. A clear biphasic insulin release
      profile was observed in both techniques. Statistically higher insulin
      concentration but similar zinc release after a glucose challenge was observed
      from splenic vein samples, as compared to the ones from the portal vein. To our
      knowledge, this is the first report of percutaneous methods to assess zinc
      release kinetics from the porcine pancreas. 

PMID- 26273677
TI  - Effect of Rosiglitazone and Insulin Combination Therapy on Inflammation
      Parameters and Adipocytokine Levels in Patients with Type 1 DM.
AB  - AIM: To investigate the efficacy of combined therapy of insulin and rosiglitazone
      on metabolic and inflammatory parameters, insulin sensitivity, and adipocytokine
      levels in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (type 1 DM). MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: A total of 61 adults with type 1 DM were randomly and prospectively
      assigned in open-label fashion to take insulin and rosiglitazone 4 mg/day (n =
      30) or insulin alone (n = 31) for a period of 18 weeks while undergoing insulin
      therapy without acute metabolic complications. RESULTS: Combination therapy did
      not significantly improve metabolic and inflammatory parameters, insulin
      sensitivity, and adiponectin levels. While leptin and resistin levels decreased
      in both groups (group 1: resistin 6.96 +/- 3.06 to 4.99 +/- 2.64, P = 0.006;
      leptin 25.8 +/- 17.6 to 20.1 +/- 12.55, P = 0.006; group 2: resistin 7.16 +/-
      2.30 to 5.57 +/- 2.48, P = 0.031; leptin 16.72 +/- 16.1 to 14.0 +/- 13.4, P =
      0.007) Hgb and fibrinogen levels decreased only in group 1 (Hgb 13.72 +/- 1.98 to
      13.16 +/- 1.98, P = 0.015, and fibrinogen 4.00 +/- 1.08 to 3.46 +/- 0.90, P =
      0.002). Patients in both groups showed weight gain and the incidence of
      hypoglycemia was not lower. DISCUSSION: The diverse favorable effects of TZDs
      were not fully experienced in patients with type 1 DM. These results are
      suggesting that insulin sensitizing and anti-inflammatory characteristics of TZDs
      were likely to be more pronounced in patients who were not totally devoid of
      endogenous insulin secretion.

PMID- 26273678
TI  - Adipose Tissues Characteristics of Normal, Obesity, and Type 2 Diabetes in Uygurs
      Population.
AB  - Our results showed that, at the same BMI level, Uygurs have greater WHR values,
      abdominal visceral fat content, and diabetes risks than Kazaks. In addition,
      values of HDL-C in Uygur subjects were lower than those in Kazak subjects, and
      values of creatinine, uric acid, diastolic blood pressure, blood glucose, and
      fructosamine in Uygur male subjects were lower than those in Kazak male subjects.
      In contrast, systolic blood pressure values in Uygur subjects were greater than
      those in Kazak subjects, and blood glucose values were greater in Uygur female
      subjects than in Kazak female subjects. Additionally, in Uygurs, visceral adipose
      tissue expression levels of TBX1 and TCF21 were greater in obesity group than in
      normal and T2DM groups and lower in T2DM group than in normal group (P < 0.01).
      The visceral adipose tissue expression levels of APN in normal group was greater
      than those in obesity and T2DM groups, and visceral adipose tissue expression
      levels of TNF-alpha and MCP-1 in normal group were lower than those in obesity
      and T2DM groups (P < 0.01). In conclusion, T2DM in Uygurs was mainly associated
      with not only distribution of adipose tissue in body, but also change in
      metabolic activity and adipocytokines secretion of adipose tissue. 

PMID- 26273679
TI  - MicroRNA-223 Expression is Upregulated in Insulin Resistant Human Adipose Tissue.
AB  - MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short noncoding RNAs involved in posttranscriptional
      regulation of gene expression and influence many cellular functions including
      glucose and lipid metabolism. We previously reported that adipose tissue (AT)
      from women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or controls with insulin
      resistance (IR) revealed a differentially expressed microRNA (miRNA) profile,
      including upregulated miR-93 in PCOS patients and in non-PCOS women with IR.
      Overexpressed miR-93 directly inhibited glucose transporter isoform 4 (GLUT4)
      expression, thereby influencing glucose metabolism. We have now studied the role
      of miR-223, which is also abnormally expressed in the AT of IR subjects. Our data
      indicates that miR-223 is significantly overexpressed in the AT of IR women,
      regardless of whether they had PCOS or not. miR-223 expression in AT was
      positively correlated with HOMA-IR. Unlike what is reported in cardiomyocytes,
      overexpression of miR-223 in human differentiated adipocytes was associated with
      a reduction in GLUT4 protein content and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. In
      addition, our data suggests miR-223 regulates GLUT4 expression by direct binding
      to its 3' untranslated region (3'UTR). In conclusion, in AT miR-223 is an IR
      related miRNA that may serve as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment
      of IR-related disorders. 

PMID- 26273680
TI  - Inflammatory Cytokine Profile Associated with Metabolic Syndrome in Adult
      Patients with Type 1 Diabetes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the serum concentration of IL-6, IL-10, TNF, IL-8,
      resistin, and adiponectin in type 1 diabetic patients with and without metabolic
      syndrome and to determine the cut-off point of the estimated glucose disposal
      rate that accurately differentiated these groups. DESIGN: We conducted a cross
      sectional evaluation of all patients in our type 1 diabetes clinic from January
      2012 to January 2013. Patients were considered to have metabolic syndrome when
      they fulfilled the joint statement criteria and were evaluated for clinical,
      biochemical, and immunological features. METHODS: We determined serum IL-6, IL-8,
      IL-10, and TNF with flow cytometry and adiponectin and resistin concentrations
      with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay in patients with and without metabolic
      syndrome. We also compared estimated glucose disposal rate between groups.
      RESULTS: We tested 140 patients. Forty-four percent fulfilled the metabolic
      syndrome criteria (n = 61), 54% had central obesity, 30% had
      hypertriglyceridemia, 29% had hypoalphalipoproteinemia, and 19% had hypertension.
      We observed that resistin concentrations were higher in patients with MS.
      CONCLUSION: . We found a high prevalence of MS in Mexican patients with T1D. The
      increased level of resistin may be related to the increased fat mass and could be
      involved in the development of insulin resistance.

PMID- 26273681
TI  - Research Progress on Regulatory T Cells in Acute Kidney Injury.
AB  - Immune inflammation is crucial in mediating acute kidney injury (AKI). Immune
      cells of both the innate and adaptive immune systems substantially contribute to
      overall renal damage in AKI. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are key regulator of
      immunological function and have been demonstrated to ameliorate injury in several
      murine experimental models of renal inflammation. Recent studies have illuminated
      the renal-protective function of Tregs in AKI. Tregs appear to exert beneficial
      effects in both the acute injury phase and the recovery phase of AKI.
      Additionally, Tregs-based immunotherapy may represent a promising approach to
      ameliorate AKI and promote recovery from AKI. This review will highlight the
      recent insights into the role of Tregs and their therapeutic potential in AKI. 

PMID- 26273682
TI  - Polyclonal Recipient nTregs Are Superior to Donor or Third-Party Tregs in the
      Induction of Transplantation Tolerance.
AB  - Induction of donor-specific tolerance is still considered as the "Holy Grail" in
      transplantation medicine. The mixed chimerism approach is virtually the only
      tolerance approach that was successfully translated into the clinical setting. We
      have previously reported successful induction of chimerism and tolerance using
      cell therapy with recipient T regulatory cells (Tregs) to avoid cytotoxic
      recipient treatment. Treg therapy is limited by the availability of cells as
      large-scale expansion is time-consuming and associated with the risk of
      contamination with effector cells. Using a costimulation-blockade based bone
      marrow (BM) transplantation (BMT) model with Treg therapy instead of
      cytoreductive recipient treatment we aimed to determine the most potent Treg
      population for clinical translation. Here we show that CD4(+)CD25(+) in vitro
      activated nTregs are superior to TGFbeta induced iTregs in promoting the
      induction of chimerism and tolerance. Therapy with nTregs (but not iTregs) led to
      multilineage chimerism and donor-specific tolerance in mice receiving as few as
      0.5 * 10(6) cells. Moreover, we show that only recipient Tregs, but not donor or
      third-party Tregs, had a beneficial effect on BM engraftment at the tested doses.
      Thus, recipient-type nTregs significantly improve chimerism and tolerance and
      might be the most potent Treg population for translation into the clinical
      setting. 

PMID- 26273683
TI  - BPI-ANCA Provides Additional Clinical Information to Anti-Pseudomonas Serology:
      Results from a Cohort of 117 Swedish Cystic Fibrosis Patients.
AB  - Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) colonized with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P.
      aeruginosa) have worse prognosis compared with patients who are not. BPI-ANCA is
      an anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody against BPI (bactericidal/permeability
      increasing protein) correlating with P. aeruginosa colonization and adverse long
      time prognosis. Whether it provides additional information as compared to
      standard anti-P. aeruginosa serology tests is not known. 117 nontransplanted CF
      patients at the CF centre in Lund, Sweden, were followed prospectively for ten
      years. Bacterial colonisation was classified according to the Leeds criteria. IgA
      BPI-ANCA was compared with assays for antibodies against alkaline protease (AP),
      Elastase (ELA), and Exotoxin A (ExoA). Lung function and patient outcome, alive,
      lung transplanted, or dead, were registered. BPI-ANCA showed the highest
      correlation with lung function impairment with an r-value of 0.44. Forty-eight of
      the 117 patients were chronically colonized with P. aeruginosa. Twenty of these
      patients experienced an adverse outcome. Receiver operator curve (ROC) analysis
      revealed that this could be predicted by BPI-ANCA (AUC = 0.77), (p = 0.002) to a
      better degree compared with serology tests. BPI-ANCA correlates better with lung
      function impairment and long time prognosis than anti-P. aeruginosa serology and
      has similar ability to identify patients with chronic P. aeruginosa. 

PMID- 26273684
TI  - Aggregation of MBP in chronic demyelination.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Misfolding of key disease proteins to an insoluble state is
      associated with most neurodegenerative conditions, such as prion, Parkinson, and
      Alzheimer's diseases. In this work, and by studying animal models of multiple
      sclerosis, we asked whether this is also the case for myelin basic protein (MBP)
      in the late and neurodegenerative phases of demyelinating diseases. METHODS: To
      this effect, we tested whether MBP, an essential myelin component, present prion
      like properties in animal models of MS, as is the case for Cuprizone-induced
      chronic demyelination or chronic phases of Experimental Autoimmune
      Encephalomyelitis (EAE). RESULTS: We show here that while total levels of MBP
      were not reduced following extensive demyelination, part of these molecules
      accumulated thereafter as aggregates inside oligodendrocytes or around neuronal
      cells. In chronic EAE, MBP precipitated concomitantly with Tau, a marker of
      diverse neurodegenerative conditions, including MS. Most important, analysis of
      fractions from Triton X-100 floatation gradients suggest that the lipid
      composition of brain membranes in chronic EAE differs significantly from that of
      naive mice, an effect which may relate to oxidative insults and subsequently
      prevent the appropriate insertion and compaction of new MBP in the myelin sheath,
      thereby causing its misfolding and aggregation. INTERPRETATION: Prion-like
      aggregation of MBP following chronic demyelination may result from an aberrant
      lipid composition accompanying this pathological status. Such aggregation of MBP
      may contribute to neuronal damage that occurs in the progressive phase of MS.

PMID- 26273685
TI  - Identification of a neurovascular signaling pathway regulating seizures in mice.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: A growing body of evidence suggests that increased blood-brain barrier
      (BBB) permeability can contribute to the development of seizures. The protease
      tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) has been shown to promote BBB permeability and
      susceptibility to seizures. In this study, we examined the pathway regulated by
      tPA in seizures. METHODS: An experimental model of kainate-induced seizures was
      used in genetically modified mice, including mice deficient in tPA (tPA (-/-) ),
      its inhibitor neuroserpin (Nsp (-/-) ), or both (Nsp:tPA (-/-) ), and in mice
      conditionally deficient in the platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha
      (PDGFRalpha). RESULTS: Compared to wild-type (WT) mice, Nsp (-/-) mice have
      significantly reduced latency to seizure onset and generalization; whereas tPA (
      /-) mice have the opposite phenotype, as do Nsp:tPA (-/-) mice. Furthermore,
      interventions that maintain BBB integrity delay seizure propagation, whereas
      osmotic disruption of the BBB in seizure-resistant tPA (-/-) mice dramatically
      reduces the time to seizure onset and accelerates seizure progression. The
      phenotypic differences in seizure progression between WT, tPA (-/-) , and Nsp (-/
      ) mice are also observed in electroencephalogram recordings in vivo, but absent
      in ex vivo electrophysiological recordings where regulation of the BBB is no
      longer necessary to maintain the extracellular environment. Finally, we
      demonstrate that these effects on seizure progression are mediated through
      signaling by PDGFRalpha on perivascular astrocytes. INTERPRETATION: Together,
      these data identify a specific molecular pathway involving tPA-mediated
      PDGFRalpha signaling in perivascular astrocytes that regulates seizure
      progression through control of the BBB. Inhibition of PDGFRalpha signaling and
      maintenance of BBB integrity might therefore offer a novel clinical approach for
      managing seizures.

PMID- 26273686
TI  - A randomized controlled trial of exercise in spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the safety and efficacy of a home-based functional
      exercise program in spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA). METHODS: Subjects
      were randomly assigned to participate in 12 weeks of either functional exercises
      (intervention) or a stretching program (control) at the National Institutes of
      Health in Bethesda, MD. A total of 54 subjects enrolled, and 50 completed the
      study with 24 in the functional exercise group and 26 in the stretching control
      group. The primary outcome measure was the Adult Myopathy Assessment Tool (AMAT)
      total score, and secondary measures included total activity by accelerometry,
      muscle strength, balance, timed up and go, sit-to-stand test, health-related
      quality of life, creatine kinase, and insulin-like growth factor-1. RESULTS:
      Functional exercise was well tolerated but did not lead to significant group
      differences in the primary outcome measure or any of the secondary measures. The
      functional exercise did not produce significantly more adverse events than
      stretching, and was not perceived to be difficult. To determine whether a subset
      of the subjects may have benefited, we divided them into high and low functioning
      based on baseline AMAT scores and performed a post hoc subgroup analysis. Low
      functioning individuals receiving the intervention increased AMAT functional
      subscale scores compared to the control group. INTERPRETATION: Although these
      trial results indicate that functional exercise had no significant effect on
      total AMAT scores or on mobility, strength, balance, and quality of life, post
      hoc findings indicate that low-functioning men with SBMA may respond better to
      functional exercises, and this warrants further investigation with appropriate
      exercise intensity.

PMID- 26273687
TI  - CSF neurofilament light chain reflects corticospinal tract degeneration in ALS.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is sensitive to white matter tract
      pathology. A core signature involving the corticospinal tracts (CSTs) has been
      identified in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Raised neurofilament light
      chain protein (NfL) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is thought to reflect axonal
      damage in a range of neurological disorders. The relationship between these two
      measures was explored. METHODS: CSF and serum NfL concentrations and DTI acquired
      at 3 Tesla on the same day were obtained from ALS patients (n = 25 CSF, 40 serum)
      and healthy, age-similar controls (n = 17 CSF, 25 serum). Within-group
      correlations between NfL and DTI measures of microstructural integrity in major
      white matter tracts (CSTs, superior longitudinal fasciculi [SLF], and corpus
      callosum) were performed using tract-based spatial statistics. RESULTS: NfL
      levels were higher in patients compared to controls. CSF levels correlated with
      clinical upper motor neuron burden and rate of disease progression. Higher NfL
      levels were significantly associated with lower DTI fractional anisotropy and
      increased radial diffusivity in the CSTs of ALS patients, but not in controls.
      INTERPRETATION: Elevated CSF and serum NfL is, in part, a result of CST
      degeneration in ALS. This highlights the wider potential for combining
      neurochemical and neuroimaging-based biomarkers in neurological disease.

PMID- 26273688
TI  - A systems-level "misunderstanding": the plasma metabolome in Huntington's
      disease.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Huntington's disease (HD) is a rare neurodegenerative disease caused
      by the expansion of an N-terminal repeat in the huntingtin protein. The protein
      is expressed in all cells in the body; hence, peripheral tissues, such as blood,
      may recapitulate processes in the brain. The plasma metabolome may provide a
      window into active processes that influence brain health and a unique opportunity
      to noninvasively identify processes that may contribute to neurodegeneration.
      Alterations in metabolic pathways in brain have been shown to profoundly impact
      HD. Therefore, identification and quantification of critical metabolomic
      perturbations could provide novel biomarkers for disease onset and disease
      progression. METHODS: We analyzed the plasma metabolomic profiles from 52
      premanifest (PHD), 102 early symptomatic HD, and 140 healthy controls (NC) using
      liquid chromatography coupled with a highly sensitive electrochemical detection
      platform. RESULTS: Alterations in tryptophan, tyrosine, purine, and antioxidant
      pathways were identified, including many related to energetic and oxidative
      stress and derived from the gut microbiome. Multivariate statistical modeling
      demonstrated mutually distinct metabolomic profiles, suggesting that the
      processes that determine onset were likely distinct from those that determine
      progression. Gut microbiome-derived metabolites particularly differentiated the
      PHD metabolome, while the symptomatic HD metabolome was increasingly influenced
      by metabolites that may reflect mutant huntingtin toxicity and neurodegeneration.
      INTERPRETATION: Understanding the complex changes in the delicate balance of the
      metabolome and the gut microbiome in HD, and how they relate to disease onset,
      progression, and phenotypic variability in HD are critical questions for future
      research.

PMID- 26273689
TI  - Low neural exosomal levels of cellular survival factors in Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - Transcription factors that mediate neuronal defenses against diverse stresses
      were quantified in plasma neural-derived exosomes of Alzheimer's disease or
      frontotemporal dementia patients and matched controls. Exosomal levels of low
      density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6, heat-shock factor-1, and
      repressor element 1-silencing transcription factor all were significantly lower
      in Alzheimer's disease patients than controls (P < 0.0001). In frontotemporal
      dementia, the only significant difference was higher levels of repressor element
      1-silencing transcription factor than in controls. Exosomal transcription factors
      were diminished 2-10 years before clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. Low
      exosomal levels of survival proteins may explain decreased neuronal resistance to
      Alzheimer's disease neurotoxic proteins. 

PMID- 26273690
TI  - Interferon-alpha and the calcifying microangiopathy in Aicardi-Goutieres
      syndrome.
AB  - Aicardi-Goutieres syndrome is a leukoencephalopathy with calcifications and
      increased cerebrospinal fluid interferon-alpha. The relation between interferon
      alpha and brain pathology is poorly understood. We report a patient with
      mutations in the disease-associated gene SAMHD1. Neuropathology showed an
      extensive microangiopathy with calcifications consistently associate with blood
      vessels. In an in vitro model of the microangiopathy, interferon-alpha enhanced
      vascular smooth muscle cell-derived calcifications. The noninfarcted white matter
      harbored apoptotic oligodendrocytes and increased numbers of oligodendrocyte
      progenitors. These findings better define the white matter pathology and provide
      evidence that interferon-alpha plays a direct pathogenetic role in the calcifying
      angiopathy typical of this disease. 

PMID- 26273691
TI  - Rapidly progressive intracranial artery stenosis in primary antiphospholipid
      syndrome.
AB  - Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) is usually a disease of young adults. In
      elderly stroke patients APS was not associated with progressive intracerebral
      stenosis in the past. Here, we report a 65-year-old patient who presented with
      recurrent ischemic strokes associated with progressive stenosis of the right
      middle cerebral artery. Antiphospholipid antibodies were detected and treatment
      with plasma exchange, tapered steroids, and anticoagulants was successful. This
      case demonstrates that APS should be considered also in elderly stroke patients.
      This is of particular relevance since APS confers a significant risk to
      angioplasty and stenting procedures which therefore should be avoided in APS. 

PMID- 26273692
TI  - Comment on: A novel dysferlin-mutant pseudoexon bypassed with antisense
      oligonucleotides.

PMID- 26273694
TI  - Editorial overview: The assessment, etiology, and treatment of unipolar
      depression.

PMID- 26273697
TI  - Dynamic and Structural Performances of a New Sailcraft Concept for Interplanetary
      Missions.
AB  - Typical square solar-sail design is characterised by a central hub with four
      quadrant sails, conferring to the spacecraft the classical X-configuration. One
      of the critical aspects related to this architecture is due to the large
      deformations of both membrane and booms, which leads to a reduction of the
      performance of the sailcraft in terms of thrust efficiency. As a consequence,
      stiffer sail architecture would be desirable, taking into account that the
      rigidity of the system strongly affects the orbital dynamics. In this paper, we
      propose a new solar-sail architecture, which is more rigid than the classical X
      configuration. Among the main pros and cons that the proposed configuration
      presents, this paper aims to show the general concept, investigating the
      performances from the perspectives of both structural response and attitude
      control. Membrane deformations, structural offset, and sail vibration frequencies
      are determined through finite element method, adopting a variable pretensioning
      scheme. In order to evaluate the manoeuvring performances of this new solar-sail
      concept, a 35-degree manoeuvre is studied using a feedforward and feedback
      controller. 

PMID- 26273696
TI  - Acute Toxicity and Dermal and Eye Irritation of the Aqueous and Hydroalcoholic
      Extracts of the Seeds of "Zapote" Pouteria mammosa (L.) Cronquist.
AB  - The common use of Pouteria mammosa (L.) Cronquist, "Mamey or Zapote," in food and
      ethnobotanic medicine shows its low or absent toxicity as fruit extracts prepared
      from seeds. However, it is essential to conduct security trials to scientifically
      support their use in drug therapy. This study evaluated the aqueous and
      hydroalcoholic extract (25%) Acute Oral Toxicity, obtained from the seeds of P.
      mammosa, in Sprague Dawley rats and dermal and eye irritability in New Zealand
      rabbits. The 404 and 405 acute dermal and eye irritation/corrosion guidelines
      were used, as well as the 423 Acute Oral Toxicity guideline, Acute Toxic Class
      Method of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The
      aqueous extract was located in the following category: not classified as toxic
      (CTA 5), while hydroalcoholic extract at 25% was classified as dangerous (CTA 4).
      Both extracts can be used without side reaction that irritates the skin which
      permitted classification as potentially not irritant. P. mammosa in the two
      extracts caused mild and reversible eye irritation, and it was classified as
      slightly irritating. 

PMID- 26273695
TI  - Functional and structural features of cholangiocytes in health and disease.
AB  - Cholangiocytes are the epithelial cells that line the bile ducts. Along the
      biliary tree, two different kinds of cholangiocytes exist; small and large
      cholangiocytes. Each type has important differences in their biological role in
      physiological and pathological conditions. In response to injury, cholangiocytes
      become reactive and acquire a neuroendocrine-like phenotype with the secretion of
      a number of peptides. These molecules act in an autocrine/paracrine fashion to
      modulate cholangiocyte biology and determine the evolution of biliary damage. The
      failure of such mechanisms is believed to influence the progression of
      cholangiopathies, a group of diseases that selectively target biliary cells.
      Therefore, the understanding of mechanisms regulating cholangiocyte response to
      injury is expected to foster the development of new therapeutic options to treat
      biliary diseases. In the present review, we will discuss the most recent findings
      in the mechanisms driving cholangiocyte adaptation to damage, with particular
      emphasis on molecular pathways that are susceptible of therapeutic intervention.
      Morphogenic pathways (Hippo, Notch, Hedgehog), which have been recently shown to
      regulate biliary ontogenesis and response to injury, will also be reviewed. In
      addition, the results of ongoing clinical trials evaluating new drugs for the
      treatment of cholangiopathies will be discussed.

PMID- 26273698
TI  - Coapplication of Chicken Litter Biochar and Urea Only to Improve Nutrients Use
      Efficiency and Yield of Oryza sativa L. Cultivation on a Tropical Acid Soil.
AB  - The excessive use of nitrogen (N) fertilizers in sustaining high rice yields due
      to N dynamics in tropical acid soils not only is economically unsustainable but
      also causes environmental pollution. The objective of this study was to coapply
      biochar and urea to improve soil chemical properties and productivity of rice.
      Biochar (5 t ha(-1)) and different rates of urea (100%, 75%, 50%, 25%, and 0% of
      recommended N application) were evaluated in both pot and field trials. Selected
      soil chemical properties, rice plants growth variables, nutrient use efficiency,
      and yield were determined using standard procedures. Coapplication of biochar
      with 100% and 75% urea recommendation rates significantly increased nutrients
      availability (especially P and K) and their use efficiency in both pot and field
      trials. These treatments also significantly increased rice growth variables and
      grain yield. Coapplication of biochar and urea application at 75% of the
      recommended rate can be used to improve soil chemical properties and productivity
      and reduce urea use by 25%.

PMID- 26273699
TI  - Thrombospondin-1 Modulates Actin Filament Remodeling and Cell Motility in Mouse
      Mammary Tumor cells in Vitro.
AB  - It is well established that the secretion of thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) by
      activated stromal cells and its accumulation in the tumor microenvironment during
      dysplasia inhibits primary tumor growth through inhibition of angiogenesis. This
      inhibitory function of TSP-1 is actuated either by inhibiting MMP9 activation and
      the release of VEGF from extracellular matrix or by an interaction with CD36 on
      the surface of endothelial cells resulting in an increase in apoptosis. In
      contrast, several published articles have also shown that as tumor cells become
      more invasive and enter the early stage of carcinoma, they up-regulate TSP-1
      expression, which may promote invasion and migration. In our in vivo studies
      using the polyoma middle T antigen (PyT) transgenic mouse model of breast cancer,
      we observed that the absence of TSP-1 significantly increased the growth of
      primary tumors, but delayed metastasis to the lungs. In this study, we propose a
      mechanism for the promigratory function of TSP-1 in mouse mammary tumor cells in
      vitro. We demonstrate the correlations between expression of TSP-1 and its
      receptor integrin alpha3beta1, which is considered a promigratory protein in
      cancer cells. In addition we propose that binding of TSP-1 to integrin
      alpha3beta1 is important for mediating actin filament polymerization and
      therefore, cell motility. These findings can help explain the dual functionality
      of TSP-1 in cancer progression.

PMID- 26273701
TI  - Comparison of Simulated Workplace Protection Factors Offered by N95 and P100
      Filtering Facepiece and Elastomeric Half-Mask Respirators against Particles of 10
      to 400 nm.
AB  - This study compared the simulated workplace protection factors (SWPFs) between
      NIOSH-approved N95 respirators and P100 respirators, including two models of
      filtering facepiece respirator (FFR) and two models of elastomeric half-mask
      respirator (EHR), against sodium chloride particles (NaCl) in a range of 10 to
      400 nm. Twenty-five human test subjects performed modified OSHA fit test
      exercises in a controlled laboratory environment with the N95 respirators (two
      FFR models and two EHR models) and the P100 respirators (two FFRs and two EHRs).
      Two Scanning Mobility Particle Sizers (SMPS) were used to measure aerosol
      concentrations (in the 10-400 nm size range) inside (Cin) and outside (Cout) of
      the respirator, simultaneously. SWPF was calculated as the ratio of Cout to Cin.
      The SWPF values obtained from the N95 respirators were then compared to those of
      the P100 respirators. SWPFs were found to be significantly different (P<0.05)
      between N95 and P100 class respirators. The 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 90th
      percentiles of the SWPFs for the N95 respirators were much lower than those for
      the P100 models. The N95 respirators had 5th percentiles of the SWPFs > 10. In
      contrast, the P100 class was able to generate 5th percentiles SWPFs > 100. No
      significant difference was found in the SWPFs when tested against nano-size (10
      to 100 nm) and large-size (100 to 400 nm) particles. Overall, the findings
      suggest that the two FFRs and two EHRs with P100 class filters provide better
      performance than those with N95 filters against particles from 10 to 400 nm,
      supporting current OSHA and NIOSH recommendations.

PMID- 26273700
TI  - Interleukin-1 in cardiac injury, repair, and remodeling: pathophysiologic and
      translational concepts.
AB  - In the infarcted myocardium, necrotic cardiomyocytes release danger signals
      activating an intense inflammatory reaction that serves to clear the wound from
      dead cells and matrix debris, but may also extend injury. A growing body of
      evidence suggests an important role for members of the Interleukin (IL)-1 family
      in injury, repair and remodeling of the infarcted heart. This review manuscript
      discusses the pathophysiologic functions of IL-1 in the infarcted and remodeling
      myocardium and its potential role as a therapeutic target in patients with
      myocardial infarction. Dead cardiomyocytes release IL-1alpha that may function as
      a crucial alarmin triggering the post-infarction inflammatory reaction. IL-1beta
      is markedly upregulated in the infarcted myocardium; activation of the
      inflammasome in both cardiomyocytes and interstitial cells results in release of
      bioactive IL-1beta in the infarcted area. Binding of IL-1 to the type 1 receptor
      triggers an inflammatory cascade, inducing recruitment of pro-inflammatory
      leukocytes and stimulating a matrix-degrading program in fibroblasts, while
      delaying myofibroblast conversion. IL-1 mediates dilative remodeling following
      infarction and may play a role in the pathogenesis of post-infarction heart
      failure. As the wound is cleared from dead cells and matrix debris, endogenous
      inhibitory signals suppress the IL-1 response resulting in repression of
      inflammation and resolution of the inflammatory infiltrate. Other members of the
      IL-1 family (such as IL-18 and IL-33) are also implicated in regulation of the
      inflammatory and reparative response following myocardial infarction. IL-18 may
      participate in pro-inflammatory signaling, whereas IL-33 may exert cytoprotective
      effects. Early clinical trials suggest that IL-1 blockade may be a promising
      therapeutic strategy for patients with myocardial infarction.

PMID- 26273703
TI  - Functional hierarchy of redundant actin assembly factors revealed by fine-grained
      registration of intrinsic image fluctuations.
AB  - Highly redundant pathways often contain components whose functions are difficult
      to decipher from the responses induced by genetic or molecular perturbations.
      Here, we present a statistical approach that samples and registers events
      observed in images of intrinsic fluctuations in unperturbed cells to establish
      the functional hierarchy of events in systems with redundant pathways. We apply
      this approach to study the recruitment of actin assembly factors involved in the
      protrusion of the cell membrane. We find that the formin mDia1, along with
      nascent adhesion components, is recruited to the leading edge of the cell before
      protrusion onset, initiating linear growth of the lamellipodial network.
      Recruitment of Arp2/3, VASP, cofilin, and the formin mDia2 then promotes
      sustained exponential growth of the network. Experiments changing membrane
      tension suggest that Arp2/3 recruitment is mechano-responsive. These results
      indicate that cells adjust the overlapping contributions of multiple factors to
      actin filament assembly during protrusion on a ten-second timescale and in
      response to mechanical cues.

PMID- 26273702
TI  - Maternal post-absorptive leucine kinetics during late pregnancy in US women with
      HIV taking antiretroviral therapy: a cross-sectional pilot study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite the success of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) for
      the prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV, infants exposed to cART in
      utero frequently are born smaller and have mild cardiac abnormalities. The
      mechanisms responsible for lower birth weight and cardiac abnormalities in
      children exposed to cART are unclear but could be related to dysregulation of
      maternal amino acid metabolism during pregnancy. Previous data in HIV(-) women
      have shown a relationship between abnormal maternal protein metabolism during
      pregnancy and low infant birth weight and animal data demonstrate a relationship
      between altered maternal protein metabolism and increased risk for offspring
      cardiovascular abnormalities. OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to:
      characterize post-absorptive maternal leucine kinetics during late pregnancy
      andexamine the relationships between maternal leucine kinetics and offspring
      birth weight and cardiac function. DESIGN: Post-absorptive maternal leucine
      kinetics (evaluated by using stable isotope tracer methodology) in 16 HIV(+)
      women receiving cART and 14 HIV(-) US women during the 3rd trimester of pregnancy
      were compared. Relationships between post-absorptive maternal leucine kinetics,
      cardiac function (echocardiography) and birth weight were statistically examined.
      RESULTS: Maternal plasma leucine concentration (HIV(-): 82.8 +/- 10.7 vs. HIV(+):
      72.3 +/- 13.5 MUM, p=0.06) and leucine oxidation rate (HIV(-): 6.1 +/- 1.6 vs.
      HIV(+): 4.9 +/- 1.8 MUmol/kgBW/min, p=0.03) were lower in HIV+ women compared to
      controls. Total leucine turnover rate, non-oxidative leucine disposal rate and
      post-absorptive maternal glucose and palmitate kinetics did not differ between
      groups. Left ventricular fractional shortening tended to be lower in children
      born to HIV(+) compared to controls (HIV(-): 42 +/- 1 vs. HIV+: 36 +/- 5 %,
      p=0.08) and associated with lower maternal plasma leucine concentration (r= 0.43,
      p=0.08). CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary results indicate that post-absorptive maternal
      leucine metabolism during late pregnancy is mildly altered in HIV+ US women
      taking cART. The clinical significance of maternal leucine metabolism on adverse
      infant outcomes is unclear and should be further explored in more expansive
      studies.

PMID- 26273704
TI  - An ultrahigh-contrast and broadband on-chip refractive index sensor based on a
      surface-plasmon-polariton interferometer.
AB  - Using a double-slit structure fabricated on a gold film or a subwavelength (300
      nm) plasmonic waveguide, high-contrast and broadband plasmonic sensors based on
      the interference of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) are experimentally
      demonstrated on chips. By adjusting the focused spot position of the p-polarized
      incident light on the double-slit structure to compensate for the propagation
      loss of the SPPs, the interfering SPPs from the two slits have nearly equal
      intensities. As a result, nearly completely destructive interference can be
      experimentally achieved in a broad bandwidth (>200 nm), revealing the robust
      design and fabrication of the double-slit structure. More importantly, a high
      sensing figure of merit (FOM*) of >1 * 10(4) RIU(-1) (refractive index unit),
      which is much greater than the previous experimental results, is obtained at the
      destructive wavelength because of a high contrast ratio (C = 0.96). The high
      contrast and broadband on-chip sensor fabricated on the subwavelength plasmonic
      waveguide may find important applications in the real-time sensing of particles
      and molecules. 

PMID- 26273705
TI  - Correction: Cold shock induces apoptosis of dorsal root ganglion neurons plated
      on infrared windows.
AB  - Correction for 'Cold shock induces apoptosis of dorsal root ganglion neurons
      plated on infrared windows' by Ebrahim Aboualizadeh et al., Analyst, 2015, 140,
      4046-4056. 

PMID- 26273706
TI  - A poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 activity assay based on the FRET between a
      cationic conjugated polymer and supercharged green fluorescent protein.
AB  - A label-free and convenient strategy for PARP-1 activity assay and inhibitors
      assessment has been developed based on the fluorescence resonance energy transfer
      (FRET) between a cationic conjugated polymer (CCP) and supercharged green
      fluorescent protein (scGFP). 

PMID- 26273707
TI  - Enantio- and diastereoselective synthesis of gamma-amino alcohols.
AB  - The gamma-amino alcohol structural motif is often encountered in drugs and
      natural products. We developed two complementary catalytic diastereoselective
      methods for the synthesis of N-PMP-protected gamma-amino alcohols from the
      corresponding ketones. The anti-products were obtained through Ir-catalyzed
      asymmetric transfer hydrogenation, the syn-products via Rh-catalyzed asymmetric
      hydrogenation. 

PMID- 26273708
TI  - Two site genetic incorporation of varying length polyethylene glycol into the
      backbone of one peptide.
AB  - Polyethylene glycol (PEG) of different lengths was genetically incorporated into
      the backbone of a polypeptide using stop-anticodon and frameshift anticodon
      containing tRNAs, which were acylated with PEG-containing amino acids. 

PMID- 26273709
TI  - Halomethyl-cobalt(bis-acetylacetonate) for the controlled synthesis of functional
      polymers.
AB  - Novel organocobalt complexes featuring weak C-CoL2 bonds (L = acetylacetonate)
      are prepared and used as sources of halomethyl radicals. They permit the
      precision synthesis of alpha-halide functionalized and telechelic polymers in
      organic media or in water. Substitution of halide by azide allows derivatization
      of polymers using the CuAAC click reaction. 

PMID- 26273711
TI  - Switzerland ranks happiest country.

PMID- 26273712
TI  - The definition of public health - where to shift the focus: prevention or
      population?

PMID- 26273713
TI  - [Digitalis therapy associated with increased risk of death].

PMID- 26273714
TI  - Biomedical research: Drug hunters wanted.

PMID- 26273715
TI  - Antibiotic administration in the critically ill - in need of intensive care!

PMID- 26273716
TI  - Erratum. Computational insight in the role of fusogenic lipopeptides at the onset
      of liposome fusion.
AB  - We performed an extensive computational study to obtain insight in the molecular
      mechanisms that take place prior to membrane fusion. We focused on membrane
      anchored hybrid macromolecules (lipid-polymer-oligopeptide) that mimic biological
      SNARE proteins in terms of liposome fusion characteristics [H. Robson Marsden et
      al., 2009]; efficient micro-second simulation was enabled by combining validated
      MARTINI force fields for the molecular building blocks in coarse-grained
      molecular dynamics (CGMD). We find that individual peptide domains in the hybrid
      macromolecules bind and partially integrate parallel to the membrane surface, in
      agreement with experimental findings. By varying several experimental design
      parameters, we observe that peptide domains remain in the solvent phase only in
      two cases: (1) for solitary lipopeptides (low concentration), below a threshold
      area per lipid in the membrane, and (2) when the lipopeptide concentration is
      high enough for the peptide domains to self-assemble into tetrameric homo
      complexes. The peptide-membrane binding is not affected by solvent-induced
      peptide unfolding, which we mimicked by relaxing the usual MARTINI helix
      constraints. Remarkably, in this case, a reverse transition to a helical
      secondary structure is observed after binding, highlighting the role of the
      membrane as a template (partitioning-folding coupling). Our findings undermine
      the current view of the initial stages towards fusion, in which membranes are
      thought to be kept in close apposition via dimerization of individual
      complementary peptides in the solvent phase. Although we did not study actual
      fusion, our simulations show that the formation of homomers, which is suppressed
      in experimental peptide pair design and therefore believed to be insignificant
      for fusion, by peptides anchored to the same membrane does play a key role in
      this locking mechanism and potentially also in membrane destabilization that
      precedes fusion.

PMID- 26273717
TI  - Intensive blood pressure reduction in acute intracerebral hemorrhage: A meta
      analysis.

PMID- 26273718
TI  - Author response.

PMID- 26273719
TI  - Studies on Antibiotics Active against Resistant Bacteria. Total Synthesis of MRSA
      Active Tetarimycin A and Its Analogues.
AB  - Making use of the Hauser-Kraus annulation as a key step, the first total
      synthesis of tetarimycin A has been accomplished in a highly convergent and
      operationally simple manner. Preliminary SAR not only validated that tetarimycin
      A exhibited potent activity against MRSA and VRE at a low MIC value but also
      identified that the hydroxyl group at C-10 was essential for antibacterial
      activities. 

PMID- 26273721
TI  - Subpicosecond Exciton Dynamics and Biexcitonic Feature in Colloidal CuInS2
      Nanocrystals: Role of In-Cu Antisite Defects.
AB  - Charge carrier dynamics of multinary quantum dots like CuInS2 (CIS) nanocrystals
      (NCs) is not clearly understood, especially in ultrafast time scales. Herein we
      have synthesized colloidal CIS NCs that show defect-induced emission between
      donor (antisite) and acceptor (internal/surface) states as indicated from steady
      state and time-resolved photoluminescence (PL) measurements. Subpicosecond
      transient absorption (TA) spectra of CIS NCs reveal a gradient of electronic
      states that exists above the conduction band edge. The electron cooling rate has
      been determined to be ~0.1-0.15 eV/ps. The cascade of electron cooling dynamics
      was monitored after following the TA kinetics at different electronic states.
      Interestingly, the kinetics at the antisite state unveil a biexcitonic feature,
      which has been enlightened through a probe-induced biexciton mechanism. With
      progressively higher fluence (?N?), the biexciton binding energy increases, and
      the electron cooling to the antisite state considerably slows down. Extra energy
      released during Auger recombination of bi/multiexcitons are used to re-excite the
      electron to a further high energy level, resulting in longer electron cooling
      time to the antisite states. 

PMID- 26273720
TI  - Dyadic dynamics of HIV risk among transgender women and their primary male sexual
      partners: the role of sexual agreement types and motivations.
AB  - Transgender women - individuals assigned a male sex at birth who identify as
      women, female, or on the male-to-female trans feminine spectrum - are at high
      risk of HIV worldwide. Prior research has suggested that transgender women more
      frequently engage in condomless sex with primary cisgender (i.e., non
      transgender) male partners compared with casual or paying partners, and that
      condomless sex in this context might be motivated by relationship dynamics such
      as trust and intimacy. The current study examined sexual agreement types and
      motivations as factors that shape HIV risk behaviors in a community sample of 191
      transgender women and their cisgender primary male partners who completed a cross
      sectional survey. Overall, 40% of couples had monogamous, 15% open, and 45%
      discrepant sexual agreements (i.e., partners disagreed on their type of
      agreement). Actor-partner interdependence models were fit to examine the
      influence of sexual agreement type and motivations on extra-dyadic HIV risk
      (i.e., condomless sex with outside partners) and intra-dyadic HIV serodiscordant
      risk (i.e., condomless sex with serodiscordant primary partners). For male
      partners, extra-dyadic risk was associated with their own and their partners'
      sexual agreement motives, and male partners who engaged in extra-dyadic HIV risk
      had an increased odds of engaging in HIV serodiscordant intra-dyadic risk. Study
      findings support inclusion of the male partners of transgender women into HIV
      prevention efforts. Future research is warranted to explore the interpersonal and
      social contexts of sexual agreement types and motivations in relationships
      between transgender women and their male partners to develop interventions that
      meet their unique HIV prevention needs. 

PMID- 26273722
TI  - A Rare Mutation in Patients With Resistance to Thyroid Hormone and Review of
      Therapeutic Strategies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Resistance to thyroid hormone (RTH) is a rare syndrome characterized
      by elevated thyroid hormone (TH) along with nonsuppressed thyroid-stimulating
      hormone (TSH). The clinical symptoms can vary considerably, and no definite
      treatment has been established thus far. METHODS: A family with RTH harboring a
      TH receptor (THR)-beta gene mutation (A234T) is described, the therapeutic
      strategies for RTH are reviewed, and optimization of the treatment strategies was
      attempted. RESULTS: Gene sequencing revealed a point mutation (A234T) in the THR
      beta gene of the proposita, her elder brother and her mother. During the 20-month
      follow-up period, it was found that the proposita experienced apparently higher
      TSH level and normal TH level on taking antithyroid medication. However, on
      discontinuing the medication, her thyroid function returned to the baseline of
      elevated FT3, FT4 level along with inappropriately normal TSH. Thus far, there is
      no guideline regarding the treatment strategies for the RTH. Antithyroid drugs
      are effective for patients with thyrotoxic symptoms but pose an increased risk of
      thyrotroph hyperplasia. The efficacy and safety of D-T4 and bromocriptine still
      remains debatable, TRIAC may be the most promising drug, as it is effective and
      can reduce both TH and TSH level. However, L-T3 or L-T4 may be necessary for some
      RTH patients who exhibit massive goiter or hypothyroid symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: It
      is demonstrated in this article that the A234T mutation in the THR-beta gene can
      cause the RTH. Treatment of this condition is challenging, and individualized
      therapy is required because of the variable clinical features.

PMID- 26273723
TI  - Structure and Photochemistry of N-Salicylidene-p-carboxyaniline Isolated in Solid
      Argon.
AB  - Infrared matrix isolation spectroscopy and DFT/B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) calculations
      have been used to characterize the conformational space of the enol-imine and
      keto-amine tautomers of N-salicylidene-p-carboxyaniline (SCA) in both their E and
      Z isomeric forms. Monomers of SCA were isolated in an argon matrix (15 K), which
      was shown to contain only the most stable conformer of the E-enol isomer of the
      compound. The matrix-isolated E-enol was then subjected to in situ UV irradiation
      (lambda = 335; 345 nm, provided by a laser/MOPO system, or lambda > 235 nm,
      provided by a Hg(Xe) broad-band source), and the photoinduced processes probed by
      infrared spectroscopy. Two photoreaction channels were observed, with a branching
      ratio of ~1:1, corresponding to E-enol -> Z-enol isomerization and E-enol -> E
      keto tautomerization. Both processes were found to be rather effective, with
      practically complete consumption of the reactant after broad-band irradiation by
      1 min only. Identification among the photoproduced species of the Z-enol
      conformer that differs from the reactant only by E-to-Z isomerization suggests
      the initial photoproduction of this conformer, which subsequently decays into the
      lowest energy Z-enol conformer (also identified experimentally). The E-enol -> E
      keto tautomerization requires an excited state intramolecular proton transfer and
      twisting about the exocyclic CC bond of the molecule. These processes most
      probably take place sequentially. However, in the present study the Z-keto
      isomer, which should act as intermediate in this sequence of processes, could not
      be detected, most probably due to its short lifetime under the used experimental
      conditions. On the contrary, the detailed structural and vibrational
      characterization of the photoproduced E-keto form was successfully achieved. 

PMID- 26273724
TI  - Who am I? Autobiographical retrieval improves access to self-concepts.
AB  - It is considered that an individual's current self-concept plays a crucial role
      in guiding the retrieval of autobiographical memory. Using a novel fluency
      paradigm, the present research examined whether or not the reverse is also true,
      that is, does memory retrieval influence the description of the conceptual self?
      Specifically, this study examined the effect of prior autobiographical reverie on
      the subsequent retrieval of stored self-concepts. Participants wrote a
      description of a personally relevant memory or a control topic (of no relevance
      to the self), following which they had 60 seconds to generate as many self
      defining statements as possible, each beginning with I am. Participants engaging
      in autobiographical retrieval generated significantly more statements than those
      in the control condition, suggesting that autobiographical retrieval increased
      access to self-concepts. Type of statement also varied according to group.
      Participants in the autobiographical memory condition were more likely to
      conceptualise themselves in relation to their psychological traits, and this was
      replicated in a second experiment conducted online. Findings support the idea
      that self and episodic memory are highly related constructs, and are discussed in
      relation to implications for individuals with autobiographical memory deficits.

PMID- 26273725
TI  - Hydnocarpin-Type Flavonolignans: Semisynthesis and Inhibitory Effects on
      Staphylococcus aureus Biofilm Formation.
AB  - A new, efficient, and general semisynthesis of hydnocarpin-type flavonolignans
      was developed and optimized, enabling gram-scale production of hydnocarpin D (2).
      Moreover, the syntheses of optically pure hydnocarpin isomers [(10R,11R)
      hydnocarpin (1a), (10R,11R)-hydnocarpin D (2a), and (10S,11S)-hydnocarpin D
      (2b)], as well as the synthesis of isohydnocarpin (8), were achieved for the
      first time utilizing this new method. The synthesis is based on the two-step
      transformation of the readily available flavonolignans from milk thistle (Silybum
      marianum), accessible by isolation from the commercial extract silymarin. The
      first step relies on the regioselective formylation of the C-3 hydroxy group of
      the dihydroflavonol-type precursor using the Vilsmeier-Haack reagent, followed by
      formic acid elimination by triethylamine in the second step. The synthesized
      compounds were effective inhibitors of Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation,
      with (10S,11S)-hydnocarpin D (2b) being the most potent inhibitor. Furthermore,
      the effect of glucose on biofilm formation was tested, and glucose decreased the
      biofilm inhibitory activity of 2b. Moreover, 2b increased the susceptibility of
      Staph. aureus to enrofloxacin. 

PMID- 26273726
TI  - Ultrasound Velocity Measurement in a Liquid Metal Electrode.
AB  - A growing number of electrochemical technologies depend on fluid flow, and often
      that fluid is opaque. Measuring the flow of an opaque fluid is inherently more
      difficult than measuring the flow of a transparent fluid, since optical methods
      are not applicable. Ultrasound can be used to measure the velocity of an opaque
      fluid, not only at isolated points, but at hundreds or thousands of points
      arrayed along lines, with good temporal resolution. When applied to a liquid
      metal electrode, ultrasound velocimetry involves additional challenges: high
      temperature, chemical activity, and electrical conductivity. Here we describe the
      experimental apparatus and methods that overcome these challenges and allow the
      measurement of flow in a liquid metal electrode, as it conducts current, at
      operating temperature. Temperature is regulated within +/-2  degrees C using a
      Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controller that powers a custom-built
      furnace. Chemical activity is managed by choosing vessel materials carefully and
      enclosing the experimental setup in an argon-filled glovebox. Finally, unintended
      electrical paths are carefully prevented. An automated system logs control
      settings and experimental measurements, using hardware trigger signals to
      synchronize devices. This apparatus and these methods can produce measurements
      that are impossible with other techniques, and allow optimization and control of
      electrochemical technologies like liquid metal batteries. 

PMID- 26273727
TI  - Sex of First Child and Breast Cancer Survival in Young Women.
AB  - Two studies have reported that young women with breast cancer face increased risk
      of early mortality if their first child was male rather than female. An
      immunological mechanism has been suggested. We sought to confirm these results in
      a larger, historical cohort study of 223 parous women who were aged <45 years at
      breast cancer diagnosis during 1983-1987. Subjects were identified through the
      Maine Cancer Registry. Follow-up data were obtained from hospitals, physicians,
      and death certificates. Reproductive history data were obtained from the next of
      kin of the deceased women, birth certificates, physicians, hospitals, and lastly,
      subjects. With a 7-year follow-up, multivariate modeling found a lower mortality
      risk in women with a male first child (hazard ratio [HR] 0.51, 95% confidence
      interval [CI] 0.32-0.81, log-rank comparison). The survival advantage remained
      for at least 13 years in women with a male firstborn. Thus, previous studies were
      not confirmed. Mortality risk in young women with breast cancer is not increased
      by having borne a male first child rather than a female first child.

PMID- 26273728
TI  - Different Dicer-like protein components required for intracellular and systemic
      antiviral silencing in Arabidopsis thaliana.
AB  - Eukaryotes employ RNA silencing as an innate defense system against invading
      viruses. Dicer proteins play the most crucial role in initiating this antiviral
      pathway as they recognize and process incoming viral nucleic acids into small
      interfering RNAs. Generally, 2 successive infection stages constitute viral
      infection in plants. First, the virus multiplies in initially infected cells or
      organs after viral transmission and then the virus subsequently spreads
      systemically through the vasculature to distal plant tissues or organs. Thus,
      antiviral silencing in plants must cope with both local and systemic invasion of
      viruses. In a recent study using 2 sets of different experiments, we clearly
      demonstrated the differential requirement for Dicer-like 4 (DCL4) and DCL2
      proteins in the inhibition of intracellular and systemic infection by potato
      virus X in Arabidopsis thaliana. Taken together with the results of other
      studies, here we further discuss the functional specificity of DCL proteins in
      the antiviral silencing pathway. 

PMID- 26273729
TI  - B2N2O4: Prediction of a Magnetic Ground State for a Light Main-Group Molecule.
AB  - Cyclobutanetetrone, (CO)4, has a triplet ground state. Here we predict, based on
      electronic structure calculations, that the B2N2O4 molecule also has a triplet
      ground state and is therefore paramagnetic; the structure is an analogue of (CO)4
      in which the carbon ring is replaced by a (BN)2 ring. Similar to (CO)4, the
      triplet ground-state structure of B2N2O4 is also thermodynamically unstable.
      Besides analysis of the molecular orbitals, we found that the partial atomic
      charges are good indicators for predicting magnetic ground states. 

PMID- 26273730
TI  - A longitudinal, population-based twin study of avoidant and obsessive-compulsive
      personality disorder traits from early to middle adulthood.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The phenotypic stability of avoidant personality disorder (AVPD) and
      obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) has previously been found to be
      moderate. However, little is known about the longitudinal structure of genetic
      and environmental factors for these disorders separately and jointly, and to what
      extent genetic and environmental factors contribute to their stability. METHOD:
      AVPD and OCPD criteria were assessed using the Structured Interview for DSM-IV
      Personality in 2793 young adult twins (1385 pairs, 23 singletons) from the
      Norwegian Institute of Public Health Twin Panel at wave 1 and 2282 (986 pairs,
      310 singletons) of these on average 10 years later at wave 2. Longitudinal
      biometric models were fitted to AVPD and OCPD traits. RESULTS: For twins who
      participated at both time-points, the number of endorsed sub-threshold criteria
      for both personality disorders (PDs) decreased 31% from wave 1 to wave 2.
      Phenotypic correlations between waves were 0.54 and 0.37 for AVPD and OCPD,
      respectively. The heritability estimates of the stable PD liabilities were 0.67
      for AVPD and 0.53 for OCPD. The genetic correlations were 1.00 for AVPD and 0.72
      for OCPD, while the unique environmental influences correlated 0.26 and 0.23,
      respectively. The correlation between the stable AVPD and OCPD liabilities was
      0.39 of which 63% was attributable to genetic influences. Shared environmental
      factors did not significantly contribute to PD variance at either waves 1 or 2.
      CONCLUSION: Phenotypic stability was moderate for AVPD and OCPD traits, and
      genetic factors contributed more than unique environmental factors to the
      stability both within and across phenotypes.

PMID- 26273731
TI  - Observation of the Ciliary Movement of Choroid Plexus Epithelial Cells Ex Vivo.
AB  - The choroid plexus is located in the ventricular wall of the brain, the main
      function of which is believed to be production of cerebrospinal fluid. Choroid
      plexus epithelial cells (CPECs) covering the surface of choroid plexus tissue
      harbor multiple unique cilia, but most of the functions of these cilia remain to
      be investigated. To uncover the function of CPEC cilia with particular reference
      to their motility, an ex vivo observation system was developed to monitor ciliary
      motility during embryonic, perinatal and postnatal periods. The choroid plexus
      was dissected out of the brain ventricle and observed under a video-enhanced
      contrast microscope equipped with differential interference contrast optics.
      Under this condition, a simple and quantitative method was developed to analyze
      the motile profiles of CPEC cilia for several hours ex vivo. Next, the
      morphological changes of cilia during development were observed by scanning
      electron microscopy to elucidate the relationship between the morphological
      maturity of cilia and motility. Interestingly, this method could delineate
      changes in the number and length of cilia, which peaked at postnatal day (P) 2,
      while the beating frequency reached a maximum at P10, followed by abrupt
      cessation at P14. These techniques will enable elucidation of the functions of
      cilia in various tissues. While related techniques have been published in a
      previous report(1), the current study focuses on detailed techniques to observe
      the motility and morphology of CPEC cilia ex vivo. 

PMID- 26273732
TI  - Reaction null-space filter: extracting reactionless synergies for optimal
      postural balance from motion capture data.
AB  - This paper introduces the notion of a reactionless synergy: a postural variation
      for a specific motion pattern/strategy, whereby the movements of the segments do
      not alter the force/moment balance at the feet. Given an optimal initial posture
      in terms of stability, a reactionless synergy can ensure optimality throughout
      the entire movement. Reactionless synergies are derived via a dynamical model
      wherein the feet are regarded to be unfixed. Though in contrast with the
      conventional fixed-feet models, this approach has the advantage of exhibiting the
      reactions at the feet explicitly. The dynamical model also facilitates a joint
      space decomposition scheme yielding two motion components: the reactionless
      synergy and an orthogonal complement responsible for the dynamical coupling
      between the feet and the support. Since the reactionless synergy provides the
      basis (a feedforward control component) for optimal balance control, it may play
      an important role when evaluating balance abnormalities or when assessing
      optimality in balance control. We show how to apply the proposed method for
      analysis of motion capture data obtained from three voluntary movement patterns
      in the sagittal plane: squat, sway, and forward bend. 

PMID- 26273733
TI  - The Effect of Autologous Fat Graft with Different Surgical Repair Methods on
      Nerve Regeneration in a Rat Sciatic Nerve Defect Model.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of autologous fat
      graft with different surgical repair methods on reconstruction of a 10-mm-long
      rat sciatic nerve defect model. METHODS: One hundred forty-four sciatic nerves
      were operated on in 72 Wistar rats. The right limbs were assigned as group A (n =
      72) and the left limbs as group B (n = 72). In group B, autologous fat graft was
      added to the surgical area so as to stay in contact with the coaptation site.
      Nerve regeneration was evaluated by walking track analysis, Sciatic Functional
      Index, pin-prick, and electrophysiologic and histologic tests at commencement and
      at 4 and 12 weeks after the operation. RESULTS: The rats receiving fat graft
      showed better regeneration, but the difference was only significant according to
      Sciatic Functional Index and pin-prick test (p < 0.05). Primary repair,
      autogenous nerve graft, acellularized nerve graft, vein filled with fresh and
      denatured muscle graft subgroups in group B showed significantly better
      regeneration than those in group A according to the Sciatic Functional Index (p <
      0.05). In terms of latency and amplitude, all subgroups in groups A and B were
      found significantly different from the commencement of the study, but there was
      no difference between groups A and B (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Although there was
      no significant difference between the groups, rats receiving autologous fat graft
      showed better regeneration. Combined use of autologous fat graft with surgical
      repair methods induced significantly better regeneration. It was concluded that
      autologous fat grafting may have a beneficial effect on nerve regeneration when
      it is present in the coaptation site during healing.

PMID- 26273734
TI  - Debridement and Autologous Lipotransfer for Chronic Ulceration of the Diabetic
      Foot and Lower Limb Improves Wound Healing.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The application of autologous lipotransfer (fat grafting,
      lipofilling) in reconstructive surgery is steadily becoming more popular as
      evidence of the regenerative and reparative effects of fat becomes better known.
      The authors investigated the use of autologous lipotransfer for treatment of
      chronic diabetic and other foot and lower limb ulcers. METHODS: Twenty-six
      patients with nonhealing wounds were treated with surgical debridement and
      autologous lipotransfer (using the debridement and autologous lipotransfer
      method). The mean age of the wounds before intervention was 16.7 months. Wound
      size after debridement averaged 5.1 +/- 2.6 cm2. On average, 7.1 +/- 3.3 cc of
      lipoaspirate was transferred into the wound area. RESULTS: Twenty-two of 25
      wounds (88 percent) healed completely within a mean of 68.0 +/- 33.0 days. A
      reduction of wound size by 50 percent was achieved after an average of 4 weeks.
      In one patient with an ulcer within particularly scarred tissues on the lower
      limb, a repeated session of lipotransfer led to complete wound healing after
      another 4 weeks. CONCLUSION: The authors describe a simple and useful technique
      to improve wound healing in diabetic feet and chronic lower limb ulcers with a
      background of peripheral vascular disease, where other interventional options to
      achieve wound healing have failed.

PMID- 26273735
TI  - Is Double-Blinded Peer Review Necessary? The Effect of Blinding on Review
      Quality.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The review process can be completely open, double-blinded, or
      somewhere in between. Double-blinded peer review, where neither the authors' nor
      peer reviewers' identities are shared with each other, is thought to be the
      fairest system, but there is evidence that it does not affect reviewer behavior
      or influence decisions. Furthermore, even without presenting author names,
      authorship is often apparent to reviewers, especially in small specialties. In
      conjunction with Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (PRS), the authors examined
      the effect of double-blinded review on review quality, reviewer publishing
      recommendation, and reviewer manuscript rating. The authors hypothesized that
      double-blinded review will not improve review quality and will not affect
      recommendation or rating. METHODS: Traditionally, PRS peer review has been
      conducted in a single-blinded fashion. During a 3-month period of standard
      operation of the Journal, the authors examined reviews, recommendations, and
      manuscript ratings. Beginning October 1, 2014, PRS started conducting reviews in
      a double-blinded manner. The authors examined the additional reviews submitted
      during a 3-month period after the change. Review quality was assessed using the
      validated Review Quality Instrument. RESULTS: Double-blinding had no effect on
      reviewer publishing recommendation or manuscript ranking. Review quality did not
      improve after the implementation of double-blinded review. Blinding was
      successful 66 percent of the time. The most common reasons for blinding failure
      were reviewer familiarity with authors' work and author self-citation.
      CONCLUSIONS: Double-blinding adds considerable work for authors and editorial
      staff and has no positive effect on review quality. Furthermore, the authors'
      results revealed no publication bias based on author identity at PRS.

PMID- 26273736
TI  - Discussion: Assessing the Impact of Blood Loss in Cranial Vault Remodeling: A
      Risk Assessment Model Using the 2012 to 2013 Pediatric National Surgical Quality
      Improvement Program Data Sets.

PMID- 26273737
TI  - The Role of Long Intergenic Noncoding RNA p21 in Vascular Endothelial Cells.
AB  - Large intergenic long noncoding RNA p21 (lincRNA-p21) has recently shown to play
      an important role in biological functions. However, the biological role of
      lincRNA-p21 in vascular endothelial cells remains unclear. In the present study,
      we investigated the role of lincRNA-p21 in vascular endothelial cells through
      gain- and loss-of-function studies and found that lincRNA-p21 promoted cell
      apoptosis and induced cell cycle progression. Furthermore, lincRNA-p21 acted as
      an endogenous sponge by directly binding to miR-130b and decreased miR-130b
      expression. In addition, miR-130b reversed the inhibitory effect of lincRNA-p21
      on the growth of vascular endothelial cells. Taken together, our data highlight
      the pivotal role of lincRNA-p21 in the growth of vascular endothelial cells. 

PMID- 26273738
TI  - Beyond the flavour: a de-flavoured polyphenol rich extract of clove buds
      (Syzygium aromaticum L) as a novel dietary antioxidant ingredient.
AB  - Though kitchen spices constitute an important source of dietary antioxidants,
      their consumption at a physiologically relevant dose is very often hampered by
      their unpleasant flavour characteristics. The present paper describes a novel
      approach to derive stable de-flavoured spice extracts with minimised taste and
      odour profiles which are suitable for impregnation into a variety of food and
      beverage matrices at physiologically relevant doses. A popular kitchen spice,
      clove bud (Syzygium aromaticum L), having strong flavour and pungency
      characteristics was selected in the present study to derive a de-flavoured
      extract with a standardised polyphenolic profile (Clovinol) and was incorporated
      into various foods. The antioxidant efficacy of Clovinol on healthy human
      volunteers who check and answer official emails involving responsibility was
      investigated by analysing their endogenous antioxidant enzymes and the extent of
      lipid peroxidation upon consumption of Clovinol either as capsules or in a
      different food/beverage at 250 mg per serving per day for 30 days. It was
      observed that Clovinol can be conveniently incorporated in various food matrices
      without flavour issues and the consumption of such food/beverage items may
      support an effective detoxification process with an average elevation of 33 +/-
      3% in catalase, 66 +/- 8% in SOD, 56 +/- 5% in GPx and 167 +/- 21% in GSH levels,
      and 81 +/- 11% attenuation in membrane lipid peroxidation level. 

PMID- 26273740
TI  - Letter to the Editor: Chiari malformation I and autism spectrum disorder.

PMID- 26273739
TI  - Intramuscular Injections Along the Motor End Plates: A Minimally Invasive
      Approach to Shuttle Tracers Directly into Motor Neurons.
AB  - Diseases affecting the integrity of spinal cord motor neurons are amongst the
      most debilitating neurological conditions. Over the last decades, the development
      of several animal models of these neuromuscular disorders has provided the
      scientific community with different therapeutic scenarios aimed at delaying or
      reversing the progression of these conditions. By taking advantage of the
      retrograde machinery of neurons, one of these approaches has been to target
      skeletal muscles in order to shuttle therapeutic genes into corresponding spinal
      cord motor neurons. Although once promising, the success of such gene delivery
      approach has been hampered by the sub-optimal number of transduced motor neurons
      it has so far shown to yield. Motor end plates (MEPs) are highly specialized
      regions on the skeletal musculature that are in direct synaptic contact to the
      spinal cord alpha motor neurons. In this regard, it is important to note that, so
      far, the efforts to retrogradely transfer genes into motor neurons were made
      without reference to the location of the MEP region in the targeted muscles.
      Here, we describe a simple protocol 1) to reveal the exact location of the MEPs
      on the surface of skeletal muscles and 2) to use this information to guide the
      intramuscular delivery and subsequent optimal retrograde transport of retrograde
      tracers into motor neurons. We hope to utilize the results from these tracing
      experiments in further studies into investigating retrograde transport of
      therapeutic genes to spinal cord motor neurons through the targeting of MEPs. 

PMID- 26273741
TI  - Intracranial pressure monitoring among children with severe traumatic brain
      injury.
AB  - OBJECT Well-designed studies linking intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring with
      improved outcomes among children with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) are
      lacking. The main objective of this study was to examine the relationship between
      ICP monitoring in children and in-hospital mortality following severe TBI.
      METHODS An observational study was conducted using data derived from 153 adult or
      mixed (adult and pediatric) trauma centers participating in the American College
      of Surgeons (ACS) Trauma Quality Improvement Program (TQIP) and 29 pediatric
      trauma centers participating in the pediatric pilot TQIP between 2010 and 2012.
      Random-intercept multilevel modeling was used to examine the association between
      ICP monitoring and in-hospital mortality among children with severe TBI <=16
      years of age after adjusting for important confounders. This association was
      evaluated at the patient level and at the hospital level. In a sensitivity
      analysis, this association was reexamined in a propensity-matched cohort. RESULTS
      A total of 1705 children with severe TBI were included in the study cohort. The
      overall in-hospital mortality was 14.3% of patients (n = 243), whereas the
      mortality of the 273 patients (16%) who underwent invasive ICP monitoring was 11%
      (n = 30). After adjusting for patient- and hospital-level characteristics, ICP
      monitoring was associated with lower in-hospital mortality (adjusted OR 0.50; 95%
      CI 0.30-0.85; p = 0.01). It is possible that patients who were managed with ICP
      monitoring were selected because of an anticipated favorable or unfavorable
      outcome. To further address this potential selection bias, the analysis was
      repeated with the hospital-specific rate of ICP monitoring use as the exposure.
      The adjusted OR for death of children treated at high ICP-use hospitals was 0.49
      compared with those treated at low ICP-use hospitals (95% CI 0.31-0.78; p =
      0.003). Variations in ICP monitoring use accounted for 15.9% of the interhospital
      variation in mortality among children with severe TBI. Similar results were
      obtained after analyzing the data using propensity score-matching methods.
      CONCLUSIONS In this observational study, ICP monitoring use was associated with
      lower hospital mortality at both the patient and hospital levels. However, the
      contribution of variable ICP monitoring rates to interhospital variation in
      pediatric TBI mortality was modest.

PMID- 26273742
TI  - A Cognitive Paradigm to Investigate Interference in Working Memory by
      Distractions and Interruptions.
AB  - Goal-directed behavior is often impaired by interference from the external
      environment, either in the form of distraction by irrelevant information that one
      attempts to ignore, or by interrupting information that demands attention as part
      of another (secondary) task goal. Both forms of external interference have been
      shown to detrimentally impact the ability to maintain information in working
      memory (WM). Emerging evidence suggests that these different types of external
      interference exert different effects on behavior and may be mediated by distinct
      neural mechanisms. Better characterizing the distinct neuro-behavioral impact of
      irrelevant distractions versus attended interruptions is essential for advancing
      an understanding of top-down attention, resolution of external interference, and
      how these abilities become degraded in healthy aging and in neuropsychiatric
      conditions. This manuscript describes a novel cognitive paradigm developed the
      Gazzaley lab that has now been modified into several distinct versions used to
      elucidate behavioral and neural correlates of interference, by to-be-ignored
      distractors versus to-be-attended interruptors. Details are provided on variants
      of this paradigm for investigating interference in visual and auditory
      modalities, at multiple levels of stimulus complexity, and with experimental
      timing optimized for electroencephalography (EEG) or functional magnetic
      resonance imaging (fMRI) studies. In addition, data from younger and older adult
      participants obtained using this paradigm is reviewed and discussed in the
      context of its relationship with the broader literatures on external interference
      and age-related neuro-behavioral changes in resolving interference in working
      memory. 

PMID- 26273743
TI  - The spatial side of somatoparaphrenia: a case study.
AB  - The perception of the bodily self in space is a composite cognitive function
      requiring a dynamic integrated brain mechanism. Somatoparaphrenia (SP), a
      delusional belief concerning the experienced disownership for the contralesional
      paralyzed arm, represents the disruption of such mechanism. In two experiments,
      we have investigated the alteration of limb disownership after spatial
      manipulations in a right-brain-damaged patient affected by chronic SP. In
      experiment 1 the patient's spatial attention was switched between the left and
      right sides of space. SP signs worsened when the patient was interviewed from the
      left compared to the right bedside. In the second experiment we showed the first
      systematic transient remission of SP using left caloric vestibular stimulation
      (CVS), a physiologic manipulation mainly acting on the spatial frame of
      reference. Taken together, these results shed further light on the spatial nuance
      of SP and on the importance of vestibular signals for the generation of a
      coherent body representation. Furthermore, our case study demonstrated the
      possibility of eliciting more severe SP signs if the patient is interviewed from
      the left bedside. Additionally, CVS applications may have an important impact on
      the rehabilitation of these symptoms. 

PMID- 26273744
TI  - Anesthesia and Poliomyelitis: A Matched Cohort Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Poliomyelitis is a viral infectious disease caused by 1 of the 3
      strains of poliovirus. The World Health Organization launched an eradication
      campaign in 1988. Although the number of cases of poliomyelitis has drastically
      declined, eradication has not yet been achieved, and there are a substantial
      number of survivors of the disease. Survivors of poliomyelitis present a unique
      set of challenges to the anesthesiologist. The scientific literature regarding
      the anesthetic management of survivors of poliomyelitis, however, is limited and
      primarily experiential in nature. Using a retrospective, matched cohort study, we
      sought to more precisely characterize the anesthetic implications of
      poliomyelitis and to determine what risks, if any, may be present for patients
      with a history of the disease. METHODS: Using the Mayo Clinic Life Sciences
      System Data Discovery and Query Builder, study subjects were identified as those
      with a history of paralytic poliomyelitis who had undergone major surgery at Mayo
      Clinic Rochester between 2005 and 2009. For each case, 2 sex- and age-matched
      controls that underwent the same surgical procedure during the study period were
      randomly selected from a pool of possible controls. Medical records were manually
      interrogated with respect to demographic variables, comorbid conditions,
      operative and anesthetic course, and postoperative course. RESULTS: We analyzed
      100 cases with 2:1 matched controls and found that the peri- and postoperative
      courses were very similar for both groups of patients. Pain scores,
      postanesthesia care unit admission, length of postanesthesia care unit stay,
      intensive care unit admission, length of intensive care unit stay, and initial
      extubation location were not significantly different between the 2 groups.
      Looking at pulmonary complications in our primary outcome, there was no
      significant difference between the 2 groups (17% vs 14% for polio versus control,
      respectively; conditional logistic regression odds ratio = 1.5; 95% confidence
      interval, 0.7-3.3; P = 0.33). In addition, no difference was noted in those
      requiring a code or rapid response team intervention (4% vs 3% for polio versus
      control; P = 0.46) and the 30-day mortality rate was also not significantly
      different, with 2% of polio patients dying compared with 3% of controls (P =
      0.79). The analysis of the primary outcome was repeated for the subset of
      patients with a history of poliomyelitis who had persistent neurologic deficits
      preoperatively (n = 36) and their matched controls (n = 72). In this subset
      analysis, there were 4 (11%) polio patients and 8 (11%) control patients who
      experienced pulmonary complications (conditional logistic regression odds ratio =
      1.00; 95% confidence interval, 0.27-3.72; P = 1.00). The percentage of patients
      experiencing specific pulmonary complications of interest was similar between
      groups (postoperative mechanical ventilation: 6% vs 8% for polio and control
      patients, respectively; prolonged mechanical ventilation: 0% vs 1%; reintubation:
      8% vs 4%; pulmonary infection: 6% vs 6%; and aspiration: 0% vs 1%). CONCLUSIONS:
      This study suggests that patients with a history of poliomyelitis do not seem to
      have an increased risk of pulmonary complications in the perioperative period.
      However, an odds ratio as great as 3.3-fold may be present.

PMID- 26273745
TI  - Stridor in Neonates After Using the Microcuff(r) and Uncuffed Tracheal Tubes: A
      Retrospective Review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We conducted a retrospective chart review to determine the frequency
      of stridor and contributing factors after the use of Microcuff(r) and uncuffed
      tracheal tubes (TTs) in neonates. METHODS: All neonates in our neonatal intensive
      care unit whose airways were intubated between May 2011 and June 2012 were
      included. Data were collected from the neonatal intensive care unit database and
      from the electronic anesthesia record. Extracted data included postmenstrual age
      (PMA) at birth, birth weight, TT size and type, duration of tracheal intubation,
      and number of reintubations. The use of racemic epinephrine, heliox, and/or
      dexamethasone postextubation was considered diagnostic of stridor. RESULTS: Of
      the 324 neonates whose data were reviewed, 27 (8.3%) developed postextubation
      stridor. Neonates who developed stridor were more premature (PMA at birth, 29.9
      +/- 5.8 vs 33.0 +/- 4.8 weeks, P = 0.001), had a lower birth weight (1.56 +/-
      1.07 vs 2.02 +/- 0.96 kg, P = 0.005), greater duration of intubation (median: 20
      vs 3 days, P < 0.0001), and multiple reintubations (median: 2 vs 0, P < 0.0001).
      The frequency of stridor was 17.2% after using Microcuff TT and 7.5% after using
      uncuffed TTs (Fisher exact test, 2-sided P = 0.08 [95% confidence interval for
      difference in proportions: -9.4% to 28.7%]). In a multivariable logistic
      regression model, after adjusting for PMA, birth weight, duration of intubation,
      and number of reintubations, the use of a Microcuff TT was associated with
      increased odds of stridor (adjusted odds ratio = 9.27 [95% confidence interval:
      1.88-45.67], P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: The use of the Microcuff TT is associated
      with increased odds of postextubation stridor in neonates compared with the use
      of uncuffed TT.

PMID- 26273746
TI  - Continuous Spinal Analgesia for Labor and Delivery: An Observational Study with a
      23-Gauge Spinal Catheter.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to assess postdural puncture headache, pain
      relief, motor blockade, and success rate of conversion to cesarean delivery
      anesthesia of a 23-gauge spinal catheter (Wiley Spinal(r)) for labor analgesia.
      METHODS: After insertion of the spinal catheter, intrathecal bupivacaine 2.5 mg
      was administered, followed by patient-controlled intrathecal analgesia (basal
      infusion of 0.0625% bupivacaine with fentanyl 2 MUg/mL at a rate of 2 mL/h,
      demand bolus 1 mL, lockout interval 20 minutes). Bupivacaine 0.5%, up to 25 mg,
      was administered via the catheter along with fentanyl 20 MUg for cesarean
      delivery anesthesia, if necessary. The catheter was removed after delivery or
      after 12 hours, whichever was longer. RESULTS: One hundred thirteen women were
      enrolled. In 12 women (11%), the catheter was not successfully inserted or
      maintained in position. Continuous spinal analgesia was used in 101 women. Three
      women (2.6%, 95% confidence interval, 0.7%-8.1%) developed postdural puncture
      headache. There were 83 spontaneous, 12 operative vaginal, and 18 cesarean
      deliveries. Of the 18 cesarean deliveries, 16 had continuous spinal analgesia
      when the decision was made to perform a cesarean delivery; conversion from labor
      analgesia to cesarean anesthesia was successful in 15 women (94%, 95% confidence
      interval, 67.7%-99.7%). CONCLUSIONS: The 23-gauge spinal catheter can be used for
      analgesia for labor. It can also be converted to surgical anesthesia for cesarean
      deliveries. Further studies are warranted to determine whether the spinal
      catheter will be a useful addition to the neuraxial techniques available for
      obstetric anesthesia care.

PMID- 26273747
TI  - The Effect of Low-Dose Dexmedetomidine as an Adjuvant to Levobupivacaine in
      Patients Undergoing Vitreoretinal Surgery Under Sub-Tenon's Block Anesthesia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the motor and sensory block durations and the
      postoperative analgesic effects of adding dexmedetomidine to levobupivacaine for
      sub-Tenon's block anesthesia in patients undergoing vitreoretinal surgery. Motor
      and sensory block durations were considered as a primary end point. METHODS:
      Sixty ASA physical status I to III patients subjected to vitreoretinal surgery
      under sub-Tenon's block anesthesia were randomly divided equally into 2 groups,
      depending on the local anesthesia solution used, to receive 4 mL of 0.75%
      levobupivacaine plus 15 IU hyaluronidase diluted with 1 mL normal saline (group
      L) or 4 mL of 0.75% levobupivacaine plus 15 IU hyaluronidase and 20 MUg
      dexmedetomidine diluted with 1 mL normal saline (group LD). The total volume of
      the local anesthesia solution used was 5 mL. Motor block and sensory block
      durations were evaluated until the return of normal motor and sensory functions.
      The sedation level was assessed during the surgery period and 24 hours
      postoperatively, together with the degree of postoperative pain. The total
      diclofenac consumption (milligrams) and the number of patients (%) who required
      tramadol were recorded. The sleep quality of the first postoperative night was
      assessed using the Consensus Sleep Diary. RESULTS: Dexmedetomidine provided
      significantly longer motor block duration (371.90 +/- 48.10 vs 264.13 +/- 41.48
      minutes, P = 0.001) and significantly longer sensory block duration (499.10 +/-
      51.76 vs 344.33 +/- 45.46 minutes, P = 0.001) compared with levobupivacaine
      alone. Furthermore, the patients in the dexmedetomidine group achieved
      significantly (P < 0.0001) greater levels of sedation during the surgery period
      and for 12 hours postoperatively together with significantly (P < 0.0001) lower
      values of verbal numeric rating scale of pain between the periods from 4 to 12
      hours postoperatively compared with the patients in the levobupivacaine group.
      There was significantly (P = 0.001) less diclofenac consumed (mg) in the
      dexmedetomidine group. The patients in the dexmedetomidine group reported
      significantly higher rates of good sleep quality on the first postoperative night
      (70%) compared with those in the levobupivacaine group (30%; P < 0.0001).
      CONCLUSIONS: For patients undergoing vitreoretinal surgery, adding 20 MUg of
      dexmedetomidine to levobupivacaine for sub-Tenon's block anesthesia in
      vitreoretinal surgery extended the motor and sensory block durations and provided
      more effective postoperative analgesia with improvement in the sleep quality in
      the first postoperative night compared with levobupivacaine alone.

PMID- 26273748
TI  - Neuropeptide VF Enhances Cannabinoid Agonist WIN55,212-2-Induced Antinociception
      in Mice.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cannabinoids produce analgesia in several pain models, but the
      undesirable side effects from high doses of cannabinoid drugs limit their clinic
      use. Our recent results indicate that cannabinoid-induced antinociception was
      enhanced by neuropeptide VF (NPVF). Here, we investigate whether low-dose
      cannabinoid agonists combined with NPVF can produce effective antinociception
      with limited side effects. METHODS: The in vivo properties of (R)-(-1)-[2,3
      dihydro-5-methyl-3-(4-morpholinylmethyl)pyrrolo[1,2,3-de]-1,4-benzoxazin-6-yl]-1
      napthalenylmethanone (WIN55,212-2) given alone and its combination with NPVF were
      evaluated in nociceptive modulation, locomotor activity, gastrointestinal
      transit, and tolerance development assays after intracerebroventricular
      administration in mice. RESULTS: In the radiant tail-flick test, the
      antinociception of combination of WIN55,212-2 and NPVF was more potent than that
      of cannabinoid agonist given alone, with an ED50 shift from 3.51 to 0.69 nmol; 9
      nmol WIN55,212-2 alone and 3 nmol WIN55,212-2 combined with NPVF induced
      equivalent antinociception after supraspinal administration. The cannabinoid
      potentiating effects of NPVF were reduced by both the cannabinoid receptor type 1
      and the neuropeptide FF receptor antagonists. In the formalin assay, WIN55,212-2
      combined with NPVF also significantly reduced pain-related behaviors. However,
      the combination of WIN55,212-2 with NPVF exerted significant hypoactivity in a
      manner similar to high doses of WIN55,212-2. It was important to note that the
      combination of WIN55,212-2 with NPVF produced nontolerance-forming
      antinociception and weaker inhibition of gastrointestinal transit compared with
      high dose of WIN55,212-2. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that the cannabinoid
      agonist combined with NPVF produces effective antinociception-lacking tolerance
      via both cannabinoid receptor type 1 and neuropeptide FF receptors in the brain.

PMID- 26273749
TI  - Interaction Effects of Acute Kidney Injury, Acute Respiratory Failure, and Sepsis
      on 30-Day Postoperative Mortality in Patients Undergoing High-Risk Intraabdominal
      General Surgical Procedures.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI), acute respiratory failure, and sepsis are
      distinct but related pathophysiologic processes. We hypothesized that these 3
      processes may interact to synergistically increase the risk of short-term
      perioperative mortality in patients undergoing high-risk intraabdominal general
      surgery procedures. METHODS: We performed a retrospective, observational cohort
      study of data (2005-2011) from the American College of Surgeons-National Surgical
      Quality Improvement Program, a high-quality surgical outcomes data set. High-risk
      procedures were those with a risk of AKI, acute respiratory failure, or sepsis
      greater than the average risk in all intraabdominal general surgery procedures.
      The effects of AKI, acute respiratory failure, and sepsis on 30-day mortality
      were assessed using a Cox proportional hazards model. Additive interactions were
      assessed with the relative excess risk due to interaction. RESULTS: Of 217,994
      patients, AKI, acute respiratory failure, and sepsis developed in 1.3%, 3.7%, and
      6.8%, respectively. The 30-day mortality risk with sepsis, acute respiratory
      failure, and AKI were 11.4%, 24.1%, and 25.1%, respectively, compared with 0.85%
      without these complications. The adjusted hazard ratios and 95% confidence
      intervals for a single complication (versus no complication) on mortality were
      7.24 (6.46-8.11), 10.8 (8.56-13.6), and 14.2 (12.8-15.7) for sepsis, AKI, and
      acute respiratory failure, respectively. For 2 complications, the adjusted hazard
      ratios were 30.8 (28.0-33.9), 42.6 (34.3-52.9), and 65.2 (53.9-78.8) for acute
      respiratory failure/sepsis, AKI/sepsis, and acute respiratory failure/AKI,
      respectively. Finally, the adjusted hazard ratio for all 3 complications was 105
      (92.8-118). Positive additive interactions, indicating synergism, were found for
      each combination of 2 complications. The relative excess risk due to interaction
      for all 3 complications was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: In high
      risk general surgery patients, the development of AKI, acute respiratory failure,
      or sepsis is independently associated with an increase in 30-day mortality. In
      addition, the development of 2 complications shows significant positive additive
      interactions to further increase the risk of mortality. Our findings suggest that
      interactions between these 3 perioperative complications increase the risk of
      mortality more than would be expected by the independent effects of each
      complication alone.

PMID- 26273750
TI  - Xenon Anesthesia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled
      Trials.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Xenon anesthesia has been studied for decades. However, no meta
      analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on xenon anesthesia has been
      conducted. The aim of this study was to systematically review all available
      evidence from RCTs comparing xenon and other inhaled and IV anesthetics on
      anesthetic outcomes. Our meta-analysis attempted to quantify the effects of xenon
      anesthesia on clinical outcomes in relation to other anesthetics. METHODS: We
      found 43 RCTs from PubMed, MEDLINE, CENTRAL, EMBASE, and CINAHL (until January
      2015). A total of 31 studies comparing xenon (841 patients) with other inhaled
      agents (836 patients) and 12 studies comparing xenon (373 patients) with propofol
      (360 patients) were found. We evaluated clinical outcomes, such as intraoperative
      hemodynamics, emergence, and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). RESULTS:
      Patients undergoing xenon anesthesia had a lower heart rate and higher mean
      arterial pressure (MAP) intraoperatively than those receiving volatile anesthesia
      (mean difference = -6 min-1 [99% confidence interval {99% CI} -10.0 to -2.3];
      mean difference = 9 mm Hg [99% CI 3.1-14.4]) and propofol anesthesia (mean
      difference = -10 min-1 [99% CI -12.4 to -6.6]; mean difference = 7 mm Hg [99% CI
      0.85-13.2]). Compared with baseline, intraoperative MAP remained relatively
      stable (change < 5.5%, 99% CI within +/-20% of the baseline) under xenon
      anesthesia, but MAP decreased by >=15% under volatile (mean difference = -17 mm
      Hg [99% CI -29.5 to - 4.9], percentage change = -17.5%) and propofol (mean
      difference = -14 mm Hg [99% CI -26.1 to -2.5], percentage change = -15.0%)
      anesthesia. Patients had faster emergence from xenon than from volatile
      anesthesia: eyes opening (versus all volatile agents: mean 4 vs 7 minutes,
      percentage change = -49.8% [99% CI -55.1% to -44.0%]), tracheal extubation
      (versus all volatile agents: mean 4 vs 8 minutes percentage change = -44.6% [99%
      CI -57.3% to -28.1%]), orientation (versus sevoflurane: mean 5 vs 10 minutes,
      percentage change = -45.1% [99% CI -58.5% to -28.1%]), countdown (versus
      sevoflurane: mean 6 vs 10 minutes, percentage change = -41.7% [99% CI -50.3% to 
      31.6%]; versus isoflurane: mean 6 vs 14 minutes, percentage change = -57.7% [99%
      CI -65.7% to -48.3%]), and reaction on demand (versus sevoflurane: mean 4 vs 8
      minutes, percentage change = -53.2% [99% CI -65.7% to -35.6%]). However, xenon
      anesthesia increased the risks of PONV (incidence 34.4% vs 19.9%; risk ratio =
      1.72 [99% CI 1.10-2.69], risk difference = 0.19 [99% CI 0.04-0.33]). CONCLUSIONS:
      Xenon anesthesia provides relatively more stable intraoperative blood pressure,
      lower heart rate, and faster emergence from anesthesia than volatile and propofol
      anesthesia. However, xenon is associated with a higher incidence of PONV.

PMID- 26273751
TI  - Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Poly(ethylene oxide) Grafted onto Silica
      Immersed in Melt of Homopolymers.
AB  - Tuning of surface properties plays an important role in applications ranging from
      material engineering to biomedicine/chemistry. The interactions of chains grafted
      to a solid support and exposed to a matrix of chemically identical chains
      represent an intriguing issue. In this work, the behavior of poly(ethylene oxide)
      (PEO) chains grafted irreversibly onto an amorphous silica and immersed in the
      matrix of free PEO chains of different polymerization degree is studied using
      molecular dynamics simulations. The density distributions of grafted and free PEO
      chains, the height of the grafted layer, overlap parameters, and orientation
      order parameters depend not only on the grafting density but also on the length
      of free chains which confirm the entropic nature of the interactions between the
      grafted and free chains. In order to achieve a complete expulsion of the free
      chains from the grafted layer, a grafting density as high as 3.5 nm(-2) is
      necessary. Free PEO chains of 9 monomers leave the grafted layer at lower
      grafting densities than the longer PEO chains of 18 monomers in contrast with the
      theoretical predictions. The height of the grafted layer evolves with the
      grafting density in the presence of free chains in qualitative agreement with the
      theoretical phase diagram. 

PMID- 26273752
TI  - Development of a real-time immuno-PCR assay for the quantification of 17beta
      estradiol in water.
AB  - A competitive real-time (RT) immuno-polymerase chain reaction (iPCR) (RT-iPCR)
      assay was developed for the sensitive quantification of 17beta-estradiol in
      water. Using a universal iPCR method and polyclonal antibodies, 17beta-estradiol
      was accurately quantified at concentrations ranging from 1 pg mL(-1) to 10 ug mL(
      1). The RT-iPCR assay's limit of detection was 0.7 pg mL(-1). The RT-iPCR assay
      provided an 800-fold increase in sensitivity as well as an expanded working range
      compared with the corresponding enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Assay cross
      reactivity to estrone and estriol, two structurally related estrogens, was below
      8%. Water samples spiked with 17beta-estradiol were analyzed by RT-iPCR to
      determine the assay's potential as a rapid screen for the monitoring of manure
      borne estrogens in the environment. The assay showed recoveries of 82, 102 and
      103% for Milli-Q, tap, and irrigation water, respectively, without requiring
      sample extraction or concentration prior to analysis. 

PMID- 26273753
TI  - Secretory expression of organophosphorus hydrolase OPHC2 in Yarrowia lipolytica
      Polg.
AB  - In the present study, recombinant organophosphorus hydrolase OPHC2 was
      successfully produced by Yarrowia lipolytica and purified. Sodium dodecyl sulfate
      polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and western blot analyses showed a
      major polypeptide band of 36 kDa. The purified enzyme was optimally active at 65
      degrees C and pH 8.5 and also displayed good thermal and pH stability using
      methyl parathion (O,O-dimethyl-O-4-p-nitrophenyl phosphorothioate) as a
      substrate. Moreover, as Y. lipolytica is a non-pathogenic, generally regarded as
      safe (GRAS) yeast, the cell culture supernatant can be used directly on
      vegetables and fruits that are contaminated by organophosphorus pesticides. 

PMID- 26273754
TI  - The effect of thiacloprid formulation on DNA/chromosome damage and changes in GST
      activity in bovine peripheral lymphocytes.
AB  - The potential genotoxic effect of thiacloprid formulation on bovine peripheral
      lymphocytes was evaluated using the comet assay and the cytogenetic endpoints:
      chromosome aberrations (CAs), sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) and micronuclei
      (MNi). Whole blood cultures were treated with the insecticide at concentrations
      of 30, 60, 120, 240 and 480 MUg mL(-1) for 24, 48 h and/or 2 h of incubation. A
      statistically significant increase in the frequency of DNA damage, as well as in
      unstable chromosome aberrations (% breaks) were found after exposure to the
      insecticide at concentrations ranging from 120 to 480 MUg mL(-1) (P < 0.05, P <
      0.01, P < 0.001). For the detection of stable structural chromosome aberrations
      (e.g., translocations) and numerical aberrations by the FISH method, three whole
      chromosome painting probes for bovine chromosomes 1, 5 and 7 (BTA1, BTA5 and
      BTA7) were used in our experiments. We observed numerical aberrations, but
      without any statistical significance. Regarding the sister chromatid exchanges,
      no significant elevation in the SCE frequencies was found after 24-h exposure to
      the insecticide. A dose-related response in the SCE induction was obtained in
      bovine cultures after the prolonged time of exposure (48 h) to thiacloprid
      formulation at concentrations ranging from 120 to 480 MUg mL(-1) in each donor (P
      < 0.05, P < 0.01), which was associated with a reduction of the PI (P < 0.05, P <
      0.01). The insecticide failed to produce MNi; however, a significant reduction of
      CBPI was observed. Using real-time PCR, a decrease in the expression of bovine
      glutathione S-transferase M3 (GSTM3) was detected at the lowest dose. The higher
      concentrations of thiacloprid formulation caused an increase in the mRNA
      expression. 

PMID- 26273755
TI  - The platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase gene derived from Trichoderma
      harzianum induces maize resistance to Curvularia lunata through the jasmonic acid
      signaling pathway.
AB  - Platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) derived from Trichoderma
      harzianum was upregulated by the interaction of T. harzianum with maize roots or
      the foliar pathogen Curvularia lunata. PAF-AH was associated with chitinase and
      cellulase expressions, but especially with chitinase, because its activity in the
      KO40 transformant (PAF-AH disruption transformant) was lower, compared with the
      wild-type strain T28. The result demonstrated that the colonization of maize
      roots by T. harzianum induced systemic protection of leaves inoculated with C.
      lunata. Such protection was associated with the expression of inducible jasmonic
      acid pathway-related genes. Moreover, the data from liquid chromatography-mass
      spectrometry confirmed that the concentration of jasmonic acid in maize leaves
      was associated with the expression level of defense-related genes, suggesting
      that PAF-AH induced resistance to the foliar pathogen. Our findings showed that
      PAF-AH had an important function in inducing systemic resistance to maize leaf
      spot pathogen. 

PMID- 26273756
TI  - Kinetics of aerobic and anaerobic biomineralization of atrazine in surface and
      subsurface agricultural soils in Ohio.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to assess atrazine mineralization in surface and
      subsurface samples retrieved from vertical cores of agricultural soils from two
      farm sites in Ohio. The Defiance site (NW-Ohio) was on soybean-corn rotation and
      Piketon (S-Ohio) was on continuous corn cultivation. Both sites had a history of
      atrazine application for at least a couple of decades. The clay fraction
      increased at the Defiance site and the organic matter and total N content
      decreased with depth at both sites. Mineralization of atrazine was assessed by
      measurement of (14)CO2 during incubation of soil samples with [U-ring-(14)C]
      atrazine. Abiotic mineralization was negligible in all soil samples. Aerobic
      mineralization rate constants declined and the corresponding half-lives increased
      with depth at the Defiance site. Anaerobic mineralization (supplemented with
      nitrate) was mostly below the detection at the Defiance site. In Piketon samples,
      the kinetic parameters of aerobic and anaerobic biomineralization of atrazine
      displayed considerable scatter among replicate cores and duplicate biometers. In
      general, this study concludes that data especially for anaerobic
      biomineralization of atrazine can be more variable as compared to aerobic
      conditions and cannot be extrapolated from one agricultural site to another. 

PMID- 26273757
TI  - Uptake, translocation, and control of trumpet flower (Tecoma stans) with
      aminocyclopyrachlor.
AB  - To gain a better understanding of the physiology of the herbicide
      aminocyclopyrachlor in young plants of trumpet flower, the uptake and
      translocation were evaluated after the application of herbicide. This was
      determined by treating individual leaves with formulated herbicides plus (14)C
      aminocyclopyrachlor after the application of the formulated herbicide. This
      experiment used a randomized experimental design with three replications. In
      addition, field studies were conducted to assess the effectiveness of foliar
      applications of aminocyclopyrachlor in association with metsulfuton-methyl. The
      plant absorbed 20% of the herbicide applied. The translocation percentage did not
      surpass 5% of the total amount applied. Only 1% of the herbicide applied was
      translocated to the roots. Rate of 40 + 13 g a.i. 100 L(-1) of
      aminocyclopyrachlor+metsulfuron-methyl was effective to control T. stans. 

PMID- 26273758
TI  - Fecal contamination in irrigation water and microbial quality of vegetable
      primary production in urban farms of Metro Manila, Philippines.
AB  - Microbial contamination of fresh produce can present a severe risk to public
      health. By conducting a rigorous survey of irrigation waters, the impacts of
      fecal contamination on the quality of produce could be assessed. In this study,
      surface waters were observed to be contaminated with Escherichia coli, Salmonella
      spp., and somatic coliphages. Culture methods show that out of 373 irrigation
      water, soil, and vegetable samples collected for a 1-year period, 232 (62.20%)
      were found positive for E. coli, 213 (57.26%) for somatic coliphages, and 2
      (0.53%) for Salmonella spp. Out of 190 water samples, 167 (87.9%) were found to
      have E.coli, 174 (91.6%) have somatic coliphages, and 1 (0.5%) with Salmonella
      spp. In soil samples, 36 of 91 (39.6%) have E. coli, 31 (34.0%) have somatic
      coliphages, and none with Salmonella spp. Lastly, out of 92 vegetable samples, 29
      (31.5%), 8 (8.7%), and 1 (1.1%) were found to have E. coli, somatic coliphages,
      and Salmonella spp., respectively. Molecular analysis confirmed the presence of
      bacterial contaminants. Seasonal weather conditions were noted to have an effect
      on the presence and number of these fecal indicator organisms. The observed data
      suggest that contaminated irrigation water may greatly affect the quality of
      fresh produce from these agricultural operations. 

PMID- 26273759
TI  - Application of chemometric analysis based on physicochemical and chromatographic
      data for the differentiation origin of plant protection products containing
      chlorpyrifos.
AB  - The aim of this study was to investigate the similarities and dissimilarities
      between the pesticide samples in form of emulsifiable concentrates (EC)
      formulation containing chlorpyrifos as active ingredient coming from different
      sources (i.e., shops and wholesales) and also belonging to various series. The
      results obtained by the Headspace Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry method and
      also some selected physicochemical properties of examined pesticides including
      pH, density, stability, active ingredient and water content in pesticides tested
      were compared using two chemometric methods. Applicability of simple cluster
      analysis and also principal component analysis of obtained data in
      differentiation of examined plant protection products coming from different
      sources was confirmed. It would be advantageous in the routine control of
      originality and also in the detection of counterfeit pesticides, respectively,
      among commercially available pesticides containing chlorpyrifos as an active
      ingredient. 

PMID- 26273761
TI  - Metal/organo relay catalysis in a one-pot synthesis of methyl 4-aminopyrrole-2
      carboxylates from 5-methoxyisoxazoles and pyridinium ylides.
AB  - Methyl 4-aminopyrrole-2-carboxylates were synthesized in one-pot mode by the
      relay catalytic cascade reaction of 5-methoxyisoxazoles with pyridinium ylides by
      the use of a FeCl2/Et3N binary catalytic system leading to 1-(5-methoxycarbonyl
      1H-pyrrol-3-yl)pyridinium salts followed by hydrazinolysis. The approach permits
      the introduction of a substituent at the pyrrole nitrogen via a nucleophilic
      reaction of the pyrrolylpyridinium ylide derived from the salt. Catalytic
      reduction of the ylides gives methyl 4-piperidinopyrrole-2-carboxylates. 

PMID- 26273762
TI  - Reliability assessment of a novel cervical spine deformity classification system.
AB  - OBJECT: Despite the complexity of cervical spine deformity (CSD) and its
      significant impact on patient quality of life, there exists no comprehensive
      classification system. The objective of this study was to develop a novel
      classification system based on a modified Delphi approach and to characterize the
      intra- and interobserver reliability of this classification. METHODS: Based on an
      extensive literature review and a modified Delphi approach with an expert panel,
      a CSD classification system was generated. The classification system included a
      deformity descriptor and 5 modifiers that incorporated sagittal, regional, and
      global spinopelvic alignment and neurological status. The descriptors included:
      "C," "CT," and "T" for primary cervical kyphotic deformities with an apex in the
      cervical spine, cervicothoracic junction, or thoracic spine, respectively; "S"
      for primary coronal deformity with a coronal Cobb angle >= 15 degrees ; and "CVJ"
      for primary craniovertebral junction deformity. The modifiers included C2-7
      sagittal vertical axis (SVA), horizontal gaze (chin-brow to vertical angle
      [CBVA]), T1 slope (TS) minus C2-7 lordosis (TS-CL), myelopathy (modified Japanese
      Orthopaedic Association [mJOA] scale score), and the Scoliosis Research Society
      (SRS)-Schwab classification for thoracolumbar deformity. Application of the
      classification system requires the following: 1) full-length standing
      posteroanterior (PA) and lateral spine radiographs that include the cervical
      spine and femoral heads; 2) standing PA and lateral cervical spine radiographs;
      3) completed and scored mJOA questionnaire; and 4) a clinical photograph or
      radiograph that includes the skull for measurement of the CBVA. A series of 10
      CSD cases, broadly representative of the classification system, were selected and
      sufficient radiographic and clinical history to enable classification were
      assembled. A panel of spinal deformity surgeons was queried to classify each case
      twice, with a minimum of 1 intervening week. Inter- and intrarater reliability
      measures were based on calculations of Fleiss k coefficient values. RESULTS:
      Twenty spinal deformity surgeons participated in this study. Interrater
      reliability (Fleiss k coefficients) for the deformity descriptor rounds 1 and 2
      were 0.489 and 0.280, respectively, and mean intrarater reliability was 0.584.
      For the modifiers, including the SRS-Schwab components, the interrater (round
      1/round 2) and intrarater reliabilities (Fleiss k coefficients) were: C2-7 SVA
      (0.338/0.412, 0.584), horizontal gaze (0.779/0.430, 0.768), TS-CL (0.721/0.567,
      0.720), myelopathy (0.602/0.477, 0.746), SRS-Schwab curve type (0.590/0.433,
      0.564), pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis (0.554/0.386, 0.826), pelvic tilt
      (0.714/0.627, 0.633), and C7-S1 SVA (0.071/0.064, 0.233), respectively. The
      parameter with the poorest reliability was the C7-S1 SVA, which may have resulted
      from differences in interpretation of positive and negative measurements.
      CONCLUSIONS: The proposed classification provides a mechanism to assess CSD
      within the framework of global spinopelvic malalignment and clinically relevant
      parameters. The intra- and interobserver reliabilities suggest moderate agreement
      and serve as the basis for subsequent improvement and study of the proposed
      classification.

PMID- 26273763
TI  - The role of sacral slope in lumbosacral fusion: a biomechanical study.
AB  - OBJECT: Abnormal sacral slope (SS) has shown to increase progression of
      spondylolisthesis, yet there exists a paucity in biomechanical studies
      investigating its role in the correction of adult spinal deformity, its influence
      on lumbosacral shear, and its impact on the instrumentation selection process.
      This in vitro study investigates the effect of SS on 3 anterior lumbar interbody
      fusion constructs in a biomechanics laboratory. METHODS: Nine healthy, fresh
      frozen, intact human lumbosacral vertebral segments were tested by applying a 550
      N axial load to specimens with an initial SS of 20 degrees  on an MTS Bionix test
      system. Testing was repeated as SS was increased to 50 degrees , in 10 degrees 
      increments, through an angulated testing fixture. Specimens were instrumented
      using a standalone integrated spacer with self-contained screws (SA), an
      interbody spacer with posterior pedicle screws (PPS), and an interbody spacer
      with anterior tension band plate (ATB) in a randomized order. Stiffness was
      calculated from the linear portion of the load-deformation curve. Ultimate
      strength was also recorded on the final construct of all specimens (n = 3 per
      construct) with SS of 40 degrees . RESULTS: Axial stiffness (N/mm) of the L5-S1
      motion segment was measured at various angles of SS: for SA 292.9 +/- 142.8 (20
      degrees ), 277.2 +/- 113.7 (30 degrees ), 237.0 +/- 108.7 (40 degrees ), 170.3 +/
      74.1 (50 degrees ); for PPS 371.2 +/- 237.5 (20 degrees ), 319.8 +/- 167.2 (30
      degrees ), 280.4 +/- 151.7 (40 degrees ), 233.0 +/- 117.6 (50 degrees ); and for
      ATB 323.9 +/- 210.4 (20 degrees ), 307.8 +/- 125.4 (30 degrees ), 249.4 +/- 126.7
      (40 degrees ), 217.7 +/- 99.4 (50 degrees ). Axial compression across the disc
      space decreased with increasing SS, indicating that SS beyond 40 degrees 
      threshold shifted L5-S1 motion into pure shear, instead of compression-shear,
      defining a threshold. Trends in ultimate load and displacement differed from
      linear stiffness with SA > PPS > ATB. CONCLUSIONS: At larger SSs, bilateral
      pedicle screw constructs with spacers were the most stable; however, none of the
      constructs were significantly stiffer than intact segments. For load to failure,
      the integrated spacer performed the best; this may be due to angulations of
      integrated plate screws. Increasing SS significantly reduced stiffness, which
      indicates that surgeons need to consider using more aggressive fixation
      techniques.

PMID- 26273765
TI  - Downsizing the target: the underwater closure technique.

PMID- 26273766
TI  - An alternative treatment for postcholecystectomy Mirizzi's syndrome: cystic duct
      balloon dilation.

PMID- 26273764
TI  - Intraspinal pressure and spinal cord perfusion pressure after spinal cord injury:
      an observational study.
AB  - OBJECT: In contrast to intracranial pressure (ICP) in traumatic brain injury
      (TBI), intraspinal pressure (ISP) after traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) has
      not received the same attention in terms of waveform analysis. Based on a
      recently introduced technique for continuous monitoring of ISP, here the
      morphological characteristics of ISP are observationally described. It was
      hypothesized that the waveform analysis method used to assess ICP could be
      similarly applied to ISP. METHODS: Data included continuous recordings of ISP and
      arterial blood pressure (ABP) in 18 patients with severe TSCI. RESULTS: The
      morphology of the ISP pulse waveform resembled the ICP waveform shape and was
      composed of 3 peaks representing percussion, tidal, and dicrotic waves. Spectral
      analysis demonstrated the presence of slow, respiratory, and pulse waves at
      different frequencies. The pulse amplitude of ISP was proportional to the mean
      ISP, suggesting a similar exponential pressure-volume relationship as in the
      intracerebral space. The interaction between the slow waves of ISP and ABP is
      capable of characterizing the spinal autoregulatory capacity. CONCLUSIONS: This
      preliminary observational study confirms morphological and spectral similarities
      between ISP in TSCI and ICP. Therefore, the known methods used for ICP waveform
      analysis could be transferred to ISP analysis and, upon verification, potentially
      used for monitoring TSCI patients.

PMID- 26273767
TI  - Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome: combined surgical and endoscopic treatment.

PMID- 26273768
TI  - Complete endoscopic closure of a large gastric defect with endoloop and endoclips
      after complex endoscopic submucosal dissection.

PMID- 26273769
TI  - Near-fatal hemorrhagic shock after endoscopic ultrasound-guided liver biopsy.

PMID- 26273770
TI  - Endoscopic view in a patient with acute gastric volvulus.

PMID- 26273771
TI  - Double-balloon enteroscopy-assisted endoscopic retrograde cholangiography for the
      treatment of a strictured Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunal anastomosis.

PMID- 26273772
TI  - Endoscopic management of obstructive pancreatitis with a metal stent in two
      family members with hereditary cationic trypsinogen (PRSS1) deficiency.

PMID- 26273773
TI  - A case of delayed bleeding after endoscopic submucosal dissection for completely
      circumferential esophageal cancer.

PMID- 26273774
TI  - Peroral endoscopic myotomy for esophageal muscular ring.

PMID- 26273775
TI  - Endovascular coil migration and upper gastrointestinal bleed: a causal or casual
      relationship?

PMID- 26273776
TI  - Pneumoperitoneum due to a necrotic cavity wall perforation seen at endoscopic
      necrosectomy.

PMID- 26273777
TI  - An unusual retroperitoneal lesion causing recurrent acute pancreatitis.

PMID- 26273778
TI  - Endoscopic ultrasound-guided gastroenterostomy using a lumen-apposing self
      expanding metal stent for decompression of afferent loop obstruction.

PMID- 26273779
TI  - Endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainage of a right liver abscess with a self
      expandable metallic stent.

PMID- 26273780
TI  - A cholecystocolonic fistula caused by penetration of a double-pigtail plastic
      stent after endoscopic transpapillary gallbladder stenting.

PMID- 26273781
TI  - A simple ex vivo, biologic ERCP training model for sphincterotomy.

PMID- 26273782
TI  - Diagnosing pseudoaneurysm of the gastroduodenal artery on endoscopic ultrasound.

PMID- 26273783
TI  - Endoscopic extraction of a fish bone with a Foley catheter after endovascular
      stent graft placement for penetrating aortoesophageal injury.

PMID- 26273784
TI  - Endoscopic characterization and resection of Vanek's tumor of the duodenum.

PMID- 26273785
TI  - Endoscopic vacuum therapy in Boerhaave's syndrome with open-pore polyurethane
      foam and a new open-pore film drainage.

PMID- 26273786
TI  - High indoor CO2 concentrations in an office environment increases the
      transcutaneous CO2 level and sleepiness during cognitive work.
AB  - The purpose of this study is to perform a multiparametric analysis on the
      environmental factors, the physiological stress reactions in the body, the
      measured alertness, and the subjective symptoms during simulated office work.
      Volunteer male subjects were monitored during three 4-hr work meetings in an
      office room, both in a ventilated and a non-ventilated environment. The
      environmental parameters measured included CO(2), temperature, and relative
      humidity. The physiological test battery consisted of measuring autonomic nervous
      system functions, salivary stress hormones, blood's CO(2)- content and oxygen
      saturation, skin temperatures, thermal sensations, vigilance, and sleepiness. The
      study shows that we can see physiological changes caused by high CO(2)
      concentration. The findings support the view that low or moderate level increases
      in concentration of CO(2) in indoor air might cause elevation in the blood's
      transcutaneously assessed CO(2). The observed findings are higher CO(2)
      concentrations in tissues, changes in heart rate variation, and an increase of
      peripheral blood circulation during exposure to elevated CO(2) concentration. The
      subjective parameters and symptoms support the physiological findings. This study
      shows that a high concentration of CO(2) in indoor air seem to be one parameter
      causing physiological effects, which can decrease the facility user's functional
      ability. The correct amount of ventilation with relation to the number of people
      using the facility, functional air distribution, and regular breaks can
      counteract the decrease in functional ability. The findings of the study suggest
      that merely increasing ventilation is not necessarily a rational solution from a
      technical-economical viewpoint. Instead or in addition, more comprehensive,
      anthropocentric planning of space is needed as well as instructions and new kinds
      of reference values for the design and realization of office environments.

PMID- 26273787
TI  - Investigation of NKX2.5 gene mutations in congenital heart defects in an Indian
      population.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: Mutations in the NKX2.5 gene, a cardiac transcription factor,
      have been implicated in various types of congenital heart defects (CHD) and it is
      known that optimal expression levels of this gene are crucial for proper
      cardiogenesis. However, most of the mutations have been identified in cases of
      syndromic CHD, and the functional significance of other mutations in this gene
      has not been studied. We describe in this study the mutational and expression
      analysis of the NKX2.5 gene in nonsyndromic CHD patients. METHODS: In this study,
      exon 1 of the NKX2.5 gene was sequenced from 50 probands with sporadic CHD and 50
      healthy volunteers. NKX2.5 gene expression levels in blood and cardiac tissue
      samples were analyzed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)
      in the probands. RESULTS: No new mutations were identified; however, a previously
      reported variant A63G (rs2277923) was found to be present at significantly higher
      levels in the CHD population than in the control group. Changes in expression
      between the blood and tissue samples were seen in 37 out of the 50 CHD patients.
      CONCLUSION: Multiple factors, in addition to NKX2.5 gene mutations, may cause
      CHDs. NKX2.5 gene mutations may be mosaic in nature, therefore warranting
      investigation in both blood and tissue samples.

PMID- 26273788
TI  - Hepatic metabolism of carcinogenic beta-asarone.
AB  - beta-Asarone (1) belongs to the group of naturally occurring phenylpropenes like
      eugenol or anethole. Compound 1 is found in several plants, e.g., Acorus calamus
      or Asarum europaeum. Compound 1-containing plant materials and essential oils
      thereof are used to flavor foods and alcoholic beverages and as ingredients of
      many drugs in traditional phytomedicines. Although 1 has been claimed to have
      several positive pharmacological effects, it was found to be genotoxic and
      carcinogenic in rodents (liver and small intestine). The mechanism of action of
      carcinogenic allylic phenylpropenes consists of the metabolic activation via
      cytochrome P450 enzymes and sulfotransferases. In vivo experiments suggested that
      this pathway does not play a major role in the carcinogenicity of the propenylic
      compound 1 as is the case for other propenylic compounds, e.g., anethole. Since
      the metabolic pathways of 1 have not been investigated and its carcinogenic mode
      of action is unknown, we investigated the metabolism of 1 in liver microsomes of
      rats, bovines, porcines, and humans using (1)H NMR, HPLC-DAD, and LC-ESI-MS/MS
      techniques. We synthesized the majority of identified metabolites which were used
      as reference compounds for the quantification and final verification of
      metabolites. Microsomal epoxidation of the side chain of 1 presumably yielded (Z)
      asarone-1',2'-epoxide (8a) which instantly was hydrolyzed to the corresponding
      erythro- and threo-configurated diols (9b, 9a) and the ketone 2,4,5
      trimethoxyphenylacetone (13). This was the main metabolic pathway in the
      metabolism of 1 in all investigated liver microsomes. Hydroxylation of the side
      chain of 1 led to the formation of three alcohols at total yields of less than
      30%: 1'-hydroxyasarone (2), (E)- and (Z)-3'-hydroxyasarone (4 and 6), with 6
      being the mainly formed alcohol and 2 being detectable only in liver microsomes
      of Aroclor 1254-pretreated rats. Small amounts of 4 and 6 were further oxidized
      to the corresponding carbonyl compounds (E)- and (Z)-3'-oxoasarone (5, 7). 1'
      Oxoasarone (3) was probably also formed in incubations with 1 but was not
      detectable, possibly due to its rapid reaction with nucleophiles. Eventually,
      three mono-O-demethylated metabolites of 1 were detected in minor concentrations.
      The time course of metabolite formation and determined kinetic parameters show
      little species-specific differences in the microsomal metabolism of 1.
      Furthermore, the kinetic parameters imply a very low dependence of the pattern of
      metabolite formation from substrate concentration. In human liver microsomes, 71
      75% of 1 will be metabolized via epoxidation, 21-15% via hydroxylation (and
      further oxidation), and 8-10% via demethylation at lower as well as higher
      concentrations of 1, respectively (relative values). On the basis of our results,
      we hypothesize that the genotoxic epoxides of 1 are the ultimate carcinogens
      formed from 1. 

PMID- 26273789
TI  - Magnetic resonance imaging as a tool to image neuroinflammation in a rat model of
      Parkinson's disease--phagocyte influx to the brain is promoted by bilberry
      enriched diet.
AB  - Neuroinflammation is a chronic event in neurodegenerative disorders. In the rat
      model of Parkinson's disease, including a striatal injection of the neurotoxin 6
      hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), antioxidant treatment affects the inflammatory process.
      Despite a heavy accumulation of microglia early after the injury, dopamine nerve
      fibre regeneration occurs. It remains unclear why this heavy accumulation of
      microglia is found early after the lesion in antioxidant-treated animals, or even
      more, what is the origin of these microglia. In this study magnetic resonance
      imaging (MRI) was used to elucidate whether the inflammatory response was
      generated from the blood or from activated brain microglia. Superparamagnetic
      iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles were injected intravenously prior to a striatal 6
      OHDA injection to tag phagocytes in the blood. Rats were fed either with bilberry
      enriched or control diet. T2*-weighted MRI scans were performed 1 week after the
      lesion, and hypointense areas were calculated from T2*-weighted images, to
      monitor the presence of SPIO particles. The results revealed that feeding the
      animals with bilberries significantly promoted accumulation of blood-derived
      immune cells. Gadolinium-enhanced MRI demonstrated no difference in leakage of
      the blood-brain barrier independent of diets. To conclude, bilberry-enriched diet
      promotes an influx of periphery-derived immune cells to the brain early after
      injury.

PMID- 26273790
TI  - Diagnostic value of red blood cell distribution width in pediatric acute
      appendicitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of red
      blood cell distribution width (RDW) in children with acute appendicitis. METHODS:
      In this retrospective study, a total of 344 children aged <=18 years with
      clinically suspected acute appendicitis who underwent appendectomy between
      January 2007 and January 2014 were reviewed, and 200 healthy controls of the same
      age group were included. Based on histopathology, the patients were classified as
      having normal appendix, simple or perforated appendicitis, and preoperative white
      blood cell count (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP) and RDW were compared. RESULTS:
      Compared with the controls, mean WBC, CRP and RDW were significantly higher in
      the appendectomy group (P <0.001). The children with simple or perforated
      appendicitis had significantly higher WBC, CRP and RDW than did those with normal
      appendix (P <0.001). Mean WBC and CRP were significantly higher in the children
      with perforated appendicitis (P <0.001), but no statistically significant
      difference was found in RDW between the simple and perforated appendicitis groups
      (P = 0.081). CONCLUSIONS: Children with histologically proven acute appendicitis
      have higher RDW than children without appendicitis, but the diagnostic value of
      RDW was not superior to WBC or CRP in children with acute appendicitis. Although
      higher RDW may be valuable for aiding the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in
      children, it is not a useful marker for predicting perforated appendicitis.

PMID- 26273792
TI  - Mononuclear Nonheme Iron(III)-Iodosylarene and High-Valent Iron-Oxo Complexes in
      Olefin Epoxidation Reactions.
AB  - High-spin iron(III)-iodosylarene complexes are highly reactive in the epoxidation
      of olefins, in which epoxides are formed as the major products with high
      stereospecificity and enantioselectivity. The reactivity of the iron(III)
      iodosylarene intermediates is much greater than that of the corresponding
      iron(IV)-oxo complex in these reactions. The iron(III)-iodosylarene species-not
      high-valent iron(IV)-oxo and iron(V)-oxo species-are also shown to be the active
      oxidants in catalytic olefin epoxidation reactions. The present results are
      discussed in light of the long-standing controversy on the one oxidant versus
      multiple oxidants hypothesis in oxidation reactions. 

PMID- 26273791
TI  - Effect of vitamin D3 treatment on endothelial function in obese adolescents.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Obesity in children is associated with vitamin D deficiency and
      endothelial dysfunction. It is not known if treatment with vitamin D improves
      endothelial function in obese adolescents. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to
      determine whether treatment with vitamin D3 improves endothelial function in
      obese adolescents. METHODS: Nineteen obese adolescents, 13-18 years of age, with
      25-hydroxy vitamin D (25[OH]D) levels <75 nmol L(-1) were treated with 100 000 IU
      vitamin D3 orally once a month for 3 months in an open-label, single-centre
      prospective trial. Endothelial function was assessed by flow-mediated dilatation
      (FMD) of the brachial artery at study entry and 1 month after the third dose of
      vitamin D3 . Biochemical parameters, including calcium, fasting lipids, glucose,
      insulin and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, were also obtained. RESULTS:
      Mean 25(OH)D levels increased from 55.9 +/- 12.2 to 86.9 +/- 16.7 nmol L(-1) (P <
      0.01). There was no correlation between 25(OH)D levels and brachial artery FMD.
      The brachial artery FMD (%) did not change significantly following vitamin D3
      treatment (9.5 +/- 3.53 vs. 10.3 +/- 3.83, P = 0.83). Serum parathyroid hormone
      declined from 3.8 +/- 1.5 to 3.1 +/- 1 pmol L(-1) (P = 0.01). The remainder of
      biochemical measurements did not show a significant change. CONCLUSIONS:
      Treatment with vitamin D3 , 100 000 IU once a month for 3 months was effective in
      increasing 25(OH)D levels in obese adolescents but did not impact endothelial
      function.

PMID- 26273793
TI  - Medical Nutrition Therapy Is Effective in the Management of Hypoglycemia Caused
      by Insulin Antibodies: A Case Report and Literature Review.
AB  - Autoimmune antibodies, induced by exogenous insulin preparations, may result in
      labile glucose control and frequent hypoglycemia in some rare cases. In addition
      to insulin cessation, immune suppressants and/or plasmapheresis have been used as
      the primary remedies for these patients. Some previous studies also indicate that
      the condition tends to remit spontaneously after discontinuation of insulin
      exposure. Because of this, the clinical importance of nutritional interventions
      and behavioral approaches, which may play a role in ameliorating the symptoms,
      should also be emphasized. Herein, we report on a 64-year-old man with
      hypoglycemia induced by insulin antibodies (IAs), whose hypoglycemic symptoms
      significantly improved after the implementation of nutrition therapy. This rare
      case expands our knowledge of the management of hypoglycemia, and for the first
      time highlights the significance of nutritional and lifestyle intervention in
      treatment of IA-induced hypoglycemia.

PMID- 26273794
TI  - The Double-H Maze: A Robust Behavioral Test for Learning and Memory in Rodents.
AB  - Spatial cognition research in rodents typically employs the use of maze tasks,
      whose attributes vary from one maze to the next. These tasks vary by their
      behavioral flexibility and required memory duration, the number of goals and
      pathways, and also the overall task complexity. A confounding feature in many of
      these tasks is the lack of control over the strategy employed by the rodents to
      reach the goal, e.g., allocentric (declarative-like) or egocentric (procedural)
      based strategies. The double-H maze is a novel water-escape memory task that
      addresses this issue, by allowing the experimenter to direct the type of strategy
      learned during the training period. The double-H maze is a transparent device,
      which consists of a central alleyway with three arms protruding on both sides,
      along with an escape platform submerged at the extremity of one of these arms.
      Rats can be trained using an allocentric strategy by alternating the start
      position in the maze in an unpredictable manner (see protocol 1; S4.7), thus
      requiring them to learn the location of the platform based on the available
      allothetic cues. Alternatively, an egocentric learning strategy (protocol 2;
      S4.8) can be employed by releasing the rats from the same position during each
      trial, until they learn the procedural pattern required to reach the goal. This
      task has been proven to allow for the formation of stable memory traces. Memory
      can be probed following the training period in a misleading probe trial, in which
      the starting position for the rats alternates. Following an egocentric learning
      paradigm, rats typically resort to an allocentric-based strategy, but only when
      their initial view on the extra-maze cues differs markedly from their original
      position. This task is ideally suited to explore the effects of
      drugs/perturbations on allocentric/egocentric memory performance, as well as the
      interactions between these two memory systems. 

PMID- 26273795
TI  - Structure of Echivulgarine, a Pyrrolizidine Alkaloid Isolated from the Pollen of
      Echium vulgare.
AB  - 1,2-Dehydropyrrolizidine alkaloids are common toxic metabolites isolated from
      plants within the Boraginaceae, in particular from the genera Heliotropium and
      Echium. Previous studies have deduced the structures of these often potent
      bioactives based upon mass spectrometric evidence, but these identifications have
      not established conclusive connectivity and configurational data. Herein, we
      describe the isolation and full structural characterization of echivulgarine,
      occurring in the pollen of Echium vulgare and correct the structure previously
      ascribed to the compound, using a comprehensive combination of both experimental
      and calculated nuclear magnetic resonance and electronic circular dichroism
      spectroscopic data. 

PMID- 26273797
TI  - Erratum.
AB  - The Molecular Profile of Adult T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Mutations in
      RUNX1 and DNMT3A Are Associated with Poor Prognosis in T-ALL. Vera Grossmann,
      Claudia Haferlach, Sandra Weissmann, Andreas Roller, Sonja Schindela, Franziska
      Poetzinger, Kathrin Stadler, Frauke Bellos, Wolfgang Kern, Torsten Haferlach,
      Susanne Schnittger, and Alexander Kohlmann. Genes, Chromosomes & Cancer (2013)
      52(4):410-422. DOI 10.1002/gcc.22039. For the above mentioned article, the
      authors submit a revised version of Figure 2A. The two protein domains MTase and
      PWWP of the DNMT3A protein were wrongly depicted in the legend, as the MTase
      domain has to be colored in green and PWWP in blue. The authors apologize to the
      editors of Genes, Chromosomes & Cancer and to the readers of this journal for
      this mistake.

PMID- 26273796
TI  - Correlative Confocal and 3D Electron Microscopy of a Specific Sensory Cell.
AB  - Delineation of a cell's ultrastructure is important for understanding its
      function. This can be a daunting project for rare cell types diffused throughout
      tissues made of diverse cell types, such as enteroendocrine cells of the
      intestinal epithelium. These gastrointestinal sensors of food and bacteria have
      been difficult to study because they are dispersed among other epithelial cells
      at a ratio of 1:1,000. Recently, transgenic reporter mice have been generated to
      identify enteroendocrine cells by means of fluorescence. One of those is the
      peptide YY-GFP mouse. Using this mouse, we developed a method to correlate
      confocal and serial block-face scanning electron microscopy. We named the method
      cocem3D and applied it to identify a specific enteroendocrine cell in tissue and
      unveil the cell's ultrastructure in 3D. The resolution of cocem3D is sufficient
      to identify organelles as small as secretory vesicles and to distinguish cell
      membranes for volume rendering. Cocem3D can be easily adapted to study the 3D
      ultrastructure of other specific cell types in their native tissue. 

PMID- 26273798
TI  - Coffee and Caregiving.

PMID- 26273800
TI  - Therapeutic applications of the TAT-mediated protein transduction system for
      complex I deficiency and other mitochondrial diseases.
AB  - Among the five enzyme complexes in the oxidative phosphorylation system, NADH
      coenzyme Q oxidoreductase (also called complex I) is the largest, most intricate,
      and least understood. This enzyme complex spans the inner mitochondrial membrane
      and catalyzes the first step of electron transfer by the oxidation of NADH, and
      thereby provides two electrons for the reduction of quinone to quinol. Complex I
      deficiency is associated with many severe mitochondrial diseases, including Leber
      hereditary optic neuropathy and Leigh syndrome. However, to date, conventional
      treatments for the majority of genetic mitochondrial diseases are only
      palliative. Developing a reliable and convenient therapeutic approach is
      therefore considered to be an urgent need. Targeted proteins fused with the
      protein transduction domain of human immunodeficiency virus 1 transactivator of
      transcription (TAT) have been shown to enter cells by crossing plasma membranes
      while retaining their biological activities. Recent developments show that, in
      fusion with mitochondrial targeting sequences (MTSs), TAT-MTS-bound cargo can be
      correctly transported into mitochondria and restore the missing function of the
      cargo protein in patients' cells. The available evidence suggests that the TAT
      mediated protein transduction system holds great promise as a potential
      therapeutic approach to treat complex I deficiency, as well as other
      mitochondrial diseases. 

PMID- 26273801
TI  - Synthesis of a diboryl-N-heterocycle and its conversion to a bidentate cationic
      Lewis acid.
AB  - Sequential reaction of 2-lithio-1-methylimidazole with 9-borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane
      (9-BBN) dimer and 9-Cl-9-BBN yields diboryl-N-heterocycle C4H5N2(H)(BC8H14)2 (1).
      Reaction of 1 with I2 results in the net substitution of chelated hydride for a
      singly boron-bound iodide to produce C4H5N2(I)(BC8H14)2 (2). Conversely, reaction
      of 1 with [Ph3C][B(C6F5)4] results in the formation of the bidentate cationic
      Lewis acid [(C4H5N2)(BC8H14)2][B(C6F5)4] (3). Compound 3 catalyzes the
      hydrogenation of N-benzylidene-tert-butylamine at room-temperature. 

PMID- 26273802
TI  - Determining the effects of freshwater inflow on benthic macrofauna in the
      Caloosahatchee Estuary, Florida.
AB  - Florida legislation requires determining and implementing an appropriate range
      and frequency of freshwater inflows that will sustain a fully functional estuary.
      Changes in inflow dynamics to the Caloosahatchee Estuary, Florida have altered
      salinity regimes that, in turn, have altered the ecological integrity of the
      estuary. The purpose of this current project is to determine how changes in
      freshwater inflows affect water quality, and in turn, benthic macrofauna,
      spatially within the Caloosahatchee Estuary and between multiyear wet and dry
      periods. Thirty-four benthic species were identified as being indicator species
      for salinity zones, and the estuary was divided into 4 zones based on differences
      in community structure within the estuary. Community structure had the highest
      correlations with water quality parameters that were common indicators of
      freshwater conditions resulting from inflows. A significant relationship between
      salinity and diversity occurs both spatially and temporally because of increased
      numbers of marine species as salinities increase. A salinity-based model was used
      to estimate inflow during wet and dry periods for each of the macrofauna
      community zones. The approach used here (identifying bioindicators and community
      zones with corresponding inflow ranges) is generic and will be useful for
      developing targets for managing inflow in estuaries worldwide. Integr Environ
      Assess Manag 2016;12:529-539. (c) 2015 SETAC. 

PMID- 26273804
TI  - Newborn pulse oximetry screening is not just for heart defects.

PMID- 26273799
TI  - Corticosteroids for treating optic neuritis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Optic neuritis is an inflammatory disease of the optic nerve. It
      usually presents with an abrupt loss of vision and recovery of vision is almost
      never complete. It occurs more commonly in women than in men. Closely linked in
      pathogenesis, optic neuritis may be the initial manifestation for multiple
      sclerosis. In some people, no underlying cause can be found. OBJECTIVES: The
      objective of this review was to assess the effects of corticosteroids on visual
      recovery in eyes with acute optic neuritis. SEARCH METHODS: We searched CENTRAL
      (which contains the Cochrane Eyes and Vision Group Trials Register) (The Cochrane
      Library 2015, Issue 4), MEDLINE (January 1950 to April 2015), EMBASE (January
      1980 to April 2015), Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature
      (LILACS) (January 1982 to April 2015), PubMed (January 1946 to April 2015), the
      metaRegister of Controlled Trials (mRCT) (www.controlled-trials.com),
      ClinicalTrials.gov (www.clinicaltrials.gov), and the World Health Organization
      (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP)
      (www.who.int/ictrp/search/en). There were no date or language restrictions in the
      electronic searches for trials. The metaRegister of Controlled Trials (mRCT) was
      last searched on 6 March 2014. The electronic databases were last searched on 7
      April 2015. We also searched reference lists of identified trial reports for
      additional trials. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomized controlled trials
      (RCTs) that evaluated systemic corticosteroids, in any form, dose or route of
      administration, in people with acute optic neuritis. DATA COLLECTION AND
      ANALYSIS: We used standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane. MAIN
      RESULTS: We included six RCTs with a total of 750 participants. Each trial was
      conducted in a different country: Denmark, Germany, India, Japan, UK, and United
      States. Additionally, we identified two ongoing trials not due to be completed
      until 2016. Among the six trials included in this review, we judged one to be at
      high risk of bias. The remaining five trials were judged to be at either low or
      uncertain risk of biases.Five trials compared only two intervention groups and
      one trial had a three-arm comparison of oral corticosteroids or intravenous
      corticosteroids with placebo. Of the five trials with only two intervention
      groups, two trials compared oral corticosteroids versus placebo, two trials
      compared intravenous corticosteroids with placebo, and one trial compared
      intravenous dexamethasone with intravenous methylprednisolone plus oral
      prednisolone.Three trials evaluating oral corticosteroids used varying doses of
      corticosteroids versus placebo. In the meta-analyses to assess visual acuity, the
      risk ratio (RR) was 1.00 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.82 to 1.23; participants
      = 398) at one month; 0.92 (95% CI 0.77 to 1.11; participants = 355) at six
      months; and 0.93 (95% CI 0.70 to 1.24; participants = 368) at one year. In the
      meta-analyses of two trials evaluating corticosteroids with total dose greater
      than 3000 mg administered intravenously, the RR of normal visual acuity (defined
      as 20/20 Snellen fraction or equivalent) in the intravenous corticosteroids group
      compared with the placebo group was 1.05 (95% CI 0.88 to 1.26; participants =
      346) at six months. The RR of contrast sensitivity in the normal range for the
      same comparison was 1.11 (95% CI 0.92 to 1.33; participants = 346) at six months
      follow-up. The RR of normal visual field for this comparison was 1.08 (95% CI
      0.96 to 1.21; 346 participants) at six months; and 1.01 (95% CI 0.86 to 1.19;
      participants = 316) at one year. Four trials reported adverse events primarily
      related to gastrointestinal symptoms and sleep disturbance; one trial reported
      minor adverse event of acne. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: There is no conclusive
      evidence of benefit in terms of recovery to normal visual acuity, visual field or
      contrast sensitivity six months after initiation with either intravenous or oral
      corticosteroids at the doses evaluated in trials included in this review.

PMID- 26273805
TI  - Antithymidylate resistance enables transgene selection and cell survival for T
      cells in the presence of 5-fluorouracil and antifolates.
AB  - Antithymidylates (AThy) constitute a class of drugs used in the treatment of
      cancers such as lung, colon, breast and pancreas. These drugs inhibit DNA
      synthesis by targeting the enzymes dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) and/or
      thymidylate synthase (TYMS). AThys effectively inhibit cancer cells, and also
      inhibit T cells, preventing anticancer immunity, which might otherwise develop
      from AThy-induced cancer destruction. We establish that T cells expressing mutant
      DHFR--DHFR L22F, F31S (DHFR(FS))--and/or mutant TYMS--TYMS T51S, G52S (TYMS(SS))
      effectively survive in toxic concentrations of AThys methotrexate, pemetrexed and
      5-fluorouracil. Furthermore, we show that DHFR(FS) permitted rapid selection of
      an inducible suicide transgene in T cells. These findings demonstrate that AThy
      resistances prevent AThy cytotoxicity to T cells while permitting selection of
      important transgenes. This technological development could enhance in vitro and
      in vivo survival and selection of T-cell therapeutics being designed for a broad
      range of cancers.

PMID- 26273807
TI  - Screening Household Members of Acute Brucellosis Cases in Endemic Areas and Risk
      Factors for Brucellosis.
AB  - Early diagnosis and treatment of acute brucellosis cases were targeted by
      screening the household members of the index cases. We also aimed to describe the
      causal relations of brucellosis in an endemic region. A cross-sectional study was
      performed among household members (29 index cases, 113 household members).
      Brucellosis was diagnosed on the basis of clinical findings, serum agglutinin
      titer of >=1/160 in standard tube agglutination test (STA), or a positive blood
      culture. Index cases were defined as patients who had been admitted to the clinic
      on suspicion of brucellosis and then confirmed as brucellosis cases. The people
      who lived in the same house as the index cases were defined as household members.
      The risk factors for seropositivity were studied by multivariate analysis.
      Independent variables of gender, consuming fresh cheese, blood groups, dealing
      with husbandry, and contact with the placenta of infected animals were included
      to the model. Backward and forward selections were performed. Nineteen out of 113
      (17%) screened individuals had agglutination titers >=1/160. The mean ages of
      index cases and household members were 43 years (standard deviation [SD] 18) and
      29 years (SD 19), respectively. In multivariate analysis, consuming fresh cheese
      (odds ratio [OR]=3.1, confidence interval [CI] 1.07-9.68, p=0.049), blood group A
      (OR=2.6, CI 1.18-5.96, p=0.018), contact with the placenta of the infected
      animals (OR=3.7, CI 1.42-9.68, p=0.007), and age >30 years (OR=2.8, CI 1.25-6.51,
      p=0.13) were found to be associated with brucellosis. In univariate analysis, the
      individuals with blood group B were protected from brucella infection (p=0.013).
      In conclusion, screening of the people in brucellosis-endemic areas should be
      considered for early diagnosis and treatment. To our knowledge, blood groups were
      studied for the first time by this study. Higher prevalence of brucellosis among
      the individuals with blood group A and less prevalence among the individuals with
      blood group B should be considered for further studies on pathogenesis. 

PMID- 26273806
TI  - Bartonella Osteomyelitis of the Acetabulum: Case Report and Review of the
      Literature.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Bartonella henselae commonly involves the mononuclear phagocyte
      system (MPS), and its most common presentation is lymphadenitis. Rarely, it can
      cause isolated osteomyelitis. We present a case of a 3 year old with
      constitutional symptoms and new onset of limp. Previously reported cases of
      osteomyelitis due to B. henselae are also reviewed here, keeping the index case
      in mind. METHODS: We conducted a Medline search using MeSH subject headings
      Bartonella and osteomyelitis, limited to humans. RESULTS: The index case is a 3
      year-old female who had a subacute presentation with new-onset leg pain and
      fever. Subsequent imaging demonstrated osteomyelitis of the acetabulum. Multiple
      diagnostic attempts were unsuccessful, and the patient did not respond to empiric
      therapy. Despite indeterminate serology, the diagnosis of Bartonella
      osteomyelitis was eventually confirmed by PCR on bone biopsy of the lesion. The
      literature search revealed 48 publications, which were reduced to 28 when
      limiting articles to the English language and the pediatric population. After a
      report of 36 pediatric cases in 2007, there have been an additional 12 pediatric
      cases since 1998. Generally, these patients had a subacute presentation with
      relatively mild constitutional symptoms. Most commonly, bone involvement occurred
      as osteolytic lesions of the axial skeleton. Of the total 48 cases reported, only
      four reported involvement of the axial skeleton. CONCLUSION: We present the first
      case, to our knowledge, of pediatric osteomyelitis of the pelvis due to B.
      henselae with indeterminate serologic and positive PCR results. Bartonella
      osteomyelitis should be included in the differential diagnosis when typical
      pathogens are not identified or if the patient is slow to respond to standard
      therapies. The sensitivity of tissue PCR for Bartonella osteomyelitis is now
      better than the current gold standard of serology, and new management guidelines
      may need to reflect this.

PMID- 26273808
TI  - Rapid Differentiation of Filariae in Unstained and Stained Paraffin-Embedded
      Sections by a High-Resolution Melting Analysis PCR Assay.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Apart from infection with human filariae, zoonotic filariasis also
      occurs worldwide, and the numbers of cases have been increasing steadily.
      Diagnosis of intact filariae in tissues or organs depends on histological
      identification. The morphology of parasites in tissue-embedded sections is poor
      and shows high levels of homoplasy. Thus, the use of morphological
      characteristics in taxonomic studies is difficult and may not allow a specific
      diagnosis. METHODS: Here we report the use of real-time PCR with high-resolution
      melting analysis (HRM) to detect and identify Brugia malayi, Brugia pahangi,
      Wuchereria bancrofti, and Dirofilaria immitis in paraffin-embedded sections.
      Assay specificity was determined using other tissue-dwelling parasites,
      Angiostrongylus cantonensis, Gnathostoma spinigerum, and Cysticercus cellulosae.
      We also developed a quick paraffin removal protocol. RESULTS: Both human and
      animal filariae in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sections (FFPES) were
      diagnosed and identified rapidly, whereas other parasites were negative. There
      was no difference in the melting temperature of products amplified from filarial
      DNA obtained from unstained FFPES and Hematoxylin & Eosin-stained sections.
      Therefore, the DNA extraction protocols developed in this study could be used for
      real-time PCR with HRM. CONCLUSIONS: We report the successful application of a
      HRM-PCR assay to differentiate four filarial parasites in FFPES, thus providing
      the pathologist with an effective alternative diagnostic procedure. Furthermore,
      the quick paraffin removal protocol developed could shorten the duration and
      number of steps required for paraffin removal using a standard protocol.

PMID- 26273809
TI  - Epidemic Spread of Usutu Virus in Southwest Germany in 2011 to 2013 and
      Monitoring of Wild Birds for Usutu and West Nile Viruses.
AB  - Mosquito-borne viruses are becoming an increasing threat for Europe. One of these
      viruses is Usutu virus (USUV), a single-stranded RNA virus belonging to the
      Japanese encephalitis virus group within the family Flaviviridae. Since the
      occurrence of USUV among wild birds in June, 2011, infected Blackbirds (Turdus
      merula) have frequently been found dead in southwest Germany, cumulating in a
      massive die-off. Moreover, other bird species (Strigiformes) in this region have
      been affected. In a first study, 209 of over 600 dead birds (wild birds and birds
      kept in aviaries) collected from 2011 to 2013 carried USUV, more than 88% of them
      Blackbirds. USUV had already been detected in 2010, one year before the epizooty,
      in a mosquito-based surveillance program in Germany. The main epidemic area of
      the USUV outbreak in wild birds in southwest Germany has been similar for the
      last three years. In a second study during 2011 to 2013, 902 live migratory and
      resident birds (representing 87 bird species belonging to 14 bird orders) from
      four different sampling sites were bled and tested serologically and by qPCR for
      West Nile virus (WNV) and USUV infections. No USUV or WNV genomes were detected.
      Some migratory birds (mainly long-distance migrants and some partial migrants)
      carried neutralizing antibodies against WNV as discriminated by USUV and WNV
      cross-neutralization tests. Only few resident birds showed relevant USUV-specific
      neutralizing antibodies. The occurrence of USUV in the Upper Rhine valley area of
      southwest Germany is a proof of principle for the incursion and spread of other
      arthropod-borne (arbo)-viruses along these routes. Therefore, monitoring studies
      in birds and mosquitoes for the presence of arboviruses in these areas are
      indispensable. 

PMID- 26273810
TI  - Results of the Screening of Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus Antibodies in Human
      Sera from Eight Districts Collected Two Decades Apart.
AB  - The sera from healthy individuals aged 10-59 years randomly selected from the
      general population during repeated cross-sectional surveys were stored at -20
      degrees C at the serum bank of the National Institute of Public Health in Prague.
      The sera included in the present study were collected in the 1980s and in 2001 in
      eight districts of the Czech Republic. The proportional representation of the
      study localities was similar in both periods. The sera were uniformly distributed
      in 5-year age groups for 10- to 19-year-olds and in 10-year age groups for 20- to
      59-year-olds. Males and females were nearly equally represented in both periods.
      Altogether 704 sera, 434 from the period 1978-1989 and 270 from 2001, were
      screened for antibodies against tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) by the virus
      neutralization test. The seroprevalence rates were 11.5% in the 1980s and 26.3%
      in 2001. From the logistic regression model, it follows that the chance of
      detecting anti-TBEV antibodies was more than twice higher in 2001 than in 1978
      1989 (odds ratio [OR]=2.22). The differences between males and females were not
      statistically significant, nor was sex-period interaction. The time trends in the
      seropositivity rates were similar in all age groups, with the exception of the 10
      to 14-year-olds (p=0.914). The rate of seropositives in the age group 15-59
      years increased 1.9 times, whereas that in the age group 10-14 years rose 5.1
      times. In areas comparable to those where the study sera were collected, the
      average incidence rates of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) per 100,000 population
      aged 10-59 increased significantly from 3.35 in 1978-1989 to 8.96 in 2001
      (p<0.001). The age-specific antibody trends in adult age groups in both periods
      suggest that clinically manifest or inapparent TBE cases do not induce lifelong
      immunity, but they are likely to reflect the previous epidemiological situation. 

PMID- 26273811
TI  - Recognizing the Role of Skunks in Human and Animal Rabies Exposures in the
      Southwest.
AB  - Rabies is arguably the most important viral zoonotic disease worldwide with an
      estimated 55,000 human deaths each year. Globally, dogs are the primary animals
      affected. In the United States, especially on the East Coast, raccoons and bats
      are the primary reservoir. However, in the southwestern United States, skunk and
      bat rabies play a large role. We describe the epidemiology and environmental risk
      factors associated with rabies in the US Southwest using exposure data for 2004
      2012 from one Arizona county as a case study. Unlike other parts of the country,
      here bats and skunks are the most commonly collected positive animals (62% and
      32%, respectively). Even though most of the positive animals were bats, human and
      domestic animal exposures were primarily a result of skunk interactions (58% and
      50%, respectively). Consequently, the majority of exposures occur early in the
      year, January and February, when the majority of skunk pickups also occur. Using
      public health surveillance data, our study highlights the importance of
      recognizing the role of skunks in human and animal exposures in the southwestern
      United States. Consistent with a "One Health" approach, our data show how
      wildlife and domestic animal and human exposures are associated and informative
      to one another. 

PMID- 26273812
TI  - Epidemiologic and Environmental Risk Factors of Rift Valley Fever in Southern
      Africa from 2008 to 2011.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Rift Valley fever (RVF) outbreaks have been associated with periods
      of widespread and above-normal rainfall over several months. Knowledge on the
      environmental factors influencing disease transmission dynamics has provided the
      basis for developing models to predict RVF outbreaks in Africa. From 2008 to
      2011, South Africa experienced the worst wave of RVF outbreaks in almost 40
      years. We investigated rainfall-associated environmental factors in southern
      Africa preceding these outbreaks. METHODS: RVF epizootic records obtained from
      the World Animal Health Information Database (WAHID), documenting livestock
      species affected, location, and time, were analyzed. Environmental variables
      including rainfall and satellite-derived normalized difference vegetation index
      (NDVI) data were collected and assessed in outbreak regions to understand the
      underlying drivers of the outbreaks. RESULTS: The predominant domestic vertebrate
      species affected in 2008 and 2009 were cattle, when outbreaks were concentrated
      in the eastern provinces of South Africa. In 2010 and 2011, outbreaks occurred in
      the interior and southern provinces affecting over 16,000 sheep. The highest
      number of cases occurred between January and April but epidemics occurred in
      different regions every year, moving from the northeast of South Africa toward
      the southwest with each progressing year. The outbreaks showed a pattern of
      increased rainfall preceding epizootics ranging from 9 to 152 days; however, NDVI
      and rainfall were less correlated with the start of the outbreaks than has been
      observed in eastern Africa. CONCLUSIONS: Analyses of the multiyear RVF outbreaks
      of 2008 to 2011 in South Africa indicated that rainfall, NDVI, and other
      environmental and geographical factors, such as land use, drainage, and
      topography, play a role in disease emergence. Current and future investigations
      into these factors will be able to contribute to improving spatial accuracy of
      models to map risk areas, allowing adequate time for preparation and prevention
      before an outbreak occurs.

PMID- 26273813
TI  - Coxiella burnetii (Q fever) Infection in Farmed Ruminants in Three Northeastern
      Provinces and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China.
AB  - Coxiella burnetii is the pathogenic agent of Q fever, a zoonosis that occurs
      worldwide. In China, the organism infects people and a wide range of wild and
      farmed animals. However, little is known about C. burnetii infection in farmed
      ruminants in northeastern China, and there appears to have been no previous study
      on sika deer. The present study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of
      C. burnetii in farmed ruminants in this region of China. A total of 3147 domestic
      ruminants (784 sheep, 1016 cattle, and 1347 sika deer) were randomly collected
      for this study. An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit was used to
      detect the antibodies to C. burnetii. The results showed an overall
      seroprevalence of 16.7% in domestic ruminants (24.9%, 13.5%, and 12.3% in cattle,
      sheep, and sika deer, respectively). This is the first report of C. burnetii
      seroprevalence in sika deer in China. Protective and hygiene measures should be
      applied in farm management to reduce the risk of exposure of C. burnetii to
      humans. 

PMID- 26273814
TI  - Molecular Identification of Borrelia miyamotoi in Ixodes ricinus from Portugal.
AB  - Borrelia miyamotoi, a relapsing fever spirochete, has been found recently in
      Ixodes ricinus ticks; however, little is known about its spatial distribution and
      potential local impact on human health. A total of 640 ticks (447 nymphs and 193
      adults) collected throughout Portugal were analyzed using two nested PCR
      protocols, one targeting the flagellin gene and the other the internal
      transcribed space region between the 5S and the 23S rRNA. As a result, B.
      miyamotoi was detected, for the first time, in one guesting I. ricinus nymph
      collected in the Lisboa district. In addition, a prevalence of 11% (71/640) for
      B. burgdorferi sensu lato was obtained. Even though no human relapsing fever
      cases due to infection by B. miyamotoi have been reported yet in Portugal,
      surveillance must be improved to provide better insight into the prevalence and
      distribution of this spirochete in ticks. 

PMID- 26273815
TI  - Detection of Diverse Novel Bat Astrovirus Sequences in the Czech Republic.
AB  - Astroviruses are a major cause of gastroenteritis in humans and animals.
      Recently, novel groups of astroviruses were identified in apparently healthy
      insectivorous bats. We report the detection of diverse novel astrovirus sequences
      in nine different European bat species: Eptesicus serotinus, Hypsugo savii,
      Myotis emarginatus, M. mystacinus, Nyctalus noctula, Pipistrellus nathusii or P.
      pygmaeus, P. pipistrellus, Vespertilio murinus, and Rhinolophus hipposideros. In
      six bat species, astrovirus sequences were detected for the first time. One
      astrovirus strain detected in R. hipposideros clustered phylogenetically with
      Chinese astrovirus strains originating from bats of the families Rhinolophidae
      and Hipposideridae. All other Czech astrovirus sequences from vesper bats formed,
      together with one Hungarian sequence, a separate monophyletic lineage within the
      bat astrovirus group. These findings provide new insights into the molecular
      epidemiology, ecology, and prevalence of astroviruses in European bat
      populations. 

PMID- 26273816
TI  - Detection of Cytomegalovirus in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Where
      to Biopsy and How Many Biopsies?
AB  - BACKGROUND: The potential negative impact of cytomegalovirus (CMV) in ulcerative
      colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) warrants efforts to improve the yield of
      diagnostic techniques. METHODS: We retrospectively determined the optimal biopsy
      location and number from sixty-eight patients with inflammatory bowel disease
      (66% UC, 31% CD, and 3% inflammatory bowel disease-unclassified) with CMV disease
      between 2005 and 2011. Biopsies with endoscopic and histologic inflammation were
      analyzed by immunohistochemistry and/or in situ hybridization. The proportion of
      positive biopsies was determined, and using data from the 25th percentile, we
      assessed the number of biopsies required to achieve an 80% probability of a
      single positive biopsy. RESULTS: Of the patients with a diagnosis by
      immunohistochemistry and/or in situ hybridization, 27 of 61 (44%; 95% confidence
      interval, 32-57) were positive by hematoxylin and eosin, and 11 of 36 (31%; 95%
      confidence interval, 16-46) had systemic CMV by polymerase chain reaction. Of the
      patients with biopsies proximal and distal to the splenic flexure, 1 of 11 with
      UC and 4 of 8 with CD had a diagnosis limited to the right colon. Twenty percent
      of biopsies were positive by immunohistochemistry or in situ hybridization (20%
      in UC and 17% in CD). Eleven biopsies in UC and 16 in CD were required to achieve
      an 80% probability of a positive biopsy. CONCLUSIONS: Biopsy location and number
      are important considerations when assessing for CMV. We recommend a flexible
      sigmoidoscopy with 11 biopsies in UC and a colonoscopy with 16 biopsies in CD.

PMID- 26273817
TI  - Abnormal Liver Biochemistry Is Common in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease:
      Prevalence and Associations.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Liver enzymes (LEs) abnormalities associated with pediatric
      inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are understudied. We undertook to describe the
      development and associations of abnormal LEs in pediatric IBD. METHODS: We
      ascertained a cohort of 300 children with IBD and collected retrospective data. A
      Kaplan-Meier analysis determined the time to development of different thresholds
      of abnormal LEs. Associations between clinical variables and the development of
      abnormal LEs were determined. RESULTS: The probability of developing the first
      episode of abnormal LEs above the upper limit of normal (ULN) within 150 months
      was 58.1% (16.3% by 1 mo post-IBD diagnosis). There was a 6% prevalence of
      primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) or autoimmune sclerosing cholangitis (ASC)
      in this cohort. Of those diagnosed with PSC/ASC, 93% had persistent LE elevations
      at a threshold of >2* ULN, while those without PSC/ASC had a 4% probability of
      this abnormality. Elevated gamma glutamyltranspeptidase levels of 252 U/L had a
      99% sensitivity and 71% specificity for PSC/ASC in IBD. After exclusion of
      patients with PSC/ASC, corticosteroids, antibiotics, and exclusive enteral
      nutrition demonstrated strongly positive associations with the first development
      of abnormal LEs >ULN (hazard ratio 2.1 [95% confidence interval, 1.3-3.3], hazard
      ratio 5.6 [95% confidence interval, 3.6-8.9], hazard ratio 4.2 [95% confidence
      interval, 1.6-11.3], respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Abnormal LEs are common in
      pediatric IBD and occur early. PSC/ASC is associated with persistently high LEs
      and gamma glutamyltranspeptidase levels >252 U/L. Children with IBD are at risk
      of elevated LEs if they require medications other than 5-ASA to induce IBD
      remission.

PMID- 26273818
TI  - Pancreatic Autoantibodies Against CUZD1 and GP2 Are Associated with Distinct
      Clinical Phenotypes of Crohn's Disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by a broad spectrum
      of clinical phenotypes with different outcomes. In the last decades, several IBD
      associated autoantibodies have been identified and investigated for their
      diagnostic relevance. Autoantibodies against the pancreatic glycoproteins (PAB)
      CUB and zona pellucida-like domains-containing protein 1 (CUZD1), and
      glycoprotein 2 (GP2) have been demonstrated to possess high specificity for the
      diagnosis of IBD. Although several studies have shown significant interrelations
      of anti-GP2 positivity with disease phenotype, associations of clinical
      phenotypes with anti-CUZD1 are still unknown. The aim was to identify the
      association of clinical phenotypes with anti-CUZD1 and anti-GP2 in a well-defined
      German IBD cohort. METHODS: Patients with IBD (224 patients with Crohn's disease
      and 136 patients with ulcerative colitis), who were tested for anti-GP2 and anti
      CUZD1 immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin A by indirect immunofluorescence on
      transfected cells between 2005 and 2013, were included. Serotype and specified
      phenotypic data were collected in retrospect and statistically analyzed. RESULTS:
      Both anti-GP2 (P < 0.001) and anti-CUZD1 (P < 0.001) were significantly more
      prevalent in patients with Crohn's disease than in ulcerative colitis. PAB
      positivity was associated with ileocolonic disease (P = 0.002), perianal disease
      (P = 0.011), immunosuppressive treatment (P = 0.036), and ASCA positivity (P =
      0.036). Anti-CUZD1 positivity was associated with ileocolonic (P = 0.016) and
      perianal disease (P = 0.002), whereas anti-GP2 positivity was positively
      associated with stricturing behavior (P = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: We found distinct
      clinical phenotypes to be associated with PAB positivity. Therefore,
      determination of PABs and their subgroup analysis might identify patients with
      complicated disease behavior. However, the clinical relevance of our findings
      should be further evaluated in prospective cohorts.

PMID- 26273819
TI  - Acute severe organophosphate poisoning in a child who was successfully treated
      with therapeutic plasma exchange, high-volume hemodiafiltration, and lipid
      infusion.
AB  - Acute severe organophosphate poisoning is a serious complication seen in
      developing and agricultural countries. Pralidoxime and high dose atropine are the
      standard treatments. There is no consensus about acute severe organophosphate
      poisonings that are unresponsive to pralidoxime, atropine, and supportive
      therapies. We report a case of acute severe organophosphate poisoning that was
      unresponsive to standard treatments and successfully treated with high-volume
      continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration and therapeutic plasma exchange combined
      with lipid infusion. J. Clin. Apheresis 31:467-469, 2016. (c) 2015 Wiley
      Periodicals, Inc. 

PMID- 26273820
TI  - Acculturation and health behaviors among international students: A qualitative
      approach.
AB  - The process of acculturation often results in changes in the health behavior of
      international students. This study employed an open-ended, qualitative approach
      in an attempt to gain an in-depth understanding of the acculturation process for
      physical activity, diet, and drinking behavior among international students.
      Eighteen undergraduate international students (average age 19.20, standard
      deviation 1.21) were interviewed for 45-60 min. Most of the international
      students became more physically active after they arrived in the United States.
      Facilitators included accessibility, weight management, free time, and role
      modeling. Most international students were unsatisfied with the food on campus.
      Their strategies for adjusting to this included ordering food from restaurants,
      visiting supermarkets, and moving off campus. Most international students felt
      uncomfortable with the drinking culture in the United States, although some of
      them felt drinking was a good way to socialize with Americans and explore
      American culture. Colleges and universities should adopt strategies to better
      help their international students build lifelong healthy behaviors.

PMID- 26273821
TI  - Peptide-Modulated Self-Assembly of Chromophores toward Biomimetic Light
      Harvesting Nanoarchitectonics.
AB  - Elegant self-assembling complexes by the combination of proteins/peptides with
      functional chromophores are decisively responsible for highly efficient light
      harvesting and energy transfer in natural photosynthetic systems. Mimicking
      natural light-harvesting complexes through synthetic peptides is attractive due
      to their advantanges of programmable primary structure, tunable self-assembly
      architecture and easy availability in comparison to naturally occuring proteins.
      Here, an overview of recent progresses in the area of biomimetic light-harvesting
      nanoarchitectonics based on peptide-modulated self-assembly of chromophores is
      provided. Adjusting the organization of chromophores, either by creating peptide
      chromophore conjugates or by the non-covalent assembly of peptides and
      chromophores are highlighted. The light-harvesting properties, especially the
      energy transfer of the biomimetic complexes are critically discussed. The
      applications of such complexes in the mineralization of inorganic nanoparticles,
      generation of molecular hydrogen and oxygen, and photosynthesis of bioactive
      molecules are also included. 

PMID- 26273822
TI  - The Time to Most Recent Common Ancestor Does Not (Usually) Approximate the Date
      of Divergence.
AB  - With the advent of more sophisticated models and increase in computational power,
      an ever-growing amount of information can be extracted from DNA sequence data. In
      particular, recent advances have allowed researchers to estimate the date of
      historical events for a group of interest including time to most recent common
      ancestor (TMRCA), dates of specific nodes in a phylogeny, and the date of
      divergence or speciation date. Here I use coalescent simulations and re-analyze
      an empirical dataset to illustrate the importance of taxon sampling, in
      particular, on correctly estimating such dates. I show that TMRCA of
      representatives of a single taxon is often not the same as divergence date due to
      issues such as incomplete lineage sorting. Of critical importance is when
      estimating divergence or speciation dates a representative from a different
      taxonomic lineage must be included in the analysis. Without considering these
      issues, studies may incorrectly estimate the times at which historical events
      occurred, which has profound impacts within both research and applied (e.g.,
      those related to public health) settings.

PMID- 26273823
TI  - Correction: Association between Maternal Depression Symptoms across the First
      Eleven Years of Their Child's Life and Subsequent Offspring Suicidal Ideation.

PMID- 26273824
TI  - Short Pulse Duration High-Power Laser Photocoagulation during Vitrectomy for
      Diabetic Retinopathy Reduces Postoperative Inflammation.
AB  - The aim of this preliminary study was to determine the effectiveness of short
      pulse duration, high-power laser photocoagulation (PC) during vitrectomy for
      diabetic retinopathy (DR).The effects of short pulse duration PC with power of
      340-360 mW and duration of 0.02 second were compared to conventional PC with
      power of 120-150 mW and duration of 0.2 second. The degree of inflammation was
      quantified by laser flare cell photometry before and at 1 day, 1 week, 4 week,
      and 12 weeks postoperatively. Twenty-two eyes of 22 consecutive patients were
      studied. Ten eyes were treated with short pulse duration PC and 12 eyes with
      conventional PC. The total energy was significantly lower in the short pulse
      duration PC group than in the conventional PC group (P = 0.007). The flare cell
      values were not significantly different between the two groups after 1 day, but
      at 1 week, the flare cell value was significantly lower in the short pulse
      duration PC group than in the conventional PC group (P = 0.04). This difference
      was also present at 4 and 12 weeks (P<0.05). The significant lower inflammation
      after short pulse duration PC than conventional PC indicates that the short pulse
      duration PC protocol should be considered to treat DR.

PMID- 26273825
TI  - An Anthropogenic Habitat Facilitates the Establishment of Non-Native Birds by
      Providing Underexploited Resources.
AB  - Anthropogenic modification of habitats may reduce the resources available for
      native species, leading to population declines and extinction. These same
      habitats often have the highest richness of non-native species. This pattern may
      be explained if recently human-modified habitats provide novel resources that are
      more accessible to non-native species than native species. Using non-native birds
      in the Iberian Peninsula as a case study, we conduct a large-scale study to
      investigate whether non-native species are positively associated with human
      modified habitats, and to investigate whether this positive association may be
      driven by the presence of resources that are not fully exploited by native
      species. We do this by comparing the functional diversity and resource use of
      native and non-native bird communities in a recently human-modified habitat (rice
      fields) and in more traditional habitats in the Iberian Peninsula. The functional
      diversity of native bird communities was lower in rice fields, but non-native
      birds were positively associated with rice fields and plugged this gap.
      Differences in resource use between native and non-native species allowed non
      native species to exploit resources that were plentiful in rice fields,
      supporting the role of underexploited resources in driving the positive
      association of non-native birds with rice fields. Our results provide a potential
      mechanism explaining the positive association of non-native species with
      anthropogenic habitats, and further work is needed to test if this applies more
      generally.

PMID- 26273826
TI  - ApiAP2 Factors as Candidate Regulators of Stochastic Commitment to Merozoite
      Production in Theileria annulata.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Differentiation of one life-cycle stage to the next is critical for
      survival and transmission of apicomplexan parasites. A number of studies have
      shown that stage differentiation is a stochastic process and is associated with a
      point that commits the cell to a change over in the pattern of gene expression.
      Studies on differentiation to merozoite production (merogony) in T. annulata
      postulated that commitment involves a concentration threshold of DNA binding
      proteins and an auto-regulatory loop. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In this study ApiAP2
      DNA binding proteins that show changes in expression level during merogony of T.
      annulata have been identified. DNA motifs bound by orthologous domains in
      Plasmodium were found to be enriched in upstream regions of stage-regulated T.
      annulata genes and validated as targets for the T. annulata AP2 domains by
      electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). Two findings were of particular
      note: the gene in T. annulata encoding the orthologue of the ApiAP2 domain in the
      AP2-G factor that commits Plasmodium to gametocyte production, has an expression
      profile indicating involvement in transmission of T. annulata to the tick vector;
      genes encoding related domains that bind, or are predicted to bind, sequence
      motifs of the type 5'-(A)CACAC(A) are implicated in differential regulation of
      gene expression, with one gene (TA11145) likely to be preferentially up-regulated
      via auto-regulation as the cell progresses to merogony. CONCLUSIONS: We postulate
      that the Theileria factor possessing the AP2 domain orthologous to that of
      Plasmodium AP2-G may regulate gametocytogenesis in a similar manner to AP2-G. In
      addition, paralogous ApiAP2 factors that recognise 5'-(A)CACAC(A) type motifs
      could operate in a competitive manner to promote reversible progression towards
      the point that commits the cell to undergo merogony. Factors possessing AP2
      domains that bind (or are predicted to bind) this motif are present in the vector
      borne genera Theileria, Babesia and Plasmodium, and other Apicomplexa; leading to
      the proposal that the mechanisms that control stage differentiation will show a
      degree of conservation.

PMID- 26273827
TI  - Increased Myeloid Cell Production and Lung Bacterial Clearance in Mice Exposed to
      Cigarette Smoke.
AB  - Pneumonia is a leading cause of hospitalization in patients with chronic
      obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Although most patients with COPD are
      smokers, the effects of cigarette smoke exposure on clearance of lung bacterial
      pathogens and on immune and inflammatory responses are incompletely defined.
      Here, clearance of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and
      associated immune responses were examined in mice exposed to cigarette smoke or
      after smoking cessation. Mice exposed to cigarette smoke for 6 weeks or 4 months
      demonstrated decreased lung bacterial burden compared with air-exposed mice when
      infected 16 to 24 hours after exposure. When infection was performed after smoke
      cessation, bacterial clearance kinetics of mice previously exposed to smoke
      reversed to levels comparable to those of control mice, suggesting that the
      observed defects were not dependent on adaptive immunological memory to bacterial
      determinants found in smoke. Comparing cytokine levels and myeloid cell
      production before infection in mice exposed to cigarette smoke with mice never
      exposed or after smoke cessation revealed that reduced bacterial burden was most
      strongly associated with higher levels of IL-1beta and granulocyte-macrophage
      colony-stimulating factor in the lungs and with increased neutrophil reserve and
      monocyte turnover in the bone marrow. Using Serpinb1a-deficient mice with reduced
      neutrophil numbers and treatment with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor
      showed that increased neutrophil numbers contribute only in part to the effect of
      smoke on infection. Our findings indicate that cigarette smoke induces a
      temporary and reversible increase in clearance of lung pathogens, which
      correlates with local inflammation and increased myeloid cell output from the
      bone marrow. 

PMID- 26273828
TI  - Pattern and Rate of Cognitive Decline in Cerebral Small Vessel Disease: A
      Prospective Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Cognitive impairment, predominantly affecting processing speed and
      executive function, is an important consequence of cerebral small vessel disease
      (SVD). To date, few longitudinal studies of cognition in SVD have been conducted.
      We determined the pattern and rate of cognitive decline in SVD and used the
      results to determine sample size calculations for clinical trials of
      interventions reducing cognitive decline. METHODS: 121 patients with MRI
      confirmed lacunar stroke and leukoaraiosis were enrolled into the prospective St
      George's Cognition And Neuroimaging in Stroke (SCANS) study. Patients attended
      one baseline and three annual cognitive assessments providing 36 month follow-up
      data. Neuropsychological assessment comprised a battery of tests assessing
      working memory, long-term (episodic) memory, processing speed and executive
      function. We calculated annualized change in cognition for the 98 patients who
      completed at least two time-points. RESULTS: Task performance was heterogeneous,
      but significant cognitive decline was found for the executive function index
      (p<0.007). Working memory and processing speed decreased numerically, but not
      significantly. The executive function composite score would require the smallest
      samples sizes for a treatment trial with an aim of halting decline, but this
      would still require over 2,000 patients per arm to detect a 30% difference with
      power of 0.8 over a three year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The pattern of cognitive
      decline seen in SVD over three years is consistent with the pattern of
      impairments at baseline. Rates of decline were slow and sample sizes would need
      to be large for clinical trials aimed at halting decline beyond initial diagnosis
      using cognitive scores as an outcome measure. This emphasizes the importance of
      more sensitive surrogate markers in this disease.

PMID- 26273829
TI  - The Role of Cell Volume in the Dynamics of Seizure, Spreading Depression, and
      Anoxic Depolarization.
AB  - Cell volume changes are ubiquitous in normal and pathological activity of the
      brain. Nevertheless, we know little of how cell volume affects neuronal dynamics.
      We here performed the first detailed study of the effects of cell volume on
      neuronal dynamics. By incorporating cell swelling together with dynamic ion
      concentrations and oxygen supply into Hodgkin-Huxley type spiking dynamics, we
      demonstrate the spontaneous transition between epileptic seizure and spreading
      depression states as the cell swells and contracts in response to changes in
      osmotic pressure. Our use of volume as an order parameter further revealed a
      dynamical definition for the experimentally described physiological ceiling that
      separates seizure from spreading depression, as well as predicted a second
      ceiling that demarcates spreading depression from anoxic depolarization. Our
      model highlights the neuroprotective role of glial K buffering against seizures
      and spreading depression, and provides novel insights into anoxic depolarization
      and the relevant cell swelling during ischemia. We argue that the dynamics of
      seizures, spreading depression, and anoxic depolarization lie along a continuum
      of the repertoire of the neuron membrane that can be understood only when the
      dynamic ion concentrations, oxygen homeostasis,and cell swelling in response to
      osmotic pressure are taken into consideration. Our results demonstrate the
      feasibility of a unified framework for a wide range of neuronal behaviors that
      may be of substantial importance in the understanding of and potentially
      developing universal intervention strategies for these pathological states. 

PMID- 26273830
TI  - Identification of Adverse Drug Events from Free Text Electronic Patient Records
      and Information in a Large Mental Health Case Register.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Electronic healthcare records (EHRs) are a rich source of
      information, with huge potential for secondary research use. The aim of this
      study was to develop an application to identify instances of Adverse Drug Events
      (ADEs) from free text psychiatric EHRs. METHODS: We used the GATE Natural
      Language Processing (NLP) software to mine instances of ADEs from free text
      content within the Clinical Record Interactive Search (CRIS) system, a de
      identified psychiatric case register developed at the South London and Maudsley
      NHS Foundation Trust, UK. The tool was built around a set of four movement
      disorders (extrapyramidal side effects [EPSEs]) related to antipsychotic therapy
      and rules were then generalised such that the tool could be applied to additional
      ADEs. We report the frequencies of recorded EPSEs in patients diagnosed with a
      Severe Mental Illness (SMI) and then report performance in identifying eight
      other unrelated ADEs. RESULTS: The tool identified EPSEs with >0.85 precision and
      >0.86 recall during testing. Akathisia was found to be the most prevalent EPSE
      overall and occurred in the Asian ethnic group with a frequency of 8.13%. The
      tool performed well when applied to most of the non-EPSEs but least well when
      applied to rare conditions such as myocarditis, a condition that appears
      frequently in the text as a side effect warning to patients. CONCLUSIONS: The
      developed tool allows us to accurately identify instances of a potential ADE from
      psychiatric EHRs. As such, we were able to study the prevalence of ADEs within
      subgroups of patients stratified by SMI diagnosis, gender, age and ethnicity. In
      addition we demonstrated the generalisability of the application to other ADE
      types by producing a high precision rate on a non-EPSE related set of ADE
      containing documents. AVAILABILITY: The application can be found at
      http://git.brc.iop.kcl.ac.uk/rmallah/dystoniaml.

PMID- 26273831
TI  - Coaxial Electrospray of Ranibizumab-Loaded Microparticles for Sustained Release
      of Anti-VEGF Therapies.
AB  - Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss and
      blindness in people over age 65 in industrialized nations. Intravitreous
      injection of anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) therapies, such as
      ranibizumab (trade name: Lucentis), provides an effective treatment option for
      neovascular AMD. We have developed an improved coaxial electrospray (CES) process
      to encapsulate ranibizumab in poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) microparticles
      (MPs) for intravitreous injection and sustained drug release. This
      microencapsulation process is advantageous for maintaining the stability of the
      coaxial cone-jet configurations and producing drug-loaded MPs with as high as 70%
      encapsulation rate and minimal loss of bioactivitiy. The utility of this emerging
      process in intravitreous drug delivery has been demonstrated in both benchtop and
      in vivo experiments. The benchtop test simulates ocular drug release using PLGA
      MPs encapsulating a model drug. The in vivo experiment evaluates the inflammation
      and retinal cell death after intravitreal injection of the MPs in a chick model.
      The experimental results show that the drug-load MPs are able to facilitate
      sustained drug release for longer than one month. No significant long term
      microglia reaction or cell death is observed after intravitreal injection of 200
      MUg MPs. The present study demonstrates the technical feasibility of using the
      improved CES process to encapsulate water-soluble drugs at a high concentration
      for sustained release of anti-VEGF therapy. 

PMID- 26273832
TI  - Comprehensive Analysis of the 16p11.2 Deletion and Null Cntnap2 Mouse Models of
      Autism Spectrum Disorder.
AB  - Autism spectrum disorder comprises several neurodevelopmental conditions
      presenting symptoms in social communication and restricted, repetitive behaviors.
      A major roadblock for drug development for autism is the lack of robust
      behavioral signatures predictive of clinical efficacy. To address this issue, we
      further characterized, in a uniform and rigorous way, mouse models of autism that
      are of interest because of their construct validity and wide availability to the
      scientific community. We implemented a broad behavioral battery that included but
      was not restricted to core autism domains, with the goal of identifying robust,
      reliable phenotypes amenable for further testing. Here we describe comprehensive
      findings from two known mouse models of autism, obtained at different
      developmental stages, using a systematic behavioral test battery combining
      standard tests as well as novel, quantitative, computer-vision based systems. The
      first mouse model recapitulates a deletion in human chromosome 16p11.2, found in
      1% of individuals with autism. The second mouse model harbors homozygous null
      mutations in Cntnap2, associated with autism and Pitt-Hopkins-like syndrome.
      Consistent with previous results, 16p11.2 heterozygous null mice, also known as
      Del(7Slx1b-Sept1)4Aam weighed less than wild type littermates displayed
      hyperactivity and no social deficits. Cntnap2 homozygous null mice were also
      hyperactive, froze less during testing, showed a mild gait phenotype and deficits
      in the three-chamber social preference test, although less robust than previously
      published. In the open field test with exposure to urine of an estrous female,
      however, the Cntnap2 null mice showed reduced vocalizations. In addition, Cntnap2
      null mice performed slightly better in a cognitive procedural learning test.
      Although finding and replicating robust behavioral phenotypes in animal models is
      a challenging task, such functional readouts remain important in the development
      of therapeutics and we anticipate both our positive and negative findings will be
      utilized as a resource for the broader scientific community.

PMID- 26273833
TI  - Absence of Vitamin K-Dependent gamma-Carboxylation in Human Periostin Extracted
      from Fibrotic Lung or Secreted from a Cell Line Engineered to Optimize gamma
      Carboxylation.
AB  - Periostin (PN, gene name POSTN) is an extracellular matrix protein that is up
      regulated in bronchial epithelial cells and lung fibroblasts by TH-2 cytokines.
      Its paralog, TGF-beta-induced protein (betaig-h3, gene name TGFBI), is also
      expressed in the lung and up-regulated in bronchial myofibroblasts by TGF-beta.
      PN and betaig-h3 contain fasciclin 1 modules that harbor putative recognition
      sequences for gamma-glutamyl carboxylase and are annotated in UniProt as
      undergoing vitamin K-dependent gamma-carboxylation of multiple glutamic acid
      residues. gamma-carboxylation profoundly alters activities of other proteins
      subject to the modification, e.g., blood coagulation factors, and would be
      expected to alter the structure and function of PN and betaig-h3. To analyze for
      the presence of gamma-carboxylation, proteins extracted from fibrotic lung were
      reacted with monoclonal antibodies specific for PN, betaig-h3, or modification
      with gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla). In Western blots of 1-dimensional gels,
      bands stained with anti-PN or -betaig-h3 did not match those stained with anti
      Gla. In 2-dimensional gels, anti-PN-positive spots had pIs of 7.0 to >8, as
      expected for the unmodified protein, and there was no overlap between anti-PN
      positive and anti-Gla-positive spots. Recombinant PN and blood coagulation factor
      VII were produced in HEK293 cells that had been transfected with vitamin K 2, 3
      epoxide reductase C1 to optimize gamma-carboxylation. Recombinant PN secreted
      from these cells did not react with anti-Gla antibody and had pIs similar to that
      found in extracts of fibrotic lung whereas secreted factor VII reacted strongly
      with anti-Gla antibody. Over 67% coverage of recombinant PN was achieved by mass
      spectrometry, including peptides with 19 of the 24 glutamates considered targets
      of gamma-carboxylation, but analysis revealed no modification. Over 86% sequence
      coverage and three modified glutamic acid residues were identified in recombinant
      fVII. These data indicate that PN and betaig-h3 are not subject to vitamin K
      dependent gamma-carboxylation.

PMID- 26273835
TI  - Correction: Implications of the circumpolar genetic structure of polar bears for
      their conservation in a rapidly warming Arctic.

PMID- 26273834
TI  - Transcriptome Profiles of Human Lung Epithelial Cells A549 Interacting with
      Aspergillus fumigatus by RNA-Seq.
AB  - Lung epithelial cells constitute the first defense line of host against the
      inhaled Aspergillus fumigatus; however, the transcriptional response of human
      alveolar type II epithelial cells was still unclear. Here we used RNA-Seq
      technology to assess the transcriptome profiles of A549 cells following direct
      interaction with conidia of A. fumigatus. The total number of identified genes
      was 19118. Compared with uninfected A549 cells, 459 genes were differentially
      expressed in cells co-incubated with conidia for 8 h, including 302 up-regulated
      genes and 157 down-regulated genes. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis
      showed that most of the up-regulated genes were related to immune response,
      chemotaxis and inflammatory response and enriched in cytokine-cytokine receptor
      interaction, JAK-STAT and MAPK signaling pathways. The down-regulated genes were
      mainly enriched for terms associated with development, hemopoiesis and ion
      transport. Among them, EGR4 and HIST1H4J gene had the maximum of fold change in
      up-regulated and down-regulated genes, respectively. Fourteen up-regulated genes
      and three down-regulated genes were further validated and significant increase on
      expression of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-alpha in A549 cells were confirmed by qRT-PCR
      during the interaction of A549 cells with A. fumigatus. Besides, western blot
      showed that expression of two proteins (ARC, EGR1) significantly increased in
      A549 cells during interaction with A. fumigatus conidia for 8h. Interference of
      endogenous expression of ARC or EGR1 protein in A549 cells reduced the
      internalization of A. fumigatus. These results provided important insights into
      dynamic changes of gene expression in lung epithelial cells, especially its
      strong immunological response against A. fumigatus infection. 

PMID- 26273836
TI  - Increases of Chamber Height and Base Diameter Have Contrasting Effects on Grazing
      Rate of Two Cladoceran Species: Implications for Microcosm Studies.
AB  - Aquatic microcosm studies often increase either chamber height or base diameter
      (to increase water volume) to test spatial ecology theories such as "scale"
      effects on ecological processes, but it is unclear whether the increase of
      chamber height or base diameter have the same effect on the processes, i.e.,
      whether the effect of the shape of three-dimensional spaces is significant. We
      orthogonally manipulated chamber height and base diameter and determined swimming
      activity, average swimming velocity and grazing rates of the cladocerans Daphnia
      magna and Moina micrura (on two algae Scenedesmus quadricauda and Chlorella
      vulgaris; leading to four aquatic algae-cladoceran systems in total) under
      different microcosm conditions. Across all the four aquatic systems, increasing
      chamber height at a given base diameter significantly decreased the duration and
      velocity of horizontal swimming, and it tended to increase the duration but
      decrease the velocity of vertical swimming. These collectively led to decreases
      in both average swimming velocity and grazing rate of the cladocerans in the tall
      chambers (at a given base diameter), in accordance with the positive relationship
      between average swimming velocity and grazing rate. In contrast, an increase of
      base diameter at a given chamber height showed contrasting effects on the above
      parameters. Consistently, at a given chamber volume increasing ratio of chamber
      height to base diameter decreased the average swimming velocity and grazing rate
      across all the aquatic systems. In general, increasing chamber depth and base
      diameter may exert contrasting effects on zooplankton behavior and thus
      phytoplankton-zooplankton interactions. We suggest that spatial shape plays an
      important role in determining ecological process and thus should be considered in
      a theoretical framework of spatial ecology and also the physical setting of
      aquatic microcosm experiments.

PMID- 26273837
TI  - Optimal Sequence of Irinotecan and Oxaliplatin-Based Regimens in Metastatic
      Colorectal Cancer: A Population-Based Observational Study.
AB  - The optimal sequence of irinotecan and oxaliplatin-based regimens for metastatic
      colorectal cancer remains unclear. We conducted a population-based observational
      study by retrospectively reviewing records from Taiwan's National Health
      Insurance Research Database to explore this issue. Patients aged >= 20 years with
      metastatic colorectal cancer newly diagnosed between 2004 and 2008 (n = 9490)
      were enrolled in current study. Among these 9490 patients, 3895 patients (41.04%)
      did not receive any chemotherapy within the first three months after catastrophic
      illness registration. Patients who received best supportive care were older and
      had higher Charlson comorbidity indexes and incidences of comorbidities than
      those who received irinotecan-based regimens, oxaliplatin-based regimens, and 5
      fluorouracil/capecitabine alone. Patients who received irinotecan followed by
      oxaliplatin-based regimens and those who received the reverse sequence were
      further stratified into arm A (n = 542) and arm B (n = 1156), respectively. The
      median first time to next treatment was not significantly different between arm A
      and arm B (210 days vs. 196 days; p = 0.17). However, the median second time to
      next treatment was longer in arm A than in arm B (155 days vs. 123 days; p =
      0.006), which translated into a better overall survival (487 days vs. 454 days; p
      = 0.02). The crossover rate was higher in arm A than in arm B (47.84% vs. 41.61%;
      p<0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that overall survival was
      comparable between the two chemotherapy sequences (p = 0.27). Our study suggested
      that irinotecan followed by oxaliplatin-based regimens might be a better
      chemotherapy treatment option for metastatic colorectal cancer than the reverse
      sequence given the higher crossover rate and potential overall survival benefit.

PMID- 26273838
TI  - Cleanroom Maintenance Significantly Reduces Abundance but Not Diversity of Indoor
      Microbiomes.
AB  - Cleanrooms have been considered microbially-reduced environments and are used to
      protect human health and industrial product assembly. However, recent analyses
      have deciphered a rather broad diversity of microbes in cleanrooms, whose origin
      as well as physiological status has not been fully understood. Here, we examined
      the input of intact microbial cells from a surrounding built environment into a
      spacecraft assembly cleanroom by applying a molecular viability assay based on
      propidium monoazide (PMA). The controlled cleanroom (CCR) was characterized by
      ~6.2*103 16S rRNA gene copies of intact bacterial cells per m2 floor surface,
      which only represented 1% of the total community that could be captured via
      molecular assays without viability marker. This was in contrast to the
      uncontrolled adjoining facility (UAF) that had 12 times more living bacteria.
      Regarding diversity measures retrieved from 16S rRNA Illumina-tag analyzes, we
      observed, however, only a minor drop in the cleanroom facility allowing the
      conclusion that the number but not the diversity of microbes is strongly affected
      by cleaning procedures. Network analyses allowed tracking a substantial input of
      living microbes to the cleanroom and a potential enrichment of survival
      specialists like bacterial spore formers and archaeal halophiles and mesophiles.
      Moreover, the cleanroom harbored a unique community including 11 exclusive
      genera, e.g., Haloferax and Sporosarcina, which are herein suggested as
      indicators of cleanroom environments. In sum, our findings provide evidence that
      archaea are alive in cleanrooms and that cleaning efforts and cleanroom
      maintenance substantially decrease the number but not the diversity of indoor
      microbiomes. 

PMID- 26273840
TI  - Correction: Allogeneic Non-Adherent Bone Marrow Cells Facilitate Hematopoietic
      Recovery but Do Not Lead to Allogeneic Engraftment.

PMID- 26273839
TI  - Evaluating the Hypoxia Response of Ruffe and Flounder Gills by a Combined
      Proteome and Transcriptome Approach.
AB  - Hypoxia has gained ecological importance during the last decades, and it is the
      most dramatically increasing environmental factor in coastal areas and estuaries.
      The gills of fish are the prime target of hypoxia and other stresses. Here we
      have studied the impact of the exposure to hypoxia (1.5 mg O2/l for 48 h) on the
      protein expression of the gills of two estuarine fish species, the ruffe
      (Gymnocephalus cernua) and the European flounder (Platichthys flesus). First, we
      obtained the transcriptomes of mixed tissues (gills, heart and brain) from both
      species by Illumina next-generation sequencing. Then, the gill proteomes were
      investigated using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry.
      Quantification of the normalized proteome maps resulted in a total of 148 spots
      in the ruffe, of which 28 (18.8%) were significantly regulated (> 1.5-fold). In
      the flounder, 121 spots were found, of which 27 (22.3%) proteins were
      significantly regulated. The transcriptomes were used for the identification of
      these proteins, which was successful for 15 proteins of the ruffe and 14 of the
      flounder. The ruffe transcriptome dataset comprised 87,169,850 reads, resulting
      in an assembly of 72,108 contigs (N50 = 1,828 bp). 20,860 contigs (26.93%) had
      blastx hits with E < 1e-5 in the human sequences in the RefSeq database,
      representing 14,771 unique accession numbers. The flounder transcriptome with
      78,943,030 reads assembled into 49,241 contigs (N50 = 2,106 bp). 20,127 contigs
      (40.87%) had a hit with human proteins, corresponding to 14,455 unique accession
      numbers. The regulation of selected genes was confirmed by quantitative real-time
      RT-PCR. Most of the regulated proteins that were identified by this approach
      function in the energy metabolism, while others are involved in the immune
      response, cell signalling and the cytoskeleton.

PMID- 26273841
TI  - Spatio-Temporal Dynamics of Hypoxia during Radiotherapy.
AB  - Tumour hypoxia plays a pivotal role in cancer therapy for most therapeutic
      approaches from radiotherapy to immunotherapy. The detailed and accurate
      knowledge of the oxygen distribution in a tumour is necessary in order to
      determine the right treatment strategy. Still, due to the limited spatial and
      temporal resolution of imaging methods as well as lacking fundamental
      understanding of internal oxygenation dynamics in tumours, the precise oxygen
      distribution map is rarely available for treatment planing. We employ an agent
      based in silico tumour spheroid model in order to study the complex, localized
      and fast oxygen dynamics in tumour micro-regions which are induced by
      radiotherapy. A lattice-free, 3D, agent-based approach for cell representation is
      coupled with a high-resolution diffusion solver that includes a tissue density
      dependent diffusion coefficient. This allows us to assess the space- and time
      resolved reoxygenation response of a small subvolume of tumour tissue in response
      to radiotherapy. In response to irradiation the tumour nodule exhibits
      characteristic reoxygenation and re-depletion dynamics which we resolve with high
      spatio-temporal resolution. The reoxygenation follows specific timings, which
      should be respected in treatment in order to maximise the use of the oxygen
      enhancement effects. Oxygen dynamics within the tumour create windows of
      opportunity for the use of adjuvant chemotherapeutica and hypoxia-activated
      drugs. Overall, we show that by using modelling it is possible to follow the
      oxygenation dynamics beyond common resolution limits and predict beneficial
      strategies for therapy and in vitro verification. Models of cell cycle and oxygen
      dynamics in tumours should in the future be combined with imaging techniques, to
      allow for a systematic experimental study of possible improved schedules and to
      ultimately extend the reach of oxygenation monitoring available in clinical
      treatment.

PMID- 26273842
TI  - HPLC Measurement of the DNA Oxidation Biomarker, 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'
      deoxyguanosine, in Cultured Cells and Animal Tissues.
AB  - Oxidative stress is associated with many physiological and pathological
      processes, as well as xenobiotic metabolism, leading to the oxidation of
      biomacromolecules, including DNA. Therefore, efficient detection of DNA oxidation
      is important for a variety of research disciplines, including medicine and
      toxicology. A common biomarker of oxidatively damaged DNA is 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'
      deoxyguanosine (8-oxo-dGuo; often erroneously referred to as 8-hydroxy-2'
      deoxyguanosine (8-OH-dGuo or 8-oxo-dG)). Several protocols for 8-oxo-dGuo
      measurement by high pressure liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection
      (HPLC-ED) have been described. However, these were mainly applied to purified DNA
      treated with pro-oxidants. In addition, due to methodological differences between
      laboratories, mainly due to differences in analytical equipment, the adoption of
      published methods for detection of 8-oxo-dGuo by HPLC-ED requires careful
      optimization by each laboratory. A comprehensive protocol, describing such an
      optimization process, is lacking. Here, a detailed protocol is described for the
      detection of 8-oxo-dGuo by HPLC-ED, in DNA from cultured cells or animal tissues.
      It illustrates how DNA sample preparation can be easily and rapidly optimized to
      minimize undesirable DNA oxidation that can occur during sample preparation. This
      protocol shows how to detect 8-oxo-dGuo in cultured human alveolar adenocarcinoma
      cells (i.e., A549 cells) treated with the oxidizing agent KBrO3, and from the
      spleen of mice exposed to the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon
      dibenzo(def,p)chrysene (DBC, formerly known as dibenzo(a,l)pyrene, DalP).
      Overall, this work illustrates how an HPLC-ED methodology can be readily
      optimized for the detection of 8-oxo-dGuo in biological samples. 

PMID- 26273844
TI  - Custom-made Microdialysis Probe Design.
AB  - Microdialysis is a commonly used technique in neuroscience research. Therefore
      commercial probes are in great demand to monitor physiological, pharmacological
      and pathological changes in cerebrospinal fluid. Unfortunately, commercial probes
      are expensive for research groups in public institutions. In this work, a probe
      assembly is explained in detail to build a reliable, concentric, custom-made
      microdialysis probe for less than $10. The microdialysis probe consists of a
      polysulfone membrane with a molecular cut-off of 30 kDa. Probe in vitro
      recoveries of substances with different molecular weight (in the range of 100
      1,600 Da) and different physicochemical properties are compared. The probe yields
      an in vitro recovery of approximately 20% for the small compounds glucose,
      lactate, acetylcholine and ATP. In vitro recoveries for neuropeptides with a
      molecular weight between 1,000-1,600 Da amount to 2-6%. Thus, while the higher
      molecular weight of the neuropeptides lowered in vitro recovery values, dialysis
      of compounds in the lower range (up to 500 Da) of molecular weights has no great
      impact on the in vitro recovery rate. The present method allows utilization of a
      dialysis membrane with other cut-off value and membrane material. Therefore, this
      custom-made probe assembly has the advantage of sufficient flexibility to dialyze
      substances in a broad molecular weight range. Here, we introduce a microdialysis
      probe with an exchange length of 2 mm, which is applicable for microdialysis in
      mouse and rat brain regions. However, dimensions of the probe can easily be
      adapted for larger exchange lengths to be used in larger animals. 

PMID- 26273843
TI  - Bio-Conjugated CNT-Bridged 3D Porous Graphene Oxide Membrane for Highly Efficient
      Disinfection of Pathogenic Bacteria and Removal of Toxic Metals from Water.
AB  - More than a billion people lack access to safe drinking water that is free from
      pathogenic bacteria and toxic metals. The World Health Organization estimates
      several million people, mostly children, die every year due to the lack of good
      quality water. Driven by this need, we report the development of PGLa
      antimicrobial peptide and glutathione conjugated carbon nanotube (CNT) bridged
      three-dimensional (3D) porous graphene oxide membrane, which can be used for
      highly efficient disinfection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 bacteria and removal of
      As(III), As(V), and Pb(II) from water. Reported results demonstrate that
      versatile membrane has the capability to capture and completely disinfect
      pathogenic pathogenic E. coli O157:H7 bacteria from water. Experimentally
      observed disinfection data indicate that the PGLa attached membrane can
      dramatically enhance the possibility of destroying pathogenic E. coli bacteria
      via synergistic mechanism. Reported results show that glutathione attached CNT
      bridged 3D graphene oxide membrane can be used to remove As(III), As(V), and
      Pb(II) from water sample at 10 ppm level. Our data demonstrated that PGLa and
      glutathione attached membrane has the capability for high efficient removal of E.
      coli O157:H7 bacteria, As(III), As(V), and Pb(II) simultaneously from Mississippi
      River water. 

PMID- 26273845
TI  - Iridium(III) Luminescent Probe for Detection of the Malarial Protein Biomarker
      Histidine Rich Protein-II.
AB  - This work outlines the synthesis of a non-emissive, cyclometalated Ir(III)
      complex, Ir(ppy)2(H2O)2(+) (Ir1), which elicits a rapid, long-lived
      phosphorescent signal when coordinated to a histidine-containing protein
      immobilized on the surface of a magnetic particle. Synthesis of Ir1, in high
      yields,is complete O/N and involves splitting of the parent cyclometalated
      Ir(III) chloro-bridged dimer into two equivalents of the solvated complex. To
      confirm specificity, several amino acids were probed for coordination activity
      when added to the synthesized probe, and only histidine elicited a signal
      response. Using BNT-II, a branched peptide mimic of the malarial biomarker
      Histidine Rich Protein II (pfHRP-II), the iridium probe was validated as a tool
      for HRP-II detection. Quenching effects were noted in the BNT-II/Ir1 titration
      when compared to L-Histidine/Ir1, but these were attributed to steric hindrance
      and triplet state quenching. Biolayer interferometry was used to determine real
      time kinetics of interaction of Ir1 with BNT-II. Once the system was optimized,
      the limit of detection of rcHRP-II using the probe was found to be 12.8 nM in
      solution. When this protein was immobilized on the surface of a 50 um magnetic
      agarose particle, the limit of detection was 14.5 nM. The robust signal response
      of this inorganic probe, as well as its flexibility of use in solution or
      immobilized on a surface, can lend itself toward a variety of applications, from
      diagnostic use to imaging. 

PMID- 26273846
TI  - Influence of the menstrual cycle on breast skin elasticity.

PMID- 26273847
TI  - Simultaneous Electrophysiological Recording and Micro-injections of Inhibitory
      Agents in the Rodent Brain.
AB  - Here we describe a method for the construction of a single-use "injectrode" using
      commercially accessible and affordable parts. A probing system was developed that
      allows for the injection of a drug while recording electrophysiological signals
      from the affected neuronal population. This method provides a simple and
      economical alternative to commercial solutions. A glass pipette was modified by
      combining it with a hypodermic needle and a silver filament. The injectrode is
      attached to commercial microsyringe pump for drug delivery. This results in a
      technique that provides real-time pharmacodynamics feedback through multi-unit
      extracellular signals originating from the site of drug delivery. As a proof of
      concept, we recorded neuronal activity from the superior colliculus elicited by
      flashes of light in rats, concomitantly with delivery of drugs through the
      injectrode. The injectrode recording capacity permits the functional
      characterization of the injection site favoring precise control over the
      localization of drug delivery. Application of this method also extends far beyond
      what is demonstrated here, as the choice of chemical substance loaded into the
      injectrode is vast, including tracing markers for anatomic experiments. 

PMID- 26273848
TI  - [Eustachian Tube Dilatation for Treatment of its Chronic Dysfunction].

PMID- 26273849
TI  - Bone Conditioned Medium: Preparation and Bioassay.
AB  - Autologous bone grafts are widely used in oral and maxillofacial surgery,
      orthopedics, and traumatology. Autologous bone grafts not only replace missing
      bone, they also support the complex process of bone regeneration. This favorable
      behavior of autografts is attributed to the three characteristics:
      osteoconductivity, osteogenicity, and osteoinductivity. However, there is another
      aspect: Bone grafts release a myriad of molecules, including growth factors,
      which can target mesenchymal cells involved in bone regeneration. The paracrine
      properties of bone grafts can be studied in vitro by the use of bone-conditioned
      medium (BCM). Here we present a protocol on how to prepare bone-conditioned
      medium from native pig cortical bone, and bone that underwent thermal processing
      or demineralization. Cells can be directly exposed to BCM or seeded onto
      biomaterials, such as collagen membranes, previously soaked with BCM. We give
      examples for in vitro bioassays with mesenchymal cells on the expression of TGF
      beta regulated genes. The presented protocols should encourage to further reveal
      the paracrine effects of bone grafts during bone regeneration and open a path for
      translational research in the broad field of reconstructive surgery. 

PMID- 26273850
TI  - Preparation of Highly Porous Coordination Polymer Coatings on Macroporous Polymer
      Monoliths for Enhanced Enrichment of Phosphopeptides.
AB  - We describe a protocol for the preparation of hybrid materials based on highly
      porous coordination polymer coatings on the internal surface of macroporous
      polymer monoliths. The developed approach is based on the preparation of a
      macroporous polymer containing carboxylic acid functional groups and the
      subsequent step-by-step solution-based controlled growth of a layer of a porous
      coordination polymer on the surface of the pores of the polymer monolith. The
      prepared metal-organic polymer hybrid has a high specific micropore surface area.
      The amount of iron(III) sites is enhanced through metal-organic coordination on
      the surface of the pores of the functional polymer support. The increase of metal
      sites is related to the number of iterations of the coating process. The
      developed preparation scheme is easily adapted to a capillary column format. The
      functional porous polymer is prepared as a self-contained single-block porous
      monolith within the capillary, yielding a flow-through separation device with
      excellent flow permeability and modest back-pressure. The metal-organic polymer
      hybrid column showed excellent performance for the enrichment of phosphopeptides
      from digested proteins and their subsequent detection using matrix-assisted laser
      desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The presented
      experimental protocol is highly versatile, and can be easily implemented to
      different organic polymer supports and coatings with a plethora of porous
      coordination polymers and metal-organic frameworks for multiple purification
      and/or separation applications. 

PMID- 26273851
TI  - Characterization of process air emissions in automotive production plants.
AB  - During manufacturing, particles produced from industrial processes become
      airborne. These airborne emissions represent a challenge from an industrial
      hygiene and environmental standpoint. A study was undertaken to characterize the
      particles associated with a variety of manufacturing processes found in the auto
      industry. Air particulates were collected in five automotive plants covering ten
      manufacturing processes in the areas of casting, machining, heat treatment and
      assembly. Collection procedures provided information on air concentration, size
      distribution, and chemical composition of the airborne particulate matter for
      each process and insight into the physical and chemical processes that created
      those particles. 

PMID- 26273852
TI  - Eyewitness memory: The impact of a negative mood during encoding and/or retrieval
      upon recall of a non-emotive event.
AB  - The police often appeal for eyewitnesses to events that were unlikely to have
      been emotive when observed. An eyewitness, however, may be in a negative mood
      whilst encoding or retrieving such events as mood can be influenced by a range of
      personal, social, and environmental factors. For example, bad weather can induce
      a negative mood. This experiment compared the impact of negative and neutral
      moods during encoding and/or retrieval upon eyewitness recall of a non-emotive
      event. A negative mood during encoding had no impact upon the number of correct
      details recalled (provided participants were in a neutral mood at retrieval) but
      a negative mood during retrieval impaired the number of correct details recalled
      (provided participants were in a neutral mood at encoding). A negative mood at
      both time points enhanced the number of correct details recalled, demonstrating a
      mood-dependent memory enhancement. The forensic implications of these findings
      are discussed.

PMID- 26273853
TI  - Early diagnosis is critical to ensure good outcomes in HIV-infected children:
      outlining barriers to care.
AB  - HIV-infected children require early initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) to
      ensure good outcomes. The aim was to investigate missed opportunities in
      childhood HIV diagnosis leading to delayed ART initiation. Baseline data were
      reviewed of all children aged <15 years referred over a 1-year period for ART
      initiation to the Kalafong Hospital HIV services in Gauteng, South Africa. Of the
      250 children, one-quarter (24.5%) was of school-going age, 34.5% in the preschool
      group, 18% between 6 and 12 months old and 23% below 6 months of age (median age
      = 1.5 years [interquartile range 0.5-4.8]). Most children (82%) presented with
      advanced/severe HIV disease, particularly those aged 6-12 months (95%).
      Malnutrition was prominent and referrals were mostly from hospital inpatient
      services (61%). A structured caregiver interview was conducted in a subgroup,
      with detailed review of medical records and HIV results. The majority (>=89%) of
      the 65 interviewed caregivers reported good access to routine healthcare, except
      for postnatal care (26%). Maternal HIV-testing was mostly done during the second
      and third pregnancy trimesters (69%). Maternal non-disclosure of HIV status was
      common (63%) and 83% of mothers reported a lack of psychosocial support. Routine
      infant HIV-testing was not done in 66%, and inadequate reporting on patient-held
      records (Road-to-Health Cards/Booklets) occurred frequently (74%). Children with
      symptomatic HIV disease were not investigated at primary healthcare in 53%, and
      in 68% of families the siblings were not tested. One-third of children (35%) had
      a previous HIV diagnosis, with 77% of caregivers aware of these prior results,
      while 50% acknowledged failing to attend ART services despite referral. In
      conclusion, a clear strategy on paediatric HIV case finding, especially at
      primary healthcare, is vital. Multiple barriers need to be overcome in the HIV
      care pathway to reach high uptake of services, of which especially maternal
      reasons for not attending paediatric ART services need further exploration. 

PMID- 26273854
TI  - Accurate Modeling of Organic Molecular Crystals by Dispersion-Corrected Density
      Functional Tight Binding (DFTB).
AB  - The ambitious goal of organic crystal structure prediction challenges theoretical
      methods regarding their accuracy and efficiency. Dispersion-corrected density
      functional theory (DFT-D) in principle is applicable, but the computational
      demands, for example, to compute a huge number of polymorphs, are too high. Here,
      we demonstrate that this task can be carried out by a dispersion-corrected
      density functional tight binding (DFTB) method. The semiempirical Hamiltonian
      with the D3 correction can accurately and efficiently model both solid- and gas
      phase inter- and intramolecular interactions at a speed up of 2 orders of
      magnitude compared to DFT-D. The mean absolute deviations for interaction
      (lattice) energies for various databases are typically 2-3 kcal/mol (10-20%),
      that is, only about two times larger than those for DFT-D. For zero-point phonon
      energies, small deviations of <0.5 kcal/mol compared to DFT-D are obtained. 

PMID- 26273855
TI  - How Is C-H Vibrational Energy Redistributed in F + CHD3(nu1 = 1) -> HF + CD3?
AB  - The effects of CH stretching excitation on the F + CHD3 -> HF + CD3 reaction are
      studied experimentally using crossed-beam and time-sliced velocity map imaging
      techniques at the collision energy of 9.0 kcal/mol. The fraction of the
      vibrationally excited CHD3 reagent in the crossed-beam region was determined
      accurately, allowing us to investigate quantitatively the effects of CH
      stretching excitation on the title reaction. Experimental data show that the
      vibrational energy in the excited CH bond of CHD3 is almost exclusively deposited
      into the HF product vibration, and hence, the HF products from the excited-state
      reaction are about one vibrational quantum hotter than those of the ground-state
      reaction, while the vibrational state distribution of the CD3 products is only
      slightly affected. The reaction is suppressed by the CH stretching excitation,
      and the overall reactivity of the vibrationally excited reaction is 74 +/- 4% of
      that of the ground-state reaction for CD3(nu2 = 0, 1, 2, 3) product channels. 

PMID- 26273856
TI  - Imidazolium Ionic Liquid Helps to Disperse Fullerenes in Water.
AB  - Light fullerenes attract significant interest in pharmacy and medicine as drug
      vectors and antioxidants and to block AIDS virus enzyme. The progress of these
      applications is hindered by poor solubility of fullerenes in aqueous media. We
      propose a highly efficient hydrophilic system to disperse the C60 fullerene based
      on the accurate atomistic-resolution computer simulations. The introduced system
      is based on 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, [C4C1IM][BF4]-water
      mixtures. The first component is used to form a corona around C60 while
      exhibiting a significant miscibility with water. Structural and dynamical
      peculiarities of the C60-[C4C1IM][BF4]-water mixtures are discussed. 

PMID- 26273857
TI  - Relative Stability of the La and Lb Excited States in Adenine and Guanine: Direct
      Evidence from TD-DFT Calculations of MCD Spectra.
AB  - The relative position of La and Lb pipi* electronic states in purine nucleobases
      is a much debated topic, since it can strongly affect our understanding of their
      photoexcited dynamics. To assess this point, we calculated the absorption and
      magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectra of adenine, guanine, and their
      nucleosides in gas-phase and aqueous solution, exploiting recent developments in
      MCD computational technology within time-dependent density functional theory. MCD
      spectroscopy allows us to resolve the intense S0-> La transition from the weak S0
      > Lb transition. The spectra obtained in water solution, by using B3LYP and CAM
      B3LYP functionals and describing solvent effect by cluster models and by the
      polarizable continuum model (PCM), are in very good agreement with the
      experimental counterparts, thus providing direct and unambiguous evidence that
      the energy ordering predicted by TD-DFT, La < Lb, is the correct one. 

PMID- 26273858
TI  - Dynamical Localization Limiting the Coherent Transport Range of Excitons in
      Organic Crystals.
AB  - Exciton or energy transport in organic crystals is commonly described by a series
      of incoherent hoppings. This picture is no longer valid if the transport range is
      on the order of the exciton coherent (or delocalization) size. However, coherent
      effects are often neglected because the exciton wave function generally localizes
      to a few molecules within an ultrafast time scale (<1 ps) after photoexcitation.
      Here, by using time-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and nanometer-thick zinc
      phthalocyanine crystals, we are able to observe a transition from the coherent to
      incoherent transport regime while the exciton coherent size is decreasing as a
      function of time. During the transition, a distinct phonon mode is excited, which
      suggests that the electron-vibrational interaction localizes the exciton and
      reduces its coherent size. It is anticipated that the coherent transport range
      can be increased by controlling the electron-vibrational coupling. An enhanced
      coherent transport range can be advantageous in applications such as organic
      photovoltaics. 

PMID- 26273859
TI  - First-Principles Design of Hydrogen Dissociation Catalysts Based on Isoelectronic
      Metal Solid Solutions.
AB  - We report an innovative route for designing novel functional alloys based on
      first-principles calculations, which is an isoelectronic solid solution (ISS) of
      two metal elements to create new characteristics that are not native to the
      constituent elements. Neither Rh nor Ag exhibits hydrogen storage properties,
      whereas the Rh50Ag50 ISS exhibits properties similar to Pd; furthermore, Au
      cannot dissociate H2, and Ir has a higher energy barrier for the H2 dissociation
      reaction than Pt, whereas the Ir50Au50 ISS can dissociate H2 in a similar way to
      Pt. In the periodic table, Pd is located between Rh and Ag, and Pt is located
      between Ir and Au, leading to similar atomic and electronic structures between
      the pure metals (Pd and Pt) and the ISS alloys (Rh50Ag50 and Ir50Au50). From a
      practical perspective, the Ir-Au ISS would be more cost-effective to use than
      pure Pt, and could exhibit catalytic activity equivalent to Pt. Therefore, the
      Ir50Au50 ISS alloy can be a potential catalyst candidate for the replacement of
      Pt. 

PMID- 26273860
TI  - Evolution of Hydrogen-Bond Networks in Protonated Water Clusters H(+)(H2O)n (n =
      1 to 120) Studied by Cryogenic Ion Mobility-Mass Spectrometry.
AB  - Cryogenic (80 K) ion mobility-mass spectrometry (cryo-IM-MS) is employed to study
      structural transitions of protonated water clusters in both the small, H(+)(H2O)n
      (n = 1 to 30), and large, (n = 31 to ~120), size regions. In agreement with
      previous studies, we find compelling evidence of regions of uniform cluster decay
      in the small size region, accompanied by sharp transition points whereby the loss
      of a single water monomer induces a different H-bonding motif. The investigation
      of the isomeric distribution of each species at 80 K reveals experimental
      evidence supporting the notion that H(+)(H2O)n (n = 6) is the smallest system to
      possess both Eigen- (H3O(+)) and Zundel- (H5O2(+)) centered structures. Cryo-IM
      MS is particularly well-suited for studying clusters in the large size region,
      for which previous spectroscopic experimental studies are scarce. 

PMID- 26273861
TI  - Gate Control of the Conduction Mechanism Transition from Tunneling to Thermally
      Activated Hopping.
AB  - We explore gate control of electron transport through molecules with different
      repeat units. In the framework of reduced density matrix theory, the
      computational results show (i) exponential decay in the tunneling regime and (ii)
      Arrhenius behavior and similar activation energies in the hopping regime, which
      are qualitatively consistent with experimental observations. Moreover, the gate
      enables tuning of the activation energy, indicating that the continuous
      transition from tunneling to hopping could be experimentally observed. The
      activation energy-gate voltage characteristics are introduced to investigate
      different conduction regimes. 

PMID- 26273862
TI  - Single-Layer Graphene as an Effective Mediator of the Metal-Support Interaction.
AB  - Single-layer chemical vapor deposition (CVD)-grown graphene was transferred onto
      a ZnO (0001) substrate forming a large-area, low-defect density, protective
      layer. The quality of the graphene layer and its effect on the interaction
      between the ZnO support and vapor-deposited cobalt particles was investigated by
      spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. We demonstrate that the in-between
      graphene layer influences both the oxidation state and the morphology of cobalt
      upon annealing in vacuum. In particular, cobalt strongly interacts with the bare
      ZnO substrate forming flat particles, which are readily oxidized and redispersed
      upon annealing in ultrahigh vacuum conditions. In contrast, in the presence of
      the graphene interlayer, cobalt forms highly dispersed nanoparticles, which are
      resistant to oxidation, but prone to surface diffusion and agglomeration. The
      graphene layer exhibits remarkable stability upon cobalt deposition and vacuum
      annealing, while interaction with reactive gases can facilitate the formation of
      defects. 

PMID- 26273863
TI  - Observing the Hydration Layer of Trehalose with a Linked Molecular Terahertz
      Probe.
AB  - The terahertz (THz) absorption bands of biomolecular hydration layers are
      generally swamped by absorption from bulk water. Using the disaccharide
      trehalose, we show that this limitation can be overcome by attaching a molecular
      probe. By time-resolving the fluorescence shift of the probe, a local THz
      spectrum is obtained. From the dependence on temperature and H2O/D2O exchange, it
      is concluded that the trehalose hydration layer is being observed. The region of
      dynamic water perturbation by the disaccharide encompasses the probe and is
      therefore larger than the first two solvation layers. 

PMID- 26273864
TI  - Chirality Synchronization in Trifluoroethanol Dimer Revisited: The Missing
      Heterochiral Dimer.
AB  - Chirality self-recognition in the dimer of transient chiral 2,2,2
      trifluoroethanol (TFE) is studied using chirped pulse and cavity-based Fourier
      transform microwave spectroscopy with the aid of ab initio calculations. The
      broad-band and extreme high-resolution capabilities enable us to assign
      rotational spectra of the most stable homo- and heterochiral dimers and analyze
      their structural and dynamical properties in detail. A strong preference for the
      homochiral over the heterochiral diastereomers is observed. The current study
      unambiguously identifies the structure of the most stable homochiral dimer and
      supports the identification by the previous low-resolution infrared study. More
      importantly, it also indisputably detects the so far elusive, most stable
      heterochiral dimer. 

PMID- 26273865
TI  - Effects of Exciton Polarity in Charge-Transfer Polymer/PCBM Bulk Heterojunction
      Films.
AB  - Charge-transfer copolymers with local electron density gradients, systematically
      modified by quantity and position of fluorination, result in widely variable (2
      8%) power conversion efficiencies (PCEs). Ultrafast, near-infrared, transient
      absorption spectroscopy on the corresponding films reveals the influence of
      exciton polarity on ultrafast populations and decay dynamics for the charge
      separated and charge-transfer states as well as their strong correlation to
      device PCEs. By using an excitation energy-dependent, dynamic red shift in the
      transient absorption signal for the polymer cation, the exciton polarity induced
      by push-pull interactions within each polymer fragment is shown to enhance charge
      dissociation on time scales of tens to hundreds of picoseconds after excitation.
      These results suggest the important role played by the local electronic structure
      not only for exciton dissociation but also for device performance. 

PMID- 26273866
TI  - In Search of Aggregation Pathways of IAPP and Other Amyloidogenic Proteins:
      Finding Answers through NMR Spectroscopy.
AB  - The deposition of aggregates of human islet amyloid peptide (hIAPP) has been
      correlated with the death of insulin-producing beta (beta) cells in type II
      diabetes mellitus. The actual molecular mechanism of cell death remains unknown;
      however, it has been postulated that the process of aggregation and amyloid
      fibril growth from monomeric hIAPP is closely involved. Intermediate IAPP
      aggregates are highly toxic to islet cells, but lack of structural knowledge of
      these oligomers and complications in applying biophysical techniques to their
      study have been the main obstacles in designing structure-based therapeutics.
      Furthermore, the involvement of metal ions (Cu(2+) and Zn(2+)) associated with
      hIAPP has demonstrated an effect on the aggregation pathway. In the absence of
      well-defined targets, research attempting to attenuate amyloid-linked toxicity
      has been substantially slowed. Therefore, obtaining high-resolution structural
      insights on these intermediates through NMR techniques can provide information on
      preventing IAPP aggregation. In this Perspective, a review of avenues to obtain
      fundamental new insights into the aggregation pathway of IAPP and other
      amyloidogenic proteins through NMR and other techniques is presented. 

PMID- 26273867
TI  - Fast Recovery of the High Work Function of Tungsten and Molybdenum Oxides via
      Microwave Exposure for Efficient Organic Photovoltaics.
AB  - In this work, we use microwave exposure of tungsten and molybdenum oxides to
      improve hole extraction in organic photovoltaics (OPVs). This is a result of fast
      recovery of the high work function of metal oxides occurring within a few seconds
      of microwave processing. Using the space-charge-limited current model, we
      verified the formation of an anode contact that facilitates hole extraction,
      while Mott-Schottky analysis revealed the enhancement of the device built-in
      field in the devices with the microwave-exposed metal oxides. Both were
      attributed to the formation of large interfacial dipoles at the ITO/microwave
      exposed metal oxide interface. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of OPVs
      using microwave-exposed metal oxides and based on blends of poly[(9-(1
      octylnonyl)-9H-carbazole-2,7-diyl)-2,5-thiophenediyl-2,1,3-benzothiadiazole-4,7
      diyl-2,5-thiophenediyl] (PCDTBT) with ([6,6]-phenyl-C71 butyric acid methyl
      ester, PC71BM) reached values of 7.2%, which represents an increase of about 30%
      compared with the efficiency of 5.7% of devices using metal oxides not subjected
      to microwave exposure. 

PMID- 26273869
TI  - Building Force Fields: An Automatic, Systematic, and Reproducible Approach.
AB  - The development of accurate molecular mechanics force fields is a significant
      challenge that must be addressed for the continued success of molecular
      simulation. We developed the ForceBalance method to automatically derive accurate
      force field parameters using flexible combinations of experimental and
      theoretical reference data. The method is demonstrated in the parametrization of
      two rigid water models, yielding new parameter sets (TIP3P-FB and TIP4P-FB) that
      accurately describe many physical properties of water. 

PMID- 26273868
TI  - Triple Guest Occupancy and Negative Compressibility in Hydrogen-Loaded beta
      Hydroquinone Clathrate.
AB  - The molecular interactions and structural behavior of a previously unexplored
      clathrate system, hydrogen-loaded beta-hydroquinone (beta-HQ+H2), were
      investigated under high pressure with synchrotron X-ray diffraction and
      Raman/infrared spectroscopies. The beta-HQ+H2 system exhibits coupling of two
      independently rare phenomena: multiple occupancy and negative compressibility.
      The number of H2 molecules per cavity increases from one to three, causing unit
      cell volume increase by way of unique crystallographic interstitial guest
      positioning. We anticipate these occupancy-derived trends may be general to a
      range of inclusion compounds and may aid the chemical and crystallographic design
      of both high-occupancy hydrogen storage clathrates and novel, variable
      composition materials with tunable mechanical properties. 

PMID- 26273870
TI  - Heteroepitaxial Junction in Au-ZnSe Nanostructure: Experiment versus First
      Principle Simulation.
AB  - Composing together the experimental as well as the simulated results, we
      demonstrate here the atomic placements and the electronic structure at the
      epitaxial junction of a solution-processed heteronanostructure Au-ZnSe. Despite
      the large lattice mismatch (~32%) between fcc Au and zinc-blende structured ZnSe,
      the heterostructures are formed via coincidence site epitaxy, which appears
      periodically because of the arrangements of their proper unit cell placements at
      the junction. This reduces the interface energy and drives the formation of such
      heteronanostructures. Details of the physical processes involved in the formation
      of these nanostructures have been discussed in this letter, and epitaxy at the
      heterojunction is strongly supported by HRTEM measurement and DFT calculation.
      This material has the possibility of plasmon-exciton coupling and therefore might
      be a futuristic material for utilizations in catalysis, nanoelectronics, and
      other related applications. 

PMID- 26273871
TI  - Simulations of Protein Aggregation: Insights from Atomistic and Coarse-Grained
      Models.
AB  - This Perspective highlights recent computational approaches to protein
      aggregation, from coarse-grained models to atomistic simulations, using the islet
      amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) as a case study. We review salient open questions
      where simulations can make an impact, discuss the successes and challenges met by
      simulations, and explore new directions. 

PMID- 26273872
TI  - Photocatalysis from Fluorescence-Quenched CdSe/Au Nanoheterostructures: A Size
      Dependent Study.
AB  - We report a systematic study of the electron-transfer process from CdSe quantum
      dots (QDs) to the Au tips as a function of the QD diameter and also the size of
      the Au-tip. For Au-tips smaller than ~3 nm, that is, when they are still not
      metallic, a reduction in PL behavior is observed as the excited electrons are
      transferred from the QD-conduction band to Au, with quenching being higher for
      larger tips and smaller QDs. A combination of steady state and time-resolved
      studies establish the mechanism of charge transfer that is further confirmed by
      dye-degradation studies, showing the possibility of ambient day light
      photocatalysis. 

PMID- 26273873
TI  - Photothermal Microscopy of Nonluminescent Single Particles Enabled by Optical
      Microresonators.
AB  - A powerful new paradigm for single-particle microscopy on nonluminescent targets
      is reported using ultrahigh-quality factor optical microresonators as the
      critical detecting element. The approach is photothermal in nature as the
      microresonators are used to detect heat dissipated from individual photoexcited
      nano-objects. The method potentially satisfies an outstanding need for single
      particle microscopy on nonluminescent objects of increasingly smaller absorption
      cross section. Simultaneously, our approach couples the sensitivity of label-free
      detection using optical microresonators with a means of deriving chemical
      information on the target species, a significant benefit. As a demonstration,
      individual nonphotoluminescent multiwalled carbon nanotubes are spatially mapped,
      and the per-atom absorption cross section is determined. Finite-element
      simulations are employed to model the relevant thermal processes and elucidate
      the sensing mechanism. Finally, a direct pathway to the extension of this new
      technique to molecules is laid out, leading to a potent new method of performing
      measurements on individual molecules. 

PMID- 26273874
TI  - Radiation-Induced Nucleation of Diamond from Amorphous Carbon: Effect of
      Hydrogen.
AB  - Electron irradiation of anthracite functionalized by dodecyl groups leads to
      recrystallization of the carbon network into diamonds. The diamonds range in size
      from ~2 to ~10 nm and exhibit {111} spacing of 2.1 A. A bulk process consistent
      with bias-enhanced nucleation is proposed in which the dodecyl group provides
      hydrogen during electron irradiation. Recrystallization into diamond occurs in
      the hydrogenated graphitic subsurface layers. Unfunctionalized anthracite could
      not be converted into diamond during electron irradiation. The dependence of the
      phase transition pressure on cluster size was estimated, and it was found that
      diamond particles with a radius up to 20 nm could be formed. 

PMID- 26273875
TI  - Reactivity of Carbon Dioxide on Nickel: Role of CO in the Competing Interplay
      between Oxygen and Graphene.
AB  - The catalytic conversion of carbon dioxide to synthetic fuels and other valuable
      chemicals is an issue of global environmental and economic impact. In this report
      we show by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy in the millibar range that,
      on a Ni surface, the reduction of carbon dioxide is indirectly governed by the CO
      chemistry. While the growth of graphene and the carbide-graphene conversion can
      be controlled by selecting the reaction temperature, oxygen is mainly removed by
      CO, since oxygen reduction by hydrogen is a slow process on Ni. Even though there
      is still a consistent pressure gap with respect to industrial reaction
      conditions, the observed phenomena provide a plausible interpretation of the
      behavior of Ni/Cu based catalysts for CO2 conversion and account for a possible
      role of CO in the methanol synthesis process. 

PMID- 26273876
TI  - Fast Computation of Solvation Free Energies with Molecular Density Functional
      Theory: Thermodynamic-Ensemble Partial Molar Volume Corrections.
AB  - Molecular density functional theory (MDFT) offers an efficient implicit-solvent
      method to estimate molecule solvation free-energies, whereas conserving a fully
      molecular representation of the solvent. Even within a second-order approximation
      for the free-energy functional, the so-called homogeneous reference fluid
      approximation, we show that the hydration free-energies computed for a data set
      of 500 organic compounds are of similar quality as those obtained from molecular
      dynamics free-energy perturbation simulations, with a computer cost reduced by 2
      3 orders of magnitude. This requires to introduce the proper partial volume
      correction to transform the results from the grand canonical to the isobaric
      isotherm ensemble that is pertinent to experiments. We show that this correction
      can be extended to 3D-RISM calculations, giving a sound theoretical justification
      to empirical partial molar volume corrections that have been proposed recently. 

PMID- 26273877
TI  - Highly Reversible Room-Temperature Sulfur/Long-Chain Sodium Polysulfide
      Batteries.
AB  - In a room-temperature sodium-sulfur (RT Na-S) battery, the complicated reduction
      reaction of the sulfur cathode generally involves two main steps: (i)
      transformation of elemental sulfur into long-chain soluble sodium polysulfides
      (Na2Sn 4 <= n <= 8) and (ii) conversion of the long-chain sodium polysulfides
      into solid-state short-chain polysulfide Na2S2 or disulfide Na2S. It is found
      that the slow kinetics of the second step limits the efficiency of discharge and
      induces irreversible capacity loss during cycling. Accordingly, we present here a
      RT Na-S cell operated with the sulfur/long-chain sodium polysulfide redox couple
      to avoid the capacity fade. An advanced cathode structure has been developed by
      inserting a carbon nanofoam interlayer between the sulfur cathode and the
      separator to localize the soluble polysulfide species and prevent its migration
      to the anode. The highly reversible sulfur/long-chain sodium polysulfide cell
      presented here can provide a stable output energy density of 450 Wh kg(-1) at an
      extremely low energy cost of ~$10 kWh(-1) (based on the active material of anode
      and cathode). 

PMID- 26273878
TI  - Protection of p(+)-n-Si Photoanodes by Sputter-Deposited Ir/IrOx Thin Films.
AB  - Sputter deposition of Ir/IrOx on p(+)-n-Si without interfacial corrosion
      protection layers yielded photoanodes capable of efficient water oxidation (OER)
      in acidic media (1 M H2SO4). Stability of at least 18 h was shown by
      chronoamperomety at 1.23 V versus RHE (reversible hydrogen electrode) under 38.6
      mW/cm(2) simulated sunlight irradiation (lambda > 635 nm, AM 1.5G) and
      measurements with quartz crystal microbalances. Films exceeding a thickness of 4
      nm were shown to be highly active though metastable due to an amorphous
      character. By contrast, 2 nm IrOx films were stable, enabling OER at a current
      density of 1 mA/cm(2) at 1.05 V vs. RHE. Further improvement by heat treatment
      resulted in a cathodic shift of 40 mV and enabled a current density of 10
      mA/cm(2) (requirements for a 10% efficient tandem device) at 1.12 V vs. RHS under
      irradiation. Thus, the simple IrOx/Ir/p(+)-n-Si structures not only provide the
      necessary overpotential for OER at realistic device current, but also harvest
      ~100 mV of free energy (voltage) which makes them among the best-performing Si
      based photoanodes in low-pH media. 

PMID- 26273879
TI  - Electron-Hole Recombination Time at TiO2 Single-Crystal Surfaces: Influence of
      Surface Band Bending.
AB  - Photocatalytic activity is determined by the transport property of photoexcited
      carriers from the interior to the surface of photocatalysts. Because the carrier
      dynamics is influenced by a space charge layer (SCL) in the subsurface region, an
      understanding of the effect of the potential barrier of the SCL on the carrier
      behavior is essential. Here we have investigated the relaxation time of the
      photoexcited carriers on single-crystal anatase and rutile TiO2 surfaces by time
      resolved photoelectron spectroscopy and found that carrier recombination, taking
      a nanosecond time scale at room temperature, is strongly influenced by the
      barrier height of the SCL. Under the flat-band condition, which is realized in
      nanometer-sized photocatalysts, the carriers have a longer lifetime on the
      anatase surface than the rutile one, naturally explaining the higher
      photocatalytic activity for anatase than rutile. 

PMID- 26273880
TI  - Is Nitrate Anion Photodissociation Mediated by Singlet-Triplet Absorption?
AB  - Photolysis of the nitrate anion is involved in the oxidation processes in the
      hydrosphere, cryosphere, and stratosphere. While it is known that the nitrate
      photolysis in the long-wavelength region proceeds with a very low quantum yield,
      the mechanism of the photodissociation remains elusive. Here, we present the
      quantitative modeling of singlet-singlet and singlet-triplet absorption spectra
      in the atmospherically relevant region around 300 nm, and we argue that a spin
      forbidden transition between the singlet ground state and the first triplet state
      contributes non-negligibly to the nitrate anion photolysis. We further propose
      that the nitrate anion excited into the first singlet excited state relaxes
      nonradiatively into its ground state. The full understanding of the nitrate anion
      photolysis can improve modeling of the asymmetric solvation in the atmospheric
      processes, e.g., photolysis on the surfaces of ice or snow. 

PMID- 26273881
TI  - Vibrational Activation of Methane Chemisorption: The Role of Symmetry.
AB  - Quantum state-resolved reactivity measurements probe the role of vibrational
      symmetry on the vibrational activation of the dissociative chemisorption of CH4
      on Pt(111). IR-IR double resonance excitation in a molecular beam is used to
      prepare CH4 in all three different vibrational symmetry components A1, E, and F2
      of the 2nu3 antisymmetric stretch overtone vibration. Methyl dissociation
      products chemisorbed on the cold Pt(111) surface are detected via reflection
      absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS). We observe similar reactivity for CH4
      prepared in the A1 and F2 sublevels but up to a factor of 2 lower reactivity for
      excitation of the E sublevel. It is suggested that differences in the
      localization of the C-H stretch amplitudes for the three states at the transition
      state leads to the observed difference in reactivity rather than state-specific
      vibrational energy transfer to electronic excitation of the metal. 

PMID- 26273882
TI  - Thermal Decoupling of Molecular-Relaxation Processes from the Vibrational Density
      of States at Terahertz Frequencies in Supercooled Hydrogen-Bonded Liquids.
AB  - At terahertz frequencies, the libration-vibration motions couple to the
      dielectric relaxations in disordered hydrogen-bonded solids. The interplay
      between these processes is still poorly understood, in particular at temperatures
      below the glass transition temperature, Tg, yet this behavior is of vital
      importance for the molecular mobility of such materials to remain in the
      amorphous phase. A series of polyhydric alcohols were studied at temperatures
      between 80 and 310 K in the frequency range of 0.2-3 THz using terahertz time
      domain spectroscopy. Three universal features were observed in the dielectric
      losses, epsilon"(nu): (a) At temperatures well below the glass transition,
      epsilon"(nu) comprises a temperature-independent microscopic peak, which persists
      into the liquid phase and which is identified as being due to
      librational/torsional modes. For 0.65 Tg < T < Tg, additional thermally dependent
      contributions are observed, and we found strong evidence for its relation to the
      Johari-Goldstein secondary beta-relaxation process. (b) Clear spectroscopic
      evidence is found for a secondary beta glass transition at 0.65 Tg, which is not
      related to the fragility of the glasses. (c) At temperatures above Tg, the losses
      become dominated by primary alpha-relaxation processes. Our results show that the
      thermal changes in the losses seem to be underpinned by a universal change in the
      hydrogen bonding structure of the samples. 

PMID- 26273883
TI  - Computationally Efficient Prediction of Ionic Liquid Properties.
AB  - Due to fundamental differences, room-temperature ionic liquids (RTIL) are
      significantly more viscous than conventional molecular liquids and require long
      simulation times. At the same time, RTILs remain in the liquid state over a much
      broader temperature range than the ordinary liquids. We exploit the ability of
      RTILs to stay liquid at several hundred degrees Celsius and introduce a
      straightforward and computationally efficient method for predicting RTIL
      properties at ambient temperature. RTILs do not alter phase behavior at 600-800
      K. Therefore, their properties can be smoothly extrapolated down to ambient
      temperatures. We numerically prove the validity of the proposed concept for
      density and ionic diffusion of four different RTILs. This simple method enhances
      the computational efficiency of the existing simulation approaches as applied to
      RTILs by more than an order of magnitude. 

PMID- 26273884
TI  - High-Performance Li-S Batteries with an Ultra-lightweight MWCNT-Coated Separator.
AB  - A bifunctional separator consisting of a layer of multiwall carbon nanotubes
      (MWCNTs) on the cathode-side of a Celgard polypropylene sheet has been
      investigated to overcome the challenges of Li-S cells. The conductive/porous
      MWCNT-coating functions (i) as an upper current collector to facilitate electron
      transport and high active-material utilization and (ii) as a filter to
      intercept/absorb the migrating polysulfides and thereby suppress the polysulfide
      diffusion. Also, the access to the electrolyte through the porous network of
      MWCNT along with its fast electronic transport facilitates the reutilization of
      the trapped active material and superior long-term cyclability. The MWCNT-coating
      is lightweight (0.17 mg cm(-2)), yet allows the successful use of regular sulfur
      cathodes (high sulfur content of 70 wt %) with high discharge capacity, excellent
      rate performance, and long cycle life, demonstrating that the MWCNT-coated
      separator is a viable solution to practical Li-S batteries. 

PMID- 26273885
TI  - Energy-Dependent UV Photodissociation of Gas-Phase Adenosine Monophosphate
      Nucleotide Ions: The Role of a Single Solvent Molecule.
AB  - The photodissociation of gaseous protonated adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP) and
      the same system hydrated with one water molecule has been investigated in the 4
      to 13 eV photon energy range by coupling a linear quadrupole ion trap with a
      synchrotron radiation beamline. The dissociation of the bare AMP cation upon
      absorption of a single ultraviolet (UV) photon below the ionization energy (IE)
      almost exclusively produces the protonated adenine base, with a measured
      photodissociation yield showing spectroscopic features with dominant absorption
      bands located at 4.75 and 6.5 eV, found in agreement with TD-DFT calculations.
      Nevertheless, the addition of a single water molecule to the system modifies the
      dissociation energy dependence and strongly suppresses the cleavage of the
      glycosidic CN bond below the IE. Both the experimental and theoretical results
      suggest that a single solvent molecule can intrinsically influence the structure
      and physicochemical properties of the AMP cation, including its UV induced
      dissociation pattern, beyond the simple water evaporation. 

PMID- 26273886
TI  - Ultrafast Charge Generation in an Organic Bilayer Film.
AB  - The dynamics of charge generation in a high performing molecular photovoltaic
      system, p-SIDT(FBTTh2)2 (see Figure 1 ) is studied with transient absorption. The
      optimized bulk heterojunction material shows behavior observed in many other
      systems; the majority of charges are generated at short time scales (<150 fs),
      and a slower contribution from incoherently diffusing excitons is observed at low
      pump fluence. In a separate experiment, the role of bulk heterojunction material
      morphology on the process of ultrafast charge generation was investigated with
      bilayers made with solution processed donor molecules on a photopolymerized C60
      layer. The majority of carriers are again produced at short time scales, ruling
      out the idea that subpicosecond charge generation can be understood wholly in
      terms of localized excitons. We evaluate possible causes of this behavior and
      propose that the excited state is highly delocalized on short time scales,
      providing ample probability density at the charge generating interface. 

PMID- 26273887
TI  - Mapping Li(+) Concentration and Transport via In Situ Confocal Raman Microscopy.
AB  - We demonstrate confocal Raman microscopy as a general, nonperturbative tool to
      measure spatially resolved lithium ion concentrations in liquid electrolytes. By
      combining this high-spatial-resolution technique with a simple microfluidic
      device, we are able to measure the diffusion coefficient of lithium ions in
      dimethyl carbonate in two different concentration regimes. Because lithium ion
      transport plays a key role in the function of a variety of electrochemical
      devices, quantifying and visualizing this process is crucial for understanding
      device performance. This method for detecting lithium ions should be immediately
      useful in the study of lithium-ion-based devices, ion transport in porous media,
      and at electrode-electrolyte interfaces, and the analytical framework is useful
      for any system exhibiting a concentration-dependent Raman spectrum. 

PMID- 26273888
TI  - Enhancing the Performance of Sensitized Solar Cells with PbS/CH3NH3PbI3
      Core/Shell Quantum Dots.
AB  - We report on the fabrication of PbS/CH3NH3PbI3 (=MAP) core/shell quantum dot (QD)
      sensitized inorganic-organic heterojunction solar cells on top of mesoporous (mp)
      TiO2 electrodes with hole transporting polymers (P3HT and PEDOT: PSS). The
      PbS/MAP core/shell QDs were in situ-deposited by a modified successive ionic
      layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) process using PbI2 and Na2S solutions with
      repeated spin-coating and subsequent dipping into CH3NH3I (=MAI) solution in the
      final stage. The resulting device showed much higher efficiency as compared to
      PbS QD-sensitized solar cells without a MAP shell layer, reaching an overall
      efficiency of 3.2% under simulated solar illumination (AM1.5, 100 mW.cm(-2)).
      From the measurement of the impedance spectroscopy and the time-resolved
      photoluminescence (PL) decay, the significantly enhanced performance is mainly
      attributed to both reduced charge recombination and better charge extraction by
      MAP shell layer. In addition, we demonstrate that the MAP shell effectively
      prevented the photocorrosion of PbS, resulting in highly improved stability in
      the cell efficiency with time. Therefore, our approach provides method for
      developing high performance QD-sensitized solar cells.

PMID- 26273889
TI  - Thermodynamics versus Kinetics Dichotomy in the Linear Self-Assembly of Mixed
      Nanoblocks.
AB  - We report classical and replica exchange molecular dynamics simulations that
      establish the mechanisms underpinning the growth kinetics of a binary mix of
      nanorings that form striped nanotubes via self-assembly. A step-growth
      coalescence model captures the growth process of the nanotubes, which suggests
      that high aspect ratio nanostructures can grow by obeying the universal laws of
      self-similar coarsening, contrary to systems that grow through nucleation and
      elongation. Notably, striped patterns do not depend on specific growth
      mechanisms, but are governed by tempering conditions that control the likelihood
      of depropagation and fragmentation. 

PMID- 26273890
TI  - Low Critical Micelle Concentration Discrepancy between Theory and Experiment.
AB  - Experimental measurements for a variety of surfactants unexpectedly show that the
      critical micelle concentration (CMC) becomes constant with respect to increasing
      the size of the hydrophobic tail. This observation disagrees with theoretical
      models where it is expected to continue to decrease exponentially. Because of the
      lack of a satisfactory explanation for such a discrepancy from theory, we have
      studied these systems using a coarse-grained model within the single-chain mean
      field (SCMF) theory combined with relevant micellar kinetic effects. In
      particular, a microscopic model for poly(ethylene oxide) alkyl ether was applied
      to describe a series of nonionic gemini surfactants. When kinetic effects are
      used to correct the equilibrium CMC values from the SCMF scheme together with the
      loss of surfactants due to adsorption on the experimental recipient, it is
      possible to reproduce the correct order of magnitude of the experimental CMC
      results. Hence it appears that the experimental values disagree with the
      theoretical predictions because they are not true equilibrium values due to the
      fact that the time scales for these low CMC values become astronomically large. 

PMID- 26273891
TI  - Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction with a Homogeneous Catalyst in Ionic Liquid: High
      Catalytic Activity at Low Overpotential.
AB  - We describe a new strategy for enhancing the efficiency of electrocatalytic CO2
      reduction with a homogeneous catalyst, using a room-temperature ionic liquid as
      both the solvent and electrolyte. The electrochemical behavior of fac-ReCl(2,2'
      bipyridine)(CO)3 in neat 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetracyanoborate
      ([emim][TCB]) was compared with that in acetonitrile containing 0.1 M
      [Bu4N][PF6]. Two separate one-electron reductions occur in acetonitrile (-1.74
      and -2.11 V vs Fc(+/0)), with a modest catalytic current appearing at the second
      reduction wave under CO2. However, in [emim][TCB], a two-electron reduction wave
      appears at -1.66 V, resulting in a ~0.45 V lower overpotential for catalytic
      reduction of CO2 to CO. Furthermore, the apparent CO2 reduction rate constant,
      kapp, in [emim][TCB] exceeds that in acetonitrile by over one order of magnitude
      (kapp = 4000 vs 100 M(-1) s(-1)) at 25 +/- 3  degrees C. Supported by time
      resolved infrared measurements, a mechanism is proposed in which an interaction
      between [emim](+) and the two-electron reduced catalyst results in rapid
      dissociation of chloride and a decrease in the activation energy for CO2
      reduction. 

PMID- 26273892
TI  - Including Tunneling in Non-Born-Oppenheimer Simulations.
AB  - For electronically nonadiabatic processes in all but the simplest systems, the
      most practical multidimensional simulation method is a semiclassical
      approximation in which a trajectory or the center of a wave packet follows a
      classical path governed by an effective potential energy function. Here, we show
      how such simulations can be made more realistic by including tunneling by the
      army ants tunneling method. We illustrate the theory by calculations with model
      potential energy surfaces; one model study is in the adiabatic limit, and the
      other one has nonadiabatic transitions between two electronic states during the
      tunneling event. The army ants tunneling algorithm is used to efficiently sample
      tunneling events in the trajectories in both cases. This work makes it possible
      to simulate complex nonadiabatic chemical processes by efficiently including the
      important quantum effect of tunneling. 

PMID- 26273893
TI  - Quantum Localization of Coherent pi-Electron Angular Momentum in (P)-2,2'
      Biphenol.
AB  - Controlling pi-electrons with delocalized character is one of the fundamental
      issues in femtosecond and attosecond chemistry. Localization of pi-electron
      rotation by using laser pulses is expected to play an essential role in
      nanoscience. The pi-electron rotation created at a selected aromatic ring of a
      single molecule induces a local intense electromagnetic field, which is a new
      type of ultrafast optical control functioning. We propose a quantum localization
      of coherent pi-electron angular momentum in (P)-2,2'-biphenol, which is a simple,
      covalently linked chiral aromatic ring chain molecule. The localization
      considered here consists of sequential two steps: the first step is to localize
      the pi-electron angular momentum at a selected ring of the two benzene rings, and
      the other is to maintain the localization. Optimal control theory was used for
      obtaining the optimized electric fields of linearly polarized laser pulses to
      realize the localization. The optimal electric fields and the resultant coherent
      electronic dynamics are analyzed. 

PMID- 26273894
TI  - An Organocatalysis Based Carbocyclic Spiroindoline Synthesis Enables Facile
      Structure-Activity Relationship (SAR) Study at C2 Position.
AB  - An asymmetric synthesis of carbocyclic spiroindoline by sequential Michael
      reaction and [3 + 2]-cycloaddition is described. This protocol demonstrates
      excellent enantio- and diastereoselectivity with broad functional group
      tolerance. A diverse range of spiroindolines were prepared by this approach, and
      the products served as ideal substrates for C2 derivatization. 

PMID- 26273895
TI  - Methylenebisnicotiflorin: a rare methylene-bridged bisflavonoid glycoside from
      ripe Pu-er tea.
AB  - A new methylene-bridged dimeric flavonol glycoside, methylenebisnicotiflorin (1),
      was isolated from ripe Pu-er tea, along with 10 known flavonoids (2-11) and seven
      known phenolic compounds (12-18). The structure elucidation was based on
      spectroscopic analysis. Among them, 1,3-dihydroxyphenyl-2-O-sulfate (13), 2,3,4
      trihydroxybenzoic acid (16) and 3,3',4,4'-tetrahydroxybiphenyl (18) are reported
      from tea plants for the first time. 

PMID- 26273896
TI  - Materialistic Values and Goals.
AB  - Materialism comprises a set of values and goals focused on wealth, possessions,
      image, and status. These aims are a fundamental aspect of the human value/goal
      system, standing in relative conflict with aims concerning the well-being of
      others, as well as one's own personal and spiritual growth. Substantial evidence
      shows that people who place a relatively high priority on materialistic
      values/goals consume more products and incur more debt, have lower-quality
      interpersonal relationships, act in more ecologically destructive ways, have
      adverse work and educational motivation, and report lower personal and physical
      well-being. Experimentally activating materialistic aims causes similar outcomes.
      Given these ills, researchers have investigated means of decreasing people's
      materialism. Successful interventions encourage intrinsic/self-transcendent
      values/goals, increase felt personal security, and/or block materialistic
      messages from the environment. These interventions would likely be more effective
      if policies were also adopted that diminished contemporary culture's focus on
      consumption, profit, and economic growth. 

PMID- 26273897
TI  - Scientific Misconduct.
AB  - Scientific misconduct has been defined as fabrication, falsification, and
      plagiarism. Scientific misconduct has occurred throughout the history of science.
      The US government began to take systematic interest in such misconduct in the
      1980s. Since then, a number of studies have examined how frequently individual
      scientists have observed scientific misconduct or were involved in it. Although
      the studies vary considerably in their methodology and in the nature and size of
      their samples, in most studies at least 10% of the scientists sampled reported
      having observed scientific misconduct. In addition to studies of the incidence of
      scientific misconduct, this review considers the recent increase in paper
      retractions, the role of social media in scientific ethics, several instructional
      examples of egregious scientific misconduct, and potential methods to reduce
      research misconduct. 

PMID- 26273898
TI  - Justice and Negotiation.
AB  - This review article examines the literature regarding the role played by
      principles of justice in negotiation. Laboratory experiments and high-stakes
      negotiations reveal that justice is a complex concept, both in relation to
      attaining just outcomes and to establishing just processes. We focus on how
      justice preferences guide the process and outcome of negotiated exchanges.
      Focusing primarily on the two types of principles that have received the most
      attention, distributive justice (outcomes of negotiation) and procedural justice
      (process of negotiation), we introduce the topic by reviewing the most relevant
      experimental and field or archival research on the roles played by these justice
      principles in negotiation. A discussion of the methods used in these studies
      precedes a review organized in terms of a framework that highlights the concept
      of negotiating stages. We also develop hypotheses based on the existing
      literature to point the way forward for further research on this topic. 

PMID- 26273899
TI  - The Presence of Sterols Favors Sticholysin I-Membrane Association and Pore
      Formation Regardless of Their Ability to Form Laterally Segregated Domains.
AB  - Sticholysin I (St I) is a pore-forming toxin (PFT) produced by the Caribbean Sea
      anemone Stichodactyla helianthus belonging to the actinoporin protein family, a
      unique class of eukaryotic PFT. As for actinoporins, it has been proposed that
      the presence of cholesterol (Chol) and the coexistence of lipid phases increase
      binding to the target membrane and pore-forming ability. However, little is known
      about the role of membrane structure and dynamics (phase state, fluidity, and the
      presence of lipid domains) on the activity of actinoporins or which regions of
      the membrane are the most favorable for protein insertion, oligomerization, and
      eventually pore formation. To gain insight into the role of membrane properties
      on the functional activity of St I, we studied its binding to monolayers and
      vesicles of phosphatidylcholine (PC), sphingomyelin (SM), and sterols inducing
      (ergosterol -Erg and cholesterol -Chol) or not (cholestenone - Cln) membrane
      phase segregation in liquid ordered (Lo) and liquid disordered (Ld) domains. This
      study revealed that St I binds and permeabilizes with higher efficiency sterol
      containing membranes independently of their ability to form domains. We discuss
      the results in terms of the relevance of different membrane properties for the
      actinoporins mechanism of action, namely, molecular heterogeneity, specially
      potentiated in membranes with sterols inducers of phase separation (Chol or Erg)
      or Cln, a sterol noninducer of phase separation but with a high propensity to
      induce nonlamellar phase. The role of the Ld phase is pointed out as the most
      suitable platform for pore formation. In this regard, such regions in Chol
      containing membranes seem to be the most favored due to its increased fluidity;
      this property promotes toxin insertion, diffusion, and oligomerization leading to
      pore formation. 

PMID- 26273901
TI  - Oxidation of Actinyl(V) Complexes by the Addition of Nitrogen Dioxide Is Revealed
      via the Replacement of Acetate by Nitrite.
AB  - The gas-phase complexes AnO2(CH3CO2)2(-) are actinyl(V) cores, An(V)O2(+) (An =
      U, Np, Pu), coordinated by two acetate anion ligands. Whereas the addition of O2
      to U(V)O2(CH3CO2)2(-) exothermically produces the superoxide complex
      U(VI)O2(O2)(CH3CO2)2(-), this oxidation does not occur for Np(V)O2(CH3CO2)2(-) or
      Pu(V)O2(CH3CO2)2(-) because of the higher reduction potentials for Np(V) and
      Pu(V). It is demonstrated that NO2 is a more effective electron-withdrawing
      oxidant than O2, with the result that all three An(V)O2(CH3CO2)2(-)
      exothermically react with NO2 to form nitrite complexes, An(VI)O2(CH3CO2)2(NO2)(
      ). The assignment of the NO2(-) anion ligand in these complexes, resulting in
      oxidation from An(V) to An(VI), is substantiated by the replacement of the
      acetate ligands in AnO2(CH3CO2)2(NO2)(-) and AnO2(CH3CO2)3(-) by nitrites, to
      produce the tris(nitrite) complexes AnO2(NO2)3(-). The key chemistry of oxidation
      of An(V) to An(VI) by the addition of neutral NO2 is established by the
      substitution of acetate by nitrite. The replacement of acetate ligands by NO2(-)
      is attributed to a metathesis reaction with nitrous acid to produce acetic acid
      and nitrite. 

PMID- 26273900
TI  - Instant Oatmeal Increases Satiety and Reduces Energy Intake Compared to a Ready
      to-Eat Oat-Based Breakfast Cereal: A Randomized Crossover Trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Foods that enhance satiety can help consumers to resist environmental
      cues to eat and help adherence to calorie restriction. The objective of this
      study was to compare the effect of 2 oat-based breakfast cereals on appetite,
      satiety, and food intake. METHODS: Forty-eight healthy individuals, 18 years of
      age or older, were enrolled in a randomized, crossover trial. Subjects consumed
      isocaloric servings of either oatmeal or an oat-based ready-to-eat breakfast
      cereal (RTEC) in random order at least a week apart. Visual analogue scales
      measuring appetite and satiety were completed before breakfast and throughout the
      morning. Lunch was served 4 hours after breakfast. The physicochemical properties
      of oat soluble fiber (beta-glucan) were determined. Appetite and satiety
      responses were analyzed by area under the curve. Food intake and beta-glucan
      properties were analyzed using t tests. RESULTS: Oatmeal increased fullness (p =
      0.001) and reduced hunger (p = 0.005), desire to eat (p = 0.001), and prospective
      intake (p = 0.006) more than the RTEC. Energy intake at lunch was lower after
      eating oatmeal compared to the RTEC (p = 0.012). Oatmeal had higher viscosity (p
      = 0.03), beta-glucan content, molecular weight (p < 0.001), and radius of
      gyration (p < 0.001) than the RTEC. CONCLUSIONS: Oatmeal suppresses appetite,
      increases satiety, and reduces energy intake compared to the RTEC. The
      physicochemical properties of beta-glucan and sufficient hydration of oats are
      important factors affecting satiety and subsequent energy intake.

PMID- 26273902
TI  - Isolation of a Cyclic Depsipetide, Aspergillicin F, and Synthesis of
      Aspergillicins with Innate Immune-Modulating Activity.
AB  - Innate immunity is the front line of self-defense against microbial infection.
      After searching for natural compounds that regulate innate immunity using an ex
      vivo Drosophila culture system, we identified a new cyclic depsipeptide,
      aspergillicin F, from the fungus Aspergillus sp., as an innate immune suppressor.
      The total synthesis and biological evaluation of the aspergillicin family,
      including aspergillicin F, were performed, revealing that slight structural
      differences in the side chains of amino acid residues alter innate immunity
      regulating activity. 

PMID- 26273903
TI  - Top-down control and directed attention in self-reference effects: Goal-directed
      movements and the SAN.
AB  - We focus on Humphreys and Sui's postulations that self-reference effects are not
      necessarily pre-attentive, and the self and top-down attention interact in the
      SAN. If so, top-down factors (goal-relevance, directed attention) should interact
      with self-reference effects. Our pilot data from unspeeded reach-to-grasp actions
      show differences in trajectories when reaching toward self- or other-relevant
      objects. We speculate that goal-directed actions are suited to studying the top
      down control in self-reference effects. Because goal-directed action paradigms
      allow broad scope for modulating attention and top-down control, they will be
      useful for disambiguating the roles of directed attention, inhibition, and
      (social) context. 

PMID- 26273904
TI  - Apolar Radical Initiated Conjugated Autoxidizable Triene (ApoCAT) Assay: Effects
      of Oxidant Locations on Antioxidant Capacities and Interactions.
AB  - Development of an antioxidant assay explaining antioxidant behaviors in complex
      food systems has been a challenging topic for food scientists. This research
      aimed to investigate antioxidant capacities and interactions of selected
      synthetic antioxidants and commercial natural antioxidant extracts using the CAT
      assay and a newly developed ApoCAT assay, which used water- and lipid-soluble azo
      radical initiators, respectively. Results suggested that the higher the
      hydrophobicity of an antioxidant, the higher the antioxidant capacity of an
      antioxidant observed in the ApoCAT assay. The relationship between the two
      different assays was explained by the ratio between the ApoCAT and the CAT
      values. Interestingly, all lipophilic derivatives of the antioxidants exhibited
      higher ApoCAT/CAT ratios than their hydrophilic derivatives. In the case of the
      commercial food-grade antioxidants, green tea extract and mixed tocopherols
      showed a higher antioxidant capacity in the ApoCAT assay than in the CAT assay,
      while grape seed and rosemary extracts did not show significantly different
      changes in behaviors in both assays. The study on antioxidant interactions
      revealed that additive, synergistic, and antagonistic effects between hydrophilic
      antioxidants and natural extracts, and mixed tocopherols could be observed in
      both the CAT and the ApoCAT assays, depending on the combined ratios. In most
      cases, at a particular ratio, the synergistic effect reached the maximum level
      before suddenly dropping to additive and antagonistic effects in both assays. 

PMID- 26273905
TI  - A new peptide ligand for colon cancer targeted delivery of micelles.
AB  - Ligands are an imperative part of targeted drug delivery systems, and choosing a
      ligand with high affinity is a subject of considerable interest. In this study,
      we first synthesized a 12-residue peptide (TK) that interacts with integrin
      alpha6beta1 overexpressed on colonic cancer cells. The molecular binding affinity
      assay indicated that TK had a high binding affinity for integrin alpha6beta1. The
      results of cellular and tumor spheroid uptake suggested that TK peptide not only
      increases Caco-2 cells uptake, but also effectively increases penetration of the
      tumor spheroids. TK-conjugated PEG-PLA was synthesized to prepare a novel PEG-PLA
      micelles loading DOX or coumarin-6 (TK-MS/DOX or TK-MS/C6). The obtained TK
      MS/DOX exhibited uniform, spherical shape with a size of 23.80 +/- 0.32 nm and
      zeta potential of 12.21 +/- 0.31 mV. The release behavior of DOX from micelles
      were observed no significant changes after TK modification, however, the release
      profile exhibited pH-sensitive properties. Compared with MS/DOX, TK-MS/DOX
      exhibited significantly stronger cytotoxicity for Caco-2. Confocal laser
      microscopy and flow cytometry data further indicated that the targeting micelles
      not only had higher uptake by Caco-2 cells, but also more effectively penetrated
      the tumor spheroids. Therefore, TK peptide appears to be suitable as a targeting
      ligand with potential applications in colonic targeted therapy.

PMID- 26273906
TI  - Intraocular distribution of topically applied hydrophilic and lipophilic
      substances in rat eyes.
AB  - PURPOSE: Topical administration is the preferred route of drug delivery for
      ophthalmic ailments. However, poor permeation through ocular surface and
      significant systemic absorption, makes the topical drug delivery challenging.
      Furthermore, distribution of topically delivered drugs varies with their
      physicochemical properties and the type of formulation used. Hence, this study
      was done to understand the pattern of ocular drug distribution of topically
      applied hydrophilic and lipophilic substances in two different formulations.
      METHODS: 5-Carboxyfluorescein and 1,1'-dioctadecyl-3,3,3',3'
      tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate were used as representative candidates
      for hydrophilic and lipophilic substances, respectively. They were formulated in
      solution and liposomes. Single drop of either formulation containing hydrophilic
      or lipophilic substance was instilled topically, unilaterally to rat eyes.
      Subsequently, rats were sacrificed at 10, 30 and 120 min post-instillation. Eyes
      were cryosectioned and examined under confocal microscope to determine the
      fluorescence intensity in ocular tissues. RESULTS: Corneal permeation of
      hydrophilic and lipophilic substances in both formulations peaked at 30 min post
      instillation. Liposomal-lipophilic dye and non-liposomal-hydrophilic dye showed
      better corneal distribution. Fluorescence was absent in contralateral eyes of non
      liposomal-hydrophilic dye-treated animals but was present in contralateral eyes
      of liposomal-hydrophilic dye-treated animals. Fluorescence in contralateral eyes
      of liposomal-lipophilic dye-treated animals was significantly higher compared to
      non-liposomal-lipophilic dye-treated animals. CONCLUSIONS: Topically applied
      liposomal formulation of lipophilic substance provides higher corneal
      concentration of drug with lesser systemic absorption compared to its solution.
      For hydrophilic substance, topical use of solution provides greater corneal
      concentration compared to liposomes which is more likely to be absorbed
      systemically.

PMID- 26273907
TI  - Ultrasound-responsive nanobubbles contained with peptide-camptothecin conjugates
      for targeted drug delivery.
AB  - To improve the targeting delivery efficiency of anticancer drug to tumor sites, a
      new strategy combining cell-permeable peptide (CPP) and ultrasound was reported
      in this article. In this study, we devised and tested a strategy for functional
      payload delivery to cells by loading CPP-camptothecin conjugate (CPP-CPT) into
      nanobubble (CPP-CPT NB). Here, CPP existing in the conjugation form of CPP and
      CPT was hidden in nanobubble to cloak the penetration activity of CPP. Meanwhile,
      local tumor ultrasound was utilized to achieve specific targeting of CPP-CPT to
      the tumor cells. The mean particle size of the prepared CPP-CPT NB was ~200 nm,
      and the drug entrapment efficiency was >80%. Stimulated by ultrasound, over 90%
      of the entrapped CPP-CPTs would release from the nanobubbles. Subsequent research
      demonstrated that the CPP-CPT NB showed effective cellular uptake and significant
      cytotoxic activity in HeLa cells in vitro. Additionally, after systemic
      administration in mice, CPP-CPT NB with ultrasound showed a higher tumor
      inhibition effect in nude mice xenografted HeLa cells tumors and excellent body
      safety when compared with normal CPT injection group. In conclusion, the carrier
      constructed in this study would be a safe and efficiently drug delivery system
      for specific cancer treatment.

PMID- 26273909
TI  - Corrigendum.

PMID- 26273908
TI  - Wouter G van Doorn, December 13, 1951--May 16, 2015.

PMID- 26273912
TI  - Why an Actigraphy Manual Is Needed.

PMID- 26273911
TI  - Scientific Discoveries: What Is Required for Lasting Impact.
AB  - I have been involved in two scientific discoveries of some impact. One is the
      discovery of long-term potentiation (LTP), the phenomenon that brief, high
      frequency impulse activity at synapses in the brain can lead to long-lasting
      increases in their efficiency of transmission. This finding demonstrated that
      synapses are plastic, a property thought to be necessary for learning and memory.
      The other discovery is that nerve-evoked muscle impulse activity, rather than
      putative trophic factors, controls the properties of muscle fibers. Here I
      describe how these two discoveries were made, the unexpected difficulties of
      reproducing the first discovery, and the controversies that followed the second
      discovery. I discuss why the first discovery took many years to become generally
      recognized, whereas the second caused an immediate sensation and entered
      textbooks and major reviews but is now largely forgotten. In the long run,
      discovering a new phenomenon has greater impact than falsifying a popular
      hypothesis. 

PMID- 26273913
TI  - The SBSM Guide to Actigraphy Monitoring: Clinical and Research Applications.

PMID- 26273910
TI  - Fail-safe transcription termination: Because one is never enough.
AB  - Termination of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) transcription is a fundamental step of
      gene expression that involves the release of the nascent transcript and
      dissociation of RNAPII from the DNA template. As transcription termination is
      intimately linked to RNA 3' end processing, termination pathways have a key
      decisive influence on the fate of the transcribed RNA. Quite remarkably, when
      reaching the 3' end of genes, a substantial fraction of RNAPII fail to terminate
      transcription, requiring the contribution of alternative or "fail-safe"
      mechanisms of termination to release the polymerase. This point of view covers
      redundant mechanisms of transcription termination and how they relate to
      conventional termination models. In particular, we expand on recent findings that
      propose a reverse torpedo model of termination, in which the 3'5' exonucleolytic
      activity of the RNA exosome targets transcription events associated with paused
      and backtracked RNAPII. 

PMID- 26273916
TI  - The complete mitochondrial genome of the Metriaclima zebra.
AB  - Cichlid fish from East Africa are remarkable for phenotypic and behavioral
      diversity on a backdrop of genomic similarity. Metriaclima zebra is a member of
      the Cichlidae family. Here, we reported the complete mitogenome sequence of M.
      zebra, which was 16 582 bp and contained 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA
      genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes and 1 non-coding control region. A phylogenetic tree
      was constructed based on complete mitogenomes of M. zebra and 11 closely related
      Cichlidae species to approve the accuracy. The complete mitochondrial genome of
      the M. zebra would provide more information for the research of M. zebra and the
      evolution of Cichlidae family.

PMID- 26273920
TI  - The complete mitochondrial genome of dwarf danio, Danio nigrofasciatus.
AB  - In this study, we report the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of dwarf
      danio, Danio nigrofasciatus, for the first time. The genome is found to be 16 616
      bp in length and has a base composition of A (31.97%), G (15.88%), C (23.99%),
      and T (28.16%), indicating that the percentage of A + T (60.13%) was higher than
      G + C (39.87%). The mitochondrial genome contains a typically conserved structure
      including 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNA), 2
      ribosomal RNA genes (rRNA), and 1 control region (D-loop). Most of the genes were
      located on the H-strand except for the ND6 gene and 8 tRNA genes. To obtain a
      more complete understanding of the evolutionary history between the dwarf danio
      and other species, 11 mitochondrial genomes were used for phylogenetic analysis.
      This mitochondrial sequence reported here would be useful to uncover the D.
      nigrofasciatus evolution and add a new genetic resource for the genus Danio.

PMID- 26273922
TI  - Complete mitochondrial genome of Sebastes taczanowskii (Scorpaenidae,
      Scorpaeniformes) from the East Sea, Korea.
AB  - Sebastes taczanowskii is a subarctic species in the north-western Pacific Ocean.
      To obtain mitochondrial DNA sequences for phylogeny, the complete mitogenome (16
      452 bp in length) of S. taczanowskii was constructed using next-generation
      sequencing. The circular mitogenome contains 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2
      rRNAs, 22 tRNAs and the control region, for which gene structure and positions
      were similar to those of other Scorpaenidae. The complete mitogenome composed of
      27.8% A, 26.5% T, 17.3% G and 28.5% C, with a slight AT bias (54.3%). All PCGs
      use a typical start codon, ATG, except COX1 (GTG). The terminal codon of PCGs was
      mainly TAR, with the exceptions of ND4 (AGA) and Cytb (incomplete codon, T).
      Sebastes taczanowskii was clearly divided from other Scorpaenidae in the
      phylogenetic tree using 2 rRNA and 13 PCGs. The mitogenome of S. taczanowskii can
      be useful for constructing the molecular phylogenetic tree within Scorpaenidae.

PMID- 26273927
TI  - CE: Acute Pain Management for Inpatients with Opioid Use Disorder.
AB  - OVERVIEW: Like most hospital inpatients, those with opioid use disorder (OUD)
      often experience acute pain during their hospital stay and may require opioid
      analgesics. Unfortunately, owing to clinicians' misconceptions about opioids and
      negative attitudes toward patients with OUD, such patients may be inadequately
      medicated and thus subjected to unrelieved pain and unnecessary suffering. This
      article reviews current literature on the topic of acute pain management for
      inpatients with OUD and dispels common myths about opioids and OUD.

PMID- 26273928
TI  - CE: Sexually Transmitted Infections in the United States: Overview and Update.
AB  - OVERVIEW: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are the most common infectious
      diseases in the United States. They have enormous human consequences, including
      severe reproductive complications, neonatal injury, and death; and because STIs
      are associated with social stigma, they also have substantial psychological
      impact. The economic consequences are also enormous: it's estimated that STIs
      cost the nation about $16 billion in annual health care costs. All communities
      are affected, although significant racial, ethnic, and other disparities persist.
      Nurses play a critical role in educating patients on STIs, screening for disease,
      and providing treatment. Nurses can also help minimize the impact of social
      stigma by providing informed, confidential, and sensitive care, and by promoting
      sexual health. This article provides an overview of the symptoms, screening
      methods, and treatment recommendations for the most common STIs in the United
      States and describes the most recent relevant findings in order to inform nursing
      practice.

PMID- 26273929
TI  - Eleven Basic Procedures/Practices for Dental Patient Safety.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to help alleviate the shortage of reliable
      information on clinical care issues; the Spanish Observatory of Dental Patient
      Safety (OESPO) has resorted to the study of legal claims by patients and searched
      those which produced clinical problems. METHODS: Based on OESPO data, this
      article proposes 11 basic procedures/practices for dental patient safety to help
      mitigate most preventable adverse events. RESULTS: The sample of the OESPO is
      large (415 adverse events studied), but it has the bias of a judicial source.
      However, the results provide an interesting approach to clinical safety in
      dentistry. When studying in detail the causes that led to preventable adverse
      events, it can be seen that most of these (and most severe) events have been
      caused by a small number of erroneous behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: Most preventable
      adverse events during the dental health care are produced by a relatively small
      number of causes. Therefore, a few basic safety procedures can reduce
      significantly these preventable adverse events.

PMID- 26273930
TI  - Frequency and Severity of Adverse Drug Events by Medication Classes: The JADE
      Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Adverse drug events (ADEs) are a significant concern in daily
      practice; however, the profile of high-risk drugs remains unclear. Our objective
      was to categorize high-risk medication classes according to frequency and
      severity of ADEs. METHODS: The JADE study is a prospective cohort study of 3459
      hospitalized adult patients. We investigated the ADEs and medications prescribed
      to the patients. The rate of ADEs for each medication class was calculated by
      dividing the number of ADEs by the number of patients who received each
      medication class on admission. RESULTS: Overall, 14,435 medications were ordered
      on admission for patients (median 4; interquartile range, 2-6). Electrolytes and
      fluids were most frequently prescribed (1876 patients, 54%). Sedatives,
      antibiotics, peptic ulcer drugs, and analgesics were also commonly prescribed.
      The frequency was similar in both elderly and younger patients. Among 1010
      identified ADEs, antibiotics were most frequently associated with ADEs (31 ADEs
      per 100 prescribed patients on admission). In patients 65 years and older,
      corticosteroids, anticonvulsants, laxatives, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
      drugs, and antipsychotics were the 5 most frequent medication classes causing
      ADEs following antibiotics. In patients younger than 65 years, antibiotics were
      also the most frequent cause of ADEs, followed by laxatives, lipid-lowering
      agents, anticonvulsants, and corticosteroids. Among cardiovascular agent
      associated ADEs, 46% were fatal or life threatening in elderly patients, whereas
      antihypertensives were most often associated with fatal or life-threatening ADEs
      (25%) in younger patients. CONCLUSIONS: The medication classes frequently
      associated with ADEs did not necessarily induce severe ADEs.

PMID- 26273931
TI  - SEGMENTAL PATTERN OF INFILTRATES OVER RETINAL VESSELS IN FUNGAL ENDOPHTHALMITIS.
AB  - PURPOSE: To describe the case of a patient with Candida tropicalis
      endophthalmitis who presented with a pattern of segmentally distributed
      preretinal infiltrates overlying the retinal blood vessels. METHODS: A
      retrospective chart review was performed. A 72-year-old East Indian male
      presented with redness, pain, photosensitivity, and loss of vision in the right
      eye for 1 month. He had been recently hospitalized for necrotizing pancreatitis
      and had been receiving intravenous medications as well as parenteral nutrition
      through a peripherally inserted central catheter. RESULTS: Fundus examination
      revealed moderate vitreous cells and infiltrates, including a segmental pattern
      of preretinal bead-like opacities along several blood vessels. The patient
      underwent emergent vitrectomy with injection of antibiotics and antifungal
      medications. Vitreous cultures grew C. tropicalis. The patient was treated with
      oral antifungal medication for 6 weeks. By 7 weeks after surgery, all infiltrates
      and inflammatory cells had completely resolved. The imaging and intraoperative
      observations suggest that the opacities behaved like infiltrates and were
      associated with vitreous rather than vascular inflammation. CONCLUSION: A
      segmental pattern of preretinal infiltrates over retinal vessels can be a
      presenting feature in endogenous fungal endophthalmitis. The observations in this
      case may contribute to understanding the pathophysiology of the findings.

PMID- 26273932
TI  - Oral Contraceptive Use and Reproductive Characteristics Affect Survival in
      Patients With Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: A Cohort Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Prognostic risk factors influencing survival in patients with
      epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) include tumor stage, grade, histologic subtype,
      debulking, and platinum status. Little is known about the impact of hormonal
      milieu and reproductive factors before cancer diagnosis on clinical outcome. We
      sought to evaluate whether oral contraceptive (OC) use carries any prognostic
      significance on overall survival (OS) in patients with EOC. METHODS: Newly
      diagnosed patients with EOC, fallopian tube, and primary peritoneal cancers
      between 1982 and 1998 were prospectively evaluated with a comprehensive
      epidemiologic questionnaire. A retrospective chart review was performed to
      abstract clinicopathologic data, including OS. A Kaplan-Meier analysis was
      performed to compare survival across various exposures. A Cox regression model
      was used to compute adjusted hazards ratios (aHRs) and 95% confidence intervals
      (CIs). RESULTS: We identified 387 newly diagnosed cancers with evaluable
      information in this cohort. Decreased risk of death was observed in women who
      reported prior use of OC (aHR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.58-1.09), previous pregnancy (aHR,
      0.77; 95% CI, 0.57-1.04), or a live birth (aHR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.60-1.08) after
      adjusting for age at diagnosis, stage, and histologic subtype. Oral contraceptive
      use was associated with a crude reduced risk of death (HR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.42
      0.72), with reported median OS of 81 months in OC users versus 46 months in
      nonusers. Patients who reported a single live birth experienced the largest
      potential survival advantage (aHR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.39-0.94). Oral contraceptive
      use and prior pregnancy were associated with improved survival across all strata.
      CONCLUSIONS: Oral contraceptive use may have lasting effects on epithelial
      ovarian tumor characteristics conferring favorable prognosis. Putative mechanisms
      that affect tumor biology include complex interactions between ovarian cells,
      host immune cells, and hormonal microenvironment during carcinogenesis. Future
      efforts should be directed to determine the role of reproductive factors in
      antitumor immunity.

PMID- 26273933
TI  - Developing an Anti-Xa-Based Anticoagulation Protocol for Patients with
      Percutaneous Ventricular Assist Devices.
AB  - Because of the complexities associated with anticoagulation in temporary
      percutaneous ventricular assist device (pVAD) recipients, a lack of
      standardization exists in their management. This retrospective analysis evaluates
      current anticoagulation practices at a single center with the aim of identifying
      an optimal anticoagulation strategy and protocol. Patients were divided into two
      cohorts based on pVAD implanted (CentriMag (Thoratec; Pleasanton, CA) /
      TandemHeart (CardiacAssist; Pittsburgh, PA) or Impella (Abiomed, Danvers, MA)),
      with each group individually analyzed for bleeding and thrombotic complications.
      Patients in the CentriMag/TandemHeart cohort were subdivided based on the
      anticoagulation monitoring strategy (activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
      or antifactor Xa unfractionated heparin (anti-Xa) values). In the
      CentriMag/TandemHeart cohort, there were five patients with anticoagulation
      titrated based on anti-Xa values; one patient developed a device thrombosis and a
      major bleed, whereas another patient experienced major bleeding. Eight patients
      received an Impella pVAD. Seven total major bleeds in three patients and no
      thrombotic events were detected. Based on distinct differences between the
      devices, anti-Xa values, and outcomes, two protocols were created to guide
      anticoagulation adjustments. However, anticoagulation in patients who require
      pVAD support is complex with constantly evolving anticoagulation goals. The ideal
      level of anticoagulation should be individually determined using several
      coagulation laboratory parameters in concert with hemodynamic changes in the
      patient's clinical status, the device, and the device cannulation. 

PMID- 26273934
TI  - Enhanced Extracorporeal CO2 Removal by Regional Blood Acidification: Effect of
      Infusion of Three Metabolizable Acids.
AB  - Acidification of blood entering a membrane lung (ML) with lactic acid enhances
      CO2 removal (VCO2ML). We compared the effects of infusion of acetic, citric, and
      lactic acids on VCO2ML. Three sheep were connected to a custom-made circuit,
      consisting of a Hemolung device (Alung Technologies, Pittsburgh, PA), a
      hemofilter (NxStage, NxStage Medical, Lawrence, MA), and a peristaltic pump
      recirculating ultrafiltrate before the ML. Blood flow was set at 250 ml/min, gas
      flow (GF) at 10 L/min, and recirculating ultrafiltrate flow at 100 ml/min. Acetic
      (4.4 M), citric (0.4 M), or lactic (4.4 M) acids were infused in the
      ultrafiltrate at 1.5 mEq/min, for 2 hours each, in randomized fashion. VCO2ML was
      measured by the Hemolung built-in capnometer. Circuit and arterial blood gas
      samples were collected at baseline and during acid infusion. Hemodynamics and
      ventilation were monitored. Acetic, citric, or lactic acids similarly enhanced
      VCO2ML (+35%), from 37.4 +/- 3.6 to 50.6 +/- 7.4, 49.8 +/- 5.6, and 52.0 +/- 8.2
      ml/min, respectively. Acids similarly decreased pH, increased pCO2, and reduced
      HCO3 of the post-acid extracorporeal blood sample. No significant effects on
      arterial gas values, ventilation, or hemodynamics were observed. In conclusion,
      it is possible to increase VCO2ML by more than one-third using any one of the
      three metabolizable acids. 

PMID- 26273935
TI  - Twelve Hours In Vitro Biocompatibility Testing of Membrane Oxygenators.
AB  - In vitro test systems for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (mock loop)
      represent an interesting alternative to complex and expensive in vivo test
      systems to analyze the pathomechanisms leading to insufficient biocompatibility.
      Data on mock loop systems are limited, and operation times are constricted to a
      maximum duration of 6 hr. This study aims at a 12 hr operation time and frequent
      monitoring of markers for insufficient biocompatibility in two experimental
      settings. Porcine blood circulated in a mock loop without any modifications, or
      the circuit was operated with a CO2-enhanced gas (5% CO2/21% O2/74% N2) in
      combination with a nutrient solution (phosphate-adenine-glucose-guanosine-saline
      mannitol). Coagulation parameters changed over time without differences between
      the two groups. In the unmodified test setting, a pH increase was detected after
      1 hr, followed by significantly increased levels of free hemoglobin as a marker
      for hemolysis and elevated numbers of activated platelets, which correlate with
      detected von Willebrand factor, microparticles, and interleukin-beta.
      Proinflammatory cytokine levels were significantly increased after 12 hr. In
      contrast, these parameters remained constant in the modified test setting
      providing proof of a stable operating in vitro mock loop system with an
      extended/prolonged operation time. 

PMID- 26273936
TI  - Maternal and Fetal Recovery After Severe Respiratory Failure: A Case Report of
      Air Transportation of a Pregnant Woman on ECMO Using the CentriMag Transporter
      System.
AB  - Use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for severe cardiopulmonary
      failure has increased because of improved outcomes. A specially designed ECMO
      transport system allows for safe transport of patients over long distances. We
      report a 28-year-old pregnant woman (26 weeks gestation) with acute respiratory
      distress syndrome in whom ECMO support was necessary for survival, and she was
      transported to another facility 1,155 km away with the aid of the portable ECMO
      system. Transport was uneventful, and the patient's condition remained stable.
      Acute respiratory distress syndrome improved gradually until the patient was
      discharged from the hospital with excellent maternal and fetal outcome. 

PMID- 26273937
TI  - Interactions Between Modality of Working Memory Load and Perceptual Load in
      Distractor Processing.
AB  - The present study investigated interactions between working memory load and
      perceptual load. The load theory (Lavie, Hirst, de Fockert, & Viding, 2004 )
      claims that perceptual load decreases distractor interference, whereas working
      memory load increases interference. However, recent studies showed that effects
      of working memory might depend on the relationship between modalities of working
      memory and task stimuli. Here, we examined whether the relationship between
      working memory load and perceptual load would remain the same across modalities.
      The results of Experiment 1 showed that verbal working memory load did not affect
      a compatibility effect for low perceptual load, whereas it increased the
      compatibility effect for high perceptual load. In Experiment 2, the compatibility
      effect remained the same regardless of visual working memory load. These results
      suggest that the effects of working memory load and perceptual load depend on the
      relationship between the modalities of working memory and stimuli. 

PMID- 26273938
TI  - The Impact of Multifaceted Questions on Eyewitness Accuracy Following Forced
      Fabrication Interviews.
AB  - Lawyers will frequently use complex-question forms, such as multifaceted
      questions (single questions that contain both a true and a false proposition),
      when cross-examining witnesses, and prior research has shown that use of such
      questions reduces testimonial accuracy. The present study extends this research
      by using a forced fabrication paradigm (Chrobak & Zaragoza, 2008) to assess how
      multifaceted questions might affect eyewitness suggestibility after exposure to
      misleading post-event information. Consistent with prior studies, the use of
      multifaceted questions led to lower accuracy than simple questions. The novel
      finding was that multifaceted questions caused larger impairments in performance
      among fabrication participants (who had earlier been suggestively interviewed),
      than in control participants (who had not). We also provide preliminary evidence
      that the impairment caused by multifaceted questions is due to both (a) having to
      consider two propositions simultaneously, and (b) the shift in question focus
      from the fabricated event to a true event. 

PMID- 26273939
TI  - Simulating Personal Wealth in the Laboratory.
AB  - During laboratory gambling tasks participants are not typically allowed to wager
      their personal wealth. Instead, wealth is simulated by telling participants they
      have been endowed with game tokens that will be later exchanged for money. Past
      research indicates that participants undervalue game tokens following this
      procedure, which leads to elevated risk taking compared to procedures that add
      saliency or realism to the monetary payoff. A between-subjects experiment tested
      whether showing a picture of money during the endowment instructions and
      repeating token-money exchange information during the session influenced
      participants' preference for risky and riskless options. The results showed no
      effect of the money picture. However, repeated token-money exchange information
      significantly decreased risk taking. Together with past studies, this finding
      suggests that endowment procedures might establish greater value in game tokens,
      and therefore better simulate personal wealth, when the eventual exchange between
      game tokens and money is made more salient to participants. 

PMID- 26273940
TI  - The Name-Pronunciation Effect: Further Evidence from Chinese.
AB  - This study examined the Chinese name-pronunciation effect. The easy-to-pronounce
      and difficult-to-pronounce Chinese names were created using the same characters
      in order to control for visual perceptual and conceptual fluency. In Experiment
      1, participants rated each name in terms of liking, electability as a state
      leader, income level, and baby name preference. An additional rating of
      prevalence was used to estimate familiarity. In Experiment 2, participants did
      not read the name aloud before rating and performed intentional recall and
      recognition tests. In both experiments, the easy-to-pronounce names were rated
      higher than difficult-to-pronounce names on liking. This effect generalized to
      judgments of electability and baby name preference but not to prevalence and
      income level. There were no differences in memory performances between the two
      types of names. Results are discussed in terms of the boundary condition of the
      name-pronunciation effect and the advantage of using Chinese names to study this
      effect. 

PMID- 26273941
TI  - A Call for Considering Color Vision Deficiency When Creating Graphics for
      Psychology Reports.
AB  - Although color vision deficiency (CVD) is fairly common, it is often not
      adequately considered when data is presented in color graphics. This study found
      that CVD tends to be mentioned neither in the author guidelines of psychology
      journals nor in the standard publication manuals of the field (e.g., the
      publication manuals of the American Psychological Association and the American
      Medical Association). To illustrate the relevance of this problem, a panel of
      scholars with CVD was used to evaluate the color figures in three respected
      psychological science journals. Results suggested that a substantial proportion
      of those figures were needlessly confusing for viewers with CVD and could have
      been easily improved through simple adjustments. Based on prior literature and on
      feedback from the panelists, recommendations are made for improving the
      accessibility of graphics in psychology reports. 

PMID- 26273942
TI  - [New oral anticoagulants in antiphospholipid syndrome].

PMID- 26273943
TI  - [Clinical usefulness of Beta2microglobulin in patients with Primary Sjogren
      Syndrome].
AB  - The extraglandular manifestations and lymphoproliferative disorders are
      complications in pSS. There are few serological markers that they are useful in
      these conditions. OBJETIVES: to evaluate the usefulness of the beta2microglobulin
      level in patients with pSS and its relation to extra glands manifestations ,
      lymphoproliferative disorders and the presence of Rheumatoid factor (RF), serum
      immunoglobulins (Igs), and C3 and C4 levels. MATERIAL AND METHODS: we
      retrospectively studied patients with pSS , OAD and healthy controls . Ig G, Ig A
      and Ig M levels, serum complement C3 and C4 and RF were performed by
      immunoturbidimetry, and beta2microglobulin protein by the ELISA technique in all
      patients. RESULTS: 19 patients with pSS (Group SSp), 28 patients with other
      autoimme diseases diferent from pSS (Group PAD) and 24 healthy controls (Group
      C).There was an signifcant increase of beta2m values in Groups SS and OAD vs
      Group C (6.19 mg/dl vs. 2.53 mg/dl p<0.001) and (4.38 mg/dl vs. 2.53 mg/dl
      p<0.01). On the other hand, mean beta2m levels in Group SS were higher than in
      Group OAD (6.19 vs. 4.38 mg/dl p<0.01).There was not a relationship between
      beta2m level and Ig G, A , M ,complement levels and the presence of RF.
      CONCLUSION: beta2m can discriminate patients with pSS from those with other
      autoimmune diseases and healthy subjects. Increased beta2m level in pattients
      with pSS could reflect hyperactivation of B cells and it could be a potential
      marker associated with extraglandular manifestations and cell lymphoproliferative
      disorders.

PMID- 26273944
TI  - [Characteristics of diabetes mellitus patients under a chronic disease program].
AB  - Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a chronic noncommunicable disease with a prevalence of
      9.8% in Argentina. A Chronic Disease Program was developed for monitoring of
      patients with DM at the Ambulatory Center of DASPU, in National University of
      Cordoba Argentina. OBJECTIVE: To describe clinical characteristics of DM patients
      under a chronic disease program and to identify metabolic control variables
      associated with the presence of complications. MATERIAL AND METHODS:
      Observational, cross-sectional, descriptive study of DM Patients who attended at
      ambulatory center of DASPU since 2010. Categorical variables were described as
      proportions and number as mean +/- SD. The comparison of means was performed
      using student test. RESULTS: 1017 patients were analyzed with mean age of 61 +/-
      14 years, with 54.6% of male, 8.5% had type 1 DM, and 90.9% had DM type 2: O.7%
      had gestational DM. Cardiovascular risk factor were: hypertension in 78%,
      dyslipidemia in 35. 25.5% of patients had micro vascular complications and 18.6%
      had macro vascular complications. Coronary heart disease was the most frequent
      complication in 14.5% of the patients. . 69% had values of glycated hemoglobin
      (HbA1C) <= 7, 4%; the average total cholesterol was 185 mg / dl and LDL
      cholesterol 111 mg / dl. The average HbA1C was higher in patients with micro
      vascular complications, HbA1c 7.47% vs. 7.18% (p = 0.009). In patients with
      macrovascular complications there was no significant inverse trend, HbA1c 7.21%
      vs 7.26% with and without complications (p = 0.65). The average total cholesterol
      was lower in the group with macro vascular complications 173 mg / dl and 189 mg /
      dl (p = 0.001). Similar result was observed in LDL-C: 101 vs 113 mg / dl (p =
      0.001) in patients with and without complications, respectively. CONCLUSION:
      Clinical characteristics of the patients under the program were similar to other
      studies reported in the literature, but the values of HbA1c and total cholesterol
      have better results, achieving optimal values in a large percentage of the
      population, with lower levels in patients with macrovascular complications.

PMID- 26273945
TI  - [Resident of emergency attitude towards patients-physician relationship at the
      Hospital de Clinicas- Asuncion, Paraguay].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The doctor-patient relationship is reaching great importance in
      recent times, is highlighted their importance in areas as varied as satisfaction,
      compliance, perception of professional competence, the frequency of legal issues
      relating to malpractice and even the prognosis of the disease or the general
      health of the patient. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the doctor-patient relationship
      from the point of view of residents of emergency unit. METHODS: An observational,
      descriptive study. The sample consisted of 36 doctors from different areas of the
      Emergency Rooms of the Hospital de Clinicas- Asuncion, Paraguay. The patient
      physician relationship was evaluated using an instrument developed by RA
      Chavarria-Islas et al. with four indicators: Respect, Information, Consent and
      Dedication. RESULTS: 69.4% of residents have a regular patient-physician
      relationship; despite the 2.78% has a good relationship, 25% bad relationship and
      2.78% a very bad relationship. CONCLUSION: Gaps in doctor-patient relationship
      were found in this study.. It is interesting to invest greater efforts to enhance
      the doctor-patient relationship as one of the edges to improve health care, which
      is vital in emergency care.

PMID- 26273946
TI  - [Pituitary tumors: 10 years of experience].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Pituitary tumors comprise a quarter of the intracranial neoplasms
      and the adenomas represent the highest percentage of them. They are benign, but
      they can be invasive and they have an impact in morbidity and mortality.
      OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical features of pituitary adenomas tumors, and
      create a computerized registry to improve strategies for diagnosis and monitoring
      of these patients. METHODS: A retrospective, descriptive analysis of 102 medical
      records of a total of 191 patients who attended the endocrinology service from
      2003 to 2014 .The variables were analyzed by the corresponding descriptive
      statistics. The SPSS 11.5 was used. RESULTS: 63% were women, and (74.4%) had age
      from 25-60 years. 54% were nonfunctioning adenomas, 28% to prolactinomas, 11.8%
      and 6.2% somatotropinomas corticotropinomas. In all types the female group was
      predominant, except nonfunctioning. Of the nonfunctioning adenomas 79% were
      macroadenomas, prolactinomas 52% were microadenomas and surgery was performed in
      37% of them. The somatotropinomas, 80% were macroadenomas, 80% of patients and
      40% radiotherapy was operated. In corticotropinomas, both micro and macroadenomas
      were submitted by the same percentage (50%) and all of them underwent surgery.
      CONCLUSION: The findings are consistent with the literature in terms of frequency
      and age of onset of adenomas. We suggest the development of a registry to
      optimize the monitoring and treatment of patients, research and scientific
      publication.

PMID- 26273947
TI  - [Statins and osteoporosis].

PMID- 26273948
TI  - [Asomatognosia as a manifestation of migraine with aura. case report and review].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: For years the study of migraine with aura was surprised by the
      versatility of its presentation. Auras are manifested with the gradual
      development of neurological symptoms ranging from visual impairment to perception
      disorders. The latter are rare forms of presentation being the reason for this
      article. CASE REPORT: the case of a female patient of 53 years diagnosed with
      migraine with aura which makes an autobiographical account of their crises, with
      special emphasis on a variant of asomatognosia as manifestation is presented. It
      then discusses the asomatognosia as a phenomenon belonging to the altered body
      image and the different concepts related to these clinical forms and a brief
      overview of the possible anatomical locations of these conditions do. CONCLUSION:
      Migraine with aura may manifest with varied previous symptoms before the pain.
      The asomatognosia is an uncommon presentation. A field of interests for research
      also include an effort to define the specificity and location of the lesion as a
      method for better understanding of how injuries to very specific areas of the
      brain affect perception and memory.

PMID- 26273951
TI  - Generation of long, fully modified, and serum-resistant oligonucleotides by
      rolling circle amplification.
AB  - Rolling Circle Amplification (RCA) is an isothermal enzymatic method generating
      single-stranded DNA products consisting of concatemers containing multiple copies
      of the reverse complement of the circular template precursor. Little is known on
      the compatibility of modified nucleoside triphosphates (dN*TPs) with RCA, which
      would enable the synthesis of long, fully modified ssDNA sequences. Here, dNTPs
      modified at any position of the scaffold were shown to be compatible with rolling
      circle amplification, yielding long (>1 kb), and fully modified single-stranded
      DNA products. This methodology was applied for the generation of long, cytosine
      rich synthetic mimics of telomeric DNA. The resulting modified oligonucleotides
      displayed an improved resistance to fetal bovine serum. 

PMID- 26273950
TI  - Engaging Patients With Advance Directives Using an Information Visualization
      Approach.
AB  - Despite the benefits of advance directives (AD) to patients and care providers,
      they are often not completed due to lack of patient awareness. The purpose of the
      current article is to advocate for creation and use of an innovative information
      visualization (infovisual) as a health communication tool aimed at improving AD
      dissemination and engagement. The infovisual would promote AD awareness by
      encouraging patients to learn about their options and inspire contemplation and
      conversation regarding their end-of-life (EOL) journey. An infovisual may be able
      to communicate insights that are often communicated in words, but are much more
      powerfully communicated by example. Furthermore, an infovisual could facilitate
      vivid understanding of options and inspire the beginning of often difficult
      conversations among care providers, patients, and loved ones. It may also save
      clinicians time, as care providers may be able to spend less time explaining
      details of EOL care options. Use of an infovisual could assist in ensuring a well
      planned EOL journey.

PMID- 26273949
TI  - Characterization of Distinct Macrophage Subpopulations during Nitrogen Mustard
      Induced Lung Injury and Fibrosis.
AB  - Nitrogen mustard (NM) is an alkylating agent known to cause extensive pulmonary
      injury progressing to fibrosis. This is accompanied by a persistent macrophage
      inflammatory response. In these studies, we characterized the phenotype of
      macrophages accumulating in the lung over time following NM exposure. Treatment
      of rats with NM (0.125 mg/kg, intratracheally) resulted in an increase in
      CD11b(+) macrophages in histologic sections. These cells consisted of inducible
      nitric oxide synthase(+) (iNOS) proinflammatory M1 macrophages, and CD68(+),
      CD163(+), CD206(+), YM-1(+), and arginase-II(+)antiinflammatory M2 macrophages.
      Although M1 macrophages were prominent 1-3 days after NM, M2 macrophages were
      most notable at 28 days. At this time, they were enlarged and vacuolated,
      consistent with a profibrotic phenotype. Flow cytometric analysis of isolated
      lung macrophages identified three phenotypically distinct subpopulations: mature
      CD11b(-), CD43(-), and CD68(+) resident macrophages, which decreased in numbers
      after NM; and two infiltrating (CD11b(+)) macrophage subsets: immature CD43(+) M1
      macrophages and mature CD43(-) M2 macrophages, which increased sequentially. Time
      related increases in M1 (iNOS, IL-12alpha, COX-2, TNF-alpha, matrix
      metalloproteinase-9, matrix metalloproteinase-10) and M2 (IL-10, pentraxin-2,
      connective tissue growth factor, ApoE) genes, as well as chemokines/chemokine
      receptors associated with trafficking of M1 (CCR2, CCR5, CCL2, CCL5) and M2
      (CX3CR1, fractalkine) macrophages to sites of injury, were also noted in
      macrophages isolated from the lung after NM. The appearance of M1 and M2
      macrophages in the lung correlated with NM-induced acute injury and the
      development of fibrosis, suggesting a potential role of these macrophage
      subpopulations in the pathogenic response to NM. 

PMID- 26273952
TI  - Reconstructing and analysing cellular states, space and time from gene expression
      profiles of many cells and single cells.
AB  - Genome-wide gene expression profiling is a fast, cheap and standardised analysis
      that provides a high dimensional measurement of the state of a biological sample.
      In this review we describe computational methods that can be applied to identify
      and interpret sources of variance in gene expression in whole organisms, organs,
      tissues or single cells. This allows the identification of constituent cell types
      and states in complex mixtures, the reconstruction of temporal trajectories of
      development, differentiation and progression, and the reconstruction of spatial
      patterning. When applied to genetically variable samples, these methods allow the
      efficient investigation of how genetic variation influences gene expression and
      biological processes in space and time. 

PMID- 26273953
TI  - Controlled growth of large area multilayer graphene on copper by chemical vapour
      deposition.
AB  - The growth of nearly full coverage of multilayer graphene on the surface of a
      99.8% purity copper foil has been experimentally studied. It has been shown that
      the film thickness can be controlled by a single parameter, the growth time, and
      growth can be extended until nearly full coverage of more than one layer graphene
      over the copper surface. The results are supported by scanning electron
      microscopy and Raman analysis together with optical transmittance and sheet
      resistance measurements. It has been verified that silicon oxide impurity
      particles within the copper act as catalysts and the seeds of multilayer graphene
      islands. The linear increase of the average thickness of graphene to the growth
      time has been attributed to the interplay between the mean distance between the
      impurities on the surface and the molecular mean free path in the process gas. A
      qualitative model is proposed to explain the microscopic mechanism of the
      multilayer growth on copper. These results contribute to the understanding of the
      chemical vapour deposition growth kinetics towards the objective of large area
      high quality graphene production with tuneable layer thickness. 

PMID- 26273954
TI  - Surgical Injury to the Mouse Pancreas through Ligation of the Pancreatic Duct as
      a Model for Endocrine and Exocrine Reprogramming and Proliferation.
AB  - Expansion of pancreatic beta cells in vivo or ex vivo, or generation of beta
      cells by differentiation from an embryonic or adult stem cell, can provide new
      expandable sources of beta cells to alleviate the donor scarcity in human islet
      transplantation as therapy for diabetes. Although recent advances have been made
      towards this aim, mechanisms that regulate beta cell expansion and
      differentiation from a stem/progenitor cell remain to be characterized. Here, we
      describe a protocol for an injury model in the adult mouse pancreas that can
      function as a tool to study mechanisms of tissue remodeling and beta cell
      proliferation and differentiation. Partial duct ligation (PDL) is an
      experimentally induced injury of the rodent pancreas involving surgical ligation
      of the main pancreatic duct resulting in an obstruction of drainage of exocrine
      products out of the tail region of the pancreas. The inflicted damage induces
      acinar atrophy, immune cell infiltration and severe tissue remodeling. We have
      previously reported the activation of Neurogenin (Ngn) 3 expressing endogenous
      progenitor-like cells and an increase in beta cell proliferation after PDL.
      Therefore, PDL provides a basis to study signals involved in beta cell dynamics
      and the properties of an endocrine progenitor in adult pancreas. Since, it still
      remains largely unclear, which factors and pathways contribute to beta cell
      neogenesis and proliferation in PDL, a standardized protocol for PDL will allow
      for comparison across laboratories. 

PMID- 26273956
TI  - Continuous, High-Speed, and Efficient Oil/Water Separation using Meshes with
      Antagonistic Wetting Properties.
AB  - We report a novel oil/water separation device, allowing continuous, high-speed,
      and highly efficient purification of large volumes of oily water. This device
      uses a pair of hydrophilic/hydrophobic polymer-brush-functionalized stainless
      steel meshes, which have antagonistic wetting properties, i.e., superoleophobic
      and superhydrophobic properties, when submerged in the opposite liquid phase.
      This device can purify large volumes of n-hexadecane/water mixture (~1000 L) in a
      continuous process rather than in batches, to high purities (~99.9% mol/mol) at
      high flow rates (~5 mL s(-1) cm(-2)), unlike the oil/water separation meshes
      reported so far. 

PMID- 26273955
TI  - Enrichment of Extracellular Matrix Proteins from Tissues and Digestion into
      Peptides for Mass Spectrometry Analysis.
AB  - The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex meshwork of cross-linked proteins
      that provides biophysical and biochemical cues that are major regulators of cell
      proliferation, survival, migration, etc. The ECM plays important roles in
      development and in diverse pathologies including cardio-vascular and musculo
      skeletal diseases, fibrosis, and cancer. Thus, characterizing the composition of
      ECMs of normal and diseased tissues could lead to the identification of novel
      prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers and potential novel therapeutic targets.
      However, the very nature of ECM proteins (large in size, cross-linked and
      covalently bound, heavily glycosylated) has rendered biochemical analyses of ECMs
      challenging. To overcome this challenge, we developed a method to enrich ECMs
      from fresh or frozen tissues and tumors that takes advantage of the insolubility
      of ECM proteins. We describe here in detail the decellularization procedure that
      consists of sequential incubations in buffers of different pH and salt and
      detergent concentrations and that results in 1) the extraction of intracellular
      (cytosolic, nuclear, membrane and cytoskeletal) proteins and 2) the enrichment of
      ECM proteins. We then describe how to deglycosylate and digest ECM-enriched
      protein preparations into peptides for subsequent analysis by mass spectrometry. 

PMID- 26273957
TI  - 3D musculoskeletal finite element analysis of the foot kinematics under muscle
      activation with and without ankle arthrodesis.

PMID- 26273958
TI  - Atomic Force Microscopy Imaging and Force Spectroscopy of Supported Lipid
      Bilayers.
AB  - Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a versatile, high-resolution imaging technique
      that allows visualization of biological membranes. It has sufficient
      magnification to examine membrane substructures and even individual molecules.
      AFM can act as a force probe to measure interactions and mechanical properties of
      membranes. Supported lipid bilayers are conventionally used as membrane models in
      AFM studies. In this protocol, we demonstrate how to prepare supported bilayers
      and characterize their structure and mechanical properties using AFM. These
      include bilayer thickness and breakthrough force. The information provided by AFM
      imaging and force spectroscopy help define mechanical and chemical properties of
      membranes. These properties play an important role in cellular processes such as
      maintaining cell hemostasis from environmental stress, bringing membrane proteins
      together, and stabilizing protein complexes. 

PMID- 26273959
TI  - Intravital Microscopy Imaging of the Liver following Leishmania Infection: An
      Assessment of Hepatic Hemodynamics.
AB  - Intravital microscopy (IVM) is a powerful optical imaging technique that has made
      possible the visualization, monitoring and quantification of various biological
      events in real time and in live animals. This technology has greatly advanced our
      understanding of physiological processes and pathogen-mediated phenomena in
      specific organs. In this study, IVM is applied to the mouse liver and protocols
      are designed to image in vivo the circulatory system of the liver and measure red
      blood cell (RBC) velocity in individual hepatic vessels. To visualize the
      different vessel subtypes that characterize the hepatic organ and perform blood
      flow speed measurements, C57Bl/6 mice are intravenously injected with a
      fluorescent plasma reagent that labels the liver-associated vasculature. IVM
      enables in vivo, real time, measurement of RBC velocity in a specific vessel of
      interest. Establishing this methodology will make it possible to investigate
      liver hemodynamics under physiological and pathological conditions. Ultimately,
      this imaging-based methodology will be important for studying the influence of L.
      donovani infection on hepatic hemodynamics. This method can be applied to other
      infectious models and mouse organs and might be further extended to pre-clinical
      testing of a drug's effect on inflammation by quantifying its effect on blood
      flow.

PMID- 26273960
TI  - A New Type of ECT Stimuli: Burst Stimulus ECT.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Pulse width in electroconvulsive therapy has significant influence on
      effectiveness and side effects. While shorter pulses are beneficial for cognitive
      performance, there is still a debate about a negative impact on ECT efficacy at
      least for ultra-brief pulse durations. METHODS: We report a first patient treated
      with burst stimulus ECT, i. e., with 4 consecutive 250-us pulses, separated by
      another 250 us. Within the same patient we compared 6 classical vs. 6 burst
      stimulus ECT sessions. RESULTS: In all cases a typical tonic-clonic seizure was
      observed. Seizure parameters like concordance, coherence and mid-ictal amplitude
      increased numerically, but not significantly with burst ECT. The time needed to
      show a reorientation was significantly shortened with burst stimuli (30 min vs.
      14 min, p=0.007). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion we present the first case of ECT in
      a single patient comparing "classical" single stimulus pulses vs. burst stimulus
      ECT. The new burst stimulus was better tolerated regarding reorientation time
      after the treatment, while parameters of seizure quality remained basically
      unchanged. Whether burst stimulus ECT has the potential to improve ECT quality by
      reducing side effects without losing efficacy has to be investigated in clinical
      trials.

PMID- 26273961
TI  - Fabrication of Gate-tunable Graphene Devices for Scanning Tunneling Microscopy
      Studies with Coulomb Impurities.
AB  - Owing to its relativistic low-energy charge carriers, the interaction between
      graphene and various impurities leads to a wealth of new physics and degrees of
      freedom to control electronic devices. In particular, the behavior of graphene's
      charge carriers in response to potentials from charged Coulomb impurities is
      predicted to differ significantly from that of most materials. Scanning tunneling
      microscopy (STM) and scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS) can provide detailed
      information on both the spatial and energy dependence of graphene's electronic
      structure in the presence of a charged impurity. The design of a hybrid impurity
      graphene device, fabricated using controlled deposition of impurities onto a back
      gated graphene surface, has enabled several novel methods for controllably tuning
      graphene's electronic properties. Electrostatic gating enables control of the
      charge carrier density in graphene and the ability to reversibly tune the charge
      and/or molecular states of an impurity. This paper outlines the process of
      fabricating a gate-tunable graphene device decorated with individual Coulomb
      impurities for combined STM/STS studies. These studies provide valuable insights
      into the underlying physics, as well as signposts for designing hybrid graphene
      devices.

PMID- 26273962
TI  - Rumination and self-defining memories in the context of health concerns.
AB  - Individuals with health anxiety report experiencing a strong sense of
      vulnerability to illness. Such beliefs may be driven by the biased recollection
      of past illness-related events. However, little research has explored the role of
      memory in health anxiety. In other disorders, rumination has also been identified
      as a process that leads individuals to recall memories dominated by the content
      of their concerns. This study examined the proposition that rumination might
      impact the content of "self-defining" autobiographical memories among 60 college
      students with varying health anxiety (35% with clinical-level health anxiety).
      Participants were randomised to experiential/ruminative self-focus conditions,
      and then they completed the Self-Defining Memory Task. Responses were coded for
      valence and illness-relatedness. Results indicated that rumination led
      participants to retrieve more illness-related self-defining memories, while
      higher health anxiety scores were associated with more negative, but not more
      illness-focused memories. Ruminative thinking appears to activate health
      concerns, and may play a role in maintaining ongoing health anxiety.

PMID- 26273964
TI  - Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer in the Reduction of Arenes by SmI2-Water
      Complexes.
AB  - The presence of water has a significant impact on the reduction of substrates by
      SmI2. The reactivity of the Sm(II)-water reducing system and the relationship
      between sequential or concerted electron-transfer, proton-transfer is not well
      understood. In this work, we demonstrate that the reduction of an arene by SmI2
      water proceeds through an initial proton-coupled electron transfer. The use of
      thermochemical data available in the literature shows that upon coordination of
      water to Sm(II) in THF, significant weakening of the O-H bond occurs. The derived
      value of nearly 73 kcal/mol for the decrease in the bond dissociation energy of
      the O-H bond in the Sm(II)-water complex is the largest reported to date for low
      valent reductants containing bound water. 

PMID- 26273963
TI  - Visual Evoked Potential Recording in a Rat Model of Experimental Optic Nerve
      Demyelination.
AB  - The visual evoked potential (VEP) recording is widely used in clinical practice
      to assess the severity of optic neuritis in its acute phase, and to monitor the
      disease course in the follow-up period. Changes in the VEP parameters closely
      correlate with pathological damage in the optic nerve. This protocol provides a
      detailed description about the rodent model of optic nerve microinjection, in
      which a partial demyelination lesion is produced in the optic nerve. VEP
      recording techniques are also discussed. Using skull implanted electrodes, we are
      able to acquire reproducible intra-session and between-session VEP traces. VEPs
      can be recorded on individual animals over a period of time to assess the
      functional changes in the optic nerve longitudinally. The optic nerve
      demyelination model, in conjunction with the VEP recording protocol, provides a
      tool to investigate the disease processes associated with demyelination and
      remyelination, and can potentially be employed to evaluate the effects of new
      remyelinating drugs or neuroprotective therapies. 

PMID- 26273965
TI  - Completeness of HIV reporting on death certificates for Floridians reported with
      HIV infection, 2000-2011.
AB  - Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) mortality is used as a key measure to monitor
      the impact of HIV throughout the world. It is important that HIV be correctly
      recorded on death certificates so that the burden of HIV mortality can be tracked
      accurately. The objective of this study was to determine the extent of failure to
      correctly report HIV on death certificates and examine patterns of incompleteness
      by demographic factors. Causes of death on death certificates of people infected
      with HIV reported to the Florida HIV surveillance system 2000-2011 were analyzed
      to determine the proportion without mention of HIV who had an underlying cause of
      death suggestive of HIV based on World Health Organization recommendations. Of
      the 11,989 deaths, 8089 (67.5%) had an HIV code (B20-B24, R75) as any of the
      causes of death, 3091 (25.8%) had no mention of HIV and the underlying cause was
      not suggestive of HIV, and 809 (6.7%) had no mention of HIV but the underlying
      cause was suggestive of HIV. Therefore, 9.1% (809/8898) of probable HIV-related
      deaths had no mention of HIV on the death certificate. Dying within 1 month of
      HIV diagnosis was the factor most strongly associated with no mention of HIV when
      the underlying cause was suggestive of HIV on the death certificate. The results
      suggest that HIV mortality using only vital records may underestimate actual HIV
      mortality by approximately 9%. Efforts to reduce incompleteness of reporting of
      HIV on death certificates could improve HIV-related mortality estimates. 

PMID- 26273966
TI  - Photochemical Reduction of CO2 Using 1,3-Dimethylimidazolylidene.
AB  - Product analysis along with fluorescence quenching and laser flash photolysis
      experiments demonstrate that it is possible to effect a net photochemical
      reduction of CO2 through photolysis of an excited state donor in the presence of
      1,3-dimethylimidazolium-2-carboxylate. 

PMID- 26273967
TI  - Unveiling the Interplay Between Diffusing CO2 and Ethanol Molecules in Champagne
      Wines by Classical Molecular Dynamics and (13)C NMR Spectroscopy.
AB  - The diffusion coefficients of carbon dioxide (CO2) and ethanol (EtOH) in
      carbonated hydroalcoholic solutions and Champagne wines are evaluated as a
      function of temperature by classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and
      (13)C NMR spectroscopy measurements. The excellent agreement between theoretical
      and experimental diffusion coefficients suggest that ethanol is the main
      molecule, apart from water, responsible for the value of the CO2 diffusion
      coefficients in typical Champagne wines, a result that could likely be extended
      to most sparkling wines with alike ethanol concentrations. CO2 and EtOH
      hydrodynamical radii deduced from viscometry measurements by applying the Stokes
      Einstein relationship are found to be mostly constant and in close agreement with
      MD predictions. The reliability of our approach should be of interest to physical
      chemists aiming to model transport phenomena in supersaturated aqueous solutions
      or water/alcohol mixtures. 

PMID- 26273968
TI  - Ab Initio Thermodynamics of Oxygen Vacancies and Zinc Interstitials in ZnO.
AB  - ZnO is an important wide band gap semiconductor with potential application in
      various optoelectronic devices. In the current contribution, we explore the
      thermodynamics of oxygen vacancies and zinc interstitials in ZnO from first
      principles phonon calculations. Formation enthalpies are evaluated using hybrid
      DFT calculations, and phonons are addressed using the PBE and the PBE+U
      functionals. The phonon contribution to the entropy is most dominant for oxygen
      vacancies, and their Gibbs formation energy increases when including phonons.
      Finally, inclusion of phonons decreases the Gibbs formation energy difference of
      the two defects and is therefore important when predicting their equilibrium
      concentrations and the electrical activity of ZnO at finite temperatures. 

PMID- 26273969
TI  - Interferometric Plasmonic Lensing with Nanohole Arrays.
AB  - Nonlinear photoemission electron microscopy (PEEM) of nanohole arrays in gold
      films is used to map propagating surface plasmons (PSPs) launched from
      lithographically patterned structures. Strong near-field photoemission patterns
      are observed in the PEEM images, recorded following low angle of incidence
      irradiation of nanohole arrays with sub-15 fs laser pulses centered at 780 nm.
      The recorded photoemission patterns are attributed to constructive and
      destructive interference between PSPs launched from the individual nanoholes
      which comprise the array. By exploiting the wave nature of PSPs, we demonstrate
      how varying the array geometry (hole diameter, pitch, and number of rows/columns)
      ultimately yields intense localized photoemission. Through a combination of PEEM
      experiments and finite-difference time-domain simulations, we identify the
      optimal array geometry for efficient light coupling and interferometric plasmonic
      lensing. We show a preliminary application of inteferometric plasmonic lensing by
      enhancing the photoemission from the vertex of a gold triangle using a nanohole
      array. 

PMID- 26273970
TI  - Accurate and Efficient Model Energies for Exploring Intermolecular Interactions
      in Molecular Crystals.
AB  - The energy of interaction between molecules is commonly expressed in terms of
      four key components: electrostatic, polarization, dispersion, and exchange
      repulsion. Using monomer wave functions to obtain accurate estimates of
      electrostatic, polarization, and repulsion energies along with Grimme's
      dispersion corrections, a series of energy models are derived by fitting to
      dispersion-corrected DFT energies for a large number of molecular pairs extracted
      from organic and inorganic molecular crystals. The best performing model
      reproduces B3LYP-D2/6-31G(d,p) counterpoise-corrected energies with a mean
      absolute deviation (MAD) of just over 1 kJ mol(-1) but in considerably less
      computation time. It also performs surprisingly well against benchmark
      CCSD(T)/CBS energies, with a MAD of 2.5 kJ mol(-1) for a combined data set
      including Hobza's X40, S22, A24, and S66 dimers. Two of these energy models, the
      most accurate and the fastest, are expected to find widespread application in
      investigations of molecular crystals. 

PMID- 26273971
TI  - (19)F-Labeling of Peptides Revealing Long-Range NMR Distances in Fluid Membranes.
AB  - NMR distance measurements lie at the heart of structural biology. However, long
      range distances could not yet be detected in liquid-crystalline biomembranes,
      because dipolar couplings are partially averaged by the intrinsic molecular
      mobility. Using conformationally constrained (19)F-labeled amino acids as
      reporter groups, we could more than double the accessible interatomic distance
      range by combining a highly sensitive solid-state multipulse (19)F-NMR scheme
      with a favorable sample geometry. Two rigid 4F-phenylglycine labels were placed
      into the helical antimicrobial peptide PGLa embedded in fluid oriented membrane
      samples. A modified Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill sequence yielded an intramolecular
      distance of 6.6 A for the labels spanning one helix turn, and 11.0 A was obtained
      when the labels spanned two turns. This approach should now also allow the
      characterization of conformational changes in membrane-active peptides and of
      oligomeric assemblies in a biologically relevant lipid environment. 

PMID- 26273972
TI  - Phase Behavior and Percolation Properties of the Patchy Colloidal Fluids in the
      Random Porous Media.
AB  - The lack of a simple analytical description of the hard-sphere fluid in a matrix
      with hard-core obstacles is limiting progress in the development of thermodynamic
      perturbation theories for the fluid in random porous media. We propose a simple
      and highly accurate analytical scheme, which allows us to calculate thermodynamic
      and percolation properties of a network-forming fluid confined in the random
      porous media, represented by the hard-sphere fluid and overlapping hard-sphere
      matrices, respectively. Our scheme is based on the combination of scaled-particle
      theory, Wertheim's thermodynamic perturbation theory for associating fluids and
      extension of the Flory-Stockmayer theory for percolation. The liquid-gas phase
      diagram and percolation threshold line for several versions of the patchy
      colloidal fluid model confined in a random porous media are calculated and
      discussed. The method presented enables calculation of the thermodynamic and
      percolation properties of a large variety of polymerizing and network-forming
      fluids confined in random porous media. 

PMID- 26273973
TI  - Diffusion Rates for Hydrogen on Pd(111) from Molecular Quantum Dynamics
      Calculations.
AB  - The van Hove formula for the dynamical structure factor (DSF) related to particle
      scattering at mobile adsorbates is extended to include the relaxation of the
      adsorbates' vibrational states. The total rate obtained from the DSF is assumed
      to be the sum of a diffusion and a relaxation rate. A simple kinetic model to
      support this assumption is presented. To illustrate its potential applicability,
      the formula is evaluated using wave functions, energies, and lifetimes of
      vibrational states obtained for H/Pd(111) from first-principle calculations.
      Results show that quantum effects can be expected to be important even at room
      temperature. 

PMID- 26273974
TI  - Low-Cost Quantum Chemical Methods for Noncovalent Interactions.
AB  - The efficient and reasonably accurate description of noncovalent interactions is
      important for various areas of chemistry, ranging from supramolecular host-guest
      complexes and biomolecular applications to the challenging task of crystal
      structure prediction. While London dispersion inclusive density functional theory
      (DFT-D) can be applied, faster "low-cost" methods are required for large-scale
      applications. In this Perspective, we present the state-of-the-art of minimal
      basis set, semiempirical molecular-orbital-based methods. Various levels of
      approximations are discussed based either on canonical Hartree-Fock or on
      semilocal density functionals. The performance for intermolecular interactions is
      examined on various small to large molecular complexes and organic solids
      covering many different chemical groups and interaction types. We put the
      accuracy of low-cost methods into perspective by comparing with first-principle
      density functional theory results. The mean unsigned deviations of binding
      energies from reference data are typically 10-30%, which is only two times larger
      than those of DFT-D. In particular, for neutral or moderately polar systems, many
      of the tested methods perform very well, while at the same time, computational
      savings of up to 2 orders of magnitude can be achieved. 

PMID- 26273975
TI  - Rapid Dye Regeneration Mechanism of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells.
AB  - During the light-harvesting process of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), the
      hole localized on the dye after the charge separation yields an oxidized dye,
      D(+). The fast regeneration of D(+) using the redox pair (typically the I(-)/I3(
      ) couple) is critical for the efficient DSSCs. However, the kinetic processes of
      dye regeneration remain uncertain, still promoting vigorous debates. Here, we use
      molecular dynamics simulations to determine that the inner-sphere electron
      transfer pathway provides a rapid dye regeneration route of ~4 ps, where
      penetration of I(-) next to D(+) enables an immediate electron transfer, forming
      a kinetic barrier. This explains the recently reported ultrafast dye regeneration
      rate of a few picoseconds determined experimentally. We expect that our MD based
      comprehensive understanding of the dye regeneration mechanism will provide a
      helpful guideline in designing TiO2-dye-electrolyte interfacial systems for
      better performing DSSCs. 

PMID- 26273976
TI  - Low Exciton-Phonon Coupling, High Charge Carrier Mobilities, and Multiexciton
      Properties in Two-Dimensional Lead, Silver, Cadmium, and Copper Chalcogenide
      Nanostructures.
AB  - The development of two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials has revealed novel physical
      properties, like high carrier mobilities and the tunable coupling of charge
      carriers with phonons, which can enable wide-ranging applications in
      optoelectronic and thermoelectric devices. While mechanical exfoliation of
      graphene and some transition metal dichalcogenides (e.g., MoS2, WSe2) has enabled
      their fabrication as 2D semiconductors and integration into devices, lack of
      similar syntheses for other 2D semiconductor materials has hindered further
      progress. Here, we report measurements of fundamental charge carrier interactions
      and optoelectronic properties of 2D nanomaterials made from two-monolayers-thick
      PbX, CdX, Cu2X, and Ag2X (X = S, Se) using colloidal syntheses. Extremely low
      coupling of charge carriers with phonons (2-6-fold lower than bulk and other low
      dimensional semiconductors), high carrier mobilities (0.2-1.2 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1),
      without dielectric screening), observation of infrared surface plasmons in
      ultrathin 2D semiconductor nanostructures, strong quantum-confinement, and other
      multiexcitonic properties (different phonon coupling and photon-to-charge
      collection efficiencies for band-edge and higher-energy excitons) can pave the
      way for efficient solution-processed devices made from these 2D nanostructured
      semiconductors. 

PMID- 26273977
TI  - Cubic In2O3 Microparticles for Efficient Photoelectrochemical Oxygen Evolution.
AB  - Cubic In2O3 microparticles with exposed {001} facets as well as single morphology
      and size are produced on a large scale on silicon with a high yield. The
      morphological evolution during chemical vapor deposition is investigated and the
      new knowledge enables precise facet cutting. The synthesized Cubic In2O3
      microparticles possess superior photoelectrocatalytic activity and excellent
      chemical and structural stability in oxygen evolution reaction on account of the
      unique surface structure and electronic band structure of the {001} facets. Our
      results reveal that it is feasible to promote the photolectrochemical water
      splitting efficiency of photoanode materials by controlling the growth on
      specific crystal facets. The technique and concept can be extended to other facet
      specific materials in applications such as sensors, solar cells, and lithium
      batteries. 

PMID- 26273978
TI  - Strong Field Adiabatic Ionization Prepares a Launch State for Coherent Control.
AB  - We demonstrate that excitation of acetophenone with a strong field, near-infrared
      femtosecond pulse (1150-1500 nm) results in adiabatic ionization, producing
      acetophenone radical cation in the ground electronic state. The time-resolved
      transients of the parent and fragment ions probed with a weak 790 nm pulse reveal
      an order of magnitude enhancement of the peak-to-peak amplitude oscillations, ~
      100 fs longer coherence time, and an order of magnitude increase in the ratio of
      parent to fragment ions in comparison with nonadiabatic ionization with a strong
      field 790 nm pulse. Equation of motion coupled cluster and classical wavepacket
      trajectory calculations support the mechanism wherein the probe pulse excites a
      wavepacket on the ground surface D0 to the excited D2 surface at a delay of 325
      fs, resulting in dissociation to the benzoyl ion. Direct population transfer to
      the D2 state within the duration of a 1370 nm pump pulse eliminates wavepacket
      oscillation on the D0 state. 

PMID- 26273979
TI  - Hole Surface Trapping Dynamics Directly Monitored by Electron Spin Manipulation
      in CdS Nanocrystals.
AB  - A new detection technique, pump-spin orientation-probe ultrafast spectroscopy, is
      developed to study the hole trapping dynamics in colloidal CdS nanocrystals. The
      hole surface trapping process spatially separates the electron-hole pairs excited
      by the pump pulse, leaves the core negatively charged, and thus enhances the
      electron spin signal generated by the orientation pulse. The spin enhancement
      transients as a function of the pump-orientation delay reveal a fast and a slow
      hole trapping process with respective time constants of sub-10 ps and sub-100 ps,
      orders of magnitude faster than that of carrier recombination. The power
      dependence of hole trapping dynamics elucidates the saturation process and
      relative number of traps, and suggests that there are three subpopulations of
      nanoparticles related to hole surface trapping, one with the fast trapping
      pathway only, another with the slow trapping pathway only, and the third with
      both pathways together. 

PMID- 26273980
TI  - Accurate and Efficient Quantum Chemistry by Locality of Chemical Interactions.

PMID- 26273981
TI  - Magnetic Properties of Polycrystalline Bismuth Ferrite Thin Films Grown by Atomic
      Layer Deposition.
AB  - The atomic layer deposition (ALD) method was applied to grow thin polycrystalline
      BiFeO3 (BFO) films on Pt/SiO2/Si substrates. The 50 nm thick films were found to
      exhibit high resistivity, good morphological integrity, and homogeneity achieved
      by the applied ALD technique. Magnetic characterization revealed saturated
      magnetization of 25 emu/cm(3) with temperature-dependent coercivity varying from
      5 to 530 Oe within the temperature range from 300 to 2 K. Magnetism observed in
      the films was found to change gradually from ferromagnetic spin ordering to
      pinned magnetic domain interactions mixed with weak spin-glass-like behavior of
      magnetically frustrated antiferromagnetic/ferromagnetic (AFM-FM) spin ordering
      depending on the temperature and magnitude of the applied magnetic field.
      Antiferromagnetic order of spin cycloids was broken in polycrystalline films by
      crystal sizes smaller than the cycloid length (~60 nm). Uncompensated
      spincycloids and magnetic domain walls were found to be the cause of the high
      magnetization of the BFO films. 

PMID- 26273982
TI  - Self-Assembled, Redox-Active Graphene Electrodes for High-Performance Energy
      Storage Devices.
AB  - Graphene-based materials have been utilized as a promising approach in designing
      high-performance electrodes for energy storage devices. In line with this
      approach, functionalized graphene electrodes have been self-assembled from the
      dispersion of graphene oxide (GO) in water at a low temperature of 80  degrees C
      using tetrahydroxyl-1,4-benzoquinone (THQ) as both the reducing and redox-active
      functionalization agent. We correlated the electrochemical performance of the
      electrode with surface oxygen chemistry, confirming the role of THQ for the
      reduction and redox-active functionalization process. The assembled graphene
      electrodes have a 3D hierarchical porous structure, which can facilitate
      electronic and ionic transport to support fast charge storage reactions.
      Utilizing the surface redox reactions introduced by THQ, the functionalized
      graphene electrodes exhibit high gravimetric capacities of ~165 mA h/g in Li
      cells and ~120 mA h/g in Na cells with high redox potentials over ~3 V versus Li
      or Na, proposing promising positive electrodes for both Li and Na ion batteries. 

PMID- 26273983
TI  - Spectroelectrochemistry of Silver Deposition on Single Gold Nanocrystals.
AB  - We report the electrodeposition of metallic silver onto gold nanostars adsorbed
      to ITO electrodes. The electrochemical process was studied at the single particle
      level by correlated in situ dark field spectroscopy and scanning electron
      microscopy (SEM). Underpotential deposition avoids bulk silver formation on the
      ITO substrates. SEM proves that deposition occurs on all surfaces of the gold
      nanostars when polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) is stabilizing the nanostars or
      preferentially at the nanostar tips when the ligand is removed. The surface
      plasmon resonance blue-shifts by more than 100 nm following the formation of a 5
      nm Ag film on PVP stabilized gold nanostars, moving the scattered color from the
      near-infrared to red or orange. The spectral shifts can be accurately modeled
      using finite element simulations. These results demonstrate that the morphology
      and composition of individual bimetallic nanocrystals can be engineered
      electrochemically. 

PMID- 26273984
TI  - Xenon Suboxides Stable under Pressure.
AB  - We present results from first-principles calculations on solid xenon-oxygen
      compounds under pressure. We find that the xenon suboxide Xe3O2 is the first
      compound to become more stable than the elements, at around P = 75 GPa. Other,
      even more xenon-rich compounds follow at higher pressures, while no region of
      enthalpic stability is found for the monoxide XeO. We establish the spectroscopic
      fingerprints of a variety of structural candidates for a recently synthesized
      xenon-oxygen compound at atmospheric pressure and, on the basis of the proposed
      stoichiometry XeO2, suggest an orthorhombic structure that comprises extended
      sheets of square-planar-coordinated xenon atoms connected through bent Xe-O-Xe
      linkages. 

PMID- 26273985
TI  - Mosaic of Water Orientation Structures at a Neutral Zwitterionic Lipid/Water
      Interface Revealed by Molecular Dynamics Simulations.
AB  - Ordering of water structures near the surface of biological membranes has been
      recently extensively studied using interface-selective techniques like
      vibrational sum frequency generation (VSFG) spectroscopy. The detailed structures
      of interface water have emerged for charged lipids, but those for neutral
      zwitterionic lipids remain obscure. We analyze an all-atom molecular dynamics
      (MD) trajectory of a hydrated 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine
      bilayer to characterize the orientation of interface waters in different chemical
      environments. The structure and dynamics of interfacial waters strongly depend on
      both their vertical position along the bilayer normal as well as vicinal lipid
      charged groups. Water orientation in the vicinity of phosphate groups is opposite
      to that around choline groups. The results are consistent with observed VSFG
      spectra and demonstrate that a mosaic of water orientation structures exists on
      the surface of a neutral zwitterionic phospholipid bilayer, reflecting rapid
      water exchange and the influence of local chemical environments. 

PMID- 26273986
TI  - Conformer- and Mode-Specific Excited State Lifetimes of Cold Protonated Tyrosine
      Ions.
AB  - The excited state lifetimes of conformer- and mode-selected cold protonated
      tyrosine have been measured for the first time through a picosecond pump-probe
      photodissociation scheme. Whereas the photofragmentation mechanism of protonated
      tyrosine ions strongly depends upon the interaction of the carboxylic acid group
      with the phenol ring, their excited state lifetimes are quite similar and
      decrease as the excess energy increases from 1.5 ns at the band origin to 900 ps
      and less than 500 ps for the 10(1) and 10(2) bands, respectively. Surprisingly,
      the excited state lifetime of the conformer with the anti orientation of the
      hydroxyl oxygen lone pair with respect to the ammonium group dramatically
      increases as compared to the others conformers up to 10 ns at the band origin and
      by more than a factor of 2 for the 10(1) band. The present experimental results
      clearly emphasize the subtle effect of the structural conformation on the excited
      state properties of molecular ions. 

PMID- 26273987
TI  - Chromophores in Molecular Nanorings: When Is a Ring a Ring?
AB  - The topology of a conjugated molecule plays a significant role in controlling
      both the electronic properties and the conformational manifold that the molecule
      may explore. Fully pi-conjugated molecular nanorings are of particular interest,
      as their lowest electronic transition may be strongly suppressed as a result of
      symmetry constraints. In contrast, the simple Kasha model predicts an enhancement
      in the radiative rate for corresponding linear oligomers. Here we investigate
      such effects in linear and cyclic conjugated molecules containing between 6 and
      42 butadiyne-linked porphyrin units (corresponding to 600 C-C bonds) as pure
      monodisperse oligomers. We demonstrate that as the diameter of the nanorings
      increases beyond ~10 nm, its electronic properties tend toward those of a
      similarly sized linear molecule as a result of excitation localization on a
      subsegment of the ring. However, significant differences persist in the nature of
      the emitting dipole polarization even beyond this limit, arising from variations
      in molecular curvature and conformation. 

PMID- 26273988
TI  - Electroosmosis through alpha-Hemolysin That Depends on Alkali Cation Type.
AB  - We demonstrate experimentally the existence of an electroosmotic flow (EOF)
      through the wild-type nanopore of alpha-hemolysin in a large range of applied
      voltages and salt concentrations for two different salts, LiCl and KCl. EOF
      controls the entry frequency and residence time of small neutral molecules (beta
      cyclodextrins, betaCD) in the nanopore. The strength of EOF depends on the
      applied voltage, on the salt concentration, and, interestingly, on the nature of
      the cations in solution. In particular, EOF is stronger in the presence of LiCl
      than KCl. We interpret our results with a simple theoretical model that takes
      into account the pore selectivity and the solvation of ions. A stronger EOF in
      the presence of LiCl is found to originate essentially in a stronger anionic
      selectivity of the pore. Our work provides a new and easy way to control EOF in
      protein nanopores, without resorting to chemical modifications of the pore. 

PMID- 26273989
TI  - Exploiting Locality in Quantum Computation for Quantum Chemistry.
AB  - Accurate prediction of chemical and material properties from first-principles
      quantum chemistry is a challenging task on traditional computers. Recent
      developments in quantum computation offer a route toward highly accurate
      solutions with polynomial cost; however, this solution still carries a large
      overhead. In this Perspective, we aim to bring together known results about the
      locality of physical interactions from quantum chemistry with ideas from quantum
      computation. We show that the utilization of spatial locality combined with the
      Bravyi-Kitaev transformation offers an improvement in the scaling of known
      quantum algorithms for quantum chemistry and provides numerical examples to help
      illustrate this point. We combine these developments to improve the outlook for
      the future of quantum chemistry on quantum computers. 

PMID- 26273990
TI  - Insights on the structural perturbations in human MTHFR Ala222Val mutant by
      protein modeling and molecular dynamics.
AB  - Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) protein catalyzes the only
      biochemical reaction which produces methyltetrahydrofolate, the active form of
      folic acid essential for several molecular functions. The Ala222Val polymorphism
      of human MTHFR encodes a thermolabile protein associated with increased risk of
      neural tube defects and cardiovascular disease. Experimental studies have shown
      that the mutation does not affect the kinetic properties of MTHFR, but
      inactivates the protein by increasing flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) loss. The
      lack of completely solved crystal structure of MTHFR is an impediment in
      understanding the structural perturbations caused by the Ala222Val mutation;
      computational modeling provides a suitable alternative. The three-dimensional
      structure of human MTHFR protein was obtained through homology modeling, by
      taking the MTHFR structures from Escherichia coli and Thermus thermophilus as
      templates. Subsequently, the modeled structure was docked with FAD using Glide,
      which revealed a very good binding affinity, authenticated by a Glide XP score of
      -10.3983 (kcal mol(-1)). The MTHFR was mutated by changing Alanine 222 to Valine.
      The wild-type MTHFR-FAD complex and the Ala222Val mutant MTHFR-FAD complex were
      subjected to molecular dynamics simulation over 50 ns period. The average
      difference in backbone root mean square deviation (RMSD) between wild and mutant
      variant was found to be ~.11 A. The greater degree of fluctuations in the mutant
      protein translates to increased conformational stability as a result of mutation.
      The FAD-binding ability of the mutant MTHFR was also found to be significantly
      lowered as a result of decreased protein grip caused by increased conformational
      flexibility. The study provides insights into the Ala222Val mutation of human
      MTHFR that induces major conformational changes in the tertiary structure,
      causing a significant reduction in the FAD-binding affinity. 

PMID- 26273991
TI  - Novel regulation of aflatoxin B1 biosynthesis in Aspergillus flavus by piperonal.
AB  - The present study investigated its inhibitory role in aflatoxin (AF)
      biosynthesis. Treating only AFB1- and B2-producing Aspergillus flavus with
      piperonal completely inhibited AFB1 production with high sclerotial formation,
      resulting in 20-fold higher AFG2 production. On the other hand, benzodioxole and
      eugenol suppressed AFB1 production without AFG formation, while methyleugenol
      showed potent inhibition of AFB1 production with slight production of AFG1. These
      results indicate that natural products may change aflatoxin biosynthesis, and
      highlight a novel regulation of AFG2 production by piperonal. It is the first
      report for chemical regulation on AFG2 production in non-AFG producing
      aspergilli. 

PMID- 26273992
TI  - Oriented Immobilization of Fab Fragments by Site-Specific Biotinylation at the
      Conserved Nucleotide Binding Site for Enhanced Antigen Detection.
AB  - Oriented immobilization of antibodies and antibody fragments has become
      increasingly important as a result of the efforts to reduce the size of
      diagnostic and sensor devices to miniaturized dimensions for improved
      accessibility to the end-user. Reduced dimensions of sensor devices necessitate
      the immobilized antibodies to conserve their antigen binding activity for proper
      operation. Fab fragments are becoming more commonly used in small-scaled
      diagnostic devices due to their small size and ease of manufacture. In this
      study, we used the previously described UV-NBS(Biotin) method to functionalize
      Fab fragments with IBA-EG11-Biotin linker utilizing UV energy to initiate a photo
      cross-linking reaction between the nucleotide binding site (NBS) on the Fab
      fragment and IBA-Biotin molecule. Our results demonstrate that immobilization of
      biotinylated Fab fragments via UV-NBS(Biotin) method generated the highest level
      of immobilized Fab on surfaces when compared to other typical immobilization
      methods while preserving antigen binding activity. UV-NBS(Biotin) method provided
      432-fold, 114-fold, and 29-fold improved antigen detection sensitivity than
      physical adsorption, NHS-Biotin, and epsilon-NH3(+), methods, respectively.
      Additionally, the limit of detection (LOD) for PSA utilizing Fab fragments
      immobilized via UV-NBS(Biotin) method was significantly lower than that of the
      other immobilization methods, with an LOD of 0.4 pM PSA. In summary, site
      specific biotinylation of Fab fragments without structural damage or loss in
      antigen binding activity provides a wide range of application potential for UV
      NBS immobilization technique across numerous diagnostic devices and
      nanotechnologies. 

PMID- 26273995
TI  - Source attribution and quantification of benzene event emissions in a Houston
      ship channel community based on real-time mobile monitoring of ambient air.
AB  - A mobile laboratory equipped with a proton transfer reaction mass spectrometer
      (PTR-MS) operated in Galena Park, Texas, near the Houston Ship Channel during the
      Benzene and other Toxics Exposure Study (BEE-TEX). The mobile laboratory measured
      transient peaks of benzene of up to 37 ppbv in the afternoon and evening of
      February 19, 2015. Plume reconstruction and source attribution were performed
      using the four-dimensional (4D) variational data assimilation technique and a
      three-dimensional (3D) micro-scale forward and adjoint air quality model based on
      mobile PTR-MS data and nearby stationary wind measurements at the Galena Park
      Continuous Air Monitoring Station (CAMS). The results of inverse modeling
      indicate that significant pipeline emissions of benzene may at least partly
      explain the ambient concentration peaks observed in Galena Park during BEE-TEX.
      Total pipeline emissions of benzene inferred within the 16-km(2) model domain
      exceeded point source emissions by roughly a factor of 2 during the observational
      episode. Besides pipeline leaks, the model also inferred significant benzene
      emissions from marine, railcar, and tank truck loading/unloading facilities,
      consistent with the presence of a tanker and barges in the Kinder Morgan port
      terminal during the afternoon and evening of February 19. Total domain emissions
      of benzene exceeded corresponding 2011 National Emissions Inventory (NEI)
      estimates by a factor of 2-6. IMPLICATIONS: Port operations involving
      petrochemicals may significantly increase emissions of air toxics from the
      transfer and storage of materials. Pipeline leaks, in particular, can lead to
      sporadic emissions greater than in emission inventories, resulting in higher
      ambient concentrations than are sampled by the existing monitoring network. The
      use of updated methods for ambient monitoring and source attribution in real time
      should be encouraged as an alternative to expanding the conventional monitoring
      network.

PMID- 26273993
TI  - Application of 3D NMR for Structure Determination of Peptide Natural Products.
AB  - Despite the advances in NMR, structure determination is often slow and
      constitutes a bottleneck in natural products discovery. Removal of this
      bottleneck would greatly improve the throughput for antibiotic discovery as well
      as other therapeutic areas. Overall, faster structure methods for structure
      determination will serve the natural products community in a broad manner. This
      report describes the first application of 3D NMR for elucidation of two
      microbially produced peptide natural products with novel structures. The methods
      are cost-effective and greatly improve the confidence in a proposed structure. 

PMID- 26273994
TI  - Role of US Contrast Agents in the Assessment of Indeterminate Solid and Cystic
      Lesions in Native and Transplant Kidneys.
AB  - Ultrasonography (US) is often the initial imaging modality employed in the
      evaluation of renal diseases. Despite improvements in B-mode and Doppler imaging,
      US still faces limitations in the assessment of focal renal masses and complex
      cysts as well as the microcirculation. The applications of contrast-enhanced US
      (CEUS) in the kidneys have dramatically increased to overcome these shortcomings
      with guidelines underlining their importance. This article describes microbubble
      contrast agents and their role in renal imaging. Microbubble contrast agents
      consist of a low solubility complex gas surrounded by a phospholipid shell.
      Microbubbles are extremely safe and well-tolerated pure intravascular agents that
      can be used in renal failure and obstruction, where computed tomographic (CT) and
      magnetic resonance (MR) imaging contrast agents may have deleterious effects.
      Their intravascular distribution allows for quantitative perfusion analysis of
      the microcirculation, diagnosis of vascular problems, and qualitative assessment
      of tumor vascularity and enhancement patterns. Low acoustic power real-time
      prolonged imaging can be performed without exposure to ionizing radiation and at
      lower cost than CT or MR imaging. CEUS can accurately distinguish pseudotumors
      from true tumors. CEUS has been shown to be more accurate than unenhanced US and
      rivals contrast material-enhanced CT in the diagnosis of malignancy in complex
      cystic renal lesions and can upstage the Bosniak category. CEUS can demonstrate
      specific enhancement patterns allowing the differentiation of benign and
      malignant solid tumors as well as focal inflammatory lesions. In conclusion, CEUS
      is useful in the characterization of indeterminate renal masses and cysts.

PMID- 26273996
TI  - Linear and T-Shaped Iron(I) Complexes Supported by N-Heterocyclic Carbene
      Ligands: Synthesis and Structure Characterization.
AB  - The use of the N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands 1,3-bis(2',6'-diethylphenyl)
      4,5-(CH2)4-imidazol-2-ylidene (cyIDep), 1,3-bis(2',6'-diethylphenyl)-imidazolin-2
      ylidene (sIDep), and its N-mesityl analogue sIMes enables the preparation of the
      two-coordinate homoleptic iron(I)-NHC complexes [(cyIDep)2Fe][BAr(F)4] (3, Ar(F)
      denoted for 3,5-di(trifluoromethyl)phenyl) and [(sIDep)2Fe][BAr(F)4] (4) and the
      T-shaped iron(I)-NHC complex [(sIMes)2Fe(THF)][BPh4] (5, THF = tetrahydrofuran).
      Complexes 3-5 were prepared via the sequential protocol of control reduction of
      iron(II) dihalides by KC8 in the presence of the corresponding NHC ligands
      followed by halide-abstraction with NaBAr4. Spectroscopic characterization,
      including single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies and (57)Fe Mossbauer
      spectroscopy, in combination with density functional theory calculations, suggest
      their high-spin nature. Solution property study (absorption spectroscopy and
      cyclic voltammetry) indicates that 3 and 5 keep their corresponding two- and
      three-coordinate nature in THF solution, and 4 might reversibly coordinate a THF
      molecule to form, presumably, the T-shaped species [(sIDep)2Fe(THF)][BAr(F)4].
      The isolation of 3 and 4 demonstrates the accessibility of homoleptic two
      coordinate iron(I)-NHC complexes. 

PMID- 26273997
TI  - Connectivity between ventromedial prefrontal cortex and posterior superior
      temporal sulcus.
AB  - The well-articulated Self Attention Network (SAN) framework accounts for a great
      portion of the available evidence on neurocognitive interactions between self
      bias phenomena and attention. I argue that more work is necessary to refine our
      understanding about the effective and functional connectivity of the different
      nodes of the proposed network. In particular, the nature of the control of ventro
      medial prefrontal cortex over posterior superior temporal sulcus has to be worked
      out further. Simple excitatory connections between these two nodes, as proposed
      by the SAN model, do not satisfactorily account for existing neuropsychological
      dissociations and are not fully warranted by neuroimaging evidence. 

PMID- 26273999
TI  - REFLECTIONS ON STRATEGIC-SYSTEMIC THERAPY.

PMID- 26273998
TI  - TWISTS AND TURNS IN STRATEGIC THERAPY: AN INTRODUCTION.

PMID- 26274000
TI  - IN MEMORIAM: HAROLD A. GOOLISHIAN 1924-1991.

PMID- 26274001
TI  - STRATEGY AND INTERVENTION VERSUS NONINTERVENTION: A MATTER OF THEORY?
AB  - The question of whether or not intervention and strategy are necessary components
      of competent therapy is described and related to the metaphorical assumptions of
      underlying theory. Passive listening and expert interpretations are consequences
      of psychodynamic theory. Active manipulation of social structure and strategic
      intervention into feedback are described as consequences of the mechanical
      assumptions of structural and cybernetic theory. Conversational participation and
      non intervention are described as necessary consequences of hermeneutic and
      linguistic approaches to therapy. It is concluded that different theoretical
      assumptions yield different conclusions regarding the nature of therapy and human
      problems. From this perspective the question of Intervention Versus Non
      Intervention is more a matter of the theory held than a question to be answered
      in terms of the "right" or "adequate" thing to do or not do. 

PMID- 26274002
TI  - STRATEGIC THERAPY, ECLECTICISM, AND THE THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIP.
AB  - Although profoundly influencing the family field by highlighting the deficiencies
      of pathology-based views, strategic therapy has come under fire in two general
      areas: (a) adherence to a "black box" philosophy that discounts the value of
      intrapersonal phenomena; and (b) interventions that appear exceedingly
      instrumental, manipulative, and based on a position of therapist power. This
      article will examine these criticisms in light of the rise of eclecticism and the
      resurgence of the primacy of the therapeutic relationship. It will be argued that
      if strategic therapy is to remain viable, it must evolve to include the
      contributions of other models and consider the relationship context from which
      intervention arises. 

PMID- 26274003
TI  - THE PROBLEM OF STRATEGY WITHIN THE SYSTEMIC THERAPIES.
AB  - Strategic principles, because they imply therapist power and influence, have
      become an object of debate within the systemic therapy movement. This article
      examines a variety of positions taken in that debate, focusing particularly on
      those expressed by the other members of the 1990 AAMFT panel "Twists and Turns in
      Strategic Therapy," namely, Harold Goolishian, Insoo Berg, and Barry Duncan. By
      considering strategic therapy in terms of the distinction between therapeutic
      process and content and the distinction between realist and antirealist
      epistemologies, it is argued that there is more convergence among the proponents
      of those positions than their writings might have us believe. 

PMID- 26274004
TI  - SOME AFTERTHOUGHTS ON READING DUNCAN AND HELD.

PMID- 26274005
TI  - STRATEGY AND REALITY: A COMMENT ON GOOLISHIAN, ANDERSON, AND HELD.

PMID- 26274006
TI  - THE MYTH OF THE UNFEELING STRATEGIC THERAPIST.
AB  - This paper explores what the authors consider to be a widespread myth: that
      strategic therapists ignore, avoid, or neglect client feelings in treatment. This
      myth is promulgated by trainers' admonitions and strategic theorists' injunctions
      against dealing with client affect. It is also cultivated by omission of this
      topic in the strategic literature. The myth is destructive in that it
      misrepresents what strategic practitioners actually do in a therapy session.
      Seven elements of the myth are delineated and the corresponding fallacies are
      illustrated. 

PMID- 26274007
TI  - ETHICS AND STRATEGIC THERAPY: A PROPOSED ETHICAL DIRECTION.
AB  - Although ethical criticisms have been leveled against strategic therapy for some
      time, the current intensification of such criticisms indicates the need for
      continued dialogue about ethical strategic practice. This article presents
      ethical directions in two broad areas often seen as inherent in the strategic
      approach: (a) conscious deception and (b) intervention outside client awareness.
      Emerging from a discussion of the clinical implications of a constructivist view
      and a meaning system vocabulary of client change, five ethical presuppositions
      are exemplified. The ethical concerns of manipulation, power, and control are
      also discussed. 

PMID- 26274008
TI  - NONCONFRONTIVE USE OF VIDEO PLAYBACK TO PROMOTE CHANGE IN BRIEF FAMILY THERAPY.
AB  - This paper describes a nonconfrontive use of video playback in brief family
      therapy. Replaying critical transactions from previous sessions, while
      maintaining a neutral and nonconfrontive therapeutic stance, encourages an
      atmosphere which is conducive to change. The technique allows family members to
      reexperience their own interactional patterns in a nonthreatening manner,
      enabling them to consider the meanings they attach to their family experience in
      different and productive ways. 

PMID- 26274009
TI  - DOING THERAPY: A POST-STRUCTURAL RE-VISION.
AB  - The purpose of this essay is to develop a way to look at doing therapy based on
      (a) Wittgenstein's concept of "language game"; (b) the relationship between
      Wittgenstein's "private language" argument, language games, and constructivism;
      and (c) post-structural thinking about language, how therapy works within
      language, and how language works within therapy. Case material is used to
      illustrate the usefulness of this approach. 

PMID- 26274010
TI  - LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

PMID- 26274012
TI  - EDITOR'S REPORT.

PMID- 26274013
TI  - Circadian rhythmicity of synapses in mouse somatosensory cortex.
AB  - The circadian rhythmicity displayed by motor behavior of mice: activity at night
      and rest during the day; and the associated changes in the sensory input are
      reflected by cyclic synaptic plasticity in the whisker representations located in
      the somatosensory (barrel) cortex. It was not clear whether diurnal rhythmic
      changes in synapse density previously observed in the barrel cortex resulted from
      changes in the activity of the animals, from daily light/dark (LD) rhythm or are
      driven by an endogenous clock. These changes were investigated in the barrel
      cortex of C57BL/6 mouse strain kept under LD 12 : 12 h conditions and in constant
      darkness (DD). Stereological analysis of serial electron microscopic sections was
      used to assess numerical density of synapses. In mice kept under LD conditions,
      the total density of synapses and the density of excitatory synapses located on
      dendritic spines was higher during the light period (rest phase). In contrast,
      the density of inhibitory synapses located on dendritic spines increased during
      the dark period (activity phase). Under DD conditions, the upregulation of the
      inhibitory synapses during the activity phase was retained, but the cyclic
      changes in the density of excitatory synapses were not observed. The results show
      that the circadian plasticity concerns only synapses located on spines (and not
      those on dendritic shafts), and that excitatory and inhibitory synapses are
      differently regulated during the 24 h cycle: the excitatory synapses are
      influenced by light, whilst the inhibitory synapses are driven by the endogenous
      circadian clock. 

PMID- 26274014
TI  - Ligand Control over the Electronic Properties within the Metallic Core of Gold
      Nanoparticles.
AB  - The behavior of electrons within the metallic core of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs)
      can be controlled by the nature of the surface chemistry of the AuNPs.
      Specifically, the conduction electron spin resonance (CESR) spectra of AuNPs of
      diameter 1.8-1.9 nm are sensitive to ligand exchange of hexanethiol for 4
      bromothiophenol on the surface of the nanoparticle. Chemisorption of the aromatic
      ligand leads to a shift in the metallic electron's g-factor toward the value
      expected for pure gold systems, suggesting an increase in metallic character for
      the electrons within the gold core. Analysis by UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy
      reveals a concomitant bathochromic shift of the surface plasmon resonance band of
      the AuNP, indicating that other electronic properties of AuNPs are also affected
      by the ligand exchange. In total, our results demonstrate that the chemical
      nature of the ligand controls the valence band structure of AuNPs.

PMID- 26274015
TI  - Differential Association of Psychosocial Comorbidities With Subclinical
      Atherosclerosis in Rheumatoid Arthritis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with an elevated risk of
      cardiovascular disease (CVD) events and subclinical atherosclerosis, but the
      reasons for the excess risk are unclear. We explored whether psychosocial
      comorbidities, which may be associated with CVD in the general population, are
      differentially associated with subclinical atherosclerosis in RA compared to
      controls. METHODS: Data were from a longitudinal cohort study of 195 RA patients
      and 1,073 non-RA controls. Using validated scales, heterogeneity in the
      associations of psychosocial measures (depression, stress, anxiety/anger,
      support, discrimination/hassles) with measures of subclinical atherosclerosis
      (coronary artery calcium [CAC] and carotid intima-media thickness [IMT]/plaque)
      were compared in RA and non-RA groups using multivariable generalized linear
      models. Computed tomography and ultrasound were used to identify CAC and
      IMT/plaque, respectively. CAC >100 units was used to define moderate/severe CAC.
      RESULTS: In RA, per-unit higher anxiety scores (odds ratio [OR] 1.10, P = 0.029),
      anger scores (OR 1.14, P = 0.037), depressive symptoms (OR 3.41, P = 0.032), and
      caregiver stress (OR 2.86, P = 0.014) were associated with increased odds of CAC
      >100 units after adjustment for relevant covariates. These findings persisted
      despite adjustment for markers of inflammation (C-reactive protein and
      interleukin-6 levels) and were seen only in RA, not in controls (adjusted
      multiplicative interaction P = 0.001-0.077). In RA, job stress was associated
      with an increased risk of carotid plaque (adjusted OR = 3.21, P = 0.019), and
      increasing social support was associated with lower internal carotid IMT
      (adjusted P = 0.024). CONCLUSION: Depressive symptoms, stress, anger/anxiety, and
      social support may preferentially affect CVD risk in RA, and screening/treatment
      for psychosocial morbidities in RA may help ameliorate the additional CVD burden.

PMID- 26274016
TI  - Genetic and chromosomal alterations in Kenyan Wilms Tumor.
AB  - Wilms tumor (WT) is the most common childhood kidney cancer worldwide and poses a
      cancer health disparity to black children of sub-Saharan African ancestry.
      Although overall survival from WT at 5 years exceeds 90% in developed countries,
      this pediatric cancer is alarmingly lethal in sub-Saharan Africa and specifically
      in Kenya (36% survival at 2 years). Although multiple barriers to adequate WT
      therapy contribute to this dismal outcome, we hypothesized that a uniquely
      aggressive and treatment-resistant biology compromises survival further. To
      explore the biologic composition of Kenyan WT (KWT), we completed a next
      generation sequencing analysis targeting 10 WT-associated genes and evaluated
      whole-genome copy number variation. The study cohort was comprised of 44 KWT
      patients and their specimens. Fourteen children are confirmed dead at 2 years and
      11 remain lost to follow-up despite multiple tracing attempts. TP53 was mutated
      most commonly in 11 KWT specimens (25%), CTNNB1 in 10 (23%), MYCN in 8 (18%),
      AMER1 in 5 (11%), WT1 and TOP2A in 4 (9%), and IGF2 in 3 (7%). Loss of
      heterozygosity (LOH) at 17p, which covers TP53, was detected in 18% of specimens
      examined. Copy number gain at 1q, a poor prognostic indicator of WT biology in
      developed countries, was detected in 32% of KWT analyzed, and 89% of these
      children are deceased. Similarly, LOH at 11q was detected in 32% of KWT, and 80%
      of these patients are deceased. From this genomic analysis, KWT biology appears
      uniquely aggressive and treatment-resistant.

PMID- 26274017
TI  - Concentrations of serum amyloid A and plasma fibrinogen in horses undergoing
      emergency abdominal surgery.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the perioperative response of serum amyloid A (SAA) to
      fibrinogen in horses requiring exploratory celiotomy for colic and to determine
      if SAA could be used to predict complications and outcome. DESIGN: Prospective
      observational clinical study. SETTING: University teaching hospital. ANIMALS:
      Eighteen horses undergoing exploratory celiotomy for colic. Inclusion criteria
      for the study included survival and anesthetic recovery from exploratory
      celiotomy, no history of surgery within the past year. INTERVENTIONS: Blood was
      obtained via jugular venipuncture before surgery (time 0) and at 24, 48, 72, and
      96 hours after recovery from anesthesia. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:
      Quantitative and semiquantitative fibrinogen, SAA, total nucleated cell counts,
      and total protein were evaluated at each time point. Multivariable linear
      regression was used to assess differences at each time point and after grouping
      horses according to duration of colic prior to surgery, strangulating surgical
      lesion or not, presence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) on
      admission, and postsurgical complications. Significant (P < 0.05) increases in
      SAA concentrations occurred in all cases after surgery compared to fibrinogen
      concentration, which only demonstrated a mild, clinically insignificant increase
      postsurgery. SAA concentrations were also significantly increased (P < 0.05) in
      cases identified with SIRS prior to surgery and postoperatively at 48 (P = 0.05)
      and 72 hours (P = 0.02) in horses that developed complications. CONCLUSIONS:
      Measurement of SAA is a more sensitive indicator of inflammation than fibrinogen
      in the perioperative period of horses requiring exploratory celiotomy for colic.
      Serial measurement of SAA at 48, 72, and 96 hours after surgery may be helpful to
      determine risk of complications and guide postoperative management. Measurement
      of SAA on admission also allows for quantification of SIRS when it is detected
      clinically.

PMID- 26274019
TI  - Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura in a postoperative patient taking cephalexin
      responding to plasmapheresis: A case report and review of cephalosporin-induced
      TTP.
AB  - The clinical presentation of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is often
      atypical delaying diagnosis and treatment. A number of drugs have been implicated
      in the development of TTP, including cyclosporine, tacrolimus, clopidogrel, and
      quinine. To our knowledge, only three cases of cephalosporin-induced TTP have
      been described, with two of these cases occurring with these use of cephalexin.
      We herein describe a case of TTP occurring in a postoperative patient taking
      cephalexin, requiring plasmapheresis. Following plasmapheresis, the patient's
      mental status and platelet count significantly improved. J. Clin. Apheresis
      31:473-475, 2016. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. 

PMID- 26274018
TI  - Mapping cell populations in flow cytometry data for cross-sample comparison using
      the Friedman-Rafsky test statistic as a distance measure.
AB  - Flow cytometry (FCM) is a fluorescence-based single-cell experimental technology
      that is routinely applied in biomedical research for identifying cellular
      biomarkers of normal physiological responses and abnormal disease states. While
      many computational methods have been developed that focus on identifying cell
      populations in individual FCM samples, very few have addressed how the identified
      cell populations can be matched across samples for comparative analysis. This
      article presents FlowMap-FR, a novel method for cell population mapping across
      FCM samples. FlowMap-FR is based on the Friedman-Rafsky nonparametric test
      statistic (FR statistic), which quantifies the equivalence of multivariate
      distributions. As applied to FCM data by FlowMap-FR, the FR statistic objectively
      quantifies the similarity between cell populations based on the shapes, sizes,
      and positions of fluorescence data distributions in the multidimensional feature
      space. To test and evaluate the performance of FlowMap-FR, we simulated the kinds
      of biological and technical sample variations that are commonly observed in FCM
      data. The results show that FlowMap-FR is able to effectively identify equivalent
      cell populations between samples under scenarios of proportion differences and
      modest position shifts. As a statistical test, FlowMap-FR can be used to
      determine whether the expression of a cellular marker is statistically different
      between two cell populations, suggesting candidates for new cellular phenotypes
      by providing an objective statistical measure. In addition, FlowMap-FR can
      indicate situations in which inappropriate splitting or merging of cell
      populations has occurred during gating procedures. We compared the FR statistic
      with the symmetric version of Kullback-Leibler divergence measure used in a
      previous population matching method with both simulated and real data. The FR
      statistic outperforms the symmetric version of KL-distance in distinguishing
      equivalent from nonequivalent cell populations. FlowMap-FR was also employed as a
      distance metric to match cell populations delineated by manual gating across 30
      FCM samples from a benchmark FlowCAP data set. An F-measure of 0.88 was obtained,
      indicating high precision and recall of the FR-based population matching results.
      FlowMap-FR has been implemented as a standalone R/Bioconductor package so that it
      can be easily incorporated into current FCM data analytical workflows.

PMID- 26274020
TI  - Proton-Conducting Magnetic Coordination Polymers.
AB  - Three isostructural lanthanide-based two- dimensional coordination polymers (CPs)
      {[Ln2(L)3(H2O)2]n?2n CH3OH)?2n H2O} (Ln=Gd(3+) (1), Tb(3+) (2), Dy(3+) (3);
      H2L=cyclobutane-1,1-dicarboxylic acid) were synthesized by using a low molecular
      weight dicarboxylate ligand and characterized. Single-crystal structure analysis
      showed that in complexes 1-3 lanthanide centers are connected by MU3-bridging
      cyclobutanedicarboxylate ligands along the c axis to form a rod-shaped infinite
      1D coordination chain, which is further linked with nearby chains by MU4
      connected cyclobutanedicarboxylate ligands to form 2D CPs in the bc plane.
      Viewing the packing of the complexes down the b axis reveals that the lattice
      methanol molecules are located in the interlayer space between the adjacent 2D
      layers and form H-bonds with lattice and coordinated water molecules to form 1D
      chains. Magnetic properties of complexes 1-3 were thoroughly investigated.
      Complex 1 exhibits dominant ferromagnetic interaction between two nearby
      gadolinium centers and also acts as a cryogenic magnetic refrigerant having a
      significant magnetic entropy change of -DeltaSm=32.8 J kg(-1) K(-1) for DeltaH=7
      T at 4 K (calculated from isothermal magnetization data). Complex 3 shows slow
      relaxation of magnetization below 10 K. Impedance analysis revealed that the
      complexes show humidity-dependent proton conductivity (sigma=1.5*10(-5) S cm(-1)
      for 1, sigma=2.07*10(-4) S cm(-1) for 2, and sigma=1.1*10(-3) S cm(-1) for 3) at
      elevated temperature (>75  degrees C). They retain the conductivity for up to 10
      h at high temperature and high humidity. Furthermore, the proton conductivity
      results were correlated with the number of water molecules from the water-vapor
      adsorption measurements. Water-vapor adsorption studies showed hysteretic and two
      step water vapor adsorption (182,000 MUL g(-1) for 1, 184,000 MUL g(-1) for 2,
      and 1,874,000 MUL g(-1) for 3) in the experimental pressure range. Simulation of
      water-vapor adsorption by the Monte Carlo method (for 1) confirmed the high
      density of adsorbed water molecules, preferentially in the interlayer space
      between the 2D layers.

PMID- 26274021
TI  - RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL ON IRREVERSIBLE ELECTROPORATION FOR LOCALIZED
      PROSTATE CANCER:FOCAL ABLATION VERSUS EXTENDED ABLATION.

PMID- 26274023
TI  - Definitive radiotherapy plus regional hyperthermia for high-risk and very high
      risk prostate carcinoma: Thermal parameters correlated with biochemical relapse
      free survival.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of definitive
      radiotherapy (RT) plus regional hyperthermia (HT) and investigate the potential
      contribution of HT to clinical outcomes in patients with prostate carcinoma.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Following our institution's treatment protocol, HT was
      combined with RT to improve clinical outcomes in selected patients with high-risk
      or very high-risk prostate cancer. Data from 82 patients treated with RT plus HT
      and 64 patients treated with RT alone were retrospectively analysed. RESULTS:
      Median follow-up duration was 61 months. The 5-year biochemical disease-free
      survival (bDFS) rate for the 82 patients treated with RT plus HT was 78%, whereas
      bDFS for the 64 patients treated with RT alone was 72%; this difference was not
      significant. Among the 75 patients treated with RT plus HT who underwent intra
      rectal temperature measurements, higher thermal parameters were significant
      prognostic indicators of improved bDFS by univariate analysis. A higher CEM43 
      degrees CT90 thermal parameter and a T stage of T1-2 were significant prognostic
      factors based on multivariate analysis. The 5-year bDFS rates for the 40 patients
      with a higher CEM43  degrees CT90 and the 64 patients treated with RT alone were
      significantly different, whereas 5-year bDFS for the 35 patients with a lower
      CEM43  degrees CT90 and the 64 patients treated with RT alone were not.
      CONCLUSIONS: The addition of HT with higher thermal parameters to RT may improve
      bDFS for patients with high-risk or very high-risk prostate cancer. These
      findings also demonstrate the importance of careful selection of treatable
      patients with higher thermal parameters.

PMID- 26274022
TI  - A Type III protein-RNA toxin-antitoxin system from Bacillus thuringiensis
      promotes plasmid retention during spore development.
AB  - Members of the Bacillus cereus sensu lato group of bacteria often contain
      multiple large plasmids, including those encoding virulence factors in B.
      anthracis. Bacillus species can develop into spores in response to stress. During
      sporulation the genomic content of the cell is heavily compressed, which could
      result in counterselection of extrachromosomal genomic elements, unless they have
      robust stabilization and segregation systems. Toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems are
      near-ubiquitous in prokaryotes and have multiple biological roles, including
      plasmid stabilization during vegetative growth. Here, we have shown that a Type
      III TA system, based on an RNA antitoxin and endoribonuclease toxin, from plasmid
      pAW63 in Bacillus thuringiensis serovar kurstaki HD-73 can dramatically promote
      plasmid retention in populations undergoing sporulation and germination, and we
      provide evidence that this occurs through the post-segregational killing of
      plasmid-free forespores. Our findings show how an extremely common genetic module
      can be used to ensure plasmid maintenance during stress-induced developmental
      transitions, with implications for plasmid dynamics in B. cereus s.l. bacteria. 

PMID- 26274024
TI  - How motor practice shapes memory: retrieval but not extra study can cause
      forgetting.
AB  - We investigated the retrieval specificity of retrieval-induced forgetting (RIF)
      of motor sequences. In two experiments, participants learned sequential finger
      movements, each consisting of the movement of two fingers of either the left or
      the right hand. In the learning phase, these motor sequences were graphically
      presented and were to be learned as responses to simultaneously presented letter
      stimuli. Subsequently, participants selectively practiced half the items of one
      hand. A final recall test then assessed memory for all initially learned items.
      We contrasted different kinds of selective practice with each other. Whereas
      retrieval practice required retrieving motor sequences in response to letter
      stimuli from the learning phase, extra study was an extension of the learning
      phase, that is, participants performed motor sequences in response to the same
      animation graphic display as in the learning phase again accompanied by the
      letter stimulus. All practice conditions strengthened the practiced items, but
      only retrieval practice resulted in RIF. Thus, the strengthening of items through
      practice did not suffice to induce forgetting of related motor sequences.
      Retrieval was a necessary component for practice to shape memory for body
      movements by impairing the subsequent recall of motor sequences that were related
      to the practiced motor sequences.

PMID- 26274025
TI  - Membrane-Coupled mRNA Trafficking in Fungi.
AB  - Intracellular logistics are essential for delivery of newly synthesized material
      during polar growth of fungal hyphae. Proteins and lipids are actively
      transported throughout the cell by motor-dependent movement of small vesicles or
      larger units such as endosomes and the endoplasmic reticulum. A remarkably tight
      link is emerging between active membrane trafficking and mRNA transport, a
      process that determines the precise subcellular localization of translation
      products within the cell. Here, we report on recent insights into the mechanism
      and biological role of these intricate cotransport processes in fungal models
      such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida albicans, and Ustilago maydis. In the
      latter, we focus on the new finding of endosomal mRNA transport and its
      implications for protein targeting, complex assembly, and septin biology. 

PMID- 26274026
TI  - Microbiology Meets Big Data: The Case of Gut Microbiota-Derived Trimethylamine.
AB  - During the past decade, meta-omics approaches have revolutionized microbiology,
      allowing for a cultivation-free assessment of the composition and functional
      properties of entire microbial ecosystems. On the one hand, a phylogenetic and
      functional interpretation of such data relies on accumulated genetic,
      biochemical, metabolic, and phenotypic characterization of microbial variation.
      On the other hand, the increasing availability of extensive microbiome data sets
      and corresponding metadata provides a vast, underused resource for the
      microbiology field as a whole. To demonstrate the potential for integrating big
      data into a functional microbiology workflow, we review literature on
      trimethylamine (TMA), a microbiota-generated metabolite linked to atherosclerosis
      development. Translating recently elucidated microbial pathways resulting in TMA
      production into genomic orthologs, we demonstrate how to mine for their presence
      in public (meta-) genomic databases and link findings to associated metadata.
      Reviewing pathway abundance in public data sets shows that TMA production
      potential is associated with symptomatic atherosclerosis and allows
      identification of currently uncharacterized TMA-producing bacteria. 

PMID- 26274027
TI  - PSF/SFPQ is a very common gene fusion partner in TFE3 rearrangement-associated
      perivascular epithelioid cell tumors (PEComas) and melanotic Xp11 translocation
      renal cancers: clinicopathologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular
      characteristics suggesting classification as a distinct entity.
AB  - An increasing number of TFE3 rearrangement-associated tumors, such as TFE3
      rearrangement-associated perivascular epithelioid cell tumors (PEComas),
      melanotic Xp11 translocation renal cancers, and melanotic Xp11 neoplasms, have
      recently been reported. We examined 12 such cases, including 5 TFE3 rearrangement
      associated PEComas located in the pancreas, cervix, or pelvis and 7 melanotic
      Xp11 translocation renal cancers, using clinicopathologic, immunohistochemical,
      and molecular analyses. All the tumors shared a similar morphology, including a
      purely nested or sheet-like architecture separated by a delicate vascular
      network, purely epithelioid cells displaying a clear or granular eosinophilic
      cytoplasm, a lack of papillary structures and spindle cell or fat components,
      uniform round or oval nuclei containing small visible nucleoli, and, in most
      cases (11/12), melanin pigmentation. The levels of mitotic activity and necrosis
      varied. All 12 cases displayed moderately (2+) or strongly (3+) positive
      immunoreactivity for TFE3 and cathepsin K. One case labeled focally for HMB45 and
      Melan-A, whereas the others typically labeled moderately (2+) or strongly (3+)
      for 1 of these markers. None of the cases were immunoreactive for smooth muscle
      actin, desmin, CKpan, S100, or PAX8. PSF-TFE3 fusion genes were confirmed by
      reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in cases (7/7) in which a novel
      PSF-TFE3 fusion point was identified. All of the cases displayed TFE3
      rearrangement associated with Xp11 translocation. Furthermore, we developed a PSF
      TFE3 fusion fluorescence in situ hybridization assay for the detection of the PSF
      TFE3 fusion gene and detected it in all 12 cases. Clinical follow-up data were
      available for 7 patients. Three patients died, and 2 patients (cases 1 and 3)
      remained alive with no evidence of disease after initial resection. Case 2
      experienced recurrence and remained alive with disease. Case 5, a recent case,
      remained alive with extensive abdominal cavity metastases. Our data suggest that
      these tumors belong to a single clinicopathologic spectrum and expand the known
      characteristics of TFE3 rearrangement-associated tumors. 

PMID- 26274028
TI  - Prostate biopsy and radical prostatectomy Gleason score correlation in
      heterogenous tumors: proposal for a composite Gleason score.
AB  - When prostate biopsy cores are separately identified in multiple containers,
      current recommendations are to grade each specimen individually. For treatment
      algorithms, the highest Gleason score (HGS) is typically used as the overall
      score, even if a lower score predominates. This practice has the potential to
      misrepresent the overall cancer in the entire gland for some patients and place
      them in a higher-grade group. We compare a novel composite Gleason score (CGS),
      integrating grade patterns from contiguous positive biopsy sites, with HGS to
      determine correlation with the radical prostatectomy (RP) Gleason score (GS). One
      hundred needle biopsy cases from 2008 to 2012 with >2 GSs in a biopsy set (eg,
      3+3=6, 3+4=7, and 4+3=7) or more than a 1-step difference in GS (eg, 3+4=7 and
      4+4=8 without 4+3=7) were analyzed. Grades were assigned using both methods (HGS
      and CGS) and compared with RPGS. Grade groups I to V were used to define
      downgrade and upgrade. Comparing HGS with RPGS, 31% remained the same and 69% had
      a change in GS (87% downgraded and 13% upgraded). Comparing CGS with RPGS, 59%
      remained the same and 41% had a change in GS (10% downgraded and 90% upgraded).
      Of the 2 methods, the CGS showed better overall correlation with RP (P<0.001) and
      was less likely to be downgraded compared with HGS. CGS correlates better with
      RPGS than HGS when >2 grades are present in a biopsy set. CGS has a significantly
      lower rate of downgrade and predicts the RPGS more accurately than HGS. 

PMID- 26274030
TI  - GATA3 immunohistochemistry expression in histologic subtypes of primary breast
      carcinoma and metastatic breast carcinoma cytology.
AB  - GATA3 plays a role in cell proliferation and differentiation in many tissues,
      including breast, and it has been suggested that GATA3 expression correlates with
      ER expression. However, little is known on GATA3 expression in various subtypes
      of breast carcinoma, its utilization in cytology, and on how GATA3 performs in
      comparison with GCDFP-15 and mammaglobin. Eighty-four histology cases of breast
      carcinoma of various subtypes, including 28 triple-negative breast carcinomas,
      along with 20 cytology cases of metastatic breast carcinoma and 12 cytology cases
      of ER-positive metastatic gynecologic malignancies, were stained for GATA3, GCDFP
      15, and mammaglobin. In non-triple-negative breast carcinomas (n=56), GATA3
      showed 100% sensitivity, higher than GCDFP-15 (42.8%; P<0.0001) and mammaglobin
      (58.9%; P<0.0001), whereas staining patterns were similar for all the histologic
      subtypes examined. Staining scores were determined by multiplying the percentage
      of cancer cells staining with an intensity score of 1+, 2+, or 3+ (range, 0 to
      300). In non-triple-negative carcinomas, GATA3 showed a mean score of 273.7,
      higher than GCDFP-15 (107.5; P<0.0001) and mammaglobin (147.7; P<0.0001). In
      triple-negative breast carcinomas (n=28), GATA3 showed a sensitivity of 60.7%,
      greater than GCDFP-15 (17.9%; P=0.0022) and mammaglobin (7.1%; P<0.0001). These
      results were consistent irrespective of the subtype examined. In breast carcinoma
      cytology cases, 100% stained with GATA3, higher than GCDFP-15 (20%; P<0.0001) and
      mammaglobin (45%; P<0.0001). None of the metastatic endometrial or ovarian
      carcinomas were positive for GATA3. Although GATA3 expression correlates with ER
      expression in breast, no correlation is observed in gynecologic malignancies.
      Thus, in working up ER-positive metastatic malignancies GATA3 demonstrates
      specificity for breast. 

PMID- 26274029
TI  - A fibromyxoid stromal response is associated with an infiltrative tumor
      morphology, perineural invasion, and lymph node metastasis in squamous cell
      carcinoma of the vulva.
AB  - Patterns of invasion and stromal response are understudied in vulvar squamous
      cell carcinoma. The aim of this study was to explore whether histologic features
      such as an infiltrative pattern of invasion and fibromyxoid stromal response (FMX
      SR) are meaningful prognostic factors. We reviewed 143 vulvar squamous cell
      carcinoma resections and correlated patterns of invasion and stromal response
      with patient age, ethnicity, depth of invasion, tumor size, perineural invasion
      (S100/AE1/3 stain), lymph node involvement (LNI), extranodal extension, margin
      status, pathologic stage, and recurrence. Univariate analyses of continuous
      variables were performed using t tests, whereas Pearson chi tests were used for
      categorical variables. Logistic regression analyses examined the relationship
      between histopathologic characteristics and clinical outcomes. There was a
      statistically significant association between infiltrative tumors and an FMX-SR
      in comparison with noninfiltrative tumors (P<0.001). Tumors with FMX-SR were
      significantly more deeply invasive (P=0.0025) and more likely to have LNI
      (P=0.0364), extranodal extension (P=0.0227), and perineural invasion (P=0.0011)
      compared with tumors without FMX-SR. For cases with negative surgical margins,
      the association between tumors with FMX-SR and LNI was significantly strengthened
      (odds ratio=4.73, P=0.0042), even after adjustments for age, race, and depth of
      invasion (odds ratio=4.34, P=0.0154). The presence of both FMX-SR and an
      infiltrative pattern of invasion in tumors with negative margins was
      significantly associated with LNI (P=0.0235) and recurrence (P=0.0124). These
      results suggest that interactions between nerve, tumor, and stromal cells play a
      role in tumor progression and represent additional prognostic factors that help
      stratify those patients at highest risk for LNI, extranodal extension, and
      recurrence. 

PMID- 26274031
TI  - Simultaneous occurrence of focal nodular hyperplasia and HNF1A-inactivated
      hepatocellular adenoma: a collision tumor simulating a composite FNH-HCA.
AB  - Mixed focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) and hepatocellular adenoma (HCA) within a
      single tumor mass is rarely reported, and most of these cases are examples of
      tumors with features intermediate between FNH and HCA. Although a few reported
      cases are probably examples of true mixed tumors, none was evaluated
      immunohistochemically or confirmed by molecular analysis. We report a mixed FNH
      and HCA arising in a woman with several HNF1A-inactivated adenomas. Our case is
      the first case of mixed FNH and HNF1A-inactivated HCA documented by
      immunohistochemistry. 

PMID- 26274032
TI  - Application of BRAF V600E mutation analysis for the diagnosis of metanephric
      adenofibroma.

PMID- 26274033
TI  - The 5-Year EFS of Multisystem LCH With Risk-Organ Involvement Is Suboptimal: A
      Single-center Experience From India.
AB  - The study describes an 8-year experience of a single center in managing patients
      with langerhans cell histiocytosis on the basis of the langerhans cell
      histiocytosis-III platform. A retrospective case-file review of children
      diagnosed during 2006 to 2013 was performed. Group 1 (multisystem with risk-organ
      involvement) patients received an initial treatment of 6 to 12 weeks, followed by
      continuation treatment to complete 12 months. Drugs included vinblastine,
      prednisolone, and 6-mercaptopurine. Group 2 (multisystem without risk-organ
      involvement) patients received a similar treatment, except for 6-mercaptopurine.
      Group 3 (single-system/multifocal bone disease) patients were treated for a
      duration of 6 months. Forty-nine patients were treated: 24 (49%), 14 (28.6%), and
      11 (22.4%) in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The mean age at diagnosis was
      31.6 +/- 28.4 months (range, 4 to 120 mo). Five patients abandoned treatment.
      There were 7 deaths, all in group 1. All patients who died had either a partial
      response or progressive disease after induction (P=0.000). Among patients with
      liver involvement, those with sclerosing cholangitis had a greater mortality
      (P=0.007). A relapse was observed in 12 (24.5%) patients. The frequency of
      relapse was not different in the 3 groups (P=0.833). The 5-year event-free
      survival in groups 1, 2, and 3 was 29.3 +/- 10%, 58.9 +/- 14.6%, and 69.3 +/-
      15%, respectively (P=0.019). The 5-year overall survival was 100% in groups 2/3
      and 68.9 +/- 9.8% in group 1 (P=0.011).

PMID- 26274034
TI  - Bacillus cereus Cerebral Abscess During Induction Chemotherapy for Childhood
      Acute Leukemia.
AB  - A 5-year-old boy with standard-risk B-cell acute lymphoblastic anemia developed
      fever during induction chemotherapy. The patient had no neurological symptoms.
      Blood cultures grew Bacillus cereus and neuroimaging studies demonstrated a
      cerebral abscess. Imaging changes resolved after completion of antibiotics.
      Bacillus cereus bacteremia is increasingly implicated as the cause of life
      threatening infections, including cerebral abscesses, in compromised patients.
      Positive blood cultures for this organism should prompt neuroimaging and
      consideration of cerebrospinal fluid sampling, as well as catheter removal. Given
      the worse outcome with central nervous system involvement, there is a need for
      increased awareness and early diagnosis, particularly in immunocompromised
      individuals. 

PMID- 26274036
TI  - Bosentan-induced Reduction in Cyclosporine-A Levels: A Rare Interaction in an
      Infant With Osteopetrosis and Severe Pulmonary Hyperetension.

PMID- 26274037
TI  - Management of Acute Myeloblastic Leukemia in a Child With Biallelic Mismatch
      Repair Deficiency.
AB  - Germline biallelic mismatch repair deficiency (bMMRD) results in a unique cancer
      predisposition syndrome in which the affected children are susceptible to the
      development of malignancies, especially brain, gastrointestinal, and lymphoid
      cancers. Acute myeloblastic leukemia is rarely reported in this syndrome. Here we
      report the decision-making challenges in a bMMRD child with acute myeloblastic
      leukemia. Our experience should alert physicians to include bMMRD in the
      differential diagnosis of a child with hyper/hypopigmented spots and leukemia.
      Furthermore, the presence of the above and consanguinity emphasizes the need to
      rule out bMMRD when an allogeneic bone marrow transplant is considered and to
      enable the surveillance of other family members for earlier detection of cancers
      in these children. 

PMID- 26274038
TI  - FUNDUS CHANGES IN BRANCH RETINAL ARTERIOLAR OCCLUSION.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate systematically various fundus changes in branch retinal
      arteriolar occlusion (BRAO) and their natural history. METHODS: The study
      comprised a cohort of 123 consecutive patients (135 eyes) with BRAO. Ophthalmic
      evaluation at initial and follow-up visits included recording visual acuity,
      visual fields, and detailed anterior segment and fundus examinations, and at
      initial visit fluorescein fundus angiography. RESULTS: Probability estimates of
      retinal infarct still present were 89% 1 week after BRAO onset, 69% after 2
      weeks, 67% after 3 weeks, 34% after 1 month, and 13% after 3 months. Optic disk
      pallor in the involved region developed in 21% within 1 month from onset, in 42%
      by 2 months, and in 65% by 3 months. Retinal arteriolar attenuation developed in
      19% within 1 month from onset, and in 28% by 6 months. Arteriolar sheathing
      developed in 19% within 1 month and 25% within 12 months. Arteriolar emboli were
      found in 58%; 65% of those were at initial visit, in BRAO seen within 1 week of
      onset. CONCLUSION: Most common cause of BRAO is embolism from the heart or
      carotid arteries; emboli usually get impacted at the arteriolar bifurcation.
      Migration and disappearance of retinal emboli is a common finding. Evolution of
      the retinal and optic disk changes is described.

PMID- 26274039
TI  - Manual Removal of Dystrophic Calcifications From Silicone Intraocular Lenses
      Using a 27-Gauge Nitinol Loop With Concave Tines.

PMID- 26274040
TI  - Sutureless Iris Repair: Cauterization Technique.

PMID- 26274041
TI  - Fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitor URB597 prevented tolerance and cognitive
      deficits induced by chronic morphine administration in rats.
AB  - Inhibitors of the endocannabinoid metabolic enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase
      exert therapeutic effects, but might also be associated with some of the adverse
      effects of cannabis. However, at least one fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitor,
      URB597, has beneficial effects without signs of abuse or dependence. Although
      previous investigations have evaluated URB597-morphine interactions, the effects
      of URB597 on morphine tolerance and cognition deficits have not been studied
      previously. Rats were rendered tolerant to or dependent on morphine by an
      injection of morphine (10 mg/kg, subcutaneous) twice daily, respectively, for 7
      or 10 days. URB597 (1 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) was administered before morphine.
      The tail-flick and passive avoidance learning tests were used to evaluate
      tolerance and cognition. Chronic morphine injection led to significant tolerance
      to the antinociceptive effect on days 5 and 7. URB597 completely prevented the
      development of morphine tolerance. URB597 also enhanced memory acquisition in the
      passive avoidance learning test, and although morphine impaired memory, URB597
      alleviated this effect. These data show that URB597 protects against tolerance
      and memory deficits in chronic usage of morphine and suggests URB597 as a
      promising candidate for the treatment of adverse effects of opioids. 

PMID- 26274042
TI  - Role of thermo TRPA1 and TRPV1 channels in heat, cold, and mechanical nociception
      of rats.
AB  - A sensitive response of the nervous system to changes in temperature is of
      predominant importance for homeotherms to maintain a stable body temperature. A
      number of temperature-sensitive transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channels
      have been studied as nociceptors that respond to extreme temperatures and harmful
      chemicals. Recent findings in the field of pain have established a family of six
      thermo-TRP channels (TRPA1, TRPM8, TRPV1, TRPV2, TRPV3, and TRPV4) that exhibit
      sensitivity to increases or decreases in temperature, as well as to chemical
      substances eliciting the respective hot or cold sensations. In this study, we
      used behavioral methods to investigate whether mustard oil (allyl isothiocyanate)
      and capsaicin affect the sensitivity to heat, innocuous and noxious cold, and
      mechanical stimuli in male rats. The results obtained indicate that TRPA1 and
      TRPV1 channels are clearly involved in pain reactions, and the TRPA1 agonist
      allyl isothiocyanate enhances the heat pain sensitivity, possibly by indirectly
      modulating TRPV1 channels coexpressed in nociceptors with TRPA1. Overall, our
      data support the role of thermosensitive TRPA1 and TRPV1 channels in pain
      modulation and show that these two thermoreceptor channels are in a synergistic
      and/or conditional relationship with noxious heat and cold cutaneous stimulation.

PMID- 26274043
TI  - Use of an operant paradigm for the study of antidepressant-induced sexual
      dysfunction.
AB  - These studies were designed to develop a paradigm for the detection of
      antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction in female rats. Ovariectomized, Fischer
      rats were conditioned to nose poke to open a guillotine door to gain access to a
      sexually active male. To develop the procedure, we examined the acquisition and
      stability of the response with a 15-s fixed interval, compared rats treated with
      10 MUg estradiol benzoate and 500 MUg progesterone with those that received only
      estradiol benzoate, and carried out a preliminary analysis of the effects of 5,
      10, and 15 mg/kg fluoxetine. We then more fully evaluated the effects of 5 mg/kg
      fluoxetine. Fluoxetine reduced sexual motivation, as assessed by the number of
      nose pokes, the number of nose poke episodes, and the latency to approach the
      male. In addition, changes in the females' sexual motivation were examined before
      and after ejaculation during the final conditioning trials. The number of nose
      pokes was reduced and the latency to initiate a new nose poke episode was
      increased following ejaculation. The robustness of the antidepressant-induced
      decline in sexual motivation is in marked contrast to the findings with several
      other animal models for sexual dysfunction and illustrates the usefulness of the
      operant procedure. 

PMID- 26274044
TI  - Pregnancy Outcomes Following In Utero Exposure to Second-Generation
      Antipsychotics: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
AB  - Second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) are increasingly used for a variety of
      mental illnesses; however, the data regarding the safety of these medications
      during pregnancy are inconclusive and contradictory. We examined the risk of
      adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with in utero exposure to SGAs by
      conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis. We searched the databases
      EMBASE and MEDLINE from January 1990 to December 2014. Eligible studies had to
      report pregnant women who took SGAs during pregnancy (first trimester exposure if
      analyzing congenital malformations), follow a healthy comparison group in a
      similar manner, and report data on pregnancy outcomes. There was no restriction
      on language, sample size, or publication date. The primary outcome analyzed was
      major congenital malformations, and secondary outcomes included miscarriages,
      stillbirths, preterm births, small or large for gestational age neonates, and
      differences in gestational ages and birth weights. A total of 12 studies met our
      inclusion criteria, totalling 1782 cases and 1,322,749 controls. The use of SGA
      during the first trimester of pregnancy was associated with a significant
      increased risk for major congenital malformations (odds ratio, 2.03; 95%
      confidence interval, 1.41-2.93); however, no specific pattern of malformations
      was found. An increased risk was also found for preterm births (odds ratio, 1.85;
      95% CI, 1.20-2.86). The use of SGA during pregnancy was not found to be
      associated with an increased risk for secondary outcomes analyzed. The absence of
      a specific pattern of malformations makes it difficult to identify an explicit
      risk posed by SGAs, and therefore, further studies sufficiently controlling for
      confounding factors are needed to validate these findings.

PMID- 26274045
TI  - Metabolic Impairments Precede Changes in Hunger and Food Intake Following Short
      Term Administration of Second-Generation Antipsychotics.
AB  - The second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) are associated with weight gain and
      an increased incidence of metabolic diseases. The metabolic impairments are
      assumed a consequence of increased body adiposity secondary to central nervous
      system-associated increases in food intake. We have previously reported that,
      independent of weight gain, 9 days of olanzapine administration to control
      subjects is associated with insulin resistance and increases in postprandial
      levels of insulin and glucagon-like peptide 1 to a mixed meal challenge. This
      current report describes previously unpublished data on the effects of the SGAs
      olanzapine and aripiprazole compared with placebo on detailed hunger and satiety
      responses over the 12-day inpatient evaluation as well as postprandial ghrelin
      and leptin responses prior to and following administration of the 2 SGAs. We
      found no changes in hunger, fullness, or in the orexigenic hormone ghrelin or
      satiety hormone leptin, consistent with our previous report indicating no change
      in weight during this study. The results indicate that the SGAs are associated
      with metabolic changes prior to changes in hunger, satiety, and food intake, and
      this temporal separation suggests that there are differential mechanisms
      mediating SGA-associated changes in metabolism and food intake.

PMID- 26274046
TI  - Interactions of hyaluronan grafted on protein surfaces studied using a quartz
      crystal microbalance and a surface force balance.
AB  - Vocal folds are complex and multilayer-structured where the main layer is widely
      composed of hyaluronan (HA). The viscoelasticity of HA is key to voice production
      in the vocal fold as it affects the initiation and maintenance of phonation. In
      this study a simple layer-structured surface model was set up to mimic the
      structure of the vocal folds. The interactions between two opposing surfaces
      bearing HA were measured and characterised to analyse HA's response to the normal
      and shear compression at a stress level similar to that in the vocal fold. From
      the measurements of the quartz crystal microbalance, atomic force microscopy and
      the surface force balance, the osmotic pressure, normal interactions, elasticity
      change, volume fraction, refractive index and friction of both HA and the
      supporting protein layer were obtained. These findings may shed light on the
      physical mechanism of HA function in the vocal fold and the specific role of HA
      as an important component in the effective treatment of the vocal fold disease. 

PMID- 26274048
TI  - Geometrical and morphological optimizations of plasmonic nanoarrays for high
      performance SERS detection.
AB  - Here we present an in-depth and comprehensive study of the effect of the geometry
      and morphology of nanoarray (NA) substrates on their surface-enhanced Raman
      scattering (SERS) performance. The high-quality SERS-active NA substrates of
      various unit shapes and pitches are assembled through electron beam lithography
      and fabricated by electron beam physical vapor deposition. Good agreement is
      found on comparing the Raman scattering results with the integrals of the fourth
      power of local electric fields from the three-dimensional numerical simulations.
      A novel type of hybrid NA substrate composed of disordered nanoparticles and a
      periodic NA is fabricated and characterized. The morphology of NAs has little
      influence on the SERS performance of hybrid NA substrates and they perform better
      than both their counterparts pure NA and disordered nanoparticle substrates. 

PMID- 26274047
TI  - Flow Cytometry Reveals Similarities Between Lung Macrophages in Humans and Mice.

PMID- 26274049
TI  - Long-term effects of timber harvesting on hemicellulolytic microbial populations
      in coniferous forest soils.
AB  - Forest ecosystems need to be sustainably managed, as they are major reservoirs of
      biodiversity, provide important economic resources and modulate global climate.
      We have a poor knowledge of populations responsible for key biomass degradation
      processes in forest soils and the effects of forest harvesting on these
      populations. Here, we investigated the effects of three timber-harvesting
      methods, varying in the degree of organic matter removal, on putatively
      hemicellulolytic bacterial and fungal populations 10 or more years after
      harvesting and replanting. We used stable-isotope probing to identify populations
      that incorporated (13)C from labeled hemicellulose, analyzing (13)C-enriched
      phospholipid fatty acids, bacterial 16 S rRNA genes and fungal ITS regions. In
      soil microcosms, we identified 104 bacterial and 52 fungal hemicellulolytic
      operational taxonomic units (OTUs). Several of these OTUs are affiliated with
      taxa not previously reported to degrade hemicellulose, including the bacterial
      genera Methylibium, Pelomonas and Rhodoferax, and the fungal genera Cladosporium,
      Pseudeurotiaceae, Capronia, Xenopolyscytalum and Venturia. The effect of
      harvesting on hemicellulolytic populations was evaluated based on in situ
      bacterial and fungal OTUs. Harvesting treatments had significant but modest long
      term effects on relative abundances of hemicellulolytic populations, which
      differed in strength between two ecozones and between soil layers. For soils
      incubated in microcosms, prior harvesting treatments did not affect the rate of
      incorporation of hemicellulose carbon into microbial biomass. In six ecozones
      across North America, distributions of the bacterial hemicellulolytic OTUs were
      similar, whereas distributions of fungal ones differed. Our work demonstrates
      that diverse taxa in soil are hemicellulolytic, many of which are differentially
      affected by the impact of harvesting on environmental conditions. However, the
      hemicellulolytic capacity of soil communities appears resilient. 

PMID- 26274051
TI  - A model for ultra-fast charge transport in membrane proteins.
AB  - Isolated proteins have recently been observed to transport charge and reactivity
      over very long distances with extraordinary rates and near perfect efficiencies
      in spite of their site. This is not the case if the peptide is in water, where
      the efficiency of charge hopping to the next site is reduced to approximately 2%.
      Here, water is not an ideal solvent for charge transport. The issue at hand is
      how to explain such enormous charge transfer quenching in water compared to
      another typical medium, namely lipid. We performed molecular dynamics simulations
      to computationally substantiate the novel long-distance charge transfer yield of
      the polypeptides in lipids. This is characterized by the charge transfer
      persistent-distance decay constant and not by the rate, which is seldom, if ever,
      measured and hence not directly addressed here. This model can encompass an
      extremely wide range of yields over very long distances in peptides in various
      media. The calculations here demonstrate the good charge transport efficiency in
      lipids in contrast to the poor efficiency in water. The protein charge transport
      also exhibits a very strong anisotropic effect in lipids. The peptide secondary
      structure effect of charge transfer in membranes is analyzed in contrast to that
      in water. These results suggest that this model can be useful for the prediction
      of charge transfer efficiency in various environments of interest and indicate
      that the charge transfer is highly efficient in membrane proteins. 

PMID- 26274050
TI  - Prolonged antibiotic treatment induces a diabetogenic intestinal microbiome that
      accelerates diabetes in NOD mice.
AB  - Accumulating evidence supports that the intestinal microbiome is involved in Type
      1 diabetes (T1D) pathogenesis through the gut-pancreas nexus. Our aim was to
      determine whether the intestinal microbiota in the non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse
      model played a role in T1D through the gut. To examine the effect of the
      intestinal microbiota on T1D onset, we manipulated gut microbes by: (1) the fecal
      transplantation between non-obese diabetic (NOD) and resistant (NOR) mice and (2)
      the oral antibiotic and probiotic treatment of NOD mice. We monitored diabetes
      onset, quantified CD4+T cells in the Peyer's patches, profiled the microbiome and
      measured fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFA). The gut microbiota from NOD mice
      harbored more pathobionts and fewer beneficial microbes in comparison with NOR
      mice. Fecal transplantation of NOD microbes induced insulitis in NOR hosts
      suggesting that the NOD microbiome is diabetogenic. Moreover, antibiotic exposure
      accelerated diabetes onset in NOD mice accompanied by increased T-helper type 1
      (Th1) and reduced Th17 cells in the intestinal lymphoid tissues. The diabetogenic
      microbiome was characterized by a metagenome altered in several metabolic gene
      clusters. Furthermore, diabetes susceptibility correlated with reduced fecal
      SCFAs. In an attempt to correct the diabetogenic microbiome, we administered
      VLS#3 probiotics to NOD mice but found that VSL#3 colonized the intestine poorly
      and did not delay diabetes. We conclude that NOD mice harbor gut microbes that
      induce diabetes and that their diabetogenic microbiome can be amplified early in
      life through antibiotic exposure. Protective microbes like VSL#3 are insufficient
      to overcome the effects of a diabetogenic microbiome. 

PMID- 26274052
TI  - Direct Mouse Trauma/Burn Model of Heterotopic Ossification.
AB  - Heterotopic ossification (HO) is the formation of bone outside of the skeleton
      which forms following major trauma, burn injuries, and orthopaedic surgical
      procedures. The majority of animal models used to study HO rely on the
      application of exogenous substances, such as bone morphogenetic protein (BMP),
      exogenous cell constructs, or genetic mutations in BMP signaling. While these
      models are useful they do not accurately reproduce the inflammatory states that
      cause the majority of cases of HO. Here we describe a burn/tenotomy model in mice
      that reliably produces focused HO. This protocol involves creating a 30% total
      body surface area partial thickness contact burn on the dorsal skin as well as
      division of the Achilles tendon at its midpoint. Relying solely on traumatic
      injury to induce HO at a predictable location allows for time-course study of
      endochondral heterotopic bone formation from intrinsic physiologic processes and
      environment only. This method could prove instrumental in understanding the
      inflammatory and osteogenic pathways involved in trauma-induced HO. Furthermore,
      because HO develops in a predictable location and time-course in this model, it
      allows for research to improve early imaging strategies and treatment modalities
      to prevent HO formation. 

PMID- 26274053
TI  - Generation and Quantitative Analysis of Pulsed Low Frequency Ultrasound to
      Determine the Sonic Sensitivity of Untreated and Treated Neoplastic Cells.
AB  - Low frequency ultrasound in the 20 to 60 kHz range is a novel physical modality
      by which to induce selective cell lysis and death in neoplastic cells. In
      addition, this method can be used in combination with specialized agents known as
      sonosensitizers to increase the extent of preferential damage exerted by
      ultrasound against neoplastic cells, an approach referred to as sonodynamic
      therapy (SDT). The methodology for generating and applying low frequency
      ultrasound in a preclinical in vitro setting is presented to demonstrate that
      reproducible cell destruction can be attained in order to examine and compare the
      effects of sonication on neoplastic and normal cells. This offers a means by
      which to reliably sonicate neoplastic cells at a level of consistency required
      for preclinical therapeutic assessment. In addition, the effects of cholesterol
      depleting and cytoskeletal-directed agents on potentiating ultrasonic sensitivity
      in neoplastic cells are discussed in order to elaborate on mechanisms of action
      conducive to sonochemotherapeutic approaches. 

PMID- 26274055
TI  - Comprehensive Study on the Controlled Plasmon-Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity of
      Hybrid Au/ZnO Systems Mediated by Thermoresponsive Polymer Linkers.
AB  - Hybrid semiconductor/noble metal nanostructures coupled with responsive polymers
      were used to probe unique plasmon-mediated photocatalytic properties associated
      with swelling-shrinking transitions in polymer chains triggered by specific
      external stimuli. Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) brushes were anchored on
      Au films by atom transfer radical polymerization and ZnO nanoparticles were
      immobilized on the PNIPAM layer to explore controlled photocatalytic activity.
      The plasmon-enhanced photocatalytic activity was dictated by two critical
      parameters, that is, grafting density and molecular weight of PNIPAM involved in
      Au film-PNIPAM-ZnO. The effect of the areal density of PNIPAM chains on the
      temperature-responsive UV light photocatalytic activities showed mutually
      antagonistic trends at two different temperatures. The performance at high
      density was higher above a lower critical solution temperature (LCST), that is,
      under contracted configuration, while the sample with low density showed higher
      activity below LCST, that is, extended configuration. Among all the cases
      explored, the UV light activity was highest for the sample with thin PNIPAM layer
      and high density above LCST. The visible light activity was induced only for thin
      PNIPAM layer and high density, and it was higher above LCST. The efficiency of
      photocatalytic decomposition of phenol pollutant was dramatically enhanced from
      10% to 55% upon the increase in temperature under visible light illumination. 

PMID- 26274056
TI  - Scapulothoracic kinematics during scaption after one year of tennis practice in
      elite girl players.

PMID- 26274054
TI  - Fatty acids linked to cardiovascular mortality are associated with risk factors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although saturated fatty acids (FAs) have been linked to
      cardiovascular mortality, it is not clear whether this outcome is attributable
      solely to their effects on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) or whether
      other risk factors are also associated with FAs. The Western Alaskan Native
      population, with its rapidly changing lifestyles, shift in diet from unsaturated
      to saturated fatty acids and dramatic increase in cardiovascular disease (CVD),
      presents an opportunity to elucidate any associations between specific FAs and
      known CVD risk factors. OBJECTIVE: We tested the hypothesis that the specific FAs
      previously identified as related to CVD mortality are also associated with
      individual CVD risk factors. METHODS: In this community-based, cross-sectional
      study, relative proportions of FAs in plasma and red blood cell membranes were
      compared with CVD risk factors in a sample of 758 men and women aged >=35 years.
      Linear regression analyses were used to analyze relations between specific FAs
      and CVD risk factors (LDL-C, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides,
      C-reactive protein, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart
      rate, body mass index, fasting glucose and fasting insulin, 2-hour glucose and 2
      hour insulin). RESULTS: The specific saturated FAs previously identified as
      related to CVD mortality, the palmitic and myristic acids, were adversely
      associated with most CVD risk factors, whereas unsaturated linoleic acid (18:2n
      6) and the marine n-3 FAs were not associated or were beneficially associated
      with CVD risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that CVD risk factors are
      more extensively affected by individual FAs than hitherto recognized, and that
      risk for CVD, MI and stroke can be reduced by reducing the intake of palmitate,
      myristic acid and simple carbohydrates and improved by greater intake of linoleic
      acid and marine n-3 FAs.

PMID- 26274057
TI  - Ex Vivo Culture of Pharyngeal Arches to Study Heart and Muscle Progenitors and
      Their Niche.
AB  - The pharyngeal mesoderm of developing embryos contributes to broad regions of
      head and heart musculature. We have developed a novel method to study head and
      heart progenitor cell development with pharyngeal arches (also known as branchial
      arches) ex vivo. Using this method, we have recently described that the second
      pharyngeal arch contains self-renewing heart progenitors and serves as a
      microenvironment for expansion of the progenitors during mouse heart development.
      The progenitor cells remain undifferentiated and expansive inside the arch, but
      quickly become functional cardiomyocytes as they migrate out of the arch. We also
      reported that first pharyngeal arch contains muscle progenitors giving rise to
      myotubes after leaving the arch. Here, we demonstrate the procedure for the
      dissection and ex vivo culture of first and second pharyngeal arches from
      developing mouse embryos. The method enables one to study head and heart
      progenitor/muscle development, including cardiomyocyte and myotube formation in
      detail ex vivo. 

PMID- 26274058
TI  - Synthesis and Catalytic Performance of Gold Intercalated in the Walls of
      Mesoporous Silica.
AB  - As a promising catalytically active nano reactor, gold nanoparticles intercalated
      in mesoporous silica (GMS) were successfully synthesized and properties of the
      materials were investigated. We used a one pot sol-gel approach to intercalate
      gold nano particles in the walls of mesoporous silica. To start with the
      synthesis, P123 was used as template to form micelles. Then TESPTS was used as a
      surface modification agent to intercalate gold nano particles. Following this
      process, TEOS was added in as a silica source which underwent a polymerization
      process in acid environment. After hydrothermal processing and calcination, the
      final product was acquired. Several techniques were utilized to characterize the
      porosity, morphology and structure of the gold intercalated mesoporous silica.
      The results showed a stable structure of mesoporous silica after gold
      intercalation. Through the oxidation of benzyl alcohol as a benchmark reaction,
      the GMS materials showed high selectivity and recyclability. 

PMID- 26274059
TI  - High-frequency Ultrasound Imaging of Mouse Cervical Lymph Nodes.
AB  - High-frequency ultrasound (HFUS) is widely employed as a non-invasive method for
      imaging internal anatomic structures in experimental small animal systems. HFUS
      has the ability to detect structures as small as 30 um, a property that has been
      utilized for visualizing superficial lymph nodes in rodents in brightness (B)
      mode. Combining power Doppler with B-mode imaging allows for measuring
      circulatory blood flow within lymph nodes and other organs. While HFUS has been
      utilized for lymph node imaging in a number of mouse  model systems, a detailed
      protocol describing HFUS imaging and characterization of the cervical lymph nodes
      in mice has not been reported. Here, we show that HFUS can be adapted to detect
      and characterize cervical lymph nodes in mice. Combined B-mode and power Doppler
      imaging can be used to detect increases in blood flow in immunologically-enlarged
      cervical nodes. We also describe the use of B-mode imaging to conduct fine needle
      biopsies of cervical lymph nodes to retrieve lymph tissue for histological 
      analysis. Finally, software-aided steps are described to calculate changes in
      lymph node volume and to visualize changes in lymph node morphology following
      image reconstruction. The ability to visually monitor changes in cervical lymph
      node biology over time provides a simple and powerful technique for the non
      invasive monitoring of cervical lymph node alterations in preclinical mouse
      models of oral cavity disease. 

PMID- 26274060
TI  - Quantification of Heavy Metals and Other Inorganic Contaminants on the
      Productivity of Microalgae.
AB  - Increasing demand for renewable fuels has researchers investigating the
      feasibility of alternative feedstocks, such as microalgae. Inherent advantages
      include high potential yield, use of non-arable land and integration with waste
      streams. The nutrient requirements of a large-scale microalgae production system
      will require the coupling of cultivation systems with industrial waste resources,
      such as carbon dioxide from flue gas and nutrients from wastewater. Inorganic
      contaminants present in these wastes can potentially lead to bioaccumulation in
      microalgal biomass negatively impact productivity and limiting end use. This
      study focuses on the experimental evaluation of the impact and the fate of 14
      inorganic contaminants (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn, V and Zn)
      on Nannochloropsis salina growth. Microalgae were cultivated in photobioreactors
      illuminated at 984 umol m(-2) sec(-1) and maintained at pH 7 in a growth media
      polluted with inorganic contaminants at levels expected based on the composition
      found in commercial coal flue gas systems. Contaminants present in the biomass
      and the medium at the end of a 7 day growth period were analytically quantified
      through cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry for Hg and through inductively
      coupled plasma mass spectrometry for As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn,
      V and Zn. Results show N. salina is a sensitive strain to the multi-metal
      environment with a statistical decrease in biomass yieldwith the introduction of
      these contaminants. The techniques presented here are adequate for quantifying
      algal growth and determining the fate of inorganic contaminants. 

PMID- 26274062
TI  - Practical Pd(II)-Catalyzed C-H Alkylation with Epoxides: One-Step Syntheses of
      3,4-Dihydroisocoumarins.
AB  - Pd(II)-catalyzed ortho-alkylation of benzoic acids with both terminal and
      internal epoxides affords 3,4-dihydroisocoumarins in one step. The presence of
      potassium countercations is crucial for this reaction. Monoprotected amino acid
      ligands significantly promote this reaction, enabling the development of a
      practical C-H alkylation reaction using 0.5 mol % Pd catalyst. The inversion of
      stereochemistry in the C-H alkylation step is consistent with a redox-neutral SN2
      nucleophilic ring-opening process as opposed to a Pd(II)/Pd(IV) pathway. 

PMID- 26274061
TI  - Immigration, language proficiency, and autobiographical memories: Lifespan
      distribution and second-language access.
AB  - This investigation examined two controversies in the autobiographical literature:
      how cross-language immigration affects the distribution of autobiographical
      memories across the lifespan and under what circumstances language-dependent
      recall is observed. Both Spanish/English bilingual immigrants and English
      monolingual non-immigrants participated in a cue word study, with the bilingual
      sample taking part in a within-subject language manipulation. The expected bump
      in the number of memories from early life was observed for non-immigrants but not
      immigrants, who reported more memories for events surrounding immigration.
      Aspects of the methodology addressed possible reasons for past discrepant
      findings. Language-dependent recall was influenced by second-language
      proficiency. Results were interpreted as evidence that bilinguals with high
      second-language proficiency, in contrast to those with lower second-language
      proficiency, access a single conceptual store through either language. The final
      multi-level model predicting language-dependent recall, including second-language
      proficiency, age of immigration, internal language, and cue word language,
      explained 3/4 of the between-person variance and (1)/5 of the within-person
      variance. We arrive at two conclusions. First, major life transitions influence
      the distribution of memories. Second, concept representation across multiple
      languages follows a developmental model. In addition, the results underscore the
      importance of considering language experience in research involving memory
      reports.

PMID- 26274063
TI  - "Click" Patterning of Self-Assembled Monolayers on Hydrogen-Terminated Silicon
      Surfaces and Their Characterization Using Light-Addressable Potentiometric
      Sensors.
AB  - Two potential strategies for chemically patterning alkyne-terminated self
      assembled monolayers (SAMs) on oxide-free silicon or silicon-on-sapphire (SOS)
      substrates were investigated and compared. The patterned surfaces were validated
      using a light-addressable potentiometric sensor (LAPS) for the first time. The
      first strategy involved an integration of photolithography with "click"
      chemistry. Detailed surface characterization (i.e. water contact angle,
      ellipsometry, AFM, and XPS) and LAPS measurements showed that photoresist
      processing not only decreases the coverage of organic monolayers but also
      introduces chemically bonded contaminants on the surfaces, thus significantly
      reducing the quality of the SAMs and the utility of "click" surface modification.
      The formation of chemical contaminants in photolithography was also observed on
      carboxylic acid- and alkyl-terminated monolayers using LAPS. In contrast, a
      second approach combined microcontact printing (MUCP) with "click" chemistry;
      that is azide (azido-oligo(ethylene glycol) (OEG)-NH2) inks were printed on
      alkyne-terminated SAMs on silicon or SOS through PDMS stamps. The surface
      characterization results for the sample printed with a flat featureless PDMS
      stamp demonstrated a nondestructive and efficient method of MUCP to perform
      "click" reactions on alkyne-terminated, oxide-free silicon surfaces for the first
      time. For the sample printed with a featured PDMS stamp, LAPS imaging showed a
      good agreement with the pattern of the PDMS stamp, indicating the successful
      chemical patterning on non-oxidized silicon and SOS substrates and the capability
      of LAPS to image the molecular patterns with high sensitivity. 

PMID- 26274064
TI  - Antiviral phytochemicals identification from Azadirachta indica leaves against
      HCV NS3 protease: an in silico approach.
AB  - Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major health problem across the world affecting the
      people of all age groups. It is the main cause of hepatitis and at chronic stage
      causes liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Various therapeutics are
      made against HCV but still there is a need to find out potential therapeutics to
      combat the virus. The goal of this study is to identify the phytochemicals of
      Azadirachta indica leaves having antiviral activity against HCV NS3 protease
      through molecular docking and simulation approach. Results show that the compound
      3-Deacetyl-3-cinnamoyl-azadirachtin possesses good binding properties with HCV
      NS3/4A protease. It can be concluded from this study that Deacetyl-3-cinnamoyl
      azadirachtin may serve as a potential inhibitor against NS3/4A protease. 

PMID- 26274065
TI  - Risk factors associated with resistance to HIV testing among transwomen in
      Brazil.
AB  - Transwomen are a high-risk population for HIV/AIDS worldwide. However, many
      transwomen do not test for HIV. This study aimed to identify factors associated
      with resistance to HIV testing among transwomen in Fortaleza/CE. A cross
      sectional study was conducted between August and December 2008 with a sample of
      304 transwomen recruited through respondent-driven sampling. Data analysis
      utilized Respondent-Driven Sampling Analysis Tool and SPSS 11.0. Univariate,
      bivariate, and multivariate analyses examined risk factors associated with
      resistance to HIV testing. Less than 18 years of age (OR = 4.221; CI = 2.419
      7.364), sexual debut before 10 years of age (OR = 6.760; CI = 2.996-15.256),
      using illegal drugs during sex (OR = 2.384; CI = 1.310-4.339), experience of
      discrimination (OR = 3.962; CI = 1.540-10.195) and a belief that the test results
      were not confidential (OR = 3.763; CI = 2.118-6.688) are independently associated
      with resistance to testing. Intersectoral and targeted strategies aimed at
      encouraging the adoption of safer sexual behaviors and testing for HIV among
      transwomen are required. 

PMID- 26274066
TI  - Direct MD Simulations of Terahertz Absorption and 2D Spectroscopy Applied to
      Explosive Crystals.
AB  - A direct molecular dynamics simulation of the THz spectrum of a molecular crystal
      is presented. A time-dependent electric field is added to a molecular dynamics
      simulation of a crystal slab. The absorption spectrum is composed from the energy
      dissipated calculated from a series of applied pulses characterized by a carrier
      frequency. The spectrum of crystalline cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (RDX) and
      triacetone triperoxide (TATP) were simulated with the ReaxFF force field. The
      proposed direct method avoids the linear response and harmonic approximations. A
      multidimensional extension of the spectroscopy is suggested and simulated based
      on the nonlinear response to a single polarized pulse of radiation in the
      perpendicular polarization direction. 

PMID- 26274067
TI  - Photochemical Charge Separation in Nanocrystal Photocatalyst Films: Insights from
      Surface Photovoltage Spectroscopy.
AB  - Photochemical charge generation, separation, and transport at nanocrystal
      interfaces are central to photoelectrochemical water splitting, a pathway to
      hydrogen from solar energy. Here, we use surface photovoltage spectroscopy to
      probe these processes in nanocrystal films of HCa2Nb3O10, a proven photocatalyst.
      Charge injection from the nanoparticles into the gold support can be observed, as
      well as oxidation and reduction of methanol and oxygen adsorbates on the
      nanosheet films. The measured photovoltage depends on the illumination intensity
      and substrate material, and it varies with illumination time and with film
      thickness. The proposed model predicts that the photovoltage is limited by the
      built-in potential of the nanosheet-metal junction, that is, the difference of
      Fermi energies in the two materials. The ability to measure and understand these
      light-induced charge separation processes in easy-to-fabricate films will promote
      the development of nanocrystal applications in photoelectrochemical cells,
      photovoltaics, and photocatalysts. 

PMID- 26274068
TI  - Interface for Light-Driven Electron Transfer by Photosynthetic Complexes Across
      Block Copolymer Membranes.
AB  - Incorporation of membrane proteins into nanodevices to mediate recognition and
      transport in a collective and scalable fashion remains a challenging problem. We
      demonstrate how nanoscale photovoltaics could be designed using robust synthetic
      nanomembranes with incorporated photosynthetic reaction centers (RCs).
      Specifically, RCs from Rhodobacter sphaeroides are reconstituted spontaneously
      into rationally designed polybutadiene membranes to form hierarchically organized
      proteopolymer membrane arrays via a charge-interaction-directed reconstitution
      mechanism. Once incorporated, the RCs are fully active for prolonged periods
      based upon a variety of spectroscopic measurements, underscoring preservation of
      their 3D pigment configuration critical for light-driven charge transfer. This
      result provides a strategy to construct solar conversion devices using
      structurally versatile proteopolymer membranes with integrated RC functions to
      harvest broad regions of the solar spectrum. 

PMID- 26274069
TI  - Elucidation and Control of an Intramolecular Charge Transfer Property of
      Fucoxanthin by a Modification of Its Polyene Chain Length.
AB  - Fucoxanthin is an essential pigment for the highly efficient light-harvesting
      function of marine algal photosynthesis. It exhibits excited state properties
      attributed to intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) in polar environments due to
      the presence of the carbonyl group in its polyene backbone. This report describes
      the excited state properties of fucoxanthin homologues with four to eight
      conjugated double bonds in various solvents using the femtosecond pump-probe
      technique. The results clarified that fucoxanthin homologues with longer polyene
      chains did not possess pronounced ICT spectroscopic signatures, while the shorter
      fucoxanthin homologues had a strong ICT character, even in a nonpolar solvent. On
      the basis of the observations, we quantitatively correlated the ICT character in
      the excited state to the conjugated polyene chain lengths of fucoxanthin
      molecules. 

PMID- 26274070
TI  - Photoactive Dendrimer for Water Photoreduction: A Scaffold to Combine Sensitizers
      and Catalysts.
AB  - We report on the synthesis and characterization of platinum nanoparticles (PtNps)
      inside the cavities of a PAMAM dendrimer decorated with [Ru(bpy)3](2+) units at
      the periphery. The phosphorescent ruthenium complexes are used as signaling units
      of the Pt(2+) complexation in the dendritic architecture and as photosensitizer
      units in the photocatalytic production of H2 from water. This is the first
      example of water photoreduction in which the catalyst and the sensitizer are
      anchored on a dendritic molecular scaffold. This study provides a new outlook in
      the design of new supramolecular systems and materials for developing artificial
      photosynthesis. 

PMID- 26274071
TI  - Developing Monolithic Nanoporous Gold with Hierarchical Bicontinuity Using
      Colloidal Bijels.
AB  - We report a universal platform for the synthesis of monolithic porous gold
      materials with hierarchical bicontinuous morphology and combined macro- and
      mesoporosity using a synergistic combination of nanocasting and chemical
      dealloying. This robust and accessible approach offers a new design paradigm for
      the parallel optimization of active surface area and mass transport in porous
      metal electrodes. 

PMID- 26274073
TI  - Unveiling the Surface Structure of Amorphous Solid Water via Selective Infrared
      Irradiation of OH Stretching Modes.
AB  - In the quest to understand the formation of the building blocks of life,
      amorphous solid water (ASW) is one of the most widely studied molecular systems.
      Indeed, ASW is ubiquitous in the cold interstellar medium (ISM), where ASW-coated
      dust grains provide a catalytic surface for solid phase chemistry, and is
      believed to be present in the Earth's atmosphere at high altitudes. It has been
      shown that the ice surface adsorbs small molecules such as CO, N2, or CH4, most
      likely at OH groups dangling from the surface. Our study presents completely new
      insights concerning the behavior of ASW upon selective infrared (IR) irradiation
      of its dangling modes. When irradiated, these surface H2O molecules reorganize,
      predominantly forming a stabilized monomer-like water mode on the ice surface. We
      show that we systematically provoke "hole-burning" effects (or net loss of
      oscillators) at the wavelength of irradiation and reproduce the same absorbed
      water monomer on the ASW surface. Our study suggests that all dangling modes
      share one common channel of vibrational relaxation; the ice remains amorphous but
      with a reduced range of binding sites, and thus an altered catalytic capacity. 

PMID- 26274072
TI  - Structure and Stability of Lithium Superoxide Clusters and Relevance to Li-O2
      Batteries.
AB  - The discharge mechanism of a Li-O2 battery involves lithium superoxide (LiO2)
      radicals. In this Letter, we have performed high-level quantum chemical
      calculations (G4MP2) to investigate the structure and stability of LiO2 clusters.
      The clusters have planar ring-shaped structures, high spins, and are
      thermodynamically more stable than LiO2 dimer. The computed energy barrier for
      disproportionation of the larger clusters is also significantly higher than the
      corresponding barrier in the LiO2 dimer (1.0 eV vs 0.5 eV). This means that
      disproportionation rate should be much slower if the reaction involves LiO2
      clusters other than the dimer. As a result, the clusters may survive long enough
      to be incorporated into the growing discharge product. These results are
      discussed in terms of recent experimental studies of the electronic structure and
      morphology of the discharge products in Li-air batteries. 

PMID- 26274074
TI  - Efficiency of Solar-Light-Driven TiO2 Photocatalysis at Different Latitudes and
      Seasons. Where and When Does TiO2 Really Work?

PMID- 26274075
TI  - Role of Ordered Proteins in the Folding-Upon-Binding of Intrinsically Disordered
      Proteins.
AB  - In this work, we quantitatively investigate the thermodynamic analogy between the
      folding of monomeric proteins and the interactions of intrinsically disordered
      proteins (IDPs). Motivated by the hypothesis that similar hydrophobic forces
      guide both globular protein folding and also IDP interactions, we present a
      unified experimental and computational investigation of the coupling between the
      folding and binding of the intrinsically disordered tail of FCP1 when interacting
      with the cooperatively folding winged-helix domain of Rap74. Our calorimetric
      measurements quantitatively demonstrate the significance of hydrophobic
      interactions for this binding event. Our computational studies indicate that IDPs
      relieve frustration at the surface of ordered proteins to generate a minimally
      frustrated complex that is strikingly similar to a globular monomeric protein. In
      summary, these results not only quantify the thermodynamic forces driving
      disordered protein interactions but also highlight the role of ordered proteins
      for IDP function. 

PMID- 26274076
TI  - Mapping the Ultrafast Dynamics of Adenine onto Its Nucleotide and
      Oligonucleotides by Time-Resolved Photoelectron Imaging.
AB  - The intrinsic photophysics of nucleobases and nucleotides following UV absorption
      presents a key reductionist step toward understanding the complex photodamage
      mechanisms occurring in DNA. The decay mechanism of adenine in particular has
      been the focus of intense investigation, as has how these correlate to those of
      its more biologically relevant nucleotide and oligonucleotides in aqueous
      solution. Here, we report on time-resolved photoelectron imaging of the
      deprotonated 3'-deoxy-adenosine-5'-monophosphate nucleotide and the adenosine di-
      and trinucleotides. Through a comparison of gas- and solution-phase experiments
      and available theoretical studies, the dynamics of the base are shown to be
      relatively insensitive to the surrounding environment. The decay mechanism
      primarily involves internal conversion from the initially populated (1)pipi*
      states to the ground state. The relaxation dynamics of the adenosine
      oligonucleotides are similar to those of the nucleobase, in contrast to the
      aqueous oligonucleotides, where a fraction of the ensemble forms long-lived
      excimer states. 

PMID- 26274077
TI  - Hard Numbers for Large Molecules: Toward Exact Energetics for Supramolecular
      Systems.
AB  - Noncovalent interactions are ubiquitous in molecular and condensed-phase
      environments, and hence a reliable theoretical description of these fundamental
      interactions could pave the way toward a more complete understanding of the
      microscopic underpinnings for a diverse set of systems in chemistry and biology.
      In this work, we demonstrate that recent algorithmic advances coupled to the
      availability of large-scale computational resources make the stochastic quantum
      Monte Carlo approach to solving the Schrodinger equation an optimal contender for
      attaining "chemical accuracy" (1 kcal/mol) in the binding energies of
      supramolecular complexes of chemical relevance. To illustrate this point, we
      considered a select set of seven host-guest complexes, representing the spectrum
      of noncovalent interactions, including dispersion or van der Waals forces, pi-pi
      stacking, hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic interactions, and electrostatic (ion
      dipole) attraction. A detailed analysis of the interaction energies reveals that
      a complete theoretical description necessitates treatment of terms well beyond
      the standard London and Axilrod-Teller contributions to the van der Waals
      dispersion energy. 

PMID- 26274078
TI  - Direct Electronic Property Imaging of a Nanocrystal-Based Photovoltaic Device by
      Electron Beam-Induced Current via Scanning Electron Microscopy.
AB  - Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) electron beam-induced current (EBIC) studies
      were performed on the cross-section of a nanocrystal-based hybrid bulk
      heterojunction photovoltaic device. Using these techniques, the short circuit
      carrier collection efficiencies are mapped with a better than 100 nm resolution.
      Electronically deficient and proficient regions within the photoactive layer are
      determined. The results show that only a fraction of the CdSe nanorod:P3HT layer
      (P3HT = poly-3(hexylthiophene)) at the Al cathode interface shows primary
      collection of charged carriers, in which the photoactivity decreases
      exponentially away from the interface. The recombination losses of the
      photoactive layer away from this interface prove that the limiting factor of the
      device is the inability for electrons to percolate between nanoparticles; to
      alleviate this problem, an interparticle network that conducts the electrons from
      one nanorod to the next must be established. Furthermore, the EBIC technique
      applied to the nanocrystalline device used in this study is the first measurement
      of its kind and can be applied toward other similar architectures. 

PMID- 26274079
TI  - Understanding Trends in CO2 Adsorption in Metal-Organic Frameworks with Open
      Metal Sites.
AB  - Using van der Waals-corrected density functional theory and a local chemical bond
      analysis, we study and explain trends in the binding between CO2 and open-metal
      coordination sites within a series of two metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), BTT,
      and MOF-74 for Ca, Mg, and nine divalent transition-metal cations. We find that
      Ti and V result in the largest CO2 binding energies and show that for these
      cations the CO2 binding energies for both structure types are twice the value
      expected based on pure electrostatics. We associate this behavior with the
      specific electronic configuration of the divalent cations and symmetry of the
      metal coordination site upon CO2 binding, which result in empty antibonding
      orbitals between CO2 and the metal cation. We demonstrate that a chemical bond
      analysis and electrostatic considerations can be used to predict trends of CO2
      binding affinities to MOFs with transition-metal cations. 

PMID- 26274080
TI  - Time-Resolved Studies of the Acoustic Vibrational Modes of Metal and
      Semiconductor Nano-objects.
AB  - Over the past decade, there have been a number of transient absorption studies of
      the acoustic vibrational modes of metal and semiconductor nanoparticles. This
      Perspective provides an overview of this work. The way that the frequencies of
      the observed modes depend on the size and shape of the particles is described,
      along with their damping. Future research directions are also discussed,
      especially how these measurements provide information about the way nano-objects
      interact with their environment. 

PMID- 26274081
TI  - Chemical Control of Hydrodynamic Instabilities in Partially Miscible Two-Layer
      Systems.
AB  - Hydrodynamic instabilities at the interface between two partially miscible
      liquids impact numerous applications, including CO2 sequestration in saline
      aquifers. We introduce here a new laboratory-scale model system on which buoyancy
      and Marangoni-driven convective instabilities of such partially miscible two
      layer systems can easily be studied. This system consists of the stratification
      of a pure alkyl formate on top of a denser aqueous solution in the gravitational
      field. A rich spectrum of convective dynamics is obtained upon partial
      dissolution of the ester into the water followed by its hydrolysis. The
      properties of the convective patterns are controlled by the miscibility of the
      ester in water, the feedback of the dissolved species on its own miscibility, as
      well as the reactivity of given chemicals in the aqueous solution with the
      solubilized ester. 

PMID- 26274082
TI  - Key Parameters Governing the Energy Density of Rechargeable Li/S Batteries.
AB  - Rechargeable lithium-sulfur batteries have high theoretical capacity and energy
      density. However, their volumetric energy density has been believed to be lower
      than that of conventional lithium ion batteries employing metal oxide cathodes
      like LiCoO2. Here, we study the effects of sulfur loading percentage, develop a
      simple model and calculate the gravimetric and volumetric energy densities based
      on the total composition of electrodes in a lithium-sulfur cell, and compare
      those results with a typical graphite/LiCoO2 cell. From the model output, we have
      identified and established key parameters governing the energy density of
      rechargeable Li/S batteries. We find that the sulfur loading percentage has a
      much higher impact on the volumetric energy density than on the gravimetric
      energy density. A lithium-sulfur cell can exceed a lithium ion cell's volumetric
      energy density but only at high sulfur loading percentages (ca. 70%). We believe
      that these findings may attract more attention of lithium-sulfur system studies
      to high sulfur loading levels. 

PMID- 26274083
TI  - A Mononuclear Mn(II) Pseudoclathrochelate Complex Studied by Multi-Frequency
      Electron-Paramagnetic-Resonance Spectroscopy.
AB  - Knowledge of the correlation between structural and spectroscopic properties of
      transition-metal complexes is essential to deepen the understanding of their role
      in catalysis, molecular magnetism, and biological inorganic chemistry. It
      provides topological and, sometimes, functional insight with respect to the
      active site properties of metalloproteins. The electronic structure of a high
      spin mononuclear Mn(II) pseudoclathrochelate complex has been investigated by
      electron-paramagnetic-resonance (EPR) spectroscopy at 9.5 and 275.7 GHz. A
      substantial, virtually axial zero-field splitting with D = -9.7 GHz (-0.32 cm(
      1)) is found, which is the largest one reported to date for a Mn(II) complex with
      six nitrogen atoms in the first coordination sphere. 

PMID- 26274084
TI  - Metastability Limit for the Nucleation of NaCl Crystals in Confinement.
AB  - We study the spontaneous nucleation and growth of sodium chloride crystals
      induced by controlled evaporation in confined geometries (microcapillaries)
      spanning several orders of magnitude in volume. In all experiments, the
      nucleation happens reproducibly at a very high supersaturation S ~ 1.6 and is
      independent of the size, shape, and surface properties of the microcapillary. We
      show from classical nucleation theory that this is expected: S ~ 1.6 corresponds
      to the point where nucleation first becomes observable on experimental time
      scales. A consequence of the high supersaturations reached at the onset of
      nucleation is the very rapid growth of a single skeletal (Hopper) crystal.
      Experiments on porous media also reveal the formation of Hopper crystals in the
      entrapped liquid pockets in the porous network and consequently underline the
      fact that sodium chloride can easily reach high supersaturations, in spite of
      what is commonly assumed for this salt. 

PMID- 26274085
TI  - Overcoming the Myths of the Review Process and Getting Your Paper Ready for
      Publication.

PMID- 26274086
TI  - Mechanical Manipulation of Chemical Reactions: Reactivity Switching of Bergman
      Cyclizations.
AB  - Photoswitches incorporated into molecular frameworks have been used since a long
      time to trigger chemical processes on demand. Here, it is shown how mechanophores
      can be used as switches in order to drastically change the reactivity of a
      neighboring functional group as a function of external stress. The reactivities
      of cyclic enediynes, which are highly toxic agents when undergoing Bergman
      cyclization, roughly correlate with the distance between the bond-forming carbons
      in many cases. It is demonstrated how this distance, and thus enediyne
      reactivity, can be tuned upon applying mechanical stress. Depending on suitable
      substitution patterns, chemically inert species can be turned into highly
      reactive ones and vice versa, thus extending the concept of photoswitching to
      mechanoswitching. Moreover, depending on the derivative, it is found that C1-C5
      cyclization becomes energetically preferred over the Bergman (C1-C6) pathway at
      nano-Newton forces, thus leading to a force-induced switch in selectivity in such
      cases. 

PMID- 26274087
TI  - Temperature-Driven Changeover in the Electron-Transfer Mechanism of a
      Thermophilic Plastocyanin.
AB  - Electron-transfer kinetics of the thermophilic protein Plastocyanin from
      Phormidium laminosum adsorbed on 1,omega-alkanedithiol self-assembled monolayers
      (SAMs) deposited on gold have been investigated. The standard electron-transfer
      rate constant has been determined as a function of electrode-protein distance and
      solution viscosity over a broad temperature range (0-90  degrees C). For either
      thin or thick SAMs, the electron-transfer regime remains invariant with
      temperature, whereas for the 1,11-undecanethiol SAM of intermediate chain length,
      a kinetic regime changeover from a gated or friction-controlled mechanism at low
      temperature (0-30  degrees C) to a nonadiabatic mechanism above 40  degrees C is
      observed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time a thermal-induced
      transition between these two kinetic regimes is reported for a metalloprotein. 

PMID- 26274088
TI  - The Use of Redox Mediators for Enhancing Utilization of Li2S Cathodes for
      Advanced Li-S Battery Systems.
AB  - The development of Li2S electrodes is a crucial step toward industrial
      manufacturing of Li-S batteries, a promising alternative to Li-ion batteries due
      to their projected two times higher specific capacity. However, the high voltages
      needed to activate Li2S electrodes, and the consequent electrolyte solution
      degradation, represent the main challenge. We present a novel concept that could
      make feasible the widespread application of Li2S electrodes for Li-S cell
      assembly. In this concept, the addition of redox mediators as additives to the
      standard electrolyte solution allows us to recover most of Li2S theoretical
      capacity in the activation cycle at potentials as low as 2.9 VLi, substantially
      lower than the typical potentials >4 VLi needed with standard electrolyte
      solution. Those novel additives permit us to preserve the electrolyte solution
      from being degraded, allowing us to achieve capacity as high as 500 mAhg(-1)Li2S
      after 150 cycles with no major structural optimization of the electrodes. 

PMID- 26274089
TI  - Highly Sensitive Ammonia Probes of a Variable Proton-to-Electron Mass Ratio.
AB  - The mass sensitivity of the vibration-rotation-inversion energy levels of ammonia
      is probed using the nonrigid inverter theory. It is shown that the sensitivity
      exhibits non-negligible centrifugal distortion dependence, which is currently
      disregarded. The centrifugal distortion effects are especially important in the
      case of the Deltak = +/-3 "forbidden" transitions involving accidentally
      coinciding ro-inversional states |a,J,K = 3? and |s,J,K = 0? of the nu2
      vibrational state of (14)NH3. The energy differences of these states exhibit very
      anomalous mass sensitivities (see Jansen etal. J. Chem. Phys. 2014 , 140 , 010901
      ), thus appearing as new highly sensitive probes of the cosmological variability
      of the proton-to-electron mass ratio. 

PMID- 26274090
TI  - Solvent Environment Revealed by Positively Chirped Pulses.
AB  - The spectroscopy of large organic molecules and biomolecules in solution has been
      investigated using various time-resolved and frequency-resolved techniques. Of
      particular interest is the early response of the molecule and the solvent, which
      is difficult to study due to the ambiguity in assigning and differentiating inter
      and intramolecular contributions to the electronic and vibrational populations
      and coherence. Our measurements compare the yield of fluorescence and stimulated
      emission for two laser dyes IR144 and IR125 as a function of chirp. While
      negatively chirped pulses are insensitive to solvent viscosity, positively
      chirped pulses are found to be uniquely sensitive probes of solvent viscosity.
      The fluorescence maximum for IR125 is observed near transform-limited pulses;
      however, for IR144, it is observed for positively chirped pulses once the pulses
      have been stretched to hundreds of femtoseconds. We conclude that chirped pulse
      spectroscopy is a simple one-beam method that is sensitive to early solvation
      dynamics. 

PMID- 26274091
TI  - Formation of High-Aspect-Ratio Helical Nanorods via Chiral Self-Assembly of
      Fullerodendrimers.
AB  - Two novel, asymmetric methanofullerenes are presented, which self-assemble in
      cyclohexane upon thermal cycling to 80  degrees C. We show that, through the
      introduction of a dipeptide sequence to one terminus of the dendritic
      methanofullerene, it is possible to transform the assembly behavior of these
      molecules from poorly formed aggregates to high-aspect-ratio nanorods. These
      nanorods have diameters of 3.76 +/- 0.52 nm and appear to be composed of
      interwoven helices of dendritic fullerenes. As evidenced by circular dichroism,
      the helicity is characterized by a preferential handedness of assembly, which is
      imparted by the dipeptide moiety. 

PMID- 26274092
TI  - Density Functional Theory Study Predicts Low Reorganization Energies for
      Azadipyrromethene-Based Metal Complexes.
AB  - Small internal reorganization energy is desirable for high-performance
      optoelectronic materials, as it facilitates both charge separation and charge
      transport. However, only a handful of n-type electron accepting materials are
      known to have small reorganization energies. Here, DFT calculations were
      performed to predict the reorganization energy of azadipyrromethene-based dyes
      and their complexes. All compounds studied were most stable in their anionic
      state and had high electron affinity, indicating their potential as n-type
      material. The homoleptic zinc(II) complexes had significantly lower
      reorganization energies than either the free ligands or the BF2(+) chelates. The
      low reorganization energies of the zinc(II) complexes are explained by the large
      and rigid pi conjugated system that extends across the two azadipyrromethene
      ligands via interligand pi-pi interactions. This work suggests that Zn(II)
      complexation is a novel strategy for obtaining materials that combine low
      internal reorganization energy with high electron affinity for the development of
      novel n-type optoelectronic materials. 

PMID- 26274093
TI  - Broadband Transient Absorption and Two-Dimensional Electronic Spectroscopy of
      Methylene Blue.
AB  - Broadband transient absorption and two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy (2DES)
      studies of methylene blue in aqueous solution are reported. By isolating the
      coherent oscillations of the nonlinear signal amplitude and Fourier transforming
      with respect to the population time, we analyzed a significant number of
      coherences in the frequency domain and compared them with predictions of the
      vibronic spectrum from density function theory (DFT) calculations. We show here
      that such a comparison enables reliable assignments of vibrational coherences to
      particular vibrational modes, with their constituent combination bands and
      overtones also being identified via Franck-Condon analysis aided by DFT.
      Evaluation of the Fourier transform (FT) spectrum of transient absorption
      recorded to picosecond population times, in coincidence with 2D oscillation maps
      that disperse the FT spectrum into the additional excitation axis, is shown to be
      a complementary approach toward detailed coherence determination. Using the
      Franck-Condon overlap integrals determined from DFT calculations, we modeled 2D
      oscillation maps up to two vibrational quanta in the ground and excited state
      (six-level model), showing agreement with experiment. This semiquantitative
      analysis is used to interpret the geometry change upon photoexcitation as an
      expansion of the central sulfur/nitrogen containing ring due to the increased
      antibonding character in the excited state.

PMID- 26274094
TI  - Probing the biological evaluations of a new designed Pt(II) complex using
      spectroscopic and theoretical approaches: human hemoglobin as a target.
AB  - In recent years, using heavy metal compounds such as platinum as anticancer agent
      is one of the common ways in chemical therapy. In this study, a new anticancer
      compound of glycine derivatives of Pt(II) complex (amyl-glycine1, 10
      phenanthroline Platinum nitrate) was designed, and the biological effects of this
      novel compound on the alterations in the function and structure of human
      hemoglobin (Hb) at different temperatures of 25 and 37 degrees C were assessed by
      applying various spectroscopic (fluorescence and circular dichroism (CD)) and
      theoretical methods. Fluorescence data indicated the strong ability of Pt(II)
      complex to quench the intrinsic fluorescence of Hb. The binding constant, number
      of binding sites, and thermodynamic parameters at two temperatures were
      calculated, and the results indicated the major possibility of occurring van der
      Waals force or hydrogen bond interactions in the Pt(II) complex-Hb interaction.
      For evaluating the alteration of secondary structure of Hb upon interaction with
      various concentrations of complex, far-UV CD spectra were used and it was
      observed that in high dose of complex, significant changes were occurred which is
      indicative of some side effects in overdosing of this complex. On the other hand,
      the molecular docking results illustrate that are well in agreement in obtaining
      data with spectroscopy. Above results suggested that using Pt(II) complex as an
      anticancer agent, model drug in high-dose usage might cause some disordering in
      structure and function of Hb as well as improve understanding of the side effects
      of newly designed metal anticancer drugs undergoing. 

PMID- 26274095
TI  - Dual Gate Black Phosphorus Field Effect Transistors on Glass for NOR Logic and
      Organic Light Emitting Diode Switching.
AB  - We have fabricated dual gate field effect transistors (FETs) with 12 nm-thin
      black phosphorus (BP) channel on glass substrate, where our BP FETs have a
      patterned-gate architecture with 30 nm-thick Al2O3 dielectrics on top and bottom
      of a BP channel. Top gate dielectric has simultaneously been used as device
      encapsulation layer, controlling the threshold voltage of FETs as well when FETs
      mainly operate under bottom gate bias. Bottom, top, and dual gate-controlling
      mobilities were estimated to be 277, 92, and 213 cm(2)/V s, respectively. Maximum
      ON-current was measured to be ~5 MUA at a drain voltage of -0.1 V but to be as
      high as ~50 MUA at -1 V, while ON/OFF current ratio appeared to be 3.6 * 10(3) V.
      As a result, our dual gate BP FETs demonstrate organic light emitting diode
      (OLED) switching for green and blue OLEDs, also demonstrating NOR logic functions
      by separately using top- and bottom-input. 

PMID- 26274096
TI  - Orchestration of Structural, Stereoelectronic, and Hydrogen-Bonding Effects in
      Stabilizing Triplexes from Engineered Chimeric Collagen Peptides (Pro(X)-Pro(Y)
      Gly)6 Incorporating 4(R/S)-Aminoproline.
AB  - Collagens are an important family of structural proteins found in the
      extracellular matrix with triple helix as the characteristic structural motif.
      The collagen triplex is made of three left-handed polyproline II (PPII) helices
      with each PPII strand consisting of repetitive units of the tripeptide motif X-Y
      Gly, where the amino acids X and Y are most commonly proline (Pro) and 4R
      hydroxyproline (Hyp), respectively. A C4-endo pucker at X-site and C4-exo pucker
      at Y-site have been proposed to be the key for formation of triplex, and the
      nature of pucker is dependent on both the electronegativity and stereochemistry
      of the substituent. The present manuscript describes a new class of collagen
      analogues-chimeric cationic collagens-wherein both X- and Y-sites in collagen
      triad are simultaneously substituted by a combination of 4(R/S)
      (OH/NH2/NH3(+)/NHCHO)-prolyl units and triplex stabilities measured at different
      pHs and in EG:H2O. Based on the results a model has been proposed with the
      premise that any factors which specifically favor the ring puckers of C4-endo at
      X-site and C4-exo at Y-site stabilize the PPII conformation and hence the derived
      triplexes. The pH-dependent triplex stability uniquely observed with ionizable 4
      amino substituent on proline enables one to define the critical combination of
      factors C4-(exo/endo), intraresidue H-bonding, stereoelectronic (R/S) and n ->
      pi* interactions in dictating the triplex strength. The ionizable NH2 substituent
      at C4 in R/S configuration is thus a versatile probe for delineating the triplex
      stabilizing factors and the results have potential for designing of collagen
      analogues with customized properties for material and biological applications. 

PMID- 26274097
TI  - Preoperative Radioactive Seed Localization for Nonpalpable Breast Lesions:
      Technique, Pitfalls, and Solutions.
AB  - Iodine 125 ((125)I) radioactive seed localization has emerged as a reliable and
      safe alternative to wire localization for guidance during the surgical resection
      of nonpalpable breast lesions. The breast imager has a responsibility to be
      familiar with the general principles of this evolving technique, including its
      advantages and disadvantages as well as the technical differences involved in
      placement of seeds versus traditional wire localization. Although placement of
      (125)I seeds is conceptually similar to wire placement, there are additional
      technical considerations and safety measures that need to be addressed and
      implemented when radioactive seeds are used. We draw from our experience with
      more than 1000 cases of radioactive seed localization since inception of our
      program in 2009 to provide illustrative examples of not only the proper technique
      of radioactive seed localization, but also mishaps that may occur during this
      procedure, along with practical suggestions to prevent these problems. We examine
      some of the difficulties that we have encountered during radioactive seed
      localization at our institution, including bone wax mimicking the seed, the
      inadvertent deployment of seeds, the need for multiple seeds or supplemental
      wires, problematic seed locations, and difficulty in surgical retrieval of the
      seed. Recognizing the potential pitfalls of radioactive seed localization and
      understanding the appropriate guidelines and precautions for the safe, secure
      handling and placement of radioactive seeds is essential for a successful
      radioactive seed localization program.

PMID- 26274099
TI  - Corrigendum.

PMID- 26274100
TI  - Numerical estimate of the Kardar-Parisi-Zhang universality class in (2+1)
      dimensions.
AB  - We study the restricted solid on solid model for surface growth in spatial
      dimension d=2 by means of a multisurface coding technique that allows one to
      produce a large number of samples in the stationary regime in a reasonable
      computational time. Thanks to (i) a careful finite-size scaling analysis of the
      critical exponents and (ii) the accurate estimate of the first three moments of
      the height fluctuations, we can quantify the wandering exponent with
      unprecedented precision: chi(d=2)=0.3869(4). This figure is incompatible with the
      long-standing conjecture due to Kim and Koesterlitz that hypothesized
      chi(d=2)=2/5.

PMID- 26274101
TI  - Dynamic message-passing approach for kinetic spin models with reversible
      dynamics.
AB  - A method to approximately close the dynamic cavity equations for synchronous
      reversible dynamics on a locally treelike topology is presented. The method
      builds on (a) a graph expansion to eliminate loops from the normalizations of
      each step in the dynamics and (b) an assumption that a set of auxilary
      probability distributions on histories of pairs of spins mainly have dependencies
      that are local in time. The closure is then effectuated by projecting these
      probability distributions on n-step Markov processes. The method is shown in
      detail on the level of ordinary Markov processes (n=1) and outlined for higher
      order approximations (n>1). Numerical validations of the technique are provided
      for the reconstruction of the transient and equilibrium dynamics of the kinetic
      Ising model on a random graph with arbitrary connectivity symmetry. 

PMID- 26274102
TI  - Recursive percolation.
AB  - We introduce a simple lattice model in which percolation is constructed on top of
      critical percolation clusters, and find compelling numerical evidence that it can
      be repeated recursively any number n of generations. In two dimensions, we
      determine the percolation thresholds up to n=5. The corresponding critical
      clusters become more and more compact as n increases, and define universal
      scaling functions of the standard two-dimensional form and critical exponents
      that are distinct for any n. This family of exponents differs from previously
      known universality classes, and cannot be accommodated by existing analytical
      methods. We confirm that recursive percolation is well defined also in three
      dimensions. 

PMID- 26274103
TI  - Anomalous self-diffusion in a freely evolving granular gas near the shearing
      instability.
AB  - The self-diffusion coefficient of a granular gas in the homogeneous cooling state
      is analyzed near the shearing instability. Using mode-coupling theory, it is
      shown that the coefficient diverges logarithmically as the instability is
      approached, due to the coupling of the diffusion process with the shear modes.
      The divergent behavior, which is peculiar in granular gases and disappears in the
      elastic limit, does not depend on any other transport coefficient. The
      theoretical prediction is confirmed by molecular dynamics simulation results for
      two-dimensional systems. 

PMID- 26274098
TI  - Recent advances in biosynthetic modeling of nitric oxide reductases and insights
      gained from nuclear resonance vibrational and other spectroscopic studies.
AB  - This Forum Article focuses on recent advances in structural and spectroscopic
      studies of biosynthetic models of nitric oxide reductases (NORs). NORs are
      complex metalloenzymes found in the denitrification pathway of Earth's nitrogen
      cycle where they catalyze the proton-dependent two-electron reduction of nitric
      oxide (NO) to nitrous oxide (N2O). While much progress has been made in
      biochemical and biophysical studies of native NORs and their variants, a clear
      mechanistic understanding of this important metalloenzyme related to its function
      is still elusive. We report herein UV-vis and nuclear resonance vibrational
      spectroscopy (NRVS) studies of mononitrosylated intermediates of the NOR reaction
      of a biosynthetic model. The ability to selectively substitute metals at either
      heme or nonheme metal sites allows the introduction of independent (57)Fe probe
      atoms at either site, as well as allowing the preparation of analogues of stable
      reaction intermediates by replacing either metal with a redox inactive metal.
      Together with previous structural and spectroscopic results, we summarize
      insights gained from studying these biosynthetic models toward understanding
      structural features responsible for the NOR activity and its mechanism. The
      outlook on NOR modeling is also discussed, with an emphasis on the design of
      models capable of catalytic turnovers designed based on close mimics of the
      secondary coordination sphere of native NORs. 

PMID- 26274104
TI  - Bernal random loose packing through freeze-thaw cycling.
AB  - We study the effect of freeze-thaw cycling on the packing fraction of equal
      spheres immersed in water. The water located between the grains experiences a
      dilatation during freezing and a contraction during melting. After several
      cycles, the packing fraction converges to a particular value eta(infinity)=0.595
      independently of its initial value eta(0). This behavior is well reproduced by
      numerical simulations. Moreover, the numerical results allow one to analyze the
      packing structural configuration. With a Voronoi partition analysis, we show that
      the piles are fully random during the whole process and are characterized by two
      parameters: the average Voronoi volume MU(v) (related to the packing fraction
      eta) and the standard deviation sigma(v) of Voronoi volumes. The freeze-thaw
      driving modify the volume standard deviation sigma(v) to converge to a particular
      disordered state with a packing fraction corresponding to the random loose
      packing fraction eta(BRLP) obtained by Bernal during his pioneering experimental
      work. Therefore, freeze-thaw cycling is found to be a soft and spatially
      homogeneous driving method for disordered granular materials.

PMID- 26274105
TI  - Spontaneous energy-barrier formation in entropy-driven glassy dynamics.
AB  - The description of activated relaxation of glassy systems in the multidimensional
      configurational space is a long-standing open problem. We develop a
      phenomenological description of the out-of-equilibrium dynamics of a model with a
      rough potential energy landscape and we analyze it both numerically and
      analytically. The model provides an example of dynamics where typical relaxation
      channels go over finite-potential energy barriers despite the presence of less
      energy-demanding escaping paths in configurational space; we expect this
      phenomenon to be also relevant in the thermally activated regime of realistic
      models of glass-formers. In this case, we found that typical dynamical paths
      episodically reach an high-fixed-threshold energy, unexpectedly giving rise to a
      simple thermally activated aging phenomenology. In order to unveil this peculiar
      aging behavior, we introduce a novel description of the dynamics in terms of
      spontaneously emerging dynamical basins. 

PMID- 26274106
TI  - Negative Gaussian curvature from induced metric changes.
AB  - We revisit the light or heat-induced changes in topography of initially flat
      sheets of a solid that elongate or contract along patterned in-plane director
      fields. For radial or azimuthal directors, negative Gaussian curvature is
      generated-so-called "anticones." We show that azimuthal material displacements
      are required for the distorted state to be stretch free and bend minimizing. The
      resultant shapes are smooth and asterlike and can become reentrant in the
      azimuthal coordinate for large deformations. We show that care is needed when
      considering elastomers rather than glasses, although the former offer huge
      deformations. 

PMID- 26274107
TI  - Spontaneous ordering of magnetic particles in liquid crystals: From chains to
      biaxial lamellae.
AB  - Using Monte Carlo computer simulations we explore the self-assembly and ordering
      behavior of a hybrid, soft magnetic system consisting of small magnetic
      nanospheres in a liquid-crystalline (LC) matrix. Inspired by recent experiments
      with colloidal rod matrices, we focus on conditions where the sphere and rod
      diameters are comparable. Already in the absence of a magnetic field, the nematic
      ordering of the LC can stabilize the formation of magnetic chains along the
      nematic or smectic director, yielding a state with local (yet no macroscopic)
      magnetic order. The chains, in turn, increase the overall nematic order,
      reflecting the complex interplay of the structure formation of the two
      components. When increasing the sphere diameter, the spontaneous uniaxial
      ordering is replaced by biaxial lamellar morphologies characterized by
      alternating layers of rods and magnetic chains oriented perpendicular to the
      rod's director. These ordering scenarios at zero field suggest a complex response
      of the resulting hybrid to external stimuli, such as magnetic fields and shear
      forces. 

PMID- 26274108
TI  - Signal focusing through active transport.
AB  - The accuracy of molecular signaling in biological cells and novel diagnostic
      devices is ultimately limited by the counting noise floor imposed by the thermal
      diffusion. Motivated by the fact that messenger RNA and vesicle-engulfed
      signaling molecules transiently bind to molecular motors and are actively
      transported in biological cells, we show here that the random active delivery of
      signaling particles to within a typical diffusion distance to the receptor
      generically reduces the correlation time of the counting noise. Considering a
      variety of signaling particle sizes from mRNA to vesicles and cell sizes from
      prokaryotic to eukaryotic cells, we show that the conditions for active focusing
      faster and more precise signaling-are indeed compatible with observations in
      living cells. Our results improve the understanding of molecular cellular
      signaling and novel diagnostic devices. 

PMID- 26274109
TI  - Effect of disorder on the contact probability of elongated conformations of
      biopolymers.
AB  - Biopolymers are characterized by heterogeneous interactions, and usually perform
      their biological tasks forming contacts within domains of limited size. Combining
      polymer theory with a replica approach, we study the scaling properties of the
      probability of contact formation in random heteropolymers as a function of their
      linear distance. It is found that, close to or above the theta point, it is
      possible to define a contact probability which is typical (i.e., "self
      averaging") for different realizations of the heterogeneous interactions, and
      which displays an exponential cutoff, dependent on temperature and on the
      interaction range. In many cases this cutoff is comparable with the typical sizes
      of domains in biopolymers. While it is well known that disorder causes
      interesting effects at low temperature, the behavior elucidated in the present
      study is an example of a nontrivial effect at high temperature. 

PMID- 26274110
TI  - Asymptotic wave propagation in excitable media.
AB  - Wave shape and velocity are important issues in reaction-diffusion systems, and
      are often the result of competition in media with heterogeneous conduction
      properties. Asymptotic wave front propagation at maximal conduction velocity has
      been previously reported in the context of anisotropic cardiac tissue, but it is
      unknown whether this is a universal property of excitable tissues where
      conduction velocity can be locally modulated by mechanisms other than anisotropy.
      Here, we investigate the impact of conduction heterogeneities and boundary
      effects on wave propagation in excitable media. Following a theoretical analysis,
      we find that wave-front cusps occur where local velocity is reduced and that
      asymptotic wave fronts propagate at the maximal translational conduction
      velocity. Simulations performed in different reaction-diffusion systems,
      including cardiac tissue, confirm our theoretical findings. We conclude that this
      property can be found in a wide range of reaction-diffusion systems with
      excitable dynamics and that asymptotic wave-front shapes can be predicted. 

PMID- 26274111
TI  - Predicting chaotic time series with a partial model.
AB  - Methods for forecasting time series are a critical aspect of the understanding
      and control of complex networks. When the model of the network is unknown,
      nonparametric methods for prediction have been developed, based on concepts of
      attractor reconstruction pioneered by Takens and others. In this Rapid
      Communication we consider how to make use of a subset of the system equations, if
      they are known, to improve the predictive capability of forecasting methods. A
      counterintuitive implication of the results is that knowledge of the evolution
      equation of even one variable, if known, can improve forecasting of all
      variables. The method is illustrated on data from the Lorenz attractor and from a
      small network with chaotic dynamics. 

PMID- 26274112
TI  - Practical synchronization on complex dynamical networks via optimal pinning
      control.
AB  - We consider practical synchronization on complex dynamical networks under linear
      feedback control designed by optimal control theory. The control goal is to
      minimize global synchronization error and control strength over a given finite
      time interval, and synchronization error at terminal time. By utilizing the
      Pontryagin's minimum principle, and based on a general complex dynamical network,
      we obtain an optimal system to achieve the control goal. The result is verified
      by performing some numerical simulations on Star networks, Watts-Strogatz
      networks, and Barabasi-Albert networks. Moreover, by combining optimal control
      and traditional pinning control, we propose an optimal pinning control strategy
      which depends on the network's topological structure. Obtained results show that
      optimal pinning control is very effective for synchronization control in real
      applications. 

PMID- 26274113
TI  - Violent relaxation in two-dimensional flows with varying interaction range.
AB  - Understanding the relaxation of a system towards equilibrium is a long-standing
      problem in statistical mechanics. Here we address the role of long-range
      interactions in this process by considering a class of two-dimensional flows
      where the interaction between fluid particles varies with the distance as
      ~r(alpha-2) for alpha>0. We find that changing alpha with a prescribed initial
      state leads to different flow patterns: for small alpha, a coarsening process
      leads to the formation of a sharp interface between two regions of homogenized
      alpha-vorticity; for large alpha, the flow is attracted to a stable dipolar
      structure through a filamentation process. Assuming that the energy E and the
      enstrophy Z are injected at a typical scale smaller than the domain scale L, we
      argue that convergence towards the equilibrium state is expected when the
      parameter (2pi/L)(alpha)E/Z tends to one, while convergence towards a dipolar
      state occurs systematically when this parameter tends to zero. This suggests that
      weak long-range interacting systems are more prone to relax towards an
      equilibrium state than strong long-range interacting systems.

PMID- 26274114
TI  - Capillary solitons on a levitated medium.
AB  - A water cylinder deposited on a heated channel levitates on its own generated
      vapor film owing to the Leidenfrost effect. This experimental setup permits the
      study of the one-dimensional propagation of surface waves in a free-to-move
      liquid system. We report the observation of gravity-capillary waves under a
      dramatic reduction of gravity (up to a factor 30), leading to capillary waves at
      the centimeter scale. The generated nonlinear structures propagate without
      deformation and undergo mutual collisions and reflections at the boundaries of
      the domain. They are identified as Korteweg-de Vries solitons with negative
      amplitude and subsonic velocity. The typical width and amplitude-dependent
      velocities are in excellent agreement with theoretical predictions based on a
      generalized Korteweg-de Vries equation adapted to any substrate geometry. When
      multiple solitons are present, they interact and form a soliton turbulencelike
      spectrum. 

PMID- 26274115
TI  - Concentration-dependent diffusion instability in reactive miscible fluids.
AB  - We report on chemoconvective pattern formation phenomena observed in a two-layer
      system of miscible fluids filling a vertical Hele-Shaw cell. We show both
      experimentally and theoretically that the concentration-dependent diffusion
      coupled with frontal acid-base neutralization can give rise to the formation of a
      local unstable zone low in density, resulting in a perfectly regular cell-type
      convective pattern. The described effect gives an example of yet another powerful
      mechanism which allows the reaction-diffusion processes to govern the flow of
      reacting fluids under gravity conditions. 

PMID- 26274116
TI  - Deformation and shape of flexible, microscale helices in viscous flow.
AB  - We examine experimentally the deformation of flexible, microscale helical ribbons
      with nanoscale thickness subject to viscous flow in a microfluidic channel. Two
      aspects of flexible microhelices are quantified: the overall shape of the helix
      and the viscous frictional properties. The frictional coefficients determined by
      our experiments are consistent with calculated values in the context of resistive
      force theory. The deformation of helices by viscous flow is well described by
      nonlinear finite extensibility. Under distributed loading, the pitch distribution
      is nonuniform, and from this we identify both linear and nonlinear behavior along
      the contour length of a single helix. Moreover, flexible helices are found to
      display reversible global to local helical transitions at a high flow rate. 

PMID- 26274118
TI  - Quantitative phase-field modeling of dendritic electrodeposition.
AB  - A thin-interface phase-field model of electrochemical interfaces is developed
      based on Marcus kinetics for concentrated solutions, and used to simulate
      dendrite growth during electrodeposition of metals. The model is derived in the
      grand electrochemical potential to permit the interface to be widened to reach
      experimental length and time scales, and electroneutrality is formulated to
      eliminate the Debye length. Quantitative agreement is achieved with zinc Faradaic
      reaction kinetics, fractal growth dimension, tip velocity, and radius of
      curvature. Reducing the exchange current density is found to suppress the growth
      of dendrites, and screening electrolytes by their exchange currents is suggested
      as a strategy for controlling dendrite growth in batteries. 

PMID- 26274117
TI  - Role of the ionization potential in nonequilibrium metals driven to absorption
      saturation.
AB  - A composite metallic foil (Al/Mg/Al) has been exposed to intense sub-100 fs free
      electron laser (FEL) pulses and driven to ultrafast massive photoionization. The
      resulting nonequilibrium state of matter has been monitored through absorption
      spectroscopy across the L(2,3) edge of Mg as a function of the FEL fluence. The
      raw spectroscopic data indicate that at about 100J/cm(2) the main absorption
      channels of the sample, i.e., Mg (2p->free) and oxidized Al (valence->free), are
      almost saturated. The spectral behavior of the induced transparency has been
      interpreted with an analytical approach based on an effective ionization
      potential of the generated solid-density plasma.

PMID- 26274119
TI  - Irreversible processes without energy dissipation in an isolated Lipkin-Meshkov
      Glick model.
AB  - For a certain class of isolated quantum systems, we report the existence of
      irreversible processes in which the energy is not dissipated. After a closed
      cycle in which the initial energy distribution is fully recovered, the
      expectation value of a symmetry-breaking observable changes from a value
      differing from zero in the initial state to zero in the final state. This entails
      the unavoidable loss of a certain amount of information and constitutes a source
      of irreversibility. We show that the von Neumann entropy of time-averaged
      equilibrium states increases in the same magnitude as a consequence of the
      process. We support this result by means of numerical calculations in an
      experimentally feasible system, the Lipkin-Meshkov-Glick model. 

PMID- 26274120
TI  - Langevin formulation of a subdiffusive continuous-time random walk in physical
      time.
AB  - Systems living in complex nonequilibrated environments often exhibit subdiffusion
      characterized by a sublinear power-law scaling of the mean square displacement.
      One of the most common models to describe such subdiffusive dynamics is the
      continuous-time random walk (CTRW). Stochastic trajectories of a CTRW can be
      described in terms of the subordination of a normal diffusive process by an
      inverse Levy-stable process. Here, we propose an equivalent Langevin formulation
      of a force-free CTRW without subordination. By introducing a different type of
      non-Gaussian noise, we are able to express the CTRW dynamics in terms of a single
      Langevin equation in physical time with additive noise. We derive the full
      multipoint statistics of this noise and compare it with the scaled Brownian
      motion (SBM), an alternative stochastic model describing subdiffusive dynamics.
      Interestingly, these two noises are identical up to the second order correlation
      functions, but different in the higher order statistics. We extend our formalism
      to general waiting time distributions and force fields and compare our results
      with those of the SBM. In the presence of external forces, our proposed noise
      generates a different class of stochastic processes, resembling a CTRW but with
      forces acting at all times. 

PMID- 26274121
TI  - Generalization of the Ehrenfest urn model to a complex network.
AB  - The Ehrenfest urn model is extended to a complex directed network, over which a
      conserved quantity is transported in a random fashion. The evolution of the
      conserved number of packets in each urn, or node of the network, is illustrated
      by means of a stochastic simulation. Using mean-field theory we were able to
      compute an approximation to the ensemble-average evolution of the number of
      packets in each node which, in the thermodynamic limit, agrees quite well with
      the results of the stochastic simulation. Using this analytic approximation we
      are able to find the asymptotic dynamical state of the system and the time scale
      to approach the equilibrium state, for different networks. The study is extended
      to large scale-free and small-world networks, in which the relevance of the
      connectivity distribution and the topology of the network for the distribution of
      time scales of the system is apparent. This analysis may contribute to the
      understanding of the transport properties in real networks subject to a
      perturbation, e.g., the asymptotic state and the time scale required to approach
      it. 

PMID- 26274122
TI  - Statistics of work distribution in periodically driven closed quantum systems.
AB  - We study the statistics of the work distribution P(w) in a d-dimensional closed
      quantum system with linear dimension L subjected to a periodic drive with
      frequency omega(0). We show that the corresponding rate function I(w)=
      ln[P(w)/Lambda(0)]/L^{d} after a drive period satisfies a universal lower bound
      I(0)>=n(d) and has a zero at w=QL(d)/N, where n(d) and Q are the excitation and
      the residual energy densities generated during the drive, Lambda(0) is a constant
      fixed by the normalization of P(w), and N is the total number of constituent
      particles or spins in the system. We supplement our results by calculating I(w)
      for a class of d-dimensional integrable models and show that I(w) has an
      oscillatory dependence on omega(0) originating from Stuckelberg interference
      generated due to double passage through the critical point or region during the
      drive. We suggest experiments to test our theory.

PMID- 26274123
TI  - Langevin dynamics neglecting detailed balance condition.
AB  - An improved method for driving a system into a desired distribution, for example,
      the Gibbs-Boltzmann distribution, is proposed, which makes use of an artificial
      relaxation process. The standard techniques for achieving the Gibbs-Boltzmann
      distribution involve numerical simulations under the detailed balance condition.
      In contrast, in the present study we formulate the Langevin dynamics, for which
      the corresponding Fokker-Planck operator includes an asymmetric component
      violating the detailed balance condition. This leads to shifts in the eigenvalues
      and results in the acceleration of the relaxation toward the steady state. The
      numerical implementation demonstrates faster convergence and shorter correlation
      time, and the technique of biased event sampling, Nemoto-Sasa theory, further
      highlights the efficacy of our method. 

PMID- 26274124
TI  - Kernel method for corrections to scaling.
AB  - Scaling analysis, in which one infers scaling exponents and a scaling function in
      a scaling law from given data, is a powerful tool for determining universal
      properties of critical phenomena in many fields of science. However, there are
      corrections to scaling in many cases, and then the inference problem becomes ill
      posed by an uncontrollable irrelevant scaling variable. We propose a new kernel
      method based on Gaussian process regression to fix this problem generally. We
      test the performance of the new kernel method for some example cases. In all
      cases, when the precision of the example data increases, inference results of the
      new kernel method correctly converge. Because there is no limitation in the new
      kernel method for the scaling function even with corrections to scaling, unlike
      in the conventional method, the new kernel method can be widely applied to real
      data in critical phenomena. 

PMID- 26274125
TI  - Entropy production in a non-Markovian environment.
AB  - Stochastic thermodynamics and the associated fluctuation relations provide the
      means to extend the fundamental laws of thermodynamics to small scales and
      systems out of equilibrium. The fluctuating thermodynamic variables are usually
      treated in the context of either isolated Hamiltonian evolution, or Markovian
      dynamics in open systems. However, there is no reason a priori why the Markovian
      approximation should be valid in driven systems under nonequilibrium conditions.
      In this work, we introduce an explicitly non-Markovian model of dynamics of an
      open system, where the correlations between the system and the environment drive
      a subset of the environment out of equilibrium. Such an environment gives rise to
      a new type of non-Markovian entropy production term. Such non-Markovian
      components must be taken into account in order to recover the fluctuation
      relations for entropy. As a concrete example, we explicitly derive such modified
      fluctuation relations for the case of an overheated single electron box. 

PMID- 26274127
TI  - A+A->? model with a bias towards nearest neighbor.
AB  - We have studied the A+A->? reaction-diffusion model on a ring, with a bias
      epsilon(0<=epsilon<=0.5) of the random walkers A to hop towards their nearest
      neighbor. Though the bias is local in space and time, we show that it alters the
      universality class of the problem. The z exponent, which describes the growth of
      average spacings between the walkers with time, changes from the value 2 at
      epsilon=0 to the mean-field value of unity for any nonzero epsilon. We study the
      problem analytically using independent interval approximation and compare the
      scaling results with those obtained from simulation. The distribution P(k,t) (per
      site) of the spacing between two walkers is given by t(-2/z)f(k/t(1/z)) and is
      obtained both analytically and numerically. We also obtain the result that
      epsilont becomes the new time scale for epsilon?0.

PMID- 26274126
TI  - Nonlocal response functions for predicting shear flow of strongly inhomogeneous
      fluids. II. Sinusoidally driven shear and multisinusoidal inhomogeneity.
AB  - We use molecular-dynamics computer simulations to investigate the density, strain
      rate, and shear-pressure responses of a simple model atomic fluid to transverse
      and longitudinal external forces. We have previously introduced a response
      function formalism for describing the density, strain-rate, and shear-pressure
      profiles in an atomic fluid when it is perturbed by a combination of longitudinal
      and transverse external forces that are independent of time and have a simple
      sinusoidal spatial variation. In this paper, we extend the application of the
      previously introduced formalism to consider the case of a longitudinal force
      composed of multiple sinusoidal components in combination with a single-component
      sinusoidal transverse force. We find that additional harmonics are excited in the
      density, strain-rate, and shear-pressure profiles due to couplings between the
      force components. By analyzing the density, strain-rate, and shear-pressure
      profiles in Fourier space, we are able to evaluate the Fourier coefficients of
      the response functions, which now have additional components describing the
      coupling relationships. Having evaluated the Fourier coefficients of the response
      functions, we are then able to accurately predict the density, velocity, and
      shear-pressure profiles for fluids that are under the influence of a longitudinal
      force composed of two or three sinusoidal components combined with a single
      component sinusoidal transverse force. We also find that in the case of a
      multisinusoidal longitudinal force, it is sufficient to include only pairwise
      couplings between different longitudinal force components. This means that it is
      unnecessary to include couplings between three or more force components in the
      case of a longitudinal force composed of many Fourier components, and this paves
      the way for a highly accurate but tractable treatment of nonlocal transport
      phenomena in fluids with density and strain-rate inhomogeneities on the molecular
      length scale. 

PMID- 26274128
TI  - Quantum statistics and the performance of engine cycles.
AB  - We study the role of quantum statistics in the performance of Otto cycles. First,
      we show analytically that the work distributions for bosonic and fermionic
      working fluids are identical for cycles driven by harmonic trapping potentials.
      Subsequently, in the case of nonharmonic potentials, we find that the interplay
      between different energy level spacings and particle statistics strongly affects
      the performances of the engine cycle. To demonstrate this, we examine three
      trapping potentials which induce different (single-particle) energy level
      spacings: monotonically decreasing with the level number, monotonically
      increasing, and the case in which the level spacing does not vary monotonically. 

PMID- 26274129
TI  - Polymers undergoing inhomogeneous adsorption: Order parameters for a partially
      directed walk model.
AB  - We consider partially directed walk models of polymers undergoing inhomogeneous
      adsorption. The inhomogeneity can be in the polymer, in the surface, or in both.
      For the cases where the polymer is either a homopolymer or a strictly alternating
      copolymer and where the surface is either homogeneous or has stripes of width 1,
      we calculate detailed order parameters and show that these provide important
      information about the ways in which the polymer adsorbs. 

PMID- 26274130
TI  - Class of perfect 1/f noise and the low-frequency cutoff paradox.
AB  - The low-frequency cutoff paradox occurring in 1/f processes has been revisited in
      a recent Letter [M. Niemann, H. Kantz, and E. Barkai, Phys. Rev. Lett. 110,
      140603 (2013)]. A model of independent pulses exhibiting an integrable 1/f(beta)
      power spectrum with beta>1 explains this paradox. In this paper we explore a
      complementary possibility based on the use of multiplicative models to generate
      integrable 1/f(beta) processes. Three distinct types of models are considered.
      One of the most used methods of generating 1/f processes based on correlated
      pulses is among these models. Consequently we find that, contrary to what is
      generally thought, the low-frequency cutoff is not necessary to avoid the
      postulated divergence in a wide variety of processes.

PMID- 26274131
TI  - Scaling behavior and complexity of plastic deformation for a bulk metallic glass
      at cryogenic temperatures.
AB  - We explore the scaling behavior and complexity in the shear-branching process
      during the compressive deformation of a bulk metallic glass
      Zr(64.13)Cu(15.75)Al(10)Ni(10.12) (at. %) at cryogenic temperatures. The fractal
      dimension of the stress rate signal ranges from 1.22 to 1.72 with decreasing
      temperature and a larger shear-branching rate occurs at lower temperature. A
      stochastic model is introduced for the shear-branching process. In particular, at
      a temperature of 213K, the shear-branching process evolves as a self-similar
      random process. In addition, the complexity of the stress rate signal conforms to
      the larger activation energy of the shear transformation zone at lower
      temperatures.

PMID- 26274132
TI  - Pseudochemotactic drifts of artificial microswimmers.
AB  - We numerically investigate the motion of active artificial microswimmers
      diffusing in a fuel concentration gradient. We observe that, in the steady state,
      their probability density accumulates in the low-concentration regions, whereas a
      tagged swimmer drifts with velocity depending in modulus and orientation on how
      the concentration gradient affects the self-propulsion mechanism. Under most
      experimentally accessible conditions, the particle drifts toward the high
      concentration regions (pseudochemotactic drift). A correct interpretation of
      experimental data must account for such an "anti-Fickian" behavior. 

PMID- 26274133
TI  - Energy and magnetization transport in nonequilibrium macrospin systems.
AB  - We investigate numerically the magnetization dynamics of an array of nanodisks
      interacting through the magnetodipolar coupling. In the presence of a temperature
      gradient, the chain reaches a nonequilibrium steady state where energy and
      magnetization currents propagate. This effect can be described as the flow of
      energy and particle currents in an off-equilibrium discrete nonlinear Schrodinger
      (DNLS) equation. This model makes transparent the transport properties of the
      system and allows for a precise definition of temperature and chemical potential
      for a precessing spin. The present study proposes a setup for the spin-Seebeck
      effect, and shows that its qualitative features can be captured by a general
      oscillator-chain model. 

PMID- 26274134
TI  - Scaling of the dynamics of a homogeneous one-dimensional anisotropic classical
      Heisenberg model with long-range interactions.
AB  - The dynamics of quasistationary states of long-range interacting systems with N
      particles can be described by kinetic equations such as the Balescu-Lenard and
      Landau equations. In the case of one-dimensional homogeneous systems, two-body
      contributions vanish as two-body collisions in one dimension only exchange
      momentum and thus cannot change the one-particle distribution. Using a Kac factor
      in the interparticle potential implies a scaling of the dynamics proportional to
      N(delta) with delta=1 except for one-dimensional homogeneous systems. For the
      latter different values for delta were reported for a few models. Recently it was
      shown by Rocha Filho and collaborators [Phys. Rev. E 90, 032133 (2014)] for the
      Hamiltonian mean-field model that delta=2 provided that N is sufficiently large,
      while small N effects lead to delta~1.7. More recently, Gupta and Mukamel [J.
      Stat. Mech. (2011) P03015] introduced a classical spin model with an anisotropic
      interaction with a scaling in the dynamics proportional to N(1.7) for a
      homogeneous state. We show here that this model reduces to a one-dimensional
      Hamiltonian system and that the scaling of the dynamics approaches N(2) with
      increasing N. We also explain from theoretical consideration why usual kinetic
      theory fails for small N values, which ultimately is the origin of noninteger
      exponents in the scaling.

PMID- 26274135
TI  - Construction and optimization of a quantum analog of the Carnot cycle.
AB  - The quantum analog of Carnot cycles in few-particle systems consists of two
      quantum adiabatic steps and two isothermal steps. This construction is formally
      justified by use of a minimum work principle. It is then shown, using minimal
      assumptions of work or heat in nanoscale systems, that the heat-to-work
      efficiency of such quantum heat engine cycles can be further optimized via two
      conditions regarding the expectation value of some generalized force operators
      evaluated at equilibrium states. In general the optimized efficiency is system
      specific, lower than the Carnot efficiency, and dependent upon both temperatures
      of the cold and hot reservoirs. Simple computational examples are used to
      illustrate our theory. The results should be an important guide towards the
      design of favorable working conditions of a realistic quantum heat engine. 

PMID- 26274136
TI  - Critical and near-critical phase behavior and interplay between the thermodynamic
      Casimir and van der Waals forces in a confined nonpolar fluid medium with
      competing surface and substrate potentials.
AB  - We study, using general scaling arguments and mean-field type calculations, the
      behavior of the critical Casimir force and its interplay with the van der Waals
      force acting between two parallel slabs separated at a distance L from each
      other, confining some fluctuating fluid medium, say a nonpolar one-component
      fluid or a binary liquid mixture. The surfaces of the slabs are coated by thin
      layers exerting strong preference to the liquid phase of the fluid, or one of the
      components of the mixture, modeled by strong adsorbing local surface potentials
      ensuring the so-called (+,+) boundary conditions. The slabs, on the other hand,
      influence the fluid by long-range competing dispersion potentials, which
      represent irrelevant interactions in renormalization-group sense. Under such
      conditions, one usually expects attractive Casimir force governed by universal
      scaling function, pertinent to the extraordinary surface universality class of
      Ising type systems, to which the dispersion potentials provide only corrections
      to scaling. We demonstrate, however, that below a given threshold thickness of
      the system L(crit) for a suitable set of slabs-fluid and fluid-fluid coupling
      parameters the competition between the effects due to the coatings and the slabs
      can result in sign change of the Casimir force acting between the surfaces
      confining the fluid when one changes the temperature T, the chemical potential of
      the fluid MU, or L. The last implies that by choosing specific materials for the
      slabs, coatings, and the fluid for L?L(crit) one can realize repulsive Casimir
      force with nonuniversal behavior which, upon increasing L, gradually turns into
      an attractive one described by a universal scaling function, depending only on
      the relevant scaling fields related to the temperature and the excess chemical
      potential, for L?L(crit). We present arguments and relevant data for specific
      substances in support of the experimental feasibility of the predicted behavior
      of the force. It can be of interest, e.g., for designing nanodevices and for
      governing behavior of objects, say colloidal particles, at small distances. We
      formulate the corresponding criterion for determination of L(crit). The
      universality is regained for L?L(crit). We also show that for systems with
      L?L(crit), the capillary condensation phase diagram suffers modifications which
      one does not observe in systems with purely short-ranged interactions.

PMID- 26274137
TI  - Approximate probability distributions of the master equation.
AB  - Master equations are common descriptions of mesoscopic systems. Analytical
      solutions to these equations can rarely be obtained. We here derive an analytical
      approximation of the time-dependent probability distribution of the master
      equation using orthogonal polynomials. The solution is given in two alternative
      formulations: a series with continuous and a series with discrete support, both
      of which can be systematically truncated. While both approximations satisfy the
      system size expansion of the master equation, the continuous distribution
      approximations become increasingly negative and tend to oscillations with
      increasing truncation order. In contrast, the discrete approximations rapidly
      converge to the underlying non-Gaussian distributions. The theory is shown to
      lead to particularly simple analytical expressions for the probability
      distributions of molecule numbers in metabolic reactions and gene expression
      systems. 

PMID- 26274138
TI  - Spectral density of generalized Wishart matrices and free multiplicative
      convolution.
AB  - We investigate the level density for several ensembles of positive random
      matrices of a Wishart-like structure, W=XX(?), where X stands for a non-Hermitian
      random matrix. In particular, making use of the Cauchy transform, we study the
      free multiplicative powers of the Marchenko-Pastur (MP) distribution, MP(?s),
      which for an integer s yield Fuss-Catalan distributions corresponding to a
      product of s-independent square random matrices, X=X(1)?X(s). New formulas for
      the level densities are derived for s=3 and s=1/3. Moreover, the level density
      corresponding to the generalized Bures distribution, given by the free
      convolution of arcsine and MP distributions, is obtained. We also explain the
      reason of such a curious convolution. The technique proposed here allows for the
      derivation of the level densities for several other cases.

PMID- 26274139
TI  - Susceptibilities for the Muller-Hartmann-Zitartz countable infinity of phase
      transitions on a Cayley tree.
AB  - We obtain explicit susceptibilities for the countable infinity of phase
      transition temperatures of Muller-Hartmann-Zitartz on a Cayley tree. The
      susceptibilities are a product of the zeroth spin with the sum of an appropriate
      set of averages of spins on the outermost layer of the tree. A clear physical
      understanding for these strange phase transitions emerges naturally. In the
      thermodynamic limit, the susceptibilities tend to zero above the transition and
      to infinity below it. 

PMID- 26274140
TI  - Nonlocal quartic interactions and universality classes in perovskite manganites.
AB  - A modified Ginzburg-Landau model with a screened nonlocal interaction in the
      quartic term is treated via Wilson's renormalization-group scheme at one-loop
      order to explore the critical behavior of the paramagnetic-to-ferromagnetic phase
      transition in perovskite manganites. We find the Fisher exponent eta to be
      O(epsilon) and the correlation exponent to be nu=1/2+O(epsilon) through epsilon
      expansion in the parameter epsilon=d(c)-d, where d is the space dimension,
      d(c)=4+2sigma is the upper critical dimension, and sigma is a parameter coming
      from the nonlocal interaction in the model Hamiltonian. The ensuing critical
      exponents in three dimensions for different values of sigma compare well with
      various existing experimental estimates for perovskite manganites with various
      doping levels. This suggests that the nonlocal model Hamiltonian contains a wide
      variety of such universality classes.

PMID- 26274141
TI  - Thermophysical properties of supercritical water and bond flexibility.
AB  - Molecular dynamics results are reported for the thermodynamic properties of
      supercritical water using examples of both rigid (TIP4P/2005) and flexible
      (TIP4P/2005f) transferable interaction potentials. Data are reported for
      pressure, isochoric and isobaric heat capacities, the thermal expansion
      coefficient, isothermal and adiabatic compressibilities, Joule-Thomson
      coefficient, speed of sound, self-diffusion coefficient, viscosities, and thermal
      conductivity. Many of these properties have unusual behavior in the supercritical
      phase such as maximum and minimum values. The effectiveness of bond flexibility
      on predicting these properties is determined by comparing the results to
      experimental data. The influence of the intermolecular potential on these
      properties is both variable and state point dependent. In the vicinity of the
      critical density, the rigid and flexible potentials yield very different values
      for the compressibilities, heat capacities, and thermal expansion coefficient,
      whereas the self-diffusion coefficient, viscosities, and thermal conductivities
      are much less potential dependent. Although the introduction of bond flexibility
      is a computationally expedient way to improve the accuracy of an intermolecular
      potential, it can be counterproductive in some cases and it is not an adequate
      replacement for incorporating the effects of polarization. 

PMID- 26274142
TI  - Levy flights and nonhomogenous memory effects: Relaxation to a stationary state.
AB  - The non-Markovian stochastic dynamics involving Levy flights and a potential in
      the form of a harmonic and nonlinear oscillator is discussed. The subordination
      technique is applied and the memory effects, which are nonhomogeneous, are taken
      into account by a position-dependent subordinator. In the nonlinear case, the
      asymptotic stationary states are found. The relaxation pattern to the stationary
      state is derived for the quadratic potential: the density decays like a linear
      combination of the Mittag-Leffler functions. It is demonstrated that in the
      latter case the density distribution satisfies a fractional Fokker-Planck
      equation. The densities for the nonlinear oscillator reveal a complex picture,
      qualitatively dependent on the potential strength, and the relaxation pattern is
      exponential at large time. 

PMID- 26274143
TI  - Continuum percolation of polydisperse hyperspheres in infinite dimensions.
AB  - We analyze the critical connectivity of systems of penetrable d-dimensional
      spheres having size distributions in terms of weighed random geometrical graphs,
      in which vertex coordinates correspond to random positions of the sphere centers,
      and edges are formed between any two overlapping spheres. Edge weights naturally
      arise from the different radii of two overlapping spheres. For the case in which
      the spheres have bounded size distributions, we show that clusters of connected
      spheres are treelike for d->infinity and they contain no closed loops. In this
      case, we find that the mean cluster size diverges at the percolation threshold
      density eta(c)->2(-d), independently of the particular size distribution. We also
      show that the mean number of overlaps for a particle at criticality z(c) is
      smaller than unity, while z(c)->1 only for spheres with fixed radii. We explain
      these features by showing that in the large dimensionality limit, the critical
      connectivity is dominated by the spheres with the largest size. Assuming that
      closed loops can be neglected also for unbounded radii distributions, we find
      that the asymptotic critical threshold for systems of spheres with radii
      following a log-normal distribution is no longer universal, and that it can be
      smaller than 2(-d) for d->infinity.

PMID- 26274144
TI  - Stochastic thermodynamics for linear kinetic equations.
AB  - Stochastic thermodynamics is formulated for variables that are odd under time
      reversal. The invariance under spatial rotation of the collision rates due to the
      isotropy of the heat bath is shown to be a crucial ingredient. An alternative
      detailed fluctuation theorem is derived, expressed solely in terms of forward
      statistics. It is illustrated for a linear kinetic equation with kangaroo rates. 

PMID- 26274145
TI  - Slowest local operators in quantum spin chains.
AB  - We numerically construct slowly relaxing local operators in a nonintegrable spin
      1/2 chain. Restricting the support of the operator to M consecutive spins along
      the chain, we exhaustively search for the operator that minimizes the Frobenius
      norm of the commutator with the Hamiltonian. We first show that the Frobenius
      norm bounds the time scale of relaxation of the operator at high temperatures. We
      find operators with significantly slower relaxation than the slowest simple
      "hydrodynamic" mode due to energy diffusion. Then we examine some properties of
      the nontrivial slow operators. Using both exhaustive search and tensor network
      techniques, we find similar slowly relaxing operators for a Floquet spin chain;
      this system is hydrodynamically "trivial," with no conservation laws restricting
      their dynamics. We argue that such slow relaxation may be a generic feature
      following from locality and unitarity. 

PMID- 26274146
TI  - Site trimer percolation on square lattices.
AB  - Percolation of site trimers (k-mers with k=3) is investigated in a detailed way
      making use of an analytical model based on renormalization techniques in this
      problem. Results are compared to those obtained here by means of extensive
      computer simulations. Five different deposition possibilities for site trimers
      are included according to shape and orientation of the depositing objects.
      Analytical results for the percolation threshold p(c) are all close to 0.55,
      while numerical results show a slight dispersion around this value. A comparison
      with p(c) values previously reported for monomers and dimers establishes the
      tendency of p(c) to decrease as k increases. Critical exponent nu was also
      obtained both by analytical and numerical methods. Results for the latter give
      values very close to the expected value 4/3 showing that this percolation case
      corresponds to the universality class of random percolation.

PMID- 26274147
TI  - Slow approach to steady motion of a concave body in a free-molecular gas.
AB  - A body in a free-molecular gas accelerated by a constant external force is
      considered on the basis of kinetic theory. The body is an infinitely long
      rectangular hollow column with one face removed, and thus it has a squarish U
      shaped cross section. The concave part of the body points toward the direction of
      motion, and thus the gas molecules may be trapped in the concavity. Gas molecules
      undergo diffuse reflection on a base part, whereas specular reflection on two
      lateral parts. It is numerically shown that the velocity of the body approaches a
      terminal velocity, for which a drag force exerted by the gas counterbalances the
      external force, in such a way that their difference decreases in proportion to
      the inverse square of time for a large time. This rate of approach is slower than
      the known rate proportional to the inverse cube of time in the case of a body
      without concavity [Aoki et al., Phys. Rev. E 80, 016309 (2009)]. Based on the
      detailed investigation on the velocity distribution function of gas molecules
      impinging on the body, it is clarified that the concavity prevents some molecules
      from escaping to infinity. This trapping enhances the effect of recollision
      between the body and the gas molecules, which is the cause of the inverse power
      laws, and thus leads to the slower approach.

PMID- 26274148
TI  - Jarzynski equality, Crooks fluctuation theorem, and the fluctuation theorems of
      heat for arbitrary initial states.
AB  - By taking full advantage of the dynamic property imposed by the detailed balance
      condition, we derive a new refined unified fluctuation theorem (FT) for general
      stochastic thermodynamic systems. This FT involves the joint probability
      distribution functions of the final phase-space point and a thermodynamic
      variable. Jarzynski equality, Crooks fluctuation theorem, and the FTs of heat as
      well as the trajectory entropy production can be regarded as special cases of
      this refined unified FT, and all of them are generalized to arbitrary initial
      distributions. We also find that the refined unified FT can easily reproduce the
      FTs for processes with the feedback control, due to its unconventional structure
      that separates the thermodynamic variable from the choices of initial
      distributions. Our result is heuristic for further understanding of the relations
      and distinctions between all kinds of FTs and might be valuable for studying
      thermodynamic processes with information exchange. 

PMID- 26274149
TI  - Equivalence of matrix product ensembles of trajectories in open quantum systems.
AB  - The equivalence of thermodynamic ensembles is at the heart of statistical
      mechanics and central to our understanding of equilibrium states of matter.
      Recently, a formal connection has been established between the dynamics of open
      quantum systems and statistical mechanics in an extra dimension: an open system
      dynamics generates a matrix product state (MPS) encoding all possible quantum
      jump trajectories which allows to construct generating functions akin to
      partition functions. For dynamics generated by a Lindblad master equation, the
      corresponding MPS is a so-called continuous MPS which encodes the set of
      continuous measurement records terminated at some fixed total observation time.
      Here, we show that if one instead terminates trajectories after a fixed total
      number of quantum jumps, e.g., emission events into the environment, the
      associated MPS is discrete. The continuous and discrete MPS correspond to
      different ensembles of quantum trajectories, one characterized by total time, the
      other by total number of quantum jumps. Hence, they give rise to quantum versions
      of different thermodynamic ensembles, akin to "grand canonical" and "isobaric,"
      but for trajectories. Here, we prove that these trajectory ensembles are
      equivalent in a suitable limit of long time or large number of jumps. This is in
      direct analogy to equilibrium statistical mechanics where equivalence between
      ensembles is only strictly established in the thermodynamic limit. An intrinsic
      quantum feature is that the equivalence holds only for all observables that
      commute with the number of quantum jumps. 

PMID- 26274150
TI  - Two-phase coexistence for hydrogen-helium mixtures.
AB  - We use our quantum Gibbs ensemble Monte Carlo algorithm to perform computer
      experiments for the two-phase coexistence of a hydrogen-helium mixture. Our
      results are in quantitative agreement with the experimental results of Sneed,
      Streett, Sonntag, and Van Wylen. The difference between our results and the
      experimental ones is in all cases less than 15% relative to the experiment,
      reducing to less than 5% in the low helium concentration phase. At the
      gravitational inversion between the vapor and the liquid phase, at low
      temperatures and high pressures, the quantum effects become relevant. At
      extremely low temperature and pressure, the first component to show superfluidity
      is the helium in the vapor phase. 

PMID- 26274151
TI  - Exploring different regimes in finite-size scaling of the droplet condensation
      evaporation transition.
AB  - We present a finite-size scaling analysis of the droplet condensation-evaporation
      transition of a lattice gas (in two and three dimensions) and a Lennard-Jones gas
      (in three dimensions) at fixed density. Parallel multicanonical simulations allow
      sampling of the required system sizes with precise equilibrium estimates. In the
      limit of large systems, we verify the theoretical leading-order scaling
      prediction for both the transition temperature and the finite-size rounding. In
      addition, we present an emerging intermediate scaling regime, consistent in all
      considered cases and with similar recent observations for polymer aggregation.
      While the intermediate regime locally may show a different effective scaling, we
      show that it is a gradual crossover to the large-system scaling behavior by
      including empirical higher-order corrections. This implies that care has to be
      taken when considering scaling ranges, possibly leading to completely wrong
      predictions for the thermodynamic limit. In this study, we consider a crossing of
      the phase boundary orthogonal to the usual fixed temperature studies. We show
      that this is an equivalent approach and, under certain conditions, may show
      smaller finite-size corrections. 

PMID- 26274152
TI  - Classical lattice spin models involving singular interactions isotropic in spin
      space.
AB  - We address here a few classical lattice spin models, involving n-component unit
      vectors (n=2,3), associated with a D-dimensional lattice Z(D),D=1,2, and
      interacting via a pair potential restricted to nearest neighbors and being
      isotropic in spin space, i.e., defined by a function of the scalar product
      between the interacting spins. When the potential involves a continuous function
      of the scalar product, the Mermin-Wagner theorem and its generalizations exclude
      orientational order at all finite temperatures in the thermodynamic limit, and
      exclude phase transitions at finite temperatures when D=1; on the other hand, we
      have considered here some comparatively simple functions of the scalar product
      which are bounded from below, diverge to +infinity for certain mutual
      orientations, and are continuous almost everywhere with integrable singularities.
      Exact solutions are presented for D=1, showing an absence of phase transitions
      and an absence of orientational order at all finite temperatures in the
      thermodynamic limit; for D=2, and in the absence of more stringent mathematical
      results, extensive simulations carried out on some of them point to the absence
      of orientational order at all finite temperatures and suggest the existence of a
      Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless transition.

PMID- 26274153
TI  - Small quantum absorption refrigerator with reversed couplings.
AB  - Small quantum absorption refrigerators have recently attracted renewed attention.
      Here we present a missing design of a two-qubit fridge, the main feature of which
      is that one of the two machine qubits is itself maintained at a temperature
      colder than the cold bath. This is achieved by "reversing" the couplings to the
      baths compared to previous designs, where only a transition is maintained cold.
      We characterize the working regime and the efficiency of the fridge. We
      demonstrate the soundness of the model by deriving and solving a master equation.
      Finally, we discuss the performance of the fridge, in particular the heat current
      extracted from the cold bath. We show that our model performs comparably to the
      standard three-level quantum fridge and thus appears appealing for possible
      implementations of nanoscale thermal machines. 

PMID- 26274154
TI  - Dynamical approach to weakly dissipative granular collisions.
AB  - Granular systems present surprisingly complicated dynamics. In particular,
      nonlinear interactions and energy dissipation play important roles in these
      dynamics. Usually (but admittedly not always), constant coefficients of
      restitution are introduced phenomenologically to account for energy dissipation
      when grains collide. The collisions are assumed to be instantaneous and to
      conserve momentum. Here, we introduce the dissipation through a viscous (velocity
      dependent) term in the equations of motion for two colliding grains. Using a
      first-order approximation, we solve the equations of motion in the low viscosity
      regime. This approach allows us to calculate the collision time, the final
      velocity of each grain, and a coefficient of restitution that depends on the
      relative velocity of the grains. We compare our analytic results with those
      obtained by numerical integration of the equations of motion and with exact ones
      obtained by other methods for some geometries. 

PMID- 26274155
TI  - Pattern formation in wet granular matter under vertical vibrations.
AB  - Experiments on a thin layer of cohesive wet granular matter under vertical
      vibrations reveal kink-separated domains that collide with the container at
      different phases. Due to the strong cohesion arising from the formation of liquid
      bridges between adjacent particles, the domains move collectively upon
      vibrations. Depending on the periodicity of this collective motion, the kink
      fronts may propagate, couple with each other, and form rotating spiral patterns
      in the case of period tripling or stay as standing wave patterns in the case of
      period doubling. Moreover, both patterns may coexist with granular "gas bubbles"
      phase separation into a liquidlike and a gaslike state. Stability diagrams for
      the instabilities measured with various granular layer mass m and container
      height H are presented. The onsets for both types of patterns and their
      dependency on m and H can be quantitatively captured with a model considering the
      granular layer as a single particle colliding completely inelastically with the
      container. 

PMID- 26274156
TI  - Active dipole clusters: From helical motion to fission.
AB  - The structure of a finite particle cluster is typically determined by total
      energy minimization. Here we consider the case where a cluster of soft-sphere
      dipoles becomes active, i.e., when the individual particles exhibit an additional
      self-propulsion along their dipole moments. We numerically solve the overdamped
      equations of motion for soft-sphere dipoles in a solvent. Starting from an
      initial metastable dipolar cluster, the self-propulsion generates a complex
      cluster dynamics. The final cluster state has in general a structure widely
      different to the initial one, the details depend on the model parameters and on
      the protocol of how the self-propulsion is turned on. The center of mass of the
      cluster moves on a helical path, the details of which are governed by the initial
      cluster magnetization. An instantaneous switch to a high self-propulsion leads to
      fission of the cluster. However, fission does not occur if the self-propulsion is
      increased slowly to high strengths. Our predictions can be verified through
      experiments with self-phoretic colloidal Janus particles and for macroscopic self
      propelled dipoles in a highly viscous solvent. 

PMID- 26274157
TI  - Dynamics of three-dimensional vesicles in dc electric fields.
AB  - A numerical and systematic parameter study of three-dimensional vesicle
      electrohydrodynamics is presented to investigate the effects of varying electric
      field strength and different fluid and membrane properties. The dynamics of
      vesicles in the presence of dc electric fields is considered, in both the
      presence and absence of linear shear flow. For suspended vesicles it is shown
      that the conductivity ratio and viscosity ratio between the interior and exterior
      fluids, as well as the vesicle membrane capacitance, substantially affect the
      minimum electric field strength required to induce a full prolate-oblate-prolate
      transition. In addition, there exists a critical electric field strength above
      which a vesicle will no longer tumble when exposed to linear shear flow. 

PMID- 26274158
TI  - Phase formation in colloidal systems with tunable interaction.
AB  - Self-assembly is one of the most fascinating phenomena in nature and is one key
      component in the formation of hierarchical structures. The formation of
      structures depends critically on the interaction between the different
      constituents, and therefore the link between these interactions and the resulting
      structure is fundamental for the understanding of materials. We have realized a
      two-dimensional system of colloidal particles with tunable magnetic dipole
      forces. The phase formation is studied by transmission optical microscopy and a
      phase diagram is constructed. We report a phase transition from hexagonal to
      random and square arrangements when the magnetic interaction between the
      individual particles is tuned from antiferromagnetic to ferrimagnetic. 

PMID- 26274159
TI  - Trapping of interacting propelled colloidal particles in inhomogeneous media.
AB  - A trapping mechanism for propelled colloidal particles based on an inhomogeneous
      drive is presented and studied by means of computer simulations. In experiments
      this method can be realized using photophoretic Janus particles driven by a light
      source, which is partially blocked by a shading mask. This leads to an
      accumulation of particles in the passive part. An equation for an accumulation
      parameter is derived using the effective inhomogeneous diffusion constant
      generated by the inhomogeneous drive. The impact of particle interaction on the
      trapping mechanism is studied, as well as the interplay between passivity-induced
      trapping and the emergent self-clustering of systems containing a high density of
      active particles. The combination of both effects makes the clusters more
      controllable for applications. 

PMID- 26274160
TI  - Universal rescaling of flow curves for yield-stress fluids close to jamming.
AB  - The experimental flow curves of four different yield-stress fluids with different
      interparticle interactions are studied near the jamming concentration. By
      appropriate scaling with the distance to jamming all rheology data can be
      collapsed onto master curves below and above jamming that meet in the shear
      thinning regime and satisfy the Herschel-Bulkley and Cross equations,
      respectively. In spite of differing interactions in the different systems, master
      curves characterized by universal scaling exponents are found for the four
      systems. A two-state microscopic theory of heterogeneous dynamics is presented to
      rationalize the observed transition from Herschel-Bulkley to Cross behavior and
      to connect the rheological exponents to microscopic exponents for the divergence
      of the length and time scales of the heterogeneous dynamics. The experimental
      data and the microscopic theory are compared with much of the available
      literature data for yield-stress systems. 

PMID- 26274161
TI  - Anisotropy of magnetoviscous effect in structure-forming ferrofluids.
AB  - The magnetoviscous effect, change in viscosity with change in magnetic field
      strength, and the anisotropy of the magnetoviscous effect, change in viscosity
      with orientation of magnetic field, have been a focus of interest for four
      decades. A satisfactory understanding of the microscopic origin of anisotropy of
      the magnetoviscous effect in magnetic fluids is still a matter of debate and a
      field of intense research. Here, we present an extensive simulation study to
      understand the relation between the anisotropy of the magnetoviscous effect and
      the underlying change in microstructures of ferrofluids. Our results indicate
      that field-induced chainlike structures respond very differently depending on
      their orientation relative to the direction of an externally applied shear flow,
      which leads to a pronounced anisotropy of viscosity. In this work, we focus on
      three exemplary values of dipolar interaction strengths which correspond to weak,
      intermediate, and strong interactions between dipolar colloidal particles. We
      compare our simulation results with an experimental study on cobalt-based
      ferrofluids as well as with an existing theoretical model called the chain model.
      A nonmonotonic behavior in the anisotropy of the magnetoviscous effect is
      observed with increasing dipolar interaction strength and is explained in terms
      of microstructure formation. 

PMID- 26274162
TI  - Transition from hydrodynamic to viscoelastic propagation of sound in molten RbBr.
AB  - Inelastic neutron scattering was applied to measure the acoustic-type excitations
      in the molten alkali halide rubidium bromide. For molten RbBr neutron scattering
      is mainly sensitive to the number density fluctuation spectrum and is not
      influenced by charge fluctuations. Utilizing a dedicated Brillouin scattering
      spectrometer, we focused on the small-wave-vector range. From inelastic
      excitations in the spectra a dispersion relation was obtained, which shows a
      large positive dispersion effect. This frequency enhancement is related to a
      viscoelastic response of the liquid at high frequencies. Towards small wave
      vectors we identify the transition to hydrodynamic behavior. This observation is
      supported by a transition of the sound velocity from a viscoelastic enhanced
      value to the adiabatic speed of sound for the acoustic-type excitations.
      Furthermore, the spectrum transforms into a line shape compatible with a
      prediction from hydrodynamics. 

PMID- 26274163
TI  - Chromatic patchy particles: Effects of specific interactions on liquid structure.
AB  - We study the structural and thermodynamic properties of patchy particle liquids,
      with a special focus on the role of "color," i.e., specific interactions between
      individual patches. A possible experimental realization of such "chromatic"
      interactions is by decorating the particle patches with single-stranded DNA
      linkers. The complementarity of the linkers can promote selective bond formation
      between predetermined pairs of patches. By using MD simulations, we compare the
      local connectivity, the bond orientation order, and other structural properties
      of the aggregates formed by the "colored" and "colorless" systems. The analysis
      is done for spherical particles with two different patch arrangements
      (tetrahedral and cubic). It is found that the aggregated (liquid) phase of the
      "colorless" patchy particles is better connected, denser and typically has
      stronger local order than the corresponding "colored" one. This, in turn, makes
      the colored liquid less stable thermodynamically. Specifically, we predict that
      in a typical case the chromatic interactions should increase the relative
      stability of the crystalline phase with respect to the disordered liquid, thus
      expanding its region in the phase diagram. 

PMID- 26274164
TI  - Thermal fluctuations, mechanical response, and hyperuniformity in jammed solids.
AB  - Jamming is a geometric phase transition occurring in dense particle systems in
      the absence of temperature. We use computer simulations to analyze the effect of
      thermal fluctuations on several signatures of the transition. We show that
      scaling laws for bulk and shear moduli only become relevant when thermal
      fluctuations are extremely small, and propose their relative ratio as a
      quantitative signature of jamming criticality. Despite the nonequilibrium nature
      of the transition, we find that thermally induced fluctuations and mechanical
      responses obey equilibrium fluctuation-dissipation relations near jamming,
      provided the appropriate fluctuating component of the particle displacements is
      analyzed. This shows that mechanical moduli can be directly measured from
      particle positions in mechanically unperturbed packings, and suggests that the
      definition of a "nonequilibrium index" is unnecessary for amorphous materials. We
      find that fluctuations of particle displacements are spatially correlated, and
      define a transverse and a longitudinal correlation length scale which both
      diverge as the jamming transition is approached. We analyze the frozen component
      of density fluctuations and find that it displays signatures of nearly
      hyperuniform behavior at large length scales. This demonstrates that
      hyperuniformity in jammed packings is unrelated to a vanishing compressibility
      and explains why it appears remarkably robust against temperature and density
      variations. Differently from jamming criticality, obstacles preventing the
      observation of hyperuniformity in colloidal systems do not originate from thermal
      fluctuations. 

PMID- 26274165
TI  - Effect of boundary conditions on the character of ambipolar diffusion in
      electrolytes.
AB  - We discuss the details of ambipolar relaxation of the electric field in liquid
      asymmetric electrolytes to its stationary value. It is demonstrated that the
      account for finite boundary conditions modifies the existing concepts of this
      diffusion process. In particular, we succeeded to suggest a qualitatively correct
      explanation of the observed distribution of the electric fields over the bulk of
      the cuvette and its nonmonotonic behavior in measurements on the finite-size
      cuvette. We analyze the conditions of such an anomaly at the intermediate stages
      of the relaxation process. 

PMID- 26274166
TI  - Hydrogen self-dynamics in liquid H(2)-D(2) mixtures studied through inelastic
      neutron scattering.
AB  - We have measured the dynamic structure factor of liquid para-hydrogen mixed with
      normal deuterium (T=20 K) at two different concentration levels using incoherent
      inelastic neutron scattering. This choice has been made since the presence of
      D(2} modifies the self-dynamics of H(2) in a highly nontrivial way, acting both
      on its pseudophononic and its diffusive parts in a tunable way. After an accurate
      data reduction, recorded neutron spectra were studied through the modified Young
      and Koppel model and the H(2) center-of-mass self-dynamics structure factor was
      finally extracted for the two mixtures. Some physical quantities (i.e., self
      diffusion coefficient and mean kinetic energy) were determined and compared with
      accurate quantum calculations, which, in addition, also provided estimates of the
      velocity autocorrelation function for the H(2) centers of mass. These estimates,
      in conjunction with the Gaussian approximation, were used to simulate the H(2)
      center-of-mass self-dynamics structure factor in the same range as the
      experimental one. The agreement between measured and calculated spectra was
      globally good, but some discrepancies proved the unquestionable breakdown of the
      Gaussian approximation in these semiquantum systems at a level comparable to that
      already observed in pure liquid para-hydrogen.

PMID- 26274167
TI  - Pore-size dependence and characteristics of water diffusion in slitlike
      micropores.
AB  - The temperature dependence of the dynamics of water inside microporous activated
      carbon fibers (ACF) is investigated by means of incoherent elastic and
      quasielastic neutron-scattering techniques. The aim is to evaluate the effect of
      increasing pore size on the water dynamics in these primarily hydrophobic slit
      shaped channels. Using two different micropore sizes (~12 and 18 A, denoted,
      respectively, ACF-10 and ACF-20), a clear suppression of the mobility of the
      water molecules is observed as the pore gap or temperature decreases. This
      suppression is accompanied by a systematic dependence of the average
      translational diffusion coefficient D(r) and relaxation time <tau(0)> of the
      restricted water on pore size and temperature. The observed D(r) values are
      tested against a proposed scaling law, in which the translational diffusion
      coefficient D(r) of water within a porous matrix was found to depend solely on
      two single parameters, a temperature-independent translational diffusion
      coefficient D(c) associated with the water bound to the pore walls and the ratio
      theta of this strictly confined water to the total water inside the pore,
      yielding unique characteristic parameters for water transport in these carbon
      channels across the investigated temperature range.

PMID- 26274168
TI  - Bimodal colloid gels of highly size-asymmetric particles.
AB  - We report a type of colloidal gel, induced by a minute incremental addition of
      mutually attractive small particles (size ~12 nm) to a suspension of highly
      charged large particles (size ~500 nm). The gel's morphological behavior does not
      follow the typical power-law scaling for fractal clusters. Its unique scaling
      behavior has two distinct power-law indices, based on particle volume fraction.
      We show the unique scaling behavior arises when nonfractal networks of large
      particles are bridged by small-particle clusters, which occurs between a lower
      and upper critical boundary of small particle volume fraction. 

PMID- 26274169
TI  - Anomalous dynamics of an elastic membrane in an active fluid.
AB  - Using numerical simulations, we characterized the behavior of an elastic membrane
      immersed in an active fluid. Our findings reveal a nontrivial folding and re
      expansion of the membrane that is controlled by the interplay of its resistance
      to bending and the self-propulsion strength of the active components in solution.
      We show how flexible membranes tend to collapse into multifolded states, whereas
      stiff membranes fluctuate between an extended configuration and a singly folded
      state. This study provides a simple example of how to exploit the random motion
      of active particles to perform mechanical work at the microscale. 

PMID- 26274170
TI  - Numerical detection of the Gardner transition in a mean-field glass former.
AB  - Recent theoretical advances predict the existence, deep into the glass phase, of
      a novel phase transition, the so-called Gardner transition. This transition is
      associated with the emergence of a complex free energy landscape composed of many
      marginally stable sub-basins within a glass metabasin. In this study, we explore
      several methods to detect numerically the Gardner transition in a simple
      structural glass former, the infinite-range Mari-Kurchan model. The transition
      point is robustly located from three independent approaches: (i) the divergence
      of the characteristic relaxation time, (ii) the divergence of the caging
      susceptibility, and (iii) the abnormal tail in the probability distribution
      function of cage order parameters. We show that the numerical results are fully
      consistent with the theoretical expectation. The methods we propose may also be
      generalized to more realistic numerical models as well as to experimental
      systems. 

PMID- 26274172
TI  - Shear-transformation-zone theory of yielding in athermal amorphous materials.
AB  - Yielding transitions in athermal amorphous materials undergoing steady-state
      shear flow resemble critical phenomena. Historically, they have been described by
      the Herschel-Bulkley rheological formula, which implies singular behaviors at
      yield points. In this paper, I examine this class of phenomena using an
      elementary version of the thermodynamic shear-transformation-zone (STZ) theory,
      focusing on the role of the effective disorder temperature, and paying special
      attention to scaling and dimensional arguments. I find a wide variety of Herschel
      Bulkley-like rheologies but, for fundamental reasons not specific to the STZ
      theory, conclude that the yielding transition is not truly critical. In
      particular, for realistic many-body models with short-range interactions, there
      is a correlation length that grows rapidly but ultimately saturates near the
      yield point. 

PMID- 26274171
TI  - Suppression of Ostwald ripening in active emulsions.
AB  - Emulsions consisting of droplets immersed in a fluid are typically unstable since
      they coarsen over time. One important coarsening process is Ostwald ripening,
      which is driven by the surface tension of the droplets. Stability of emulsions is
      relevant not only in complex fluids but also in biological cells, which contain
      liquidlike compartments, e.g., germ granules, Cajal bodies, and centrosomes. Such
      cellular systems are driven away from equilibrium, e.g., by chemical reactions,
      and thus can be called active emulsions. In this paper, we study such active
      emulsions by developing a coarse-grained description of the droplet dynamics,
      which we analyze for two different chemical reaction schemes. We first consider
      the simple case of first-order reactions, which leads to stable, monodisperse
      emulsions in which Ostwald ripening is suppressed within a range of chemical
      reaction rates. We then consider autocatalytic droplets, which catalyze the
      production of their own droplet material. Spontaneous nucleation of autocatalytic
      droplets is strongly suppressed and their emulsions are typically unstable. We
      show that autocatalytic droplets can be nucleated reliably and their emulsions
      stabilized by the help of chemically active cores, which catalyze the production
      of droplet material. In summary, different reaction schemes and catalytic cores
      can be used to stabilize emulsions and to control their properties. 

PMID- 26274173
TI  - Cooling the two-dimensional short spherocylinder liquid to the tetratic phase:
      Heterogeneous dynamics with one-way coupling between rotational and translational
      hopping.
AB  - We numerically demonstrate the transition from the isotropic liquid to the
      tetratic phase with quasilong-range tetratic alignment order (i.e., with nearly
      parallel or perpendicular aligned rods), for the cold two-dimensional (2D) short
      spherocylinder system before crystallization and investigate the thermal assisted
      heterogeneous rotational and translational micromotions. Comparing with the 2D
      liquid of isotropic particles, spherocylinders introduce extra rotational degrees
      of freedom and destroy packing isotropy and the equivalence between rotational
      and translational motions. It is found that cooling leads to the stronger
      dynamical heterogeneity with more cooperative hopping and the stronger
      retardations of rotational hopping than translational hopping. Under topological
      constraints from nearly parallel and perpendicular rods of the tetratic phase,
      longitudinal and transverse translational hopping can occur without rotational
      hopping, but not the reverse. The empty space trailing a neighboring
      translational hopping patch is needed for triggering the patch rotational hopping
      with its translational motion into the empty space. It is the origin for the
      observed increasing separation of hopping time scales and the one-way coupling
      between rotational and translational hopping. Strips of longitudinally or
      transversely aligned rods can be ruptured and reconnected with neighboring strips
      through buckling, kink formation, and patch rotation, under the unbalanced
      torques or forces from their neighboring rods and thermal kicks. 

PMID- 26274174
TI  - Cooling rate and stress relaxation in silica melts and glasses via microsecond
      molecular dynamics.
AB  - We have conducted extremely long molecular dynamics simulations of glasses to
      microsecond times, which close the gap between experimental and atomistic
      simulation time scales by two to three orders of magnitude. Static, thermal, and
      structural properties of silica glass are reported for glass cooling rates down
      to 5*10(9) K/s and viscoelastic response in silica melts and glasses are studied
      over nine decades of time. We present results from relaxation of hydrostatic
      compressive stress in silica and show that time-temperature superposition holds
      in these systems for temperatures from 3500 to 1000 K.

PMID- 26274175
TI  - Systematic interpretation of differential capacitance data.
AB  - Differential capacitance (DC) data have been widely used to characterize the
      structure of electrolyte solutions near charged interfaces and as experimental
      validation of models for electrolyte structure. Fixing a large class of models of
      electrolyte free energy that incorporate finite-volume effects, a reduction is
      identified which permits the identification of all free energies within that
      class that return identical DC data. The result is an interpretation of DC data
      through the equivalence classes of nonideality terms, and associated boundary
      layer structures, that cannot be differentiated by DC data. Specifically, for
      binary salts, DC data, even if measured over a range of ionic concentrations, are
      unable to distinguish among models which exhibit charge asymmetry, charge
      reversal, and even ion crowding. The reduction applies to capacitors which are
      much wider than the associated Debye length and to finite-volume terms that are
      algebraic in charge density. However, within these restrictions the free energy
      is shown to be uniquely identified if the DC data are supplemented with
      measurements of the excess chemical potential of the system in the bulk state. 

PMID- 26274176
TI  - Self-propelled rods exhibit a phase-separated state characterized by the presence
      of active stresses and the ejection of polar clusters.
AB  - We study collections of self-propelled rods (SPR) moving in two dimensions for
      packing fractions less than or equal to 0.3. We find that in the thermodynamical
      limit the SPR undergo a phase transition between a disordered gas and a novel
      phase-separated system state. Interestingly, (global) orientational order
      patterns-contrary to what has been suggested-vanish in this limit. In the found
      novel state, the SPR self-organize into a highly dynamical, high-density, compact
      region-which we call aggregate-which is surrounded by a disordered gas. Active
      stresses build inside aggregates as a result of the combined effect of local
      orientational order and active forces. This leads to the most distinctive feature
      of these aggregates: constant ejection of polar clusters of SPR. This novel phase
      separated state represents a novel state of matter characterized by large
      fluctuations in volume and shape, related to mass ejection, and exhibits
      positional as well as orientational local order. SPR systems display new physics
      unseen in other active matter systems. 

PMID- 26274177
TI  - Segregation of oppositely driven colloidal particles in hard-walled channels: A
      finite-size study.
AB  - We investigate segregation phenomena of particles driven in opposite directions
      with Brownian dynamics simulations. The particles interact via a repulsive
      potential and are confined in three-dimensional hard-walled pipes with quadratic
      cross sections. In a systematic finite-size study, the pipe length is varied.
      Ordering on finite length scales can be observed, but global segregation seems to
      vanish for infinite channel length, as it was recently found for lane formation
      in two dimensions. As an additional effect of the finite hard-walled boundary
      conditions, interface vibrations and longitudinal demixing are found. 

PMID- 26274178
TI  - Soft-core particles freezing to form a quasicrystal and a crystal-liquid phase.
AB  - Systems of soft-core particles interacting via a two-scale potential are studied.
      The potential is responsible for peaks in the structure factor of the liquid
      state at two different but comparable length scales and a similar bimodal
      structure is evident in the dispersion relation. Dynamical density functional
      theory in two dimensions is used to identify two unusual states of this system: a
      crystal-liquid state, in which the majority of the particles are located on
      lattice sites but a minority remains free and so behaves like a liquid, and a 12
      fold quasicrystalline state. Both are present even for deeply quenched liquids
      and are found in a regime in which the liquid is unstable with respect to
      modulations on the smaller scale only. As a result, the system initially evolves
      towards a small-scale crystal state; this state is not a minimum of the free
      energy, however, and so the system subsequently attempts to reorganize to
      generate the lower-energy larger-scale crystals. This dynamical process generates
      a disordered state with quasicrystalline domains and takes place even when this
      large scale is linearly stable, i.e., it is a nonlinear process. With controlled
      initial conditions, a perfect quasicrystal can form. The results are corroborated
      using Brownian dynamics simulations. 

PMID- 26274179
TI  - Renormalized dynamics of the Dean-Kawasaki model.
AB  - We study the model of a supercooled liquid for which the equation of motion for
      the coarse-grained density rho(x,t) is the nonlinear diffusion equation
      originally proposed by Dean and Kawasaki, respectively, for Brownian and
      Newtonian dynamics of fluid particles. Using a Martin-Siggia-Rose (MSR) field
      theory we study the renormalization of the dynamics in a self-consistent form in
      terms of the so-called self-energy matrix Sigma. The appropriate model for the
      renormalized dynamics involves an extended set of field variables {rho,theta},
      linked through a nonlinear constraint. The latter incorporates, in a
      nonperturbative manner, the effects of an infinite number of density
      nonlinearities in the dynamics. We show that the contributing element of Sigma
      which renormalizes the bare diffusion constant D(0) to D(R) is same as that
      proposed by Kawasaki and Miyazima [Z. Phys. B Condens. Matter 103, 423 (1997)].
      D(R) sharply decreases with increasing density. We consider the likelihood of a
      ergodic-nonergodic (ENE) transition in the model beyond a critical point. The
      transition is characterized by the long-time limit of the density correlation
      freezing at a nonzero value. From our analysis we identify an element of Sigma
      which arises from the above-mentioned nonlinear constraint and is key to the
      viability of the ENE transition. If this self-energy would be zero, then the
      model supports a sharp ENE transition with D(R)=0 as predicted by Kawasaki and
      Miyazima. With the full model having nonzero value for this self-energy, the
      density autocorrelation function decays to zero in the long-time limit. Hence the
      ENE transition is not supported in the model.

PMID- 26274180
TI  - Exceptional stiffening in composite fiber networks.
AB  - We study the small strain elastic behavior of composite athermal fiber networks
      constructed by adding stiffer fibers to a cross-linked base network. We observe
      that if the base network is in the affine deformation regime, the composite
      behaves similar to a fiber-reinforced continuum. When the base network is in the
      nonaffine deformation regime, the stiffness of the composite increases by orders
      of magnitude upon the addition of a small fraction of stiff fibers. The increase
      is not gradual, but rather occurs in two steps. Of these, one is associated with
      the stiffness percolation of the network of added fibers. The other, which occurs
      at very small fractions of stiff fibers, is due to the percolation of
      perturbation zones, or "interphases," induced in the base network by the stiff
      fibers, regions where the energy is stored mostly in the axial deformation mode.
      Their size controls the stiffening transition and depends on base network
      parameters and the length of added fibers. It is also shown that the perturbation
      field introduced in the base network by the presence of a stiff fiber is much
      longer ranged than in the case when the fiber is tied to a continuum of same
      modulus with the base network. 

PMID- 26274181
TI  - Transition from compact to porous films in deposition with temperature-activated
      diffusion.
AB  - We study a thin-film growth model with temperature activated diffusion of
      adsorbed particles, allowing for the formation of overhangs and pores, but
      without detachment of adatoms or clusters from the deposit. Simulations in one
      dimensional substrates are performed for several values of the diffusion-to
      deposition ratio R of adatoms with a single bond and of the detachment
      probability epsilon per additional nearest neighbor, respectively, with
      activation energies are E(s) and E(b). If R and epsilon independently vary,
      regimes of low and high porosity are separated at 0.075<=epsilon(c)<=0.09, with
      vanishingly small porosity below that point and finite porosity for larger
      epsilon. Alternatively, for fixed values of E(s) and E(b) and varying
      temperature, the porosity has a minimum at T(c), and a nontrivial regime in which
      it increases with temperature is observed above that point. This is related to
      the large mobility of adatoms, resembling features of equilibrium surface
      roughening. In this high-temperature region, the deposit has the structure of a
      critical percolation cluster due to the nondesorption. The pores are regions
      enclosed by blobs of the corresponding percolating backbone, thus the
      distribution of pore size s is expected to scale as s(-tau) with tau~1.45, in
      reasonable agreement with numerical estimates. Roughening of the outer interface
      of the deposits suggests Villain-Lai-Das Sarma scaling below the transition.
      Above the transition, the roughness exponent alpha~0.35 is consistent with the
      percolation backbone structure via the relation alpha=2-d(B), where d(B) is the
      backbone fractal dimension.

PMID- 26274182
TI  - Microbranching in mode-I fracture using large-scale simulations of amorphous and
      perturbed-lattice models.
AB  - We study the high-velocity regime mode-I fracture instability wherein small
      microbranches start to appear near the main crack, using large-scale simulations.
      Some of the features of those microbranches have been reproduced qualitatively in
      smaller-scale studies [using O(10(4)) atoms] on both a model of an amorphous
      material (via the continuous random network model) and using perturbed-lattice
      models. In this study, larger-scale simulations [O(10(6)) atoms] were performed
      using multithreading computing on a GPU device, in order to achieve more
      physically realistic results. First, we find that the microbranching pattern
      appears to be converging with the lattice width. Second, the simulations
      reproduce the growth of the size of a microbranch as a function of the crack
      velocity, as well as the increase of the amplitude of the derivative of the
      electrical-resistance root-mean square with respect to the time as a function of
      the crack velocity. In addition, the simulations yield the correct branching
      angle of the microbranches, and the power law exponent governing the shape of the
      microbranches seems to be lower than unity, so that the side cracks turn over in
      the direction of propagation of the main crack as seen in experiment.

PMID- 26274183
TI  - Diffusion-controlled growth rate of stepped interfaces.
AB  - For many materials, the structure of crystalline surfaces or solid-solid
      interphase boundaries is characterized by an array of mobile steps separated by
      immobile terraces. Despite the prevalence of step-terraced interfaces a
      theoretical description of the growth rate has not been completely solved. In
      this work the boundary element method (BEM) has been utilized to numerically
      compute the concentration profile in a fluid phase in contact with an infinite
      array of equally spaced surface steps and, under the assumption that step motion
      is controlled by diffusion through the fluid phase, the growth rate is computed.
      It is also assumed that a boundary layer exists between the growing surface and a
      point in the liquid where complete convective mixing occurs. The BEM results are
      presented for varying step spacing, supersaturation, and boundary layer width.
      BEM calculations were also used to study the phenomenon of step bunching during
      crystal growth, and it is found that, in the absence of elastic strain energy, a
      sufficiently large perturbation in the position of a step from its regular
      spacing will lead to a step bunching instability. Finally, an approximate
      analytic solution using a matched asymptotic expansion technique is presented for
      the case of a stagnant liquid or equivalently a solid-solid stepped interface. 

PMID- 26274184
TI  - Equilibrium shapes of planar elastic membranes.
AB  - Using a rod theory formulation, we derive equations of state for a thin elastic
      membrane subjected to several different boundary conditions-clamped, simply
      supported, and periodic. The former is applicable to membranes supported on a
      softer substrate and subjected to uniaxial compression. We show that a wider
      family of quasistatic equilibrium shapes exist beyond the previously obtained
      analytical solutions. In the latter case of periodic membranes, we were able to
      derive exact solutions in terms of elliptic functions. These equilibria are
      verified by considering a fluid-structure interaction problem of a periodic,
      length-preserving bilipid membrane modeled by the Helfrich energy immersed in a
      viscous fluid. Starting from an arbitrary shape, the membrane dynamics to
      equilibrium are simulated using a boundary integral method. 

PMID- 26274185
TI  - Controlling the wetting transitions of nanoparticles on nanopatterned substrates
      using an electric current.
AB  - We study the behavior of a nanoparticle under electromigration on a nanopatterned
      surface. We show that electromigration allows one to control the wetting
      transitions of the nanoparticle. Suitable surface electromigration conditions to
      observe these transitions can be achieved with electric currents larger than 1
      MUA. Using kinetic Monte Carlo simulations and analytical modeling, we determine
      the phase diagram of the wetting states, showing how wetting multistability is
      affected by electromigration. In addition, we show that the dynamics of the
      transitions is controlled by surface diffusion in our simulations, and we provide
      a quantitative expression for the transition time. 

PMID- 26274186
TI  - Frictional dynamics of viscoelastic solids driven on a rough surface.
AB  - We study the effect of viscoelastic dynamics on the frictional properties of a
      (mean-field) spring-block system pulled on a rough surface by an external drive.
      When the drive moves at constant velocity V, two dynamical regimes are observed:
      at fast driving, above a critical threshold V(c), the system slides at the drive
      velocity and displays a friction force with velocity weakening. Below V(c) the
      steady sliding becomes unstable and a stick-slip regime sets in. In the slide
      hold-slide driving protocol, a peak of the friction force appears after the hold
      time and its amplitude increases with the hold duration. These observations are
      consistent with the frictional force encoded phenomenologically in the rate-and
      state equations. Our model gives a microscopical basis for such macroscopic
      description.

PMID- 26274187
TI  - Speed of fast and slow rupture fronts along frictional interfaces.
AB  - The transition from stick to slip at a dry frictional interface occurs through
      the breaking of microjunctions between the two contacting surfaces. Typically,
      interactions between junctions through the bulk lead to rupture fronts
      propagating from weak and/or highly stressed regions, whose junctions break
      first. Experiments find rupture fronts ranging from quasistatic fronts, via
      fronts much slower than elastic wave speeds, to fronts faster than the shear wave
      speed. The mechanisms behind and selection between these fronts are still
      imperfectly understood. Here we perform simulations in an elastic two-dimensional
      spring-block model where the frictional interaction between each interfacial
      block and the substrate arises from a set of junctions modeled explicitly. We
      find that material slip speed and rupture front speed are proportional across the
      full range of front speeds we observe. We revisit a mechanism for slow slip in
      the model and demonstrate that fast slip and fast fronts have a different,
      inertial origin. We highlight the long transients in front speed even along
      homogeneous interfaces, and we study how both the local shear to normal stress
      ratio and the local strength are involved in the selection of front type and
      front speed. Last, we introduce an experimentally accessible integrated measure
      of block slip history, the Gini coefficient, and demonstrate that in the model it
      is a good predictor of the history-dependent local static friction coefficient of
      the interface. These results will contribute both to building a physically based
      classification of the various types of fronts and to identifying the important
      mechanisms involved in the selection of their propagation speed. 

PMID- 26274188
TI  - Rotation-limited growth of three-dimensional body-centered-cubic crystals.
AB  - According to classical grain growth laws, grain growth is driven by the
      minimization of surface energy and will continue until a single grain prevails.
      These laws do not take into account the lattice anisotropy and the details of the
      microscopic rearrangement of mass between grains. Here we consider coarsening of
      body-centered-cubic polycrystalline materials in three dimensions using the phase
      field crystal model. We observe, as a function of the quenching depth, a
      crossover between a state where grain rotation halts and the growth stagnates and
      a state where grains coarsen rapidly by coalescence through rotation and
      alignment of the lattices of neighboring grains. We show that the grain rotation
      per volume change of a grain follows a power law with an exponent of -1.25. The
      scaling exponent is consistent with theoretical considerations based on the
      conservation of dislocations. 

PMID- 26274189
TI  - Nematic liquid crystals in planar and cylindrical hybrid cells: Role of elastic
      anisotropy on the director deformations.
AB  - Nematic samples filling a flat cell or the annular region between two concentric
      cylinders with hybrid anchoring conditions at the boundaries are investigated by
      setting up and minimizing their Frank elastic free energy. The coupling with the
      surfaces is taken to be strong on one side and weak on the other. The equations
      are numerically solved and the conditions for which the molecular organization
      inside the cell becomes uniform are analyzed. The classical calculation performed
      by G. Barbero and R. Barberi [J. Phys. 44, 609 (1983)] is reproduced and
      investigated from a different point of view, in order to compare the results of
      planar and cylindrical geometries. The results suggest that the cylindrical cell
      presents some unusual features deserving a more complete investigation. Although
      most part of the transitional phenomena are found for K(11)>K(33), a case not
      common for ordinary (lyotropic and thermotropic) liquid crystals, it is possible
      to find a completely uniform cell even for K(11)<K(33) in both the geometries
      considered here.

PMID- 26274190
TI  - Two-step electrical percolation in nematic liquid crystals filled with
      multiwalled carbon nanotubes.
AB  - Percolation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in liquid crystals (LCs) opens the way for
      a unique class of anisotropic hybrid materials with a complex dielectric constant
      widely controlled by CNT concentration. Percolation in such systems is commonly
      described as a one-step process starting at a very low loading of CNTs. In the
      present study the two-step percolation was observed in the samples of thickness
      250 MUm obtained by pressing the suspension between two substrates. The first
      threshold concentration, C(n)(p(1))~10(-4) wt.%, was sensitive to temperature and
      phase state of LC, while the second one, C(n)(p(2))~10(-1) wt.%, remained
      practically unchanged in the temperature tests. The two-stage nature of
      percolation was explained on a base of mean-field theory assuming core-shell
      structure of CNTs.

PMID- 26274191
TI  - High-resolution dielectric study reveals pore-size-dependent orientational order
      of a discotic liquid crystal confined in tubular nanopores.
AB  - We report a high-resolution dielectric study on a pyrene-based discotic liquid
      crystal (DLC) in the bulk state and confined in parallel tubular nanopores of
      monolithic silica and alumina membranes. The positive dielectric anisotropy of
      the DLC molecule at low frequencies (in the quasistatic case) allows us to
      explore the thermotropic collective orientational order. A face-on arrangement of
      the molecular discs on the pore walls and a corresponding radial arrangement of
      the molecules is found. In contrast to the bulk, the isotropic-to-columnar
      transition of the confined DLC is continuous, shifts with decreasing pore
      diameter to lower temperatures, and exhibits a pronounced hysteresis between
      cooling and heating. These findings corroborate conclusions from previous neutron
      and x-ray-scattering experiments as well as optical birefringence measurements.
      Our study also indicates that the relative simple dielectric technique presented
      here is a quite efficient method in order to study the thermotropic orientational
      order of DLC-based nanocomposites. 

PMID- 26274192
TI  - Two-dimensional liquid crystalline growth within a phase-field-crystal model.
AB  - By using a two-dimensional phase-field-crystal (PFC) model, the liquid
      crystalline growth of the plastic triangular phase is simulated with emphasis on
      crystal shape and topological defect formation. The equilibrium shape of a
      plastic triangular crystal (PTC) grown from an isotropic phase is compared with
      that grown from a columnar or smectic-A (CSA) phase. While the shape of a PTC
      nucleus in the isotropic phase is almost identical to that of the classical PFC
      model, the shape of a PTC nucleus in CSA is affected by the orientation of
      stripes in the CSA phase, and irregular hexagonal, elliptical, octagonal, and
      rectangular shapes are obtained. Concerning the dynamics of the growth process,
      we analyze the topological structure of the nematic order, which starts from
      nucleation of +1/2 and -1/2 disclination pairs at the PTC growth front and
      evolves into hexagonal cells consisting of +1 vortices surrounded by six
      satellite -1/2 disclinations. It is found that the orientational and the
      positional order do not evolve simultaneously; the orientational order evolves
      behind the positional order, leading to a large transition zone, which can span
      over several lattice spacings. 

PMID- 26274193
TI  - Reexamination of the mean-field phase diagram of biaxial nematic liquid crystals:
      Insights from Monte Carlo studies.
AB  - Investigations of the phase diagram of biaxial liquid-crystal systems through
      analyses of general Hamiltonian models within the simplifications of mean-field
      theory (MFT), as well as by computer simulations based on microscopic models, are
      directed toward an appreciation of the role of the underlying molecular-level
      interactions to facilitate its spontaneous condensation into a nematic phase with
      biaxial symmetry. Continuing experimental challenges in realizing such a system
      unambiguously, despite encouraging predictions from MFT, for example, are
      requiring more versatile simulational methodologies capable of providing insights
      into possible hindering barriers within the system, typically gleaned through its
      free-energy dependences on relevant observables as the system is driven through
      the transitions. The recent paper from this group [Kamala Latha et al., Phys.
      Rev. E 89, 050501(R) (2014)], summarizing the outcome of detailed Monte Carlo
      simulations carried out employing an entropic sampling technique, suggested a
      qualitative modification of the MFT phase diagram as the Hamiltonian is
      asymptotically driven toward the so-called partly repulsive regions. It was
      argued that the degree of (cross) coupling between the uniaxial and biaxial
      tensor components of neighboring molecules plays a crucial role in facilitating a
      ready condensation of the biaxial phase, suggesting that this could be a
      plausible factor in explaining the experimental difficulties. In this paper, we
      elaborate this point further, providing additional evidence from curious
      variations of free-energy profiles with respect to the relevant orientational
      order parameters, at different temperatures bracketing the phase transitions.

PMID- 26274194
TI  - Driven anomalous diffusion: An example from polymer stretching.
AB  - The way tension propagates along a chain is a key to govern many anomalous
      dynamics in macromolecular systems. After introducing the weak and the strong
      force regimes of the tension propagation, we focus on the latter, in which the
      dynamical fluctuations of a segment in a long polymer during its stretching
      process is investigated. We show that the response, i.e., average drift, is
      anomalous, which is characterized by the nonlinear memory kernel, and its
      relation to the fluctuation is nontrivial. These features are discussed on the
      basis of the generalized Langevin equation, in which the role of the temporal
      change in spring constant due to the stress hardening is pinpointed. We carried
      out the molecular dynamics simulation, which supports our theory. 

PMID- 26274195
TI  - Determination of the interaction parameter and topological scaling features of
      symmetric star polymers in dilute solution.
AB  - Star polymers provide model architectures to understand the dynamic and
      rheological effects of chain confinement for a range of complex topological
      structures like branched polymers, colloids, and micelles. It is important to
      describe the structure of such macromolecular topologies using small-angle
      neutron and x-ray scattering to facilitate understanding of their structure
      property relationships. Modeling of scattering from linear, Gaussian polymers,
      such as in the melt, has applied the random phase approximation using the Debye
      polymer scattering function. The Flory-Huggins interaction parameter can be
      obtained using neutron scattering by this method. Gaussian scaling no longer
      applies for more complicated chain topologies or when chains are in good
      solvents. For symmetric star polymers, chain scaling can differ from
      nu=0.5(d(f)=2) due to excluded volume, steric interaction between arms, and
      enhanced density due to branching. Further, correlation between arms in a
      symmetric star leads to an interference term in the scattering function first
      described by Benoit for Gaussian chains. In this work, a scattering function is
      derived which accounts for interarm correlations in symmetric star polymers as
      well as the polymer-solvent interaction parameter for chains of arbitrary scaling
      dimension using a hybrid Unified scattering function. The approach is
      demonstrated for linear, four-arm and eight-arm polyisoprene stars in deuterated
      p-xylene.

PMID- 26274196
TI  - Translocation of polymers into crowded media with dynamic attractive
      nanoparticles.
AB  - The translocation of polymers through a small pore into crowded media with
      dynamic attractive nanoparticles is simulated. Results show that the
      nanoparticles at the trans side can affect the translocation by influencing the
      free-energy landscape and the diffusion of polymers. Thus the translocation time
      tau is dependent on the polymer-nanoparticle attraction strength E and the
      mobility of nanoparticles V. We observe a power-law relation of tau with V, but
      the exponent is dependent on E and nanoparticle concentration. In addition, we
      find that the effect of attractive dynamic nanoparticles on the dynamics of
      polymers is dependent on the time scale. At a short time scale, subnormal
      diffusion is observed at strong attraction and the diffusion is slowed down by
      the dynamic nanoparticles. However, the diffusion of polymers is normal at a long
      time scale and the diffusion constant increases with the increase in V. 

PMID- 26274197
TI  - Phase transition of vortexlike self-propelled particles induced by a hostile
      particle.
AB  - When encountering a hostile particle, the avoidance behaviors of the vortex state
      of self-propelled particles exhibit phase transition phenomena such that the
      vortex state can change into a crystal state. Based on the self-propelled
      particle model and a molecular dynamics simulation, the dynamic response of the
      vortex swarm induced by a hostile particle (predator or obstacle) is studied.
      Three parameters are defined to characterize the collective escaping behaviors,
      including the order parameter, the flock size, and the roundness parameter. If a
      predator moves slower with a larger risk radius, the vortex swarm cannot return
      to its original vortex state, but rather transforms into a crystal state. The
      critical phase transition radius, the maximum risk radius of a predator with
      which the transition from a vortex to crystal state cannot take place, is also
      examined by considering the influence of the model parameters. To some degree,
      the critical radius reflects the stability and robustness of the vortex swarm. 

PMID- 26274198
TI  - Facilitated diffusion of proteins through crumpled fractal DNA globules.
AB  - We explore how the specific fractal globule conformation, found for the chromatin
      fiber of higher eukaryotes and topologically constrained dense polymers, affects
      the facilitated diffusion of proteins in this environment. Using scaling
      arguments and supporting Monte Carlo simulations, we relate DNA looping
      probability distribution, fractal dimension, and protein nonspecific affinity for
      the DNA to the effective diffusion parameters of the proteins. We explicitly
      consider correlations between subsequent readsorption events of the proteins, and
      we find that facilitated diffusion is faster for the crumpled globule
      conformation with high intersegmental surface dimension than in the case of dense
      fractal conformations with smooth surfaces. As a byproduct, we obtain an
      expression for the macroscopic conductivity of a hypothetic material consisting
      of conducting fractal nanowires immersed in a weakly conducting medium. 

PMID- 26274199
TI  - Oscillatorylike behavior in feedforward neuronal networks.
AB  - We demonstrate how rhythmic activity can arise in neural networks from
      feedforward rather than recurrent circuitry and, in so doing, we provide a
      mechanism capable of explaining the temporal decorrelation of gamma-band
      oscillations. We compare the spiking activity of a delayed recurrent network of
      inhibitory neurons with that of a feedforward network with the same neural
      properties and axonal delays. Paradoxically, these very different connectivities
      can yield very similar spike-train statistics in response to correlated input.
      This happens when neurons are noisy and axonal delays are short. A Taylor
      expansion of the feedback network's susceptibility-or frequency-dependent gain
      function-can then be stopped at first order to a good approximation, thus
      matching the feedforward net's susceptibility. The feedback network is known to
      display oscillations; these oscillations imply that the spiking activity of the
      population is felt by all neurons within the network, leading to direct spike
      correlations in a given neuron. On the other hand, in the output layer of the
      feedforward net, the interaction between the external drive and the delayed
      feedforward projection of this drive by the input layer causes indirect spike
      correlations: spikes fired by a given output layer neuron are correlated only
      through the activity of the input layer neurons. High noise and short delays
      partially bridge the gap between these two types of correlation, yielding similar
      spike-train statistics for both networks. This similarity is even stronger when
      the delay is distributed, as confirmed by linear response theory. 

PMID- 26274200
TI  - Quasicycles in the stochastic hybrid Morris-Lecar neural model.
AB  - Intrinsic noise arising from the stochastic opening and closing of voltage-gated
      ion channels has been shown experimentally and mathematically to have important
      effects on a neuron's function. Study of classical neuron models with stochastic
      ion channels is becoming increasingly important, especially in understanding a
      cell's ability to produce subthreshold oscillations and to respond to weak
      periodic stimuli. While it is known that stochastic models can produce
      oscillations (quasicycles) in parameter regimes where the corresponding
      deterministic model has only a stable fixed point, little analytical work has
      been done to explore these connections within the context of channel noise. Using
      a stochastic hybrid Morris-Lecar (ML) model, we combine a system-size expansion
      in K(+) and a quasi-steady-state (QSS) approximation in persistent Na(+) in order
      to derive an effective Langevin equation that preserves the low-dimensional
      (planar) structure of the underlying deterministic ML model. (The QSS analysis
      exploits the fact that persistent Na(+) channels are fast.) By calculating the
      corresponding power spectrum, we determine analytically how noise significantly
      extends the parameter regime in which subthreshold oscillations occur.

PMID- 26274201
TI  - Short-range interactions versus long-range correlations in bird flocks.
AB  - Bird flocks are a paradigmatic example of collective motion. One of the prominent
      traits of flocking is the presence of long range velocity correlations between
      individuals, which allow them to influence each other over the large scales,
      keeping a high level of group coordination. A crucial question is to understand
      what is the mutual interaction between birds generating such nontrivial
      correlations. Here we use the maximum entropy (ME) approach to infer from
      experimental data of natural flocks the effective interactions between
      individuals. Compared to previous studies, we make a significant step forward as
      we retrieve the full functional dependence of the interaction on distance, and
      find that it decays exponentially over a range of a few individuals. The fact
      that ME gives a short-range interaction even though its experimental input is the
      long-range correlation function, shows that the method is able to discriminate
      the relevant information encoded in such correlations and single out a minimal
      number of effective parameters. Finally, we show how the method can be used to
      capture the degree of anisotropy of mutual interactions. 

PMID- 26274202
TI  - Temporal dynamics in an immunological synapse: Role of thermal fluctuations in
      signaling.
AB  - The article analyzes the contribution of stochastic thermal fluctuations in the
      attachment times of the immature T-cell receptor TCR: peptide-major
      histocompatibility-complex pMHC immunological synapse bond. The key question
      addressed here is the following: how does a synapse bond remain stabilized in the
      presence of high-frequency thermal noise that potentially equates to a strong
      detaching force? Focusing on the average time persistence of an immature synapse,
      we show that the high-frequency nodes accompanying large fluctuations are
      counterbalanced by low-frequency nodes that evolve over longer time periods,
      eventually leading to signaling of the immunological synapse bond primarily
      decided by nodes of the latter type. Our analysis shows that such a
      counterintuitive behavior could be easily explained from the fact that the
      survival probability distribution is governed by two distinct phases,
      corresponding to two separate time exponents, for the two different time regimes.
      The relatively shorter timescales correspond to the cohesion:adhesion induced
      immature bond formation whereas the larger time reciprocates the
      association:dissociation regime leading to TCR:pMHC signaling. From an estimate
      of the bond survival probability, we show that, at shorter timescales, this
      probability P(Delta)(tau) scales with time tau as a universal function of a
      rescaled noise amplitude D/Delta(2), such that P(Delta)(tau)~tau(
      (Delta/?[D]+1/2)),Delta being the distance from the mean intermembrane (T
      cell:Antigen Presenting Cell) separation distance. The crossover from this
      shorter to a longer time regime leads to a universality in the dynamics, at which
      point the survival probability shows a different power-law scaling compared to
      the one at shorter timescales. In biological terms, such a crossover indicates
      that the TCR:pMHC bond has a survival probability with a slower decay rate than
      the longer LFA-1:ICAM-1 bond justifying its stability.

PMID- 26274203
TI  - Fractional motion model for characterization of anomalous diffusion from NMR
      signals.
AB  - Measuring molecular diffusion has been used to characterize the properties of
      living organisms and porous materials. NMR is able to detect the diffusion
      process in vivo and noninvasively. The fractional motion (FM) model is
      appropriate to describe anomalous diffusion phenomenon in crowded environments,
      such as living cells. However, no FM-based NMR theory has yet been established.
      Here, we present a general formulation of the FM-based NMR signal under the
      influence of arbitrary magnetic field gradient waveforms. An explicit analytic
      solution of the stretched exponential decay format for NMR signals with finite
      width Stejskal-Tanner bipolar pulse magnetic field gradients is presented.
      Signals from a numerical simulation matched well with the theoretical prediction.
      In vivo diffusion-weighted brain images were acquired and analyzed using the
      proposed theory, and the resulting parametric maps exhibit remarkable contrasts
      between different brain tissues. 

PMID- 26274204
TI  - Electrostatic interaction effects on tension-induced pore formation in lipid
      membranes.
AB  - We investigated the effects of electrostatic interactions on the rate constant
      (k(p)) for tension-induced pore formation in lipid membranes of giant unilamellar
      vesicles under constant applied tension. A decrease in salt concentration in
      solution as well as an increase in surface charge density of the membranes
      increased k(p). These data indicate that k(p) increases as the extent of
      electrostatic interaction increases. We developed a theory on the effect of the
      electrostatic interactions on the free energy profile of the membrane containing
      a prepore and also on the values of k(p); this theory explains the experimental
      results and fits the experimental data reasonably well in the presence of weak
      electrostatic interactions. Based on these results, we conclude that a decrease
      in the free energy barrier of the prepore state due to electrostatic interactions
      is the main factor causing an increase in k(p).

PMID- 26274205
TI  - Simple model of pH-induced protein denaturation.
AB  - The pH-induced conformational changes of proteins are systematically studied in
      the framework of a hydrophobic-polar (HP) model, in which proteins are
      dramatically simplified as chains of hydrophobic (H) and polar (P) beads on a
      lattice. We express the electrostatic interaction, the principal driving force of
      pH-induced unfolding that is not included in the conventional HP model, as the
      repulsive energy term between P monomers. As a result of the exact enumeration of
      all of the 14- to 18-mers, it is found that lowest-energy states in many
      sequences change from single "native" conformations to multiple sets of
      "denatured" conformations with an increase in the electrostatic repulsion. The
      switching of the lowest-energy states occurs in quite a similar way to real
      proteins: it is almost always between two states, while in a small fraction of
      >=16-mers it is between three states. We also calculate the structural
      fluctuations for all of the denatured states and find that the denatured states
      contain a broad range of incompletely unfolded conformations, similar to "molten
      globule" states referred to in acid or alkaline denatured real proteins. These
      results show that the proposed model provides a simple physical picture of pH
      induced protein denaturation. 

PMID- 26274206
TI  - Inherently unstable networks collapse to a critical point.
AB  - Nonequilibrium systems that are driven or drive themselves towards a critical
      point have been studied for almost three decades. Here we present a minimalist
      example of such a system, motivated by experiments on collapsing active elastic
      networks. Our model of an unstable elastic network exhibits a collapse towards a
      critical point from any macroscopically connected initial configuration. Taking
      into account steric interactions within the network, the model qualitatively and
      quantitatively reproduces results of the experiments on collapsing active gels. 

PMID- 26274207
TI  - Numerical methods for a Poisson-Nernst-Planck-Fermi model of biological ion
      channels.
AB  - Numerical methods are proposed for an advanced Poisson-Nernst-Planck-Fermi (PNPF)
      model for studying ion transport through biological ion channels. PNPF contains
      many more correlations than most models and simulations of channels, because it
      includes water and calculates dielectric properties consistently as outputs. This
      model accounts for the steric effect of ions and water molecules with different
      sizes and interstitial voids, the correlation effect of crowded ions with
      different valences, and the screening effect of polarized water molecules in an
      inhomogeneous aqueous electrolyte. The steric energy is shown to be comparable to
      the electrical energy under physiological conditions, demonstrating the crucial
      role of the excluded volume of particles and the voids in the natural function of
      channel proteins. Water is shown to play a critical role in both correlation and
      steric effects in the model. We extend the classical Scharfetter-Gummel (SG)
      method for semiconductor devices to include the steric potential for ion
      channels, which is a fundamental physical property not present in semiconductors.
      Together with a simplified matched interface and boundary (SMIB) method for
      treating molecular surfaces and singular charges of channel proteins, the
      extended SG method is shown to exhibit important features in flow simulations
      such as optimal convergence, efficient nonlinear iterations, and physical
      conservation. The generalized SG stability condition shows why the standard
      discretization (without SG exponential fitting) of NP equations may fail and that
      divalent Ca(2+) may cause more unstable discrete Ca(2+) fluxes than that of
      monovalent Na(+). Two different methods-called the SMIB and multiscale methods
      are proposed for two different types of channels, namely, the gramicidin A
      channel and an L-type calcium channel, depending on whether water is allowed to
      pass through the channel. Numerical methods are first validated with constructed
      models whose exact solutions are known. The experimental data of both channels
      are then used to verify and explain novel features of PNPF as compared with
      previous PNP models. The PNPF currents are in accord with the experimental I-V (V
      for applied voltages) data of the gramicidin A channel and I-C (C for bath
      concentrations) data of the calcium channel with 10(-8)-fold bath concentrations
      that pose severe challenges in theoretical simulations.

PMID- 26274208
TI  - Two-population model for medial temporal lobe neurons: The vast majority are
      almost silent.
AB  - Recordings in the human medial temporal lobe have found many neurons that respond
      to pictures (and related stimuli) of just one particular person of those
      presented. It has been proposed that these are concept cells, responding to just
      a single concept. However, a direct experimental test of the concept cell idea
      appears impossible, because it would need the measurement of the response of each
      cell to enormous numbers of other stimuli. Here we propose a new statistical
      method for analysis of the data that gives a more powerful way to analyze how
      close data are to the concept-cell idea. Central to the model is the neuronal
      sparsity, defined as the total fraction of stimuli that elicit an above-threshold
      response in the neuron. The model exploits the large number of sampled neurons to
      give sensitivity to situations where the average response sparsity is much less
      than one response for the number of presented stimuli. We show that a
      conventional model where a single sparsity is postulated for all neurons gives an
      extremely poor fit to the data. In contrast, a model with two dramatically
      different populations gives an excellent fit to data from the hippocampus and
      entorhinal cortex. In the hippocampus, one population has 7% of the cells with a
      2.6% sparsity. But a much larger fraction (93%) respond to only 0.1% of the
      stimuli. This can result in an extreme bias in the responsiveness of reported
      neurons compared with a typical neuron. Finally, we show how to allow for the
      fact that some identified units correspond to multiple neurons and find that our
      conclusions at the neural level are quantitatively changed but strengthened, with
      an even stronger difference between the two populations. 

PMID- 26274209
TI  - Collapse of DNA under alternating electric fields.
AB  - Recent studies have shown that double-stranded DNA can collapse in the presence
      of a strong electric field. Here we provide an in-depth study of the collapse of
      DNA under weak confinement in microchannels as a function of buffer strength,
      driving frequency, applied electric-field strength, and molecule size. We find
      that the critical electric field at which DNA molecules collapse (tens of kV/m)
      is strongly dependent on driving frequency (100-800 Hz) and molecular size (20
      160 kbp), and weakly dependent on the ionic strength (8-60 mM). We argue that an
      apparent stretching at very high electric fields is an artifact of the finite
      frame time of video microscopy. 

PMID- 26274210
TI  - Vesiculation of healthy and defective red blood cells.
AB  - Vesiculation of mature red blood cells (RBCs) contributes to removal of defective
      patches of the erythrocyte membrane. In blood disorders, which are related to
      defects in proteins of the RBC membrane, vesiculation of the plasma membrane is
      intensified. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain RBC vesiculation
      but the exact underlying mechanisms and what determines the sizes of the vesicles
      are still not completely understood. In this work, we apply a two-component
      coarse-grained molecular dynamics RBC membrane model to study how RBC
      vesiculation is controlled by the membrane spontaneous curvature and by lateral
      compression of the membrane. Our simulation results show that the formation of
      small homogeneous vesicles with a diameter less than 40 nm can be attributed to a
      large spontaneous curvature of membrane domains. On the other hand, compression
      on the membrane can cause the formation of vesicles with heterogeneous
      composition and with sizes comparable with the size of the cytoskeleton corral.
      When spontaneous curvature and lateral compression are simultaneously considered,
      the compression on the membrane tends to facilitate formation of vesicles
      originating from curved membrane domains. We also simulate vesiculation of RBCs
      with membrane defects connected to hereditary elliptocytosis (HE) and to
      hereditary spherocytosis (HS). When the vertical connectivity between the lipid
      bilayer and the membrane skeleton is elevated, as in normal RBCs, multiple
      vesicles are shed from the compressed membrane with diameters similar to the
      cytoskeleton corral size. In HS RBCs, where the connectivity between the lipid
      bilayer and the cytoskeleton is reduced, larger-size vesicles are released under
      the same compression ratio as in normal RBCs. Lastly, we find that vesicles
      released from HE RBCs can contain cytoskeletal filaments due to fragmentation of
      the membrane skeleton while vesicles released from the HS RBCs are depleted of
      cytoskeletal filaments. 

PMID- 26274211
TI  - Modeling the dynamics of a tracer particle in an elastic active gel.
AB  - The internal dynamics of active gels both in artificial (in vitro) model systems
      and inside the cytoskeleton of living cells has been extensively studied with
      experiments of recent years. These dynamics are probed using tracer particles
      embedded in the network of biopolymers together with molecular motors, and
      distinct nonthermal behavior is observed. We present a theoretical model of the
      dynamics of a trapped active particle, which allows us to quantify the deviations
      from equilibrium behavior, using both analytic and numerical calculations. We map
      the different regimes of dynamics in this system and highlight the different
      manifestations of activity: breakdown of the virial theorem and equipartition,
      different elasticity-dependent "effective temperatures," and distinct non
      Gaussian distributions. Our results shed light on puzzling observations in active
      gel experiments and provide physical interpretation of existing observations, as
      well as predictions for future studies. 

PMID- 26274212
TI  - Fluctuations of red blood cell membranes: The role of the cytoskeleton.
AB  - We theoretically investigate the membrane fluctuations of red blood cells with
      focus laid on the role of the cytoskeleton, viewing the system as a membrane
      coupled to a sparse spring network. This model is exactly solvable and enables us
      to examine the coupling strength dependence of the membrane undulation. We find
      that the coupling modifies the fluctuation spectrum at wavelengths longer than
      the mesh size of the network, while leaving the fluid-like behavior of the
      membrane intact at shorter wavelengths. The fluctuation spectra can be markedly
      different, depending on not only the relative amplitude of the bilayer bending
      energy with respect to the cytoskeleton deformation energy but also the bilayer
      cytoskelton coupling strength. 

PMID- 26274213
TI  - Analytical properties of a three-compartmental dynamical demographic model.
AB  - The three-compartmental demographic model by Korotaeyv-Malkov-Khaltourina,
      connecting population size, economic surplus, and education level, is considered
      from the point of view of dynamical systems theory. It is shown that there exist
      two integrals of motion, which enables the system to be reduced to one nonlinear
      ordinary differential equation. The study of its structure provides analytical
      criteria for the dominance ranges of the dynamics of Malthus and Kremer.
      Additionally, the particular ranges of parameters enable the derived general
      ordinary differential equations to be reduced to the models of Gompertz and
      Thoularis-Wallace. 

PMID- 26274214
TI  - General formulation of Luria-Delbruck distribution of the number of mutants.
AB  - The Luria-Delbruck experiment is a cornerstone of evolutionary theory,
      demonstrating the randomness of mutations before selection. The distribution of
      the number of mutants in this experiment has been the subject of intense
      investigation during the past 70 years. Despite this considerable effort, most of
      the results have been obtained under the assumption of constant growth rate,
      which is far from the experimental condition. We derive here the properties of
      this distribution for arbitrary growth function for both the deterministic and
      stochastic growth of the mutants. The derivation we propose uses the number of
      wild-type bacteria as the independent variable instead of time. The derivation is
      surprisingly simple and versatile, allowing many generalizations to be taken
      easily into account. 

PMID- 26274215
TI  - Environment-induced anisotropy and sensitivity of the radical pair mechanism in
      the avian compass.
AB  - Several experiments over the years have shown that the earth's magnetic field is
      essential for orientation in birds' migration. The most promising explanation for
      this orientation is the photo-stimulated radical pair (RP) mechanism. In order to
      define a reference frame for the orientation task radicals must have an intrinsic
      anisotropy. We show that this kind of anisotropy and consequently the
      entanglement in the model are not necessary for the proper functioning of the
      compass. Classically correlated initial conditions for the RP, subjected to a
      fast decoherence process, are able to provide the anisotropy required. Even a
      dephasing environment can provide the necessary frame for the compass to work and
      also implies fast decay of any quantum correlation in the system without damaging
      the orientation ability. This fact significantly expands the range of
      applicability of the RP mechanism providing more elements for experimental
      search. 

PMID- 26274216
TI  - Fluctuation and noise propagation in phenotypic transition cascades of clonal
      populations.
AB  - Quantitative modeling of fluctuations of each phenotype is a crucial step towards
      a fundamental understanding of noise propagation through various phenotypic
      transition cascades. The theoretical formulas for noise propagation in various
      phenotypic transition cascades are derived by using the linear noise
      approximation of master equation and the logarithmic gain. By virtue of the
      theoretical formulas, we study the noise propagation in bidirectional and
      unidirectional phenotypic transition cascades, respectively. It is found that
      noise propagation in these two phenotypic transition cascades evidently differs:
      In the bidirectional cascade, a systemic random environment is provided by a
      correlated global component. The total noise of each phenotype is mainly
      determined by the intrinsic noise and the transmitted noise from other
      phenotypes. The intrinsic noise enlarged by interconversion through an added part
      shows a novel noise propagation mechanism. However, in the unidirectional
      cascade, the random environment of each downstream phenotype is provided by
      upstream phenotypes. The total noise of each downstream phenotype is mainly
      determined by the transmitted noises from upstream phenotypes. The intrinsic
      noise and the conversion noise can propagate in both bidirectional and
      unidirectional phenotypic transition cascades. 

PMID- 26274217
TI  - Extinction dynamics of a discrete population in an oasis.
AB  - Understanding the conditions ensuring the persistence of a population is an issue
      of primary importance in population biology. The first theoretical approach to
      the problem dates back to the 1950s with the Kierstead, Slobodkin, and Skellam
      (KiSS) model, namely a continuous reaction-diffusion equation for a population
      growing on a patch of finite size L surrounded by a deadly environment with
      infinite mortality, i.e., an oasis in a desert. The main outcome of the model is
      that only patches above a critical size allow for population persistence. Here we
      introduce an individual-based analog of the KiSS model to investigate the effects
      of discreteness and demographic stochasticity. In particular, we study the
      average time to extinction both above and below the critical patch size of the
      continuous model and investigate the quasistationary distribution of the number
      of individuals for patch sizes above the critical threshold. 

PMID- 26274218
TI  - Catch-slip bonds can be dispensable for motor force regulation during skeletal
      muscle contraction.
AB  - It is intriguing how multiple molecular motors can perform coordinated and
      synchronous functions, which is essential in various cellular processes. Recent
      studies on skeletal muscle might have shed light on this issue, where rather
      precise motor force regulation was partly attributed to the specific stochastic
      features of a single attached myosin motor. Though attached motors can randomly
      detach from actin filaments either through an adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
      hydrolysis cycle or through "catch-slip bond" breaking, their respective
      contribution in motor force regulation has not been clarified. Here, through
      simulating a mechanical model of sarcomere with a coupled Monte Carlo method and
      finite element method, we find that the stochastic features of an ATP hydrolysis
      cycle can be sufficient while those of catch-slip bonds can be dispensable for
      motor force regulation. 

PMID- 26274219
TI  - Structural self-assembly and avalanchelike dynamics in locally adaptive networks.
AB  - Transport networks play a key role across four realms of eukaryotic life: slime
      molds, fungi, plants, and animals. In addition to the developmental algorithms
      that build them, many also employ adaptive strategies to respond to stimuli,
      damage, and other environmental changes. We model these adapting network
      architectures using a generic dynamical system on weighted graphs and find in
      simulation that these networks ultimately develop a hierarchical organization of
      the final weighted architecture accompanied by the formation of a system-spanning
      backbone. In addition, we find that the long term equilibration dynamics exhibit
      behavior reminiscent of glassy systems characterized by long periods of slow
      changes punctuated by bursts of reorganization events. 

PMID- 26274220
TI  - Complex networks from space-filling bearings.
AB  - Two-dimensional space-filling bearings are dense packings of disks that can
      rotate without slip. We consider the entire first family of bearings for loops of
      four disks and propose a hierarchical construction of their contact network. We
      provide analytic expressions for the clustering coefficient and degree
      distribution, revealing bipartite scale-free behavior with a tunable degree
      exponent depending on the bearing parameters. We also analyze their average
      shortest path and percolation properties. 

PMID- 26274221
TI  - Nonlinear q-voter model with inflexible zealots.
AB  - We study the dynamics of the nonlinear q-voter model with inflexible zealots in a
      finite well-mixed population. In this system, each individual supports one of two
      parties and is either a susceptible voter or an inflexible zealot. At each time
      step, a susceptible adopts the opinion of a neighbor if this belongs to a group
      of q>=2 neighbors all in the same state, whereas inflexible zealots never change
      their opinion. In the presence of zealots of both parties, the model is
      characterized by a fluctuating stationary state and, below a zealotry density
      threshold, the distribution of opinions is bimodal. After a characteristic time,
      most susceptibles become supporters of the party having more zealots and the
      opinion distribution is asymmetric. When the number of zealots of both parties is
      the same, the opinion distribution is symmetric and, in the long run,
      susceptibles endlessly swing from the state where they all support one party to
      the opposite state. Above the zealotry density threshold, when there is an
      unequal number of zealots of each type, the probability distribution is single
      peaked and non-Gaussian. These properties are investigated analytically and with
      stochastic simulations. We also study the mean time to reach a consensus when
      zealots support only one party. 

PMID- 26274222
TI  - Shadows of the susceptible-infectious-susceptible immortality transition in small
      networks.
AB  - Much of the research on the behavior of the SIS model on networks has concerned
      the infinite size limit; in particular the phase transition between a state where
      outbreaks can reach a finite fraction of the population, and a state where only a
      finite number would be infected. For finite networks, there is also a dynamic
      transition-the immortality transition-when the per-contact transmission
      probability lambda reaches 1. If lambda<1, the probability that an outbreak will
      survive by an observation time t tends to zero as t->infinity; if lambda=1, this
      probability is 1. We show that treating lambda=1 as a critical point predicts the
      lambda dependence of the survival probability also for more moderate lambda
      values. The exponent, however, depends on the underlying network. This fact
      could, by measuring how a vertex's deletion changes the exponent, be used to
      evaluate the role of a vertex in the outbreak. Our work also confirms an
      extremely clear separation between the early die-off (from the outbreak failing
      to take hold in the population) and the later extinctions (corresponding to rare
      stochastic events of several consecutive transmission events failing to occur). 

PMID- 26274223
TI  - Benchmark model to assess community structure in evolving networks.
AB  - Detecting the time evolution of the community structure of networks is crucial to
      identify major changes in the internal organization of many complex systems,
      which may undergo important endogenous or exogenous events. This analysis can be
      done in two ways: considering each snapshot as an independent community detection
      problem or taking into account the whole evolution of the network. In the first
      case, one can apply static methods on the temporal snapshots, which correspond to
      configurations of the system in short time windows, and match afterward the
      communities across layers. Alternatively, one can develop dedicated dynamic
      procedures so that multiple snapshots are simultaneously taken into account while
      detecting communities, which allows us to keep memory of the flow. To check how
      well a method of any kind could capture the evolution of communities, suitable
      benchmarks are needed. Here we propose a model for generating simple dynamic
      benchmark graphs, based on stochastic block models. In them, the time evolution
      consists of a periodic oscillation of the system's structure between
      configurations with built-in community structure. We also propose the extension
      of quality comparison indices to the dynamic scenario. 

PMID- 26274224
TI  - Influence of Luddism on innovation diffusion.
AB  - We generalize the classical Bass model of innovation diffusion to include a new
      class of agents-Luddites-that oppose the spread of innovation. Our model also
      incorporates ignorants, susceptibles, and adopters. When an ignorant and a
      susceptible meet, the former is converted to a susceptible at a given rate, while
      a susceptible spontaneously adopts the innovation at a constant rate. In response
      to the rate of adoption, an ignorant may become a Luddite and permanently reject
      the innovation. Instead of reaching complete adoption, the final state generally
      consists of a population of Luddites, ignorants, and adopters. The evolution of
      this system is investigated analytically and by stochastic simulations. We
      determine the stationary distribution of adopters, the time needed to reach the
      final state, and the influence of the network topology on the innovation spread.
      Our model exhibits an important dichotomy: When the rate of adoption is low, an
      innovation spreads slowly but widely; in contrast, when the adoption rate is
      high, the innovation spreads rapidly but the extent of the adoption is severely
      limited by Luddites. 

PMID- 26274225
TI  - Analytical expression for the exit probability of the q-voter model in one
      dimension.
AB  - We present in this paper an approximation that is able to give an analytical
      expression for the exit probability of the q-voter model in one dimension. This
      expression gives a better fit for the more recent data about simulations in large
      networks [A. M. Timpanaro and C. P. C. do Prado, Phys. Rev. E 89, 052808 (2014)]
      and as such departs from the expression rho(q)/rho(q)+(1-rho)(q) found in papers
      that investigated small networks only [R. Lambiotte and S. Redner, Europhys.
      Lett. 82, 18007 (2008); P. Przybyla et al., Phys. Rev. E 84, 031117 (2011); F.
      Slanina et al., Europhys. Lett. 82, 18006 (2008)]. The approximation consists in
      assuming a large separation on the time scales at which active groups of agents
      convince inactive ones and the time taken in the competition between active
      groups. Some interesting findings are that for q=2 we still have rho(2)/rho(2)+(1
      rho)(2) as the exit probability and for q>2 we can obtain a lower-order
      approximation of the form rho(s)/rho(s)+(1-rho)(s) with s varying from q for low
      values of q to q-1/2 for large values of q. As such, this work can also be seen
      as a deduction for why the exit probability rho(q)/rho(q)+(1-rho)(q) gives a good
      fit, without relying on mean-field arguments or on the assumption that only the
      first step is nondeterministic, as q and q-1/2 will give very similar results
      when q->infinity.

PMID- 26274226
TI  - Magnetic-resonance pore imaging of nonsymmetric microscopic pore shapes.
AB  - Imaging of the microstructure of porous media such as biological tissue or porous
      solids is of high interest in health science and technology, engineering and
      material science. Magnetic resonance pore imaging (MRPI) is a recent technique
      based on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) which allows us to acquire images of
      the average pore shape in a given sample. Here we provide details on the
      experimental design, challenges, and requirements of MRPI, including its
      calibration procedures. Utilizing a laser-machined phantom sample, we present
      images of microscopic pores with a hemiequilateral triangular shape even in the
      presence of NMR relaxation effects at the pore walls. We therefore show that MRPI
      is applicable to porous samples without a priori knowledge about their pore shape
      and symmetry. Furthermore, we introduce "MRPI mapping," which combines MRPI with
      conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This enables one to resolve
      microscopic pore sizes and shapes spatially, thus expanding the application of
      MRPI to samples with heterogeneous distributions of pores. 

PMID- 26274227
TI  - Phenotypic constraints promote latent versatility and carbon efficiency in
      metabolic networks.
AB  - System-level properties of metabolic networks may be the direct product of
      natural selection or arise as a by-product of selection on other properties. Here
      we study the effect of direct selective pressure for growth or viability in
      particular environments on two properties of metabolic networks: latent
      versatility to function in additional environments and carbon usage efficiency.
      Using a Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) sampling based on flux balance analysis
      (FBA), we sample from a known biochemical universe random viable metabolic
      networks that differ in the number of directly constrained environments. We find
      that the latent versatility of sampled metabolic networks increases with the
      number of directly constrained environments and with the size of the networks. We
      then show that the average carbon wastage of sampled metabolic networks across
      the constrained environments decreases with the number of directly constrained
      environments and with the size of the networks. Our work expands the growing body
      of evidence about nonadaptive origins of key functional properties of biological
      networks. 

PMID- 26274228
TI  - Selective pinning control of the average disease transmissibility in an HIV
      contact network.
AB  - Medication is applied to the HIV-infected nodes of high-risk contact networks
      with the aim of controlling the spread of disease to a predetermined maximum
      level. This intervention, known as pinning control, is performed both selectively
      and randomly in the network. These strategies are applied to 300 independent
      realizations per reference level of incidence on connected undirectional networks
      without isolated components and varying in size from 100 to 10,000 nodes per
      network. It is shown that a selective on-off pinning control strategy can control
      the networks studied with limited steady-state error and, comparing the medians
      of the doses from both strategies, uses 51.3% less medication than random pinning
      of all infected nodes. Selective pinning could possibly be used by public health
      specialists to identify the maximum level of HIV incidence in a population that
      can be achieved in a constrained funding environment.

PMID- 26274229
TI  - Hybrid recommendation methods in complex networks.
AB  - We propose two recommendation methods, based on the appropriate normalization of
      already existing similarity measures, and on the convex combination of the
      recommendation scores derived from similarity between users and between objects.
      We validate the proposed measures on three data sets, and we compare the
      performance of our methods to other recommendation systems recently proposed in
      the literature. We show that the proposed similarity measures allow us to attain
      an improvement of performances of up to 20% with respect to existing
      nonparametric methods, and that the accuracy of a recommendation can vary widely
      from one specific bipartite network to another, which suggests that a careful
      choice of the most suitable method is highly relevant for an effective
      recommendation on a given system. Finally, we study how an increasing presence of
      random links in the network affects the recommendation scores, finding that one
      of the two recommendation algorithms introduced here can systematically
      outperform the others in noisy data sets. 

PMID- 26274230
TI  - Explosive synchronization with asymmetric frequency distribution.
AB  - In this work, we study the synchronization in a generalized Kuramoto model with
      frequency-weighted coupling. In particular, we focus on the situations in which
      the frequency distributions of oscillators are asymmetric. For typical unimodal
      frequency distributions, such as Lorentzian, Gaussian, triangle, and even special
      Rayleigh, we find that the synchronization transition in the model generally
      converts from the first order to the second order as the central frequency shifts
      toward positive direction. We characterize two interesting coherent states in the
      system: In the former, two phase-locking clusters are formed, rotating with the
      same frequency. They correspond to those oscillators with relatively high
      frequencies while the oscillators with relatively small frequencies are not
      entrained. In the latter, two phase-locking clusters rotate with different
      frequencies, leading to the oscillation of the order parameter. We further
      conduct theoretical analysis to reveal the relation between the asymmetric
      frequency distribution and the conversion of synchronization type, and justify
      the coherent states observed in the system. 

PMID- 26274231
TI  - Payoff components and their effects in a spatial three-strategy evolutionary
      social dilemma.
AB  - We study a three-strategy spatial evolutionary prisoner's dilemma game with
      imitation and logit update rules. Players can follow the always-cooperating,
      always-defecting or the win-stay-lose-shift (WSLS) strategies and gain their
      payoff from games with their direct neighbors on a square lattice. The
      friendliness parameter of the WSLS strategy-characterizing its cooperation
      probability in the first round-tunes the cyclic component of the game determining
      whether the game can be characterized by a potential. We measured and calculated
      the phase diagrams of the system for a wide range of parameters. When the game is
      a potential game and the logit rule is applied, the theoretically predicted phase
      diagram agrees very well with the simulation results. Surprisingly, this phase
      diagram can be accurate even in the nonpotential case if there are only two
      surviving strategies in the stationary state; this result harmonizes with the
      fact that all 2*2 games are potential games. For the imitation dynamics, we found
      that the effects of spatiality combined with the presence of two cooperative
      strategies are so strong that they suppress even substantial changes in the
      payoff matrix, thus the phase diagrams are independent of the cyclic component's
      intensity. At the same time, this type of strategy update mechanism supports the
      formation of cooperative clusters that results in a cooperative society in a
      wider parameter range compared to the logit dynamics. 

PMID- 26274232
TI  - Robustness of scale-free networks to cascading failures induced by fluctuating
      loads.
AB  - Taking into account the fact that overload failures in real-world functional
      networks are usually caused by extreme values of temporally fluctuating loads
      that exceed the allowable range, we study the robustness of scale-free networks
      against cascading overload failures induced by fluctuating loads. In our model,
      loads are described by random walkers moving on a network and a node fails when
      the number of walkers on the node is beyond the node capacity. Our results
      obtained by using the generating function method show that scale-free networks
      are more robust against cascading overload failures than Erdos-Renyi random
      graphs with homogeneous degree distributions. This conclusion is contrary to that
      predicted by previous works, which neglect the effect of fluctuations of loads. 

PMID- 26274233
TI  - Econophysics of adaptive power markets: When a market does not dampen
      fluctuations but amplifies them.
AB  - The average economic agent is often used to model the dynamics of simple markets,
      based on the assumption that the dynamics of a system of many agents can be
      averaged over in time and space. A popular idea that is based on this seemingly
      intuitive notion is to dampen electric power fluctuations from fluctuating
      sources (as, e.g., wind or solar) via a market mechanism, namely by variable
      power prices that adapt demand to supply. The standard model of an average
      economic agent predicts that fluctuations are reduced by such an adaptive pricing
      mechanism. However, the underlying assumption that the actions of all agents
      average out on the time axis is not always true in a market of many agents. We
      numerically study an econophysics agent model of an adaptive power market that
      does not assume averaging a priori. We find that when agents are exposed to
      source noise via correlated price fluctuations (as adaptive pricing schemes
      suggest), the market may amplify those fluctuations. In particular, small price
      changes may translate to large load fluctuations through catastrophic consumer
      synchronization. As a result, an adaptive power market may cause the opposite
      effect than intended: Power demand fluctuations are not dampened but amplified
      instead. 

PMID- 26274234
TI  - Internal-external stimulus competition in a system of interacting moving
      particles: Persuasion versus propaganda.
AB  - We propose a general nonlinear analytical framework to study the effect of an
      external stimulus in the internal state of a population of moving particles. This
      novel scheme allows us to study a broad range of excitation transport phenomena.
      In particular, considering social systems, it gives insight of the spatial
      dynamics influence in the competition between propaganda (mass media) and
      convincement. By extending the framework presented by Terranova et al. [Europhys.
      Lett. 105, 30007 (2014)], we now allow changes in individual's opinions due to a
      reflection induced by mass media. The equations of the model could be solved
      numerically, and, for some special cases, it is possible to derive analytical
      solutions for the steady states. We implement computational simulations for
      different social and dynamical systems to check the accuracy of our scheme and to
      study a broader variety of scenarios. In particular, we compare the numerical
      outcome with the analytical results for two possible real cases, finding a good
      agreement. From the results, we observe that mass media dominates the opinion
      state in slow dynamics communities; whereas, for higher agent active speeds, the
      rate of interactions increases and the opinion state is determined by a
      competition between propaganda and persuasion. This difference suggests that
      kinetics can not be neglected in the study of transport of any excitation over a
      particle system.

PMID- 26274235
TI  - Memory and burstiness in dynamic networks.
AB  - A discrete-time random process is described, which can generate bursty sequences
      of events. A Bernoulli process, where the probability of an event occurring at
      time t is given by a fixed probability x, is modified to include a memory effect
      where the event probability is increased proportionally to the number of events
      that occurred within a given amount of time preceding t. For small values of x
      the interevent time distribution follows a power law with exponent -2-x. We
      consider a dynamic network where each node forms, and breaks connections
      according to this process. The value of x for each node depends on the fitness
      distribution, rho(x), from which it is drawn; we find exact solutions for the
      expectation of the degree distribution for a variety of possible fitness
      distributions, and for both cases where the memory effect either is, or is not
      present. This work can potentially lead to methods to uncover hidden fitness
      distributions from fast changing, temporal network data, such as online social
      communications and fMRI scans. 

PMID- 26274236
TI  - Most probable paths in temporal weighted networks: An application to ocean
      transport.
AB  - We consider paths in weighted and directed temporal networks, introducing tools
      to compute sets of paths of high probability. We quantify the relative importance
      of the most probable path between two nodes with respect to the whole set of
      paths and to a subset of highly probable paths that incorporate most of the
      connection probability. These concepts are used to provide alternative
      definitions of betweenness centrality. We apply our formalism to a transport
      network describing surface flow in the Mediterranean sea. Despite the full
      transport dynamics is described by a very large number of paths we find that, for
      realistic time scales, only a very small subset of high probability paths (or
      even a single most probable one) is enough to characterize global connectivity
      properties of the network. 

PMID- 26274237
TI  - Competition and cooperation among different punishing strategies in the spatial
      public goods game.
AB  - Inspired by the fact that people have diverse propensities to punish wrongdoers,
      we study a spatial public goods game with defectors and different types of
      punishing cooperators. During the game, cooperators punish defectors with class
      specific probabilities and subsequently share the associated costs of
      sanctioning. We show that in the presence of different punishing cooperators the
      highest level of public cooperation is always attainable through a selection
      mechanism. Interestingly, the selection does not necessarily favor the evolution
      of punishers who would be able to prevail on their own against the defectors, nor
      does it always hinder the evolution of punishers who would be unable to prevail
      on their own. Instead, the evolutionary success of punishing strategies depends
      sensitively on their invasion velocities, which in turn reveals fascinating
      examples of both competition and cooperation among them. Furthermore, we show
      that under favorable conditions, when punishment is not strictly necessary for
      the maintenance of public cooperation, the less aggressive, mild form of
      sanctioning is the sole victor of the selection process. Our work reveals that
      natural strategy selection cannot only promote, but sometimes also hinders
      competition among prosocial strategies. 

PMID- 26274238
TI  - Dynamics of social contagions with memory of nonredundant information.
AB  - A key ingredient in social contagion dynamics is reinforcement, as adopting a
      certain social behavior requires verification of its credibility and legitimacy.
      Memory of nonredundant information plays an important role in reinforcement,
      which so far has eluded theoretical analysis. We first propose a general social
      contagion model with reinforcement derived from nonredundant information memory.
      Then, we develop a unified edge-based compartmental theory to analyze this model,
      and a remarkable agreement with numerics is obtained on some specific models. We
      use a spreading threshold model as a specific example to understand the memory
      effect, in which each individual adopts a social behavior only when the
      cumulative pieces of information that the individual received from his or her
      neighbors exceeds an adoption threshold. Through analysis and numerical
      simulations, we find that the memory characteristic markedly affects the dynamics
      as quantified by the final adoption size. Strikingly, we uncover a transition
      phenomenon in which the dependence of the final adoption size on some key
      parameters, such as the transmission probability, can change from being
      discontinuous to being continuous. The transition can be triggered by proper
      parameters and structural perturbations to the system, such as decreasing
      individuals' adoption threshold, increasing initial seed size, or enhancing the
      network heterogeneity. 

PMID- 26274239
TI  - Drastic disorder-induced reduction of signal amplification in scale-free
      networks.
AB  - Understanding information transmission across a network is a fundamental task for
      controlling and manipulating both biological and manmade information-processing
      systems. Here we show how topological resonant-like amplification effects in
      scale-free networks of signaling devices are drastically reduced when phase
      disorder in the external signals is considered. This is demonstrated
      theoretically by means of a starlike network of overdamped bistable systems, and
      confirmed numerically by simulations of scale-free networks of such systems. The
      taming effect of the phase disorder is found to be sensitive to the
      amplification's strength, while the topology-induced amplification mechanism is
      robust against this kind of quenched disorder in the sense that it does not
      significantly change the values of the coupling strength where amplification is
      maximum in its absence. 

PMID- 26274240
TI  - Functional scale-free networks in the two-dimensional Abelian sandpile model.
AB  - Recently, the similarity of the functional network of the brain and the Ising
      model was investigated by Chialvo [Nat. Phys. 6, 744 (2010)]. This similarity
      supports the idea that the brain is a self-organized critical system. In this
      study we derive a functional network of the two-dimensional Bak-Tang-Wiesenfeld
      sandpile model as a self-organized critical model, and compare its
      characteristics with those of the functional network of the brain, obtained from
      functional magnetic resonance imaging.

PMID- 26274241
TI  - Soliton trapping in a disordered lattice.
AB  - In recent years, the competition between randomness and nonlinearity was
      extensively explored. In the present paper, the dynamics of solitons of the
      Ablowitz-Ladik model in the presence of a random potential is studied. In the
      absence of the random potential, it is an integrable model and the solitons are
      stable. As a result of the random potential, this stability is destroyed. In a
      certain regime, for short times, particlelike dynamics with constant mass is
      found; in another regime, particlelike dynamics with varying mass takes place. In
      particular, an effective potential is found that predicts correctly changes in
      the direction of motion of the soliton. This potential is a scaling function of
      time and strength of the potential, leading to a relation between the first time
      when the soliton changes direction and the strength of the random potential. 

PMID- 26274242
TI  - Pattern phase diagram for two-dimensional arrays of coupled limit-cycle
      oscillators.
AB  - Arrays of coupled limit-cycle oscillators represent a paradigmatic example for
      studying synchronization and pattern formation. We find that the full dynamical
      equations for the phase dynamics of a limit-cycle oscillator array go beyond
      previously studied Kuramoto-type equations. We analyze the evolution of the phase
      field in a two-dimensional array and obtain a "phase diagram" for the resulting
      stationary and nonstationary patterns. Our results are of direct relevance in the
      context of currently emerging experiments on nano- and optomechanical oscillator
      arrays, as well as for any array of coupled limit-cycle oscillators that have
      undergone a Hopf bifurcation. The possible observation in optomechanical arrays
      is discussed briefly. 

PMID- 26274243
TI  - Feedback as a mechanism for the resurrection of oscillations from death states.
AB  - The quenching of oscillations in interacting systems leads to several unwanted
      situations, which necessitate a suitable remedy to overcome the quenching. In
      this connection, this work addresses a mechanism that can resurrect oscillations
      in a typical situation. Through both numerical and analytical studies, we show
      that the candidate which is capable of resurrecting oscillations is nothing but
      the feedback, the one which is profoundly used in dynamical control and in
      biotherapies. Even in the case of a rather general system, we demonstrate
      analytically the applicability of the technique over one of the oscillation
      quenched states called amplitude death states. We also discuss some of the
      features of this mechanism such as adaptability of the technique with the
      feedback of only a few of the oscillators. 

PMID- 26274244
TI  - Explosive synchronization is discontinuous.
AB  - Spontaneous explosive is an abrupt transition to collective behavior taking place
      in heterogeneous networks when the frequencies of the nodes are positively
      correlated with the node degree. This explosive transition was conjectured to be
      discontinuous. Indeed, numerical investigations reveal a hysteresis behavior
      associated with the transition. Here, we analyze explosive synchronization in
      star graphs. We show that in the thermodynamic limit the transition to (and out
      of) collective behavior is indeed discontinuous. The discontinuous nature of the
      transition is related to the nonlinear behavior of the order parameter, which in
      the thermodynamic limit exhibits multiple fixed points. Moreover, we unravel the
      hysteresis behavior in terms of the graph parameters. Our numerical results show
      that finite-size graphs are well described by our predictions. 

PMID- 26274245
TI  - Global ballistic acceleration in a bouncing-ball model.
AB  - The ballistic increase for the velocity of a particle in a bouncing-ball model
      was investigated. The phenomenon is caused by accelerating structures in phase
      space known as accelerator modes. They lead to a regular and monotonic increase
      of the velocity. Here, both regular and ballistic Fermi acceleration coexist in
      the dynamics, leading the dynamics to two different growth regimes. We
      characterized deaccelerator modes in the dynamics, corresponding to unstable
      points in the antisymmetric position of the accelerator modes. In control
      parameter space, parameter sets for which these accelerations and deaccelerations
      constitute structures were obtained analytically. Since the mapping is not
      symplectic, we found fractal basins of influence for acceleration and
      deacceleration bounded by the stable and unstable manifolds, where the basins
      affect globally the average velocity of the system. 

PMID- 26274246
TI  - Intercommunity resonances in multifrequency ensembles of coupled oscillators.
AB  - We generalize the Kuramoto model of globally coupled oscillators to
      multifrequency communities. A situation when mean frequencies of two
      subpopulations are close to the resonance 2:1 is considered in detail. We
      construct uniformly rotating solutions describing synchronization inside
      communities and between them. Remarkably, cross coupling across the frequencies
      can promote synchrony even when ensembles are separately asynchronous. We also
      show that the transition to synchrony due to the cross coupling is accompanied by
      a huge multiplicity of distinct synchronous solutions, which is directly related
      to a multibranch entrainment. On the other hand, for synchronous populations, the
      cross-frequency coupling can destroy phase locking and lead to chaos of mean
      fields. 

PMID- 26274247
TI  - Nonlinear normal mode interactions in the SF(6) molecule studied with the aid of
      density functional theory.
AB  - Some exact interactions between vibrational modes in systems with discrete
      symmetry can be described by the theory of the bushes of nonlinear normal modes
      (NNMs) [G. M. Chechin and V. P. Sakhnenko, Phys. D (Amsterdam, Neth.) 117, 43
      (1998)]. Each bush represents a dynamical object conserving the energy of the
      initial excitation. The existence of bushes of NNMs is ensured by some group
      theoretical selection rules. In G. M. Chechin et al. [Int. J. Nonlinear Mech. 38,
      1451 (2003)], existence and stability of the bushes of vibrational modes in the
      simple octahedral model of mass points interacting via Lennard-Jones potential
      were investigated. In the present paper, we study these dynamical objects by the
      density functional theory in the SF(6) molecule, which possesses the same
      symmetry and structure. We have fully confirmed the results previously obtained
      in the framework of the group-theoretical approach and have found some properties
      of the bushes of NNMs.

PMID- 26274248
TI  - Perturbations and dynamics of reaction-diffusion systems with mass conservation.
AB  - In some reaction-diffusion systems where the total mass of their components is
      conserved, solutions with initial values near a homogeneous equilibrium converge
      to a simple localized pattern (spike) after exhibiting Turing-like patterns near
      the equilibrium for appropriate diffusion coefficients. In this study, we
      investigate the perturbed reaction-diffusion systems of such conserved systems.
      We show that a reaction-diffusion model with a globally stable homogeneous
      equilibrium can exhibit large amplitude Turing-like patterns in the transient
      dynamics. Moreover, we propose a three-component model, which exhibits an
      alternating repetition of spatially (almost) homogeneous oscillations and large
      amplitude Turing-like patterns. 

PMID- 26274249
TI  - Wave-turbulence description of interacting particles: Klein-Gordon model with a
      Mexican-hat potential.
AB  - In field theory, particles are waves or excitations that propagate on the
      fundamental state. In experiments or cosmological models, one typically wants to
      compute the out-of-equilibrium evolution of a given initial distribution of such
      waves. Wave turbulence deals with out-of-equilibrium ensembles of weakly
      nonlinear waves, and is therefore well suited to address this problem. As an
      example, we consider the complex Klein-Gordon equation with a Mexican-hat
      potential. This simple equation displays two kinds of excitations around the
      fundamental state: massive particles and massless Goldstone bosons. The former
      are waves with a nonzero frequency for vanishing wave number, whereas the latter
      obey an acoustic dispersion relation. Using wave-turbulence theory, we derive
      wave kinetic equations that govern the coupled evolution of the spectra of
      massive and massless waves. We first consider the thermodynamic solutions to
      these equations and study the wave condensation transition, which is the
      classical equivalent of Bose-Einstein condensation. We then focus on nonlocal
      interactions in wave-number space: we study the decay of an ensemble of massive
      particles into massless ones. Under rather general conditions, these massless
      particles accumulate at low wave number. We study the dynamics of waves
      coexisting with such a strong condensate, and we compute rigorously a nonlocal
      Kolmogorov-Zakharov solution, where particles are transferred nonlocally to the
      condensate, while energy cascades towards large wave numbers through local
      interactions. This nonlocal cascading state constitutes the intermediate
      asymptotics between the initial distribution of waves and the thermodynamic state
      reached in the long-time limit. 

PMID- 26274250
TI  - Phase reduction of a limit cycle oscillator perturbed by a strong amplitude
      modulated high-frequency force.
AB  - The phase reduction method for a limit cycle oscillator subjected to a strong
      amplitude-modulated high-frequency force is developed. An equation for the phase
      dynamics is derived by introducing a new, effective phase response curve. We show
      that if the effective phase response curve is everywhere positive (negative),
      then an entrainment of the oscillator to an envelope frequency is possible only
      when this frequency is higher (lower) than the natural frequency of the
      oscillator. Also, by using the Pontryagin maximum principle, we have derived an
      optimal waveform of the perturbation that ensures an entrainment of the
      oscillator with minimal power. The theoretical results are demonstrated with the
      Stuart-Landau oscillator and model neurons. 

PMID- 26274251
TI  - Fast-slow analysis for parametrically and externally excited systems with two
      slow rationally related excitation frequencies.
AB  - We present a general method for analyzing mixed-mode oscillations (MMOs) in
      parametrically and externally excited systems with two low excitation frequencies
      (PEESTLEFs) for the case of arbitrary m:n relation between the slow frequencies
      of excitations. The validity of the approach has been demonstrated using the
      equations of Duffing and van der Pol, separately. Our study shows that, by
      introducing a slow variable and finding the relation between the slow variable
      and the slow excitations, PEESTLEFs can be transformed into a fast-slow form with
      a single slow variable and therefore MMOs observed in PEESTLEFs can be understood
      by the classical machinery of fast subsystem analysis of the transformed fast
      slow system. 

PMID- 26274252
TI  - Consistency between functional and structural networks of coupled nonlinear
      oscillators.
AB  - In data-based reconstruction of complex networks, dynamical information can be
      measured and exploited to generate a functional network, but is it a true
      representation of the actual (structural) network? That is, when do the
      functional and structural networks match and is a perfect matching possible? To
      address these questions, we use coupled nonlinear oscillator networks and
      investigate the transition in the synchronization dynamics to identify the
      conditions under which the functional and structural networks are best matched.
      We find that, as the coupling strength is increased in the weak-coupling regime,
      the consistency between the two networks first increases and then decreases,
      reaching maximum in an optimal coupling regime. Moreover, by changing the network
      structure, we find that both the optimal regime and the maximum consistency will
      be affected. In particular, the consistency for heterogeneous networks is
      generally weaker than that for homogeneous networks. Based on the stability of
      the functional network, we propose further an efficient method to identify the
      optimal coupling regime in realistic situations where the detailed information
      about the network structure, such as the network size and the number of edges, is
      not available. Two real-world examples are given: corticocortical network of cat
      brain and the Nepal power grid. Our results provide new insights not only into
      the fundamental interplay between network structure and dynamics but also into
      the development of methodologies to reconstruct complex networks from data. 

PMID- 26274253
TI  - Lyapunov exponent corresponding to enslaved phase dynamics: Estimation from time
      series.
AB  - A method for the estimation of the Lyapunov exponent corresponding to enslaved
      phase dynamics from time series has been proposed. It is valid for both
      nonautonomous systems demonstrating periodic dynamics in the presence of noise
      and coupled chaotic oscillators and allows us to estimate precisely enough the
      value of this Lyapunov exponent in the supercritical region of the control
      parameters. The main results are illustrated with the help of the examples of the
      noised circle map, the nonautonomous Van der Pole oscillator in the presence of
      noise, and coupled chaotic Rossler systems. 

PMID- 26274254
TI  - Effective intermittency and cross correlations in the standard map.
AB  - We define auto- and cross-correlation functions capable of capturing dynamical
      characteristics induced by local phase-space structures in a general dynamical
      system. These correlation functions are calculated in the standard map for a
      range of values of the nonlinearity parameter k. Using a model of noninteracting
      particles, each evolving according to the same standard map dynamics and located
      initially at specific phase-space regions, we show that for 0.6<k<=1.2 long-range
      cross correlations emerge. They occur as an ensemble property of particle
      trajectories by an appropriate choice of the phase-space cells used in the
      statistical averaging. In this region of k values the single-particle phase space
      is either dominated by local chaos (k<=k(c) with k(c)~0.97) or it is
      characterized by the transition from local to global chaos (k(c)<k<=1.2).
      Introducing suitable symbolic dynamics we demonstrate that the emergence of long
      range cross correlations can be attributed to the existence of an effective
      intermittent dynamics in specific regions of the phase space. Our findings
      support the recently established relation of intermittent dynamics and cross
      correlations [F. K. Diakonos, A. K. Karlis, and P. Schmelcher, Europhys. Lett.
      105, 26004 (2014)] in simple one-dimensional intermittent maps, suggesting its
      validity also for two-dimensional Hamiltonian maps.

PMID- 26274255
TI  - Chimera states in population dynamics: Networks with fragmented and hierarchical
      connectivities.
AB  - We study numerically the development of chimera states in networks of nonlocally
      coupled oscillators whose limit cycles emerge from a Hopf bifurcation. This
      dynamical system is inspired from population dynamics and consists of three
      interacting species in cyclic reactions. The complexity of the dynamics arises
      from the presence of a limit cycle and four fixed points. When the bifurcation
      parameter increases away from the Hopf bifurcation the trajectory approaches the
      heteroclinic invariant manifolds of the fixed points producing spikes, followed
      by long resting periods. We observe chimera states in this spiking regime as a
      coexistence of coherence (synchronization) and incoherence (desynchronization) in
      a one-dimensional ring with nonlocal coupling and demonstrate that their
      multiplicity depends on both the system and the coupling parameters. We also show
      that hierarchical (fractal) coupling topologies induce traveling multichimera
      states. The speed of motion of the coherent and incoherent parts along the ring
      is computed through the Fourier spectra of the corresponding dynamics. 

PMID- 26274256
TI  - Responses of spatiotemporal chaos to oscillating forces.
AB  - The responses of soft-mode turbulence, a kind of spatiotemporal chaos seen in
      electroconvection of a nematic liquid crystal, to alternating-current magnetic
      fields is investigated to uncover the dynamical properties of spatiotemporal
      chaos. The dynamical responses can be measured by an order parameter, M(p)(t),
      which indicates ordering in the convective roll pattern induced by the magnetic
      field. Determined by properties of the liquid crystal in a magnetic field,
      M(p)(t) oscillates in accordance with the square of the magnetic field. The
      relaxation time of the system was obtained by fitting the frequency dependence of
      the complex susceptibility for the pattern obtained from the oscillation of
      M(p)(t) to the Debye-type relaxation spectra. However, for the high-frequency
      regime, the susceptibility deviates from the spectra because slow and large
      fluctuations of M(p)(t) contribute to the oscillation. The properties of this
      type of fluctuation were investigated by introducing a dynamic ordering parameter
      defined as the period average of M(p)(t).

PMID- 26274257
TI  - Generalized perturbation (n, M)-fold Darboux transformations and multi-rogue-wave
      structures for the modified self-steepening nonlinear Schrodinger equation.
AB  - In this paper, a simple and constructive method is presented to find the
      generalized perturbation (n,M)-fold Darboux transformations (DTs) of the modified
      nonlinear Schrodinger (MNLS) equation in terms of fractional forms of
      determinants. In particular, we apply the generalized perturbation (1,N-1)-fold
      DTs to find its explicit multi-rogue-wave solutions. The wave structures of these
      rogue-wave solutions of the MNLS equation are discussed in detail for different
      parameters, which display abundant interesting wave structures, including the
      triangle and pentagon, etc., and may be useful to study the physical mechanism of
      multirogue waves in optics. The dynamical behaviors of these multi-rogue-wave
      solutions are illustrated using numerical simulations. The same Darboux matrix
      can also be used to investigate the Gerjikov-Ivanov equation such that its multi
      rogue-wave solutions and their wave structures are also found. The method can
      also be extended to find multi-rogue-wave solutions of other nonlinear integrable
      equations. 

PMID- 26274258
TI  - Conductance fluctuations in chaotic bilayer graphene quantum dots.
AB  - Previous studies of quantum chaotic scattering established a connection between
      classical dynamics and quantum transport properties: Integrable or mixed
      classical dynamics can lead to sharp conductance fluctuations but chaos is
      capable of smoothing out the conductance variations. Relativistic quantum
      transport through single-layer graphene systems, for which the quasiparticles are
      massless Dirac fermions, exhibits, due to scarring, this classical-quantum
      correspondence, but sharp conductance fluctuations persist to a certain extent
      even when the classical system is fully chaotic. There is an open issue regarding
      the effect of finite mass on relativistic quantum transport. To address this
      issue, we study quantum transport in chaotic bilayer graphene quantum dots for
      which the quasiparticles have a finite mass. An interesting phenomenon is that,
      when traveling along the classical ballistic orbit, the quasiparticle tends to
      hop back and forth between the two layers, exhibiting a Zitterbewegung-like
      effect. We find signatures of abrupt conductance variations, indicating that the
      mass has little effect on relativistic quantum transport. In solid-state
      electronic devices based on Dirac materials, sharp conductance fluctuations are
      thus expected, regardless of whether the quasiparticle is massless or massive and
      whether there is chaos in the classical limit. 

PMID- 26274259
TI  - Two types of quasiperiodic partial synchrony in oscillator ensembles.
AB  - We analyze quasiperiodic partially synchronous states in an ensemble of Stuart
      Landau oscillators with global nonlinear coupling. We reveal two types of such
      dynamics: in the first case the time-averaged frequencies of oscillators and of
      the mean field differ, while in the second case they are equal, but the motion of
      oscillators is additionally modulated. We describe transitions from the
      synchronous state to both types of quasiperiodic dynamics, and a transition
      between two different quasiperiodic states. We present an example of a
      bifurcation diagram, where we show the borderlines for all these transitions, as
      well as domain of bistability. 

PMID- 26274260
TI  - Higher-order Lie symmetries in identifiability and predictability analysis of
      dynamic models.
AB  - Parameter estimation in ordinary differential equations (ODEs) has manifold
      applications not only in physics but also in the life sciences. When estimating
      the ODE parameters from experimentally observed data, the modeler is frequently
      concerned with the question of parameter identifiability. The source of parameter
      nonidentifiability is tightly related to Lie group symmetries. In the present
      work, we establish a direct search algorithm for the determination of admitted
      Lie group symmetries. We clarify the relationship between admitted symmetries and
      parameter nonidentifiability. The proposed algorithm is applied to illustrative
      toy models as well as a data-based ODE model of the NFkappaB signaling pathway.
      We find that besides translations and scaling transformations also higher-order
      transformations play a role. Enabled by the knowledge about the explicit
      underlying symmetry transformations, we show how models with nonidentifiable
      parameters can still be employed to make reliable predictions. 

PMID- 26274261
TI  - Localization in chaotic systems with a single-channel opening.
AB  - We introduce a single-channel opening in a random Hamiltonian and a quantized
      chaotic map: localization on the opening occurs as a sensible deviation of the
      wave-function statistics from the predictions of random matrix theory, even in
      the semiclassical limit. Increasing the coupling to the open channel in the
      quantum model, we observe a similar picture to resonance trapping, made of a few
      fast-decaying states, whose left (right) eigenfunctions are entirely localized on
      the (preimage of the) opening, and plentiful long-lived states, whose probability
      density is instead suppressed at the opening. For the latter, we derive and test
      a linear relation between the wave-function intensities and the decay rates,
      similar to the Breit-Wigner law. We then analyze the statistics of the
      eigenfunctions of the corresponding (discretized) classical propagator, finding a
      similar behavior to the quantum system only in the weak-coupling regime. 

PMID- 26274262
TI  - Incomplete mixing and reactions in laminar shear flow.
AB  - Incomplete mixing of reactive solutes is well known to slow down reaction rates
      relative to what would be expected from assuming perfect mixing. In purely
      diffusive systems, for example, it is known that small initial fluctuations in
      reactant concentrations can lead to reactant segregation, which in the long run
      can reduce global reaction rates due to poor mixing. In contrast, nonuniform
      flows can enhance mixing between interacting solutes. Thus, a natural question
      arises: Can nonuniform flows sufficiently enhance mixing to restrain incomplete
      mixing effects and, if so, under what conditions? We address this question by
      considering a specific and simple case, namely, a laminar pure shear reactive
      flow. Two solution approaches are developed: a Lagrangian random walk method and
      a semianalytical solution. The results consistently highlight that if shear
      effects in the system are not sufficiently strong, incomplete mixing effects
      initially similar to purely diffusive systems will occur, slowing down the
      overall reaction rate. Then, at some later time, dependent on the strength of the
      shear, the system will return to behaving as if it were well mixed, but
      represented by a reduced effective reaction rate. 

PMID- 26274263
TI  - Current-driven electromagnetic soliton collision in a ferromagnetic nanowire.
AB  - The propagation of an electromagnetic wave in a uniaxial ferromagnetic nanowire
      under the spin transfer torque effect is widely investigated in the soliton
      frame. The magnetization dynamics of the ferromagnetic nanowire is governed by
      the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert (LLG) equation coupled to the Maxwell equation for
      the electromagnetic wave propagation. A nonuniform multiscale analysis is invoked
      for the coupled LLG-Maxwell equations and obtains the extended derivative
      nonlinear Schrodinger (DNLS) equation for the magnetization and external magnetic
      field. The effect of electric current is explored by constructing multisoliton
      solutions to the extended DNLS equation and the possibility of the soliton
      collision is exploited using the Hirota bilinearization procedure. 

PMID- 26274264
TI  - Probing space charge and resolving overlimiting current mechanisms at the
      microchannel-nanochannel interface.
AB  - We present results demonstrating the space charge-mediated transition between
      classical, diffusion-limited current and surface-conduction dominant over
      limiting current in a shallow microchannel-nanochannel device. The extended space
      charge layer develops at the depleted microchannel-nanochannel entrance at high
      current and is correlated with a distinctive maximum in the dc resistance.
      Experimental results for a shallow surface-conduction dominated system are
      compared with theoretical models, allowing estimates of the effective surface
      charge at high voltage to be obtained. In comparison to an equilibrium estimate
      of the surface charge obtained from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, it is
      further observed that the effective surface charge appears to change under
      applied voltage. 

PMID- 26274265
TI  - Extended space charge near nonideally selective membranes and nanochannels.
AB  - We demonstrate the role of selectivity variation in the structure of the
      nonequilibrium extended space charge using one-dimensional analytic and two
      dimensional numerical Poisson-Nernst-Planck models for the electro-diffusive
      transport of a symmetric electrolyte. This provides a deeper understanding of the
      underlying mechanism behind a previously observed maximum in the resistance
      voltage curve for a shallow micro-nanochannel interface device [Schiffbauer,
      Liel, Leibowitz, Park, and Yossifon, arXiv:1409.4548, Phys. Rev. E (to be
      published)]. The current study helps to establish a connection between parameters
      such as the geometry and nanochannel surface charge and the control of
      selectivity and resistance in the overlimiting current regime. 

PMID- 26274266
TI  - Stably stratified turbulence in the presence of large-scale forcing.
AB  - We perform two high-resolution direct numerical simulations of stratified
      turbulence for Reynolds number equal to Re~25000 and Froude number, respectively,
      of Fr~0.1 and Fr~0.03. The flows are forced at large scale and discretized on an
      isotropic grid of 2048(3) points. Stratification makes the flow anisotropic and
      introduces two extra characteristic scales with respect to homogeneous isotropic
      turbulence: the buoyancy scale, L(B), and the Ozmidov scale, l(oz). The former is
      related to the number of layers that the flow develops in the direction of
      gravity, and the latter is regarded as the scale at which isotropy is recovered.
      The values of L(B) and l(oz) depend on the Froude number, and their absolute and
      relative amplitudes affect the repartition of energy among Fourier modes in ways
      that are not easy to predict. By contrasting the behavior of the two simulated
      flows we identify some surprising similarities: After an initial transient the
      two flows evolve towards comparable values of the kinetic and potential enstrophy
      and energy dissipation rate. This is the result of the Reynolds number being
      large enough in both flows for the Ozmidov scale to be resolved. When properly
      dimensionalized, the energy dissipation rate is compatible with atmospheric
      observations. Further similarities emerge at large scales: The same ratio between
      potential and total energy (~0.1) is spontaneously selected by the flows, and
      slow modes grow monotonically in both regimes, causing a slow increase of the
      total energy in time. The axisymmetric total energy spectrum shows a wide variety
      of spectral slopes as a function of the angle between the imposed stratification
      and the wave vector. One-dimensional energy spectra computed in the direction
      parallel to gravity are flat from the forcing up to buoyancy scale. At
      intermediate scales a ~k(-3) parallel spectrum develops for the Fr~0.03 run,
      whereas for weaker stratification, the saturation spectrum does not have enough
      scales to develop and instead one observes a power law compatible with Kolmogorov
      scaling. Finally, the spectrum of helicity is flat until L(B), as observed in the
      nocturnal planetary boundary layer.

PMID- 26274267
TI  - Single-drop impingement onto a wavy liquid film and description of the
      asymmetrical cavity dynamics.
AB  - The present paper is devoted to an experimental investigation of the cavity
      formed upon a single-drop impingement onto a traveling solitary surface wave on a
      deep pool of the same liquid. The dynamics of the cavity throughout its complete
      expansion and receding phase are analyzed using high-speed shadowgraphy and
      compared to the outcomes of drop impingements onto steady liquid surface films
      having equal thickness. The effects of the surface wave velocity, amplitude and
      phase, drop impingement velocity, and liquid viscosity on the cavity's diameter
      and depth evolution are accurately characterized at various time instants. The
      wave velocity induces a distinct and in time increasing inclination of the cavity
      in the wave propagation direction. In particular for strong waves an asymmetrical
      distribution of the radial expansion and retraction velocity along the cavity's
      circumference is observed. A linear dependency between the absolute Weber number
      and the typical length and time scales associated with the cavity's maximum depth
      and maximum diameter is reported. 

PMID- 26274268
TI  - Bicritical states in temperature-modulated Rayleigh-Benard convection.
AB  - We investigate the Rayleigh-Benard convection under sinusoidally varying
      temperatures of the horizontal rigid planes bounding a laterally infinite fluid
      layer for the bicritical states. The problem is analogous to the well studied
      Faraday instability and Rayleigh-Benard convection under gravity modulation.
      Under modulation, the neutral instability curve is found to alternate between the
      conventional harmonic and subharmonic tongues in the space of the dimensionless
      wave number of disturbance and the control parameter. The transition between
      harmonic and subharmonic critical instability responses is found to occur via a
      bicritical state, where the two instability responses coexist with different wave
      numbers. These bicritical states are found to depend upon the modulation
      parameters and the Prandtl number. 

PMID- 26274269
TI  - Double-slit experiment with single wave-driven particles and its relation to
      quantum mechanics.
AB  - In a thought-provoking paper, Couder and Fort [Phys. Rev. Lett. 97, 154101
      (2006)] describe a version of the famous double-slit experiment performed with
      droplets bouncing on a vertically vibrated fluid surface. In the experiment, an
      interference pattern in the single-particle statistics is found even though it is
      possible to determine unambiguously which slit the walking droplet passes. Here
      we argue, however, that the single-particle statistics in such an experiment will
      be fundamentally different from the single-particle statistics of quantum
      mechanics. Quantum mechanical interference takes place between different
      classical paths with precise amplitude and phase relations. In the double-slit
      experiment with walking droplets, these relations are lost since one of the paths
      is singled out by the droplet. To support our conclusions, we have carried out
      our own double-slit experiment, and our results, in particular the long and
      variable slit passage times of the droplets, cast strong doubt on the feasibility
      of the interference claimed by Couder and Fort. To understand theoretically the
      limitations of wave-driven particle systems as analogs to quantum mechanics, we
      introduce a Schrodinger equation with a source term originating from a localized
      particle that generates a wave while being simultaneously guided by it. We show
      that the ensuing particle-wave dynamics can capture some characteristics of
      quantum mechanics such as orbital quantization. However, the particle-wave
      dynamics can not reproduce quantum mechanics in general, and we show that the
      single-particle statistics for our model in a double-slit experiment with an
      additional splitter plate differs qualitatively from that of quantum mechanics.

PMID- 26274270
TI  - Electrolytic drops in an electric field: A numerical study of drop deformation
      and breakup.
AB  - The deformation and breakup of an axisymmetric, conducting drop suspended in a
      nonconducting medium and subjected to an external electric field is numerically
      investigated here using an electrokinetic model. This model uses a combined level
      set-volume of fluid formulation of the deformable surfaces, along with a
      multiphase implementation of the Nernst-Planck equation for transport of ions,
      that allows for varying conductivity inside the drop. A phase diagram, based on a
      parametric study, is used to characterize the stability conditions. Stable drops
      with lower ion concentration are characterized by longer drop shapes than those
      achieved at higher ion concentrations. For higher drop ion concentration, greater
      charge accumulation is observed at drop tips. Consequently, such drops break up
      by pinching off rather than tip streaming. The charge contained in droplets
      released from unstable drops is shown to increase with drop ion concentration.
      These dynamic drop behaviors depend on the strength of the electric field and the
      concentration of ions in the drop and result from the interplay between the
      electric forces arising from the permittivity jump at the drop interface and the
      ions in the bulk. 

PMID- 26274271
TI  - Knudsen-number dependence of two-dimensional single-mode Rayleigh-Taylor fluid
      instabilities.
AB  - We present a study of single-mode Rayleigh-Taylor instabilities with a modified
      direct simulation Monte Carlo (MDSMC) code in two dimensions. The MDSMC code is
      aimed to capture the dynamics of matter for a large range of Knudsen numbers
      within one approach. Our method combines the traditional Monte Carlo technique to
      efficiently propagate particles and the point-of-closest-approach method for high
      spatial resolution. Simulations are performed using different particle mean free
      paths and we compare the results to linear theory predictions for the growth rate
      including diffusion and viscosity. We find good agreement between theoretical
      predictions and simulations and, at late times, observe the development of
      secondary instabilities, similar to hydrodynamic simulations and experiments.
      Large mean free paths favor particle diffusion, reduce the occurrence of
      secondary instabilities, and approach the noninteracting gas limit. 

PMID- 26274272
TI  - Multifractal-cascade model for inertial and dissipation ranges based on the
      wavelet reconstruction method.
AB  - The discrete wavelet is introduced to construct the turbulent velocity fields.
      The simple binary cascade model p model is served as the inertial range model for
      velocity increments. The dissipation model, which follows Foias et al. [Phys.
      Fluids A 2, 464 (1990)] takes the form of exp(-gk). The length of inertial and
      dissipation ranges is computed according to the different construction levels.
      Based on the binary cascade theory and the proposed dissipation model, the
      Reynolds number regarding to the cascade process can be estimated. The
      dissipation rate calculated from the proposed model not only agrees with the
      existing experiment data, but also suggests that the dissipation rate is not an
      independent variable with respect to the Reynolds number.

PMID- 26274273
TI  - Wavelet synthetic method for turbulent flow.
AB  - Based on the idea of random cascades on wavelet dyadic trees and the energy
      cascade model known as the wavelet p model, a series of velocity increments in
      two-dimensional space are constructed in different levels of scale. The dynamics
      is imposed on the generated scales by solving the Euler equation in the
      Lagrangian framework. A dissipation model is used in order to cover the shortage
      of the p model, which only predicts in inertial range. Wavelet reconstruction as
      well as the multiresolution analysis are then performed on each scales. As a
      result, a type of isotropic velocity field is created. The statistical properties
      show that the constructed velocity fields share many important features with real
      turbulence. The pertinence of this approach in the prediction of flow
      intermittency is also discussed. 

PMID- 26274274
TI  - Acceleration of raindrop formation due to the tangling-clustering instability in
      a turbulent stratified atmosphere.
AB  - Condensation of water vapor on active cloud condensation nuclei produces micron
      size water droplets. To form rain, they must grow rapidly into at least 50- to
      100-MUm droplets. Observations show that this process takes only 15-20 min. The
      unexplained physical mechanism of such fast growth is crucial for understanding
      and modeling of rain and known as "condensation-coalescence bottleneck in rain
      formation." We show that the recently discovered phenomenon of the tangling
      clustering instability of small droplets in temperature-stratified turbulence
      [Phys. Fluids 25, 085104 (2013)] results in the formation of droplet clusters
      with drastically increased droplet number densities. The mechanism of the
      tangling clustering instability is much more effective than the previously
      considered by us the inertial clustering instability caused by the centrifugal
      effect of turbulent vortices. This is the reason of strong enhancement of the
      collision-coalescence rate inside the clusters. The mean-field theory of the
      droplet growth developed in this study can be useful for explanation of the
      observed fast growth of cloud droplets in warm clouds from the initial 1-MUm-size
      droplets to 40- to 50-MUm-size droplets within 15-20 min.

PMID- 26274275
TI  - Cylindrical Couette flow of a rarefied gas: Effect of a boundary condition on the
      inverted velocity profile.
AB  - The cylindrical Couette flow of a rarefied gas between a rotating inner cylinder
      and a stationary outer cylinder is investigated under the following two kinds of
      kinetic boundary conditions. One is the modified Maxwell-type boundary condition
      proposed by Dadzie and Meolans [J. Math. Phys. 45, 1804 (2004)] and the other is
      the Cercignani-Lampis condition, both of which have separate accommodation
      coefficients associated with the molecular velocity component normal to the
      boundary and with the tangential component. An asymptotic analysis of the
      Boltzmann equation for small Knudsen numbers and a numerical analysis of the
      Bhatnagar-Gross-Krook model equation for a wide range of the Knudsen number are
      performed to clarify the effect of each accommodation coefficient as well as of
      the boundary condition itself on the behavior of the gas, especially on the flow
      velocity profile. As a result, the velocity-slip and temperature-jump conditions
      corresponding to the above kinetic boundary conditions are derived, which are
      necessary for the fluid-dynamic description of the problem for small Knudsen
      numbers. The parameter range for the onset of the velocity inversion phenomenon,
      which is related mainly to the decrease in the tangential momentum accommodation,
      is also obtained.

PMID- 26274276
TI  - Effects of initial condition spectral content on shock-driven turbulent mixing.
AB  - The mixing of materials due to the Richtmyer-Meshkov instability and the ensuing
      turbulent behavior is of intense interest in a variety of physical systems
      including inertial confinement fusion, combustion, and the final stages of
      stellar evolution. Extensive numerical and laboratory studies of shock-driven
      mixing have demonstrated the rich behavior associated with the onset of
      turbulence due to the shocks. Here we report on progress in understanding shock
      driven mixing at interfaces between fluids of differing densities through three
      dimensional (3D) numerical simulations using the rage code in the implicit large
      eddy simulation context. We consider a shock-tube configuration with a band of
      high density gas (SF(6)) embedded in low density gas (air). Shocks with a Mach
      number of 1.26 are passed through SF(6) bands, resulting in transition to
      turbulence driven by the Richtmyer-Meshkov instability. The system is followed as
      a rarefaction wave and a reflected secondary shock from the back wall pass
      through the SF(6) band. We apply a variety of initial perturbations to the
      interfaces between the two fluids in which the physical standard deviation, wave
      number range, and the spectral slope of the perturbations are held constant, but
      the number of modes initially present is varied. By thus decreasing the density
      of initial spectral modes of the interface, we find that we can achieve as much
      as 25% less total mixing at late times. This has potential direct implications
      for the treatment of initial conditions applied to material interfaces in both 3D
      and reduced dimensionality simulation models.

PMID- 26274277
TI  - Intermittent Lagrangian velocities and accelerations in three-dimensional porous
      medium flow.
AB  - Intermittency of Lagrangian velocity and acceleration is a key to understanding
      transport in complex systems ranging from fluid turbulence to flow in porous
      media. High-resolution optical particle tracking in a three-dimensional (3D)
      porous medium provides detailed 3D information on Lagrangian velocities and
      accelerations. We find sharp transitions close to pore throats, and low flow
      variability in the pore bodies, which gives rise to stretched exponential
      Lagrangian velocity and acceleration distributions characterized by a sharp peak
      at low velocity, superlinear evolution of particle dispersion, and double-peak
      behavior in the propagators. The velocity distribution is quantified in terms of
      pore geometry and flow connectivity, which forms the basis for a continuous-time
      random-walk model that sheds light on the observed Lagrangian flow and transport
      behaviors. 

PMID- 26274278
TI  - Flow patterns in a rotating horizontal cylinder partially filled with liquid.
AB  - The dynamics of an annular layer of low-viscosity liquid inside a rapidly
      rotating horizontal cylinder is experimentally studied. Under gravity, the liquid
      performs forced azimuthal oscillations in the cavity frame. We examined the
      stability of the two-dimensional azimuthal flow and discovered two novel types of
      axisymmetric liquid flows. First, a large-scale axially symmetric flow is excited
      near the end walls. The inertial modes generated in the corner regions are proven
      to be responsible for such a flow. Second, a small-scale flow in the form of the
      Taylor-Gortler vortices appears due to the centrifugal instability of the
      oscillatory liquid flow. The spatial period of the vortices is in qualitative
      agreement with the data obtained in the experimental and numerical studies of
      cellular flow in librating containers. 

PMID- 26274279
TI  - Phytoplankton's motion in turbulent ocean.
AB  - We study the influence of turbulence on upward motion of phytoplankton.
      Interaction with the flow is described by the Pedley-Kessler model considering
      spherical microorganisms. We find a range of parameters when the upward drift is
      only weakly perturbed or when turbulence completely randomizes the drift
      direction. When the perturbation is small, the drift is either determined by the
      local vorticity or is Gaussian. We find a range of parameters where the
      phytoplankton interaction with the flow can be described consistently as
      diffusion of orientation in effective potential. By solving the corresponding
      Fokker-Planck equation we find exponential steady-state distribution of
      phytoplankton's propulsion orientation. We further identify the range of
      parameters where phytoplankton's drift velocity with respect to the flow is
      determined uniquely by its position. In this case, one can describe
      phytoplankton's motion by a smooth flow and phytoplankton concentrates on
      fractal. We find fractal dimensions and demonstrate that phytoplankton forms
      vertical stripes in space with a nonisotropic pair-correlation function of
      concentration increased in the vertical direction. The probability density
      function of the distance between two particles obeys power law with the negative
      exponent given by the ratio of integrals of the turbulent energy spectrum. We
      find the regime of strong clustering where the exponent is of order one so that
      turbulence increases the rate of collisions by a large factor. The predictions
      hold for Navier-Stokes turbulence and stand for testing. 

PMID- 26274280
TI  - Viscous fluid fingering on a negatively curved surface.
AB  - Viscous fingering formation in flat Hele-Shaw cells is a classical and widely
      studied fluid mechanical problem. We examine the development of viscous fluid
      fingering on a two-dimensional surface of constant negative Gaussian curvature,
      the hyperbolic plane H(2). A perturbative mode-coupling formalism is applied to
      study the influence of the negative surface curvature on the two most important
      pattern formation mechanisms of the system: fingertip splitting and finger
      competition. We also report on a time-dependent control strategy placed on the
      injection rate, which is able to minimize viscous fingering growth on H(2).

PMID- 26274281
TI  - Marangoni convection in a thin film on a vertically oscillating plate.
AB  - Thermocapillary (Marangoni) convection in a thin film on a plate oscillating with
      a frequency ranging from ultralow to high is considered. By adjusting the
      vibration amplitude, the impact of the vibration is kept non-negligible. Using
      the long-wave approximation framework, the amplitude equations are derived for
      each frequency interval, and linear and weakly nonlinear stability analyses are
      performed, supplemented by computations where necessary. In the case of a high
      vibration frequency, the surface tension effectively increases due to vibration,
      but the film still ruptures. When the frequency is ultralow, the vibration
      provides gravity modulation, and the surface deformation emerges subcritically,
      grows fast, and then decays, all during less than half of the vibration period.
      In the intermediate regime, the vibration either results in a short-wavelength
      instability or it does not affect the Marangoni convection. 

PMID- 26274282
TI  - Self-truncation and scaling in Euler-Voigt-alpha and related fluid models.
AB  - A generalization of the 3D Euler-Voigt-alpha model is obtained by introducing
      derivatives of arbitrary order beta (instead of 2) in the Helmholtz operator. The
      beta->infinity limit is shown to correspond to Galerkin truncation of the Euler
      equation. Direct numerical simulations (DNS) of the model are performed with
      resolutions up to 2048(3) and Taylor-Green initial data. DNS performed at large
      beta demonstrate that this simple classical hydrodynamical model presents a self
      truncation behavior, similar to that previously observed for the Gross
      Pitaeveskii equation in Krstulovic and Brachet [Phys. Rev. Lett. 106, 115303
      (2011)]. The self-truncation regime of the generalized model is shown to
      reproduce the behavior of the truncated Euler equation demonstrated in Cichowlas
      et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 95, 264502 (2005)]. The long-time growth of the self
      truncation wave number k(st) appears to be self-similar. Two related alpha-Voigt
      versions of the eddy-damped quasinormal Markovian model and the Leith model are
      introduced. These simplified theoretical models are shown to reasonably reproduce
      intermediate time DNS results. The values of the self-similar exponents of these
      models are found analytically.

PMID- 26274283
TI  - Smoothed particle hydrodynamics simulations of evaporation and explosive boiling
      of liquid drops in microgravity.
AB  - The rapid evaporation and explosive boiling of a van der Waals (vdW) liquid drop
      in microgravity is simulated numerically in two-space dimensions using the method
      of smoothed particle hydrodynamics. The numerical approach is fully adaptive and
      incorporates the effects of surface tension, latent heat, mass transfer across
      the interface, and liquid-vapor interface dynamics. Thermocapillary forces are
      modeled by coupling the hydrodynamics to a diffuse-interface description of the
      liquid-vapor interface. The models start from a nonequilibrium square-shaped
      liquid of varying density and temperature. For a fixed density, the drop
      temperature is increased gradually to predict the point separating normal boiling
      at subcritical heating from explosive boiling at the superheat limit for this vdW
      fluid. At subcritical heating, spontaneous evaporation produces stable drops
      floating in a vapor atmosphere, while at near-critical heating, a bubble is
      nucleated inside the drop, which then collapses upon itself, leaving a smaller
      equilibrated drop embedded in its own vapor. At the superheat limit, unstable
      bubble growth leads to either fragmentation or violent disruption of the liquid
      layer into small secondary drops, depending on the liquid density. At higher
      superheats, explosive boiling occurs for all densities. The experimentally
      observed wrinkling of the bubble surface driven by rapid evaporation followed by
      a Rayleigh-Taylor instability of the thin liquid layer and the linear growth of
      the bubble radius with time are reproduced by the simulations. The predicted
      superheat limit (T(s)~0.96) is close to the theoretically derived value of T(s)=1
      at zero ambient pressure for this vdW fluid.

PMID- 26274284
TI  - Effect of plate permeability on nonlinear stability of the asymptotic suction
      boundary layer.
AB  - The nonlinear stability of the asymptotic suction boundary layer is studied
      numerically, searching for finite-amplitude solutions that bifurcate from the
      laminar flow state. By changing the boundary conditions for disturbances at the
      plate from the classical no-slip condition to more physically sound ones, the
      stability characteristics of the flow may change radically, both for the
      linearized as well as the nonlinear problem. The wall boundary condition takes
      into account the permeability K of the plate; for very low permeability, it is
      acceptable to impose the classical boundary condition (K=0). This leads to a
      Reynolds number of approximately Re(c)=54400 for the onset of linearly unstable
      waves, and close to Re(g)=3200 for the emergence of nonlinear solutions [F. A.
      Milinazzo and P. G. Saffman, J. Fluid Mech. 160, 281 (1985); J. H. M. Fransson,
      Ph.D. thesis, Royal Institute of Technology, KTH, Sweden, 2003]. However, for
      larger values of the plate's permeability, the lower limit for the existence of
      linear and nonlinear solutions shifts to significantly lower Reynolds numbers.
      For the largest permeability studied here, the limit values of the Reynolds
      numbers reduce down to Re(c)=796 and Re(g)=294. For all cases studied, the
      solutions bifurcate subcritically toward lower Re, and this leads to the
      conjecture that they may be involved in the very first stages of a transition
      scenario similar to the classical route of the Blasius boundary layer initiated
      by Tollmien-Schlichting (TS) waves. The stability of these nonlinear solutions is
      also investigated, showing a low-frequency main unstable mode whose growth rate
      decreases with increasing permeability and with the Reynolds number, following a
      power law Re(-rho), where the value of rho depends on the permeability
      coefficient K. The nonlinear dynamics of the flow in the vicinity of the computed
      finite-amplitude solutions is finally investigated by direct numerical
      simulations, providing a viable scenario for subcritical transition due to TS
      waves.

PMID- 26274285
TI  - Modal interactions between a large-wavelength inclined interface and small
      wavelength multimode perturbations in a Richtmyer-Meshkov instability.
AB  - The interaction of a small-wavelength multimodal perturbation with a large
      wavelength inclined interface perturbation is investigated for the reshocked
      Richtmyer-Meshkov instability using three-dimensional simulations. The ares code,
      developed at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, was used for these
      simulations and a detailed comparison of simulation results and experiments
      performed at the Georgia Tech Shock Tube facility is presented first for code
      validation. Simulation results are presented for four cases that vary in large
      wavelength perturbation amplitude and the presence of secondary small-wavelength
      multimode perturbations. Previously developed measures of mixing and turbulence
      quantities are presented that highlight the large variation in perturbation
      length scales created by the inclined interface and the multimode complex
      perturbation. Measures are developed for entrainment, and turbulence anisotropy
      that help to identify the effects of and competition between each perturbations
      type. It is shown through multiple measures that before reshock the flow
      processes a distinct memory of the initial conditions that is present in both
      large-scale-driven entrainment measures and small-scale-driven mixing measures.
      After reshock the flow develops to a turbulentlike state that retains a memory of
      high-amplitude but not low-amplitude large-wavelength perturbations. It is also
      shown that the high-amplitude large-wavelength perturbation is capable of
      producing small-scale mixing and turbulent features similar to the small
      wavelength multimode perturbations. 

PMID- 26274286
TI  - Capillary flow enhancement in rectangular polymer microchannels with a deformable
      wall.
AB  - We report the capillary flow enhancement in rectangular polymer microchannels,
      when one of the channel walls is a deformable polymer membrane. We provide
      detailed insight into the physics of elastocapillary interaction between the
      capillary flow and elastic membrane, which leads to significant improvements in
      capillary flow performance. As liquid flows by capillary action in such channels,
      the deformable wall deflects inwards due to the Young-Laplace pressure drop
      across the liquid meniscus. This, in turn, decreases the radius of curvature of
      the meniscus and increases the driving capillary pressure. A theoretical model is
      proposed to predict the resultant increase in filling speed and rise height,
      respectively, in deformable horizontal and vertical microchannels having large
      aspect ratios. A non-dimensional parameter J, which represents the ratio of the
      capillary force to the mechanical restoring force, is identified to quantify the
      elastocapillary effects in terms of the improvement in filling speed (for
      J>0.238) and the condition for channel collapse (J>1). The theoretical
      predictions show good agreement with experimental data obtained using deformable
      rectangular poly(dimethylsiloxane) microchannels. Both model predictions and
      experimental data show that over 15% improvement in the Washburn coefficient in
      horizontal channels, and over 30% improvement in capillary rise height in
      vertical channels, are possible prior to channel collapse. The proposed technique
      of using deformable membranes as channel walls is a viable method for capillary
      flow enhancement in microfluidic devices. 

PMID- 26274287
TI  - Lattice Boltzmann simulation of multicomponent noncontinuum diffusion in fractal
      porous structures.
AB  - A lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) of multicomponent diffusion is developed to
      examine multicomponent, noncontinuum mass diffusion in porous media. An
      additional collision interaction is proposed to mimic the Knudsen diffusion
      caused by the collision interaction between gas molecules and solid pore walls.
      Using the improved LBM model, the ternary mixtures diffusion is simulated in
      fractal porous structures which are reconstructed by the random midpoint
      displacement algorithm. The effects of fractal characteristics and Knudsen
      diffusion resistance on the multicomponent diffusion in porous structures are
      investigated and discussed. The results indicate that the smaller fractal
      dimension enhances the diffusion rate of gas mixtures in fractal porous
      structures. When the dimensionless Knudsen diffusion coefficient is less than 20,
      the presence of Knudsen diffusion resistance reduces the rate of mass diffusion
      in porous structures obviously, especially for the species with larger molecular
      weight. 

PMID- 26274288
TI  - Saffman-Taylor-like instability in a narrow gap induced by dielectric barrier
      discharge.
AB  - This work is inspired by the expansion of the plasma bubble in a narrow gap
      reported by Chu and Lee [Phys. Rev. Lett. 107, 225001 (2011)]. We report the
      unstable phenomena of the plasma-liquid interface with different curvature in a
      Hele-Shaw cell. Dielectric barrier discharge is produced in the cell at
      atmospheric pressure which is partially filled with silicone oil. We show that
      the Saffman-Taylor-like instability is observed on the bubble-type, channel-type,
      and drop-type interfaces. The Schlieren observation of the plasma-drop
      interaction reveals that there is a vapor layer around the drop and the particle
      image velocimetry shows the liquid flow inside the drop. We propose that the
      thermal Marangoni effect induced by the plasma heating is responsible for the
      unstable phenomena of the plasma-liquid interaction. The fluctuation of the
      interface is shown consistently with the Saffman-Taylor instability modified by
      the temperature-dependent velocity and surface tension.

PMID- 26274289
TI  - Disassembly time of deuterium-cluster-fusion plasma irradiated by an intense
      laser pulse.
AB  - Energetic deuterium ions from large deuterium clusters (>10nm diameter)
      irradiated by an intense laser pulse (>10(16)W/cm(2)) produce DD fusion neutrons
      for a time interval determined by the geometry of the resulting fusion plasma. We
      present an analytical solution of this time interval, the plasma disassembly
      time, for deuterium plasmas that are cylindrical in shape. Assuming a
      symmetrically expanding deuterium plasma, we calculate the expected fusion
      neutron yield and compare with an independent calculation of the yield using the
      concept of a finite confinement time at a fixed plasma density. The calculated
      neutron yields agree quantitatively with the available experimental data. Our one
      dimensional simulations indicate that one could expect a tenfold increase in
      total neutron yield by magnetically confining a 10-keV deuterium fusion plasma
      for 10ns.

PMID- 26274290
TI  - Ab initio calculation of the ion feature in x-ray Thomson scattering.
AB  - The spectrum of x-ray Thomson scattering is proportional to the dynamic structure
      factor. An important contribution is the ion feature which describes elastic
      scattering of x rays off electrons. We apply an ab initio method for the
      calculation of the form factor of bound electrons, the slope of the screening
      cloud of free electrons, and the ion-ion structure factor in warm dense
      beryllium. With the presented method we can calculate the ion feature from first
      principles. These results will facilitate a better understanding of x-ray
      scattering in warm dense matter and an accurate measurement of ion temperatures
      which would allow determining nonequilibrium conditions, e.g., along shock
      propagation. 

PMID- 26274291
TI  - Exchange corrections in a low-temperature plasma.
AB  - We have studied the exchange corrections to linear electrostatic wave propagation
      in a plasma using a quantum kinetic formalism. Specifically, we have considered
      the zero-temperature limit. In order to simplify the calculations we have focused
      on the long-wavelength limit, i.e., wavelengths much longer than the de Broglie
      wavelength. For the case of ion-acoustic waves we have calculated the exchange
      correction both to the damping rate and the real part of the frequency. For
      Langmuir waves the frequency shift due to exchange effects is found. Our results
      are compared with the frequency shifts deduced from commonly used exchange
      potentials which are computed from density-functional theory. 

PMID- 26274292
TI  - Dual-frequency modes of the dust acoustic surface wave in a semibounded system.
AB  - Dual-frequency modes of the dust acoustic surface waves propagating at the
      interface between a nonmagnetized multicomponent Lorentzian dusty plasma and a
      vacuum are investigated, including nonthermal and positron effects. The
      dispersion relation is kinetically derived by employing the specular reflection
      boundary condition and the dielectric permittivity for dusty plasma containing
      positrons. We found that there exist two modes of the dust acoustic surface wave;
      high- and low-frequency modes. We observe that both H and L modes are enhanced by
      the increase of the pair annihilation rate. However, the effects of positron
      density are twofold depending on the ratio of annihilated positrons. The effects
      of nonthermal plasmas are also investigated on the H and L modes of dust acoustic
      surface waves. We found that the nonthermal plasmas reduce the frequencies of
      both H and L modes. 

PMID- 26274293
TI  - Slowdown mechanisms of ultraintense laser propagation in critical density plasma.
AB  - We use one- and two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations to demonstrate that
      the propagation of an ultraintense laser (I=10(19)W/cm(2)) in critical density
      plasma can be interfered with by a high density plasma wall region generated at
      the propagation front. When the electron flow speed of the wall region exceeds a
      certain relativistic threshold, the region behaves as an overdense plasma due to
      a decrease of the effective critical density. The region forms then very small
      overdense plasma islands. The islands impede the propagation intermittently and
      slow down the propagation speed significantly.

PMID- 26274294
TI  - Generalized hydrodynamics model for strongly coupled plasmas.
AB  - Beginning with the exact equations of the Bogoliubov-Born-Green-Kirkwood-Yvon
      hierarchy, we obtain the density, momentum, and stress tensor-moment equations.
      We close the moment equations with two closures, one that guarantees an
      equilibrium state given by density-functional theory and another that includes
      collisions in the relaxation of the stress tensor. The introduction of a density
      functional-theory closure ensures self-consistency in the equation-of-state
      properties of the plasma (ideal and excess pressure, electric fields, and
      correlations). The resulting generalized hydrodynamics thus includes all impacts
      of Coulomb coupling, viscous damping, and the high-frequency (viscoelastic)
      response. We compare our results with those of several known models, including
      generalized hydrodynamic theory and models obtained using the Singwi-Tosi-Land
      Sjolander approximation and the quasilocalized charge approximation. We find that
      the viscoelastic response, including both the high-frequency elastic
      generalization and viscous wave damping, is important for correctly describing
      ion-acoustic waves. We illustrate this result by considering three very different
      systems: ultracold plasmas, dusty plasmas, and dense plasmas. The new model is
      validated by comparing its results with those of the current autocorrelation
      function obtained from molecular-dynamics simulations of Yukawa plasmas, and the
      agreement is excellent. Generalizations of this model to mixtures and quantum
      systems should be straightforward. 

PMID- 26274295
TI  - Stationary solutions for the nonlinear Schrodinger equation modeling three
      dimensional spherical Bose-Einstein condensates in general potentials.
AB  - Stationary solutions for the cubic nonlinear Schrodinger equation modeling Bose
      Einstein condensates (BECs) confined in three spatial dimensions by general forms
      of a potential are studied through a perturbation method and also numerically.
      Note that we study both repulsive and attractive BECs under similar frameworks in
      order to deduce the effects of the potentials in each case. After outlining the
      general framework, solutions for a collection of specific confining potentials of
      physical relevance to experiments on BECs are provided in order to demonstrate
      the approach. We make several observations regarding the influence of the
      particular potentials on the behavior of the BECs in these cases, comparing and
      contrasting the qualitative behavior of the attractive and repulsive BECs for
      potentials of various strengths and forms. Finally, we consider the
      nonperturbative where the potential or the amplitude of the solutions is large,
      obtaining various qualitative results. When the kinetic energy term is small
      (relative to the nonlinearity and the confining potential), we recover the
      expected Thomas-Fermi approximation for the stationary solutions. Naturally, this
      also occurs in the large mass limit. Through all of these results, we are able to
      understand the qualitative behavior of spherical three-dimensional BECs in weak,
      intermediate, or strong confining potentials. 

PMID- 26274296
TI  - Pulse reflection and transmission due to impurities in a granular chain.
AB  - Reflection and transmission due to the incident wave in one-dimensional bead
      chains when there are impurities have been studied. The impurities can be any
      kind of material, any size, and their numbers are arbitrary. The dependence of
      the transmission and the reflection on the numbers and the material parameters of
      the impurities are given. The analytical results are given by using the inverse
      scattering method. Substantial reflection is observed if there is only one steel
      bead. However, the reflection is negligible if there are two steel beads. The
      reflection monotonously increases as the numbers of the steel beads increase. The
      reflection remains a constant when the numbers of the steel beads are so many
      that the length composed by the steel beads is larger than the width of the
      solitary wave. It can be used to detect the impurities in the beads' chain by
      measuring the reflection of a pulse. 

PMID- 26274297
TI  - Vertical dipole above a dielectric or metallic half space: Energy-flow
      considerations.
AB  - The emission pattern from a classical dipole located above and oriented
      perpendicular to a metallic or dielectric half space is calculated for a dipole
      driven at constant amplitude. Emphasis is placed on the fields in the metal or
      dielectric. It is shown that the radial Poynting vector in the metal points
      inwards when the frequency of the dipole is below the surface plasmon resonance
      frequency. In this case, energy actually flows out of the interface at small
      radii and the power entering the metal can actually oscillate as a function of
      radius. The Joule heating in the metal is also calculated for a cylindrical
      volume in the metal. When the metal is replaced by a dielectric having
      permittivity less than that of the medium in which the dipole is immersed, it is
      found that energy flows out of the interface for sufficiently large radii, a
      result reminiscent of the Goos-Hanchen effect. 

PMID- 26274298
TI  - Electromagnetic waves in a model with Chern-Simons potential.
AB  - We investigated the appearance of Chern-Simons terms in electrodynamics at the
      surface or interface of materials. The requirement of locality, gauge invariance,
      and renormalizability in this model is imposed. Scattering and reflection of
      electromagnetic waves in three different homogeneous layers of media is
      determined. Snell's law is preserved. However, the transmission and reflection
      coefficient depend on the strength of the Chern-Simons interaction (connected
      with Hall conductance), and parallel and perpendicular components are mixed. 

PMID- 26274299
TI  - Lattice mechanics of origami tessellations.
AB  - Origami-based design holds promise for developing materials whose mechanical
      properties are tuned by crease patterns introduced to thin sheets. Although there
      have been heuristic developments in constructing patterns with desirable
      qualities, the bridge between origami and physics has yet to be fully developed.
      To truly consider origami structures as a class of materials, methods akin to
      solid mechanics need to be developed to understand their long-wavelength
      behavior. We introduce here a lattice theory for examining the mechanics of
      origami tessellations in terms of the topology of their crease pattern and the
      relationship between the folds at each vertex. This formulation provides a
      general method for associating mechanical properties with periodic folded
      structures and allows for a concrete connection between more conventional
      materials and the mechanical metamaterials constructed using origami-based
      design. 

PMID- 26274300
TI  - Deep optical penetration dynamics in photobending.
AB  - We model both the photostationary state and dynamics of an illuminated,
      photosensitive, glassy liquid crystalline sheet. To illustrate the interplay
      between local tilt theta of the sheet, effective incident intensity, curvature,
      and dynamics, we adopt the simplest variation of local incident light intensity
      with angle, that is, costheta. The tilt in the stationary state never overshoots
      the vertical, but maximum curvature could be seen in the middle of the sheet for
      intense light. In dynamics, overshoot and self-eclipsing arise, revealing how
      important moving fronts of light penetration are. Eclipsing is qualitatively as
      in the experiments of Yu et al. [Y. Yu, M. Nakano, and T. Ikeda, Nature (London)
      425, 145 (2003)].

PMID- 26274301
TI  - Effect of angular momentum conservation on hydrodynamic simulations of colloids.
AB  - In contrast to most real fluids, angular momentum is not a locally conserved
      quantity in some mesoscopic simulation methods. Here we quantify the importance
      of this conservation in the flow fields associated with different colloidal
      systems. The flow field is analytically calculated with and without angular
      momentum conservation for the multiparticle collision dynamics (MPC) method, and
      simulations are performed to verify the predictions. The flow field generated
      around a colloidal particle moving under an external force with slip boundary
      conditions depends on the conservation of angular momentum, and the amplitude of
      the friction force is substantially affected. Interestingly, no dependence on the
      angular momentum conservation is found for the flow fields generated around
      colloids under the influence of phoretic forces. Moreover, circular Couette flow
      between a no-slip and a slip cylinder is investigated, which allows us to
      validate one of the two existing expressions for the MPC stress tensor. 

PMID- 26274302
TI  - Stochastic determination of matrix determinants.
AB  - Matrix determinants play an important role in data analysis, in particular when
      Gaussian processes are involved. Due to currently exploding data volumes, linear
      operations-matrices-acting on the data are often not accessible directly but are
      only represented indirectly in form of a computer routine. Such a routine
      implements the transformation a data vector undergoes under matrix
      multiplication. While efficient probing routines to estimate a matrix's diagonal
      or trace, based solely on such computationally affordable matrix-vector
      multiplications, are well known and frequently used in signal inference, there is
      no stochastic estimate for its determinant. We introduce a probing method for the
      logarithm of a determinant of a linear operator. Our method rests upon a
      reformulation of the log-determinant by an integral representation and the
      transformation of the involved terms into stochastic expressions. This stochastic
      determinant determination enables large-size applications in Bayesian inference,
      in particular evidence calculations, model comparison, and posterior
      determination. 

PMID- 26274303
TI  - Comparing Monte Carlo methods for finding ground states of Ising spin glasses:
      Population annealing, simulated annealing, and parallel tempering.
AB  - Population annealing is a Monte Carlo algorithm that marries features from
      simulated-annealing and parallel-tempering Monte Carlo. As such, it is ideal to
      overcome large energy barriers in the free-energy landscape while minimizing a
      Hamiltonian. Thus, population-annealing Monte Carlo can be used as a heuristic to
      solve combinatorial optimization problems. We illustrate the capabilities of
      population-annealing Monte Carlo by computing ground states of the three
      dimensional Ising spin glass with Gaussian disorder, while comparing to simulated
      annealing and parallel-tempering Monte Carlo. Our results suggest that population
      annealing Monte Carlo is significantly more efficient than simulated annealing
      but comparable to parallel-tempering Monte Carlo for finding spin-glass ground
      states. 

PMID- 26274304
TI  - Combined deterministic-stochastic framework for modeling the agglomeration of
      colloidal particles.
AB  - We present a multiscale model, based on molecular dynamics (MD) and kinetic Monte
      Carlo (kMC), to study the aggregation driven growth of colloidal particles.
      Coarse-grained molecular dynamics (CGMD) simulations are employed to detect key
      agglomeration events and calculate the corresponding rate constants. The kMC
      simulations employ these rate constants in a stochastic framework to track the
      growth of the agglomerates over longer time scales and length scales. One of the
      hallmarks of the model is a unique methodology to detect and characterize
      agglomeration events. The model accounts for individual cluster-scale effects
      such as change in size due to aggregation as well as local molecular-scale
      effects such as changes in the number of neighbors of each molecule in a
      colloidal cluster. Such definition of agglomeration events allows us to grow the
      cluster to sizes that are inaccessible to molecular simulations as well as track
      the shape of the growing cluster. A well-studied system, comprising fullerenes in
      NaCl electrolyte solution, was simulated to validate the model. Under the
      simulated conditions, the agglomeration process evolves from a diffusion limited
      cluster aggregation (DLCA) regime to percolating cluster in transition and
      finally to a gelation regime. Overall the data from the multiscale numerical
      model shows good agreement with existing theory of colloidal particle growth.
      Although in the present study we validated our model by specifically simulating
      fullerene agglomeration in electrolyte solution, the model is versatile and can
      be applied to a wide range of colloidal systems. 

PMID- 26274305
TI  - Differential porosimetry and permeametry for random porous media.
AB  - Accurate determination of geometrical and physical properties of natural porous
      materials is notoriously difficult. Continuum multiscale modeling has provided
      carefully calibrated realistic microstructure models of reservoir rocks with
      floating point accuracy. Previous measurements using synthetic microcomputed
      tomography (MU-CT) were based on extrapolation of resolution-dependent properties
      for discrete digitized approximations of the continuum microstructure. This paper
      reports continuum measurements of volume and specific surface with full floating
      point precision. It also corrects an incomplete description of rotations in
      earlier publications. More importantly, the methods of differential permeametry
      and differential porosimetry are introduced as precision tools. The continuum
      microstructure chosen to exemplify the methods is a homogeneous, carefully
      calibrated and characterized model for Fontainebleau sandstone. The sample has
      been publicly available since 2010 on the worldwide web as a benchmark for
      methodical studies of correlated random media. High-precision porosimetry gives
      the volume and internal surface area of the sample with floating point accuracy.
      Continuum results with floating point precision are compared to discrete
      approximations. Differential porosities and differential surface area densities
      allow geometrical fluctuations to be discriminated from discretization effects
      and numerical noise. Differential porosimetry and Fourier analysis reveal subtle
      periodic correlations. The findings uncover small oscillatory correlations with a
      period of roughly 850MUm, thus implying that the sample is not strictly
      stationary. The correlations are attributed to the deposition algorithm that was
      used to ensure the grain overlap constraint. Differential permeabilities are
      introduced and studied. Differential porosities and permeabilities provide scale
      dependent information on geometry fluctuations, thereby allowing quantitative
      error estimates. 

PMID- 26274306
TI  - Lattice Boltzmann method for diffusion-limited partial dissolution of fluids.
AB  - A lattice Boltzmann model for two partially miscible fluids is developed. By
      partially miscible we mean that, although there is a definite interfacial region
      separating the two fluids with a surface tension force acting at all points of
      the transition region, each fluid can nonetheless accept molecules from the other
      fluid up to a set solubility limit. We allow each fluid to diffuse into the other
      with the solubility and diffusivity in each fluid being input parameters. The
      approach is to define two regions within the fluid: one interfacial region having
      finite width, across which most of the concentration change occurs, and in which
      a surface tension force and color separation step are allowed for and one
      miscible fluid region where the concentration of the binary fluids follows an
      advection-diffusion equation and the mixture as a whole obeys the Navier-Stokes
      incompressible flow equations. Numerical examples are presented in which the
      algorithm produces results that are quantitatively compared to exact analytical
      results as well as qualitatively examined for their reasonableness. The model has
      the ability to simulate how bubbles of one fluid flow through another while
      dissolving their contents as well as to simulate a range of practical invasion
      problems such as injecting supercritical CO(2) into a porous material saturated
      with water for sequestration purposes.

PMID- 26274307
TI  - Linearized lattice Boltzmann method for micro- and nanoscale flow and heat
      transfer.
AB  - Ability to characterize the heat transfer in flowing gases is important for a
      wide range of applications involving micro- and nanoscale devices. Gas flows away
      from the continuum limit can be captured using the Boltzmann equation, whose
      analytical solution poses a formidable challenge. An efficient and accurate
      numerical simulation of the Boltzmann equation is thus highly desirable. In this
      article, the linearized Boltzmann Bhatnagar-Gross-Krook equation is used to
      develop a hierarchy of thermal lattice Boltzmann (LB) models based on half-space
      Gaussian-Hermite (GH) quadrature ranging from low to high algebraic precision,
      using double distribution functions. Simplified versions of the LB models in the
      continuum limit are also derived, and are shown to be consistent with existing
      thermal LB models for noncontinuum heat transfer reported in the literature.
      Accuracy of the proposed LB hierarchy is assessed by simulating thermal Couette
      flows for a wide range of Knudsen numbers. Effects of the underlying quadrature
      schemes (half-space GH vs full-space GH) and continuum-limit simplifications on
      computational accuracy are also elaborated. The numerical findings in this
      article provide direct evidence of improved computational capability of the
      proposed LB models for modeling noncontinuum flows and heat transfer at small
      length scales. 

PMID- 26274308
TI  - Calculation of a fluctuating entropic force by phase space sampling.
AB  - A polymer chain pinned in space exerts a fluctuating force on the pin point in
      thermal equilibrium. The average of such fluctuating force is well understood
      from statistical mechanics as an entropic force, but little is known about the
      underlying force distribution. Here, we introduce two phase space sampling
      methods that can produce the equilibrium distribution of instantaneous forces
      exerted by a terminally pinned polymer. In these methods, both the positions and
      momenta of mass points representing a freely jointed chain are perturbed in
      accordance with the spatial constraints and the Boltzmann distribution of total
      energy. The constraint force for each conformation and momentum is calculated
      using Lagrangian dynamics. Using terminally pinned chains in space and on a
      surface, we show that the force distribution is highly asymmetric with both
      tensile and compressive forces. Most importantly, the mean of the distribution,
      which is equal to the entropic force, is not the most probable force even for
      long chains. Our work provides insights into the mechanistic origin of entropic
      forces, and an efficient computational tool for unbiased sampling of the phase
      space of a constrained system. 

PMID- 26274309
TI  - Modified phase-field-crystal model for solid-liquid phase transitions.
AB  - A modified phase-field-crystal (PFC) model is proposed to describe solid-liquid
      phase transitions by reconstructing the correlation function. The effects of
      fitting parameters of our modified PFC model on the bcc-liquid phase diagram,
      numerical stability, and solid-liquid interface properties during planar
      interface growth are examined carefully. The results indicate that the increase
      of the correlation function peak width at k=k(m) will enhance the stability of
      the ordered phase, while the increase of peak height at k=0 will narrow the two
      phase coexistence region. The third-order term in the free-energy function and
      the short wave-length of the correlation function have significant influences on
      the numerical stability of the PFC model. During planar interface growth, the
      increase of peak width at k=k(m) will decrease the interface width and the
      velocity coefficient C, but increase the anisotropy of C and the interface free
      energy. Finally, the feasibility of the modified phase-field-crystal model is
      demonstrated with a numerical example of three-dimensional dendritic growth of a
      body-centered-cubic structure.

PMID- 26274310
TI  - Monte Carlo algorithm for free energy calculation.
AB  - We propose a Monte Carlo algorithm for the free energy calculation based on
      configuration space sampling. An upward or downward temperature scan can be used
      to produce F(T). We implement this algorithm for the Ising model on a square
      lattice and triangular lattice. Comparison with the exact free energy shows an
      excellent agreement. We analyze the properties of this algorithm and compare it
      with the Wang-Landau algorithm, which samples in energy space. This method is
      applicable to general classical statistical models. The possibility of extending
      it to quantum systems is discussed. 

PMID- 26274311
TI  - Comment on "Kinetic theory for a mobile impurity in a degenerate Tonks-Girardeau
      gas".
AB  - In a recent paper Gamayun et al. [O. Gamayun, O. Lychkovskiy, and V. Cheianov,
      Phys. Rev. E 90, 032132 (2014)] studied the dynamics of a mobile impurity weakly
      coupled to a one-dimensional Tonks-Girardeau gas of strongly interacting bosons.
      Employing the Boltzmann equation approach, they, in particular, arrived at the
      following conclusions: (i) a light impurity, being accelerated by a constant
      force F, does not exhibit Bloch oscillations, which were predicted and studied by
      Gangardt and co-workers [D. M. Gangardt and A. Kamenev, Phys. Rev. Lett. 102,
      070402 (2009); M. Schecter, D. M. Gangardt, and A. Kamanev, Ann. Phys. (N.Y.)
      327, 639 (2012)]; (ii) a heavy impurity does undergo Bloch oscillations,
      accompanied by a drift with the velocity v(D)??[F]. In this Comment we argue that
      result (i) is an artifact of the classical Boltzmann approximation. The latter
      misses the formation of the quasibound state between the impurity and a hole. Its
      dispersion relation E(b)(P,rho) is a smooth periodic function of momentum P with
      the period 2k(F)=2pihrho, where rho is a density of the host gas. Being
      accelerated by a small force, such a bound-state exhibits Bloch oscillations
      superimposed with the drift velocity v(D)=MUF. The mobility MU may be expressed
      exactly [M. Schecter et al., Ann. Phys. (N.Y.) 327, 639 (2012)] in terms of
      E(b)(P,rho). Result (ii), while not valid at exponentially small forces, indeed
      reflects an interesting intermediate-force behavior.

PMID- 26274312
TI  - Reply to "Comment on 'Kinetic theory for a mobile impurity in a degenerate Tonks
      Girardeau gas' ".
AB  - In our recent paper [O. Gamayun, O. Lychkovskiy, and V. Cheianov, Phys. Rev. E
      90, 032132 (2014)] we studied the dynamics of a mobile impurity particle weakly
      interacting with the Tonks-Girardeau gas and pulled by a small external force F.
      Working in the regime when the thermodynamic limit is taken prior to the small
      force limit, we found that the Bloch oscillations of the impurity velocity are
      absent in the case of a light impurity. Further, we argued that for a light
      impurity the steady-state drift velocity V(D) remains finite in the limit F->0.
      These results are in contradiction with earlier works by Gangardt and co-workers
      [D. M. Gangardt and A. Kamenev, Phys. Rev. Lett. 102, 070402 (2009); M. Schecter,
      D. M. Gangardt, and A. Kamenev, Ann. Phys. (NY) 327, 639 (2012)]. One of us has
      conjectured [O. Lychkovskiy, Phys. Rev. A 91, 040101 (2015)] that the central
      assumption of these works, the adiabaticity of the dynamics, can break down in
      the thermodynamic limit. In the preceding Comment [M. Schecter, D. M. Gangardt,
      and A. Kamenev, Phys. Rev. E 92, 016101 (2015)], Schecter et al. have argued
      against this conjecture and in support of the existence of Bloch oscillations and
      the linearity of V(D)(F). They have suggested that the ground state of the
      impurity-fluid system is a quasibound state and that this is sufficient to ensure
      adiabaticity in the thermodynamic limit. Their analytical argument is based on a
      certain truncation of the Hilbert space of the system. We argue that extending
      the results and intuition based on their truncated model on the original many
      body problem lacks justification.

PMID- 26274313
TI  - Comment on "Third law of thermodynamics as a key test of generalized entropies".
AB  - Bento et al. [Phys. Rev. E 91, 022105 (2015)] state that the Tsallis entropy
      violates the third law of thermodynamics for q<=0 and 0<q<1. We show that their
      results are valid only for q>=1, since there is no distribution maximizing the
      Tsallis entropy for the intervals q<=0 and 0<q<1 compatible with the system
      energy expression.

PMID- 26274314
TI  - Reply to "Comment on 'Third law of thermodynamics as a key test of generalized
      entropies' ".
AB  - In Bento et al. [Phys. Rev. E 91, 039901 (2015)] we develop a method to verify if
      an arbitrary generalized statistics does or does not obey the third law of
      thermodynamics. As examples, we address two important formulations, Kaniadakis
      and Tsallis. In their Comment on the paper, Bagci and Oikonomou suggest that our
      examination of the Tsallis statistics is valid only for q>=1, using arguments
      like there is no distribution maximizing the Tsallis entropy for the interval q<0
      (in which the third law is not verified) compatible with the problem energy
      expression. In this Reply, we first (and most importantly) show that the Comment
      misses the point. In our original work we have considered the now already
      standard construction of the Tsallis statistics. So, if indeed such statistics
      lacks a maximization principle (a fact irrelevant in our protocol), this is an
      inherent feature of the statistics itself and not a problem with our analysis.
      Second, some arguments used by Bagci and Oikonomou (for 0<q<1) reflect a
      misunderstanding of our explicit calculations. These arguments are then clarified
      under our approach and illustrated through a simple two-level system.

PMID- 26274315
TI  - Loneliness and implicit attention to social threat: A high-performance electrical
      neuroimaging study.
AB  - Prior research has suggested that loneliness is associated with an implicit
      hypervigilance to social threats-an assumption in line with the evolutionary
      model of loneliness that indicates feeling socially isolated (or on the social
      perimeter) leads to increased attention and surveillance of the social world and
      an unwitting focus on self-preservation. Little is known, however, about the
      temporal dynamics for social threat (vs. nonsocial threat) in the lonely brains.
      We used high-density electrical neuroimaging and a behavioral task including
      social and nonsocial threat (and neutral) pictures to investigate the brain
      dynamics of implicit processing for social threat vs. nonsocial threat stimuli in
      lonely participants (N = 10), compared to nonlonely individuals (N = 9). The
      present study provides evidence that social threat images are differentiated from
      nonsocial threat stimuli more quickly in the lonely (~116 ms after stimulus
      onset) than nonlonely (~252 ms after stimulus onset) brains. That speed of threat
      processing in lonely individuals is in accord with the evolutionary model of
      loneliness. Brain source estimates expanded these results by suggesting that
      lonely (but not nonlonely) individuals showed early recruitment of brain areas
      involved in attention and self-representation.

PMID- 26274316
TI  - VEGFA Expression Is Inhibited by Arsenic Trioxide in HUVECs through the
      Upregulation of Ets-2 and miRNA-126.
AB  - Arsenic trioxide (ATO) has been used to treat patients with acute promyelocytic
      leukemia. Recently, studies have shown that ATO can induce apoptosis in leukemic
      cells and blood vessel endothelial cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner
      through the inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA)
      production. VEGFA is a key factor in angiogenesis initiation. Targeted inhibition
      of VEGF or VEGFA expression can suppress angiogenesis; however, little is known
      about the mechanism by which ATO inhibits VEGFA expression. In this study, we
      investigated the role of miRNA-126 in the mechanism of action of ATO in human
      umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). ATO significantly decreased the
      viability and proliferation of HUVECs and decreased their migration at 48 h. Cell
      proliferation was inhibited by 50% (IC50) when 5.0 MUmol/L ATO was used. ATO
      treatment induced miR-126 upregulation and HUVEC apoptosis. Transfection with a
      miR-126 mimic significantly downregulated VEGFA mRNA levels, and transfection
      with a miR-126 inhibitor significantly upregulated VEGFA mRNA levels. Finally, we
      showed that ATO treatment upregulated Ets-2 and miR-126 expression in HUVECs.
      These results demonstrate that ATO inhibits the growth of HUVECs and induces
      apoptosis by downregulating VEGFA. One mechanism by which this occurs is Ets-2
      upregulation, which results in an increase in miR-126 levels and downregulation
      of VEGFA expression.

PMID- 26274317
TI  - Common Effects on Cancer Cells Exerted by a Random Positioning Machine and a 2D
      Clinostat.
AB  - In this study we focused on gravity-sensitive proteins of two human thyroid
      cancer cell lines (ML-1; RO82-W-1), which were exposed to a 2D clinostat (CLINO),
      a random positioning machine (RPM) and to normal 1g-conditions. After a three
      (3d)- or seven-day-culture (7d) on the two devices, we found both cell types
      growing three-dimensionally within multicellular spheroids (MCS) and also cells
      remaining adherent (AD) to the culture flask, while 1g-control cultures only
      formed adherent monolayers, unless the bottom of the culture dish was covered by
      agarose. In this case, the cytokines IL-6 and IL-8 facilitated the formation of
      MCS in both cell lines using the liquid-overlay technique at 1g. ML-1 cells grown
      on the RPM or the CLINO released amounts of IL-6 and MCP-1 into the supernatant,
      which were significantly elevated as compared to 1g-controls. Release of IL-4, IL
      7, IL-8, IL-17, eotaxin-1 and VEGF increased time-dependently, but was not
      significantly influenced by the gravity conditions. After 3d on the RPM or the
      CLINO, an accumulation of F-actin around the cellular membrane was detectable in
      AD cells of both cell lines. IL-6 and IL-8 stimulation of ML-1 cells for 3d and
      7d influenced the protein contents of beta1-integrin, talin-1, Ki-67, and beta
      actin dose-dependently in adherent cells. The beta1-integrin content was
      significantly decreased in AD and MCS samples compared with 1g, while talin-1 was
      higher expressed in MCS than AD populations. The proliferation marker Ki-67 was
      elevated in AD samples compared with 1g and MCS samples. The beta-actin content
      of R082-W-1 cells remained unchanged. ML-1 cells exhibited no change in beta
      actin in RPM cultures, but a reduction in CLINO samples. Thus, we concluded that
      simulated microgravity influences the release of cytokines in follicular thyroid
      cancer cells, and the production of beta1-integrin and talin-1 and predicts an
      identical effect under real microgravity conditions. 

PMID- 26274318
TI  - Lutzomyia longipalpis Presence and Abundance Distribution at Different Micro
      spatial Scales in an Urban Scenario.
AB  - The principal objective of this study was to assess a modeling approach to Lu.
      longipalpis distribution in an urban scenario, discriminating micro-scale
      landscape variables at microhabitat and macrohabitat scales and the presence from
      the abundance of the vector. For this objective, we studied vectors and domestic
      reservoirs and evaluated different environmental variables simultaneously, so we
      constructed a set of 13 models to account for micro-habitats, macro-habitats and
      mixed-habitats. We captured a total of 853 sandflies, of which 98.35% were Lu.
      longipalpis. We sampled a total of 197 dogs; 177 of which were associated with
      households where insects were sampled. Positive rK39 dogs represented 16.75% of
      the total, of which 47% were asymptomatic. Distance to the border of the city and
      high to medium density vegetation cover ended to be the explanatory variables,
      all positive, for the presence of sandflies in the city. All variables in the
      abundance model ended to be explanatory, trees around the trap, distance to the
      stream and its quadratic, being the last one the only one with negative
      coefficient indicating that the maximum abundance was associated with medium
      values of distance to the stream. The spatial distribution of dogs infected with
      L. infantum showed a heterogeneous pattern throughout the city; however, we could
      not confirm an association of the distribution with the variables assessed. In
      relation to Lu. longipalpis distribution, the strategy to discriminate the micro
      spatial scales at which the environmental variables were recorded allowed us to
      associate presence with macrohabitat variables and abundance with microhabitat
      and macrohabitat variables. Based on the variables associated with Lu.
      longipalpis, the model will be validated in other cities and environmental
      surveillance, and control interventions will be proposed and evaluated in the
      microscale level and integrated with socio-cultural approaches and programmatic
      and village (mesoscale) strategies. 

PMID- 26274319
TI  - Z944, a Novel Selective T-Type Calcium Channel Antagonist Delays the Progression
      of Seizures in the Amygdala Kindling Model.
AB  - Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is the most common form of drug resistant epilepsy.
      Current treatment is symptomatic, suppressing seizures, but has no disease
      modifying effect on epileptogenesis. We examined the effects of Z944, a potent T
      type calcium channel antagonist, as an anti-seizure agent and against the
      progression of kindling in the amygdala kindling model of TLE. The anti-seizure
      efficacy of Z944 (5mg/kg, 10mg/kg, 30mg/kg and 100mg/kg) was assessed in fully
      kindled rats (5 class V seizures) as compared to vehicle, ethosuximide (ETX,
      100mg/kg) and carbamazepine (30mg/kg). Each animal received the seven treatments
      in a randomised manner. Seizure class and duration elicited by six post-drug
      stimulations was determined. To investigate for effects in delaying the
      progression of kindling, naive animals received Z944 (30mg/kg), ETX (100mg/kg) or
      vehicle 30-minutes prior to each kindling stimulation up to a maximum of 30
      stimulations, with seizure class and duration recorded after each stimulation. At
      the completion of drug treatment, CaV3.1, CaV3.2 and CaV3.3 mRNA expression
      levels were assessed in the hippocampus and amygdala using qPCR. Z944 was not
      effective at suppressing seizures in fully kindled rats compared to vehicle.
      Animals receiving Z944 required significantly more stimulations to evoke a class
      III (p<0.05), IV (p<0.01) or V (p<0.0001) seizure, and to reach a fully kindled
      state (p<0.01), than animals receiving vehicle. There was no significant
      difference in the mRNA expression of the T-type Ca2+ channels in the hippocampus
      or amygdala. Our results show that selectively targeting T-type Ca2+ channels
      with Z944 inhibits the progression of amygdala kindling. This could be a
      potential for a new therapeutic intervention to mitigate the development and
      progression of epilepsy.

PMID- 26274320
TI  - Maxillofacial Injuries as Markers of Interpersonal Violence in Belo Horizonte
      Brazil: Analysis of the Socio-Spatial Vulnerability of the Location of Victim's
      Residences.
AB  - The aim of the present study was to analyze the spatial pattern of cases of
      maxillofacial injuries caused by interpersonal violence, based on the location of
      the victim's residence, and to investigate the existence of conditions of socio
      spatial vulnerability in these areas. This is a cross-sectional study, using the
      data of victims attended in three emergency hospitals in Belo Horizonte-Brazil
      between January 2008 and December 2010. Based on the process of spatial
      signature, the socio-spatial condition of the victims was identified according to
      data from census tracts. The spatial distribution trends of the addresses of
      victims were analyzed using Kernel maps and Ripley's K function. Multicriteria
      analysis was used to analyze the territorial insertion of victims, using a
      combination of variables to obtain the degree of socio-spatial vulnerability. The
      residences of the victims were distributed in an aggregated manner in urban
      areas, with a confidence level of 99%. The highest densities were found in areas
      of unfavorable socioeconomic conditions and, to a lesser extent, areas with worse
      residential and neighborhood infrastructure. Spatial clusters of households
      formed in slums with a significant level of socio-spatial vulnerability.
      Explanations of the living conditions in segregated urban areas and analysis of
      the concentration of more vulnerable populations should be a priority in the
      development of public health and safety policies. 

PMID- 26274321
TI  - The Human Myotrophin Variant Attenuates MicroRNA-Let-7 Binding Ability but Not
      Risk of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Human Essential Hypertension.
AB  - Myotrophin, known as a myocardial hypertrophy-inducing factor, is responsible for
      the initiation of cardiac hypertrophy that transits to heart failure. MicroRNAs
      are small noncoding RNAs that down-regulate posttranscriptional expression of
      target molecules. We investigated the role of variants of the microRNA-binding
      site in myotrophin in affecting its expression and any association with cardiac
      hypertrophy. Bioinformatics demonstrated that variant rs17168525 was identified
      to be located in the let-7/miR-98-binding site of myotrophin. We further
      experimentally test to effects of the identified variant on myotrophin
      translation using luciferase reporter assay and Western blotting. We found that
      the C allele of rs17168525 suppressed myotrophin translation by facilitating let
      7c binding, but not the T allele. Let-7c overexpression caused a significant
      decrease in the level of myotrophin protein. Next, we investigated the
      association of the variant with cardiac hypertrophy in 1614 hypertensive
      patients, including 552 with left ventricular hypertrophy and 1062 without left
      ventricular hypertrophy, as well as 591 healthy control subjects from a Han
      Chinese population. No significant association between the variant rs17168525 and
      left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertensive patients in a Han Chinese population
      (P>0.05). In conclusion, our experimental results provide evidence that the T
      allele of rs17168525 in the 3'-UTR of myotrophin might influence the level of
      myotrophin protein by interfering with let-7/miR-98 binding. 

PMID- 26274322
TI  - Surveillance of Human Astrovirus Infection in Brazil: The First Report of MLB1
      Astrovirus.
AB  - Human astrovirus (HAstV) represents the third most common virus associated with
      acute diarrhea (AD). This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of HAstV
      infection in Brazilian children under 5 years of age with AD, investigate the
      presence of recently described HAstV strains, through extensive laboratory-based
      surveillance of enteric viral agents in three Brazilian coastal regions between
      2005 and 2011. Using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR),
      the overall HAstV detection rate reached 7.1% (207/2.913) with percentage varying
      according to the geographic region: 3.9% (36/921) in the northeast, 7.9% in the
      south (71/903) and 9.2% in the southeast (100/1.089) (p < 0.001). HAstV were
      detected in cases of all age groups. Detection rates were slightly higher during
      the spring. Nucleotide sequence analysis of a 320-bp ORF2 fragment revealed that
      HAstV-1 was the predominant genotype throughout the seven years of the study. The
      novel AstV-MLB1 was detected in two children with AD from a subset of 200 samples
      tested, demonstrating the circulation of this virus both the in northeastern and
      southeastern regions of Brazil. These results provide additional epidemiological
      and molecular data on HAstV circulation in three Brazilian coastal regions,
      highlighting its potential to cause infantile AD. 

PMID- 26274323
TI  - Systematic Mapping of Protein Mutational Space by Prolonged Drift Reveals the
      Deleterious Effects of Seemingly Neutral Mutations.
AB  - Systematic mappings of the effects of protein mutations are becoming increasingly
      popular. Unexpectedly, these experiments often find that proteins are tolerant to
      most amino acid substitutions, including substitutions in positions that are
      highly conserved in nature. To obtain a more realistic distribution of the
      effects of protein mutations, we applied a laboratory drift comprising 17 rounds
      of random mutagenesis and selection of M.HaeIII, a DNA methyltransferase. During
      this drift, multiple mutations gradually accumulated. Deep sequencing of the
      drifted gene ensembles allowed determination of the relative effects of all
      possible single nucleotide mutations. Despite being averaged across many
      different genetic backgrounds, about 67% of all nonsynonymous, missense mutations
      were evidently deleterious, and an additional 16% were likely to be deleterious.
      In the early generations, the frequency of most deleterious mutations remained
      high. However, by the 17th generation, their frequency was consistently reduced,
      and those remaining were accepted alongside compensatory mutations. The tolerance
      to mutations measured in this laboratory drift correlated with sequence exchanges
      seen in M.HaeIII's natural orthologs. The biophysical constraints dictating
      purging in nature and in this laboratory drift also seemed to overlap. Our
      experiment therefore provides an improved method for measuring the effects of
      protein mutations that more closely replicates the natural evolutionary forces,
      and thereby a more realistic view of the mutational space of proteins. 

PMID- 26274324
TI  - Spatial and Temporal Control of Cavitation Allows High In Vitro Transfection
      Efficiency in the Absence of Transfection Reagents or Contrast Agents.
AB  - Sonoporation using low-frequency high-pressure ultrasound (US) is a non-viral
      approach for in vitro and in vivo gene delivery. In this study, we developed a
      new sonoporation device designed for spatial and temporal control of ultrasound
      cavitation. The regulation system incorporated in the device allowed a real-time
      control of the cavitation level during sonoporation. This device was evaluated
      for the in vitro transfection efficiency of a plasmid coding for Green
      Fluorescent Protein (pEGFP-C1) in adherent and non-adherent cell lines. The
      transfection efficiency of the device was compared to those observed with
      lipofection and nucleofection methods. In both adherent and non-adherent cell
      lines, the sonoporation device allowed high rate of transfection of pEGFP-C1 (40
      80%), as determined by flow cytometry analysis of GFP expression, along with a
      low rate of mortality assessed by propidium iodide staining. The transfection
      efficiency and toxicity of sonoporation on the non-adherent cell lines Jurkat and
      K562 were similar to those of nucleofection, while these two cell lines were
      resistant to transfection by lipofection. Moreover, sonoporation was used to
      produce three stably transfected human lymphoma and leukemia lines. Significant
      transfection efficiency was also observed in two fresh samples of human acute
      myeloid leukemia cells. In conclusion, we developed a user-friendly and cost
      effective ultrasound device, well adapted for routine in vitro high-yield
      transfection experiments and which does not require the use of any transfection
      reagent or gas micro-bubbles.

PMID- 26274325
TI  - Evidence of Drought Stress Memory in the Facultative CAM, Aptenia cordifolia:
      Possible Role of Phytohormones.
AB  - Although plant responses to drought stress have been studied in detail in several
      plant species, including CAM plants, the occurrence of stress memory and possible
      mechanisms for its regulation are still very poorly understood. In an attempt to
      better understand the occurrence and possible mechanisms of regulation of stress
      memory in plants, we measured the concentrations of phytohormones in Aptenia
      cordifolia exposed to reiterated drought, together with various stress
      indicators, including leaf water contents, photosynthesis and mechanisms of photo
      and antioxidant protection. Results showed that plants exposed to drought stress
      responded differently if previously challenged with a first drought. Gibberellin
      levels decreased upon exposure to the first drought and remained lower in double
      stressed plants compared with those exposed to stress for the first time. In
      contrast, abscisic acid levels were higher in double- than single-stressed
      plants. This occurred in parallel with alterations in hydroperoxide levels, but
      not with malondialdehyde levels, thus suggesting an increased oxidation state
      that did not result in oxidative damage in double-stressed plants. It is
      concluded that (i) drought stress memory occurs in double-stressed A. cordifolia
      plants, (ii) both gibberellins and abscisic acid may play a role in plant
      response to repeated periods of drought, and (iii) changes in abscisic acid
      levels in double-stressed plants may have a positive effect by modulating changes
      in the cellular redox state with a role in signalling, rather than cause
      oxidative damage to the cell. 

PMID- 26274326
TI  - Subcutaneous Construction of Engineered Adipose Tissue with Fat Lobule-Like
      Structure Using Injectable Poly-Benzyl-L-Glutamate Microspheres Loaded with
      Adipose-Derived Stem Cells.
AB  - Porous microcarriers were fabricated from synthesized poly(gamma-benzyl-L
      glutamate) (PBLG) polymer to engineer adipose tissue with lobule-like structure
      via the injectable approach. The adipogenic differentiation of human adipose
      derived stem cells (hASCs) seeded on porous PBLG microcarriers was determined by
      adipogenic gene expression and glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase enzyme
      activity. In vitro adipogenic cultivation was performed for 7 days, and induced
      hASC/PBLG complex (Adi-ASC/PBLG group) was subcutaneously injected into nude
      mice. Injections of PBLG microcarriers alone (PBLG group) and non-induced
      hASC/PBLG complex (ASC/PBLG group) served as controls. Newly formed tissues were
      harvested after 4 and 8 weeks. Generation of subcutaneous adipose tissue with
      typical lobule-like structure separated by fibrous septa was observed upon
      injection of adipogenic-induced hASC/microsphere complex. Adipogenesis
      significantly increased in the Adi-ASC/PBLG group compared with the control
      groups. The angiogenesis in the engineered adipose tissue was comparable to that
      in normal tissue as determined by capillary density and luminal diameter. Cell
      tracking assay demonstrated that labeled hASCs remained detectable in the neo
      generated tissues 8 weeks post-injection using green fluorescence protein-labeled
      hASCs. These results indicate that adipose tissue with typical lobule-like
      structure could be engineered using injectable porous PBLG microspheres loaded
      with adipogenic-induced hASCs. 

PMID- 26274327
TI  - Generalised Anxiety Disorder--A Twin Study of Genetic Architecture, Genome-Wide
      Association and Differential Gene Expression.
AB  - Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a common anxiety-related diagnosis,
      affecting approximately 5% of the adult population. One characteristic of GAD is
      a high degree of anxiety sensitivity (AS), a personality trait which describes
      the fear of arousal-related sensations. Here we present a genome-wide association
      study of AS using a cohort of 730 MZ and DZ female twins. The GWAS showed a
      significant association for a variant within the RBFOX1 gene. A heritability
      analysis of the same cohort also confirmed a significant genetic component with
      h2 of 0.42. Additionally, a subset of the cohort (25 MZ twins discordant for AS)
      was studied for evidence of differential expression using RNA-seq data.
      Significant differential expression of two exons with the ITM2B gene within the
      discordant MZ subset was observed, a finding that was replicated in an
      independent cohort. While previous research has shown that anxiety has a high
      comorbidity with a variety of psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders, our
      analysis suggests a novel etiology specific to AS. 

PMID- 26274328
TI  - Ethnic Variations in Central Corneal Thickness in a Rural Population in China:
      The Yunnan Minority Eye Studies.
AB  - PURPOSE: To describe the ethnic differences in central corneal thickness (CCT) in
      population-based samples of ethnic Bai, Yi and Han people living in rural China.
      METHODS: 6504 adults (2119 ethnic Bai, 2202 ethnic Yi and 2183 ethnic Han) aged
      50 years or older participated in the study. Each subject underwent standardized
      ocular examinations and interviewer-administered questionnaires for risk factor
      assessment. CCT was measured for both eyes using an ultrasound pachymeter.
      Regression and principal component analysis were performed to examine the
      relationship of ethnicity and other factors with CCT. RESULTS: The mean CCT
      readings were 536.4 +/- 34.2 MUm in ethnic Bai, 532.1 +/- 32.1 MUm in ethnic Yi
      and 529.6 +/- 32.7 MUm in ethnic Han adults (P<0.001), respectively. There was a
      decreasing trend of mean CCT with increasing age across all ethnic groups. In
      multivariate linear regression models, increasing CCT was associated with younger
      age (P<0.001), male gender (P<0.001), Bai (P<0.001) or Yi (P<0.001) ethnicity,
      greater body mass index (P<0.001), higher systolic blood pressure (P<0.001),
      greater corneal curvature (P<0.001), deeper anterior chamber (P < 0.001), and
      thicker lens (P<0.001). Ethnicity contributed significantly to presence of thin
      cornea (60%; P< 0.001) compared with other factors. CCT had similar impact on
      intraocular pressure readings across all ethnic groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study
      of more than 6500 multiethnic participants demonstrates significant ethnic
      variations in CCT, with Han ethnicity having the thinnest cornea compared with
      ethnic minorities. These data are essential to guide future multiethnic clinical
      trials on CCT-related ocular conditions such as glaucoma.

PMID- 26274330
TI  - Correction: Mechanism of Inhibition of the Human Sirtuin Enzyme SIRT3 by
      Nicotinamide: Computational and Experimental Studies.

PMID- 26274329
TI  - Targeted Next-Generation Sequencing for Clinical Diagnosis of 561 Mendelian
      Diseases.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) is a cost-effective
      approach for rapid and accurate detection of genetic mutations in patients with
      suspected genetic disorders, which can facilitate effective diagnosis.
      METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We designed a capture array to mainly capture all
      the coding sequence (CDS) of 2,181 genes associated with 561 Mendelian diseases
      and conducted NGS to detect mutations. The accuracy of NGS was 99.95%, which was
      obtained by comparing the genotypes of selected loci between our method and SNP
      Array in four samples from normal human adults. We also tested the stability of
      the method using a sample from normal human adults. The results showed that an
      average of 97.79% and 96.72% of single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) in the sample
      could be detected stably in a batch and different batches respectively. In
      addition, the method could detect various types of mutations. Some disease
      causing mutations were detected in 69 clinical cases, including 62 SNVs, 14
      insertions and deletions (Indels), 1 copy number variant (CNV), 1 microdeletion
      and 2 microduplications of chromosomes, of which 35 mutations were novel.
      Mutations were confirmed by Sanger sequencing or real-time polymerase chain
      reaction (PCR). CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Results of the evaluation showed that
      targeted NGS enabled to detect disease-causing mutations with high accuracy,
      stability, speed and throughput. Thus, the technology can be used for the
      clinical diagnosis of 561 Mendelian diseases.

PMID- 26274331
TI  - LKB1 Is Required for the Development and Maintenance of Stereocilia in Inner Ear
      Hair Cells in Mice.
AB  - The LKB1 gene, which encodes a serine/threonine kinase, was discovered to play
      crucial roles in cell differentiation, proliferation, and the establishment of
      cell polarity. In our study, LKB1 conditional knockout mice (Atoh1-LKB1-/- mice)
      were generated to investigate LKB1 function in the inner ear. Tests of auditory
      brainstem response and distortion product otoacoustic emissions revealed
      significant decreases in the hearing sensitivities of the Atoh1-LKB1-/- mice. In
      Atoh1-LKB1-/- mice, malformations of hair cell stereocilliary bundles were
      present as early as postnatal day 1 (P1), a time long before the maturation of
      the hair cell bundles. In addition, we also observed outer hair cell (OHC) loss
      starting at P14. The impaired stereocilliary bundles occurred long before the
      presence of hair cell loss. Stereociliary cytoskeletal structure depends on the
      core actin-based cytoskeleton and several actin-binding proteins. By Western
      blot, we examined actin-binding proteins, specifically ERM (ezrin/radixin/moesin)
      proteins involved in the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton of hair cell
      stereocilia. Our results revealed that the phosphorylation of ERM proteins (pERM)
      was significantly decreased in mutant mice. Thus, we propose that the decreased
      pERM may be a key factor for the impaired stereocillia function, and the damaged
      stereocillia may induce hair cell loss and hearing impairments. Taken together,
      our data indicates that LKB1 is required for the development and maintenance of
      stereocilia in the inner ear.

PMID- 26274332
TI  - An Eye-Tracking Study of Multiple Feature Value Category Structure Learning: The
      Role of Unique Features.
AB  - We examined whether the degree to which a feature is uniquely characteristic of a
      category can affect categorization above and beyond the typicality of the
      feature. We developed a multiple feature value category structure with different
      dimensions within which feature uniqueness and typicality could be manipulated
      independently. Using eye tracking, we found that the highest attentional
      weighting (operationalized as number of fixations, mean fixation time, and the
      first fixation of the trial) was given to a dimension that included a feature
      that was both unique and highly typical of the category. Dimensions that included
      features that were highly typical but not unique, or were unique but not highly
      typical, received less attention. A dimension with neither a unique nor a highly
      typical feature received least attention. On the basis of these results we
      hypothesized that subjects categorized via a rule learning procedure in which
      they performed an ordered evaluation of dimensions, beginning with unique and
      strongly typical dimensions, and in which earlier dimensions received higher
      weighting in the decision. This hypothesis accounted for performance on transfer
      stimuli better than simple implementations of two other common theories of
      category learning, exemplar models and prototype models, in which all dimensions
      were evaluated in parallel and received equal weighting. 

PMID- 26274333
TI  - Correction: Network Models of Frequency Modulated Sweep Detection.

PMID- 26274335
TI  - Association of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) with hepatocellular
      carcinoma (HCC) in the United States from 2004 to 2009.
AB  - Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is increasingly reported in patients with
      nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Our aim was to assess the prevalence
      and mortality of patients with NAFLD-HCC. We examined Surveillance, Epidemiology
      and End Results (SEER) registries (2004-2009) with Medicare-linkage files for
      HCC, which was identified by the International Classification of Diseases for
      Oncology, third edition codes using topography and morphology codes 8170-8175.
      Medicare-linked data was used to identify NAFLD, hepatitis C virus (HCV),
      hepatitis B virus (HBV), alcoholic liver disease (ALD), and other liver disease
      using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical
      Modification codes. NAFLD was also defined by clinical diagnosis (cryptogenic
      cirrhosis, obese-diabetics with cryptogenic liver disease). A logistic regression
      model was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs)
      for risk of HCC. In addition, adjusted hazard ratios for 1-year mortality were
      estimated by Cox's proportional hazard regression. A total of 4,929 HCC cases and
      14,937 controls without HCC were included. Of the HCC cases, 54.9% were related
      to HCV, 16.4% to ALD, 14.1% to NAFLD, and 9.5% to HBV. Across the 6-year period
      (2004 to 2009), the number of NAFLD-HCC showed a 9% annual increase. NAFLD-HCC
      were older, had shorter survival time, more heart disease, and were more likely
      to die from their primary liver cancer (all P < 0.0001). Of those who received a
      transplant after HCC (n = 488), only 5% were related to NAFLD-HCC. In
      multivariate analysis, NAFLD increased the risk of 1-year mortality (OR, 1.21;
      95% CI: 1.01-1.45). Additionally, older age, lower income, unstaged HCC increased
      risk of 1-year mortality while receiving a liver transplant (LT), and having
      localized tumor stage were protective (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: NAFLD is
      becoming a major cause of HCC in the United States. NAFLD HCC is associated with
      shorter survival time, more advanced tumor stage, and lower possibility of
      receiving a LT.

PMID- 26274334
TI  - Ultrasonic measurement of the effects of light irradiation and presence of water
      on the polymerization of self-adhesive resin cement.
AB  - Self-adhesive resin cements are useful in restorations because they reduce the
      number of clinical steps involved in the restoration process. This study
      evaluated, using ultrasonic measurements, the influence of light irradiation and
      the presence of water on the polymerization behavior and elastic modulus of a
      self-adhesive resin cement. A self-adhesive resin cement (RelyX Unicem 2 Automix)
      or a resin cement (RelyX ARC) was inserted into a transparent mold on a sample
      stage, and the presence of water and effect of light-irradiation were evaluated.
      The transit time of a sonic wave through the cement disk was divided by the
      specimen thickness to obtain the sonic velocity, and longitudinal and shear waves
      were used to determine the elastic modulus. When the resin cements were light
      irradiated, the sonic velocity rapidly increased and plateaued at 2,500-2,700 m s
      1 . When the cements were not irradiated, the rates of increase in the sonic
      velocity were reduced. When water was applied to the sample stage, the sonic
      velocity was reduced. The elastic modulus values of the specimens ranged from 9.9
      to 15.9 GPa after 24 h. The polymerization behavior of self-adhesive resin
      cements is affected by the polymerization mode and the presence of water.

PMID- 26274336
TI  - L-asparaginase and venous thromboembolism in acute lymphocytic leukemia.
AB  - The occurrence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in acute lymphocytic leukemia
      patients receiving L-asparaginase therapy may cause significant morbidity,
      neurological sequela and possibly worse outcomes. The prophylactic use of
      antithrombin infusion (to keep antithrombin activity >60%) or low molecular
      weight heparin (LMWH) may reduce the risk of VTE. The decision to continue L
      asparaginase therapy after the development of VTE should be based on anticipated
      benefits, severity of VTE and the ability to continue therapeutic
      anticoagulation. In patients receiving asparaginase rechallenge, the use of
      therapeutic LMWH, monitoring of anti-Xa level and antithrombin level are
      important. Novel oral anticoagulants are not dependent on antithrombin level,
      hence offer theoretical advantages over LMWH for the prevention and therapy of
      asparaginase-related VTE. 

PMID- 26274337
TI  - Variable presence of 5-methylcytosine in commercial RNA and DNA.

PMID- 26274339
TI  - Identification of intermediates in the biosynthesis of PR toxin by Penicillium
      roqueforti.
AB  - The sesquiterpenoid 7-epi-neopetasone was synthesized via the Wieland-Miescher
      ketone. The compound was identical to a previously tentatively identified
      headspace constituent of Penicillium roqueforti. Feeding experiments with (13) C
      labeled mevalonolactone isotopomers demonstrated that oxidation at C12 and an
      isomerization of the C11?C12 to a C7?C11 double bond must occur independently and
      not via a C7-C11-C12 allyl radical in one step. Feeding with (11,12,13-(13) C3 )
      7-epi-neopetasone resulted in labelling of the PR toxin, thus establishing this
      compound as a newly identified pathway intermediate. 

PMID- 26274338
TI  - A Multistep, Consensus-Based Approach to Organ Allocation in Liver
      Transplantation: Toward a "Blended Principle Model".
AB  - Since Italian liver allocation policy was last revised (in 2012), relevant
      critical issues and conceptual advances have emerged, calling for significant
      improvements. We report the results of a national consensus conference process,
      promoted by the Italian College of Liver Transplant Surgeons (for the Italian
      Society for Organ Transplantation) and the Italian Association for the Study of
      the Liver, to review the best indicators for orienting organ allocation policies
      based on principles of urgency, utility, and transplant benefit in the light of
      current scientific evidence. MELD exceptions and hepatocellular carcinoma were
      analyzed to construct a transplantation priority algorithm, given the inequity of
      a purely MELD-based system for governing organ allocation. Working groups of
      transplant surgeons and hepatologists prepared a list of statements for each
      topic, scoring their quality of evidence and strength of recommendation using the
      Centers for Disease Control grading system. A jury of Italian transplant
      surgeons, hepatologists, intensivists, infectious disease specialists,
      epidemiologists, representatives of patients' associations and organ-sharing
      organizations, transplant coordinators, and ethicists voted on and validated the
      proposed statements. After carefully reviewing the statements, a critical
      proposal for revising Italy's current liver allocation policy was prepared
      jointly by transplant surgeons and hepatologists.

PMID- 26274341
TI  - Editorial Retraction.

PMID- 26274340
TI  - Robotic trans-axillary and retro-auricular thyroid surgery.
AB  - Remote access approaches for thyroid surgery using surgical incisions placed
      outside the neck, including the axillary, chest and the retro-auricular region
      have gained interest due to the social stigmatization of young females with a
      visible neck scar. These novel approaches have been reported to be safe and
      feasible approaches for thyroid surgery in a select group of patients. Herein, we
      will discuss different aspects of the current robotic approaches.

PMID- 26274342
TI  - Outcomes and Risk Factors for Complications of Laser Ablation for Thyroid
      Nodules: A Multicenter Study on 1531 Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Image-guided laser ablation therapy (LAT) of benign thyroid nodules
      demonstrated favorable results in randomized trials with fixed modalities of
      treatment. The aim of this retrospective multicenter study was to assess the
      effectiveness, tolerability, and complications of LAT in a large consecutive
      series of patients from centers using this technique in their routine clinical
      activity. PATIENTS: Clinical records of 1534 consecutive laser-treated nodules in
      1531 patients from eight Italian thyroid referral centers were assessed.
      Inclusion criteria were as follows: solid or mixed nodules with fluid component
      up to 40%; benign cytological findings; and normal thyroid function. METHODS: LAT
      was performed with a fixed-power protocol, whereas the number of applicators and
      illumination times were different according to target size. From one to three
      illuminations with pullback technique and with a total energy delivery based on
      the nodule volume were performed during the same session. Patients were evaluated
      during LAT, within 30 days, and 12 months after the procedure. RESULTS: Total
      number of treatments was 1837; 1280 (83%) of nodules had a single LAT session.
      Mean nodule volume decreased from 27 +/- 24 mL at baseline to 8 +/- 8 mL 12
      months after treatment (P < .001). Mean nodule volume reduction was 72% +/- 11%
      (range 48%-96%). This figure was significantly greater in mixed nodules (79% +/-
      7%; range 70%-92%) because they were drained immediately before laser
      illumination. Symptoms improved from 49% to 10% of cases (P < .001) and evidence
      of cosmetic signs from 86% to 8% of cases (P < .001). Seventeen complications
      (0.9%) were registered. Eight patients (0.5%) experienced transitory voice
      changes that completely resolved at the ear-nose-throat examination within 2-84
      days. Nine minor complications (0.5%) were reported. No changes in thyroid
      function or autoimmunity were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Real practice confirmed LAT
      as a clinically effective, reproducible, and rapid outpatient procedure.
      Treatments were well tolerated and risk of major complications was very low.

PMID- 26274344
TI  - Screening Tests for Cushing's Syndrome: Urinary Free Cortisol Role Measured by LC
      MS/MS.
AB  - INTRODUCTION AND AIM: As initial screening for Cushing's syndrome (CS), The
      Endocrine Society guidelines recommend one of the following: the 1-mg
      dexamethasone suppression test (DST) or late-night salivary cortisol (LNSC) or
      urinary free cortisol (UFC) measurement. We examined the diagnostic performance
      of the above-mentioned tests in a series of patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We
      retrospectively analyzed 137 patients with clinical conditions suggestive of
      hypercortisolism: 38 with confirmed CS diagnosis and 99 without (termed non-CS).
      UFC was measured by liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry, whereas LNSC
      by the radioimmunometric method and serum cortisol were measured by a
      chemiluminescence immunoassay. RESULTS: Comparing CS vs non-CS, a cutoff of 138
      nmol/L after 1-mg DST revealed the best specificity (SP; 97%), whereas the 50
      nmol/L cutoff confirmed the best sensitivity (SE; 100%); the SE and SP for LNSC
      greater than 14.46 nmol/L were, respectively, 84% and 89%, whereas the SE and SP
      for UFC greater than 170 nmol per 24 hours, they were 97% and 91%. Overall, UFC
      revealed both a combined higher positive and a lower negative likelihood ratio
      among first-line tests (respectively 10.7 and 0.03). Computing a receiver
      operating curve -contrast analysis to compare the power of each single test with
      that of the others, alone or combined (DST+LNSC, DST+UFC, and LNSC+UFC) or with
      that of all the tests together (DST+LNSC+UFC), the UFC assay was at least as good
      as all the other possible combinations. CONCLUSIONS: Measuring UFC by liquid
      chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry achieves the best accuracy in diagnosing
      CS among patients presenting with suspected hypercortisolism.

PMID- 26274343
TI  - PTCSC3 Is Involved in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Development by Modulating
      S100A4 Gene Expression.
AB  - CONTEXT: We previously showed that a long noncoding RNA gene, PTCSC3, located
      close to the variant rs944289 that predisposes to papillary thyroid carcinoma
      (PTC) might target the S100A4 gene. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to investigate the
      impact of PTCSC3 on S100A4 expression and its role in cancer development. DESIGN:
      S100A4 abundance was analyzed by quantitative PCR (qPCR) in unaffected and tumor
      tissue from n = 73 PTC patients. The expression of PTCSC3 and S100A4 was studied
      in BCPAP and TPC-1 cell lines with forced expression of PTCSC3 by qPCR.
      Expression of S100A4 target genes (VEGF and MMP-9) was studied in the BCPAP cell
      line with forced expression of PTCSC3 by qPCR, reverse transcriptase PCR, and
      Western blot. The impact of PTCSC3 on BCPAP motility and invasiveness was
      analyzed by the Transwell and Matrigel assays, respectively. SETTING: This was a
      laboratory-based study using cells from clinical samples and thyroid cancer cell
      lines. MAIN OUTCOME AND MEASURE: We aimed to find evidence for a link between the
      expression of PTCSC3 and thyroid carcinogenesis. RESULTS: Expression data from
      PTC cell lines pinpointed S100A4 as the most significantly downregulated gene in
      the presence of PTCSC3. S100A4 was upregulated in tumor tissue (P = 9.33 * 10(
      7)) while PTCSC3 was strongly downregulated (P = 2.2 * 10(-16)). S100A4
      transcription was moderately correlated with PTCSC3 expression in unaffected
      thyroid tissue (r = 0.429, P = .0001), and strongly in unaffected tissue of
      patients with the risk allele of rs944289 (r = 0.685, P = 7.88 * 10(-5)). S100A4,
      VEGF, and MMP-9 were suppressed in the presence of PTCSC3 (P = .0051, P = .0090,
      and P =.0037, respectively). PTC cells expressing PTCSC3 showed reduction in
      motility and invasiveness (P = 4.52 * 10(-5) and P = 1.0 * 10(-4), respectively).
      CONCLUSIONS: PTCSC3 downregulates S100A4, leading to a reduction in cell motility
      and invasiveness. We propose that PTCSC3 impacts PTC predisposition and
      carcinogenesis through the S100A4 pathway.

PMID- 26274345
TI  - One-Hour Postload Hyperglycemia Is a Stronger Predictor of Type 2 Diabetes Than
      Impaired Fasting Glucose.
AB  - CONTEXT: Subjects with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) but 1-h postload glucose >=
      155 mg/dL (NGT-1h-high) exhibit an intermediate cardiometabolic risk profile
      between individuals with NGT and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). OBJECTIVE:
      This study aimed to evaluate whether NGT-1h-high subjects have different
      cardiometabolic characteristics and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes compared
      with individuals with isolated impaired fasting glucose (IFG). SETTING, DESIGN,
      AND PATIENTS: A cross-sectional analysis was performed on 595 nondiabetic
      subjects who underwent an oral glucose tolerance test and an euglycemic
      hyperinsulinemic clamp in an ambulatory care setting. In addition, a longitudinal
      analysis was performed on 392 individuals, who were reexamined after a followup
      of 5.2 +/- 0.9 y. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Insulin sensitivity, beta-cell function,
      and risk of developing diabetes were measured. RESULTS: Subjects with NGT-1h-high
      have a significant reduction of peripheral insulin sensitivity and beta-cell
      function, assessed by the disposition index, compared with either 1-h postload
      glucose < 155 mg/dL (NGT-1h-low) or IFG individuals, but not compared with IGT.
      Among the 392 subjects studied in the longitudinal analysis the incidence rate of
      type 2 diabetes over the follow-up period was 2.9, 16.7, 12.5, and 31.4% for
      subjects with NGT-1h-low, NGT-1h-high, IFG, and IGT, respectively. In a Cox
      proportional hazard regression analysis the risk of developing diabetes for NGT
      1h-high subjects was 4.02 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06-15.26); an even
      higher risk (6.67; 95% CI, 2.09-21.24) was observed in subjects with IGT, but not
      in the isolated IFG group (1.91; 95% CI, 0.44-8.29). CONCLUSIONS: NGT-1h-high
      subjects exhibit a higher risk of developing diabetes than those with IFG or NGT
      1h-low, likely due to decreased insulin sensitivity and beta-cell function.

PMID- 26274346
TI  - FGF21 Response to Critical Illness: Effect of Blood Glucose Control and Relation
      With Cellular Stress and Survival.
AB  - CONTEXT: Critical illness is hallmarked by mitochondrial damage, which is
      attenuated by targeting normoglycemia. Mitochondrial dysfunction induces
      fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF21) via the integrated stress response (ISR).
      OBJECTIVE: We evaluated whether critical illness elevates serum FGF21
      concentrations and whether targeting normoglycemia (80-110 mg/dL) with insulin vs
      tolerating hyperglycemia may lower serum FGF21 by attenuating mitochondrial
      dysfunction and the ISR. SETTING/DESIGN: We quantified serum FGF21 concentrations
      in critically ill patients. To allow tissue analyses, including hepatic fgf21
      expression in relation with mitochondrial function and ISR markers, we studied
      critically ill rabbits. Patients and rabbits were randomized to hyper- or
      normoglycemia. Patients/Other Participants: We studied 405 fed critically ill
      patients vs 20 matched non-critically ill control subjects as well as 26
      critically ill rabbits vs 13 healthy rabbits. INTERVENTIONS: Insulin was infused
      to control blood glucose. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES AND RESULTS: Serum FGF21
      concentrations upon intensive care unit admission were 8-fold higher than in
      control subjects (P < .0001), decreased with time, but always remained higher in
      nonsurvivors than survivors (P <= .006). Maintaining normoglycemia lowered serum
      FGF21 (P = .01), statistically explaining at least part of its mortality benefit.
      In ill rabbits, hepatic fgf21 expression was substantially increased (P < .0001)
      and was tightly correlated with mitochondrial dysfunction (all R(2) >= 0.49; all
      P <= .0006 for complex I and V) and ISR markers on day 3 (R(2) >= 0.73; P <=
      .0001), all lowered by targeting normoglycemia. CONCLUSION: Critical illness is a
      potent inducer of serum FGF21 and of liver fgf21 expression, possibly driven at
      least in part by mitochondrial damage and the ISR, which were all attenuated by
      targeting normoglycemia.

PMID- 26274347
TI  - Progressive Pseudorheumatoid Dysplasia With Delayed Diagnosis.

PMID- 26274348
TI  - Very Facile Polarity Umpolung and Noncovalent Functionalization of Inorganic
      Nanoparticles: A Tool Kit for Supramolecular Materials Chemistry.
AB  - The facile assembly of shell-by-shell (SbS)-coated nanoparticles [TiO2
      PAC16]@shell 1-7 (PAC16 = hexadecylphosphonic acid), which are soluble in water
      and can be isolated as stable solids, is reported. In these functional
      architectures, an umpolung of dispersibility (organic apolar versus water) was
      accomplished by the noncovalent binding of ligands 1-7 to titania nanoparticles
      [TiO2-PAC16] containing a first covalent coating with PAC16. Ligands 1-7 are
      amphiphilic and form the outer second shell of [TiO2-PAC16]@shell 1-7. The tailor
      designed dendritic building blocks 3-5 contain negative and positive charges in
      the same molecule, and ligands 6 and 7 contain a perylenetetracarboxylic acid
      dimide (PDI) core (6/7) as a photoactive reporter component. In the redox and
      photoactive system [TiO2-PAC16]@shell 7, electronic communication between the
      inorganic core to the PDI ligands was observed.

PMID- 26274349
TI  - What is the best strategy for retaining gestures in working memory?
AB  - This study aimed to determine whether the recall of gestures in working memory
      could be enhanced by verbal or gestural strategies. We also attempted to examine
      whether these strategies could help resist verbal or gestural interference. Fifty
      four participants were divided into three groups according to the content of the
      training session. This included a control group, a verbal strategy group (where
      gestures were associated with labels) and a gestural strategy group (where
      participants repeated gestures and were told to imagine reproducing the
      movements). During the experiment, the participants had to reproduce a series of
      gestures under three conditions: "no interference", gestural interference
      (gestural suppression) and verbal interference (articulatory suppression). The
      results showed that task performance was enhanced in the verbal strategy group,
      but there was no significant difference between the gestural strategy and control
      groups. Moreover, compared to the "no interference" condition, performance
      decreased in the presence of gestural interference, except within the verbal
      strategy group. Finally, verbal interference hindered performance in all groups.
      The discussion focuses on the use of labels to recall gestures and differentiates
      the induced strategies from self-initiated strategies.

PMID- 26274350
TI  - Relationship between antidepressant prescription and breast cancer: a population
      based study in Taiwan.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between antidepressant prescription and
      breast cancer. METHODS: The National Health Research Institute in Taiwan provided
      a database of 1 000 000 random subjects for this study. We identified 14 737 new
      antidepressant female users who were more than 15 years old during 1999-2005 with
      at least 10 prescriptions and one year exposure to an antidepressant. These were
      matched 1:1 by age and residence to non-antidepressant users from the same
      database to compare the risk of breast cancer. RESULTS: In a model adjusted by
      age, residence, insurance amount, and depressive disorder, antidepressant
      prescription was not associated with breast cancer risk. This held true for both
      selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants.
      CONCLUSIONS: There was no evidence for an association between antidepressant
      prescription and the risk of breast cancer. Copyright (c) 2015 John Wiley & Sons,
      Ltd.

PMID- 26274351
TI  - Comparative evaluation of the depletion-red cell exchange program with the
      Spectra Optia and the isovolemic hemodilution-red cell exchange method with the
      COBE Spectra in sickle cell disease patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study aims to compare in patients with sickle cell disease
      (SCD), the technical performance and packed red blood cell unit consumption
      between the automated depletion/Red Blood Cell exchange (RBCx) program (Spectra
      Optia Apheresis System) with the isovolemic hemodilution (IHD)/RBCx procedure
      (COBE Spectra Apheresis System) in a routine clinical setting. METHODS: We
      retrospectively reviewed the data of 23 patients treated between October 2010 and
      August 2013 who underwent repeated RBCx on both apheresis systems for preventive
      indications. Each patient was their own control and had undergone two procedures
      on each system, totaling 46 sessions per group. On Spectra Optia, we performed
      the automated depletion/RBCx program. For COBE Spectra, we used a modified
      IHD/RBCx protocol. All patients had an initial 250 mL depletion offset by a 5%
      albumin prior to the exchange procedure, for the respective device, with
      leucodepleted Rh/Kell compatible and cross-matched RBC packs. RESULTS: All
      procedures were well tolerated except three mild febrile nonhemolytic reactions.
      Postprocedure hemoglobin S (HbS), fraction of cells remaining (FCR), procedure
      duration and processed blood and anticoagulant volumes were comparable in the two
      groups. However, the RBCx volume was significantly higher for the Spectra Optia
      group (+71 mL, P = 0.01), with no significant difference in the number of RBC
      units used. CONCLUSIONS: Technical performance and packed RBC unit consumption
      were not compromised when switching from the COBE Spectra IHD/RBCx protocol to
      the depletion/RBCx protocol on the Spectra Optia. Tolerability was equal for both
      protocols. J. Clin. Apheresis 31:429-433, 2016. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 26274353
TI  - Student assistantship programme in practice: First hand experience at Cardiff
      University.

PMID- 26274354
TI  - Beyond limitations: Improving how we handle uncertainty in health professions
      education research.
AB  - The researchers' assumptions invariably influence research outcomes. This is true
      for both qualitative and quantitative studies. Assumptions or choices regarding
      underlying theories, causal relations, study setting and population, sampling
      strategies, participant non-response, data collection, data analysis, and
      researchers' perceptions and interpretations of results are among factors that
      can induce uncertainty in research findings. Researchers tend to treat these
      factors as potential study limitations, but how they may impact research findings
      is rarely explicated and, therefore, mostly unknown. In this article, we approach
      uncertainty as unavoidable in research and argue that communicating about
      uncertainty can inform researchers, policy makers and practitioners about the
      validity and applicability of the study findings for their interests and
      contexts. We illustrate approaches to address, interpret, and explicate
      uncertainty in medical education research in both qualitative and quantitative
      paradigms. Across research paradigms, we call on researchers to consider the
      uncertainty in their research findings, employ appropriate methods to explore its
      extent and effects in their work, and communicate it explicitly in their research
      papers. This will help to advance our understanding of the nature and
      implications of the emerging knowledge in our field.

PMID- 26274352
TI  - Isolation and Functional Analysis of an Immortalized Murine Cementocyte Cell
      Line, IDG-CM6.
AB  - The dental cementum covering the tooth root is similar to bone in several
      respects but remains poorly understood in terms of development and
      differentiation of cementoblasts, as well as the potential function(s) of
      cementocytes residing in the cellular cementum. It is not known if the
      cementocyte is a dynamic actor in cementum metabolism, comparable to the
      osteocyte in the bone. Cementocytes exhibit irregular spacing and lacunar shape,
      with fewer canalicular connections compared with osteocytes. Immunohistochemistry
      and quantitative PCR (qPCR) revealed that the in vivo expression profile of
      cementocytes paralleled that of osteocytes, including expression of dentin matrix
      protein 1 (Dmp1/DMP1), Sost/sclerostin, E11/gp38/podoplanin, Tnfrsf11b
      (osteoprotegerin [OPG]), and Tnfsf11 (receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand
      [RANKL]). We used the Immortomouse(+/-); Dmp1-GFP(+/-) mice to isolate
      cementocytes as Dmp1-expressing cells followed by immortalization using the
      interferon (IFN)-gamma-inducible promoter driving expression of a thermolabile
      large T antigen to create the first immortalized line of cementocytes, IDG-CM6.
      This cell line reproduced the expression profile of cementocytes observed in
      vivo, including alkaline phosphatase activity and mineralization. IDG-CM6 cells
      expressed higher levels of Tnfrsf11b and lower levels of Tnfsf11 compared with
      IDG-SW3 osteocytes, and under fluid flow shear stress, IDG-CM6 cells
      significantly increased OPG while decreasing RANKL, leading to a significantly
      increased OPG/RANKL ratio, which would inhibit osteoclast activation. These
      studies indicate similarities yet potentially important differences in the
      function of cementocytes compared with osteocytes and support cementocytes as
      mechanically responsive cells.

PMID- 26274355
TI  - Learning to prescribe in a student-run clinic.

PMID- 26274356
TI  - Should the General Medical Council explore the use of digital badges?

PMID- 26274357
TI  - Tablet- or iPAD-based marking of OSCEs and MMIs: An imaginative cost-saving
      approach.

PMID- 26274358
TI  - Response to "Different forms of intuitions".

PMID- 26274359
TI  - The hidden and informal curriculum across the continuum of training: A cross
      sectional qualitative study.
AB  - PURPOSE: The hidden and informal curricula refer to learning in response to
      unarticulated processes and constraints, falling outside the formal medical
      curriculum. The hidden curriculum has been identified as requiring attention
      across all levels of learning. We sought to assess the knowledge and perceptions
      of the hidden and informal curricula across the continuum of learning at a single
      institution. METHODS: Focus groups were held with undergraduate and postgraduate
      learners and faculty to explore knowledge and perceptions relating to the hidden
      and informal curricula. Thematic analysis was conducted both inductively by
      research team members and deductively using questions structured by the existing
      literature. RESULTS: Participants highlighted several themes related to the
      presence of the hidden and informal curricula in medical training and practice,
      including: the privileging of some specialties over others; the reinforcement of
      hierarchies within medicine; and a culture of tolerance towards unprofessional
      behaviors. Participants acknowledged the importance of role modeling in the
      development of professional identities and discussed the deterioration in
      idealism that occurs. CONCLUSIONS: Common issues pertaining to the hidden
      curriculum exist across all levels of learners, including faculty. Increased
      awareness of these issues could allow for the further development of methods to
      address learning within the hidden curriculum.

PMID- 26274360
TI  - Treating your own students: Ethical challenges for mental health professionals.

PMID- 26274361
TI  - Installing multifunctionality on titanium with RGD-decorated polyurethane
      polyurea roxithromycin loaded nanoparticles: toward new osseointegrative
      therapies.
AB  - A novel class of polyurethane-polyurea nanoparticles (PUUa NPs) to install
      multifunctionality on biomaterials is presented. Biofunctionalization of titanium
      with roxithromycin loaded RGD-decorated PUUa NPs results in an outstanding
      improvement of osteoblast adhesion and strong suppression of bacterial
      attachment. This strategy represents a powerful approach to enhance the
      osseointegration of implant materials. 

PMID- 26274362
TI  - Physiotherapy for Patients on Awake Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A
      Systematic Review.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is used as
      temporary life support in subjects with potentially reversible
      respiratory/cardiac failure. The principal purpose of this review was to assess
      the characteristics and potential advantages of physiotherapeutic interventions
      in subjects on awake ECMO support. METHODS: Seven databases were interrogated: we
      searched titles, abstracts and keywords using the Medical Subject Headings terms
      'extracorporeal membrane oxygenation' and 'rehabilitation' linked with the
      Boolean operator 'AND'. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: In total, 216 citations were
      retrieved. Nine citations satisfied our inclusion criteria and were subjected to
      full-text analysis. The numbers of patients enrolled in the included studies
      (most of which were case series) were low (n = 52). We found no prospective
      studies or randomized controlled trials. Overall, subjects on awake ECMO usually
      received a combination of passive and active physiotherapy, and most achieved an
      acceptable degree of autonomy after treatment. Emerging research in the field
      affords preliminary evidence supporting the safety of early mobilization and
      ambulation in patients on awake veno-venous ECMO support. Copyright (c) 2015 John
      Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 26274363
TI  - Corrigendum: Resonantly excited precession motion of three-dimensional vortex
      core in magnetic nanospheres.

PMID- 26274364
TI  - What's New in Shock? September 2015.

PMID- 26274366
TI  - Shock in the First 24 h of Intensive Care Unit Stay: Observational study of
      Protocol-Based Fluid Management.

PMID- 26274365
TI  - Does Insulin Protect the Brain in Mice and Man with Sepsis?

PMID- 26274367
TI  - Shock in the First 24 h of Intensive Care Unit Stay: Observational Study of
      Protocol-Based Fluid Management: Reply.

PMID- 26274368
TI  - Peptide flatlandia: a new-concept peptide for positioning of electroactive probes
      in proximity to a metal surface.
AB  - A helical hexapeptide was designed to link in a rigid parallel orientation to a
      gold surface. The peptide sequence of the newly synthesized compound is
      characterized by the presence of two 4-amino-1,2-dithiolane-4-carboxylic acid
      (Adt) residues (positions 1 and 4) to promote a bidentate interaction with the
      gold surface, two L-Ala residues (positions 2 and 5) and two-aminoisobutyric acid
      (Aib) residues (positions 3 and 6) to favor a high population of the 310-helix
      conformation. Furthermore, a ferrocenoyl (Fc) probe was inserted at the N
      terminus to investigate the electronic conduction properties of the peptide. X
      Ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy techniques were
      used to characterize the binding of the peptide to the gold surface and the
      morphology of the peptide layer, respectively. Several electrochemical (cyclic
      voltammetry, chronoamperometry, square wave voltammetry) techniques were applied
      to analyze the electrochemical activity of the Fc probe, along with the influence
      of the peptide 3D-structure and the peptide layer morphology on electron transfer
      processes.

PMID- 26274369
TI  - Increased peripheral vascular resistance in male patients with traumatic lower
      limb amputation: one piece of the cardiovascular risk puzzle.
AB  - AIM: The increased morbidity and mortality in traumatic lower limb amputees can
      be explained by the development of risk factors, among which high blood pressure
      plays an important role. However, the possible mechanisms underlying increased
      blood pressure levels observed in this population remain unclear. Thus, we aimed
      to test the hypothesis that peripheral vascular resistance is increased at rest
      in patients with traumatic lower limb amputation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a
      cross-sectional study, eight patients with traumatic unilateral lower limb
      amputation (amputee group) and eight healthy individuals without amputation
      (control group) were included. Resting blood pressure, heart rate, and forearm
      blood flow were recorded simultaneously and thus, forearm vascular resistance was
      calculated. RESULTS: The amputee group showed higher systolic (126+/-2 vs. 118+/
      5 mmHg, P<0.01), diastolic (78+/-2 vs. 63+/-3 mmHg, P<0.01), mean blood pressure
      (94+/-2 vs. 81+/-3 mmHg, P<0.01), and heart rate (74+/-5 vs. 65+/-8 bpm, P=0.02)
      compared with the control group. Despite the similar forearm blood flow response
      between groups, patients with traumatic lower limb amputation presented increased
      peripheral vascular resistance at rest compared with the control group (31.3+/
      3.8 vs. 25.7+/-6.5 U, P=0.05). CONCLUSION: Patients with traumatic amputation
      present increased peripheral vascular resistance. Our findings clarify one
      possible mechanism underlying the higher blood pressure levels observed in this
      population.

PMID- 26274370
TI  - Exploration of minimum energy conical intersection structures of small polycyclic
      aromatic hydrocarbons: toward an understanding of the size dependence of
      fluorescence quantum yields.
AB  - Minimum energy conical intersection (MECI) geometries were searched for
      polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) consisting of up to 26 atoms. The energy
      barriers to the obtained MECIs showed a correlation with their fluorescence
      quantum yields. This provides a theoretical rationale for the size dependence of
      the fluorescence quantum yields seen in these PAHs. 

PMID- 26274372
TI  - Effect of 12 Weeks of Periodized Resistance Training Upon Total Plasma
      Adiponectin Concentration in Healthy Young Men.
AB  - The effects of resistance training on adiponectin have thus far yielded equivocal
      results. However, the effect of periodized resistance training on plasma
      adiponectin in offspring of type 2 diabetic and nondiabetic (ND) parents (first
      degree family history) has yet to be determined. Untrained healthy young men with
      and without a first-degree family history of type 2 diabetes were assigned to an
      exercise intervention group (E) or an active control group (C). The E group
      performed a 12-week periodized resistance training program, whereas the C group
      did not participate in any structured exercise program. Fasting plasma samples
      were obtained pre- and posttraining. Total plasma adiponectin changed
      significantly in the E group (33.7 +/- 14.7%, p = 0.025) but not in the C group
      (10.8 +/- 19.2%). Offspring of type 2 diabetic parents subjects had significantly
      greater improvements in plasma adiponectin (69.3 +/- 34.8%) compared with ND
      subjects (-3.2 +/- 29.9%, p = 0.046). Regular aerobic exercise was significantly
      correlated with average plasma adiponectin (r = 0.32), whereas first-degree
      family history of type 2 diabetes (r = -0.58) and decreases in body fat
      percentage (r = -0.77) were inversely correlated with average plasma adiponectin.
      Periodized high-intensity resistance training seems to increase plasma
      adiponectin, particularly in individuals with a first-degree family history of
      type 2 diabetes or those who experience a significant loss of fat mass. The
      direct correlation between regular aerobic exercise and adiponectin further
      suggests that a combination of aerobic and resistance training yields greater
      improvements in plasma adiponectin compared with resistance training alone.

PMID- 26274371
TI  - Fluorescence Biomembrane Force Probe: Concurrent Quantitation of Receptor-ligand
      Kinetics and Binding-induced Intracellular Signaling on a Single Cell.
AB  - Membrane receptor-ligand interactions mediate many cellular functions. Binding
      kinetics and downstream signaling triggered by these molecular interactions are
      likely affected by the mechanical environment in which binding and signaling take
      place. A recent study demonstrated that mechanical force can regulate antigen
      recognition by and triggering of the T-cell receptor (TCR). This was made
      possible by a new technology we developed and termed fluorescence biomembrane
      force probe (fBFP), which combines single-molecule force spectroscopy with
      fluorescence microscopy. Using an ultra-soft human red blood cell as the
      sensitive force sensor, a high-speed camera and real-time imaging tracking
      techniques, the fBFP is of ~1 pN (10(-12) N), ~3 nm and ~0.5 msec in force,
      spatial and temporal resolution. With the fBFP, one can precisely measure single
      receptor-ligand binding kinetics under force regulation and simultaneously image
      binding-triggered intracellular calcium signaling on a single live cell. This new
      technology can be used to study other membrane receptor-ligand interaction and
      signaling in other cells under mechanical regulation. 

PMID- 26274373
TI  - Nanoparticle stability in biologically relevant media: influence of polymer
      architecture.
AB  - We have contrasted the behavior of nanoparticles formed by the self-assembly of
      polymers based on poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and poly(D,L-lactide), with linear,
      linear-dendritic and bottle-brush architectures in biologically relevant media.
      Polymer PEG content ranged between 14% and 46% w/w, and self-assembly was
      triggered by a rapid and large change in solvent quality inside a four-stream
      vortex mixer. We examined nanoparticle interaction with human serum albumin
      (HSA), and solute release in the presence of fetal bovine serum. Dynamic light
      scattering data showed that PEG surface brushes of all nanoparticles provided
      effective steric stabilization, thus limiting their interaction with human serum
      albumin. Calorimetric experiments revealed that nanoparticle-HSA interaction was
      relatively weak and enthalpically driven, whereas dynamic light scattering
      results of incubated nanoparticles showed the absence of larger aggregates for
      most of the polymers examined. Solute core partitioning was examined by the loss
      of Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) from a core-loaded donor-acceptor
      pair. The rate and magnitude of FRET efficiency loss was strongly dependent on
      the polymer architecture, and was found to be lowest for the bottle-brush,
      attributed to its covalent nature. Collectively, these findings are expected to
      impact the molecular design of increasingly stable polymeric carriers for drug
      delivery applications.

PMID- 26274374
TI  - Complex Information for Anesthesiologists Presented Quickly and Clearly.

PMID- 26274376
TI  - Perceived grip, balance and comfort of yoga and gym mats correlate with
      biomechanical and mechanical assessment.

PMID- 26274375
TI  - An Organotypic High Throughput System for Characterization of Drug Sensitivity of
      Primary Multiple Myeloma Cells.
AB  - In this work we describe a novel approach that combines ex vivo drug sensitivity
      assays and digital image analysis to estimate chemosensitivity and heterogeneity
      of patient-derived multiple myeloma (MM) cells. This approach consists in seeding
      primary MM cells freshly extracted from bone marrow aspirates into microfluidic
      chambers implemented in multi-well plates, each consisting of a reconstruction of
      the bone marrow microenvironment, including extracellular matrix (collagen or
      basement membrane matrix) and stroma (patient-derived mesenchymal stem cells) or
      human-derived endothelial cells (HUVECs). The chambers are drugged with different
      agents and concentrations, and are imaged sequentially for 96 hr through bright
      field microscopy, in a motorized microscope equipped with a digital camera.
      Digital image analysis software detects live and dead cells from presence or
      absence of membrane motion, and generates curves of change in viability as a
      function of drug concentration and exposure time. We use a computational model to
      determine the parameters of chemosensitivity of the tumor population to each
      drug, as well as the number of sub-populations present as a measure of tumor
      heterogeneity. These patient-tailored models can then be used to simulate
      therapeutic regimens and estimate clinical response. 

PMID- 26274377
TI  - Optimization of Synthetic Proteins: Identification of Interpositional
      Dependencies Indicating Structurally and/or Functionally Linked Residues.
AB  - Protein alignments are commonly used to evaluate the similarity of protein
      residues, and the derived consensus sequence used for identifying functional
      units (e.g., domains). Traditional consensus-building models fail to account for
      interpositional dependencies - functionally required covariation of residues that
      tend to appear simultaneously throughout evolution and across the phylogentic
      tree. These relationships can reveal important clues about the processes of
      protein folding, thermostability, and the formation of functional sites, which in
      turn can be used to inform the engineering of synthetic proteins. Unfortunately,
      these relationships essentially form sub-motifs which cannot be predicted by
      simple "majority rule" or even HMM-based consensus models, and the result can be
      a biologically invalid "consensus" which is not only never seen in nature but is
      less viable than any extant protein. We have developed a visual analytics tool,
      StickWRLD, which creates an interactive 3D representation of a protein alignment
      and clearly displays covarying residues. The user has the ability to pan and
      zoom, as well as dynamically change the statistical threshold underlying the
      identification of covariants. StickWRLD has previously been successfully used to
      identify functionally-required covarying residues in proteins such as Adenylate
      Kinase and in DNA sequences such as endonuclease target sites. 

PMID- 26274378
TI  - Gene Transfection toward Spheroid Cells on Micropatterned Culture Plates for
      Genetically-modified Cell Transplantation.
AB  - To improve the therapeutic effectiveness of cell transplantation, a
      transplantation system of genetically modified, injectable spheroids was
      developed. The cell spheroids are prepared in a culture system on micropatterned
      plates coated with a thermosensitive polymer. A number of spheroids are formed on
      the plates, corresponding to the cell adhesion areas of 100 um diameter that are
      regularly arrayed in a two-dimensional manner, surrounded by non-adhesive areas
      that are coated by a polyethylene glycol (PEG) matrix. The spheroids can be
      easily recovered as a liquid suspension by lowering the temperature of the
      plates, and their structure is well maintained by passing them through injection
      needles with a sufficiently large caliber (over 27 G). Genetic modification is
      achieved by gene transfection using the original non-viral gene carrier, polyplex
      nanomicelle, which is capable of introducing genes into cells without disrupting
      the spheroid structure. For primary hepatocyte spheroids transfected with a
      luciferase-expressing gene, the luciferase is sustainably obtained in
      transplanted animals, along with preserved hepatocyte function, as indicated by
      albumin expression. This system can be applied to a variety of cell types
      including mesenchymal stem cells. 

PMID- 26274379
TI  - Ultrasound Elastography in Breast Cancer Diagnosis.
AB  - Ultrasound elastography is an established method for characterization of focal
      lesions in the breast. Different techniques and analyses of the images may be
      used for the characterization. This article addresses the use of ultrasound
      elastography in breast cancer diagnosis. In the first part of the article the
      techniques behind both strain- and shear-wave-elastography are explained and
      followed by a section on how to obtain adequate elastography images and
      measurements. In the second part of the article the application of elastography
      as an adjunct to B-mode ultrasound in clinical practice is described, and the
      potential diagnostic gains and limitations of elastography are discussed. 

PMID- 26274380
TI  - Importance of Transvaginal Elastography in the Diagnosis of Uterine Fibroids and
      Adenomyosis.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate normal uterine tissue with special regard to age and the
      presence of uterine fibroids and adenomyosis with transvaginal elastography.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a prospective study elastographic data of the uterus
      were obtained in 206 unselected women with transvaginal ultrasound. Women who
      presented without any uterine pathology in ultrasonography were included in a
      control group, women with uterine fibroids in a uterine fibroid group, and women
      with adenomyosis in an adenomyosis group. In the control group strain values were
      measured at two regions of interest (ROIs) placed one upon the other in the
      anterior inferior uterine segment during a cycle of compression. The maximum
      strain ratio (ROI1 / ROI2) was stored as the "age index". In all groups strain
      values were measured at two ROIs placed side by side in a uterine fibroid
      (uterine fibroid group) or adenomyosis (adenomyosis group) or healthy homogeneous
      tissue (control group) and adjacent healthy tissue. Maximum strain ratios (ROI3 /
      ROI4) were stored as the "lesion index". RESULTS: The "age index" was
      significantly negatively correlated with the age of the women (r = -0.49, p <
      0.001). The median "lesion indices" were significantly (p < 0.001) different
      between the uterine fibroid, adenomyosis and control groups. Median "lesion
      indices" were 2.65, 0.44 and 1.19, respectively. CONCLUSION: The "age index"
      shows that normal uterine tissue has a certain age-dependent stiffness that
      increases with age. The "lesion index" allows for the assessment of the presence
      of a uterine fibroid or adenomyosis and helps to differentiate between both focal
      findings. Thus the use of elastography in addition to conventional ultrasound
      could help to diagnose uterine focal lesions and may be useful in preoperative
      planning.

PMID- 26274381
TI  - Multimodal Ultrasonographic Pathway of Parotid Gland Lesions.
AB  - Purpose To evaluate a multimodal pathway in solitary circumscribed parotid gland
      lesions (PL) to predict tumor dignity and to avoid repeat surgery. Materials and
      Methods 202 patients with PL underwent medical history, clinical examination,
      high-resolution B-mode ultrasound (US), real-time sonoelastography (RTE), color
      coded duplex sonography (CDS), and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS).
      Malignancy was suspected when: 1. patients reported on previous cutaneous head
      and neck (H&N) malignancy; 2. patients presented synchronous cutaneous H&N
      malignancy and/or facial palsy; 3. US visualized poorly defined tumor borders
      and/or pathological cervical lymph nodes; 4. PL showed poor vascularization in
      CDS with enhanced perfusion kinetics in CEUS; 5. PL showed moderate/strong
      vascularization with delayed perfusion kinetics. Intraoperative frozen section
      was performed in PLs suspicious for malignancy, and surgery was extended when
      malignancy was confirmed. The sensitivity, specificity, negative, and positive
      predictive values (NPV/PPV) were calculated. Results Histology revealed 170
      benign and 32 malignant PLs. Medical history, clinical examination, and B-mode US
      identified malignancy with a sensitivity/specificity of 77 %/98 %. After
      application of CDS and CEUS in the multimodal pathway, the sensitivity of
      malignant tumors increased to 91 %. The decreased specificity (81 %) was
      equalized by intraoperative frozen section (PPV 48 %, NPV 98 %). After
      application of the multimodal pathway, only 1 patient underwent repeat surgery.
      Conclusion The multimodal pathway is a useful method to predict dignity in PLs
      and reduces the number of repeat surgeries.

PMID- 26274382
TI  - Harmonic Contrast-Enhanced Endoscopic Ultrasonography for the Guidance of Fine
      Needle Aspiration in Solid Pancreatic Masses.
AB  - Purpose The global accuracy of fine-needle aspiration guided by endoscopic
      ultrasound (EUS-FNA) for pancreatic adenocarcinoma is about 85 %. The use of
      contrast agents during EUS to highlight vessels and the necrotic parts of
      pancreatic masses may improve biopsy guidance. Our aim was to assess whether the
      guidance of FNA by harmonic contrast-enhanced endoscopic ultrasound (CH-EUS)
      would increase diagnostic accuracy relative to conventional EUS-FNA in the same
      pancreatic masses. Patients and Methods In a prospective study, EUS-FNA was
      performed in patients with pancreatic masses on CT scan, followed by harmonic CH
      EUS using SonoVue. A second cluster of CH-EUS-FNA was performed on contrast
      enhanced images. The final diagnosis was based on the results of EUS-FNA and
      surgery, or the findings after 12 months' follow-up. Results The final diagnosis
      was adenocarcinoma (n = 35), chronic pancreatitis (n = 10), or other (n = 6). The
      diagnostic accuracy based on core histology was 78.4 % for EUS-FNA and 86.5 % for
      CH-EUS-FNA (p = 0.35). The accuracy increased to 94 % when the two methods'
      results were combined. The two false-negative EUS-FNA cases were correctly
      appreciated by CH-EUS. Neither core histology size nor the presence of necrosis
      was significant for the true-positive diagnosis of malignancy. Conclusion CH-EUS
      FNA had an insignificant incremental effect on diagnostic accuracy compared with
      conventional EUS-FNA in our small group. The presence of necrosis did not
      influence the results of CEUS-FNA. Qualitative assessment of the contrast uptake
      within the lesion was useful in false-negative EUS-FNA cases.

PMID- 26274384
TI  - Determining The Electromyographic Fatigue Threshold Following a Single Visit
      Exercise Test.
AB  - Theoretically, the electromyographic (EMG) fatigue threshold is the exercise
      intensity an individual can maintain indefinitely without the need to recruit
      more motor units which is associated with an increase in the EMG amplitude.
      Although different protocols have been used to estimate the EMG fatigue threshold
      they require multiple visits which are impractical for a clinical setting. Here,
      we present a protocol for estimating the EMG fatigue threshold for cycle
      ergometry which requires a single visit. This protocol is simple, convenient, and
      completed within 15-20 min, therefore, has the potential to be translated into a
      tool that clinicians can use in exercise prescription. 

PMID- 26274385
TI  - Is that really my movement? - Students' experiences of a video-supported
      interactive learning model for movement awareness.
AB  - Healthcare staff and students have a great risk of developing musculoskeletal
      symptoms. One cause of this is heavy load related work activities such as manual
      handling, in which the quality of individual work technique may play a major
      role. Preventive interventions and well-defined educational strategies to support
      movement awareness and long-lasting movement changes need to be developed. The
      aim of the present study was to explore nursing students' experiences of a newly
      developed interactive learning model for movement awareness. The learning model,
      which is based on a life-world perspective with focus on interpersonal
      interaction, has been used with 11 undergraduate students from the second and
      final year. Each student participated in three individual video sessions with a
      facilitator. Two individual interviews were carried out with each student during
      the learning process and one interview 12-18 months after the last session. The
      interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim, and a phenomenological
      hermeneutic method inspired by Paul Ricoeur and described by Lindseth and Norberg
      was used to interpret the interviews and diary notes. The interpretation resulted
      in three key themes and nine subthemes. The key themes were; "Obtaining better
      preconditions for bodily awareness," "Experiencing changes in one's own
      movement," and "Experiencing challenges in the learning process." The interactive
      learning model entails a powerful and challenging experience that develops
      movement awareness. The experience of meaningfulness and usefulness emerges
      increasingly and alternates with a feeling of discomfort. The learning model may
      contribute to the body of knowledge of well-defined educational strategies in
      movement awareness and learning in, for example, preventive interventions and
      ergonomic education. It may also be valuable in other practical learning
      situations where movement awareness is required. 

PMID- 26274387
TI  - The role of body mass index, weight change desires and depressive symptoms in the
      health-related quality of life of children living in urban disadvantage: Testing
      mediation models.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study was undertaken to ascertain whether or not the body mass
      index (BMI) of urban disadvantaged children indirectly affects their health
      related quality of life (HRQoL) through weight change desires and depressive
      symptoms and whether such mediation is conditional upon age and gender. DESIGN: A
      total of 255 children aged 7-12 years (50% male) were recruited from 7 schools in
      urban disadvantaged districts in Ireland using consecutive sampling. A
      prospective longitudinal design was employed whereby children completed, at two
      time points, the Kidscreen-27, the Children's Depression Inventory, and the
      Health Related Behaviour Questionnaire, and had their BMI measured. The analyses
      involved multiple-, half-longitudinal- and moderated-mediation. RESULTS: Results
      showed that the depressive symptoms of children wanting to change their weight
      may have lead, in large part, to poorer HRQoL (specifically psychological well
      being when considering longitudinal data) rather than weight status per se. The
      mediation effect of weight change desires occurred regardless of age or gender.
      CONCLUSIONS: Childhood obesity programmes that traditionally focus on the
      negatives of obesity and the need to control weight may need to take a more
      positive approach to health and well-being by, for example promoting intuitive
      eating, an active lifestyle, body acceptance and good mental health.

PMID- 26274386
TI  - Microbead Implantation in the Zebrafish Embryo.
AB  - The zebrafish has emerged as a valuable genetic model system for the study of
      developmental biology and disease. Zebrafish share a high degree of genomic
      conservation, as well as similarities in cellular, molecular, and physiological
      processes, with other vertebrates including humans. During early ontogeny,
      zebrafish embryos are optically transparent, allowing researchers to visualize
      the dynamics of organogenesis using a simple stereomicroscope. Microbead
      implantation is a method that enables tissue manipulation through the alteration
      of factors in local environments. This allows researchers to assay the effects of
      any number of signaling molecules of interest, such as secreted peptides, at
      specific spatial and temporal points within the developing embryo. Here, we
      detail a protocol for how to manipulate and implant beads during early zebrafish
      development. 

PMID- 26274388
TI  - Differences in caregivers' psychological distress and associated factors by care
      recipients' gender and kinship.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: In this study, we examined the level of psychological distress of
      Japanese caregivers according to various combinations of the gender of care
      recipients and the kinship of caregivers (spouse, son, daughter, or daughter-in
      law). Furthermore, we explored the associated factors that could exacerbate or
      alleviate psychological distress. METHODS: We utilized a cross-sectional
      descriptive design and implemented a self-administered questionnaire survey with
      a two-stage stratified sample of community-dwelling caregivers of frail elderly
      persons throughout Japan. We surveyed 1279 caregiving families, and 1020
      questionnaires were completed by primary caregivers (response rate: 79.8%), with
      945 respondents providing data on the Japanese version of the Kessler 6
      psychological distress scale (K6). RESULTS: Caregivers' K6 scores varied
      significantly by care recipients' gender and their relationship with the
      caregiver. K6 scores were significantly higher among daughters-in-law caring for
      fathers-in-law than among daughters-in-law caring for mothers-in-law, wives
      caring for husbands, or daughters or sons caring for mothers. 'Negative influence
      of caregiving' and 'anxious about continuing caregiving' were factors that
      commonly exacerbated caregivers' psychological distress. Further analyses
      involving interactions indicated that the effects of 'anxious about continuing
      caregiving' and 'personal growth through caregiving' on the psychological
      distress of daughters-in-law varied by care recipients' gender as did the effects
      of an alleviating factor, 'keeping their own pace', on daughters. CONCLUSIONS:
      Psychological distress levels among family caregivers, as well as exacerbating
      and alleviating factors, varied depending on the gender and kinship of care
      recipients.

PMID- 26274389
TI  - Kapitza Resistance between Few-Layer Graphene and Water: Liquid Layering Effects.
AB  - The Kapitza resistance (RK) between few-layer graphene (FLG) and water was
      studied using molecular dynamics simulations. The RK was found to depend on the
      number of the layers in the FLG though, surprisingly, not on the water block
      thickness. This distinct size dependence is attributed to the large difference in
      the phonon mean free path between the FLG and water. Remarkably, RK is strongly
      dependent on the layering of water adjacent to the FLG, exhibiting an inverse
      proportionality relationship to the peak density of the first water layer, which
      is consistent with better acoustic phonon matching between FLG and water. These
      findings suggest novel ways to engineer the thermal transport properties of solid
      liquid interfaces by controlling and regulating the liquid layering at the
      interface. 

PMID- 26274390
TI  - Topological Study of the Structures of Heterochiral Peptides Containing Equal
      Amounts of l-Leu and d-Leu.
AB  - We designed and synthesized two dodecapeptides, Boc-(l-Leu-l-Leu-Aib-d-Leu-d-Leu
      Aib)2-OMe (5) and Boc-l-Leu-l-Leu-Aib-(d-Leu-d-Leu-Aib)2-l-Leu-l-Leu-Aib-OMe (6),
      that contain equal amounts of l-Leu, d-Leu, and achiral Aib residues. The
      conformations of peptides 5 and 6 in the crystalline state were studied using X
      ray crystallographic analysis. Peptide 5 formed a left-handed (M) alpha-helical
      structure, whereas peptide 6 was composed of a combination of fused (M) alpha
      helical and right-handed (P) 310-helical structures. In solution, roughly
      equivalent amounts of (P) and (M) helices were present in 5, whereas the (M)
      alpha-helix was present in 6 as its dominant conformation. 

PMID- 26274391
TI  - The Molecular Mechanism of the Catalase-like Activity in Horseradish Peroxidase.
AB  - Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) is one of the most relevant peroxidase enzymes, used
      extensively in immunochemistry and biocatalysis applications. Unlike the closely
      related catalase enzymes, it exhibits a low activity to disproportionate hydrogen
      peroxide (H2O2). The origin of this disparity remains unknown due to the lack of
      atomistic information on the catalase-like reaction in HRP. Using QM(DFT)/MM
      metadynamics simulations, we uncover the mechanism for reduction of the HRP
      Compound I intermediate by H2O2 at atomic detail. The reaction begins with a
      hydrogen atom transfer, forming a peroxyl radical and a Compound II-like species.
      Reorientation of the peroxyl radical in the active site, concomitant with the
      transfer of the second hydrogen atom, is the rate-limiting step, with a computed
      free energy barrier (18.7 kcal/mol, ~ 6 kcal/mol higher than the one obtained for
      catalase) in good agreement with experiments. Our simulations reveal the crucial
      role played by the distal pocket residues in accommodating H2O2, enabling
      formation of a Compound II-like intermediate, similar to catalases. However, out
      of the two pathways for Compound II reduction found in catalases, only one is
      operative in HRP. Moreover, the hydrogen bond network in the distal side of HRP
      compensates less efficiently than in catalases for the energetic cost required to
      reorient the peroxyl radical at the rate-determining step. The distal Arg and a
      water molecule in the "wet" active site of HRP have a substantial impact on the
      reaction barrier, compared to the "dry" active site in catalase. Therefore, the
      lower catalase-like efficiency of heme peroxidases compared to catalases can be
      directly attributed to the different distal pocket architecture, providing hints
      to engineer peroxidases with a higher rate of H2O2 disproportionation. 

PMID- 26274392
TI  - Angiopoietin-2 as a Prognostic Biomarker of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events
      and All-Cause Mortality in Chronic Kidney Disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients have higher prevalence of major
      adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and all-cause mortality. Endothelial damage
      and dysfunction have been regarded as early portents of MACE in CKD patients.
      Angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) impairs endothelial function and promotes aberrant
      neovascularization. The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between
      circulating Ang-2 and MACE or all-cause mortality in a CKD cohort. METHODS: A
      total of 621 pre-dialysis stage 3-5 CKD patients were enrolled from January 2006
      to December 2011 and were followed up till October 2014. Plasma Ang-2 was
      measured in duplicate using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays
      (ELISA). Clinical outcomes included MACE or all-cause mortality. RESULTS: Of all
      patients, 122 (19.8%) reached MACE or all-cause mortality. Seventy-two had MACE,
      79 died, and 29 had both MACE and all-cause mortality during the follow-up period
      of 41.5+/-28.3 months. Ang-2 quintile was divided at 1405.0, 1730.0, 2160.9, and
      2829.9 pg/ml. The adjusted HR of MACE or all-cause mortality for every single
      higher log Ang-2 was 5.69 (95% CI: 2.00-16.20, P = 0.001). The adjusted HR of
      MACE or all-cause mortality was 2.48 (95% CI: 1.25-4.90) for patients of quintile
      5 compared with those of quintile 1. A longitudinal association between MACE or
      all-cause mortality and stepwise increases in Ang-2 levels was found (P-trend =
      0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Ang-2 is an independent predictor of MACE or all-cause
      mortality in CKD patients. Additional study is necessary in order to explore the
      mechanism of the association of Ang-2 with adverse outcomes in patients with CKD.

PMID- 26274393
TI  - Risk of Severe Acute Exacerbation of Chronic HBV Infection Cancer Patients Who
      Underwent Chemotherapy and Did Not Receive Anti-Viral Prophylaxis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Reactivation of HBV replication with an increase in serum HBV DNA and
      alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity has been reported in 20-50% of hepatitis
      B carriers undergoing cytotoxic chemotherapy for cancer treatment. Manifestation
      of HBV reactivation ranges from asymptomatic self-limiting hepatitis to severe
      progressive hepatic failure and fatal consequences. AIM: To investigate the risk
      of severe acute exacerbation of chronic HBV infection in HBsAg-positive cancer
      patients with solid tumors or hematological malignancies who underwent
      chemotherapy without antiviral prophylaxis. METHODS: A retrospective review of
      charts was conducted for HBsAg-positive cancer patients in our institution who
      underwent chemotherapy and did not receive anti-viral prophylaxis between the
      periods of July 2007 to January 2013. We investigate the incidence of severe
      acute exacerbation of chronic HBV infection if these patients with a variety of
      solid tumors and hematological malignancies. RESULTS: A total of 156 patients
      (hematological malignancies: 16; solid tumors: 140) were included. The incidence
      of severe acute HBV exacerbation in the patients with hematological malignancy
      was higher than that in solid tumors (25.0% [4/16] vs 4.3% [6/140]); P = 0.005).
      Additionally, patients receiving rituximab-based chemotherapy had higher acute
      exacerbation rate than those with non-rituximab-based chemotherapy (40.0% vs
      4.1%, P = 0.001). Among the patients with solid tumors, the incidences of severe
      acute exacerbation of chronic HBV in hepatocellular carcinoma, colorectal cancer,
      lung cancer, breast cancer, gynecological cancer, urological tract cancer,
      head/neck cancer and other solid malignancies were 2.3%, 4.0%, 7.1%, 9.0%, 16.7%,
      6.7%, 0% and 0%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Severe acute exacerbation of chronic
      HBV infection may occur in HBsAg-positive patients with a variety of solid tumors
      who received chemotherapy without adequate anti-viral prophylaxis. Hematological
      malignancy and rituximab-based chemotherapy are the risk factors related to
      severe acute exacerbation of chronic HBV infection in HBsAg-positive cancer
      patients undergoing chemotherapy.

PMID- 26274394
TI  - Role of sph2 Gene Regulation in Hemolytic and Sphingomyelinase Activities
      Produced by Leptospira interrogans.
AB  - Pathogenic members of the genus Leptospira are the causative agents of
      leptospirosis, a neglected disease of public and veterinary health concern.
      Leptospirosis is a systemic disease that in its severest forms leads to renal
      insufficiency, hepatic dysfunction, and pulmonary failure. Many strains of
      Leptospira produce hemolytic and sphingomyelinase activities, and a number of
      candidate leptospiral hemolysins have been identified based on sequence
      similarity to well-characterized bacterial hemolysins. Five of the putative
      hemolysins are sphingomyelinase paralogs. Although recombinant forms of the
      sphingomyelinase Sph2 and other hemolysins lyse erythrocytes, none have been
      demonstrated to contribute to the hemolytic activity secreted by leptospiral
      cells. In this study, we examined the regulation of sph2 and its relationship to
      hemolytic and sphingomyelinase activities produced by several L. interrogans
      strains cultivated under the osmotic conditions found in the mammalian host. The
      sph2 gene was poorly expressed when the Fiocruz L1-130 (serovar Copenhageni),
      56601 (sv. Lai), and L495 (sv. Manilae) strains were cultivated in the standard
      culture medium EMJH. Raising EMJH osmolarity to physiological levels with sodium
      chloride enhanced Sph2 production in all three strains. In addition, the Pomona
      subtype kennewicki strain LC82-25 produced substantially greater amounts of Sph2
      during standard EMJH growth than the other strains, and sph2 expression increased
      further by addition of salt. When 10% rat serum was present in EMJH along with
      the sodium chloride supplement, Sph2 production increased further in all strains.
      Osmotic regulation and differences in basal Sph2 production in the Manilae L495
      and Pomona strains correlated with the levels of secreted hemolysin and
      sphingomyelinase activities. Finally, a transposon insertion in sph2 dramatically
      reduced hemolytic and sphingomyelinase activities during incubation of L.
      interrogans at physiologic osmolarity. Complementation of the mutation with the
      sph2 gene partially restored production of hemolytic and sphingomyelinase
      activities. These results indicate that the sph2 gene product contributes to the
      hemolytic and sphingomyelinase activities secreted by L. interrogans and most
      likely dominates those functions under the culture condition tested. 

PMID- 26274397
TI  - Establishing the Two-Photon Linkage Isomerization Mechanism in the Nitrosyl
      Complex trans-[RuCl(NO)(py)4](2+) by DFT and TDDFT.
AB  - The density functional theory calculations presented in this work allow the first
      rationalization of the full linkage photoisomerization mechanism of trans
      [RuCl(NO)(py)4](2+), in both the forward and reverse directions. These mechanisms
      are consistent with the experimental data establishing that blue-light
      irradiation triggers the forward process, while red or IR photons trigger the
      reverse process. Characterization of the singlet and lowest triplet potential
      energy surfaces shows that, despite the unfavorable thermodynamic character of
      the forward process, the topologies of the surfaces and particularly some crucial
      surface crossings enable the isomerization. In the forward Ru-NO -> Ru-ON
      direction, a sequential two-photon absorption mechanism is unraveled that
      involves a sideways-bonded metastable state. In contrast, in the reverse
      reaction, two mechanisms are proposed involving either one or two photons. 

PMID- 26274396
TI  - Binding Patterns of Rotavirus Genotypes P[4], P[6], and P[8] in China with Histo
      Blood Group Antigens.
AB  - Rotaviruses (RVs) are an important cause of severe gastroenteritis in children.
      It has been found that RV may recognize the histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs) as
      ligands or receptors and bind HBGAs in a type-dependent manner. In this study, we
      investigated the binding specificity of VP8* proteins from human rotaviruses (RV)
      that are prevalent in China including genotypes P[4], P[6], and P[8]. Through the
      saliva- and oligosaccharide-based binding assays, we found that the VP8* proteins
      of P[4] and P[8] RV showed similar reactivity with the Leb and H type 1 antigens,
      while P[6] RV weakly bound the Leb antigen. These findings may facilitate further
      research into RV host specificity and vaccine development.

PMID- 26274395
TI  - Additive Synergism between Asbestos and Smoking in Lung Cancer Risk: A Systematic
      Review and Meta-Analysis.
AB  - Smoking and asbestos exposure are important risks for lung cancer. Several
      epidemiological studies have linked asbestos exposure and smoking to lung cancer.
      To reconcile and unify these results, we conducted a systematic review and meta
      analysis to provide a quantitative estimate of the increased risk of lung cancer
      associated with asbestos exposure and cigarette smoking and to classify their
      interaction. Five electronic databases were searched from inception to May, 2015
      for observational studies on lung cancer. All case-control (N = 10) and cohort (N
      = 7) studies were included in the analysis. We calculated pooled odds ratios
      (ORs), relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using a random
      effects model for the association of asbestos exposure and smoking with lung
      cancer. Lung cancer patients who were not exposed to asbestos and non-smoking (A
      S-) were compared with; (i) asbestos-exposed and non-smoking (A+S-), (ii) non
      exposure to asbestos and smoking (A-S+), and (iii) asbestos-exposed and smoking
      (A+S+). Our meta-analysis showed a significant difference in risk of developing
      lung cancer among asbestos exposed and/or smoking workers compared to controls (A
      S-), odds ratios for the disease (95% CI) were (i) 1.70 (A+S-, 1.31-2.21), (ii)
      5.65; (A-S+, 3.38-9.42), (iii) 8.70 (A+S+, 5.8-13.10). The additive interaction
      index of synergy was 1.44 (95% CI = 1.26-1.77) and the multiplicative index =
      0.91 (95% CI = 0.63-1.30). Corresponding values for cohort studies were 1.11 (95%
      CI = 1.00-1.28) and 0.51 (95% CI = 0.31-0.85). Our results point to an additive
      synergism for lung cancer with co-exposure of asbestos and cigarette smoking.
      Assessments of industrial health risks should take smoking and other airborne
      health risks when setting occupational asbestos exposure limits. 

PMID- 26274398
TI  - Age influences the relation between subjective valence ratings and emotional word
      use during autobiographical memory retrieval.
AB  - Recent research reveals an age-related increase in positive autobiographical
      memory retrieval using a number of positivity measures, including valence ratings
      and positive word use. It is currently unclear whether the positivity shift in
      each of these measures co-occurs, or if age uniquely influences multiple
      components of autobiographical memory retrieval. The current study examined the
      correspondence between valence ratings and emotional word use in young and older
      adults' autobiographical memories. Positive word use in narratives was associated
      with valence ratings only in young adults' narratives. Older adults' narratives
      contained a consistent level of positive word use regardless of valence rating,
      suggesting that positive words and concepts may be chronically accessible to
      older adults during memory retrieval, regardless of subjective valence. Although
      a relation between negative word use in narratives and negative valence ratings
      was apparent in both young and older adults, it was stronger in older adults'
      narratives. These findings confirm that older adults do vary their word use in
      accordance with subjective valence, but they do so in a way that is different
      from young adults. The results also point to a potential dissociation between age
      related changes in subjective valence and in positive word use.

PMID- 26274399
TI  - Exposure of Asian Elephants and Other Exotic Ungulates to Schmallenberg Virus.
AB  - Schmallenberg virus (SBV) is an emerging Orthobunyavirus, first described in 2011
      in cattle in Germany and subsequently spread throughout Europe, affecting mainly
      ruminant livestock through the induction of foetal malformations. To gain a
      better understanding of the spectrum of susceptible species and to assess the
      value of current SBV serological assays, screening of serum samples from exotic
      artiodactyls and perissodactyls collected at the Living Collections from the
      Zoological Society of London (Whipsnade and London Zoos) and Chester Zoo was
      carried out. There was compelling evidence of SBV infection in both zoological
      collections. The competitive ELISA has proved to be applicable for the detection
      of SBV in exotic Bovidae, Cervidae, Suidae, Giraffidae and most notably in
      endangered Asian elephants (Elephas maximus), but unreliable for the screening of
      Camelidae, for which the plaque reduction neutralisation test was considered the
      assay of choice.

PMID- 26274400
TI  - Intramolecular Vibrational Energy Redistribution in 2-Thiocytosine: SH
      Rotamerization Induced by Near-IR Selective Excitation of NH2 Stretching
      Overtone.
AB  - Near-IR-induced transformations, converting one amino-thiol conformer of 2
      thiocytosine into another, were observed for monomers of the compound isolated in
      Ne, Ar, and N2 low-temperature matrixes. The two conformers involved in this
      phototransformation differ from each other by 180 degrees  rotation of the SH
      group. To induce the conversion, conformers of 2-thiocytosine were selectively
      excited to the overtone (or combination) NH2 stretching vibrational states, using
      very narrowband (fwhm <1 MHz) near-IR light generated in a tunable diode laser.
      The conformational changes were monitored by IR spectroscopy. The conformational
      transformation observed in the current work provides a clear evidence of the
      vibrational energy redistribution from the initially excited NH2 moiety to the
      remote SH group that changes its orientation. 

PMID- 26274402
TI  - Quantum Conditional Mutual Information, Reconstructed States, and State
      Redistribution.
AB  - We give two strengthenings of an inequality for the quantum conditional mutual
      information of a tripartite quantum state recently proved by Fawzi and Renner,
      connecting it with the ability to reconstruct the state from its bipartite
      reductions. Namely, we show that the conditional mutual information is an upper
      bound on the regularized relative entropy distance between the quantum state and
      its reconstructed version. It is also an upper bound for the measured relative
      entropy distance of the state to its reconstructed version. The main ingredient
      of the proof is the fact that the conditional mutual information is the optimal
      quantum communication rate in the task of state redistribution. 

PMID- 26274401
TI  - Effects of Fungicide and Adjuvant Sprays on Nesting Behavior in Two Managed
      Solitary Bees, Osmia lignaria and Megachile rotundata.
AB  - There is a growing body of empirical evidence showing that wild and managed bees
      are negatively impacted by various pesticides that are applied in agroecosystems
      around the world. The lethal and sublethal effects of two widely used fungicides
      and one adjuvant were assessed in cage studies in California on blue orchard
      bees, Osmia lignaria, and in cage studies in Utah on alfalfa leafcutting bees,
      Megachile rotundata. The fungicides tested were Rovral 4F (iprodione) and
      Pristine (mixture of pyraclostrobin + boscalid), and the adjuvant tested was N
      90, a non-ionic wetting agent (90% polyethoxylated nonylphenol) added to certain
      tank mixtures of fungicides to improve the distribution and contact of sprays to
      plants. In separate trials, we erected screened cages and released 20 paint
      marked females plus 30-50 males per cage to document the behavior of nesting bees
      under treated and control conditions. For all females in each cage, we recorded
      pollen-collecting trip times, nest substrate-collecting trip times (i.e., mud for
      O. lignaria and cut leaf pieces for M. rotundata), cell production rate, and the
      number of attempts each female made to enter her own or to enter other nest
      entrances upon returning from a foraging trip. No lethal effects of treatments
      were observed on adults, nor were there effects on time spent foraging for pollen
      and nest substrates and on cell production rate. However, Rovral 4F, Pristine,
      and N-90 disrupted the nest recognition abilities of O. lignaria females.
      Pristine, N-90, and Pristine + N-90 disrupted nest recognition ability of M.
      rotundata females. Electroantennogram responses of antennae of O. lignaria
      females maintained in the laboratory did not differ significantly between the
      fungicide-exposed and control bees. Our results provide the first empirical
      evidence that two commonly used fungicides and a non-ionic adjuvant can disrupt
      nest recognition in two managed solitary bee species. 

PMID- 26274403
TI  - Thresholds for Correcting Errors, Erasures, and Faulty Syndrome Measurements in
      Degenerate Quantum Codes.
AB  - We suggest a technique for constructing lower (existence) bounds for the fault
      tolerant threshold to scalable quantum computation applicable to degenerate
      quantum codes with sublinear distance scaling. We give explicit analytic
      expressions combining probabilities of erasures, depolarizing errors, and
      phenomenological syndrome measurement errors for quantum low-density parity-check
      codes with logarithmic or larger distances. These threshold estimates are
      parametrically better than the existing analytical bound based on percolation. 

PMID- 26274404
TI  - Negative Differential Conductivity in an Interacting Quantum Gas.
AB  - We report on the observation of negative differential conductivity (NDC) in a
      quantum transport device for neutral atoms employing a multimode tunneling
      junction. The system is realized with a Bose-Einstein condensate loaded in a one
      dimensional optical lattice with high site occupancy. We induce an initial
      difference in chemical potential at one site by local atom removal. The ensuing
      transport dynamics are governed by the interplay between the tunneling coupling,
      the interaction energy, and intrinsic collisions, which turn the coherent
      coupling into a hopping process. The resulting current-voltage characteristics
      exhibit NDC, for which we identify atom number-dependent tunneling as a new
      microscopic mechanism. Our study opens new ways for the future implementation and
      control of complex neutral atom quantum circuits. 

PMID- 26274405
TI  - Multidimensional Langevin Modeling of Nonoverdamped Dynamics.
AB  - Based on a given time series, data-driven Langevin modeling aims to construct a
      low-dimensional dynamical model of the underlying system. When dealing with
      physical data as provided by, e.g., all-atom molecular dynamics simulations,
      effects due to small damping may be important to correctly describe the
      statistics (e.g., the energy landscape) and the dynamics (e.g., transition
      times). To include these effects in a dynamical model, an algorithm that
      propagates a second-order Langevin scheme is derived, which facilitates the
      treatment of multidimensional data. Adopting extensive molecular dynamics
      simulations of a peptide helix, a five-dimensional model is constructed that
      successfully forecasts the complex structural dynamics of the system. Neglect of
      small damping effects, on the other hand, is shown to lead to significant errors
      and inconsistencies. 

PMID- 26274406
TI  - Krylov-Projected Quantum Monte Carlo Method.
AB  - We present an approach to the calculation of arbitrary spectral, thermal, and
      excited state properties within the full configuration interaction quzantum Monte
      Carlo framework. This is achieved via an unbiased projection of the Hamiltonian
      eigenvalue problem into a space of stochastically sampled Krylov vectors, thus,
      enabling the calculation of real-frequency spectral and thermal properties and
      avoiding explicit analytic continuation. We use this approach to calculate
      temperature-dependent properties and one- and two-body spectral functions for
      various Hubbard models, as well as isolated excited states in ab initio systems. 

PMID- 26274408
TI  - Mass Gap for Black-Hole Formation in Higher-Derivative and Ghost-Free Gravity.
AB  - We study a spherical gravitational collapse of a small mass in higher-derivative
      and ghost-free theories of gravity. By boosting a solution of linearized
      equations for a static point mass in such theories we obtain in the Penrose limit
      the gravitational field of an ultrarelativistic particle. Taking a superposition
      of such solutions we construct a metric of a collapsing null shell in the
      linearized higher-derivative and ghost-free gravity. The latter allows one to
      find the gravitational field of a thick null shell. By analyzing these solutions
      we demonstrate that in a wide class of the higher dimensional theories of gravity
      as well as for the ghost-free gravity there exists a mass gap for mini-black-hole
      production. We also found conditions when the curvature invariants remain finite
      at r=0 for the collapse of the thick null shell. 

PMID- 26274407
TI  - Binary Black Hole Mergers from Globular Clusters: Implications for Advanced LIGO.
AB  - The predicted rate of binary black hole mergers from galactic fields can vary
      over several orders of magnitude and is extremely sensitive to the assumptions of
      stellar evolution. But in dense stellar environments such as globular clusters,
      binary black holes form by well-understood gravitational interactions. In this
      Letter, we study the formation of black hole binaries in an extensive collection
      of realistic globular cluster models. By comparing these models to observed Milky
      Way and extragalactic globular clusters, we find that the mergers of dynamically
      formed binaries could be detected at a rate of ~100 per year, potentially
      dominating the binary black hole merger rate. We also find that a majority of
      cluster-formed binaries are more massive than their field-formed counterparts,
      suggesting that Advanced LIGO could identify certain binaries as originating from
      dense stellar environments. 

PMID- 26274410
TI  - Bootstrapping the Three Dimensional Supersymmetric Ising Model.
AB  - We implement the conformal bootstrap program for three dimensional conformal
      field theories with N=2 supersymmetry and find universal constraints on the
      spectrum of operator dimensions in these theories. By studying the bounds on the
      dimension of the first scalar appearing in the operator product expansion of a
      chiral and an antichiral primary, we find a kink at the expected location of the
      critical three dimensional N=2 Wess-Zumino model, which can be thought of as a
      supersymmetric analog of the critical Ising model. Focusing on this kink, we
      determine, to high accuracy, the low-lying spectrum of operator dimensions of the
      theory, as well as the stress-tensor two-point function. We find that the latter
      is in an excellent agreement with an exact computation. 

PMID- 26274409
TI  - Wide-Field Lensing Mass Maps from Dark Energy Survey Science Verification Data.
AB  - We present a mass map reconstructed from weak gravitational lensing shear
      measurements over 139  deg2 from the Dark Energy Survey science verification
      data. The mass map probes both luminous and dark matter, thus providing a tool
      for studying cosmology. We find good agreement between the mass map and the
      distribution of massive galaxy clusters identified using a red-sequence cluster
      finder. Potential candidates for superclusters and voids are identified using
      these maps. We measure the cross-correlation between the mass map and a magnitude
      limited foreground galaxy sample and find a detection at the 6.8sigma level with
      20 arc min smoothing. These measurements are consistent with simulated galaxy
      catalogs based on N-body simulations from a cold dark matter model with a
      cosmological constant. This suggests low systematics uncertainties in the map. We
      summarize our key findings in this Letter; the detailed methodology and tests for
      systematics are presented in a companion paper.

PMID- 26274412
TI  - Resolving the Tevatron Top Quark Forward-Backward Asymmetry Puzzle: Fully
      Differential Next-to-Next-to-Leading-Order Calculation.
AB  - We determine the dominant missing standard model (SM) contribution to the top
      quark pair forward-backward asymmetry at the Tevatron. Contrary to past
      expectations, we find a large, around 27%, shift relative to the well-known value
      of the inclusive asymmetry in next-to-leading order QCD. Combining all known
      standard model corrections, we find that A(FB)(SM)=0.095+/-0.007. This value is
      in agreement with the latest DO measurement [V. M. Abazov et al. (D0
      Collaboration), Phys. Rev. D 90, 072011 (2014)] A(FB)(D?)=0.106+/-0.03 and about
      1.5sigma below that of CDF [T. Aaltonen et al. (CDF Collaboration), Phys. Rev. D
      87, 092002 (2013)] A(FB)(CDF)=0.164+/-0.047. Our result is derived from a fully
      differential calculation of the next-to-next-to leading order (NNLO) QCD
      corrections to inclusive top pair production at hadron colliders and includes
      without any approximation-all partonic channels contributing to this process.
      This is the first complete fully differential calculation in NNLO QCD of a two-to
      two scattering process with all colored partons.

PMID- 26274413
TI  - Neutron Resonance Widths and the Porter-Thomas Distribution.
AB  - Experimental evidence has recently put the validity of the Porter-Thomas
      distribution (PTD) for partial neutron widths into question. We identify two
      terms in the effective Hamiltonian that violate orthogonal invariance (the basis
      for the PTD). Both are due to the coupling to the decay channels. We show that
      realistic estimates for the coupling to the neutron channel and for
      nonstatistical gamma decays yield significant modifications of the PTD, similar
      to the observed ones. 

PMID- 26274414
TI  - 23Na(alpha,p)26Mg Reaction Rate at Astrophysically Relevant Energies.
AB  - The production of 26Al in massive stars is sensitive to the 23Na(alpha,p)26Mg
      cross section. Recent experimental data suggest the currently recommended cross
      sections are underestimated by a factor of ~40. We present here differential
      cross sections for the 23Na(alpha,p)26Mg reaction measured in the energy range
      E(c.m.)=1.7-2.5  MeV. Concurrent measurements of Rutherford scattering provide
      absolute normalizations that are independent of variations in target properties.
      Angular distributions are measured for both p0 and p1 permitting the
      determination of total cross sections. The results show no significant deviation
      from the statistical model calculations upon which the recommended rates are
      based. We therefore retain the previous recommendation without the increase in
      cross section and resulting stellar reaction rates by a factor of 40, impacting
      the 26Al yield from massive stars by more than a factor of 3.

PMID- 26274415
TI  - Measurement of 23Na(alpha,p)26Mg at Energies Relevant to 26Al Production in
      Massive Stars.
AB  - 26Al is an important radioisotope in astrophysics that provides evidence of
      ongoing nucleosynthesis in the Galaxy. The 23Na(alpha, p)26Mg reaction has been
      identified by a sensitivity study as being one of the most important reactions
      for the production of 26Al in the convective C/Ne burning shell of massive stars.
      Owing to large uncertainties in previous experimental data, model calculations
      are used for the reaction rate of 23Na(alpha, p)26Mg in this sensitivity study.
      Current experimental data suggest a reaction rate a factor of ~40 higher than
      model calculations. However, a new measurement of this reaction cross section has
      been made in inverse kinematics in the energy range E(c.m.)=1.28-3.15  MeV at
      TRIUMF, and found to be in reasonable agreement with the model calculation. A new
      reaction rate is calculated and tight constraints on the uncertainty in the
      production of 26Al, due to this reaction, are determined.

PMID- 26274416
TI  - Control of Optical Transitions with Magnetic Fields in Weakly Bound Molecules.
AB  - In weakly bound diatomic molecules, energy levels are closely spaced and thus
      more susceptible to mixing by magnetic fields than in the constituent atoms. We
      use this effect to control the strengths of forbidden optical transitions in
      (88)Sr2 over 5 orders of magnitude with modest fields by taking advantage of the
      intercombination-line threshold. The physics behind this remarkable tunability is
      accurately explained with both a simple model and quantum chemistry calculations,
      and suggests new possibilities for molecular clocks. We show how mixed
      quantization in an optical lattice can simplify molecular spectroscopy.
      Furthermore, our observation of formerly inaccessible f-parity excited states
      offers an avenue for improving theoretical models of divalent-atom dimers.

PMID- 26274417
TI  - Anyon Hubbard Model in One-Dimensional Optical Lattices.
AB  - Raman-assisted hopping may be used to realize the anyon Hubbard model in one
      dimensional optical lattices. We propose a feasible scenario that significantly
      improves the proposal of T. Keilmann et al. [Nat. Commun. 2, 361 (2011)],
      allowing as well for an exact realization of the two-body hard-core constraint,
      and for controllable effective interactions without the need of Feshbach
      resonances. We show that the combination of anyonic statistics and two-body hard
      core constraint leads to a rich ground-state physics, including Mott insulators
      with attractive interactions, pair superfluids, dimer phases, and multicritical
      points. Moreover, the anyonic statistics results in a novel two-component
      superfluid of holon and doublon dimers, characterized by a large but finite
      compressibility and a multipeaked momentum distribution, which may be easily
      revealed experimentally. 

PMID- 26274418
TI  - Precision Isotope Shift Measurements in Calcium Ions Using Quantum Logic
      Detection Schemes.
AB  - We demonstrate an efficient high-precision optical spectroscopy technique for
      single trapped ions with nonclosed transitions. In a double-shelving technique,
      the absorption of a single photon is first amplified to several phonons of a
      normal motional mode shared with a cotrapped cooling ion of a different species,
      before being further amplified to thousands of fluorescence photons emitted by
      the cooling ion using the standard electron shelving technique. We employ this
      extension of the photon recoil spectroscopy technique to perform the first high
      precision absolute frequency measurement of the 2D(3/2)->2P(1/2) transition in
      calcium, resulting in a transition frequency of f=346 000 234 867(96)  kHz.
      Furthermore, we determine the isotope shift of this transition and the 2S(1/2)
      >2P(1/2) transition for 42Ca+, 44Ca+, and 48Ca+ ions relative to 40Ca+ with an
      accuracy below 100 kHz. Improved field and mass shift constants of these
      transitions as well as changes in mean square nuclear charge radii are extracted
      from this high resolution data.

PMID- 26274419
TI  - Experimental Phase-Space Tomography of Semiconductor Laser Dynamics.
AB  - We perform phase-space tomography of semiconductor laser dynamics by simultaneous
      experimental determination of optical intensity, frequency, and population
      inversion with high temporal resolution. We apply this technique to a laser with
      delayed feedback, serving as prominent example for high-dimensional chaotic
      dynamics and as model system for fundamental investigations of complex systems.
      Our approach allows us to explore so far unidentified trajectories in phase space
      and identify the underlying physical mechanism. 

PMID- 26274420
TI  - Transient Uncoupling Induces Synchronization.
AB  - Finding conditions that support synchronization is a fertile and active area of
      research with applications across multiple disciplines. Here we present and
      analyze a scheme for synchronizing chaotic dynamical systems by transiently
      uncoupling them. Specifically, systems coupled only in a fraction of their state
      space may synchronize even if fully coupled they do not. While for many standard
      systems coupling strengths need to be bounded to ensure synchrony, transient
      uncoupling removes this bound and thus enables synchronization in an infinite
      range of effective coupling strengths. The presented coupling scheme therefore
      opens up the possibility to induce synchrony in (biological or technical) systems
      whose parameters are fixed and cannot be modified continuously. 

PMID- 26274421
TI  - Nonlinear Hysteretic Torsional Waves.
AB  - We theoretically study and experimentally report the propagation of nonlinear
      hysteretic torsional pulses in a vertical granular chain made of cm-scale, self
      hanged magnetic beads. As predicted by contact mechanics, the torsional coupling
      between two beads is found to be nonlinear hysteretic. This results in a
      nonlinear pulse distortion essentially different from the distortion predicted by
      classical nonlinearities and in a complex dynamic response depending on the
      history of the wave particle angular velocity. Both are consistent with the
      predictions of purely hysteretic nonlinear elasticity and the Preisach-Mayergoyz
      hysteresis model, providing the opportunity to study the phenomenon of nonlinear
      dynamic hysteresis in the absence of other types of material nonlinearities. The
      proposed configuration reveals a plethora of interesting phenomena including
      giant amplitude-dependent attenuation, short-term memory, as well as dispersive
      properties. Thus, it could find interesting applications in nonlinear wave
      control devices such as strong amplitude-dependent filters. 

PMID- 26274422
TI  - Self-Consistent Simulation of Transport and Energy Deposition of Intense Laser
      Accelerated Proton Beams in Solid-Density Matter.
AB  - The first self-consistent hybrid particle-in-cell (PIC) simulation of intense
      proton beam transport and energy deposition in solid-density matter is presented.
      Both the individual proton slowing-down and the collective beam-plasma
      interaction effects are taken into account with a new dynamic proton stopping
      power module that has been added to a hybrid PIC code. In this module, the target
      local stopping power can be updated at each time step based on its thermodynamic
      state. For intense proton beams, the reduction of target stopping power from the
      cold condition due to continuous proton heating eventually leads to broadening of
      the particle range and energy deposition far beyond the Bragg peak. For tightly
      focused beams, large magnetic field growth in collective interactions results in
      self-focusing of the beam and much stronger localized heating of the target. 

PMID- 26274423
TI  - Temporal Narrowing of Neutrons Produced by High-Intensity Short-Pulse Lasers.
AB  - The production of neutron beams having short temporal duration is studied using
      ultraintense laser pulses. Laser-accelerated protons are spectrally filtered
      using a laser-triggered microlens to produce a short duration neutron pulse via
      nuclear reactions induced in a converter material (LiF). This produces a ~3  ns
      duration neutron pulse with 10(4)  n/MeV/sr/shot at 0.56 m from the laser
      irradiated proton source. The large spatial separation between the neutron
      production and the proton source allows for shielding from the copious and
      undesirable radiation resulting from the laser-plasma interaction. This neutron
      pulse compares favorably to the duration of conventional accelerator sources and
      should scale up with, present and future, higher energy laser facilities to
      produce brighter and shorter neutron beams for ultrafast probing of dense
      materials.

PMID- 26274425
TI  - Direct Observation of the Injection Dynamics of a Laser Wakefield Accelerator
      Using Few-Femtosecond Shadowgraphy.
AB  - We present few-femtosecond shadowgraphic snapshots taken during the nonlinear
      evolution of the plasma wave in a laser wakefield accelerator with transverse
      synchronized few-cycle probe pulses. These snapshots can be directly associated
      with the electron density distribution within the plasma wave and give
      quantitative information about its size and shape. Our results show that self
      injection of electrons into the first plasma-wave period is induced by a
      lengthening of the first plasma period. Three-dimensional particle-in-cell
      simulations support our observations. 

PMID- 26274424
TI  - Demonstration of High Performance in Layered Deuterium-Tritium Capsule Implosions
      in Uranium Hohlraums at the National Ignition Facility.
AB  - We report on the first layered deuterium-tritium (DT) capsule implosions
      indirectly driven by a "high-foot" laser pulse that were fielded in depleted
      uranium hohlraums at the National Ignition Facility. Recently, high-foot
      implosions have demonstrated improved resistance to ablation-front Rayleigh
      Taylor instability induced mixing of ablator material into the DT hot spot
      [Hurricane et al., Nature (London) 506, 343 (2014)]. Uranium hohlraums provide a
      higher albedo and thus an increased drive equivalent to an additional 25 TW laser
      power at the peak of the drive compared to standard gold hohlraums leading to
      higher implosion velocity. Additionally, we observe an improved hot-spot shape
      closer to round which indicates enhanced drive from the waist. In contrast to
      findings in the National Ignition Campaign, now all of our highest performing
      experiments have been done in uranium hohlraums and achieved total yields
      approaching 10^{16} neutrons where more than 50% of the yield was due to
      additional heating of alpha particles stopping in the DT fuel. 

PMID- 26274426
TI  - Multibeam Stimulated Raman Scattering in Inertial Confinement Fusion Conditions.
AB  - Stimulated Raman scattering from multiple laser beams arranged in a cone sharing
      a common daughter wave is investigated for inertial confinement fusion (ICF)
      conditions in a inhomogeneous plasma. It is found that the shared electron plasma
      wave (EPW) process, where the lasers collectively drive the same EPW, can lead to
      an absolute instability when the electron density reaches a matching condition
      dependent on the cone angle of the laser beams. This mechanism could explain
      recent experimental observations of hot electrons at early times in ICF
      experiments, at densities well below quarter critical when two plasmon decay is
      not expected to occur. 

PMID- 26274427
TI  - Formation of Ultrarelativistic Electron Rings from a Laser-Wakefield Accelerator.
AB  - Ultrarelativistic-energy electron ring structures have been observed from laser
      wakefield acceleration experiments in the blowout regime. These electron rings
      had 170-280 MeV energies with 5%-25% energy spread and ~10  pC of charge and were
      observed over a range of plasma densities and compositions. Three-dimensional
      particle-in-cell simulations show that laser intensity enhancement in the wake
      leads to sheath splitting and the formation of a hollow toroidal pocket in the
      electron density around the wake behind the first wake period. If the laser
      propagates over a distance greater than the ideal dephasing length, some of the
      dephasing electrons in the second period can become trapped within the pocket and
      form an ultrarelativistic electron ring that propagates in free space over a
      meter-scale distance upon exiting the plasma. Such a structure acts as a
      relativistic potential well, which has applications for accelerating positively
      charged particles such as positrons. 

PMID- 26274428
TI  - Avalanches in Wood Compression.
AB  - Wood is a multiscale material exhibiting a complex viscoplastic response. We
      study avalanches in small wood samples in compression. "Woodquakes" measured by
      acoustic emission are surprisingly similar to earthquakes and crackling noise in
      rocks and laboratory tests on brittle materials. Both the distributions of event
      energies and of waiting (silent) times follow power laws. The stress-strain
      response exhibits clear signatures of localization of deformation to "weak spots"
      or softwood layers, as identified using digital image correlation. Even though
      material structure-dependent localization takes place, the avalanche behavior
      remains scale-free. 

PMID- 26274429
TI  - One Hole in the Two-Leg t-J Ladder and Adiabatic Continuity to the Noninteracting
      Limit.
AB  - We carry out density-matrix-renormalization group (DMRG) calculations for the
      problem of one doped hole in a two-leg t-J ladder. Recent studies have concluded
      that exotic "Mott" physics-arising from the projection onto the space of no
      double-occupied sites-is manifest in this model system, leading to charge
      localization and a new mechanism for charge modulation. In contrast, we show that
      there is no localization and that the charge-density modulation arises when the
      minimum in the quasiparticle dispersion moves away from pi. Although singular
      changes in the quasiparticle dispersion do occur as a function of model
      parameters, all of the DMRG results can be qualitatively understood from a
      noninteracting "band-structure" perspective. 

PMID- 26274431
TI  - Interfacial Structure Dependent Spin Mixing Conductance in Cobalt Thin Films.
AB  - Enhancement of Gilbert damping in polycrystalline cobalt thin-film multilayers of
      various thicknesses, overlayered with copper or iridium, was studied in order to
      understand the role of local interface structure in spin pumping. X-ray
      diffraction indicates that cobalt films less than 6 nm thick have strong fcc(111)
      texture while thicker films are dominated by hcp(0001) structure. The intrinsic
      damping for cobalt thicknesses above 6 nm is weakly dependent on cobalt thickness
      for both overlayer materials, and below 6 nm the iridium overlayers show higher
      damping enhancement compared to copper overlayers, as expected due to spin
      pumping. The interfacial spin mixing conductance is significantly enhanced in
      structures where both cobalt and iridium have fcc(111) structure in comparison to
      those where the cobalt layer has subtly different hcp(0001) texture at the
      interface. 

PMID- 26274430
TI  - Magnetic Field-Induced Insulator-Semimetal Transition in a Pyrochlore Nd2Ir2O7.
AB  - We investigate magnetotransport properties in a single crystal of pyrochore-type
      Nd2Ir2O7. The metallic conduction is observed on the antiferromagnetic domain
      walls of the all-in-all-out-type Ir 5d moment ordered insulating bulk state that
      can be finely controlled by an external magnetic field along [111]. On the other
      hand, an applied field along [001] induces the bulk phase transition from
      insulator to semimetal as a consequence of the field-induced modification of the
      Nd 4f and Ir 5d moment configurations. A theoretical calculation consistently
      describing the experimentally observed features suggests a variety of exotic
      topological states as functions of electron correlation and Ir 5d moment orders,
      which can be finely tuned by the choice of rare-earth ion and magnetic field,
      respectively.

PMID- 26274432
TI  - Tunneling Anomalous and Spin Hall Effects.
AB  - We predict, theoretically, the existence of the anomalous Hall effect when a
      tunneling current flows through a tunnel junction in which only one of the
      electrodes is magnetic. The interfacial spin-orbit coupling present in the
      barrier region induces a spin-dependent momentum filtering in the directions
      perpendicular to the tunneling current, resulting in a skew tunneling even in the
      absence of impurities. This produces an anomalous Hall conductance and spin Hall
      currents in the nonmagnetic electrode when a bias voltage is applied across the
      tunneling heterojunction. If the barrier is composed of a noncentrosymmetric
      material, the anomalous Hall conductance and spin Hall currents become
      anisotropic with respect to both the magnetization and crystallographic
      directions, allowing us to separate this interfacial phenomenon from the bulk
      anomalous and spin Hall contributions. The proposed effect should be useful for
      proving and quantifying the interfacial spin-orbit fields in metallic and metal
      semiconductor systems. 

PMID- 26274433
TI  - Violation of the Wiedemann-Franz Law in Hydrodynamic Electron Liquids.
AB  - The Wiedemann-Franz law, connecting the electronic thermal conductivity to the
      electrical conductivity of a disordered metal, is generally found to be well
      satisfied even when electron-electron (e-e) interactions are strong. In
      ultraclean conductors in the hydrodynamic regime, however, large deviations from
      the standard form of the law are expected, due to the fact that e-e interactions
      affect the two conductivities in radically different ways. Thus, the standard
      Wiedemann-Franz ratio between the thermal and the electric conductivity is
      reduced by a factor 1+tau/tau(th)(ee), where 1/tau is the momentum relaxation
      rate and tau(th)(ee) is the relaxation time of the thermal current due to e-e
      collisions. Here we study the density and temperature dependence of 1/tau(th)(ee)
      of two-dimensional electron liquids. We show that at low temperature
      1/tau(th)(ee) is 8/5 of the quasiparticle decay rate; remarkably, the same result
      is found in doped graphene and in conventional electron liquids in parabolic
      bands.

PMID- 26274434
TI  - Time-Dependent Thermal Transport Theory.
AB  - Understanding thermal transport in nanoscale systems presents important
      challenges to both theory and experiment. In particular, the concept of local
      temperature at the nanoscale appears difficult to justify. Here, we propose a
      theoretical approach where we replace the temperature gradient with controllable
      external blackbody radiations. The theory recovers known physical results, for
      example, the linear relation between the thermal current and the temperature
      difference of two blackbodies. Furthermore, our theory is not limited to the
      linear regime and goes beyond accounting for nonlinear effects and transient
      phenomena. Since the present theory is general and can be adapted to describe
      both electron and phonon dynamics, it provides a first step toward a unified
      formalism for investigating thermal and electronic transport. 

PMID- 26274435
TI  - High Temperature Magnetic Stabilization of Cobalt Nanoparticles by an
      Antiferromagnetic Proximity Effect.
AB  - Thermal activation tends to destroy the magnetic stability of small magnetic
      nanoparticles, with crucial implications for ultrahigh density recording among
      other applications. Here we demonstrate that low-blocking-temperature
      ferromagnetic (FM) Co nanoparticles (T(B)<70  K) become magnetically stable above
      400 K when embedded in a high-Neel-temperature antiferromagnetic (AFM) NiO
      matrix. The origin of this remarkable T(B) enhancement is due to a magnetic
      proximity effect between a thin CoO shell (with low Neel temperature, T(N), and
      high anisotropy, K(AFM)) surrounding the Co nanoparticles and the NiO matrix
      (with high T(N) but low K(AFM)). This proximity effect yields an effective
      antiferromagnet with an apparent T(N) beyond that of bulk CoO, and an enhanced
      anisotropy compared to NiO. In turn, the Co core FM moment is stabilized against
      thermal fluctuations via core-shell exchange-bias coupling, leading to the
      observed T(B) increase. Mean-field calculations provide a semiquantitative
      understanding of this magnetic-proximity stabilization mechanism.

PMID- 26274436
TI  - Drastic Pressure Effect on the Extremely Large Magnetoresistance in WTe2: Quantum
      Oscillation Study.
AB  - The quantum oscillations of the magnetoresistance under ambient and high pressure
      have been studied for WTe2 single crystals, in which extremely large
      magnetoresistance was discovered recently. By analyzing the Shubnikov-de Haas
      oscillations, four Fermi surfaces are identified, and two of them are found to
      persist to high pressure. The sizes of these two pockets are comparable, but show
      increasing difference with pressure. At 0.3 K and in 14.5 T, the
      magnetoresistance decreases drastically from 1.25*10(5)% under ambient pressure
      to 7.47*10(3)% under 23.6 kbar, which is likely caused by the relative change of
      Fermi surfaces. These results support the scenario that the perfect balance
      between the electron and hole populations is the origin of the extremely large
      magnetoresistance in WTe2.

PMID- 26274437
TI  - Ab Initio Construction of Magnetic Phase Diagrams in Alloys: The Case of Fe(1
      x)Mn(x)Pt.
AB  - A first-principles approach to the construction of concentration-temperature
      magnetic phase diagrams of metallic alloys is presented. The method employs self
      consistent total energy calculations based on the coherent potential
      approximation for partially ordered and noncollinear magnetic states and is able
      to account for competing interactions and multiple magnetic phases. Application
      to the Fe(1-x)Mn(x)Pt "magnetic chameleon" system yields the sequence of magnetic
      phases at T=0 and the c-T magnetic phase diagram in good agreement with
      experiment, and a new low-temperature phase is predicted at the Mn-rich end. The
      importance of non-Heisenberg interactions for the description of the magnetic
      phase diagram is demonstrated.

PMID- 26274438
TI  - Electric-Field Modulation of Damping Constant in a Ferromagnetic Semiconductor
      (Ga,Mn)As.
AB  - The modulation of the Gilbert damping constant alpha in (Ga,Mn)As by the
      application of an electric field is detected by ferromagnetic resonance
      measurements, where alpha increases with decreasing hole concentration. The
      smaller modulation of other magnetic parameters, such as magnetic anisotropy
      fields and Lande g factor, suggests that the modulation of alpha is governed by
      other effects rather than the spin-orbit coupling. Comparison of the conductivity
      dependence of alpha with that of the magnetization indicates that the magnetic
      disorder induced by carrier localization plays a major role in determining the
      magnitude of alpha in (Ga,Mn)As. 

PMID- 26274439
TI  - Phonon-Modulated Magnetic Interactions and Spin Tomonaga-Luttinger Liquid in the
      p-Orbital Antiferromagnet CsO2.
AB  - The magnetic response of antiferromagnetic CsO2, coming from the p-orbital S=1/2
      spins of anionic O2(-) molecules, is followed by 133Cs nuclear magnetic resonance
      across the structural phase transition occurring at T(s1)=61  K on cooling. Above
      T(s1), where spins form a square magnetic lattice, we observe a huge,
      nonmonotonic temperature dependence of the exchange coupling originating from
      thermal librations of O2(-) molecules. Below T(s1), where antiferromagnetic spin
      chains are formed as a result of p-orbital ordering, we observe a spin Tomonaga
      Luttinger-liquid behavior of spin dynamics. These two interesting phenomena,
      which provide rare simple manifestations of the coupling between spin, lattice,
      and orbital degrees of freedom, establish CsO2 as a model system for molecular
      solids.

PMID- 26274441
TI  - One-Dimensional Chirality: Strong Optical Activity in Epsilon-Near-Zero
      Metamaterials.
AB  - We suggest that electromagnetic chirality, generally displayed by 3D or 2D
      complex chiral structures, can occur in 1D patterned composites whose components
      are achiral. This feature is highly unexpected in a 1D system which is
      geometrically achiral since its mirror image can always be superposed onto it by
      a 180 deg rotation. We analytically evaluate from first principles the
      bianisotropic response of multilayered metamaterials and we show that the chiral
      tensor is not vanishing if the system is geometrically one-dimensional chiral;
      i.e., its mirror image cannot be superposed onto it by using translations without
      resorting to rotations. As a signature of 1D chirality, we show that 1D chiral
      metamaterials support optical activity and we prove that this phenomenon
      undergoes a dramatic nonresonant enhancement in the epsilon-near-zero regime
      where the magnetoelectric coupling can become dominant in the constitutive
      relations. 

PMID- 26274440
TI  - Zero-Field Dissipationless Chiral Edge Transport and the Nature of Dissipation in
      the Quantum Anomalous Hall State.
AB  - The quantum anomalous Hall (QAH) effect is predicted to possess, at a zero
      magnetic field, chiral edge channels that conduct a spin polarized current
      without dissipation. While edge channels have been observed in previous
      experimental studies of the QAH effect, their dissipationless nature at a zero
      magnetic field has not been convincingly demonstrated. By a comprehensive
      experimental study of the gate and temperature dependences of local and nonlocal
      magnetoresistance, we unambiguously establish the dissipationless edge transport.
      By studying the onset of dissipation, we also identify the origin of dissipative
      channels and clarify the surprising observation that the critical temperature of
      the QAH effect is 2 orders of magnitude smaller than the Curie temperature of
      ferromagnetism. 

PMID- 26274442
TI  - Interaction of Strain and Nuclear Spins in Silicon: Quadrupolar Effects on
      Ionized Donors.
AB  - The nuclear spins of ionized donors in silicon have become an interesting quantum
      resource due to their very long coherence times. Their perfect isolation,
      however, comes at a price, since the absence of the donor electron makes the
      nuclear spin difficult to control. We demonstrate that the quadrupolar
      interaction allows us to effectively tune the nuclear magnetic resonance of
      ionized arsenic donors in silicon via strain and determine the two nonzero
      elements of the S tensor linking strain and electric field gradients in this
      material to S(11)=1.5*10(22)  V/m2 and S(44)=6*10(22)  V/m2. We find a stronger
      benefit of dynamical decoupling on the coherence properties of transitions
      subject to first-order quadrupole shifts than on those subject to only second
      order shifts and discuss applications of quadrupole physics including mechanical
      driving of magnetic resonance, cooling of mechanical resonators, and strain
      mediated spin coupling.

PMID- 26274443
TI  - Statistical Physics of Viral Capsids with Broken Symmetry.
AB  - We present a model to understand quantitatively the role of symmetry breaking in
      assembly of macromolecular aggregates in general, and the protein shells of
      viruses in particular. A simple dodecahedral lattice model with a quadrupolar
      order parameter allows us to demonstrate how symmetry breaking may reduce the
      probability of assembly errors and, consequently, enhance assembly efficiency. We
      show that the ground state is characterized by large-scale cooperative zero
      energy modes. In analogy with other models, this suggests a general physical
      principle: the tendency of biological molecules to generate symmetric structures
      competes with the tendency to break symmetry in order to achieve specific
      functional goals. 

PMID- 26274444
TI  - Emergence of Collective Motion in a Model of Interacting Brownian Particles.
AB  - By studying a system of Brownian particles that interact among themselves only
      through a local velocity-alignment force that does not affect their speed, we
      show that self-propulsion is not a necessary feature for the flocking transition
      to take place as long as underdamped particle dynamics can be guaranteed.
      Moreover, the system transits from stationary phases close to thermal
      equilibrium, with no net flux of particles, to far-from-equilibrium ones
      exhibiting collective motion, phase coexistence, long-range order, and giant
      number fluctuations, features typically associated with ordered phases of models
      where self-propelled particles with overdamped dynamics are considered. 

PMID- 26274411
TI  - Observation of the B(s)(0)->eta'eta' Decay.
AB  - The first observation of the B(s)(0)->eta'eta' decay is reported. The study is
      based on a sample of proton-proton collisions corresponding to 3.0  fb(-1) of
      integrated luminosity collected with the LHCb detector. The significance of the
      signal is 6.4 standard deviations. The branching fraction is measured to be
      [3.31+/-0.64(stat)+/-0.28(syst)+/-0.12(norm)]*10(-5), where the third uncertainty
      comes from the B(+/-)->eta'K(+/-) branching fraction that is used as a
      normalization. In addition, the charge asymmetries of B(+/-)->eta'K(+/-) and B(+/
      )->phiK(+/-), which are control channels, are measured to be (-0.2+/-1.3)% and
      (+1.7+/-1.3)%, respectively. All results are consistent with theoretical
      expectations.

PMID- 26274445
TI  - Mosaic Attenuation: Etiology, Methods of Differentiation, and Pitfalls.
AB  - Mosaic attenuation is a commonly encountered pattern on computed tomography that
      is defined as heterogeneous areas of differing lung attenuation. This
      heterogeneous pattern of attenuation is the result of diverse causes that include
      diseases of the small airways, pulmonary vasculature, alveoli, and interstitium,
      alone or in combination. Small airways disease can be a primary disorder, such as
      respiratory bronchiolitis or constrictive bronchiolitis, or be part of
      parenchymal lung disease, such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis, or large airways
      disease, such as bronchiectasis and asthma. Vascular causes resulting in mosaic
      attenuation are typically chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, which is
      characterized by organizing thrombi in the elastic pulmonary arteries, or
      pulmonary arterial hypertension, a heterogeneous group of diseases affecting the
      distal pulmonary arterioles. Diffuse ground-glass opacity can result in a mosaic
      pattern related to a number of processes in acute (eg, infection, pulmonary
      edema), subacute (eg, organizing pneumonia), or chronic (eg, fibrotic diseases)
      settings. Imaging clues that can assist the radiologist in pinpointing a
      diagnosis include evidence of large airway involvement, cardiovascular
      abnormalities, septal thickening, signs of fibrosis, and demonstration of
      airtrapping at expiratory imaging.

PMID- 26274447
TI  - Topography-Correlated Confocal Raman Microscopy with Cylindrical Vector Beams for
      Probing Nanoscale Structural Order.
AB  - Cylindrical vector beams, such as radially or azimuthally polarized doughnut
      beams, are combined with topography studies of pentacene thin films, allowing us
      to correlate Raman spectroscopy with intermolecular interactions depending on the
      particular pentacene polymorph. Polarization-dependent Raman spectra of the C-H
      bending vibrations are resolved layer by layer within a thin film of ~20 nm
      thickness. The variation of the Raman peak positions indicates changes in the
      molecular orientation and in the local environment at different heights of the
      pentacene film. With the assistance of a theoretical model based on harmonic
      oscillator and perturbation theory, our method reveals the local structural order
      and the polymorph at different locations within the same pentacene thin film,
      depending mainly on its thickness. In good agreement with the crystallographic
      structures reported in the literature, our observations demonstrate that the
      first few monolayers grown in a structure are closer to the thin-film phase, but
      for larger film thicknesses, the morphology evolves toward the crystal-bulk phase
      with a larger tilting angle of the pentacene molecules against the substrate
      normal. 

PMID- 26274448
TI  - Full-Dimensional Quantum State-to-State Nonadiabatic Dynamics for
      Photodissociation of Ammonia in its A-Band.

PMID- 26274446
TI  - Cyclin G Functions as a Positive Regulator of Growth and Metabolism in
      Drosophila.
AB  - In multicellular organisms, growth and proliferation is adjusted to nutritional
      conditions by a complex signaling network. The Insulin receptor/target of
      rapamycin (InR/TOR) signaling cascade plays a pivotal role in nutrient dependent
      growth regulation in Drosophila and mammals alike. Here we identify Cyclin G
      (CycG) as a regulator of growth and metabolism in Drosophila. CycG mutants have a
      reduced body size and weight and show signs of starvation accompanied by a
      disturbed fat metabolism. InR/TOR signaling activity is impaired in cycG mutants,
      combined with a reduced phosphorylation status of the kinase Akt1 and the
      downstream factors S6-kinase and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E
      binding protein (4E-BP). Moreover, the expression and accumulation of Drosophila
      insulin like peptides (dILPs) is disturbed in cycG mutant brains. Using a
      reporter assay, we show that the activity of one of the first effectors of InR
      signaling, Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K92E), is unaffected in cycG mutants.
      However, the metabolic defects and weight loss in cycG mutants were rescued by
      overexpression of Akt1 specifically in the fat body and by mutants in widerborst
      (wdb), the B'-subunit of the phosphatase PP2A, known to downregulate Akt1 by
      dephosphorylation. Together, our data suggest that CycG acts at the level of Akt1
      to regulate growth and metabolism via PP2A in Drosophila. 

PMID- 26274449
TI  - Origin of Enthalpic Depletion Forces.
AB  - Solutes excluded from macromolecules or colloids are known to drive depletion
      attractions. The established Asakura-Oosawa model, as well as subsequent theories
      aimed at explaining the effects of macromolecular crowding, attribute depletion
      forces to diminished hard-core excluded volume upon compaction, and hence predict
      depletion forces dominated by entropy. However, recent experiments measuring the
      effect of preferentially excluded solutes on protein folding and macromolecular
      association find these forces can also be enthalpic. We use simulations of
      macromolecular association in explicit binary cosolute-solvent mixtures, with
      solvent and cosolute intermolecular interactions that go beyond hard-cores, to
      show that not all cosolutes conform to the established entropically dominated
      model. We further demonstrate how the enthalpically dominated depletion forces
      that we find can be well described within an Asakura-Oosawa like model provided
      that the hard-core macromolecule-cosolute potential of mean force is augmented by
      a "soft" step-like repulsion. 

PMID- 26274450
TI  - Charge Trapping in Photovoltaically Active Perovskites and Related
      Halogenoplumbate Compounds.
AB  - Halogenoplumbate perovskites (MeNH3PbX3, where X is I and/or Br) have emerged as
      promising solar panel materials. Their limiting photovoltaic efficiency depends
      on charge localization and trapping processes that are presently insufficiently
      understood. We demonstrate that in halogenoplumbate materials the holes are
      trapped by organic cations (that deprotonate from their oxidized state) and
      Pb(2+) cations (as Pb(3+) centers), whereas the electrons are trapped by several
      Pb(2+) cations, forming diamagnetic lead clusters that also serve as color
      centers. In some cases, paramagnetic variants of these clusters can be observed.
      We suggest that charge separation in the halogenoplumbates resembles latent image
      formation in silver halide photography. Electron and hole trapping by lead
      clusters in extended dislocations in the bulk may be responsible for accumulation
      of trapped charge observed in this photovoltaic material. 

PMID- 26274451
TI  - Structure and Properties of Platinum, Gold and Mercury Nanowires Grown in
      Superfluid Helium.
AB  - Webs consisting of nanowires made of gold, platinum and mercury were produced by
      the technique based on laser ablation of metals inside superfluid helium. Their
      morphology and structure as well as their electrical conductivity have been
      studied. Diameters of gold and platinum nanowires are 4.5 and 3 nm, respectively.
      Fortunately, they are close to diameters of nanospheres made of these metals,
      which, as known from the literature, possess anomalous catalytic activity. Web
      resistivities for all metals up to room temperature are controlled by conductive
      electron scattering on a wire surface, thus they are almost independent of T.
      Nanowires in the webs are electrically interconnected, and therefore the web can
      be used as a catalyst without any support. Possible advantages of this type of
      nanocatalyst are outlined. 

PMID- 26274452
TI  - Protein Thermal Conductivity Measured in the Solid State Reveals Anharmonic
      Interactions of Vibrations in a Fractal Structure.
AB  - Energy processes and vibrations in biological macromolecules such as proteins
      ultimately dictate biological, chemical, and physical functions in living
      materials. These energetic vibrations in the ribbon-like motifs of proteins
      interact on self-similar structures and fractal-like objects over a range of
      length scales of the protein (a few angstroms to the size of the protein itself,
      a few nanometers). In fact, the fractal geometries of protein molecules create a
      complex network of vibrations; therefore, proteins represent an ideal material
      system to study the underlying mechanisms driving vibrational thermal transport
      in a dense, fractal network. However, experimental studies of thermal energy
      transport in proteins have been limited to dispersive protein suspensions, which
      limits the knowledge that can be extracted about how vibrational energy is
      transferred in a pure protein solid. We overcome this by synthesizing solid,
      water-insoluble protein films for thermal conductivity measurements via time
      domain thermoreflectance. We measure the thermal conductivity of bovine serum
      albumin and myoglobin solid films over a range of temperatures from 77 to 296 K.
      These temperature trends indicate that anharmonic coupling of vibrations in the
      protein is contributing to thermal conductivity. This first-ever observation of
      anharmonic-like trends in the thermal conductivity of a fully dense protein forms
      the basis of validation of seminal theories of vibrational energy-transfer
      processes in fractal objects. 

PMID- 26274453
TI  - Intramolecular Processes Revealed Using UV-Laser-Induced IR-Fluorescence: A New
      Perspective on the "Channel Three" of Benzene.
AB  - Radiative relaxation in the infrared (IR) is common following nonradiative
      electronic relaxation processes, but it is rarely measured. We present
      ultraviolet laser-induced infrared fluorescence (UV-LIIRF) excitation
      spectroscopy and dispersed UV-LIIRF spectroscopy of gas phase benzene
      vibronically excited around the onset of channel 3, using a homemade
      spectrometer. We found that the vibrational IR fluorescence yield is clearly
      higher when benzene is excited above the onset than when it is excited below.
      Significant changes in dispersed IR emission profiles resulting from excitations
      below and above the onset of channel 3 were also observed. These results suggest
      that isomerization of benzene toward fulvene occurs efficiently below the opening
      of channel 3 and confirm that channel 3 involves a photophysical relaxation
      pathway that efficiently competes with isomerization. 

PMID- 26274454
TI  - Atomic Interdiffusion and Diffusive Stabilization of Cobalt by Copper During
      Atomic Layer Deposition from Bis(N-tert-butyl-N'-ethylpropionamidinato)
      Cobalt(II).
AB  - Electromigration of copper in integrated circuits leads to device failure.
      Potential solutions involve capping the copper with ultrathin cobalt films. We
      report the properties of cobalt films after deposition on polycrystalline Cu at
      265  degrees C by atomic layer deposition from H2 and bis(N-tert-butyl-N'
      ethylpropionamidinato) cobalt(II) (CoAMD). We find intermixing of Co and Cu
      producing a transition layer on the Cu nearly as thick as the Co-rich overlayer.
      X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and time-of-flight secondary ion mass
      spectrometry depth profiling reveal that a finite amount of Cu continuously
      segregates to the progressing Co surface, minimizing the free surface energy,
      throughout deposition up to at least 16 nm. The Cu-stabilized Co film initially
      follows 2D growth and strain-relieving 3D crystal formation is apparent beyond 2
      nm of film growth. Depth profiling indicates that Cu likely diffuses within the
      Co film and along the polycrystalline Co grain boundaries. 

PMID- 26274455
TI  - The Importance of Perovskite Pore Filling in Organometal Mixed Halide Sensitized
      TiO2-Based Solar Cells.
AB  - Emerging from the field of dye-sensitized solar cells, organometal halide
      perovskite-based solar cells have recently attracted considerable attention. In
      these devices, the perovskite light absorbers can also be used as charge
      transporting materials, changing the requirements for efficient device
      architectures. The perovskite deposition can vary from merely sensitizing the
      TiO2 electron transporting scaffold as an endowment of small nanoparticles, to
      completely filling the pores where it acts as both light absorber and hole
      transporting material in one. By decreasing the TiO2 scaffold layer thickness, we
      change the solar cell architecture from perovskite-sensitized to completely
      perovskite-filled. We find that the latter case leads to improvements in device
      performance because higher electron densities can be sustained in the TiO2,
      improving electron transport rates and photovoltage. Importantly, the primary
      recombination pathway between the TiO2 and the hole transporting material is
      blocked by the perovskite itself. This understanding helps to rationalize the
      high voltages attainable on mesoporous TiO2-based perovskite solar cells. 

PMID- 26274456
TI  - CdSeS Nanowires: Compositionally Controlled Band Gap and Exciton Dynamics.
AB  - CdS, CdSe, and ternary CdSexS(1-x) are some of the most widely studied II-VI
      semiconductors due to their broad range of applications and promising performance
      in numerous systems. One-dimensional semiconductor nanowires offer the ability to
      conduct charges efficiently along the length of the wire, which has potential
      charge transport benefits compared to nanoparticles. Herein, we report a simple,
      inexpensive synthetic procedure for high quality CdSeS nanowires where the
      composition can be easily modulated from pure CdSe to pure CdS by simply
      adjusting the Se:S precursor ratio. This allows for tuning of the absorption and
      emission properties of the nanowires across the visible spectrum. The CdSeS
      nanowires have a wurtzite crystal structure and grow along the [001] direction.
      As measured by femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy, the short component
      of the excited state lifetime remains relatively constant at ~10 ps with
      increasing Se; however, the contribution of this short lifetime component
      increased dramatically from 8.4% to 57.7% with increasing Se content. These CdSeS
      nanowires offer facile synthesis and widely adjustable optical properties,
      characteristics that give them broad potential applications in the fields of
      optoelectronics, and photovoltaics. 

PMID- 26274457
TI  - UV Photofragmentation Dynamics of Protonated Cystine: Disulfide Bond Rupture.
AB  - Disulfide bonds (S-S) play a central role in stabilizing the native structure of
      proteins against denaturation. Experimentally, identification of these linkages
      in peptide and protein structure characterization remains challenging. UV
      photodissociation (UVPD) can be a valuable tool in identifying disulfide
      linkages. Here, the S-S bond acts as a UV chromophore and absorption of one UV
      photon corresponds to a sigma-sigma* transition. We have investigated the
      photodissociation dynamics of protonated cystine, which is a dimer of two
      cysteines linked by a disulfide bridge, at 263 nm (4.7 eV) using a
      multicoincidence technique in which fragments coming from the same fragmentation
      event are detected. Two types of bond cleavages are observed corresponding to the
      disulfide (S-S) and adjacent C-S bond ruptures. We show that the S-S cleavage
      leads to three different fragment ions via three different fragmentation
      mechanisms. The UVPD results are compared to collision-induced dissociation (CID)
      and electron-induced dissociation (EID) studies. 

PMID- 26274458
TI  - Defect Tolerant Semiconductors for Solar Energy Conversion.
AB  - Defect tolerance is the tendency of a semiconductor to keep its properties
      despite the presence of crystallographic defects. Scientific understanding of the
      origin of defect tolerance is currently missing. Here we show that semiconductors
      with antibonding states at the top of the valence band are likely to be tolerant
      to defects. Theoretical calculations demonstrate that Cu3N with antibonding
      valence band maximum has shallow intrinsic defects and no surface states, in
      contrast to GaN with bonding valence band maximum. Experimental measurements
      indicate shallow native donors and acceptors in Cu3N thin films, leading to
      10(16)-10(17) cm(-3) doping with either electrons or holes depending on the
      growth conditions. The experimentally measured bipolar doping and the solar
      matched optical absorption onset (1.4 eV) make Cu3N a promising candidate
      absorber for photovoltaic and photoelectrochemical solar cells, despite the
      calculated indirect fundamental band gap (1.0 eV). These conclusions can be
      extended to other materials with antibonding character of the valence band,
      defining a class of defect-tolerant semiconductors for solar energy conversion
      applications. 

PMID- 26274459
TI  - Tuning the Stability of Surface Intermediates Using Adsorbed Oxygen: Acetate on
      Au(111).
AB  - Selective oxidative reactions promoted by gold depend critically on controlling
      the coverage and stability of adsorbed intermediates, as well as promoting
      specific bond activations of those intermediates. We demonstrate that acetate, a
      common intermediate in the oxidation of olefins, aldehydes, and alcohols, is
      destabilized by 7-10 kcal/mol by coadsorbed oxygen relative to its stability on
      the clean gold surface. The amount of destabilization depends on the oxygen
      coverage. Peak temperatures of products indicative of oxygen-assisted and clean
      surface bond activation differ by up to 130 K. Experiments with d3-acetate show a
      kinetic isotope effect of 6.9 at 400 K, indicating that the rate-limiting step of
      the low temperature oxygen-assisted reaction is gamma-CH bond breaking. This
      clearly demonstrates that coadsorbed oxygen activates gamma-CH bonds on gold and
      suggests that an oxygen-assisted activation may also occur for beta-CH bonds
      crucial in oxygen-assisted alcohol coupling on metallic gold catalysts, as
      predicted by theory. 

PMID- 26274460
TI  - Quantifying Charge Extraction in Organic Solar Cells: The Case of Fluorinated
      PCPDTBT.
AB  - We introduce a new and simple method to quantify the effective extraction
      mobility in organic solar cells at low electric fields and charge carrier
      densities comparable to operation conditions under one sun illumination. By
      comparing steady-state carrier densities at constant illumination intensity and
      under open-circuit conditions, the gradient of the quasi-Fermi potential driving
      the current is estimated as a function of external bias and charge density. These
      properties are then related to the respective steady-state current to determine
      the effective extraction mobility. The new technique is applied to different
      derivatives of the well-known low-band-gap polymer PCPDTBT blended with PC70BM.
      We show that the slower average extraction due to lower mobility accounts for the
      moderate fill factor when solar cells are fabricated with mono- or difluorinated
      PCPDTBT. This lower extraction competes with improved generation and reduced
      nongeminate recombination, rendering the monofluorinated derivative the most
      efficient donor polymer. 

PMID- 26274461
TI  - Air-Stable n-Doped Colloidal HgS Quantum Dots.
AB  - HgS nanocrystals show a strong mid-infrared absorption and a bleach of the near
      infrared band edge, both tunable in energy and reversibly controlled by exposure
      to solution ions under ambient conditions. The same effects are obtained by
      applying a reducing electrochemical potential, confirming that the mid-infrared
      absorption is the intraband transition of the quantum dot. This is the first time
      that stable carriers are present in the quantum state of strongly confined
      quantum dot in ambient conditions. The mechanism by which doping is achieved is
      attributed to the rigid shifts of the valence and conduction band with respect to
      the environment, similar to the sensitivity of the work function of surfaces to
      adsorbates. 

PMID- 26274462
TI  - Ambipolar Charge Photogeneration and Transfer at GaAs/P3HT Heterointerfaces.
AB  - Recent work on hybrid photovoltaic systems based on conjugated polymers and III-V
      compound semiconductors with relatively high power conversion efficiency revived
      fundamental questions regarding the nature of charge separation and transfer at
      the interface between organic and inorganic semiconductors with different degrees
      of delocalization. In this work, we studied photoinduced charge generation and
      interfacial transfer dynamics in a prototypical photovoltaic n-type GaAs (111)B
      and poly(3-hexyl-thiophene) (P3HT) bilayer system. Ultrafast spectroscopy and
      density functional theory calculations indicate the coexistence of electron and
      hole transfer at the GaAs/P3HT interface, leading to the generation of long-lived
      species and photoinduced absorption upon creation of hybrid interfacial states.
      This opens up new avenues for the use of low-dimensional III-V compounds (e.g.,
      nanowires or quantum dots) in hybrid organic/inorganic photovoltaics, where
      advanced bandgap and density of states engineering may also be exploited as
      design parameters. 

PMID- 26274463
TI  - Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Proposed Intermediates in the CO2 + Aqueous
      Amine Reaction.
AB  - Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations of up to 210 ps have been performed on
      various aqueous intermediates postulated in the CO2 + amine reaction, important
      for CO2 capture. Observations of spontaneous deprotonation of aqueous carbamate
      zwitterions R1R2NHCOO(+/-) by bulk water (instead of additional amine, or via
      umbrella sampling) are reported apparently for the first time. Carbamic acid
      structures R1R2NCOOH were observed in some simulations, arising from zwitterions
      not via classical 1,3-H-shifts but via Grotthuss-style multiple-H(+) transfer
      pathways that involve bulk H2O and require carbamate anions R1R2NCOO(-) as an
      intermediate stage along the way. H(+)-bridging complexes, including not only
      Zundel ions [water.H(+).water](+) but neutral carbamate complexes [carbamate(
      ).H(+).water], were observed in simulation. These results should assist efforts
      in improving underlying mechanisms for kinetic modeling. 

PMID- 26274464
TI  - Orbital Topology Controlling Charge Injection in Quantum-Dot-Sensitized Solar
      Cells.
AB  - Quantum-dot-sensitized solar cells are emerging as a promising development of dye
      sensitized solar cells, where photostable semiconductor quantum dots replace
      molecular dyes. Upon photoexcitation of a quantum dot, an electron is transferred
      to a high-band-gap metal oxide. Swift electron transfer is crucial to ensure a
      high overall efficiency of the solar cell. Using femtosecond time-resolved
      spectroscopy, we find the rate of electron transfer to be surprisingly sensitive
      to the chemical structure of the linker molecules that attach the quantum dots to
      the metal oxide. A rectangular barrier model is unable to capture the observed
      variation. Applying bridge-mediated electron-transfer theory, we find that the
      electron-transfer rates depend on the topology of the frontier orbital of the
      molecular linker. This promises the capability of fine tuning the electron
      transfer rates by rational design of the linker molecules. 

PMID- 26274465
TI  - Size-Dependent Plasmonic Resonances from Large-Scale Quantum Simulations.
AB  - For metallic nanoparticles less than 10 nm in diameter, localized surface plasmon
      resonances (LSPRs) become sensitive to the quantum nature of conduction
      electrons. In this regime, experimental probes of size-dependent LSPRs are
      particularly challenging, and contradictory results are often reported.
      Unfortunately, quantum mechanical simulations based on time-dependent Kohn-Sham
      density functional theory (TD-KSDFT) are computationally too expensive to tackle
      metal particles larger than 2 nm. Herein, we present a time-dependent orbital
      free density functional theory (TD-OFDFT) that accurately captures the dynamic
      response of electrons in the presence of realistic ionic potentials. The TD-OFDFT
      method offers a comparable accuracy as TD-KSDFT but with a much lower
      computational cost. Using TD-OFDFT, we study size-dependent LSPRs on Na
      nanoparticles with diameters from 0.7 to 12.3 nm. The optical absorption spectra
      exhibit a nonmonotonic behavior from blue shift to red shift and back to blue
      shift as the particle size decreases. Three principal plasmon modes are
      identified, and their physical origins are elucidated. Competing physical
      mechanisms responsible for the nonmonotonic size dependence are discussed. The TD
      OFDFT provides a unified theoretical framework that bridges the gap between
      classical electromagnetic theory and quantum mechanical theory for plasmonics and
      nanophotonics. 

PMID- 26274466
TI  - A Direct Link between the Fragile-to-Strong Transition and Relaxation in
      Supercooled Liquids.
AB  - It is known that both the fragile-to-strong (F-S) transition and relaxation
      processes occur in numerous supercooled liquids upon cooling toward the glass
      transition temperature. The key question is whether and how these two dynamic
      processes are correlated. Here, we show a direct link between the two processes
      for both metallic glass-forming liquids (MGFLs) with different fragilities and
      also for nonmetallic glass-forming liquids. By comparing the F-S transition
      extent parameter f with the parameter r that characterizes the competition
      between the alpha and the slow beta relaxations, we have discovered a negative
      exponential connection between the two parameters of supercooled liquids. The
      finding indicates that the slow beta relaxation plays a dominant role in the F-S
      transition. This work provides new insight into the microscopic mechanism of the
      F-S transition and creates a strong basis for predicting whether and to what
      extent the F-S transition occurs in supercooled liquids. 

PMID- 26274467
TI  - Direct Evidence of Confined Water in Room-Temperature Ionic Liquids by
      Complementary Use of Small-Angle X-ray and Neutron Scattering.
AB  - The direct evidence of confined water ("water pocket") inside hydrophilic room
      temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) was obtained by complementary use of small
      angle X-ray scattering and small-angle neutron scattering (SAXS and SANS). A
      large contrast in X-ray and neutron scattering cross-section of deuterons was
      used to distinguish the water pocket from the RTIL. In addition to
      nanoheterogeneity of pure RTILs, the water pocket formed in the water-rich
      region. Both water concentration and temperature dependence of the peaks in SANS
      profiles confirmed the existence of the hidden water pocket. The size of the
      water pocket was estimated to be ~3 nm, and D2O aggregations were well-simulated
      on the basis of the observed SANS data. 

PMID- 26274468
TI  - On the Coupling between the Collective Dynamics of Proteins and Their Hydration
      Water.
AB  - Picosecond time scale dynamics of hydrated proteins has been connected with the
      onset of biological activity as it coincides with solvent-solute hydrogen bond
      rearrangements and amino acid rotational relaxation time scales. The presence and
      fluctuations of protein hydration water (PHW) largely influence protein motions
      that are believed to be slaved to those of the solvent, yet to date, how protein
      and hydration water dynamics are coupled remains unclear. Here, we provide a
      significant advance in characterizing this coupling; we present the first full
      study of both the longitudinal and transverse coherent collective motions in a
      protein-solvent system. The data show unexpectedly the presence in the water
      dynamics of collective modes belonging to the protein. The properties of these
      modes, in particular, their propagation velocities and amplitudes, indicate a
      strengthening of the interactions and a higher rigidity of the network of solvent
      molecules close to the protein surface. Accordingly, the present study presents
      the most compelling and clear evidence of a very strong dynamical coupling
      between a protein and its hydration water, previously suggested by studies using
      various experimental techniques. 

PMID- 26274469
TI  - Modulating the Arrangement of Charged Nanotubes by Ionic Strength in Salty Water.
AB  - Despite the important role and potential application of charged cylindrical
      polyelectrolytes, biomacromolecules, and self-assembles, salt-modulated
      organization of those 1D charged nanostructures remains a topic relatively
      unexplored with an obscure underlying mechanism. In this Letter, the aggregation
      of oriented nanotubes self-assembled by ionic aromatic oligoamide in aqueous
      solution of NaCl over a wide concentration range is probed via small-angle X-ray
      scattering and a transmission electron microscope. The arrangement of nanotubes
      undergoes order-disorder transition sequences from an ordered rectangular phase
      to hexagonal packing and then to a lamellar gel. The observed transitions are
      understood by ionic effects on the electrostatic interaction between charged
      nanotubes and osmotic pressure due to ion partitioning. Above the physiological
      condition, electrostatic interactions are largely screened by the salts, while
      osmotic effects start to regulate the aggregation behavior and concomitantly
      deform the nanotubes. The study demonstrates rich phase behaviors of ordered,
      charged 1D nanostructures by tuning the ionic strength and underlying key
      physical principles. 

PMID- 26274470
TI  - Mechanism of Transition-Metal Nanoparticle Catalytic Graphene Cutting.
AB  - Catalytic cutting by transition-metal (TM) particles is a promising method for
      the synthesizing of high-quality graphene quantum dots and nanoribbons with
      smooth edges. Experimentally, it is observed that the cutting always results in
      channels with zigzag (ZZ) or armchair (AC) edges. However, the driving force that
      is responsible for such a cutting behavior remains a puzzle. Here, by calculating
      the interfacial formation energies of the TM-graphene edges with ab initio
      method, we show that the surface of a catalyst particle tends to be aligned along
      either AC or ZZ direction of the graphene lattice, and thus the cutting of
      graphene is guided as such. The different cutting behaviors of various catalysts
      are well-explained based on the competition between TM-passivated graphene edges
      and the etching-agent-terminated ones. Furthermore, the kinetics of graphene
      catalytic cutting along ZZ and AC directions, respectively, are explored at the
      atomic level. 

PMID- 26274471
TI  - Absolute Photoluminescence Quantum Yield Measurement in a Complex Nanoscopic
      System with Multiple Overlapping States.
AB  - Using a metal nanocavity, we measure absolute values of the photoluminescence
      quantum yield in a mixture of different types of chromophores (dye molecules and
      semiconductor nanocrystals). We show that measurements can be performed in an
      attoliter volume, both in liquid and solid phases, even if both types of
      chromophores absorb and emit light in the same spectral range. The method is
      based on recording photoluminescence decay curves of the chromophore mixture as a
      function of the cavity length. Changing the distance between the cavity mirrors
      modifies the local density of states of the electromagnetic field and thus, the
      radiative transition rate of the enclosed emitters. By extracting individual
      decay components, corresponding to the different types of the emitters, we
      determine their quantum yield values separately and simultaneously. The
      nanocavity-based method opens up new perspectives for studying quantum emitters
      in complex photophysical systems, for instance, multichromophoric thin films,
      fluorescent proteins, or dyes incorporated into a lipid bilayer. 

PMID- 26274472
TI  - Distant- and Shape-Dependent Excitation Energy Transfer in Nanohybrid Systems:
      Computations on a Pheophorbide-alpha CdSe Nanocrystal Complex.
AB  - The combination of semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) and molecules for efficient
      electronic excitation energy transfer is expected to be a promising ingredient of
      novel hybrid photovoltaic devices. Here energy transfer from a CdSe NC to the
      tetrapyrrole-type Pheophorbide-a molecule (Pheo) is studied theoretically. The
      rate expression accounts for the correct NC-Pheo transfer coupling, for the
      multitude of NC single exciton levels as well as their thermal distribution, and
      for the electron-vibrational Pheo states. A spherical Cd1159Se1450 NC is compared
      with a similar large NC of pyramidal and hemisphere shape. Because of the
      different exciton energies and wave functions, the transfer rates differ
      somewhat. For all three types of NC, however, the Coulomb correlation essentially
      determines the magnitude of the transfer coupling and the exciton energy. In any
      case, the energy-transfer coupling is below 1 meV, excluding hybrid-state
      formation. 

PMID- 26274473
TI  - Nylon-Oligomer Hydrolase Promoting Cleavage Reactions in Unnatural Amide
      Compounds.
AB  - The active site of 6-aminohexanoate-dimer hydrolase, a nylon-6 byproduct
      degrading enzyme with a beta-lactamase fold, possesses a Ser112/Lys115/Tyr215
      catalytic triad similar to the one of penicillin-recognizing family of serine
      reactive hydrolases but includes a unique Tyr170 residue. By using a reactive
      quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) approach, we work out its catalytic
      mechanism and related functional/structural specificities. At variance with other
      peptidases, we show that the involvement of Tyr170 in the enzyme-substrate
      interactions is responsible for a structural variation in the substrate-binding
      state. The acylation via a tetrahedral intermediate is the rate-limiting step,
      with a free-energy barrier of ~21 kcal/mol, driven by the catalytic triad Ser112,
      Lys115, and Tyr215, acting as a nucleophile, general base, and general acid,
      respectively. The functional interaction of Tyr170 with this triad leads to an
      efficient disruption of the tetrahedral intermediate, promoting a conformational
      change of the substrate favorable for proton donation from the general acid. 

PMID- 26274474
TI  - Achieving Rigorous Accelerated Conformational Sampling in Explicit Solvent.
AB  - Molecular dynamics simulations can provide valuable atomistic insights into
      biomolecular function. However, the accuracy of molecular simulations on general
      purpose computers depends on the time scale of the events of interest. Advanced
      simulation methods, such as accelerated molecular dynamics, have shown tremendous
      promise in sampling the conformational dynamics of biomolecules, where standard
      molecular dynamics simulations are nonergodic. Here we present a sampling method
      based on accelerated molecular dynamics in which rotatable dihedral angles and
      nonbonded interactions are boosted separately. This method (RaMD-db) is a
      different implementation of the dual-boost accelerated molecular dynamics,
      introduced earlier. The advantage is that this method speeds up sampling of the
      conformational space of biomolecules in explicit solvent, as the degrees of
      freedom most relevant for conformational transitions are accelerated. We tested
      RaMD-db on one of the most difficult sampling problems - protein folding.
      Starting from fully extended polypeptide chains, two fast folding alpha-helical
      proteins (Trpcage and the double mutant of C-terminal fragment of Villin
      headpiece) and a designed beta-hairpin (Chignolin) were completely folded to
      their native structures in very short simulation time. Multiple folding/unfolding
      transitions could be observed in a single trajectory. Our results show that RaMD
      db is a promisingly fast and efficient sampling method for conformational
      transitions in explicit solvent. RaMD-db thus opens new avenues for understanding
      biomolecular self-assembly and functional dynamics occurring on long time and
      length scales. 

PMID- 26274475
TI  - First-Principles Studies of Li Nucleation on Graphene.
AB  - We study the Li clustering process on graphene and obtain the geometry,
      nucleation barrier, and electronic structure of the clusters using first
      principles calculations. We estimate the concentration-dependent nucleation
      barrier for Li on graphene. While the nucleation occurs more readily with
      increasing Li concentration, possibly leading to the dendrite formation and
      failure of the Li-ion battery, the existence of the barrier delays nucleation and
      may allow Li storage on graphene. Our electronic structure and charge transfer
      analyses reveal how the fully ionized Li adatoms transform to metallic Li during
      the cluster growth on graphene. 

PMID- 26274476
TI  - Chemical and Electrochemical Differences in Nonaqueous Li-O2 and Na-O2 Batteries.
AB  - We present a comparative study of nonaqueous Li-O2 and Na-O2 batteries employing
      an ether-based electrolyte. The most intriguing difference between the two
      batteries is their respective galvanostatic charging overpotentials: a Na-O2
      battery exhibits a low overpotential throughout most of its charge, whereas a Li
      O2 battery has a low initial overpotential that continuously increases to very
      high voltages by the end of charge. However, we find that the inherent kinetic Li
      and Na-O2 overpotentials, as measured on a flat glassy carbon electrode in a bulk
      electrolysis cell, are similar. Measurement of each batteries' desired product
      yield, YNaO2 and YLi2O2, during discharge and rechargeability by differential
      electrochemical mass spectrometry (DEMS) indicates that less chemical and
      electrochemical decomposition occurs in a Na-O2 battery during the first
      Galvanostatic discharge-charge cycle. We therefore postulate that reactivity
      differences (Li2O2 being more reactive than NaO2) between the major discharge
      products lead to the observed charge overpotential difference between each
      battery. 

PMID- 26274478
TI  - Cite with a Sight.

PMID- 26274477
TI  - Development of Ultraviolet-Ultraviolet Hole-Burning Spectroscopy for Cold Gas
      Phase Ions.
AB  - A new ultraviolet-ultraviolet hole-burning (UV-UV HB) spectroscopic scheme has
      been developed for cold gas-phase ions in a quadrupole ion trap (QIT) connected
      with a time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometer. In this method, a pump UV laser
      generates a population hole for the ions trapped in the cold QIT, and a second UV
      laser (probe) monitors the population hole for the ions extracted to the field
      free region of the TOF mass spectrometer. Here, the neutral fragments generated
      by the UV dissociation of the ions with the second laser are detected. This UV-UV
      HB spectroscopy was applied to protonated dibenzylamine and to protonated uracil.
      Protonated uracil exhibits two strong electronic transitions; one has a band
      origin at 31760 cm(-1) and the other at 39000 cm(-1). From the UV-UV HB
      measurement and quantum chemical calculations, the lower-energy transition is
      assigned to the enol-keto tautomer and the higher-energy one to the enol-enol
      tautomer. 

PMID- 26274479
TI  - Diagnostic Imaging in Flames with Instantaneous Planar Coherent Raman
      Spectroscopy.
AB  - Spatial mapping of temperature and molecular species concentrations is vitally
      important in studies of gaseous chemically reacting flows. Temperature marks the
      evolution of heat release and energy transfer, while species concentration
      gradients provide critical information on mixing and chemical reaction. Coherent
      anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS) was pioneered in measurements of such
      processes almost 40 years ago and is authoritative in terms of the accuracy and
      precision it may provide. While a reacting flow is fully characterized in three
      dimensional space, a limitation of CARS has been its applicability as a point
      wise measurement technique, motivating advancement toward CARS imaging, and
      attempts have been made considering one-dimensional probing. Here, we report
      development of two-dimensional CARS, with the first diagnostics of a planar field
      in a combusting flow within a single laser pulse, resulting in measured isotherms
      ranging from 450 K up to typical hydrocarbon flame temperatures of about 2000 K
      with chemical mapping of O2 and N2. 

PMID- 26274480
TI  - Toward Higher Energy Conversion Efficiency for Solid Polymer Electrolyte Dye
      Sensitized Solar Cells: Ionic Conductivity and TiO2 Pore-Filling.
AB  - Even though the solid polymer electrolyte has many intrinsic advantages over the
      liquid electrolyte, its ionic conductivity and mesopore-filling are much poorer
      than those of the liquid electrolyte, limiting its practical application to
      electrochemical devices such as dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). Two major
      shortcomings associated with utilizing solid polymer electrolytes in DSCs are
      first discussed, low ionic conductivity and poor pore-filling in mesoporous
      photoanodes for DSCs. In addition, future directions for the successful
      utilization of solid polymer electrolytes toward improving the performance of
      DSCs are proposed. For instance, the facilitated mass-transport concept could be
      applied to increase the ionic conductivity. Modified biphasic and triple-phasic
      structures for the photoanode are suggested to take advantage of both the liquid-
      and solid-state properties of electrolytes. 

PMID- 26274481
TI  - Theoretical Study of Plasmon-Enhanced Surface Catalytic Coupling Reactions of
      Aromatic Amines and Nitro Compounds.
AB  - Taking advantage of the unique capacity of surface plasmon resonance, plasmon
      enhanced heterogeneous catalysis has recently come into focus as a promising
      technique for high performance light-energy conversion. This work performs a
      theoretical study on the reaction mechanism for conversions of p-aminothiophenol
      (PATP) and p-nitrothiophenol (PNTP) to aromatic azo species, p,p'
      dimercaptoazobenzene (DMAB). In the absence of O2 or H2, the plasmon-driven
      photocatalysis mechanism (hot electron-hole reactions) is the major reaction
      channel. In the presence of O2 or H2, the plasmon-assisted surface catalysis
      mechanism (activated oxygen/hydrogen reactions) is the major reaction channel.
      The present results show that the coupling reactions of PATP and PNTP strongly
      depend on the solution pH, the irradiation wavelength, the irradiation power, and
      the nature of metal substrates as well as the surrounding atmosphere. The present
      study has drawn a fundamental physical picture for understanding plasmon-enhanced
      heterogeneous catalysis. 

PMID- 26274482
TI  - Resolving Discrepancies in the Measurements of the Interfacial Tension for the
      CO2 + H2O Mixture by Computer Simulation.
AB  - Literature values regarding the pressure dependence of the interfacial tension of
      the system of carbon dioxide (CO2) + water (H2O) show an unexplained divergence
      and scatter at the transition between low-pressure gas-liquid equilibrium and the
      high-pressure liquid-liquid equilibrium. We employ the Statistical Associating
      Fluid Theory (SAFT) and canonical molecular dynamics simulations based on the
      corresponding coarse grained force field to map out the phase diagram of the
      mixture and the interfacial tension for this system. We showcase how at ambient
      temperatures a triple point (gas-liquid-liquid) is expected and detail the
      implications that the appearance of the third phase has on the interfacial
      tensions of the system. 

PMID- 26274483
TI  - Quantum-Mechanical Prediction of Nanoscale Photovoltaics.
AB  - Previous simulations of photovoltaic devices are based on classical models, which
      neglect the atomistic details and quantum-mechanical effects besides the
      dependence on many empirical parameters. Here, within the nonequilibrium Green's
      function formalism, we present a quantum-mechanical study of the performance of
      inorganic nanowire-based photovoltaic devices. On the basis of density-functional
      tight-binding theory, the method allows simulation of current-voltage
      characteristics and optical properties of photovoltaic devices without relying on
      empirical parameters. Numerical studies of silicon nanowire-based devices of
      realistic sizes with 10 000 atoms are performed, and the results indicate that
      atomistic details and nonequilibrium conditions have a clear impact on the
      photoresponse of the devices. 

PMID- 26274484
TI  - Crystal Structures, Optical Properties, and Effective Mass Tensors of CH3NH3PbX3
      (X = I and Br) Phases Predicted from HSE06.
AB  - The crystal structures are successfully established for tetragonal and
      orthorhombic CH3NH3PbX3 (X = I and Br). The equilibrium lattice parameters are
      computed by the DFT+D2 method, and the results are compared to experimental
      values. The band dispersions and electronic densities of states are calculated by
      HSE06, showing that their band gaps are in the range from 1.63 to 2.3 eV.
      Although the calculated dielectric functions of MAPbX3 compounds are similar to
      other semiconductors, the absorption spectra of their bulk crystals are drifted
      away from visible light spectrum. The effective mass tensors of holes and
      electrons are also evaluated in three principal directions at the Gamma point.
      The anisotropies in the effective masses of the hole and electron are illustrated
      for two orthorhombic phases. 

PMID- 26274485
TI  - Atom-Level Understanding of the Sodiation Process in Silicon Anode Material.
AB  - Despite the exceptionally large capacities in Li ion batteries, Si has been
      considered inappropriate for applications in Na ion batteries. We report an
      atomic-level study on the applicability of a Si anode in Na ion batteries using
      ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. While crystalline Si is not suitable
      for alloying with Na atoms, amorphous Si can accommodate 0.76 Na atoms per Si
      atom, corresponding to a specific capacity of 725 mA h g(-1). Bader charge
      analyses reveal that the sodiation of an amorphous Si electrode continues until
      before the local Na-rich clusters containing neutral Na atoms are formed. The
      amorphous Na0.76Si phase undergoes a volume expansion of 114% and shows a Na
      diffusivity of 7 * 10(-10) cm(2) s(-1) at room temperature. Overall, the
      amorphous Si phase turns out quite attractive in performance compared to other
      alloy-type anode materials. This work suggests that amorphous Si might be a
      competitive candidate for Na ion battery anodes. 

PMID- 26274486
TI  - Bilayer Phosphorene: Effect of Stacking Order on Bandgap and Its Potential
      Applications in Thin-Film Solar Cells.
AB  - Phosphorene, a monolayer of black phosphorus, is promising for nanoelectronic
      applications not only because it is a natural p-type semiconductor but also
      because it possesses a layer-number-dependent direct bandgap (in the range of 0.3
      to 1.5 eV). On basis of the density functional theory calculations, we
      investigate electronic properties of the bilayer phosphorene with different
      stacking orders. We find that the direct bandgap of the bilayers can vary from
      0.78 to 1.04 eV with three different stacking orders. In addition, a vertical
      electric field can further reduce the bandgap to 0.56 eV (at the field strength
      0.5 V/A). More importantly, we find that when a monolayer of MoS2 is superimposed
      with the p-type AA- or AB-stacked bilayer phosphorene, the combined trilayer can
      be an effective solar-cell material with type-II heterojunction alignment. The
      power conversion efficiency is predicted to be ~18 or 16% with AA- or AB-stacked
      bilayer phosphorene, higher than reported efficiencies of the state-of-the-art
      trilayer graphene/transition metal dichalcogenide solar cells. 

PMID- 26274487
TI  - Factors associated with the development of dental caries in children and
      adolescents in studies employing the life course approach: a systematic review.
AB  - The purpose of this article was to conduct a systematic review of studies that
      used the life course approach to evaluate the association between factors
      experienced in early life and throughout the lifetime and the development of
      dental caries in children and adolescents. A systematic search of five electronic
      databases was carried out. Hand searches of the reference lists of the included
      articles and a gray literature search were also performed. Quantitative studies
      that adopted the life course approach to examine the factors associated with the
      development of dental caries in children and adolescents were selected. Abstracts
      were screened by two reviewers. Reports with relevant abstracts received full
      text review and were examined for inclusion in the present systematic review.
      Qualitative evaluation of the included articles was carried out using the
      Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. As a result of the high degree of heterogeneity, meta
      analysis was not feasible. Among the 48 articles submitted to full-text analysis,
      11 were included in the present systematic review. Different life course factors
      were associated with the development of dental caries among children and
      adolescents, including sociodemographic, biological, psychological, and oral
      health behaviors, as well as the dental status of mothers, children, and
      adolescents.

PMID- 26274488
TI  - Effect of 6-8 weeks of oral ursodeoxycholic acid administration on serum
      concentrations of fasting and postprandial bile acids and biochemical analytes in
      healthy dogs.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is commonly used for the treatment of
      hepatobiliary disease. UDCA is a bile acid that can be detected in the bile acid
      assay. Its effect on biochemical analytes is unknown. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this
      study was to determine the effect of 6-8 weeks of UDCA administration on fasting
      and postprandial concentrations of serum bile acids (SBA), cholesterol,
      triglycerides, bilirubin, and liver enzyme activities in healthy dogs. METHODS:
      Twenty healthy dogs received UDCA for 6-8 weeks. CBC, biochemistry profile,
      urinalysis, fasting and postprandial SBA, and hepatobiliary ultrasound
      examination were performed prior to starting UDCA (timepoint 0) and after 6-8
      weeks of therapy, while animals were still receiving UDCA (timepoint 1).
      Timepoint 0 and timepoint 1 values were compared with a paired t-test. SBA were
      remeasured 72 hours after UDCA discontinuation. RESULTS: Only mean fasting SBA at
      timepoint 1 increased significantly (P = .03) from timepoint 0 (2.26 MUmol/L at
      time 0 and 3.81 MUmol/L at time 1) but were not elevated above the normal
      reference interval (0-9 MUmol/L). Two dogs had timepoint 1 fasting SBA above the
      reference interval (10 and 11.7 MUmol/L). One dog had timepoint 1 postprandial
      SBA above the reference interval at 20.1 MUmol/L (reference interval 0-17
      MUmol/L). Repeat SBA 72 hours after UDCA discontinuation were normal.
      CONCLUSIONS: Long-term administration of UDCA to healthy dogs may increase
      fasting SBA above pretreatment values (typically within the reference interval).
      Long-term administration of UDCA to healthy dogs does not alter liver enzyme
      activities, and bilirubin, cholesterol, or triglyceride concentrations.

PMID- 26274490
TI  - The management of cytotoxic chemotherapy extravasation: a systematic review of
      the literature to evaluate the evidence underpinning contemporary practice.
AB  - Management of cytotoxic drug extravasation remains contentious, with differing
      views on the most effective management strategy. With the increasing drive to
      provide effective, evidence-based healthcare, while ensuring the patient
      experience of the treatment provided plays a significant part in the development
      of clinical practice guidelines, the purpose of this literature review was to
      both critically analyse the quality of evidence that underpins contemporary
      practice and to determine if the patient experience is taken into account. A
      literature search was undertaken sourcing publications from the 1960s to July
      2014 identifying all studies detailing strategies aimed at preventing the need
      for surgical debridement and all studies evaluating extravasation management from
      the patient's perspective. No conclusive evidence was found to suggest one
      clinical strategy as more effective than the other. No studies were identified
      that evaluated outcome from the patient's perspective. It is therefore suggested
      that outcomes-based research should underpin contemporary extravasation
      management guidelines to determine what the final outcome or 'end result' is and
      how this impacts on the patient and that the current lack of research into the
      patient experience of extravasation management is an area that needs to be
      addressed. 

PMID- 26274489
TI  - Molecular Detection of 10 of the Most Unwanted Alien Forest Pathogens in Canada
      Using Real-Time PCR.
AB  - Invasive alien tree pathogens can cause significant economic losses as well as
      large-scale damage to natural ecosystems. Early detection to prevent their
      establishment and spread is an important approach used by several national plant
      protection organizations (NPPOs). Molecular detection tools targeting 10 of the
      most unwanted alien forest pathogens in Canada were developed as part of the
      TAIGA project (http://taigaforesthealth.com/). Forest pathogens were selected
      following an independent prioritization. Specific TaqMan real-time PCR detection
      assays were designed to function under homogeneous conditions so that they may be
      used in 96- or 384-well plate format arrays for high-throughput testing of large
      numbers of samples against multiple targets. Assays were validated for 1)
      specificity, 2) sensitivity, 3) precision, and 4) robustness on environmental
      samples. All assays were highly specific when evaluated against a panel of pure
      cultures of target and phylogenetically closely-related species. Sensitivity,
      evaluated by assessing the limit of detection (with a threshold of 95% of
      positive samples), was found to be between one and ten target gene region copies.
      Precision or repeatability of each assay revealed a mean coefficient of variation
      of 3.4%. All assays successfully allowed detection of target pathogen on positive
      environmental samples, without any non-specific amplification. These molecular
      detection tools will allow for rapid and reliable detection of 10 of the most
      unwanted alien forest pathogens in Canada.

PMID- 26274491
TI  - Copper Contamination Impairs Herbivore Initiation of Seaweed Inducible Defenses
      and Decreases Their Effectiveness.
AB  - Seaweed-herbivore interactions are often mediated by environmental conditions,
      yet the roles of emerging anthropogenic stressors on these interactions are
      poorly understood. For example, chemical contaminants have unknown consequences
      on seaweed inducible resistance and herbivore response to these defenses despite
      known deleterious effects of contaminants on animal inducible defenses. Here, we
      investigated the effect of copper contamination on the interactions between a
      snail herbivore and a brown seaweed that displays inducible resistance to
      grazing. We examined seaweed inducible resistance and its effectiveness for
      organisms exposed to copper at two time points, either during induction or after
      herbivores had already induced seaweed defenses. Under ambient conditions, non
      grazed tissues were more palatable than grazed tissues. However, copper additions
      negated the preference for non-grazed tissues regardless of the timing of copper
      exposure, suggesting that copper decreased both how herbivores initiated these
      inducible defenses and their subsequent effectiveness. Copper decreased
      stimulation of defenses, at least in part, by suppressing snail grazing pressure
      the cue that turns inducible defenses on. Copper decreased effectiveness of
      defenses by preventing snails from preferentially consuming non-grazed seaweed.
      Thus, contaminants can potentially stress communities by changing seaweed
      herbivore interactions mediated via inducible defenses. Given the ubiquity of
      seaweed inducible resistance and their potential influence on herbivores, we
      hypothesize that copper contamination may change the impact of these resistant
      traits on herbivores. 

PMID- 26274494
TI  - Insomnia symptoms and behavioural health symptoms in veterans 1 year after
      traumatic brain injury.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Insomnia and behavioural health symptoms 1 year after traumatic brain
      injury (TBI) were examined in a clinical sample representative of veterans who
      received inpatient treatment for TBI-related issues within the Veterans Health
      Administration. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional sub-study (n = 112) of the
      Polytrauma Rehabilitation Centres' traumatic brain injury model system programme.
      Prevalence estimates of insomnia, depression, general anxiety, nightmares,
      headache and substance use, stratified by injury severity, were derived.
      Univariate logistic regression was used to examine unadjusted effects for each
      behavioural health problem and insomnia by injury severity. RESULTS: Participants
      were primarily male, < 30 years old and high school educated. Twenty-nine per
      cent met study criteria for insomnia; those with mild TBI were significantly more
      likely to meet criteria (43%) than those with moderate/severe TBI (22%), chi2(1,
      n = 112) = 5.088, p <= 0.05. Univariable logistic regression analyses revealed
      depressive symptoms and general anxiety were significantly associated with
      insomnia symptoms after TBI of any severity. Headache and binge drinking were
      significantly inversely related to insomnia symptoms after moderate/severe TBI,
      but not MTBI. CONCLUSIONS: Veterans with history of TBI, of any severity, and
      current insomnia symptoms may be at increased risk for depression and anxiety 1
      year after TBI.

PMID- 26274495
TI  - Risk of cutaneous toxicities in patients with solid tumors treated with immune
      checkpoint inhibitors: a meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We performed a meta-analysis of the risk of cutaneous toxicities
      associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors. METHODS: Eligible studies included
      randomized trials of patients with solid tumors on immune checkpoint inhibitors
      (ipilimumab, nivolumab, tremelimumab, pidlizumab and pembrolizumab); describing
      events of rash, vitiligo and pruritus. RESULTS: A total of nine clinical trials
      were considered eligible for the meta-analysis. The relative risk of all-grade
      rash, vitiligo and pruritus was 4.06 (95% CI: 3.35-4.91; p < 0.0001), 16.3 (95%
      CI: 3.21-82.8; p = 0.0008) and 3.4 (95% CI: 2.24-5.16; p < 0.00001),
      respectively. CONCLUSION: Our meta-analysis demonstrates that immune checkpoint
      inhibitors are associated with an increased risk of all grade skin rash, vitiligo
      and pruritus. Clinicians should perform regular clinical cutaneous monitoring.

PMID- 26274493
TI  - Embracing failure: What the Phase III progesterone studies can teach about TBI
      clinical trials.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite positive preclinical studies and two positive Phase II
      clinical trials, two large Phase III clinical trials of progesterone treatment of
      acute traumatic brain injury (TBI) recently ended with negative results, so a
      100% failure rate continues to plague the field of TBI trials. METHODS: This
      paper reviews and analyses the trial structures and outcomes and discusses the
      implications of these failures for future drug and clinical trial development.
      Persistently negative trial outcomes have led to disinvestment in new drug
      research by companies and policy-makers and disappointment for patients and their
      families, failures which represent a major public health concern. The problem is
      not limited to TBI. Failure rates are high for trials in stroke, sepsis,
      cardiology, cancer and orthopaedics, among others. RESULTS: This paper discusses
      some of the reasons why the Phase III trials have failed. These reasons may
      include faulty extrapolation from pre-clinical data in designing clinical trials
      and the use of subjective outcome measures that accurately reflect neither the
      nature of the deficits nor long-term quantitative recovery. CONCLUSIONS: Better
      definitions of injury and healing and better outcome measures are essential to
      change the embrace of failure that has dominated the field for over 30 years.
      This review offers suggestions to improve the situation.

PMID- 26274496
TI  - Response of Archaeal and Bacterial Soil Communities to Changes Associated with
      Outdoor Cattle Overwintering.
AB  - Archaea and bacteria are important drivers for nutrient transformations in soils
      and catalyse the production and consumption of important greenhouse gases. In
      this study, we investigate changes in archaeal and bacterial communities of four
      Czech grassland soils affected by outdoor cattle husbandry. Two show short-term
      (3 years; STI) and long-term impact (17 years; LTI), one is regenerating from
      cattle impact (REG) and a control is unaffected by cattle (CON). Cattle manure
      (CMN), the source of allochthonous microbes, was collected from the same area. We
      used pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA genes to assess the composition of archaeal and
      bacterial communities in each soil type and CMN. Both short- and long- term
      cattle impact negatively altered archaeal and bacterial diversity, leading to
      increase of homogenization of microbial communities in overwintering soils over
      time. Moreover, strong shifts in the prokaryotic communities were observed in
      response to cattle overwintering, with the greatest impact on archaea.
      Oligotrophic and acidophilic microorganisms (e.g. Thaumarchaeota, Acidobacteria,
      and alpha-Proteobacteria) dominated in CON and expressed strong negative response
      to increased pH, total C and N. Whereas copiotrophic and alkalophilic microbes
      (e.g. methanogenic Euryarchaeota, Firmicutes, Chloroflexi, Actinobacteria, and
      Bacteroidetes) were common in LTI showing opposite trends. Crenarchaeota were
      also found in LTI, though their trophic interactions remain cryptic. Firmicutes,
      Bacteroidetes, Methanobacteriaceae, and Methanomicrobiaceae indicated the
      introduction and establishment of faecal microbes into the impacted soils, while
      Chloroflexi and Methanosarcinaceae suggested increased abundance of soil-borne
      microbes under altered environmental conditions. The observed changes in
      prokaryotic community composition may have driven corresponding changes in soil
      functioning. 

PMID- 26274498
TI  - Correction: Bayesian Integration of Information in Hippocampal Place Cells.

PMID- 26274497
TI  - Factors Associated with Mortality and Graft Failure in Liver Transplants: A
      Hierarchical Approach.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Liver transplantation has received increased attention in the medical
      field since the 1980s following the introduction of new immunosuppressants and
      improved surgical techniques. Currently, transplantation is the treatment of
      choice for patients with end-stage liver disease, and it has been expanded for
      other indications. Liver transplantation outcomes depend on donor factors,
      operating conditions, and the disease stage of the recipient. A retrospective
      cohort was studied to identify mortality and graft failure rates and their
      associated factors. All adult liver transplants performed in the state of Sao
      Paulo, Brazil, between 2006 and 2012 were studied. METHODS AND FINDINGS: A
      hierarchical Poisson multiple regression model was used to analyze factors
      related to mortality and graft failure in liver transplants. A total of 2,666
      patients, 18 years or older, (1,482 males; 1,184 females) were investigated.
      Outcome variables included mortality and graft failure rates, which were grouped
      into a single binary variable called negative outcome rate. Additionally, donor
      clinical, laboratory, intensive care, and organ characteristics and recipient
      clinical data were analyzed. The mortality rate was 16.2 per 100 person-years
      (py) (95% CI: 15.1-17.3), and the graft failure rate was 1.8 per 100 py (95% CI:
      1.5-2.2). Thus, the negative outcome rate was 18.0 per 100 py (95% CI: 16.9
      19.2). The best risk model demonstrated that recipient creatinine >= 2.11 mg/dl
      [RR = 1.80 (95% CI: 1.56-2.08)], total bilirubin >= 2.11 mg/dl [RR = 1.48 (95%
      CI: 1.27-1.72)], Na+ >= 141.01 mg/dl [RR = 1.70 (95% CI: 1.47-1.97)], RNI >= 2.71
      [RR = 1.64 (95% CI: 1.41-1.90)], body surface >= 1.98 [RR = 0.81 (95% CI: 0.68
      0.97)] and donor age >= 54 years [RR = 1.28 (95% CI: 1.11-1.48)], male gender [RR
      = 1.19(95% CI: 1.03-1.37)], dobutamine use [RR = 0.54 (95% CI: 0.36-0.82)] and
      intubation >= 6 days [RR = 1.16 (95% CI: 1.10-1.34)] affected the negative
      outcome rate. CONCLUSIONS: The current study confirms that both donor and
      recipient characteristics must be considered in post-transplant outcomes and
      prognostic scores. Our data demonstrated that recipient characteristics have a
      greater impact on post-transplant outcomes than donor characteristics. This new
      concept makes liver transplant teams to rethink about the limits in a MELD
      allocation system, with many teams competing with each other. The results suggest
      that although we have some concerns about the donors features, the recipient
      factors were heaviest predictors for bad outcomes.

PMID- 26274499
TI  - Genotyping of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in DNA Isolated from Serum Using
      Sequenom MassARRAY Technology.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Large epidemiologic studies have the potential to make valuable
      contributions to the assessment of gene-environment interactions because they
      prospectively collected detailed exposure data. Some of these studies, however,
      have only serum or plasma samples as a low quantity source of DNA. METHODS: We
      examined whether DNA isolated from serum can be used to reliably and accurately
      genotype single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) using Sequenom multiplex SNP
      genotyping technology. We genotyped 81 SNPs using samples from 158 participants
      in the NYU Women's Health Study. Each participant had DNA from serum and at least
      one paired DNA sample isolated from a high quality source of DNA, i.e. clots
      and/or cell precipitates, for comparison. RESULTS: We observed that 60 of the 81
      SNPs (74%) had high call frequencies (>=95%) using DNA from serum, only slightly
      lower than the 85% of SNPs with high call frequencies in DNA from clots or cell
      precipitates. Of the 57 SNPs with high call frequencies for serum, clot, and cell
      precipitate DNA, 54 (95%) had highly concordant (>98%) genotype calls across all
      three sample types. High purity was not a critical factor to successful
      genotyping. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that this multiplex SNP genotyping
      method can be used reliably on DNA from serum in large-scale epidemiologic
      studies.

PMID- 26274500
TI  - Real-Time PCR Quantification of Heteroplasmy in a Mouse Model with Mitochondrial
      DNA of C57BL/6 and NZB/BINJ Strains.
AB  - Mouse models are widely employed to study mitochondrial inheritance, which have
      implications to several human diseases caused by mutations in the mitochondrial
      genome (mtDNA). These mouse models take advantage of polymorphisms between the
      mtDNA of the NZB/BINJ and the mtDNA of common inbred laboratory (i.e., C57BL/6)
      strains to generate mice with two mtDNA haplotypes (heteroplasmy). Based on PCR
      followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), these studies
      determine the level of heteroplasmy across generations and in different cell
      types aiming to understand the mechanisms underlying mitochondrial inheritance.
      However, PCR-RFLP is a time-consuming method of low sensitivity and accuracy that
      dependents on the use of restriction enzyme digestions. A more robust method to
      measure heteroplasmy has been provided by the use of real-time quantitative PCR
      (qPCR) based on allelic refractory mutation detection system (ARMS-qPCR). Herein,
      we report an ARMS-qPCR assay for quantification of heteroplasmy using
      heteroplasmic mice with mtDNA of NZB/BINJ and C57BL/6 origin. Heteroplasmy and
      mtDNA copy number were estimated in germline and somatic tissues, providing
      evidence of the reliability of the approach. Furthermore, it enabled single-step
      quantification of heteroplasmy, with sensitivity to detect as low as 0.1% of
      either NZB/BINJ or C57BL/6 mtDNA. These findings are relevant as the ARMS-qPCR
      assay reported here is fully compatible with similar heteroplasmic mouse models
      used to study mitochondrial inheritance in mammals.

PMID- 26274501
TI  - Progressive Hemorrhage and Myotoxicity Induced by Echis carinatus Venom in Murine
      Model: Neutralization by Inhibitor Cocktail of N,N,N',N'-Tetrakis (2
      Pyridylmethyl) Ethane-1,2-Diamine and Silymarin.
AB  - Viperbite is often associated with severe local toxicity, including progressive
      hemorrhage and myotoxicity, persistent even after the administration of anti
      snake venom (ASV). In the recent past, investigations have revealed the
      orchestrated actions of Zn2+ metalloproteases (Zn2+MPs), phospholipase A2s
      (PLA2s) and hyaluronidases (HYs) in the onset and progression of local toxicity
      from the bitten site. As a consequence, venom researchers and medical
      practitioners are in deliberate quest of potent molecules alongside ASV to tackle
      the brutal local manifestations induced by aforesaid venom toxins. Based on these
      facts, we have demonstrated the protective efficacy of inhibitor cocktail
      containing equal ratios of N,N,N',N'-tetrakis (2-pyridylmethyl) ethane-1,2
      diamine (TPEN) and silymarin (SLN) against progressive local toxicity induced by
      Echis carinatus venom (ECV). In our previous study we have shown the inhibitory
      potentials of TPEN towards Zn2+MPs of ECV (IC50: 6.7 MUM). In this study we have
      evaluated in vitro inhibitory potentials of SLN towards PLA2s (IC50: 12.5 MUM)
      and HYs (IC50: 8 MUM) of ECV in addition to docking studies. Further, we have
      demonstrated the protection of ECV induced local toxicity with 10 mM inhibitor
      cocktail following 15, 30 min (for hemorrhage and myotoxicity); 60 min (for
      hemorrhage alone) of ECV injection in murine model. The histological examination
      of skin and thigh muscle sections taken out from the site of ECV injection
      substantiated the overall protection offered by inhibitor cocktail. In
      conclusion, the protective efficacy of inhibitor cocktail is of high interest and
      can be administered locally alongside ASV to treat severe local toxicity. 

PMID- 26274502
TI  - Molecular Basis for the Mechanism of Constitutive CBP/p300 Coactivator
      Recruitment by CRTC1-MAML2 and Its Implications in cAMP Signaling.
AB  - The cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB) is a signal-dependent
      transcription factor that exerts its positive effects on gene transcription of a
      broad range of genes by recruiting coactivators, including CREB-binding protein
      (CBP), its paralog, p300, and the family of CRTC (CREB-regulated transcriptional
      coactivators) proteins. Whereas recruitment of CBP/p300 is dependent on CREB
      phosphorylation at Ser133, recruitment of CRTCs is not. Here we describe how both
      mechanisms could concurrently drive transcription of CREB targets in a subset of
      head and neck cancers featuring chromosomal translocations that fuse portions of
      CRTC1 and CRTC3 genes with that of the Mastermind-like transcriptional
      coactivator MAML2. We show that a peptide derived from transactivation domain 1
      (TAD1) of MAML2 binds to the CBP KIX domain with micromolar affinity. An ~20
      residue segment within this peptide, conserved in MAML2 orthologs and paralogs,
      binds directly to a KIX surface previously shown to bind to MLL1. The 20-residue
      MAML2 segment shares sequence similarity with MLL1, especially at those positions
      in direct contact with KIX, and like MLL1, the segment is characterized by the
      presence of an ~10-residue helix. Because CRTC1/3-MAML2 fusion proteins are
      constitutively nuclear, like CREB, our results suggest constitutive recruitment
      of CBP/p300 to CREB targets that could be further enhanced by signals that cause
      CREB Ser133 phosphorylation. 

PMID- 26274503
TI  - Comparative MiRNA Expressional Profiles and Molecular Networks in Human Small
      Bowel Tissues of Necrotizing Enterocolitis and Spontaneous Intestinal
      Perforation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and spontaneous intestinal
      perforation (SIP) are acute intestinal conditions which could result in mortality
      and severe morbidity in preterm infants. Our objective was to identify
      dysregulated micro-RNAs (miRNAs) in small bowel tissues of NEC and SIP, and their
      possible roles in disease pathophysiology. METHODS: We performed differential
      miRNA arrays on tissues of NEC (n = 4), SIP (n = 4) and surgical-control (Surg
      CTL; n = 4), and validated target miRNAs by qPCR (n = 10 each group). The
      association of target miRNAs with 52 dysregulated mRNAs was investigated by
      bioinformatics on functional and base-pair sequence algorithms, and correlation
      in same tissue samples. RESULTS: We presented the first miRNA profiles of NEC,
      SIP and Surg-CTL intestinal tissues in preterm infants. Of 28 validated miRNAs,
      21 were significantly different between NEC or SIP and Surg-CTL. Limited
      overlapping in the aberrant expression of miRNAs between NEC and SIP indicated
      their distinct molecular mechanisms. A proposed network of dysregulated
      miRNA/mRNA pairs in NEC suggested interaction at bacterial receptor TLR4 (miR-31,
      miR-451, miR-203, miR-4793-3p), mediated via key transcription factors NFKB2 (miR
      203), AP-1/FOSL1 (miR-194-3p), FOXA1 (miR-21-3p, miR-431 and miR-1290) and HIF1A
      (miR-31), and extended downstream to pathways of angiogenesis, arginine
      metabolism, cell adhesion and chemotaxis, extracellular matrix remodeling,
      hypoxia/oxidative stress, inflammation and muscle contraction. In contrast,
      upregulation of miR-451 and miR-223 in SIP suggested modulation of G-protein
      mediated muscle contraction. CONCLUSIONS: The robust response of miRNA
      dysregulation in NEC and SIP, and concerted involvement of specific miRNAs in the
      molecular networks indicated their crucial roles in mucosa integrity and disease
      pathophysiology.

PMID- 26274504
TI  - Correlations between Clinical Features and Mortality in Patients with Vibrio
      vulnificus Infection.
AB  - Vibrio vulnificus is a common gram-negative bacterium, which might cause
      morbidity and mortality in patients following consumption of seafood or exposure
      to seawater in Southeast China. We retrospectively analyzed clinical data of
      patients with laboratory confirmed V. vulnificus infection. Twenty one patients
      were divided into a survival group and a non-surviving (or death) group according
      to their clinical outcome. Clinical data and measurements were statistically
      analyzed. Four patients (19.05%) died and five patients gave positive cultures
      from bile fluid, and 16 other patients gave positive culture from blood or
      blisters. Ten patients (47.62%) had an underlying liver disease and marine
      related events were found in sixteen patients (76.2%). Patients with heavy
      drinking habits might be at increased mortality (p = 0.028). Clinical
      manifestations of cellulitis (47.6%), septic shock (42.9%) and multiple organ
      failure (28.6%) were statistically significant when comparing survivors and non
      survivors (p = 0.035, p = 0.021 and p = 0.003, respectively). The laboratory
      results, including hemoglobin < 9.0 g/L (p = 0.012), platelets < 2.0 * 109 /L,
      prothrombin time activity (PTA) <20%, decreased serum creatinine and increased
      urea nitrogen were statistically significant (p = 0.012, p = 0.003, p = 0.028 and
      p = 0.028, respectively). Patients may be at a higher risk of mortality under
      situations where they have a history of habitual heavy alcoholic drink
      consumption (p = 0.028, OR = 22.5, 95%CI 1.5-335.3), accompanied with cellulitis,
      shock, multiple organ failure, and laboratory examinations that are complicated
      by decreased platelets, hemoglobin and significantly prolonged prothrombin time
      (PT).

PMID- 26274506
TI  - Organ Allocation and Distribution: Lessons to Be Learned and Principles to Lead
      Us Forward.

PMID- 26274505
TI  - Circular RNA of the human sphingomyelin synthase 1 gene: Multiple splice
      variants, evolutionary conservatism and expression in different tissues.
AB  - The human sphingomyelin synthase 1 gene (SGMS1) encodes an essential enzyme that
      is involved in the synthesis of sphingomyelin and diacylglycerol from
      phosphatidylcholine and ceramide. Among the products of SGMS1, we found new
      transcripts, circular RNAs (circRNAs), that contain sequences of the gene's 5'
      untranslated region (5'UTR). Some of them include the gene's coding region and
      fragments of introns. An analysis of the abundance of circRNAs in human tissues
      showed that the largest transcripts were predominantly found in different parts
      of the brain. circRNAs of rat and mouse sphingomyelin synthase 1 orthologous
      genes were detected and are highly similar to the human SGMS1 gene transcripts. A
      quantitative analysis of the abundance of such transcripts also revealed their
      elevated amount in the brain. A computational analysis of sequences of human
      circRNAs showed their high potential of binding microRNAs (miRNAs), including the
      miRNAs that form complexes with Ago proteins and the mRNA of SGMS1. We assume
      that the circRNAs identified here participate in the regulation of the function
      of the SGMS1 gene in the brain. 

PMID- 26274507
TI  - An Isolable, Photoswitchable N-Heterocyclic Carbene: On-Demand Reversible Ammonia
      Activation.
AB  - The first isolable, photoswitchable N-heterocyclic carbene was synthesized and
      found to undergo reversible electrocyclic isomerization upon successive exposure
      to UV and visible radiation. The UV-induced ring closure afforded substantial
      changes to the electronic structure of the dithienylethene-based NHC, as
      evidenced by changes in the corresponding UV/Vis absorption and (13)C NMR
      spectra. Likewise, molecular orbital calculations revealed diminished electron
      density at the carbene nucleus upon photocyclization, consistent with the
      enhanced electrophilicity displayed by the ring-closed form. The photoswitchable
      NHC was successfully switched between its ring-opened and ring-closed states with
      high fidelity over multiple cycles. Furthermore, the ring-closed isomer was found
      to undergo facile N-H bond activation, allowing for the controlled capture and
      release of ammonia upon cycling between its isomeric states.

PMID- 26274508
TI  - High-quality results of cytoreductive surgery and heated intraperitoneal
      chemotherapy perfusion for carcinomatosis at a low volume institution.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Maximal cytoreductive surgery (CS) with heated
      intraperitoneal chemotherapy perfusion (HIPEC) for peritoneal carcinomatosis can
      improve oncologic outcomes, but is associated with significant morbidity. Whether
      low-volume experience with CS/HIPEC results in acceptable outcomes is unknown.
      METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients undergoing CS/HIPEC by a single
      surgeon. Experience was divided into first versus second 50 cases, and patient
      characteristics, operative details, and outcomes were compared. RESULTS: Ninety
      patients underwent 100 CS/HIPEC procedures (mean age 57 years, 68% female). 
      Compared to the initial experience, the second 50 cases included more high grade
      tumors (68 vs. 52%) and greater disease burden (PCI 14.2 vs. 12.4). Operative
      times remained unchanged and mean blood loss decreased (978 vs. 684 ml). Hospital
      stay (mean 18.1 vs. 12.6 days), major complications (24 vs. 16%), and
      perioperative mortality (8 vs. 2%) declined. Overall median survival was 18
      months and was longer with low grade tumors (26 vs. 16 months, P = 0.03).
      CONCLUSIONS: Patients experienced reduced EBL, fewer major complications, and
      shorter hospital stay, despite having higher disease burden and higher grade
      tumors. This suggests that even low-volume experience with CS/HIPEC can lead to a
      trend in reduction of adverse perioperative events with acceptable oncologic
      outcomes.

PMID- 26274510
TI  - In response to the article, "Relationship of Adverse Events and Support to RN
      Burnout".

PMID- 26274509
TI  - Gain-of-function nature of Cav1.4 L-type calcium channels alters firing
      properties of mouse retinal ganglion cells.
AB  - Proper function of Cav1.4 L-type calcium channels is crucial for neurotransmitter
      release in the retina. Our understanding about how different levels of Cav1.4
      channel activity affect retinal function is still limited. In the gain-of
      function mouse model Cav1.4-IT we expected a reduction in the photoreceptor
      dynamic range but still transmission toward retinal ganglion cells. A fraction of
      Cav1.4-IT ganglion cells responded to light stimulation in multielectrode array
      recordings from whole-mounted retinas, but showed a significantly delayed
      response onset. Another significant number of cells showed higher activity in
      darkness. In addition to structural remodeling observed at the first retinal
      synapse of Cav1.4-IT mice the functional data suggested a loss of contrast
      enhancement, a fundamental feature of our visual system. In fact, Cav1.4-IT mouse
      retinas showed a decline in spatial response and changes in their contrast
      sensitivity profile. Photoreceptor degeneration was obvious from the nodular
      structure of cone axons and enlarged pedicles which partly moved toward the outer
      nuclear layer. Loss of photoreceptors was also expressed as reduced expression of
      proteins involved in chemical and electrical transmission, as such metabotropic
      glutamate receptor mGluR6 and the gap junction protein Connexin 36. Such gross
      changes in retinal structure and function could also explain the diminished
      visual performance of CSNB2 patients. The expression pattern of the plasma
      membrane calcium ATPase 1 which participates in the maintenance of the
      intracellular calcium homeostasis in photoreceptors was changed in Cav1.4-IT
      mice. This might be part of a protection mechanism against increased calcium
      influx, as this is suggested for Cav1.4-IT channels. 

PMID- 26274511
TI  - Better Care, Better Quality: Reducing Avoidable Hospitalizations of Nursing Home
      Residents.

PMID- 26274512
TI  - Creating a Standardized Process to Meet Core Measure Compliance.
AB  - A standardized process to improve compliance with venous thromboembolism
      prophylaxis and hospital-based inpatient psychiatric services Core Measures was
      developed, implemented, and evaluated by a clinical nurse specialist team. The
      use of a 1-page tool with the requirements and supporting evidence, combined with
      concurrent data and feedback, ensured success of improving compliance. The
      initial robust process of education and concurrent and retrospective review
      follow-up allowed for this process to be successful. 

PMID- 26274513
TI  - Solvatochromism, Reversible Chromism and Self-Assembly Effects of Heteroatom
      Assisted Aggregation-Induced Enhanced Emission (AIEE) Compounds.
AB  - Two compounds, 9,10-bis[2-(quinolyl)vinyl]anthracene (BQVA) and 9,10-bis[2
      (naphthalen-2-yl)vinyl]anthracene (BNVA), have been synthesised and investigated.
      Both of them have aggregation-induced enhanced emission (AIEE) properties.
      Heteroatom-assisted BQVA shows solvatochromism, reversible chromism properties
      and self-assembly effects. When increasing the solvent polarities, the green
      solution of BQVA turns to orange with a redshift of the fluorescence emission
      wavelengths from lambda=527 to 565 nm. Notably, BQVA exhibits reversible chromism
      properties, including mechano- and thermochromism. The as-prepared BQVA powders
      show green fluorescence (lambdaem=525 nm) and the colour can turn into orange
      (lambdaem=573 nm) after grinding. Interestingly, the orange colour can return at
      high temperature. Based on these reversible chromism properties, a simple and
      convenient erasable board has been designed. Different from BQVA, non-heteroatom
      assisted BNVA has no clear chromic processes. The results obtained from XRD,
      differential scanning calorimetry, single-crystal analysis and theoretical
      calculations indicate that the chromic processes depend on the heteroatoms in
      BQVA. Additionally, BQVA also exhibits excellent self-assembly effects in
      different solvents. Homogeneous nanospheres are formed in mixtures of
      tetrahydrofuran and water, which are then doped into silica nanoparticles and
      treated with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane to give amino-functionalised
      nanoparticles (BQVA-AFNPs). The BQVA?AFNPs could be used to stain protein markers
      in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

PMID- 26274514
TI  - Author's response re: Finazzi-Agro E. Prevalence of "uncomplicated" stress
      urinary incontinence in female patients prior to surgery. Neurourol Urodyn 2015.

PMID- 26274515
TI  - Overgeneral past and future thinking in dysphoria: the role of emotional cues and
      cueing methodology.
AB  - Overgeneral memory, where individuals exhibit difficulties in retrieving specific
      episodes from autobiographical memory, has been consistently linked with
      emotional disorders. However, the majority of this literature has relied upon a
      single methodology, in which participants respond to emotional cue words with
      explicit instructions to retrieve/simulate specific events. Through the use of
      sentence completion tasks the current studies explored whether overgenerality
      represents a habitual pattern of thinking that extends to how individuals
      naturally consider their personal past and future life story. In both studies,
      when compared with controls, dysphoric individuals evidenced overgeneral thinking
      style with respect to their personal past. However, overgeneral future thinking
      was only evident when the sentence stems included emotional words. These findings
      highlight the importance of investigating the overgenerality phenomenon using a
      variety of cueing techniques and results are discussed with reference to the
      previous literature exploring overgenerality and cognitive models of depression. 

PMID- 26274516
TI  - Clinical Outcomes After Implantation of a Trifocal Toric Intraocular Lens.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the visual, refractive, and contrast sensitivity outcomes,
      as well as the level of photic phenomena, after cataract surgery with
      implantation of a trifocal diffractive toric intraocular lens (IOL). METHODS:
      This prospective study included 56 eyes with corneal astigmatism of 1.00 diopters
      (D) or greater of 28 patients (age: 23 to 78 years) undergoing cataract surgery
      with implantation of the trifocal toric IOL AT LISA tri toric 939MP (Carl Zeiss
      Meditec, Jena, Germany). Monocular and binocular visual outcomes, refractive
      changes, contrast sensitivity, and photic phenomena perception (Halo & Glare
      Simulator; Eyeland-Design Network GmbH, Vreden, Germany) were evaluated at 3
      months postoperatively. RESULTS: Mean 3-month postoperative monocular uncorrected
      distance (UDVA), intermediate (UIVA), and near (UNVA) visual acuities were 0.13+/
      0.15, 0.08+/-0.15, and 0.13+/-0.18 logMAR, respectively. Binocular postoperative
      CDVA, DCIVA, and DCNVA values were 0.10 logMAR or better in all cases. A total of
      88.2%, 88.2%, and 95.5% of eyes achieved binocular UDVA, UIVA, and UNVA values of
      0.20 logMAR or better, respectively. Postoperative refractive cylinder was 0.50 D
      or less and 1.00 D or less in 78.6% and 98.2% of eyes, respectively. Photopic
      contrast sensitivity was significantly better than mesopic values for the spatial
      frequencies of 6 (P=.007), 12 (P=.005), and 18 cycles/degree (P=.011). Mean size
      and intensity of halos were 50.67+/-15.69 and 54.89+/-17.86, respectively. Mean
      glare size and intensity were 39.67+/-3.51 and 44.67+/-15.01, respectively.
      CONCLUSIONS: The evaluated trifocal diffractive toric IOL provides an effective
      restoration of the distance, intermediate, and near vision after cataract surgery
      with good levels of visual quality and minimal photic phenomena.

PMID- 26274517
TI  - Vector Analysis, Rotational Stability, and Visual Outcome After Implantation of a
      New Aspheric Toric IOL.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate vector analysis, rotational stability, and refractive and
      visual outcome of a new toric intraocular lens (IOL) for correction of
      preexisting corneal astigmatism during routine cataract surgery. METHODS: In this
      prospective, interventional case series, 30 toric, aspheric Bi-Flex T toric IOLs
      (Medicontur Medical Engineering Ltd., Inc., Zsambek, Hungary) were implanted in
      20 consecutive patients with topographic corneal astigmatism between 1.50 and
      4.00 diopters (D) and evaluated within the first year after implantation.
      Appropriate IOL-toric alignment was facilitated by combined imaging/eye tracking
      technology. Postoperative evaluation included refraction and uncorrected and
      corrected distance visual acuities (UDVA, CDVA). For each visit,
      photodocumentation in retroillumination was performed to evaluate toric alignment
      and potential toric IOL rotation. Vector analysis of refractive astigmatism was
      performed using the Alpins method. RESULTS: At 12 months postoperatively, a
      reduction of the refractive astigmatism from 1.93+/-0.90 D (range: 0.50 to 4.00
      D) to 0.28+/-0.61 D (range: 0.00 to 1.50 D) could be found, with patients
      achieving a mean UDVA of 0.06+/-0.16 logMAR (range: -0.18 to 0.40 logMAR; Snellen
      20/20). Intraoperative to 12-month postoperative comparison of IOL axis alignment
      showed low levels of rotation (0.2 degrees +/-2.41 degrees ; range: +4 degrees 
      to -5 degrees ). Vector analysis showed target induced astigmatism of 0.60 D @180
      degrees , surgically induced astigmatism of 0.80 D @177 degrees , correction
      index of 1.02+/-0.25, and a difference vector of 0.30 D @82 degrees .
      CONCLUSIONS: Implantation of the new Bi-Flex T IOL was a safe, stable, and
      effective method to correct preexisting regular corneal astigmatism during
      cataract surgery.

PMID- 26274518
TI  - The Contested Terrain of Focus Groups, Lived Experience, and Qualitative Research
      Traditions.

PMID- 26274519
TI  - Methylmercury biomagnification in an Arctic pelagic food web.
AB  - Mercury (Hg) is a toxic element that enters the biosphere from natural and
      anthropogenic sources, and emitted gaseous Hg enters the Arctic from lower
      latitudes by long-range transport. In aquatic systems, anoxic conditions favor
      the bacterial transformation of inorganic Hg to methylmercury (MeHg), which has a
      greater potential for bioaccumulation than inorganic Hg and is the most toxic
      form of Hg. The main objective of the present study was to quantify the
      biomagnification of MeHg in a marine pelagic food web, comprising species of
      zooplankton, fish, and seabirds, from the Kongsfjorden system (Svalbard, Norway),
      by use of trophic magnification factors. As expected, tissue concentrations of
      MeHg increased with increasing trophic level in the food web, though at greater
      rates than observed in several earlier studies, especially at lower latitudes.
      There was strong correlation between MeHg and total Hg concentrations through the
      food web as a whole. The concentration of MeHg in kittiwake decreased from May to
      October, contributing to seasonal differences in trophic magnification factors.
      The ecology and physiology of the species comprising the food web in question may
      have a large influence on the magnitude of the biomagnification. A significant
      linear relationship was also observed between concentrations of selenium and
      total Hg in birds but not in zooplankton, suggesting the importance of selenium
      in Hg detoxification for individuals with high Hg concentrations.

PMID- 26274522
TI  - Isolation of Neofusicoccum parvum from withered grapes: strain characterization,
      pathogenicity and its detrimental effects on passito wine aroma.
AB  - AIMS: There is scarce information on the occurrence of several fungi that infect
      withered grapes to produce passito wine. Isolation and characterization of
      Neofusicoccum parvum strains and evaluation of their effects on withered grape
      and wine were carried out. METHODS AND RESULTS: Nine isolates were phenotypically
      characterized by colony morphology and genetically discriminated by molecular
      methods. Two representative strains were identified as N. parvum according to the
      phylogenetic analysis of internal transcribed spacer (ITS), and a part of
      translation elongation factor 1-alfa (TEF) and beta-tubulin DNA sequences. The
      pathogenicity of both strains on grape berries varied according to the
      inoculation and incubation conditions. Under withering conditions, infected
      berries showed browning and shrivelling and some berries showed pycnidial
      development on the surface. The infection affected laccase, esterase, beta
      glucosidase and tannase on grape juice as well as the content of several aroma
      molecules on resulting wines. Strain-specific effects on wine composition were
      also observed. CONCLUSIONS: Neofusicoccum parvum occurred in withered grapes and
      was able to infect grapes under withering condition changing the aroma wine.
      SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study reports for the first time the
      N. parvum isolation in fruit-drying rooms and indicates its important role on
      postharvest grape infection.

PMID- 26274523
TI  - Cell-free expression of functional receptor tyrosine kinases.
AB  - Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) play critical roles in physiological and
      pathological processes, and are important anticancer drug targets. In vitro
      mechanistic and drug discovery studies of full-length RTKs require protein that
      is both fully functional and free from contaminating proteins. Here we describe a
      rapid cell-free and detergent-free co-translation method for producing full
      length and functional ERBB2 and EGFR receptor tyrosine kinases supported by water
      soluble apolipoprotein A-I based nanolipoprotein particles. 

PMID- 26274524
TI  - Association Between BMP-2 and Carcinogenicity.
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: Literature review. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between
      recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) and malignancy. SUMMARY
      OF BACKGROUND DATA: The use of rhBMP-2 in spine surgery has been the topic of
      much debate as studies assessing the association between rhBMP-2 and malignancy
      have come to conflicting conclusions. METHODS: A systematic review of the
      literature was performed using the PubMed-National Library of Medicine/National
      Institute of Health databases. Only non-clinical studies directly addressing BMP
      2 and cancer were included. Articles were categorized by study type (animal, in
      vitro cell line/human/animal), primary malignancy, cancer attributes, and whether
      BMP-2 was pro-malignancy or not. RESULTS: A total of 4,131 articles were
      reviewed. Of those, 515 articles made reference to both BMP-2 and cancer, 99 of
      which were found to directly examine the role of BMP-2 in cancer. Seventy-five
      studies were in vitro and 24 were animal studies. Forty-three studies concluded
      that BMP-2 enhanced cancer function, whereas 18 studies found that BMP-2
      suppressed malignancy. Thirty-six studies did not examine whether BMP-2 enhanced
      or suppressed cancer function. Fifteen studies demonstrated BMP-2 dose dependence
      (9 enhancement, 6 suppression) and one study demonstrated no dose dependence.
      Nine studies demonstrated BMP-2 time dependence (6 enhancement, 3 suppression).
      However, no study demonstrated that BMP-2 caused cancer de novo. CONCLUSION:
      Currently, conflicting data exist with regard to the effect of exogenous BMP-2 on
      cancer. The majority of studies addressed the role of BMP-2 in prostate (17%),
      breast (17%), and lung (15%) cancers. Most were in vitro studies (75%) and
      examined cancer invasiveness and metastatic potential (37%). Of 99 studies, there
      was no demonstration of BMP-2 causing cancer de novo. However, 43% of studies
      suggested that BMP-2 enhances tumor function, motivating more definitive research
      on the topic that also includes clinically meaningful dose- and time-dependence.
      LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2.

PMID- 26274525
TI  - Rationale for the Surgical Treatment of Lumbar Degenerative Spondylolisthesis.
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: A questionnaire survey. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to
      determine the effect of patient age, dynamic instability, and/or low back pain on
      the treatment of patients with a degenerative spondylolisthesis, and if the
      operative approach is affected by surgeon specialty, location, or practice model.
      SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The classic treatment for patients with symptomatic
      degenerative spondylolisthesis is decompression and fusion; however in a select
      group of patients, an isolated decompression may be reasonable. METHODS: A survey
      was sent to surgeon members of the Lumbar Spine Research Society and AOSpine
      requesting information regarding their preferred treatment of degenerative
      spondylolisthesis for a number of different clinical scenarios. Determinants
      included patient age, the presence of instability, symptoms of low back pain,
      surgeon's location, surgeon's specialty, and practice model. RESULTS: A total of
      223 spine surgeons completed the survey. Age of the patient, the presence of
      instability, and low back pain all significantly (P < 0.0001) affected the
      recommended treatment, which were independent of surgeon factors. Older patients
      were significantly less likely to be offered an interbody fusion and more likely
      to be recommended for an isolated decompression (P < 0.0001), and the presence of
      dynamic instability made an interbody fusion more likely than an isolated
      decompression (P < 0.0001). Of those who responded, 53.2% of surgeons reported
      they would recommend an isolated decompression for a properly selected patient
      with a degenerative spondylolisthesis. CONCLUSION: The most common operative
      treatment for a degenerative spondylolisthesis is a decompression and fusion;
      however, the results of this survey demonstrate that surgeons consider
      degenerative spondylolisthesis a heterogeneous condition that requires an
      individualized surgical plan. Future studies are needed to evaluate the effect of
      variables such as age, the presence of low back pain, and the presence of dynamic
      instability on patient reported outcomes from various surgical options. LEVEL OF
      EVIDENCE: N/A.

PMID- 26274526
TI  - Geographic Variation in Early MRI for Acute Work-Related Low Back Pain and
      Associated Factors.
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study using medical claims data. OBJECTIVE: To
      document the extent of geographic variation in utilization of magnetic resonance
      imaging (MRI) for working-age patients early in the course of acute, disabling
      low back pain (LBP); to identify potential factors associated with the most
      extreme variations. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Although guidelines discourage
      MRI in acute uncomplicated LBP, this practice is highly prevalent. Geographic
      variation in radiologic testing is common, and may indicate problems with access
      or quality of care, yet this has not been studied in working-age patients with
      LBP (a frequent cause for acute care visits). METHODS: All cases of acute,
      disabling LBP with onset between 1/1/2002 and 12/31/2007 were selected from a
      large workers' compensation data source. Detailed information from medical bills
      was used to identify persons who received early MRI (within 30 days of onset),
      classify cases by LBP severity, and exclude those with concurrent injuries or
      diseases, and/or prior LBP disability. Individual predictors included age,
      gender, job tenure, and industry. State-level predictors included economic,
      physician supply and practice variables, workers compensation system features,
      and MRI testing location. Generalized linear mixed models were constructed to
      evaluate within- and between-state variability, selecting the six highest and six
      lowest MRI utilization states. RESULTS: State rates of early MRI scanning varied
      from 6.0% to 58.4%. In the 12 selected most extreme states, non-hospital MRI
      sites and lower state median income were associated with higher rates of early
      MRIs, explaining 84% of between-state variation, and 12.5% of all observed
      variability. Inter-state differences in MRI rates were greatest for lower
      severity cases. Higher severity diagnoses were more common in high utilization
      states. CONCLUSIONS: Between-state inappropriate early MRI variability is largely
      explained by rate of non-hospital MRI sites and state median income. Potential
      solutions include efforts to address inappropriate referral patterns based on
      private MRI facility ownership, and to improve quality of communication with low
      income patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

PMID- 26274527
TI  - Does Lumbosacral Transitional Vertebra Have Any Influence on Sacral Tilt?
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study. OBJECTIVE: To compare the sacral
      tilt (ST) angle between patients with and without lumbosacral transitional
      vertebra (LSTV). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Although LSTV is a common
      malformation of the lumbosacral region, data regarding the effect of LSTV on the
      tilt of sacrum is limited. METHODS: Anterioposterior and lateral lumbar
      radiographs of patients with low back pain performed between March 2013 and
      September 2013 were extracted from the medical electronic database. Among these
      radiographs, those belonging to patients with Castellvi types II, III, and IV
      LSTV were identified. The angle of ST was measured on lateral lumbar radiographs
      and compared with that of age- and sex-matched controls without LSTV. RESULTS: Of
      the 1588 radiographs extracted from the database, 96 (6.1%) were positive in
      terms of Castellvi types II, III and IV LSTV. 85 of them were found to be
      eligible for analysis. Patients with LSTV had significantly smaller ST angle than
      those without LSTV (p = 0.000). However, this angle did not differ among types
      (II, III and IV) of LSTV (p = 0.788). CONCLUSION: Results of this study revealed
      that patients with LSTV had less ST--that is to say more vertical sacrum-than
      those without this malformation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

PMID- 26274528
TI  - Reduced Field-of-View Diffusion Tensor Imaging of the Spinal Cord Shows Motor
      Dysfunction of the Lower Extremities in Patients With Cervical Compression
      Myelopathy.
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to
      quantify spinal cord dysfunction at the tract level in patients with cervical
      compressive myelopathy (CCM) using reduced field-of-view (rFOV) diffusion tensor
      imaging (DTI). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Although magnetic resonance imaging
      (MRI) is the standard used for radiological evaluation of CCM, information
      acquired by MRI does not necessarily reflect the severity of spinal cord
      disorder. There is a growing interest in developing imaging methods to quantify
      spinal cord dysfunction. To acquire high-resolution DTI, a new scheme using rFOV
      has been proposed. METHODS: We enrolled 10 healthy volunteers and 20 patients
      with CCM in this study. The participants were studied using a 3.0-T MRI system.
      For DTI acquisitions, diffusion-weighted spin-echo rFOV single-shot echo-planar
      imaging was used. Regions-of-interest (ROI) for the lateral column (LC) and
      posterior column (PC) tracts were determined on the basis of a map of fractional
      anisotropy (FA) of the spinal cord and FA values were measured. The FA of
      patients with CCM was compared with that of healthy controls and correlated with
      Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score. RESULTS: In LC and PC tracts, FA
      values in patients with CCM were significantly lower than in healthy volunteers.
      Total JOA scores correlated moderately with FA in LC and PC tracts. JOA subscores
      for motor dysfunction of the lower extremities correlated strongly with FA in LC
      and PC tracts. CONCLUSION: It is feasible to evaluate the cervical spinal cord at
      the tract level using rFOV DTI. Although FA values at the maximum compression
      level were not well correlated with total JOA scores, they were strongly
      correlated with JOA subscores for motor dysfunction of the lower extremities. Our
      findings suggest that FA reflects white matter dysfunction below the maximum
      compression level and FA can be used as an imaging biomarker of spinal cord
      dysfunction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

PMID- 26274529
TI  - What Is the Clinical Relevance of Radiographic Nonunion After Single-Level Lumbar
      Interbody Arthrodesis in Degenerative Disc Disease?: A Meta-Analysis of the YODA
      Project Database.
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: Meta-analysis of 4 randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs).
      OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine if patients with degenerative
      disc disease who achieve radiographic fusion after single-level lumbar interbody
      arthrodesis have better clinical outcomes than patients with radiographic
      pseudarthrosis at 12 and 24 months postoperative. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The
      clinical relevance of successful fusion after lumbar arthrodesis with recombinant
      human bone morphogenetic protein-2 or iliac crest bone autograft has recently
      been questioned in the literature. METHODS: Individual patient-level data of 4
      RCTs were obtained from the Yale University Open Data Access Project project and
      analyzed. Clinical outcomes (Oswestry Disability Index [ODI]; Numeric Rating
      Scales [NRSs] for back and leg pain) were compared between patients with
      radiographically confirmed fusion and those with radiographic nonunion 1 and 2
      years postoperative. The results of each study were first analyzed separately,
      and then were pooled by meta-analysis. The GRADE approach was applied to evaluate
      the level of evidence. RESULTS: A total of 496 patients with clinical and
      radiographic data at 1- and 2-year follow-ups were identified. Of these, 5.5%
      (95% confidence interval: 3.7; 8.3) had radiographic nonunion which did not
      require reoperation. Patients with fusion had better improvements in ODI (P <
      0.001) and NRS back pain scores (P < 0.001). The overall percentage of fused
      patients with ODI and NRS back pain scores that exceeded the criteria for minimal
      clinically important differences was also significantly higher than that of
      patients with nonunion (ODI, odds ratio [OR] = 2.7, P = 0.019; NRS back pain, OR
      = 3.5, P = 0.033). The predictive values of fusion for clinical outcomes,
      however, were poor, with low specificity and low negative predictive values.
      CONCLUSION: The presence of radiographic fusion is clinically significant, as
      patients with fusion had better clinical outcomes at 1 and 2 years postoperative
      than those with nonunion; however, patient-centered clinical outcomes should also
      be taken into consideration as independent, complimentary variables when
      assessing treatment success.

PMID- 26274530
TI  - Electrochemotherapy to Metastatic Spinal Melanoma: A Novel Treatment of Spinal
      Metastasis?
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: Preliminary report of new antitumor treatment. OBJECTIVE: To
      evaluate the effectiveness of electrochemotherapy as a novel treatment of spinal
      metastasis. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Electrochemotherapy is a new antitumor
      treatment that combines systemic bleomycin with electric pulses delivered locally
      at the tumor site. These electric pulses permeabilize cell membranes in the
      tissue, allow bleomycin delivery diffusion inside the cells, and increase
      bleomycin cytotoxicity. Previous clinical studies have demonstrated the
      effectiveness of electrochemotherapy in the treatment of several primary and
      metastatic solid tumors. METHODS: Treatment planning for electrode positioning
      and electrical pulse parameters was prepared for 4 needle electrodes. Mini-open
      surgery with a left L5 laminectomy was performed to introduce the eletrodes. The
      patient was treated according to the established Electrochemotherapy Protocol
      with Bleomycin. Clinical efficacy of electrochemotherapy was evaluated according
      to a visual analog scale of pain, Oswestry Disability Index 2.0, the Karnofsky
      Performance Scale, and Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors. RESULTS: The
      assessed follow-up period was 48 months after the electrochemotherapy procedure.
      Neither serious electrochemotherapy-related adverse events, nor bleomycin
      toxicity were reported. Overall improvement in pain according to Oswestry
      Disability Index 2.0 and Karnofsky Performance Scale outcomes was better.
      CONCLUSION: Our case represents, to our knowledge, the first one to test the
      potential role of electrochemotherapy as treatment of spinal metastasis.
      Electrochemotherapy allowed a successful treatment of metastatic spinal melanoma.
      However, we believe that there is a strong scientific rationale to support the
      potential utility of electrochemotherapy as a novel treatment of spinal
      metastasis, regardless of the histological types. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 5.

PMID- 26274531
TI  - 2015 ISSLS Presidential Address: From paternalism to shared decision making: and
      back?

PMID- 26274532
TI  - Development of water-soluble polyanionic carbosilane dendrimers as novel and
      highly potent topical anti-HIV-2 microbicides.
AB  - The development of topical microbicide formulations for vaginal delivery to
      prevent HIV-2 sexual transmission is urgently needed. Second- and third
      generation polyanionic carbosilane dendrimers with a silicon atom core and 16
      sulfonate (G2-S16), napthylsulfonate (G2-NS16) and sulphate (G3-Sh16) end-groups
      have shown potent and broad-spectrum anti-HIV-1 activity. However, their
      antiviral activity against HIV-2 and mode of action have not been probed.
      Cytotoxicity, anti-HIV-2, anti-sperm and antimicrobial activities of dendrimers
      were determined. Analysis of combined effects of triple combinations with
      tenofovir and raltegravir was performed by using CalcuSyn software. We also
      assessed the mode of antiviral action on the inhibition of HIV-2 infection
      through a panel of different in vitro antiviral assays: attachment,
      internalization in PBMCs, inactivation and cell-based fusion. Vaginal irritation
      and histological analysis in female BALB/c mice were evaluated. Our results
      suggest that G2-S16, G2-NS16 and G3-Sh16 exert anti-HIV-2 activity at an early
      stage of viral replication inactivating the virus, inhibiting cell-to-cell HIV-2
      transmission, and blocking the binding of gp120 to CD4, and the HIV-2 entry.
      Triple combinations with tenofovir and raltegravir increased the anti-HIV-2
      activity, consistent with synergistic interactions (CIwt: 0.33-0.66). No vaginal
      irritation was detected in BALB/c mice after two consecutive applications for 2
      days with 3% G2-S16. Our results have clearly shown that G2-S16, G2-NS16 and G3
      Sh16 have high potency against HIV-2 infection. The modes of action confirm their
      multifactorial and non-specific ability, suggesting that these dendrimers deserve
      further studies as potential candidate microbicides to prevent vaginal/rectal HIV
      1/HIV-2 transmission in humans. 

PMID- 26274534
TI  - Antianginal Agents for the Management of Stable Ischemic Heart Disease: A Review.
AB  - Antianginal medications are an important aspect of optimal medical therapy for
      the management of angina in patients with stable ischemic heart disease. The lack
      of a standardized definition of effective antianginal therapy and the lack of
      clear understanding of the underlying evidence have often been cited as reasons
      for the large variations in the use of these particular classes of pharmacologic
      agents in contemporary clinical practice. Hence, we performed a search of the
      PubMed database and identified published manuscripts examining the effect of
      common antianginal agents on improving anginal parameters and on important
      clinical outcomes such as mortality, myocardial infarction, and repeat
      revascularization from multiple large randomized, controlled trials, systematic
      reviews, meta-analyses, and outcomes data from observational studies in patients
      with stable ischemic heart disease. The most commonly used antianginal agents
      (beta-blockers, nitrates, calcium channel blockers, and ranolazine) demonstrated
      equivalent efficacy in improving patient reported ischemic symptoms and
      quantitative exercise parameters. With regards to mortality, beta-blockers are
      beneficial in the setting of depressed left ventricular systolic function. In
      contrast, recent evidence points toward the lack of similar benefit of beta
      blockers in patients with preserved systolic function, even in the setting of
      prior myocardial infarction. No survival benefit has been identified with the use
      of calcium channel blockers, nitrates, or ranolazine. Currently, guidance
      regarding objective measurement and up titration of antianginal therapy is
      missing. There is an unmet need for development of potentially novel and
      clinically relevant methodology to assess the intensity and/or efficacy of
      antianginal therapy. 

PMID- 26274535
TI  - Treatment Options in Massive and Submassive Pulmonary Embolism.
AB  - Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common cardiovascular condition that represents a
      spectrum of disorders with a gradient of increased risk of adverse outcomes. The
      U.S. Surgeon General estimated that approximately 100,000 to 180,000 PE-related
      deaths occur in the United States annually, and that PE is the most preventable
      cause of death among hospitalized patients. Risk stratification is critical to
      identify the patients who may benefit from advanced therapy. This review will
      provide an overview of PE pathophysiology, evidence-based risk stratification
      strategies for patients with acute PE, a summary of traditional and novel oral
      anticoagulant options, and an in-depth discussion on the utilization of advanced
      therapeutic options, including systemic fibrinolysis, catheter-based
      pharmacomechanical therapy, and surgical embolectomy. 

PMID- 26274536
TI  - Highly sensitive cardiac troponin assays: a comprehensive review of their
      clinical utility.
AB  - Cardiovascular disease is a major source of morbidity and remains the leading
      cause of death in the United States. To evaluate patients with suspected
      cardiovascular disease, several laboratory markers of cardiac injury are
      available including creatinine kinase, creatinine kinase isoenzyme MB, myoglobin,
      and cardiac troponins (cTn) I and T. cTns have become the preferred marker of
      cardiac damage because they are highly sensitive and are almost completely
      cardiac specific. Recently, highly sensitive cTn (hs-cTn) assays were developed
      and have been used across the world to more quickly and accurately diagnose
      myocardial infarction. In the United States, these assays have not been U.S. Food
      and Drug Association approved for clinical practice and therefore are only being
      used for research purposes. Advancements have taken place over the years in
      diagnosing and treating cardiovascular disease, but predicting who will suffer
      future cardiovascular events still remains elusive. A comprehensive review of the
      literature was conducted to discover how new hs-cTn are being utilized throughout
      other parts of the world and what potential future use they may serve here in the
      United States. Major subject points discussed in this article include the
      prevalence of detectable troponins in the general population, the use of hs-cTn
      assays in diagnosing a myocardial infarction, determining prognosis in patients
      who have experienced an acute coronary syndrome and in patients with congestive
      heart failure, predicting future risk of cardiovascular events in patients with
      coronary heart disease, and its potential role as a screening tool in primary
      prevention. The implementation of hs-cTn testing in the United States may be very
      beneficial to patients; however, more research will need to be done to fully
      elucidate the potential use of hs-cTn in clinical practice. 

PMID- 26274537
TI  - Transcatheter mitral valve replacement: design implications, potential pitfalls
      and outcomes assessment.
AB  - Transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) is an emerging new treatment option
      in patients with advanced mitral valve disease deemed a high or prohibitive risk
      for surgery. Designing an ideal TMVR device requires a detailed understanding of
      different mitral valve pathologies and the complex, dynamic anatomy and
      physiology of the mitral apparatus. This review aims to critically evaluate
      design implications in TMVR in the context of mitral valve disease, imaging
      prerequisites, procedural approaches, potential complications, and outcomes
      assessment. 

PMID- 26274539
TI  - Stapled haemorrhoidopexy: is it time to move on?
AB  - Stapled haemorrhoidectomy was proposed as an 'ideal' solution for symptomatic
      haemorrhoids, with minimal postoperative pain, no perianal wound requiring
      postoperative wound care and a relatively short operative time. Some randomised
      controlled trials and reviews confirmed these findings, claiming that stapled
      haemorrhoidopexy is the most effective and safe procedure for haemorrhoids.
      However, there are increasing number of publications highlighting that the
      technique is associated with serious and life threatening complications. Maybe it
      is now the time to accept that stapled haemorrhoidopexy has done its role in
      directing our attention to the fact that modern surgical treatment of
      haemorrhoids should avoid excision of anorectal skin but should instead aim at
      treatment intervention above the dentate line. 

PMID- 26274538
TI  - Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants and Antiplatelet Therapy for Stroke
      Prevention in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized
      Controlled Trials.
AB  - Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are frequently used to
      prevent stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. These patients are often
      also on aspirin or other antiplatelet agents. It is possible that treatment with
      both NOACs and aspirin or other antiplatelet drug may be effective in decreasing
      stroke, but data are sparse regarding the efficacy and safety of using both
      agents for stroke prevention. To address these issues, data were pooled from the
      4 recent randomized, controlled trials of NOACs: apixaban, rivaroxaban,
      dabigatran, and edoxaban, which included 42,411 patients; 14,148 (33.4%) were
      also on aspirin or other antiplatelet drug. The number of thromboembolic events
      among participants on NOAC and aspirin/antiplatelet was compared with the number
      of events in patients on NOAC alone. Bleeding rates were also compared between
      those on NOAC + aspirin/antiplatelet and on NOAC alone. These results were
      compared with thromboembolic and bleeding events in the warfarin +
      aspirin/antiplatelet versus warfarin alone. No greater risk for thromboembolism
      was seen in patients on NOACs compared with patients on both NOACs and
      aspirin/antiplatelet drug. In this nonrandomized comparison, there was initially
      a signal toward higher thromboembolic rates among NOAC users also on
      aspirin/antiplatelet drugs (relative risk, 1.16; 95% confidence intervals, 1.05,
      1.29) when compared with NOAC alone. This likely reflected the higher CHADS2
      scores of those on aspirin/antiplatelet drugs. When the analysis was limited to
      studies that included aspirin rather than other antiplatelet drugs, no difference
      was seen for thromboembolic rates comparing dual therapy to NOAC alone (relative
      risk, 1.02; 95% confidence intervals, 0.90, 1.15). Higher rates of bleeding were
      seen with aspirin/antiplatelet drug in conjunction with NOAC. In this meta
      analysis and nonrandomized comparison of aspirin/antiplatelet users and nonusers
      also on anticoagulation, there was no additional benefit seen of anticoagulation
      and antiplatelet therapy for stroke prevention when compared with anticoagulation
      alone. There was, however, an increased risk of bleeding. Careful assessment of
      the indications for antiplatelet drugs in patients with atrial fibrillation who
      are also receiving oral anticoagulants is warranted, and future randomized
      comparisons are needed. 

PMID- 26274540
TI  - Negative thermal expansion and anomalies of heat capacity of LuB50 at low
      temperatures.
AB  - Heat capacity and thermal expansion of LuB50 boride were experimentally studied
      in the 2-300 K temperature range. The data reveal an anomalous contribution to
      the heat capacity at low temperatures. The value of this contribution is
      proportional to the first degree of temperature. It was identified that this
      anomaly in heat capacity is caused by the effect of disorder in the LuB50
      crystalline structure and it can be described in the soft atomic potential model
      (SAP). The parameters of the approximation were determined. The temperature
      dependence of LuB50 heat capacity in the whole temperature range was approximated
      by the sum of SAP contribution, Debye and two Einstein components. The parameters
      of SAP contribution for LuB50 were compared to the corresponding values for
      LuB66, which was studied earlier. Negative thermal expansion at low temperatures
      was experimentally observed for LuB50. The analysis of the experimental
      temperature dependence for the Gruneisen parameter of LuB50 suggested that the
      low-frequency oscillations, described in SAP mode, are responsible for the
      negative thermal expansion. Thus, the glasslike character of the behavior of
      LuB50 thermal characteristics at low temperatures was confirmed. 

PMID- 26274541
TI  - Limbal Approach-Subretinal Injection of Viral Vectors for Gene Therapy in Mice
      Retinal Pigment Epithelium.
AB  - The eye is a small and enclosed organ which makes it an ideal target for gene
      therapy. Recently various strategies have been applied to gene therapy in
      retinopathies using non-viral and viral gene delivery to the retina and retinal
      pigment epithelium (RPE). Subretinal injection is the best approach to deliver
      viral vectors directly to RPE cells. Before the clinical trial of a gene therapy,
      it is inevitable to validate the efficacy of the therapy in animal models of
      various retinopathies. Thus, subretinal injection in mice becomes a fundamental
      technique for an ocular gene therapy. In this protocol, we provide the easy and
      replicable technique for subretinal injection of viral vectors to experimental
      mice. This technique is modified from the intravitreal injection, which is widely
      used technique in ophthalmology clinics. The representative results of
      RPE/choroid/scleral complex flat-mount will help to understand the efficacy of
      this technique and adjust the volume and titer of viral vectors for the extent of
      gene transduction. 

PMID- 26274546
TI  - Nonlinear electro-osmosis of dilute non-adsorbing polymer solutions with low
      ionic strength.
AB  - Nonlinear electro-osmotic behaviour of dilute non-adsorbing polymer solutions
      with low salinity is investigated using Brownian dynamics simulations and a
      kinetic theory. In the Brownian simulations, the hydrodynamic interaction between
      the polymers and a no-slip wall is considered using the Rotne-Prager
      approximation of the Blake tensor. In a plug flow under a sufficiently strong
      applied electric field, the polymer migrates toward the bulk, forming a depletion
      layer thicker than the equilibrium one. Consequently, the electro-osmotic
      mobility increases nonlinearly with increasing electric field and becomes
      saturated. This nonlinear mobility does not depend qualitatively on the details
      of the rheological properties of the polymer solution. Analytical calculations
      using the kinetic theory for the same system quantitatively reproduce the results
      of the Brownian dynamics simulation well. 

PMID- 26274547
TI  - Considerations for Identifying the Boundaries of Sustainable Performance.

PMID- 26274549
TI  - Prolonged Sitting and Endothelial Function: Methodological Considerations.

PMID- 26274548
TI  - Response.

PMID- 26274550
TI  - Response.

PMID- 26274551
TI  - Intraoperative Temperature Management Means More than Being Warm at the End of
      the Case.

PMID- 26274552
TI  - Direct Monitoring of Nucleotide Turnover in Human Cell Extracts and Cells by
      Fluorogenic ATP Analogs.
AB  - Nucleotides containing adenosine play pivotal roles in every living cell.
      Adenosine triphosphate (ATP), for example, is the universal energy currency, and
      ATP-consuming processes also contribute to posttranslational protein
      modifications. Nevertheless, detecting the turnover of adenosine nucleotides in
      the complex setting of a cell remains challenging. Here, we demonstrate the use
      of fluorogenic analogs of ATP and adenosine tetraphosphate to study nucleotide
      hydrolysis in lysates of human cell lines and in intact human cells. We found
      that the adenosine triphosphate analog is completely stable in lysates of human
      cell lines, whereas the adenosine tetraphosphate analog is rapidly turned over.
      The observed activity in human cell lysates can be assigned to a single enzyme,
      namely, the human diadenosine tetraphosphate hydrolase NudT2. Since NudT2 has
      been shown to be a prognostic factor for breast cancer, the adenosine
      tetraphosphate analog might contribute to a better understanding of its
      involvement in cancerogenesis and allow the straightforward screening for
      inhibitors. Studying hydrolysis of the analogs in intact cells, we found that
      electroporation is a suitable method to deliver nucleotide analogs into the
      cytoplasm and show that high FRET efficiencies can be detected directly after
      internalization. Time-dependent experiments reveal that adenosine triphosphate
      and tetraphosphate analogs are both processed in the cellular environment. This
      study demonstrates that these nucleotide analogs indeed bear the potential to be
      powerful tools for the exploration of nucleotide turnover in the context of whole
      cells. 

PMID- 26274553
TI  - Influence of the strategies and biomechanical parameters on the capacity to
      handle balance perturbation: a numerical assessment.

PMID- 26274554
TI  - Cryosectioning Method for Microdissection of Murine Colonic Mucosa.
AB  - The colonic mucosal tissue provides a vital barrier to luminal antigens. This
      barrier is composed of a monolayer of simple columnar epithelial cells. The
      colonic epithelium is dynamically turned over and epithelial cells are generated
      in the stem cell containing crypts of Lieberkuhn. Progenitor cells produced in
      the crypt-bases migrate toward the luminal surface, undergoing a process of
      cellular differentiation before being shed into the gut lumen. In order to study
      these processes at the molecular level, we have developed a simple method for the
      microdissection of two spatially distinct regions of the colonic mucosa; the
      proliferative crypt zone, and the differentiated surface epithelial cells. Our
      objective is to isolate specific crypt and surface epithelial cell populations
      from mouse colonic mucosa for the isolation of RNA and protein. 

PMID- 26274555
TI  - Atomically Traceable Nanostructure Fabrication.
AB  - Reducing the scale of etched nanostructures below the 10 nm range eventually will
      require an atomic scale understanding of the entire fabrication process being
      used in order to maintain exquisite control over both feature size and feature
      density. Here, we demonstrate a method for tracking atomically resolved and
      controlled structures from initial template definition through final
      nanostructure metrology, opening up a pathway for top-down atomic control over
      nanofabrication. Hydrogen depassivation lithography is the first step of the
      nanoscale fabrication process followed by selective atomic layer deposition of up
      to 2.8 nm of titania to make a nanoscale etch mask. Contrast with the background
      is shown, indicating different mechanisms for growth on the desired patterns and
      on the H passivated background. The patterns are then transferred into the bulk
      using reactive ion etching to form 20 nm tall nanostructures with linewidths down
      to ~6 nm. To illustrate the limitations of this process, arrays of holes and
      lines are fabricated. The various nanofabrication process steps are performed at
      disparate locations, so process integration is discussed. Related issues are
      discussed including using fiducial marks for finding nanostructures on a
      macroscopic sample and protecting the chemically reactive patterned Si(100)-H
      surface against degradation due to atmospheric exposure. 

PMID- 26274556
TI  - [Pedicle Subtraction Osteotomy in the Lumbar Spine for Correction of Sagittal
      Spinal Imbalance].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: A sagittal spinal deformity can lead to a significant reduction in
      quality of life. A loss of lumbar lordosis, which may be degenerative or
      iatrogenic, is usually identified as the main driver for a sagittal imbalance. Re
      lordosing the lumbar spine has the potential to correct a global sagittal
      imbalance. Different surgical techniques are available. The present video
      describes the pedicle subtraction osteotomy, which represents a powerful option
      for rigid and severe deformities. INDICATION: The pedicle subtraction osteotomy
      is most suitable for rigid deformities due to a lack of lumbar lordosis in which
      re-lordosing of 30 degrees  or more is intended. This is often the case if the
      difference between lumbar lordosis and pelvic incidence exceeds 30 degrees .
      METHOD: The osteotomy begins with a wide laminectomy. The facet joints above and
      the pars interarticulares below the pedicles are removed. The pedicle is
      osteotomised in a wedge-shaped technique and resected while the dura and the
      exiting nerve root are protected with retractors. After resection of the
      posterior wall of the vertebral body, the osteotomy can be closed using the
      anterior wall of the vertebral body as pivot. CONCLUSION: The pedicle subtraction
      osteotomy represents a powerful surgical technique for correction of a sagittal
      spinal imbalance.

PMID- 26274557
TI  - [S3 Guideline. Part 1: Diagnosis and Differential Diagnosis of Non-Traumatic
      Adult Femoral Head Necrosis].
AB  - Non-traumatic femoral head necrosis (FHN) is primarily a disease of the middle
      aged adult. Early diagnosis, at a time with lacking or minimal clinical symptoms,
      is mandatory to consider conservative therapy or joint preserving operations as a
      therapeutic option. The new German S3 guideline about diagnosis and therapy of
      FHN is a cooperative effort of five professional medical societies, overall
      headed by the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Orthopadie und Orthopadische Chirurgie
      (DGOOC). This review (part I/III) cites and explains the statements of the S3
      guideline as agreed on the use of imaging methods for diagnosis of FHN. A
      diagnostic algorithm is presented. FHN clinically has to be considered in case of
      equivocal pain of a hip joint with a minimum of 6 weeks duration, when risk
      factors can be revealed, groin pain at clinical investigation, limping, pain or
      limitation of movement in case of load, and no obvious differential diagnoses. Is
      an FHN clinically suspected, primarily radiographs of the pelvis ap and a
      Lauenstein projection of the hip involved should be carried out. When the
      radiographs are normal, an MRI of the hips should follow routinely. MRI allows
      the diagnosis of FNH with high accuracy. Furthermore, MRI reveals the site and
      the size of the necrotic area involved and evaluates the integrity of the joint
      surface and subchondral fractures. When ARCO stage II (ARCO: Association Research
      Circulation Osseous) is diagnosed and MRI does not allow one to determine the
      joint surface with certainty, a CT of the hip joints should be performed. The S3
      guideline explains and recommends the use of the ARCO classification. Although,
      this classification of 1993 is still largely based on radiographs, the pragmatic
      use of an "extended" version seems reasonable. Today, classical radiographic
      criteria like impression of the joint surface and subchondral fractures
      ("crescent sign") are better to be evaluated by MRI, in cases of subtle findings
      MRI is even surpassed by CT. The extent of the necrosis in the femoral head as
      well as the size of the surface area involved is best revealed with MRI.
      Additionally, in the era of cross sectional imaging a stage "0" seems obsolete.
      The guideline also addresses practically important considerations about the
      differential diagnosis of misleading MRI findings. This especially holds true for
      bone marrow oedema in the femoral head which may be misinterpreted. The
      differentiating features between FHN, transient bone marrow oedema and
      destructive arthropathy are discussed.

PMID- 26274558
TI  - [Mid-Term Clinical Results after Open Rotator Cuff Reconstruction in Double-Row
      Technique with Titanium Anchor Screws].
AB  - BACKGROUND: The double-row rotator cuff repair is discussed controversially.
      Despite improved biomechanical properties, reduced re-tear rates and higher
      costs, no significant difference compared to single-row fixation in the clinical
      results is found. Mid-term results of an open double-row fixation with titanium
      anchor screws are presented. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 237 patients (m = 142, f = 95,
      median age: 56.3 years) were operated in 2007 with this technique by the senior
      author (M. G.). Preoperatively, 2 years and 4,5 years postoperatively a
      subjective shoulder score (SSG) with follow-up rates of 86, 87 and 83 %, was
      evaluated. 5.1 years postoperatively an objective evaluation of 131 patients
      using the Constant-Murley scores (CS), the simple shoulder tests (SST), Gerber's
      shoulder value and the evaluation with school grades followed. The integrity of
      the cuff was checked with ultrasound. The absolute (re-tears and partial re
      tears) and the relative (re-tears, partial re-tears, thinning and thickening of
      the cuff) re-tear rates were evaluated. RESULTS: In SSG a highly significant
      improvement from 51 to 83 points was found (p < 0.001). In CS 80 points (min.:
      18; max.: 100), and in SST 11 points (min.: 2; max.: 12) were achieved. The
      shoulder value of Gerber increased significantly from preoperative 28.1 to 84.5 %
      5.1 years postoperative (p < 0.001).The absolute re-tear rate, evaluated in
      ultrasound was 7.6 %, the relative re-tear rate 17.6 %. For primary rotator cuff
      reconstructions a higher CS with 82 points and a lower relative re-tear rate with
      10.5 % were found. The patient's age had no significant influence on the clinical
      outcome. The rupture size showed a significant impact on the re-tear rate and the
      scores (p < 0.05). Between the operated and healthy shoulder neither strength nor
      mobility were found to be significantly different. Men reached a highly
      significant better strength than women (p < 0.001) which also resulted in a
      significantly better outcome in the CS (p < 0.01). The costs for open titanium
      transfixation technique with 330 ? per case are markedly less than for
      arthroscopic suture bridge technique with 600 to 1000 ? per case. CONCLUSION:
      Open double-row cuff repair with titanium screws is a safe and cost effective
      technique with a low re-tear rate with comparable clinical results regarding open
      and arthroscopic procedures.

PMID- 26274559
TI  - [Bone Necrosis of the Hand].
AB  - The bone necrosis of the hand is a common disease of the bone-cartilage complex.
      In principle, every bone of the hand can be affected. Compared to other
      osteonecroses of the hand the necrosis of the lunate occurs most frequently.
      Other diseases such as osteonecrosis of the Os scaphoideums (Morbus Preiser) are
      much rarer. Unfrequent diseases such as osteonecrosis of the metacarpal heads or
      all carpal bones are restricted to case descriptions. The lunate osteonecrosis
      leads to osteoarthritis of the wrist if untreated. A detailed clinical
      examination and adequate radiological diagnosis are essential. The lunate
      osteonecrosis is classified according to Lichtman and Ross based on radiographs.
      The treatment is being executed either conservatively or surgically, depending on
      the stage. In surgical treatment pressure relieving and revascularization
      procedures and rescue operations have been established. For all other
      osteonecroses of the hand no standardized therapy can be assigned because
      sufficient data are not available. Generally, the treatment for bone necroses of
      the hand should be found for each patient individually.

PMID- 26274560
TI  - Electron Channeling Contrast Imaging for Rapid III-V Heteroepitaxial
      Characterization.
AB  - Misfit dislocations in heteroepitaxial layers of GaP grown on Si(001) substrates
      are characterized through use of electron channeling contrast imaging (ECCI) in a
      scanning electron microscope (SEM). ECCI allows for imaging of defects and
      crystallographic features under specific diffraction conditions, similar to that
      possible via plan-view transmission electron microscopy (PV-TEM). A particular
      advantage of the ECCI technique is that it requires little to no sample
      preparation, and indeed can use large area, as-produced samples, making it a
      considerably higher throughput characterization method than TEM. Similar to TEM,
      different diffraction conditions can be obtained with ECCI by tilting and
      rotating the sample in the SEM. This capability enables the selective imaging of
      specific defects, such as misfit dislocations at the GaP/Si interface, with high
      contrast levels, which are determined by the standard invisibility criteria. An
      example application of this technique is described wherein ECCI imaging is used
      to determine the critical thickness for dislocation nucleation for GaP-on-Si by
      imaging a range of samples with various GaP epilayer thicknesses. Examples of
      ECCI micrographs of additional defect types, including threading dislocations and
      a stacking fault, are provided as demonstration of its broad, TEM-like
      applicability. Ultimately, the combination of TEM-like capabilities - high
      spatial resolution and richness of microstructural data - with the convenience
      and speed of SEM, position ECCI as a powerful tool for the rapid characterization
      of crystalline materials. 

PMID- 26274561
TI  - Specific cancer-associated mutations in the switch III region of Ras increase
      tumorigenicity by nanocluster augmentation.
AB  - Hotspot mutations of Ras drive cell transformation and tumorigenesis. Less
      frequent mutations in Ras are poorly characterized for their oncogenic potential.
      Yet insight into their mechanism of action may point to novel opportunities to
      target Ras. Here, we show that several cancer-associated mutations in the switch
      III region moderately increase Ras activity in all isoforms. Mutants are
      biochemically inconspicuous, while their clustering into nanoscale signaling
      complexes on the plasma membrane, termed nanocluster, is augmented.
      Nanoclustering dictates downstream effector recruitment, MAPK-activity, and
      tumorigenic cell proliferation. Our results describe an unprecedented mechanism
      of signaling protein activation in cancer. 

PMID- 26274562
TI  - Down-regulation of TORC2-Ypk1 signaling promotes MAPK-independent survival under
      hyperosmotic stress.
AB  - In eukaryotes, exposure to hypertonic conditions activates a MAPK (Hog1 in
      Saccharomyces cerevisiae and ortholog p38 in human cells). In yeast,
      intracellular glycerol accumulates to counterbalance the high external
      osmolarity. To prevent glycerol efflux, Hog1 action impedes the function of the
      aquaglyceroporin Fps1, in part, by displacing channel co-activators (Rgc1/2).
      However, Fps1 closes upon hyperosmotic shock even in hog1? cells, indicating
      another mechanism to prevent Fps1-mediated glycerol efflux. In our prior proteome
      wide screen, Fps1 was identified as a target of TORC2-dependent protein kinase
      Ypk1 (Muir et al., 2014). We show here that Fps1 is an authentic Ypk1 substrate
      and that the open channel state of Fps1 requires phosphorylation by Ypk1.
      Moreover, hyperosmotic conditions block TORC2-dependent Ypk1-mediated Fps1
      phosphorylation, causing channel closure, glycerol accumulation, and enhanced
      survival under hyperosmotic stress. These events are all Hog1-independent. Our
      findings define the underlying molecular basis of a new mechanism for responding
      to hypertonic conditions. 

PMID- 26274563
TI  - Reverse evolution leads to genotypic incompatibility despite functional and
      active site convergence.
AB  - Understanding the extent to which enzyme evolution is reversible can shed light
      on the fundamental relationship between protein sequence, structure, and
      function. Here, we perform an experimental test of evolutionary reversibility
      using directed evolution from a phosphotriesterase to an arylesterase, and back,
      and examine the underlying molecular basis. We find that wild-type
      phosphotriesterase function could be restored (>10(4)-fold activity increase),
      but via an alternative set of mutations. The enzyme active site converged towards
      its original state, indicating evolutionary constraints imposed by catalytic
      requirements. We reveal that extensive epistasis prevents reversions and
      necessitates fixation of new mutations, leading to a functionally identical
      sequence. Many amino acid exchanges between the new and original enzyme are not
      tolerated, implying sequence incompatibility. Therefore, the evolution was
      phenotypically reversible but genotypically irreversible. Our study illustrates
      that the enzyme's adaptive landscape is highly rugged, and different functional
      sequences may constitute separate fitness peaks. 

PMID- 26274564
TI  - FAK/PYK2 promotes the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway and intestinal tumorigenesis by
      phosphorylating GSK3beta.
AB  - Aberrant activation of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling plays an unequivocal role in
      colorectal cancer, but identification of effective Wnt inhibitors for use in
      cancer remains a tremendous challenge. New insights into the regulation of this
      pathway could reveal new therapeutic point of intervention, therefore are greatly
      needed. Here we report a novel FAK/PYK2/GSK3beta(Y216)/beta-catenin regulation
      axis: FAK and PYK2, elevated in adenomas in APC(min/+) mice and in human
      colorectal cancer tissues, functioned redundantly to promote the Wnt/beta-catenin
      pathway by phosphorylating GSK3beta(Y216) to reinforce pathway output-beta
      catenin accumulation and intestinal tumorigenesis. We previously showed that Wnt
      induced beta-catenin accumulation requires Wnt-induced GSK3beta/beta-TrCP
      interaction; the current study revealed that phosphorylation of GSK3beta(Y216)
      was a molecular determinant of GSK3beta recruitment of beta-TrCP. Pharmacological
      inhibition of FAK/PYK2 suppressed adenoma formation in APC(min/+) mice
      accompanied with reduced intestinal levels of phospho-GSK3beta(Y216) and beta
      catenin, indicating that FAK/PYK2/GSK3beta(Y216) axis is critical for the
      activation of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling in APC driven intestinal tumorigenesis. 

PMID- 26274565
TI  - Neuron-glia signaling in developing retina mediated by neurotransmitter
      spillover.
AB  - Neuron-glia interactions play a critical role in the maturation of neural
      circuits; however, little is known about the pathways that mediate their
      communication in the developing CNS. We investigated neuron-glia signaling in the
      developing retina, where we demonstrate that retinal waves reliably induce
      calcium transients in Muller glial cells (MCs). During cholinergic waves, MC
      calcium transients were blocked by muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonists,
      whereas during glutamatergic waves, MC calcium transients were inhibited by
      ionotropic glutamate receptor antagonists, indicating that the responsiveness of
      MCs changes to match the neurotransmitter used to support retinal waves. Using an
      optical glutamate sensor we show that the decline in MC calcium transients is
      caused by a reduction in the amount of glutamate reaching MCs. Together, these
      studies indicate that neurons and MCs exhibit correlated activity during a
      critical period of retinal maturation that is enabled by neurotransmitter
      spillover from retinal synapses. 

PMID- 26274566
TI  - Using Polystyrene-block-poly(acrylic acid)-coated Metal Nanoparticles as Monomers
      for Their Homo- and Co-polymerization.
AB  - We present a template-free method for "polymerizing" nanoparticles into long
      chains without side branches. A variety of nanoparticles are encapsulated in
      polystyrene-block-poly(acrylic acid) (PSPAA) shells and then used as monomers for
      their self-assembly. Spherical PSPAA micelles upon acid treatment are known to
      assemble into cylindrical micelles. Exploiting this tendency, the core-shell
      nanoparticles are induced to aggregate, coalesce, and then transform into long
      chains. When more than one type of nanoparticles are used, random and block
      "copolymers" of nanoparticles can be obtained. Detailed procedures are reported
      for the PSPAA encapsulation of nanoparticles, homo- and co-polymerization of the
      core-shell nanoparticles, separation and purification of the resulting
      nanoparticle chains. Transformations of single-line chains into double- and
      triple-line chains are also presented. The synergy between the polymer shell and
      the embedded nanoparticles leads to an unusual chain-growth polymerization mode,
      giving long nanoparticle chains that are distinct from the products of the
      traditional step-growth aggregation process. 

PMID- 26274568
TI  - Personality traits and body mass index: Modifiers and mechanisms.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To identify how demographic factors (sex, age, ethnicity) modify the
      association between personality traits and body mass index (BMI) and to test the
      extent that diet and physical activity account for the personality-BMI relations.
      DESIGN: Cross-sectional study with a diverse sample (N = 5150, 50% female, 19%
      African American, 15% Hispanic). Participants completed a measure of the five
      major dimensions of personality and reported on their physical activity, diet and
      food intake behaviour, and height and weight. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: BMI and
      obesity (BMI >= 30). RESULTS: High Neuroticism was associated with higher BMI and
      risk for obesity, whereas Conscientiousness and, to a lesser extent, Extraversion
      and Openness were protective. These associations were generally stronger among
      women and older participants; there was less evidence for ethnicity as a
      moderator. Personality had similar relations with the behavioural factors, and
      physical activity, diet and regular meal rhythms accounted for approximately 50%
      of the association between Neuroticism and Conscientiousness and BMI. CONCLUSION:
      This study supports the links between personality traits and BMI and suggests
      that physical activity, more than diet, is a key factor in these associations.

PMID- 26274567
TI  - Physiology Lab Demonstration: Glomerular Filtration Rate in a Rat.
AB  - Measurements of glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and the fractional excretion of
      sodium (Na) and potassium (K) are critical in assessing renal function in health
      and disease. GFR is measured as the steady state renal clearance of inulin which
      is filtered at the glomerulus, but not secreted or reabsorbed along the nephron.
      The fractional excretion of Na and K can be determined from the concentration of
      Na and K in plasma and urine. The renal clearance of inulin can be demonstrated
      in an anesthetized animal which has catheters in the femoral artery, femoral vein
      and bladder. The equipment and supplies used for this procedure are those
      commonly available in a research core facility, and thus makes this procedure a
      practical means for measuring renal function. The purpose of this video is to
      demonstrate the procedures required to perform a lab demonstration in which renal
      function is assessed before and after a diuretic drug. The presented technique
      can be utilized to assess renal function in rat models of renal disease. 

PMID- 26274570
TI  - Influence of avian leukosis virus long terminal repeat on biological activities
      of Marek's disease virus.
AB  - GX0101 was the first reported field strain of recombinant Marek's disease virus
      (MDV) that contained a long terminal repeat (LTR) from the reticuloendotheliosis
      virus (REV). It is a very virulent MDV strain, with relatively high horizontal
      transmission ability. The REV LTR in GX0101 genome was proved to decrease the
      pathogenicity but increase the potential for horizontal transmission of the
      virus. Here we constructed a recombinant MDV GX0101-ALV-LTR to study stability of
      avian leukosis virus (ALV) LTR at the REV LTR insertion site in GX0101 genome and
      its influence on biological activities of the recombinant virus. The results
      showed that GX0101-ALV-LTR was able to replicate stably both in vitro and in
      vivo. ALV LTR remained stable in chickens infected either by inoculation with the
      recombinant virus GX0101-ALV-LTR or by horizontal transmission, as well as in
      cell culture. The pathogenic properties of GX0101-ALV-LTR virus were evaluated in
      infected specific-pathogen-free chickens. The present study demonstrated that the
      GX0101-ALV-LTR virus had a weaker inhibitory effect on the growth rates of the
      infected chickens and induced weaker immunosuppressive effects. Horizontal
      transmission ability of the GX0101-ALV-LTR virus appeared to be similar with its
      parental virus GX0101. In short, ALV LTR was stable in GX0101 after replacing REV
      LTR, and the recombinant virus showed similar horizontal transmission ability but
      decreased pathogenicity. 

PMID- 26274569
TI  - Susceptibility of wild passerines to subtype H5N1 highly pathogenic avian
      influenza viruses.
AB  - Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses of the H5N1 subtype have spread
      throughout many areas of Asia, Europe and Africa, and numerous cases of HPAI
      outbreaks in domestic and wild birds have been reported. Although recent studies
      suggest that the dissemination of H5N1 viruses is closely linked to the migration
      of wild birds, information on the potential for viral infection in species other
      than poultry and waterfowl is relatively limited. To investigate the
      susceptibility of terrestrial wild birds to infection with H5N1 HPAI viruses,
      common reed buntings (Emberiza schoeniclus), pale thrushes (Turdus pallidus) and
      brown-eared bulbuls (Hypsipetes amaurotis) were infected with A/mountain hawk
      eagle/Kumamoto/1/07(H5N1) and A/whooper swan/Aomori/1/08(H5N1). The results
      showed that common reed buntings and brown-eared bulbuls were severely affected
      by both virus strains (100% mortality). While pale thrushes did not exhibit any
      clinical signs, seroconversion was confirmed. In common reed buntings,
      intraspecies-transmission of A/whooper swan/Aomori/1/08 to contact birds was also
      confirmed. The findings show that three passerine species; common reed buntings,
      brown-eared bulbuls and pale thrushes are susceptible to infection by H5N1 HPAI
      viruses, which emphasizes that continued surveillance of species other than
      waterfowl is crucial for effective monitoring of H5N1 HPAI virus outbreaks. 

PMID- 26274574
TI  - Large Area Directed Self-Assembly of Sub-10 nm Particles with Single Particle
      Positioning Resolution.
AB  - Directed self-assembly of nanoparticles (DSA-n) holds great potential for device
      miniaturization in providing patterning resolution and throughput that exceed
      existing lithographic capabilities. Although nanoparticles excel at assembling
      into regular close-packed arrays, actual devices on the other hand are often laid
      out in sparse and complex configurations. Hence, the deterministic positioning of
      single or few particles at specific positions with low defect density is
      imperative. Here, we report an approach of DSA-n that satisfies these
      requirements with less than 1% defect density over micrometer-scale areas and at
      technologically relevant sub-10 nm dimensions. This technique involves a simple
      and robust process where a solvent film containing sub-10 nm gold nanoparticles
      climbs against gravity to coat a prepatterned template. Particles are placed
      individually into nanoscale cavities, or between nanoposts arranged in varying
      degrees of geometric complexity. Brownian dynamics simulations suggest a
      mechanism in which the particles are pushed into the template by a nanomeniscus
      at the drying front. This process enables particle-based self-assembly to access
      the sub-10 nm dimension, and for device fabrication to benefit from the wealth of
      chemically synthesized nanoparticles with unique material properties. 

PMID- 26274575
TI  - Heck Reactions Catalyzed by Ultrasmall and Uniform Pd Nanoparticles Supported on
      Polyaniline.
AB  - Using air as the oxidant instead of the traditionally employed persulfates, the
      smaller and more uniform Pd nanoparticles (around 2 nm) supported on polyaniline
      (Pd@PANI) can be easily fabricated by the oxidation-polymerization of aniline
      with PdCl2. This material is an efficient and environmentally friendly catalyst
      for Heck reactions due to its recyclability, low loading, and ligand-free and
      mild reaction conditions. It was even tolerant to sulfur-containing substrates.
      This work reports the Pd@PANI-catalyzed Heck reactions with very wide substrate
      scopes, and discloses the catalytic mechanisms based on experimental findings and
      results of catalyst analysis and characterization. 

PMID- 26274576
TI  - Biofouling-resilient nanoporous gold electrodes for DNA sensing.
AB  - Electrochemical nucleic acid sensors are promising tools for point-of-care
      diagnostic platforms with their facile integration with electronics and
      scalability. However, nucleic acid detection in complex biological fluids is
      challenging as biomolecules nonspecifically adsorb on the electrode surface and
      adversely affect the sensor performance by obscuring the transport of analytes
      and redox species to the electrode. We report that nanoporous gold (np-Au)
      electrodes, prepared by a microfabrication-compatible self-assembly process and
      functionalized with DNA probes, enabled detection of target DNA molecules (10-200
      nM) in physiologically relevant complex media (bovine serum albumin and fetal
      bovine serum). In contrast, the sensor performance was compromised for planar
      gold electrodes in the same conditions. Hybridization efficiency decreased by 10%
      for np-Au with coarser pores revealing a pore-size dependence of sensor
      performance in biofouling conditions. This nanostructure-dependent functionality
      in complex media suggests that the pores with the optimal size and geometry act
      as sieves for blocking the biomolecules from inhibiting the surfaces within the
      porous volume while allowing the transport of nucleic acid analytes and redox
      molecules. 

PMID- 26274577
TI  - Prediction and Synthesis of Strain Tolerant RbCuTe Crystals Based on Rotation of
      One-Dimensional Nano Ribbons within a Three-Dimensional Inorganic Network.
AB  - A unique possibility for a simple strain tolerant inorganic solid is envisioned
      whereby a set of isolated, one-dimensional (1D) nano objects are embedded in an
      elastically soft three-dimensional (3D) atomic matrix thus forming an
      interdimensional hybrid structure (IDHS). We predict theoretically that the
      concerted rotation of 1D nano objects could allow such IDHSs to tolerate large
      strain values with impunity. Searching theoretically among the 1:1:1 ABX
      compounds of I-I-VI composition, we identified, via first-principles
      thermodynamic theory, RbCuTe, which is a previously unreported but now predicted
      to-be-stable compound in the MgSrSi-type structure, in space group Pnma. The
      predicted structure of RbCuTe consists of ribbons of copper and telluride atoms
      placed antipolar to one another throughout the lattice with rubidium atoms acting
      as a matrix. A novel synthetic adaptation utilizing liquid rubidium and vacuum
      annealing of the mixed elemental reagents in fused silica tubes as well as in
      situ (performed at the Advanced Photon Source) and ex situ structure
      determination confirmed the stability and predicted structure of RbCuTe. First
      principles calculations then showed that the application of up to ~30% uniaxial
      strain on the ground-state structure result in a buildup of internal stress not
      exceeding 0.5 GPa. The increase in total energy is 15-fold smaller than what is
      obtained for the same RbCuTe material but in structures having a contiguous set
      of 3D chemical bonds spanning the entire crystal. Furthermore, electronic
      structure calculations revealed that the HOMO is a 1D energy band localized on
      the CuTe ribbons and that the 1D insulating band structure is also resilient to
      such large strains. This combined theory and experiment study reveals a new type
      of strain tolerant inorganic material. 

PMID- 26274578
TI  - Phosphine Gas Adsorption in a Series of Metal-Organic Frameworks.
AB  - For the first time, phosphine adsorption has been evaluated in a series of metal
      organic frameworks (MOFs). Open-metal coordination sites were found to
      significantly enhance the ability of MOFs to adsorb highly toxic phosphine gas,
      with the identity of the open-metal site also modulating the amount of gas
      adsorbed. The MOFs studied outperform activated carbon, a commonly used material
      to capture phosphine. 

PMID- 26274579
TI  - Associations to pain and analgesics in Indian pain patients and health workers.
AB  - AIM: This study explores the attitudes toward analgesic therapy among persistent
      pain patients and health workers in palliative care in India. METHODS: Free word
      association was used and quantitative content analysis was performed. RESULTS: A
      total of 59 patients and 28 health workers participated. In total, 41% of the
      patients had <5/10 points on a pain scale. A total of 3733 associations were
      recovered. Personal associations were majorly coming from patients having
      negative connotation. Morphine produced few associations, especially among
      patients. Most of them were about pain relief and for patients about negative
      emotions. CONCLUSION: Two types of knowledge were detectable, differing in
      quality and quantity. One was based on lived experience among patients; the other
      arose from scientific foundation among health workers.

PMID- 26274580
TI  - Remembrances of Hannelore Wass.
AB  - A brief tribute to a dear friend and former colleague, Hannelore Wass, these
      remembrances evidence her delightfully humorous and mischievous side as well as
      celebrate her long and illustrious career. A woman in full, she is sorely missed
      but fondly remembered. 

PMID- 26274581
TI  - Dielectric Investigation of Parylene D Thin Films: Relaxation and Conduction
      Mechanisms.
AB  - Parylene is a generic name indicating a family of polymers with the basic
      chemical structure of poly-p-xylylene. Parylene N and Parylene C are the most
      popular for applications. Curiously, Parylene D (poly( dichloro-p-xylylene),
      (C8H6Cl2)) was forgotten for applications. This report is the consequence of a
      later availability of a commercial dimer of Parylene D and also to the recent
      advent of fluorinated Parylenes allowing extending applications at higher
      temperatures. In our work, from a dielectric analysis, we present the
      potentialities of Parylene D for applications particularly interesting for
      integration in organic field-effect transistors. Dielectric and electrical
      properties, macromolecular structures, and dynamics interaction with electric
      field as a function of frequency and temperature are studied in 5.8 MUm thick
      Parylene D grown by chemical vapor deposition. More exactly, the dielectric
      permittivity, the dissipation factor, the electrical conductivity, and the
      electric modulus of Parylene D were investigated in a wide temperature and
      frequency ranges from -140 to +350  degrees C and from 0.1 Hz to 1 MHz,
      respectively. According to the temperature dependence of the dielectric
      permittivity, Parylene D has two different dielectric responses. It is retained
      as a nonpolar material at very low temperature (like Parylene N) and as a polar
      material at high temperature (like parylene C). The dissipation factor shows the
      manifestation of two relaxations mechanisms: gamma and beta at very low and high
      temperatures, respectively. The gamma relaxation is assigned to the local motions
      of the C-H end of the chains when the cryogenic temperature range is approached.
      A broad peak in tan delta is assigned to the beta relaxation. It corresponds to
      rotational motion of some polar C-Cl groups. For temperature above 260  degrees C
      a mechanism of Maxwell-Wagner-Sillars polarization at the amorphous/crystalline
      interfaces was identified with two activation energies of Ea1 = 2.12 eV and Ea2 =
      3.8 eV. Moreover, the conductivity and the dielectric permittivity relaxation
      processes have been discussed in terms of nearly constant loss (NCL) and
      universal dynamic regime (UDR). Finally, ionic conduction and electrode
      polarization effects are identified at very high temperatures and their physical
      origins are discussed. 

PMID- 26274582
TI  - Assessing the Risk of Invasion by Tephritid Fruit Flies: Intraspecific Divergence
      Matters.
AB  - Widely distributed species often show strong phylogeographic structure, with
      lineages potentially adapted to different biotic and abiotic conditions. The
      success of an invasion process may thus depend on the intraspecific identity of
      the introduced propagules. However, pest risk analyses are usually performed
      without accounting for intraspecific diversity. In this study, we developed
      bioclimatic models using MaxEnt and boosted regression trees approaches, to
      predict the potential distribution in Europe of six economically important
      Tephritid pests (Ceratitis fasciventris (Bezzi), Bactrocera oleae (Rossi),
      Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart), Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann), Rhagoletis
      pomonella (Walsh) and Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillet)). We considered
      intraspecific diversity in our risk analyses by independently modeling the
      distributions of conspecific lineages. The six species displayed different
      potential distributions in Europe. A strong signal of intraspecific climate
      envelope divergence was observed in most species. In some cases, conspecific
      lineages differed strongly in potential distributions suggesting that taxonomic
      resolution should be accounted for in pest risk analyses. No models (lineage- and
      species-based approaches) predicted high climatic suitability in the entire
      invaded range of B. oleae-the only species whose intraspecific identity of
      invading populations has been elucidated-in California. Host availability appears
      to play the most important role in shaping the geographic range of this
      specialist pest. However, climatic suitability values predicted by species-based
      models are correlated with population densities of B. oleae globally reported in
      California. Our study highlights how classical taxonomic boundaries may lead to
      under- or overestimation of the potential pest distributions and encourages
      accounting for intraspecific diversity when assessing the risk of biological
      invasion.

PMID- 26274583
TI  - Effects of Degree and Timing of Social Housing on Reversal Learning and Response
      to Novel Objects in Dairy Calves.
AB  - Rodents and primates deprived of early social contact exhibit deficits in
      learning and behavioural flexibility. They often also exhibit apparent signs of
      elevated anxiety, although the relationship between these effects has not been
      studied. To investigate whether dairy calves are similarly affected, we first
      compared calves housed in standard individual pens (n = 7) to those housed in a
      dynamic group with access to their mothers (n = 8). All calves learned to
      approach the correct stimulus in a visual discrimination task. Only one
      individually housed calf was able to re-learn the task when the stimuli were
      reversed, compared to all but one calf from the group. A second experiment
      investigated whether this effect might be explained by anxiety in individually
      housed animals interfering with their learning, and tested varying degrees of
      social contact in addition to the complex group: pair housing beginning early
      (approximately 6 days old) and late (6 weeks old). Again, fewer individually
      reared calves learned the reversal task (2 of 10 or 20%) compared to early paired
      and grouped calves (16 of 21 or 76% of calves). Late paired calves had
      intermediate success. Individually housed calves were slower to touch novel
      objects, but the magnitude of the fear response did not correlate with reversal
      performance. We conclude that individually housed calves have learning deficits,
      but these deficits were not likely associated with increased anxiety.

PMID- 26274584
TI  - A Systematic Review of Mortality from Untreated Scrub Typhus (Orientia
      tsutsugamushi).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Scrub typhus, a bacterial infection caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi,
      is increasingly recognized as an important cause of fever in Asia, with an
      estimated one million infections occurring each year. Limited access to health
      care and the disease's non-specific symptoms mean that many patients are
      undiagnosed and untreated, but the mortality from untreated scrub typhus is
      unknown. This review systematically summarizes the literature on the untreated
      mortality from scrub typhus and disease outcomes. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:
      A literature search was performed to identify patient series containing untreated
      patients. Patients were included if they were symptomatic and had a clinical or
      laboratory diagnosis of scrub typhus and excluded if they were treated with
      antibiotics. The primary outcome was mortality from untreated scrub typhus and
      secondary outcomes were total days of fever, clinical symptoms, and laboratory
      results. A total of 76 studies containing 89 patient series and 19,644 patients
      were included in the final analysis. The median mortality of all patient series
      was 6.0% with a wide range (min-max) of 0-70%. Many studies used clinical
      diagnosis alone and had incomplete data on secondary outcomes. Mortality varied
      by location and increased with age and in patients with myocarditis, delirium,
      pneumonitis, or signs of hemorrhage, but not according to sex or the presence of
      an eschar or meningitis. Duration of fever was shown to be long (median 14.4 days
      Range (9-19)). CONCLUSIONS: Results show that the untreated mortality from scrub
      typhus appears lower than previously reported estimates. More data are required
      to clarify mortality according to location and host factors, clinical syndromes
      including myocarditis and central nervous system disease, and in vulnerable
      mother-child populations. Increased surveillance and improved access to
      diagnostic tests are required to accurately estimate the untreated mortality of
      scrub typhus. This information would facilitate reliable quantification of DALYs
      and guide empirical treatment strategies.

PMID- 26274586
TI  - Reliability of the Actigraph GT3X+ Accelerometer in Adults under Free-Living
      Conditions.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Reliability of the Actigraph GT3X+ accelerometer has not been
      determined under normal wear time criteria in a large sample of subjects and
      accelerometer units. The aim of this study was to assess contralateral hip
      difference and inter-instrument reliability of the Actigraph GT3X+ monitor in
      adults under long-term free-living conditions. METHODS: Eighty-seven adult
      subjects (28 men; mean (standard deviation) age 31.3 (12.2) years; body mass
      index 23.7 (3.1) kg/m2) concurrently wore two GT3X+ accelerometers (174 units in
      total) attached to contralateral hips for 21 days. Reliability was assessed using
      Bland-Altman plots, mixed model regression analyses and absolute measures of
      agreement for different lengths of data accumulation (single-day-, 7-day- and 21
      day periods). RESULTS: There were no significant differences between
      contralateral hips (effect size <=0.042; p >=.213). Inter-instrument reliability
      increased with increased length of data-accumulation. For a 7-day measurement
      period (n = 232 weeks), limits of agreement were +/-68 cpm (vertical axis) and +/
      81.3 cpm (vector magnitude) for overall physical activity (PA) level, +/-51 min
      for sedentary time, +/-18.2 min for light PA, +/-6.3 min for moderate PA, +/-3.5
      min for vigorous PA, and +/-6.7 min for moderate-to-vigorous PA. CONCLUSIONS: The
      Actigraph GT3X+ accelerometer is a reliable tool for measuring PA in adults under
      free-living conditions using normal data-reduction criteria. Contralateral hip
      differences are very small. We suggest accelerometers be attached to the right
      hip and data to be accumulated over several days of measurement.

PMID- 26274585
TI  - Adherence to the 2012 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Guidelines for
      Management of Gout: A Survey of Brazilian Rheumatologists.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe the current pharmacological approach to gout treatment
      reported by rheumatologists in Brazil. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional
      survey study using an online questionnaire e-mailed to 395 rheumatologists,
      randomly selected, from among the members of the Brazilian Society of
      Rheumatology. RESULTS: Three hundred and nine rheumatologists (78.2%) responded
      to the survey. For acute gout attacks, combination therapy (NSAIDs or steroid +
      colchicine) was often used, even in monoarticular involvement, and colchicine was
      commonly started as monotherapy after 36 hours or more from onset of attack.
      During an acute attack, urate-lowering therapy (ULT) was withdrawn by
      approximately a third of rheumatologists. Anti-inflammatory prophylaxis (98%
      colchicine) was initiated when ULT was started in most cases (92.4%), but its
      duration was varied. Most (70%) respondents considered the target serum uric acid
      level to be less than 6 mg/dl. Approximately 50% of rheumatologists reported
      starting allopurinol at doses of 100 mg daily or less and 42% reported the
      initial dose to be 300 mg daily in patients with normal renal function. ULT was
      maintained indefinitely in 76% of gout patients with tophi whereas in gout
      patients without tophi its use was kept indefinitely in 39.6%. CONCLUSION: This
      is the first study evaluating gout treatment in a representative, random sample
      of Brazilian rheumatologists describing common treatment practices among these
      specialists. We identified several gaps in reported gout management, mainly
      concerning the use of colchicine and ULT and the duration of anti-inflammatory
      prophylaxis and ULT. Since rheumatologists are considered as opinion leaders in
      this disease, a program for improving quality of care for gout patients should
      focus on increasing their knowledge in this common disease.

PMID- 26274588
TI  - Invited Commentary: Role of US Contrast Agents in the Assessment of Indeterminate
      Solid and Cystic Lesions in Native and Transplant Kidneys.

PMID- 26274587
TI  - Production of Uniform 3D Microtumors in Hydrogel Microwell Arrays for Measurement
      of Viability, Morphology, and Signaling Pathway Activation.
AB  - Despite significant investments in cancer research and drug
      discovery/development, the rate of new cancer drug approval is <=5% and most
      cases of metastatic cancer remain incurable. Ninety-five percent of new cancer
      drugs fail in clinical development because of a lack of therapeutic efficacy
      and/or unacceptable toxicity. One of the major factors responsible for the low
      success rate of anticancer drug development is the failure of preclinical models
      to adequately recapitulate the complexity and heterogeneity of human cancer. For
      throughput and capacity reasons, high-throughput screening growth inhibition
      assays almost exclusively use two-dimensional (2D) monolayers of tumor cell lines
      cultured on tissue culture-treated plastic/glass surfaces in serum-containing
      medium. However, these 2D tumor cell line cultures fail to recapitulate the three
      dimensional (3D) context of cells in solid tumors even though the tumor
      microenvironment has been shown to have a profound effect on anticancer drug
      responses. Tumor spheroids remain the best characterized and most widely used 3D
      models; however, spheroid sizes tend to be nonuniform, making them unsuitable for
      high-throughput drug testing. To circumvent this challenge, we have developed
      defined size microwell arrays using nonadhesive hydrogels that are applicable to
      a wide variety of cancer cell lines to fabricate size-controlled 3D microtumors.
      We demonstrate that the hydrogel microwell array platform can be applied
      successfully to generate hundreds of uniform microtumors within 3-6 days from
      many cervical and breast, as well as head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
      (HNSCC) cells. Moreover, controlling size of the microwells in the hydrogel array
      allows precise control over the size of the microtumors. Finally, we demonstrate
      the application of this platform technology to probe activation as well as
      inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling in 3D HNSCC
      microtumors in response to EGF and cetuximab treatments, respectively. We believe
      that the ability to generate large numbers of HNSCC microtumors of uniform size
      and 3D morphology using hydrogel arrays will provide more physiological in vitro
      3D tumor models to investigate how tumor size influences signaling pathway
      activation and cancer drug efficacy. 

PMID- 26274589
TI  - Lectin-Based Characterization of Vascular Cell Microparticle Glycocalyx.
AB  - Microparticles (MPs) are released constitutively and from activated cells. MPs
      play significant roles in vascular homeostasis, injury, and as biomarkers. The
      unique glycocalyx on the membrane of cells has frequently been exploited to
      identify specific cell types, however the glycocalyx of the MPs has yet to be
      defined. Thus, we sought to determine whether MPs, released both constitutively
      and during injury, from vascular cells have a glycocalyx matching those of the
      parental cell type to provide information on MP origin. For these studies we used
      rat pulmonary microvascular and artery endothelium, pulmonary smooth muscle, and
      aortic endothelial cells. MPs were collected from healthy or cigarette smoke
      injured cells and analyzed with a panel of lectins for specific glycocalyx
      linkages. Intriguingly, we determined that the MPs released either constitutively
      or stimulated by CSE injury did not express the same glycocalyx of the parent
      cells. Further, the glycocalyx was not unique to any of the specific cell types
      studied. These data suggest that MPs from both normal and healthy vascular cells
      do not share the parental cell glycocalyx makeup. 

PMID- 26274591
TI  - In Silico Identification of Protein S-Palmitoylation Sites and Their Involvement
      in Human Inherited Disease.
AB  - S-Palmitoylation is a key regulatory mechanism controlling protein targeting,
      localization, stability, and activity. Since increasing evidence shows that its
      disruption is implicated in many human diseases, the identification of
      palmitoylation sites is attracting more attention. However, the computational
      methods that are published so far for this purpose have suffered from a poor
      balance of sensitivity and specificity; hence, it is difficult to get a good
      generalized prediction ability on an external validation set, which holds back
      the further analysis of associations between disruption of palmitoylation and
      human inherited diseases. In this work, we present a reliable identification
      method for protein S-palmitoylation sites, called SeqPalm, based on a series of
      newly composed features from protein sequences and the synthetic minority
      oversampling technique. With only 16 extracted key features, this approach
      achieves the most favorable prediction performance up to now with sensitivity,
      specificity, and Matthew's correlation coefficient values of 95.4%, 96.3%, and
      0.917, respectively. Then, all known disease-associated variations are studied by
      SeqPalm. It is found that 243 potential loss or gain of palmitoylation sites are
      highly associated with human inherited disease. The analysis presents several
      potential therapeutic targets for inherited diseases associated with loss or gain
      of palmitoylation function. There are even biological evidence that are
      coordinate with our prediction results. Therefore, this work presents a novel
      approach to discover the molecular basis of pathogenesis associated with abnormal
      palmitoylation. SeqPalm is now available online at
      http://lishuyan.lzu.edu.cn/seqpalm , which can not only annotate the
      palmitoylation sites of proteins but also distinguish loss or gain of
      palmitoylation sites by protein variations. 

PMID- 26274592
TI  - Attending to the bodily self.
AB  - Humphreys and Sui provide a powerful theoretical framework to explain processing
      biases toward self-related information. However, the framework is primarily
      applied to information relevant to a conceptual self-representation. Here, we
      show a similar processing bias for information related to the bodily self,
      grounded in sensorimotor representations. Furthermore, we can use bodily
      illusions to explore the ways in which embodied self-associations can affect our
      perceptual and attentional processing. It is possible to extend the current
      framework to take into account these effects, and we argue that this will yield
      considerable benefits for our understanding of self-relevance. 

PMID- 26274590
TI  - Permeation of Therapeutic Drugs in Different Formulations across the Airway
      Epithelium In Vitro.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pulmonary drug delivery is characterized by short onset times of the
      effects and an increased therapeutic ratio compared to oral drug delivery. This
      delivery route can be used for local as well as for systemic absorption applying
      drugs as single substance or as a fixed dose combination. Drugs can be delivered
      as nebulized aerosols or as dry powders. A screening system able to mimic
      delivery by the different devices might help to assess the drug effect in the
      different formulations and to identify potential interference between drugs in
      fixed dose combinations. The present study evaluates manual devices used in
      animal studies for their suitability for cellular studies. METHODS: Calu-3 cells
      were cultured submersed and in air-liquid interface culture and characterized
      regarding mucus production and transepithelial electrical resistance. The
      influence of pore size and material of the transwell membranes and of the
      duration of air-liquid interface culture was assessed. Compounds were applied in
      solution and as aerosols generated by MicroSprayer IA-1C Aerosolizer or by DP-4
      Dry Powder Insufflator using fluorescein and rhodamine 123 as model compounds.
      Budesonide and formoterol, singly and in combination, served as examples for
      drugs relevant in pulmonary delivery. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Membrane material
      and duration of air-liquid interface culture had no marked effect on mucus
      production and tightness of the cell monolayer. Co-application of budesonide and
      formoterol, applied in solution or as aerosol, increased permeation of formoterol
      across cells in air-liquid interface culture. Problems with the DP-4 Dry Powder
      Insufflator included compound-specific delivery rates and influence on the
      tightness of the cell monolayer. These problems were not encountered with the
      MicroSprayer IA-1C Aerosolizer. The combination of Calu-3 cells and manual
      aerosol generation devices appears suitable to identify interactions of drugs in
      fixed drug combination products on permeation.

PMID- 26274593
TI  - Human papillomavirus status, anal cytology and histopathological outcome in HIV
      positive patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Human papillomavirus (HPV) are responsible for a broad spectrum of
      mucocutaneous infections and may cause squamous cell carcinoma following long
      standing infection . Oncogenic HPV, most commonly HPV 16, are detectable in over
      90% of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and anal intraepithelial neoplasia
      (AIN). Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is strongly associated with a
      higher prevalence of chronic HPV infection, a higher incidence of AIN and an
      increased risk for anal cancer (AC). In September 2013, guidelines concerning
      prevention, screening and treatment of AIN for patients affected by HIV were
      issued by the German AIDS society. OBJECTIVE: In order to validate the suggested
      screening procedure, we analysed data from 123 male and female patients with HIV
      infection that regularly present in our outpatient clinic. METHODS: Anal
      cytology, HPV typing and high-resolution anoscopy (HRA) were performed. RESULTS:
      Our results show that screening by anal cytology only identifies a minority of
      patients with high grade AIN (AIN 3) histology. Patients with normal cytology
      (NILM, cytology graded negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy; n = 5,
      29.4%), atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS; n = 5,
      71.4%) and low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL; n = 8, 44.5%) showed
      highly dysplastic lesions (AIN 2 and 3) in the histological workup more
      frequently than expected. Additionally, high-grade squamous intraepithelial
      lesion (HSIL) was strongly associated with detection of high-risk oncogenic HPV.
      CONCLUSION: Anal cytology as the solitary screening tool for anal cancer fails to
      detect anal dysplasia in a considerable number of patients. Additionally, HPV
      typing and possibly further biomarkers might be applied to identify those
      patients with a higher risk of developing anal carcinoma, in order to monitor
      them more closely or directly transfer them to HRA.

PMID- 26274594
TI  - What is your diagnosis? Unusual cells in the blood smear from a dog.

PMID- 26274599
TI  - Biosensors for Cell Analysis.
AB  - Biosensors first appeared several decades ago to address the need for monitoring
      physiological parameters such as oxygen or glucose in biological fluids such as
      blood. More recently, a new wave of biosensors has emerged in order to provide
      more nuanced and granular information about the composition and function of
      living cells. Such biosensors exist at the confluence of technology and medicine
      and often strive to connect cell phenotype or function to physiological or
      pathophysiological processes. Our review aims to describe some of the key
      technological aspects of biosensors being developed for cell analysis. The
      technological aspects covered in our review include biorecognition elements used
      for biosensor construction, methods for integrating cells with biosensors,
      approaches to single-cell analysis, and the use of nanostructured biosensors for
      cell analysis. Our hope is that the spectrum of possibilities for cell analysis
      described in this review may pique the interest of biomedical scientists and
      engineers and may spur new collaborations in the area of using biosensors for
      cell analysis. 

PMID- 26274601
TI  - Modeling Signaling Networks to Advance New Cancer Therapies.
AB  - Cell signaling pathways control cells' responses to their environment through an
      intricate network of proteins and small molecules partitioned by intracellular
      structures, such as the cytoskeleton and nucleus. Our understanding of these
      pathways has been revised recently with the advent of more advanced experimental
      techniques; no longer are signaling pathways viewed as linear cascades of
      information flowing from membrane-bound receptors to the nucleus. Instead, such
      pathways must be understood in the context of networks, and studying such
      networks requires an integration of computational and experimental approaches.
      This understanding is becoming more important in designing novel therapies for
      diseases such as cancer. Using the MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) and
      PI3K (class I phosphoinositide-3' kinase) pathways as case studies of cellular
      signaling, we give an overview of these pathways and their functions. We then
      describe, using a number of case studies, how computational modeling has aided in
      understanding these pathways' deregulation in cancer, and how such understanding
      can be used to optimally tailor current therapies or help design new therapies
      against cancer. 

PMID- 26274600
TI  - Advances in Antibody Design.
AB  - The use of monoclonal antibodies as therapeutics requires optimizing several of
      their key attributes. These include binding affinity and specificity, folding
      stability, solubility, pharmacokinetics, effector functions, and compatibility
      with the attachment of additional antibody domains (bispecific antibodies) and
      cytotoxic drugs (antibody-drug conjugates). Addressing these and other challenges
      requires the use of systematic design methods that complement powerful
      immunization and in vitro screening methods. We review advances in designing the
      binding loops, scaffolds, domain interfaces, constant regions, post-translational
      and chemical modifications, and bispecific architectures of antibodies and
      fragments thereof to improve their bioactivity. We also highlight unmet
      challenges in antibody design that must be overcome to generate potent antibody
      therapeutics. 

PMID- 26274603
TI  - Drug therapies for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.
AB  - Management of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer has changed
      markedly over the last decade with major shifts in the treatment paradigm,
      although ultimately still will progress despite currently available therapies.
      The sequencing or combination of these agents is an area of active investigation,
      since definitive prospective randomized trials to define the optimal choice of
      drug sequence have yet to be done or resulted. This article will highlight
      pivotal trials for currently approved therapies for metastatic castration
      resistant prostate cancer and a suggestion for sequencing of these agents, as
      well as highlighting investigations using novel therapies for advanced prostate
      cancer. 

PMID- 26274602
TI  - Hypoxia and Temperature Regulated Morphogenesis in Candida albicans.
AB  - Candida albicans is a common commensal in the human gut but in predisposed
      patients it can become an important human fungal pathogen. As a commensal, C.
      albicans adapts to low-oxygen conditions and represses its hyphal development by
      the transcription factor Efg1, which under normoxia activates filamentation. The
      repressive hypoxic but not the normoxic function of Efg1 required its unmodified
      N-terminus, was prevented by phosphomimetic residues at normoxic phosphorylation
      sites T179 and T206 and occurred only at temperatures <=35 degrees C. Genome-wide
      binding sites for native Efg1 identified 300 hypoxia-specific target genes, which
      overlapped partially with hypoxic binding sites for Ace2, a known positive
      regulator of hypoxic filamentation. Transcriptional analyses revealed that EFG1,
      ACE2 and their identified targets BCR1 and BRG1 encode an interconnected
      regulatory hub, in which Efg1/Bcr1 act as negative and Ace2/Brg1 act as positive
      regulators of gene expression under hypoxia. In this circuit, the hypoxic
      function of Ace2 was stimulated by elevated CO2 levels. The hyperfilamentous
      phenotype of efg1 and bcr1 mutants depended on Ace2/Brg1 regulators and required
      increased expression of genes encoding Cek1 MAP kinase and its downstream target
      Cph1. The intricate temperature-dependent regulatory mechanisms under hypoxia
      suggest that C. albicans restricts hyphal morphogenesis in oxygen-poor body
      niches, possibly to persist as a commensal in the human host. 

PMID- 26274604
TI  - Correction to Levels of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Maternal Serum and
      Risk of Neural Tube Defects in Offspring.

PMID- 26274606
TI  - Non-Selective Evolution of Growing Populations.
AB  - Non-selective effects, like genetic drift, are an important factor in modern
      conceptions of evolution, and have been extensively studied for constant
      population sizes (Kimura, 1955; Otto and Whitlock, 1997). Here, we consider non
      selective evolution in the case of growing populations that are of small size and
      have varying trait compositions (e.g. after a population bottleneck). We find
      that, in these conditions, populations never fixate to a trait, but tend to a
      random limit composition, and that the distribution of compositions "freezes" to
      a steady state. This final state is crucially influenced by the initial
      conditions. We obtain these findings from a combined theoretical and experimental
      approach, using multiple mixed subpopulations of two Pseudomonas putida strains
      in non-selective growth conditions (Matthijs et al, 2009) as model system. The
      experimental results for the population dynamics match the theoretical
      predictions based on the Polya urn model (Eggenberger and Polya, 1923) for all
      analyzed parameter regimes. In summary, we show that exponential growth stops
      genetic drift. This result contrasts with previous theoretical analyses of non
      selective evolution (e.g. genetic drift), which investigated how traits spread
      and eventually take over populations (fixate) (Kimura, 1955; Otto and Whitlock,
      1997). Moreover, our work highlights how deeply growth influences non-selective
      evolution, and how it plays a key role in maintaining genetic variability.
      Consequently, it is of particular importance in life-cycles models (Melbinger et
      al, 2010; Cremer et al, 2011; Cremer et al, 2012) of periodically shrinking and
      expanding populations.

PMID- 26274605
TI  - Photolysis of Low-Brominated Diphenyl Ethers and Their Reactive Oxygen Species
      Related Reaction Mechanisms in an Aqueous System.
AB  - To date, no report was concerned with participation of reactive oxygen species in
      waters during photolysis of low-brominated diphenyl ethers (LBDEs). Herein, we
      found that electron spin resonance (ESR) signals rapidly increased with
      increasing irradiation time in the solution of LBDEs and 4-oxo-TMP solutions. But
      this phenomenon did not occur in the presence of NaN3 (1O2 quencher)
      demonstrating generation of 1O2 in process of LBDEs photolysis. The indirect
      photolytic contribution rate for BDE-47 and BDE-28 was 18.8% and 17.3% via 1O2,
      and 4.9% and 6.6% via .OH, respectively. Both D2O and NaN3 experiments proved
      that the indirect photolysis of LBDEs was primarily attributable to 1O2. The
      bimolecular reaction rate constants of 1O2 with BDE-47 and BDE-28 were 3.12 and
      3.64 * 106 M-1 s-1, respectively. The rate constants for BDE-47 and BDE-28 (9.01
      and 17.52 * 10-3 min-1), added to isopropyl alcohol, were very close to those
      (9.65 and 18.42 * 10-3 min-1) in water, proving the less indirect photolytic
      contribution of .OH in water. This is the first comprehensive investigation
      examining the indirect photolysis of LBDEs in aqueous solution.

PMID- 26274608
TI  - Variants of Phosphotriesterase for the Enhanced Detoxification of the Chemical
      Warfare Agent VR.
AB  - The V-type organophosphorus nerve agents are among the most hazardous compounds
      known. Previous efforts to evolve the bacterial enzyme phosphotriesterase (PTE)
      for the hydrolytic decontamination of VX resulted in the identification of the
      variant L7ep-3a, which has a kcat value more than 2 orders of magnitude higher
      than that of wild-type PTE for the hydrolysis of VX. Because of the relatively
      small size of the O-ethyl, methylphosphonate center in VX, stereoselectivity is
      not a major concern. However, the Russian V-agent, VR, contains a larger O
      isobutyl, methylphosphonate center, making stereoselectivity a significant issue
      since the SP-enantiomer is expected to be significantly more toxic than the RP
      enantiomer. The three-dimensional structure of the L7ep-3a variant was determined
      to a resolution of 2.01 A (PDB id: 4ZST ). The active site of the L7ep-3a mutant
      has revealed a network of hydrogen bonding interactions between Asp-301, Tyr-257,
      Gln-254, and the hydroxide that bridges the two metal ions. A series of new
      analogues that mimic VX and VR has helped to identify critical structural
      features for the development of new enzyme variants that are further enhanced for
      the catalytic detoxification of VR and VX. The best of these mutants has been
      shown to have a reversed stereochemical preference for the hydrolysis of VR
      chiral center analogues. This mutant hydrolyzes the two enantiomers of VR 160-
      and 600-fold faster than wild-type PTE hydrolyzes the SP-enantiomer of VR. 

PMID- 26274607
TI  - Residential Radon Exposure and Skin Cancer Incidence in a Prospective Danish
      Cohort.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although exposure to UV radiation is the major risk factor for skin
      cancer, theoretical models suggest that radon exposure can contribute to risk,
      and this is supported by ecological studies. We sought to confirm or refute an
      association between long-term exposure to residential radon and the risk for
      malignant melanoma (MM) and non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) using a prospective
      cohort design and long-term residential radon exposure. METHODS: During 1993
      1997, we recruited 57,053 Danish persons and collected baseline information. We
      traced and geocoded all residential addresses of the cohort members and
      calculated radon concentrations at each address lived in from 1 January 1971
      until censor date. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate
      incidence rate-ratios (IRR) and confidence intervals (CI) for the risk associated
      with radon exposure for NMSC and MM, and effect modification was assessed.
      RESULTS: Over a mean follow-up of 13.6 years of 51,445 subjects, there were 3,243
      cases of basal cell carcinoma (BCC), 317 cases of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)
      and 329 cases of MM. The adjusted IRRs per 100 Bq/m3 increase in residential
      radon levels for BCC, SCC and MM were 1.14 (95% CI: 1.03, 1.27), 0.90 (95% CI:
      0.70, 1.37) and 1.08 (95% CI: 0.77, 1.50), respectively. The association between
      radon exposure and BCC was stronger among those with higher socio-economic status
      and those living in apartments at enrollment. CONCLUSION AND IMPACT: Long-term
      residential radon exposure may contribute to development of basal cell carcinoma
      of the skin. We cannot exclude confounding from sunlight and cannot conclude on
      causality, as the relationship was stronger amongst persons living in apartments
      and non-existent amongst those living in single detached homes.

PMID- 26274609
TI  - Correction: Biodiversity on the Rocks: Macrofauna Inhabiting Authigenic Carbonate
      at Costa Rica Methane Seeps.

PMID- 26274610
TI  - Parkinson's Disease in Saudi Patients: A Genetic Study.
AB  - Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the major causes of parkinsonism syndrome. Its
      characteristic motor symptoms are attributable to dopaminergic neurons loss in
      the midbrain. Genetic advances have highlighted underlying molecular mechanisms
      and provided clues to potential therapies. However, most of the studies focusing
      on the genetic component of PD have been performed on American, European and
      Asian populations, whereas Arab populations (excluding North African Arabs),
      particularly Saudis remain to be explored. Here we investigated the genetic
      causes of PD in Saudis by recruiting 98 PD-cases (sporadic and familial) and
      screening them for potential pathogenic mutations in PD-established genes; SNCA,
      PARKIN, PINK1, PARK7/DJ1, LRRK2 and other PD-associated genes using direct
      sequencing. To our surprise, the screening revealed only three pathogenic point
      mutations; two in PINK1 and one in PARKIN. In addition to mutational analysis,
      CNV and cDNA analysis was performed on a subset of patients. Exon/intron dosage
      alterations in PARKIN were detected and confirmed in 2 cases. Our study suggests
      that mutations in the ORF of the screened genes are not a common cause of PD in
      Saudi population; however, these findings by no means exclude the possibility
      that other genetic events such as gene expression/dosage alteration may be more
      common nor does it eliminate the possibility of the involvement of novel genes.

PMID- 26274611
TI  - The molecular mechanism of translational control via the communication between
      the microRNA pathway and RNA-binding proteins.
AB  - MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are evolutionarily conserved small noncoding RNAs found in
      most plants and animals. The miRNA pathway regulates posttranscriptional gene
      expression through the deadenylation and translation repression of target mRNAs.
      Recent studies revealed that the early step of translation initiation is the
      target of "pure" translation repression by the miRNA pathway. Moreover,
      particularly in animals, the miRNA pathway is required for neuronal development,
      differentiation, and plasticity. In addition, some functions of miRNAs are
      regulated by RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) in neuronal cells. This review
      summarizes new insights about the molecular mechanisms of pure translation
      repression by miRNA pathway and the communication between the miRNA pathway and
      RBPs in neuronal local translation. 

PMID- 26274613
TI  - Panmictic and Clonal Evolution on a Single Patchy Resource Produces Polymorphic
      Foraging Guilds.
AB  - We develop a stochastic, agent-based model to study how genetic traits and
      experiential changes in the state of agents and available resources influence
      individuals' foraging and movement behaviors. These behaviors are manifest as
      decisions on when to stay and exploit a current resource patch or move to a
      particular neighboring patch, based on information of the resource qualities of
      the patches and the anticipated level of intraspecific competition within
      patches. We use a genetic algorithm approach and an individual's biomass as a
      fitness surrogate to explore the foraging strategy diversity of evolving guilds
      under clonal versus hermaphroditic sexual reproduction. We first present the
      resource exploitation processes, movement on cellular arrays, and genetic
      algorithm components of the model. We then discuss their implementation on the
      Nova software platform. This platform seamlessly combines the dynamical systems
      modeling of consumer-resource interactions with agent-based modeling of
      individuals moving over a landscapes, using an architecture that lays transparent
      the following four hierarchical simulation levels: 1.) within-patch consumer
      resource dynamics, 2.) within-generation movement and competition mitigation
      processes, 3.) across-generation evolutionary processes, and 4.) multiple runs to
      generate the statistics needed for comparative analyses. The focus of our
      analysis is on the question of how the biomass production efficiency and the
      diversity of guilds of foraging strategy types, exploiting resources over a
      patchy landscape, evolve under clonal versus random hermaphroditic sexual
      reproduction. Our results indicate greater biomass production efficiency under
      clonal reproduction only at higher population densities, and demonstrate that
      polymorphisms evolve and are maintained under random mating systems. The latter
      result questions the notion that some type of associative mating structure is
      needed to maintain genetic polymorphisms among individuals exploiting a common
      patchy resource on an otherwise spatially homogeneous landscape.

PMID- 26274612
TI  - Targeting Atp6v1c1 Prevents Inflammation and Bone Erosion Caused by Periodontitis
      and Reveals Its Critical Function in Osteoimmunology.
AB  - Periodontal disease (Periodontitis) is a serious disease that affects a majority
      of adult Americans and is associated with other systemic diseases, including
      diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and other inflammatory diseases. While great
      efforts have been devoted toward understanding the pathogenesis of periodontitis,
      there remains a pressing need for developing potent therapeutic strategies for
      targeting this pervasive and destructive disease. In this study, we utilized
      novel adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated Atp6v1c1 knockdown gene therapy to
      treat bone erosion and inflammatory caused by periodontitis in mouse model.
      Atp6v1c1 is a subunit of the V-ATPase complex and regulator of the assembly of
      the V0 and V1 domains of the V-ATPase complex. We demonstrated previously that
      Atp6v1c1 has an essential function in osteoclast mediated bone resorption. We
      hypothesized that Atp6v1c1 may be an ideal target to prevent the bone erosion and
      inflammation caused by periodontitis. To test the hypothesis, we employed AAV
      RNAi knockdown of Atp6v1c1 gene expression to prevent bone erosion and gingival
      inflammation simultaneously. We found that lesion-specific injection of AAV-shRNA
      Atp6v1c1 into the periodontal disease lesions protected against bone erosion
      (>85%) and gingival inflammation caused by P. gingivalis W50 infection. AAV
      mediated Atp6v1c1 knockdown dramatically reduced osteoclast numbers and inhibited
      the infiltration of dendritic cells and macrophages in the bacteria-induced
      inflammatory lesions in periodontitis. Silencing of Atp6v1c1 expression also
      prevented the expressions of osteoclast-related genes and pro-inflammatory
      cytokine genes. Our data suggests that AAV-shRNA-Atp6v1c1 treatment can
      significantly attenuate the bone erosion and inflammation caused by
      periodontitis, indicating the dual function of AAV-shRNA-Atp6v1c1 as an inhibitor
      of bone erosion mediated by osteoclasts, and as an inhibitor of inflammation
      through down-regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine expression. This study
      demonstrated that Atp6v1c1 RNAi knockdown gene therapy mediated by AAV-shRNA
      Atp6v1c1 is a promising novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of bone
      erosion and inflammatory related diseases, such as periodontitis and rheumatoid
      arthritis.

PMID- 26274614
TI  - Amyloid-beta Peptide Exacerbates the Memory Deficit Caused by Amyloid Precursor
      Protein Loss-of-Function in Drosophila.
AB  - The amyloid precursor protein (APP) plays a central role in Alzheimer's disease
      (AD). APP can undergo two exclusive proteolytic pathways: cleavage by the alpha
      secretase initiates the non-amyloidogenic pathway while cleavage by the beta
      secretase initiates the amyloidogenic pathway that leads, after a second cleavage
      by the gamma-secretase, to amyloid-beta (Abeta) peptides that can form toxic
      extracellular deposits, a hallmark of AD. The initial events leading to AD are
      still unknown. Importantly, aside from Abeta toxicity whose molecular mechanisms
      remain elusive, several studies have shown that APP plays a positive role in
      memory, raising the possibility that APP loss-of-function may participate to AD.
      We previously showed that APPL, the Drosophila APP ortholog, is required for
      associative memory in young flies. In the present report, we provide the first
      analysis of the amyloidogenic pathway's influence on memory in the adult. We show
      that transient overexpression of the beta-secretase in the mushroom bodies, the
      center for olfactory memory, did not alter memory. In sharp contrast, beta
      secretase overexpression affected memory when associated with APPL partial loss
      of-function. Interestingly, similar results were observed with Drosophila Abeta
      peptide. Because Abeta overexpression impaired memory only when combined to APPL
      partial loss-of-function, the data suggest that Abeta affects memory through the
      APPL pathway. Thus, memory is altered by two connected mechanisms-APPL loss-of
      function and amyloid peptide toxicity-revealing in Drosophila a functional
      interaction between APPL and amyloid peptide.

PMID- 26274616
TI  - Correction: Functional Characterization of the Receiver Domain for Phosphorelay
      Control in Hybrid Sensor Kinases.

PMID- 26274615
TI  - GNL3L Is a Nucleo-Cytoplasmic Shuttling Protein: Role in Cell Cycle Regulation.
AB  - GNL3L is an evolutionarily conserved high molecular weight GTP binding nucleolar
      protein belonging to HSR1-MMR1 subfamily of GTPases. The present investigation
      reveals that GNL3L is a nucleo-cytoplasmic shuttling protein and its export from
      the nucleus is sensitive to Leptomycin B. Deletion mutagenesis reveals that the C
      terminal domain (amino acids 501-582) is necessary and sufficient for the export
      of GNL3L from the nucleus and the exchange of hydrophobic residues (M567, L570
      and 572) within the C-terminal domain impairs this process. Results from the
      protein-protein interaction analysis indicate that GNL3L interaction with CRM1 is
      critical for its export from the nucleus. Ectopic expression of GNL3L leads to
      lesser accumulation of cells in the 'G2/M' phase of cell cycle whereas depletion
      of endogenous GNL3L results in 'G2/M' arrest. Interestingly, cell cycle analysis
      followed by BrdU labeling assay indicates that significantly increased DNA
      synthesis occurs in cells expressing nuclear export defective mutant (GNL3L?NES)
      compared to the wild type or nuclear import defective GNL3L. Furthermore,
      increased hyperphosphorylation of Rb at Serine 780 and the upregulation of E2F1,
      cyclins A2 and E1 upon ectopic expression of GNL3L?NES results in faster 'S'
      phase progression. Collectively, the present study provides evidence that GNL3L
      is exported from the nucleus in CRM1 dependent manner and the nuclear
      localization of GNL3L is important to promote 'S' phase progression during cell
      proliferation. 

PMID- 26274617
TI  - Retransplant and Medical Therapy for Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy:
      International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation Registry Analysis.
AB  - Cardiac retransplantation for heart transplant recipients with advanced cardiac
      allograft vasculopathy (CAV) remains controversial. The International Society for
      Heart and Lung Transplantation Registry was used to examine survival in adult
      heart recipients with CAV who were retransplanted (ReTx) or managed medically
      (MM). Recipients transplanted between 1995 and 2010 who developed CAV and were
      either retransplanted within 2 years of CAV diagnosis (ReTx) or alive at >=2
      years after CAV diagnosis, managed medically (MM), without retransplant,
      constituted the study groups. Donor, recipient, transplant characteristics and
      long-term survival were compared. The population included 65 patients in ReTx and
      4530 in MM. During a median follow-up of 4 years, there were 24 deaths in ReTx,
      and 1466 in MM. Survival was comparable at 9 years (55% in ReTx and 51% in MM; p
      = 0.88). Subgroup comparison suggested survival benefit for retransplant versus
      MM in patients who developed systolic graft dysfunction. Adjusted predictors for
      2-year mortality were diagnosis of CAV in the early era and longer time since CAV
      diagnosis following primary transplant. Retransplant was not an independent
      predictor in the model. Challenges associated with retransplantation as well as
      improved CAV treatment options support the current consensus recommendation
      limiting retransplant to highly selected patients with CAV. 

PMID- 26274619
TI  - Modeling and Uncertainty Quantification of Vapor Sorption and Diffusion in
      Heterogeneous Polymers.
AB  - A high-fidelity model of kinetic and equilibrium sorption and diffusion is
      developed and exercised. The gas-diffusion model is coupled with a triple
      sorption mechanism: Henry's law absorption, Langmuir adsorption, and pooling or
      clustering of molecules at higher partial pressures. Sorption experiments are
      conducted and span a range of relative humidities (0-95 %) and temperatures (30
      60  degrees C). Kinetic and equilibrium sorption properties and effective
      diffusivity are determined by minimizing the absolute difference between measured
      and modeled uptakes. Uncertainty quantification and sensitivity analysis methods
      are described and exercised herein to demonstrate the capability of this modeling
      approach. Water uptake in silica-filled and unfilled poly(dimethylsiloxane)
      networks is investigated; however, the model is versatile enough to be used with
      a wide range of materials and vapors. 

PMID- 26274618
TI  - Probing kinetic drug binding mechanism in voltage-gated sodium ion channel: open
      state versus inactive state blockers.
AB  - The kinetics and nonequilibrium thermodynamics of open state and inactive state
      drug binding mechanisms have been studied here using different voltage protocols
      in sodium ion channel. We have found that for constant voltage protocol, open
      state block is more efficient in blocking ionic current than inactive state
      block. Kinetic effect comes through peak current for mexiletine as an open state
      blocker and in the tail part for lidocaine as an inactive state blocker. Although
      the inactivation of sodium channel is a free energy driven process, however, the
      two different kinds of drug affect the inactivation process in a different way as
      seen from thermodynamic analysis. In presence of open state drug block, the
      process initially for a long time remains entropy driven and then becomes free
      energy driven. However in presence of inactive state block, the process remains
      entirely entropy driven until the equilibrium is attained. For oscillating
      voltage protocol, the inactive state blocking is more efficient in damping the
      oscillation of ionic current. From the pulse train analysis it is found that
      inactive state blocking is less effective in restoring normal repolarisation and
      blocks peak ionic current. Pulse train protocol also shows that all the inactive
      states behave differently as one inactive state responds instantly to the test
      pulse in an opposite manner from the other two states. 

PMID- 26274620
TI  - Supramolecular Macrostructures of UPy-Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes.
AB  - Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are considered excellent materials for the construction
      of flexible displays due to their nanoscale dimensions and unique physical and
      chemical properties. By using the recognition properties of 2-ureido
      4[1H]pyrimidinone (UPy), a versatile and simple methodology was demonstrated for
      the construction of macroscopic structures based on UPy-CNT/polymer composites
      prepared by a combination of two functionalization approaches: 1) covalent
      attachment of UPy pendants on the multiwalled CNT surface (UPy-MWCNTs) and 2)
      directed self-assembly of UPy-MWCNTs within polymers bearing UPy pendants (Bis
      UPy 1 and Bis-UPy 2) by quadruple complementary DDAA-AADD hydrogen-bond
      recognition (D=donor, A=acceptor). 

PMID- 26274623
TI  - Brainstem Contusion: A Fallacy of GCS-BIS Synchrony.

PMID- 26274622
TI  - The UK Experience of a Treatment Strategy for Pediatric Metastatic
      Medulloblastoma Comprising Intensive Induction Chemotherapy, Hyperfractionated
      Accelerated Radiotherapy and Response Directed High Dose Myeloablative
      Chemotherapy or Maintenance Chemotherapy (Milan Strategy).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Historically, the 5-year overall survival (OS) for metastatic
      medulloblastoma (MMB) was less than 40%. The strategy of post-operative induction
      chemotherapy (IC) followed by hyperfractionated accelerated radiotherapy (HART)
      and response directed high dose chemotherapy (HDC) was reported in a single
      center study to improve 5-year OS to 73%. We report outcomes of this strategy in
      UK. METHODS: Questionnaires were sent to all 20 UK pediatric oncology primary
      treatment centers to collect retrospective data on delivered treatment, toxicity
      and survival with this strategy in children aged 3-19 years with MMB. RESULTS:
      Between February 2009 and October 2011, 34 patients fulfilled the entry criteria
      of the original study. The median age was 7 years (range 3-15). Median interval
      from surgery to HART was 109 versus 85 days in the original series. The incidence
      of grade 3 or 4 hematological toxicities with IC and HDC was 83-100%. All 16
      patients who achieved complete response by the end of the regimen remain in
      remission but only three of 18 patients with lesser responses are still alive (P
      < 0.0001). With a median follow-up of 45 months for survivors, the estimated 3
      year OS is 56% (95% CI 38, 71). This result is outside the 95% CI of the original
      study results and encompasses the historical survival result of 40%. CONCLUSION:
      Within the limits of statistical significance, we did not replicate the improved
      survival results reported in the original series. The reasons include differences
      in patient sub-groups and protocol administration. International randomized phase
      III studies are needed.

PMID- 26274624
TI  - Inadvertent Neuraxial Anesthesia in a Patient With an Intracranial Space
      occupying Lesion.

PMID- 26274625
TI  - Is NIRS-based Cerebral Oximetry Sufficient Monitoring Modality During ICG
      Utilization in CEA?

PMID- 26274626
TI  - The Neurobiology of Anesthetic Emergence.
AB  - Achieving a smooth and rapid emergence from general anesthesia is of particular
      importance for neurosurgical patients and is a clinical goal for
      neuroanesthesiologists. Recent data suggest that the process of emergence is not
      simply the mirror image of induction, but rather controlled by distinct neural
      circuits. In this narrative review, we discuss (1) hysteresis, (2) the concept of
      neural inertia, (3) the asymmetry between the neurobiology of induction and
      emergence, and (4) recent attempts at actively inducing emergence. 

PMID- 26274627
TI  - Using warnings to reduce categorical false memories in younger and older adults.
AB  - Warnings about memory errors can reduce their incidence, although past work has
      largely focused on associative memory errors. The current study sought to explore
      whether warnings could be tailored to specifically reduce false recall of
      categorical information in both younger and older populations. Before encoding
      word pairs designed to induce categorical false memories, half of the younger and
      older participants were warned to avoid committing these types of memory errors.
      Older adults who received a warning committed fewer categorical memory errors, as
      well as other types of semantic memory errors, than those who did not receive a
      warning. In contrast, young adults' memory errors did not differ for the warning
      versus no-warning groups. Our findings provide evidence for the effectiveness of
      warnings at reducing categorical memory errors in older adults, perhaps by
      supporting source monitoring, reduction in reliance on gist traces, or through
      effective metacognitive strategies.

PMID- 26274629
TI  - Advances in functional neurosurgery for Parkinson's disease.
AB  - Functional neurosurgery for Parkinson's disease has become a mainstream concept
      with DBS as the prime modality. This article reviews the latest and, in the eyes
      of the authors, the most important developments in DBS, lesioning and gene
      therapy. In DBS, emerging advances have focused on the timing of surgery relative
      to disease duration and severity, and new targets, technologies, and equipment.
      For lesions, new ultrasound techniques are emerging based on successes in other
      movement disorders. Gene and cellular therapies, including stem cells, remain
      only in the research realm.

PMID- 26274628
TI  - Variability of structurally constrained and unconstrained functional connectivity
      in schizophrenia.
AB  - Spatial variation in connectivity is an integral aspect of the brain's
      architecture. In the absence of this variability, the brain may act as a single
      homogenous entity without regional specialization. In this study, we investigate
      the variability in functional links categorized on the basis of the presence of
      direct structural paths (primary) or indirect paths mediated by one (secondary)
      or more (tertiary) brain regions ascertained by diffusion tensor imaging. We
      quantified the variability in functional connectivity using an unbiased estimate
      of unpredictability (functional connectivity entropy) in a neuropsychiatric
      disorder where structure-function relationship is considered to be abnormal; 34
      patients with schizophrenia and 32 healthy controls underwent DTI and resting
      state functional MRI scans. Less than one-third (27.4% in patients, 27.85% in
      controls) of functional links between brain regions were regarded as direct
      primary links on the basis of DTI tractography, while the rest were secondary or
      tertiary. The most significant changes in the distribution of functional
      connectivity in schizophrenia occur in indirect tertiary paths with no direct
      axonal linkage in both early (P=0.0002, d=1.46) and late (P=1*10(-17), d=4.66)
      stages of schizophrenia, and are not altered by the severity of symptoms,
      suggesting that this is an invariant feature of this illness. Unlike those with
      early stage illness, patients with chronic illness show some additional reduction
      in the distribution of connectivity among functional links that have direct
      structural paths (P=0.08, d=0.44). Our findings address a critical gap in the
      literature linking structure and function in schizophrenia, and demonstrate for
      the first time that the abnormal state of functional connectivity preferentially
      affects structurally unconstrained links in schizophrenia. It also raises the
      question of a continuum of dysconnectivity ranging from less direct (structurally
      unconstrained) to more direct (structurally constrained) brain pathways
      underlying the progressive clinical staging and persistence of schizophrenia.

PMID- 26274630
TI  - Potential application of corn starch edible films with spice essential oils for
      the shelf life extension of red meat.
AB  - AIM: To investigate the effect of corn starch (CS) edible films with spice oils
      on the stability of raw beef during refrigerated storage. METHODS AND RESULTS:
      The antimicrobial properties of corn starch films containing 0-4.0% (w/v) ratios
      of clove (CL) and cinnamon (CI) essential oils (EOs) were tested against seven
      meat spoilage organisms by zone inhibition test. Effects of CS films containing
      3% CL or CI or a mixture of CL + CI were also tested in raw beef stored at 4
      degrees C. Meat samples were analysed for pH, microbial counts, colour values and
      Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) values for a period of 15 days.
      CS films with CL + CI resulted in a significant reduction in microbial
      populations in the meat samples and also improved meat colour stability at the
      end of storage period. CONCLUSIONS: The incorporation of spice EOs in CS films
      may provide antimicrobial and antioxidant activities that could improve the
      stability of raw meat. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Results from this
      study may be applied in meat industries as an additional barrier to control
      microbial spoilage as well as lipid oxidation in meat products.

PMID- 26274631
TI  - Molecular screening of microbial communities for candidate indicators of multiple
      metal impacts in marine sediments from northern Australia.
AB  - Coastal sediments accumulate metals from anthropogenic sources and as a
      consequence industry is required to monitor sediment health. The total
      concentration of a metal does not necessarily reflect its potential toxicity or
      biological impact, so biological assessment tools are useful for monitoring.
      Rapid biological assessment tools sensitive enough to detect relatively small
      increases in metal concentrations would provide early warning of future ecosystem
      impact. The authors investigated in situ populations of Archaea and Bacteria as
      potential tools for rapid biological assessment in sediment at 4 northern
      Australian coastal locations over 2 yr, in both wet and dry seasons. The 1 M HCl
      extractable concentrations of metals in sediment were measured, and Archaeal and
      Bacterial community profiles were obtained by next-generation sequencing of
      sediment deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Species response curves were used to
      identify several taxonomic groups with potential as biological indicators of
      metal impact. Spatial variation, sediment grain size, water depth, and dissolved
      oxygen also correlated with microbial population shifts. Seasonal variation was
      less important than geographic location. Metal-challenge culture trials supported
      the identification of metal-resistant and -sensitive taxa. In situ Archaea and
      Bacteria are potentially sensitive indicators for changes in bioavailable
      concentrations of metals; however, the complexity of the system suggests it is
      important to identify metal-specific functional genes that may be informed by
      these sequencing surveys, and thus provide a useful addition to identity-based
      assays.

PMID- 26274632
TI  - Re: Da Silva AS, Digesu GA, Dell'Utri C, Fritsch H, Piffarotti P, Khullar V. Do
      ultrasound findings of levator ani "Avulsion" correlate with anatomical findings?
      A multicenter cadaveric study. Neurourol Urodyn. 2015. doi: 10.1002/nau.22781.

PMID- 26274633
TI  - Special section editorial: Cancer incidence in five continents including Africa.

PMID- 26274634
TI  - Silica microwire-based interferometric electric field sensor.
AB  - Silica microwire, as an optical waveguide whose diameter is close to or smaller
      than the wavelength of the guided light, is of great interest because it exhibits
      a number of excellent properties such as tight confinement, large evanescent
      fields, and great configurability. Here, we report a silica microwire-based
      compact photonic sensor for real-time detection of high electric field. This
      device contains an interferometer with propylene carbonate cladding. Based on the
      Kerr electro-optic effect of propylene carbonate, the applied intensive transient
      electric field can change the refractive index of propylene carbonate, which
      shifts the interferometric fringe. Therefore, the electric field could be
      demodulated by monitoring the fringe shift. The sensor was successfully used to
      detect alternating electric field with frequency of 50 Hz and impulse electric
      field with duration time of 200 MUs. This work lays a foundation for future
      applications in electric field sensing. 

PMID- 26274635
TI  - Highly efficient cascaded amplification using Pr(3+)-doped mid-infrared
      chalcogenide fiber amplifiers.
AB  - We computationally investigate cascaded amplification in a three-level mid
      infrared (IR) Pr(3+)-doped chalcogenide fiber amplifier. The overlap of the cross
      sections in the transitions (3)H(6)->(3)H(5) and (3)H(5)->(3)H(4) enable both
      transitions to simultaneously amplify a single wavelength in the range between
      4.25 MUm and 4.55 MUm. High gain and low noise are achieved simultaneously if the
      signal is at 4.5 MUm. We show that 45% of pump power that is injected at 2 MUm
      can be shifted to 4.5 MUm. The efficiency of using a mid-IR fiber amplifier is
      higher than what can be achieved by using mid-IR supercontinuum generation, which
      has been estimated at 25%. This mid-IR fiber amplifier can be used in conjunction
      with quantum cascade lasers to obtain a tunable, high-power mid-IR source.

PMID- 26274636
TI  - Exfoliated layers of black phosphorus as saturable absorber for ultrafast solid
      state laser.
AB  - High-quality black phosphorus (BP) saturable absorber mirror (SAM) was
      successfully fabricated with few-layered BP (phosphorene). By employing the
      prepared phosphorene SAM, we have demonstrated ultrafast pulse generation from a
      BP mode-locked bulk laser for the first time to our best knowledge. Pulses as
      short as 6.1 ps with an average power of 460 mW were obtained at the central
      wavelength of 1064.1 nm. Considering the direct and flexible band gap for
      different layers of phosphorene, this work may provide a possible method for
      fabricating BP SAM to achieve ultrafast solid-state lasers in IR and mid-IR
      wavelength region. 

PMID- 26274637
TI  - High-speed continuous-variable quantum key distribution without sending a local
      oscillator.
AB  - We report a 100-MHz continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD)
      experiment over a 25-km fiber channel without sending a local oscillator (LO). We
      use a "locally" generated LO and implement with a 1-GHz shot-noise-limited
      homodyne detector to achieve high-speed quantum measurement, and we propose a
      secure phase compensation scheme to maintain a low level of excess noise. These
      make high-bit-rate CV-QKD significantly simpler for larger transmission distances
      compared with previous schemes in which both LO and quantum signals are
      transmitted through the insecure quantum channel. 

PMID- 26274638
TI  - Self-starting ultrafast fiber lasers mode-locked with alcohol.
AB  - We report a novel saturable absorber (SA) based on anhydrous alcohol for mode
      locked fiber lasers (MLFLs). The SA is an optical ferrule with one alcoholic end
      facet sealed by a polyethylene (PE) film. Its modulation depth is measured to be
      5.9%. Also, a self-starting MLFL using such an alcohol-SA has been demonstrated
      to generate 972-fs pulses at 1594.6 nm. The single pulse energy is up to 1.8 nJ
      with the repetition rate of 20.97 MHz, and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is
      higher than 50 dB. The MLFL exhibits the performance of self-starting, good
      stability, and high pulse energy. Such a cost-effective and easily-prepared SA
      with high damage threshold may find wide applications for ultrafast lasers.
      Besides, it may arouse wide considerations of the mode-locking function of
      organic liquids for ultrafast lasers. 

PMID- 26274639
TI  - Noise suppression in coherent population-trapping atomic clock by differential
      magneto-optic rotation detection.
AB  - We propose and investigate a scheme for differential detection of the magneto
      optic rotation (MOR) effect, where a linearly polarized bichromatic laser field
      is coherent population-trapping (CPT)-resonant with alkali atoms, and discuss the
      application of this effect to CPT-based atomic clocks. The results of our study
      indicate that laser noise in a vertical cavity surface-emitting laser-based CPT
      atomic clock can be effectively suppressed by the proposed scheme. The proposed
      scheme promises to realize a packaged MOR-CPT atomic clock that has significantly
      better frequency stability coupled with similar power consumption, volume, and
      cost when compared with currently available packaged CPT atomic clocks. 

PMID- 26274640
TI  - Spin-dependent diffraction of evanescent waves by subwavelength gratings.
AB  - We present a way to observe the spin-to-orbital conversion phenomenon. A spinning
      evanescent wave can be asymmetrically transformed into propagation waves through
      one certain diffraction order by a periodical subwavelength grating. By detecting
      diffraction field distribution behind the grating, we observed spin-dependent
      diffraction patterns. Furthermore, replacing the periodical grating by a
      Fibonacci grating, we can simultaneously observe multiple order diffractions of a
      spin evanescent wave. In this case, the multiple diffraction beams can interfere
      with each other behind the quasi-periodical grating to form asymmetric
      interference patterns. Our work provides another way toward the realization of
      spin-to-orbital conversion of light. 

PMID- 26274641
TI  - How planar optical waves can be made to climb dielectric steps.
AB  - We show how to optically connect guiding layers at different elevations in a 3-D
      integrated photonic circuit. Transfer of optical power carried by planar, semi
      guided waves is possible without reflections or radiation losses, and over large
      vertical distances. This functionality is realized through simple step-like folds
      of high-contrast dielectric slab waveguides, in combination with oblique wave
      incidence, and fulfilling a resonance condition. Radiation losses vanish, and
      polarization conversion is suppressed for TE wave incidence beyond certain
      critical angles. This can be understood by fundamental arguments resting on a
      version of Snell's law. The two 90 degrees  corners of a step act as identical
      partial reflectors in a Fabry-Perot-like resonator setup. By selecting the step
      height, i.e., the distance between the reflectors, one realizes resonant states
      with full transmission. Rigorous quasi-analytical simulations for typical
      silicon/silica parameters demonstrate the functioning. Combinations of several
      step junctions can lead to other types of optical on-chip connects, e.g., U-turn-
      or bridge-like configurations. 

PMID- 26274642
TI  - Tailoring of spectral response and spatial field distribution with corrugated
      photonic crystal slab.
AB  - We report a new physical mechanism for simultaneous tuning of quality factors,
      spectral responses, and field distributions in photonic crystal slabs through
      removal of polarization mode degeneracy using a lattice of elliptical nano-holes.
      The quality factors in these structures can become higher than those obtained
      with much smaller circular nano-holes. Furthermore, the modes can be superimposed
      by either rotating or morphing the elliptical nano-holes into a corrugated
      grating. These findings will enable improved radiation-matter interaction in
      optical, microwave, and THZ frequencies along with enhanced opto-acoustic
      coupling. 

PMID- 26274643
TI  - Carrier-envelope phase-stable spatiotemporal light bullets.
AB  - We present an extensive experimental investigation of the self-focusing and
      filamentation of intense 90 fs, 1.8 MUm, carrier-envelope phase-stable laser
      pulses in fused silica in the anomalous group velocity dispersion region.
      Spectral measurements in a wedge-shaped sample uncover dynamics of spectral
      broadening, which captures the evolution of third-harmonic, resonant radiation,
      and supercontinuum spectra as a function of the propagation distance with
      unprecedented detail. The relevant events of spectral broadening are linked to
      the formation and propagation dynamics of spatiotemporal light bullets as
      measured by a three-dimensional imaging technique. We also show that at a higher
      input power, the light bullet splits into two bullets, which retain
      characteristic O-shaped spatiotemporal intensity distributions and propagate with
      different group velocities. Finally, we demonstrate that the light bullets have a
      stable carrier-envelope phase that is preserved even after the bullet splitting
      event, as verified by f-2f interferometric measurements. 

PMID- 26274644
TI  - UV-curable silicate phosphor planar films printed on glass substrate for white
      light-emitting diodes.
AB  - We suggest a simple way of forming a nonconventional remote phosphor layer for
      white light-emitting diodes. A printing technology using a paste consisting of
      yellow (Ba,Sr,Ca)(2)SiO(4):Eu(2+) silicate phosphor and ultraviolet (UV)-curable
      polymer is applied to form solid planar films on a common soda lime silicate
      glass substrate through UV radiation. Relative content of the phosphor was
      adjusted for the best dispersion of the phosphor particles in the polymer matrix
      with better emission and luminescence performance. As a result, the 70 wt. %
      phosphor-embedded film has a luminous efficacy of ~70.1  lm/W at 200 mA.

PMID- 26274645
TI  - Room-temperature magnetic gradiometry with fiber-coupled nitrogen-vacancy centers
      in diamond.
AB  - Differential optical detection of a magnetic resonance induced in nitrogen
      vacancy (NV) centers in diamond is shown to enable a high-spatial-resolution room
      temperature magnetic-field gradiometry on a fiber platform. An ultracompact
      design of this fiber-based solid-state magnetic gradiometer is achieved by
      integrating an NV-diamond magnetic sensor with a two-fiber opto-microwave
      interface, which couples NV centers to microwave and optical fields, used to
      resonantly drive and interrogate the spin of NV centers. 

PMID- 26274646
TI  - Experimental demonstration of laser damage caused by interface coupling effects
      of substrate surface and coating layers.
AB  - The laser damage resistance of the coatings for high-power laser systems depends
      greatly on the surface quality of the substrate. In our work, experimental
      approaches were employed to understand the interface coupling effect of the
      substrate surface and coatings on the laser resistance of the coatings. A 1064 nm
      anti-reflection (AR) coating was deposited by an e-beam coater onto fused silica
      with and without micro-scale pits (structural defects). The micro-scale pits were
      precisely fabricated by femtosecond laser processing to prevent the emergence of
      subsurface cracks. Different deposition temperatures were characterized in order
      to verify the intensity of the interface coupling effect of the substrate and
      coating layers. Our experimental results indicate that impurities that are
      introduced in the finishing process, shifted to the substrate surface, and
      aggregated during the heating process, play a much more crucial role than
      structural defects (length: ~7  MUm; width: ~3  MUm; depth: ~0.8  MUm) in the
      laser-induced damage process. By effectively reducing the intensity of the
      interface coupling effect, the e-beam AR coatings, whose laser-induced damage
      resistance was closed to the bare substrate, was prepared. 

PMID- 26274647
TI  - Spontaneous creation and annihilation of temporal cavity solitons in a coherently
      driven passive fiber resonator.
AB  - We report on the experimental observation of spontaneous creation and
      annihilation of temporal cavity solitons (CSs) in a coherently driven,
      macroscopic optical fiber resonator. Specifically, we show that CSs are
      spontaneously created when the frequency of the cavity driving field is tuned
      across a resonance, and that they can individually disappear at different stages
      of the scan. In contrast to previous experiments in monolithic microresonators,
      we are able to identify these dynamics in real time, thanks to the macroscopic
      dimensions of our resonator. Our experimental observations are in excellent
      agreement with numerical simulations. We also discuss the mechanisms responsible
      for the one-by-one disappearance of CSs. 

PMID- 26274648
TI  - Laguerre-Gauss beams versus Bessel beams showdown: peer comparison.
AB  - We present for the first time a comparison under similar circumstances between
      Laguerre-Gauss beams (LGBs) and Bessel beams (BB), and show that the former can
      be a better option for many applications in which BBs are currently used. By
      solving the Laguerre-Gauss differential equation in the asymptotic limit of a
      large radial index, we find the parameters to perform a peer comparison, showing
      that LGBs can propagate quasi-nondiffracting beams within the same region of
      space where the corresponding BBs do. We also demonstrate that LGBs, which have
      the property of self-healing, are more robust in the sense that they can
      propagate further than BBs under similar initial conditions. 

PMID- 26274649
TI  - Highly stable digital holographic microscope using Sagnac interferometer.
AB  - Interferometric microscopy has grown into a very potent tool for quantitative
      phase imaging of biological samples. Among the interfermetric methods, microscopy
      by digital holography is one of the most effective techniques, especially for
      studying dynamics of cells. Imaging of cell fluctuations requires digital
      holographic setups with high temporal stability. Common path setups in which the
      object and the reference beams encounter the same set of optical elements provide
      better temporal stability compared to two-beam setups. Here, we present a
      compact, easy-to-implement, common path digital holographic microscope based on
      Sagnac interferometer geometry. The microscope is implemented using a diode laser
      module employing a CCD array or a webcam sensor to record holograms. The system
      was tested for three-dimensional imaging capability, numerical focusing ability,
      and temporal stability. Sub-nanometer temporal stability without external
      vibration isolation components was obtained in both cases. The higher temporal
      stability makes the microscope compatible to image cell fluctuations, which is
      demonstrated by imaging the oscillation of the cell membrane of human red blood
      cells. 

PMID- 26274650
TI  - 1.1-MUm InAs/GaAs quantum-dot light-emitting transistors grown by molecular beam
      epitaxy.
AB  - In this Letter, we report the enhanced radiative recombination output from an
      AlGaAs/GaAs heterojunction bipolar transistor with InAs quantum dots embedded in
      the base region to form a quantum-dot light-emitting transistor (QDLET) grown by
      molecular beam epitaxy systems. For the device with a 100  MUm*100  MUm emitter
      area, we demonstrate the dual output characteristics with an electrical output
      and an optical output when the device is operating in the common-emitter
      configuration. The quantum-dot light-emitting transistor exhibits a base
      recombination radiation in the near-infrared spectral range with a dominant peak
      at lambda of 1100 nm. 

PMID- 26274651
TI  - Optimization of spatial acquisition systems for low-light-level robustness in
      space optical communications.
AB  - The channel establishment in space optical communications relies on the
      Acquisition, Tracking, and Pointing (ATP) systems to initially acquire and then
      stably track the beacon beam. However, insufficient optical power may lead to
      unstable acquisition or even acquisition failure. In this Letter, we describe the
      mechanisms causing the instability, and then propose an approach to constrain the
      acquisition velocity. The approach is based on velocity prediction obtained from
      the light spot centroids and angle measurement data. Theoretical and experimental
      results show that the acceptable minimum optical power for acquisition decreases
      by 5.5 dB after optimization, which effectively enhances the acquisition system's
      robustness under low-light-level conditions. This approach improves the
      adaptability of satellite-ground optical communications and also has practical
      value for deep-space optical communications. 

PMID- 26274652
TI  - Optimal generation of high harmonics in the water-window region by synthesizing
      800-nm and mid-infrared laser pulses.
AB  - We propose a method to optimally synthesize a strong 800-nm Ti:sapphire laser
      pulse and a relatively weak mid-infrared laser pulse to enhance harmonic yields
      in the water-window region. The required wavelength of the mid-infrared laser is
      varied from about 2.0 to 3.2 MUm. The optimized waveforms generate comparable
      harmonic yields as the waveforms proposed in [Sci. Rep.4, 7067 (2014)], but with
      much weaker intensity for the mid-infrared laser. This method provides an
      alternative scheme based on the available laser technology to help realize
      tabletop light source in the water-window region by high-order harmonic
      generation.

PMID- 26274653
TI  - Second-harmonic generation interferometry in magnetic-dipole nanostructures.
AB  - We present the experimental studies on optical second-harmonic generation from
      nanostructures exhibiting magnetic dipole resonances in the visible spectral
      range. "Nanosandwiches" of the composition Au/MgF(2)/Au with the average disk
      diameter of 140 nm are packed in a square lattice with the period of 400 nm. We
      show that at normal incidence, the intensity of the second-harmonic (SH) wave
      generated by the array of nanostructures increases by an order of magnitude as
      the excitation wavelength approaches the magnetic-dipole resonance, while the
      phase of the SH wave experiences a shift up to 330 degrees . Based on the
      phenomenological description of the SH process, the observed effects indicate the
      dominant role of the nonlinear magnetic-dipole polarization driven by the
      chi(emm) susceptibility in SH generation in "nanosandwiches."

PMID- 26274654
TI  - High-beam quality, high-efficiency laser based on fiber with heavily Yb(3+)-doped
      phosphate core and silica cladding.
AB  - We have fabricated and tested a composite fiber with an Yb(3+)-doped phosphate
      glass core and silica cladding. Oscillation with a slope efficiency of 74% was
      achieved using core pumping at 976 nm with fiber lengths of 48-90 mm in a simple
      laser configuration, where the cavity was formed by a high-reflectivity Bragg
      grating and the cleaved fiber end. The measured M(2) factors were as low as 1.05
      1.22 even though the fiber was multimode at the lasing wavelength.

PMID- 26274655
TI  - Interferometric velocity measurements through a fluctuating phase boundary using
      two Fresnel guide stars.
AB  - Laser optical techniques are widely used for flow measurements as they offer a
      high spatial and velocity resolution. However, undisturbed optical access to the
      measurement volume is desired. In order to measure through a fluctuating phase
      boundary, we present the use of adaptive optics. In an experiment, we prove that
      the Fresnel reflex of a phase boundary can be used as a proper guide star for
      adaptive velocity measurements with a single optical access. Interferometric flow
      measurements through a fluctuating phase boundary have been accomplished by a
      Mach-Zehnder interferometer. 

PMID- 26274656
TI  - In-fiber whispering-gallery-mode resonator fabricated by femtosecond laser
      micromachining.
AB  - An in-fiber whispering-gallery-mode resonator fabricated by femtosecond laser
      micromachining is demonstrated. The cylinder resonator cavity is fabricated by
      scanning the D-fiber cladding with infrared femtosecond pulses along a
      cylindrical trace with a radius of 25 MUm and height of 20 MUm. Quality factor on
      the order of 10(3) is achieved by smoothing the cavity surface with an ultrasonic
      cleaner, which is mainly limited by the surface roughness of several hundred
      nanometers. Resonant characteristics and polarization dependence of the proposed
      resonator are also studied in detail. Our method takes a step forward in the
      integration of whispering-gallery-mode resonators.

PMID- 26274657
TI  - Method to evaluate afterpulsing probability in single-photon avalanche diodes.
AB  - We propose and demonstrate a new method for evaluating the afterpulsing effect in
      single-photon avalanche photodiodes (SPADs). By analyzing the statistical
      property of dark count rate, we can quantitatively characterize afterpulsing
      probability (APP) of a SPAD. In experiment, the temperature-dependent low dark
      count rate (DCR) distribution becomes non-Poissonian at lower temperature and has
      higher excess bias as the afterpulsing effect becomes significant. Our work
      provides a flexible way to examine APP in either single-device or circuit level. 

PMID- 26274658
TI  - High-reflectance La/B-based multilayer mirror for 6.x  nm wavelength.
AB  - We report a hybrid thin-film deposition procedure to significantly enhance the
      reflectivity of La/B-based multilayer structures. This is of relevance for
      applications of multilayer optics at 6.7-nm wavelength and beyond. Such
      multilayers showed a reflectance of 64.1% at 6.65 nm measured at 1.5-degrees off
      normal incidence at PTB (BESSY-II). This was achieved by a special scheme of La
      passivation. The La layer was nitridated to avoid formation of the optically
      unfavorable LaBx compound at the B-on-La interface. To avoid the also undesired
      BN formation at the La-on-B interface, a time-dosed nitridation at the initial
      stage was applied. This research revealed a good potential for further increase
      in the reflectivity of multilayer structures at 6.7 nm. 

PMID- 26274659
TI  - Trapping light into high orbital momentum modes of fiber tapers.
AB  - A tapered cylindrical dielectric optical waveguide acts as a high quality factor
      white-light cavity providing high field concentration as well as long optical
      group delay. It is possible to optimize shape of a lossless taper to suppress
      reflection of the input light and to achieve infinitely high field concentration.
      These tapers can be used in sensing and optoelectronics applications instead of
      conventional microcavities. 

PMID- 26274660
TI  - Anharmonic propagation of two-dimensional beams carrying orbital angular momentum
      in a harmonic potential.
AB  - We analytically and numerically investigate an anharmonic propagation of two
      dimensional beams in a harmonic potential. We pick noncentrosymmetric beams of
      common interest that carry orbital angular momentum. The examples studied include
      superposed Bessel-Gauss (BG), Laguerre-Gauss (LG), and circular Airy (CA) beams.
      For the BG beams, periodic inversion, phase transition, and rotation with
      periodic angular velocity are demonstrated during propagation. For the LG and CA
      beams, periodic inversion and variable rotation are still there but not the phase
      transition. On the whole, the "center of mass" and the orbital angular momentum
      of a beam exhibit harmonic motion, but the motion of the beam intensity
      distribution in detail is subject to external and internal torques and forces,
      causing it to be anharmonic. Our results are applicable to other superpositions
      of finite circularly asymmetric beams. 

PMID- 26274661
TI  - Arbitrary state of polarization with customized degree of polarization generator.
AB  - An optical setup able to generate arbitrary states of polarization (SOPs) with
      customized degree of polarization is presented in this Letter. Compared with the
      few alternatives existing in literature, it presents an easy-to-build optical
      setup and leads to a superior performance. In fact, experimental results are
      presented, providing an accurate control for the generation of SOPs (maximum
      error of 1.7% and 3.3% for ellipticity and azimuth, respectively) as well as for
      the associated degree of polarization (full experimental variation from 1 up to
      0.003, with a 1.7% maximum error). The system proposed may be useful for
      different applications, for example, for polarimeters testing, speckle metrology,
      and biological applications. 

PMID- 26274662
TI  - Phase derivative estimation from a single interferogram using a Kalman smoothing
      algorithm.
AB  - We report a technique for direct phase derivative estimation from a single
      recording of a complex interferogram. In this technique, the interference field
      is represented as an autoregressive model with spatially varying coefficients.
      Estimates of these coefficients are obtained using the Kalman filter
      implementation. The Rauch-Tung-Striebel smoothing algorithm further improves the
      accuracy of the coefficient estimation. These estimated coefficients are utilized
      to compute the spatially varying phase derivative. Stochastic evolution of the
      coefficients is considered, which allows estimating the phase derivative with any
      type of spatial variation. The simulation and experimental results are provided
      to substantiate the noise robustness and applicability of the proposed method in
      phase derivative estimation. 

PMID- 26274663
TI  - Mid-IR femtosecond frequency conversion by soliton-probe collision in phase
      mismatched quadratic nonlinear crystals.
AB  - We show numerically that ultrashort self-defocusing temporal solitons colliding
      with a weak pulsed probe in the near-IR can convert the probe to the mid-IR. A
      near-perfect conversion efficiency is possible for a high effective soliton
      order. The near-IR self-defocusing soliton can form in a quadratic nonlinear
      crystal (beta-barium borate) in the normal dispersion regime due to cascaded
      (phase-mismatched) second-harmonic generation, and the mid-IR converted wave is
      formed in the anomalous dispersion regime between lambda=2.2-2.4  MUm as a
      resonant dispersive wave. This process relies on nondegenerate four-wave mixing
      mediated by an effective negative cross-phase modulation term caused by cascaded
      soliton-probe sum-frequency generation. 

PMID- 26274664
TI  - Type IIa Bragg gratings formed in microfibers.
AB  - In this Letter, Type IIa Bragg gratings are inscribed into microfibers. The large
      germanium-doped core region of the multimode fiber provides the necessary
      photosensitivity to form a Type IIa grating when it is drawn down to the
      microscale. Reducing the diameter of the microfiber due to lower saturate
      modulation and the amplified tension-strain transformation effect can accelerate
      the formation of a Type IIa grating. This provides an efficient method for the
      fabrication of fiber gratings with 800 degrees C temperature resistance. 

PMID- 26274665
TI  - Reflectionless potentials for slow whispering gallery modes in surface nanoscale
      axial photonic fiber resonators.
AB  - We consider an optical fiber with a nanoscale variation of the effective fiber
      radius that supports whispering gallery modes slowly propagating along the fiber,
      and reveal that the radius variation can be designed to support the
      reflectionless propagation of these modes. We show that reflectionless
      modulations can realize control of the transmission amplitude and temporal delay,
      while enabling close packing due to the absence of cross talk, in contrast to the
      conventional potentials. 

PMID- 26274666
TI  - Combined supercontinuum source with >200 W power using a 3 * 1 broadband fiber
      power combiner.
AB  - We report an incoherently combined near-infrared supercontinuum (SC) source with
      >200  W output power using a 3*1 broadband fiber power combiner. A broadband
      fiber power combiner is designed and theoretically investigated. The power
      transmission efficiencies of light at different wavelengths of the combiner are
      calculated, and the combiner is verified to be capable of combining broadband
      sources efficiently. Then a combiner is fabricated. Three ~70  W near-infrared SC
      sources are constructed and then, using the combiner, a >200  W near-infrared SC
      source is obtained. Conclusively, using incoherently combining method we can
      obtain a high-power SC source, and the thermo-management can be realized easily.
      We believe that this is a suitable method to obtain a higher-power SC source. 

PMID- 26274667
TI  - High-energy noncollinear optical parametric amplifier producing 4  fs pulses in
      the visible seeded by a gas-phase filament.
AB  - We report on the design and characterization of a short-pulse-pumped, single
      stage noncollinear optical parametric amplifier (NOPA) that achieves high pulse
      energies in the few-cycle pulse regime. Optimal pulse-front tilting and temporal
      compression of the short (35 fs) pump pulse are achieved using a 4f grating
      compressor, while spatial chirp at the NOPA crystal is eliminated with proper
      imaging using a pair of reflective telescopes. Gas-phase filamentation in an open
      ended argon-filled cell provides a bright, stable seed source with little
      residual chirp that is suitable for temporal overlap with the short pump pulse
      without dispersion precompensation. Two seeding geometries are explored, and
      pulses as short as 3.5 fs are obtained by seeding with the entire filament
      bandwidth. Fourier-transform-limited 4 fs pulses are obtained by filtering the IR
      portion of the spectrum. 

PMID- 26274668
TI  - Femtosecond mode-locked Nd(3+)-doped Ba(Zr,Mg,Ta)O(3) ceramic laser.
AB  - We have demonstrated continuous wave (CW) laser operation and the first, to the
      best of our knowledge, sub-200 fs mode-locked laser operation of Nd(3+)-doped
      Ba(Zr,Mg,Ta)O(3) ceramic. Its disordered crystalline nature exhibits a broad gain
      bandwidth of 30 nm with a high-emission cross section. It also has higher thermal
      and mechanical properties than Nd:glass. In CW operation, a maximum output power
      of 1.5 W under 6.2 W of absorbed pump power was obtained. In mode-locked
      operation, a pulse duration of 196 fs with an average power of 60 mW was
      successfully achieved. The laser spectrum straddled both fluorescence peaks of A
      site and B-site Nd(3+) ions.

PMID- 26274669
TI  - Look-back-upon tree recurrence method for Geiger-mode avalanche photodiode
      performance prediction.
AB  - This Letter, for the first time, proposes the look-back-upon tree recurrence
      (LTR) method based on the Poisson statistics for discrete time to predict the
      performance of Geiger-mode avalanche photodiodes with a short dead time. The
      results of the proposed method correspond to the results of previous methods for
      diverse input fluxes. The LTR method possesses very low time and space complexity
      to allow for the real-time analysis of the Geiger-mode avalanche photodiodes'
      performance over the entire ranges of dead time and input diversity. 

PMID- 26274670
TI  - Vertical optical ring resonators fully integrated with nanophotonic waveguides on
      silicon-on-insulator substrates.
AB  - We demonstrate full integration of vertical optical ring resonators with silicon
      nanophotonic waveguides on silicon-on-insulator substrates to accomplish a
      significant step toward 3D photonic integration. The on-chip integration is
      realized by rolling up 2D differentially strained TiO(2) nanomembranes into 3D
      microtube cavities on a nanophotonic microchip. The integration configuration
      allows for out-of-plane optical coupling between the in-plane nanowaveguides and
      the vertical microtube cavities as a compact and mechanically stable optical
      unit, which could enable refined vertical light transfer in 3D stacks of multiple
      photonic layers. In this vertical transmission scheme, resonant filtering of
      optical signals at telecommunication wavelengths is demonstrated based on
      subwavelength thick-walled microcavities. Moreover, an array of microtube
      cavities is prepared, and each microtube cavity is integrated with multiple
      waveguides, which opens up interesting perspectives toward parallel and multi
      routing through a single-cavity device as well as high-throughput optofluidic
      sensing schemes.

PMID- 26274671
TI  - Local excitation of surface plasmon polaritons using nitrogen-vacancy centers.
AB  - Surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) are locally excited at silver surfaces using
      (~100) nanometer-sized nanodiamonds (NDs) with multiple nitrogen-vacancy (NV)
      centers (~400). The fluorescences from an externally illuminated (at 532 nm) ND
      and from nearby NDs, which are not illuminated but produce out-of-plane
      scattering of SPPs excited by the illuminated ND, exhibit distinctly different
      wavelength spectra, showing short-wavelength filtering due to the SPP propagation
      loss. The results indicate that NDs with multiple NV centers can be used as
      efficient subwavelength SPP sources in planar integrated plasmonics for various
      applications. 

PMID- 26274672
TI  - Giant thermo-optical relaxation oscillations in millimeter-size whispering
      gallery mode disk resonators.
AB  - In this Letter, we show that giant thermo-optical oscillations can be triggered
      in millimeter (mm)-size whispering gallery mode (WGM) disk resonators when they
      are pumped by a resonant continuous-wave laser. Our resonator is an ultrahigh-Q
      barium fluoride cavity that features a positive thermo-optic coefficient and a
      negative thermo-elastic coefficient. We demonstrate for the first time, to our
      knowledge, that the complex interplay between these two thermic coefficients and
      the intrinsic Kerr nonlinearity yields very sharp slow-fast relaxation
      oscillations with a slow timescale that can be exceptionally large, typically of
      the order of 1 s. We use a time-domain model to gain understanding into this
      instability, and we find that both the experimental and theoretical results are
      in excellent agreement. The understanding of these thermal effects is an
      essential requirement for every WGM-related application and our study
      demonstrates that even in the case of mm-size resonators, such effects can still
      be accurately analyzed using nonlinear time-domain models. 

PMID- 26274673
TI  - Simple method to enhance terahertz radiation from femtosecond laser filament
      array with a step phase plate.
AB  - In this work, we experimentally demonstrate a 200% enhancement of terahertz (THz)
      wave amplitude generated by femtosecond laser filamentation in air. The
      experimental setup simply uses a semicircular phase plate to generate two
      parallel filaments. Temporally overlapped THz pulses from two filaments
      coherently add up, giving rise to significant enhancement of the THz pulse
      amplitude. It has been foreseen that further enhancement would be achieved if the
      design of phase plates could be optimized to generate a filament array. This
      simple method makes full use of the laser energy and could potentially open a new
      approach to remotely enhance the THz emission in air. 

PMID- 26274674
TI  - Toward a new radiative-transfer-based model for remote sensing of terrestrial
      surface albedo.
AB  - This Letter formulates a simple yet accurate radiative-transfer-based theoretical
      model to characterize the fraction of radiation reflected by terrestrial
      surfaces. Emphasis is placed on the concept of inhomogeneous distribution of the
      diffuse sky radiation function (DSRF) and multiple interaction effects (MIE).
      Neglecting DSRF and MIE produces a -1.55% mean relative bias in albedo estimates.
      The presented model can elucidate the impact of DSRF on the surface volume
      scattering and geometry-optical scattering components, respectively, especially
      for slant illuminations with solar zenith angles (SZA) larger than 50 degrees .
      Particularly striking in the comparisons between our model and ground-based
      observations is the achievement of the agreement level, indicating that our model
      can effectively resolve the longstanding issue in accurately estimating albedo at
      extremely large SZAs and is promising for land-atmosphere interactions studies. 

PMID- 26274675
TI  - Single-longitudinal-mode Er:GGG microchip laser operating at 2.7  MUm.
AB  - We reported on a diode-end-pumped single-longitudinal-mode microchip laser using
      a 600-MUm-thick Er:GGG crystal at ~2.7  MUm, generating a maximum output power of
      50.8 mW and the maximum pulsed energy of 0.306 mJ, with repetition rates of
      pumping light of 300, 200, and 100 Hz, respectively. The maximum slope efficiency
      of the laser was 20.1%. The laser was operated in a single-longitudinal mode
      centered at about 2704 nm with a FWHM of 0.42 nm. The laser had a fundamental
      beam profile and the beam quality parameter M(2) was measured as 1.46. These
      results indicate that the Er:GGG microchip laser is a potential compact mid
      infrared laser source.

PMID- 26274676
TI  - In situ fabrication of a tunable microlens.
AB  - We demonstrate an optofluidic variable-focus microlens formed by a solid
      polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) meniscus channel wall and a tunable liquid lens body.
      A novel method for in situ fabrication of the meniscus channel wall is developed
      by introducing liquid PDMS prepolymer into a microchannel followed by curing.
      Three-light manipulation techniques including tunable optical focusing,
      collimating, and diverging are realized by varying the refractive index (RI) of
      liquid lens body. Also, we present an absorption measurement of methylene blue
      (MB) with a collimated probing light, achieving a detection limit of 0.25 MUM by
      using a 5-mm-long detection cell. 

PMID- 26274677
TI  - Reconfigurable semiconductor laser networks based on diffractive coupling.
AB  - Networks of optical emitters are highly sought-after, both for fundamental
      investigations as well as for various technological applications. We introduce
      and implement a novel scheme, based on diffractive optical coupling, allowing for
      the coupling of large numbers of optical emitters with adjustable weights. We
      demonstrate its potential by coupling emitters of a 2D array of semiconductor
      lasers with significant efficiency. 

PMID- 26274678
TI  - Polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography system tolerant to fiber
      disturbances using a line camera.
AB  - This Letter presents a spectral-domain, polarization-sensitive optical coherence
      tomography (PS-OCT) system, where the light collection from the two arms of the
      interferometer is performed exclusively using single-mode fibers and couplers,
      and the two orthogonal polarization components are sequentially detected by a
      single line camera. Retardance measurements can be affected by polarimetric
      effects because of fiber birefringence and diattenuation in fiber couplers. This
      configuration bypasses such issues by performing polarization selection before
      the collection fiber through the combination of a polarization rotator and a
      linear polarizer. Retardance calibration is achieved with a Berek compensator.
      Similar net retardance maps of a birefringent phantom are obtained for two
      different settings of induced fiber birefringence, effectively demonstrating the
      tolerance of the configuration to fiber-based disturbances. 

PMID- 26274679
TI  - Lens-free spectral light-field fusion microscopy for contrast- and resolution
      enhanced imaging of biological specimens.
AB  - A lens-free spectral light-field fusion microscopy (LSLFM) system is presented
      for enabling contrast- and resolution-enhanced imaging of biological specimens.
      LSLFM consists of a pulsed multispectral lens-free microscope for capturing
      interferometric light-field encodings at various wavelengths, and Bayesian-based
      fusion to reconstruct a fused object light-field from the encodings. By fusing
      unique object detail information captured at different wavelengths, LSLFM can
      achieve improved resolution, contrast, and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) over a
      single-channel lens-free microscopy system. A five-channel LSLFM system was
      developed and quantitatively evaluated to validate the design. Experimental
      results demonstrated that the LSLFM system provided SNR improvements of 6-12 dB,
      as well as a six-fold improvement in the dispersion index (DI), over that
      achieved using a single-channel, resolution-enhancing lens-free deconvolution
      microscopy system or its multi-wavelength counterpart. Furthermore, the LSLFM
      system achieved an increase in numerical aperture (NA) of ~16% over a single
      channel resolution-enhancing lens-free deconvolution microscopy system at the
      highest resolution wavelength used in the study. Samples of Staurastrum
      paradoxum, a waterborne algae, and human corneal epithelial cells were imaged
      using the system to illustrate its potential for enhanced imaging of biological
      specimens. 

PMID- 26274680
TI  - Cosine light-trapping nanostructures for thin film solar cells.
AB  - In this Letter, we present a cosine light-trapping texture for thin-film silicon
      solar cells. The surface texture was numerically demonstrated to exhibit
      comparable light-trapping performance to the inverted pyramid one, which is
      classic high-efficiency light-trapping structure. The cosine texture can be
      directly formed by interference lithography, while the inverted pyramid needs
      more complicated processing. The proposed structure has the potential to play a
      key role in thin-film solar cells. 

PMID- 26274681
TI  - Theoretical treatment of the interaction between two-level atoms and periodic
      waveguides.
AB  - Light transport in periodic waveguides coupled to two-level atoms is investigated
      theoretically. By using optical Bloch equations and a photonic modal formalism,
      we derive a convenient semi-analytical expression for calculating the scattering
      matrix of single atoms trapped in periodic waveguides. The expression that holds
      for both photonic and plasmonic waveguides represents a basic building block
      toward the study of collective effects arising from photon-mediated multi-atom
      interactions in periodic waveguides. 

PMID- 26274682
TI  - Poly-periodic hole arrays for angle-invariant plasmonic filters.
AB  - We suggest a plasmonic filter with novel hole arrays for an angle-invariant
      optical response. The suggested patterns consist of randomly distributed
      polycrystalline domains in which nano sized holes are arranged with the same
      period. While the microscopic area of periodicity determines the center
      wavelength and transmission intensity, the broken periodicity of each domain
      contributes to restrain the angle dependency. The results increase the possible
      use of nanohole-based filters in practical area. 

PMID- 26274683
TI  - Far-infrared quasi-monochromatic perfect absorption in a thin GaAs film on gold.
AB  - We study the far-infrared absorption properties of a thin GaAs film on Au. We
      show that a 1.2-MUm GaAs film on Au can completely absorb an electromagnetic wave
      of 7.9 THz and totally reflect the waves of frequencies not very close to 7.9
      THz. The uniformity of the layered structure enables observation of a quasi
      monochromatic, nearly perfect absorption of 96% in a 1.4-MUm GaAs film. The
      absorption can be high for a wide range of incident angles. 

PMID- 26274684
TI  - Effect of spherical aberration on laser beam self-focusing in the atmosphere.
AB  - The effect of spherical aberration on the laser beam self-focusing in the
      atmosphere to assist delivering powerful laser beams from orbit to the ground is
      studied. It is found that for the small orbital mirror size, a Gaussian beam with
      negative spherical aberration might be more strongly compressed without
      filamentation than that without spherical aberration, and its spot size on the
      ground can be reduced well below the diffraction limit. However, for the large
      orbital mirror size, spherical aberration will result in an increase of receiver
      size on the ground. 

PMID- 26274685
TI  - Ultrafast thulium-doped fiber laser mode locked with black phosphorus.
AB  - We report, for the first time to our knowledge, the usage of black phosphorus
      (BP) as a saturable absorber for the mode locking of a thulium-doped fiber laser.
      We have experimentally shown that BP exhibits saturable absorption in the 2 MUm
      wavelength range and supports ultrashort pulse generation. The saturable absorber
      was based on mechanically exfoliated BP deposited on a fiber connector tip. The
      laser was capable of generating 739 fs pulses centered at 1910 nm. Our results
      show that BP might be considered as a universal broadband saturable absorber that
      could successfully compete with graphene or other low-dimension nanomaterials. 

PMID- 26274686
TI  - Determination of recombination coefficients for nanocrystalline silicon embedded
      in hydrogenated amorphous silicon.
AB  - The spectroscopic pump-probe reflectance method was used to investigate
      recombination dynamics in samples of nanocrystalline silicon embedded in a matrix
      of hydrogenated amorphous silicon. We found that the dynamics can be described by
      a rate equation including linear and quadratic terms corresponding to
      recombination processes associated with impurities and impurity-assisted Auger
      ionization, respectively. We determined the values of the recombination
      coefficients using the initial concentrations method. We report the coefficients
      of 1.5*10(11) s(-1) and 1.1*10(-10) cm(3) s(-1) for the impurity-assisted
      recombination and Auger ionization, respectively.

PMID- 26274687
TI  - Ultra-compact broadband higher order-mode pass filter fabricated in a silicon
      waveguide for multimode photonics.
AB  - An ultra-compact and broadband higher order-mode pass filter in a 1D photonic
      crystal silicon waveguide is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The
      photonic crystal is designed for the lower order mode to work in the photonic
      band gap, while the higher order mode is located in the air band. Consequently,
      light on the lower order mode is prohibited to pass through the filter, while
      light on a higher order mode can be converted to a Bloch mode in the photonic
      crystal and pass through the filter with low insertion loss. As an example, we
      fabricate a ~15-MUm-long first-order-mode pass filter that filters out the
      fundamental mode and provides a measured insertion loss of ~1.8  dB for the first
      order-mode pass signals. The extinction ratio is measured to be around 50 dB
      (with a variation of +/-10  dB due to the detection limitation of the measurement
      setup) in the measured wavelength range from 1480 to 1580 nm. Additionally,
      calculations predict the extinction ratio to be larger than 50 dB in a 170 nm
      broad bandwidth. 

PMID- 26274688
TI  - High-power, widely tunable, room-temperature picosecond optical parametric
      oscillator based on cylindrical 5%MgO:PPLN.
AB  - We report a high-power picosecond optical parametric oscillator (OPO) based on
      cylindrical MgO:PPLN synchronously pumped by an Yb-fiber laser. The singly
      resonant OPO is tunable in the near-infrared signal across 1413-1900 nm and mid
      infrared idler over 2418-4307 nm by angle tuning of the crystal at room
      temperature. With non-optimized output coupling of ~10%, the OPO simultaneously
      delivers 2.4 W of signal at 1664 nm and 1.7 W of idler at 2950 nm at an overall
      extraction efficiency of ~45% with high beam-pointing stability <30  MUrad and
      <14  MUrad for the signal and idler, respectively. The generated signal and idler
      exhibit passive power stability better than 1% rms and 0.8% rms over 15 h,
      respectively, in high beam quality with TEM(00) profile. The extracted signal
      pulses from the OPO have duration of 15.2 ps with a spectral bandwidth of 0.7 nm,
      corresponding to a time-bandwidth product of DeltaupsilonDeltatau~1.2.

PMID- 26274689
TI  - Optical implementation of the generalized Hough transform with totally incoherent
      light.
AB  - The generalized Hough transform is a well-established technique for detecting
      complex shapes in images containing noisy or missing data. We present an
      efficient optical implementation of this transform using an electrical lens with
      variable focal length and a rotating pupil mask matching the pattern to be found.
      The proposed setup works under fully (i.e., both spatially and temporally)
      incoherent illumination and can handle orientation changes or scale variations in
      the pattern. Validation experiments showing its real-time application are
      presented. 

PMID- 26274690
TI  - Low-temperature cross-talk magnetic-field sensor based on tapered all-solid
      waveguide-array fiber and magnetic fluids.
AB  - A compact fiber-optic magnetic-field sensor based on tapered all-solid waveguide
      array fiber (WAF) and magnetic fluid (MF) has been proposed and experimentally
      demonstrated. The tapered all-solid WAF is fabricated by using a fusion splicer,
      and the sensor is formed by immersing the tapered all-solid WAF into the MF. The
      transmission spectra have been measured and analyzed under different magnetic
      field intensities. Experimental results show that the acquired magnetic-field
      sensitivity is 44.57 pm/Oe for a linear magnetic-field intensity range from 50 to
      200 Oe. All-solid WAF has very similar thermal expansion coefficient for high-
      and low-refractive-index glasses, so mode profile is not affected by thermal
      drifts. Also, magnetically induced refractive-index changes into the ferrofluid
      are of the order of ~5*10(-2), while the corresponding thermally induced
      refractive-index changes into the ferrofluid are expected to be lower. The
      temperature response has also been detected, and the temperature-induced
      wavelength shift perturbation is less than 0.3 nm from temperature of 26.9
      degrees C-44 degrees C. The proposed magnetic-field sensor has such advantages as
      low temperature sensitivity, simple structure, and ease of fabrication. It also
      indicates that the magnetic-field sensor based on tapered all-solid WAF and MF is
      helpful to reduce temperature cross-sensitivity for the measurement of magnetic
      field.

PMID- 26274691
TI  - Tunable plasmonic resonances based on elliptical annular aperture arrays on
      conducting substrates for advanced biosensing.
AB  - Introducing a conducting metal layer and the structural asymmetry to elliptical
      annular aperture arrays, multiple plasmonic coupled-resonant modes are generated
      under normal incidence in the visible light range. The electromagnetic fields can
      be strongly enhanced at resonant modes in this device, which increases the
      interaction volume of the detected analyte and optical fields; therefore,
      multiple plamonic coupled modes exhibit higher refractive index sensitivity than
      as large as 610 nm/RIU. The distinct Fano-like resonance around a wavelength of
      681 nm originates from the interference between bonding dipolar and the
      quadrupolar modes. Due to the excitation of sharp spectral features as narrow as
      7 nm, high figure of merits of 94 at the Fano-like dip is obtained in a wide
      refractive index range of 1.33-1.40. Furthermore, to generate strong Fano-like
      resonance, the geometric shape of ellipse is selected, which is a good geometric
      shape candidate compared to the circle shape. This device is promising for
      biosensing applications with high sensitivity and low limit of detection. 

PMID- 26274692
TI  - Asymmetric optical cryptosystem based on coherent superposition and equal modulus
      decomposition: comment.
AB  - I comment on the recent Letter by Cai et al. [Opt. Lett.40, 475 (2015).], in
      which the authors claimed that the method can resist the special attack. However,
      I think their attack analysis and algorithm are ill-considered and worth
      discussing.

PMID- 26274693
TI  - Computational modeling of optical properties in aluminum nanolayers inserted in
      ZnO for solar cell electrodes.
AB  - Numerical simulations were used to study the transmittances (Ts) of ZnO/Al/ZnO
      (ZAZ) films with Al thicknesses between ~1 and 40 nm. The simulations are
      validated using previously reported experimental results. Multilayers with Al
      thicknesses between ~1 and 10 nm are shown to have average Ts between ~75% and
      90%, which decreased farther to ~63 and 41% for the Al layer thicknesses of 20
      and 40 nm, respectively. Variations in the ZnO thickness between ~10 and 100 nm
      are shown to have little effect on the optical properties of the model
      multilayers for a given Al thickness. The reliability of the numerical
      simulations is tested by comparing them with experimental measurements on films
      produced using similar interlayer thicknesses. These are also shown to be
      comparable to the performance characteristics of indium tin oxide (ITO) anodes
      that are used currently in organic solar cells (OSCs) and organic light emitting
      diodes (OLEDs). 

PMID- 26274694
TI  - Quasi-3D plasmonic coupling scheme for near-field optical lithography and
      imaging.
AB  - Near-field optical imaging and lithography rely on achieving both high resolution
      and efficient coupling. Particularly conventional near-field scanning optical
      microscopy (NSOM) suffers from the trade-off between resolution and efficiency.
      Planar plasmonic lens schemes can partially solve this issue utilizing plasmonic
      resonances, but the performance is not robust over a large range of sample
      materials. In this work we show a novel quasi-3D plasmonic scheme to focus light
      into the extreme subwavelength region in the near field with an efficiency orders
      higher than NSOM. The superb performance comes from the strong coupling between
      the localized mode with an off-plane E-field component and the sample being
      processed. Our scheme can efficiently focus light to a spot with a diameter down
      to 1/20 of its wavelength, and the coupling efficiency can be as high as 10%.
      Theoretically, we demonstrate that the FWHM of the focus spot can be 7 nm with an
      enhancement of about 800 at the UV region. The focusing performance is constantly
      good over a large variety of materials and the illumination and collection
      imaging scheme has been demonstrated by simulation. An example design of this
      quasi-3D coupling scheme is fabricated and its imaging performance is
      characterized by the apertureless optical near-field measurement. The high
      coupling efficiency at extreme subwavelength resolution of this quasi-3D coupling
      scheme opens the door to many applications, such as optical lithography,
      nanoscale imaging, heat-assisted magnetic recording, plasmon-enhanced Raman
      spectroscopy, etc. 

PMID- 26274695
TI  - Symmetry recovery for coupled photonic modes with transversal PT symmetry.
AB  - Typical parity-time (PT) symmetric structures switch from the unbroken to the
      broken phase when gain increases through an exceptional point. In contrast, we
      report on systems with the unusual, reverse behavior, where the symmetric phase
      is recovered after a broken phase. We study this phenomenon analytically and
      numerically in the simplest possible system, consisting of four coupled modes,
      and we present potential dielectric and plasmonic implementations. The complex
      mode merging scheme, with two distinct unbroken PT phases encompassing a broken
      one, appears for a specific proportion range of the coupling constants. This
      regime with "inverse" exceptional points is interesting for the design of novel
      PT devices. 

PMID- 26274696
TI  - Pharmacokinetics and Long-Term Safety and Tolerability of Everolimus in Renal
      Transplant Recipients Converted From Cyclosporine.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Conversion from cyclosporine (CsA) to everolimus (EVR) in kidney
      transplant recipients receiving mycophenolate sodium (MPS) and corticosteroids
      has been used to reduce CsA associated toxicities. Nevertheless, exposures
      produced by the initial EVR dose, the steady state pharmacokinetic and long-term
      safety and tolerability have not been explored in detail. METHODS: Twenty-four
      stable kidney transplant recipients receiving CSA, MPS, and corticosteroids were
      converted from CSA to EVR. The initial EVR dose was 3 mg BID. Weekly monitoring
      of EVR blood concentrations was followed by a full 12 hour pharmacokinetic
      profile 28 days after conversion. Therapeutic drug monitoring, safety, and
      tolerability were analyzed during 5 years of follow-up. RESULTS: The study
      population was relatively young (mean of 42 years) with a predominance of males
      (62%) and White (67%) recipients of kidneys from living (54%) or deceased (46%)
      donors. Mean time of the conversion was 61 months after transplantation. In the
      first 7 patients, the initial EVR dose of 3 mg BID resulted in mean EVR trough
      blood concentration of 14.7 +/- 3.7 ng/mL at day 7. The initial EVR dose was then
      reduced to 2 mg BID for the following 17 patients. Four weeks after conversion,
      mean EVR dose was 1.7 +/- 0.5 mg BID (7 patients were receiving 1 mg BID and 17
      were receiving 2 mg BID) resulting in mean EVR trough blood concentration of 4.0
      +/- 1.4 ng/mL. Whereas mean maximum concentration (13.4 +/- 2.8 versus 22.9 +/-
      7.4 ng/mL, P = 0.003) and mean apparent clearance (232 +/- 79 versus 366 +/- 173
      mL/min, P = 0.016) were higher, mean area under the curve (78.2 +/- 22.1 versus
      102.5 +/- 38.5 ng.h/mL, P = 0.067) and mean C0 (3.7 +/- 1.3 versus 4.1 +/- 1.5
      ng/mL, P = 0.852) were no different comparing patients receiving 1 mg and 2 mg
      EVR BID. Mean inter-subject variability of area under the curve, trough
      concentration, and maximum concentration was 38%, 36%, and 38%. EVR treatment was
      discontinued in 29% of patients due to proteinuria (N = 2), pneumonia (N = 2),
      dyslipidemia (N = 2), and anemia (N = 1) and MPS dose was reduced in 58% of
      patients. CONCLUSIONS: The initial 3 mg BID dose produced high EVR trough blood
      concentrations. The 2 mg BID dose appears to be the appropriate initial dose to
      provide therapeutic concentrations but still requires initial intensive
      therapeutic monitoring to achieve and maintain blood concentrations within the
      therapeutic target concentration. The combination of EVR and full dose MPS has
      limited long-term tolerability and safety.

PMID- 26274702
TI  - Foreword. The Future of Sepsis Performance Improvement.

PMID- 26274697
TI  - Mitochondrial dysfunction and loss of glutamate uptake in primary astrocytes
      exposed to titanium dioxide nanoparticles.
AB  - Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles are currently the second most produced
      engineered nanomaterial in the world with vast usage in consumer products leading
      to recurrent human exposure. Animal studies indicate significant nanoparticle
      accumulation in the brain while cellular toxicity studies demonstrate negative
      effects on neuronal cell viability and function. However, the toxicological
      effects of nanoparticles on astrocytes, the most abundant cells in the brain,
      have not been extensively investigated. Therefore, we determined the sub-toxic
      effect of three different TiO2 nanoparticles (rutile, anatase and commercially
      available P25 TiO2 nanoparticles) on primary rat cortical astrocytes. We
      evaluated some events related to astrocyte functions and mitochondrial
      dysregulation: (1) glutamate uptake; (2) redox signaling mechanisms by measuring
      ROS production; (3) the expression patterns of dynamin-related proteins (DRPs)
      and mitofusins 1 and 2, whose expression is central to mitochondrial dynamics;
      and (4) mitochondrial morphology by MitoTracker(r) Red CMXRos staining. Anatase,
      rutile and P25 were found to have LC50 values of 88.22 +/- 10.56 ppm, 136.0 +/-
      31.73 ppm and 62.37 +/- 9.06 ppm respectively indicating nanoparticle specific
      toxicity. All three TiO2 nanoparticles induced a significant loss in glutamate
      uptake indicative of a loss in vital astrocyte function. TiO2 nanoparticles also
      induced an increase in reactive oxygen species generation, and a decrease in
      mitochondrial membrane potential, suggesting mitochondrial damage. TiO2
      nanoparticle exposure altered expression patterns of DRPs at low concentrations
      (25 ppm) and apoptotic fission at high concentrations (100 ppm). TiO2
      nanoparticle exposure also resulted in changes to mitochondrial morphology
      confirmed by mitochondrial staining. Collectively, our data provide compelling
      evidence that TiO2 nanoparticle exposure has potential implications in astrocyte
      mediated neurological dysfunction. 

PMID- 26274703
TI  - Primed for Injury: Cigarette Smokers and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

PMID- 26274704
TI  - Ventilator-Associated Events: Are We Missing the Forest for the Trees?

PMID- 26274705
TI  - Regionalized Critical Care May Be Feasible, But Will It Improve Outcomes?

PMID- 26274706
TI  - Primary Speciality Intensive Care: Pedagogy, Professionalism, and Patients.

PMID- 26274707
TI  - Take a Deep Breath-or Not.

PMID- 26274708
TI  - Can't We All Get Along?

PMID- 26274709
TI  - Why the Propensity for Propensity Scores?

PMID- 26274710
TI  - Teamwork in the ICU: From Training Camp to the Super Bowl.

PMID- 26274711
TI  - Acute Kidney Injury During Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: Timing and Fluid
      Overload May Be Important Determinants of Outcome.

PMID- 26274712
TI  - Timing of Therapy in Sepsis: Are Early Antibiotics Important for Prognosis?

PMID- 26274713
TI  - The Evolution of Sepsis Performance Metrics: From Mortality to Hospital
      Readmission.

PMID- 26274714
TI  - Palliative Care in the Neurologic ICU-Are We There Yet?

PMID- 26274715
TI  - It Seems Like the Resuscitation Happened Ages Ago-Chronic Critical Illness in
      Children: Digging in for the Long Haul.

PMID- 26274716
TI  - Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: Better Data, Better Care? Big Data,
      Bigger Questions!

PMID- 26274717
TI  - Action and Reaction: The Role of Catecholamine Agonists and Antagonists in Septic
      Shock.

PMID- 26274718
TI  - Is Glibenclamide the New Cool in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation?

PMID- 26274719
TI  - Hypothermia Reduces the Cerebral Blood Flow Threshold Critical to Reestablish
      Neuronal Membrane Potential.

PMID- 26274720
TI  - Purposeful Repurposing: Unexpected but Not Necessarily Unwelcome Effects of
      Dexmedetomidine.

PMID- 26274722
TI  - Noninvasive Ventilation Plus Extracorporeal CO2 Removal in High-Risk Conditions:
      A Forthcoming Tool?

PMID- 26274721
TI  - Dexmedetomidine Attenuates Bilirubin-Induced Lung Alveolar Epithelial Cell Death
      In Vitro and In Vivo.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate bilirubin-induced lung alveolar epithelial cell injury
      together with the protection afforded by dexmedetomidine. DESIGN: Prospective,
      randomized, controlled study. SETTING: Research laboratory. SUBJECTS: Sprague
      Dawley rats. INTERVENTIONS: Alveolar epithelial A549 cell lines were cultured and
      received bilirubin (from 0 to 160 MUM) to explore the protective pathway of
      dexmedetomidine on bilirubin-induced alveolar epithelial cell injury assessed by
      immunochemistry and flow cytometry. Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to common
      bile duct ligation surgery to explore the protective effect of dexmedetomidine on
      hyperbilirubinemia-induced alveolar epithelial cell injury and respiratory
      failure in comparison with the Sham (subjected to the surgery procedure but
      without bile duct ligation) or dexmedetomidine control (only received
      intraperitoneal injection of dexmedetomidine). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: In
      vitro, dexmedetomidine reversed the collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential
      (Deltapsim), upregulation of cytochrome C, B cell leukemia 2 associated X
      protein, and cleaved-caspase 3 and 9 in A549 epithelial cells with bilirubin
      challenge. Furthermore, dexmedetomidine reversed the arrest of cell cycle and the
      downregulation of the transforming growth factorbeta, phosphorylated mammalian
      target of rapamycin, and p42/44 mitogen-activated protein kinase induced by
      bilirubin. In vivo, pulmonary edema and inflammation were found after common bile
      duct ligation. Bilirubin and PaCO2 were significantly increased, and oxygen
      (PaO2) was significantly decreased in the blood of common bile duct ligation rats
      from the postsurgery day 7 to day 21 when compared with those in the sham
      controls, respectively (p < 0.01). Daily intraperitoneal injection of
      dexmedetomidine significantly alleviated the lung edema and injury and prevented
      respiratory failure. CONCLUSION: Our data both in vitro and in vivo demonstrated
      that dexmedetomidine protected alveolar epithelial cell from bilirubin-induced
      injury. Dexmedetomidine may be a good choice of anesthetic/sedative for patients
      with chronic liver disease during the perioperative period.

PMID- 26274723
TI  - The authors reply.

PMID- 26274724
TI  - The Effect of Advanced Directive Restriction.

PMID- 26274725
TI  - The authors reply.

PMID- 26274726
TI  - Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin as an Early Prognostic Biomarker in
      Acute Kidney Injury Following Cardiac Surgery.

PMID- 26274727
TI  - The authors reply.

PMID- 26274728
TI  - Ultrasound-Guided Central Venous Catheterization: It Is High Time to Use a
      Correct Terminology.

PMID- 26274729
TI  - The authors reply.

PMID- 26274730
TI  - Neurologically Favorable Outcome Is Still Possible Despite Myoclonus in Comatose
      Survivors of Cardiac Arrest.

PMID- 26274731
TI  - The authors reply.

PMID- 26274732
TI  - Model Calibration in a Large Cohort Study.

PMID- 26274733
TI  - The authors reply.

PMID- 26274734
TI  - Early Mobilization in ICU: About New Strategies in Physiotherapy's Care.

PMID- 26274735
TI  - The Area Under the Concentration-Time Curve Is a Better Estimate for Vancomycin
      Exposure Than Trough Levels.

PMID- 26274736
TI  - Triple assessment is not necessary in most young women referred with breast
      symptoms.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: A palpable lesion in the breast is usually subjected to triple
      assessment (clinical examination [CE], imaging and core biopsy [CB] or fine
      needle aspiration [FNA]) to minimise the risk of missing breast cancer. However,
      breast cancer is rare in young women, and triple assessment (especially CB) is
      invasive and expensive. Our aim was to see whether CB/FNA could be avoided in
      young women with benign findings on CE and imaging. METHODS: This study analysed
      data from a prospectively entered database on female patients aged under 25 years
      who attended a rapid diagnosis breast clinic over a 68-month period. RESULTS:
      Among 10,301 patients seen, 955 females (9.3%) were aged <25 years. The most
      common presenting complaint was a lump, followed by pain and nipple discharge. CE
      was normal or revealed benign findings in all except 15 patients, in whom it was
      indeterminate. Ultrasonography was performed in 692 patients (72%) and was normal
      (n=289) or benign (n=382) in all except 21 patients, in whom it was
      indeterminate. In six patients, both were indeterminate. A total of 317 patients
      (35%) had triple assessment: FNA in 106, CB in 239 and both in 9 cases. No
      cancers were diagnosed. CONCLUSIONS: It would appear safe to omit FNA/CB in
      patients aged under 25 years when clinical and ultrasonography findings are
      normal or benign. This approach would have avoided needle biopsies in all but 30
      patients (3%) in the study.

PMID- 26274737
TI  - Segmental colonic length and mobility.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Locoregional variation in the human colon is important in surgical
      practice; the length and mobility of different colonic regions impacts on
      laparoscopic and endoscopic colorectal procedures. The aim of this study was to
      refine anatomical understanding of the colon in terms of segmental length and
      mobility. METHODS: The colons of 35 cadavers were examined to determine lengths
      of caecum as well as ascending, transverse, descending and rectosigmoid colon,
      and to characterise colonic mobility at each location in terms of the mesenteric
      attachments. The presence of Jackson's membrane (a congenital peritoneal band of
      the right colon) was also documented. RESULTS: The mean total colonic length was
      131.2cm (standard deviation [SD]: 13.4cm). There was no correlation with height,
      age or sex; the best predictor of total colonic length was the length of the
      rectosigmoid segment. The mean height of the transverse mesocolon was 7.4cm (SD:
      3.6cm) and that of the sigmoid mesocolon was 6.3cm (SD: 2.6cm). Two-thirds of the
      subjects had a mobile portion of the ascending colon and nearly one-third had a
      mobile descending colon. A mobile ascending colon was significantly more common
      in females. Jackson's membrane was present in 66% of the subjects. CONCLUSIONS:
      This cadaveric study suggests that rectosigmoid length accounts for most of the
      variability in total colonic length. The significant proportion of colons with
      mobility of the ascending and descending segments prompts revision of the
      traditional anatomical teaching of these segments as fixed and retroperitoneal.
      Mobility of the ascending colon may account for the anecdotal finding that
      colonoscopy is more challenging in female patients. Jackson's membrane was
      identified in most colons.

PMID- 26274738
TI  - Routine versus selective histological examination after cholecystectomy to
      exclude incidental gallbladder carcinoma.
AB  - Introduction Gallstone disease is treated commonly with cholecystectomy.
      Malignant disease of the gallbladder may present similarly and has a poor
      prognosis. It is common for cholecystectomy specimens to be sent for histological
      examination to exclude malignancy. However, the incidence of incidental
      gallbladder carcinoma (IGBC) is low and it has therefore been suggested that
      macroscopic inspection of the gallbladder by the surgeon, followed by selective
      histological examination of abnormal specimens, may be safe and cost saving.
      Methods All cholecystectomies performed between 1 May 2003 and 1 September 2009
      were identified from clinical coding. Pathology records were used to identify
      gallbladder malignancies; these were searched manually to identify IGBC.
      Pathology reports and case notes were cross-referenced to determine whether there
      were macroscopic abnormalities present. Annual cost savings were estimated by
      comparing the number of gallbladder specimens over one year (May 2013 - April
      2014) with the total number of cholecystectomies performed in that time. Results
      Of 4,776 cholecystectomies identified, 12 (0.25%) were cases of IGBC. These cases
      had a higher median age (68 vs 54 years, p<0.001) and a higher proportion were
      emergency operations (50% vs 12%, p<0.001). All cases had some form of
      macroscopic abnormality, most commonly wall thickening (n=6, 50%). Only two cases
      (17%) had a visible tumour present. Conclusions All cases of IGBC in this study
      had a macroscopically abnormal gallbladder. Our findings suggest it is safe to
      adopt a selective approach to histological examination. Savings of almost L20,500
      per annum have been achieved. 

PMID- 26274739
TI  - Is there an association between body temperature and serum lactate levels in hip
      fracture patients?
AB  - Introduction Hyperlactataemia is associated with adverse outcomes in trauma
      cases. It is thought to be the result of anaerobic respiration during
      hypoperfusion. This produces much less energy than complete aerobic glycolysis.
      Low body temperature in the injured patient carries an equally poor prognosis.
      Significant amounts of energy are expended in maintaining euthermia.
      Consequently, there may be a link between lactate levels and dysthermia.
      Hyperlactataemia may be indicative of inefficient energy production and therefore
      insufficient energy to maintain euthermia. Alternatively, significant amounts of
      available oxygen may be sequestered in thermoregulation, resulting in anaerobic
      respiration and lactate production. Our study investigated whether there is an
      association between lactate levels and admission body temperature in hip fracture
      patients. Furthermore, it looked at whether there is a difference in the mean
      lactate levels between hip fracture patients with low (<36.5 degrees C), normal
      (36.5-37.5 degrees C) and high (>37.5 degrees C) body temperature on admission,
      and for patients who have low body temperature, whether there is a progressive
      rise in serum lactate levels as body temperature falls. Methods The admission
      temperature and serum lactate of 1,162 patients presenting with hip fracture were
      recorded. Patients were divided into the euthermic (body temperature 36.5-37.5
      degrees C), the pyrexial (>37.5 degrees C) and those with low body temperature
      (<36.5 degrees C). Admission lactate and body temperature were compared. Results
      There was a significant difference in age between the three body temperature
      groups (p=0.007). The pyrexial cohort was younger than the low body temperature
      group (mean: 78 vs 82 years). Those with low body temperature had a higher mean
      lactate level than the euthermic (2.2mmol/l vs 2.0mmol/l, p=0.03). However, there
      was no progressive rise in serum lactate level as admission temperature fell.
      Conclusions The findings suggest that in hip fracture patients, the body attempts
      initially to maintain euthermia, incurring an oxygen debt. This would explain the
      difference in lactate level between the low body temperature and euthermic
      cohorts. The fact that there is no correlation with the degree of temperature
      depression and lactate levels indicates that the body does not fuel
      thermohomeostasis indefinitely with oxygen. Instead, in part, it abandons
      thermoregulatory mechanisms. Consequently, in this population, active rewarming
      may be indicated rather than depending on patients' own thermogenic ability. 

PMID- 26274740
TI  - The impact of a dedicated orthoplastic operating list on time to soft tissue
      coverage of open lower limb fractures.
AB  - An observational study was conducted of 105 patients presenting with an open
      fracture of the tibia or ankle to determine the impact of a dedicated
      orthoplastic operating list on our management of these injuries over the time
      period January 2012 to July 2014. There were 51 patients before and 54 after the
      introduction of the orthoplastic list. Significant improvements were noted in our
      ability to deliver a service in line with national guidelines across all Gustilo
      Anderson grades of injury. Among patients with the most severe grades of injury
      (Gustilo types IIIB and IIIC), there was a trend towards an improved time to
      first skeletal stabilisation (29.5 vs 14.2 hours, p=0.068), an improvement in
      time to soft tissue coverage (173.6 vs 88.1 hours, p=0.009) and a trend towards a
      reduced length of inpatient stay (32.6 vs 23.2 days, p=0.138). Where the 72-hour
      target had been breached, there was a significant improvement in the proportion
      of patients covered within 7 days of injury (48.2% vs 83.3%, p=0.017). Our
      compliance with national management standards increased significantly to reflect
      these improvements in care. These results support the implementation of dedicated
      orthoplastic operating sessions to meet the growing burden of patients presenting
      with open fractures at specialist centres. 

PMID- 26274741
TI  - Is abdominal tuberculosis a surgical problem?
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Abdominal tuberculosis (TB) has always been a diagnostic challenge,
      even for the astute surgeon. In developing countries, extrapulmonary TB often
      presents as an acute abdomen in surgical emergencies such as perforations and
      obstructions of the gut. Abdominal TB in different forms has been found more
      often as an aetiology for the chronic abdomen. This paper aims to evaluate TB as
      a surgical problem. METHODS: A comprehensive review of the literature on
      abdominal TB was undertaken. PubMed searches for articles listing abdominal
      TB/different types/diagnosis/treatment (1980-2012) were performed. RESULTS: TB is
      still a global health problem and the abdomen is one of the most common sites of
      extrapulmonary TB. Presentation may vary from an acute abdomen to a number of
      different chronic presentations, which can mimic other abdominal diseases. While
      some may benefit from antitubercular therapy, others may develop surgical
      problems such as strictures or obstruction, which may necessitate surgical
      intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Abdominal TB should always be considered one of the
      differential diagnoses of acute or chronic abdomen in endemic areas.

PMID- 26274742
TI  - From guidelines to standards of care for open tibial fractures.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The standards for the management of open fractures of the lower
      limb published by the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and
      Aesthetic surgeons (BAPRAS) and British Orthopaedic Association (BOA) were
      introduced to improve the treatment received by patients after open injury to the
      lower limb. These Standards were released after BAPRAS/BOA published Guidelines
      for the management of open tibial fractures. METHODS: We wished to determine the
      impact of these Standards upon the surgical management of open tibial fractures
      by comparing patients admitted to an orthoplastic centre in the 45 months
      concluding December 2009 (the Guidelines era) with those admitted during 2011
      (the Standards era). Surgical procedures required during the first 30 days and 12
      months after injury were determined. Cases were divided into 'directly admitted
      patients' (DAP) and 'transferred patients' (TP). Standards-era patients were
      divided further into those who had surgery exclusively at the orthoplastic centre
      (orthoplastic patients (OPP)) and those transferred after surgery (TASP).
      RESULTS: The number of TP trebled in frequency in the Standards era, 25% of whom
      were transferred before surgery. Significantly fewer surgical procedures were
      required for DAP and OPP groups compared with TP (and TASP) groups in both eras
      (Mann-Whitney U-test, p=0.05). DAP and OPP groups during the Standards era
      underwent the fewest procedures, with the vast majority of cases treated with two
      or fewer procedures in the first 12 months (88% and 80%, respectively, compared
      with 61% in the Guidelines era). In the Guidelines era, 44% of TP cases and in
      the Standards era 39% of TP and 29% of TASP groups underwent two or fewer
      procedures. Approximately two-thirds of open tibial fractures managed in our
      orthoplastic centre were patients transferred after surgery. The greatest impact
      of the Standards was evident for those who underwent surgery exclusively in the
      orthoplastic centre, reflecting a more deliberate combined strategy. CONCLUSION:
      These findings vindicate the Standards as well as mandating reorganisation and
      resourcing of orthoplastic services to ensure immediate transfer and early
      combined surgery. By increasing the capacity to deal with time-dependent initial
      surgery, the surgical burden that the patient must endure, and which the service
      must provide, are reduced.

PMID- 26274746
TI  - Management of adult spontaneous spondylodiscitis and its rising incidence.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Spondylodiscitis refers to the infection of the intervertebral disc
      and osteomyelitis of the adjacent endplates, and it is uncommon in the developed
      world. Broad consensus indicates its incidence is on the rise. METHODS: The aim
      of this retrospective study was twofold. First, we sought to give an up-to-date
      incidence estimate by comparing case presentation over two time periods (1995
      1999 and 2008-2011). Data from the England and Wales census in 2001 and 2011 were
      used for incidence estimation. The second part of this study aimed to generate
      management guidance from data from medical and radiographic records of the 2008
      2011 patient cohort. RESULTS: The incidence of adult spontaneous spondylodiscitis
      in the local region between 2008 and 2011 was 3.67/100,000 per year, representing
      a 150% increase from the incidence in 1995-1999. Our data demonstrate that
      methicillin sensitive Staphylococcus aureus remains the most common offending
      pathogen of spontaneous spondylodiscitis. The mean C-reactive protein (CRP) level
      remained at >30mg/l after a month of starting antibiotic treatment in both
      medically and surgically managed groups. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence suggests that the
      incidence of spondylodiscitis is on the rise. A review of our case series has
      demonstrated the effectiveness of intravenous antibiotic therapy. While no
      official guidance exists for when to switch from intravenous to oral antibiotics,
      our study shows that CRP at 1 month is >30mg/l and we recommend 6 weeks of
      intravenous therapy, followed by 6 further weeks of oral therapy.

PMID- 26274747
TI  - The role of WNT signalling in urothelial cell carcinoma.
AB  - Urothelial cell carcinoma (UCC) of the bladder is one of the most common
      malignancies, causing considerable morbidity and mortality worldwide. It is
      unique among the epithelial carcinomas as two distinct pathways to tumourigenesis
      appear to exist: low grade, recurring papillary tumours usually contain oncogenic
      mutations in FGFR3 or HRAS whereas high grade, muscle invasive tumours with
      metastatic potential generally have defects in the pathways controlled by the
      tumour suppressors p53 and retinoblastoma. Over the last two decades, a number of
      transgenic mouse models of UCC, containing deletions or mutations of key tumour
      suppressor genes or oncogenes, have helped us understand the mechanisms behind
      tumour development. In this summary, I present my work investigating the role of
      the WNT signalling cascade in UCC. 

PMID- 26274752
TI  - Meta-analysis of elective surgical complications related to defunctioning loop
      ileostomy compared with loop colostomy after low anterior resection for rectal
      carcinoma.
AB  - Introduction Defunctioning loop ileostomy (LI) and loop colostomy (LC) are used
      widely to protect/treat anastomotic leakage after colorectal surgery. However, it
      is not known which surgical approach has a lower prevalence of surgical
      complications after low anterior resection for rectal carcinoma (LARRC). Methods
      We conducted a literature search of PubMed, MEDLINE, Ovid, Embase and Cochrane
      databases to identify studies published between 1966 and 2013 focusing on
      elective surgical complications related to defunctioning LI and LC undertaken to
      protect a distal rectal anastomosis after LARRC. Results Five studies (two
      randomized controlled trials, one prospective non-randomized trial, and two
      retrospective trials) satisfied the inclusion criteria. Outcomes of 1,025
      patients (652 LI and 373 LC) were analyzed. After the construction of a LI or LC,
      there was a significantly lower prevalence of sepsis (p=0.04), prolapse (p=0.03),
      and parastomal hernia (p=0.02) in LI patients than in LC patients. Also, the
      prevalence of overall complications was significantly lower in those who received
      LIs compared with those who received LCs (p<0.0001). After closure of
      defunctioning loops, there were significantly fewer wound infections (p=0.006)
      and incisional hernias (p=0.007) in LI patients than in LC patients, but there
      was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of overall
      complications. Conclusions The results of this meta-analysis show that a
      defunctioning LI may be superior to LC with respect to a lower prevalence of
      surgical complications after LARRC. 

PMID- 26274753
TI  - Evaluating the British sarcoma referral form.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: This study investigated the accuracy of general practitioner (GP)
      referrals under the two-week wait pathway for soft tissue sarcomas and whether
      the current National Institute for Health and Care Excellence criteria should be
      refined. METHODS: All patients referred under the two-week wait system to one
      centre over the course of one year were reviewed. Comparison was made between the
      criteria identified by the GP and those confirmed by the centre to assess the
      accuracy of the referrals, and to identify what criteria predicted malignancy.
      RESULTS: Overall, 135 patients were referred to our unit with a mean age of 56.4
      years. Of these, 45 (33%) were found to have a malignant tumour. Factors
      identified by the GP were accurate in 74% of cases. The best predictor of
      malignancy was 'size >5cm' (76% sensitivity) while 'pain' was the least useful
      (27% sensitivity). Lowering the threshold for concern to a size of >4cm increased
      sensitivity to 89%. Although 106 patients had undergone some form of imaging
      prior to referral, this did not increase the likelihood of malignancy being
      detected. The combination of factors most likely to predict malignancy was a size
      of >5cm, increase in size, deep location and no pain (10 out of 13 referrals, 77%
      accuracy). CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of this study, we recommend an
      adaption of the existing features for concern. The new feature for concern should
      be 'size >4cm' and the factor 'pain' should be removed from the urgent referral
      form.

PMID- 26274754
TI  - A prospective cohort study of risk prediction in simultaneous pancreas and kidney
      transplantation.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Current risk prediction scoring systems in pancreas transplantation
      are limited to organ factors and are specific to predicting graft outcome. They
      do not consider recipient factors or inform regarding recipient morbidity. The
      aim of this study was to assess the utility of commonly used general surgical
      risk prediction models (P-POSSUM [Portsmouth Physiological and Operative Severity
      Score for the enUmeration of Mortality and morbidity], MODS [multiple organ
      dysfunction score], Charlson co-morbidity index, revised cardiac risk index, ASA
      [American Society of Anesthesiologists] grade and Waterlow score), and to
      correlate them with total length of hospital stay (LOS) and critical care unit
      (CCU) LOS, important surrogate markers of patient outcome. METHODS: All risk
      prediction scores were calculated prospectively for all simultaneous pancreas and
      kidney (SPK) transplant recipients from November 2011 to October 2013, and
      correlated with outcome measures. RESULTS: Overall, 57 SPK transplant recipients
      were analysed. The mean age was 42.0 years (standard deviation [SD]: 7.60 years),
      27 (52%) were male and the mean body mass index was 25.43kg/m(2) (SD:
      3.11kg/m(2)). The mean pancreas and kidney cold ischaemic times were 703 minutes
      (SD: 182 minutes) and 850 minutes (SD: 192 minutes) respectively. The median
      total LOS and mean CCU LOS was 17 days (range: 8-79 days) and 7 days (SD: 4.04
      days) respectively. When correlated with risk prediction scores, Waterlow score
      was the only significant predictor of total LOS and CCU LOS (p<0.001 [Spearman's
      correlation] and p=0.001 [Pearson's correlation] respectively). CONCLUSIONS:
      Preoperative risk prediction plays an important part in planning perioperative
      care. To date, no validated risk prediction scoring system exists for SPK
      transplantation. This prospective study indicates that Waterlow score identifies
      high risk individuals and has value in the prediction of outcome following SPK
      transplantation.

PMID- 26274755
TI  - Ultrasonography alone can reliably locate parathyroid tumours and facilitates
      minimally invasive parathyroidectomy.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Minimally invasive parathyroidectomy (MIP) is performed via a short
      incision (<=3cm). Previous studies have employed multiple imaging modalities
      including ultrasonography, sestamibi imaging and/or intraoperative parathyroid
      hormone assay. We present our eight-year experience of MIP using ultrasonography
      alone. METHODS: One hundred parathyroidectomies performed by a single surgeon
      between April 2004 and December 2012 were identified in a prospectively
      maintained database. All patients underwent ultrasonography including
      preoperative marking of the lesion by a single radiologist. No other localising
      diagnostic tests were performed. RESULTS: Of the 100 patients (69% female) who
      underwent parathyroidectomy, 93 had MIP. The median age of all cases was 58 years
      (range: 19-90 years). All patients exhibited an elevated parathyroid hormone
      level (median: 19pmol) in the presence of hypercalcaemia (median: 2.86mmol/l,
      range: 2.54-3.94mmol/l). Conventional surgery was indicated in seven patients
      owing to the need for concurrent thyroidectomy. The median operative time was 30
      minutes (range: 10-130 minutes). Ultrasonography localised parathyroid tumour
      position correctly in 98% of patients who underwent MIP, and in 97% across both
      MIP and non-MIP groups. Postoperative complications requiring treatment included
      pancreatitis and symptomatic hypocalcaemia. Follow-up review at 6-8 weeks
      demonstrated that 86% of open cases (6/7) and 94% of MIP cases (87/93) were
      rendered normocalcaemic. CONCLUSIONS: Our study is the first to demonstrate that
      the sole use of ultrasonography including preoperative marking can localise
      parathyroid tumours correctly in 98% of cases suitable for MIP.

PMID- 26274756
TI  - One-year mortality in patients with bone and soft tissue sarcomas as an indicator
      of delay in presentation.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: For many cancers, one-year mortality following diagnosis is a
      reflection of either advanced stage at diagnosis, multiple co-morbidities and/or
      complications of treatment. One-year mortality has not been reported for soft
      tissue or bone sarcomas. This study reports 1-year sarcoma mortality data over a
      25-year period, investigates prognostic factors and considers whether a delay in
      presentation affects 1-year mortality. METHODS: A total of 4,945 newly diagnosed
      bone sarcoma and soft tissue sarcoma patients were identified from a
      prospectively maintained, single institution oncology database. Of these, 595
      (12%) died within 1 year of diagnosis. Both patient factors and tumour
      characteristics available at diagnosis were analysed for effect. RESULTS: There
      was significant variation in one-year mortality between different histological
      subtypes. There has been no significant change in mortality rate during the last
      25 years (mean: 11.7%, standard deviation: 2.8 percentage points). Soft tissue
      sarcoma patients who survived over one year reported a longer duration of
      symptoms preceding diagnosis than those who died (median: 26 vs 20 weeks,
      p<0.001). Prognostic factors identified in both bone and soft tissue sarcomas
      mirrored those for mid to long-term survival, with high tumour stage, large
      tumour size, metastases at diagnosis and increasing age having the greatest
      predictive effect. CONCLUSIONS: One-year mortality in bone and soft tissue
      sarcoma patients is easy to measure, and could be a proxy for late presentation
      and therefore a potential performance indicator, similar to other cancers. It is
      possible to predict the risk of one-year mortality using factors available at
      diagnosis. Death within one year does not correlate with a long history but is
      associated with advanced disease at diagnosis.

PMID- 26274757
TI  - Distal tibial fractures are a poorly recognised complication with fibula free
      flaps.
AB  - The fibula free flap is ideal for complex jaw reconstructions, with low reported
      donor and flap morbidity. We discuss a distal tibial stress fracture two months
      following a vascularised fibula free flap procedure. Despite being an
      unrecognised complication, a literature review produced 13 previous cases; only
      two were reported in the reconstructive surgery literature, with the most recent
      claiming to be the first. The majority of these studies treated this fracture non
      operatively; none reported their patient follow-up. Each case presented with
      ipsilateral leg pain, which has been cited as an early donor site morbidity in as
      many as 40% of fibula free flap cases. It is known that the fibula absorbs at
      least 15% of leg load on weight bearing. Studies have shown severe valgus
      deformities in up to 25% of patients with fibulectomies. We treated our patient
      operatively, first correcting his worsening valgus deformity with an external
      fixator, then reinforcing his healed fracture with a long distal tibial plate. We
      believe that this complication is underreported, unexpected and not mentioned
      during the consenting process. By highlighting the management of our case and the
      literature, we aim to increase awareness (and thus further reporting and
      appropriate management) of this debilitating complication.

PMID- 26274758
TI  - Parastomal evisceration as an extremely rare complication of a common procedure.
AB  - The creation of an abdominal stoma is a common procedure performed as part of the
      treatment for many conditions. Common complications include poor stoma siting,
      high output, skin irritation, ischaemia, retraction, parastomal hernia and
      prolapse. An extremely rare stoma complication is parastomal evisceration. We
      present a case of a 48-year-old woman who presented to us with parastomal
      evisceration as a late complication of a transverse colostomy. It is the second
      case reported as a complication of this procedure but the first that occurred
      after such a long postoperative period (almost 18 months).

PMID- 26274759
TI  - Giant haemangioma of the liver with haemangiodudenal fistula: the first reported
      case in literature.
AB  - Giant liver haemangiomas are usually asymptomatic with normal liver function,
      which makes the course long and uneventful. The most commonly reported
      complications of giant haemangiomas are rupture with intraperitoneal haemorrhage
      that is either traumatic or non-traumatic, consumption coagulopathy, Budd-Chiari
      syndrome and congestive heart failure. We describe the first reported
      complications of a giant liver haemangioma as a fistula between the haemangioma
      and the gastrointestinal tract. 

PMID- 26274760
TI  - Small bowel obstruction via herniation through an iatrogenic defect of the
      falciform ligament following laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
AB  - Internal herniation of the small bowel through a defect in the falciform ligament
      and subsequent small bowel obstruction is exceedingly rare with the majority of
      previous cases being attributed to congenital abnormalities. As laparoscopic
      techniques approach the forefront of modern surgery, an iatrogenic source for a
      falciform ligament defect has emerged over the last decade. In this case, a 50
      year-old patient presented with signs of acute small bowel obstruction 10 days
      after a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. On diagnostic laparoscopy, part of the
      jejunum was found to have herniated through an opening in the falciform ligament.
      This was likely to have been caused by trauma during the cholecystectomy.
      Following relief of the obstruction, the defect was closed with polyglactin
      sutures.

PMID- 26274761
TI  - Delayed laparoscopic mesh infection presenting as an abdominal mass.
AB  - A 56-year-old man presented with a delayed mesh infection 8 years following an
      elective laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal (TEP) bilateral hernia repair.
      Sterile pus was drained percutaneously as a temporising measure prior to removal
      of the right-hand mesh; the left-sided mesh was adherent to the femoral vessels
      and minimally contaminated. Delayed mesh infection is a rare occurrence. This
      case is the fourth example and the longest following initial operation. Removal
      of the infected mesh is advocated.

PMID- 26274762
TI  - Presentation and treatment of anterior cervical hyperostosis.
AB  - We report a case of severe anterior cervical hyperostosis presenting with
      dysphagia. 

PMID- 26274763
TI  - Tracheo-oesophageal fistula in a patient with chronic sarcoidosis.
AB  - Sarcoidosis is a common multisystem granulomatous condition of unknown aetiology,
      predominantly involving the respiratory system. Tracheal stenosis has been
      described but we believe that we present the first case of a tracheo-oesophageal
      fistula secondary to chronic sarcoidosis. A 57-year-old woman with sarcoidosis, a
      known tracheal stricture and a Polyflex((r)) stent in situ presented with
      stridor. Bronchoscopy confirmed in-stent stenosis, by exuberant granulation
      tissue. The stent was removed and the granulation tissue was resected
      accordingly. Postoperatively, the patient was noticed to have an incessant cough
      and video fluoroscopy raised the suspicion of a tracheo-oesophageal fistula. A
      repeat bronchoscopy demonstrated marked granulation tissue, accompanied by a
      fistulous connection with the oesophagus at the mid-lower [middle of the lower]
      third of the trachea. Three Polyflex((r)) stents were sited across the entire
      length of the trachea. Sarcoidosis presents with varying clinical manifestations
      and disease progression. Tracheal involvement appears to be a rare phenomenon and
      usually results in stenosis. To date, there has been little or no documented
      literature describing the formation of a tracheo-oesophageal fistula resulting
      from sarcoidosis. Early reports documented the presence of sarcoidosis induced
      weakening in the tracheal wall, a process termed tracheal dystonia. Weaknesses
      are more apparent in the membranous aspect of the trachea. Despite the rare
      nature of such pathology, this case report highlights the need to consider the
      presence of a tracheo-oesophageal fistula in sarcoidosis patients presenting with
      repeat aspiration in the absence of an alternate pathology. 

PMID- 26274764
TI  - Fabrication of flexible and self-standing inorganic-organic three phase magneto
      dielectric PVDF based multiferroic nanocomposite films through a small loading of
      graphene oxide (GO) and Fe3O4 nanoparticles.
AB  - Flexible inorganic-organic magneto-electric (ME) nanocomposite films (PVDF, PVDF
      GO, PVDF-Fe3O4 and PVDF-GO-Fe3O4), composed of well-dispersed graphene oxide (GO
      5 wt%) and magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles (5 wt%) embedded into a poly(vinylidene
      fluoride) (PVDF) matrix, have been prepared by a solvent casting route. The
      magnetic, ferroelectric, dielectric, magneto-dielectric (MD) coupling and
      structural properties of these films have been systematically investigated.
      Magnetic (Ms = 2.21 emu g(-1)) and ferroelectric (P = 0.065 MUC cm(-2)) composite
      films of PVDF-GO-Fe3O4 (PVDF loaded with 5% GO and 5% Fe3O4) with an MD coupling
      of 0.02% at room temperature (RT) showed a three times higher dielectric constant
      than that of the pure PVDF film, with a dielectric loss as low as 0.6. However,
      the PVDF-Fe3O4 film, which exhibited improved magnetic (Ms = 2.5 emu g(-1)) and
      MD coupling (0.04%) properties at RT with a lower dielectric loss (0.3),
      exhibited decreased ferroelectric properties (P = 0.06 MUC cm(-2)) and dielectric
      constant compared to the PVDF-GO-Fe3O4 film. MD coupling measurements carried out
      as a function of temperature on the multi-functional PVDF-GO-Fe3O4 film showed a
      systematic increase in MD values up to 100 K and a decrease thereafter. The
      observed magnetic, ferroelectric, dielectric, MD coupling and structural
      properties of the nanocomposite films are attributed to the homogeneous
      dispersion and good alignment of Fe3O4 nanoparticles and GO in the PVDF matrix
      along with a partial conversion of nonpolar alpha-phase PVDF to polar beta-phase.
      The above multi-functionality of the composite films of PVDF-Fe3O4 and PVDF-GO
      Fe3O4 paves the way for their application in smart multiferroic devices. 

PMID- 26274765
TI  - A Cost-effective and Reliable Method to Predict Mechanical Stress in Single-use
      and Standard Pumps.
AB  - Pumps are mainly used when transferring sterile culture broths in
      biopharmaceutical and biotechnological production processes. However, during the
      pumping process shear forces occur which can lead to qualitative and/or
      quantitative product loss. To calculate the mechanical stress with limited
      experimental expense, an oil-water emulsion system was used, whose suitability
      was demonstrated for drop size detections in bioreactors(1). As drop breakup of
      the oil-water emulsion system is a function of mechanical stress, drop sizes need
      to be counted over the experimental time of shear stress investigations. In
      previous studies, the inline endoscopy has been shown to be an accurate and
      reliable measurement technique for drop size detections in liquid/liquid
      dispersions. The aim of this protocol is to show the suitability of the inline
      endoscopy technique for drop size measurements in pumping processes. In order to
      express the drop size, the Sauter mean diameter d32 was used as the
      representative diameter of drops in the oil-water emulsion. The results showed
      low variation in the Sauter mean diameters, which were quantified by standard
      deviations of below 15%, indicating the reliability of the measurement technique.

PMID- 26274770
TI  - Unconventional Ventilation: High Frequency Oscillatory Ventilation & Adaptive
      Support Ventilation.

PMID- 26274771
TI  - Gait analysis parameters of healthy human subjects with asymmetric loads.
AB  - This article focuses on the analysis of gait parameters, ground reaction forces
      (GRF), and motion signals, for the various asymmetric loads carried by healthy
      human subjects during walking. Eight asymptomatic human volunteers were enrolled
      in this study. They were asked to walk, at self-selected pace, with various
      weights ranging from 0 to 11.33 kg (25 lbs) in 2.26 kg (5 lbs) increments, in one
      hand on a wooden area equipped with a force platform. Moreover, motion data were
      recorded from lumbar L1 vertebrae at a frequency of 120 Hz. Three trials of data
      have been recorded for each subject. In order to quantify the effect of
      increasing loads on the GRF we define the compression area, restitution area, and
      coefficient of restitution (COR) for GRF curves. We observe an increase in the
      compression area with respect to the load and almost constant values for the COR.
      For motion signals analysis we employ wavelet theory. The signals obtained from
      the lumbar L1 sensor of the spine vertebrae show a decrease in the wavelet detail
      energy, for the levels 3, 4, and 5, with respect to increasing loads.

PMID- 26274772
TI  - Photothrombosis-induced Focal Ischemia as a Model of Spinal Cord Injury in Mice.
AB  - Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating clinical condition causing permanent
      changes in sensorimotor and autonomic functions of the spinal cord (SC) below the
      site of injury. The secondary ischemia that develops following the initial
      mechanical insult is a serious complication of the SCI and severely impairs the
      function and viability of surviving neuronal and non-neuronal cells in the SC. In
      addition, ischemia is also responsible for the growth of lesion during chronic
      phase of injury and interferes with the cellular repair and healing processes.
      Thus there is a need to develop a spinal cord ischemia model for studying the
      mechanisms of ischemia-induced pathology. Focal ischemia induced by
      photothrombosis (PT) is a minimally invasive and very well established procedure
      used to investigate the pathology of ischemia-induced cell death in the brain.
      Here, we describe the use of PT to induce an ischemic lesion in the spinal cord
      of mice. Following retro-orbital sinus injection of Rose Bengal, the posterior
      spinal vein and other capillaries on the dorsal surface of SC were irradiated
      with a green light resulting in the formation of a thrombus and thus ischemia in
      the affected region. Results from histology and immunochemistry studies show that
      PT-induced ischemia caused spinal cord infarction, loss of neurons and reactive
      gliosis. Using this technique a highly reproducible and relatively easy model of
      SCI in mice can be achieved that would serve the purpose of scientific
      investigations into the mechanisms of ischemia induced cell death as well as the
      efficacy of neuroprotective drugs. This model will also allow exploration of the
      pathological changes that occur following SCI in live mice like axonal
      degeneration and regeneration, neuronal and astrocytic Ca(2+) signaling using two
      photon microscopy. 

PMID- 26274773
TI  - Generation of Scalable, Metallic High-Aspect Ratio Nanocomposites in a Biological
      Liquid Medium.
AB  - The goal of this protocol is to describe the synthesis of two novel biocomposites
      with high-aspect ratio structures. The biocomposites consist of copper and
      cystine, with either copper nanoparticles (CNPs) or copper sulfate contributing
      the metallic component. Synthesis is carried out in liquid under biological
      conditions (37  degrees C) and the self-assembled composites form after 24 hr.
      Once formed, these composites are highly stable in both liquid media and in a
      dried form. The composites scale from the nano- to micro- range in length, and
      from a few microns to 25 nm in diameter. Field emission scanning electron
      microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) demonstrated that
      sulfur was present in the NP-derived linear structures, while it was absent from
      the starting CNP material, thus confirming cystine as the source of sulfur in the
      final nanocomposites. During synthesis of these linear nano- and micro
      composites, a diverse range of lengths of structures is formed in the synthesis
      vessel. Sonication of the liquid mixture after synthesis was demonstrated to
      assist in controlling average size of the structures by diminishing the average
      length with increased time of sonication. Since the formed structures are highly
      stable, do not agglomerate, and are formed in liquid phase, centrifugation may
      also be used to assist in concentrating and segregating formed composites. 

PMID- 26274774
TI  - [The Compression Syndrome of Lumbar Arteries - Case Report of a Rare Disease
      Pattern].
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: We present a monocentric analysis of the lumbar artery compression
      syndrome (LACS) in the form of a case report. OBJECTIVES: Literature information
      was collected about the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of this rare disorder
      in the context of the existing data. METHODS: The current medical literature
      includes only one report about three cases of LACS, collected over 20 years in
      France and Germany. We compared these cases with the experience of the European
      Vascular Center Aachen-Maastricht. RESULTS: The symptoms of this rare disorder
      are dominated by reversible, motion-dependent paralysis of the legs. Compression
      of the right lumbar arteries by muscular fibres or connective tissue is a
      fundamental cause. CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment, which means decompression of
      the lumbar arteries via a thoracolaparotomy, is an appropriate therapy with few
      complications and good long-term results.

PMID- 26274775
TI  - Assessment of Endothelial Cell Migration After Exposure to Toxic Chemicals.
AB  - Exposure to chemical substances (including alkylating chemical warfare agents
      like sulfur and nitrogen mustards) cause a plethora of clinical symptoms
      including wound healing disorder. The physiological process of wound healing is
      highly complex. The formation of granulation tissue is a key step in this process
      resulting in a preliminary wound closure and providing a network of new capillary
      blood vessels - either through vasculogenesis (novel formation) or angiogenesis
      (sprouting of existing vessels). Both vasculo- and angiogenesis require
      functional, directed migration of endothelial cells. Thus, investigation of early
      endothelial cell (EEC) migration is important to understand the pathophysiology
      of chemical induced wound healing disorders and to potentially identify novel
      strategies for therapeutic intervention. We assessed impaired wound healing after
      alkylating agent exposure and tested potential candidate compounds for treatment.
      We used a set of techniques outlined in this protocol. A modified Boyden chamber
      to quantitatively investigate chemokinesis of EEC is described. Moreover, the use
      of the wound healing assay in combination with track analysis to qualitatively
      assess migration is illustrated. Finally, we demonstrate the use of the
      fluorescent dye TMRM for the investigation of mitochondrial membrane potential to
      identify underlying mechanisms of disturbed cell migration. The following
      protocol describes basic techniques that have been adapted for the investigation
      of EEC. 

PMID- 26274776
TI  - Change isn't always better.
AB  - Maintaining the identity of acinar cells in the pancreas could help to prevent
      the development of pancreatic cancer. 

PMID- 26274778
TI  - Quantification of Cytosolic vs. Vacuolar Salmonella in Primary Macrophages by
      Differential Permeabilization.
AB  - Intracellular bacterial pathogens can replicate in the cytosol or in specialized
      pathogen-containing vacuoles (PCVs). To reach the cytosol, bacteria like Shigella
      flexneri and Francisella novicida need to induce the rupture of the phagosome. In
      contrast, Salmonella typhimurium replicates in a vacuolar compartment, known as
      Salmonella-containing vacuole (SCV). However certain mutants of Salmonella fail
      to maintain SCV integrity and are thus released into the cytosol. The percentage
      of cytosolic vs. vacuolar bacteria on the level of single bacteria can be
      measured by differential permeabilization, also known as phagosome-protection
      assay. The approach makes use of the property of detergent digitonin to
      selectively bind cholesterol. Since the plasma membrane contains more cholesterol
      than other cellular membranes, digitonin can be used to selectively permeabilize
      the plasma membrane while leaving intracellular membranes intact. In brief,
      following infection with the pathogen expressing a fluorescent marker protein
      (e.g. mCherry among others), the plasma membrane of host cells is permeabilized
      with a short incubation in digitonin containing buffer. Cells are then washed and
      incubated with a primary antibody (coupled to a fluorophore of choice) directed
      against the bacterium of choice (e.g. anti-Salmonella-FITC) and washed again. If
      unmarked bacteria are used, an additional step can be done, in which all
      membranes are permeabilized and all bacteria stained with a corresponding
      antibody. Following the staining, the percentage of vacuolar and cytosolic
      bacteria can be quantified by FACS or microscopy by counting single or double
      positive events. Here we provide experimental details for use of this technique
      with the bacterium Salmonella typhimurium. The advantage of this assay is that,
      in contrast to other assay, it provides a quantification on the level of single
      bacteria, and if analyzed by microscopy provides the exact number of cytosolic
      and vacuolar bacteria in a given cell. 

PMID- 26274780
TI  - Combined molecular dynamics and continuum solvent approaches (MM-PBSA/GBSA) to
      predict noscapinoid binding to gamma-tubulin dimer.
AB  - gamma-tubulin plays crucial role in the nucleation and organization of
      microtubules during cell division. Recent studies have also indicated its role in
      the regulation of microtubule dynamics at the plus end of the microtubules.
      Moreover, gamma-tubulin has been found to be over-expressed in many cancer types,
      such as carcinomas of the breast and glioblastoma multiforme. These studies have
      led to immense interest in the identification of chemical leads that might
      interact with gamma-tubulin and disrupt its function in order to explore gamma
      tubulin as potential chemotherapeutic target. Recently a colchicine-interacting
      cavity was identified at the interface of gamma-tubulin dimer that might also
      interact with other similar compounds. In the same direction we theoretically
      investigated binding of a class of compounds, noscapinoids (noscapine and its
      derivatives) at the interface of the gamma-tubulin dimer. Molecular interaction
      of noscapine and two of its derivatives, amino-noscapine and bromo-noscapine, was
      investigated by molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation and binding free
      energy calculation. All noscapinoids displayed stable interaction throughout
      simulation of 25 ns. The predictive binding free energy (DeltaGbind) indicates
      that noscapinoids bind strongly with the gamma-tubulin dimer. However, bromo
      noscapine showed the best binding affinity (DeltaGbind = -37.6 kcal/mol) followed
      by noscapine (DeltaGbind = -29.85 kcal/mol) and amino-noscapine (DeltaGbind = 
      23.99 kcal/mol) using the MM-PBSA method. Similarly using the MM-GBSA method,
      bromo-noscapine showed highest binding affinity (DeltaGbind = -43.64 kcal/mol)
      followed by amino-noscapine (DeltaGbind = -37.56 kcal/mol) and noscapine
      (DeltaGbind = -34.57 kcal/mol). The results thus generate compelling evidence
      that these noscapinoids may hold great potential for preclinical and clinical
      evaluation. 

PMID- 26274779
TI  - Long-term Continuous EEG Monitoring in Small Rodent Models of Human Disease Using
      the Epoch Wireless Transmitter System.
AB  - Many progressive neurologic diseases in humans, such as epilepsy, require pre
      clinical animal models that slowly develop the disease in order to test
      interventions at various stages of the disease process. These animal models are
      particularly difficult to implement in immature rodents, a classic model organism
      for laboratory study of these disorders. Recording continuous EEG in young animal
      models of seizures and other neurological disorders presents a technical
      challenge due to the small physical size of young rodents and their dependence on
      the dam prior to weaning. Therefore, there is not only a clear need for improving
      pre-clinical research that will better identify those therapies suitable for
      translation to the clinic but also a need for new devices capable of recording
      continuous EEG in immature rodents. Here, we describe the technology behind and
      demonstrate the use of a novel miniature telemetry system, specifically
      engineered for use in immature rats or mice, which is also effective for use in
      adult animals. 

PMID- 26274777
TI  - A high affinity RIM-binding protein/Aplip1 interaction prevents the formation of
      ectopic axonal active zones.
AB  - Synaptic vesicles (SVs) fuse at active zones (AZs) covered by a protein scaffold,
      at Drosophila synapses comprised of ELKS family member Bruchpilot (BRP) and RIM
      binding protein (RBP). We here demonstrate axonal co-transport of BRP and RBP
      using intravital live imaging, with both proteins co-accumulating in axonal
      aggregates of several transport mutants. RBP, via its C-terminal Src-homology 3
      (SH3) domains, binds Aplip1/JIP1, a transport adaptor involved in kinesin
      dependent SV transport. We show in atomic detail that RBP C-terminal SH3 domains
      bind a proline-rich (PxxP) motif of Aplip1/JIP1 with submicromolar affinity.
      Pointmutating this PxxP motif provoked formation of ectopic AZ-like structures at
      axonal membranes. Direct interactions between AZ proteins and transport adaptors
      seem to provide complex avidity and shield synaptic interaction surfaces of pre
      assembled scaffold protein transport complexes, thus, favouring physiological
      synaptic AZ assembly over premature assembly at axonal membranes. 

PMID- 26274781
TI  - Acid-Triggered Colorimetric Hydrophobic Benzyl Alcohols for Soluble Tag-Assisted
      Liquid-Phase Synthesis.
AB  - Simple screening of acid-triggered reactions of methoxybenzyl alcohols led to the
      development of a novel colorimetric hydrophobic benzyl alcohol (HBA) tag. HBA tag
      3 (14) retained high solubility in less polar solvents and excellent
      precipitation properties in polar solvents. Our routine procedure for tag
      assisted liquid phase peptide synthesis was applied using HBA tag-3 (14), and an
      effective synthesis of beta-sheet breaker peptide iAbeta5 (4) was achieved. The
      tagged peptides showed a vivid blue color under acidic conditions both on TLC
      plates and in solution, enabling quantitative assay. 

PMID- 26274782
TI  - Cu-Catalyzed Cyanation of Indoles with Acetonitrile as a Cyano Source.
AB  - Cu-catalyzed cyanation of indoles with acetonitrile for the synthesis of 3
      cyanoindoles has been developed. The Cu/TEMPO/(Me3Si)2 system has been identified
      to promote highly efficient and selective C-H cyanation of indoles by use of
      unactivated acetonitrile as a cyano source via a sequential iodination/cyanation
      process in one pot. This reaction furnishes 3-cyanoindoles in moderate to good
      yields and tolerates a series of functional groups. Moreover, low-cost copper
      catalysts and hazardless acetonitrile as a cyano source feature the
      practicability of this reaction. 

PMID- 26274783
TI  - Ras Transformation Overrides a Proliferation Defect Induced by Tpm3.1 Knockout.
AB  - Extensive re-organisation of the actin cytoskeleton and changes in the expression
      of its binding proteins is a characteristic feature of cancer cells. Previously
      we have shown that the tropomyosin isoform Tpm3.1, an integral component of the
      actin cytoskeleton in tumor cells, is required for tumor cell survival. Our
      objective was to determine whether cancer cells devoid of Tpm3.1 would evade the
      tumorgenic effects induced by H-Ras transformation. The tropomyosin isoform (Tpm)
      expression profile of a range of cancer cell lines (21) demonstrates that Tpm3.1
      is one of the most broadly expressed Tpm isoform. Consequently, the contribution
      of Tpm3.1 to the transformation process was functionally evaluated. Primary
      embryonic fibroblasts isolated from wild type (WT) and Tpm3.1 knockout (KO) mice
      were transduced with retroviral vectors expressing SV40 large T antigen and an
      oncogenic allele of the H-Ras gene, H-RasV12, to generate immortalized and
      transformed WT and KO MEFs respectively. We show that Tpm3.1 is required for
      growth factor-independent proliferation in the SV40 large T antigen immortalized
      MEFs, but this requirement is overcome by H-Ras transformation. Consistent with
      those findings, we found that Tpm3.1 was not required for anchorage independent
      growth or growth of H-Ras-driven tumors in a mouse model. Finally, we show that
      pERK and Importin 7 protein interactions are significantly decreased in the SV40
      large T antigen immortalized KO MEFs but not in the H-Ras transformed KO cells,
      relative to control MEFs. The data demonstrate that H-Ras transformation
      overrides a requirement for Tpm3.1 in growth factor-independent proliferation of
      immortalized MEFs. We propose that in the SV40 large T antigen immortalized MEFs,
      Tpm3.1 is partly responsible for the efficient interaction between pERK and Imp7
      resulting in cell proliferation, but this is overidden by Ras transformation. 

PMID- 26274785
TI  - Training the inspiratory muscles improves running performance when carrying a 25
      kg thoracic load in a backpack.
AB  - Load carriage (LC) exercise in physically demanding occupations is typically
      characterised by periods of low-intensity steady-state exercise and short
      duration, high-intensity exercise while carrying an external mass in a backpack;
      this form of exercise is also known as LC exercise. This induces inspiratory
      muscle fatigue and reduces whole-body performance. Accordingly we investigated
      the effect of inspiratory muscle training (IMT, 50% maximal inspiratory muscle
      pressure (PImax) twice daily for six week) upon running time-trial performance
      with thoracic LC. Nineteen healthy males formed a pressure threshold IMT (n = 10)
      or placebo control group (PLA; n = 9) and performed 60 min LC exercise (6.5 km h(
      1)) followed by a 2.4 km running time trial (LCTT) either side of a double-blind
      six week intervention. Prior to the intervention, PImax was reduced relative to
      baseline, post-LC and post-LCTT in both groups (pooled data: 13 +/- 7% and 16 +/-
      8%, respectively, p < .05) and similar changes were observed post-PLA. Post-IMT
      only, resting PImax increased +31% (p < .05) and relative to pre-IMT was greater
      post-LC (+19%) and post-LCTT (+18%, p < .05), however, the relative reduction in
      PImax at each time point was unchanged (13 +/- 11% and 17 +/- 9%, respectively, p
      > .05). In IMT only, heart rate and perceptual responses were reduced post-LC (p
      < .05). Time-trial performance was unchanged post-PLA and improved 8 +/- 4% after
      IMT (p < .05). In summary, when wearing a 25 kg backpack, IMT attenuated the
      cardiovascular and perceptual responses to steady-state exercise and improved
      high-intensity time-trial performance which we attribute in part to reduced
      relative work intensity of the inspiratory muscles due to improved inspiratory
      muscle strength. These findings have real-world implications for occupational
      contexts. 

PMID- 26274786
TI  - Sequence-Defined Scaffolding of Peptides on Nucleic Acid Polymers.
AB  - We have developed a method for the T4 DNA ligase-catalyzed DNA-templated
      polymerization of 5'-phosphorylated pentanucleotides containing peptide
      fragments. The polymerization proceeds sequence-specifically to generate DNA
      scaffolded peptides in excellent yields. The method has been shown to tolerate
      peptides ranging from two to eight amino acids in length with a wide variety of
      functionality. We validated the capabilities of this system in a mock selection
      for the enrichment of a His-tagged DNA-scaffolded peptide phenotype from a
      library, which exhibited a 190-fold enrichment after one round of selection. This
      strategy demonstrates a promising new approach to allowing the generation and in
      vitro selection of high-affinity reagents based upon single-stranded DNA
      scaffolding of peptide fragments. 

PMID- 26274784
TI  - Naked-eye and near-infrared fluorescence probe for hydrazine and its applications
      in in vitro and in vivo bioimaging.
AB  - Hydrazine has been applied diffusely in most of the chemical industry; however,
      it is a hazardous environmental pollutant and highly toxic to organisms.
      Selective, rapid, and sensitive detection of hydrazine thus becomes absolutely
      necessary in both biological and environmental sciences. Accordingly,
      fluorescence probes for hydrazine have been paid great attention in recent years.
      Disclosed here is the near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence probe with a turn-on
      fluorescent probe CyJ based on the structure-emission property relationships of
      the NIR dyes containing an acetyl group as the recognizing moiety. This new probe
      not only can be readily prepared, but also shows excellent sensing properties.
      First and most important of all, CyJ is highly selective for N2H4 over various
      anions, cations, and other amino compounds and has a low limit of detection (LOD)
      of hydrazine (5.4 ppb as fluorescence sensor and 6.1 ppb as UV sensor). Besides,
      CyJ exhibited a dramatic increase in fluorescence at lambdamax = 706 nm in the
      presence of N2H4, and it offers a rapid, colorimetric and vapor sensing detection
      process for N2H4 in both aqueous solution and diluted human serum. Furthermore,
      CyJ has good cell-membrane permeability and low cytotoxicity. In addition, we
      have successfully applied the CyJ to visualize N2H4 in live mouse and, for the
      first time, in tissues such as the liver, lung, kidney, heart, and spleen. 

PMID- 26274788
TI  - Application of Time-Dependent Density Functional and Natural Bond Orbital
      Theories to the UV-vis Absorption Spectra of Some Phenolic Compounds.
AB  - The UV-vis properties of 22 natural phenolic compounds, comprising
      anthraquinones, neoflavonoids, and flavonoids were systematically examined. The
      time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) approach in combination with the
      B3LYP, B3LYP-D2, B3P86, and M06-2X functionals was used to simulate the UV-vis
      spectra of the investigated compounds. It was shown that all methods exhibit very
      good (B3LYP slightly better) performance in reproducing the examined UV-vis
      spectra. However, the shapes of the Kohn-Sham molecular orbitals (MOs) involved
      in electronic transitions were misleading in constructing the MO correlation
      diagrams. To provide better understanding of redistribution of electron density
      upon excitation, the natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis was applied. Bearing in
      mind the spatial and energetic separations, as well as the character of the pi
      bonding, lone pair, and pi* antibonding natural localized molecular orbitals
      (NLMOs), the "NLMO clusters" were constructed. NLMO cluster should be understood
      as a part of a molecule characterized with distinguished electron density. It was
      shown that all absorption bands including all electronic transitions need to be
      inspected to fully understand the UV-vis spectrum of a certain compound, and,
      thus, to learn more about its UV-vis light absorption. Our investigation showed
      that the TDDFT and NBO theories are complementary, as the results from the two
      approaches can be combined to interpret the UV-vis spectra. Agreement between the
      predictions of the TDDFT approach and those based on the NLMO clusters is
      excellent in the case of major electronic transitions and long wavelengths. It
      should be emphasized that the approach for investigation of UV-vis light
      absorption based on the NLMO clusters is applied for the first time. 

PMID- 26274787
TI  - Oxidative stress in dogs with multicentric lymphoma: Effect of chemotherapy on
      oxidative and antioxidant biomarkers.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Lymphoma is one of the most common types of cancer in dogs,
      characterized by the proliferation of lymphoid cells. The treatment of this type
      of cancer is usually based on drugs with high toxicity, which can cause severe
      side effects. OBJECTIVES: Therefore, the aim of this study was to measure the
      levels of advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), thiobarbituric acid
      reactive substances (TBARS), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) in dogs
      with multicentric lymphoma before and after chemotherapy. METHODS: For this
      purpose, serum samples of 25 dogs diagnosed with multicentric lymphoma and 15
      healthy dogs were used. The animals were exposed to CHOP chemotherapy
      (cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, and prednisone) and serum samples
      were collected 5 weeks after treatment. RESULTS: High levels of TBARS, AOPP, and
      FRAP were observed in sera of dogs with multicentric lymphoma when compared to
      healthy dogs (P < 0.01), and even higher levels (TBARS and AOPP) were found after
      chemotherapy i.e. treatment exacerbated the oxidative stress levels. On the other
      hand, FRAP levels did not differ statistically between animals with lymphoma
      before and after treatment (P > 0.05). Exacerbated oxidative stress was observed
      in dogs with multicentric lymphoma Group II (Stage IV-V: involvement of lymph
      nodes and organs) compared to those in Group I (Stage I-III: only affected lymph
      nodes) of the disease, as well as the dogs with clinical signs and T
      immunophenotype. Another important result was observed after chemotherapy, where
      FRAP levels were higher in dogs that showed complete disease remission compared
      to animals with progressive disease. CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, dogs with lymphoma
      showed protein oxidation and lipid peroxidation, as well as increased total
      antioxidants before and after chemotherapy compared to the control group.

PMID- 26274789
TI  - Should criteria for inclusion in cancer clinical trials be expanded?

PMID- 26274790
TI  - How high a bar to change neoadjuvant therapy for triple-negative breast cancer?

PMID- 26274791
TI  - Comparative costs of advanced proton and photon radiation therapies: lessons from
      time-driven activity-based costing in head and neck cancer.

PMID- 26274792
TI  - Costs and mortality of recurrent versus de novo hormone receptor-positive/HER2(-)
      metastatic breast cancer.
AB  - AIM: To examine cost and mortality differences in postmenopausal women with
      HR(+)/HER2(-) advanced breast cancer. METHODS: Using claims data (2007-2013),
      women with newly diagnosed (de novo) stage IV, or early- or late-recurring
      metastatic breast cancer were identified. RESULTS: Compared with de novo (n =
      121) and late-recurrent (n = 106), early-recurrent (n = 172) patients had
      significantly higher costs in total and for anticancer systemic agents. Adjusted
      per patient per month costs for early-recurrent patients were US$13,404, versus
      US$9955 (de novo) and US$9721 (late-recurrent; p = 0.02). Early-recurrent
      patients' risk of death was twice that of de novo patients (p = 0.02).
      CONCLUSION: Compared with new diagnosis or late recurrence, early recurrence of
      HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer was associated with higher mortality and
      healthcare costs.

PMID- 26274793
TI  - Real-world effectiveness of everolimus-based therapy versus fulvestrant
      monotherapy in HR(+)/HER2(-) metastatic breast cancer.
AB  - AIMS: Assessing real-world effectiveness of everolimus-based therapy (EVE) versus
      fulvestrant monotherapy (FUL) among postmenopausal women with hormone receptor
      positive (HR(+))/HER2(-) metastatic breast cancer (mBC) after progression on
      nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor (NSAI). DATA & METHODS: Medical charts of
      community-based patients who received EVE or FUL for mBC after NSAI were
      examined. Progression-free survival (PFS), time on treatment and time to
      chemotherapy were compared using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards
      models adjusting for line of therapy and patient characteristics. RESULTS &
      CONCLUSION: 192 patients received EVE and 156 FUL. After adjusting for patient
      characteristics, EVE was associated with significantly longer PFS than FUL
      (hazard ratio: 0.71; p = 0.045). EVE was associated with better PFS than FUL
      among NSAI-refractory postmenopausal HR(+)/HER2(-) mBC patients.

PMID- 26274794
TI  - Deferasirox therapy is associated with reduced mortality risk in a medicare
      population with myelodysplastic syndromes.
AB  - AIMS: Iron overload adversely affects patients with myelodysplastic syndromes
      (MDS), but benefits of iron chelation therapy have not been clearly demonstrated.
      We examined the association between deferasirox (DFX) therapy and mortality in
      transfusion-receiving Medicare patients. PATIENTS & METHODS: MDS patients from
      2005 to 2008 were identified using ICD-9 codes from 100% Medicare claims.
      Patients receiving >=20 blood units were observed until death or end of study.
      Marginal structural models were used for estimation. RESULTS: 3926 patients
      (10.1% used DFX) were observed for a mean of 48.8 weeks. Each incremental week of
      DFX was associated with a significant reduction in mortality risk (hazard ratio
      [HR]: 0.989; 95% CI: 0.983-0.996; p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: DFX therapy is
      associated with a reduced mortality risk among older MDS patients who received a
      minimum transfusion threshold.

PMID- 26274795
TI  - The role of matching when adjusting for baseline differences in the outcome
      variable of comparative effectiveness studies.
AB  - AIM: Evaluate performance of analytical strategies commonly used to adjust for
      baseline differences in continuous outcome variables for comparative
      effectiveness studies. PATIENTS & METHODS: Data simulations resembling a
      comparison of HbA1c values after initiation of antidiabetic treatments adjusting
      for baseline HbA1c. We evaluated change scores, analyses of covariance including
      linear, nonlinear with/without robust variance estimations, before and after
      optimal matching. We also evaluated the impact of measurement error. RESULTS:
      With increasing HbA1c baseline differences between groups, bias in effect
      estimates and suboptimal CI coverage probabilities increased in all approaches.
      These issues were further compounded by measurement error. Matching on baseline
      HbA1c, substantially mitigated these issues. CONCLUSION: In comparative studies
      with continuous outcomes, matching on baseline values of the outcome variable
      improves analytical performance.

PMID- 26274796
TI  - IMPACCT Kids' Care: a real-world example of stakeholder involvement in
      comparative effectiveness research.
AB  - The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute has accelerated conversations
      about the importance of actively engaging stakeholders in all aspects of
      comparative effectiveness research (CER). Other scientific disciplines have a
      history of stakeholder engagement, yet few empirical examples exist of how these
      stakeholders can inform and enrich CER. Here we present a case study which
      includes the methods used to engage stakeholders, what we learned from them, and
      how we incorporated their ideas in a CER project. We selected stakeholders from
      key groups, built relationships with them and collected their feedback through
      interviews, observation and ongoing meetings during the four research process
      phases: proposal development, adapting study methods, understanding the context
      and information technology tool design and refinement. 

PMID- 26274797
TI  - Using linked electronic data to validate algorithms for health outcomes in
      administrative databases.
AB  - The validity of algorithms used to identify health outcomes in claims-based and
      administrative data is critical to the reliability of findings from observational
      studies. The traditional approach to algorithm validation, using medical charts,
      is expensive and time-consuming. An alternative method is to link the claims data
      to an external, electronic data source that contains information allowing
      confirmation of the event of interest. In this paper, we describe this external
      linkage validation method and delineate important considerations to assess the
      feasibility and appropriateness of validating health outcomes using this
      approach. This framework can help investigators decide whether to pursue an
      external linkage validation method for identifying health outcomes in
      administrative/claims data. 

PMID- 26274798
TI  - Apixaban versus edoxaban for stroke prevention in nonvalvular atrial
      fibrillation.
AB  - Oral anticoagulation therapy is the mainstay of stroke prevention in nonvalvular
      atrial fibrillation patients. Vitamin K antagonists (such as warfarin) have been
      effective conventional oral anticoagulants for several decades. However, due to
      their limitations in clinical use, several nonvitamin K antagonist oral
      anticoagulants (NOACs, including dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban and edoxaban)
      have been developed. Nonetheless, no head to head trials have been performed to
      directly compare these NOACs in patient cohorts. In this review article, two
      direct factor Xa inhibitors, apixaban and edoxaban, are briefly described with
      focus on their pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles, plus drug
      interactions. Moreover, both efficacy and safety will be discussed based on the
      available data from the large Phase III clinical trials and indirect comparison
      studies. 

PMID- 26274800
TI  - Society of Biomolecular Imaging and Informatics special issue.

PMID- 26274799
TI  - Antiplatelet therapies for secondary stroke prevention: an update on clinical and
      cost-effectiveness.
AB  - Stroke exacts a huge toll physically, mentally and economically. Antiplatelet
      therapy is the cornerstone of secondary stroke prevention, and proven drugs
      available to successfully realize this therapeutic strategy for the long term
      include aspirin, dipyridamole plus aspirin and clopidogrel. However, government
      agencies, corporations, health plans and patients desire more information about
      the clinical- and cost-effectiveness of these established therapies in real-world
      settings. This paper provides an update on evidence-based secondary stroke
      prevention with antiplatelet medications, discusses cost-related issues and
      offers perspective about the future. 

PMID- 26274801
TI  - Differences in patient and physician assessment of a dynamic patient reported
      outcome tool for chronic pruritus.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic pruritus is a subjective symptom, mainly measured through
      patient reported outcomes. Our aim is to assess two different methods regarding
      the change of symptoms: a visual dynamic pruritus score (vDPS) documented by
      patients, and a numerical value (nDPS) documented by physicians. METHODS:
      Inferential statistics and reliability analyses have been performed on data
      collected in 2013. RESULTS: Data of 701 patients were analysed (45.6% males,
      54.4% females, mean age 60 +/- 16 years). The nDPS showed less extreme and
      generally lower values than the vDPS. There was a slight concordance between both
      methods; the highest concordance was seen for no/weak change and very good
      reduction. CONCLUSION: The difference between patient and physician assessed same
      score points to an important bias in pruritus assessment which has to be taken
      into account especially in clinical trials. Though further studies are needed,
      the patient-based assessment seems to be less biased by a social desirability
      effect.

PMID- 26274802
TI  - Mechanism of Ion Permeation in Mammalian Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels.
AB  - Recent determination of the crystal structures of bacterial voltage-gated sodium
      (NaV) channels have raised hopes that modeling of the mammalian counterparts
      could soon be achieved. However, there are substantial differences between the
      pore domains of the bacterial and mammalian NaV channels, which necessitates
      careful validation of mammalian homology models constructed from the bacterial
      NaV structures. Such a validated homology model for the NaV1.4 channel was
      constructed recently using the extensive mutagenesis data available for binding
      of MU-conotoxins. Here we use this NaV1.4 model to study the ion permeation
      mechanism in mammalian NaV channels. Linking of the DEKA residues in the
      selectivity filter with residues in the neighboring domains is found to be
      important for keeping the permeation pathway open. Molecular dynamics simulations
      and potential of mean force calculations reveal that there is a binding site for
      a Na+ ion just inside the DEKA locus, and 1-2 Na+ ions can occupy the vestibule
      near the EEDD ring. These sites are separated by a low free energy barrier,
      suggesting that inward conduction occurs when a Na+ ion in the vestibule goes
      over the free energy barrier and pushes the Na+ ion in the filter to the
      intracellular cavity, consistent with the classical knock-on mechanism. The
      NaV1.4 model also provides a good description of the observed Na+/K+ selectivity.

PMID- 26274803
TI  - Transcriptome Analysis of Thermal Parthenogenesis of the Domesticated Silkworm.
AB  - Thermal induction of parthenogenesis (also known as thermal parthenogenesis) in
      silkworms is an important technique that has been used in artificial
      insemination, expansion of hybridization, transgenesis and sericultural
      production; however, the exact mechanisms of this induction remain unclear. This
      study aimed to investigate the gene expression profile in silkworms undergoing
      thermal parthenogenesis using RNA-seq analysis. The transcriptome profiles
      indicated that in non-induced and induced eggs, the numbers of differentially
      expressed genes (DEGs) for the parthenogenetic line (PL) and amphigenetic line
      (AL) were 538 and 545, respectively, as determined by fold-change >= 2. Gene
      ontology (GO) analysis showed that DEGs between two lines were mainly involved in
      reproduction, formation of chorion, female gamete generation and cell development
      pathways. Upregulation of many chorion genes in AL suggests that the maturation
      rate of AL eggs was slower than PL eggs. Some DEGs related to reactive oxygen
      species removal, DNA repair and heat shock response were differentially expressed
      between the two lines, such as MPV-17, REV1 and HSP68. These results supported
      the view that a large fraction of genes are differentially expressed between PL
      and AL, which offers a new approach to identifying the molecular mechanism of
      silkworm thermal parthenogenesis. 

PMID- 26274804
TI  - Metabolomics Reveals Metabolically Healthy and Unhealthy Obese Individuals Differ
      in their Response to a Caloric Challenge.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine if metabolically healthy obese (MHO) individuals have a
      different metabolic response to a standardized diet compared to lean healthy (LH)
      and metabolically unhealthy obese (MUO) individuals. METHODS: Thirty adults (35
      70 yrs) were classified as LH, MHO, and MUO according to anthropometric and
      clinical measurements. Participants consumed a standardized high calorie meal
      (~1330 kcal). Blood glucose and insulin were measured at fasting, and 15, 30, 60,
      90 and 120 min postprandially. Additional blood samples were collected for the
      targeted analysis of amino acids (AAs) and derivatives, and fatty acids (FAs).
      RESULTS: The postprandial response (i.e., area under the curve, AUC) for serum
      glucose and insulin were similar between MHO and LH individuals, and
      significantly lower than MUO individuals (p < 0.05). Minor differences were found
      in postprandial responses for AAs between MHO and MUO individuals, while three
      polyunsaturated FAs (linoleic acid, gamma-linolenic acid, arachidonic acid)
      showed smaller changes in serum after the meal in MHO individuals compared to
      MUO. Fasting levels for various AAs (notably branched-chain AA) and FAs (e.g.,
      saturated myristic and palmitic acids) were found to correlate with glucose and
      insulin AUC. CONCLUSION: MHO individuals show preserved insulin sensitivity and a
      greater ability to adapt to a caloric challenge compared to MUO individuals.

PMID- 26274805
TI  - A Near-Infrared Photothermal Effect-Responsive Drug Delivery System Based on
      Indocyanine Green and Doxorubicin-Loaded Polymeric Micelles Mediated by
      Reversible Diels-Alder Reaction.
AB  - Near-infrared light (NIR) possesses great advantages for light-responsive
      controllable drug release, such as deep tissue penetration and low damage to
      healthy tissues. Herein, a NIR-responsive drug delivery system is developed based
      on a NIR dye, indocyanine green (ICG), and anticancer drug, doxorubicin (DOX)
      loaded thermoresponsive block copolymer micelles, in which the drug release can
      be controlled via NIR irradiation. First, block copolymers, poly(oligo(ethylene
      glycol) methacrylate)-block-poly(furfuryl methacrylate) (POEGMA-b-PFMA), are
      synthesized by sequential reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT)
      polymerization, followed by modification with N-octyl maleimide through Diels
      Alder (DA) reaction to produce POEGMA-b-POMFMA. The self-assembly of POEGMA-b
      POMFMA by nano-precipitation in aqueous solution affords the polymeric micelles
      which are used to simultaneously encapsulate ICG and DOX. Upon irradiation by NIR
      light (805 nm), the loaded DOX is released rapidly from the micelles due to
      partial retro DA reaction and local temperature increase-induced faster drug
      diffusion by the photothermal effect. Cytotoxicity evaluation and intracellular
      distribution observation demonstrate significant synergistic effects of NIR
      triggered drug release, photothermal, and chemotherapy toward cancer cells under
      NIR irradiation. 

PMID- 26274806
TI  - Menstrual cycle phase and single tablet antiretroviral medication adherence in
      women with HIV.
AB  - Suboptimal adherence to antiretroviral (ARV) therapy among HIV-infected
      individuals is associated with increased risk of progression to AIDS and the
      development of HIV resistance to ARV medications. To examine whether the luteal
      phase of the menstrual cycle is independently associated with suboptimal
      adherence to single tablet regimen (STR) ARV medication, data were analyzed from
      a multicenter cohort study of HIV-infected women who reported regular menstrual
      cycles and were taking an STR. In a cross-sectional analysis, suboptimal
      adherence to an STR among women in their follicular phase was compared with
      suboptimal adherence among women in their luteal phase. In two-way crossover
      analyses, whereby the same woman was assessed for STR medication adherence in
      both her follicular and luteal phases, the estimated exact conditional odds of
      non-adherence to an STR was measured. In adjusted logistic regression analysis of
      the cross-sectional data (N=327), women with <=12 years of education were more
      than three times more likely to have suboptimal adherence (OR=3.6, p=.04)
      compared to those with >12 years of education. Additionally, women with Center
      for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) scores >=23 were 2.5-times
      more likely to have suboptimal adherence (OR=2.6, p=.02) compared to those with
      CES-D scores <23. In conditional logistic regression analyses of the crossover
      data (N=184), having childcare responsibilities was associated with greater odds
      of <=95% adherence. Menstrual cycle phase was not associated with STR adherence
      in either the cross-sectional or crossover analyses. The lack of association
      between phase of the menstrual cycle and adherence to an STR in HIV-infected
      women means attention can be given to other more important risk factors for
      suboptimal adherence, such as depression, level of education, and childcare
      responsibilities. 

PMID- 26274807
TI  - Osteopontin Deficiency Accelerates Spontaneous Colitis in Mice with Disrupted Gut
      Microbiota and Macrophage Phagocytic Activity.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Osteopontin (OPN) is a multifunctional protein expressed in a variety
      of tissues and cells. Recent studies revealed increased OPN expression in the
      inflamed intestinal tissues of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
      The role of OPN in the pathophysiology of IBD, however, remains unclear. AIMS: To
      investigate the role of OPN in the development of intestinal inflammation using a
      murine model of IBD, interleukin-10 knock out (IL-10 KO) mice. METHODS: We
      compared the development of colitis between IL-10 KO and OPN/IL-10 double KO
      (DKO) mice. OPN expression in the colonic tissues of IL-10 KO mice was examined
      by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis. Enteric microbiota were
      compared between IL-10 KO and OPN/IL-10 DKO mice by terminal restriction fragment
      length polymorphism analysis. The effect of OPN on macrophage phagocytic function
      was evaluated by phagocytosis assay. RESULTS: OPN/IL-10 DKO mice had an
      accelerated onset of colitis compared to IL-10 KO mice. FISH analysis revealed
      enhanced OPN synthesis in the colonic epithelial cells of IL-10 KO mice. OPN/IL
      10 DKO mice had a distinctly different enteric bacterial profile with a
      significantly lower abundance of Clostridium subcluster XIVa and a greater
      abundance of Clostridium cluster XVIII compared to IL-10 KO mice. Intracellular
      OPN deletion in macrophages impaired phagocytosis of fluorescence particle
      conjugated Escherichia coli in vitro. Exogenous OPN enhanced phagocytosis by OPN
      deleted macrophages when administered at doses of 1 to 100 ng/ml, but not 1000
      ng/ml. CONCLUSIONS: OPN deficiency accelerated the spontaneous development of
      colitis in mice with disrupted gut microbiota and macrophage phagocytic activity.

PMID- 26274808
TI  - Bispyridinium Compounds Inhibit Both Muscle and Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine
      Receptors in Human Cell Lines.
AB  - Standard treatment of poisoning by organophosphorus anticholinesterases uses
      atropine to reduce the muscarinic effects of acetylcholine accumulation and
      oximes to reactivate acetylcholinesterase (the effectiveness of which depends on
      the specific anticholinesterase), but does not directly address the nicotinic
      effects of poisoning. Bispyridinium molecules which act as noncompetitive
      antagonists at nicotinic acetylcholine receptors have been identified as
      promising compounds and one has been shown to improve survival following
      organophosphorus poisoning in guinea-pigs. Here, we have investigated the
      structural requirements for antagonism and compared inhibitory potency of these
      compounds at muscle and neuronal nicotinic receptors and acetylcholinesterase. A
      series of compounds was synthesised, in which the length of the polymethylene
      linker between the two pyridinium moieties was increased sequentially from one to
      ten carbon atoms. Their effects on nicotinic receptor-mediated calcium responses
      were tested in muscle-derived (CN21) and neuronal (SH-SY5Y) cells. Their ability
      to inhibit acetylcholinesterase activity was tested using human erythrocyte
      ghosts. In both cell lines, the nicotinic response was inhibited in a dose
      dependent manner and the inhibitory potency of the compounds increased with
      greater linker length between the two pyridinium moieties, as did their
      inhibitory potency for human acetylcholinesterase activity in vitro. These
      results demonstrate that bispyridinium compounds inhibit both neuronal and muscle
      nicotinic receptors and that their potency depends on the length of the
      hydrocarbon chain linking the two pyridinium moieties. Knowledge of structure
      activity relationships will aid the optimisation of molecular structures for
      therapeutic use against the nicotinic effects of organophosphorus poisoning. 

PMID- 26274809
TI  - Two new diterpenes from the seeds of Caesalpinia minax Hance.
AB  - Molecules with diterpene skeletons often possess valuable medicinal properties.
      Two new diterpenes 1alpha,6alpha,7beta-triacetoxy-5alpha-hydroxy-14beta-ethyl-O
      vouacapane (1) and 2alpha-acetoxy-14,15-cyclopimara-7beta,16-diol (2) were
      isolated from the seeds of Caesalpinia minax Hance. Their structures were
      established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses, including HR-ESI
      MS, UV, IR, 1D, and 2D NMR (HSQC, HMBC, NOESY) methods. The stereochemical
      structure of 1 was confirmed via the circular dichroism spectrum and calculated
      ECD experiment. The inhibitory activity of nitric oxide production of RAW264.7
      macrophages stimulated by lipopolysaccharide of compounds 1 and 2 was evaluated,
      and compound 1 was found to show significant inhibitory effect. 

PMID- 26274810
TI  - Complex Drop Impact Morphology.
AB  - The aim of this work is to understand the changes in the observed phenomena
      during particle-laden drop impact. The impact of millimeter-size drops was
      investigated onto hydrophilic (glass) and hydrophobic (polycarbonate) substrates.
      The drops were dispersions of water and spherical and nearly iso-dense
      hydrophobic particles with diameters of 200 and 500 MUm. The impact was studied
      by side and bottom view images in the range 150 <= We <= 750 and 7100 <= Re <=
      16400. The particles suppressed the appearance of singular jetting and drop
      partial rebound but promoted splashing, receding breakup, and rupture. The drops
      with 200 MUm particles spread in two phases: fast and slow, caused by inertial
      and capillary forces, respectively. Also, the increase in volume fraction of 200
      MUm particle led to a linear decrease in the maximum spreading factor caused by
      the inertia force on both hydrophilic and hydrophobic substrates. The explanation
      of this reduction was argued to be the result of energy dissipation through
      frictional losses between particles and the substrate. 

PMID- 26274811
TI  - Overhydration, Cardiac Function and Survival in Hemodialysis Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Chronic subclinical volume overload occurs very
      frequently and may be ubiquitous in hemodialysis (HD) patients receiving the
      standard thrice-weekly treatment. It is directly associated with hypertension,
      increased arterial stiffness, left ventricular hipertrophy, heart failure, and
      eventually, higher mortality and morbidity. We aimed to assess for the first time
      if the relationship between bioimpedance assessed overhydration and survival is
      maintained when adjustments for echocardiographic parameters are considered.
      DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND MEASUREMENTS: A prospective cohort trial was
      conducted to investigate the impact of overhydration on all cause mortality and
      cardiovascular events (CVE), by using a previously reported cut-off value for
      overhydration and also investigating a new cut-off value derived from our
      analysis of this specific cohort. The body composition of 221 HD patients from a
      single center was assessed at baseline using bioimpedance. In 157 patients
      supplemental echocardiography was performed (echocardiography subgroup).
      Comparative survival analysis was performed using two cut-off points for relative
      fluid overload (RFO): 15% and 17.4% (a value determined by statistical analysis
      to have the best predictive value for mortality in our cohort). RESULTS: In the
      entire study population, patients considered overhydrated (using both cut-offs)
      had a significant increased risk for all-cause mortality in both univariate (HR =
      2.12, 95%CI = 1.30-3.47 for RFO>15% and HR = 2.86, 95%CI = 1.72-4.78 for
      RFO>17.4%, respectively) and multivariate (HR = 1.87, 95%CI = 1.12-3.13 for
      RFO>15% and HR = 2.72, 95%CI = 1.60-4.63 for RFO>17.4%, respectively) Cox
      survival analysis. In the echocardiography subgroup, only the 17.4% cut-off
      remained associated with the outcome after adjustment for different
      echocardiographic parameters in the multivariate survival analysis. The number of
      CVE was significantly higher in overhydrated patients in both univariate (HR =
      2.46, 95%CI = 1.56-3.87 for RFO >15% and HR = 3.67, 95%CI = 2.29-5.89 for RFO
      >17.4%) and multivariate (HR = 2.31, 95%CI = 1.42-3.77 for RFO >15% and HR =
      4.17, 95%CI = 2.48-7.02 for RFO >17.4%) Cox regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The
      study shows that the hydration status is associated with the mortality risk in a
      HD population, independently of cardiac morphology and function. We also describe
      and propose a new cut-off for RFO, in order to better define the relationship
      between overhydration and mortality risk. Further studies are needed to properly
      validate this new cut-off in other HD populations.

PMID- 26274812
TI  - Toward Relatively General and Accurate Quantum Chemical Predictions of Solid
      State (17)O NMR Chemical Shifts in Various Biologically Relevant Oxygen
      Containing Compounds.
AB  - Oxygen is an important element in most biologically significant molecules, and
      experimental solid-state (17)O NMR studies have provided numerous useful
      structural probes to study these systems. However, computational predictions of
      solid-state (17)O NMR chemical shift tensor properties are still challenging in
      many cases, and in particular, each of the prior computational works is basically
      limited to one type of oxygen-containing system. This work provides the first
      systematic study of the effects of geometry refinement, method, and basis sets
      for metal and nonmetal elements in both geometry optimization and NMR property
      calculations of some biologically relevant oxygen-containing compounds with a
      good variety of XO bonding groups (X = H, C, N, P, and metal). The experimental
      range studied is of 1455 ppm, a major part of the reported (17)O NMR chemical
      shifts in organic and organometallic compounds. A number of computational factors
      toward relatively general and accurate predictions of (17)O NMR chemical shifts
      were studied to provide helpful and detailed suggestions for future work. For the
      studied kinds of oxygen-containing compounds, the best computational approach
      results in a theory-versus-experiment correlation coefficient (R(2)) value of
      0.9880 and a mean absolute deviation of 13 ppm (1.9% of the experimental range)
      for isotropic NMR shifts and an R(2) value of 0.9926 for all shift-tensor
      properties. These results shall facilitate future computational studies of (17)O
      NMR chemical shifts in many biologically relevant systems, and the high accuracy
      may also help the refinement and determination of active-site structures of some
      oxygen-containing substrate-bound proteins. 

PMID- 26274813
TI  - Spatial and Temporal Clustering of Chikungunya Virus Transmission in Dominica.
AB  - Using geo-referenced case data, we present spatial and spatio-temporal cluster
      analyses of the early spread of the 2013-2015 chikungunya virus (CHIKV) in
      Dominica, an island in the Caribbean. Spatial coordinates of the locations of the
      first 417 reported cases observed between December 15th, 2013 and March 11th,
      2014, were captured using the Global Positioning System (GPS). We observed a
      preponderance of female cases, which has been reported for CHIKV outbreaks in
      other regions. We also noted statistically significant spatial and spatio
      temporal clusters in highly populated areas and observed major clusters prior to
      implementation of intensive vector control programs suggesting early vector
      control measures, and education had an impact on the spread of the CHIKV epidemic
      in Dominica. A dynamical identification of clusters can lead to local assessment
      of risk and provide opportunities for targeted control efforts for nations
      experiencing CHIKV outbreaks. 

PMID- 26274814
TI  - Experimental and Theoretical Study of Reactions of OH Radicals with Hexenols: An
      Evaluation of the Relative Importance of the H-Abstraction Reaction Channel.
AB  - C6 hexenols are one of the most significant groups of volatile organic compounds
      with biogenic emissions. The lack of corresponding kinetic parameters and product
      information on their oxidation reactions will result in incomplete atmospheric
      chemical mechanisms and models. In this paper, experimental and theoretical
      studies are reported for the reactions of OH radicals with a series of C6
      hexenols, (Z)-2-hexen-1-ol, (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol, (Z)-4-hexen-1-ol, (E)-2-hexen-1-ol,
      (E)-3-hexen-1-ol, and (E)-4-hexen-1-ol, at 298 K and 1.01 * 10(5) Pa. The
      corresponding rate constants were 8.53 +/- 1.36, 10.1 +/- 1.6, 7.86 +/- 1.30,
      8.08 +/- 1.33, 9.10 +/- 1.50, and 7.14 +/- 1.20 (in units of 10(-11) cm(3)
      molecule(-1) s(-1)), respectively, measured by gas chromatography with a flame
      ionization detector (GC-FID), using a relative technique. Theoretical
      calculations concerning the OH-addition and H-abstraction reaction channels were
      also performed for these reactions to further understand the reaction mechanism
      and the relative importance of the H-abstraction reaction. By contrast to
      previously reported results, the H-abstraction channel is a non-negligible
      reaction channel for reactions of OH radicals with these hexenols. The rate
      constants of the H-abstraction channel are comparable with those for the OH
      addition channel and contribute >20% for most of the studied alcohols, even >50%
      for (E)-3-hexen-1-ol. Thus, H-abstraction channels may have an important role in
      the reactions of these alcohols with OH radicals and must be considered in
      certain atmospheric chemical mechanisms and models. 

PMID- 26274815
TI  - Regulation of Gene Expression Patterns in Mosquito Reproduction.
AB  - In multicellular organisms, development, growth and reproduction require
      coordinated expression of numerous functional and regulatory genes. Insects, in
      addition to being the most speciose animal group with enormous biological and
      economical significance, represent outstanding model organisms for studying
      regulation of synchronized gene expression due to their rapid development and
      reproduction. Disease-transmitting female mosquitoes have adapted uniquely for
      ingestion and utilization of the huge blood meal required for swift reproductive
      events to complete egg development within a 72-h period. We investigated the
      network of regulatory factors mediating sequential gene expression in the fat
      body, a multifunctional organ analogous to the vertebrate liver and adipose
      tissue, of the female Aedes aegypti mosquito. Transcriptomic and bioinformatics
      analyses revealed that ~7500 transcripts are differentially expressed in four
      sequential waves during the 72-h reproductive period. A combination of RNA
      interference gene-silencing and in-vitro organ culture identified the major
      regulators for each of these waves. Amino acids (AAs) regulate the first wave of
      gene activation between 3 h and 12 h post-blood meal (PBM). During the second
      wave, between 12 h and 36 h, most genes are highly upregulated by a synergistic
      action of AAs, 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) and the Ecdysone-Receptor (EcR). Between
      36 h and 48 h, the third wave of gene activation-regulated mainly by HR3-occurs.
      Juvenile Hormone (JH) and its receptor Methoprene-Tolerant (Met) are major
      regulators for the final wave between 48 h and 72 h. Each of these key regulators
      also has repressive effects on one or more gene sets. Our study provides a better
      understanding of the complexity of the regulatory mechanisms related to temporal
      coordination of gene expression during reproduction. We have detected the novel
      function of 20E/EcR responsible for transcriptional repression. This study also
      reveals the previously unidentified large-scale effects of HR3 and JH/Met on
      transcriptional regulation during the termination of vitellogenesis and
      remodeling of the fat body. 

PMID- 26274816
TI  - Expression of Emotional Arousal in Two Different Piglet Call Types.
AB  - Humans as well as many animal species reveal their emotional state in their
      voice. Vocal features show strikingly similar correlation patterns with emotional
      states across mammalian species, suggesting that the vocal expression of emotion
      follows highly conserved signalling rules. To fully understand the principles of
      emotional signalling in mammals it is, however, necessary to also account for any
      inconsistencies in the way that they are acoustically encoded. Here we
      investigate whether the expression of emotions differs between call types
      produced by the same species. We compare the acoustic structure of two common
      piglet calls-the scream (a distress call) and the grunt (a contact call)-across
      three levels of arousal in a negative situation. We find that while the central
      frequency of calls increases with arousal in both call types, the amplitude and
      tonal quality (harmonic-to-noise ratio) show contrasting patterns: as arousal
      increased, the intensity also increased in screams, but not in grunts, while the
      harmonicity increased in screams but decreased in grunts. Our results suggest
      that the expression of arousal depends on the function and acoustic specificity
      of the call type. The fact that more vocal features varied with arousal in scream
      calls than in grunts is consistent with the idea that distress calls have evolved
      to convey information about emotional arousal. 

PMID- 26274817
TI  - Changing Kidney Allograft Histology Early Posttransplant: Prognostic Implications
      of 1-Year Protocol Biopsies.
AB  - Allograft histology 1 year posttransplant is an independent correlate to long
      term death-censored graft survival. We assessed prognostic implications of
      changes in histology first 2 years posttransplant in 938 first kidney recipients,
      transplanted 1999-2010, followed for 93.4 +/- 37.7 months. Compared to
      implantation biopsies, histology changed posttransplant showing at 1 year that
      72.6% of grafts had minor abnormalities (favorable histology), 20.2% unfavorable
      histology, and 7.2% glomerulonephritis. Compared to favorable, graft survival was
      reduced in recipients with unfavorable histology (hazards ratio [HR] = 4.79 [3.27
      7.00], p < 0.0001) or glomerulonephritis (HR = 5.91 [3.17-11.0], p < 0.0001).
      Compared to unfavorable, in grafts with favorable histology, failure was most
      commonly due to death (42% vs. 70%, p < 0.0001) and less commonly due to
      alloimmune causes (27% vs. 10%, p < 0.0001). In 80% of cases, favorable histology
      persisted at 2 years. However, de novo 2-year unfavorable histology (15.3%) or
      glomerulonephritis (4.7%) related to reduced survival. The proportion of
      favorable grafts increased during this period (odds ratio = 0.920 [0.871-0.972],
      p = 0.003, per year) related to fewer DGF, rejections, polyoma-associated
      nephropathy (PVAN), and better function. Graft survival also improved (HR = 0.718
      [0.550-0.937], p = 0.015) related to better histology and function. Evolution of
      graft histologic early posttransplant relate to long-term survival. Avoiding risk
      factors associated with unfavorable histology relates to improved histology and
      graft survival. 

PMID- 26274818
TI  - Multiple Antenatal Dexamethasone Treatment Alters Brain Vessel Differentiation in
      Newborn Mouse Pups.
AB  - Antenatal steroid treatment decreases morbidity and mortality in premature
      infants through the maturation of lung tissue, which enables sufficient breathing
      performance. However, clinical and animal studies have shown that repeated doses
      of glucocorticoids such as dexamethasone and betamethasone lead to long-term
      adverse effects on brain development. Therefore, we established a mouse model for
      antenatal dexamethasone treatment to investigate the effects of dexamethasone on
      brain vessel differentiation towards the blood-brain barrier (BBB) phenotype,
      focusing on molecular marker analysis. The major findings were that in total
      brains on postnatal day (PN) 4 triple antenatal dexamethasone treatment
      significantly downregulated the tight junction protein claudin-5, the endothelial
      marker Pecam-1/CD31, the glucocorticoid receptor, the NR1 subunit of the N-methyl
      D-aspartate receptor, and Abc transporters (Abcb1a, Abcg2 Abcc4). Less pronounced
      effects were found after single antenatal dexamethasone treatment and in PN10
      samples. Comparisons of total brain samples with isolated brain endothelial cells
      together with the stainings for Pecam-1/CD31 and claudin-5 led to the assumption
      that the morphology of brain vessels is affected by antenatal dexamethasone
      treatment at PN4. On the mRNA level markers for angiogenesis, the sonic hedgehog
      and the Wnt pathway were downregulated in PN4 samples, suggesting fundamental
      changes in brain vascularization and/or differentiation. In conclusion, we
      provided a first comprehensive molecular basis for the adverse effects of
      multiple antenatal dexamethasone treatment on brain vessel differentiation. 

PMID- 26274819
TI  - Impact of a Mandatory Prescription Drug Monitoring Program on Prescription of
      Opioid Analgesics by Dentists.
AB  - Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMP) are statewide databases that collect
      data on prescription of controlled substances. New York State mandates
      prescribers to consult the PDMP registry before prescribing a controlled
      substance such as opioid analgesics. The effect of mandatory PDMP on opioid drug
      prescriptions by dentists is not known. This study investigates the impact of
      mandatory PDMP on frequency and quantity of opioid prescriptions by dentists in a
      dental urgent care center. Based on the sample size estimate, we collected
      patient records of a 3-month period before and two consecutive 3-month periods
      after the mandatory PDMP implementation and analyzed the data on number of
      visits, treatment types and drug prescriptions using Chi-square tests. For
      patients who were prescribed pain medications, 452 (30.6%), 190 (14.1%), and 140
      (9.6%) received opioid analgesics in the three study periods respectively,
      signifying a statistically significant reduction in the number of opioid
      prescriptions after implementation of the mandatory PDMP (p<0.05). Total numbers
      of prescribed opioid pills in a 3-month period decreased from 5096 to 1120,
      signifying a 78% reduction in absolute quantity. Prescriptions for non-opioid
      analgesics acetaminophen increased during the same periods (p<0.05). We conclude
      that the mandatory PDMP significantly affected the prescription pattern for pain
      medications by dentists. Such change in prescription pattern represents a shift
      towards the evidence-based prescription practices for acute postoperative pain. 

PMID- 26274820
TI  - A Regulatory MDM4 Genetic Variant Locating in the Binding Sequence of Multiple
      MicroRNAs Contributes to Susceptibility of Small Cell Lung Cancer.
AB  - A functional rs4245739 A>C single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) locating in the
      MDM43'-untranslated (3'-UTR) region creates a miR-191-5p or miR-887-3p targeting
      sites. This change results in decreased expression of oncogene MDM4. Therefore,
      we examined the association between this SNP and small cell lung cancer (SCLC)
      risk as well as its regulatory function in SCLC cells. Genotypes were determined
      in two independent case-control sets consisted of 520SCLC cases and 1040 controls
      from two regions of China. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs)
      were estimated by logistic regression. The impact of the rs4245739 SNP on miR-191
      5p/miR-887-3p mediated MDM4 expression regulation was investigated using
      luciferase reporter gene assays. We found that the MDM4 rs4245739AC and CC
      genotypes were significantly associated with decreased SCLC susceptibility
      compared with the AA genotype in both case-control sets (Shandong set: OR = 0.53,
      95% CI = 0.32-0.89, P = 0.014; Jiangsu set: OR = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.26-0.879, P =
      0.017). Stratified analyses indicated that there was a significantly
      multiplicative interaction between rs4245739 and smoking (Pinteractioin = 0.048).
      After co-tranfection of miRNAs and different allelic-MDM4 reporter constructs
      into SCLC cells, we found that the both miR-191-5p and miR-887-3p can lead to
      significantly decreased MDM4 expression activities in the construct with C
      allelic 3'-UTR but not A-allelic 3'-UTR, suggesting a consistent genotype
      phenotype correlation. Our data illuminate that the MDM4rs4245739SNP contributes
      to SCLC risk and support the notion that gene 3'-UTR genetic variants, impacting
      miRNA-binding, might modify SCLC susceptibility. 

PMID- 26274821
TI  - Influence of the LILRA3 Deletion on Multiple Sclerosis Risk: Original Data and
      Meta-Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative, autoimmune disease of
      the central nervous system. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have
      identified over hundred polymorphisms with modest individual effects in MS
      susceptibility and they have confirmed the main individual effect of the Major
      Histocompatibility Complex. Additional risk loci with immunologically relevant
      genes were found significantly overrepresented. Nonetheless, it is accepted that
      most of the genetic architecture underlying susceptibility to the disease remains
      to be defined. Candidate association studies of the leukocyte immunoglobulin-like
      receptor LILRA3 gene in MS have been repeatedly reported with inconsistent
      results. OBJECTIVES: In an attempt to shed some light on these controversial
      findings, a combined analysis was performed including the previously published
      datasets and three newly genotyped cohorts. Both wild-type and deleted LILRA3
      alleles were discriminated in a single-tube PCR amplification and the resulting
      products were visualized by their different electrophoretic mobilities. RESULTS
      AND CONCLUSION: Overall, this meta-analysis involved 3200 MS patients and 3069
      matched healthy controls and it did not evidence significant association of the
      LILRA3 deletion [carriers of LILRA3 deletion: p = 0.25, OR (95% CI) = 1.07 (0.95
      1.19)], even after stratification by gender and the HLA-DRB1*15:01 risk allele.

PMID- 26274822
TI  - Simultaneous Hypoxia and Low Extracellular pH Suppress Overall Metabolic Rate and
      Protein Synthesis In Vitro.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The tumor microenvironment is characterized by regions of hypoxia and
      acidosis which are linked to poor prognosis. This occurs due to an aberrant
      vasculature as well as high rates of glycolysis and lactate production in tumor
      cells even in the presence of oxygen (the Warburg effect), which weakens the
      spatial linkage between hypoxia and acidosis. METHODS: Five different human
      squamous cell carcinoma cell lines (SiHa, FaDuDD, UTSCC5, UTSCC14 and UTSCC15)
      were treated with hypoxia, acidosis (pH 6.3), or a combination, and gene
      expression analyzed using microarray. SiHa and FaDuDD were chosen for further
      characterization of cell energetics and protein synthesis. Total cellular ATP
      turnover and relative glycolytic dependency was determined by simultaneous
      measurements of oxygen consumption and lactate synthesis rates and total protein
      synthesis was determined by autoradiographic quantification of the incorporation
      of 35S-labelled methionine and cysteine into protein. RESULTS: Microarray
      analysis allowed differentiation between genes induced at low oxygen only at
      normal extracellular pH (pHe), genes induced at low oxygen at both normal and low
      pHe, and genes induced at low pHe independent of oxygen concentration. Several
      genes were found to be upregulated by acidosis independent of oxygenation.
      Acidosis resulted in a more wide-scale change in gene expression profiles than
      hypoxia including upregulation of genes involved in the translation process, for
      example Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4A, isoform 2 (EIF4A2), and
      Ribosomal protein L37 (RPL37). Acidosis suppressed overall ATP turnover and
      protein synthesis by 50%. Protein synthesis, but not total ATP production, was
      also suppressed under hypoxic conditions. A dramatic decrease in ATP turnover
      (SiHa) and protein synthesis (both cell lines) was observed when hypoxia and low
      pHe were combined. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate here that the influence of hypoxia
      and acidosis causes different responses, both in gene expression and in de novo
      protein synthesis, depending on whether the two factors induced alone or
      overlapping, and as such it is important for in vivo studies to take this into
      account.

PMID- 26274825
TI  - Degenerate Effect on the Mobility of Holes in Graphane: A Study Based on Density
      Functional Theory Coupled with Deformation Potential Theory.
AB  - The traditional deformation potential method is not able to calculate the charge
      mobility of heavily doped degenerate semiconductors, in which inter-band
      scattering is not negligible. To theoretically predict the charge mobility of
      such semiconductors, an improved deformation potential method is required, in
      which the deformation potential constant is decomposed into two parts
      (hydrostatic and uniaxial terms) based on k?p theory to incorporate the inter
      band scattering between degenerate valence bands. We propose a new method to
      calculate the heavy- and light-hole mobilities of graphane. The proposed method
      produces more appropriate values than the traditional methods. Hence, the new
      method can be applied to other 2D materials with degenerate bands. 

PMID- 26274824
TI  - Adaptive Staircase Measurement of Hand Proprioception.
AB  - Clinicians and researchers often need to measure proprioception (position sense),
      for example to monitor the progress of disease, to identify the cause of movement
      or balance problems, or to ascertain the effects of an intervention. While
      researchers can use sophisticated equipment to estimate proprioceptive acuity
      with good precision, clinicians lack this option and must rely on the subjective
      and imprecise methods currently available in the clinic. Here we describe a novel
      technique that applies psychometric adaptive staircase procedures to hand
      proprioception with a simple tablet-style apparatus that could easily be adapted
      for the clinic. We report test-retest reliability, inter-rater reliability, and
      construct validity of the adaptive staircase method vs. two other methods that
      are commonly used in clinical settings: passive motion direction discrimination
      (PMDD) and matching. As a first step, we focus on healthy adults. Subjects ages
      18-82 had their proprioception measured with each of the three techniques, at the
      metacarpophalangeal joint in the second finger of the right hand. A subset
      completed a second session in which the measures were repeated, to assess test
      retest reliability. Another subset had the measurements done by two different
      testers to assess inter-rater reliability. Construct validity was assessed using
      stepwise regression on age and activity level, and correlations calculated across
      the three methods. Results suggest that of the three methods, the adaptive
      staircase method yields the best test-retest reliability, inter-rater
      reliability, and construct validity. The adaptive staircase method may prove to
      be a valuable clinical tool where more accurate assessment of proprioception is
      needed. 

PMID- 26274826
TI  - Activation of Strong Boron-Fluorine and Silicon-Fluorine sigma-Bonds: Theoretical
      Understanding and Prediction.
AB  - The oxidative addition of BF3 to a platinum(0) bis(phosphine) complex [Pt(PMe3)2]
      (1) was investigated by density functional calculations. Both the cis and trans
      pathways for the oxidative addition of BF3 to 1 are endergonic (DeltaG degrees
      =26.8 and 35.7 kcal mol(-1), respectively) and require large Gibbs activation
      energies (DeltaG degrees (?)=56.3 and 38.9 kcal mol(-1), respectively). A second
      borane plays crucial roles in accelerating the activation; the trans oxidative
      addition of BF3 to 1 in the presence of a second BF3 molecule occurs with DeltaG
      degrees (?) and DeltaG degrees  values of 10.1 and -4.7 kcal mol(-1),
      respectively. DeltaG degrees (?) becomes very small and DeltaG degrees  becomes
      negative. A charge transfer (CT), F->BF3, occurs from the dissociating fluoride
      to the second non-coordinated BF3. This CT interaction stabilizes both the
      transition state and the product. The B-F sigma-bond cleavage of BF2Ar(F)
      (Ar(F)=3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl) and the B-Cl sigma-bond cleavage of BCl3
      by 1 are accelerated by the participation of the second borane. The calculations
      predict that trans oxidative addition of SiF4 to 1 easily occurs in the presence
      of a second SiF4 molecule via the formation of a hypervalent Si species.

PMID- 26274823
TI  - The Relationship of Metabolic Syndrome with Stress, Coronary Heart Disease and
      Pulmonary Function--An Occupational Cohort-Based Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Higher levels of stress impact the prevalence of metabolic
      syndrome (MetS) and coronary heart disease. The association between MetS,
      impaired pulmonary function and low level of physical activity is still pending
      assessment in the subjects exposed to stress. The study aimed to examine whether
      higher levels of stress might be related to MetS and the plaque presence, as well
      as whether MetS might affect pulmonary function. DESIGN AND METHODS: The study
      embraced 235 police officers (mean age 40.97 years) from the south of Poland. The
      anthropometrics and biochemical variables were measured; MetS was diagnosed using
      the International Diabetes Federation criteria. Computed tomography coronary
      angiography of coronary arteries, exercise ECG, measurements of brachial flow
      mediated dilation, and carotid artery intima-media thickness were completed. In
      order to measure the self-perception of stress, 10-item Perceived Stress Scale
      (PSS-10) was applied. Pulmonary function and physical activity levels were also
      addressed. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were applied to determine
      the relationships between: 1/ incidence of coronary plaque and MetS per se, MetS
      components and the number of classical cardiovascular risk factors, 2/ perceived
      stress and MetS, 3/ MetS and pulmonary function parameters. RESULTS: Coronary
      artery atherosclerosis was less associated with MetS (OR = 2.62, 95%CI 1.24-5.52;
      p = 0.011) than with a co-existence of classical cardiovascular risk factors (OR
      = 5.67, 95% CI 1.07-29.85, p = 0.03; for 3 risk factors and OR = 9.05; 95% CI
      1.24-66.23, p = 0.02; for 6 risk factors, respectively). Perceived stress
      increased MetS prevalence (OR = 1.07, 95% CI 1.03-1.13; p = 0.03), and impacted
      coronary plaque prevalence (OR = 1.05, 95% CI 1.001-1.10; p = 0.04). Leisure-time
      physical activity reduced the chances of developing MetS (OR = 0.98 95% CI 0.96
      0.99; p = 0.02). MetS subjects had significantly lower values of certain
      pulmonary function parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to job-specific stress among
      police officers increased the prevalence of MetS and impacted coronary plaque
      presence. MetS subjects had worse pulmonary function parameters. Early-stage,
      comprehensive therapeutic intervention may reduce overall risk of cardiovascular
      events and prevent pulmonary function impairment in this specific occupational
      population.

PMID- 26274827
TI  - Testing the Short-Term Efficacy of a Lipid-Lowering Nutraceutical in the Setting
      of Clinical Practice: A Multicenter Study.
AB  - The main guidelines for cardiovascular disease prevention suggest that
      nutraceuticals could be an efficacious tool to improve lipid pattern. Our aim was
      to carry out a clinical trial comparing the metabolic effects of a combined
      nutraceutical containing both red yeast rice and polyunsaturated fatty acids
      (PUFAs) and a phytosterol-based approach in a setting of clinical practice. This
      was a multicenter open study with parallel control. We consecutively enrolled 107
      pharmacologically untreated subjects affected by primary polygenic
      hypercholesterolemia and metabolic syndrome, assigned to 8-week treatment with a
      combined treatment with red yeast rice (Dif1Stat((r)), including 5 mg monacolin
      K) and 610 mg PUFAs. A parallel group of 30 subjects with similar characteristics
      was treated with phytosterols 1600 mg/die. In the combined nutraceutical group,
      compared with the baseline level, we observed a significant decrease in total
      cholesterol (TC; -42.50 +/- 18.1 mg/dL), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL
      C; -37.6 +/- 13.6 mg/dL), triglycerides (TG; -19.8 +/- 25.1 mg/dL), and non-HDL-C
      (-43.1 +/- 17.7 mg/dL) (all P < .001). In the phytosterol-treated group, compared
      to the baseline level, we observed a significant decrease in TC (-13.7 +/- 4.3
      mg/dL), LDL-C (-17.6 +/- 8.5 mg/dL), and non-HDL-C (-14.1 +/- 5.6 mg/dL) (all P <
      .001). When comparing the combined nutraceutical effect with that of
      phytosterols, we observed that the combined nutraceutical intake was associated
      with a significantly higher decrease in TC, LDL-C, TG, and non-HDL-C (all P <
      .001). In the short term, a combined nutraceutical containing red yeast rice and
      PUFAs is well tolerated and efficacious in reducing plasma lipid levels in
      subjects affected by primary polygenic hypercholesterolemia and metabolic
      syndrome.

PMID- 26274829
TI  - Correction: De Novo Assembly and Characterization of Fruit Transcriptome in Black
      Pepper (Piper nigrum).

PMID- 26274828
TI  - Tropism and Induction of Cytokines in Human Embryonic-Stem Cells-Derived Neural
      Progenitors upon Inoculation with Highly- Pathogenic Avian H5N1 Influenza Virus.
AB  - Central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction caused by neurovirulent influenza
      viruses is a dreaded complication of infection, and may play a role in some
      neurodegenerative conditions, such as Parkinson-like diseases and encephalitis
      lethargica. Although CNS infection by highly pathogenic H5N1 virus has been
      demonstrated, it is unknown whether H5N1 infects neural progenitor cells, nor
      whether such infection plays a role in the neuroinflammation and
      neurodegeneration. To pursue this question, we infected human neural progenitor
      cells (hNPCs) differentiated from human embryonic stem cells in vitro with H5N1
      virus, and studied the resulting cytopathology, cytokine expression, and genes
      involved in the differentiation. Human embryonic stem cells (BG01) were
      maintained and differentiated into the neural progenitors, and then infected by
      H5N1 virus (A/Chicken/Thailand/CUK2/04) at a multiplicity of infection of 1. At
      6, 24, 48, and 72 hours post-infection (hpi), cytopathic effects were observed.
      Then cells were characterized by immunofluorescence and electron microscopy,
      supernatants quantified for virus titers, and sampled cells studied for candidate
      genes.The hNPCs were susceptible to H5N1 virus infection as determined by
      morphological observation and immunofluorescence. The infection was characterized
      by a significant up-regulation of TNF-alpha gene expression, while expressions of
      IFN-alpha2, IFN-beta1, IFN-gamma and IL-6 remained unchanged compared to mock
      infected controls. Moreover, H5N1 infection did not appear to alter expression of
      neuronal and astrocytic markers of hNPCs, such as beta-III tubulin and GFAP,
      respectively. The results indicate that hNPCs support H5N1 virus infection and
      may play a role in the neuroinflammation during acute viral encephalitis. 

PMID- 26274830
TI  - The use of a potential novel tool in virtual crossmatching for platelet
      transfusion in platelet refractoriness.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Transfusion support for immune-mediated platelet
      refractoriness (PR) is clinically challenging, technically laborious and costly.
      The development of 'EpHLA/EpVix software' has been used successfully to select
      kidney donors. Here, we sought to evaluate this new software as a tool for
      platelet virtual crossmatch (VxM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a prospective
      study from 2007 to 2014 of PR patients in a tertiary hospital. Platelet
      components selected by HLAMatchmaker program were crossmatched by EpHLA/EpVix,
      anti-human globulin complement-dependent lymphocytotoxicity test (AHG-CDC), flow
      cytometry platelet crossmatch (FCxM) and then compared. Effectiveness of platelet
      components transfused was evaluated by CCI. RESULTS: Ninety-seven crossmatched
      platelet transfusions for 27 patients were enrolled. Partial matches were
      analysed for 75 transfusions by the 3 methods, and 22% showed discrepant results
      among the assays. After further analysis, data showed that all divergent cases
      could be explained by HPA alloimmunization, prozone effect (FCxM), low
      sensitivity of AHG-CDC and possible interference in FCxM/AHG-CDC assays. Notably,
      sensitivity and specificity of VxM analysis was excellent (100%). Satisfactory
      CCI counts were obtained for the majority (22/30) of the transfusions.
      CONCLUSION: The new EpHLA/EpVix method showed to be effective, feasible and fast
      for VxM at no cost and able to minimize labour on donor identification. However,
      platelet crossmatching may be a necessary step because EpHLA/EpVix does not
      formally exclude HPA alloimmunization.

PMID- 26274831
TI  - Comparing Health-Care Providers' Perspectives on Complementary and Alternative
      Medicine in Childhood Cancer Between Netherlands and Indonesia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is common among
      patients with childhood cancer. Health-care providers (HCP) should address this
      need properly. Geographical and cultural differences seem likely. This study
      explores perspectives on CAM of HCP involved in the care of children with cancer
      in Netherlands and Indonesia. Health beliefs, components of CAM, encouraging or
      discouraging CAM, and knowledge about CAM were assessed. PROCEDURE: We conducted
      a cross-sectional study using semi-structured questionnaires at a Dutch and
      Indonesian academic hospital. RESULTS: A total of 342 HCP participated: 119 Dutch
      (response rate 80%) and 223 Indonesian (response rate 87%). Chemotherapy can cure
      cancer according to more Dutch than Indonesian HCP (87% vs. 53% respectively, P <
      0.001). Combination of chemotherapy and CAM is the best way to cure cancer
      according to more Indonesian than Dutch HCP (45% vs. 25%, P < 0.001). Dutch and
      Indonesian HCP recommend and discourage CAM use differently. Most Dutch (77%) and
      Indonesian HCP (84%) consider their knowledge about CAM to be inadequate (P =
      ns). Fewer Dutch doctors than other HCP want to learn more about CAM (51% vs.
      76%, P = 0.007), whereas there is no significant difference in eagerness to learn
      about CAM between Indonesian doctors (64%) and other HCP (72%). CONCLUSIONS:
      Indonesian HCP have more positive views about CAM than their Dutch colleagues.
      Both Dutch and Indonesian HCP consider their knowledge about CAM to be
      inadequate. Therefore, education programs about CAM tailored to the needs of HCP
      are recommended, knowing that CAM is used frequently.

PMID- 26274832
TI  - At the crossroads of glaucoma and neuro-ophthalmology.

PMID- 26274833
TI  - Glaucoma as a neurodegenerative disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The primary pathophysiological feature of glaucoma is a progressive
      optic neuropathy with characteristic morphological changes of the optic disc and
      risk factors of age and intraocular pressure. Recently, involvement of other
      areas of the central nervous system (CNS) beyond the optic nerve has been
      demonstrated. This article addresses the proposition that glaucoma shares
      mechanistic and pathophysiologic features with neurodegenerations in the CNS.
      METHODS: The literature on CNS alterations in patients with glaucoma is reviewed
      with particular focus on neuroimaging and pathological studies. A theoretical
      framework for assessing whether glaucoma is truly a neurodegenerative disease is
      developed based on the comparison with neurodegenerative and nonneurodegenerative
      diseases. RESULTS: Although there is convincing evidence of abnormalities in CNS
      regions distal to the optic nerve in glaucoma, these are similar to those seen in
      other disorders of the proximal visual pathways, such as other optic neuropathies
      or retinal diseases. Similarly, features of glaucoma that are similar to
      neurodegenerations are also seen in nonneurodegenerative diseases. CONCLUSIONS:
      Glaucoma is less likely a primary neurodegeneration affecting the CNS and more
      likely a primary optic neuropathy with secondary effects in the CNS.

PMID- 26274834
TI  - Central visual pathways in glaucoma: evidence for distal mechanisms of neuronal
      self-repair.
AB  - As in other age-related neurodegenerative diseases, progression of
      neurodegeneration in glaucoma involves early axonopathy. In glaucoma, this is
      marked by degradation of active transport along retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons
      projecting from the retina to the brain. In experimental systems, transport
      degradation occurs first in the most distal site in the RGC projection, the
      superior colliculus (SC) of the midbrain. Even as degradation progresses from one
      retinotopic sector to the next, important structures in the affected sectors
      persist, including synapses from RGC axon terminals onto SC neurons. This
      structural persistence is accompanied by focally increased brain-derived
      neurotrophic factor in hypertrophic SC astrocyte glia and defines a therapeutic
      window of opportunity. Thus, central brain structures in glaucoma may respond to
      disease-relevant stress by induction of mechanisms useful for maintaining retinal
      signals. 

PMID- 26274835
TI  - Intracranial pressure and glaucoma.
AB  - Our understanding of the potential role intracranial pressure (ICP) may play in
      the pathophysiology of glaucoma is evolving. ICP can have a profound effect on
      the optic nerve; edema of the optic disc is an accepted consequence of elevation
      in ICP, and optic disc blood flow is known to be affected by ICP. Deformation of
      the orbit also is a known consequence of aberrations in ICP. Therefore, it is
      plausible that local alterations in optic nerve structure, blood supply, or
      axonal transport could result from changes in ICP. This article will summarize
      the relationship between ICP and the eye, specifically focusing on hypothesized
      relationships between ICP and glaucoma and the current evidence supporting or
      refuting ICP as a risk factor for glaucoma. 

PMID- 26274836
TI  - Phenotypic differences in normal vs high tension glaucoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Normal tension glaucoma (NTG) and high tension open angle glaucoma
      (HTG) are associated with characteristic patterns of optic nerve findings and
      corresponding patterns of visual field loss. In the past, clinicians viewed NTG
      and HTG as distinct entities, with separate underlying pathophysiologies and
      often different clinical presentations and courses. METHODS: Literature review.
      RESULTS: Optic nerve and visual field findings in NTG have been reported to be
      dissimilar to those in HTG. In more recent years, however, there has been
      increasing recognition of the shared features NTG and HTG. CONCLUSION: There is
      now a trend to consider these two entities as part of a spectrum of glaucoma with
      overlapping pathophysiology and clinical characteristics.

PMID- 26274837
TI  - The morphological difference between glaucoma and other optic neuropathies.
AB  - The clinical phenomenon of cupping has 2 principal pathophysiologic components in
      all optic neuropathies: prelaminar thinning and laminar deformation. We define
      prelaminar thinning to be the portion of cup enlargement that results from
      thinning of the prelaminar tissues due to physical compression and/or loss of
      retinal ganglion cell axons. We define laminar deformation or laminar cupping to
      be the portion of cup enlargement that results from permanent intraocular
      pressure (IOP)-induced deformation of the lamina cribrosa and peripapillary
      scleral connective tissues after damage and/or remodeling. We propose that the
      defining phenomenon of glaucomatous cupping is deformation and/or remodeling of
      the neural and connective tissues of the optic nerve head (ONH), which is
      governed by the distribution of IOP-related connective tissue stress and strain,
      regardless of the mechanism of insult or the level of IOP at which deformation
      and/or remodeling occurs. In other words, "glaucomatous cupping" is the term
      clinicians use to describe the clinical appearance and behavior the ONH assumes
      as its neural and connective tissues deform, remodel, or mechanically fail: 1) in
      a pattern and 2) by the several pathophysiologic processes governed by IOP
      related connective tissue stress and strain. ONH biomechanics explains why a
      given ONH will demonstrate a certain form of "cupping" and at what level of IOP
      that might happen. Animal models are allowing us to tease apart the important
      components of cupping in IOP-related and non-IOP-related forms of optic
      neuropathy. A paradigm change in spectral domain optical coherence tomography
      ONH, retinal nerve fiber layer, and macular imaging should improve our ability to
      phenotype the ocular manifestations of many forms of damage to the visual system
      including glaucoma. 

PMID- 26274839
TI  - Projecting the self into the future in individuals with schizophrenia: a
      preliminary cross-sectional study.
AB  - The ability to project oneself into the future contributes to development and
      maintenance of a coherent sense of identity. If recent research has revealed that
      schizophrenia is associated with difficulties envisioning the future, little is
      known about patients' future self-representations. In this study, 27 participants
      with schizophrenia and 26 healthy controls were asked to simulate mental
      representations of plausible and highly significant future events (self-defining
      future projections, SDFPs) that they anticipate to happen in their personal
      future. Main results showed that schizophrenia patients had difficulties in
      reflecting on the broader meaning and implications of imagined future events. In
      addition, and contrary to our hypothesis, a large majority of SDFPs in
      schizophrenia patients were positive events, including achievements,
      relationship, and leisure contents. Interestingly, patients and controls did not
      differ on the perceived probability that these events will occur in the future.
      Our results suggest that schizophrenia patients have an exaggerated positive
      perception of their future selves. Together, these findings lend support to the
      idea that past and future self-defining representations have both similar and
      distinct characteristics in schizophrenia.

PMID- 26274838
TI  - Chronic Hormonal Imbalance and Adipose Redistribution Is Associated with
      Hypothalamic Neuropathology following Blast Exposure.
AB  - Endocrine disorders have been shown to be a consequence of blast traumatic brain
      injury in soldiers returning from military conflicts. Hormone deficiency and
      adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) dysfunction can lead to symptoms such as
      fatigue, anxiety, irritability, insomnia, sexual dysfunction, and decreased
      quality of life. Given these changes following blast exposure, the current study
      focused on investigating chronic pathology within the hypothalamus following
      blast, in addition to systemic effects. An established rodent model of blast
      neurotrauma was used to induce mild blast-induced neurotrauma. Adipose tissue,
      blood, and brain samples were collected at one and three months following a
      single blast exposure. Adipose tissue and blood were evaluated for changes in
      ACTH, adiponectin, C-reactive protein, glial fibrillary acidic protein,
      interleukin (IL)-1beta, and leptin. The hypothalamus was evaluated for injury
      using immunohistochemical techniques. The results demonstrated that the weight of
      the blast animals was significantly less, compared with the sham group. The
      slower rate of increase in their weight was associated with changes in ACTH, IL
      1beta, and leptin levels. Further, histological analysis indicated elevated
      levels of cleaved caspase-3 positive cells within the hypothalamus. The data
      suggest that long-term outcomes of brain injury occurring from blast exposure
      include dysfunction of the hypothalamus, which leads to compromised hormonal
      function, elevated biological stress-related hormones, and subsequent adipose
      tissue remodeling. 

PMID- 26274840
TI  - Cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation in patients with ataxia: A
      double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled study.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Numerous studies have highlighted the possibility of
      modulating the excitability of cerebellar circuits using transcranial direct
      current stimulation. The present study investigated whether a single session of
      cerebellar anodal transcranial direct current stimulation could improve symptoms
      in patients with ataxia. METHODS: Nineteen patients with ataxia underwent a
      clinical and functional evaluation pre- and post-double-blind, randomized, sham,
      or anodal transcranial direct current stimulation. RESULTS: There was a
      significant interaction between treatment and time on the Scale for the
      Assessment and Rating of Ataxia, on the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating
      Scale, on the 9-Hole Peg Test, and on the 8-Meter Walking Time (P < 0.001). At
      the end of the sessions, all performance scores were significantly different in
      the sham trial, compared to the intervention trial. CONCLUSIONS: A single session
      of anodal cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation can transiently
      improve symptoms in patients with ataxia and might represent a promising tool for
      future rehabilitative approaches.

PMID- 26274842
TI  - Enzymes and bioproducts produced by the ascomycete fungus Paecilomyces variotii.
AB  - Due its innate ability to produce extracellular enzymes which can provide eco
      friendly solutions for a variety of biotechnological applications, Paecilomyces
      variotii is a potential source of industrial bioproducts. In this review, we
      report biotechnological records on the biochemistry of different enzymes produced
      by the fermentation of the P. variotii fungus, including tannases, phytases,
      cellulases, xylanases, chitinases, amylases and pectinases. Additionally, the
      main physicochemical properties which can affect the enzymatic reactions of the
      enzymes involved in the conversion of a huge number of substrates to high-value
      bioproducts are described. Despite all the background information compiled in
      this review, more research is required to consolidate the catalytic efficiency of
      P. variotii, which must be optimized so that it is more accurate and reproducible
      on a large scale. 

PMID- 26274841
TI  - Density-Dependent Metabolic Heterogeneity in Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells.
AB  - Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are intrinsically heterogeneous and comprise
      subpopulations that differ in their proliferation, multi-potency, and functional
      properties, which are commonly demonstrated by culturing hMSCs at different
      plating densities. The objective of this study was to investigate the metabolic
      profiles of different subpopulations of hMSC by testing the hypothesis that the
      clonogenic hMSC subpopulation, which is selectively enriched in clonal density
      (CD) and low density (LD) culture (10 and 100 cells per square centimeter,
      respectively), possesses a metabolic phenotype that differs from that of hMSC in
      medium- or high-density (MD: 1,000 and HD: 3,000 cells per square centimeter,
      respectively). Cells at CD and LD conditions exhibited elevated expression of
      CD146 and colony forming unit-fibroblast compared with cells at MD- or HD. Global
      metabolic profiles revealed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of cell
      extracts showed clear distinction between LD and HD cultures, and density
      dependent differences in coupling of glycolysis to the TCA cycle. Metabolic
      inhibitors revealed density-dependent differences in glycolysis versus oxidative
      phosphorylation (OXPHOS) for ATP generation, in glutamine metabolism, in the
      dependence on the pentose phosphate pathway for maintaining cellular redox state,
      and sensitivity to exogenous reactive oxygen species. We also show that active
      OXPHOS is not required for proliferation in LD culture but that OXPHOS activity
      increases senescence in HD culture. Together, the results revealed heterogeneity
      in hMSC culture exists at the level of primary metabolism. The unique metabolic
      characteristics of the clonogenic subpopulation suggest a novel approach for
      optimizing in vitro expansion of hMSCs.

PMID- 26274843
TI  - Metabolomics confirms that dissolved organic carbon mitigates copper toxicity.
AB  - Reductions in atmospheric emissions from the metal smelters in Sudbury, Canada,
      produced major improvements in acid and metal contamination of local lakes and
      indirectly increased dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations. Metal
      toxicity, however, has remained a persistent problem for aquatic biota.
      Integrating high-throughput, nontargeted mass spectrometry metabolomics with
      conventional toxicological measures elucidated the mediating effects of dissolved
      organic matter (DOM) on the toxicity of Cu to Daphnia pulex-pulicaria, a hybrid
      isolated from these soft water lakes. Two generations of daphniids were exposed
      to Cu (0-20 MUg/L) at increasing levels of natural DOM (0-4 mg DOC/L). Added DOM
      reduced Cu toxicity monotonically with median lethal concentration values
      increasing from 2.3 MUg/L Cu without DOM to 22.7 MUg/L Cu at 4 mg DOC/L.
      Reproductive output similarly benefited, increasing with DOM, yet falling with
      increases in Cu. Second generation reproduction was more impaired than the first
      generation. Dissolved organic matter had a greater influence than Cu on the
      metabolic status of the daphniids. Putative identification of metabolite peaks
      indicated that DOM elevation increased the metabolic energy status of the first
      generation animals, but this benefit was reduced in the second generation,
      although evidence of increased oxidative stress was detected. These results
      indicate that Sudbury's terrestrial ecosystems should be managed to increase
      aquatic DOM supply to enable daphniid colonists to both survive and foster stable
      populations.

PMID- 26274844
TI  - Walking speed, not muscle mass, is associated with urinary incontinence in
      community-dwelling old Taiwanese.

PMID- 26274845
TI  - Editorial.

PMID- 26274846
TI  - On Murray Jackson's 1961 'Chair, couch and countertransference'.
AB  - One of the problems facing psychoanalysts of all schools is that theory has
      evolved at a much faster pace than practice. Whereas there has been an explosion
      of theory, practice has remained, at least officially, static and unchanging. It
      is in this sense that Murray Jackson's 1961 paper is still relevant today.
      Despite the rise of the new relational and intersubjective paradigms, most
      psychoanalysts, and not a few Jungian analysts, still seem to feel that the couch
      is an essential component of the analytical setting and process. If the use of
      the couch is usually justified by the argument that it favours regression,
      facilitates analytical reverie and protects the patient from the influence of the
      analyst, over time many important psychoanalysts have come to challenge this
      position. Increasingly these analysts suggest that the use of the couch may
      actually be incompatible with the newer theoretical models. This contention is
      strengthened by some of the findings coming from the neurosciences and infant
      research. This underlines the necessity of empirical research to verify the
      clinical effectiveness of these different positions, couch or face-to-face, but
      it is exactly this type of research that is lacking.

PMID- 26274847
TI  - The analytic setting today: using the couch or the chair?
AB  - This paper re-visits Murray Jackson's 1961 paper in the Journal of Analytical
      Psychology, 'Chair, couch and countertransference', with the aim of exploring the
      role of the couch for Jungian analysts in clinical practice today. Within the
      Society of Analytical Psychology (SAP) and some other London-based societies,
      there has been an evolution of practice from face-to-face sessions with the
      patient in the chair, as was Jung's preference, to a mode of practice where
      patients use the couch with the analyst sitting to the side rather than behind,
      as has been the tradition in psychoanalysis. Fordham was the founding member of
      the SAP and it was because of his liaison with psychoanalysis and psychoanalysts
      that this cultural shift came about. Using clinical examples, the author explores
      the couch/chair question in terms of her own practice and the internal setting as
      a structure in her mind. With reference to Bleger's (2013) paper 'Psychoanalysis
      of the psychoanalytic setting', the author discusses how the analytic setting,
      including use of the couch or the chair, can act as a silent container for the
      most primitive aspects of the patient's psyche which will only emerge in analysis
      when the setting changes or is breached.

PMID- 26274848
TI  - Revisioning Fordham's 'Defences of the self' in light of modern relational theory
      and contemporary neuroscience.
AB  - This paper explores the evolution of Michael Fordham's ideas concerning 'defences
      of the self', including his application of this concept to a group of 'difficult'
      adult patients in his famous 1974 paper by the same name. After tracing the
      relevance of Fordham's ideas to my own discovery of a 'self-care system' in the
      psychological material of early trauma patients (Kalsched ), I describe how
      Fordham's seminal notions might be revisioned in light of contemporary relational
      theory as well as early attachment theory and affective neuroscience. These
      revisionings involve an awareness that the severe woundings of early unremembered
      trauma are not transformable through interpretation but will inevitably be
      repeated in the transference, leading to mutual 'enactments' between the analytic
      partners and, hopefully, to a new outcome. A clinical example of one such mutual
      enactment between the author and his patient is provided. The paper concludes
      with reflections on the clinical implications of this difficult case and what it
      means to become a 'real person' to our patients. Finally, Jung's alchemical views
      on transference are shown to be useful analogies in our understanding of the
      necessary mutuality in the healing process with these patients.

PMID- 26274849
TI  - Michael Fordham and the Journal of Analytical Psychology: the view from Hangman's
      Hill.
AB  - This short paper was presented to a conference in honour of the 60(th) year of
      the JAP and was one of others that acknowledged the contribution of Michael
      Fordham. The subtitle refers to the paper's overview of Fordham's published
      oeuvre and the particular place of the Journal of Analytical Psychology, for
      which he was the founding editor. Fordham's contribution to a Jungian-based model
      of development is discussed, with reference to his papers in the British Journal
      of Medical Psychology. The paper notes miscellaneous pieces from Fordham's
      commentaries, obituaries, papers and reviews which capture not only the
      development of Fordham as a thinker but also his character. There is discussion
      of his reviews of Melanie Klein's Envy and Gratitude and manuscripts by Erich
      Neumann. A reminiscence of Fordham as supervisor is recounted.

PMID- 26274850
TI  - When symptom is symbol: some comments on Rosemary Gordon's, 'Masochism: the
      shadow side of the archetypal need to venerate and worship'.
AB  - This paper is a commentary on Rosemary Gordon's paper, 'Masochism: the shadow
      side of the archetypal need to venerate and worship', with a suggestion for an
      alternative interpretation of masochism as a part of a sado-masochistic couple.
      Gordon postulates an archetypal need to venerate and worship that can be hidden
      in the shadow and distorted in such practices as sexual masochism. Her paper also
      offers several avenues of exploration for further studies in connection with the
      phenomenon of masochism, including sexual perversion ('paraphilia'), chronic
      psychological victimhood, PTSD and traumatology, religious extremist behaviour
      such as self-flagellation, transformation in the individuation process and
      numinous experience. An extension of her hypothesis to include religious problems
      of modernity is suggested.

PMID- 26274851
TI  - A revolution of the mind: some implications of George Hogenson's 'The Baldwin
      Effect: a neglected influence on C.G. Jung's evolutionary thinking' (2001).
AB  - George Hogenson's 2001 paper 'The Baldwin Effect: a neglected influence on C.G.
      Jung's evolutionary thinking' developed the radical argument that, if archetypes
      are emergent, they 'do not exist in the sense that there is no place that the
      archetypes can be said to be'. In this paper, I show how Hogenson's thinking has
      been seminal to my own: it is not just archetypes but the mind itself that has no
      'place'. The mind is a dynamic system, emergent from the cultural environment of
      symbolic meanings to which humans are evolutionarily adapted. Drawing on the work
      of philosopher John Searle, I argue that symbols constitute the realities that
      they bring forth, including the imaginal realities of the psyche. The
      implications for clinical work include a rejection of structural models of the
      psyche in favour of the emergence of symbolic realities in the context of
      psychoanalysis as a distributed system of cognition.

PMID- 26274852
TI  - On integrating Jungian and other theories.
AB  - This paper consists of reflections on some of the processes, subtleties, and
      'eros' involved in attempting to integrate Jungian and other analytic
      perspectives. Assimilation of other theoretical viewpoints has a long history in
      analytical psychology, beginning when Jung met Freud. Since its inception, the
      Journal of Analytical Psychology has provided a forum for theoretical syntheses
      and comparative psychoanalysis. Such attempts at synthesizing other theories
      represent analytical psychology itself trying to individuate.

PMID- 26274854
TI  - Gubb, K. (2014). 'Craving interpretation: a case of somatic countertransference'.
      British Journal of Psychotherapy, 30, 1, 51-67.

PMID- 26274853
TI  - Moller, M. (2014). 'The analyst's anxieties in the first interview: barriers
      against analytic presence'. International Journal of Psychoanalysis, 95, 485-503.

PMID- 26274855
TI  - Ogden, T. (2014). 'Fear of breakdown and the unlived life'. International Journal
      of Psychoanalysis, 95, 205-23.

PMID- 26274856
TI  - Ranieri, F. (2014). 'Children who dare too much: child psychotherapy and extreme
      risk seeking'. Journal of Child Psychotherapy, 40, 2, 173-86.

PMID- 26274857
TI  - Walsh, S. D. (2014). 'The bilingual therapist and transference to language:
      language use in therapy and its relationship to object relational context.'.
      Psychoanalytic Dialogues, 24, 1, 56-71.

PMID- 26274858
TI  - Durban, J. (2014). 'Despair and hope: on some varieties of countertransference
      and enactment in the psychoanalysis of ASD (autistic spectrum disorder)
      children'. Journal of Child Psychotherapy, 40, 2, 187-200.

PMID- 26274861
TI  - Erratum.

PMID- 26274862
TI  - Nitrogen-doped dual mesoporous carbon for the selective oxidation of
      ethylbenzene.
AB  - A nanocasting method to fabricate nitrogen-doped dual mesoporous carbon is
      proposed by the carbonization of nitrile functional ionic liquid (FIL) grafted
      SBA-15 for the first time. These carbon materials have high nitrogen content
      (12.8%), large specific surface areas (763 m(2) g(-1)) and uniform rod
      morphologies, which are derived from FILs grafted on the surface of SBA-15.
      Furthermore, by adjusting the impregnation amount of ionic liquids on SBA-15,
      pore structures of these carbon materials can be adjusted from single to dual
      mesopores. The developed dual mesoporous carbon materials exhibit good catalytic
      performance in the selective oxidation of ethylbenzene, ascribed to the promoting
      effects of nitrogen-doping, high surface area and dual mesostructure. It may be
      concluded that the dual mesostructure has an advantage over a single
      mesostructure to obtain a fast mass transport rate, resulting in higher
      acetophenone yield. 

PMID- 26274863
TI  - Facile synthesis of anhydrous alkaline earth metal dodecaborates MB12H12 (M = Mg,
      Ca) from M(BH4)2.
AB  - Metal dodecaborates M2/nB12H12 are among the dehydrogenation intermediates of
      metal borohydrides M(BH4)n with a high hydrogen density of approximately 10
      mass%, the latter is a potential hydrogen storage material. There is therefore a
      great need to synthesize anhydrous M2/nB12H12 in order to investigate the thermal
      decomposition of M2/nB12H12 and to understand its role in the dehydrogenation and
      rehydrogenation of M(BH4)n. In this work, anhydrous alkaline earth metal
      dodecaborates MB12H12 (M = Mg, Ca) have been successfully synthesized by
      sintering M(BH4)2 (M = Mg, Ca) and B10H14 in a stoichiometric molar ratio of 1 :
      1. Thermal decomposition of MB12H12 shows multistep pathways with the formation
      of H-deficient monomers MB12H12-x containing icosahedral B12 skeletons and is
      followed by the formation of (MByHz)n polymers. Comparison of the thermal
      decomposition of MB12H12 and M(BH4)2 suggests different behaviours of the
      anhydrous MB12H12 and those formed from the decomposition of M(BH4)n.

PMID- 26274864
TI  - Life and Liesegang: Outcrop-Scale Microbially Induced Diagenetic Structures and
      Geochemical Self-Organization Phenomena Produced by Oxidation of Reduced Iron.
AB  - The Kanab Wonderstone is sandstone (Shinarump Member, Chinle Formation) that is
      cemented and stained with iron oxide. The iron-oxide cementation and staining in
      these rocks have been considered examples of the Liesegang phenomenon, but we
      will show that they comprise a microbially induced structure. The spacing of
      bands of iron-oxide stain follow the Jablczynski spacing law (wherein the spacing
      between bands of iron-oxide stain increases as one traverses a series of bands)
      characteristic of Liesegang. Bands of iron-oxide cement exhibit more variable
      spacing and exhibit a weak but significant correlation between band thickness and
      distance between bands of cement. The pore-filling cement contains morphotypes
      that are similar in size and habit to those exhibited by microaerophilic iron
      oxidizing bacteria. Other disseminated iron-oxide mineralization occurs as
      rhombohedra interpreted to be pseudomorphs after siderite. We interpret the
      cement to be produced by microbially mediated oxidation of siderite (a typical
      early diagenetic mineral in fluvial sandstones). Iron-oxidizing bacteria
      colonized the redox interface between siderite-cemented sand and porous
      sandstone. Microbes oxidized aqueous Fe(II), generating acid that caused siderite
      dissolution. The iron-oxide cement is the microbial product of a geochemical
      drive for organization; whereas the iron-oxide stain is true Liesegang. Together,
      they comprise a distinctive microbially induced structure with high preservation
      potential.

PMID- 26274865
TI  - Extending Galactic Habitable Zone Modeling to Include the Emergence of
      Intelligent Life.
AB  - Previous studies of the galactic habitable zone have been concerned with
      identifying those regions of the Galaxy that may favor the emergence of complex
      life. A planet is deemed habitable if it meets a set of assumed criteria for
      supporting the emergence of such complex life. In this work, we extend the
      assessment of habitability to consider the potential for life to further evolve
      to the point of intelligence--termed the propensity for the emergence of
      intelligent life, phiI. We assume phiI is strongly influenced by the time
      durations available for evolutionary processes to proceed undisturbed by the
      sterilizing effects of nearby supernovae. The times between supernova events
      provide windows of opportunity for the evolution of intelligence. We developed a
      model that allows us to analyze these window times to generate a metric for phiI,
      and we examine here the spatial and temporal variation of this metric. Even under
      the assumption that long time durations are required between sterilizations to
      allow for the emergence of intelligence, our model suggests that the inner Galaxy
      provides the greatest number of opportunities for intelligence to arise. This is
      due to the substantially higher number density of habitable planets in this
      region, which outweighs the effects of a higher supernova rate in the region. Our
      model also shows that phiI is increasing with time. Intelligent life emerged at
      approximately the present time at Earth's galactocentric radius, but a similar
      level of evolutionary opportunity was available in the inner Galaxy more than 2
      Gyr ago. Our findings suggest that the inner Galaxy should logically be a prime
      target region for searches for extraterrestrial intelligence and that any
      civilizations that may have emerged there are potentially much older than our
      own.

PMID- 26274867
TI  - Sandwich-like Microenvironments to Harness Cell/Material Interactions.
AB  - Cell culture has been traditionally carried out on bi-dimensional (2D) substrates
      where cells adhere using ventral receptors to the biomaterial surface. However in
      vivo, most of the cells are completely surrounded by the extracellular matrix
      (ECM), resulting in a three-dimensional (3D) distribution of receptors. This may
      trigger differences in the outside-in signaling pathways and thus in cell
      behavior. This article shows that stimulating the dorsal receptors of cells
      already adhered to a 2D substrate by overlaying a film of a new material (a
      sandwich-like culture) triggers important changes with respect to standard 2D
      cultures. Furthermore, the simultaneous excitation of ventral and dorsal
      receptors shifts cell behavior closer to that found in 3D environments.
      Additionally, due to the nature of the system, a sandwich-like culture is a
      versatile tool that allows the study of different parameters in cell/material
      interactions, e.g., topography, stiffness and different protein coatings at both
      the ventral and dorsal sides. Finally, since sandwich-like cultures are based on
      2D substrates, several analysis procedures already developed for standard 2D
      cultures can be used normally, overcoming more complex procedures needed for 3D
      systems. 

PMID- 26274868
TI  - Predicting three types of dissociation in female survivors of intimate partner
      violence.
AB  - Previous research suggests that studying the effect of dissociation is
      particularly important in survivors of intimate partner violence because of the
      risk of revictimization. The current study investigated demographic variables,
      child and current abuse characteristics, coping style, and cognitive distortions
      as predictors of peritraumatic, trait, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
      related dissociation in a sample of female intimate partner violence survivors.
      The sample consisted of 372 women, the majority African American, with an average
      age of 34.41 years (SD = 8.09). Peritraumatic dissociation was significantly
      predicted by child physical abuse, current abuse injury, cognitive distortions
      about safety, and problem disengagement coping. Trait dissociation was
      significantly predicted by minority race, personal income, and cognitive
      distortions about safety and self-worth. PTSD-related dissociation was
      significantly predicted by cognitive distortions about self-worth, problem and
      emotion disengagement coping, and peritraumatic dissociation. In the models
      predicting both trait and PTSD-related dissociation, abuse characteristics
      significantly predicted dissociation until the entry of cognitive variables into
      the model. The analysis indicated a significant indirect effect of cognitive
      distortions on the relationship between current sexual aggression and trait
      dissociation. Results also suggested that there were indirect effects of both
      cognitive distortions and peritraumatic dissociation on the relationships between
      current psychological abuse/injury and PTSD-related dissociation. Findings point
      to the importance of cognitions in the development and maintenance of
      dissociation and suggest that treatments designed to help clients accept and
      process traumatic events may help reduce dissociation and in turn prevent future
      revictimization. 

PMID- 26274866
TI  - Neocortical Rebound Depolarization Enhances Visual Perception.
AB  - Animals are constantly exposed to the time-varying visual world. Because visual
      perception is modulated by immediately prior visual experience, visual cortical
      neurons may register recent visual history into a specific form of offline
      activity and link it to later visual input. To examine how preceding visual
      inputs interact with upcoming information at the single neuron level, we designed
      a simple stimulation protocol in which a brief, orientated flashing stimulus was
      subsequently coupled to visual stimuli with identical or different features.
      Using in vivo whole-cell patch-clamp recording and functional two-photon calcium
      imaging from the primary visual cortex (V1) of awake mice, we discovered that a
      flash of sinusoidal grating per se induces an early, transient activation as well
      as a long-delayed reactivation in V1 neurons. This late response, which started
      hundreds of milliseconds after the flash and persisted for approximately 2 s, was
      also observed in human V1 electroencephalogram. When another drifting grating
      stimulus arrived during the late response, the V1 neurons exhibited a sublinear,
      but apparently increased response, especially to the same grating orientation. In
      behavioral tests of mice and humans, the flashing stimulation enhanced the
      detection power of the identically orientated visual stimulation only when the
      second stimulation was presented during the time window of the late response.
      Therefore, V1 late responses likely provide a neural basis for admixing
      temporally separated stimuli and extracting identical features in time-varying
      visual environments. 

PMID- 26274869
TI  - Bullying among adolescents in a Brazilian urban center - "Health in Beaga" Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analyze the prevalence of bullying and its associated factors in
      Brazilian adolescents. METHODS: Data were used from a population-based household
      survey conducted by the Urban Health Observatory (OSUBH) utilizing probability
      sampling in three stages: census tracts, residences, and individuals. The survey
      included 598 adolescents (14-17 years old) who responded questions on bullying,
      sociodemographic characteristics, health-risk behaviors, educational well-being,
      family structure, physical activity, markers of nutritional habits, and
      subjective well-being (body image, personal satisfaction, and satisfaction with
      their present and future life). Univariate and multivariate analysis was done
      using robust Poisson regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of bullying was 26.2%
      (28.0% among males, 24.0% among females). The location of most bullying cases was
      at or on route to school (70.5%), followed by on the streets (28.5%), at home
      (9.8%), while practicing sports (7.3%), at parties (4.6%), at work (1.7%), and at
      other locations (1.6%). Reports of bullying were associated with life
      dissatisfaction, difficulty relating to parents, involvement in fights with peers
      and insecurity in the neighborhood. CONCLUSIONS: A high prevalence of bullying
      among participating adolescents was found, and the school serves as the main
      bullying location, although other sites such as home, parties and workplace were
      also reported. Characteristics regarding self-perception and adolescent
      perceptions of their environment were also associated with bullying, thus
      advancing the knowledge of this type of violence, especially in urban centers of
      developing countries.

PMID- 26274870
TI  - [Religiousness and health-related quality of life of older adults].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine whether religiousness mediates the relationship between
      sociodemographic factors, multimorbidity and health-related quality of life of
      older adults. METHODS: This population-based cross-sectional study is part of the
      Survey on Health, Well-Being, and Aging (SABE). The sample was composed by 911
      older adults from Sao Paulo, SP, Southeastern Brazil. Structural equation
      modeling was performed to assess the mediator effect of religiousness on the
      relationship between selected variables and health-related quality of life of
      older adults, with models for men and women. The independent variables were: age,
      education, family functioning and multimorbidity. The outcome variable was health
      related quality of life of older adults, measured by SF-12 (physical and mental
      components). The mediator variables were organizational, non-organizational and
      intrinsic religiousness. Cronbach's alpha values were: physical component = 0.85;
      mental component = 0.80; intrinsic religiousness = 0.89 and family APGAR
      (Adaptability, Partnership, Growth, Affection, and Resolve) = 0.91. RESULTS:
      Higher levels of organizational and intrinsic religiousness were associated with
      better physical and mental components. Higher education, better family
      functioning and fewer diseases contributed directly to improved performance in
      physical and mental components, regardless of religiousness. For women,
      organizational religiousness mediated the relationship between age and physical
      (beta = 2.401, p < 0.01) and mental (beta = 1.663, p < 0.01) components. For men,
      intrinsic religiousness mediated the relationship between education and mental
      component (beta = 7.158, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Organizational and intrinsic
      religiousness had a beneficial effect on the relationship between age, education
      and health-related quality of life of these older adults.

PMID- 26274871
TI  - Budget impact from the incorporation of positron emission tomography - computed
      tomography for staging lung cancers.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To estimate the budget impact from the incorporation of positron
      emission tomography (PET) in mediastinal and distant staging of non-small cell
      lung cancer. METHODS: The estimates were calculated by the epidemiological method
      for years 2014 to 2018. Nation-wide data were used about the incidence; data on
      distribution of the disease's prevalence and on the technologies' accuracy were
      from the literature; data regarding involved costs were taken from a micro
      costing study and from Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) database. Two
      strategies for using PET were analyzed: the offer to all newly-diagnosed
      patients, and the restricted offer to the ones who had negative results in
      previous computed tomography (CT) exams. Univariate and extreme scenarios
      sensitivity analyses were conducted to evaluate the influence from sources of
      uncertainties in the parameters used. RESULTS: The incorporation of PET-CT in SUS
      would imply the need for additional resources of 158.1 BRL (98.2 USD) million for
      the restricted offer and 202.7 BRL (125.9 USD) million for the inclusive offer in
      five years, with a difference of 44.6 BRL (27.7 USD) million between the two
      offer strategies within that period. In absolute terms, the total budget impact
      from its incorporation in SUS, in five years, would be 555 BRL (345 USD) and 600
      BRL (372.8 USD) million, respectively. The costs from the PET-CT procedure were
      the most influential parameter in the results. In the most optimistic scenario,
      the additional budget impact would be reduced to 86.9 BRL (54 USD) and 103.8 BRL
      (64.5 USD) million, considering PET-CT for negative CT and PET-CT for all,
      respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The incorporation of PET in the clinical staging of
      non-small cell lung cancer seems to be financially feasible considering the high
      budget of the Brazilian Ministry of Health. The potential reduction in the number
      of unnecessary surgeries may cause the available resources to be more efficiently
      allocated.

PMID- 26274872
TI  - Institutional and matrix support and its relationship with primary healthcare.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analyze whether the level of institutional and matrix support is
      associated with better certification of primary healthcare teams. METHODS: In
      this cross-sectional study, we evaluated two kinds of primary healthcare support 
      14,489 teams received institutional support and 14,306 teams received matrix
      support. Logistic regression models were applied. In the institutional support
      model, the independent variable was "level of support" (as calculated by the sum
      of supporting activities for both modalities). In the matrix support model, in
      turn, the independent variables were the supporting activities. The multivariate
      analysis has considered variables with p < 0.20. The model was adjusted by the
      Hosmer-Lemeshow test. RESULTS: The teams had institutional and matrix supporting
      activities (84.0% and 85.0%), respectively, with 55.0% of them performing between
      six and eight activities. For the institutional support, we have observed 1.96
      and 3.77 chances for teams who had medium and high levels of support to have very
      good or good certification, respectively. For the matrix support, the chances of
      their having very good or good certification were 1.79 and 3.29, respectively.
      Regarding to the association between institutional support activities and the
      certification, the very good or good certification was positively associated with
      self-assessment (OR = 1.95), permanent education (OR = 1.43), shared evaluation
      (OR = 1.40), and supervision and evaluation of indicators (OR = 1.37). In regards
      to the matrix support, the very good or good certification was positively
      associated with permanent education (OR = 1.50), interventions in the territory
      (OR = 1.30), and discussion in the work processes (OR = 1.23). CONCLUSIONS: In
      Brazil, supporting activities are being incorporated in primary healthcare, and
      there is an association between the level of support, both matrix and
      institutional, and the certification result.

PMID- 26274873
TI  - Graphene-based nanoprobes for molecular diagnostics.
AB  - In recent years, graphene has received widespread attention owing to its
      extraordinary electrical, chemical, optical, mechanical and structural
      properties. Lately, considerable interest has been focused on exploring the
      potential applications of graphene in life sciences, particularly in disease
      related molecular diagnostics. In particular, the coupling of functional
      molecules with graphene as a nanoprobe offers an excellent platform to realize
      the detection of biomarkers, such as nucleic acids, proteins and other bioactive
      molecules, with high performance. This article reviews emerging graphene-based
      nanoprobes in electrical, optical and other assay methods and their application
      in various strategies of molecular diagnostics. In particular, this review
      focuses on the construction of graphene-based nanoprobes and their special
      advantages for the detection of various bioactive molecules. Properties of
      graphene-based materials and their functionalization are also comprehensively
      discussed in view of the development of nanoprobes. Finally, future challenges
      and perspectives of graphene-based nanoprobes are discussed. 

PMID- 26274874
TI  - Neuromuscular Blockade: Using Quantitative Monitoring to Get It Just Right.

PMID- 26274875
TI  - Probing High-density Functional Protein Microarrays to Detect Protein-protein
      Interactions.
AB  - High-density functional protein microarrays containing ~4,200 recombinant yeast
      proteins are examined for kinase protein-protein interactions using an affinity
      purified yeast kinase fusion protein containing a V5-epitope tag for read-out.
      Purified kinase is obtained through culture of a yeast strain optimized for high
      copy protein production harboring a plasmid containing a Kinase-V5 fusion
      construct under a GAL inducible promoter. The yeast is grown in restrictive media
      with a neutral carbon source for 6 hr followed by induction with 2% galactose.
      Next, the culture is harvested and kinase is purified using standard affinity
      chromatographic techniques to obtain a highly purified protein kinase for use in
      the assay. The purified kinase is diluted with kinase buffer to an appropriate
      range for the assay and the protein microarrays are blocked prior to
      hybridization with the protein microarray. After the hybridization, the arrays
      are probed with monoclonal V5 antibody to identify proteins bound by the kinase
      V5 protein. Finally, the arrays are scanned using a standard microarray scanner,
      and data is extracted for downstream informatics analysis to determine a high
      confidence set of protein interactions for downstream validation in vivo.

PMID- 26274876
TI  - Isokinetic profile in female athletes with and without patellofemoral pain
      syndrome after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

PMID- 26274877
TI  - Induction and Assessment of Ischemia-reperfusion Injury in Langendorff-perfused
      Rat Hearts.
AB  - The biochemical events surrounding ischemia reperfusion injury in the acute
      setting are of great importance to furthering novel treatment options for
      myocardial infarction and cardiac complications of thoracic surgery. The ability
      of certain drugs to precondition the myocardium against ischemia reperfusion
      injury has led to multiple clinical trials, with little success. The isolated
      heart model allows acute observation of the functional effects of ischemia
      reperfusion injury in real time, including the effects of various pharmacological
      interventions administered at any time-point before or within the ischemia
      reperfusion injury window. Since brief periods of ischemia can precondition the
      heart against ischemic injury, in situ aortic cannulation is performed to allow
      for functional assessment of non-preconditioned myocardium. A saline filled
      balloon is placed into the left ventricle to allow for real-time measurement of
      pressure generation. Ischemic injury is simulated by the cessation of perfusion
      buffer flow, followed by reperfusion. The duration of both ischemia and
      reperfusion can be modulated to examine biochemical events at any given time
      point. Although the Langendorff isolated heart model does not allow for the
      consideration of systemic events affecting ischemia and reperfusion, it is an
      excellent model for the examination of acute functional and biochemical events
      within the window of ischemia reperfusion injury as well as the effect of
      pharmacological intervention on cardiac pre- and postconditioning. The goal of
      this protocol is to demonstrate how to perform in situ aortic cannulation and
      heart excision followed by ischemia/reperfusion injury in the Langendorff model. 

PMID- 26274879
TI  - Shared medical appointments: An innovative approach to patient care.
AB  - This article provides an overview of shared medical appointments, an innovative
      approach to managing patients with chronic conditions. The Diabetes Shared
      Medical Appointment of the Veterans Affairs Loma Linda Healthcare System,
      conducted by an interprofessional team and led by a nurse practitioner, is
      described. 

PMID- 26274878
TI  - Isolation and Characterization of Satellite Cells from Rat Head Branchiomeric
      Muscles.
AB  - Fibrosis and defective muscle regeneration can hamper the functional recovery of
      the soft palate muscles after cleft palate repair. This causes persistent
      problems in speech, swallowing, and sucking. In vitro culture systems that allow
      the study of satellite cells (myogenic stem cells) from head muscles are crucial
      to develop new therapies based on tissue engineering to promote muscle
      regeneration after surgery. These systems will offer new perspectives for the
      treatment of cleft palate patients. A protocol for the isolation, culture and
      differentiation of satellite cells from head muscles is presented. The isolation
      is based on enzymatic digestion and trituration to release the satellite cells.
      In addition, this protocol comprises an innovative method using extracellular
      matrix gel coatings of millimeter size, which requires only low numbers of
      satellite cells for differentiation assays. 

PMID- 26274880
TI  - Humans versus artificial intelligence.

PMID- 26274881
TI  - H.R.2. fixes more than Medicare reimbursement rates for NPs.

PMID- 26274882
TI  - Sofosbuvir (Sovaldi) for hepatitis C virus.

PMID- 26274885
TI  - Patients' knowledge of pain agreements.
AB  - This study was conducted to determine patients' knowledge of pain agreements.
      METHODS: Descriptive quantitative survey design. A 28-item questionnaire
      regarding patients' knowledge of pain agreements was distributed to pain
      management office patients. RESULTS: Participants (N = 76) scored 30%-100% (mean
      80%) on knowledge of 10 pain agreement items. CONCLUSIONS: Patients demonstrated
      moderate knowledge of terms.

PMID- 26274886
TI  - Ovarian cancer: Ensuring early diagnosis.
AB  - Ovarian cancer is the most fatal of all gynecologic malignancies. Despite the
      lack of a recommended screening test for ovarian cancer, NPs can identify risk
      factors, ensure patients are aware of subtle symptoms, and provide adequate
      testing and analysis of results. 

PMID- 26274888
TI  - Preparation of Mica and Silicon Substrates for DNA Origami Analysis and
      Experimentation.
AB  - The designed nature and controlled, one-pot synthesis of DNA origami provides
      exciting opportunities in many fields, particularly nanoelectronics. Many of
      these applications require interaction with and adhesion of DNA nanostructures to
      a substrate. Due to its atomically flat and easily cleaned nature, mica has been
      the substrate of choice for DNA origami experiments. However, the practical
      applications of mica are relatively limited compared to those of semiconductor
      substrates. For this reason, a straightforward, stable, and repeatable process
      for DNA origami adhesion on derivatized silicon oxide is presented here. To
      promote the adhesion of DNA nanostructures to silicon oxide surface, a self
      assembled monolayer of 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) is deposited from an
      aqueous solution that is compatible with many photoresists. The substrate must be
      cleaned of all organic and metal contaminants using Radio Corporation of America
      (RCA) cleaning processes and the native oxide layer must be etched to ensure a
      flat, functionalizable surface. Cleanrooms are equipped with facilities for
      silicon cleaning, however many components of DNA origami buffers and solutions
      are often not allowed in them due to contamination concerns. This manuscript
      describes the set-up and protocol for in-lab, small-scale silicon cleaning for
      researchers who do not have access to a cleanroom or would like to incorporate
      processes that could cause contamination of a cleanroom CMOS clean bench.
      Additionally, variables for regulating coverage are discussed and how to
      recognize and avoid common sample preparation problems is described. 

PMID- 26274889
TI  - Use of Chironomidae (Diptera) Surface-Floating Pupal Exuviae as a Rapid
      Bioassessment Protocol for Water Bodies.
AB  - Rapid bioassessment protocols using benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages have
      been successfully used to assess human impacts on water quality. Unfortunately,
      traditional benthic larval sampling methods, such as the dip-net, can be time
      consuming and expensive. An alternative protocol involves collection of
      Chironomidae surface-floating pupal exuviae (SFPE). Chironomidae is a species
      rich family of flies (Diptera) whose immature stages typically occur in aquatic
      habitats. Adult chironomids emerge from the water, leaving their pupal skins, or
      exuviae, floating on the water's surface. Exuviae often accumulate along banks or
      behind obstructions by action of the wind or water current, where they can be
      collected to assess chironomid diversity and richness. Chironomids can be used as
      important biological indicators, since some species are more tolerant to
      pollution than others. Therefore, the relative abundance and species composition
      of collected SFPE reflect changes in water quality. Here, methods associated with
      field collection, laboratory processing, slide mounting, and identification of
      chironomid SFPE are described in detail. Advantages of the SFPE method include
      minimal disturbance at a sampling area, efficient and economical sample
      collection and laboratory processing, ease of identification, applicability in
      nearly all aquatic environments, and a potentially more sensitive measure of
      ecosystem stress. Limitations include the inability to determine larval
      microhabitat use and inability to identify pupal exuviae to species if they have
      not been associated with adult males. 

PMID- 26274890
TI  - Cycloalkene Carbonitriles in Rhodium-Catalyzed 1,4-Addition and Formal Synthesis
      of Vabicaserin.
AB  - Cycloalkenes with exocyclic acceptor substituents still remain challenging
      substrates for enantioselective rhodium-catalyzed 1,4-addition. Cycloalkene
      carbonitriles and carboxylates have been investigated, and a highly diastereo-
      and enantioselective protocol for 1,4-addition to cyclopentene and cycloheptene
      carbonitrile has been developed. This new asymmetric transformation was
      subsequently applied in the asymmetric formal synthesis of the drug candidate
      Vabicaserin. 

PMID- 26274891
TI  - Repeated sprint ability related to recovery time in young soccer players.
AB  - This study aimed to describe the influence of recovery duration during a repeated
      sprint ability (RSA) test (6 * 40 m) by investigating a number of variables, such
      as general performance, metabolic demand, and muscular stretch-shortening
      performance. Seventeen male soccer outfield players (16 +/- 0 years, 66 +/- 10
      kg) performed three field shuttle-running tests with 15, 20, and 25-sec
      recoveries. In addition to specific shuttle test's variables, blood lactate
      concentration and vertical jump height were assessed. Resulting measures were
      highly reliable (intra-class correlation coefficient up to 0.86). 25-sec recovery
      improved test performance (-3% total time from 15-sec to 25-sec recovery),
      vertical jump height (+7% post-test height from 15-sec to 25-sec recovery), and
      decreased blood lactate accumulation (-33% post-test from 15-sec to 25-sec
      recovery). Study findings suggest that metabolic acidosis plays a role in
      worsening performance and fatigue development during the shuttle test. A 25-sec
      recovery duration maximized performance, containing metabolic-anaerobic power
      involvement and muscular stretch-shortening performance deterioration during a
      RSA test.

PMID- 26274892
TI  - Effect of rehabilitation protocols on muscle function and morphology following
      hindlimb disuse in weanling rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Primary or secondary disorders in developing skeletal muscles are
      prevalent in physical therapy practice. Assessment of gait functional changes and
      morphological aspects of hindlimb muscles of weanling rats have not been reported
      simultaneously in the literature. Rehabilitation by active (eccentric training)
      and passive (stretching) exercises after hypomobility needs to be investigated.
      METHODS: After ten days of immobilisation in a plantar flexion-shortened
      position, animals underwent eccentric training on treadmills, intermittent (a
      single series of ten exercises of 30 seconds each, with a 30-s interval) or
      continuous stretching protocols for 40 minutes, or had free cage activity for
      three days. Analysis of gait variables and muscle morphology (immunohistochemical
      staining of soleus and plantar muscles for fibronectin and types I and III
      collagen and immunofluorescence staining for dystrophin, laminin, Pax-7, and
      CD68) were performed. RESULTS: On the third day, the rehabilitated animals
      touched the ground surface with their toes, except for the group undergoing
      continuous stretching. The total amount of extracellular macrophages was higher
      in the rehabilitated animals. The number of satellite cells was not significantly
      different between groups. CONCLUSION: Three days of active training (eccentric
      exercise) showed greater effectiveness compared to the other rehabilitation
      programs. Weanling rats seem to respond differently to external stimuli such as
      disuse and remobilisation.

PMID- 26274894
TI  - Portable SERS-enabled micropipettes for microarea sampling and reliably
      quantitative detection of surface organic residues.
AB  - We report the first microsampling device for reliably quantitative, label-free
      and separation-free detection of multicomponents of surface organic residues
      (SORs) by means of a quality controllable surface-enhanced Raman scattering
      (SERS)-enabled micropipette. The micropipette is comprised of a drawn glass
      capillary with a tiny orifice (~50 MUm) at the distal tip, where the specially
      designed nanorattles (NRs) are compactly coated on the inner wall surface. SERS
      signals of 4-mercapto benzoic acid (MBA) anchored inside the internal gap of NRs
      could be used to evaluate and control the quality of micropipettes and,
      therefore, allow us to overcome the limitations of a reliably quantitative SERS
      assay using traditional substrates without an internal standard. By dropping a
      trace extraction agent on targeting SORs located on a narrow surface, the
      capillary and SERS functionalities of these micropipettes allow on-site
      microsampling via capillary action and subsequent multiplex distinction/detection
      due to their molecularly narrow Raman peaks. For example, 8 nM thiram (TMTD), 8
      nM malachite green (MG), and 1.5 MUM (400 ppb) methyl parathion (MPT) on pepper
      and cucumber peels have been simultaneously detected in a wide detection range.
      The portable SERS-enabled device could potentially be facilely incorporated with
      liquid-liquid or solid phase micro-extracting devices for a broader range of
      applications in rapid and field analysis of food/public/environment security
      related SORs. 

PMID- 26274893
TI  - Deletion of the BMP receptor BMPR1a impairs mammary tumor formation and
      metastasis.
AB  - Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMPs) are secreted cytokines/growth factors
      belonging to the Transforming Growth Factor beta (TGFbeta) family. BMP ligands
      have been shown to be overexpressed in human breast cancers. Normal and cancerous
      breast tissue display active BMP signaling as indicated by phosphorylated Smads
      1, 5 and 9. We combined mice expressing the MMTV.PyMT oncogene with mice having
      conditional knockout (cKO) of BMP receptor type 1a (BMPR1a) using whey acidic
      protein (WAP)-Cre and found this deletion resulted in delayed tumor onset and
      significantly extended survival. Immunofluorescence staining revealed that cKO
      tumors co-expressed Keratin 5 and mesenchymal cell markers such as Vimentin. This
      indicates that epithelial-to-mesenchymal (EMT)-like transitions occurred in cKO
      tumors. We performed microarray analysis on these tumors and found changes that
      support EMT-like changes. We established primary tumor cell lines and found that
      BMPR1a cKO had slower growth in vitro and in vivo upon implantation. cKO tumor
      cells had reduced migration in vitro. We analyzed human databases from TCGA and
      survival data from microarrays to confirm BMPR1a tumor promoting functions, and
      found that high BMPR1a gene expression correlates with decreased survival
      regardless of molecular breast cancer subtype. In conclusion, the data indicate
      that BMP signaling through BMPR1a functions as a tumor promoter. 

PMID- 26274895
TI  - SNARC (spatial-numerical association of response codes) meets SPARC (spatial
      pitch association of response codes): Automaticity and interdependency in
      compatibility effects.
AB  - Concepts, including the mental number line, or addressing pitch as high and low,
      suggest that the spatial-numerical and spatial-pitch association of response
      codes (SNARC and SPARC) effects are domain-specific and thus independent.
      Alternatively, there may be dependencies between these effects, because they
      share common automatic or controlled decision mechanisms. In two experiments,
      participants were presented with spoken numbers in different pitches; their
      numerical value, pitch, and response compatibility were varied systematically.
      This allowed us to study SNARC and SPARC effects in a factorial design (see also
      Fischer, Riello, Giordano, & Rusconi, 2013 ). Participants judged the stimuli on
      numerical magnitude, pitch, or parity (odd-even). In all tasks, the SNARC and
      SPARC effects had superadditive interactions. These were interpreted as both
      effects sharing a common mechanism. The task variation probes the mechanism: In
      the magnitude judgement task, numerical magnitude was explicit, whereas pitch was
      implicit; in the pitch judgement task, it was vice versa. In the parity judgement
      task, both dimensions were implicit. Regardless of whether they were implicit or
      explicit, both SNARC and SPARC effects occurred in all tasks. We concluded that
      by not requiring focal attention the common mechanism operates automatically. 

PMID- 26274896
TI  - Concise Redox Deracemization of Secondary and Tertiary Amines with a
      Tetrahydroisoquinoline Core via a Nonenzymatic Process.
AB  - A concise deracemization of racemic secondary and tertiary amines with a
      tetrahydroisoquinoline core has been successfully realized by orchestrating a
      redox process consisted of N-bromosuccinimide oxidation and iridum-catalyzed
      asymmetric hydrogenation. This compatible redox combination enables one-pot,
      single-operation deracemization to generate chiral 1-substituted 1,2,3,4
      tetrahydroisoquinolines with up to 98% ee in 93% yield, offering a simple and
      scalable synthetic technique for chiral amines directly from racemic starting
      materials. 

PMID- 26274900
TI  - Transferable Anisotropic United-Atom Force Field Based on the Mie Potential for
      Phase Equilibrium Calculations: n-Alkanes and n-Olefins.
AB  - A new transferable force field parametrization for n-alkanes and n-olefins is
      proposed in this work. A united-atom approach is taken, where hydrogen atoms are
      lumped with neighboring atoms to single interaction sites. A comprehensive study
      is conducted for alkanes, optimizing van der Waals force field parameters in 6
      dimensions. A Mie n-6 potential is considered for the van der Waals interaction,
      where for n-alkanes we simultaneously optimize the energy parameters epsilonCH3
      and epsilonCH2 as well as the size parameters sigmaCH3 and sigmaCH2 of the
      CH3(sp(3)) and CH2(sp(3)) groups. Further, the repulsive exponent n of the Mie n
      6 potential is varied. Moreover, we investigate the bond length toward the
      terminal CH3 group as a degree of freedom. According to the AUA (anisotropic
      united-atom) force field, the bond length between the terminal CH3 group and the
      neighboring interaction site should be increased by Deltal compared with the
      carbon-carbon distance in order to better account for the hydrogen atoms. The
      parameter Deltal is considered as a degree of freedom. The intramolecular force
      field parametrization is taken from existing force fields. A single objective
      function for the optimization is defined as squared relative deviations in vapor
      pressure and in liquid density of propane, n-butane, n-hexane, and n-octane. A
      similar study is also done for olefins, where the objective function includes 1
      butene, 1-hexene, 1-octene, cis-2-pentene, and trans-2-pentene. Molecular
      simulations are performed in the grand canonical ensemble with transition-matrix
      sampling where the phase equilibrium properties are obtained with the histogram
      reweighting technique. The 6-dimensional optimization of strongly correlated
      parameters is possible, because the analytic PC-SAFT equation of state is used to
      locally correlate simulation results. The procedure is iterative but leads to
      very efficient convergence. An implementation is proposed, where the converged
      result is not affected (disturbed) by the analytic equation of state. The
      resulting transferable anisotropic Mie-potential (TAMie) force field shows
      average relative deviations in vapor pressure of 1.1% and in liquid density of
      0.9% for alkanes, and 2% and 1.5% for olefins, respectively, in a wide range of
      (reduced) temperature, Tr = 0.55-0.97. For substances that were not members of
      the objective function, the TAMie force field enables predictions of phase
      equilibrium properties with good accuracy. 

PMID- 26274897
TI  - What role does transactional sex play in the HIV/STI and reproductive health risk
      behaviour among high-tier entertainment centre workers in China?
AB  - China's rapid economic growth over the last three decades has led to increased
      population wealth and the proliferation of entertainment centres where people can
      conduct business, relax and meet new people. Little is known about the sexual
      risk behaviours of employees at high-tier entertainment centres. This paper
      addresses this gap in knowledge by comparing HIV risk perception and sexual and
      reproductive health behaviours among female and male employees at three high-tier
      entertainment centres in two cities in China, comparing those who report a
      history of transactional sex to those who do not. In both cities, participants
      who reported a history of transactional sex were more likely than those without a
      history of transactional sex to report multiple sexual partnerships, more
      lifetime sexual partners, a history of sexually transmitted infections (STIs),
      having anal sex and/or recent abortions, and were more likely to perceive
      themselves to be at risk for STIs/HIV. However, risk behaviour was also high
      among those with no history of transactional sex. These findings highlight the
      need for targeted sexual and reproductive health initiatives for employees in
      these work settings. 

PMID- 26274901
TI  - Asymmetric Dental Development Investigated by Cone-Beam Computed Tomography in
      Patients With Unilateral Cleft Lip and Alveolus.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate a possible delay in dental development of cleft-side
      teeth compared with the contralateral teeth in patients with unilateral cleft lip
      and alveolus with or without cleft palate (UCLA +/- CP) and to correlate this
      delay to developmental stages of the corresponding teeth. DESIGN: Cross-sectional
      study. SETTING: Cleft Lip and Palate Care Center of Shanghai Ninth People's
      Hospital, Shanghai, China. PATIENTS: Forty Chinese patients with UCLA +/- CP.
      MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Crown height (CH), root length (RL), and full length (FL)
      of permanent incisors, canines, premolars, and first molars were measured using
      cone-beam computed tomography and compared between cleft and noncleft sides.
      Discrepancies in tooth length between sides during different developmental stages
      of delayed teeth were also compared. RESULTS: There were no statistically
      significant differences in tooth length between sides in the mandible, except for
      RL of lateral incisors and RL and FL of the second premolars. In the maxilla, CH,
      RL and FL of cleft-side incisors, as well as RL and FL of cleft-side canines and
      first premolars, were all significantly shorter than those on the noncleft side
      (P < .05). The lateral incisors showed the highest reductions in RL and FL (47%
      and 29%). Moreover, reduction of RL of cleft-side maxillary central incisors was
      most evident in the early developmental stage (23%) and decreased with dental
      maturation (5%). CONCLUSIONS: Asymmetric dental development was presented in both
      jaws but mainly in maxillary anterior region. The RL deficiency of cleft-side
      central incisors differed at different developmental stages.

PMID- 26274902
TI  - Cognitive neuroscience of synesthesia: Introduction to the special issue.
AB  - This Special Issue of Cognitive Neuroscience showcases the latest theories and
      findings in research on synesthesia. The various contributions are discussed in
      relation to three broad themes: Models and neural mechanisms; new types of
      synesthesia; and cognitive profile and demographic characteristics. 

PMID- 26274903
TI  - Grading keratinocyte atypia in actinic keratosis: a correlation of reflectance
      confocal microscopy and histopathology.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Actinic Keratosis (AK) is the clinical manifestation of cutaneous
      dysplasia of epidermal keratinocytes, with progressive trend towards squamous
      cell carcinoma. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the strength of the correlation between
      keratinocyte atypia, as detected by Reflectance Confocal Microscopy (RCM) and
      histopathology, and to develop a more objective atypia grading scale for RCM
      quantification, through a discrete ranking. METHODS: A total of 48 AKs and two
      control areas (photodamaged and non-photodamaged skin) were selected for this
      study. All these areas were documented by RCM and biopsied for histopathology.
      One representative image of the epidermis was selected for RCM and for
      histopathology and used for side-by-side comparison with purpose written
      software. The assessor chose which of two images displayed more keratinocyte
      atypia, and an ordered list from the image showing the least to the most
      keratinocyte atypia was generated. Three evaluations were obtained for RCM and
      two for histopathology. RESULTS: Good interobserver correlation was obtained for
      RCM and histopathology grading, with high concordance between RCM and
      histopathology grading. CONCLUSIONS: Expert rater scan consistently distinguish
      different grades of cytological atypia. Non-invasive RCM data from in vivo
      imaging can be graded for keratinocyte atypia, comparable to histopathological
      grading.

PMID- 26274904
TI  - Comparison of a predictive algorithm with receptionist triage for priority public
      dental care.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical validity and accuracy of an empirically
      derived triage model when compared with traditional priority assessment by
      receptionists. BACKGROUND: The use of predictive models to support evidence-based
      delivery of health care is increasing. Predictive models assist in predicting
      priority of need or treatment planning for patients and facilitate transparent
      and consistent decision-making. A predictive model for determining priority of
      need for dental care was evaluated against a reference standard dentist
      assessment and traditional receptionist assessment. METHODS: We sampled 310
      patients seeking dental care. Participants were selected from people requesting
      care at two community dental clinics and who agreed to answer eight questions.
      Receptionists recorded their judgements of participant priority into three
      categories: care needed <48 h, 2-7 days or 8+ days. The 'reference standard'
      priority was determined by dental officers using the same categories. Model
      coefficients generated a predicted probability of requiring care. Sensitivity
      (Se), specificity (Sp), and predictive (PPV and NPV) and area under the curve
      (AUC) values were computed for two thresholds, <48 h versus 2+ days and <2-7 days
      versus 8+ days. RESULTS: At <48-h threshold, the model PPV was higher and NPV
      lower than receptionists in predicting patients not needing care. At the 2- to 7
      day threshold, the model also performed better than receptionists in predicting
      those needing care for 2-7 days. AUC statistics show the model performed better
      than the traditional receptionist method. CONCLUSIONS: The predictive model
      outperformed traditional receptionist screening in predicting priority of care.

PMID- 26274905
TI  - Ribavirin Contributes to Hepatitis C Virus Suppression by Augmenting pDC
      Activation and Type 1 IFN Production.
AB  - Ribavirin is used as a component of combination therapies for the treatment of
      chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection together with pegylated interferon
      and/or direct-acting antiviral drugs. Its mechanism of action, however, is not
      clear. Direct antiviral activity and immunomodulatory functions have been
      implicated. Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) are the principal source of type
      1 interferon during viral infection. The interaction of pDCs with HCV-infected
      hepatocytes is the subject of intense recent investigation, but the effect of
      ribavirin on pDC activation has not been evaluated. In this study we showed that
      ribavirin augments toll-like receptors 7 and 9-mediated IFNalpha/beta expression
      from pDCs and up-regulated numerous interferon-stimulated genes. Using the H77S.3
      HCV infection and replication system, we showed that ribavirin enhanced the
      ability of activated pDCs to inhibit HCV replication, correlated with elevated
      induction of IFNalpha. Our findings provide novel evidence that ribavirin
      contributes to HCV inhibition by augmenting pDCs-derived type 1 IFN production. 

PMID- 26274906
TI  - Free Fatty Acid Effects on the Atrial Myocardium: Membrane Ionic Currents Are
      Remodeled by the Disruption of T-Tubular Architecture.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Epicardial adiposity and plasma levels of free fatty acids (FFAs) are
      elevated in atrial fibrillation, heart failure and obesity, with potentially
      detrimental effects on myocardial function. As major components of epicardial
      fat, FFAs may be abnormally regulated, with a potential to detrimentally modulate
      electro-mechanical function. The cellular mechanisms underlying such effects of
      FFAs are unknown. OBJECTIVE: To determine the mechanisms underlying
      electrophysiological effects of palmitic (PA), stearic (SA) and oleic (OA) FFAs
      on sheep atrial myocytes. METHODS: We used electrophysiological techniques,
      numerical simulations, biochemistry and optical imaging to examine the effects of
      acutely (<= 15 min), short-term (4-6 hour) or 24-hour application of individual
      FFAs (10 MUM) on isolated ovine left atrial myocytes (LAMs). RESULTS: Acute and
      short-term incubation in FFAs resulted in no differences in passive or active
      properties of isolated left atrial myocytes (LAMs). 24-hour application had
      differential effects depending on the FFA. PA did not affect cellular passive
      properties but shortened (p<0.05) action potential duration at 30% repolarization
      (APD30). APD50 and APD80 were unchanged. SA had no effect on resting membrane
      potential but reduced membrane capacitance by 15% (p<0.05), and abbreviated APD
      at all values measured (p<=0.001). OA did not significantly affect passive or
      active properties of LAMs. Measurement of the major voltage-gated ion channels in
      SA treated LAMs showed a ~60% reduction (p<0.01) of the L-type calcium current
      (ICa-L) and ~30% reduction (p<0.05) in the transient outward potassium current
      (ITO). A human atrial cell model recapitulated SA effects on APD. Optical imaging
      showed that SA incubated for 24 hours altered t-tubular structure in isolated
      cells (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: SA disrupts t-tubular architecture and remodels
      properties of membrane ionic currents in sheep atrial myocytes, with potential
      implications in arrhythmogenesis.

PMID- 26274907
TI  - The Imidazoquinoline Toll-Like Receptor-7/8 Agonist Hybrid-2 Potently Induces
      Cytokine Production by Human Newborn and Adult Leukocytes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Newborns and young infants are at higher risk for infections than
      adults, and manifest suboptimal vaccine responses, motivating a search for novel
      immunomodulators and/or vaccine adjuvants effective in early life. In contrast to
      most TLR agonists (TLRA), TLR8 agonists such as imidazoquinolines (IMQs) induce
      adult-level Th1-polarizing cytokine production from human neonatal cord blood
      monocytes and are candidate early life adjuvants. We assessed whether TLR8
      activating IMQ congeners may differ in potency and efficacy in inducing neonatal
      cytokine production in vitro, comparing the novel TLR7/8-activating IMQ analogues
      Hybrid-2, Meta-amine, and Para-amine to the benchmark IMQ resiquimod (R848).
      METHODS: TLRA-induced NF-kappaB activation was measured in TLR-transfected HEK
      cells. Cytokine production in human newborn cord and adult peripheral blood and
      in monocyte-derived dendritic cell cultures were measured by ELISA and multiplex
      assays. X-ray crystallography characterized the interaction of human TLR8 with
      Hybrid-2. RESULTS: Hybrid-2 selectively activated both TLR7 and 8 and was more
      potent than R848 in inducing adult-like levels of TNF-alpha, and IL-1beta.
      Consistent with its relatively high in vitro activity, crystallographic studies
      suggest that absence in Hybrid-2 of an ether oxygen of the C2-ethoxymethyl
      substituent, which can engage in unfavorable electrostatic and/or dipolar
      interactions with the carbonyl oxygen of Gly572 in human TLR8, may confer greater
      efficacy and potency compared to R848. CONCLUSIONS: Hybrid-2 is a selective and
      potent TLR7/8 agonist that is a candidate adjuvant for early life immunization.

PMID- 26274908
TI  - The mediating role of individual resilience resources in stigma-health
      relationship among people living with HIV in Guangxi, China.
AB  - Despite the vigorous global efforts to reduce stigma, HIV-related stigma
      continues to undermine the health status of people living with HIV (PLHIV).
      Internalized HIV stigma may cause stress adversely affecting the health of PLHIV.
      Resilience is the process of an effective coping and positive adaption in the
      face of adversities. To date, limited data are available on the mediating role of
      resilience in the relationship of internalized HIV stigma and health status among
      PLHIV in China. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 2987 PLHIV in
      Guangxi Autonomous Region (Guangxi) in China. A mediation analysis was employed
      and Sobel test was used to test the mediation effect of individual resilience. Of
      the 2987 PLHIV, 62.8% were men. The mean age of the sample was 42.5 years (SD =
      12.8). Over 57.7% of PLHIV reported their overall health status being poor. About
      72% of PLHIV reported experiencing internalized HIV stigma. Internalized HIV
      stigma had a negative direct effect on self-rated health status (p < .001).
      Individual resilience resources mediated the relationship between internalized
      HIV stigma and self-rated health status (p < .001). Sobel test confirmed the
      mediation effect of resilience (z = -8.359, SE = 0.003, p < .001). Resilience as
      a protective factor might buffer the effect of internalized HIV stigma on health
      status. Multilevel interventions are needed to foster resilience of PLHIV in
      order to mitigate the negative impact of HIV stigma and to improve the overall
      health status of PLHIV. 

PMID- 26274909
TI  - N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC)-Directed Detoxification of Methacryloxylethyl Cetyl
      Ammonium Chloride (DMAE-CB).
AB  - Methacryloxylethyl cetyl ammonium chloride (DMAE-CB) is a polymerizable
      antibacterial monomer and has been proved as an effective strategy to achieve
      bioactive bonding with reliable bacterial inhibitory effects. However, the
      toxicity of DMAE-CB may hamper its wide application in clinical situations. Thus,
      this study was designed to investigate the toxicity of DMAE-CB and explore the
      possible protective effects of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC). High performance liquid
      chromatography (HPLC) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)
      analysis showed that chemical binding of NAC and DMAE-CB occurred in a time
      dependent manner. Pre-incubation of fourty-eight hours is required for adequate
      reaction between DMAE-CB and NAC. DMAE-CB reduced human dental pulp cells (hDPCs)
      viability in a dose-dependent manner. The toxic effects of DMAE-CB were
      accompanied by increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and reduced
      glutathione (GSH) content. NAC alleviated DMAE-CB-induced oxidative stress.
      Annexin V/ Propidium Iodide (PI) staining and Hoechst 33342 staining indicated
      that DMAE-CB induced apoptosis. Collapsed mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP)
      and activation of caspase-3 were also observed after DMAE-CB treatment. NAC
      rescued hDPCs from DMAE-CB-induced apoptosis, accompanied by lower level of MMP
      loss and caspase-3 activity. This study assists to elucidate the mechanism
      underlying the cytotoxic effects of DMAE-CB and provides theoretical supports for
      the searching of effective strategies to reduce toxicity of quaternary ammonium
      dental monomers. 

PMID- 26274910
TI  - The Impact of Technology-Based Interventions on Informal Caregivers of Stroke
      Survivors: A Systematic Review.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This article is a systematic review of the impact of technology-based
      intervention on outcomes related to care providers for those who survived a
      stroke. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Literature was identified in the PubMed, PsycINFO,
      Scopus, and Cochrane databases for evidence on technology-based interventions for
      stroke survivors' caregivers. The search was restricted for all English-language
      articles from 1970 to February 2015 that implied technology-based interventions.
      This review included studies that measured the impact of these types of
      approaches on one or more of the following: depression and any of the following
      problem-solving ability, burden, health status, social support, preparedness, and
      healthcare utilization by care recipient-as secondary outcomes. Telephone or face
      to-face counseling sessions were not of interest for this review. The search
      strategy yielded five studies that met inclusion criteria: two randomized
      clinical trials and three pilot/preliminary studies, with diverse approaches and
      designs. RESULTS: Four studies have assessed the primary outcome, two of which
      reported significant decreases in caregivers' depressive symptoms. Two studies
      had measured each of the following outcomes-burden, problem-solving ability,
      health status, and social support-and they revealed no significant differences
      following the intervention. Only one study assessed caregivers' preparedness and
      showed improved posttest scores. Healthcare services use by the care recipient
      was assessed by one study, and the results indicated significant reduction in
      emergency department visits and hospital re-admissions. CONCLUSIONS: Despite
      various study designs and small sample sizes, available data suggest that an
      intervention that incorporates a theoretical-based model and is designed to
      target caregivers as early as possible is a promising strategy. Furthermore,
      there is a need to incorporate a cost-benefit analysis in future studies.

PMID- 26274911
TI  - A fragmentation study on four C19-diterpenoid alkaloids by electrospray
      ionization ion-trap time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry.
AB  - High-resolution electrospray ionization ion-trap time-of-flight tandem mass
      spectrometry (HR-ESI-IT-TOF-MS(n)) in positive-ion mode was used to determine the
      accurate masses and fragmentation pathways of four C(19)-diterpenoid alkaloids,
      aconitine (1), yunnaconitine (2), crassicauline A (3), and benzoylmesaconine (4).
      The [M+H](+) ions of compounds 1-4 were readily observed in conventional single
      stage mass spectrometry. Based on the MS(1-6) analyses, detailed fragmentation
      rules of the four compounds were proposed. The neutral losses of AcOH, MeOH,
      H(2)O, CO, C(2)H(4), PhCOOH and p-OMePhCOOH segments were the characteristic
      eliminations from the precursor ions due to the presence of acetyl, methoxyl,
      hydroxyl, N-ethyl, benzoyl and p-methoxyl-benzoyl units in the structures.
      Benefited from the high resolution of the mass analyzer, the loss of 28 Da
      corresponding to CO or CH(4) segment in product ions was unambiguously
      distinguished. The losing sequence of the main substituent groups was summarized
      as: C(8)-acetyl>C(16)-methotyl>C(15)-hydroxyl>C(6)-methoxyl>C(1)-methoxyl/C(3)
      hydroxyl>C(18)-methoxyl>>C(13)-hydroxyl. The sequential loss of (16)-methoxyl
      moiety and CO (generating from enol-ketone tautomerism) groups could be
      recognized as the characteristic eliminations for the compounds with C(16)
      methoxyl and C(15)-hydroxyl groups simultaneously. The application of HR-ESI-IT
      TOF-MS(n) technique to investigate the fragmentation of C(19)-diterpenoid
      alkaloids provided useful information to understand their fragmentation
      behaviors.

PMID- 26274913
TI  - Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study of Skin Lipids: Effects of the Molar Ratio of
      Individual Components over a Wide Temperature Range.
AB  - Atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were employed to systematically
      investigate the effects of the molar ratio of the individual components
      cholesterol (CHOL), free fatty acid (FFA), and ceramides (CER) on the properties
      of the skin lipid bilayer over a wide temperature range (300-400 K). Several
      independent simulations were performed for bilayers comprised of only CER, CHOL,
      or FFA molecules as well as those made up of a mixture of CER:CHOL:FFA molecules
      in different molar ratios. It was found that CHOL increases the stability of the
      bilayer, since the mixed (CER:CHOL:FFA) 1:1:0, 1:1:1, and 2:2:1 bilayers remained
      stable until 400 K while the pure ceramide bilayer disintegrated around ~390 K.
      It was also observed that CHOL reduces the volume spanned by ceramide molecules,
      thereby leading to a higher area per CER and FFA molecule in the mixed bilayer
      system. The CHOL molecule provided more rigidity to the mixed bilayer and led to
      a more ordered phase at elevated temperatures. The CHOL molecule provided
      fluidity to the bilayer below the phase transition temperature of CER and kept
      the bilayer rigid above the phase transition temperature. The FFA interdigitizes
      with CER molecules and increases the thickness of the bilayer, while rigid CHOL
      decreases the bilayer thickness. The presence of CHOL increases the
      compressibility of the bilayer which is responsible for the high barrier function
      of skin. The CER molecule forms inter- and intramolecular hydrogen bonds, while
      CHOL only forms intermolecular hydrogen bonds. 

PMID- 26274914
TI  - Adaptive Phase-Field Modeling of Anisotropic Wetting with Line Tension at the
      Triple Junction.
AB  - Line tension could affect the contact angle at triple junction, especially in
      micro- to nanoscale wetting. We have developed an adaptive phase-field model to
      consider the line tension quantitatively. This model is coupled to the smoothed
      boundary method for treating the contact line with the solid phase, while the
      volume constraint is imposed. Our calculated contact angles are in good agreement
      with the modified Young's equation. Further examples are illustrated for the
      anisotropic wetting on hydrophilic/hydrophobic stripes and rectangular grooves. 

PMID- 26274912
TI  - Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Different Antiplatelet Agents for Prevention
      of Major Cardiovascular Events and Leg Amputations in Patients with Peripheral
      Arterial Disease: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.
AB  - There is a lack of consensus regarding which type of antiplatelet agent should be
      used in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and little is known on
      the advantages and disadvantages of dual antiplatelet therapy. We conducted a
      systematic review and network meta-analysis of available randomized controlled
      trials (RCT) comparing different antiplatelet drugs (Aspirin, Ticlopidine,
      Clopidogrel, Ticagrelor, Cilostazol, Picotamide and Vorapaxar as monotherapies or
      in combination with aspirin) in PAD patients (PROSPERO public database;
      CRD42014010299).We collated evidence from previous relevant meta-analyses and
      searched online databases. Primary efficacy endpoints were: (1) the composite
      rate of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE; including vascular deaths, non
      fatal myocardial infarction and non-fatal stroke), and (2) the rate of major leg
      amputations. The primary safety endpoint was the rate of severe bleeding events.
      Bayesian models were employed for multiple treatment comparisons and risk
      stratified hierarchies of comparative efficacy were produced to aid medical
      decision making. Number-Needed-to-Treat (NNT) and Number-Needed-to-Harm (NNH) are
      reported in case of significant results. We analyzed 49 RCTs comprising 34,518
      patients with 88,358 person-years of follow-up with placebo as reference
      treatment. Aspirin, Cilostazol, Vorapaxar and Picotamide were ineffective in
      reducing MACE. A significant MACE reduction was noted with Ticagrelor plus
      aspirin (RR: 0.67; 95%CrI: 0.46-0.96, NNT = 66), Clopidogrel (RR: 0.72; 95%CrI:
      0.58-0.91, NNT = 80), Ticlopidine (RR: 0.75; 95%CrI: 0.58-0.96, NNT = 87), and
      Clopidogrel plus aspirin (RR: 0.78; 95%CrI: 0.61-0.99, NNT = 98). Dual
      antiplatelet therapy with Clopidogrel plus aspirin significantly reduced major
      amputations following leg revascularization (RR: 0.68; 95%CrI: 0.46-0.99 compared
      to aspirin, NNT = 94). The risk of severe bleeding was significantly higher with
      Ticlopidine (RR: 5.03; 95%CrI: 1.23-39.6, NNH = 25), Vorapaxar (RR: 1.80; 95%CrI:
      1.22-2.69, NNH = 130), and Clopidogrel plus aspirin (RR: 1.48; 95%CrI: 1.05-2.10,
      NNH = 215). Clopidogrel monotherapy showed the most favourable benefit-harm
      profile (79% cumulative rank probability best and 77% cumulative rank probability
      safest). In conclusion, Clopidogrel should be the indicated antiplatelet agent in
      PAD patients. Dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and Clopidogrel can reduce
      the rate of major leg amputations following revascularization, but carries a
      slightly higher risk of severe bleeding. 

PMID- 26274915
TI  - Production of Hydroxyl Radical via the Activation of Hydrogen Peroxide by
      Hydroxylamine.
AB  - The production of the hydroxyl radical (HO.) is important in environmental
      chemistry. This study reports a new source of HO. generated solely from hydrogen
      peroxide (H2O2) activated by hydroxylamine (HA). Electron paramagnetic resonance
      analysis and the oxidation of a HO. probe, benzoic acid, were used to confirm the
      production of HO.. The production of HO. increased with increasing concentrations
      of either HA or H2O2 as well as decreasing pH. The second-order rate constant for
      the reaction was (2.2 +/- 0.2) * 10(-4) M(-1) s(-1). HO. was probably produced in
      two steps: the activation of H2O2 by protonated HA and then reaction between the
      H2O2 and the intermediate protonated aminoxyl radical generated in the first
      step. Such a two-step oxidation can possibly be ascribed to the ionizable
      hydroxyl moiety in the molecular structure of HA, as is suggested by comparing
      the reactivity of a series of HA derivatives in HO. production. The results shed
      light on a previously unknown source of HO. formation, which broadens the
      understanding of its role in environmental processes. 

PMID- 26274917
TI  - Diagnosis of iron-deficient states.
AB  - The diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia is typically straightforward, especially
      when classic biochemical and hematological changes are present in a subject at
      risk. It can be challenging in the presence of diseases or when it is due to
      inherited defects of iron metabolism. The identification of iron deficiency prior
      to anemia development is also difficult. New hematological parameters such as
      reticulocyte Hb content have expanded the classic ones such as MCV, MCH and MCHC.
      A variety of hematology analyzers now provide novel parameters to assess cellular
      hypochromia and microcytosis in both reticulocytes and mature red blood cells.
      The repertoire of biochemical markers has also been expanded, with iron,
      transferrin and ferritin being supplemented by circulating transferrin receptor
      and hepcidin. Molecular identification of functional variants of key iron
      metabolism determinants has provided explanations for the heritability of some
      iron metabolism biomarkers. Genetic defects in some of these molecules are
      responsible for hereditary microcytic anemias, also called atypical microcytic
      anemias. In this review, we examine the most significant hematological and
      biochemical markers for iron metabolism, as well as relevant genetic
      polymorphisms and defects affecting iron handling.

PMID- 26274916
TI  - Risk Factors for Death from Visceral Leishmaniasis in an Urban Area of Brazil.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Over the last three decades, the epidemiological profile of visceral
      leishmaniasis (VL) has changed with epidemics occurring in large urban centers of
      Brazil, an increase in HIV/AIDS co-infection, and a significant increase in
      mortality. The objective of this study was to identify the risk factors
      associated with death among adult patients with VL from an urban endemic area of
      Brazil. METHODOLOGY: A prospective cohort study included 134 adult patients with
      VL admitted to the University Hospital of the Federal University of Mato Grosso
      do Sul between August 2011 and August 2013. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Patients ranged
      from 18 to 93 years old, with a mean age of 43.6 (+/-15.7%). Of these patients,
      36.6% were co-infected with HIV/AIDS, and the mortality rate was 21.6%. In a
      multivariate analysis, the risk factors associated with death were secondary
      bacterial infection (42.86, 5.05-363.85), relapse (12.17, 2.06-71.99), edema
      (7.74, 1.33-45.05) and HIV/AIDS co-infection (7.33, 1.22-43.98).
      CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: VL has a high mortality rate in adults from endemic
      urban areas, especially when coinciding with high rates of HIV/AIDS co-infection.

PMID- 26274918
TI  - Recovery of Drug Delivery Nanoparticles from Human Plasma Using an Electrokinetic
      Platform Technology.
AB  - The effect of complex biological fluids on the surface and structure of
      nanoparticles is a rapidly expanding field of study. One of the challenges
      holding back this research is the difficulty of recovering therapeutic
      nanoparticles from biological samples due to their small size, low density, and
      stealth surface coatings. Here, the first demonstration of the recovery and
      analysis of drug delivery nanoparticles from undiluted human plasma samples
      through the use of a new electrokinetic platform technology is presented. The
      particles are recovered from plasma through a dielectrophoresis separation force
      that is created by innate differences in the dielectric properties between the
      unaltered nanoparticles and the surrounding plasma. It is shown that this can be
      applied to a wide range of drug delivery nanoparticles of different morphologies
      and materials, including low-density nanoliposomes. These recovered particles can
      then be analyzed using different methods including scanning electron microscopy
      to monitor surface and structural changes that result from plasma exposure. This
      new recovery technique can be broadly applied to the recovery of nanoparticles
      from high conductance fluids in a wide range of applications. 

PMID- 26274919
TI  - Strong Selective Sweeps on the X Chromosome in the Human-Chimpanzee Ancestor
      Explain Its Low Divergence.
AB  - The human and chimpanzee X chromosomes are less divergent than expected based on
      autosomal divergence. We study incomplete lineage sorting patterns between
      humans, chimpanzees and gorillas to show that this low divergence can be entirely
      explained by megabase-sized regions comprising one-third of the X chromosome,
      where polymorphism in the human-chimpanzee ancestral species was severely
      reduced. We show that background selection can explain at most 10% of this
      reduction of diversity in the ancestor. Instead, we show that several strong
      selective sweeps in the ancestral species can explain it. We also report evidence
      of population specific sweeps in extant humans that overlap the regions of low
      diversity in the ancestral species. These regions further correspond to
      chromosomal sections shown to be devoid of Neanderthal introgression into modern
      humans. This suggests that the same X-linked regions that undergo selective
      sweeps are among the first to form reproductive barriers between diverging
      species. We hypothesize that meiotic drive is the underlying mechanism causing
      these two observations. 

PMID- 26274921
TI  - Correction: Estimated Dietary Intake of Radionuclides and Health Risks for the
      Citizens of Fukushima City, Tokyo, and Osaka after the 2011 Nuclear Accident.

PMID- 26274920
TI  - Reliability of Serum Metabolites over a Two-Year Period: A Targeted Metabolomic
      Approach in Fasting and Non-Fasting Samples from EPIC.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Although metabolic profiles have been associated with chronic disease
      risk, lack of temporal stability of metabolite levels could limit their use in
      epidemiological investigations. The present study aims to evaluate the
      reliability over a two-year period of 158 metabolites and compare reliability
      over time in fasting and non-fasting serum samples. METHODS: Metabolites were
      measured with the AbsolueIDQp180 kit (Biocrates, Innsbruck, Austria) by mass
      spectrometry and included acylcarnitines, amino acids, biogenic amines, hexoses,
      phosphatidylcholines and sphingomyelins. Measurements were performed on repeat
      serum samples collected two years apart in 27 fasting men from Turin, Italy, and
      39 non-fasting women from Utrecht, The Netherlands, all participating in the
      European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study.
      Reproducibility was assessed by estimating intraclass correlation coefficients
      (ICCs) in multivariable mixed models. RESULTS: In fasting samples, a median ICC
      of 0.70 was observed. ICC values were <0.50 for 48% of amino acids, 27% of
      acylcarnitines, 18% of lysophosphatidylcholines and 4% of phosphatidylcholines.
      In non-fasting samples, the median ICC was 0.54. ICC values were <0.50 for 71% of
      acylcarnitines, 48% of amino acids, 44% of biogenic amines, 36% of
      sphingomyelins, 34% of phosphatidylcholines and 33% of lysophosphatidylcholines.
      Overall, reproducibility was lower in non-fasting as compared to fasting samples,
      with a statistically significant difference for 19-36% of acylcarnitines,
      phosphatidylcholines and sphingomyelins. CONCLUSION: A single measurement per
      individual may be sufficient for the study of 73% and 52% of the metabolites
      showing ICCs >0.50 in fasting and non-fasting samples, respectively. ICCs were
      higher in fasting samples that are preferable to non-fasting.

PMID- 26274922
TI  - Real-Time PCR Assays for the Quantification of HCV RNA: Concordance,
      Discrepancies and Implications for Response Guided Therapy.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Monitoring of chronic Hepatitis C (CHC) treatment relies on
      HCV RNA quantification by means of real-time PCR methods. Assay specific
      analytical sensitivities may impact therapy management. METHODS: Comparative
      analysis between three commercial assays (Roche COBAS AmpliPrep/COBAS TaqMan
      Version 1 (CAP/CTM Ver. 1), Version 2 (CAP/CTM Ver. 2) and the Abbott RealTime
      HCV (ART) assay) was performed on 247 available samples taken at key decision
      time points during antiviral therapy of 105 genotype 1 patients (triple therapy:
      n = 70; dual therapy: n = 35). RESULTS: Overall concordance of HCV RNA
      measurements was high between the two Roche systems (89%; n = 220/247) but lower
      between the Roche assays and the ART (CAP/CTM Ver. 1 vs ART: 77.3%; n = 191/247
      and CAP/CTM v.2 vs ART: 80.1%; n = 198/247). Most discrepancies were noted in
      week 4/8 samples with residual viremia (<LLOQ) detected by ART (<LLOQ: n = 45,
      44.1%) but undetectable HCV RNA by CAP/CTM Ver. 1 (<LLOQ: n = 18, 17.6%) or
      CAP/CTM Ver. 2 (<LLOQ: n = 26, 25.5%). Based on results by CAP/CTM Ver. 1, 13
      eligible patients underwent an abbreviated course of therapy (24 weeks). Only 1
      patient experienced virologic breakthrough. If tested by ART, only 6/13 patients
      (46.2%) would have been eligible for shortened treatment. Consequently, RGT
      guidelines were adapted and shortening of therapy was allowed if residual viremia
      was detected by ART at week 4/8. CONCLUSION: An abbreviated course of treatment
      can safely be applied in patients with residual viremia (<LLOQ) detected by ART
      in samples collected at week 4/8 of treatment.

PMID- 26274924
TI  - Formal Comment to Pettengill: The Time to Most Recent Common Ancestor Does Not
      (Usually) Approximate the Date of Divergence.
AB  - In 2013 Zhou et al. concluded that Salmonella enterica serovar Agona represents a
      genetically monomorphic lineage of recent ancestry, whose most recent common
      ancestor existed in 1932, or earlier. The Abstract stated 'Agona consists of
      three lineages with minimal mutational diversity: only 846 single nucleotide
      polymorphisms (SNPs) have accumulated in the non-repetitive, core genome since
      Agona evolved in 1932 and subsequently underwent a major population expansion in
      the 1960s.' These conclusions have now been criticized by Pettengill, who claims
      that the evolutionary models used to date Agona may not have been appropriate,
      the dating estimates were inaccurate, and the age of emergence of Agona should
      have been qualified by an upper limit reflecting the date of its divergence from
      an outgroup, serovar Soerenga. We dispute these claims. Firstly, Pettengill's
      analysis of Agona is not justifiable on technical grounds. Secondly, an upper
      limit for divergence from an outgroup would only be meaningful if the outgroup
      were closely related to Agona, but close relatives of Agona are yet to be
      identified. Thirdly, it is not possible to reliably date the time of divergence
      between Agona and Soerenga. We conclude that Pettengill's criticism is comparable
      to a tempest in a teapot. 

PMID- 26274923
TI  - The Accumulation of VEGFA in the Glomerular Basement Membrane and Its
      Relationship with Podocyte Injury and Proteinuria in Alport Syndrome.
AB  - The pathogenesis of proteinuria in Alport syndrome (AS) remains unclear. Vascular
      endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) is a key regulator of the glomerular
      filtration barrier (GFB). This study explored the expression of VEGFA in the
      glomeruli and its accumulation in the glomerular basement membrane (GBM) and
      their relationship with podocyte injury and proteinuria in Alport syndrome (AS).
      Clinical data and renal tissues of control patients (11 cases) and AS patients
      (25 cases) were included. AS patients were further divided into 2 groups
      according to the quantities of their urinary protein: mild to moderate
      proteinuria group (proteinuria <50 mg/kg/d, 15 cases) and heavy proteinuria group
      (proteinuria >=50 mg/kg/d, 10 cases). The expression and distribution of VEGFA
      and VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2) in the GFB, the phosphorylation of VEGFR2 (p-VEGFR2)
      and nephrin (p-nephrin), and the expression of synaptopodin and nephrin in the
      glomeruli were detected by immune electron microscopy and/or immunofluorescence,
      and their relationships to proteinuria in AS patients were analyzed. The
      accumulation of VEGFA in the GBM was increased in AS patients. The expression of
      VEGFA and the levels of p-VEGFR2 and p-nephrin in glomeruli were increased and
      were positively correlated with the degree of proteinuria in AS patients. The
      expression of synaptopodin and nephrin were decreased and were negatively
      correlated with the degree of proteinuria in AS patients. The over expressed
      VEGFA in the glomeruli and its accumulation in the GBM may activate the VEGFA
      VEGFR2 and nephrin signaling pathways and lead to podocyte injury and occurrence
      of proteinuria in AS. 

PMID- 26274925
TI  - The Impact of Opportunistic Infections on Clinical Outcome and Healthcare
      Resource Uses for Adult T Cell Leukaemia.
AB  - We examined the impact of opportunistic infections on in-hospital mortality,
      hospital length of stay (LOS), and the total cost (TC) among adult T-cell
      leukaemia (ATL) patients. In this retrospective cohort study, we identified 3712
      patients with ATL using national hospital administrative data. Analysed
      opportunistic infections included Aspergillus spp., Candida spp., cytomegalovirus
      (CMV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP), tuberculosis,
      varicella zoster virus (VZV), Cryptococcus spp., nontuberculous mycobacteria, and
      Strongyloides spp. Multilevel logistic regression analysis for in-hospital
      mortality and a multilevel linear regression analysis for LOS and TC were
      employed to determine the impact of opportunistic infections on clinical outcomes
      and healthcare resources. We found ATL patients infected with CMV had
      significantly higher in-hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.29 [1.50
      3.49] p < 0.001), longer LOS (coefficient (B): 0.13 [0.06-0.20] p < 0.001) and
      higher TC (B: 0.25 [0.17-0.32] p < 0.001) than those without CMV. Those with CAN
      and PCP were associated with a lower in-hospital mortality rate (AOR 0.72 [0.53
      0.98] p = 0.035 and 0.54[0.41-0.73] p < 0.001, respectively) than their
      infections. VZV was associated with longer LOS (B: 0.13 [0.06-0.19] p < 0.001),
      while aspergillosis, HSV, or VZV infections were associated with higher TC (B:
      0.16 [0.07-0.24] p < 0.001, 0.12 [0.02-0.23] p = 0.025, and 0.17 [0.10-0.24] p <
      0.001, respectively). Our findings reveal that CMV infection is a major
      determinant of poor prognosis in patients affected by ATL. 

PMID- 26274926
TI  - Sterility and Sexual Competitiveness of Tapachula-7 Anastrepha ludens Males
      Irradiated at Different Doses.
AB  - A genetic sexing strain of Anastrepha ludens (Loew), Tapachula-7, was developed
      by the Mexican Program Against Fruit Flies to produce and release only males in
      programs where the sterile insect technique (SIT) is applied. Currently, breeding
      are found at a massive scale, and it is necessary to determine the optimum
      irradiation dose that releases sterile males with minimum damage to their sexual
      competitiveness. Under laboratory and field conditions, we evaluated the effects
      of gamma irradiation at doses of 0, 20, 40, 60 and 80 Gy on the sexual
      competitiveness of males, the induction of sterility in wild females and
      offspring survivorship. The results of the study indicate that irradiation doses
      have a significant effect on the sexual behavior of males. A reduction of mating
      capacity was inversely proportional to the irradiation dose of males. It is
      estimated that a dose of 60 Gy can induce more than 99% sterility in wild
      females. In all treatments, the degree of offspring fertility was correlated with
      the irradiation dose of the parents. In conclusion, the results of the study
      indicate that a dose of 60 Gy can be applied in sterile insect technique release
      programs. The application of this dose in the new genetic sexing strain of A.
      ludens is discussed. 

PMID- 26274927
TI  - Context Sensitive Modeling of Cancer Drug Sensitivity.
AB  - Recent screening of drug sensitivity in large panels of cancer cell lines
      provides a valuable resource towards developing algorithms that predict drug
      response. Since more samples provide increased statistical power, most approaches
      to prediction of drug sensitivity pool multiple cancer types together without
      distinction. However, pan-cancer results can be misleading due to the confounding
      effects of tissues or cancer subtypes. On the other hand, independent analysis
      for each cancer-type is hampered by small sample size. To balance this trade-off,
      we present CHER (Contextual Heterogeneity Enabled Regression), an algorithm that
      builds predictive models for drug sensitivity by selecting predictive genomic
      features and deciding which ones should-and should not-be shared across different
      cancers, tissues and drugs. CHER provides significantly more accurate models of
      drug sensitivity than comparable elastic-net-based models. Moreover, CHER
      provides better insight into the underlying biological processes by finding a
      sparse set of shared and type-specific genomic features.

PMID- 26274928
TI  - Soluble Forms and Ligands of the Receptor for Advanced Glycation End-Products in
      Patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: An Observational Prospective
      Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The main soluble form of the receptor for advanced glycation end
      products (sRAGE) is elevated during acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
      However other RAGE isoforms and multiple ligands have been poorly reported in the
      clinical setting, and their respective contribution to RAGE activation during
      ARDS remains unclear. Our goal was therefore to describe main RAGE isoforms and
      ligands levels during ARDS. METHODS: 30 ARDS patients and 30 mechanically
      ventilated controls were prospectively included in this monocenter observational
      study. Arterial, superior vena cava and alveolar fluid levels of sRAGE,
      endogenous-secretory RAGE (esRAGE), high mobility group box-1 protein (HMGB1),
      S100A12 and advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) were measured in duplicate
      ELISA on day 0, day 3 and day 6. In patients with ARDS, baseline lung morphology
      was assessed with computed tomography. RESULTS: ARDS patients had higher
      arterial, central venous and alveolar levels of sRAGE, HMGB1 and S100A12, but
      lower levels of esRAGE and AGEs, than controls. Baseline arterial sRAGE, HMGB1
      and S100A12 were correlated with nonfocal ARDS (AUC 0.79, 0.65 and 0.63,
      respectively). Baseline arterial sRAGE, esRAGE, S100A12 and AGEs were associated
      with severity as assessed by PaO2/FiO2. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first kinetics
      study of levels of RAGE main isoforms and ligands during ARDS. Elevated sRAGE,
      HMGB1 and S100A12, with decreased esRAGE and AGEs, were found to distinguish
      patients with ARDS from those without. Our findings should prompt future studies
      aimed at elucidating RAGE/HMGB1/S100A12 axis involvement in ARDS. TRIAL
      REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01270295.

PMID- 26274930
TI  - Nonpharmacological treatments for patients with Parkinson's disease.
AB  - Since 2013, a number of studies have enhanced the literature and have guided
      clinicians on viable treatment interventions outside of pharmacotherapy and
      surgery. Thirty-three randomized controlled trials and one large observational
      study on exercise and physiotherapy were published in this period. Four
      randomized controlled trials focused on dance interventions, eight on treatment
      of cognition and behavior, two on occupational therapy, and two on speech and
      language therapy (the latter two specifically addressed dysphagia). Three
      randomized controlled trials focused on multidisciplinary care models, one study
      on telemedicine, and four studies on alternative interventions, including music
      therapy and mindfulness. These studies attest to the marked interest in these
      therapeutic approaches and the increasing evidence base that places
      nonpharmacological treatments firmly within the integrated repertoire of
      treatment options in Parkinson's disease.

PMID- 26274929
TI  - Immature B Cell Egress from Bone Marrow Is SOCS3 Independent.
AB  - Suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS)-3 has been suggested to regulate CXCR4
      signaling in a variety of human cell lines. In mice, conditional SOCS3
      inactivation in hematopoietic cells including B-lineage lymphocytes has been
      reported to exacerbate CXCR4-signaling and focal adhesion kinase phosphorylation,
      which resulted in altered immature B cell distribution in bone marrow (BM) due to
      sustained alpha4beta1 integrin-mediated adhesion to the extracellular matrix.
      However, a recent study examining conditional SOCS3 deletion specifically in B
      lineage cells failed to detect significant roles in B-lineage cell retention in
      BM. In this study we carefully examined the role played by SOCS3 in CXCR4
      signaling in developing B cell subsets. We show that in mice conditionally
      deficient in SOCS3 exclusively in B cells (Socs3fl/fl Mb1cre/+) there was no
      detectable difference in B cell development in BM and in periphery. We show that
      SOCS3 deficient and sufficient immature B cell subsets are similarly distributed
      between BM parenchyma and sinusoids, and are equally competent at exiting BM into
      peripheral blood. Furthermore, we found no significant differences in CXCR4
      desensitization upon ligand exposure in developing B lymphocyte subsets.
      Consequently, SOCS3-deficient and sufficient B-lineage cell migration towards
      CXCL12 in vitro was undistinguishable, and B-lineage cell amoeboid motility
      within BM parenchyma was also unaffected by SOCS3-deficiency. Thus we conclude
      that SOCS3 has no detectable influence on biological processes known to be
      controlled by CXCR4 signaling. 

PMID- 26274931
TI  - Additive solutions differentially affect metabolic and functional parameters of
      platelet concentrates.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pathogen inactivation (PI) of platelet concentrates with extension of
      shelf life to 7 days requires the use of platelet additive solutions (PAS). We
      examined the quality of platelets resuspended in three different PAS stored for
      up to 7 days. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve triple adult dose platelet
      concentrates (PC) were collected using the TrimaAccel(r) collection system. Each
      highly concentrated product was divided into three equal parts, and the additive
      solutions (Composol(r) or SSP+(r) or IntersolTM) were added to a final
      concentration of 56% PAS and 44% plasma. Samples were drawn on days 1, 5 and 7 to
      measure pH, glucose, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), lactate, mean platelet volume
      (MPV) and the aggregation response to collagen and the thrombin receptor agonist
      peptide-6. Further, p-selectin expression on platelets was assessed. RESULTS: No
      statistically significant changes were observed for pH and MPV during 7 days of
      storage in all PAS containing PCs, whereas glucose decreased and LDH and lactate
      increased over time (P < 0.05). These changes were particularly evident in
      Intersol PCs on days 5 and 7 compared with Composol(r) PCs or SSP+(r) PCs (P <
      0.05). Platelets from Intersol PCs exhibited the highest baseline activation of p
      selectin and showed reduced collagen- and TRAP-6-induced aggregation. CONCLUSION:
      Resuspension of platelets in Intersol for 7 days results in increased platelet
      activation and platelet metabolism compared with SSP+(r) or Composol(r). Further
      clinical studies are needed to evaluate whether the observed differences in PAS
      PCs affect the recovery rate or the life span of transfused platelets.

PMID- 26274932
TI  - Effect of Erbium on the Photocatalytic Activity of TiO2 /Ag Nanocomposites under
      Visible Light Irradiation.
AB  - Erbium co-doped TiO2 /Ag catalysts are synthesized by using a simple, one-step
      solvothermal method and characterized by X-ray diffraction, field-emission
      scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Raman analysis, X
      ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The
      catalysts exhibit anatase crystal structures with increased visible light
      absorption compared with pure TiO2 . Enhanced photocatalytic activity is observed
      with Er co-doped TiO2 /Ag nanocomposites for Rhodamine B degradation under
      visible light irradiation. The photocatalytic activity of 1 % Er co-doped TiO2
      /Ag is much higher than that of TiO2 /Ag, TiO2 /Er, pure TiO2 , and commercial
      Degussa P25. The kinetics of the degradation process are studied and the pseudo
      first-order rate constant (k) and half-life time (t1/2 ) of the reaction are
      calculated. The enhanced activity might be accredited to the efficient separation
      of electron-hole pairs by silver and higher visible light absorption of TiO2
      induced by Er. 

PMID- 26274933
TI  - A method to assess relative preference for training and environmental enrichment
      in captive wolves (Canis lupus and Canis lupus arctos).
AB  - It is currently debated as to whether or not positive reinforcement training is
      enriching to captive animals. Although both husbandry training and environmental
      enrichment (EE) have been found to benefit animal welfare in captivity, to date,
      no systematic investigation has compared an animal's preference for performing a
      trained behavior to engaging freely with a stimuli provided as EE. In the current
      paper, we used four captive wolves to (1) test the efficacy of a paired-stimulus
      preference assessment to determine preference for engaging in a trained behavior
      as a choice; and to (2) use a paired-stimulus preference assessment to determine
      whether or not individuals prefer to engage in a previously trained behavior
      versus a previously encountered EE stimuli. Of the four subjects tested, visual
      inspection of the graphs revealed that two of the subjects preferred trained
      behavior stimuli and two of the subjects preferred EE stimuli; only one of the
      wolves had a statically higher preference for an EE stimulus over a trained
      behavior. We believe that letting the animals choose between these two events is
      the first step in answering the question of whether or not is training enriching,
      however more research needs to be done and suggestions for future research is
      discussed.

PMID- 26274934
TI  - A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Study on the Stereodynamics of
      Monoaza[5]helicenes: Solvent-Induced Increase of the Enantiomerization Barrier in
      1-Aza-[5]helicene.
AB  - Helicenes and heterohelicenes are attractive compounds with great potential in
      materials sciences to be used in optoelectronics as ligand backbones in
      enantioselective catalysis and as chiral sensors. The properties of these
      materials are related to the stereodynamics of these helical chiral compounds.
      However, little is known about features controlling stereodynamics in helicenes;
      in particular, for heterohelicenes the position of the heteroatom could be
      relevant in this respect. Herein the complete stereodynamic characterization of
      monoaza[5]helicenes is shown by enantioselective dynamic HPLC and DFT
      calculations. At variance with previous theoretical calculations, 1
      aza[5]helicene shows a surprisingly high enantiomerization barrier, which is
      triggered by specific solvent interactions. 

PMID- 26274935
TI  - How to Respond to a Paranoid Thought: A Comparison of Patients With Clinically
      Relevant Delusions and Healthy Controls in Chile.
AB  - Although paranoid thoughts occur frequently in the population, most people do not
      develop clinically relevant delusions. The main purpose of the study was to
      explore whether participants without a mental disorder will respond in a more
      functional way to paranoid thoughts and be more flexible in their cognitive
      processes than patients with clinically relevant delusions. The Responses to
      Paranoid Thoughts Scale was translated into Spanish and was completed by patients
      (n = 36) and healthy controls (n = 39) in Chile (South America). The Beck
      Cognitive Insight Scale was used to assess cognitive insight. The patients
      responded in a more depressive, physical, and concealing way to paranoid thoughts
      than the healthy controls. Moreover, they showed significantly less cognitive
      insight and self-reflectiveness. Higher cognitive insight and self-reflectiveness
      were associated with more normalizing and communicative responses to paranoid
      thoughts. 

PMID- 26274936
TI  - Television viewing and hostile personality trait increase the risk of injuries.
AB  - Individuals with high levels of hostility may be more susceptible to the
      influence of television on violence and risk taking behaviors. This study aimed
      to examine whether hostile personality trait modifies the association between TV
      viewing and injuries. It is a prospective study of 4,196 black and white adults
      aged 23 to 35 in 1990/1. Cross-lagged panel models were analyzed at three 5-year
      time periods to test whether TV viewing predicted injuries. Covariates were
      gender, race, and education. Individuals who watched more TV (0 hours, 1-3 hours,
      4-6 hours, and >=7 hours) were more likely to have a hospitalization for an
      injury in the following 5 years across each of the three follow-up periods [OR =
      1.5 (95%CI = 1.2, 1.9), 1.5 (1.1, 1.9), and 1.9 (1.3, 2.6)]. The cross-lagged
      effects of TV viewing to injury were significant in the high hostility group [OR
      = 1.4 (95%CI = 1.1, 1.8), 1.3 (1.0, 1.8), and 2.0 (1.3, 2.9)] but not in the low
      hostility group [OR = 1.3 (95%CI = 0.6, 2.2), 1.1 (0.6, 2.1), and 1.4 (0.7,
      2.8)]. Additionally, a statistically significant difference between the two
      models (P < 0.001) suggested that hostility moderated the relationship between TV
      watching and injury. These findings suggest that individuals who watch more TV
      and have a hostile personality trait may be at a greater risk for injury.

PMID- 26274937
TI  - The effectiveness of three home products in cleaning and disinfection of
      Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli on home environmental surfaces.
AB  - AIMS: The objectives of this study were to investigate three products for: (i)
      cleaning effectiveness on two common household surfaces, and (ii) disinfection
      effectiveness against two common bacteria. Products included conventional
      ('bleach'), environmentally preferable (EP), do-it-yourself (DIY: distilled white
      vinegar, club soda, tea tree oil), 24-h old DIY, and individual DIY components in
      dilution. METHODS AND RESULTS: For cleaning ceramic, no product was effective
      (>=85% removal of Hucker's soil), however, DIY performed better than EP and
      bleach. On stainless, only DIY failed to meet the standard. For disinfection,
      bleach and EP achieved >=5.00 log10 reductions under all conditions. DIY and
      components were more active against Escherichia coli than Staphylococcus aureus
      but only fresh DIY and 50% vinegar achieved >=5.00 log10 reductions. CONCLUSIONS:
      EP is an effective alternative to bleach. DIY may be an adequate alternative for
      cleaning ceramic and for household use, where complete elimination of micro
      organisms is unnecessary; however, it must be freshly prepared each day.
      SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This is the first report of performance of
      purportedly safer alternatives for both cleaning and disinfection for use in home
      health care. The EP product and DIY are potential alternatives for some household
      uses.

PMID- 26274938
TI  - Differential short-term memorisation for vocal and instrumental rhythms.
AB  - This study explores differential processing of vocal and instrumental rhythms in
      short-term memory with three decision (same/different judgments) and one
      reproduction experiment. In the first experiment, memory performance declined for
      delayed versus immediate recall, with accuracy for the two rhythms being affected
      differently: Musicians performed better than non-musicians on clapstick but not
      on vocal rhythms, and musicians were better on vocal rhythms in the same than in
      the different condition. Results for the second experiment showed that concurrent
      sub-vocal articulation and finger-tapping differentially affected the two rhythms
      and same/different decisions, but produced no evidence for articulatory loop
      involvement in delayed decision tasks. In a third experiment, which tested rhythm
      reproduction, concurrent sub-vocal articulation decreased memory performance,
      with a stronger deleterious effect on the reproduction of vocal than of clapstick
      rhythms. This suggests that the articulatory loop may only be involved in delayed
      reproduction not in decision tasks. The fourth experiment tested whether
      differences between filled and empty rhythms (continuous vs. discontinuous
      sounds) can explain the different memorisation of vocal and clapstick rhythms.
      Though significant differences were found for empty and filled instrumental
      rhythms, the differences between vocal and clapstick can only be explained by
      considering additional voice specific features.

PMID- 26274939
TI  - Atypical Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in Two Pediatric Patients.
AB  - Atypical chronic myeloid leukemia, BCR-ABL1-negative, (aCML) is a rare myeloid
      neoplasm. Recent adult data suggest the leukemic cells in a subset of patients
      are dependent on JAK/STAT signaling and harbor CSF3R-activating mutations. We
      hypothesized that, similar to adult patients, the presence of CSF3R-activating
      mutations would be clinically relevant in pediatric myeloid neoplasms as patients
      would be sensitive to the JAK inhibitor, ruxolitinib. We report two cases of
      morphologically similar pediatric aCML, BCR-ABL1-negative based on WHO 2008
      criteria. One patient had CSF3R-activating mutation (T618I) and demonstrated a
      robust response to ruxolitinib, which was used to bridge to a successful stem
      cell transplant. The other patient did not have a CSF3R-activating mutation and
      succumbed to refractory disease <6 months from diagnosis. This report documents
      CSF3R-T618I in pediatric aCML and demonstrates the efficacy of ruxolitinib in a
      pediatric malignancy. As the third documented case successfully treating aCML
      with ruxolitinib, this case highlights the importance of prompt CSF3R sequencing
      analysis for myeloproliferative and myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasms.

PMID- 26274940
TI  - Simultaneous exposure to chronic hypoxia and dissolved polycyclic aromatic
      hydrocarbons results in reduced egg production and larval survival in the
      sheepshead minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus).
AB  - Estuarine fish in the northern Gulf of Mexico are exposed annually to hypoxic
      conditions. In addition to hypoxia, fish located throughout the northern Gulf of
      Mexico were potentially exposed to oil released during the Deepwater Horizon
      incident. Therefore, the interaction between oil exposure and hypoxia is worth
      investigating. To examine this interaction, the authors exposed adult and larval
      sheepshead minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus) to crude or dispersed oil under both
      normoxic and hypoxic conditions. The authors examined total egg production, egg
      hatching success, and larval survival post hatch. The authors' results indicate
      that co-exposure to crude or dispersed oil and hypoxia resulted in a significant
      decrease in egg production, as well as a significant decrease in both egg hatch
      success and larval survival post hatch. The significant impact on reproductive
      success following crude or dispersed oil and hypoxia exposure indicates the
      importance of including environmental parameters such as hypoxia when evaluating
      the impact of an oil spill.

PMID- 26274941
TI  - Understanding complex chiral plasmonics.
AB  - Chiral nanoplasmonics exhibits great potential for novel nanooptical devices due
      to the generation of a strong chiroptical response within nanoscale metallic
      structures. Recently, a number of different approaches have been utilized to
      create chiral nanoplasmonic structures. However, particularly for tailoring
      nanooptical chiral sensing devices, the understanding of the resulting
      chiroptical response when coupling chiral and achiral structures together is
      crucial and has not been completely understood to date. Here, we present a
      thorough and step-by-step experimental study to understand the intriguing chiral
      achiral coupling scheme. We set up a hybrid plasmonic system, which bears
      resemblance to the 'host-guest' system in supramolecular chemistry to analyze and
      explain the complex chiral response both at the chiral and achiral plasmonic
      resonances. We also provide an elegant and simple analytical model, which can
      describe, predict, and comprehend the chiroptical spectra in detail. Our study
      will shed light on designing well-controlled chiral-achiral coupling platforms
      for reliable chiral sensing. 

PMID- 26274942
TI  - Direct Exchange of Oxygen and Selenium Atoms in the 1,2,5-Oxadiazoles and 1,2,5
      Selenadiazoles by Action of Sulfur Monochloride.
AB  - A short synthetic approach to fused 1,2,5-thiadiazoles from the corresponding
      1,2,5-oxadiazoles and 1,2,5-selenadiazoles has been developed. Mono- and
      bis(1,2,5-thiadiazoles) were selectively obtained in high yields. The pathways
      for these novel reactions were discussed. 

PMID- 26274943
TI  - Prazosin-Conjugated Matrices Based on Biodegradable Polymers and alpha-Amino
      Acids--Synthesis, Characterization, and in Vitro Release Study.
AB  - Novel and promising macromolecular conjugates of the alpha1-adrenergic blocker
      prazosin were directly synthesized by covalent incorporation of the drug to
      matrices composed of biodegradable polymers and alpha-amino acids for the
      development of a polymeric implantable drug delivery carrier. The cyto- and
      genotoxicity of the synthesized matrices were evaluated using a bacterial
      luminescence test, protozoan assay, and Salmonella typhimurium TA1535. A new
      urethane bond was formed between the hydroxyl end-groups of the synthesized
      polymer matrices and an amine group of prazosin, using 1,1'-carbonyldiimidazole
      (CDI) as a coupling agent. The structure of the polymeric conjugates was
      characterized by various spectroscopy techniques. A study of hydrogen nuclear
      magnetic resonance ((1)H-NMR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)
      thermodiagrams indicated that the presence of prazosin pendant groups in the
      macromolecule structures increased the polymer's rigidity alongside increasing
      glass transition temperature. It has been found that the kinetic release of
      prazosin from the obtained macromolecular conjugates, tested in vitro under
      different conditions, is strongly dependent on the physicochemical properties of
      polymeric matrices. Furthermore, the presence of a urethane bond in the
      macromolecular conjugates allowed for obtaining a relatively controlled release
      profile of the drug. The obtained results confirm that the pharmacokinetics of
      prazosin might be improved through the synthesis of polymeric conjugates
      containing biomedical polymers and alpha-amino acids in the macromolecule. 

PMID- 26274944
TI  - Optical Properties of Titania Coatings Prepared by Inkjet Direct Patterning of a
      Reverse Micelles Sol-Gel Composition.
AB  - Thin layers of titanium dioxide were fabricated by direct inkjet patterning of a
      reverse micelles sol-gel composition onto soda-lime glass plates. Several series
      of variable thickness samples were produced by repeated overprinting and these
      were further calcined at different temperatures. The resulting layers were
      inspected by optical and scanning electronic microscopy and their optical
      properties were investigated by spectroscopic ellipsometry in the range of 200
      1000 nm. Thus the influence of the calcination temperature on material as well as
      optical properties of the patterned micellar titania was studied. The additive
      nature of the deposition process was demonstrated by a linear dependence of total
      thickness on the number of printed layers without being significantly affected by
      the calcination temperature. The micellar imprints structure of the titania layer
      resulted into significant deviation of measured optical constants from the values
      reported for bulk titania. The introduction of a void layer into the
      ellipsometric model was found necessary for this particular type of titania and
      enabled correct ellipsometric determination of layer thickness, well matching the
      thickness values from mechanical profilometry. 

PMID- 26274945
TI  - Four New Cyclohexylideneacetonitrile Derivatives from the Hypocotyl of Mangrove
      (Bruguiera gymnorrhiza).
AB  - Four new cyclohexylideneacetonitrile derivatives 1-4, named menisdaurins B-E, as
      well as three known cyclohexylideneacetonitrile derivatives--menisdaurin (5),
      coclauril (6), and menisdaurilide (7)--were isolated from the hypocotyl of a
      mangrove (Bruguiera gymnorrhiza). The structures of the isolates were elucidated
      on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis. Compounds 1-7 showed anti
      Hepatitis B virus (HBV) activities, with EC50 values ranging from 5.1 +/- 0.2
      MUg/mL to 87.7 +/- 5.8 MUg/mL.

PMID- 26274946
TI  - A Qualitative Comparison of the Reactivities of 3,4,4,5-Tetrachloro-4H-1,2,6
      thiadiazine and 4,5-Dichloro-1,2,3-dithiazolium Chloride.
AB  - The high yielding transformations of 3,4,4,5-tetrachloro-4H-1,2,6-thiadiazine
      into 3,5-dichloro-4H-1,2,6-thiadiazin-4-one (up to 85%) and 2-(3,5-dichloro-4H
      1,2,6-thiadiazin-4-ylidene)malononitrile (up to 83%) have been investigated and
      compared to the analogous transformations of the closely-related 4,5-dichloro
      1,2,3-dithiazolium chloride (Appel's salt) into 4-chloro-5H-1,2,3-dithiazol-5-one
      and 2-(4-chloro-5H-1,2,3-dithiazol-5-ylidene)malononitrile. Furthermore,
      cyclocondensation of 3,4,4,5-tetrachloro-4H-1,2,6-thiadiazine with 2-aminophenol
      and 1,2-benzenediamines gave fused 4H-1,2,6-thiadiazines in 68%-85% yields. 

PMID- 26274947
TI  - 3-H-[1,2]Dithiole as a New Anti-Trypanosoma cruzi Chemotype: Biological and
      Mechanism of Action Studies.
AB  - The current pharmacological Chagas disease treatments, using Nifurtimox or
      Benznidazole, show limited therapeutic results and are associated with potential
      side effects, like mutagenicity. Using random screening we have identified new
      chemotypes that were able to inhibit relevant targets of the Trypanosoma cruzi.
      We found 3H-[1,2]dithioles with the ability to inhibit Trypanosoma cruzi
      triosephosphate isomerase (TcTIM). Herein, we studied the structural
      modifications of this chemotype to analyze the influence of volume, lipophilicity
      and electronic properties in the anti-T. cruzi activity. Their selectivity to
      parasites vs. mammalian cells was also examined. To get insights into a possible
      mechanism of action, the inhibition of the enzymatic activity of TcTIM and
      cruzipain, using the isolated enzymes, and the inhibition of membrane sterol
      biosynthesis and excreted metabolites, using the whole parasite, were achieved.
      We found that this structural framework is interesting for the generation of
      innovative drugs for the treatment of Chagas disease. 

PMID- 26274948
TI  - New Bergamotane Sesquiterpenoids from the Plant Endophytic Fungus
      Paraconiothyrium brasiliense.
AB  - Brasilamides K-N (1-4), four new bergamotane sesquiterpenoids; with 4-oxatricyclo
      (3.3.1.0 (2,7))nonane (1)and 9-oxatricyclo(4.3.0.0 (4,7))nonane (2-4) skeletons;
      were isolated from the scale-up fermentation cultures of the plant endophytic
      fungus Paraconiothynium brasiliense Verkley. The previously identified
      sesquiterpenoids brasilamides A and C (5 and 6) were also reisolated in the
      current work. The structures of 1-4 were elucidated primarily by interpretation
      of NMR spectroscopic data. The absolute configurations of 1-3 were deduced by
      analogy to the co-isolated metabolites 5 and 6; whereas that of C-12 in 4 was
      assigned using the modified Mosher method. The cytotoxicity of all compounds
      against a panel of eight human tumor cell lines were assayed. 

PMID- 26274949
TI  - Regulation of the scp Genes in the Cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803-
      What is New?
AB  - In the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 there are five genes encoding
      small CAB-like (SCP) proteins, which have been shown to be up-regulated under
      stress. Analyses of the promoter sequences of the scp genes revealed the
      existence of an NtcA binding motif in two scp genes, scpB and scpE. Binding of
      NtcA, the key transcriptional regulator during nitrogen stress, to the promoter
      regions was shown by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. The metabolite 2
      oxoglutarate did not increase the affinity of NtcA for binding to the promoters
      of scpB and scpE. A second motif, the HIP1 palindrome 5' GGCGATCGCC 3', was
      detected in the upstream regions of scpB and scpC. The transcription factor
      encoded by sll1130 has been suggested to recognize this motif to regulate heat
      responsive genes. Our data suggest that HIP1 is not a regulatory element within
      the scp genes. Further, the presence of the high light regulatory (HLR1) motif
      was confirmed in scpB-E, in accordance to their induced transcriptions in cells
      exposed to high light. The HLR1 motif was newly discovered in eight additional
      genes. 

PMID- 26274950
TI  - Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships Study on the Rate Constants of
      Polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-Dioxins with OH Radical.
AB  - The OH-initiated reaction rate constants (kOH) are of great importance to measure
      atmospheric behaviors of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) in the
      environment. The rate constants of 75 PCDDs with the OH radical at 298.15 K have
      been calculated using high level molecular orbital theory, and the rate constants
      (kalpha, kbeta, kgamma and kOH) were further analyzed by the quantitative
      structure-activity relationships (QSAR) study. According to the QSAR models, the
      relations between rate constants and the numbers and positions of Cl atoms, the
      energy of the highest occupied molecular orbital (EHOMO), the energy of the
      lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (ELUMO), the difference DeltaEHOMO-LUMO
      between EHOMO and ELUMO, and the dipole of oxidizing agents (D) were discussed.
      It was found that EHOMO is the main factor in the kOH. The number of Cl atoms is
      more effective than the number of relative position of these Cl atoms in the kOH.
      The kOH decreases with the increase of the substitute number of Cl atoms. 

PMID- 26274951
TI  - Osteoclast Differentiation Is Impaired in a Subgroup of SLE Patients and
      Correlates Inversely with Mycophenolate Mofetil Treatment.
AB  - Osteoporosis can arise in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients secondary
      to medication and/or chronic inflammation. To analyze if patients with SLE have
      phenotypically-impaired osteoclastogenesis, we differentiated ex vivo monocytes
      from 72 SLE patients and 15 healthy individuals into osteoclasts followed by TRAP
      staining and counting. We identified a subgroup of SLE patients (45%) with a
      significantly impaired osteoclast differentiation, relative to the other SLE
      patients or healthy individuals (OR 11.2; 95% CI 1.4-89.9). A review of
      medication indicated that patients with osteoclast counts equal to healthy donors
      were significantly more likely to be treated with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF)
      compared to patients with impaired osteoclastogenesis. We analyzed expression of
      RANKL and the MMF target genes IMPDH1 and IMPDH2 in osteoclasts by qPCR, but
      detected no difference. Since MMF might influence interferon-alpha (IFNalpha) and
      -gamma (IFNgamma) we measured serum IFNalpha and IFNgamma levels. Patients with
      very low osteoclast counts also had comparably higher IFNalpha serum levels than
      patients with normal osteoclast counts. We conclude that in vitro
      osteoclastogenesis is impaired in a subgroup of SLE patients. This correlates
      inversely with MMF treatment and high IFNalpha serum levels. Further
      observational study will be required to determine whether this translates into a
      clinically meaningful effect. 

PMID- 26274952
TI  - From Genome to Structure and Back Again: A Family Portrait of the
      Transcarbamylases.
AB  - Enzymes in the transcarbamylase family catalyze the transfer of a carbamyl group
      from carbamyl phosphate (CP) to an amino group of a second substrate. The two
      best-characterized members, aspartate transcarbamylase (ATCase) and ornithine
      transcarbamylase (OTCase), are present in most organisms from bacteria to humans.
      Recently, structures of four new transcarbamylase members, N-acetyl-L-ornithine
      transcarbamylase (AOTCase), N-succinyl-L-ornithine transcarbamylase (SOTCase),
      ygeW encoded transcarbamylase (YTCase) and putrescine transcarbamylase (PTCase)
      have also been determined. Crystal structures of these enzymes have shown that
      they have a common overall fold with a trimer as their basic biological unit. The
      monomer structures share a common CP binding site in their N-terminal domain, but
      have different second substrate binding sites in their C-terminal domain. The
      discovery of three new transcarbamylases, l-2,3-diaminopropionate
      transcarbamylase (DPTCase), l-2,4-diaminobutyrate transcarbamylase (DBTCase) and
      ureidoglycine transcarbamylase (UGTCase), demonstrates that our knowledge and
      understanding of the spectrum of the transcarbamylase family is still incomplete.
      In this review, we summarize studies on the structures and function of
      transcarbamylases demonstrating how structural information helps to define
      biological function and how small structural differences govern enzyme
      specificity. Such information is important for correctly annotating
      transcarbamylase sequences in the genome databases and for identifying new
      members of the transcarbamylase family.

PMID- 26274953
TI  - Major Alterations of Phosphatidylcholine and Lysophosphotidylcholine Lipids in
      the Substantia Nigra Using an Early Stage Model of Parkinson's Disease.
AB  - Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting the
      nigrostriatal pathway, where patients do not manifest motor symptoms until >50%
      of neurons are lost. Thus, it is of great importance to determine early neuronal
      changes that may contribute to disease progression. Recent attention has focused
      on lipids and their role in pro- and anti-apoptotic processes. However,
      information regarding the lipid alterations in animal models of PD is lacking. In
      this study, we utilized high performance liquid chromatography electrospray
      ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS) and novel HPLC solvent
      methodology to profile phosphatidylcholines and sphingolipids within the
      substantia nigra. The ipsilateral substantia nigra pars compacta was collected
      from rats 21 days after an infusion of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), or vehicle
      into the anterior dorsal striatum. We identified 115 lipid species from their
      mass/charge ratio using the LMAPS Lipid MS Predict Database. Of these, 19 lipid
      species (from phosphatidylcholine and lysophosphotidylcholine lipid classes) were
      significantly altered by 6-OHDA, with most being down-regulated. The two lipid
      species that were up-regulated were LPC (16:0) and LPC (18:1), which are
      important for neuroinflammatory signalling. These findings provide a first step
      in the characterization of lipid changes in early stages of PD-like pathology and
      could provide novel targets for early interventions in PD. 

PMID- 26274954
TI  - Detecting Antigen-Specific T Cell Responses: From Bulk Populations to Single
      Cells.
AB  - A new generation of sensitive T cell-based assays facilitates the direct
      quantitation and characterization of antigen-specific T cell responses. Single
      cell analyses have focused on measuring the quality and breadth of a response.
      Accumulating data from these studies demonstrate that there is considerable,
      previously-unrecognized, heterogeneity. Standard assays, such as the ICS, are
      often insufficient for characterization of rare subsets of cells. Enhanced flow
      cytometry with imaging capabilities enables the determination of cell morphology,
      as well as the spatial localization of the protein molecules within a single
      cell. Advances in both microfluidics and digital PCR have improved the efficiency
      of single-cell sorting and allowed multiplexed gene detection at the single-cell
      level. Delving further into the transcriptome of single-cells using RNA-seq is
      likely to reveal the fine-specificity of cellular events such as alternative
      splicing (i.e., splice variants) and allele-specific expression, and will also
      define the roles of new genes. Finally, detailed analysis of clonally related
      antigen-specific T cells using single-cell TCR RNA-seq will provide information
      on pathways of differentiation of memory T cells. With these state of the art
      technologies the transcriptomics and genomics of Ag-specific T cells can be more
      definitively elucidated. 

PMID- 26274956
TI  - Nutritional Characterization and Phenolic Profiling of Moringa oleifera Leaves
      Grown in Chad, Sahrawi Refugee Camps, and Haiti.
AB  - Moringa oleifera is a plant that grows in tropical and subtropical areas of the
      world. Its leaves are rich of nutrients and bioactive compounds. However, several
      differences are reported in the literature. In this article we performed a
      nutritional characterization and a phenolic profiling of M. oleifera leaves grown
      in Chad, Sahrawi refugee camps, and Haiti. In addition, we investigated the
      presence of salicylic and ferulic acids, two phenolic acids with pharmacological
      activity, whose presence in M. oleifera leaves has been scarcely investigated so
      far. Several differences were observed among the samples. Nevertheless, the
      leaves were rich in protein, minerals, and beta-carotene. Quercetin and
      kaempferol glycosides were the main phenolic compounds identified in the
      methanolic extracts. Finally, salicylic and ferulic acids were found in a
      concentration range of 0.14-0.33 and 6.61-9.69 mg/100 g, respectively. In
      conclusion, we observed some differences in terms of nutrients and phenolic
      compounds in M. oleifera leaves grown in different countries. Nevertheless, these
      leaves are a good and economical source of nutrients for tropical and sub
      tropical countries. Furthermore, M. oleifera leaves are a source of flavonoids
      and phenolic acids, among which salicylic and ferulic acids, and therefore they
      could be used as nutraceutical and functional ingredients. 

PMID- 26274955
TI  - Cardiovascular Disease Modeling Using Patient-Specific Induced Pluripotent Stem
      Cells.
AB  - The generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) has opened up a new
      scientific frontier in medicine. This technology has made it possible to obtain
      pluripotent stem cells from individuals with genetic disorders. Because iPSCs
      carry the identical genetic anomalies related to those disorders, iPSCs are an
      ideal platform for medical research. The pathophysiological cellular phenotypes
      of genetically heritable heart diseases such as arrhythmias and cardiomyopathies,
      have been modeled on cell culture dishes using disease-specific iPSC-derived
      cardiomyocytes. These model systems can potentially provide new insights into
      disease mechanisms and drug discoveries. This review focuses on recent progress
      in cardiovascular disease modeling using iPSCs, and discusses problems and future
      perspectives concerning their use. 

PMID- 26274959
TI  - Towards the Development of a Low Cost Airborne Sensing System to Monitor Dust
      Particles after Blasting at Open-Pit Mine Sites.
AB  - Blasting is an integral part of large-scale open cut mining that often occurs in
      close proximity to population centers and often results in the emission of
      particulate material and gases potentially hazardous to health. Current air
      quality monitoring methods rely on limited numbers of fixed sampling locations to
      validate a complex fluid environment and collect sufficient data to confirm model
      effectiveness. This paper describes the development of a methodology to address
      the need of a more precise approach that is capable of characterizing blasting
      plumes in near-real time. The integration of the system required the modification
      and integration of an opto-electrical dust sensor, SHARP GP2Y10, into a small
      fixed-wing and multi-rotor copter, resulting in the collection of data streamed
      during flight. The paper also describes the calibration of the optical sensor
      with an industry grade dust-monitoring device, Dusttrak 8520, demonstrating a
      high correlation between them, with correlation coefficients (R(2)) greater than
      0.9. The laboratory and field tests demonstrate the feasibility of coupling the
      sensor with the UAVs. However, further work must be done in the areas of sensor
      selection and calibration as well as flight planning. 

PMID- 26274957
TI  - Protective Effects of Hong Shan Capsule against Lethal Total-Body Irradiation
      Induced Damage in Wistar Rats.
AB  - Hong Shan Capsule (HSC), a crude drug of 11 medicinal herbs, was used in clinical
      practice for the treatment of radiation injuries in China. In this study, we
      investigated its protection in rats against acute lethal total-body irradiation
      (TBI). Pre-administration of HSC reduced the radiation sickness characteristics,
      while increasing the 30-day survival of the irradiated rats. Administration of
      HSC also reduced the radiation sickness characteristics and increased the 30-day
      survival of mice after exposure to lethal TBI. Ultrastructural observation
      illustrated that the pretreatment of rats with HSC significantly attenuated the
      TBI-induced morphological changes in the different organs of irradiated rats.
      Gene expression profiles revealed the dramatic effect of HSC on alterations of
      gene expression caused by lethal TBI. Pretreatment with HSC prevented
      differential expression of 66% (1398 genes) of 2126 genes differentially
      expressed in response to TBI. Pathway enrichment analysis indicated that these
      genes were mainly involved in a total of 32 pathways, such as pathways in cancer
      and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. Our analysis
      indicated that the pretreatment of rats with HSC modulated these pathways induced
      by lethal TBI, such as multiple MAPK pathways, suggesting that pretreatment with
      HSC might provide protective effects on lethal TBI mainly or partially through
      the modulation of these pathways. Our data suggest that HSC has the potential to
      be used as an effective therapeutic or radio-protective agent to minimize
      irradiation damage. 

PMID- 26274958
TI  - A Natural Triterpene Derivative from Euphorbia kansui Inhibits Cell Proliferation
      and Induces Apoptosis against Rat Intestinal Epithelioid Cell Line in Vitro.
AB  - Kansenone is a triterpene from the root of the traditional Chinese medicine,
      Euphorbia kansui. However, kansenone exerts serious toxicity, but the exact
      mechanism was not clear. In this work, the effects of kansenone on cell
      proliferation, cell cycle, cell damage, and cell apoptosis were investigated. The
      suppression of cell proliferation was assessed via the colorimetric MTT assay,
      and cell morphology was visualized via inverted microscopy after IEC-6 cells were
      incubated with different concentrations of kansenone. Reactive oxygen species
      (ROS), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were detected
      for evaluating cell damage. RNase/propidium iodide (PI) labeling for evaluation
      of cell cycle distribution was performed by flow cytometry analysis. Annexin V
      fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)/PI and Hoechst 33342/Annexin V-FITC/PI staining
      assay for cell apoptosis detection were performed using confocal laser scanning
      microscopy and high content screening. Moreover, apoptosis induction was further
      confirmed by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and JC-1 mitochondrial
      membrane potential, western blot and RT-PCR analysis. The results demonstrated
      that kansenone exerted high cytotoxicity, induced cell arrest at G0/G1 phase, and
      caused mitochondria damage. In addition, kansenone could up-regulate the
      apoptotic proteins Bax, AIF, Apaf-1, cytochrome c, caspase-3, caspase-9, caspase
      8, FasR, FasL, NF-kappaB, and TNFR1 mRNA expression levels, and down-regulate the
      anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins, revealing that kansenone induces apoptosis
      through both the death receptor and mitochondrial pathways. 

PMID- 26274960
TI  - Spatial Quality Evaluation of Resampled Unmanned Aerial Vehicle-Imagery for Weed
      Mapping.
AB  - Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) combined with different spectral range sensors
      are an emerging technology for providing early weed maps for optimizing herbicide
      applications. Considering that weeds, at very early phenological stages, are
      similar spectrally and in appearance, three major components are relevant:
      spatial resolution, type of sensor and classification algorithm. Resampling is a
      technique to create a new version of an image with a different width and/or
      height in pixels, and it has been used in satellite imagery with different
      spatial and temporal resolutions. In this paper, the efficiency of resampled
      images (RS-images) created from real UAV-images (UAV-images; the UAVs were
      equipped with two types of sensors, i.e., visible and visible plus near-infrared
      spectra) captured at different altitudes is examined to test the quality of the
      RS-image output. The performance of the object-based-image-analysis (OBIA)
      implemented for the early weed mapping using different weed thresholds was also
      evaluated. Our results showed that resampling accurately extracted the spectral
      values from high spatial resolution UAV-images at an altitude of 30 m and the RS
      image data at altitudes of 60 and 100 m, was able to provide accurate weed cover
      and herbicide application maps compared with UAV-images from real flights. 

PMID- 26274961
TI  - High Frequency Sampling of TTL Pulses on a Raspberry Pi for Diffuse Correlation
      Spectroscopy Applications.
AB  - Diffuse Correlation Spectroscopy (DCS) is a well-established optical technique
      that has been used for non-invasive measurement of blood flow in tissues.
      Instrumentation for DCS includes a correlation device that computes the temporal
      intensity autocorrelation of a coherent laser source after it has undergone
      diffuse scattering through a turbid medium. Typically, the signal acquisition and
      its autocorrelation are performed by a correlation board. These boards have
      dedicated hardware to acquire and compute intensity autocorrelations of rapidly
      varying input signal and usually are quite expensive. Here we show that a
      Raspberry Pi minicomputer can acquire and store a rapidly varying time-signal
      with high fidelity. We show that this signal collected by a Raspberry Pi device
      can be processed numerically to yield intensity autocorrelations well suited for
      DCS applications. DCS measurements made using the Raspberry Pi device were
      compared to those acquired using a commercial hardware autocorrelation board to
      investigate the stability, performance, and accuracy of the data acquired in
      controlled experiments. This paper represents a first step toward lowering the
      instrumentation cost of a DCS system and may offer the potential to make DCS
      become more widely used in biomedical applications. 

PMID- 26274962
TI  - An Auto-Tuning PI Control System for an Open-Circuit Low-Speed Wind Tunnel
      Designed for Greenhouse Technology.
AB  - Wind tunnels are a key experimental tool for the analysis of airflow parameters
      in many fields of application. Despite their great potential impact on
      agricultural research, few contributions have dealt with the development of
      automatic control systems for wind tunnels in the field of greenhouse technology.
      The objective of this paper is to present an automatic control system that
      provides precision and speed of measurement, as well as efficient data processing
      in low-speed wind tunnel experiments for greenhouse engineering applications. The
      system is based on an algorithm that identifies the system model and calculates
      the optimum PI controller. The validation of the system was performed on a
      cellulose evaporative cooling pad and on insect-proof screens to assess its
      response to perturbations. The control system provided an accuracy of <0.06 m.s(
      1) for airflow speed and <0.50 Pa for pressure drop, thus permitting the
      reproducibility and standardization of the tests. The proposed control system
      also incorporates a fully-integrated software unit that manages the tests in
      terms of airflow speed and pressure drop set points.

PMID- 26274963
TI  - Shaft Diameter Measurement Using Structured Light Vision.
AB  - A method for measuring shaft diameters is presented using structured light vision
      measurement. After calibrating a model of the structured light measurement, a
      virtual plane is established perpendicular to the measured shaft axis and the
      image of the light stripe on the shaft is projected to the virtual plane. On the
      virtual plane, the center of the measured shaft is determined by fitting the
      projected image under the geometrical constraints of the light stripe, and the
      shaft diameter is measured by the determined center and the projected image.
      Experiments evaluated the measuring accuracy of the method and the effects of
      some factors on the measurement are analyzed. 

PMID- 26274964
TI  - UWB Wind Turbine Blade Deflection Sensing for Wind Energy Cost Reduction.
AB  - A new application of utilizing ultra-wideband (UWB) technology to sense wind
      turbine blade deflections is introduced in this paper for wind energy cost
      reduction. The lower UWB band of 3.1-5.3 GHz is applied. On each blade, there
      will be one UWB blade deflection sensing system, which consists of two UWB
      antennas at the blade root and one UWB antenna at the blade tip. The detailed
      topology and challenges of this deflection sensing system are addressed. Due to
      the complexity of the problem, this paper will first realize the on-blade UWB
      radio link in the simplest case, where the tip antenna is situated outside (and
      on the surface of) a blade tip. To investigate this case, full-blade time-domain
      measurements are designed and conducted under different deflections. The detailed
      measurement setups and results are provided. If the root and tip antenna
      locations are properly selected, the first pulse is always of sufficient quality
      for accurate estimations under different deflections. The measured results reveal
      that the blade tip-root distance and blade deflection can be accurately estimated
      in the complicated and lossy wireless channels around a wind turbine blade. Some
      future research topics on this application are listed finally. 

PMID- 26274965
TI  - Effect of Television on Obesity and Excess of Weight and Consequences of Health.
AB  - The epidemic nature of obesity in industrialized countries is a serious health
      and social concern. The number of obese people has significantly increased in the
      past 20 years. In Poland excess weight and obesity are a serious epidemiological
      concern. In terms of the number of overweight people, Poland is a leader in
      Europe. Therefore, indicating many serious health concerns that are the natural
      consequences of this phenomenon has become important from the point of view of
      public health. This work identifies numerous diseases which are a direct
      consequence of obesity due to bad eating habits and lack of physical exercise
      among Poles. It discusses the negative effect of television and food commercials
      contributing to an increase in obesity, not only among adults but also among
      children. This is an overview forming grounds for further studies into ways of
      preventing the development of diseases due to obesity, both in Poland and in the
      world. 

PMID- 26274966
TI  - Association of Mothers' Perception of Neighborhood Quality and Maternal
      Resilience with Risk of Preterm Birth.
AB  - We examined the associations of mothers' perception of neighborhood quality and
      maternal resilience with risk of preterm birth and whether maternal resilience
      moderated the effect of neighborhood quality perception. We analyzed data from
      10,758 women with singleton births who participated in 2010-2012 Los Angeles
      Mommy and Baby surveys. Multilevel logistic regression models assessed the
      effects of mothers' perception of neighborhood quality and maternal resilience on
      preterm birth (yes/no), controlling for potential confounders and economic
      hardship index, a city-level measure of neighborhood quality. Interaction terms
      were assessed for moderation. Mothers' perception of neighborhood quality and
      maternal resilience were each uniquely associated with preterm birth, independent
      of potential confounders (p-values < 0.05). The risk of preterm birth among
      mothers who perceived their neighborhood as of poor quality was about 30% greater
      compared to mothers who perceived their neighborhood as of good quality; the risk
      was 12% greater among mothers with low resilience compared to those with high
      resilience. Effects of neighborhood quality were not modified by maternal
      resilience. The findings suggest that mothers' perception of neighborhood quality
      and resilience are associated with the risk of preterm birth. Further research
      should explore whether initiatives aimed at improving neighborhood quality and
      women's self-esteem may improve birth outcomes. 

PMID- 26274967
TI  - The Level of Self-Esteem and Sexual Functioning in Women with Idiopathic
      Scoliosis: A Preliminary Study.
AB  - A person's image, which is determined through physical appearance, considerably
      affects self-esteem developed from early childhood. Scoliosis causes multiple
      trunk deformations that can affect a person's perception of the body. The aim of
      the study was to analyze the impact of scoliosis dimension and the degree of
      trunk deformation on the level of self-esteem and sexual functioning in women
      with idiopathic scoliosis. Thirty-six women diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis
      were recruited to a prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial. The
      subjects were divided into two groups depending on the value of the Cobb angle.
      The level of self-esteem was determined by means of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem
      Scale (SES), whereas the sexual functioning was assessed via the Female Sexual
      Function Index (FSFI). The trunk deformations were specified with the Posterior
      Trunk Symmetry Index (POTSI). A statistically significant correlation was proved
      between the amount of points received in the Rosenberg scale evaluation and the
      POTSI index in Group A (R = -0.56, p = 0.04). Subjects with smaller deformations
      within the coronal plane had a higher level of self-confidence. The trunk
      asymmetries in the coronal plane may have a negative effect on women with
      scoliosis and their self-appraisal. 

PMID- 26274968
TI  - Dengue Vaccines: A Perspective from the Point of View of Intellectual Property.
AB  - Dengue is a serious infectious disease and a growing public health problem in
      many tropical and sub-tropical countries. To control this neglected tropical
      disease (NTD), vaccines are likely to be the most cost-effective solution. This
      study analyzed dengue vaccines from both a historical and longitudinal
      perspective by using patent data, evaluating the geographic and time coverage of
      innovations, the primary patent holders, the network of cooperation and
      partnership for vaccine research and development (R & D), the flow of knowledge
      and the technological domain involved. This study can be seen as an example of
      the use of patent information to inform policy discussions, strategic research
      planning, and technology transfer. The results show that 93% of patents were
      granted since 2000, the majority belonging to the United States and Europe,
      although the share of patents from developing countries has increased. Unlike
      another NTDs, there is great participation of private companies in R & D of
      dengue vaccines and partnerships and collaboration between public and private
      companies. Finally, in this study, the main holders showed high knowledge
      absorption and generated capabilities. Therefore, this issue suggests that to
      overcome the difficulty of translational R & D it is necessary to stimulate the
      generation of knowledge and relevant scientific research, to enable the
      productive sector to have the capacity to absorb knowledge, to turn it into
      innovation, and to articulate partnerships and collaboration. 

PMID- 26274969
TI  - Residents' Waste Separation Behaviors at the Source: Using SEM with the Theory of
      Planned Behavior in Guangzhou, China.
AB  - Understanding the factors that affect residents' waste separation behaviors helps
      in constructing effective environmental campaigns for a community. Using the
      theory of planned behavior (TPB), this study examines factors associated with
      waste separation behaviors by analyzing responses to questionnaires distributed
      in Guangzhou, China. Data drawn from 208 of 1000-field questionnaires were used
      to assess socio-demographic factors and the TPB constructs (i.e., attitudes,
      subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, intentions, and situational
      factors). The questionnaire data revealed that attitudes, subjective norms,
      perceived behavioral control, intentions, and situational factors significantly
      predicted household waste behaviors in Guangzhou, China. Through a structural
      equation modeling analysis, we concluded that campaigns targeting moral
      obligations may be particularly effective for increasing the participation rate
      in waste separation behaviors. 

PMID- 26274970
TI  - Seasonal-Spatial Distribution and Long-Term Variation of Transparency in
      Xin'anjiang Reservoir: Implications for Reservoir Management.
AB  - Water transparency is a useful indicator of water quality or productivity and is
      widely used to detect long-term changes in the water quality and eutrophication
      of lake ecosystems. Based on short-term spatial observations in the spring,
      summer, and winter and on long-term site-specific observation from 1988 to 2013,
      the spatial, seasonal, long-term variations, and the factors affecting
      transparency are presented for Xin'anjiang Reservoir (China). Spatially,
      transparency was high in the open water but low in the bays and the inflowing
      river mouths, reflecting the effect of river runoff. The seasonal effects were
      distinct, with lower values in the summer than in the winter, most likely due to
      river runoff and phytoplankton biomass increases. The transparency decreased
      significantly with a linear slope of 0.079 m/year, indicating a 2.05 m decrease
      and a marked decrease in water quality. A marked increase occurred in chlorophyll
      a (Chla) concentration, and a significant correlation was found between the
      transparency and Chla concentration, indicating that phytoplankton biomass can
      partially explain the long-term trend of transparency in Xin'anjiang Reservoir.
      The river input and phytoplankton biomass increase were associated with soil
      erosion and nutrient loss in the catchment. Our study will support future
      management of water quality in Xin'anjiang Reservoir. 

PMID- 26274971
TI  - Phage PhiPan70, a Putative Temperate Phage, Controls Pseudomonas aeruginosa in
      Planktonic, Biofilm and Burn Mouse Model Assays.
AB  - Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the Multi-Drug-Resistant organisms most
      frequently isolated worldwide and, because of a shortage of new antibiotics,
      bacteriophages are considered an alternative for its treatment. Previously, P.
      aeruginosa phages were isolated and best candidates were chosen based on their
      ability to form clear plaques and their host range. This work aimed to
      characterize one of those phages, PhiPan70, preliminarily identified as a good
      candidate for phage-therapy. We performed infection curves, biofilm removal
      assays, transmission-electron-microscopy, pulsed-field-gel-electrophoresis, and
      studied the in vivo PhiPan70 biological activity in the burned mouse model.
      PhiPan70 was classified as a member of the Myoviridae family and, in both
      planktonic cells and biofilms, was responsible for a significant reduction in the
      bacterial population. The burned mouse model showed an animal survival between
      80% and 100%, significantly different from the control animals (0%). However,
      analysis of the PhiPan70 genome revealed that it was 64% identical to F10, a
      temperate P. aeruginosa phage. Gene annotation indicated PhiPan70 as a new, but
      possible temperate phage, therefore not ideal for phage-therapy. Based on this,
      we recommend genome sequence analysis as an early step to select candidate phages
      for potential application in phage-therapy, before entering into a more intensive
      characterization. 

PMID- 26274973
TI  - Dietary Vitamin K Intake Is Associated with Cognition and Behaviour among
      Geriatric Patients: The CLIP Study.
AB  - Our objective was to determine whether dietary vitamin K intake was associated
      with cognition and behavior among older adults. 192 consecutive participants >=65
      years, recruited in the cross-sectional CLIP (Cognition and LIPophilic vitamins)
      study, were separated into two groups according to the tertiles of dietary
      phylloquinone intake (i.e., lowest third below 207 ug/day versus the other two
      thirds combined). Daily dietary phylloquinone intake was estimated from 50-item
      interviewer-administered food frequency questionnaire. Cognition was assessed
      with Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE); behaviour with Frontotemporal
      Behavioral Rating Scale (FBRS). Age, gender, social problems, education, body
      mass index (BMI), comorbidities, history of stroke, use vitamin K antagonists,
      inadequate fatty fish intake, serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), vitamin
      B12, albumin, and estimated glomerular filtration rate were used as confounders.
      Compared to participants in the lowest third of dietary phylloquinone intake (n =
      64), those with higher intake had higher (i.e., better) mean MMSE score (22.0 +/-
      5.7 versus 19.9 +/- 6.2, p = 0.024) and lower (i.e., better) FBRS score (1.5 +/-
      1.2 versus 1.9 +/- 1.3, p = 0.042). In multivariate linear regressions, log
      dietary phylloquinone intake was positively associated with MMSE score (adjusted
      beta = 1.66, p = 0.013) and inversely associated with FBRS score (adjusted beta =
      -0.33, p = 0.037). Specifically, log dietary phylloquinone intake correlated
      negatively with FBRS subscore of physical neglect (r = -0.24, p = 0.001). Higher
      dietary phylloquinone intake was associated with better cognition and behavior
      among older adults. 

PMID- 26274972
TI  - Diet-Induced Cognitive Deficits: The Role of Fat and Sugar, Potential Mechanisms
      and Nutritional Interventions.
AB  - It is of vital importance to understand how the foods which are making us fat
      also act to impair cognition. In this review, we compare the effects of acute and
      chronic exposure to high-energy diets on cognition and examine the relative
      contributions of fat (saturated and polyunsaturated) and sugar to these deficits.
      Hippocampal-dependent memory appears to be particularly vulnerable to the effects
      of high-energy diets and these deficits can occur rapidly and prior to weight
      gain. More chronic diet exposure seems necessary however to impair other sorts of
      memory. Many potential mechanisms have been proposed to underlie diet-induced
      cognitive decline and we will focus on inflammation and the neurotrophic factor,
      brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Finally, given supplementation of diets
      with omega-3 and curcumin has been shown to have positive effects on cognitive
      function in healthy ageing humans and in disease states, we will discuss how
      these nutritional interventions may attenuate diet-induced cognitive decline. We
      hope this approach will provide important insights into the causes of diet
      induced cognitive deficits, and inform the development of novel therapeutics to
      prevent or ameliorate such memory impairments. 

PMID- 26274975
TI  - The Metabolic Fate of Deoxynivalenol and Its Acetylated Derivatives in a Wheat
      Suspension Culture: Identification and Detection of DON-15-O-Glucoside, 15-Acetyl
      DON-3-O-Glucoside and 15-Acetyl-DON-3-Sulfate.
AB  - Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a protein synthesis inhibitor produced by the Fusarium
      species, which frequently contaminates grains used for human or animal
      consumption. We treated a wheat suspension culture with DON or one of its
      acetylated derivatives, 3-acetyl-DON (3-ADON), 15-acetyl-DON (15-ADON) and 3,15
      diacetyl-DON (3,15-diADON), and monitored the metabolization over a course of 96
      h. Supernatant and cell extract samples were analyzed using a tailored LC-MS/MS
      method for the quantification of DON metabolites. We report the formation of
      tentatively identified DON-15-O-beta-D-glucoside (D15G) and of 15-acetyl-DON-3
      sulfate (15-ADON3S) as novel deoxynivalenol metabolites in wheat. Furthermore, we
      found that the recently identified 15-acetyl-DON-3-O-beta-D-glucoside (15-ADON3G)
      is the major metabolite produced after 15-ADON challenge. 3-ADON treatment led to
      a higher intracellular content of toxic metabolites after six hours compared to
      all other treatments. 3-ADON was exclusively metabolized into DON before phase II
      reactions occurred. In contrast, we found that 15-ADON was directly converted
      into 15-ADON3G and 15-ADON3S in addition to metabolization into deoxynivalenol-3
      O-beta-D-glucoside (D3G). This study highlights significant differences in the
      metabolization of DON and its acetylated derivatives.

PMID- 26274974
TI  - Review on Mycotoxin Issues in Ruminants: Occurrence in Forages, Effects of
      Mycotoxin Ingestion on Health Status and Animal Performance and Practical
      Strategies to Counteract Their Negative Effects.
AB  - Ruminant diets include cereals, protein feeds, their by-products as well as hay
      and grass, grass/legume, whole-crop maize, small grain or sorghum silages.
      Furthermore, ruminants are annually or seasonally fed with grazed forage in many
      parts of the World. All these forages could be contaminated by several
      exometabolites of mycotoxigenic fungi that increase and diversify the risk of
      mycotoxin exposure in ruminants compared to swine and poultry that have less
      varied diets. Evidence suggests the greatest exposure for ruminants to some
      regulated mycotoxins (aflatoxins, trichothecenes, ochratoxin A, fumonisins and
      zearalenone) and to many other secondary metabolites produced by different
      species of Alternaria spp. (e.g., AAL toxins, alternariols, tenuazonic acid or 4Z
      infectopyrone), Aspergillus flavus (e.g., kojic acid, cyclopiazonic acid or beta
      nitropropionic acid), Aspergillus fuminatus (e.g., gliotoxin, agroclavine,
      festuclavines or fumagillin), Penicillium roqueforti and P. paneum (e.g.,
      mycophenolic acid, roquefortines, PR toxin or marcfortines) or Monascus ruber
      (citrinin and monacolins) could be mainly related to forage contamination. This
      review includes the knowledge of mycotoxin occurrence reported in the last 15
      years, with special emphasis on mycotoxins detected in forages, and animal
      toxicological issues due to their ingestion. Strategies for preventing the
      problem of mycotoxin feed contamination under farm conditions are discussed. 

PMID- 26274976
TI  - Interleukin 17-Mediated Host Defense against Candida albicans.
AB  - Candida albicans is part of the normal microbiota in most healthy individuals.
      However, it can cause opportunistic infections if host defenses are breached,
      with symptoms ranging from superficial lesions to severe systemic disease. The
      study of rare congenital defects in patients with chronic mucocutaneous
      candidiasis led to the identification of interleukin-17 (IL-17) as a key factor
      in host defense against mucosal fungal infection. Experimental infections in mice
      confirmed the critical role of IL-17 in mucocutaneous immunity against C.
      albicans. Research on mouse models has also contributed importantly to our
      current understanding of the regulation of IL-17 production by different cellular
      sources and its effector functions in distinct tissues. In this review, we
      highlight recent findings on IL-17-mediated immunity against C. albicans in mouse
      and man. 

PMID- 26274977
TI  - Refining Measures for Assessing Problematic/Addictive Digital Gaming Use in
      Clinical and Research Settings.
AB  - Problematic or addictive digital gaming (including all types of electronic
      devices) can and has had extremely adverse impacts on the lives of many
      individuals across the world. The understanding of this phenomenon, and the
      effectiveness of treatment design and monitoring, can be improved considerably by
      continuing refinement of assessment tools. The present article briefly overviews
      tools designed to measure problematic or addictive use of digital gaming, the
      vast majority of which are founded on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of
      Mental Disorders (DSM) criteria for other addictive disorders, such as
      pathological gambling. Although adapting DSM content and strategies for measuring
      problematic digital gaming has proven valuable, there are some potential issues
      with this approach. We discuss the strengths and limitations of current methods
      for measuring problematic or addictive gaming and provide various recommendations
      that might help in enhancing or supplementing existing tools, or in developing
      new and even more effective tools. 

PMID- 26274978
TI  - The Mucosal Immune System of Teleost Fish.
AB  - Teleost fish possess an adaptive immune system associated with each of their
      mucosal body surfaces. Evidence obtained from mucosal vaccination and mucosal
      infection studies reveal that adaptive immune responses take place at the
      different mucosal surfaces of teleost. The main mucosa-associated lymphoid
      tissues (MALT) of teleosts are the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), skin
      associated lymphoid tissue (SALT), the gill-associated lymphoid tissue (GIALT)
      and the recently discovered nasopharynx-associated lymphoid tissue (NALT).
      Teleost MALT includes diffuse B cells and T cells with specific phenotypes
      different from their systemic counterparts that have co-evolved to defend the
      microbe-rich mucosal environment. Both B and T cells respond to mucosal infection
      or vaccination. Specific antibody responses can be measured in the gills, gut and
      skin mucosal secretions of teleost fish following mucosal infection or
      vaccination. Rainbow trout studies have shown that IgT antibodies and IgT(+) B
      cells are the predominant B cell subset in all MALT and respond in a
      compartmentalized manner to mucosal infection. Our current knowledge on adaptive
      immunity in teleosts is limited compared to the mammalian literature. New
      research tools and in vivo models are currently being developed in order to help
      reveal the great intricacy of teleost mucosal adaptive immunity and help improve
      mucosal vaccination protocols for use in aquaculture. 

PMID- 26274979
TI  - A Panel of Recombinant Mucins Carrying a Repertoire of Sialylated O-Glycans Based
      on Different Core Chains for Studies of Glycan Binding Proteins.
AB  - Sialylated glycans serve as key elements of receptors for many viruses, bacteria,
      and bacterial toxins. The microbial recognition and their binding specificity can
      be affected by the linkage of the terminal sugar residue, types of underlying
      sugar chains, and the nature of the entire glycoconjugate. Owing to the
      pathobiological significance of sialylated glycans, we have engineered Chinese
      hamster ovary (CHO) cells to secrete mucin-type immunoglobulin-fused proteins
      carrying terminal alpha2,3- or alpha2,6-linked sialic acid on defined O-glycan
      core saccharide chains. Besides stably expressing P-selectin glycoprotein ligand
      1/mouse immunoglobulin G2b cDNA (PSGL-1/mIgG2b), CHO cells were stably
      transfected with plasmids encoding glycosyltransferases to synthesize core 2
      (GCNT1), core 3 (B3GNT6), core 4 (GCNT1 and B3GNT6), or extended core 1 (B3GNT3)
      chains with or without the type 1 chain-encoding enzyme B3GALT5 and ST6GAL1.
      Western blot and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis confirmed the
      presence of core 1, 2, 3, 4, and extended core 1 chains carrying either type 1
      (Galb3GlcNAc) or type 2 (Galb4GlcNAc) outer chains with or without alpha2,6
      linked sialic acids. This panel of recombinant mucins carrying a repertoire of
      sialylated O-glycans will be important tools in studies aiming at determining the
      fine O-glycan binding specificity of sialic acid-specific microbial adhesins and
      mammalian lectins. 

PMID- 26274983
TI  - Intraoperative MRI for optimizing electrode placement for deep brain stimulation
      of the subthalamic nucleus in Parkinson disease.
AB  - OBJECT The degree of clinical improvement achieved by deep brain stimulation
      (DBS) is largely dependent on the accuracy of lead placement. This study reports
      on the evaluation of intraoperative MRI (iMRI) for adjusting deviated electrodes
      to the accurate anatomical position during DBS surgery and acute intracranial
      changes. METHODS Two hundred and six DBS electrodes were implanted in the
      subthalamic nucleus (STN) in 110 patients with Parkinson disease. All patients
      underwent iMRI after implantation to define the accuracy of lead placement. Fifty
      six DBS electrode positions in 35 patients deviated from the center of the STN,
      according to the result of the initial postplacement iMRI scans. Thus, we
      adjusted the electrode positions for placement in the center of the STN and
      verified this by means of second or third iMRI scans. Recording was performed in
      adjusted parameters in the x-, y-, and z-axes. RESULTS Fifty-six (27%) of 206 DBS
      electrodes were adjusted as guided by iMRI. Electrode position was adjusted on
      the basis of iMRI 62 times. The sum of target coordinate adjustment was -0.5 mm
      in the x-axis, -4 mm in the y-axis, and 15.5 mm in the z-axis; the total of
      distance adjustment was 74.5 mm in the x-axis, 88 mm in the y-axis, and 42.5 mm
      in the z-axis. After adjustment with the help of iMRI, all electrodes were
      located in the center of the STN. Intraoperative MRI revealed 2 intraparenchymal
      hemorrhages in 2 patients, brain shift in all patients, and leads penetrating the
      lateral ventricle in 3 patients. CONCLUSIONS The iMRI technique can guide
      surgeons as they adjust deviated electrodes to improve the accuracy of implanting
      the electrodes into the correct anatomical position. The iMRI technique can also
      immediately demonstrate acute changes such as hemorrhage and brain shift during
      DBS surgery. 

PMID- 26274984
TI  - Finite element analysis of periventricular lucency in hydrocephalus:
      extravasation or transependymal CSF absorption?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Periventricular lucency (PVL) is often observed in the hydrocephalic
      brain on CT or MRI. Earlier studies have proposed the extravasation of
      ventricular CSF into the periventricular white matter or transependymal CSF
      absorption as possible causes of PVL in hydrocephalus. However, there is
      insufficient evidence for either theory to be conclusive. METHODS: A finite
      element (FE) model of the hydrocephalic brain with detailed anatomical geometry
      was constructed to investigate the possible mechanism of PVL in hydrocephalus.
      The initiation of hydrocephalus was modeled by applying a transmantle pressure
      gradient (TPG). The model was exposed to varying TPGs to investigate the effects
      of different geometrical characteristics on the distribution of PVL. The edema
      map was derived based on the interstitial pore pressure. RESULTS: The model
      simulated the main radiological features of hydrocephalus, i.e., ventriculomegaly
      and PVL. The degree of PVL, assessed by the pore pressure, was prominent in mild
      to moderate ventriculomegaly. As the degree of ventriculomegaly exceeded certain
      values, the pore pressure across the cerebrum became positive, thus inducing the
      disappearance of PVL. CONCLUSIONS: The results are in accordance with common
      clinical findings of PVL. The degree of ventriculomegaly significantly influences
      the development of PVL, but two factors were not linearly correlated. The results
      are indicative of the transependymal CSF absorption as a possible cause of PVL,
      but the extravasation theory cannot be formally rejected.

PMID- 26274980
TI  - Complementary LC-MS/MS-Based N-Glycan, N-Glycopeptide, and Intact N-Glycoprotein
      Profiling Reveals Unconventional Asn71-Glycosylation of Human Neutrophil
      Cathepsin G.
AB  - Neutrophil cathepsin G (nCG) is a central serine protease in the human innate
      immune system, but the importance of its N-glycosylation remains largely
      undescribed. To facilitate such investigations, we here use complementary LC
      MS/MS-based N-glycan, N-glycopeptide, and intact glycoprotein profiling to
      accurately establish the micro- and macro-heterogeneity of nCG from healthy
      individuals. The fully occupied Asn71 carried unconventional N-glycosylation
      consisting of truncated chitobiose core (GlcNAcbeta: 55.2%;
      Fucalpha1,6GlcNAcbeta: 22.7%), paucimannosidic N-glycans
      (Manbeta1,4GlcNAcbeta1,4GlcNAcbeta: 10.6%;
      Manbeta1,4GlcNAcbeta1,4(Fucalpha1,6)GlcNAcbeta: 7.9%;
      Manalpha1,6Manbeta1,4GlcNAcbeta1,4GlcNAcbeta: 3.7%, trace level of
      Manalpha1,6Manbeta1,4GlcNAcbeta1,4(Fucalpha1,6)GlcNAcbeta), and trace levels of
      monoantennary alpha2,6- and alpha2,3-sialylated complex N-glycans. High
      resolution/mass accuracy LC-MS profiling of intact nCG confirmed the Asn71
      glycoprofile and identified two C-terminal truncation variants at Arg243 (57.8%)
      and Ser244 (42.2%), both displaying oxidation of solvent-accessible Met152. Asn71
      appeared proximal (~19 A) to the active site of nCG, but due to the truncated
      nature of Asn71-glycans (~5-17 A) we questioned their direct modulation of the
      proteolytic activity of the protein. This work highlights the continued
      requirement of using complementary technologies to accurately profile even
      relatively simple glycoproteins and illustrates important challenges associated
      with the analysis of unconventional protein N-glycosylation. Importantly, this
      study now facilitates investigation of the functional role of nCG Asn71
      glycosylation. 

PMID- 26274985
TI  - Prophylactic nimodipine treatment for cochlear and facial nerve preservation
      after vestibular schwannoma surgery: a randomized multicenter Phase III trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: A pilot study of prophylactic nimodipine and hydroxyethyl starch
      treatment showed a beneficial effect on facial and cochlear nerve preservation
      following vestibular schwannoma (VS) surgery. A prospective Phase III trial was
      undertaken to confirm these results. METHODS: An open-label, 2-arm, randomized
      parallel group and multicenter Phase III trial with blinded expert review was
      performed and included 112 patients who underwent VS surgery between January 2010
      and February 2013 at 7 departments of neurosurgery to investigate the efficacy
      and safety of the prophylaxis. The surgery was performed after the patients were
      randomly assigned to one of 2 groups using online randomization. The treatment
      group (n = 56) received parenteral nimodipine (1-2 mg/hr) and hydroxyethyl starch
      (hematocrit 30%-35%) from the day before surgery until the 7th postoperative day.
      The control group (n = 56) was not treated prophylactically. RESULTS: Intent-to
      treat analysis showed no statistically significant effects of the treatment on
      either preservation of facial nerve function (35 [67.3%] of 52 [treatment group]
      compared with 34 [72.3%] of 47 [control group]) (p = 0.745) or hearing
      preservation (11 [23.4%] of 47 [treatment group] compared with 15 [31.2%] of 48
      [control group]) (p = 0.530) 12 months after surgery. Since tumor sizes were
      significantly larger in the treatment group than in the control group, logistic
      regression analysis was required. The risk for deterioration of facial nerve
      function was adjusted nearly the same in both groups (OR 1.07 [95% CI 0.34-3.43],
      p = 0.91). In contrast, the risk for postoperative hearing loss was adjusted 2
      times lower in the treatment group compared with the control group (OR 0.49 [95%
      CI 0.18-1.30], p = 0.15). Apart from dose-dependent hypotension (p < 0.001), no
      clinically relevant adverse reactions were observed. CONCLUSIONS: There were no
      statistically significant effects of the treatment. Despite the width of the
      confidence intervals, the odds ratios may suggest but do not prove a clinically
      relevant effect of the safe study medication on the preservation of cochlear
      nerve function after VS surgery. Further study is needed before prophylactic
      nimodipine can be recommended in VS surgery.

PMID- 26274986
TI  - Anatomy and approaches along the cerebellar-brainstem fissures.
AB  - OBJECT Fissure dissection is routinely used in the supratentorial region to
      access deeply situated pathology while minimizing division of neural tissue. Use
      of fissure dissection is also practical in the posterior fossa. In this study,
      the microsurgical anatomy of the 3 cerebellar-brainstem fissures
      (cerebellomesencephalic, cerebellopontine, and cerebellomedullary) and the
      various procedures exposing these fissures in brainstem surgery were examined.
      METHODS Seven cadaveric heads were examined with a microsurgical technique and 3
      with fiber dissection to clarify the anatomy of the cerebellar-brainstem and
      adjacent cerebellar fissures, in which the major vessels and neural structures
      are located. Several approaches directed along the cerebellar surfaces and
      fissures, including the supracerebellar infratentorial, occipital transtentorial,
      retrosigmoid, and midline suboccipital approaches, were examined. The 3 heads
      examined using fiber dissection defined the anatomy of the cerebellar peduncles
      coursing in the depths of these fissures. RESULTS Dissections directed along the
      cerebellar-brainstem and cerebellar fissures provided access to the posterior and
      posterolateral midbrain and upper pons, lateral pons, floor and lateral wall of
      the fourth ventricle, and dorsal and lateral medulla. CONCLUSIONS Opening the
      cerebellar-brainstem and adjacent cerebellar fissures provided access to the
      brainstem surface hidden by the cerebellum, while minimizing division of neural
      tissue. Most of the major cerebellar arteries, veins, and vital neural structures
      are located in or near these fissures and can be accessed through them. 

PMID- 26274987
TI  - Morbidity and mortality of patients with endovascularly treated intracerebral
      aneurysms: does physician specialty matter?
AB  - OBJECT Endovascular treatment of cerebrovascular pathology, particularly
      aneurysms, is becoming more prevalent. There is a wide variety in clinical
      background and training of physicians who treat cerebrovascular pathology through
      endovascular means. The impact of clinical training background on patient
      outcomes is not well documented. METHODS The authors conducted a retrospective
      analysis of a large national database, the University HealthSystem Consortium,
      that was queried in the years 2009-2013. Cases of both unruptured cerebral
      aneurysms and subarachnoid hemorrhage treated by endovascular obliteration were
      studied. Outcome measures of morbidity and mortality were evaluated according to
      the specialty of the treating physician. RESULTS Elective embolization of an
      unruptured aneurysm was the procedure code and primary diagnosis, respectively,
      for 12,400 cases. Patients with at least 1 complication were reported in 799
      cases (6.4%). Deaths were reported in 193 cases (1.6%). Complications and deaths
      were varied by specialty; the highest incidence of complications (11.1%) and
      deaths (3.0%) were reported by neurologists. The fewest complications were
      reported by neurosurgeons (5.4%; 1.4% deaths), with a higher incidence of
      complications reported in cases performed by neurologists (p < 0.0001 for both
      complications and deaths) and to a lesser degree interventional radiologists (p =
      0.0093 for complications). Subarachnoid hemorrhage was the primary diagnosis and
      procedure for 8197 cases. At least 1 complication was reported in 2385 cases
      (29%) and deaths in 983 cases (12%). The number of complications and deaths
      varied among specialties. The highest incidence of complications (34%) and deaths
      (13.5%) in subarachnoid hemorrhage was in cases performed by neurologists. The
      fewest complications were in cases by neurosurgeons (27%), with a higher
      incidence of complications in cases performed by neurologists (34%, p < 0.0001),
      and a trend of increased complications with interventional radiologists (30%, p <
      0.0676). The lowest incidence of mortality was in cases performed by
      neurosurgeons (11.5%), with a significantly higher incidence of mortality in
      cases performed by neurologists (13.5%, p = 0.0372). Mortality rates did not
      reach statistical significance with respect to interventional radiologists
      (12.1%, p = 0.4884). CONCLUSIONS Physicians of varied training types and
      backgrounds use endovascular treatment of ruptured and unruptured intracerebral
      aneurysms. In this study there was a statistically significant finding that
      neurosurgically trained physicians may demonstrate improved outcomes with respect
      to endovascular treatment of unruptured aneurysms in this cohort. This finding
      warrants further investigation. 

PMID- 26274988
TI  - Motor cortex stimulation and neuropathic pain: how does motor cortex stimulation
      affect pain-signaling pathways?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Neuropathic pain is often severe. Motor cortex stimulation (MCS) is
      used for alleviating neuropathic pain, but the mechanism of action is still
      unclear. This study aimed to understand the mechanism of action of MCS by
      investigating pain-signaling pathways, with the expectation that MCS would
      regulate both descending and ascending pathways. METHODS: Neuropathic pain was
      induced in Sprague-Dawley rats. Surface electrodes for MCS were implanted in the
      rats. Tactile allodynia was measured by behavioral testing to determine the
      effect of MCS. For the pathway study, immunohistochemistry was performed to
      investigate changes in c-fos and serotonin expression; micro-positron emission
      tomography (mPET) scanning was performed to investigate changes of glucose
      uptake; and extracellular electrophysiological recordings were performed to
      demonstrate brain activity. RESULTS: MCS was found to modulate c-fos and
      serotonin expression. In the mPET study, altered brain activity was observed in
      the striatum, thalamic area, and cerebellum. In the electrophysiological study,
      neuronal activity was increased by mechanical stimulation and suppressed by MCS.
      After elimination of artifacts, neuronal activity was demonstrated in the ventral
      posterolateral nucleus (VPL) during electrical stimulation. This neuronal
      activity was effectively suppressed by MCS. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated
      that MCS effectively attenuated neuropathic pain. MCS modulated ascending and
      descending pain pathways. It regulated neuropathic pain by affecting the
      striatum, periaqueductal gray, cerebellum, and thalamic area, which are thought
      to regulate the descending pathway. MCS also appeared to suppress activation of
      the VPL, which is part of the ascending pathway.

PMID- 26274989
TI  - Editorial: Radial nerve.

PMID- 26274990
TI  - Editorial: Deep brain stimulation and intraoperative MRI.

PMID- 26274991
TI  - Benign meningiomas (WHO Grade I) with atypical histological features: correlation
      of histopathological features with clinical outcomes.
AB  - OBJECT World Health Organization (WHO) Grade I (benign) meningiomas with atypical
      features may behave more aggressively than similarly graded tumors without
      atypical features. Here, the prognostic significance of atypical features in
      benign meningiomas was determined. METHODS Data from patients diagnosed with WHO
      Grade I benign meningiomas per the 2007 WHO criteria and who underwent surgery
      between 2002 and 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were stratified by
      the absence or presence of 1 to 2 atypical features with review of the clinical
      and histological factors. RESULTS A total of 148 patients met the inclusion
      criteria (n = 77 with atypia; n = 71 without atypia). The median follow-up
      duration after pathological diagnosis was 37.5 months. Thirty patients had
      progression/recurrence (P/R) after initial treatment, and 22 (73%) of 30 patients
      with P/R had 1-2 atypical features. The presence of atypical features was
      significantly associated with P/R (p = 0.03) and independent of the MIB-1
      labeling index. The 1-year and 5-year actuarial rates of P/R were 9.6% versus
      1.4% and 30.8% versus 13.8% fortumors with and without atypical features,
      respectively. Higher Simpson grade resection (II-IV vs I) was associated with the
      increased risk of P/R (p < 0.001). Stratification of patients into low-risk
      (Simpson Grade I), intermediate-risk (Simpson Grade II-IV with no atypical
      features), and high-risk groups (Simpson Grade II-IV with atypical features) was
      significantly correlated with increased risk of P/R (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS
      Patients with benign meningiomas with atypical features and those undergoing
      Simpson Grade II-IV resection are at significantly increased risk of P/R.
      Patients with these features may benefit from the consideration of additional
      surgery and/or radiation therapy. 

PMID- 26274992
TI  - Endoscope-assisted endonasal versus supraorbital keyhole resection of olfactory
      groove meningiomas: comparison and combination of 2 minimally invasive
      approaches.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Although the endonasal endoscopic approach has been applied to remove
      olfactory groove meningiomas, controversy exists regarding the efficacy and
      safety of this approach compared with more traditional transcranial approaches.
      The endonasal endoscopic approach was compared with the supraorbital (eyebrow)
      keyhole technique, as well as a combined "above-and-below" approach, to evaluate
      the relative merits of each approach in different situations. METHODS: Nineteen
      cases were reviewed and divided according to operative technique into 3 different
      groups: purely endonasal (6 cases); supraorbital eyebrow (microscopic with
      endoscopic assistance; 7 cases); and combined endonasal endoscopic with either
      the bicoronal or eyebrow microscopic approach (6 cases). Resection was judged on
      postoperative MRI using volumetric analysis. Tumors were assessed based on the
      Mohr radiological classification and the presence of the lion's mane sign.
      RESULTS: The mean age at surgery was 61.4 years. The mean tumor volume was 19.6
      cm(3) in the endonasal group, 33.5 cm(3) in the supraorbital group, and 37.8
      cm(3) in the combined group. Significant frontal lobe edema was identified in 10
      cases (52.6%). The majority of tumors were either Mohr Grade II (moderate)
      (42.1%) or Grade III (large) (47.4%). Gross-total resection was achieved in 50%
      of the endonasal cases, 100% of the supraorbital eyebrow cases with endoscopic
      assistance, and 66.7% of the combined cases. The extent of resection was 87.8%
      for the endonasal cases, 100% for the supraorbital eyebrow cases, and 98.9% for
      the combined cases. Postoperative anosmia occurred in 100% of the endonasal and
      combined cases and only 57.1% of the supraorbital eyebrow cases. Excluding
      anosmia, permanent complications occurred in 83.3% of the cases in the endoscopic
      group, 0% of the cases in the supraorbital eyebrow group, and 16.7% of cases in
      the combined group (p = 0.017). There were 3 tumor recurrences: 2 in the
      endonasal group and 1 in the combined group. CONCLUSIONS: The supraorbital
      eyebrow approach, with endoscopic assistance, leads to a higher extent of
      resection and lower rate of complications than the purely endonasal endoscopic
      approach. The endonasal endoscopic approach by itself may be suitable for a small
      percentage of cases. The combined above-and-below approaches are useful for large
      tumors with invasion of the ethmoid sinuses.

PMID- 26274993
TI  - Anaplastic meningioma: octreotide therapy for a case of recurrent and progressive
      intracranial disease.
AB  - Meningiomas are common intracranial tumors categorized as Grades I-III per the
      current WHO guidelines. A small percentage of meningiomas are Grades II and III,
      which are likely to recur after initial treatment. Grade III meningiomas are
      considered to be malignant and warrant aggressive management. If surgery and
      radiation fail to produce lasting remission, effective treatment options for
      patients with progressive anaplastic meningiomas are elusive. The authors present
      the case of a patient with a meningioma that gradually progressed from Grade I to
      Grade III over 12 years despite repeated surgery and radiation therapy. The
      patient has been in remission for over 3 years following octreotide therapy. 

PMID- 26274994
TI  - The War of Independence: a surgical algorithm for the treatment of head injury in
      the continental army.
AB  - The American Revolution was a gruesome warthat resulted in the independence of
      the United States of America from the British crown and countless casualties to
      both belligerents. However, from these desperate times, the treatment of
      traumatic head injury was elucidated, as were the origins of American
      neurosurgery in the 18th century. During the war, the surgical manual used by
      military field surgeons was titled Plain Concise Practical Remarks on the
      Treatment of Wounds and Fractures, by Dr. John Jones. This manual explains the
      different types of cranial injuries understood at that time as well as the
      relevant surgical treatment. This article seeks to review the surgical treatment
      of head injury in the Revolutionary War as outlined by Dr. Jones's manual. 

PMID- 26274995
TI  - Height of aneurysm neck and estimated extent of brain retraction: powerful
      predictors of olfactory dysfunction after surgery for unruptured anterior
      communicating artery aneurysms.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The highest incidence of olfactory dysfunction following a pterional
      approach and its modifications for an intracranial aneurysm has been reported in
      cases of anterior communicating artery (ACoA) aneurysms. The radiological
      characteristics of unruptured ACoA aneurysms affecting the extent of retraction
      of the frontal lobe and olfactory nerve were investigated as risk factors for
      postoperative olfactory dysfunction. METHODS: A total of 102 patients who
      underwent a pterional or superciliary keyhole approach to clip an unruptured ACoA
      aneurysm from 2006 to 2013 were included in this study. Those patients who
      complained of permanent olfactory dysfunction after their aneurysm surgery,
      during a postoperative office visit or a telephone interview, were invited to
      undergo an olfactory test, the Korean version of the Sniffin' Sticks test. In
      addition, the angiographic characteristics of ACoA aneurysms, including the
      maximum diameter, the projecting direction of the aneurysm, and the height of the
      neck of the aneurysm, were all recorded based on digital subtraction angiography
      and sagittal brain images reconstructed using CT angiography. Furthermore, the
      extent of the brain retraction was estimated based on the height of the ACoA
      aneurysm neck. RESULTS: Eleven patients (10.8%) exhibited objective olfactory
      dysfunction in the Sniffin' Sticks test, among whom 9 were anosmic and 2 were
      hyposmic. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that the direction of the
      ACoA aneurysm, ACoA aneurysm neck height, and estimated extent of brain
      retraction were statistically significant risk factors for postoperative
      olfactory dysfunction. Based on a receiver operating characteristic (ROC)
      analysis, an ACoA aneurysm neck height > 9 mm and estimated brain retraction > 12
      mm were chosen as the optimal cutoff values for differentiating anosmic/hyposmic
      from normosmic patients. The values for the area under the ROC curves were 0.939
      and 0.961, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In cases of unruptured ACoA aneurysm
      surgery, the height of the aneurysm neck and the estimated extent of brain
      retraction were both found to be powerful predictors of the occurrence of
      postoperative olfactory dysfunction.

PMID- 26274996
TI  - Toxic levels of ammonia in human brain abscess.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Brain abscesses could lead to cerebral symptoms through tissue
      destruction, edema, changes in brain architecture, and increased intracranial
      pressure. However, the possibility that the pus itself could contribute to
      symptoms has received little attention. Brain abscesses are areas of tissue
      destruction, proteolysis, and formation of free amino acids, which are energy
      substrates for bacteria and possible sources of ammonia. Ammonia is neurotoxic,
      may cause brain edema, and could contribute to the symptoms of brain abscesses.
      METHODS: The authors analyzed the extracellular phase of pus from 14 patients
      with brain abscesses with respect to ammonia and amino acids. For comparison, CSF
      from 10 patients undergoing external ventricular drainage was included. The
      ammonia-forming ability of Streptococcus intermedius and Staphylococcus aureus,
      two common microbial isolates in brain abscesses, was studied in vitro. RESULTS:
      In brain abscesses ammonia was 15.5 mmol/L (median value; range 1.7-69.2 mmol/L).
      In CSF ammonia was 29 MUmol/L (range 17-55 MUmol/L; difference from value in pus:
      p < 0.001). The total concentration of amino acids in brain abscesses was 1.12-16
      times higher than the ammonia concentration (p = 0.011). The median glucose value
      in pus was 0 mmol/L (range 0-2.1 mmol/L), lactate was 21 mmol/L (range 3.3-26.5
      mmol/L), and pH was 6.8 (range 6.2-7.3). In vitro, S. intermedius and S. aureus
      formed ammonia at 6-7 mmol/L in 24 hours when incubated with 20 proteinogenic
      amino acids plus g-aminobutyric acid (GABA), taurine, and glutathione at 1
      mmol/L. CONCLUSIONS: Intracerebral abscesses contain toxic levels of ammonia. At
      the concentrations found in pus, ammonia could contribute to the brain edema and
      the symptoms of brain abscesses.

PMID- 26274997
TI  - Laser speckle imaging to improve clinical outcomes for patients with trigeminal
      neuralgia undergoing radiofrequency thermocoagulation.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Percutaneous treatments for trigeminal neuralgia are safe, simple, and
      effective for achieving good pain control. Procedural risks could be minimized by
      using noninvasive imaging techniques to improve the placement of the
      radiofrequency thermocoagulation probe into the trigeminal ganglion. Positioning
      of a probe is crucial to maximize pain relief and to minimize unwanted side
      effects, such as denervation in unaffected areas. This investigation examined the
      use of laser speckle imaging during probe placement in an animal model. METHODS:
      This preclinical safety study used nonhuman primates, Macaca nemestrina (pigtail
      monkeys), to examine whether real-time imaging of blood flow in the face during
      the positioning of a coagulation probe could monitor the location and guide the
      positioning of the probe within the trigeminal ganglion. RESULTS: Data from 6
      experiments in 3 pigtail monkeys support the hypothesis that laser imaging is
      safe and improves the accuracy of probe placement. CONCLUSIONS: Noninvasive laser
      speckle imaging can be performed safely in nonhuman primates. Because improved
      probe placement may reduce morbidity associated with percutaneous rhizotomies,
      efficacy trials of laser speckle imaging should be conducted in humans.

PMID- 26274998
TI  - Results of nerve grafting in radial nerve injuries occurring proximal to the
      humerus, including those within the posterior cord.
AB  - OBJECT Results of radial nerve grafting are largely unknown for lesions of the
      radial nerve that occur proximal to the humerus, including those within the
      posterior cord. METHODS The authors describe 13 patients with proximal radial
      nerve injuries who were surgically treated and then followed for at least 24
      months. The patients' average age was 26 years and the average time between
      accident and surgery was 6 months. Sural nerve graft length averaged 12 cm.
      Recovery was scored according to the British Medical Research Council (BMRC)
      scale, which ranges from M0 to M5 (normal muscle strength). RESULTS After
      grafting, all 7 patients with an elbow extension palsy recovered elbow extension,
      scoring M4. Six of the 13 recovered M4 wrist extension, 6 had M3, and 1 had M2.
      Thumb and finger extension was scored M4 in 3 patients, M3 in 2, M2 in 2, and M0
      in 6. CONCLUSIONS The authors consider levels of strength of M4 for elbow and
      wrist extension and M3 for thumb and finger extension to be good results. Based
      on these criteria, overall good results were obtained in only 5 of the 13
      patients. In proximal radial nerve lesions, the authors now advocate combining
      nerve grafts with nerve or tendon transfers to reconstruct wrist, thumb, and
      finger extension. 

PMID- 26274999
TI  - Increased level of H19 long noncoding RNA promotes invasion, angiogenesis, and
      stemness of glioblastoma cells.
AB  - OBJECT Increased levels of H19 long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) have been observed in
      many cancers, suggesting that overexpression of H19 may be important in the
      development of carcinogenesis. However, the role of H19 in human glioblastoma is
      still unclear. The object of this study was to examine the level of H19 in
      glioblastoma samples and investigate the role of H19 in glioblastoma
      carcinogenesis. METHODS Glioblastoma and nontumor brain tissue specimens were
      obtained from tissue obtained during tumor resection in 30 patients with
      glioblastoma. The level of H19 lncRNA was detected by real-time quantitative
      reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The role of H19 in invasion,
      angiogenesis, and stemness of glioblastoma cells was then investigated using
      commercially produced cell lines (U87 and U373). The effects of H19
      overexpression on glioblastoma cell invasion and angiogenesis were detected by in
      vitro Matrigel invasion and endothelial tube formation assay. The effects of H19
      on glioblastoma cell stemness and tumorigenicity were investigated by neurosphere
      formation and an in vivo murine xenograft model. RESULTS The authors found that
      H19 is significantly overexpressed in glioblastoma tissues, and the level of
      expression was associated with patient survival. In the subsequent
      investigations, the authors found that overexpression of H19 promotes
      glioblastoma cell invasion and angiogenesis in vitro. Interestingly, H19 was also
      significantly overexpressed in CD133(+) glioblastoma cells, and overexpression of
      H19 was associated with increased neurosphere formation of glioblastoma cells.
      Finally, stable overexpression of H19 was associated with increased tumor growth
      in the murine xenograft model. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study suggest that
      increased expression of H19 lncRNA promotes invasion, angiogenesis, stemness, and
      tumorigenicity of glioblastoma cells. Taken together, these findings indicate
      that H19 plays an important role in tumorigenicity and stemness of glioblastoma
      and thus could be a therapeutic target for treatment of glioblastoma in the
      future. 

PMID- 26275000
TI  - Lateral supracerebellar infratentorial approach for microsurgical resection of
      large midline pineal region tumors: techniques to expand the operative corridor.
AB  - Pineal region tumors pose certain challenges in regard to their resection: a deep
      surgical field, associated critical surrounding neurovascular structures, and
      narrow operative working corridor due to obstruction by the apex of the culmen.
      The authors describe a lateral supracerebellar infratentorial approach that was
      successfully used in the treatment of 10 large (> 3 cm) midline pineal region
      tumors. The patients were placed in a modified lateral decubitus position. A
      small lateral suboccipital craniotomy exposed the transverse sinus. Tentorial
      retraction sutures were used to gently rotate and elevate the transverse sinus to
      expand the lateral supracerebellar operative corridor. This approach placed only
      unilateral normal structures at risk and minimized vermian venous sacrifice. The
      surgeon achieved generous exposure of the caudal midline mesencephalon through a
      "cross-court" oblique trajectory, while avoiding excessive retraction on the
      culmen. All patients underwent the lateral approach with no approach-related
      complication. The final pathological diagnoses were consistent with meningioma in
      3 cases, pilocytic astrocytoma in 3 cases, intermediate grade pineal region tumor
      in 2 cases, and pineoblastoma in 2 cases. The entire extent of these tumors was
      readily reachable through the lateral supracerebellar route. Gross-total
      resection was achieved in 8 (80%) of the 10 cases; in 2 cases (20%) near-total
      resection was performed due to adherence of these tumors to deep diencephalic
      veins. Large midline pineal region tumors can be removed through a unilateral
      paramedian suboccipital craniotomy. This approach is simple, may spare some of
      the midline vermian bridging veins, and may be potentially less invasive and more
      efficient. 

PMID- 26275001
TI  - Editorial: Discipline and training.

PMID- 26275002
TI  - Editorial: Does physician specialty matter?

PMID- 26275003
TI  - Postoperative subdural hygroma and chronic subdural hematoma after unruptured
      aneurysm surgery: age, sex, and aneurysm location as independent risk factors.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the incidence and risk factors for the
      postoperative occurrence of subdural complications, such as a subdural hygroma
      and resultant chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH), following surgical clipping of an
      unruptured aneurysm. The critical age affecting such occurrences and follow-up
      results were also examined. METHODS: The case series included 364 consecutive
      patients who underwent aneurysm clipping via a pterional or superciliary keyhole
      approach for an unruptured saccular aneurysm in the anterior cerebral circulation
      between 2007 and 2013. The subdural hygromas were identified based on CT scans 6
      9 weeks after surgery, and the volumes were measured using volumetry studies.
      Until their complete resolution, all the subdural hygromas were followed using CT
      scans every 1-2 months. Meanwhile, the CSDHs were classified as nonoperative or
      operative lesions that were treated by bur-hole drainage. The age and sex of the
      patients, aneurysm location, history of a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), and
      surgical approach (pterional vs superciliary) were all analyzed regarding the
      postoperative occurrence of a subdural hygroma or CSDH. The follow-up results of
      the subdural complications were also investigated. RESULTS: Seventy patients
      (19.2%) developed a subdural hygroma or CSDH. The results of a multivariate
      analysis showed that advanced age (p = 0.003), male sex (p < 0.001), middle
      cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysm (p = 0.045), and multiple concomitant aneurysms at
      the MCA and anterior communicating artery (ACoA) (p < 0.001) were all significant
      risk factors of a subdural hygroma and CSDH. In addition, a receiver operating
      characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed a cut-off age of > 60 years, which
      achieved a 70% sensitivity and 69% specificity with regard to predicting such
      subdural complications. The female patients <= 60 years of age showed a
      negligible incidence of subdural complications for all aneurysm groups, whereas
      the male patients > 60 years of age showed the highest incidence of subdural
      complications at 50%-100%, according to the aneurysm location. The subdural
      hygromas detected 6-9 weeks postoperatively showed different follow-up results,
      according to the severity. The subdural hygromas that converted to a CSDH were
      larger in volume than the subdural hygromas that resolved spontaneously (28.4 +/-
      16.8 ml vs 59.6 +/- 38.4 ml, p = 0.003). Conversion to a CSDH was observed in
      31.3% (5 of 16), 64.3% (9 of 14), and 83.3% (5 of 6) of the patients with mild,
      moderate, and severe subdural hygromas, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Advanced age,
      male sex, and an aneurysm location requiring extensive arachnoid dissection (MCA
      aneurysms and multiple concomitant aneurysms at the MCA and ACoA) are all
      correlated with the occurrence of a subdural hygroma and CSDH after unruptured
      aneurysm surgery. The critical age affecting such an occurrence is 60 years.

PMID- 26275004
TI  - A Novel Culture Model for Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Propagation on Gelatin in
      Placenta-conditioned Media.
AB  - The propagation of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) in conditioned medium
      derived from human cells in feeder-free culture conditions has been of interest.
      Nevertheless, an ideal humanized ex vivo feeder-free propagation method for hPSCs
      has not been developed; currently, additional exogenous substrates including
      basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), a master hPSC-sustaining factor, is added
      to all of culture media and synthetic substrata such as Matrigel or laminin are
      used in all feeder-free cultures. Recently, our group developed a simple and
      efficient protocol for the propagation of hPSCs using only conditioned media
      derived from the human placenta on a gelatin-coated dish without additional
      exogenous supplementation or synthetic substrata specific to hPSCs. This protocol
      has not been reported previously and might enable researchers to propagate hPSCs
      efficiently in humanized culture conditions. Additionally, this model obviates
      hPSC contamination risks by animal products such as viruses or unknown proteins.
      Furthermore, this system facilitates easy mass production of hPSCs using the
      gelatin coating, which is simple to handle, dramatically decreases the overall
      costs of ex vivo hPSC maintenance. 

PMID- 26275005
TI  - Betrayal trauma and child symptoms: The role of emotion.
AB  - Both mothers' and children's exposures to interpersonal violence-including
      betrayal traumas-are linked with heightened risk for children developing
      internalizing and externalizing symptoms. Despite this association, little
      research has examined additional factors that may explain this risk, such as
      emotion skills. The current study examined the relationship between mother-child
      emotion understanding abilities and use of emotion language on a behavioral
      facial affect perception task and betrayal trauma exposure in relation to child
      internalizing/externalizing symptoms. The sample included 47 ethnically diverse
      female guardians (ages 25-51 years old; M age = 37.7) and their children (ages 7
      11 years old; M age = 9.1). Results indicated that maternal provision of a
      spontaneous, unprompted reason for emotions during the facial affect perception
      task was significantly associated with lower child internalizing/externalizing
      symptoms when both mothers' and children's betrayal trauma histories were
      controlled. The results suggest that emotion skills (in particular, the way
      mothers talk about emotions) warrant greater attention in research on the
      development of child internalizing/externalizing problems. 

PMID- 26275007
TI  - Prophylactic bilateral salpingectomy for the prevention of ovarian cancers: What
      is happening in Italy?
AB  - In 2011, the Society of Gynecologic Oncology of Canada encouraged physicians to
      discuss with their patients the risks and benefits of prophylactic bilateral
      salpingectomy (PBS) at the time of hysterectomy or tubal ligation for prevention
      of ovarian cancers (OCs). The aim of this study was to examine obstetrician
      gynaecologists' knowledge, opinions and practice patterns relating to
      opportunistic salpingectomy in the general population. An anonymous electronic
      survey was sent to residents, academic and hospital staff in Italian OBGYN
      departments. The survey included questions on demographics, knowledge and
      attitudes in terms of the implementation of PBS in women at average population
      risk of OC. At least 80% of the 479 respondents reported performing PBS during
      hysterectomy for benign indications, chiefly with the intent of OC risk reduction
      but also to decrease the risk of reoperation and subsequent tubal pathologies.
      Among the 86 colleagues who do not routinely perform PBS, more than 50% stated
      that they have doubts regarding the benefits associated with the procedure. Most
      of the respondents declared that they were familiar with the literature on the
      topic and were aware of the data reporting the safety of the procedure, and only
      21 (4.53%) had never heard of PBS. Over 40% of the respondents worked in
      hospitals in southern Italy. PBS as a prophylactic measure to reduce the
      incidence of OC is a well-known strategy among the Italian OBGYNs interviewed.
      Given the unequal distribution of respondents, however, wider educational
      initiatives should be undertaken, at least in Italy, to increase the
      implementation of salpingectomy among OBGYNs.

PMID- 26275006
TI  - Mouthwash use and cancer of the head and neck: a pooled analysis from the
      International Head and Neck Cancer Epidemiology Consortium.
AB  - Most mouthwashes contain alcohol, a known cause of head and neck cancer (oral
      cavity, pharynx, larynx), likely through the carcinogenic activity of
      acetaldehyde, formed in the oral cavity from alcohol. We carried out a pooled
      analysis of 8981 cases of head and neck cancer and 10 090 controls from 12 case
      control studies with comparable information on mouthwash use in the International
      Head and Neck Cancer Epidemiology Consortium. Logistic regression was used to
      assess the association of mouthwash use with cancers of the oral cavity,
      oropharynx, hypopharynx, and larynx, adjusting for study, age, sex, pack-years of
      tobacco smoking, number of alcoholic drinks/day, and education. Compared with
      never users of mouthwash, the odds ratio (OR) of all head and neck cancers was
      1.01 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.94-1.08] for ever users, based on 12
      studies. The corresponding ORs of cancer of the oral cavity and oropharynx were
      1.11 (95% CI: 1.00-1.23) and 1.28 (95% CI: 1.06-1.56), respectively. OR for all
      head and neck cancer was 1.15 (95% CI: 1.01-1.30) for use for more than 35 years,
      based on seven studies (P for linear trend=0.01), and OR 1.31 (95% CI: 1.09-1.58)
      for use more than one per day, based on five studies (P for linear trend <0.001).
      Although limited by the retrospective nature of the study and the limited ability
      to assess risks of mouthwash use in nonusers of tobacco and alcohol, this large
      investigation shows potential risks for head and neck cancer subsites and in long
      term and frequent users of mouthwash. This pooled analysis provides the most
      precise estimate of the association between mouthwash use and head and neck
      cancer.

PMID- 26275009
TI  - A two-phase approach to Fourier transform ion mobility time-of-flight mass
      spectrometry.
AB  - It is well known that the duty cycle of common drift-tube ion mobility
      experiments is often below 1%. However, multiplexing approaches such as Fourier
      and Hadamard pulsing schemes have been shown to independently enhance the
      throughput of ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) experiments to levels that approach
      50%. While challenges remain to their broad scale implementation we describe a
      new Fourier transform (FT) IMS experiment that is directly compatible with
      standard drift tube ion mobility mass spectrometers (DT-IMMS). Compared to
      previous FT-IMS experiments, our new approach requires only a single gate and
      circumvents the need for signal apodization by combining data from two frequency
      pulsing sequences 180 degrees  out of phase. Assessment of our initial results
      highlights an increase in signal-to-noise (SNR) relative to both previous
      implementations FT-IMS experiments and signal averaged (SA) experiments. For
      select tetraalkylammonium salts SNR improvements of more than one order of
      magnitude are routinely possible. To explore the performance metrics associated
      with the technique a number of experimental variables were systematically altered
      including frequency sweep range, sweep time, and data acquisition time. Using
      this experimental design we present the key aspects, considerations, and minimum
      resources necessary for other IMS researchers to incorporate this operational
      mode into their research. The two-phase FT-IMMS technique offers a tractable
      mechanism to enhance sensitivity for IMMS measurements and its broad-scale
      adoption by IMMS researchers promises to enhance the acquisition speed for
      mobility measurements using hybrid instrumentation. 

PMID- 26275010
TI  - A Brief History of the Perioperative Surgical Home.

PMID- 26275011
TI  - Kidney Regeneration in Adult Zebrafish by Gentamicin Induced Injury.
AB  - The kidney is essential for fluid homeostasis, blood pressure regulation and
      filtration of waste from the body. The fundamental unit of kidney function is the
      nephron. Mammals are able to repair existing nephrons after injury, but lose the
      ability to form new nephrons soon after birth. In contrast to mammals, adult fish
      produce new nephrons (neonephrogenesis) throughout their lives in response to
      growth requirements or injury. Recently, lhx1a has been shown to mark nephron
      progenitor cells in the adult zebrafish kidney, however mechanisms controlling
      the formation of new nephrons after injury remain unknown. Here we show our
      method for robust and reproducible injury in the adult zebrafish kidney by
      intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of gentamicin, which uses a noninvasive visual
      screening process to select for fish with strong but nonlethal injury. Using this
      method, we can determine optimal gentamicin dosages for injury and go on to
      demonstrate the effect of higher temperatures on kidney regeneration in
      zebrafish. 

PMID- 26275012
TI  - Symbolic representation of propulsion cycles in manual wheelchair locomotion.

PMID- 26275013
TI  - Correction: Genome-Wide Analyses Reveal a Role for Peptide Hormones in Planarian
      Germline Development.

PMID- 26275014
TI  - Normothermic Ex Vivo Kidney Perfusion for the Preservation of Kidney Grafts prior
      to Transplantation.
AB  - Kidney transplantation has become a well-established treatment option for
      patients with end-stage renal failure. The persisting organ shortage remains a
      serious problem. Therefore, the acceptance criteria for organ donors have been
      extended leading to the usage of marginal kidney grafts. These marginal organs
      tolerate cold storage poorly resulting in increased preservation injury and
      higher rates of delayed graft function. To overcome the limitations of cold
      storage, extensive research is focused on alternative normothermic preservation
      methods. Ex vivo normothermic organ perfusion is an innovative preservation
      technique. The first experimental and clinical trials for ex vivo lung, liver,
      and kidney perfusions demonstrated favorable outcomes. In addition to the
      reduction of cold ischemic injury, the method of normothermic kidney storage
      offers the opportunity for organ assessment and repair. This manuscript provides
      information about kidney retrieval, organ preservation techniques, and isolated
      ex vivo normothermic kidney perfusion (NEVKP) in a porcine model. Surgical
      techniques, set up for the perfusion solution and the circuit, potential
      assessment options, and representative results are demonstrated. 

PMID- 26275016
TI  - Multiple and solitary skeletal muscle metastases on 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the features and patterns of
      skeletal muscle metastases (SMM) detected with F-fluorodeoxyglucose (F-FDG)
      PET/computed tomography (PET/CT). PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: Our database was
      analyzed for patients with pathologically proven malignancy, who underwent F-FDG
      PET/CT in our institution. The patients with SMM were included in the study group
      on the basis of the final diagnosis confirmed by follow-up or histopathology.
      Images were acquired using a PET/CT system Biograph mCT S(64)-4R. CT was
      performed without contrast enhancement. RESULTS: The selected group included 31
      patients (1.7% of the database, which consisted of 1805 patients). A total of 233
      lesions were found. The prevalence of SMM evaluated in specific primary
      malignancies was the highest in melanoma (6.9%), followed by carcinoma of unknown
      primary (4.4%), colorectal cancer (4.1%) and lung cancer (2.8%). Three patterns
      of skeletal muscle metastatic involvement were observed: multiple SMM accompanied
      by other metastases (64.5%), solitary lesion associated with other metastases
      (29%) and isolated intramuscular lesions (two cases, 6.5%). Isolated SMM
      represented recurrence of the malignant disease. In patients with extraskeletal
      metastases, solitary or multiple SMM did not affect tumor staging. CONCLUSION:
      Solitary SMM are less common than multiple on F-FDG PET/CT imaging. SMM are
      usually associated with other metastases and do not affect tumor staging. The
      cases of isolated SMM are very rare. Nevertheless, in patients with a diagnosis
      of malignant disease, a solitary, F-FDG avid intramuscular focus should be
      suspected to represent metastasis.

PMID- 26275015
TI  - Derivation of Adult Human Fibroblasts and their Direct Conversion into Expandable
      Neural Progenitor Cells.
AB  - Generation of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSCs) from adult skin fibroblasts
      and subsequent differentiation into somatic cells provides fascinating prospects
      for the derivation of autologous transplants that circumvent histocompatibility
      barriers. However, progression through a pluripotent state and subsequent
      complete differentiation into desired lineages remains a roadblock for the
      clinical translation of iPSC technology because of the associated neoplastic
      potential and genomic instability. Recently, we and others showed that somatic
      cells cannot only be converted into iPSCs but also into different types of
      multipotent somatic stem cells by using defined factors, thereby circumventing
      progression through the pluripotent state. In particular, the direct conversion
      of human fibroblasts into induced neural progenitor cells (iNPCs) heralds the
      possibility of a novel autologous cell source for various applications such as
      cell replacement, disease modeling and drug screening. Here, we describe the
      isolation of adult human primary fibroblasts by skin biopsy and their efficient
      direct conversion into iNPCs by timely restricted expression of Oct4, Sox2, Klf4,
      as well as c-Myc. Sox2-positive neuroepithelial colonies appear after 17 days of
      induction and iNPC lines can be established efficiently by monoclonal isolation
      and expansion. Precise adjustment of viral multiplicity of infection and
      supplementation of leukemia inhibitory factor during the induction phase
      represent critical factors to achieve conversion efficiencies of up to 0.2%. Thus
      far, patient-specific iNPC lines could be expanded for more than 12 passages and
      uniformly display morphological and molecular features of neural stem/progenitor
      cells, such as the expression of Nestin and Sox2. The iNPC lines can be
      differentiated into neurons and astrocytes as judged by staining against TUJ1 and
      GFAP, respectively. In conclusion, we report a robust protocol for the derivation
      and direct conversion of human fibroblasts into stably expandable neural
      progenitor cells that might provide a cellular source for biomedical applications
      such as autologous neural cell replacement and disease modeling. 

PMID- 26275017
TI  - 3D Organotypic Co-culture Model Supporting Medullary Thymic Epithelial Cell
      Proliferation, Differentiation and Promiscuous Gene Expression.
AB  - Intra-thymic T cell development requires an intricate three-dimensional meshwork
      composed of various stromal cells, i.e., non-T cells. Thymocytes traverse this
      scaffold in a highly coordinated temporal and spatial order while sequentially
      passing obligatory check points, i.e., T cell lineage commitment, followed by T
      cell receptor repertoire generation and selection prior to their export into the
      periphery. The two major resident cell types forming this scaffold are cortical
      (cTECs) and medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs). A key feature of mTECs is
      the so-called promiscuous expression of numerous tissue-restricted antigens.
      These tissue-restricted antigens are presented to immature thymocytes directly or
      indirectly by mTECs or thymic dendritic cells, respectively resulting in self
      tolerance. Suitable in vitro models emulating the developmental pathways and
      functions of cTECs and mTECs are currently lacking. This lack of adequate
      experimental models has for instance hampered the analysis of promiscuous gene
      expression, which is still poorly understood at the cellular and molecular level.
      We adapted a 3D organotypic co-culture model to culture ex vivo isolated mTECs.
      This model was originally devised to cultivate keratinocytes in such a way as to
      generate a skin equivalent in vitro. The 3D model preserved key functional
      features of mTEC biology: (i) proliferation and terminal differentiation of
      CD80(lo), Aire-negative into CD80(hi), Aire-positive mTECs, (ii) responsiveness
      to RANKL, and (iii) sustained expression of FoxN1, Aire and tissue-restricted
      genes in CD80(hi) mTECs. 

PMID- 26275018
TI  - Crystal Habits of Itraconazole Microcrystals: Unusual Isomorphic Intergrowths
      Induced via Tuning Recrystallization Conditions.
AB  - The external appearance of a crystal of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API),
      usually referred to as a crystal habit, has a substantial impact on the API's
      physicochemical and physiochemical properties and, subsequently, its
      pharmaceutical performance. In this work, we investigate the role of different
      parameters of antisolvent crystallization impacting on the itraconazole (ITR)
      crystal habit and how this crystal habit manipulation, including crystal
      intergrowth, can affect crystal interactions with water molecules. Three distinct
      isomorphic crystal habits of ITR, a twinned blade-shaped (CHtw), a plate-shaped
      (CHpl), and a flat sheet-shaped with dendritic ends (CHsh), were obtained by
      controlling crystallization conditions. A liquid-liquid crystalline phase
      separation was observed as an intermediate stage preceding crystal growth. The
      March-Dollase parameter was used as a quantitative description of the preferred
      orientation, where CHsh exhibited the highest preferred orientation. The three
      crystal habits were evaluated for their wettability and water vapor distribution,
      at 37  degrees C, using the Young-Nelson fitting model. CHtw crystals sorbed a
      statistically significantly higher amount of water than CHpl and CHsh, which was
      attributed to the presence of crystal defects due to the twinning boundary. On
      the other hand, the amount of water adsorbed on the surface of CHpl and CHsh
      crystals was comparable and it was about twice that adsorbed on CHtw crystals.
      This was related to the abundance of hydrophilic chemical functionalities on the
      (010) facet of CHpl and CHsh as supported by the full interaction map carried out
      using Mercury software. This study expands investigations of the impact of
      crystal habit manipulation on API's functional properties beyond the well-known
      solubility improvement approaches. 

PMID- 26275019
TI  - Selective Depletion of Microglia from Cerebellar Granule Cell Cultures Using L
      leucine Methyl Ester.
AB  - Microglia, the resident immunocompetent cells of the CNS, play multifaceted roles
      in modulating and controlling neuronal function, as well as mediating innate
      immunity. Primary rodent cell culture models have greatly advanced our
      understanding of neuronal-glial interactions, but only recently have methods to
      specifically eliminate microglia from mixed cultures been utilized. One such
      technique - described here - is the use of L-leucine methyl ester, a lysomotropic
      agent that is internalized by macrophages and microglia, wherein it causes
      lysosomal disruption and subsequent apoptosis(13,14). Experiments using L-leucine
      methyl ester have the power to identify the contribution of microglia to the
      surrounding cellular environment under diverse culture conditions. Using a
      protocol optimized in our laboratory, we describe how to eliminate microglia from
      P5 rodent cerebellar granule cell culture. This approach allows one to assess the
      relative impact of microglia on experimental data, as well as determine whether
      microglia are playing a neuroprotective or neurotoxic role in culture models of
      neurological conditions, such as stroke, Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease. 

PMID- 26275020
TI  - Tubular Structures Self-Assembled from a Bola-Amphiphilic Pillar[5]arene in Water
      and Applied as a Microreactor.
AB  - Various nanomorphologies were obtained by simply changing the fabrication
      conditions, such as the pH of the system, different solvent, or different
      concentration, of bola-amphiphilic pillar[5]arene Bola-AP5. Importantly, hybrid
      microtubules as a microreactor were successfully prepared by directly reducing
      AuCl4(-) on the surface of Bola-AP5-based tubular structures in water. 

PMID- 26275021
TI  - Effects of aerobic exercise in early evening on the following nocturnal sleep and
      its haemodynamic response.
AB  - We determined effect of aerobic exercise in early evening on the quality,
      quantity, and haemodynamic response of subsequent nocturnal sleep in the home.
      Ten healthy young participants performed two protocols, with/without cycle
      ergometer exercise (60 min at 50% heart rate reserve) in early evening. Blood
      pressure (BP) (Holter) and physical activity (accelerometer) were measured from
      late afternoon of day 1 until noon of next day (day 2). Additionally, at bedtime
      participants were equipped with a small device worn on the wrist that identified
      sleep stage. There were no substantial differences in objective indices of sleep
      between two protocols (total sleep time: 438 +/- 76 vs. 457 +/- 64 min; P >
      0.10). BP during nocturnal sleep tended to be lowered by prior exercise (MAP: 71
      +/- 5 vs. 68 +/- 6 mmHg; P = 0.08). Aerobic exercise in early evening apparently
      has no acute effect on sleep per se, but seems to have a residual effect on
      haemodynamics, i.e. prolongation of post-exercise hypotension.

PMID- 26275022
TI  - Capture of Hyperthermal CO2 by Amorphous Water Ice via Molecular Embedding.
AB  - We present the first study detailing the capture and aggregation of hyperthermal
      CO2 molecules by amorphous solid water (ASW) under ultra-high vacuum conditions
      at 125 K, near the amorphous/crystalline transition. Using time-resolved in situ
      reflection-absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS), CO2 molecules with
      translational energies above 3.0 eV are observed to directly embed underneath the
      vacuum-solid interface to become absorbed within the ice films despite an
      inability to adsorb at 125 K; this behavior is not observed for crystalline
      films. Upon embedding, the mobility of CO2 within 125 K amorphous ice and the
      strength of its intermolecular interactions result in its segregation into
      clusters within the ice films. Tracing the kinetics of CO2 embedding events under
      different energetic conditions allows for elucidation of the underlying dynamics,
      and we draw comparison with other projectiles we have studied to promote
      generalized conclusions in regard to empirical prediction of a projectile's
      embedding probability. Through application of a classical model of the entrance
      barrier for projectiles colliding with amorphous ice, we provide direct evidence
      for a unified connection between embedding probability and projectile momentum;
      an account of all embedding data measured by our group traces a unified barrier
      model. This work highlights the interplay between translational energy and
      momentum accommodation during collisions with ice in high speed gas flows. 

PMID- 26275023
TI  - The influence of category representations on exemplar generation.
AB  - The present study examined the influence of category representations on exemplar
      generation, which has been neglected in previous category research. An experiment
      on college students manipulated the category representation of insects in three
      conditions (prototypes, exemplars, and the hybrid of prototypes and exemplars).
      Participants were asked to generate as many exemplars as possible. The results
      demonstrate that category representations affect and constrain exemplar
      generation. The new findings are as follows. In the prototype and hybrid
      conditions with the prototype representation, people tend to generate more valid
      exemplars by using the prototype mutation mechanism, and exemplar generation
      conforms to the family resemblance structure. Exemplar generation in the hybrid
      condition is additionally constrained by known exemplars. In the exemplar
      condition, people tend to generate fewer valid exemplars by using miscellaneous
      strategies, and their exemplar generation may not conform to the family
      resemblance structure. 

PMID- 26275024
TI  - WITHDRAWN: Opioids for the management of breakthrough pain in cancer patients.

PMID- 26275025
TI  - Minimally invasive identification of degraded polyester-urethane magnetic tape
      using attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and
      multivariate statistics.
AB  - Audio recordings are a significant component of the world's modern cultural
      history and are retained for future generations in libraries, archives, and
      museums. The vast majority of tapes contain polyester-urethane as the magnetic
      particle binder, the degradation of which threatens the playability and integrity
      of these often unique recordings. Magnetic tapes with stored historical data are
      degrading and need to be identified prior to digitization and/or preservation. We
      demonstrate the successful differentiation of playable and nonplayable quarter
      inch audio tapes, allowing the minimally invasive triage of tape collections.
      Without such a method, recordings are put at risk during playback, which is the
      current method for identifying degraded tapes. A total of 133 quarter-inch audio
      tapes were analyzed by attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform-infrared
      spectroscopy (ATR FT-IR). Classification of IR spectra in regards to tape
      playability was accomplished using principal component analysis (PCA) followed by
      quadratic discriminant analysis (QDA) and K-means cluster analysis. The first
      principal component suggests intensities at the following wavenumbers to be
      representative of nonplayable tapes: 1730 cm(-1), 1700 cm(-1), 1255 cm(-1), and
      1140 cm(-1). QDA and cluster analysis both successfully identified 93.78% of
      nonplayable tapes in the calibration set and 92.31% of nonplayable tapes in the
      test set. This application of IR spectra assessed with multivariate statistical
      analysis offers a path to greatly improve efficiency of audio tape preservation.
      This rapid, minimally invasive technique shows potential to replace the manual
      playback test, a potentially destructive technique, ultimately allowing the safe
      preservation of culturally valuable content. 

PMID- 26275026
TI  - Studying distributed cognition of simulation-based team training with DiCoT.
AB  - Health care organizations employ simulation-based team training (SBTT) to improve
      skill, communication and coordination in a broad range of critical care contexts.
      Quantitative approaches, such as team performance measurements, are predominantly
      used to measure SBTTs effectiveness. However, a practical evaluation method that
      examines how this approach supports cognition and teamwork is missing. We have
      applied Distributed Cognition for Teamwork (DiCoT), a method for analysing
      cognition and collaboration aspects of work settings, with the purpose of
      assessing the methodology's usefulness for evaluating SBTTs. In a case study, we
      observed and analysed four Emergo Train System(r) simulation exercises where
      medical professionals trained emergency response routines. The study suggests
      that DiCoT is an applicable and learnable tool for determining key distributed
      cognition attributes of SBTTs that are of importance for the simulation validity
      of training environments. Moreover, we discuss and exemplify how DiCoT supports
      design of SBTTs with a focus on transfer and validity characteristics.
      Practitioner Summary: In this study, we have evaluated a method to assess
      simulation-based team training environments from a cognitive ergonomics
      perspective. Using a case study, we analysed Distributed Cognition for Teamwork
      (DiCoT) by applying it to the Emergo Train System(r). We conclude that DiCoT is
      useful for SBTT evaluation and simulator (re)design. 

PMID- 26275027
TI  - An All-Metal Aromatic Sandwich Complex [Sb3Au3Sb3](3-).
AB  - A sandwich complex, as exemplified by ferrocene in the 1950s, usually refers to
      one metal center bound by two arene ligands. The subject has subsequently been
      extended to carbon-free aromatic ligands and multiple-metal-atom "monolayered"
      center, but not to an all-metal species. Here, we describe the synthesis of an
      unprecedented all-metal aromatic sandwich complex, [Sb3Au3Sb3](3-), which was
      isolated as K([2.2.2]crypt)(+) salt and identified by single-crystal X-ray
      diffraction. Quantum chemical calculations indicate that intramolecular electron
      transfers for the three metallic layers (Sb -> Au donation and Sb <- Au back
      donation) markedly redistribute the valence electrons from the cyclo-Sb3 ligands
      and Au3 interlayer to the Au-Sb bonds, which hold the complex together via sigma
      bonding. Each cyclo-Sb3 possesses aromaticity with delocalized three-center three
      electron (3c-3e) pi bonds, which are essentially equivalent to a 3c-4e pipi*
      triplet system, following the reversed 4n Huckel rule for aromaticity in a
      triplet state. 

PMID- 26275028
TI  - Targeting Drug Resistance in EGFR with Covalent Inhibitors: A Structure-Based
      Design Approach.
AB  - Receptor tyrosine kinases represent one of the prime targets in cancer therapy,
      as the dysregulation of these elementary transducers of extracellular signals,
      like the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), contributes to the onset of
      cancer, such as non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Strong efforts were directed
      to the development of irreversible inhibitors and led to compound CO-1686, which
      takes advantage of increased residence time at EGFR by alkylating Cys797 and
      thereby preventing toxic effects. Here, we present a structure-based approach,
      rationalized by subsequent computational analysis of conformational ligand
      ensembles in solution, to design novel and irreversible EGFR inhibitors based on
      a screening hit that was identified in a phenotype screen of 80 NSCLC cell lines
      against approximately 1500 compounds. Using protein X-ray crystallography, we
      deciphered the binding mode in engineered cSrc (T338M/S345C), a validated model
      system for EGFR-T790M, which constituted the basis for further rational design
      approaches. Chemical synthesis led to further compound collections that revealed
      increased biochemical potency and, in part, selectivity toward mutated (L858R and
      L858R/T790M) vs nonmutated EGFR. Further cell-based and kinetic studies were
      performed to substantiate our initial findings. Utilizing proteolytic digestion
      and nano-LC-MS/MS analysis, we confirmed the alkylation of Cys797. 

PMID- 26275029
TI  - Assessment of fracture risk in patients with axial spondyloarthritis: a case
      control study using the fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination
      Survey (KNHANES V).
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is associated with low bone mineral
      density (BMD) and fractures, although the true fracture risk is unknown. The
      present study examined BMD and estimated the 10-year fracture risk in axSpA
      patients and matched controls and identified factors associated with a high
      fracture risk. METHOD: In total, 240 axSpA patients and 1200 healthy controls
      from the fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES
      V), matched using propensity scores, were included. Dual-energy X-ray
      absorptiometry (DXA) was used to measure lumbar spine and right femur BMD. Ten
      year risks of major osteoporotic and hip fractures were calculated using the
      Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) in subjects aged >= 40 years. Multivariate
      linear regression models were used to explore factors associated with the 10-year
      fracture risk in axSpA patients. RESULTS: Hip and lumbar spine BMDs were lower in
      axSpA patients than in matched controls. Osteoporosis was present in 17% of axSpA
      patients and 3% of controls (p < 0.001). Low BMD was present in 22% of axSpA
      patients and 4% of controls aged < 50 years (p < 0.001). Ten-year major
      osteoporotic and hip fracture risks were significantly higher among axSpA
      patients. High 10-year fracture risk was observed in 10% of axSpA patients and
      1.7% of controls (p = 0.003). The severity of sacroiliitis was independently
      associated with both major osteoporotic and hip fracture risks (p = 0.006 and
      0.026, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with axSpA presented more frequently
      with low BMD and a higher calculated 10-year fracture risk than matched
      individuals. The severity of sacroiliitis was independently associated with a
      high 10-year fracture risk in axSpA patients.

PMID- 26275030
TI  - Synthesis of a novel superdisintegrant by starch derivatization with
      polysuccinimide and its application for the development of Ondansetron fast
      dissolving tablet.
AB  - CONTEXT: Disintegrants are the key excipients administered in tablet formulations
      to boost the decomposition of the tablet into smaller pieces in the
      gastrointestinal environment, thereby increasing the available surface area and
      enhancing a more rapid release of the active ingredient. OBJECTIVE:
      Polysuccinimide (PSI), a biodegradable polymer synthesized from aspartic acid,
      was reacted with starch and fully assessed by CHN, 1H-NMR, and FTIR. METHODS: PSI
      grafted starch (PSI-St) was synthesized and applied as a disintegrant in the
      formulation of a rapidly disintegrating tablet of Ondansetron, a nausea and
      vomiting medicine. The tablet formulated with the newly developed
      superdisintegrant was evaluated for hardness, friability, disintegration time,
      and dissolution rate, and the results were compared with tablets formulated with
      an identical composition of test formulation differing only in type of
      disintegrant. RESULTS: Tablets prepared with starch and tablets prepared with
      sodium starch glycolate (SSG) were used as negative and positive controls,
      respectively. Dissolution study results indicated that although the onset of
      disintegration action was faster for SSG than PSI-St, higher amounts of drug were
      released from tablets formulated from PSI-St than from those formulated from SSG
      during 10 min. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the novel synthesized
      superdisintegrant has an appropriate potential for the application in the
      formulation of fast dissolving tablets.

PMID- 26275031
TI  - Close Surveillance with Long-Term Follow-up of Subjects with Preinvasive
      Endobronchial Lesions.
AB  - RATIONALE: Autofluorescence bronchoscopy (AFB) and computed tomography (CT)
      enable lung cancer (LC) detection at the early (pre-)invasive stage. However, LC
      risk in patients with preinvasive endobronchial lesions is unclear. OBJECTIVES:
      To assess LC incidence and identify potential risk determinants in patients with
      preinvasive lesions. METHODS: In our tertiary care referral center, 164 subjects
      with preinvasive lesions were monitored up to 12.5 years by repeated AFB and CT.
      Occurrence of LC was monitored. Clinical management depended on histological
      grade, with cancer patients receiving standard care. Potential risk determinants
      (smoking status, baseline histology, cancer history, and chronic obstructive
      pulmonary disease [COPD] status) were evaluated in relation to cancer occurrence,
      event-free survival (EFS), and overall survival (OS). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN
      RESULTS: During surveillance (median of 30 mo, range 4-152) of 164 subjects with
      preinvasive lesions (80 high grade and 84 low grade at inclusion), 61 LCs were
      detected in 55 subjects (median time to event 16.5 mo). Twenty-three LCs (38%)
      were detected by CT, and 38 (62%) were detected by AFB. More cancers (36 of 61;
      59%) developed from separate, rather than initial lesional sites. Subjects with
      high-grade lesions were more likely to be diagnosed with LC at the same or
      another site in the lungs than those with low-grade lesions (P = 0.03).
      Independent risk determinants for OS were previous curatively treated cancer and
      COPD (P <= 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Presence of preinvasive lesions, especially high
      grade lesions, may serve as LC risk markers. LCs occur both at preinvasive lesion
      sites and elsewhere in the bronchial epithelium or lung parenchyma. Prospective
      validation of biomarkers and randomized intervention studies are needed to
      determine optimal management strategies.

PMID- 26275032
TI  - Treatment of axillary osmidrosis: a comparison between subcutaneous laser and
      superficial liposuction curettage.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Axillary osmidrosis can lead to personal and social problems,
      particularly in Asian culture. Superficial liposuction with curettage and
      subcutaneous laser are surgical intervention commonly used for osmidrosis.
      OBJECTIVE: Retrospectively, we compared the effectiveness and complications
      between superficial liposuction with curettage and subcutaneous laser in an Asian
      population. METHODS: Totally, 66 and 19 patients receiving subcutaneous laser and
      superficial liposuction with curettage (LC) were recruited. The effectiveness of
      treatment was assessed by patients subjectively. Recurrence rate of osmidrosis
      and complications were also evaluated. RESULTS: 95% of patients showed good-to
      excellent improvement in LC group and only 30% of patients showing good-to
      excellent results in laser group (P < 0.01). Binary logistic regression revealed
      that the odds ratio of LC was 53.288 (P = 0.006) for >50% improvement in
      osmidrosis. The recurrence rate was not significantly different (P = 0.139),
      however, the duration to recurrence of osmidrosis was significantly longer in LC
      group (P < 0.01). The complication rate was 31% in LC group and 6% in laser group
      (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Superficial liposuction with curettage provides more
      effective treatment with higher complication rates and is possibly suitable for
      severe patients. For mild-to-moderate osmidrosis, or preferring a better cosmetic
      result or short recovery, subcutaneous laser could be applied.

PMID- 26275033
TI  - Using the M13 Phage as a Biotemplate to Create Mesoporous Structures Decorated
      with Gold and Platinum Nanoparticles.
AB  - By taking advantage of the physical and chemical properties of the M13
      bacteriophage, we have used this virus to synthesize mesoporous silica
      structures. Major coat protein p8 was chemically modified by attaching thiol
      groups. As we show, the resulting thiolated phage can be used as a biotemplate
      able to direct the formation of mesoporous silica materials. Simultaneously, this
      thiol functionality acts as an anchor for binding metal ions, such as Au(3+) and
      Pt(4+), forming reactive M13-metal ionic complexes which evolve into metal
      nanoparticles (NPs) trapped in the mesoporous network. Interestingly, Au(3+) ions
      are reduced to Au(0) NPs by the protein residues without requiring an external
      reducing agent. Likewise, silica mesostructures decorated with Au and Pt NPs are
      prepared in a one-pot synthesis and characterized using different techniques. The
      obtained results allow us to propose a mechanism of formation. In addition, gold
      containing mesoporous structures are tested for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4
      NP) and methylene blue (MB) in the presence of NaBH4. Although all of the gold
      containing catalysts exhibit catalytic activity, those obtained with thiolated
      phages present a better performance than that obtained with M13 alone. This
      behavior is ascribed to the position of the Au NPs, which are partially embedded
      in the wall of the final mesostructures. 

PMID- 26275034
TI  - Maternal Floor Infarction/Massive Perivillous Fibrin Deposition Associated with
      Hypercoiling of a Single-Artery Umbilical Cord: A Case Report.
AB  - Maternal floor infarction is a rare and idiopathic placental disorder associated
      with adverse obstetric outcomes and a high rate of recurrence in subsequent
      pregnancies. The pathogenesis of maternal floor infarction is unclear but has
      been linked to diverse underlying maternal conditions, including gestational
      hypertension/preeclampsia, immune-mediated diseases, and thrombophilia. Few
      reports link maternal floor infarction to fetoplacental conditions. We report a
      34-week, macerated, growth-restricted male fetus for which the placenta showed
      maternal floor infarction. The umbilical cord showed excessive coiling and a
      single umbilical artery. These cord changes are postulated to have resulted in
      increased placental villous resistance and decreased fetal blood flow, creating a
      hydrostatic pressure gradient between the villous stroma and the intervillous
      space. The pressure changes could then lead to trophoblast damage and fibrinoid
      deposition, contributing to the maternal floor infarction in this case. 

PMID- 26275035
TI  - High prevalence of unwanted pregnancies and induced abortions among HIV-infected
      women from Western India: need to emphasize dual method use?
AB  - This study examines the prevalence, reasons, and predictors of unwanted
      pregnancies and induced abortions among ever married HIV-infected women attending
      a care facility in Maharashtra, Western India, and discusses its programmatic and
      policy implications. Retrospectively collected data of pregnancies conceived
      after the diagnosis of HIV were analyzed using descriptive and logistic
      regression techniques. Among the 622 women interviewed, 113 women had 158
      pregnancies with known outcomes after HIV diagnosis. Among these pregnancies, 80
      (51%) were unwanted and 79 (50%) were voluntarily terminated. Fear of
      transmitting HIV to the child was a frequently mentioned reason for an unwanted
      pregnancy (71.8%) and induced abortion (59.5%). Women from urban areas [OR 2.43
      (95% CI 1.23-4.79)] and with two or more live births before HIV diagnosis [OR
      3.33 (95% CI 1.36-8.20)] were significantly more likely to report an unwanted
      pregnancy. Women with two or more live births before HIV diagnosis [OR 3.16 (95%
      CI 1.20-8.35)], who did not know that HIV transmission to the baby can be
      prevented [OR 3.29 (95% CI 1.48-7.34)] and with an unwanted pregnancy [OR 4.82
      (95% CI 2.33-10.00)], were significantly more likely to terminate the pregnancy.
      Despite increased coverage of antiretroviral treatment, effective provision of
      reproductive healthcare services to HIV-infected women remains challenging. A
      high prevalence of unwanted pregnancies and induced abortions and a low level of
      knowledge about prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) underscore the
      need for preconception counseling and provision of comprehensive family planning
      services to HIV-infected women. Enrolling all HIV-infected pregnant women,
      irrespective of their decision to continue with their pregnancy, in the PMTCT
      program and discussing with HIV-infected women and their partners at HIV
      diagnosis a full array of contraceptive methods and not just consistent use of
      condoms might be helpful in reducing unwanted pregnancies. 

PMID- 26275036
TI  - Substance Use, Bullying, and Body Image Disturbances in Adolescents and Young
      Adults Under the Prism of a 3D Simulation Program: Validation of MySchool4web.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The use of virtual reality or three-dimensional (3D) simulation
      programs has been explored in different mental health problems and contexts. One
      of the applications that showed evidence of a suitable assessment for behavioral
      and emotional problems in adolescents is the 3D questionnaire called
      MySchool4web. The aim of this work was to analyze the psychometric properties of
      a tailored version of MySchool4web. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A correlational,
      nonexperimental, cross-sectional study was carried out. The participants were 668
      secondary students from schools in Santiago, Chile with a mean age of 15.74
      years. Adolescents completed MySchool4web in the informatics classroom of each
      school. RESULTS: Results indicated that two of the items had to be removed, and a
      three-factor solution was found representing the dimensions substance use,
      bullying, and body image. This final model of 10 items showed acceptable internal
      consistency per factor, and its scores were significantly associated with other
      related measures in nine items. CONCLUSIONS: These outcomes suggest that this
      version of MySchool4web is a reliable and valid measure of a 3D instrument for
      the screening of risky behaviors and emotional problems in adolescents and young
      adults in a school context.

PMID- 26275037
TI  - Purinergic signaling in the ovary.
AB  - Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is released from the cell by multiple mechanisms.
      The extracellular form of this purine is processed by ectonucleotidases,
      resulting in a variety of dephosphorylated metabolites that can bind to specific
      receptors found in the membrane of target cells; such purinergic signaling is
      important as an autocrine-paracrine intercellular communication system that
      influences tissue physiology. In this review, we summarize the studies analyzing
      purinergic activity in the ovary, which can modulate cellular physiology
      including sensitivity to gonadotropins-in several ovarian cell types, including
      the cumulus-cell complex, granulosa cells, theca cells, and the ovarian surface
      epithelium. These functions support a role for ATP as an important intra-ovarian
      messenger, and open new lines of research that can improve our understanding of
      mechanisms regulating ovarian function and the fine-tuning of folliculogenesis.

PMID- 26275038
TI  - Isolation and characterization of a new bioactive isoflavone from Derris
      eriocarpa.
AB  - Derris eriocarpa How is an important medicinal plant, which is used as Zhuang
      ethnomedicine and Dai ethnomedicine to treat various diseases. One new compound,
      3',4'-di-O-methylene-5-hydroxy-7-methoxy-6-isopentenyl isoflavone (1) and a known
      synthetic but new naturally occurring compound trans-3,4,5-trimethoxy-4'
      isopentenyloxyl-stilbene (2), together with five known compounds, 5,7-dimethoxy-6
      (3-methyl-2-butenyl)-4'-hydroxyl isoflavones (3), robustone (4), trans-3,4,5,4'
      tetramethoxy-stilbene (5), robustic acid (6), and robustin (7) were isolated from
      the stem of D. eriocarpa. Spectroscopic analysis revealed the chemical structures
      of compounds 1-7.. Compounds 1 and 3 exhibited significant scavenging activities
      against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical and superoxide anions. Compounds 1
      3 exhibited potent antiproliferative activity on Hela cells. 

PMID- 26275039
TI  - Effects of Fentanyl on Emergence Agitation in Children under Sevoflurane
      Anesthesia: Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The goal of this meta-analysis study was to assess the
      effects of fentanyl on emergence agitation (EA) under sevoflurane anesthesia in
      children. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We searched electronic databases (PubMed, Embase,
      Web of Science and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) for
      articles published until December 2014. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that
      assessed the effects of fentanyl and placebo on EA under sevoflurane anesthesia
      in children that the outcome were the incidence of EA, postoperative pain,
      emergence time or adverse effects were included in this meta-analysis. RESULTS: A
      total of 16 studies, including 1362 patients (737 patients for the fentanyl group
      and 625 for the placebo group), were evaluated in final analysis. We found that
      administration of fentanyl decreased the incidences of EA (RR = 0.37, 95% CI
      0.27~0.49, P<0.00001) and postoperative pain (RR = 0.59, 95% CI 0.41~0.85, P =
      0.004) but increased the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV)
      (RR = 2.23, 95% CI 1.33~3.77, P = 0.003). The extubation time (WMD = 0.71 min,
      95% CI 0.12~1.3, P = 0.02), emergence time (WMD = 4.90 min, 95% CI 2.49~7.30,
      P<0.0001), and time in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) (WMD = 2.65 min, 95%
      CI 0.76~4.53, P = 0.006) were slightly increased. There were no significant
      differences in the time to discharge of day patients (WMD = 3.72 min, 95% CI 
      2.80~10.24, P = 0.26). CONCLUSION: Our meta-analysis suggests that fentanyl
      decreases the incidence of EA under sevoflurane anesthesia in children and
      postoperative pain, but has a higher incidence of PONV. Considering the inherent
      limitations of the included studies, more RCTs with extensive follow-up should be
      performed to validate our findings in the future.

PMID- 26275040
TI  - Parameter Interpretation and Reduction for a Unified Statistical Mechanical
      Surface Tension Model.
AB  - Surface properties of aqueous solutions are important for environments as diverse
      as atmospheric aerosols and biocellular membranes. Previously, we developed a
      surface tension model for both electrolyte and nonelectrolyte aqueous solutions
      across the entire solute concentration range (Wexler and Dutcher, J. Phys. Chem.
      Lett. 2013, 4, 1723-1726). The model differentiated between adsorption of solute
      molecules in the bulk and surface of solution using the statistical mechanics of
      multilayer sorption solution model of Dutcher et al. (J. Phys. Chem. A 2013, 117,
      3198-3213). The parameters in the model had physicochemical interpretations, but
      remained largely empirical. In the current work, these parameters are related to
      solute molecular properties in aqueous solutions. For nonelectrolytes, sorption
      tendencies suggest a strong relation with molecular size and functional group
      spacing. For electrolytes, surface adsorption of ions follows ion surface-bulk
      partitioning calculations by Pegram and Record (J. Phys. Chem. B 2007, 111, 5411
      5417). 

PMID- 26275041
TI  - Discovering Hidden Diversity of Characins (Teleostei: Characiformes) in Ecuador's
      Yasuni National Park.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Management and conservation of biodiversity requires adequate species
      inventories. The Yasuni National Park is one of the most diverse regions on Earth
      and recent studies of terrestrial vertebrates, based on genetic evidence, have
      shown high levels of cryptic and undescribed diversity. Few genetic studies have
      been carried out in freshwater fishes from western Amazonia. Thus, in contrast
      with terrestrial vertebrates, their content of cryptic diversity remains unknown.
      In this study, we carried out genetic and morphological analyses on characin
      fishes at Yasuni National Park, in eastern Ecuador. Our goal was to identify
      cryptic diversity among one of the most speciose fish families in the Amazon
      region. This is the first time that genetic evidence has been used to assess the
      species content of the Napo Basin, one of the richest regions in vertebrate
      diversity. RESULTS: Phylogenetic analyses of partial mitochondrial 16S ribosomal
      RNA gene (~600 pb) DNA sequences from 232 specimens of the family Characidae and
      its closest groups revealed eight candidate new species among 33 species sampled,
      representing a 24% increase in species number. Analyses of external morphology
      allowed us to confirm the species status of six of the candidate species.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our results show high levels of cryptic diversity in Amazonian
      characins. If this group is representative of other Amazonian fish, our results
      would imply that the species richness of the Amazonian ichthyofauna is highly
      underestimated. Molecular methods are a necessary tool to obtain more realistic
      inventories of Neotropical freshwater fishes.

PMID- 26275043
TI  - Trend of Narratives in the Age of Misinformation.
AB  - Social media enabled a direct path from producer to consumer of contents changing
      the way users get informed, debate, and shape their worldviews. Such a
      disintermediation might weaken consensus on social relevant issues in favor of
      rumors, mistrust, or conspiracy thinking-e.g., chem-trails inducing global
      warming, the link between vaccines and autism, or the New World Order conspiracy.
      Previous studies pointed out that consumers of conspiracy-like content are likely
      to aggregate in homophile clusters-i.e., echo-chambers. Along this path we study,
      by means of a thorough quantitative analysis, how different topics are consumed
      inside the conspiracy echo-chamber in the Italian Facebook. Through a semi
      automatic topic extraction strategy, we show that the most consumed contents
      semantically refer to four specific categories: environment, diet, health, and
      geopolitics. We find similar consumption patterns by comparing users activity
      (likes and comments) on posts belonging to these different semantic categories.
      Finally, we model users mobility across the distinct topics finding that the more
      a user is active, the more he is likely to span on all categories. Once inside a
      conspiracy narrative users tend to embrace the overall corpus.

PMID- 26275042
TI  - Tetramethylpyrazine (TMP), an Active Ingredient of Chinese Herb Medicine
      Chuanxiong, Attenuates the Degeneration of Trabecular Meshwork through SDF
      1/CXCR4 Axis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A traditional Chinese medicine, Tetramethylpyrazine (TMP), has been
      prescribed as a complementary treatment for glaucoma to improve patient
      prognosis. However, the pharmacological mechanism of action of TMP is poorly
      understood. In previous studies, we demonstrated that TMP exerts potent
      inhibitory effects on neovascularization, suppresses the tumorigenic behavior of
      glioma cells, and protects neural cells by regulating CXCR4 expression. Here, we
      further investigated whether the SDF-1/CXCR4 pathway is also involved in the TMP
      mediated activity in trabecular meshwork cells. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:
      CXCR4 expression was examined by quantitative real-time PCR in trabecular and
      iris specimens from 54 primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients who required
      surgery and 19 non-glaucomatous donors. Our data revealed markedly elevated CXCR4
      expression in the trabecular meshwork of POAG patients compared with that of
      controls. Consistently, CXCR4 expression was much higher in glaucomatous
      trabecular meshwork cells than in normal trabecular meshwork cells. Using RT-PCR
      and western blot assays, we determined that glaucoma-related cytokines and
      dexamethasone (DEX) also significantly up-regulated CXCR4 expression in primary
      human trabecular meshwork (PHTM) cells. Moreover, the TGF-beta1-mediated
      induction of CXCR4 expression in PHTM cells was markedly down-regulated by TMP
      compared with control treatment (PBS) and the CXCR4 antagonist AMD3100. In
      addition, TMP could counteract the TGF-beta1-induced effects on stress fiber
      accumulation and expansion of PHTM cells. TMP markedly suppressed the migration
      of PHTM cells stimulated by TGF-beta1 in transwell and scratch wound assays. TMP
      also suppressed the extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation induced by TGF-beta2.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate that CXCR4 might be involved in the
      pathogenetic changes in the trabecular meshwork of patients with POAG.
      Additionally, TMP might exert its beneficial effects in POAG patients by down
      regulating CXCR4 expression.

PMID- 26275044
TI  - Kinetic Analysis of Haloacetonitrile Stability in Drinking Waters.
AB  - Haloacetonitriles (HANs) are an important class of drinking water disinfection
      byproducts (DBPs) that are reactive and can undergo considerable transformation
      on time scales relevant to system distribution (i.e., from a few hours to a week
      or more). The stability of seven mono-, di-, and trihaloacetonitriles was
      examined under a variety of conditions including different pH levels and
      disinfectant doses that are typical of drinking water distribution systems.
      Results indicated that hydroxide, hypochlorite, and their protonated forms could
      react with HANs via nucleophilic attack on the nitrile carbon, forming the
      corresponding haloacetamides (HAMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs) as major reaction
      intermediates and end products. Other stable intermediate products, such as the N
      chloro-haloacetamides (N-chloro-HAMs), may form during the course of HAN
      chlorination. A scheme of pathways for the HAN reactions was proposed, and the
      rate constants for individual reactions were estimated. Under slightly basic
      conditions, hydroxide and hypochlorite are primary reactants and their associated
      second-order reaction rate constants were estimated to be 6 to 9 orders of
      magnitude higher than those of their protonated conjugates (i.e., neutral water
      and hypochlorous acid), which are much weaker but more predominant nucleophiles
      at neutral and acidic pHs. Developed using the estimated reaction rate constants,
      the linear free energy relationships (LFERs) summarized the nucleophilic nature
      of HAN reactions and demonstrated an activating effect of the electron
      withdrawing halogens on nitrile reactivity, leading to decreasing HAN stability
      with increasing degree of halogenation of the substituents, while subsequent
      shift from chlorine to bromine atoms has a contrary stabilizing effect on HANs.
      The chemical kinetic model together with the reaction rate constants that were
      determined in this work can be used for quantitative predictions of HAN
      concentrations depending on pH and free chlorine contact times (CTs), which can
      be applied as an informative tool by drinking water treatment and system
      management engineers to better control these emerging nitrogenous DBPs, and can
      also be significant in making regulatory decisions. 

PMID- 26275045
TI  - Energy-Transfer Schemes To Probe Fluorescent Nanocarriers and Their Emissive
      Cargo.
AB  - A strategy to probe supramolecular nanocarriers and their cargo in the
      intracellular space was developed on the basis of fluorescence measurements and
      energy transfer. It relies on the covalent attachment of an energy donor, or
      acceptor, to the macromolecular backbone of amphiphilic polymers and the
      noncovalent encapsulation of a complementary acceptor, or donor, in the resulting
      micelles. In aqueous environments, these macromolecules self-assemble into
      nanostructured constructs and bring the complementary chromophores in close
      proximity to enable efficient energy transfer. These supramolecular assemblies
      travel from the extracellular to the intracellular space and retain their
      integrity in the process. Indeed, donors and acceptors remain close to each other
      after internalization, and excitation of the former chromophores translates into
      significant intracellular emission from the latter. Furthermore, these
      supramolecular assemblies exchange their components with fast kinetics in aqueous
      dispersions because of the reversible character of the noncovalent contacts
      holding them together. As a result, micelles incorporating exclusively the donors
      and nanocarriers containing only the acceptors scramble their chromophoric
      building blocks, upon mixing, to allow the transfer of energy. These dynamic
      processes can be reproduced in the intracellular environment with the sequential
      incubation of cells with the two sets of complementary nanostructured assemblies.
      Thus, these operating principles and choice of supramolecular synthons are
      particularly valuable to monitor self-assembling nanocarriers and their cargo
      inside living cells and can facilitate the elucidation of the behavior of these
      promising delivery vehicles in a diversity of biological specimens. 

PMID- 26275047
TI  - A Safe and Simple Laparoscopic Cold Knife Section Technique for Bulky Uterus
      Removal.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Morcellation of a bulky uterus after total laparoscopic hysterectomy
      (TLH) is a challenge for those dealing with advanced laparoscopic surgery.
      However, there are no laparoscopic standardized procedures available to date. We
      developed a laparoscopic cold knife technique with the aim of demonstrating a
      simple and reproducible method of sectioning and vaginal retrieval of the bulky
      uterus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From June 2012 to June 2014, patients who
      underwent TLH for benign indication, with a uterus size over 12 gestational
      weeks, were prospectively admitted into the clinical study. Before specimen
      vaginal retrieval, uterine section was achieved by Chardonnens' cold knife with
      the aim of obtaining two uterus halves sectioned longitudinally and held together
      only by the posterior cervical wall. We performed the procedure in a containment
      system to avoid myometrial spillage into the abdomen. RESULTS: Twenty-nine women
      with a bulky uterus were treated by TLH and the cold knife section technique. The
      uterine size ranged from 240 to 850 g (median, 460 g), and the average
      morcellation operative time was 11.3 minutes. All procedures were completed
      successfully without complications. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that the cold
      knife uterine section technique after TLH is a feasible, simple, and reproducible
      method of bulky uterus morcellation, even if further research is advisable to
      fully evaluate the advantages of this procedure.

PMID- 26275046
TI  - Hepatitis B Virus Genotype D Isolates Circulating in Chapeco, Southern Brazil,
      Originate from Italy.
AB  - Hepatitis B virus genotype A1 (HBV/A1), of African origin, is the most prevalent
      genotype in Brazil, while HBV/F predominates in the other South American
      countries. However, HBV/D is the most common in the three states of southern
      Brazil, where 'islands' of elevated prevalence, as Chapeco and other cities, have
      been described. In this study, 202 HBV chronic carriers attending in 2013 the
      viral hepatitis ambulatory of Chapeco, were investigated. In comparison with
      previous studies performed in the same ambulatory, a rapid aging of the HBV
      infected population was observed (mean age of the newly diagnosed patients
      increasing from 29.9 +/- 10.3 years in 1996 to 44.4 +/- 13.3 years in 2013),
      probably due to a singular vaccination schedule at Chapeco that included not only
      children but also adolescents. Phylogenetic and BLAST analyses (S region)
      classified 91 HBV isolates into genotypes A (n = 3) and D (n = 88). The majority
      of HBV/D isolates were closely related to D3 sequences. To understand the reasons
      for the absence or near absence of genotypes A and F, and how HBV/D was
      introduced in the south of Brazil, HBV/D infected patients were inquired about
      their genealogical and geographical origins. Forty-three (52%) patients have
      their four grandparents of Italian origin, vs. seven (8%) who have their four
      grandparents of Brazilian origin. At all, 65 out of 83 (78%) patients had at
      least one grandparent originating from Italy. Taking into consideration the fact
      that Italy is one of the few countries where subgenotype D3 is predominant, the
      results strongly suggested that HBV/D was introduced in Brazil through Italian
      immigration which culminated between 1870 and 1920. 

PMID- 26275048
TI  - Functional RelBE-Family Toxin-Antitoxin Pairs Affect Biofilm Maturation and
      Intestine Colonization in Vibrio cholerae.
AB  - Toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems are small genetic elements that typically encode a
      stable toxin and its labile antitoxin. These cognate pairs are abundant in
      prokaryotes and have been shown to regulate various cellular functions. Vibrio
      cholerae, a human pathogen that is the causative agent of cholera, harbors at
      least thirteen TA loci. While functional HigBA, ParDE have been shown to
      stabilize plasmids and Phd/Doc to mediate cell death in V. cholerae, the function
      of seven RelBE-family TA systems is not understood. In this study we investigated
      the function of the RelBE TA systems in V. cholerae physiology and found that six
      of the seven relBE loci encoded functional toxins in E. coli. Deletion analyses
      of each relBE locus indicate that RelBE systems are involved in biofilm formation
      and reactive oxygen species (ROS) resistance. Interestingly, all seven relBE loci
      are induced under the standard virulence induction conditions and two of the
      relBE mutants displayed a colonization defect, which was not due to an effect on
      virulence gene expression. Although further studies are needed to characterize
      the mechanism of action, our study reveals that RelBE systems are important for
      V. cholerae physiology. 

PMID- 26275050
TI  - The motor inhibition system in Parkinson's disease with levodopa-induced
      dyskinesias.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease is primarily a disorder of response initiation
      characterized by an excessive motor inhibition, whereas levodopa-induced
      dyskinesias are clearly a clinical expression of disinhibition of movements.
      OBJECTIVE: That levodopa-induced dyskinesias are linked to dysfunctions of
      inhibitory brain network has recently been proposed, but no investigation of
      behavioral performance during action inhibition task in these patients has been
      published. METHODS: Twenty-four Parkinson's disease patients with or without
      levodopa-induced dyskinesias tested on or off their medications underwent
      functional magnetic resonance imaging investigation during the execution of a
      stop-signal inhibition task. In particular, we were interested in evaluating the
      neural correlates of stop-related conditions: StopInhibit task (in which patients
      had to successfully inhibit their responses) and StopRespond task (Stop trials
      with erroneous button press). Both tasks were compared against Go trials.
      RESULTS: Levodopa intake in dyskinetic patients tended to worsen inhibitory
      control during the StopInhibit task, while significantly affecting the ability to
      monitor motor responses when patients failed to stop (StopRespond task).
      Functional analysis showed that, during the StopInhibit task, dyskinetic patients
      were characterized by decreased activity of the right inferior frontal cortex
      after levodopa intake, whereas patients without dyskinesias showed a reverse
      effect. A similar group * levodopa interaction effect was detected in the medial
      frontal cortex during the execution of the StopRespond task, in which dyskinetic
      patients showed increased activity after dopaminergic therapy CONCLUSIONS: Our
      study demonstrated that levodopa intake in dyskinetic patients tends to alter the
      functioning of some parts of the neural network involved in motor inhibition.

PMID- 26275049
TI  - Reconstructing Colonization Dynamics of the Human Parasite Schistosoma mansoni
      following Anthropogenic Environmental Changes in Northwest Senegal.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Anthropogenic environmental changes may lead to ecosystem
      destabilization and the unintentional colonization of new habitats by parasite
      populations. A remarkable example is the outbreak of intestinal schistosomiasis
      in Northwest Senegal following the construction of two dams in the '80s. While
      many studies have investigated the epidemiological, immunological and
      geographical patterns of Schistosoma mansoni infections in this region, little is
      known about its colonization history. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Parasites
      were collected at several time points after the disease outbreak and genotyped
      using a 420 bp fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene
      (cox1) and nine nuclear DNA microsatellite markers. Phylogeographic and
      population genetic analyses revealed the presence of (i) many genetically
      different haplotypes at the non-recombining mitochondrial marker and (ii) one
      homogenous S. mansoni genetic group at the recombining microsatellite markers.
      These results suggest that the S. mansoni population in Northwest Senegal was
      triggered by intraspecific hybridization (i.e. admixture) between parasites that
      were introduced from different regions. This would comply with the extensive
      immigration of infected seasonal agricultural workers from neighboring regions in
      Senegal, Mauritania and Mali. The spatial and temporal stability of the
      established S. mansoni population suggests a swift local adaptation of the
      parasite to the local intermediate snail host Biomphalaria pfeifferi at the onset
      of the epidemic. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our results show that S. mansoni
      parasites are very successful in colonizing new areas without significant loss of
      genetic diversity. Maintaining high levels of diversity guarantees the adaptive
      potential of these parasites to cope with selective pressures such as drug
      treatment, which might complicate efforts to control the disease.

PMID- 26275052
TI  - Negative experiences and predonation blood pressure at the subsequent donation in
      blood donors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Negative donation experiences, like being deferred or experiencing an
      adverse reaction, might upset blood donors, resulting in anticipatory stress
      responses such as elevated blood pressure at the subsequent visit. We therefore
      explored associations between blood donors' negative donation experiences and
      their blood pressure at the subsequent visit. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Blood
      pressure of donors with no history of negative experiences in three consecutive
      donations was compared to the blood pressure of donors with a negative experience
      during the second of the three donations. Blood pressure (systolic and diastolic)
      measured prior to the third donation was compared between the two groups, using
      linear regression analyses. Two types of negative experiences (adverse reactions
      and deferral) were analysed, stratifying for donation type and sex, and adjusting
      for age and predonation blood pressure at baseline. RESULTS: In total, 248 118
      (50% female) donors were included in the analyses. Eleven per cent (26 380
      donors, 61% female) had experienced a negative experience. Fainting and dizziness
      were associated with significant (P < 0.05) increases in systolic blood pressure:
      in men, 3.0 mmHg (fainting) and 2.0 mmHg (dizziness); in women, 2.0 mmHg
      (fainting) and 1.4 mmHg (dizziness). Deferral was associated with significant (P
      < 0.05) increases in both systolic (men: 0.7 mmHg, women: 0.3 mmHg) and diastolic
      (men: 0.2 mmHg, women: 0.3 mmHg) blood pressure. CONCLUSION: Whole blood
      donations with negative experiences were associated with a statistically
      significant higher predonation blood pressure at the subsequent visit. This
      indicates that negative experiences might cause an anticipatory stress reaction
      in a subsequent donation.

PMID- 26275051
TI  - Microarray and Proteomic Analyses of Myeloproliferative Neoplasms with a
      Highlight on the mTOR Signaling Pathway.
AB  - The gene and protein expression profiles in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs)
      may reveal gene and protein markers of a potential clinical relevance in
      diagnosis, treatment and prediction of response to therapy. Using cDNA microarray
      analysis of 25,100 unique genes, we studied the gene expression profile of CD34+
      cells and granulocytes obtained from peripheral blood of subjects with essential
      thrombocythemia (ET), polycythemia vera (PV) and primary myelofibrosis (PMF). The
      microarray analyses of the CD34+ cells and granulocytes were performed from 20 de
      novo MPN subjects: JAK2 positive ET, PV, PMF subjects, and JAK2 negative ET/PMF
      subjects. The granulocytes for proteomic studies were pooled in 4 groups: PV with
      JAK2 mutant allele burden above 80%, ET with JAK2 mutation, PMF with JAK2
      mutation and ET/PMF with no JAK2 mutation. The number of differentially regulated
      genes was about two fold larger in CD34+ cells compared to granulocytes. Thirty
      six genes (including RUNX1, TNFRSF19) were persistently highly expressed, while
      42 genes (including FOXD4, PDE4A) were underexpressed both in CD34+ cells and
      granulocytes. Using proteomic studies, significant up-regulation was observed for
      MAPK and PI3K/AKT signaling regulators that control myeloid cell apoptosis and
      proliferation: RAC2, MNDA, S100A8/9, CORO1A, and GNAI2. When the status of the
      mTOR signaling pathway related genes was analyzed, PI3K/AKT regulators were
      preferentially up-regulated in CD34+ cells of MPNs, with down-regulated major
      components of the protein complex EIF4F. Molecular profiling of CD34+ cells and
      granulocytes of MPN determined gene expression patterns beyond their recognized
      function in disease pathogenesis that included dominant up-regulation of PI3K/AKT
      signaling.

PMID- 26275054
TI  - Correction: Aerobic Capacity, Physical Activity and Metabolic Risk Factors in
      Firefighters Compared with Police Officers and Sedentary Clerks.

PMID- 26275053
TI  - Runx1 Transcription Factor Is Required for Myoblasts Proliferation during Muscle
      Regeneration.
AB  - Following myonecrosis, muscle satellite cells proliferate, differentiate and
      fuse, creating new myofibers. The Runx1 transcription factor is not expressed in
      naive developing muscle or in adult muscle tissue. However, it is highly
      expressed in muscles exposed to myopathic damage yet, the role of Runx1 in muscle
      regeneration is completely unknown. Our study of Runx1 function in the muscle's
      response to myonecrosis reveals that this transcription factor is activated and
      cooperates with the MyoD and AP-1/c-Jun transcription factors to drive the
      transcription program of muscle regeneration. Mice lacking dystrophin and muscle
      Runx1 (mdx-/Runx1f/f), exhibit impaired muscle regeneration leading to age
      dependent muscle waste, gradual decrease in motor capabilities and a shortened
      lifespan. Runx1-deficient primary myoblasts are arrested at cell cycle G1 and
      consequently differentiate. Such premature differentiation disrupts the
      myoblasts' normal proliferation/differentiation balance, reduces the number and
      size of regenerating myofibers and impairs muscle regeneration. Our combined
      Runx1-dependent gene expression, ChIP-seq, ATAC-seq and histone H3K4me1/H3K27ac
      modification analyses revealed a subset of Runx1-regulated genes that are co
      occupied by MyoD and c-Jun in mdx-/Runx1f/f muscle. The data provide unique
      insights into the transcriptional program driving muscle regeneration and
      implicate Runx1 as an important participant in the pathology of muscle wasting
      diseases. 

PMID- 26275055
TI  - Living within stories: Exploring the experiences of people with transient
      ischemic attack.
AB  - A transient ischemic attack (TIA) significantly increases a person's risk of
      ischemic stroke. However, little is known about the experiences of these people
      or what influences their decision to access care. This article explores the
      stories of three people who experienced a TIA. All participants were interviewed
      after receiving a diagnosis of TIA by a specialist neurologist. By utilizing a
      framework of narrative inquiry, several storylines were revealed across temporal,
      social, and geographical landscapes. The main storylines include: bodily
      disruption, time stasis, altered temporal perceptions, the roles of others, and
      help-seeking behavior. The primary author also reflects upon his own origin and
      explores how this inquiry has influenced his perceptions, career, and nursing
      practice. This inquiry may assist healthcare workers to gain insight into the
      experiences of people with TIA and suggests how involvement of significant others
      is beneficial when educating people at risk of TIA. 

PMID- 26275056
TI  - Molecular and Phenotypic Characterization of Staphylococcus epidermidis Isolates
      from Healthy Conjunctiva and a Comparative Analysis with Isolates from Ocular
      Infection.
AB  - Staphylococcus epidermidis is a common commensal of healthy conjunctiva and it
      can cause endophthalmitis, however its presence in conjunctivitis, keratitis and
      blepharitis is unknown. Molecular genotyping of S. epidermidis from healthy
      conjunctiva could provide information about the origin of the strains that infect
      the eye. In this paper two collections of S. epidermidis were used: one from
      ocular infection (n = 62), and another from healthy conjunctiva (n = 45). All
      isolates were genotyped by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), multilocus
      sequence typing (MLST), staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec),
      detection of the genes icaA, icaD, IS256 and polymorphism type of agr locus. The
      phenotypic data included biofilm production and antibiotic resistance. The
      results displayed 61 PFGE types from 107 isolates and they were highly
      discriminatory. MLST analysis generated a total of 25 STs, of which 11 STs were
      distributed among the ocular infection isolates and lineage ST2 was the most
      frequent (48.4%), while 14 STs were present in the healthy conjunctiva isolates
      and lineage ST5 was the most abundant (24.4%). By means of a principal
      coordinates analysis (PCoA) and a discriminant analysis (DA) it was found that
      ocular infection isolates had as discriminant markers agr III or agr II, SCCmec V
      or SCCmec I, mecA gene, resistance to tobramycin, positive biofilm, and IS256+.
      In contrast to the healthy conjunctiva isolates, the discriminating markers were
      agr I, and resistance to chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, gatifloxacin and
      oxacillin. The discriminant biomarkers of ocular infection were examined in
      healthy conjunctiva isolates, and it was found that 3 healthy conjunctiva
      isolates [two with ST2 and another with ST9] (3/45, 6.66%) had similar genotypic
      and phenotypic characteristics to ocular infection isolates, therefore a small
      population from healthy conjunctiva could cause an ocular infection. These data
      suggest that the healthy conjunctiva isolates do not, in almost all cases, infect
      the eye due to their large genotypic and phenotypic difference with the ocular
      infection isolates.

PMID- 26275057
TI  - Household Storage of Medicines and Associated Factors in Tigray Region, Northern
      Ethiopia.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The presence of medicines in households is a risk factor for
      irrational drug use. This study aimed at investigating the prevalence and factors
      associated with home storage of medicines in Tigray Region, Ethiopia. METHOD: A
      community based cross-sectional study was conducted in April 2013 in Tigray
      Region, Ethiopia. A total of 1034 participants were enrolled in the study. A
      multi-stage sampling method was employed to select households. Data were
      collected with the help of a pre-tested structured questionnaire and analyzed
      using descriptive statistics and bivariate and multivariate logistic regression.
      RESULT: Of the total households visited, 293(29%) stored drugs. The mean number
      of drugs per household was 1.73. The most common classes of drugs found in
      households were analgesics 149(29%) and antibiotics 128(25%). Most of the
      medicines kept in households were used for ongoing treatments 316(62%) and
      available in tablet dosage form (70%). More than half of the medications kept at
      homes were not adequately labeled while drawer 180(36%) were reported as the main
      place of drug storage. The proportion of home storage of medicines in rural area
      (AOR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.39-0.81) was lower than that of urban area. However,
      households having family member(s) working in health facilities (AOR = 2.03, 95%
      CI: 1.09-3.77) were associated with an increased home storage of medicines.
      CONCLUSION: Most drugs kept at home were not appropriately labeled and stored in
      a safe place. Residence area (rural versus urban) and the presence of health
      professional(s) in the households affects household drug storage. Hence, public
      education campaign should be considered as an intervention to improve the storage
      condition of medicines in the households.

PMID- 26275058
TI  - Content Volatility of Scientific Topics in Wikipedia: A Cautionary Tale.
AB  - Wikipedia has quickly become one of the most frequently accessed encyclopedic
      references, despite the ease with which content can be changed and the potential
      for 'edit wars' surrounding controversial topics. Little is known about how this
      potential for controversy affects the accuracy and stability of information on
      scientific topics, especially those with associated political controversy. Here
      we present an analysis of the Wikipedia edit histories for seven scientific
      articles and show that topics we consider politically but not scientifically
      "controversial" (such as evolution and global warming) experience more frequent
      edits with more words changed per day than pages we consider "noncontroversial"
      (such as the standard model in physics or heliocentrism). For example, over the
      period we analyzed, the global warming page was edited on average (geometric mean
      +/-SD) 1.9+/-2.7 times resulting in 110.9+/-10.3 words changed per day, while the
      standard model in physics was only edited 0.2+/-1.4 times resulting in 9.4+/-5.0
      words changed per day. The high rate of change observed in these pages makes it
      difficult for experts to monitor accuracy and contribute time-consuming
      corrections, to the possible detriment of scientific accuracy. As our society
      turns to Wikipedia as a primary source of scientific information, it is vital we
      read it critically and with the understanding that the content is dynamic and
      vulnerable to vandalism and other shenanigans. 

PMID- 26275059
TI  - A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of a Home-Based HIV Counselling and Testing
      Intervention versus the Standard (Facility Based) HIV Testing Strategy in Rural
      South Africa.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: There is growing evidence concerning the acceptability and
      feasibility of home-based HIV testing. However, less is known about the cost
      effectiveness of the approach yet it is a critical component to guide decisions
      about scaling up access to HIV testing. This study examined the cost
      effectiveness of a home-based HIV testing intervention in rural South Africa.
      METHODS: Two alternatives: clinic and home-based HIV counselling and testing were
      compared. Costs were analysed from a provider's perspective for the period of
      January to December 2010. The outcome, HIV counselling and testing (HCT) uptake
      was obtained from the Good Start home-based HIV counselling and testing (HBHCT)
      cluster randomised control trial undertaken in KwaZulu-Natal province. Cost
      effectiveness was estimated for a target population of 22,099 versus 23,864
      people for intervention and control communities respectively. Average costs were
      calculated as the cost per client tested, while cost-effectiveness was calculated
      as the cost per additional client tested through HBHCT. RESULTS: Based on
      effectiveness of 37% in the intervention (HBHCT) arm compared to 16% in control
      arm, home based testing costs US$29 compared to US$38 per person for clinic HCT.
      The incremental cost effectiveness per client tested using HBHCT was $19.
      CONCLUSIONS: HBHCT was less costly and more effective. Home-based HCT could
      present a cost-effective alternative for rural 'hard to reach' populations
      depending on affordability by the health system, and should be considered as part
      of community outreach programs.

PMID- 26275063
TI  - "Two-Step" Raman Imaging Technique To Guide Chemo-Photothermal Cancer Therapy.
AB  - Graphene oxide-wrapped gold nanorods (GO@AuNRs) offer efficient drug delivery as
      well as NIR laser photothermal therapy (PTT) in vitro and in vivo. However, no
      real-time observation of drug release has been reported to better understand the
      synergy of chemotherapy and PTT. Herein, surface-enhance Raman spectroscopy
      (SERS) is employed to guide chemo-photothermal cancer therapy by a two-step
      mechanism. In the presence of GO as an internal standard, SERS signals of DOX
      (doxorubicin) loaded onto GO@AuNRs are found to be pH-responsive. Both DOX and GO
      show strong SERS signals before the DOX@GO@AuNRs are endocytic. However, when the
      DOX@GO@AuNRs enter acidic microenvironments such as endosomes and/or lysosomes,
      the DOX signals start decreasing while the GO signals remain the same. This
      plasmonic antenna could be used to identify the appropriate time to apply the PTT
      laser during chemo-photothermal therapy. 

PMID- 26275060
TI  - Long-Term Outcomes and Prognostic Factors of Trabeculectomy following Intraocular
      Bevacizumab Injection for Neovascular Glaucoma.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate long-term outcomes and identify prognostic factors of
      trabeculectomy following intraocular bevacizumab injection for neovascular
      glaucoma. METHODS: Sixty-one eyes of 54 patients with neovascular glaucoma
      treated by trabeculectomy following intraocular bevacizumab injection were
      consecutively enrolled. Surgical success criteria were sufficient intraocular
      pressure (IOP) reduction (IOP <= 21 mmHg, >= 20% IOP reduction, no additional
      medications or glaucoma surgeries) without devastating complications (loss of
      light perception, phthisis bulbi, and endophthalmitis) or significant hypotony
      (IOP <= 5 mmHg continued >= 6 months and until the last follow-up visit or
      hypotony requiring intervention). Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Cox regression
      analysis were used to examine success rates and risk factors for surgical
      outcomes. RESULTS: The follow-up period after trabeculectomy was 45.0 +/- 22.2
      months (mean +/- standard deviation). Surgical success rate was 86.9 +/- 4.3% (+/
      standard error), 74.0 +/- 6.1%, and 51.3 +/- 8.6% at 1, 3, and 5 years.
      Multivariate Cox regression analysis identified two risk factors; lower
      preoperative IOP (<= 30 mmHg) for surgical failure and hypotony [hazard ratio
      (HR), 2.92, 6.64; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.22 to 7.03, 1.47 to 30.0; P =
      0.018, 0.014, respectively], and vitrectomy after trabeculectomy for surgical
      failure with or without hypotony criteria (HR, 2.32, 4.06; 95% CI, 1.02 to 5.28,
      1.30 to 12.7; P = 0.045, 0.016, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The long-term
      outcomes of trabeculectomy following intraocular bevacizumab injection for
      neovascular glaucoma were favorable. Lower baseline IOP was associated with
      development of significant hypotony, while additional vitrectomy was related to
      insufficient IOP reduction.

PMID- 26275064
TI  - Impact of Sense of Coherence on Oral Health Behaviors: A Systematic Review.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this review was to critically analyze the empirical
      evidence on the association between Sense of Coherence (SOC) and oral health
      behaviors through a systematic approach. METHODS: A systematic search up to April
      2015 was carried out using the following electronic bibliographic databases:
      PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE; ISI Web of Science; and Ovid PsychInfo. Studies were
      included if they evaluated the relationship between SOC and oral health behaviors
      including tooth cleaning, fluoride usage, dietary habits, dental attendance, and
      smoking. We excluded studies that only assessed the relationship between oral
      health status and SOC without evaluating oral health behaviors. The New Castle
      Ottawa (NOS) quality assessment checklist was employed to evaluate the
      methodological quality of included studies. RESULTS: Thirty-nine potential papers
      met the preliminary selection criteria and following a full-text review, 9 papers
      were finally selected for this systematic review. Results provided by the
      included studies indicated different levels of association between SOC and oral
      health behaviors. The most frequent behaviors investigated were tooth brushing
      and dental attendance pattern. The impact of SOC on performing positive oral
      health behaviors, to some extent, was related to demographic and socio-economic
      factors. In addition, mothers' SOC influenced children's oral health practices.
      CONCLUSIONS: A more favorable oral health behavior was observed among those with
      a stronger SOC suggesting that the SOC can be a determinant of oral health
      related behaviors including tooth brushing frequency, daily smoking, and dental
      attendance.

PMID- 26275065
TI  - Age-Related Left Ventricular Changes and Their Association with Leukocyte
      Telomere Length in Healthy People.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: With advancing age the left ventricle (LV) undergoes structural and
      functional changes, thereby creating the substrate for the development of
      diseases. One possible mechanism of the ageing heart is a cellular senescence.
      Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) is a marker of replicative ageing. The purpose of
      this study was to evaluate the structure and function of the LV in people of
      different ages free of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and regular drug medication
      and to assess their relationship with LTL. We hypothesized that age-related
      changes in LV myocardium are associated with telomere length. METHODS: The study
      population consisted of 150 healthy, non-obese volunteers aged 28 to 78 years
      without history of CVD, significant deviations by 12-lead electrocardiogram and
      negative exercise test (treadmill stress test). All the participants underwent
      standardized transthoracic echocardiography using an available system (iE33;
      Philips). The LTL was measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain
      reaction. We determined the relative ratio of telomere repeat copy number (T) to
      single-copy gene copy number (S). RESULTS: In the older people there was a higher
      wall thickness than in the younger (1.03 +/- 0.09 vs. 0.88 +/- 0.10, p<0.01),
      whereas LV mass index was comparable between them (85.8 +/- 15.40 vs. 83.1 +/-
      11.8, p = 0.20). There was a decrease in LV dimensions with advancing age
      (p<0.001). Older subjects had impairment in LV relaxation. LTL was associated
      with decreased E/A, Em/Am ratio (beta = -0.323, p = 0.0001) after adjusting for
      age, sex and risk factors. There is no relation between the LTL and the structure
      of LV. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that the ageing process leads to changes in
      LV structure and diastolic function and is linked with a phenotype of concentric
      LV remodeling. Telomere attrition is associated with age-related LV diastolic
      dysfunction. Telomere length appears to be a biomarker of myocardial ageing.

PMID- 26275066
TI  - Current Trends in Theoretical Orientation of Psychologists: The Case of Quebec
      Clinicians.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Trends indicate that clinical psychologists' theoretical orientations
      have changed over the last decades in North America, but research on this topic
      in Canada is scarce. We analyzed the orientation of psychologists over the last
      20 years in the province of Quebec, where 46% of Canadian psychologists are
      located. METHOD: Data were collected annually through the board registration form
      of Quebec psychologists' professional order from 1993 to 2013. Univariate
      statistical analyses were realized on aggregated data. RESULTS: In 20 years, the
      proportion of clinicians choosing cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) as their
      main orientation grew from 18.4% to 38%, while preference for other orientations
      slightly declined. Existential-humanistic and psychodynamic-psychoanalytic
      approaches remained the primary orientation for around 21.7% and 21.5%,
      respectively. In 2013 (N = 8608), when taking into account 2 choices of
      theoretical orientation, 55.8% of clinicians chose CBT, 34.3% existential
      humanistic orientation, 27.9% psychodynamic-analytic theories, and 21.8% systemic
      interactional orientation. CONCLUSIONS: Findings underline trends in Quebec
      clinical practice characterized by an increase in the number of psychologists
      identifying cognitive-behavioral approach as their primary self-reported
      theoretical orientation.

PMID- 26275067
TI  - Relearning knowledge for people in a case of right variant frontotemporal
      dementia.
AB  - Right variant frontotemporal dementia (Rvt-FTD) is a rare variant of FTD that
      usually presents with a progressive difficulty in recognizing familiar people. We
      aimed to determine whether rehabilitation of semantic knowledge for people
      improves recognition by both verbal and visual channels in a patient with Rvt
      FTD. Knowledge for 21 famous people was assessed in a patient with Rvt-FTD before
      and after completing a semantic rehabilitation program. After rehabilitation
      recognition increased by 95% when presented with the famous people's names and
      related semantic facts, but only by 28% when presented with their faces.
      Recognition of people by verbal and visual channels improves differently after
      semantic knowledge rehabilitation. 

PMID- 26275068
TI  - Association of Mucosal Organisms with Patterns of Inflammation in Chronic
      Rhinosinusitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic rhinosinusitis is a multifactorial process disease in which
      bacterial infection or colonization may play an important role in the initiation
      or persistence of inflammatory response. The association between mucosal bacteria
      presence and inflammatory patterns has only been partially explored. OBJECTIVE:
      To demonstrate specific mucosal microorganisms possible association with
      inflammatory patterns. METHODS: We collected nasal polyps or sinus tissues from a
      clinical selection of six patient groups with defined sinus disease using tissue
      biomarkers. In the tissues, we detected bacteria using peptide nucleic acid
      fluorescence in situ hybridization (PNA-FISH). RESULTS: After reviewing a total
      of 115 samples (15-20 samples per group), the mucosal presence of Staphylococcus
      aureus was correlated with IL-5 and SE-IgE positive chronic rhinosinusitis with
      nasal polyps and nasal polyps from cystic fibrosis patients. Chronic
      rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps with TNFalpha >20 pg/ml was associated with
      the mucosal presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. CONCLUSION: This study identifies
      the relationship between intramucosal microbes and inflammatory patterns,
      suggesting that bacteria may affect the type of inflammation in chronic
      rhinosinusitis. Additional investigation is needed to further identify the nature
      of the relationship.

PMID- 26275069
TI  - Does recall of a past music event invoke a reminiscence bump in young adults?
AB  - Many studies of the reminiscence bump (RB) in music invoke memories from
      different autobiographical times by using stimulus specific prompts (SSPs). This
      study investigated the utility of a non-SSP paradigm to determine whether the RB
      would emerge when participants were asked to recall a single memorable musical
      event from "a time long ago". The presence of a RB in response to music has not
      been obtained in such a manner for younger participants. Eighty-eight 20-22 year
      olds reported music episodes that peaked when their autobiographical age was 13
      14 years. Self-selected stimuli included a range of musical styles, including
      classical and non-Western pop forms, such as J-pop and K-pop, as well as
      generational pop music, such as the Beatles. However, most participants reported
      pop/rock music that was contemporaneous with encoding age, providing support for
      the utility of published SSP paradigms using pop music. Implications for and
      limitations of SSP paradigms are discussed. Participants were also asked to
      relate the selected musical piece to current musical tastes. Most participants
      liked the music that they selected, with many continuing to like the music, but
      most also reported a general broadening of their taste, consistent with
      developmental literature on open-earedness.

PMID- 26275070
TI  - Patient-defined goals for the treatment of severe aortic stenosis: a qualitative
      analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) at high risk for aortic
      valve replacement are a unique population with multiple treatment options,
      including medical therapy, surgical aortic valve replacement and transcatheter
      aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Traditionally, in elderly populations, goals of
      treatment may favour quality of life over survival. Professional guidelines
      recommend that clinicians engage patients in shared decision making, a process
      that may lead to decisions more aligned with patient-defined goals of care. Goals
      of care for high-risk patients with AS are not well defined in the literature,
      and patient-reported barriers to shared decision making highlight the need for
      explicit encouragement from clinicians for patient involvement. OBJECTIVE: The
      purpose of this study was to elicit and report patient-defined goals from elderly
      patients facing treatment decisions for severe AS. METHODS: This analysis was
      conducted at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, an academic medical institution.
      In a retrospective manner, we qualitatively analysed goal statements reported by
      high-risk, elderly patients with severe AS evaluated for TAVR between June 2012
      and August 2014. RESULTS: Forty-six patients provided treatment goals during
      consideration of TAVR and defined preferred outcomes as maintaining independence,
      staying alive, reducing symptoms or, most commonly, increasing their ability to
      do a specific activity or hobby. CONCLUSIONS: In the high-risk patient population
      considering TAVR, patient-reported goals may be obtained with a simple question
      delivered during the clinical encounter. Encouraging patients to define their
      goals may lead to a greater degree of shared decision making, as advocated in
      current professional guidelines.

PMID- 26275072
TI  - A trinuclear Cu(II) complex with functionalized s-heptazine N-ligands: molecular
      chemistry from a g-C3N4 fragment.
AB  - A new kind of N-ligand based on heptazine derivatives is presented. A trinuclear
      Cu(II) complex, [(L)2CuCl3](ClO4)3.3CH2Cl2 (L = 2,4,6-tris(di-2
      pyridylamino)heptazine), utilizing a pyridine derivative of heptazine has been
      synthesized and characterized avoiding the inherent solubility problems of
      heptazine compounds. Thus, this work opens the application of such ligands either
      in supramolecular chemistry as a larger ligand of the widely used s-triazine
      derivatives or to provide molecular systems for photocatalysis as heptazine is
      the fundamental unit of the very promising g-C3N4 2D compound. 

PMID- 26275071
TI  - Hydroxyurea Therapy for Children With Sickle Cell Anemia in Sub-Saharan Africa:
      Rationale and Design of the REACH Trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is an inherited hematological disorder that
      causes a large but neglected global health burden, particularly in Africa.
      Hydroxyurea represents the only available disease-modifying therapy for SCA, and
      has proven safety and efficacy in high-resource countries. In sub-Saharan Africa,
      there is minimal use of hydroxyurea, due to lack of data, absence of evidence
      based guidelines, and inexperience among healthcare providers. PROCEDURE: A
      partnership was established between investigators in North America and sub
      Saharan Africa, to develop a prospective multicenter research protocol designed
      to provide data on the safety, feasibility, and benefits of hydroxyurea for
      children with SCA. RESULTS: The Realizing Effectiveness Across Continents with
      Hydroxyurea (REACH, ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01966731) trial is a prospective, phase
      I/II open-label dose escalation study of hydroxyurea that will treat a total of
      600 children age 1-10 years with SCA: 150 at each of four different clinical
      sites within sub-Saharan Africa (Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, and
      Uganda). The primary study endpoint will be severe hematological toxicities that
      occur during the fixed-dose treatment phase. REACH has an adaptive statistical
      design that allows for careful assessment of toxicities to accurately identify a
      safe hydroxyurea dose. CONCLUSIONS: REACH will provide data that address critical
      gaps in knowledge for the treatment of SCA in sub-Saharan Africa. By developing
      local expertise with the use of hydroxyurea and helping to establish treatment
      guidelines, the REACH trial results will have the potential to transform care for
      children with SCA in Africa.

PMID- 26275073
TI  - Co-exposure of ZnO nanoparticles and UV radiation to Daphnia magna and Danio
      rerio: Combined effects rather than protection.
AB  - The application of nanoparticles (NPs) in consumer products has been increasing
      over the past few years. Their release into the environment is likely to happen
      at any stage of production or during the use of products containing NPs. Zinc
      oxide NPs (ZnO-NP) are among the most-used NPs on the market due to its intrinsic
      properties, such as ultraviolet (UV) absorption. The aim of the present study was
      to assess the combined effects of ZnO-NP and UV radiation on 2 freshwater
      species: Daphnia magna and Danio rerio. The initial hypothesis was that the
      presence of ZnO-NP in the aquatic media would decrease the damaging effects of UV
      radiation for both species. The endpoints assessed for D. magna were
      immobilization, feeding inhibition, and reproduction output. For D. rerio, egg
      development was studied during 96 h and mortality, hatching delay, and abnormal
      development were the endpoints recorded. Combined exposures were designed based
      on the single toxicity of both stressors and analyzed based on the independent
      action concept and exploring possible deviations for synergism/antagonism, dose
      level, and dose ratio. Combined exposures with D. magna induced synergism on
      reproduction, decreasing the number of neonates produced more than expected based
      on both stressors' individual toxicity. Single exposures of D. rerio embryos to
      both stressors induced negative effects. The combined exposures caused a dose
      ratio deviation pattern on mortality and hatching, with a synergism observed when
      ZnO-NP was the dominant stressor, changing to antagonism when UV radiation
      dominated the combined exposure. Regarding the results attained, studying ZnO
      toxicity under laboratory conditions may underestimate the risks when considering
      the potential interaction on effects when combined with UV radiation.

PMID- 26275074
TI  - Diastereoselective synthesis of pitavastatin calcium via bismuth-catalyzed two
      component hemiacetal/oxa-Michael addition reaction.
AB  - An efficient and concise asymmetric synthesis of pitavastatin calcium (1)
      starting from commercially available (S)-epichlorohydrin is described. A
      convergent C1 + C6 route allowed for the assembly of the pitavastatin C7 side
      chain via a Wittig reaction between phosphonium salt 2 and the enantiomerically
      pure C6-formyl side chain 3. The 1,3-syn-diol acetal motif in 3 was established
      with excellent stereo control by a diastereoselective bismuth-promoted two
      component hemiacetal/oxa-Michael addition reaction of (S)-alpha,beta-unsaturated
      ketone 4 with acetaldehyde.

PMID- 26275076
TI  - MicroRNA-150: A potential regulator in pathogens infection and autoimmune
      diseases.
AB  - MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNAs that play an important role in post
      transcriptional regulation of gene expression. The past studies showed that miR
      150 might emerge as a master regulator of gene expression during the immune cells
      differentiation and immune response process. Its regulation ability in immune
      cellular process might contribute to the host defense against invading pathogens,
      and dysregulated expression of miR-150 in immune cells might result in autoimmune
      diseases. This review summarized that miR-150 could regulate B cells, T cells and
      NK/iNKT cells differentiation and immune response. And also, this review provides
      a comprehensive view on the association of miR-150 and autoimmune diseases such
      as systemic sclerosis (SSc), multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic
      lupus erythematosus and contact sensitivity. Especially, the duplex role of miR
      150 in the fibrosis process might contribute to the pathomechanism of SSc. Though
      much remains to be explored about the roles of miR-150 in pathogenic infection
      and autoimmune diseases, targeting miR-150 may serve as a promising therapy
      strategy.

PMID- 26275075
TI  - Metabolic Syndrome Components are Associated with Increased Prostate Cancer Risk.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Our study investigated the associations of metabolic syndrome (MS)
      and metabolic indicators with prostate cancer (PCa) risk in the Chinese Han
      ethnic population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied 101 PCa patients
      (without/with MS) and 120 healthy controls. Clinical data, including waist
      circumference, BMI, TG, FINS, FBG, and PCa-related indicators, were collected.
      The correlations between MS and PCa were analyzed. RESULTS: Compared to PCa, PV
      and Gleason scores increased and PSA levels decreased in PCa with MS group (all
      P<0.001). PV was positively correlated with BMI, FINS, and HOMA-IR (r=0.459,
      P<0.001; r=0.421, P=0.001; r=0.490, P=0.003, respectively), and was negatively
      correlated with HDL-C (r=-0.378, P<0.001). PSA level in MS patients was
      negatively correlated with BMI (r=-0.125, P<0.001), TG (r=-0.256, P<0.001) and
      FBG (r=-0.183, P<0.001). Large PV, high TG, low HDL-C, high LDL-C, and high FBG
      were associated with an increased risk of PCa (P<0.001, OR=1.10, 95%CI: 1.009
      3.304; P<0.001, OR=2.91, 95%CI: 1.612-5.241; P<0.001, OR=7.89, 95%CI: 3.908
      15.947; P=0.015, OR=1.87, 95%CI: 1.131-3.077; P=0.004, OR=2.17, 95%CI: 1.280
      3.686, respectively). MS-related indicators showed a positive relationship with
      PCa (P<0.001, OR=1.90, 95%CI: 1.107-10.629). CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that MS
      and metabolic indicators are associated with an increased risk of PCa, pointing
      to a novel therapeutic approach for PCa management.

PMID- 26275077
TI  - Abnormal lipid rafts related ganglioside expression and signaling in T
      lymphocytes in immune thrombocytopenia patients.
AB  - Aberrant T lymphocytes signaling is considered to play a crucial role in the
      abnormal immune state of primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Lipid raft has
      been verified to engage in the T cell receptor (TCR)-mediated T lymphocytes
      signal transduction. Whether lipid raft-associated T cells signal transduction
      has impact on the pathogenesis of ITP is still unconfirmed. In this study, we
      aimed to reveal the abnormality in structure and function of lipid rafts (LRs) in
      CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes of patients with ITP. Our results showed that there
      was an increased lipid raft aggregation in ITP patients, while this kind of
      increase would not be influenced by platelet counts or therapeutic regimes.
      Stimulation by anti-CD3/CD28 monoclonal antibodies promoted enhanced lipid raft
      clustering in T lymphocytes of ITP patients compared with negative controls.
      Methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (MbetaCD) could block the abnormal lipid raft
      aggregation and disrupt the TCR-mediated T cells proliferation and cytokines
      secretion, including both proinflammatory cytokines and anti-inflammatory
      cytokines. The spontaneous activation of T lymphocytes from ITP patients might be
      due to the elevated co-localization of protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) CD45
      and lipid rafts in patients' CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes. These findings suggest
      that the autoactivation of T lymphocytes from ITP patients may lead to the
      abnormality in lipid raft structure and raft-anchored proteins, and the changes
      conversely promote the TCR-mediated T cells activation of ITP patients.

PMID- 26275078
TI  - Immunization of mice with a peptide derived from the HTLV-1 TAX1BP1 protein
      induces cross-reactive antibodies against aquaporin 4.
AB  - Antibodies against aquaporin-4 (AQP4) are specific and pathogenetic for
      Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO). In a previous study, three linear intracellular AQP4
      B-cell epitopes were uncovered in NMO patients. A particular epitope showed high
      sequence similarity with a segment of the human TAX1BP1 protein, which is
      necessary for the replication of HTLV-1 virus. The aim of the present study was
      to investigate whether immunization of mice with the TAX1BP1 peptide could
      produce specific antibodies against AQP4 epitopes or induce symptoms. Eight
      C57Bl/6 mice were immunized with TAX1BP1pep in Complete Freund's Adjuvant and
      eight with adjuvant only. Animals received three subcutaneous injections and sera
      were obtained before each immunization and at sacrifice. All sera were evaluated
      by ELISA for antibodies against the TAX1BP1peptide, the homologous AQP4 peptide
      and all linear AQP4 epitopes. Homologous and cross-inhibition assays were
      performed to ensure binding specificity, and reactivity against conformational
      AQP4 epitopes was evaluated by a cell-based assay. Sera from immunized animals
      showed high reactivity against the immunization peptide, and the homologous AQP4
      epitope. Inhibition assays confirmed binding specificity. No antibodies were
      produced against any other epitopes, either linear or conformational. No clinical
      or brain inflammatory signs were observed in the animals. The induction of
      antibodies to an AQP4 epitope in mice immunized with the TAX1BP1-derived peptide
      suggests that a latent HTLV-1 infection could lead to TAX1BP1 antigen
      presentation and the production of anti-AQP4 antibodies, probably through T cell
      mediated mechanisms. Further studies are needed for exploring triggering factors
      for NMO especially in HTLV-1-endemic regions.

PMID- 26275079
TI  - Adding Value to Palliative Care Services: The Development of an Institutional
      Bereavement Program.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although bereavement programs are a common element of palliative
      medicine and hospice programs, few health care institutions currently offer
      universal bereavement services to all their patients. The elevated risk of
      serious physical and mental health problems among the bereaved is a strong
      argument for the development of universal institution-based bereavement programs
      as an element of quality care for family members of all patients who die.
      OBJECTIVE: We describe the development of the bereavement program at Dana-Farber
      Cancer Institute (DFCI) where we conceptualized bereavement services as a
      preventive model of care. DESIGN: We identified education, guidance and support
      as the primary constructs of the program. The essential components include a
      formal acknowledgement of the death of the patient by the cancer center,
      information about grief and what to expect, individual visits to assess coping,
      and staff support and education. SUBJECTS: One hundred and forty bereaved
      families completed a survey about the bereavement program. RESULTS: The findings
      indicated that the formal letter of condolence and the bereavement guide had a
      positive impact on the grieving of the respondents. Contact from the patient's
      oncologist and nurse was especially well received. CONCLUSIONS: Bereavement
      programs can both help bereaved individuals adapt to their loss, and positively
      impact hospitals by enhancing the reputation of the hospital within the community
      and providing an avenue for identifying opportunities for improvement in care
      processes. We recommend that all hospitals implement basic bereavement programs
      for families of all deceased patients as the standard of care.

PMID- 26275081
TI  - Cardiovascular events in chronic hepatitis C: prognostic value of liver stiffness
      evolution.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Chronic hepatitis C is also a metabolic disease that may
      increase cardiovascular events. FibroScan is a diagnostic tool for fibrosis and a
      prognostic tool for cirrhosis complications and mortality. The aim of our study
      was to investigate the prognostic value of liver stiffness evolution and initial
      stiffness in cardiovascular events occurring in patients with chronic hepatitis
      C. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 2006 and 2013, chronic hepatitis C patients
      followed in a reference center with two valid liver stiffness measurements by
      FibroScan were included. Cardiovascular events occurring after the initial
      FibroScan were collected retrospectively. 'Rapid stiffness progression' was
      defined as an evolution of at least 0.3 kPa/year and 'high initial stiffness' as
      at least 7 kPa. RESULTS: Among 561 patients with chronic hepatitis C, 135 were
      included, mean follow-up 5.2 years, 56% men, mean age 55.3 years, infected with
      genotype 1 (71%). Among these, 27 were overweight, 12 had type 2 diabetes, 41 had
      steatosis, and 89 had been treated. During follow-up, seven patients had a
      cardiovascular event (four myocardial infarctions, three strokes). Among the 35
      patients with rapid stiffness progression, 6% had a cardiovascular event compared
      with 5% of 100 patients with slow progression (P=1.0). Among the 57 patients with
      high initial stiffness, 11% had a cardiovascular event compared with 1% of the 78
      patients with low initial stiffness (P=0.04). CONCLUSION: In chronic hepatitis C,
      initial stiffness of at least 7 kPa was associated with cardiovascular events.
      Rapid progression of liver stiffness does not seem to be associated with these
      events.

PMID- 26275080
TI  - Phase 2 trial of ixazomib in patients with relapsed multiple myeloma not
      refractory to bortezomib.
AB  - This phase 2 trial was designed to evaluate ixazomib, an orally bioavailable
      proteasome inhibitor, in patients with myeloma who have limited prior exposure to
      bortezomib. Thirty-three patients with relapsed multiple myeloma were enrolled.
      Ixazomib was given at 5.5 mg weekly for 3 of 4 weeks. Dexamethasone was added for
      lack of a minor response (MR) by end of cycle 2 or lack of a partial response
      (PR) by end of cycle 4 or for disease progression at any time. Median age was 69
      years; patients had a median of two prior therapies (range 1-7). A grade 3 or 4
      adverse event considered at least possibly related to drug was seen in 19 (59%)
      and 6 (19%) patients, respectively. The most common adverse events were
      thrombocytopenia, fatigue, nausea and diarrhea. Dexamethasone was initiated in 22
      (67%) patients, 17 for not reaching the desired response and 5 for progression.
      Response (?PR) to single agent was seen in five patients within four cycles of
      therapy including three patients with PR, one patient with complete response (CR)
      and one patient with stringent CR. Six additional patients with either an MR (2)
      or SD (4) achieved a PR after addition of dexamethasone, translating to an
      overall response rate of 34%. 

PMID- 26275082
TI  - King's score as a novel prognostic model for patients with hepatitis B-associated
      hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: King's score (KS) has been developed to predict the
      presence of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with chronic
      liver diseases. We aimed to investigate the prognostic significance of the KS in
      hepatitis B-associated HCC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 319
      hepatitis B-associated HCC patients. Preoperative data were collected to
      calculate the KS (age * aspartate aminotransferase * international normalized
      ratio/platelet count). The primary outcomes were overall survival (OS) and
      disease-free survival (DFS), which was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method.
      Then, we carried out a multivariate Cox analysis to assess the independent
      significance of the KS. Additional analyses were carried out after patients were
      stratified on the basis of cirrhosis status and therapy methods to investigate
      the significance of KS in different subgroups. RESULTS: During a median follow-up
      period of 44 months, 199 (62.4%) patients died and 144 (45.1%) experienced
      recurrence. The cut-off value for the KS was determined to be 33.31 with 56.8%
      sensitivity and 66.7% specificity. Compared with patients with low KS, the high
      group showed a higher probability of cirrhosis and worse Child-Pugh class (both
      P<0.05). Multivariate analysis identified older age, tumor size 5 or more,
      palliative therapy, high Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage, and high KS as
      significant factors for predicting poor OS and DFS. A combination of the KS and
      tumor size showed better discrimination ability for survival than Barcelona
      Clinic Liver Cancer stage. CONCLUSION: The KS is an effective index for
      predicting OS and DFS in hepatitis B-associated HCC. Larger cohorts are needed to
      validate our finding.

PMID- 26275083
TI  - A retrospective study assessing fully covered metal stents as first-line
      management for malignant biliary strictures.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Fully covered self-expanding metal stents (FCSEMS) constitute the
      first type of metal stent that can easily be removed endoscopically and/or
      intraoperatively, which may be advantageous in the management of distal malignant
      biliary strictures (DMBS). To assess the efficacy of FCSEMS as first-line
      treatment for DMBS, we compared patency, survival and complication rates between
      FCSEMS, uncovered self-expanding metal stents (USEMS) and plastic stents (PS).
      METHODS: This was a multicentre retrospective study of 315 consecutive patients
      with DMBS, who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and
      stenting (FCSEMS, USEMS or PS) at two hospitals between 1 January 2007 and 31
      December 2013. Stent patency and patient survival were compared using the Kaplan
      Meier method; complication rates were compared using Fisher's exact test; and Cox
      regression analysis was used to screen for confounding factors. RESULTS: FCSEMS
      were associated with prolonged stent patency (median=145 days) compared with
      USEMS (median=110 days, P<0.003) and PS (median=34 days, P<0.001). Biliary sepsis
      rates were lower for FCSEMS compared with PS (4.7 vs. 17.8%, P=0.02), whereas
      pancreatitis rates were higher for FCSEMS compared with USEMS (7.8 vs. 1.0%,
      P=0.04), but not PS (2.6%, P=NS). CONCLUSION: The use of FCSEMS as first-line
      management for DMBS is associated with longer patency and reduced complication
      rates compared with the use of PS. However, the higher rate of pancreatitis
      compared with USEMS requires further evaluation in a large randomized controlled
      trial.

PMID- 26275084
TI  - Ki67 as a prognostic factor for long-term outcome following surgery in
      gastrointestinal stromal tumors.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the value of Ki67 expression along with
      other potential prognostic factors for predicting overall survival and disease
      free survival in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors who underwent
      curative resection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-eight histologically confirmed
      and operated patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors were included.
      Clinical and follow-up data were retrieved from medical records and patients were
      contacted at the end of the study. The effects of certain clinical and
      histopathological parameters on survival outcomes were examined. RESULTS: Sixty
      eight patients were followed for a mean duration of follow-up of 2923.3 patient
      months. Twelve deaths (17.6%), seven metastasis (10.3%), and two local
      recurrences (2.9%) occurred. Overall survival was 102.5 months [95% confidence
      interval (CI), 88.3-116.8] and disease-free survival was 91.8 months (95% CI,
      76.5-107.2). Multivariate analyses identified a high Ki67 index (>= 10%) as an
      independent predictor of both poor overall survival (hazard ratio, 4.8; 95% CI
      1.2-19.2; P=0.027) and poor disease-free survival (hazard ratio, 15.3; 95% CI,
      4.7-50.2). CONCLUSION: A high Ki67 expression seems to be a useful prognostic
      factor that would aid in predicting disease course in gastrointestinal stromal
      tumors. These findings deserve further investigation in larger studies.

PMID- 26275085
TI  - Infliximab for the treatment of Crohn's disease: efficacy and safety in a Chinese
      single-center retrospective study.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: Information describing the efficacy and safety of infliximab
      (IFX) for Crohn's disease (CD) in China is limited. The aim of this study was to
      report response rates, relapse rates after IFX-induced remission, and adverse
      events, and identify factors associated with relapse in a cohort of CD patients
      treated with IFX in a Chinese center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Clinical data of CD
      patients treated with two or more infusions of IFX from July 2010 to February
      2013 at Nanfang Hospital (Guangzhou, China) were retrieved and analyzed
      retrospectively. Primary measurements were clinical response rate and relapse
      rate during 30 weeks of follow-up. Overall adverse events and risk factors
      related to IFX were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 70 CD patients were finally
      included. The clinical response rate was 98.6% at week 2, 97% at week 6, 92.5% at
      week 14, 84.9% at week 22, and 84.1% at week 30. The remission rate was 55.7% at
      week 2, 94% at week 6, 92.5% at week 14, 82.7% at week 22, and 77.3% at week 30.
      Relapse began following the third infusion. The relapse rate was 3.23% at week 6,
      6.12% at week 14, 10.53% at week 22, and 8.82% at week 30. Adverse events related
      to IFX occurred in 32.6% of patients; most were mild and transient. Univariate
      analysis showed that sex was a significant predictor of clinical relapse.
      CONCLUSION: IFX is an effective and safe treatment for CD in Chinese patients.
      Sex may be an independent predictor of relapse.

PMID- 26275086
TI  - Ten years of hospital admissions for liver cirrhosis in Portugal.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: More data on epidemiology of liver diseases in Europe are
      needed. We aimed to characterize hospital admissions for liver cirrhosis in
      Portugal during the past decade. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed all hospital
      admissions for cirrhosis in Portugal Mainland between 2003 and 2012 registered in
      the national Diagnosis-Related Group database. Cirrhosis was classified according
      to etiology considering alcohol, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. RESULTS: Between
      2003 and 2012, there were 63,910 admissions for cirrhosis in Portugal Mainland;
      74.4% involved male patients. Etiologies of admitted cirrhosis were as follows:
      76.0% alcoholic, 1.1% hepatitis B, 1.4% hepatitis B plus alcohol, 3.6% hepatitis
      C, and 4.0% hepatitis C plus alcohol. There was a significant decline (P<0.001)
      in admissions for alcoholic cirrhosis, whereas hospitalizations for cirrhosis
      caused by hepatitis C or hepatitis C plus alcohol increased by almost 50%
      (P<0.001). Patients admitted with alcoholic plus hepatitis B or C cirrhosis were
      significantly younger than those with either alcoholic or viral cirrhosis (53.1
      vs. 59.4 years, respectively, P<0.001). Hospitalization rates for cirrhosis were
      124.4/100,000 in men and 32.6/100,000 in women. Hepatocellular carcinoma and
      fluid retention were more common in viral cirrhosis, whereas encephalopathy and
      variceal bleeding were more frequent in alcoholic cirrhosis. Hepatorenal syndrome
      was the strongest predictor of mortality among cirrhosis complications (odds
      ratio 12.97; 95% confidence interval 11.95-14.09). In-hospital mortality was
      15.2%. CONCLUSION: Despite the decline in admissions for alcoholic cirrhosis and
      the increase in those related to hepatitis C, the observed burden of hospitalized
      liver cirrhosis in Portugal was essentially attributable to alcoholic liver
      disease.

PMID- 26275087
TI  - Child abuse and neglect in complex dissociative disorder, abuse-related chronic
      PTSD, and mixed psychiatric samples.
AB  - Only a select number of studies have examined different forms of child
      maltreatment in complex dissociative disorders (DDs) in comparison to other
      groups. Few of these have used child abuse-related chronic posttraumatic stress
      disorder (C-PTSD) and mixed psychiatric (MP) patients with maltreatment as
      comparison groups. This study examined child sexual, physical, and emotional
      abuse as well as physical and emotional neglect in DD (n = 39), C-PTSD (n = 13),
      and MP (n = 21) samples, all with abuse and neglect histories. The predictive
      capacity of these different forms of maltreatment across the 3 groups was
      assessed for pathological dissociation, shame, guilt, relationship esteem,
      relationship anxiety, relationship depression, and fear of relationships. All
      forms of maltreatment differentiated the DD from the MP group, and sexual abuse
      differentiated the DD sample from the C-PTSD group. Childhood sexual abuse was
      the only predictor of pathological dissociation. Emotional abuse predicted shame,
      guilt, relationship anxiety, and fear of relationships. Emotional neglect
      predicted relationship anxiety and relationship depression. Physical neglect was
      associated with less relationship anxiety. Different forms of abuse and neglect
      are associated with different symptom clusters in psychiatric patients with
      maltreatment histories. 

PMID- 26275088
TI  - Self-Assembly of an Alphavirus Core-like Particle Is Distinguished by Strong
      Intersubunit Association Energy and Structural Defects.
AB  - Weak association energy can lead to uniform nanostructures: defects can anneal
      due to subunit lability. What happens when strong association energy leads to
      particles where defects are trapped? Alphaviruses are enveloped viruses whose
      icosahedral nucleocapsid core can assemble independently. We used a simplest case
      system to study Ross River virus (RRV) core-like particle (CLP) self-assembly
      using purified capsid protein and a short DNA oligomer. We find that capsid
      protein binds the oligomer with high affinity to form an assembly competent unit
      (U). Subsequently, U assembles with concentration dependence into CLPs. We
      determined that U-U pairwise interactions are very strong (ca. -6 kcal/mol)
      compared to other virus assembly systems. Assembled RRV CLPs appeared
      morphologically uniform and cryo-EM image reconstruction with imposed icosahedral
      symmetry yielded a T = 4 structure. However, 2D class averages of the CLPs show
      that virtually every class had disordered regions. These results suggested that
      irregular cores may be present in RRV virions. To test this hypothesis, we
      determined 2D class averages of RRV virions using authentic virions or only the
      core from intact virions isolated by computational masking. Virion-based class
      averages were symmetrical, geometric, and corresponded well to projections of
      image reconstructions. In core-based class averages, cores and envelope proteins
      in many classes were disordered. These results suggest that partly disordered
      components are common even in ostensibly well-ordered viruses, a biological
      realization of a patchy particle. Biological advantages of partly disordered
      complexes may arise from their ease of dissociation and asymmetry. 

PMID- 26275089
TI  - Murine Isolated Heart Model of Myocardial Stunning Associated with Cardioplegic
      Arrest.
AB  - The following protocol is of use to evaluate impaired cardiac function or
      myocardial stunning following moderate ischemic insults. The technique is useful
      for modeling ischemic injury associated with numerous clinically relevant
      phenomenon including cardiac surgery with cardioplegic arrest and cardiopulmonary
      bypass, off-pump CABG, transplant, angina, brief ischemia, etc. The protocol
      presents a general method to model hypothermic hyperkalemic cardioplegic arrest
      and reperfusion in rodent hearts focusing on measurement of myocardial
      contractile function. In brief, a mouse heart is perfused in langendorff mode,
      instrumented with an intraventricular balloon, and baseline cardiac functional
      parameters are recorded. Following stabilization, the heart is then subject to
      brief infusion of a cardioprotective hypothermic cardioplegia solution to
      initiate diastolic arrest. Cardioplegia is delivered intermittently over 2 hr.
      The heart is then reperfused and warmed to normothermic temperatures and recovery
      of myocardial function is monitored. Use of this protocol results in reliable
      depressed cardiac contractile function free from gross myocardial tissue damage
      in rodents. 

PMID- 26275090
TI  - A Phase 1, Dose-escalation, Double-blind, Block-randomized, Controlled Trial of
      Safety and Efficacy of Neosaxitoxin Alone and in Combination with 0.2%
      Bupivacaine, with and without Epinephrine, for Cutaneous Anesthesia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Neosaxitoxin (NeoSTX) is a site-1 sodium channel blocker that
      produces prolonged local anesthesia in animals and humans. Under a Food and Drug
      Administration-approved phase 1 Investigational New Drug trial, the authors
      evaluated safety and efficacy of NeoSTX alone and combined with 0.2% bupivacaine
      (Bup) with and without epinephrine. METHODS: The authors conducted a double
      blind, randomized, controlled trial involving healthy male volunteers aged 18 to
      35 yr receiving two 10-ml subcutaneous injections. Control sites received Bup. In
      part 1, active sites received (1) 5 to 40 MUg NeoSTX+Saline (NeoSTX-Saline), (2)
      5 to 40 MUg NeoSTX+Bup (NeoSTX-Bup), or (3) placebo (Saline). In part 2, active
      sites received 10 or 30 MUg NeoSTX+Bup+Epinephrine (NeoSTX-Bup-Epi) or placebo.
      Primary outcome measures were safety and adverse events associated with NeoSTX.
      Secondary outcomes included clinical biochemistry, NeoSTX pharmacokinetics, and
      cutaneous hypoesthesia. RESULTS: A total of 84 subjects were randomized and
      completed the two-part trial with no serious adverse events or clinically
      significant physiologic impairments. Perioral numbness and tingling increased
      with NeoSTX dose for NeoSTX-Saline and NeoSTX-Bup. All symptoms resolved without
      intervention. NeoSTX-Bup-Epi dramatically reduced symptoms compared with other
      NeoSTX combinations (tingling: 0 vs. 70%, P = 0.004; numbness: 0 vs. 60%, P =
      0.013) at the same dose. Mean peak plasma NeoSTX concentration for NeoSTX-Bup-Epi
      was reduced at least two-fold compared with NeoSTX-Saline and NeoSTX-Bup (67 +/-
      14, 134 +/- 63, and 164 +/- 81 pg/ml, respectively; P = 0.016). NeoSTX-Bup showed
      prolonged cutaneous block duration compared with Bup, NeoSTX-Saline, or placebo,
      at all doses. Median time to near-complete recovery for 10 MUg NeoSTX-Bup-Epi was
      almost five-fold longer compared with Bup (50 vs. 10 h, P = 0.007). CONCLUSION:
      NeoSTX combinations have a tolerable side effect profile and appear promising for
      prolonged local anesthesia.

PMID- 26275091
TI  - Site-1 Sodium Channel Blockers as Local Anesthetics: Will Neosaxitoxin Supplant
      the Need for Continuous Nerve Blocks?

PMID- 26275093
TI  - Measurement of wheelchair adjustment effects on turning deceleration.

PMID- 26275094
TI  - Fabrication of High Contrast Gratings for the Spectrum Splitting Dispersive
      Element in a Concentrated Photovoltaic System.
AB  - High contrast gratings are designed and fabricated and its application is
      proposed in a parallel spectrum splitting dispersive element that can improve the
      solar conversion efficiency of a concentrated photovoltaic system. The proposed
      system will also lower the solar cell cost in the concentrated photovoltaic
      system by replacing the expensive tandem solar cells with the cost-effective
      single junction solar cells. The structures and the parameters of high contrast
      gratings for the dispersive elements were numerically optimized. The large-area
      fabrication of high contrast gratings was experimentally demonstrated using
      nanoimprint lithography and dry etching. The quality of grating material and the
      performance of the fabricated device were both experimentally characterized. By
      analyzing the measurement results, the possible side effects from the fabrication
      processes are discussed and several methods that have the potential to improve
      the fabrication processes are proposed, which can help to increase the optical
      efficiency of the fabricated devices. 

PMID- 26275092
TI  - Clinical Electroencephalography for Anesthesiologists: Part I: Background and
      Basic Signatures.
AB  - The widely used electroencephalogram-based indices for depth-of-anesthesia
      monitoring assume that the same index value defines the same level of
      unconsciousness for all anesthetics. In contrast, we show that different
      anesthetics act at different molecular targets and neural circuits to produce
      distinct brain states that are readily visible in the electroencephalogram. We
      present a two-part review to educate anesthesiologists on use of the unprocessed
      electroencephalogram and its spectrogram to track the brain states of patients
      receiving anesthesia care. Here in part I, we review the biophysics of the
      electroencephalogram and the neurophysiology of the electroencephalogram
      signatures of three intravenous anesthetics: propofol, dexmedetomidine, and
      ketamine, and four inhaled anesthetics: sevoflurane, isoflurane, desflurane, and
      nitrous oxide. Later in part II, we discuss patient management using these
      electroencephalogram signatures. Use of these electroencephalogram signatures
      suggests a neurophysiologically based paradigm for brain state monitoring of
      patients receiving anesthesia care. 

PMID- 26275095
TI  - Application of Long-term cultured Interferon-gamma Enzyme-linked Immunospot Assay
      for Assessing Effector and Memory T Cell Responses in Cattle.
AB  - Effector and memory T cells are generated through developmental programing of
      naive cells following antigen recognition. If the infection is controlled up to
      95 % of the T cells generated during the expansion phase are eliminated (i.e.,
      contraction phase) and memory T cells remain, sometimes for a lifetime. In
      humans, two functionally distinct subsets of memory T cells have been described
      based on the expression of lymph node homing receptors. Central memory T cells
      express C-C chemokine receptor 7 and CD45RO and are mainly located in T-cell
      areas of secondary lymphoid organs. Effector memory T cells express CD45RO, lack
      CCR7 and display receptors associated with lymphocyte homing to peripheral or
      inflamed tissues. Effector T cells do not express either CCR7 or CD45RO but upon
      encounter with antigen produce effector cytokines, such as interferon-gamma.
      Interferon-gamma release assays are used for the diagnosis of bovine and human
      tuberculosis and detect primarily effector and effector memory T cell responses.
      Central memory T cell responses by CD4(+) T cells to vaccination, on the other
      hand, may be used to predict vaccine efficacy, as demonstrated with simian
      immunodeficiency virus infection of non-human primates, tuberculosis in mice, and
      malaria in humans. Several studies with mice and humans as well as unpublished
      data on cattle, have demonstrated that interferon-gamma ELISPOT assays measure
      central memory T cell responses. With this assay, peripheral blood mononuclear
      cells are cultured in decreasing concentration of antigen for 10 to 14 days (long
      term culture), allowing effector responses to peak and wane; facilitating central
      memory T cells to differentiate and expand within the culture. 

PMID- 26275096
TI  - Outcomes of Orbital Blow-Out Fracture Repair Performed Beyond 6 Weeks After
      Injury.
AB  - PURPOSE: Blow-out fractures cause expansion of the bony orbital walls and
      prolapse of orbital contents in the sinuses. This can result in diplopia,
      enophthalmos, and hypoglobus. Early surgical repair has been previously
      recommended, however, recent reports show that delayed surgery can also be
      effective. In this study, the clinical and functional outcome of patients with
      delayed presentation and blow-out fracture repair beyond 6 weeks after injury are
      described. METHODS: This is a noncomparative retrospective study. Medical records
      of adult patients with late orbital floor fracture repair performed by 4 surgeons
      from April 2008 to January 2014 at 3 tertiary referral centers were reviewed. All
      repairs were performed more than 6 weeks from the time of injury. Patients with
      prior orbital fracture repair surgery were excluded. RESULTS: Twenty patients
      were included in the study. The duration from time of injury to surgery ranged
      from 7 weeks to 21 years with a mean of 19 months. Follow up ranged from 6 weeks
      to 56 months (mean 8 months). Mean age was 48 years (range, 25-80). Male to
      female ratio was 11:9. Surgery was performed on 10 right eyes and 10 left eyes.
      CT imaging demonstrated 10 patients had isolated floor fractures, while the
      remaining 10 patients had combined floor and medial wall fractures. Four patients
      also had associated facial fractures that did not require surgery. Indications
      for surgery included enophthalmos of 2 mm or more (18 of 20) and/or significant
      diplopia within 30 degrees  of primary gaze (6 of 20). Mean pre- and
      postoperative enophthalmos was 2.4 +/- 0.9 mm and 0.3 +/- 0.2 mm, respectively,
      corresponding to a mean reduction in enophthalmos of 2.1 +/- 1.2 mm (range, 1-5
      mm). Four of 7 patients with hypoglobus ranging from 1.5 mm to 8 mm
      preoperatively had complete resolution postoperatively, the remaining 3 patients
      showed reduced hypoglobus. Of the 12 patients that had diplopia preoperatively in
      any position of gaze, 6 patients had complete resolution of diplopia
      postoperatively, 4 patients had reduced but residual diplopia in extreme gaze,
      and 2 patients had persistent diplopia, in primary position and down gaze,
      respectively. Two patients had poor vision that precluded the manifestation of
      diplopia. None of the 6 patients without preoperative diplopia developed symptoms
      post operatively. CONCLUSION: Surgical repair of blow-out fractures of the orbit
      occurring more than 6 weeks or more from injury can achieve marked improvement in
      both the functional and cosmetic aspects. The likelihood of induced diplopia is
      low. Orbital floor fracture repair should be considered to successfully treat
      enophthalmos or diplopia in patients with delayed clinical presentation, even
      decades postinjury.

PMID- 26275097
TI  - Perforated Patch-clamp Recording of Mouse Olfactory Sensory Neurons in Intact
      Neuroepithelium: Functional Analysis of Neurons Expressing an Identified Odorant
      Receptor.
AB  - Analyzing the physiological responses of olfactory sensory neurons (OSN) when
      stimulated with specific ligands is critical to understand the basis of olfactory
      driven behaviors and their modulation. These coding properties depend heavily on
      the initial interaction between odor molecules and the olfactory receptor (OR)
      expressed in the OSNs. The identity, specificity and ligand spectrum of the
      expressed OR are critical. The probability to find the ligand of the OR expressed
      in an OSN chosen randomly within the epithelium is very low. To address this
      challenge, this protocol uses genetically tagged mice expressing the fluorescent
      protein GFP under the control of the promoter of defined ORs. OSNs are located in
      a tight and organized epithelium lining the nasal cavity, with neighboring cells
      influencing their maturation and function. Here we describe a method to isolate
      an intact olfactory epithelium and record through patch-clamp recordings the
      properties of OSNs expressing defined odorant receptors. The protocol allows one
      to characterize OSN membrane properties while keeping the influence of the
      neighboring tissue. Analysis of patch-clamp results yields a precise
      quantification of ligand/OR interactions, transduction pathways and pharmacology,
      OSNs' coding properties and their modulation at the membrane level. 

PMID- 26275098
TI  - Effects of Lead Exposure and Genetic Polymorphisms on ALAD and GPx Activities in
      Brazilian Battery Workers.
AB  - Lead (Pb) is a toxic metal that is widely used by metallurgical industries such
      as car battery recycling. Exposure to the metal may modify the redox status of
      the cells and consequently result in changes in activities of important enzymes
      such as delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) and glutathione peroxidase
      (GPx). Similarly, genetic polymorphisms may modulate the activities of enzymes
      related to detoxification processes of the metal and may modify Pb body burden.
      Therefore, the aims of the present study were (i) to evaluate the correlation
      between blood lead levels (BLL) and activities of the enzymes ALAD and GPx, and
      (ii) to determine whether activities of these enzymes may be influenced by
      polymorphisms in ALAD and GPx genes in Brazilian automotive battery workers
      chronically exposed to Pb, as well as the effects of these polymorphisms on BLL.
      Our study included 257 participants; BLL were determined by inductively couple
      plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and the activities of the enzymes ALAD and GPx
      were quantified spectrophotometrically; and genotyping of ALAD (rs1800435) and
      GPx-1 (rs1800668) polymorphisms was performed by TaqMan assays (real-time
      polymerase chain reaction, RT-PCR). Significant negative correlations were found
      between BLL and ALAD activity. Subjects who carried at least one polymorphic
      allele for ALAD gene displayed markedly lower ALAD activities, while no
      significant effect was observed regarding GPx-1 polymorphism and activity of the
      same enzyme. Further, ALAD and GPx-1 polymorphisms exerted no marked influence on
      BLL. Taken together, our results showed that BLL affected ALAD but not GPx
      activities, and these were not modulated by polymorphisms in ALAD and GPx gene.
      Further, the rs1800435 SNP showed a tendency to modulate ALAD activity, while the
      rs1800668 SNP did not modulate GPx activity in Brazilian automotive battery
      workers exposed to Pb. 

PMID- 26275099
TI  - Unbiased Quantitative Models of Protein Translation Derived from Ribosome
      Profiling Data.
AB  - Translation of RNA to protein is a core process for any living organism. While
      for some steps of this process the effect on protein production is understood, a
      holistic understanding of translation still remains elusive. In silico modelling
      is a promising approach for elucidating the process of protein synthesis.
      Although a number of computational models of the process have been proposed,
      their application is limited by the assumptions they make. Ribosome profiling
      (RP), a relatively new sequencing-based technique capable of recording snapshots
      of the locations of actively translating ribosomes, is a promising source of
      information for deriving unbiased data-driven translation models. However,
      quantitative analysis of RP data is challenging due to high measurement variance
      and the inability to discriminate between the number of ribosomes measured on a
      gene and their speed of translation. We propose a solution in the form of a novel
      multi-scale interpretation of RP data that allows for deriving models with
      translation dynamics extracted from the snapshots. We demonstrate the usefulness
      of this approach by simultaneously determining for the first time per-codon
      translation elongation and per-gene translation initiation rates of Saccharomyces
      cerevisiae from RP data for two versions of the Totally Asymmetric Exclusion
      Process (TASEP) model of translation. We do this in an unbiased fashion, by
      fitting the models using only RP data with a novel optimization scheme based on
      Monte Carlo simulation to keep the problem tractable. The fitted models match the
      data significantly better than existing models and their predictions show better
      agreement with several independent protein abundance datasets than existing
      models. Results additionally indicate that the tRNA pool adaptation hypothesis is
      incomplete, with evidence suggesting that tRNA post-transcriptional modifications
      and codon context may play a role in determining codon elongation rates. 

PMID- 26275101
TI  - Sc(OTf)3-Catalyzed [3 + 3] Cycloaddition of Cyclopropane 1,1-Diesters with
      Phthalazinium Dicyanomethanides.
AB  - The Sc(OTf)3-catalyzed diastereoselective [3 + 3] cycloaddition of phthalazinium
      dicyanomethanides with cyclopropane 1,1-diesters proceeded smoothly under mild
      reaction conditions, affording a variety of 3,4-dihydro-1H-pyrido[2,1
      a]phthalazine derivatives in up to 99% yields with excellent
      diastereoselectivities. 

PMID- 26275100
TI  - Adapting the Electrospinning Process to Provide Three Unique Environments for a
      Tri-layered In Vitro Model of the Airway Wall.
AB  - Electrospinning is a highly adaptable method producing porous 3D fibrous
      scaffolds that can be exploited in in vitro cell culture. Alterations to
      intrinsic parameters within the process allow a high degree of control over
      scaffold characteristics including fiber diameter, alignment and porosity. By
      developing scaffolds with similar dimensions and topographies to organ- or tissue
      specific extracellular matrices (ECM), micro-environments representative to those
      that cells are exposed to in situ can be created. The airway bronchiole wall,
      comprised of three main micro-environments, was selected as a model tissue. Using
      decellularized airway ECM as a guide, we electrospun the non-degradable polymer,
      polyethylene terephthalate (PET), by three different protocols to produce three
      individual electrospun scaffolds optimized for epithelial, fibroblast or smooth
      muscle cell-culture. Using a commercially available bioreactor system, we stably
      co-cultured the three cell-types to provide an in vitro model of the airway wall
      over an extended time period. This model highlights the potential for such
      methods being employed in in vitro diagnostic studies investigating important
      inter-cellular cross-talk mechanisms or assessing novel pharmaceutical targets,
      by providing a relevant platform to allow the culture of fully differentiated
      adult cells within 3D, tissue-specific environments. 

PMID- 26275102
TI  - Differences and correlations in knee and hip mechanics during single-leg landing,
      single-leg squat, double-leg landing, and double-leg squat tasks.
AB  - Landing and squat tasks have been utilized to assess lower extremity biomechanics
      associated with anterior cruciate ligament loading and injury risks. The purpose
      of this study was to identify the differences and correlations in knee and hip
      mechanics during a single-leg landing, a single-leg squat, a double-leg landing,
      and a double-leg squat. Seventeen male and 17 female recreational athletes
      performed landings and squats when kinematic and kinetic data were collected.
      ANOVAs showed significant differences (p < 0.00001) for maximum knee flexion
      angles, maximum hip flexion angles, maximum knee abduction angles, maximum hip
      adduction angles, and maximum external knee abduction moments among squats and
      landings. For maximum knee and hip flexion angles, significant correlations (r >=
      0.5, p <= 0.003) were observed between the two landings and between the two
      squats. For maximum knee abduction and hip adduction angles and maximum external
      knee abduction moments, significant correlations were mostly found between the
      two landings, and between the single-leg squat and landings (r >= 0.54, p <=
      0.001). Individuals are likely to demonstrate different profiles of injury risks
      when screened using different tasks. While a double-leg landing should be
      considered as a priority in screening, a single-leg squat may be used as a
      surrogate to assess frontal plane motion and loading.

PMID- 26275103
TI  - A Simple ab Initio Model for the Hydrated Electron That Matches Experiment.
AB  - Since its discovery over 50 years ago, the "structure" and properties of the
      hydrated electron have been a subject for wonderment and also fierce debate. In
      the present work we seriously explore a minimal model for the aqueous electron,
      consisting of a small water anion cluster embedded in a polarized continuum,
      using several levels of ab initio calculation and basis set. The minimum energy
      "zero Kelvin" structure found for any 4-water (or larger) anion cluster, at any
      post-Hartree-Fock theory level, is very similar to a recently reported embedded
      DFT-in-classical-water-MD simulation (Uhlig, Marsalek, and Jungwirth, J. Phys.
      Chem. Lett. 2012, 3, 3071-3075), with four OH bonds oriented toward the maximum
      charge density in a small central "void". The minimum calculation with just four
      water molecules does a remarkably good job of reproducing the resonance Raman
      properties, the radius of gyration derived from the optical spectrum, the
      vertical detachment energy, and the hydration free energy. For the first time we
      also successfully calculate the EPR g-factor and (low temperature ice) hyperfine
      couplings. The simple tetrahedral anion cluster model conforms very well to
      experiment, suggesting it does in fact represent the dominant structural motif of
      the hydrated electron.

PMID- 26275104
TI  - Understanding deliberate practice in preschool-aged children.
AB  - Deliberate practice is essential for skill acquisition and expertise and may be a
      direct consequence of episodic foresight. However, little is known about how
      deliberate practice develops in children. We present two experiments testing
      children's ability to selectively practise a behaviour that was going to be
      useful in future and to reason about the role of practice in skill formation.
      Five-year-olds demonstrated an explicit understanding of deliberate practice both
      in selectively choosing to practise a future-relevant skill and in predicting
      skill change in others based on their practice. Four-year-olds showed some
      capacities, but failed to demonstrate consistent understanding of the
      relationship between practice and skill improvement. Children's understanding of
      this relationship was significantly related to their understanding of how
      information leads to knowledge, suggesting that both may draw on similar
      cognitive developmental changes. 

PMID- 26275105
TI  - Carbamazepine versus phenytoin monotherapy for epilepsy: an individual
      participant data review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This is an updated version of the original Cochrane review published
      in Issue 2, 2002 and its subsequent update in 2010.Epilepsy is a common
      neurological condition in which recurrent, unprovoked seizures are caused by
      abnormal electrical discharges from the brain. It is believed that with effective
      drug treatment, up to 70% of individuals with active epilepsy have the potential
      to become seizure-free and go into long-term remission shortly after starting
      drug therapy with a single antiepileptic drug in monotherapy.Worldwide,
      carbamazepine and phenytoin are commonly used broad spectrum antiepileptic drugs,
      suitable for most epileptic seizure types. Carbamazepine is a current first line
      treatment for partial onset seizures in the USA and Europe. Phenytoin is no
      longer considered a first line treatment due to concerns over adverse events
      associated with its use, however the drug is still commonly used in low- to
      middle-income countries due to it's low cost. No consistent differences in
      efficacy have been found between carbamazepine and phenytoin in individual
      trials, however the confidence intervals generated by these studies are wide.
      Therefore, differences in efficacy may be shown by synthesising the data of the
      individual trials. OBJECTIVES: To review the time to withdrawal, six- and 12
      month remission, and first seizure of carbamazepine compared to phenytoin when
      used as monotherapy in people with partial onset seizures (simple partial,
      complex partial, or secondarily generalised tonic-clonic seizures) or generalised
      tonic-clonic seizures, with or without other generalised seizure types. SEARCH
      METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Epilepsy Group's Specialised Register (16
      September 2014), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL;
      2014, Issue 8), MEDLINE (1946 to 16 September 2014), SCOPUS (1823 to 16 September
      2014), ClinicalTrials.gov (16 September 2014), and the World Health Organization
      (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform ICTRP (18 September 2014).
      We handsearched relevant journals, contacted pharmaceutical companies, original
      trial investigators and experts in the field. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised
      controlled trials (RCTs) in children or adults with partial onset seizures or
      generalised onset tonic-clonic seizures with a comparison of carbamazepine
      monotherapy versus phenytoin monotherapy. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: This was
      an individual participant data (IPD) review. Our primary outcome was time to
      withdrawal of allocated treatment, and our secondary outcomes were time to 12
      month remission, time to six-month remission and time to first seizure post
      randomisation. We used Cox proportional hazards regression models to obtain study
      specific estimates of hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and
      the generic inverse variance method to obtain the overall pooled HR and 95% CI.
      MAIN RESULTS: IPD were available for 595 participants out of 1192 eligible
      individuals, from four out of 12 trials (i.e. 50% of the potential data). For
      remission outcomes, HR > 1 indicates an advantage for phenytoin; and for first
      seizure and withdrawal outcomes, HR > 1 indicates an advantage for carbamazepine.
      Methodological quality of the four studies providing IPD was generally good and
      we rated it at low risk of bias overall in the analyses.The main overall results
      (pooled HR adjusted for seizure type) were time to withdrawal of allocated
      treatment: 1.04 (95% CI 0.78 to 1.39); time to 12-month remission: 1.01 (95% CI
      0.78 to 1.31); time to six-month remission: 1.11 (95% CI 0.81 to 1.37); and time
      to first seizure: 0.85 (95% CI 0.70 to 1.04). The results suggest no overall
      statistically significant difference between the drugs for these outcomes. There
      is some evidence of an advantage for phenytoin for individuals with generalised
      onset seizures for our primary outcome (time to withdrawal of allocated
      treatment): pooled HR 0.42 (95% CI 0.18 to 0.96); and a statistical interaction
      between treatment effect and epilepsy type (partial versus generalised) for this
      outcome (P = 0.02), however misclassification of seizure type for up to 48
      individuals (32% of those with generalised epilepsy) may have confounded the
      results of this review. Despite concerns over side effects leading to the
      withdrawal of phenytoin as first line treatment in the USA and Europe, we found
      no evidence that phenytoin is more likely to be associated with serious side
      effects than carbamazepine; 26 individuals withdrew from 290 randomised (9%) to
      carbamazepine due to adverse effects compared to 12 out of 299 (4%) randomised to
      phenytoin from four studies conducted in the USA and Europe (risk ratio (RR)
      1.42, 95% CI 1.13 to 1.80, P = 0.014). We rated the quality of the evidence as
      low - moderate according to GRADE criteria, due to imprecision and potential
      misclassification of seizure type. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: We have not found
      evidence that a statistically significant difference exists between carbamazepine
      and phenytoin for the efficacy outcomes examined in this review, however, CIs are
      wide and the possibility of important differences existing has not been excluded.
      There is no evidence in this review that phenytoin is more strongly associated
      with serious adverse events than carbamazepine. There is some evidence that
      participants with generalised seizures may be less likely to withdraw early from
      phenytoin than carbamazepine, but misclassification of seizure type may have
      impacted upon the results of this review. We recommend caution when interpreting
      the results of this review, and do not recommend that the results of this review
      alone should be used in choosing between carbamazepine and phenytoin. We
      recommend that future trials should be designed to the highest quality possible
      with considerations on allocation concealment and masking, choice of population,
      choice of outcomes and analysis, and presentation of results.

PMID- 26275106
TI  - Identification of Soft Matter Binding Peptide Ligands Using Phage Display.
AB  - Phage display is a powerful tool for the selection of highly affine, short
      peptide ligands. While originally primarily used for the identification of
      ligands to proteins, the scope of this technique has significantly expanded over
      the past two decades. Phage display nowadays is also increasingly applied to
      identify ligands that selectively bind with high affinity to a broad range of
      other substrates including natural and biological polymers as well as a variety
      of low-molecular-weight organic molecules. Such peptides are of interest for
      various reasons. The ability to selectively and with high affinity bind to the
      substrate of interest allows the conjugation or immobilization of, e.g.,
      nanoparticles or biomolecules, or generally, facilitates interactions at
      materials interfaces. On the other hand, presentation of peptide ligands that
      selectively bind to low-molecular-weight organic materials is of interest for the
      development of sensor surfaces. The aim of this article is to highlight the
      opportunities provided by phage display for the identification of peptide ligands
      that bind to synthetic or natural polymer substrates or to small organic
      molecules. The article will first provide an overview of the different peptide
      ligands that have been identified by phage display that bind to these "soft
      matter" targets. The second part of the article will discuss the different
      characterization techniques that allow the determination of the affinity of the
      identified ligands to the respective substrates. 

PMID- 26275107
TI  - Total Synthesis of Hispidulin and the Structural Basis for Its Inhibition of
      Proto-oncogene Kinase Pim-1.
AB  - A new method is applied to synthesize hispidulin, a natural flavone with a broad
      spectrum of biological activities. Hispidulin exhibits inhibitory activity
      against the oncogenic protein kinase Pim-1. Crystallographic analysis of Pim-1
      bound to hispidulin reveals a binding mode distinct from that of quercetin,
      suggesting that the binding potency of flavonoids is determined by their hydrogen
      bonding interactions with the hinge region of the kinase. Overall, this work may
      facilitate construction of a library of hispidulin-derived compounds for
      investigating the structure-activity relationship of flavone-based Pim-1
      inhibitors. 

PMID- 26275109
TI  - Xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes in plants and their role in uptake and
      biotransformation of veterinary drugs in the environment.
AB  - Many various xenobiotics permanently enter plants and represent potential danger
      for their organism. For that reason, plants have evolved extremely sophisticated
      detoxification systems including a battery of xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes.
      Some of them are similar to those in humans and animals, but there are several
      plant-specific ones. This review briefly introduces xenobiotic-metabolizing
      enzymes in plants and summarizes present information about their action toward
      veterinary drugs. Veterinary drugs are used worldwide to treat diseases and
      protect animal health. However, veterinary drugs are also unwantedly introduced
      into environment mostly via animal excrements, they persist in the environment
      for a long time and may impact on the non-target organisms. Plants are able to
      uptake, transform the veterinary drugs to non- or less-toxic compounds and store
      them in the vacuoles and cell walls. This ability may protect not only plant
      themselves but also other organisms, predominantly invertebrates and wild
      herbivores. The aim of this review is to emphasize the importance of plants in
      detoxification of veterinary drugs in the environment. The results of studies,
      which dealt with transport and biotransformation of veterinary drugs in plants,
      are summarized and evaluated. In conclusion, the risks and consequences of
      veterinary drugs in the environment and the possibilities of phytoremediation
      technologies are considered and future perspectives are outlined.

PMID- 26275108
TI  - RNA editing by ADAR1 prevents MDA5 sensing of endogenous dsRNA as nonself.
AB  - Adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) editing is a highly prevalent posttranscriptional
      modification of RNA, mediated by ADAR (adenosine deaminase acting on RNA)
      enzymes. In addition to RNA editing, additional functions have been proposed for
      ADAR1. To determine the specific role of RNA editing by ADAR1, we generated mice
      with an editing-deficient knock-in mutation (Adar1(E861A), where E861A denotes
      Glu(861)->Ala(861)). Adar1(E861A/E861A) embryos died at ~E13.5 (embryonic day
      13.5), with activated interferon and double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-sensing
      pathways. Genome-wide analysis of the in vivo substrates of ADAR1 identified
      clustered hyperediting within long dsRNA stem loops within 3' untranslated
      regions of endogenous transcripts. Finally, embryonic death and phenotypes of
      Adar1(E861A/E861A) were rescued by concurrent deletion of the cytosolic sensor of
      dsRNA, MDA5. A-to-I editing of endogenous dsRNA is the essential function of
      ADAR1, preventing the activation of the cytosolic dsRNA response by endogenous
      transcripts. 

PMID- 26275110
TI  - Effect of individual health education on hyperphosphatemia in the Hakkas
      residential area.
AB  - The Hakka are a sub-ethnicity with unique diet customs in South China. This study
      investigated hyperphosphatemia in hemodialysis patients in relation to the
      current Hakka dietary customs and explored health education patterns for
      hyperphosphatemia control. Two continuous cross-sectional surveys were conducted
      among the local patients on dialysis. After the first survey, the patients with
      hyperphosphatemia were semi-randomized into regular (group 1) and individual
      (group 2) education groups. Regular health education was conducted for both
      groups. In group 2, the awareness of health knowledge and dietary customs was
      investigated using a self-designed questionnaire. Based on the questionnaire,
      individual dietary guidance was given. The second survey was performed after 3
      months. In the first survey, a high-phosphorus diet was found in all 46 patients
      with 43 (93.5%) diagnosed with hyperphosphatemia. In group 1 and group 2, 15
      patients and 25 patients completed the two surveys, respectively. In group 1, no
      patient changed their dietary habits; however, in group 2, some patients did. The
      level of serum inorganic phosphorus in group 1 increased significantly. In group
      2, the data remained stable; the awareness rate of chronic kidney disease-mineral
      and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) increased, and six patients with good compliance
      showed decreased serum inorganic phosphorus (p = 0.046). High-phosphorus dietary
      customs and low CKD-MBD knowledge awareness are important reasons for the
      difficulty in hyperphosphatemia control of patients on dialysis in the Hakka
      region. Individual health education led by medical staff might be helpful in
      hyperphosphatemia control, but the pattern still needs further exploration. 

PMID- 26275111
TI  - Valvular calcification and left ventricular modifying in peritoneal dialysis
      patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cardiac valve calcification (CVC) and left ventricular (LV)
      alterations are frequent complication in end-stage renal disease (ESRD). We
      determined the prevalence of CVC and LV hypertrophy (LVH) in ESRD patients before
      renal replacement therapy and 12 months after peritoneal dialysis (PD). METHODS:
      A prospective longitudinal of 50 incident PD patients was studied. Demographic
      and clinical data were recorded and blood assayed at baseline and after 1-year of
      follow-up. CVC and LVH were evaluated by M-mode two-dimensional echocardiography.
      RESULTS: CVC of the mitral and aortic valves and of both valves were noted in 30,
      18 and 10% of patients, respectively. After 12 months of PD regimen, 20% patients
      had aortic, 24% mitral and 8% had calcification of both valves. After one year of
      PD, LVH was 62 and 36% in patients with and without CVC, respectively (p < 0.05).
      Endothelin-1 is an independent predictor of CVC at the baseline, while nitric
      oxide is inversely an independent predictor at the end of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS:
      CVC is associated with LVH in PD patients. These findings identified a potential
      role for monitored markers to be incorporated into therapeutic strategies aimed
      at detection and treatment of cardiovascular complications and prevention
      strategies.

PMID- 26275112
TI  - Protective effect of pomegranate seed oil against cisplatin-induced
      nephrotoxicity in rat.
AB  - PURPOSE: Clinical use of cisplatin is limited by its nephrotoxicity. Cisplatin
      induced nephrotoxicity is associated with an increase in oxidative stress,
      leading ultimately to kidney dysfunction. The aim of this study was to
      investigate the effect of pomegranate seed oil against nephrotoxicity induced by
      cisplatin in adult rats. METHODS: Animals were divided into four groups. Group I
      received corn oil (1 mL/kg). Group II received cisplatin (8 mg/kg). Group III and
      IV received pomegranate seed oil (PSO) 0.4 mL/kg and 0.8 mL/kg one hour before
      cisplatin injection for 3 days, respectively. Blood samples were collected by
      cardiac puncture and used for measuring urea and creatinine concentration. Twenty
      hour urine samples were collected to measure protein and glucose concentration.
      The right kidney fixed in formalin for histological examination and the left
      kidney was homogenized for measurement of malondialdehyde and total sulfhydryl
      groups. RESULTS: A significant elevation of serum creatinine, urea, urinary
      glucose, protein concentrations, and non-significant decrease in total thiol
      content and increase in MDA level in kidney homogenates were observed in
      cisplatin-treated rats. Also cisplatin reduced animal's body weight. Mild-to
      moderate tubular cell necrosis, hyaline casts, and vascular congestion were
      observed in group II. PSO pre-treatment significantly decreased urinary protein,
      glucose, and serum creatinine concentration. PSO also caused a decrease in serum
      urea, renal MDA, and increase in thiol content, but the level of these parameters
      were not significant. CONCLUSION: The present results suggest that PSO is an
      effective agent for the prevention of cisplatin-induced renal dysfunction and
      oxidative damage in rat.

PMID- 26275114
TI  - The long-term outlook to final outcome and steroid treatment results in children
      with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome.
AB  - Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome (INS) was defined as combination of a nephrotic
      syndrome and non-specific histological abnormalities of the kidney. Among these
      abnormalities, minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS) is the most common. We
      report our experience with MCNS; its clinical course, treatments and outcomes.
      One-hundred twenty children (66 male, 54 female) with MCNS, admitted to
      Nephrology Department between 1987-2009 was assessed. Their clinical
      presentations, treatment and disease courses were reviewed. The mean duration of
      follow-up was 11.5 +/- 1.9 years. Initially, all patients given prednisone 2
      mg/kg/ day single dose per four weeks a followed by eight weeks of the same daily
      dose given every other day. After week 12, prednisone was progressively tapered
      off at the rate of 0.5 mg/kg per 15 daily intervals until complete
      discontinuation had been achieved by week 16. Steroid resistance was accepted as
      no achievement of remission following four weeks of prednisone 2 mg/kg/day
      followed by three intravenous pulses of corticosteroids. At the end of the
      initial steroid treatment, 106 (88.3%) patients were determinate steroid
      responsive while 14 (11.7%) patients were steroid resistance. Thirty-eight
      patients underwent biopsy. At the end of study recovery rate was increased from
      88.3% to 94.1%. In conclusion, most of patients entered remission by our therapy
      end of follow up time. With the support of our satisfactory results among the
      whole study group, long-term prednisolone treatment still remains valid.

PMID- 26275115
TI  - Cabin1 localizes in glomerular podocyte and undergoes nuclear translocation
      during podocyte injury.
AB  - CONTEXT: Podocyte injury is related to increasing proteinuria and contributes to
      the progression of kidney disease. Calcineurin binding protein 1 (Cabin1) is a
      repressor of myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2) and calcineurin-mediated
      transcription in the immune system. Moreover, Cabin1 interacts with p53 and
      negatively regulates p53 in tumor cells. However, its function in kidney is
      unknown. OBJECTIVE: To explore the exact localization of Cabin1 in glomeruli, as
      well as the relationship between Cabin1 and podocyte injury. METHODS: Sprague
      Dawley rats were sacrificed to observe the localization and protein expression of
      Cabin1 in the kidney. Cabin1 localization and protein expression were detected by
      immunofluorescence staining and western blot, respectively. Mouse podocytes were
      cultivated at 33  degrees C to propagate, then cells were transferred to an
      incubator at 37  degrees C to allow differentiation. Differentiated podocytes
      were stimulated by angiotensin II (AngII) or AngII plus tacrolimus. Cells were
      harvested to detect the localization and protein expression of Cabin1.
      Cytoplasmic and nuclear protein were separated by protein extraction kit.
      RESULTS: Cabin1 mainly localized in the nuclei of glomerular innate cells, it
      colocalized with WT-1 in podocytes nuclei. Western bolt showed Cabin1 protein
      remarkably expressed in renal cortex. AngII-induced Cabin1 nuclear protein
      significantly increased, accompanied by cytoskeleton disruption in cultured mouse
      podocytes. CONCLUSION: Cabin1 localizes in glomerular podocytes. AngII induces
      nuclear translocation of Cabin1 in cultured podocytes.

PMID- 26275116
TI  - Protective effects of probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum BJ0021 on liver and
      kidney oxidative stress and apoptosis induced by endosulfan in pregnant rats.
AB  - Endosulfan (EDS) is one of the most widely organochlorine insecticide used in
      many parts of the world, although it is currently banned or severely restricted
      in use in some countries. EDS causes a variety of negative effects in non-target
      species including humans. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to
      investigate the possible protective effects of Lactobacillus plantarum BJ0021 on
      toxicity, oxidative stress, and apoptosis induced by EDS intoxication on liver
      and kidneys of pregnant rats. This pesticide induced a significant increase in
      total cholesterol, alanine-amino transferase (ALAT), aspartate-amino transferase
      (ASAT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), urea and
      creatinine in serum, while urinary urea and creatinine were lower than those of
      the control group. In the liver and kidney, lipid peroxidation increased
      significantly, the antioxidant levels, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and
      catalase (CAT) were markedly depressed and TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin Nick End
      Labeling (TUNEL) revealed more apoptotic cells. In contrast, co-administration of
      L. plantarum BJ0021 to EDS-treated animals ameliorated most of these biochemical
      parameters, but the activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT) did not modify and
      the number of apoptotic nuclei remained significantly raised in kidney compared
      to control. In conclusion, the administration of L. plantarum BJ0021 decreased
      apoptosis and might play a protective role in reducing toxicity of EDS in
      pregnant rats.

PMID- 26275117
TI  - Effects of intradialytic exercise on systemic cytokine in patients with chronic
      kidney disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Immunological dysfunctions and a pro-inflammatory environment are
      associated with higher risk of cardiovascular diseases in chronic kidney disease
      (CKD). Physical exercise can be an important anti-inflammatory strategy, but the
      effects in CKD remain poorly investigated. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the acute
      inflammatory response to intradialytic exercise in the peripheral blood of
      individuals with CKD. METHODS: Nine patients, of both genders, with CKD and
      allocated in the ambulatory of hemodialysis of Hospital Ernesto Dornelles
      (Brazil), performed two sessions of hemodialysis (HD) in random form: aerobic
      intradialytic exercise sessions (EX, 20 min of moderate exercise in cycle
      ergometer) and a control hemodialysis session (CON). Peripheral blood collection
      was made at the baseline, during and immediately after HD to evaluate the
      cytokine profile: interleukin-6, interleukin-10 (IL-10), interleukin-17a (IL
      17a), interferon-gamma (INF-gamma) and tumoral necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha).
      RESULTS: INF-gamma decreased during HD when compared with the pre moment in both
      sessions, while an increase in post HD was only found in the CON session. IL-17
      was higher in post when compared with during HD in both sessions. In addition to
      the time effect, IL-10 presented a time * group interaction and the relative
      changes were significantly higher in EX when compared with the CON session. The
      relative changes in TNF-alpha tended to be higher in CON when compared with EX
      immediately post HD session. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that 20 min of
      intradialytic exercise have modest effect in systemic inflammation. However, the
      significant increase in IL-10 may indicate an immunoregulatory effect of physical
      exercise.

PMID- 26275119
TI  - Comparison of video laryngoscopy versus direct laryngoscopy during urgent
      endotracheal intubation; trial of the route of early nutritional support in
      critically ill adults; and transfusion of plasma, platelets, and red blood cells
      in a 1:1:1 versus a 1:1:2 ratio and mortality in patients with severe trauma.

PMID- 26275118
TI  - Immobilization of Firefly Luciferase on PVA-co-PE Nanofibers Membrane as
      Biosensor for Bioluminescent Detection of ATP.
AB  - The bioluminescent reaction catalyzed by firefly luciferase has become widely
      established as an outstanding analytical system for assay of adenosine
      triphosphate (ATP). When in solution, the luciferase is unstable and cannot be
      reused. The problem can be partially solved by immobilizing the luciferase on
      solid substrates. The poly(vinyl alcohol-co-ethylene) (PVA-co-PE) nanofibers
      membrane has abundant active hydroxyl groups on the surface. The PVA-co-PE
      nanofibers membrane was first activated by cyanuric chloride with triazinyl
      group. Then the activated PVA-co-PE nanofibers membrane was subsequently reacted
      with 1,3-propanediamine and biotin. The firefly luciferase was immobilized onto
      the surface of 1,3-propanediamine- and biotin-functionalized membranes. The
      surface chemical structure and morphologies of nanofibers membranes were
      characterized by FTIR-ATR spectra and SEM. The hydrophilicity of membranes was
      tested by water contact angle measurements. The detection of fluorescence
      intensity displayed that the firefly-luciferase-immobilized PVA-co-PE nanofibers
      membranes indicated high catalytic activity and efficiency. Especially, the
      firefly-luciferase-immobilized nanofiber membrane which was functionalized by
      biotin can be a promising candidate as biosensor for bioluminescent detection of
      ATP because of its high detection sensitivity. 

PMID- 26275120
TI  - Development of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia during ipilimumab therapy in a
      patient with metastatic melanoma.

PMID- 26275121
TI  - The Placental Distal Villous Hypoplasia Pattern: Interobserver Agreement and
      Automated Fractal Dimension as an Objective Metric.
AB  - The distal villous hypoplasia (DVH) pattern is a placental correlate of fetal
      growth restriction. Because the pattern seems to involve less complexity than do
      appropriately developed placental villi, we postulated that it may be associated
      with lower fractal dimension-a mathematical measure of complexity. Our study
      objectives were to evaluate interobserver agreement related to the DVH pattern
      among expert pathologists and to determine whether pathologist classification of
      DVH correlates with fractal dimension. A study set of 30 images of placental
      parenchyma at *4 magnification was created by a single pathologist from a digital
      slide archive. The images were graded for the DVH pattern according to pre
      specified definitions and included 10 images graded as "no DVH" (grade  =  0), 10
      with mild to moderate DVH (grade  =  1), and 10 with severe DVH (grade  =  2).
      The images were randomly sorted and shown to a panel of 4 international experts
      who similarly graded the images for DVH. Weighted kappas were calculated. For
      each image, fractal dimension was calculated by the Box Counting method. The
      correlation coefficient between (1) the averaged DVH scores obtained by the 5
      pathologists and (2) fractal dimension was calculated. The mean weighted kappa
      score among the observers was 0.59 (range: 0.42-0.70). The correlation
      coefficient between fractal dimension and the averaged DVH score was -0.915 (P <
      0.001). Expert pathologists achieve fair to substantial agreement in grading DVH,
      indicating consensus on the definition of DVH. Distal villous hypoplasia
      correlates extremely well with fractal dimension and represents an objective
      measure for DVH. 

PMID- 26275123
TI  - Effects of acetone, acetonitrile, ethanol, methanol and DMSO on cytochrome P450
      in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) hepatic microsomes.
AB  - In vitro impacts of five organic solvents on cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzyme
      activity were investigated using hepatic microsomes of rainbow trout. The rates
      of several CYP450-mediated reactions were investigated at solvent concentrations
      ranging from 0.01% to 3%. The solvents greatly affected all tested reactions. In
      at least 0.8% ethanol, 2% methanol or acetone, 1% acetonitrile or 3% dimethyl
      sulfoxide (DMSO), 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity decreased and at
      3% acetonitrile or ethanol, it was undetected. At 3%, all tested solvents except
      methanol reduced 7-benzyloxy-4-trifluoromethylcoumarin-O-debenzylase (BFCOD)
      activity, but at low concentrations of ethanol (2% and lower) or DMSO (1% and
      lower), it was induced. This was not seen with the inclusion of a pre-incubation
      step. p-Nitrophenolhydroxylase (PNPH) activity was not affected at concentrations
      below 1% DMSO, and at 2% acetonitrile it was reduced, as it was above 1% methanol
      or 0.5% ethanol. Acetone did not affect PNPH activity with or without a pre
      incubation step. In general, the degree of inhibition was similar with and
      without the pre-incubation step. We conclude that the concentration of organic
      solvent for solubilizing the substrate and inhibitor in in vitro microsomal
      studies should be minimized. 

PMID- 26275122
TI  - HIV-infected men who have sex with men, before and after release from jail: the
      impact of age and race, results from a multi-site study.
AB  - The US HIV/AIDS epidemic is concentrated among men who have sex with men (MSM).
      Black men are disproportionately affected by incarceration and Black MSM
      experience higher infection rates and worse HIV-related health outcomes compared
      to non-Black MSM. We compared HIV treatment outcomes for Black MSM to other HIV
      infected men from one of the largest cohorts of HIV-infected jail detainees (N =
      1270) transitioning to the community. Of the 574 HIV-infected men released, 113
      (19.7%) self-identified as being MSM. Compared to other male subgroups, young
      Black MSM (<30 years old, N = 18) were significantly less likely: (1) before
      incarceration, to have insurance, access to an HIV healthcare provider, and use
      cocaine; (2) during incarceration, to receive a disease management intervention;
      and (3) in the 6 months post-release, to link to HIV care. Interventions that
      effectively link and retain young HIV-infected Black MSM in care in communities
      before incarceration and post-release from jail are urgently needed. 

PMID- 26275124
TI  - Mitigation of opioid off-target effects and identification of structural drivers
      of opioid receptor engagement for BACE-1 small molecule inhibitors.
AB  - Application of safety lead optimization screening strategies during the early
      stage of drug discovery led to the identification of a series of CNS-active small
      molecule inhibitors with opioid off-target effects, as evidenced by potent
      agonistic activity in functional cell-based assays for mu (MOP), kappa (KOP) and
      delta (DOP) opioid receptors. The translation of these effects was confirmed in
      vivo with the following observations: hypoactivity and decreased fecal production
      in rats (characteristic of MOP agonism); increased urine production in rats
      (characteristic of KOP agonism); and decreased intestinal transit time in mice,
      which was partially blocked by the MOP antagonist naloxone, demonstrating that
      the in vivo effects were specific for MOP. Based on the confirmation of in vitro
      in vivo translatability, an in vitro screening strategy was implemented that
      resulted in the identification of an optimized backup molecule, devoid of in vivo
      off-target opioid effects. In addition, in silico modeling by docking of the
      various molecules to the opioid receptors allowed the identification of the
      structural drivers of these off-target effects, which can be applied to future
      chemical-design criteria. Thus, implementation of the safety lead optimization
      strategy described in this article demonstrates the utility and impact of such
      approaches on risk mitigation and identification of lead small molecules with
      improved safety profiles. 

PMID- 26275125
TI  - Neuroprotective effect of carnosine and cyclosporine-A against inflammation,
      apoptosis, and oxidative brain damage after closed head injury in immature rats.
AB  - CONTEXT: Traumatic brain injury in the pediatric population can have a great
      economic and emotional impact on both the child's family and society. OBJECTIVE:
      The present study aimed to compare the effects of carnosine (CAR) and/or
      cyclosporine A (CyA) on oxidative brain damage after closed head injury (CHI) in
      immature rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-day-old rat pups were divided into
      five groups: non-traumatic control group, trauma group underwent CHI, trauma
      group injected with CAR (200 mg/kg, i.p.) following CHI for 7 d, trauma group
      injected with CyA (20 mg/kg, i.p.) given 15 min and 24 h after CHI, and trauma
      group treated with CAR and CyA. At the end of the treatment, rats were
      sacrificed; blood and brains were collected for assessing different biochemical
      parameters. RESULTS: Trauma significantly increased brain level of
      malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, glucose, calcium, inflammatory mediators. Brain
      DNA damage was confirmed by comet assay and the significant increase in brain
      caspase-3 activity. Moreover, the serum level of Fas ligand in traumatized
      animals was significantly elevated. Concomitant decrease in brain-reduced
      glutathione (GSH) and calcium-adenosine triphosphatase activity was observed in
      the traumatized-untreated group. Treatment of traumatized animals with CAR and/or
      CyA ameliorated all the biochemical changes induced by CHI with marked protective
      effect in the combination group. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: CAR and CyA exerted a
      synergistic neuroprotective effect against CHI through blocking the induction of
      lipid peroxidation, reducing inflammatory, and oxidative stress biomarkers,
      preserving brain GSH content, and reducing the alterations in brain apoptotic
      biomarkers in traumatized animals.

PMID- 26275126
TI  - (68)Ga-DOTA-peptide: A novel molecular biomarker for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Increased somatostatin receptor (SSTR) expression in patients with
      undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has been demonstrated with
      receptor autoradiography, (111) In-Octreotide scintigraphy, and (68) Ga-DOTA-TOC
      positron emission tomography (PET)/CT imaging. We sought to compare and correlate
      the uptake of fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and DOTA-NOC in undifferentiated NPC to
      ascertain the possible role of (68) Ga-DOTA-NOC PET/CT as a new imaging biomarker
      and to assess whether targeted peptide receptor radionuclide therapy is a
      feasible treatment option. METHODS: After obtaining approval from our
      institutional review board, 4 patients with biopsy proven nonkeratinizing
      undifferentiated NPC who had just undergone routine staging/restaging (18) F-FDG
      PET/CT imaging were prospectively and consecutively recruited for (68) Ga-DOTA
      NOC PET/CT imaging. Of these 4 patients, 3 were newly diagnosed with untreated
      NPC, whereas 1 patient was diagnosed with a case of recurrent NPC with previous
      treatment. These patients subsequently underwent (68) Ga-DOTA-NOC PET/CT within
      10 days from the (18) F-FDG PET/CT to ensure lesion comparability. Tracer uptake
      in tumor lesions were assessed visually and semiquantitatively by measuring
      maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmax). RESULTS: There were 12 FDG-avid
      lesions of which 7 showed avid uptake of DOTA-NOC greater than liver uptake,
      whereas 5 showed low uptake of DOTA-NOC less than liver uptake. Subset analysis
      of the FDG-avid lesions at the primary and recurrent sites showed that all the
      FDG-avid primary tumors in the nasopharynx showed avid uptake of DOTA-NOC. On the
      contrary, the case of recurrent NPC showed avid FDG uptake but low DOTA-NOC
      uptake. Subset analysis of the suspicious FDG-avid cervical lymph nodes showed
      that 50% of them demonstrated avid DOTA-NOC uptake greater than liver uptake,
      whereas the remaining demonstrated low-grade DOTA-NOC uptake less than liver
      uptake. The 2 subcentimeter cervical lymph nodes that showed low-grade uptake of
      FDG lower than mediastinal blood pool activity were deemed to be
      reactive/inflammatory and showed low-grade uptake of DOTA-NOC. CONCLUSION: This
      study highlights the potential of (68) Ga-DOTA-peptide PET/CT as a new molecular
      biomarker for newly diagnosed undifferentiated NPC, and less so for recurrent NPC
      and metastatic nodes. This potentially opens up new diagnostic and therapeutic
      options in the management of undifferentiated NPC.

PMID- 26275127
TI  - The structure of DSM-5 posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in war veterans.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The present research examined the underlying factor
      structure of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as conceptualized in the
      recently published fifth edition of the Diagnostic and statistical manual of
      mental disorders (DSM-5). DESIGN: Participants were 258 trauma-exposed
      Iraq/Afghanistan war veterans. METHODS: A self-report measure of PTSD symptoms
      was administered to all participants and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was
      used to compare several different models of PTSD. RESULTS: CFA revealed that the
      best-fitting model was a six-factor model in which symptoms loaded onto the
      factors of intrusion, avoidance, negative affect, anhedonia, dysphoric arousal,
      and anxious arousal. CONCLUSIONS: These findings have important implications for
      ongoing conceptualization of PTSD and suggest that additional modifications to
      the diagnostic criteria for PTSD may still be warranted to more accurately
      reflect the underlying structure of PTSD symptoms.

PMID- 26275130
TI  - Author Response: Small Fiber Neuropathy and Wilson Disease.

PMID- 26275129
TI  - Small Fiber Neuropathy and Wilson Disease.

PMID- 26275128
TI  - Novel Nrf2/ARE activator, trans-Coniferylaldehyde, induces a HO-1-mediated
      defense mechanism through a dual p38alpha/MAPKAPK-2 and PK-N3 signaling pathway.
AB  - The induction of detoxifying enzymes and antioxidant proteins by chemopreventive
      agents protects cells from oxidizing substances capable of damaging DNA integrity
      and initiating carcinogenesis. Coniferyl aldehyde, a naturally occurring
      substance, has been found in many foods and edible plants. We and others
      previously demonstrated that trans-coniferylaldehyde (t-CA) has potential
      antimutagenic and antioxidant properties. However, the mechanism underlying its
      Nrf2-mediated antioxidant effect remains largely unknown. In the present study,
      we demonstrated that t-CA significantly stimulated antioxidant-responsive element
      (ARE)-driven luciferase activity in a cell model and increased the expression of
      ARE-dependent detoxifying/antioxidant genes and their protein products in vitro
      and in vivo. The detoxifying/antioxidant genes activated by t-CA, especially heme
      oxygenase-1 (HO-1), were found to be involved in its cytoprotective effects
      against oxidative stress and cell injuries elicited by carcinogens tert
      butylhydroperoxide and arecoline. Furthermore, the t-CA-induced phosphorylation
      and nuclear translocation of nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)
      played a crucial role in this ARE-mediated cellular defense. Moreover, we found
      that p38 MAPK and protein kinase C (PKC) signaling pathways participated in the t
      CA-induced, Nrf2-mediated cytoprotective effect. Among them, p38alpha/MAPKAPK-2
      and an atypical PKC, PK-N3, were critical for the activation of the Nrf2/HO-1
      axis by t-CA. In conclusion, we demonstrated for the first time that t-CA
      attenuates carcinogen-induced oxidative stress by activating Nrf2 via
      p38alpha/MAPKAPK-2- and PK-N3-dependent signaling pathways. In addition, t-CA
      increased the level of Nrf2-mediated detoxifying/antioxidant proteins in vivo,
      suggesting that t-CA may have potential for use in the management of
      carcinogenesis and meriting further investigation. 

PMID- 26275131
TI  - Measurement of Ex Vivo Porcine Lens Shape During Simulated Accommodation, Before
      and After fs-Laser Treatment.
AB  - PURPOSE: According to Helmholtz, accommodation is based on the flexibility of the
      crystalline lens, which decreases with age, causing presbyopia. With femtosecond
      (fs)-lentotomy treatment, it is possible to restore the flexibility of presbyopic
      lenses. The efficiency of the treatment can be systematically evaluated using the
      finite element method based on experimental data. The purpose of this study was
      to quantify the shape change of ex vivo lenses in different accommodation states
      according to the fs-lentotomy treatment. METHODS: Five lenses with ciliary body
      excised from ex vivo porcine eyes (age: approximately 6 months, exact age
      unknown) were stretched in an accommodation device before and after laser
      treatment. Depending on the accommodation state, the lens shape, reconstructed
      from lens thickness, diameter, and anterior and posterior curvature, was measured
      using optical coherence tomography (OCT). The complete lens shape was
      parameterized and each measured parameter was compared to the results of a
      control group (n = 5, age: approximately 6 months, exact age unknown) without
      treatment. RESULTS: The amplitudes of the parameters thickness (+140%), diameter
      (+54%), and anterior radius of curvature (+57%) significantly increased after
      treatment (P < 0.05), and showed no significant change for the control group. By
      contrast, the amplitude of the posterior radius of curvature showed no change
      after treatment (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Measurement of the lens shape in
      different accommodation states was successful and showed significant changes
      after the treatment. The resulting data will be utilized as input for a finite
      element model to systematically evaluate the effect of fs-lentotomy treatment in
      future work.

PMID- 26275132
TI  - CD1 Mouse Retina Is Shielded From Iron Overload Caused by a High Iron Diet.
AB  - PURPOSE: High RPE iron levels have been associated with age-related macular
      degeneration. Mutation of the ferroxidase ceruloplasmin leads to RPE iron
      accumulation and degeneration in patients with aceruloplasminemia; mice lacking
      ceruloplasmin and its homolog hephaestin have a similar RPE degeneration. To
      determine whether a high iron diet (HID) could cause RPE iron accumulation,
      possibly contributing to RPE oxidative stress in AMD, we tested the effect of
      dietary iron on mouse RPE iron. METHODS: Male CD1 strain mice were fed either a
      standard iron diet (SID) or the same diet with extra iron added (HID) for either
      3 months or 10 months. Mice were analyzed with immunofluorescence and Perls'
      histochemical iron stain to assess iron levels. Levels of ferritin, transferrin
      receptor, and oxidative stress gene mRNAs were measured by quantitative PCR
      (qPCR) in neural retina (NR) and isolated RPE. Morphology was assessed in plastic
      sections. RESULTS: Ferritin immunoreactivity demonstrated a modest increase in
      the RPE in 10-month HID mice. Analysis by qPCR showed changes in mRNA levels of
      iron-responsive genes, indicating moderately increased iron in the RPE of 10
      month HID mice. However, even by age 18 months, there was no Perls' signal in the
      retina or RPE and no retinal degeneration. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate
      that iron absorbed from the diet can modestly increase the level of iron
      deposition in the wild-type mouse RPE without causing RPE or retinal
      degeneration. This suggests regulation of retinal iron uptake at the blood
      retinal barriers.

PMID- 26275133
TI  - The Contribution of Genetic Architecture to the 10-Year Incidence of Age-Related
      Macular Degeneration in the Fellow Eye.
AB  - PURPOSE: To correlate a genetic risk score based on age-related macular
      degeneration (AMD) susceptibility genes with the risk of AMD in the second eye.
      METHODS: This is a retrospective, open cohort study consisting of 891 unilateral
      AMD patients, who were followed for at least 12 months and recruited from three
      institutes. DNAs were genotyped using Illumina OmniExpress, HumanOmni2.5-8,
      and/or HumanExome. Survival analyses and Cox proportional hazard models were used
      to examine the association between 11 AMD susceptibility genes and the duration
      until second-eye involvement in 499 samples from Kyoto University, which were
      replicated in two other cohorts. Genetic risk score (GRS) was also evaluated.
      RESULTS: The ARMS2 rs10490924 recessive model (hazard ratio [HR]meta = 2.04;
      Pmeta = 3.4 * 10-3) and CFH rs800292 additive model (HRmeta = 1.77; Pmeta =
      0.013) revealed significant associations with second-eye involvement. The
      dominant model of TNFRSF10A rs13278062, VEGFA rs943080, and CFI rs4698775 showed
      consistent effects across three datasets (I2 = 0%; HRmeta = 1.46, 1.30, 1.51,
      respectively). The GRS using these five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)
      was also significantly associated (HRmeta [per score] = 2.42; P = 2.2 * 10-5; I2
      = 0%). After 10 years from the first visit, the patients within the top 10% by
      GRS showed a 51% hazard rate, in contrast to 2.3% among patients within the
      lowest 10% by GRS. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that the GRS using ARMS2, CFH,
      TNFRSF10A, VEGFA, and CFI was significantly associated with second-eye
      involvement. Genetic risk has high predictive ability for second-eye involvement
      of AMD.

PMID- 26275134
TI  - Mechanisms of Vertical Fusional Vergence in Patients With "Congenital Superior
      Oblique Paresis" Investigated With an Eye-Tracking Haploscope.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine the mechanisms of vertical fusional vergence in patients
      with "congenital unilateral superior oblique paresis" (SOP) and to discuss the
      implications of these mechanisms. METHODS: Eleven patients were examined with our
      eye-tracking haploscope. RESULTS: Three different fusion mechanisms were found,
      producing significantly different cyclovergence to vertical vergence ratios (P <
      0.05): primary use of the vertical rectus muscles in seven patients (ratio: 0.36
      +/- 1.6), primary use of the oblique muscles in one patient (0.04), and use of
      the superior oblique muscle in the higher eye and the superior rectus muscle in
      the lower eye in three patients (1.15 +/- 0.32). Lancaster red-green testing
      showed alignment differences among these groups, primarily differences in amount
      of subjective extorsion between the two eyes in straight-ahead gaze: The patient
      with oblique-muscle-mediated fusion showed essentially no subjective extorsion
      (0.5 degrees ), the patients with vertical-rectus-muscle-mediated vertical fusion
      showed a mean +/- SD subjective extorsion of 3.6 degrees  +/- 1.4 degrees , and
      the patients with the mixed (oblique/rectus) fusion mechanism showed 7.0 degrees 
      +/- 1.7 degrees  (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The choice of fusion mechanism may be a
      function of how much intorting effect is needed. Use of the oblique muscles
      bilaterally causes the least intorting effect, use of the vertical rectus muscles
      bilaterally adds more intorting effect, and activation of the "paretic" superior
      oblique muscle in the higher eye and the superior rectus muscle in the lower eye
      provides the greatest intorting effect. Subclassifying "congenital SOP" in this
      way (in which the "paretic" muscle may remain functional in many cases) may help
      guide its optimal surgical correction.

PMID- 26275135
TI  - Convergence and Accommodation Development Is Preprogrammed in Premature Infants.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study investigated whether vergence and accommodation development
      in preterm infants is preprogrammed or is driven by experience. METHODS: Thirty
      two healthy infants, born at mean 34 weeks gestation (range, 31.2-36 weeks), were
      compared with 45 healthy full-term infants (mean 40.0 weeks) over a 6-month
      period, starting at 4 to 6 weeks postnatally. Simultaneous accommodation and
      convergence to a detailed target were measured using a Plusoptix PowerRefII
      infrared photorefractor as a target moved between 0.33 and 2 m. Stimulus/response
      gains and responses at 0.33 and 2 m were compared by both corrected (gestational)
      age and chronological (postnatal) age. RESULTS: When compared by their corrected
      age, preterm and full-term infants showed few significant differences in vergence
      and accommodation responses after 6 to 7 weeks of age. However, when compared by
      chronological age, preterm infants' responses were more variable, with
      significantly reduced vergence gains, reduced vergence response at 0.33 m,
      reduced accommodation gain, and increased accommodation at 2 m compared to full
      term infants between 8 and 13 weeks after birth. CONCLUSIONS: When matched by
      corrected age, vergence and accommodation in preterm infants show few differences
      from full-term infants' responses. Maturation appears preprogrammed and is not
      advanced by visual experience. Longer periods of immature visual responses might
      leave preterm infants more at risk of development of oculomotor deficits such as
      strabismus.

PMID- 26275136
TI  - Design and Pharmacokinetic Characterization of Novel Antibody Formats for Ocular
      Therapeutics.
AB  - PURPOSE: To design and select the next generation of ocular therapeutics, we
      performed a comprehensive ocular and systemic pharmacokinetic (PK) analysis of a
      variety of antibodies and antibody fragments, including a novel-designed
      bispecific antibody. METHODS: Molecules were administrated via intravitreal (IVT)
      or intravenous (IV) injections in rabbits, and antibody concentrations in each
      tissue were determined by ELISA. A novel mathematical model was developed to
      quantitate the structure-PK relationship. RESULTS: After IVT injection,
      differences in vitreal half-life observed across all molecules ranged between 3.2
      and 5.2 days. Modification or elimination of the fragment crystallizable (Fc)
      region reduced serum half-life from 9 days for the IgG to 5 days for the neonatal
      Fc receptor (FcRn) null mAb, to 3.1 to 3.4 days for the other formats. The
      F(ab')2 was the optimal format for ocular therapeutics with comparable vitreal
      half-life to full-length antibodies, but with minimized systemic exposure.
      Concomitantly, the consistency among mathematical model predictions and observed
      data validated the model for future PK predictions. In addition, we showed a
      novel design to develop bispecific antibodies, here with activity targeting
      multiple angiogenesis pathways. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that protein
      molecular weight and Fc region do not play a critical role in ocular PK, as they
      do systemically. Moreover, the mathematical model supports the selection of the
      "ideal therapeutic" by predicting ocular and systemic PK of any antibody format
      for any dose regimen. These findings have important implications for the design
      and selection of ocular therapeutics according to treatment needs, such as
      maximizing ocular half-life and minimizing systemic exposure.

PMID- 26275137
TI  - Exposure to Atomic Bomb Radiation and Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Later
      Life: The Hiroshima-Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Survivor Study.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the association between radiation exposure from the
      atomic bombings and the prevalence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
      among older residents of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. METHODS: The Adult Health Study
      is a cohort study of atomic bomb survivors living in Hiroshima and Nagasaki,
      comprising 2153 participants who underwent examinations with retinal fundus
      photographs in 2006-2008. The radiation dose to the eye for the analysis was
      estimated with the revised dosimetry system (DS02). The retinal photographs were
      graded according to the Wisconsin Age-Related Maculopathy Grading System modified
      for nonstereoscopic retinal images. Early and late AMD were defined according to
      the type of lesion detected in the worse eye of the participants. Person-specific
      data were analyzed by using a logistic regression model to assess the association
      between radiation dose and AMD. RESULTS: Among the 1824 subjects with gradable
      retinal images (84.7% of the overall participants), the estimated eye dose was
      widely distributed, with a mean of 0.45 Gy and standard deviation of 0.74 Gy. The
      prevalence of early and late AMD was 10.5% and 0.3%, respectively. There were no
      significant associations between radiation dose and AMD, with each 1-Gy increase
      in exposure, adjusted odds ratio was 0.93 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.75
      1.15) for early AMD and 0.79 (95% CI, 0.21-2.94) for late AMD. CONCLUSIONS: No
      significant associations were found between atomic bomb irradiation early in life
      and the prevalence of early or late AMD later in life among Japanese atomic bomb
      survivors.

PMID- 26275138
TI  - (Bis(terpyridine))copper(II) Tetraphenylborate: A Complex Example for the Jahn
      Teller Effect.
AB  - The surprisingly complicated crystal structure of (bis(terpyridine))copper(II)
      tetraphenylborate [Cu(tpy)2](BPh4)2 (tpy = 2,2':6',2"-terpyridine) consists of
      six crystallographically independent [Cu(tpy)2](2+) complexes. At ambient
      temperature, five out of six [Cu(II)N6] chromophores appear to be compressed
      octahedra, while at 100 K, four exhibit elongated and only two compressed
      octahedral geometry. Temperature dependent single crystal UV/vis (100, 298 K) and
      EPR measurements (20, 100, 298 K) as well as AOM calculations suggest that the
      octahedra which show apparently compressed octahedral geometry (XRD) result from
      dynamic Jahn-Teller behavior of elongated octahedra [Cu(II)N6]. The detailed
      correlation of structural and spectroscopic data allows an understanding of the
      strongly solvent-dependent structures of the [Cu(tpy)2](2+) complex in solution. 

PMID- 26275139
TI  - Associations of Quality of Life with Service Satisfaction in Psychotic Patients:
      A Meta-Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Quality of life (QoL) has gained increasing attention as a desired
      outcome of psychosocial treatments targeting psychotic patients. Yet, the
      relationship between the patients' satisfaction with services and QoL has not
      been clearly established, perhaps due to the multidimensionality of the QoL
      concept and the variability in its assessment. AIM: This is the first systematic
      meta-analysis of all available evidence assessing the relationship between QoL
      and service satisfaction. METHODS: In all, 19 studies reporting data of 21
      independent samples (N = 5,337) were included in the present meta-analysis. In
      moderator analyses, effects of age, sex, diagnoses (schizophrenia vs. other
      psychoses), treatment context (inpatients vs. outpatients), study design (cross
      sectional vs. longitudinal), and QoL domain (subjective vs. health-related) were
      examined. RESULTS: Analyses revealed a highly significant medium-sized effect (r
      = .30, p < .001) for the associations of QoL and service satisfaction. Effect
      sizes were significantly stronger for subjective than health-related quality of
      life (r = .35 vs. r = .14, respectively). Moreover, associations with subjective
      QoL remained largely robust when accounting for moderating variables, although
      there was a trend of stronger associations for outpatients compared to
      inpatients. In contrast, effect sizes for health-related QoL were small and only
      observable for samples with longitudinal designs. CONCLUSION: Associations
      between QoL and service satisfaction appear to be robust but are differentiated
      in regard to QoL domain. Our findings suggest that agents responsible for service
      design and implementation need to take the patients' perception of the service
      adequacy for achieving QoL enhancement into account.

PMID- 26275140
TI  - Blocking Dopaminergic Signaling Soon after Learning Impairs Memory Consolidation
      in Guinea Pigs.
AB  - Formation of episodic memories (i.e. remembered experiences) requires a process
      called consolidation which involves communication between the neocortex and
      hippocampus. However, the neuromodulatory mechanisms underlying this neocortico
      hippocampal communication are poorly understood. Here, we examined the
      involvement of dopamine D1 receptors (D1R) and D2 receptors (D2R) mediated
      signaling on memory consolidation using the Novel Object Recognition (NOR) test.
      We conducted the tests in male Hartley guinea pigs and cognitive behaviors were
      assessed in customized Phenotyper home cages utilizing Ethovision XT software
      from Noldus enabled for the 3-point detection system (nose, center of the body,
      and rear). We found that acute intraperitoneal injections of either 0.25 mg/kg
      SCH23390 to block D1Rs or 1.0 mg/kg sulpiride to block D2Rs soon after
      acquisition (which involved familiarization to two similar objects) attenuated
      subsequent discrimination for novel objects when tested after 5-hours in the NOR
      test. By contrast guinea pigs treated with saline showed robust discrimination
      for novel objects indicating normal operational processes undergirding memory
      consolidation. The data suggests that involvement of dopaminergic signaling is a
      key post-acquisition factor in modulating memory consolidation in guinea pigs.

PMID- 26275141
TI  - Cold Atmospheric Plasma Induces a Predominantly Necrotic Cell Death via the
      Microenvironment.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Cold plasma is a partially ionized gas generated by an electric
      field at atmospheric pressure that was initially used in medicine for
      decontamination and sterilization of inert surfaces. There is currently growing
      interest in using cold plasma for more direct medical applications, mainly due to
      the possibility of tuning it to obtain selective biological effects in absence of
      toxicity for surrounding normal tissues,. While the therapeutic potential of cold
      plasma in chronic wound, blood coagulation, and cancer treatment is beginning to
      be documented, information on plasma/cell interaction is so far limited and
      controversial. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using normal primary human fibroblast
      cultures isolated from oral tissue, we sought to decipher the effects on cell
      behavior of a proprietary cold plasma device generating guided ionization waves
      carried by helium. In this model, cold plasma treatment induces a predominantly
      necrotic cell death. Interestingly, death is not triggered by a direct
      interaction of the cold plasma with cells, but rather via a transient
      modification in the microenvironment. We show that modification of the
      microenvironment redox status suppresses treatment toxicity and protects cells
      from death. Moreover, necrosis is not accidental and seems to be an active
      response to an environmental cue, as its execution can be inhibited to rescue
      cells. CONCLUSION: These observations will need to be taken into account when
      studying in vitro plasma/cell interaction and may have implications for the
      design and future evaluation of the efficacy and safety of this new treatment
      strategy.

PMID- 26275142
TI  - A Mouse Model for Imprinting of the Human Retinoblastoma Gene.
AB  - The human RB1 gene is imprinted due to integration of the PPP1R26P1 pseudogene
      into intron 2. PPP1R26P1 harbors the gametic differentially methylated region of
      the RB1 gene, CpG85, which is methylated in the female germ line. The paternally
      unmethylated CpG85 acts as promoter for the alternative transcript 2B of RB1,
      which interferes with expression of full-length RB1 in cis. In mice, PPP1R26P1 is
      not present in the Rb1 gene and Rb1 is not imprinted. Assuming that the
      mechanisms responsible for genomic imprinting are conserved, we investigated if
      imprinting of mouse Rb1 can be induced by transferring human PPP1R26P1 into mouse
      Rb1. We generated humanized Rb1_PPP1R26P1 knock-in mice that pass human PPP1R26P1
      through the mouse germ line. We found that the function of unmethylated CpG85 as
      promoter for an alternative Rb1 transcript and as cis-repressor of the main Rb1
      transcript is maintained in mouse tissues. However, CpG85 is not recognized as a
      gametic differentially methylated region in the mouse germ line. DNA methylation
      at CpG85 is acquired only in tissues of neuroectodermal origin, independent of
      parental transmission of PPP1R26P1. Absence of CpG85 methylation in oocytes and
      sperm implies a failure of imprint methylation establishment in the germ line.
      Our results indicate that site-specific integration of a proven human gametic
      differentially methylated region is not sufficient for acquisition of DNA
      methylation in the mouse germ line, even if promoter function of the element is
      maintained. This suggests a considerable dependency of DNA methylation induction
      on the surrounding sequence. However, our model is suited to determine the
      cellular function of the alternative Rb1 transcript. 

PMID- 26275143
TI  - Effect of Acrylamide on Oocyte Nuclear Maturation and Cumulus Cells Apoptosis in
      Mouse In Vitro.
AB  - Acrylamide (ACR) is a chemical compound with severe neurotoxicity, genotoxicity,
      carcinogenicity and reproductive toxicity. Recent studies showed that ACR impairs
      the function of reproductive organs, e.g., epididymis and testes. In vitro
      maturation of mouse oocyte is a sensitive assay to identify potential chemical
      hazard to female fertility. The aim of this study was to evaluate the adverse
      effects of ACR on the nuclear maturation and cumulus cells apoptosis of mouse
      oocytes in vitro. Cumulus-oocyte complexes were incubated in a maturation medium
      containing 0, 5, 10 and 20 MUM of ACR. Chromosome alignment and spindle
      morphology of oocytes was determined by immunofluorescence and confocal
      microscopy. Our results showed that oocytes exposed to different doses of ACR in
      vitro were associated with a significant decrease of oocyte maturation,
      significant increase of chromosome misalignment rate, occurrence of abnormal
      spindle configurations, and the inhibition of oocyte parthenogenetic activation.
      Furthermore, apoptosis of cumulus cells was determined by TUNEL and CASPASE-3
      assay. Results showed that apoptosis in cumulus cells was enhanced and the
      expression of CASPASE-3 was increased after cumulus-oocyte complexes were exposed
      to ACR. Therefore, ACR may affect the nuclear maturation of oocytes via the
      apoptosis of cumulus cells in vitro. 

PMID- 26275145
TI  - Interplay between Aggregation and Coalescence of Polymeric Particles:
      Experimental and Modeling Insights.
AB  - In the present work, the aggregation behavior of polymeric particles possessing
      different glass transition temperatures (i.e., different "softnesses") has been
      studied to shed light on the interplay between aggregation and coalescence. In
      particular, the time evolution of the clusters hydrodynamic and gyration radii as
      well as of their structure factor has been monitored. With the help of an ad hoc
      developed deterministic model, based on population balance equations, it was
      possible to establish a link between the experimentally obtained light scattering
      data and the predicted particle size distribution. The simplicity of the model,
      involving one single adjustable parameter based on the coalescence characteristic
      time, allowed us to obtain a good accordance between simulations and experimental
      results with little computational effort. 

PMID- 26275144
TI  - Cytoprotective Effects of Lysophospholipids from Sea Cucumber Holothuria atra.
AB  - Lysophospholipids are important signaling molecules in animals and metazoan
      cells. They are widely distributed among marine invertebrates, where their
      physiological roles are unknown. Sea cucumbers produce unique lysophospholipids.
      In this study, two lysophospholipids were detected in Holothuria atra for the
      first time, lyso-platelet activating factor and lysophosphatidylcholine, with
      nuclear magnetic resonance and liquid chromatography-time-of-flight mass
      spectrometric analyses. The lipid fraction of H. atra contained lyso-platelet
      activating factor and lysophosphatidylcholine, and inhibited H2O2-induced
      apoptosis in the macrophage cell line J774A.1. The antioxidant activity of the
      lysophospholipid-containing lipid fraction of H. atra was confirmed with the
      oxygen radical absorbance capacity method. Our results suggest that the
      lysophospholipids from H. atra are potential therapeutic agents for the
      inflammation induced by oxidative stress. 

PMID- 26275146
TI  - Meteorologically Driven Simulations of Dengue Epidemics in San Juan, PR.
AB  - Meteorological factors influence dengue virus ecology by modulating vector
      mosquito population dynamics, viral replication, and transmission. Dynamic
      modeling techniques can be used to examine how interactions among meteorological
      variables, vectors and the dengue virus influence transmission. We developed a
      dengue fever simulation model by coupling a dynamic simulation model for Aedes
      aegypti, the primary mosquito vector for dengue, with a basic epidemiological
      Susceptible-Exposed-Infectious-Recovered (SEIR) model. Employing a Monte Carlo
      approach, we simulated dengue transmission during the period of 2010-2013 in San
      Juan, PR, where dengue fever is endemic. The results of 9600 simulations using
      varied model parameters were evaluated by statistical comparison (r2) with
      surveillance data of dengue cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control and
      Prevention. To identify the most influential parameters associated with dengue
      virus transmission for each period the top 1% of best-fit model simulations were
      retained and compared. Using the top simulations, dengue cases were simulated
      well for 2010 (r2 = 0.90, p = 0.03), 2011 (r2 = 0.83, p = 0.05), and 2012 (r2 =
      0.94, p = 0.01); however, simulations were weaker for 2013 (r2 = 0.25, p = 0.25)
      and the entire four-year period (r2 = 0.44, p = 0.002). Analysis of parameter
      values from retained simulations revealed that rain dependent container habitats
      were more prevalent in best-fitting simulations during the wetter 2010 and 2011
      years, while human managed (i.e. manually filled) container habitats were more
      prevalent in best-fitting simulations during the drier 2012 and 2013 years. The
      simulations further indicate that rainfall strongly modulates the timing of
      dengue (e.g., epidemics occurred earlier during rainy years) while temperature
      modulates the annual number of dengue fever cases. Our results suggest that
      meteorological factors have a time-variable influence on dengue transmission
      relative to other important environmental and human factors. 

PMID- 26275147
TI  - Characterization of the Intestinal Lactobacilli Community following
      Galactooligosaccharides and Polydextrose Supplementation in the Neonatal Piglet.
AB  - Recently, prebiotic supplementation of infant formula has become common practice;
      however the impact on the intestinal microbiota has not been completely
      elucidated. In this study, neonatal piglets were randomized to: formula (FORM, n
      = 8), formula supplemented with 2 g/L each galactooligosaccharides (GOS) and
      polydextrose (PDX, F+GP, n = 9) or a sow-reared (SOW, n = 12) reference group for
      19 days. The ileal (IL) and ascending colon (AC) microbiota were characterized
      using culture-dependent and -independent methods. 16S amplicon sequencing
      identified no differences at the genera level in the IL. Interestingly, six
      genera in the AC were significantly different between FORM and F+GP (P<0.05):
      Lactobacillus, Ruminococcus, Parabacteroides, Oscillospira,
      Hydrogenoanaerobacterium and Catabacter. In particular, the relative abundance of
      AC Lactobacillus was higher (P = 0.04) in F+GP as compared to FORM. Culture
      dependent analysis of the IL and AC lactobacilli communities of FORM and F+GP
      revealed a Lactobacillus spp. composition similar to 16S amplicon sequencing.
      Additional analysis demonstrated individual Lactobacillus isolates were unable to
      ferment PDX. Conversely, a majority of lactobacilli isolates could ferment GOS,
      regardless of piglet diet. In addition, the ability of lactobacilli isolates to
      ferment the longer chain GOS fragments (DP 3 or greater), which are expected to
      be present in the distal intestine, was not different between FORM and F+GP. In
      conclusion, prebiotic supplementation of formula impacted the AC microbiota;
      however, direct utilization of GOS or PDX does not lead to an increase in
      Lactobacillus spp.

PMID- 26275149
TI  - Correction: Ground-Vegetation Clutter Affects Phyllostomid Bat Assemblage
      Structure in Lowland Amazonian Forest.

PMID- 26275148
TI  - SHOEBOX Modulates Root Meristem Size in Rice through Dose-Dependent Effects of
      Gibberellins on Cell Elongation and Proliferation.
AB  - Little is known about how the size of meristem cells is regulated and whether it
      participates in the control of meristem size in plants. Here, we report our
      findings on shoebox (shb), a mild gibberellin (GA) deficient rice mutant that has
      a short root meristem size. Quantitative analysis of cortical cell length and
      number indicates that shb has shorter, rather than fewer, cells in the root
      meristem until around the fifth day after sowing, from which the number of
      cortical cells is also reduced. These defects can be either corrected by
      exogenous application of bioactive GA or induced in wild-type roots by a dose
      dependent inhibitory effect of paclobutrazol on GA biosynthesis, suggesting that
      GA deficiency is the primary cause of shb mutant phenotypes. SHB encodes an
      AP2/ERF transcription factor that directly activates transcription of the GA
      biosynthesis gene KS1. Thus, root meristem size in rice is modulated by SHB
      mediated GA biosynthesis that regulates the elongation and proliferation of
      meristem cells in a developmental stage-specific manner. 

PMID- 26275150
TI  - Heme Signaling Impacts Global Gene Expression, Immunity and Dengue Virus
      Infectivity in Aedes aegypti.
AB  - Blood-feeding mosquitoes are exposed to high levels of heme, the product of
      hemoglobin degradation. Heme is a pro-oxidant that influences a variety of
      cellular processes. We performed a global analysis of heme-regulated Aedes
      aegypti (yellow fever mosquito) transcriptional changes to better understand
      influence on mosquito physiology at the molecular level. We observed an iron- and
      reactive oxygen species (ROS)-independent signaling induced by heme that
      comprised genes related to redox metabolism. By modulating the abundance of these
      transcripts, heme possibly acts as a danger signaling molecule. Furthermore, heme
      triggered critical changes in the expression of energy metabolism and immune
      response genes, altering the susceptibility towards bacteria and dengue virus.
      These findings seem to have implications on the adaptation of mosquitoes to
      hematophagy and consequently on their ability to transmit diseases. Altogether,
      these results may also contribute to the understanding of heme cell biology in
      eukaryotic cells. 

PMID- 26275151
TI  - Trends and Determinants of Antiretroviral Therapy Patient Monitoring Practices in
      Kenya and Uganda.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) require routine
      monitoring to track response to treatment and assess for treatment failure. This
      study aims to identify gaps in monitoring practices in Kenya and Uganda. METHODS:
      We conducted a systematic retrospective chart review of adults who initiated ART
      between 2007 and 2012. We assessed the availability of baseline measurements (CD4
      count, weight, and WHO stage) and ongoing CD4 and weight monitoring according to
      national guidelines in place at the time. Mixed-effects logistic regression
      models were used to analyze facility and patient factors associated with meeting
      monitoring guidelines. RESULTS: From 2007 to 2012, at least 88% of patients per
      year in Uganda had a recorded weight at initiation, while in Kenya there was a
      notable increase from 69% to 90%. Patients with a documented baseline CD4 count
      increased from 69% to about 80% in both countries. In 2012, 83% and 86% of
      established patients received the recommended quarterly weight monitoring in
      Kenya and Uganda, respectively, while semiannual CD4 monitoring was less common
      (49% in Kenya and 38% in Uganda). Initiating at a more advanced WHO stage was
      associated with a lower odds of baseline CD4 testing. On-site CD4 analysis
      capacity was associated with increased odds of CD4 testing at baseline and in the
      future. DISCUSSION: Substantial gaps were noted in ongoing CD4 monitoring of
      patients on ART. Although guidelines have since changed, limited laboratory
      capacity is likely to remain a significant issue in monitoring patients on ART,
      with important implications for ensuring quality care.

PMID- 26275152
TI  - Allergen-Specific Immunotherapy with Monomeric Allergoid in a Mouse Model of
      Atopic Dermatitis.
AB  - Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a widespread and difficult to treat allergic skin
      disease and is a tough challenge for healthcare. In this study, we investigated
      whether allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) with a monomeric allergoid
      obtained by succinylation of ovalbumin (sOVA) is effective in a mouse model of
      atopic dermatitis. An experimental model of AD was reproduced by epicutaneous
      sensitization with ovalbumin (OVA). ASIT was performed with subcutaneous (SC)
      administration of increasing doses of OVA or sOVA. The levels of anti-OVA
      antibodies, as well as cytokines, were detected by ELISA. Skin samples from patch
      areas were taken for histologic examination. ASIT with either OVA or sOVA
      resulted in a reduction of both the anti-OVA IgE level and the IgG1/IgG2a ratio.
      Moreover, ASIT with sOVA increased the IFN-gamma level in supernatants after
      splenocyte stimulation with OVA. Histologic analysis of skin samples from the
      sites of allergen application showed that ASIT improved the histologic picture by
      decreasing allergic inflammation in comparison with untreated mice. These data
      suggest that ASIT with a succinylated allergen represents promising approach for
      the treatment of AD.

PMID- 26275155
TI  - Gastrotomy Healing After Transgastric Peritoneoscopy: A Randomized Study in a Pig
      Model.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Reliable closure and infection prevention are the main barriers for
      implementation of pure transgastric peritoneoscopy. The primary aim of this study
      was to assess healing of over the scope clip (OTSC) closed gastrotomies.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pure transgastric peritoneoscopy was performed in 7 pigs.
      The pigs were randomized to 14 or 28 postoperative days (POD) of follow-up.
      Decontamination of the access route was performed before instrumentation. A full
      necropsy was performed. Closure was evaluated with histopathological examination
      of excised gastrorrhaphies. RESULTS: Three pigs were allowed 14 POD of follow-up,
      and 4 pigs were allowed 28 POD of follow-up. Survival was achieved in 6 of the 7
      animals; 1 pig was euthanized due to diffuse peritonitis. Based on our
      definition, full-thickness healing had only been achieved in a single pig allowed
      28 POD. With respect to clinical relevancy, full-thickness healing was deemed
      achieved in 4 of 6 pigs completing follow-up and in all pigs allowed and
      surviving 28 POD. Access required repeated punctures and the use of several
      endoscopic instruments. CONCLUSIONS: Full-thickness healing of the gastrotomy was
      only found in a single case when adhering to the per protocol definition.
      Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided access was difficult. It lacks reproducibility
      and needs refinement. Despite a combined decontamination regimen, infectious
      complications still occurred.

PMID- 26275153
TI  - Dopaminergic Toxin 1-Methyl-4-Phenylpyridinium, Proteins alpha-Synuclein and Glia
      Maturation Factor Activate Mast Cells and Release Inflammatory Mediators.
AB  - Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by the presence of Lewy bodies and
      degeneration of dopaminergic neurons. 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+), a
      metabolite of neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) and
      Lewy body component alpha-synuclein activates glia in PD pathogenesis. Mast cells
      and glia maturation factor (GMF) are implicated in neuroinflammatory conditions
      including Multiple Sclerosis. However, the role of mast cells in PD is not yet
      known. We have analyzed the effect of recombinant GMF, MPP+, alpha-synuclein and
      interleukin-33 (IL-33) on mouse bone marrow-derived cultured mast cells (BMMCs),
      human umbilical cord blood-derived cultured mast cells (hCBMCs) and mouse brain
      derived cultured astrocytes by quantifying cytokines/chemokines released using
      ELISA or by detecting the expression of co-stimulatory molecules CD40 and CD40L
      by flow cytometry. GMF significantly released chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2
      (CCL2) from BMMCs but its release was reduced in BMMCs from GMF knockout mice.
      GMF, alpha-synuclein and MPP+ released IL-1beta, beta-hexosaminidase from BMMCs,
      and IL-8 from hCBMCs. GMF released CCL5, and IL-33- induced the expression of GMF
      from hCBMCs. Novel GMF expression was detected in hCBMCs and BMMCs by
      immunocytochemistry. GMF released tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) from
      mouse astrocytes, and this release was greater in BMMC- astrocyte coculture than
      in individual cultures. Flow cytometry results showed increased IL-33 expression
      by GMF and MPP+, and GMF-induced CD40 expression in astrocytes. Proinflammatory
      mediator release by GMF, MPP+ and alpha-synuclein, as well as GMF expression by
      mast cells indicate a potential therapeutic target for neurodegenerative diseases
      including PD.

PMID- 26275156
TI  - The Lived Experience of Patients Receiving Hemodialysis Treatment for End-Stage
      Renal Disease: A Qualitative Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: End-stage renal disease (ESRD), the last stage of chronic kidney
      disease, is the point at which the kidneys are no longer able to support the
      body's needs. Thus, ESRD significantly impacts the day-to-day life of patients.
      To improve bodily functions and prolong life, patients with ESRD require renal
      replacement therapy in the form of either hemodialysis (HD) or kidney
      transplantation. Research has documented the impact of ESRD and HD on quality of
      life. There is a lack of qualitative studies that describe how ESRD sufferers in
      Thailand cope with daily life. PURPOSE: This study aimed to better understand the
      daily life experiences of Thai patients with ESRD who are on HD. METHODS: This
      study used a phenomenological approach and a semistructured interview guide. Thai
      men and women with ESRD and on HD were purposively recruited from an HD unit at
      one hospital in Thailand between February and May 2013. Inclusion criteria
      included (a) currently being treated for HD, (b) ability to communicate in Thai,
      and (c) age of over 18 years. Participants were asked to describe their problems,
      feelings, thoughts, and attitudes as well as how they experienced their lives.
      Data saturation was reached after the completion of 26 interviews. The data were
      analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: The following themes emerged from the
      data: (a) facing life's limitations, (b) living with uncertainty, and (c)
      dependence on medical technology. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The
      authors hope that the findings increase the understanding of healthcare providers
      about the lived experience of Thai patients with ESRD on HD. Greater
      understanding is critical in helping healthcare providers identify the changes in
      practice that will be necessary to better care for and integrate the best
      holistic practices into standardized care for this population.

PMID- 26275154
TI  - Estimating the success of enzyme bioprospecting through metagenomics: current
      status and future trends.
AB  - Recent reports have suggested that the establishment of industrially relevant
      enzyme collections from environmental genomes has become a routine procedure.
      Across the studies assessed, a mean number of approximately 44 active clones were
      obtained in an average size of approximately 53,000 clones tested using naive
      screening protocols. This number could be significantly increased in shorter
      times when novel metagenome enzyme sequences obtained by direct sequencing are
      selected and subjected to high-throughput expression for subsequent production
      and characterization. The pre-screening of clone libraries by naive screens
      followed by the pyrosequencing of the inserts allowed for a 106-fold increase in
      the success rate of identifying genes encoding enzymes of interest. However, a
      much longer time, usually on the order of years, is needed from the time of
      enzyme identification to the establishment of an industrial process. If the hit
      frequency for the identification of enzymes performing at high turnover rates
      under real application conditions could be increased while still covering a high
      natural diversity, the very expensive and time-consuming enzyme optimization
      phase would likely be significantly shortened. At this point, it is important to
      review the current knowledge about the success of fine-tuned naive- and sequence
      based screening protocols for enzyme selection and to describe the environments
      worldwide that have already been subjected to enzyme screen programmes through
      metagenomic tools. Here, we provide such estimations and suggest the current
      challenges and future actions needed before environmental enzymes can be
      successfully introduced into the market.

PMID- 26275157
TI  - SIV-infection-driven changes of pattern recognition receptor expression in
      mesenteric lymph nodes and gut microbiota dysbiosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The impact of HIV infection on pattern recognition receptor (PRR)
      expression in gut-associated lymphoid tissue and its association with dysbiosis
      is not well understood. METHODS: PRR and cytokine gene expression were examined
      in mesenteric lymph nodes (mLN) of rhesus macaques during acute and chronic
      (untreated and early antiretroviral (ART) treated) infections. Gene expression
      was correlated with microbial abundance in the gut and immune activation.
      RESULTS: PRR expression rapidly increases during acute infection and is
      significantly decreased in chronic infection. Early ART maintains elevated PRR
      expression. Correlation analysis revealed three distinct groups of bacterial taxa
      that were associated with gene expression changes in infection. CONCLUSIONS: PRR
      and cytokine gene expression in the gut-draining mLN are rapidly modulated in
      response to viral infection and are correlated with gut dysbiosis. These data
      suggest that the dysregulation of PRR and related cytokine expression may
      contribute to chronic immune activation in SIV infection.

PMID- 26275158
TI  - Fibronectin binding protein and Ca2+ play an access key role to mediate
      pathogenesis in Mycobacterium tuberculosis: An overview.
AB  - The anomalous distribution of adhesive proteins throughout on the cell surface of
      the Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37 Rv and their contribution in cell surface
      adhesion and host-pathogen interaction remain elusive. The completion of M.
      tuberculosis H37 Rv genome sequence analysis gives some interesting information
      about polymorphic GC-rich repetitive sequence (PGRS) subfamily of M. tuberculosis
      that encodes fibronectin binding proteins (FnBP), which have been extensively
      studied, but the function in the pathogenesis of most of these proteins remains
      unknown and unclear. This review addresses the M. tuberculosis entry mechanism in
      the host cell. In particular, an effort has been made to focus on several
      aspects, (a) association of FnBP encodes by PE_PGRS protein family of M.
      tuberculosis during host-pathogen interactions. (b) Effect of calcium ions in and
      outside of the host cell is overriding to maintenance of calcium trafficking in
      phagocytosis. Furthermore, FnBP may be a potential source of antigenic variation
      that participating in evoking immune response. M. tuberculosis entry mechanism
      does not have a major influence alone, involvement of calcium ions, perhaps shed
      light on host-pathogen interaction relationship, and could open up new avenues
      for development of novel drug by targeting M. tuberculosis FnBP and blockade of
      selective adhesions could be useful for therapeutics.

PMID- 26275159
TI  - Comparative ultrastructure of CRM1-Nucleolar bodies (CNoBs), Intranucleolar
      bodies (INBs) and hybrid PML/p62 bodies uncovers new facets of nuclear body
      dynamic and diversity.
AB  - In order to gain insights on the nuclear organization in mammalian cells, we
      characterized ultrastructurally nuclear bodies (NBs) previously described as
      fluorescent foci. Using high resolution immunoelectron microscopy (I-EM), we
      provide evidence that CNoBs (CRM1-Nucleolar bodies) and INBs (Intranucleolar
      bodies) are distinct genuine nucleolar structures in untreated HeLa cells. INBs
      are fibrillar and concentrate the post-translational modifiers SUMO1 and SUMO-2/3
      as strongly as PML bodies. In contrast, the smallest CRM1-labeled CNoBs are
      vitreous, preferentially located at the periphery of the nucleolus and,
      intricately linked to the chromatin network. Upon blockage of the CRM1-dependent
      nuclear export by leptomycin B (LMB), CNoBs disappear while p62/SQSTM1-containing
      fibrillar nuclear bodies are induced. These p62 bodies are enriched in
      ubiquitinated proteins. They progressively associate with PML bodies to form
      hybrid bodies of which PML decorates the periphery while p62/SQSTM1 is centrally
      located. Our study is expanding the repertoire of nuclear bodies; revealing a
      previously unrecognized composite nucleolar landscape and a new mode of
      interactions between ubiquitous (PML) and stress-induced (p62) nuclear bodies,
      resulting in the formation of hybrid bodies. 

PMID- 26275160
TI  - The Effects of Compensatory Scanning Training on Mobility in Patients with
      Homonymous Visual Field Defects: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Homonymous visual field defects (HVFD) are a common consequence of
      postchiasmatic acquired brain injury and often lead to mobility-related
      difficulties. Different types of compensatory scanning training have been
      developed, aimed at decreasing consequences of the HVFD by changing visual
      scanning. AIM: The aim of the present study is to examine the effects of a
      compensatory scanning training program using horizontal scanning on mobility
      related activities and participation in daily life. METHOD: The main interest of
      this study is to assess the effectiveness of training on mobility-related
      activities and participation in daily life. Visual scanning tests, such as dot
      counting and visual search, and control measures for visual functions and reading
      have been included as well. First, it is examined how performance on scanning and
      mobility-related measures is affected in patients with HVFD by comparing scores
      with scores of a healthy control group (n = 25). Second, the effect of training
      is assessed using an RCT design, in which performance of 26 patients before and
      after training is compared to performance of 23 patients in a waiting list
      control group. RESULTS: Self-reported improvements after training were found,
      accompanied by improvements in detecting peripheral stimuli and avoiding
      obstacles during walking, especially in dual task situations in which a second
      task limits the attentional capacity available for compensatory scanning.
      Training only improved mobility-related activities in which detection of
      peripheral stimuli is important, while no improvement was found on tests that
      require other visual skills, such as reading, visual counting and visual search.
      CONCLUSION: This is the first RCT to evaluate the effects of a compensatory
      scanning training that is based on a systematic horizontal scanning rhythm. This
      training improved mobility-related activities. The results suggest that different
      types of compensatory scanning strategies are appropriate for different types of
      activities. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN Registry ISRCTN16833414.

PMID- 26275161
TI  - Detection of human cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA in feces has limited value in
      predicting CMV enteritis in patients with intestinal graft-versus-host disease
      after allogeneic stem cell transplantation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) enteritis after allogeneic hematopoietic stem
      cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is difficult to diagnose. We aimed to evaluate
      the sensitivity and specificity of the detection of CMV DNA in feces for
      predicting CMV enteritis. METHODS: HSCT patients with intestinal graft-versus
      host disease (GVHD) were enrolled if they met the following criteria: (i)
      underwent a colonoscopy and (ii) peripheral blood and feces specimens were
      available for CMV DNA detection within 24 h of colonoscopy. The colonoscopy
      histology was used as the gold standard for diagnosing CMV enteritis. RESULTS:
      Fifty-six patients underwent 58 colonoscopy examinations, and 7 were diagnosed as
      having CMV enteritis. Within 24 h of colonoscopy, 9 patients had detectable CMV
      in the feces and 19 patients had detectable CMV in the plasma, respectively. In
      the 7 patients with CMV enteritis, only 2 had detectable CMV in the stool,
      resulting in a sensitivity of 28.6%. In the 51 patients without CMV enteritis, 44
      had no detectable CMV in the stool, with a specificity of 86.3%. CONCLUSION: We
      concluded that CMV detection in the feces was not a good predictor of CMV
      enteritis in patients with intestinal GVHD after allo-HSCT.

PMID- 26275163
TI  - Renal ultrasound and DMSA screening for high-grade vesicoureteral reflux.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Selection of the appropriate radiologic investigation in a child
      after first febrile urinary tract infection (UTI) remains a contentious issue.
      This report investigated the effectiveness of renal bladder ultrasound (RBUS) and
      late 6 month dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) renal scan in the detection of high
      grade vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) after first febrile UTI in infants aged <1
      year. METHODS: A total of 387 infants aged <1 year with first febrile UTI who
      completed diagnostic follow up consisting of RBUS, voiding cystourethrogram
      (VCUG) and late 6 month DMSA scan were enrolled in the study. The effectiveness
      of RBUS and DMSA scan in the detection of high-grade VUR, including cost and
      benefit were assessed. RESULTS: Abnormal RBUS was identified in 95 infants
      (24.5%). VUR was identified on VCUG in 79 (20.4%), of whom eight (2.1%) had high
      grade VUR (grade IV-V). Abnormal renal parenchyma was identified on late 6 month
      DMSA scan in 22 infants (5.7%). The sensitivity of abnormal RBUS and of late 6
      month DMSA scan in the prediction of high-grade VUR was 50% and 87.5%, and the
      proportion of infants who avoided unnecessary VCUG was 75.5% and 94.3%,
      respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Fifty percent of high-grade VUR was not identified on
      RBUS screening after first febrile UTI. Although late 6 month DMSA scan had
      higher sensitivity in the detection of high-grade VUR, with the added benefit of
      detection of renal scars, the practical application of this method was limited
      due to its high cost, radiation exposure and the associated delay in decision
      making.

PMID- 26275162
TI  - Neglect and extinction in kinesthesia and thesesthesia: understanding
      proprioceptive inattention.
AB  - This paper describes a new observation of neglect and extinction of kinesthesia
      and thesesthesia (movement and position imperception), jointly reflecting
      proprioceptive inattention, in a series of patients with parietal lesions. A
      prototypical case is discussed in detail and unaddressed aspects of
      proprioceptive inattention are discussed through findings from four additional
      cases. Thesesthetic and kinesthetic extinction were tested through simultaneous
      antidromic vertical displacement of index fingers, while having patients report
      on finger proprioceptive perception with eyes closed. Patients had variable
      degrees of proprioceptive inattention affecting a specific limb, but without
      pallesthetic inattention or somatoagnosia, whereas symptoms often resolved with
      visual feedback or active limb movements. Findings support that kinesthesia and
      thesesthesia (a) are subserved by near-identical brain networks, (b) relate more
      to tactile perception than pallesthesia in higher order cortical areas, and (c)
      have a somatotopic cortical organization even in association brain areas.
      Furthermore, proprioceptive extinction and neglect involve (i) "attention
      network" structures, (ii) either hemisphere, (iii) gray or subcortical white
      matter damage, (iv) defective vigilance mechanisms possibly through premature
      habituation of spatiotemporally saturated neural capacitor circuits, and (v) are
      not the result of somatoagnosia, while (vi) their resolution is observed through
      reafferent motor-sensory or visual feedback. 

PMID- 26275164
TI  - Comparison of the effects of Korean mindfulness-based stress reduction, walking,
      and patient education in diabetes mellitus.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of Korean mindfulness-based
      stress reduction (K-MBSR), walking, and patient education regarding diabetes
      mellitus (DM) on stress response, glycemic control, and vascular inflammation in
      patients with diabetes mellitus. A cluster randomized trial including 56 adults
      with diabetes mellitus (K-MBSR group = 21, walking group = 18, patient education
      group = 17) was conducted between 13 July and 14 September 2012. The
      questionnaire included the Diabetes Distress Scale and Perceived Stress Response
      Inventory. Fasting blood samples were used to measure levels of cortisol, blood
      glucose, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), and tissue plasminogen
      activator (t-PA). There were no statistically significant differences between the
      effects of K-MBSR, walking, and patient education on stress, glycemic control, or
      vascular inflammation. However, in the K-MBSR and walking groups, significant
      reductions in the levels of serum cortisol and PAI-1 were observed. A significant
      reduction in psychological responses to stress was observed in the walking and
      patient education groups. Longitudinal studies could provide better insight into
      the impact of K-MBSR, walking, and patient education on health outcomes in adults
      with diabetes mellitus. 

PMID- 26275166
TI  - A Comparison of Humiliation Measurement in a Depressive Versus Non-clinical
      Sample: A Possible Clinical Utility.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We aimed to deepen the clinical utility of humiliation assessment in
      the study of depression. METHOD: We performed a correlational analysis of the
      relationship between humiliation, depression, resilience, and negative primary
      familial environment in 80 clinically depressed subjects (41 men and 39 women;
      mean age = 40.71, standard deviation SD = 9.94) and a strictly matched sample of
      80 non-clinical subjects (41 men and 39 women; mean age = 40.64, SD = 10.24). We
      also implemented a hierarchical multiple regression analysis for each sample, to
      test the prediction of these variables on depression. RESULTS: Humiliation showed
      positive correlations with depressive factors, while negative correlations
      emerged with resilience in both samples. The hierarchical multiple regression
      analysis showed humiliation to be the most predictive factor of depression in the
      clinical sample only. CONCLUSION: This study improves the understanding of the
      relationship of humiliation and depression in both clinical and non-clinical
      populations.

PMID- 26275167
TI  - Reported serial positions of true and illusory memories in the
      Deese/Roediger/McDermott paradigm.
AB  - One of the easiest ways to induce illusory memories in the laboratory is to use
      the Deese-Roediger-McDermott (DRM) word-list paradigm. Researchers have used this
      paradigm not only to study people's memories of stimuli that were not actually
      presented, but also to study the phenomenological qualities of these illusions.
      In four experiments, the current investigation explored a phenomenological
      quality of illusory memories that has received almost no attention, specifically,
      temporality. A serial position task was incorporated into the DRM paradigm to
      examine temporal attributes of participants' true and false memories. Effects of
      list strength, presentation order, and types of warnings were examined. Results
      showed consistent serial position responses for true and false memories. However,
      only responses for illusory memories were affected by manipulations at study. The
      current findings thus lend support to encoding-based explanations of false
      recollections.

PMID- 26275165
TI  - Rule encoding in dorsal striatum impacts action selection.
AB  - Cognitive flexibility is a hallmark of prefrontal cortical (PFC) function yet
      little is known about downstream area involvement. The medial dorsal striatum
      (mDS) receives major projections from the PFC and is uniquely situated to perform
      the integration of responses with rule information. In this study, we use a novel
      rule shifting task in rats that mirrors non-human primate and human studies in
      its temporal precision and counterbalanced responses. We record activity from
      single neurons in the mDS while rats switch between different rules for reward.
      Additionally, we pharmacologically inactivate mDS by infusion of a
      baclofen/muscimol cocktail. Inactivation of mDS impaired the ability to shift to
      a new rule and increased the number of regressive errors. While recording in mDS,
      we identified neurons modulated by direction whose activity reflected the
      conflict between competing rule information. We show that a subset of these
      neurons was also rule selective, and that the conflict between competing rule
      cues was resolved as behavioural performance improved. Other neurons were
      modulated by rule, but not direction. These neurons became selective before
      behavioural performance accurately reflected the current rule. These data provide
      an additional locus for investigating the mechanisms underlying behavioural
      flexibility. Converging lines of evidence from multiple human psychiatric
      disorders have implicated dorsal striatum as an important and understudied neural
      substrate of flexible cognition. Our data confirm the importance of mDS, and
      suggest a mechanism by which mDS mediates abstract cognition functions. 

PMID- 26275168
TI  - The Prevalence of Sickle Cell Disease and Its Implication for Newborn Screening
      in Germany (Hamburg Metropolitan Area).
AB  - Sickle cell disease is among hereditary diseases with evidence that early
      diagnoses and treatment improves the clinical outcome. So far sickle cell disease
      has not been included in the German newborn screening program despite immigration
      from countries with populations at risk. To determine the birth prevalence we
      tested 17,018 newborns. High pressure liquid chromatography and subsequent
      molecular-genetic testing were used for the detection and confirmation of
      hemoglobin variants. The frequency of sickle cell disease-consistent genotypes
      was one in 2,385 newborns. Duffy-blood group typing showed evidence that affected
      children were likely of Sub-Saharan ancestry. An inclusion of sickle cell disease
      into the German newborn screening seems reasonable.

PMID- 26275169
TI  - Salt metathesis versus protonolysis routes for the synthesis of silylamide Hauser
      base (R2NMgX; X = halogen) and amido-Grignard (R2NMgR) complexes.
AB  - The preparation of silylamide Hauser base (R2NMgX; X = halide) and amido-Grignard
      (R2NMgR) complexes from simple Grignard reagents using [K{N(SiMe2(t)Bu)2}]n,
      [K{N(SiMe2(t)Bu)(Si(i)Pr3)}]n and [K{N(Si(i)Pr3)2}]n, and their parent
      silylamines, was explored. Both salt metathesis and protonolysis routes proved
      ineffective with allylmagnesium chloride as a starting material due to complex
      Schlenk equilibria, with [Mg(N(RR'))(MU-Cl)(THF)]2 (N(RR') = {N(Si(t)BuMe2)2}(-),
      1; {N(Si(t)BuMe2)(Si(i)Pr3)}(-), 2; {N(Si(i)Pr3)2}(-), 3) and
      [Mg{N(Si(i)Pr3)2}(MU-C3H5)]infinity (4) identified as minor products. In
      contrast, salt metathesis protocols using potassium silylamides and
      methylmagnesium iodide gave [Mg(N(RR'))(MU-CH3)]2 (N(RR') = {N(Si(t)BuMe2)2}(-),
      7a; {N(Si(t)BuMe2)(Si(i)Pr3)}(-), 8; {N(Si(i)Pr3)2}(-), 9) and
      [Mg{N(Si(t)BuMe2)2}(CH3)(DME)] (7b), with [Mg{N(Si(t)BuMe2)2}(MU-I)(THF)]2 (10)
      isolated as a side-product during the preparation of 7a. Unusually,
      methylmagnesium iodide, di-n-butylmagnesium and 7-9 did not react with HN(RR')
      under the conditions we employed. The synthesis of [Na{N(Si(t)BuMe2)2}(THF)]2
      (5a) and [Na{N(Si(t)BuMe2)2}(DME)2] (5b) from benzyl sodium and HN(Si(t)BuMe2)2,
      and a solvent-free structure of [K{N(Si(t)BuMe2)2}] (6), are also reported.
      Complexes 1, 5b, 7a, 7b, 8, 9 and 10 are fully characterised by single crystal
      XRD, multinuclear NMR and IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis, whereas
      complexes 2-4, 5a and 6 were identified by XRD only. 

PMID- 26275170
TI  - Assembly of functionalized carbocycles or N-heterocycles through a domino
      electrocyclization-[1,2] migration reaction sequence.
AB  - The development of processes that streamline the synthesis of complex,
      functionalized carbocycles and heterocycles remains a hotly pursued topic because
      their scaffolds are present in a range of bioactive molecules and electronic
      materials. Although the Nazarov reaction has emerged to be useful in the
      synthesis of carbocycles and heterocycles, using an electrocyclization to trigger
      a migration remains underdeveloped. By constructing several bonds in one
      operation, domino reaction sequences are particularly effective at improving the
      efficiency of synthesis. The use of transition metal catalysts has the potential
      to render these processes stereoselective. This review examines the use of
      electrocyclization-[1,2] migrations to construct molecules and is organized by
      the type of ring constructed and the order of the two steps in this process. 

PMID- 26275171
TI  - Demographic Responses to Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in the Wandering
      Albatross (Diomedea exulans).
AB  - One of the major challenges in ecological research is the elucidation of
      physiological mechanisms that underlie the demographic traits of wild animals. We
      have assessed whether a marker of plasma oxidative stress (TBARS) and plasma
      haptoglobin (protein of the acute inflammatory phase response) measured at time t
      predict five demographic parameters (survival rate, return rate to the breeding
      colony, breeding probability, hatching and fledging success) in sexually mature
      wandering albatrosses over the next four years (Diomedea exulans) using a five
      year individual-based dataset. Non-breeder males, but not females, having higher
      TBARS at time t had reduced future breeding probabilities; haptoglobin was not
      related to breeding probability. Neither TBARS nor haptoglobin predicted future
      hatching or fledging success. Haptoglobin had a marginally positive effect on
      female survival rate, while TBARS had a marginally negative effect on return
      rate. Our findings do not support the role for oxidative stress as a constraint
      of future reproductive success in the albatross. However, our data point to a
      potential mechanism underlying some aspects of reproductive senescence and
      survival. Our results also highlight that the study of the consequences of
      oxidative stress should consider the life-cycle stage of an individual and its
      reproductive history.

PMID- 26275172
TI  - Rhodopsin in the Dark Hot Sea: Molecular Analysis of Rhodopsin in a Snailfish,
      Careproctus rhodomelas, Living near the Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Vent.
AB  - Visual systems in deep-sea fishes have been previously studied from a
      photobiological aspect; however, those of deep-sea fish inhabiting the
      hydrothermal vents are far less understood due to sampling difficulties. In this
      study, we analyzed the visual pigment of a deep-sea snailfish, Careproctus
      rhodomelas, discovered and collected only near the hydrothermal vents of oceans
      around Japan. Proteins were solubilized from the C. rhodomelas eyeball and
      subjected to spectroscopic analysis, which revealed the presence of a pigment
      characterized by an absorption maximum (lambdamax) at 480 nm. Immunoblot analysis
      of the ocular protein showed a rhodopsin-like immunoreactivity. We also isolated
      a retinal cDNA encoding the entire coding sequence of putative C. rhodomelas
      rhodopsin (CrRh). HEK293EBNA cells were transfected with the CrRh cDNA and the
      proteins extracted from the cells were subjected to spectroscopic analysis. The
      recombinant CrRh showed the absorption maximum at 480 nm in the presence of 11
      cis retinal. Comparison of the results from the eyeball extract and the
      recombinant CrRh strongly suggests that CrRh has an A1-based 11-cis-retinal
      chromophore and works as a photoreceptor in the C. rhodomelas retina, and hence
      that C. rhodomelas responds to dim blue light much the same as other deep-sea
      fishes. Because hydrothermal vent is a huge supply of viable food, C. rhodomelas
      likely do not need to participate diel vertical migration and may recognize the
      bioluminescence produced by aquatic animals living near the hydrothermal vents. 

PMID- 26275173
TI  - Arginine-Vasopressin Receptor Blocker Conivaptan Reduces Brain Edema and Blood
      Brain Barrier Disruption after Experimental Stroke in Mice.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Stroke is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Stroke is
      complicated by brain edema and blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption, and is often
      accompanied by increased release of arginine-vasopressin (AVP). AVP acts through
      V1a and V2 receptors to trigger hyponatremia, vasospasm, and platelet aggregation
      which can exacerbate brain edema. The AVP receptor blockers conivaptan (V1a and
      V2) and tolvaptan (V2) are used to correct hyponatremia, but their effect on post
      ischemic brain edema and BBB disruption remains to be elucidated. Therefore, we
      conducted this study to investigate if these drugs can prevent brain edema and
      BBB disruption in mice after stroke. METHODS: Experimental mice underwent the
      filament model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) with reperfusion. Mice
      were treated with conivaptan, tolvaptan, or vehicle. Treatments were initiated
      immediately at reperfusion and administered IV (conivaptan) or orally (tolvaptan)
      for 48 hours. Physiological variables, neurological deficit scores (NDS), plasma
      and urine sodium and osmolality were recorded. Brain water content (BWC) and
      Evans Blue (EB) extravasation index were evaluated at the end point. RESULTS:
      Both conivaptan and tolvaptan produced aquaresis as indicated by changes in
      plasma and urine sodium levels. However plasma and urine osmolality was changed
      only by conivaptan. Unlike tolvaptan, conivaptan improved NDS and reduced BWC in
      the ipsilateral hemisphere: from 81.66 +/- 0.43% (vehicle) to 78.28 +/- 0.48%
      (conivaptan, 0.2 mg, p < 0.05 vs vehicle). Conivaptan also attenuated the EB
      extravasation from 1.22 +/- 0.08 (vehicle) to 1.01 +/- 0.02 (conivaptan, 0.2 mg,
      p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Continuous IV infusion with conivaptan for 48 hours after
      experimental stroke reduces brain edema, and BBB disruption. Conivaptan but not
      tolvaptan may potentially be used in patients to prevent brain edema after
      stroke.

PMID- 26275175
TI  - Does Diagnosis Make a Difference? Comparing Hospice Care Satisfaction in Matched
      Cohorts of Heart Failure and Cancer Caregivers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Half of heart failure patients will die within five years of
      diagnosis, making them an ideal population for hospice to reach. Yet hospice
      originated in oncology, and problems have been noted with the enrollment of heart
      failure patients. Whether caregiver satisfaction, a key quality measure in
      hospice, differs between heart failure and cancer caregivers is unknown.
      OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine whether diagnosis makes a difference in
      satisfaction with hospice care in matched cohorts of heart failure caregivers and
      cancer caregivers. METHODS: This was a national cohort study, using caregiver
      responses to the Family Evaluation of Hospice Care (FEHC) survey. Heart failure
      and cancer caregivers were matched via propensity scoring. The relationship
      between diagnosis and caregiver satisfaction was examined across the domains of
      symptom management, emotional support, caregiver teaching, coordination of care,
      and global satisfaction, both before and after matching via logistic regression.
      RESULTS: One-to-one matching with calipers yielded 7730 matched pairs out of an
      original sample of 8175 heart failure caregivers and 24,972 cancer caregivers.
      Significant differences were found in caregiver teaching, emotional support,
      coordination of care, and global satisfaction prior to matching, but the effect
      sizes were small. All differences disappeared after matching. High rates of
      dissatisfaction with caregiver teaching (42%) and emotional support (30%) were
      found in both cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of heart failure, in and of
      itself, does not appear to make a difference in informal caregiver satisfaction
      with hospice care. Hospice provides high-quality care for patients, but
      improvements are needed in caring for the caregiver.

PMID- 26275174
TI  - Measurement of Heme Synthesis Levels in Mammalian Cells.
AB  - Heme serves as the prosthetic group for a wide variety of proteins known as
      hemoproteins, such as hemoglobin, myoglobin and cytochromes. It is involved in
      various molecular and cellular processes such as gene transcription, translation,
      cell differentiation and cell proliferation. The biosynthesis levels of heme vary
      across different tissues and cell types and is altered in diseased conditions
      such as anemia, neuropathy and cancer. This technique uses [4-(14)C] 5
      aminolevulinic acid ([(14)C] 5-ALA), one of the early precursors in the heme
      biosynthesis pathway to measure the levels of heme synthesis in mammalian cells.
      This assay involves incubation of cells with [(14)C] 5-ALA followed by extraction
      of heme and measurement of the radioactivity incorporated into heme. This
      procedure is accurate and quick. This method measures the relative levels of heme
      biosynthesis rather than the total heme content. To demonstrate the use of this
      technique the levels of heme biosynthesis were measured in several mammalian cell
      lines. 

PMID- 26275176
TI  - Brief Report: Doubly Robust Estimation of Standardized Risk Difference and Ratio
      in the Exposed Population.
AB  - Standardization-a method used to adjust for confounding-estimates counterfactual
      risks in a target population. To adjust for confounding variables that contain
      too many combinations to be fully stratified, two model-based standardization
      methods exist: regression standardization and use of an inverse probability of
      exposure weighted-reweighted estimators. Whereas the former requires an outcome
      regression model conditional on exposure and confounders, the latter requires a
      propensity score model. In reconciling among their modeling assumptions, doubly
      robust estimators, which only require correct specification of either the outcome
      regression or the propensity score model but do not necessitate both, have been
      well studied for total populations. Here, we provide doubly robust estimators of
      standardized risk difference and ratio in the exposed population. Theoretical
      details, simple model extension for independently censored outcomes, and a SAS
      program are provided in the eAppendix (http://links.lww.com/EDE/A955). 

PMID- 26275177
TI  - Screening and Intervening on Alcohol and Other Drug Use in General Wellness
      Programs: Challenges and Opportunities.

PMID- 26275178
TI  - Seasonal Variation in the Occurrence of Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment.
AB  - PURPOSE: Seasonal predilection is reported in the occurrence of various systemic
      and ocular diseases. An attempt was made to evaluate the existence of such an
      association in the development of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). The
      aims of the study were to investigate the existence of seasonal variation in the
      occurrence of RRD and to analyze the predisposing factors for such variation.
      DESIGN: This was a retrospective review. METHODS: A retrospective review of all
      cases of RRD during a period of 2 years (June 2012 to May 2014) was carried out.
      The details regarding demographic profile, clinical features, and the month of
      occurrence of RRD were collected. Climatic parameters such as temperature,
      relative humidity, rainfall, and number of sun hours were noted. The various
      factors were compared with SPSS version 17.0, and chi test was used for
      statistical analysis. RESULTS: Of the 76 cases of RRD, 38.2% occurred in the hot
      humid summer months (P = 0.046) followed by 22.4% in the cool humid winter
      months. Subtotal retinal detachments were more common in summer (P = 0.015).
      Factors suggestive of vitreous dehydration such as posterior vitreous detachment,
      intraocular pressure, and intraocular pressure of fellow eye were not associated
      with this seasonal variation. The peak minimum temperature, peak maximum
      temperature, and sun hours were related to this finding. High relative humidity
      and low rainfall were also associated. CONCLUSIONS: Rhegmatogenous retinal
      detachment shows definite seasonal variation which peaks in the summer months.
      Meteorological parameters may further play a role in determining the onset of
      retinal detachment.

PMID- 26275179
TI  - Trabeculectomy Under Augmented Topical Anesthesia: Study on Pain Evaluation and
      Surgical Feasibility.
AB  - PURPOSE: Performing trabeculectomy under topical anesthesia using lignocaine
      jelly with intracameral anesthesia may offer painless surgery with immediate
      visual gain and avoid the increase in intraocular pressure associated with
      locally injected anesthesia. In this context, we evaluated topical anesthesia
      using 2% lignocaine jelly with intracameral 1.0% lignocaine for trabeculectomy in
      terms of pain during surgery and the surgeon's experience. DESIGN: This was a
      tertiary care center-based interventional case series. METHODS: Patients
      scheduled for trabeculectomy as the first surgery for medically controlled
      glaucoma underwent standard ab externo trabeculectomy under topical anesthesia.
      Pain evaluation was done using a visual analog scale with the modified Wong-Baker
      FACES Pain Rating Scale, within 1 hour after surgery. RESULTS: Fifteen eyes of 14
      patients were included in the study with a mean (SD, range) age of 61.3 (17.54,
      40-90, distributed normally) years. Patients' pain score analysis showed a mean
      (SD, range) visual analog scale score of 0.73 (0.59, 0-2) on a scale of 0 to 10.
      The mean (SD, range) surgeon's satisfaction score was 3.2 (0.4, 3-4) on a scale
      of 3 to 9. The intraocular pressure of all patients was well controlled at 2
      weeks [mean (SD, range), 9.2 (2.9, 4-16)] and at 4 weeks [mean (SD, range), 13.2
      (1.2, 11-15)] postoperatively without any topical or systemic antiglaucoma
      medications. CONCLUSIONS: Trabeculectomy can be done under augmented topical
      anesthesia, which provides adequate analgesia for acceptable patient and surgeon
      comfort with favorable outcomes. Anesthesia provided by topical application of
      lignocaine 2% jelly and intracameral 1.0% lignocaine is sufficient for safe
      trabeculectomy surgery with acceptable discomfort to the patient.

PMID- 26275180
TI  - Effect of stride length on maximal pelvic tilt and hip extension during running.

PMID- 26275181
TI  - Radiation-Induced Necrosis of the Temporal Bone: Diagnosis and Management.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To document our experience with osteoradionecrosis (ORN) of the
      temporal bone. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case review. SETTING: Tertiary care
      medical center. PATIENTS: Patients who developed exposed necrotic bone of the
      external auditory canal after radiation therapy to the head and neck.
      INTERVENTIONS: Temporal bone ORN was managed conservatively in all patients with
      a combination of systemic antibiotics, antibiotic ear drops, and in-office
      debridement. Three patients required surgery, two of which were for a
      cholesteatoma. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The need for surgical intervention in the
      management of ORN. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients with ORN of the temporal bone
      comprise the study group. The average age of patients at the time of diagnosis
      was 58 years (range, 34-75 yr). The parotid gland was the most common primary
      tumor site (n = 10). The mean lag time from completion of radiotherapy to
      diagnosis of ORN was 11 years (range, 2-48 yr). The most common presenting
      symptom was hearing loss (n = 18), followed by tinnitus (n = 13) and otorrhea (n
      = 13). All 23 patients were managed conservatively with antibiotic therapy and in
      office debridement of necrotic bone. None of the patients required temporal bone
      resection and/or free-flap reconstruction. CONCLUSION: ORN of the temporal bone
      is a rare adverse event that can occur after radiotherapy for a variety of
      neoplasms of the head, neck, and central nervous system. Conservative management,
      which includes directed antibiotic therapy and regular in-office debridement of
      necrotic bone, can adequately control the disease process and symptomatology,
      thus avoiding more invasive surgical interventions.

PMID- 26275182
TI  - A Novel Radiographic Sign and a New Classifying System in Mastoiditis-Related
      Epidural Abscess.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe a novel radiographic sign ("halo") and a new
      classification method of an evolving perisigmoid epidural abscess and present its
      correlation with intraoperative findings. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective and
      prospective cohort study in a tertiary academic children's hospital. METHODS: The
      retrospective arm (15 children) was conducted between 1998 and 2007 and the
      prospective arm (11 children) between 2008 and 2013. The computerized tomographic
      appearance of the perisigmoid region was classified into four groups: Class I,
      normal; Class II, smooth halo; Class III, nodular halo 4 mm or less in diameter;
      and Class IV, gross nodular halo more than 4 mm in diameter. Intraoperative
      findings of the perisigmoid region were compared with the preoperative scan
      results. RESULTS: The correlation between preoperative imaging and intraoperative
      findings of the retrospective arm was highly significant (p = 0.007). The
      correlation between the preoperative imaging studies and intraoperative findings
      of the prospective arm was also highly significant (p = 0.005). The interobserver
      agreement for the proposed classification method was high (Cohen kappa score,
      0.76; weighted kappa score, 0.84). CONCLUSION: A novel radiographic sign ("halo")
      and a new classification method for an evolving perisigmoid epidural abscess in
      acute mastoiditis are described. A thin and smooth halo sign is not indicative of
      a true abscess formation. Gross perisigmoid granular changes, however, are highly
      suggestive of an epidural abscess that warrants surgical intervention.

PMID- 26275183
TI  - Computer aided implantology: Changing trends.

PMID- 26275184
TI  - Publication ethics: Whose responsibility?

PMID- 26275185
TI  - Urinary 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine as a marker of oxidative stress induced genetic
      toxicity in oral cancer patients.
AB  - CONTEXT: Recently, non-communicable diseases have snatched the lead from
      infectious diseases in causing mortality. Of these, oral cancer accounts for a
      significant proportion of deaths. Every year in India significant percentage of
      newly diagnosed malignancy is oral cancer attributed to various reasons. AIMS:
      The aim of this study was to assess the extent of oxidative stress and its effect
      on modification of DNA by urinary nucleoside 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG)
      levels in oral cancer subjects. To see the relationship between the nucleoside 8
      OHdG and antioxidant capacity ferric reducing ability plasma (FRAP) in oral
      cancer subjects. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Case-control study included three groups
      with 60 volunteers, who were divided into 30 controls, and equal number of
      clinically diagnosed oral cancer male patients: (Subdivided into newly diagnosed
      [n = 15] and 1-year treatment follow-up oral cancer subjects [n = 15]). MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: A random urine sample was used for analysis of 8-OHdG concentration.
      Serum triglycerides, lipid peroxidation, protein thiols, and FRAP assay were
      performed by spectrophotometric technique. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Student's t
      test and one-way analysis of variance were performed for group comparison and
      Pearson's correlation analysis were used. A P < 0.05 was considered the optimum
      level of significance. RESULTS: The urinary 8-OHdG and serum malondialdehyde
      levels were significantly elevated in newly diagnosed oral cancer subjects in
      their 1-year treatment compared to the control group (P < 0.05). A significant
      correlation was observed between urinary 8-OHdG and FRAP in both groups of oral
      cancer subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Urinary 8-OHdG can be a useful diagnostic marker of
      oxidative DNA damage in oral cancer subjects.

PMID- 26275186
TI  - Role of cardiovascular disease markers in periodontal infection: Understanding
      the risk.
AB  - CONTEXT: Both periodontitis and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) represent chronic
      inflammatory conditions, and periodontal infections have been postulated to
      perpetuate the progression of CVD's. However, limited evidence is available to
      prove the causal relationship. AIM: An effort in exploring this interrelation has
      been made in this study. The role of two inflammatory mediators, soluble CD40
      ligand (sCD40 L) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) has been
      established in progression and acute precipitation of CVD's. Due to a close link
      between these two mediators, the present study was designed to correlate the
      levels of sCD40 L and MCP-1 in serum and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of
      patients with chronic periodontitis. METHODS: Fifteen healthy and 30 patients of
      severe chronic periodontitis (diseased) participated in the study. Patients of
      the diseased group underwent scaling/root planning. The evaluation of plaque
      index, gingival index, probing depth, clinical attachment level, and a collection
      of serum and GCF samples was done at baseline and 6 weeks following periodontal
      therapy. The sCD40 L and MCP-1 levels were quantified using ELISA. RESULTS: The
      sCD40 L levels correlated strongly with MCP-1 levels in both GCF (r = 0.888) and
      serum (r = 0.861) in patients of chronic periodontitis. The relationship between
      the levels of the two markers was maintained in GCF (r = 0.868) and serum (r =
      0.750) after Phase I periodontal therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The positive correlation
      observed suggests this pathway as one of the mechanisms that may lead to
      increasing severity of periodontal disease and its systemic effects. Further
      research efforts should be made in designing appropriate clinical trials,
      starting at an early stage and monitoring the potential benefits of maintenance
      of oral hygiene on cardiovascular health.

PMID- 26275187
TI  - Assessment of stability of orthodontic mini-implants under orthodontic loading: A
      computed tomography study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Miniscrews have been used in recent years for anchorage in
      orthodontic treatment. However, it is not clear whether the miniscrews are
      absolutely stationary or move when force is applied. This prospective clinical
      study was undertaken to evaluate the mobility of orthodontic miniscrews under
      orthodontic loading using computed tomography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten adult
      patients (7 females and 3 males with mean age of 19 years, 7 mm overjet) who
      required en masse retraction of upper and lower anterior teeth infirst premolar
      extraction spaces were included in this study. After initial alignment of
      anterior teeth, the 0.019" *0.025" stainless steel archwire were placed in
      preadjusted edgewise appliance. The miniscrews (diameter - 1.3 mm, length - 7 mm)
      were inserted in between second premolar and thefirst molar in the maxilla
      (zygomatic buttress) and in mandible on the buccal side as direct anchorage.
      Immediately after placement of miniscrews without waiting period, NiTi coil
      springs (force of 150 g in the maxilla and 100 g in the mandible) were placed for
      the retraction. Denta Scans were taken immediately before force application (T1)
      and 6 months later (T2). The mean changes obtained at T1 and T2 in Denta Scans
      (axial plane, coronal plane, paraxial plane) were evaluated to determine any
      movement of different parts of miniscrews using one-way ANOVA test and Student's
      unpaired t-test. RESULTS: On average, miniscrews were extruded and tipped forward
      significantly, by 1 mm at the screw head in the axial plane (Group III) and 0.728
      mm in the coronal plane (Group IV). Tail of miniscrews showed average tipping of
      0.567 mm in the axial plane (Group I) and 0.486 mm in the paraxial plane (Group
      V). Least average mobility was shown by screw body of 0.349 mm in the axial plane
      (Group II). Clinically, no significant mobility was observed. CONCLUSION:
      Miniscrews are a stable anchorage for orthodontic tooth movement but do not
      remain absolutely stationary like an endosseous implant throughout orthodontic
      loading although miniscrews might move according to placement site, orthodontic
      loading, and inflammation of peri-implant tissue. Waiting period between
      miniscrews placement and orthodontic loading does not significantly affect the
      miniscrew mobility so immediate loading can be recommended. To prevent hitting
      any vital organs because of miniscrew mobility, it is recommended that they can
      be placed in a nontooth-bearing area that has no foramen, major nerves, or blood
      vessel pathway, or in a tooth-bearing area allowing a 1.5 mm safety clearance
      between the miniscrew and dental root.

PMID- 26275188
TI  - Effects of immediate and delayed intraradicular preparation on bond strength of
      fiber posts.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To assist the retention of restorations prepared in endodontically
      treated teeth, fiber posts are widely used in dental practice. The ideal time to
      prepare space for the post is still controversial. AIM: The purpose of this study
      was to evaluate the effects of immediate and delayed postspace preparation on the
      retention of the self-adhesive resin cement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve bovine
      teeth were used with sectioned roots standardized to 19 mm. The teeth were
      properly instrumented and filled with gutta-percha and eugenol-free cement AH
      Plus. Two experimental groups (n = 6) were created based on the different times
      of post preparation (immediate and delayed). Using cemented cylindrical fiber
      posts, the teeth were put in acrylic resin and polyvinyl chloride tubes, where
      the cuts were made. Two slices were obtained from the cervical third, two from
      the medium third and two from the apical third. Subsequently, the samples were
      subjected into push-out tests. Statistical analysis were performed using ANOVA
      and Tukey's test (P = 5%). RESULTS: The results indicated that, for all of the
      evaluated thirds, delayed preparation showed greater bond strength than immediate
      preparation. CONCLUSION: A delayed post preparation of the root space, following
      the root canal filling, is recommended.

PMID- 26275189
TI  - Dental fluorosis: A histological study using Light and Confocal microscopy.
AB  - AIMS: To observe and characterize the histological features of fluorosed teeth
      under light and confocal microscope (CFM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 25
      fluorosed teeth and 5 normal teeth were collected from dentists across Dindigul,
      a known endemic area of fluorosis in South India. Ground sections of respective
      teeth were observed under light microscope and the sections were subsequently
      stained with acridine orange and studied under CFM. RESULTS: Histological changes
      were observed in the ground sections of fluorosed teeth as compared with the
      normal teeth. Depending on the degree of fluorosis, the affected teeth showed
      various features of hypomineralization in enamel and dentin. CONCLUSIONS:
      Fluoride interacts with both mineral phases and organic macromolecules by strong
      ionic and hydrogen bonds resulting in incomplete crystal growth at prism
      peripheries. This presents as hypomineralization of enamel and dentin.

PMID- 26275190
TI  - Evaluation of bleeding following dental extraction in patients on long-term
      antiplatelet therapy: A clinical trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this trial was to evaluate the bleeding after dental
      extractions among patients on uninterrupted antiplatelet therapy. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: A total of 190 patients under oral antiplatelet drugs requiring
      extraction of a single molar tooth were randomly assigned to two groups. Group A
      consisted of 95 patients on uninterrupted antiplatelet therapy and Group B
      consisted of 95 patients who have discontinued antiplatelet medication 5 days
      prior to extraction. The bleeding time of all patients was checked prior to
      extraction. The surgical procedure involved simple extraction of a single molar
      tooth under local anesthesia. The extraction socket was sutured with 3-0 silk.
      Pressure pack with gauze was given for 1 h. Bleeding after 1 h, 24 h, 48 h, and 5
      days were compared between two groups. Chi-square test was used to compare the
      variables. P < 0.05 was taken as significant. RESULTS: None of the patients in
      either group had any significant uncontrollable bleeding after extraction.
      CONCLUSION: Hence, we recommend routine single tooth extractions in patients on
      long-term antiplatelet medication, without interruption or alteration of their
      medication. Such patients do not have an increased risk of prolonged or excessive
      postoperative bleeding.

PMID- 26275191
TI  - Cephalometric evaluation of condyle-fossa position in dentulous and edentulous
      subjects.
AB  - CONTEXT: Whenever there is loss of teeth and occlusion, it triggers a change in
      the functional and structural relationship of the mandible. Various physiologic
      factor such as age and changes in occlusion lead to specific remodeling changes
      in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate
      and compare the influence of dentition on condyle-fossa position by comparing
      this variable in dentulous and edentulous subjects using lateral cephalogram.
      SETTINGS AND DESIGN: The study was conducted on 25 dentulous and 25 edentulous
      subjects, comprising of males and females, visiting Yenepoya University,
      Mangalore. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The age ranges of dentulous subjects were 25-30
      years and edentulous subjects of 45-65 years with 1-5 years of edentulousness
      were chosen. Lateral cephalograms were taken, and various reference lines and
      planes were used to determine the center of condyle and center of the glenoid
      fossa. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The results were analyzed by SPSS version 7.0
      (SPSS Inc., Chicago) and statistical analysis used was t-test. RESULTS: Condyle
      was placed upward and forward, and glenoid fossa was situated more anteriorly in
      edentulous subjects compared to dentulous subjects. CONCLUSIONS: This study
      supports the concept that TMJ is an articular triad with two points of contact
      provided by TMJ and third contact by the dentition. Alteration in any one of
      these contact points will produce secondary morphological changes in other two
      points.

PMID- 26275192
TI  - Fate of third molar in line of mandibular angle fracture - Retrospective study.
AB  - AIM: The study aimed to answer for the question whether a tooth in line of
      fracture predispose to complications such as infection and thereby warranting
      removal of the plates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Surgically rehabilitated patients
      for unilateral angle of mandible fractures at author's center from 2000 to 2013
      were considered in this study. During the study period, about 116 cases fulfilled
      the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and hence included in this study. All
      patients were treated by open, rigid fixation. RESULTS: During the fracture
      reduction and immobilization, 52.6% (n = 61) cases, the third molar was extracted
      and in 47.4% (n = 55) cases, the tooth was preserved. Only two cases of infection
      that required the plate removal occurred by 3 months and another one case within
      the next 6 months. When the tooth in question was removed, infection did not
      occur. In all, 52.72% (n = 29) of the 55 cases preserved were needs to be
      extracted for various reasons. The most common being periodontal causes followed
      by periapical pathology. Statistically the relationship between demographic data
      and outcome measures were analyzed using Chi-square test bivariate statistics. A
      P < 0.05 was taken as significant. CONCLUSION: The present study fails to
      identify any concrete factors that would predict the failure of the retained
      third molar that were involved in the line of mandibular fractures. The proof
      presented here, especially with low complication rates indicate that all impacted
      third molar along the line of fracture be removed and unless necessary, the
      partially erupted teeth would also be extracted. In such a situation, the rate of
      infection and survival of the third molar would have been entirely different.

PMID- 26275193
TI  - A 5-year retrospective study of rampant dental caries among adult patients in a
      Nigerian Teaching Hospital.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Rampant caries in adults has not been a focus of many researches
      unlike the childhood form of the disease. The disease is an interesting finding
      in an adult patient. When the condition occurs in children, it has been described
      as nursing bottle caries, baby bottle tooth decay, and the most recently adopted
      term, "early childhood caries". AIM: The aim was to determine the prevalence of
      rampant caries among adult patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cases of rampant
      caries were identified from the records of all the patients treated during a 5
      year period. Variables considered included the socio-demographic data, frequency
      of consumption of cariogenic diet, social habits, decayed, missing, filled teeth
      (DMFT), socioeconomic status (SES), and oral hygiene (OH), etc. Data were
      analyzed using student's t-test and one-way ANOVA for continuous variables, while
      Fishers exact test was adopted for categorical variables. Level of significance
      was set at P < 0.05. RESULT: Less than 1% (21 out of 3458) of patients treated
      during the period had adult rampant caries, but only 17 patients with complete
      data were analyzed. The age range of the patients was 22-61 years with a median
      of 36 years. The number of teeth with open carious cavities ranged from 8 to 18,
      with a mean of 11.6 +/- 3.3 teeth. A statistically significant difference was
      found in the number of open carious cavities and gender (P = 0.03), and between
      the SES and OH (P = 0.001). Patients in low SES had the poorest OH, The number of
      open carious lesion was higher in those that consumed refined sugar regularly.
      CONCLUSION: Occurrence of rampant caries was low and related to low socioeconomic
      status and regular consumption of cariogenic diet.

PMID- 26275194
TI  - Evaluation of salivary glucose, amylase, and total protein in Type 2 diabetes
      mellitus patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus is a complex multisystem metabolic disorder
      characterized by a deficit in the production of insulin. The oral complications
      of uncontrolled diabetes mellitus are devastating. Saliva is an organic fluid
      that can be collected noninvasively and by individuals with limited training.
      These reasons create an interest in evaluating the possibility of using saliva as
      a diagnostic tool. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine,
      if saliva can be used as a noninvasive tool to monitor glycemic control in Type 2
      diabetes. Comparative assessment of salivary (glucose, amylase, total protein
      levels) in patients with Type 2 diabetes and controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A
      total of 40 individuals, 20 with Type 2 diabetes and 20 controls of age group 40
      60 years were selected for the study. Diabetic status was assessed by estimating
      random blood glucose levels. Unstimulated saliva was collected from each
      participant and investigated for glucose, amylase, and total protein levels.
      Salivary glucose estimation was performed using glucose-oxidase method, amylase
      by the direct substrate kinetic enzymatic method, and total protein by pyrogallol
      red dye end point method. All the parameters were subjected to statistical
      analysis using SPSS version 20.0. RESULTS: Significantly higher salivary glucose,
      lower amylase, and total proteins were observed in patients with Type 2 diabetes
      than controls. There was no significant correlation between salivary and blood
      glucose levels. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that diabetes influences the
      composition of saliva. Since a significant correlation was not observed between
      salivary and blood glucose levels, further research is needed to determine
      salivary glucose estimation as a diagnostic tool for diabetes mellitus.

PMID- 26275195
TI  - Ferro-concrete reinforcement of endodontically treated teeth with wide open apex.
AB  - AIM: The aim of the study was to compare the fracture resistance of roots
      obturated with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) obturation with post, MTA apical
      plug with Resilon obturation, MTA apical plug with gutta percha (GP) obturation,
      complete MTA obturation in teeth with wide open apex. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Fifty freshly extracted human maxillary central incisors were selected. Teeth
      were divided into four experimental groups (n = 10) and one control group (n =
      10). Fifty teeth were separated, and roots of each tooth were standardized to a
      length of 12 mm. Access opening was done and instrumented with ProTaper F2 passed
      beyond the apex. The canals were then irrigated with 17%
      ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and 3% sodium hypochlorite. Calcium hydroxide was
      placed in the canals for 7 days. The specimens were then divided into five
      groups. Group I: Apical plug MTA with metal post, Group II: Apical plug MTA with
      Resilon, Group III Apical plug MTA with GP, Group IV: Complete MTA obturation,
      and Group V: Control group. Fracture strength was measured using Instron testing
      machine at a speed of 5 mm/min, and the data were statistically analyzed using
      ANOVA and t-test. RESULTS: The roots reinforced with metallic post and MTA (Group
      1) has the higher fracture strength when compared with other groups (P < 0.05).
      CONCLUSION: This Ferro-concrete reinforcement technique of MTA with the metallic
      post can be used in cases with wide open apex to increase the fracture resistance
      of tooth.

PMID- 26275196
TI  - Role of trabecular bone in visibility of laminadura: A cross-sectional
      radiographic study.
AB  - AIM: To determine the degree to which trabecular bone contributes to the
      radiographic visibility of laminadura (LD). STUDY DESIGN: Human dry mandibles
      were obtained, and a series of radiographs were acquired in the premolar region.
      Radiographs taken were: (1) Before removal of any bone, (2) After removal of
      small amount of cortical bone at the apex of tooth, (3) Removal of trabecular
      bone, (4) Smoothing of endosteal surface of cortical bone. The radiographs were
      projected to a panel of six oral radiologists, and they were asked to judge the
      visibility of LD. RESULTS: Chi-square analysis revealed a significant
      radiographic difference between radiographs made initially and after removal of
      trabecular bone, cortical bone and smoothing the endosteal surface of cortical
      bone. CONCLUSION: There was statistically significant difference in the
      visibility of loss of LD when trabecular bone is lost. LD can be visible only if
      the endosteal surface of the cortical bone and trabecular bone is intact.

PMID- 26275197
TI  - Correlation between the cytotoxicity of self-etching resin cements and the degree
      of conversion.
AB  - AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between the
      cytotoxicity and degree of conversion (DC) of self-etch resin cements with or
      without photopolymerization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three self-etching resin
      cements with or without photopolymerization were evaluated. Six test groups and
      one control group represented by a standardized L929-fibroblast cell culture were
      formed. The DC was measured by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry and was
      correlated with cell culture survival. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The analysis of
      variance and Bonferroni-Holm tests were applied (P < 0.05). RESULTS: The results
      show that, the cytotoxicity of self-etching resin cements is directly related to
      the DC. With the exception of Unicem, the other cements show some level of
      cytotoxicity, even with photopolymerization. CONCLUSION: These results indicate
      that photopolymerization of dual cure self-etching resin cements decrease toxic
      effects on cell culture. Adequate photopolymerization should be considered during
      cementation when using dual polymerization self-etching resin cements.

PMID- 26275198
TI  - Effects of different surface treatments on bond strength of an indirect composite
      to bovine dentin.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Several surface treatments could be used to improve the bond strength
      (BS) between indirect composites and cement. AIM: To evaluate the BS of an
      indirect composite submitted to different surface treatments, cemented to bovine
      dentin. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: One hundred and fifty conical cavities were prepared
      in slices of bovine dentin and bulk filled with the composite. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: After curing and removal from the cavity, the restorations were treated
      according to the groups (n = 10): C-untreated, S-Sandblasting; SS-Sandblasting +
      silane; F-hydrofluoric acid; FS-hydrofluoric acid + silane; SF-Sandblasting +
      hydrofluoric acid; SFS-Sandblasting + hydrofluoric acid + silane; E-ethanol; ES
      ethanol + silane; SE-Sandblasting + ethanol; SES-Sandblasting + ethanol + silane;
      P-H2O2; PS-H2O2 + silane; SP-Sandblasting + H2O2; SPS-Sandblasting + H2O2 +
      silane. After cementation, push-out test was performed in a universal testing
      machine. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Data were submitted to nonparametric tests
      (Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U-tests, alpha = 0.05). The failure mode was
      observed under a stereomicroscope and the topography by scanning electronic
      microscopy (SEM). RESULTS: Sandblasted groups led to the highest BS values, (P <
      0.001), except for the SFS group. SE, SES, and SPS led to higher BS values than S
      and SS groups (P < 0.05). F, E and P groups showed the lowest BS values. The
      number of cohesive or mixed failures was related to higher BS values. SEM
      evaluation showed major irregularities only for sandblasted groups. CONCLUSIONS:
      Sandblasting was a safe surface treatment for the indirect composite, increasing
      the BS values. Hydrofluoric acid applied after sandblasting damaged the BS values
      and should not be recommended while ethanol and H2O2, when applied after
      sandblasting, were effective in increasing BS values.

PMID- 26275199
TI  - Expression of CD 68, CD 45 and human leukocyte antigen-DR in central and
      peripheral giant cell granuloma, giant cell tumor of long bones, and tuberculous
      granuloma: An immunohistochemical study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Multinucleated giant cells (MNCs) form an integral part of numerous
      bone and soft tissue tumors, tumor-like lesions and are often associated with
      granulomas of immunological and nonimmunological origin. The presence of various
      types of giant cells depends on the lesions in which they are present which are
      difficult to be diagnosed under routine histological techniques.
      Immunohistochemistry can be used for a better diagnosis and understanding of the
      origin of various giant cells using various markers of immune response like human
      leukocyte antigen-DR (HLA-DR) and those expressed on monocytes and macrophages
      like CD 68 and leukocyte common antigen (LCA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study
      group consisted of 10 cases of giant cell tumor (GCT) of long bones, tuberculous
      granuloma, and giant cell granuloma to evaluate and analyze the expression
      pattern of LCA, CD 68, and HLA-DR in various giant cell lesions. RESULTS: Strong
      expression of CD 68 was observed in 80% of the lesions, strong and moderate
      expression of CD 45 observed in 70% of the lesions among and within the groups.
      In contrast, HLA-DR demonstrated negative expression in 80% of cases except for
      tuberculous granuloma where all the 10 cases showed moderate to strong
      immunoreactivity. CONCLUSION: CD 68 and CD 45 expression was found in central
      giant cell granuloma, peripheral giant cell granuloma and GCT, suggesting the
      origin from mononuclear phagocyte system and considering their clinical behavior
      of osteoclast type. High expressivity of HLA-DR in tuberculous granulomas which
      is an essential factor for presentation of the microbial antigen to CD 4 helper
      cells thus reassuring the fact that they are up-regulated in response to
      infection.

PMID- 26275200
TI  - Analysis of the effectiveness of calcium hydroxide removal with variation of
      technique and solvent vehicles.
AB  - CONTEXT: Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) paste filling is largely used as intra-canal
      medication and can be combined with different vehicles. Removal of that paste
      should be preceded by obturation, to avoid the occurrence of apical microleakage.
      AIMS: To evaluate the efficiency of removal of pulp Ca(OH)2, from using different
      vehicles (water, propylene glycol) and removal techniques (mechanical and
      ultrasonic). STUDY DESIGN: Twenty-four premolars and four human incisors were
      prepared with step-back technique and divided into six groups according to the
      removal techniques and vehicles used: Group distilled water/mechanical removal,
      Group distilled water/ultrasonic removal, Group propylene/mechanical removal,
      Group propylene/ultrasonic removal, negative control group, and positive control
      group. The differences between groups were analyzed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The
      teeth were prepared by step-back technique. The samples were evaluated by
      stereomicroscopy, using a scoring system for the evaluation of residues in the
      canal. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Mann-Whitney test was used to a comparison between
      groups with the same vehicle. For comparison between groups, regardless of the
      vehicle, we used the Kruskal-Wallis test, considering P < 0.05 for both tests.
      RESULTS: Groups using distilled water or propylene glycol did not show
      statistically significant results. When the groups were compared, differences
      were detected between groups distilled water/propylene and mechanical
      removal/removal ultrasonic, with the first featuring superior performance.
      CONCLUSION: None of the removal techniques employed in this study was able to
      completely remove Ca(OH)2 from the root canal. However, the use of distilled
      water as a vehicle and ultrasonic removal presented the best performance.

PMID- 26275201
TI  - Effect of different surface treatments on microtensile bond strength of two resin
      cements to aged simulated composite core materials.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Roughening of the aged composite resin core (CRC) surface seems
      essential for durable adhesion. The aim of this study was to investigate the
      influence of various surface treatments and different resin cements on
      microtensile bond strength (u TBS) between two aged core build-up composites
      (CBCs) and feldspathic ceramic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 16 composite
      blocks made of two CBCs, Core.it and Build-it were randomly assigned to four
      surface treatment groups after water storage and thermocycling (2 weeks and 500
      cycles). Experimental groups included surface roughening with air abrasion (AA),
      hydrofluoric acid, pumice, and laser and then were bonded to computer-aided
      design/computer-aided manufacturing feldspathic ceramic blocks using two resin
      cements, Panavia F2 (PF), and Duo-link (DL). The u TBS was tested, and the
      fracture mode was assessed. The data were analyzed with multiple analysis of
      variance to estimate the contribution of different surface treatments, resin
      cements, and two aged CRCs on u TBS. Statistical significance level was set at
      alpha < 0.05. RESULTS: Surface treatment and cement type significantly affected
      bond strength (P < 0.001) but the type of CRC did not (P = 0.468). Between
      roughening methods, the highest and the lowest values of u TBS were sequentially
      obtained in AA and Er.YAG laser groups. The highest bond strength was in AA group
      cemented with PF (31.83 MPa). The most common failure mode was cohesive fracture
      in the cement. CONCLUSION: Different surface treatments had different effects on
      u TBS of aged CRCs to feldspathic ceramics. PF was significantly better than DL.

PMID- 26275202
TI  - Stability of interceptive/corrective orthodontic treatment for tooth ankylosis
      and Class II mandibular deficiency: A case report with 10 years follow-up.
AB  - The purpose of this article is to present the treatment of a 8-year-old boy with
      tooth ankylosis in teeth 85 and Class II division 1 malocclusion and to report a
      10-year follow-up result. The patient was initially treated with a sagittal
      removable appliance, followed by an eruption guidance appliance and braces. The
      interceptive orthodontic treatment performed to recover the space lost by
      ankylosis of a deciduous tooth allowed a spontaneous eruption and prevented
      progression of the problem. The use of an eruption-guidance appliance corrected
      the dentoskeletal Class II, thus improving the patient's appearance. Besides the
      treatment producing a good occlusal relationship with the Class I molar, the
      correction of the overjet and overbite was stable over a ten-year period. 

PMID- 26275203
TI  - Jaw - winking phenomenon: Report of a case with review of literature.
AB  - Jaw-winking or the Marcus Gunn phenomenon (MGP), a congenital uncommon condition
      characterized by involuntary elevation of a drooping upper eyelid concomitant
      with various movements of the mandible, is well-documented in medical literature,
      but very little information is available in dental literature. This is an
      interesting case report of a 17-year-old female with MGP, who reported for
      orthodontic treatment of her proclined upper anterior teeth, severe lower
      crowding, and mandibular micrognathia. Review of the literature revealed only two
      reported cases of dental anomalies in conjunction with MGP. The patient also gave
      a positive family history of MGP with a maternal cousin having a similar problem.
      Dentists and other oral health professionals can play a significant role in
      detection and diagnosis of this rare condition and should take protective
      measures during dental and oral surgical procedures. 

PMID- 26275204
TI  - Pneumatization of the temporal portion of the zygomatic arch: The contribution of
      computed tomography to the reconstruction in volumetric two-dimensional and three
      dimensional, with the aid of image rendering protocols.
AB  - Pneumatization refers to the asymptomatic development of cavities containing air
      within them. There is great variability in the extent of temporal bone
      pneumatization. Nevertheless, in a few cases it extends to the zygomatic process.
      Images are presented in which the panoramic radiograph and hypocycloidal
      tomography reveal this variation from the norm, to which professionals must be
      alert, since the images may simulate the presence of pathology. In this case
      report we describe the presence of pneumatization of the petrous and zygomatic
      portions of the temporal bone, demonstrating the contribution of CT to
      reconstruction in volumetric 2D and 3D, with the aid of image rendering
      protocols. 

PMID- 26275205
TI  - Enhancing retention of partial dentures using elastomeric retention rings.
AB  - This report presents an alternative method for the retention of partial dentures
      that relies on the engagement of tooth undercuts by a lining material. The lab
      procedures are also presented. A new maxillary and mandibular acrylic partial
      dentures were fabricated using elastomeric retention technique for a partially
      dentate patient. A partially dentate man reported difficulty in retaining his
      upper removable partial denture (RPD). The maxillary RPD was designed utilizing
      elastomeric retention technique. During follow-up, it was necessary to replace
      the retention rings due to wear. The replacement of the retention rings, in this
      case, was done through a chairside reline technique. Elastomeric retention
      technique provides exceptionally good retention can be indicated to stabilize,
      cushion, splint periodontally involved teeth, no enough undercut for clasps,
      eliminate extractions, single or isolated teeth. 

PMID- 26275206
TI  - Perceived myths about oral health in India.

PMID- 26275207
TI  - Audio-visual recording of obtaining informed consent: Mandatory for clinical
      trials.

PMID- 26275209
TI  - Hierarchical Nanoporous Silica Films for Wear Resistant Antireflection Coatings.
AB  - High-performance antireflection (AR) layers were prepared by depositing
      hierarchical nanoporous silica films on glass substrates. We designed a composite
      layer consisting of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) and a mesoporous
      silica matrix. The introduction of bimodal nanoporous structures, i.e.,
      independent nanopore formation within the MSN and within the matrix, was achieved
      by using surface-protected MSNs and a polymeric nonionic surfactant template
      during the fabrication process. A porosity of more than 40% was achieved for
      composite AR materials. The protrusion of MSNs from the matrix led to spontaneous
      formation of nanoscale roughness on the surface of the coatings, which enhanced
      the AR properties. The solid bonding of the MSNs to the nanoporous matrices
      played an important role in the achievement of high mechanical durability. The
      optimal nanoporous coating, which contained ca. 50 wt % MSN, exhibited high
      transparency (91.5-97.5%) and low reflectance (<2.2%), over the whole range of
      visible light wavelengths, and sufficient wear resistance. 

PMID- 26275208
TI  - Controlled Measurement and Comparative Analysis of Cellular Components in E. coli
      Reveals Broad Regulatory Changes in Response to Glucose Starvation.
AB  - How do bacteria regulate their cellular physiology in response to starvation?
      Here, we present a detailed characterization of Escherichia coli growth and
      starvation over a time-course lasting two weeks. We have measured multiple
      cellular components, including RNA and proteins at deep genomic coverage, as well
      as lipid modifications and flux through central metabolism. Our study focuses on
      the physiological response of E. coli in stationary phase as a result of being
      starved for glucose, not on the genetic adaptation of E. coli to utilize
      alternative nutrients. In our analysis, we have taken advantage of the temporal
      correlations within and among RNA and protein abundances to identify systematic
      trends in gene regulation. Specifically, we have developed a general
      computational strategy for classifying expression-profile time courses into
      distinct categories in an unbiased manner. We have also developed, from dynamic
      models of gene expression, a framework to characterize protein degradation
      patterns based on the observed temporal relationships between mRNA and protein
      abundances. By comparing and contrasting our transcriptomic and proteomic data,
      we have identified several broad physiological trends in the E. coli starvation
      response. Strikingly, mRNAs are widely down-regulated in response to glucose
      starvation, presumably as a strategy for reducing new protein synthesis. By
      contrast, protein abundances display more varied responses. The abundances of
      many proteins involved in energy-intensive processes mirror the corresponding
      mRNA profiles while proteins involved in nutrient metabolism remain abundant even
      though their corresponding mRNAs are down-regulated.

PMID- 26275210
TI  - Establishment of a bioluminescence model for microenvironmentally induced oral
      carcinogenesis with implications for screening bioengineered scaffolds.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Microenvironmental cues play a major role in head and neck cancer.
      Biodegradable scaffolds used for bone regeneration might also act as stimulative
      cues for head and neck cancer. The purpose of this study was to establish an
      experimental model for precise and noninvasive evaluation of tumorigenic
      potential of microenvironmental cues in head and neck cancer. METHODS:
      Bioluminescence was chosen to image tumor formation. Early neoplastic oral
      keratinocyte (DOK) cells were luciferase-transduced (DOK(Luc) ), then tested in
      nonobese diabetic severe combined immunodeficient IL2rgammanull mice either
      orthotopically (tongue) or subcutaneously for their potential as "screening
      sensors" for diverse microenvironmental cues. RESULTS: Tumors formed after
      inoculation of DOK(Luc) were monitored easier by bioluminescence, and
      bioluminescence was more sensitive in detecting differences between various
      microenvironmental cues when compared to manual measurements. Development of
      tumors from DOK(Luc) grown on scaffolds was also successfully monitored
      noninvasively by bioluminescence. CONCLUSION: The model presented here is a
      noninvasive and sensitive model for monitoring the impact of various
      microenvironmental cues on head and neck cancer in vivo. (c) 2015 The Authors
      Head & Neck Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E1177-E1187, 2016.

PMID- 26275211
TI  - Recent Advances and Prospects of Cathode Materials for Sodium-Ion Batteries.
AB  - Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) receive significant attention for electrochemical
      energy storage and conversion owing to their wide availability and the low cost
      of Na resources. However, SIBs face challenges of low specific energy, short
      cycling life, and insufficient specific power, owing to the heavy mass and large
      radius of Na(+) ions. As an important component of SIBs, cathode materials have a
      significant effect on the SIB electrochemical performance. The most recent
      advances and prospects of inorganic and organic cathode materials are summarized
      here. Among current cathode materials, layered transition-metal oxides achieve
      high specific energies around 600 mW h g(-1) owing to their high specific
      capacities of 180-220 mA h g(-1) and their moderate operating potentials of 2.7
      3.2 V (vs Na(+) /Na). Porous Na3 V2 (PO4 )3 /C nanomaterials exhibit excellent
      cycling performance with almost 100% retention over 1000 cycles owing to their
      robust structural framework. Recent emerging cathode materials, such as amorphous
      NaFePO4 and pteridine derivatives show interesting electrochemical properties and
      attractive prospects for application in SIBs. Future work should focus on
      strategies to enhance the overall performance of cathode materials in terms of
      specific energy, cycling life, and rate capability with cationic doping, anionic
      substitution, morphology fabrication, and electrolyte matching. 

PMID- 26275212
TI  - Perceptual grouping via binocular disparity: The impact of stereoscopic good
      continuation.
AB  - Stereoscopic contextual effects are widely reported but are generally discussed
      in terms of 2-D Gestalt grouping principles, e.g., good continuation or closure.
      We propose that there are disparity-based grouping operations that are separable
      from 2-D grouping and instead depend on the distribution of binocular disparity
      information. Two experiments assess the impact of perceptual grouping via good
      disparity continuation. First, perceived depth magnitude is reduced for a
      multidot contour with a smooth disparity gradient compared to the end points in
      isolation. This reduction is eliminated when disparity jitter is introduced to
      the intermediate dots. Second, observers showed more efficient visual search for
      the continuous contour versus the discontinuous version. Therefore, when there is
      spatial support for interpretation of a slanted object, quantitative depth is
      reduced, but is rapidly detected in visual search. These results reflect the
      operation of disparity-based grouping, extending the 2-D principle of good
      continuation into the third dimension. 

PMID- 26275213
TI  - Smooth pursuit eye movements and motion perception share motion signals in slow
      and fast motion mechanisms.
AB  - Pursuit eye movements correlate with perceived motion in both velocity and
      direction, even without retinal motion. Cortical cells in the monkey medial
      temporal region generate signals for initiating pursuit eye movements and respond
      to retinal motion for perception. However, recent studies suggest multiple motion
      processes, fast and slow, even for low-level motion. Here we investigated whether
      the relationship with pursuit eye movements is different for fast and slow motion
      processes, using a motion aftereffect technique with superimposed low- and high
      spatial-frequency gratings. A previous study showed that the low- and high
      spatial-frequency gratings adapt the fast and slow motion processes,
      respectively, and that a static test probes the slow motion process and a flicker
      test probes the fast motion process (Shioiri & Matsumiya, 2009). In the present
      study, an adaptation stimulus was composed of two gratings with different spatial
      frequencies and orientations but the same temporal frequency, moving in the
      orthogonal direction of +/-45 degrees  from the vertical. We measured the
      directions of perceived motion and pursuit eye movements to a test stimulus
      presented after motion adaptation with changing relative contrasts of the two
      adapting gratings. Pursuit eye movements were observed in the same direction as
      that of the motion aftereffects, independent of the relative contrasts of the two
      adapting gratings, for both the static and flicker tests. These results suggest
      that pursuit eye movements and perception share motion signals in both slow and
      fast motion processes. 

PMID- 26275214
TI  - Monoclonal Antibodies Targeting the Alpha-Exosite of Botulinum Neurotoxin
      Serotype/A Inhibit Catalytic Activity.
AB  - The paralytic disease botulism is caused by botulinum neurotoxins (BoNT), multi
      domain proteins containing a zinc endopeptidase that cleaves the cognate SNARE
      protein, thereby blocking acetylcholine neurotransmitter release. Antitoxins
      currently used to treat botulism neutralize circulating BoNT but cannot enter,
      bind to or neutralize BoNT that has already entered the neuron. The light chain
      endopeptidase domain (LC) of BoNT serotype A (BoNT/A) was targeted for generation
      of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that could reverse paralysis resulting from
      intoxication by BoNT/A. Single-chain variable fragment (scFv) libraries from
      immunized humans and mice were displayed on the surface of yeast, and 19 BoNT/A
      LC-specific mAbs were isolated by using fluorescence-activated cell sorting
      (FACS). Affinities of the mAbs for BoNT/A LC ranged from a KD value of 9.0*10-11
      M to 3.53*10-8 M (mean KD 5.38*10-9 M and median KD 1.53*10-9 M), as determined
      by flow cytometry analysis. Eleven mAbs inhibited BoNT/A LC catalytic activity
      with IC50 values ranging from 8.3 ~73*10-9 M. The fine epitopes of selected mAbs
      were also mapped by alanine-scanning mutagenesis, revealing that the inhibitory
      mAbs bound the alpha-exosite region remote from the BoNT/A LC catalytic center.
      The results provide mAbs that could prove useful for intracellular reversal of
      paralysis post-intoxication and further define epitopes that could be targeted by
      small molecule inhibitors.

PMID- 26275215
TI  - Early Neurodevelopmental Findings Predict School Age Cognitive Abilities in
      Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: A Longitudinal Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Neurodevelopmental and cognitive difficulties are known to occur
      frequently in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy but so far none of the
      published studies have reported both early neurodevelopmental assessments and
      cognitive tests in the same cohort. The aim of the present longitudinal study was
      to establish the correlation between early neurodevelopmental assessments
      performed in preschool boys and the cognitive scales performed at school age or
      later. METHODS: We performed cognitive tests at school age (mean age 5.7 year +/
      1.7 SD) (69 months+19 SD) in a cohort of Duchenne boys, previously assessed using
      the Griffiths scales before the age of 4 years (mean age when the Griffiths
      scales were performed 30 months +/-8.9 SD). RESULTS: The range of total
      Developmental quotients on the Griffiths ranged between 56 and 116 (mean 89 +/-
      15.6 SD). The total Intelligence Quotients on the Wechsler scales ranged between
      35 and 119 (mean 87 +/- 17.2 SD). There was a significant correlation between the
      findings on the two scales. P = <0.0001. When we subdivided the cohort according
      to site of mutations, there was a difference between boys with mutations upstream
      exon 44 and those with mutations in exon 44-45 affecting Dp140 on both
      Developmental and Intelligence Quotient (p 0.01 and p 0,003 respectively).
      CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm that Duchenne boys tend to slightly underperform
      on both neurodevelopmental and cognitive assessments. Early neurodevelopmental
      findings correlated with the cognitive results obtained at school age with a
      clear concordance between subscales exploring similar domains on the two scales.

PMID- 26275217
TI  - Evidence-informed health policy making in Canada: past, present, and future.
AB  - Evidence-informed health policy making (EIHP) is becoming a necessary means to
      achieving health system reform. Although Canada has a rich and well documented
      history in the field of evidence-based medicine, a concerted effort to capture
      Canada's efforts to support EIHP in particular has yet to be realized. This paper
      reports on the development of EIHP in Canada, including promising approaches
      being used to support the use of evidence in policy making about complex health
      systems issues. In light of Canada's contributions, this paper suggests that
      scholars in Canada will continue engaging in the field of EIHP through further
      study of interventions underway, as well as by sharing knowledge within and
      beyond Canada's borders about approaches that support EIHP. 

PMID- 26275216
TI  - Impact of the Regulators SigB, Rot, SarA and sarS on the Toxic Shock Tst Promoter
      and TSST-1 Expression in Staphylococcus aureus.
AB  - Staphylococcus aureus is an important pathogen manifesting virulence through
      diverse disease forms, ranging from acute skin infections to life-threatening
      bacteremia or systemic toxic shock syndromes. In the latter case, the
      prototypical superantigen is TSST-1 (Toxic Shock Syndrome Toxin 1), encoded by
      tst(H), and carried on a mobile genetic element that is not present in all S.
      aureus strains. Transcriptional regulation of tst is only partially understood.
      In this study, we dissected the role of sarA, sarS (sarH1), RNAIII, rot, and the
      alternative stress sigma factor sigB (sigmaB). By examining tst promoter
      regulation predominantly in the context of its native sequence within the SaPI1
      pathogenicity island of strain RN4282, we discovered that sigmaB emerged as a
      particularly important tst regulator. We did not detect a consensus sigmaB site
      within the tst promoter, and thus the effect of sigmaB is likely indirect. We
      found that sigmaB strongly repressed the expression of the toxin via at least two
      distinct regulatory pathways dependent upon sarA and agr. Furthermore rot, a
      member of SarA family, was shown to repress tst expression when overexpressed,
      although its deletion had no consistent measurable effect. We could not find any
      detectable effect of sarS, either by deletion or overexpression, suggesting that
      this regulator plays a minimal role in TSST-1 expression except when combined
      with disruption of sarA. Collectively, our results extend our understanding of
      complex multifactorial regulation of tst, revealing several layers of negative
      regulation. In addition to environmental stimuli thought to impact TSST-1
      production, these findings support a model whereby sporadic mutation in a few key
      negative regulators can profoundly affect and enhance TSST-1 expression. 

PMID- 26275218
TI  - Prognostic Significance of Nuclear Phospho-ATM Expression in Melanoma.
AB  - UV radiation induced genomic instability is one of the leading causes for
      melanoma. Phosphorylation of Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM) is one of the
      initial events that follow DNA damage. Phospho-ATM (p-ATM) plays a key role in
      the activation of DNA repair and several oncogenic pathways as well as in the
      maintenance of genomic integrity. The present study was therefore performed to
      understand the significance of p-ATM in melanoma progression and to correlate it
      with patient prognosis. Tissue microarray and immunohistochemical analysis were
      employed to study the expression of p-ATM in melanoma patients. A total of 366
      melanoma patients (230 primary melanoma and 136 metastatic melanoma) were used
      for the study. Chi-square test, Kaplan-Meier, univariate and multivariate Cox
      regression analysis were used to elucidate the prognostic significance of p-ATM
      expression. Results revealed that both loss of, and gain in, p-ATM expression
      were associated with progression of melanoma from normal nevi to metastatic
      melanoma. Patients whose samples showed negative or strong p-ATM staining had
      significantly worse 5-year survival compared to patients who had weak to moderate
      expression. Loss of p-ATM expression was associated with relatively better 5-year
      survival, but the corresponding 10-year survival curve almost overlapped with
      that of strong p-ATM expression. p-ATM expression was found to be an independent
      prognostic factor for 5-year but not for 10-year patient survival. In conclusion
      our findings show that loss of p-ATM expression and gain-in p-ATM expression are
      indicators of worse melanoma patient survival. 

PMID- 26275219
TI  - Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Bordetella bronchiseptica Isolates from Swine and
      Companion Animals and Detection of Resistance Genes.
AB  - Bordetella bronchiseptica causes infections of the respiratory tract in swine and
      other mammals and is a precursor for secondary infections with Pasteurella
      multocida. Treatment of B. bronchiseptica infections is conducted primarily with
      antimicrobial agents. Therefore it is essential to get an overview of the
      susceptibility status of these bacteria. The aim of this study was to
      comparatively analyse broth microdilution susceptibility testing according to
      CLSI recommendations with an incubation time of 16 to 20 hours and a longer
      incubation time of 24 hours, as recently proposed to obtain more homogenous MICs.
      Susceptibility testing against a panel of 22 antimicrobial agents and two fixed
      combinations was performed with 107 porcine isolates from different farms and
      regions in Germany and 43 isolates obtained from companion animals in Germany and
      other European countries. Isolates with increased MICs were investigated by PCR
      assays for the presence of resistance genes. For ampicillin, all 107 porcine
      isolates were classified as resistant, whereas only a single isolate was
      resistant to florfenicol. All isolates obtained from companion animals showed
      elevated MICs for beta-lactam antibiotics and demonstrated an overall low
      susceptibility to cephalosporines. Extension of the incubation time resulted in 1
      2 dilution steps higher MIC50 values of porcine isolates for seven antimicrobial
      agents tested, while isolates from companion animals exhibited twofold higher
      MIC50/90 values only for tetracycline and cefotaxime. For three antimicrobial
      agents, lower MIC50 and MIC90 values were detected for both, porcine and
      companion animal isolates. Among the 150 isolates tested, the resistance genes
      blaBOR-1 (n = 147), blaOXA-2, (n = 4), strA and strB (n = 17), sul1 (n = 10),
      sul2 (n = 73), dfrA7 (n = 3) and tet(A) (n = 8) were detected and a plasmid
      localisation was identified for several of the resistance genes. 

PMID- 26275220
TI  - Delta Neutrophil Index as a Marker for Differential Diagnosis between Acute Graft
      Pyelonephritis and Acute Graft Rejection.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The delta neutrophil index (DNI) is the fraction of circulating
      immature granulocytes, which reflect infectious and/or septic condition. Acute
      graft pyelonephritis (AGPN) versus acute graft rejection is a frequently
      encountered diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma in kidney transplant recipients,
      but little is known about the clinical usefulness of DNI value in the
      differentiation of the two conditions. MATERIAL & METHODS: A total of 90 episodes
      of AGPN or acute graft rejection were evaluated at the Kangdong Sacred Heart
      Hospital between 2008 and 2014. We performed retrospective analysis of
      demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters data. Receiver operating curves
      (ROC) and multivariate logistic regression were conducted to ascertain the
      utility of DNI in discriminating between AGPN and acute graft rejection. RESULTS:
      AGPN group had significantly higher DNI values than acute graft rejection group
      (2.9% vs. 1.9%, P < 0.001). The area under the ROC curve for DNI value to
      discriminate between AGPN and acute graft rejection was 0.85 (95% confidence
      interval [CI]; 0.76-0.92, P < 0.001). A DNI value of 2.7% was selected as the cut
      off value for AGPN, and kidney transplant recipients with a DNI value >= 2.7%
      were found to be at a higher risk of infection than those with a DNI < 2.7% (odd
      ratio [OR] 40.50; 95% CI 8.68-189.08; P < 0.001). In a multivariate logistic
      regression analysis, DNI was a significant independent factor for predicting AGPN
      after adjusting age, sex, log WBC count, log neutorphil count, log lymphocyte
      count, CRP concentration, and procalcitonin concentration (OR 4.32; 95% CI 1.81
      10.34, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that DNI was an effective
      marker to differentiate between AGPN and acute graft rejection. Thus, these
      finding suggest that DNI may be a useful marker in the management of these
      patients.

PMID- 26275221
TI  - Metabolic and Behavioural Phenotypes in Nestin-Cre Mice Are Caused by
      Hypothalamic Expression of Human Growth Hormone.
AB  - The Nestin-Cre driver mouse line has mild hypopituitarism, reduced body weight, a
      metabolic phenotype and reduced anxiety. Although several causes have been
      suggested, a comprehensive explanation is still lacking. In this study we
      examined the molecular mechanisms leading to this compound phenotype. Upon
      generation of the Nestin-Cre mice, the human growth hormone (hGH) minigene was
      inserted downstream of the Cre recombinase to ensure efficient transgene
      expression. As a result, hGH is expressed in the hypothalamus. This results in
      the auto/paracrine activation of the GH receptor as demonstrated by the increased
      phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5) and
      reduced expression of growth hormone releasing hormone (Ghrh). Low Ghrh levels
      cause hypopituitarism consistent with the observed mouse growth hormone (mGH)
      deficiency. mGH deficiency caused reduced activation of the GH receptor and hence
      reduced phosphorylation of STAT5 in the liver. This led to decreased levels of
      hepatic Igf-1 mRNA and consequently postnatal growth retardation. Furthermore,
      genes involved in lipid uptake and synthesis, such as CD36 and very low-density
      lipoprotein receptor were upregulated, resulting in liver steatosis. In
      conclusion, this study demonstrates the unexpected expression of hGH in the
      hypothalamus of Nestin-Cre mice which is able to activate both the GH receptor
      and the prolactin receptor. Increased hypothalamic GH receptor signaling explains
      the observed hypopituitarism, reduced growth and metabolic phenotype of Nestin
      Cre mice. Activation of either receptor is consistent with reduced anxiety.

PMID- 26275222
TI  - Use of Recombinant Virus Replicon Particles for Vaccination against Mycobacterium
      ulcerans Disease.
AB  - Buruli ulcer, caused by infection with Mycobacterium ulcerans, is a necrotizing
      disease of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, which is most prevalent in rural
      regions of West African countries. The majority of clinical presentations seen in
      patients are ulcers on limbs that can be treated by eight weeks of antibiotic
      therapy. Nevertheless, scarring and permanent disabilities occur frequently and
      Buruli ulcer still causes high morbidity. A vaccine against the disease is so far
      not available but would be of great benefit if used for prophylaxis as well as
      therapy. In the present study, vesicular stomatitis virus-based RNA replicon
      particles encoding the M. ulcerans proteins MUL2232 and MUL3720 were generated
      and the expression of the recombinant antigens characterized in vitro.
      Immunisation of mice with the recombinant replicon particles elicited antibodies
      that reacted with the endogenous antigens of M. ulcerans cells. A prime-boost
      immunization regimen with MUL2232-recombinant replicon particles and recombinant
      MUL2232 protein induced a strong immune response but only slightly reduced
      bacterial multiplication in a mouse model of M. ulcerans infection. We conclude
      that a monovalent vaccine based on the MUL2232 antigen will probably not
      sufficiently control M. ulcerans infection in humans. 

PMID- 26275224
TI  - Correction: G-Protein-Coupled Estrogen Receptor Agonist Suppresses Airway
      Inflammation in a Mouse Model of Asthma through IL-10.

PMID- 26275223
TI  - Satellite DNA Modulates Gene Expression in the Beetle Tribolium castaneum after
      Heat Stress.
AB  - Non-coding repetitive DNAs have been proposed to perform a gene regulatory role,
      however for tandemly repeated satellite DNA no such role was defined until now.
      Here we provide the first evidence for a role of satellite DNA in the modulation
      of gene expression under specific environmental conditions. The major satellite
      DNA TCAST1 in the beetle Tribolium castaneum is preferentially located within
      pericentromeric heterochromatin but is also dispersed as single repeats or short
      arrays in the vicinity of protein-coding genes within euchromatin. Our results
      show enhanced suppression of activity of TCAST1-associated genes and slower
      recovery of their activity after long-term heat stress relative to the same genes
      without associated TCAST1 satellite DNA elements. The level of gene suppression
      is not influenced by the distance of TCAST1 elements from the associated genes up
      to 40 kb from the genes' transcription start sites, but it does depend on the
      copy number of TCAST1 repeats within an element, being stronger for the higher
      number of copies. The enhanced gene suppression correlates with the enrichment of
      the repressive histone marks H3K9me2/3 at dispersed TCAST1 elements and their
      flanking regions as well as with increased expression of TCAST1 satellite DNA.
      The results reveal transient, RNAi based heterochromatin formation at dispersed
      TCAST1 repeats and their proximal regions as a mechanism responsible for enhanced
      silencing of TCAST1-associated genes. Differences in the pattern of distribution
      of TCAST1 elements contribute to gene expression diversity among T. castaneum
      strains after long-term heat stress and might have an impact on adaptation to
      different environmental conditions. 

PMID- 26275225
TI  - New techniques in antibiotic discovery and resistance: Raman spectroscopy.
AB  - Raman spectroscopy can play a role in both antibiotic discovery and understanding
      the molecular basis of resistance. A major challenge in drug development is to
      measure the population of the drug molecules inside a cell line and to follow the
      chemistry of their reactions with intracellular targets. Recently, a protocol
      based on Raman microscopy has been developed that achieves these goals. Drug
      candidates are soaked into live bacterial cells and subsequently the cells are
      frozen and freeze-dried. The samples yield exemplary (nonresonance) Raman data
      that provide a measure of the number of drug molecules within each cell, as well
      as details of drug-target interactions. Results are discussed for two classes of
      compounds inhibiting either beta-lactamase or dihydrofolate reductase enzymes in
      a number of Gram-positive or Gram-negative cell lines. The advantages of the
      present protocol are that it does not use labels and it can measure the kinetics
      of cell-compound uptake on the time scale of minutes. Spectroscopic
      interpretation is supported by in vitro Raman experiments. Studying drug-target
      interactions in aqueous solution and in single crystals can provide molecular
      level insights into drug-target interactions, which, in turn, provide the
      underpinnings of our understanding of data from bacterial cells. Thus, the
      applicability of X-ray crystallographic-derived data to in-cell chemistry can be
      tested. 

PMID- 26275226
TI  - Nontarget analysis of Murchison soluble organic matter by high-field NMR
      spectroscopy and FTICR mass spectrometry.
AB  - High-field NMR spectra of Murchison meteorite methanolic extracts revealed
      primarily aliphatic extraterrestrial organic matter (EOM) with near statistical
      branching of commonly C(3-5) units separated by heteroatoms and aromatic units.
      The ratios of CCH, OCH and C(sp2)H units were 89 : 8 : 3, whereas carbon-based
      aliphatic chain termination was in the order methyl >  -COOH >  -CH(CH3)COOH.
      Aliphatic methine carbon was abundant, but its weak NMR signatures were primarily
      deduced from JRES (J-resolved) NMR spectra. Carbon NMR spectra were dominated by
      methylene and methyl carbon; strong apodization revealed methine carbon, of which
      about 20% was aromatic. Extrapolation provided 5-7% aromatic carbon present in
      Murchison soluble EOM. Compositional heterogeneity in Murchison methanolic
      extracts was visible in NMR and Fourier transform ion cyclotron (FTICR) mass
      spectra obtained from a few cubic millimeters of solid Murchison meteorite;
      increasing sample size enhanced uniformity of NMR spectra. Intrinsic chemical
      diversity and pH-dependent chemical shift variance contributed to the disparity
      of NMR spectra. FTICR mass spectra provided distinct clustering of CHO/CHOS and
      CHNO/CHNOS molecular series and confirmed the prevalence of aliphatic/alicyclic
      (73%) over single aromatic (21%) and polyaromatic (6%) molecular compositions,
      suggesting extensive aliphatic substitution of aromatic units as proposed by NMR.
      Murchison soluble EOM molecules feature a center with enhanced aromatic and
      heteroatom content, which provides rather diffuse and weak NMR signatures
      resulting from a huge overall chemical diversity. The periphery of Murchison EOM
      molecules comprises flexible branched aliphatic chains and aliphatic carboxylic
      acids. These project on narrow ranges of chemical shift, facilitating observation
      in one-dimensional and two-dimensional NMR spectra. The conformational entropy
      provided by these flexible surface moieties facilitates the solubility of EOM.

PMID- 26275228
TI  - Clinical Research in Vulnerable Populations: Variability and Focus of
      Institutional Review Boards' Responses.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Children and patients with cognitive deficits may find it difficult
      to understand the implication of research. In the European Union (EU), clinical
      studies outside the EU directives concerning medicinal products or medical
      devices, i.e., "miscellaneous clinical studies", have no legally mandated
      timelines for institutional review boards' (IRB) decisions. GOAL: To evaluate the
      review process of IRBs for two different "miscellaneous" multicenter clinical
      research protocols involving vulnerable subjects (children and adult stroke
      patients). METHODS: Descriptive and comparative statistics. Protocol 1 is a
      prospective, multicenter, cross-sectional screening study of a symptomatic
      pediatric population at risk for Fabry disease involving genetic testing
      (NCT02152189). Protocol 2 is a prospective, multicenter, randomized, controlled,
      open-label, blinded endpoint post-market study to evaluate the effectiveness of
      stent retrievers (NCT02135926). After having obtained positive initial IRB votes
      at the main study site, both protocols were subsequently submitted to the
      remaining IRBs. RESULTS: Protocol 1 was submitted to 19 IRBs. No IRB objected to
      the study. Median time-to-final vote was 34 (IQR 10-65; range 0 to 130) days. Two
      IRBs accepted the coordinating center's IRB votes without re-evaluation. Changes
      to the informed consent documents were asked by 7/19 IRBs, amendments to the
      protocol by 2. Protocol 2 was submitted to 16 IRBs. Fifteen decisions were made.
      No IRB objected to the study. Median time-to final vote was 59 (IQR 10 to 65;
      range 0 to 128) days, which was not statistically significantly different
      compared with protocol 1 (Wilcoxon test). Two IRBs accepted a previous IRB
      decision and did not conduct an independent review. Eight/16 IRBs required
      changes to the informed consent documents; two IRBs recommended an amendment of
      the protocol. CONCLUSION: Both clinical research protocols involving vulnerable
      populations were well accepted. IRB workflows and decision times varied
      substantially. Some IRBs accepted a previous IRB decision without the necessity
      of another reevaluation process. Requested changes were focused on the informed
      consent documents. A more standardized approach across jurisdictions is
      desirable.

PMID- 26275229
TI  - Emmental Cheese Environment Enhances Propionibacterium freudenreichii Stress
      Tolerance.
AB  - Dairy propionibacteria are actinomycetales found in various fermented food
      products. The main species, Propionibacterium freudenreichii, is generally
      recognized as safe and used both as probiotic and as cheese starter. Its
      probiotic efficacy tightly depends on its tolerance towards digestive stresses,
      which can be largely modulated by the ingested delivery vehicle. Indeed,
      tolerance of this bacterium is enhanced when it is consumed within a fermented
      dairy product, compared to a dried probiotic preparation. We investigated both
      stress tolerance and protein neosynthesis upon growth in i) chemically defined or
      ii) aqueous phase of Emmental cheeses. Although the same final population level
      was reached in both media, a slower growth and an enhanced survival of CIRM BIA 1
      strain of P. freudenreichii subsp. shermanii was observed in Emmental juice,
      compared to chemically defined medium. This was accompanied by differences in
      substrates used and products released as well as overexpression of various early
      stress adaptation proteins in Emmental juice, compared to chemically defined
      medium, implied in protein folding, in aspartate catabolism, in biosynthesis of
      valine, leucine and isoleucine, in pyruvate metabolism in citrate cycle, in the
      propionate metabolism, as well as in oxidoreductases. All these changes led to a
      higher digestive stress tolerance after growth in Emmental juice. Mechanisms of
      stress adaptation were induced in this environment, in accordance with enhanced
      survival. This opens perspectives for the use of hard and semi-hard cheeses as
      delivery vehicle for probiotics with enhanced efficacy.

PMID- 26275230
TI  - Intraspecies Genomic Diversity and Long-Term Persistence of Bifidobacterium
      longum.
AB  - Members of genus Bifidobacterium are Gram-positive bacteria, representing a large
      part of the human infant microbiota and moderately common in adults. However, our
      knowledge about their diversity, intraspecific phylogeny and long-term
      persistence in humans is still limited. Bifidobacterium longum is generally
      considered to be the most common and prevalent species in the intestinal
      microbiota. In this work we studied whole genome sequences of 28 strains of B.
      longum, including 8 sequences described in this paper. Part of these strains were
      isolated from healthy children during a long observation period (up to 10 years
      between isolation from the same patient). The three known subspecies (longum,
      infantis and suis) could be clearly divided using sequence-based phylogenetic
      methods, gene content and the average nucleotide identity. The profiles of
      glycoside hydrolase genes reflected the different ecological specializations of
      these three subspecies. The high impact of horizontal gene transfer on genomic
      diversity was observed, which is possibly due to a large number of prophages and
      rapidly spreading plasmids. The pan-genome characteristics of the subspecies
      longum corresponded to the open pan-genome model. While the major part of the
      strain-specific genetic loci represented transposons and phage-derived regions, a
      large number of cell envelope synthesis genes were also observed within this
      category, representing high variability of cell surface molecules. We observed
      the cases of isolation of high genetically similar strains of B. longum from the
      same patients after long periods of time, however, we didn't succeed in the
      isolation of genetically identical bacteria: a fact, reflecting the high
      plasticity of microbiota in children. 

PMID- 26275231
TI  - Barriers to Point-of-Care Testing in India: Results from Qualitative Research
      across Different Settings, Users and Major Diseases.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Successful point-of-care testing, namely ensuring the completion of
      the test and treat cycle in the same encounter, has immense potential to reduce
      diagnostic and treatment delays, and impact patient outcomes. However, having
      rapid tests is not enough, as many barriers may prevent their successful
      implementation in point-of-care testing programs. Qualitative research on
      diagnostic practices may help identify such barriers across different points of
      care in health systems. METHODS: In this exploratory qualitative study, we
      conducted 78 semi-structured interviews and 13 focus group discussions in an
      urban and rural area of Karnataka, India, with healthcare providers (doctors,
      nurses, specialists, traditional healers, and informal providers), patients,
      community health workers, test manufacturers, laboratory technicians, program
      managers and policy-makers. Participants were purposively sampled to represent
      settings of hospitals, peripheral labs, clinics, communities and homes, in both
      the public and private sectors. RESULTS: In the Indian context, the onus is on
      the patient to ensure successful point-of-care testing across homes, clinics,
      labs and hospitals, amidst uncoordinated providers with divergent and often
      competing practices, in settings lacking material, money and human resources. We
      identified three overarching themes affecting point-of-care testing: the main
      theme is 'relationships' among providers and between providers and patients,
      influenced by the cross-cutting theme of 'infrastructure'. Challenges with both
      result in 'modified practices' often favouring empirical (symptomatic) treatment
      over treatment guided by testing. CONCLUSIONS: Even if tests can be conducted on
      the spot and infrastructure challenges have been resolved, relationships among
      providers and between patients and providers are crucial for successful point-of
      care testing. Furthermore, these barriers do not act in isolation, but are
      interlinked and need to be examined as such. Also, a test alone has only limited
      power to overcome those difficulties. Test developers, policy-makers, healthcare
      providers and funders need to use these insights in overcoming barriers to point
      of-care testing programs.

PMID- 26275232
TI  - Clast rind analysis using multi-high resolution instrumentation.
AB  - Clast weathering rinds, formed over varying lengths of time (10(2) -10(6) years)
      in terrestrial environments, are measured to provide relative ages for deposits
      in glacial sequences, specifically to differentiate between glaciations,
      occasionally within glaciations. Other studies have sought to reveal weathering
      rates in non-glacial environments using microscopic techniques and isotopes.
      Recent analyses of clast rinds from tropical, mid-latitude and polar areas reveal
      an astounding corpus of organic and inorganic paleoenvironmental data derived
      from atmospheric and biospheric elements active in weathering clasts in glacial
      deposits over varying lengths of time. In some cases, extreme biochemical
      products, observed within the rind matrix, are seen to play a role in adjusting
      redox potentials important in the production of oxides and hydroxides and
      biominerals with variable compositions. Up to recently, rind analysis has been
      limited to use of the light microscope and SEM/EDS, which has greatly advanced
      our understanding of compositional inter-linkages of minerals and biotic
      elements, but only along horizontal axes within the rind. A test involving rind
      surface composition using vertical axis nanospaced layer analysis within rinds
      using focused ion beam (FIB) and TEM/STEM/EDX imagery and chemistry illustrates
      the power of data acquisition within the three-dimensional weathered archive.
      SCANNING 38:202-212, 2016. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 26275233
TI  - Facile Enzymatic Synthesis of Ketoses.
AB  - Studies of rare ketoses have been hampered by a lack of efficient preparation
      methods. A convenient, efficient, and cost-effective platform for the facile
      synthesis of ketoses is described. This method enables the preparation of
      difficult-to-access ketopentoses and ketohexoses from common and inexpensive
      starting materials with high yield and purity and without the need for a tedious
      isomer separation step. 

PMID- 26275234
TI  - Rituximab and low-dose cyclosporine combination therapy for steroid-resistant
      focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We investigated the efficacy of rituximab and low-dose cyclosporine
      combination therapy for focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) in children
      with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS). METHODS: Five FSGS children
      with SRNS were treated twice with rituximab and low-dose cyclosporine (CyA)
      combination therapy (RTX-CyAT). The clinical features and laboratory data were
      investigated before and after RTX-CyAT, and the outcomes were assessed. RESULTS:
      Prednisolone (PSL) was discontinued 3 months after RTX-CyAT in all patients. The
      number of CD19-positive cells decreased to <1% of all white blood cells in all
      patients at 1 month after RTX-CyAT, and was maintained at this level for 259.6 +/
      68.2 days. All patients remained in remission for the duration of the decrease
      in CD19-positive cells to <1%. Two patients also remained in remission throughout
      the observation period, with three patients having a single relapse at 333 +/- 89
      days (range, 231-376 days) after RTX-CyAT. In all patients, the mean steroid and
      CyA doses after RTX-CyAT were lower than those before RTX-CyAT. CONCLUSIONS: RTX
      CyAT is effective in FSGS patients with SRNS and may ameliorate the side-effects
      of PSL and immunosuppressive drugs.

PMID- 26275235
TI  - Development and psychometric testing of a semantic differential scale of sexual
      attitude for the older person.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to develop and test a semantic differential scale
      of sexual attitudes for older people in Korea. The scale was based on items
      derived from a literature review and focus group interviews. A methodological
      study was used to test the reliability and validity of the instrument. A total of
      368 older men and women were recruited to complete the semantic differential
      scale. Fifteen pairs of adjective ratings were extracted through factor analysis.
      Total variance explained was 63.40%. To test for construct validity, group
      comparisons were implemented. The total score of sexual attitudes showed
      significant differences depending on gender and availability of sexual activity.
      Cronbach's alpha coefficient for internal consistency was 0.96. The findings of
      this study demonstrate that the semantic differential scale of sexual attitude is
      a reliable and valid instrument. 

PMID- 26275236
TI  - Differential effects of cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation of
      prefrontal, motor and somatosensory cortices on cortical excitability and pain
      perception - a double-blind randomised sham-controlled study.
AB  - The primary aim of this study was to assess the effects of cathodal transcranial
      direct current stimulation (c-tDCS) over cortical regions of the pain
      neuromatrix, including the primary motor (M1), sensory (S1) and dorsolateral
      prefrontal (DLPFC) cortices on M1/S1 excitability, sensory (STh), and pain
      thresholds (PTh) in healthy adults. The secondary aim was to evaluate the placebo
      effects of c-tDCS on induced cortical and behavioural changes. Before,
      immediately after and 30 min after c-tDCS the amplitude of N20-P25 components of
      somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) and peak-to-peak amplitudes of motor
      evoked potentials (MEPs) were measured under four different experimental
      conditions. STh and PTh for peripheral electrical and mechanical stimulation were
      also evaluated. c-tDCS of 0.3 mA was applied for 20 min. A blinded assessor
      evaluated all outcome measures. c-tDCS of M1, S1 and DLPFC significantly
      decreased the corticospinal excitability of M1 (P < 0.05) for at least 30 min.
      Following the application of c-tDCS over S1, M1 and DLPFC, the amplitude of the
      N20-P25 component of SEPs decreased for at least 30 min (P < 0.05). Compared with
      baseline values, significant STh and PTh increases were observed after c-tDCS of
      these three sites. Decreasing the level of S1 and M1 excitability, following S1,
      M1 and DLPFC stimulation, confirmed the functional connectivities between these
      cortical sites involved in pain processing. Furthermore, increasing the level of
      STh/PTh after c-tDCS of these sites indicated that stimulation of not only M1 but
      also S1 and DLPFC could be considered a technique to decrease the level of pain
      in patients. 

PMID- 26275237
TI  - Supersampling and Network Reconstruction of Urban Mobility.
AB  - Understanding human mobility is of vital importance for urban planning,
      epidemiology, and many other fields that draw policies from the activities of
      humans in space. Despite the recent availability of large-scale data sets of GPS
      traces or mobile phone records capturing human mobility, typically only a
      subsample of the population of interest is represented, giving a possibly
      incomplete picture of the entire system under study. Methods to reliably extract
      mobility information from such reduced data and to assess their sampling biases
      are lacking. To that end, we analyzed a data set of millions of taxi movements in
      New York City. We first show that, once they are appropriately transformed,
      mobility patterns are highly stable over long time scales. Based on this
      observation, we develop a supersampling methodology to reliably extrapolate
      mobility records from a reduced sample based on an entropy maximization
      procedure, and we propose a number of network-based metrics to assess the
      accuracy of the predicted vehicle flows. Our approach provides a well founded way
      to exploit temporal patterns to save effort in recording mobility data, and opens
      the possibility to scale up data from limited records when information on the
      full system is required. 

PMID- 26275238
TI  - The Effect of Soft Tissue on Temperature Estimation from Burnt Bone Using Fourier
      Transform Infrared Spectroscopy.
AB  - This study investigated the effect of soft tissue and different exposure times on
      the prediction of burning temperatures of bone when using Fourier transform
      infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Ovis aries rib bones were burnt at different
      temperatures and for varying time intervals. Results of a linear regression
      analysis indicated that burn temperatures can be predicted with a standard error
      of +/-70  degrees C from defleshed bone spectra. Exposure time does not have a
      significant impact on prediction accuracy. The presence of soft tissue has a
      significant impact on heat-induced changes of the bone matrix in low (<300 
      degrees C) as well as high temperatures (>800  degrees C), slowing down
      combustion in the former and accelerating it in the latter (p < 0.05). At medium
      temperatures, no significant difference was noted. These results provide forensic
      investigators a new perspective with which to interpret the results of
      crystallinity measures derived from burnt bone.

PMID- 26275239
TI  - Patient-Reported Functional and Quality of Life Outcomes in a Large Cohort of
      Long-Term Survivors of Ewing Sarcoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Little data exist regarding long-term functional and quality of life
      (QOL) outcomes for survivors of Ewing sarcoma (ES). Specifically, there are few
      reports assessing the impact of patient characteristics and local therapy
      modalities on patient-reported outcomes (PRO). PROCEDURE: Long-term survivors of
      ES treated between 1977 and 2009 completed self-assessed functional and QOL
      surveys, using the Toronto Extremity Salvage Score (TESS) and PEDSQL 4.0 generic
      core instruments, respectively. Statistical analyses were performed to correlate
      these outcomes to clinical presentations and treatment regimens. RESULTS:
      Subjects (n = 74) with a mean duration from diagnosis of 17.8 years completed the
      survey. Mean TESS and PEDSQL total scores for the entire cohort were 93.0 +/-
      10.3 and 81.6 +/- 18.0, respectively. No significant differences were appreciated
      between adult and pediatric patients, although increasing age was associated with
      lower functional scores (P = 0.04). Mean PEDSQL total scores were significantly
      lower for female patients (74.6 +/- 19.7) compared to males (85.7 +/- 15.7) (P =
      0.01). Mild to moderate disability was reported by 32% of respondents and was
      associated with lower TESS and PEDSQL scores. Local control modality did not
      significantly affect functional and QOL scores. Patients with pelvic tumors had
      significantly lower TESS scores compared to those with nonpelvic tumors (P =
      0.04), especially amongst patients treated with both surgery and radiation.
      CONCLUSIONS: Although many survivors of ES report excellent functional and QOL
      outcomes, a significant number report long-term disability and impairments. Older
      patients, females, and those with pelvic primary tumors appear at the greatest
      risk for long-term decrements and may benefit from early therapeutic
      interventions.

PMID- 26275240
TI  - Report of the ASFA apheresis registry study on Wilson's disease.
AB  - PURPOSE: Wilson's disease is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder that
      results in accumulation of copper in the liver, brain, cornea and kidney.
      Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) has been used to remove copper and provide a
      bridge to liver transplantation. We report here the collective experiences
      through the ASFA apheresis registry on Wilson's disease. METHODS: The ASFA
      apheresis registry is a multi-center registry study. Both prospective and
      retrospective data, with the latter involving data collection back to January
      2000 are entered in the registry. The registry includes patient demographics,
      apheresis procedural information, treatment schedules, and treatment outcomes and
      complications. RESULTS: A total of 10 patients (3 males and 7 females) with
      Wilson's disease treated between 2005 and 2013 were included. Median age of first
      diagnosis and first TPE were 16 and 17 years, respectively. Via central venous
      access, these patients underwent a total of 43 TPEs; the median number of TPE
      procedures per patient was 3.5. All of the TPEs used ACD-A as anticoagulation,
      42/43 TPEs targeted 1-1.25 plasma volumes, and 41/43 TPEs were performed with
      100% fluid balance. Post TPE procedures, 9 patients underwent liver
      transplantation; all 10 patients had at least a 6-month survival. CONCLUSIONS:
      All 10 patients with Wilson's disease who underwent TPE had a positive outcome in
      terms of 6-month survival. In this first report of the ASFA apheresis registry
      study, we have demonstrated the value of using this registry to collect apheresis
      related patient outcomes from multiple centers.

PMID- 26275241
TI  - Mycelial Mattress from a Sporangia Formation-Delayed Mutant of Rhizopus
      stolonifer as Wound Healing-Enhancing Biomaterial.
AB  - A mycelial mattress of Rhizopus stolonifer obtained from a liquid static culture
      was utilized for wound dressing and biomedical use. Following screening of
      mutants induced by UV radiation, F6, exhibiting delayed sporangium formation was
      selected because its sporangium maturation exhibited a 5-day delay without
      significant loss of mycelial weight compared to the wild type. The sporangium
      free mycelial mattress from the sporangiospore culture of F6 was treated with 1N
      sodium hydroxide NaOH at 85 degrees C for 2 h to produce a sponge-like membrane
      named Rhizochitin. The trifluoroacetic acid hydrolysate of Rhizochitin contained
      36% N-acetylglucosamine and 53% hexose respectively detected by the Elson-Morgen
      and phenol-sulfuric acid methods. Results indicated the wound area in rats
      covered with Rhizochitin was 40% less than that of the uncovered group.
      Rhizochitin decreased the expression of PDGF in the proliferation stage,
      increased the expression of TGF-beta in the inflammation and proliferation
      stages, and increased the expression of VEGF in the inflammation and
      proliferation stages. Rhizochitin inhibited secretion of matrix metalloproteinase
      9 on days 1, 7, 9, and 12 and matrix metalloproteinase-2 on days 3, 7, 9, and 12.
      It was concluded that Rhizochitin has beneficial properties of biocompatible,
      biodegradable, and wound healing.

PMID- 26275243
TI  - Correction: Unravelling the Structural and Molecular Basis Responsible for the
      Anti-Biofilm Activity of Zosteric Acid.

PMID- 26275242
TI  - Reducing GBA2 Activity Ameliorates Neuropathology in Niemann-Pick Type C Mice.
AB  - The enzyme glucocerebrosidase (GBA) hydrolyses glucosylceramide (GlcCer) in
      lysosomes. Markedly reduced GBA activity is associated with severe manifestations
      of Gaucher disease including neurological involvement. Mutations in the GBA gene
      have recently also been identified as major genetic risk factor for Parkinsonism.
      Disturbed metabolism of GlcCer may therefore play a role in neuropathology.
      Besides lysosomal GBA, cells also contain a non-lysosomal glucosylceramidase
      (GBA2). Given that the two beta-glucosidases share substrates, we speculated that
      over-activity of GBA2 during severe GBA impairment might influence
      neuropathology. This hypothesis was studied in Niemann-Pick type C (Npc1-/-) mice
      showing secondary deficiency in GBA in various tissues. Here we report that GBA2
      activity is indeed increased in the brain of Npc1-/- mice. We found that GBA2 is
      particularly abundant in Purkinje cells (PCs), one of the most affected neuronal
      populations in NPC disease. Inhibiting GBA2 in Npc1-/- mice with a brain
      permeable low nanomolar inhibitor significantly improved motor coordination and
      extended lifespan in the absence of correction in cholesterol and ganglioside
      abnormalities. This trend was recapitulated, although not to full extent, by
      introducing a genetic loss of GBA2 in Npc1-/- mice. Our findings point to GBA2
      activity as therapeutic target in NPC.

PMID- 26275244
TI  - Changes at genetic and molecular level to identify the specific targets for
      selected therapy.

PMID- 26275245
TI  - Matrix metalloproteinase 7 expression in ampullary carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP7) has largely been studied in
      pancreatic cancer which is the most common component of periampullary cancer in
      the western population. In India, the ampullary carcinoma is seen as the most
      common periampullary cancer in resected pancreaticoduodenectomies. We aimed to
      study the expression of MMP7 and its correlation with clinicopathological
      features in ampullary cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive cases of all
      ampullary cancer in a 3-year period were reviewed for histological
      differentiation (intestinal and pancreatobiliary) by morphology and
      immunohistochemistry (CDX2, MUC2, cytokeratin 20 [CK20], MUC1, cytokeratin 7
      [CK7], and cytokeratin 17 [CK17]). All cases were stained for MMP7 and expression
      was correlated with histological variables, differentiation, and overall
      survival. RESULTS: There were a total of 91 ampullary carcinomas (36 intestinal,
      44 pancreatobiliary and 6 other types). Ampullary carcinoma showed MMP7
      expression in 63.7% cases. Two-third of intestinal type and half of the
      pancreatobiliary type cancers showed MMP7 expression. MMP7 expression was
      significantly higher in low pathological T-stage of total ampullary carcinomas;
      however, it was seen more commonly in higher overall stage of the
      pancreatobiliary type compared to intestinal type of ampullary carcinoma. Overall
      survival in patients with MMP7 expression was lower compared to MMP7 negative
      patients. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study on MMP7 expression in ampullary
      cancer. MMP7 expression was seen in nearly 64 % of ampullary cancer and showed a
      significant correlation with low pathological (T-) stage and high overall stage
      with a shorter survival. MMP7 can be explored as a target for MMP inhibitor
      therapy in the future.

PMID- 26275246
TI  - BRAF, KIT, NRAS, GNAQ and GNA11 mutation analysis in cutaneous melanomas in
      Turkish population.
AB  - BACKGROUND: KIT and mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade are important for
      melanomagenesis. In the present study, we analyzed the frequency of BRAF, NRAS,
      KIT, GNAQ and GNA11 gene mutations and investigated their association with
      clinicopathological features of melanomas in Turkish population. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Forty-seven primary cutaneous melanomas were included in our study.
      Sanger sequencing method was used for mutation analysis in all cases. RESULTS:
      Mean age was 62.1 (29-101) years. Female:male ratio was 17:30. Among 47
      melanomas, 14 (29.8%) BRAF, 10 (21.3%) NRAS, 4 (8.5%) KIT and 1(2.1%) GNAQ gene
      mutations were detected. Two of the KIT mutations were found in acral lentiginous
      melanoma (ALM). In the head and neck region, mutation frequency was significantly
      lower than in other locations (P = 0.035). The only GNAQ gene mutation (p.Q209L)
      was detected in a melanoma arising from blue nevus located on the scalp. None of
      the melanomas harbored NRAS exon 2, KIT exon 13/17/18, GNAQ exon 4 and GNA11 exon
      4/5 mutations. Overall mutation frequency did not show significant difference
      between metastatic (8/14, 57.1%) and nonmetastatic (18/33, 54.5%) patients. We
      did not observe any significant association between mutation status and gender or
      age of various patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support that BRAF and NRAS gene
      mutations are common in cutaneous melanomas. The activating mutations of KIT gene
      are rare and especially seen in ALM. GNAQ and GNA11 mutations are infrequent in
      cutaneous melanomas and may be associated only with melanomas arising from blue
      nevus.

PMID- 26275247
TI  - Risk factors, organ weight deviation and associated anomalies in neural tube
      defects: A prospective fetal and perinatal autopsy series.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Neural tube defects (NTD) are a group of serious birth defects
      occurring due to defective closure of neural tube during embryonic development.
      It comprises of anencephaly, encephalocele and spina bifida. We conducted this
      prospective fetal autopsy series to study the rate and distribution of NTD,
      analyze the reproductive factors and risk factors, note any associated anomalies
      and evaluate the organ weights and their deviation from normal. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: This was a prospective study done over a period of 6 years from August,
      2007 to July, 2013. All cases of NTDs delivered as abortion, still born and live
      born were included. The reproductive and risk factors like age, parity, multiple
      births, previous miscarriage, obesity, diabetes mellitus, socioeconomic status
      and use of folic acid during pregnancy were collected.Autopsy was performed
      according to Virchow's technique. Detail external and internal examination were
      carried out to detect any associated anomalies. Gross and microscopic examination
      of organs were done. RESULTS: Out of 210 cases of fetal and perinatal autopsy
      done, 72 (34.28%) had NTD constituting 49 cases of anencephaly, 16 spina bifida
      and 7 cases of encephalocele. The mothers in these cases predominantly were
      within 25-29 years (P = 0.02) and primy (P = 0.01). Female sex was more commonly
      affected than males (M:F = 25:47, P = 0.0005) There was no history of folate use
      in majority of cases. Organ weight deviations were >2 standard deviation low in
      most of the cases. Most common associated anomalies were adrenal hypoplasia and
      thymic hyperplasia. CONCLUSION: The authors have made an attempt to study NTD
      cases in respect to maternal reproductive and risk factors and their association
      with NTD along with the organ weight deviation and associated anomalies. This so
      far in our knowledge is an innovative study which was not found in literature
      even after extensive search.

PMID- 26275248
TI  - Solid-pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas: Clinicopathologic and
      immunohistochemical analysis of nine cases.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Solid-pseudopapillary neoplasm (SPPN) of the pancreas is a
      distinctive tumor of low malignant potential with a predilection for female
      patients in the second and third decades of life. We studied nine cases of SPPN
      of the pancreas and reviewed the literature concerning these uncommon tumors.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 7 cases of SPPN located in the tail of the
      pancreas and two located in the head of the pancreas were presented. Distal
      pancreatectomy in three patients and distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy in
      two patients Whipple's operation in four patients were performed. Histological
      diagnosis was made by performing hematoxylin-eosin and periodic acid-Schiff
      staining, immunohistochemical staining. Follow-up of the patients was between 2
      months and 12 years. RESULTS: Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging
      were found as equivocal for diagnosis. Mass containing cystic and solid areas
      were not characteristic but raised suspicion of SPPN. Pathologic examination
      showed SPPN in all patients. No metastasis or recurrence was detected during
      follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Solid-pseudopapillary neoplasm is a relatively rare
      tumor, and patients tend to survive for a long period. Preoperative imaging is
      not characteristic. Pathologic examination is the mainstay in the diagnosis.
      Complete surgical removal is the best choice of treatment.

PMID- 26275249
TI  - Primary extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphoma: A 3-year record-based descriptive study
      from a tertiary care center in Southern India.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Primary extranodal lymphoma (pENL) refers to group of disorders
      arising from tissues other than lymph nodes and even from sites, which normally
      do not contain lymphoid tissue. This study was undertaken to ascertain the
      prevalence, anatomical distribution, and histological subtypes of extranodal non
      Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) from a tertiary care institute in Southern India.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in the
      Department of Pathology over a period of 3-years. Detailed clinical history,
      routine complete blood count, microbiological status was obtained from the
      medical records. Hamatoxylin and eosin slides were reviewed and
      immunohistochemistry was performed using a panel of antibodies depending on the
      morphology. All cases were classified based upon morphologic and immunophenotypic
      criteria according to World Health Organization 2008 classification. RESULTS:
      Primary extranodal NHL constituting 22.6% (68/300) of all NHL and the majority of
      patients were from higher age group with peak incidence seen in fourth to fifth
      decade of life. In the pediatric population, the most common site is ileo-caecal
      region (42.8%) and the most common morphology is lymphoblastic lymphoma (42.8%).
      Similarly in the adult population head and neck was the most common site
      constituting 36% and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is the most common
      morphological subtype comprising 54% of all extranodal lymphomas. CONCLUSION:
      Although the reported incidence of pENL is low in India compared to other parts
      of the world, the possibility of pENL should always be kept in mind even though
      it arises in an extranodal site.

PMID- 26275250
TI  - Malignant transformation of mature T cells after gammaretrovirus mediated
      transfer of nucleophosmin-anaplastic lymphoma kinase oncogene.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Gene therapy has been in use to cure hereditary and acquired diseases
      by incorporating the desired gene into the cells with the help of gammaretroviral
      vectors. Despite the success of this therapy in X-linked severe combined
      immunodeficiency syndrome, few patients developed leukemia as a major adverse
      event due to retroviral insertional mutagenesis within stem cells. In
      experimental animals also, retroviral-mediated gene transfer technique resulted
      in the development of leukemia. On the other hand, evidence suggests that mature
      T cells (TC) are relatively resistant to transformation even after retroviral
      mediated transfer of potent oncogenes Tcl1, DeltaTrkA and LMO2 with no reported
      side effects yet. AIMS: To further address the safety issue for TC use in gene
      therapy, this study investigated susceptibility of mature polyclonal TC to
      malignant transformation by the retroviral-mediated transfer of nucleophosmin
      anaplastic lymphoma kinase (NPM-ALK) oncogene. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Wild-type
      mature TC, isolated from C57BL/6 donor mice (genetic background Ly5.1) were
      transduced with gamma-retroviral vectors encoding the potent TC oncogene NPM-ALK
      or the control vector enhanced green fluorescent protein eGFP. The cells were
      then transplanted into RAG-1 deficient recipient mice (genetic background Ly5.2).
      RESULTS: Two out of five mice from NPM-ALK oncogene group developed
      leukemia/lymphoma after latency periods (153 and 250 days, respectively). None of
      the mice from the control group developed any malignancy throughout the
      observational period. CONCLUSION: Mature polyclonal TC are relatively susceptible
      to malignant transformation after gamma-retroviral mediated transfer of NPM-ALK
      oncogene; hence safety of TC use in gene therapy should be further investigated
      to avoid the possible side-effect of development of leukemia/lymphoma.

PMID- 26275252
TI  - Sehgal index: A new index and its comparison with other complete blood count
      based indices for screening of beta thalassemia trait in a tertiary care
      hospital.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Beta thalassemia trait (BTT) must be differentiated from iron
      deficiency anemia to avoid unnecessary iron therapy and for the prevention of
      thalassemia major by genetic counseling. In a tertiary care hospital, it is vital
      that the screening tool is not only sensitive but also specific so as to be cost
      effective and save time. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the new
      Sehgal index and compare it to existing complete blood count-based indices for
      the best combination of sensitivity and specificity to predict BTT. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Study was done in 2 phases - Phase 1: A retrospective analysis of 1022
      consecutive high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) cases from July 2008 to
      June 2011. Phase 2: A prospective analysis of 973 consecutive HPLC cases from
      July 1, 2011 to June 10, 2013 was done to confirm the results of Phase 1 and the
      applicability of the new Sehgal index. RESULTS: Prevalence of BTT was 28.8%
      (294/1022) and 25.39% (247/973) in Phase 1 and Phase 2, respectively. Receiver
      operating characteristic-area under the curve and Youden index was highest for
      new Sehgal index, followed by Mentzers index <14. The prospective study shows
      results similar to those in Phase 1 confirming the superiority of the above two
      indices. CONCLUSION: Sehgal index and Mentzers index <14 showed the best
      combination of sensitivity and specificity in predicting BTT. The best indices or
      combination can be used as a "validated flag rule" in the analyzer middleware
      program in a hospital for identifying suspected cases of BTT.

PMID- 26275251
TI  - Mean reticulocyte volume enhances the utility of red cell mean sphered cell
      volume in differentiating peripheral blood spherocytes of hereditary
      spherocytosis from other causes.
AB  - CONTEXT: Mean sphered cell volume (MSCV) and mean reticulocyte volume (MRV) are
      additional reticulocyte parameters generated while processing the blood samples
      on Beckman coulter LH 755 in the reticulocyte mode using the volume, conductivity
      and scatter technology. It has been observed that the difference between mean
      corpuscular volume (MCV) and MSCV is higher in the cases of hereditary
      spherocytosis (HS) and this difference is increasingly being utilized as a
      screening tool for spherocytes. In addition now there have been new observations
      that reticulocyte volume in cases of HS is less as compared to normal
      reticulocyte. AIMS: Our aim was to test the usefulness of reticulocyte parameters
      like MSCV and MRV in distinguishing cases of HS and autoimmune hemolytic anemia
      (AIHA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective and partly prospective
      study where peripheral blood ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid samples from cases
      of HS (n = 57) and AIHA (n = 29) were processed on LH 755 in both the
      differential and the reticulocyte mode. The data generated were analyzed and
      compared with data from normal healthy donors (n = 46). RESULTS: Using an
      algorithm of MCV - MSCV >10 and MRV - MSCV <25, a sensitivity of 84.2% and
      specificity of 94.7% was observed in cases of HS. CONCLUSIONS: With the
      reticulocyte analysis, we may now have a simple and cheap additional tool for
      screening of HS.

PMID- 26275253
TI  - Accelerated staining technique using kitchen microwave oven.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Histopathological diagnosis of specimens is greatly dependent on
      good sample preparation and staining. Both of these processes is governed by
      diffusion of fluids and dyes in and out of the tissue, which is the key to
      staining. Diffusion of fluids can be accelerated by the application of heat that
      reduces the time of staining from hours to the minute. We modified an inexpensive
      model of kitchen microwave oven for staining. This study is an attempt to compare
      the reliability of this modified technique against the tested technique of
      routine staining so as to establish the kitchen microwave oven as a valuable
      diagnostic tool. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty different tissue blocks were used
      to prepare 20 pairs of slides for 4 different stains namely hematoxylin and
      eosin, Van Gieson's, 0.1% toluidine blue and periodic acid-Schiff. From each
      tissue block, two bits of tissues were mounted on two different slides. One slide
      was stained routinely, and the other stained inside a microwave. A pathologist
      evaluated the stained slides and the results so obtained were analyzed
      statistically. RESULTS: Microwave staining considerably cut down the staining
      time from hours to seconds. Microwave staining showed no loss of cellular and
      nuclear details, uniform-staining characteristics and was of excellent quality.
      INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSION: The cellular details, nuclear details and staining
      characteristics of microwave stained tissues were better than or equal to the
      routine stained tissue. The overall quality of microwave-stained sections was
      found to be better than the routine stained tissue in majority of cases.

PMID- 26275254
TI  - Molecular characterization and clinical significance of New Delhi metallo-beta
      lactamases-1 producing Escherichia coli recovered from a South Indian tertiary
      care hospital.
AB  - CONTEXT: The increased rate of infection by New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamases-1
      (NDM1) producing Escherichia coli is a major concern since they show a high rate
      of drug resistance and are responsible for mortality and morbidity. AIMS: To
      characterize the NDM1 producing E. coli isolates and their impact on patients'
      clinical outcome. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This descriptive study was carried out in
      a multi-specialty tertiary care hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three hundred
      nonrepeat strains of E. coli from inpatients were included in the study. Modified
      Hodge test and metallo-beta-lactamases (MBL) e-test were performed to detect
      carbapenemase and MBL activity. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique was
      performed to detect NDM1. NDM1 positive isolates were further tested for plasmid
      mediated AmpC, blaCTX , blaSHV , blaTEM genes and also for phylogrouping by PCR
      methods. Treatment and patients' clinical outcome were also analyzed. RESULTS:
      Out of 300 isolates, 21 (7%) were MBL producers by phenotypic methods. Of this,
      17 (81%) were NDM1 positives, among the NDM1 producers 6 (35%) isolates were
      belongs to phylogroups D followed by A 5 (29%), B1 4 (24%) and B2 2 (12%), 15
      (88%) isolates were blaCTX-M positive suggestive of extended-spectrum beta
      lactamase producing strain and 7 (47%) were positive with CIT type of AmpC. With
      the follow-up of the patients, it was found that 12 (71%) recovered and 3 (18%)
      developed relapses, and mortality was seen in 2 (12%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: NDM1
      producing isolates showed a high degree of drug resistance but can be treated
      with suitable antimicrobials, in the majority. Early detection and choice of
      appropriate antibiotics may help in reducing mortality and morbidity.

PMID- 26275255
TI  - Dengue virus infection: Need for appropriate laboratory tests for diagnosis and
      management of the condition in children during an outbreak.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Outbreaks of dengue infection occur in several parts of India with
      clockwork precision closely related to changing seasons. Most recent outbreak in
      Puducherry occurred between October 2012 and January 2013, affected a sizable
      pediatric population. A prospective study was done to characterize the
      demographic, diagnostic and clinical profile of pediatric patients in a tertiary
      care center in Puducherry. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data of patients serologically
      positive for either dengue NS1 antigen or anti-dengue IgM antibodies were
      analyzed. Duration of fever, platelet count, complications, risk factors,
      morbidity and mortality were analyzed. RESULTS: Among pediatric cases with fever
      who were screened for NS1/IgM antibody during the recent outbreak, 161 (37.5%)
      tested positive. NS1 was detected in 85% while 5.5% tested positive for IgM and
      3% for IgG. Few (4.9%) tested positive for both NS1 and IgM and 1.2% were
      positive for both NS1 and IgG. The mean age was 6 years of which 9% were <1-year,
      the youngest being 1-month old infant. Mean duration of fever was 4 days.
      Vomiting was associated in 42% of cases. Thrombocytopenia (51%) and hepatomegaly
      (41%) were two major observations. Among the NS1 positive cases, 49% had
      thrombocytopenia. IgM alone and NS1 with IgM were associated with
      thrombocytopenia in 67% and 78% respectively. 14 children had complications of
      dengue shock syndrome, and four had dengue hemorrhagic fever. Totally, 22 of the
      children had platelet transfusion. There was no mortality reported among any of
      these children. CONCLUSION: Combination of clinical findings and rapid NS1, IgM
      detection helped in confirming the diagnosis for appropriate management of dengue
      in children.

PMID- 26275256
TI  - Subconjunctival dirofilariasis caused by Dirofilaria repens: A case report with
      short review.
AB  - Human dirofilariasis is a rare infection caused by filarial worms of genus
      Dirofilaria. Subconjunctival dirofilariasis has been reported from Asia, Europe,
      Italy and Africa. In India majority cases are from Kerala, Karnataka and very few
      from Maharashtra. We report the rare case of subconjunctival dirofilariasis
      caused by Dirofilaria repens from Maharashtra, western India. 

PMID- 26275257
TI  - Sclerosing rhabdomyosarcoma presenting on the knee-joint.
AB  - Sclerosing rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare pathological diagnosis that easily
      misdiagnosed. The majority of cases reported the tumor increased rapidly in size
      and the Ki-67 proliferation index ranged from 10% to 60%. Here, we report the
      first case of the tumor increased very slowly for 20 years and the Ki-67
      proliferation index was lower than 2%, and discuss its histological features and
      immunohistochemical reactivity with Desmin and Ki-67 and so on. 

PMID- 26275258
TI  - Primary pulmonary leiomyosarcoma of lung: An unusual entity with brief review.
AB  - Primary pulmonary leiomyosarcomas are rare and diagnostically challenging group
      of neoplasms approximately constituting 0.2-0.5% of all primary lung
      malignancies. They originate from the smooth muscle cells of the bronchial wall,
      blood vessels or from the pulmonary interstitium. Here we present a case of 45
      year old male with history of chronic cough, breathlessness and chest pain for
      few months. Clinical and radiological workup showed a left upper lobe lung mass.
      Endobronchial ultrasound guided (EUS) needle biopsy of the mass on histopathology
      confirmed leiomyosarcoma. Further through evaluation ruled out the possibility of
      metastasis. A final diagnosis of primary leiomyosarcoma of lung was made and
      patient was planned for surgical management. 

PMID- 26275259
TI  - Primary Ewing sarcoma of vulva, confirmed with molecular cytogenetic analysis: A
      rare case report with diagnostic and treatment implications.
AB  - Primary vulvar Ewing sarcoma (ES)/PNET is an uncommonly documented tumor,
      especially with molecular results. A 10-year-old girl presented with left vulvar
      swelling, a year ago. Her abdominopelvic ultrasound revealed a 12 cm * 8 cm
      sized, mixed echogenic blood-filled lesion in the left vulva; radiologically
      considered as a hematoma. Vulvectomy revealed a multinodular grey-brown tumor,
      microscopically comprising malignant round cells. Immunohistochemically, tumor
      cells diffusely expressed MIC2/CD99 and Fli1 and subsequently displayed EWSR1
      rearrangement, confirming diagnosis of ES/PNET. Subsequently, PET-CT scan
      revealed residual local lesion with lung metastases. The patient was induced on
      EFT 2001 chemotherapy protocol. Three months after chemotherapy completion, there
      was no metabolically active disease on PET scan. Four months later, MRI disclosed
      recurrent primary and metastatic pulmonary lesions. She was planned for scar
      excision and adjuvant radiotherapy, but unfortunately defaulted further
      treatment. This forms the eighth case of primary vulvar ES/PNET confirmed with
      molecular cytogenetic result, underscoring therapeutic value of objective
      diagnosis in such cases. 

PMID- 26275260
TI  - Primary cardiac sarcoma with metastases to thyroid and brain.
AB  - Primary cardiac sarcomas are extremely rare with only a few large case series and
      isolated case reports in the literature. In spite of their aggressive nature with
      high chances of local recurrence and distant metastases, these tumors and their
      treatment strategies remain incompletely defined. We report an unsuspected case
      of primary cardiac pleomorphic undifferentiated sarcoma in a 52-year-old female
      who presented with progressive dyspnea and palpitation. In the postoperative
      period, she was detected to have secondaries in brain and thyroid, confirmed
      thereafter, by fine-needle aspiration cytology. 

PMID- 26275261
TI  - Diffuse lipomatosis of the thyroid gland with papillary microcarcinoma: Report of
      a rare entity.
AB  - Presence of lobules of adipose tissue either focally or diffusely is very rare in
      the thyroid gland. Fat accumulation can be macroscopic or microscopic. Focal
      infiltrates of fat have been reported in conditions such as adenolipoma,
      intrathyroid lipoma, and encapsulated papillary carcinoma. Diffuse lipomatosis
      has been reported in conditions such as amyloid goitre, heterotopic fat nests,
      thyrolipoma and liposarcoma. The exact mechanism of fat accumulation is not known
      although there are many theories postulated. Investigations such as ultrasound,
      computed tomography scan, and magnetic resonance imaging can detect the presence
      of macroscopic fat in the thyroid gland. Accurate diagnosis of the type of fat
      accumulation is necessary because tumorous and nontumorous conditions fall into
      the differential diagnosis. Only nine cases of papillary carcinoma associated
      with lipomatosis of thyroid are reported so far. We report possibly the first
      case of diffuse lipomatosis of the thyroid gland with a focus of papillary
      microcarcinoma. 

PMID- 26275262
TI  - Large lipid-rich mammary analogue secretory carcinoma of parotid gland: An
      unusual case.
AB  - Mammary analogue secretory carcinoma (MASC) of the salivary gland is a malignant
      tumor which bears morphologic, immunohistochemical and molecular features similar
      to those of mammary secretory carcinoma. The tumor is considered as a low-grade
      malignancy perhaps slightly more aggressive than acinic cell carcinoma. High
      grade transformation with recurrences, regional nodal involvement, metastases,
      and cancer-related death has been reported in a few cases. We report an unusual
      case of large MASC of the parotid gland in a young patient without regional lymph
      node involvement. To the best of our knowledge till date such a large MASC of the
      salivary gland has not been reported in the English literature. 

PMID- 26275263
TI  - Clear cell renal cell carcinoma with hemangioblastoma-like features: A recently
      described pattern with unusual immunohistochemical profile.
AB  - The diagnosis of clear cell renal cell carcinoma may sometimes pose challenges
      because of the presence of uncharacteristic morphology, varied immunophenotypic
      patterns and due to lack of molecular or genetic determinants. More often, the
      morphological variations can be easily overlooked in routine practice and a more
      common diagnosis is usually put forward. Solid, acinar and alveolar are the
      common patterns described in the literature. We report a recently described
      pattern of clear cell renal cell carcinoma which has hemangioblastoma-like
      morphology and an unusual immunoprofile. In our case, the tumor showed a diffuse
      hemangioblastoma-like pattern and diffuse positivity for Alpha-inhibin on
      immunohistochemistry. A thorough literature search, extensive sampling and an
      expanded immunohistochemistry panel revealed a clear cell renal cell carcinoma
      component. Presence of renal vein thrombosis and focal necrosis were other
      helpful features in discerning the malignant nature of tumor. 

PMID- 26275264
TI  - Bilateral pseudoangiomatous stromal hyperplasia in a human immunodeficiency viral
      infected patient.
AB  - Pseudoangiomatous stromal hyperplasia (PASH) is an uncommon mesenchymal neoplasm
      of the breast demonstrating stromal myofibroblastic proliferation and having the
      appearance of anastomosing slit-like pseudovascular spaces lined by spindle
      shaped cells. A case of nodular PASH of the bilateral breasts in a 40-year-old
      woman with clinically presenting with a progressive enlarged breast lump is
      reported. Mammographic and ultrasonographic features of the right and left
      breasts showed a large solid lump with well-circumscribed border measuring 4 cm *
      1.7 cm * 3.4 cm and 13.8 cm * 10.9 cm * 12.1 cm, respectively. Wide excision of
      the right breast and quadrantectomy of the left breast were performed. The
      histopathological examination of the lesion showed anastomosing slit-like
      pseudovascular spaces. The stromal cells were immunoreactive for muscle actin
      (HHF35), smooth muscle actin, and progesterone receptor. Clinical and
      pathological findings with briefly reviewed relevant literatures are discussed.
      This is the first clinicopathological and radiological report of bilateral
      mammary nodular PASH in a human immunodeficiency viral-infected patient. 

PMID- 26275265
TI  - Sclerosing angiomatoid nodular transformation of spleen masquerading as a splenic
      abscess.
AB  - Here we report an incidental case of sclerosing angiomatoid nodular
      transformation (SANT) in an open splenectomy specimen from a young man who
      presented with insidious abdominal pain. The condition was mimicking as a splenic
      abscess. Histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis confirmed this to be
      SANT. SANT presents a diagnostic challenge to clinicians, radiologists, as well
      as pathologists because of its extreme rarity. Therefore, it must be included as
      a differential diagnosis in cases with nonspecific pain or radiological splenic
      mass. This case highlights that SANT can present with varied clinical features
      and at a wide range of ages. A high index of suspicion is required for its
      diagnosis. 

PMID- 26275266
TI  - Sarcoidosis detected due to tattoo swellings in an Indian female.
AB  - A female patient presented with asymptomatic swellings in old blue-black tattoo
      marks of her forearms. On careful skin examination, few raised erythematous,
      circular plaques were also found on the non-tattooed skin on her back, about
      which she was unaware. The diagnosis of cutaneous and systemic sarcoidosis was
      confirmed after classical histopathological findings from skin lesions from her
      non tattooed back and from papulonodular tattooed lesions, ruling out other
      causes of granulomas and supported by a negative Mantoux test, raised serum
      angiotensin converting enzyme level, high resolution computed tomography thorax,
      etc. She responded well to oral steroid therapy. The importance of a careful skin
      examination, easy access provided by skin lesions in suspected cases of
      cutaneous/systemic sarcoidosis, the value of sudden tattoo changes in the
      diagnosis here and the possible contribution of tattoos toward the causation of
      cutaneous and/or systemic sarcoidosis are highlighted. 

PMID- 26275267
TI  - Solid-pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas: A classical presentation with
      unique paranuclear dot like immunostaining with CD 99.
AB  - A 32-year-old lady presented with a history of abdominal pain and upper abdominal
      discomfort of 3 months duration. Her imaging studies done at a local hospital
      showed a solid-cystic mass involving head of the pancreas. The patient was
      referred to our surgical oncology department. On examination, there was a
      nontender mass in the epigastrium. An ultrasound scan guided fine-needle
      aspiration (FNA) was done which was showing classical features of solid-pseudo
      papillary neoplasm of the pancreas. With this preoperative diagnosis patient was
      taken up for surgery. Per operatively, there was a solid-cystic mass in the head
      of the pancreas. Pancreaticoduodenectomy was done. Histopathology and
      immunohistochemistry (IHC) confirmed the diagnosis of solid-pseudo papillary
      neoplasm of the pancreas. Apart from the routine IHC panel, CD 99 immunostain was
      also done which demonstrated the characteristic paranuclear dot-like staining
      observed in previous studies in the literature. 

PMID- 26275268
TI  - Psammomatous melanotic schwannoma as a component of Carney complex.
AB  - Melanotic schwannoma is a rare form of pigmented neural tumor commonly arising
      from the posterior spinal nerves and ganglia. Two variants have been described,
      psammomatous and nonpsammomatous. 50% of psammomatous tumors are associated with
      Carney complex. The biologic behavior of the tumor is difficult to predict and
      slightly over 10% of the tumors follow malignant course. We present a case of
      psammomatous melanotic schwannoma as part of Carney complex in a 67-year-old
      male. Clinical examination revealed oral mucosal and abdominal skin pigmentation.
      Magnetic resonance imaging showed an intradural extramedullary lesion at D8-D12
      level. Intraoperative squash smear study showed sheets of spindle cells with
      abundant intracytoplasmic melanin pigmentation and few psammoma bodies. Based on
      clinical, radiologic, and histopathological findings with immunohistochemistry
      correlation a final diagnosis of psammomatous melanotic schwannoma was rendered. 

PMID- 26275270
TI  - Acute postinfectious glomerulonephritis with a large number of crescents caused
      by Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
AB  - Mycoplasma pneumoniae-induced acute postinfectious glomerulonephritis has various
      pathological changes and relatively poor prognosis. It often occurs in children,
      barely in adults. Currently, no clear treatment guidelines have been established
      for its treatment using glucocorticoid and immunosuppressive. In this study, we
      report an adult who admitted to our hospital due to fever and gross hematuria.
      The patient presented with nephritic syndrome and renal failure and confirmed to
      have M. pneumoniae infection by serum detection and acute postinfectious
      glomerulonephritis with a large number of crescents by renal biopsy. He was given
      glucocorticoid, immunosuppressive agent combined with hemodialysis as well as
      other supportive treatment. Three months later, his renal function became normal,
      urine protein level decreased to 0.4 g/24 h, and the C3 complement increased to
      normal level. In conclusion, glucocorticoid and immunosuppressive treatment
      should be given to patients with M. pneumoniae-infection induced
      glomerulonephritis after confirmed to have a large number of crescents by renal
      biopsy and the treatment could improve the prognosis. 

PMID- 26275269
TI  - Mesenchymal dysplasia of placenta.
AB  - A rare case of placental mesenchymal dysplasia (PMD) in a 26-year-old patient is
      reported. Ultrasound scan at 17 weeks of gestation showed placenta with multiple
      cystic spaces and a normal appearing fetus. Following delivery of a term live
      baby, histological examination of the placenta was suggestive of PMD. The early
      recognition of this rare condition by characteristic ultrasonographic findings is
      herein emphasized and hence that PMD is distinguished from molar pregnancy. 

PMID- 26275271
TI  - Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm presenting as leukemia without
      cutaneous involvement in a 25 years male patient: Unusual presentation of a rare
      entity.
AB  - Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare, aggressive
      neoplasm classified under "acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and related precursor
      neoplasm" by current WHO classification. Elderly male are commonly affected with
      cutaneous lesion being the hallmark of disease presentation. The disease
      progresses rapidly and sooner or later involves bone marrow and peripheral blood.
      Cases presenting primarily as leukemia without cutaneous involvement is a rarity
      with about 29 cases reported in literature till date. Characteristic
      immunophenotype of CD4 + /CD56 +/- cells expressing antigens associated with
      plasmacytoid dendritic cells like CD123, TCL1, BDCA2/CD303, cutaneous lymphocyte
      associated and interferon dependent molecule MxA, in absence of any other lineage
      specific marker confirms the diagnosis. The disease has a poor survival and no
      standardized therapeutic strategy in the current scenario. A case of 25-year-male
      presenting with leukemic BPDCN without cutaneous involvement is presented here,
      who was treated with AML like protocol followed by hematopoietic stem cell
      transplantation, but succumbed to the disease within 8 months of diagnosis. The
      present case is being first to be reported from India. 

PMID- 26275272
TI  - Early onset mixed cryoglobulinemia in hepatitis C.
AB  - Cryoglobulinemia is one of the most common forms of extrahepatic manifestation of
      chronic hepatitis infection. The phenomenon is generally seen after several years
      of chronicity predominantly in the female population resulting in arthralgias,
      purpuras, and other symptoms, due to vasculitis. Here we present a case of
      incomplete mixed cryoglobulinemia Type III (as per Brouet's classification) in a
      young boy aged 13 years who presented with an unusual symptom of pruritus.
      Diagnosis was confirmed by cryoprecipitation test followed by immunofixation. We
      aim to highlight the difficulty in diagnosis of this rare case/presentation,
      important investigation pitfalls and how to avoid them. 

PMID- 26275273
TI  - Brevundimonas diminuta bacteremia in a man with myelodysplastic syndromes.
AB  - Brevundimonas diminuta are ubiquitous in the environment, but are infrequently
      isolated from clinical samples. Here we report a case of B. diminuta bacteremia
      in a man with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) at a teaching hospital in China and
      review the previously reported cases. The organism was confirmed by culture and
      16s rRNA sequence analysis with highly sensitivity to broad-spectrum antibiotics.
      Our report and other cases demonstrated that the optimal therapeutic duration for
      B. diminuta infections in various situations remains to be established. 

PMID- 26275274
TI  - Subcutaneous human Dirofilariasis in Vidarbha.
AB  - Zoonotic filariasis due to Dirofilaria repens is prevalent in several regions of
      the world. Human dirofilariasis due to D. repens has not been widely recognized
      in India, but few cases reported from some parts of India. Dirofilaria species
      are commonly encountered in the subcutaneous tissue of dogs, foxes, and cats and
      it can accidentally infect humans. Here, we report a case of subcutaneous
      dirofilariasis, presenting as a subcutaneous nodule on the right leg of a 25-year
      old female from Vidarbha region. 

PMID- 26275275
TI  - Cervical strongyloidiasis in an immunocompetent patient: A clinical surprise.
AB  - A 32-year-old lady came for a routine gynecological check up. Her cervical
      cytologic smear was reported as low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion. As a
      part of basic routine investigation, cervical punch biopsy was done.
      Astonishingly it revealed multiple rhabditiform larvae of Strongyloides
      stercoralis. These were curved thick with pointed end and a short buccal cavity.
      She did not have any history of immunosuppression including steroid therapy and
      was otherwise normal. Extensive review of the literature on parasites encountered
      in cervix yielded few case reports on strongyloides in cytologic smears, but
      failed to reveal any report till date on S. stercoralis found in histopathology
      section. Our case is probably the first in the world and the first reported from
      India to the best of our knowledge. We describe this case of strongyloidiasis of
      cervix with review of the literature on various parasites encountered in the
      cervix because of its rarity and also to keep this parasitic infestation as a
      differential diagnosis of cervical lesions. 

PMID- 26275276
TI  - Chlamydia pneumoniae-related hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in an adult
      patient with clonal karyotype abnormality.
AB  - Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare life-threatening disease
      characterized by a severe hyperinflammation caused by uncontrolled proliferation
      of activated lymphocytes and macrophages. Herein, we report a 58-year-old male
      who had Chlamydia pneumoniae-related pneumonia, followed by aggressive HLH. An
      abnormal cytogenetic profile was also detected. To our knowledge, this is the
      first report of an adult patient with C. pneumonia-associated HLH. 

PMID- 26275277
TI  - Uncommon pathogen: Serious manifestation: A rare case of Achromobacter
      xylosoxidans septic arthritis in immunocompetetant patient.
AB  - Achromobacter xylosoxidans is a rare opportunistic Gram-negative bacilli and
      rarer etiology of septic arthritis. We present here the first Indian case of
      septic arthritis due to A. xylosoxidans in 11-month-old male child confirmed by
      16S rRNA sequencing. The child was admitted as suspected case of septic arthritis
      and underwent arthrotomy. Drained pus revealed Gram-negative bacilli, identified
      as Serratia odorifera by API (bioMerieux, Marcy l'Iotatoile, France), later
      subjected to VITEK 2 (bioMerieux, Marcy l'Iotatoile, France) identification
      revealing it to be A. xylosoxidans. It being a rare etiology of septic arthritis
      confirmation was done with 16S rRNA Sequencing. 

PMID- 26275278
TI  - Atypical presentation of Whipple disease with no diarrhea.

PMID- 26275279
TI  - Myiasis in vulvar carcinoma in a patient with acquired immune deficiency
      syndrome.

PMID- 26275281
TI  - Vibrant colors of uric acid crystals on polarization.

PMID- 26275280
TI  - Rhinofacial entomophthoramycosis: A rare fungal infection in an adolescent boy.

PMID- 26275282
TI  - Subcutaneous infection by Cladosporium sphaerospermum-A rare case report.

PMID- 26275283
TI  - Sebaceous carcinoma.

PMID- 26275284
TI  - The myofibroblastic sarcoma of retroperitoneum: A diagnostic dilemma.

PMID- 26275285
TI  - Is histopathology informative for further characterization of DOTANOC-proven
      islet cell lesions in infancy?

PMID- 26275286
TI  - Primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the central nervous system in pineal
      gland: Report of a rare case with review of literature.

PMID- 26275287
TI  - Trichosporon asahii as a cause of urinary tract infection: A rare human pathogen.

PMID- 26275288
TI  - Remembering Prof. K. C. Das.

PMID- 26275290
TI  - Empirical Evidence for Species-Specific Export of Fish Naivete from a No-Take
      Marine Protected Area in a Coastal Recreational Hook and Line Fishery.
AB  - No-take marine protected areas (MPAs) are assumed to enhance fisheries catch via
      the "spillover" effect, where biomass is exported to adjacent exploited areas.
      Recent studies in spearfishing fisheries suggest that the spillover of gear-naive
      individuals from protected to unprotected sites increases catch rates outside the
      boundaries of MPAs. Whether this is a widespread phenomenon that also holds for
      other gear types and species is unknown. In this study, we tested if the distance
      to a Mediterranean MPA predicted the degree of vulnerability to hook and line in
      four small-bodied coastal fish species. With the assistance of underwater video
      recording, we investigated the interaction effect of the distance to the boundary
      of an MPA and species type relative to the latency time to ingest a natural bait,
      which was considered as a surrogate of fish naivete or vulnerability to fishing.
      Vulnerability to angling increased (i.e., latency time decreased) within and near
      the boundary of an MPA for an intrinsically highly catchable species (Serranus
      scriba), while it remained constant for an intrinsically uncatchable control
      species (Chromis chromis). While all of the individuals of S. scriba observed
      within the MPA and surrounding areas were in essence captured by angling gear,
      only one fifth of individuals in the far locations were captured. This supports
      the potential for the spillover of gear-naive and consequently more vulnerable
      fish from no-take MPAs. Two other species initially characterized as
      intermediately catchable (Coris julis and Diplodus annularis) also had a shorter
      latency time in the vicinity of an MPA, but for these two cases the trend was not
      statistically significant. Overall, our results suggest that an MPA-induced
      naivete effect may not be universal and may be confined to only intrinsically
      highly catchable fish species. This fact emphasizes the importance of considering
      the behavioural dimension when predicting the outcomes of MPAs, otherwise the
      effective contribution may be smaller than predicted for certain highly catchable
      species such as S. scriba.

PMID- 26275289
TI  - Curation of the Mammalian Palmitoylome Indicates a Pivotal Role for
      Palmitoylation in Diseases and Disorders of the Nervous System and Cancers.
AB  - Palmitoylation involves the reversible posttranslational addition of palmitate to
      cysteines and promotes membrane binding and subcellular localization. Recent
      advancements in the detection and identification of palmitoylated proteins have
      led to multiple palmitoylation proteomics studies but these datasets are
      contained within large supplemental tables, making downstream analysis and data
      mining time-consuming and difficult. Consequently, we curated the data from 15
      palmitoylation proteomics studies into one compendium containing 1,838 genes
      encoding palmitoylated proteins; representing approximately 10% of the genome.
      Enrichment analysis revealed highly significant enrichments for Gene Ontology
      biological processes, pathway maps, and process networks related to the nervous
      system. Strikingly, 41% of synaptic genes encode a palmitoylated protein in the
      compendium. The top disease associations included cancers and diseases and
      disorders of the nervous system, with Schizophrenia, HD, and pancreatic ductal
      carcinoma among the top five, suggesting that aberrant palmitoylation may play a
      pivotal role in the balance of cell death and survival. This compendium provides
      a much-needed resource for cell biologists and the palmitoylation field,
      providing new perspectives for cancer and neurodegeneration. 

PMID- 26275291
TI  - Pathogenic Yersinia Promotes Its Survival by Creating an Acidic Fluid-Accessible
      Compartment on the Macrophage Surface.
AB  - Microbial pathogens and host immune cells each initiate events following their
      interaction in an attempt to drive the outcome to their respective advantage.
      Here we show that the bacterial pathogen Yersinia pseudotuberculosis sustains
      itself on the surface of a macrophage by forming acidic fluid-accessible
      compartments that are partially bounded by the host cell plasma membrane. These
      Yersinia-containing acidic compartments (YACs) are bereft of the early endosomal
      marker EEA1 and the lysosomal antigen LAMP1 and readily form on primary
      macrophages as well as macrophage-like cell lines. YAC formation requires the
      presence of the Yersinia virulence plasmid which encodes a type III secretion
      system. Unexpectedly, we found that the initial formation of YACs did not require
      translocation of the type III effectors into the host cell cytosol; however, the
      duration of YACs was markedly greater in infections using translocation-competent
      Y. pseudotuberculosis strains as well as strains expressing the effector YopJ.
      Furthermore, it was in this translocation- and YopJ-dependent phase of infection
      that the acidic environment was critical for Y. pseudotuberculosis survival
      during its interaction with macrophages. Our findings indicate that during its
      extracellular phase of infection Y. pseudotuberculosis initiates and then, by a
      separate mechanism, stabilizes the formation of a highly intricate structure on
      the surface of the macrophage that is disengaged from the endocytic pathway.

PMID- 26275294
TI  - A Novel Classification Algorithm Based on Incremental Semi-Supervised Support
      Vector Machine.
AB  - For current computational intelligence techniques, a major challenge is how to
      learn new concepts in changing environment. Traditional learning schemes could
      not adequately address this problem due to a lack of dynamic data selection
      mechanism. In this paper, inspired by human learning process, a novel
      classification algorithm based on incremental semi-supervised support vector
      machine (SVM) is proposed. Through the analysis of prediction confidence of
      samples and data distribution in a changing environment, a "soft-start" approach,
      a data selection mechanism and a data cleaning mechanism are designed, which
      complete the construction of our incremental semi-supervised learning system.
      Noticeably, with the ingenious design procedure of our proposed algorithm, the
      computation complexity is reduced effectively. In addition, for the possible
      appearance of some new labeled samples in the learning process, a detailed
      analysis is also carried out. The results show that our algorithm does not rely
      on the model of sample distribution, has an extremely low rate of introducing
      wrong semi-labeled samples and can effectively make use of the unlabeled samples
      to enrich the knowledge system of classifier and improve the accuracy rate.
      Moreover, our method also has outstanding generalization performance and the
      ability to overcome the concept drift in a changing environment. 

PMID- 26275292
TI  - Does the Chemotherapy Backbone Impact on the Efficacy of Targeted Agents in
      Metastatic Colorectal Cancer? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the
      Literature.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: The EGFR inhibitors (EGFR-I) cetuximab and panitumumab and the
      angiogenesis inhibitors (AIs) bevacizumab and aflibercept have demonstrated
      varying efficacy in mCRC. OBJECTIVE: To document the overall impact of specific
      chemotherapy regimens on the efficacy of targeted agents in treating patients
      with mCRC. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane databases were searched to
      2014, supplemented by hand-searching ASCO/ESMO conference abstracts. STUDY
      SELECTION: Published RCTs of patients with histologically confirmed mCRC were
      included if they investigated either 1) chemotherapy with or without a biological
      agent or 2) different chemotherapy regimens with the same biological agent. EGFR
      I trials were restricted to KRAS exon 2 wild-type (WT) populations. DATA
      EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Data were independently abstracted by two authors and
      trial quality assessed according to Cochrane criteria. The primary outcome was
      overall survival with secondary endpoints progression free survival (PFS),
      overall response rate (ORR) and toxicity. RESULTS: EGFR-I added to irinotecan
      based chemotherapy modestly improved OS with HR 0.90 (95% CI 0.81-1.00, p =
      0.04), but more so PFS with HR 0.77 (95% CI 0.69-0.86, p<0.00001). No benefit was
      evident for EGFR-I added to oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy (OS HR 0.97 (95% CI
      0.87-1.09) and PFS HR 0.92 (95% CI 0.83-1.02)). Significant oxaliplatin
      irinotecan subgroup interactions were present for PFS with I2 = 82%, p = 0.02.
      Further analyses of oxaliplatin+EGFR-I trials showed greater efficacy with
      infusional 5FU regimens (PFS HR 0.82, 95% CI 0.72-0.94) compared to capecitabine
      (HR 1.09; 95% CI 0.91-1.30) and bolus 5FU (HR 1.07; 95% CI 0.79-1.45); subgroup
      interaction was present with I2 = 72%, p = 0.03. The oxaliplatin-irinotecan
      interaction was not evident for infusional 5FU regimens. For AIs, OS benefit was
      observed with both oxaliplatin-based (HR 0.83) and irinotecan-based (HR 0.77)
      regimens without significant subgroup interactions. Oxaliplatin+AI trials showed
      no subgroup interactions by type of FP, whilst an interaction was present for
      irinotecan+AI trials although aflibercept was only used with infusional FP (I2 =
      89.7%, p = 0.002). CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: The addition of EGFR-I to irinotecan
      based chemotherapy has consistent efficacy, regardless of FP regimen, whereas
      EGFR-I and oxaliplatin-based regimens were most active with infusional 5FU. No
      such differential activity was observed with the varying chemotherapy schedules
      when combined with AIs.

PMID- 26275293
TI  - Phase II Trial of Sorafenib in Patients with Chemotherapy Refractory Metastatic
      Esophageal and Gastroesophageal (GE) Junction Cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR2) directed therapies
      result in a modest survival benefit for patients with advanced esophageal and
      gastroesophageal (GE) junction cancer. Platelet-derived growth factor receptor
      (PDGFR) may contribute to escape from VEGFR2 inhibition. We evaluated the
      efficacy of sorafenib, a broad spectrum tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting
      VEGFR2 and PDGFR as well as RET and RAF1, in patients with metastatic
      chemotherapy refractory esophageal and GE junction cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS:
      This phase II trial of sorafenib 400 mg twice daily enrolled chemotherapy
      refractory patients with metastatic esophageal and GE junction cancer with
      primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS) rate at two months. Secondary
      endpoints included overall survival, objective response rate and toxicity.
      RESULTS: Among 34 patients, 8 week Kaplan-Meier estimated PFS was 61% (90%CI 45
      to 73%). Median PFS is 3.6 months (95% CI 1.8 to 3.9 months), with median overall
      survival OS 9.7 months (95% CI 5.9 to 11.6 months). Grade 3 toxicities were
      uncommon and included hand foot skin reaction, rash, dehydration and fatigue. One
      patient (3%) with ongoing complete response and remains on trial for over 5
      years. Whole exome sequencing of this tumor revealed mutations in many cancer
      associated genes including ARID1A, PIK3CA, and TP53, and focal amplifications of
      HMGA2 and MET. CONCLUSION: Sorafenib therapy results in disease stabilization and
      encouraging PFS in patients with refractory esophageal and GE junction cancer.
      TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00917462.

PMID- 26275296
TI  - Drought Increases Consumer Pressure on Oyster Reefs in Florida, USA.
AB  - Coastal economies and ecosystems have historically depended on oyster reefs, but
      this habitat has declined globally by 85% because of anthropogenic activities. In
      a Florida estuary, we investigated the cause of newly reported losses of oysters.
      We found that the oyster reefs have deteriorated from north to south and that
      this deterioration was positively correlated with the abundance of carnivorous
      conchs and water salinity. In experiments across these gradients, oysters
      survived regardless of salinity if conchs were excluded. After determining that
      conchs were the proximal cause of oyster loss, we tested whether elevated water
      salinity was linked to conch abundance either by increasing conch growth and
      survivorship or by decreasing the abundance of a predator of conchs. In field
      experiments across a salinity gradient, we failed to detect spatial variation in
      predation on conchs or in conch growth and survivorship. A laboratory experiment,
      however, demonstrated the role of salinity by showing that conch larvae failed to
      survive at low salinities. Because this estuary's salinity increased in 2006 in
      response to reduced inputs of freshwater, we concluded that the ultimate cause of
      oyster decline was an increase in salinity. According to records from 2002 to
      2012, oyster harvests have remained steady in the northernmost estuaries of this
      ecoregion (characterized by high reef biomass, low salinity, and low conch
      abundance) but have declined in the southernmost estuaries (characterized by
      lower reef biomass, increases in salinity, and increases in conch abundance).
      Oyster conservation in this ecoregion, which is probably one of the few that
      still support viable oyster populations, may be undermined by drought-induced
      increases in salinity causing an increased abundance of carnivorous conchs.

PMID- 26275295
TI  - The hMLH1 -93G>A Polymorphism and Risk of Ovarian Cancer in the Chinese
      Population.
AB  - BACKGROUND: As a mismatch repair (MMR) gene, hMLH1 plays an important role in the
      maintenance of chromosomal integrity. Several studies have investigated the
      associations of hMLH1 -93G>A (rs1800734) and Ile219Val (rs1799977) in diverse
      tumor types with discordant results, but their roles in ovarian cancer in the
      Chinese population remains to be elucidated. METHODS: In a case-control analysis,
      we assessed the association between these two polymorphisms and ovarian cancer
      risk in 421 ovarian cancer patients and 689 control subjects in the Chinese
      population using logistic regression. RESULTS: We found that the variant hMLH1
      genotypes (-93AA and AG) are associated with risk of ovarian cancer (adjusted
      odds ratio [OR] = 2.02, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.42-2.89) compared with
      the -93GG genotype. The A allele increases the risk of ovarian cancer in a dose
      dependent manner (P<10-4). Functional test showed that -93A allele increased
      hMLH1 promoter transcriptional activity and the luciferase activity. However, no
      significant difference was found in the genotype frequencies at the Ile219Val
      site between the cases and controls. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that
      the -93G>A polymorphism in hMLH1 may affect ovarian cancer susceptibility in the
      Chinese population.

PMID- 26275297
TI  - Economic Performance and Sustainability of a Novel Intercropping System on the
      North China Plain.
AB  - Double cropping of wheat and maize is common on the North China Plain, but it
      provides limited income to rural households due to the small farm sizes in the
      region. Local farmers in Quzhou County have therefore innovated their production
      system by integration of watermelon as a companion cash crop into the system. We
      examine the economic performance and sustainability of this novel intercropping
      system using crop yield data from 2010 to 2012 and farm household survey data
      collected in 2012. Our results show that the gross margin of the intercropping
      system exceeded that of the double cropping system by more than 50% in 2012.
      Labor use in the intercropping system was more than three times that in double
      cropping. The lower returns per labor hour in intercropping, however, exceeded
      the average off-farm wage in the region by a significant margin. Nutrient
      surpluses and irrigation water use are significant larger under the intercropping
      system. We conclude that the novel wheat-maize/watermelon intercropping system
      contributes to rural poverty alleviation and household-level food security, by
      raising farm incomes and generating more employment, but needs further
      improvement to enhance its sustainability. 

PMID- 26275299
TI  - Correction: The First Paenibacillus larvae Bacteriophage Endolysin (PlyPl23) with
      High Potential to Control American Foulbrood.

PMID- 26275298
TI  - Development of Resistance to Pyrethroid in Culex pipiens pallens Population under
      Different Insecticide Selection Pressures.
AB  - Current vector control programs are largely dependent on pyrethroids, which are
      the most commonly used and only insecticides recommended by the World Health
      Organization for insecticide-treated nets (ITNs). However, the rapid spread of
      pyrethroid resistance worldwide compromises the effectiveness of control programs
      and threatens public health. Since few new insecticide classes for vector control
      are anticipated, limiting the development of resistance is crucial for prolonging
      efficacy of pyrethroids. In this study, we exposed a field-collected population
      of Culex pipiens pallens to different insecticide selection intensities to
      dynamically monitor the development of resistance. Moreover, we detected kdr
      mutations and three detoxification enzyme activities in order to explore the
      evolutionary mechanism of pyrethroid resistance. Our results revealed that the
      level of pyrethroid resistance was proportional to the insecticide selection
      pressure. The kdr and metabolic resistance both contributed to pyrethroid
      resistance in the Cx. pipiens pallens populations, but they had different roles
      under different selection pressures. We have provided important evidence for
      better understanding of the development and mechanisms of pyrethroid resistance
      which may guide future insecticide use and vector management in order to avoid or
      delay resistance. 

PMID- 26275300
TI  - Correction: Impact of Vitamin D Replacement on Markers of Glucose Metabolism and
      Cardio-Metabolic Risk in Women with Former Gestational Diabetes--A Double-Blind,
      Randomized Controlled Trial.

PMID- 26275301
TI  - A Study on the Application of the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills (IMB)
      Model on Rational Drug Use Behavior among Second-Level Hospital Outpatients in
      Anhui, China.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The high prevalence of risky irrational drug use behaviors mean that
      outpatients face high risks of drug resistance and even death. This study
      represents the first application of the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills
      (IMB) model on rational drug use behavior among second-level hospital outpatients
      from three prefecture-level cities in Anhui, China. Using the IMB model, our
      study examined predictors of rational drug use behavior and determined the
      associations between the model constructs. METHODS: This study was conducted with
      a sample of 1,214 outpatients aged 18 years and older in Anhui second-level
      hospitals and applied the structural equation model (SEM) to test predictive
      relations among the IMB model variables related to rational drug use behavior.
      RESULTS: Age, information and motivation had significant direct effects on
      rational drug use behavior. Behavioral skills as an intermediate variable also
      significantly predicted more rational drug use behavior. Female gender, higher
      educational level, more information and more motivation predicted more behavioral
      skills. In addition, there were significant indirect impacts on rational drug use
      behavior mediated through behavioral skills. CONCLUSIONS: The IMB-based model
      explained the relationships between the constructs and rational drug use behavior
      of outpatients in detail, and it suggests that future interventions among second
      level hospital outpatients should consider demographic characteristics and should
      focus on improving motivation and behavioral skills in addition to the publicity
      of knowledge.

PMID- 26275303
TI  - Evaluation of the 2013 Southeast Asian Haze on Solar Generation Performance.
AB  - Pollution in Southeast Asia is a major public energy problem and the cause of
      energy losses. A significant problem with respect to this type of pollution is
      that it decreases energy yield. In this study, two types of photovoltaic (PV)
      solar arrays were used to evaluate the effect of air pollution. The performance
      of two types of solar arrays were analysed in this research, namely, two units of
      a 1 kWp tracking flat photovoltaic (TFP) and two units of a 1 kWp fixed flat
      photovoltaic arrays (FFP). Data analysis was conducted on 2,190 samples at 30 min
      intervals from 01st June 2013, when both arrays were washed, until 30th June
      2013. The performance was evaluated by using environmental data (irradiation,
      temperature, dust thickness, and air pollution index), power output, and energy
      yield. Multiple regression models were predicted in view of the environmental
      data and PV array output. Results showed that the fixed flat system was more
      affected by air pollution than the tracking flat plate. The contribution of this
      work is that it considers two types of photovoltaic arrays under the Southeast
      Asian pollution 2013. 

PMID- 26275302
TI  - Measuring Health Utilities in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review of
      the Literature.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The objective of this review was to evaluate the use of all direct
      and indirect methods used to estimate health utilities in both children and
      adolescents. Utilities measured pre- and post-intervention are combined with the
      time over which health states are experienced to calculate quality-adjusted life
      years (QALYs). Cost-utility analyses (CUAs) estimate the cost-effectiveness of
      health technologies based on their costs and benefits using QALYs as a measure of
      benefit. The accurate measurement of QALYs is dependent on using appropriate
      methods to elicit health utilities. OBJECTIVE: We sought studies that measured
      health utilities directly from patients or their proxies. We did not exclude
      those studies that also included adults in the analysis, but excluded those
      studies focused only on adults. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We evaluated 90 studies
      from a total of 1,780 selected from the databases. 47 (52%) studies were CUAs
      incorporated into randomised clinical trials; 23 (26%) were health-state utility
      assessments; 8 (9%) validated methods and 12 (13%) compared existing or new
      methods. 22 unique direct or indirect calculation methods were used a total of
      137 times. Direct calculation through standard gamble, time trade-off and visual
      analogue scale was used 32 times. The EuroQol EQ-5D was the most frequently-used
      single method, selected for 41 studies. 15 of the methods used were generic
      methods and the remaining 7 were disease-specific. 48 of the 90 studies (53%)
      used some form of proxy, with 26 (29%) using proxies exclusively to estimate
      health utilities. CONCLUSIONS: Several child- and adolescent-specific methods are
      still being developed and validated, leaving many studies using methods that have
      not been designed or validated for use in children or adolescents. Several
      studies failed to justify using proxy respondents rather than administering the
      methods directly to the patients. Only two studies examined missing responses to
      the methods administered with respect to the patients' ages.

PMID- 26275305
TI  - Successful Neuraxial Analgesia After Recent Epidural Blood Patch.
AB  - Epidural blood patch is a frequently successful treatment for postdural puncture
      headache. It is not clear whether a recent epidural blood patch affects
      subsequent neuraxial analgesia. We describe the case of a patient who received an
      epidural blood patch for postdural puncture headache and returned 3 days later in
      active labor, requesting epidural analgesia. The patient successfully received
      analgesia from a combined spinal epidural without further complications. We
      discuss the anesthetic considerations for providing neuraxial analgesia after a
      recent epidural blood patch. 

PMID- 26275304
TI  - Analysis of Tospovirus NSs Proteins in Suppression of Systemic Silencing.
AB  - RNA silencing is a sequence-specific gene regulation mechanism that in plants
      also acts antiviral. In order to counteract antiviral RNA silencing, viruses have
      evolved RNA silencing suppressors (RSS). In the case of tospoviruses, the non
      structural NSs protein has been identified as the RSS. Although the tomato
      spotted wilt virus (TSWV) tospovirus NSs protein has been shown to exhibit
      affinity to long and small dsRNA molecules, its ability to suppress the non-cell
      autonomous part of RNA silencing has only been studied to a limited extent. Here,
      the NSs proteins of TSWV, groundnut ringspot virus (GRSV) and tomato yellow ring
      virus (TYRV), representatives for three distinct tospovirus species, have been
      studied on their ability and strength to suppress local and systemic silencing. A
      system has been developed to quantify suppression of GFP silencing in Nicotiana
      benthamiana 16C lines, to allow a comparison of relative RNA silencing suppressor
      strength. It is shown that NSs of all three tospoviruses are suppressors of local
      and systemic silencing. Unexpectedly, suppression of systemic RNA silencing by
      NSsTYRV was just as strong as those by NSsTSWV and NSsGRSV, even though NSsTYRV
      was expressed in lower amounts. Using the system established, a set of selected
      NSsTSWV gene constructs mutated in predicted RNA binding domains, as well as NSs
      from TSWV isolates 160 and 171 (resistance breakers of the Tsw resistance gene),
      were analyzed for their ability to suppress systemic GFP silencing. The results
      indicate another mode of RNA silencing suppression by NSs that acts further
      downstream the biogenesis of siRNAs and their sequestration. The findings are
      discussed in light of the affinity of NSs for small and long dsRNA, and recent
      mutant screen of NSsTSWV to map domains required for RSS activity and triggering
      of Tsw-governed resistance.

PMID- 26275306
TI  - Atypical Presentation of a Pulmonary Embolism in the Perioperative Setting.
AB  - We present the case of an asymptomatic 82-year-old patient with no coronary
      artery disease and a negative cardiac workup who presented to the hospital for an
      elective total knee replacement. The patient had stable vital signs in the
      preanesthesia holding unit, yet the anesthesiologist recognized new-onset atrial
      fibrillation on the patient's monitor. The dysrhythmia was confirmed with a 12
      lead electrocardiogram. The procedure was canceled, and the patient was sent for
      additional evaluation. An echocardiogram revealed a pulmonary embolism. This case
      report illustrates the need for a questioning attitude and diligent monitoring in
      all phases of perioperative care. 

PMID- 26275307
TI  - Bilateral Blindness due to Ischemic Optic Nerve Neuropathy After Abdominal
      Surgery.
AB  - Postoperative blindness is an unpredictable, devastating, and yet not-uncommon
      complication of anesthesia. We present the case of a patient who suffered
      bilateral loss of eyesight after surgery. The diagnostic evidence led us to
      believe that it was bilateral posterior ischemic optic neuropathy; however, the
      true mechanisms of damage remain a matter of speculation. 

PMID- 26275308
TI  - Dependent Lung Tension Pneumothorax During 1-Lung Ventilation: Treatment by
      Transmediastinal Thoracentesis.
AB  - Contralateral tension pneumothorax during 1-lung ventilation is rare but life
      threatening. We report the case of a patient who developed tension pneumothorax
      of the dependent lung during 1-lung ventilation while the surgeon was
      anastomosing the bronchi after sleeve lobectomy. Ventilation was not possible in
      either the dependent or nondependent lung, leading to severe desaturation and
      cardiac arrest. While the surgeons were administering direct cardiac compression,
      we suspected tension pneumothorax. As soon as the surgeons pierced the
      mediastinal pleura, adequate circulation was restored. Immediate diagnosis and
      treatment is important for this complication. 

PMID- 26275309
TI  - Anesthetic Management for Resection of Bilateral Pulmonary Artery Sarcoma.
AB  - We describe a patient who presented with a bilateral pulmonary artery sarcoma,
      initially treated as pulmonary embolism, that necessitated concomitant pulmonary
      endarterectomy and pneumonectomy. We reviewed the anesthetic management used for
      this procedure, which bears many similarities to the management of patients
      undergoing pulmonary thromboendarterectomy. Right ventricular failure, pulmonary
      hemorrhage, and cerebral ischemia due to circulatory arrest are life-threatening
      perioperative complications. The anesthesiologist can play a key role in the
      prevention (or timely recognition and treatment) of these perioperative
      complications by establishing adequate hemodynamic, echocardiographic, and
      neurologic monitoring and by optimizing cardiopulmonary function and coagulation.

PMID- 26275312
TI  - Correction: Status Epilepticus Induced Spontaneous Dentate Gyrus Spikes: In Vivo
      Current Source Density Analysis.

PMID- 26275310
TI  - Reporter Gene Silencing in Targeted Mouse Mutants Is Associated with Promoter CpG
      Island Methylation.
AB  - Targeted mutations in mouse disrupt local chromatin structure and may lead to
      unanticipated local effects. We evaluated targeted gene promoter silencing in a
      group of six mutants carrying the tm1a Knockout Mouse Project allele containing
      both a LacZ reporter gene driven by the native promoter and a neo selection
      cassette. Messenger RNA levels of the reporter gene and targeted gene were
      assessed by qRT-PCR, and methylation of the promoter CpG islands and LacZ coding
      sequence were evaluated by sequencing of bisulfite-treated DNA. Mutants were
      stratified by LacZ staining into presumed Silenced and Expressed reporter genes.
      Silenced mutants had reduced relative quantities LacZ mRNA and greater CpG Island
      methylation compared with the Expressed mutant group. Within the silenced group,
      LacZ coding sequence methylation was significantly and positively correlated with
      CpG Island methylation, while promoter CpG methylation was only weakly correlated
      with LacZ gene mRNA. The results support the conclusion that there is promoter
      silencing in a subset of mutants carrying the tm1a allele. The features of
      targeted genes which promote local silencing when targeted remain unknown.

PMID- 26275311
TI  - Diurnal Expression Pattern, Allelic Variation, and Association Analysis Reveal
      Functional Features of the E1 Gene in Control of Photoperiodic Flowering in
      Soybean.
AB  - Although four maturity genes, E1 to E4, in soybean have been successfully cloned,
      their functional mechanisms and the regulatory network of photoperiodic flowering
      remain to be elucidated. In this study, we investigated how the diurnal
      expression pattern of the E1 gene is related to photoperiodic length; and to what
      extent allelic variation in the B3-like domain of the E1 gene is associated with
      flowering time phenotype. The bimodal expression of the E1 gene peaked first at
      around 2 hours after dawn in long-day condition. The basal expression level of E1
      was enhanced by the long light phase, and decreased by duration of dark. We
      identified a 5bp (3 SNP and 2-bp deletion) mutation, referred to an e1-b3a, which
      occurs in the middle of B3 domain of the E1 gene in the early flowering cultivar
      Yanhuang 3. Subcellular localization analysis showed that the putative truncated
      e1-b3a protein was predominately distributed in nuclei, indicating the
      distribution pattern of e1-b3a was similar to that of E1, but not to that of e1
      as. Furthermore, genetic analysis demonstrated allelic variations at the E1 locus
      significantly underlay flowering time in three F2 populations. Taken together, we
      can conclude the legume specific E1 gene confers some special features in
      photoperiodic control of flowering in soybean. Further characterization of the E1
      gene will extend our understanding of the soybean flowering pathway in soybean.

PMID- 26275313
TI  - Epidermotropic B-Cell Lymphoma: A Unique Subset of CXCR3-Positive Marginal Zone
      Lymphoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Epidermotropic B-cell lymphoma is a very rare entity that has
      primarily been reported in the literature as anecdotal case reports. The majority
      of the reported cases exhibit a diffuse skin rash affecting middle-aged to older
      adults with a male predominance. The exact mechanism of marginal zone B-cell
      localization to the epidermis is unclear. MATERIAL AND METHODS: To describe a
      very rare subset of cutaneous B-cell lymphoma and explore potential pathogenetic
      mechanisms for the epidermotropic tendency, the hospital database and literature
      review was conducted to isolate cases of epidermotropic B-cell lymphoma. Routine
      hematoxylin and eosin stain followed by selective phenotypic studies. RESULTS:
      Two of the cases were encountered in the hospital database, whereas 5 cases have
      been previously reported; material was requested on previously reported cases and
      was received on 3 of them. In one of the 2 cases encountered in our database, the
      patient presented with a progressive skin rash over 7 months resembling
      pityriasis rosea. Subsequent to a diagnosis of B-cell lymphoma, further staging
      revealed bone marrow involvement. The other patient, an elderly female, presented
      with isolated nodules. The biopsies of both cases showed areas of superficial
      band-like lymphocytic infiltration with large monocytoid appearance and an
      epidermotropic pattern of lymphocyte migration into the epidermis. Neoplastic
      cells were extensively positive for CD20, CD79a, and BCL-2 and negative for CD10
      and BCL-6. Of interest, a similar pityriasis rosea-like presentation was
      encountered in the cases reported in the literature. All patients were elderly
      males with established bone marrow, peripheral blood, and spleen involvement
      several months to years after the initial cutaneous presentation in 3 of them.
      None of the patients to date have died of lymphoma. CXCR3 epidermotropic B cells
      were detected in both our cases and in 3 of the 3 previously published cases.
      CONCLUSIONS: Epidermotropic B-cell lymphoma represents a subset of marginal zone
      lymphoma characterized by a papulosquamous rash most frequently resembling
      pityriasis rosea, occurring almost exclusively in older males. We speculate that
      aberrant expression of CXCR3 in marginal zone lymphoma of the skin is associated
      with migration of lymphoma cells to the epidermis and could lead to an
      epidermotropic pattern given the known role of CXCR3 expression in neoplastic T
      cells in the localization of mycosis fungoides to the epidermis. There is a
      tendency toward bone marrow, spleen, and peripheral blood involvement.

PMID- 26275314
TI  - Matrical Carcinoma With Melanocytic Proliferation and Prominent Squamoid Whorls.
AB  - Matrical carcinoma (pilomatrix carcinoma) is a rare follicular low-grade
      malignancy with matrical differentiation. A pigmented variant with admixed
      dendritic melanocytes is exceedingly rare with only 7 cases reported in the
      literature. The diagnosis of malignancy can be difficult to establish. The
      authors report a case of a 79-year-old woman with a matrical carcinoma who
      presented with an ulcerated nodule on the posterior right leg, measuring 2.2 cm
      in greatest dimension. The excisional biopsy showed irregularly shaped dermal and
      subcutaneous nodules ranging in size from 0.1 to 0.5 cm. The nodules were
      composed of aggregates of large atypical basaloid cells, with multiple, sometimes
      atypical, mitoses, admixed with ghost cells, and central necrosis en masse. In
      addition, the neoplasm was characterized by focal marked melanocytic
      proliferation and multiple whorls of pink eosinophilic material reminiscent of
      keratin pearls (squamoid whorls). The basaloid cells were positive for beta
      catenin both in the nuclei and the cytoplasm and negative for BerEp4. S100, Melan
      A, and HMB45 highlighted the melanocytic dendritic cells. Pan-cytokeratin was
      negative in the ghost cells and focally positive in the squamoid whorls. Squamoid
      whorls seem to be a significant feature of matrical carcinoma. 

PMID- 26275315
TI  - Mothers' Perceptions of Labor Support.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe mothers' perceptions of labor
      support during childbirth. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A cross-sectional,
      descriptive, correlational survey design was used. Data were collected using the
      Bryanton Adaptation of Nursing Support in Labor Questionnaire (BANSILQ) completed
      by new mothers (n = 260) in the postnatal ward in a Finnish university hospital.
      Nonparametric methods were used for data analysis. RESULTS: Mothers perceived
      emotional assistance to be most important. From the list of midwives' labor
      support behaviors provided in the survey, the following were considered most
      helpful: giving praise, treating on an individual basis, and answering questions
      truthfully and understandably. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Emotional, tangible, and
      informational labor support enhanced the mothers' birth experiences. Labor
      support should be provided when caring for every mother during childbirth. An
      evidence-based model of labor support should be used for nursing and midwifery
      education and clinical practice.

PMID- 26275316
TI  - Tribute to Margaret Comerford Freda.

PMID- 26275317
TI  - Editorial overview: Special section: Immunological engineering.

PMID- 26275318
TI  - Editorial overview: Vaccines: Vaccines for cancer and infectious diseases.

PMID- 26275319
TI  - Vitamin A deficiency: slow progress towards elimination.

PMID- 26275320
TI  - Home use of urine pregnancy tests for medical abortion follow-up.

PMID- 26275321
TI  - Nigeria's new government and public financing for universal health coverage.

PMID- 26275322
TI  - Ethics in global health research: the need for balance.

PMID- 26275323
TI  - Breastfeeding and adult intelligence.

PMID- 26275324
TI  - Breastfeeding and adult intelligence.

PMID- 26275325
TI  - Breastfeeding and adult intelligence.

PMID- 26275326
TI  - Breastfeeding and adult intelligence - Authors' reply.

PMID- 26275327
TI  - Banning of fetal sex determination and changes in sex ratio in India.

PMID- 26275328
TI  - Strengthening US-Iranian relations through public health.

PMID- 26275329
TI  - Trends and mortality effects of vitamin A deficiency in children in 138 low
      income and middle-income countries between 1991 and 2013: a pooled analysis of
      population-based surveys.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Vitamin A deficiency is a risk factor for blindness and for mortality
      from measles and diarrhoea in children aged 6-59 months. We aimed to estimate
      trends in the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency between 1991 and 2013 and its
      mortality burden in low-income and middle-income countries. METHODS: We collated
      134 population-representative data sources from 83 countries with measured serum
      retinol concentration data. We used a Bayesian hierarchical model to estimate the
      prevalence of vitamin A deficiency, defined as a serum retinol concentration
      lower than 0.70 MUmol/L. We estimated the relative risks (RRs) for the effects of
      vitamin A deficiency on mortality from measles and diarrhoea by pooling effect
      sizes from randomised trials of vitamin A supplementation. We used information
      about prevalences of deficiency, RRs, and number of cause-specific child deaths
      to estimate deaths attributable to vitamin A deficiency. All analyses included a
      systematic quantification of uncertainty. FINDINGS: In 1991, 39% (95% credible
      interval 27-52) of children aged 6-59 months in low-income and middle-income
      countries were vitamin A deficient. In 2013, the prevalence of deficiency was 29%
      (17-42; posterior probability [PP] of being a true decline=0.81). Vitamin A
      deficiency significantly declined in east and southeast Asia and Oceania from 42%
      (19-70) to 6% (1-16; PP>0.99); a decline in Latin America and the Caribbean from
      21% (11-33) to 11% (4-23; PP=0.89) also occurred. In 2013, the prevalence of
      deficiency was highest in sub-Saharan Africa (48%; 25-75) and south Asia (44%; 13
      79). 94 500 (54 200-146 800) deaths from diarrhoea and 11 200 (4300-20 500)
      deaths from measles were attributable to vitamin A deficiency in 2013, which
      accounted for 1.7% (1.0-2.6) of all deaths in children younger than 5 years in
      low-income and middle-income countries. More than 95% of these deaths occurred in
      sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia. INTERPRETATION: Vitamin A deficiency remains
      prevalent in south Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Deaths attributable to this
      deficiency have decreased over time worldwide, and have been almost eliminated in
      regions other than south Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. This new evidence for both
      prevalence and absolute burden of vitamin A deficiency should be used to
      reconsider, and possibly revise, the list of priority countries for high-dose
      vitamin A supplementation such that a country's priority status takes into
      account both the prevalence of deficiency and the expected mortality benefits of
      supplementation. FUNDIN: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Grand Challenges
      Canada, UK Medical Research Council.

PMID- 26275330
TI  - Self-assessment of the outcome of early medical abortion versus clinic follow-up
      in India: a randomised, controlled, non-inferiority trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The need for multiple clinical visits remains a barrier to women
      accessing safe legal medical abortion services. Alternatives to routine clinic
      follow-up visits have not been assessed in rural low-resource settings. We
      compared the effectiveness of standard clinic follow-up versus home assessment of
      outcome of medical abortion in a low-resource setting. METHODS: This randomised,
      controlled, non-inferiority trial was done in six health centres (three rural,
      three urban) in Rajasthan, India. Women seeking early medical abortion up to 9
      weeks of gestation were randomly assigned (1:1) to either routine clinic follow
      up or self-assessment at home. Randomisation was done with a computer-generated
      randomisation sequence, with a block size of six. The study was not blinded.
      Women in the home-assessment group were advised to use a pictorial instruction
      sheet and take a low-sensitivity urine pregnancy test at home, 10-14 days after
      intake of mifepristone, and were contacted by a home visit or telephone call to
      record the outcome of the abortion. The primary (non-inferiority) outcome was
      complete abortion without continuing pregnancy or need for surgical evacuation or
      additional mifepristone and misoprostol. The non-inferiority margin for the risk
      difference was 5%. All participants with a reported primary outcome and who
      followed the clinical protocol were included in the analysis. This study is
      registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01827995. FINDINGS: Between April
      23, 2013, and May 15, 2014, 731 women were recruited and assigned to clinic
      follow-up (n=366) or home assessment (n=365), of whom 700 were analysed for the
      main outcomes (n=336 and n=364, respectively). Complete abortion without
      continuing pregnancy, surgical intervention, or additional mifepristone and
      misoprostol was reported in 313 (93%) of 336 women in the clinic follow-up group
      and 347 (95%) of 364 women in the home-assessment group (difference -2.2%, 95% CI
      -5.9 to 1.6). One case of haemorrhage occurred in each group (rate of adverse
      events 0.3% in each group); no other adverse events were noted. INTERPRETATION:
      Home assessment of medical abortion outcome with a low-sensitivity urine
      pregnancy test is non-inferior to clinic follow-up, and could be introduced
      instead of a clinic follow-up visit in a low-resource setting.

PMID- 26275331
TI  - Comparison of endoscopic endonasal and bifrontal craniotomy approaches for
      olfactory groove meningiomas: A matched pair analysis of outcomes and frontal
      lobe changes on MRI.
AB  - We compare the outcomes and postoperative MRI changes of endoscopic endonasal
      (EEA) and bifrontal craniotomy (BFC) approaches for olfactory groove meningiomas
      (OGM). All patients who underwent either BFC or EEA for OGM were eligible.
      Matched pairs were created by matching tumor volumes of an EEA patient with a BFC
      patient, and matching the timing of the postoperative scans. The tumor
      dimensions, peritumoral edema, resectability issues, and frontal lobe changes
      were recorded based on preoperative and postoperative MRI. Postoperative fluid
      attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) hyperintensity and residual cystic cavity
      (porencephalic cave) volume were compared using univariable and multivariable
      analyses. From a total of 70 patients (46 EEA, 24 BFC), 10 matched pairs (20
      patients) were created. Three patients (30%) in the EEA group and two (20%) in
      the BFC had postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leaks (p=0.61). Gross total
      resections were achieved in seven (70%) of the EEA group and nine (90%) of the
      BFC group (p=0.26), and one patient from each group developed a recurrence. On
      postoperative MRI, there was no significant difference in FLAIR signal volumes
      between EEA and BFC approaches (6.9 versus 13.3 cm(3); p=0.17) or in
      porencephalic cave volumes (1.7 versus 5.0 cm(3); p=0.11) in univariable
      analysis. However, in a multivariable analysis, EEA was associated with less
      postoperative FLAIR change (p=0.02) after adjusting for the volume of
      preoperative edema. This study provides preliminary evidence that EEA is
      associated with quantifiable improvements in postoperative frontal lobe imaging.

PMID- 26275332
TI  - Copy number variants associated with epilepsy from gene expression microarrays.
AB  - We aimed to identify novel copy number variations (CNV) that might contribute to
      the pathogenesis of epilepsy. Epilepsy is a common brain disorder characterized
      by recurring seizures and various serious comorbidities, including respiratory,
      cardiovascular, and neurologic dysfunction. CNV have recently been considered as
      important risk factors for epilepsy. With public gene expression data from brain
      tissue of 23 epilepsy patients and 23 healthy controls, we detected CNV using the
      R language package CAFE. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction
      validation was performed in a further nine patients and 10 controls. Functional
      analyses of the genes in the validated CNV were also carried out, using Ingenuity
      pathway analysis. Three copy number abnormalities (19q13.33, 19q13.11 and 4q35.1)
      were detected with the gene expression data. The duplication in 19q13.33
      (approximately 1.22 million bases) was further validated in three additional
      epilepsy patients, and the deletion in 19q13.11 (approximately 855 kilobases) was
      further validated in another two epilepsy patients. The functional analyses of
      the genes in these two CNV suggested that they may be involved in the
      pathogenesis of epilepsy. The CNV that we detected may be common genetic
      etiological factors of epilepsy, and there is potential for the identification of
      a novel biomarker for treatment from these CNV regions. 

PMID- 26275333
TI  - Variety in snack servings as determinant for acceptance in school children.
AB  - Variety within a meal is known to increase intake. However, intake of certain
      food items (e.g. vegetables) in children is consistently below recommendations,
      and increasing the consumption of such food would lead to health benefits. This
      study investigated how different levels of food variety influence children's
      acceptance. A total of 132 children, aged from 9 to 11 years, were exposed to
      vegetables, fruits and nut snacks during mid-morning break at school. Two
      different sets of stimuli were used in a within subject design: Classical Variety
      (CV), i.e. serving of different foods and Perceived Variety (PV), i.e. serving of
      the same food in different shapes. For each set, three levels of variety in the
      servings were tested: low, medium, and high. Intake and liking were determined
      for each serving set. ANOVA results showed that intake of CV set decreased
      according to the level of variety, whereas results of PV set only showed an
      increase of liking with increasing levels of variety. Adding more variations of
      products appeared to be less successful on consumption despite changing the
      liking of the products, may be because consumption is more affected by
      acceptability and familiarity for the stimuli than by variety. 

PMID- 26275336
TI  - Festschrift to highlight the career of Abba J. Kastin as a founding editor,
      researcher, and educator in the peptide field. Preface.

PMID- 26275335
TI  - The membrane-active amphibian peptide caerin 1.8 inhibits fibril formation of
      amyloid beta1-42.
AB  - The amphibian host-defense peptide caerin 1.8
      [(1)GLFKVLGSV(10)AKHLLPHVVP(20)VIAEKL(NH2)] inhibits fibril formation of amyloid
      beta 1-42 [(1)DAEFRHDSG(10)YEVHHQKLVF(20)FAEDVGSNKG(30)AIIGLMVGGV(40)VIA]
      [Abeta42] (the major precursor of the extracellular fibrillar deposits of
      Alzheimer's disease). Some truncated forms of caerin 1.8 also inhibit fibril
      formation of Abeta42. For example, caerin 1.8 (1-13) [(1)GLFKVLGSV(10)AKHL(NH2)
      and caerin 1.8 (22-25) [KVLGSV(10)AKHLLPHVVP(20)VIAEKL(NH2)] show 85% and 75%
      respectively of the inhibition activity of the parent caerin 1.8. The synthetic
      peptide KLVFFKKKKKK is a known inhibitor of Abeta42 fibril formation, and was
      used as a standard in this study. Caerin 1.8 is the more effective fibril
      inhibitor. IC50 values (+/- 15%) are caerin 1.8 (75 MUM) and KLVFFKKKKKK (370
      MUM). MALDI mass spectrometry shows the presence of a small peak corresponding to
      a protonated 1:1 adduct [caerin 1.8/Abeta42]H(+). Molecular dynamics simulation
      suggests that both hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions between Abeta42
      and caerin 1.8 facilitate the formation of a 1:1 complex in water. Fibril
      formation from Abeta42 has been proposed to be based around the (16)KLVF(20)F
      region of Abeta42; this region in the 1:1 complex is partially blocked from
      attachment of a further molecule of Abeta42.

PMID- 26275334
TI  - Greater anterior cingulate activation and connectivity in response to visual and
      auditory high-calorie food cues in binge eating: Preliminary findings.
AB  - Obese individuals show altered neural responses to high-calorie food cues.
      Individuals with binge eating [BE], who exhibit heightened impulsivity and
      emotionality, may show a related but distinct pattern of irregular neural
      responses. However, few neuroimaging studies have compared BE and non-BE groups.
      To examine neural responses to food cues in BE, 10 women with BE and 10 women
      without BE (non-BE) who were matched for obesity (5 obese and 5 lean in each
      group) underwent fMRI scanning during presentation of visual (picture) and
      auditory (spoken word) cues representing high energy density (ED) foods, low-ED
      foods, and non-foods. We then compared regional brain activation in BE vs. non-BE
      groups for high-ED vs. low-ED foods. To explore differences in functional
      connectivity, we also compared psychophysiologic interactions [PPI] with dorsal
      anterior cingulate cortex [dACC] for BE vs. non-BE groups. Region of interest
      (ROI) analyses revealed that the BE group showed more activation than the non-BE
      group in the dACC, with no activation differences in the striatum or
      orbitofrontal cortex [OFC]. Exploratory PPI analyses revealed a trend towards
      greater functional connectivity with dACC in the insula, cerebellum, and
      supramarginal gyrus in the BE vs. non-BE group. Our results suggest that women
      with BE show hyper-responsivity in the dACC as well as increased coupling with
      other brain regions when presented with high-ED cues. These differences are
      independent of body weight, and appear to be associated with the BE phenotype. 

PMID- 26275337
TI  - Regulation of gut hormone secretion. Studies using isolated perfused intestines.
AB  - The incretin hormones glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent
      insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) are secreted from enteroendocrine cells in the
      intestine along with other gut hormones (PYY, CCK and neurotensin) shown to
      affect metabolism and/or appetite. The secretion of many gut hormones is highly
      increased after gastric bypass operations, which have turned out to be an
      effective therapy of not only obesity but also type 2 diabetes. These effects are
      likely to be due, at least in part, to increases in the secretion of these gut
      hormones (except GIP). Therefore, stimulation of the endogenous hormone
      represents an appealing therapeutic strategy, which has spurred an interest in
      understanding the regulation of gut hormone secretion and a search for
      particularly GLP-1 and PYY secretagogues. The secretion of the gut hormones is
      stimulated by oral intake of nutrients often including carbohydrate, protein and
      lipid. This review focuses on stimulators of gut hormone secretion, the
      mechanisms involved, and in particular models used to investigate secretion. A
      major break-through in this field was the development of methods to identify and
      isolate specific hormone producing cells, which allow detailed mapping of the
      expression profiles of these cells, whereas they are less suitable for
      physiological studies of secretion. Isolated perfused preparations of mouse and
      rat intestines have proven to be reliable models for dynamic hormone secretion
      and should be able to bridge the gap between the molecular details derived from
      the single cells to the integrated patterns observed in the intact animals. 

PMID- 26275338
TI  - Idiopathic giant cell myocarditis in childhood: A case report.
AB  - Idiopathic giant cell myocarditis is a rare entity of unknown origin, which
      causes sudden death in more than half of the affected patients. It is rarely seen
      in childhood, and might result in death due to heart failure and ventricular
      arrhythmias. Idiopathic giant cell myocarditis is mostly diagnosed at autopsy
      incidentally. Here we present a rare case of childhood idiopathic giant cell
      myocarditis. A 10-year old boy found dead in his bed in the morning. Interview
      with family members revealed death the boy was in good health conditions apart
      from being overweight. At autopsy, external examination was completely normal.
      Internal examination revealed normal findings; the heart was 297g and
      macroscopically normal. No traces of any toxic agents detected in complete
      toxicological analyses. Areas characterized with granulomatous lesions,
      lymphocytes, histiocytes, and multinucleated giant cells were observed in
      myocardium at histopathological examination. No necrosis was observed in
      granulomatous areas. Tuberculosis was negative in the PCR assays. There were no
      signs indicative of fungal infection, and clinical status of the case was not
      compatible with the sarcoidosis. In this respect death was attributed to
      idiopathic giant cell myocarditis.

PMID- 26275340
TI  - Physiological, psychological and functional changes with whole body vibration
      exercise in the elderly: FEVER methodology and protocols.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The FEVER (Frail Elderly Vibration Exercise Response) study aims to
      address a paucity of research focusing on the use of Whole Body Vibration (WBV)
      by frail elderly who, with the highest levels of dependence and fall-related
      hospitalisation/mortality, potentially stand to benefit most from such accessible
      exercise. METHODS: FEVER is an open, randomised feasibility study, consisting of
      multiple parallel arms and a longitudinal element. Rest-home residents aged
      70+years will be recruited, and assigned to a WBV-exercise group (WBV), a
      simulated-WBV-exercise group (SIM), or a control group (CON). WBV- and SIM
      participants will undergo thrice-weekly sessions (<20-min each, including 1:1
      ratio of exercise:rest) for a 16-week exercise intervention period, whilst CON
      participants will receive no intervention beyond normal care. WBV-exercise will
      start with 5?1-minute sessions (6Hz, 2mm amplitude), progressing to 10?1-minute
      sessions at which time Hz/amplitude can be increased if desired. During WBV
      exercise, participants will maintain an isometric knee flexion of ~20 degrees 
      (+/-5 degrees ), to dampen WBV further up the body. RESULTS: Outcomes will
      include assessments of functionality (primary outcome), Quality of Life, bone
      health and cardiovascular function. Measures will be conducted at baseline, 8
      weeks and 16-weeks of the intervention, and 3-, 6- and 12-months post
      intervention. As a protocol paper, there are no specific results to present; our
      current purpose is to share the study design with the scientific community.
      CONCLUSIONS: The FEVER study aims to investigate the beneficial effects of WBV
      exercise in the frail elderly, ascertain an effective training regime and for the
      first-time identify a time-line of detraining.

PMID- 26275339
TI  - Phase I clinical evaluation of seasonal influenza hemagglutinin (HA) DNA vaccine
      prime followed by trivalent influenza inactivated vaccine (IIV3) boost.
AB  - : Annual influenza vaccination reduces the risks of influenza when the vaccines
      are well matched to circulating strains, but development of an approach that
      induces broader and more durable immune responses would be beneficial. We
      conducted two companion Phase 1 studies, VRC 307 and VRC 309, over sequential
      seasons (2008-2009 and 2009-2010) in which only the influenza B strain component
      of the vaccines differed. Objectives were safety and immunogenicity of prime
      boost vaccination schedules. A schedule of DNA vaccine encoding for seasonal
      influenza hemagglutinins (HA) prime followed by seasonal trivalent influenza
      inactivated vaccine (IIV3) boost (HA DNA-IIV3) was compared to placebo (PBS)-IIV3
      or IIV3-IIV3. Cumulatively, 111 adults were randomized to HA DNA-IIV3 (n=66), PBS
      IIV3 (n=25) or IIV3-IIV3 (n=20). Safety was assessed by clinical observations,
      laboratory parameters and 7-day solicited reactogenicity. The seasonal HA DNA
      prime-IIV3 boost regimen was evaluated as safe and well tolerated. There were no
      serious adverse events. The local and systemic reactogenicity for HA DNA, IIV and
      placebo were reported predominantly as none or mild within the first 5days post
      vaccination. There was no significant difference in immunogenicity detected
      between the treatment groups as evaluated by hemagglutination inhibition (HAI)
      assay. The studies demonstrated the safety and immunogenicity of seasonal HA DNA
      IIV3 regimen, but the 3-4week prime-boost interval was suboptimal for improving
      influenza-specific immune responses. This is consistent with observations in
      avian H5 DNA vaccine prime-boost studies in which a long interval, but not a
      short interval, was associated with improved immunogenicity. TRIAL REGISTRATION:
      NCT00858611 for VRC 307 and NCT00995982 for VRC 309.

PMID- 26275341
TI  - The two interfaces of the STAT1 N-terminus exhibit opposite functions in IFNgamma
      regulated gene expression.
AB  - Defective cooperative DNA binding of STAT1 (signal transducer and activator of
      transcription 1) transcription factor has impact on interferon-gamma(IFNgamma)
      regulated transcriptional responses. In this study, we generated N-terminal gain
      of-function mutants of this protein which exhibited hyperactive cooperativity and
      assessed their functional consequences on gene expression. Our data show that
      four negatively charged, surface-exposed amino acid residues in the N-terminal
      domain dimer are engaged in the disassembly of tyrosine-phosphorylated tetrameric
      complexes on DNA and prevent the occurrence of higher-order STAT1 oligomers on
      low-affinity DNA binding sites. Owing to their improved tetramer stability, the N
      terminal mutants showed relaxed sequence requirements for the binding to DNA as
      compared to the wild-type protein. Similarly to a STAT1 mutant with impaired
      tetramerization, the N-terminal gain-of-function mutants showed elevated tyrosine
      phosphorylation levels and prolonged nuclear accumulation upon stimulation of
      cells with IFNgamma. However, in contrast to the global impairment of IFNgamma
      signalling in tetramerization-deficient mutants, the transcriptional consequences
      of the N-terminal gain-of-function mutants are rather distinct and affect gene
      expression locally in a promoter-specific manner. Thus, we conclude that the
      STAT1 N-domain acts as a double-edged sword: while one interface is crucial for
      the formation of tetrameric complexes on IFNgamma-regulated promoters, the
      opposite interface harbours an inhibitory mechanism that limits the accumulation
      of higher-order oligomers simply by disrupting cooperative DNA binding. 

PMID- 26275342
TI  - CD100 and plexins B2 and B1 mediate monocyte-endothelial cell adhesion and might
      take part in atherogenesis.
AB  - Leukocyte migration is essential for the function of the immune system. Their
      recruitment from the vessels to the tissues involves sequential molecular
      interactions between leukocytes and endothelial cells (ECs). Many adhesion
      molecules involved in this process have already been described. However,
      additional molecules may be important in this interaction, and here we explore
      the potential role for CD100 and plexins in monocyte-EC binding. CD100 was shown
      to be involved in platelet-endothelial cell interaction, an important step in
      atherogenesis and thrombus formation. In a recent work we have described CD100
      expression in monocytes and in macrophages and foam cells of human
      atherosclerotic plaques. In the present work, we have identified plexin B2 as a
      putative CD100 receptor in these cells. We have detected CD100 expression in the
      endothelium as well as in in vitro cultured endothelial cells. Blocking of CD100,
      plexin B1 and/or B2 in adhesion experiments have shown that both CD100 and
      plexins act as adhesion molecules involved in monocyte-endothelial cell binding.
      This effect may be mediated by CD100 expressed in both cell types, probably
      coupled to the receptors endothelial plexin B1 and monocytic plexin B2. These
      results can bring new insights about a possible biological activity of CD100 in
      monocyte adhesion and atherosclerosis, as well as a future candidate for
      targeting therapeutics. 

PMID- 26275343
TI  - Skin donors and human skin allografts: evaluation of an 11-year practice and
      discard in a referral tissue bank.
AB  - The Saint Louis hospital tissue bank provides skin allografts to pediatric and
      adult burn units in the Paris area. The aim of this study was to analyze our
      activity during the last 11 years focusing on the reasons for skin discard. Skin
      is procured solely from the back of the body, which is divided into 10 zones that
      are harvested and processed separately. This retrospective study included all
      skin donors harvested between June 2002 and June 2013, representing a total of
      336 donors and 2770 zones. The donors were multiorgan heart-beating donors in 91
      % of cases (n = 307). The main reason for discarding harvested skin was microbial
      contamination, detected in 99 donors (29 %). Most contaminants were of low
      pathogenicity. Other reasons for discard included positive serologic tests for 2
      donors [17 zones (0.61 %)], unsuitable physical skin characteristics for 3 zones
      (0.11 %), the donor's medical history for 53 zones (1.91 %), and technical issues
      with processing or distribution for 61 zones (2.2 %). In our experience,
      microbial contamination continues to be the main reason for discarding potential
      skin allografts. However, discards are limited by separate harvesting and
      processing of multiple zones in each donor.

PMID- 26275344
TI  - Bill Whelan's impact on my life and career.
AB  - In this tribute to Bill Whelan on his 90th birthday, I recount the huge impact
      that Bill has had on my life and career, and briefly recall the contributions
      that my laboratory made to the understanding of glycogenin in the late 1980s. In
      particular, the demonstration that glycogenin and glycogen synthase form a
      complex, and that glycogenin is a glucosyl transferase that autoglucosylates
      itself at tyrosine 194. 

PMID- 26275345
TI  - Don't stop till you get enough: Factors driving men towards muscularity.
AB  - This study tested a modified Tripartite Influence Model with 307 men (age
      M=27.05; SD=6.25). Sociocultural influences (media and male peers) were predicted
      to be associated with both internalisation of the muscular ideal and body
      comparisons, which in turn were predicted to be associated with muscle
      dissatisfaction and then drive for muscularity behaviours. The model was only
      partially supported. The results suggested that, contrary to what was predicted,
      muscle dissatisfaction was not related to drive for muscularity behaviours.
      Instead, internalisation of the muscular ideal was found to lead to body
      comparisons, which in turn were found to lead to drive for muscularity
      behaviours. In addition, internalisation and male peer influence were found to
      lead to muscle dissatisfaction; male peer influence and internalisation were
      found to lead to body comparisons; and both media and male peer influences were
      found to lead to internalisation. 

PMID- 26275346
TI  - Measuring Brain Stimulation Induced Changes in Cortical Properties Using TMS-EEG.
AB  - Neuromodulatory brain stimulation can induce plastic reorganization of cortical
      circuits that persist beyond the period of stimulation. Most of our current
      knowledge about the physiological properties has been derived from the motor
      cortex. The integration of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and
      electroencephalography (EEG) is a valuable method for directly probing
      excitability, connectivity and oscillatory dynamics of regions throughout the
      brain. Offering in depth measurement of cortical reactivity, TMS-EEG allows the
      evaluation of TMS-evoked components that may act as a marker for cortical
      excitation and inhibition. A growing body of research is using concurrent TMS and
      EEG (TMS-EEG) to explore the effects of different neuromodulatory techniques such
      as repetitive TMS and transcranial direct current stimulation on cortical
      function, particularly in non-motor regions. In this review, we outline studies
      examining TMS-evoked potentials and oscillations before and after, or during a
      single session of brain stimulation. Investigating these studies will aid in our
      understanding of mechanisms involved in the modulation of excitability and
      inhibition by neuroplasticity following different stimulation paradigms. 

PMID- 26275347
TI  - Peripheral leukocyte expression of the potential biomarker proteins Bdnf, Sirt1,
      and Psen1 is not regulated by promoter methylation in Alzheimer's disease
      patients.
AB  - The identification of Alzheimer's disease (AD) biomarkers is crucial to support
      drug discovery. Within putative biomarkers, peripheral Bdnf levels correlate with
      cognitive decline and AD, although conflicting findings are reported. Sirtuin 1
      (Sirt1) serum levels are lower in AD patients and Presenilin 1 (Psen1) is
      expressed by blood cells. DNA methylation is altered in AD patients, suggesting
      that epigenetic mechanisms play a role in AD pathophysiology. The objective of
      this study was to investigate promoter methylation levels of potential biomarkers
      in AD cases and controls. Peripheral blood DNA methylation levels were analysed
      by methylation-specific primer real-time PCR. Bdnf promoter methylation levels
      did not differ between AD patients and controls. Similarly, Sirt1 promoter
      revealed minimal levels of methylation which did not display significant
      differences between groups. No significant difference was revealed between AD
      patients and controls also in Psen1 methylation, showing a large variability of
      values among subjects. Although peripheral Bdnf expression is associated with
      differential promoter methylation in psychiatric and neurological disorders, our
      results suggest that different mechanisms take place in AD. The finding that the
      control of Sirt1 protein levels in blood is not exerted through the repression of
      mRNA expression by promoter hypermethylation is in agreement with previous data.
      In contrast, other studies reported that Psen1 methylation may be increased or
      decreased in AD patients, suggesting that additional studies are required. In
      conclusion, this study shows that peripheral levels of the potential AD biomarker
      proteins Bdnf, Sirt1, and Psen1 are not regulated by different promoter
      methylation. 

PMID- 26275348
TI  - Effects of environmental enrichment during induction of methamphetamine
      dependence on the behavioral withdrawal symptoms in rats.
AB  - This study was designed to examine the effect of environmental enrichment during
      METH administration on the behavioral withdrawal symptoms after drug abstinence
      in rats. Rats reared in standard (SE) or enriched environment (EE) during
      induction of METH dependence with bi-daily injections of METH (2mg/kg, at 12-h.
      intervals) for 14 days. Then, rats were evaluated for behavioral withdrawal
      symptoms, and also for anxiety (elevated plus maze-EPM) and depression (Forced
      swim test-FST) over a ten day period of abstinence. The results showed that
      stereotypic behaviors score and the number of rearing were significantly lower in
      METH/EE rats compared to the SE group during 1-4 days. Also, The METH/EE group
      exhibited more weight gain during 6-10 days of abstinence. The METH/EE rats
      exhibited lower levels of immobility after METH abstinence than control group in
      the FST. EE had no effect on anxiety-like behavior. This study showed that
      exposure to EE diminished the severity of withdrawal symptoms and depressive-like
      behavior during spontaneous withdrawal from METH. 

PMID- 26275349
TI  - Involvement of the dopaminergic system in the central orexin-induced
      antinociceptive action against colonic distension in conscious rats.
AB  - We have recently demonstrated that orexin acts centrally in the brain to induce
      antinociceptive action against colonic distension through orexin 1 receptors in
      conscious rats. Although the dopaminergic system can induce antinociceptive
      action for somatic pain, the association between changes in the dopaminergic
      system and visceral pain perception has not been investigated. In the present
      study, we hypothesized that the dopaminergic system may be involved in visceral
      nociception, and if so, the dopaminergic system may mediate the orexin-induced
      visceral antinociception. Visceral sensation was evaluated using the colonic
      distension-induced abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) in conscious rats.
      Intracisternal injection of D1 (SKF38398) or D2 (quinpirole) dopamine receptor
      agonist increased the threshold volume of colonic distension-induced AWR in a
      dose-dependent manner. Pretreatment with either the D1 or D2 dopamine receptor
      antagonist (SCH23390 or sulpiride, respectively) potently blocked the centrally
      injected orexin-A-induced antinociceptive action against colonic distension.
      These results suggest for the first time that dopaminergic signaling via D1 and
      D2 dopamine receptors in the brain may induce visceral antinociception and that
      the dopaminergic signaling may be involved in the central orexin-induced
      antinociceptive action against colonic distension. 

PMID- 26275351
TI  - Tannic acid functionalized graphene hydrogel for entrapping gold nanoparticles
      with high catalytic performance toward dye reduction.
AB  - In this work, a simple, cost-effective, and environmental-friendly strategy was
      developed to synthesize gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) decorated graphene hydrogel
      with the use of tannic acid. This facile route involved the reduction of graphene
      oxide (GO) in the presence of tannic acid to form tannic acid functionalized
      graphene hydrogel, followed by loading and in situ reduction of AuCl4(-) ions in
      the graphene hydrogel network benefiting from the abundant phenol groups of
      tannic acid. Tannic acid (TA), a typical plant polyphenol widely present in
      woods, not only reduced GO and induced the self-assembly of reduced graphene
      oxide into graphene hydrogel, but also served as the reducing agent and
      stabilizer for the synthesis and immobilization of Au NPs, avoiding extra
      chemical reagent and any stabilizer. The obtained Au NPs decorated graphene
      hydrogel (Au@TA-GH) was fully characterized and exhibited much higher catalytic
      activities than the unsupported and other polymer-supported Au NPs toward the
      reduction of methylene blue (MB). In addition, the high catalytic activity of
      Au@TA-GH could withhold in different pH solution conditions. Another distinct
      advantage of Au@TA-GH as catalysts is that it can be easily recovered and reused
      for five cycles. 

PMID- 26275350
TI  - The nuclear localization pattern and interaction partners of GTF2IRD1 demonstrate
      a role in chromatin regulation.
AB  - GTF2IRD1 is one of the three members of the GTF2I gene family, clustered on
      chromosome 7 within a 1.8 Mb region that is prone to duplications and deletions
      in humans. Hemizygous deletions cause Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS) and
      duplications cause WBS duplication syndrome. These copy number variations disturb
      a variety of developmental systems and neurological functions. Human mapping data
      and analyses of knockout mice show that GTF2IRD1 and GTF2I underpin the
      craniofacial abnormalities, mental retardation, visuospatial deficits and
      hypersociability of WBS. However, the cellular role of the GTF2IRD1 protein is
      poorly understood due to its very low abundance and a paucity of reagents. Here,
      for the first time, we show that endogenous GTF2IRD1 has a punctate pattern in
      the nuclei of cultured human cell lines and neurons. To probe the functional
      relationships of GTF2IRD1 in an unbiased manner, yeast two-hybrid libraries were
      screened, isolating 38 novel interaction partners, which were validated in
      mammalian cell lines. These relationships illustrate GTF2IRD1 function, as the
      isolated partners are mostly involved in chromatin modification and
      transcriptional regulation, whilst others indicate an unexpected role in
      connection with the primary cilium. Mapping of the sites of protein interaction
      also indicates key features regarding the evolution of the GTF2IRD1 protein.
      These data provide a visual and molecular basis for GTF2IRD1 nuclear function
      that will lead to an understanding of its role in brain, behaviour and human
      disease.

PMID- 26275352
TI  - Mercury speciation during in situ thermal desorption in soil.
AB  - Metallic mercury (Hg(0)) and its compounds are highly mobile and toxic
      environmental pollutants at trace level. In situ thermal desorption (ISTD) is one
      of the soil remediation processes applying heat and vacuum simultaneously.
      Knowledge of thermodynamic mercury speciation is imperative to understand the
      fate and transport of mercury during thermal remediation and operate the
      treatment processes in a cost-effective manner. Hence, speciation model for
      inorganic mercury was developed over a range of environmental conditions to
      identify distribution of dissolved mercury species and potential transformations
      of mercury at near source environment. Simulation of phase transitions for
      metallic mercury, mercury(II) chloride and mercury sulfide with temperature
      increase showed that complete vaporization of metallic mercury and mercury(II)
      chloride were achieved below the boiling point of water. The effect of soil
      compositions on mercury removal was also evaluated to better understand thermal
      remediation process. Higher vapor pressures expected both from soil pore water
      and inorganic carbonate minerals in soil as well as creation of permeability were
      significant for complete vaporization and removal of mercury. 

PMID- 26275353
TI  - Variation in childbirth services in California: a cross-sectional survey of
      childbirth hospitals.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to describe the resources and
      activities associated with childbirth services. STUDY DESIGN: We adapted models
      for assessing the quality of healthcare to generate a conceptual framework
      hypothesizing that childbirth hospital resources and activities contributed to
      maternal and neonatal outcomes. We used this framework to guide development of a
      survey, which we administered by telephone to hospital labor and delivery nurse
      managers in California. We describe the findings by hospital type (ie, integrated
      delivery system [IDS], teaching, and other [community] hospitals). RESULTS: Of
      248 nonmilitary childbirth hospitals in California, 239 (96%)responded; 187
      community, 27 teaching, and 25 IDS hospitals reported. The context of services
      varied across hospital types, with community hospitals more likely to have for
      profit ownership, be in a rural or isolated location, and have fewer annual
      deliveries per hospital. Results included the findings of the following: (1) 24
      hour anesthesia availability in 50% of community vs 100% of IDS and teaching
      hospitals (P < .001); (2) 24 hour in-house labor and delivery physician coverage
      in 5% of community vs 100% of IDS and 48% of teaching hospitals (P < .001); (3)
      24 hour blood bank availability in 88% of community vs 96% of IDS and 100% of
      teaching hospitals (P = .092); (4) adult subspecialty intensive care unit
      availability in 33% of community vs 36% of IDS and 82% of teaching hospitals (P <
      .001); (5) ability to perform emergency cesarean delivery in 30 minutes 100% of
      the time in 56% of community vs 100% of IDS and 85% of teaching hospitals (P <
      .001); (6) pediatric care available both day and night in 54% of community vs 63%
      of IDS vs 76% of teaching hospitals (P = .087); and (7) no neonatal intensive
      care unit in 44% of community vs 12% of IDS and 4% of teaching hospitals (P <
      .001). CONCLUSION: Childbirth services varied widely across California hospitals.
      Cognizance of this variation and linkage of these data to childbirth outcomes
      should assist in the identification of key resources and activities that optimize
      the hospital environment for pregnant women and set the groundwork for
      identifying criteria for the provision of maternal risk-appropriate care.

PMID- 26275354
TI  - Does 17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate prevent recurrent preterm birth in
      obese women?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine if maternal weight or body mass index (BMI)
      modifies the effectiveness of 17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17OHP-C).
      STUDY DESIGN: We performed a secondary analysis of the Maternal-Fetal Medicine
      Units Network Trial for the Prevention of Recurrent Preterm Delivery by 17-Alpha
      Hydroxyprogesterone Caproate. Binomial regression models were estimated to
      determine the relative risk (RR) of preterm birth (PTB) in women randomized to
      17OHP-C vs placebo according to BMI category and maternal weight. Adjusted models
      considered inclusion of potential confounders. RESULTS: In all, 443 women with
      complete data were included. 17OHP-C is effective in preventing PTB <37 weeks
      only in women with prepregnancy BMI <30 kg/m(2) (RR, 0.54; 95% confidence
      interval, 0.43-0.68). Above this BMI threshold there is a nonsignificant trend
      toward an increased risk of PTB (RR, 1.55; 95% confidence interval, 0.83-2.89)
      with 17OHP-C treatment. When analyzing by maternal weight, a similar threshold is
      observed at 165 lb, above which 17OHP-C is no longer effective. CONCLUSION: The
      effectiveness of 17OHP-C is modified by maternal weight and BMI, and treatment
      does not appear to reduce the rate of PTB in women who are obese or have a weight
      >165 lb. This finding may be due to subtherapeutic serum levels in women with
      increased BMI or weight. Studies of adjusted-dose 17OHP-C in women who are obese
      or who weigh >165 lb are warranted, and current recommendations regarding the
      uniform use of 17OHP-C regardless of maternal BMI and weight may deserve
      reassessment.

PMID- 26275355
TI  - hERG potassium channel inhibition by ivabradine requires channel gating.

PMID- 26275356
TI  - Smoking and risk for psoriasis: a population-based twin study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Smoking is a potential risk factor for psoriasis. Both psoriasis and
      smoking habits are partly explained by genetic factors. However, twin studies
      investigating the association between these traits are limited. METHODS:
      Questionnaire-based data on smoking habits and psoriasis were collected for
      34,781 twins, aged 20-71 years, from the Danish Twin Registry. A co-twin control
      analysis was performed on 1700 twin pairs discordant for lifetime history of
      smoking. Genetic and environmental correlations between smoking and psoriasis
      were estimated using classical twin modeling. RESULTS: After multivariable
      adjustment, age group (50-71 vs. 20-49 years) and childhood exposure to
      environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) were significantly associated with psoriasis in
      the whole population (odds ratio [OR] 1.15, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02
      1.29 [P = 0.021] and OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.10-1.49 [P = 0.002], respectively). Risk
      for psoriasis increased substantially (OR 2.18, 95% CI 1.82-2.61; P < 0.001) for
      smokers with a history of >5 pack-years, even after adjusting for age, sex, and
      childhood ETS. Among twin pairs discordant for smoking, risk for psoriasis in the
      ever-smoking twin was lower among monozygotic twins (OR 1.23, 95% CI 0.59-2.56; P
      = 0.578) than among same-sex dizygotic twins (OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.36-3.58; P =
      0.001). Genetic factors explained 20% (14-25%; P < 0.001) of the correlation
      between psoriasis and smoking, whereas non-shared environmental factors explained
      8% (0-22%; P = 0.504). CONCLUSIONS: Tobacco consumption and childhood ETS are
      significantly associated with psoriasis. Results indicate shared genetic factors
      for smoking and psoriasis.

PMID- 26275357
TI  - Search for a Symmetrical C-F-C Fluoronium Ion in Solution: Kinetic Isotope
      Effects, Synthetic Labeling, and Computational, Solvent, and Rate Studies.
AB  - Recently, we reported evidence for the generation of a symmetrical fluoronium ion
      (a [C-F-C](+) interaction) in solution from a cage-like precursor, relying
      heavily on a single isotopic-labeling experiment. Paraphrasing the axiom that a
      strong claim must be met by as much evidence as possible, we seek to expand upon
      our initial findings with comprehensive labeling studies, rate measurements,
      kinetic isotope effect (KIE) experiments, synthetic studies, and computations. We
      also chronicle the development of the system, our thought process, and how it
      evolved from a tantalizing indication of fluoronium ion assistance in a
      dibromination reaction to the final, optimized system. Our experiments show
      secondary KIE experiments that are fully consistent with a transition state
      involving fluorine participation; this is also confirmed by a significant remote
      isotope effect. Paired with DFT calculations, the KIE experiments are indicative
      of the trapping of a symmetrical intermediate. Additionally, starting with an
      epimeric in-triflate precursor that hydrolyzes through a putative frontside SNi
      mechanism involving fluorine participation, KIE studies indicate that an
      identical intermediate is trapped (the fluoronium ion). Studies also show that
      the rate-determining step of the fluoronium forming SN1 reaction can be changed
      on the basis of solvent and additives. We also report the synthesis of a
      nonfluorinated control substrate to measure a relative anchimeric role of the
      fluorine atom in hydrolysis versus MU-hydrido bridging. After extensive testing,
      we can make the remarkable conclusion that our system reacts solely through a
      "tunable" SN1 mechanism involving a fluoronium ion intermediate. Alternative
      scenarios, such as SN2 reactivity, do not occur even under forced conditions
      where they should be highly favored. 

PMID- 26275358
TI  - Serum BDNF as a peripheral biomarker of treatment-resistant depression and the
      rapid antidepressant response: A comparison of ketamine and ECT.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ketamine is associated with rapid antidepressant efficacy but the
      biological mechanisms underpinning this effect are unclear. Serum brain-derived
      neurotrophic factor (sBDNF) is a potential circulating biomarker of treatment
      resistant depression (TRD) and ketamine response but it is unclear if this is a
      common target of both ketamine and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), the current
      gold standard for TRD. Moreover, the impact of multiple ketamine infusions on
      sBDNF has not yet been established. METHODS: Thirty five TRD patients with a
      current DSM-IV diagnosis of recurrent depressive disorder received up to 12 ECT
      sessions (N=17) or up to three intravenous infusions of low-dose (0.5mg/kg)
      ketamine (N=18). Blood samples were taken over the course of the study for
      assessment of sBDNF. Symptom severity and response were monitored using the 17
      item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS). sBDNF was assessed in 20 healthy
      controls to allow comparison with TRD patients. RESULTS: As expected, sBDNF was
      lower in TRD patients at baseline compared to healthy controls. Ketamine and ECT
      treatment were both associated with significant reductions in depressive
      symptoms. However, sBDNF was significantly elevated only at one week following
      the first ketamine infusion in those classified as responders one week later.
      sBDNF was not elevated following subsequent infusions. ECT reduced depressive
      symptoms, as expected, but was not associated with an enhancement in BDNF.
      LIMITATIONS: Patients continued with their psychotropic medications throughout
      this trial. CONCLUSIONS: SBDNF normalisation does not appear to be a prerequisite
      for symptomatic improvement in TRD following ketamine or ECT treatment.

PMID- 26275359
TI  - Adolescent coping profiles differentiate reports of depression and anxiety
      symptoms.
AB  - The purpose of the study was to identify groups of adolescents based on their
      reported use of different coping strategies and compare levels of depression and
      anxiety symptoms across the groups. Tenth and eleventh grade public school
      students (N=982; 51% girls; 66% Caucasian; M age=16.04, SD=0.73) completed a
      battery of self-report measures that assessed their use of different coping
      strategies, depressive symptoms, and anxiety symptoms. Latent profile analysis
      (LPA) classified the participants into four distinct groups based on their
      responses on subscales of the COPE inventory (Carver et al., 1989). Groups
      differed in amount of coping with participants in each group showing relative
      preference for engaging in certain strategies over others. Disengaged copers
      reported the lowest amounts of coping with a preference for avoidance strategies.
      Independent copers reported moderate levels of coping with relatively less use of
      support-seeking. Social support-seeking copers and active copers reported the
      highest levels of coping with a particular preference for support-seeking
      strategies. The independent copers reported the lowest levels of depressive
      symptoms compared to the three other groups. The Social Support Seeking and
      Active Coping Groups reported the highest levels of anxiety. Although distinct
      coping profiles were observed, findings showed that adolescents between the ages
      of 14 and 16 engage in multiple coping strategies and are more likely to vary in
      their amount of coping than in their use of specific strategies. 

PMID- 26275360
TI  - Examining reward-seeking, negative self-beliefs and over-general autobiographical
      memory as mechanisms of change in classroom prevention programs for adolescent
      depression.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Effective methods to prevent adolescent depressive symptoms could
      reduce suffering and burden across the lifespan. However, psychological
      interventions delivered to adolescents show efficacy only in symptomatic or high
      risk youth. Targeting causal risk factors and assessing mechanistic change can
      help devise efficacious universal or classroom based prevention programs.
      METHODS: A non-randomized longitudinal design was used to compare three classroom
      based prevention programs for adolescent depression (Behavioral Activation with
      Reward Processing, "Thinking about Reward in Young People" (TRY); Cognitive
      Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)), and
      determine cognitive mechanisms of change in these programs. Cognitive mechanisms
      examined were reward-seeking, negative self-beliefs (assessed with behavioral
      tasks) and over-general autobiographical memory. 256 healthy adolescents aged 13
      14 participated with 236 (92%) and 227 (89%) completing the pre- and post
      assessments. RESULTS: TRY was the only intervention associated with a reduction
      in depressive symptoms at follow-up. Reward-seeking increased following TRY. In
      the other programs there were non-significant changes in cognitive mechanisms,
      with more reflective negative self-beliefs in CBT and fewer over-general
      autobiographical memories in MBCT In the TRY program, which focused on increasing
      sensitivity to rewarding activities, reward seeking increased and this was
      associated with decreased depressive symptoms. LIMITATIONS: Due to the
      infeasibility of a cluster randomized controlled trial, a non-randomized design
      was used. CONCLUSIONS: Increased reward-seeking was associated with decreased
      depressive symptoms and may be a mechanism of depressive symptom change in the
      intervention with a focus on enhancing sensitivity and awareness of reward. This
      study provides preliminary evidence to suggest that incorporating activities to
      enhance reward sensitivity may be fruitful in randomized controlled trials of
      universal prevention programs for depression.

PMID- 26275361
TI  - Pyrroloquinoline quinone increases the expression and activity of Sirt1 and -3
      genes in HepG2 cells.
AB  - Sirtuin (Sirt) 1 and Sirt 3 are nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide ((+))-dependent
      protein deacetylases that are important to a number of mitochondrial-related
      functions; thus, identification of sirtuin activators is important. Herein, we
      hypothesize that pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) can act as a Sirt1/Sirt3
      activator. In HepG2 cell cultures, PQQ increased the expression of Sirt1 and
      Sirt3 gene, protein, and activity levels (P < .05). We also observed a
      significant increase in nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase gene expression
      (as early as 18 hours) and increased NAD(+) activity at 24 hours. In addition,
      targets of Sirt1 and Sirt3 (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma
      coactivator 1alpha, nuclear respiratory factor 1 and 2, and mitochondrial
      transcription factor A) were increased at 48 hours. This is the first report that
      demonstrates PQQ as an activator of Sirt1 and Sirt3 expression and activity,
      making it an attractive therapeutic agent for the treatment of metabolic diseases
      and for healthy aging. Based on our study and the available data in vivo, PQQ has
      the potential to serve as a therapeutic nutraceutical, when enhancing
      mitochondrial function.

PMID- 26275362
TI  - Protective factors for mental health and well-being in a changing climate:
      Perspectives from Inuit youth in Nunatsiavut, Labrador.
AB  - The Canadian Arctic is experiencing rapid changes in climatic conditions, with
      implications for Inuit communities widely documented. Youth have been identified
      as an at-risk population, with likely impacts on mental health and well-being.
      This study identifies and characterizes youth-specific protective factors that
      enhance well-being in light of a rapidly changing climate, and examines how
      climatic and environmental change challenges these. In-depth conversational
      interviews were conducted with youth aged 15-25 from the five communities of the
      Nunatsiavut region of Labrador, Canada: Nain, Hopedale, Postville, Makkovik, and
      Rigolet. Five key protective factors were identified as enhancing their mental
      health and well-being: being on the land; connecting to Inuit culture; strong
      communities; relationships with family and friends; and staying busy. Changing
      sea ice and weather conditions were widely reported to be compromising these
      protective factors by reducing access to the land, and increasing the danger of
      land-based activities. This study contributes to existing work on Northern
      climate change adaptation by identifying factors that enhance youth resilience
      and, if incorporated into adaptation strategies, may contribute to creating
      successful and effective adaptation responses. 

PMID- 26275363
TI  - Direct determination of radionuclides in building materials with self-absorption
      correction for the 63 and 186 keV gamma-energy lines.
AB  - The use of 911 keV and 129 keV gamma-line intensity ratio has been applied for
      self-absorption correction of the 63 keV (234)Th ((238)U) and 186 keV((226)Ra and
      (235)U) lines in typical building materials and soil samples. Proposed procedure
      allows to determine (238)U from the (234)Th line (63 keV) and (226)Ra after
      subtraction of (235)U interference in the 186 keV. It is important in the case of
      low uranium concentration and weak intensity of (235)U 143 keV gamma energy line,
      when activity of this radionuclide can be apprised on the natural constant
      (238)U/(235)U ratio, only (excluding accidental anthropogenic depleted uranium
      deposition in the soil samples). Therefore, by this method a direct and fast
      determination of the (226)Ra and other important radionuclides, without one month
      waiting period for (226)Ra-(222)Rn daughter equilibrium, is possible. The
      accuracy of the method has been confirmed (relative relation deviation <10%) for
      typical buildings materials such as: tales, bricks, concrete blocks and various
      type of ceramic materials. 

PMID- 26275364
TI  - Ultrasonographic demonstration of the superior ophthalmic vein in the orbit of
      premature infants with and without retinopathy of prematurity.
AB  - Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), which develops due to abnormal retinal
      vascularization in premature babies, can lead to irreversible vision loss. B-scan
      ocular ultrasonography is a noninvasive examination which makes it possible to
      image the eye and orbit. Our purpose was to echographically assess the orbit of
      premature babies with and without retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), with a focus
      on the superior ophthalmic vein (SOV) which is normally not detected by orbital
      ultrasound. A prospective study design was used after approved by the local
      institutional review board. ROP was diagnosed by routine ophthalmoscopic exam.
      Orbital ultrasound was performed by a single experienced ophthalmologist and
      ultra-sonographer who was masked to the routine ROP screening results. The
      results of the ophthalmoscopic exam were compared to the orbital ultrasound
      findings. The study group was divided into those diagnosed with ROP and those not
      diagnosed with ROP and were found to be comparable by age and weight at the time
      of the US examination. The SOV was dilated in 21 of 22 eyes (95.4%) with ROP and
      in only 5 of 32 eyes (15.6%) without ROP. The present study suggests an
      association between ROP and dilatation of the SOV. 

PMID- 26275365
TI  - Interval sentinel lymph nodes in melanoma: a digital pathology analysis of Ki67
      expression and microvascular density.
AB  - The presence of interval sentinel lymph nodes in melanoma is documented in
      several studies, but controversies still exist about the management of these
      lymph nodes. In this study, an immunohistochemical evaluation of tumor cell
      proliferation and neo-angiogenesis has been performed with the aim of
      establishing a correlation between these two parameters between positive and
      negative interval sentinel lymph nodes. This retrospective study reviewed data of
      23 patients diagnosed with melanoma. Bioptic specimens of interval sentinel lymph
      node were retrieved, and immunohistochemical reactions on tissue sections were
      performed using Ki67 as a marker of proliferation and CD31 as a blood vessel
      marker for the study of angiogenesis. The entire stained tissue sections for each
      case were digitized using Aperio Scanscope Cs whole-slide scanning platform and
      stored as high-resolution images. Image analysis was carried out on three
      selected fields of equal area using IHC Nuclear and Microvessel analysis
      algorithms to determine positive Ki67 nuclei and vessel number. Patients were
      divided into positive and negative interval sentinel lymph node groups, and the
      positive interval sentinel lymph node group was further divided into interval
      positive with micrometastasis and interval positive with macrometastasis
      subgroups. The analysis revealed a significant difference between positive and
      negative interval sentinel lymph nodes in the percentage of Ki67-positive nuclei
      and mean vessel number suggestive of an increased cellular proliferation and
      angiogenesis in positive interval sentinel lymph nodes. Further analysis in the
      interval positive lymph node group showed a significant difference between micro-
      and macrometastasis subgroups in the percentage of Ki67-positive nuclei and mean
      vessel number. Percentage of Ki67-positive nuclei was increased in the
      macrometastasis subgroup, while mean vessel number was increased in the
      micrometastasis subgroup. The results of this study suggest that the correlation
      between tumor cell proliferation and neo-angiogenesis in interval sentinel lymph
      nodes in melanoma could be used as a good predictive marker to distinguish
      interval positive sentinel lymph nodes with micrometastasis from interval
      positive lymph nodes with macrometastasis subgroups. 

PMID- 26275366
TI  - Delayed leukoencephalopathy of non-small cell lung cancer patients with brain
      metastases underwent whole brain radiation therapy.
AB  - To explore the incidence, MR imaging findings, dynamic developing process of
      delayed leukoencephalopathy (DLE) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients
      with brain metastases patients who undergone whole brain radiation (WBRT)
      therapy, we retrospectively reviewed 48 NSCLC patients who underwent WBRT for
      brain metastases from January 2010 through June 2015 and had evaluable magnetic
      resonance imaging after treatment. The DLE were graded using a scale to evaluate
      T2-FLAIR (fluid attenuated image recovery) images: grade 1 = little or no white
      matter hyperintensity, grade 2 = limited periventricular hyperintensity and grade
      3 = diffuse white matter hyperintensity. 48 NSCLC patients with brain metastases
      were enrolled. The median age of these patients was 55.7 years (range 33-75
      years). The median follow-up was 12 months. The characteristic MR imaging of DLE
      in those patients was bilaterally diffuse white matter T2 hyperintensity around
      the periventricular areas without enhancement, sparing from U-fiber, callosum and
      gray matter structure. The incidence of DLE developed 6.25% (3/48), 30.00%
      (12/40), 48.39% (15/31), 61.90% (13/21), 85.71% (6/7), 100% (3/3) in those
      patients who were followed up for 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 36 months, respectively.
      Through increased understanding of it, it may be possible to help clinicians
      develop further therapeutic strategies to maximize benefit while limiting
      potential long term toxicities. These data supplement existing reports regarding
      the late effects of WBRT in NSCLC patients with brain metastasis.

PMID- 26275367
TI  - Dynamic contrast enhanced T1 MRI perfusion differentiates pseudoprogression from
      recurrent glioblastoma.
AB  - Pseudoprogression may present as transient new or increasing enhancing lesions
      that mimic recurrent tumors in treated glioblastoma. The purpose of this study
      was to examine the utility of dynamic contrast enhanced T1 magnetic resonance
      imaging (DCE MRI) in differentiating between pseudoprogression and tumor
      progression and devise a cut-off value sensitive for pseudoprogression. We
      retrospectively examined 37 patients with glioblastoma treated with radiation and
      temozolomide after surgical resection that then developed new or increasing
      enhancing lesion(s) indeterminate for pseudoprogression versus progression.
      Volumetric plasma volume (Vp) and time-dependent leakage constant (Ktrans) maps
      were measured for the enhancing lesion and the mean and ninetieth percentile
      histogram values recorded. Lesion outcome was determined by clinical follow up
      with pseudoprogression defined as stable disease not requiring new treatment.
      Statistical analysis was performed with Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. Patients with
      pseudoprogression (n = 13) had Vp (mean) = 2.4 and Vp (90 %tile) = 3.2; and
      Ktrans (mean) = 3.5 and Ktrans (90 %tile) = 4.2. Patients with tumor progression
      (n = 24) had Vp (mean) = 5.3 and Vp (90 %tile) = 6.6; and Ktrans (mean) = 7.4 and
      Ktrans (90 %tile) = 9.1. Compared with tumor progression, pseudoprogression
      demonstrated lower Vp perfusion values (p = 0.0002) with a Vp (mean) cutoff <3.7
      yielding 85% sensitivity and 79% specificity for pseudoprogression. Ktrans (mean)
      of >3.6 had a 69% sensitivity and 79% specificity for disease progression. DCE
      MRI shows lower plasma volume and time dependent leakage constant values in
      pseudoprogression than in tumor progression. A cut-off value with high
      sensitivity for pseudoprogression can be applied to aid in interpretation of DCE
      MRI.

PMID- 26275368
TI  - Optimizing Treatment of Familial Hypercholesterolemia in Children and
      Adolescents.
AB  - Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is still the most prominent cause of death and
      morbidity in the world, and one of the major risk factors for developing CVD is
      hypercholesterolemia. Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a dominantly
      inherited disorder characterized by markedly elevated plasma low-density
      lipoprotein cholesterol and premature coronary heart disease. Currently, several
      treatment options are available for children with FH. Lifestyle adjustments are
      the first step in treatment. If this is not sufficient, statins are the preferred
      initial pharmacological therapy and they have been proven effective and safe.
      However, treatment goals are often not achieved and, hence, there is a need for
      novel treatment options. Currently, several options are being studied in adults
      and first results are promising. However, studies in children are still to be
      awaited. 

PMID- 26275369
TI  - Immature monocytes recruited to the ischemic mouse brain differentiate into
      macrophages with features of alternative activation.
AB  - Acute stroke induces a local inflammatory reaction causing leukocyte
      infiltration. Circulating monocytes are recruited to the ischemic brain and
      become tissue macrophages morphologically indistinguishable from reactive
      microglia. However, monocytes are a heterogeneous population of cells with
      different functions. Herein, we investigated the infiltration and fate of the
      monocyte subsets in a mouse model of focal brain ischemia by permanent occlusion
      of the distal portion of the middle cerebral artery. We separated two main
      subtypes of CD11b(hi) monocytes according to their expression of the surface
      markers Ly6C and CD43. Using adoptive transfer of reporter monocytes and monocyte
      depletion, we identified the pro-inflammatory Ly6C(hi)CD43(lo)CCR2(+) subset as
      the predominant monocytes recruited to the ischemic tissue. Monocytes were seen
      in the leptomeninges from where they entered the cortex along the penetrating
      arterioles. Four days post-ischemia, they had invaded the infarcted core, where
      they were often located adjacent to blood vessels. At this time, Iba-1(-) and Iba
      1(+) cells in the ischemic tissue incorporated BrdU, but BrdU incorporation was
      rare in the reporter monocytes. The monocyte phenotype progressively changed by
      down-regulating Ly6C, up-regulating F4/80, expressing low or intermediate levels
      of Iba-1, and developing macrophage morphology. Moreover, monocytes progressively
      acquired the expression of typical markers of alternatively activated
      macrophages, like arginase-1 and YM-1. Collectively, the results show that stroke
      mobilized immature pro-inflammatory Ly6C(hi)CD43(lo) monocytes that acutely
      infiltrated the ischemic tissue reaching the core of the lesion. Monocytes
      differentiated to macrophages with features of alternative activation suggesting
      possible roles in tissue repair during the sub-acute phase of stroke. 

PMID- 26275370
TI  - Statin-induced calcific Achilles tendinopathy in rats: comparison of
      biomechanical and histopathological effects of simvastatin, atorvastatin and
      rosuvastatin.
AB  - PURPOSE: Accumulating clinical evidence indicates the risk of tendinopathy and
      spontaneous and/or simultaneous tendon ruptures associated with statin use. This
      experimental study was designed to evaluate and compare the biomechanical and
      histopathological effects of the three most commonly prescribed statins
      (simvastatin, atorvastatin and rosuvastatin) on the Achilles tendon in rats.
      METHODS: Statins were administered by gavage to rats at daily doses of 20 and 40
      mg/kg for 3 weeks. One week later, the Achilles tendons were dissected and their
      biomechanical properties, including ultimate tensile force, yield force and
      elastic modulus, were determined. The samples were stained with haematoxylin
      eosin and examined under a light microscope. The biomechanical properties of the
      tibia were tested by three-point bending test. Bone mineral density (BMD) and the
      lengths of tibias were measured by computed tomography. RESULTS: All the statins
      caused deterioration of the biomechanical parameters of the Achilles tendon.
      Histopathological analysis demonstrated foci of dystrophic calcification only in
      the statin-treated groups. However, the number and the total area of calcific
      deposits were similar between the statin groups. The biomechanical parameters of
      tibias were improved in all the statin groups. BMD in the statin-treated groups
      was not significantly different from the control group. CONCLUSION: All the
      statins tested are associated with calcific tendinopathy risk of which full
      awareness is required during everyday medical practice. However, statin
      associated improvement of bone biomechanical properties is a favourable feature
      which may add to their beneficial effects in atherosclerotic cardiovascular
      disease, especially in the elderly.

PMID- 26275371
TI  - Is arthroscopic remplissage a tenodesis or capsulomyodesis? An anatomic study.
AB  - PURPOSE: Arthroscopic remplissage of a Hill-Sachs lesion is classically described
      as a capsulotenodesis of the infraspinatus within the posterolateral humeral
      head. The aim of this cadaveric study was to evaluate the anatomic relationship
      between the position of anchors and sutures placed for remplissage and the
      infraspinatus and teres minor. The hypothesis was that remplissage actually
      corresponds to a capsulomyodesis of the infraspinatus and teres minor muscles.
      METHODS: A two-anchor arthroscopic remplissage was performed followed by open
      dissection of ten fresh-frozen human cadaveric shoulders. The exit point of
      sutures related to muscle-tendon unit as well as the distance between the anchors
      and the rotator cuff was measured. RESULTS: The superior sutures were localized
      generally in the infraspinatus, near the musculotendinous junction. The inferior
      sutures passed through the teres minor muscle in seven of ten cases. The distance
      between the superior and inferior anchors and the posterolateral greater
      tuberosity was 14 +/- 2 and 12 +/- 3 mm, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopic
      remplissage is a capsulomyodesis of infraspinatus and teres minor rather than a
      capsulotenodesis of the infraspinatus alone as previously believed. Muscular
      damage may explain posterosuperior pain observed in patients who underwent
      remplissage.

PMID- 26275373
TI  - How Van der Waals Interactions Influence the Absorption Spectra of Pheophorbide a
      Complexes: A Mixed Quantum-Classical Study.
AB  - The computation of dispersive site energy shifts due to van der Waals interaction
      (London dispersion forces) was combined with mixed quantum-classical methodology
      to calculate the linear optical absorption spectra of large pheophorbide a (Pheo)
      dendrimers. The computed spectra agreed very well with the measurements
      considering three characteristic optical features occurring with increasing
      aggregate size: a strong line broadening, a redshift, and a low-energy shoulder.
      The improved mixed quantum-classical methodology is considered a powerful tool in
      investigating molecular aggregates. 

PMID- 26275372
TI  - Altered stress patterns and increased risk for postpartum depression among low
      income pregnant women.
AB  - Postpartum depression (PPD) has been associated with a number of negative
      maternal and infant health outcomes. Despite these adverse health effects, few
      studies have prospectively examined patterns of pre- and postnatal stress that
      may increase a woman's risk for PPD. The current study examined whether the
      timing of altered salivary cortisol patterns and perceived stress levels during
      pregnancy and at 3 months postpartum was associated with PPD symptoms among 100
      low-income mothers. Higher levels of PPD were found among women with a lower
      cortisol awakening response (first and second trimester), lower average daily
      cortisol (second trimester), a flatter diurnal cortisol pattern (second and third
      trimester and at 3 months postpartum), and a less abrupt drop in both cortisol
      and perceived stress from the third trimester to 3 months postpartum. These
      results support the need for early screening and regulation of stress levels to
      promote depression prevention efforts in at-risk populations.

PMID- 26275374
TI  - Neurokinin 1 receptor blockade in the medial amygdala attenuates alcohol drinking
      in rats with innate anxiety but not in Wistar rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Substance P and its preferred neurokinin receptor NK1
      have been implicated in stress and anxiety and have been proposed as possible
      therapeutic targets for the treatment of anxiety/depression. Attention is also
      being focused on the role this neuropeptide system may play in drug addiction,
      because stress-related mechanisms promote drug abuse. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: The
      effects of the rat-specific NK1 receptor antagonist, L822429, on alcohol intake
      and seeking behaviour was investigated in genetically selected Marchigian
      Sardinian alcohol preferring rats. These rats demonstrate an anxious phenotype
      and are highly sensitive to stress and stress-induced drinking. KEY RESULTS:
      Systemic administration of L822429 significantly reduced operant alcohol self
      administration in Marchigian Sardinian alcohol preferring rats, but did not
      reduce alcohol self-administration in stock Wistar rats. NK1 receptor antagonism
      also attenuated yohimbine-induced reinstatement of alcohol seeking at all doses
      tested but had no effect on cue-induced reinstatement of alcohol seeking. L822429
      reduced operant alcohol self-administration when injected into the lateral
      cerebroventricles or the medial amygdala. L822429 injected into the medial
      amygdala also significantly reduced anxiety-like behaviour in the elevated plus
      maze test. No effects on alcohol intake were observed following injection of
      L822429 into the dorsal or the ventral hippocampus. Conclusions and Implications
      Our results suggest that NK1 receptor antagonists may be useful for the treatment
      of alcohol addiction associated with stress or comorbid anxiety disorders. The
      medial amygdala appears to be an important brain site of action of NK1 receptor
      antagonism.

PMID- 26275376
TI  - Alterations in the hepatic transcriptional landscape after RNAi mediated ApoB
      silencing in cynomolgus monkeys.
AB  - The greater genomic conservation between humans and non-human primates (NHP)
      enables target validation studies for developing of therapeutic strategies for
      human diseases. Together with predicting activity and potential adverse clinical
      signs, the inclusion of NHP testing bequeaths to efficacy models for dose
      titration and pharmacodynamic effects. We have used lipid nanoparticle
      encapsulated siRNA to silence ApoB in the liver and assessed the phenotypic
      effects on serum lipids with various levels of hepatic ApoB mRNA knockdown in
      healthy lean cynomolgus monkeys. ApoB siRNA dosed animals demonstrated
      significant reductions of hepatic ApoB mRNA and serum APOB protein, with a
      substantial lowering of plasma lipid levels without obvious signs of toxicity.
      Microarray based assessment of ApoB siRNA mediated effects revealed a number of
      differentially expressed genes which mapped onto biological pathways and
      processes related to lipid and cholesterol metabolism. Furthermore, we identified
      potential targets and cellular effects that could be studied for therapeutic
      benchmarking of APOB mediated effects. The network of ApoB regulated genes should
      be of significance for the understanding and development of novel
      hypercholesterolemia therapies.

PMID- 26275375
TI  - Carotid atherosclerosis severity in relation to glycemic status: a cross
      sectional population study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Intima-media thickness (IMT) is increased in subjects with prediabetes
      or newly diagnosed diabetes. However, no previous studies have evaluated the
      relationship between the severity of carotid atherosclerosis, assessed by the
      presence of carotid plaques or stenosis, and the glycemic status, assessed either
      by fasting glucose, an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) or A1C levels. METHODS:
      Cross-sectional analysis of 1475 subjects (mean age 62 years, 44% males),
      randomly selected from the population. A fasting blood sample was obtained to
      determine glucose, lipids, and A1C levels. An OGTT was performed in non-diabetic
      subjects. Carotid atherosclerosis was evaluated by echo-doppler. RESULTS: A 10.5%
      of the population had a previous diagnosis of diabetes. Of the 1320 non-diabetic
      participants, 349 (26.4%) had normal fasting glucose, normal glucose tolerance
      and A1C < 5.7%, and were considered controls. Prediabetes was diagnosed in 850
      subjects (64.4%), and diabetes was newly diagnosed in 121 (9.2%). The prevalence
      of patients with carotid plaques was 34.2% in controls, 45.1% in prediabetics,
      64.2% in newly diagnosed diabetics, and 72.9% in established diabetic patients.
      These numbers were 0.3%, 1.1%, 5.0% and 7.7% for carotid stenosis, respectively.
      In multivariate analysis, glycemic status remained significantly associated with
      the prevalence of carotid plaques after adjusting for age, sex, statin treatment,
      and cardiovascular risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Glycemic status is associated with
      all grades of carotid atherosclerosis, from early signs, as demonstrated by the
      IMT, to intermediate degrees, as demonstrated by the presence of carotid plaques,
      to advance atherosclerosis, as established by the presence of carotid stenosis.

PMID- 26275378
TI  - Laparoscopic ovariectomy by single-port access for ovarian cryopreservation.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility of ovariectomy by
      single-port access laparoscopy for cryopreservation. METHODS: Observational
      prospective monocentric study including patients referred for an ovariectomy for
      ovarian tissue cryopreservation underwent ovariectomy by single-port access
      laparoscopy. Feasibility, intra- and post-operative complications, and quality of
      the ovarian tissue collected were reported. RESULTS: Height patients were
      included. No conversion to standard laparoscopy or laparotomy was performed and
      no intra- or post-operative complications were reported. Median duration of
      surgery was 35 min (30-60). The quality of all the ovarian tissue collected was
      correct, and cryopreservation was possible for all patients. CONCLUSIONS:
      Ovariectomy for cryopreservation by laparoscopy with SPA seems feasible. The
      advantages of this technique are particularly interesting in these patients who
      require the least aggressive surgical technique possible and a rapid
      convalescence.

PMID- 26275379
TI  - Comment on an article written by Cornelia Bachmann et al.

PMID- 26275377
TI  - Affective mediators of the association between pleasant events and global sleep
      quality in community-dwelling adults.
AB  - This study explored the association of engagement in pleasant events and global
      sleep quality, as well as examined the intermediary roles of positive affect and
      depressive symptoms in this association. Data were derived from the Midlife in
      the United States-II study. The sample consisted of 1054 community-dwelling
      adults. Participants completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and indicated
      the frequency and enjoyableness of experiences on a positive events scale.
      Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies
      Depression Scale. Positive affect was measured using the Mood and Symptoms
      Questionnaire. Regression analyses indicated more frequent engagement in pleasant
      events was associated with better global sleep quality. Depressive symptoms, but
      not positive affect, partially mediated the association between pleasant events
      and global sleep quality. The findings suggest that behavioral engagement in
      pleasant events may be related to global sleep quality via depressive symptoms,
      but not positive affect. These findings highlight the potential for engagement in
      pleasant activities to influence both mood and sleep. 

PMID- 26275380
TI  - Biglycan enhances the ability of migration and invasion in endometrial cancer.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to confirm that biglycan (BGN) can promote the
      migration and invasion in endometrial cancer both in vitro and in vivo and the
      possible therapeutic value of BGN in endometrial cancer. METHODS: Western blot
      was used to screen out the higher protein level of BGN in human endometrial
      cancer cells; BGN knocked down cells were constructed by lentiviral transfection;
      The effect of BGN in endometrial cancer detected by wound healing, transwell
      migration, and invasion, endothelial tube formation assay in vitro, and xenograft
      model in vivo. RESULTS: (1) We found that BGN expression level is higher in the
      Ishikawa (ISK, high differentiation) and AN3CA (poor differentiation) cells than
      other endometrial cancer cells. (2) BGN enhances endometrial cancer cell wound
      healing, invasion, and migration ability and formation ability of endothelial
      cells in vitro. Xenograft model has confirmed the outcome in vivo. CONCLUSIONS:
      BGN might play an important role on metastasis in human endometrial cancer and it
      might be a target marker for the molecular therapy of advanced and recurrence
      endometrial cancer.

PMID- 26275381
TI  - Intra-abdominal adhesions: vaginal or abdominal delivery?

PMID- 26275382
TI  - The left amygdala: A shared substrate of alexithymia and empathy.
AB  - Alexithymia, a deficit in emotional self-awareness, and deficits in empathy,
      which encompasses the awareness of other's emotions, are related constructs that
      are both associated with a range of psychopathological disorders. Neuroimaging
      studies suggest that there is overlap between the neural bases of alexithymia and
      empathy, but no systematic comparison has been conducted so far. The aim of this
      structural magnetic resonance imaging study was to disentangle the overlap and
      differences between the morphological profiles of the cognitive and affective
      dimensions of alexithymia and empathy, and to find out to what extent these
      differ between women and men. High-resolution T1 anatomical images were obtained
      from 125 healthy right-handers (18-42 years), 70 women and 55 men. By means of
      voxel-based morphometry, region of interest (ROI) analyses were performed on gray
      matter volumes of several anatomically defined a-priori regions previously linked
      to alexithymia and empathy. Partial correlations were conducted within the female
      and male group using ROI parameter estimates as dependent variables and the
      cognitive and affective dimensions of alexithymia and empathy, respectively, as
      predictors, controlling for age. Results were considered significant if they
      survived Holm-Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. The left amygdala
      was identified as a key substrate of both alexithymia and empathy. This
      association was characterized by an opposite pattern: The cognitive alexithymia
      dimension was linked to smaller, the two empathy dimensions to larger left
      amygdala volume. While sex-specific effects were not observed for empathy, they
      were evident for the affective alexithymia dimension: Men-but not women-with
      difficulty fantasizing had smaller gray matter volume in the middle cingulate
      cortex. Moreover, structural covariance patterns between the left amygdala and
      other emotion-related brain regions differed markedly between alexithymia and
      empathy. These differences may underlie the complex patterns of deficits in
      emotional self- and other-awareness observed across a range of psychopathological
      conditions.

PMID- 26275384
TI  - Neuroanatomy of intergroup bias: A white matter microstructure study of
      individual differences.
AB  - Intergroup bias-the tendency to behave more positively toward an ingroup member
      than an outgroup member-is a powerful social force, for good and ill. Although it
      is widely demonstrated, intergroup bias is not universal, as it is characterized
      by significant individual differences. Recently, attention has begun to turn to
      whether neuroanatomy might explain these individual differences in intergroup
      bias. However, no research to date has examined whether white matter
      microstructure could help determine differences in behavior toward ingroup and
      outgroup members. In the current research, we examine intergroup bias with the
      third-party punishment paradigm and white matter integrity and connectivity
      strength as determined by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). We found that both
      increased white matter integrity at the right temporal-parietal junction (TPJ)
      and connectivity strength between the right TPJ and the dorsomedial prefrontal
      cortex (DMPFC) were associated with increased impartiality in the third-party
      punishment paradigm, i.e., reduced intergroup bias. Further, consistent with the
      role that these brain regions play in the mentalizing network, we found that
      these effects were mediated by mentalizing processes. Participants with greater
      white matter integrity at the right TPJ and connectivity strength between the
      right TPJ and the DMPFC employed mentalizing processes more equally for ingroup
      and outgroup members, and this non-biased use of mentalizing was associated with
      increased impartiality. The current results help shed light on the mechanisms of
      bias and, potentially, on interventions that promote impartiality over intergroup
      bias. 

PMID- 26275385
TI  - Cortisol awakening response predicts intrinsic functional connectivity of the
      medial prefrontal cortex in the afternoon of the same day.
AB  - Cortisol awakening response (CAR) is the cortisol secretory activity in the first
      30-60 min immediately after awakening in the morning. Alterations in CAR as a
      trait have been associated with changes in the brain structure and function. CAR
      also fluctuates over days. Little, however, is known about the relationship
      between CAR as a state and brain activity. Using resting-state functional
      magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we investigated whether the CAR predicts
      intrinsic functional connectivity (FC) of the brain in the afternoon of the same
      day. Data from forty-nine healthy participants were analyzed. Salivary cortisol
      levels were assessed immediately after awakening and 15, 30 and 60 min after
      awakening, and resting-state fMRI data were obtained in the afternoon. Global FC
      strength (FCS) of each voxel was computed to provide a whole-brain
      characterization of intrinsic functional architecture. Correlation analysis was
      used to examine whether CAR predicts the intrinsic FC of core brain networks. We
      observed that the CAR was positively correlated with the FCS of the medial
      prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Further analysis revealed that higher CAR predicted
      stronger positive mPFC connectivity with regions in the default mode network. Our
      findings suggest that the HPA activity after awakening in the early morning may
      predict intrinsic functional connectivity of mPFC at rest in the afternoon of the
      same day.

PMID- 26275383
TI  - Assessing atrophy measurement techniques in dementia: Results from the MIRIAD
      atrophy challenge.
AB  - Structural MRI is widely used for investigating brain atrophy in many
      neurodegenerative disorders, with several research groups developing and
      publishing techniques to provide quantitative assessments of this longitudinal
      change. Often techniques are compared through computation of required sample size
      estimates for future clinical trials. However interpretation of such comparisons
      is rendered complex because, despite using the same publicly available cohorts,
      the various techniques have been assessed with different data exclusions and
      different statistical analysis models. We created the MIRIAD atrophy challenge in
      order to test various capabilities of atrophy measurement techniques. The data
      consisted of 69 subjects (46 Alzheimer's disease, 23 control) who were scanned
      multiple (up to twelve) times at nine visits over a follow-up period of one to
      two years, resulting in 708 total image sets. Nine participating groups from 6
      countries completed the challenge by providing volumetric measurements of key
      structures (whole brain, lateral ventricle, left and right hippocampi) for each
      dataset and atrophy measurements of these structures for each time point pair
      (both forward and backward) of a given subject. From these results, we formally
      compared techniques using exactly the same dataset. First, we assessed the
      repeatability of each technique using rates obtained from short intervals where
      no measurable atrophy is expected. For those measures that provided direct
      measures of atrophy between pairs of images, we also assessed symmetry and
      transitivity. Then, we performed a statistical analysis in a consistent manner
      using linear mixed effect models. The models, one for repeated measures of volume
      made at multiple time-points and a second for repeated "direct" measures of
      change in brain volume, appropriately allowed for the correlation between
      measures made on the same subject and were shown to fit the data well. From these
      models, we obtained estimates of the distribution of atrophy rates in the
      Alzheimer's disease (AD) and control groups and of required sample sizes to
      detect a 25% treatment effect, in relation to healthy ageing, with 95%
      significance and 80% power over follow-up periods of 6, 12, and 24months.
      Uncertainty in these estimates, and head-to-head comparisons between techniques,
      were carried out using the bootstrap. The lateral ventricles provided the most
      stable measurements, followed by the brain. The hippocampi had much more
      variability across participants, likely because of differences in segmentation
      protocol and less distinct boundaries. Most methods showed no indication of bias
      based on the short-term interval results, and direct measures provided good
      consistency in terms of symmetry and transitivity. The resulting annualized rates
      of change derived from the model ranged from, for whole brain: -1.4% to -2.2%
      (AD) and -0.35% to -0.67% (control), for ventricles: 4.6% to 10.2% (AD) and 1.2%
      to 3.4% (control), and for hippocampi: -1.5% to -7.0% (AD) and -0.4% to -1.4%
      (control). There were large and statistically significant differences in the
      sample size requirements between many of the techniques. The lowest sample sizes
      for each of these structures, for a trial with a 12month follow-up period, were
      242 (95% CI: 154 to 422) for whole brain, 168 (95% CI: 112 to 282) for
      ventricles, 190 (95% CI: 146 to 268) for left hippocampi, and 158 (95% CI: 116 to
      228) for right hippocampi. This analysis represents one of the most extensive
      statistical comparisons of a large number of different atrophy measurement
      techniques from around the globe. The challenge data will remain online and
      publicly available so that other groups can assess their methods. 

PMID- 26275386
TI  - [Anesthesia management in implantation of baroreceptor stimulators].
AB  - Baroreceptor stimulators are novel implantable devices that activate the carotid
      baroreceptor reflex. This results in a decrease in activity of the sympathetic
      nervous system and inhibition of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. In
      patients with drug-resistant hypertension, permanent electrical activation of the
      baroreceptor reflex results in blood pressure reduction and cardiac remodeling.
      For correct intraoperative electrode placement at the carotid bifurcation, the
      baroreceptor reflex needs to be activated several times. Many common anesthetic
      agents, such as inhalation anesthetics and propofol dampen or inhibit the
      baroreceptor reflex and complicate or even prevent successful placement.
      Therefore, a specific anesthesia and pharmacological management is necessary to
      ensure successful implantation of baroreceptor reflex stimulators. 

PMID- 26275388
TI  - The use of compressive sensing and peak detection in the reconstruction of
      microtubules length time series in the process of dynamic instability.
AB  - Microtubules (MTs) are intra-cellular cylindrical protein filaments. They exhibit
      a unique phenomenon of stochastic growth and shrinkage, called dynamic
      instability. In this paper, we introduce a theoretical framework for applying
      Compressive Sensing (CS) to the sampled data of the microtubule length in the
      process of dynamic instability. To reduce data density and reconstruct the
      original signal with relatively low sampling rates, we have applied CS to
      experimental MT lament length time series modeled as a Dichotomous Markov Noise
      (DMN). The results show that using CS along with the wavelet transform
      significantly reduces the recovery errors comparing in the absence of wavelet
      transform, especially in the low and the medium sampling rates. In a sampling
      rate ranging from 0.2 to 0.5, the Root-Mean-Squared Error (RMSE) decreases by
      approximately 3 times and between 0.5 and 1, RMSE is small. We also apply a peak
      detection technique to the wavelet coefficients to detect and closely approximate
      the growth and shrinkage of MTs for computing the essential dynamic instability
      parameters, i.e., transition frequencies and specially growth and shrinkage
      rates. The results show that using compressed sensing along with the peak
      detection technique and wavelet transform in sampling rates reduces the recovery
      errors for the parameters. 

PMID- 26275389
TI  - Performance comparison of multi-label learning algorithms on clinical data for
      chronic diseases.
AB  - We are motivated by the issue of classifying diseases of chronically ill patients
      to assist physicians in their everyday work. Our goal is to provide a performance
      comparison of state-of-the-art multi-label learning algorithms for the analysis
      of multivariate sequential clinical data from medical records of patients
      affected by chronic diseases. As a matter of fact, the multi-label learning
      approach appears to be a good candidate for modeling overlapped medical
      conditions, specific to chronically ill patients. With the availability of such
      comparison study, the evaluation of new algorithms should be enhanced. According
      to the method, we choose a summary statistics approach for the processing of the
      sequential clinical data, so that the extracted features maintain an
      interpretable link to their corresponding medical records. The publicly available
      MIMIC-II dataset, which contains more than 19,000 patients with chronic diseases,
      is used in this study. For the comparison we selected the following multi-label
      algorithms: ML-kNN, AdaBoostMH, binary relevance, classifier chains, HOMER and
      RAkEL. Regarding the results, binary relevance approaches, despite their
      elementary design and their independence assumption concerning the chronic
      illnesses, perform optimally in most scenarios, in particular for the detection
      of relevant diseases. In addition, binary relevance approaches scale up to large
      dataset and are easy to learn. However, the RAkEL algorithm, despite its
      scalability problems when it is confronted to large dataset, performs well in the
      scenario which consists of the ranking of the labels according to the dominant
      disease of the patient. 

PMID- 26275387
TI  - Comparative study of 18F-FDG-PET/CT imaging and serum hTERT mRNA quantification
      in cancer diagnosis.
AB  - We have reported on the clinical usefulness of human telomerase reverse
      transcriptase (hTERT) mRNA quantification in sera in patients with several
      cancers. Positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT) using 18F
      fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) has recently become an excellent modality for detecting
      cancer. We performed a diagnostic comparative study of FDG-PET/CT and hTERT mRNA
      quantification in patients with cancer. Four hundred seventy subjects, including
      125 healthy individuals and 345 outpatients with cancer who had received medical
      treatments for cancer in their own or other hospitals, were enrolled. The
      subjects were diagnosed by FDG-PET/CT, and we measured their serum hTERT mRNA
      levels using real-time RT-PCR, correlating the quantified values with the
      clinical course. In this prospective study, we statistically assessed the
      sensitivity and specificity, and their clinical significance. hTERT mRNA and FDG
      PET/CT were demonstrated to be correlated with the clinical parameters of
      metastasis and recurrence (P < 0.001), and of recurrence and tumor number in
      cancer compared with noncancer patients, respectively. A multivariate analysis
      showed a significant difference in the detection by FDG-PET/CT, 18F-FDG uptake,
      the detection by hTERT mRNA, and age. The use of both FDG-PET/CT and hTERT mRNA
      resulted in a positivity of 94.4% (221/234) for the detection of viable tumor
      cells. FDG-PET/CT is superior to hTERT mRNA quantification in the early detection
      of cancer and combinative use of FDG-PET/CT and hTERT mRNA may improve the
      diagnostic accuracy of cancer.

PMID- 26275390
TI  - A case of penetration of the intestinal wall by a soft-shelled turtle bone
      successfully removed with double-balloon endoscopy.
AB  - A 62-year-old male was admitted to our hospital due to left lower abdominal pain.
      Three days before admission, he ate seafood in a Japanese restaurant. Two days
      before admission, he suffered from intermittent left lower abdominal pain. One
      day before admission, he developed a high fever and subsequently visited our
      hospital the following day. Localized tenderness and rebound pain were observed
      in the left lower abdomen, and C-reactive protein was elevated. Computed
      tomography revealed a linear high-density object in the distal portion of the
      small intestine accompanied by edema of the wall, suggesting penetration by
      something like a fishbone. On the ninth hospital day, double-balloon endoscopy
      was performed via the transanal route. Yellow foreign material was found in the
      ileum and was then successfully removed with biopsy forceps. The removed material
      measured 3 mm in width, 3 cm in length and was slightly curved. It proved to be a
      bone of the forefoot of a soft-shelled turtle, which had been included on the
      menu of the restaurant. The patient was completely cured and discharged on the
      14th hospital day.

PMID- 26275391
TI  - Strain-promoted reaction of 1,2,4-triazines with bicyclononynes.
AB  - Strain-promoted inverse electron-demand Diels-Alder cycloaddition (SPIEDAC)
      reactions between 1,2,4,5-tetrazines and strained dienophiles, such as
      bicyclononynes, are among the fastest bioorthogonal reactions. However, the
      synthesis of 1,2,4,5-tetrazines is complex and can involve volatile reagents.
      1,2,4-Triazines also undergo cycloaddition reactions with acyclic and unstrained
      dienophiles at elevated temperatures, but their reaction with strained alkynes
      has not been described. We postulated that 1,2,4-triazines would react with
      strained alkynes at low temperatures and therefore provide an alternative to the
      tetrazine cycloaddition reaction for use in in vitro or in vivo labelling
      experiments. We describe the synthesis of a 1,2,4-triazin-3-ylalanine derivative
      fully compatible with the fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl (Fmoc) strategy for peptide
      synthesis and demonstrate its reaction with strained bicyclononynes at 37 
      degrees C with rates comparable to the reaction of azides with the same
      substrates. The synthetic route to triazinylalanine is readily adaptable to late
      stage functionalization of other probe molecules, and the 1,2,4-triazine-SPIEDAC
      therefore has potential as an alternative to tetrazine cycloaddition for
      applications in cellular and biochemical studies. 

PMID- 26275393
TI  - The Size But not the Symmetry of the Wings of Eulaema nigrita Lepeletier (Apidae:
      Euglossini) is Affected by Human-Disturbed Landscapes in the Brazilian Cerrado
      Savanna.
AB  - Among other human-related activities, habitat loss and fragmentation are
      currently ranked as the most important environmental features affecting the
      persistence of animal and plant populations in landscapes, as well as the
      maintenance of ecological processes and services. Since these processes are also
      capable of affecting the ontogenetic development of species inhabiting those
      landscapes, here we measured the wing veins of male Eulaema nigrita Lepeletier
      (Apidae: Euglossini) bees in order to evaluate whether the bees sampled in
      agriculture (AG) areas suffer higher fluctuating asymmetry (FA) than those
      sampled in Cerrado (CE) areas in the Brazilian state of Goias. We believe that
      individuals sampled in CE areas would be less asymmetric than those sampled in AG
      areas, given a potential higher exposure of these specimens to environmental
      stresses (mostly pesticides). However, we did not observe a significant trend in
      the FA measures we obtained, although three wing measures were bigger for bees
      from CE areas. The lack of significant effects of FA may be related to inherent
      bionomic features of E. nigrita. For instance, given their high individual
      dispersal abilities, the individuals we analyzed may have developed in different
      areas than those where they were sampled. Their generalist feeding behavior may
      also have given them a higher resistance to environmental perturbations,
      buffering the normal development of immatures even in areas with local high
      environmental stress. Nonetheless, higher death rates of individuals from
      anthropic areas may also have killed the developing immatures of E. nigrita
      before they reached adulthood consequently equalizing our sampled estimates. 

PMID- 26275392
TI  - (99m)Tc-Annexin A5 quantification of apoptotic tumor response: a systematic
      review and meta-analysis of clinical imaging trials.
AB  - PURPOSE: (99m)Tc-Annexin A5 has been used as a molecular imaging probe for the
      visualization, characterization and measurement of apoptosis. In an effort to
      define the quantitative (99m)Tc-annexin A5 uptake criteria that best predict
      tumor response to treatment, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis
      of the results of all clinical imaging trials found in the literature or publicly
      available databases. METHODS: Included in this review were 17 clinical trials
      investigating quantitative (99m)Tc-annexin A5 (qAnx5) imaging using different
      parameters in cancer patients before and after the first course of chemotherapy
      and/or radiation therapy. Qualitative assessment of the clinical studies for
      diagnostic accuracy was performed using the QUADAS-2 criteria. Of these studies,
      five prospective single-center clinical trials (92 patients in total) were
      included in the meta-analysis after exclusion of one multicenter clinical trial
      due to heterogeneity. Pooled positive predictive values (PPV) and pooled negative
      predictive values (NPV) (with 95% CI) were calculated using Meta-Disc software
      version 1.4. RESULTS: Absolute quantification and/or relative quantification of
      (99m)Tc-annexin A5 uptake were performed at baseline and after the start of
      treatment. Various quantitative parameters have been used for the calculation of
      (99m)Tc-annexin A5 tumor uptake and delta (Delta) tumor changes post-treatment
      compared to baseline including: tumor-to-background ratio (TBR), DeltaTBR, tumor
      to-noise ratio, relative tumor ratio (TR), DeltaTR, standardized tumor uptake
      ratio (STU), DeltaSTU, maximum count per pixel within the tumor volume (Cmax),
      Cmax%, absolute DeltaU and percentage (DeltaU%), maximum DeltaU counts,
      semiquantitative visual scoring, percent injected dose (%ID) and %ID/cm(3).
      Clinical trials investigating qAnx5 imaging have included patients with lung
      cancer, lymphoma, breast cancer, head and neck cancer and other less common tumor
      types. In two phase I/II single-center clinical trials, an increase of >=25% in
      uptake following treatment was considered a significant threshold for an
      apoptotic tumor response (partial response, complete response). In three other
      phase I/II clinical trials, increases of >=28%, >=42% and >=47% in uptake
      following treatment were found to be the mean cut-off levels in responders. In a
      phase II/III multicenter clinical trial, an increase of >=23% in uptake following
      treatment was found to be the minimum cut-off level for a tumor response. In one
      clinical trial, no significant difference in (99m)Tc-annexin A5 uptake in terms
      of %ID was found in healthy tissues after chemotherapy compared to baseline. In
      two other clinical trials, intraobserver and interobserver measurements of
      (99m)Tc-annexin A5 tumor uptake were found to be reproducible (mean difference
      <5%, kappa =  0.90 and 0.82, respectively) and to be highly correlated with
      treatment outcome (Spearman r = 0.99, p < 0.0001). The meta-analysis demonstrated
      a pooled positive PPV of 100% (95% CI 92 - 100%) and a pooled NPV of 70% (95% CI
      55 - 82%) for prediction of a tumor response after the first course of
      chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy in terms of DeltaU%. In a symmetric sROC
      analysis, the AUC was 0.919 and the Q* index was 85.21 %. CONCLUSION:
      Quantitative (99m)Tc-annexin A5 imaging has been investigated in clinical trials
      for the assessment of apoptotic tumor responses. This meta-analysis showed a high
      pooled PPV and a moderate pooled NPV with DeltaU cut-off values ranging between
      20% and 30%. Standardization of quantification and harmonization of results are
      required for high-quality clinical research. A standardized uptake value score
      (SUV, DeltaSUV) using quantitative SPECT/CT imaging may be a promising approach
      to the simple, reproducible and semiquantitative assessment of apoptotic tumor
      changes.

PMID- 26275394
TI  - Crohn associated microbial communities associated to colonic mucosal biopsies in
      patients of the western Mediterranean.
AB  - Next generation sequencing approaches allow the retrieval of several orders of
      magnitude larger numbers of amplified single sequences in 16S rRNA diversity
      surveys than classical methods. However, the sequences are only partial and thus
      lack sufficient resolution for a reliable identification. The OPU approach used
      here, based on a tandem combination of high quality 454 sequences (mean >500 nuc)
      applying strict OTU thresholds, and phylogenetic inference based on parsimony
      additions to preexisting trees, seemed to improve the identification yields at
      the species and genus levels. A total of thirteen biopsies of Crohn-diagnosed
      patients (CD) and seven healthy controls (HC) were studied. In most of the cases
      (73%), sequences were affiliated to known species or genera and distinct
      microbial patterns could be distinguished among the CD subjects, with a common
      depletion of Clostridia and either an increased presence of Bacteroidetes (CD1)
      or an anomalous overrepresentation of Proteobacteria (CD2). Faecalibacterium
      prausnitzii presence was undetectable in CD, whereas Bacteroides vulgatus-B.
      dorei characterized HC and some CD groups. Altogether, the results showed that a
      microbial composition with predominance of Clostridia followed by Bacteroidetes,
      with F. prausnitzii and B. vulgatus-B. dorei as major key bacteria, characterized
      what could be considered a balanced structure in HC. The depletion of Clostridia
      seemed to be a common trait in CD.

PMID- 26275395
TI  - Mercury mobilization and speciation linked to bacterial iron oxide and sulfate
      reduction: A column study to mimic reactive transfer in an anoxic aquifer.
AB  - Mercury (Hg) mobility and speciation in subsurface aquifers is directly linked to
      its surrounding geochemical and microbial environment. The role of bacteria on Hg
      speciation (i.e., methylation, demethylation and reduction) is well documented,
      however little data is available on their impact on Hg mobility. The aim of this
      study was to test if (i) Hg mobility is due to either direct iron oxide reduction
      by iron reducing bacteria (IRB) or indirect iron reduction by sulfide produced by
      sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB), and (ii) to investigate its subsequent fate and
      speciation. Experiments were carried out in an original column setup combining
      geochemical and microbiological approaches that mimic an aquifer including an
      interface of iron-rich and iron depleted zones. Two identical glass columns
      containing iron oxides spiked with Hg(II) were submitted to (i) direct iron
      reduction by IRB and (ii) to indirect iron reduction by sulfides produced by SRB.
      Results show that in both columns Hg was leached and methylated during the height
      of bacterial activity. In the column where IRB are dominant, Hg methylation and
      leaching from the column was directly correlated to bacterial iron reduction
      (i.e., Fe(II) release). In opposition, when SRB are dominant, produced sulfide
      induced indirect iron oxide reduction and rapid adsorption of leached Hg (or
      produced methylmercury) on neoformed iron sulfides (e.g., Mackinawite) or its
      precipitation as HgS. At the end of the SRB column experiment, when iron-oxide
      reduction was complete, filtered Hg and Fe concentrations increased at the outlet
      suggesting a leaching of Hg bound to FeS colloids that may be a dominant
      mechanism of Hg transport in aquifer environments. These experimental results
      highlight different biogeochemical mechanisms that can occur in stratified sub
      surface aquifers where bacterial activities play a major role on Hg mobility and
      changes in speciation. 

PMID- 26275396
TI  - Transport of barrel and spherical shaped colloids in unsaturated porous media.
AB  - Model colloids are usually spherical, but natural colloids have irregular
      geometries. Transport experiments of spherical colloids may not reflect the
      transport characteristics of natural colloids in porous media. We investigated
      saturated and unsaturated transport of colloids with spherical and angular shapes
      under steady-state, flow conditions. A pulse of negatively-charged colloids was
      introduced into a silica sand column at three different effective water
      saturations (Se = 0.31, 0.45, and 1.0). Colloids were introduced under high ionic
      strength of [106]mM to cause attachment to the secondary energy minimum and later
      released by changing the pore water to low ionic strength. After the experiment,
      sand was sampled from different depths (0, -4, and -11 cm) for scanning electron
      microscopy (SEM) analysis and colloid extraction. Water saturation affected
      colloid transport with more retention under low than under high saturation.
      Colloids were retained and released from a secondary energy minimum with more
      angular-shaped colloids being retained and released. Colloids extracted from the
      sand revealed highest colloid deposition in the top layer and decreasing
      deposition with depth. Pore straining and grain-grain wedging dominated colloid
      retention.

PMID- 26275398
TI  - Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Promotes Mesenchymal Stem Cells
      to Express Connexin43 via the Inhibition of TGF-beta1/Smads Signaling in a Rat
      Model of Myocardial Infarction.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In this study, we hypothesized that activation of PPAR-gamma enhanced
      MSCs survival and their therapeutic efficacy via upregulating the expression of
      Cx43. METHODS: MI was induced in 50 male Sprague-Dawley rats. The rats were
      randomized into five groups: MI group and four intervention groups, including the
      MSCs group, combined therapy group (MSCs+ pioglitazone), pioglitazone group and
      PBS group. Two weeks later, 5 * 10(6) MSCs labeled with PKH26 in PBS were
      injected into the infarct anterior ventricular free wall in the MSCs and combined
      therapy groups, and PBS alone was injected into the infarct anterior ventricular
      free wall in the PBS group. Pioglitazone (3 mg/kg/day) was given to the combined
      therapy and pioglitazone groups by oral gavage at the same time for another 2
      weeks. Myocardial function and relevant signaling molecules involved were all
      examined thereafter. RESULTS: Heart function was enhanced after MSCs treatment
      for 2 weeks post MI. A significant improvement of heart function was observed in
      the combined therapy group in contrast to the other three intervention groups.
      Compared with the MSCs group, there was a higher level of PPAR-gamma in the
      combined therapy group; Cx43 was remarkably increased in different regions of the
      left ventricle; TGF-beta1 was decreased in the infarct zone and border zone. To
      the downstream signaling molecules, mothers against Smad proteins including Smad2
      and Smad3 presented a synchronized alteration with TGF-beta1; no differences of
      the expressions of ERK1/2 and p38 could be discovered in the left ventricular
      cardiac tissue. CONCLUSIONS: MSCs transplantation combined with pioglitazone
      administration improved cardiac function more effectively after MI. Activation of
      PPAR-gamma could promote MSCs to express Cx43. Inhibition of TGF-beta1/Smads
      signaling pathway might be involved in the process.

PMID- 26275397
TI  - Targeting Glioblastoma with the Use of Phytocompounds and Nanoparticles.
AB  - Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) are extremely lethal and still poorly treated
      primary brain tumors, characterized by the presence of highly tumorigenic cancer
      stem cell (CSC) subpopulations, considered responsible for tumor relapse. In
      order to successfully eradicate GBM growth and recurrence, new anti-cancer
      strategies selectively targeting CSCs should be designed. CSCs might be
      eradicated by targeting some of their cell surface markers and transporters,
      inducing their differentiation, impacting their hyper-glycolytic metabolism,
      inhibiting CSC-related signaling pathways and/or by targeting their
      microenvironmental niche. In this regard, phytocompounds such as curcumin,
      isothiocyanates, resveratrol and epigallocatechin-3-gallate have been shown to
      prevent or reverse cancer-related epigenetic dysfunctions, reducing
      tumorigenesis, preventing metastasis and/or increasing chemotherapy and
      radiotherapy efficacy. However, the actual bioavailability and metabolic
      processing of phytocompounds is generally unknown, and the presence of the blood
      brain barrier often represents a limitation to glioma treatments. Nowadays,
      nanoparticles (NPs) can be loaded with therapeutic compounds such as
      phytochemicals, improving their bioavailability and their targeted delivery
      within the GBM tumor bulk. Moreover, NPs can be designed to increase their
      tropism and specificity toward CSCs by conjugating their surface with antibodies
      specific for CSC antigens, with ligands or with glucose analogues. Here we
      discuss the use of phytochemicals as anti-glioma agents and the applicability of
      phytochemical-loaded NPs as drug delivery systems to target GBM. Additionally, we
      provide some examples on how NPs can be specifically formulated to improve CSC
      targeting.

PMID- 26275399
TI  - Phylogeny and biogeography of Primula sect. Armerina: implications for plant
      evolution under climate change and the uplift of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The historical orogenesis and associated climatic changes of mountain
      areas have been suggested to partly account for the occurrence of high levels of
      biodiversity and endemism. However, their effects on dispersal, differentiation
      and evolution of many groups of plants are still unknown. In this study, we
      examined the detailed diversification history of Primula sect. Armerina, and used
      biogeographic analysis and macro-evolutionary modeling to investigate a series of
      different questions concerning the evolution of the geographical and ecological
      distribution of the species in this section. RESULTS: We sequenced five
      chloroplast and one nuclear genes for species of Primula sect. Armerina. Neither
      chloroplast nor nuclear trees support the monophyly of the section. The major
      incongruences between the two trees occur among closely related species and may
      be explained by hybridization. Our dating analyses based on the chloroplast
      dataset suggest that this section began to diverge from its relatives around 3.55
      million years ago, largely coinciding with the last major uplift of the Qinghai
      Tibet Plateau (QTP). Biogeographic analysis supports the origin of the section in
      the Himalayan Mountains and dispersal from the Himalayas to Northeastern QTP,
      Western QTP and Hengduan Mountains. Furthermore, evolutionary models of
      ecological niches show that the two P. fasciculata clades have significantly
      different climatic niche optima and rates of niche evolution, indicating niche
      evolution under climatic changes and further providing evidence for explaining
      their biogeographic patterns. CONCLUSION: Our results support the hypothesis that
      geologic and climatic events play important roles in driving biological
      diversification of organisms in the QTP area. The Pliocene uplift of the QTP and
      following climatic changes most likely promoted both the inter- and intraspecific
      divergence of Primula sect. Armerina. This study also illustrates how niche
      evolution under climatic changes influences biogeographic patterns.

PMID- 26275401
TI  - A biomechanical comparison between cortical bone trajectory fixation and pedicle
      screw fixation.
AB  - PURPOSE: There have been several reports on the pullout strength of cortical bone
      trajectory (CBT) screws, but only one study has reviewed the stability of
      functional spine units using the CBT method. The purpose of this study was to
      compare vertebral stability after CBT fixation with that after pedicle screw (PS)
      fixation. METHODS: In this study, 20 lumbar spine (L5-6) specimens were assigned
      to two groups: the CBT model group that underwent CBT screw fixation (n = 10) and
      the PS model group that underwent pedicle screw fixation (n = 10). Using a six
      axis material testing machine, bend and rotation tests were conducted on each
      model. The angular displacement from the time of no load to the time of maximum
      torque was defined as range of motion (ROM), and then, the mean ROM in the bend
      and rotation tests and the mean rate of relative change of ROM in both the bend
      and rotation tests were compared between the CBT and PS groups. RESULTS: There
      were no significant differences between the CBT and PS groups with regard to the
      mean ROMs and the mean rate of relative change of ROMs in both the bend and
      rotation tests. CONCLUSION: Intervertebral stability after CBT fixation was
      similar to that after PS fixation.

PMID- 26275400
TI  - Computational modeling of sphingolipid metabolism.
AB  - BACKGROUND: As suggested by the origin of the word, sphingolipids are mysterious
      molecules with various roles in antagonistic cellular processes such as
      autophagy, apoptosis, proliferation and differentiation. Moreover, sphingolipids
      have recently been recognized as important messengers in cellular signaling
      pathways. Notably, sphingolipid metabolism disorders have been observed in
      various pathological conditions such as cancer and neurodegeneration. RESULTS:
      The existing formal models of sphingolipid metabolism focus mainly on de novo
      ceramide synthesis or are limited to biochemical transformations of particular
      subspecies. Here, we propose the first comprehensive computational model of
      sphingolipid metabolism in human tissue. Contrary to the previous approaches, we
      use a model that reflects cell compartmentalization thereby highlighting the
      differences among individual organelles. CONCLUSIONS: The model that we present
      here was validated using recently proposed methods of model analysis, allowing to
      detect the most sensitive and experimentally non-identifiable parameters and
      determine the main sources of model variance. Moreover, we demonstrate the
      usefulness of our model in the study of molecular processes underlying
      Alzheimer's disease, which are associated with sphingolipid metabolism.

PMID- 26275402
TI  - Pilot study of DNA methylation in the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis with
      nasal polyps.
AB  - BACKGROUND: DNA methylation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of allergy
      and atopy. This study aimed to identify whether DNA methylation also plays an
      important role in the pathogenesis of nasal polyps (NP). METHODOLOGY: NP tissues
      were obtained from 32 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with bilateral NP.
      Biopsies of inferior turbinate mucosa (ITM) were taken from 18 patients who
      underwent rhinoseptoplasty (control group). The methylated genes, which were
      detected by DNA methylation microarray, were validated by methylation-specific
      polymerase chain reaction, bisulphite sequencing, real-time polymerase chain
      reaction and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: DNA methylation microarray identified
      8,008 CpG islands in 2,848 genes. One hundred and ninety-eight genes were found
      to have a methylated signal in the promoter region in NP samples compared with
      ITM samples. The four top genes that changed, COL18A1, EP300, GNAS and SMURF1,
      were selected for further study. The methylation frequency of COL18A1 was
      significantly higher in NP samples than in ITM samples. CONCLUSIONS: DNA
      methylation might play an important role in the pathogenesis of NP. Promoter
      methylation of COL18A1 was found to be significantly increased in NP tissues,
      further studies are necessary to confirm the significance of these epigenetic
      factors in the mechanisms underlying the development or persistence of NP.

PMID- 26275403
TI  - PMSM sensorless control with separate control strategies and smooth switch from
      low speed to high speed.
AB  - This paper proposes a smooth switching scheme with separate control strategies on
      low speed mode and high speed mode for permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM)
      sensorless control to improve the overall performance in full speed range.
      Constant voltage/frequency tuning method is used on low speed mode because the
      rotor position can hardly be estimated precisely at low speed. Along with the
      increasing speed, the control strategy can be switched to high speed mode
      smoothly when current and speed meet the given requirements. In this high speed
      mode, the current tracking with a sliding mode observer (SMO) and speed tracking
      with a sliding mode controller (SMC) are handled, respectively. Experimental
      demonstration is presented to show the desired performance in full speed range of
      the PMSM sensorless control using the proposed control scheme in this paper. 

PMID- 26275404
TI  - A novel extended state observer.
AB  - A novel extended state observer, which feeds back the output estimation error via
      both nonlinear and switching terms, is put forward for the first time in this
      paper. No longer neglecting the lumped uncertainty's first time derivative, the
      problem of disturbance observer design is transformed into the problem of state
      observer design in the presence of external disturbance. The switching term of
      the output estimation error is employed to counteract the adverse effect of
      external disturbance. The newly developed extended state observer provides an
      attractive solution to the issue of high precision motion control system. Both
      numerical simulation and experimentation on a speed turntable with temperature
      box are implemented to verify the performance of the proposed newly developed
      extended state observer. 

PMID- 26275405
TI  - Comparison of different approaches to estimating age standardized net survival.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Age-standardized net survival provides an important population-based
      summary of cancer survival that appropriately accounts for differences in other
      cause mortality rates and standardizes the population age distribution to allow
      fair comparisons. Recently, there has been debate over the most appropriate
      method for estimating this quantity, with the traditional Ederer II approach
      being shown to have potential bias. METHODS: We compare lifetable-based estimates
      (Ederer II), a new unbiased method based on inverse probability of censoring
      weights (Pohar Perme) and model-based estimates. We make the comparison in a
      simulation setting; generating scenarios where we would expect to see a large
      theoretical bias. RESULTS: Our simulations demonstrate that even in relatively
      extreme scenarios there is negligible bias in age-standardized net survival when
      using the age-standardized Ederer II method, modelling with continuous age or
      using the Pohar Perme method. However, both the Ederer II and modelling
      approaches have some advantages over the Pohar Perme method in terms of greater
      precision, particularly for longer-term follow-up (10 and 15 years). CONCLUSIONS:
      Our results show that, when age-standardizing, concern over bias with the
      traditional methods is unfounded. We have also shown advantages in using the more
      traditional and modelling methods.

PMID- 26275406
TI  - Platelets, gender and acute cerebral infarction.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Platelets may well be significant in the pathogenesis of cerebral
      infarction. Platelets vary substantially according to gender. The scope of our
      current work is to establish if female and male stroke sufferers differ regarding
      platelet reactivity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 73 Consecutive individuals stricken by
      acute ischemic cerebral infarction (31 females, 42 males) participated. All
      stroke subtypes were included. Platelet counts was determined electronically.
      Platelet reactivity i.e. the presence of surface-bound fibrinogen following
      provocation was analyzed with a flow cytometer. ADP (1.7 MUmol/L) and a thrombin
      receptor agonist (TRAP-6) (57 MUmol/L) were the agonists used. RESULTS: Female
      stroke sufferers had higher platelet counts (p = 0.013) but their platelets were
      less reactive. The p values were (p = 0.038) and (p = 0.016) for ADP and TRAP-6,
      respectively. CONCLUSION: The current study demonstrates that women suffering
      acute cerebral infarction have less reactive platelets. It is concluded that
      gender affects platelets. Our study indicates that it may be beneficial to
      individualize platelet inhibition of stroke sufferers according to gender.

PMID- 26275407
TI  - High-risk percutaneous coronary intervention in a patient with a single coronary
      artery presenting as STEMI and cardiogenic shock.
AB  - Cardiogenic shock due to ST elevation myocardial infarction in a patient with a
      single coronary artery involving the sole vessel is a rare presentation. This can
      be clinically and angiographically challenging. Proper recognition of the
      topography of diseased vessels and a systematic guarded approach can lead to
      procedural success. We report a case of an 81-year-old woman who presented with
      chest pain followed by a near syncope associated with an acute myocardial
      infarction. Coronary angiography revealed a single proximally occluded right
      coronary artery and an anomalous left main coronary artery (originating from the
      proximal right coronary artery) and occluded distal left circumflex artery. The
      right coronary artery was successfully stented following predilation without
      compromising the anomalous left main origin. The flow in the chronically occluded
      left circumflex artery (originating from the anomalous left main) which was
      depended on the retrograde supply from right coronary artery through collaterals,
      was also re-established. 

PMID- 26275408
TI  - Coronary Microembolization Induces Cardiomyocyte Apoptosis in Swine by Activating
      the LOX-1-Dependent Mitochondrial Pathway and Caspase-8-Dependent Pathway.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cardiomyocyte apoptosis by coronary microembolization (CME)
      contributes to myocardial dysfunction, in which mitochondrial pathway and death
      receptor pathway are activated. Lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein
      receptor 1 (LOX-1) is a membrane protein involved in apoptosis. The study aimed
      to explore the role of LOX-1 in the activation of these 2 major apoptotic
      pathways. METHODS: Twenty Bama miniature swine were randomized into 4 groups (n =
      5 per group). The groups were Sham, CME, LOX-1 small-interfering RNA (siRNA), and
      control siRNA. Microspheres were injected into the left anterior descending
      artery of swine to establish CME model. Twelve hours after operation, cardiac
      function, serum c-troponin I level, microinfarct, and apoptotic index were
      examined. The levels of LOX-1, Bcl-2, Bax, cytochrome c as well as cleaved
      caspase 9, -8, and -3 were detected. RESULTS: Myocardial dysfunction, enhanced
      serum c-troponin I, microinfarct, and apoptosis were induced following CME.
      Moreover, CME induced increased expression of LOX-1, Bax, cytochrome c, cleaved
      caspase 9, -8, and -3 as well as decreased Bcl-2 expression levels. The LOX-1
      siRNA reversed these effects by CME except cleaved caspase 8 expression, while
      the control siRNA had no effect. CONCLUSION: Coronary microembolization induces
      cardiomyocyte apoptosis via the LOX-1-dependent mitochondrial pathway and caspase
      8-dependent pathway.

PMID- 26275409
TI  - Does prior local corticosteroid injection prejudice the outcome of subsequent
      carpal tunnel decompression?
AB  - It has been suggested that treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome by local
      corticosteroid injection may prejudice the outcome of subsequent surgery. We
      identified patients who had proceeded directly to carpal tunnel surgery and
      patients who had initially been treated with one or more injections and then
      subsequently underwent carpal tunnel surgery on the same hand. Outcomes of
      surgery were evaluated using pre- and post-operative Boston carpal tunnel
      syndrome scales and an ordinal scale for overall satisfaction. Multivariate
      models were created to study the effect of pre-operation injection on the
      surgical outcome while controlling for demographic and clinical variables. A
      total of 942 patients were included; 85% of the direct group and 84% of the prior
      injection group reported themselves either completely cured or much improved
      after surgery. Post-operative symptom severity and functional status scores
      showed no significant difference between the direct-to-surgery and prior
      injection groups. Prior local steroid injection does not prejudice the outcome of
      surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

PMID- 26275410
TI  - Beyond cigarette smoking: smoke-free home rules and use of alternative tobacco
      products.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A smoke-free home rule has been associated with reduced cigarette
      consumption; however, it is unknown whether a home rule is associated with the
      use of alternative tobacco products (ATP) such as smokeless tobacco products,
      regular and water pipes, and cigars. This study examined the association between
      the smoke-free home rules and ever and current use of ATP. METHOD: Data from the
      2010-2011 US Tobacco Use Supplements to the Current Population Survey were
      analysed using multivariable logistic regressions, including variables related to
      smoke-free home rules. RESULTS: Overall, 83.9% respondents reported a smoke-free
      home rule inside their homes; 20.6% of respondents had tried at least one type of
      ATP, and 3.9% were current users in 2010-2011. Having a smoke-free home rule was
      associated with lower likelihood of current versus never use of any ATP (adjusted
      odds ratio (AOR) = 0.80, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.77-0.83). Among ever
      users of any ATP, the existence of a smoke-free home rule was associated with
      lower odds of being a current user (AOR = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.43-0.56). Similar
      associations were observed for each type of ATP examined (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION:
      Smoke-free home rules are associated with lower current ATP use among the US
      population. Future research should examine whether promoting smoke-free home
      rules could help to reduce ATP use and related diseases.

PMID- 26275411
TI  - Letter from doctors urging Wellcome Trust to divest from fossil fuels nears 1000
      signatories.

PMID- 26275412
TI  - Does the National Health Insurance Scheme provide financial protection to
      households in Ghana?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Excessive healthcare payments can impede access to health services
      and also disrupt the welfare of households with no financial protection. Health
      insurance is expected to offer financial protection against health shocks. Ghana
      began the implementation of its National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in 2004.
      The NHIS is aimed at removing the financial barrier to healthcare by limiting
      direct out-of-pocket health expenditures (OOPHE). The study examines the effect
      of the NHIS on OOPHE and how it protects households against catastrophic health
      expenditures. METHODS: Data was obtained from a cross-sectional representative
      household survey involving 2,430 households from three districts across Ghana.
      All OOPHE associated with treatment seeking for reported illness in the household
      in the last 4 weeks preceding the survey were analysed and compared between
      insured and uninsured persons. The incidence and intensity of catastrophic health
      expenditures (CHE) among households were measured by the catastrophic health
      payment method. The relative effect of NHIS on the incidence of CHE in the
      household was estimated by multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: About
      36% of households reported at least one illness during the 4 weeks period.
      Insured patients had significantly lower direct OOPHE for out-patient and in
      patient care compared to the uninsured. On financial protection, the incidence of
      CHE was lower among insured households (2.9%) compared to the partially insured
      (3.7%) and the uninsured (4.0%) at the 40% threshold. The incidence of CHE was
      however significantly lower among fully insured households (6.0%) which sought
      healthcare from NHIS accredited health facilities compared to the partially
      insured (10.1%) and the uninsured households (23.2%). The likelihood of a
      household incurring CHE was 4.2 times less likely for fully insured and 2.9 times
      less likely for partially insured households relative to being uninsured. The
      NHIS has however not completely eliminated OOPHE for the insured and their
      households. CONCLUSION: The NHIS has significant effect in reducing OOPHE and
      offers financial protection against CHE for insured individuals and their
      households though they still made some out-of-pocket payments. Efforts should aim
      at eliminating OOPHE for the insured if the objective for establishing the NHIS
      is to be achieved.

PMID- 26275413
TI  - An Examination of Women Ex-Offenders With Methadone Histories.
AB  - Criminal (drug and prostitution) charges, employment levels (weekly hours),
      recent substance use in the past 6 months, and primary sources of income were
      examined among a sample ( n = 106) of women ex-offenders who had opioid use
      disorders with and without methadone histories. A general linear model was tested
      to examine differences in relation to methadone use history. Results from a one
      way MANCOVA found that those with methadone histories reported significantly
      higher levels of drug and prostitution charges than those without any methadone
      history, but no significant differences in terms of weekly hours of employment or
      recent substance use were observed between groups. Women ex-offenders with
      methadone histories reported various sources of income beyond employment, and
      proportionally, more of these women reported prostitution as a primary source of
      income. Findings suggest that methadone maintenance treatments are not sufficient
      in meeting the needs of women ex-offenders.

PMID- 26275414
TI  - Building Bridges in New Jersey.
AB  - This article describes the experience and outcomes of the National Institute on
      Drug Abuse-funded Criminal Justice Drug Abuse Treatment Studies 2 Improving Best
      Practices in Assessment and Case Planning for Offenders protocol in the state of
      New Jersey. The protocol was designed to test the effectiveness of an
      Organizational Process Improvement Intervention in improving four assessment and
      case planning domains for drug-involved offenders in correctional settings
      transferring to community treatment based agencies. This article describes the
      protocol and the change team model process through which correctional and
      community agency staff collaborated to improve assessment and case planning for
      offenders with substance abuse problems. The primary goal of these collaborative
      efforts was to link information across stages of the treatment continuum to
      improve service coordination. Data taken from qualitative interviews with agency
      participants are used to illustrate the common themes that emerged relating to
      the intervention process, barriers to implementing developed goals, and
      facilitative factors that contributed to successes. The findings from the current
      study provide indication that organizational process improvement strategies can
      be implemented within a correctional setting to reduce interorganizational
      barriers and to facilitate improvements in the continuum of care involved in the
      treatment of offenders with histories of substance abuse.

PMID- 26275415
TI  - Prevalence and correlates of oral human papillomavirus infection among healthy
      males and females in Lima, Peru.
AB  - PURPOSE: The incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV) associated head and neck
      cancers (HNCs) have been increasing in Peru. However, the burden of oral HPV
      infection in Peru has not been assessed. The objective of this cross-sectional
      study was to estimate the prevalence and correlates of oral HPV infection in a
      population-based sample from males and females from Lima, Peru. METHODS: Between
      January 2010 and June 2011, a population-based sample of 1099 individuals between
      the ages of 10 and 85 from a low-income neighbourhood in Lima, Peru was
      identified through random household sampling. Information on demographic, sexual
      behaviours, reproductive factors and oral hygiene were collected using
      interviewer-administered questionnaires. Oral rinse specimens were collected from
      each participant, and these specimens were genotyped using the Roche Linear Array
      assay. ORs were used to assess differences in the prevalence of any oral HPV and
      any high-risk oral HPV infection by demographic factors, sexual practices and
      oral hygiene among individuals 15+ years of age. RESULTS: The prevalence of any
      HPV and any high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) was 6.8% and 2.0%, respectively. The three
      most common types were HPV 55 (3.4%), HPV 6 (1.5%) and HPV 16 (1.1%). Male sex
      (aOR, 2.21; 95% CI 1.22 to 4.03) was associated with any HPV infection after
      adjustment. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of oral HPV in this study was similar to
      estimates observed in the USA. Higher prevalence of oral infections in males was
      consistent with a male predominance of HPV-associated HNCs and may signal a sex
      specific aetiology in the natural history of infection.

PMID- 26275416
TI  - Self-perceived risk and prevalent chlamydia infection among adolescents in
      Norway: a population-based cross-sectional study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Risk judgements are key factors in adolescents' decisions related to
      sexual health. We examine the associations between self-perceived risk and
      prevalent chlamydia infection, and sexual behaviours related to risk perception
      in a general adolescent population in Norway. METHODS: Population-based cross
      sectional study among 1028 sexually experienced girls and boys, age 15-20 years
      (85% participation), including web questionnaires and urine samples for Chlamydia
      trachomatis PCR testing. Participants rated self-perceived risk as:
      no/low/medium/high/very high. We used binary and ordinal logistic regressions to
      examine associations with chlamydia prevalence and self-perceived risk,
      respectively, adjusting for potentially confounding variables. RESULTS: Chlamydia
      prevalence increased with increasing risk perception. Although girls had twice
      the chlamydia prevalence of boys (7.3% vs 3.9%), their risk distribution was
      similar and 65% of both genders rated their risk as no/low with half of
      infections detected in this group. In multivariable analyses, reporting multiple
      sexual risk behaviours, non-steady relationship, previous chlamydia testing and
      treatment, and urogenital symptoms increased self-perceived risk. More boys
      overestimated their personal risk whereas more girls underestimated it (52% vs
      30%, respectively, and 15% vs 31%, p<0.001). The main reasons for perceiving
      no/low risk were: 'I have a steady partner' and 'I trust my partner will tell me
      about an infection'. CONCLUSIONS: These sexually experienced adolescents
      acknowledged their chlamydia infection risk, but wrong beliefs were incorporated
      in their assessments, and more than half had incorrect risk perception. We
      suggest that sexually transmitted infection prevention programmes should be
      directed at closing the gap between perceived and actual risk and focus on how
      context may bias personal judgement.

PMID- 26275417
TI  - Clinical and molecular predictors of mortality in neurofibromatosis 2: a UK
      national analysis of 1192 patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2) is an autosomal-dominant tumour
      predisposition syndrome characterised by bilateral vestibular schwannomas,
      considerable morbidity and reduced life expectancy. Although genotype-phenotype
      correlations are well established in NF2, little is known about effects of
      mutation type or location within the gene on mortality. Improvements in NF2
      diagnosis and management have occurred, but their effect on patient survival is
      unknown. METHODS: We evaluated clinical and molecular predictors of mortality in
      1192 patients (771 with known causal mutations) identified through the UK
      National NF2 Registry. Kaplan-Meier survival and Cox regression analyses were
      used to evaluate predictors of mortality, with jackknife adjustment of parameter
      SEs to account for the strong intrafamilial phenotypic correlations that occur in
      NF2. RESULTS: The study included 241 deaths during 10 995 patient-years of follow
      up since diagnosis. Early age at diagnosis and the presence of intracranial
      meningiomas were associated with increased mortality, and having a mosaic, rather
      than non-mosaic, NF2 mutation was associated with reduced mortality. Patients
      with splice-site or missense mutations had lower mortality than patients with
      truncating mutations (OR 0.459, 95% CI 0.213 to 0.990, and OR 0.196, 95% CI 0.213
      to 0.990, respectively). Patients with splice-site mutations in exons 6-15 had
      lower mortality than patients with splice-site mutations in exons 1-5 (OR 0.333,
      95% CI 0.129 to 0.858). The mortality of patients with NF2 diagnosed in more
      recent decades was lower than that of patients diagnosed earlier. CONCLUSIONS:
      Continuing advances in molecular diagnosis, imaging and treatment of NF2
      associated tumours offer hope for even better survival in the future.

PMID- 26275418
TI  - IFT81, encoding an IFT-B core protein, as a very rare cause of a ciliopathy
      phenotype.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Bidirectional intraflagellar transport (IFT) consists of two major
      protein complexes, IFT-A and IFT-B. In contrast to the IFT-B complex, all
      components of IFT-A have recently been linked to human ciliopathies when
      defective. We therefore hypothesised that mutations in additional IFT-B encoding
      genes can be found in patients with multisystemic ciliopathies. METHODS: We
      screened 1628 individuals with reno-ocular ciliopathies by targeted next
      generation sequencing of ciliary candidate genes, including all IFT-B encoding
      genes. RESULTS: Consequently, we identified a homozygous mutation in IFT81
      affecting an obligatory donor splice site in an individual with nephronophthisis
      and polydactyly. Further, we detected a loss-of-stop mutation with extension of
      the deduced protein by 10 amino acids in an individual with neuronal ceroid
      lipofuscinosis-1. This proband presented with retinal dystrophy and brain lesions
      including cerebellar atrophy, a phenotype to which the IFT81 variant might
      contribute. Cultured fibroblasts of this latter affected individual showed a
      significant decrease in ciliated cell abundance compared with controls and
      increased expression of the transcription factor GLI2 suggesting deranged sonic
      hedgehog signalling. CONCLUSIONS: This work describes identification of mutations
      of IFT81 in individuals with symptoms consistent with the clinical spectrum of
      ciliopathies. It might represent the rare case of a core IFT-B complex protein
      found associated with human disease. Our data further suggest that defects in the
      IFT-B core are an exceedingly rare finding, probably due to its indispensable
      role for ciliary assembly in development.

PMID- 26275419
TI  - Genotoxic capacity of Cd/Se semiconductor quantum dots with differing surface
      chemistries.
AB  - Quantum dots (QD) have unique electronic and optical properties promoting
      biotechnological advances. However, our understanding of the toxicological
      structure-activity relationships remains limited. This study aimed to determine
      the biological impact of varying nanomaterial surface chemistry by assessing the
      interaction of QD with either a negative (carboxyl), neutral (hexadecylamine;
      HDA) or positive (amine) polymer coating with human lymphoblastoid TK6 cells.
      Following QD physico-chemical characterisation, cellular uptake was quantified by
      optical and electron microscopy. Cytotoxicity was evaluated and genotoxicity was
      characterised using the micronucleus assay (gross chromosomal damage) and the
      HPRT forward mutation assay (point mutagenicity). Cellular damage mechanisms were
      also explored, focusing on oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage. Cell
      uptake, cytotoxicity and genotoxicity were found to be dependent on QD surface
      chemistry. Carboxyl-QD demonstrated the smallest agglomerate size and greatest
      cellular uptake, which correlated with a dose dependent increase in cytotoxicity
      and genotoxicity. Amine-QD induced minimal cellular damage, while HDA-QD promoted
      substantial induction of cell death and genotoxicity. However, HDA-QD were not
      internalised by the cells and the damage they caused was most likely due to free
      cadmium release caused by QD dissolution. Oxidative stress and induced
      mitochondrial reactive oxygen species were only partially associated with
      cytotoxicity and genotoxicity induced by the QD, hence were not the only
      mechanisms of importance. Colloidal stability, nanoparticle (NP) surface
      chemistry, cellular uptake levels and the intrinsic characteristics of the NPs
      are therefore critical parameters impacting genotoxicity induced by QD.

PMID- 26275420
TI  - Influence of Ogg1 repair on the genetic stability of ccc2 mutant of Saccharomyces
      cerevisiae chemically challenged with 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4-NQO).
AB  - In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, disruption of genes by deletion allowed elucidation
      of the molecular mechanisms of a series of human diseases, such as in Wilson
      disease (WD). WD is a disorder of copper metabolism, due to inherited mutations
      in human copper-transporting ATPase (ATP7B). An orthologous gene is present in S.
      cerevisiae, CCC2 gene. Copper is required as a cofactor for a number of enzymes.
      In excess, however, it is toxic, potentially carcinogenic, leading to many
      pathological conditions via oxidatively generated DNA damage. Deficiency in ATP7B
      (human) or Ccc2 (yeast) causes accumulation of intracellular copper, favouring
      the generation of reactive oxygen species. Thus, it becomes important to study
      the relative importance of proteins involved in the repair of these lesions, such
      as Ogg1. Herein, we addressed the influence Ogg1 repair in a ccc2 deficient
      strain of S. cerevisiae. We constructed ccc2-disrupted strains from S. cerevisiae
      (ogg1ccc2 and ccc2), which were analysed in terms of viability and spontaneous
      mutator phenotype. We also investigated the impact of 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4
      NQO) on nuclear DNA damage and on the stability of mitochondrial DNA. The results
      indicated a synergistic effect on spontaneous mutagenesis upon OGG1 and CCC2
      double inactivation, placing 8-oxoguanine as a strong lesion-candidate at the
      origin of spontaneous mutations. The ccc2 mutant was more sensitive to cell
      killing and to mutagenesis upon 4-NQO challenge than the other studied strains.
      However, Ogg1 repair of exogenous-induced DNA damage revealed to be toxic and
      mutagenic to ccc2 deficient cells, which can be due to a detrimental action of
      Ogg1 on DNA lesions induced in ccc2 cells. Altogether, our results point to a
      critical and ambivalent role of BER mediated by Ogg1 in the maintenance of
      genomic stability in eukaryotes deficient in CCC2 gene.

PMID- 26275421
TI  - Cytochrome b5 reductase 2 suppresses tumor formation in nasopharyngeal carcinoma
      by attenuating angiogenesis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cytochrome b5 reductase 2 (CYB5R2) is a potential tumor suppressor
      that inhibits cell proliferation and motility in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).
      Inactivation of CYB5R2 is associated with lymph node metastasis in NPC. This
      study aimed to explore the mechanisms contributing to the anti-neoplastic effects
      of CYB5R2. METHODS: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were used to analyze
      the transcription of 84 genes known to be involved in representative cancer
      pathways in the NPC cell line HONE1. NPC cell lines CNE2 and HONE1 were
      transiently transfected with CYB5R2, and data was validated by real-time PCR. A
      chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) embryo model was implanted with CYB5R2
      expressing CNE2 and HONE1 cells to evaluate the effect of CYB5R2 on angiogenesis.
      An immunohistochemical assay of the CAM model was used to analyze the protein
      expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). RESULTS: In CYB5R2
      transfected NPC cells, PCR assays revealed up-regulated mRNA levels of Fas cell
      surface death receptor (FAS), FBJ murine osteosarcoma viral oncogene homolog
      (FOS), phosphoinositide-3-kinase regulatory subunit 1 (PIK3R1), integrin beta 3
      (ITGB3), metastasis suppressor 1 (MTSS1), interferon beta 1 (IFNB1), and cyclin
      dependent kinase inhibitor 2A (CDKN2A) and down-regulated levels of integrin beta
      5 (ITGB5), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), TEK tyrosine kinase (TEK),
      transforming growth factor beta receptor 1 (TGFBR1), and VEGF. The angiogenesis
      in the CAM model implanted with CYB5R2-transfected NPC cells was inhibited. Down
      regulation of VEGF by CYB5R2 in NPC cells was confirmed by immunohistochemical
      staining in the CAM model. CONCLUSION: CYB5R2 up-regulates the expression of
      genes that negatively modulate angiogenesis in NPC cells and down-regulates the
      expression of VEGF to reduce angiogenesis, thereby suppressing tumor formation.

PMID- 26275422
TI  - Energy Homeostasis Control in Drosophila Adipokinetic Hormone Mutants.
AB  - Maintenance of biological functions under negative energy balance depends on
      mobilization of storage lipids and carbohydrates in animals. In mammals, glucagon
      and glucocorticoid signaling mobilizes energy reserves, whereas adipokinetic
      hormones (AKHs) play a homologous role in insects. Numerous studies based on AKH
      injections and correlative studies in a broad range of insect species established
      the view that AKH acts as master regulator of energy mobilization during
      development, reproduction, and stress. In contrast to AKH, the second peptide,
      which is processed from the Akh encoded prohormone [termed "adipokinetic hormone
      precursor-related peptide" (APRP)] is functionally orphan. APRP is discussed as
      ecdysiotropic hormone or as scaffold peptide during AKH prohormone processing.
      However, as in the case of AKH, final evidence for APRP functions requires
      genetic mutant analysis. Here we employed CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome engineering
      to create AKH and AKH plus APRP-specific mutants in the model insect Drosophila
      melanogaster. Lack of APRP did not affect any of the tested steroid-dependent
      processes. Similarly, Drosophila AKH signaling is dispensable for ontogenesis,
      locomotion, oogenesis, and homeostasis of lipid or carbohydrate storage until up
      to the end of metamorphosis. During adulthood, however, AKH regulates body fat
      content and the hemolymph sugar level as well as nutritional and oxidative stress
      responses. Finally, we provide evidence for a negative autoregulatory loop in Akh
      gene regulation. 

PMID- 26275424
TI  - Natural Variation in the Flag Leaf Morphology of Rice Due to a Mutation of the
      NARROW LEAF 1 Gene in Oryza sativa L.
AB  - We investigated the natural variations in the flag leaf morphology of rice. We
      conducted a principal component analysis based on nine flag leaf morphology
      traits using 103 accessions from the National Institute of Agrobiological
      Sciences Core Collection. The first component explained 39% of total variance,
      and the variable with highest loading was the width of the flag leaf (WFL). A
      genome-wide association analysis of 102 diverse Japanese accessions revealed that
      marker RM6992 on chromosome 4 was highly associated with WFL. In analyses of
      progenies derived from a cross between Takanari and Akenohoshi, the most
      significant quantitative trait locus (QTL) for WFL was in a 10.3-kb region
      containing the NARROW LEAF 1 (NAL1) gene, located 0.4 Mb downstream of RM6992.
      Analyses of chromosomal segment substitution lines indicated that a mutation
      (G1509A single-nucleotide mutation, causing an R233H amino acid substitution in
      NAL1) was present at the QTL. This explained 13 and 20% of total variability in
      WFL and the distance between small vascular bundles, respectively. The mutation
      apparently occurred during rice domestication and spread into japonica, tropical
      japonica, and indica subgroups. Notably, one accession, Phulba, had a NAL1 allele
      encoding only the N-terminal, or one-fourth, of the wild-type peptide. Given that
      the Phulba allele and the histidine-type allele showed essentially the same
      phenotype, the histidine-type allele was regarded as malfunctional. The
      phenotypes of transgenic plants varied depending on the ratio of histidine-type
      alleles to arginine-type alleles, raising the possibility that H(233)-type
      products function differently from and compete with R(233)-type products. 

PMID- 26275423
TI  - Inner Kinetochore Protein Interactions with Regional Centromeres of Fission
      Yeast.
AB  - Centromeres of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe lack the highly
      repetitive sequences that make most other "regional" centromeres refractory to
      analysis. To map fission yeast centromeres, we applied H4S47C-anchored cleavage
      mapping and native and cross-linked chromatin immunoprecipitation with paired-end
      sequencing. H3 nucleosomes are nearly absent from the central domain, which is
      occupied by centromere-specific H3 (cenH3 or CENP-A) nucleosomes with two H4s per
      particle that are mostly unpositioned and are more widely spaced than nucleosomes
      elsewhere. Inner kinetochore proteins CENP-A, CENP-C, CENP-T, CENP-I, and Scm3
      are highly enriched throughout the central domain except at tRNA genes, with no
      evidence for preferred kinetochore assembly sites. These proteins are weakly
      enriched and less stably incorporated in H3-rich heterochromatin. CENP-A
      nucleosomes protect less DNA from nuclease digestion than H3 nucleosomes, while
      CENP-T protects a range of fragment sizes. Our results suggest that CENP-T
      particles occupy linkers between CENP-A nucleosomes and that classical regional
      centromeres differ from other centromeres by the absence of CENP-A nucleosome
      positioning. 

PMID- 26275425
TI  - YKL-40 regulated epithelial-mesenchymal transition and migration/invasion
      enhancement in non-small cell lung cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: YKL-40 is a secreted inflammatory protein that its overexpression has
      been reported to correlate with poor outcome of various malignant diseases,
      especially in cancer. However, the function of this protein is still unclear.
      METHODS: The clinical prognosis of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) patients
      and their clinical YKL-40 expressions were obtained from the Prognoscan database.
      The expressions of YKL-40 in patient samples were determined by Western Blotting
      assay. YKL-40 gene knockdown and overexpression were performed on NSCLC cancer
      cells (CL1-1 and CL1-5). The cells were investigated for their epithelial
      mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers gene modulation through Western Blotting and
      RT-PCR. Further cell metastatic abilities were assessed by transwell migration
      and invasion assay. RESULT: In this study, YKL-40 was observed to be highly
      expressed in NSCLC specimens. Furthermore, determined by the PrognoScan database
      analysis, patients with high expression levels of YKL-40 were found with poor
      prognosis. In the in vitro study, different characteristics of NSCLC cell lines
      (CL1-1, H23, H838, CL1-5, and H2009) were used as study models, where YKL-40
      expression levels were determined to correlate with the phenotypic
      characteristics of cancer metastasis. In this study,YKL-40 was demonstrated to
      regulate EMT marker expressions such as Twist, Snail, Slug, N-cadherin, Vimentin,
      and E-cadherin. The protein's affects in cancer cell migration and invasion were
      also observed in YKL-40 overexpression or knock down NSCLC cell lines.
      CONCLUSION: All of results from this study suggest that YKL-40 is a major factor
      in NSCLC metastasis. Thus, YKL-40 may serve as therapeutic targets for NSCLC
      patients in the future.

PMID- 26275426
TI  - Criteria for social media-based scholarship in health professions education.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Social media are increasingly used in health professions education.
      How can innovations and research that incorporate social media applications be
      adjudicated as scholarship? OBJECTIVE: To define the criteria for social media
      based scholarship in health professions education. METHOD: In 2014 the
      International Conference on Residency Education hosted a consensus conference of
      health professions educators with expertise in social media. An expert working
      group drafted consensus statements based on a literature review. Draft consensus
      statements were posted on an open interactive online platform 2 weeks prior to
      the conference. In-person and virtual (via Twitter) participants modified, added
      or deleted draft consensus statements in an iterative fashion during a
      facilitated 2 h session. Final consensus statements were unanimously endorsed.
      RESULTS: A review of the literature demonstrated no existing criteria for social
      media-based scholarship. The consensus of 52 health professions educators from 20
      organisations in four countries defined four key features of social media-based
      scholarship. It must (1) be original; (2) advance the field of health professions
      education by building on theory, research or best practice; (3) be archived and
      disseminated; and (4) provide the health professions education community with the
      ability to comment on and provide feedback in a transparent fashion that informs
      wider discussion. CONCLUSIONS: Not all social media activities meet the standard
      of education scholarship. This paper clarifies the criteria, championing social
      media-based scholarship as a legitimate academic activity in health professions
      education.

PMID- 26275427
TI  - Learning theory and its application to the use of social media in medical
      education.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is rapidly increasing pressure to employ social media in
      medical education, but a review of the literature demonstrates that its value and
      role are uncertain. OBJECTIVE: To determine if medical educators have a
      conceptual framework that informs their use of social media and whether this
      framework can be mapped to learning theory. METHODS: Thirty-six participants
      engaged in an iterative, consensus building process that identified their
      conceptual framework and determined if it aligned with one or more learning
      theories. RESULTS: The results show that the use of social media by the
      participants could be traced to two dominant theories-Connectivism and
      Constructivism. They also suggest that many medical educators may not be fully
      informed of these theories. CONCLUSIONS: Medical educators' use of social media
      can be traced to learning theories, but these theories may not be explicitly
      utilised in instructional design. It is recommended that formal education
      (faculty development) around learning theory would further enhance the use of
      social media in medical education.

PMID- 26275428
TI  - Quality indicators for blogs and podcasts used in medical education: modified
      Delphi consensus recommendations by an international cohort of health professions
      educators.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Quality assurance concerns about social media platforms used for
      education have arisen within the medical education community. As more trainees
      and clinicians use resources such as blogs and podcasts for learning, we aimed to
      identify quality indicators for these resources. A previous study identified 151
      potentially relevant quality indicators for these social media resources.
      OBJECTIVE: To identify quality markers for blogs and podcasts using an
      international cohort of health professions educators. METHODS: A self-selected
      group of 44 health professions educators at the 2014 International Conference on
      Residency Education participated in a Social Media Summit during which a modified
      Delphi consensus study was conducted to determine which of the 151 quality
      indicators met the a priori >=90% inclusion threshold. RESULTS: Thirteen quality
      indicators classified into the domains of credibility (n=8), content (n=4) and
      design (n=1) met the inclusion threshold. CONCLUSIONS: The quality indicators
      that were identified may serve as a foundation for further research on quality
      indicators of social media-based medical education resources and prompt
      discussion of their legitimacy as a form of educational scholarship.

PMID- 26275429
TI  - Efficacy and safety of tofacitinib following inadequate response to conventional
      synthetic or biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) have shown
      diminished clinical response following an inadequate response (IR) to >=1
      previous bDMARD. Here, tofacitinib was compared with placebo in patients with an
      IR to conventional synthetic DMARDs (csDMARDs; bDMARD-naive) and in patients with
      an IR to bDMARDs (bDMARD-IR). METHODS: Data were taken from phase II and phase
      III studies of tofacitinib in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Patients
      received tofacitinib 5 or 10 mg twice daily, or placebo, as monotherapy or with
      background methotrexate or other csDMARDs. Efficacy endpoints and incidence rates
      of adverse events (AEs) of special interest were assessed. RESULTS: 2812 bDMARD
      naive and 705 bDMARD-IR patients were analysed. Baseline demographics and disease
      characteristics were generally similar between treatment groups within
      subpopulations. Across subpopulations, improvements in efficacy parameters at
      month 3 were generally significantly greater for both tofacitinib doses versus
      placebo. Clinical response was numerically greater with bDMARD-naive versus
      bDMARD-IR patients (overlapping 95% CIs). Rates of safety events of special
      interest were generally similar between tofacitinib doses and subpopulations;
      however, patients receiving glucocorticoids had more serious AEs,
      discontinuations due to AEs, serious infection events and herpes zoster.
      Numerically greater clinical responses and incidence rates of AEs of special
      interest were generally reported for tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily versus
      tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily (overlapping 95% CIs). CONCLUSIONS: Tofacitinib
      demonstrated efficacy in both bDMARD-naive and bDMARD-IR patients with RA.
      Clinical response to tofacitinib was generally numerically greater in bDMARD
      naive than bDMARD-IR patients. The safety profile appeared similar between
      subpopulations. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS: (NCT00413660, NCT00550446,
      NCT00603512, NCT00687193, NCT00960440, NCT00847613, NCT00814307, NCT00856544,
      NCT00853385).

PMID- 26275431
TI  - In the idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, reactive oxygen species are at the
      crossroad between immune and non-immune cell-mediated mechanisms.

PMID- 26275430
TI  - MICL controls inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Myeloid inhibitory C-type lectin-like receptor (MICL, Clec12A) is a C
      type lectin receptor (CLR) expressed predominantly by myeloid cells. Previous
      studies have suggested that MICL is involved in controlling inflammation.
      OBJECTIVE: To determine the role of this CLR in inflammatory pathology using
      Clec12A(-/-) mice. METHODS: Clec12A(-/-) mice were generated commercially and
      primarily characterised using the collagen antibody-induced arthritis (CAIA)
      model. Mechanisms and progress of disease were characterised by clinical scoring,
      histology, flow cytometry, irradiation bone-marrow chimera generation,
      administration of blocking antibodies and in vivo imaging. Characterisation of
      MICL in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was determined by
      immunohistochemistry and single nucleotide polymorphism analysis. Anti-MICL
      antibodies were detected in patient serum by ELISA and dot-blot analysis.
      RESULTS: MICL-deficient animals did not present with pan-immune dysfunction, but
      exhibited markedly exacerbated inflammation during CAIA, owing to the
      inappropriate activation of myeloid cells. Polymorphisms of MICL were not
      associated with disease in patients with RA, but this CLR was the target of
      autoantibodies in a subset of patients with RA. In wild-type mice the
      administration of such antibodies recapitulated the Clec12A(-/-) phenotype.
      CONCLUSIONS: MICL plays an essential role in regulating inflammation during
      arthritis and is an autoantigen in a subset of patients with RA. These data
      suggest an entirely new mechanism underlying RA pathogenesis, whereby the
      threshold of myeloid cell activation can be modulated by autoantibodies that bind
      to cell membrane-expressed inhibitory receptors.

PMID- 26275432
TI  - Whole-genome single nucleotide polymorphism-based linkage analysis in
      spondyloarthritis multiplex families reveals a new susceptibility locus in 13q13.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Spondyloarthritis (SpA) is a chronic inflammatory disorder with high
      heritability but with complex genetics. Apart from HLA-B27, most of the
      underlying genetic components remain to be identified. We conducted a whole
      genome high-density non-parametric linkage analysis to identify new genetic
      factors of susceptibility to SpA. METHODS: 914 subjects including 462 with SpA
      from 143 multiplex families were genotyped using Affymetrix 250K microarrays.
      After quality control, 189 368 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were kept
      for further analyses. Both non-parametric and parametric linkage analyses were
      performed using Merlin software. Association was tested with Unphased. RESULTS:
      Non-parametric linkage analysis identified two regions significantly linked to
      SpA: the major histocompatibility complex (LODmax=24.77) and a new 13q13 locus
      (LODmax=5.03). Additionally, eight loci achieved suggestive LOD scores, including
      the previously identified SPA2 locus at 9q33 (LODmax=3.51). Parametric analysis
      supported a codominant model in 13q13 with a maximum heterogeneity LOD, 'HLOD'
      score of 3.084 (alpha=0.28). Identification of meiotic recombination events
      around the 13q13 linkage peak in affected subjects from the 43 best-linked
      families allowed us to map the disease interval between 38.753 and 40.040 Mb.
      Family-based association analysis of the SNPs inside this interval in the best
      linked families identified a SNP near FREM2 (rs1945502) which reached a p value
      close to statistical significance (corrected p=0.08). CONCLUSION: We report here
      for the first time a significant linkage between 13q13 and SpA. Identification of
      susceptibility factor inside this chromosomal region through targeted sequencing
      in linked families is underway.

PMID- 26275433
TI  - Neuroimaging's Role in Neuropsychology: Introduction to the Special Issue of
      Neuropsychology Review on Neuroimaging in Neuropsychology.

PMID- 26275434
TI  - Effect of different feed ingredients and additives on IPEC-J2 cells challenged
      with an enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strain.
AB  - The intestinal porcine epithelial cell line IPEC-J2 was used as an in vitro model
      to assess effects of additives on the adhesion and cell toxic effects of a F4
      positive (ETEC) and a F4-negative Escherichia coli (DSM 2840) strain. Bacterial
      adhesion was examined using flow cytometry in IPEC-J2 cells infected with
      bacteria stained with 5,6-carboxymethyl fluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester.
      Measurement of transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) was performed to
      characterize the impact on IPEC-J2 monolayer integrity. The feed additives were
      prepared as aqueous extract and tested in different dilutions and incubation
      times. The F4-positive ETEC strain had a high adhesion to IPEC-J2 cells and
      reduced TEER shortly after the in vitro infection. The nonpathogenic E. coli
      strain DSM 2840 showed only low adhesion capacity and no TEER impairment.
      Infection with ETEC with added test extracts showed a reduction of bacterial
      adhesion to IPEC-J2 cells by an autolyzed yeast product (p < 0.05). Bovine
      colostrum, an additive containing thyme extract and an organic acid mix did not
      interfere with the ETEC adherence. The TEER decrease of the IPEC-J2 monolayer
      after ETEC infection was not affected by the added substances. In conclusion,
      interference with epithelial adhesion might be a protective mechanism of the
      tested yeast extract, indicating that the cell culture model might be suitable as
      screening tool to complement in vivo challenge trials with piglets. 

PMID- 26275435
TI  - Mechanism of triphenylmethane Cresol Red degradation by Trichoderma harzianum
      M06.
AB  - Cresol Red belongs to the triphenylmethane (TPM) class of dyes which are
      potentially carcinogenic or mutagenic. However, very few studies on
      biodegradation of Cresol Red were investigated as compared to other type dyes
      such as azo and anthraquinone dye. The aim of this work is to evaluate
      triphenylmethane dye Cresol Red degradation by fungal strain isolated from the
      decayed wood in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. Detailed taxonomic studies identified the
      organisms as Trichoderma species and designated as strain Trichoderma harzianum
      M06. In this study, Cresol Red was decolorized up to 88% within 30 days under
      agitation condition by Trichoderma harzianum M06. Data analysis revealed that a
      pH value of 3 yielded a highest degradation rate among pH concentrations (73%),
      salinity concentrations of 100 g/L (73%), and a volume of 0.1 mL of Tween 80
      (79%). Induction in the enzyme activities of manganese peroxidase, lignin
      peroxidase, laccase, 1,2- and 2,3-dioxygenase indicates their involvement in
      Cresol Red removal. Various analytical studies such as Thin-Layer Chromatography
      (TLC), UV-Vis spectrophotometer, and Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS)
      confirmed the biotransformation of Cresol Red by the fungus. Two metabolites were
      identified in the treated medium: 2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (t R 7.3 min and m/z
      355) and 2-hydroxybenzoic acid (t R 8.6 min and m/z 267). Based on these
      products, a probable pathway has been proposed for the degradation of Cresol Red
      by Trichoderma harzianum M06.

PMID- 26275436
TI  - Chiba Tendril-Less locus determines tendril organ identity in melon (Cucumis melo
      L.) and potentially encodes a tendril-specific TCP homolog.
AB  - Tendrils are filamentous plant organs that coil on contact with an object,
      thereby providing mechanical support for climbing to reach more sunlight. Plant
      tendrils are considered to be modified structure of leaves, stems, or
      inflorescence, but the origin of cucurbit tendrils is still argued because of the
      complexity in the axillary organ patterning. We carried out morphological and
      genetic analyses of the Chiba Tendril-Less (ctl) melon (Cucumis melo) mutant, and
      found strong evidence that the melon tendril is a modified organ derived from a
      stem-leaf complex of a lateral shoot. Heterozygous (CTL/ctl) plants showed traits
      intermediate between tendril and shoot, and ontogenies of wild-type tendrils and
      mutant modified shoots coincided. We identified the CTL locus in a 200-kb region
      in melon linkage group IX. A single base deletion in a melon TCP transcription
      factor gene (CmTCP1) was detected in the mutant ctl sequence, and the expression
      of CmTCP1 was specifically high in wild-type tendrils. Phylogenetic analysis
      demonstrated the novelty of the CmTCP1 protein and the unique molecular evolution
      of its orthologs in the Cucurbitaceae. Our results move us closer to answering
      the long-standing question of which organ was modified to become the cucurbit
      tendril, and suggest a novel function of the TCP transcription factor in plant
      development. 

PMID- 26275437
TI  - Characterization of an acromesomelic dysplasia, Grebe type case: novel mutation
      affecting the recognition motif at the processing site of GDF5.
AB  - Acromesomelic dysplasia, Grebe type is a very rare skeletal dysplasia
      characterized by severe dwarfism with marked micromelia and deformation of the
      upper and lower limbs, with a proximodistal gradient of severity. CDMP1 gene
      mutations have been associated with Grebe syndrome, Hunter-Thompson syndrome, Du
      Pan syndrome and brachydactyly type C. The proband is a 4-year-old boy, born of
      consanguineous Pakistani parents. Radiographic imaging revealed features typical
      of Grebe syndrome: severe shortening of the forearms with an acromesomelic
      pattern following a proximodistal gradient, with distal parts more severely
      affected than medial parts; hypoplastic hands, with the phalangeal zone more
      affected than the metacarpal zone; and severe hypoplastic tibial/femoral zones in
      both limbs. After molecular analyses, the p.Arg377Trp variant in a homozygous
      pattern was identified in the CDMP1 gene in the affected child. In silico and
      structural analyses predicted the p.Arg377Trp amino acid change to be pathogenic.
      Of the 34 mutations described in the CDMP1 gene, four different missense
      mutations have been associated with Grebe syndrome. The CDMP1 gene encodes growth
      differentiation factor 5 (GDF5), which plays a role in regulation of limb
      patterning, joint formation and distal bone growth. Homozygous mutations in the
      mature domain of GDF5 result in severe limb malformations such as the Grebe type
      or the Hunter-Thompson type of acromesomelic chondrodysplasia. The p.Arg377Trp
      mutation is located within the recognition motif at the processing site of GDF5
      where the sequence RRKRR changes to WRKRR. The genotype-phenotype correlation
      allowed not only confirmation of the clinical diagnosis but also appropriate
      genetic counselling to be offered to this family. 

PMID- 26275438
TI  - A 2-year prospective densitometric study on the influence of Fok-I gene
      polymorphism in young patients with thalassaemia major.
AB  - This study is to estimate the degree of genetic contribution of Fok-I gene
      polymorphism of Vitamin D receptor to bone mass in patients with thalassaemia.
      Results indicate a protective role of the f allele of the Fok-I gene polymorphism
      when found in homozygosity on bone mineral density of young thalassemic patients.
      INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study is to estimate prospectively the degree
      of genetic contribution of Fok-I gene polymorphism of vitamin D receptor (VDR) to
      the evolution of bone mass in patients with beta-thalassemia major (b-TH).
      METHODS: Sixty-four children and young adults (33 males and 31 females) with mean
      decimal age of 23.20 +/- 5.41 (range 9.25-32.41 years) were recruited in this
      study. All patients were genotyping for Fok-I gene polymorphism and were assessed
      with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at baseline and 2 years after. Z
      scores were calculated based on normal age and sex matched Caucasian population.
      Metabolites of vitamin D, intact PTH, total calcium, inorganic phosphorous, and
      alkaline phosphatase were measured at the serum pre-transfusion. RESULTS: A
      moderate proportion of patients had decreased DXA Z-scores (Z-score <=-2)
      predominately in total hip (31 %) and secondary in lumbar spine (15.6 %).
      Patients being homozygous for the f allele had apparently higher BMD Z-scores
      compared with those carrying the F allele in homo- or heterozygosity, however,
      with a difference that did not reached significance. Interestingly enough, a
      significant deterioration in BMD Z-scores measured at femur (FF: P = 0.004 Ff: P
      < 0.001, ff: P = 0.024) and total hip (FF: P = 0.022, Ff: P = 0.005) was recorded
      for all type of genotypes, except for ff genotype and with regard to the total
      hip DXA values. An increased prevalence of serum 25(OH)D3 deficiency (59.4 %) and
      25(OH)D3 borderline (12.5 %) was recorded. CONCLUSION: Our study indicates a
      protective role of the f allele of the Fok-I gene polymorphism when found in
      homozygosity on bone mineral density of young patients with b-TM.

PMID- 26275439
TI  - Cost-effectiveness of a fracture liaison service--a real-world evaluation after 6
      years of service provision.
AB  - The cost-effectiveness of a less intensive fracture liaison service is unknown.
      We evaluated a fracture liaison service that had been educating and referring
      patients for secondary prevention of osteoporotic fractures for 6 years. Our
      results suggest that a less intensive fracture liaison service, with moderate
      effectiveness, can still be worthwhile. INTRODUCTION: Fragility fractures are
      common among older patients; the risk of re-fracture is high but could be reduced
      with treatments; different versions of fracture liaison service have emerged to
      reduce recurrent osteoporotic fractures. But the cost-effectiveness of a less
      intensive model is unknown. The objective of this study was to assess the cost
      effectiveness of the Ontario Fracture Clinic Screening program, a fracture
      liaison service that had been educating and referring fragility fracture patients
      across Ontario, Canada to receive bone mineral density testing and osteoporosis
      treatments since 2007. METHODS: We developed a Markov model to assess the cost
      effectiveness of the program over the patients' remaining lifetime, using rates
      of bone mineral density testing and osteoporosis treatment and cost of
      intervention from the program, and supplemented it with the published literature.
      The analysis took the perspective of a third-party health-care payer. Costs and
      benefits were discounted at 5 % per year. Sensitivity analyses assessed the
      effects of different assumptions on the results. RESULTS: The program improved
      quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) by 4.3 years and led to increased costs of
      CAD $83,000 for every 1000 patients screened, at a cost of $19,132 per QALY
      gained. The enhanced model, the Bone Mineral Density (BMD) Fast Track program
      that includes ordering bone mineral density testing, was even more cost-effective
      ($5720 per QALY gained). CONCLUSIONS: The Ontario Fracture Clinic Screening
      program appears to be a cost-effective way to reduce recurrent osteoporotic
      fractures.

PMID- 26275440
TI  - The CXCR1/2 Pathway: Involvement in Diabetes Pathophysiology and Potential Target
      for T1D Interventions.
AB  - Although numerous chemokine/chemokine receptor pathways have been described to be
      implicated in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes (T1D), the CXCR1/2 axis has
      recently been proved to be crucial for leucocyte recruitment involved in
      insulitis and beta cell damage. Multiple strategies blocking the CXCR1/2 pathway
      are available such as neutralizing antibodies, small molecules and peptide
      derived inhibitors. They were firstly and widely used in cancer thanks to their
      anti-tumorigenic activity and only recently they were tested as a new
      interventional approach for T1D. As well, CXCR1/2 inhibition has been
      demonstrated to prevent inflammation- and autoimmunity-mediated damage of the
      pancreatic islets through inhibiting the migration of CXCR1/2-expressing cells.
      Among them, neutrophils, macrophages, and, although to a smaller extent, lymphoid
      cells are the main CXCR1/2-expressing cells. These results supported the active
      role of the innate immunity in the autoimmune process and opened new
      interventional approaches for the management of T1D. 

PMID- 26275441
TI  - Pediatric Autologous Islet Transplantation.
AB  - A total pancreatectomy and islet autotransplant (TPIAT) offers substantial pain
      relief and improved quality of life for children who are severely affected by
      chronic or recurrent acute pancreatitis and for whom the usual medical and
      endoscopic therapies have failed. The pancreas is entirely resected, and the
      pancreatic islets are isolated from the pancreas and infused back into the
      patient's liver. Because this is an autologous transplant, no immunosuppression
      is required. Over several months, the islets engraft in the liver; the patient is
      then slowly weaned off insulin therapy. Slightly more than 40 % of patients
      become and remain insulin independent, yet even among patients who remain on
      insulin, most have some islet function, permitting easier diabetes control. The
      majority of patients experience pain relief, with significant improvements in
      health-related quality of life. A TPIAT should be considered for children who are
      significantly disabled by chronic pancreatitis. 

PMID- 26275442
TI  - Dual Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System Inhibition for the Treatment of
      Diabetic Kidney Disease: Adverse Effects and Unfulfilled Promise.
AB  - Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a major complication of diabetes mellitus (DM)
      affecting individuals with type 1 or type 2 DM and is the leading cause of
      chronic kidney disease and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) in the USA. Estimates
      of disease burden are projected to increase, with prevalence of nearly one in
      five adults by 2050. The role of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS)
      inhibition in delaying the progression of DN utilizing angiotensin-converting
      enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers has been well established in
      multiple controlled trials. Given greater reduction of proteinuria with dual RAAS
      blockade compared to monotherapy alone, the potential benefit of dual therapy on
      progression of DN has been tested in three large randomized clinical trials.
      Unfortunately, results from these studies demonstrated lack of benefit of dual
      blockade on renal or cardiovascular outcomes in patients with diabetes. The
      overall objectives of this review are to provide both the rationale for dual
      blockade as potential therapy as well as review the literature of its use in
      patients with DN. 

PMID- 26275443
TI  - Tissue-Engineering Approaches to Restore Kidney Function.
AB  - Kidney transplantation for the treatment of chronic kidney disease has
      established outcome and quality of life. However, its implementation is severely
      limited by a chronic shortage of donor organs; consequently, most candidates
      remain on dialysis and on the waiting list while accruing further morbidity and
      mortality. Furthermore, those patients that do receive kidney transplants are
      committed to a life-long regimen of immunosuppressive drugs that also carry
      significant adverse risk profiles. The disciplines of tissue engineering and
      regenerative medicine have the potential to produce alternative therapies which
      circumvent the obstacles posed by organ shortage and immunorejection. This review
      paper describes some of the most promising tissue-engineering solutions currently
      under investigation for the treatment of acute and chronic kidney diseases. The
      various stem cell therapies, whole embryo transplantation, and bioengineering
      with ECM scaffolds are outlined and summarized. 

PMID- 26275444
TI  - Prevalence of Diabetic Retinopathy and Vision Loss in the Beijing Eye Study: the
      Potential Role of the Cerebrospinal Fluid Pressure.
AB  - In the Beijing Eye Study, a population-based study carried out in 2001, 2006, and
      2011, prevalence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) was 2.9 +/- 0.3 % (95 % confidence
      interval 2.3, 3.5) per individual in 2011. Correspondingly, only 1.1 % of
      blindness and 0.8 % of visual impairment were caused by DR in East Asia. As in
      other populations, prevalence, severity, and 10-year incidence of DR were
      associated with higher levels of HbA1c, higher blood glucose concentration,
      longer known duration of diabetes, lower educational level, and higher blood
      pressure. Interestingly, the presence, severity, and 10-year incidence of DR were
      additionally correlated with higher estimated cerebrospinal fluid pressure and
      shorter ocular length. Higher cerebrospinal fluid pressure may lead to higher
      retinal vein pressure and subsequently higher retinal capillary blood pressure
      increasing fluid and blood extravasation. Shorter axial length or hyperopia may
      be associated with higher intraocular concentration of cytokines. Aging of the
      society, improvements in medical infrastructure, and lifestyle changes may
      profoundly increase prevalence of, and burden by, DR in China in the future. 

PMID- 26275445
TI  - A Novel Targeted Screening Tool for Hypogammaglobulinemia: Measurement of Serum
      Immunoglobulin (IgG, IgM, IgA) Levels from Dried Blood Spots (Ig-DBS Assay).
AB  - PURPOSE: To develop an assay to quantify serum immunoglobulin (IgG, IgM, IgA)
      levels using dried blood spots (DBS) obtained on collection cards to be used as a
      tool for targeted screening for hypogammaglobulinemia. METHODS: DBS samples,
      along with simultaneous serum samples, were collected from 107 healthy
      individuals (11 months to 57 years of age). After eluting proteins from DBS, IgG,
      IgM, and IgA were quantified by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The
      Ig-DBS assay was validated through calibration curve performance, intra- and
      inter-assay precision, accuracy, specificity, selectivity, and linearity. The
      ELISA measurements were compared with serum Ig levels obtained using a standard
      nephelometry assay on serum samples collected simultaneously with the DBS samples
      and the results of the two assays were correlated. The stability of IgG, IgM, and
      IgA in the DBS was tested at room temperature, 36 degrees  to 38  degrees C, 2 to
      8  degrees C, and -25 to -40  degrees C, from 4 to 14 days. RESULTS: The Ig-DBS
      assay demonstrated precision, accuracy, specificity, selectivity, and linearity.
      Using the identified correlation coefficients of 0.834 for IgG, 0.789 for IgM,
      and 0.918 for IgA, the standard nephelometry-based normal reference ranges for
      all 3 serum Ig isotypes could be used with the Ig-DBS assay in individuals >=16
      years of age. The DBS samples were stable for 14 days at room temperature in a
      closed polyethylene bag. CONCLUSIONS: The Ig-DBS assay is both sensitive and
      accurate for quantification of serum immunoglobulins. Samples are sufficiently
      stable at ambient temperature to allow for convenient shipping and analysis at a
      centralized laboratory. This assay therefore presents a new option for screening
      patients >=16 years of age for hypogammaglobulinemia in any setting.

PMID- 26275446
TI  - Protamine-stabilized RNA as an ex vivo stimulant of primary human dendritic cell
      subsets.
AB  - Dendritic cells (DCs) are key in connecting innate and adaptive immunity. Their
      potential in inducing specific immune responses has made them interesting targets
      for immunotherapeutic approaches. Our research group was the first to exploit the
      naturally occurring myeloid DCs (mDCs) and plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs) in therapeutic
      vaccination trials against melanoma. To develop primary DC subsets as an optimal
      vaccine, the identification of a clinically applicable adjuvant activating both
      subsets is required. Although the expression of pathogen recognition receptors
      differs distinctly between the DC subsets, both pDCs and mDCs can respond to
      single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) via Toll-like receptors 7 and 8, respectively. Since
      ssRNA is easily degraded by RNases, we stabilized anionic RNA by complexing it
      with the positively charged protein protamine. This leads to the formation of
      protamine-RNA complexes with varying features depending on ionic content. We
      subsequently investigated the immunostimulatory effect of complexes that formed
      various salt concentrations on purified DC subsets. Both mDCs and pDCs
      upregulated maturation markers and produced pro-inflammatory cytokines in a dose
      dependent way to the protamine-RNA complexes. This was dependent on endosomal
      acidification and correlated partly with the uptake of protamine-RNA complexes.
      Furthermore, both DC subsets induced T cell proliferation and IFN gamma secretion
      in a beneficial ratio to IL-10. These results indicate that protamine-RNA
      complexes can be used to stimulate human mDC and pDC ex vivo for use in
      immunotherapeutic settings.

PMID- 26275447
TI  - Simultaneous reconstruction of attenuation and activity in cardiac PET can remove
      CT misalignment artifacts.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Misalignment between positron emission tomography (PET) and computed
      tomography (CT) data is known to generate artifactual defects in cardiac PET
      images due to imprecise attenuation correction (AC). In this work, the use of a
      maximum likelihood attenuation and activity (MLAA) algorithm is proposed to avoid
      such artifacts in time-of-flight (TOF) PET. METHODS: MLAA was implemented and
      tested using a thorax/heart phantom and retrospectively on fourteen (13)N-ammonia
      PET/CT perfusion studies. Global and local misalignments between PET and CT data
      were generated by shifting matched CT images or using CT data representative of
      the end-inspiration phase. PET images were reconstructed with MLAA and a 3D
      ordered-subsets-expectation-maximization (OSEM)-TOF algorithm. Images obtained
      with 3D-OSEM-TOF and matched CT were used as references. These images were
      compared (qualitatively and semi-quantitatively) with those reconstructed with 3D
      OSEM-TOF and MLAA for which a misaligned CT was used, respectively, for AC and
      initialization. RESULTS: Phantom experiment proved the capability of MLAA to
      converge toward the correct emission and attenuation distributions using, as
      input, only PET emission data, but convergence was very slow. Initializing MLAA
      with phantom CT images markedly improved convergence speed. In patient studies,
      when shifted or end-inspiration CT images were used for AC, 3D-OSEM-TOF
      reconstructions showed artifacts of increasing severity, size, and frequency with
      increasing mismatch. Such artifacts were absent in the corresponding MLAA images.
      CONCLUSION: The proposed implementation of the MLAA algorithm is a feasible and
      robust technique to avoid AC mismatch artifacts in cardiac PET studies provided
      that a CT of the source is available, even if poorly aligned.

PMID- 26275449
TI  - Getting it Straight: Avoiding Blunders While Criticizing a Peer's Work.

PMID- 26275448
TI  - Biomarker candidates for the detection of an infectious etiology of febrile
      neutropenia.
AB  - PURPOSE: Infections and subsequent septicemia are major complications in
      neutropenic patients with hematological malignancies. Here, we identify biomarker
      candidates for the early detection of an infectious origin, and monitoring of
      febrile neutropenia (FN). METHODS: Proteome, metabolome, and conventional
      biomarkers from 20 patients with febrile neutropenia without proven infection
      (FNPI) were compared to 28 patients with proven infection, including 17 patients
      with bacteremia. RESULTS: Three peptides (mass to charge ratio 1017.4-1057.3; p
      values 0.011-0.024), six proteins (mass to charge ratio 6881-17,215; p-values
      0.002-0.004), and six phosphatidylcholines (p-values 0.007-0.037) were identified
      that differed in FNPI patients compared to patients with infection or bacteremia.
      Seven of these marker candidates discriminated FNPI from infection at fever onset
      with higher sensitivity and specificity (ROC-AUC 0.688-0.824) than conventional
      biomarkers i.e., procalcitonin, C-reactive protein, or interleukin-6 (ROC-AUC
      0.535-0.672). In a post hoc analysis, monitoring the time course of four
      lysophosphatidylcholines, threonine, and tryptophan allowed for discrimination of
      patients with or without resolution of FN (ROC-AUC 0.648-0.919) with higher
      accuracy compared to conventional markers (ROC-AUC 0.514-0.871). CONCLUSIONS:
      Twenty-one promising biomarker candidates for the early detection of an
      infectious origin or for monitoring the course of FN were found which might
      overcome known shortcomings of conventional markers.

PMID- 26275450
TI  - Data Resource Profile: The Cardiovascular Disease Lifetime Risk Pooling Project.

PMID- 26275451
TI  - Authors' Response to: Data sources for measuring the socioeconomic gradient of
      hypertension in rural populations of low- and middle-income countries.

PMID- 26275452
TI  - Data sources for measuring the socioeconomic gradient of hypertension in rural
      populations of low- and middle-income countries.

PMID- 26275454
TI  - Health & Demographic Surveillance System Profile: The Dikgale Health and
      Demographic Surveillance System.

PMID- 26275453
TI  - Effect of fortified complementary food supplementation on child growth in rural
      Bangladesh: a cluster-randomized trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Growth faltering in the first 2 years of life is high in South Asia
      where prevalence of stunting is estimated at 40-50%. Although nutrition
      counselling has shown modest benefits, few intervention trials of food
      supplementation exist showing improvements in growth and prevention of stunting.
      METHODS: A cluster-randomized controlled trial was conducted in rural Bangladesh
      to test the effect of two local, ready-to-use foods (chickpea and rice-lentil
      based) and a fortified blended food (wheat-soy-blend++, WSB++) compared with
      Plumpy'doz, all with nutrition counselling vs nutrition counselling alone
      (control) on outcomes of linear growth (length and length-for-age z-score, LAZ),
      stunting (LAZ < -2), weight-for-length z-score (WLZ) and wasting (WLZ < -2) in
      children 6-18 months of age. Children (n = 5536) were enrolled at 6 months of age
      and, in the food groups, provided with one of the allocated supplements daily for
      a year. RESULTS: Growth deceleration occurred from 6 to 18 months of age but
      deceleration in LAZ was lower (by 0.02-0.04/month) in the Plumpy'doz (P = 0.02),
      rice-lentil (< 0.01), and chickpea (< 0.01) groups relative to control, whereas
      WLZ decline was lower only in Plumpy'doz and chickpea groups. WSB++ did not
      impact on these outcomes. The prevalence of stunting was 44% at 18 months in the
      control group, but lower by 5-6% (P <= 0.01) in those receiving Plumpy'doz and
      chickpea. Mean length and LAZ at 18 months were higher by 0.27-0.30 cm and 0.07
      0.10 (all P < 0.05), respectively, in all four food groups relative to the
      control. CONCLUSIONS: In rural Bangladesh, small amounts of daily fortified
      complementary foods, provided for a year in addition to nutrition counselling,
      modestly increased linear growth and reduced stunting at 18 months of age.

PMID- 26275455
TI  - Nature-Based Strategies for Improving Urban Health and Safety.
AB  - Place-based programs are being noticed as key opportunities to prevent disease
      and promote public health and safety for populations at-large. As one key type of
      place-based intervention, nature-based and green space strategies can play an
      especially large role in improving health and safety for dwellers in urban
      environments such as US legacy cities that lack nature and greenery. In this
      paper, we describe the current understanding of place-based influences on public
      health and safety. We focus on nonchemical environmental factors, many of which
      are related to urban abandonment and blight. We then review findings from studies
      of nature-based interventions regarding impacts on health, perceptions of safety,
      and crime. Based on our findings, we suggest that further research in this area
      will require (1) refined measures of green space, nature, and health and safety
      for cities, (2) interdisciplinary science and cross-sector policy collaboration,
      (3) observational studies as well as randomized controlled experiments and
      natural experiments using appropriate spatial counterfactuals and mixed methods,
      and (4) return-on-investment calculations of potential economic, social, and
      health costs and benefits of urban greening initiatives. 

PMID- 26275457
TI  - Malignant transformation and overall survival of morphological subtypes of
      intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms of the pancreas: A network meta
      analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Emerging evidence suggests the predictive role of morphological
      subtypes (gastric, intestinal, pancreatobiliary, and oncocytic) of intraductal
      papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) in malignant transformation and overall
      survival. But results of these studies are currently discordant. METHODS: A
      comprehensive literature search in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register
      of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) was conducted for eligible studies. Network meta
      analysis using the random-effect model was carried out to detect differences in
      incidences of invasive IPMNs and hazard ratios from survival curves among four
      morphological subtypes. RESULTS: 19 studies were included in the network
      comparison. The outcomes showed that pancreatobiliary-type (OR for odds
      ratio=25.87, 95% CI: 12.11-52.10, compared with gastric-type) and oncocytic-type
      (OR=18.59, 95% CI: 7.18-42.74) IPMNs had the highest risks of progressing to
      invasive IPMNs, followed by intestinal-type (OR=5.71, 95% CI: 2.85-10.61) and
      gastric-type IPMNs. With the gastric type as the baseline, pancreatobiliary-type
      IPMNs were found to have the worst prognosis (HR for hazard ratio=5.05, 95% CrI:
      1.33-13.47) while no significant differences were found for the intestinal type
      (HR=1.90, 95% CrI: 0.59-4.58) and the oncocytic type (HR=3.29, 95% CrI: 0.75
      9.71). CONCLUSION: It is suggested that pancreatobiliary-type IPMNs are the most
      likely to become invasive and are associated with poor prognosis. In contrast,
      the other three subtypes have similar overall survivals even though the oncocytic
      and intestinal-type IPMNs are predisposed to be more invasive than gastric-type
      IPMNs.

PMID- 26275456
TI  - Results of the Adequacy of glycemiC Control in pAtients with type 2 Diabetes
      mEllitus treated with Metformin monotherapY at the maximal-tolerated dose
      (ACCADEMY) study.
AB  - The treatment objective in diabetes is prevention of the onset or progression of
      complications. Intensive treatment reduces the risk of complications. The aim of
      the study was to evaluate glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes
      mellitus treated with metformin monotherapy at the maximal-tolerated dose. This
      retrospective, multicenter, observational study, enrolled patients >=45-year old
      receiving metformin as monotherapy for at least 36 months. Data were collected on
      demographic and disease characteristics, clinical status, lifestyle,
      comorbidities, and diabetes complications at baseline, 9, 18, and 24 months.
      Primary study variables were percentage of patients achieving HbA1c <7 % and mean
      HbA1c reduction after 9 months. Eligible patients (n = 524, mean age 65.9 +/- 7.9
      years) had a mean age at diagnosis of 57.5 +/- 7.9 years. A second antidiabetic
      drug was added in 24 % of patients (126/524); time to treatment escalation was
      44.7 +/- 25.1 months. Regarding primary study variables, 61.7 % of patients
      (322/522) achieved HbA1c of 7.0 % at 9 months, compared to 37.0 % of patients
      (194/524) at baseline; mean HbA1c was reduced from 7.30 +/- 0.95 to 6.84 +/- 0.86
      % after 9 months. The estimated mean time of exposure above 7 % was 19 months, 15
      months for patients >=65-year old, and 21 months for younger patients. Regression
      analysis revealed that patients with longer disease duration, and patients <65
      year old responded less well to metformin. A substantial number of patients
      continued to receive monotherapy instead of intensified therapy and were exposed
      to hyperglycemia. 

PMID- 26275458
TI  - Targeting disordered proteins with small molecules using entropy.
AB  - The human proteome includes many disordered proteins. Although these proteins are
      closely linked with a range of human diseases, no clinically approved drug
      targets them in their monomeric forms. This situation arises, at least in part,
      from the current lack of understanding of the mechanisms by which small molecules
      bind proteins that do not fold into well-defined conformations. To explore
      possible solutions to this problem, we discuss quite generally how an overall
      decrease in the free energy associated with intermolecular binding can originate
      from different combinations of enthalpic and entropic contributions. We then
      consider more specifically a mechanism of binding by which small molecules can
      affect the conformational space of a disordered protein by creating an entropic
      expansion in which more conformations of the protein become populated. 

PMID- 26275459
TI  - A comparison study on polysaccharides from novel hybrids of Amomum villosum and
      its female parent.
AB  - The present study is a comparative study on preliminary characterizations and
      immunostimulatory activities of water-soluble polysaccharides (WSP) from newly
      hybrid Amomum villosum and its female parent. First, two kinds of WSP were
      extracted, respectively from the newly hybrid A. villosum called Spring No.1
      (WSPH) and its female parent-Longfruit No.2 (WSPP). Then, the differences of
      preliminary characterizations and immunostimulatory activities in vivo for these
      two WSP samples were compared. Experimental results showed that WSPH and WSPP had
      the same monosaccharide composition, and similar ultraviolet and infrared spectra
      characteristics of polysaccharides, while their immunostimulatory activities, in
      terms of the weights of spleen and thymus, pinocytic activity and the level of
      serum hemolysin, showed no significant differences between the groups treated
      with WSPH and WSPP, respectively. Combined with the findings from other studies
      in our research group, these results suggested that this novel hybrid could be an
      acceptable alternative for cultivation of A. villosum. 

PMID- 26275460
TI  - Inhibition of chrysin on xanthine oxidase activity and its inhibition mechanism.
AB  - Chrysin, a bioactive flavonoid, was investigated for its potential to inhibit the
      activity of xanthine oxidase (XO), a key enzyme catalyzing xanthine to uric acid
      and finally causing gout. The kinetic analysis showed that chrysin possessed a
      strong inhibition on XO ability in a reversible competitive manner with IC50
      value of (1.26+/-0.04)*10(-6)molL(-1). The results of fluorescence titrations
      indicated that chrysin bound to XO with high affinity, and the interaction was
      predominately driven by hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces. Analysis of
      circular dichroism demonstrated that chrysin induced the conformational change of
      XO with increases in alpha-helix and beta-sheet and reductions in beta-turn and
      random coil structures. Molecular simulation revealed that chrysin interacted
      with the amino acid residues Leu648, Phe649, Glu802, Leu873, Ser876, Glu879,
      Arg880, Phe1009, Thr1010, Val1011 and Phe1013 located within the active cavity of
      XO. The mechanism of chrysin on XO activity may be the insertion of chrysin into
      the active site occupying the catalytic center of XO to avoid the entrance of
      xanthine and causing conformational changes in XO. Furthermore, the interaction
      assays indicated that chrysin and its structural analog apigenin exhibited an
      additive effect on inhibition of XO. 

PMID- 26275461
TI  - Hsa-miR-1 suppresses breast cancer development by down-regulating K-ras and long
      non-coding RNA MALAT1.
AB  - MicroRNAs exert their functions by mainly regulating coding genes or long non
      coding RNA expression. In the present study, we reported that hsa-miR-1 was down
      regulated in breast cancer tissues. Restoration of miR-1 in breast cancer cells
      inhibited proliferation, motility and increased apoptosis in vitro. MiR-1
      functioned as a tumor suppressor by targeting K-RAS and MALAT1. In addition, the
      effects of up-regulation of miR-1 were similar to that of silencing K-RAS and
      MALAT1 in breast cancer cells. In vivo study indicated that restoration of miR-1
      inhibited tumor growth and metastasis. Patients with low miR-1 expression had
      poorer overall survival time than those with high miR-1 expression. Our findings
      emphasized the potential role of miR-1 as tumor suppressive miRNA in breast
      cancer. 

PMID- 26275462
TI  - beta-lactoglobulin mutation Ala86Gln improves its ligand binding and reduces its
      immunoreactivity.
AB  - beta-Lactoglobulin (beta-LG) is a member of lipocalin superfamily of transporters
      for small hydrophobic molecules. beta-LG is also one of the major allergens in
      milk. Despite a lot of researches on decreasing of cow's milk allergenicity, the
      effects of the mutation of beta-LG on its recognition by IgE from cow's milk
      allergy (CMA) patients have not been investigated. We described here the
      expression in the yeast Pichia pastoris of a mutant beta-LG, in which Alanine 86
      was changed into Glutamine (Ala86Gln; a mutation on one of the major epitopes of
      the protein). The purity and native like folded structure of the recombinant
      Ala86Gln have been demonstrated using circular dichroism, HPLC, SDS-PAGE and mass
      spectrometry. The effect of the mutation on the binding of IgE from CMA patients
      to mutant protein was evaluated by ELISA methods and the results showed that the
      mutation of Ala-86 was associated with weaker binding of IgE from CMA patients to
      Ala86Gln mutant protein. Subsequently, the binding of various ligands such as
      retinol, palmitic acid, resveratrol and serotonin, with native, recombinant wild
      type and Ala86Gln mutant beta-LGs were investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy
      and an improvement on the binding affinity of the mutated protein to various
      ligands was observed. 

PMID- 26275463
TI  - Radically new cellulose nanocomposite hydrogels: Temperature and pH responsive
      characters.
AB  - Innovation produced for synthesis of radically new stimuli-responsive hydrogels
      were described. The innovation is based on inclusion of cellulose nanowhiskers
      (CNW)-polyacrylamide (PAAm) copolymer in poly N-isopropyl acrylamide (PNIPAm)
      semi interpenetrating network (IPN) hydrogel. After being prepared as per free
      radical polymerization of AAm onto CNW, the as prepared copolymer was
      incorporated in a polymerization system, which comprises NIPAm monomer,
      bismethylene acrylamide (BMA) crosslinker, K2S2O8 initiator and TEMED
      accelerator, to yield CNW-PAAm-PNIPAm nanocomposite hydrogels. The latter address
      pH-responsive hydrogel as well as temperature-responsive. Hydrogels exhibit the
      highest equilibrium swelling ratio (ESR) in acidic medium (pH 4). Meanwhile they
      perform good swelling behavior and hydrophilicity at a temperature of 32 degrees
      C. These hydrogels carry the characteristic features of CNW-PAAm copolymer as
      conducted from FTIR and TGA. The hydrogels are homogenous and well-proportioned
      network structure with highly connected irregular pores with a large size ranging
      from 30 to 100nm as concluded from SEM. 

PMID- 26275464
TI  - Oropharyngeal perinatal colonization by human papillomavirus.
AB  - INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the most
      common human sexually transmitted disease. It is clinically relevant because this
      condition is necessary for the development of epithelial cervical cancer, and it
      is also a factor closely associated with the occurrence of diverse tumours and
      various benign and malignant lesions of the head and neck area. The infective
      mechanism in most of these cases is associated with sexual intercourse, but there
      is recent scientific evidence suggesting that HPV infection may also be acquired
      by other routes of infection not necessarily linked to sexual contact. One of
      them is vertical transmission from mother to child, either during pregnancy or at
      the time of delivery. The aim of our research was to study maternal-foetal HPV
      transmission during childbirth in detail, establishing the rate of oropharyngeal
      neonatal HPV in vaginal deliveries. METHOD: The presence and type of HPV viral
      DNA at the time of delivery in samples of maternal cervical secretions, amniotic
      fluid, venous cord blood samples and neonatal oropharynx in pregnant women (and
      their babies) were determined. RESULTS: The rate of oropharyngeal neonatal HPV
      colonization in vaginal deliveries was 58.24%. CONCLUSIONS: The maternal and
      neonatal HPV colonization mechanism is essentially, but not exclusively,
      transvaginal.

PMID- 26275465
TI  - Vocal cord paralysis following epidural anaesthesia for caesarean.

PMID- 26275466
TI  - Berberine reduce allergic inflammation in a house dust mite allergic rhinitis
      mouse model.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Berberine (Ber), used widely as an antibacterial, antifungal, and
      anti-inflammatory drug, has long been used as a gastrointestinal remedy in
      Chinese traditional medicine. Recent reports have suggested that Ber suppresses
      Th17 responses that was mediated by direct actions on T cells and thymic stromal
      lymphopoietin production in primary mast cells. It has been suggested that Ber
      may be useful in treating allergic response. The purpose of this study was to
      assess the effects of Ber treatment on allergic inflammation in an allergic
      rhinitis mouse model and to examine the underlying mechanism(s). METHODS: BALB/c
      mice were divided into control, Derf with no treated (Derf), Ber treated, and Ber
      with anti-C25 monoclonal antibody treated (Ber + anti-CD25) groups. All mice,
      with the exception of the control group, were sensitized with an intraperitoneal
      i.p. injection of Dermatophagoides farinae (Derf). Mice in the Ber and Ber + anti
      CD25 group were treated intranasally with 10 #181;g/mL. Then, 1 week after
      sensitization, all mice were challenged intranasally with 20 #181;g Derf for 5
      consecutive days. Mice in the anti-CD25 group were treated intraperitoneally with
      250 #181;g anti-CD25 monoclonal antibody 1 day before the first intra-nasal
      challenge with Derf. Allergic symptom scores, eosinophil counts, and serum Derf
      specific IgE levels were measured. T-bet, GATA-3, interferon-g (IFN-gamma),
      interleukin (IL)-10, IL-13, and Foxp3 expression was examined by real-time
      polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ T cells were
      assessed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Symptom scores, serum Derf-specific IgE
      levels, GATA-3 mRNA levels, T-bet mRNA levels, and tissue eosinophil counts were
      decreased in the Ber versus the Derf group. In the Ber + anti-CD25 group, serum
      IL-10 levels were decreased versus the control, Derf, and Ber groups. In the Ber
      + anti-CD25 mAb groups, Foxp3 mRNA levels were decreased versus the control
      group. In the Ber group, Foxp3 mRNA levels were increased versus the control
      group. In the Ber group, the percentage of CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ T cells was
      increased versus the Derf group. The percentage of CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ T cells was
      increased in the Ber versus the Derf groups. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, Ber
      reduced allergic inflammation significantly. Moreover, our findings suggest that
      the mechanism of action of Ber may be via CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ Treg cells, possibly
      through not only by increasing their numbers but also altering their function.

PMID- 26275468
TI  - Whole genomic constellation of the first human G8 rotavirus strain detected in
      Japan.
AB  - Human G8 Rotavirus A (RVA) strains are commonly detected in Africa but are rarely
      detected in Japan and elsewhere in the world. In this study, the whole genome
      sequence of the first human G8 RVA strain designated AU109 isolated in a child
      with acute gastroenteritis in 1994 was determined in order to understand how the
      strain was generated including the host species origin of its genes. The genotype
      constellation of AU109 was G8-P[4]-I2-R2-C2-M2-A2-N2-T2-E2-H2. Phylogenetic
      analyses of the 11 genome segments revealed that its VP7 and VP1 genes were
      closely related to those of a Hungarian human G8P[14] RVA strain and these genes
      shared the most recent common ancestors in 1988 and 1982, respectively. AU109
      possessed an NSP2 gene closely related to those of Chinese sheep and goat RVA
      strains. The remaining eight genome segments were closely related to Japanese
      human G2P[4] strains which circulated around 1985-1990. Bayesian evolutionary
      analyses revealed that the NSP2 gene of AU109 and those of the Chinese sheep and
      goat RVA strains diverged from a common ancestor around 1937. In conclusion,
      AU109 was generated through genetic reassortment event where Japanese DS-1-like
      G2P[4] strains circulating around 1985-1990 obtained the VP7, VP1 and NSP2 genes
      from unknown ruminant G8 RVA strains. These observations highlight the need for
      comprehensive examination of the whole genomes of RVA strains of less explored
      host species. 

PMID- 26275467
TI  - [Neck bronchogenic cyst. Case report and review of the literature].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Bronchogenic cyst is a malformation of the ventral portion of the
      intestine, which is limited by bronchial epithelium and produces alterations in
      the development of the tracheobronchial tree. They may be single or multiple, and
      are usually confined to one lung or to the mediastinum, rarely to the neck, which
      is a subcutaneous tissue. OBJECTIVE: The case of a 9 year old girl is reported,
      who presented with a clinical picture characterized by a slow-growing,
      asymptomatic tumour on the left side of the neck of 4 years onset. Chest X-ray,
      neck ultrasound and computed tomography of the neck and chest ruled out any other
      injury. A complete resection was performed, and the histopathological study
      confirmed the diagnosis of bronchogenic cyst. CONCLUSION: The symptomatology of a
      bronchogenic cyst is due to the compression of the vascular, digestive or air
      structures, as well as its size, infection and location. The treatment of choice
      is a surgical resection, even when asymptomatic.

PMID- 26275469
TI  - Increasing pro-survival factors within whole brain tissue of Sprague Dawley rats
      via intracerebral administration of modified valproic acid.
AB  - Neural tissue exposure to valproic acid (VPA) increases several pro-survival
      phospho-proteins that can be used as biomarkers for indicating a beneficial drug
      response (pAkt(Ser473), pGSK3beta(Ser9), pErk1/2(Thr202/Tyr204)). Unfortunately,
      targeting VPA to neural tissue is a problem due to severe asymmetrical
      distribution, wherein the drug tends to remain in peripheral blood rather than
      localizing within the brain. Intracerebral delivery of an amide-linked VPA-PEG
      conjugate could address these issues by enhancing retention and promoting cerebro
      global increases in pro-survival phospho-proteins. It is necessary to assay for
      the retained bioactivity of a PEGylated valproic acid molecule, along with
      locating an intracranial cannula placement that optimizes the increase of a known
      downstream biomarker for chronic VPA exposure. Here we show an acute injection of
      VPA-PEG conjugate within brain tissue increased virtually all of the assayed
      phospho-proteins, including well-known pro-survival factors. In contrast, an
      acute injection of VPA expectedly decreased signaling throughout the hour. Needle
      penetration into whole brain tissue is the intentional cause of trauma in this
      procedure. The trauma to brain tissue was observed to overcome known phospho
      protein increases for unmodified VPA in the injected solution, while VPA-PEG
      conjugate appeared to induce significant increases in pro-survival phospho
      proteins, despite the procedural trauma. 

PMID- 26275470
TI  - Novel ruthenium(II) cyclopentadienyl thiosemicarbazone compounds with
      antiproliferative activity on pathogenic trypanosomatid parasites.
AB  - Searching for new prospective antitrypanosomal agents, three novel Ru(II)
      cyclopentadienyl compounds, [Ru(eta(5)-C5H5)(PPh3)L], with HL=bioactive 5
      nitrofuryl containing thiosemicarbazones were synthesized and characterized in
      the solid state and in solution. The compounds were evaluated in vitro on the
      blood circulating trypomastigote form of Trypanosoma cruzi (Dm28c strain), the
      infective form of Trypanosoma brucei brucei (strain 427) and on J774 murine
      macrophages and human-derived EA.hy926 endothelial cells. The compounds were
      active against both parasites with IC50 values in the micromolar or submicromolar
      range. Interestingly, they are much more active on T. cruzi than previously
      developed Ru(II) classical and organometallic compounds with the same bioactive
      ligands. The new compounds showed moderate to very good selectivity towards the
      parasites in respect to mammalian cells. The global results point at
      [RuCp(PPh3)L2] (L2=N-methyl derivative of 5-nitrofuryl containing
      thiosemicarbazone and Cp=cyclopentadienyl) as the most promising compound for
      further developments (IC50T. cruzi=0.41MUM; IC50T. brucei brucei=3.5MUM).
      Moreover, this compound shows excellent selectivity towards T. cruzi (SI>49) and
      good selectivity towards T. brucei brucei (SI>6). In order to get insight into
      the mechanism of antiparasitic action, the intracellular free radical production
      capacity of the new compounds was assessed by ESR. DMPO (5,5-dimethyl-1-pirroline
      N-oxide) spin adducts related to the bioreduction of the complexes and to redox
      cycling processes were characterized. In addition, DNA competitive binding
      studies with ethidium bromide by fluorescence measurements showed that the
      compounds interact with this biomolecule. 

PMID- 26275471
TI  - Assessment of Choroidal Topographic Changes by Swept-Source Optical Coherence
      Tomography After Intravitreal Ranibizumab for Exudative Age-Related Macular
      Degeneration.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate choroidal topographic changes by swept-source optical
      coherence tomography (Swept-OCT) in patients undergoing intravitreal injections
      of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) for exudative age-related
      macular degeneration (AMD). DESIGN: Prospective interventional study. METHODS:
      Consecutive patients with unilateral treatment-naive exudative AMD were entered
      into the study over 6 months. Changes in choroidal thickness after intravitreal
      ranibizumab injections, overall in the macula and in neovascular and non
      neovascular areas, from baseline to month 3 (loading phase) and month 6 (pro re
      nata phase), were investigated by means of Swept-OCT maps. RESULTS: Forty-one
      eyes of 41 patients (mean age: 79.4 +/- 7.3 years) were analyzed. Choroidal
      thickness at study entry was significantly thicker in the study eyes as compared
      to fellow eyes (P < .05). Analysis of sectorial choroidal thickness over time in
      study eyes revealed a significant reduction in both neovascular and non
      neovascular areas from baseline to month 3 and month 6 (P < .0001 for all).
      Central choroidal thickness revealed significant variation between treated and
      fellow eyes from baseline to month 3 (P = .017) and month 6 (P = .045). The
      visual gain was significantly higher (P = .02) in patients with a larger
      choroidal thickness reduction (>=29 MUm, n = 11) vs the others (n = 30).
      CONCLUSIONS: The thinning of the macular choroid (affected or not by choroidal
      neovascularization), along with the significantly thicker choroid in exudative
      AMD eyes before treatment initiation compared to fellow eyes, allows the
      hypothesis that anti-VEGF treatment may favorably influence the choroidal
      exudation by reducing choroidal vascular hyperpermeability.

PMID- 26275473
TI  - Prognostic Value of Ocular Trauma Scores in Patients With Combined Open Globe
      Injuries and Facial Fractures.
AB  - PURPOSE: To assess the prognostic value of the Ocular Trauma Score in patients
      with combined open globe injuries and facial fractures. DESIGN: Retrospective
      cohort study. METHODS: A comprehensive chart review was conducted on 25 patients
      (28 eyes) identified from the Elmhurst City Hospital Trauma Registry between
      January 1, 2000 and June 30, 2012. Elmhurst City Hospital is a level 1 trauma
      center located in Elmhurst, New York, USA. RESULTS: Average age was 52 (range 18
      88) and patients were predominantly male (84%). The majority of patients had an
      Ocular Trauma Score of 1 (87.5%), and of these patients, 76% and 14% had final
      visual acuities of no light perception (NLP) and light perception/hand motion
      (LP/HM), respectively. These corresponded to 74% and 15% predicted by the
      original Ocular Trauma Score guidelines (100% sensitive and 100% specific).
      Ocular Trauma Score of 1 was associated with zone 3 eye wound location (P = .02).
      Independent of Ocular Trauma Score, initial visual acuity and frontal bone
      fractures were predictive of NLP (P = .006 and P = .047). Nonblindness was
      associated with nasal bone fractures (P = .047). CONCLUSION: This study validates
      the use of the Ocular Trauma Score in patients with combined facial fracture and
      open globe injury. The presence of facial fractures does not appear to influence
      visual prognosis for open globe injuries with an Ocular Trauma Score of 1. In the
      absence of data to calculate a full Ocular Trauma Score, initial visual acuity
      was the strongest predictor of final visual outcome.

PMID- 26275472
TI  - Impact of Free Glasses and a Teacher Incentive on Children's Use of Eyeglasses: A
      Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial.
AB  - PURPOSE: To study the effect of free glasses combined with teacher incentives on
      in-school glasses wear among Chinese urban migrant children. DESIGN: Cluster
      randomized controlled trial. METHODS: Children with visual acuity (VA) <=6/12 in
      either eye owing to refractive error in 94 randomly chosen primary schools
      underwent randomization by school to receive free glasses, education on their
      use, and a teacher incentive (Intervention), or glasses prescriptions only
      (Control). Intervention group teachers received a tablet computer if >=80% of
      children given glasses wore them during unannounced visits 6 weeks and 6 months
      (main outcome) after intervention. RESULTS: Among 4376 children, 728 (16.7%, mean
      age 10.9 years, 51.0% boys) met enrollment criteria and were randomly allocated,
      358 (49.2%, 47 schools) to Intervention and 370 (50.8%, 47 schools) to Control.
      Among these, 693 children (95.2%) completed the study and underwent analysis.
      Spectacle wear was significantly higher at 6 months among Intervention children
      (Observed [main outcome]: 68.3% vs 23.9%, adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 11.5, 95%
      confidence interval [CI] 5.91-22.5, P < .001; Self-reported: 90.6% vs 32.1%, OR =
      43.7, 95% CI = 21.7-88.5, P < .001). Other predictors of observed wear at 6
      months included baseline spectacle wear (P < .001), uncorrected VA <6/18 (P =
      .01), and parental spectacle wear (P = .02). The 6-month observed wear rate was
      only 41% among similar-aged children provided free glasses in our previous trial
      without teacher incentives. CONCLUSIONS: Free spectacles and teacher incentives
      maintain classroom wear in the large majority of children needing glasses over a
      school year. Low wear among Control children demonstrates the need for
      interventions.

PMID- 26275474
TI  - Convergence Insufficiency Symptom Survey Scores for Reading Versus Other Near
      Visual Activities in School-Age Children.
AB  - PURPOSE: To measure the difference in Convergence Insufficiency Symptom Survey
      scores for reading vs favorite near visual activities. DESIGN: Comparative
      validity analysis of diagnostic tools. METHODS: At a single clinical private
      practice, 100 children aged 9-18 with normal binocular vision were recruited to
      receive either the original survey emphasizing reading or a modified survey
      replacing "reading" with their favorite near activity. Average survey scores and
      subscores for questions emphasizing fatigue, discomfort, impaired vision, and
      cognitive performance were compared using t tests, while responses to individual
      questions were compared using Mann-Whitney U tests. RESULTS: The average reading
      survey score was significantly greater than the favorite near activity survey
      score (14.1 +/- 11.5 vs 6.7 +/- 5.8, P = .0001). The largest difference resulted
      from questions emphasizing cognitive performance (subscore 5.8 +/- 4.3 vs 2.0 +/-
      2.1, P = .0000002), although significant differences were also found for fatigue
      (5.4 +/- 3.8 vs 3.0 +/- 2.7, P = .0003), discomfort (3.9 +/- 4.6 vs 1.8 +/- 2.2,
      P = .004), and impaired vision (3.2 +/- 3.9 vs 1.8 +/- 2.2, P = .02). Significant
      differences were found for 7 survey questions, with higher symptom scores for the
      reading survey in every case. Using survey scores >=16 to diagnose convergence
      insufficiency, significantly more children taking the reading survey would have
      been diagnosed with convergence insufficiency than children taking the favorite
      near activity survey (19 of 50 [38%] vs 5 of 50 [10%], P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: By
      emphasizing reading, the Convergence Insufficiency Symptom Survey score
      significantly overestimates near visual symptoms in children with normal
      binocular vision compared with symptoms caused by preferred near activities that
      require similar amplitudes of accommodation and convergence.

PMID- 26275475
TI  - Distance from accessible specialist care and other determinants of advanced or
      unknown stage at diagnosis of people with non-small cell lung cancer: A data
      linkage study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Access to specialist services may influence stage at cancer diagnosis
      and whether cancer is ever adequately staged. We investigated associations of
      distance to the nearest accessible specialist hospital (NASH) with likelihood of
      advanced or unknown stage cancer at diagnosis in Australian non-small cell lung
      cancer (NSCLC) patients. METHODS: Cancer registry records for 22,260
      consecutively diagnosed NSCLC patients, 11,147 with linked records of hospital
      admissions, were analysed. Distances from patients' homes to the NASH were
      measured using geographical coordinates. Multinomial logistic regression analysis
      examined associations of distance from the NASH, type of hospital of treatment
      and other characteristics of NSCLC patients with advanced and unknown cancer
      stage. RESULTS: Odds of advanced stage and unknown stage NSCLC were higher in
      people who lived 40-99 km, OR 1.18 (95%CI 1.07-1.31) advanced stage and 1.18
      (1.04-1.33) unknown stage, and 100 km+ from the NASH, OR 1.17 (1.08-1.27)
      advanced stage and OR 1.38 (1.25-1.52) unknown stage (reference group patients
      living 0-39 km from the NASH). For hospitalised patients likelihoods of advanced
      stage and unknown stage NSCLC were also significantly higher in patients treated
      in general hospitals than in those treated in specialist hospitals. When both
      distance and hospital type were considered, patients who lived 100 km+ from the
      NASH had low odds of unknown stage cancer if admitted to a specialist hospital,
      OR 0.63 (95%CI 0.47-0.85), but a high odds of unknown stage if admitted to a
      general hospital, OR 2.13 (1.78-2.54). These associations were independent of
      age, sex, socioeconomic status, comorbidity, period and method of diagnosis, and
      histopathological subtype. CONCLUSIONS: People living remotely from accessible
      specialist services are at greatest risk of advanced stage or unknown stage
      disease if diagnosed with NSCLC. This risk is greater again if the patient is
      treated in a general hospital. Barriers to referral for specialist care require
      investigation.

PMID- 26275476
TI  - Adjuvant therapy for EGFR mutant and ALK positive NSCLC: Current data and future
      prospects.
AB  - Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) against targetable mutations such as epidermal
      growth factor receptor (EGFR) and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) are highly
      effective in treating advanced stage lung cancers harboring such mutations.
      Questions remain, however, about whether these agents can improve cure rates for
      early stage lung cancers in the adjuvant setting. Here, we examine the current
      data and ongoing trials addressing this issue. 

PMID- 26275477
TI  - Improved quantification of protein in vaccines containing aluminum hydroxide by
      simple modification of the Lowry method.
AB  - Aluminum (Al) components in vaccines are known to act as adsorbents that
      interfere with accurate protein quantification by the Lowry method. Therefore,
      certain modifications based on the characteristics and compositions of the
      vaccine are required for determination of protein contents. We investigated the
      effects of an additional centrifugal separation and found that protein contents
      were overestimated by up to 238% without centrifugation through a collaborative
      study performed with hepatitis B vaccines containing Al. However, addition of a
      centrifugation step yielded protein concentrations that were similar to the
      actual values, with small coefficients of variation (CVs). Proficiency testing
      performed in 11 laboratories showed that four laboratories did not have
      satisfactory results for vaccines containing aluminum hydroxide, although all
      laboratories were proficient in protein analysis when samples did not contain
      aluminum hydroxide. Incomplete resuspension of aluminum hydroxide solution with
      alkaline copper solution was the major cause of insufficient proficiency in these
      laboratories.

PMID- 26275478
TI  - Management and outcome of Bacille Calmette-Guerin vaccine adverse reactions.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine is one of the most widely used
      vaccines globally. Management of local BCG complications (injection site
      reactions and suppurative or non-suppurative lymphadenitis) varies between
      clinicians, and the optimal approach remains uncertain. AIM: To determine the
      clinical features, management and outcome of BCG complications at two large acute
      hospitals in London, United Kingdom. METHODS: All children presenting with
      complications of BCG vaccination between January 2008 and December 2013 were
      included in this observational study. Medical and electronic laboratory records
      were reviewed to determine clinical features, treatment and outcome. RESULTS:
      Sixty children presented with adverse reactions. Two-thirds (65%) presented with
      BCG lymphadenitis, one-third (30%) presented with injection site complications
      and two children (3%) presented with both injection site reaction and
      lymphadenitis; only one child (2%) had disseminated BCG disease. The majority
      (88%) of children with injection site reactions were managed conservatively;
      overall, 95% showed complete resolution within 6 months. Among children with
      lymphadenitis, 46% were managed conservatively, whilst 54% had anti-tuberculous
      therapy and/or a procedure (aspiration mostly, or surgery); complete resolution
      was seen in 59% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Injection site reactions and non
      suppurative lymphadenitis were generally managed conservatively, with good
      outcomes. There was more variation in management and outcome of suppurative
      lymphadenitis and the optimal approach remains uncertain.

PMID- 26275479
TI  - Rubella specific cell-mediated and humoral immunity following vaccination in
      college students with low antibody titers.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study measured cell-mediated immunity (CMI) and antibodies to
      clarify the basis of rubella reinfection after vaccination. METHODS: In a pool of
      65 college students, 39 who exhibited hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) antibody
      titers against rubella of <= 1:16 were vaccinated with a rubella vaccine. The CMI
      was assessed with interferon-gamma release assay. RESULTS: There was low
      correlation (r = 0.24) between the antibody titers and interferon-gamma levels at
      pre-vaccination status. Preexisting interferon-gamma levels were low in some
      subjects with low HI antibody titers of 1:8 and 1:16. Fifty-seven percent (4/7)
      of the subjects who were antibody-negative with past history of rubella
      vaccination at entry onto the study exhibited CMI. And 57% (4/7) of the subjects
      remained antibody-negative following a second vaccination, despite exhibiting
      CMI. HI antibody titers increased significantly after vaccination, whereas post
      vaccination interferon-gamma levels did not exhibit significant increases. When
      subjects were divided (based on their past history of vaccination and antibody
      values) into natural infection and vaccination groups, HI antibody titers (mean
      +/- SD) increased to 1:2(4.4 +/- 1.4) from 1: 2(3.2 +/- 0.4) (p = 0.065) in the
      natural infection group and to 1:2(4.4 +/- 1.0) from 1:2(3.0 +/- 0.8) (p <
      0.00001) in the vaccination group following vaccination. The same classification
      revealed that interferon-gamma values did not increase significantly in either
      group following vaccination, but the interferon-gamma values at pre- and post
      vaccination in the natural infection group were significantly higher than those
      at pre- and post-vaccination in the vaccination group (p < 0.05 and p < 0.05,
      respectively). CONCLUSION: Pre-vaccination interferon-gamma levels in each HI
      antibody titer group were similar. And there were some subjects with antibody
      positive exhibited CMI-negative. These data may explain why rubella reinfection
      can occur in vaccinated seropositive individuals.

PMID- 26275481
TI  - Validation of alternative potency assays for influenza vaccines requires clinical
      studies.
AB  - Readers of this Special Issue of Vaccine are likely unified by a desire to
      enhance vaccine efficacy and improve vaccine manufacturing efficiency. For
      influenza vaccines, challenges to achieving those goals are many, and range from
      improved surveillance to less cumbersome production platforms and more reliable
      performance verification. Specifically, demand is growing for an alternative
      vaccine potency assay. Assuming that a replacement potency assay is found to be
      promising, one question will be: how will it be judged to be accurate? It is
      generally agreed that any potential replacement for SRID will have to exhibit
      good correlation with SRID and yield a value within +/- 20% of the SRID
      determined potency. In my opinion, SRID itself has enough limitations that
      judging alternatives relative to that particular standard will not ensure that
      the industry as a whole transitions to an improved method. In fact, it could
      blind us to an assay that may ultimately provide a better predictive measure of
      vaccine efficacy (or immunogenicity). There is only one way to verify that
      measured potency is correlated with, and predictive of, measured immunogenicity -
      test the relationship in clinical studies.

PMID- 26275480
TI  - Immunosuppressive drugs impairs antibody response of the polysaccharide and
      conjugated pneumococcal vaccines in patients with Crohn's disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients with Crohn's disease (CD) have a higher risk of infectious
      diseases including pneumococcal infections, and the risk increases with
      immunotherapy. The primary endpoint of this study was to investigate the specific
      antibody response to two pneumococcal vaccines in CD patients with and without
      immunosuppressive treatment four weeks post vaccination. METHODS: In a randomized
      trial of the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23) and the 13
      valent pneumococcal conjugated vaccine (PCV13), a group of CD patients treated
      with immunosuppressive drugs (IS) alone or in combination with TNF-alpha
      antagonists were compared to a group of CD patients not treated with any of these
      drugs (untreated). Specific pneumococcal antibody concentrations were measured
      against 12 serotypes common to the two vaccines before and 4 week after
      vaccination. RESULTS: PCV13 induced a significantly higher antibody response for
      one serotype (23F) in IS treated patients and for two serotypes (9V and 23F) in
      untreated patients compared to CD patients vaccinated with PPV23. Untreated PPV23
      recipients had higher responses for serotypes 9V and 18C compared to IS+TNF-alpha
      treated PPV23 recipients. Comparison between treatment groups showed that
      immunosuppressive treatment impaired the antibody response to both vaccines and
      that TNF-a treatment further conveyed additional impairment of the response.
      CONCLUSION: PCV13 induces higher antibody response for some serotypes compared to
      PPV23. In addition, CD patients treated with immunosuppressive drugs alone or in
      combination with TNF-alpha antagonists had an impaired antibody response to both
      PPV23 and PCV13 compared to patients not receiving any of these treatments. The
      study has been registered in the European Clinical Trials Database (EudraCT,
      record no 2012-002867-86) and ClinicalTrials.gov (record no. NCT01947010).

PMID- 26275482
TI  - PACAP as a neuroprotective factor in ischemic neuronal injuries.
AB  - Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a 27- or 38-amino
      acid neuropeptide, which belongs to the vasoactive intestinal
      polypeptide/glucagon/secretin family. PACAP and its three receptor subtypes are
      expressed in neural tissues, with PACAP known to exert pleiotropic effects on the
      nervous system. This review provides an overview of current knowledge regarding
      the neuroprotective effects, mechanisms of action, and therapeutic potential of
      PACAP in response to ischemic brain injuries. 

PMID- 26275483
TI  - Texture evolution and mechanical anisotropy of biomedical hot-rolled Co-Cr-Mo
      alloy.
AB  - Crystallographic textures and their effect on the mechanical anisotropy of a hot
      rolled biomedical Co-Cr-Mo alloy were investigated. The hot-rolled Co-28Cr-6Mo
      0.13N (mass%) alloy examined here exhibited a monotonic strength increment
      following hot-rolling reduction, eventually reaching a 0.2% proof stress of 1400
      MPa while maintaining acceptable ductility (>10%). The dominant hot-rolling
      texture was a brass-type component, which is characterized by the alloy's
      peculiarly low stacking fault energy (SFE) even at hot rolling temperatures,
      although the minor peaks of the near copper component were also identified.
      However, because of the onset of dynamic recrystallization (DRX) during the hot
      rolling process, the texture intensity was relatively weak even after 90% hot
      rolling, although the grain refinement originating from the DRX was not
      significant (the "less active DRX" condition increased the strain accumulation
      during the process, resulting in high-strength samples). The weakened texture
      development resulted in negligible in-plane anisotropy for the hot-rolled
      specimen strength, when the specimens were tensile strained in the rolling
      direction (RD) and transverse direction (TD). The elongation-to-failure, however,
      exhibited a difference with respect to the tensile loading axis. It is suggested
      that the ductility anisotropy is closely related to a strain-induced gamma (fcc) 
      > epsilon (hcp) martensitic transformation during tensile loading, resulting in a
      difference in the proportion of quasi-cleavage fracture surfaces. The obtained
      results will be helpful in the development of high-strength Co-Cr-Mo alloy plates
      and sheets, and have implications regarding plastic deformation and texture
      evolution during the hot rolling of non-conventional metallic materials with low
      SFE at elevated temperatures, where planar dislocation slips of Shockley partial
      dislocations and thermally activated process interplay.

PMID- 26275484
TI  - Effect of Zr, Nb and Ti addition on injection molded 316L stainless steel for bio
      applications: Mechanical, electrochemical and biocompatibility properties.
AB  - The research investigated the effect of Zr, Nb and Ti additions on mechanical,
      electrochemical properties and biocompatibility of injection molded 316L
      stainless steel. Addition of elemental powder is promoted to get high performance
      of sintered 316L stainless steels. The amount of additive powder plays a role in
      determining the sintered microstructure and all properties. In this study, 316L
      stainless steel powders used with the elemental Zr, Nb and Ti powders. A
      feedstock containing 62.5 wt% powders loading was molded at different injection
      molded temperature. The binders were completely removed from molded components by
      solvent and thermal debinding at different temperatures. The debinded samples
      were sintered at 1350 degrees C for 60 min. Mechanical, electrochemical property
      and biocompatibility of the sintered samples were performed mechanical,
      electrochemical, SBF immersion tests and cell culture experiments. Results of
      study showed that sintered 316L and 316L with additives samples exhibited high
      corrosion properties and biocompatibility in a physiological environment.

PMID- 26275485
TI  - FEM modeling of the reinforcement mechanism of Hydroxyapatite in PLLA scaffolds
      produced by supercritical drying, for Tissue Engineering applications.
AB  - Scaffolds have been produced by supercritical CO2 drying of Poly-L-Lactid Acid
      (PLLA) gels loaded with micrometric fructose particles used as porogens. These
      structures show a microporous architecture generated by the voids left in the
      solid material by porogen leaching, while they maintain the nanostructure of the
      gel, consisting of a network of nanofilaments. These scaffolds have also been
      loaded with Hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticles, from 10 to 50% w/w with respect to
      the polymer, to improve the mechanical properties of the PLLA structure. Based on
      miscroscopic and mechanical considerations, we propose a parametric Finite
      Element Method (FEM) model of PLLA-HA composites that describes the microporous
      structure as a close-packing of equal spheres and the nanoscale structure as a
      space frame of isotropic curved fibers. The effect of HA on the mechanical
      properties of the scaffolds has been modeled on the basis of SEM images and by
      taking into consideration the formation of concentric cylinders of HA
      nanoparticles around PLLA nanofibers. Modeling analysis confirms that mechanical
      properties of these scaffolds depend on nanofibrous network connections and that
      bending is the major factor causing deformation of the network. The FEM model
      also takes into account the formation of HA multi-layer coating on some areas in
      the nanofiber network and its increase in thickness with HA percentage. The Young
      modulus tends to a plateau for HA percentages larger than 30% w/w and when the
      coverage of the nanofibers produced by HA nanoparticles reaches a loaded surface
      index of 0.14 in the FEM model.

PMID- 26275486
TI  - An atomic finite element model for biodegradable polymers. Part 2. A model for
      change in Young's modulus due to polymer chain scission.
AB  - Atomic simulations were undertaken to analyse the effect of polymer chain
      scission on amorphous poly(lactide) during degradation. Many experimental studies
      have analysed mechanical properties degradation but relatively few computation
      studies have been conducted. Such studies are valuable for supporting the design
      of bioresorbable medical devices. Hence in this paper, an Effective Cavity Theory
      for the degradation of Young's modulus was developed. Atomic simulations
      indicated that a volume of reduced-stiffness polymer may exist around chain
      scissions. In the Effective Cavity Theory, each chain scission is considered to
      instantiate an effective cavity. Finite Element Analysis simulations were
      conducted to model the effect of the cavities on Young's modulus. Since polymer
      crystallinity affects mechanical properties, the effect of increases in
      crystallinity during degradation on Young's modulus is also considered. To
      demonstrate the ability of the Effective Cavity Theory, it was fitted to several
      sets of experimental data for Young's modulus in the literature. 

PMID- 26275487
TI  - Investigation of the mechanical behavior of kangaroo humeral head cartilage
      tissue by a porohyperelastic model based on the strain-rate-dependent
      permeability.
AB  - Solid-interstitial fluid interaction, which depends on tissue permeability, is
      significant to the strain-rate-dependent mechanical behavior of humeral head
      (shoulder) cartilage. Due to anatomical and biomechanical similarities to that of
      the human shoulder, kangaroos present a suitable animal model. Therefore,
      indentation experiments were conducted on kangaroo shoulder cartilage tissues
      from low (10(-4)/s) to moderately high (10(-2)/s) strain-rates. A
      porohyperelastic model was developed based on the experimental characterization;
      and a permeability function that takes into account the effect of strain-rate on
      permeability (strain-rate-dependent permeability) was introduced into the model
      to investigate the effect of rate-dependent fluid flow on tissue response. The
      prediction of the model with the strain-rate-dependent permeability was compared
      with those of the models using constant permeability and strain-dependent
      permeability. Compared to the model with constant permeability, the models with
      strain-dependent and strain-rate-dependent permeability were able to better
      capture the experimental variation at all strain-rates (p < 0.05). Significant
      differences were not identified between models with strain-dependent and strain
      rate-dependent permeability at strain-rate of 5 * 10(-3)/s (p = 0.179). However,
      at strain-rate of 10(-2)/s, the model with strain-rate-dependent permeability was
      significantly better at capturing the experimental results (p < 0.005). The
      findings thus revealed the significance of rate-dependent fluid flow on tissue
      behavior at large strain-rates, which provides insights into the mechanical
      deformation mechanisms of cartilage tissues.

PMID- 26275488
TI  - Patient-specific simulation of the intrastromal ring segment implantation in
      corneas with keratoconus.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was the simulation of the implantation of
      intrastromal corneal-ring segments for patients with keratoconus. The aim of the
      study was the prediction of the corneal curvature recovery after this
      intervention. METHODS: Seven patients with keratoconus diagnosed and treated by
      implantation of intrastromal corneal-ring segments were enrolled in the study.
      The 3D geometry of the cornea of each patient was obtained from its specific
      topography and a hyperelastic model was assumed to characterize its mechanical
      behavior. To simulate the intervention, the intrastromal corneal-ring segments
      were modeled and placed at the same location at which they were placed in the
      surgery. The finite element method was then used to obtain a simulation of the
      deformation of the cornea after the ring segment insertion. Finally, the
      predicted curvature was compared with the real curvature after the intervention.
      RESULTS: The simulation of the ring segment insertion was validated comparing the
      curvature change with the data after the surgery. Results showed a flattening of
      the cornea which was in consonance with the real improvement of the corneal
      curvature. The mean difference obtained was of 0.74 mm using properties of
      healthy corneas. CONCLUSIONS: For the first time, a patient-specific model of the
      cornea has been used to predict the outcomes of the surgery after the
      intrastromal corneal-ring segments implantation in real patients.

PMID- 26275489
TI  - Dynamic modeling of breast tissue with application of model reference adaptive
      system identification technique based on clinical robot-assisted palpation.
AB  - Accurate identification of breast tissue's dynamic behavior in physical
      examination is critical to successful diagnosis and treatment. In this study a
      model reference adaptive system identification (MRAS) algorithm is utilized to
      estimate the dynamic behavior of breast tissue from mechanical stress-strain
      datasets. A robot-assisted device (Robo-Tac-BMI) is going to mimic physical
      palpation on a 45 year old woman having a benign mass in the left breast. Stress
      strain datasets will be collected over 14 regions of both breasts in a specific
      period of time. Then, a 2nd order linear model is adapted to the experimental
      datasets. It was confirmed that a unique dynamic model with maximum error about
      0.89% is descriptive of the breast tissue behavior meanwhile mass detection may
      be achieved by 56.1% difference from the normal tissue.

PMID- 26275490
TI  - Mechanical characterization and modelling of the temperature-dependent impact
      behaviour of a biocompatible poly(L-lactide)/poly(epsilon-caprolactone) polymer
      blend.
AB  - Poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) is a ductile, bioabsorbable polymer that has
      been employed as a blend partner for poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA). An improvement
      of the material strength and impact resistance of PLLA/PCL polymer blends
      compared to pure PLLA has been shown previously. To use numerical simulations in
      the design process of new components composed of the PLLA/PCL blend, a
      constitutive model for the material has to be established. In this work, a
      constitutive model for a PLLA/PCL polymer blend is established from the results
      of compressive tests at high and low strain rates at three different
      temperatures, including the body temperature. Finite element simulations of the
      split Hopkinson pressure bar test using the established constitutive model are
      carried out under the same condition as the experiments. During the experiments,
      the changes in the diameter and thickness of the specimens are captured by a high
      speed video camera. The accuracy of the numerical model is tested by comparing
      the simulation results, such as the stress, strain, thickness and diameter
      histories of the specimens, with those measured in the experiments. The numerical
      model is also validated against an impact test of non-homogenous strains and
      strain rates. The results of this study provide a validated numerical model for a
      PLLA/PCL polymer blend at strain rates of up to 1800 s(-1) in the temperature
      range between 22 degrees C and 50 degrees C.

PMID- 26275491
TI  - Effect of thermal treatment on the bio-corrosion and mechanical properties of
      ultrafine-grained ZK60 magnesium alloy.
AB  - The combination of solid solution heat treatments and severe plastic deformation
      by high-ratio differential speed rolling (HRDSR) resulted in the formation of an
      ultrafine-grained microstructure with high thermal stability in a Mg-5Zn-0.5Zr
      (ZK60) alloy. When the precipitate particle distribution was uniform in the
      matrix, the internal stresses and dislocation density could be effectively
      removed without significant grain growth during the annealing treatment (after
      HRDSR), leading to enhancement of corrosion resistance. When the particle
      distribution was non-uniform, rapid grain growth occurred in local areas where
      the particle density was low during annealing, leading to development of a
      bimodal grain size distribution. The bimodal grain size distribution accelerated
      corrosion by forming a galvanic corrosion couple between the fine-grained and
      coarse-grained regions. The HRDSR-processed ZK60 alloy with high thermal
      stability exhibited high corrosion resistance, high strength and high ductility,
      and excellent superplasticity, which allow the fabrication of biodegradable
      magnesium devices with complicated designs that have a high mechanical integrity
      throughout the service life in the human body. 

PMID- 26275492
TI  - Might excess body weight be beneficial for the community-dwelling older people?

PMID- 26275493
TI  - Low incidence of complications using polyglactin 910 (Vicryl) mesh in breast
      reconstruction: A systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mastectomy and breast reconstruction are essential parts of the
      treatment of breast cancer. Acellular dermal matrices (ADMs) have been used for
      the reconstruction of the lower pole due to many advantages; however, its cost is
      seen as a major drawback in this era of concern for the allocation of health-care
      funds. Recently, polyglactin 910 (Vicryl; Ethicon, Somerville, NJ, USA) mesh has
      been published as an alternative. We assessed the published literature, in
      particular investigating for studies that compare Vicryl mesh with ADM. METHODS:
      We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta
      Analyses (PRISMA) methodology. Searched databases included Medline/PubMed,
      Cochrane Reviews, Embase, Web of Science, ClinicalTrials, and SCOPUS. Search
      criteria were as follows: (1) reporting of clinical data using Vicryl mesh in
      breast reconstruction, (2) reporting of original data, and (3) outcome of
      interest reported. RESULTS: We retrieved 290 de-duplicated articles. After title
      and abstract screening, we dismissed 258 articles, and thus full text was
      reviewed for 32 articles; only three retrospective articles met inclusion
      criteria. The total population included 112 patients and 156 breasts. The
      reported incidence of complications was as follows: infection 2.6% (confidence
      interval (CI): 0.7-6.6%), reconstruction failure 3.2% (CI: 1.0-7%), and seroma
      1.3% (CI: 0.2-4.6%). A seven- to 12-fold cost difference was reported. Follow-up
      length ranged from 1.2 to 3.6 years. No studies directly compared Vicryl mesh
      with ADM. CONCLUSIONS: Although the evidence is limited, polyglactin 910 (Vicryl)
      mesh for immediate breast reconstruction appears to be a potentially safe,
      effective, and less expensive alternative to ADM. Prospective studies are needed
      to further compare mesh with ADM.

PMID- 26275494
TI  - Isomerization of aspartyl residues in crystallins and its influence upon
      cataract.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Age-related cataracts, which probably form due to insolubilization of
      lens proteins, can lead to loss of vision. Although the exact reason is unknown,
      lens protein aggregation may be triggered by increases in PTMs such as D-beta-, L
      beta- and D-alpha-Asp isomers. These isomers have been observed in aged lens;
      however, there have been few quantitative and site-specific studies owing to the
      lack of a quick and precise method for distinguishing between D- and L-Asp in a
      peptide or protein. SCOPE OF REVIEW: We describe a new method for detecting
      peptides containing Asp isomers at individual sites in any protein by using an LC
      MS/MS system combined with commercial enzymes that specifically react with
      different isomers. We also summarize current data on the effect of Asp
      isomerization on lens crystallins. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS: The new technique enabled
      the analysis of isomers of Asp residues in lens proteins precisely and quickly.
      An extensive proportion of Asp isomerization was observed at all Asp sites of
      crystallins in the insoluble fraction of aged lens. In addition, d-amino acid
      substitutions in crystallin-mimic peptides showed altered structural formation
      and function. These results indicate that isomerization of Asp residues affects
      the stability, structure and inter-subunit interaction of lens crystallins, which
      will induce crystallin aggregation and insolubilization, disrupt the associated
      functions, and ultimately contribute to the onset of senile cataract formation.
      GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: The mechanism underlying the onset of age-related diseases
      may involve isomerization, whereby D-amino acids are incorporated in the L-amino
      acid world of life. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Crystallin
      Biochemistry in Health and Disease.

PMID- 26275496
TI  - [Evaluation of the knowledge of patients about the management of treatment with
      anti-vitamin K drugs in the Service of Cardiology of Ouagadougou].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Vitamin K antagonists (VKA), the most widely prescribed oral
      anticoagulant therapy, represent a major public health problem by the adverse
      events related to their use. The aim of this study was to clarify the level of
      knowledge that patients have about the management of their oral anticoagulant
      treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study
      performed at Yalgado Ouedraogo university Hospital, over a period of three months
      starting from March 1st to May 31st 2012. A questionnaire was given to patients
      receiving VKA treatment for at least a month. RESULTS: Seventy patients were
      enrolled in the study of which 30 men. The median age was 49+/-16 years. Heart
      disease and venous thromboembolic disease justifying the introduction of VKA
      treatment were found respectively in 58.6 and 41.4% of the cases. The name of the
      VKA and the exact reason for the treatment were known respectively in 91.4 and
      61.7% of the case. More than half of patients (68.6%) knew that the VKA makes
      blood more fluid. Forty-six patients (65.7%) cited INR as biological monitoring
      of treatment but only 28 patients (40%) were aware of INR target values. The
      majority of patients did not know the risks in case of overdose (72.8%) and
      underdosing (71.4%). Self-medication by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs was
      reported by 18 patients (25.7%). Cabbage (74.3%) and lettuce (62.9%) were the
      main foods reported to be consumed moderately. CONCLUSION: The knowledge of
      patients on the management of VKA is fragmentary and remains insufficient to
      ensure the effectiveness of the treatment. The creation of a therapeutic
      education program is then necessary.

PMID- 26275495
TI  - Prooxidant and antioxidant properties of salicylaldehyde isonicotinoyl hydrazone
      iron chelators in HepG2 cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Salicylaldehyde isonicotinoyl hydrazone (SIH) is an iron chelator of
      the aroylhydrazone class that displays antioxidant or prooxidant effects in
      different mammalian cell lines. Because the liver is the major site of iron
      storage, elucidating the effect of SIH on hepatic oxidative metabolism is
      critical for designing effective hepatic antioxidant therapies. METHODS:
      Hepatocyte-like HepG2 cells were exposed to SIH or to analogs showing greater
      stability, such as N'-[1-(2-Hydroxyphenyl)ethyliden]isonicotinoyl hydrazide
      (HAPI), or devoid of iron chelating properties, such as benzaldehyde
      isonicotinoyl hydrazone (BIH), and toxicity, oxidative stress and antioxidant
      (glutathione) metabolism were evaluated. RESULTS: Autoxidation of Fe(2+)in vitro
      increased in the presence of SIH or HAPI (but not BIH), an effect partially
      blocked by Fe(2+) chelation. Incubation of HepG2 cells with SIH or HAPI (but not
      BIH) was non-toxic and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, activated
      the transcription factor Nrf2, induced the catalytic subunit of gamma-glutamate
      cysteine ligase (Gclc), and increased glutathione concentration. Fe(2+) chelation
      decreased ROS and inhibited Nrf2 activation, and Nrf2 knock-down inhibited the
      induction of Gclc in the presence of HAPI. Inhibition of gamma-glutamate cysteine
      ligase enzymatic activity inhibited the increase in glutathione caused by HAPI,
      and increased oxidative stress. CONCLUSIONS: SIH iron chelators display both
      prooxidant (increasing the autoxidation rate of Fe(2+)) and antioxidant
      (activating Nrf2 signaling) effects. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: Activation by SIH iron
      chelators of a hormetic antioxidant response contributes to their antioxidant
      properties and modulates the anti- and pro-oxidant balance.

PMID- 26275497
TI  - Calcium signaling and cell proliferation.
AB  - Cell proliferation is orchestrated through diverse proteins related to calcium
      (Ca(2+)) signaling inside the cell. Cellular Ca(2+) influx that occurs first by
      various mechanisms at the plasma membrane, is then followed by absorption of
      Ca(2+) ions by mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum, and, finally, there is a
      connection of calcium stores to the nucleus. Experimental evidence indicates that
      the fluctuation of Ca(2+) from the endoplasmic reticulum provides a pivotal and
      physiological role for cell proliferation. Ca(2+) depletion in the endoplasmatic
      reticulum triggers Ca(2+) influx across the plasma membrane in an phenomenon
      called store-operated calcium entries (SOCEs). SOCE is activated through a
      complex interplay between a Ca(2+) sensor, denominated STIM, localized in the
      endoplasmic reticulum and a Ca(2+) channel at the cell membrane, denominated
      Orai. The interplay between STIM and Orai proteins with cell membrane receptors
      and their role in cell proliferation is discussed in this review. 

PMID- 26275498
TI  - Protein phosphatase 1 is a key player in nuclear events.
AB  - Reversible protein phosphorylation at serine (Ser), threonine (Thr) and tyrosine
      (Tyr) residues is among the major regulatory mechanism in eukaryotic cells. The
      eukaryotic genome encodes many protein kinases and protein phosphatases. However,
      the localization, activity and specificity towards phosphatase substrates are
      dictated by a large array of phosphatase binding and regulatory subunits. For
      protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) more than 200 binding subunits have been described.
      The various PP1 isoforms and the binding subunits can be located throughout the
      cell, including in the nucleus. It follows that several nuclear specific PP1
      binding proteins (PIPs) have been described and these will be discussed. Among
      them are PNUTS (phosphatase 1 nuclear targeting subunit), NIPP1 (nuclear
      inhibitor of PP1) and CREB (cAMP-responsive element-binding protein), which have
      all been associated with transcription. In fact PP1 can associate with
      transcription factors fulfilling an important regulatory function, in this
      respect it can bind to Hox11, human factor C1 (HCF1) and myocyte enhancer factor
      2 (MEF2). PP1 also regulates cell cycle progression and centrosome maturation and
      splitting, again by binding to specific regulatory proteins. Moreover, PP1
      together with other protein phosphatases control the entry into mitosis by
      regulating the activity of mitotic kinases. Thus, PP1, its binding proteins
      and/or the phosphorylation states of both, directly control a vast array of cell
      nucleus associated functions, many of which are starting to be unraveled. 

PMID- 26275499
TI  - Determination of spatially dependent diffusion parameters in bovine bone using
      Kalman filter.
AB  - Although many studies have been made for homogenous constant diffusion, bone is
      an inhomogeneous material. It has been suggested that bone porosity decreases
      from the inner boundaries to the outer boundaries of the long bones. The
      diffusivity of substances in the bone matrix is believed to increase as the bone
      porosity increases. In this study, an experimental set up is used where bovine
      bone samples, saturated with potassium chloride (KCl), were put into distilled
      water and the conductivity of the water was followed. Chloride ions in the bone
      samples escaped out in the water through diffusion and the increase of the
      conductivity was measured. A one-dimensional, spatially dependent mathematical
      model describing the diffusion process is used. The diffusion parameters in the
      model are determined using a Kalman filter technique. The parameters for
      spatially dependent at endosteal and periosteal surfaces are found to be (12.8 +/
      4.7) * 10(-11) and (5 +/- 3.5) * 10(-11)m(2)/s respectively. The mathematical
      model function using the obtained diffusion parameters fits very well with the
      experimental data with mean square error varies from 0.06 * 10(-6) to 0.183 * 10(
      6) (MUS/m)(2).

PMID- 26275500
TI  - Induction of ovulation in anestrus ewes using a dopamine receptor antagonist.
AB  - Estradiol decreases the pulse frequency of LH during the nonbreeding season
      through dopaminergic neurons that results in anestrus in the ewe. Long-term
      administration of sulpiride, a dopamine antagonist, induced ovulation in
      seasonally anestrus mares. Accordingly, we tested whether sulpiride would induce
      ovulatory estrus in seasonally anestrus Malpura ewes. A total of 12 Malpura ewes
      were divided into sulpiride (at 0.6 mg/kg b.i.d.) or control groups. Anestrus was
      defined on the basis of the absence of heat signs for 2 months through twice-a
      day heat detection during the nonbreeding season (October-November) and
      progesterone level of less than 1 ng/mL. Rates of estrus induction, ovulation,
      multiple ovulations, and lambing in the sulpiride-treated ewes were 83.3%, 100%,
      16.6%, and 66.7%, respectively. The mean interval from treatment to estrus was
      5.25 +/- 1.49 days. Progesterone levels were elevated after ovulation
      significantly on Days 5 and 7 after estrus as compared to Day 0 after sulpiride
      treatment (P < 0.05). In contrast, none of the control group ewes showed either
      estrus or ovulation. There was a significant association between sulpiride
      treatment and estrus induction rate as well as ovulation rate (P < 0.05). It is
      concluded that the result provides proof of concept that the dopamine antagonist
      can induce ovulation in seasonally anestrus ewes. 

PMID- 26275501
TI  - Genetics of Hearing Loss--Nonsyndromic.
AB  - Eighty percent of nonsyndromic hearing losses are caused by autosomal-recessive
      (AR) inheritance, while most of the other 20% are caused by autosomal-dominant
      (AD) inheritance. Although AR nonsyndromic SNHL is most commonly caused by GJB2
      and SLC26A4, there is no single gene that accounts for any significant proportion
      of AD SNHL. High-throughput sequencing techniques, also called next-generation
      sequencing (NGS) or massively parallel sequencing (MPS), may allow for routine
      definitive diagnosis of all possible genetic causes for hearing loss in the not
      too-distant future. 

PMID- 26275502
TI  - A highly active recyclable gold-graphene nanocomposite material for oxidative
      esterification and Suzuki cross-coupling reactions in green pathway.
AB  - A graphene based composite with gold nanoparticles has been synthesized via a
      simple chemical route and the structure and compositions of nanocomposite has
      been characterized. The catalyst was found to be remarkably stable and active for
      the oxidative esterification of alcohols under present reaction conditions using
      molecular oxygen as green oxidant and Suzuki cross-coupling reactions between
      aryl halides and phenylboronic acids using environmentally friendly water as
      solvent. The versatility of both the protocols was demonstrated by taking a
      number of substrates. This protocol offers several advantages like high yields,
      clean reactions, recyclability of the catalyst, reaction in water and use of
      green oxidant. This study suggests graphene, as an economical substitute for
      carbon nanotubes, could act as a prominent support in heterogeneous catalysis. 

PMID- 26275503
TI  - Lignopolymers as viscosity-reducing additives in magnesium oxide suspensions.
AB  - Lignopolymers are a new class of polymer additives with the capability to be used
      as dispersants in cementitious pastes. Made with kraft lignin cores and grafted
      polymer side-chains, the custom-synthesized lignopolymers were examined in terms
      of the molecular architecture for viscosity reducing potential in inert model
      suspensions. Lignin-poly(acrylic acid) (LPAA) and lignin-polyacrylamide (LPAm)
      have been found to vary the rheology of magnesium oxide (MgO) suspensions based
      on differences in chain architecture and particle-polymer interactions. A
      commercial comb-polymer polycarboxylate ester was compared to LPAA and LPAm at
      2.7 mg/mL, a typical dosage for cement admixtures, as well as 0.25mg/mL. It was
      found that LPAm was a more effective viscosity reducer than both LPAA and the
      commercial additive at low concentrations, which was attributed to greater
      adsorption on the MgO particle surface and increased steric dispersion from PAm
      side-chain extension. The influence of chain adsorption and grafted side-chain
      molecular weight on rheology was also tested.

PMID- 26275504
TI  - Hollow polymer nanoparticles with S-nitrosothiols as scaffolds for nitric oxide
      release.
AB  - This work reported the design, preparation and characterization of functional
      hollow polymer nanoparticles with S-nitrosothiol (SNO) as scaffolds for nitric
      oxide (NO) release in PBS buffer and bovine serum. The thiolated hollow polymer
      nanoparticles were prepared by distillation precipitation polymerization of
      ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) in
      presence of 3-(methacryloxy)propyltrimethoxysilane (MPS)-modified silica as seeds
      and the selective removal of silica core in hydrofluoric acid (HF) aqueous
      solution together with the subsequent surface esterification of hydroxyl groups
      with acryloyl chloride to introduce high density of vinyl groups and further
      Michael addition of carbon-carbon double bonds with hydrosulfide (HS(-)) anions.
      S-Nitrosothiol (SNO) functionalized hollow polymer nanoparticles were prepared
      via nitrosation of the surface thiol groups with acidified nitrite. The releasing
      characters of SNO-functionalized hollow polymer nanoparticles as NO scaffolds
      with capacity of 1.55 MUmol/mg were investigated in different media, including
      PBS buffer exposure to trace copper cations and in real bovine serum.

PMID- 26275505
TI  - Integration of adsorption and direct bio-reduction of perchlorate on surface of
      cotton stalk based resin.
AB  - In this work, perchlorate was first adsorbed by the cotton stalk based resin (CS
      resin) and then the laden perchlorate was directly reduced by mixed perchlorate
      reduction bacteria (PRB) on surface of CS-resin. The characteristics of cotton
      stalk, clean CS-resin, perchlorate-laden CS-resin and bio-regenerated CS-resin
      were evaluated by XPS, FT-IR, SEM, zeta potential measurements. All
      characteristics showed clearly that (i) adsorption mechanism of perchlorate onto
      CS-resin was based on electrostatic attraction; (ii) biological destruction of
      laden perchlorate was effective for bio-regenerating the saturated CS-resin. The
      experimental adsorption capacities (Qexp) of perchlorate by CS-resin achieved at
      equilibrium condition was about 138.9 mg/g. Reduction rate of laden perchlorate
      on surface of CS-resin were about 2.12, 1.67, 0.032 and 0.009 mg/g(CS-resin)/d
      for initial redox potentials poised at -193, -70, +169, and +363 mV,
      respectively. This indicated that the rapid reduction of laden perchlorate may
      occur only when conditions were present to cause a low Eh.

PMID- 26275506
TI  - Synthesis of Ti-Ta alloys with dual structure by incomplete diffusion between
      elemental powders.
AB  - In this work, powder metallurgical (PM) Ti-Ta alloys were sintered using blended
      elemental powders. A dual structure, consisting of Ti-rich and Ta-rich zones, was
      formed due to the insufficient diffusion between Ti and Ta powders. The
      microstructure, mechanical properties and in vitro biological properties of the
      alloys were studied. Results indicated that the alloys have inhomogenous
      microstructures and compositions, but the grain structures were continuous from
      the Ti-rich zone to the Ta-rich zone. The Ta-rich zone exhibited a much finer
      grain size than the Ti-rich zone. The alloys had a high relative density in the
      range of 95-98%, with the porosity increasing with the content of Ta due to the
      increased difficulty in sintering and the formation of Kirkendall pores. The
      alloys had a good combination of low elastic modulus and high tensile strength.
      The strength of alloys was almost doubled compared to that of the ingot
      metallurgy alloys with the same compositions. The low elastic modulus was due to
      the residual pores and the alloying effect of Ta, while the high tensile strength
      resulted from the strengthening effects of solid solution, fine grain size and
      alpha phase. The alloys had a high biocompatibility due to the addition of Ta,
      and were suitable for the attachment of cells due to the surface porosity. It was
      also indicated that PM Ti-(20-30)Ta alloys are promising for biomedical
      applications after the evaluations of both the mechanical and the biological
      properties. 

PMID- 26275507
TI  - Pathways involving traumatic losses, worry about family, adult separation anxiety
      and posttraumatic stress symptoms amongst refugees from West Papua.
AB  - There is some evidence that adult separation anxiety disorder (ASAD) symptoms are
      closely associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) amongst refugees
      exposed to traumatic events (TEs), but the pathways involved remain to be
      elucidated. A recent study suggests that separation anxiety disorder precedes and
      predicts onset of PTSD. We examined a path model testing whether ASAD symptoms
      and worry about family mediated the path from traumatic losses to PTSD symptoms
      amongst 230 refugees from West Papua. Culturally adapted measures were applied to
      assess TE exposure and symptoms of ASAD and PTSD. A structural equation model
      indicated that ASAD symptoms played an important role in mediating the effects of
      traumatic losses and worry about family in the pathway to PTSD symptoms. Although
      based on cross-sectional data, our findings suggest that ASAD symptoms may play a
      role in the path from traumatic losses to PTSD amongst refugees. We propose an
      evolutionary model in which the ASAD and PTSD reactions represent complementary
      survival responses designed to protect the individual and close attachments from
      external threats. 

PMID- 26275508
TI  - Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of the entomopathogenic fungus
      Nomuraea rileyi.
AB  - An Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation system for the entomopathogenic
      fungus Nomuraea rileyi was established. Three binary T-DNA vectors, pPZP-Hph,
      pPZP-Hph-RNAi and pPZP-Hph-DsRed2, were constructed. The trpc promoter from
      Aspergillus nidulans was used as the cis-regulatory element to drive the
      expression of hygromycin phosphotransferase (hph) gene and DsRed2, which
      conferred the hygromycin B (Hyg B) resistance and red fluorescence visualization,
      respectively. The blastospores and conidia were used as the recipients. The
      blastospores' transformation efficiency reached ~20-40 transformants per 10(6)
      blastospores, whereas the conidia were not transformed. Based on an analysis of
      five generations of subcultures, PCR and Southern blotting assays, the Ptrpc-hph
      cassette had integrated into the genomes of all transformants, which contained
      single copy of the hph gene and showed mitotic stability. Abundant altered
      morphologic phenotypes in colonies, blastospores and hyphae formations were
      observed in the arbitrary insertional mutants of N. rileyi, which made it
      possible to study the relationships between the functions and the interrupted
      genes over the whole genome. The transformation protocol will promote the
      functional characterization of genes, and the construction of genetically
      engineered strains of this important entomopathogenic fungus, and potentially of
      other similar fungal pathogens. 

PMID- 26275509
TI  - Editorial to the Special issue: Psychological interventions for depression: A
      roadmap to stable remission.

PMID- 26275510
TI  - Ventilation/Perfusion Positron Emission Tomography--Based Assessment of Radiation
      Injury to Lung.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate (68)Ga-ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) positron emission
      tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) as a novel imaging modality for
      assessment of perfusion, ventilation, and lung density changes in the context of
      radiation therapy (RT). METHODS AND MATERIALS: In a prospective clinical trial,
      20 patients underwent 4-dimensional (4D)-V/Q PET/CT before, midway through, and 3
      months after definitive lung RT. Eligible patients were prescribed 60 Gy in 30
      fractions with or without concurrent chemotherapy. Functional images were
      registered to the RT planning 4D-CT, and isodose volumes were averaged into 10-Gy
      bins. Within each dose bin, relative loss in standardized uptake value (SUV) was
      recorded for ventilation and perfusion, and loss in air-filled fraction was
      recorded to assess RT-induced lung fibrosis. A dose-effect relationship was
      described using both linear and 2-parameter logistic fit models, and goodness of
      fit was assessed with Akaike Information Criterion (AIC). RESULTS: A total of 179
      imaging datasets were available for analysis (1 scan was unrecoverable). An
      almost perfectly linear negative dose-response relationship was observed for
      perfusion and air-filled fraction (r(2)=0.99, P<.01), with ventilation strongly
      negatively linear (r(2)=0.95, P<.01). Logistic models did not provide a better
      fit as evaluated by AIC. Perfusion, ventilation, and the air-filled fraction
      decreased 0.75 +/- 0.03%, 0.71 +/- 0.06%, and 0.49 +/- 0.02%/Gy, respectively.
      Within high-dose regions, higher baseline perfusion SUV was associated with
      greater rate of loss. At 50 Gy and 60 Gy, the rate of loss was 1.35% (P=.07) and
      1.73% (P=.05) per SUV, respectively. Of 8/20 patients with peritumoral
      reperfusion/reventilation during treatment, 7/8 did not sustain this effect after
      treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Radiation-induced regional lung functional deficits occur
      in a dose-dependent manner and can be estimated by simple linear models with 4D
      V/Q PET/CT imaging. These findings may inform future studies of functional lung
      avoidance using V/Q PET/CT.

PMID- 26275511
TI  - Insight into the three-dimensional structure of maize chlorotic mottle virus
      revealed by Cryo-EM single particle analysis.
AB  - Maize chlorotic mottle virus (MCMV) is the only member of the Machlomovirus genus
      in the family Tombusviridae. Here, we obtained the Cryo-EM structure of MCMV by
      single particle analysis with most local resolution at approximately 4 A. The
      Calpha backbone was built based on residues with bulky side chains. The resolved
      C-terminus of the capsid protein subunit and obvious openings at the 2-fold axis
      demonstrated the compactness of the asymmetric unit, which indicates an important
      role in the stability of MCMV. The Asp116 residue from each subunit around the 5
      fold and 3-fold axes contributed to the negative charges in the centers of the
      pentamers and hexamers, which might serve as a solid barrier against the leakage
      of genomic RNA. Finally, the loops most exposed on the surface were analyzed and
      are proposed to be potential functional sites related to MCMV transmission.

PMID- 26275512
TI  - Ocular injury in the United States: Emergency department visits from 2006-2011.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Ocular complaints represent a sizeable burden to emergency
      departments, accounting for an estimated 2.4 million ED visits annually. We
      sought to characterise visits associated with ocular injury and examine factors
      contributing to inpatient admission. METHODS: We searched the Nationwide
      Emergency Department Sample between 2006 and 2011 and identified cases in which
      patients presented with a primary or secondary diagnosis of ocular trauma. We
      described these cases according to age, sex, external mechanism of injury, payer
      status, and identified relationships between these variables. Logistic regression
      models were employed to identify crude and adjusted relative odds of admission to
      inpatient status based on patient demographics, mechanism of injury, payer
      status, and the existence of multiple injuries. RESULTS: Between 2006 and 2011, a
      total of 5541,434 visits were made to EDs in the United States with a primary or
      other diagnosis of ocular trauma; ocular trauma was the primary diagnosis in
      77.9% of these cases. Overall, mean age at presentation was 33.8 years and the
      majority of patients were male (64.8%). Male sex, older age, being struck by or
      against an object, the existence of multiple injuries, and Medicaid as a primary
      payer were all associated with significantly higher odds of hospital admission.
      DISCUSSION: The distribution of primary external mechanism of injury suggested
      that individuals are at higher risks for different injury types at each
      successive stage of life. Age and injury mechanism were correlated with odds of
      admission to inpatient status, with the highest odds among older adults who had
      been injured by being struck by or against an object. CONCLUSIONS: Ocular injury
      plays a substantial role in the ED. Further work is necessary to determine
      whether developing and implementing age- and sex-appropriate prevention
      strategies could reduce the incidence of ocular injury and reduce morbidity
      related to these types of injuries.

PMID- 26275513
TI  - Predictors of mortality for complex fractures of the pelvic ring in the elderly:
      a twelve-year review from a German level I trauma center.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVE: To document mortality rate and predictors of mortality in
      elderly patients with complex pelvic fractures. METHODS: We reviewed a total of
      84 subjects whose ages were above 70 years with complex pelvic fractures,
      admitted to our hospital from January 2001 to December 2012. A multivariate
      linear regression model was used to determine the predictors of mortality in the
      study population. The median age of the patients was 80.4 years (range 70-94
      years). 65 of 84 (77%) patients were females. There were 72 Tile Type B fractures
      (86%) and 12 Type C fractures (14%). The most common associated injuries were
      thoracic, extremity and head injuries, with incidence of 13 (15%), 11 (13%), and
      9 (11%), respectively. RESULTS: The mortality rate was 10% in our study
      population. The initial haemoglobin on admission (p<0.01), the presence of blood
      vessel injuries (p<0.01) and the number of PRBCs transfused within the first six
      hours after admission (p<0.01) independently predicted mortality in elderly
      patients with complex pelvic fractures. CONCLUSION: Although there is a downward
      trend in mortality in elderly patients with complex pelvic fractures,
      haemodynamic instability still has a significant impact on survival of those
      patients.

PMID- 26275514
TI  - Carperitide Increases the Need for Renal Replacement Therapy After Cardiovascular
      Surgery.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Acute kidney injury is a common complication after aortic surgery.
      Carperitide, a human atrial natriuretic peptide, was reported to be effective for
      preventing acute kidney injury after cardiac surgery. However, most studies were
      from single centers, and results of meta-analyses are subject to publication
      bias. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether carperitide
      preserved renal function in patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery. DESIGN:
      Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Participating hospitals (N = 281) in a
      national database from 2010 to 2013. PARTICIPANTS: Adult patients (N = 47,032)
      who underwent cardiovascular surgery. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN
      RESULTS: The main intervention variable investigated was the use of carperitide
      on the day of surgery. Assessed outcomes included receiving renal replacement
      therapy within 21 days of surgery and in-hospital mortality. Data were available
      for 47,032 patients, of whom 2,186 (4.6%) received carperitide on the day of
      surgery. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that carperitide was
      significantly associated with a greater likelihood of receiving renal replacement
      therapy within 21 days of surgery, but not with in-hospital mortality.
      CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery, carperitide
      significantly increased the odds of receiving renal replacement therapy within 21
      days after surgery.

PMID- 26275515
TI  - Mechanism of Torrential Aortic Valve Insufficiency in Endocarditis: Leaflet
      Destruction, Restriction, Prolapse, or Perforation?

PMID- 26275516
TI  - Continuous Intraoperative Cefazolin Infusion May Reduce Surgical Site Infections
      During Cardiac Surgical Procedures: A Propensity-Matched Analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The authors sought to determine whether an institutional transition
      from intermittent to continuous dosing of intraoperative antibiotics in cardiac
      surgery affected surgical site infection (SSI) outcomes. DESIGN: A retrospective
      chart review utilizing propensity matching. SETTING: A single academic, tertiary
      care hospital. PARTICIPANTS: One thousand one hundred seventy-nine patients
      undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and/or cardiac valvular surgery
      between April 2013 and November 2014 who received perioperative cefazolin.
      INTERVENTIONS: By method of cefazolin administration, patients were divided into
      an "intermittent-dosing" (ID) group and a "continuous-infusion" (CI) group.
      MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Of the 1,179 patients who underwent cardiac
      surgery during the study period, 1:1 propensity score matching yielded 399
      patients in each group. Rates of diabetes (33.6% ID v 33.8% CI, p = 0.94),
      coronary artery bypass (62.3% v 61.4%, p = 0.66), and bilateral internal mammary
      artery harvesting (6.0% v 8.3%, p = 0.22) were similar between groups. SSIs
      occurred in more ID patients than CI patients (2.3% v 0.5%, p = 0.03). This
      difference was driven by decreases in extremity and conduit harvest site SSIs
      (1.8% v 0.3%, p = 0.03), as there were no episodes of mediastinitis, and
      superficial sternal SSI rates did not differ (0.5% v 0.3%, p = 0.56). There also
      were significantly fewer episodes of pneumonia in the CI group (6.0% v 2.3%, p =
      0.008). Intensive care unit and total lengths of stay did not differ. Thirty-day
      mortality was 2.8% in both groups (p = 1.00). CONCLUSIONS: As compared to ID
      regimens, CI cefazolin infusion may reduce post-cardiac surgery infectious
      complications. Further study in larger patient populations is needed.

PMID- 26275517
TI  - Moderate Aortic Stenosis and Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: Clinical Update for
      the Perioperative Echocardiographer.
AB  - Incidental aortic stenosis in the setting of coronary artery bypass surgery may
      be a perioperative challenge. The accurate assessment of the degree of aortic
      stenosis remains an important determinant. Although severe aortic stenosis is an
      indication for valve replacement, current guidelines advise a balanced approach
      to the management of moderate aortic stenosis in this setting. Multiple factors
      should be considered in a team discussion to balance risks versus benefits for
      the various management options in the given patient. The rapid progress in aortic
      valve technologies also offer alternatives for definitive management of moderate
      aortic stenosis in this setting that will likely become even safer in the near
      future. 

PMID- 26275518
TI  - Risk Stratification in Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass (OPCAB) Surgery-Role of
      EuroSCORE II.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the EuroSCORE II for risk stratification in patients
      undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) surgery. DESIGN: A
      retrospective observational study. SETTING: Two tertiary care hospitals.
      PARTICIPANTS: Participants were 1,211 patients undergoing OPCAB surgery.
      INTERVENTIONS: No interventions were implemented. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:
      The EuroSCORE II estimated the operative risk for each patient. The calibration
      of the scoring system was assessed using the Hosmer Lemeshow test, and the
      discriminative capacity was estimated with area under receiver operating
      characteristic curves. The incidence, patient characteristics, causes of
      intraoperative conversion to on-pump coronary artery bypass (ONCAB), and outcome
      were studied. The all-cause in-hospital mortality was 2.39%. Predicted mortality
      with the EuroSCORE II was 2.03+/-1.63. Using the Hosmer Lemeshow test, a C
      statistic of 8.066 (p = 0.472) was obtained, indicating satisfactory model fit.
      The calculated area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.706
      (p = 0.0002), indicating good discriminatory power. Emergency intraoperative
      conversion to ONCAB occurred in 6.53% of patients. The mortality in the ONCAB
      group was significantly higher compared with patients who underwent successful
      OPCAB surgery (15.18% v 1.5%, p<0.0001). On multiple regression analysis with
      conversion to ONCAB as the endpoint, associated factors were patients with a
      higher EuroSCORE II (odds ratio = 1.13, confidence interval = 1.03-1.27) and more
      than-trivial mitral regurgitation (odds ratio = 1.84, confidence interval = 1.07
      3.06). Net reclassification improvement of 0.714 (p<0.0001) was obtained when on
      pump conversion was added to the EuroSCORE II. CONCLUSIONS: The EuroSCORE II has
      satisfactory calibration and discrimination power to predict mortality after
      OPCAB surgery. Intraoperative conversion to ONCAB is a major complication of
      OPCAB surgery. A higher EuroSCORE II also predicts higher probability of
      conversion to ONCAB.

PMID- 26275519
TI  - Novel Presentation of Flail Mitral Valve.

PMID- 26275520
TI  - Aortic Valve Papillary Fibroelastoma: An Insidious and Unusual Cause of Angina.

PMID- 26275521
TI  - Acute Kidney Injury in Patients Undergoing Open Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair:
      A Pilot Observational Trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent complication after open
      repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). Little research has been done to
      determine whether intraoperative hemodynamic events may precipitate AKI. Novel
      biomarkers also may aid in the earlier diagnosis of AKI. DESIGN: A pilot
      prospective observational trial. SETTING: A single tertiary academic medical
      center. PARTICIPANTS: Participants were 40 adult patients undergoing open repair
      of infrarenal AAA. INTERVENTIONS: Intraoperative hemodynamic monitoring of heart
      rate, mean arterial pressure, central venous pressure, and cardiac index was
      performed on a continuous basis. Blood samples were obtained at baseline and at
      24 hours postoperatively for inflammatory biomarkers, including neutrophil
      gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: AKI
      occurred in 20% of patients (8 of 40). Hypotension, including duration (defined
      as the length of time mean arterial pressure was<65 mmHg) and magnitude (the area
      under the curve of a mean arterial pressure<65 mmHg), was the only factor
      associated with postoperative AKI. Urinary NGAL at the conclusion of surgery had
      excellent ability to predict the development of AKI (area under the curve 0.84,
      95% confidence interval = 0.70-0.97). The cytokines pentraxin 3 (PTX3),
      interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL1-RA), macrophage chemotactic protein (MCP),
      suppressor of tumorigenicity 2 (ST-2), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) also had good
      ability to predict the development of AKI in the immediate postoperative period.
      CONCLUSIONS: AKI occurs frequently in patients undergoing open repair of AAA.
      Intraoperative hypotension was the only factor that predicted the development of
      subsequent AKI. Urinary NGAL and several novel inflammatory biomarkers
      demonstrated good ability to predict its development. Novel biomarkers also may
      aid in the early diagnosis of AKI.

PMID- 26275522
TI  - Levosimendan Treatment for Heart Failure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Emerging studies suggest that administration of levosimendan therapy
      may be better than dobutamine or placebo in decompensated heart failure. The
      authors performed an updated meta-analysis of trials to obtain the best estimates
      of the efficacy and safety of levosimendan for the initial treatment of
      decompensated heart failure. DESIGN: A meta-analysis. SETTING: Hospitals.
      PARTICIPANTS: A total of 5,349 patients from 25 randomized controlled studies
      were included in the analysis. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN
      RESULTS: The authors performed a meta-analysis of trials comparing levosimendan
      therapy with dobutamine or placebo in patients with decompensated heart failure.
      Twenty-five trials, involving 5,349 patients, were included. Two reviewers
      performed independent article review and study quality assessment. Data on
      overall mortality, early-term mortality, midterm mortality, long-term mortality,
      efficacy outcomes, and adverse events were collected. Mortality outcomes were
      according to follow-up duration: early term (<=30-day), midterm (30-day to<=6
      month), and long term (>6-month). Levosimendan was compared with dobutamine or
      placebo, calculating pooled relatives risk (RRs) and associated 95% confidence
      intervals (CIs). A random-effects model was selected for meta-analysis if there
      was significant heterogeneity. Levosimendan significantly reduced total mortality
      (17.1% versus 20.8%; RR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.75-0.94). Compared with dobutamine,
      levosimendan was associated with significant reduction in mortality at final
      follow-up (RR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.76-0.97; I(2) = 7%; p = 0.02).Compared with
      placebo, levosimendan was associated with a nonsignificant trend in favor of
      placebo in mortality at final follow-up (11.6% versus 16.2%, RR, 0.75; 95% CI,
      0.56-1.01; p = 0.06), but it was associated with a significant reduction in long
      term mortality (RR, 0.34; 95%CI, 0.15-0.76; p = 0.009). Compared with dobutamine
      or placebo, levosimendan therapy was associated with improvements in
      hemodynamically- and echocardiographically-derived cardiac parameters.
      Levosimendan therapy increased the risks of extrasystoles (RR, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.26
      2.81), hypotension (RR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.15-1.53), and headache or migraine (RR,
      1.94; 95% CI, 1.54-2.43) when compared with control therapy. CONCLUSIONS: As
      compared to placebo or dobutamine, levosimendan in patients with heart failure
      seemed to have hemodynamic and cardiac benefits. It reduced total mortality and
      was associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular adverse events.

PMID- 26275523
TI  - Echocardiography Is Essential in Detection of Cardiac Tamponade Due to Sliding
      Hiatal Hernia.

PMID- 26275524
TI  - Preface. Microbial Fuel Cells.

PMID- 26275525
TI  - Car driver attitudes, perceptions of social norms and aggressive driving
      behaviour towards cyclists.
AB  - The interaction of car drivers and cyclists is one of the main causes of cycle
      incidents. The role of attitudes and social norms in shaping car drivers'
      aggressive behaviour towards cyclists, is not well understood and merits
      investigation. A sample of 276 drivers completed an online questionnaire
      concerning their attitudes towards cyclists, attitudes towards risky driving,
      perception of social norms concerning aggressive driving towards cyclists, and
      the frequency with which they engage in such aggressive driving behaviours. The
      results showed that attitudes towards cyclists, as well as social norm
      perceptions concerning aggressive driving towards cyclists, were associated with
      aggressive driving towards cyclists. Negative attitudes towards cyclists were
      more pronounced in non-cyclists than cyclists and their association with
      aggressive driving behaviour was stronger in cyclists than non-cyclists. The
      perception of social norms concerning aggressive driving towards cyclists had a
      stronger association with aggressive driving in non-cyclists than cyclists.
      Attitudes towards risk taking did not affect aggressive driving towards cyclists.
      These findings can inform campaigns that aim to improve cyclist and car driver
      interaction on the roads, making them safer to use for cyclists. 

PMID- 26275526
TI  - A Singlet Thiophosphoryl Nitrene and Its Interconversion with Thiazyl and
      Thionitroso Isomers.
AB  - Thiophosphoryl nitrenes, R2P(S)N, are thiazirine-like intermediates that have
      been chemically inferred from trapping products in early solution studies. In
      this work, photolysis of the simplest thiophosphoryl azide, F2P(S)N3, in solid
      noble-gas matrices enabled a first-time spectroscopic (IR and UV-vis)
      identification of the thiophosphoryl nitrene F2P(S)N in its singlet ground state.
      Upon visible-light irradiation (>=495 nm), it converts into the thionitroso
      isomer F2P-N?S, which can also be produced in the gas phase from flash vacuum
      pyrolysis of F2P(S)N3. Further irradiation of F2P-NS with 365 nm UV light leads
      to the reformation of F2P(S)N and isomerization to the thiazyl species F2P-S=N. 

PMID- 26275527
TI  - Enhanced production of (R,R)-2,3-butanediol by metabolically engineered
      Klebsiella oxytoca.
AB  - Microbial fermentation produces a racemic mixture of 2,3-butanediol ((R,R)-BD,
      (S,S)-BD, and meso-BD), and the compositions and physiochemical properties vary
      from microorganism to microorganism. Although the meso form is much more
      difficult to transport and store because of its higher freezing point than those
      of the optically active forms, most microorganisms capable of producing 2,3-BD
      mainly yield meso-2,3-BD. Thus, we developed a metabolically engineered (R,R)-2,3
      BD overproducing strain using a Klebsiella oxytoca DeltaldhA DeltapflB strain,
      which shows an outstanding 2,3-BD production performance with more than 90 % of
      the meso form. A budC gene encoding 2,3-BD dehydrogenase in the K. oxytoca
      DeltaldhA DeltapflB strain was replaced with an exogenous gene encoding (R,R)-2,3
      BD dehydrogenase from Paenibacillus polymyxa (K. oxytoca DeltaldhA DeltapflB
      DeltabudC::PBDH strain), and then its expression level was further amplified with
      using a pBBR1MCS plasmid. The fed-batch fermentation of the K. oxytoca DeltaldhA
      DeltapflB DeltabudC::PBDH (pBBR-PBDH) strain with intermittent glucose feeding
      allowed the production of 106.7 g/L of (R,R)-2,3-BD [meso-2,3-BD, 9.3 g/L], with
      a yield of 0.40 g/g and a productivity of 3.1 g/L/h, which should be useful for
      the industrial application of 2,3-BD.

PMID- 26275528
TI  - Directed optimization of a newly identified squalene synthase from Mortierella
      alpine based on sequence truncation and site-directed mutagenesis.
AB  - Terpenoids, a class of isoprenoids usually isolated from plants, are always used
      as commercial flavor and anticancer drugs. As a key precursor for triterpenes and
      sterols, biosynthesis of squalene (SQ) can be catalyzed by squalene synthase
      (SQS) from two farnesyl diphosphate molecules. In this work, the key SQS gene
      involved in sterols synthesis by Mortierella alpine, an industrial strain often
      used to produce unsaturated fatty acid such as gamma-linolenic acid and
      arachidonic acid, was identified and characterized. Bioinformatic analysis
      indicated that MaSQS contained 416 amino acid residues involved in four highly
      conserved regions. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the closest relationship of
      MaSQS with Ganoderma lucidum and Aspergillus, which also belonged to the member
      of the fungus. Subsequently, the recombinant protein was expressed in Escherichia
      coli BL21(DE3) and detected by SDS-PAGE. To improve the expression and solubility
      of protein, 17 or 27 amino acids in the C-terminal were deleted. In vitro
      activity investigation based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed
      that both the truncated enzymes could functionally catalyze the reaction from FPP
      to SQ and the enzymatic activity was optimal at 37  degrees C, pH 7.2. Moreover,
      based on the site-directed mutagenesis, the mutant enzyme mMaSQSDeltaC17 (E186K)
      displayed a 3.4-fold improvement in catalytic efficiency (k(cat)/K(m)) compared
      to the control. It was the first report of characterization and modification of
      SQS from M. alpine, which facilitated the investigation of isoprenoid
      biosynthesis in the fungus. The engineered mMaSQSDeltaC17 (E186K) can be a
      potential candidate of the terpenes and steroids synthesis employed for synthetic
      biology.

PMID- 26275530
TI  - Antibody-Drug Conjugates.

PMID- 26275529
TI  - In vivo Functional Evaluation of Increased Brain Delivery of the Opioid Peptide
      DAMGO by Glutathione-PEGylated Liposomes.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate formulation factors causing
      improvement in brain delivery of a small peptide after encapsulation into a
      targeted nanocarrier in vivo. METHODS: The evaluation was performed in rats using
      microdialysis, which enabled continuous sampling of the released drug in both the
      brain (striatum) and blood. Uptake in brain could thereby be studied in terms of
      therapeutically active, released drug. RESULTS: We found that encapsulation of
      the peptide DAMGO in fast-releasing polyethylene glycol (PEG)ylated liposomes,
      either with or without the specific brain targeting ligand glutathione (GSH),
      doubled the uptake of DAMGO into the rat brain. The increased brain delivery was
      observed only when the drug was encapsulated into the liposomes, thus excluding
      any effects of the liposomes themselves on the blood-brain barrier integrity as a
      possible mechanism. The addition of a GSH coating on the liposomes did not result
      in an additional increase in DAMGO concentrations in the brain, in contrast to
      earlier studies on GSH coating. This may be caused by differences in the
      characteristics of the encapsulated compounds and the composition of the liposome
      formulations. CONCLUSIONS: We were able to show that encapsulation into PEGylated
      liposomes of a peptide with limited brain delivery could double the drug uptake
      into the brain without using a specific brain targeting ligand.

PMID- 26275531
TI  - Phase I trial of combination of FOLFIRI and pasireotide, a somatostatin analogue,
      in advanced gastrointestinal malignancies.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Pasireotide (SOM230) is a somatostatin analog with high binding
      affinity for somatostatin receptors including sst1, 2, 3 and 5 and inhibit
      insulin like growth factor-1. Blocking of IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) in combination
      with cytotoxic chemotherapy has demonstrated additive or synergistic activity in
      pre-clinical models. This study aimed to evaluate the maximum tolerated dose
      (MTD) of pasireotide in combination with standard FOLFIRI (5-fluorouracil,
      leucovorin and irinotecan) regimen in patients with gastrointestinal
      malignancies. METHODS: This was a phase 1, 3 + 3 design, open-label dose
      escalation study conducted in sequential cohorts to determine the MTD of
      pasireotide in combination with FOLFIRI. All patients had gastrointestinal
      malignancies and were previously treated. Sixteen patients enrolled in five dose
      cohorts at pasireotide doses of 40, 60, 80, 100 and 120 mg were evaluated for
      safety and tolerability of the combination. RESULTS: The tumor types of the
      enrolled subjects included esophageal (n = 5), biliary tract (n = 3), colon (n =
      3), gastric (n = 2), pancreatic (n = 1), anal (n = 1) and small bowel (n = 1). No
      dose limiting toxicities were observed. The most common adverse events related to
      the study treatment included hyperglycemia (81 %), neutropenia (62 %),
      thrombocytopenia (44 %), anorexia (44 %), dehydration (25 %) and elevated
      alkaline phosphatase (25 %). Two patients had partial response and 7 patients had
      stable disease. Plasma levels of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 were significantly reduced
      after treatment with pasireotide. DISCUSSION: Combination of pasireotide and
      FOLFIRI has manageable safety profile and is feasible in patients with
      gastrointestinal malignancies. Preliminary signals of activity were observed.
      Larger phase II trials are warranted.

PMID- 26275533
TI  - Fundamental Use of Surgical Energy (FUSE) certification: validation and
      predictors of success.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The Fundamental Use of Surgical Energy (FUSE) program includes a
      Web-based didactic curriculum and a high-stakes multiple-choice question
      examination with the goal to provide certification of knowledge on the safe use
      of surgical energy-based devices. The purpose of this study was (1) to set a
      passing score through a psychometrically sound process and (2) to determine what
      pretest factors predicted passing the FUSE examination. METHODS: Beta-testing of
      multiple-choice questions on 62 topics of importance to the safe use of surgical
      energy-based devices was performed. Eligible test takers were physicians with a
      minimum of 1 year of surgical training who were recruited by FUSE task force
      members. A pretest survey collected baseline information. RESULTS: A total of 227
      individuals completed the FUSE beta-test, and 208 completed the pretest survey.
      The passing/cut score for the first test form of the FUSE multiple-choice
      examination was determined using the modified Angoff methodology and for the
      second test form was determined using a linear equating methodology. The overall
      passing rate across the two examination forms was 81.5%. Self-reported time
      studying the FUSE Web-based curriculum for a minimum of >2 h was associated with
      a passing examination score (p < 0.001). Performance was not different based on
      increased years of surgical practice (p = 0.363), self-reported expertise on one
      or more types of energy-based devices (p = 0.683), participation in the FUSE
      postgraduate course (p = 0.426), or having reviewed the FUSE manual (p = 0.428).
      Logistic regression found that studying the FUSE didactics for >2 h predicted a
      passing score (OR 3.61; 95% CI 1.44-9.05; p = 0.006) independent of the other
      baseline characteristics recorded. CONCLUSION(S): The development of the FUSE
      examination, including the passing score, followed a psychometrically sound
      process. Self-reported time studying the FUSE curriculum predicted a passing
      score independent of other pretest characteristics such as years in practice and
      self-reported expertise.

PMID- 26275532
TI  - Laparoscopy-assisted open cystogastrostomy and pancreatic debridement for
      necrotizing pancreatitis (with video).
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Pancreatic pseudocysts and walled-off necrosis are well-known
      complications, described in 10% of cases of acute pancreatitis. Open
      cystogastrostomy is usually proposed after failure of minimally invasive drainage
      or in the presence of septic shock. The objective of this study was to evaluate
      the feasibility and efficacy of laparoscopy-assisted open cystogastrostomy for
      treatment of symptomatic pancreatic pseudocyst with pancreatic necrosis.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2011 and October 2014, all patients with
      pseudocyst and pancreatic necrosis undergoing open cystogastrostomy were
      included. Surgical procedure was standardized. The primary efficacy endpoint was
      the feasibility and efficacy of laparoscopy-assisted open cystogastrostomy as
      treatment of symptomatic pancreatic pseudocyst. Secondary endpoints included
      demographic data, preoperative management, operative data, postoperative data and
      follow-up. RESULTS: Laparoscopy-assisted open cystogastrostomy was performed in
      11 patients [six men (54%)], with a median age of 61 years (45-84). Nine patients
      received preoperative radiological or endoscopic management. First-line open
      cystogastrostomy was performed in two cases. Median operating time was 190 min
      (110-240). There was one intraoperative complication related to injury of a
      branch of the superior mesenteric vein. There were no postoperative deaths and
      two postoperative complications (18%) including one major complication
      (postoperative bleeding). The median length of hospital stay after surgery was 16
      days (7-35). The median follow-up was 10 months (2-45). One patient experienced
      recurrence during follow-up. CONCLUSION: Open cystogastrostomy for necrotizing
      pancreatitis promotes adequate internal drainage with few postoperative
      complications and a short length of hospital stay. However, this technique must
      be performed very cautiously due to the risk of vascular injury which can be
      difficult to repair in the context of severe local inflammation related to
      pancreatic necrosis.

PMID- 26275534
TI  - Laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy for complicated diverticulitis is safe: review of
      576 consecutive colectomies.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic resection of diverticular disease is typically offered
      to selected patients. We present the outcomes of laparoscopic colectomy in
      consecutive patients suffering from either simple diverticulitis (SD) or
      complicated diverticulitis (CD). PURPOSE: To examine the outcomes of laparoscopic
      sigmoid colectomy for complicated diverticulitis. METHODS: Between December 2001
      and May 2013, all patients with diverticulitis requiring elective operation were
      offered laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy as the initial approach. All cases were
      managed at a large tertiary care center on the colorectal surgery service.
      Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative variables were prospectively
      entered into the colorectal surgery service database (CRSD) and analyzed
      retrospectively. RESULTS: Of the 576 patients in the CRSD, 139 (24.1%) had CD.
      The overall conversion rate was 12.8% (n = 74). The average BMI was 29.8 kg/m(2).
      The conversion rate for CD was 12.2%. The return of bowel function time was
      delayed in the CD group when compared to the SD group (3.1 vs 3.8 days, p =
      0.04). The hospital length of stay (HLOS) was similar between the groups (5.1 vs
      5.8 days, p = 0.08). The overall anastomotic leak rate was 2.1% (n = 12).
      Patients undergoing laparoscopic resection for SD had a postoperative
      complication rate of 10.0% (n = 38), whereas those with CD had a postoperative
      morbidity rate of 19.6% (n = 24). CD patients who had conversion to an open
      procedure had an even higher rate of postoperative complications (29.4%, n = 5, p
      = 0.35). On non-parsimonious multivariate adjustment, only CD (RR 1.96, 95% CI
      1.11-3.46, p = 0.02) was found to be an independent risk factor for the
      development of postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: Complicated
      diverticulitis did not affect the conversion rate to an open procedure. However,
      patients with CD are prone to postoperative complications. The laparoscopic
      approach to sigmoid colectomy is safe and preferable in experienced hands.

PMID- 26275535
TI  - Electrocautery device does not provide adequate pulmonary vessel sealing in
      transumbilical anatomic pulmonary lobectomy.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Safe pulmonary vessel sealing device plays a crucial role in
      anatomic lung resection. In 2014, we reported high rates of massive bleeding
      complications during transumbilical lobectomy in a canine model due to difficulty
      in managing the pulmonary vessel with an endostapler. In this animal survival
      series, we aimed to evaluate the outcome of pulmonary vessel sealing with an
      electrocautery device to simplify the transumbilical thoracic surgery. METHODS:
      Under general anesthesia, a 3-cm longitudinal incision was made over the
      umbilicus. Under video guidance, a bronchoscope was inserted through the incision
      for exploration. The diaphragmatic wound was created with an electrocautery knife
      and used as the entrance into the thoracic cavity. Using the transumbilical
      technique, anatomic lobectomy was performed with electrosurgical devices and
      endoscopic vascular staplers in 15 canines. RESULTS: Transumbilical endoscopic
      anatomic lobectomy was successfully completed in 12 of the 15 animals.
      Intraoperative bleeding developed in three animals during pulmonary hilum
      dissection, where one animal was killed due to hemodynamic instability and the
      other two animals required thoracotomy to complete the operation. There were five
      delayed bleeding and surgical mortality cases caused by inadequate vessel sealing
      by electrosurgical devices. Postmortem examination confirmed correct
      transumbilical lobectomy in the twelve animals that survived the operations.
      CONCLUSION: Transumbilical anatomic lobectomy is technically feasible in a canine
      model; however, the electrosurgical devices were not effective in sealing the
      pulmonary vessel in the current canine model.

PMID- 26275536
TI  - Trangastric endo-organ resection of a proximal gastric lesion.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Gastric tumors confined to mucosa and submucosa can be resected
      with endoscopic resection techniques. They include endoscopic mucosal resection
      (EMR) or endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) [1, 2]. These techniques can be
      challenging when the tumor is large or is near the gastroesophageal (GE)
      junction. Transgastric resection is a novel technique of removing gastric tumors
      that are unresectable by endoscopy due to their size and location. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: We present a case of a 41-year-old male where a suspicious appearing
      lesion near the GE junction was removed using combined trans-gastric laparoscopic
      and endoscopic technique. The stomach was inflated using endoscopy, and three 5
      mm balloon-tipped trocars were inserted directly into the stomach. The lesion was
      lifted with submucosal injection of saline and was resected using ultrasonic
      dissection device. The specimen was retrieved using Rothnet through the
      endoscope. The mucosal defect was closed with absorbable sutures. Trocars were
      removed and gastrostomy sites were closed with Endostitch device. Swallow study
      done on post-op day 2 did not show any signs of leak. Patient was discharged home
      on post-op day 5. Final pathology was consistent with hyperplastic polyp.
      CONCLUSION: Proximal Gastric lesions can be safely removed with combined
      Laparoscopic trans-gastric and endoscopic approach.

PMID- 26275537
TI  - Long-term outcomes of combined endoscopic/laparoscopic intragastric enucleation
      of presumed gastric stromal tumors.
AB  - PURPOSE: Definitive surgical treatment of gastric myogenic neoplasms such as
      gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) typically involves full-thickness
      resection of the lesion with normal gastric wall as the margin. This is not
      readily possible with proximal gastric lesions near the gastroesophageal
      junction, nor necessary for small incidental lesions. We have employed a combined
      endoscopic/laparoscopic intraluminal enucleation technique for selected patients
      and report long-term surveillance following this novel technique. METHODS:
      Retrospective review of patients who have undergone intraluminal laparoscopic
      resection from 1994 to 2008. RESULTS: Fifteen patients who underwent intraluminal
      enucleation were followed up for a median of 61 months. There were eight men and
      seven women with a mean age of 62.1 +/- 3.38 years. Eight patients (53 %)
      underwent endoscopy for gastrointestinal bleeding, six for dyspepsia (40 %), six
      for anemia (40 %), and four for abdominal pain (27 %). Eight lesions (53 %) were
      located in the fundus/cardia: six (40 %) in the body and two (13 %) in the
      antrum. The mean tumor size was 3.5 +/- 0.45 (1.5-7.0) cm. GIST lesions with
      benign histologic features predominated. All operations were successfully
      completed, including full-thickness resections with no conversion to open
      procedure, major morbidity, or mortality. Complete endoscopic and endosonographic
      surveillance was accomplished in 14 patients with no local or distant recurrence
      and no symptomatic follow-up in any patient. CONCLUSION: Enucleation of intact
      gastrointestinal stromal tumors can be accomplished with low risk of recurrence
      when done with a combined endoscopic/laparoscopic intraluminal technique. It
      should be the preferred approach considered for small, proximal, intraluminal
      tumors.

PMID- 26275539
TI  - Revisional surgery after failed esophagogastric myotomy for achalasia: successful
      esophageal preservation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Treatment failure with recurrent dysphagia after Heller myotomy
      occurs in fewer than 10 % of patients, most of whom will seek repeat surgical
      intervention. These reoperations are technically challenging, and as such, there
      exist only limited reports of reoperation with esophageal preservation. METHODS:
      We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients who sought operative
      intervention from March 1998 to December 2014 for obstructed swallowing after
      esophagogastric myotomy. All patients underwent a systematic approach, including
      complete hiatal dissection, takedown of prior fundoplication, and endoscopic
      assessment of myotomy. Patterns of failure were categorized as: fundoplication
      failure, inadequate myotomy, fibrosis, and mucosal stricture. RESULTS: A total of
      58 patients underwent 65 elective reoperations. Four patients underwent
      esophagectomy as their initial reoperation, while three patients ultimately
      required esophagectomy. The remainder underwent reoperations with the goal of
      esophageal preservation. Of these 58, 46 were first-time reoperations; ten were
      second time; and two were third-time reoperations. Forty-one had prior operations
      via a trans-abdominal approach, 11 via thoracic approach, and 6 via combined
      approaches. All reoperations at our institution were performed laparoscopically
      (with two conversions to open). Inadequate myotomy was identified in 53 % of
      patients, fundoplication failure in 26 %, extensive fibrosis in 19 %, and mucosal
      stricture in 2 %. Intraoperative esophagogastric perforation occurred in 19 % of
      patients and was repaired. Our postoperative leak rate was 5 %. Esophageal
      preservation was possible in 55 of the 58 operations in which it was attempted.
      At median follow-up of 34 months, recurrent dysphagia after reoperation was seen
      in 63 % of those with a significant fibrosis versus 28 % with inadequate myotomy,
      25 % with failed wrap, and 100 % with mucosal stricture (p = 0.10). CONCLUSIONS:
      Laparoscopic reoperation with esophageal preservation is successful in the
      majority of patients with recurrent dysphagia after Heller myotomy. The pattern
      of failure has implications for relief of dysphagia with reoperative
      intervention.

PMID- 26275540
TI  - The threatened stomach: management of the acute gastric volvulus.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Acute presentation of gastric volvulus is a rare condition with a
      high mortality for acute ischaemia. This study was undertaken to investigate the
      acute management, diagnosis, and long-term outcomes of patients presenting with
      acute gastric volvulus. METHODS: Cases were reviewed retrospectively from 2004 to
      2014. Patients presenting as an emergency admission with acute gastric volvulus
      were included. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients were included, five of whom had
      previous surgery. The mean age was 71 years old. All patients presented with
      vomiting and chest/epigastric pain. CT was diagnostic in all 26 patients. Barium
      swallow was diagnostic in two/four patients. OGD was diagnostic in 9 of 20
      patients. All patients had an NG tube placed, and eight patients were treated
      conservatively and made a full recovery. Twenty-nine patients proceeded to
      surgery. Nine had a laparoscopic repair with two open conversions. Four patients
      had gastric necrosis, and all had open surgery with resection. Three patients had
      a mediastinal perforation, and one patient required an additional thoracotomy.
      All patients with viable stomach had a hiatal repair (where appropriate), 11 had
      a gastropexy, and 11 had a fundoplication. Mortality for gastric
      necrosis/perforation was 30 %. Mean postoperative stay was 4 days for
      laparoscopic repair and 8 days for uncomplicated open surgery. Nine of twenty
      nine had transient dysphagia postoperatively. Three of eight patients treated
      conservatively had an elective procedure subsequently. CONCLUSIONS: Acute
      paraoesophageal hiatus hernia requires early resuscitation and diagnosis. CT
      should be favoured in assessment, and an NG tube placed promptly. A conservative
      management may be considered safely in stable patients. Surgical management
      should be prompt for unstable patients. Gastric ischaemia or perforation has a
      mortality of 30 %. Laparoscopic repair has a shorter postoperative stay, but has
      a higher recurrence rate. Surgery for patients without gastric ischaemia has good
      long-term outcomes with minimal morbidity.

PMID- 26275538
TI  - Laparoscopic lateral pelvic lymph node dissection is achievable and offers
      advantages as a minimally invasive surgery over the open approach.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic lateral pelvic lymph node dissection (LPLD) is a
      minimally invasive alternative to open surgical therapy for advanced low rectal
      cancer patients. This study assessed potential risk factors for lateral pelvic
      lymph node metastasis (LPLM) and evaluated the feasibility and oncological safety
      of laparoscopic LPLD compared with the conventional open approach. METHODS: We
      retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of 90 patients with advanced low
      rectal cancer who underwent LPLD following total mesorectal excision at Kyushu
      University Hospital between January 2001 and July 2014. We compared the
      clinicopathological features between the patients with and without LPLM and the
      surgical outcomes between patients who underwent laparoscopic LPLD (LL) and open
      LPLD (OL). RESULTS: Fourteen (15.6 %) patients had LPLM. Univariate analysis
      revealed that undifferentiated cancer, positive lymphatic invasion, >50 %
      circumferential cancer extent, mesorectal lymph node metastases (MLM), and
      distant metastasis were associated with LPLM. In the multivariate analysis, MLM
      was the only independent risk factor for LPLM. Forty-six (51.1 %) patients
      underwent LL, and 44 (48.9 %) patients underwent OL. The mean surgical duration
      was longer in the LL group than in the OL group (641.0 vs. 312.0 min, P < 0.001).
      The LL group also had less hemorrhage (252.0 vs. 815.0 mL, P < 0.001) and a
      shorter hospital stay (22.9 vs. 29.1 days, P = 0.04) than the OL group. The mean
      number of harvested lateral pelvic lymph nodes was larger in the LL group than in
      the OL group (19.5 vs. 15.8, P < 0.05). The morbidity rate and overall survival
      (3-year OS: 94.7 vs. 82.9 %, P = 0.25) did not differ between the two groups.
      CONCLUSIONS: Patients with advanced low rectal cancer presenting MLM are good
      candidates for LPLD. Laparoscopic LPLD enables retrieval of more lymph nodes and
      may be acceptable for the treatment of advanced low rectal cancer.

PMID- 26275541
TI  - Laparoscopic surgery in middle- and low-income countries: gasless lift
      laparoscopic surgery.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Surgically treatable conditions are an increasing burden in low-
      and middle-income countries, and recent studies suggest they have overtaken the
      "big three" (malaria, tuberculosis and HIV) as a cause of mortality. AIM: In this
      context, we have worked to modify standard laparoscopic equipment to allow
      laparoscopy in remote areas without support services such as bottled gases or
      disposable instruments. RESULTS: A simple and reliable system of gasless
      laparoscopy has been developed using robust reusable instruments, widening the
      potential availability of laparoscopic surgery in remote and rural areas.
      CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that, using this equipment, appropriately
      trained surgeons can provide minimally invasive surgery in even the most remote
      locations.

PMID- 26275542
TI  - The First Decade of Laparoscopic Pancreaticoduodenectomy in the United States:
      Costs and Outcomes Using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) remains an uncommon
      procedure, and the safety and efficacy remain uncertain beyond single institution
      case series. The aim of this study is to compare outcomes and costs between
      laparoscopic (LPD) and open PD (OPD) using a large population-based database.
      METHODS: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample database (a sample of approximately 20 %
      of all hospital discharges) was analyzed to identify patients who underwent PD
      from 2000 to 2010. Patient demographics, comorbidities, hospital characteristics,
      inflation-adjusted total charges, and complications were evaluated using
      univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Hospitals were categorized as
      high-volume hospitals (HVH) if more than 20 PD (open and laparoscopic) were
      performed annually, while those performing fewer than 20 PD were classified as
      low-volume hospitals. RESULTS: Of the 15,574 PD identified, 681 cases were LPD
      (4.4 %). Compared to OPD, patients who underwent LPD were slightly older (65 vs.
      67 years; p = 0.001) and were more commonly treated at HVH (56.6 vs. 66.1 %; p <
      0.001). Higher rates of complications were observed in OPD than LPD (46 vs. 39.4
      %; p = 0.001), though mortality rates were comparable (5 vs. 3.8 %, p = 0.27).
      Inflation-adjusted median hospital charges were similar between OPD and LPD
      ($87,577 vs. $81,833, p = 0.199). However, hospital stay was slightly longer in
      the OPD group compared to LPD group (12 vs. 11 days, p < 0.001). Stratifying
      outcomes by hospital volume, LPD at HVH resulted in shorter hospital stays (9 vs.
      13 days, p < 0.001), which translated into significantly lower median hospital
      charges ($76,572 vs. $106,367, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to fears
      regarding the potential for compromised outcomes early in the learning curve, LPD
      morbidity in its first decade is modestly reduced, while hospital costs are
      comparable to OPD. In high-volume pancreatic hospitals, LPD is associated with a
      reduction in length of stay and hospital costs.

PMID- 26275543
TI  - Weight-loss outcomes of SPIDER((r)) sleeve gastrectomy at 6 months compared to
      traditional laparoscopic technique.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) has become a primary stand
      alone procedure for weight-loss surgery. The standard technique for LSG involves
      several small abdominal incisions. The single port instrument delivery extended
      reach (SPIDER((r))) surgical system has been introduced as a single site
      modality. This technique has been described previously; however, weight-loss
      outcomes of SPIDER((r)) sleeve gastrectomy have not been compared to multi-port
      LSG. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of a prospectively collected
      database. All cases were performed by a single surgeon between August 2011 and
      September 2013. Thirty-two patients underwent SPIDER((r)) sleeve gastrectomy,
      while 30 underwent LSG. Primary outcomes were change in BMI and percent excess
      weight loss (%EWL) at 6 months post-operatively. Secondary outcomes included:
      operative time, estimated blood loss (EBL), and complications. RESULTS: There
      were no demographic differences between cohorts except initial BMI (SPIDER((r)) =
      42.1, LSG = 46.5, p < 0.001). Mean %EWL at 6 months post-operatively was higher
      in the SPIDER((r)) cohort (59.1 vs. 48.3 %, p < 0.005). Similarly there was a
      lower mean BMI at 6 months post-operatively in the SPIDER((r)) cohort (31.1 vs.
      35.5, p < 0.0001). The net change in BMI for each cohort was equivalent
      (SPIDER((r)) = 11.1, LSG = 11.0, p = 0.95). Mean operative time was longer in
      SPIDER((r)) cases (104.6 vs. 90.7 min, p < 0.02), while EBL was equivalent (32.1
      vs. 34.3 mL, p = 0.56). There was one post-operative hemorrhage requiring
      laparoscopic clot evacuation in the SPIDER((r)) cohort, and one wound infection
      in the LSG cohort. CONCLUSIONS: SPIDER((r)) sleeve gastrectomy is not inferior to
      LSG with regard to decrease in BMI and %EWL at 6-months post-operatively. The
      higher %EWL observed in the SPIDER((r)) cohort is likely due to patient selection
      bias. This study demonstrates that the SPIDER((r)) technique is a viable
      alternative to LSG with similar weight-loss outcomes.

PMID- 26275544
TI  - Laparoscopic versus open surgery for complicated appendicitis in adults: a
      randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess whether laparoscopic appendectomy
      (LA) for complicated appendicitis (CA) effectively reduces the incidence of
      postoperative complications and improves various measurements of postoperative
      recovery in adults compared with open appendectomy (OA). METHODS: This single
      center, randomized controlled trial was performed in the Nagoya Daini Red Cross
      Hospital. Patients diagnosed as having CA with peritonitis or abscess formation
      were eligible to participate and were randomly assigned to an LA group or an OA
      group. The primary study outcome was development of infectious complications,
      especially surgical site infection (SSI), within 30 days of surgery. RESULTS:
      Between October 2008 and August 2014, 81 patients were enrolled and randomly
      assigned with a 1:1 allocation ratio (42, LA; 39, OA). All were eligible for
      study of the primary endpoint. Groups were well balanced in terms of patient
      characteristics and preoperative levels of C-reactive protein. SSI occurred in 14
      LA group patients (33.3 %) and in 10 OA group patients (25.6 %) (OR 1.450, 95 %
      CI 0.553-3.800; p = 0.476). Overall, the rate of postoperative complications,
      including incisional or organ/space SSI and stump leakage, did not differ
      significantly between groups. No significant differences between groups were
      found in hospital stay, duration of drainage, analgesic use, or parameters for
      postoperative recovery except days to walking. CONCLUSION: These results
      suggested that LA for CA is safe and feasible, while the distinguishing benefit
      of LA was not validated in this clinical trial.

PMID- 26275546
TI  - 30-Day readmission after bariatric surgery in a publicly funded regionalized
      center of excellence system.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Avoidable readmission after surgery is a major burden on healthcare
      resources and is common after major surgery. Bariatric surgery is one of the most
      common surgical procedures in North America, and there is a paucity of strategies
      to prevent readmission. Strategies for prevention must first identify actual risk
      factors before interventions can be designed. METHODS: Our objective was to
      evaluate the readmission rate, characteristics of readmitted patients, and
      factors associated with readmission. We performed a population-based cohort study
      that included all patients who received a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) or
      sleeve gastrectomy (SG) procedure in Ontario from April 2009 until March 2012 for
      the purposes of weight loss. Data were derived from the Canadian Institute for
      Health Information Discharge Abstract Database and Hospital Morbidity Database.
      RESULTS: Over 3 years, 5007 procedures (91.7 % RYGB, 8.1 % SG) were performed
      with an overall 30-day readmission rate of 6.1 %. Readmission stays of 72 h or
      less accounted for 83 % of the cohort. The most common reasons for readmission
      were: infectious complications (24.6 %), pain (16.4 %) nausea/vomiting (11.5 %),
      bleeding complications (11.5 %), obstruction (5.6 %). A complication during
      initial admission OR 2.07 (95 % CI 1.44-2.97; P value < 0.001) and a length of
      stay greater than 2 days OR 1.40 (95 % CI 1.07-1.84; P value = 0.013) were
      independent predictors of readmission within 30 days. CONCLUSION: The readmission
      rate after bariatric surgery in Ontario is similar to other major population
      based bariatric surgery programs. Complications on initial admission and
      prolonged length of stay were independent predictors of readmission. Considering
      a large proportion of the readmissions were short term, future research into
      potential measures to prevent these readmissions is essential.

PMID- 26275545
TI  - What is the evidence for the use of low-pressure pneumoperitoneum? A systematic
      review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic surgery has several advantages when compared to open
      surgery, including faster postoperative recovery and lower pain scores. However,
      for laparoscopy, a pneumoperitoneum is required to create workspace between the
      abdominal wall and intraabdominal organs. Increased intraabdominal pressure may
      also have negative implications on cardiovascular, pulmonary, and intraabdominal
      organ functionings. To overcome these negative consequences, several trials have
      been performed comparing low- versus standard-pressure pneumoperitoneum. METHODS:
      A systematic review of all randomized controlled clinical trials and
      observational studies comparing low- versus standard-pressure pneumoperitoneum.
      RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Quality assessment showed that the overall quality of
      evidence was moderate to low. Postoperative pain scores were reduced by the use
      of low-pressure pneumoperitoneum. With appropriate perioperative measures, the
      use of low-pressure pneumoperitoneum does not seem to have clinical advantages as
      compared to standard pressure on cardiac and pulmonary function. Although there
      are indications that low-pressure pneumoperitoneum is associated with less liver
      and kidney injury when compared to standard-pressure pneumoperitoneum, this does
      not seem to have clinical implications for healthy individuals. The influence of
      low-pressure pneumoperitoneum on adhesion formation, anastomosis healing, tumor
      metastasis, intraocular and intracerebral pressure, and thromboembolic
      complications remains uncertain, as no human clinical trials have been performed.
      The influence of pressure on surgical conditions and safety has not been
      established to date. In conclusion, the most important benefit of low-pressure
      pneumoperitoneum is lower postoperative pain scores, supported by a moderate
      quality of evidence. However, the quality of surgical conditions and safety of
      the use of low-pressure pneumoperitoneum need to be established, as are the
      values and preferences of physicians and patients regarding the potential
      benefits and risks. Therefore, the recommendation to use low-pressure
      pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopy is weak, and more studies are required.

PMID- 26275547
TI  - Has endoscopic (TEP, TAPP) or open inguinal hernia repair a higher risk of
      bleeding in patients with coagulopathy or antithrombotic therapy? Data from the
      Herniamed Registry.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Inguinal hernia operations in the presence of antithrombotic
      therapy, based on antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs, or existing coagulopathy
      are associated with a markedly higher risk for onset of postoperative secondary
      bleeding. To date, there is a paucity of concrete data on this important clinical
      aspect of inguinal hernia surgery. Up till now, the endoscopic (TEP, TAPP)
      techniques have been considered to be more risky because of the extensive
      dissection involved. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Out of the 82,911 patients featured in
      the Herniamed Hernia Registry who had undergone inguinal hernia repair, 9115 (11
      %) were operated on while receiving antithrombotic therapy or with existing
      coagulopathy. The implications of that risk profile for onset of postoperative
      bleeding were investigated in multivariable analysis. In addition, other
      influence variables were identified. RESULTS: The rate of postoperative secondary
      bleeding, at 3.91 %, was significantly higher in the risk group with coagulopathy
      or receiving antithrombotic therapy than in the group without that risk profile
      at 1.12 % (p < 0.001). Multivariable analysis revealed other influence variables
      which, in addition to coagulopathy or antithrombotic therapy, had a relevant
      influence on the occurrence of postoperative bleeding. These were open operation,
      a higher age, a higher ASA score, recurrence, male gender and a large hernia
      defect. Patients receiving antithrombotic therapy or with existing coagulopathy
      who undergo inguinal hernia operation have a fourfold higher risk for onset of
      postoperative secondary bleeding. Despite the extensive dissection required for
      endoscopic (TEP, TAPP) inguinal hernia repair, the risk of bleeding complications
      and complication-related reoperation appears to be lower.

PMID- 26275548
TI  - Financial modeling of current surgical robotic system in outpatient laparoscopic
      cholecystectomy: how should we think about the expense?
AB  - INTRODUCTION: More than 500,000 robotically assisted procedures were performed
      worldwide in 2013. Despite broad adoption, there remains a lack of clarity
      concerning the added cost of the robotic system to the procedure especially in
      light of an increasing number of ambulatory procedures which are now marketed by
      hospitals, surgeons and the manufacturer. These procedures are associated with
      much less reimbursement than inpatient procedures. It is unclear whether these
      added expenses can be absorbed in these scenarios. Reports vary in opinion
      concerning the added net costs during robotically assisted laparoscopic hernia or
      cholecystectomy. METHODS: The worldwide revenues, procedures, and the installed
      base of robotic system data were reviewed and reanalyzed from the 2013 Intuitive
      Surgical Investors report. This provided an opportunity to look cost per case
      projections from the vantage point of actual revenue. RESULTS: This analysis was
      based on revenue of 2.27 billion US dollars in the three categories of capital
      acquisition, instrumentation and accessories, and service revenue. These revenues
      were then spread across 523,000 cases with varying assumptions. Without regard to
      expense offsets, the additional cost ranges from $2908 to $8675 depending on what
      system was purchased and the ability to distribute costs against case volume.
      Estimates of commercial and government revenue were then compared against these
      expenses. CONCLUSION: The use of the extraordinary technology in the face of low
      morbidity low-cost established minimally invasive procedures needs to withstand
      scrutiny of outcome assessment, revenue and expense considerations and
      appropriateness review in order to create financially viable approaches to high
      volume minimally invasive procedures. Revenue estimates associated with
      outpatient reimbursement make it difficult to support these expenses, recognizing
      inpatient procedures represent a different net financial picture.

PMID- 26275549
TI  - Pilot study of a novel pain management strategy: evaluating the impact on patient
      outcomes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Our objective was to evaluate the impact of a novel multimodal pain
      management strategy on intraoperative opioid requirements, postoperative pain,
      narcotic use, and length of stay. METHODS: Consecutive patients undergoing
      elective laparoscopic colorectal resection were managed with an experimental
      protocol. The protocol uses a post-induction, pre-incision bilateral TAP block
      and local peritoneal infiltration at port sites with long-acting liposomal
      bupivacaine (20 mL long-acting liposomal bupivacaine, 30 mL 0.25 % bupivacaine,
      30 mL saline). Experimental patients were matched on age, body mass index,
      gender, comorbidity, diagnosis, and procedure to a control group that received no
      block or local wound infiltration. Both groups followed a standardized enhanced
      recovery pathway. Demographics, perioperative, and postoperative outcomes were
      evaluated. The main outcome measures were intraoperative opioids, postoperative
      pain, opioid use, and length of stay. RESULTS: Fifty patients were analyzed-25
      experimental and 25 controls. Patients were well matched on all demographics. In
      both cohorts, the main diagnosis was colorectal cancer and primary procedure
      performed a segmental resection. Operative times were similar (p = 0.41).
      Experimental patients received significantly less intraoperative fentanyl (mean
      158 mcg experimental vs. 299 mcg control; p < 0.01). The experimental group had
      significantly lower initial (p < 0.01) and final PACU pain scores (p = 0.04) and
      shorter LOS (3.0 vs. 4.1 days, p = 0.04) compared to controls. Experimental
      patients trended toward shorter PACU times and lower opioid use and daily pain
      scores throughout the hospital stay. Postoperative complication and readmission
      rates were similar across groups. There were no reoperations or mortality.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our multimodal pain management strategy reduced intraoperative
      opioid administration. Postoperatively, improvements in PACU time, postoperative
      pain and narcotic use, and lengths of stay were seen in the experimental cohort.
      With the favorable finding from the pilot study, further investigation is
      warranted to fully evaluate the impact of this pain management protocol on
      patient satisfaction, clinical and financial outcomes.

PMID- 26275550
TI  - Real-time fluorescence angiography by intra-arterial indocyanine green injection
      to identify obscure gastrointestinal bleeding territory: proof of concept in the
      porcine model.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite intensive preoperative localization workouts, intraoperative
      localization of the bleeding source in case of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding
      (OGIB) can be cumbersome and time-consuming. Our aim was to assess the
      feasibility of image-guided laparoscopic identification of the small bowel loop
      containing the bleeding source with and without near-infrared angiographic
      enhancement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Angiography of superior mesenteric artery
      (SMA) branches was performed in 11 pigs using a right femoral artery approach,
      followed by a three-port laparoscopy, using a near-infrared-equipped laparoscope.
      Two pigs were used to identify the optimal intra-arterial indocyanine green (ICG)
      dose. Eight pigs were divided into two groups: ICG near-infrared angiography
      assisted laparoscopy (n = 4) and fluoroscopic-assisted laparoscopy (n = 4).
      Finally, in one pig, a novel OGIB model was created and used to evaluate the ICG
      enhancement pattern in the presence of active bleeding. RESULTS: Mean time to
      identify the fluorescence signal from the small bowel segment fed by the
      catheterized SMA branch was 13.75 +/- 7.8 s, which was statistically
      significantly shorter than the time required to identify the tip of the catheter
      by fluoroscopic guidance, i.e., 243.25 +/- 107 s (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Near
      infrared fluorescence angiography using intra-arterial ICG injection provides a
      fast image-guided intraoperative localization of the small bowel loop fed by the
      arterial territory identified as bleeding by digital subtraction angiography and
      could help target the bleeding source during OGIB surgery.

PMID- 26275551
TI  - Feasibility and safety of laparoendoscopic single-site surgery of total
      extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair after previous open groin hernia repair: a
      comparative study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study is aimed at evaluating the feasibility and safety of
      laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) for totally extraperitoneal (TEP)
      endoscopic hernia surgery after previous open groin hernia repair that may hamper
      preperitoneal dissection. METHODS: This prospective cohort study included 213
      consecutive patients undergoing LESS TEP hernia repair between January 2009 and
      December 2013. The study group consisted of 36 patients with a history of
      previous open inguinal hernia repair before undergoing LESS TEP hernia repair.
      The study enrolled the other 177 patients who underwent LESS TEP during the same
      period and were enrolled as the control group. We obtained perioperative data for
      all patients including demographic data, operation time, length of hospital stay,
      narcotic dose, conversions, and complications. RESULTS: A total of 213 patients
      with inguinal hernia underwent LESS TEP repair. One case in the control group
      (0.56 %) required conversion to LESS transabdominal preperitoneal hernia repair,
      while no cases in the study group required conversion. We observed no differences
      between the two groups in terms of operative time, analgesic use, hospital stay,
      and postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: LESS TEP hernia repair for patients
      with previous open inguinal hernia repair can be performed safely by experienced
      surgeons. Operative outcomes were comparable between both the primary inguinal
      and recurrent hernia groups.

PMID- 26275552
TI  - Endoscopic suturing versus endoscopic clip closure of the mucosotomy during a per
      oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM): a case-control study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Obtaining an adequate mucosal closure is one of the crucial steps
      in per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM). Thus far, there have been no objective
      data comparing the various available closure techniques. This case-controlled
      study attempts to compare the application of endoscopic clips versus endoscopic
      suturing for mucosotomy closure during POEM cases. METHODS: A retrospective
      review of our prospective POEM database was performed. All cases in which
      endoscopic suturing was used to close the mucosotomy were matched to cases in
      which standard endoclips were used. Overall complication rate, closure time and
      mucosal closure costs between the two groups were compared. RESULTS: Both
      techniques offer good clinical results with good mucosal closure and the absence
      of postoperative leak. Closure time was significantly shorter (p = 0.044) with
      endoscopic clips (16 +/- 12 min) when compared to endoscopic suturing (33 +/- 11
      min). Overall, the total closure cost analysis showed a trend toward lower cost
      with clips (1502 +/- 849 USD) versus endoscopic suturing (2521 +/- 575 USD)
      without reaching statistical significance (p = 0.073). CONCLUSION: The use of
      endoscopic suturing seems to be a safe method for mucosal closure in POEM cases.
      Closure time is longer with suturing than conventional closure with clips, and
      there is a trend toward higher overall cost. Endoscopic suturing is likely most
      cost-effective for difficult cases where conventional closure methods fail.

PMID- 26275553
TI  - Surgical management of super-super obese patients: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass
      versus sleeve gastrectomy.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Among morbidly obese adult patients (BMI >40 kg/m(2)), those who
      are super-super obese (BMI >60 kg/m(2)) present particular challenges for
      bariatric surgeons. Surgical management of super-super obese (SSO) patients has
      been associated with higher morbidity and mortality and increased surgical risk.
      The optimal surgical management of these patients is controversial. The aim of
      this study was to compare perioperative outcomes, percent excess weight loss
      (%EWL), and percent weight loss (%WL) in super-super obese patients who underwent
      either SG or RYGB. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a nonrandomized,
      controlled, retrospective review of 89 SSO patients who underwent SG or RYGB at
      the University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System from January 2008
      to June 2014. Patient demographics, pre-surgical comorbidities, perioperative
      parameters, post-operative complications (leak, conversion to open surgery, and
      30-day mortality), and post-operative outcome months were examined. RESULTS:
      Seventy-seven patients underwent SG (nine robotic sleeve and 68 laparoscopic
      sleeve gastrectomy), and 12 underwent RYGB. The mean pre-operative BMI was 63.4
      kg/m(2) (SD = 3.7 kg/m(2)). The mean operative time was 88.4 min (SD = 31.7) for
      the SG patients and 219.2 min (SD = 80.2) for the RYGB patients. There were no
      significant differences in complications or length of hospitalization between the
      groups. There were significant differences in %EWL and %WL at 12- and 24-month
      follow-up between groups (p's < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results from
      this sample of patients, SG and RYGB appear to be viable procedures for the
      surgical management of super-super obese patients. RYGB, however, provides a
      significantly higher %EWL and %WL at 12 and 24 months compared to SG, which in
      turn, yields acceptable but lower %EWL and %WL.

PMID- 26275554
TI  - Laparoscopic simultaneous resection of colorectal primary tumor and liver
      metastases: a propensity score matching analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Preliminary series have shown the feasibility of combined
      laparoscopic resection of colorectal cancer (CRC) and synchronous colorectal
      liver metastases (SCRLM). The aim of this study was to compare the short- and
      long-term outcomes for matched patients undergoing combined resections. METHODS:
      An international multicenter database of 142 patients that underwent combined
      laparoscopic resection of CRC and SCRLM between 1997 and 2013 was compared to a
      database of 241 patients treated by open during the same period. Comparison of
      short- and long-term outcomes was performed after propensity score adjustment.
      RESULTS: After matching, 89 patients were compared in each group including mostly
      ASA I-II patients, presenting with mean number of 1.5 CRLM, with a mean diameter
      of 30 mm, and resectable by a wedge resection or a left lateral sectionectomy. A
      rectal resection was required in 46 and 43 % of laparoscopic and open procedures,
      respectively (p = 0.65). There was no difference in global operative time, blood
      loss and transfusion rates between the two groups. A conversion was required in 7
      % of the laparoscopic procedures. Morbidity rates were similar in the two groups
      (p = 1.0). The 3-year overall survival in the laparoscopy and open groups were 78
      and 65 %, respectively (p = 0.17). CONCLUSIONS: In patients without severe
      comorbidities presenting with one, small (<=3 cm), CRLM resectable by a wedge
      resection or a left lateral sectionectomy, combined laparoscopic resection of CRC
      and SCRLM allowed similar short- and long-term outcomes compared with the open
      approach.

PMID- 26275555
TI  - Long-term outcome of laparoscopic ablation therapies for unresectable
      hepatocellular carcinoma: a single European center experience of 426 patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is widely used as a first-line option
      in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, since percutaneous
      approach of RFA may be, in some cases, unfeasible by the tumor size and its
      location, laparoscopic ablation therapies (LATs) were used as an alternative.
      Objective of the present study was to assess the efficacy of laparoscopic
      ultrasound examination in addition to LATs in the treatment of HCC in patients
      not eligible for percutaneous RFA or surgical resection. METHODS: Four hundred
      and twenty-six patients who underwent LATs were analyzed. Laparoscopic approach
      was offered to patients fulfilling at least one of the following criteria: (a)
      patients with a single nodule or up to three nodules smaller than 3 cm not
      suitable for liver transplantation or not eligible for HR because of severe
      portal hypertension, impaired liver function, or coexistent comorbidities; (b)
      patients not suitable for percutaneous RFA because of inconvenient tumor
      location; and (c) short-term recurrence of HCC (<3 months). RESULTS: Technical
      success was achieved in one session in 396 patients (93 %). One-month mortality
      and morbidity rates were 0.23 % (1 patient) and 25 % (106 patients),
      respectively. During a median follow-up of 37.2 months (range 2-193) in the
      remaining 425 patients, 276 (65 %) developed intra-hepatic recurrence: It
      appeared as a local tumor progression in 65 cases (15 %). Patients median
      survival was 39 months (95 % CI 34.8-47.2), while overall survivals at 1, 3, and
      5 years were 88, 55, and 34 %, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In the treatment of
      HCC, LATs proved to be a safe and effective technique, as they permit to treat
      with low-morbidity-rate lesions not manageable by percutaneous approach.
      Moreover, they allow achieving a more accurate staging of the disease in one
      fifth of patients, thus better redefining the prognosis of such individuals.

PMID- 26275556
TI  - Major bile duct injury requiring operative reconstruction after laparoscopic
      cholecystectomy: a follow-on study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Bile duct injury (BDI) after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has
      significant cost impact and is a significant source of morbidity and mortality.
      We undertook a population-based assessment of the national experience with BDI
      between 2001 and 2011 and compared this to our report for the prior decade.
      METHODS: Using the nationwide inpatient sample (NIS) for 2001-2011, we identified
      patients who underwent LC or partial cholecystectomy, with and without biliary
      reconstruction. Data were analyzed using methods that accounted for the
      hierarchical, stratified random sampling of the NIS. Both univariate modeling and
      multivariate modeling were performed. RESULTS: LCs increased from 71.1 % in 2001
      to 79.0 % in 2011 (p < 0.0001). Annual mortality decreased from 0.56 to 0.38 % (p
      = 0.002). In 2001, 0.11 % of LCs were associated with biliary reconstruction
      versus 0.09 % in 2011 (p = 0.15) with rates ranging from 0.08 to 0.12 %. The need
      for reconstruction was associated with an average in-hospital mortality rate of
      4.4 %. Mortality rates from LC remained consistent across the study period
      (average mortality, 0.10 %, p = 0.57). Under multivariate analysis, admission to
      rural or urban non-teaching centers was associated with a decreased rate of
      injury; the majority of major BDIs were admitted from clinic or outpatient
      settings. These results are consistent with results from the prior decade.
      Neither emergent admission nor race was associated with increased odds of BDI,
      and this differs from our prior analysis. CONCLUSION: LC continued to increase in
      utilization between 2001 and 2011. Although rates of BDI have decreased, the need
      for reconstruction continues to be associated with a significant mortality. In
      addition, mortality related to biliary reconstruction is also higher than
      previously published series and may reflect the complexity of managing biliary
      injury as well as the higher likelihood of these patients having comorbid
      conditions.

PMID- 26275558
TI  - Enzymes of anaerobic ethylbenzene and p-ethylphenol catabolism in 'Aromatoleum
      aromaticum': differentiation and differential induction.
AB  - The denitrifying bacterium 'Aromatoleum aromaticum' strain EbN1 is one of the
      best characterized bacteria regarding anaerobic ethylbenzene degradation. EbN1
      also degrades various other aromatic and phenolic compounds in the absence of
      oxygen, one of them being p-ethylphenol. Despite having similar chemical
      structures, ethylbenzene and p-ethylphenol have been proposed to be metabolized
      by completely separate pathways. In this study, we established and applied
      biochemical and molecular biological methods to show the (almost) exclusive
      presence and specificity of enzymes involved in the respective degradation
      pathways by recording enzyme activities, complemented by heme staining, immuno-
      and biotin-blotting analyses. These combined results substantiated the predicted
      p-ethylphenol degradation pathway. The identified enzymes include a heme c
      containing p-ethylphenol-hydroxylase, both an (R)- and an (S)-specific alcohol
      dehydrogenase as well as a novel biotin-dependent carboxylase. We also establish
      an activity assay for benzoylacetate-CoA ligases likely being involved in both
      metabolic pathways. 

PMID- 26275559
TI  - Synthesis, Characterization, Fluorescence, Photocatalytic and Antibacterial
      Activity of CdS Nanoparticles Using Schiff Base.
AB  - Cadmium sulfide nanoparticles (CdS NPs) were successfully prepared using
      sonochemical method by employing Schiff-base, (2-[(4-methoxy-phenylimino)-methyl]
      4-nitro phenol) as a complexing agent. Here, SB is used as a ligand to control
      the morphology of NPs. XRD patterns and TEM images show that the synthesized CdS
      NPs have cubic structures with a diameter of about 2-10 nm. The formation of CdS
      NPs and their optical, structure, thermal and morphologies were studied by means
      of UV-vis DRS, fluorescence, FTIR, zeta potential, XRD, SEM and TEM. The
      interactions between CdS NPs and SB were investigated in an aqueous solution
      using fluorescence spectroscopy. The fluorescence quenching studies suggest that
      SB quenches the fluorescence of CdS NPs effectively. The degradation kinetics of
      methyl red (MR) by the photocatalyst was followed by Langmuir-Hinshelwood model.
      The results revealed that photocatalytic degradation of MR by SB capped CdS NPs
      could be considered as a practical and reliable technique for the removal of
      environmental pollutants. The antibacterial activity of samples was evaluated
      against E. coli, S. aureus and P. aeruginosa and the results were compared. SB
      and SB capped CdS NPs could be a potential antibacterial compounds after further
      investigation.

PMID- 26275557
TI  - Factors affecting the achievement of Japanese-style deep knee flexion after total
      knee arthroplasty using posterior-stabilized prosthesis with high-flex knee
      design.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Achievement of very deep knee flexion after total knee arthroplasty
      (TKA) can play a critical role in the satisfaction of patients who demand a floor
      sitting lifestyle and engage in high-flexion daily activities (e.g., seiza
      sitting). Seiza-sitting is characterized by the knees flexed >145o and feet
      turned sole upwards underneath the buttocks with the tibia internally rotated.
      The present study investigated factors affecting the achievement of seiza-sitting
      after TKA using posterior-stabilized total knee prosthesis with high-flex knee
      design. METHODS: Subjects comprised 32 patients who underwent TKA with high-flex
      knee prosthesis and achieved seiza-sitting (knee flexion >145o) postoperatively.
      Another 32 patients served as controls who were capable of knee flexion >145o
      preoperatively, but failed to achieve seiza-sitting postoperatively. Accuracy of
      femoral and tibial component positions was assessed in terms of deviation from
      the ideal position using a two-dimensional to three-dimensional matching
      technique. Accuracies of the component position, posterior condylar offset ratio
      and intraoperative gap length were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The
      proportion of patients with >3o internally rotated tibial component was
      significantly higher in patients who failed at seiza-sitting (41 %) than among
      patients who achieved it (13 %, p = 0.021). Comparison of intraoperative gap
      length between patient groups revealed that gap length at 135o flexion was
      significantly larger in patients who achieved seiza-sitting (4.2 +/- 0.4 mm) than
      in patients who failed at it (2.7 +/- 0.4 mm, p = 0.007). Conversely, no
      significant differences in gap inclination were seen between the groups.
      CONCLUSIONS: From the perspective of surgical factors, accurate implant
      positioning, particularly rotational alignment of the tibial component, and
      maintenance of a sufficient joint gap at 135o flexion appear to represent
      critical factors for achieving >145o of deep knee flexion after TKA.

PMID- 26275560
TI  - Hepatitis B: Working Towards a Cure.
AB  - First-line oral therapies for hepatitis B are effective at viral suppression, and
      treatment can lead to biochemical improvement and histologic regression.
      Unfortunately, recommended endpoints of treatment such as HBeAg loss and
      seroconversion may not be durable, with high rates of seroreversion, requiring
      monitoring, and unfortunately, low rates of  HBsAg loss/seroconversion.
      Additionally, meeting these endpoints requires years or even indefinite
      administration, leading to concerns regarding cost, side effects, and high rates
      of nonadherence. This article will review defined endpoints of therapy and their
      durability, the risks of long-term therapy, and the evolving new therapies aimed
      at a viral cure. 

PMID- 26275561
TI  - Erratum to: A Quantitative Analysis of Lip Aesthetics: The Influence of Gender
      and Aging.

PMID- 26275562
TI  - Retro-Areola Distally Based Flap in the Management of the Full Expression of
      Tuberous Breast: A Simple Strategy to Resolve a Weak Point of the Deformity.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tuberous breast is a rare congenital deformity which is likely to
      appear in various clinical forms, the worst being characterized by severe
      hypoplasia. This clinical expression may represent one of the greatest challenges
      in breast surgery due to malformation memories that restrict the reshaping of the
      mammary cone that would not otherwise be solved through a simple breast
      augmentation. To improve the quality of the final results correction of the
      tuberous aspect often requires the use of adipo-glandular flaps frequently
      described in the literature to reconstruct the inferior mammary pole which works
      efficiently, even though a typical depression often remains between the inferior
      border of the areola and the closer skin to recall the memory of the tuberous
      aspect. METHODS: Between September 2006 and March 2014, 71 patients with tuberous
      breasts underwent surgical procedures to repair the deformities. The mean patient
      age was 18.6 years (ranging between 17 and 23). A periareolar approach, adipo
      glandular flaps, and dual plane subpectoral breast implant placements were used
      in all the cases. All the procedures were performed in a single stage under local
      anesthesia plus sedation. RESULTS: Follow-up ranged from 6 months to 6 years.
      CONCLUSION: The authors propose the use of a retro-areola glandular flap to
      resolve the typical residual depression of the final mammary aspect thus to
      overcome the malformation completely. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V: This journal requires
      that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description
      of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents
      or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

PMID- 26275563
TI  - Vladimir M. Kernig (1840-1917).

PMID- 26275564
TI  - C9ORF72 intermediate repeat expansion in patients affected by atypical
      parkinsonian syndromes or Parkinson's disease complicated by psychosis or
      dementia in a Sardinian population.
AB  - The hexanucleotide repeat expansion GGGGCC in the C9ORF72 gene larger than 30
      repeats has been identified as a major genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral
      sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Recent papers investigated the
      possible pathogenic role and associated clinical phenotypes of intermediate
      C9ORF72 repeat expansion ranging between 20 and 30 repeats. Some studies
      suggested its pathogenicity for typical Parkinson's disease (PD), atypical
      parkinsonian syndromes, FTD with/without parkinsonism, and ALS with/without
      parkinsonism or with/without dementia. In our study, we aimed to screen patients
      affected by atypical parkinsonian syndromes or PD complicated by psychosis or
      dementia for the presence of C9ORF72 repeat expansions, and in unrelated age- and
      sex-matched healthy controls. Consecutive unrelated patients with atypical
      parkinsonian syndromes and patients with PD complicated by psychosis or dementia
      were included in this study. Atypical parkinsonian syndromes were further divided
      into two groups: one with patients who met the criteria for the classic forms of
      atypical parkinsonism [multiple system atrophy (MSA), Lewy body disease (LBD),
      progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), and corticobasal degeneration (CBD)] ;and
      patients who did not meet the above criteria, named non-classical atypical
      parkinsonism with or without dementia. Ninety-two unrelated patients (48 men, 44
      women) were enrolled. None of the patients was found to be carriers of C9ORF72
      repeat expansions with more than 30 repeats. Intermediate 20-30 repeat expansions
      were detected in four female patients (4.3 %). Three of them presented clinical
      features of atypical parkinsonian syndromes, two with non-classical atypical
      parkinsonism and dementia FTD-like, and one with non-classical atypical
      parkinsonism without dementia. The other patient presented clinical features of
      typical PD complicated by psychosis. Among 121 control subjects, none presented
      long or short expansion for the C9ORF72 gene. Our findings seem to support the
      hypothesis that the hexanucleotide expansions of C9ORF72 gene with intermediate
      repetitions between 20 and 29 repetitions could be associated with typical PD
      with psychosis or dementia and atypical parkinsonisms with dementia (non
      classical atypical parkinsonism with dementia FTD-like) or without dementia (non
      classical atypical parkinsonism upper MND-like), although the causal relationship
      is still unclear. In these latter patients, parkinsonism, more or less levodopa
      responsive, constituted the symptomatological central core at onset.

PMID- 26275565
TI  - Influence of glycaemic control on the outcomes of patients treated by intravenous
      thrombolysis for cerebral ischaemia.
AB  - Whether the glycaemic control during the first hours of cerebral ischaemia
      treated by thrombolysis influences outcomes remains unsettled. We aimed at
      evaluating the quality of the glycaemic control and whether patients with well
      controlled glycaemia after thrombolysis for acute cerebral ischaemia have better
      outcomes. We retrospectively analysed data prospectively collected in consecutive
      stroke patients who received i.v. thrombolysis at the Lille University Hospital.
      Patients with glycaemia >1.6 g/l (8.9 mmol/l) at any point during the first 48 h
      received insulin. We used 2 definitions of well controlled glycaemia: (i) "well
      controlled 100 %" when 100 % glycaemia were <1.6 g/l (8.9 mmol/l), and (ii) "well
      controlled 70 %" when at least 70 % glycaemia were <1.6 g/l (8.9 mmol/l). The
      outcome measures at 3 months were (1) independence [modified Rankin scale (mRS)
      score 0 or 1], (2) absence of handicap (mRS 0-2), (3) death, and (4) symptomatic
      intracerebral haemorrhage (sICH). Of 875 consecutive patients, 657 (75.2 %) were
      considered as well controlled with a threshold at 100 % and 736 (84.2 %) with a
      threshold at 70 %. The glycaemic control was not independently associated with
      any of the four outcome measures. In patients treated by insulin, hypoglycaemic
      events were rare (2.1 % of all patients) and of moderate intensity [>0.5 g/l (2.8
      mmol/l)]. The quality of the glycaemic control was not associated with outcomes
      in patients treated by thrombolysis. A possible explanation is that the glycaemic
      control after thrombolysis has minor influence compared with glycaemic control
      before thrombolysis when the artery is not yet re-open and the penumbra area at
      maximum.

PMID- 26275567
TI  - [Not Available].
AB  - N-Ethyl-2-pyrrolidone (NEP), a polar aprotic solvent, is used in many
      applications as substitute for the structural analogue N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone
      (NMP), e. g. for surface coatings, in cleaning agents and paint strippers.
      Monitoring studies indicate that individuals within the general public, without
      occupational exposure, may be exposed to NEP to an extent, which is comparable to
      NMP. As NMP, NEP presents a potential health hazard due to its developmental
      toxicity and teratogenicity. Exposure to NEP can be quantified by the
      determination of the excretion of its urinary metabolites 5-Hydroxy-N-ethyl-2
      pyrrolidone (5-HNEP) and 2-Hydroxy-N-ethylsuccinimide (2-HESI). For the
      derivation of HBM values, the german Human Biomonitoring Commission (HBM
      commission) evaluated different toxicological endpoints and finally decided on
      the BMDL05 and the BMD10 for the endpoint "reduced grasp intensity" of a
      subchronic feeding study with rats as point of departure (POD) for further
      procedural steps. The resulting HBM-I and HBM-II values for the sum of the
      metabolites 5-HNEP and 2-HESI in the urine of children are 10 resp. 25 mg/l and
      in the urine of adults are 15 resp. 40 mg/l. If the HBM values are exceeded, a
      check-up will be necessary at first. Measurements above the HBM-II value give
      cause for concern, especially for pregnant women. Air measurements to determine
      the source of exposure can be useful. The possibility of skin absorption from use
      of cleaning agents and paint strippers should also be traced. As NEP und NMP have
      similar toxic effects, a potential mixed exposure to both substances has to be
      taken into account.

PMID- 26275568
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 26275569
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 26275570
TI  - [Regional and nationwide developments in telemedicine. A contradiction?].
AB  - Numerous telemedical projects have not been managed to widen itself. The federal
      states have sponsored many projects in the past. The central question therefore
      is, if projects can be spread everywhere. To answer this question, at first the
      initiatives of the federal states are introduced very briefly. Important aspects
      are then defined for a nationwide behaviour. Important aspects are then defined.
      ln the result it turns out that the federal states play an indispensable role for
      telemedicine. 

PMID- 26275571
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 26275566
TI  - Influence of previous physical activity on the outcome of patients treated by
      thrombolytic therapy for stroke.
AB  - Physical activity prevents stroke and is associated with less severe strokes. The
      neuroprotective effect in patients treated with intravenous (i.v.) recombinant
      tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA), remains uncertain. We aimed at evaluating
      the relationship between previous physical activity and outcomes in stroke
      patients treated with i.v. rt-PA. OPHELIE-SPORT was a prospective observational
      multicenter study conducted in French and Japanese stroke patients treated with
      i.v. rt-PA. We evaluated the presence, weekly duration (<2, 2-5, >5 h) and
      intensity (light, moderate, heavy) of previous leisure-time physical activity
      according to standardized criteria. The primary end-point was an excellent
      outcome [modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0-1 or similar to the pre-stroke mRS] after
      3 months. Secondary end-points were good outcome (mRS 0-2 or similar to the pre
      stroke mRS), and death. Of 519 patients, 74 (14.3 %) had regular physical
      activity before stroke. They were 14 years younger (p < 0.001), treated 25 min
      earlier (p = 0.004) and more likely to be men, free of pre-stroke handicap (mRS =
      0), atrial fibrillation, arterial hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. National
      Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores, at baseline (p = 0.183) and 24 h later
      (p = 0.203), did not differ between patients with and without physical activity.
      After adjustment on confounders, there was no association between previous
      leisure-time physical activity and outcome. Outcomes 3 months after treatment of
      cerebral ischaemia with i.v. rt-PA are not influenced by previous physical
      activity.

PMID- 26275573
TI  - Molecular Simulations of Fatty-Acid Methyl Esters and Representative Biodiesel
      Mixtures.
AB  - Despite the importance of fatty-acid methyl esters (FAMEs) as key components of
      various green solvents, detergents, plasticizers, and biodiesels, our
      understanding of these systems at the molecular level is limited. An enhanced
      molecular-level perspective of FAMEs will enable a detailed analysis of the
      polymorph and crystallization phenomena that adversely impact flow properties at
      low temperatures. Presented here, is the parameterization and validation of a
      charge-modified generalized amber force field (GAFF) for eight common FAMEs and
      two representative biodiesel mixtures. Our simulations accurately reproduce
      available experimental data (e.g. densities and self-diffusivity coefficients)
      and their trends, with respect to temperature and degree of unsaturation.
      Structural analyses from our simulations provide a more detailed picture of
      liquid-phase molecular ordering in FAMEs and confirm recent experimental
      hypotheses. This study provides a firm foundation to initiate further studies
      into the mechanisms that drive crystallization phenomena at the molecular level.

PMID- 26275574
TI  - Cefuroxime-induced cutaneous pustular leukocytoclastic vasculitis with Koebner
      phenomenon on the donor area of a skin graft.

PMID- 26275572
TI  - A window-of-opportunity biomarker study of etodolac in resectable breast cancer.
AB  - Observational data show that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use is
      associated with a lower rate of breast cancer. We evaluated the effect of
      etodolac, an FDA-approved NSAID reported to inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes
      and the retinoid X receptor alpha (RXR), on rationally identified potential
      biomarkers in breast cancer. Patients with resectable breast cancer planned for
      initial management with surgical resection were enrolled and took 400 mg of
      etodolac twice daily prior to surgery. Protein and gene expression levels for
      genes related to COX-2 and RXRalpha were evaluated in tumor samples from before
      and after etodolac exposure. Thirty subjects received etodolac and 17 subjects
      were assayed as contemporaneous or opportunistic controls. After etodolac
      exposure mean cyclin D1 protein levels, assayed by immunohistochemistry,
      decreased (P = 0.03). Notably, pre- versus post cyclin D1 gene expression change
      went from positive to negative with greater duration of etodolac exposure (r = 
      0.64, P = 0.01). Additionally, etodolac exposure was associated with a
      significant increase in COX-2 gene expression levels (fold change: 3.25 [95% CI:
      1.9, 5.55]) and a trend toward increased beta-catenin expression (fold change:
      2.03 [95% CI: 0.93, 4.47]). In resectable breast cancer relatively brief exposure
      to the NSAID etodolac was associated with reduced cyclin D1 protein levels.
      Effect was also observed on cyclin D1 gene expression with decreasing levels with
      longer durations of drug exposure. Increased COX-2 gene expression was seen,
      possibly due to compensatory feedback. These data highlight the utility of even
      small clinical trials with access to biospecimens for pharmacodynamic studies. 

PMID- 26275576
TI  - Cardiac sympathetic dysfunction in anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis.
AB  - Patients with anti-NMDA receptor (anti-NMDAR) encephalitis frequently suffer from
      autonomic dysfunctions, which can cause substantial morbidity. This study
      assessed cardiac autonomic functions in patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis
      using heart rate variability (HRV) analysis. This was a retrospective single
      center case-control study. Eleven patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis and 15
      age- and sex-matched controls were included in this study. To ensure that
      autonomic dysfunction does not occur in any encephalitis, we additionally
      analyzed HRV of 9 patients with herpes encephalitis (HSE) and compared with that
      of NMDAR encephalitis patients and controls. Five minute resting stationary
      electrocardiogram was collected from each subject, and HRV was analyzed. Total
      power and low frequency (LF) power were lower in anti-NMDAR encephalitis patients
      than those in controls (p=0.005, 0.001 respectively), indicating cardiac
      autonomic dysfunction especially in sympathetic system. Patients with HSE showed
      no significant difference in HRV parameters compared with that of controls.
      Cardiac autonomic dysfunction was associated with 3 month functional outcome in
      anti-NMDAR encephalitis patients.

PMID- 26275577
TI  - Molecular cloning and functional characterization of feline MAVS.
AB  - The mitochondrial anti-viral signaling protein (MAVS) plays an important role in
      the type I IFN response. In this study, two feline MAVS transcripts were cloned.
      Both transcripts have the same open reading frame encoding 523 amino acids. The
      putative protein shares 76.6 % similarity with canine and exhibits similarity to
      human, mouse, rat, bovine and porcine, ranging from 46.1 to 65.8 %. Deletion
      mutant analysis indicated that the transmembrane (TM) domain is necessary for
      localization in the mitochondrial membrane, and both the caspase activation and
      recruitment domain and TM domain are indispensible for activating the IFN-beta
      response. Additionally, Sendai virus-induced IFN-beta promoter activation was
      significantly inhibited by siRNA targeting MAVS. Finally, miniMAVS, a second
      protein encoded by MAVS mRNA, was identified, which interfered with the IFN-beta
      response via the inhibition of NF-kappaB activation. The identification of MAVS
      will promote the understanding and control of feline infectious diseases.

PMID- 26275578
TI  - Assessment and delivery of treatment for hepatitis C virus infection in an opioid
      substitution treatment clinic with integrated peer-based support in Newcastle,
      Australia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Among people who inject drugs (PWID), the prevalence of hepatitis C
      virus (HCV) infection is high; however HCV treatment uptake remains low. New
      models of care are needed to address the growing burden of HCV-related disease in
      PWID and to understand the barriers to assessment and treatment of HCV. This
      study evaluated assessment and treatment for HCV infection among PWID attending
      an opioid substitution treatment (OST) clinic with an integrated peer support
      worker model. METHODS: Clients with a history of IDU and chronic HCV infection,
      attending the Newcastle Pharmacotherapy Service, Newcastle Australia, were
      recruited as part of a multisite prospective observational study (the ETHOS
      Cohort). Additional chart review was conducted for clients not enrolled in the
      ETHOS Cohort. A peer support worker was introduced to complement and extend
      services offered by the clinical team. Client contacts and assessments with a
      nurse and/or peer worker were evaluated, including those who commenced HCV
      treatment. RESULTS: A total of 1447 clients attended the OST service during
      February 2009 and June 2014. Of these, 378 (26%) were assessed by a nurse and 242
      (17%) by a clinician. HCV treatment was commenced by 20 (5%) participants and 15
      (75%) achieved a sustained virological response (SVR). During May 2009 and July
      2011, 332 nurse contacts and 726 peer worker contacts were evaluated. The nurse
      led contacts were related to HCV treatment (50%) and review of pathology tests
      (34%), whereas peer worker contacts included discussion about HCV treatment
      (75%), education, counselling and/or support (53%) and general discussion about
      HCV infection (59%). CONCLUSION: These data demonstrate that peer support workers
      facilitate broader discussion about HCV treatment, education and/or support,
      allowing nurses to focus on HCV-related assessment and treatment. HCV treatment
      uptake was very low in this cohort, but SVR was high. The integration of peer
      support workers in treatment programs within OST clinics may address barriers to
      HCV care, but further studies are needed to assess their impact on assessment and
      treatment outcomes.

PMID- 26275579
TI  - Minimally invasive medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction for patellar
      instability using an artificial ligament: A two year follow-up.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recurrence of acute patellar dislocation affects approximately 30% of
      individuals, and up to 75% of those with grade IV instability. The medial
      patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) is considered to be critical for patellar
      stabilization. MPFL reconstruction with allografts has been proposed to reduce
      risk of recurrence, but there is limited evidence about the safety and
      effectiveness of techniques using synthetic allografts. METHODS: We present a
      retrospective case series of 29 individuals who underwent a MPFL reconstruction
      between 2009 and 2012, using an artificial ligament for patellar instability by a
      single surgeon. Clinical, radiological and functional outcomes were measured at a
      minimum of 24 months. RESULTS: 31 knees (29 individuals) were followed up for a
      median of 43 (range: 24-68) months. Using the Crosby and Insall grading system,
      21 (68%) were graded as excellent, nine (29%) were good, one (3%) as fair and
      none as worse at 24 months. The mean improvement in Lysholm knee score for knee
      instability was 68 points (standard deviation 10). Ligamentous laxity was seen in
      17 (55%) of individuals. In this subset, 12 were graded as excellent, four as
      good and one as fair. The mean improvement in patellar height was 11% at three
      months follow-up. All knees had a stable graft fixation with one re-dislocation
      following trauma. CONCLUSIONS: We propose a minimally invasive technique to
      reconstruct the MPFL using an artificial ligament allowing early mobilization
      without bracing. This study indicates the procedure is safe, with a low risk of
      re-dislocation in all grades of instability. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV Case
      Series.

PMID- 26275580
TI  - Determinants of Resource Utilization in a Tertiary Pediatric and Congenital
      Echocardiographic Laboratory.
AB  - We sought to determine the relation between technical charges for transthoracic
      echocardiograms (TTE) and total time for study completion (TT), identify factors
      associated with high TT, and create a scoring system to predict high TT studies.
      We analyzed a quality improvement database that prospectively tracked patient
      flow through TTEs in our laboratory for 3 consecutive months. The performing
      sonographer or fellow recorded TT and its components for every study. Patient and
      scan characteristics were abstracted from the clinical database and technical
      charges from the financial database. Factors independently associated with high
      TT (top quartile >=85 minutes) were identified in 1,686 studies and validated in
      the remaining 847 studies. Median age was 7.8 years (0 to 77.9) and median TT was
      65 minutes (14 to 370 minutes). Charges correlated poorly with TT (r = 0.2).
      Multivariate analysis identified several independent factors associated with high
      TT. The final model had an area under the curve of 0.78 in the development sample
      and 0.75 in the validation sample. On the basis of the final model, we developed
      a risk score for TT >=85 minutes. The prevalence of high TT was 15% in low-score
      studies, 51% in medium-score studies, and 81% in high-score studies. In
      conclusion, this is the first study to demonstrate poor correlation between
      technical charges for pediatric/congenital echocardiography and TT, identify risk
      factors for high TT, and develop a high TT risk scoring system. These data may
      assist in resource allocation for pediatric/congenital echocardiograms and inform
      reimbursement systems. 

PMID- 26275583
TI  - Intranasal insulin influences the olfactory performance of patients with smell
      loss, dependent on the body mass index: A pilot study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The application of intranasal insulin in healthy humans has been
      linked to improved memory function, reduced food intake, and increased olfactory
      thresholds. There has also been some correlation between the morbidities
      associated with central nervous system (CNS) insulin resistance, such as type II
      diabetes mellitus, Alzheimer's disease, obesity, and impaired odour recognition.
      Given that impaired odour recognition is an important component of olfactory
      performance, mechanisms that govern these effects may account for impaired
      olfactory functions in anosmic patients. METHODOLOGY: Ten patients with post
      infectious olfactory loss received intranasal administration of 40 IU insulin or
      a placebo solution, as well as olfactory performance tests before and after
      administration. RESULTS: When administered insulin, patients exhibited an
      immediate performance improvement with regard to olfactory sensitivity and
      olfactory intensity ratings. In addition, more odours were correctly identified.
      Furthermore, an improvement in the odour identification task was detected in
      patients with higher body mass index. CONCLUSION: Results of this pilot study
      shed light on the link between cerebral insulin level and an impaired sense of
      smell. This research line might provide a better understanding of olfactory loss
      in relation to eating and dietary behavior, and could offer opportunities to
      develop faster therapeutic intervention for patients with olfactory dysfunction.

PMID- 26275581
TI  - Assessment of Local Dose Reference Values for Recanalization of Chronic Total
      Occlusions and Other Occlusions in a High-Volume Catheterization Center.
AB  - The increasing number and complexity of these procedures have led to a higher
      number of patients at risk for tissue reactions like skin injuries. Monitoring of
      their dose indicators is essential in recognizing these patients. The aim of this
      work was to determine local diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) for recanalization
      of chronic total occlusion (CTO) and other occlusions procedures. All data from
      patients who underwent cardiac procedures were reviewed and classified according
      to their complexity. Dose indicators such as fluoroscopy time (FT), dose area
      product (DAP), and air kerma at patient entrance reference point (AKr) were
      recorded. Correlations with patient's body mass index, operators, procedure
      strategy, and complexity were studied. For CTO, the mean DAP, AKr, and FT were
      252 +/- 234 Gycm(2), 3,985 +/- 3,579 mGy, and 47 +/- 36 minutes, respectively. To
      better reflect the non-Gaussian distribution of data, the median and the 75th
      percentile values were also reported: median DAP, 172 Gycm(2); 75th percentile
      DAP, 350 Gycm(2); median AKr, 2,714 mGy; and 75th percentile AKr, 5,921 mGy. A
      tentative new set of values were suggested to take into account the complexity
      difference in recanalization of total occlusions according to their antegrade or
      retrograde approach. These approach-specific DRLs for total occlusions were mean
      DAP (120 +/- 114 Gycm(2)), mean AKr (1,789 +/- 1,933 mGy), and mean FT (22 +/- 18
      minutes) for antegrade approach and mean DAP (459 +/- 304 Gycm(2)), mean AKr
      (6,881 +/- 4,243 mGy), and mean FT (82 +/- 40 minutes) for retrograde approach.
      The other significant values were median DAP (84 Gycm(2)), 75th percentile DAP
      (147 Gycm(2)), median AKr (1,160 mGy), and 75th percentile AKr (2,176 mGy) for
      antegrade approach and median DAP (422 Gycm(2)), 75th percentile DAP (552
      Gycm(2)), median AKr (6,295 mGy), and 75th percentile AKr (8,064 mGy) for
      retrograde approach. In conclusion, a set of local DRL values from a large center
      were assessed. DRLs were provided for antegrade and retrograde approaches,
      reflecting the difference in difficulty from these 2 kinds of CTOs. The wide dose
      estimator values variations were explained through procedure complexity. The
      values obtained for the other more classic percutaneous coronary interventions
      were comparable with those found in the literature. 

PMID- 26275582
TI  - Spherical statistics for characterizing the spatial distribution of deep brain
      stimulation effects on neuronal activity.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Computational models of deep brain stimulation (DBS) have played a
      key role in understanding its physiological mechanisms. By estimating a volume of
      tissue directly modulated by DBS, one can relate the neuronal pathways within
      those volumes to the therapeutic efficacy of a particular DBS setting. NEW
      METHOD: A spherical statistical framework is described to quantify and determine
      salient features of such morphologies using visualization techniques, empirical
      shape analysis, and formal hypothesis testing. This framework is shown using a 3D
      model of thalamocortical neurons surrounding a radially-segmented DBS array.
      RESULTS: We show that neuronal population volumes modulated by various DBS
      electrode configurations can be characterized by parametric distribution models,
      such as Kent and Watson girdle models. Distribution parameters were found to
      change with stimulus settings, including amplitude and radial distance from the
      DBS array. Increasing stimulation amplitude through a single electrode resulted
      in more diffuse neuronal activation and increased rotational symmetry about the
      mean direction of the activated population. When stimulation amplitude was held
      constant, the activated neuronal population distribution was more concentrated
      with distance from the DBS array and was also more rotationally asymmetric. We
      also show how data representation (e.g. stimulus-entrained cell body vs. axon
      node) can significantly alter model distribution shape. COMPARISON TO EXISTING
      METHODS: This statistical framework provides a quantitative method to analyze the
      spatial morphologies of DBS-induced effects on neuronal activity. CONCLUSIONS:
      The application of spherical statistics to assess spatial distributions of
      neuronal activity has potential usefulness for numerous other recording,
      labeling, and stimulation modalities.

PMID- 26275584
TI  - CT angiography of the lower extremity and coronary arteries using 256-section CT:
      a preliminary study.
AB  - AIM: To investigate the possible use of a 256-section computed tomography (CT)
      prospective electrocardiography (ECG)-gated wide volume scanning protocol for
      combined angiography of the lower extremity and coronary arteries, after a single
      injection of contrast medium, in patients with lower extremity peripheral
      arterial disease (PAD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-four patients with
      suspected PAD underwent CT angiography (CTA) with a prospective ECG-gated
      protocol that covered the level of the tracheal bifurcation to the foot sole.
      Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) of the lower extremity arteries was
      performed on patients requiring therapeutic intervention. Image quality and
      stenosis of the coronary and lower extremity arteries were assessed. RESULTS: A
      total of 93.1% of the coronary segments were adequate for diagnosis. 17 (50%)
      patients showed coronary artery stenosis >=50%. A total of 95.8% of the lower
      extremity arterial segments were adequate for diagnosis. Twenty-eight patients
      with severe lower extremity arterial stenosis or occlusion underwent DSA. The
      sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value,
      and accuracy of CTA for the detection of significant lower arterial stenosis
      (>=50%) was 94.8%, 97.2%, 95.3%, 96.9%, and 96.3%, respectively. CONCLUSION:
      Using the prospective ECG-gated wide volume CTA protocol, images of the coronary
      and lower extremity arteries suitable for diagnosis can be acquired
      simultaneously after a single injection of contrast agent. In addition to
      accurately diagnosing PAD, combined angiography may be used to screen for
      coronary heart disease in patients with PAD.

PMID- 26275585
TI  - New insights into immune mechanisms underlying autoimmune diseases of the
      gastrointestinal tract.
AB  - Recent progresses in the immune mechanisms implicated in chronic inflammatory
      disorders have led to a more in-depth knowledge of the pathogenesis of autoimmune
      diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, including autoimmune atrophic gastritis,
      celiac disease, autoimmune enteropathy and ulcerative colitis. While the
      pathogenic role of specific circulating autoantibodies, i.e., respectively anti
      parietal cell, anti-tissue transglutaminase, anti-enterocyte and anti-neutrophil
      cytoplasmic, is still controversial, some common T-cell mediated mechanisms for
      inflammation - increase in T helper cell type 1/type 17 pro-inflammatory
      cytokines- or losing self-tolerance-abnormal regulatory T cell function - are
      recognized as crucial mediators of the tissue damage causing atrophy of the
      stomach mucosa in autoimmune atrophic gastritis, villous flattening of the small
      bowel in celiac disease and autoimmune enteropathy, and mucosal ulceration of the
      colon in ulcerative colitis. This review deals with novel advances in the
      immunological bases of the aforementioned autoimmune gastrointestinal disorders,
      and it also highlights immune mechanisms of progression from chronic inflammation
      to cancer and implications for new therapeutic targets. 

PMID- 26275586
TI  - Persistent chorea in DYT6, due to anticholinergic therapy.

PMID- 26275587
TI  - When do infants understand that they can obtain a desired part of a composite
      object by grasping another part?
AB  - When do infants start to understand that they can grasp an object by its handle
      when the interesting part is out of reach? Whereas it is known from preferential
      looking tasks that already at three months of age infants show surprise when all
      parts of an object do not move together, little is known about when infants are
      able to use such knowledge in an active grasp situation. To answer this question
      we presented six, eight, and 10 month-old infants in a cross-sectional and a
      longitudinal study with a white cardboard handle within reach and a bright ball
      at the end of the handle and out of reach. A trick condition, where the handle
      and the ball seem attached but were not, was added to get an indication of the
      infant's expectation by observing a possible surprise reaction. Results show that
      6-month-olds' most frequent first behaviors consisted in pointing toward the ball
      without grasping the handle, or grasping the handle without looking at the ball
      until it moved. In addition, they often did not look surprised in the trick
      condition. Eight- and 10-month-olds most often grasped the handle while looking
      at the ball, and showed clear surprise in the trick condition. This was
      interpreted as showing that around eight or 10 months, infants take a significant
      step in understanding the cohesiveness of composite objects during grasping. 

PMID- 26275588
TI  - Lipid modulation of early G protein-coupled receptor signalling events.
AB  - Upon binding of extracellular ligands, G protein coupled-receptors (GPCRs)
      initiate signalling cascades by activating heterotrimeric G proteins through
      direct interactions with the alpha subunit. While the lipid dependence of ligand
      binding has previously been studied for one class A GPCR, the neurotensin
      receptor 1 (NTS1), the role the lipid environment plays in the interaction of
      activated GPCRs with G proteins is less well understood. It is therefore of
      interest to understand the balance of lipid interactions required to support both
      ligand binding and G protein activation, not least since some receptors have
      multiple locations, and may experience different membrane environments when
      signalling in the plasma membrane or during endocytosis. Here, using the
      sensitive biophysical technique of microscale thermophoresis in conjunction with
      nanodisc lipid bilayer reconstitution, we show that in more native lipid
      environments rich in phosphatidyl ethanolamine (PE), the Galphai1 subunit has a
      ~4-fold higher affinity for NTS1 than in the absence of native lipids. The G
      protein-receptor affinity was further shown to be dependent on the ligand-binding
      state of the receptor, with potential indication of biased signalling for the
      known antagonist SR142948A. Galphai1 also showed preferential interaction with
      empty nanodiscs of native lipid mixtures rich in PE by around 2- to 4-fold over
      phosphatidyl choline (PC)/phosphatidyl glycerol (PG) lipid mixtures. The lipid
      environment may therefore play a role in creating favourable micro-environments
      for efficient GPCR signalling. Our approach combining nanodiscs with microscale
      thermophoresis will be useful in future studies to elucidate further the
      complexity of the GPCR interactome. 

PMID- 26275589
TI  - On the miscibility of cardiolipin with 1,2-diacyl phosphoglycerides: Binary
      mixtures of dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol and tetramyristoylcardiolipin.
AB  - The thermotropic phase behavior and organization of model membranes composed of
      binary mixtures of the quadruple-chained, nominally dianionic phospholipid
      tetramyristoylcardiolipin (TMCL) with the double-chained, monoanionic
      phospholipid dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol (DMPG) were examined by differential
      scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy.
      The gel/liquid-crystalline phase transitions observed in these mixtures by DSC
      are generally rather broad and exhibit complex endotherms over a range of
      compositions. However, the phase transition temperatures and enthalpies exhibit
      nearly ideal behavior. Also, FTIR spectroscopic detection of the formation of
      stable and metastable DMPG-like lamellar crystalline (Lc) phases only at high
      DMPG levels upon low temperature annealing, and stable TMCL-like Lc phases at all
      higher TMCL concentrations, indicates that at low temperatures, laterally
      segregated domains of these two phospholipids must form, from which these
      different Lc phases nucleate and grow. Comparison of these results with those of
      a previous study of DMPE/TMCL mixtures (Frias et al., 2011) indicates that DMPG
      mixes slightly less well with TMCL than DMPE, perhaps because of the negative
      charge of the latter. However, in both binary mixtures, TMCL inhibits the
      formation of the Lc phase by DMPE even more strongly than for DMPG. Overall, our
      data suggest that TMCL and DMPG actually mix well across a broad temperature and
      composition range when the fatty acid chains of the two components are identical
      and only a modest (~17 degrees C) difference between their Lbeta/Lalpha phase
      transition temperatures exists. A recent DSC and X-ray diffraction study of
      DPPG/TMCL mixtures report similar results (Prossnigg et al., 2010). 

PMID- 26275590
TI  - Disordered regions in transmembrane proteins.
AB  - The functions of transmembrane proteins in living cells are widespread; they
      range from various transport processes to energy production, from cell-cell
      adhesion to communication. Structurally, they are highly ordered in their
      membrane-spanning regions, but may contain disordered regions in the cytosolic
      and extra-cytosolic parts. In this study, we have investigated the disordered
      regions in transmembrane proteins by a stringent definition of disordered
      residues on the currently available largest experimental dataset, and show a
      significant correlation between the spatial distributions of positively charged
      residues and disordered regions. This finding suggests a new role of disordered
      regions in transmembrane proteins by providing structural flexibility for
      stabilizing interactions with negatively charged head groups of the lipid
      molecules. We also find a preference of structural disorder in the terminal--as
      opposed to loop--regions in transmembrane proteins, and survey the respective
      functions involved in recruiting other proteins or mediating allosteric signaling
      effects. Finally, we critically compare disorder prediction methods on our
      transmembrane protein set. While there are no major differences between these
      methods using the usual statistics, such as per residue accuracies, Matthew's
      correlation coefficients, etc.; substantial differences can be found regarding
      the spatial distribution of the predicted disordered regions. We conclude that a
      predictor optimized for transmembrane proteins would be of high value to the
      field of structural disorder.

PMID- 26275591
TI  - Anti-citrullinated protein antibodies promote apoptosis of mature human Saos-2
      osteoblasts via cell-surface binding to citrullinated heat shock protein 60.
AB  - We hypothesized that anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs) react with
      osteoblast surface citrullinated proteins and affect cell function, leading to
      joint damage in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). First, we purified ACPAs
      by cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP)-conjugated affinity column chromatography.
      The cognate antigens of ACPAs on Saos-2 cells, a sarcoma osteogenic cell line
      generated from human osteoblasts, were probed by ACPAs, and the reactive bands
      were analyzed using proteomic analyses. We found that ACPAs bind to Saos-2 cell
      membrane, and several protein candidates, including HSP60, were identified. We
      then cloned and purified recombinant heat shock protein 60 (HSP60) and
      citrullinated HSP60 (citHSP60) and investigated the effect of ACPAs on Saos-2
      cell. We confirmed that HSP60 obtained from Saos-2 cell membrane were
      citrullinated and reacted with ACPAs, which induces Saos-2 cells apoptosis via
      binding to surface-expressed citHSP60 through Toll-like receptor 4 signaling.
      ACPAs promoted interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 expression in Saos-2 cells. Finally,
      sera from patients with RA and healthy controls were examined for their titers of
      anti-HSP60 and anti-citHSP60 antibodies using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent
      assay. The radiographic change in patients with RA was evaluated using the Genant
      modified Sharp scoring system. Patients with RA showed higher sera titers of anti
      citHSP60, but not anti-HSP60, antibodies when compared with controls. In
      addition, the anti-citHSP60 level was positively associated with increased joint
      damage in patients with RA. In conclusion, Saos-2 cell apoptosis was mediated by
      ACPAs via binding to cell surface-expressed citHSP60 and the titer of anti
      citHSP60 in patients with RA positively associated with joint damage.

PMID- 26275592
TI  - Clinical and Histological Basis for the Use of Nasolabial Tissues in the Surgical
      Management of Oral Submucous Fibrosis.
AB  - PURPOSE: The authors planned a clinical and histopathologic study to examine the
      behavior of nasolabial tissues (full-thickness skin flap) after being inset into
      the oral cavity for oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) under the premise that skin
      that is foreign tissue to the oral cavity would be devoid of pathologic changes.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen patients with OSMF and mouth openings with an
      interincisal distance shorter than 28 mm were included. The flap was evaluated
      clinically for 10 years, during which biopsy specimen was obtained from the
      mucocutaneous junction of the inset flap for histopathologic examination.
      RESULTS: In this series, complications such as flap loss, infection, flap
      necrosis, obstructive sialadenitis, and damage to facial nerve branches were not
      observed. However, intraoral hair growth and extraoral scar at the donor site
      were seen in all patients, 3 of whom subsequently underwent scar revision.
      Histopathologically, the inset flap showed decreased keratinization and loss of
      adnexal structures. A mean mouth opening of 43.2 mm was achieved at 10 years
      postoperatively (mean increase, 24.4 mm). No relapse was encountered, even at the
      last follow-up. CONCLUSION: The nasolabial island flap or any other full
      thickness skin flap could be a viable and reliable option for reconstruction of
      intraoral defects from OSMF.

PMID- 26275593
TI  - Clinical Characteristics of Radiation-Induced Sarcoma of the Head and Neck:
      Review of 15 Cases and 323 Cases in the Literature.
AB  - PURPOSE: This retrospective study aimed to identify the clinical characteristics
      of radiation-induced sarcoma of the head and neck (RISHN) that could help in the
      early diagnosis of this rare disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From August 1995
      through October 2014, 15 cases of RISHN presenting at the authors' department and
      323 cases in the literature were reviewed. RESULTS: The incidence of RISHN was
      higher in men than in women (male-to-female ratio, 2.4:1). The mean latency was
      long (9.3 yr), and the tumor often occurred in middle age (50.0 yr old).
      Osteosarcoma was the predominant pathologic diagnosis (34.1%). The prognosis of
      RISHN was poor. CONCLUSION: RISHN is a serious long-term complication of
      radiotherapy and its incidence has been increasing in recent years. Owing to the
      long latency period, its early diagnosis is difficult to make. RISHN should be
      considered when a patient who has undergone radiotherapy presents with a mass,
      pain, or trismus in the irradiated field.

PMID- 26275594
TI  - Post-injury administration of allicin attenuates ischemic brain injury through
      sphingosine kinase 2: In vivo and in vitro studies.
AB  - Allicin, one of the main biologically active compounds derived from garlic, has
      been shown to exert various pharmacological activities and is considered to have
      therapeutic potential for many pathologic conditions. In the present study, we
      investigated the potential post-ischemic neuroprotective effects of allicin and
      its underlying mechanisms. Using a rat middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO)
      model, we found that intraperitoneal treatment with 50 mg/kg allicin
      significantly reduced brain infarct volume, attenuated cerebral edema and
      decreased the neurological deficit score. Allicin treatment also diminished TUNEL
      positive cells and inhibited the activation of caspase-3 after MCAO. These
      protective effects could be observed even if the administration was delayed to 6
      h after injury. In addition, we evaluated the in vitro protective effects of
      allicin against oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) induced neuronal injury in
      primary cultured cortical neurons. Allicin (50 MUM) increased neuronal viability,
      decreased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and inhibited apoptotic neuronal
      death after OGD. These protective effects could be observed even if the
      administration was delayed to 4 h after injury. Furthermore, allicin
      significantly increased the expression of sphingosine kinases 2 (Sphk2) both in
      vivo and in vitro. Pretreatment with the Sphk2 inhibitor ABC294640 partially
      reversed the protective effects of allicin against MCAO and OGD injury,
      indicating that an Sphk2-mediated mechanism was involved in allicin-induced
      protection in our models. The combination of findings suggests that post-injury
      administration of allicin has potential as a neuroprotective strategy for
      ischemic stroke. 

PMID- 26275595
TI  - Portugal at the cross road of international chronic respiratory programmes.

PMID- 26275596
TI  - Watershed model calibration framework developed using an influence coefficient
      algorithm and a genetic algorithm and analysis of pollutant discharge
      characteristics and load reduction in a TMDL planning area.
AB  - Manual calibration is common in rainfall-runoff model applications. However,
      rainfall-runoff models include several complicated parameters; thus, significant
      time and effort are required to manually calibrate the parameters individually
      and repeatedly. Automatic calibration has relative merit regarding time
      efficiency and objectivity but shortcomings regarding understanding indigenous
      processes in the basin. In this study, a watershed model calibration framework
      was developed using an influence coefficient algorithm and genetic algorithm
      (WMCIG) to automatically calibrate the distributed models. The optimization
      problem used to minimize the sum of squares of the normalized residuals of the
      observed and predicted values was solved using a genetic algorithm (GA). The
      final model parameters were determined from the iteration with the smallest sum
      of squares of the normalized residuals of all iterations. The WMCIG was applied
      to a Gomakwoncheon watershed located in an area that presents a total maximum
      daily load (TMDL) in Korea. The proportion of urbanized area in this watershed is
      low, and the diffuse pollution loads of nutrients such as phosphorus are greater
      than the point-source pollution loads because of the concentration of rainfall
      that occurs during the summer. The pollution discharges from the watershed were
      estimated for each land-use type, and the seasonal variations of the pollution
      loads were analyzed. Consecutive flow measurement gauges have not been installed
      in this area, and it is difficult to survey the flow and water quality in this
      area during the frequent heavy rainfall that occurs during the wet season. The
      Hydrological Simulation Program-Fortran (HSPF) model was used to calculate the
      runoff flow and water quality in this basin. Using the water quality results, a
      load duration curve was constructed for the basin, the exceedance frequency of
      the water quality standard was calculated for each hydrologic condition class,
      and the percent reduction required to achieve the water quality standard was
      estimated. The R(2) value for the calibrated BOD5 was 0.60, which is a moderate
      result, and the R(2) value for the TP was 0.86, which is a good result. The
      percent differences obtained for the calibrated BOD5 and TP were very good;
      therefore, the calibration results using WMCIG were satisfactory. From the load
      duration curve analysis, the WQS exceedance frequencies of the BOD5 under dry
      conditions and low-flow conditions were 75.7% and 65%, respectively, and the
      exceedance frequencies under moist and mid-range conditions were higher than
      under other conditions. The exceedance frequencies of the TP for the high-flow,
      moist and mid-range conditions were high and the exceedance rate for the high
      flow condition was particularly high. Most of the data from the high-flow
      conditions exceeded the WQSs. Thus, nonpoint-source pollutants from storm-water
      runoff substantially affected the TP concentration in the Gomakwoncheon. 

PMID- 26275597
TI  - Toxicity characteristic leaching procedure over- or under-estimates leachability
      of lead in phosphate-amended contaminated soils.
AB  - In this study, Pb(NO3)2-, PbSO4-, or PbCO3-contaminated soils were treated with
      triple super phosphate (TSP) or phosphate rock (PR) and then subjected to the
      toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) to assess Pb leachability.
      Soluble TSP resulted in the transformation of Pb into insoluble Pb phosphate
      precipitates in all contaminated soils, and the transformation increased with
      extended leaching times. Consequently, Pb concentrations in the TCLP leachates
      treated with TSP were reduced by 97.3-99.7% compared with the untreated soils,
      and Pb leaching decreased over the extraction time and did not reach equilibrium
      even after 96 h of extraction. Precipitation of Pb phosphate minerals in the less
      soluble PR-treated soil was limited, and Pb leaching was controlled by the
      dissolution of the Pb compounds, resulting in elevation of Pb in the TCLP
      leachate. Pb leaching continued to increase with time due to continuous
      dissolution of PbSO4 and PbCO3. The results indicated that Pb leaching is
      kinetically controlled by either Pb compound dissolution or phosphate mineral
      formation. The standard TCLP test using a designated 18 h incubation time can
      overestimate the leachability of Pb in soils contaminated with lead and amended
      with soluble TSP and underestimate the leachability of Pb in soils contaminated
      with Pb and amended with less soluble PR. Therefore, wide use of TCLP for
      assessing Pb leachability in all contaminated soils is insufficient, and
      development of a site-specific evaluation method is urgently needed.

PMID- 26275598
TI  - Arctic soil microbial diversity in a changing world.
AB  - The Arctic region is a unique environment, subject to extreme environmental
      conditions, shaping life therein and contributing to its sensitivity to
      environmental change. The Arctic is under increasing environmental pressure from
      anthropogenic activity and global warming. The unique microbial diversity of
      Arctic regions, that has a critical role in biogeochemical cycling and in the
      production of greenhouse gases, will be directly affected by and affect, global
      changes. This article reviews current knowledge and understanding of microbial
      taxonomic and functional diversity in Arctic soils, the contributions of
      microbial diversity to ecosystem processes and their responses to environmental
      change.

PMID- 26275599
TI  - Evaluation of Root Canal Debridement of Human Molars Using the GentleWave System.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Studies using conventional endodontic protocols show insufficient
      cleaning of root canal systems, often resulting in persistent infection and
      treatment failure. The GentleWave System (GWS; Sonendo, Inc, Laguna Hills, CA)
      has been shown to result in a higher tissue dissolution rate in a study using
      bovine muscle. The purpose of this study was to compare the debridement efficacy
      of the GWS with a traditional method for cleaning root canals. METHODS: Forty
      five freshly extracted molars were randomly separated into 3 treatment groups (n
      = 15/group): group 1, no treatment; group 2, conventional rotary instrumentation
      and needle irrigation; and group 3, minimal instrumentation and the GWS
      treatment. Roots were prepared per standard histologic tissue processing after
      hematoxylin-eosin staining; sections were microscopically examined, and the
      percentage of soft tissue and debris remaining within the canals was
      morphometrically calculated. Images of the apical and middle regions of the roots
      were blindly analyzed. RESULTS: Significant differences (Welch's t test) were
      found between groups 2 and 3 in both apical (P = .0015) and middle (P = .0179)
      regions of the mesial roots of mandibular molars and mesiobuccal roots of
      maxillary molars. Groups 2 and 3 resulted in cleaning 67.8% and 97.2% of the
      mesiobuccal and mesiolingual root canals of mandibular molars and the mesiobuccal
      canals of maxillary molars, respectively, whereas the results were similar among
      groups 2 and 3 in the apical and middle regions of distal roots. Groups 2 and 3
      revealed significantly less debris than group 1 (P < .005). CONCLUSIONS: The GWS
      showed a significantly greater cleaning capacity and reduction in residual debris
      within the mesiobuccal and mesiolingual canals of mandibular molars and the
      mesiobuccal canals of maxillary molars than those cleaned conventionally.

PMID- 26275600
TI  - Equilibrium distributions and simulation methods for age structured populations.
AB  - A simulation method is presented for the demographic and genetic variation of age
      structured haploid populations. First, we use matrix analytic methods to derive
      an equilibrium distribution for the age class sizes conditioned on the total
      population size. Knowledge of this distribution eliminates the need of a burn-in
      time in simulations. Next, we derive the distribution of the alleles at a
      polymorphic locus in various age classes given the allele frequencies in the
      total population and the age size composition. For the time dynamics, we start by
      simulating the dynamics for the total population. In order to generate the
      inheritance of the alleles, we derive their distribution conditionally on the
      simulated population sizes. This method enables a fast simulation procedure of
      multiple loci in linkage equilibrium. 

PMID- 26275601
TI  - A two-phase Poisson process model and its application to analysis of cancer
      mortality among A-bomb survivors.
AB  - We consider a two-phase Poisson process model where only early successive
      transitions are assumed to be sensitive to exposure. In the case where intensity
      transitions are low, we derive analytically an approximate formula for the
      distribution of time to event for the excess hazard ratio (EHR) due to a single
      point exposure. The formula for EHR is a polynomial in exposure dose. Since the
      formula for EHR contains no unknown parameters except for the number of total
      stages, number of exposure-sensitive stages, and a coefficient of exposure
      effect, it is applicable easily under a variety of situations where there exists
      a possible latency time from a single point exposure to occurrence of event.
      Based on the multistage hypothesis of cancer, we formulate a radiation
      carcinogenesis model in which only some early consecutive stages of the process
      are sensitive to exposure, whereas later stages are not affected. An illustrative
      analysis using the proposed model is given for cancer mortality among A-bomb
      survivors. 

PMID- 26275602
TI  - NHS Trusts' clinical research activity and overall CQC performance - Is there a
      correlation?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Since the late 2000's, the creation of the National Institute for
      Health Research (NIHR) has transformed clinical research activity in the United
      Kingdom. This study sought to establish if there is a link between clinical
      research activity and overall NHS Trust performance. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective
      cohort study. METHODS: Data for NHS Trust performance were obtained from public
      databases, namely the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 2013 risk rating for overall
      performance, and 2012-13 NIHR records for clinical research activity. RESULTS:
      Applying Spearman's rank analysis, none of the Trust categories showed a
      correlation with CQC risk rating: small hospitals, r = -0.062 (P = 0.76; n = 27);
      medium, r = -0.224 (P = 0.13; n = 47); large, r = -0.008 (P = 0.96; n = 57);
      academic, r = -0.18 (P = 0.41; n = 24). Similar results were observed when CQC
      risk rating was compared with the number of different clinical research studies
      conducted per Trust. CONCLUSION: The degree of NIHR National Portfolio clinical
      research activity is not significantly related to CQC risk rating, used as an
      indicator of overall NHS Trust performance. Other studies have previously shown
      that increased research activity correlates with improved mortality rates, one
      component of CQC risk rating scores. Alternative tools may have to be explored to
      evaluate the impact of clinical research on NHS Trusts and its patients.

PMID- 26275603
TI  - Synthesis and cytotoxic activity evaluation of some novel 1-(3-(aryl-4,5
      dihydroisoxazol-5-yl)methyl)-4-trihalomethyl-1H-pyrimidin-2-ones in human cancer
      cells.
AB  - The synthesis of a series of 14 new 1-(3-(aryl-4,5-dihydroisoxazol-5-yl)methyl)-4
      trihalomethyl-1H-pyrimidin-2-ones from the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of
      1-allyl-4-(trihalomethyl)pyrimidin-2(1H)-ones with aryl nitrile oxides is
      described. Also, the antiproliferative activity of the title compounds was tested
      against five human tumoral cell lines: MCF-7 breast cancer cell line, ER+
      (estrogen receptor positive); HepG-2 (hepatoma); T-24 (bladder cancer); HCT-116
      cell (colorectal carcinoma); and CACO-2. The preliminary results are promising,
      since three compounds presented IC50 values below 2 MUM, as well as moderate to
      high selectivity. 

PMID- 26275604
TI  - Identifying and characterising key alternative splicing events in Drosophila
      development.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In complex Metazoans a given gene frequently codes for multiple
      protein isoforms, through processes such as alternative splicing. Large scale
      functional annotation of these isoforms is a key challenge for functional
      genomics. This annotation gap is increasing with the large numbers of multi
      transcript genes being identified by technologies such as RNASeq. Furthermore
      attempts to characterise the functions of splicing in an organism are complicated
      by the difficulty in distinguishing functional isoforms from those produced by
      splicing errors or transcription noise. Tools to help prioritise candidate
      isoforms for testing are largely absent. RESULTS: In this study we implement a
      Time-course Switch (TS) score for ranking isoforms by their likelihood of
      producing additional functions based on their developmental expression profiles,
      as reported by modENCODE. The TS score allows us to better investigate functional
      roles of different isoforms expressed in multi transcript genes. From this
      analysis, we find that isoforms with high TS scores have sequence feature changes
      consistent with more deterministic splicing and functional changes and tend to
      gain domains or whole exons which could carry additional functions. Furthermore
      these functions appear to be particularly important for essential regulatory
      roles, establishing functional isoform switching as key for regulatory processes.
      Based on the TS score we develop a Transcript Annotations Pipeline for
      Alternative Splicing (TAPAS) that identifies functional neighbourhoods of
      potentially interesting isoforms. CONCLUSIONS: We have identified a subset of
      protein isoforms which appear to have high functional significance, particularly
      in regulation. This has been made possible through the development of novel
      methods that make use of transcript expression profiles. The methods and analyses
      we present here represent important first steps in the development of tools to
      address the near complete lack of isoform specific function annotation. In turn
      the tools allow us to better characterise the regulatory functions of alternative
      splicing in more detail.

PMID- 26275605
TI  - Investigating the potential of Shikonin as a novel hypertrophic scar treatment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hypertrophic scarring is a highly prevalent condition clinically and
      results from a decreased number of apoptotic fibroblasts and over-abundant
      production of collagen during scar formation following wound healing. Our
      previous studies indicated that Shikonin, an active component extracted from
      Radix Arnebiae, induces apoptosis and reduces collagen production in hypertrophic
      scar-derived fibroblasts. In the study reported here, we further evaluate the
      potential use of Shikonin as a novel scar remediation therapy by examining the
      effects of Shikonin on both keratinocytes and fibroblasts using Transwell(r) co
      culture techniques. The underlying mechanisms were also revealed. In addition,
      effects of Shikonin on the expression of cytokines in Transwell co-culture
      "conditioned" medium were investigated. RESULTS: Our results indicate that
      Shikonin preferentially inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in
      fibroblasts without affecting keratinocyte function. In addition, we found that
      the proliferation-inhibiting and apoptosis-inducing abilities of SHI might be
      triggered via MAPK and Bcl-2/Caspase 3 signalling pathways. Furthermore, SHI has
      been found to attenuate the expression of TGF-beta1 in Transwell co-cultured
      "conditioned" medium. CONCLUSIONS: The data generated from this study provides
      further evidence that supports the potential use of Shikonin as a novel scar
      remediation therapy.

PMID- 26275606
TI  - STIM2 protects hippocampal mushroom spines from amyloid synaptotoxicity.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Alzheimer disease (AD) is a disease of lost memories. Mushroom
      postsynaptic spines play a key role in memory storage, and loss of mushroom
      spines has been proposed to be linked to memory loss in AD. Generation of
      amyloidogenic peptides and accumulation of amyloid plaques is one of the
      pathological hallmarks of AD. It is important to evaluate effects of amyloid on
      stability of mushroom spines. RESULTS: In this study we used in vitro and in vivo
      models of amyloid synaptotoxicity to investigate effects of amyloid peptides on
      hippocampal mushroom spines. We discovered that application of Abeta42 oligomers
      to hippocampal cultures or injection of Abeta42 oligomers directly into
      hippocampal region resulted in reduction of mushroom spines and activity of
      synaptic calcium-calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII). We further discovered
      that expression of STIM2 protein rescued CaMKII activity and protected mushroom
      spines from amyloid toxicity in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: Obtained results
      suggest that downregulation of STIM2-dependent stability of mushroom spines and
      reduction in activity of synaptic CaMKII is a mechanism of hippocampal synaptic
      loss in AD model of amyloid synaptotoxicity and that modulators/activators of
      this pathway may have a potential therapeutic value for treatment of AD.

PMID- 26275607
TI  - General practitioners and sickness certification for injury in Australia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Strong evidence supports an early return to work after injury as a
      way to improve recovery. In Australia, General Practitioners (GPs) see about 96 %
      of injured workers, making them the main gatekeepers to workers' entitlements.
      Most people with compensable injuries in Australia are certified as "unfit to
      work" by their GP, with a minority of patients certified for modified work
      duties. The reasons for this apparent dissonance between evidence and practice
      remain unexplored. Little is known about the factors that influence GP sickness
      certification behaviour in Australia. The aim of this study is to describe the
      factors influencing Australian GPs certification practice through qualitative
      interviews with four key stakeholders. METHODS: From September to December 2012,
      93 semi-structured interviews were undertaken in Melbourne, Australia.
      Participants included GPs, injured workers, employers and compensation agents.
      Data were thematically analysed. RESULTS: Five themes describing factors
      influencing GP certification were identified: 1. Divergent stakeholder views
      about the GP's role in facilitating return to work; 2. Communication between the
      four stakeholder groups; 3. Conflict between the stakeholder groups; 4.
      Allegations of GPs and injured workers misusing the compensation system and 5.
      The layout and content of the sickness certificate itself. CONCLUSION: By
      exploring GP certification practice from the perspectives of four key
      stakeholders, this study suggests that certification is an administrative and
      clinical task underpinned by a host of social and systemic factors. The findings
      highlight opportunities such as practice guideline development and improvements
      to the sickness certificate itself that may be targeted to improve GP sickness
      certification behaviour and return to work outcomes in an Australian context.

PMID- 26275609
TI  - Psychosocial impact of involvement in the Special Olympics.
AB  - Existing evidence suggests that people with intellectual disabilities are
      vulnerable to low self-esteem leading to additional psychosocial issues such as
      social exclusion and stress. Previous research into the involvement of Special
      Olympics (SO) of people with intellectual disabilities has indicted positive
      psychosocial outcomes. Involvement in sport is known generally to have
      psychological and social benefits. This study aimed to compare the psychosocial
      impact of involvement in sport through the SO to no or limited sports
      involvement, for a sample of people with intellectual disabilities. A cross
      sectional design was employed comparing three groups, SO, Mencap Sports, and
      Mencap No Sports on the variables: Self-esteem, quality of life, stress levels
      and social networks. One hundred and one participants were recruited either
      through the SO or Mencap. Data were collected through the completion of validated
      questionnaires by one to one interviews with the participants. Analysis revealed
      that self-esteem, quality of life, and stress were all significantly associated
      with SO involvement. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore whether
      scores on these variables were able to predict group membership. Self-esteem was
      found to be a significant predictor of group membership, those in the SO having
      the highest self-esteem. The findings provide further evidence of a positive
      association between sport involvement and increased psychological wellbeing,
      especially for those involved in the SO. The implications of these findings for
      practice and future research into the relationship between sport and
      psychological wellbeing within the learning disabled population are considered. 

PMID- 26275608
TI  - The rising burden of chronic conditions among urban poor: a three-year follow-up
      survey in Bengaluru, India.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic conditions are on rise globally and in India. Prevailing
      intra-urban inequities in access to healthcare services compounds the problems
      faced by urban poor. This paper reports the trends in self-reported prevalence of
      chronic conditions and health-seeking pattern among residents of a poor urban
      neighborhood in south India. METHODS: A cross sectional survey of 1099 households
      (5340 individuals) was conducted using a structured questionnaire. The prevalence
      and health-seeking pattern for chronic conditions in general and for hypertension
      and diabetes in particular were assessed and compared with a survey conducted in
      the same community three years ago. The predictors of prevalence and health
      seeking pattern were analyzed through a multivariable logistic regression
      analysis. RESULTS: The overall self-reported prevalence of chronic conditions was
      12%, with hypertension (7%) and diabetes (5.8%) being the common conditions. The
      self-reported prevalence of chronic conditions increased by 3.8 percentage point
      over a period of three years (OR: 1.5). Older people, women and people living
      below the poverty line had greater odds of having chronic conditions across the
      two studies compared. Majority of patients (89.3%) sought care from private
      health facilities indicating a decrease by 8.7 percentage points in use of
      government health facility compared to the earlier study (OR: 0.5). Patients
      seeking care from super specialty hospitals and those living below the poverty
      line were more likely to seek care from government health facilities. CONCLUSION:
      There is need to strengthen health services with a preferential focus on
      government services to assure affordable care for chronic conditions to urban
      poor.

PMID- 26275610
TI  - Uncertainty in the number of contributors in the proposed new CODIS set.
AB  - The probability that multiple contributors are detected within a forensic DNA
      profile improves as more highly polymorphic loci are analysed. The assignment of
      the correct number of contributors to a profile is important when interpreting
      the DNA profiles. In this work we investigate the probability of a mixed DNA
      profile appearing as having originated from a fewer number of contributors for
      the African American, Asian, Caucasian and Hispanic US populations. We
      investigate a range of locus configurations from the proposed new CODIS set.
      These theoretical calculations are based on allele frequencies only and ignore
      peak heights. We show that the probability of a higher order mixture (five or six
      contributors) appearing as having originated from one less individual is high.
      This probability decreases as the number of loci tested increases. 

PMID- 26275611
TI  - Comparing different post-mortem human samples as DNA sources for downstream
      genotyping and identification.
AB  - The capability of DNA laboratories to perform genotyping procedures from post
      mortem remains, including those that had undergone putrefaction, continues to be
      a challenge in the Philippines, a country characterized by very humid and warm
      conditions all year round. These environmental conditions accelerate the
      decomposition of human remains that were recovered after a disaster and those
      that were left abandoned after a crime. When considerable tissue decomposition of
      human remains has taken place, there is no other option but to extract DNA from
      bone and/or teeth samples. Routinely, femur shafts are obtained from recovered
      bodies for human identification because the calcium matrix protects the DNA
      contained in the osteocytes. In the Philippines, there is difficulty in
      collecting femur samples after natural disasters or even human-made disasters,
      because these events are usually characterized by a large number of fatalities.
      Identification of casualties is further delayed by limitation in human and
      material resources. Hence, it is imperative to test other types of biological
      samples that are easier to collect, transport, process and store. We analyzed DNA
      that were obtained from body fluid, bone marrow, muscle tissue, clavicle, femur,
      metatarsal, patella, rib and vertebral samples from five recently deceased
      untreated male cadavers and seven male human remains that were embalmed, buried
      for ~ 1 month and then exhumed. The bodies had undergone different environmental
      conditions and were in various stages of putrefaction. A DNA extraction method
      utilizing a detergent-washing step followed by an organic procedure was used. The
      utility of bone marrow and vitreous fluid including bone marrow and vitreous
      fluid that was transferred on FTA((r)) cards and subjected to autosomal STR and Y
      STR DNA typing were also evaluated. DNA yield was measured and the presence or
      absence of PCR inhibitors in DNA extracts was assessed using Plexor((r))HY. All
      samples were amplified using PowerPlex((r))21 and PowerPlexY((r))23 systems and
      analyzed using the AB3500 Genetic Analyzer and the GeneMapper((r)) ID-X v.1.2
      software. PCR inhibitors were consistently detected in bone marrow, muscle
      tissue, rib and vertebra samples. Amplifiable DNA was obtained in a majority of
      the samples analyzed. DNA recovery from 0.1g biological material was adequate for
      successful genotyping of most of the non-bone and bone samples. Complete DNA
      profiles were generated from bone marrow, femur, metatarsal and patella with 0.1
      ng DNA template. Using 0.5 ng DNA template resulted in increased allele recovery
      and improved intra- and inter-locus peak balance.

PMID- 26275612
TI  - Population genetic analyses of the Powerplex((r)) Fusion kit in a cosmopolitan
      sample of Chubut Province (Patagonia Argentina).
AB  - Allele frequencies and forensic parameters for 22 autosomal STR loci and DYS391
      locus included in the PowerPlex((r)) Fusion System kit were estimated in a sample
      of 770 unrelated individuals from Chubut Province, southern Patagonia. No
      significant deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were observed after
      Bonferroni's correction. The combined power of discrimination and the combined
      probability of exclusion were >0.999999 and 0.999984, respectively. Comparisons
      with other worldwide populations were performed. The MDS obtained show a close
      biological relation between Chubut and Chile. The estimated interethnic admixture
      supports a high Native American contribution (46%) in the population sample of
      Chubut. These results enlarge the Argentine databases of autosomal STR and would
      provide a valuable contribution for identification tests and population genetic
      studies. 

PMID- 26275613
TI  - Separation of Y-chromosomal haplotypes from male DNA mixtures via multiplex
      haplotype-specific extraction.
AB  - In forensic analysis, the interpretation of DNA mixtures is the subject of
      ongoing debate and requires expertise knowledge. Haplotype-specific extraction
      (HSE) is an alternative method that enables the separation of large chromosome
      fragments or haplotypes by using magnetic beads in conjunction with allele
      specific probes. HSE thus allows physical separation of the components of a DNA
      mixture. Here, we present the first multiplex HSE separation of a Y-chromosomal
      haplotype consisting of six Yfiler short tandem repeat markers from a mixture of
      male DNA. 

PMID- 26275614
TI  - Genetic population study of Y-chromosome markers in Benin and Ivory Coast ethnic
      groups.
AB  - Ninety-six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and seventeen short tandem
      repeat (STRs) were investigated on the Y-chromosome of 288 unrelated healthy
      individuals from populations in Benin (Bariba, Yoruba, and Fon) and the Ivory
      Coast (Ahizi and Yacouba). We performed a multidimensional scaling analysis based
      on FST and RST genetic distances using a large extensive database of sub-Saharan
      African populations. There is more genetic homogeneity in Ivory Coast populations
      compared with populations from Benin. Notably, the Beninese Yoruba are
      significantly differentiated from neighbouring groups, but also from the Yoruba
      from Nigeria (FST>0.05; P<0.01). The Y-chromosome dataset presented here provides
      new valuable data to understand the complex genetic diversity and human male
      demographic events in West Africa. 

PMID- 26275615
TI  - Translating clinical trials from human to veterinary oncology and back.
AB  - In human medicine clinical trials are legally required for drug development and
      approval. In contrast, clinical trials in small animal cancer patients are less
      common and legally perceived as animal experiments. Comparative oncology has been
      recognized as a method to speed up the development of medications by introducing
      animal patients with naturally developing tumours. In such cases, using animal
      patients would generate more robust data, as their spontaneous disease resembles
      the "real life" situation and thus could be more likely to predict the situation
      in human disease. This would not only provide veterinary oncology access to the
      latest developments in medicine before they are available for clinical use in
      animals, but could also lead to generation of clinical data in animal patients
      that could be translated to humans. Nevertheless, there are several limitations
      to practical conduct of clinical trials in veterinary medicine. In this review,
      the possible application of similar standards of Good Clinical Practice as in
      human clinical drug development will be discussed in detail, with special
      consideration of legal and ethical aspects in Europe and the US. 

PMID- 26275616
TI  - Leucobacter musarum subsp. musarum sp. nov., subsp. nov., Leucobacter musarum
      subsp. japonicus subsp. nov., and Leucobacter celer subsp. astrifaciens subsp.
      nov., three nematopathogenic bacteria isolated from Caenorhabditis, with an
      emended description of Leucobacter celer.
AB  - Three Gram-stain-positive, irregular-rod-shaped, non-motile, non-spore-forming
      bacteria were isolated from nematodes collected from Santa Antao, Cabo Verde
      (CBX151T, CBX152T) and Kakegawa, Japan (CBX130T). Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence
      similarity, strains CBX130T, CBX151T and CBX152T were shown to belong to the
      genus Leucobacter. This affiliation was supported by chemotaxonomic data (2,4
      diaminobutyric acid in the cell wall; major respiratory quinones MK-10 and MK-11;
      major polar lipids phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol; major fatty
      acids anteiso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0). Strains CBX130T and
      CBX152T were found to share salient characteristics. Based on morphological,
      physiological, chemotaxonomic and biochemical analysis, strain CBX152T represents
      a novel species of the genus Leucobacter, for which the name Leucobacter musarum
      sp. nov. (type strain CBX152T = DSM 27160T = CIP 110721T) is proposed. Two
      subspecies of Leucobacter musarum sp. nov. are proposed: Leucobacter musarum sp.
      nov. subsp. musarum subsp. nov. (type strain CBX152T = DSM 27160T = CIP 110721T)
      and Leucobacter musarum sp. nov. subsp. japonicus subsp. nov. (type strain
      CBX130T = DSM 27158T = CIP 110719T). The third novel strain, CBX151T, showed
      genetic similarities with Leucobacter celer NAL101T indicating that these strains
      belong to the same species. Based on morphological, physiological, chemotaxonomic
      and biochemical differences it is proposed to split the species Leucobacter celer
      into two novel subspecies, Leucobacter celer subsp. celer subsp. nov. (type
      strain NAL101T = KACC 14220T = JCM 16465T) and Leucobacter celer subsp.
      astrifaciens subsp. nov. (type strain CBX151T = DSM 27159T = CIP 110720T), and to
      emend the description of Leucobacter celerShin et al. 2011.

PMID- 26275618
TI  - David Oliver: What should senior doctors be paid?

PMID- 26275617
TI  - Management of brain metastasis with magnetic resonance imaging and stereotactic
      irradiation attenuated benefits of prophylactic cranial irradiation in patients
      with limited-stage small cell lung cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) enables a more sensitive detection
      of brain metastasis and stereotactic irradiation (SRI) efficiently controls brain
      metastasis. In limited-stage small cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC), prophylactic
      cranial irradiation (PCI) in patients with good responses to initial treatment is
      recommended based on the survival benefit shown in previous clinical trials.
      However, none of these trials evaluated PCI effects using the management of brain
      metastasis with MRI or SRI. This study aimed to determine the effects of MRI and
      SRI on the benefits of PCI in patients with LS-SCLC. METHODS: The clinical
      records of pathologically proven SCLC from January 2006 to June 2013 in
      facilities equipped with or had access to SRI in Japan were retrospectively
      reviewed. Patients with LS-SCLC and complete or good partial responses after
      initial treatment were included in the study and analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier
      method. RESULTS: Of 418 patients with SCLC, 124 met criteria and were divided
      into patients receiving PCI (PCI group; n = 29) and those without PCI (non-PCI
      groups; n = 95). At baseline, ratios of patients with stage III were
      significantly advantageous for the non-PCI group, although younger age and high
      ratios of complete response and MRI confirmed absence of brain metastasis were
      advantageous for the PCI group. Neither median survival times (25 vs. 34 months;
      p = 0.256) nor cumulative incidence of brain metastasis during 2 years (45.5 vs.
      30.8%; p = 0.313) significantly differed between the two groups. Moreover, these
      factors did not significantly differ among patients with stage III disease (25
      vs. 26 months; p = 0.680, 42.3 vs. 52.3%; p = 0.458, respectively). CONCLUSION:
      PCI may be less beneficial in patients with LS-SCLC if the management with MRI
      and SRI is available.

PMID- 26275619
TI  - Developments in the Implementation of Acoustic Droplet Ejection for Protein
      Crystallography.
AB  - Acoustic droplet ejection (ADE) enables crystallization experiments at the low
      nanoliter scale, resulting in rapid vapor diffusion equilibration dynamics and
      efficient reagent usage in the empirical discovery of structure-enabling protein
      crystallization conditions. We extend our validation of this technology applied
      to the diverse physicochemical property space of aqueous crystallization reagents
      where dynamic fluid analysis coupled to ADE aids in accurate and precise
      dispensations. Addition of crystallization seed stocks, chemical additives, or
      small-molecule ligands effectively modulates crystallization, and we here provide
      examples in optimization of crystal morphology and diffraction quality by the
      acoustic delivery of ultra-small volumes of these cofactors. Additional
      applications are discussed, including set up of in situ proteolysis and alternate
      geometries of crystallization that leverage the small scale afforded by acoustic
      delivery. Finally, we describe parameters of a system of automation in which the
      acoustic liquid handler is integrated with a robotic arm, plate centrifuge,
      peeler, sealer, and stacks, which allows unattended high-throughput
      crystallization experimentation. 

PMID- 26275620
TI  - Human mitochondrial MIA40 (CHCHD4) is a component of the Fe-S cluster export
      machinery.
AB  - Mitochondria play an essential role in synthesis and export of iron-sulfur (Fe-S)
      clusters to other sections of a cell. Although the mechanism of Fe-S cluster
      synthesis is well elucidated, information on the identity of the proteins
      involved in the export pathway is limited. The present study identifies hMIA40
      (human mitochondrial intermembrane space import and assembly protein 40), also
      known as CHCHD4 (coiled-coil-helix-coiled-coil-helix domain-containing 4), as a
      component of the mitochondrial Fe-S cluster export machinery. hMIA40 is an iron
      binding protein with the ability to bind iron in vivo and in vitro. hMIA40
      harbours CPC (Cys-Pro-Cys) motif-dependent Fe-S clusters that are sensitive to
      oxidation. Depletion of hMIA40 results in accumulation of iron in mitochondria
      concomitant with decreases in the activity and stability of Fe-S-containing
      cytosolic enzymes. Intriguingly, overexpression of either the mitochondrial
      export component or cytosolic the Fe-S cluster assembly component does not have
      any effect on the phenotype of hMIA40-depleted cells. Taken together, our results
      demonstrate an indispensable role for hMIA40 for the export of Fe-S clusters from
      mitochondria. 

PMID- 26275621
TI  - Neuromuscular and Vascular Hamartoma of the Small Intestine: An Exuberant
      Reparative Process Secondary to Chronic Inflammation.
AB  - The term Neuromuscular and Vascular Hamartoma (NMVH) was initially coined by
      Fernando and McGovern in 1982 in their report of 2 cases. Whether this lesion is
      truly hamartomatous or represents a "burnt-out" phase of varying chronic
      pathologies has been debated since that time. Examples of NMVH-like
      proliferations have been reported in the setting of diaphragm disease, Crohn's
      disease, radiation, and ischemia. Herein we present the case of a 73-year-old
      female with partial small bowel obstruction and a past surgical history
      significant for cholecystectomy and abdominal hysterectomy. A computed tomography
      scan revealed an ill-defined mass with the same density as muscle extending into
      the mesentery, worrisome for malignancy and generating the differential of
      lymphoma versus metastatic disease. Upon laparotomy, a 2.5 cm, constrictive,
      predominantly mural-based mass was identified. The more proximal bowel was
      dilated, and there were dense serosal adhesions. Grossly, the transmural lesion
      had a tan-yellow cobweb-like cut surface and the overlying mucosa was flattened.
      Histologically, the lesion contained fascicles of smooth muscle, irregularly
      spaced large nerve bundles, and thick-walled vasculature in a haphazard
      arrangement within a hypocellular fibroadipose stroma. No stigmata of Crohn's
      disease were observed, and the uninvolved enteric tissue was unremarkable. The
      patient's medical history was negative for chronic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
      use and was otherwise unremarkable. This case of an NMVH-like lesion is presented
      as a reminder of benign mass-forming lesions causing bowel obstruction and
      suggests that such lesions may develop secondary to a chronic inflammatory
      process. 

PMID- 26275622
TI  - Risk-taking behaviour in adolescents. 'Chance only favors the prepared mind'.

PMID- 26275624
TI  - Accuracy of combined dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging and
      diffusion-weighted imaging for breast cancer detection: a meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is increasingly being used to
      examine patients with suspected breast cancer. PURPOSE: To determine the
      diagnostic performance of combined dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance
      imaging (DCE-MRI) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) for breast cancer
      detection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A comprehensive search of the PUBMED, EMBASE,
      Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases was performed up to September
      2014. Statistical analysis included pooling of sensitivity and specificity,
      positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), diagnostic odds
      ratio (DOR), and diagnostic accuracy using the summary receiver operating
      characteristic (SROC). All analyses were conducted using STATA (version 12.0),
      RevMan (version 5.2), and Meta-Disc 1.4 software programs. RESULTS: Fourteen
      studies were analyzed, which included a total of 1140 patients with 1276 breast
      lesions. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of combined DCE-MRI and DWI were
      91.6% and 85.5%, respectively. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of DWI-MRI
      were 86.0% and 75.6%, respectively. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of DCE
      MRI were 93.2% and 71.1%. The area under the SROC curve (AUC-SROC) of combined
      DCE-MRI and DWI was 0.94, the DCE-MRI of 0.85. Deeks testing confirmed no
      significant publication bias in all studies. CONCLUSION: Combined DCE-MRI and DWI
      had superior diagnostic accuracy than either DCE-MRI or DWI alone for the
      diagnosis of breast cancer.

PMID- 26275623
TI  - GC skew defines distinct RNA polymerase pause sites in CpG island promoters.
AB  - CpG islands (CGIs) are associated with over half of human gene promoters and are
      characterized by a unique chromatin environment and high levels of bidirectional
      transcriptional activity relative to surrounding genomic regions, suggesting that
      RNA polymerase (Pol II) progression past the CGI boundaries is restricted. Here
      we describe a novel transcriptional regulatory step wherein Pol II encounters an
      additional barrier to elongation distinct from the promoter-proximal pause and
      occurring at the downstream boundary of the CGI domain. For most CGI-associated
      promoters, Pol II exhibits a dominant pause at either the promoter-proximal or
      this distal site that correlates, both in position and in intensity, with local
      regions of high GC skew, a sequence feature known to form unique secondary
      structures. Upon signal-induced gene activation, long-range enhancer contacts at
      the dominant pause site are selectively enhanced, suggesting a new role for
      enhancers at the downstream pause. These data point to an additional level of
      control over transcriptional output at a subset of CGI-associated genes that is
      linked to DNA sequence and the integrity of the CGI domain. 

PMID- 26275625
TI  - Drivers of information disclosure on health information exchange platforms:
      insights from an exploratory empirical study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research is to empirically explore the drivers
      of patients' consent to sharing of their medical records on health information
      exchange (HIE) platforms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors analyze a dataset
      consisting of consent choices of 20,076 patients in Western New York. A logistic
      regression is applied to empirically investigate the effects of patients' age,
      gender, complexity of medical conditions, and the role of primary care physicians
      on patients' willingness to disclose medical information on HIE platforms.
      RESULTS: The likelihood of providing consent increases by age (odds ratio (OR) =
      1.055; P < .0001). Female patients are more likely to provide consent (OR =
      1.460; P = .0003). As the number of different physicians involved in the care of
      the patient increases, the odds of providing consent slightly increases (OR =
      1.024; P = .0031). The odds of providing consent is significantly higher for the
      patients whom a primary care physician has been involved in their medical care
      (OR = 1.323; P < .0001). CONCLUSION: Individual-level characteristics are
      important predictors of patients' willingness to disclose their medical
      information on HIE platforms.

PMID- 26275626
TI  - The duplicated paired box protein 7 (pax7) genes differentially transcribed
      during Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) embryogenesis.
AB  - PAX are important regulators of developmental processes. PAX7 plays crucial roles
      in patterning of the dorsal central nervous system (CNS), neural crest (NC), and
      skeletal muscle. Here, we identified six spliced isoforms of pax7a and one pax7b
      and characterized their expression patterns. All of flounder Pax7a-1, Pax7a-2,
      Pax7a-3, and Pax7b contain a conserved paired domain (PD), an octapeptide motif
      (OP), and a paired type homeodomain (HD). However, the PD of Pax7a-4 and the HD
      of Pax7a-5 are not intact, and there is no HD in Pax7a-4 and Pax7a-6. pax7a and
      pax7b show distinct spatiotemporal expression patterns during embryogenesis.
      Whole-mount in situ hybridization demonstrates that the expression patterns of
      pax7a and pax7b are overlapping but distinguishable in the dorsal central nervous
      system. pax7a is expressed in most part of the brain and the neural tube, while
      pax7b is expressed exclusively in the diencephalon and the midbrain. In addition,
      pax7a is also expressed in the cranial NC and the trunk NC. RT-PCR results show
      that there were different expression patterns between the different isoforms.
      These results indicate subfunction partitioning of the duplicated pax7 genes. The
      duplicated pax7 may provide additional flexibility in fine-tuning neurogenesis
      and somitogenesis. 

PMID- 26275628
TI  - False positivity of monospot test in an immunocompetent elderly woman with acute
      cytomegalovirus infection.
AB  - A 75-year-old woman presented with altered mental status, septic picture, and
      influenza-like symptoms. Initial investigations revealed atypical lymphocytosis,
      thrombocytopenia, elevated liver enzymes, and a positive monospot test result.
      Further investigation showed the Epstein-Barr virus viral capsid antibody IgM/IgG
      and Epstein-Barr virus DNA by polymerase chain reaction to be negative; however,
      interestingly her cytomegalovirus (CMV) IgM and IgG were positive, suggesting
      that her mononucleosis-like syndrome was due to acute CMV infection. Herein, we
      report the first case of a heterophile-positive mononucleosis syndrome caused by
      acute CMV infection in an elderly immunocompetent woman. This case conveys that
      monospot test can yield false-positive result in the setting of acute CMV
      infection.

PMID- 26275627
TI  - Molecular cloning, expression and single nucleotide polymorphisms of protein
      phosphatase 1 (PP1) in mandarin fish (Siniperca chuatsi).
AB  - In the wild, mandarin fish (Siniperca chuatsi) only feed on live prey fish,
      refusing dead prey. When reared in ponds, training will result in some mandarin
      fish accepting artificial diets. However, little is currently known about the
      molecular mechanism of the individual difference. Serine/threonine protein
      phosphatase 1 (PP1) is a suppressor of learning and long-term memory (LTM) in
      mammals. In the present study, the relationship between PP1 and the individual
      difference in acceptance of artificial diets in mandarin fish was investigated.
      The complete CDS (coding sequence) of four PP1 isoforms (PP1caa, PP1cab, PP1cb
      and PP1cc) were cloned in mandarin fish. The amino acid sequences of these PP1
      isoforms are highly conserved in different species. The mRNA expressions of
      PP1caa and PP1cb in brain of artificial diet feeders were significantly higher
      than those in nonfeeders, suggesting the deficiency in the maintenance of long
      term memory of its natural food habit (live prey fish). The SNP loci in PP1caa
      and PP1cb were also found to be associated with the individual difference in
      acceptance of artificial diets in mandarin fish. These SNPs of PP1caa and PP1cb
      genes could be useful markers for gene-associated breeding of mandarin fish,
      which could accept artificial diets. In conclusion, different mRNA expression and
      SNPs of PP1caa and PP1cb genes in feeders and nonfeeders of artificial diets
      might contribute to understanding the molecular mechanism of individual
      difference in acceptance of artificial diets in mandarin fish. 

PMID- 26275629
TI  - Paraplegia caused by aortic coarctation complicated with spinal epidural
      hemorrhage.
AB  - Aortic coarctation complicated with spinal artery aneurysm rupture is
      exceptionally rare and can be source of intraspinal hemorrhage with markedly poor
      prognosis. A 21-year-old man visited the emergency department because of chest
      and back pain along with immobility of bilateral lower limbs immediately after he
      woke up in the morning. Complete flaccid paraplegia and hypoesthesia in dermatome
      below bilateral T3 level and pain over axial region from neck to lumbar region
      were noted. A computed tomography excluded aortic dissection. Magnetic resonance
      imaging revealed a fusiform lesion involving the anterior epidural space from C7
      to T2 level suspected of epidural hemorrhage, causing compression of spinal cord.
      He started intravenous corticosteroid but refused operation concerning the
      surgical benefits. Severe chest pain occurred with newly onset right bundle
      branch block that developed the other day. Coronary artery angiography revealed
      myocardial bridge of left anterior descending coronary artery at middle third and
      coarctation of aorta. He underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair
      uneventfully. The patient was hemodynamically stable but with slow improvement in
      neurologic recovery of lower limbs. Aortic coarcation can cause paralysis by
      ruptured vascular aneurysms with spinal hemorrhage and chest pain that mimics
      acute aortic dissection. A history of hypertension at young age and aortic
      regurgitated murmurs may serve as clues for further diagnostic studies. Cautious
      and prudent evaluation and cross disciplines cares are essential for diagnosis
      and successful management of the disease.

PMID- 26275630
TI  - Effect of mild hypothermia on the increase of CD11b+ Gr-1+ myeloid-derived
      suppressor cells induced by lipopolysaccharide in a mouse model of sepsis.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the influence of mild hypothermia on the
      number of CD11b+ Gr-1+ myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) induced by
      lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection in mice with sepsis. METHODS: BALB/c mice were
      administered LPS to establish a mouse model of sepsis. Then, these mice were
      randomly divided into 3 groups: the mild hypothermia plus LPS group, the
      normothermia plus LPS group, and the LPS group. The normal control group was
      injected the same amount of 0.9% sodium chloride solution. The ratio of CD11b+ Gr
      1+ MDSCs in the mouse spleen and bone marrow was determined at 6, 12, 24, 48, and
      72 hours after LPS injection and after injected 0.9% sodium chloride solution.
      RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the number of MDSCs in the spleen in
      the sepsis group increased gradually, and the difference was significant at 12
      hours after injection (P<.01). Moreover, the number of MDSCs was the lowest in
      the mild hypothermia group, and there was a significant difference than the other
      2 groups at 48 hours (P<.01). The number of MDSCs in the bone marrow increased
      gradually, and the difference between the sepsis and control groups was
      significant at 24 hours (P<.01). The number of MDSCs in the mild hypothermia
      group was the lowest, and there was a statistically significant difference than
      the other 2 groups (P<.05). CONCLUSION: Mild hypothermia inhibited the production
      and accumulation of MDSCs induced by LPS administration in septic mice.

PMID- 26275631
TI  - Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation in bedside echocardiography
      diagnosed massive pulmonary embolism.
AB  - Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is one of the major causes of inhospital cardiac
      arrest as well as out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Bedside diagnosis of acute PE
      in the emergency department (ED) can be challenging, especially in a cardiac
      arrest setting. Even if the early diagnosis of an acute massive PE had been made,
      hemodynamic instability may be worsened unless obstructive shock gets resolved.
      We present a case of a 46-year-old woman who developed pulseless electrical
      activity (PEA) after complaining of weakness and dyspnea in an ambulance,
      presumptively diagnosed as acute PE by bedside focused echocardiography. She
      received thrombolytic therapy and was rescued by extracorporeal cardiopulmonary
      resuscitation for recurrent PEA arrest in the ED. Focused bedside
      echocardiography provides a rapid diagnostic adjunct, and extracorporeal
      cardiopulmonary resuscitation can be a valuable rescue therapy for PEA arrest
      from massive PE.

PMID- 26275632
TI  - Therapeutic plasma exchange in poisoning: 8 years' experience of a university
      hospital.
AB  - INTRODUCTION AND AIM: This study examined the extracorporeal methods for the
      elimination of toxic substances in poisoned patients that are used by clinicians
      taking care of such patients. Here we present our experience in the use of
      therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE). To the best of our knowledge, this is the
      largest number of poisoning cases ever reported in a study. PATIENTS AND METHODS:
      This is a retrospective study conducted at the Cukurova University Faculty of
      Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, with the permission of the ethical
      committee of the medical faculty. The study includes patients who had undergone
      TPE because of poisoning between January 2007 and May 2015. We summarize the
      clinical data and outcomes of the patients with available files. RESULTS: A total
      of 36 cases among the 42 patients who underwent TPE in this 8-year period were
      included in the study. More than 20 identified toxic substances, most of which
      were pesticides, were found to be the causes of poisoning. Twenty-three healthy
      discharges and 12 deaths are discussed in the study. CONCLUSION: We believe that
      our study reports the largest ever number of poisoning cases treated with TPE in
      the literature. When applicable, TPE may be a promising extracorporeal
      elimination and treatment technique in poisoned patients when performed in
      selected cases.

PMID- 26275633
TI  - The role of interoceptive inference in theory of mind.
AB  - Inferring the intentions and beliefs of another is an ability that is fundamental
      for social and affiliative interactions. A substantial amount of empirical
      evidence suggests that making sense of another's intentional and belief states
      (i.e. theory of mind) relies on exteroceptive (e.g. visual and auditory) and
      proprioceptive (i.e. motor) signals. Yet, despite its pivotal role in the
      guidance of behaviour, the role of the observer's interoceptive (visceral)
      processing in understanding another's internal states remains unexplored.
      Predicting and keeping track of interoceptive bodily states - which inform
      intentions and beliefs that guide behaviour - is one of the fundamental purposes
      of the human brain. In this paper, we will focus on the role of interoceptive
      predictions, prescribed by the free energy principle, in making sense of internal
      states that cause another's behaviour. We will discuss how multimodal
      expectations induced at deep (high) hierarchical levels - that necessarily entail
      interoceptive predictions - contribute to inference about others that is at the
      heart of theory of mind.

PMID- 26275634
TI  - Does a low FODMAP diet improve symptoms in Mexican patients with IBS?

PMID- 26275635
TI  - Esophageal motility in eosinophilic esophagitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is characterized by eosinophilic
      infiltration of the esophagus and is a potential cause of dysphagia and food
      impaction, most commonly affecting young men. Esophageal manometry findings vary
      from normal motility to aperistalsis, simultaneous contractions, diffuse
      esophageal spasm, nutcracker esophagus or hypotonic lower esophageal sphincter
      (LES). It remains unclear whether esophageal dysmotility plays a significant role
      in the clinical symptoms of EoE. AIM: Our aim is to review the pathogenesis,
      diagnosis, and effect of treatment on esophageal dysmotility in EoE. METHODS: A
      literature search utilizing the PubMed database was performed using keywords:
      eosinophilic esophagitis, esophageal dysmotility, motility, manometry, impedance
      planimetry, barium esophagogram, endoscopic ultrasound, and dysphagia. RESULTS:
      Fifteen studies, totaling 387 patients with eosinophilic esophagitis were
      identified as keeping in accordance with the aim of this study and included in
      this review. The occurrence of abnormal esophageal manometry was reported to be
      between 4 and 87% among patients with EoE. Esophageal motility studies have shown
      reduced distensibility, abnormal peristalsis, and hypotonicity of the LES in
      patients with EoE, which may also mimic other esophageal motility disorders such
      as achalasia or nutcracker esophagus. Studies have shown conflicting results
      regarding the presence of esophageal dysmotility and symptoms with some reports
      suggesting a higher rate of food impaction, while others report no correlation
      between motor function and dysphagia. CONCLUSIONS: Motility dysfunction of the
      esophagus in EoE has not been well reported in the literature and studies have
      reported conflicting evidence regarding the clinical significance of dysmotility
      seen in EoE. The correlation between esophageal dysmotility and symptoms of EoE
      remains unclear. Larger studies are needed to investigate the incidence of
      esophageal dysmotility, clinical implications, and effect of treatment on
      patients with EoE.

PMID- 26275636
TI  - Survey of Voice Acoustic Parameters in Iranian Female Teachers.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Teachers are one of the professional voice users. Voice problems are
      common among them. Female teachers are known to have more voice problems than
      male ones. Furthermore, there are only few studies on the voice of Iranian female
      teachers. The present study investigated the acoustic parameters of voice in
      Iranian female teachers and compares them with nonteachers. METHODS: In this
      cross-sectional study, 90 Iranian female elementary teachers, 30-50 years old,
      and 90 Iranian female nonteachers in the same age were assessed between May 2010
      and October 2011. Data collection was carried out, using the Dr. Speech software
      (subprogram: vocal assessment Version 4.0 from Tiger Electronics) at the speech
      therapy clinic under a comfortable phonation. Normal voice in practitioners was
      judged by the perceptual evaluation by a voice therapist and indirect
      laryngoscopy examination by an otorhinolaryngologist. Voice characteristics were
      assessed with GRBAS scale. The speech sample was sustained /a/ using habitual and
      constant vocal for 10 seconds. Three tokens from each subject were obtained.
      Then, each subject was asked to read a standard passage in Farsi. Eventually, the
      difference measures of F0, jitter, shimmer, harmonic to noise ratio (HNR), and
      maximum of phonation time (MPT) between two groups were investigated by
      statistics software SPSS 19.0 (IBM corp.2010). RESULTS: Results showed that the
      values of F0 were higher in teachers (210.03 Hz) than in nonteachers (194.11 Hz;
      P < 0.001). In addition, the values of perturbation measures were greater in
      teachers (jitter 0.32% and shimmer 4.63%) than those in the control group (jitter
      0.22% and shimmer 3.15%; P < 0.001), but in HNR and MPT values, nonteachers
      showed higher levels (P < 0.001). The value of HNR in teachers was (18.84+/-1.56)
      but it was (21.3+/-1.73) in non-teachers and MPT value in teachers was (16.83+/
      3.65) and in non-teachers was (22.5+/-5.2). CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that
      vocal overuse, abuse, or misuse during teaching over a period of time result in
      achievement of inadequate phonatory pattern with excessive musculoskeletal
      tension, and the possible result is tissue changes in teacher's voice. In
      addition, acoustic analysis of voice parameters for teachers may significantly
      contribute to the objective voice examination of this group.

PMID- 26275637
TI  - Application of low-mixing energy input for the coagulation process.
AB  - Rapid-mixing tanks with mechanical mixers are a common design used in treatment
      plants. Yet, the role of such rapid-mixing systems on the effectiveness of the
      coagulation performance is unclear. This study looked at optimizing the direct
      energy used in the coagulation process for removal of natural dissolved organic
      matter (DOM). The role of coagulation mixing intensity (G-value) on total organic
      carbon (TOC) and turbidity removal was examined for the water types with high
      organic content, with a specific ultraviolet absorbance (SUVA) of at least 2-2.5
      units of m(-1) of absorbance per mg/L. A standard jar test using ferric sulfate
      coagulant was performed to optimize the chemical condition in coagulation for
      removal of dissolved organics as well as particles. The jar test analysis at an
      acidic pH (4.5 +/- 0.3) required an iron dose <0.3 mM to arrive at an optimal
      coagulant concentration and resulted in above 75% of TOC removal. The influence
      of coagulation mixing on TOC and turbidity removal was evaluated at G varying
      from 0 to 1500 s(-1) at the optimized coagulant dose and pH conditions for
      enhanced coagulation. In this study, a combined effective removal of TOC and
      turbidity was achieved at a low-mixing intensity range of 110 s(-1) < G < 450 s(
      1). Coagulation operated at G greater than 450 s(-1) showed negligible
      improvement in TOC removal. Minimizing energy consumption in enhanced coagulation
      is feasible at the proposed mixing intensity range (i.e., 110 s(-1) < G < 450 s(
      1)), without sacrificing the effectiveness of DOM removal by coagulation. These
      findings represent an opportunity for energy savings for the water industry
      without sacrificing quality. 

PMID- 26275638
TI  - Prevalence, morbidity, and current medical management of uterine leiomyomas.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Uterine leiomyoma is the most common pelvic tumor in women, but the
      actual prevalence is unknown. OBJECTIVES: To review the literature on the
      prevalence of uterine leiomyoma, presenting symptoms, and medical management.
      SEARCH STRATEGY: On April 1-30, 2014, a PubMed search for studies reported in
      English was conducted using the terms "uterine leiomyoma," "prevalence," and
      "symptoms." Another search was performed using the terms "uterine leiomyoma" and
      "treatment." SELECTION CRITERIA: All trial types other than internet-only studies
      were included. Animal studies were excluded from the prevalence/symptom review,
      but included in the medical management review. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS:
      Prevalence rates were recorded on the basis of imaging modality, cohort studied,
      ethnic origin, and age. MAIN RESULTS: Studies involving asymptomatic women
      revealed a trend in prevalence similar to that in symptomatic women, and showed
      that leiomyomas are more common in this cohort than previously recognized.
      Affected patients can present with many complaints, but no single symptom has
      been shown to be specific for this tumor. Various medical therapies are reviewed,
      summarizing efficacy and toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: Further research needs to be
      conducted on the prevalence in asymptomatic women. Current and future medical
      management options provide promising results in symptom reduction.

PMID- 26275639
TI  - A novel risk score that incorporates recipient and donor variables to predict 1
      year mortality in the current era of lung transplantation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In this study we sought to construct a novel scoring system to pre
      operatively stratify a patient's risk of 1-year mortality after lung
      transplantation (LTx) based on recipient- and donor-specific characteristics.
      METHODS: The UNOS database was queried for adult (>=18 years) patients undergoing
      LTx between May 1, 2005 and December 31, 2012. The population was randomly
      divided in a 4:1 fashion into derivation and validation cohorts. A multivariable
      logistic regression model for 1-year mortality was constructed within the
      derivation cohort. Points were then assigned to independent predictors (p < 0.05)
      based on relative odds ratios. Risk groups were established based on score
      ranges. RESULTS: During the study period, 9,185 patients underwent LTx and the 1
      year mortality was 18.0% (n = 1,654). There was a similar distribution of
      variables between the derivation (n = 7,336) and validation (n = 1,849) cohorts.
      Of the 14 covariates included in the final model, 9 were ultimately allotted
      point values (maximum score = 70). The model exhibited good predictive strength
      (c = 0.65) in the derivation cohort and demonstrated a strong correlation between
      the observed and expected rates of 1-year mortality in the validation cohort (r =
      0.87). The low-risk (score 0 to 11), intermediate-risk (score 12 to 21) and high
      risk (score >=22) groups had a 10.8%, 17.1% and 32.0% risk of mortality (p <
      0.001), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first scoring system that
      incorporates both recipient- and donor-related factors to predict 1-year
      mortality after LTx. Its use could assist providers in the identification of
      patients at highest risk for poor post-transplant outcomes.

PMID- 26275640
TI  - The presentation and preliminary validation of KIWEST using a large sample of
      Norwegian university staff.
AB  - AIMS: The aim of the present paper is to present and validate a Knowledge
      Intensive Work Environment Survey Target (KIWEST), a questionnaire developed for
      assessing the psychosocial factors among people in knowledge-intensive work
      environments. METHODS: The construct validity and reliability of the measurement
      model where tested on a representative sample of 3066 academic and administrative
      staff working at one of the largest universities in Norway. RESULTS: Confirmatory
      factor analysis provided initial support for the convergent validity and internal
      consistency of the 30 construct KIWEST measurement model. However, discriminant
      validity tests indicated that some of the constructs might overlap to some
      degree. CONCLUSION: Overall, the KIWEST measure showed promising psychometric
      properties as a psychosocial work environment measure.

PMID- 26275641
TI  - Dose-response association between leisure time physical activity and work
      ability: Cross-sectional study among 3000 workers.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Regular physical activity is important for longevity and health,
      but knowledge about the optimal dose of physical activity for maintaining good
      work ability is unknown. This study investigates the association between
      intensity and duration of physical activity during leisure time and work ability
      in relation to physical demands of the job. METHODS: From the 2010 round of the
      Danish Work Environment Cohort Study, currently employed wage earners with
      physically demanding work (n = 2952) replied to questions about work, lifestyle
      and health. Excellent (100 points), very good (75 points), good (50 points), fair
      (25 points) and poor (0 points) work ability in relation to the physical demands
      of the job was experienced by 18%, 40%, 30%, 10% and 2% of the respondents,
      respectively. RESULTS: General linear models that controlled for gender, age,
      physical and psychosocial work factors, lifestyle and chronic disease showed that
      the duration of high-intensity physical activity during leisure was positively
      associated with work ability, in a dose-response fashion (p < 0.001). Those
      performing ? 5 hours of high-intensity physical activity per week had on average
      8 points higher work ability than those not performing such activities. The
      duration of low-intensity leisure-time physical activity was not associated with
      work ability (p = 0.5668). CONCLUSIONS: The duration of high-intensity physical
      activity during leisure time is associated in a dose-response fashion with work
      ability, in workers with physically demanding jobs.

PMID- 26275642
TI  - Economic Value of Improved Accuracy for Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose Devices
      for Type 1 Diabetes in Canada.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective was to simulate and compare clinical and economic
      outcomes of self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) devices along error ranges
      and strip price. METHODS: We programmed a type 1 diabetes natural history and
      treatment cost-effectiveness model. In phase 1, using past evidence from in
      silico modeling validated by the Food and Drug Administration, we associated
      changes in SMBG error to changes in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and separately,
      changes in severe hypoglycemia requiring an inpatient stay. In phase 2, using
      Markov cohort simulation modeling, we estimated clinical and economic outcomes
      from the Canadian payer perspective. The primary comparison was a SMBG device
      with strip price $0.73 Canadian dollars (CAD) and 10% error (exceeding accuracy
      requirements by International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 15197:2013)
      versus a SMBG device with strip price $0.60 CAD and 15% error (accuracy meeting
      ISO 15197:2013). Outcomes for the average patient, were quality-adjusted life
      years (QALYs), incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs), and budget impact.
      RESULTS: Assuming benefits translate into HbA1c improvements only, the ICER with
      10% error versus 15% was $11 500 CAD per QALY. Assuming the benefits translate
      into reduced severe hypoglycemia requiring an inpatient stay only, an SMBG device
      with 10% error dominated (ie, less costly, more effective) an SMBG device with
      15% error. The 3-year budget impact findings ranged from $0.004 CAD per member
      per month for HbA1c improvements to cost-savings for severe hypoglycemia
      reductions. CONCLUSIONS: From efficiency (cost-effectiveness) and affordability
      (budget impact) payer perspectives, investing in devices with improved accuracy
      (less error) appears to be an efficient and affordable strategy.

PMID- 26275643
TI  - Are Risk Indices Derived From CGM Interchangeable With SMBG-Based Indices?
AB  - BACKGROUND: The risk of hypo- and hyperglycemia has been assessed for years by
      computing the well-known low blood glucose index (LBGI) and high blood glucose
      index (HBGI) on sparse self-monitoring blood glucose (SMBG) readings. These
      metrics have been shown to be predictive of future glycemic events and clinically
      relevant cutoff values to classify the state of a patient have been defined, but
      their application to continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) profiles has not been
      validated yet. The aim of this article is to explore the relationship between CGM
      based and SMBG-based LBGI/HBGI, and provide a guideline to follow when these
      indices are computed on CGM time series. METHODS: Twenty-eight subjects with type
      1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) were monitored in daily-life conditions for up to 4
      weeks with both SMBG and CGM systems. Linear and nonlinear models were considered
      to describe the relationship between risk indices evaluated on SMBG and CGM data.
      RESULTS: LBGI values obtained from CGM did not match closely SMBG-based values,
      with clear underestimation especially in the low risk range, and a linear
      transformation performed best to match CGM-based LBGI to SMBG-based LBGI. For
      HBGI, a linear model with unitary slope and no intercept was reliable, suggesting
      that no correction is needed to compute this index from CGM time series.
      CONCLUSIONS: Alternate versions of LBGI and HBGI adapted to the characteristics
      of CGM signals have been proposed that enable extending results obtained for SMBG
      data and using clinically relevant cutoff values previously defined to promptly
      classify the glycemic condition of a patient.

PMID- 26275644
TI  - The effects of music listening on psychosocial stress and maternal-fetal
      attachment during pregnancy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: While music listening has been studied as an intervention to help
      reduce anxiety in pregnant women, few studies have explored the effect of music
      listening on pregnancy-specific stress relief. This study examines the effects of
      music listening on psychosocial stress and maternal-fetal attachment during
      pregnancy. DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial was implemented. A valid sample
      of 296 pregnant women in their second or third trimester was randomly distributed
      into an experimental group (n=145) and a control group (n=151). INTERVENTIONS:
      The experimental group received routine prenatal care and music listening. The
      control group received routine prenatal care only. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Data
      were collected using a demographic form, Pregnancy Stress Rating Scale (PSRS),
      Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and Maternal-Fetal Attachment Scale (MFAS).
      RESULTS: The post-test results identified a significantly lower level of
      psychosocial stress in the experimental group than in the control group,
      particularly in terms of the stresses related to baby care and changing family
      relationships and to maternal role identification. However, no statistically
      significant differences in terms of perceived stress and maternal-fetal
      attachment were found between the post-test results of the two groups.
      CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence in support of using of music in
      interventions designed to relieve psychosocial stress in prenatal women. IRB
      approval number: ER98223.

PMID- 26275645
TI  - A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of Qigong and Tai Chi for
      depressive symptoms.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Qigong and Tai Chi are the two most popular traditional Chinese
      exercises, known as mind-body movement therapies. Previous studies suggest that
      Qigong and Tai Chi may be beneficial in reducing depressive symptoms. This was
      the first study to systematically review and compare the effects of Qigong and
      Tai Chi on depressive symptoms. METHODS: A systematic search of six electronic
      databases was undertaken through to February 2014, for randomized controlled
      trials (RCTs) which reported depressive symptoms measured by a depressive symptom
      rating scale. The standardized mean difference in depressive symptoms score
      between Qigong or Tai Chi and a control group (at the end of follow-up) was
      extracted as a primary outcome. The secondary outcome was the standardized mean
      gain in symptom score (SMG) relative to the baseline from individual arms of the
      RCTs for various forms of care including Qigong, Tai Chi, usual care, other
      exercise, education and miscellaneous interventions. RESULTS: Thirty studies with
      a total of 2328 participants (823 males and 1505 females) were included. A
      significant effect was found for the Qigong interventions (Cohen's d -0.48 95% CI
      -0.48 to -0.12; SMG -0.52, 95% CI -0.79 to -0.26). There was no significant
      effect seen for Tai Chi for the primary endpoint. No mean change in symptom
      scores were seen for Tai Chi, usual care, other exercises, education and the
      'miscellaneous' group in pre-post assessment in single arms. The Qigong results
      were found to be robust in sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Qigong appears to
      be beneficial for reducing depressive symptom severity. However, given the low
      quality of the included studies and the documented evidence of publication bias,
      these results should be viewed cautiously.

PMID- 26275646
TI  - Risk in homeopathy: Classification of adverse events and homeopathic aggravations
      -A cross sectional study among Norwegian homeopath patients.
AB  - The registration of adverse events is important to identify treatment that might
      impose risk to patients. Homeopathic aggravation, a concept unique for homeopathy
      may impose a particular risk, as it is tolerant towards a worsening of the
      patients' symptoms. The aim of this study was to explore the classification of
      patient reported reactions as homeopathic aggravations or adverse drug reactions.
      DESIGN AND SETTING: In a cross sectional survey, patients were asked to register
      any reactions they had experienced 14 days after taking homeopathic remedies.
      Worsening of symptoms was classified as homeopathic aggravation if it was (i) an
      increase of the patients' existing symptoms (ii) and/or a feeling of well-being
      that emerged 1-3 days after taking the remedy (iii) and/or headache and/or
      fatigue accompanying these symptoms. RESULTS: A total of 26% of the participants
      reported worsening of symptoms. One third was classified as adverse events. Half
      of these were graded as minor and the other half as moderate according to the
      Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events. Two thirds were classified as
      homeopathic aggravations. Of these, 73% were classified as minor and 27% as
      moderate, giving a tendency towards milder severity for those classified as
      homeopathic aggravations (p=0.065). CONCLUSION: Patients reported a substantial
      part of the short-term reactions after taking homeopathic remedy as a worsening
      of symptoms. These reactions were classified as mild and moderate. Hence, the
      risk connected to homeopathic treatment is minor. More studies are needed to
      confirm the existence of homeopathic aggravation and how to classify the concept
      in a clinically meaningful way.

PMID- 26275647
TI  - Outcomes of Chinese herb medicine for the treatment of multidrug-resistant
      tuberculosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - Several studies have suggested that Chinese herb medicine (CHM) in combination
      with chemotherapy has efficacy in the treatment of multidrug-resistant
      tuberculosis (MDR-TB). The purpose of this meta-analysis was to assess the
      efficacy of CHM as a concomitant therapy for MDR-TB. Six databases were searched
      up to October 2014. Controlled trials comparing CHM combined with chemotherapy
      (treatment group) with chemotherapy alone (control group) for the treatment of
      MDR-TB were analyzed. Twenty studies, comprising 1823 patients across China, were
      included in this review. The meta-analysis showed CHM combined with chemotherapy
      was associated with a superiority in treatment success (odds ratio [OR], 1.33;
      95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.15-1.54; P<0.001), and radiological improvement
      (OR, 1.32; 95% CI: 1.14-1.52; P<0.001). Patients who received CHM combined with
      chemotherapy were associated with a similar likely to relapse (OR, 0.88; 95% CI:
      0.62-1.25, P=0.478). CHM combination with chemotherapy appeared to be associated
      with a low incidence of adverse effects for MDT-TB treatment. According to the
      pooled results and the poor quality of the included trials, it might be
      uncertainty that there was a superiority of CHM combined with chemotherapy for
      treating MDR-TB. More rigorous controlled trials are required to substantiate or
      refute these early findings. 

PMID- 26275648
TI  - Effects of a standardized Ayurvedic formulation on diabetes control in newly
      diagnosed Type-2 diabetics; a randomized active controlled clinical study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of a
      standardized polyherbal formulation consists of aqueous extracts from six herbs,
      in patients with Type-2 diabetes mellitus. DESIGN: Randomized, active control
      study. INTERVENTIONS: 93 patients, newly diagnosed with Type-2 diabetes mellitus
      were randomly allocated to group 1 (received polyherbal capsules 500 mg/day, up
      titrated weekly to a maximum of 3 g/day) and group 2 (received Metformin 500
      mg/day, up titrated weekly to a maximum of 2 g/day). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The
      primary endpoint was effect on the change from baseline in blood glucose (Fasting
      blood Glucose and Postprandial blood glucose), and glycosylated hemoglobin
      (HbA1c). The secondary outcome includes the effect on lipid levels, liver enzymes
      and renal function test. RESULTS: After 24 weeks, mean laboratory measured
      fasting and post prandial blood glucose showed a decrease of 25.52% and 24.22% in
      polyherbal formulation (PHF) treated group, compared to 31.46% and 24% decrease
      in Metformin treated group (estimated treatment difference -10.8; 95% CI -22.63
      to 1.03 and -0.36; -12.1 to 11.38, respectively). Reduction in HbA1c was also
      similar for PHF and Metformin (estimated treatment difference 0.01; 95% CI -0.51
      to 0.53). However, the decrease in the mean total cholesterol level was more
      pronounced in PHF treated group (estimated mean difference 61.3; 95% CI 55.32 to
      67.28) than Metformin treated group (estimated mean difference 41.12; 95% CI
      34.92 to 47.32). Also, there was statistical significance between the treatment
      groups in total cholesterol level at the end of six months treatment (estimated
      treatment difference 20.18; 95% CI 12.34 to 28.02). CONCLUSION: The study
      demonstrated that daily intake of this PHF decreased the glycemic level and
      improved lipid homeostasis, while maintaining the other serum biochemical levels
      to the normal, and therefore it may be useful for the patients with Type-2
      diabetes. This trial is registered in the Clinical Trials Registry - India (CTRI)
      (CTRI/2014/03/004490).

PMID- 26275649
TI  - Effect of yoga on arterial stiffness in elderly subjects with increased pulse
      pressure: A randomized controlled study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine the effect of yoga on arterial function in
      elderly with increased pulse pressure (PP). DESIGN: Randomized controlled study
      with two parallel groups. PARTICIPANTS: Elderly subjects with PP>=60 mmHg (n=60).
      INTERVENTIONS: Yoga group (n=30) was assigned for yoga training and brisk-walking
      (BW) group (n=30) for brisk-walk with stretching exercise for 1h in the morning
      for 6 days in a week for 12 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Arterial stiffness
      measures: Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), Carotid-femoral pulse wave
      velocity (c-f PWV), aortic augmentation index (AIx@75), arterial stiffness index
      at brachial (bASI) and tibial arteries (aASI). Total serum nitric oxide
      concentration (NOx) as an index of endothelial function. Heart rate variability
      (HRV) measures: Low frequency and high frequency in normalized units (LFnu, HFnu)
      and LF/HF ratio. RESULTS: The mean between-group change (with 95% CI) in arterial
      stiffness: c-f PWV(m/s) [1.25(0.59-1.89); p<0.001], baPWV(m/s) [1.96(0.76-3.16),
      p<0.01], AIx@75 [3.07(0.24-5.89), p=0.066], aASI [8.3(4.06-12.53), p<0.001];
      endothelial function index: NO(MUmol/L) [-9.03(-14.57 to -3.47), p<0.001];
      SBP(mmHg) [14.23(12.03-16.44), p<0.001], DBP(mmHg) [0.1(-1.95-2.15), p=0.38],
      PP(mmHg) [14.07(11.2-16.92), p<0.001], MAP(mmHg) [4.7(3.08-6.32), p<0.001]; and
      cardiac autonomic function: LF(nu) [4.81(1.54-8.08), p<0.01], HF(nu) [-4.13(-7.57
      to -0.69), p<0.01], LF/HF ratio [0.84(0.3-1.37), p<0.001], indicate significant
      difference in effects of two intervention on arterial stiffness, endothelial
      function, BP and cardiac autonomic activity. There was significant change within
      yoga group in vascular function, BP and autonomic function, while no significant
      change within-BW group was observed. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that yoga
      program offered was more effective than brisk-walk in reducing arterial stiffness
      along with BP in elderly individuals with increased PP. Yoga can also
      significantly reduce sympathetic activity and improve endothelial function with
      enhancement in bioavailability of NO.

PMID- 26275650
TI  - A supplemental report to a randomized cluster trial of a 20-week Sun-style Tai
      Chi for osteoarthritic knee pain in elders with cognitive impairment.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This was a secondary data analysis of a cluster-randomized clinical
      trial that tested the efficacy of a 20-week Sun-style Tai Chi (TC) program in
      reducing pain in community-dwelling elders with cognitive impairment and knee
      osteoarthritis (OA). The study also examined whether elders' level of cognitive
      function was related to the outcomes of the TC program. METHOD: Elders (N=55)
      were recruited from 8 study sites. Each site was randomly assigned to participate
      in either a 20-week TC or an education program. Verbal report of pain was
      measured by a Verbal Descriptor Scale (VDS) at weeks 1, 5, 9, 13, 17 and 21
      (designated as times 1-6). Pain behaviors and analgesic intake were also recorded
      at times 1-6. RESULTS: At post-test, scores on the VDS and observed pain
      behaviors were significantly better in the TC group than in the control group
      (p=0.008-0.048). The beneficial effects of TC were not associated with cognitive
      ability. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that TC can be used as an adjunct to
      pharmacological intervention to relieve OA pain in elders with cognitive
      impairment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trial.gov NCT01528566.

PMID- 26275651
TI  - Chuanxiong chadiao powder, a famous Chinese herbal prescription, for headache: A
      systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Headache have been recognized as major causes of public ill-health,
      whereas there currently are the limitations of conventional therapies available.
      Chuanxiong Chadiao Powder (CXCP) is a well-known classic TCM herbal prescription
      with respect to treating headache for more than 1000 years. The objective of this
      study is to systematically assess the clinical efficacy and safety of CXCP for
      headache. METHODS: A systematic literature search in four databases, up to May of
      2014, was performed to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs), which
      compared CXCP monotherapy or adjunct therapy with western conventional medicine
      (WCM) or placebo for headache. The primary outcome measures were headache
      frequency, headache duration, pain intensity scales, globe assessment, patients
      self report outcomes, and quality of life. The second outcome measures were the
      total clinical effective rate and adverse events. The methodological quality of
      RCTs was assessed independently based on the 7 criteria recommended by the
      Cochrane Back Review Group. RESULTS: A total of 3680 participants were included
      in 37 eligible studies. The methodological quality was generally poor and there
      was only one high quality trial. Meta-analyses of the studies found that
      significant effects of CXCP for improving headache frequency and headache
      duration and the total clinical effective rate compared with WCM or placebo
      control in treating headache (P<0.01). Adverse event monitoring was reported in
      22 studies (59%), while the other 15 studies (41%) did not mentioned.
      CONCLUSIONS: The evidence from present study is supported but limited for CXCP
      clinical use in the management of headache because of methodological flaws.
      Larger sample-sizes and rigorously designed RCTs are required in the future.

PMID- 26275652
TI  - The beneficial effects of the herbal medicine Di-huang-yin-zi (DHYZ) on patients
      with ischemic stroke: A Randomized, Placebo controlled clinical study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the safety and therapeutic efficacy
      of herbal drug, Di Huang Yin Zi (DHYZ), in patients affected by ischemic stroke.
      METHODS: In this double blind, placebo-controlled study, a total of 100 patients
      with recent (less than 30 days) ischemic stroke were randomized to receive DHYZ
      or placebo for 12 weeks. Both groups also received rehabilitation therapy during
      the study period. As there were 13 dropouts, a total of 45 patients on DHYZ and
      42 on placebo were available for analysis. The Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) and
      Barthel index (BI) were assessed before treatment and at 4-week intervals.
      RESULTS: We observed that the FMA score and BI were increased, in both groups at
      week 4, 8 and 12 compared with the baseline. Furthermore, significantly better
      FMA score was observed in patients treated with DHYZ at week 8 and 12 (both
      P<0.05). BI was significantly higher in DHYZ group than in placebo group at weeks
      12 (P<0.05). At week 12, the 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) of mean difference of
      FMA and BI also indicated that the differences between two groups were
      statistically significant. Compared to placebo, DHYZ produced significantly
      greater improvement in FMA grade at week 12 (44.4% versus 23.8%, chi(2)=4.09,
      P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: DHYZ showed good efficacy, safety and tolerability in
      patients affected by ischemic stroke. We conclude that DHYZ may be a useful
      therapeutic option in patients with ischemic stroke.

PMID- 26275653
TI  - A randomized controlled trial of 6-week Chlorella vulgaris supplementation in
      patients with major depressive disorder.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a widespread psychiatric disorder
      with incapacitating symptoms. Oxidative stress has been identified to play a role
      in the pathophysiology of MDD. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the therapeutic
      effectiveness of a chemically defined and antioxidant-rich Chlorella vulgaris
      extract (CVE) as adjunct to standard treatment in patients suffering from MDD.
      METHODS: Subjects with MDD diagnosis according to DSM-IV criteria who were
      receiving standard antidepressant therapy were assigned to add-on therapy with
      CVE (1800 mg/day; n=42), or continued standard antidepressant therapy alone
      (n=50) for a period of 6 weeks. Changes in the frequency of depressive symptoms
      were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Beck
      Depression Inventory II (BDI-II) scale. RESULTS: There were significant
      reductions in total and subscale BDI-II and HADS scores in both CVE and control
      groups by the end of trial. The magnitude of reductions in total BDI-II score [
      4.14 (-5.30 to -2.97)] as well as physical [-2.34 (-2.84 to -1.84)] and cognitive
      [-1.12 (-1.62 to -0.61)] subscales were significantly greater in the CVE versus
      control group, however, reduction of the affective symptoms was greater in the
      control compared with the CVE group [0.95 (0.18-0.72)]. Total HADS [-3.71 (-4.44
      to -2.98)] as well as individual subscales of depression [-1.46 (-2.02 to -0.90)]
      and anxiety [-2.25 (-2.74 to -1.76)] were reduced to a greater degree in the CVE
      group. CVE was well tolerated and no serious adverse event was reported.
      CONCLUSION: This pilot exploratory trial provides the first clinical evidence on
      the efficacy and safety of adjunctive therapy with CVE in improving physical and
      cognitive symptoms of depression as well as anxiety symptoms in patients who are
      receiving standard antidepressant therapy.

PMID- 26275654
TI  - Effectiveness and safety of traditional Chinese medicine on stable chronic
      obstructive pulmonary disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study was intended to evaluate the efficacy and safety of
      Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) on stable chronic obstructive pulmonary
      disease (COPD). METHOD: A systematic review was conducted of clinical trials that
      compared TCM plus conventional medicine treatment versus conventional medicine
      treatment alone. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of clinical therapeutic
      studies on COPD by TCM were included. Searches were applied to the following
      electronic databases: The PubMed, the Cochrane Library,CNKI,CBM and VIP. No
      blinding and language restriction was used. All trials included were analyzed
      according to the criteria of the Cochrane Handbook. Review Manager 5.2 software
      was used for data analysis. RESULT: 37 randomized clinical trials enrolling 3212
      patients were included. Follow-up duration ranged from 4 weeks to 1.5 years.
      Compared to conventional medicine treatment alone, TCM plus conventional medicine
      treatment showed improvement in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) (MD
      0.12 L; 95% CI 0.08 to 0.16), and less exacerbation (OR -0.86; 95% CI -1.13 to 
      0.60). TCM treatment also led to a statistically improvement in SGRQ score
      compared to placebo (MD -4.36; 95% CI -7.12 to -1.59). There was statistically
      significant difference in six-minute walk distance (MD 36.66 meters, 95% CI 24.57
      to 48.74) found with TCM compared to placebo. CONCLUSION: Among patients with
      stable COPD, TCM plus conventional medical treatment therapy might be associated
      with reduction risk of exacerbation, improvement of lung function, better quality
      of life and higher exercise capacity. The results were limited by the
      methodological flaws of the studies. High quality studies are needed to provide
      clear evidence for the future use of TCM.

PMID- 26275655
TI  - A case-control, mono-center, open-label, pilot study to evaluate the feasibility
      of therapeutic touch in preventing radiation dermatitis in women with breast
      cancer receiving adjuvant radiation therapy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Therapeutic touch (TT) is a non-invasive commonly used complementary
      therapy. TT is based on the use of hand movements and detection of energy field
      congestion to correct imbalances. Improvement in subjective symptoms in a variety
      of clinical trials has been seen with TT. The effect of TT during radiotherapy
      for breast cancer is unknown. METHODS: Women undergoing adjuvant radiation for
      Stage I/II breast cancer post conservative surgery were recruited for this cohort
      study. TT treatments were administered three times per week following radiation
      therapy. Feasibility was defined as an a priori threshold of 15 of 17 patients
      completing all TT treatments. The preventive effectiveness of TT was evaluated by
      documenting the 'time to develop' and the 'worst grade of radiation' dermatitis.
      Toxicity was assessed using NCIC CTC V3 dermatitis scale. Cosmetic rating was
      performed using the EORTC Breast Cosmetic Rating. The quality of life, mood and
      energy, and fatigue were assessed by EORTC QLQ C30, POMS, and BFI, respectively.
      The parameters were assessed at baseline, and serially during treatment. RESULTS:
      A total of 49 patients entered the study (17 in the TT Cohort and 32 in the
      Control Cohort). Median age in TT arm was 63 years and in control arm was 59
      years. TT was considered feasible as all 17 patients screened completed TT
      treatment. There were no side effects observed with the TT treatments. In the TT
      Cohort, the worst grade of radiation dermatitis was grade II in nine patients
      (53%). Median time to develop the worst grade was 22 days. In the Control Cohort,
      the worst grade of radiation dermatitis was grade III in 1 patient. However, the
      most common toxicity grade was II in 15 patients (47%). Three patients did not
      develop any dermatitis. Median time to develop the worst grade in the control
      group was 31 days. There was no difference between cohorts for the overall EORTC
      cosmetic score and there was no significant difference in before and after study
      levels in quality of life, mood and fatigue. CONCLUSION: This study is the first
      evaluation of TT in patients with breast cancer using objective measures.
      Although TT is feasible for the management of radiation induced dermatitis, we
      were not able to detect a significant benefit of TT on NCIC toxicity grade or
      time to develop the worst grade for radiation dermatitis. In addition, TT did not
      improve quality of life, mood, fatigue and overall cosmetic outcome.

PMID- 26275656
TI  - Complementary and alternative medicines for diabetes mellitus management in ASEAN
      countries.
AB  - AIM: The aim of this study was to explore complementary or alternative practices
      used to promote health and reduce complications of patients with diabetes
      mellitus (DM). DESIGN: This qualitative, interpretative study recruited 30 adults
      including practitioners (n=15) and DM patients (n=15). The participants reside in
      the northeast of Thailand and in Vientiane of Lao People's Democratic Republic,
      and they have undergone treatment with at least a kind of complementary and
      alternative medicines (CAMs) for the care and management of DM. They were
      interviewed about their experiences, and the data were analyzed thematically. The
      study methodology was informed by hermeneutic phenomenology. RESULT: After
      several years of ineffective treatments, practitioners looked for an alternative
      to conventional health care to treat patients on long-term antidiabetic drugs,
      yet the patients suffered from progressive complications. They sought out health
      care that would more effectively meet their self-perceived needs in treatment
      particularly of a chronic disease such as DM. The result suggested that CAMs such
      as acupuncture, massage, exercise, and herbalism were able to meet their
      requirement in terms of health-care effectiveness obtained from experiences,
      additional cheap cost and availability in their community, and in accordance with
      the culture and lifestyles in the context of the ASEAN (Association of Southeast
      Asian Nations) community. CONCLUSION: The study explored and revealed the social
      perceptions of practitioners and patients using Chinese acupuncture, Thai
      massage, stretching exercise, and herbalism, as CAMs for DM management. The
      perceptions attributed to patient-practitioner consensus can hold a key to a more
      comprehensive health care, as a means to expand the boundaries for contemporary
      health-care provision. However, more study is needed in the future clinical trial
      research.

PMID- 26275657
TI  - Traditional herbal medicine as adjunctive therapy for breast cancer: A systematic
      review.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness of traditional herbal medicine (THM) as
      adjunctive therapy for breast cancer as evidenced by randomized controlled trials
      (RCTs). METHODS: Five electronic English and Chinese databases were
      systematically searched up to February, 2014. All RCTs involving THM in
      combination with conventional cancer therapy for breast cancer were included.
      RESULTS: Eight RCTs involving 798 breast cancer patients were systematically
      reviewed. Three studies reported a significant difference in the improvement of
      quality of life (QOL) compared to the control group. Two studies reported an
      increase in the white blood cell count after treatment. Data on hot flashes and
      sleep quality were evaluated. However, no significant differences in immediate
      tumor response were observed. CONCLUSION: THM combined with conventional therapy
      in the treatment of breast cancer is efficacious in improving QOL and in
      decreasing the number of hot flashes per day. More research and well-designed,
      rigorous, large clinical trials are necessary to further address these issues.

PMID- 26275658
TI  - A new remedial approach to oxidant/antioxidant imbalance-based diseases: Wet
      cupping therapy.

PMID- 26275659
TI  - Response to "A new remedial approach to oxidant/antioxidant imbalance-based
      diseases: Wet-cupping therapy".

PMID- 26275660
TI  - Closing the gap between research and practice: Is it the key to increasing the
      impact of CAM research?

PMID- 26275662
TI  - Catalyst Chemical State during CO Oxidation Reaction on Cu(111) Studied with
      Ambient-Pressure X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy and Near Edge X-ray Adsorption
      Fine Structure Spectroscopy.
AB  - The chemical structure of a Cu(111) model catalyst during the CO oxidation
      reaction in the CO+O2 pressure range of 10-300 mTorr at 298-413 K was studied in
      situ using surface sensitive X-ray photoelectron and adsorption spectroscopy
      techniques [X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and near edge X-ray adsorption
      fine structure spectroscopy (NEXAFS)]. For O2:CO partial pressure ratios below
      1:3, the surface is covered by chemisorbed O and by a thin (~1 nm) Cu2O layer,
      which covers completely the surface for ratios above 1:3 between 333 and 413 K.
      The Cu2O film increases in thickness and exceeds the escape depth (~3-4 nm) of
      the XPS and NEXAFS photoelectrons used for analysis at 413 K. No CuO formation
      was detected under the reaction conditions used in this work. The main reaction
      intermediate was found to be CO2(delta-), with a coverage that correlates with
      the amount of Cu2O, suggesting that this phase is the most active for CO
      oxidation. 

PMID- 26275661
TI  - Rice WRKY4 acts as a transcriptional activator mediating defense responses toward
      Rhizoctonia solani, the causing agent of rice sheath blight.
AB  - WRKY transcription factors have been implicated in the regulation of
      transcriptional reprogramming associated with various plant processes but most
      notably with plant defense responses to pathogens. Here we demonstrate that
      expression of rice WRKY4 gene (OsWRKY4) was rapidly and strongly induced upon
      infection of Rhizoctonia solani, the causing agent of rice sheath blight, and
      exogenous jasmonic acid (JA) and ethylene (ET). OsWRKY4 is localized to the
      nucleus of plant cells and possesses transcriptional activation ability.
      Modulation of OsWRKY4 transcript levels by constitutive overexpression increases
      resistance to the necrotrophic sheath blight fungus, concomitant with elevated
      expression of JA- and ET-responsive pathogenesis-related (PR) genes such as PR1a,
      PR1b, PR5 and PR10/PBZ1. Suppression by RNA interference (RNAi), on the other
      hand, compromises resistance to the fungal pathogen. Yeast one-hybrid assay and
      transient expression in tobacco cells reveal that OsWRKY4 specifically binds to
      the promoter regions of PR1b and PR5 which contain W-box (TTGAC[C/T]), or W-box
      like (TGAC[C/T]) cis-elements. In conclusion, we propose that OsWRKY4 functions
      as an important positive regulator that is implicated in the defense responses to
      rice sheath blight via JA/ET-dependent signal pathway.

PMID- 26275664
TI  - Effects of food availability and climate on activity patterns of western black
      crested gibbons in an isolated forest fragment in southern Yunnan, China.
AB  - The critically endangered western black-crested gibbon (Nomascus concolor) is
      distributed in isolated habitat fragments in northern Vietnam, northwestern Laos,
      and southwestern China. To assess the behavioral adaptation of this species to
      forest fragments and its response to seasonal variation in food availability and
      climate, we present activity patterns of a group inhabiting an isolated forest
      based on two year-long studies in southern Yunnan, China. Annually, the gibbons
      spent nearly half of their active time resting, followed by moving and feeding.
      In both study periods, the time allocated to activities varied significantly
      between months, and was affected by food availability and climate factors. The
      group delayed retirement when tree fruit was abundant, and they decreased time
      spent moving and playing during periods of low fruit availability. In the cold
      months, the gibbons decreased time spent moving, and they decreased active time
      and resting time when rainfall was high. The results suggest that the group may
      seek to maximize net energy intake like energy maximizers when high quality food
      is most available, and adopt an energy-conserving strategy during periods of
      lower food availability and temperature. The gibbons showed similar diurnal
      variation in activity patterns to a group inhabiting a continuous forest at
      Dazhaizi, Mt. Wuliang, central Yunnan. However, they had a longer active period,
      and devoted more time to resting but less time to feeding. The individuals also
      spent lower percentages of time engaged in social behavior than those at
      Dazhaizi. These differences may be due to their smaller home range and unusual
      group composition caused by habitat fragmentation.

PMID- 26275663
TI  - Abnormalities of vascular structure and function in pediatric hypertension.
AB  - Hypertension is associated with adverse cardiovascular (CV) events in adults.
      Measures of vascular structure and function, including increased carotid intima
      media thickness (cIMT) and elevated arterial stiffness predict hard CV events in
      adulthood. Newer data suggest that abnormalities in target organ damage are
      occurring in adolescents and young adults with high blood pressure. In this
      review, we discuss the techniques for measuring vascular dysfunction in young
      people and the evidence linking blood pressure levels to this type of target
      organ damage.

PMID- 26275665
TI  - Erratum to: Transverse dental arch relationship at 9 and 12 years in children
      with unilateral cleft lip and palate treated with infant orthopedics: a
      randomized clinical trial (DUTCHCLEFT).

PMID- 26275666
TI  - Portrait of the Master Genetic Counselor Clinician: A Qualitative Investigation
      of Expertise in Genetic Counseling.
AB  - This study comprises an initial empirical description of personal and
      professional characteristics of master genetic counselors-those considered to be
      experts in the profession. Fifteen peer-nominated genetic counselors, actively
      engaged in providing clinical services to patients, participated in semi
      structured telephone interviews exploring their personal qualities, inspirations,
      and perspectives on professional development of expertise. Analysis using
      modified Consensual Qualitative Research methods yielded 7 domains and 33
      categories. Findings indicate master genetic counselors have a strong passion for
      and dynamic commitment to the profession. They also have insatiable curiosity and
      are life-long learners who are reflective, self-aware, confident, and recognize
      their limitations. They are authentic and genuine, and consider their personality
      to be their counseling style. They form collaborative and interactive
      relationships with patients based on trust, and they have nuanced attunement to
      the complexity and multiple levels of the counseling process. Master genetic
      counselors have deep empathy and are inspired by patients and colleagues, and
      they derive personal meaning from their work. They are affected emotionally by
      their work, but effectively manage the emotional impact. They view their
      professional development as ongoing, influenced by colleagues, patients,
      mentoring, multicultural considerations, and their own family of origin. They
      also believe professional development of expertise occurs through critical
      reflection upon the experiences one accrues. Additional findings and their
      relationship to theory and research, study strengths and limitations, implication
      for training and practice, and research recommendation are discussed.

PMID- 26275667
TI  - Novel Induction Regimens in Multiple Myeloma.
AB  - Multiple myeloma is the second most common hematologic malignancy and
      predominantly affects the elderly. The introduction of novel agents such as
      thalidomide, lenalidomide, and bortezomib has improved progression-free survival,
      overall survival, and quality of life in myeloma patients. Next generation agents
      such as carfilzomib hold further promise for increased depth and length of
      remission. Autologous stem cell transplant remains a useful tool in the treatment
      of multiple myeloma, but not all patients are eligible for this procedure. As
      therapy becomes more effective, determination of the right therapy in the right
      patient becomes paramount. The focus of this review is a critical analysis of
      combinations of the novel agents in the treatment of newly diagnosed multiple
      myeloma in both transplant eligible and ineligible patients. 

PMID- 26275668
TI  - Synergies and Tradeoffs Among Environmental Impacts Under Conservation Planning
      of Shale Gas Surface Infrastructure.
AB  - Hydraulic fracturing and related ground water issues are growing features in
      public discourse. Few have given much attention to surface impacts from shale gas
      development, which result from building necessary surface infrastructure. One way
      to reduce future impacts from gas surface development without radically changing
      industry practice is by formulating simple, conservation-oriented planning
      guidelines. We explore how four such guidelines affect the locations of well
      pads, access roads, and gathering pipelines on state lands in Pennsylvania. Our
      four guidelines aim to (1) reduce impacts on water, reduce impacts from (2)
      gathering pipelines and (3) access roads, and (4) reduce impacts on forests. We
      assessed whether the use of such guidelines accompanies tradeoffs among impacts,
      and if any guidelines perform better than others at avoiding impacts. We find
      that impacts are mostly synergistic, such that avoiding one impact will result in
      avoiding others. However, we found that avoiding forest fragmentation may result
      in increased impacts on other environmental features. We also found that single
      simple planning guidelines can be effective in targeted situations, but no one
      guideline was universally optimal in avoiding all impacts. As such, we suggest
      that when multiple environmental features are important in an area, more
      comprehensive planning strategies and tools should be used. 

PMID- 26275670
TI  - Computational Analysis and Binding Site Identification of Type III Secretion
      System ATPase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
AB  - In many gram-negative bacteria, the type III secretion system (T3SS), as a
      virulence factor, is an attractive target for developing novel antibacterial.
      Regarding this, in our study, we aimed to identify the putative drug target for
      Pseudomonas aeruginosa, considering ATPase enzyme involved in the type III
      secretion system. Selective protein sequence of P. aeruginosa involved in the
      T3SS was retrieved from NCBI databases, and its homologues were subjected to
      phylogenetic analysis. Its association in T3SS was analyzed via STRING, and the
      3D structure was determined by means of homology modeling followed by intensive
      optimization and validation. The binding site was predicted by 3DLigandSite and
      examined through molecular docking simulation by Autodock Vina with salicylidene
      acylhydrazide class of virulence-blocking compounds. PROCHECK analysis showed
      that 96.7 % of the residues were in the most favored regions, 1.9 % were in the
      additional allowed region, and 1.4 % were in the generously allowed region of the
      Ramachandran plot. The refined model yielded ERRAT scores of 88.124 and Verify3D
      value of 0.2, which indicates that the environmental profile of the model is
      good. The best binding affinity was observed by ME0055 compound, and ALA160,
      ALA161, GlY162, GLY163, GLY164, GLY165, SER166, THR167, TYR338, and PRO339
      residues were found to be having complementary in the ligand-binding site.
      However, these findings should be further confirmed by wet lab studies for design
      a targeted therapeutic agent.

PMID- 26275669
TI  - The CellBorderTracker, a novel tool to quantitatively analyze spatiotemporal
      endothelial junction dynamics at the subcellular level.
AB  - Endothelial junctions are dynamic structures organized by multi-protein complexes
      that control monolayer integrity, homeostasis, inflammation, cell migration and
      angiogenesis. Newly developed methods for both the genetic manipulation of
      endothelium and microscopy permit time-lapse recordings of fluorescent proteins
      over long periods of time. Quantitative data analyses require automated methods.
      We developed a software package, the CellBorderTracker, allowing quantitative
      analysis of fluorescent-tagged cell junction protein dynamics in time-lapse
      sequences. The CellBorderTracker consists of the CellBorderExtractor that
      segments cells and identifies cell boundaries and mapping tools for data
      extraction. The tool is illustrated by analyzing fluorescent-tagged VE-cadherin
      the backbone of adherence junctions in endothelium. VE-cadherin displays high
      dynamics that is forced by junction-associated intermittent lamellipodia (JAIL)
      that are actin driven and WASP/ARP2/3 complex controlled. The manual segmentation
      and the automatic one agree to 90 %, a value that indicates high reliability.
      Based on segmentations, different maps were generated allowing more detailed data
      extraction. This includes the quantification of protein distribution pattern, the
      generation of regions of interest, junction displacements, cell shape changes,
      migration velocities and the visualization of junction dynamics over many hours.
      Furthermore, we demonstrate an advanced kymograph, the J-kymograph that steadily
      follows irregular cell junction dynamics in time-lapse sequences for individual
      junctions at the subcellular level. By using the CellBorderTracker, we
      demonstrate that VE-cadherin dynamics is quickly arrested upon thrombin
      stimulation, a phenomenon that was largely due to transient inhibition of JAIL
      and display a very heterogeneous subcellular and divers VE-cadherin dynamics
      during intercellular gap formation and resealing.

PMID- 26275672
TI  - Levels of Renibacterium salmoninarum antigens in resident and anadromous
      salmonids in the River Ellidaar system in Iceland.
AB  - In relation to stock enhancement programmes, wild salmon broodfish have been
      routinely screened for the presence of Renibacterium salmoninarum antigens (Rs
      Ag) for decades. A sudden increase in the prevalence of Rs-Ag experienced caused
      extensive problems to this industry as eggs from positive fish are discarded. The
      prevalence and level of Rs-Ag were examined in resident and anadromous salmonids
      in the River Ellidaar system and the progress of Rs-Ag in a cohort of salmon
      followed. Both prevalence and Rs-Ag levels were high in resident salmonids and
      emigrating salmon smolts in the river system. When the smolts re-entered their
      home river as adults the following summer, they were almost free of Rs-Ag, but
      the longer they stayed in the river, the more Rs-Ag they acquired; the majority
      being positive at spawning. This study demonstrates a high level of Rs-Ag in
      salmonids in the River Ellidaar system which significantly reduces in the salmon
      during its seawater phase. Accordingly, it seems ideal to sample salmon broodfish
      as soon as possible after ascending the river and subsequently transfer to Rs
      free environment for storage until stripping, which could result in lower Rs
      prevalence and minimize the problems that stock enhancement programmes have faced
      due to Rs-positive wild broodfish. 

PMID- 26275671
TI  - ABO non-O type as a risk factor for thrombosis in patients with pancreatic
      cancer.
AB  - ABO blood type has previously been identified as a risk factor for thrombosis and
      pancreatic cancer (PC). The aim of the study is to demonstrate the associations
      between ABO blood type and other clinical factors with the risk of
      thromboembolism (TE) in patients with PC. We conducted a retrospective study in
      670 patients with pathologically confirmed pancreatic adenocarcinoma at the
      University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Clinical information was retrieved
      from medical records. ABO blood type was determined serologically and/or
      genetically. Logistic regression models, Kaplan-Meier plot, log-rank test, and
      Cox proportional hazard regression models were employed in data analysis. The
      incidence of TE was 35.2% in 670 patients who did not have TE prior to cancer
      diagnosis. Pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) consisted 44.1%
      of the TE events. Non-O blood type, pancreatic body/tail tumors, previous use of
      antithrombotic medication, and obesity (body mass index >30 kg/m(2) ) were
      significant predictors for TE in general. Blood type A and AB, low hemoglobin
      level (<= 10 g/dL), obesity, metastatic tumor, and pancreatic body/tail tumors
      were significant predictors for PE and DVT. Patients with metastatic tumor or
      pancreatic body/tail tumors had a much higher frequency of early TE events (<= 3
      months after cancer diagnosis); and early TE occurrence was a significant
      independent predictor for increased risk of death. These observations suggest
      that ABO non-O blood type is an independent predictor for TE in PC. A better
      understanding of the risk factors for TE in PC may help to identify patients who
      are most likely to benefit from prophylactic anticoagulation therapy.

PMID- 26275674
TI  - Antifolate Activity of Plant Polyphenols against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
AB  - With the view of exploring phytochemicals as Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb)
      dihydrofolate reductase inhibitors, known plant polyphenols from various classes
      were subjected to detailed docking studies. From this in-silico screening, seven
      polyphenols were selected and tested against Mtb H37 Rv in whole cell assays. The
      phytochemicals exhibited potential activity ranging from 3 to 183 um. These
      molecules were then tested against the pathogenic and human enzymes in a high
      throughput microtitre assay. Epigallocatechin gallate showed the best activity
      and selectivity. The in-silico analysis was in agreement with the assay results.
      Of these 7 polyphenols, 5 exhibiting minimum inhibitory concentration values of
      <=15 um were tested for synergistic activity with first line drug Ethambutol and
      second line folate inhibitor para-amino salicylic acid. Epigallocatechin gallate,
      Magnolol and Bakuchiol exhibited moderate synergistic association by lowering the
      minimum inhibitory concentration of these drugs. These simple phytochemicals
      could hence be considered as leads for further studies, or for preparation of
      semi-synthetic derivatives to be used in combination therapy, for increased anti
      tuberculosis activity after validation in-vivo.

PMID- 26275675
TI  - Five-dimensional ultrasound system for soft tissue visualization.
AB  - PURPOSE: A five-dimensional ultrasound (US) system is proposed as a real-time
      pipeline involving fusion of 3D B-mode data with the 3D ultrasound elastography
      (USE) data as well as visualization of these fused data and a real-time update
      capability over time for each consecutive scan. 3D B-mode data assist in
      visualizing the anatomy of the target organ, and 3D elastography data adds strain
      information. METHODS: We investigate the feasibility of such a system and show
      that an end-to-end real-time system, from acquisition to visualization, can be
      developed. We present a system that consists of (a) a real-time 3D elastography
      algorithm based on a normalized cross-correlation (NCC) computation on a GPU; (b)
      real-time 3D B-mode acquisition and network transfer; (c) scan conversion of 3D
      elastography and B-mode volumes (if acquired by 4D wobbler probe); and (d)
      visualization software that fuses, visualizes, and updates 3D B-mode and 3D
      elastography data in real time. RESULTS: We achieved a speed improvement of 4.45
      fold for the threaded version of the NCC-based 3D USE versus the non-threaded
      version. The maximum speed was 79 volumes/s for 3D scan conversion. In a phantom,
      we validated the dimensions of a 2.2-cm-diameter sphere scan-converted to B-mode
      volume. Also, we validated the 5D US system visualization transfer function and
      detected 1- and 2-cm spherical objects (phantom lesion). Finally, we applied the
      system to a phantom consisting of three lesions to delineate the lesions from the
      surrounding background regions of the phantom. CONCLUSION: A 5D US system is
      achievable with real-time performance. We can distinguish between hard and soft
      areas in a phantom using the transfer functions.

PMID- 26275673
TI  - Sleep Hygiene and Recovery Strategies in Elite Soccer Players.
AB  - In elite soccer, players are frequently exposed to various situations and
      conditions that can interfere with sleep (e.g., playing night matches
      interspersed with 3 days; performing activities demanding high levels of
      concentration close to bedtime; use of products containing caffeine or alcohol in
      the period preceding bedtime; regular daytime napping throughout the week;
      variable wake-up times or bedtime), potentially leading to sleep deprivation. We
      outline simple, practical, and pharmaceutical-free sleep strategies that are
      coordinated to the constraints of elite soccer in order to promote sleep. Sleep
      deprivation is best alleviated by sleep extension; however, sleep hygiene
      strategies (i.e., consistent sleep pattern, appropriate napping, and active
      daytime behaviors) can be utilized to promote restorative sleep. Light has a
      profound impact on sleep, and sleep hygiene strategies that support the natural
      environmental light-dark cycle (i.e., red-light treatment prior to sleep, dawn
      simulation therapy prior to waking) and prevent cycle disruption (i.e., filtering
      short wavelengths prior to sleep) may be beneficial to elite soccer players.
      Under conditions of inordinate stress, techniques such as brainwave entrainment
      and meditation are promising sleep-promoting strategies, but future studies are
      required to ascertain the applicability of these techniques to elite soccer
      players. Consuming high-electrolyte fluids such as milk, high-glycemic index
      carbohydrates, some forms of protein immediately prior to sleep, as well as tart
      cherry juice concentrate and tryptophan may promote rehydration, substrate stores
      replenishment, muscle-damage repair and/or restorative sleep. The influence of
      cold water immersion performed close to bedtime on subsequent sleep is still
      debated. Conversely, the potential detrimental effects of sleeping medication
      must be recognized. Sleep initiation is influenced by numerous factors,
      reinforcing the need for future research to identify such factors. Efficient and
      individualized sleep hygiene strategies may consequently be proposed.

PMID- 26275676
TI  - Renal donors with prostate cancer, no longer a reason to decline.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To fully assess the true risk of prostate cancer transmission in
      during renal transplantation. METHODS: A full review of all existing literature
      relevant to the topic. RESULTS: There has not been a single documented case of
      transmission of prostate cancer during renal transplant. Prostate cancer in
      deceased organ donors has an incidence estimated between 3% and 18.5% and over
      100 transplants have been performed using organs from donor with proven prostate
      cancer without issue. CONCLUSION: Transmission of prostate cancer through kidney
      transplantation seems very unlikely. The risks of remaining on the waiting list
      are outweighed by a transmission risk and the potential benefit makes the case to
      have clear guidelines about donor prostate malignancy when accepting potential
      organs.

PMID- 26275677
TI  - Review of Thromboelastography in Neurocritical Care.

PMID- 26275678
TI  - Computer-aided identification, synthesis, and biological evaluation of novel
      inhibitors for botulinum neurotoxin serotype A.
AB  - Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are among the most potent biological toxin known to
      humans, and are classified as Category A bioterrorism agents by the Centers for
      Disease Control and prevention (CDC). There are seven known BoNT serotypes (A-G)
      which have been thus far identified in literature. BoNTs have been shown to block
      neurotransmitter release by cleaving proteins of the soluble NSF attachment
      protein receptor (SNARE) complex. Disruption of the SNARE complex precludes motor
      neuron failure which ultimately results in flaccid paralysis in humans and
      animals. Currently, there are no effective therapeutic treatments against the
      neurotoxin light chain (LC) after translocation into the cytosols of motor
      neurons. In this work, high-throughput in silico screening was employed to screen
      a library of commercially available compounds from ZINC database against BoNT/A
      LC. Among the hit compounds from the in silico screening, two lead compounds were
      identified and found to have potent inhibitory activity against BoNT/A-LC in
      vitro, as well as in Neuro-2a cells. A few analogs of the lead compounds were
      synthesized and their potency examined. One of these analogs showed an enhanced
      activity than the lead compounds. 

PMID- 26275679
TI  - Antimalarial activity of prodrugs of N-branched acyclic nucleoside phosphonate
      inhibitors of 6-oxopurine phosphoribosyltransferases.
AB  - Acyclic nucleoside phosphonates (ANPs) that contain a 6-oxopurine base are good
      inhibitors of the human and Plasmodium falciparum 6-oxopurine
      phosphoribosyltransferases (PRTs), key enzymes of the purine salvage pathway.
      Chemical modifications, based on the crystal structures of several inhibitors in
      complex with the human PRTase, led to the design of a new class of inhibitors-
      the aza-ANPs. Because of the negative charges of the phosphonic acid moiety,
      their ability to cross cell membranes is, however, limited. Thus, phosphoramidate
      prodrugs of the aza-ANPs were prepared to improve permeability. These prodrugs
      arrest parasitemia with IC50 values in the micromolar range against Plasmodium
      falciparum-infected erythrocyte cultures (both chloroquine-sensitive and
      chloroquine-resistant Pf strains). The prodrugs exhibit low cytotoxicity in
      several human cell lines. Thus, they fulfill two essential criteria to qualify
      them as promising antimalarial drug leads.

PMID- 26275680
TI  - Synthesis and biological evaluation of (3',5'-dichloro-2,6-dihydroxy-biphenyl-4
      yl)-aryl/alkyl-methanone selective CB2 inverse agonist.
AB  - Cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) selective agonists and inverse agonists possess
      significant potential as therapeutic agents for regulating inflammation and
      immune function. Although CB2 agonists have received the greatest attention, it
      is emerging that inverse agonists also manifest anti-inflammatory activity. In
      process of designing new cannabinoid ligands we discovered that the 2,6-dihydroxy
      biphenyl-aryl methanone scaffold imparts inverse agonist activity at CB2 receptor
      without functional activity at CB1. To further explore the scaffold we
      synthesized a series of (3',5'-dichloro-2,6-dihydroxy-biphenyl-4-yl)-aryl/alkyl
      methanone analogs and evaluated the CB1 and CB2 affinity, potency, and efficacy.
      The studies reveal that an aromatic C ring is required for inverse agonist
      activity and that substitution at the 4 position is optimum. The resorcinol
      moiety is required for optimum CB2 inverse agonist activity and selectivity.
      Antagonist studies against CP 55,940 demonstrate that the compounds 41 and 45 are
      noncompetitive antagonists at CB2. 

PMID- 26275681
TI  - Discovery and structure of a new inhibitor scaffold of the autophagy initiating
      kinase ULK1.
AB  - Energy homeostasis in eukaryotic cells is a complex and fundamental process that
      is misregulated in several human diseases. A key component of energy regulation
      is a process called autophagy that involves the recycling of cellular components.
      There has been much recent interest in studying the mechanism of autophagy to
      understand an important cellular process and to evaluate the therapeutic
      potential in targeting autophagy. Activation of a kinase called ULK1 initiates
      autophagy by driving downstream pathways that lead to the formation of double
      membrane bound vesicles that surround the cellular contents that are to be
      degraded. Here, we report the discovery of an inhibitor of ULK1 with improved
      selectivity and a high-resolution crystal structure of the compound bound to the
      kinase, which will be useful tools for studying autophagy in cells. 

PMID- 26275682
TI  - Generation of monoclonal antibodies specific of the postfusion conformation of
      the Pneumovirinae fusion (F) protein.
AB  - Paramyxovirus entry into cells requires fusion of the viral and cell membranes
      mediated by one of the major virus glycoproteins, the fusion (F) glycoprotein
      which transits from a metastable pre-fusion conformation to a highly stable post
      fusion structure during the membrane fusion process. F protein refolding involves
      large conformational changes of the protein trimer. One of these changes results
      in assembly of two heptad repeat sequences (HRA and HRB) from each protomer into
      a six-helix bundle (6HB) motif. To assist in distinguishing pre- and post-fusion
      conformations of the Pneumovirinae F proteins, and as extension of previous work
      (Palomo et al., 2014), a general strategy was designed to obtain polyclonal and
      particularly monoclonal antibodies specific of the 6HB motif of the Pneumovirinae
      fusion protein. The antibodies reported here should assist in the
      characterization of the structural changes that the F protein of human
      metapneumovirus or respiratory syncytial virus experiences during the process of
      membrane fusion. 

PMID- 26275683
TI  - Intranasal corticosteroids do not affect intraocular pressure or lens opacity: a
      systematic review of controlled trials.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Intranasal corticosteroids (INCS) are prescribed for the long-term
      prophylactic treatment of inflammatory upper airway conditions. Although some
      systemic absorption can occur via topical routes, the clinical relevance is
      controversial. The effects of orally administered corticosteroids on intraocular
      pressure (IOP) and lens opacity (LO) are well established, but the impact of the
      INCS is less well defined. This study aims to systematically review the
      literature for evidence of adverse occular events with INCS use. METHODOLOGY: A
      systematic review of literature from Medline and Embase databases (January 1974
      to 21st of November 2013) was performed. Using the PRISMA guidelines, all
      controlled clinical trials of patients using INCS, that reported original
      measures of IOP, LO, glaucoma or cataract incidences were included. Studies with
      adjuvant administration of oral, inhaled and intravenous steroids were excluded.
      RESULTS: 665 articles were retrieved with 137 were considered for full-text
      review. Of these, 116 (85%) were literature reviews and two were case reports. 19
      studies (10 RCTs, 1 case-control, 8 case series) were included for the
      qualitative review, of which 18 reported data on IOP and 10 on cataract/LO. None
      (n=0) of the 10 RCT reporting data on glaucoma or IOP demonstrated changes in IOP
      compared to control. Also none (n=0) of the 6 RCTs reporting cataract or lens
      opacity demonstrated changes compared to control. CONCLUSION: Data from studies
      with low levels of bias, do not demonstrate a clinically relevant impact of INCS
      on neither ocular pressure, glaucoma, lens opacity nor cataract formation.

PMID- 26275684
TI  - Simultaneous monitoring of intratidal compliance and resistance in mechanically
      ventilated piglets: A feasibility study in two different study groups.
AB  - Compliance measures the force counteracting parenchymal lung distension. In
      mechanical ventilation, intratidal compliance-volume (C(V))-profiles therefore
      change depending on PEEP, tidal volume (VT), and underlying mechanical lung
      properties. Resistance counteracts gas flow through the airways. Due to
      anatomical linking between parenchyma and airways, intratidal resistance-volume
      (R(V))-profiles are hypothesised to change in a non-linear way as well. We
      analysed respiratory system mechanics in fifteen piglets with lavage-induced lung
      injury and nine healthy piglets ventilated at different PEEP/VT-settings. In
      healthy lungs, R(V)-profiles remained mostly constant and linear at all PEEP
      settings whereas the shape of the C(V)-profiles showed an increase toward a
      maximum followed by a decrease (small PEEP) or volume-dependent decrease (large
      PEEP). In the lavage group, a large drop in resistance at small volumes and slow
      decrease toward larger volumes was found for small PEEP/VT-settings where C(V)
      profiles revealed a volume-dependent increase (small PEEP) or a decrease (large
      PEEP and large VT). R(V)-profiles depend characteristically on PEEP, VT, and
      possibly whether lungs are healthy or not. Curved R(V)-profiles might indicate
      pathological changes in the underlying mechanical lung properties and/or might be
      a sign of derecruitment. 

PMID- 26275685
TI  - Quantifying the shape of the maximal expiratory flow-volume curve in mild COPD.
AB  - Maximal expiratory flow-volume (MEFV) curve evaluation using absolute and percent
      predicted values of flow and volume are used to diagnose respiratory disease, but
      the shape of the curve is rarely used. Three mathematical methods were used to
      quantify shape of MEFV curves in subjects with mild COPD (n=19) and matched
      healthy controls (n=15). Those with mild COPD had a significantly greater slope
      ratio (SR) (1.90 +/- 0.24 vs. 1.28 +/- 0.32) and Beta-angle (160 +/- 6.7 vs. 186
      +/- 15.0) compared to healthy individuals (p<0.05). The flow-ratio method showed
      no difference between groups. A significant positive SR-volume relationship
      during expiration was observed in a greater number of mild COPD subjects (94%)
      compared to controls (20%) (p<0.001). With its increased spatial resolution and
      the potential to discern etiology behind specific curvature, we suggest using the
      SR method when available. The change in SR throughout expiration could help
      identify those who fall within the lower limit of normal lung function and those
      who may have pathological obstruction.

PMID- 26275686
TI  - Assessment of the effect of cyclosporine-A 0.05% emulsion on the ocular surface
      and corneal sensation following cataract surgery.
AB  - AIM: To assess the effect of cyclosporine-A (CsA) 0.05% ophthalmic emulsion on
      corneal sensation and ocular surface problems following cataract surgery. DESIGN:
      Prospective, randomized, double masked clinical trial. METHODS: Consecutive case
      series of patients attending for bilateral cataract surgery. Subject's eyes were
      randomized to receive either topical CsA or carboxymethylcellulose 0.5% (CMC) eye
      drops twice daily for one month following routine cataract surgery. Subjective
      and objective assessments were performed pre-operatively, one week, and one month
      after surgery. Primary safety parameters included best spectacle-corrected visual
      acuity and incidence of adverse events. Objective assessments included tests of
      tear film (osmolarity, tear break-up time, and Schirmer's type-I test), ocular
      surface staining, corneal sensitivity and a subjective assessment: ocular surface
      disease index (OSDI) questionnaire. RESULTS: 30 subjects (60 eyes) were
      recruited. At one month following cataract surgery, osmolarity, ocular surface
      staining, TBUT, Schirmer's results showed a greater improvement after CsA drops
      compared to CMC and this was statistically significant for all measures (p<0.05).
      All corneal sensation measurements were reduced after one week and one month.
      Eyes receiving CsA had higher recovery of corneal sensation at both time points
      post operatively and this was statistically significant at one month. OSDI
      questionnaire results did not show a statistically significant difference between
      the two eyes. CONCLUSIONS: CsA is effective and safe in the management of ocular
      surface problems after cataract surgery and allows faster recovery of corneal
      sensation. This recovery of sensation may be relevant to the improvement in
      ocular surface problems in all patients.

PMID- 26275687
TI  - Utility of VerifyNow for Point-of-Care Identification of an Aspirin Effect Prior
      to Emergency Cardiac Surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients with cardiovascular disease are frequently on aspirin, which
      may place them at risk for bleeding during surgical procedures. The utility of
      the VerifyNow test to rapidly identify an aspirin effect and predict bleeding
      risk prior to cardiac surgery was explored. METHODS: A retrospective study was
      performed of patients on a clinical pathology consultation service that provides
      laboratory and transfusion support for patients undergoing major cardiac surgery.
      Patients who had VerifyNow testing for aspirin effect were selected. RESULTS: A
      total of 88 patients had VerifyNow aspirin testing during the study period. The
      VerifyNow test correctly identified 52/63 (82.5%) patients with documented
      aspirin use, and missed 11/63 (17.5%) of aspirin users. Light transmission
      aggregometry (LTA) showed an aspirin effect in the majority of aspirin users
      missed by the VerifyNow assay. Moderate correlations were found between LTA and
      VerifyNow. Low aspirin reaction units were not associated with significant
      bleeding in these cardiac surgery patients. CONCLUSIONS: We propose the VerifyNow
      assay for point-of-care identification of aspirin effect prior to emergency
      surgeries.

PMID- 26275688
TI  - A Risk Score Derived from the Analysis of a Cluster of 27 Serum Inflammatory
      Cytokines to Predict Long Term Outcome in Patients with Acute Myocardial
      Infarction: a Pilot Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to evaluate the clinical utility and
      prognostic significance of a cluster of 27 serum cytokines for risk
      stratification after myocardial infarction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 33
      consecutive patients admitted to our institution for acute myocardial infarction
      and prospectively followed. We evaluated traditional cardiovascular risk factors
      and assayed, during the acute phase, 27 serum cytokines (IL-1, IL-1ra, IL-2, IL
      4, IL-5, IL-6, IL -7, IL-8, IL-9, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IL-15, IL-17, EOTAXIN,
      FGF, G-CSF, GM-CSF, IFN-gamma, IP-10, MCP-1, MIP-1alpha, MIP-1beta, PDGF, RANTES,
      TNF-alpha, VEGF) potentially associated with cardiovascular risk. Patients were
      divided into two groups during follow-up according to the occurrence or absence
      of adverse cardiovascular events (recurrence of angina, re-infarction, death,
      need of new revascularization, occurrence of heart failure). We developed an
      additive risk score by assigning one point for each cytokine that had a value
      greater than the median value (range 0-27). Cytokines alone and the cytokines
      score were related to cardiovascular events. RESULTS: Patients with and without
      major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) at follow up had a homogenous
      distribution of the main cardiovascular risk factors; differences were detected
      only for sex and age. Patients who experienced MACE had a significantly different
      distribution of I troponin (p=0.036), IL-8 (p=0.006), IL-13 (p=0.06), IL-10
      (p=0.02), IL-17 (p=0.015), IP-10 (p=0.02), MIP-1beta (p=0.05). At univariate
      analysis, IL -8 (p=0.046 OR 1.13), IL-10 (p=0.05 OR 1.14) and MIP-1beta (p=0.016,
      OR 1.02) were significantly associated with the occurrence of MACE. This
      association was not confirmed at multivariate analysis. At the analysis of
      variance, a higher score was significantly associated with the occurrence of
      adverse events at follow up (F=5.07, p=0.03). At ROC curve analysis, a score
      greater than 13 better predicted the occurrence of adverse events at follow-up
      (AUC 0.72, p=0.03, sensibility 59.1%, specificity 81.8%). CONCLUSIONS: In our
      study we did not identify a single inflammatory cytokine able to predict adverse
      events in a long term follow up, whereas the presence of more than 13 cytokines
      above the median value was useful for risk stratification.

PMID- 26275689
TI  - Influence of Vitamin C on Urine Dipstick Test Results.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Vitamin C is a strong reducing agent found at high levels in various
      foods, and it may influence the results of urine strip tests even at an ordinary
      consumption levels. After oral administration, we measured urine vitamin C levels
      using urine strips and evaluated whether vitamin C interfered with various test
      items. The utility of a urine strip with a vitamin C indicator was assessed.
      METHODS: Thirty-three healthy volunteers each ingested 1,000 mg of vitamin C.
      Their urine samples were tested for vitamin C using a URiSCAN 11 strip (YD
      Diagnostics, Korea) before and after administration of vitamin C. Standard
      materials were added to normal pooled urine to generate urine samples with
      various concentrations of the analytes tested (blood, bilirubin, nitrite,
      leukocytes, and glucose), and vitamin C was spiked to predetermined levels. These
      samples were then tested using two urine strips - URiSCAN and Chemstrip test
      strip (Roche Diagnostics, Germany) - to evaluate interference from vitamin C. In
      clinical samples with positive vitamin C results, microscopic and chemical
      analyses were also conducted to examine the differences. RESULTS: Thirteen urine
      samples from the 33 volunteers were positive for vitamin C before ingestion, and
      all subjects were positive after ingestion. Vitamin C spiking of urine
      demonstrated false-negative results at various concentrations. Of 159 specimens
      with positive results for vitamin C, 14 showed discrepant results after
      additional confirmatory tests. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin C in urine can cause
      significant interference with urine strip tests. A urine strip with a vitamin C
      indicator is useful to reduce the risk of incorrect results in regard to disease
      states.

PMID- 26275690
TI  - Utility of Access Soluble Transferrin Receptor (sTfR) and sTfR/log Ferritin Index
      in Diagnosing Iron Deficiency Anemia.
AB  - The Access((r)) soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) is considered the world's
      first automated chemiluminescence immunoassay. In this study, the diagnostic
      utility of this and other tests for serum iron were evaluated by studying their
      interrelationships with inflammation. A total of 367 patients with anemia (iron
      deficiency anemia [IDA], 157; anemia of chronic disease [ACD], 210) and 80 normal
      controls were subjected to a battery of diagnostic tests, including complete
      blood cell count, serum iron, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), C-reactive
      protein (CRP), ferritin, sTfR, and hepcidin. The accuracy of test parameters was
      determined by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC).
      Patients falling within the ferritin grey zone (10-100 ng/ml) were evaluated
      separately, given that such individuals are typically difficult to detect and
      manage in actual clinical practice. CRP was used to assess the correlation
      between the aforementioned markers of iron and inflammation. The single most
      accurate diagnostic test used to differentiate IDA from ACD was serum ferritin
      (AUC 0.989). However, sTfR assay outperformed other tests in the ferritin grey
      zone (AUC 0.931), and the sTfR/log ferritin index was the most reliable parameter
      in both scenarios (AUC 0.994 and 0.962, respectively). Ferritin, TIBC, and
      hepcidin showed the highest correlation with CRP, whereas sTfR displayed the
      lowest. The Access sTfR and sTfR/log ferritin index enabled highly accurate
      diagnosis of IDA in the ferritin grey zone. This is an easy-to-use automated
      chemiluminescence immunoassay, amenable to routine use in hospitals. 

PMID- 26275691
TI  - Is the Use of Complete Blood Counts with Manual Differentials an Antiquated
      Method of Determining Neutrophil Composition in Newborns?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Automated complete blood counts (CBCs) provide imprecise measures of
      neonatal neutrophil composition due to the presence of nucleated red cells, which
      masquerade as white cells. Manual differentials (MDs) must be performed but can
      be flawed due to technician inexperience or limited cell counts. Our study
      evaluated whether flow cytometry could more accurately determine neutrophil
      composition in term newborns compared with adult controls. METHODS: Neutrophils
      were obtained by venipuncture in adults (n=10) and via cord blood from neonates
      delivered vaginally (n=21) or by primary cesarean section (n=17). Samples were
      processed by both flow cytometry and CBC with MD and results compared. Flow
      cytometry findings were verified using gene expression analysis of granule
      proteins. RESULTS: Immature-to-total neutrophil ratios were used to signify
      neutrophil composition. Flow cytometry was superior to manual differentials due
      to its ability to identify the earliest neutrophil forms. Significant differences
      between newborns and adults were determined using flow cytometry (0.12 versus
      0.05; p=0.01), but not MDs (p=0.18). Neonates had similar findings irrespective
      of labor and method used. Verification of neutrophil maturity was completed using
      gene expression analysis of granule proteins. CONCLUSIONS: These results raise
      concerns about the accuracy of using CBCs with MDs to determine neutrophil
      composition. Further investigation of flow cytometry in clinical practice is
      warranted.

PMID- 26275692
TI  - Clinical and Forensic Diagnosis of Very Recent Heroin Intake by 6-acetylmorphine
      Immunoassay Test and LC-MS/MS Analysis in Urine and Blood.
AB  - AIM: The study evaluates the suitability of a specific immunoassay screening test
      for 6-acetylmorphine (6-AM) in the setting of suspected very recent heroin
      consumption for forensic and clinical purposes. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The EMIT(r)
      II Plus 6-AM immunoassay was applied in 65 cases that had already tested positive
      for morphine in urine or blood. Biological samples (n.65 urine and n.53 blood)
      were obtained from workplace drug tests (WDT n. 5), tests for driving under the
      influence of drugs (DUID n. 30), vehicle accidents (n. 10), overdoses (n. 12) and
      heroin-related deaths (n. 8) cases. The 6-AM screening assay results were
      confirmed with the LC-MS/MS analysis in relation to the cut-off set at 10 ng/mL
      for both urine and blood. RESULTS: Among the 65 urine samples (all morphine
      positive), 38 samples were 6-AM-positive and 27 were 6-AM-negative with 100%
      agreement between the positive/negative results of the two assays. Among the 53
      blood samples (34 positive and 19 negative for the morphine), 16 were 6-AM
      positive and 37 were negative. Only one of the blood samples, positive for 6-AM
      by LC-MS/MS at 10.3 ng/mL, was negative by the immunoassay test. Based on the
      concordance between the results of the 6-AM immunoassay versus the LC-MS/MS, the
      sensitivity of the 6-AM assay was calculated as 100% and 95% for urine and blood
      respectively, with a specificity and accuracy of 100% for both biological
      samples. In addition, the study demonstrated that the 6-AM assay test, originally
      developed for urine, is also sufficiently sensitive to identify 6-AM in blood.
      Therefore, it could be applied in cases of vehicle accidents or overdose to
      distinguish rapidly between very recent heroin use and the intake of other
      opiates for therapeutic purposes.

PMID- 26275693
TI  - Effects of PRELI in Oxidative-Stressed HepG2 Cells.
AB  - Protein of relevant evolutionary and lymphoid interest (PRELI) is known for
      preventing apoptosis by mediating intramitochondrial transport of phosphatidic
      acid. However, the role of PRELI remains unclear. This study has demonstrated
      functions of PRELI through PRELI-knockdown in hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2)
      cells exposed to oxidative stress by hydrogen peroxide. Results show that PRELI
      has three functions in HepG2 cells with regard to oxidative stress. First, PRELI
      affects expressional regulation of SOD-1 and caspase-3 genes in HepG2 cells.
      PRELI knockdown HepG2 cells have shown up-regulation of caspase-3 and down
      regulation of SOD-1. Second, PRELI suppresses mitochondrial apoptosis in HepG2
      cells. Fluorescence intensity related to mitochondrial apoptosis in PRELI
      knockdown HepG2 cells increased more than two-fold compared to normal HepG2
      cells. Third, PRELI suppresses senescence of HepG2 cells with oxidative stress.
      PRELI knockdown HepG2 cells showed higher levels of senescence than normal HepG2
      cells. These results suggest that PRELI is a crucial protein in the suppression
      of apoptosis in HepG2 cells in response to oxidative stress. 

PMID- 26275694
TI  - Effect of Intra-articular Injection of AOD9604 with or without Hyaluronic Acid in
      Rabbit Osteoarthritis Model.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To investigate the effects of AOD9604 intra-articular injections with
      or without hyaluronic acid (HA) in a collagenase-induced knee osteoarthritis (OA)
      rabbit model. DESIGN: Mature New Zealand white rabbits (n=32) were randomly
      administered 2 mg collagenase type II twice in each knee joint. Weekly injections
      of 0.6 mL saline (Group 1), 6 mg HA (Group 2), 0.25 mg AOD9604 (Group 3), and
      0.25 mg AOD9604 with 6 mg HA (Group 4) were administered for 4-7 weeks after the
      first intra-articular collagenase injection. The degree of cartilage degeneration
      was assessed using morphological and histopathological findings, and the degree
      of lameness was observed at 8 weeks after the first collagenase injection.
      RESULTS: Mean gross morphological and histopathological scores were significantly
      higher in Group 1 than in Groups 2, 3, and 4, and the scores were significantly
      lower in Group 4 than in Groups 2 and 3. The lameness period in Group 4 was
      significantly shorter than those in Groups 1, 2, and 3. The lameness period in
      Group 1 was significantly longer than those in Groups 2 and 3. CONCLUSION: Intra
      articular AOD9604 injections using ultrasound guidance enhanced cartilage
      regeneration, and combined AOD9604 and HA injections were more effective than HA
      or AOD9604 injections alone in the collagenase-induced knee OA rabbit model.

PMID- 26275695
TI  - Association between SNP309 and del1518 Polymorphism in MDM2 Homologue and
      Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Risk in Chinese Population of Shandong
      Province.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Murine double-minute 2 homologue (MDM2) is a key negative regulator
      of p53. Polymorphisms in the promoter region were shown to alter the gene
      activity and/or function, suggesting a possible role in carcinogenesis. OBJECTIVE
      AND METHOD: The current study aims to investigate the association of SNP309 and
      del1518 polymorphisms as well as their haplotypes in MDM2 with the risk of
      esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in the Chinese population. This study
      included 132 patients with ESCC and 132 age-matched healthy controls. Genotyping
      was performed by RFLP-PCR analysis. Genotypic and allelic frequencies were then
      evaluated. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software. RESULTS: The
      frequency of the GG genotype of SNP309 was 10.61% for controls and 18.94% for
      cases. A significant difference was detected between the two groups (odds ratio
      [OR] 2.27; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04-4.97; p=0.04). The linkage
      disequilibrium (LD) existed between SNP309 and del 1518(D'=0.68) in MDM2.
      Compared with "T-" haplotype, the "G+" haplotype can significantly increase the
      risk of ESCC (OR=1.65; 95% CI:1.09-2.51; p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: MDM2 SNP309
      polymorphisms and SNP309G-del1518+ haplotype may significantly contribute to
      genetic susceptibility to ESCC in the Chinese population.

PMID- 26275696
TI  - The Usage of Separating Gel Vacuum Tube with Different IgG Concentration.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Observing serum IgG concentration on the distribution of serum, blood
      cells, and separation gel after centrifugation in different separation gel vacuum
      tubes. METHODS: 3 mL venous blood was collected in each of two separation gel
      procoagulant vacuum tubes: BD Vacutainer SST II(3.5ml, 75*13 mm) and BD
      Vacutainer SST(5ml, 100*13 mm). After complete solidifaction, both tubes were
      centrifuged at 2000g for 10 minutes. The distribution of serum, blood cells, and
      separation gel in the vacuum tube was observed. The immunoglobulin concentration
      was detected using the special protein analyzer Siemens BNII. RESULTS: 1. In the
      group of BD Vacutainer SST II where the IgG concentration exceeded 50g/L but less
      than 122g/L: The serum was located below the separation gel and was distributed
      in three layers: separation gel, serum, and blood cells. 2. In the group of BD
      Vacutainer SST where the IgG concentration exceeded 50g/L but less than 122g/L:
      The serum was located above the separating gel, and was distributed in three
      layers: serum, separation gel, and blood cells. 3. Increases in IgA and IgM serum
      concentration did not cause the separation gel inversion. CONCLUSIONS: Increases
      in serum IgG were positively correlated with the concentration of total protein.
      The rising of serum IgG caused the floating of separation gel after
      centrifugation. The BD Vacutainer SST was more suitable for clinical blood sample
      collection.

PMID- 26275697
TI  - Inflammatory Fibroid Polyp of the Ileocecal Valve: Case Report, Review, and
      Recent Advances.
AB  - We report a case of a 72-year-old woman who underwent a right hemicolectomy for a
      near-obstructing mass in the ileocecal valve. The histologic diagnosis was
      inflammatory fibroid polyp (IFP). IFPs are rare mesenchymal lesions that can
      arise throughout the gastrointestinal tract. Originally considered reactive or
      inflammatory, recent studies report activating mutations of platelet derived
      growth factor receptor-alpha (PDGFRA) in IFPs, suggesting that these may in fact
      be neoplastic. Nonetheless, these are benign lesions cured by local excision and
      typically do not recur or metastasize. Our patient also had no evidence of local
      recurrence one year after the surgery. Hence, the clinical importance lies in
      distinguishing these lesions from other benign and malignant mesenchymal
      proliferative lesions both on a biopsy and resection specimen. We review the
      literature on clinicopathologic features, immunohistochemical profile,
      pathogenesis, recent advances, differential diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment
      of these uncommon lesions. 

PMID- 26275698
TI  - A Novel de novo Mutation in the G6PD Gene in a Korean Boy with Glucose-6
      phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency: Case Report.
AB  - Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is an X-linked recessive
      hemolytic anemia caused by a mutation in the G6PD gene on Xq28. Herein, we
      describe a Korean boy with G6PD deficiency resulting from a novel mutation in
      G6PD. A 20-month-old boy with hemolytic anemia was referred for molecular
      diagnosis. He had no relevant family history. The G6PD activity was severely
      decreased at 0.2 U/g Hb (severe deficiency). Direct sequencing analyses on the
      G6PD gene revealed that he was hemizygous for a novel missense variant, c.1187C>G
      (p.Pro396Arg), in exon 10 of G6PD. Family study involving his parents revealed
      the de novo occurrence of the mutation. This is the first report of genetically
      confirmed G6PD deficiency in Korea. 

PMID- 26275699
TI  - A Case of Diabetic Mellitus Foot Infection by a Newly Reported Neisseria
      Skkuensis: Case Report.
AB  - In pus and wound samples collected from the right second toe of a 61-year-old
      woman with diabetes mellitus (DM), gram-negative diplococci bacterium was
      observed. However, the bacterium could not be identified by conventional
      microbiological methods and mass spectrometry. In the partial 16S rRNA gene
      sequence analysis, the bacterium showed a 100% identity match with GenBank
      sequence FJ0763637.1 (Neisseria skkuensis). N. skkuensis, SMC-A9199 strain, was
      reported as a novel species in 2010 based on its phenotypic characteristics and
      the 16S rRNA gene sequence, which was isolated from the blood and wound pus of a
      DM patient with a foot ulcer. The second reported N. skkuensis was identified
      from the blood cultures of a patient with endocarditis. To the best of our
      knowledge, this is only the third report of N. skkuensis. 

PMID- 26275700
TI  - Letter to Editor: Chemokine Network Involved in Inflammatory Skin Diseases.
AB  - Chemokines are low-molecular-weight chemotactic proteins that regulate the
      trafficking of leukocytes to inflammatory sites and may recruit inflammatory
      cells to the epidermis. Chemokines are produced by many immune cells such as
      macrophages, mast cells, T lymphocytes and others, in response to pro
      inflammatory stimuli including IL-1, TNF and LPS. Immune cells which participate
      in inflammatory skin disorders, upon activation express several adhesive and
      immune receptors such as P-selectin, CD40 ligand, and Toll-like receptors on
      their surface, and generate cytokines/chemokines. Chemokines have crucial
      functions in inflammation, and cell dysregulations and they are recognized as
      potentially important in diverse skin pathologies associated with the severity of
      disease. Injection of chemokines in the rat skin provoke the recruitment of
      inflammatory cells, release of cytokines, and activation of transcription of
      histidine decarboxylase (HDC), the enzyme responsible for the generation of
      histamine from histidine, which may cause fatal anaphylactic shock. Therefore,
      the use of anti-chemokines for inflammatory skin diseases remains a promising
      therapeutic approach. However, the complete role of chemokines in inflammatory
      skin diseases remains to be further studied. Here we report the relationship
      between chemokines and skin inflammation. 

PMID- 26275701
TI  - Letter to the Editor: A Novel Mutation in the CREBBP Gene of a Korean Girl with
      Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome.
AB  - Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome (RTS) is a rare congenital disorder characterized by
      broad thumbs and halluces, dysmorphic facial features, mental retardation, and
      short stature. Mutations in the cAMP-response element binding protein-BP (CREBBP)
      gene (50-60% of cases) and E1A-binding protein (EP300, 3%) are known genetic
      causes in affected individuals. Here, we describe a genetically confirmed Korean
      RTS patient with atypical features, including Hirschsprung disease and growth
      hormone deficiency. Mutational analysis revealed a novel heterozygous frameshift
      mutation, c.2064_2077del14 (p.Gly689Cysfs*32) in the CREBBP gene. 

PMID- 26275702
TI  - A NR3C2 haplotype increases the risk of alcoholism in schizophrenic patients in
      Han Chinese population.

PMID- 26275703
TI  - Abnormal brainstem auditory response in young females with ADHD.
AB  - Studies have shown that the auditory brainstem response (ABR) is often affected
      in neurodevelopmental disorders. The aim of this study is to investigate possible
      differences in ABR between young females with ADHD compared to control subjects.
      This study focuses on young females, age 7-17 with ADHD, comparing the ABR of 43
      young females with ADHD to 21 age- and gender-matched control subjects. Young
      females with ADHD have a significantly different ABR in a region between cochlear
      nucleus and superior olivary complex as well as in the thalamic region compared
      to control subjects. These data indicate specific differences in ABR between
      girls with ADHD compared to female controls. 

PMID- 26275704
TI  - TNF-related weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) levels in schizophrenia.
AB  - Members of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily have roles in many biological
      events and pathogenesis of central nervous system (CNS) diseases. A relatively
      recently found member of this family, TNF-related weak inducer of apoptosis
      (TWEAK) have importance both in development of pathological CNS processes and as
      a target for the treatment of these diseases. The aim of this study was to
      investigate whether TWEAK's plasma levels are different in patients with
      schizophrenia. For this purpose plasma TWEAK levels of 44 patients diagnosed with
      schizophrenia and control group of 40 healthy individuals were compared. Although
      numerical difference was found between TWEAK levels of patients and controls it
      was not statistically significant. When we tested for female and male patients
      and controls seperately, TWEAK levels of male patients were significantly lower
      than male controls. As far as we know this is the first study that investigates
      levels of TWEAK in patients with schizophrenia. Although we did not find
      statistically significant results in our study, we believe that difference could
      be found in future studies with higher number of subjects. Researches with non
      studied TNF superfamily members like TWEAK and TNF-related apoptosis-inducing
      ligand (TRAIL) could contribute to the understanding of immune-cytokine related
      hypotheses of schizophrenia. 

PMID- 26275705
TI  - Highly efficacious cognitive-coping therapy for overt or covert compulsions.
AB  - Pharmacotherapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) present limitations when
      they are used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), a severe and
      debilitating psychiatric disorder. To search for more efficacious treatment, we
      investigated the effects of pharmacotherapy plus cognitive-coping therapy (pCCT)
      on adult OCD patients with overt or covert compulsions. Two hundred and fifteen
      OCD patients were randomized into pharmacotherapy plus psychological support
      (PPS, n=107) and pCCT (n=108). The Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS)
      was used to measure severity of symptoms in the OCD patients. The Y-BOCS scores
      were significantly lower in pCCT than in PPS in both acute term (<3 months) and
      long-term follow-up. In pCCT, severity of symptoms was not different between
      those with covert compulsions and those with overt compulsions, but was
      significantly reduced at any post-treatment time-point. Y-BOCS scores in the two
      subtype compulsions were significantly lower in pCCT than in PPS at any post
      treatpost-treatment time-point. Compared with PPS, effect size, response rate and
      remission rate were significantly higher in pCCT. Our findings corroborated with
      the hypothesis that pCCT could efficaciously treat OCD with overt compulsions or
      covert compulsion, suggesting that pCCT might be a potential option for adult
      OCD. 

PMID- 26275706
TI  - Screening tools for psychiatry disorders in cancer setting: Caution when using.
AB  - This study evaluated sensitivity/specificity of self-report instruments for the
      screening of psychiatric disorders/symptoms in cancer outpatients like:
      current/past major depression, dysthymia, alcohol abuse and dependence, tobacco
      abuse and dependence, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, generalized
      anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder,
      phobias, current mania, delusion and hallucination. First, 1384 patients
      responded to several self-assessment instruments. Then, 400 patients, were then
      interviewed by telephone to confirm the presence/absence of psychiatric
      diagnosis. The ROC analyses showed moderate/excellent specificity (Patient Health
      Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4)=0.75-0.88, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7)=0.77,
      Fast Alcohol Screening Test (FAST)=0.83-0.86, Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine
      Dependence (FTND)=0.72, Brief version of the Patient Health Questionnaire-Panic
      Disorder Module (Brief-PD)=0.75, and Self Reporting Questionnaire - psychosis
      items=(0.68-0.91) but low sensitivity (PHQ-4=0.53-0.54, GAD-7=0.52, FAST=0.48
      0.58, FTND=0.97, and Brief-PD=0.66)). These results suggest that sensitivity
      indicators should be used with caution in the cancer clinical setting. 

PMID- 26275707
TI  - Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles: Recent trends in design and synthesis of
      magnetoresponsive nanosystems.
AB  - Recent developments in nanotechnology and application of magnetic nanoparticles,
      in particular in magnetic iron oxide nanosystems, offer exciting possibilities
      for nanomedicine. Facile and precise synthesis procedures, high magnetic
      response, tunable morphologies and multiple bio-functionalities of single- and
      multi-core magnetic particles designed for nanomedicine applications are
      thoroughly appraised. This review focuses on the structural and magnetic
      characterization of the cores, the synthesis of single- and multicore iron oxide
      NPs, especially the design of the latter, as well as their protection,
      stabilization and functionalization by desired coating in order to protect
      against the corrosion of core, to prevent non-specific protein adsorption and
      particle aggregation in biological media, and to provide binding sites for
      targeting and therapeutic agents. 

PMID- 26275708
TI  - Targeted activation of endothelin-1 exacerbates hypoxia-induced pulmonary
      hypertension.
AB  - Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a fatal disease that eventually results
      in right heart failure and death. Current pharmacologic therapies for PAH are
      limited, and there are no drugs that could completely cure PAH. Enhanced activity
      of endothelin system has been implicated in PAH severity and endothelin receptor
      antagonists have been used clinically to treat PAH. However, there is limited
      experimental evidence on the direct role of enhanced endothelin system activity
      in PAH. Here, we investigated the correlation between endothelin-1 (ET-1) and PAH
      using ET-1 transgenic (ETTG) mice. Exposure to chronic hypoxia increased right
      ventricular pressure and pulmonary arterial wall thickness in ETTG mice compared
      to those in wild type mice. Of note, ETTG mice exhibited modest but significant
      increase in right ventricular pressure and vessel wall thickness relative to wild
      type mice even under normoxic conditions. To induce severe PAH, we administered
      SU5416, a vascular endothelial growth factor receptor inhibitor, combined with
      exposure to chronic hypoxia. Treatment with SU5416 modestly aggravated hypoxia
      induced pulmonary hypertension, right ventricular hypertrophy, and pulmonary
      arterial vessel wall thickening in ETTG mice in association with increased
      interleukin-6 expression in blood vessels. However, there was no sign of
      obliterative endothelial cell proliferation and plexiform lesion formation in the
      lungs. These results demonstrated that enhanced endothelin system activity could
      be a causative factor in the development of PAH and provided rationale for the
      inhibition of endothelin system to treat PAH. 

PMID- 26275709
TI  - Outcomes in consecutive hospitalized UK patients with bacteraemia or fungaemia
      caused by medical devices and procedures.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is a lack of outcome data on hospitalized patients with
      bacteraemia or fungaemia caused by medical devices or procedures. AIM: To
      determine the association between death and bacteraemia or fungaemia caused by
      medical devices and procedures. METHODS: From December 2012 to November 2013,
      demographic, clinical, and microbiological data were collected on consecutive
      inpatients with bacteraemia or fungaemia. Multivariate analysis, using
      generalized estimating equations, was used to define the association. FINDINGS: A
      total of 594 bacteraemic or fungaemic episodes occurred in 500 patients. Among
      patients with episodes caused by medical devices or procedures, 7-day and 30-day
      mortality were 7/167 [4.2%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.7-8.4] and 12/167
      (7.2%; CI: 3.8-12.2) respectively. After adjustment, the association between
      death and bacteraemic or fungaemic episodes related to medical devices and
      procedures was non-significant as 7- and 30-day mortality odds ratios (OR) were
      2.86 (95% CI: 0.80-10.12) and 1.72 (95% CI: 0.71-4.16) respectively. The
      difference between 30-day mortality associated with Escherichia coli and
      Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia demonstrated a trend towards significance [6/47
      (12.8%; CI: 4.8-25.7) vs 0/24; P = 0.067]. Thirty-day mortality associated with
      bacteraemia or fungaemia in patients with urinary catheter infections (often E.
      coli-associated) was significantly higher than intravascular device-associated
      infections (often S. aureus-associated) [4/51 (7.8%; 95% CI: 2.2-18.8) vs 1/62
      (1.6%; 95% CI: 0.0-8.7); P = 0.028]. CONCLUSION: Special attention is required to
      prevent medical device- or procedure-related bacteraemia caused by E. coli.
      Greater attention should be placed on preventing infections caused by urinary
      catheters.

PMID- 26275710
TI  - Revision of the opinion on peanut oil - Sensitisation only.

PMID- 26275711
TI  - Hypertension in children with end-stage renal disease.
AB  - This review summarizes current data on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and
      treatment of hypertension (HTN) in children with end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
      Worldwide prevalence of ESRD ranges from 5.0 to 84.4 per million age-related
      population. HTN is present in 27-79% of children with ESRD, depending on the
      modality of renal replacement therapy and the exact definition of hypertension.
      Ambulatory BP monitoring has been recommended for the detection of HTN and
      evaluation of treatment effectiveness. HTN in dialyzed patients is mostly related
      to hypervolemia, sodium overload, activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone
      system (RAAS) and sympathetic nervous system, impaired nitric oxide synthesis,
      reduced vitamin D levels, and effects of microRNA. In children undergoing chronic
      dialysis therapy, important factors include optimization of renal replacement
      therapy and preservation of residual renal function, allowing reduction of volume
      and sodium-overload, along with appropriate drug treatment, particularly with
      calcium channel blockers, RAAS inhibitors, and loop diuretics. 

PMID- 26275712
TI  - The calibration of cellphone camera-based colorimetric sensor array and its
      application in the determination of glucose in urine.
AB  - In this work, a novel approach that can calibrate the colors obtained with a
      cellphone camera was proposed for the colorimetric sensor array. The variations
      of ambient light conditions, imaging positions and even cellphone brands could
      all be compensated via taking the black and white backgrounds of the sensor array
      as references, thereby yielding accurate measurements. The proposed calibration
      approach was successfully applied to the detection of glucose in urine by a
      colorimetric sensor array. Snapshots of the glucose sensor array by a cellphone
      camera were calibrated by the proposed compensation method and the urine samples
      at different glucose concentrations were well discriminated with no confusion
      after a hierarchical clustering analysis. 

PMID- 26275713
TI  - DNA-stabilized bimetallic nanozyme and its application on colorimetric assay of
      biothiols.
AB  - This paper reports a facile synthesis of bimetallic AuxPty nanozyme using C-rich
      oligonucleotide as the nucleation template, with high peroxidase-like activity
      and thiophilicity associated with the ratio of x:y. The efficient Au2Pt1 nanozyme
      possesses highly peroxidase mimicking activity with the Km value of 0.088 mM
      toward 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine and 196 mM toward hydrogen peroxide. It is
      the first report to explore colorimetric assays for biothiols with high
      sensitivity and selectivity against non-thiol-containing amino acids, on the
      basis of thiol-induced inhibition of peroxidase-like activities of metal
      nanoparticles. By using Au2Pt1 nanozyme, the limit of detection (LOD) is 3.5 nM
      for cysteine and 1.6 nM for homocysteine. This DNA-stabilized bimetallic AuxPty
      nanozyme shows a promising application in quantitative detection of biothiols in
      biological fluids.

PMID- 26275714
TI  - Benefits for elders with vulnerable health from the Chronic Disease Self
      management Program (CDSMP) at short and longer term.
AB  - BACKGROUND: When health declines, older persons may benefit from an intervention
      program that strengthens their self-management and empowers them to keep in
      control of their own body and life. Therefore we conducted a Randomized
      Controlled Trial using the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) in a
      sample of 169 older persons in frail health and in need of elderly care. METHODS:
      We assessed psychological coping resources and wellbeing, pre- and posttreatment
      and at 6-month follow-up, and investigated whether specific subgroups would
      benefit in particular from the intervention. RESULTS: The CDSMP appeared
      effective with respect to sense of mastery but only in the lower educated
      participants (p < .05). Furthermore, the intervention stabilized valuation of
      life in participants, whereas in the controls valuation of life decreased. The
      high appreciation score and low drop-out are indicative for the applicability of
      the CDSMP for this specific target group. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend integration
      of the ingredients of the program into the daily healthcare practice of
      professionals working with vulnerable older persons. This would involve
      professional guidance starting from interpersonal equality and emphasising a
      persons possibilities given their physical or cognitive limitations. This will
      help older vulnerable persons to focus on their own attainable goals and to
      experience being successful. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was registered in the
      Dutch Trial Register as NTR 1173 at 08-03-2008; 'Is selfmanagement benefical for
      well-being of average older persons?'
      http://www.trialregister.nl/trialreg/admin/rctview.asp?TC=1173.

PMID- 26275716
TI  - The impact of migration on the health status of Iranians: an integrative
      literature review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Immigration, both voluntary and forced, is driven by social,
      political and economic factors. Accordingly, some discussions and debates have
      emerged in recent years about the impact of migration on the health status of
      migrants. The aim of this review was to identify the impact of migration on the
      health status of Iranian immigrants and present a conceptual framework to
      facilitate the design and delivery of services and supports for this particular
      immigrant group. METHODS: Data for this integrative review were collected from
      Medline, PsycINFO, Scopus, ProQuest, Academic Search Complete, CINAHL, and Google
      Scholar search engine. The database search was limited to peer-reviewed
      literature, published in English, between 1980 and 2013. RESULTS: Twenty six
      articles were included in the review. Analysis revealed several factors
      influencing the mental health of immigrants, including language insufficiency;
      unemployment; sense of discrimination; cultural shock; lack of social support;
      lack of information about health care services; and intimate partner violence.
      CONCLUSION: Findings of this review have contributed to development of a
      conceptual framework that delineates the impact of migration on Iranian
      immigrants' health. This conceptualization may also help in addressing the needs
      of other vulnerable groups during the transition phase of migration.

PMID- 26275717
TI  - Increasing venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation flow negatively
      affects left ventricular performance in a porcine model of cardiogenic shock.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between
      extracorporeal blood flow (EBF) and left ventricular (LV) performance during
      venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) therapy. METHODS: Five
      swine (body weight 45 kg) underwent VA ECMO implantation under general anesthesia
      and artificial ventilation. Subsequently, acute cardiogenic shock with signs of
      tissue hypoxia was induced. Hemodynamic and cardiac performance parameters were
      then measured at different levels of EBF (ranging from 1 to 5 L/min) using
      arterial and venous catheters, a pulmonary artery catheter and a pressure-volume
      loop catheter introduced into the left ventricle. RESULTS: Myocardial hypoxia
      resulted in a decline in mean (+/-SEM) cardiac output to 2.8 +/- 0.3 L/min and
      systolic blood pressure (SBP) to 60 +/- 7 mmHg. With an increase in EBF from 1 to
      5 L/min, SBP increased to 97 +/- 8 mmHg (P < 0.001); however, increasing EBF from
      1 to 5 L/min significantly negatively influences several cardiac performance
      parameters: cardiac output decreased form 2.8 +/- 0.3 L/min to 1.86 +/- 0.53
      L/min (P < 0.001), LV end-systolic volume increased from 64 +/- 11 mL to 83 +/-
      14 mL (P < 0.001), LV stroke volume decreased from 48 +/- 9 mL to 40 +/- 8 mL (P
      = 0.045), LV ejection fraction decreased from 43 +/- 3 % to 32 +/- 3 % (P <
      0.001) and stroke work increased from 2096 +/- 342 mmHg mL to 3031 +/- 404 mmHg
      mL (P < 0.001). LV end-diastolic pressure and volume were not significantly
      affected. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study indicate that higher
      levels of VA ECMO blood flow in cardiogenic shock may negatively affect LV
      function. Therefore, it appears that to mitigate negative effects on LV function,
      optimal VA ECMO blood flow should be set as low as possible to allow adequate
      tissue perfusion.

PMID- 26275715
TI  - A comprehensive evaluation of interaction between genetic variants and use of
      menopausal hormone therapy on mammographic density.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Mammographic density is an established breast cancer risk factor
      with a strong genetic component and can be increased in women using menopausal
      hormone therapy (MHT). Here, we aimed to identify genetic variants that may
      modify the association between MHT use and mammographic density. METHODS: The
      study comprised 6,298 postmenopausal women from the Mayo Mammography Health Study
      and nine studies included in the Breast Cancer Association Consortium. We
      selected for evaluation 1327 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) showing the
      lowest P-values for interaction (P int) in a meta-analysis of genome-wide gene
      environment interaction studies with MHT use on risk of breast cancer, 2541 SNPs
      in candidate genes (AKR1C4, CYP1A1-CYP1A2, CYP1B1, ESR2, PPARG, PRL, SULT1A1
      SULT1A2 and TNF) and ten SNPs (AREG-rs10034692, PRDM6-rs186749, ESR1-rs12665607,
      ZNF365-rs10995190, 8p11.23-rs7816345, LSP1-rs3817198, IGF1-rs703556, 12q24
      rs1265507, TMEM184B-rs7289126, and SGSM3-rs17001868) associated with mammographic
      density in genome-wide studies. We used multiple linear regression models
      adjusted for potential confounders to evaluate interactions between SNPs and
      current use of MHT on mammographic density. RESULTS: No significant interactions
      were identified after adjustment for multiple testing. The strongest SNP-MHT
      interaction (unadjusted P int <0.0004) was observed with rs9358531 6.5kb 5' of
      PRL. Furthermore, three SNPs in PLCG2 that had previously been shown to modify
      the association of MHT use with breast cancer risk were found to modify also the
      association of MHT use with mammographic density (unadjusted P int <0.002), but
      solely among cases (unadjusted P int SNP*MHT*case-status <0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The
      study identified potential interactions on mammographic density between current
      use of MHT and SNPs near PRL and in PLCG2, which require confirmation. Given the
      moderate size of the interactions observed, larger studies are needed to identify
      genetic modifiers of the association of MHT use with mammographic density.

PMID- 26275718
TI  - Counselling versus low-intensity cognitive behavioural therapy for persistent sub
      threshold and mild depression (CLICD): a pilot/feasibility randomised controlled
      trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Persistent depressive symptoms below the threshold criteria for major
      depression represent a chronic condition with high risk of progression to a
      diagnosis of major depression. The evidence base for psychological treatments
      such as Person-Centred Counselling and Low-Intensity Cognitive Behavioural
      Therapy for sub-threshold depressive symptoms and mild depression is limited,
      particularly for longer-term outcomes. METHODS: This study aimed to test the
      feasibility of delivering a randomised controlled trial into the clinical and
      cost effectiveness of Low-Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy versus Person
      Centred Counselling for patients with persistent sub-threshold depressive
      symptoms and mild depression. The primary outcome measures for this
      pilot/feasibility trial were recruitment, adherence and retention rates at six
      months from baseline. An important secondary outcome measure was recovery from,
      or prevention of, depression at six months assessed via a structured clinical
      interview by an independent assessor blind to the participant's treatment
      condition. Thirty-six patients were recruited in five general practices and were
      randomised to either eight weekly sessions of person-centred counselling each
      lasting up to an hour, or up to eight weeks of cognitive-behavioural self-help
      resources with guided telephone support sessions lasting 20-30 minutes each.
      RESULTS: Recruitment rate in relation to the number of patients approached at the
      general practices was 1.8 %. Patients attended an average of 5.5 sessions in both
      interventions. Retention rate for the 6-month follow-up assessments was 72.2 %.
      Of participants assessed at six months, 71.4 % of participants with a diagnosis
      of mild depression at baseline had recovered, while 66.7 % with a diagnosis of
      persistent subthreshold depression at baseline had not developed major
      depression. There were no significant differences between treatment groups for
      both recovery and prevention of depression at six months or on any of the outcome
      measures. CONCLUSIONS: It is feasible to recruit participants and successfully
      deliver both interventions in a primary care setting to patients with
      subthreshold and mild depression; however recruiting requires significant input
      at the general practices. The evidence from this study suggests that short-term
      Person-Centred Counselling and Low-Intensity Cognitive Behaviour Therapy are
      potentially effective and their effectiveness should be evaluated in a larger
      randomised controlled study which includes a health economic evaluation. TRIAL
      REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN60972025 .

PMID- 26275719
TI  - An untargeted metabolomics-driven approach based on LC-TOF/MS and LC-MS/MS for
      the screening of xenobiotics and metabolites of Zhi-Zi-Da-Huang decoction in rat
      plasma.
AB  - Zhi-Zi-Da-Huang decoction (ZZDHD), a typical traditional Chinese medicine
      prescription, is widely used in clinical practice for the treatment of alcoholic
      liver disease. However, due to lack of holistic metabolic research, the active
      ingredients of ZZDHD have not been fully elucidated. It entails a huge obstacle
      for the quality evaluation, pharmacokinetic studies and clinical-safe medication
      administration of ZZDHD. In this work, an untargeted metabolomics-driven approach
      was proposed to rapidly screen and characterize xenobiotics and related
      metabolites in vivo conducted by LC-TOF/MS and LC-QqQ/MS. The tR-m/z pairs which
      were present in the ZZDHD-dosed group and absent in the control group could be
      clearly displayed by XCMS Online platform combined with supervised orthogonal
      partial least squares discriminant analysis. Among them, a total of 61 ZZDHD
      related xenobiotics and metabolites including 34 prototype components and 27
      metabolites were rapidly identified or tentatively characterized in rat plasma.
      The results indicated that iridoid glycosides and monoterpenoids from Gardenia
      jasminoides Ellis, flavonoid glycosides from Citrus aurantium L., as well as
      anthraquinones from Rheum palmatum L. were the main absorbed chemical components
      of ZZDHD. Hydrolysis, glucuronidation and sulfation were the main metabolic
      pathways of ZZDHD in vivo. The present study provided a solid basis for further
      revealing the relationship between the xenobiotic metabolome and pharmacological
      activity of ZZDHD. In addition, the application of untargeted metabolomics-driven
      approach offers a fresh insight for rapid screening and identifying xenobiotics
      and metabolites of ZZDHD and other multiherb prescription.

PMID- 26275720
TI  - Identification of a new tadalafil analogue in an adulterated dietary supplement:
      trans-Bisprehomotadalafil.
AB  - A new tadalafil analogue was identified along with homotadalafil during routine
      screening of an adulterated dietary supplement using HPLC-DAD. The UV spectrum of
      this analogue was almost identical with that of tadalafil. This compound was
      isolated from the supplement by using semi-preparative HPLC and its structure was
      subsequently elucidated by performing Q-TOF/MS/MS and NMR spectroscopic
      experiments. The spectral data indicate that this tadalafil analogue is a dimeric
      compound that consists of an ethylamino group and two pretadalafil moieties. NOE
      experiments and comparison with (1)H NMR spectra of tadalafil and trans-tadalafil
      suggested the trans-relationship between the substituents on piperidine rings in
      the pretadalafil moieties.

PMID- 26275721
TI  - Intentions of Muslim Arab women in Israel to attend prenatal classes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Prenatal education has many benefits to both mother and child. In
      Israel, prenatal classes are offered to pregnant women in their third trimester
      from all cultures and sectors. However, Israeli Muslim Arab women often do not
      attend these classes. AIM: To explore factors influencing the intention of Muslim
      Arab women in Israel to attend prenatal classes, using the Theory of Planned
      Behavior. METHODS: The study was a cross-sectional quantitative correlational
      design. A convenience sample consisting of 200 Arab Muslim women completed a
      questionnaire based on the literature review and the theoretical model. FINDINGS:
      The research findings indicate that women's intention to attend prenatal classes
      increases with more positive beliefs and attitudes toward prenatal education,
      greater subjective social pressure to attend classes, and with higher perceived
      control of attending such classes. The higher a woman's age and level of
      education, the greater her intention to attend classes. This study shows that the
      spouse is the most significant factor influencing women's decisions on this
      matter. CONCLUSION: In order to raise the intentions of Muslim Arab women in
      Israel to attend prenatal classes, policy makers must design programs to increase
      the awareness of prenatal education among both women and men in the Muslim Arab
      sector, emphasizing its benefits for mothers, infants, and families as a whole.
      Classes should reflect the uniqueness of Israeli Muslim Arab culture and combine
      traditional and modern outlooks.

PMID- 26275722
TI  - A Test of Social Cognitive Theory to Explain Men's Physical Activity During a
      Gender-Tailored Weight Loss Program.
AB  - Physical inactivity is a leading contributor to the burden of disease in men.
      Social-cognitive theories may improve physical activity (PA) interventions by
      identifying which variables to target to maximize intervention impact. This study
      tested the utility of Bandura's social cognitive theory (SCT) to explain men's PA
      during a 3-month weight loss program. Participants were 204 overweight/obese men
      (M [SD] age = 46.6 [11.3] years; body mass index = 33.1 [3.5] kg/m2). A
      longitudinal, latent variable structural equation model tested the associations
      between SCT constructs (i.e., self-efficacy, outcome expectations, intention, and
      social support) and self-reported moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and examined the
      total PA variance explained by SCT. After controlling for Time 1 cognitions and
      behavior, the model fit the data well (chi2 = 73.9, degrees of freedom = 39, p <
      .001; normed chi2 = 1.9; comparative fit index = 0.96; standardized root mean
      residual = 0.059) and explained 65% of the variance in MVPA at Time 2. At Time 2,
      self-efficacy demonstrated the largest direct and total effects on MVPA
      (betadirect = .45, p < .001; betatotal = .67, p = .002). A small-to-medium effect
      was observed from intention to MVPA, but not from outcome expectations or social
      support. This study provides some evidence supporting the tenets of SCT when
      examining PA behavior in overweight and obese men. Future PA and weight loss
      interventions for men may benefit by targeting self-efficacy and intention, but
      the utility of targeting social support and outcome expectations requires further
      examination.

PMID- 26275724
TI  - Magnetic resonance cholangiography: Current and future perspectives.
AB  - Magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) has become the standard of reference for
      imaging of the biliary ducts. The use of three-dimensional (3D) sequences has
      resulted in improved spatial resolution with virtually isotropic voxel and
      improved signal/noise ratio. In addition to MRC images, 3D fat suppressed T1
      weighted MR images should be systematically obtained to search for intrahepatic
      calculi. MRC plays a major role in the diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma and
      assessment of its resectability. With modern MR systems the performance of MR is
      basically the same that of CT for evaluation of arterial and portal vein extent.
      MRC is a key imaging modality for the diagnosis of primary sclerosing
      cholangitis. Different imaging patterns may be observed including multifocal
      intra- and extrahepatic strictures alternating with slightly dilated ducts. Focal
      signal abnormality of the liver parenchyma and focal parenchymal atrophy
      represent the consequences of biliary duct obstruction on liver parenchyma.
      Diagnosis of biliary lithiasis is performed by combination of MRC and T1-weighted
      MR imaging. MRC can be performed for the diagnosis of secondary cholangitis
      including ascending cholangitis, ischemic cholangitis and IgG4-related sclerosing
      cholangitis. Hepatobiliary contrast agents could be used for demonstrating the
      site of biliary duct leakage after surgery and for functional imaging. MR imaging
      can also be used to determine the prognosis of PSC. The inherent limitations of
      MRC of bile ducts are still the suboptimal spatial resolution for evaluation of
      distal intrahepatic biliary ducts. 

PMID- 26275723
TI  - Enhanced cough reflex in a model of bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis in guinea
      pigs.
AB  - Fibrotic lung diseases, such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, are associated
      with spontaneous dry cough and hypersensitivity to tussive agents. Understanding
      the pathophysiology driving enhanced cough may help us to define better therapies
      for patients. We hypothesized that lung fibrosis induced by intratracheal
      bleomycin would exacerbate the cough reflex induced by tussive agents in guinea
      pigs. Disease progression in the lungs was characterized at days 1, 7, 14, 21 and
      28 after bleomycin administration. Inflammatory and fibrotic markers, as well as
      neurotrophin levels, were assessed in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and/or lung
      tissue. Cough sensitivity to citric acid, capsaicin and allylisothiocyanate was
      evaluated in conscious animals at days 14 and 21 after bleomycin administration.
      Pulmonary lesions evolved from an early inflammatory phase (from day 1 to day 7)
      to a fibrotic stage (between days 14 and 28). Fibrosis was related to increased
      levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (day 21:
      saline, 0.26 ng/ml; bleomycin, 0.49 ng/ml). At day 14, we also observed increased
      cough reflexes to citric acid (163%), capsaicin (125%) and allylisothiocyanate
      (178%). Cough exacerbation persisted, but at a lower extent, by day 21 for
      capsaicin (100%) and allylisothiocyanate (54%). Moreover, bronchoalveolar lavage
      fluid concentrations of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, suggested to induce
      nerve remodelling in chronic cough, were also enhanced (day 1: saline, 14.21
      pg/ml; bleomycin, 30.09 pg/ml). In summary, our model of bleomycin-induced cough
      exacerbation may be a valuable tool to investigate cough hypersensitivity and
      develop antitussive therapies for fibrotic lung diseases.

PMID- 26275725
TI  - Corrigendum to "Alterations in grooming activity and syntax in heterozygous SERT
      and BDNF knockout mice: the utility of behavior-recognition tools to characterize
      mutant mouse phenotypes".

PMID- 26275726
TI  - The identification of lobeglitazone metabolites in rat liver microsomes and the
      kinetics of the in vivo formation of the major metabolite M1 in rats.
AB  - The objective of this study was to elucidate the chemical structure of the
      metabolites derived from lobeglitazone (LB) during its incubation with rat liver
      microsomes and to characterize the kinetics of formation of the major metabolite
      M1 in vivo. Using high performance liquid chromatography coupled with a hybrid
      quadrupole linear ion trap, the metabolites were derived from LB during its
      incubation with rat liver microsomes. From various fragmentation patterns
      obtained from the metabolites, LB was biotransformed into 5 metabolites in the
      incubation, in which demethylation and hydroxylation appeared to be the principle
      metabolic pathways in vitro; Amongst the five primary metabolites, M1, a
      demethylated derivative of LB, appeared to be the major metabolite of LB, based
      on a comparison on the peak intensities in the ion chromatogram. In a study of
      the in vivo kinetics of formation of M1 in rats, the rate of formation of M1 from
      LB was determined to be 0.252 and 0.216mL/min/kg at doses of 0.5mg/kg and 2mg/kg
      of LB, respectively, suggesting that the kinetics of M1 formation were linear in
      the dose range tested. Considering the fact that LB is primarily eliminated by
      hepatic metabolism in rats, the formation of M1 accounts for approximately 7.50
      9.76% of the overall elimination of LB in rats.

PMID- 26275727
TI  - Unraveling the active hypoglycemic agent trigonelline in Balanites aegyptiaca
      date fruit using metabolite fingerprinting by NMR.
AB  - Trigonelline (3-carboxy-1-methyl pyridinium) was identified as a relevant
      bioactivity and taste imparting component in Balanites aegyptiaca fruit, using
      (1)H NMR of crude extracts without any fractionation or isolation step. The
      structural integrity of trigonelline was established within the extract matrix
      via(1)H NMR, (1)H-(1)H COSY, HMQC and HMBC and by comparison with authentic
      standard. A quantitative (1)H NMR method (qHNMR) was used to determine
      trigonelline concentrations in the peel and pulp of B. aegyptiaca fruit of 8 and
      13mgg(-1), respectively. Trigonelline so far has not been reported from B.
      aegyptiaca or its genus as it easily escapes LC-MS based detection. Its discovery
      provides novel insight into the balanite fruits antidiabetic properties as the
      compound is known for a pronounced hypoglycemic effect. In addition, it is likely
      to impart the perceptible bitter taste portion to balanites sweet bitter taste.
      UPLC-MS of the crude extract additionally revealed the fruit flavonoid pattern
      showing quercetin/isorhamnetin flavonol conjugates in addition to epicatechin,
      the latter being present at much lower levels.

PMID- 26275728
TI  - Air pollution in moderately polluted urban areas: How does the definition of
      "neighborhood" impact exposure assessment?
AB  - Environmental health studies commonly quantify subjects' pollution exposure in
      their neighborhood. How this neighborhood is defined can vary, however, leading
      to different approaches to quantification whose impacts on exposure levels remain
      unclear. We explore the relationship between neighborhood definition and exposure
      assessment. NO2, benzene, PM10 and PM2.5 exposure estimates were computed in the
      vicinity of 10,825 buildings using twelve exposure assessment techniques
      reflecting different definitions of "neighborhood". At the city scale, its
      definition does not significantly influence exposure estimates. It does impact
      levels at the building scale, however: at least a quarter of the buildings'
      exposure estimates for a 400 m buffer differ from the estimated 50 m buffer value
      (+/-1.0 MUg/m(3) for NO2, PM10 and PM2.5; and +/-0.05 MUg/m(3) for benzene). This
      variation is significantly related to the definition of neighborhood. It is
      vitally important for investigators to understand the impact of chosen assessment
      techniques on exposure estimates. 

PMID- 26275729
TI  - Body size-dependent toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics could explain intra- and
      interspecies variability in sensitivity.
AB  - Ecological risk assessment of chemicals aims at quantifying the likelihood of
      adverse effects posed to non-target populations and the communities they
      constitute, often based on lethal concentration estimates for standard test
      species. There may, however, be intra- and interspecific differences in responses
      to chemical exposure. Here with the help of a toxicokinetic-toxicodynamic model,
      we explored whether differential body sizes might explain the observed
      variability in sensitivity between species and between life-stages of each
      individual species, for three model organisms, Daphnia magna, Chaoborus
      crystallinus and Mesocyclops leuckarti. While body size-dependent toxicokinetics
      could be used to predict intraspecies variation in sensitivity, our results also
      suggest that changes in both toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic parameters might be
      needed to describe differential species sensitivity. Accounting for biological
      traits, like body size, in mechanistic effect models will allow more accurate
      predictions of chemical effects in size structured populations, ultimately
      providing mechanistic explanations for species sensitivity distributions. 

PMID- 26275730
TI  - Carcinogenic risk of chromium, copper and arsenic in CCA-treated wood.
AB  - We showed that 2.1% of 233 pieces of lumber debris after the Great East Japan
      Earthquake was chromated copper arsenate (CCA)-treated wood. Since hexavalent
      chromium (Cr), copper (Cu) and pentavalent arsenic (As) in the debris may be
      diffused in the air via incineration, we exposed human lung normal (BEAS-2B) and
      carcinoma (A549) cells to Cr, Cu and As at the molar ratio in a representative
      CCA-treated wood. Co-exposure to 0.10 MUM Cr and 0.06 MUM As, which solely had no
      effect on colony formation, synergistically promoted colony formation in BEAS-2B
      cells, but not A549 cells, with activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway. Sole exposure
      and co-exposure to Cu showed limited effects. Since previous reports showed Cr
      and As concentrations to which human lungs might be exposed, our results suggest
      the importance to avoid diffusion of Cr and As in the air via incineration of
      debris including CCA-treated wood after the disaster. 

PMID- 26275731
TI  - Rare severe mycotic infections in children receiving empirical caspofungin
      treatment for febrile neutropenia.
AB  - Empirical antifungal therapy is most often given to patients with leukemia.
      However breakthrough fungal infections under antifungal therapy are not uncommon.
      Four children, with hematologic malignant disease developed mycotic breakthrough
      infections while on empirical caspofungin treatment for a median of 14 (range 11
      19) days. Trichosporon asahii was detected in the blood culture of two patients
      and Geotrichum capitatum in the other two (one patient also had positive
      cerebrospinal fluid culture). Because the patients' clinical situation worsened,
      voriconazole was empirically added for two patients three and five days before
      the agent was detected. The first sterile blood culture was obtained 3-7 days of
      voriconazole treatment. All patients reached clear cultures but one patient died.
      One patient with central nervous system infection with G. capitatum had severe
      neurological sequelae. Very severe fungal infections can occur during empirical
      caspofungin therapy. Therefore, patients should be followed closely. 

PMID- 26275732
TI  - [Commentary to the letter "Beware of multiplicity problems in clinical trials"].

PMID- 26275733
TI  - [Anaesthetic management of excision of a cervical intraspinal tumor with
      intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring in a pregnant woman at 29 weeks].
AB  - The intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring is a technique used to test and
      monitor nervous function. This technique has become essential in some
      neurosurgery interventions, since it avoids neurological injuries during surgery
      and reduces morbidity. The experience of intraoperative neurophysiological
      monitoring is limited in some clinical cases due to the low incidence of pregnant
      women undergoing a surgical procedure. A case is presented of a 29-weeks pregnant
      woman suffering from a cervical intraspinal tumour with intense pain, which
      required surgery. The collaboration of a multidisciplinary team composed of
      anaesthesiologists, neurosurgeons, neurophysiologists and obstetricians, the
      continuous monitoring of the foetus, the intraoperative neurophysiological
      monitoring, and maintaining the neurophysiological and utero-placental variables
      were crucial for the proper development of the surgery. According to our
      experience and the limited publications in the literature, no damaging effects of
      this technique were detected at maternal-foetal level. On the contrary, it brings
      important benefits during the surgery and for the final result. 

PMID- 26275734
TI  - Multimodal treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer.

PMID- 26275735
TI  - Induction chemoradiation in stage IIIA/N2 non-small-cell lung cancer: a phase 3
      randomised trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: One of the standard options in the treatment of stage IIIA/N2 non
      small-cell lung cancer is neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgery. We did a
      randomised trial to investigate whether the addition of neoadjuvant radiotherapy
      improves outcomes. METHODS: We enrolled patients in 23 centres in Switzerland,
      Germany and Serbia. Eligible patients had pathologically proven, stage IIIA/N2
      non-small-cell lung cancer and were randomly assigned to treatment groups in a
      1:1 ratio. Those in the chemoradiotherapy group received three cycles of
      neoadjuvant chemotherapy (100 mg/m(2) cisplatin and 85 mg/m(2) docetaxel)
      followed by radiotherapy with 44 Gy in 22 fractions over 3 weeks, and those in
      the control group received neoadjuvant chemotherapy alone. All patients were
      scheduled to undergo surgery. Randomisation was stratified by centre, mediastinal
      bulk (less than 5 cm vs 5 cm or more), and weight loss (5% or more vs less than
      5% in the previous 6 months). The primary endpoint was event-free survival.
      Analyses were done by intention to treat. This trial is registered with
      ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00030771. FINDINGS: From 2001 to 2012, 232 patients
      were enrolled, of whom 117 were allocated to the chemoradiotherapy group and 115
      to the chemotherapy group. Median event-free survival was similar in the two
      groups at 12.8 months (95% CI 9.7-22.9) in the chemoradiotherapy group and 11.6
      months (8.4-15.2) in the chemotherapy group (p=0.67). Median overall survival was
      37.1 months (95% CI 22.6-50.0) with radiotherapy, compared with 26.2 months (19.9
      52.1) in the control group. Chemotherapy-related toxic effects were reported in
      most patients, but 91% of patients completed three cycles of chemotherapy.
      Radiotherapy-induced grade 3 dysphagia was seen in seven (7%) patients. Three
      patients died in the control group within 30 days after surgery. INTERPRETATION:
      Radiotherapy did not add any benefit to induction chemotherapy followed by
      surgery. We suggest that one definitive local treatment modality combined with
      neoadjuvant chemotherapy is adequate to treat resectable stage IIIA/N2 non-small
      cell lung cancer. FUNDING: Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and
      Innovation (SERI), Swiss Cancer League, and Sanofi.

PMID- 26275736
TI  - Hypoglossal nerve palsy following the robotic thyroidectomy for the papillary
      thyroid carcinoma: A case report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Endoscopic surgical techniques with robotic system in the thyroid
      cancer have been reported to show good results and advantages; however the risk
      of these techniques has not been fully documented. PRESENTATION OF THE CASE: We
      experienced an uncommon complicated case of a 20-year-old woman with a papillary
      thyroid carcinoma. After the robotic thyroidectomy, she complained of the tongue
      deviation, speech and swallowing difficulties of hypoglossal nerve palsy.
      DISCUSSION: In this case, a few etiologies could be suggested for the development
      of hypoglossal nerve palsy. It might be associated with direct stretching or
      entrapment of hypoglossal nerve during tumor resection; lateral placement of the
      laryngoscope on the tongue base; the hyperinflation of the laryngeal mask airway;
      and histological disruption of the intraneural connective tissue and blood
      circulation. CONCLUSION: Although the robotic surgery is a creative technique and
      has been known to be safe and effective, the risk of this surgery including
      traumatic nerve injury should be taken into account before surgery.

PMID- 26275737
TI  - Occult fracture of the femoral neck associated with extensive osteonecrosis of
      the femoral head: A case report.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Although the subchondral portion of the femoral head is a common
      site for collapse in osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH), femoral-neck
      fracture rarely occurs during the course of ONFH. We report a case of occult
      insufficiency fracture of the femoral neck without conditions predisposing to
      insufficiency fractures, occurring in association with ONFH. PRESENTATION OF
      CASE: We report a case of occult fracture of the femoral neck due to extensive
      ONFH in a 60-year-old man. No abnormal findings suggestive of ONFH were
      identified on radiographs, and the fracture occurred spontaneously without any
      trauma or unusual increase in activity. The patient's medical history, age, and
      good bone quality suggested ONFH as a possible underlying cause. Contrast
      enhanced magnetic resonance imaging was useful in determining whether the
      fracture was caused by ONFH or was instead a simple insufficiency fracture caused
      by steroid use. DISCUSSION: The patient was treated with bipolar
      hemiarthroplasty, but if we had not suspected ONFH as a predisposing condition,
      the undisplaced fracture might have been treated by osteosynthesis, and this
      would have led to nonunion or collapse of the femoral head. To avoid providing
      improper treatment, clinicians should consider ONFH as a predisposing factor in
      pathologic fractures of the femoral neck. CONCLUSION: ONFH should be included in
      the differential diagnosis of insufficiency fracture of the femoral neck.

PMID- 26275738
TI  - Concomitant endometrial and gallbladder metastasis in advanced multiple
      metastatic invasive lobular carcinoma of the breast: A rare case report.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: At time of presentation, fewer than 10% of patients have metastatic
      breast cancer. The most common sites of metastasis in order of frequency are
      bone, lung, pleura, soft tissue, and liver. Breast cancer metastasis to the
      uterus or gallbladder is rare and has infrequently been reported in the English
      literature. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 47 year old female with a recent history of
      thrombocytopenia presented with abnormal vaginal bleeding. Pelvic ultrasound
      revealed multiple uterine fibroids and endometrial curettings revealed cells
      consistent with lobular carcinoma of the breast. Breast examination revealed
      edema and induration of the lower half of the right breast. Biopsy of the right
      breast revealed invasive lobular carcinoma. Bone marrow aspiration obtained at a
      previous outpatient visit revealed extensive involvement by metastatic breast
      carcinoma. Shortly after discharge, the patient presented with acute
      cholecystitis and underwent cholecystectomy. Microscopic examination of the
      gallbladder revealed metastatic infiltrating lobular carcinoma. The final
      diagnosis was invasive lobular carcinoma of the right breast with metastasis to
      the bone marrow, endometrium, gallbladder, regional lymph nodes, and peritoneum.
      DISCUSSION: The growth pattern of invasive lobular carcinoma of the breast is
      unique and poses a challenge in diagnosing the cancer at an early stage. Unlike
      other types of breast cancer, it tends to metastasize more to the peritoneum,
      ovary, and gastrointestinal tract. Metastasis to the endometrium or gallbladder
      is rare. CONCLUSION: Metastatic spread should be considered in the differential
      diagnosis of patients with invasive lobular breast carcinoma presenting with
      abnormal vaginal bleeding or acute cholecystitis.

PMID- 26275739
TI  - Adult Sacrococcygeal Teratoma: The third leg: A rare case report in a 25 year old
      man.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Sacrococcygeal Teratoma (SCT) is a rare benign neoplasm comprised
      of mixed elements derived from two or more germ cell layers. They are extremely
      rare in adults. They attract attention because of their gross appearance and
      bizarre histology. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 25 year old male presented to Surgical
      OPD, Government General Hospital, Guntur Medical College, Guntur with a large
      mass comprising a partially developed 3rd leg and rudimentary external genitalia
      in the lower back. He complained of cosmetic blemish, difficulty in sitting,
      sleeping and walking. DISCUSSION: He was diagnosed mature Sacrococcygeal Teratoma
      Altman Type II based on history, clinical examination, ultrasound, MRI.
      Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis. He had complete surgical excision with
      primary wound closure and a good postoperative recovery. A 3-year follow-up using
      clinical, biochemical and radiological assessment revealed no evidence of
      recurrence. CONCLUSION: Mature SCT, though very rare in adults, are usually
      benign. Complete surgical excision remains the mainstay of treatment.

PMID- 26275740
TI  - Evaluation of hepatic perfusion in the liver graft using fluorescence imaging
      with indocyanine green.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) after liver transplantation (LT) is
      one of serious complications and reportedly ranges from 2% to 13%. PVT impairs
      the blood perfusion to the grafts and causes the graft dysfunction. PRESENTATION
      OF CASE: A 60-year-old female underwent living-donor LT with the left liver graft
      for end-stage liver disease related to chronic hepatitis C. After reperfusion,
      Indocyanine green (ICG)-fluorescence imaging was performed to confirm the graft
      perfusion, which pointed out an insufficient perfusion on the surface of segment
      4. Following intraoperative ultrasonography revealed thrombus in the portal vein
      of segment 4, which was successfully removed by heparinized saline flush.
      DISCUSSION: The most of patients with PVT developed graft failure and resulted in
      retransplantation. This enhances the importance of the surveillance for PVT in
      the postoperative period as well as the intraoperative period. However, the
      modality to identify PVT during surgery is limited mainly to intraoperative
      ultrasound. ICG-fluorescence imaging can visualize regions with impaired hepatic
      perfusion due to PVT in real time during LT in addition to visualization of
      hepatic flows of reconstructed vessels and evaluation of regions with venous
      occlusion. CONCLUSION: ICG-fluorescence imaging can be simply performed with
      single ICG injection and is expected to have potential roles to enhance the
      safety of LT.

PMID- 26275741
TI  - A Case of Secondary Aortoesophageal Fistula.

PMID- 26275742
TI  - Acute Urinary Retention Caused by an Ovarian Teratoma-A Unique Pediatric
      Presentation and Review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Acute urinary retention (AUR) is a rare diagnosis both in pediatric
      and adult female populations, especially when compared to adult males. AUR occurs
      in women at a rate of 7 in 100,000 per year in a 1:13 female to male ratio.
      Multiple studies have shown that within the pediatric population AUR is far less
      common in females and is caused by different pathologies than AUR in adult women.
      CASE REPORT: We report the case of an 11 year-old prepubescent female who
      presented to the emergency department with acute urinary retention found to be
      caused by a mature cystic ovarian teratoma. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE
      AWARE OF THIS?: Our case is unique in that it describes an ovarian mass leading
      to AUR which has not previously been described in the pediatric literature. We
      will review the causes of AUR in the pediatric female population and compare
      these to the causes of AUR in other populations.

PMID- 26275743
TI  - A Survey of the First-Hour Basic Care Tasks of Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock in
      Pediatric Patients and an Evaluation of Medical Simulation on Improving the
      Compliance of the Tasks.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Application of the sepsis resuscitation bundle is limited by
      clinician knowledge, skills, and experience. We used the adjusted first-hour
      basic care tasks in pediatric patients in three tertiary hospitals in Shanghai,
      China. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to survey the compliance of the
      adjusted tasks and to evaluate in situ simulation team training on improving the
      compliance. METHODS: A prospective observational study was performed with the
      survey checklists from May 2011 to January 2012 in three pediatric intensive care
      units. A simulated case scenario was administered to the practitioners in one
      hospital. RESULTS: Seventy-three patients were enrolled, including 47 patients in
      one simulation hospital (SH) and 26 patients in two nonsimulation hospitals
      (NSH). The total compliance of the tasks was 47.9% (35/73). The compliance in the
      SH was significantly higher compared to that in the NSHs (61.7% [29/47] vs. 23.1%
      [6/26], p < 0.01). Compared to the SH, the main problems in the NSH were giving
      intravenous or intraosseous fluid resuscitation in a longer time (35.3 min vs.
      19.9 min, p = 0.000), a smaller percentage of measurement of accurate urine
      output (38.5% vs. 68.1%, p = 0.027), delivering high-flow oxygen (73.1% vs.
      93.6%, p = 0.028), and measurement of lactate (69.2% vs. 100%, p = 0.000).
      CONCLUSIONS: In situ simulation team training is an effective method of teaching
      the tasks of septic shock care to clinicians and nurses on the front line and of
      improving the compliance of the tasks.

PMID- 26275744
TI  - Reciprocal longitudinal associations between substance use and child-to-parent
      violence in adolescents.
AB  - Child-to-parent violence (CPV) is a type of violence that has received little
      attention despite its increasing rates in Western countries. Several models state
      that substance abuse constitutes a risk factor for aggressive behavior and that
      relationships among these variables can be reciprocal. In this study, the
      temporal relationships among substance use and physical and psychological CPV
      were examined. A sample of 981 adolescents (mean age = 15.22 years, SD = 1.2
      years) completed measures of substance use and CPV at three time points (T1, T2,
      and T3) spaced 6 months apart. The results indicated that T1 levels of substance
      use predicted an increase in psychological CPV at T2 and that T2 levels of
      substance use predicted an increase in physical CPV at T3. Additionally, several
      mediational mechanisms emerged between substance use at T1 and CPV at T3. Neither
      physical nor psychological CPV predicted an increase in substance use at any
      time. Multiple comparisons indicated that the predictive association between
      substance use and physical aggression against parents was significant only in
      boys. These findings suggest that preventive programs for CPV should include
      specific components for reducing substance use. 

PMID- 26275745
TI  - A systematic review of the association between family meals and adolescent risk
      outcomes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To conduct a systematic review of the literature examining the
      relationship between family meals and adolescent health risk outcomes. METHODS:
      We performed a systematic search of original empirical studies published between
      January 1990 and September 2013. Based on data from selected studies, we
      conducted logistic regression models to examine the correlates of reporting a
      protective association between frequent family meals and adolescent outcomes.
      RESULTS: Of the 254 analyses from 26 selected studies, most reported a
      significant association between family meals and the adolescent risk outcome-of
      interest. However, model analyses which controlled for family connectedness
      variables, or used advanced empirical methods to account for family-level
      confounders, were less likely than unadjusted models to report significant
      relationships. CONCLUSIONS: The type of analysis conducted was significantly
      associated with the likelihood of finding a protective relationship between
      family meals and the adolescent outcome-of-interest, yet very few studies are
      using such methods in the literature.

PMID- 26275746
TI  - Health complaints among adolescents: Associations with more screen-based
      behaviours and less physical activity.
AB  - In this study, we investigated the relationship between screen-based behaviours,
      physical activity, and health complaints (headaches, feeling low, irritability,
      and nervousness). Screen-based behaviour included TV viewing, computer use, and
      time spent playing video games. Data were collected from 4462 Portuguese
      adolescents (2394 girls) aged 11-16 years. Girls who reported engaging in more
      screen-based behaviour (hours/day) also reported having more headaches, feeling
      lower, being more irritable, and feeling more nervous. Boys who reported more
      screen time were more irritable. Physical activity (times/week) was negatively
      associated with reports of feeling nervous among girls, and with headaches,
      feeling low, irritability, and feeling nervous among boys. Considering that time
      spent using the computer is related with more health complaints, and physical
      activity was related with fewer health complaints among boys, it is important to
      develop strategies to reduce adolescents' computer screen time, and to promote
      physical activity. 

PMID- 26275747
TI  - Parental and emerging adult psychopathology: Moderated mediation by gender and
      affect toward parents.
AB  - Current research indicates that children tend to view parents with
      psychopathology more negatively and children who hold negative perceptions of
      parents are at a greater risk for psychopathology. Yet, less research examines
      how parental psychopathology influences offspring psychopathology through affect
      toward parents. The current study tested a model that examined the associations
      among parental psychopathology, positive affect toward parents, and emerging
      adult psychopathology. Associations were expected to be partly indirect via
      positive affect toward parents and emerging adult gender was expected to moderate
      these associations. Results indicated gender-moderated mediation with significant
      effects found for males but not females. Results from the current study emphasize
      the importance of examining affect toward parents as a risk factor for emerging
      adult psychopathology. Additionally, results of the current study demonstrate the
      importance of examining the role of emerging adult gender as a potential
      moderator in these relationships. 

PMID- 26275748
TI  - Loss of Siah2 does not impact angiogenic potential of murine endothelial cells.
AB  - Angiogenesis is triggered in response to hypoxia under many circumstances, from
      healthy cells and tissues during embryogenesis to pathological conditions like
      the formation of new blood vessels to supply tumours and promote invasive cancer.
      Siah2 has been shown to regulate the hypoxia pathway upstream of hypoxia-induced
      transcription factor subunit Hif-1alpha, and therefore may play an important role
      in angiogenesis in response to hypoxic stress in endothelial cells. This study
      aims to investigate the basic function of Siah2 in endothelial cells under
      hypoxia and to test the ability of Siah2 deficient cells to mount an angiogenic
      response when deprived of oxygen. We and others have previously shown that Siah2
      is crucial for mediating the hypoxic response in many different cell types
      studied. In this study however, we describe that Siah2(-/-) endothelial cells
      have an intact hypoxic signalling pathway, including Hif-1alpha stabilisation and
      gene expression, the first report of a tissue or cell lineage in which the loss
      of Siah2 does not seem to impact hypoxic response signalling. In mice, the
      infiltration of Siah2(-/-) endothelial cells into a Matrigel plug containing a
      VEGF-A attractant was similar compared with wildtype endothelial cells. Ex vivo
      however, there was a reduced capacity of Siah2(-/-) aorta to form tubes or new
      vessels. Thus, we conclude that Siah2 is not essential for the hypoxic response
      of endothelial cells. 

PMID- 26275750
TI  - Countries must prepare for more frequent food shortages, says task force.

PMID- 26275749
TI  - Identification of novel isoprene synthases through genome mining and expression
      in Escherichia coli.
AB  - Isoprene is a naturally produced hydrocarbon emitted into the atmosphere by green
      plants. It is also a constituent of synthetic rubber and a potential biofuel.
      Microbial production of isoprene can become a sustainable alternative to the
      prevailing chemical production of isoprene from petroleum. In this work, sequence
      homology searches were conducted to find novel isoprene synthases. Candidate
      sequences were functionally expressed in Escherichia coli and the desired enzymes
      were identified based on an isoprene production assay. The activity of three
      enzymes was shown for the first time: expression of the candidate genes from
      Ipomoea batatas, Mangifera indica, and Elaeocarpus photiniifolius resulted in
      isoprene formation. The Ipomoea batatas isoprene synthase produced the highest
      amounts of isoprene in all experiments, exceeding the isoprene levels obtained by
      the previously known Populus alba and Pueraria montana isoprene synthases that
      were studied in parallel as controls. 

PMID- 26275751
TI  - Clinical Utility of Measuring Epicardial Adipose Tissue Thickness with
      Echocardiography Using a High-Frequency Linear Probe in Patients with Coronary
      Artery Disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The relationship between epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) and coronary
      artery disease (CAD) has recently attracted a great deal of attention in the
      medical community. The objective of this study was to determine whether measuring
      EAT thickness in the anterior interventricular groove (AIG) using
      echocardiography is feasible and whether this index can be a marker of CAD.
      METHODS: A total of 311 patients (mean age, 67 +/- 11 years; 208 men) who
      underwent coronary angiography between December 2011 and December 2013 were
      prospectively enrolled. EAT-AIG thickness and EAT thickness on the free wall of
      the right ventricle (RV) were measured in systole using a high-frequency linear
      probe. Seventy-one patients who underwent multidetector-row computed tomography
      were enrolled to validate the method for measuring EAT thickness using
      echocardiography. Subjects were divided into two groups, those with and without
      significant coronary stenosis, on the basis of findings on coronary angiography
      (>= 75% luminal narrowing). RESULTS: EAT-AIG thickness measured using
      echocardiography was validated by computed tomography. EAT-AIG thickness was
      strongly correlated with EAT volume (r = 0.714, P < .001). The CAD group had
      thicker EAT-AIG than the non-CAD group (8.3 +/- 3.0 vs 6.3 +/- 2.5 mm, P < .001).
      EAT-RV thickness was greater in the CAD group than in the non-CAD group (5.0 +/-
      2.1 vs 4.4 +/- 2.3 mm, P = .009) as well. The area under the curve on receiver
      operating characteristic curve analysis of EAT-AIG thickness for predicting CAD
      was 0.704, which was higher than the EAT-RV thickness. CONCLUSIONS: Measuring EAT
      thickness using echocardiography with a high-frequency linear probe was validated
      with computed tomography. EAT-AIG was thicker in the CAD group than in the non
      CAD group, as was EAT-RV thickness. This noninvasive index may have potential as
      a diagnostic marker for predicting coronary atherosclerosis.

PMID- 26275753
TI  - Food web of the intertidal rocky shore of the west Portuguese coast - Determined
      by stable isotope analysis.
AB  - The characterization of food web structure, energy pathways and trophic linkages
      is essential for the understanding of ecosystem functioning. Isotopic analysis
      was performed on food web components of the rocky intertidal ecosystem in four
      sites along the Portuguese west coast. The aim was to 1) determine the general
      food web structure, 2) estimate the trophic level of the dominant organisms and
      3) track the incorporation of organic carbon of different origins in the diet of
      the top consumers. In this food web, fish are top consumers, followed by shrimp.
      Anemones and gastropods are intermediate consumers, while bivalves and
      zooplankton are primary consumers. Macroalgae Bifurcaria bifurcata, Ulva lactuca,
      Fucus vesiculosus, Codium sp. and phytoplankton are the dominant producers. Two
      energy pathways were identified, pelagic and benthic. Reliance on the benthic
      energy pathway was high for many of the consumers but not as high as previously
      observed in subtidal coastal food webs. The maximum TL was 3.3, which is
      indicative of a relatively short food web. It is argued that the diet of top
      consumers relies directly on low levels of the food web to a considerable extent,
      instead of on intermediate levels, which shortens the trophic length of the food
      web. 

PMID- 26275752
TI  - Early Bioprosthetic Valve Failure: Mechanistic Insights via Correlation between
      Echocardiographic and Operative Findings.
AB  - Bioprosthetic valves are increasingly implanted, with generally consistent and
      durable results. Early bioprosthetic valve failure is uncommon, and most
      clinicians are unfamiliar with the spectrum of early structural complications
      involving bioprostheses. In this review, the authors organize causes of early
      bioprosthetic valve failure according to possible pathogenesis, demonstrate the
      correlation between echocardiographic and anatomic findings, and discuss
      potential treatments. First, they address early bioprosthetic valve stenosis
      secondary to thrombosis. Next, they discuss excessive pannus formation, a
      hitherto rarely described cause of early bioprosthetic valve failure. Finally,
      the authors address early structural valve deterioration mediated by
      calcification or primary tears. Illustrative examples with relevant
      echocardiographic and operative findings are provided. 

PMID- 26275754
TI  - Ocean warming ameliorates the negative effects of ocean acidification on
      Paracentrotus lividus larval development and settlement.
AB  - Ocean warming and acidification both impact marine ecosystems. All organisms have
      a limited body temperature range, outside of which they become functionally
      constrained. Beyond the absolute extremes of this range, they cannot survive. It
      is hypothesized that some stressors can present effects that interact with other
      environmental variables, such as ocean acidification (OA) that have the potential
      to narrow the thermal range where marine species are functional. An organism's
      response to ocean acidification can therefore be highly dependent on thermal
      conditions. This study evaluated the combined effects of predicted ocean warming
      conditions and acidification, on survival, development, and settlement, of the
      sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus. Nine combined treatments of temperature (19.0,
      20.5 and 22.5  degrees C) and pH (8.1, 7.7 and 7.4 units) were carried out. All
      of the conditions tested were either within the current natural ranges of
      seawater pH and temperature or are within the ranges that have been predicted for
      the end of the century, in the sampling region (Canary Islands). Our results
      indicated that the negative effects of low pH on P. lividus larval development
      and settlement will be mitigated by a rise in seawater temperature, up to a
      thermotolerance threshold. Larval development and settlement performance of the
      sea urchin P. lividus was enhanced by a slight increase in temperature, even
      under lowered pH conditions. However, the species did show negative responses to
      the levels of ocean warming and acidification that have been predicted for the
      turn of the century. 

PMID- 26275755
TI  - Investigation on the proteome response of transplanted blue mussel (Mytilus sp.)
      during a long term exposure experiment at differently impacted field stations in
      the German Bight (North Sea).
AB  - In a pilot field study the proteome response of Mytilus sp. was analyzed in
      relation to the concentration of different trace metal contaminants. Over a
      period of eight month test organisms have been exposed at a near-shore station in
      the anthropogenic impacted estuary of the river Elbe and at an off-shore station
      in the vicinity of the Island of Helgoland in the German Bight (North Sea). The
      stations differ in their hydrological as well as chemical characteristics. The
      physiological biomarkers, such as condition index which have been continuously
      monitored during the experiment clearly indicate the effects of the different
      environmental conditions. Multiple protein abundance changes were detected
      utilizing the techniques of two dimensional gel electrophoresis (2dGE) and
      consequently proteins arising as potential candidates for ecotoxicological
      monitoring have been identified by MALDI-ToF and ToF/ToF mass spectrometry.
      Different cytoskeletal proteins, enzymes of energy metabolism, stress proteins
      and one protein relevant for metal detoxification have been pointed out. 

PMID- 26275756
TI  - Clinical audit: why, where and how?

PMID- 26275757
TI  - Malignant melanoma metastasis in the form of non-solid nodules: Diagnosis by
      percutaneous lung biopsy.

PMID- 26275758
TI  - An Exploratory Investigation of Communication Technologies to Alleviate
      Communicative Difficulties and Depression in Older Adults.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore associations between older adults' communicative
      difficulties, depressive symptoms, and e-mail and telephone use with adult
      children. METHOD: We examined these associations using data from 1,634
      participants (age M = 71.16, SD = 0.89; 54% female) in the 2011 wave of the
      Wisconsin Longitudinal Study. RESULTS: Better vision and worse speech were
      associated with more frequent e-mail contact with the selected child. Worse
      hearing was associated with more depressive symptoms for participants with low e
      mail use but not for those with average or high e-mail use. Telephone use was not
      associated with communicative difficulties or depressive symptoms. DISCUSSION:
      This study provides preliminary evidence that older adults might use
      communication technologies such as e-mail in their close relationships to
      compensate for communicative difficulties. The text-based format of e-mail might
      also help older adults mitigate hearing impairments and associated depressive
      symptoms.

PMID- 26275759
TI  - Fatal cardiac small-vessel involvement in ANCA-associated vasculitis: an autopsy
      case report.
AB  - An 80-year-old Japanese man, who had fever and generalized fatigue not improved
      by antibiotics, was admitted to our hospital. Laboratory data indicative of renal
      dysfunction and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) in the serum led to
      the consideration of ANCA-associated vasculitis as a differential diagnosis.
      However, before the diagnostic confirmation, he was found dead on the bed.
      Autopsy revealed necrotizing crescentic glomerulonephritis in the kidneys. In
      addition, necrotizing granulomatous vasculitis with infiltration of
      multinucleated giant cells and neutrophils but not eosinophils was present in
      multiple organs. The direct cause of death was presumed as cardiac arrest by
      lethal arrhythmia because vasculitic lesions were distributed widely in the
      cardiac walls, acute congestion was observed in the systemic organs, and other
      causes of death were ruled out. This report presents the unusual manifestation of
      cardiac small-vessel involvement in ANCA-associated vasculitis related to sudden
      death. 

PMID- 26275760
TI  - Transdiagnostic cognitive behaviour therapy for adolescents with an eating
      disorder who are not underweight.
AB  - Little is known about the treatment of adolescents with an eating disorder who
      are not underweight. Enhanced cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT-E) is a potential
      option as it is a treatment for adult patients with eating disorders of this type
      and it has been shown to be effective with adolescent patients who are
      underweight. The aim of the present cohort study was to evaluate the effects of
      CBT-E on non-underweight adolescents with an eating disorder. Sixty-eight
      adolescent patients with an eating disorder and a body mass index (BMI) centile
      corresponding to an adult BMI >= 18.5 were recruited from consecutive referrals
      to a community-based eating disorder clinic. Each was offered 20 sessions of CBT
      E over 20 weeks. Three-quarters completed the full 20 sessions. There was a
      marked treatment response with two-thirds (67.6%, intent-to-treat) having minimal
      residual eating disorder psychopathology by the end of treatment. CBT-E therefore
      appears to be a promising treatment for those adolescents with an eating disorder
      who are not underweight.

PMID- 26275761
TI  - The feasibility of improving CBT for childhood anxiety disorders through a
      dismantling study.
AB  - This preliminary randomized controlled trial (RCT) examines the feasibility of
      dismantling cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for childhood anxiety disorders.
      Fourteen children (10 girls) ages 7 to 14 (m = 10.2) with social phobia,
      generalized anxiety disorder, separation anxiety disorder, or panic disorder were
      randomized to receive 6 sessions of either a) the pre-exposure anxiety management
      strategies presented in traditional CBT, or b) parent-coached exposure therapy.
      The sample was selected from a treatment seeking population and is representative
      of children in clinical settings. Examination of fidelity ratings, dropouts, and
      satisfaction ratings indicated that the interventions were distinguishable, safe,
      and tolerable. The overall sample improved significantly with pre-post effect
      sizes generally in the large range for both conditions. Between-group effect
      sizes indicating greater improvement with parent-coached exposure therapy were
      moderate or large for ten of 12 variables (i.e., 0.53 to 1.52). Re-evaluation
      after three months of open treatment suggested that the intervention emphasizing
      exposure early maintained its superiority while requiring fewer appointments.

PMID- 26275762
TI  - Assessment the performance of classification methods in water quality studies, A
      case study in Karaj River.
AB  - To show the performance of classification methods in water quality studies,
      linear discriminant, and Naive Bayesian classification methods were applied at
      nine sampling stations with respect to four parameters including COD, nitrite,
      nitrate, and total coliforms (selected from ten water quality variables) in Karaj
      River, Iran. To fulfill the goals of this study, the sampling stations were first
      separated into two groups using cluster analysis. Rural wastewater was the main
      source of pollution in the first group, whereas the quality of water in the
      second group has been degraded mainly by organic and agricultural pollution. In
      order to have an independent group against which the performance of other
      classification methods is considered, three cross-validation methods including
      twofold, leave-one-out, and holdout methods were utilized to retain an
      independent test set. The results of cross-validation for the linear discriminant
      analysis show that, except for the leave-one-out method with 11.1 %
      misclassification error, the overall performance has been the same as that of the
      training data set. Therefore, it has outperformed compared with that of Naive
      Bayesian classification method. However, even though in situations where the
      correlation coefficient among the parameters is low, the latest method can offer
      the same performance as that of linear discriminant analysis as well. A
      sensitivity analysis was implemented using ten water quality variables (pH, COD,
      EC, TDA, turbidity, nitrate, nitrite, sulfate, TC, and FC) to find the most
      important variables in the classification of Karaj River showing that turbidity,
      next to COD, pH, nitrate, and sulfate, have had the most contribution in this
      field.

PMID- 26275763
TI  - A WebGIS platform to monitor environmental conditions in ports and their
      surroundings in South Eastern Europe.
AB  - The scope of this work is to describe the design and development of a web-based
      Geographic Information System (GIS) application and highlight its usefulness
      regarding monitoring and evaluating environmental conditions in several ports and
      their surroundings in the greater South East Europe (SEE). The system receives
      inputs and handles two kinds of data that are processed and illustrated through
      maps and graphs at various temporal and spatial scales in this informational
      platform. The aforementioned data consists of point measurements from stations
      operating in the area of SEE ports as well as satellite date sets derived monthly
      for a period of 10 to 12 years, in terms of sea surface temperature, chlorophyll
      a, and colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM). The WebGIS platform is based on
      the client-server model and uses Google Maps API services for data plotting.
      Advanced designing and development tools and methodologies are used. The
      available valuable data render the application into a trustful and accurate
      provider of visual environmental interest information regarding the main ports of
      southeastern Europe and their surroundings that would operate as a guide for an
      environmentally sustainable future of ports and sea corridors in SEE.

PMID- 26275764
TI  - Photosynthetic use of inorganic carbon in deep-water kelps from the Strait of
      Gibraltar.
AB  - Mechanisms of inorganic carbon assimilation were investigated in the four deep
      water kelps inhabiting sea bottoms at the Strait of Gibraltar; these species are
      distributed at different depths (Saccorhiza polysiches at shallower waters,
      followed by Laminaria ochroleuca, then Phyllariopsis brevipes and, at the deepest
      bottoms, Phyllariopsis purpurascens). To elucidate the capacity to use HCO3(-) as
      a source of inorganic carbon for photosynthesis in the kelps, different
      experimental approaches were used. Specifically, we measured the irradiance
      saturated gross photosynthetic rate versus pH at a constant dissolved inorganic
      carbon (DIC) concentration of 2 mM, the irradiance-saturated apparent
      photosynthesis (APS) rate versus DIC, the total and the extracellular carbonic
      anhydrase (CAext), the observed and the theoretical photosynthetic rates
      supported by the spontaneous dehydration of HCO3(-) to CO2, and the delta(13)C
      signature in tissues of the algae. While S. polyschides and L. ochroleuca showed
      photosynthetic activity at pH 9.5 (around 1.0 umol O2 m(-2) s(-1)), the activity
      was close to zero in both species of Phyllariopsis. The APS versus DIC was almost
      saturated for the DIC values of natural seawater (2 mM) in S. polyschides and L.
      ochroleuca, but the relationship was linear in P. brevipes and P. purpurascens.
      The four species showed total and CAext activities but the inhibition of the
      CAext originated the observed photosynthetic rates at pH 8.0 to be similar to the
      theoretical rates that could be supported by the spontaneous dehydration of HCO3(
      ). The isotopic (13)C signatures ranged from -17.40 +/- 1.81 to -21.11 +/- 1.73
      0/00 in the four species. Additionally, the delta(13)C signature was also
      measured in the deep-water Laminaria rodriguezii growing at 60-80 m, showing even
      a more negative value of -26.49 +/- 1.25 0/00. All these results suggest that the
      four kelps can use HCO3(-) as external carbon source for photosynthesis mainly by
      the action of external CAext, but they also suggest that the species inhabiting
      shallower waters show a higher capacity than the smaller kelps living in deeper
      waters. In fact, the photosynthesis in the two Phyllariopsis species could be
      accomplished by the spontaneous dehydration of HCO3(-) to CO2. These differences
      in the capacity to use HCO3(-) in photosynthesis among species could be important
      considering the increasing levels of atmospheric CO2 predicted for the near
      future.

PMID- 26275765
TI  - Ubiquitous Structural Signaling in Bacterial Phytochromes.
AB  - The phytochrome family of light-switchable proteins has long been studied by
      biochemical, spectroscopic and crystallographic means, while a direct probe for
      global conformational signal propagation has been lacking. Using solution X-ray
      scattering, we find that the photosensory cores of several bacterial phytochromes
      undergo similar large-scale structural changes upon red-light excitation. The
      data establish that phytochromes with ordinary and inverted photocycles share a
      structural signaling mechanism and that a particular conserved histidine,
      previously proposed to be involved in signal propagation, in fact tunes
      photoresponse. 

PMID- 26275766
TI  - Patient and family experiences with accessing telephone cancer treatment symptom
      support: a descriptive study.
AB  - PURPOSE: Assess patient and family member experiences with telephone cancer
      treatment symptom support. METHODS: Descriptive study guided by the Knowledge-to
      Action Framework. Patients and family members who received telephone support for
      a cancer treatment symptom within the last month at one of three ambulatory
      cancer programs (Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec) were eligible. An adapted Short
      Questionnaire for Out-of-hours Care instrument was analyzed with univariate
      statistics. RESULTS: Of 105 participants, 83 % telephoned about themselves and 17
      % for a family member. Participants received advice over the telephone (90 %) and
      were advised to go to emergency (13 %) and/or the clinic (9 %). Two left a
      message and were not called back. Participants were "very satisfied" with the
      manner of nurse or doctor (58 %), explanation about problem (56 %),
      treatment/advice given (54 %), way call was handled (48 %), getting through (40
      %), and wait time to speak to a nurse or doctor (38 %). The proportion
      "dissatisfied" or "very dissatisfied" for the above items was 4, 5, 9, 11, 10,
      and 14 %, respectively. Suggestions were shorter call back time, weekend access
      to telephone support, more knowledgeable advice on self-care strategies, more
      education at discharge, and shared documentation on calls to avoid repetition and
      improve continuity. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients and family members who responded
      to the survey were satisfied with telephone-based cancer treatment symptom
      support. Programs could improve telephone support services by providing an
      estimated time for callback, ensuring that nurses have access to and use previous
      call documentation, and enhancing patient education on self-care strategies for
      managing and triaging treatment-related symptoms.

PMID- 26275767
TI  - Patient housing barriers to hematopoietic cell transplantation: results from a
      mixed-methods study of transplant center social workers.
AB  - PURPOSE: Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is performed in select centers
      in the United States (U.S.), and patients are often required to temporarily
      relocate to receive care. The purpose of this study was to identify housing
      barriers impacting access to HCT and potential solutions. METHODS: A mixed
      methods primary study of HCT social workers was conducted to learn about patient
      housing challenges and solutions in place that help address those barriers. Three
      telephone focus groups were conducted with adult and pediatric transplant social
      workers (n = 15). Focus group results informed the design of a national survey.
      The online survey was e-mailed to a primary social worker contact at 133 adult
      and pediatric transplant centers in the U.S. Transplant centers were classified
      based on the patient population cared for by the social worker. RESULTS: The
      survey response rate was 49%. Among adult programs (n = 45), 93% of centers had
      patients that had to relocate closer to the transplant center to proceed with
      HCT. The most common type of housing option offered was discounted hotel rates.
      Among pediatric programs (n = 20), 90% of centers had patients that had to
      relocate closer to the transplant center to proceed with HCT. Ronald McDonald
      House was the most common option available. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first
      to explore housing challenges faced by patients undergoing HCT in the U.S. from
      the perspective of social workers and to highlight solutions that centers use.
      Transplant centers will benefit from this knowledge by learning about options for
      addressing housing barriers for their patients.

PMID- 26275768
TI  - Effects of a self-managed home-based walking intervention on psychosocial health
      outcomes for breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy: a randomised
      controlled trial.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study evaluated the effectiveness of a self-managed home-based
      moderate intensity walking intervention on psychosocial health outcomes among
      breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. METHODS: The randomised
      controlled trial compared a self-managed, home-based walking intervention to
      usual care alone among breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Outcome
      measures included changes in self-report measures of anxiety, depression,
      fatigue, self-esteem, mood and physical activity. Fifty participants were
      randomised to either the intervention group (n = 25), who received 12 weeks of
      moderate intensity walking, or the control group (n = 25) mid-way through
      chemotherapy. Participants in the intervention group were provided with a
      pedometer and were asked to set goals and keep weekly diaries outlining the
      duration, intensity and exertion of their walking. Levels of psychosocial
      functioning and physical activity were assessed pre- and post-intervention in
      both groups. RESULTS: The intervention had positive effects on fatigue (F = 5.77,
      p = 0.02), self-esteem (F = 8.93, p <= 0.001), mood (F = 4.73, p = 0.03) and
      levels of physical activity (x (2) = 17.15, p = 0.0011) but not anxiety (F =
      0.90, p = 0.35) and depression (F = 0.26, p = 0.60) as assessed using the HADS.
      We found an 80% adherence rate to completing the 12-week intervention and
      recording weekly logs. CONCLUSION: This self-managed, home-based intervention was
      beneficial for improving psychosocial well-being and levels of physical activity
      among breast cancer patients treated with chemotherapy. TRIAL REGISTRATION:
      Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN50709297.

PMID- 26275769
TI  - Feasibility of Cognitively-Based Compassion Training (CBCT) for breast cancer
      survivors: a randomized, wait list controlled pilot study.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study assessed the feasibility of a meditation-based program called
      Cognitively-Based Compassion Training (CBCT) with breast cancer survivors.
      Enrollment and participant satisfaction with a novel intervention, adherence to
      program requirements, and differences between the intervention group and wait
      list controls on self-report measures were also assessed. Additionally, cortisol,
      a stress-related endocrine biomarker, was assessed. METHODS: Participants (n =
      33) were randomly assigned to CBCT or the wait list. CBCT provided eight weekly,
      2-h classes and a "booster" CBCT session 4 weeks later. CBCT participants were
      expected to attend classes and meditate between classes at least three times per
      week. Pre-/post-intervention and follow-up questionnaires measured symptom change
      (depression, intrusive thoughts, perceived stress, fear of cancer recurrence,
      fatigue/vitality, loneliness, and quality of life). Saliva samples were collected
      at the same periods to assess the slope of diurnal cortisol activity. RESULTS:
      Enrollment, class attendance, home practice time, and patient satisfaction
      exceeded expectations. Compared to controls, post-intervention, the CBCT group
      showed suggestions of significant improvements in depression, avoidance of
      intrusive thoughts, functional impairment associated with fear of recurrence,
      mindfulness, and vitality/fatigue. At follow-up, less perceived stress and higher
      mindfulness were also significant in the CBCT group. No significant changes were
      observed on any other measure including diurnal cortisol activity. CONCLUSIONS:
      Within the limits of a pilot feasibility study, results suggest that CBCT is a
      feasible and highly satisfactory intervention potentially beneficial for the
      psychological well-being of breast cancer survivors. However, more comprehensive
      trials are needed to provide systematic evidence. RELEVANCE: CBCT may be very
      beneficial for improving depression and enhancing well-being during breast cancer
      survivorship.

PMID- 26275770
TI  - ACE2 and vasoactive peptides: novel players in cardiovascular/renal remodeling
      and hypertension.
AB  - The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is a key component of cardiovascular
      physiology and homeostasis due to its influence on the regulation of electrolyte
      balance, blood pressure, vascular tone and cardiovascular remodeling.
      Deregulation of this system contributes significantly to the pathophysiology of
      cardiovascular and renal diseases. Numerous studies have generated new
      perspectives about a noncanonical and protective RAS pathway that counteracts the
      proliferative and hypertensive effects of the classical angiotensin-converting
      enzyme (ACE)/angiotensin (Ang) II/angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1R) axis. The
      key components of this pathway are ACE2 and its products, Ang-(1-7) and Ang-(1
      9). These two vasoactive peptides act through the Mas receptor (MasR) and AT2R,
      respectively. The ACE2/Ang-(1-7)/MasR and ACE2/Ang-(1-9)/AT2R axes have opposite
      effects to those of the ACE/Ang II/AT1R axis, such as decreased proliferation and
      cardiovascular remodeling, increased production of nitric oxide and vasodilation.
      A novel peptide from the noncanonical pathway, alamandine, was recently
      identified in rats, mice and humans. This heptapeptide is generated by catalytic
      action of ACE2 on Ang A or through a decarboxylation reaction on Ang-(1-7).
      Alamandine produces the same effects as Ang-(1-7), such as vasodilation and
      prevention of fibrosis, by interacting with Mas-related GPCR, member D (MrgD). In
      this article, we review the key roles of ACE2 and the vasoactive peptides Ang-(1
      7), Ang-(1-9) and alamandine as counter-regulators of the ACE-Ang II axis as well
      as the biological properties that allow them to regulate blood pressure and
      cardiovascular and renal remodeling. 

PMID- 26275771
TI  - The relationship between craniofacial development and hypodontia in patients with
      Down syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Hypodontia is often seen in people with Down syndrome (DS).
      In the normal population, persons with hypodontia have a shorter cranial base and
      a hypoplastic maxilla, leading to a skeletal Class III tendency and a reduced
      face height. The purpose of this study was to examine craniofacial morphology in
      patients with DS at different ages and the influence of hypodontia on their
      craniofacial morphology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comparative cross-sectional
      study was conducted in 63 children with DS (6-19 years old; 28 males and 35
      females) at a Centre for Special Care Dentistry in Rotterdam, the Netherlands
      (CBT Rijnmond). Digital lateral cephalograms were obtained from all subjects and
      a cephalometric analysis was performed. The subjects were divided into a group
      with hypodontia (13 males and 25 females) and a group without hypodontia (15
      males and 10 females). RESULTS: Significant results included a decrease in antero
      posterior relationship of upper and lower jaw (ANB angle -0.331 degrees  per
      year, P = 0.044) and a decrease in vertical dimension (S-N_Go-Gn angle -0.72
      degrees  per year, P = 0.039) over the years in subjects with hypodontia compared
      to subjects without hypodontia. CONCLUSION: The process of growth in DS patients
      is towards a reversed overjet. Hypodontia seems to have an additional effect on
      this development. The management of hypodontia as part of the complete treatment
      of dental development in DS children is important because it strongly influences
      the jaw relationship.

PMID- 26275772
TI  - Mental health care use in adolescents with and without mental disorders.
AB  - The aim of the study was to estimate the proportion of adolescents with and
      without a psychiatric diagnosis receiving specialist mental health care and
      investigate their problem levels as well as utilization of other types of mental
      health care to detect possible over- and undertreatment. Care utilization data
      were linked to psychiatric diagnostic data of 2230 adolescents participating in
      the TRAILS cohort study, who were assessed biannually starting at age 11.
      Psychiatric diagnoses were established at the fourth wave by the Composite
      International Diagnostic Interview. Self-, parent- and teacher-reported emotional
      and behavioral problems and self-reported mental health care use were assessed at
      all four waves. Of all diagnosed adolescents, 35.3 % received specialist mental
      health care. This rate increased to 54.5 % when three or more disorders were
      diagnosed. Almost a third (28.5 %) of specialist care users had no psychiatric
      diagnosis; teachers gave them relatively high ratings on attention and
      impulsivity subscales. Diagnosed adolescents without specialist mental health
      care also reported low rates of other care use. We found no indication of
      overtreatment. Half of the adolescents with three or more disorders do not
      receive specialist mental health care nor any other type of care, which might
      indicate unmet needs. 

PMID- 26275773
TI  - Noncanoncial signal recognition particle RNAs in a major eukaryotic phylum
      revealed by purification of SRP from the human pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans.
AB  - Despite conservation of the signal recognition particle (SRP) from bacteria to
      man, computational approaches have failed to identify SRP components from genomes
      of many lower eukaryotes, raising the possibility that they have been lost or
      altered in those lineages. We report purification and analysis of SRP in the
      human pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans, providing the first description of SRP in
      basidiomycetous yeast. The C. neoformans SRP RNA displays a predicted structure
      in which the universally conserved helix 8 contains an unprecedented stem-loop
      insertion. Guided by this sequence, we computationally identified 152 SRP RNAs
      throughout the phylum Basidiomycota. This analysis revealed additional helix 8
      alterations including single and double stem-loop insertions as well as loop
      diminutions affecting RNA structural elements that are otherwise conserved from
      bacteria to man. Strikingly, these SRP RNA features in Basidiomycota are
      accompanied by phylum-specific alterations in the RNA-binding domain of Srp54,
      the SRP protein subunit that directly interacts with helix 8. Our findings reveal
      unexpected fungal SRP diversity and suggest coevolution of the two most conserved
      SRP features-SRP RNA helix 8 and Srp54-in basidiomycetes. Because members of this
      phylum include important human and plant pathogens, these noncanonical features
      provide new targets for antifungal compound development. 

PMID- 26275774
TI  - Mapping the interactions of the single-stranded DNA binding protein of
      bacteriophage T4 (gp32) with DNA lattices at single nucleotide resolution:
      polynucleotide binding and cooperativity.
AB  - We here use our site-specific base analog mapping approach to study the
      interactions and binding equilibria of cooperatively-bound clusters of the single
      stranded DNA binding protein (gp32) of the T4 DNA replication complex with longer
      ssDNA (and dsDNA) lattices. We show that in cooperatively bound clusters the
      binding free energy appears to be equi-partitioned between the gp32 monomers of
      the cluster, so that all bind to the ssDNA lattice with comparable affinity, but
      also that the outer domains of the gp32 monomers at the ends of the cluster can
      fluctuate on and off the lattice and that the clusters of gp32 monomers can slide
      along the ssDNA. We also show that at very low binding densities gp32 monomers
      bind to the ssDNA lattice at random, but that cooperatively bound gp32 clusters
      bind preferentially at the 5'-end of the ssDNA lattice. We use these results and
      the gp32 monomer-binding results of the companion paper to propose a detailed
      model for how gp32 might bind to and interact with ssDNA lattices in its various
      binding modes, and also consider how these clusters might interact with other
      components of the T4 DNA replication complex. 

PMID- 26275775
TI  - Mapping the interactions of the single-stranded DNA binding protein of
      bacteriophage T4 (gp32) with DNA lattices at single nucleotide resolution: gp32
      monomer binding.
AB  - Combining biophysical measurements on T4 bacteriophage replication complexes with
      detailed structural information can illuminate the molecular mechanisms of these
      'macromolecular machines'. Here we use the low energy circular dichroism (CD) and
      fluorescent properties of site-specifically introduced base analogues to map and
      quantify the equilibrium binding interactions of short (8 nts) ssDNA oligomers
      with gp32 monomers at single nucleotide resolution. We show that single gp32
      molecules interact most directly and specifically near the 3'-end of these ssDNA
      oligomers, thus defining the polarity of gp32 binding with respect to the ssDNA
      lattice, and that only 2-3 nts are directly involved in this tight binding
      interaction. The loss of exciton coupling in the CD spectra of dimer 2-AP (2
      aminopurine) probes at various positions in the ssDNA constructs, together with
      increases in fluorescence intensity, suggest that gp32 binding directly extends
      the sugar-phosphate backbone of this ssDNA oligomer, particularly at the 3'-end
      and facilitates base unstacking along the entire 8-mer lattice. These results
      provide a model (and 'DNA map') for the isolated gp32 binding to ssDNA targets,
      which serves as the nucleation step for the cooperative binding that occurs at
      transiently exposed ssDNA sequences within the functioning T4 DNA replication
      complex. 

PMID- 26275776
TI  - The WRN exonuclease domain protects nascent strands from pathological MRE11/EXO1
      dependent degradation.
AB  - The WRN helicase/exonuclease protein is required for proper replication fork
      recovery and maintenance of genome stability. However, whether the different
      catalytic activities of WRN cooperate to recover replication forks in vivo is
      unknown. Here, we show that, in response to replication perturbation induced by
      low doses of the TOP1 inhibitor camptothecin, loss of the WRN exonuclease
      resulted in enhanced degradation and ssDNA formation at nascent strands by the
      combined action of MRE11 and EXO1, as opposed to the limited processing of
      nascent strands performed by DNA2 in wild-type cells. Nascent strand degradation
      by MRE11/EXO1 took place downstream of RAD51 and affected the ability to resume
      replication, which correlated with slow replication rates in WRN exonuclease
      deficient cells. In contrast, loss of the WRN helicase reduced exonucleolytic
      processing at nascent strands and led to severe genome instability. Our findings
      identify a novel role of the WRN exonuclease at perturbed forks, thus providing
      the first in vivo evidence for a distinct action of the two WRN enzymatic
      activities upon fork stalling and providing insights into the pathological
      mechanisms underlying the processing of perturbed forks. 

PMID- 26275777
TI  - Functional interaction of Rpb1 and Spt5 C-terminal domains in co-transcriptional
      histone modification.
AB  - Transcription by RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) is accompanied by a conserved pattern
      of histone modifications that plays important roles in regulating gene
      expression. The establishment of this pattern requires phosphorylation of both
      Rpb1 (the largest RNAPII subunit) and the elongation factor Spt5 on their
      respective C-terminal domains (CTDs). Here we interrogated the roles of
      individual Rpb1 and Spt5 CTD phospho-sites in directing co-transcriptional
      histone modifications in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Steady
      state levels of methylation at histone H3 lysines 4 (H3K4me) and 36 (H3K36me)
      were sensitive to multiple mutations of the Rpb1 CTD repeat motif
      (Y1S2P3T4S5P6S7). Ablation of the Spt5 CTD phospho-site Thr1 reduced H3K4me
      levels but had minimal effects on H3K36me. Nonetheless, Spt5 CTD mutations
      potentiated the effects of Rpb1 CTD mutations on H3K36me, suggesting overlapping
      functions. Phosphorylation of Rpb1 Ser2 by the Cdk12 orthologue Lsk1 positively
      regulated H3K36me but negatively regulated H3K4me. H3K36me and histone H2B
      monoubiquitylation required Rpb1 Ser5 but were maintained upon inactivation of
      Mcs6/Cdk7, the major kinase for Rpb1 Ser5 in vivo, implicating another Ser5
      kinase in these regulatory pathways. Our results elaborate the CTD 'code' for co
      transcriptional histone modifications. 

PMID- 26275778
TI  - NUFIP and the HSP90/R2TP chaperone bind the SMN complex and facilitate assembly
      of U4-specific proteins.
AB  - The Sm proteins are loaded on snRNAs by the SMN complex, but how snRNP-specific
      proteins are assembled remains poorly characterized. U4 snRNP and box C/D snoRNPs
      have structural similarities. They both contain the 15.5K and proteins with NOP
      domains (PRP31 for U4, NOP56/58 for snoRNPs). Biogenesis of box C/D snoRNPs
      involves NUFIP and the HSP90/R2TP chaperone system and here, we explore the
      function of this machinery in U4 RNP assembly. We show that yeast Prp31 interacts
      with several components of the NUFIP/R2TP machinery, and that these interactions
      are separable from each other. In human cells, PRP31 mutants that fail to stably
      associate with U4 snRNA still interact with components of the NUFIP/R2TP system,
      indicating that these interactions precede binding of PRP31 to U4 snRNA. Knock
      down of NUFIP leads to mislocalization of PRP31 and decreased association with
      U4. Moreover, NUFIP is associated with the SMN complex through direct
      interactions with Gemin3 and Gemin6. Altogether, our data suggest a model in
      which the NUFIP/R2TP system is connected with the SMN complex and facilitates
      assembly of U4 snRNP-specific proteins. 

PMID- 26275779
TI  - Comparison of Post-injection Site Pain Between Technetium Sulfur Colloid and
      Technetium Tilmanocept in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Sentinel Lymph Node
      Biopsy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: No prior studies have examined injection pain associated with
      Technetium-99m Tilmanocept (TcTM). METHODS: This was a randomized, double-blinded
      study comparing postinjection site pain between filtered Technetium Sulfur
      Colloid (fTcSC) and TcTM in breast cancer lymphoscintigraphy. Pain was evaluated
      with a visual analogue scale (VAS) (0-100 mm) and the short-form McGill Pain
      Questionnaire (SF-MPQ). The primary endpoint was mean difference in VAS scores at
      1-min postinjection between fTcSC and TcTM. Secondary endpoints included a
      comparison of SF-MPQ scores between the groups at 5 min postinjection and
      construction of a linear mixed effects model to evaluate the changes in pain
      during the 5-min postinjection period. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients underwent
      injection (27-fTcSC, 25-TcTM). At 1-min postinjection, patients who received
      fTcSC experienced a mean change in pain of 16.8 mm (standard deviation (SD) 19.5)
      compared with 0.2 mm (SD 7.3) in TcTM (p = 0.0002). At 5 min postinjection, the
      mean total score on the SF-MPQ was 2.8 (SD 3.0) for fTcSC versus 2.1 (SD 2.5) for
      TcTM (p = 0.36). In the mixed effects model, injection agent (p < 0.001), time (p
      < 0.001) and their interaction (p < 0.001) were associated with change in pain
      during the 5-min postinjection period. The model found fTcSC resulted in
      significantly more pain of 15.2 mm (p < 0.001), 11.3 mm (p = 0.001), and 7.5 mm
      (p = 0.013) at 1, 2, and 3 min postinjection, respectively. CONCLUSIONS:
      Injection with fTcSC causes significantly more pain during the first 3 min
      postinjection compared with TcTM in women undergoing lymphoscintigraphy for
      breast cancer.

PMID- 26275780
TI  - Impact of Chemotherapy-Induced Ovarian Dysfunction on Response to Neoadjuvant
      Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The association between chemotherapy-induced ovarian dysfunction
      (CIOD) and response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is not known. We therefore
      investigated the impact of CIOD on response to NAC in breast cancer patients
      according to estrogen receptor (ER) status. METHODS: In total, 343 premenopausal
      breast cancer patients treated with NAC between 2006 and 2010 were analyzed.
      Clinical responses were determined based on changes in tumor size measured using
      breast MRI. Patients with complete response or partial response were considered
      to have clinical response. RESULTS: After completion of NAC, 264 of 343 patients
      (76.9 %) developed CIOD. The clinical response rate was significantly higher in
      patients with CIOD than those without CIOD (65.2 vs. 51.9 %; p = 0.033).
      Additionally, the mean follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) level after NAC was
      significantly higher in patients with clinical response (FSH 68.7 +/- 34.5 vs.
      59.8 +/- 34.3 IU/L; p = 0.021). Multivariate analysis showed an independent
      association of CIOD to clinical response (OR 0.523, 95 % CI 0.297-0.918; p =
      0.024). However, we observed no differences in the pathologic complete response
      (pCR) rate between patients with and without CIOD (8.7 vs. 6.3 %; p = 0.497).
      Subgroup analysis according to ER status showed that the association between CIOD
      and clinical response was significant in ER-positive but not ER-negative breast
      cancer (p = 0.025 and 0.818, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: CIOD during NAC is
      significantly associated with clinical response, but not pCR. Moreover, this
      association is only observed in ER-positive breast cancer, suggesting that the
      moderate difference in response to NAC is possibly a hormonal effect of
      chemotherapy-induced ovarian dysfunction.

PMID- 26275781
TI  - Evaluation of the Clinical Utility of the ICG Fluorescence Method Compared with
      the Radioisotope Method for Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Breast Cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study compared the clinical utility of indocyanine green (ICG)
      fluorescence and radioisotope (RI) for sentinel lymph node (SLN) detection in
      breast cancer. METHODS: Women with node-negative breast cancer underwent SLN
      biopsy using ICG fluorescence and RI. The primary end point was the sensitivity
      of ICG fluorescence compared with RI in the patients with tumor-positive SLNs.
      Secondary end points included detection rates for SLN, the additive effect of ICG
      fluorescence to RI, signature of positive SLNs according to tier, and adverse
      events related to ICG administration. RESULTS: A total of 847 women with clinical
      node-negative breast cancer underwent SLN biopsy, and 821 patients were included
      in the per-protocol analysis. SLN mapping was performed using ICG fluorescence
      and RI. The overall detection of SLNs using ICG fluorescence was identical to RI
      (97.2 vs. 97.0 %, P = 0.88), and the combination of both methods achieved a
      significant improvement compared with RI alone (99.8 vs. 97.0 %, P < 0.001). The
      detection rate for tumor-positive SLN was 93.3 % for ICG fluorescence and 90.0 %
      for RI, and the sensitivity of the ICG fluorescence method was 95.7 % (95 % CI
      91.3-98.3, P = 0.11). The additional use of ICG significantly improved positive
      SLN detection for RI (97.2 vs. 90.0 %, P < 0.001). There were no serious adverse
      events related to hypersensitivity to ICG. CONCLUSIONS: The ICG fluorescence
      method may be an acceptable alternative to SLN detection using RI in breast
      cancer.

PMID- 26275782
TI  - Use of Medical Devices in Hospice for Symptom Management.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Home health services in the United States(US) have been on a rise.
      Hospice patients cope with diverse physical and pain symptoms; medical devices
      are used for symptom management to improve their quality-of-care at end-of-life.
      OBJECTIVE: Using the National Home and Hospice Care Survey (NHHCS), the study
      summarizes medical device use for symptom management and tracks various
      demographic variables for home hospice patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional
      analysis of data using the 2007 NHHCS was conducted. There were 4733 hospice
      discharges which corresponded to 2,505,011 individuals in US with sampling
      weights. The data was analyzed using chi square tests and confounding factors
      adjusted with logistic regression. RESULTS: Eighty-nine percent of hospice
      discharges were evaluated for pain at first assessment. The regression model for
      pain at first assessment was significantly associated with use of patient
      controlled analgesia (OR = 1.82, 95% CI = 1.28, 2.59) and urinary catheters (OR =
      1.16, 95% CI = 1.02, 1.33). Patient with dyspnea were associated with significant
      use of oxygen (OR = 3.00, 95% CI = 2.64, 3.40) and metered dose inhaler (OR =
      2.43, 95% CI = 1.92, 3.07). There was negligible use of total parenteral
      nutrition (TPN) noted in the study. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the study
      highlights medical device use in home hospice care for end-of-life symptom
      management. It noted the significant use of IV infusion pumps and patient
      controlled analgesia. Conversely, there is little use of TPN or CPAP in patients
      with anorexia or dyspnea. While missing data on critical symptom evaluations
      regrettably raises questions about the validity of the study, the NHHCS serves as
      an important reservoir of data on the growing population of home hospice
      patients.

PMID- 26275783
TI  - Impact of a Centralized Inpatient Hospice Unit in an Academic Medical Center.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Rush University Medical Center (RUMC) and Horizon Hospice opened the
      first centralized inpatient hospice unit (CIPU) in a Chicago academic medical
      center in 2012. This study examined if there was a difference in cost or length
      of stay (LOS) in a CIPU compared to hospice care in scattered beds throughout
      RUMC. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This retrospective, cross-sectional study
      compared cost and LOS for patients admitted to the CIPU (n = 141) and those
      admitted to hospice scattered beds (SBM) throughout RUMC (n = 56). RESULTS: The
      CIPU patients had a median LOS of 6.0 days versus 2.0 days for SBM patients.
      CONCLUSIONS: The CIPU patients had longer hospice LOS but lower hospital costs.
      Academic medical centers may benefit from aggregating hospice beds.

PMID- 26275784
TI  - Integrating Immunotherapies in Prostate Cancer.
AB  - In recent years, immunotherapy has emerged as a viable and promising treatment
      for prostate cancer. Beyond sipulecuel-T, phase III trials are evaluating
      multiple vaccine and immune-based therapies in men with this disease. Evidence
      suggests that many of these therapies are effective at augmenting immune
      responses and slowing tumor growth rates. Yet prospective data evaluating these
      responses as surrogates for survival are still needed. In the absence of
      validated intermediate markers of response, growing data suggests that patients
      with more indolent disease are more likely to benefit from immunotherapies. In
      order to further optimize immunotherapy use, ongoing trials are evaluating its
      combination with traditional as well as other immune-based treatments.
      Preliminary data from these trials are promising and are shedding new light on
      this area. 

PMID- 26275785
TI  - Breaks in Play: Do They Achieve Intended Aims?
AB  - Breaks in play represent a responsible gambling strategy designed to disrupt
      states of dissociation and enhance the likelihood of drawing attention to a
      player's session behaviour and expenditure with respect to time and money. The
      aim of the break in play is to motivate the player to modify or cease gambling so
      the activity remains within affordable levels. The aim of this study was to
      investigate whether imposed breaks in play in the absence of accompanying warning
      messages were effective in reducing cravings. Participants (141 university
      students) were randomly allocated to one of three conditions: 15 min computer
      simulated Black Jack play followed by no break, a 3 or 8 min break in play.
      Participants were administered a battery of measures to assess problem gambling
      card play, cravings, and dissociation to assess the effects of length of break on
      cravings. Results indicated that cravings increased rather than decreased with
      imposed breaks in play, and that the strength of cravings were higher following
      the eight- compared to 3-min break. It was concluded that breaks in play in
      isolation might produce counterproductive, unintended, and even perverse effects.
      The policy implications for responsible gambling strategies is that breaks in
      play ought to be accompanied with warning and/or personal appraisal messages if
      optimal effects in reducing within session gambling expenditure are to be
      achieved. 

PMID- 26275786
TI  - Low levels of CD9 coincidental with a novel nonsense mutation in glycoprotein
      Ibbeta in a patient with Bernard-Soulier syndrome.

PMID- 26275787
TI  - Effects of age on arterial stiffness and central blood pressure after an acute
      bout of resistance exercise.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the influence of age on arterial stiffness and blood
      pressure after performing a resistance exercise bout. METHODS: Recreationally
      active men were separated into young (YG, n = 12, 26.5 +/- 3.3 years), middle
      (MG, n = 14, 49.4 +/- 5.7 years), and old (OG, n = 10, 67.4 +/- 6.3 years)-aged
      groups. In a randomized cross-over design, participants performed control and
      exercise conditions with at least 3 days separating conditions. The exercise
      condition consisted of leg press, chest press, knee flexion, lat pulldown and
      knee extension at ~65% one-repetition maximum for three sets of 10 repetitions.
      Brachial and central blood pressures, augmented pressure, augmentation index,
      central and peripheral pulse wave velocities were measured prior to each
      condition and starting at 5 min post-exercise. RESULTS: Brachial systolic blood
      pressure (SBP) significantly increased similarly after exercise for all age
      groups (YG, 8 +/- 8 mmHg; MG, 5 +/- 5 mmHg; OG, 5 +/- 6 mmHg; p < 0.05). However,
      central SBP did not significantly increase for any age group after exercise.
      Augmentation index significantly increased after exercise only in the YG (11 +/-
      8%, p < 0.05). Central pulse wave velocity did not significantly increase in any
      age group after exercise when compared to the control condition. CONCLUSIONS:
      When performing a whole body moderate resistance exercise bout, acute changes in
      arterial stiffness and blood pressure appear to be minimally affected by age.

PMID- 26275788
TI  - The real cost of care: focus on value for money, rather than price-tags.

PMID- 26275790
TI  - Association Between the Use of Oral Contraceptives and Patient-Reported Outcomes
      in an Early Arthritis Cohort.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between exposure to oral contraceptives
      (OCs) and clinical outcomes in an early arthritis cohort. METHODS: Female
      patients with early inflammatory arthritis, ages 18-60 years, who were enrolled
      in an early arthritis cohort and had no exposure to hormone replacement were
      studied (n = 273). Associations between OC exposure (current/past/never) and
      disease activity, treatment, and patient-reported outcomes, including the
      Rheumatoid Arthritis Impact of Disease Score (RAID), the Rheumatoid Arthritis
      Disease Activity Index (RADAI), the Profile of Mood and Discomfort (PROFAD), and
      the Hannover Functional Assessment (FFbH), were studied over 2 years. Linear
      mixed models adjusted for age, body mass index, parity, smoking, and education
      were used. RESULTS: Eighteen percent of patients had never used OCs, 63% had used
      OCs in the past, and 19% currently used OCs. After adjustment, the current/past
      OC use was associated with better RAID, PROFAD, RADAI, and FFbH scores at 12
      months (P < 0.05 for all) compared to never use. Longitudinally over 2 years, the
      mean RAID scores were significantly better in women with current/past OC use (P <
      0.001). Actual inflammatory markers were not associated with OC use.
      Glucocorticoids were used by a higher percentage of OC never users than by
      current/past users (P = 0.08), especially in patients with impaired function
      (FFbH <70: odds ratio 4.2 [95% confidence interval 1.6-11]). CONCLUSION: For past
      as well as current use, OCs seem to moderate patient-reported outcomes in
      inflammatory arthritis. Protective effects may be induced via central nervous
      pathways rather than through the suppression of peripheral inflammation.

PMID- 26275791
TI  - Lutibacter holmesii sp. nov., a marine bacterium of the family Flavobacteriaceae
      isolated from the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius, and emended
      description of the genus Lutibacter.
AB  - Seven Gram-staining-negative, strictly aerobic, pale-yellow-pigmented, rod-shaped
      and non-motile strains were isolated from the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus
      intermedius collected from Troitsa Bay, Sea of Japan. Phylogenetic analyses based
      on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that these isolates were affiliated with the
      family Flavobacteriaceae. The novel isolates showed 99.9-100 % 16S rRNA gene
      sequence similarity to each other and were closely related to the type strains of
      the recognized members of the genus Lutibacter with sequence similarities of 95.8
      98.4 %. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 35-36 mol%. DNA-DNA relatedness
      among the sea urchin isolates was 95-99 % and between strain KMM 6277T and its
      most closely related type strains, Lutibacter agarilyticus KCTC 23842T and
      Lutibacter litoralis JCM 13034T, was 38 and 27 %, respectively. The prevalent
      fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, summed feature 3 (comprising iso
      C15 : 0 2-OH and/or C16 : 1 omega7c fatty acids), iso-C15 : 1 and C15 : 0. The
      polar lipid profile was composed of the phosphatidylethanolamine, one unknown
      aminolipid and one unknown lipid. The main respiratory isoprenoid quinone was MK
      6.The results of phylogenetic, phenotypic and genotypic analyses indicated that
      the novel strains represent a novel species within the genus Lutibacter, for
      which the name Lutibacter holmesii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is KMM
      6277T ( = CCUG 62221T = LMG 26737T).

PMID- 26275789
TI  - Bone metastasis and the metastatic niche.
AB  - The bone marrow has been long known to host a unique environment amenable to
      colonization by metastasizing tumor cells. Yet, the underlying molecular
      interactions within this specialized microenvironment which give rise to the high
      incidence of bone metastasis in breast and prostate cancer patients have long
      remained uncharacterized. With the recent description of the bone metastatic
      "niche," considerable focus has been placed on understanding how the bone stroma
      contributes to each step of metastasis. Discoveries within this field have
      demonstrated that when cancer cells home to the niche in which hematopoietic and
      mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells normally reside, a bidirectional crosstalk
      emerges between the tumor cells and the bone metastatic stroma. This
      communication modulates every step of cancer cell metastasis to the bone,
      including the initial homing and seeding, formation of micrometastases, outgrowth
      of macrometastases, and the maintenance of long-term dormancy of disseminated
      tumor cells in the bone. In clinical practice, targeting the bone metastatic
      niche is evolving into a promising avenue for the prevention of bone metastatic
      relapse, therapeutic resistance, and other aspects of cancer progression. Here,
      we review the current knowledge concerning the role of the bone metastatic niche
      in bone metastasis. 

PMID- 26275792
TI  - Atypical pyogenic brain abscess evaluation by diffusion-weighted imaging:
      diagnosis with multimodality MR imaging.
AB  - Whether a brain abscess is apparent by imaging depends on the stage of the
      abscess at the time of imaging, as well as the etiology of the infection. Because
      conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is limited in its ability to
      distinguish brain abscesses from necrotic tumors, advanced techniques are
      required. The management of these two disease entities differs and can
      potentially affect the clinical outcome. We report a case having atypical imaging
      features of a pyogenic brain abscess on advanced MRI, in particular, on diffusion
      weighted and perfusion imaging, in a patient with osteosarcoma undergoing
      chemotherapy. 

PMID- 26275793
TI  - Reproductive genetic counseling challenges associated with diagnostic exome
      sequencing in a large academic private reproductive genetic counseling practice.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Diagnostic whole exome sequencing (WES) is rapidly entering clinical
      genetics, but experience with reproductive genetic counseling aspects is limited.
      The purpose of this study was to retrospectively review and report on our
      experience with preconception and prenatal genetic counseling for diagnostic WES.
      METHOD: We performed a retrospective chart review over 34 months in a large
      private prenatal genetic counseling practice and analyzed data for referral
      indications, findings, and results of genetic counseling related to diagnostic
      WES. RESULTS: Ten of 14 patients counseled about diagnostic WES for ongoing
      pregnancies pursued the test, resulting in identification of three pathogenic
      variants (30%). Five of 15 patients seeking counseling about familial WES results
      in an affected proband pursued prenatal diagnosis, resulting in identification of
      one affected fetus and five unaffected fetuses. We experienced challenges related
      to complexity and uncertainty of results, turnaround time, cost and insurance
      overage, and multidisciplinary fetal care coordination. CONCLUSION: Despite
      having experienced complexity and identified challenges of the reproductive
      genetic counseling, availability of diagnostic WES contributed important
      information that aided in prenatal care planning and decision-making. Future
      enhanced provider education and larger studies to systematically study the
      integration of WES in reproductive genetic counseling and prenatal care will be
      important.

PMID- 26275795
TI  - Vaccines, adjuvants and autoimmunity.
AB  - Vaccines and autoimmunity are linked fields. Vaccine efficacy is based on whether
      host immune response against an antigen can elicit a memory T-cell response over
      time. Although the described side effects thus far have been mostly transient and
      acute, vaccines are able to elicit the immune system towards an autoimmune
      reaction. The diagnosis of a definite autoimmune disease and the occurrence of
      fatal outcome post-vaccination have been less frequently reported. Since vaccines
      are given to previously healthy hosts, who may have never developed the disease
      had they not been immunized, adverse events should be carefully accessed and
      evaluated even if they represent a limited number of occurrences. In this review
      of the literature, there is evidence of vaccine-induced autoimmunity and adjuvant
      induced autoimmunity in both experimental models as well as human patients.
      Adjuvants and infectious agents may exert their immune-enhancing effects through
      various functional activities, encompassed by the adjuvant effect. These
      mechanisms are shared by different conditions triggered by adjuvants leading to
      the autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants (ASIA syndrome). In
      conclusion, there are several case reports of autoimmune diseases following
      vaccines, however, due to the limited number of cases, the different
      classifications of symptoms and the long latency period of the diseases, every
      attempt for an epidemiological study has so far failed to deliver a connection.
      Despite this, efforts to unveil the connection between the triggering of the
      immune system by adjuvants and the development of autoimmune conditions should be
      undertaken. Vaccinomics is a field that may bring to light novel customized,
      personalized treatment approaches in the future. 

PMID- 26275794
TI  - Therapeutic potential of chemokine signal inhibition for metastatic breast
      cancer.
AB  - Metastatic breast cancer is incurable by current therapies including chemotherapy
      and immunotherapy. Accumulating evidence indicates that tumor-infiltrating
      macrophages promote establishment of the lethal metastatic foci and contribute to
      therapeutic resistance. Recent studies suggest that the accumulation of these
      macrophages is regulated by a chemokine network established in the tumor
      microenvironment. In this perspective paper, we elaborate on the chemokine
      signals that can attract monocytes/macrophages to the site of metastasis, and
      discuss whether inhibition of these chemokine signals can represent a new
      therapeutic strategy for metastatic breast cancer. 

PMID- 26275796
TI  - Clinical characteristics of patients with lower limb cellulitis and antibiotic
      usage in Hospital Kuala Lumpur: a 7-year retrospective study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cellulitis commonly involved lower limbs. This study was carried out
      to determine the demography, clinical characteristics, risk factors,
      microbiological aspects, and antibiotics usage in this group of patients in
      Hospital Kuala Lumpur. METHODS: A total of one hundred and twenty four patients
      with lower limb cellulitis treated in the Department of Dermatology, Hospital
      Kuala Lumpur, between January 2008 and May 2013 were included in this study.
      RESULTS: There were 70 male and 54 female patients, aged between 13 and 87 years
      (mean 57.23+/-12.854). Thirty-one of them (25%) had recurrent cellulitis. Fifty
      seven (46%) had fever at presentation, 55 (44.4%) had bullous cellulitis. The top
      risk factors identified were toe web intertrigo (n = 79, 63.7%), hypertension
      (n=76, 61.3%), obesity (n = 55, 44.4%), and diabetes (n = 55, 44.4%). However,
      only toe web intertrigo (p = 0.003), peripheral vascular disease (p = 0.01), and
      varicose veins (p = 0.02) were significantly higher in recurrent cellulitis.
      Thirty patients (24.2%) were complicated with lipodermatosclerosis, and six
      (4.8%) had lymphostasis verrucosa cutis. Skin swab cultures were positive in 54
      (43.5%) patients, and Pseudomonas sp. was the most frequently identified
      organism. Mean number of antibiotics given for one episode of cellulitis was
      1.7+/-1. The antibiotics most given were cloxacillin (n=57, 46%) and other
      penicillins (n = 71, 57%), followed by cephalosporins (n = 40, 32%). CONCLUSION:
      Identifying clinical characteristics of those at risk may help to prevent
      recurrence of cellulitis and long-term complications.

PMID- 26275797
TI  - A multi-criteria analysis of options for energy recovery from municipal solid
      waste in India and the UK.
AB  - Energy recovery from municipal solid waste plays a key role in sustainable waste
      management and energy security. However, there are numerous technologies that
      vary in suitability for different economic and social climates. This study sets
      out to develop and apply a multi-criteria decision making methodology that can be
      used to evaluate the trade-offs between the benefits, opportunities, costs and
      risks of alternative energy from waste technologies in both developed and
      developing countries. The technologies considered are mass burn incineration,
      refuse derived fuel incineration, gasification, anaerobic digestion and landfill
      gas recovery. By incorporating qualitative and quantitative assessments, a
      preference ranking of the alternative technologies is produced. The effect of
      variations in decision criteria weightings are analysed in a sensitivity
      analysis. The methodology is applied principally to compare and assess energy
      recovery from waste options in the UK and India. These two countries have been
      selected as they could both benefit from further development of their waste-to
      energy strategies, but have different technical and socio-economic challenges to
      consider. It is concluded that gasification is the preferred technology for the
      UK, whereas anaerobic digestion is the preferred technology for India. We believe
      that the presented methodology will be of particular value for waste-to-energy
      decision-makers in both developed and developing countries. 

PMID- 26275798
TI  - Mock-up experiment at Birmingham University for BNCT project of Osaka University-
      Neutron flux measurement with gold foil.
AB  - Mock-up experiment for development of accelerator based neutron source for Osaka
      University BNCT project was carried out at Birmingham University, UK. In this
      paper, spatial distribution of neutron flux intensity was evaluated by foil
      activation method. Validity of the design code system was confirmed by comparing
      measured gold foil activities with calculations. As a result, it was found that
      the epi-thermal neutron beam was well collimated by our neutron moderator
      assembly. Also, the design accuracy was evaluated to have less than 20% error. 

PMID- 26275799
TI  - Pokeweed antiviral protein restores levels of cellular APOBEC3G during HIV-1
      infection by depurinating Vif mRNA.
AB  - Pokeweed antiviral protein (PAP) is an RNA glycosidase that inhibits production
      of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) when expressed in human culture
      cells. Previously, we showed that the expression of PAP reduced the levels of
      several viral proteins, including virion infectivity factor (Vif). However, the
      mechanism causing Vif reduction and the consequences of the inhibition were not
      determined. Here we show that the Vif mRNA is directly depurinated by PAP.
      Because of depurination at two specific sites within the Vif ORF, Vif levels
      decrease during infections and the progeny viruses that are generated are ~ 10
      fold less infectious and compromised for proviral integration. These results are
      consistent with PAP activity inhibiting translation of Vif, which in turn reduces
      the effect of Vif to inactivate the host restriction factor APOBEC3G
      (apolipoprotein B mRNA-editing enzyme, catalytic polypeptide-like editing complex
      3G). Our findings identify Vif mRNA as a new substrate for PAP and demonstrate
      that derepression of innate immunity against HIV-1 contributes to its antiviral
      activity.

PMID- 26275800
TI  - Hepatitis delta virus: From biological and medical aspects to current and
      investigational therapeutic options.
AB  - An estimated 15-20 million individuals are co-infected by hepatitis B and
      hepatitis D virus worldwide and are at high risk of developing end-stage liver
      disease, including hepatocellular carcinoma. While HBV viremia can now be
      controlled in the vast majority of individuals by nucleoside analogs, leading to
      a delay of disease progression, HDV treatment has for long relied on the
      relatively inefficient and not well-tolerated interferon-alpha. While the
      epidemiology and pathogenesis of the disease remain to be precisely determined,
      using adequate diagnostic tools and well-designed cohort studies, basic research
      efforts have led to interesting progress in the understanding of HDV biology,
      which is not yet sufficient to identify specific antiviral targets. More
      resources now need to be devoted to the HDV field to achieve therapeutic
      breakthroughs. In this manuscript, we carefully review the literature regarding
      the biology of hepatitis D virus, the disease, its prevention, current treatments
      and investigational strategies. This article forms part of a symposium in
      Antiviral Research on "An unfinished story: from the discovery of the Australia
      antigen to the development of new curative therapies for chronic hepatitis B."

PMID- 26275801
TI  - Immune-modulators to combat hepatitis B virus infection: From IFN-alpha to novel
      investigational immunotherapeutic strategies.
AB  - Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a major challenge for
      clinicians, as there are only two types of approved therapies: interferon-alpha
      (IFN-alpha) or its pegylated form, Peg-IFN-alpha and nucleoside analogs (e.g.
      tenofovir, entecavir...). The first are used as finite-duration treatments of
      around 48-52 weeks, while the second must be taken life-long to prevent rebound.
      Other immune-modulators, including other types of recombinant IFNs and
      cytokines/chemokines, could be developed for treating chronic hepatitis B.
      Alternatively, strategies aimed either at restoring or favoring the endogenous
      production of IFNs, cytokines and/or chemokines, or at alleviating HBV-mediated
      inhibitory processes could also be envisaged. In this article, we review current
      investigational, preclinical and clinical efforts to implement immune-modulatory
      components in the therapy of chronic hepatitis B. This review forms part of a
      symposium in Antiviral Research on "An unfinished story: from the discovery of
      the Australia antigen to the development of new curative therapies for hepatitis
      B".

PMID- 26275802
TI  - Conservation of antiviral activity and improved selectivity in PMEO-DAPym upon
      pyrimidine to triazine scaffold hopping.
AB  - Acyclic nucleoside phosphonates incorporating 2,4-diaminotriazine (DAT) as a 5
      aza-analog of the 2,4-diamino-pyrimidine (DAPym) nucleobase present in PMEO
      DAPyms have been synthesized. The lead PMEO-DAT is as inhibitory against HIV,
      HBV, MSV and VZV replication as the parent PMEO-DAPym and equally inefficient at
      markedly affecting replication of HSV-1, HSV-2 and HCMV. A rationale for this
      similar biological profile is proposed on the basis of structural differences in
      the active site of the viral DNA polymerases. PMEO-DAT is, however, more
      selective because, unlike PMEO-DAPym, it does not stimulate secretion of beta
      chemokines in cultured PBMC. 

PMID- 26275803
TI  - Equine herpesvirus-1 suppresses type-I interferon induction in equine endothelial
      cells.
AB  - Equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) is one of the most common and important respiratory
      viral pathogens of horses. EHV-1 in horses replicates initially in the
      respiratory epithelium and then spreads systematically to endothelial cells
      lining the small blood vessels in the uterus and spinal cord, and highly
      pathogenic virus strains can produce aborted fetuses or myeloencephalopathy. Like
      other herpes viruses, EHV-1 employs a variety of mechanisms for immune evasion.
      Some herpes viruses down-regulate the type-I interferon (IFN) response to
      infection, but such activity has not been described for EHV-1. Here, in an in
      vitro system utilizing an established equine endothelial cell line, we studied
      the temporal effect on IFN-beta responses following infection with the
      neuropathogenic T953 strain of EHV-1. Results show that after an early induction
      of IFN-beta, the virus actively shut down further production of IFN-beta and this
      was correlated with expression of the viral late genes. Expression of the IFN
      response factor viperin, a marker of host cell type-I IFN responses, was also
      suppressed by T953 virus infection. EHV-1-mediated suppression of host type-I IFN
      responses may play an important role in EHV-1 pathogenesis and the mechanism of
      this, presumably involving a viral late gene product, warrants investigation. 

PMID- 26275804
TI  - Prospective clinical study of R-CMD therapy for indolent B cell lymphoma and
      mantle cell lymphoma from the Hokuriku Hematology Oncology Study Group.
AB  - Standardized treatments for indolent B cell lymphoma primarily consisting of
      follicular lymphoma (FL) and for mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) have yet to be
      established. Here the Hokuriku Hematology Oncology Study Group conducted a
      multicenter prospective study to investigate the efficacy and safety of a
      combination regimen of rituximab, cladribine, mitoxantrone, and dexamethasone (R
      CMD) in indolent B cell lymphoma and MCL. A total of 33 CD20-positive patients
      who received care between January 2008 and August 2011 were investigated. These
      patients' illnesses were FL (n = 21), nodal marginal zone B cell lymphoma (NMZB,
      n = 3), MCL (n = 3), splenic marginal zone B cell lymphoma (n = 2), hairy cell
      leukemia (n = 1), Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM, n = 1), and
      lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (LPL, n = 2). Patients received four 21-day cycles of
      rituximab 375 mg/m(2) (day 1), cladribine 0.10 mg/kg (days 1-3), mitoxantrone 8
      mg/m(2) (day 1), and dexamethasone 8 mg/body (days 1-3), with four additional
      rituximab doses at 4-week intervals. Of the 33 patients, 26 achieved complete
      response/unconfirmed complete response, and six achieved a partial response (4
      with FL, 1 with NMZB, 1 with WM). One had progressive disease (FL), and four
      relapsed after remission (1 with FL, 2 with MCL, 1 with LPL). R-CMD therapy was
      relatively convenient and effective in indolent B cell lymphoma and MCL.
      Nonetheless, to suppress the number and function of both B cells and T cells,
      comprehensive infection prevention and follow-up are necessary in the future. 

PMID- 26275805
TI  - A crystal structure of 2-hydroxybiphenyl 3-monooxygenase with bound substrate
      provides insights into the enzymatic mechanism.
AB  - 2-Hydroxybiphenyl 3-monooxygenase (HbpA) is an FAD dependent monooxygenase which
      catalyzes the ortho-hydroxylation of a broad range of 2-substituted phenols in
      the presence of NADH and molecular oxygen. We have determined the structure of
      HbpA from the soil bacterium Pseudomonas azelaica HBP1 with bound 2
      hydroxybiphenyl, as well as several variants, at a resolution of 2.3-2.5A to
      investigate structure function correlations of the enzyme. An observed hydrogen
      bond between 2-hydroxybiphenyl and His48 in the active site confirmed the
      previously suggested role of this residue in substrate deprotonation. The
      entrance to the active site was confirmed by generating variant G255F which
      exhibited only 7% of the wild-type's specific activity of product formation,
      suggesting inhibition of substrate entrance into the active site by the large
      aromatic residue. Residue Arg242 is suggested to facilitate FAD movement and
      reduction as was previously reported in studies on the homologous protein para
      hydroxybenzoate hydroxylase. In addition, it is suggested that Trp225, which is
      located in the active site, facilitates proper substrate entrance into the
      binding pocket in contrast to aklavinone-11-hydroxylase and para-hydroxybenzoate
      hydroxylase in which a residue at a similar position is responsible for substrate
      deprotonation. Structure function correlations described in this work will aid in
      the design of variants with improved activity and altered selectivity for
      potential industrial applications. 

PMID- 26275806
TI  - Structure of decorin binding protein B from Borrelia burgdorferi and its
      interactions with glycosaminoglycans.
AB  - Decorin-binding proteins (DBPs), DBPA and DBPB, are surface lipoproteins on
      Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease. DBPs bind to the
      connective tissue proteoglycan decorin and facilitate tissue colonization by the
      bacterium. Although structural and biochemical properties of DBPA are well
      understood, little is known about DBPB. In current work, we determined the
      solution structure of DBPB from strain B31 of B. burgdorferi and characterized
      its interactions with glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). Our structure shows that DBPB
      adopts the same topology as DBPA, but possesses a much shorter terminal helix,
      resulting in a longer unstructured C-terminal tail, which is also rich in basic
      amino acids. Characterization of DBPB-GAG interactions reveals that, despite
      similar GAG affinities of DBPA and DBPB, the primary GAG-binding sites in DBPB
      are different from DBPA. In particular, our results indicate that lysines in the
      C-terminus of DBPB are vital to DBPB's ability to bind GAGs whereas C-terminal
      tail for DBPA from strain B31 only plays a minor role in facilitating GAG
      bindings. Furthermore, the traditional GAG-binding pocket important to DBPA-GAG
      interactions is only secondary to DBPB's GAG-binding ability. 

PMID- 26275807
TI  - Inactivation of the particulate methane monooxygenase (pMMO) in Methylococcus
      capsulatus (Bath) by acetylene.
AB  - Acetylene (HCCH) has a long history as a mechanism-based enzyme inhibitor and is
      considered an active-site probe of the particulate methane monooxygenase (pMMO).
      Here, we report how HCCH inactivates pMMO in Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath) by
      using high-resolution mass spectrometry and computational simulation. High
      resolution MALDI-TOF MS of intact pMMO complexes has allowed us to confirm that
      the enzyme oxidizes HCCH to the ketene (C2H2O) intermediate, which then forms an
      acetylation adduct with the transmembrane PmoC subunit. LC-MS/MS analysis of the
      peptides derived from in-gel proteolytic digestion of the protein subunit
      identifies K196 of PmoC as the site of acetylation. No evidence is obtained for
      chemical modification of the PmoA or PmoB subunit. The inactivation of pMMO by a
      single adduct in the transmembrane PmoC domain is intriguing given the complexity
      of the structural fold of this large membrane-protein complex as well as the
      complicated roles played by the various metal cofactors in the enzyme catalysis.
      Computational studies suggest that the entry of hydrophobic substrates to, and
      migration of products from, the catalytic site of pMMO are controlled tightly
      within the transmembrane domain. Support of these conclusions is provided by
      parallel experiments with two related alkynes: propyne (CH3CCH) and
      trifluoropropyne (CF3CCH). Finally, we discuss the implication of these findings
      to the location of the catalytic site in pMMO. 

PMID- 26275808
TI  - The Role of CXC Chemokines in Pulmonary Fibrosis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
      Patients.
AB  - The inflammatory process in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) affects many
      organs including the lungs. CXC chemokines are suggested to play an important
      role in the pathogenesis of SLE and pulmonary fibrosis. To estimate the
      concentrations of CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of
      patients with and without pulmonary involvements of SLE to evaluate CXC
      chemokines role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis in SLE. Twenty-six SLE
      patients and 31 healthy controls were evaluated using high-resolution computed
      tomography (HRCT), pulmonary function tests, the SLE Disease Activity Index
      (SLEDAI), assessing CXCL9, CXCL11, CXCL10 level in BALF (an enzyme-immunosorbent
      assay kit). The mean CXCL9 and CXCL11 concentrations in BALF were higher in SLE
      patients compared to healthy controls (34.09 +/- 102.34 vs 10.98 +/- 14.65 pg/mL,
      p < 0.001; 72.65 +/- 112.89 vs 16.12 +/- 83.75 pg/mL, p = 0.012, respectively).
      The disease activity scored by SLEDAI and the concentration of CXCL10 in BALF
      were significantly higher in the SLE patients with pulmonary fibrosis when
      compared with patients with normal HRCT (8.23 +/- 3.19 vs 5.01 +/- 2.41; 73.45 +/
      34.12 vs 40.76 +/- 41.65, respectively, in both p < 0.05). In SLE patients
      positive correlations were found between SLEDAI and the percentage of lymphocytes
      in BALF (r = 0.51, p < 0.05); CXCL9 and CXCL10 concentrations in BALF (r = 0.65,
      p < 0.001); CXCL9 and CXCL11 concentrations in BALF (r = 0.69, p < 0.001). In
      lupus patients with pulmonary manifestations positive correlations were found
      between CXCL11 concentration in BALF and SLEDAI (r = 0.55, p < 0.05), CXCL11
      concentration and the percentage of neutrophils in BALF (r = 0.69, p < 0.05),
      CXCL10 concentration and the percentage of neutrophils in BALF (r = 0.57, p <
      0.05). Our observations indicate that CXCL9 and CXCL11 play an important role in
      the pathogenesis of SLE but it needs further studies. These results suggest that
      CXCL10 and CXCL11 are associated with neutrophils accumulation in the alveolar
      space of SLE patients with pulmonary fibrosis and should be considered as
      potential factor of interstitial fibrosis.

PMID- 26275809
TI  - Cooperative hand movements in post-stroke subjects: Neural reorganization.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Recent research indicates a task-specific neural coupling controlling
      cooperative hand movements reflected in bilateral electromyographic reflex
      responses in arm muscles following unilateral nerve stimulation. Reorganization
      of this mechanism was explored in post-stroke patients in this study. METHODS:
      Electromyographic reflex responses in forearm muscles to unilateral electrical
      ulnar nerve stimulation were examined during cooperative and non-cooperative hand
      movements. RESULTS: Stimulation of the unaffected arm during cooperative hand
      movements led to electromyographic responses in bilateral forearm muscles,
      similar to those seen in healthy subjects, while stimulation of the affected side
      was followed only by ipsilateral responses. No contralateral reflex responses
      could be evoked in severely affected patients. The presence of contralateral
      responses correlated with the clinical motor impairment as assessed by the Fugl
      Meyer test. CONCLUSION: The observations suggest that after stroke an impaired
      processing of afferent input from the affected side leads to a defective neural
      coupling and is associated with a greater involvement of fiber tracts from the
      unaffected hemisphere during cooperative hand movements. SIGNIFICANCE: The
      mechanism of neural coupling underlying cooperative hand movements is shown to be
      defective in post-stroke patients. The neural re-organizations observed have
      consequences for the rehabilitation of hand function.

PMID- 26275810
TI  - Genome-wide analysis of human constitutive androstane receptor (CAR)
      transcriptome in wild-type and CAR-knockout HepaRG cells.
AB  - The constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) modulates the transcription of
      numerous genes involving drug metabolism, energy homeostasis, and cell
      proliferation. Most functions of CAR however were defined from animal studies.
      Given the known species difference of CAR and the significant cross-talk between
      CAR and the pregnane X receptor (PXR), it is extremely difficult to decipher the
      exact role of human CAR (hCAR) in gene regulation, relying predominantly on
      pharmacological manipulations. Here, utilizing a newly generated hCAR-knockout
      (KO) HepaRG cell line, we carried out RNA-seq analysis of the global
      transcriptomes in wild-type (WT) and hCAR-KO HepaRG cells treated with CITCO, a
      selective hCAR agonist, phenobarbital (PB), a dual activator of hCAR and hPXR, or
      vehicle control. Real-time PCR assays in separate experiments were used to
      validate RNA-seq findings. Our results indicate that genes encoding drug
      metabolizing enzymes are among the main clusters altered by both CITCO and PB.
      Specifically, CITCO significantly changed the expression of 135 genes in an hCAR
      dependent manner, while PB altered the expression of 227 genes in WT cells of
      which 94 were simultaneously modulated in both cell lines reflecting dual effects
      of PB on hCAR/PXR. Notably, we found that many genes promoting cell proliferation
      and tumorigenesis were up-regulated in hCAR-KO cells, suggesting that hCAR may
      play an important role in cell growth that differs from mouse CAR. Together, our
      results reveal both novel and known targets of hCAR and support the role of hCAR
      in maintaining the homeostasis of metabolism and cell proliferation in the liver.

PMID- 26275812
TI  - The Relationship Between Apraxia of Speech and Oral Apraxia: Association or
      Dissociation?
AB  - Acquired apraxia of speech (AOS) is a motor speech disorder that affects the
      implementation of articulatory gestures and the fluency and intelligibility of
      speech. Oral apraxia (OA) is an impairment of nonspeech volitional movement.
      Although many speakers with AOS also display difficulties with volitional
      nonspeech oral movements, the relationship between the 2 conditions is unclear.
      This study explored the relationship between speech and volitional nonspeech oral
      movement impairment in a sample of 50 participants with AOS. We examined levels
      of association and dissociation between speech and OA using a battery of
      nonspeech oromotor, speech, and auditory/aphasia tasks. There was evidence of a
      moderate positive association between the 2 impairments across participants.
      However, individual profiles revealed patterns of dissociation between the 2 in a
      few cases, with evidence of double dissociation of speech and oral apraxic
      impairment. We discuss the implications of these relationships for models of oral
      motor and speech control.

PMID- 26275811
TI  - Farnesol activates the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis and the ATF4-ATF3-CHOP
      cascade of ER stress in human T lymphoblastic leukemia Molt4 cells.
AB  - In this study, we demonstrate that treatment of T lymphoblastic leukemic Molt4
      cells with farnesol activates the apoptosome via the intrinsic pathway of
      apoptosis. This induction was associated with changes in the level of
      intracellular potassium and calcium, the dissipation of the mitochondrial and
      plasma membrane potential, release of cytochrome c, activation of several
      caspases, and PARP cleavage. The induction of apoptosis by farnesol was inhibited
      by the addition of the pan-caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-fmk and by the exogenous
      expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl2. Analysis of the gene expression
      profiles by microarray analysis revealed that farnesol increased the expression
      of several genes related to the unfolded protein response (UPR), including CHOP
      and CHAC1. This induction was associated with the activation of the PERK
      eIF2alpha-ATF3/4 cascade, but not the XBP-1 branch of the UPR. Although farnesol
      induced activation of the ERK1/2, p38, and JNK pathways, inhibition of these
      MAPKs had little effect on farnesol-induced apoptosis or the induction of UPR
      related genes. Our data indicate that the induction of apoptosis in leukemic
      cells by farnesol is mediated through a pathway that involves activation of the
      apoptosome via the intrinsic pathway and induction of the PERK-eIF2alpha-ATF3/4
      cascade in a manner that is independent of the farnesol-induced activation of
      MAPKs. 

PMID- 26275813
TI  - 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin differentially suppresses angiogenic
      responses in human placental vein and artery endothelial cells.
AB  - Placental angiogenesis is dramatically increased during pregnancy in association
      with the elevated placental blood flows to support the rapidly growing fetus.
      2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is an environmental toxicant and a
      ligand of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Herein, we investigated the effects of
      TCDD on proliferation, migration, and viability of fetoplacental endothelial
      cells in response to a complete growth medium which contained serum and growth
      supplement using human umbilical cord vein (HUVECs) and artery (HUAECs) cells as
      models. We found that TCDD dose- and time-dependently inhibited (p < 0.05)
      proliferation of HUVECs and HUAECs. Treatment with TCDD at 10 nM for 6 days
      inhibited (p < 0.05) migration (by ~ 30%) of HUAECs, but not HUVECs. TCDD at 10nM
      also decreased (p < 0.05) viability of HUVECs and HUAECs. Interestingly, specific
      AhR siRNA blocked (p < 0.05) the TCDD-inhibited cellular responses in HUAECs, but
      not HUVECs. Nonetheless, TCDD at 10nM neither affected the cell cycle
      progression, nor did it induce cell apoptosis in HUVECs and HUAECs. In addition,
      TCDD at 10 nM also did not alter activation of ERK1/2 and AKT1 in HUVECs and
      HUAECs. Collectively, TCDD suppresses proliferation and/or migration (two key
      steps of angiogenesis) of HUVECs and HUAECs independent and dependent of AhR,
      respectively. These data suggest that TCDD inhibited growth of HUVECs and HUAECs
      via decreasing cell viability. Thus, TCDD may inhibit fetoplacental angiogenesis,
      leading to negative pregnancy outcomes.

PMID- 26275814
TI  - The effect of PON1 enhancers on reducing acetylcholinesterase inhibition
      following organophosphate anticholinesterase exposure in rats.
AB  - Novel nucleophiles, a series of substituted phenoxyalkyl pyridinium oximes, have
      been previously shown by our laboratories to enhance in vitro paraoxonase 1
      (PON1)-mediated degradation of a sarin surrogate (nitrophenyl isopropyl
      methylphosphonate, NIMP) and a VX surrogate (nitrophenyl ethyl methylphosphonate,
      NEMP). Five of the most efficacious of these nucleophiles were tested in rats for
      their ability to reduce the level of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition in
      brain and peripheral tissues following exposure to NIMP or NEMP. Following
      simultaneous administration of a nucleophile plus surrogate (at 3 dosages
      yielding about 10-50% AChE inhibition in the brain at 15 min), all five
      nucleophiles reduced the AChE inhibition in the brain at all 3 dosages, and
      reduced peripheral AChE inhibition at the lowest dosage. Protective effects were
      seen for only a short period of time, i.e., 15 min. Even though these
      nucleophiles are oximes, they are not effective AChE reactivators so it is
      unlikely that the resultant decreases in AChE inhibition are from appreciable
      AChE reactivation. It is likely that the protective effects seen are, at least in
      part, the result of enhancement of PON1-mediated surrogate degradation, an
      unprecedented mechanism of therapy that has the potential to be developed into a
      nerve agent countermeasure.

PMID- 26275816
TI  - Basalt identification by interpreting nuclear and electrical well logging
      measurements using fuzzy technique (case study from southern Syria).
AB  - Fuzzy analysis technique is proposed in this research for interpreting the
      combination of nuclear and electrical well logging data, which include natural
      gamma ray, density and neutron-porosity, while the electrical well logging
      include long and short normal. The main objective of this work is to describe,
      characterize and establish the lithology of the large extended basaltic areas in
      southern Syria. Kodana well logging measurements have been used and interpreted
      for testing and applying the proposed technique. The established lithological
      cross section shows the distribution and the identification of four kinds of
      basalt, which are hard massive basalt, hard basalt, pyroclastic basalt and the
      alteration basalt products, clay. The fuzzy analysis technique is successfully
      applied on the Kodana well logging data, and can be therefore utilized as a
      powerful tool for interpreting huge well logging data with higher number of
      variables required for lithological estimations. 

PMID- 26275815
TI  - Evolutionary patchwork of an insecticidal toxin shared between plant-associated
      pseudomonads and the insect pathogens Photorhabdus and Xenorhabdus.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Root-colonizing fluorescent pseudomonads are known for their
      excellent abilities to protect plants against soil-borne fungal pathogens. Some
      of these bacteria produce an insecticidal toxin (Fit) suggesting that they may
      exploit insect hosts as a secondary niche. However, the ecological relevance of
      insect toxicity and the mechanisms driving the evolution of toxin production
      remain puzzling. RESULTS: Screening a large collection of plant-associated
      pseudomonads for insecticidal activity and presence of the Fit toxin revealed
      that Fit is highly indicative of insecticidal activity and predicts that
      Pseudomonas protegens and P. chlororaphis are exclusive Fit producers. A
      comparative evolutionary analysis of Fit toxin-producing Pseudomonas including
      the insect-pathogenic bacteria Photorhabdus and Xenorhadus, which produce the Fit
      related Mcf toxin, showed that fit genes are part of a dynamic genomic region
      with substantial presence/absence polymorphism and local variation in GC base
      composition. The patchy distribution and phylogenetic incongruence of fit genes
      indicate that the Fit cluster evolved via horizontal transfer, followed by
      functional integration of vertically transmitted genes, generating a unique
      Pseudomonas-specific insect toxin cluster. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that
      multiple independent evolutionary events led to formation of at least three
      versions of the Mcf/Fit toxin highlighting the dynamic nature of insect toxin
      evolution.

PMID- 26275817
TI  - Polymer gel dosimeter based on itaconic acid.
AB  - A new polymeric dosimeter based on itaconic acid and N, N'-methylenebisacrylamide
      was studied. The preparation method, compositions of monomer and crosslinking
      agent and the presence of oxygen in the dosimetric system were analyzed. The
      resulting materials were irradiated with an X-ray tube at 158cGy/min, 226cGymin
      and 298cGy/min with doses up to 1000Gy. The dosimeters presented a linear
      response in the dose range 75-1000Gy, sensitivities of 0.037 1/Gyat 298cGy/min
      and an increase in the sensitivity with lower dose rates. One of the most
      relevant outcomes in this study was obtaining different monomer to crosslinker
      inclusion in the formed gel for the dosimeters where oxygen was purged during the
      preparation method. This effect has not been reported in other typical dosimeters
      and could be attributed to the large differences in the reactivity among these
      species. 

PMID- 26275818
TI  - Efficiency of barium removal from radioactive waste water using the combination
      of maghemite and titania nanoparticles in PVA and alginate beads.
AB  - In this paper, both maghemite (gamma-Fe2O3) and titanium oxide (TiO2)
      nanoparticles were synthesized and mixed in various ratios and embedded in PVA
      and alginate beads. Batch sorption experiments were applied for removal of barium
      ions from aqueous solution under sunlight using the beads. The process has been
      investigated as a function of pH, contact time, temperature, initial barium ion
      concentration and TiO2:gamma-Fe2O3 ratios (1:10, 1:60 and 1). The recycling
      attributes of these beads were also considered. Furthermore, the results revealed
      that 99% of the Ba(II) was eliminated in 150min at pH 8 under sunlight. Also, the
      maghemite and titania PVA-alginate beads can be readily isolated from the aqueous
      solution after the process and reused for at least 7 times without significant
      losses of their initial properties. The reduction of Ba(II) with maghemite and
      titania PVA-alginate beads fitted the pseudo first order and second order
      Langmuir-Hinshelwood (L-H) kinetic model. 

PMID- 26275819
TI  - A systematic review of the predictors of disease progression in patients with
      autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a genetic
      disorder characterised by progressive renal cyst formation leading to renal
      failure in the majority of patients. The likelihood and rate of ADPKD progression
      is difficult to predict and there is a clear need to identify prognostic
      indicators that could be used to anticipate ADPKD progression, to aid the
      management of patients in clinical practice. METHODS: A systematic literature
      review was conducted to identify publications detailing the natural history of
      ADPKD, including diagnosis, prognosis and progression. Publications were
      identified and filtered, and data were extracted, based on a predefined research
      protocol. RESULTS: The review identified 2799 journal articles and 444 conference
      abstracts; 254 articles, including observational studies, clinical trials and
      reviews, proceeded to data extraction. Disease progression was associated with a
      variety of prognostic indicators, most commonly age and total kidney volume
      (TKV). In the identified clinical trials, the absence of a consistent measure of
      disease progression led to variation in the primary endpoints used. Consequently,
      there was difficulty in consistently and effectively demonstrating and comparing
      the efficacy of investigational treatments across studies. More consistency was
      found in the observational studies, where disease progression was most frequently
      measured by TKV and glomerular filtration rate. CONCLUSIONS: This systematic
      review identified age and TKV as the most commonly cited prognostic indicators in
      the published ADPKD literature. It is envisaged that this review may inform
      future research, trial design and predictive models of ADPKD natural history,
      helping to optimise patient care.

PMID- 26275820
TI  - Antimalarial drugs for preventing malaria during pregnancy and the risk of low
      birth weight: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized and quasi
      randomized trials.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It is known that antimalarial drugs reduce the risk of low birth
      weight (LBW) in pregnant patients. However, a previous Cochrane review did not
      evaluate whether the level of antimalarial drug resistance could modify the
      protective effect of antimalarial drugs in this regard. In addition, no
      systematic review exists comparing current recommendations for malaria prevention
      during pregnancy to alternative regimens in Africa. Therefore, we conducted a
      comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of
      antimalarial drugs for malaria prevention during pregnancy in reducing the risk
      of LBW. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Central Register of
      Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) for articles published up to 21 November 2014, in
      English or French, and identified additional studies from reference lists. We
      included randomized and quasi-randomized studies reporting LBW as one of the
      outcomes. We extracted data and assessed the risk of bias in selected studies.
      All pooled analyses were based on a random effect model, and we used a funnel
      plot and trim and fill method to test and adjust for publication bias. RESULTS: A
      total of 25 studies met the inclusion criteria (37,981 subjects). Compared to no
      use, all combined antimalarial drugs were associated with a 27% (RR 0.73, 95% CI
      0.56-0.97, ten studies) reduction in the risk of LBW. The level of antimalarial
      drug resistance modified the protective effect of the antimalarial drug used for
      prevention of LBW during pregnancy. Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine was not associated
      with a reduction in the risk of LBW in regions where the prevalence of the
      dihydropteroate synthase 540E mutation exceeds 50% (RR 0.99, 95% CI 0.80-1.22,
      three studies). The risk of LBW was similar when sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine was
      compared to mefloquine (RR 1.05, 95% CI 0.86-1.29, two studies). CONCLUSION:
      Prophylactic antimalarial drugs and specifically sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine may no
      longer protect against the risk of LBW in areas of high-level resistance. In
      Africa, there are currently no suitable alternative drugs to replace sulfadoxine
      pyrimethamine for malaria prevention during pregnancy.

PMID- 26275822
TI  - Change of strategy is required for malaria elimination: a case study in Purworejo
      District, Central Java Province, Indonesia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Malaria has been targeted for elimination from Indonesia by 2030,
      with varying timelines for specific geographical areas based on disease
      endemicity. The regional deadline for malaria elimination for Java island, given
      the steady decrease of malaria cases, was the end of 2015. Purworejo District, a
      malaria-endemic area in Java with an annual parasite incidence (API) of 0.05 per
      1,000 population in 2009, aims to enter this elimination stage. This study
      documents factors that affect incidence and spatial distribution of malaria in
      Purworejo, such as geomorphology, topography, health system issues, and
      identifies potential constraints and challenges to achieve the elimination stage,
      such as inter-districts coordination, decentralization policy and allocation of
      financial resources for the programme. METHODS: Historical malaria data from 2007
      to 2011 were collected through secondary data, in-depth interviews and focus
      group discussions during study year (2010-2011). Malaria cases were mapped using
      the village-centroid shape file to visualize its distribution with geomorphologic
      characteristics overlay and spatial distribution of malaria. API in each village
      in Purworejo and its surrounding districts from 2007 to 2011 was stratified into
      high, middle or low case incidence to show the spatiotemporal mapping pattern.
      RESULTS: The spatiotemporal pattern of malaria cases in Purworejo and the
      adjacent districts demonstrate repeated concentrated occurrences of malaria in
      specific areas from 2007 to 2011. District health system issues, i.e., suboptimal
      coordination between primary care and referral systems, suboptimal inter-district
      collaboration for malaria surveillance, decentralization policy and the lack of
      resources, especially district budget allocations for the malaria programme, were
      major constraints for programme sustainability. CONCLUSIONS: A new malaria
      elimination approach that fits the local disease transmission, intervention and
      political system is required. These changes include timely measurements of
      malaria transmission, revision of the decentralized government system and
      optimizing the use of the district capitation fund followed by an effective
      technical implementation of the intervention strategy.

PMID- 26275821
TI  - Urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations in relation to history of infertility
      and use of assisted reproductive technology.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations in pregnant
      women with planned pregnancies in relation to history of infertility and use of
      assisted reproductive technology (ART). DESIGN: Phthalate metabolite
      concentrations were measured in first-trimester urine samples collected from
      women participating in a prospective pregnancy cohort study. SETTING: Prenatal
      clinics. PATIENT(S): A total of 750 women, of whom 86 had a history of
      infertility. Forty-one women used ART to conceive. INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN
      OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Primary outcomes were concentrations of four metabolites of
      diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) and their molar sum (?DEHP). Multivariable analyses
      compared phthalate metabolite levels in [1] women reporting a history of
      infertility vs. those who did not (comparison group); and [2] those who used ART
      to conceive the index pregnancy vs. women with a history of infertility who did
      not use ART. RESULT(S): Among women with a history of infertility, ?DEHP was
      significantly lower in women who conceived after ART compared with those who did
      not (geometric mean ratio: 0.83; 95% confidence interval 0.71-0.98). Similar
      significant associations were observed for all of the individual DEHP
      metabolites. There were no differences in DEHP metabolite concentrations between
      women with a history of infertility and the comparison group. CONCLUSION(S):
      Women who used ART to conceive had lower first-trimester phthalate metabolite
      concentrations than women with a history of infertility who did not use ART.
      Further research is needed to explore whether those pursuing fertility treatments
      take precautions to avoid exposure to environmental toxins, to improve treatment
      outcomes.

PMID- 26275823
TI  - Impact of socioeconomic status and subjective social class on overall and health
      related quality of life.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Our objective was to investigate the impact of socioeconomic status
      and subjective social class on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) vs. overall
      quality of life (QOL). METHODS: We performed a longitudinal analysis using data
      regarding 8250 individuals drawn from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging
      (KLoSA). We analyzed differences between HRQOL and QOL in individuals of various
      socioeconomic strata (high, middle, or low household income and education levels)
      and subjective social classes (high, middle, or low) at baseline (2009). RESULTS:
      Individuals with low household incomes and of low subjective social class had the
      highest probability of reporting discrepant HRQOL and QOL scores (B: 4.796; P <
      0.0001), whereas individuals with high household incomes and high subjective
      social class had the lowest probability of discrepant HRQOL and QOL scores (B: 
      3.625; P = 0.000). Similar trends were seen when education was used as a proxy
      for socioeconomic status. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, both household
      income/subjective social class and education/subjective social class were found
      to have an impact on the degree of divergence between QOL and HRQOL. Therefore,
      in designing interventions, socioeconomic inequalities should be taken into
      account through the use of multi-dimensional measurement tools.

PMID- 26275824
TI  - Models of buffering of dosage imbalances in protein complexes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Stoichiometric imbalances in macromolecular complexes can lead to
      altered function. Such imbalances stem from under- or over-expression of a
      subunit of a complex consequent to a deletion, duplication or regulatory mutation
      of an allele encoding the relevant protein. In some cases, the phenotypic
      perturbations induced by such alterations can be subtle or be lacking because
      nonlinearities in the process of protein complex assembly can provide some degree
      of buffering. RESULTS: We explore with biochemical models of increasing
      plausibility how buffering can be elicited. Specifically, we analyze the
      formation of a dimer AB and show that there are particular sets of parameters so
      that decreasing/increasing the input amount of either A or B translates into a
      non proportional (buffered) change of AB. The buffer effect also appears in
      higher-order structures provided that there are intermediate subcomplexes in the
      assembly process. CONCLUSIONS: We highlight the importance of protein degradation
      and/or conformational inactivation for buffering to appear. The models sketched
      here have experimental support but can be further tested with existing biological
      resources.

PMID- 26275825
TI  - Expression of calcification and metabolism-related genes in response to elevated
      pCO2 and temperature in the reef-building coral Acropora millepora.
AB  - Declining health of scleractinian corals in response to deteriorating
      environmental conditions is widely acknowledged, however links between
      physiological and functional genomic responses of corals are less well
      understood. Here we explore growth and the expression of 20 target genes with
      putative roles in metabolism and calcification in the branching coral, Acropora
      millepora, in two separate experiments: 1) elevated pCO2 (464, 822, 1187 and 1638
      MUatm) and ambient temperature (27 degrees C), and 2) elevated pCO2 (490 and 822
      MUatm) and temperature (28 and 31  degrees C). After 14 days of exposure to
      elevated pCO2 and ambient temperatures, no evidence of differential expression of
      either calcification or metabolism genes was detected between control and
      elevated pCO2 treatments. After 37 days of exposure to control and elevated pCO2,
      Ubiquinol-Cytochrome-C Reductase Subunit 2 gene (QCR2; a gene involved in complex
      III of the electron chain transport within the mitochondria and critical for
      generation of ATP) was significantly down-regulated in the elevated pCO2
      treatment in both ambient and elevated temperature treatments. Overall, the
      general absence of a strong response to elevated pCO2 and temperature by the
      other 19 targeted calcification and metabolism genes suggests that corals may not
      be affected by these stressors on longer time scales (37 days). These results
      also highlight the potential for QCR2 to act as a biomarker of coral genomic
      responses to changing environments.

PMID- 26275826
TI  - Separation and purification of hemicellulose-derived saccharides from wood
      hydrolysate by combined process.
AB  - Prehydrolysis of wood biomass prior to kraft cooking provides a stream containing
      hemicellulose-derived saccharides (HDSs) but also undesired non-saccharide
      compounds (NSCs) that were resulted from lignin depolymerization and carbohydrate
      degradation. In this study, a combined process consisting of lime treatment,
      resin adsorption, and gel filtration was developed to separate HDSs from NSCs.
      The macro-lignin impurities that accounted for 32.2% of NSCs were removed by lime
      treatment at 1.2% dosage with negligible HDSs loss. The majority of NSCs, lignin
      derived phenolics, were eliminated by mixed bed ion exchange resin, elevating
      NSCs removal to 94.0%. The remaining NSCs, furfural and hydroxymethylfurfural,
      were excluded from HDSs by gel filtration. Chemical composition analysis showed
      that xylooligosaccharides (XOS) with the degree of depolymerization from 2 to 6
      accounted for 28% of the total purified HDSs.

PMID- 26275828
TI  - Regulation of the neuronal KCNQ2 channel by Src--a dual rearrangement of the
      cytosolic termini underlies bidirectional regulation of gating.
AB  - Neuronal M-type K(+) channels are heteromers of KCNQ2 and KCNQ3 subunits, and are
      found in cell bodies, dendrites and the axon initial segment, regulating the
      firing properties of neurons. By contrast, presynaptic KCNQ2 homomeric channels
      directly regulate neurotransmitter release. Previously, we have described a
      mechanism for gating downregulation of KCNQ2 homomeric channels by calmodulin and
      syntaxin1A. Here, we describe a new mechanism for regulation of KCNQ2 channel
      gating that is modulated by Src, a non-receptor tyrosine kinase. In this
      mechanism, two concurrent distinct structural rearrangements of the cytosolic
      termini induce two opposing effects: upregulation of the single-channel open
      probability, mediated by an N-terminal tyrosine, and reduction in functional
      channels, mediated by a C-terminal tyrosine. In contrast, Src-mediated regulation
      of KCNQ3 homomeric channels, shown previously to be achieved through the
      corresponding tyrosine residues, involves the N-terminal-tyrosine-mediated
      downregulation of the open probability, rather than an upregulation. We argue
      that the dual bidirectional regulation of KCNQ2 functionality by Src, mediated
      through two separate sites, means that KCNQ2 can be modified by cellular factors
      that might specifically interact with either one of the sites, with potential
      significance in the fine-tuning of neurotransmitters release at nerve terminals. 

PMID- 26275827
TI  - Altering lamina assembly reveals lamina-dependent and -independent functions for
      A-type lamins.
AB  - Lamins are intermediate filament proteins that form a fibrous meshwork, called
      the nuclear lamina, between the inner nuclear membrane and peripheral
      heterochromatin of metazoan cells. The assembly and incorporation of lamin A/C
      into the lamina, as well as their various functions, are still not well
      understood. Here, we employed designed ankyrin repeat proteins (DARPins) as new
      experimental tools for lamin research. We screened for DARPins that specifically
      bound to lamin A/C, and interfered with lamin assembly in vitro and with
      incorporation of lamin A/C into the native lamina in living cells. The selected
      DARPins inhibited lamin assembly and delocalized A-type lamins to the nucleoplasm
      without modifying lamin expression levels or the amino acid sequence. Using these
      lamin binders, we demonstrate the importance of proper integration of lamin A/C
      into the lamina for nuclear mechanical properties and nuclear envelope integrity.
      Finally, our study provides evidence for cell-type-specific differences in lamin
      functions. 

PMID- 26275829
TI  - Overview of digital breast tomosynthesis: Clinical cases, benefits and
      disadvantages.
AB  - In France, the national breast cancer-screening program is based on mammography
      combined with clinical breast examination, and sometimes breast ultrasound for
      patients with high breast density. Digital breast tomosynthesis is a currently
      assessed 3D imaging technique in which angular projections of the stationary
      compressed breast are acquired automatically. When combined with mammography,
      clinicians can review both conventional (2D) as well as three-dimensional (3D)
      data. The purpose of this article is to review recent reports on this new breast
      imaging technique and complements this information with our personal experience.
      The main advantages of tomosynthesis are that it facilitates the detection and
      characterization of breast lesions, as well as the diagnosis of occult lesions in
      dense breasts. However, to do this, patients are exposed to higher levels of
      radiation than with 2D mammography. In France, the indications for tomosynthesis
      and its use in breast cancer-screening (individual and organized) are yet to be
      defined, as is its role in the diagnosis and staging of breast cancer (multiple
      lesions). Further studies assessing in particular the combined reconstruction of
      the 2D view using 3D tomosynthesis data acquired during a single breast
      compression event, and therefore reducing patient exposure to radiation, are
      expected to provide valuable insight. 

PMID- 26275830
TI  - Correlates between ear postures and emotional reactivity in a wild type mouse
      species.
AB  - Facial expressions have been extensively used to assess emotions in humans and
      thus could be extended to other species that also display facial movements. In
      mice both painful and fearful situations have been associated with particular
      shifts in facial expressions. Like other species, mice frequently show a great
      inter-individual variability when exposed to emotional situations, but so far no
      study has been conducted to investigate if facial expressions are related to
      these differences. The aim of this study is to explore if mice of wild origin
      (Mus spicilegus) express different facial expressions when confronted to novelty
      and to relate these mimics to their emotional reactivity profile. We used
      individual exploration scores in a novel odour test and in the elevated plus maze
      test as proxy measures of individual emotional reactivity. Our results showed
      that exploration scores in both tests were positively correlated, and both were
      related to the ear postures expressed by the individuals during their first
      exploration of the novel odour. This single component of facial expression was in
      fact a good indicator of inter-individual differences expressed in these two
      different tests suggesting a strong link between this marker and the individual
      emotional reactivity. These results highlight the great potential of facial
      expressions to assess emotional states in animals. 

PMID- 26275831
TI  - Insights into the roles of carrier microstructure in adhesive/carrier-based dry
      powder inhalation mixtures: Carrier porosity and fine particle content.
AB  - To gain insights into complex interactions in carrier-based dry powder inhalation
      mixtures, we studied the relationships between the carrier microstructural
      characteristics and performance. We used mercury intrusion porosimetry to measure
      the microstructural characteristics and to also derive the air permeability of
      eight carriers. We evaluated the performances of inhalation mixtures of each of
      these carriers and fluticasone propionate after aerosolization from an
      Aerolizer(r). We did not observe a simple relationship between the carrier total
      porosity and the performance. Classification of the porosity according to pore
      size, however, provided interesting insights. The carrier nanoporosity, which
      refers to pores smaller than micronized drug particles, has a positive influence
      on the performance. Nanopores reduce the carrier effective contact area and the
      magnitude of interparticulate adhesion forces in inhalation mixtures. The carrier
      microporosity, which refers to pores similar in size to drug particles, also has
      a positive influence on the performance. During mixing, micropores increase the
      effectiveness of frictional and press-on forces, which are responsible for
      breaking up of cohesive drug agglomerates and for distribution of drug particles
      over the carrier surface. On the other hand, the carrier macroporosity, which
      refers to pores larger than drug particles, apparently has a negative influence
      on the performance. This influence is likely mediated via the effects of
      macropores on the powder bed tensile strength and fluidization behavior. The air
      permeability better represents these effects. The inhalation mixture performance
      improved as the carrier air permeability decreased. Interestingly, as the carrier
      fine particle content increased, the carrier microporosity increased and the
      carrier air permeability decreased. This proposes a new mechanism for the
      positive effect of fine excipient materials on the performance of carrier-based
      inhalation mixtures. Fine excipient materials apparently adhere to the surface of
      coarse carrier particles creating projections and micropores, which increase the
      effectiveness of mixing. The data also support the mechanism of powder
      fluidization enforcement by fine excipient materials. The current study clearly
      demonstrates that the microporosity and the air permeability are key dry powder
      inhalation carrier performance determinants. Mercury intrusion porosimetry is a
      useful tool in the dry powder inhalation field; it successfully allowed
      resolution of carrier pores which contribute differently to the performance. 

PMID- 26275832
TI  - Colorectal tissue engineering: A comparative study between porcine small
      intestinal submucosa (SIS) and chitosan hydrogel patches.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Tissue engineering may provide new operative tools for colorectal
      surgery in elective indications. The aim of this study was to define a suitable
      bioscaffold for colorectal tissue engineering. METHODS: We compared 2
      bioscaffolds with in vitro and in vivo experiments: porcine small intestinal
      submucosa (SIS) versus chitosan hydrogel matrix. We assessed nontoxicity of the
      scaffold in vitro by using human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSC). In vivo, a 1
      * 2-cm colonic wall defect was created in 16 rabbits. Animals were divided
      randomly into 2 groups according to the graft used, SIS or chitosan hydrogel.
      Graft area was explanted at 4 and 8 weeks. The end points of in vivo experiments
      were technical feasibility, behavior of the scaffold, in situ putative
      inflammatory effect, and the quality of tissue regeneration, in particular smooth
      muscle layer regeneration. RESULTS: In vitro, hADSC attachment and proliferation
      occurred on both scaffolds without a substantial difference. After proliferation,
      hADSCs kept their mesenchymal stem cell characteristics. In vivo, one animal died
      in each group. Eight weeks after implantation, the chitosan scaffold allowed
      better wound healing compared with the SIS scaffold, with more effective control
      of inflammatory activity and an integral regeneration of the colonic wall
      including the smooth muscle cell layer. CONCLUSION: The outcomes of in vitro
      experiments did not differ greatly between the 2 groups. Macroscopic and
      histologic findings, however, revealed better wound healing of the colonic wall
      in the chitosan group suggesting that the chitosan hydrogel could serve as a
      better scaffold for colorectal tissue engineering.

PMID- 26275833
TI  - Silencing of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 suppresses colorectal cancer
      progression and liver metastasis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is reported to be expressed
      in many cancer cell types and regarded as one of the most informative biochemical
      markers for poor prognosis. However, no previous study has evaluated whether PAI
      1 could serve as a target in antitumor and antimetastasis therapies of colorectal
      cancer (CRC). METHODS: The plasma level of PAI-1 in CRC patients was detected and
      its correlation with the clinicopathologic features was evaluated. PAI-1 protein
      expression was assessed by Western blot assay and immunohistochemistry. The
      biologic consequences of PAI-1 silencing in colon cancer cell lines and CRC
      bearing nude mice were also investigated. RESULTS: Plasma PAI-1 level was higher
      in CRC patients with liver metastasis and correlated with liver metastasis, tumor
      size, differentiation, serosa infiltration, Duke's stage, and lymphatic
      metastasis. PAI-1 protein expression in the CRC tissue of patients with liver
      metastasis was significantly greater than that in those without liver metastasis.
      In addition, the abilities of proliferation, invasion, and migration of CRC cells
      transfected with lentivirus expressing PAI-1 small interfering RNA were reduced
      significantly. Nude mice inoculated with PAI-1 knockdown cells also had fewer
      metastatic nodules in the liver and smaller tumor volumes. CONCLUSION: Plasma PAI
      1 level was increased in CRC patients with liver metastasis, and PAI-1 silencing
      may significantly compromise the malignant behaviors of CRC cells in vitro and in
      vivo. These findings may provide evidence for PAI-1 targeted therapy of CRC.

PMID- 26275834
TI  - Adapted to change: The rapid development of symbiosis in newly settled, fast
      maturing chemosymbiotic mussels in the deep sea.
AB  - Symbioses between microbiota and marine metazoa occur globally at chemosynthetic
      habitats facing imminent threat from anthropogenic disturbance, yet little is
      known concerning the role of symbiosis during early development in chemosymbiotic
      metazoans: a critical period in any benthic species' lifecycle. The emerging
      symbiosis of Idas (sensu lato) simpsoni mussels undergoing development is
      assessed over a post-larval-to-adult size spectrum using histology and
      fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH). Post-larval development shows
      similarities to that of both heterotrophic and chemosymbiotic mussels. Data from
      newly settled specimens confirm aposymbiotic, planktotrophic larval development.
      Sulphur-oxidising (SOX) symbionts subsequently colonise multiple exposed, non
      ciliated epithelia shortly after metamorphosis, but only become abundant on gills
      as these expand with greater host size. This wide-spread bathymodiolin recorded
      from sulphidic wood, bone and cold-seep habitats, displays a suite of adaptive
      traits that could buffer against anthropogenic disturbance. 

PMID- 26275837
TI  - Zinc oxide nanoparticle and bovine serum albumin interaction and nanoparticles
      influence on cytotoxicity in vitro.
AB  - Bovine serum albumin (BSA) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are chosen as a
      model system to investigate NPs-protein corona complex formation. ZnO NPs with
      average size of ~ 20 nm are coated with BSA using covalent and non-covalent
      conjugation at temperatures of 4  degrees C and 20  degrees C. The interaction
      mechanism between ZnO NPs and BSA is studied by using UV-vis absorption,
      fluorescence, synchronous fluorescence and Raman spectroscopy. Raman spectra of
      BSA in the presence of ZnO NPs are registered for the first time and confirm
      decreased alpha-helix content, increased unstructured folding and beta-sheet
      content in BSA structure. The synchronous fluorescence spectra revealed that the
      hydrophobicity of the tyrosine residue is decreased and that of the tryptophan is
      increased. The relation of elucidated changes in BSA structure of BSA-coated ZnO
      NPs cytotoxicity is tested for CHO cell viability and reactive oxygen species
      (ROS) generation in vitro. Covalent and non-covalent binding of BSA to ZnO NPs
      reduces ZnO NPs cytotoxicity and ROS generation, however changes in BSA
      conformation makes corona less protective against ZnO NPs.

PMID- 26275838
TI  - Directed osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cell in three-dimensional
      biodegradable methylcellulose-based scaffolds.
AB  - Development of three-dimensional (3D) biodegradable scaffolds that can accelerate
      mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) osteogenic differentiation is a decisive prerequisite
      for treatment of damaged skeletal tissue. We report herein the preparation of
      methylcellulose-based (MC) scaffolds using carbonyldiimidazole as cross-linking
      agent to produce substrates with specific cross-linking density and porous
      structure, as well as their applications for directing hMSC toward osteoblasts.
      The mechanical properties of the scaffolds were controlled by cross-linking
      density. Human MSCs (hMSCs) seeded on the MC scaffolds have penetrated into the
      pores, and showed high viability (>80%) as revealed by WST assay and Live/Dead
      assay. Moreover, the results of differentiation experiments indicated that hMSCs
      cultured on MC substrates displayed high level of osteogenic differentiation
      marker expression, alkaline phosphatase activity and osteocalcin secretion,
      suggesting that the MC scaffolds can direct hMSC differentiation toward
      osteoblasts without inducer treatment and cross-linking density of MC scaffolds
      have stimulatory effect on inducing differentiation. The 3D MC scaffolds could be
      applicable as promising scaffolds for bone tissue repair. 

PMID- 26275835
TI  - Geometric and featural systems, separable and combined: Evidence from
      reorientation in people with Williams syndrome.
AB  - Spatial reorientation by humans and other animals engages geometric
      representations of surface layouts as well as featural landmarks; however, the
      two types of information are thought to be behaviorally and neurally separable.
      In this paper, we examine the use of these two types of information during
      reorientation among children and adults with Williams syndrome (WS), a genetic
      disorder accompanied by abnormalities in brain regions that support use of both
      geometry and landmarks. Previous studies of reorientation in adolescents and
      adults with WS have shown deficits in the ability to use geometry for
      reorientation, but intact ability to use features, suggesting that the two
      systems can be differentially impaired by genetic disorder. Using a slightly
      modified layout, we found that many WS participants could use geometry, and most
      could use features along with geometry. However, the developmental trajectories
      for the two systems were quite different from one other, and different from those
      found in typical development. Purely geometric responding was not correlated with
      age in WS, and search processes appeared similar to those in typically developing
      (TD) children. In contrast, use of features in combination with geometry was
      correlated with age in WS, and search processes were distinctly different from TD
      children. The results support the view that use of geometry and features stem
      from different underlying mechanisms, that the developmental trajectories and
      operation of each are altered in WS, and that combination of information from the
      two systems is atypical. Given brain abnormalities in regions supporting the two
      kinds of information, our findings suggest that the co-operation of the two
      systems is functionally altered in this genetic syndrome. 

PMID- 26275839
TI  - Molecular-level insights of early-stage prion protein aggregation on mica and
      gold surface determined by AFM imaging and molecular simulation.
AB  - By in situ time-lapse AFM, we investigated early-stage aggregates of PrP formed
      at low concentration (100 ng/mL) on mica and Au(111) surfaces in acetate buffer
      (pH 4.5). Remarkably different PrP assemblies were observed. Oligomeric
      structures of PrP aggregates were observed on mica surface, which was in sharp
      contrast to the multi-layer PrP aggregates yielding parallel linear patterns
      observed Au(111) surface. Combining molecular dynamics and docking simulations,
      PrP monomers, dimers and trimers were revealed as the basic units of the observed
      aggregates. Besides, the mechanisms of the observed PrP aggregations and the
      corresponding molecular-substrate and intermolecular interactions were suggested.
      These interactions involved gold-sulfur interaction, electrostatic interaction,
      hydrophobic interaction, and hydrogen binding interaction. In contrast, the PrP
      aggregates observed in pH 7.2 PBS buffer demonstrated similar large ball-like
      structures on both mica and Au(111) surfaces. The results indicate that the pH of
      a solution and the surface of the system can have strong effects on
      supramolecular assemblies of prion proteins. This study provides in-depth
      understanding on the structural and mechanistic nature of PrP aggregation, and
      can be used to study the aggregation mechanisms of other proteins with similar
      misfolding properties.

PMID- 26275836
TI  - In the name of God: How children and adults judge agents who act for religious
      versus secular reasons.
AB  - Many people are guided by religious beliefs, but judgments of religiously and
      secularly motivated individuals remain unclear. We investigated reasoning about
      religiously versus secularly motivated characters among 5- to 10-year-olds and
      adults. In Study 1, theist and non-theist children reported similar attitudes
      toward theists; however, large differences emerged between theist and non-theist
      adults. Study 2 obtained similar results using a continuous, rather than forced
      choice, measure of preference. Additionally, Studies 2-3 tested two explanations
      for the stronger influence of religious background on adults' versus children's
      responses. Study 2 did not find strong evidence for the theistic majority
      account, which posits that the greater perceived prevalence of theists as
      compared with non-theists influenced children's responses more than adults'
      responses. The results of Study 3 were consistent with the intuition account,
      which argues that non-theist adults had effortfully overridden the teleological
      intuitions that may have influenced children's responses in Studies 1-2 and
      potentially led children to prefer characters whose beliefs were in line with
      children's own intuitions. The degree to which teleological intuitions persisted
      implicitly among adults predicted those adults' pro-theist preferences. These
      findings offer connections between religious judgments and other areas of social
      cognition, such as social preferences and teleology. 

PMID- 26275840
TI  - Oral administration of pH-sensitive curcumin-loaded microparticles for ulcerative
      colitis therapy.
AB  - Oral colon-specific drug delivery is of great interest for ulcerative colitis
      (UC) therapy. Here, an emulsion-solvent evaporation method was used to fabricate
      microparticles (MPs) with pH-sensitive Eudragit S100 (ERS100) and poly(lactide-co
      glycolide) (PLGA), and the MPs were loaded with curcumin (an efficient anti
      inflammatory agent). The resultant spherical MPs had a desirable particle size
      ranging from 1.52 to 1.91 MUm. Their loading efficiency could be regulated by
      changing the weight ratios of ERS100 and PLGA, with some MPs exhibiting loading
      efficiencies over 80%. It was observed that the fast release of curcumin from MPs
      in buffers (pH 1.2 and 6.8) could be significantly decreased by increasing the
      PLGA content. ERS100/PLGA MPs with a weight ratio of 1:2 (MPs-4) were able to
      maintain sustained release of curcumin, releasing ~ 48% of the initial drug load
      at pH 7.2-7.4 during a 20 h-incubation. Most importantly, in vivo experiments
      revealed that orally administered MPs-4 had a superior therapeutic efficiency in
      alleviating colitis in a UC mouse model, compared to curcumin. Collectively, our
      one-step-fabricated curcumin-loaded MPs have the properties of pH-sensitivity,
      controlled drug release and colon targeting, and thus, may hold promise as a
      readily scalable drug carrier for the efficient clinical treatment of UC.

PMID- 26275842
TI  - Normative misperceptions of tobacco use among university students in seven
      European countries: baseline findings of the 'Social Norms Intervention for the
      prevention of Polydrug usE' study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Research conducted in North America suggests that students tend to
      overestimate tobacco use among their peers. This perceived norm may impact
      personal tobacco use. It remains unclear how these perceptions influence tobacco
      use among European students. The two aims were to investigate possible self-other
      discrepancies regarding personal use and attitudes towards use and to evaluate if
      perceptions of peer use and peer approval of use are associated with personal use
      and approval of tobacco use. METHODS: The EU-funded 'Social Norms Intervention
      for the prevention of Polydrug usE' study was conducted in Belgium, Denmark,
      Germany, Slovak Republic, Spain, Turkey and United Kingdom. In total, 4482
      students (71% female) answered an online survey including questions on personal
      and perceived tobacco use and personal and perceived attitudes towards tobacco
      use. RESULTS: Across all countries, the majority of students perceived tobacco
      use of their peers to be higher than their own use. The perception that the
      majority (>50%) of peers used tobacco regularly in the past two months was
      significantly associated with higher odds for personal regular use (OR: 2.66, 95%
      CI: 1.90-3.73). The perception that the majority of peers approve of tobacco use
      was significantly associated with higher odds for personal approval of tobacco
      use (OR: 6.49, 95% CI: 4.54-9.28). CONCLUSIONS: Perceived norms are an important
      predictor of personal tobacco use and attitudes towards use. Interventions
      addressing perceived norms may be a viable method to change attitudes and tobacco
      use among European students, and may be a component of future tobacco control
      policy.

PMID- 26275843
TI  - Playing Tetris decreases drug and other cravings in real world settings.
AB  - Most research on cognitive processes in craving has been carried out in the
      laboratory and focuses on food craving. This study extends laboratory findings to
      real world settings and cravings for drugs or activities as well as food.
      Previous laboratory research has found that playing Tetris reduces craving
      strength. The present study used an ecological momentary assessment protocol in
      which 31 undergraduate participants carried iPods for a week and were prompted 7
      times each day, by SMS message, to use their iPod to report craving. Participants
      reported craving target and strength (0-100), whether they indulged their
      previous craving (yes/no), and whether they were under the influence of alcohol
      (yes/no). Those randomly assigned to the intervention condition (n=15) then
      played Tetris for 3min and reported their craving again. Those in the monitoring
      only control condition (n=16) provided baseline craving data to test if Tetris
      reduced the incidence and strength of spontaneous cravings across the week.
      Playing Tetris decreased craving strength for drugs (alcohol, nicotine,
      caffeine), food and drink, and activities (sex, exercise, gaming), with a mean
      reduction of 13.9 percentage points, effect size f(2)=0.11. This effect was
      consistent across the week. This is the first demonstration that visual cognitive
      interference can be used in the field to reduce cravings for substances and
      activities other than eating. 

PMID- 26275841
TI  - State of the science of health literacy measures: Validity implications for
      minority populations.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To review the evidence supporting the validity of health literacy
      (HL) measures for ethnic minority populations. METHODS: PubMed, CINAHL, and
      PsycINFO databases were searched for HL measures between 1965 and 2013. RESULTS:
      A total of 109HL measures were identified; 37 were non-English HL measures and 72
      were English language measures. Of the 72 English language measures, 17 did not
      specify the racial/ethnic characteristic of their sample. Of the remaining 55
      measures, 10 (18%) did not include blacks, 30 (55%) did not include Hispanics,
      and 35 (64%) did not include Asians in their validation sample. When Hispanic and
      Asian Americans were included, they accounted for small percentages in the
      overall sample. Between 2005-2013, a growing number of REALM and TOFHLA
      translations were identified, and new HL measures for specific
      cultural/linguistic groups within and outside the United States were developed.
      CONCLUSIONS: While there are a growing number of new and translated HL measures
      for minority populations, many existing HL measures have not been properly
      validated for minority groups. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: HL measures that have not
      been properly validated for a given population should be piloted before wider
      use. In addition, improving HL instrument development/validation methods are
      imperative to increase the validity of these measures for minority populations.

PMID- 26275844
TI  - Association between protective behavioral strategies and problem drinking among
      college students in the Republic of Korea.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The literature indicates that protective behavioral strategies (PBS)
      have been effective in addressing problem drinking among college students.
      However, the effects of PBS on problem drinking have not been thoroughly
      investigated among Korean college students. Thus, the two study aims were to (a)
      examine drinking behavior among Korean college students and (b) investigate the
      effects of PBS on problem drinking. METHODS: A pilot study was first conducted to
      obtain information needed to determine a sample size and to examine the
      understandability and reliability of seven instruments. The instruments were then
      used to collect data from full-time college students (N=479). The data were
      analyzed using (a) descriptive statistics such as frequencies and means for the
      first aim and (b) multivariate logistic regression for the second aim. RESULTS:
      Approximately 93% of the respondents had drunk alcohol during the month before
      the survey, and 72.7% were problem drinkers. The use of PBS significantly
      decreased the odds of problem drinking (odds ratio [OR]=0.90 [95% CI, 0.87
      0.93]). In addition, male gender and positive alcohol expectancy were associated
      with increased odds of problem drinking (ORs=3.32 [95% CI, 1.59-6.94] and 1.04
      [95% CI, 1.01-1.08]), whereas greater age of drinking onset was associated with
      decreased odds of problem drinking (OR=0.81 [95% CI, 0.70-0.94]). CONCLUSIONS:
      Given the prevalence of the drinking problem among Korean college students, it is
      important to develop and implement interventions that will encourage students to
      use PBS in order to avoid problem drinking and its negative consequences.

PMID- 26275845
TI  - Estimating the risk of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) death during the
      course of the outbreak in the Republic of Korea, 2015.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: A large cluster of the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) linked
      to healthcare setting occurred from May to July 2015 in the Republic of Korea.
      The present study aimed to estimate the case fatality ratio (CFR) by
      appropriately taking into account the time delay from illness onset to death. We
      then compare our estimate against previously published values of the CFR for
      MERS, i.e., 20% and 40%. METHODS: Dates of illness onset and death of the MERS
      outbreak in the Republic of Korea were extracted from secondary data sources.
      Using the known distribution of time from illness onset to death and an integral
      equation model, we estimated the delay-adjusted risk of MERS death for the South
      Korean cluster. RESULTS: Our most up-to-date estimate of CFR for the MERS
      outbreak in South Korea was estimated at 20.0% (95% confidence intervals (CI):
      14.6, 26.2). During the course of the outbreak, estimate of the CFR in real time
      appeared to have decreased and become significantly lower than 40%. CONCLUSIONS:
      The risk of MERS death in Korea was consistent with published CFR. The estimate
      decreased with time perhaps due to time-dependent increase in case ascertainment.
      Crude ratio of cumulative deaths to cases underestimates the actual risk of MERS
      death because of time delay from illness onset to death.

PMID- 26275846
TI  - Improving imaging to optimize screening strategies for carotid artery stenosis.
AB  - Carotid stenosis is a major risk factor for ischemic stroke. Recently, the United
      States Preventive Services Task Force issued a recommendation against screening
      for carotid stenosis in the general population. There is the potential for
      efficient risk-stratifying or staged screening approaches that identify
      individuals at highest risk for carotid stenosis and stroke, but these tools have
      yet to be proven effective in external validation studies. In this paper, we
      review how medical imaging can be used to detect carotid stenosis and highlight
      several areas that could be improved to identify potentially efficient screening
      strategies for carotid stenosis. 

PMID- 26275847
TI  - The radiological findings of chordoid glioma: report of two cases, one case with
      MR spectroscopy.
AB  - Chordoid glioma is a rare tumor that often originate from the third ventricle. We
      reported two cases of choroid glioma. Although calcification is a rare findings,
      dot-like calcification was present on one case. On contrast images, one case
      demonstrated strong, homogeneous enhancement. On MR spectroscopy (MRS) images,
      the tumor showed high choline (Cho), low N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) and
      Cho/Cr=2.38, NAA/Cr=1.19, NAA/Cr=1.19. This might mimic a low-grade tumour. MRS
      offers additional information and facilitate differential diagnosis for chordoid
      glioma. 

PMID- 26275848
TI  - IRSp53/BAIAP2 in dendritic spine development, NMDA receptor regulation, and
      psychiatric disorders.
AB  - IRSp53 (also known as BAIAP2) is a multi-domain scaffolding and adaptor protein
      that has been implicated in the regulation of membrane and actin dynamics at
      subcellular structures, including filopodia and lamellipodia. Accumulating
      evidence indicates that IRSp53 is an abundant component of the postsynaptic
      density at excitatory synapses and an important regulator of actin-rich dendritic
      spines. In addition, IRSp53 has been implicated in diverse psychiatric disorders,
      including autism spectrum disorders, schizophrenia, and attention
      deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Mice lacking IRSp53 display enhanced NMDA (N
      methyl-d-aspartate) receptor function accompanied by social and cognitive
      deficits, which are reversed by pharmacological suppression of NMDA receptor
      function. These results suggest the hypothesis that defective actin/membrane
      modulation in IRSp53-deficient dendritic spines may lead to social and cognitive
      deficits through NMDA receptor dysfunction. This article is part of the Special
      Issue entitled 'Synaptopathy--from Biology to Therapy'.

PMID- 26275850
TI  - The shifting sands of medico-legal intra-partum Ctg (I-P Ctg) monitoring.
AB  - Intra-partum (IP) surveillance of the unborn child by cardiotacography (CTG)
      monitoring is the commonest obstetric procedure in the developed world.(1) It is
      also the most medico-legally contested obstetric procedure in labour. In 2011,
      'birth asphyxia' comprised 50% of the UK National Health Service (NHS) litigation
      costs,(2) and in the 2000-2010 decade, the same NHS paid out L3.1 billion for
      maternity medico-legal claims (the highest of any speciality), mostly involving
      cerebral palsy and CTG misinterpretation.(3) This article looks at a number of
      characteristics of IP CTG monitoring which argue for its questionable solidity of
      base in court proceedings. 

PMID- 26275851
TI  - The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service: Modernising fitness to practise
      adjudication.

PMID- 26275852
TI  - Genetic variability of porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2) field isolates from vaccinated
      and non-vaccinated pig herds in Germany.
AB  - Porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2) is responsible for a wide range of associated
      diseases (PCVD) affecting swine production worldwide. Highly efficient commercial
      vaccines induce protective immunity, but PCV2 is still circulating in vaccinated
      farms. Thus, and because of the virus high mutation rate, recent findings provide
      concerns about PCV2 strains capable to escape vaccination. Based on 2156 samples
      from individual pigs of 315 herds from Germany we describe a high effectivity of
      vaccination between 2008 and the third quarter of 2011. In this period, virus
      load dropped continuously and at the end of this period it hardly reached the
      limit of quantification. Thereafter, virus loads re-increased, although most of
      the herds were still vaccinated. Sixty-two randomly selected samples from
      vaccinated (n=28) and non-vaccinated (n=26) herds between 2008 and 2012 were
      completely sequenced. As compared to the PCV2b reference sequence 259
      polymorphisms were detected. Polymorhisms were analysed for associations to
      vaccination status, genotype (PCV2a/PCV2b), and virus load. PCV2a sequences were
      significantly repelled by PCV2b. One SNP at position 1182 (g.1182G>T), involved
      in capsid epitope formation, was significantly associated with the PCV2 genotype
      (2a/2b). Moreover, this SNP was affected by vaccination, with effects on allele
      frequencies and viral load, independent from the PCV2 genotype (2a/2b). We
      conclude that there is indeed evidence for a selectional impact of vaccination on
      the PCV2 sequence, especially on nucleotides involved in epitope formation. Such
      variation might be responsible for the observed re-increase of PCV2-loads in
      samples from the end of 2011 in Germany. 

PMID- 26275849
TI  - Histamine and the striatum.
AB  - The neuromodulator histamine is released throughout the brain during periods of
      wakefulness. Combined with an abundant expression of histamine receptors, this
      suggests potential widespread histaminergic control of neural circuit activity.
      However, the effect of histamine on many of these circuits is unknown. In this
      review we will discuss recent evidence for histaminergic modulation of the basal
      ganglia circuitry, and specifically its main input nucleus; the striatum.
      Furthermore, we will discuss recent findings of histaminergic dysfunction in
      several basal ganglia disorders, including in Parkinson's disease and most
      prominently, in Tourette's syndrome, which has led to a resurgence of interest in
      this neuromodulator. Combined, these recent observations not only suggest a
      central role for histamine in modulating basal ganglia activity and behaviour,
      but also as a possible target in treating basal ganglia disorders. This article
      is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Histamine Receptors'.

PMID- 26275853
TI  - Zoonotic risks from small ruminants.
AB  - Zoonoses are infections that spread naturally between species (sometimes by a
      vector) from animals to other animal species or to humans or from humans to
      animals. Most of the zoonoses diagnosed in sheep and goats are transmitted by
      close contact of man with these animals and are, more often, occupational
      diseases that principally affect breeders, veterinarians and/or slaughterhouse
      workers. Some other diseases have an airborne transmission and affect the
      population in the vicinity of sheep/goat farms. Due to the fact that small
      ruminants are almost the only remaining animals which are migrating in
      industrialised countries, there is a severe risk for transmitting the diseases.
      Some other zoonotic diseases are foodborne diseases, which are mainly transmitted
      from animals to humans and to other animal species by contaminated food and
      water. Within the last decade central Europe was threatened by some new
      infections, e.g., bluetongue disease and schmallenberg disease, which although
      not of zoonotic interest, are caused by pathogens transmitted by vectors. Causal
      agents of both diseases have found highly effective indigenous vectors. In the
      future, climate change may possibly modify conditions for the vectors and
      influence their distribution and competence. By this, other vector-borne zoonotic
      infections may propagate into former disease free countries. Changes in human
      behaviour in consummation and processing of food, in animal housing and
      management may also influence future risks for zoonosis. Monitoring, prevention
      and control measures are proposed to limit further epidemics and to enable the
      containment of outbreaks. Measures depend mainly on the damage evoked or
      anticipated by the disease, the local situation, and the epidemiology of the
      zoonoses, the presence of the infective agent in wild and other animals, as well
      as the resistance of the causal microorganisms in the environment and the
      possibility to breed sheep and goats which are resistant to specific infections.
      In this review, the clinical signs in animals and humans of the main sheep and
      goat zoonoses, as well as the transmission route and the control measures are
      reported. Brucellosis, chlamydophilosis, Q fever, Orf, Rift valley fever and
      Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy are described in greater detail, in order to
      determine factors that contribute to the choice of the control strategies. 

PMID- 26275854
TI  - Diagnostic pathology in microbial diseases of sheep or goats.
AB  - Post-mortem examination is a key step in the diagnostic process of infectious
      diseases in sheep and goats. Diagnostic pathology deals with identification and
      study of lesions, at the same time providing also significant clues regarding
      pathogenesis of the diseases. This article reviews the salient pathological
      findings associated with the most significant infectious diseases of sheep and
      goats present in countries where small ruminants are a relevant agricultural
      industry. Lesions are reviewed according to the different organ systems where
      they occur. Emphasis has been given in the description of the salient lesional
      patterns than can be identified in each organ and which can be of help in the
      differential diagnosis of the lesions caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi or
      prions. Finally, a review of the usefulness of ancillary tests that may be used
      on various tissue samples for performing an aetiological diagnosis, is included;
      the application of various techniques, from immunohistochemistry to molecular
      biology-based tests, is described. 

PMID- 26275855
TI  - Fusion to a highly stable consensus albumin binding domain allows for tunable
      pharmacokinetics.
AB  - A number of classes of proteins have been engineered for high stability using
      consensus sequence design methods. Here we describe the engineering of a novel
      albumin binding domain (ABD) three-helix bundle protein. The resulting engineered
      ABD molecule, called ABDCon, is expressed at high levels in the soluble fraction
      of Escherichia coli and is highly stable, with a melting temperature of 81.5
      degrees C. ABDCon binds human, monkey and mouse serum albumins with affinity as
      high as 61 pM. The solution structure of ABDCon is consistent with the three
      helix bundle design and epitope mapping studies enabled a precise definition of
      the albumin binding interface. Fusion of a 10 kDa scaffold protein to ABDCon
      results in a long terminal half-life of 60 h in mice and 182 h in cynomolgus
      monkeys. To explore the link between albumin affinity and in vivo exposure,
      mutations were designed at the albumin binding interface of ABDCon yielding
      variants that span an 11 000-fold range in affinity. The PK properties of five
      such variants were determined in mice in order to demonstrate the tunable nature
      of serum half-life, exposure and clearance with variations in albumin binding
      affinity. 

PMID- 26275856
TI  - Assessing the prediction fidelity of ancestral reconstruction by a library
      approach.
AB  - Ancestral reconstruction is a powerful tool for studying protein evolution as
      well as for protein design and engineering. However, in many positions
      alternative predictions with relatively high marginal probabilities exist, and
      thus the prediction comprises an ensemble of near-ancestor sequences that relate
      to the historical ancestor. The ancestral phenotype should therefore be explored
      for the entire ensemble, rather than for the sequence comprising the most
      probable amino acid at all positions [the most probable ancestor (mpa)]. To this
      end, we constructed libraries that sample ensembles of near-ancestor sequences.
      Specifically, we identified positions where alternatively predicted amino acids
      are likely to affect the ancestor's structure and/or function. Using the serum
      paraoxonases (PONs) enzyme family as a test case, we constructed libraries that
      combinatorially sample these alternatives. We next characterized these libraries,
      reflecting the vertebrate and mammalian PON ancestors. We found that the mpa of
      vertebrate PONs represented only one out of many different enzymatic phenotypes
      displayed by its ensemble. The mammalian ancestral library, however, exhibited a
      homogeneous phenotype that was well represented by the mpa. Our library design
      strategy that samples near-ancestor ensembles at potentially critical positions
      therefore provides a systematic way of examining the robustness of inferred
      ancestral phenotypes. 

PMID- 26275857
TI  - Regulating the surface poly(ethylene glycol) density of polymeric nanoparticles
      and evaluating its role in drug delivery in vivo.
AB  - Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) is usually used to protect nanoparticles from rapid
      clearance in blood. The effects are highly dependent on the surface PEG density
      of nanoparticles. However, there lacks a detailed and informative study in PEG
      density and in vivo drug delivery due to the critical techniques to precisely
      control the surface PEG density when maintaining other nano-properties. Here, we
      regulated the polymeric nanoparticles' size and surface PEG density by
      incorporating poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) homopolymer into poly(ethylene
      glycol)-block-poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PEG-PCL) and adjusting the mass ratio
      of PCL to PEG-PCL during the nanoparticles preparation. We further developed a
      library of polymeric nanoparticles with different but controllable sizes and
      surface PEG densities by changing the molecular weight of the PCL block in PEG
      PCL and tuning the molar ratio of repeating units of PCL (CL) to that of PEG
      (EG). We thus obtained a group of nanoparticles with variable surface PEG
      densities but with other nano-properties identical, and investigated the effects
      of surface PEG densities on the biological behaviors of nanoparticles in mice. We
      found that, high surface PEG density made the nanoparticles resistant to
      absorption of serum protein and uptake by macrophages, leading to a greater
      accumulation of nanoparticles in tumor tissue, which recuperated the defects of
      decreased internalization by tumor cells, resulting in superior antitumor
      efficacy when carrying docetaxel. 

PMID- 26275858
TI  - Pharmaceutical inhibition of glycogen synthetase kinase 3 beta suppresses wear
      debris-induced osteolysis.
AB  - Aseptic loosening is associated with the development of wear debris-induced peri
      implant osteolytic bone disease caused by an increased osteoclastic bone
      resorption and decreased osteoblastic bone formation. However, no effective
      measures for the prevention and treatment of peri-implant osteolysis currently
      exist. The aim of this study was to determine whether lithium chloride (LiCl), a
      selective inhibitor of glycogen synthetase kinase 3 beta (GSK-3beta), mitigates
      wear debris-induced osteolysis in a murine calvarial model of osteolysis. GSK
      3beta is activated by titanium (Ti) particles, and implantation of Ti particles
      on the calvarial surface in C57BL/6 mice resulted in osteolysis caused by an
      increase in the number of osteoclasts and a decrease in the number of
      osteoblasts. Mice implanted with Ti particles were gavage-fed LiCl (50 or 200 mg
      kg(-1)d(-1)), 6 days per week for 2 weeks. The LiCl treatment significantly
      inhibited GSK-3beta activity and increased beta-catenin and axin-2 expression in
      a dose-dependent manner, dramatically mitigating the Ti particle-induced
      suppression of osteoblast numbers and the expression of bone formation markers.
      Finally, we demonstrated that inhibition of GSK-3beta suppresses osteoclast
      differentiation and reduces the severity of Ti particle-induced osteolysis. The
      results of this study indicate that Ti particle-induced osteolysis is partly
      dependent on GSK-3beta and, therefore, the canonical Wnt signaling pathway. This
      suggests that selective inhibitors of GSK-3beta such as LiCl may help prevent and
      treat wear debris-induced osteolysis. 

PMID- 26275859
TI  - A novel CX3CR1 antagonist eluting stent reduces stenosis by targeting
      inflammation.
AB  - We evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of a novel drug eluting stent (DES)
      inhibiting inflammation and smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation. We identified
      CX3CR1 as a targetable receptor for prevention of monocyte adhesion and
      inflammation and in-stent neointimal hyperplasia without interfering with stent
      re-endothelization. Efficacy of AZ12201182 (AZ1220), a CX3CR1 antagonist was
      evaluated in inhibition of monocyte attachment in vitro. A prototype AZ1220
      eluting PLGA-based polymer coated stent developed with an optimal elution profile
      and dose of 1 MUM/stent was tested over 4 weeks in a porcine model of coronary
      artery stenting. Polymer coated stents without AZ1220 and bare metal stents were
      used as controls. AZ1220 inhibited monocyte attachment to CX3CL1 in a dose
      dependent manner. AZ1220 eluted from polymer coated stents in an ex vivo flow
      system retained bioactivity in inhibiting monocyte attachment to CX3CL1. At 4
      weeks following deployment, AZ1220 eluting stents significantly reduced (~60%) in
      stent stenosis compared to both bare metal and polymer only coated stents and
      markedly reduced peri-stent inflammation and monocyte/macrophage accumulation
      without affecting re-endothelization. Anti-CX3CR1 drug eluting stents potently
      inhibited in-stent stenosis and may offer an alternative to mTOR targeting by
      current DES, specifically inhibiting polymer-induced inflammatory response and
      SMC proliferation, while retaining an equivalent re-endothelization response to
      bare metal stents. 

PMID- 26275861
TI  - Extension of a dynamic headspace multi-volatile method to milliliter injection
      volumes with full sample evaporation: Application to green tea.
AB  - An extension of multi-volatile method (MVM) technology using the combination of a
      standard dynamic headspace (DHS) configuration, and a modified DHS configuration
      incorporating an additional vacuum module, was developed for milliliter injection
      volume of aqueous sample with full sample evaporation. A prior step involved
      investigation of water management by weighing of the water residue in the
      adsorbent trap. The extended MVM for 1 mL aqueous sample consists of five
      different DHS method parameter sets including choice of the replaceable adsorbent
      trap. An initial two DHS sampling sets at 25 degrees C with the standard DHS
      configuration using a carbon-based adsorbent trap target very volatile solutes
      with high vapor pressure (>10 kPa) and volatile solutes with moderate vapor
      pressure (1-10 kPa). Subsequent three DHS sampling sets at 80 degrees C with the
      modified DHS configuration using a Tenax TA trap target solutes with low vapor
      pressure (<1 kPa) and/or hydrophilic characteristics. After the five sequential
      DHS samplings using the same HS vial, the five traps are sequentially desorbed
      with thermal desorption in reverse order of the DHS sampling and the desorbed
      compounds are trapped and concentrated in a programmed temperature vaporizing
      (PTV) inlet and subsequently analyzed in a single GC-MS run. Recoveries of 21
      test aroma compounds in 1 mL water for each separate DHS sampling and the
      combined MVM procedure were evaluated as a function of vapor pressure in the
      range of 0.000088-120 kPa. The MVM procedure provided high recoveries (>88%) for
      17 test aroma compounds and moderate recoveries (44-71%) for 4 test compounds.
      The method showed good linearity (r(2)>0.9913) and high sensitivity (limit of
      detection: 0.1-0.5 ng mL(-1)) even with MS scan mode. The improved sensitivity of
      the method was demonstrated with analysis of a wide variety of aroma compounds in
      brewed green tea. Compared to the original 100 MUL MVM procedure, this extension
      to 1 mL MVM allowed detection of nearly twice the number of aroma compounds,
      including 18 potent aroma compounds from top-note to base-note (e.g. 2,3
      butanedione, coumarin, furaneol, guaiacol, cis-3-hexenol, linalool, maltol,
      methional, 3-methyl butanal, 2,3,5-trimethyl pyrazine, and vanillin). Sensitivity
      for 23 compounds improved by a factor of 3.4-15 under 1 mL MVM conditions.

PMID- 26275860
TI  - Dragon fruit-like biocage as an iron trapping nanoplatform for high efficiency
      targeted cancer multimodality imaging.
AB  - Natural biopolymer based multifunctional nanomaterials are perfect candidates for
      multimodality imaging and therapeutic applications. Conventional methods of
      building multimodal imaging probe require either cross-linking manners to
      increase its in vivo stability or attach a target module to realize targeted
      imaging. In this study, the intrinsic photoacoustic signals and the native strong
      chelating properties with metal ions of melanin nanoparticle (MNP), and
      transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1) targeting ability of apoferritin (APF) was employed
      to construct an efficient nanoplatform (AMF) without tedious assembling process.
      Smart APF shell significantly increased metal ions loading (molar ratio of 1:800,
      APF/Fe(3+)) and therefore improved magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sensitivity.
      Moreover, synergistic use of Fe(3+) and APF contributed to high photoacounstic
      imaging (PAI) sensitivity. AMF showed excellent bio-stability and presented good
      in vivo multimodality imaging (PET/MRI/PAI) properties (good tumor uptake, high
      specificity and high tumor contrast) in HT29 tumor because of its targeting
      property combined with the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect,
      making it promising in theranostics and translational nanomedicine. 

PMID- 26275862
TI  - Analytical methods in sphingolipidomics: Quantitative and profiling approaches in
      food analysis.
AB  - In recent years, sphingolipidomics has emerged as an interesting omic science
      that encompasses the study of the full sphingolipidome characterization, content,
      structure and activity in cells, tissues or organisms. Like other omics, it has
      the potential to impact biomarker discovery, drug development and systems biology
      knowledge. Concretely, dietary food sphingolipids have gained considerable
      importance due to their extensively reported bioactivity. Because of the
      complexity of this lipid family and their diversity among foods, powerful
      analytical methodologies are needed for their study. The analytical tools
      developed in the past have been improved with the enormous advances made in
      recent years in mass spectrometry (MS) and chromatography, which allow the
      convenient and sensitive identification and quantitation of sphingolipid classes
      and form the basis of current sphingolipidomics methodologies. In addition, novel
      hyphenated nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) strategies, new ionization
      strategies, and MS imaging are outlined as promising technologies to shape the
      future of sphingolipid analyses. This review traces the analytical methods of
      sphingolipidomics in food analysis concerning sample extraction, chromatographic
      separation, the identification and quantification of sphingolipids by MS and
      their structural elucidation by NMR. 

PMID- 26275863
TI  - Study of retention and peak shape in hydrophilic interaction chromatography over
      a wide pH range.
AB  - Retention factor and column efficiency measurements were made for 14 test
      compounds comprising acids, bases and neutrals on two pairs of amide and bare
      silica HILIC columns, each pair obtained from a different manufacturer. The
      columns were tested with up to 6 different mobile phases with acetonitrile-water
      containing formic (FA), trifluoroacetic (TFA), heptafluorobutyric acids (HFBA)
      and ammonium salt buffers at w(w)pH 3, 6 and 9. Measurements of mobile phase pH
      in water (w(w)pH) and in the aqueous-organic mixture (w(s)pH) were performed, and
      calculations of ionic strength made, in order to aid interpretation of the
      chromatographic results. Stronger acids like TFA produced very different
      selectivity compared with ammonium formate buffers at similar aqueous pH. On a
      given column using TFA as additive, the retention of strongly acidic solutes was
      considerably increased relative to that of bases. Some bases even showed
      exclusion on both amide, and on a hybrid silica column. Conversely, in ammonium
      formate buffers of similar aqueous pH, bases had increased retention compared
      with acids, particularly on the bare silica columns. This result can be
      attributed to the higher pH of the salt buffers when measured in the aqueous
      organic phase and interaction with negatively charged silanols. It is possible
      that the silica surface becomes positively charged at the low pH of TFA, leading
      to anion exchange properties that become competitive with the cation exchange
      properties normally attributed to silanol dissociation, although other
      explanations of these results are possible. Very marked selectivity differences
      were obtained by use of TFA in the mobile phase. Useful selectivity differences
      may also be obtained with salt buffers at different pH if the use of TFA is not
      desired due to its relatively unfavourable properties in mass spectrometry. 

PMID- 26275865
TI  - High incidence of metabolic syndrome further increases cardiovascular risk in
      patients with type 2 diabetes. Implications for everyday practice.

PMID- 26275864
TI  - Diabetes mellitus and cancer of the digestive organs: An Italian population-based
      cohort study.
AB  - AIMS: The association between diabetes mellitus and the occurrence of digestive
      organs cancers was investigated in the Italian region Friuli Venezia Giulia. The
      risk of cancer associated with oral antidiabetic drugs among subjects with type 2
      diabetes was also assessed. METHODS: This was a retrospective population-based
      cohort study based on the 2002-2014 regional administrative health data. Incident
      digestive cancers were identified through the hospital discharge diagnoses. The
      incidence rates of cancer at different sites were calculated for type 1 and 2
      diabetics and for non-diabetics. Proportional hazard models were built to assess
      the risk of cancer associated with diabetes and antidiabetic drugs. RESULTS:
      Diabetes was associated with increased risk of digestive cancers. Liver and
      pancreatic cancers were associated with the highest hazard ratios. Among type 2
      diabetics, total number of metformin prescriptions was associated with reduced
      risk of most types of digestive cancers; sulfonylureas with reduced risk of
      stomach and pancreatic cancer. CONCLUSIONS: In this Italian population the excess
      risk of digestive cancers for diabetic patients was confirmed. Further research
      is needed to clarify the role of antidiabetic drugs.

PMID- 26275866
TI  - Synthesis, biological evaluation, and docking studies of novel thiourea
      derivatives of bisindolylmethane as carbonic anhydrase II inhibitor.
AB  - This article describes discovery of 29 novel bisindolylmethanes consisting of
      thiourea moiety, which had been synthesized through three steps. These novel
      bisindolylmethane derivatives evaluated for their potential inhibitory activity
      against carbonic anhydrase (CA) II. The results for in vitro assay of carbonic
      anhydrase II inhibition activity showed that some of the compounds are capable of
      suppressing the activity of carbonic anhydrase II. Bisindoles having halogen at
      fifth position showed better inhibitory activity as compared to unsubstituted
      bisindoles. Derivatives showing inhibition activity docked to further, understand
      the binding behavior of these compounds with carbonic anhydrase II. Docking
      studies for the active compound 3j showed that nitro substituent at para position
      fits into the core of the active site. The nitro substituent of compound 3j is
      capable of interacting with Zn ion. This interaction believed to be the main
      factor causing inhibition activity to take place. 

PMID- 26275867
TI  - Incidental diagnosis of HLRCC following investigation for Asperger Syndrome:
      actionable and actioned.
AB  - Incidental findings are inevitable as clinical research and practice transitions
      from a single gene approach to a genomic approach. A novel deletion of the
      Fumarate Hydratase (FH) gene was identified in a 22 year old male who underwent a
      molecular karyotype as part of an autism spectrum disorder research project. This
      unexpected result implies a predisposition to Hereditary Leiomyomatosis and Renal
      Cell Cancer (HLRCC), a rare, autosomal dominant condition and has unforeseen
      implications for him and his family. We review the typical features and
      management of HLRCC and discuss the challenges that face health professionals, as
      genetic testing advances and becomes more accessible.

PMID- 26275870
TI  - Role of Solvent Dynamics in Photoinduced Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer in a
      Phenol-Amine Complex in Solution.
AB  - Photoinduced proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) plays an essential role in a
      wide range of energy conversion processes. Previous experiments on a phenol-amine
      complex in solution provided evidence of an electron-proton transfer (EPT)
      excited state characterized by both intramolecular charge transfer and proton
      transfer from the phenol to the amine. Herein we analyze hundreds of surface
      hopping trajectories to investigate the role of solvent dynamics following
      photoexcitation to the EPT state. This solvent dynamics leads to a significant
      decrease in the energy gap between the ground and EPT states, thereby
      facilitating decay to the ground state, and generates an electrostatic
      environment conducive to proton transfer on the EPT state. In addition to solvent
      reorganization, the geometrical properties at the hydrogen-bonding interface must
      be suitable to allow proton transfer. These mechanistic insights elucidate the
      underlying fundamental physical principles of photoinduced PCET processes. 

PMID- 26275868
TI  - Long-term outcome of sporadic and FAP-associated desmoid tumors treated with high
      dose selective estrogen receptor modulators and sulindac: a single-center long
      term observational study in 134 patients.
AB  - Aim of this study is to evaluate the outcome of long-term conservative treatment
      with sulindac and high-dose selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) for
      sporadic and FAP-associated desmoid tumors. Desmoids are very rare tumors in the
      general population but occur frequently in FAP patients, being encountered in 23
      38 %. Treatment of desmoids is still most controversial since response cannot be
      predicted and they are prone to develop recurrence. This study included all
      desmoid patients that were treated and followed at our institution and had
      completed at least 1 year of treatment. Response was defined as stable size or
      regression of desmoid size between two CT or MRI scans. A total of 134 patients
      were included. 64 (47.8 %) patients had a confirmed diagnosis of FAP, 69 (51.5 %)
      patients were sporadic. Overall 114 (85.1 %) patients showed regressive or stable
      desmoid size. Patients with previous history of multiple desmoid-related
      surgeries showed less-favorable response. The mean time to reach at least stable
      size was 14.9 (+/-9.1) months. After regression or stabilization, medication was
      tapered in 69 (60.5 %) of the treated patients with only one long-term recurrence
      after >10 years. The results of this study fortify the role of sulindac and high
      dose SERMs as an effective and safe treatment for both, sporadic and FAP
      associated desmoid tumors. While invasive treatment frequently results in high
      recurrence rates, high morbidity and high mortality, this conservative treatment
      is successful in most patients. The recurrence rate is negligible with no desmoid
      related mortality in this large series. Therefore surgical resection, especially
      for mesenteric desmoids, should be deferred favoring this convincingly effective,
      well tolerated regimen.

PMID- 26275869
TI  - Psychiatrists' Perceptions of World of Warcraft and Other MMORPGs.
AB  - Video game use, particularly massively-multiplayer online games (MMOs) and
      massively-multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs), has been a focus of
      considerable research in recent years. However, little is known regarding how
      mental health workers perceive patients and clients who report playing them. The
      present study examines whether psychiatrists play MMOs/MMORPGs and how they
      perceive those who play them. Psychiatrists (N = 48) at a tertiary care centre in
      Canada completed a questionnaire assessing history of playing video games as well
      as whether they associate such use with psychopathology. Only 36.7 % believed
      there was an association between psychopathology and MMO/MMORPG use. Implications
      for clinical practice and future research are discussed.

PMID- 26275871
TI  - Rapid Adjustment of Circadian Clocks to Simulated Travel to Time Zones across the
      Globe.
AB  - Daily rhythms in mammalian physiology and behavior are generated by a central
      pacemaker located in the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN), the timing of
      which is set by light from the environment. When the ambient light-dark cycle is
      shifted, as occurs with travel across time zones, the SCN and its output rhythms
      must reset or re-entrain their phases to match the new schedule-a sluggish
      process requiring about 1 day per hour shift. Using a global assay of circadian
      resetting to 6 equidistant time-zone meridians, we document this
      characteristically slow and distance-dependent resetting of Syrian hamsters under
      typical laboratory lighting conditions, which mimic summer day lengths. The
      circadian pacemaker, however, is additionally entrainable with respect to its
      waveform (i.e., the shape of the 24-h oscillation) allowing for tracking of
      seasonally varying day lengths. We here demonstrate an unprecedented, light
      exposure-based acceleration in phase resetting following 2 manipulations of
      circadian waveform. Adaptation of circadian waveforms to long winter nights (8 h
      light, 16 h dark) doubled the shift response in the first 3 days after the shift.
      Moreover, a bifurcated waveform induced by exposure to a novel 24-h light-dark
      light-dark cycle permitted nearly instant resetting to phase shifts from 4 to 12
      h in magnitude, representing a 71% reduction in the mismatch between the activity
      rhythm and the new photocycle. Thus, a marked enhancement of phase shifting can
      be induced via nonpharmacological, noninvasive manipulation of the circadian
      pacemaker waveform in a model species for mammalian circadian rhythmicity. Given
      the evidence of conserved flexibility in the human pacemaker waveform, these
      findings raise the promise of flexible resetting applicable to circadian
      disruption in shift workers, frequent time-zone travelers, and any individual
      forced to adjust to challenging schedules.

PMID- 26275873
TI  - Epithelial Cell Death and Inflammation in Skin.
AB  - The presence of dying cells in inflamed tissues has been recognized since many
      years, but until recently cell death was considered primarily a consequence of
      inflammation. Recent data in mouse models suggest that cell death could provide a
      potent trigger of inflammation. The identification of necroptosis as a new type
      of regulated necrotic cell death that is induced by death receptors, toll like
      receptors and type I interferon receptor indicated that necroptosis could
      contribute to the proinflammatory properties of these receptors. This is
      particularly relevant to the skin, a tissue that provides a life-sustaining
      structural and immunological barrier with the environment and is constantly
      exposed to mechanical, chemical, and microbial insults. Studies in mouse models
      showed that sensitization of keratinocytes to apoptosis or necroptosis triggered
      by TNF and other stimuli causes severe chronic inflammatory skin lesions. In
      addition, keratinocyte death is a prominent histopathological feature of many
      inflammatory skin diseases, suggesting that death of epithelial cells could
      contribute to the pathogenesis of skin inflammation . Here we review recent
      studies in genetic mouse models providing evidence that keratinocyte death is a
      potent trigger of skin inflammation and discuss their potential relevance for
      human inflammatory skin diseases.

PMID- 26275872
TI  - Changes in presepsin concentrations in surgical patients with end-stage kidney
      disease undergoing living kidney transplantation: a pilot study.
AB  - Presepsin is a useful marker for differentiating sepsis from non-infection
      related systemic inflammatory response syndrome. There are data describing
      elevated presepsin concentrations in patients with kidney dysfunction even in the
      absence of sepsis, but corresponding data for patients with end-stage kidney
      disease (ESKD) undergoing living kidney transplantation (LKT) are lacking. We
      investigated the changes in presepsin concentrations in this patient group in
      order to elucidate any relationship with renal function. Written informed consent
      was obtained from patients with ESKD requiring hemodialysis who underwent LKT
      from June 2014 through March 2015 at Hirosaki University Hospital. Patients with
      obvious signs of infection were excluded. Perioperative presepsin and
      procalcitonin concentrations were measured before induction of anesthesia, on
      admission to the intensive care unit after surgery, and on postoperative day
      (POD) 1 and POD 2. Preoperative presepsin concentration was markedly higher than
      the upper limit of normal in patients with ESKD (1252 +/- 451 pg/mL). Presepsin
      concentrations consistently decreased after LKT. Moreover, presepsin
      concentration was strongly correlated with serum creatinine (r (2) = 0.72, n =
      24, p < 0.001). These data suggest that the kidney clearly plays an important
      role in the metabolism and excretion of presepsin. 

PMID- 26275874
TI  - Roles of the NF-kappaB Pathway in B-Lymphocyte Biology.
AB  - NF-kappaB was originally identified as a family of transcription factors that
      bind the enhancer of the immunoglobulin kappa light-chain gene. Although its
      function in the regulation of immunoglobulin kappa light-chain gene remains
      unclear, NF-kappaB plays critical roles in development, survival, and activation
      of B lymphocytes. In B cells, many receptors, including B-cell antigen receptor
      (BCR), activate NF-kappaB pathway, and the molecular mechanism of receptor
      mediated activation of IkappaB kinase (IKK) complex has been partially revealed.
      In addition to normal B lymphocytes, NF-kappaB is also involved in the growth of
      some types of B-cell lymphomas, and many oncogenic mutations involved in
      constitutive activation of the NF-kappaB pathway were recently identified in such
      cancers. In this review, we first summarize the function of NF-kappaB in B-cell
      development and activation, and then describe recent progress in understanding
      the molecular mechanism of receptor-mediated activation of the IKK complex,
      focusing on the roles of the ubiquitin system. In the last section, we describe
      oncogenic mutations that induce NF-kappaB activation in B-cell lymphoma. 

PMID- 26275875
TI  - MAP Kinase Cascades in Antigen Receptor Signaling and Physiology.
AB  - Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) play roles in a cell type and context
      dependent manner to convert extracellular stimuli to a variety of cellular
      responses, thereby directing cells to proliferation, differentiation, survival,
      apoptosis, and migration. Studies of genetically engineered mice or chemical
      inhibitors specific to each MAPK signaling pathway revealed that MAPKs have
      various, but non-redundant physiologically important roles among different
      families. MAPK cascades are obviously integrated in the B cell receptor signaling
      pathways as critical components to drive B cell-mediated immunity. 

PMID- 26275876
TI  - New species of Ophiostomatales from Scolytinae and Platypodinae beetles in the
      Cape Floristic Region, including the discovery of the sexual state of Raffaelea.
AB  - Olea capensis and Rapanea melanophloeos are important canopy trees in South
      African Afromontane forests. Dying or recently dead individuals of these trees
      are often infested by Scolytinae and Platypodinae (Curculionidae) beetles. Fungi
      were isolated from the surfaces of beetles emerging from wood samples and their
      galleries. Based on micro-morphological and phylogenetic analyses, four fungal
      species in the Ophiostomatales were isolated. These were Sporothrix pallida and
      three taxa here newly described as Sporothrix aemulophila sp. nov., Raffaelea
      vaginata sp. nov. and Raffaelea rapaneae sp. nov. This study represents the first
      collection of S. pallida, a species known from many environmental samples from
      across the world, from Scolytinae beetles. S. aemulophila sp. nov. is an
      associate of the ambrosia beetle Xyleborinus aemulus. R. rapaneae sp. nov. and R.
      vaginata sp. nov. were associated with a Lanurgus sp. and Platypodinae beetle,
      respectively, and represent the first Raffaelea spp. reported from the Cape
      Floristic Region. Of significance is that R. vaginata produced a sexual state
      analogous with those of Ophiostoma seticolle and O. deltoideosporum that also
      grouped in our analyses in Raffaelea s. str., to date considered an asexual
      genus. The morphology of the ossiform ascospores and anamorphs of the three
      species corresponded and the generic circumscription of Raffaelea is thus emended
      to accommodate sexual states. The two known species are provided with new
      combinations, namely Raffaelea seticollis (R.W. Davidson) Z.W. de Beer and T.A.
      Duong comb. nov. and Raffaelea deltoideospora (Olchow. and J. Reid) Z.W. de Beer
      and T.A. Duong comb. nov.

PMID- 26275877
TI  - Acetate kinase-an enzyme of the postulated phosphoketolase pathway in
      Methylomicrobium alcaliphilum 20Z.
AB  - Recombinant acetate kinase (AcK) was obtained from the aerobic haloalkalitolerant
      methanotroph Methylomicrobium alcaliphilum 20Z by heterologous expression in
      Escherichia coli and purification by affinity chromatography. The substrate
      specificity, the kinetics and oligomeric state of the His6-tagged AcK were
      determined. The M. alcaliphilum AcK (2 * 45 kDa) catalyzed the reversible
      phosphorylation of acetate into acetyl phosphate and exhibited a dependence on
      Mg(2+) or Mn(2+) ions and strong specificity to ATP/ADP. The enzyme showed the
      maximal activity and high stability at 70  degrees C. AcK was 20-fold more active
      in the reaction of acetate synthesis compared to acetate phosphorylation and had
      a higher affinity to acetyl phosphate (K m 0.11 mM) than to acetate (K m 5.6 mM).
      The k cat /K m ratios indicated that the enzyme had a remarkably high catalytic
      efficiency for acetate and ATP formation (k cat/K m = 1.7 * 10(6)) compared to
      acetate phosphorylation (k cat/K m = 2.5 * 10(3)). The ack gene of M.
      alcaliphilum 20Z was shown to be co-transcribed with the xfp gene encoding
      putative phosphoketolase. The Blast analysis revealed the ack and xfp genes in
      most genomes of the sequenced aerobic methanotrophs, as well as methylotrophic
      bacteria not growing on methane. The distribution and metabolic role of the
      postulated phosphoketolase shunted glycolytic pathway in aerobic C1-utilizing
      bacteria is discussed.

PMID- 26275878
TI  - ApaL1 urokinase and Taq1 vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms in first-stone
      formers, recurrent stone formers, and controls in a Caucasian population.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to determine differences in genotype distribution
      and allele frequency of urokinase and vitamin D receptor (VDR) single nucleotide
      polymorphisms (SNPs) between first-stone formers, recurrent stone formers, and
      controls in a Caucasian population. A total of 86 first-stone formers, 78
      recurrent stone formers, and 167 controls were included. Urokinase and VDR SNPs
      were tested by gene amplification followed by ApaL1 and Taq1 endonuclease
      digestion, respectively. Baseline variables, genotype, and allele frequencies
      were compared between the three groups, using descriptive statistics. Adjusted
      odds ratios were calculated to estimate the risk for recurrent urolithiasis
      associated with genotypes. We found that differences in the distribution of ApaL1
      SNP and Taq1 SNP genotypes were statistically different between recurrent stone
      formers and first-stone formers, and between recurrent stone formers and
      controls. Allele frequency analysis showed that the T allele for ApaL1 SNP and
      the C allele for Taq1 SNP were significantly associated with recurrent
      urolithiasis. For Taq1 SNP, logistic regression analysis showed that the C/C
      genotype was associated with a more than threefold higher risk for recurrent
      urolithiasis. We conclude that ApaL1 and Taq1 SNPs of the urokinase and VDR genes
      are associated with recurrent urolithiasis in a Caucasian population. 

PMID- 26275880
TI  - Why Uninsured Free Clinic Patients Don't Apply for Affordable Care Act Health
      Insurance in a Non-expanding Medicaid State.
AB  - Even after the introduction of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
      (ACA), uninsured visits remain high, especially in states that opted out of
      Medicaid expansion. Since the ACA does not provide universal coverage, free
      clinics serve as safety nets for the un- or under-insured, and will likely
      continue serving underserved populations. The purpose of this study is to examine
      factors influencing intentions to not apply for health insurance via the ACA
      among uninsured free clinic patients in a state not expanding Medicaid. Uninsured
      primary care patients utilizing a free clinic (N = 551) completed a self
      administered survey in May and June 2015. Difficulty obtaining information, lack
      of instruction to apply, and cost, are major factors influencing intention not to
      apply for health insurance through the ACA. US born English speakers, non-US born
      English speakers, and Spanish speakers reported different kinds of perceived
      barriers to applying for health insurance through the ACA. Age is an important
      factor impacting individuals' intentions not to apply for health insurance
      through the ACA, as older patients in particular need assistance to obtain
      relevant information about the ACA and other resources. A number of unchangeable
      factors limit the free clinics' ability to promote enrollment of health insurance
      through the ACA. Yet free clinics could be able to provide some educational
      programs or the information of resources to patients. In particular, non-US born
      English speakers, Spanish speakers, and older adults need specific assistance to
      better understand health insurance options available to them.

PMID- 26275881
TI  - Perceived Neighborhood Quality and Cancer Screening Behavior: Evidence from the
      Survey of the Health of Wisconsin.
AB  - Socioeconomic disparities in colorectal and breast cancer screening persist,
      partially accounting for disparities in cancer outcomes. Some neighborhood
      characteristics--particularly area level socioeconomic factors--have been linked
      to cancer screening behavior, but few studies have examined the relationship
      between perceived neighborhood quality and screening behavior, which may provide
      more insight into the ways in which neighborhood environments shape cancer
      related behaviors. This study examines the relationship between several aspects
      of the perceived neighborhood environment and breast and colorectal cancer
      screening behavior among a population-based sample of Wisconsin residents. A sub
      goal was to compare the relevance of different perceived neighborhood factors for
      different screening tests. This is a cross-sectional study of 2008-2012 data from
      the Survey of the Health of Wisconsin, a population-based annual survey of
      Wisconsin residents. An average risk sample of Black, Hispanic and White women
      age 50 and older (n = 1265) were selected. Survey regression analyses examined
      predictors of screening, as well as adherence to screening guidelines. Models
      controlled for individual socio-demographic information and insurance status.
      Perceptions of social and physical disorder, including fear of crime and visible
      garbage, were associated with screening rates. Findings emphasize the particular
      importance of these factors for colorectal cancer screening, indicating the
      necessity of improving screening rates in areas characterized by social
      disorganization, crime, and physical disorder. Additional work should be done to
      further investigate the pathways that explain the linkage between neighborhood
      conditions, perceived neighborhood risks and cancer screening behavior.

PMID- 26275879
TI  - Differences in Host Innate Responses among Coccidioides Isolates in a Murine
      Model of Pulmonary Coccidioidomycosis.
AB  - Coccidioides immitis and Coccidioides posadasii are soil-dwelling fungi and the
      causative agents of coccidioidomycosis, a mycosis endemic to certain semiarid
      regions in the Americas. The most common route of infection is by inhalation of
      airborne Coccidioides arthroconidia. Once a susceptible host inhales the conidia,
      a transition to mature endosporulated spherules can occur within the first 5 days
      of infection. For this study, we examined the host response in a murine model of
      coccidioidomycosis during a time period of infection that has not been well
      characterized. We collected lung tissue and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF)
      from BALB/c mice that were infected with a C. immitis pure strain, a C. immitis
      hybrid strain, or a C. posadasii strain as well as uninfected mice. We compared
      the host responses to the Coccidioides strains used in this study by assessing
      the level of transcription of selected cytokine genes in lung tissues and
      characterized host and fungal proteins present in BALF. Host response varied
      depending on the Coccidioides strain that was used and did not appear to be
      overly robust. This study provides a foundation to begin to dissect the host
      immune response early in infection, to detect abundant Coccidioides proteins, and
      to develop diagnostics that target these early time points of infection. 

PMID- 26275883
TI  - [Diffusion-weighted imaging].

PMID- 26275882
TI  - UCP2 modulates single-channel properties of a MCU-dependent Ca(2+) inward current
      in mitochondria.
AB  - The mitochondrial Ca(2+) uniporter is a highly Ca(2+)-selective protein complex
      that consists of the pore-forming mitochondrial Ca(2+) uniporter protein (MCU),
      the scaffolding essential MCU regulator (EMRE), and mitochondrial calcium uptake
      1 and 2 (MICU1/2), which negatively regulate mitochondrial Ca(2+) uptake. We have
      previously reported that uncoupling proteins 2 and 3 (UCP2/3) are also engaged in
      the activity of mitochondrial Ca(2+) uptake under certain conditions, while the
      mechanism by which UCP2/3 facilitates mitochondrial Ca(2+) uniport remains
      elusive. This work was designed to investigate the impact of UCP2 on the three
      distinct mitochondrial Ca(2+) currents found in mitoplasts isolated from HeLa
      cells, the intermediate- (i-), burst- (b-) and extra-large (xl-)
      mitochondrial/mitoplast Ca(2+) currents (MCC). Using the patch clamp technique on
      mitoplasts from cells with reduced MCU and EMRE unveiled a very high affinity of
      MCU for xl-MCC that succeeds that for i-MCC, indicating the coexistence of at
      least two MCU/EMRE-dependent Ca(2+) currents. The manipulation of the expression
      level of UCP2 by either siRNA-mediated knockdown or overexpression changed
      exclusively the open probability (NPo) of xl-MCC by approx. 38% decrease or
      nearly a 3-fold increase, respectively. These findings confirm a regulatory role
      of UCP2 in mitochondrial Ca(2+) uptake and identify UCP2 as a selective modulator
      of just one distinct MCU/EMRE-dependent mitochondrial Ca(2+) inward current.

PMID- 26275884
TI  - Erratum.
AB  - Schoenwald, S. K., Heiblum, N., Saldana, L., & Henggeler, S. W. (2008). The
      international implementation of Multisystemic Therapy. Evaluation & the Health
      Professions, 31, 211-225. (DOI: 10.1177/0163278708315925).The acknowledgements
      section of the article should have included the following conflict of interest
      statement that was provided by the authors:"Sonja K. Schoenwald and Scott W.
      Henggeler are board members and stakeholders of MST Services, LLC, a university
      licensed technology transfer organization." 

PMID- 26275885
TI  - Statin-Ezetimibe Combination Therapy In Diabetic Individuals.

PMID- 26275886
TI  - Optimization of white matter fiber tractography with diffusional kurtosis
      imaging.
AB  - Diffusional kurtosis imaging (DKI) is a clinically feasible diffusion MRI
      technique for white matter (WM) fiber tractography (FT) with the ability to
      directly resolve intra-voxel crossing fibers by means of the kurtosis diffusion
      orientation distribution function (dODF). Here we expand on previous work by
      exploring properties of the kurtosis dODF and their subsequent effects on WM FT
      for in vivo human data. For comparison, the results are contrasted with fiber
      bundle orientation estimates provided by the diffusion tensor, which is the
      primary quantity obtained from diffusion tensor imaging. We also outline an
      efficient method for performing DKI-based WM FT that can substantially decrease
      the computational requirements. The recommended method for implementing the
      kurtosis ODF is demonstrated to optimize the reproducibility and sensitivity of
      DKI for detecting crossing fibers while reducing the occurrence of non-physically
      meaningful, negative values in the kurtosis dODF approximation. In addition, DKI
      based WM FT is illustrated for different protocols differing in image acquisition
      times from 48 to 5.3 min.

PMID- 26275887
TI  - The Fox and the Hedgehog: A Vision of Neuroscience Research in Psychiatry.

PMID- 26275888
TI  - A comparison of the chemical and liver extract-induced hepatic differentiation of
      adipose derived stem cells.
AB  - Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) have been put forward as promising
      therapeutics for end-stage liver disease (ESLD). In the present study, we
      compared the effects of defined chemicals and liver extract on the hepatic
      differentiation of ADSCs. ADSCs were isolated according to the method described
      in our previously published study. Subsequently, the differentiation of ADSCs was
      induced separately by chemicals (including hepatic growth factor (HGF),
      fibroblast growth factor (FGF), and oncostatin M (OSM)) and liver extract (30
      MUg/ml) in a total period of 21 d. The efficiency of hepatic differentiation was
      evaluated by changes in the cell morphology, gene expression, and cellular
      function. The results showed that the liver extract promoted the hepatic
      differentiation of ADSCs to a significantly greater extent than the chemicals. In
      the group of ADSCs treated with liver extract, changes in the cell morphology
      began sooner, and the expression of alpha-FP and albumin genes was higher than
      that in the chemically treated group. The ADSCs in both the groups stained
      positive for anti-alpha trypsin (AAT) and albumin markers. The cells also
      exhibited glycogen storage capacity. Therefore, we concluded that the liver
      extract could efficiently induce the differentiation of ADSCs into hepatocyte
      like cells. This study reveals the potential of mesenchymal stem cell
      differentiation in the liver extract, which supports further preclinical and
      clinical research on the application of ADSCs in ESLD treatment. 

PMID- 26275889
TI  - Maribacter flavus sp. nov., isolated from a cyanobacterial culture pond.
AB  - A Gram-stain-negative, yellow, non-spore-forming, strictly aerobic bacterium,
      designated C3T, was isolated from a cyanobacterial culture pond. Cells were
      halophilic, rod-shaped and able to move by gliding. Growth of strain C3T was
      observed at 15-30  degrees C (optimum 25  degrees C), pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum pH
      7.5), and in the presence of 1-7 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 2-3 %). Phylogenetic
      analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain C3T formed a
      distinct lineage within the family Flavobacteriaceae and exhibited the highest
      similarity (95.21 %) to the type strains of Maribacter dokdonensis, Maribacter
      arcticus, Maribacter orientalis and Maribacter stanieri, and 'Maribacter
      caenipelagi' HD-44. The only isoprenoid quinone present within strain C3T was
      menaquinone 6 (MK-6). The G+C content of genomic DNA was 41.5 mol%. The major
      polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine and three unidentified lipids. The
      predominant cellular fatty acids (>5 % of the total fatty acids) were iso-C15 : 1
      G, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 3-OH, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, and summed feature 3
      (comprising C16 : 1omega7c and/or C16 : 1omega6c). On the basis of the
      phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic characteristics, strain C3T
      represents a novel species of the genus Maribacter, for which the name Maribacter
      flavus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is C3T ( = KCTC 42508T = CGMCC
      1.15112T).

PMID- 26275890
TI  - Lipodermatosclerosis: a clinicopathologic correlation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lipodermatosclerosis (LDS) is a chronic fibrosing panniculitis
      associated with venous insufficiency. Although LDS is often a clinical diagnosis,
      it can be confused with other panniculitides. Microscopic examination is
      therefore essential to support the diagnosis in this condition. Histopathologic
      changes, however, have not been extensively defined. The purpose of this study
      was to characterize the histopathologic spectrum of this condition correlated
      with clinical manifestation. METHODS: A total of 25 cases were collected
      retrospectively, and the clinical information and histopathologic findings were
      reviewed. RESULTS: Of 25 patients, the female to male ratio was 4 : 1. The mean
      age was 54 years (range, 31-74 years). Clinical features were acute in eight
      (32%), subacute in 12 (48%), and chronic in five (20%). The microscopic study
      mostly demonstrated vascular stasis changes of varying degrees depending on the
      age of the lesion. Adipocyte necrosis with thickened septa, extravasation of
      erythrocytes, and lymphocytic infiltration were major findings in the early
      lesions. In the chronic lesion, lipomembranous fat necrosis with microcyst
      formation, vascular stasis changes in subcutaneous tissue, and septal fibrosis
      were predominant features. Iron deposition or hemosiderin extending to the
      subcutaneous layer was always seen in all specimens at the subacute and chronic
      stages. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of LDS still needs clinicopathologic
      correlation. The constellation of findings including septal fibrosis,
      lipomembranous fat necrosis, prominent vascular changes of stasis, and
      erythrocytic extravasation can be used to define LDS histopathologically.
      Interestingly, iron deposition in the subcutaneous tissue is a useful finding for
      this chronic condition.

PMID- 26275891
TI  - Exome sequencing for prenatal diagnosis of fetuses with sonographic
      abnormalities.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: In the absence of aneuploidy or other pathogenic cytogenetic
      abnormality, fetuses with increased nuchal translucency (NT >= 3.5 mm) and/or
      other sonographic abnormalities have a greater incidence of genetic syndromes,
      but defining the underlying pathology can be challenging. Here, we investigate
      the value of whole exome sequencing in fetuses with sonographic abnormalities but
      normal microarray analysis. METHOD: Whole exome sequencing was performed on DNA
      extracted from chorionic villi or amniocytes in 24 fetuses with unexplained
      ultrasound findings. In the first 14 cases sequencing was initially performed on
      fetal DNA only. For the remaining 10, the trio of fetus, mother and father was
      sequenced simultaneously. RESULTS: In 21% (5/24) cases, exome sequencing provided
      definitive diagnoses (Milroy disease, hypophosphatasia, achondrogenesis type 2,
      Freeman-Sheldon syndrome and Baraitser-Winter Syndrome). In a further case, a
      plausible diagnosis of orofaciodigital syndrome type 6 was made. In two others, a
      single mutation in an autosomal recessive gene was identified, but incomplete
      sequencing coverage precluded exclusion of the presence of a second mutation.
      CONCLUSION: Whole exome sequencing improves prenatal diagnosis in euploid fetuses
      with abnormal ultrasound scans. In order to expedite interpretation of results,
      trio sequencing should be employed, but interpretation can still be compromised
      by incomplete coverage of relevant genes.

PMID- 26275892
TI  - Parathyroidectomy and patient survival in CKD patients.

PMID- 26275893
TI  - Complement in ANCA-associated glomerulonephritis.
AB  - Background: Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) are found in pauci
      immune necrotizing crescentic glomerulonephritis. In the past, the role of
      complement in ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) was assumed to be minimal. More
      recently, however, it was found that blocking the complement cascade in a mouse
      model of AAV reduces glomerular damage. Immune complex deposits have been found
      in biopsies from AAV patients. In this study, we questioned whether immune
      complex formation or deposition may result in complement activation in ANCA
      associated glomerulonephritis. Methods: ANCA-positive patients from the Limburg
      Renal Registry were included between 1979 and 2011. Renal histology was
      documented together with immunoglobulin and complement immunofluorescence. In
      addition, C3d, properdin, C4d and mannose-binding lectin (MBL) were stained.
      Electron microscopy was performed. Circulating immune complexes were determined
      in a subset of patients, as well as C3 allotypes. Results: C3c was found in 78 of
      187 renal biopsies (41.7%) divided over 32.3% of proteinase-3 (PR3)-AAV patients
      and 52.3% of myeloperoxidase (MPO)-AAV patients (P = 0.006), whereas C3d was
      found positive in 51.1% of PR3-AAV patients and 70.4% of MPO-AAV patients (P =
      0.105). C4d was found positive in 70.8%, properdin in 38.7% and MBL in 30.4% of
      patients. Whereas C4d and MBL positivity was similar between the AGN groups,
      properdin was more common in biopsies classified as crescentic compared with
      biopsies classified as focal or mixed. Renal biopsies positive for C3d and/or
      properdin showed more cellular crescents and less normal glomeruli compared with
      biopsies negative for C3d and/or properdin (P < 0.05). In 3 out of 43 renal
      biopsies analysed by electron microscopy, small electron dense deposits were
      found. In 14 of 46 patients analysed, circulating immune complexes were
      detectable. No association between histological findings and C3 allotypes was
      found. Conclusions: In the majority of AAV patients, no immune complex deposits
      were found in their renal biopsies. C3d, C4d and C5b-9 staining, however, was
      found to be positive in a majority of analysed renal biopsies. Importantly, C3d
      and properdin staining was associated with cellular crescents. We hypothesize
      that local immune complexes are quickly degraded in AAV and therefore not visible
      by electron microscopy. Our findings are compatible with the hypothesis that
      complement activation in AAV occurs predominantly via alternative pathway
      activation.

PMID- 26275894
TI  - Protein contact prediction by integrating joint evolutionary coupling analysis
      and supervised learning.
AB  - MOTIVATION: Protein contact prediction is important for protein structure and
      functional study. Both evolutionary coupling (EC) analysis and supervised machine
      learning methods have been developed, making use of different information
      sources. However, contact prediction is still challenging especially for proteins
      without a large number of sequence homologs. RESULTS: This article presents a
      group graphical lasso (GGL) method for contact prediction that integrates joint
      multi-family EC analysis and supervised learning to improve accuracy on proteins
      without many sequence homologs. Different from existing single-family EC analysis
      that uses residue coevolution information in only the target protein family, our
      joint EC analysis uses residue coevolution in both the target family and its
      related families, which may have divergent sequences but similar folds. To
      implement this, we model a set of related protein families using Gaussian
      graphical models and then coestimate their parameters by maximum-likelihood,
      subject to the constraint that these parameters shall be similar to some degree.
      Our GGL method can also integrate supervised learning methods to further improve
      accuracy. Experiments show that our method outperforms existing methods on
      proteins without thousands of sequence homologs, and that our method performs
      better on both conserved and family-specific contacts. AVAILABILITY AND
      IMPLEMENTATION: See http://raptorx.uchicago.edu/ContactMap/ for a web server
      implementing the method. CONTACT: j3xu@ttic.edu SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
      Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

PMID- 26275896
TI  - DSviaDRM: an R package for estimating disease similarity via dysfunctional
      regulation mechanism.
AB  - Elucidation of human disease similarities has provided new insights into
      etiology, disease classification and drug repositioning. Since dysfunctional
      regulation would be manifested as the decoupling of expression correlation,
      disease similarity (DS) in terms of dysfunctional regulation mechanism (DRM)
      could be estimated by using a differential coexpression based approach, which is
      described in a companion paper. Due to the lack of tools for estimating DS from
      the viewpoint of DRM in public domain, we implemented an R package 'DSviaDRM' to
      identify significant DS via DRM based on transcriptomic data. DSviaDRM contains
      five easy-to-use functions, DCEA, DCpathway, DS, comDCGL and comDCGLplot, for
      identifying disease relationships and showing common differential regulation
      information shared by similar diseases. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: DSviaDRM
      is available as an R package, with a user's guide and source code, at
      http://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/DSviaDRM/index.html. CONTACT:
      yyli@scbit.org or yxli@scbit.org. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supplementary data
      are available at Bioinformatics online.

PMID- 26275895
TI  - Determining conserved metabolic biomarkers from a million database queries.
AB  - MOTIVATION: Metabolite databases provide a unique window into metabolome research
      allowing the most commonly searched biomarkers to be catalogued. Omic scale
      metabolite profiling, or metabolomics, is finding increased utility in biomarker
      discovery largely driven by improvements in analytical technologies and the
      concurrent developments in bioinformatics. However, the successful translation of
      biomarkers into clinical or biologically relevant indicators is limited. RESULTS:
      With the aim of improving the discovery of translatable metabolite biomarkers, we
      present search analytics for over one million METLIN metabolite database queries.
      The most common metabolites found in METLIN were cross-correlated against XCMS
      Online, the widely used cloud-based data processing and pathway analysis
      platform. Analysis of the METLIN and XCMS common metabolite data has two primary
      implications: these metabolites, might indicate a conserved metabolic response to
      stressors and, this data may be used to gauge the relative uniqueness of
      potential biomarkers. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: METLIN can be accessed by
      logging on to: https://metlin.scripps.edu CONTACT: siuzdak@scripps.edu
      SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics
      online.

PMID- 26275897
TI  - Pairwise RNA secondary structure alignment with conserved stem pattern.
AB  - MOTIVATION: The regulatory functions performed by non-coding RNAs are related to
      their 3D structures, which are, in turn, determined by their secondary
      structures. Pairwise secondary structure alignment gives insight into the
      functional similarity between a pair of RNA sequences. Numerous exact or
      heuristic approaches have been proposed for computational alignment. However, the
      alignment becomes intractable when arbitrary pseudoknots are allowed. Also, since
      non-coding RNAs are, in general, more conserved in structures than sequences, it
      is more effective to perform alignment based on the common structural motifs
      discovered. RESULTS: We devised a method to approximate the true conserved stem
      pattern for a secondary structure pair, and constructed the alignment from it.
      Experimental results suggest that our method identified similar RNA secondary
      structures better than the existing tools, especially for large structures. It
      also successfully indicated the conservation of some pseudoknot features with
      biological significance. More importantly, even for large structures with
      arbitrary pseudoknots, the alignment can usually be obtained efficiently.
      AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: Our algorithm has been implemented in a tool
      called PSMAlign. The source code of PSMAlign is freely available at
      http://homepage.cs.latrobe.edu.au/ypchen/psmalign/.

PMID- 26275898
TI  - Characterization of chemical constituents and rats metabolites of an alkaloidal
      extract of Alstonia scholaris leaves by liquid chromatography coupled with mass
      spectrometry.
AB  - Alstonia scholaris has been used in "Dai" ethnic medicine to treat chronic
      respiratory diseases for a long history, and the major bioactive constituents are
      alkaloids. An alkaloidal extract of A. scholaris leaves (AAS) has been developed
      into an investigational new drug, and has been approved for phase I/II clinical
      trials by China Food and Drug Administration. However, little is known on the
      chemical composition and in vivo metabolism of AAS, thus far. In this study, an
      ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of
      flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC/qTOF-MS) method was established to characterize
      the chemical constituents of AAS. Samples were separated on an ACQUITY UPLC CSH
      column (2.1*100mm, 1.7MUm) with acetonitrile and water containing 0.3% formic
      acid as the mobile phase. On the basis of high-accuracy mass spectral analysis, a
      total of 35 alkaloids were characterized from AAS, including 11 scholaricine
      type, 9 vallesamine-type, 12 picrinine-type, and 3 tubotaiwine-type alkaloids.
      Furthermore, the metabolic pathways of 4 representative alkaloids in rats were
      studied. They mainly undertook hydroxylation and glucuronidation reactions. Based
      on the above metabolic pathways, the metabolism of AAS (10mg/kg) in rats after
      oral administration was studied by LC/MS. A total of 33 compounds in plasma, 40
      compounds in urine, and 38 compounds in feces were characterized. The results
      indicated that scholaricine-type alkaloids could get into circulation more
      readily than the other types. This is the first systematic study on chemical
      profiling and metabolites identification of AAS. 

PMID- 26275899
TI  - Traffic pollution at the home address and pregnancy outcomes in Stockholm,
      Sweden.
AB  - BACKGROUND: For the past two decades, several studies have reported associations
      between elevated levels of ambient air pollution and adverse pregnancy outcomes,
      although with varying conclusions. OBJECTIVES: To examine possible associations
      between the traffic pollution situation at the home address, for women who did
      not change address during pregnancy, and three types of pregnancy outcomes:
      spontaneous preterm delivery, children born small for gestational age (SGA) and
      pregnancy-induced hypertensive disorders. METHODS: We used data for the Greater
      Stockholm Area from the Swedish Medical Birth Register to construct a cohort
      based on all pregnancies conceived between July 1997 and March 2006, n = 100 190.
      The pregnancy average nitrogen oxide, NOx, levels and annual mean daily vehicles
      at the home address were used as exposure variables. Mixed-model logistic
      regression was performed to assess any associations between exposure and outcome.
      RESULTS: There was an association between elevated traffic pollution exposure
      during pregnancy and pregnancy-induced hypertensive disorders. A 10 ug/m(3)
      increase in the pregnancy average NOx level at the home address resulted in an OR
      of 1.17 (95% CI 1.10 to 1.26). The 2nd to 4th quartiles of NOx were all
      associated with an increased risk of SGA, but there was no difference in the risk
      estimate among the higher quartiles. There was a tendency of a higher risk of
      spontaneous preterm delivery in relation to higher levels of NOx. There was no
      evidence of an association between vehicle flow, the cruder indicator of traffic
      pollution, and the studied outcomes in this study. CONCLUSIONS: In this large
      cohort, there was a fairly strong association between vehicle exhaust levels at
      the home address and pregnancy-induced hypertensive disorders, after adjustment
      for important risk factors.

PMID- 26275900
TI  - Prospective relationships between body weight and physical activity: an
      observational analysis from the NAVIGATOR study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: While bidirectional relationships exist between body weight and
      physical activity, direction of causality remains uncertain and previous studies
      have been limited by self-reported activity or weight and small sample size. We
      investigated the prospective relationships between weight and physical activity.
      DESIGN: Observational analysis of data from the Nateglinide And Valsartan in
      Impaired Glucose Tolerance Outcomes Research (NAVIGATOR) study, a double-blinded
      randomised clinical trial of nateglinide and valsartan, respectively. SETTING:
      Multinational study of 9306 participants. PARTICIPANTS: Participants with
      biochemically confirmed impaired glucose tolerance had annual measurements of
      both weight and step count using research grade pedometers, worn for 7 days
      consecutively. Along with randomisation to valsartan or placebo plus nateglinide
      or placebo, participants took part in a lifestyle modification programme. OUTCOME
      MEASURES: Longitudinal regression using weight as response value and physical
      activity as predictor value was conducted, adjusted for baseline covariates.
      Analysis was then repeated with physical activity as response value and weight as
      predictor value. Only participants with a response value preceded by at least
      three annual response values were included. RESULTS: Adequate data were available
      for 2811 (30%) of NAVIGATOR participants. Previous weight (chi(2)=16.8;
      p<0.0001), but not change in weight (chi(2)=0.1; p=0.71) was inversely associated
      with subsequent step count, indicating lower subsequent levels of physical
      activity in heavier individuals. Change in step count (chi(2)=5.9; p=0.02) but
      not previous step count (chi(2)=0.9; p=0.34) was inversely associated with
      subsequent weight. However, in the context of trajectories already established
      for weight (chi(2) for previous weight measurements 747.3; p<0.0001) and physical
      activity (chi(2) for previous step count 432.6; p<0.0001), these effects were of
      limited clinical importance. CONCLUSIONS: While a prospective bidirectional
      relationship was observed between weight and physical activity, the magnitude of
      any effect was very small in the context of natural trajectories already
      established for these variables. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT00097786.

PMID- 26275901
TI  - The impact of HPV vaccination on future cervical screening: a simulation study of
      two birth cohorts in Denmark.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To explore the interplay between primary and secondary prevention of
      cervical cancer by estimating future screening outcomes in women offered human
      papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination when they were sexually naive. DESIGN:
      Estimation of outcome of liquid-based cytology screening for a post-HPV
      vaccination cohort using pre-vaccination screening data combined with HPV
      vaccination efficacy data reported in the literature. SETTING: Denmark. DATA: The
      number of screening diagnoses at first screen in a pre-vaccination birth cohort
      was multiplied by reported risk reductions expected for women who were vaccinated
      for HPV before sexual debut. All identified studies were reviewed by two authors,
      and weighted pooled estimates of vaccine efficacies were used. MAIN OUTCOME
      MEASURES: Proportions of positive and false-positive cervical cytologies and
      positive predictive value (PPV) were calculated using cervical intraepithelial
      neoplasia (CIN) grade 2+ and 3+ as cut-off values. RESULTS: The proportion of
      positive screening tests was reduced from 8.7% before vaccination to 6.5% after
      vaccination, and the proportion of false-positive screening tests using CIN2+ as
      a cut-off was reduced from 5.5% pre-vaccination to 4.3% post-vaccination, and
      using CIN3+ as a cut-off from 6.2% to 4.7%. PPVs were reduced from 23% to 19%
      (cut-off CIN2+), and from 14% to 12% (cut-off CIN3+). CONCLUSIONS: In our
      calculations, the proportion of positive screening results with liquid-based
      cytology will be reduced as a consequence of HPV vaccination, but the reduction
      is small, and the expected decline in PPV is very limited. In this situation, the
      information general practitioners will have to provide to their patients will be
      largely unchanged.

PMID- 26275902
TI  - What interventions increase commuter cycling? A systematic review.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To identify interventions that will increase commuter cycling.
      SETTING: All settings where commuter cycling might take place. PARTICIPANTS:
      Adults (aged 18+) in any country. INTERVENTIONS: Individual, group or
      environmental interventions including policies and infrastructure. PRIMARY AND
      SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: A wide range of 'changes in commuter cycling'
      indicators, including frequency of cycling, change in workforce commuting mode,
      change in commuting population transport mode, use of infrastructure by defined
      populations and population modal shift. RESULTS: 12 studies from 6 countries (6
      from the UK, 2 from Australia, 1 each from Sweden, Ireland, New Zealand and the
      USA) met the inclusion criteria. Of those, 2 studies were randomised control
      trials and the remainder preintervention and postintervention studies. The
      majority of studies (n=7) evaluated individual-based or group-based interventions
      and the rest environmental interventions. Individual-based or group-based
      interventions in 6/7 studies were found to increase commuter cycling of which the
      effect was significant in only 3/6 studies. Environmental interventions, however,
      had small but positive effects in much larger but more difficult to define
      populations. Almost all studies had substantial loss to follow-up. CONCLUSIONS:
      Despite commuter cycling prevalence varying widely between countries, robust
      evidence of what interventions will increase commuter cycling in low cycling
      prevalence nations is sparse. Wider environmental interventions that make cycling
      conducive appear to reach out to hard to define but larger populations. This
      could mean that environmental interventions, despite their small positive
      effects, have greater public health significance than individual-based or group
      based measures because those interventions encourage a larger number of people to
      integrate physical activity into their everyday lives.

PMID- 26275903
TI  - Cohort profile: systemic lupus erythematosus in Sweden: the Swedish Lupus Linkage
      (SLINK) cohort.
AB  - PURPOSE: A cohort of individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was
      identified through linkage of several national registers to investigate important
      epidemiological questions using not only population-based data to minimise
      selection bias, but also to identify matched comparators from the general
      population to serve as controls. This cohort was established to overcome the
      general dearth of data in SLE epidemiology. PARTICIPANTS: All individuals
      registered in Sweden with a personal identity number and who have obtained
      medical care at any hospital or public non-primary outpatient specialist care
      with suspected SLE were identified. Inpatient register data date back to the
      1960s, although complete national coverage of the inpatient register was achieved
      in 1987. In 2001, the outpatient component was also added to the register,
      representing the entire country of Sweden. For each suspected individual with
      SLE, up to five individuals from the general population were identified and
      matched on sex, birth year and county of residence. FINDINGS TO DATE: We have
      linked this study population to a number of national and quality registers in
      Sweden to identify first-degree relatives, deaths, births, dispensed
      prescriptions, comorbidities and disease end points, such as stroke and cancer,
      as well as basic health economic data. We found geographic variability in the
      prevalence of SLE by county. We have also shown that being first-born confers a
      reduced odds of having SLE in childhood and early adulthood. FUTURE PLANS: In
      addition to updating the national register linkage with several more years of
      follow-up data, we are adding several quality registers in Sweden, including the
      Tuberculosis register and the Social Insurance Office database. While these
      updates are ongoing and additional follow-up accumulates, we are studying a
      number of outcomes in SLE, including stroke, pregnancy and death. We will
      continue to present findings at scientific conferences and in the peer-reviewed
      literature.

PMID- 26275904
TI  - Comparative genome analysis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common pathogen that causes upper and
      lower respiratory tract infections in people of all ages, responsible for up to
      40% of community-acquired pneumonias. It also causes a wide array of
      extrapulmonary infections and autoimmune phenomena. Phylogenetic studies of the
      organism have been generally restricted to specific genes or regions of the
      genome, because whole genome sequencing has been completed for only 4 strains. To
      better understand the physiology and pathogenicity of this important human
      pathogen, we performed comparative genomic analysis of 15 strains of M.
      pneumoniae that were isolated between the 1940s to 2009 from respiratory
      specimens and cerebrospinal fluid originating from the USA, China and England.
      RESULTS: Illumina MiSeq whole genome sequencing was performed on the 15 strains
      and all genome sequences were completed. Results from the comparative genomic
      analysis indicate that although about 1500 SNP and indel variants exist between
      type1 and type 2 strains, there is an overall high degree of sequence similarity
      among the strains (>99% identical to each other). Within the two subtypes,
      conservation of most genes, including the CARDS toxin gene and arginine deiminase
      genes, was observed. The major variation occurs in the P1 and ORF6 genes
      associated with the adhesin complex. Multiple hsdS genes (encodes S subunit of
      type I restriction enzyme) with variable tandem repeat copy numbers were found in
      all 15 genomes. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that despite conclusions drawn
      from 16S rRNA sequences suggesting rapid evolution, the M. pneumoniae genome is
      extraordinarily stable over time and geographic distance across the globe with a
      striking lack of evidence of horizontal gene transfer.

PMID- 26275905
TI  - Clinical excellence in nephrology: Examples from the published literature.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Provision of exceptional medical care is a goal for the medical
      profession because this is what the public needs and deserves. Academic medical
      centers that value excellent clinicians may have the best chance to recruit and
      retain these faculty members. When our institution hoped to launch the Miller
      Coulson Academy of Clinical Excellence to measure and reward master clinicians, a
      critical first step was to use rigorous methods to develop a definition of
      clinical excellence. Published papers have illustrated that this general
      definition of clinical excellence is applicable to fields of psychiatry,
      cardiology, and pediatrics. In this manuscript, we apply the definition of
      clinical excellence to nephrology. Using the same framework, we reviewed the
      literature to find clinical cases and exemplary nephrologists that highlight the
      specific domains. This collection of reports in nephrology illustrates that the
      definition of clinical excellence set forth by the Miller Coulson Academy is
      highly applicable to physicians caring for individuals with kidney disease.
      Relating the definition of clinical excellence to renal medicine is worthwhile in
      that it can help to exemplify the model to which physicians and trainees may seek
      to aspire. KEY MESSAGE: Many examples of clinical excellence in renal medicine
      can be found in the published medical literature. The domains of clinical
      excellence, described by the Miller-Coulson Academy of Clinical Excellence, apply
      very well to the field of nephrology.

PMID- 26275906
TI  - Competition is not necessarily a barrier to community mobilisation among sex
      workers: an intervention planning assessment from Zimbabwe.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Community mobilization among female sex workers (SWs) is recognized
      as an effective strategy to empower SWs and increase their uptake of health
      services. Activities focus on increasing social cohesion between SWs by building
      trust, strengthening networks, and encouraging shared efforts for mutual gain.
      Several studies, however, suggest that high levels of interpersonal competition
      between SWs can pose a barrier to collective action and support. We conducted a
      study to examine levels of perceived competition between SWs in Mutare, Hwange
      and Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe in order to inform development of a community
      based intervention for HIV prevention and treatment. This paper focuses on our
      qualitative findings and their implications for the design of HIV programming in
      the Zimbabwean context. METHODS: Following a respondent driven sampling (RDS)
      survey, we explored issues related to social cohesion amongst SWs in Mutare,
      Hwange and Victoria Falls through in-depth interviews conducted with 22 SWs.
      Interviews examined dynamics of SWs' relationships and extent of social support,
      and were analyzed using thematic content analysis using the constant comparative
      method. Findings are contextualised against descriptive data extracted from the
      survey, which was analysed using Stata 12, adjusting for RDS. RESULTS: Across all
      sites, women described protecting each other at night, advising each other about
      violent or non-paying clients, and paying fines for each other following arrest.
      In Mutare, women gave additional examples, including physically attacking problem
      clients, treatment adherence support and shared saving schemes. However,
      interviews also highlighted fierce competition between women and deep mistrust.
      This reflects the reported mix of competition and support from the survey of 836
      women (Mutare n = 370, Hwange n = 237, Victoria Falls n = 229). In Mutare, 92.8 %
      of SWs agreed there was a lot of competition; 87.9 % reported that SWs support
      each other. This contrasted with Victoria Falls and Hwange where fewer agreed
      there was competition between SWs (70.5 % and 78.0 %), but also fewer reported
      that SWs support each other at work (55.2 % and 51.2 %). CONCLUSIONS: Women
      reported being most likely to support each other when confronted with serious
      danger but maintained high levels of competition for clients, suggesting
      competition at work does not represent a barrier to support. Examples of
      practical assistance between SWs provide entry points for our planned community
      mobilization activities, which aim to broaden trust and support among SWs while
      acknowledging their professional competition.

PMID- 26275907
TI  - How important is randomisation in a stepped wedge trial?
AB  - In cluster randomised trials, randomisation increases internal study validity. If
      enough clusters are randomised, an unadjusted analysis should be unbiased. If a
      smaller number of clusters are included, stratified or matched randomisation can
      increase comparability between trial arms. In addition, an adjusted analysis may
      be required; nevertheless, randomisation removes the possibility for
      systematically biased allocation and increases transparency. In stepped wedge
      trials, clusters are randomised to receive an intervention at different start
      times ('steps'), and all clusters eventually receive it. In a recent study
      protocol for a 'modified stepped wedge trial', the investigators considered
      randomisation of the clusters (hospital wards), but decided against it for
      ethical and logistical reasons, and under the assumption that it would not add
      much to the rigour of the evaluation. We show that the benefits of randomisation
      for cluster randomised trials also apply to stepped wedge trials. The biggest
      additional issue for stepped wedge trials in relation to parallel cluster
      randomised trials is the need to control for secular trends in the outcome.
      Analysis of stepped wedge trials can in theory be based on 'horizontal' or
      'vertical' comparisons. Horizontal comparisons are based on measurements taken
      before and after the intervention is introduced in each cluster, and are unbiased
      if there are no secular trends. Vertical comparisons are based on outcome
      measurements from clusters that have switched to the intervention condition and
      those from clusters that have yet to switch, and are unbiased under randomisation
      since at any time point, which clusters are in intervention and control
      conditions will have been determined at random. Secular outcome trends are a
      possibility in many settings. Many stepped wedge trials are analysed with a mixed
      model, including a random effect for cluster and fixed effects for time period to
      account for secular trends, thereby combining both vertical and horizontal
      comparisons of intervention and control clusters. The importance of randomisation
      in a stepped wedge trial is that the effects of time can be estimated from the
      data, and bias from secular trends that would otherwise arise can be controlled
      for, provided the trends are correctly specified in the model. 

PMID- 26275909
TI  - Elimination of Plasmodium falciparum in an area of multi-drug resistance.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Resistance to the artemisinin derivatives in Plasmodium falciparum
      has emerged in Cambodia and is now spreading throughout South-East Asia. The
      rapid elimination of P. falciparum seems to be the only viable option to avoid a
      public health disaster but this is difficult because even in low transmission
      settings many residents have asymptomatic parasitaemias. METHODS: In response to
      a large number of malaria cases reported in three remote villages on the Thai
      Myanmar border where malaria is endemic and the disease is seasonal, surveys were
      conducted using an ultra-sensitive qPCR assay (LOD 22 parasites per mL). In one
      of the villages where it was feasible, mass anti-malarial drug administration was
      proposed to the population as a potential solution, and this was adopted.
      RESULTS: In the three villages 204/356 (57.3 %), 212/385 (55.1 %) and 195/286
      (68.2 %) of the resident populations were positive by qPCR (approximately one
      third P. falciparum and two-thirds P. vivax). Of those positive for P. falciparum
      62 % carried single point mutations in the P. falciparum kelch protein (a marker
      of artemisinin resistance). In one of the villages 217 of 674 inhabitants
      received at least one dose of dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine chemoprevention in
      June 2012, 155 (71.4 %) received two consecutive months, and 98 (45.2 %) received
      three treatment doses. The chemoprevention was generally well tolerated. The sub
      microscopic reservoir of P. falciparum malaria was eliminated during the six
      month follow-up period (prevalence fell from 7 to 0 %); P. vivax malaria
      persisted (prevalence fell from 35 to 8 %). From June to October 2012 (rainy
      season) the number of clinical episodes of P. falciparum was six times lower
      (46), than during the same period in the previous year (290). CONCLUSION: Mass
      drug administration with dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine may be an effective
      strategy to eliminate P. falciparum rapidly where multi-drug resistance is
      present.

PMID- 26275908
TI  - Rapid microbiological screening for tuberculosis in HIV-positive patients on the
      first day of acute hospital admission by systematic testing of urine samples
      using Xpert MTB/RIF: a prospective cohort in South Africa.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Autopsy studies of HIV/AIDS-related hospital deaths in sub-Saharan
      Africa reveal frequent failure of pre-mortem diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB),
      which is found in 34-64 % of adult cadavers. We determined the overall prevalence
      and predictors of TB among consecutive unselected HIV-positive adults requiring
      acute hospital admission and the comparative diagnostic yield obtained by
      screening urine and sputum samples obtained on day 1 of admission with Xpert
      MTB/RIF (Xpert). METHODS: To determine overall TB prevalence accurately,
      comprehensive clinical sampling (sputum, urine, blood plus other relevant
      samples) was done and TB was defined by detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis
      in any sample using Xpert and/or mycobacterial liquid culture. To evaluate a
      rapid screening strategy, we compared the diagnostic yield of Xpert testing
      sputum samples and urine samples obtained with assistance from a respiratory
      study nurse in the first 24 h of admission. RESULTS: Unselected HIV-positive
      acute adult new medical admissions (n = 427) who were not receiving TB treatment
      were enrolled irrespective of clinical presentation or symptom profile. From
      2,391 cultures and Xpert tests done (mean, 5.6 tests/patient) on 1,745 samples
      (mean, 4.1 samples/patient), TB was diagnosed in 139 patients (median CD4 cell
      count, 80 cells/MUL). TB prevalence was very high (32.6 %; 95 % CI, 28.1-37.2 %;
      139/427). However, patient symptoms and risk factors were poorly predictive for
      TB. Overall, >=1 non-respiratory sample(s) tested positive in 115/139 (83 %) of
      all TB cases, including positive blood cultures in 41/139 (29.5 %) of TB cases.
      In the first 24 h of admission, sputum (spot and/or induced samples) and urine
      were obtainable from 37.0 % and 99.5 % of patients, respectively (P <0.001). From
      these, the proportions of total TB cases (n = 139) that were diagnosed by Xpert
      testing sputum, urine or both sputum and urine combined within the first 24 h
      were 39/139 (28.1 %), 89/139 (64.0 %) and 108/139 (77.7 %) cases, respectively (P
      <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The very high prevalence of active TB and its non-specific
      presentation strongly suggest the need for routine microbiological screening for
      TB in all HIV-positive medical admissions in high-burden settings. The
      incremental diagnostic yield from Xpert testing urine was very high and this
      strategy might be used to rapidly screen new admissions, especially if sputum is
      difficult to obtain.

PMID- 26275911
TI  - A layered electrospun and woven surgical scaffold to enhance endogenous tendon
      repair.
AB  - Surgical reattachments of tendon to bone in the rotator cuff are reported to fail
      in around 40% of cases. There are no adequate solutions to improve tendon healing
      currently available. Electrospun, sub-micron materials, have been extensively
      studied as scaffolds for tendon repair with promising results, but are too weak
      to be surgically implanted or to mechanically support the healing tendon. To
      address this, we developed a bonding technique that enables the processing of
      electrospun sheets into multi-layered, robust, implantable fabrics. Here, we show
      a first prototype scaffold created with this method, where an electrospun sheet
      was reinforced with a woven layer. The resulting scaffold presents a maximum
      suture pull out strength of 167N, closely matched with human rotator cuff
      tendons, and the desired nanofibre-mediated bioactivity in vitro and in vivo.
      This type of scaffold has potential for broader application for augmenting other
      soft tissues.

PMID- 26275910
TI  - Active immunization against complement factor C5a: a new therapeutic approach for
      Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease
      characterized by neuronal loss due to amyloid beta aggregations, neurofibrillary
      tangles, and prominent neuroinflammation. Recently, interference with
      neuroinflammation as a new therapeutic approach for AD treatment gained great
      interest. Microglia cells, one of the major contributors in neuroinflammation,
      are activated in response to misfolded proteins such as amyloid beta and cell
      debris leading to a sustained release of pro-inflammatory mediators. Especially,
      complement factor C5a and its receptor have been found to be up-regulated in
      microglia in the immediate surroundings of cerebral amyloid plaques and blocking
      of C5aR resulted in a reduction of pathological markers in a model of AD. Here,
      we investigate the effect of active vaccination against the complement factor C5a
      to interfere with neuroinflammation and neuropathologic alterations in a mouse
      model of AD. METHODS: Short antigenic peptides AFF1 and AFF2, which mimic a C
      terminal epitope of C5a, were selected and formulated to vaccines. These vaccines
      are able to induce a highly specific antibody response to the target protein C5a.
      Tg2576 mice, a common model of AD, were immunized with these two C5a-peptide
      vaccines and the induced immune response toward C5a was analyzed by ELISA and
      Western blot analysis. The influence on memory retention was assessed by a
      contextual fear conditioning test. Microglia activation and amyloid plaque
      deposition in the brain was visualized by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Both C5a
      targeting vaccines were highly immunogenic and induced sustained antibody titers
      against C5a. Tg2576 mice vaccinated at early stages of the disease showed
      significantly improved contextual memory accompanied by the reduction of
      microglia activation in the hippocampus and cerebral amyloid plaque load compared
      to control mice. Late-stage immunization also showed a decrease in the number of
      activated microglia, and improved memory function, however, had no influence on
      the amyloid beta load. CONCLUSION: C5a-peptide vaccines represent a safe and well
      tolerated immunotherapy, which is able to induce a strong and specific immune
      response against the pro-inflammatory molecule C5a. In a mouse model of AD, C5a
      peptide vaccines reduce microglia activation and thus neuroinflammation, which is
      supposed to lead to reduced neuronal dysfunction and AD symptomatic decline.

PMID- 26275912
TI  - Cholesterol level in non-insertional Achilles tendonopathy.
AB  - Familial hypercholesterolaemia is an autosomal dominant disease, with a
      prevalence of 1 in 500, where lipid deposits occur in the skin, tendons
      (particularly Achilles tendon) and arteries. It has a high risk of early coronary
      artery disease and mortality but is treatable with cholesterol lowering
      strategies if patients are diagnosed early. Studies in patients attending lipid
      clinics have shown that half the patients may have suffered from Achilles tendon
      symptoms 20 years earlier and it has been proposed that all patients presenting
      with Achilles tendon pain should have a serum cholesterol test. All consecutive
      patients seen in an adult foot and ankle clinic with non-insertional Achilles
      tendonopathy between April 2012 and March 2014 had their serum cholesterol
      measured. Only one patient in 83 (p=0.19) was diagnosed with heterozygous
      familial hypercholesterolaemia but 3 relatives of the proband patient were also
      diagnosed by cascade testing. Measurement of cholesterol in all patients
      presenting with achillodynia does not seem to be justified but the literature
      suggests that it should probably be considered in patients with bilateral
      extensive disease or those who give a history of intermittent episodes of severe
      pain lasting a few days. 

PMID- 26275913
TI  - Impoverished descriptions of familiar routes in three cases of hippocampal/medial
      temporal lobe amnesia.
AB  - Recent research has challenged classic theories of hippocampal function in
      spatial memory with findings that the hippocampus may be necessary for detailed
      representations of environments learned long ago, but not for remembering the
      gist or schematic aspects that are sufficient for navigating within those
      environments (Rosenbaum et al., 2000; Rosenbaum, Winocur, Binns, & Moscovitch,
      2012). We aimed to probe further distinctions between detailed and schematic
      representations of familiar environments in three cases of hippocampal/medial
      temporal lobe (MTL) amnesia by testing them on a route description task and
      mental navigation tasks that assess the identity and location of landmarks, and
      distances and directions between them. The amnesic cases could describe basic
      directions along known, imagined routes, estimate distance and direction between
      well-known landmarks, and produce sketch maps with accurate layouts, suggestive
      of intact schematic representations. However, findings that their route
      descriptions lack richness of detail, along with impoverished sketch maps and
      poor landmark recognition, substantiates previous findings that detailed
      representations are hippocampus-dependent. 

PMID- 26275914
TI  - Pervasive refusal syndrome - A clinical challenge.
AB  - Pervasive refusal syndrome is described as a condition comprising varying degrees
      of refusal across several domains; social withdrawal; resistance to treatment and
      is potentially life threatening with no detectable organic cause. Female
      predominance, refusal to eat with low weight, body image distortion, depressive
      features, premorbid personality issues similar to eating disorders have been
      noted, with 67% cases having complete recovery. In this paper, we describe what
      is probably the first case reported from India, of a child, who presented with
      neuropsychiatric symptoms, and treated with electroconvulsive therapy along with
      medications, but, sadly had a fatal outcome. 

PMID- 26275915
TI  - Establishment of the upper reference limit for thyroid peroxidase autoantibodies
      according to the guidelines proposed by the National Academy of Clinical
      Biochemistry: comparison of five different automated methods.
AB  - AIM OF THE STUDY: The estimation of the upper reference limit (URL) for
      autoantibodies against thyroid peroxidase (TPOAbs) is a controversial issue,
      because of an uncertainty associated with the criteria used to correctly define
      the reference population. In addition, the URL of TPOAbs is method-dependent and
      often arbitrarily established in current laboratory practice. The aim of this
      study was to determine the reference limits of TPOAbs in a male sample according
      to the National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry (NACB) guidelines, and to
      compare them with those obtained in a female group, for five third-generation
      commercial-automated immunoassay (IMA) platforms. METHODS: 120 healthy males and
      120 healthy females with NACB-required characteristics (younger than 30 years,
      TSH between 0.5 and 2.0 mIU/L, normal thyroid ultrasound, absence of thyroid
      disease and absence of other autoimmune diseases) were studied. Sera were
      analyzed for TPOAbs concentration using five IMA methods applied in automated
      analyzers: Immulite 2000 XPi (IMM); Maglumi 2000 Plus (MAG); Kryptor Compact Plus
      (KRY); Phadia 250 (PHA) and Liaison XL (LIA). RESULTS: A statistically
      significant difference (p < 0.05) between medians in male and female groups was
      observed for PHA (2.6 and 3.1 IU/mL, respectively) but not for the other four
      methods. Scatter plots of TPOAbs values revealed a wide dispersion with very
      different coefficients of variation between the five methods, varying from 48.6 %
      for KRY in females to 126.3 % for MAG in females. The URLs differed in males and
      females according to the method: 28.7 and 29.0 IU/mL for IMM, 24.6 and 25.4 IU/mL
      for MAG, 6.4 and 6.9 IU/mL for KRY, 8.3 and 10.0 IU/mL for PHA and 14.2 and 17.9
      IU/mL for LIA, respectively. Such URLs were lower than those stated by the
      manufacturers except for LIA in females. The difference between URLs ranged from
      a minimum of 11.3 % (LIA in males) to a maximum of 66.8 % (PHA in males).
      CONCLUSIONS: Differences in URLs could result from the different coating
      preparations of the TPO antigen (purified native or recombinant) on solid phase,
      which affect the proper exposure of the immunodominant epitopes recognized by the
      polyclonal antibodies present in serum of patients with autoimmune thyroid
      disease (AITD). Based on these findings, we suggest to overcome the proposal of
      the NACB guidelines which recommend to involve a single group of young male
      subjects, and propose, instead, to utilize two distinct groups: one of males and
      one of females. This new proposal removes the apparent contrast of an all-male
      reference group for a disease (such as AITD) that affects mainly females.
      However, in spite of the harmonization among methods provided by the use of an
      international standard preparation, the wide dispersion of quantitative results
      still observed in this study suggests the need for further efforts to better
      understand the cause of these discrepancies, focusing on TPO antigen preparations
      as the possible source of variability among different assays.

PMID- 26275916
TI  - Near-complete 1H, 13C, 15N resonance assignments of dimethylsulfoxide-denatured
      TGFBIp FAS1-4 A546T.
AB  - The transforming growth factor beta induced protein (TGFBIp) is a major protein
      component of the human cornea. Mutations occurring in TGFBIp may cause corneal
      dystrophies, which ultimately lead to loss of vision. The majority of the disease
      causing mutations are located in the C-terminal domain of TGFBIp, referred as the
      fourth fascilin-1 (FAS1-4) domain. In the present study the FAS1-4 Ala546Thr, a
      mutation that causes lattice corneal dystrophy, was investigated in
      dimethylsulfoxide using liquid-state NMR spectroscopy, to enable H/D exchange
      strategies for identification of the core formed in mature fibrils. Isotope
      labeled fibrillated FAS1-4 A546T was dissolved in a ternary mixture 95/4/1 v/v/v%
      dimethylsulfoxide/water/trifluoroacetic acid, to obtain and assign a reference 2D
      (1)H-(15)N HSQC spectrum for the H/D exchange analysis. Here, we report the near
      complete assignments of backbone and aliphatic side chain (1)H, (13)C and (15)N
      resonances for unfolded FAS1-4 A546T at 25  degrees C.

PMID- 26275917
TI  - Backbone resonance assignment of N15, N30 and D10 T cell receptor beta subunits.
AB  - The alphabetaT Cell receptor (TCR) governs T cell immunity through its
      interaction with peptide bound to major histocompatibility complex molecules
      (pMHC). Previously, soluble ectodomain constructs have been used to elucidate the
      binding mode of the TCR for the MHC. However, the full heterodimeric alphabetaTCR
      has proven difficult to produce reproducibly in recombinant systems to the extent
      seen in the routine production of novel antibodies. Particularly, the route of
      production in E. coli, which is most convenient for isotopic labeling of
      proteins, is challenging for a wide range of alphabetaTCR, including
      N15alphabeta, N30alphabeta, but not D10alphabeta. With the aim of understanding
      the TCR-pMHC interaction through the use of dynamic binding measurements, we set
      out to produce TCRbeta subunits with which we could investigate binding with
      pMHC. The TCRbeta constructs are more readily produced and refolded than their
      alphabeta counterparts and have proven to be an effective model of preTCR in pMHC
      binding studies. As a first step towards characterizing potential interactions
      with protein ligands, we have assigned the backbone resonances of three TCRbeta
      subunits, N15beta, N30beta and D10beta.

PMID- 26275918
TI  - Evaluative conditioning of positive and negative valence affects P1 and N1 in
      verbal processing.
AB  - The present study examined the effect of contextual learning on the neural
      processing of previously meaningless pseudowords. During an evaluative
      conditioning session on 5 consecutive days, participants learned to associate 120
      pseudowords with either positive, neutral or negative pictures. In a second
      session, participants were presented all conditioned pseudowords again together
      with 40 new pseudowords in a recognition memory task while their event-related
      potentials (ERPs) were recorded. The behavioral data confirm successful learning
      of pseudoword valence. At the neural level, early modulations of the ERPs are
      visible at the P1 and the N1 components discriminating between positively and
      negatively conditioned pseudowords. Differences to new pseudowords were visible
      at later processing stages as indicated by modulations of the LPC. These results
      support a contextual learning hypothesis that is able to explain very early
      emotional ERP modulations in visual word recognition. Source localization
      indicates a role of medial-frontal brain regions as a likely origin of these
      early valence discrimination signals which are discussed to promote top-down
      signals to sensory processing. 

PMID- 26275919
TI  - Atypical cortical gyrification in adolescents with histories of heavy prenatal
      alcohol exposure.
AB  - Prenatal alcohol exposure can adversely affect brain development, although little
      is known about the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on gyrification.
      Gyrification reflects cortical folding complexity and is a process by which the
      surface of the brain creates sulci and gyri. Prior studies have shown that
      prenatal alcohol exposure is associated with reduced gyrification in childhood,
      but no studies have examined adolescents. Subjects (12-16 years) comprised two
      age-equivalent groups: 30 adolescents with histories of heavy prenatal alcohol
      exposure (AE) and 19 non-exposed controls (CON). A T1-weighted image was obtained
      for all participants. Local gyrification index (LGI) was estimated using
      FreeSurfer. General linear models were used to determine between group
      differences in LGI controlling for age and sex. Age-by-group interactions were
      also investigated while controlling for sex. The AE group displayed reduced LGI
      relative to CON in the bilateral superior parietal region, right postcentral
      region, and left precentral and lateral occipital regions (ps<.001). Significant
      age-by-group interactions were observed in the right precentral and lateral
      occipital regions, and in the left pars opercularis and inferior parietal regions
      (ps<.01). The AE group showed age-related reductions in gyrification in all
      regions whereas the CON group showed increased gyrification with age in the
      lateral occipital region only. While cross-sectional, the age-related reduction
      in gyrification observed in the AE group suggests alterations in cortical
      development throughout adolescence and provides further insight into the
      pathophysiology and brain maturation of adolescents prenatally exposed to
      alcohol. 

PMID- 26275920
TI  - Inguinal hernia repair with Parietex ProGrip mesh causes minimal discomfort and
      allows early return to normal activities.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The type of inguinal hernia repair used depends on many factors but
      predominantly the surgeon's training, interpretation of the literature, and
      personal preference. This prospective cohort study describes a consecutive series
      of open mesh inguinal hernia repairs (modified Lichtenstein technique) performed
      as an outpatient procedure using 2 different mesh types. METHODS: Analysis was
      undertaken on 540 consecutive patients who underwent inguinal hernia repair
      between January 2007 and December 2012. Short-term outcomes were compared between
      those repaired with conventional polypropylene mesh and those with Parietex
      ProGrip mesh. RESULTS: Most patients were male (89%) and the mean age was 63
      years. The median operative time was 50 minutes for unilateral hernias and 90
      minutes for bilateral hernias. The use of Parietex ProGrip mesh reduced the
      operative time to 40 minutes for unilateral hernias (P < .01) and 75 minutes for
      bilateral hernias (P < .01). After unilateral hernia repair, 88% of the patients
      were discharged home within 4 hours of operation. There was no mortality and the
      overall complication rate was 7.4%. One patient developed a pulmonary embolus but
      the remainder of the complications were minor. Twenty-four hours postoperatively,
      74% of the patients were either totally pain free or had minimal discomfort. At 4
      weeks, 97% of the patients were either pain free or had minimal discomfort.
      Patients who underwent unilateral inguinal hernia repair with Parietex ProGrip
      mesh had the most rapid return to normal activities (10 vs 14 days, P < .04).
      CONCLUSIONS: Open anterior inlay mesh repair is safe and results in minimal
      postoperative pain and early return to normal activities. ProGrip mesh resulted
      in a shorter operative time and more rapid return to normal activities compared
      with polypropylene mesh (10 vs 14 days).

PMID- 26275921
TI  - Predictive factors for sentinel lymph nodes and non-sentinel lymph nodes
      metastatic involvement: a database study of 1,041 melanoma patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy may identify patients who may need
      completion lymphadenectomy and adjuvant therapy. METHODS: Univariate and
      multivariate analysis were conducted for SLN status in a prospective cohort of
      1,041 patients. A biopsy was recommended for melanoma greater than or equal to 1
      mm thick or greater than or equal to .75 mm with poor prognostic features.
      RESULTS: For sentinel node status, mitotic rate is very significant in univariate
      analysis. In multivariate analysis, Breslow, lymphovascular invasion, and primary
      site were significant. Breslow thickness greater than or equal to 2 mm and SLN
      with macroscopic burden greater than or equal to 2 mm are the only statistically
      significant variables predicting the non-SLN status in multivariate analysis.
      CONCLUSIONS: The data confirm the importance of Breslow, lymphovascular invasion,
      and body site for SLN status. The cutoff of 2 mm for tumor load in SLN appears to
      be a simple technique to find the high-risk patients with further lymph node
      disease.

PMID- 26275922
TI  - Comparative mapping of host-pathogen protein-protein interactions.
AB  - Pathogens usurp a variety of host pathways via protein-protein interactions to
      ensure efficient pathogen replication. Despite the existence of an impressive
      toolkit of systematic and unbiased approaches, we still lack a comprehensive list
      of these PPIs and an understanding of their functional implications. Here, we
      highlight the importance of harnessing genetic diversity of hosts and pathogens
      for uncovering the biochemical basis of pathogen restriction, virulence, fitness,
      and pathogenesis. We further suggest that integrating physical interaction data
      with orthogonal types of data will allow researchers to draw meaningful
      conclusions both for basic and translational science. 

PMID- 26275923
TI  - Morc1 knockout evokes a depression-like phenotype in mice.
AB  - Morc1 gene has recently been identified by a DNA methylation and genome-wide
      association study as a candidate gene for major depressive disorder related to
      early life stress in rodents, primates and humans. So far, no transgenic animal
      model has been established to validate these findings on a behavioral level. In
      the present study, we examined the effects of a Morc1 loss of function mutation
      in female C57BL/6N mice on behavioral correlates of mood disorders like the
      Forced Swim Test, the Learned Helplessness Paradigm, O-Maze and Dark-Light-Box.
      We could show that Morc1(-/-) mice display increased depressive-like behavior
      whereas no behavioral abnormalities regarding locomotor activity or anxiety-like
      behavior were detectable. CORT plasma levels did not differ significantly between
      Morc1(-/-) mice and their wildtype littermates, yet - surprisingly - total Bdnf
      mRNA-levels in the hippocampus were up-regulated in Morc1(-/-) animals. Although
      further work would be clarifying, Morc1(-/-) mice seem to be a promising
      epigenetically validated mouse model for depression associated with early life
      stress. 

PMID- 26275924
TI  - A behavioral and histological comparison of fluid percussion injury and
      controlled cortical impact injury to the rat sensorimotor cortex.
AB  - Our primary goal was to evaluate the behavioral and histological outcome of fluid
      percussion injury (FPI) and cortical contusion injury (CCI) to the sensorimotor
      cortex (SMC). The SMC has been used to evaluate neuroplasticity following CCI,
      but has not been extensively examined with FPI. In both the CCI and FPI models, a
      mechanical force of 4mm in diameter was applied over the SMC, allowing for a
      direct comparison to measure the relative rates of histology and recovery of
      function in these models. Gross behavioral deficits were found on the sensory
      task (tactile adhesive removal task) and multiple motor assessments (forelimb
      asymmetry task, forelimb placing task, and rotorod). These sensorimotor deficits
      occurred in the absence of cognitive deficits in the water maze. The CCI model
      creates focal damage with a localized injury wheras the FPI model creates a more
      diffuse injury causing widespread damage. Both behavioral and histological
      deficits ensued following both models of injury to the SMC. The neuroplastic
      changes and ease at which damage to this area can be measured behaviorally make
      this an excellent location to assess traumatic brain injury (TBI) treatments. No
      injury model can completely mimic the full spectrum of human TBI and any
      potential treatments should be validated across both focal and diffuse injury
      models. Both of these injury models to the SMC produce severe and enduring
      behavioral deficits, which are ideal for evaluating treatment options. 

PMID- 26275926
TI  - Differential activation of accumbens shell and core dopamine by sucrose
      reinforcement with nose poking and with lever pressing.
AB  - In order to investigate the role of modus operandi in the changes of nucleus
      accumbens (NAc) dopamine (DA) transmission in sucrose reinforcement,
      extracellular DA was monitored by microdialysis in the NAc shell and core of rats
      trained on a fixed-ratio 1 schedule to respond for sucrose pellets by nose poking
      and lever pressing respectively. After training, rats were tested on three
      different sessions: sucrose reinforcement, extinction and passive sucrose
      presentation. In rats responding by nose poking dialysate DA increased in the
      shell but not in the core under reinforced as well as under extinction sessions.
      In contrast, in rats responding by lever pressing dialysate DA increased both in
      the accumbens shell and core under reinforced and extinction sessions. Response
      non-contingent sucrose presentation increased dialysate DA in the shell and core
      of rats trained to respond for sucrose by nose poking as well as in those trained
      by lever pressing. In rats trained to respond for sucrose by nose poking on a FR5
      schedule dialysate DA also increased selectively in the NAc shell during
      reinforced responding and in both the shell and core under passive sucrose
      presentation. These findings, while provide an explanation for the discrepancies
      existing in the literature over the responsiveness of shell and core DA in rats
      responding for food, are consistent with the notion that NAc shell and core DA
      encode different aspects of reinforcement. 

PMID- 26275925
TI  - Dopamine-sensitive signaling mediators modulate psychostimulant-induced
      ultrasonic vocalization behavior in rats.
AB  - The mesolimbic dopamine system plays a major role in psychostimulant-induced
      ultrasonic vocalization (USV) behavior in rodents. Within this system,
      psychostimulants elevate synaptic concentrations of dopamine thereby leading to
      exaggerated activation of postsynaptic dopamine receptors within the D1-like and
      D2-like subfamilies. Dopamine receptor stimulation activate several transmembrane
      signaling systems and cognate intracellular mediators; downstream activation of
      transcription factors then conveys the information from receptor activation to
      appropriate modulation of cellular and physiologic functions. We previously
      showed that cocaine-induced USV behavior was associated with enhanced expression
      of the neurotrophin BDNF. Like cocaine, amphetamine also increases synaptic
      dopamine levels, albeit primarily through facilitating dopamine release.
      Therefore, in the present study we investigated whether amphetamine and cocaine
      similarly activate dopamine-linked signaling cascades to regulate intracellular
      mediators leading to induction of USV behavior. The results show that amphetamine
      increased the emission of 50 kHz USVs and this effect was blocked by SCH23390, a
      D1 receptor antagonist. Similar to cocaine, amphetamine increased BDNF protein
      expression in discrete brain regions, while pretreatment with K252a, a trkB
      neurotrophin receptor inhibitor, significantly reduced amphetamine-induced USV
      behavior. Inhibition of cyclic-AMP/PKA signaling with H89 or inhibition of PLC
      signaling with U73122 significantly blocked both the acute and subchronic
      amphetamine-induced USV behavior. In contrast, pharmacologic inhibition of either
      pathway enhanced cocaine-induced USV behavior. Although cocaine and amphetamine
      similarly modulate neurotrophin expression and USV, the molecular mechanisms by
      which these psychostimulants differentially activate dopamine receptor subtypes
      or other monoaminergic systems may be responsible for the distinct aspects of
      behavioral responses.

PMID- 26275927
TI  - Subcortical modulation in auditory processing and auditory hallucinations.
AB  - Hearing perception in individuals with auditory hallucinations has not been well
      studied. Auditory hallucinations have previously been shown to involve primary
      auditory cortex activation. This activation suggests that auditory hallucinations
      activate the terminal of the auditory pathway as if auditory signals are
      submitted from the cochlea, and that a hallucinatory event is therefore perceived
      as hearing. The primary auditory cortex is stimulated by some unknown source that
      is outside of the auditory pathway. The current study aimed to assess the
      outcomes of stimulating the primary auditory cortex through the auditory pathway
      in individuals who have experienced auditory hallucinations. Sixteen patients
      with schizophrenia underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
      sessions, as well as hallucination assessments. During the fMRI session, auditory
      stimuli were presented in one-second intervals at times when scanner noise was
      absent. Participants listened to auditory stimuli of sine waves (SW) (4-5.5kHz),
      English words (EW), and acoustically reversed English words (arEW) in a block
      design fashion. The arEW were employed to deliver the sound of a human voice with
      minimal linguistic components. Patients' auditory hallucination severity was
      assessed by the auditory hallucination item of the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale
      (BPRS). During perception of arEW when compared with perception of SW, bilateral
      activation of the globus pallidus correlated with severity of auditory
      hallucinations. EW when compared with arEW did not correlate with auditory
      hallucination severity. Our findings suggest that the sensitivity of the globus
      pallidus to the human voice is associated with the severity of auditory
      hallucination. 

PMID- 26275928
TI  - The effect of various model parameters on enamel caries lesions in a dose
      response model in situ.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this exploratory double-blinded, randomized, cross-over,
      in situ study was to compare the effects of various model parameters
      ('intervention', 'brushing', 'position') on enamel caries lesions in a dose
      response model. METHODS: In each of four experimental legs of four weeks 16
      participants wore intraoral mandibular appliances with four 'plaque-retaining'
      and four 'easily cleanable' positioned pre-demineralized bovine enamel specimens
      in the vestibular flanges mimicking proximal and buccal surfaces, respectively
      (n=512). The four randomly allocated interventions (either application only or
      brushing) included the following dentifrices: AlF3 1360ppmF(-)+chlorhexidine
      0.05% (Lacalut aktiv, LA1360), NaF 1,450ppmF(-)(Blend-a-Med ProExpert), NaF
      500ppm F(-) and 0ppm F(-) as negative control (NC) (both experimental, based on
      Blend-a-Med ProExpert). RESULTS: Differences in integrated mineral loss
      (DeltaDeltaZ) and lesion depth (DeltaLD) were calculated between values before
      and after the in situ period using transversal microradiography. Significant
      differences for DeltaDeltaZ [adjusted mean (95% CI))] were found between NC,
      NaF500 and LA1360for both 'plaque-retaining' [-1830 (-2371;1289); -986 (
      1530;442); -2 (-548;544)vol%*MUm] as well as 'easily cleanable' specimens [-399 (
      682; -116); -391 (-672; -110); -16 (-302;270)vol%*MUm]. Values for NaF1450
      revealed a similar dose-response as LA1360.Values for LA1360 and NaF1450 did not
      differ significantly (p>0.05; ANCOVA). CONCLUSION/CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The
      design of the present in situ study was able to reveal a fluoride dose-response
      to hamper further demineralization of enamel specimens for 'easily cleanable' and
      'plaque-retaining' sites being brushed or not. Particularly 'plaque-retaining'
      sites seem to be recommendable for measuring potential anticaries efficacy in
      situ.

PMID- 26275929
TI  - Clinical efficacy of a bleaching enzyme-based toothpaste. A double-blind
      controlled clinical trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy of a bleaching enzyme-based toothpaste.
      MATERIAL AND METHODS: A randomized clinical trial was carried out, comprising 48
      participants with teeth exhibiting color A3 or higher according to the Vita
      Classical guide. One-half of the sample received the bleaching enzyme-based
      toothpaste (White Kin((r))), while the other received placebo toothpaste. Both
      products were supplied in identical containers and had the same composition
      except for the active components. The teeth color was measured with a
      spectrophotometer. The patients were instructed to brush their teeth three times
      a day during 3 min with the assigned product, during 12 weeks. The color
      measurements were repeated after 3, 6, 9 and 12 weeks of treatment. Color
      variation was based on the CIE L*a*b* coordinates, DeltaE and the EW index. The
      relationship of these variables at different observation times were performed
      using a generalized estimating equations model, which evaluated the effect of
      treatment, time and interaction. RESULTS: The patients using the bleaching enzyme
      based toothpaste showed an increase in lightness (80.14 -treatment- versus 79.25 
      control group-) and a reduction in component b*. DeltaE was found higher in the
      treatment group (p=0.064), close to statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: The
      bleaching enzyme-based toothpaste could be potentially efficient in the
      modification in tooth color progressing from the third to ninth week of
      treatment, tending to stabilize after the ninth week. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A very
      low carbamide peroxide concentration, with the incorporation of lactoperoxidase,
      tooth paste, tends to offer clinically satisfactory results, in terms of
      modifications in tooth color, nevertheless no significant differences were
      founded when compared to the control group, with an oral hygiene controlled along
      the study.

PMID- 26275930
TI  - Optimal choice of footwear in the elderly population.
AB  - To discover whether changes in foot morphology and pain tolerance may favor the
      use of inadequate footwear in old age. 100 participants, mean age 81.60 +/- 8.26
      years attended an outpatient clinic where self-reported demographic data,
      frequency checked their feet, measurements of foot sensitivity, foot size and
      shoe size. Only 19% checked their feet every day, 73% revealed symptoms of
      neuropathy and 83% used inadequate footwear on at least one foot. In a bivariate
      analysis, no significant differences were observed. Distinct physical changes
      affect the feet in the elderly population. Decreased sensitivity and absence of
      regular foot checks can contribute to use of inadequate footwear. Often, it is
      necessary to use a different shoe size to ensure that the footwear matches the
      actual dimensions and true needs of each foot in order to improve functionality
      and prevent the onset of severe medical conditions and/or foot deformities. 

PMID- 26275931
TI  - Effect of graphene oxide on the conformational transitions of amyloid beta
      peptide: A molecular dynamics simulation study.
AB  - The interactions between nanomaterials (NMs) and amyloid proteins are central to
      the nanotechnology-based diagnostics and therapy in neurodegenerative disorders
      such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Graphene oxide (GO) and its derivatives have
      shown to modulate the aggregation pattern of disease causing amyloid beta (Abeta)
      peptide. However, the mechanism is still not well understood. Using molecular
      dynamics simulations, the effect of graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene
      oxide (rGO) having carbon:oxygen ratio of 4:1 and 10:1, respectively, on the
      conformational transitions (alpha-helix to beta-sheet) and the dynamics of the
      peptide was investigated. GO and rGO decreased the beta-strand propensity of
      amino acid residues in Abeta. The peptide displayed different modes of adsorption
      on GO and rGO. The adsorption on GO was dominated by electrostatic interactions,
      whereas on rGO, both van der Waals and electrostatic interactions contributed in
      the adsorption of the peptide. Our study revealed that the slight increase in the
      hydrophobic patches on rGO made it more effective inhibitor of conformational
      transitions in the peptide. Alpha helix-beta sheet transition in Abeta peptide
      could be one of the plausible mechanism by which graphene oxide may inhibit
      amyloid fibrillation. 

PMID- 26275932
TI  - Fish oil and flax seed oil supplemented diets increase FFAR4 expression in the
      rat colon.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Omega-3 fatty acids, such as alpha-linolenic acid
      (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are
      polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) that have long been associated with anti
      inflammatory activity and general benefit toward human health. Over the last
      decade, the identification of a family of cell-surface G protein-coupled
      receptors that bind and are activated by free-fatty acids, including omega-3
      fatty acids, suggest that many effects of PUFA are receptor-mediated. One such
      receptor, free-fatty acid receptor-4 (FFAR4), previously described as GPR120, has
      been shown to modulate anti-inflammatory and insulin-sensitizing effects in
      response to PUFA such as ALA and DHA. Additionally, FFAR4 stimulates secretion of
      the insulin secretagogue glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) from the GI tract and
      acts as a dietary sensor to regulate energy availability. The aim of the current
      study was to assess the effects of dietary omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on
      FFAR4 expression in the rat colon. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were fed control
      soybean oil diets or alternatively, diets supplemented with either fish oil,
      which is enriched in DHA and EPA, or flaxseed oil, which is enriched in ALA, for
      7 weeks. GLP-1 and blood glucose levels were monitored weekly and at the end of
      the study period, expression of FFAR4 and the inflammatory marker TNF-alpha was
      assessed. RESULTS: Our findings indicate that GLP-1 and blood glucose levels were
      unaffected by omega-3 fatty acid supplementation, however, animals that were fed
      fish or flaxseed oil-supplemented diets had significantly heightened colonic
      FFAR4 and actin expression, and reduced expression of the pro-inflammatory
      cytokine TNF-alpha compared to animals fed control diets. CONCLUSIONS: These
      results suggest that similar to ingestion of other fats, dietary-intake of omega
      3 fatty acids can alter FFAR4 expression within the colon.

PMID- 26275933
TI  - Can adaptive threshold-based metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and lean body mass
      corrected standard uptake value (SUL) predict prognosis in head and neck cancer
      patients treated with definitive radiotherapy/chemoradiotherapy?
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the predictive value of adaptive threshold-based metabolic
      tumor volume (MTV), maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) and maximum lean
      body mass corrected SUV (SULmax) measured on pretreatment positron emission
      tomography and computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging in head and neck cancer
      patients treated with definitive radiotherapy/chemoradiotherapy. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Pretreatment PET/CT of the 62 patients with locally advanced head and
      neck cancer who were treated consecutively between May 2010 and February 2013
      were reviewed retrospectively. The maximum FDG uptake of the primary tumor was
      defined according to SUVmax and SULmax. Multiple threshold levels between 60% and
      10% of the SUVmax and SULmax were tested with intervals of 5% to 10% in order to
      define the most suitable threshold value for the metabolic activity of each
      patient's tumor (adaptive threshold). MTV was calculated according to this value.
      We evaluated the relationship of mean values of MTV, SUVmax and SULmax with
      treatment response, local recurrence, distant metastasis and disease-related
      death. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was done to obtain
      optimal predictive cut-off values for MTV and SULmax which were found to have a
      predictive value. Local recurrence-free (LRFS), disease-free (DFS) and overall
      survival (OS) were examined according to these cut-offs. RESULTS: Forty six
      patients had complete response, 15 had partial response, and 1 had stable disease
      6 weeks after the completion of treatment. Median follow-up of the entire cohort
      was 18 months. Of 46 complete responders 10 had local recurrence, and of 16
      partial or no responders 10 had local progression. Eighteen patients died.
      Adaptive threshold-based MTV had significant predictive value for treatment
      response (p=0.011), local recurrence/progression (p=0.050), and disease-related
      death (p=0.024). SULmax had a predictive value for local recurrence/progression
      (p=0.030). ROC curves analysis revealed a cut-off value of 14.00 mL for MTV and
      10.15 for SULmax. Three-year LRFS and DFS rates were significantly lower in
      patients with MTV >= 14.00 mL (p=0.026, p=0.018 respectively), and SULmax>=10.15
      (p=0.017, p=0.022 respectively). SULmax did not have a significant predictive
      value for OS whereas MTV had (p=0.025). CONCLUSION: Adaptive threshold-based MTV
      and SULmax could have a role in predicting local control and survival in head and
      neck cancer patients.

PMID- 26275934
TI  - Predicting urban design effects on physical activity and public health: A case
      study.
AB  - With increasing global concerns about obesity and related health effects, tools
      to predict how urban form affects population physical activity and health are
      needed. However, such tools have not been well established. This article develops
      a computer simulation model for forecasting the health effects of urban features
      that promote walking. The article demonstrates the model using a proposed small
      area plan for a neighborhood of 10,400 residents in Raleigh, North Carolina, one
      of the fastest-growing and most sprawling U.S. cities. The simulation model
      predicts that the plan would increase average daily time spent walking for
      transportation by 17 min. As a result, annual deaths from all causes are
      predicted to decrease by 5.5%. Annual new cases of diabetes, coronary heart
      disease, stroke, and hypertension are predicted to decline by 1.9%, 2.3%, 1.3%,
      and 1.6%, respectively. The present value of these health benefits is $21,000 per
      resident.

PMID- 26275936
TI  - Molecular cloning, characterization and expression of Lc-Sox11a in large yellow
      croaker Larimichthys crocea.
AB  - Sox genes play important roles in various developmental processes such as sex
      determination, embryogenesis, oogenesis, neurogenesis, and larval development. In
      order to clarify the roles of Sox genes in the developmental process of large
      yellow croaker, the full-length cDNA of the Sox11a gene (Lc-Sox11a) was cloned
      for the first time. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that Lc-Sox11a contains a
      protein of 366 amino acids with a Ser-rich region, a C-terminal conserved region,
      and a high mobility group box. The expression of Lc-Sox11a in different tissues
      of both sexes and in different developmental embryonic stages revealed that Lc
      Sox11a were expressed with tissue and gender specificity, of which the expression
      level in female was ovary>brain>eye>gill; in male was brain>testis>gill. The
      gender differences occurred in the brain and eye with the male brain>female
      brain, female eye>male eye. Moreover, the expression of Lc-Sox11a in the gonad
      and brain at different growth stages was detected. Significant up-regulated
      expression of Lc-Sox11a was found in the ovary and the male brain at 1000dph
      (days post hatching) compared with 270dph and 635dph. However, significant down
      regulated expression of Lc-Sox11a occurred in the testis with growth. Besides,
      the expression of Lc-Sox11a in the female brain showed a trend of first rising
      then falling, with the highest peak in 635dph. The results of in situ
      hybridization displayed that Lc-Sox11a was widely distributed only in cytoplasm
      of oocytes at each stage in oogenesis. In early stage of oocytes, Lc-Sox11a was
      expressed weakly and evenly. As the appearance of vacuoles and synthesis of
      yolks, positive signals of Lc-Sox11a distributed intensively in the residual
      cytoplasm. In spermatogenesis, Lc-Sox11a was distributed in cytoplasm of all male
      germ cells except spermatozoon with spermatogonium>spermatocyte>spermatid. During
      embryogenesis, Lc-Sox11a was expressed in most embryonic stages, the highest
      expression occurred in the formation-of-eye-lens stage, closely followed by the
      closure-of-blastopore stage, then the beginning-of-heart-pulsation stage. The
      results of whole mount in situ hybridization showed that the expression of Lc
      Sox11a began to increase beginning with the multiple-cell stage, with the major
      distribution of Lc-Sox11a in the brain and eye areas in the pre-hatching stage.

PMID- 26275937
TI  - A high-density SSR genetic map constructed from a F2 population of Gossypium
      hirsutum and Gossypium darwinii.
AB  - The cultivated allotetraploid species Gossypium hirsutum, accounts for 90% of the
      world cotton production, has narrow genetic basis that's why its yield, quality
      or stress resistance breeding is stagnant. It is therefore, essential to explore
      desirable genes from Gossypium darwinii which has enviable traits such as high
      fiber fineness, drought tolerance, fusarium and verticillium resistance. We used
      G. darwinii as primary plant materials in this study not only to enrich the
      genetic diversity of exiting germplasm but also to better understand its genome
      structure. An interspecific high density linkage map of allotetraploid cotton was
      constructed using F2 population (G. hirsutum*G. darwinii). The map was based
      entirely on genome-wide simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. A total of 2763
      markers were mapped in 26 linkage groups (chromosomes) covering a genome length
      of 4176.7cM with an average inter-locus distance of 1.5cM. The length of the
      chromosomes ranged from 84.7 to 238.5cM with an average length of 160.6cM. At
      subgenome length was 2160.7cM with an average distance of 1.6cM, where as Dt
      genome length was 2016cM with an average distance of 1.4cM. There were 601
      distorted SSR loci. Less number of segregation distortion loci were located in At
      subgenome than in Dt subgenome. Two post-polyploidization reciprocal
      translocations of "A2/A3 and A4/A5" were suggested by 44 pairs of duplicate loci.

PMID- 26275938
TI  - Characterization of vasa in the gonads of different ploidy fish.
AB  - Vasa is an essential gene for germ cell development belonging to the DEAD-box
      family. In this study, we comparatively analyzed the expression characteristics
      of vasa in diploids, triploids, and tetraploids. The sequences showed high
      similarity among these fish and other vertebrates, with characteristic domains.
      Tissue expression analysis revealed that vasa was expressed exclusively in the
      gonad of different ploidy fishes. During embryogenesis, vasa expression was lower
      in diploid than in triploid and tetraploid fish, caused by doubling of the genome
      of tetraploids and abnormal gonads in the triploid fish. In adults, vasa mRNA
      levels were significantly lower in the testes of sterile triploid fish compared
      with fertile diploids and tetraploids. In the ovaries, triploid fish showed
      consistently high expression from the non-breeding season to the breeding season.
      Immunohistochemistry and western blotting results also supported the abnormal
      expression of vasa in triploid gonads. This study demonstrates, for the first
      time, that fish of different ploidy exhibit different expression patterns of vasa
      that contribute to the differentiation of gonadal development. 

PMID- 26275935
TI  - Memory trace replay: the shaping of memory consolidation by neuromodulation.
AB  - The consolidation of memories for places and events is thought to rely, at the
      network level, on the replay of spatially tuned neuronal firing patterns
      representing discrete places and spatial trajectories. This occurs in the
      hippocampal-entorhinal circuit during sharp wave ripple events (SWRs) that occur
      during sleep or rest. Here, we review theoretical models of lingering place cell
      excitability and behaviorally induced synaptic plasticity within cell assemblies
      to explain which sequences or places are replayed. We further provide new
      insights into how fluctuations in cholinergic tone during different behavioral
      states might shape the direction of replay and how dopaminergic release in
      response to novelty or reward can modulate which cell assemblies are replayed. 

PMID- 26275939
TI  - Molecular and clinical characterization of Waardenburg syndrome type I in an
      Iranian cohort with two novel PAX3 mutations.
AB  - Waardenburg syndrome (WS) is a disease of abnormal neural-crest derived
      melanocyte development characterized by hearing loss and pigmentary disturbances
      in hair, eyes and skin. WS is subdivided into four major types, WS1-WS4, where
      WS1 is recognized by the presence of dystopia canthorum, with PAX3 being the only
      known gene involved. This study aimed at investigating PAX3 mutations and
      clinical characteristics of WS1 in a group of Iranian patients. A total of 12 WS1
      patients from four unrelated Iranian families were enrolled. Waardenburg
      consortium guidelines were used for WS1 diagnosis. A detailed family history was
      traced and a thorough clinical examination was performed for all participants.
      Furthermore, WS1 patients underwent screening for PAX3 mutations using PCR
      sequencing. Dystopia canthorum, broad high nasal root and synophrys were observed
      in all patients. Early graying, hair discoloration, hypoplastic blue eyes
      (characteristic brilliant blue iris) and hearing loss were the most common
      features observed, while heterochromia iridis was the least frequently observed
      sign among the studied Iranian WS1 patients. Genetic analysis of PAX3 revealed
      four mutations including c.667C>T, c.784C>T, c.951delT and c.451+3A>C. Two of the
      four mutations reported here (c.951delT and c.451+3A>C) are being reported for
      the first time in this study. Our data provide insight into genotypic and
      phenotypic spectrum of WS1 in an Iranian series of patients. Our results expand
      the spectrum of PAX3 mutations and may have implications for the genetic
      counseling of WS in Iran. 

PMID- 26275940
TI  - A combined evidence Bayesian method for human ancestry inference applied to Afro
      Colombians.
AB  - Uniparental genetic markers, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and Y chromosomal DNA, are
      widely used for the inference of human ancestry. However, the resolution of
      ancestral origins based on mtDNA haplotypes is limited by the fact that such
      haplotypes are often found to be distributed across wide geographical regions. We
      have addressed this issue here by combining two sources of ancestry information
      that have typically been considered separately: historical records regarding
      population origins and genetic information on mtDNA haplotypes. To combine these
      distinct data sources, we applied a Bayesian approach that considers historical
      records, in the form of prior probabilities, together with data on the
      geographical distribution of mtDNA haplotypes, formulated as likelihoods, to
      yield ancestry assignments from posterior probabilities. This combined evidence
      Bayesian approach to ancestry assignment was evaluated for its ability to
      accurately assign sub-continental African ancestral origins to Afro-Colombians
      based on their mtDNA haplotypes. We demonstrate that the incorporation of
      historical prior probabilities via this analytical framework can provide for
      substantially increased resolution in sub-continental African ancestry assignment
      for members of this population. In addition, a personalized approach to ancestry
      assignment that involves the tuning of priors to individual mtDNA haplotypes
      yields even greater resolution for individual ancestry assignment. Despite the
      fact that Colombia has a large population of Afro-descendants, the ancestry of
      this community has been understudied relative to populations with primarily
      European and Native American ancestry. Thus, the application of the kind of
      combined evidence approach developed here to the study of ancestry in the Afro
      Colombian population has the potential to be impactful. The formal Bayesian
      analytical framework we propose for combining historical and genetic information
      also has the potential to be widely applied across various global populations and
      for different genetic markers. 

PMID- 26275941
TI  - The allergenic protein Tha p 2 of processionary moths of the genus Thaumetopoea
      (Thaumetopoeinae, Notodontidae, Lepidoptera): Characterization and evolution.
AB  - The allergenic Tha p 2 protein has been extracted recently from the urticating
      setae of the pine processionary moth Thaumetopoea pityocampa. In the present
      paper, we test for the occurrence of this protein in other Thaumetopoeinae, with
      a particular focus on members of the genus Thaumetopoea, as well as unrelated
      moth species, to better understand the physicochemical properties of the protein,
      the nature of encoding genes and their evolutionary history. Tha p 2 is encoded
      by the intronless gene Tha p 2 that is restricted to the processionary moths
      (Thaumetopoeinae, Notodontidae, Lepidoptera). Most of the species present two
      isoforms of Tha p 2 that can be interpreted as the result of heterozygosity in
      the single gene. The only exception is represented by Thaumetopoea wilkinsoni, in
      which 20 different isoforms occur in a single specimen, leading to the conclusion
      that, at least in this species, multiple copies of Tha p 2 exist. Serine,
      glycine, cysteine and leucine are abundant in Tha p 2, a protein well conserved
      among processionary moths. The predicted secondary structures of Tha p 2 indicate
      the presence of 3 alpha-helices and six beta-barrels. Finally, the evolution of
      the gene and the protein was characterized by a combination of positive and
      negative selection, with the latter being more evident.

PMID- 26275942
TI  - Convergent evolution of SOCS4 between yak and Tibetan antelope in response to
      high-altitude stress.
AB  - Convergence often occurs when organisms with different ancestors adopt similar
      adaptations to environmental stresses. Convergent (sometimes called parallel)
      evolution at the genetic level is now known to be more common than previously
      suspected. Studying convergent evolution at the molecular level makes it possible
      to gain a better understanding of the common mechanisms deployed by different
      species. Yak (Bos grunniens) and Tibetan antelope (Pantholops hodgsonii), which
      are endemic to the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, both have numerous traits that are
      adaptive to high altitudes. However, it is still unclear whether these two
      species have undergone adaptive convergence at the genetic level. We used genomic
      data to detect possible examples of convergent evolution between yak and Tibetan
      antelope. We found that one gene, SOCS4, which is involved in the regulation of
      HIF-1alpha, showed a signature of convergent evolution. Our results have provided
      clues that may be important for understanding high-altitude adaptations in
      animals.

PMID- 26275943
TI  - Genetic polymorphisms of the AMPD1 gene and their correlations with IMP contents
      in Fast Partridge and Lingshan chickens.
AB  - The object of this study was to evaluate associations between the adenosine
      monophosphate deaminase 1 (AMPD1) gene polymorphisms and inosine monophosphate
      acid (IMP) contents of chicken to provide a molecular marker for breeding. Three
      single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), g.4064G/A, g.5573A/G and g.6805G/A were
      detected in exons IV, VI, and VIII of the AMPD1 gene in Fast Partridge and
      Lingshan chickens, respectively. All were purine conversion and caused no
      alteration in amino acid sequence. Statistical analysis revealed that Lingshan
      chicken with the homozygous genotype AA at position 4064 and 6805 had a
      significantly greater IMP content than those with the GG genotype (P<0.05). Fast
      Partridge chicken with the genotype GG at position 6805 had a significantly
      greater IMP content compared with those with the AA genotype (P<0.05). In
      conclusion, the polymorphism at g.6805A/G was correlated with IMP content
      (P<0.05) in both Fast Partridge and Lingshan chickens. The results in our study
      suggest that SNP 6805A/G can be used as a possible candidate marker of IMP
      content of chicken. 

PMID- 26275944
TI  - MiR-205 promotes motility of ovarian cancer cells via targeting ZEB1.
AB  - AIM: To investigate the clinical significance of microRNA-205 (miR-205) and zinc
      finger E-box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1) in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) and the
      underlying mechanisms by which they are involved into tumorigenesis. METHODS:
      Expression levels of miR-205 and ZEB1 mRNA in EOC tissues were detected by
      quantitative real-time PCR. Their associations with clinicopathological features
      of EOC patients were statistically analyzed. Luciferase reporter assay was used
      to confirm target associations between miR-205 and ZEB1. After that, the
      functions of miR-205-ZEB1 axis on cell migration and invasion were further
      determined by transwell assay in vitro. RESULTS: Expression levels of miR-205
      (P=0.0001) and ZEB1 mRNA (P<0.0001) in clinical EOC tissues were significantly
      higher and lower than those in normal tissues, respectively. Interestingly, there
      was a negative correlation between miR-205 and ZEB1 mRNA expression in EOC
      tissues (P=0.01). Additionally, miR-205-upregulation and/or ZEB1-downregulation
      were significantly associated with high pathological grade and advanced clinical
      stage of EOC patients (all P<0.05). Meantime, luciferase reporter assays
      identified ZEB1 as a direct target of miR-205 in EOC cells. Moreover, miR-205
      blockage inhibited, whereas miR-205 mimics promoted the motility of EOC cells in
      vitro. Importantly, all the alterations of the above cellular phenotypes by
      blocking or enhancing of miR-205 could be alleviated by subsequent suppression or
      re-introduction of its target ZEB1, respectively. CONCLUSION: MiR-205, acting as
      an oncogenic miRNA, may promote the clinical progression of EOC patients and
      enhance the cellular motility in vitro by directly and negatively regulating
      ZEB1, providing a potential therapeutic strategy for suppression of EOC
      metastasis.

PMID- 26275946
TI  - Expression and hormonal regulation of membrane progesterone receptors in human
      astrocytoma cells.
AB  - Progesterone (P) participates in the regulation of the growth of several tumors,
      including astrocytomas, the most common and malignant human brain tumors. It has
      been reported that P induces astrocytomas growth in part by its interaction with
      its intracellular receptors (PR). Recently, it has been reported that membrane
      progesterone receptors (mPRs) are expressed in ovarian and breast cancer cells,
      and that P could exert some actions through these receptors, however, it is
      unknown whether mPRs are expressed in astrocytomas. In this work, U251 and U87
      cell lines derived from human astrocytomas grade IV were used to study the
      expression, localization and hormonal regulation of three mPRs subtypes. Using RT
      qPCR and Western blot techniques, we found that mPRalpha and mPRbeta are clearly
      expressed at mRNA and protein levels in astrocytoma cells whereas mPRgamma was
      barely expressed in these cells. Immunofluorescence staining showed that mPRalpha
      and mPRbeta were mainly located in the cell surface. Flow cytometry assays
      demonstrated that in U251 and U87 cells, mPRbeta is expressed by a higher
      percentage of both permeabilized and non-permeabilized cells as compared with
      mPRalpha. The percentage of cells expressing mPRgamma was very low. P and
      estradiol (E) (10, 100 nM and 1 MUM) decreased mPRalpha protein content at 12 h.
      In contrast, both P (100 nM and 1 MUM) and E (10 and 100 nM) increased mPRbeta
      content. Finally, by in silico analysis, we identified that mPRalpha, mPRbeta and
      mPRgamma promoters contain several progesterone and estrogen response elements.
      Our results indicate that mPRs are expressed in human astrocytoma cells,
      exhibiting a differential regulation by E and P. These data suggest that some P
      actions in astrocytoma cells may be mediated by mPRs.

PMID- 26275945
TI  - Relative importance of summer sun exposure, vitamin D intake, and genes to
      vitamin D status in Dutch older adults: The B-PROOF study.
AB  - BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among seniors is
      high. Whereas sun exposure, vitamin D intake, genes, demographics, and lifestyle
      have been identified as being important determinants of vitamin D status, the
      impact of these factors is expected to differ across populations. To improve
      current prevention and treatment strategies, this study aimed to explore the main
      determinants of vitamin D status and its relative importance in a population of
      community-dwelling Dutch older adults. METHODS/SUBJECTS: Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin
      D (25(OH)D) was measured in 2857 adults aged >=65 years. Sun exposure was
      assessed with a structured questionnaire (n=1012), vitamin D intake using a Food
      Frequency Questionnaire (n=596), and data on genetic variation that may affect
      25(OH)D status was obtained for 4 genes, DHCR7 (rs12785878), CYP2R1 (rs10741657),
      GC (rs2282679), and CYP24A1 (rs6013897) (n=2530). RESULTS: Serum 25(OH)D
      concentrations <50nmol/L were observed in 45% of the population; only 6% of these
      participants used vitamin D supplements. Sun exposure (being outside daily during
      summer: 66+/-25nmol/L vs not being outside daily during summer: 58+/-27nmol/L,
      P=0.02) and vitamin D intake (per unit MUg/day during winter/spring: 3.1+/
      0.75nmol/L, P<0.0001) were associated with higher 25(OH)D concentrations. Major
      allele carriers of SNPs related to DHCR7, CYP24A1, and GC, as well as CYP2R1
      minor allele carriers had the highest 25(OH)D concentrations. Together, sun
      (R2=0.29), vitamin D intake (R2=0.24), and genes (R2=0.28) explained 35%
      (R2=0.35) of the variation in 25(OH)D concentrations during summer/autumn period,
      when adjusted for age, sex, BMI, education, alcohol consumption, smoking,
      physical activity, and self-rated health status (n=185). CONCLUSION: The
      investigated determinants explained 35% of 25(OH)D status. Of the three main
      determinants under study, sun exposure still appeared to be an important
      determinant of serum 25(OH)D in older individuals, closely followed by genes, and
      vitamin D intake. Given the low frequency of vitamin D supplement use in this
      population, promoting supplement use may be an inexpensive, easy, and effective
      strategy to fight vitamin D deficiency.

PMID- 26275948
TI  - Decay data of radionuclides along the valley of nuclear stability for
      astrophysical applications.
AB  - Several directions of the demand for decay data in nuclear astrophysics are
      discussed for radionuclides near the valley of nuclear stability. The current
      half-life and gamma-ray intensity evaluation results are presented for some
      radionuclides of astrophysical interest. An extended list of such nuclides is
      offered for their nuclear characteristics to be further evaluated by the Decay
      Data Evaluation Project collaboration participants. 

PMID- 26275947
TI  - ALPK1 affects testosterone mediated regulation of proinflammatory cytokines
      production.
AB  - Alpha-protein kinase 1, also known as alpha-kinase 1 (ALPK1), is associated with
      chronic kidney disease (CKD), myocardial infarction, gout and type 2 diabetes
      mellitus (DM). In addition to having an inductive effect on the proinflammatory
      cytokines in monocytic THP1 cells, ALPK1 is expressed abundantly in the mouse
      testes. Low testosterone levels are commonly associated with arthritis, CKD, type
      2 DM, cardiovascular disease and inflammation. The testosterone's anti
      inflammatory effect has been demonstrated to reduce proinflammatory cytokines and
      adhesion molecules. In this study, we found that ALPK1 transgenic mice showed
      lower levels of testosterone in both the testes and the serum. Decreasing
      endogenous ALPK1 enhanced testosterone levels and transcripts of testosterone
      regulated genes (P450scc, 3beta-HSD, P450C17, 17beta-HSD, StAR, and INSL3) in TM3
      Leydig cells. In contrast, increasing testosterone decreased ALPK1 in both TM3
      and monocytic THP1 cells. This decrease was accompanied by a reduction of the
      proinflammatory cytokines. Increased ALPK1 levels attenuated the testosterone
      effects in THP1 cells. Finally, we also found that ALPK1 increased the release of
      TNF-alpha and TGF-beta1 in the human embryonic kidney 293 cells, while
      testosterone inhibited ALPK1 in the primary kidney cells. Taken together, this
      data suggests that the balance between ALPK1 and testosterone plays a critical
      role in the testosterone-mediated inhibition of proinflammatory cytokines. 

PMID- 26275950
TI  - CCR 20th Anniversary Commentary: Divide and Conquer-Breast Cancer Subtypes and
      Response to Therapy.
AB  - The article by Rouzier and colleagues, published in the August 15, 2005, issue of
      Clinical Cancer Research, demonstrated that different molecular subtypes of
      breast cancer have different degrees of sensitivity to chemotherapy, but the
      extent of response to neoadjuvant therapy has a different meaning by subtype.
      Several molecular subtype-specific clinical trials are under way to maximize
      pathologic complete response rates in triple-negative breast cancer and HER2
      positive cancers, and to provide adjuvant treatment options for patients with
      residual invasive disease. See related article by Rouzier et al., Clin Cancer Res
      2005;11(16) Aug 15, 2005;5678-85.

PMID- 26275951
TI  - CCR 20th Anniversary Commentary: RAS as a Biomarker for EGFR--Targeted Therapy
      for Colorectal Cancer-From Concept to Practice.
AB  - Clinical data support the use of EGFR mAbs in patients with metastatic colorectal
      cancer (mCRC) with wild-type RAS status. This notion, hypothesized in the review
      article by Camp, Ellis, and colleagues in the January 1, 2005, issue of Clinical
      Cancer Research, serves as an example of the successful application of basic
      science principles to clinical practice. The exclusion of patients with mCRC with
      Ras-mutated tumors from therapy with EGFR mAbs has led to improved outcomes while
      sparing patients unnecessary and potentially harmful therapy. See related article
      by Camp et al., Clin Cancer Res 2005;11(1): January 1, 2005;397-405.

PMID- 26275952
TI  - FDA Approval: Ibrutinib for Patients with Previously Treated Mantle Cell Lymphoma
      and Previously Treated Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.
AB  - On November 13, 2013, the FDA granted accelerated approval to ibrutinib
      (IMBRUVICA capsules; Pharmacyclics, Inc.) for the treatment of patients with
      mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) who have received at least one prior therapy. On
      February 12, 2014, the FDA granted accelerated approval for the treatment of
      patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) who have received at least one
      prior therapy. Ibrutinib is a first-in-class Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK)
      inhibitor that received all four expedited programs of the FDA: Fast-Track
      designation, Breakthrough Therapy designation, Priority Review, and Accelerated
      Approval. Both approvals were based on overall response rate (ORR) and duration
      of response (DOR) in single-arm clinical trials in patients with prior treatment.
      In MCL (N = 111), the complete and partial response rates were 17.1% and 48.6%,
      respectively, for an ORR of 65.8% [95% confidence interval (CI), 56.2%-74.5%].
      The median DOR was 17.5 months (95% CI, 15.8-not reached). In CLL (N = 48), the
      ORR was 58.3% (95% CI, 43.2%-72.4%), and the DOR ranged from 5.6 to 24.2 months.
      The most common adverse reactions (>= 30% in either trial) were thrombocytopenia,
      diarrhea, neutropenia, bruising, upper respiratory tract infection, anemia,
      fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, peripheral edema, and nausea.

PMID- 26275953
TI  - Effects of BRCA1/2 on Ovarian and Breast Cancer Survival--Letter.

PMID- 26275954
TI  - Effects of BRCA1/2 on Ovarian and Breast Cancer Survival--Response.

PMID- 26275955
TI  - Diffusion-Weighted MRI for Lymphoma Restaging--Letter.

PMID- 26275956
TI  - Diffusion-Weighted MRI for Lymphoma Restaging--Response.

PMID- 26275957
TI  - Dimethyl sulfoxide-caused changes in pro- and anti-angiogenic factor levels could
      contribute to an anti-angiogenic response in HeLa cells.
AB  - Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is widely used in biological research as a general
      solvent. While it has been previously demonstrated that DMSO possesses a wide
      range of pharmacological effects, there is no published work regarding the
      effects of DMSO on pro-angiogenic factor levels. This study was designed to
      investigate the possible effects of DMSO on the levels of three pro-angiogenic
      factors released from HeLa cells in vitro. Cells were treated with two different
      and previously determined concentrations of DMSO. The cytotoxic effects of DMSO
      concentrations on HeLa cells were determined via MTT. Survival rates of DMSO
      treated cells were determined by Invitrogen live/dead viability/cytotoxicity kit
      and trypan blue exclusion assay. Changes in the pro-angiogenic levels in media
      were evaluated by Cayman's Substance P Enzyme Immunoassay ELISA kit. Vascular
      endothelial growth factor ELISA kit and interferon gamma ELISA kit for substance
      P, VEGF and IFNgamma respectively. Changes in substance P levels were corrected
      by standard western blotting. Changes in VEGF and IFNgamma levels were corrected
      both by western blot and real time PCR. Treatment with 1.4 MUM DMSO caused a time
      dependent inhibition of cell proliferation at 24, 48 and 72 h. 1.4 MUM DMSO
      caused a significant reduction in VEGF levels at 72 h of incubation and sharp
      increases in IFNgamma levels at both 48 and 72 h of incubation. According to real
      time PCR analyses, DMSO (1.4 MUM) exhibited an inhibitory effect on VEGF but
      acted as an augmenter of IFNgamma release on HeLa cells in vitro. This is the
      first report showing that the general solvent DMSO suppressed HeLa cell
      proliferation, decreased the levels of two pro-angiogenic factors (substance P
      and VEGF) and increased the release of an anti-angiogenic factor IFNgamma in
      vitro.

PMID- 26275958
TI  - Human urinary/seminal phthalates or their metabolite levels and semen quality: A
      meta-analysis.
AB  - Health concerns surrounding human exposure to phthalates include diminished semen
      quality. Epidemiological findings remain inconsistent. We have performed a
      quality appraisal and meta-analysis to quantitatively summarize evidence for
      associations between phthalate exposures and human semen quality. Pubmed and Web
      of Science were searched for pertinent studies through October 2014. Cited
      references were reviewed to identify secondary studies. Studies that reported
      quantitative estimates of the association between phthalates or their metabolite
      levels in humans and semen quality were eligible. Random effects models were used
      to calculate pooled effects estimates. Overall, 20 studies met our inclusion
      criteria. Subsequently, 14 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Urinary
      monobutyl phthalate (MBP) and monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP) were associated with
      reduced sperm concentration (MBP [7.4-25.3 ug/L], pooled odds ratio [OR]=2.60,
      95% confidence interval [CI]=1.32-5.15; MBzP [14.0-540.2 ug/L], pooled OR=2.23,
      95% CI=1.16-4.30). Both MBP (24.6-14,459.0 ug/L) and MEHP (3.1-208.1 ug/L) were
      inversely associated with straight line velocity (VSL; MBP, pooled beta=-2.51,
      95% CI=-4.44, -0.59; MEHP, pooled beta=-1.06, 95% CI=-1.99, -0.12). An IQR
      increase in MBzP and MEP levels (MBzP, IQR=11.35 ug/L; MEP, IQR=449.4 ug/L) was
      associated with an increase in comet extent (CE; MBzP, pooled beta=3.57, 95%
      CI=0.89-6.25; MEP, pooled beta=4.22, 95% CI=1.66-6.77). No associations were
      observed between monomethyl phthalate and any semen parameters. Our meta-analysis
      strengthens the evidence that specific phthalates or their metabolite levels may
      affect semen quality.

PMID- 26275959
TI  - Exploring the interactions between bacteriophage-encoded glycan binding proteins
      and carbohydrates.
AB  - There is an unprecedented interest in glycobiology due to the increasing
      appreciation of its impact on all aspects of life. Likewise, bacteriophage
      biology is enjoying a new renaissance as the post-antibiotic era fuels the search
      for novel ways to control harmful bacteria. Phages have spent the last 3 billion
      years developing ways of recognizing and manipulating bacterial surface glycans.
      Therefore, phages comprise a massive reservoir of glycan-binding and -hydrolyzing
      proteins with the potential to be exploited for glycan analysis, bacterial
      diagnostics and therapeutics. We discuss phage tail proteins that recognize
      bacterial surface polysaccharides, endolysins that bind and cleave peptidoglycan,
      Ig-like proteins that attach to mucin glycans, and phage effector proteins that
      recognize both bacterial and eukaryotic oligosaccharides. 

PMID- 26275960
TI  - Prevalence and Secular Trends in Obesity Among Chinese Adults, 1991-2011.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of obesity in Chinese adults increased from 1991 to
      2000; however, recent changes in this trend are unclear. This study aims to
      estimate the current prevalence of obesity and to assess trends in obesity and
      BMI distribution in Chinese adults from 1991 through 2011. METHODS: Height and
      weight measurements of 12,249 Chinese adults from the 2011 China Health and
      Nutrition Survey were analyzed (in 2013) together with China Health and Nutrition
      Survey data for 1991-2009. Obesity was defined as BMI>=28.0 kg/m(2) based on the
      Working Group on Obesity in China criteria. RESULTS: In the 2011 survey, the age
      adjusted mean BMI was 23.8 (95% CI=23.7, 23.9) for men and 23.4 (95% CI=23.2,
      23.5) for women. The age-adjusted prevalence of obesity was 11.3% (95% CI=10.8%,
      11.9%) overall, 11.8% (95% CI=10.8%, 12.6%) among men, and 11.0% (95% CI=10.3%,
      11.8%) among women. Estimates of age-adjusted obesity prevalence among the
      Chinese population were significantly lower than those of the U.S. population
      (all p<0.05). Over the 20-year period, the prevalence of obesity increased from
      2.88% to 11.8% among men (age-adjusted annual change in OR=1.08, 95% CI=1.07,
      1.09, p<0.001) and from 4.55% to 11.0% among women (OR=1.05, 95% CI=1.05, 1.06,
      p<0.001). Similar significant findings were observed for both men and women based
      on WHO recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of obesity among both Chinese
      men and women increased significantly from 1991 through 2011, particularly among
      men.

PMID- 26275961
TI  - Seipin is involved in the regulation of phosphatidic acid metabolism at a
      subdomain of the nuclear envelope in yeast.
AB  - Yeast Fld1 and Ldb16 resemble mammalian seipin, implicated in neutral lipid
      storage. Both proteins form a complex at the endoplasmic reticulum-lipid droplet
      (LD) interface. Malfunction of this complex either leads to LD clustering or to
      the generation of supersized LD (SLD) in close vicinity to the nuclear envelope,
      in response to altered phospholipid (PL) composition. We show that similar to
      mutants lacking Fld1, deletion of LDB16 leads to abnormal proliferation of a
      subdomain of the nuclear envelope, which is tightly associated with clustered LD.
      The human lipin-1 ortholog, the PAH1 encoded phosphatidic acid (PA) phosphatase,
      and its activator Nem1 are highly enriched at this site. The specific
      accumulation of PA-binding marker proteins indicates a local enrichment of PA in
      the fld1 and ldb16 mutants. Furthermore, we demonstrate that clustered LD in fld1
      or ldb16 mutants are transformed to SLD if phosphatidylcholine synthesis is
      compromised by additional deletion of the phosphatidylethanolamine
      methyltransferase, Cho2. Notably, treatment of wild-type cells with oleate
      induced a similar LD clustering and nuclear membrane proliferation phenotype as
      observed in fld1 and ldb16 mutants. These data suggest that the Fld1-Ldb16
      complex affects PA homeostasis at an LD-forming subdomain of the nuclear
      envelope. Lack of Fld1-Ldb16 leads to locally elevated PA levels that induce an
      abnormal proliferation of nER membrane structures and the clustering of
      associated LD. We suggest that the formation of SLD is a consequence of locally
      altered PL metabolism at this site. 

PMID- 26275962
TI  - High condylectomy versus proportional condylectomy: is secondary orthognathic
      surgery necessary?
AB  - The objective of this study was to assess the need for secondary orthognathic
      surgery in patients undergoing two different condylectomy protocols for active
      unilateral condylar hyperplasia (UCH). A retrospective cohort study evaluated UCH
      patients treated by condylectomy. Two groups were established: group 1 comprised
      those who had undergone a high condylectomy (5 mm removed) and group 2 comprised
      those who had undergone a proportional condylectomy (removing the difference
      observed between the measurements of the hyperplastic and the healthy side). Data
      analysis was done with the Levene test and t-test; a P-value of <0.05 indicated a
      statistically significant relationship. Forty-nine patients, with an average age
      of 19.83 years, were analyzed; 11 were included in group 1 and 38 in group 2.
      There was no statistical difference between the two groups with regard to age or
      sex (P=0.781). An average of 5.81 mm was removed in the high condylectomy group,
      while an average of 9.28 mm was removed in the proportional condylectomy group;
      this difference was statistically significant (P=0.042). Comparing the two
      groups, proportional condylectomy reduced the need for secondary orthognathic
      surgery (P<0.001). The proportional condylectomy can be used as the sole surgical
      treatment in cases of UCH, thus avoiding the need for secondary orthognathic
      surgery.

PMID- 26275963
TI  - Sperm quality and selected biochemical parameters of seminal fluid in dogs with
      benign prostatic hyperplasia.
AB  - Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in dogs is most commonly associated with age
      and increasing concentrations of dihydrotesterone, a hormone that stimulates
      growth and secretion of the prostatic epithelial cells. During this process, the
      biochemical composition of prostatic secretion changes, which can affect the
      quality of semen and limit the ability of the sperm to contribute to
      fertilization. Therefore, the present study was conducted to examine possible
      correlation between BPH and biological quality of semen. The study was performed
      in 11 sexually mature dogs of various breeds. Animals were divided into two
      groups: healthy dogs (Group I; n = 5; mean age 4.32; SEM = 1.28) and dogs with
      BPH (Group II n = 6; mean age 6.16; SEM = 0.65). Semen and prostate secretions
      were collected and evaluated in this study. Standard semen examinations were
      conducted in the ejaculates collected; moreover, the extent of apoptosis and DNA
      defragmentation was determined. The selected biochemical parameters were
      determined in the prostate secretion. According to the examination results, there
      were no significant differences in standard semen parameters between the two
      groups of dogs. Nevertheless, morphological tests of semen in dogs with BPH
      demonstrated elevated percentages of primary defects in spermatozoa. A
      significant increase (P = 0.01) in DNA defragmentation of sperm was found in dogs
      with BPH. Moreover, changes in the biochemical composition of prostate secretion
      were demonstrated. In dogs with BPH, pH of prostate secretions was greater (P =
      0.03), concentrations of cholesterol increased while concentrations of Zn and Cu
      decreased. The study findings reveal that BPH does not change semen quality in
      dogs.

PMID- 26275964
TI  - The heterogeneity of verbal short-term memory impairment in aphasia.
AB  - Verbal short-term memory (STM) impairment represents a frequent and long-lasting
      deficit in aphasia, and it will prevent patients from recovering fully functional
      language abilities. The aim of this study was to obtain a more precise
      understanding of the nature of verbal STM impairment in aphasia, by determining
      whether verbal STM impairment is merely a consequence of underlying language
      impairment, as suggested by linguistic accounts of verbal STM, or whether verbal
      STM impairment reflects an additional, specific deficit. We investigated this
      question by contrasting item-based STM measures, supposed to depend strongly upon
      language activation, and order-based STM measures, supposed to reflect the
      operation of specific, serial order maintenance mechanisms, in a sample of
      patients with single-word processing deficits at the phonological and/or lexical
      level. A group-level analysis showed robust impairment for both item and serial
      order STM aspects in the aphasic group relative to an age-matched control group.
      An analysis of individual profiles revealed an important heterogeneity of verbal
      STM profiles, with patients presenting either selective item STM deficits,
      selective order STM deficits, generalized item and serial order STM deficits or
      no significant STM impairment. Item but not serial order STM impairment
      correlated with the severity of phonological impairment. These results disconfirm
      a strong version of the linguistic account of verbal STM impairment in aphasia,
      by showing variable impairment to both item and serial order processing aspects
      of verbal STM. 

PMID- 26275965
TI  - The multisensory function of the human primary visual cortex.
AB  - It has been nearly 10 years since Ghazanfar and Schroeder (2006) proposed that
      the neocortex is essentially multisensory in nature. However, it is only recently
      that sufficient and hard evidence that supports this proposal has accrued. We
      review evidence that activity within the human primary visual cortex plays an
      active role in multisensory processes and directly impacts behavioural outcome.
      This evidence emerges from a full pallet of human brain imaging and brain mapping
      methods with which multisensory processes are quantitatively assessed by taking
      advantage of particular strengths of each technique as well as advances in signal
      analyses. Several general conclusions about multisensory processes in primary
      visual cortex of humans are supported relatively solidly. First, haemodynamic
      methods (fMRI/PET) show that there is both convergence and integration occurring
      within primary visual cortex. Second, primary visual cortex is involved in
      multisensory processes during early post-stimulus stages (as revealed by
      EEG/ERP/ERFs as well as TMS). Third, multisensory effects in primary visual
      cortex directly impact behaviour and perception, as revealed by correlational
      (EEG/ERPs/ERFs) as well as more causal measures (TMS/tACS). While the provocative
      claim of Ghazanfar and Schroeder (2006) that the whole of neocortex is
      multisensory in function has yet to be demonstrated, this can now be considered
      established in the case of the human primary visual cortex. 

PMID- 26275966
TI  - Developing organisational ethics in palliative care.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Palliative carers constantly face ethical problems. There is lack of
      organised support for the carers to handle these ethical problems in a consistent
      way. Within organisational ethics, we find models for moral deliberation and for
      developing organisational culture; however, they are not combined in a structured
      way to support carers' everyday work. RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study
      was to describe ethical problems faced by palliative carers and develop an
      adapted organisational set of values to support the handling of these problems.
      RESEARCH DESIGN: Ethical problems were mapped out using focus groups and content
      analysis. The organisational culture were developed using normative analysis and
      focus group methodology within a participatory action research approach. Main
      participants and research context: A total of 15 registered nurses and 10
      assistant nurses at a palliative unit (with 19 patient beds) at a major
      University Hospital in Sweden. Ethical considerations: The study followed
      standard ethics guidelines concerning informed consent and confidentiality.
      FINDINGS: We found six categories of ethical problems (with the main focus on
      problems relating to the patient's loved ones) and five categories of
      organisational obstacles. Based on these findings, we developed a set of values
      in three levels: a general level, an explanatory level and a level of action
      strategies. DISCUSSION: The ethical problems found corresponded to problems in
      other studies with a notable exception, the large focus on patient loved ones.
      The three-level set of values is a way to handle risks of formulating abstract
      values not providing guidance in concrete care voiced in other studies.
      CONCLUSION: Developing a three-level set of values adapted to the specific
      ethical problems in a concrete care setting is a first step towards a better
      handling of ethical problems.

PMID- 26275972
TI  - Prevalence of degenerative changes of the spine on magnetic resonance images and
      radiographs in patients aged 16-45 years with chronic back pain of short duration
      in the Spondyloarthritis Caught Early (SPACE) cohort.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of degenerative changes (DCs) in the
      spine of young patients with back pain without axial spondyloarthritis (no
      axSpA), with possible axSpA (poss-axSpA) and with definite axSpA (axSpA), as
      shown on MRI and radiographs. METHODS: Whole-spine MRI and cervical and lumbar
      radiography were performed in patients >=16 years of age with chronic back pain
      (>=3 months, <=2 years, onset <45 years) and potential axSpA (Spondyloarthritis
      Caught Early cohort). Patients were classified as no-axSpA, poss-axSpA [not
      fulfilling the Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society (ASAS) axSpA
      criteria] or axSpA (fulfilling ASAS axSpA criteria). Images (MRI and X-rays) were
      evaluated on the presence of DCs by two independent readers, blinded to clinical
      and laboratory information as well as to the results of the other imaging
      modality. In cases of disagreement, a third reader served as adjudicator. A Chi
      square test was used to analyse differences between patient groups according to
      various selected cut-off points (1-3) of individual DCs. RESULTS: Of 274 patients
      (38% male, mean age: 29 years), 25 (9%) were classified as no-axSpA, 134 (48.9%)
      as poss-axSpA and 115 (42.0%) as axSpA. Two hundred and forty-five (89%) patients
      had DCs on MRI [21/25 (84%) no-axSpA, 121/134 (90%) poss-axSpA, 103/115 (90%)
      axSpA, P = 0.792], range 1-29 (median 5.5), and 121 (44%) patients had DCs on
      radiographs [13/25 (52%) no-axSpA, 62/134 (46%) poss-axSpA, 48/115 (42%) axSpA, P
      = 0.261], range 1-11 (median 2). Prevalence of DCs was similar between patient
      groups. DCs were predominantly found in the lumbar spine. CONCLUSION: Prevalence
      of DCs was high in this cohort of young patients with short-term chronic back
      pain, in accordance with the literature. Prevalence of DCs in no-axSpA patients,
      poss-axSpA patients and axSpA patients was found to be similar.

PMID- 26275971
TI  - Flow Velocity Mapping Using Contrast Enhanced High-Frame-Rate Plane Wave
      Ultrasound and Image Tracking: Methods and Initial in Vitro and in Vivo
      Evaluation.
AB  - Ultrasound imaging is the most widely used method for visualising and quantifying
      blood flow in medical practice, but existing techniques have various limitations
      in terms of imaging sensitivity, field of view, flow angle dependence, and
      imaging depth. In this study, we developed an ultrasound imaging velocimetry
      approach capable of visualising and quantifying dynamic flow, by combining high
      frame-rate plane wave ultrasound imaging, microbubble contrast agents, pulse
      inversion contrast imaging and speckle image tracking algorithms. The system was
      initially evaluated in vitro on both straight and carotid-mimicking vessels with
      steady and pulsatile flows and in vivo in the rabbit aorta. Colour and spectral
      Doppler measurements were also made. Initial flow mapping results were compared
      with theoretical prediction and reference Doppler measurements and indicate the
      potential of the new system as a highly sensitive, accurate, angle-independent
      and full field-of-view velocity mapping tool capable of tracking and quantifying
      fast and dynamic flows.

PMID- 26275973
TI  - The Eye on Mitochondrial Disorders.
AB  - Ophthalmologic manifestations of mitochondrial disorders are frequently neglected
      or overlooked because they are often not regarded as part of the phenotype. This
      review aims at summarizing and discussing the etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis,
      and treatment of ophthalmologic manifestations of mitochondrial disorders. Review
      of publications about ophthalmologic involvement in mitochondrial disorders by
      search of Medline applying appropriate search terms. The eye is frequently
      affected by syndromic as well as nonsyndromic mitochondrial disorders. Primary
      and secondary ophthalmologic manifestations can be differentiated. The most
      frequent ophthalmologic manifestations of mitochondrial disorders include ptosis,
      progressive external ophthalmoplegia, optic atrophy, retinopathy, and cataract.
      More rarely occurring are nystagmus and abnormalities of the cornea, ciliary
      body, intraocular pressure, the choroidea, or the brain secondarily affecting the
      eyes. It is important to recognize and diagnose ophthalmologic manifestations of
      mitochondrial disorders as early as possible because most are accessible to
      symptomatic treatment with partial or complete short-term or long-term beneficial
      effect. Ophthalmologic manifestations of mitochondrial disorders need to be
      appropriately diagnosed to initiate the most effective management and guarantee
      optimal outcome. 

PMID- 26275974
TI  - Resilience in Youth and Families Living With Pediatric Health and Developmental
      Conditions: Introduction to the Special Issue on Resilience.
AB  - This special issue of the Journal of Pediatric Psychology showcases a growing
      area of research with a collection of 16 contemporary studies of resilience in
      youth with chronic medical or developmental conditions and their families. The
      research reported in this special issue covers a broad range of pediatric
      populations, including cancer, type 1 diabetes, and chronic pain, among others,
      ranging in age from early childhood through early adulthood. This introduction to
      the special issue reviews the various ways the articles' authors conceptualize
      and define risk and resilience; most analyze protective processes in relation to
      resilient outcomes, including both achievement of explicitly positive experiences
      and avoidance of dysfunction or disruption. Challenges with measurement of
      resilience-related constructs is reviewed. Finally, the special issue editors
      offer a definition of resilience in the context of pediatric and health
      psychology. 

PMID- 26275975
TI  - Psychometric Properties of the Psychosocial Assessment Tool-General in
      Adolescents and Young Adults With Sickle Cell Disease.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with sickle cell disease (SCD)
      experience psychosocial factors that increase their risk for poor disease
      management and health outcomes. Routine assessment of psychosocial factors that
      perpetuate health disparities is recommended. The Psychosocial Assessment Tool
      2.0_General (PAT2.0_GEN) AYA is a psychosocial screener with potential clinical
      utility in AYAs with SCD. This article is a preliminary examination of the
      internal consistency and predictive validity of this measure in a sample of 45
      AYAs with SCD. METHODS: Participants completed the PAT2.0_GEN AYA, Pediatric
      Quality of Life Inventory, and a demographics form; psychosocial referral data
      were also collected. RESULTS: Internal consistency for the PAT2.0_GEN AYA was
      acceptable except for the Family Beliefs (0.67) and Structure and Resources
      subscales (0.37). PAT2.0_GEN AYA scores were associated with an increased
      likelihood of referral for intervention within 4 months. CONCLUSIONS: The
      PAT2.0_GEN AYA holds promise as a screener to identify psychosocial risk factors
      that may compromise health outcomes in AYAs with SCD.

PMID- 26275976
TI  - Parent-Child Injury Prevention Conversations Following a Trip to the Emergency
      Department.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The goal of the study was to examine how parents use conversation to
      promote the internalization of safety values after their child has been seriously
      injured. METHODS: Parent interviews detailing postinjury conversations were coded
      for strategies mentioned to prevent injuries in the future and information about
      circumstances surrounding the injury. RESULTS: Logistic regression analyses
      revealed that parents were more likely to discuss why an activity was dangerous
      with older than younger children, and were more likely to urge daughters than
      sons to be more careful in the future. Injuries resulting from the presence of
      environmental hazards predicted parents telling children to be more careful in
      the future. Having others involved predicted parents urging children not to
      engage in the behavior again. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that parents
      modulated strategies according to age, gender, and injury circumstances to
      maximize the likelihood that children would behave differently in the future.

PMID- 26275977
TI  - Medical and Psychosocial Correlates of Insomnia Symptoms in Adult Survivors of
      Pediatric Brain Tumors.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Children diagnosed with brain tumors are at risk for insomnia. We
      evaluated insomnia symptoms, medical and psychosocial correlates, and medical
      documentation of sleep-related issues in a neuro-oncology clinic. METHODS: 98
      adult survivors of pediatric brain tumors provided data about sleep,
      psychological distress, and health-related quality of life. Medical records were
      reviewed for treatment-related information and for documentation of sleep-related
      issues. RESULTS: 26% of the sample reported insomnia symptoms as evidenced by
      poor sleep efficiency. Insomnia symptoms were associated with a migraine headache
      history, but not with other medical or psychosocial outcomes. Approximately one
      in three medical providers did not document discussing sleep during the
      survivorship visit. CONCLUSIONS: A sizeable number of pediatric brain tumor
      survivors experience insomnia symptoms. The survivorship visit is an ideal
      opportunity for providers to conduct a sleep evaluation for this at-risk
      population and to provide referrals for evidence-based insomnia treatment.

PMID- 26275978
TI  - Determinants of rupture of the unscarred uterus and the related feto-maternal
      outcome: current scenario in a low-income country.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Rupture of the gravid uterus is one of the most grievous obstetric
      events accounting for considerable maternal morbidity and mortality. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: An audit over a period of 2 years from October 2010 to September
      2012 was performed on pregnant women irrespective of gestational age who had a
      uterine rupture of a uterus, presumed to be unscarred. RESULTS: There were 141
      ruptures among 43,886 deliveries (0.3%). Of those, 18 (12.8% of the ruptures and
      0.04% of the deliveries) occurred in presumed unscarred uteri. The aetiologies
      were: obstruction 50%, uterine anomaly 22.2%, oxytocic administration 16.6 %,
      instrumental deliveries 5.5% and miscellaneous 11.1 %. Hysterectomy was performed
      in 55.6% of cases. Fetal mortality was 83.3% and maternal mortality was 16.6%.
      CONCLUSIONS: Training of traditional birth attendants for early referrals,
      screening for uterine anomalies by ultrasound in early pregnancy and counselling
      the women, especially multiparas and grand-multiparas are mandatory. Oxytocin
      should only be used for those if the doctor who prescribed its use stays with the
      patient continuously and stops oxytocics as soon as there are reasonable
      contractions. In emergency, the decision to delivery time should be less than 30
      min. These are some ways through which a tragic event like uterine rupture and
      its consequences can be averted.

PMID- 26275979
TI  - International Society for Quality of Life Research commentary on the draft
      European Medicines Agency reflection paper on the use of patient-reported outcome
      (PRO) measures in oncology studies.
AB  - In 2014, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) released for comment a draft
      reflection paper on the use of patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures in
      oncology studies. A twelve-member International Society for Quality of Life
      Research (ISOQOL) taskforce was convened to coordinate the ISOQOL response.
      Twenty-one ISOQOL members provided detailed comments and suggestions on the
      paper: 81 % from academia and 19 % from industry. Taskforce members consolidated
      and further refined these comments and shared the recommendations with the wider
      ISOQOL membership. A final response was submitted to the EMA in November 2014.
      The impending publication of the EMA reflection paper presents a valuable
      opportunity for ISOQOL to comment on the current direction of EMA PRO guidance
      and strategy. The EMA paper, although focused on cancer, could serve as a model
      for using PROs in other conditions, as it provides a useful update surrounding
      some of the design issues common to all trial research including PRO endpoints.
      However, we believe there are a number of additional areas in need of greater
      consideration. The purpose of this commentary is therefore to highlight the
      strengths of this timely and potentially useful document, but also to outline
      areas that may warrant further discussion. 

PMID- 26275981
TI  - Selvester QRS scoring in conduction abnormalitites: Caution recommended due to
      recent findings.

PMID- 26275980
TI  - Validation of the Full and Short-Form Self-Help Involvement Scale Against the
      Rasch Measurement Model.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Substance use disorders (SUDs) are one of the nation's most costly
      problems in terms of dollars, disability, and death. Self-help programs are among
      the varied recovery support options available to address SUD, and evaluation of
      these programs depends on good measurement. There exists an unmet need for a
      psychometrically sound, brief, efficient measure of self-help involvement for
      individuals with SUD that is valid across different substances and age-groups.
      METHODS: Using data from 2,101 persons presenting for SUD treatment, the full 21
      item Global Appraisal of Individual Needs Self-Help Involvement Scale (SHIS) and
      a newly developed 11-item short-form version were validated against the Rasch
      measurement model and each other. Differential item functioning (DIF) was
      assessed by primary substance and age. RESULTS: Both versions met Rasch
      psychometric criteria. The full scale had minor misfit with no DIF for alcohol,
      marijuana, or opioids but a few instances of DIF for amphetamine and cocaine
      users as well as for age, in that youth tended to endorse several easier items
      more frequently than did adults. The 11-item short form had neither misfit nor
      DIF by substance and only minor DIF by age was highly correlated with the full
      version and was relatively more efficient. Criterion-related validity was
      supported for both. CONCLUSIONS: Both the long and short versions of SHIS are
      psychometrically sound measures of a more comprehensive conceptualization of self
      help involvement for SUDs that can be used as part of an in-depth assessment or
      as a short measure that lessens respondent burden.

PMID- 26275982
TI  - Non-invasive assessment of the effect of beta blockers and calcium channel
      blockers on the AV node during permanent atrial fibrillation.
AB  - AIM: We aimed at assessing changes in AV nodal properties during administration
      of the beta blockers metoprolol and carvedilol, and the calcium channel blockers
      diltiazem and verapamil from electrocardiographic data. METHODS: Parameters
      accounting for the functional refractory periods of the slow and fast pathways
      (aRPs and aRPf) were estimated using atrial fibrillatory rate (AFR) and
      ventricular response assessed from 15-min ECG segments recorded at baseline and
      on drug treatment from sixty patients with permanent AF. RESULTS: The results
      showed that AFR and HR were significantly reduced for all drugs, and that aRPs
      and aRPf were significantly prolonged in both pathways. The prolongation in aRP
      was significantly larger for the calcium channel blockers than for the beta
      blockers. CONCLUSIONS: The changes observed in the AV node parameters are in line
      with the results of previous electrophysiological studies performed in patients
      during sinus rhythm, therefore supporting the clinical value of the method.

PMID- 26275983
TI  - The spatial QRS-T angle outperforms the Italian and Seattle ECG-based criteria
      for detection of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in pediatric patients.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The spatial peaks QRS-T angle has been shown to differentiate adult
      patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) from controls. We hypothesized
      that the spatial peaks QRS-T angle would, in isolation, be more accurate than the
      Italian 12-lead ECG Pre-participation Screening criteria or the Seattle criteria
      for detecting hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in pediatric patients. METHODS: A
      retrospective study of pediatric patients with HCM compared to age and gender
      matched control patients was undertaken. Significance, odds ratios, sensitivity
      and specificity of HCM detection of the visually derived spatial peaks QRS-T
      angle were compared to those of traditional 12-lead ECG criteria using: 1)
      Italy's National Pre-participation Screening Programme criteria; and 2) described
      criteria from Seattle. RESULTS: ECG results from 130 pediatric HCM patients
      (14.2+/-4.4years) were compared to 470 control patients (normal echocardiograms,
      mean age 13.4+/-4.6years). Mean+/-standard deviation (SD) values for spatial
      peaks QRS-T angles were 120.4+/-40.7 and 21.3+/-13.7 degrees for HCM and
      controls, respectively (P<0.001). A spatial peaks QRS-T angle cutoff value of
      >54.9 degrees yielded greater sensitivity and specificity (93.1% and 98.7%,
      respectively) for detecting HCM over ECG criteria from Italy (68.5% and 48.1%,
      respectively) or Seattle (64.6% and 78.9%, respectively) with odds ratios at
      1039.70 (95% CI 363.03 to 2977.67), 2.01 (95% CI 1.33 to 3.04) and 6.84 (4.49
      10.44), respectively. CONCLUSION: In our cohort, a visually derived spatial peaks
      QRS-T angle has increased sensitivity and specificity for detection of HCM in
      pediatric patients compared to currently utilized Italian or Seattle ECG
      criteria.

PMID- 26275984
TI  - Urine oligosaccharide pattern in patients with hyperprolactinaemia.
AB  - Free milk-type oligosaccharides are produced during pregnancy and lactation and
      may have an impact on several cells in the immune system. Our aim was to
      investigate if patients with isolated hyperprolactinaemia, not related to
      pregnancy, also have increased synthesis and urinary excretion of milk-type
      oligosaccharides and to compare the excretion pattern with that found during
      pregnancy. Urine samples were collected as morning sample from 18 patients with
      hyperprolactinaemia, 13 healthy controls with normal prolactin levels and four
      pregnant women. After purification, lactose and free oligosaccharides were
      analysed and quantified by high-performance anion-exchange chromatography with
      pulsed amperometric detection. The identity of peaks was confirmed by
      exoglycosidase treatment and comparison with oligosaccharide standards. Prolactin
      was measured in serum collected between 09 and 11 a.m. by a standardized
      immunochemical method. Patients with hyperprolactinaemia had higher urinary
      excretion of lactose than normoprolactinemic controls and urinary lactose
      correlated positively to prolactin levels (r = 0.51, p < 0.05). Increased levels
      of the fucosylated oligosaccharides 2-fucosyl lactose and lacto-di-fucotetraose
      were found in urine from three and two patients, respectively. The acidic
      oligosaccharide 3-sialyl lactose was found in high amount in urine from two
      patients with prolactin of >10,000 mU/l. However, pregnant women in their third
      trimester had the highest concentration of all these oligosaccharides and
      excretion increased during pregnancy. This study is first to show that both
      lactose and certain fucosylated and sialylated milk-type oligosaccharides are
      increased in some patients with hyperprolactinaemia. It remains to elucidate the
      functional importance of these findings.

PMID- 26275986
TI  - Flexible data analysis and evaluations of the SFP 10-14.

PMID- 26275985
TI  - Preparation and characterization of heparin hexasaccharide library with N
      unsubstituted glucosamine residues.
AB  - The rare N-unsubstituted glucosamine (GlcNH3(+)) residues in heparan sulfate (HS)
      have important biological and pathophysiological roles. Therefore, the ability to
      chemically generate a series of oligosaccharides, which have a similar structure
      to the naturally-occurring, GlcNH3(+)--containing oligosaccharides from HS, would
      greatly contribute to investigating their natural role in HS. In this study, a
      hexasaccharide library that possess GlcNH3(+) residues were prepared from the
      chemical modification of the fully sulfated dp6. Chemical reaction conditions
      were optimized to generate different pattern of GlcNH3(+)--containing
      oligosaccharides, then the structure of the library was detected by high
      performance liquid chromatography-ion trap/time-of-flight mass spectrometry
      (LC/MS-ITTOF) analysis. EIC/MS and MS(2) analysis showed different fragmentation
      patterns of dp6s with different GlcNH3(+) residues. This provides a foundation
      for further identification and quantification of GlcNH3(+)--oligosaccharides by
      mass spectrum analysis.

PMID- 26275987
TI  - Social adversities in adolescence predict unfavourable trajectories of
      internalized mental health symptoms until middle age: results from the Northern
      Swedish Cohort.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Experiencing adversities during upbringing has short-term and long
      term effects on mental health. This study aims to explore how social adversities
      in adolescence predict trajectories of internalized mental health symptoms
      (IMHS), from adolescence and onward until middle age. METHODS: Based on 1040
      individuals from the Northern Swedish Cohort Study, a community-based cohort with
      27 years of follow-up. We applied latent class growth analysis to extract
      trajectories of IMHS between ages 16 and 43. Multinomial logistic regression was
      used to study the association of social adversities (residential mobility,
      residential crowding, parental loss, unemployment of a parent, physical illness
      of a parent, mental illness or alcohol problems of a parent) in adolescence with
      IMHS trajectories. RESULTS: Five trajectory classes were identified: 'very low
      stable' (26% of the sample), 'low stable' (58%), 'moderate stable' (5%),
      'increasing' (8%) and 'high decreasing' (3%). Both in men and women, reporting
      social adversities at the age of 16 increased the risk of belonging to the
      classes with less favourable development of IMHS. Reporting adversities was
      positively associated with the initial level of the IMHS trajectories. Thus it
      seems that the influence of adversities is more pronounced during the early years
      of follow-up and is attenuated over time. CONCLUSION: Experiencing social
      adversities in adolescence increases the risk of entering unfavourable
      developmental trajectories of mental health until middle age.

PMID- 26275988
TI  - [Catheter-associated urinary tract infections].
AB  - In patients with indwelling urethral catheters significant bacteriuria develops
      within 4 weeks of indwelling time in practically 100% of the cases. Catheter
      encrustation and obstruction can occur in approximately 40% of patients.
      Symptomatic ascending urinary tract infections, urethral complications and
      urolithiasis can occur in significant numbers in the long term. Regular
      educational and surveillance programs in nursing homes, hospitals and in home
      care are important to instruct personnel in hygiene procedures, to learn the
      indications for catheterization, to keep the indwelling time of catheters as
      short as possible, to detect any complications early and to initiate appropriate
      diagnostics and therapy by the urologist.

PMID- 26275989
TI  - Wheat mitogen-activated protein kinase gene TaMPK4 improves plant tolerance to
      multiple stresses through modifying root growth, ROS metabolism, and nutrient
      acquisitions.
AB  - KEY MESSAGE: Wheat MAPK member TaMPK4 responds to abiotic stresses of Pi and N
      deprivations and high salinity and is crucial in regulating plant tolerance to
      aforementioned stresses. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades are
      important signal transduction modules in regulating plant responses to various
      environmental stresses. In this study, a wheat MAPK member referred to TaMPK4 was
      characterized for its roles in mediating plant tolerance to diverse stresses.
      TaMPK4 shares conserved domains generally identified in plant MAPKs and possesses
      in vitro kinase activity. Under stresses of Pi and N deprivations and high
      salinity, TaMPK4 was strongly upregulated and its expressions were restored upon
      recovery treatments from above stresses. Sense- and antisense-expressing TaMPK4
      in tobacco significantly modified plant growth under the stress conditions and
      dramatically modified the root architecture through transcriptional regulation of
      the auxin transport-associated genes NtPIN3 and NtPIN9, whose downregulated
      expressions dramatically reduced the root growth. Compared with wild type (WT),
      the antioxidant enzymatic activities under the stress conditions, P accumulation
      under P deprivation, and N amount under N deficiency were altered dramatically in
      the transgenic plants, showing higher in the TaMPK4-overexpressing and lower in
      the TaMPK4-knockout plants, which were in concordance with the modified
      expressions of a set of antioxidant enzyme genes (NtPOD2;1, NtPOD9, NtSOD2,
      NtFeSOD, and NtCAT), two phosphate transporter genes (NtPT and NtPT2), and two
      nitrate transporter genes (NtNRT1.1-s and NtNRT1.1-t), respectively.
      Downregulated expression of above genes in tobacco largely reduced the plant
      growth, and Pi and N acquisitions under the stress conditions. TaMPK4 also
      involved regulations of plant K(+) and osmolyte contents under high salinity.
      Thus, TaMPK4 is functional in regulating plant tolerance to diverse stresses
      through modifying various biological processes.

PMID- 26275992
TI  - Direct Evaluation of the Quantum Confinement Effect in Single Isolated Ge
      Nanocrystals.
AB  - To address the yet open question regarding the nature of quantum confinement in
      Ge nanocrystals (Ge NCs) we employed scanning tunneling spectroscopy to monitor
      the electronic structure of individual isolated Ge NCs as a function of their
      size. The (single-particle) band gaps extracted from the tunneling spectra
      increase monotonically with decreasing nanocrystal size, irrespective of the
      capping ligands, manifesting the effect of quantum confinement. Band-gap widening
      of ~1 eV with respect to the bulk value was observed for Ge-NCs 3 nm in diameter.
      The picture emerging from comparison with theoretical calculations and other
      experimental results is discussed. 

PMID- 26275991
TI  - De novo assembly and characterisation of the field pea transcriptome using RNA
      Seq.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Field pea (Pisum sativum L.) is a cool-season grain legume that is
      cultivated world-wide for both human consumption and stock-feed purposes.
      Enhancement of genetic and genomic resources for field pea will permit improved
      understanding of the control of traits relevant to crop productivity and quality.
      Advances in second-generation sequencing and associated bioinformatics analysis
      now provide unprecedented opportunities for the development of such resources.
      The objective of this study was to perform transcriptome sequencing and
      characterisation from two genotypes of field pea that differ in terms of seed and
      plant morphological characteristics. RESULTS: Transcriptome sequencing was
      performed with RNA templates from multiple tissues of the field pea genotypes
      Kaspa and Parafield. Tissue samples were collected at various growth stages, and
      a total of 23 cDNA libraries were sequenced using Illumina high-throughput
      sequencing platforms. A total of 407 and 352 million paired-end reads from the
      Kaspa and Parafield transcriptomes, respectively were assembled into 129,282 and
      149,272 contigs, which were filtered on the basis of known gene annotations,
      presence of open reading frames (ORFs), reciprocal matches and degree of
      coverage. Totals of 126,335 contigs from Kaspa and 145,730 from Parafield were
      subsequently selected as the reference set. Reciprocal sequence analysis revealed
      that c. 87% of contigs were expressed in both cultivars, while a small proportion
      were unique to each genotype. Reads from different libraries were aligned to the
      genotype-specific assemblies in order to identify and characterise expression of
      contigs on a tissue-specific basis, of which 87% were expressed in more than one
      tissue, while others showed distinct expression patterns in specific tissues,
      providing unique transcriptome signatures. CONCLUSION: This study provided a
      comprehensive assembled and annotated transcriptome set for field pea that can be
      used for development of genetic markers, in order to assess genetic diversity,
      construct linkage maps, perform trait-dissection and implement whole-genome
      selection strategies in varietal improvement programs, as well to identify target
      genes for genetic modification approaches on the basis of annotation and
      expression analysis. In addition, the reference field pea transcriptome will
      prove highly valuable for comparative genomics studies and construction of a
      finalised genome sequence.

PMID- 26275993
TI  - Surgical Approaches to Pediatric Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction.
AB  - Approximately 10-30% of infants with hydronephrosis are found to have
      ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction. Technological advances in imaging have
      allowed physicians to better identify the location of the obstruction. The
      classic repair is the Anderson-Hynes repair which shows a 90-100% success rate
      and appears superior to many less complex techniques. Is it best to approach this
      repair through an open incision or laparoscopically with or without a surgical
      robot? That question remains to be answered and largely depends on how you define
      "best."

PMID- 26275994
TI  - Hydrogen Sulfide Promotes Tet1- and Tet2-Mediated Foxp3 Demethylation to Drive
      Regulatory T Cell Differentiation and Maintain Immune Homeostasis.
AB  - Regulatory T (Treg) cells are essential for maintenance of immune homeostasis.
      Here we found that hydrogen sulfide (H2S) was required for Foxp3(+) Treg cell
      differentiation and function and that H2S deficiency led to systemic autoimmune
      disease. H2S maintained expression of methylcytosine dioxygenases Tet1 and Tet2
      by sulfhydrating nuclear transcription factor Y subunit beta (NFYB) to facilitate
      its binding to Tet1 and Tet2 promoters. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF
      beta)-activated Smad3 and interleukin-2 (IL-2)-activated Stat5 facilitated Tet1
      and Tet2 binding to Foxp3. Tet1 and Tet2 catalyzed conversion of 5-methylcytosine
      (5mC) to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) in Foxp3 to establish a Treg-cell
      specific hypomethylation pattern and stable Foxp3 expression. Consequently, Tet1
      and Tet2 deletion led to Foxp3 hypermethylation, impaired Treg cell
      differentiation and function, and autoimmune disease. Thus, H2S promotes Tet1 and
      Tet2 expression, which are recruited to Foxp3 by TGF-beta and IL-2 signaling to
      maintain Foxp3 demethylation and Treg-cell-associated immune homeostasis. 

PMID- 26275996
TI  - Utilization of Observation Units for the Care of Poisoned Patients: Trends from
      the Toxicology Investigators Consortium Case Registry.
AB  - Many poisoned patients may only require a period of observation after their
      exposure. There are limited data describing the use of observation units for
      managing poisoned adult and pediatric patients. We performed a retrospective
      review of all patients reported to the ToxIC Case Registry between January 1,
      2012 and December 31, 2013. Eligible patients included those who received a
      bedside consultation by a medical toxicologist and whose care was provided in an
      observation unit, or those who were admitted under the care of a medical
      toxicologist in an observation unit. A total of 15,562 poisonings were reported
      to the registry during the study period, of which 340 (2.2 %) involved patients
      who were cared for in an observation unit. Of these patients, 22.1 % were 18
      years of age or younger, and the remaining 77.9 % were greater than 18 years of
      age. The most common reason for exposure was the intentional ingestion of a
      pharmaceutical agent in both adult (30.2 %) and pediatric patients (36.0 %).
      Alcohols (ethanol) (24.9 %), opioids (20.0 %), and sedative-hypnotics (17.7 %)
      were the most common agent classes involved in adult patient exposures. The most
      common agent classes involved in pediatric exposures were antidepressants (12.0
      %), anticonvulsants (10.7 %), and envenomations (10.7 %). In adult patients, the
      most common signs and symptoms involved the nervous system (52.0 %), a toxidrome
      (17.0 %), or a major vital sign abnormality (14.7 %). In pediatric patients, the
      most common signs and symptoms involved the nervous system (53.3 %), a toxidrome
      (21.3 %), or a major vital sign abnormality (17.3 %). The results of this study
      demonstrate that a wide variety of poisoned patients have been cared for in an
      observation unit in consultation with a board-certified medical toxicologist.
      Patterns for the reasons for exposure, agents responsible for the exposure, and
      toxicological treatments will continue to evolve. Further study is needed to
      identify better those poisoned patients who can be appropriately managed in an
      observation unit. 

PMID- 26275995
TI  - The PYRIN Domain-only Protein POP1 Inhibits Inflammasome Assembly and Ameliorates
      Inflammatory Disease.
AB  - In response to infections and tissue damage, ASC-containing inflammasome protein
      complexes are assembled that promote caspase-1 activation, IL-1beta and IL-18
      processing and release, pyroptosis, and the release of ASC particles. However,
      excessive or persistent activation of the inflammasome causes inflammatory
      diseases. Therefore, a well-balanced inflammasome response is crucial for the
      maintenance of homeostasis. We show that the PYD-only protein POP1 inhibited ASC
      dependent inflammasome assembly by preventing inflammasome nucleation, and
      consequently interfered with caspase-1 activation, IL-1beta and IL-18 release,
      pyroptosis, and the release of ASC particles. There is no mouse ortholog for
      POP1, but transgenic expression of human POP1 in monocytes, macrophages, and
      dendritic cells protected mice from systemic inflammation triggered by molecular
      PAMPs, inflammasome component NLRP3 mutation, and ASC danger particles. POP1
      expression was regulated by TLR and IL-1R signaling, and we propose that POP1
      provides a regulatory feedback loop that shuts down excessive inflammatory
      responses and thereby prevents systemic inflammation. 

PMID- 26275998
TI  - Lavage prior to vertebral augmentation reduces the risk for cement leakage.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study aimed at assessing the cement leakage rate and the filling
      pattern in patients treated with vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty and stentoplasty
      with and without a newly developed lavage technique. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective
      clinical case-control study. METHODS: A newly developed bipedicular lavage
      technique prior to cement application was applied in 64 patients (45.1 %) with
      116 vertebrae, ("lavage" group). A conventional bipedicular cement injection
      technique was used in 78 patients (54.9 %) with 99 levels ("controls"). The
      outcome measures were filling patterns and leakage rates. RESULTS: The overall
      leakage rate (venous, cortical defect, intradiscal) was 37.9 % in the lavage and
      83.8 % in the control group (p < 0.001). Venous leakage (lavage 12.9 % vs.
      controls 31.3 %; p = 0.001) and cortical defect leakage (lavage 17.2 % vs.
      controls 63.3 %; p < 0.001) were significantly lower in the lavage group compared
      to "controls," whereas intradiscal leakages were similar in both groups (lavage
      12.1 % vs. controls 15.2 %; p = 0.51). For venous leakage multivariate logistic
      regression analysis showed lavage to be the only independent predictor. Lavage
      was associated with 0.33-times (95 % CI 0.16-0.65; p = 0.001) lower likelihood
      for leakage in compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS: Vertebral body lavage prior to
      cement augmentation is a safe technique to reduce cement leakage in a clinical
      setting and has the potential to prevent pulmonary fat embolism. Moreover, a
      better filling pattern can be achieved.

PMID- 26276000
TI  - Towards the creation of a standard MSC line as a calibration tool.

PMID- 26275999
TI  - How do Malawian women rate the quality of maternal and newborn care? Experiences
      and perceptions of women in the central and southern regions.
AB  - BACKGROUND: While perceived quality of care is now widely recognized to influence
      health service utilization, limited research has been conducted to explore and
      measure perceived quality of care using quantitative tools. Our objective was to
      measure women's perceived quality of maternal and newborn care using a composite
      scale and to identify individual and service delivery factors associated with
      such perceptions in Malawi. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey in
      selected health facilities from March to May 2013. Exit interviews were conducted
      with 821 women convenience sampled at antenatal, delivery, and postnatal clinics
      using structured questionnaires. Experiences and the corresponding perceived
      quality of care were measured using a composite perception scale based on 27
      items, clustered around three dimensions of care: interpersonal relations,
      conditions of the consultation and delivery rooms, and nursing care services.
      Statements reflecting the 27 items were read aloud and the women were asked to
      rate the quality of care received on a visual scale of 1 to 10 (10 being the
      highest score). For each dimension, an aggregate score was calculated using the
      un-weighted item means, representing three outcome variables. Descriptive
      statistics were used to display distribution of explanatory variables and one-way
      analysis of variance was used to analyse bivariate associations between the
      explanatory and the outcome variables. RESULTS: A high perceived quality of care
      rating was observed on interpersonal relations, conditions of the examination
      rooms and nursing care services with an overall mean score of 9/10. Self
      introduction by the health worker, explanation of examination procedures, consent
      seeking, encouragement to ask questions, confidentiality protection and being
      offered to have a guardian during delivery were associated with a high quality
      rating of interpersonal relations for antenatal and delivery care services. Being
      literate, never experienced a still birth and, first ANC visit were associated
      with a high quality rating of room conditions for antenatal care service.
      CONCLUSIONS: The study highlights some of the multiple factors associated with
      perceived quality of care. We conclude that proper interventions or practices and
      policies should consider these factors when making quality improvements.

PMID- 26276001
TI  - Research using Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells: quality metric towards developing
      a reference material.
AB  - Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) have been extensively investigated for
      their regenerative, immune-modulatory, and wound healing properties. While the
      laboratory studies have suggested that MSC's have a unique potential for
      modulating the etiopathology of multiple diseases, the results from clinical
      trials have not been encouraging or reproducible. One of the explanations for
      such variability is explained by the "art" of isolating and propagating MSCs.
      Therefore, establishing more than minimal criteria to define MSC would help
      understand best protocols to isolate, propagate and deliver MSCs. Developing a
      calibration standard, a database and a set of functional tests would be a better
      quality metric for MSCs. In this review, we discuss the importance of selecting a
      standard, issues associated with coming up with such a standard and how these
      issues can be mitigated. 

PMID- 26276002
TI  - Enhancement of the immunoregulatory potency of mesenchymal stromal cells by
      treatment with immunosuppressive drugs.
AB  - BACKGROUND AIMS: Multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are distinguished
      by their ability to differentiate into a number of stromal derivatives of
      interest for regenerative medicine, but they also have immunoregulatory
      properties that are being tested in a number of clinical settings. METHODS: We
      show that brief incubations with rapamycin, everolimus, FK506 or cyclosporine A
      increase the immunosuppressive potency of MSCs and other cell types. RESULTS: The
      treated MSCs are up to 5-fold more potent at inhibiting the induced proliferation
      of T lymphocytes in vitro. We show that this effect probably is due to adsorption
      of the drug by the MSCs during pre-treatment, with subsequent diffusion into co
      cultures at concentrations sufficient to inhibit T-cell proliferation. MSCs
      contain measurable amounts of rapamycin after a 15-min exposure, and the
      potentiating effect is blocked by a neutralizing antibody to the drug. With the
      use of a pre-clinical model of acute graft-versus-host disease, we demonstrate
      that a low dose of rapamycin-treated but not untreated umbilical cord-derived
      MSCs significantly inhibit the onset of disease. CONCLUSIONS: The use of treated
      MSCs may achieve clinical end points not reached with untreated MSCs and allow
      for infusion of fewer cells to reduce costs and minimize potential side effects.

PMID- 26276003
TI  - Bone marrow stromal cell transplantation through tail vein injection promotes
      angiogenesis and vascular endothelial growth factor expression in cerebral
      infarct area in rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND AIMS: This study sought to identify correlations between vascular
      endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression after tail-vein injection of rat
      derived bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) and neurogenesis and angiogenesis in
      cerebral infarct of rats. METHODS: Rats with intraluminal middle cerebral artery
      occlusion were injected in a tail vein with Hoechst-labeled BMSCs. Functional
      recovery from cerebral infarction was observed through the use of a locomotion
      score. The brains of injected rats were sliced, and Hoechst-labeled BMSCs in the
      infarct and peri-infarct areas and subventricular zone (SVZ) were detected with
      the use of fluorescence microscopy. Ki-67 (as a cell proliferation marker) and
      VEGF expression were determined by means of immunohistochemistry. Neurofibril
      formation and angiogenesis were examined by means of Bielschowsky staining.
      RESULTS: Within 1 to 2 weeks after BMSC injection, rats showed significantly
      improved locomotion scores compared with rats without BMSC injection (P < 0.01).
      Viable BMSCs were found in the peri-infarct area. The numbers of Ki-67-positive
      and VEGF-positive cells in the peri-infarct area and SVZ of injected rats were
      significantly increased compared with the control group (P < 0.01). Numerous new
      vessels, neurofibrils and anastomosed vasculatures were present in the infarct
      area. These neurofibrils mainly surrounded the neovasculatures. CONCLUSIONS:
      These results indicate that BMSC-transplantation in rats through tail vein
      injection can increase neurogenesis, perhaps as the result of VEGF-mediated
      and/or Ki-67-mediated angiogenesis.

PMID- 26276004
TI  - BMP4 inhibits myogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal
      cells in mdx mice.
AB  - BACKGROUND AIMS: Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BMSCs) are a
      promising therapeutic option for treating Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).
      Myogenic differentiation occurs in the skeletal muscle of the mdx mouse (a mouse
      model of DMD) after BMSC transplantation. The transcription factor bone
      morphogenic protein 4 (BMP4) plays a crucial role in growth regulation,
      differentiation and survival of many cell types, including BMSCs. We treated
      BMSCs with BMP4 or the BMP antagonist noggin to examine the effects of BMP
      signaling on the myogenic potential of BMSCs in mdx mice. METHODS: We added BMP4
      or noggin to cultured BMSCs under myogenic differentiation conditions. We then
      injected BMP4- or noggin-treated BMSCs into the muscles of mdx mice to determine
      their myogenic potential. RESULTS: We found that the expression levels of desmin
      and myosin heavy chain decreased after treating BMSCs with BMP4, whereas the
      expression levels of phosphorylated Smad, a downstream target of BMP4, were
      higher in these BMSCs than in the controls. Mdx mouse muscles injected with BMSCs
      pretreated with BMP4 showed decreased dystrophin expression and increased
      phosphorylated Smad levels compared with muscles injected with non-treated BMSCs.
      The opposite effects were seen after pretreatment with noggin, as expected.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our results identified BMP/Smad signaling as an essential negative
      regulator of promyogenic BMSC activity; inhibition of this pathway improved the
      efficiency of BMSC myogenic differentiation, which suggests that this pathway
      might serve as a target to regulate BMSC function for better myogenic
      differentiation during treatment of DMD and degenerative skeletal muscle
      diseases.

PMID- 26276005
TI  - Storage effect on viability and biofunctionality of human adipose tissue-derived
      stromal cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND AIMS: In our recent studies, the transplantation of human adipose
      tissue-derived stromal cells (ASCs) has shown promise for treatment of diseases
      related to bone and joint disorders. METHODS: For the current clinical
      applications, ASCs were formulated and suspended in PlasmaLyte A supplemented
      with heparin, glucose and human serum albumin, balanced to pH 7.4 with sodium
      bicarbonate. This cell solution constitutes 20% of the overall transplanted
      mixture and is supplemented with hyaluronic acid (60%) and OraGraft particles
      (20%). We intended to investigate the effect of this transplantation mixture on
      the viability and biofunctionality of ASCs in bone formation. Freshly harvested
      cells were resuspended and incubated in the indicated mixture for up to 48 h at 4
      degrees C. Cell viability was assessed using trypan blue and AlamarBlue, and cell
      functionality was determined by quantifying their adhesion rate in vitro and bone
      formation in an ectopic mouse model. RESULTS: More than 80% of the ASCs stored in
      the transplantation mixture were viable for up to 24 h. Cell viability beyond 24
      h in storage decreased to approximately 50%. In addition, an equal degree of bone
      formation was observed between the cells transplanted following incubation in
      transplantation mixture for up to 24 h and zero-time non-incubated cells
      (control). CONCLUSIONS: The viability and functionality of ASCs stored in the
      presented formulation will make such cell therapy accessible to larger and more
      remote populations.

PMID- 26276006
TI  - Paracrine in vivo inhibitory effects of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal
      stromal cells in the early stages of the acute inflammatory response.
AB  - BACKGROUND AIMS: Excessive or unresolved inflammation leads to tissue lesions.
      Adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (AMSCs) have shown protective
      effects that may be dependent on the modulation of inflammation by secreted
      factors. METHODS: We used the zymosan-induced mouse air pouch model at two time
      points (4 h and 18 h) to evaluate the in vivo effects of AMSCs and their
      conditioned medium (CM) on key steps of the early inflammatory response. We
      assessed the effects of AMSCs and CM on leukocyte migration and myeloperoxidase
      activity. The levels of chemokines, cytokines and eicosanoids in exudates were
      measured by use of enzyme-linked immunoassay or radio-immunoassay. In addition,
      the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1
      (mPGES-1) was studied by use of Western blotting and the phosphorylation of p65
      nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) by immunofluorescence. RESULTS: All
      inflammatory parameters were significantly reduced by CM and AMSCs to a similar
      extent at 4 h after zymosan injection with lower effects at 18 h. The observed
      inhibition of leukocyte migration was associated with reduced levels of
      chemokines and leukotriene B4. Interleukin-1beta, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis
      factor-alpha and tumor necrosis factor-stimulated gene 6 levels were
      significantly decreased. The downregulation of mPGES-1 was associated with
      inhibition of prostaglandin E2 production. Our results suggest that these anti
      inflammatory effects are related, in part, to the inhibition of NF-kappaB
      activation. CONCLUSIONS: AMSCs dampen the early process of inflammation in the
      zymosan-induced mouse air pouch model through paracrine mechanisms. These results
      support the potential utility of these cells as a source of novel treatment
      approaches for inflammatory pathologies.

PMID- 26276007
TI  - MyD88-silenced dendritic cells induce T-cell hyporesponsiveness and promote Th2
      polarization in vivo.
AB  - BACKGROUND AIMS: Previous studies have determined that the absence of MyD88
      enhances the tolerogenicity of dendritic cells (DCs), suggesting that inhibiting
      innate immunity may be a potential strategy to facilitate the induction of
      transplant tolerance by DCs. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear.
      METHODS: Recipient rats were preconditioned with MyD88 gene-silenced DCs. In vivo
      distribution of infused MyD88 gene-silenced DCs in lymphatic organs was also
      analyzed. The response ability of recipient spleen T cells was determined by cell
      proliferation assay. The concentrations of interferon (IFN)-gamma, interleukin
      (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-5 and IL-10 in cell culture supernates were measured with
      sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Flow cytometry was used to detect the
      transfection efficiency and CD4(+)CD25(+)FoxP3(+) T cell assay. RESULTS: After
      being infused into allogenic recipient rats, both MyD88-or control-silenced DCs
      were efficiently trafficked to the lymphatic organs and liver. The ex vivo
      analysis of proliferative responses revealed the donor-specific inhibition of
      alloimmune reactivity by MyD88-silenced DCs. This effect was associated with the
      marked inhibition of Th1-type cytokine production (IFN-gamma and IL-2) but with
      significant promotion of Th2 type cytokine secretion (IL-4 and IL-5).
      CONCLUSIONS: It was demonstrated that T cells from recipients pretreated with
      MyD88-silenced DCs exhibited significantly reduced secretion of IFN-gamma and IL
      2 but markedly enhanced production of IL-4 and IL-5.

PMID- 26276008
TI  - An innovative method to generate a Good Manufacturing Practice-ready regulatory T
      cell product from non-mobilized leukapheresis donors.
AB  - BACKGROUND AIMS: There is real and sustained interest in preparing T-regulatory
      cells from leukapheresis collections for cellular therapy through the use of
      simple, effective and reliable methods conforming to Good Manufacturing Practice
      (GMP). We describe a GMP-ready isolation procedure for CD25(+) products with the
      use of a sterile docking device, pigtail sampling, a laminar flow hood and the
      CliniMACS system that uses leukapheresis collections made by two apheresis
      machines. METHODS: We used CD8/CD19 depletion followed by CD25-positive
      selection. The median number of CD4(+) cells recovered was 72.5 +/- 32.6 * 10(6),
      of which 60.5% +/- 17.8% were CD25(+)FOXP3(+) cells. Suppression of autologous
      CD25(-) cell proliferation by the cryopreserved CD25(+) products was 51.3% +/-
      4.4%, 49.0% +/- 3.7% and 39.0% +/- 3.6% at CD25(+):CD25(-) ratios of 1:1, 1:2 and
      1:4 (n = 6), respectively, comparable to suppression by fresh CD25(+) products
      (53% +/- 6.2%, 51% +/- 3.3% and 39% +/- 7.1%). RESULTS: We found Leukapheresis
      collections by Cobe Spectra contained more lymphocytes and platelets than
      collections by Spectra Optia apheresis machine (median, 9.2 * 10(9) versus 6.7 *
      10(9); P = 0.04) and platelets (median, 610 * 10(9) versus 170 * 10(9); P =
      0.04). The frequency of CD4(+)CD25(+)FOXP3(+) was significantly higher in the
      leukapheresis (4.85%; 95% confidence interval, 1.95% to 5.38%) than in peripheral
      blood (3.9%; 95% confidence interval, 2.63% to 6.45%) (P = 0.02). The CD8- and
      CD19-negative depletion step was associated with significant loss of total CD4(+)
      T cells (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that functional CD25(+)
      products can be isolated with a GMP-ready method, and good recovery can be
      obtained with the use of an optimized cryopreservation protocol. These data and
      methods show the potential, possibilities and future work needed to isolate
      target cell populations in a reproducible, time-efficient and cost-efficient
      manner for clinical applications.

PMID- 26276009
TI  - T cells specific for different latent and lytic viral proteins efficiently
      control Epstein-Barr virus-transformed B cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND AIMS: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated post-transplant
      lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD) belong to the most dreaded complications of
      immunosuppression. The efficacy of EBV-specific T-cell transfer for PTLD has been
      previously shown, yet the optimal choice of EBV-derived antigens inducing
      polyclonal CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells that cover a wide range of human leukocyte
      antigen types and efficiently control PTLD remains unclear. METHODS: A pool of
      125 T-cell epitopes from seven latent and nine lytic EBV-derived proteins
      (EBVmix) and peptide pools of EBNA1, EBNA3c, LMP2a and BZLF1 were used to
      determine T-cell frequencies and to isolate T cells through the use of the
      interferon (IFN)-gamma cytokine capture system. We further evaluated the
      phenotype and functionality of the generated T-cell lines in vitro. RESULTS:
      EBVmix induced significantly higher T-cell frequencies and allowed selecting more
      CD4(+)IFN-gamma(+) and CD8(+)IFN-gamma(+) cells than single peptide pools. T
      cells of all specificities expanded similarly in vitro, recognized cognate
      antigen, and, to a lower extent, EBV-infected cells, exerted moderate
      cytotoxicity and showed reduced alloreactivity. However, EBVmix-specific cells
      most efficiently controlled EBV-infected lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs). This
      control was mainly mediated by EBV-specific CD8(+) cells with an oligoclonal
      epitope signature covering both latent and lytic viral proteins. Notably, EBV
      specific CD4(+) cells unable to control LCLs produced significantly less perforin
      and granzyme B, probably because of limited LCL epitope presentation.
      CONCLUSIONS: EBVmix induces a broader T-cell response, probably because of its
      coverage of latent and lytic EBV-derived proteins that may be important to
      control EBV-transformed B cells and might offer an improvement of T-cell
      therapies.

PMID- 26276011
TI  - Reprint of: Preclinical characterization of DUOC-01, a cell therapy product
      derived from banked umbilical cord blood for use as an adjuvant to umbilical cord
      blood transplantation for treatment of inherited metabolic diseases.
AB  - BACKGROUND AIMS: Cord blood (CB) transplantation slows neurodegeneration during
      certain inherited metabolic diseases. However, the number of donor cells in the
      brain of patients does not appear to be sufficient to provide benefit until
      several months after transplant. We developed the cell product DUOC-01 to provide
      therapeutic effects in the early post-transplant period. METHODS: DUOC-01
      cultures initiated from banked CB units were characterized by use of time-lapse
      photomicroscopy during the 21-day manufacturing process. Antigen expression was
      measured by means of flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry; transcripts for
      cytokines and enzymes by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction;
      activities of lysosomal enzymes by direct biochemical analysis; alloreactivity of
      DUOC-01 and of peripheral blood (PB) mononuclear cells (MNC) to DUOC-01 by mixed
      lymphocyte culture methods; and cytokine secretion by Bioplex assays. RESULTS:
      DUOC-01 cultures contained highly active, attached, motile, slowly proliferating
      cells that expressed common (cluster of differentiation [CD]11b, CD14 and Iba1),
      M1 type (CD16, inducible nitric oxide synthase), and M2-type (CD163, CD206)
      macrophage or microglia markers. Activities of 11 disease-relevant lysosomal
      enzymes in DUOC-01 products were similar to those of normal PB cells. All DUOC-01
      products secreted interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10. Accumulation of transforming
      growth factor-beta, IL-1beta, interferon-gamma and TNF-alpha in supernatants was
      variable. IL-12, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 were not detected at significant
      concentrations. Galactocerebrosidase, transforming growth factor-beta and IL-10
      transcripts were specifically enriched in DUOC-01 relative to CB cells. PB MNCs
      proliferated and released cytokines in response to DUOC-01. DUOC-01 did not
      proliferate in response to mismatched MNC. CONCLUSIONS: DUOC-01 has potential as
      an adjunctive cell therapy to myeloablative CB transplant for treatment of
      inherited metabolic diseases.

PMID- 26276010
TI  - Interaction between human mature adipocytes and lymphocytes induces T-cell
      proliferation.
AB  - BACKGROUND AIMS: Adipose tissue is a critical organ that plays a major role in
      energy balance regulation and the immune response through intricate signals.
      METHODS: We report on the inter-relation between mature adipocytes and
      lymphocytes in terms of adipocyte-derived T-cell chemo-attractants and adipocyte
      metabolic effects on lymphocytes. RESULTS: During the culture time, mature
      adipocytes changed their structural and functional properties into de
      differentiated cells. Isolated mature adipocytes expressed significantly higher
      levels of CIITA, major histocompatibility complex II (human leukocyte antigen
      [HLA]-DR) and costimulatory signal molecule CD80 compared with adipocytes after
      the de-differentiation process. Moreover, human leukocyte antigen-G, which may
      prevent the immune responses of mesenchymal stromal cells, was expressed at lower
      level in mature adipocytes compared with de-differentiated adipocytes. In line
      with these molecular data, functional results showed different immunoregulatory
      properties between adipocytes before and after the de-differentiation process.
      Mature adipocytes stimulated the proliferation of total lymphocytes and
      immunoselected cell populations CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ in a direct contact-dependent
      way that involved the major histocompatibility complex I and II pathways.
      Moreover, adipocytes secreted potential chemo-attractant factors, but data showed
      that adipocyte-derived culture medium was not sufficient to activate lymphocyte
      proliferation, suggesting that a direct contact between adipocytes and immune
      cells was needed. However, specific mature adipocyte cytokines enhanced
      lymphocyte proliferation in a mixed lymphocyte reaction. CONCLUSIONS: In
      conclusion, cross-talk occurs between adipocytes and lymphocytes within adipose
      tissue involving T-cell chemo-attraction by mature adipocytes. Our findings,
      together with current observations in the field, provide a rationale to identify
      adipocyte-lymphocyte cross-talk that instigates adipose inflammation.

PMID- 26276012
TI  - Density functional theory study of C2F5I synthesis over activated carbon
      catalyst.
AB  - Quantum chemistry calculations based on the density functional theory (DFT) are
      carried out to investigate the reaction mechanism of C2F5I synthesis catalyzed by
      activated carbon. The possible adsorption configurations of fluorocarbon
      intermediates are analyzed carefully. Also, the related transition states and
      reaction pathway are analyzed. According to calculation, firstly, the
      dehydrofluorination of C2HF5, as the rate-determining step, is catalyzed by the
      carboxyl acid groups. Secondly, the tetrafluoroethylidene radicals
      disproportionate on graphite (001) surface instead of rearrangement or
      dimerization. Next, the fluorine abstractions between fluorocarbon intermediates
      over graphite (001) surfaces proceed successfully. Finally, the desorbed
      pentafluoroethyl abstracts iodine atom from molecular iodine spontaneously to
      afford C2F5I. In adition, our calculations reveal that the carbon deposit in
      experiment is caused by the fluorine abstraction from fluoroethinyl. The
      suggested mechanism corresponds with our calculations and available experiments.

PMID- 26276013
TI  - Brain catecholamine depletion and motor impairment in a Th knock-in mouse with
      type B tyrosine hydroxylase deficiency.
AB  - Tyrosine hydroxylase catalyses the hydroxylation of L-tyrosine to l-DOPA, the
      rate-limiting step in the synthesis of catecholamines. Mutations in the TH gene
      encoding tyrosine hydroxylase are associated with the autosomal recessive
      disorder tyrosine hydroxylase deficiency, which manifests phenotypes varying from
      infantile parkinsonism and DOPA-responsive dystonia, also termed type A, to
      complex encephalopathy with perinatal onset, termed type B. We generated
      homozygous Th knock-in mice with the mutation Th-p.R203H, equivalent to the most
      recurrent human mutation associated with type B tyrosine hydroxylase deficiency
      (TH-p.R233H), often unresponsive to l-DOPA treatment. The Th knock-in mice showed
      normal survival and food intake, but hypotension, hypokinesia, reduced motor
      coordination, wide-based gate and catalepsy. This phenotype was associated with a
      gradual loss of central catecholamines and the serious manifestations of motor
      impairment presented diurnal fluctuation but did not improve with standard l-DOPA
      treatment. The mutant tyrosine hydroxylase enzyme was unstable and exhibited
      deficient stabilization by catecholamines, leading to decline of brain tyrosine
      hydroxylase-immunoreactivity in the Th knock-in mice. In fact the substantia
      nigra presented an almost normal level of mutant tyrosine hydroxylase protein but
      distinct absence of the enzyme was observed in the striatum, indicating a
      mutation-associated mislocalization of tyrosine hydroxylase in the nigrostriatal
      pathway. This hypomorphic mouse model thus provides understanding on
      pathomechanisms in type B tyrosine hydroxylase deficiency and a platform for the
      evaluation of novel therapeutics for movement disorders with loss of dopaminergic
      input to the striatum. 

PMID- 26276014
TI  - Fall Down Detection Under Smart Home System.
AB  - Medical technology makes an inevitable trend for the elderly population,
      therefore the intelligent home care is an important direction for science and
      technology development, in particular, elderly in-home safety management issues
      become more and more important. In this research, a low of operation algorithm
      and using the triangular pattern rule are proposed, then can quickly detect fall
      down movements of humanoid by the installation of a robot with camera vision at
      home that will be able to judge the fall-down movements of in-home elderly people
      in real time. In this paper, it will present a preliminary design and
      experimental results of fall-down movements from body posture that utilizes image
      pre-processing and three triangular-mass-central points to extract the
      characteristics. The result shows that the proposed method would adopt some
      characteristic value and the accuracy can reach up to 90 % for a single character
      posture. Furthermore the accuracy can be up to 100 % when a continuous-time
      sampling criterion and support vector machine (SVM) classifier are used.

PMID- 26276015
TI  - Cloud-Based Smart Health Monitoring System for Automatic Cardiovascular and Fall
      Risk Assessment in Hypertensive Patients.
AB  - The aim of this paper is to describe the design and the preliminary validation of
      a platform developed to collect and automatically analyze biomedical signals for
      risk assessment of vascular events and falls in hypertensive patients. This m
      health platform, based on cloud computing, was designed to be flexible,
      extensible, and transparent, and to provide proactive remote monitoring via data
      mining functionalities. A retrospective study was conducted to train and test the
      platform. The developed system was able to predict a future vascular event within
      the next 12 months with an accuracy rate of 84 % and to identify fallers with an
      accuracy rate of 72 %. In an ongoing prospective trial, almost all the recruited
      patients accepted favorably the system with a limited rate of inadherences
      causing data losses (<20 %). The developed platform supported clinical decision
      by processing tele-monitored data and providing quick and accurate risk
      assessment of vascular events and falls.

PMID- 26276016
TI  - Determination of Fatigue Following Maximal Loaded Treadmill Exercise by Using
      Wavelet Packet Transform Analysis and MLPNN from MMG-EMG Data Combinations.
AB  - The muscle fatigue can be expressed as decrease in maximal voluntary force
      generating capacity of the neuromuscular system as a result of peripheral changes
      at the level of the muscle, and also failure of the central nervous system to
      drive the motoneurons adequately. In this study, a muscle fatigue detection
      method based on frequency spectrum of electromyogram (EMG) and mechanomyogram
      (MMG) has been presented. The EMG and MMG data were obtained from 31 healthy,
      recreationally active men at the onset, and following exercise. All participants
      were performed a maximally exercise session in a motor-driven treadmill by using
      standard Bruce protocol which is the most widely used test to predict functional
      capacity. The method used in the present study consists of pre-processing,
      determination of the energy value based on wavelet packet transform, and
      classification phases. The results of the study demonstrated that changes in the
      MMG 176-234 Hz and EMG 254-313 Hz bands are critical to determine for muscle
      fatigue occurred following maximally exercise session. In conclusion, our study
      revealed that an algorithm with EMG and MMG combination based on frequency
      spectrum is more effective for the detection of muscle fatigue than EMG or MMG
      alone.

PMID- 26276017
TI  - A Software Development Platform for Wearable Medical Applications.
AB  - Wearable medical devices have become a leading trend in healthcare industry.
      Microcontrollers are computers on a chip with sufficient processing power and
      preferred embedded computing units in those devices. We have developed a software
      platform specifically for the design of the wearable medical applications with a
      small code footprint on the microcontrollers. It is supported by the open source
      real time operating system FreeRTOS and supplemented with a set of standard APIs
      for the architectural specific hardware interfaces on the microcontrollers for
      data acquisition and wireless communication. We modified the tick counter routine
      in FreeRTOS to include a real time soft clock. When combined with the
      multitasking features in the FreeRTOS, the platform offers the quick development
      of wearable applications and easy porting of the application code to different
      microprocessors. Test results have demonstrated that the application software
      developed using this platform are highly efficient in CPU usage while maintaining
      a small code foot print to accommodate the limited memory space in
      microcontrollers. 

PMID- 26276018
TI  - A Type-2 Fuzzy Image Processing Expert System for Diagnosing Brain Tumors.
AB  - The focus of this paper is diagnosing and differentiating Astrocytomas in MRI
      scans by developing an interval Type-2 fuzzy automated tumor detection system.
      This system consists of three modules: working memory, knowledge base, and
      inference engine. An image processing method with three steps of preprocessing,
      segmentation and feature extraction, and approximate reasoning is used in
      inference engine module to enhance the quality of MRI scans, segment them into
      desired regions, extract the required features, and finally diagnose and
      differentiate Astrocytomas. However, brain tumors have different characteristics
      in different planes, so considering one plane of patient's MRI scan may cause
      inaccurate results. Therefore, in the developed system, several consecutive
      planes are processed. The performance of this system is evaluated using 95 MRI
      scans and the results show good improvement in diagnosing and differentiating
      Astrocytomas. 

PMID- 26276019
TI  - Leveraging Clinical Informatics in the Conduct of Clinical Trials.

PMID- 26276020
TI  - A qualitative study assessing cardiovascular risk factors: the accumulative
      stressors influencing societal integration of teenage African immigrants.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study examines the nature of disparities in cardiovascular risk
      by exploring chronic stressors and other cardiovascular risk factors on youth of
      African descent who are integrating into an industrialized society. METHODS:
      Qualitative data on cardiovascular risk and acclimation to the dominant society
      were collected from three groups of key informants: (1) community leaders; (2)
      youth; and (3) a community advisory group. RESULTS: Youth of Ethiopian descent
      engaged in the same western diets, computerized social networking, and habits in
      smoking and alcohol use as did youth from the dominant society. However,
      informants of Ethiopian descent encountered and witnessed racism, institutional
      discrimination and evidence of devaluing Ethiopian culture, influencing youths'
      ability to integrate into the society. CONCLUSION: Immigrant youth of Ethiopian
      descent face an accumulation of conflicting social support, psychosocial factors,
      and stressors, including: living in low-income, high-crime areas; encountering
      pervasive discrimination; acclimating to a new and industrialized culture; and
      navigating within an often unhospitable society. Contributing to these factors
      are changes in health behaviors such as adding processed foods and sugary drinks
      to the diet, increasing heavy alcohol use and substituting screen use for
      physical activity. The accumulative impact of these factors contributes to the
      marginalization of youth of Ethiopian descent in the dominant society and
      perpetuates a cycle of increasing cardiovascular risk.

PMID- 26276021
TI  - How stress triggers itch: a preliminary study of the mechanism of stress-induced
      pruritus using fMRI.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Itch is one of the most prevalent and familiar nociceptions in humans
      and can result in impaired quality of life. The central processing of itch is
      known to be important in perceptions of itch and strategies for coping with it,
      and various triggers have been reported to be associated with patterns of brain
      activation in pruritus. Stress is known to be an important aggravating factor in
      itch, but the precise mechanism by which brain activation results in stress
      induced pruritus remains elusive. METHODS: Using functional magnetic resonance
      imaging (fMRI), we attempted to evaluate if stress-induced pruritus is associated
      with the activation of certain areas of the brain. Furthermore, we investigated
      whether sedating antihistamines are more effective than non-sedating
      antihistamines in decreasing stress-induced pruritus. Memories of stressful
      events followed by visual stimuli using a series of pictures depicting fearful
      and stressful conditions, mixed with neutralizing pictures, were used to evoke
      pruritus. RESULTS: The hippocampus and subcortical structures were found to be
      involved in stress-associated pruritus. Interestingly, sedating antihistamines
      were involved in the deactivation of brain regions associated with the relief of
      itch by active scratching, which suggests that sedating antihistamines may
      mitigate pruritus by instigating patterns of brain activity similar to those
      induced by scratching behavior. CONCLUSIONS: Itch scratching reflects a
      complicated pattern of brain activity. Activation of the hippocampus appears to
      be involved in stress-associated pruritus, and sedating antihistamines may work
      in a manner similar to that of scratching behavior. To our knowledge, this is the
      first study to evaluate brain functioning in relation to stress-induced pruritus.

PMID- 26276022
TI  - Mini-Symposium: Emerging Viral Infections of the Central Nervous System.

PMID- 26276023
TI  - Diagnostics and Discovery in Viral Central Nervous System Infections.
AB  - The range of viruses implicated in central nervous system disease continues to
      grow with globalization of travel and trade, emergence and reemergence of
      zoonoses and investments in discovery science. Diagnosis of viral central nervous
      system infections is challenging in that brain tissue, where the pathogen
      concentration is likely to be highest, is not readily obtained and sensitive
      methods for molecular and serological detection of infection are not available in
      most clinical microbiology laboratories. Here we review these challenges and
      discuss how they may be addressed using advances in molecular, proteomic and
      immunological methods. 

PMID- 26276024
TI  - Henipavirus Encephalitis: Recent Developments and Advances.
AB  - The genus Henipavirus within the family Paramyxoviridae includes the Hendra virus
      (HeV) and Nipah virus (NiV) which were discovered in the 1990s in Australia and
      Malaysia, respectively, after emerging to cause severe and often fatal outbreaks
      in humans and animals. While HeV is confined to Australia, more recent NiV
      outbreaks have been reported in Bangladesh, India and the Philippines. The
      clinical manifestations of both henipaviruses in humans appear similar, with a
      predominance of an acute encephalitic syndrome. Likewise, the pathological
      features are similar and characterized by disseminated, multi-organ vasculopathy
      comprising endothelial infection/ulceration, vasculitis, vasculitis-induced
      thrombosis/occlusion, parenchymal ischemia/microinfarction, and parenchymal cell
      infection in the central nervous system (CNS), lung, kidney and other major
      organs. This unique dual pathogenetic mechanism of vasculitis-induced
      microinfarction and neuronal infection causes severe tissue damage in the CNS.
      Both viruses can also cause relapsing encephalitis months and years after the
      acute infection. Many animal models studied to date have largely confirmed the
      pathology of henipavirus infection, and provided the means to test new
      therapeutic agents and vaccines. As the bat is the natural host of henipaviruses
      and has worldwide distribution, spillover events into human populations are
      expected to occur in the future. 

PMID- 26276025
TI  - Understanding Enterovirus 71 Neuropathogenesis and Its Impact on Other
      Neurotropic Enteroviruses.
AB  - Enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) belongs to the species group A in the Enterovirus genus
      within the Picornaviridae family. EV-A71 usually causes self-limiting hand, foot
      and mouth disease or herpangina but rarely causes severe neurological
      complications such as acute flaccid paralysis and encephalomyelitis. The
      pathology and neuropathogenesis of these neurological syndromes is beginning to
      be understood. EV-A71 neurotropism for motor neurons in the spinal cord and
      brainstem, and other neurons, is mainly responsible for central nervous system
      damage. This review on the general aspects, recent developments and advances of
      EV-A71 infection will focus on neuropathogenesis and its implications on other
      neurotropic enteroviruses, such as poliovirus and the newly emergent Enterovirus
      D68. With the imminent eradication of poliovirus, EV-A71 is likely to replace it
      as an important neurotropic enterovirus of worldwide importance. 

PMID- 26276026
TI  - West Nile Virus Encephalitis 16 Years Later.
AB  - Arboviruses (Arthropod-borne viruses) include several families of viruses
      (Flaviviridae, Togaviradae, Bunyaviradae, Reoviradae) that are spread by
      arthropod vectors, most commonly mosquitoes, ticks and sandflies. The RNA genome
      allows these viruses to rapidly adapt to ever-changing host and environmental
      conditions. Thus, these virus families are largely responsible for the recent
      expansion in geographic range of emerging viruses including West Nile virus
      (WNV), dengue virus and Chikungunya virus. This review will focus on WNV,
      especially as it has progressively spread westward in North America since its
      introduction in New York in 1999. By 2003, WNV infections in humans had reached
      almost all lower 48 contiguous United States (US) and since that time,
      fluctuations in outbreaks have occurred. Cases decreased between 2008 and 2011,
      followed by a dramatic flair in 2012, with the epicenter in the Dallas-Fort Worth
      region of Texas. The 2012 outbreak was associated with an increase in reported
      neuroinvasive cases. Neuroinvasive disease continues to be a problem particularly
      in the elderly and immunocompromised populations, although WNV infections also
      represented the second most frequent cause of pediatric encephalitis in these
      same years. Neuropathological features in cases from the 2012 epidemic highlight
      the extent of viral damage that can occur in the CNS. 

PMID- 26276028
TI  - 2 Month-Old Male with Hypotonia.

PMID- 26276029
TI  - An 11-Year-Old Boy with A Sacral Spinal Mass.

PMID- 26276027
TI  - Emerging Infections of CNS: Avian Influenza A Virus, Rift Valley Fever Virus and
      Human Parechovirus.
AB  - History is replete with emergent pandemic infections that have decimated the
      human population. Given the shear mass of humans that now crowd the earth, there
      is every reason to suspect history will repeat itself. We describe three RNA
      viruses that have recently emerged in the human population to mediate severe
      neurological disease. These new diseases are results of new mutations in the
      infectious agents or new exposure pathways to the agents or both. To appreciate
      their pathogenesis, we summarize the essential virology and immune response to
      each agent. Infection is described in the context of known host defenses. Once
      the viruses evade immune defenses and enter central nervous system (CNS) cells,
      they rapidly co-opt host RNA processing to a cataclysmic extent. It is not clear
      why the brain is particularly susceptible to RNA viruses; but perhaps because of
      its tremendous dependence on RNA processing for physiological functioning,
      classical mechanisms of host defense (eg, interferon disruption of viral
      replication) are diminished or not available. Effectiveness of immunity,
      immunization and pharmacological therapies is reviewed to contextualize the scope
      of the public health challenge. Unfortunately, vaccines that confer protection
      from systemic disease do not necessarily confer protection for the brain after
      exposure through unconventional routes. 

PMID- 26276030
TI  - 55-Year-Old Man with Acute Ascending Paraparesis.

PMID- 26276031
TI  - A 19-Year-Old Male with an Intraventricular Tumor.

PMID- 26276033
TI  - Legacy of a Chemical Factory Site: Contaminated Groundwater Impacts Stream
      Macroinvertebrates.
AB  - Legislative and managing entities of EU member states face a comprehensive task
      because the chemical and ecological impacts of contaminated sites on surface
      waters must be assessed. The ecological assessment is further complicated by the
      low availability or, in some cases, absence of ecotoxicity data for many of the
      compounds occurring at contaminated sites. We studied the potential impact of a
      contaminated site, characterised by chlorinated solvents, sulfonamides, and
      barbiturates, on benthic macroinvertebrates in a receiving stream. Most of these
      compounds are characterised by low or unknown ecotoxicity, but they are
      continuously discharged into the stream by way of a long-lasting source
      generating long-term chronic exposure of the stream biota. Our results show that
      taxonomical density and diversity of especially sediment dwelling taxa were
      reduced by >50 % at the sampling sites situated in the primary inflow zone of the
      contaminated GW. Moreover, macroinvertebrate communities at these sampling sites
      could be distinguished from those at upstream control sites and sites situated
      along a downstream dilution gradient using multidimensional scaling. Importantly,
      macroinvertebrate indices currently used did not identify this impairment, thus
      underpinning an urgent need for developing suitable tools for the assessment of
      ecological effects of contaminated sites in streams. 

PMID- 26276034
TI  - Factors Affecting Antioxidant Response in Fish from a Long-term Mercury
      Contaminated Reservoir.
AB  - The objective of this work was to evaluate antioxidant defence and oxidative
      damage in organs (liver, gills, kidney, and brain) of five fish species (Aspius
      aspius, Esox lucius, Sander lucioperca, Abramis brama, Rutilus rutilus) from the
      long-term mercury-contaminated Skalka Reservoir in the Czech Republic. Special
      emphasis was placed on a comprehensive assessment of the factors that may affect
      the antioxidant response to mercury in fish. Antioxidant enzymes (glutathione
      reductase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione-S-transferase) did not
      significantly respond to mercury contamination. Levels of the analysed enzymes
      and oxidative damage to lipids were predominantly determined by a separate organ
      factor or species factor, or by the combination of both (p < 0.001). Levels of
      total glutathione and the reduced/oxidized glutathione ratio were influenced by
      mercury contamination in combination with their specific organ distribution (p <
      0.001). Our results suggest that species and type of organ alone or in
      combination are more important factors than chronic exposure to mercury
      contamination with respect to effects on antioxidant defence in fish under field
      conditions. Our findings suggest that the main antioxidant defensive mechanism in
      fish from the studied long-term mercury contaminated site was the inter-tissue
      distribution of glutathione. 

PMID- 26276035
TI  - Metformin synergizes 5-fluorouracil, epirubicin, and cyclophosphamide (FEC)
      combination therapy through impairing intracellular ATP production and DNA repair
      in breast cancer stem cells.
AB  - Metformin, an AMPK activator, has been reported to improve pathological response
      to chemotherapy in diabetic breast cancer patients. To date, its mechanism of
      action in cancer, especially in cancer stem cells (CSCs) have not been fully
      elucidated. In this study, we demonstrated that metformin, but not other AMPK
      activators (e.g. AICAR and A-769662), synergizes 5-fluouracil, epirubicin, and
      cyclophosphamide (FEC) combination chemotherapy in non-stem breast cancer cells
      and breast cancer stem cells. We show that this occurs through an AMPK-dependent
      mechanism in parental breast cancer cell lines. In contrast, the synergistic
      effects of metformin and FEC occurred in an AMPK-independent mechanism in breast
      CSCs. Further analyses revealed that metformin accelerated glucose consumption
      and lactate production more severely in the breast CSCs but the production of
      intracellular ATP was severely hampered, leading to a severe energy crisis and
      impairs the ability of CSCs to repair FEC-induced DNA damage. Indeed, addition of
      extracellular ATP completely abrogated the synergistic effects of metformin on
      FEC sensitivity in breast CSCs. In conclusion, our results suggest that metformin
      synergizes FEC sensitivity through distinct mechanism in parental breast cancer
      cell lines and CSCs, thus providing further evidence for the clinical relevance
      of metformin for the treatment of cancers. 

PMID- 26276038
TI  - Surgical geriatric oncology: It is time for interventions.

PMID- 26276037
TI  - TCGA whole-transcriptome sequencing data reveals significantly dysregulated genes
      and signaling pathways in hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - This study systematically evaluates the TCGA whole-transcriptome sequencing data
      of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by comparing the global gene expression
      profiles between tumors and their corresponding nontumorous liver tissue. Based
      on the differential gene expression analysis, we identified a number of novel
      dysregulated genes, in addition to those previously reported. Top-listing
      upregulated (CENPF and FOXM1) and downregulated (CLEC4G, CRHBP, and CLEC1B) genes
      were successfully validated using qPCR on our cohort of 65 pairs of human HCCs.
      Further examination for the mechanistic overview by subjecting significantly
      upregulated and downregulated genes to gene set enrichment analysis showed that
      different cellular pathways were involved. This study provides useful information
      on the transcriptomic landscape and molecular mechanism of hepatocarcinogenesis
      for development of new biomarkers and further in-depth characterization. 

PMID- 26276039
TI  - Everolimus for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma refractory to anti
      VEGF therapy: results of a pooled analysis of non-interventional studies.
AB  - AIM: To assess the efficacy and safety of everolimus in patients with metastatic
      renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) who failed one or two anti-VEGF therapies. PATIENTS
      AND METHODS: Data from four prospective, non-interventional studies conducted in
      Germany, France, Greece and Austria were pooled for this analysis. Patients with
      mRCC of any histology (clear cell or non-clear cell) were included. VEGF
      refractory patients received everolimus 10mg/day until disease progression or
      unacceptable toxicity. The primary objective was to determine everolimus efficacy
      as measured by time to progression (TTP; from baseline to progression). RESULTS:
      The overall population comprised 632 patients; 493 patients received everolimus
      in the second-line setting. Most patients were of favourable/intermediate MSKCC
      risk (91%), had clear cell mRCC (89%), and had undergone nephrectomy (89%).
      Median TTP was 6.3months (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.9-6.8) for the overall
      population and 6.4months (95% CI, 5.8-6.9) for the second-line everolimus
      population. Similarly, median progression-free survival was 5.5months (95% CI,
      5.0-6.1) for the overall population and 5.8months (95% CI, 5.0-6.4) for second
      line everolimus population. Best tumour response (n=349) was complete or partial
      remission in 12% of patients and stable disease in 59% of patients. Overall
      population median overall survival (OS) was 11.2months (95% CI, 9.0-not reached).
      Commonly reported adverse events (AEs) (any grade) were stomatitis (25%), anaemia
      (15%) and asthenia (11%). CONCLUSIONS: Results of this pooled analysis provide
      evidence of safety and effectiveness of second-line everolimus in routine
      clinical use and support everolimus as a standard of care for VEGF-refractory
      patients with mRCC.

PMID- 26276040
TI  - Techniques to improve the maintenance of a laboratory colony of Nyssomyia neivai
      (Diptera: Psychodidae).
AB  - BACKGROUND: The most critical phase in sand fly colonization is the high
      mortality in the larval instars. In this study, we sought out strategies for
      improving the colonization of Nyssomyia neivai, one of the vectors of cutaneous
      leishmaniasis agent in South America. METHODS: A colony of Ny. neivai was
      established in the laboratory from a field population, and the productivity of
      adults was evaluated considering carrying capacity, diet for larvae and surface
      for oviposition. RESULTS: The highest emergency rate of adults was achieved with
      the fewest couples inside 150 mL rearing chambers on a sterilized diet made of
      rabbit feces, rabbit food, soil and fish food and with vermiculite as a substrate
      for oviposition and the development of larvae. CONCLUSION: Our data on Ny. neivai
      colonization showed that the best adult productivities were achieved with fewer
      couples inside the rearing chambers; smaller rearing containers of 150 mL (due to
      less fungi growth); sterilized diet made of rabbit feces, rabbit food, soil and
      fish food; and vermiculite as the substrate for oviposition and development of
      larvae.

PMID- 26276041
TI  - Confirmed dioestrus in pseudopregnant mice using vaginal exfoliative cytology
      improves embryo transfer implantation rate.
AB  - Embryo transfer is a commonly performed surgical technique. In mice, protocols
      typically specify pairing recipient females with vasectomized males to induce a
      receptive uterine environment for embryo implantation. However, this induced
      receptive state is not always maintained until implantation occurs. The use of a
      well-characterized correlation between oestrous state and exfoliative vaginal
      cytology was therefore evaluated to assess uterine receptivity immediately before
      embryo transfer. Eight- to 12-week-old virgin female CD1 mice (n = 22) were
      paired overnight with vasectomized males and successfully mated, indicated by the
      presence of a vaginal plug. These dams underwent embryo transfer 3 days later
      with embryos obtained from superovulated 4-week-old F1 (C57BL/6 * CBA) females.
      Non-invasive vaginal lavage was conducted immediately before transfer. Dams were
      killed 6 days after transfer and the uterus collected for histological analysis.
      Embryo implantation rate in mice was 96% when cytological analysis of the lavage
      samples signified dioestrus (n = 6), whereas the implantation rate was <15% (n =
      16) when cytology signified other stages of oestrous. This simple, quick, non
      invasive measure of receptivity was accurate and easily adopted and, when applied
      prospectively, will avoid unnecessary surgery and subsequent culling of non
      suitable recipients, while maximizing the implantation potential of each
      recipient female. 

PMID- 26276036
TI  - Neurophysiology of Reward-Guided Behavior: Correlates Related to Predictions,
      Value, Motivation, Errors, Attention, and Action.
AB  - Many brain areas are activated by the possibility and receipt of reward. Are all
      of these brain areas reporting the same information about reward? Or are these
      signals related to other functions that accompany reward-guided learning and
      decision-making? Through carefully controlled behavioral studies, it has been
      shown that reward-related activity can represent reward expectations related to
      future outcomes, errors in those expectations, motivation, and signals related to
      goal- and habit-driven behaviors. These dissociations have been accomplished by
      manipulating the predictability of positively and negatively valued events. Here,
      we review single neuron recordings in behaving animals that have addressed this
      issue. We describe data showing that several brain areas, including orbitofrontal
      cortex, anterior cingulate, and basolateral amygdala signal reward prediction. In
      addition, anterior cingulate, basolateral amygdala, and dopamine neurons also
      signal errors in reward prediction, but in different ways. For these areas, we
      will describe how unexpected manipulations of positive and negative value can
      dissociate signed from unsigned reward prediction errors. All of these signals
      feed into striatum to modify signals that motivate behavior in ventral striatum
      and guide responding via associative encoding in dorsolateral striatum. 

PMID- 26276042
TI  - White tea consumption restores sperm quality in prediabetic rats preventing
      testicular oxidative damage.
AB  - Prediabetes represents a major risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes
      mellitus (T2DM). It encompasses some, but not all, T2DM diagnostic criteria.
      Prediabetes has been recently associated with altered testicular function and
      increased testicular oxidative stress (OS). Tea is widely consumed and its anti
      hyperglycaemic/antioxidant properties are known. This study aimed to evaluate
      whether white tea (WTEA) consumption by prediabetic rats could prevent testicular
      OS, preserving sperm quality. For that purpose, WTEA (presenting a high catechin
      content) was given to 30-day-old streptozotocin-induced prediabetic rats for 2
      months. Testicular antioxidant potential and OS were evaluated, as well as sperm
      parameters, by standard techniques. WTEA consumption improved glucose tolerance
      and insulin sensitivity in prediabetic rats. Testicular antioxidant potential was
      increased by WTEA consumption, restoring protein oxidation and lipid
      peroxidation, although glutathione content and redox state were not altered. WTEA
      consumption improved sperm concentration and sperm quality (motility, viability
      and abnormality) was restored. Overall, WTEA consumption improved reproductive
      health of male prediabetic rats. Based on the study results, WTEA consumption
      appears to be a natural, economical and effective strategy to counteract the
      deleterious effects of prediabetes on male reproductive health, but further
      studies will be needed before a definitive recommendation is made. 

PMID- 26276043
TI  - Unifying theory of adult resting follicle recruitment and fetal oocyte arrest.
AB  - One of the biggest mysteries of ovarian physiology is what controls the emergence
      of adult primordial follicles from the resting stage, and their steady depletion
      over the woman's lifetime. A related mystery is why do early oogonia begin
      meiosis in the fetus and then suddenly arrest for most of fetal and adult life.
      If fetal oocyte arrest did not occur after meiotic activation, there would be no
      oocytes left in the female baby by the time she is born. Similarly, without a
      steady controlled release in the adult ovary of resting follicles, the adult
      woman would run out of her eggs prematurely and have an early menopause. Could
      there be a similarity between what causes fetal oocyte arrest and what causes
      adult oocyte recruitment? The answer begins with the observation of a sudden
      massive recruitment of primordial follicles after human ovarian transplantation,
      and the embryologic discoveries about oocyte activation and the time of
      differentiation of cortex and medulla. The unifying theory is that ovarian
      cortical tissue pressure controls both fetal oocyte arrest and adult oocyte
      recruitment. 

PMID- 26276044
TI  - Low-Grade Fibromyxoid Sarcoma of the Head and Neck: A Clinicopathologic Series
      and Review of the Literature.
AB  - Low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma (LGFMS) is a deceptively bland malignancy with
      potential for late recurrence and metastasis, which usually occurs in the deep
      soft tissues of the extremities and trunk. Most LGFMSs harbor a characteristic
      gene fusion of FUS-CREB3L2, and recently MUC4 immunostaining has been found to be
      highly sensitive and specific for the diagnosis. We present a dedicated series of
      head and neck LGFMS, including the first reported laryngeal case, as well as a
      review of reported head and neck cases. The surgical pathology archives of our
      three institutions were searched for cases of LGFMS arising within the head and
      neck, and four cases were identified. The H&E slides were reviewed, and
      immunohistochemistry were performed for pancytokeratin, p63, p40, EMA, S100
      protein, beta-catenin, actin, CD34, and MUC4. The patients were 6, 43, 45, and 73
      years old (mean 41.8 years) and included three males and one female. The tumors
      were located in the posterior cervical spine, facial skin, mandible, and larynx.
      The tumors were treated with surgical excision, and all four had histologic
      features typical for LGFMS including alternating myxoid and fibrous areas with
      prominent curvilinear vasculature. All tumors were MUC4 positive (100%), 2/4
      (50%) were p63 positive, 1/4 (25%) showed focal EMA positivity; all 4 were
      negative for pancytokeratin, p40, S100 protein, beta-catenin, actin, and CD34.
      LGFMS is a low grade sarcoma that rarely develops in the head and neck. Due to
      its rarity, a pathologist may not consider LGFMS in the differential diagnosis of
      spindle cell neoplasms within the head and neck. Immunohistochemical staining is
      helpful, but stains should be selected carefully to avoid misdiagnosis.

PMID- 26276045
TI  - Molecular responses of alveolar epithelial A549 cells to chronic exposure to
      titanium dioxide nanoparticles: A proteomic view.
AB  - Although the biological effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs) have
      been studied for more than two decades, the mechanisms governing their toxicity
      are still unclear. We applied 2D-gel proteomics analysis on A549 epithelial
      alveolar cells chronically exposed for 2months to 2.5 or 50MUg/mL of deeply
      characterized TiO2-NPs, in order to obtain comprehensive molecular responses that
      may reflect functional outcomes. We show that exposure to TiO2-NPs impacts the
      abundance of 30 protein species, corresponding to 22 gene products. These
      proteins are involved in glucose metabolism, trafficking, gene expression,
      mitochondrial function, proteasome activity and DNA damage response. Besides, our
      results suggest that p53 pathway is activated, slowing down cell cycle
      progression and reducing cell proliferation rate. Moreover, we report increased
      content of chaperones-related proteins, which suggests homeostasis re
      establishment. Finally, our results highlight that chronic exposure to TiO2-NPs
      affects the same cellular functions as acute exposure to TiO2-NPs, although lower
      exposure concentrations and longer exposure times induce more intense cellular
      response. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Our results make possible the identification
      of new mechanisms that explain TiO2-NP toxicity upon long-term, in vitro exposure
      of A549 cells. It is the first article describing -omics results obtained with
      this experimental strategy. We show that this long-term exposure modifies the
      cellular content of proteins involved in functions including mitochondrial
      activity, intra- and extracellular trafficking, proteasome activity, glucose
      metabolism, and gene expression. Moreover we observe modification of content of
      proteins that activate the p53 pathway, which suggest the induction of a DNA
      damage response. Technically, our results show that exposure of A549 cells to a
      high concentration of TiO2-NPs leads to the identification of modulations of the
      same functional categories than exposure to low, more realistic concentrations.
      Still the intensity differs between these two exposure scenarios. We also show
      that chronic exposure to TiO2-NPs induces the modulation of cellular functions
      that have already been reported in the literature as being impacted in acute
      exposure scenarios. This proves that the exposure protocol in in vitro
      experiments related to nanoparticle toxicology might be cautiously chosen since
      inappropriate scenario may lead to inappropriate and/or incomplete conclusions.

PMID- 26276046
TI  - Novel missense mutation in the GALNS gene in an affected patient with severe form
      of mucopolysaccharidosis type IVA.
AB  - Mucopolysaccharidosis type IVA (MPS IVA), also known as Morquio A, is an
      autosomal recessive disorder characterized by a deficiency of N
      acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfate sulfatase (GALNS), which causes major skeletal and
      connective tissue abnormalities and affects multiple organ systems. In this
      study, one MPS IVA patient with a severe form from consanguine large Iranian
      family has been investigated. To find a mutation, all of the 14 exons and intron
      exon junctions of GALNS gene were sequenced. Sequencing results were analyzed
      using bioinformatic analysis in order to predict probable pathogenic effect of
      the variant. One novel homozygous missense mutation in exon 5, c.542A>G
      (p.Y181C), was found in the proband. That was predicted as being probably
      pathogenic by bioinformatics analysis. Segregation and familial study confirmed
      this pathogenic mutation. In conclusion, we have identified the novel mutation
      responsible for MPS IVA in an Iranian patient to assist in the diagnosis, genetic
      counseling and prenatal diagnosis of the affected families. 

PMID- 26276047
TI  - The calibrator value assignment protocol of the Abbott enzymatic creatinine assay
      is inadequate for ensuring suitable quality of serum measurements.

PMID- 26276048
TI  - Salivary uric acid as a noninvasive biomarker for monitoring the efficacy of
      urate-lowering therapy in a patient with chronic gouty arthropathy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Monitoring blood uric acid (UA) is important in all patients on urate
      lowering therapy so that the selection of the effective drugs and dosage
      adjustments could be made until the target level is reached. The issue is that
      frequent needle jabs are unacceptable. Reported mean levels of salivary UA were
      185-240 MUmol/l in healthy adults. A linear correlation was demonstrated between
      UA concentrations in saliva and plasma. We monitored salivary UA instead of
      plasmatic UA in a patient with gout. METHODS: Allopurinol and benzbromarone were
      used as the therapeutic drugs. Salivary UA; urinary UA and creatinine; and
      plasmatic UA, creatinine, kynurenine and tryptophan were measured by HPLC.
      RESULTS: Salivary UA indicated the efficacy of therapy accurately and
      conveniently. After eight weeks therapy, the weekly mean levels of salivary UA
      were reduced and maintained to <300 MUmol/l, which was equivalent to <360 MUmol/l
      of plasmatic UA according to the salivary UA/plasmatic UA ratio of this patient.
      CONCLUSION: Measurement of salivary UA is a noninvasive and useful way for
      monitoring the status of hyperuricemia and the therapeutic efficacy of urate
      lowering therapy. It has value for the management of hyperuricemia and gout.

PMID- 26276049
TI  - Deep brain stimulation for depression: Scientific issues and future directions.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Deep brain stimulation is an experimental intervention for treatment
      resistant depression. Open trials have shown a sustained response to chronic
      stimulation in many subjects. However, two recent randomised, double-blind,
      placebo-controlled trials failed to replicate these results. This article is a
      conceptual paper examining potential explanations for these discrepant findings.
      METHOD: We conducted a systematic review of the published studies obtained from
      PubMed and PsycINFO. Studies were selected if they directly examined the impact
      of deep brain stimulation on depressive symptoms. We excluded case reports and
      papers re-describing the same cohort of patients. We compared them with data from
      the placebo-controlled trials, available from Clinicaltrials.gov and abstracts of
      the American Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery. We
      supplemented our investigation by reviewing additional publications by the major
      groups undertaking deep brain stimulation for mood disorders. RESULTS: We
      selected 10 open studies reporting on eight cohorts of patients using four
      different operative targets. All published studies reported positive results.
      This was not replicated in data available from the randomised, placebo-controlled
      trials. Many studies reported suicide or suicide attempts in the postoperative
      period. CONCLUSION: We consider the placebo effect, the pattern of network
      activation, surgical candidacy and design of a blinded trial including the length
      of a crossover period. We suggest a greater focus on selecting patients with
      melancholia. We anticipate that methodological refinements may facilitate further
      investigation of this technology for intractable depression. We conclude by
      noting the psychiatric adverse events that have been reported in the literature
      to date, as these will also influence the design of future trials of deep brain
      stimulation for depression.

PMID- 26276050
TI  - Problematic Internet use, reward sensitivity and decision making.

PMID- 26276051
TI  - Treatment of canine atopic dermatitis: 2015 updated guidelines from the
      International Committee on Allergic Diseases of Animals (ICADA).
AB  - BACKGROUND: In 2010, the International Task Force on Canine Atopic Dermatitis
      (now International Committee on Allergic Diseases of Animals, ICADA) published
      the first consensus guidelines for the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) in
      dogs. This is the first 5-year minor update of this document. RESULTS: The
      treatment of acute flares of AD should involve the search for, and then
      elimination of, the cause of the flares, bathing with mild shampoos, and
      controlling pruritus and skin lesions with interventions that include topical
      and/or oral glucocorticoids or oclacitinib. For chronic canine AD, the first
      steps in management are the identification and avoidance of flare factors, as
      well as ensuring that there is adequate skin and coat hygiene and care; this
      might include more frequent bathing and possibly increasing essential fatty acid
      intake. The medications currently most effective in reducing chronic pruritus and
      skin lesions are topical and oral glucocorticoids, oral ciclosporin, oral
      oclacitinib, and, where available, injectable recombinant interferons. Allergen
      specific immunotherapy and proactive intermittent topical glucocorticoid
      applications are the only interventions likely to prevent or delay the recurrence
      of flares of AD. CONCLUSIONS: This first 5-year minor update of the international
      consensus guidelines for treatment of AD in dogs further establishes that the
      treatment of this disease is multifaceted, and that interventions should be
      combined for a proven (or likely) optimal benefit. Importantly, treatment plans
      are likely to vary between dogs and, for the same dog, between times when the
      disease is at different stages.

PMID- 26276052
TI  - Repeated measures of inflammation, blood pressure, and heart rate variability
      associated with traffic exposures in healthy adults.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previous human exposure studies of traffic-related air pollutants
      have demonstrated adverse health effects in human populations by comparing areas
      of high and low traffic, but few studies have utilized microenvironmental
      monitoring of pollutants at multiple traffic locations while looking at a vast
      array of health endpoints in the same population. We evaluated inflammatory
      markers, heart rate variability (HRV), blood pressure, exhaled nitric oxide, and
      lung function in healthy participants after exposures to varying mixtures of
      traffic pollutants. METHODS: A repeated-measures, crossover study design was used
      in which 23 healthy, non-smoking adults had clinical cardiopulmonary and systemic
      inflammatory measurements taken prior to, immediately after, and 24 hours after
      intermittent walking for two hours in the summer months along three diverse
      roadways having unique emission characteristics. Measurements of PM2.5, PM10,
      black carbon (BC), elemental carbon (EC), and organic carbon (OC) were collected.
      Mixed effect models were used to assess changes in health effects associated with
      these specific pollutant classes. RESULTS: Minimal associations were observed
      with lung function measurements and the pollutants measured. Small decreases in
      BP measurements and rMSSD, and increases in IL-1beta and the low frequency to
      high frequency ratio measured in HRV, were observed with increasing
      concentrations of PM2.5 EC. CONCLUSIONS: Small, acute changes in cardiovascular
      and inflammation-related effects of microenvironmental exposures to traffic
      related air pollution were observed in a group of healthy young adults. The
      associations were most profound with the diesel-source EC.

PMID- 26276054
TI  - The Effects of a Multidisciplinary Care Conference on the Quality and Cost of
      Care for Lung Cancer Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A prospective, multidisciplinary care conference (MDC) has been shown
      to result in measurable benefits for patients with non-small cell lung cancer
      (NSCLC). However whether a MDC also results in a difference in resource
      utilization and cost as well as whether these benefits persist across a
      multiinstitutional system has not been reported. This investigation compared
      propensity-matched patients with NSCLC whose care was coordinated through a MDC
      to patients without access to an MDC across a geographically diverse system of
      hospitals. METHODS: The Premiere database (Premier Inc, Charlotte, NC) for a
      health system's 70 hospitals was used to identify patients undergoing treatment
      for NSCLC during a 5-year period. Propensity matching was used to populate an MDC
      and non-MDC cohort. The two cohorts were compared for the costs of staging and
      diagnosis as well as the timeliness and quality of care metrics. RESULTS: Between
      2008 and 2013, 13,254 patients were propensity matched. Patient demographics and
      Charlson comorbidity scores were comparable after matching. Significant
      differences were identified in adherence to national guidelines (p < 0.0001) for
      staging and treatment (p < 0.0001), timeliness of care (p < 0.0001), and costs (p
      < 0.0001) between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: This investigation found that
      patients with NSCLC realize improved quality and timeliness of care when that
      care is coordinated through an MDC. The use of an MDC was also associated with a
      significant reduction in cost. These differences persisted across a
      geographically diverse set of hospitals, providers, and patients. Prospective
      MDCs should be considered integral and compulsory for patients with NSCLC.

PMID- 26276053
TI  - Attitudes and behaviours of maternal health care providers in interactions with
      clients: a systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: High maternal mortality and morbidity persist, in large part due to
      inadequate access to timely and quality health care. Attitudes and behaviours of
      maternal health care providers (MHCPs) influence health care seeking and quality
      of care. METHODS: Five electronic databases were searched for studies from
      January 1990 to December 2014. Included studies report on types or impacts of
      MHCP attitudes and behaviours towards their clients, or the factors influencing
      these attitudes and behaviours. Attitudes and behaviours mentioned in relation to
      HIV infection, and studies of health providers outside the formal health system,
      such as traditional birth attendants, were excluded. FINDINGS: Of 967 titles and
      412 abstracts screened, 125 full-text papers were reviewed and 81 included.
      Around two-thirds used qualitative methods and over half studied public-sector
      facilities. Most studies were in Africa (n = 55), followed by Asia and the
      Pacific (n = 17). Fifty-eight studies covered only negative attitudes or
      behaviours, with a minority describing positive provider behaviours, such as
      being caring, respectful, sympathetic and helpful. Negative attitudes and
      behaviours commonly entailed verbal abuse (n = 45), rudeness such as ignoring or
      ridiculing patients (n = 35), or neglect (n = 32). Studies also documented
      physical abuse towards women, absenteeism or unavailability of providers,
      corruption, lack of regard for privacy, poor communication, unwillingness to
      accommodate traditional practices, and authoritarian or frightening attitudes.
      These behaviours were influenced by provider workload, patients' attitudes and
      behaviours, provider beliefs and prejudices, and feelings of superiority among
      MHCPs. Overall, negative attitudes and behaviours undermined health care seeking
      and affected patient well-being. CONCLUSIONS: The review documented a broad range
      of negative MHCP attitudes and behaviours affecting patient well-being,
      satisfaction with care and care seeking. Reported negative patient interactions
      far outweigh positive ones. The nature of the factors which influence health
      worker attitudes and behaviours suggests that strengthening health systems, and
      workforce development, including in communication and counselling skills, are
      important. Greater attention is required to the attitudes and behaviours of MHCPs
      within efforts to improve maternal health, for the sake of both women and health
      care providers.

PMID- 26276056
TI  - Progestins as endocrine disrupters in aquatic ecosystems: Concentrations, effects
      and risk assessment.
AB  - In aquatic ecosystems, progesterone (P4) and synthetic progestins (gestagens)
      originate from excretion by humans and livestock. Synthetic progestins are used
      for contraception and as P4 for medical treatments as well. Despite significant
      use, their ecotoxicological implications are poorly understood. Only about 50% of
      the progestins in use have been analyzed for their environmental occurrence and
      effects in aquatic organisms. Here we critically summarize concentrations and
      effects of progestins in aquatic systems. P4 and progestins were mostly detected
      when analyzed for, and they occurred in the low ng/L range in wastewater and
      surface water. In animal farm waste and runoff, they reached up to several MUg/L.
      P4 and synthetic progestins act through progesterone receptors but they also
      interact with other steroid hormone receptors. They act on the hypothalamus
      pituitary-gonad axis, lead to oocyte maturation in female and sperm motility in
      male fish. Additionally, other pathways are affected as well, including the
      circadian rhythm. Effects of P4, mifepristone and eleven synthetic progestins
      have been studied in fish and a few compounds in frogs and mussels. Environmental
      risks may be associated with P4, dydrogesterone and medroxyprogesterone acetate,
      where transcriptional effects were found at highest environmental levels.
      Reproductive effects occurred at higher levels. However, norethindrone,
      levonorgestrel and norgestrel compromised reproduction at environmental (ng/L)
      concentrations. Thus, some of the progestins are very active endocrine
      disrupters. This review summarizes the current state of the art and highlights
      risks for fish. Further research is needed into environmental concentrations and
      effects of non-investigated progestins, unexplored modes of action, and the
      activity of mixtures of progestins and other steroids to fully assess their
      environmental risks. 

PMID- 26276055
TI  - Surgical Treatment of Secondary Tricuspid Regurgitation: Insight Derived From
      Annulus Sizes and Tethering Distances.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The main goal of this study was to explore the feasibility of
      stratifying patients with secondary tricuspid regurgitation (TR) into different
      risk levels, and to compare the surgical outcomes of patients within different
      risk levels who underwent different tricuspid valve repair (TVP) approaches.
      METHODS: One hundred and one patients with left-sided valvular disease underwent
      either left-sided valvular replacement or repair, and 79 patients underwent
      concomitant TVP. Depending upon their tricuspid annulus diameter and tethering
      distances, the patients were assessed using 4 risk levels. The different surgical
      approaches were used in patients within different risk levels. RESULTS: Among the
      101 patients, there were 32 patients within risk level I, 28 within risk level
      II, 20 within risk level III, 21 within risk level IV. In the first risk level,
      the patients with untreated tricuspid valves had no or mild TR after surgery. In
      the second and third risk levels, the patients treated with a modified De Vega
      procedure had mild TR at follow-up. In the fourth risk level, the patients
      treated with undersized annuloplasty rings exhibited an improved outcome.
      CONCLUSIONS: The evaluation of both tricuspid annular diameter and tethering
      distance may help clinicians to stratify patients with secondary TR into
      different risk levels as a means of choosing an optimal TVP approach. The
      application of a modified De Vega procedure or an undersized annuloplasty ring in
      patients within appropriate risk level could improve the treatment for secondary
      TR.

PMID- 26276057
TI  - Identification of the mitochondrially encoded subunit 6 of F1FO ATPase in
      Trypanosoma brucei.
AB  - Kinetoplast maxicircle DNA of trypanosomatids encodes eighteen proteins. RNA
      editing is required to confer translatability to mRNA for twelve of these.
      Sequence conservation of the predicted hydrophobic polypeptides indicates that
      they represent functional components of the respiratory chain. Yet, so far only
      two of those, cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and apocytochrome b of cytochrome c
      reductase, have been identified with biochemical methods. Here we report on
      identification of A6 subunit of F1FO ATPase encoded by a pan-edited mRNA in
      Trypanosoma brucei. The polypeptide was present among the (35)S-labeled
      mitochondrial translation products characterized by anomalous migration in
      denaturing 2D gels. It was identified as an ATPase subunit by co-migration with
      this complex in Blue Native 2D gels. A partial N-terminal sequence of the
      corresponding polypeptide present in the gel-purified ATPase complex from
      Leishmania tarentolae was consistent with the predicted A6 sequence. 

PMID- 26276058
TI  - [Prevalence of overweight and childhood obesity in an area of Extremadura].

PMID- 26276059
TI  - [Positive health resources: Exploratory study with groups from the Pamplona
      school area].

PMID- 26276060
TI  - [Evaluation of clinical tutors and medical students regarding clinical rotations
      in primary healthcare centers and hospitals].

PMID- 26276061
TI  - Comparison of venoms from wild and long-term captive Bothrops atrox snakes and
      characterization of Batroxrhagin, the predominant class PIII metalloproteinase
      from the venom of this species.
AB  - Comparisons between venoms from snakes kept under captivity or collected at the
      natural environment are of fundamental importance in order to obtain effective
      antivenoms to treat human victims of snakebites. In this study, we compared
      composition and biological activities of Bothrops atrox venom from snakes
      collected at Tapajos National Forest (Para State, Brazil) or maintained for more
      than 10 years under captivity at Instituto Butantan herpetarium after have been
      collected mostly at Maranhao State, Brazil. Venoms from captive or wild snakes
      were similar except for small quantitative differences detected in peaks
      correspondent to phospholipases A2 (PLA2), snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMP)
      class PI and serine proteinases (SVSP), which did not correlate with fibrinolytic
      and coagulant activities (induced by PI-SVMPs and SVSPs). In both pools, the
      major toxic component corresponded to PIII-SVMPs, which were isolated and
      characterized. The characterization by mass spectrometry of both samples
      identified peptides that matched with a single PIII-SVMP cDNA characterized by
      transcriptomics, named Batroxrhagin. Sequence alignments show a strong similarity
      between Batroxrhagin and Jararhagin (96%). Batroxrhagin samples isolated from
      venoms of wild or captive snakes were not pro-coagulant, but inhibited collagen
      induced platelet-aggregation, and induced hemorrhage and fibrin lysis with
      similar doses. Results suggest that in spite of environmental differences, venom
      variability was detected only among the less abundant components. In opposition,
      the most abundant toxin, which is a PIII-SVMP related to the key effects of the
      venom, is structurally conserved in the venoms. This observation is relevant for
      explaining the efficacy of antivenoms produced with venoms from captive snakes in
      human accidents inflicted at distinct natural environments. 

PMID- 26276062
TI  - Orthogonal bioorthogonal chemistries.
AB  - Bioorthogonal reactions have long been used to examine individual biomolecules in
      living systems. Studies of multi-component networks demand not only reliable
      bioorthogonal chemistries, but also combinations of reactions that can be used in
      tandem. Such 'orthogonal bioorthogonal' transformations have been reported in
      recent years, and these chemistries are enabling new explorations into biology.
      This article highlights the development of orthogonal bioorthogonal reactions and
      their application in multi-target imaging and macromolecule assembly. Methods to
      tune and control orthogonal reactivity are also discussed, along with prospects
      for identifying new classes of compatible reactions. 

PMID- 26276063
TI  - Complete disappearance of coronary pathology.

PMID- 26276064
TI  - Porous polyethylene implants in facial reconstruction: Outcome and complications.
AB  - The aim of the present study was to assess the indications, results and
      complications of patients treated with porous polyethylene (Medpor((r))) implants
      in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of VU Medical Centre,
      Amsterdam over 17 years. A total of 69 high-density porous polyethylene implants
      (Medpor((r)) Biomaterial; Porex Surgical, Newman, GA) were used in forty patients
      (22 males, 18 females). All patients were analysed for gender, age, diagnosis,
      indications for surgery, follow-up period and postoperative complications. A mean
      age of 34.1 years was observed. The main reason for implant surgery was post
      traumatic functional impairment (27.5%). Most implants were placed at the
      mandibular angel and the orbital floor. Unsatisfactory appearance scored the
      highest in postoperative complications (10.1%) followed by infection rate (7.2%).
      Comparing the number of implants placed over the years and the incidence of
      complications, makes the overall complications rate of porous polyethylene very
      low. A consensus about antibiotic prophylaxis is needed. The objective
      measurements in patient satisfaction and proper implant design would be of great
      use. 

PMID- 26276065
TI  - Pretreatment of plasma samples by a novel hollow fiber centrifugal
      ultrafiltration technique for the determination of plasma protein binding of
      three coumarins using acetone as protein binding releasing agent.
AB  - A novel and practical sample pretreatment method based on hollow fiber
      centrifugal ultrafiltration (HFCF-UF) was developed to determine plasma protein
      binding by using HPLC. The samples for analyzing unbound and total concentrations
      could be prepared in parallel simultaneously by the same device. It only required
      centrifugation for a short time and the filtrate could be injected directly for
      HPLC analysis without further treatment. Coumarins were selected as the model
      drugs. Acetone was chosen as the releasing agent to free the binding drug from
      the drug-protein complex for the total drug concentration determination. Non
      specific bindings (NSBs) between the analytes and hollow fiber membrane materials
      were investigated. The type and volume of protein binding releaser were
      optimized. Additionally, centrifugal speed and centrifugal time were considered.
      Under the optimized conditions, the absolute recovery rates of the unbound and
      total concentrations were in the range of 97.5-100.9% for the three analytes. The
      limits of detection were in the range of 0.0135-0.0667MUgmL(-1). In vitro plasma
      protein binding of the three coumarins was determined at three concentrations
      using the validated method and the relative standard deviations (RSDs) were less
      than 3.4%. Compared with traditional method, the HFCF-UF method is simple to run,
      no specialized equipment requirement and is a more accurate plasma pretreatment
      procedure with almost excellent drug-protein binding equilibrium. Therefore, this
      method can be applied to determine the plasma protein binding in clinical
      practice. It also provides a reliable alternative for accurate monitoring of
      unbound or total drug concentration in therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM). 

PMID- 26276066
TI  - Ionic liquid matrix-based dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction for enhanced
      MALDI-MS analysis of phospholipids in soybean.
AB  - Ionic liquid matrix (ILM) is found to be a very versatile substance for analysis
      of broad range of organic molecules in matrix-assisted laser
      desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) due to good solubility for a
      variety of analytes, formation of homogenous crystals and high vacuum stability
      of the matrix. In the present work, an ILM, cyno-4-hydroxycinnamic acid
      butylamine (CHCAB) was employed in dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction
      (DLLME) as sample probe and matrix for extraction and ionization of phospholipids
      from food samples (soybean) prior to MALDI-MS analysis. With the employed
      technique, 8-125 fold improvement in signal intensity and limit of detection were
      achieved for the analysis of phospholipids. The best extraction efficiency of
      phospholipids in ILM-DLLME was obtained with 5min extraction time in presence
      30mg/mL CHCAB and 1.2% NaCl using chloroform as an extracting solvent and
      methanol as a dispersing solvent. Further, the developed ILM-DLLME procedure has
      been successfully applied for the analysis of phospholipids in soybean samples in
      MALDI-MS. 

PMID- 26276067
TI  - The Impact of the 2009 Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants,
      and Children Food Package Revisions on Participants: A Systematic Review.
AB  - For the first time since 1980, the US Department of Agriculture Food and
      Nutrition Service Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and
      Children (WIC) food package policies were revised in 2009 to meet the Institute
      of Medicine's nutrition recommendations. These changes included increases in
      fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy to improve nutrition and
      health of WIC participants. Our systematic review of the literature assessed the
      influence that the 2009 WIC food package revisions have had on dietary intake,
      healthy food and beverage availability, and breastfeeding participation. The
      systematic review followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and
      Meta-Analyses recommendations. Four electronic databases were searched between
      April 1 and 30, 2014, for peer-reviewed research. Two reviewers screened the
      articles, extracted the data, and established inter-rater reliability by
      discussing and resolving discrepancies. Twenty articles were included that met
      our inclusion criteria. Nine of the studies analyzed changes in dietary intake,
      eight examined changes in healthy food and beverage availability, and three
      evaluated breastfeeding participation exclusively. The review demonstrated an
      improved dietary intake and an increase in the availability of healthier foods
      and beverages in authorized WIC stores. The revised food package was also
      associated with improved dietary intake of WIC participants. Mixed results were
      demonstrated in regard to improved breastfeeding outcomes. Further research is
      needed to assess the influence of WIC 2009 food package revisions on
      breastfeeding outcomes and to make conclusions about broad nutrition-related
      implications. 

PMID- 26276068
TI  - Hospital-based and telemonitoring guided home-based training programs: effects on
      exercise tolerance and quality of life in patients with heart failure (NYHA class
      III) and cardiac resynchronization therapy. A randomized, prospective
      observation.
AB  - Cardiac resynchronization therapy with defibrillator function (CRT-D) along with
      an optimal medical therapy improves symptoms, cardiac efficiency, quality of life
      (QoL) and prognosis in patients with heart failure (CHF). The aim of the study
      was to assess effects of hospital-based and home-based/telemonitoring exercise
      training. METHODS: The prospective, randomized study was conducted in 52 patients
      (pts), aged 45-75years (mean 62+/-9.3), with CHF of ischemic or another etiology,
      NYHA class III and implanted CRT-D. Group CRT-Ex (n=26) underwent initial
      exercise training in the hospital setting and continued training program at home
      with telemonitoring 5 times a week for 8weeks. The CRT-control group (n=26)
      consisted of patients who had hospital rehabilitation, but no training program
      after discharge. RESULTS: No differences between the groups in CHF etiology,
      comorbidities, medical therapy and in any of spiroergometry (CPX) parameters at
      baseline were observed. After 3-4months the CRT-Ex group achieved better results
      in VO2 peak, VCO2 peak and treadmill test duration. But after 12months the
      measurements returned to the baseline values. No significant differences were
      observed directly between two groups in distances of 6-MWT at baseline, at 3
      4months and at 12months. Echocardiographic evaluation showed significant
      reduction of left ventricular dimensions and improvement in the left ventricular
      ejection fraction (EF), in both groups (25.3+/-7.4% to 28.9+/-9.1%, CRT-Ex group,
      p=0.0213 and 24.9+/-7.2% to 31.7+/-10.6%, CRT-Control group, p=0.0001).
      Significant improvement in all domains of QoL was observed in the CRT-Ex group,
      while the CRT-Control pts declared only higher energy levels and less pain.
      Intensity of telemonitoring guided home-based exercise training was low. In the
      12- and 18-months follow-up there were no differences in the ICD-interventions,
      mortality or hospitalization rates between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: A structured
      exercise training program in the hospital and home-based with telemonitoring was
      safe option of additional treatment and improved directly physical fitness and,
      quality of life in patients with NYHA III CHF and CRT-D. However these effects
      haven't been sustained in longer period of time and had no impact on prognosis.

PMID- 26276075
TI  - Mechanical thrombectomy with the Trevo ProVue device in ischemic stroke patients:
      does improved visibility translate into a clinical benefit?
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of the Trevo ProVue (TPV) stent
      retriever in stroke patients with large artery occlusions, with particular
      attention to the full structural radiopacity of the TPV. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Case files and images of TPV treatments were reviewed for clinical and technical
      outcome data, including revascularization rates, device and procedure related
      complications, and outcome at discharge and after 90 days. RESULTS: 76 patients
      were treated with TPV. Mean National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS)
      score was 18 and 68% had additional intravenous thrombolysis. 63 occlusions were
      in the anterior circulation: 44 M1 (58%), 8 M2 (11%), 8 internal carotid artery
      terminus (11%), 2 internal carotid artery- left (3%), 1 A2 (1%), and 13
      vertebrobasilar (17%). 58 of 76 (76%) were solely treated with TPV; the remainder
      were treated with additional stent retrievers. Mean number of passes in TPV only
      cases was 2.2 (SD 1.2). In rescue cases, 3.2 (SD 2.2) passes were attempted with
      the TPV followed by 2.6 rescue device passes (SD 2). TPV related adverse events
      occurred in 4/76 cases (5%) and procedural events in 6/76 cases (8%). Mean
      procedural duration was 64 min (SD 42). Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction
      (TICI) 2b/3 recanalization was achieved in 69/76 patients (91%), including 50%
      TICI 3. Of 56 survivors (74%), 37 (49%) showed a favorable outcome at 90 days
      (Solitaire With the Intention for Thrombectomy trial criteria), statistically
      associated with age, baseline NIHSS, onset to revascularization time, and TICI 2b
      3 reperfusion. TPV radiopacity allowed for visual feedback, changing the
      methodology of stent retriever use in 44/76 cases (58%). CONCLUSIONS:
      Neurothrombectomy with TPV is feasible, effective, and safe. The recanalization
      rate compares favorably with reported data in the literature. Improved structural
      radiopacity may facilitate neurothrombectomy or influence the course of action
      during retrieval.

PMID- 26276076
TI  - Severe hemiparesis as a prehospital tool to triage stroke severity: a pilot study
      to assess diagnostic accuracy and treatment times.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: With the publication of the recent trials showing the tremendous
      benefits of mechanical thrombectomy, opportunities exist to refine prehospital
      processes to identify patients with larger stroke syndromes. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients who were brought via
      scene flight from rural parts of the region to our institution, from December 1,
      2014 to June 5, 2015, with severe hemiparesis or hemiplegia. We assessed the
      accuracy of the diagnosis of stroke and the number of patients requiring
      endovascular therapy. Moreover, we reviewed the times along the pathway of
      patients who were treated with endovascular therapy. RESULTS: 45 patients were
      brought via helicopter from the field to our institution. 27 (60%) patients were
      diagnosed with an ischemic stroke. Of these, 12 (26.7%) were treated with
      mechanical thrombectomy and 6 (13.3%) with intravenous tissue plasminogen
      activator alone. An additional three patients required embolization procedures
      for either a dural arteriovenous fistula or cerebral aneurysm. Thus a total of 15
      (33%) patients received an endovascular procedure and 21/45 (46.7%) received an
      acute treatment. For patients treated with thrombectomy, the median time from
      first medical contact to groin puncture was 101 min, with 8 of the 12 patients
      (66.7%) being discharged to home. CONCLUSIONS: We have presented a pilot study
      showing that severe hemiparesis or hemiplegia may be a reasonable prehospital
      tool in recognizing patients requiring endovascular treatment. Patients being
      identified earlier may be treated faster and potentially improve outcomes.
      Further prospective controlled studies are required to assess the impact on
      outcomes and cost effectiveness using this methodology.

PMID- 26276077
TI  - The efficacy and risks of preoperative embolization of spinal tumors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The goal of preoperative embolization of spinal tumors is to improve
      surgical outcomes by diminishing the vascular supply to the tumor to reduce
      intraoperative blood loss and operative time. OBJECTIVE: To report our
      institutional experience with spinal tumor embolization and review the present
      literature. METHODS: Clinical records from January 1, 2001 to December 31, 2012
      were reviewed and analyzed. Angiograms were used to calculate the percentage
      reduction in tumor vascularity, and relevant clinical and operative data were
      collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients underwent preoperative
      spinal tumor embolization (24 metastatic and 13 primary lesions) and were
      included in the study. One complication resulted in transient lower extremity
      weakness and was attributed to post-embolization swelling, which fully resolved
      after surgical resection. The transient neurological complication rate was 1/37
      (3%) and the permanent rate was 0/37 (0%). The average surgical estimated blood
      loss (EBL) was 1946 mL (100-7000 mL) and the average operative time was 330 min
      (range 164-841 min). After embolization, tumor blush was reduced by 83% on
      average. Average pre- and postoperative modified Rankin Scale scores were 2.10
      and 1.36, respectively (p=0.03). Cases in which tumor blush was decreased by
      >=90% (classes 1 or 2) after embolization had significantly less operative blood
      loss than those cases in which <90% (classes 3 or 4) was achieved (mean EBL 1391
      vs 2296 mL, respectively, p=0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Spinal tumor embolization is a
      safe procedure, is associated with few complications, and may improve surgical
      outcomes by limiting intraoperative blood loss and reducing operative time.

PMID- 26276078
TI  - Quantitative analysis of hemorrhage clearance and delayed cerebral ischemia after
      subarachnoid hemorrhage.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Initial hemorrhage burden is an independent predictor for delayed
      cerebral ischemia (DCI) in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage
      (aSAH). However, the association between clot clearance and DCI still remains to
      be elucidated. METHODS: Quantitative analysis of hemorrhage volume and clot
      clearance was made in 116 consecutive patients who were scanned within 24 h from
      onset. Cisternal plus intraventricular hemorrhage volume (CIHV) was calculated as
      clot volume from the initial scans and scans performed up to 7 days after onset.
      Clot clearance was calculated as a percentage of residual clot volume compared
      with the clot volume on the initial scan. Initial clot volume and clot clearance
      were dichotomized to evaluate the association with DCI. RESULTS: Included
      patients were aged 55.5+/-15.2 years with a female preponderance (65.5%,
      (76/116)). The group with higher initial clot volume (>=17.2 mL) had higher odds
      for DCI (OR 4.3, 95% CI 1.3 to 14.0, p=0.015). However, the rate of DCI was not
      different between high and low clot clearance groups (26.7% vs 31.0%, p=0.66).
      Clot clearance rate was similar in patients with and without DCI up to day 7
      after onset. CONCLUSIONS: The quantitative clot clearance rate is not an
      independent predictor for DCI.

PMID- 26276079
TI  - Catheter insertion site plasmacytoma.

PMID- 26276080
TI  - Pyrroloquinoline quinone-conferred neuroprotection in rotenone models of
      Parkinson's disease.
AB  - Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ), a redox cofactor in the mitochondrial respiratory
      chain, has proven to protect neurons against glutamate-induced damage both in
      vitro and in vivo. This study was aimed to investigate the possible
      neuroprotective effects of PQQ in rotenone-induced Parkinson's disease (PD)
      model. Pre-treatment with PQQ prevented cultured SH-SY5Y cells from rotenone
      induced apoptosis, accompanied by modulation of apoptosis-related proteins (Bcl
      2, Bax and Smac), restoration of the mitochondrial membrane potential, inhibition
      of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, suppression of
      tyrosine residues nitration, and dopamine redistribution. PQQ also exerted
      protective effects in an in vivo PD model, which was created by rotenone
      injection into the medial forebrain bundle of rats. Co-injection with PQQ and
      rotenone improved the apomorphine-evoked rotation, decreased neuronal loss,
      increased the ROS-scavenging ability, regulated intracellular expressions of
      mitochondrial complex subunits (Ndufs1-4), tyrosine hydroxylase, and vesicular
      monoamine transporter 2. Taken together, our results collectively suggest that
      PQQ confers neuroprotection in rotenone-induced PD model probably through complex
      and multifaceted mechanisms, at least involving oxidative stress, mitochondrial
      integrity, and dopamine functions.

PMID- 26276081
TI  - Paternal BPA exposure in early life alters Igf2 epigenetic status in sperm and
      induces pancreatic impairment in rat offspring.
AB  - Exposure to endocrine disruptors in utero appears to alter epigenetics in the
      male germ-line and subsequently promote adult-onset disease in subsequent
      generations. Fetal exposure to bisphenol A (BPA), a highly prevalent endocrine
      disruptor in environment, has been shown to alter epigenetic modification and
      result in glucose intolerance in adulthood. However, whether fetal exposure to
      BPA can induce epigenetic modification and phenotypic changes in their subsequent
      offspring are still unclear. The present study was designed to investigate
      whether exposure to BPA in early life induced glucose intolerance in the
      offspring through male germ line, and the underlying epigenetic molecular basis.
      F0 pregnant SD rats were received corn oil or 40 MUg/kg/day of BPA during
      gestation and lactation. F1 male rats were maintained to generate F2 offspring by
      mating with untreated female rats. Both the F1 rats after weaning and the F2
      offspring were not received any other treatments. Our results showed that male F2
      offspring in the BPA group exhibited glucose intolerance and beta-cell
      dysfunction. Decreased expression of Igf2 and associated hypermethylation of Igf2
      were observed in islets of male F2 offspring. In addition, similar effects were
      observed in female F2 animals, but the effects were more pronounced in males.
      Moreover, abnormal expression and methylation of Igf2 was observed in sperm of
      adult F1 male rats, indicating that epigenetic modification in germ cells can be
      partly progressed to the next generation. Overall, our study suggests that BPA
      exposure during early life can result in generational transmission of glucose
      intolerance and beta-cell dysfunction in the offspring through male germ line,
      which is associated with hypermethylation of Igf2 in islets. The changes of
      epigenetics in germ cells may contribute to this generational transmission.

PMID- 26276082
TI  - Molecular hydrogen attenuates hypoxia/reoxygenation injury of intrahepatic
      cholangiocytes by activating Nrf2 expression.
AB  - Hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injury of cholangiocytes causes serious biliary
      complications during hepatobiliary surgeries. Molecular hydrogen (H2) has been
      shown to be effective in protecting various cells and organs against oxidative
      stress injury. Human liver cholangiocytes were used to determine the potential
      protective effects of hydrogen against cholangiocyte H/R injury and explore the
      underlying mechanisms. We found that H2 ameliorated H/R-induced cholangiocytes
      apoptosis. Our study revealed that H2 activated NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and
      downstream cytoprotective protein expression. However, the protective function of
      H2 was abolished when Nrf2 was silenced. Apoptosis in cholangiocytes isolated
      from a rat model of liver ischemia/reperfusion injury indicated that H2
      significantly attenuates ischemia/reperfusion cholangiocyte injury in vivo. In
      conclusion, our study shows that H2 protects intrahepatic cholangiocytes from
      hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced apoptosis in vitro or in vivo, and this phenomenon
      may depend on activating Nrf2 expression.

PMID- 26276083
TI  - Toxicokinetics of lefetamine and derived diphenylethylamine designer drugs
      Contribution of human cytochrome P450 isozymes to their main phase I metabolic
      steps.
AB  - Lefetamine was first marketed in the 1940s as an opioid analgesic. Since
      withdrawal symptoms were observed during treatment, it became a controlled
      substance. Its N-ethyl and N-iso-propyl derivatives appeared on the illicit drug
      market in 2008. Metabolism studies for lefetamine and these derivatives showed
      that N-dealkylation was the initial step for all three substances in rats. The
      involvement of the ten most important human cytochrome P450 (CYP) isozymes in
      this N-dealkylation should be studied now. Studies showed the involvement of
      CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2C19, and CYP3A4 in N-dealkylation of all three compounds and
      additionally CYP2D6 for lefetamine and NEDPA. All kinetic profiles followed
      classic Michaelis-Menten kinetics. Using the relative activity factor approach,
      the following net clearances were calculated: for lefetamine 8% by CYP1A2, 72% by
      CYP2B6, 2% by CYP2C19, 1% by CYP2D6, and 17% by CYP3A4; for NEDPA 27% by CYP1A2,
      30% by CYP2B6, 23% by CYP2C19, 4% by CYP2D6, and 17% by CYP3A4; for NPDPA 18% by
      CYP1A2, 24% by CYP2B6, 28% by CYP2C19, and 30% by CYP3A4. In addition, calculated
      data were compared to chemical inhibition studies in human liver microsomes. Due
      to the involvement of at least four enzymes in the initial metabolic steps, the
      risk of CYP-related drug-drug or drug-food interactions should be low.

PMID- 26276084
TI  - Deficiency in adiponectin exaggerates cigarette smoking exposure-induced cardiac
      contractile dysfunction: Role of autophagy.
AB  - Second hand smoke is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
      Adiponectin (APN), an adipose-derived adipokine, has been shown to offer
      cardioprotective effect through an AMPK-dependent manner. This study was designed
      to evaluate the impact of adiponectin deficiency on second hand smoke-induced
      cardiac pathology and underlying mechanisms using a mouse model of side-stream
      smoke exposure. Adult wild-type (WT) and adiponectin knockout (APNKO) mice were
      placed in a chamber exposed to cigarette smoke for 1 hour daily for 40 days.
      Echocardiographic, cardiomyocyte function, and intracellular Ca2+ handling were
      evaluated. Autophagy and apoptosis were examined using western blot. 2',7'
      dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (H2DCFDA) staining was used to evaluate
      reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Masson trichrome staining was employed
      to measure interstitial fibrosis. Our data revealed that adiponectin deficiency
      provoked smoke exposure-induced cardiomyopathy (compromised fractional
      shortening, disrupted cardiomyocyte function and intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis,
      apoptosis and ROS generation). In addition, these detrimental effects of side
      stream smoke were accompanied by defective autophagolysosome formation, the
      effect of which was exacerbated by adiponectin deficiency. Blocking
      autophagolysosome formation using bafilomycin A1 (BafA1) negated the
      cardioprotective effect of rapamycin against smoke extract. Induction of
      autophagy using rapamycin and AMPKalpha activation using AICAR rescued against
      smoke extract-induced myopathic anomalies in APNKO mice. Our data suggest that
      adiponectin serves as an indispensable cardioprotective factor against side
      stream smoke exposure-induced myopathic changes possibly through facilitating
      autophagolysosome formation.

PMID- 26276085
TI  - Cardiac effects of long-term active immunization with the second extracellular
      loop of human beta1- and/or beta3-adrenoceptors in Lewis rats.
AB  - beta1- and beta3-adrenoceptor (AR) auto-antibodies were detected in patients with
      dilated cardiomyopathy. Many studies have shown that beta1-AR auto-antibodies
      with partial agonist-like effect play an important role in the pathogenesis of
      this disease. Moreover, a recent study carried out in our laboratory has shown
      that beta3-AR antibodies (beta3-ABs), produced in rats, were able to reduce
      cardiomyocyte contractility via beta3-AR activation. The aims of this study were
      (1) to investigate, in isolated cardiomyocytes from rabbit, the role of Gi
      proteins in the beta3-ABs-induced cardiac negative inotropy, (2) to determine
      whether beta3-ABs may exhibit beta3-AR antagonistic property which is
      characteristic of partial agonists, and (3) to determine whether long-term active
      immunization producing both beta1-ABs and/or beta3-ABs leads to the development
      of cardiac dysfunction in Lewis rats. Lewis rats were immunized for 6 months with
      peptidic sequences corresponding to the second extracellular loop of human beta3
      AR and/or beta1-AR. Agonistic effect of beta3-ABs was evaluated on electrically
      field-stimulated isolated cardiomyocytes from adult rabbit by measuring the cell
      shortening. Echocardiography and ex vivo isolated perfused heart studies were
      conducted on immunized rats. Finally, beta-AR expression was quantified by
      immunofluorescence and RT-qPCR. SR58611A (10 nM), a preferential beta3-AR
      agonist, and purified beta3-ABs (25 MUg/ml) induced a decrease in cell shortening
      (-39.71+/-4.9% (n=10) and -17.06+/-3.9% (n=10) respectively). This effect was
      significantly inhibited when the cardiomyocytes were preincubated with pertussis
      toxin (0.3 MUg/ml), a Gi protein inhibitor (p<0.05). In addition, SR58611A
      mediated negative inotropic effect was decreased when cardiomyocytes were
      preincubated with beta3-ABs (p<0.0001). Echocardiography revealed a decrease in
      the fractional shortening and ejection fraction in rats immunized against beta1
      AR and both beta1- and beta3-AR. However, the study on isolated heart showed a
      decrease of the isoproterenol-induced lusitropic and inotropic effects in the 3
      groups of immunized rats. These systolic and diastolic dysfunctions are
      correlated with a decrease in the expression of beta1-ARs and an increase of
      beta3-ARs in rats immunized against the beta1-AR and an increase of both beta3-AR
      and beta1-AR in rats immunized against the beta3-AR. For the first time, these
      results showed that beta3-ABs had a beta3-AR partial agonist-like activity which
      might play a role in the pathogenesis of cardiac dysfunction.

PMID- 26276086
TI  - Mitochondrial ROS and cancer drug resistance: Implications for therapy.
AB  - Under physiological conditions, a well-coordinated and balanced redox system
      exists to ensure that reactive oxygen species (ROS) are appropriately utilized to
      accomplish specific functions, such as signaling and protein regulation. The
      influence of ROS within malignant cells, whether for good or bad may depend on
      several factors, such as tumor and tissue type, disease stage, treatment
      strategy, as well as duration, specificity and levels of ROS. What then are the
      known roles of ROS in cancer? Firstly, ROS significantly impacts cancer
      phenotypes. Secondly, the oxidative ROS property responsible for killing cancer
      cells, also impact secondary signaling networks. Thirdly, a strong correlation
      exist between ROS and genetic instability which may promote mutations. Finally,
      emerging observations suggest a role for mitochondrial ROS in cancer drug
      resistance, with implications for therapy. The mitochondria is a key regulator of
      metabolic-redox (meta-redox) alterations within cancer cells. Like a double-edged
      sword, mitochondrial ROS perturbations in cancer therapy may be beneficial or
      detrimental. However, harnessing ROS-specific cancer-targeting benefits remain a
      major challenge. 

PMID- 26276088
TI  - Testis follicles ultrastructure of three species of terrestrial isopods
      (Crustacea, Isopoda Oniscidea).
AB  - The aim of the research, carried out on three species of terrestrial isopods -
      Armadillidium granulatum, Halophiloscia hirsuta and Trichoniscus alexandrae - is
      to bring a first consistent contribution to the knowledge of the ultrastructural
      organization of the testis follicles. The testis follicles are seat of a
      remarkable dynamic activity of their cell components (somatic cells and germ
      cells) that results in a continuous variation, related to the trend of
      spermatogenesis, of their morphology, organization and of the relationships
      between the two cell populations. The somatic cells, known in literature as
      follicular cells, nurse cells or Sertoli cells, are arranged at the periphery of
      the follicle to form an epithelial layer of variable thickness resting on a thin
      basal lamina in turn surrounded by a discontinuous network of muscle cells. In A.
      granulatum and H. hirsuta, two types of Sertoli cells are present: a first type,
      the nurse cells, envelop the spermatids in cavities within their cytoplasm and
      through their secretion activity play a fundamental role in the formation of the
      spermatophores; moreover, they phagocytizes the residual cytoplasm of spermatids.
      A second type of Sertoli cells shows features that leave clearly identify its
      supporting role to the spermatophores in formation. In T. alexandrae, instead,
      only one type of Sertoli cells, the nurse cell, is present, whose features are
      widely superimposable to those observed in the other two species. Moreover, two
      septa of Sertoli cells depart from the periphery of the testis follicle to
      constitute an articulated compartmentalization of the follicle itself, probably
      targeted to realize at its inside a series of microenvironments functionally
      diversified in order to meets the needs of the different stages of the
      spermatogenic cycle.

PMID- 26276087
TI  - Sympathetic arousal increases a negative memory bias in young women with low sex
      hormone levels.
AB  - Emotionally arousing events are typically better attended to and remembered than
      neutral ones. Current theories propose that arousal-induced increases in
      norepinephrine during encoding bias attention and memory in favor of affectively
      salient stimuli. Here, we tested this hypothesis by manipulating levels of
      physiological arousal prior to encoding and examining how it influenced memory
      for emotionally salient images, particularly those that are negative rather than
      positive in valence. We also tested whether sex steroid hormones interact with
      noradrenergic activity to influence these emotional memory biases in women.
      Healthy naturally cycling women and women on hormonal contraception completed one
      of the following physiological arousal manipulations prior to viewing a series of
      negative, positive and neutral images: (1) immediate handgrip arousal-isometric
      handgrip immediately prior to encoding, (2) residual handgrip arousal-isometric
      handgrip 15min prior to encoding, or (3) no handgrip. Sympathetic arousal was
      measured throughout the session via pupil diameter changes. Levels of 17beta
      estradiol and progesterone were measured via salivary samples. Memory performance
      was assessed approximately 10min after encoding using a surprise free recall
      test. The results indicated that handgrip successfully increased sympathetic
      arousal compared to the control task. Under immediate handgrip arousal, women
      showed enhanced memory for negative images over positive images; this pattern was
      not observed in women assigned to the residual and no-handgrip arousal
      conditions. Additionally, under immediate handgrip arousal, both high estradiol
      and progesterone levels attenuated the memory bias for negative over positive
      images. Follow-up hierarchical linear models revealed consistent effects when
      accounting for trial-by-trial variability in normative International Affective
      Picture System valence and arousal ratings. These findings suggest that
      heightened sympathetic arousal interacts with estradiol and progesterone levels
      during encoding to increase the mnemonic advantage of negative over positive
      emotional material. 

PMID- 26276089
TI  - Effect of metformin and adriamycin on transplantable tumor model.
AB  - Adriamycin is a cytotoxic anthracycline antibiotic used in treatment of many
      types of cancer. Metformin is antidiabetic drug and is under investigation for
      treatment of cancer. The aim of this work was to study the effect of each of
      adriamycin and metformin alone and in combination on solid Ehrlich carcinoma
      (SEC) in mice. Eighty BALB/C mice were divided into four equal groups: SEC group,
      SEC+adriamycin, SEC+metformin, SEC+adriamycin+metformin. Tumor volume, survival
      rate, tissue catalase, tissue reduced glutathione, tissue malondialdehyde, tissue
      sphingosine kinase 1 activity, tissue caspase 3 activity and tissue tumor
      necrosis factor alpha were determined. A part of the tumor was examined for
      histopathological and immunohistochemical study. Adriamycin or metformin alone or
      in combination induced significant increase in the survival rate, tissue
      catalase, reduced glutathione and tissue caspase 3 activity with significant
      decrease in tumor volume, tissue malondialdehyde, tissue sphingosine kinase 1
      activity and tumor necrosis factor alpha and alleviated the histopathological
      changes with significant increase in Trp53 expression and apoptotic index
      compared to SEC group. In conclusion, the combination of adriamycin and metformin
      had a better effect than each of these drugs alone against transplantable tumor
      model in mice.

PMID- 26276090
TI  - Bone marrow niche in the myelodysplastic syndromes.
AB  - The myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a diverse group of clonal hematopoietic
      malignancies characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis, progressive bone marrow
      (BM) failure, cytogenetic and molecular abnormalities, and variable risk of
      progression to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The BM microenvironment in MDS plays
      an important role in the development of this disorder. The BM stromal cells of
      MDS patients often harbor distinct chromosomal aberrations than the hematopoietic
      elements, suggesting different genetic origins. Perturbed cytokine secretions
      from BM stromal cells such as multipotent mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and
      endothelial cells are associated with increased proliferation and survival of
      malignant hematopoietic cells. Within the MDS BM there are also alterations in
      stromal cell composition, signaling and angiogenesis between Low- and High-risk
      MDS patients. Several open lines of investigation into the MDS niche remain,
      including the timing of stromal defects in context to dysplastic hematopoiesis.
      Another important, unanswered question is the impact of age on BM stroma function
      and regulation (or dysregulation) or hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. With a
      better understanding of the MDS niche, new therapeutic strategies will emerge. 

PMID- 26276091
TI  - COX-2 gene promoter DNA methylation status in eutopic and ectopic endometrium of
      Egyptian women with endometriosis.
AB  - The pathophysiology of COX-2 expression in endometriosis is a matter of debate.
      The aim was to investigate the role of DNA methylation of the NF-IL6 site within
      the promoter of COX-2 gene in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. The endometrial
      tissues (ectopic and eutopic) were collected from 60 women with endometriosis and
      30 women without endometriosis (control group). The methylation status of COX-2
      was examined by methylation-specific PCR. Quantitative real-time PCR (RT-PCR) was
      performed to measure COX-2 mRNA levels in endometrial tissues. We found
      significantly higher levels of COX-2 in ectopic endometriotic tissue compared
      with eutopic tissue. Also, we found that the frequencies of methylation status of
      the NF-IL6 site within the COX-2 promoter in the eutopic and ectopic endometrial
      tissues of endometriosis groups were significantly decreased in comparison to
      controls (P=0.002, P=0.000 respectively). Our study demonstrated that DNA
      hypomethylation of the NF-IL6 site within the promoter of COX-2 gene could be a
      key mechanism for its elevated expression in the eutopic and ectopic tissues of
      endometriosis. 

PMID- 26276092
TI  - Patient-Centered Outcomes and Revision Rate in Patients Undergoing ACL
      Reconstruction Using Bone-Patellar Tendon-Bone Autograft Compared With Bone
      Patellar Tendon-Bone Allograft: A Matched Case-Control Study.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine whether outcomes after ACL reconstruction with bone
      patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) autograft are similar to those of BPTB allograft,
      while controlling for graft, surgical technique, and surgeon. METHODS: This study
      was approved by the institutional review board at The Vail Valley Medical Center
      in Vail, Colorado. Patients 18 to 70 years old who underwent primary ACL
      reconstruction were included. Patients in each group were matched by age and
      gender. Patient demographic data, surgical data, and subjective data were
      collected prospectively. Subjective questionnaires were administered at a minimum
      of 2 years after ACL reconstruction. RESULTS: This study included 192 knees (191
      patients; 143 male, 48 female; mean age, 33 years; range, 18 to 57 years), with
      96 knees in each group. No autografts required ACL revision. The revision rate
      for allograft group was 14% (n = 11; mean age, 23 years; range, 18 to 40 years).
      Of 11 revisions, 9 (82%) were <=25 years old. In allograft group, patients <=25
      years old were 23 times (95% confidence interval, 4.4 to 123.0) more likely to
      require revision ACL reconstruction than patients >25 years (P < .001). Follow-up
      was available for 87% of patients (n = 156/180). Mean follow-up time in the
      allograft group was 4.7 years (range, 2.0 to 9.8 years), and in the autograft
      group, 8.6 years (range, 2.0 to 16.2 years; P < .001). There was no significant
      difference between allografts and autografts for mean Lysholm (85.6 v 83.4; P =
      .43), mean Tegner (6.0 v 5.4; P = .09), or mean patient satisfaction (9.0 v 8.8;
      P = .57). Lysholm score correlated to Tegner (rho = 0.404; P < .001) and patient
      satisfaction with outcome (rho = 0.443; P <= .001). Tegner was correlated with
      age at surgery (rho = -0.274; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant
      difference in patient-centered outcomes based on graft type; however, the
      allograft group required more revisions. Patient satisfaction was high for both
      groups. ACL reconstruction using BPTB autograft or allograft produces similar
      outcomes; however, revision rates were higher for allografts. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:
      Level III, retrospective comparative study.

PMID- 26276093
TI  - Increased Failure Rates After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction With Soft
      Tissue Autograft-Allograft Hybrid Grafts.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare the rate of failure between a group of patients who underwent
      anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with an autograft-allograft
      hybrid soft-tissue graft and a matched group of patients who underwent ACL
      reconstruction with hamstring autograft. METHODS: From 2007 to 2012, 29 patients
      underwent hybrid ACL reconstruction performed by 4 fellowship-trained sports
      medicine surgeons at a single institution. Patients who underwent ACL
      reconstruction with hamstring autograft comprised the control group and were
      matched to patients in the hybrid group by sex, age, date of surgery,
      reconstruction technique, and method of femoral fixation. Graft failure was
      defined as revision ACL reconstruction or complete graft rupture on magnetic
      resonance imaging. Graft compromise was defined as magnetic resonance imaging
      evidence of partial graft rupture or arthroscopically identified partial graft
      rupture. Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale and International Knee Documentation
      Committee scores were obtained. RESULTS: Both groups included 10 men and 19
      women, with a mean postoperative follow-up period of 44.4 +/- 16.9 months in the
      hybrid group and 48.0 +/- 15.2 months in the control group. Follow-up was
      obtained in 25 of 29 patients (86.2%) in the hybrid group, and each was matched
      to 1 patient who received hamstring autograft. The failure rate was 13.8% (4 of
      29 patients) in the hybrid group compared with 3.4% (1 of 29) in the control
      group (P = .160). An additional 27.6% of hybrid group patients (7 of 29) had
      compromised grafts as defined earlier, as compared with 1 (3.4%) of the control
      patients (P = .022). Thus the overall hybrid graft failure/compromise rate was
      37.9% (11 of 29) compared with 6.9% (2 of 29) for the hamstring autograft group
      (P = .005). In the hybrid group, the Lysholm score (80.2 +/- 12.1) was
      significantly lower than that in the control autograft ACL group (89.9 +/- 11.8)
      (P = .030). The International Knee Documentation Committee score for the hybrid
      ACL group (71.26 +/- 19.5) was significantly worse than that for the autograft
      ACL group (85.7 +/- 13.0) (P = .012). CONCLUSIONS: Allograft-autograft hybrid
      hamstring ACL grafts fail or become structurally compromised at a higher rate
      than matched autograft hamstring controls. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III,
      retrospective comparative study.

PMID- 26276094
TI  - Techno-economic feasibility and life cycle assessment of dairy effluent to
      renewable diesel via hydrothermal liquefaction.
AB  - The economic feasibility and environmental impact is investigated for the
      conversion of agricultural waste, delactosed whey permeate, through yeast
      fermentation to a renewable diesel via hydrothermal liquefaction. Process
      feasibility was demonstrated at laboratory-scale with data leveraged to validate
      systems models used to perform industrial-scale economic and environmental impact
      analyses. Results show a minimum fuel selling price of $4.78 per gallon of
      renewable diesel, a net energy ratio of 0.81, and greenhouse gas emissions of
      30.0g-CO2-eqMJ(-1). High production costs and greenhouse gas emissions can be
      attributed to operational temperatures and durations of both fermentation and
      hydrothermal liquefaction. However, high lipid yields of the yeast counter these
      operational demands, resulting in a favorable net energy ratio. Results are
      presented on the optimization of the process based on economy of scale and a
      sensitivity analysis highlights improvements in conversion efficiency, yeast
      biomass productivity and hydrotreating efficiency can dramatically improve
      commercial feasibility.

PMID- 26276095
TI  - Determination of kinetic parameters of Phlomis bovei de Noe using
      thermogravimetric analysis.
AB  - This paper reports the pyrolysis study of Phlomis bovei biomass by
      thermogravimetric experiments in order to determine the thermal degradation
      behavior and kinetic parameters. The weight losses were found to occur in three
      stages. In the DTG thermograms, an increase of the heating rate tended to delay
      thermal degradation processes towards higher temperatures. The average values of
      activation energy and pre-exponential factor calculated from Ozawa-Flynn-Wall,
      Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose and Kissinger methods are 134.83, 134.06, 223.31kJ/mol
      and 4.1610(13), 1.1810(10), 2.8110(11)/s, respectively. The three-pseudo
      component method shows that the activation energy increases with increasing the
      heating rate for hemicellulose and cellulose while the activation energy of the
      lignin decreased with an increase of the heating rate. Predicted results and
      experimental data exhibit similar tendencies and the three pseudo-components
      model with n different from unity 1 is recommended as the most suitable for
      prediction of kinetic behavior of Phlomis bovei de Noe.

PMID- 26276096
TI  - Arthropod eyes: The early Cambrian fossil record and divergent evolution of
      visual systems.
AB  - Four types of eyes serve the visual neuropils of extant arthropods: compound
      retinas composed of adjacent facets; a visual surface populated by spaced
      eyelets; a smooth transparent cuticle providing inwardly directed lens cylinders;
      and single-lens eyes. The first type is a characteristic of pancrustaceans, the
      eyes of which comprise lenses arranged as hexagonal or rectilinear arrays, each
      lens crowning 8-9 photoreceptor neurons. Except for Scutigeromorpha, the second
      type typifies Myriapoda whose relatively large eyelets surmount numerous
      photoreceptive rhabdoms stacked together as tiers. Scutigeromorph eyes are
      facetted, each lens crowning some dozen photoreceptor neurons of a modified
      apposition-type eye. Extant chelicerate eyes are single-lensed except in
      xiphosurans, whose lateral eyes comprise a cuticle with a smooth outer surface
      and an inner one providing regular arrays of lens cylinders. This account
      discusses whether these disparate eye types speak for or against divergence from
      one ancestral eye type. Previous considerations of eye evolution, focusing on the
      eyes of trilobites and on facet proliferation in xiphosurans and myriapods, have
      proposed that the mode of development of eyes in those taxa is distinct from that
      of pancrustaceans and is the plesiomorphic condition from which facetted eyes
      have evolved. But the recent discovery of enormous regularly facetted compound
      eyes belonging to early Cambrian radiodontans suggests that high-resolution
      facetted eyes with superior optics may be the ground pattern organization for
      arthropods, predating the evolution of arthrodization and jointed post
      protocerebral appendages. Here we provide evidence that compound eye organization
      in stem-group euarthropods of the Cambrian can be understood in terms of eye
      morphologies diverging from this ancestral radiodontan-type ground pattern. We
      show that in certain Cambrian groups apposition eyes relate to fixed or mobile
      eyestalks, whereas other groups reveal concomitant evolution of sessile eyes
      equipped with optics typical of extant xiphosurans. Observations of fossil
      material, including that of trilobites and eurypterids, support the proposition
      that the ancestral compound eye was the apposition type. Cambrian arthropods
      include possible precursors of mandibulate eyes. The latter are the modified
      compound eyes, now sessile, and their underlying optic lobes exemplified by
      scutigeromorph chilopods, and the mobile stalked compound eyes and more elaborate
      optic lobes typifying Pancrustacea. Radical divergence from an ancestral
      apposition type is demonstrated by the evolution of chelicerate eyes, from
      doublet sessile-eyed stem-group taxa to special apposition eyes of xiphosurans,
      the compound eyes of eurypterids, and single-lens eyes of arachnids. Different
      eye types are discussed with respect to possible modes of life of the extinct
      species that possessed them, comparing these to extant counterparts and the types
      of visual centers the eyes might have served. 

PMID- 26276097
TI  - Enhancer of zeste acts as a major developmental regulator of Ciona intestinalis
      embryogenesis.
AB  - The paradigm of developmental regulation by Polycomb group (PcG) proteins posits
      that they maintain silencing outside the spatial expression domains of their
      target genes, particularly of Hox genes, starting from mid embryogenesis. The
      Enhancer of zeste [E(z)] PcG protein is the catalytic subunit of the PRC2
      complex, which silences its targets via deposition of the H3K27me3 mark. Here, we
      studied the ascidian Ciona intestinalis counterpart of E(z). Ci-E(z) is detected
      by immunohistochemistry as soon as the 2- and 4-cell stages as a cytoplasmic form
      and becomes exclusively nuclear thereafter, whereas the H3K27me3 mark is detected
      starting from the gastrula stage and later. Morpholino invalidation of Ci-E(z)
      leads to the total disappearance of both Ci-E(z) protein and its H3K27me3 mark.
      Ci-E(z) morphants display a severe phenotype. Strikingly, the earliest defects
      occur at the 4-cell stage with the dysregulation of cell positioning and mitotic
      impairment. At later stages, Ci-E(z)-deficient embryos are affected by terminal
      differentiation defects of neural, epidermal and muscle tissues, by the failure
      to form a notochord and by the absence of caudal nerve. These major phenotypic
      defects are specifically rescued by injection of a morpholino-resistant Ci-E(z)
      mRNA, which restores expression of Ci-E(z) protein and re-deposition of the
      H3K27me3 mark. As observed by qPCR analyses, Ci-E(z) invalidation leads to the
      early derepression of tissue-specific developmental genes, whereas late-acting
      developmental genes are generally down-regulated. Altogether, our results suggest
      that Ci-E(z) plays a major role during embryonic development in Ciona
      intestinalis by silencing early-acting developmental genes in a Hox-independent
      manner. 

PMID- 26276098
TI  - E4-Ubiquitin ligase Ufd2 stabilizes Yap8 and modulates arsenic stress responses
      independent of the U-box motif.
AB  - Adaptation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells to arsenic stress is mediated
      through the activation of arsenic detoxification machinery by the Yap8
      transcription factor. Yap8 is targeted by the ubiquitin proteasome system for
      degradation under physiological conditions, yet it escapes proteolysis in arsenic
      injured cells by a mechanism that remains to be elucidated. Here, we show that
      Ufd2, an E4-Ubiquitin (Ub) ligase, is upregulated by arsenic compounds both at
      mRNA and protein levels. Under these conditions, Ufd2 interacts with Yap8
      mediating its stabilization, thereby controlling expression of ACR3 and capacity
      of cells to adapt to arsenic injury. We also show that Ufd2 U-box domain, which
      is associated to the ubiquitination activity of specific ubiquitin ligases, is
      dispensable for Yap8 stability and has no role in cell tolerance to arsenic
      stress. Thus, our data disclose a novel Ufd2 role beyond degradation. This
      finding is further supported by genetic analyses showing that proteins belonging
      to Ufd2 proteolytic pathways, namely Ubc4, Rad23 and Dsk2, mediate Yap8
      degradation. 

PMID- 26276099
TI  - The study of the Bithorax-complex genes in patterning CCAP neurons reveals a
      temporal control of neuronal differentiation by Abd-B.
AB  - During development, HOX genes play critical roles in the establishment of
      segmental differences. In the Drosophila central nervous system, these
      differences are manifested in the number and type of neurons generated by each
      neuroblast in each segment. HOX genes can act either in neuroblasts or in
      postmitotic cells, and either early or late in a lineage. Additionally, they can
      be continuously required during development or just at a specific stage.
      Moreover, these features are generally segment-specific. Lately, it has been
      shown that contrary to what happens in other tissues, where HOX genes define
      domains of expression, these genes are expressed in individual cells as part of
      the combinatorial codes involved in cell type specification. In this report we
      analyse the role of the Bithorax-complex genes - Ultrabithorax, abdominal-A and
      Abdominal-B - in sculpting the pattern of crustacean cardioactive peptide (CCAP)
      expressing neurons. These neurons are widespread in invertebrates, express CCAP,
      Bursicon and MIP neuropeptides and play major roles in controlling ecdysis. There
      are two types of CCAP neuron: interneurons and efferent neurons. Our results
      indicate that Ultrabithorax and Abdominal-A are not necessary for specification
      of the CCAP-interneurons, but are absolutely required to prevent the death by
      apoptosis of the CCAP-efferent neurons. Furthermore, Abdominal-B controls by
      repression the temporal onset of neuropeptide expression in a subset of CCAP
      efferent neurons, and a peak of ecdysone hormone at the end of larval life
      counteracts this repression. Thus, Bithorax complex genes control the
      developmental appearance of these neuropeptides both temporally and spatially. 

PMID- 26276100
TI  - Flagellar membranes are rich in raft-forming phospholipids.
AB  - The observation that the membranes of flagella are enriched in sterols and
      sphingolipids has led to the hypothesis that flagella might be enriched in raft
      forming lipids. However, a detailed lipidomic analysis of flagellar membranes is
      not available. Novel protocols to detach and isolate intact flagella from
      Trypanosoma brucei procyclic forms in combination with reverse-phase liquid
      chromatography high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry allowed us to determine
      the phospholipid composition of flagellar membranes relative to whole cells. Our
      analyses revealed that phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, ceramide and
      the sphingolipids inositol phosphorylceramide and sphingomyelin are enriched in
      flagella relative to whole cells. In contrast, phosphatidylcholine and
      phosphatidylinositol are strongly depleted in flagella. Within individual
      glycerophospholipid classes, we observed a preference for ether-type over diacyl
      type molecular species in membranes of flagella. Our study provides direct
      evidence for a preferential presence of raft-forming phospholipids in flagellar
      membranes of T. brucei. 

PMID- 26276101
TI  - Sex-specific dysregulation of cysteine oxidation and the methionine and folate
      cycles in female cystathionine gamma-lyase null mice: a serendipitous model of
      the methylfolate trap.
AB  - In addition to its role in the endogenous synthesis of cysteine, cystathionine
      gamma-lyase (CGL) is a major physiological source of the vasorelaxant hydrogen
      sulfide. Cgl null mice are potentially useful for studying the influence of this
      compound upon vascular tone and endothelial function. Here, we confirm a previous
      report that female Cgl null mice exhibit an approximate 45-fold increase in
      plasma total homocysteine compared to wild type controls. This level of
      homocysteine is approximately 3.5-fold higher than that observed in male Cgl null
      mice and is essentially equivalent to that observed in mouse models of
      cystathionine beta synthase deficient homocystinuria. Cgl null mice of both sexes
      exhibited decreased expression of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase and
      cysteinesulfinate decarboxylase compared to WT controls. Female Cgl null mice
      exhibited a sex-specific induction of betaine homocysteine S-methyltransferase
      and methionine adenosyltransferase 1, alpha and a 70% decrease in methionine
      synthase expression accompanied by significantly decreased plasma methionine.
      Decreased plasma cysteine levels in female Cgl null mice were associated with sex
      specific dysregulation of cysteine dioxygenase expression. Comparative
      histological assessment between cystathionine beta-synthase and Cgl null mice
      indicated that the therapeutic potential of cystathionine against liver injury
      merits possible further investigation. Collectively, our data demonstrates the
      importance of considering sex when investigating mouse models of inborn errors of
      metabolism and indicate that while female Cgl null mice are of questionable
      utility for studying the physiological role of hydrogen sulfide, they could serve
      as a useful model for studying the consequences of methionine synthase deficiency
      and the methylfolate trap. 

PMID- 26276102
TI  - Adolescent pregnancy; a determinant of bone mineral density in peri-menopausal
      women?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to determine the effects of a history of
      adolescent pregnancy (AP) on the bone mineral density (BMD) of perimenopausal
      women. METHODS: Overall, 240 women aged between 40 and 55 years, with a complaint
      of oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea not exceeding 1 year in duration, were evaluated.
      Evaluation included a DEXA scan and a detailed demographic survey for bone
      health. Comparison was made between women with a history of AP and those without.
      RESULTS: In total, 87 women who had a history of AP were compared with 153 women
      who did not have a history of AP. The study groups did not differ significantly
      for most of the evaluated demographic factors. Women with a history of AP had
      higher gravidity and parity. Comparison of T-scores revealed lumbar BMD to be
      unaffected by AP (P=0.184), whereas femoral BMD was positively influenced by a
      history of AP (0.78+/-0.65 vs -1.06+/-0.67; P=0.042). In covariance regression
      models, after adjusting for parity and age of first menarche, AP still positively
      influenced femoral BMD. Without a history of AP, women were at increased risk for
      osteoporosis of femoral neck (odds ratio, 2.8, 95% CI 1.75-4.8). CONCLUSIONS: The
      effects of AP on BMD are not well elucidated. Women with a history of AP had
      better femoral BMD scores, indicating a possible protective influence of AP on
      bone health. BRIEF SUMMARY: Pregnancy during adolescence is associated with a
      better femoral bone mineral density than pregnancy at an older age. However, the
      effects did not extend to lumbar spine bone mineral density.

PMID- 26276103
TI  - Hormone therapy and risk of venous thromboembolism among postmenopausal women.
AB  - Despite a decrease in the use of postmenopausal hormone therapy (HT) over the
      last decade, many women are still prescribed this treatment, as it remains the
      most effective means of counteracting climacteric symptoms. Its use declined when
      it was shown that HT increases the risk of breast cancer, stroke and venous
      thromboembolism (VTE). Nevertheless, that benefit/risk ratio was established
      among women using oral estrogens alone or combined with a specific progestogen
      and it cannot necessarily be extrapolated to other HTs. Oral estrogens increase
      the risk of VTE especially during the first year of treatment and past users
      revert to a similar risk as women who have never used them. There is now growing
      evidence that VTE risk among HT users strongly depends on the route of
      administration. Indeed, transdermal estrogens, unlike oral estrogens, are not
      associated with an increased VTE risk and biological data support this difference
      between oral and transdermal estrogens. In addition, transdermal estrogens may
      not confer additional risk in women at high risk of VTE. Significant differences
      in thrombotic risk between HT preparations also relate to the concomitant
      progestogen. Studies have consistently shown that VTE risk is higher among users
      of combined estrogens plus progestogens than among users of estrogens alone. With
      respect to the different pharmacological classes of progestogens, two
      observational studies found that norpregnane derivatives are associated with an
      increased VTE risk, whereas micronized progesterone may be safe with respect to
      thrombotic risk. In conclusion, transdermal estrogens alone or combined with
      micronized progesterone may represent the safest alternative for women who
      require HT. 

PMID- 26276104
TI  - Chemoprevention or mastectomy for women at high risk of developing breast cancer.
AB  - Breast cancer (BC) is the most commonly diagnosed invasive cancer among women; in
      developed countries, BC occurs in one out of eight women during her lifetime.
      Many factors, both genetic and non-genetic, determine a woman's risk of breast
      cancer and several mathematical models have been proposed that determine the
      risk. It is important to identify those at high risk, as there are now effective
      preventive strategies, such as chemoprevention therapy and risk-reduction
      surgery. Risk-reduction agents are recommended for women aged 35 years or more
      who are at high risk of breast cancer. Tamoxifen is presently deemed to be the
      agent of choice. However, raloxifene may be preferable, at least for some
      postmenopausal women, because of its lack of effect on the endometrium and the
      reduced incidence of venous thromboembolic events compared with tamoxifen.
      Prophylactic surgery has been widely investigated. Bilateral mastectomy decreases
      the risk of developing breast cancer by approximately 90% in women at moderate or
      high risk and in known BRCA1/2 mutation carriers. This review summarizes the
      recent advances in the identification of women at high risk of developing breast
      cancer and reports on the strategies used to prevent breast cancer; the risk
      benefit balance of such preventive choices is also briefly analyzed. 

PMID- 26276105
TI  - In-stent neointimal characteristics and late neointimal response after drug
      eluting stent implantation: A preliminary observation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Progressive neointimal proliferation may lead to late restenosis
      and/or neoatherosclerosis after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation. Late
      neointimal response may be different among different tissue characteristics. The
      aim of this study was to assess impact of in-stent neointimal characteristics on
      late neointimal response following DES implantation. METHODS: Serial (median 270
      days and median 551 days after stent implantation) optical coherence tomography
      (OCT) examinations were performed in 42 stented lesions from 26 patients. In
      stent neointimal tissue was categorized as either homogeneous or heterogeneous
      neointima based on the OCT appearance at 1st follow-up. Serial changes in
      neointimal area (NIA) were compared between lesions with homogeneous neointima
      and those with heterogeneous neointima. RESULTS: At first follow-up, homogeneous
      neointima was observed in 22 (52%) and heterogeneous neointima in 20 (48%)
      lesions, respectively. During follow-up, NIA in lesions with homogeneous
      neointima decreased significantly (1.8+/-0.93 mm(2) to 1.5+/-0.88 mm(2),
      p<0.001). On the other hand, NIA in lesions with heterogeneous neointima did not
      change significantly (2.7+/-1.8 mm(2) to 2.8+/-1.6 mm(2), p=0.658). Homogeneous
      neointima was the only predictor of late neointimal regression (late neointimal
      regression defined as NIA at first follow-up - NIA at second follow-up <0) by
      multivariable analysis (odds ratio=7.591, 95% confidence interval: 1.616-35.67,
      p=0.010). CONCLUSIONS: OCT characteristics of neointima after DES implantation
      may be related to late neointimal progression or regression.

PMID- 26276106
TI  - Catalytic cyclometallation in steroid chemistry III: Synthesis of steroidal
      derivatives of 5Z,9Z-dienoic acid and investigation of its human topoisomerase I
      inhibitory activity.
AB  - Two approaches to stereoselective synthesis of steroid 5Z,9Z-dienoic acids were
      developed, the first one being based on the cross-cyclomagnesiation of 2-(hepta
      5,6-dien-1-yloxy)tetrahydro-2H-pyran and 1,2-diene cholesterol derivatives on
      treatment with EtMgBr catalyzed by Cp2TiCl2, while the other involving the
      synthesis of esters of hydroxy steroids with (5Z,9Z)-tetradeca-5,9-dienedioic
      acid, prepared in two steps using homo-cyclomagnesiation of 2-(hepta-5,6-dien-1
      yloxy)tetrahydro-2H-pyran as the key step. High inhibitory activity of the
      synthesized acids against human topoisomerase I (hTop1) was found. 

PMID- 26276107
TI  - Prescription of enoxaparin is associated with decreasing pulmonary embolism
      mortality rate in Germany.
AB  - We analysed time trends in the pulmonary embolism (PE) mortality rates in Germany
      from 2004 and assessed for an association between the use of anticoagulants and
      PE caused mortality. We extracted age-specific number of deaths due to PE (ICD-10
      I26) from 2004 to 2011 as available from the WHO mortality databases. In addition
      we derived defined daily dosage (DDD) of prescribed anticoagulants and the low
      molecular heparin Enoxaparin for the years 2004-2011 from the statutory health
      insurance-drug-information system reports. Age-standardized PE mortality per
      100,000 decreased from 5.9283 in year 2004 to 4.4876 in 2011 (-24.3 %). Amounts
      of prescribed anticoagulants increased in this period from 271,810.7 * 1000 DDD
      to 416,611.8 * 1000 DDD (+53.3 %), that of Enoxaparin increased from 27,071.1 *
      1000 DDD in 2004 97,276.5 * 1000 DDD in 2011. The PE mortality is negatively
      correlated with anticoagulants (-0.9463, p = 0.0004) as well as with enoxaparin (
      0.9740, p < 0.0001) and of DDD of Enoxaparin per 1000 insured (-0.9682, p <
      0.0001). In univariate linear regression model, anticoagulants, Enoxaparin and
      Enoxaparin per 1000 insured all reach significance (p = 0.0004, p = 4.31 * 10(-5)
      and p = 0.0001 respectively). Multiple regression models show that Enoxaparin has
      the most robust effect. Including the time trend in the model does not alter the
      results. Our study shows that increasing number of prescribed Enoxaparin in an
      outpatient setting might be one determinant of decreasing PE mortality rate in
      Germany since 2004. 

PMID- 26276108
TI  - pH tolerance in freshwater bacterioplankton: trait variation of the community as
      measured by leucine incorporation.
AB  - pH is an important factor determining bacterial community composition in soil and
      water. We have directly determined the community tolerance (trait variation) to
      pH in communities from 22 lakes and streams ranging in pH from 4 to 9 using a
      growth-based method not relying on distinguishing between individual populations.
      The pH in the water samples was altered to up to 16 pH values, covering in situ
      pH +/- 2.5 U, and the tolerance was assessed by measuring bacterial growth (Leu
      incorporation) instantaneously after pH adjustment. The resulting unimodal
      response curves, reflecting community tolerance to pH, were well modeled with a
      double logistic equation (mean R(2) = 0.97). The optimal pH for growth (pHopt)
      among the bacterial communities was closely correlated with in situ pH, with a
      slope (0.89 +/- 0.099) close to unity. The pH interval, in which growth was >=90%
      of that at pHopt, was 1.1 to 3 pH units wide (mean 2.0 pH units). Tolerance
      response curves of communities originating from circum-neutral pH were
      symmetrical, whereas in high-pH (8.9) and especially in low-pH (<5.5) waters,
      asymmetric tolerance curves were found. In low-pH waters, decreasing pH was more
      detrimental for bacterial growth than increasing pH, with a tendency for the
      opposite for high-pH waters. A pH tolerance index, using the ratio of growth at
      only two pH values (pH 4 and 8), was closely related to pHopt (R(2) = 0.83),
      allowing for easy determination of pH tolerance during rapid changes in pH. 

PMID- 26276109
TI  - Buccal swabbing as a noninvasive method to determine bacterial, archaeal, and
      eukaryotic microbial community structures in the rumen.
AB  - Analysis of rumen microbial community structure based on small-subunit rRNA
      marker genes in metagenomic DNA samples provides important insights into the
      dominant taxa present in the rumen and allows assessment of community differences
      between individuals or in response to treatments applied to ruminants. However,
      natural animal-to-animal variation in rumen microbial community composition can
      limit the power of a study considerably, especially when only subtle differences
      are expected between treatment groups. Thus, trials with large numbers of animals
      may be necessary to overcome this variation. Because ruminants pass large amounts
      of rumen material to their oral cavities when they chew their cud, oral samples
      may contain good representations of the rumen microbiota and be useful in lieu of
      rumen samples to study rumen microbial communities. We compared bacterial,
      archaeal, and eukaryotic community structures in DNAs extracted from buccal swabs
      to those in DNAs from samples collected directly from the rumen by use of a
      stomach tube for sheep on four different diets. After bioinformatic depletion of
      potential oral taxa from libraries of samples collected via buccal swabs,
      bacterial communities showed significant clustering by diet (R = 0.37; analysis
      of similarity [ANOSIM]) rather than by sampling method (R = 0.07). Archaeal,
      ciliate protozoal, and anaerobic fungal communities also showed significant
      clustering by diet rather than by sampling method, even without adjustment for
      potentially orally associated microorganisms. These findings indicate that buccal
      swabs may in future allow quick and noninvasive sampling for analysis of rumen
      microbial communities in large numbers of ruminants. 

PMID- 26276110
TI  - The gastrointestinal tract as a potential infection reservoir of digital
      dermatitis-associated treponemes in beef cattle and sheep.
AB  - Digital dermatitis (DD) is an important cause of lameness in dairy cattle
      worldwide. It has now been reported in beef cattle and also sheep (contagious
      ovine digital dermatitis [CODD]). Three Treponema phylogroups are consistently
      isolated from lesions, Treponema medium-like, Treponema phagedenis-like, and
      Treponema pedis. The gastrointestinal (GI) tract and feces are suggested sites of
      treponemal infection in dairy cattle; however, isolation of DD-associated
      treponemes from these areas has previously failed. This study surveyed gingival
      tissues, rectal tissues, and feces of beef cattle and sheep for the molecular
      presence (PCR) and isolation of the three cultivable DD-treponeme phylogroups. Of
      the sheep gingival (n = 40) and rectal (n = 40) tissues, 1/40 gingival tissues
      was positive for DD-associated treponemes (T. pedis), as were 3/40 rectal tissues
      (one containing T. medium-like and two containing T. pedis). No DD-associated
      treponeme DNA was amplified from beef cattle rectal tissues (n = 40); however,
      4/40 beef gingival tissues were positive for DD-associated treponemes (all
      containing T. phagedenis-like). A T. phagedenis-like DD-associated treponeme was
      isolated from the rectal tissue of a CODD symptomatic sheep. Beef cattle (n = 41)
      and sheep (n = 79) feces failed to amplify DD-associated Treponema DNA. Twenty
      two treponemes were isolated from sheep feces; however, upon phylogenetic
      analysis, these clustered with the considered nonpathogenic treponemes. This
      study detected DD-associated treponemes in the GI tract tissues of sheep and beef
      cattle and successfully isolated a DD-associated treponeme from ruminant rectal
      tissue. This gives evidence that the GI tract is an important infection reservoir
      of DD-associated treponemes in multiple DD-infected species. 

PMID- 26276111
TI  - Climate change and physical disturbance manipulations result in distinct
      biological soil crust communities.
AB  - Biological soil crusts (biocrusts) colonize plant interspaces in many drylands
      and are critical to soil nutrient cycling. Multiple climate change and land use
      factors have been shown to detrimentally impact biocrusts on a macroscopic (i.e.,
      visual) scale. However, the impact of these perturbations on the bacterial
      components of the biocrusts remains poorly understood. We employed multiple long
      term field experiments to assess the impacts of chronic physical (foot trampling)
      and climatic changes (2 degrees C soil warming, altered summer precipitation
      [wetting], and combined warming and wetting) on biocrust bacterial biomass,
      composition, and metabolic profile. The biocrust bacterial communities adopted
      distinct states based on the mechanism of disturbance. Chronic trampling
      decreased biomass and caused small community compositional changes. Soil warming
      had little effect on biocrust biomass or composition, while wetting resulted in
      an increase in the cyanobacterial biomass and altered bacterial composition.
      Warming combined with wetting dramatically altered bacterial composition and
      decreased Cyanobacteria abundance. Shotgun metagenomic sequencing identified four
      functional gene categories that differed in relative abundance among the
      manipulations, suggesting that climate and land use changes affected soil
      bacterial functional potential. This study illustrates that different types of
      biocrust disturbance damage biocrusts in macroscopically similar ways, but they
      differentially impact the resident soil bacterial communities, and the
      communities' functional profiles can differ depending on the disturbance type.
      Therefore, the nature of the perturbation and the microbial response are
      important considerations for management and restoration of drylands. 

PMID- 26276112
TI  - Spatial patterns of carbonate biomineralization in biofilms.
AB  - Microbially catalyzed precipitation of carbonate minerals is an important process
      in diverse biological, geological, and engineered systems. However, the processes
      that regulate carbonate biomineralization and their impacts on biofilms are
      largely unexplored, mainly because of the inability of current methods to
      directly observe biomineralization within biofilms. Here, we present a method for
      in situ, real-time imaging of biomineralization in biofilms and use it to show
      that Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms produce morphologically distinct carbonate
      deposits that substantially modify biofilm structures. The patterns of carbonate
      biomineralization produced in situ were substantially different from those caused
      by accumulation of particles produced by abiotic precipitation. Contrary to the
      common expectation that mineral precipitation should occur at the biofilm
      surface, we found that biomineralization started at the base of the biofilm. The
      carbonate deposits grew over time, detaching biofilm-resident cells and deforming
      the biofilm morphology. These findings indicate that biomineralization is a
      general regulator of biofilm architecture and properties. 

PMID- 26276113
TI  - A New Class of Tungsten-Containing Oxidoreductase in Caldicellulosiruptor, a
      Genus of Plant Biomass-Degrading Thermophilic Bacteria.
AB  - Caldicellulosiruptor bescii grows optimally at 78 degrees C and is able to
      decompose high concentrations of lignocellulosic plant biomass without the need
      for thermochemical pretreatment. C. bescii ferments both C5 and C6 sugars
      primarily to hydrogen gas, lactate, acetate, and CO2 and is of particular
      interest for metabolic engineering applications given the recent availability of
      a genetic system. Developing optimal strains for technological use requires a
      detailed understanding of primary metabolism, particularly when the goal is to
      divert all available reductant (electrons) toward highly reduced products such as
      biofuels. During an analysis of the C. bescii genome sequence for oxidoreductase
      type enzymes, evidence was uncovered to suggest that the primary redox metabolism
      of C. bescii has a completely uncharacterized aspect involving tungsten, a rarely
      used element in biology. An active tungsten utilization pathway in C. bescii was
      demonstrated by the heterologous production of a tungsten-requiring, aldehyde
      oxidizing enzyme (AOR) from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus.
      Furthermore, C. bescii also contains a tungsten-based AOR-type enzyme, here
      termed XOR, which is phylogenetically unique, representing a completely new
      member of the AOR tungstoenzyme family. Moreover, in C. bescii, XOR represents
      ca. 2% of the cytoplasmic protein. XOR is proposed to play a key, but as yet
      undetermined, role in the primary redox metabolism of this cellulolytic
      microorganism. 

PMID- 26276114
TI  - Fluorescence assay for evaluating microbicidal activity of hand antiseptics.
AB  - We developed a fluorescent beta-d-glucuronidase activity (BGA)-based assay for
      detecting and quantifying Escherichia coli in samples to assess the biocide
      efficacy of hand antiseptics. The fluorescence level is proportional to the
      number of viable E. coli organisms present. We compared our assay results to
      those of the E. coli plate count method specified by the European standard for
      testing hygienic hand rub disinfectant products (EN1500). The plate count method
      requires excessive handling and materials and is not valid if the number of
      organisms per plate is too low or high for counting in many of the samples. We
      optimized the fluorescent assay based on the cleavage of 4-methylumbelliferyl
      beta-d-glucuronide by adding 4-nitrophenyl-beta-d-glucuronide, a nonfluorogenic
      BGA substrate, to induce glucuronidase activity and reduce assay time.
      Furthermore, our method can be automated and eliminates the need for multiple
      dilutions. Fluorescence was temporally monitored, and the time required to reach
      a specific value of fluorescence was correlated with the initial number of viable
      E. coli organisms on the samples. There was a positive correlation (P < 0.05)
      with a high correlation coefficient (R(2) = 0.82) between the E. coli counts by
      plate count and fluorescence methods. Reported effects in fluorescent BGA were
      compared to the EN1500 plate count method with five hand disinfectants. We found
      our method more advantageous, because it was as sensitive as the EN1500 method,
      requires less time to complete, and is less expensive and less laborious than
      conventional plating techniques. 

PMID- 26276115
TI  - Distribution, activities, and interactions of methanogens and sulfate-reducing
      prokaryotes in the Florida Everglades.
AB  - To gain insight into the mechanisms controlling methanogenic pathways in the
      Florida Everglades, the distribution and functional activities of methanogens and
      sulfate-reducing prokaryotes (SRPs) were investigated in soils (0 to 2 or 0 to 4
      cm depth) across the well-documented nutrient gradient in the water conservation
      areas (WCAs) caused by runoff from the adjacent Everglades Agricultural Area. The
      methyl coenzyme M reductase gene (mcrA) sequences that were retrieved from WCA
      2A, an area with relatively high concentrations of SO4 (2-) (>=39 MUM), indicated
      that methanogens inhabiting this area were broadly distributed within the orders
      Methanomicrobiales, Methanosarcinales, Methanocellales, Methanobacteriales, and
      Methanomassiliicoccales. In more than 3 years of monitoring, quantitative PCR
      (qPCR) using newly designed group-specific primers revealed that the
      hydrogenotrophic Methanomicrobiales were more numerous than the Methanosaetaceae
      obligatory acetotrophs in SO4 (2-)-rich areas of WCA-2A, while the
      Methanosaetaceae were dominant over the Methanomicrobiales in WCA-3A (with
      relatively low SO4 (2-) concentrations; <=4 MUM). qPCR of dsrB sequences also
      indicated that SRPs are present at greater numbers than methanogens in the WCAs.
      In an incubation study with WCA-2A soils, addition of MoO4 (2-) (a specific
      inhibitor of SRP activity) resulted in increased methane production rates, lower
      apparent fractionation factors [alphaapp; defined as (amount of delta(13)CO2 +
      1,000)/(amount of delta(13)CH4 + 1,000)], and higher Methanosaetaceae mcrA
      transcript levels compared to those for the controls without MoO4 (2-). These
      results indicate that SRPs play crucial roles in controlling methanogenic
      pathways and in shaping the structures of methanogen assemblages as a function of
      position along the nutrient gradient. 

PMID- 26276116
TI  - Hypothetical protein Avin_16040 as the S-layer protein of Azotobacter vinelandii
      and its involvement in plant root surface attachment.
AB  - A proteomic analysis of a soil-dwelling, plant growth-promoting Azotobacter
      vinelandii strain showed the presence of a protein encoded by the hypothetical
      Avin_16040 gene when the bacterial cells were attached to the Oryza sativa root
      surface. An Avin_16040 deletion mutant demonstrated reduced cellular adherence to
      the root surface, surface hydrophobicity, and biofilm formation compared to those
      of the wild type. By atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis of the cell surface
      topography, the deletion mutant displayed a cell surface architectural pattern
      that was different from that of the wild type. Escherichia coli transformed with
      the wild-type Avin_16040 gene displayed on its cell surface organized motifs
      which looked like the S-layer monomers of A. vinelandii. The recombinant E. coli
      also demonstrated enhanced adhesion to the root surface. 

PMID- 26276117
TI  - Identification of the mcpA and mcpM genes, encoding methyl-accepting proteins
      involved in amino acid and l-malate chemotaxis, and involvement of McpM-mediated
      chemotaxis in plant infection by Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum (formerly Ralstonia
      solanacearum phylotypes I and III).
AB  - Sequence analysis has revealed the presence of 22 putative methyl-accepting
      chemotaxis protein (mcp) genes in the Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum GMI1000
      genome. PCR analysis and DNA sequencing showed that the highly motile R.
      pseudosolanacearum strain Ps29 possesses homologs of all 22 R. pseudosolanacearum
      GMI1000 mcp genes. We constructed a complete collection of single mcp gene
      deletion mutants of R. pseudosolanacearum Ps29 by unmarked gene deletion.
      Screening of the mutant collection revealed that R. pseudosolanacearum Ps29
      mutants of RSp0507 and RSc0606 homologs were defective in chemotaxis to l-malate
      and amino acids, respectively. RSp0507 and RSc0606 homologs were designated mcpM
      and mcpA. While wild-type R. pseudosolanacearum strain Ps29 displayed attraction
      to 16 amino acids, the mcpA mutant showed no response to 12 of these amino acids
      and decreased responses to 4 amino acids. We constructed mcpA and mcpM deletion
      mutants of highly virulent R. pseudosolanacearum strain MAFF106611 to investigate
      the contribution of chemotaxis to l-malate and amino acids to tomato plant
      infection. Neither single mutant exhibited altered virulence for tomato plants
      when tested by root dip inoculation assays. In contrast, the mcpM mutant (but not
      the mcpA mutant) was significantly less infectious than the wild type when tested
      by a sand soak inoculation assay, which requires bacteria to locate and invade
      host roots from sand. Thus, McpM-mediated chemotaxis, possibly reflecting
      chemotaxis to l-malate, facilitates R. pseudosolanacearum motility to tomato
      roots in sand. 

PMID- 26276119
TI  - Comparison of Griffiths-II and Bayley-II tests for the developmental assessment
      of high-risk infants.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Two important risk factors for abnormal neurodevelopment are
      preterm birth and neonatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy. The new revisions of
      Griffiths Mental Development Scale (Griffiths-II, [1996]) and the Bayley Scales
      of Infant Development (BSID-II, [1993]) are two of the most frequently used
      developmental diagnostics tests. The Griffiths-II is divided into five subscales
      and a global development quotient (QD), and the BSID-II is divided into two
      scales, the Mental scale (MDI) and the Psychomotor scale (PDI). The main
      objective of this research was to establish the extent to which developmental
      diagnoses obtained using the new revisions of these two tests are comparable for
      a given child. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study of 18-months-old high
      risk children examined with both tests in the follow-up Unit of the Clinic of
      Neonatology of our tertiary care university Hospital between 2011 and 2012. To
      determine the concurrent validity of the two tests paired t-tests and Pearson
      product-moment correlation coefficients were computed. Using the BSID-II as a
      gold standard, the performance of the Griffiths-II was analyzed with receiver
      operating curves. RESULTS: 61 patients (80.3% preterm, 14.7% neonatal asphyxia)
      were examined. For the BSID-II the MDI mean was 96.21 (range 67-133) and the PDI
      mean was 87.72 (range 49-114). For the Griffiths-II, the QD mean was 96.95 (range
      60-124), the locomotors subscale mean was 92.57 (range 49-119). The score of the
      Griffiths locomotors subscale was significantly higher than the PDI (p<0.001).
      Between the Griffiths-II QD and the BSID-II MDI no significant difference was
      found, and the area under the curve was 0.93, showing good validity. All
      correlations were high and significant with a Pearson product-moment correlation
      coefficient >0.8. CONCLUSIONS: The meaning of the results for a given child was
      the same for the two tests. Two scores were interchangeable, the Griffiths-II QD
      and the BSID-II MDI.

PMID- 26276120
TI  - Rape Myths, Rape Scripts, and Common Rape Experiences of College Women:
      Differences in Perceptions of Women Who Have Been Raped.
AB  - Rape is prevalent at colleges. Although research suggests commonalities across
      many college women's rape experiences (e.g., perpetrators using multiple coercive
      strategies), vignettes used to assess rape perceptions often reflect false
      beliefs. Two studies varying a perpetrator's coercive tactics examine rape
      perceptions using vignettes reflecting rape myths, rape scripts, or many college
      women's common rape experiences. Participants perceive a woman who was raped more
      positively in vignettes reflecting common rape experiences versus those
      reflecting rape myths or scripts. Theoretical, educational, and research
      implications are discussed. 

PMID- 26276118
TI  - Anaerobic growth of Corynebacterium glutamicum via mixed-acid fermentation.
AB  - Corynebacterium glutamicum, a model organism in microbial biotechnology, is known
      to metabolize glucose under oxygen-deprived conditions to l-lactate, succinate,
      and acetate without significant growth. This property is exploited for efficient
      production of lactate and succinate. Our detailed analysis revealed that marginal
      growth takes place under anaerobic conditions with glucose, fructose, sucrose, or
      ribose as a carbon and energy source but not with gluconate, pyruvate, lactate,
      propionate, or acetate. Supplementation of glucose minimal medium with tryptone
      strongly enhanced growth up to a final optical density at 600 nm (OD600) of 12,
      whereas tryptone alone did not allow growth. Amino acids with a high ATP demand
      for biosynthesis and amino acids of the glutamate family were particularly
      important for growth stimulation, indicating ATP limitation and a restricted
      carbon flux into the oxidative tricarboxylic acid cycle toward 2-oxoglutarate.
      Anaerobic cultivation in a bioreactor with constant nitrogen flushing disclosed
      that CO2 is required to achieve maximal growth and that the pH tolerance is
      reduced compared to that under aerobic conditions, reflecting a decreased
      capability for pH homeostasis. Continued growth under anaerobic conditions
      indicated the absence of an oxygen-requiring reaction that is essential for
      biomass formation. The results provide an improved understanding of the
      physiology of C. glutamicum under anaerobic conditions. 

PMID- 26276121
TI  - Transverse colon volvulus in children: A case series and a review of the
      literature.
AB  - Volvulus of the transverse colon is very rare in children. Three cases that
      occurred in a short time span are described and the scarce literature is
      reviewed. All patients presented with colonic obstruction and in all three the
      condition was diagnosed at laparotomy, as CT-scanning is not an available option
      in either of the two institutions. The transverse colon had not become gangrenous
      but was resected after detorsion for redundancy. The postoperative course was
      complicated and relaparotomy had to be performed for reobstruction in all cases.
      Only if the 'reverse' bean sign is recognized on the preoperative plain abdominal
      radiograph this rare diagnosis can be suspected. 

PMID- 26276122
TI  - Opposite Effects of Visual Cueing During Writing-Like Movements of Different
      Amplitudes in Parkinson's Disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Handwriting is often impaired in Parkinson's disease (PD). Several
      studies have shown that writing in PD benefits from the use of cues. However,
      this was typically studied with writing and drawing sizes that are usually not
      used in daily life. OBJECTIVE: This study examines the effect of visual cueing on
      a prewriting task at small amplitudes (<=1.0 cm) in PD patients and healthy
      controls to better understand the working action of cueing for writing. METHODS:
      A total of 15 PD patients and 15 healthy, age-matched controls performed a
      prewriting task at 0.6 cm and 1.0 cm in the presence and absence of visual cues
      (target lines). Writing amplitude, variability of amplitude, and speed were
      chosen as dependent variables, measured using a newly developed touch-sensitive
      tablet. RESULTS: Cueing led to immediate improvements in writing size,
      variability of writing size, and speed in both groups in the 1.0 cm condition.
      However, when writing at 0.6 cm with cues, a decrease in writing size was
      apparent in both groups (P < .001) and the difference in variability of amplitude
      between cued and uncued writing disappeared. In addition, the writing speed of
      controls decreased when the cue was present. CONCLUSIONS: Visual target lines of
      1.0 cm improved the writing of sequential loops in contrast to lines spaced at
      0.6 cm. These results illustrate that, unlike for gait, visual cueing for fine
      motor tasks requires a differentiated approach, taking into account the possible
      increases of accuracy constraints imposed by cueing.

PMID- 26276124
TI  - Pseudomonas alkylphenolica sp. nov., a bacterial species able to form special
      aerial structures when grown on p-cresol.
AB  - Pseudomonas sp. KL28T is an aerobic, rod-shaped bacterium that was isolated from
      the soil of Changwon, South Korea, based on its ability to grow in the presence
      of linear alkylphenols (C1-C5). Despite several studies on strain KL28T, it could
      not be assigned to any known species in the genus Pseudomonas. The name
      'Pseudomonas alkylphenolia' was proposed for KL28T, but the strain had not until
      now been characterized taxonomically and the name currently has no standing in
      the bacterial nomenclature. A 16S rRNA gene sequence based phylogenetic analysis
      suggested an affiliation of strain KL28T with the Pseudomonas putida group, with
      Pseudomonas vranovensis DSM 16006T as the most closely related type strain (99.1
      % similarity). A multilocus phylogenetic sequence analysis performed by
      concatenating 16S rRNA, gyrB, rpoD and rpoB partial gene sequences showed that
      isolate KL28T could be differentiated from P. vranovensis DSM 16006T (sequence
      similarity 93.7 %). Genomic comparisons of strain KL28T with the type strains of
      the species in the P. putida group using average nucleotide index based on blast
      (ANIb) and genome-to genome distances (GGDC) revealed 87.06 % and 32.20 %
      similarities with P. vranovensis DSM 16006T, respectively, as the closest type
      strain. Both values are far from the thresholds established for species
      differentiation. These results, together with differences in phenotypic features
      and chemotaxonomic analyses [fatty acids and whole-cell matrix-assisted laser
      desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) MS], support the proposal of
      strain KL28T ( = JCM 16553T = KCTC 22206T) as the type strain of a novel species,
      for which the formerly proposed name, 'P. alkylphenolia', is correctly latinized
      as Pseudomonas alkylphenolica sp. nov.

PMID- 26276123
TI  - Preliminary Associations Between Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, Memory
      Impairment, Functional Cognition, and Depressive Symptoms Following Severe TBI.
AB  - Background Traumatic brain injury (TBI) often leads to mood and cognitive
      complications, affecting functional recovery. Understanding neurobiological
      alterations common in post-TBI depression (PTD) and cognition may identify novel
      biomarkers for TBI complications. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a
      likely target based on evidence of reduced BDNF signaling in experimental TBI and
      depression models and its role in learning and memory. Objective To evaluate BDNF
      as a biomarker for PTD, cognitive impairment, and functional cognition in a
      prospective cohort with severe TBI. Methods Participants with TBI (n = 113) were
      evaluated for PTD (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 [PHQ-9]), cognitive impairment
      (cognitive composite score), and functional cognition (Functional Independence
      Measure-Cognition, FIM-Cog). BDNF levels were measured in cerebrospinal fluid and
      serum at 0 to 6 days postinjury and in serum at 6 and 12 months postinjury.
      RESULTS: Serum BDNF was reduced after TBI versus controls at all time points.
      Acute serum BDNF positively correlated with memory composites (6 months: r =
      0.43, P = .019, n = 30; 12 months: r = 0.53, P = .005, n = 26) and FIM-Memory
      scores (6 months: r = 0.35, P = .019, n = 45; 12 months: r = 0.38, P = .018, n =
      38). Acute serum BDNF negatively correlated with 12-month PHQ-9 scores (r = 
      0.38; P = .044; n = 29). At 12 months, chronic serum BDNF tended to be lower in
      participants with PTD (P = .07) and correlated with PHQ-9 scores (r = -0.41; P =
      .019; n = 32). Conclusions Acute BDNF associations with memory recovery may
      implicate hippocampal damage/degeneration. Comparatively, BDNF associations with
      PTD status were not as strong as associations with PTD severity. Further
      investigation may delineate longitudinal BDNF patterns, and BDNF responsive
      treatments, reflecting mood and cognitive recovery following TBI.

PMID- 26276126
TI  - Probenecid Application Prevents Clinical Symptoms and Inflammation in
      Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis.
AB  - Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous
      system. Neurological impairments are caused by axonal damage due to demyelination
      and neuroinflammation within the central nervous system. T cells mediate the
      neuroinflammation. The activation of T cells is induced by the release of
      adenosine triphosphate and involves purinergic receptors as well as pannexin
      (Panx) proteins. As Panx1 is expressed on T cells, we here propose that
      application of probenecid, a known Panx inhibitor, will prevent the onset of
      clinical symptoms in a mouse model of MS, the experimental autoimmune
      encephalomyelitis (EAE) model. EAE-induced mice received daily injections of
      probenecid. Disease scores, T cell numbers, and microglia activation were
      compared between experimental groups. Probenecid treatment resulted in lower
      disease scores as compared to EAE animals. Probenecid-treated animals also
      displayed fewer inflammatory lesions. Microglia activation was not altered by
      treatment. In conclusion, probenecid prevented the onset of EAE. 

PMID- 26276125
TI  - Uncovering co-expression gene network modules regulating fruit acidity in diverse
      apples.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Acidity is a major contributor to fruit quality. Several organic
      acids are present in apple fruit, but malic acid is predominant and determines
      fruit acidity. The trait is largely controlled by the Malic acid (Ma) locus,
      underpinning which Ma1 that putatively encodes a vacuolar aluminum-activated
      malate transporter1 (ALMT1)-like protein is a strong candidate gene. We
      hypothesize that fruit acidity is governed by a gene network in which Ma1 is key
      member. The goal of this study is to identify the gene network and the potential
      mechanisms through which the network operates. RESULTS: Guided by Ma1, we
      analyzed the transcriptomes of mature fruit of contrasting acidity from six apple
      accessions of genotype Ma_ (MaMa or Mama) and four of mama using RNA-seq and
      identified 1301 fruit acidity associated genes, among which 18 were most
      significant acidity genes (MSAGs). Network inferring using weighted gene co
      expression network analysis (WGCNA) revealed five co-expression gene network
      modules of significant (P < 0.001) correlation with malate. Of these, the Ma1
      containing module (Turquoise) of 336 genes showed the highest correlation (0.79).
      We also identified 12 intramodular hub genes from each of the five modules and 18
      enriched gene ontology (GO) terms and MapMan sub-bines, including two GO terms
      (GO:0015979 and GO:0009765) and two MapMap sub-bins (1.3.4 and 1.1.1.1) related
      to photosynthesis in module Turquoise. Using Lemon-Tree algorithms, we identified
      12 regulator genes of probabilistic scores 35.5-81.0, including MDP0000525602 (a
      LLR receptor kinase), MDP0000319170 (an IQD2-like CaM binding protein) and
      MDP0000190273 (an EIN3-like transcription factor) of greater interest for being
      one of the 18 MSAGs or one of the 12 intramodular hub genes in Turquoise, and/or
      a regulator to the cluster containing Ma1. CONCLUSIONS: The most relevant finding
      of this study is the identification of the MSAGs, intramodular hub genes,
      enriched photosynthesis related processes, and regulator genes in a WGCNA module
      Turquoise that not only encompasses Ma1 but also shows the highest modular
      correlation with acidity. Overall, this study provides important insight into the
      Ma1-mediated gene network controlling acidity in mature apple fruit of diverse
      genetic background.

PMID- 26276127
TI  - Protective Effect of Isorhamnetin on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Lung Injury
      in Mice.
AB  - Isorhamnetin has been reported to have anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and
      anti-proliferative effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the
      protective effect of isorhamnetin on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung
      injury (ALI) in mice by inhibiting the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2).
      The effects of isorhamnetin on LPS-induced lung pathological damage, wet/dry
      ratios and the total protein level in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF),
      inflammatory cytokine release, myeloperoxidase (MPO) and superoxide dismutase
      (SOD) activities, and malondialdehyde (MDA) level were examined. In addition, the
      COX-2 activation in lung tissues was detected by Western blot. Isorhamnetin
      pretreatment improved the mice survival rates. Moreover, isorhamnetin
      pretreatment significantly attenuated edema and the pathological changes in the
      lung and inhibited protein extravasation in BALF. Isorhamnetin also significantly
      decreased the levels of inflammatory cytokines in BALF. In addition, isorhamnetin
      markedly prevented LPS-induced oxidative stress. Furthermore, isorhamnetin
      pretreatment significantly suppressed LPS-induced activation of COX-2.
      Isorhamnetin has been demonstrated to protect mice from LPS-induced ALI by
      inhibiting the expression of COX-2. 

PMID- 26276128
TI  - Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Apigenin on LPS-Induced Pro-Inflammatory Mediators
      and AP-1 Factors in Human Lung Epithelial Cells.
AB  - Apigenin is one of the plant flavonoids present in fruits and vegetables, acting
      as an important nutraceutical component. It is recognized as a potential
      antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory molecule. In the present study,
      the mechanism of anti-inflammatory action of apigenin on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)
      induced pro-inflammatory cytokines and activator protein-1 (AP-1) factors in
      human lung A549 cells was investigated. The anti-inflammatory activity of
      apigenin on LPS-induced inflammation was determined by analyzing the expression
      of pro-inflammatory cytokines, nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2
      (COX-2), and different AP-1 factors. Apigenin significantly inhibited the LPS
      induced expression of iNOS, COX-2, expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL
      1beta, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-alpha), and AP-1 proteins (c-Jun, c-Fos, and
      JunB) including nitric oxide production. Study confirms the anti-inflammatory
      effect of apigenin by inhibiting the expression of inflammatory mediators and AP
      1 factors involved in the inflammation and its importance in the treatment of
      lung inflammatory diseases. 

PMID- 26276129
TI  - Inhibition of Radiation-Induced Oxidative Damage in the Lung Tissue: May
      Acetylsalicylic Acid Have a Positive Role?
AB  - The lung is relatively sensitive to irradiation. It is shown that acetylsalicylic
      acid (ASA) might reduce oxidative injury and that it has a place in protection
      from cancer. The aim of this study is to evaluate the potential radioprotective
      effects of ASA. Whole-body irradiation (6 Gy, single dose) was applied to the
      rats. Glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and nitric
      oxide (NO) levels in the lung tissue were measured. Control (C), Radiation (R),
      Radiation + ASA (R + ASA; received irradiation and 25 mg/kg of ASA
      intraperitoneally (i.p.)), and Radiation + Amifostine (R + WR-2721; received
      irradiation and 200 mg/kg of WR-2721 i.p.) groups were used. The MPO levels
      decreased statistically significantly in the group administered ASA.
      Histopathologically, a radioprotective effect of ASA was more evident in the R +
      ASA group. ASA is an agent which has not been used as a radioprotector in the
      clinic yet, and it is worth supporting with more advanced studies.

PMID- 26276130
TI  - TLR4-MyD88-TRAF6-TAK1 Complex-Mediated NF-kappaB Activation Contribute to the
      Anti-Inflammatory Effect of V8 in LPS-Induced Human Cervical Cancer SiHa Cells.
AB  - The synthetic compound 7-4-[Bis-(2-hydroxyethyl)-amino]-butoxy-5-hydroxy-8
      methoxy-2-phenylchromen-4-one (V8) is a novel flavonoid-derived compound. In this
      study, we investigated the effects of V8 on Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-mediated
      inflammatory reaction in human cervical cancer SiHa cells and lipopolysaccharide
      (LPS)-induced TLR4 activity in cervical cancer SiHa (HPV16+) cells, but not in
      HeLa (HPV18+) and C33A (HPV-) cells. In addition, V8 inhibited LPS-induced
      expression of TLR4, MyD88, TRAF6 and phosphorylation of TAK1, and their
      interaction with TLR4 in SiHa cells, resulting in an inhibition of TLR4-MyD88
      TRAF6-TAK1 complex. Moreover, V8 blocked LPS-induced phosphorylation of IkappaB
      and IKK, resulting in inhibition of the nuclear translocation of P65-NF-kappaB in
      SiHa cells. We also found that V8 reduced the expression of NF-kappaB target
      genes, such as those for COX-2, iNOS, IL-6, IL-8, CCL-2, and TNF-alpha in LPS
      stimulated SiHa cells. These results suggested that V8 exerted an anti
      inflammatory effect on SiHa cells by inhibiting the TLR4-MyD88-TRAF6-TAK1 complex
      mediated NF-kappaB activation.

PMID- 26276132
TI  - Navicular Stress Fractures.

PMID- 26276131
TI  - Spaceflight alters expression of microRNA during T-cell activation.
AB  - Altered immune function has been demonstrated in astronauts during spaceflights
      dating back to Apollo and Skylab; this could be a major barrier to long-term
      space exploration. We tested the hypothesis that spaceflight causes changes in
      microRNA (miRNA) expression. Human leukocytes were stimulated with mitogens on
      board the International Space Station using an onboard normal gravity control.
      Bioinformatics showed that miR-21 was significantly up-regulated 2-fold during
      early T-cell activation in normal gravity, and gene expression was suppressed
      under microgravity. This was confirmed using quantitative real-time PCR (n = 4).
      This is the first report that spaceflight regulates miRNA expression. Global
      microarray analysis showed significant (P < 0.05) suppression of 85 genes under
      microgravity conditions compared to normal gravity samples. EGR3, FASLG, BTG2,
      SPRY2, and TAGAP are biologically confirmed targets and are co-up-regulated with
      miR-21. These genes share common promoter regions with pre-mir-21; as the miR-21
      matures and accumulates, it most likely will inhibit translation of its target
      genes and limit the immune response. These data suggest that gravity regulates T
      cell activation not only by transcription promotion but also by blocking
      translation via noncoding RNA mechanisms. Moreover, this study suggests that T
      cell activation itself may induce a sequence of gene expressions that is self
      limited by miR-21.

PMID- 26276133
TI  - ICD 10: A Primer for the Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgeon.
AB  - The use of the 10th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD
      10) will likely be required as of October 2015. ICD-10 was developed to increase
      the specificity and accuracy of disease and injury reporting. The number of
      diagnostic codes in this system has increased substantially, and approximately
      half of all ICD-10 codes are related to the musculoskeletal system, whereas 25%
      of all codes are related to fractures. For most foot and ankle injuries, the new
      code structure includes location, laterality, degree of healing, and encounter
      type. At the provider level, navigating this system will initially be a complex
      task. Understanding the ICD-10 code structure, properly training appropriate
      staff, and financially preparing for implementation will minimize potential
      practice disruption. 

PMID- 26276134
TI  - Long-term Follow-up of Dorsal Wedge Osteotomy for Pediatric Freiberg Disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Treatment for Freiberg disease has been largely conservative despite
      availability of various operative options for severe or refractory cases. The aim
      of this study was to evaluate the long-term results of pediatric patients with
      symptomatic Freiberg disease treated with intra-articular dorsal wedge osteotomy.
      METHODS: Pediatric patients treated for Freiberg disease with surgery between
      January 1982 and 1999 were identified and selected for long-term clinical
      evaluation. Patients were evaluated regarding operative satisfaction and clinical
      outcome, performed according to the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society
      (AOFAS) lesser toe metatarsophalangeal-interphalangeal scale and range of motion
      (ROM) of metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint. Patients had radiographic assessment of
      degenerative joint status with anteroposterior and oblique foot x-ray. Twenty
      patients (18 female, 2 male; mean age 15.2 years; range 12-17 years) were
      identified. The mean follow-up period was 23.4 (range 15-32) years. RESULTS: The
      clinical outcomes of our patients were classified as excellent in 16 (80%) and
      good in 4 (20%). The AOFAS mean score was 96.8 (range 91-100) points at the last
      clinical appointment. A negative correlation between AOFAS score and time of
      follow-up (r's = -0.61, P < .001) was found. Also, a strong negative correlation
      was found between Smillie classification and AOFAS final score (r's = -0.88, P <
      .001). CONCLUSION: The patients were very satisfied with pain and quality of life
      at a mean follow-up time of 23.4 years. To our knowledge, this is the first long
      term follow-up report supporting the procedure described by Gauthier and Elbaz as
      a good option for operative treatment of Freiberg disease. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:
      Level IV, retrospective case series.

PMID- 26276135
TI  - The Diet of Inmates: An Analysis of a 28-Day Cycle Menu Used in a Large County
      Jail in the State of Georgia.
AB  - Given the many well-documented relationships between diet and health, growing
      medical care expenses for those incarcerated, and limited information on foods
      served in correctional facilities, this study examined the nutritional adequacy
      of a 28-day cycle menu used in a large county jail in Georgia. When compared with
      Dietary Reference Intakes, provisions of energy (female inmates only), sodium,
      saturated fat, and cholesterol exceeded recommendations. Magnesium, potassium,
      and vitamins A, D, and E met less than two thirds of recommendations. Compared
      with MyPlate recommendations, grains were overrepresented, while vegetables,
      fruits, and dairy were underrepresented in the menu. Small menu changes could
      improve the menu's nutrient content and potentially increase inmates' health and
      well-being. 

PMID- 26276136
TI  - Management of Skin and Soft Tissue Infections in a County Correctional Center: A
      Quality Improvement Project.
AB  - The number of antibiotic-resistant infections continues to increase. In 2005,
      there were nearly 11,406 deaths from methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
      (MRSA) infection in the United States. Since 1980, the United States has seen a
      300% increase in the rate of incarceration. This is noteworthy because
      individuals who enter correctional facilities have an increased risk for MRSA
      skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) and the risk of colonization proportional
      to the length of stay. Correctional institutions have a vested interest in
      improving the screening and treatment of MRSA SSTIs, as it is a costly and
      potentially preventable problem. This article describes the process of
      implementing an MRSA screening and treatment policy in a county correctional
      center. 

PMID- 26276137
TI  - The Effect of Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring Among Inmates With Diabetes.
AB  - The increasing prevalence and risk of complications from diabetes necessitate
      patient participation and attentiveness to select appropriate foods, perform
      regular physical activity, and be active in diabetes management and self
      maintenance. Diabetes is often largely asymptomatic; consequently, early
      diagnosis and treatment are necessary. Inmates are a unique population challenged
      by the increased prevalence of chronic conditions including diabetes. Diabetes
      standards for inmates contain diagnostic and treatment management guidelines that
      incorporate personal glucose monitoring for insulin users. In December 2009, the
      Federal Bureau of Prisons initiated a program to distribute glucose meters to
      insulin-dependent inmates to facilitate self-monitoring blood glucose. The
      purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of these glucose meters on
      hemoglobin A1c levels. 

PMID- 26276138
TI  - Boosting facility deliveries with results-based financing: a mixed-methods
      evaluation of the government midwifery incentive scheme in Cambodia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Increasing the coverage of skilled attendance at births in a health
      facility (facility delivery) is crucial for saving the lives of mothers and
      achieving Millennium Development Goal five. Cambodia has significantly increased
      the coverage of facility deliveries and reduced the maternal mortality ratio in
      the last decade. The introduction of a nationwide government implemented and
      funded results-based financing initiative, known as the Government Midwifery
      Incentive Scheme (GMIS), is considered one of the most important contributors to
      this. We evaluated GMIS to explore its effects on facility deliveries and the
      health system. METHODS: We used a mixed-methods design. An interrupted time
      series model was applied, using routine longitudinal data on reported deliveries
      between 2006 and 2011 that were extracted from the health information system. In
      addition, we interviewed 56 key informants and performed 12 focus group
      discussions with 124 women who had given birth (once or more) since 2006.
      Findings from the quantitative data were carefully interpreted and triangulated
      with those from qualitative data. RESULTS: We found that facility deliveries have
      tripled from 19% of the estimated number of births in 2006 to 57% in 2011 and
      this increase was more substantial at health centres as compared to hospitals.
      Segmented linear regressions showed that the introduction of GMIS in October 2007
      made the increase in facility deliveries and deliveries with skilled attendants
      significantly jump by 18 and 10% respectively. Results from qualitative data also
      suggest that the introduction of GMIS together with other interventions that
      aimed to improve access to essential maternal health services led to considerable
      improvements in public health facilities and a steep increase in facility
      deliveries. Home deliveries attended by traditional birth attendants decreased
      concomitantly. We also outline several operational issues and limitations of
      GMIS. CONCLUSIONS: The available evidence strongly suggests that GMIS is an
      effective mechanism to complement other interventions to improve health system
      performance and boost facility deliveries as well as skilled birth attendance;
      thereby contributing to the reduction of maternal mortality. Our findings provide
      useful lessons for Cambodia to further improve GMIS and for other low-income
      countries to implement similar results-based financing mechanisms.

PMID- 26276139
TI  - BP Targets in Older Adults with CKD: Additional Evidence, but Uncertainty
      Continues.

PMID- 26276140
TI  - Living Donor Kidney Transplantation: Best Practices in Live Kidney Donation-
      Recommendations from a Consensus Conference.

PMID- 26276141
TI  - Nephrologists as Educators: Clarifying Roles, Seizing Opportunities.
AB  - Nephrologists play an important role in providing medical education in a variety
      of settings, including the medical school classroom, nephrology consult service,
      outpatient clinic, and dialysis unit. Therefore, nephrologists interact with a
      variety of learners. In this article the current state of published literature in
      medical education in nephrology is reviewed. Eight attending roles are identified
      of the nephrologist as a medical educator in the academic settings: inpatient
      internal medicine service, nephrology inpatient consult service, inpatient ESRD
      service, outpatient nephrology clinic, kidney transplantation, dialysis unit,
      classroom teacher, and research mentor. Defining each of these distinct settings
      could help to promote positive faculty development and encourage more rigorous
      education scholarship in nephrology. 

PMID- 26276142
TI  - Systolic BP and Mortality in Older Adults with CKD.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Optimal BP targets for older adults with CKD are
      unclear. This study sought to determine whether a nonlinear relationship between
      BP and mortality-as described for the broader CKD population and for older adults
      in the general population-is present for older adults with CKD. DESIGN, SETTING,
      PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS: A cohort of 21,015 adults age 65-105 years with a
      moderate or severe reduction in eGFR (<60 ml/min per 1.73 m(2)) were identified
      within the Kaiser Permanente Northwest Health Maintenance Organization
      population. The relationship between baseline systolic BP (SBP; <=120, 121-130,
      131-140, 141-150, >150 mmHg; referent, 131-140 mmHg) and all-cause mortality
      across age groups (65-70, 71-80, and >80 years) was examined; patients were
      followed for up to 11 years after cohort entry. RESULTS: The median times at risk
      were 3.15 years, 3.53 years, and 2.76 years for adults age 65-70, 71-80, and >80
      years, respectively. Mortality during follow-up was 19.6% for those age 65-70
      years, 33.4% for those age 71-80 years, and 55.7% for those age >80 years. The
      relationship between SBP and mortality varied as a function of age. The risk of
      death was highest for patients with the lowest SBP in all age groups. Only among
      adults age 65-70 years was an SBP>140 mmHg associated with a higher risk of death
      compared with the referent category. Patterns of age modification of the
      relationship between SBP and mortality were consistent in all sensitivity
      analyses. CONCLUSIONS: In a cohort of older adults, the relationship between SBP
      and mortality varied systematically with age. A relationship between higher SBP
      and mortality was present only for younger members of this cohort and not for
      those older than 70. These results raise the question of whether the relative
      benefits and harms of lowering BP to recommended targets for older adults with
      CKD may vary as a function of age.

PMID- 26276143
TI  - Manuscript title: Facilitators and barriers to cotrimoxazole prophylaxis among
      HIV exposed babies: a qualitative study from Harare, Zimbabwe.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Implementation of cotrimoxazole prophylaxis (CTX-p) among HIV-exposed
      infants (HEI) is poor in southern Africa. We conducted a study to investigate
      barriers to delivery of CTX-p to HEI in Zimbabwe at each step of the care
      cascade. Here we report findings of the qualitative component designed to
      investigate issues related to adherence conducted among women identified as HIV
      positive whose babies were started on CTX-p postnatally. Of note, Zimbabwe also
      provided nevirapine prophylaxis for HIV exposed babies, so the majority were
      giving nevirapine and CTX-p to their babies. METHODS: Between Feb-Dec 2011, the
      first 20 HIV infected mothers identified were invited for in-depth interview 4
      5months postnatally. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, translated and
      analysed thematically. RESULTS: All women desired their baby's health above all
      else, and were determined to do all they could to ensure their wellbeing. They
      did not report problems remembering to give drugs. The baby's apparent good
      health was a huge motivator for continued adherence. However, most women reported
      that their husbands were less engaged in HIV care, refusing to be HIV tested and
      in some cases stealing drugs prescribed for their wives for themselves. In two
      instances the man stopped the woman from giving CTX-p to the baby either because
      of fear of side effects or not appreciating its importance. Stigma continues to
      be an important issue. Mothers reported being reluctant to disclose their HIV
      status to other people so found it difficult to collect prescription refills from
      the HIV clinic for fear of being seen by friends/relatives. Some women reported
      that it was hard to administer the drugs if there were people around at home.
      Other challenges faced were stock-outs of CTX-p at the clinic, which occurred
      three times in 2011. The baby would then go without CTX-p if the woman could not
      afford buying at a private pharmacy. CONCLUSIONS: The study highlights that
      adherence knowledge and desire alone is insufficient to overcome the familial and
      structural barriers to maintaining CTX-p. Improving adherence to CTX-p among HEI
      will require interventions to improve male involvement, reduce HIV stigma in
      communities and ensure adequate supply of drugs.

PMID- 26276144
TI  - Effect of Structural Differences in Collagen Sponge Scaffolds on Tracheal
      Epithelium Regeneration.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We developed an in situ regeneration-inducible artificial trachea
      composed of a porcine collagen sponge and polypropylene framework and used it for
      tracheal reconstruction. In the present study, collagen sponges with different
      structures were prepared from various concentrations of collagen solutions, and
      their effect on the regeneration of tracheal epithelium was examined. METHODS:
      Collagen sponges were prepared from type I and III collagen solutions. The
      structures of the sponges were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
      Artificial tracheae, which were formed using the collagen sponges with different
      structures, were implanted into rabbits, and regeneration of the tracheal
      epithelium on the artificial tracheae was evaluated by SEM analysis and
      histological examination. RESULTS: The SEM analysis showed that collagen sponges
      prepared from 0.5% and 1.0% collagen solutions had a porous structure. However,
      the sponges prepared from a 1.5% collagen solution had a nonporous structure.
      After implantation of artificial tracheae prepared from 0.5% and 1.0% collagen
      solutions, their luminal surfaces were mostly covered with epithelium within 14
      days. However, epithelial reorganization occurred later on artificial tracheae
      prepared from the 1.5% collagen solution. CONCLUSION: Collagen sponges with a
      porous structure are suitable for regeneration of the tracheal epithelium in our
      artificial trachea.

PMID- 26276145
TI  - Does overexpression of HER-2 correlate with clinicopathological characteristics
      and prognosis in colorectal cancer? Evidence from a meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previous studies have been inconsistent with respect to the reported
      associations between human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER-2/neu)
      overexpression in colorectal cancer. The aims of this meta-analysis are to assess
      its correlation with clinicopathological characteristics and prognostic
      significance in colorectal cancer. METHODS: Eligible studies were searched in
      Pubmed, Embase and Web of Science databases. The inclusion criteria were studies
      that assessed the relationship between HER-2 expression detected by
      immunohistochemistry (IHC) and the prognosis or clinicopathological features in
      patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Subgroup analysis according to sex, tumor
      location, TNM stage, grade of differentiation and lymph node metastasis were
      produced. Odds ratio (OR) or hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI)
      were calculated to examine the risk or hazard association, and heterogeneity and
      publication bias analyses were also performed. RESULTS: A total of 18 studies
      comprising 2867 colorectal cancer patients were included to assess the
      association between HER-2 immunohistochemical expression and clinicopathological
      characteristics and survival. The overall analysis showed that there was no
      detectable relation between HER-2 expression and prognosis in colorectal cancer
      patients with the pooled HR of 1.08 (95% CI: 0.96-1.21, P = 0.21). With respect
      to clinicopathological features, there was also no detectable relation between
      HER-2 expression and sex (OR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.72-1.15, P = 0.42), tumor location
      (OR = 1.21, 95% CI = 0.88-1.65, P = 0.24), grade of differentiation (OR = 1.03,
      95% CI = 0.72-1.47, P = 0.86), TNM stages (OR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.31-1.66, P =
      0.44), or lymph node metastasis (OR = 1.90, 95% CI = 0.90-4.02, P = 0.09) in CRC.
      CONCLUSIONS: The finding from this present meta-analysis suggested that HER-2
      overexpression was not related to clinicopathological characteristics and poor
      prognostic of colorectal cancer patients.

PMID- 26276147
TI  - Zoonotic helminths parasites in the digestive tract of feral dogs and cats in
      Guangxi, China.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In Guangxi, a province of southern China, an important number of dogs
      and cats roam freely in rural settings, and the presence of these animals in
      proximity of people may represent a risk of parasitic zoonoses. The objective of
      the present study was to investigate the presence and identify gastrointestinal
      helminths in feral carnivores in Guangxi province. Therefore, post mortem
      examination was performed in 40 dogs and in 39 cats. RESULTS: The
      Gastrointestinal helminths were found in all the necropsied dogs and in 37 out of
      39 cats. Fifteen species were identified including 7 trematodes, 3 cestodes and 5
      nematodes. Most of them may be responsible for zoonotic infections. CONCLUSIONS:
      Major zoonotic gastrointestinal helminths, including liver and intestinal flukes,
      Toxocara spp., and Ancylostoma spp., are present in feral dogs and cats in
      Guangxi, and may represent a significant risk for public health.

PMID- 26276146
TI  - Characterization of genome-wide H3K27ac profiles reveals a distinct PM2.5
      associated histone modification signature.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Current studies of environmental health suggest a link between air
      pollution components, such as particulate matter (PM), and various diseases.
      However, the specific genes and regulatory mechanisms implicated in PM-induced
      diseases remain largely unknown. Epigenetic systems such as covalent modification
      of histones in chromatin may mediate environmental factors in gene regulation.
      Investigating the relationships between PM exposure and histone modification
      status may help understand the mechanisms underlying environment-associated
      health conditions. METHODS: In this study, we obtained genome-wide profiles of
      H3K27ac (histone 3 lysine 27 acetylation), known to be an active gene regulatory
      histone modification marker, in blood samples collected from four Chinese
      individuals exposed to high or low PM2.5 (particles with diameters up to 2.5
      MUm). RESULTS: The genome-wide chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP
      Seq) data indicated a comprehensive differential H3K27ac landscape across the
      individual genomes, which was associated with high PM2.5. Moreover, a substantial
      number of these PM2.5-associated differential H3K27ac markers were in genes
      involved in immune cell activation, potentially linking these epigenetic changes
      with air pollution-induced immune and inflammatory responses. CONCLUSIONS: Our
      study provides the first genome-wide characterization of H3K27ac profiles in
      individuals subjected to different exposure levels of PM2.5. Future systematic
      investigations of the relationships between air pollutants and histone
      modifications in large population samples are warranted to elucidate the
      contributions of histone modifications to environment-associated diseases.

PMID- 26276148
TI  - Wheat waxy proteins: polymorphism, molecular characterization and effects on
      starch properties.
AB  - The starch fraction, comprising about 70% of the total dry matter in the wheat
      grain, can greatly affect the end-use quality of products made from wheat
      kernels, especially Asian noodles. Starch is associated with the shelf life and
      nutritional value (glycaemic index) of different wheat products. Starch quality
      is closely associated with the ratio of amylose to amylopectin, the two main
      macromolecules forming starch. In this review, we briefly summarise the discovery
      of waxy proteins-shown to be the sole enzymes responsible for amylose synthesis
      in wheat. The review particularly focuses on the different variants of these
      proteins, together with their molecular characterisation and evaluation of their
      effects on starch composition. There have been 19 different waxy protein variants
      described using protein electrophoresis; and at a molecular level 19, 15 and
      seven alleles described for Wx-A1, Wx-B1 and Wx-D1, respectively. This large
      variability, found in modern wheat and genetic resources such as wheat ancestors
      and wild relatives, is in some cases not properly ordered. The proper ordering of
      all the data generated is the key to enhancing use in breeding programmes of the
      current variability described, and thus generating wheat with novel starch
      properties to satisfy the demand of industry and consumers for novel high-quality
      processed food.

PMID- 26276149
TI  - Molecular characterization of waxy alleles in three subspecies of hexaploid wheat
      and identification of two novel Wx-B1 alleles.
AB  - KEY MESSAGE: Two novel Wx - B1 null alleles that enlarge the genetic variability
      for this wheat gene were characterized, whose effects on wheat quality could be
      different to those of the Wx - B1b allele. The starch composition of wheat grain
      has a primary influence on flour quality. Wheat starch consists of two types of
      glucose polymers: amylose (22-35% of the total) and amylopectin (68-75% of the
      total). Amylose is synthesized by waxy proteins. Several studies have contributed
      to the catalogue of waxy alleles available for breeders, and the search for novel
      alleles of these and other proteins related to flour quality continues. In this
      report, we describe the characterization of two novel Wx-B1 alleles (Wx-B1k and
      Wx-B1m) in a collection of macha, Indian dwarf and club wheat. Several accessions
      lacking Wx-B1 protein were detected, and some were caused by the common Wx-B1b
      null allele. Of the other accessions, four from Indian dwarf wheat showed the
      insertion of 4 bp within the seventh exon, and one from club wheat had a deletion
      of four nucleotides in the second exon. These mutations were novel and
      provisionally catalogued as Wx-B1k and Wx-B1m, respectively, and could be used to
      enlarge the genetic variability for this gene.

PMID- 26276150
TI  - Pharmacological modulation of ureteric peristalsis in a chronically instrumented
      conscious pig model: effect of adrenergic and nitrergic modulation.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the role of adrenergic and nitrergic signaling on ureteric
      peristaltic frequency and contraction force in vivo using a large animal model.
      METHODS: Twelve female pigs (72 +/- 4 kg) were chronically instrumented with an
      electronic pressure-monitoring catheter in the right ureter. Nephrostomy,
      cystostomy, and arterial and venous catheters were left in situ. Ureteral
      peristalsis was recorded before and after the administration of propranolol,
      isoprenaline, doxazosin, urapidil, phenylephrine, LNNA (Nomega-nitro-L-arginine),
      and L-arginine. RESULTS: alpha1-Adrenergic receptor stimulation resulted in an
      increased P max and peristaltic frequency. However, alpha1-inhibition decreased P
      max alone. Similarly, beta-adrenergic stimulation decreased P max and peristaltic
      frequency, whereas beta-inhibition increased only P max. LNNA administration
      increased P max in the distal ureter and hydrostatic pressure in the
      pyelocalyceal system. L-Arginine did not affect P max or frequency, but resulted
      in a significantly higher diuresis. Either agonist or antagonist of NO did not
      affect peristaltic frequency and length of contraction. CONCLUSIONS: Activation
      of alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptors, respectively, stimulates and inhibits
      ureteric peristalsis. The biological effect of NO on ureteric motility is
      regionally determined and corresponds to the distribution of NOS-positive nerves.
      Inhibition of NOS activity increases P max in the distal ureter and tonic
      activity of the ureteric muscle resulting in higher hydrostatic pressure in the
      renal pelvis.

PMID- 26276151
TI  - Early results and complications of prostatic arterial embolization for benign
      prostatic hyperplasia.
AB  - PURPOSE: To review current knowledge on clinical outcomes and peri-operative
      complications of prostatic arterial embolization (PAE) in patients treated for
      lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) related to benign prostatic obstruction
      (BPO). METHODS: A systematic review of the literature published from January 2008
      to January 2015 was performed on PubMed/MEDLINE. RESULTS: Fifty-seven articles
      were identified, and four were selected for inclusion in this review. Only one
      randomized clinical trial compared transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)
      to PAE. At 3 months after the procedure, mean IPSS reduction from baseline ranged
      from 7.2 to 15.6 points. Mean urine peak-flow improvement ranged from +3.21 ml/s
      to +9.5 ml/s. When compared to TURP, PAE was associated with a significantly
      lower IPSS reduction 1 and 3 months after the procedure. A trend toward similar
      symptoms improvement was however reported without statistical significance from 6
      to 24 months. Major complications were rare with one bladder partial necrosis due
      to non-selective embolization. Mild adverse events occurred in 10 % of the
      patients and included transient hyperthermia, hematuria, rectal bleeding, painful
      urination or acute urinary retention. Further comparative studies are mandatory
      to assess post-operative rates of complications, especially acute urinary
      retention, after PAE and standard procedures. CONCLUSION: Early reports suggest
      that PAE may be a promising procedure for the treatment of patients with LUTS due
      to BPO. However, the low level of evidence and short follow-up of published
      reports preclude any firm conclusion on its mid-term efficiency. Further clinical
      trials are warranted before any use in clinical practice.

PMID- 26276152
TI  - Is there still a role for computed tomography and bone scintigraphy in prostate
      cancer staging? An analysis from the EUREKA-1 database.
AB  - PURPOSE: According to the current guidelines, computed tomography (CT) and bone
      scintigraphy (BS) are optional in intermediate-risk and recommended in high-risk
      prostate cancer (PCa). We wonder whether it is time for these examinations to be
      dismissed, evaluating their staging accuracy in a large cohort of radical
      prostatectomy (RP) patients. METHODS: To evaluate the ability of CT to predict
      lymph node involvement (LNI), we included 1091 patients treated with RP and
      pelvic lymph node dissection, previously staged with abdomino-pelvic CT. As for
      bone metastases, we included 1145 PCa patients deemed fit for surgery, previously
      staged with Tc-99m methylene diphosphonate planar BS. RESULTS: CT scan showed a
      sensitivity and specificity in predicting LNI of 8.8 and 98 %; subgroup analysis
      disclosed a significant association only for the high-risk subgroup of 334
      patients (P 0.009) with a sensitivity of 11.8 % and positive predictive value
      (PPV) of 44.4 %. However, logistic multivariate regression analysis including
      preoperative risk factors excluded any additional predictive ability of CT even
      in the high-risk group (P 0.40). These data are confirmed by ROC curve analysis,
      showing a low AUC of 54 % for CT, compared with 69 % for Partin tables and 80 %
      for Briganti nomogram. BS showed some positivity in 74 cases, only four of whom
      progressed, while 49 patients with negative BS progressed during their follow-up,
      six of them immediately after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: According to our opinion, the
      role of CT and BS should be restricted to selected high-risk patients, while
      clinical predictive nomograms should be adopted for the surgical planning.

PMID- 26276153
TI  - Interpretative bias in spider phobia: Perception and information processing of
      ambiguous schematic stimuli.
AB  - This study investigates the interpretative bias in spider phobia with respect to
      rapid visuomotor processing. We compared perception, evaluation, and visuomotor
      processing of ambiguous schematic stimuli between spider-fearful and control
      participants. Stimuli were produced by gradually morphing schematic flowers into
      spiders. Participants rated these stimuli related to their perceptual appearance
      and to their feelings of valence, disgust, and arousal. Also, they responded to
      the same stimuli within a response priming paradigm that measures rapid motor
      activation. Spider-fearful individuals showed an interpretative bias (i.e.,
      ambiguous stimuli were perceived as more similar to spiders) and rated spider
      like stimuli as more unpleasant, disgusting, and arousing. However, we observed
      no differences between spider-fearful and control participants in priming effects
      for ambiguous stimuli. For non-ambiguous stimuli, we observed a similar
      enhancement for phobic pictures as has been reported previously for natural
      images. We discuss our findings with respect to the visual representation of
      morphed stimuli and to perceptual learning processes. 

PMID- 26276154
TI  - The Synergistic Effect of Selumetinib/Docetaxel Combination Therapy Monitored by
      [(18)F]FDG/[(18)F]FLT PET and Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging in a
      Colorectal Tumor Xenograft Model.
AB  - PURPOSE: Positron emission tomography (PET) and diffusion-weighted MRI (DW-MRI)
      were used to characterize the treatment effects of the MEK1/2 inhibitor
      selumetinib (AZD6244), docetaxel, and their combination in HCT116 tumor-bearing
      mice on the molecular level. PROCEDURES: Mice were treated with vehicle,
      selumetinib (25 mg/kg), docetaxel (15 mg/kg), or a combination of both drugs for
      7 days and imaged at four time points with 2-deoxy-2-[(18)F]fluoro-D-glucose
      ([(18)F]FDG) or 3'-deoxy-3'-[(18)F]fluorothymidine ([(18)F]FLT) followed by DW
      MRI to calculate the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC). Data was cross
      validated using the Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC) and compared to
      histology (IHC). RESULTS: Each drug led to tumor growth inhibition but their
      combination resulted in regression. Separate analysis of PET or ADC could not
      provide significant differences between groups. Only PCC combined with IHC
      analysis revealed the highest therapeutic impact for combination therapy.
      CONCLUSION: Combination treatment of selumetinib/docetaxel was superior to the
      respective mono-therapies shown by PCC of PET and ADC in conjunction with
      histology.

PMID- 26276156
TI  - Changing non-participation in epidemiological studies of older people: evidence
      from the Cognitive Function and Ageing Study I and II.
AB  - BACKGROUND: non-participation in epidemiological studies threatens the
      generalisability of findings. OBJECTIVE: to investigate the change in non
      participation between the Medical Research Council Cognitive Function and Ageing
      Study (CFAS) I and II. DESIGN: a comparison of two epidemiological studies of
      older people using identical methods. SETTING: three geographical areas of the
      United Kingdom. SUBJECTS: older people aged 65 years and over. METHODS: the two
      studies were conducted approximately two decades apart between 1989 and 1994
      (CFAS I) and between 2008 and 2011 (CFAS II). Random samples were drawn from
      primary care lists. We compared demographic factors associated with non
      participation. RESULTS: non-participation in CFAS II was higher than in CFAS I
      (45.3 versus 18.3%). After adjustment for confounders, in both CFAS I and CFAS
      II, women were more likely to decline to take part (CFAS I: odds ratio (OR) 1.3
      95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2 to 1.4; CFAS II: 1.1 95% CI 1.1 to 1.2).
      Deprivation was associated with non-participation in both studies (highest versus
      lowest Townsend deprivation quintile, CFAS I: OR 1.4 95% CI 1.2 to 1.6; CFAS II:
      2.0 95% CI 1.8 to 2.2). Age was not associated with non-participation in either
      study (CFAS I, P = 0.21; CFAS II, P = 0.47). CONCLUSIONS: non-participation in
      epidemiological studies of older people has increased substantially in the past
      two decades and public willingness to take part in studies of this kind would
      appear to be declining. As communities become more diverse and older people have
      increasing commitments on their time, new ways to engage prospective participants
      are urgently needed.

PMID- 26276155
TI  - Evaluation of CAIX and CAXII Expression in Breast Cancer at Varied O2 Levels:
      CAIX is the Superior Surrogate Imaging Biomarker of Tumor Hypoxia.
AB  - PURPOSE: Hypoxia is commonly observed in regions of primary tumors and
      metastases, and is associated with resistance to treatment, more aggressive tumor
      phenotypes and poor prognosis. Reliable and validated imaging biomarkers of
      hypoxia are needed for pre-clinical studies and clinical use. Expression of cell
      surface carbonic anhydrases IX and XII (CAIX and CAXII) in tumor cells has been
      associated with tumor hypoxia. CAIX and CAXII specific antibodies conjugated to
      fluorescent dye were evaluated for the non-invasive detection of hypoxia in vivo.
      PROCEDURES: Human breast cancer cell lines (MCF10A, DCIS, MCF7, ZR-75.1 and MDA
      mb231) were characterized for CAIX and CAXII expression by real-time RT-PCR and
      immunocytochemistry (ICC) under normoxic and hypoxic conditions.
      Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining of CAIX, CAXII and the commercially available
      exogenous hypoxia marker, pimonidazole, was performed using sections of ZR-75.1
      and MDA-mb-231 orthotopic breast cancer xenograft tumors from nude mice. In vivo
      fluorescence imaging of ZR-75.1 tumors in animals housed at varied levels of
      oxygen was used to quantify the relative uptake of the CAIX and CAXII agents and
      a commercially available sulfonamide-based agent. Corresponding tumor sections
      were IHC stained for CAIX, CAXII and pimonidazole. RESULTS: CAIX mRNA expression
      was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in hypoxia for all cell lines, which was in
      agreement with protein expression by ICC. CAXII expression was mixed, with a
      modest hypoxia-related increase in two cell lines (p < 0.05) and no change in
      others. Quantified IHC staining of ZR-75.1 and MDA-mb-231 tumor sections showed
      that CAIX and CAXII expression was elevated in regions with pimonidazole
      staining, but CAXII levels were lower than CAIX. Tumor uptake of the CAIX
      targeted agent, and IHC staining of CAIX and pimonidazole in corresponding tumor
      sections were correlated, and co-registered, and shown to be significantly
      elevated by level of oxygenation (p < 0.001): hypoxia > normoxia > hyperoxia.
      However, the CAXII and sulfonamide agents were not significantly correlated with
      hypoxia. CONCLUSION: These studies suggest that the fluorescently labeled CAIX
      specific agent is a more robust indicator of hypoxia in vivo compared to the
      CAXII-specific agent or the agent specific to the CA active site.

PMID- 26276158
TI  - Selecting Question-Specific Genes to Reduce Incongruence in Phylogenomics: A Case
      Study of Jawed Vertebrate Backbone Phylogeny.
AB  - Incongruence between different phylogenomic analyses is the main challenge faced
      by phylogeneticists in the genomic era. To reduce incongruence, phylogenomic
      studies normally adopt some data filtering approaches, such as reducing missing
      data or using slowly evolving genes, to improve the signal quality of data. Here,
      we assembled a phylogenomic data set of 58 jawed vertebrate taxa and 4682 genes
      to investigate the backbone phylogeny of jawed vertebrates under both
      concatenation and coalescent-based frameworks. To evaluate the efficiency of
      extracting phylogenetic signals among different data filtering methods, we chose
      six highly intractable internodes within the backbone phylogeny of jawed
      vertebrates as our test questions. We found that our phylogenomic data set
      exhibits substantial conflicting signal among genes for these questions. Our
      analyses showed that non-specific data sets that are generated without bias
      toward specific questions are not sufficient to produce consistent results when
      there are several difficult nodes within a phylogeny. Moreover, phylogenetic
      accuracy based on non-specific data is considerably influenced by the size of
      data and the choice of tree inference methods. To address such incongruences, we
      selected genes that resolve a given internode but not the entire phylogeny.
      Notably, not only can this strategy yield correct relationships for the question,
      but it also reduces inconsistency associated with data sizes and inference
      methods. Our study highlights the importance of gene selection in phylogenomic
      analyses, suggesting that simply using a large amount of data cannot guarantee
      correct results. Constructing question-specific data sets may be more powerful
      for resolving problematic nodes. 

PMID- 26276157
TI  - Experimental design for the optimization of propidium monoazide treatment to
      quantify viable and non-viable bacteria in piggery effluents.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Distinguishing between viable and dead bacteria in animal and urban
      effluents is a major challenge. Among existing methods, propidium monoazide (PMA)
      qPCR is a promising way to quantify viable cells. However, its efficiency depends
      on the composition of the effluent, particularly on total suspended solids (TSS))
      and on methodological parameters. The aim of this study was evaluate the
      influence of three methodological factors (concentration of PMA, incubation time
      and photoactivation time) on the efficiency of PMA-qPCR to quantify viable and
      dead cells of Listeria monocytogenes used as a microorganism model, in two
      piggery effluents (manure and lagoon effluent containing 20 and 0.4 TSS g.kg(-1),
      respectively). An experimental design strategy (Doehlert design and desirability
      function) was used to identify the experimental conditions to achieve optimal PMA
      qPCR results. RESULTS: The quantification of viable cells of L. monocytogenes was
      mainly influenced by the concentration of PMA in the manure and by the duration
      of photoactivation in the lagoon effluent. Optimal values differed with the
      matrix: 55 MUM PMA, 5 min incubation and 56 min photoactivation for manure and 20
      MUM PMA, 20 min incubation and 30 min photoactivation for lagoon effluent.
      Applied to five manure and four lagoon samples, these conditions resulted in
      satisfactory quantification of viable and dead cells. CONCLUSION: PMA-qPCR can be
      used on undiluted turbid effluent with high levels of TSS, provided preliminary
      tests are performed to identify the optimal conditions.

PMID- 26276159
TI  - Myroides indicus sp. nov., isolated from garden soil.
AB  - A novel aerobic, non-motile, rod-shaped, catalase- and oxidase-positive bacterial
      strain, designated UKS3T, was isolated from garden soil, and subjected to
      polyphasic taxonomic analysis. Strain UKS3T formed whitish, viscous colonies on
      nutrient agar and was Gram-staining negative. Phylogenetic analysis, based on 16S
      rRNA gene sequence, showed that maximum pairwise similarity occurs with
      representatives of the genus Myroides. The most closely related species include
      Myroides marinus JS-08T (92.7 % sequence similarity), Myroides phaeus MY15T (92.7
      %), Myroides odoratus DSM 2801T (91.5 %) and Myroides odoratimimus CCUG 39352T
      (91.4 %). Strain UKS3T contained menaquinone-6 (MK-6) as the major respiratory
      quinone and iso-C15 : 0 (40.2 %), anteiso-C15 : 0 (9.4 %) and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH
      (8.5 %) as major fatty acids. Phosphatidylethanolamine, phospholipids and three
      aminolipids were the major polar lipids. The DNA G+C content of strain UKS3T was
      36.8 +/- 2.0 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular
      analysis, strain UKS3T represents a novel species of the genus Myroides, for
      which the name Myroides indicus sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is UKS3T (
      = DSM 28213T = NCIM 5555T ).

PMID- 26276160
TI  - MiR-32 contributed to cell proliferation of human breast cancer cells by
      suppressing of PHLPP2 expression.
AB  - MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been identified as important regulators that potentially
      play critical roles in various biological and pathological processes of cancer
      cells. The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression of miR-32
      in breast cancer and its biological role in tumor progression. MiR-32 expression
      was markedly upregulated in breast cancer tissues and breast cancer cells.
      Ectopic expression of miR-32 promoted cell proliferation of breast cancer,
      whereas miR-32-in suppressed this function. Mechanically, data from luciferase
      reporter assays revealed that miR-32 directly targeted to the 3'-untranslated
      region (3'-UTR) of PHLPP2. Overexpression of miR-32 led to downregulation of
      PHLPP2 protein, which resulted in the downregulation of p21 and upregulation of
      cyclin D1 and p-Rb. In functional assays, PHLPP2-silenced in miR-32-in
      transfected ZR-75-30 cells have positive effect to promote cell proliferation,
      suggesting that direct PHLPP2 downregulation is required for miR-32-induced cell
      proliferation of breast cancer. Our findings highlighted the importance of miR-32
      in promoting tumor progression, and implicate miR-32 as a potential therapeutic
      target in breast cancer. 

PMID- 26276161
TI  - Aruna Shanbaug: Is Her Demise the End of the Road for Legislation on Euthanasia
      in India?
AB  - Aruna Ramachandra Shanbaug breathed her last after 42 years of being in a
      persistent vegetative state. Euthanasia in any form is not permitted in India and
      it was only in the year 2011 that a petition was filed in the court that urged
      the cessation of her force feeding with a nasogastric tube and the request for
      her peaceful death. What followed was a string of arguments and counter arguments
      relating to Euthanasia. The sad demise of Aruna Shanbaug is not the end of an
      individual, but may be the end of the road for clear cut guidelines and
      legislation on Euthanasia in India.

PMID- 26276162
TI  - Some Ethical Concerns About Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells.
AB  - Human induced pluripotent stem cells can be obtained from somatic cells, and
      their derivation does not require destruction of embryos, thus avoiding ethical
      problems arising from the destruction of human embryos. This type of stem cell
      may provide an important tool for stem cell therapy, but it also results in some
      ethical concerns. It is likely that abnormal reprogramming occurs in the
      induction of human induced pluripotent stem cells, and that the stem cells
      generate tumors in the process of stem cell therapy. Human induced pluripotent
      stem cells should not be used to clone human beings, to produce human germ cells,
      nor to make human embryos. Informed consent should be obtained from patients in
      stem cell therapy.

PMID- 26276163
TI  - Scenes, Spaces, and Memory Traces: What Does the Hippocampus Do?
AB  - The hippocampus is one of the most closely scrutinized brain structures in
      neuroscience. While traditionally associated with memory and spatial cognition,
      in more recent years it has also been linked with other functions, including
      aspects of perception and imagining fictitious and future scenes. Efforts
      continue apace to understand how the hippocampus plays such an apparently wide
      ranging role. Here we consider recent developments in the field and in particular
      studies of patients with bilateral hippocampal damage. We outline some key
      findings, how they have subsequently been challenged, and consider how to
      reconcile the disparities that are at the heart of current lively debates in the
      hippocampal literature.

PMID- 26276164
TI  - Local infiltration analgesia versus continuous interscalene brachial plexus block
      for shoulder replacement pain: a randomized clinical trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Shoulder replacement involves significant post-operative pain, which
      is often managed by continuous interscalene brachial plexus block. Catheter
      displacement and complications limit the beneficial effect of the block. Local
      infiltration analgesia (LIA) has provided good results in knee replacement. We
      aimed to assess the effectiveness of LIA for pain after shoulder replacement.
      METHODS: Patients scheduled for primary shoulder replacement under general
      anaesthesia were randomized to receive either local infiltration analgesia (LIA)
      (150 ml ropivacaine 0.2 % with epinephrine intra-operatively) or interscalene
      brachial plexus catheter (ISC) (ropivacaine 0.75 %, 7 ml bolus followed by 48-h 5
      ml/h infusion). The primary outcome was opioid consumption during the first 24
      post-operative hours. Secondary outcomes were pain ratings, supplementary
      analgesics, and side effects for 3 days, and complications until 3 months after
      surgery. RESULTS: Data were analysed for 61 patients (LIA 30, ISC 31). Twenty
      four-hour opioid consumption was higher in the LIA group compared with the ISC
      group: median (IQR) 95 mg (70-150 mg) versus 40 mg (8-76 mg) (P = 0.0001). No
      significant difference in opioid consumption was found between groups during the
      following 3 days. The LIA group had higher pain scores at 0, 2, 4, and 8 h. Two
      patients in the ISC group had long-lasting complications. CONCLUSIONS: The LIA
      technique cannot be recommended for shoulder replacement unless substantially
      modified. Occurrence of inadequate analgesia and complications following
      interscalene brachial plexus block prompt further studies into pain management
      after shoulder replacement.

PMID- 26276165
TI  - How intra-familial decision-making affects women's access to, and use of maternal
      healthcare services in Ghana: a qualitative study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is some evidence to suggest that within the household, family
      and community settings, women in sub-Saharan Africa often have limited autonomy
      and control over their reproductive health decisions. However, there are few
      studies that examine how intra-familial decision-making power may affect women's
      ability to access and use maternal health services. The purpose of this paper is
      to examine how intra-familial decision-making affects women's ability to access
      and use maternal health services. METHODS: We conducted 12 focus group
      discussions and 81 individual interviews with a total of 185 expectant and
      lactating mothers in six communities in Ghana. In addition, 20 key informant
      interviews were completed with healthcare providers. Attride-Stirling's thematic
      network analysis framework was used to analyse the data. RESULTS: Findings
      suggest that decision-making regarding access to and use of skilled maternal
      healthcare services is strongly influenced by the values and opinions of
      husbands, mothers-in-law, traditional birth attendants and other family and
      community members, more than those of individual childbearing women. In 49.2%,
      16.2%, and 12.4% of cases in which women said they were unable to access maternal
      health services during their last pregnancy, husbands, mothers-in-law, and
      husband plus mothers-in-law, respectively, made the decision. Women themselves
      were the final decision-makers in only 2.7% of the cases. The findings highlight
      how the goal of improving access to maternal healthcare services can be
      undermined by women's lack of decision-making autonomy through complex processes
      of gender inequality, economic marginalisation, communal decision-making and
      social power. CONCLUSION: Interventions to improve women's use of maternity
      services should move beyond individual women to target different stakeholders at
      multiple levels, including husbands and mothers-in-law.

PMID- 26276168
TI  - Reliability of Total Renal Volume Computation in Polycystic Kidney Disease From
      Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
AB  - RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Total renal volume (TRV) is an important quantitative
      indicator of the progression of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease
      (ADPKD). The Consortium for Radiologic Imaging Studies of Polycystic Kidney
      Disease proposes a method for TRV computation based on manual tracing and
      geometric modeling. Alternative approaches for TRV computation are represented by
      the application of advanced image processing techniques. In this study, we aimed
      to compare TRV estimates derived from these two different approaches. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: The nearly automated technique for the analysis of magnetic
      resonance (MR) images was tested on 30 ADPKD patients. TRV was computed from both
      axial (KVax) and coronal (KVcor) acquisitions and compared to measurements based
      on geometric modeling (KVap) by linear regression and Bland-Altman analysis. In
      addition, to assess reproducibility, intraobserver and interobserver
      variabilities were computed. RESULTS: Linear regression analysis between KVax and
      KVcor resulted in an excellent correlation (KVax = 1KVcor - 0.78; r(2) = 0.997).
      Bland-Altman analysis showed a negligible bias and narrow limits of agreement
      (bias: -11.7 mL; SD: 54.3 mL). Similar results were obtained by comparison of
      volumes obtained applying the nearly automated method and the one based on
      geometric modeling (y = 0.98x + 75.9; r(2) = 0.99; bias: -53.7 mL; SD: 108.1 mL).
      Importantly, geometric modeling does not provide reliable TRV estimates in huge
      kidney affected by regional deformation. Intraobserver and interobserver
      variability resulted in very small percentage error <2%. CONCLUSIONS: The results
      of this study provide the feasibility of using a nearly automated approach for
      accurate and fast evaluation of TRV also in markedly enlarged ADPKD kidneys
      including exophytic cysts.

PMID- 26276167
TI  - Conventional Medical Education and the History of Simulation in Radiology.
AB  - Simulation is a promising method for improving clinician performance, enhancing
      team training, increasing patient safety, and preventing errors. Training
      scenarios to enrich medical student and resident education, and apply toward
      competency assessment, recertification, and credentialing are important
      applications of simulation in radiology. This review will describe simulation
      training for procedural skills, interpretive and noninterpretive skills, team
      based training and crisis management, professionalism and communication skills,
      as well as hybrid and in situ applications of simulation training. A brief
      overview of current simulation equipment and software and the barriers and
      strategies for implementation are described. Finally, methods of measuring
      competency and assessment are described, so that the interested reader can
      successfully implement simulation training into their practice. 

PMID- 26276166
TI  - Turnover of acetylcholine receptors at the endplate revisited: novel insights
      into nerve-dependent behavior.
AB  - The turnover of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (AChR) is a critical factor
      that determines function and safety of neuromuscular transmission at the nerve
      muscle synapses, i.e. neuromuscular junctions (NMJs). Previously, three different
      populations of AChRs exhibiting distinct stereotypic and activity-dependent half
      life values were observed in mouse muscles. To address AChR turnover in more
      detail, we here employed a recently developed longitudinal radioiodine assay that
      is based on repetitive measurements of radio emission from the same animals over
      long periods of time in combination with systematic variation of the time elapsed
      between AChR pulse-labeling and muscle denervation. Modeling of the data revealed
      profiles of AChR de novo synthesis and receptor incorporation into the
      postsynaptic membrane. Furthermore, decay of pre-existing AChRs upon denervation
      showed a peculiar pattern corroborating earlier findings of a two-step
      stabilization of AChRs. 

PMID- 26276169
TI  - Protective effect of soft contact lenses after Boston keratoprosthesis.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate associations between preoperative diagnosis, soft contact
      lens (SCL) retention and complications. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was
      conducted of 92 adult patients (103 eyes) who received a Boston keratoprosthesis
      type I at the Massachusetts's Eye and Ear Infirmary or the Flaum Eye Institute.
      Records were reviewed for preoperative diagnosis, SCL retention and subsequent
      complications. Preoperative categories included 16 autoimmune (Stevens-Johnson
      syndrome, ocular cicatricial pemphigoid, rheumatoid arthritis and uveitis), 9
      chemical injury and 67 'other' (aniridia, postoperative infection, dystrophies,
      keratopathies) patients. RESULTS: 50% of the lenses had been lost the first time
      after about a year. A subset (n=17) experienced more than 2 SCL losses per year;
      this group is comprised of 1 patient with autoimmune diseases, 2 patients with
      chemical injuries and 14 patients with 'other' diseases. The preoperative
      diagnosis was not predictive of contact lens retention. However, multivariate
      analysis demonstrated that the absence of a contact lens was an independent risk
      factor for postoperative complications, such as corneal melts with or without
      aqueous humour leak/extrusion and infections. CONCLUSIONS: Presence of a contact
      lens after Boston keratoprosthesis implantation decreases the risk of
      postoperative complications; this has been clinically experienced by
      ophthalmologists, but never before has the benefit of contact lens use in this
      patient population been statistically documented.

PMID- 26276170
TI  - Fronto-orbital mucocele and orbital involvement in occult obstructive frontal
      sinus disease.
AB  - AIMS: To describe the clinical features of orbital involvement arising from
      occult obstructive frontal sinus disease and to highlight key features to aid
      diagnosis. METHODS: A retrospective review of the case notes of 15 patients who
      presented to three regional oculoplastics units over a 7-year period were
      reviewed. Patient demographics, clinical characteristics, relevant medical
      history, microbiology results, imaging, management and outcomes were assessed.
      RESULTS: The mean age of our patients was 55 years. Pain was the presenting
      feature in 8 patients while 14 presented with upper lid swelling and redness.
      This swelling was medial in 60% and diffuse in 40% of patients. Proptosis was
      noted in 11 patients. The correct diagnosis was suspected in only 53% of patients
      at the time of first presentation to an ophthalmologist. The mean time from onset
      of symptoms to the time of correct diagnosis was 53 weeks (median 3 weeks). On
      direct questioning, eight patients reported a previous history of intermittent
      upper lid swelling and eight patients had a past history of sinusitis or frontal
      sinus trauma. CONCLUSIONS: We present a large series of patients with occult
      sinus disease presenting with orbital involvement. As patients with this
      potentially life-threatening condition are often misdiagnosed, we hope this paper
      draws the ophthalmologist's attention to key pearls in the history and
      examination to make a prompt diagnosis.

PMID- 26276172
TI  - Spectral Migration of Fluorescence in Graphene Oxide Aqueous Dispersions:
      Evidence for Excited-State Proton Transfer.
AB  - Aqueous dispersions of graphene oxide (GO) exhibit strong pH-dependent
      fluorescence in the visible that originates, in part, from the oxygenated
      functionalities present. Here we examine the spectral migration on nanosecond
      time-scales of the pH dependent features in the fluorescence spectra. We show,
      from time-resolved emission spectra (TRES) constructed from the wavelength
      dependent fluorescence decay curves, that the migration is associated with
      excited state proton transfer. Both 'intramolecular' and 'intermolecular'
      transfer involving the quasi-molecular oxygenated aromatic fragments are
      observed. As a prerequisite to the time-resolved measurements, we have correlated
      the changes in the steady state fluorescence spectra with the sequence of
      dissociation events that occur in GO dispersions at different values of pH. 

PMID- 26276171
TI  - Neurotrophic factor-alpha1 modulates NGF-induced neurite outgrowth through
      interaction with Wnt-3a and Wnt-5a in PC12 cells and cortical neurons.
AB  - Wnt-3a and Wnt-5a signaling activities inhibit and promote neurite outgrowth,
      respectively, to regulate dendritic and axonal genesis during neurodevelopment.
      NF-alpha1, a neurotrophic factor, has been shown to modulate dendritic remodeling
      and negatively regulate the canonical Wnt-3a pathway. Here, we investigated
      whether NF-alpha1 could modify nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced neurite
      outgrowth through interaction with Wnt-3a and Wnt-5a in PC12 cells and mouse
      primary cortical neurons. We showed that NGF-induced neurite outgrowth was
      inhibited by Wnt-3a, and this inhibition was prevented by NF-alpha1. Western blot
      analysis revealed that NF-alpha1 reduced the expression of both beta-catenin in
      the canonical Wnt-3a pathway and Rho, a downstream effector of Wnt-3a's non
      canonical signaling pathway. Treatment of PC12 cells with a ROCK inhibitor
      prevented the inhibition of NGF-induced neurite outgrowth by Wnt-3a, suggesting
      that NF-alpha1 promotes neurite outgrowth in the presence of Wnt-3a by down
      regulating its canonical and non-canonical activities. Interestingly, treatment
      of PC12 cells with Wnt-5a, which formed a complex with NF-alpha1, induced neurite
      outgrowth that was enhanced by treatment with the combination of Wnt-5a, NGF, and
      NF-alpha1. These effects of NF-alpha1 on Wnt 3a's and Wnt 5a's regulation of
      neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells were also demonstrated in primary cultures of
      mouse cortical neurons. In addition, we showed in PC12 cells that NF-alpha1 acts
      by upregulating adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) accumulation at neurite tips,
      thereby providing positive and negative Wnt-3a/Wnt-5a mediated cues to modulate
      neurite outgrowth, a process important during neurodevelopment. 

PMID- 26276173
TI  - Unfolding Pathway of a Globular Protein by Surfactants Monitored with Raman
      Optical Activity.
AB  - Protein denaturation by surfactants has received increased attention in the last
      years due to its implications in topics such as pharmaceutics, cosmetics, paints,
      or biotechnology. This phenomenon is highly dependent on the physicochemical
      (structural) properties of the denaturing agents. In this work, we have measured
      for the first time the Raman optical activity (ROA) of bovine serum albumin (BSA)
      in the presence of three surfactants (anionic, cationic, and neutral), which has
      allowed us to detect new spectroscopic insights of the protein-surfactant
      interaction that conventional Raman spectroscopy cannot. Our work proposes two
      new groups of ROA marker bands to explore the unfolding of BSA induced by
      surfactants, which are related to "polar" (amide I and III modes) and "apolar"
      (methylene bending and phenyl breathing modes) protein sections. The appearance
      of the former groups is related to the initial attack of the surfactant, while
      the second groups relate to the hydrophobic unfolding. 

PMID- 26276174
TI  - Raman Enhancement via Polariton States Produced by Strong Coupling between a
      Localized Surface Plasmon and Dye Excitons at Metal Nanogaps.
AB  - Polarized Raman scattering measurement was carried out using a hybridized system
      of Ag nanodimer structures and organic dye molecules. Tuning of the localized
      surface plasmon resonance energy leads to modulation of the hybridized polariton
      energy. The anticrossing behavior of the polariton energy implies a strong
      coupling regime with maximum Rabi splitting energy of 0.39 eV. The observation
      proves the effective Raman enhancement via the excitation of the upper and the
      lower branches of the hybridized states at the gap of the metal dimer. Maximum
      Raman enhancement was obtained at an optimized resonant energy between the hybrid
      states and Raman excitation. 

PMID- 26276175
TI  - Structural Dynamics in a "Breathing" Metal-Organic Framework Studied by Electron
      Paramagnetic Resonance of Nitroxide Spin Probes.
AB  - Reversible structural rearrangements ("breathing") of metal-organic frameworks
      (MOFs) are interesting and complex phenomena with many potential applications.
      They are often triggered by small amounts of adsorbed guest molecules; therefore,
      the guest-host interactions in breathing MOFs are intensively investigated. Due
      to the sensitivity limitations, most analytical methods require relatively high
      concentrations of guests in these studies. However, because guest molecules are
      not "innocent", breathing behavior may become suppressed and unperturbed
      structural states inaccessible. We propose here the use of guest nitroxide
      molecules in tiny concentrations (such as 1 molecule per 1000 unit cells), which
      serve as spin probes for electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), for effective
      study of breathing phenomena in MOFs. Using a perspective MIL-53(Al) framework as
      an example, we demonstrate the great advantage of this general approach, which
      avoids perturbation of the framework structure and allows in-depth investigation
      of guest-host interactions in the breathing mode. 

PMID- 26276176
TI  - Photoelectrochemical Behavior of Self-Assembled Ag/Co Plasmonic Nanostructures
      Capped with TiO2.
AB  - The use of localized surface plasmon resonance induced by Ag nanostructures is a
      promising way for high-efficiency photoelectric conversion. In plasmonic
      photoelectric conversion devices, however, the chemical instability of Ag in
      ambient atmosphere and its immediate deterioration have been a critical issue.
      Here, we propose a Ag-Co nanostructure array embedded in a TiO2 matrix as a
      plasmonic resonator that ensures long-term stability. We also developed an
      electrochemical process to remove surface Co nanoclusters protecting fresh Ag
      from exposure to air. This enabled us to "unseal" Ag at the desired time.
      Furthermore, we confirmed photoelectric conversion using Ag-Co-TiO2 nanocomposite
      films in contact with solution; the photoelectric conversion was substantially
      enhanced by the plasmon resonance of the Ag nanorods. The Ag nanostructures
      sealed in a TiO2 matrix are expected to be used in other application fields, such
      as catalytisis and sensing, in which a fresh Ag surface is needed. 

PMID- 26276177
TI  - Time-Resolved EPR Study of Electron-Hole Dissociations Influenced by Alkyl Side
      Chains at the Photovoltaic Polyalkylthiophene:PCBM Interface.
AB  - Nanosecond time-resolved electron paramagnetic resonance (TREPR) spectroscopy has
      been utilized at T = 77 K to characterize alkyl side-chain effects on geometries
      and on the electronic couplings (VCR) of transient charge-separated (CS) states
      in the photoactive layers fabricated by the spin-coating of mixed solutions of
      regioregular polyalkylthiophenes (RR-P3AT) and [6,6]-C61-butyric acid methyl
      ester (PCBM). By increasing the alkyl side-chain number from 6 to 12 in P3AT, a
      highly distant and long-lived CS state has been obtained. This result is
      explained by a coupling of the hole dissociation to the polymer librations by the
      side-chains. From an exponential decay of VCR with respect to the CS distance,
      the attenuation factor (betae) has been determined to be betae = 0.2 A(-1). Such
      a long-range tunneling feature is explained by the generations of the shallowly
      trapped, delocalized electron-hole pairs by the dissociation of the hole toward
      pi-stacking directions at the organic photovoltaic interface. 

PMID- 26276178
TI  - Revisiting the NIR-to-Visible Upconversion Mechanism in beta-NaYF4:Yb(3+),Er(3.).
AB  - Here, we show that the long-accepted mechanism for the production of red and blue
      emission through upconversion (UC) of 1 MUm excitation in Yb(3+)/Er(3+)-doped
      materials does not apply in the popular beta-NaYF4 host. We propose a new
      mechanism involving Yb(3+)-to-Er(3+) energy-transfer UC out of the green-emitting
      (2)H11/2,(4)S3/2 states that quantitatively accounts for all of the observed
      optical behavior. Rate constants for the relevant radiative and nonradiative
      processes are reported along with a prediction of the power dependence of the
      pulsed and continuous-wave UC quantum efficiency. 

PMID- 26276179
TI  - Disentangling Electronic and Vibrational Coherence in the Phycocyanin-645 Light
      Harvesting Complex.
AB  - Energy transfer between chromophores in photosynthesis proceeds with near-unity
      quantum efficiency. Understanding the precise mechanisms of these processes is
      made difficult by the complexity of the electronic structure and interactions
      with different vibrational modes. Two-dimensional spectroscopy has helped resolve
      some of the ambiguities and identified quantum effects that may be important for
      highly efficient energy transfer. Many questions remain, however, including
      whether the coherences observed are electronic and/or vibrational in nature and
      what role they play. We utilize a two-color, four-wave mixing experiment with
      control of the wavelength and polarization to selectively excite specific
      coherence pathways. For the light-harvesting complex PC645, from cryptophyte
      algae, we reveal and identify specific contributions from both electronic and
      vibrational coherences and determine an excited-state structure based on two
      strongly coupled electronic states and two vibrational modes. Separation of the
      coherence pathways also uncovers the complex evolution of these coherences and
      the states involved. 

PMID- 26276180
TI  - Formation of an Organic/Metal Interface State from a Shockley Resonance.
AB  - The emergence of an organic/metal interface state is studied for the interface
      between 3,4,9,10-perylene-tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride (PTCDA) and Ag(100) by
      means of time- and angle-resolved two-photon photoemission and density functional
      theory. The interface state is located in the projected band gap of Ag(100), 2.3
      eV above the Fermi level, and has an electron lifetime in the 10 fs range. The
      interface state has no direct counterpart on the clean Ag(100) surface, which
      only exhibits a broad resonance at ~1 eV lower energy. Our results thus show that
      organic overlayers are able to shift such a resonance substantially and even
      qualitatively change its character to a distinct electronic state at the
      interface. 

PMID- 26276181
TI  - Structural Characterization of the UV-Induced Fragmentation Products in an Ion
      Trap by Infrared Multiple Photon Dissociation Spectroscopy.
AB  - Protonated cinchona alkaloids and their dimers undergo photochemical reaction in
      the gas phase, leading to UV-specific photofragments, not observed by collision
      induced dissociation. Simultaneous coupling of UV and IR lasers with a Paul ion
      trap has been achieved for obtaining the vibrational spectrum of the fragments
      arising from the photodissociation. The structure of the photoproduced radical
      has been fully characterized by comparing the experimental spectrum to that
      simulated by DFT calculations. 

PMID- 26276182
TI  - Velocity Fluctuations in Helical Propulsion: How Small Can a Propeller Be.
AB  - Helical propulsion is at the heart of locomotion strategies utilized by various
      natural and artificial swimmers. We used experimental observations and a
      numerical model to study the various fluctuation mechanisms that determine the
      performance of an externally driven helical propeller as the size of the helix is
      reduced. From causality analysis, an overwhelming effect of orientational noise
      at low length scales is observed, which strongly affects the average velocity and
      direction of motion of a propeller. For length scales smaller than a few
      micrometers in aqueous media, the operational frequency for the propulsion system
      would have to increase as the inverse cube of the size, which can be the limiting
      factor for a helical propeller to achieve locomotion in the desired direction. 

PMID- 26276183
TI  - Real Time Dual-Channel Multiplex SERS Ultradetection.
AB  - Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) can be combined with microfluidics for
      rapid multiplex analyte screening. Through combination of the high intensity and
      complex signals provided by SERS with the flow characteristics of microfluidic
      channels, we engineered a microdevice that is capable of monitoring various
      analytes from different sources in real time. Detection limits down to the nM
      range may allow the generation of a new family of devices for remote, real time
      monitoring of environmental samples such as natural or waste waters and
      application to the high-throughput screening of multiple samples in healthcare
      diagnostics. 

PMID- 26276184
TI  - Real Time Determination of the Electronic Structure of Unstable Reaction
      Intermediates during Au2O3 Reduction.
AB  - Chemical reactions are always associated with electronic structure changes of the
      involved chemical species. Determining the electronic configuration of an atom
      allows probing its chemical state and gives understanding of the reaction
      pathways. However, often the reactions are too complex and too fast to be
      measured at in situ conditions due to slow and/or insensitive experimental
      techniques. A short-lived Au2O compound has been detected for the first time
      under in situ conditions during the temperature-programmed reduction of Au2O3. A
      time-resolved resonant inelastic X-ray scattering experiment (RIXS) allowed the
      determination of changes in the Au electronic structure, enabling a better
      understanding of the reaction mechanism of Au(III) reduction. On the basis of
      time-resolved RIXS data analysis combined with genetic algorithm methodology, we
      determined the electronic structure of the metastable Au2O intermediate species.
      The data analysis showed a notably larger value for the lattice constant of the
      intermediate Au as compared to the theoretical predictions. With support of DFT
      calculations, we found that such a structure may indeed be formed and that the
      expanded lattice constant is due to the termination of Au2O on the Au2O3
      structure. 

PMID- 26276185
TI  - Tunable Optical Anisotropy of Seeded CdSe/CdS Nanorods.
AB  - We demonstrate structurally tunable optical anisotropy of seeded-growth CdSe/CdS
      dot-in-rod heterostructures using polarized excitation spectroscopy. The
      elongated anisotropic CdS shell confers optical anisotropy to the electronic
      transitions of the CdSe core. Although a rod-shaped shell geometry is a necessary
      precondition to observing polarized optical properties, the degree of linear
      polarization is not a strong function of aspect ratio. Rather, tuning the local
      anisotropy of the emissive core materials by changing the thickness of the
      anisotropic shell changes the degree of optical anisotropy more dramatically. As
      the diameter of the core material comprises a greater share (>90%) of the dot-in
      rod diameter, the anisotropy of the CdSe core states doubles compared to those
      for which the core represents <50% of the heterostructure diameter. 

PMID- 26276186
TI  - Synthesized Blue Fluorescent Protein Analogue with Tunable Colors from Excited
      State Intramolecular Proton Transfer through an N-H...N Hydrogen Bond.
AB  - A synthesized blue fluorescent protein (BFP) chromophore analogue 2-BFP ((4Z)-4
      [(1H-imidazol-2-yl)methylene]-1-methyl-2-phenyl-1H-imidazol-5(4H)-one) displays
      dual fluorescent emission that arises from the same Z-isomer. The larger Stokes
      shift emission is a result of excited-state intramolecular proton transfer
      (ESIPT) mediated by an N-H...N type of hydrogen bond. Compared to other green
      fluorescent protein (GFP) analogues with ESIPT such as o-HBDI, 2-BFP possesses
      greatly enhanced quantum yields and much slower proton-transfer rates. In
      addition, fluorescence up-conversion experiments revealed two rising components
      of lifetime for the tautomer formation of 2-BFP. The results imply that the
      relaxation of the N* state in 2-BFP triggers the proton transfer of the molecule.
      The weaker photoacidity of N-H is proposed to be crucial for these photophysical
      and photochemical properties. Finally, the ESIPT process in 2-BFP is inhibited in
      protic solvents (MeOH) or by the formation of metal-chelate complexes, providing
      insights for further developments and applications of ESIPT molecules. 

PMID- 26276187
TI  - Evidence of Phonon-Assisted Auger Recombination and Multiple Exciton Generation
      in Semiconductor Quantum Dots Revealed by Temperature-Dependent Phonon Dynamics.
AB  - Auger processes, multiple exciton generation, and Auger recombination, provide
      and disturb a potential route to increase solar cell efficiencies by creating
      multiple charge carriers, respectively. Physical mechanisms of the Auger
      processes can be deduced from the temperature dependence. Our real-time ab initio
      simulation found logarithmic temperature dependence of the Auger rates in
      semiconductor quantum dots (QDs), which agrees well with the recent experimental
      observations. This anomalous temperature dependence is not only determined by
      static electronic structures of the QDs depending on temperature, but also
      attributed to dynamical electron-phonon couplings, directly demonstrating that
      the Auger processes are actually induced by the electron-phonon couplings and can
      be controlled by phonon modes. Our findings suggest that high-frequency and broad
      phonon modes of a QD including the surface ligands dictate efficient Auger
      dynamics in a QD. 

PMID- 26276188
TI  - Tip-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy with Picosecond Pulses.
AB  - Tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) can probe chemistry occurring at surfaces
      with both nanometer spectroscopic and submolecular spatial resolution. Combining
      ultrafast spectroscopy with TERS allows for picosecond and, in principle,
      femtosecond temporal resolution. Here we couple an optical parametric oscillator
      (OPO) with a scanning tunneling microscopy (STM)-TERS microscope to excite the
      tip plasmon with a picosecond excitation source. The plasmonic tip was not
      damaged with OPO excitation, and TER spectra were observed for two resonant
      adsorbates. The TERS signal under ultrafast pulsed excitation decays on the time
      scale of 10 s of seconds; whereas with continuous-wave excitation no decay
      occurs. An analysis of possible decay mechanisms and their temporal
      characteristics is given. 

PMID- 26276189
TI  - Photocharging Artifacts in Measurements of Electron Transfer in Quantum-Dot
      Sensitized Mesoporous Titania Films.
AB  - Transient absorption and time-resolved photoluminescence measurements of high
      performance mesoporous TiO2 photoanodes sensitized with CuInSexS2-x quantum dots
      reveal the importance of hole scavenging in the characterization of photoinduced
      electron transfer. The apparent characteristic time of this process strongly
      depends on the local environment of the quantum dot/TiO2 junction due to
      accumulation of long-lived positive charges in the quantum dots. The presence of
      long-lived photoexcited holes introduces artifacts due to fast positive-trion
      Auger decay (60 ps time constant), which can dominate electron dynamics and thus
      mask true electron transfer. We show that the presence of a redox electrolyte is
      critical to the accurate characterization of charge transfer, since it enables
      fast extraction of holes and helps maintain charge neutrality of the quantum
      dots. Although electron transfer is observed to be relatively slow (19 ns time
      constant), a high electron extraction efficiency (>95%) can be achieved because
      in well-passivated CuInSexS2-x quantum dots neutral excitons have significantly
      longer lifetimes of hundreds of nanoseconds. 

PMID- 26276190
TI  - Strategies on the Design of Nitrogen-Doped Graphene.
AB  - Substitutional nitrogen doping in graphene has been a very powerful tool to
      tailor the pristine property of graphene and furthermore extend its application.
      While nitrogen-doped graphene (N-graphene) has shown many potential applications
      in catalysis, electronics, sensors and so on, there is still a lack of accurate
      control of substitutional nitrogen doping, and higher performance toward various
      applications is always needed. This Perspective summarizes the ongoing
      developments toward better control of nitrogen doping. Moreover, two recent
      strategies aiming to promote the activity of N-graphene are also discussed. 

PMID- 26276191
TI  - Redox-Tuned Three-Color Emission in Double (Mn and Cu) Doped Zinc Sulfide Quantum
      Dots.
AB  - The photoluminescence characteristics of colloidal Mn(2+) and Cu(2+) (double)
      doped zinc sulfide (ZnS) quantum dots (Qdots) could be drastically influenced by
      reactions with redox reagents. Importantly, experiments revealed Cu(+) in ZnS
      nanocrystals rather than Cu(2+), in conjunction with Mn(2+), as the emitting
      dopant. Thus, as-synthesized aqueous Qdots emitted orange (with peaks at 460 and
      592 nm) due to the host and Mn(2+) dopant emissions. However, upon treatment with
      a reducing agent, the color changed to yellow with dual peaks positioned at 520
      and 590 nm due to Cu(+) and Mn(2+) dopant emissions. The characteristics could be
      changed reversibly with appropriate redox reagents. Further, treatment with
      excess of an oxidizing agent led to blue emission with a single peak at 450 nm. 

PMID- 26276192
TI  - Atomic Details of Interfacial Interaction in Gold Nanoparticles Supported on
      MgO(001).
AB  - Atomic-scale imaging using aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron
      microscopy reveals direct evidence for semicoherent interfacial epitaxy and
      coordinate-dependent surface contraction for the fcc (001) oriented Au
      nanoparticles (2-3 nm in diameter), suggesting that their interaction with the
      substrate is weaker than previously assumed. A significant change in interfacial
      separation distance from 2.47 +/- 0.12 A for the fcc (001) oriented Au
      nanoparticles to 3.07 +/- 0.11 A for the fcc (111) oriented Au nanoparticles has
      also been observed. These results are used to verify the atomistic models
      generated by the global optimization calculations, which shed further light on
      the intricate relation between the interfacial energy and the atomic structure of
      the nanoparticle and their combined effect on the inhomogeneous surface
      structural relaxation of supported nanoparticles. 

PMID- 26276193
TI  - The Microscopic Physical Cause for the Density Maximum of Liquid Water.
AB  - The existence of a density maximum at 277 K is probably the most prominent
      anomaly among the many very special thermodynamic properties of liquid water.
      While usually attributed to so-called hydrogen bonding, the microscopic physical
      cause of this prominent anomaly is still elusive. Here we show that the density
      anomaly is caused by those short-range electrostatic forces, which are generated
      by the quadrupole and higher moments of the charge distributions present in
      liquid-phase water molecules. This conclusion derives from 20 ns replica exchange
      molecular-dynamics simulations with closely related polarizable four-, five-, and
      six-point water models. As soon as the model complexity suffices to represent the
      higher electrostatic moments with sufficient accuracy, the density temperature
      profile n(T) calculated for T ? [250,320] K at the standard pressure 1 bar locks
      in to the experimental observation. The corresponding six-point model is,
      therefore, the most simple available cartoon for liquid-phase water molecules. 

PMID- 26276194
TI  - Throwing Salt into the Mix: Altering Interfacial Water Structure by Electrolyte
      Addition.
AB  - Interfacial water commonly distinguishes itself from the bulk phase by adopting a
      polar, ordered structure. It is well-established that electrolytes can act to
      perturb this structure; however, the nature of this perturbation remains a topic
      of interest. In this study, surface- and structure-sensitive nonlinear
      vibrational spectroscopy is used to monitor electrolyte-induced changes in
      interfacial water structure. Solution ionic strength was varied over 5 orders of
      magnitude, and spectra were collected from two mineral surfaces (fused silica and
      calcium fluoride) and two polymer surfaces (polystyrene and poly(methyl
      methacrylate)). Analysis of the spectra reveals striking similarities and
      differences between these four aqueous interfaces; trends in overall intensity do
      not always follow changes in the spectral shape. Our results reveal the complex
      interplay between surface charge, ion adsorption, and hydrophobicity in
      determining interfacial water structure in the presence of dissolved ions. 

PMID- 26276195
TI  - Origin of the Surface-Induced First Hyperpolarizability in the C60/SiO2 System:
      SCC-DFTB Insight.
AB  - Using the self-consistent charge density functional tight binding (SCC-DFTB)
      method, C60 molecules physisorbed on an alpha-quartz slab are shown to display a
      first hyperpolarizability, whereas, owing to their symmetry, both the alpha
      quartz slab and C60 molecule have no first hyperpolarizabilities. A larger first
      hyperpolarizability is achieved when the lowest-lying (five- or six-membered)
      ring is situated in between two hydroxyl rows, rather than on top, because this
      situation favors orbital overlaps and charge transfer. Further analysis has
      demonstrated that (i) the first hyperpolarizability originates from the MO
      overlap and field-induced charge transfers from the neighboring
      substrate/adsorbate moieties but not to geometric relaxation of the C60 molecules
      at the interface and that (ii) larger first hyperpolarizabilities are associated
      with low surface coverage and with small distances between C60 and the surface.
      This contribution is a clear illustration of the emergence of second-order
      nonlinear optical responses (first hyperpolarizability) as a result of breaking
      the centrosymmetry. 

PMID- 26276196
TI  - Design and Applications of Noncanonical DNA Base Pairs.
AB  - While the Watson-Crick base pairs are known to stabilize the DNA double helix and
      play a vital role in storage/replication of genetic information, their
      replacement with non-Watson-Crick base pairs has recently been shown to have
      interesting practical applications. Nowadays, theoretical calculations are
      routinely performed on very complex systems to gain a better understanding of how
      molecules interact with each other. We not only bring together some of the basic
      concepts of how mispaired or unnatural nucleobases interact with each other but
      also look at how such an understanding influences the prediction of novel
      properties and development of new materials. We highlight the recent developments
      in this field of research. In this Perspective, we discuss the success of DFT
      methods, particularly, dispersion-corrected DFT, for applications such as pH
      controlled molecular switching, electric-field-induced stacking of disk-like
      molecules with guanine quartets, and optical birefringence of alkali-metal
      coordinated guanine quartets. The synergy between theoretical models and real
      applications is highlighted. 

PMID- 26276197
TI  - Origin of Photoluminescence and XAFS Study of (ZnS)1-x(AgInS2)x Nanocrystals.
AB  - Donor-Acceptor transition was previously suggested as a mechanism for
      luminescence in (ZnS)1-x(AgInS2)x nanocrystals. Here we show the participation of
      delocalized valence/conduction band in the luminescence. Two emission pathways
      are observed: Path-1 involves transition between a delocalized state and a
      localized state exhibiting higher energy and shorter lifetime (~25 ns) and Path-2
      (donor-acceptor) involves two localized defect states exhibiting lower emission
      energy and longer lifetime (>185 ns). Surprisingly, Path-1 dominates (82% for x =
      0.33) for nanocrystals with lower x, in sharp difference with prior assignment.
      Luminescence peak blue shifts systematically by 0.57 eV with decreasing x because
      of this large contribution from Path-1. X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS)
      study of (ZnS)1-x(AgInS2)x nanocrystals shows larger AgS4 tetrahedra compared
      with InS4 tetrahedra with Ag-S and In-S bond lengths 2.52 and 2.45 A
      respectively, whereas Zn-S bond length is 2.33 A along with the absence of second
      nearest-neighbor Zn-S-metal correlation. 

PMID- 26276198
TI  - Dynamic Crossovers and Stepwise Solidification of Confined Water: A (2)H NMR
      Study.
AB  - (2)H NMR reveals two dynamic crossovers of supercooled water in nanoscopic (~2
      nm) confinement. At ~225 K, a dynamic crossover of liquid water is accompanied by
      formation of a fraction of solid water. Therefore, we do not attribute the effect
      to a liquid-liquid phase transition but rather to a change from bulk-like to
      interface-dominated dynamics. Moreover, we argue that the alpha process and beta
      process are observed in experiments above and below this temperature,
      respectively. Upon cooling through a dynamic crossover at ~175 K, the dynamics of
      the liquid fraction becomes anisotropic and localized, implying solidification of
      the corresponding water network, most probably, during a confinement-affected
      glass transition. 

PMID- 26276199
TI  - Microslips to "Avalanches" in Confined, Molecular Layers of Ionic Liquids.
AB  - We have measured forces between mica surfaces across two hydrophobic ionic
      liquids with a surface forces apparatus. Both surface-adsorbed water and alkyl
      chain length on the imidazolium cation influence the structure of the
      nanoconfined film and the dynamics of film-thickness transitions. Friction shows
      accumulative microslips as precursors to collective "avalanches" that abruptly
      reduce friction momentarily. This behavior is interpreted as a consequence of
      interlayer ion correlations within the 1 to 2 nm thick film; we identify this to
      be analogous to the friction response of crackling noise systems over a broad
      range of sizes. 

PMID- 26276200
TI  - A Guided Stochastic Energy-Domain Formulation of the Second Order Moller-Plesset
      Perturbation Theory.
AB  - We develop an alternative formulation in the energy-domain to calculate the
      second order Moller-Plesset (MP2) perturbation energies. The approach is based on
      repeatedly choosing four random energies using a nonseparable guiding function,
      filtering four random orbitals at these energies, and averaging the resulting
      Coulomb matrix elements to obtain a statistical estimate of the MP2 correlation
      energy. In contrast to our time-domain formulation, the present approach is
      useful for both quantum chemistry and real-space/plane wave basis sets. The
      scaling of the MP2 calculation is roughly linear with system size, providing a
      useful tool to study dispersion energies in large systems. This is demonstrated
      on a structure of 64 fullerenes within the SZ basis as well as on silicon
      nanocrystals using real-space grids. 

PMID- 26276201
TI  - Photodissociation of Propionaldehyde at 248 nm: Roaming Pathway as an
      Increasingly Important Role in Large Aliphatic Aldehydes.
AB  - Time-resolved Fourier transform infrared emission spectroscopy is employed in the
      photolysis of propionaldehyde (CH3CH2CHO) at 248 nm to characterize the role of
      the roaming pathway. High-resolution spectra of CO are analyzed to yield a single
      Boltzmann rotational distribution for each vibrational level (nu = 1-4) with
      small rotational and large vibrational energy disposals. A roaming saddle point
      is found containing two far separated moieties of HCO and CH3CH2 with a weak
      interaction between them. Quasiclassical trajectory calculations on this
      configuration yield the CO energy flow behavior, consistent with the findings.
      The rate constant along the roaming pathway is evaluated to be larger by >1-2
      orders of magnitude than those along tight transition state or three-body
      dissociation pathways. This work implies that the roaming mechanism plays an
      increasingly important role in aliphatic aldehydes as the molecular size becomes
      larger. 

PMID- 26276202
TI  - Energy Diagram of Semiconductor/Electrolyte Junctions.

PMID- 26276203
TI  - Hot Hole Transfer Increasing Polaron Yields in Hybrid Conjugated Polymer/PbS
      Blends.
AB  - We use quasi-steady-state photoinduced absorption (PIA) to study charge
      generation in blends of poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT) with PbS
      nanocrystal quantum dots as a function of excitation energy. We find that, per
      photon absorbed, the yield of photogenerated holes present on the conjugated
      polymer increases with pump energy, even at wavelengths where only the quantum
      dots absorb. We interpret this result as direct evidence for transfer of hot
      holes in these conjugated polymer/quantum dot blends. These results help
      understand the operation of hybrid organic/inorganic photovoltaics. 

PMID- 26276204
TI  - Subpicosecond and Sub-Angstrom Time and Space Studies by Means of Light, X-ray,
      and Electron Interaction with Matter.
AB  - This Perspective article considers an experimental system that consists of
      ultrafast optical, electron, and X-ray time-resolved components. These techniques
      are used simultaneously on the same sample to study, in real time, the events
      that occur immediately upon disturbance with an ultrafast optical pulse. Excited
      states and metastable species are generated on the surface, and the electrical
      and mechanical waves propagating through the sample are recorded with
      subpicosecond and sub-Angstrom resolution. The characteristic of each technique
      is briefly described as a means of introducing the experimental system that
      intergrates these techniques. The processes evolved after femtosecond excitation
      of a Au single crystal have been monitored by these techniques. The data
      presented show changes with a resolution of 0.3 +/- 0.1 ps in optical
      thermoreflectance, 1.0 +/- 0.2 ps in electron Bragg diffraction, and 0.6 +/- 0.1
      ps in X-ray diffraction intensity accompanying shift and broadening. 

PMID- 26276205
TI  - The Increasing Impact of Multimedia and Social Media in Scientific Publications.

PMID- 26276206
TI  - Structure and Dynamics of Low-Density and High-Density Liquid Water at High
      Pressure.
AB  - Liquid water has a primary role in ruling life on Earth in a wide temperature and
      pressure range as well as a plethora of chemical, physical, geological, and
      environmental processes. Nevertheless, a full understanding of its dynamical and
      structural properties is still lacking. Water molecules are associated through
      hydrogen bonds, with the resulting extended network characterized by a local
      tetrahedral arrangement. Two different local structures of the liquid, called low
      density (LDW) and high-density (HDW) water, have been identified to potentially
      affect many different chemical, biological, and physical processes. By combining
      diamond anvil cell technology, ultrafast pump-probe infrared spectroscopy, and
      classical molecular dynamics simulations, we show that the liquid structure and
      orientational dynamics are intimately connected, identifying the P-T range of the
      LDW and HDW regimes. The latter are defined in terms of the speeding up of the
      orientational dynamics, caused by the increasing probability of breaking and
      reforming the hydrogen bonds. 

PMID- 26276207
TI  - Polystyrene Nanoparticles Perturb Lipid Membranes.
AB  - Polystyrene is abundant in marine debris. Like most synthetic polymers, it
      degrades very slowly, producing smaller and smaller particles easily ingested by
      wildlife. The presence of plastic microscopic particles in fish and marine
      wildlife is massive and well documented, but its impact on cellular activity is
      not understood. Biological activity generally requires interaction with
      biological membranes, but this is difficult to study at the molecular scale in
      vivo. Here we use coarse-grained molecular simulations to determine the effect of
      nanosized polystyrene (PS) particles on the properties of model biological
      membranes. We find that PS nanoparticles permeate easily into lipid membranes.
      Dissolved in the membrane core, PS chains alter membrane structure, significantly
      reduce molecular diffusion, and soften the membrane. Moreover, PS severely
      affects membrane lateral organization by stabilizing raft-like domains. Changes
      in membrane properties and lateral organization can severely affect the activity
      of membrane proteins and thereby cellular function. 

PMID- 26276208
TI  - Reflection Phase and Amplitude Determination of Short-Range Ordered Plasmonic
      Nanohole Arrays.
AB  - The reflection phase and amplitude of a short-range ordered gold plasmonic
      nanohole array are measured in the vis-NIR range using an interferometric
      substrate. The phase flip is observed around the minimum of the reflection
      amplitude, which is consistent with the resonance of a single oscillator. Above
      the resonance wavelength, the phase shift roughly follows that of a continuous
      metal film with the same thickness. Numerical simulation of the corresponding
      hexagonal long-range ordered nanohole array exhibits similar phase behavior with
      a sharper phase flip at the amplitude minimum, where the field enhancement is
      strongest. By changing the refractive index of the surrounding medium, larger
      phase shifts as well as positive and negative amplitude changes were observed
      around the resonance wavelength. This interferometric substrate method enables
      simultaneous broad-band phase and amplitude acquisition on the second time scale.

PMID- 26276209
TI  - High Contrast Visualization of Cell-Hydrogel Contact by Advanced Interferometric
      Optical Microscopy.
AB  - Hydrogels with tunable elasticity has been widely used as micromechanical
      environment models for cells. However, the imaging of physical contacts between
      cells and hydrogels with a nanometer resolution along the optical axis remain
      challenging because of low reflectivity at hydrogel-liquid interface. In this
      work, we have developed an advanced interferometric optical microscopy for the
      high contrast visualization of cell-hydrogel contact. Here, reflection
      interference contrast microscopy (RICM) was modified with a confocal unit, high
      throughput optics and coherent monochromatic light sources to enhance
      interferometric signals from cell-hydrogel contact zones. The advanced
      interferomety clearly visualized physical contacts between cells and hydrogels,
      and thus enabled the quantitative evaluation of the area of cell-hydrogel
      adhesion. 

PMID- 26276210
TI  - Reactivity of the Strongest Oxidizing Species in Aqueous Solutions: The Short
      Lived Radical Cation H2O(*.).
AB  - The radical cation H2O(*+) formed under irradiation of liquid water undergoes an
      ultrafast proton transfer reaction and consequently exhibits an extremely short
      lifetime. The proton transfer yields an oxidizing OH(*) radical whose reactivity
      has been extensively studied. By contrast, H2O(*+) reactivity with molecules
      other than water has not been established experimentally and was subject to
      controversy. The direct oxidation by H2O(*+) can take place in various
      situations. In highly concentrated solutions, the radical cation H2O(*+) may also
      be involved in ultrafast electron transfer reactions. We have applied picosecond
      pulse radiolysis conducted at the electron accelerator ELYSE on solutions with
      various H2SO4 concentrations to determine the scavenging yield of H2O(*+). The
      yield of H2O(*+) at a few tens of femtoseconds is estimated to be around 5.3 *
      10(-7) mol J(-1), and its reactivity is quantitatively determined. Moreover, a
      simple estimation of the reduction potential of this short-lived radical cation
      shows that it is the most powerful oxidizing species. 

PMID- 26276211
TI  - Actions of KMUP-1, a xanthine and piperazine derivative, on voltage-gated Na(+)
      and Ca(2+) -activated K(+) currents in GH3 pituitary tumour cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: 7-[2-[4-(2-Chlorophenyl)piperazinyl]ethyl]-1,3
      dimethylxanthine (KMUP-1) is a xanthine-based derivative. It has soluble GC
      activation and K(+) -channel opening activity. Effects of this compound on ion
      currents in pituitary GH3 cells were investigated in this study. EXPERIMENTAL
      APPROACH: The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of KMUP-1 on the
      amplitude and gating of voltage-gated Na(+) current (INa ) in pituitary GH3 cells
      and in HEKT293T cells expressing SCN5A. Both the amplitude of Ca(2+) -activated
      K(+) current and the activity of large-conductance Ca(2+) -activated K(+) (BKCa )
      channels were also studied. KEY RESULTS: KMUP-1 depressed the transient and late
      components of INa with different potencies. The IC50 values required for its
      inhibitory effect on transient and late INa were 22.5 and 1.8 MUM respectively.
      KMUP-1 (3 MUM) shifted the steady-state inactivation of INa to a hyperpolarized
      potential by -10 mV, despite inability to alter the recovery of INa from
      inactivation. In cell-attached configuration, KMUP-1 applied to bath increased
      BKCa -channel activity; however, in inside-out patches, this compound applied to
      the intracellular surface had no effect on it. It prolonged the latency in the
      generation of action currents elicited by triangular voltage ramps. Additionally,
      KMUP-1 decreased the peak INa with a concomitant increase of current inactivation
      in HEKT293T cells expressing SCN5A. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Apart from
      activating BKCa channels, KMUP-1 preferentially suppresses late INa . The effects
      of KUMP-1 on ion currents presented here constitute an underlying ionic mechanism
      of its actions.

PMID- 26276212
TI  - Lower Extremity Amputation and Mortality Rates in the Reconstructed Diabetic
      Charcot Foot and Ankle With External Fixation: Data Analysis of 116 Patients.
AB  - The aim of this study was to determine the lower extremity amputation and
      mortality rates of a group of patients who underwent reconstructive surgery using
      circular external fixation for treatment of diabetic Charcot neuroarthropathy
      (CN) of the foot and/or ankle. Existing studies regarding lower extremity
      amputation or mortality rates for diabetic CN of the foot and/or ankle have been
      performed on mostly conservatively treated patients. The objective of the
      statistical analysis in this studied population was to understand the difference
      in overall amputation and mortality rates between the 2 main groups: one with
      foot and/or ankle ulceration (group 1), and the other without ulceration or
      osteomyelitis (group 2, control group). Within group 1, 2 subgroups were
      established: one with osteomyelitis (group 1A) and the other without
      osteomyelitis (group 1B). Initially, a retrospective analysis of 150 consecutive
      surgically reconstructed diabetic foot and ankle cases using circular external
      fixation from January 2005 through December 2012 was conducted. Those which were
      not supported with the diagnosis of diabetic CN were excluded and the 2 other
      charts without proper follow-up duration (6 months) for analysis were removed,
      resulting in the final sample size of N = 116. There were a total of n = 7 (6.0%)
      below the knee amputations (group 1A = 1, group 1B = 4, and group 2 = 2) with a
      total of n = 5 mortalities (4.3%) (group 1A = 2, group 1B = 2, and group 2 = 1).
      The total amount of time for a lower extremity amputation event (n = 7) since the
      time of surgical reconstruction was 729.43 +/- 519.73 days (range 230-1777 days)
      while for a mortality event (n = 5), it was 1302.00 +/- 765.48 days (range 633
      2499 days). LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic, Level III: Retrospective study.

PMID- 26276213
TI  - Current approaches to cutaneous sarcomas: Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans and
      cutaneous leiomyosarcoma.

PMID- 26276214
TI  - Cutaneous angiosarcoma.

PMID- 26276215
TI  - Fe65 negatively regulates Jagged1 signaling by decreasing Jagged1 protein
      stability through the E3 ligase Neuralized-like 1.
AB  - Fe65 is a highly conserved adaptor protein that interacts with several binding
      partners. Fe65 binds proteins to mediate various cellular processes. But the
      interacting partner and the regulatory mechanisms controlled by Fe65 are largely
      unknown. In this study, we found that Fe65 interacts with the C-terminus of
      Jagged1. Furthermore, Fe65 negatively regulates AP1-mediated Jagged1
      intercellular domain transactivation in a Tip60-independent manner. We found that
      Fe65 triggers the degradation of Jagged1, but not the Jagged1 intracellular
      domain (JICD), through both proteasome and lysosome pathways. We also showed that
      Fe65 promotes recruitment of the E3 ligase Neuralized-like 1 (Neurl1) to membrane
      tethered Jagged1 and monoubiquitination of Jagged1. These three proteins form a
      stable trimeric complex, thereby decreasing Jagged1 targeting by ubiquitin
      mediated degradation. Consequently, Jagged1 is a novel binding partner of Fe65,
      and Fe65 may act as a novel effector of Jagged1 signaling. 

PMID- 26276216
TI  - Sequence and expression variation in SUPPRESSOR of OVEREXPRESSION of CONSTANS 1
      (SOC1): homeolog evolution in Indian Brassicas.
AB  - Whole genome sequence analyses allow unravelling such evolutionary consequences
      of meso-triplication event in Brassicaceae (~14-20 million years ago (MYA)) as
      differential gene fractionation and diversification in homeologous sub-genomes.
      This study presents a simple gene-centric approach involving microsynteny and
      natural genetic variation analysis for understanding SUPPRESSOR of OVEREXPRESSION
      of CONSTANS 1 (SOC1) homeolog evolution in Brassica. Analysis of microsynteny in
      Brassica rapa homeologous regions containing SOC1 revealed differential gene
      fractionation correlating to reported fractionation status of sub-genomes of
      origin, viz. least fractionated (LF), moderately fractionated 1 (MF1) and most
      fractionated (MF2), respectively. Screening 18 cultivars of 6 Brassica species
      led to the identification of 8 genomic and 27 transcript variants of SOC1,
      including splice-forms. Co-occurrence of both interrupted and intronless SOC1
      genes was detected in few Brassica species. In silico analysis characterised
      Brassica SOC1 as MADS intervening, K-box, C-terminal (MIKC(C)) transcription
      factor, with highly conserved MADS and I domains relative to K-box and C-terminal
      domain. Phylogenetic analyses and multiple sequence alignments depicting shared
      pattern of silent/non-silent mutations assigned Brassica SOC1 homologs into
      groups based on shared diploid base genome. In addition, a sub-genome structure
      in uncharacterised Brassica genomes was inferred. Expression analysis of putative
      MF2 and LF (Brassica diploid base genome A (AA)) sub-genome-specific SOC1
      homeologs of Brassica juncea revealed near identical expression pattern. However,
      MF2-specific homeolog exhibited significantly higher expression implying
      regulatory diversification. In conclusion, evidence for polyploidy-induced
      sequence and regulatory evolution in Brassica SOC1 is being presented wherein
      differential homeolog expression is implied in functional diversification.

PMID- 26276217
TI  - An Extended Minimal Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Model: Evaluation of
      Type II Diabetes Mellitus and Diabetic Nephropathy on Human IgG Pharmacokinetics
      in Rats.
AB  - Although many studies have evaluated the effects of type 2 diabetes mellitus
      (T2DM) on the pharmacokinetics (PK) of low molecular weight molecules, there is
      limited information regarding effects on monoclonal antibodies. Our previous
      studies have reported significant increases in total (2-4 fold) and renal (100
      300 fold) clearance of human IgG, an antibody isotype, in Zucker diabetic fatty
      (ZDF) rats. Pioglitazone treatment incompletely reversed the disease-related PK
      changes. The objective of this study was to construct a mechanistic model for
      simultaneous fitting plasma and urine data, to yield physiologically relevant PK
      parameters. We propose an extended minimal physiologically based PK (mPBPK) model
      specifically for IgG by classifying organs as either leaky or tight vascular
      tissues, and adding a kidney compartment. The model incorporates convection as
      the primary mechanism of IgG movement from plasma into tissues, interstitial
      fluid (ISF) in extravascular distribution space, and glomerular filtration rate
      (GFR), sieving coefficient and fraction reabsorbed in the kidney. The model
      captured the plasma and urine PK profiles well, and simulated concentrations in
      ISF. The model estimated a 2-4 fold increase in nonrenal clearance from plasma
      and 30-120 fold increase in renal clearance with T2DM, consistent with the
      experimental findings, and these differences in renal clearance were related to
      changes in GFR, sieving coefficient, and proximal tubular reabsorption. In
      conclusion, the mPBPK model offers a more relevant approach for analyzing plasma
      and urine IgG concentration-time data than conventional models and provides
      insight regarding alterations in distributional and elimination parameters
      occurring with T2DM. 

PMID- 26276219
TI  - Magnetic properties of magnetite synthesized by Magnetospirillum magnetotacticum
      MS-1 cultured with different concentrations of ferric iron.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To clarify the effect of Fe(3+) concentration on magnetite formation,
      Magnetospirillum magnetotacticum MS-1 was cultured at various initial
      concentrations of Fe(3+) and the yield and magnetic properties of the cells were
      investigated. RESULTS: Although total cell yields (g/l) were not dependent on the
      initial concentration of Fe(3+) (0-68 uM) in the growth medium, the percentage of
      magnetic cells increased as the initial Fe(3+) concentration increased. The
      coercivity (H c) and saturation magnetization (M s) of dried MS-1 cells increased
      and the blocking temperature (T B) decreased as the initial Fe(3+) concentration
      increased. These values are similar to those reported previously. The Verwey
      transition temperature (T V) was almost identical for all initial Fe(3+)
      concentrations (95-97 K), except for medium without added Fe(3+) (0 uM; 88 K).
      CONCLUSION: Fe(3+) concentration strongly affects the magnetic properties of MS-1
      cells, especially in the lower concentration range, suggesting that the Fe(3+)
      concentration should be considered when evaluating the magnetic properties of MS
      1 cells.

PMID- 26276218
TI  - Drug Delivery Approaches in Addressing Clinical Pharmacology-Related Issues:
      Opportunities and Challenges.
AB  - Various drug delivery approaches can be used to maximize therapeutic efficacy and
      minimize side effects, by impacting absorption, distribution, metabolism, and
      elimination (ADME) of a drug compound. For those drugs with poor water solubility
      or low permeability, techniques such as amorphous solid dispersion, liposomes,
      and complexations have been used to improve their oral bioavailability. Modified
      release (MR) formulations have been widely used to improve patient compliance, as
      well as to reduce side effects, especially for those drugs with short half-lives
      or narrow therapeutic windows. More than ten drugs using sterile long-acting
      release (LAR) formulations with clear clinical benefit have been successfully
      marketed. Furthermore, drug delivery systems have been used in delaying drug
      clearance processes. Additionally, modifying the in vivo drug distribution using
      targeted delivery systems has significantly improved oncology treatments. All the
      drug delivery approaches have their advantages and limitations. For both brand
      and generic drugs, the achievement of consistent quality and therapeutic
      performance using drug delivery systems can also pose serious challenges in
      developing a drug for the market, which requires close collaboration among
      industry, academia, and regulatory agencies. With the advent of personalized
      medicines, there will be great opportunities and challenges in utilizing drug
      delivery systems to provide better products and services for patients. 

PMID- 26276220
TI  - Watching a real moving object expands tactile duration: the role of task
      irrelevant action context for subjective time.
AB  - Although it is well established that action contexts can expand the perceived
      durations of action-related events, whether action contexts also impact the
      subjective duration of events unrelated to the action remains an open issue. Here
      we examined how the automatic implicit reactions induced by viewing task
      irrelevant, real moving objects influence tactile duration judgments.
      Participants were asked to make temporal bisection judgments of a tactile event
      while seeing a potentially catchable swinging ball. Approaching movement induced
      a tactile-duration overestimation relative to lateral movement and to a static
      baseline, and receding movement produced an expansion similar in duration to that
      from approaching movement. Interestingly, the effect of approaching movement on
      the subjective tactile duration was greatly reduced when participants held
      lightweight objects in their hands, relative to a hands-free condition, whereas
      no difference was obtained in the tactile-duration estimates between static hands
      free and static hands-occupied conditions. The results indicate that duration
      perception is determined by internal bodily states as well as by sensory
      evidence. 

PMID- 26276222
TI  - Evaluating the Rare and Predicting the Worst: Lessons for Thyroid Nodules.

PMID- 26276221
TI  - Choroidal thickness measurements in migraine patients during attack-free period.
AB  - To identify any structural differences in macular choroidal thickness in migraine
      patients and compare them with that of control subjects by using spectral domain
      optic coherence tomography (SD-OCT). In this prospective study, choroidal
      thicknesses of 32 migraine patients during migraine attack-free period and 32 age
      and sex-matched healthy subjects were measured using SD-OCT. All patients
      underwent a complete ophthalmic examination before the measurements. The migraine
      patients were classified into the migraine with aura group or the migraine
      without aura group. Migraine severity was assessed by visual analog scale (VAS),
      migraine disability questionnaire (Migraine Disability Assessment Score (MIDAS),
      and Wong-Baker faces pain rating scale. Thirty eyes of 32 subjects (31 female and
      1 male) in the migraine group and 32 eyes of 32 subjects (31 female and 1 male)
      in control group were evaluated. In the study group, 16 patients suffered
      migraine without aura (MWA) and 16 patients were diagnosed as migraine with aura
      (MA). The mean subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) was 353.3 +/- 66.5 MUm in the
      control group versus 304.3 +/- 72.9 MUm and 276.1 +/- 61.4 MUm in MWA and MA
      groups, respectively. The difference in SFCT between the migraine patients and
      the controls was significant (p < 0.001). Additionally, a moderate correlation
      was found between SFCT and the VAS score and W baker score (r = 0.48, p = 0.008
      and r = 0.43, p = 0.02, respectively). The choroidal thickness was found to
      decrease significantly not only in migraine patients with aura but also in those
      without aura during the attack-free period.

PMID- 26276223
TI  - Predisposing Factors for Spontaneous Closure of Congenital Portosystemic Shunts.
AB  - In a review of 382 cases of congenital portosystemic shunt, we found that
      presentation with neonatal cholestasis strongly predicts spontaneous closure of
      intrahepatic shunts (OR 8.3, 95% CI 3.4-20.2). Spontaneous closure before the
      24th month of age is more likely for distal or multiple shunts, but rare for
      patent ductus venosus.

PMID- 26276224
TI  - Beyond Blame: Parents as Partners.

PMID- 26276225
TI  - Comparative proteomic analysis of hemolymph proteins from Autographa californica
      multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV)-sensitive or -resistant silkworm strains
      during infections.
AB  - We reported previously that baculovirus AcMNPV host-ranges in silkworm strains
      are controlled by a novel third chromosomal locus. To further isolate the
      potential host factor and uncover the functional pathway involved, in this study
      we analyzed hemolymph proteins from AcMNPV-resistant or -sensitive silkworm
      strains infected with baculoviruses. All the protein spots from 2D
      electrophoresis were characterized by MALDI-TOF MS and further systematically
      assessed for differentially regulated proteins at different stages of infection.
      Subsequently, six candidates were selected for functional analysis using Bm5
      cells, where the candidates were knocked-down or overexpressed. We observed that
      mRNA expression levels of beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase and prophenoloxidase
      subunit 2 are significantly upregulated during AcMNPV infections in Bm5 cells.
      Ultimately, we found that RNA interference of ribosomal protein RpL34 causes
      serious damages to cell viability as well as abortive infection, indicating that
      ribosomal components are essential for productive baculovirus infection. 

PMID- 26276226
TI  - TET proteins in cancer: Current 'state of the art'.
AB  - Aberrations in DNA methylation patterns are observed from the early stages of
      carcinogenesis. However, the mechanisms that drive these changes remain elusive.
      The recent characterization of ten-eleven translocation (TET) enzymes as a source
      of newly modified cytosines (5-hydroxymethylcytosine, 5-formylcytosine and 5
      carboxylcytosine) has shed new light on the DNA demethylation process. These
      cytosines are intermediates of an active DNA demethylation process and are
      epigenetic markers per se. In this review, we discuss the mechanism and function
      of TET proteins in biological processes as well as current knowledge regarding
      their expression and regulation in cancer. 

PMID- 26276227
TI  - Mobile Exercise Apps and Increased Leisure Time Exercise Activity: A Moderated
      Mediation Analysis of the Role of Self-Efficacy and Barriers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There are currently over 1000 exercise apps for mobile devices on the
      market. These apps employ a range of features, from tracking exercise activity to
      providing motivational messages. However, virtually nothing is known about
      whether exercise apps improve exercise levels and health outcomes and, if so, the
      mechanisms of these effects. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to examine whether the use of
      exercise apps is associated with increased levels of exercise and improved health
      outcomes. We also develop a framework within which to understand how exercise
      apps may affect health and test multiple models of possible mechanisms of action
      and boundary conditions of these relationships. Within this framework, app use
      may increase physical activity by influencing variables such as self-efficacy and
      may help to overcome exercise barriers, leading to improved health outcomes such
      as lower body mass index (BMI). METHODS: In this study, 726 participants with one
      of three backgrounds were surveyed about their use of exercise apps and health:
      (1) those who never used exercise apps, (2) those who used exercise apps but
      discontinued use, and (3) those who are currently using exercise apps.
      Participants were asked about their long-term levels of exercise and about their
      levels of exercise during the previous week with the International Physical
      Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). RESULTS: Nearly three-quarters of current app
      users reported being more active compared to under half of non-users and past
      users. The IPAQ showed that current users had higher total leisure time metabolic
      equivalent of task (MET) expenditures (1169 METs), including walking and vigorous
      exercise, compared to those who stopped using their apps (612 METs) or who never
      used apps (577 METs). Importantly, physical activity levels in domains other than
      leisure time activity were similar across the groups. The results also showed
      that current users had lower BMI (25.16) than past users (26.8) and non-users
      (26.9) and that this association was mediated by exercise levels and self
      efficacy. That relationship was also moderated by perceived barriers to exercise.
      Multiple serial mediation models were tested, which revealed that the association
      between app use and BMI is mediated by increased self-efficacy and increased
      exercise. CONCLUSIONS: Exercise app users are more likely to exercise during
      their leisure time, compared to those who do not use exercise apps, essentially
      fulfilling the role that many of these apps were designed to accomplish. Data
      also suggest that one way that exercise apps may increase exercise levels and
      health outcomes such as BMI is by making it easier for users to overcome barriers
      to exercise, leading to increased self-efficacy. We discuss ways of improving the
      effectiveness of apps by incorporating theory-driven approaches. We conclude that
      exercise apps can be viewed as intervention delivery systems consisting of
      features that help users overcome specific barriers.

PMID- 26276230
TI  - The importance of leadership in the cath lab.

PMID- 26276229
TI  - Ultrasound-guided procedures in medical education: a fresh look at cadavers.
AB  - Demand for bedside ultrasound in medicine has created a need for earlier exposure
      to ultrasound education during the clinical years of undergraduate medical
      education. Although bedside ultrasound is often used for invasive medical
      procedures, there is no standardized educational model for procedural skills that
      can provide the learner a real-life simulated experience. The objective of our
      study was to describe a unique fresh cadaver preparation model, and to determine
      the impact of a procedure-focused ultrasound training session. This study was a
      cross-sectional study at an urban academic medical center. A sixteen-item
      questionnaire was administered at the beginning and end of the session. Fifty
      five third year medical students participated in this 1-day event during their
      surgical clerkship. Students were trained to perform the following ultrasound
      guided procedures: internal jugular vein cannulation, femoral vein cannulation
      femoral artery cannulation and pericardiocentesis. Preparation of the fresh
      cadaver is easily replicated and requires minor manipulation of cadaver vessels
      and pericardial space. Fifty-five medical students in their third year
      participated in this study. All of the medical students agreed that US could help
      increase their confidence in performing procedures in the future. Eighty percent
      (95 % CI 70-91 %) of students felt that there was a benefit of learning
      ultrasound-based anatomy in addition to traditional methods. Student confidence
      was self-rated on a five-point Likert scale. Student confidence increased with
      statistical significance in all of the skills taught. The most dramatic increase
      was noted in central venous line placement, which improved from 1.95 (SD = 0.11)
      to 4.2 (SD = 0.09) (p < 0.001). The use of fresh cadavers for procedure-focused
      US education is a realistic method that improves the confidence of third year
      medical students in performing complex but critical procedures.

PMID- 26276228
TI  - Genotyping concordance in DNA extracted from formalin-fixed paraffin embedded
      (FFPE) breast tumor and whole blood for pharmacogenetic analyses.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cancer pharmacogenetic studies use archival tumor samples as a DNA
      source when germline DNA is unavailable. Genotyping DNA from formalin-fixed
      paraffin embedded tumors (FFPE-T) may be inaccurate due to FFPE storage, genetic
      aberrations, and/or insufficient DNA extraction. Our objective was to assess the
      extent and source of genotyping inaccuracy from FFPE-T DNA and demonstrate
      analytical validity of FFPE-T genotyping of candidate single nucleotide
      polymorphisms (SNPs) for pharmacogenetic analyses. METHODS: Cancer
      pharmacogenetics SNPs were genotyped by Sequenom MassARRAYs in DNA harvested from
      matched FFPE-T, FFPE lymph node (FFPE-LN), and whole blood leukocyte samples
      obtained from breast cancer patients. No- and discordant-call rates were
      calculated for each tissue type and SNP. Analytical validity was defined as any
      SNP with <5% discordance between FFPE-T and blood and <10% discordance plus no
      calls. RESULTS: Matched samples from 114 patients were genotyped for 247 SNPs. No
      call rate in FFPE-T was greater than FFPE-LN and blood (4.3% vs. 3.0% vs. 0.5%, p
      < 0.001). Discordant-call rate between FFPE-T and blood was very low, but greater
      than that between FFPE-LN and blood (1.1% vs. 0.3%, p < 0.001). Samples with
      heterozygous genotypes were more likely to be no- or discordantly-called in
      either tissue (p < 0.001). Analytical validity of FFPE-T genotyping was
      demonstrated for 218 (88%) SNPs. CONCLUSIONS: No- and discordant-call rates were
      below concerning thresholds, confirming that most SNPs can be accurately
      genotyped from FFPE-T on our Sequenom platform. FFPE-T is a viable DNA source for
      prospective-retrospective pharmacogenetic analyses of clinical trial cohorts.

PMID- 26276231
TI  - Diabetes is not sufficient justification for IIb/IIIa use in percutaneous
      coronary intervention.
AB  - Diabetics, particularly insulin treated, have increased risk of ischemic events
      and bleeding with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The relative risk of
      atherothrombotic versus bleeding events is higher in diabetics than non
      diabetics. Bivalirudin with provisional IIb/IIIa therapy has less bleeding and
      lower one-year mortality than routine IIb/IIIa therapy in diabetics undergoing
      PCI. IIb/IIIa agents should be reserved for provisional and niche applications
      during PCI. 

PMID- 26276232
TI  - Bivalirudin: An expensive heparin?
AB  - Bleeding rates with unfractionated heparin (UH) without concomitant use of
      glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors as compared to bivalirudin are similar. Ischemic
      event rates during the index hospitalization are similar in the heparin and
      bivalirudin subgroups. Low does heparin (60-70 units/kg) with a target ACT of 200
      250 sec may obviate the historical improved safety of bivalirudin demonstrated in
      certain clinical trials. 

PMID- 26276233
TI  - Coronary perforation: What color is your parachute?
AB  - Coronary perforation is a rare but devastating complication of PCI, requiring
      rescue devices such as covered stents. This paper documents the successful use of
      a pericardial covered stent in 9/9 patients for coronary perforation. Pericardial
      covered stents have theoretical advantages over PTFE covered stents, but clinical
      studies proving this are not feasible. 

PMID- 26276234
TI  - Pop goes the PA! and the aorta! iatrogenic aortopulmonary connections.
AB  - Iatrogenic aortopulmonary connections may occur after pulmonary artery
      angioplasty, stent or trans-catheter pulmonary valve implantation Patients with
      Ross autograft or arterial switch procedure may be at particular risk for this
      complication Timely diagnosis is facilitated by post-intervention aortic
      angiogram. 

PMID- 26276235
TI  - Carotid artery stenting: Optimizing patient selection and technique.
AB  - Complex arch anatomy (type 2, type 3) and bovine configuration were identified in
      34.4% and 20.5% of carotid stent patients, respectively. Catheter manipulation
      time (CMT), rather than arch complexity per se, was the only independent
      predictor of adverse events after carotid stenting. Careful attention to patient
      selection, preprocedural planning, and stent technique are important to ensure
      success. 

PMID- 26276236
TI  - Treating on the edge.
AB  - Treatment of stent graft edge restenosis can be successfully treated but optimal
      treatment has not been identified. The practice of continued duplex surveillance
      for stent grafts appears to be important. Randomized trials comparing drug
      technology and to properly sized stent graft extension will be needed. 

PMID- 26276237
TI  - Cutting down on the cutdown: Time to remove the training wheels for transfemoral
      access for TAVR.
AB  - Percutaneous transfemoral access is replacing cutdowns, even in the absence of a
      high level evidence base The evolution of smaller profile TAVR sheaths will make
      cutdowns largely obsolete Patient comfort, early ambulation, and shorter length
      of stay, along with improved methodologies will continue to drive the move to
      percutaneous access and closure for TAVR. 

PMID- 26276238
TI  - A single degree of oversize does not fit all valve types.
AB  - Moderate valve oversize increases the risk of aortic regurgitation with self
      expandable valves, and larger oversizing may be preferable with this valve type.
      Large oversizing increases the risk of aortic annular rupture in patients treated
      with balloon-expandable valves and less oversizing appears safer. Anatomical
      factors may also may influence procedural success and should not be overlooked. 

PMID- 26276240
TI  - Cardiovascular safety of albiglutide in the Harmony programme: a meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Albiglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, a new
      class of drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes. We did a prospective meta-analysis
      of the cardiovascular safety of albiglutide as stipulated by the US Food and Drug
      Administration recommendations for the assessment of new treatments for diabetes.
      METHODS: We did a meta-analysis of eight phase 3 trials and one phase 2b trial in
      which patients were randomly assigned to albiglutide, placebo, or active
      comparators (glimepiride, insulin glargine, insulin lispro, liraglutide,
      pioglitazone, or sitagliptin). The safety population included 5107 patients, of
      whom 2524 took albiglutide (4870 person-years) and 2583 took comparators (5213
      person-years). Possible major cardiovascular events were recorded prospectively
      and adjudicated by an independent endpoint committee masked to treatment
      allocation. The primary endpoint was a composite of first occurrence of major
      adverse cardiovascular events (ie, cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial
      infarction, or non-fatal stroke) or hospital admission for unstable angina.
      Secondary endpoints were major adverse cardiovascular events alone, all-cause
      mortality, silent myocardial infarction, hospital admission for heart failure,
      chest pain, other angina, and subdural or extradural haemorrhage. The occurrence
      of all other adverse events classified by the investigators as cardiovascular
      events were documented, but these were not adjudicated. FINDINGS: The primary
      endpoint was not significantly different between albiglutide and all comparators
      (58 events vs 58 events; hazard ratio [HR] 1.00, 95% CI 0.68-1.49, p=0.0019 for
      non-inferiority). Major adverse cardiovascular event alone was also not
      significantly different (52 events vs 53; HR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.65-1.49). When
      albiglutide was compared separately with placebo or active comparators, we noted
      no significant differences. We detected no significant differences in the other
      secondary endpoints. More patients had atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter in
      the albiglutide group (35 [1.4%] of 2524 patients; 8.6 events per 1000 patient
      years) than in the all-comparators group (16 [0.6%] of 2583 patients; 3.4 events
      per 1000 patient-years). INTERPRETATION: Cardiovascular events were not
      significantly more likely to occur with albiglutide than with all comparators.
      Because the upper bound of the 95% CI for major adverse cardiovascular event plus
      hospital admission for unstable angina was greater than 1.3, a dedicated study
      with a cardiovascular endpoint is underway to confirm the safety of albiglutide.
      FUNDING: GlaxoSmithKline.

PMID- 26276241
TI  - Cardiovascular safety of albiglutide and other glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor
      agonists.

PMID- 26276243
TI  - Langerhans cell histiocytosis of the cervical spine.

PMID- 26276244
TI  - Unusual cause of lumbar instability in a posttraumatic patient: bilateral pedicle
      fractures.

PMID- 26276245
TI  - A definition of modern contraceptive methods.

PMID- 26276246
TI  - Meaning-making matters in product design: users' sensory perceptions and
      experience evaluations of long-acting vaginal gels and intravaginal rings.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Users' sensory perceptions and experiences of intravaginal products
      can inform acceptability and adherence. Focusing on the meanings women derive
      from formulation/device characteristics facilitates developers' design iterations
      toward optimizing user experience. We investigated how users of long-acting gels
      and intravaginal rings (IVRs) impute meaning to characteristics that may affect
      future product use. STUDY DESIGN: Focus groups were conducted with contraceptive
      IVR and vaginal lubricant users. Current perceptibility science and historical
      theory on the cultural acceptability of fertility regulating methods informed the
      analysis. RESULTS: A total of 21 IVR users and 29 lubricant users attended focus
      groups in which they manipulated products in their hands and discussed reactions
      to product characteristics. Participants used prior product experiences and
      sensory perceptions of prototype manipulations to inform meanings about product
      properties and performance for pregnancy, disease prevention, comfort, and
      perceived efficacy. The meanings derived from product characteristics depended on
      why the product would be used; a characteristic deemed problematic in one risk
      context may be considered preferable in another. CONCLUSIONS: Intravaginal
      product users create narratives that ascribe influence or causality to product
      characteristics. These meanings, whether correct or incorrect biologically, will
      shape vaginal product acceptability, use, and effectiveness. IMPLICATIONS: Long
      acting and sustained-release drug delivery systems will be part of the
      multipurpose prevention continuum. Developers must consider how sensory
      experiences and culturally salient assumptions shape the meanings users make of
      product design characteristics. Those meanings will ultimately impact use and
      effectiveness.

PMID- 26276247
TI  - Association between retinal vasculature and muscle mass in older people.
AB  - Sarcopenia in older people is a major health issue and its early detection could
      help target interventions and improve health. Evidence suggests that poor muscle
      mass is associated with greater arterial stiffness and cardiovascular risk.
      Arterial stiffness in turn is associated with smaller retinal artery width. This
      study examined the association of muscle mass in older people with retinal
      vascular width, a non-invasive measure of vascular function. METHODS:
      Participants >65 years were recruited to a cross-sectional study. EXCLUSIONS:
      Inability to walk independently; diabetes mellitus; stroke (within 6 months),
      severe macular degeneration, glaucoma, retinal dystrophy; advanced cataract.
      Digital Retinal images of both eyes were analysed using the VAMPIRE software
      suite. Central Retinal Artery and Vein Equivalents (CRVE and CRAE) were measured.
      Body composition was measured using Dual Energy X ray Absorptimetry (DXA).
      Appendicular Skeletal Muscle Mass/Height(2) was calculated. Physical function was
      measured: 6-min walk distance, Short Physical performance battery, handgrip
      strength and quadriceps strength. RESULTS: 79 participants with mean age 72 (SD
      6) years were recruited. 44% were female. Digital Retinal images of sufficient
      quality for measuring CRAE and CRVE were available for 51/75 (68%) of
      participants. Regression analysis showed significant association between larger
      ASMM/H(2) and smaller CRAE (beta=-0.20, p=0.001) and CRVE (beta=-0.12, p=0.05).
      Handgrip strength, body mass index and sex combined with CRAE explained 88% and
      with CRVE explained 86% of the variance in ASMM/H(2). CONCLUSION: Larger muscle
      mass was significantly associated with smaller retinal artery size in older
      people. This unexpected finding needs further investigation.

PMID- 26276248
TI  - Recurrent frontal tumour in a patient with repeated craniotomies.

PMID- 26276249
TI  - Cross-cultural adaptation of the Malay version of the child self-report Health
      related Quality of Life Measure for Children with Epilepsy (CHEQOL-25) in
      Malaysia.

PMID- 26276250
TI  - LORETA indicates frequency-specific suppressions of current sources within the
      cerebrums of blindfolded subjects from patterns of blue light flashes applied
      over the skull.
AB  - An array of eight cloistered (completely covered) 470-nm LEDs was attached to the
      right caudal scalp of subjects while each sat blindfolded within a darkened
      chamber. The LEDs were activated by a computer-generated complex (frequency
      modulated) temporal pattern that, when applied as weak magnetic fields, has
      elicited sensed presences and changes in LORETA (low-resolution electromagnetic
      tomography) configurations. Serial 5-min on to 5-min off presentations of the
      blue light (10,000lx) resulted in suppression of gamma activity within the right
      cuneus (including the extrastriate area), beta activity within the left angular
      and right superior temporal regions, and alpha power within the right
      parahippocampal region. The effect required about 5min to emerge followed by a
      transient asymptote for about 15 to 20min when diminished current source density
      was evident even during no light conditions. Subjective experiences, as measured
      by our standard exit questionnaire, reflected sensations similar to those
      reported when the pattern was presented as a weak magnetic field. Given previous
      evidence that photon flux density of this magnitude can penetrate the skull,
      these results suggest that properly configured LEDs that generate physiologically
      patterned light sequences might be employed as noninvasive methods to explore the
      dynamic characteristics of cerebral activity in epileptic and nonepileptic
      brains. 

PMID- 26276252
TI  - Added release time in diffusion/dissolution coupled release.
AB  - While increasingly sophisticated models have been developed to more accurately
      predict dispersed solute release from complex systems, distillation of their
      results into quantitative trends has been difficult. Here, the numerically
      calculated release profiles of coupled diffusion/dissolution systems are
      quantified by their cumulative release time (CRT) and compared against
      corresponding diffusion-controlled limits. The increase in CRT due to a finite
      dissolution rate was found to vary inversely with the second Damkohler number
      across several orders of magnitude, and also vary linearly with the amount of
      solid drug loaded in the system. The analytical nature of the relationship
      provides new physical insights into the system and appears to be indifferent to
      the form of the secondary rate-limiting step. This work provides a simple
      analytical expression with which one can not only predict the mean release time
      for a given set of parameter values, but understand precisely how each parameter
      value will affect it. The simplicity of the correlation and the lack of apparent
      limits to its validity also suggest the existence of an analytical pathway for
      its derivation, which may yield additional insights into the effect of secondary
      rate processes on controlled release. 

PMID- 26276253
TI  - In-vivo evaluation of clindamycin release from glyceryl monooleate-alginate
      microspheres by NIR spectroscopy.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to use near-infrared (NIR) transmission
      spectroscopic technique to determine clindamycin plasma concentration after oral
      administration of clindamycin loaded GMO-alginate microspheres using rabbits as
      animal models. Lyophilized clindamycin-plasma standard samples at a concentration
      range of 0.001-10 MUg/ml were prepared and analyzed by NIR and HPLC as a
      reference method. NIR calibration model was developed with partial least square
      (PLS) regression analysis. Then, a single dose in-vivo evaluation was carried out
      and clindamycin-plasma concentration was estimated by NIR. Over 24 h time period,
      the pharmacokinetic parameters of clindamycin were calculated for the clindamycin
      loaded GMO-alginate microspheres (F3) and alginate microspheres (F2), and
      compared with the plain drug (F1). PLS calibration model with 7-principal
      components (PC), and 8000-9200 cm(-1) spectral range shows a good correlation
      between HPLC and NIR values with root mean square error of cross validation
      (RMSECV), root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP), and calibration
      coefficient (R(2)) values of 0.245, 1.164, and 0.9753, respectively, which
      suggests that NIR transmission technique can be used for drug-plasma analysis
      without any extraction procedure. F3 microspheres exhibited controlled and
      prolonged absorption Tmax of 4.0 vs. 1.0 and 0.5 h; Cmax of 2.37+/-0.3 vs. 3.81+/
      0.8 and 5.43+/-0.7 MUg/ml for F2 and F1, respectively. These results suggest that
      the combination of GMO and alginate (1:4 w/w) could be successfully employed for
      once daily clindamycin microspheres formulation which confirmed by low Cmax and
      high Tmax values.

PMID- 26276254
TI  - In vitro model of infected stratum corneum for the efficacy evaluation of
      poloxamer 407-based formulations of ciclopirox olamine against Trichophyton
      rubrum as well as differential scanning calorimetry and stability studies.
AB  - Superficial fungal skin infections are a common disease and concern 20-25% of the
      world's population with the dermatophyte Trichophyton rubrum being the main
      trigger. Due to autoinoculation, fungal skin infections of the feet (tinea pedis)
      often occur simultaneously with fungal nail infections (onychomycosis).
      Therefore, the overall objective was the development and characterisation of
      poloxamer 407-based formulations with the antimycotic active ingredient
      ciclopirox olamine (CPX) for simultaneous antifungal therapy. The formulations
      consisted of poloxamer 407, water, isopropyl alcohol, propylene glycol and medium
      chain triglycerides in given ratios. The in vitro antifungal efficacy against T.
      rubrum was tested in a novel in vitro model of infected stratum corneum in
      comparison to a marketed semi-solid formulation containing 1% (w/w) ciclopirox
      olamine and a marketed nail lacquer containing 8% ciclopirox. Several liquid
      poloxamer 407-based formulations with only 1% CPX completely inhibited fungal
      growth after 6 days of incubation, whereas the marketed semi-solid formulation
      did not inhibit fungal growth. Differential scanning calorimetry studies
      revealing the interaction between the formulations and the SC showed that
      increasing isopropyl alcohol/propylene glycol concentrations as well as
      increasing CPX concentrations caused increasing endothermic transition shifts.
      Moreover, stability studies at 30  degrees C exhibited only a slight decrease of
      the CPX amount after 12 months of storage. Each formulation contained >90% of the
      initial CPX concentration after termination of the stability studies.

PMID- 26276255
TI  - Impact of acoustic airflow on intrasinus drug deposition: New insights into the
      vibrating mode and the optimal acoustic frequency to enhance the delivery of
      nebulized antibiotic.
AB  - AIM: We investigated the impact of vibrating acoustic airflow, the high frequency
      (f>=100 Hz) and the low frequency (f<=45 Hz) sound waves, on the enhancement of
      intrasinus drug deposition. METHODS: (81m)Kr-gas ventilation study was performed
      in a plastinated human cast with and without the addition of vibrating acoustic
      airflow. Similarly, intrasinus drug deposition in a nasal replica using
      gentamicin as a marker was studied with and without the superposition of
      different modes of acoustic airflow. RESULTS: Ventilation experiments demonstrate
      that no sinus ventilation was observed without acoustic airflow although sinus
      ventilation occurred whatever the modes of acoustic airflow applied. Intrasinus
      drug deposition experiments showed that the high frequency acoustic airflow led
      to 4-fold increase in gentamicin deposition into the left maxillary sinus and to
      2-fold deposition increase into the right maxillary sinus. Besides, the low
      frequency acoustic airflow demonstrated a significant increase of 4-fold and 2
      fold in the right and left maxillary sinuses, respectively. CONCLUSION: We
      demonstrated the benefit of different modes of vibrating acoustic airflow for
      maxillary sinus ventilation and intrasinus drug deposition. The degree of
      gentamicin deposition varies as a function of frequency of the vibrating acoustic
      airflow and the geometry of the ostia.

PMID- 26276256
TI  - Matrix effects in nilotinib formulations with pH-responsive polymer produced by
      carbon dioxide-mediated precipitation.
AB  - Factors determining the pH-controlled dissolution kinetics of nilotinib
      formulations with the pH-titrable polymer hydroxypropyl methylcellulose
      phthalate, obtained by carbon dioxide-mediated precipitation, were
      mechanistically examined in acid and neutral environment. The matrix effect,
      modulating the drug dissolution, was characterized with a battery of
      physicochemical methodologies, including ToF-SIMS for surface composition,
      SAXS/WAXS and modulated DSC for crystallization characterization, and
      simultaneous UV-imaging and Raman spectroscopy for monitoring the dissolution
      process in detail. The hybrid particle formulations investigated consisted of
      amorphous nilotinib embedded in a polymer matrix in single continuous phase,
      displaying extended retained amorphicity also under wet conditions. It was
      demonstrated by Raman and FTIR spectroscopy that the efficient drug dispersion
      and amorphization in the polymer matrix were mediated by hydrogen bonding between
      the drug and the phthalate groups on the polymer. Simultaneous Raman and UV
      imaging studies of the effect of drug load on the swelling and dissolution of the
      polymer matrix revealed that high nilotinib load prevented matrix swelling on
      passage from acid to neutral pH, thereby preventing re-precipitation and re
      crystallization of incorporated nilotinib. These findings provide a mechanistic
      foundation of formulation development of nilotinib and other protein kinase
      inhibitors, which are now witnessing an intense therapeutic and industrial
      attention due to the difficulty in formulating these compounds so that efficient
      oral bioavailability is reached. 

PMID- 26276257
TI  - Biomimetic estimation of glucose using non-molecular and molecular imprinted
      polymer nanosponges.
AB  - The aim of the present work was to develop biomimetics for glucose estimation
      using molecularly and non-molecularly imprinted polymers of pyromellitic
      dianhydride crosslinked beta-cyclodextrin based nanosponges. The ionic
      association of glucose phosphate to nanosponges by polymerization reaction and
      removal of glucose created molecular imprinted polymer (MIP)-nanosponges with
      affinity for glucose binding. Particle size, zeta potential, glucose binding
      studies and FTIR were used to characterize molecular and non-molecular imprinted
      polymer (NIP) nanosponges. Particle size of the nanosponges was found in the
      range of 450.81+/-5.33 nm to 550.63+/-8.14 nm with low polydispersity index. MIP
      nanosponges retained a relatively large population of pores in the nano-range,
      while NIP was related to the nonporous materials with weak interaction and had
      poor tendency to aggregate. Nanosponges showed the variation in binding
      capacities and specificities; and also exhibited a similar degree of swelling.
      Moreover electrostatic force of attraction and cavities specific fitting of
      glucose in MIP-nanosponges might be due to advance selectivity and affinity for
      glucose. FTIR study showed glucose molecules might be entered into the selective
      binding cavities, which were created by the extraction of template molecules It
      is concluded that nanosized MIP-nanosponges have advantages over conventional NIP
      due to diffusion of template in the formed cavity as of its high surface area.

PMID- 26276258
TI  - Pectin/anhydrous dibasic calcium phosphate matrix tablets for in vitro controlled
      release of water-soluble drug.
AB  - Different pectin/anhydrous dibasic calcium phosphate (ADCP) matrix tablets have
      been developed in order to obtain controlled release of a water-soluble drug
      (theophylline). Swelling, buoyancy and dissolution studies have been carried out
      in different aqueous media (demineralized water, progressive pH medium, simulated
      gastric fluid, simulated intestinal fluid and simulated colonic fluid), to
      characterize the matrix tablets. When the pectin/ADCP ratio was >=0.26 (P1, P2,
      P3 and P4 tablets) a continuous swelling and low theophylline dissolution rate
      from the matrices were observed. So, pectin gel forming feature predominated over
      the ADCP properties, yielding pH-independent drug release behavior from these
      matrices. On the contrary, pectin/ADCP ratios <=0.11 (P5 and P6 tablets) allowed
      to achieve drug dissolution pH dependent. Consequently, the suitable selection of
      the pectin/ADCP ratio will allow to tailor matrix tablets for controlled release
      of water-soluble drugs in a specific manner in the gastrointestinal tract. 

PMID- 26276259
TI  - Optimization of pH-independent chronotherapeutic release of verapamil HCl from
      three-layer matrix tablets.
AB  - The aim of this work was to evaluate and optimize formulation of three-layer
      matrix tablets based on xanthan gum (XG) and sodium alginate for
      chronotherapeutic pH-independent release of verapamil HCl (VH). Artificial neural
      networks (ANN) were applied in the optimization and compared with multiple linear
      regression (MLR). A face-centered central composite experimental design was
      employed with three factors (mass fraction of VH in intermediate layer, X1, and
      of XG in matrix former of intermediate and outer layers, X2 and X3). The prepared
      tablets were tested for in vitro release in 0.1 N HCl and phosphate buffer (pH
      7.5), tensile strength and friability. Furthermore, swelling observation and
      release modeling to Weibull function and power law equation of Peppas were
      employed to help further understanding of release behavior and mechanism. The
      releases (%) in phosphate buffer (pH 7.5) at 6, 12 and 24 h were selected as
      responses to depict the mode of release and similarity factor (f2), between
      release profiles in 0.1N HCl and pH 7.5 during the first 8 h, as response of pH
      independence. A desirability function combining the four responses was
      constructed and overall desirability values were used for the ANN and MLR
      modeling. Five additional checkpoint formulations, within the experimental
      domain, were used to validate the external predictability of the models. The
      constructed ANN model fitted better to the overall desirability than the MLR
      model (R=0.838 vs. 0.670, for the additional checkpoint formulations) and
      therefore, was used for prediction of formulation with optimal in vitro drug
      release.

PMID- 26276260
TI  - Hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis arising in a patient with immunoglobulin
      G4-related disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis (HUV) has been defined as a
      syndrome associated with urticarial lesions caused by leukocytoclastic
      vasculitis. It has been observed in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
      and related conditions. Immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related disease is a
      lymphoproliferative disorder characterized by sclerosing pancreatitis,
      retroperitoneal fibrosis, sclerotic cholangitis, acute interstitial nephritis,
      and Mikulicz's disease, and associated with elevated levels of IgG4 and
      hypocomplementemia. Various cutaneous lesions may occur in IgG4-related disease.
      METHODS: We report a 74-year-old woman with HUV, followed by systemic organ
      involvement suggestive of IgG4-related disease. Symptoms included submandibular
      gland swelling, lymphadenopathy, interstitial nephritis, and a thyroid nodule.
      Laboratory examinations revealed an elevated serum IgG4 level of 637 mg/dl in a
      total IgG level of 2176 mg/dl, and the production of autoantibodies such as
      rheumatoid factor and antiphospholipid antibodies. In the swollen lymph node,
      neither clonal proliferation of T or B cells nor Epstein-Barr virus infection was
      detected, although the structure had been destroyed by the infiltration of
      lymphocytes and plasma cells. Among total IgG-producing cells, approximately 40%
      were positive for IgG4. RESULTS: All symptoms and abnormal laboratory findings
      improved in response to oral prednisolone. CONCLUSIONS: Hypocomplementemic
      urticarial vasculitis may represent a clinical symptom of IgG4-related disease.

PMID- 26276261
TI  - Discovery and verification of serum differential expression proteins for
      pulmonary tuberculosis.
AB  - Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is a chronic disease and has remained a severe
      threat to public health. Valuable biomarkers for improving the detection rate are
      crucial for controlling this disease. The purpose of this study was to discover
      potential biomarkers in sera from PTB patients compared with pneumonia patients
      and normal healthy controls. A total of 336 human serum specimens were enrolled
      in this study. Differentially expressed proteins were identified using iTRAQ
      method combining with MALDI-TOF-MS. Data was analyzed using relative
      bioinformatics methods. Potential biomarkers were further validated by IHC, ELISA
      and Western blot. As a result, 489 non-redundant proteins were identified in the
      sera, and 159 of which could be quantified by calculating their iTRAQ ratios.
      Compared to the controls, 26 differentially expressed proteins were recognized
      among PTB patients, including 16 overexpressed proteins and 10 downregulated
      proteins. Analysis of their functional interactions revealed that 12 proteins
      appeared in the center of the functional network. One of these key proteins, sex
      hormone binding globulin (SHBG), was found to be significantly elevated among PTB
      patients as compared with the controls examined by IHC, ELISA and Western blot.
      This result was consistent with the iTRAQ result. An independent blinded testing
      set to examine serum SHBG by ELISA achieved an accuracy of 78.74%, sensitivity of
      75.6% and specificity of 91.5% in diagnosing PTB. In summary, iTRAQ in
      combination with MALDI-TOF-MS technology can efficiently screen differentially
      expressed proteins in sera from the PTB patients. SHBG is suggested to be a
      possible and novel serum biomarker for PTB.

PMID- 26276262
TI  - Insulin resistance is associated with poorer verbal fluency performance in women.
AB  - AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Type 2 diabetes is an independent risk factor for cognitive
      decline. Insulin resistance occurring during midlife may increase the risk of
      cognitive decline later in life. We hypothesised that insulin resistance is
      associated with poorer cognitive performance and that sex and APOE*E4 might
      modulate this association. METHODS: The association of insulin resistance and
      APOE*E4 genotype on cognitive function was evaluated in a nationwide Finnish
      population-based study (n = 5,935, mean age 52.5 years, range 30-97 years). HOMA
      IR was used to measure insulin resistance. Cognitive function was tested by word
      list learning, word-list delayed-recall, categorical verbal fluency and simple
      and visual-choice reaction-time tests. Linear regression analysis was used to
      determine the association between HOMA-IR and the results of the cognitive tests.
      RESULTS: Higher HOMA-IR was associated with poorer verbal fluency in women (p <
      0.0001) but not in men (p = 0.56). Higher HOMA-IR was also associated with poorer
      verbal fluency in APOE*E4 -negative individuals (p = 0.0003), but not in APOE*E4
      carriers (p = 0.28). Furthermore, higher HOMA-IR was associated with a slower
      simple reaction time in the whole study group (p = 0.02).
      CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive,
      population-based study, including both young and middle-aged adults, to report
      that female sex impacts the association of HOMA-IR with verbal fluency. Our study
      was cross-sectional, so causal effects of HOMA-IR on cognition could not be
      evaluated. However, our results suggest that HOMA-IR could be an early marker for
      an increased risk of cognitive decline in women.

PMID- 26276263
TI  - Mast cells infiltrate pancreatic islets in human type 1 diabetes.
AB  - AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Beta cell destruction in human type 1 diabetes occurs through
      the interplay of genetic and environmental factors, and is mediated by immune
      cell infiltration of pancreatic islets. In this study, we explored the role of
      mast cells as an additional agent in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes
      insulitis. METHODS: Pancreatic tissue from donors without diabetes and with type
      1 and 2 diabetes was studied using different microscopy techniques to identify
      islet-infiltrating cells. The direct effects of histamine exposure on isolated
      human islets and INS-1E cells were assessed using cell-survival studies and
      molecular mechanisms. RESULTS: A larger number of mast cells were found to
      infiltrate pancreatic islets in samples from donors with type 1 diabetes,
      compared with those from donors without diabetes or with type 2 diabetes.
      Evidence of mast cell degranulation was observed, and the extent of the
      infiltration correlated with beta cell damage. Histamine, an amine that is found
      at high levels in mast cells, directly contributed to beta cell death in isolated
      human islets and INS-1E cells via a caspase-independent pathway.
      CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: These findings suggest that mast cells might be
      responsible, at least in part, for immune-mediated beta cell alterations in human
      type 1 diabetes. If this is the case, inhibition of mast cell activation and
      degranulation might act to protect beta cells in individuals with type 1
      diabetes.

PMID- 26276265
TI  - It's not just my fault: Neural correlates of feedback processing in solo and
      joint action.
AB  - People often coordinate their actions with others' in pursuit of shared goals,
      yet little research has examined the neural processes by which people monitor
      whether shared goals have been achieved. The current study compared event-related
      potentials elicited by feedback indicating joint errors (resulting from two
      people's coordinated actions) and individual errors (resulting from one's own or
      another person's observed actions). Joint errors elicited a reduced feedback
      related negativity (FRN) and P3a relative to own errors, and an enhanced FRN
      relative to observed errors. In contrast, P3b amplitudes did not differ between
      joint and individual errors. These findings indicate that producing errors
      together with a partner influences neural activity related to outcome evaluation
      but has less impact on activity related to the motivation to adapt future
      behaviour.

PMID- 26276264
TI  - Trends and patterns in the use of computed tomography in children and young
      adults in Catalonia - results from the EPI-CT study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although there are undeniable diagnostic benefits of CT scanning, its
      increasing use in paediatric radiology has become a topic of concern regarding
      patient radioprotection. OBJECTIVE: To assess the rate of CT scanning in
      Catalonia, Spain, among patients younger than 21 years old at the scan time.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a sub-study of a larger international cohort study
      (EPI-CT, the International pediatric CT scan study). Data were retrieved from the
      radiological information systems (RIS) of eight hospitals in Catalonia since the
      implementation of digital registration (between 1991 and 2010) until 2013.
      RESULTS: The absolute number of CT scans annually increased 4.5% between 1991 and
      2013, which was less accentuated when RIS was implemented in most hospitals.
      Because the population attending the hospitals also increased, however, the rate
      of scanned patients changed little (8.3 to 9.4 per 1,000 population). The
      proportions of patients with more than one CT and more than three CTs showed a
      1.51- and 2.7-fold increase, respectively, over the 23 years. CONCLUSION: Gradual
      increases in numbers of examinations and scanned patients were observed in
      Catalonia, potentially explained by new CT scanning indications and increases in
      the availability of scanners, the number of scans per patient and the size of the
      attended population.

PMID- 26276266
TI  - Does Faux Pas Detection in Adult Autism Reflect Differences in Social Cognition
      or Decision-Making Abilities?
AB  - 43 typically-developed adults and 35 adults with ASD performed a cartoon faux pas
      test. Adults with ASD apparently over-detected faux pas despite good
      comprehension abilities, and were generally slower at responding. Signal
      detection analysis demonstrated that the ASD participants had significantly
      greater difficulty detecting whether a cartoon depicted a faux pas and showed a
      liberal response bias. Test item analysis demonstrated that the ASD group were
      not in agreement with a reference control group (n = 69) about which non-faux pas
      items were most difficult. These results suggest that the participants with ASD
      had a primary problem with faux pas detection, but that there is another factor
      at work, possibly compensatory, that relates to their choice of a liberal
      response criterion.

PMID- 26276267
TI  - Analysis of expression patterns of IGF-1, caspase-3 and HSP-70 in developing
      human tooth germs.
AB  - AIMS: To analyze expression patterns of IGF-1, caspase-3 and HSP-70 in human
      incisor and canine tooth germs during the late bud, cap and bell stages of
      odontogenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Head areas or parts of jaw containing teeth
      from 10 human fetuses aged between 9th and 20th developmental weeks were
      immunohistochemically analyzed using IGF-1, active caspase-3 and HSP-70 markers.
      Semi-quantitative analysis of each marker's expression pattern was also
      performed. RESULTS: During the analyzed period, IGF-1 and HSP-70 were mostly
      expressed in enamel organ. As development progressed, expression of IGF-1 and HSP
      70 became more confined to differentiating tissues in the future cusp tip area,
      as well as in highly proliferating cervical loops. Few apoptotic bodies highly
      positive to active caspase-3 were observed in enamel organ and dental papilla
      from the cap stage onward. However, both enamel epithelia moderately expressed
      active caspase-3 throughout the investigated period. CONCLUSIONS: Expression
      patterns of IGF-1, active caspase-3 and HSP-70 imply importance of these factors
      for early human tooth development. IGF-1 and HSP-70 have versatile functions in
      control of proliferation, differentiation and anti-apoptotic protection of
      epithelial parts of human enamel organ. Active caspase-3 is partially involved in
      formation and apoptotic removal of primary enamel knot, although present findings
      might reflect its ability to perform other non-death functions such as
      differentiation of hard dental tissues secreting cells and guidance of ingrowth
      of proliferating cervical loops.

PMID- 26276268
TI  - Stages in third molar development and eruption to estimate the 18-year threshold
      Malay juvenile.
AB  - Age 18 years is considered as the age of majority by most countries. To ascertain
      the age of interest, both third molar development (TMD) and eruption (TME)
      staging scores are beneficial without needing multiple imaging modalities. This
      study aimed to assess the chronological course of TMD and TME in a Malay sub
      adult population and evaluate predictions when specific stage(s) of TMD and TME
      have been attained that are pertinent to the age group of interest (<18 years or
      >=18 years). A sample of 714 digital panoramic images for subjects stratified by
      age between 14.1 and 23.9 years was retrospectively collected. The techniques
      described by Gleiser and Hunt (modified by Kohler) and Olze were employed to
      stage TMD and TME, respectively. A binary logistic regression was performed to
      predict the 18-year threshold with staging score as predictors. Stages 4-6 (TMD)
      and A-B (TME) for males and stages 4 (TMD) and A (TME) for females were found to
      discriminate the <18-year group. For both genders, stages 9-10 (TMD) and D (TME)
      can be used as reference stages to estimate whether a subject is likely to be
      >=18 years, with 94.74-100% and 85.88-96.38% correct predictions, respectively.
      Stages 4 (TMD) and A (TME) can also be used to identify juveniles (<18 years)
      with a high degree of correct predictions, 100%. The juvenility of an individual
      is easily anticipated by using the specific staging scores of both third molar
      variables (TMD and TME) without complex calculations. 

PMID- 26276269
TI  - Immunohistochemical expression of CD56 in dog (Canis familiaris) odontogenesis.
AB  - AIM: To investigate the expression of CD56 in dog odontogenesis in order to
      elucidate the expression found in ameloblastomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Immunohistochemical analysis of CD56 expression of developing dog teeth in the
      bud, cap and bell stages including the remnants of the dental lamina. RESULTS:
      Weak CD56 expression was observed in the dental epithelium during the bud stage
      with intense staining of certain peripheral epithelial cells. Positive staining
      of epithelial cells was also observed in the cap stage with intense staining of
      the inner enamel epithelium at this stage. During the bell stage the staining was
      concentrated on the cervical loop areas. The dental papilla revealed positive
      staining throughout the cap and bell stages while the dental follicle stained
      intensely positive throughout all the phases examined. The dental lamina and
      Serres rests also stained positive for CD56. CONCLUSIONS: The expression of CD56
      in dog odontogenic tissue varies according to the stage of tooth development.
      There is a positive correlation between the positive staining observed in
      ameloblastomas and their odontogenic cells of origin.

PMID- 26276270
TI  - Potential role of differentially expressed lncRNAs in the pathogenesis of oral
      squamous cell carcinoma.
AB  - Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have recently attracted more attention about the
      role in a broad range of biological processes and complex cancers. We aimed to
      identify differentially expressed lncRNAs that play an important role in the
      pathogenesis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Microarray data GSE25099
      consisting of 57 samples from patients with OSCC and 22 normal samples were
      downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus database. Differentially expressed genes
      (DEGs) and lncRNAs were identified between OSCC samples and control using samr
      package in R and noncoder software. Co-expression network was constructed for
      lncRNAs and candidate target DEGs, followed by functional and pathway enrichment
      analysis using the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated
      Discovery online tool. OSCC-related genes were screened by Genetic-Association-DB
      Database analysis, and then protein-protein interaction (PPI) network
      construction of OSCC-related and co-expressed genes. Bioinformatic analysis
      revealed that there were 998 DEGs and 160 differentially expressed lncRNAs
      between OSCC and normal control. We found LOC100130547, FTH1P3, PDIA3F and
      GTF2IRD2P1 targeted most of DEGs. Predicted targets-related functional annotation
      showed significant changes in inflammation-related functions and Toll-like
      receptor signaling pathway. By further conducting PPI network with lncRNA co
      expressed DEGs, we found that OSCC-associated genes including MMP1 (matrix
      metallopeptidase), MMP3, MMP9, PLAU (plasminogen activator, urokinase) and IL8
      (interleukin 8) were targeted by FTH1P3, PDIA3F and GTF2IRD2P1. Our results
      indicate that lncRNAs FTH1P3, PDIA3F and GTF2IRD2P1 may responsible for
      progression and metastasis of OSCC via targeting MMP1, MMP3, MMP9, PLAU and IL8
      which are key regulators of tumorigenesis. 

PMID- 26276271
TI  - The association between social capital and quality of life among type 2 diabetes
      patients in Anhui province, China: a cross-sectional study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To investigate the association between social capital and quality of
      life among type 2 diabetes patients in Anhui province, China. METHODS: In a cross
      sectional study, 436 adults with type 2 diabetes were interviewed. The two
      domains of Quality of life, physical component summary (PCS) and mental component
      summary (MCS), were measured using the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). A
      modified instrument scale was used to measure cognitive and structural social
      capital. Multiple logistic regression models were used to assess the associations
      between social capital and quality of life, adjusting for social economic status
      and risk factors for health. RESULTS: 24.3 % of participants (106) were in poor
      PCS and 25.0 % (109) in poor MCS. The proportions of participants who had low
      cognitive and structural social capital were 47.0 % (205) and 64.4 % (281),
      respectively. Results of logistic regression models showed that cognitive social
      capital was positively associated with PCS (OR = 1.84; 95 % CI: 1.12, 3.02) and
      MCS (OR = 1.65; 95 % CI: 1.03, 2.66). However, the associations between
      structural social capital and PCS (OR = 0.80, 95 % CI: 0.48, 1.34) and MCS (OR =
      0.62; 95 % CI: 0.38, 1.01) were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: It is
      the first study in China to investigate associations between quality of life and
      social capital in type 2 diabetes. Findings document that cognitive social
      capital is associated with the quality of life of type 2 diabetes patients. Our
      study suggests that the social capital theory may provide a new approach to
      increase physical resources in diabetes prevention and control, especially in Low
      and Middle Income countries (LMICs).

PMID- 26276272
TI  - Impact of renal function deterioration on adverse events during anticoagulation
      therapy using non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants in patients with
      atrial fibrillation.
AB  - Renal function is crucial for patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation
      (NVAF) using non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOAC). The incidence
      of renal function deterioration during anticoagulation therapy and its impact of
      adverse events are unknown. In 807 consecutive NVAF patients treated with NOAC
      and with estimated creatinine clearance (eCCr) >= 50 ml/min (mean age 68 +/- 11
      years, mean CHADS2 score = 1.8 +/- 1.4, CHA2DS2-VASc score = 2.8 +/- 1.8, HAS
      BLED score = 1.7 +/- 1.1), we analyzed the time course of renal function and
      clinical outcomes, and compared these with the data of general Japanese
      inhabitants from the Suita Study (n = 2140). Of the 807 patients, 751 (93 %)
      maintained eCCr >= 50 ml/min (group A) whereas the remaining 56 (7 %) fell into
      the eCCr < 50 ml/min (group B) during the 382 +/- 288 days of follow-up.
      Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that advanced age, lower body
      weight, and congestive heart failure were independent predictors for renal
      function deterioration in patients with eCCr >= 50 ml/min at baseline. Major
      and/or minor bleedings were more commonly observed in group B than in group A (21
      vs. 8 %; P = 0.0004). The CHADS2, CHA2DS2-VASc, and HAS-BLED scores were also
      significant predictors of renal function deterioration (P < 0.0001). The
      incidences of renal function deterioration were 1.4, 3.4, 10.5 and 11.7 % in
      patients with CHADS2 score of 0, 1, 2 and >=3, respectively. As to CHA2DS2-VASc
      score, renal function deterioration occurred in 0, 1.7, 9.8 and 15.0 % with a
      score of 0, 1-2, 3-4 and >=5, respectively. In the Suita Study of the general
      population, on the other hand, 122 of 2140 participants with eCCr >= 50 ml/min at
      baseline (5.7 %) fell into the eCCr < 50 ml/min during about 2 years. The
      incidence of renal function deterioration increased with the CHADS2 score in the
      general population as well as in our patients. Renal function deterioration was
      not uncommon and was associated with more frequent adverse events including major
      bleeding in NVAF patients with anticoagulation therapy. CHADS2, CHA2DS2-VASc, and
      HAS-BLED scores may be useful as an index of predicting renal function
      deterioration. 

PMID- 26276273
TI  - Carbazole hydroxylation by the filamentous fungi of the Cunninghamella species.
AB  - Nitrogen heterocyclic compounds, especially carbazole, quinolone, and pyridine
      are common types of environmental pollutants. Carbazole has a toxic influence on
      living organisms, and the knowledge of its persistence and bioconversion in
      ecosystems is still not complete. There is an increasing interest in
      detoxification of hazardous xenobiotics by microorganisms. In this study, the
      ability of three filamentous fungi of the Cunninghamella species to eliminate
      carbazole was evaluated. The Cunninghamella elegans IM 1785/21Gp and
      Cunninghamella echinulata IM 2611 strains efficiently removed carbazole. The IM
      1785/21Gp and IM 2611 strains converted 93 and 82 % of the initial concentration
      of the xenobiotic (200 mg L(-1)) after 120 h incubation. 2-Hydroxycarbazole was
      for the first time identified as a carbazole metabolite formed by the filamentous
      fungi of the Cunninghamella species. There was no increase in the toxicity of the
      postculture extracts toward Artemia franciscana. Moreover, we showed an influence
      of carbazole on the phospholipid composition of the cells of the tested
      filamentous fungi, which indicated its harmful effect on the fungal cell
      membrane. The most significant modification of phospholipid levels after the
      cultivation of filamentous fungi with the addition of carbazole was showed for IM
      1785/21Gp strain.

PMID- 26276274
TI  - Pesticide authorization in the EU-environment unprotected?
AB  - Pesticides constitute an integral part of high-intensity European agriculture.
      Prior to their authorization, a highly elaborated environmental risk assessment
      is mandatory according to EU pesticide legislation, i.e., Regulation (EC) No.
      1107/2009. However, no field data-based evaluation of the risk assessment
      outcome, i.e., the regulatory acceptable concentrations (RACs), and therefore of
      the overall protectiveness of EU pesticide regulations exists. We conducted here
      a comprehensive meta-analysis using peer-reviewed literature on agricultural
      insecticide concentrations in EU surface waters and evaluated associated risks
      using the RACs derived from official European pesticide registration documents.
      As a result, 44.7 % of the 1566 cases of measured insecticide concentrations
      (MICs) in EU surface waters exceeded their respective RACs. It follows that
      current EU pesticide regulations do not protect the aquatic environment and that
      insecticides threaten aquatic biodiversity. RAC exceedances were significantly
      higher for insecticides authorized using conservative tier-I RACs and for more
      recently developed insecticide classes, i.e., pyrethroids. In addition, we
      identified higher risks, e.g., for smaller surface waters that are specifically
      considered in the regulatory risk assessment schemes. We illustrate the
      shortcomings of the EU regulatory risk assessment using two case studies that
      contextualize the respective risk assessment outcomes to field exposure. Overall,
      our meta-analysis challenges the field relevance and protectiveness of the
      regulatory environmental risk assessment conducted for pesticide authorization in
      the EU and indicates that critical revisions of related pesticide regulations and
      effective mitigation measures are urgently needed to substantially reduce the
      environmental risks arising from agricultural insecticide use.

PMID- 26276275
TI  - UCP2- and non-UCP2-mediated electric current in eukaryotic cells exhibits
      different properties.
AB  - Using live eukaryotic cells, including cancer cells, MCF-7 and HCT-116, normal
      hepatocytes and red blood cells in anode and potassium ferricyanide in cathode of
      MFC could generate bio-based electric current. Electrons and protons generated
      from the metabolic reaction in both cytosol and mitochondria contributing to the
      leaking would mediate the generation of electric current. Both resveratrol (RVT)
      and 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) used to induce proton leak in mitochondria were found
      to promote electric current production in all cells except red blood cells
      without mitochondria. Proton leak might be important for electric current
      production by bringing the charge balance in cells to enhance the further
      electron leak. The induced electric current by RVT can be blocked by Genipin, an
      inhibitor of UCP2-mediated proton leak, while that induced by DNP cannot. RVT
      could reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) level in cells better than that of
      DNP. In addition, RVT increased mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), while DNP
      decreased it. Results highly suggested the existence of at least two types of
      electric current that showed different properties. They included UCP2-mediated
      and non-UCP2-mediated electric current. UCP2-mediated electric current exhibited
      higher reactive oxygen species (ROS) reduction effect per unit electric current
      production than that of non-UCP2-mediated electric current. Higher UCP2-mediated
      electric current observed in cancer cells might contribute to the mechanism of
      drug resistence. Correlation could not be established between electric current
      production with either ROS and MMP without distinguishing the types of electric
      current. 

PMID- 26276277
TI  - Physiological responses in roots of the grapevine rootstock 140 Ruggeri subjected
      to Fe deficiency and Fe-heme nutrition.
AB  - Iron (Fe)-heme containing fertilizers can effectively prevent Fe deficiency. This
      paper aims to investigate root physiological responses after a short period of Fe
      heme nutrition and Fe deficiency under two pH conditions (with or without HEPES)
      in the Fe chlorosis-tolerant grapevine rootstock 140 Ruggeri. Organic acids in
      root exudates, Fe reduction capacity, both roots and root exudates contributions,
      together with other physiological parameters associated to plant Fe status were
      evaluated in plants grown in hydroponics. Analyses of root tips by SEM, and Raman
      and IR spectra of the precipitates of Fe-heme fertilizers were performed. The
      physiological responses adopted by the tolerant 140 Ruggeri to the application of
      Fe-heme indicated an increased Fe reduction capacity of the roots. This is the
      first report showing oxalic, tartaric, malic and ascorbic as major organic acids
      in Vitis spp. root exudates. Plants reacted to Fe deficiency condition exuding a
      higher amount of ascorbic acid in the rhizosphere. The presence of HEPES in the
      medium favoured the malic acid exudation. The lowest concentration of oxalic acid
      was found in exudates of plants subjected to Fe-heme and could be associated to a
      higher accumulation in their root tips visualized by SEM analysis. 

PMID- 26276276
TI  - Dissipation of the fungicide hexaconazole in oil palm plantation.
AB  - Hexaconazole is a potential fungicide to be used in the oil palm plantation for
      controlling the basal stem root (BSR) disease caused by Ganoderma boninense.
      Therefore, the dissipation rate of hexaconazole in an oil palm agroecosystem
      under field conditions was studied. Two experimental plots were treated with
      hexaconazole at the recommended dosage of 4.5 g a.i. palm(-1) (active ingredient)
      and at double the recommended dosage (9.0 g a.i. palm(-1)), whilst one plot was
      untreated as control. The residue of hexaconazole was detected in soil samples in
      the range of 2.74 to 0.78 and 7.13 to 1.66 mg kg(-1) at the recommended and
      double recommended dosage plots, respectively. An initial relatively rapid
      dissipation rate of hexaconazole residues occurred but reduced with time. The
      dissipation of hexaconazole in soil was described using first-order kinetics with
      the value of coefficient regression (r (2) > 0.8). The results indicated that
      hexaconazole has moderate persistence in the soil and the half-life was found to
      be 69.3 and 86.6 days in the recommended and double recommended dosage plot,
      respectively. The results obtained highlight that downward movement of
      hexaconazole was led by preferential flow as shown in image analysis. It can be
      concluded that varying soil conditions, environmental factors, and pesticide
      chemical properties of hexaconazole has a significant impact on dissipation of
      hexaconazole in soil under humid conditions.

PMID- 26276278
TI  - Using a systematic review in clinical decision making: a pilot parallel,
      randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests that systematic reviews are used infrequently by
      physicians in clinical decision-making. One proposed solution is to create
      filtered resources so that information is validated and refined in order to be
      read quickly. Two shortened systematic review formats were developed to enhance
      their use in clinical decision-making. METHODS: To prepare for a full-scale
      trial, we conducted a pilot study to test methods and procedures in order to
      refine the processes. A recruitment email was sent to physicians practicing full-
      or part-time in family medicine or general internal medicine. The pilot study
      took place in an online environment and eligible physicians were randomized to
      one of the systematic review formats (shortened or full-length) and instructed to
      read the document. Participants were asked to provide the clinical bottom line
      and apply the information presented to a clinical scenario. Participants' answers
      were evaluated independently by two investigators against "gold standard" answers
      prepared by an expert panel. RESULTS: Fifty-six clinicians completed the pilot
      study within a 2-month period with a response rate of 4.3 %. Agreement between
      investigators in assessing participants' answers was determined by calculating a
      kappa statistic. Two questions were assessed separately, and a kappa statistic
      was calculated at 1.00 (100 % agreement) for each. CONCLUSIONS: Agreement between
      investigators in assessing participants' answers is satisfactory. Although
      recruitment for the pilot study was completed in a reasonable time-frame,
      response rates were low and will require large numbers of contacts. The results
      indicate that conducting a full-scale trial is feasible. TRIAL REGISTRATION:
      ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02414360 .

PMID- 26276279
TI  - Andrographolide effect on both Plasmodium falciparum infected and non infected
      RBCs membranes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore whether its antiplasmodium effect of andrographolide is
      attributed to its plausible effect on the plasma membrane of both Plasmodium
      falciparum infected and non-infected RBCs. METHODS: Anti-plasmodium effect of
      andrographolide against Plasmodium falciparum strains was screened using the
      conventional malaria drug sensitivity assay. The drug was incubated with
      uninfected RBCs to monitor its effect on their morphology, integrity and osmotic
      fragility. It was incubated with the plasmodium infected RBCs to monitor its
      effect on the parasite induced permeation pathways. Its effect on the potential
      of merozoites to invade new RBCs was tested using merozoite invasion assay.
      RESULTS: It showed that at andrographolide was innocuous to RBCs at
      concentrations approach its therapeutic level against plasmodia. Nevertheless,
      this inertness was dwindled at higher concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: In spite of
      its success to inhibit plasmodium induced permeation pathway and the potential of
      merozoites to invade new RBCs, its anti-plasmodium effect can't be attributed to
      these functions as they were attained at concentrations higher than what is
      required to eradicate the parasite. Consequently, other mechanisms may be
      associated with its claimed actions.

PMID- 26276280
TI  - Immunogenicity and efficacy of recombinant 78 kDa antigen of Leishmania donovani
      formulated in various adjuvants against murine visceral leishmaniasis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analyze the protective efficacy of recombinant 78 kDa antigen of
      Leishmania donovani in combination with two adjuvants, that is, cationic
      liposomes or MPL-A against visceral leishmaniasis in BALB/c mice. METHODS: The
      genomic DNA of promastigotes was isolated and 583 bp of T cell epitopes of gene
      encoding 78 kDa was amplified using specific primers. The amplified gene was
      cloned into pET28c, transformed into Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) and got
      expressed after IPTG induction. The recombinant protein was then purified using
      Ni-NTA and named r78. Three groups of mice were immunized with 10 MUg of r78 plus
      MPL-A, r78 encapsulated in positively charged liposomes and control animals
      immunized with PBS. Two booster doses were given with the respective vaccine at
      an interval of 2 weeks each. Mice were challenged with 1 * 10(7)Leishmania
      promastigotes and sacrificed on different post infection/challenge days. RESULTS:
      Immunization with r78 along with MPL-A and liposome-encapsulated r78 brought a
      significant reduction in parasite load. In comparison to the infected controls,
      the parasite load declined by 96.2% in mice immunized with r78 plus MPL-A and
      97.23% in animals immunized with liposome-encapsulated r78. The immunized animals
      also exhibited profound DTH response. The serum antibody responses increased from
      15 to 90 days post infection/challenge. Immunized animals showed greater IgG2a
      levels and lesser IgG1 levels in comparison to the infected controls. The
      splenocytes from immunized mice were cultured, stimulated with r78 and analyzed
      for cytokine profile. The levels of IL-2 and IFN-gamma were greater in immunized
      animals as compared to control mice. CONCLUSIONS: The study proves that r78 in
      combination with suitable adjuvants is a potential vaccine candidate and may be
      instrumental in control of visceral leishmaniasis.

PMID- 26276281
TI  - Oral administration of Sauce lloron extract to growing lambs to control
      gastrointestinal nematodes and Moniezia spp.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore anthelmintic effects of oral administration of aqueous
      extract of Sauce lloron (Salix babylonica; SB) against gastrointestinal nematodes
      and Moniezia spp. METHODS: Sixteen Pelibuey male lambs of 3-4 months of age and
      (23.7 +/- 3.3) kg body weight were used in a completely randomized design to be
      fed a total mixed ration (Control; SB0), or Control plus SB extract using 20
      (SB20), 40 (SB40) and 60 (SB60) mL/lamb(/)day for 45 days. Lambs had a natural
      gastrointestinal nematodes and Moniezia spp. infection and had never been treated
      with chemical anthelmintic drugs. Individual faecal samples were collected for
      ova counting using McMaster procedure after 0, 7, 14, 21, 30 and 45 days post
      extract administration. RESULTS: No extract dose * day interactions for both
      gastrointestinal nematodes and Moniezia spp. egg count were found. Administration
      of SB extract had a higher effect (quadratic effect, P = 0.006 4) at dose of 20
      mL SB/lamb/day for gastrointestinal nematode eggs during the first 21 days;
      however, the dose of SB40 tended (linear effect, P = 0.089 7) to be more
      effective than the others for Moniezia spp. egg during the first 7 days. Sampling
      day had a linear (P = 0.043 6) effect on Moniezia spp. egg count. CONCLUSIONS:
      The aqueous extract of SB could be more effective against nematodes at 20 and at
      40 mL/lamb/day for Moniezia spp. The use of the SB extract could represent a
      promising alternative to synthetic anthelmintics for the treatment of
      gastrointestinal nematodes and Moniezia spp. in small ruminants from organic and
      conventional production systems.

PMID- 26276282
TI  - Hepatoprotective and proapoptotic effect of Ecballium elaterium on CCl4-induced
      hepatotoxicity in rats.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of perorally administered juice on
      tetrachloromethane (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity model in rats. METHODS: Male
      Wistar rats were tube-administrated silymarin, Ecballium juice at 0.2 mL/kg and
      0.7 mL/kg daily for 3 consequent days, i.e., 3.28 MUg and 11.48 MUg of
      cucurbitacin B per kg of body weight respectively. On the third day, liver damage
      was induced by intraperitoneal application of CCl4. On the fourth day, abdominal
      cavity was macroscopically examined and liver samples were taken for
      histopathological and immunochemical evaluation. HPLC was used to determine the
      content of the active substance cucurbitacin B. RESULTS: The experiment revealed
      that 0.7 ml/kg juice concentration expressed the highest pro-apoptotic activity,
      but with prevailing negative effects. Compared with the lower concentration,
      there was an observable vasodilatation with consequent interstitial hemorrhages
      and a larger scope of inflammatory damage, which suppressed the hepatoprotective
      effect. In the 0.2 mL/kg concentration, there was a smaller pro-apoptotic
      activity but other parameters had better results, and the liver parenchyma damage
      was reversible. CONCLUSIONS: No reactions confirming the potentially allergic
      effect on laboratory rats were observed; its hepatoprotective and anti
      inflammatory effect was confirmed on a model of acute liver damage.

PMID- 26276283
TI  - Evaluation of protective effect of cactus pear seed oil (Opuntia ficus-indica L.
      MILL.) against alloxan-induced diabetes in mice.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the in vitro antioxidant power of cactus pear seed oil
      [Opuntia ficus-indica L. MILL. (CPSO)] and its protective effect against
      chemically induced diabetes mellitus in mice. METHODS: The in vitro antioxidant
      effect of CPSO was evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)
      scavenging assay. The preventive effect was conducted on Swiss albino mice
      treated with CPSO (2 mL/kg, per os), before and after a single intraperitoneal
      alloxan administration (100 mg/kg). Survival rate, body weight and fasting blood
      glucose were measured and histopathological analysis of pancreas was performed to
      evaluate alloxan-induced tissue injuries. RESULTS: CPSO exhibited an antioxidant
      effect in DPPH scavenging assay. Moreover, the administration of CPSO (2 mL/kg)
      significantly attenuated alloxan-induced death and hyperglycemia (P < 0.001) in
      treated mice. Morphometric study of pancreas revealed that CPSO significantly
      protected islets of langerhans against alloxan induced-tissue alterations.
      CONCLUSIONS: Based on theses results, CPSO can prevente alloxan-induced-diabetes
      by quenching free radicals produced by alloxan and inhibiting tissue injuries in
      pancreatic beta-cells.

PMID- 26276284
TI  - Antimicrobial activity and synergism of Sami-Hyanglyun-Hwan with ciprofloxacin
      against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the antibacterial activity of SHH extracted with either
      water or ethanol against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and
      combinatory antimicrobial effect with ciprofloxacin (CIP) by time kill assay and
      checkerboard dilution test. METHODS: The antibacterial activity determined by
      broth dilution method indicated that the antibacterial activity of Sami-Hyanglyun
      Hwan (SHH) water extract (SHHW) and SHH ethanol extract (SHHE) ranged from 250 to
      2000 MUg/mL and 125 to 1000 MUg/mL against MRSA, respectively. RESULTS: In the
      checkerboard method, the combinations of SHHE with CIP had a partial synergistic
      or synergistic effect against MRSA. The time-kill curves showed that a combined
      SHHE and CIP treatment reduced the bacterial counts dramatically after 24 h.
      CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrates the therapeutic ability of SHHE
      against MRSA infections.

PMID- 26276285
TI  - Role of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus during the 2011 dengue fever epidemics
      in Hanoi, Vietnam.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To record the human cases of dengue fever (DF) and investigate the
      Aedes mosquito species circulating during the Hanoi 2011 DF epidemics. METHODS:
      24 different outbreak points were recorded in 8 districts between August and
      December 2011. RESULTS: 140 patients were hospitalized following dengue
      diagnostic with a predominance of males (59.3%) and the 15-34 age class. Only
      DENV-1 (11.27%) and DENV-2 (88.73%) serotypes were detected in human samples.
      Mosquito sampling performed in and around patients households revealed the
      predominance of Aedes aegypti (A. aegypti) (95.15%) versus Aedes albopictus
      (4.85%). CONCLUSIONS: There is a positive correlation between the population
      density of A. aegypti and the number of human cases and duration of outbreaks.
      This was not observed for Aedes albopictus. Three pools of A. aegypti were
      positive with dengue virus, two with DENV-1 and one with DENV-2.

PMID- 26276286
TI  - Sero-prevalence and associated risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infection among
      pregnant women attending antenatal care at Felege Hiwot Referral Hospital,
      northwest Ethiopia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of toxoplasmosis and to assess the
      possible risk factors associated with the infection among pregnant women
      attending antenatal care center at Felege Hiwot Referral Hospital, Bahir Dar
      town, northwest Ethiopia. METHODS: A hospital based cross-sectional study was
      designed to determine the prevalence of toxoplasmosis among pregnant women. Three
      hundred eighty four serum samples were collected from November 2013 to January
      2014. Data on socio-demographic and predisposing factors were collected from each
      study participant with simple random sampling technique. The serum samples were
      examined for anti-Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) antibodies using latex
      agglutination test. RESULTS: The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii among the
      pregnant women was 18.5%. All of T. gondii positive cases found to be positive
      only for IgG antibody. Significant association was observed between
      seroprevalence and presence of domestic cats [AOR = 2.85, 95% CI: 1.66-4.90, P =
      0.000], consumption of raw or undercooked meat [AOR = 1.98, 95% CI: 1.15-2.43, P
      = 0.014] and history of abortion [AOR = 2.47, 95% CI: 1.40-4.34, P = 0.002]. No
      significant association was observed between seroprevalence and socio-demographic
      characters, gestational age, gravidity, consumption of raw vegetable, and blood
      transfusion. CONCLUSIONS: The seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis among pregnant
      women in Bahir Dar town was relatively high. Presence of domestic cats at home
      and consumption of raw or undercooked meat were identified as main risk factors
      for T. gondii infection. Therefore, health education towards avoiding eating raw
      or undercooked meat and avoiding contact with cats are recommended for prevention
      of miscarriage or defects during pregnancy.

PMID- 26276287
TI  - Effect of PDGF-Rb antagonist imatinib on endometrial injury repairing in mouse
      model.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of PDGF-Rb antagonists imatinib on endometrial
      injury repairing in the mouse model. METHODS: The cultured MSCs cells from male
      mice were marked with BrdU in vitro, and then transplanted to the female mice
      which suffered from radiation injury through tail vein, PDGF-Rb antagonists
      imatinib was injected through abdominal cavity. Four groups were arranged, which
      were radiation transplantation group, normal control group, imatinib intervention
      group and radiation control group. BrdU incorporation, SRY expression and MVD
      status were detected in uterus of mice. RESULTS: SRY gene was negative expressed
      in normal control group and radiation control group. SRY gene presented positive
      in radiation transplantation group and imatinib intervention group; BrdU
      incorporation showed negative in radiation control group and normal control group
      which died in the early stage in mice; the incorporation of BrdU was higher in
      radiation transplantation group compared with imatinib intervention group; CD34
      was positive on the uterus of all the four groups, which showed highest in
      radiation control group and lowest in radiation control group; The MVD in
      imatinib intervention group was lower than radiation control group; the
      difference of MVD was significantly compared with normal control group (P <
      0.05). CONCLUSIONS: PDGF-Rb antagonists imatinib could inhibit the repairing
      function of MSCs in the endometrial lesions in mice.

PMID- 26276288
TI  - Anti-tumor effect of LTA combined with 5-FU on H22 tumor bearing mice.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of lipoteichoic acid (LTA) and 5-FU on the
      expression of caspase-3, EGFR, TGF-alpha proteins of tumor tissue of H22 cancer
      bearing mice and its anti-tumor mechanism. METHODS: A total of 40 SPF grade
      Kunming mice were selected to establish H22 liver cancer model, and then the mice
      were divided into 4 groups at random with ten mice in each group. Group A was
      given saline lavage treatment, Group B was treated with 5-FU by intraperitoneal
      injection, Group C was treated with LTA by lump body injection; Group D was
      treated with LTA by lump body injection and 5-FU by intraperitoneal injection.
      Two weeks after the treatment, the mice in each group were executed and the tumor
      tissue was stripping and weighted, and the tumor growth inhibition ratio was
      calculated. Then the tumor tissue was processed for conventional embedding,
      sectioned to observe the expression of caspase-3, EGFR, TGF-alpha by
      immunohistochemical staining method. RESULTS: The tumor inhibitory rate o f Group
      D was significantly higher than Groups B and C (P < 0.05); B, the tumor
      inhibitory rate o f Group B had no statistical difference compared with Group C
      (P > 0.05). The IDO values of TGF-alpha, EGFR proteins in Groups B, C, D mice
      tumor tissue were significantly lower than that in group A (P < 0.05); while IDO
      value of caspase-3 in Groups B, C, D group mice tumor tissue was significantly
      higher than that in Group A (P < 0.05). The IDO value of TGF-alpha, EGFR in Group
      D mice tumor tissue were significantly lower than that in Groups B and C; While
      IDO value of aspase-3 in Group D was significantly higher than that in Groups B
      and C (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: LTA combined with 5-FU can effectively inhibit the
      tumorigenesis of H22 tumor bearing mice, increase the caspase-3 protein
      expression, inhibit TGF-alpha and EGFR protein expression, further promote tumor
      cell apoptosis and play a synergistic antitumor effect.

PMID- 26276289
TI  - Effect of subarachnoid nerve block anesthesia on glutamate transporter GLAST and
      GLT-1 expressions in rabbits.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of subarachnoid nerve block anesthesia on
      glutamate transporter glutamate-aspartate transporter (GLAST) and GLT-1
      expressions in rabbits, and to investigate the effect of peripheral nerve
      anesthesia on the morphology and function of the spinal cord. METHODS: Twenty
      healthy New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into two groups: the
      experimental group and control group; with 10 rabbits in each group. For spinal
      nerve anesthesia, 5 g/L of bupivacaine was used in the experimental group, and
      sterile saline was used in the control group. After 30 min of cardiac perfusion,
      GLAST and GLT-1 protein expression in spinal neurons were detected by
      immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: GLAST and GLT-1
      protein-positive cells increased in neurons in the experimental group, compared
      with the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: After subarachnoid nerve block
      anesthesia, rabbit glutamate transporter GLAST and GLT-1 expression is increased;
      and spinal cord nerve cell function is inhibited.

PMID- 26276290
TI  - Relationship between gene polymorphisms and prostate cancer risk.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between genetic factor and prostate
      cancer (Pca) risk and the possible cause in it. METHODS: The polymorphisms of
      cytochrome P450 family 17 (CYPl7) rs743572, p27 V109G and androgen receptor (AR)
      gene CAG repeat length in peripheral blood from 70 cases and 70 controls were
      detected through the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length
      polymorphism technique or short tandem repeat-polymerase chain reaction
      technique. Then, according to the results of case-control study, the recombinant
      plasmids containing the wild/mutant p27 gene were constructed and transfected Pca
      LNcap cells. After 24 and 72 h of transfection, the cell proliferative activity
      was determined by MTT method, cell cycle distribution and apoptosis was detected
      by flow cytometry, and the expression level of bcl-2, caspase-3 and p27 protein
      was determined by Western-blot. RESULTS: In three target polymorphisms, only p27
      V109G polymorphism was related to Pca risk (P = 0.030, OR = 0.202, 95% CI = 0.042
      0.973). Pca risk of p27-109G allele was lower than -109V allele (P = 0.006, OR =
      0.285, 95% CI = 0.110-0.737). Cells transfected with wild/mutant p27 gene both
      showed the higher cells apoptosis rate and the lower cell proliferative activity
      than mock cells (P < 0.05 or 0.01), the regulatory effect of mutant p27 on cell
      proliferation and apoptosis was stronger than the wild p27 (P < 0.05).
      CONCLUSIONS: p27-109G allele that could cause higher p27 protein expression than 
      109V allele in LNcap cells, maybe is the protective factor of Pca.

PMID- 26276291
TI  - Expression of transferrin in hematoma brain tissue at different stages after
      intra cerebral hemorrhage in rats.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the expression of transferrin (Tf) and transferrin receptor
      (TfR) in hematoma brain tissue at different stage after intracerebral hemorrhage
      (ICH) in rats. METHODS: ICH rats model were established by collagenase method,
      and rats were sacrificed at 24 h, 72 h, 7 d and 14 d after operation. The levels
      of Tf and TfR in different periods of rats were detected by immunohistochemical
      method, and correlation between two groups was analyzed. RESULTS: Tf, TfR
      positive cells at each time after operation in observation group were
      significantly higher than that in control group (P < 0.05). Tf, TfR-positive
      cells began to increase from 24 h after the operation and reached the peak 72 h-7
      d after surgery, but then gradually decreased. Tf was mainly expressed in nucleus
      and cytoplasm of neurons and glial cells around the hematoma, but TfR was mainly
      expressed in nucleus and cytoplasm of neurons and choroid plexus endothelial
      cells. Correlation analysis showed that the Tf-positive cell was significantly
      positively correlated with TfR-positive cell expression (r = 0.447, P = 0.022).
      CONCLUSIONS: Tf and TfR were important transporters in brain tissue excessive
      load iron transport after ICH, and detecting the expression levels of the two
      indicators can provide a reference for prognosis treatment in ICH.

PMID- 26276292
TI  - Effect of salinomycin on metastasis and invasion of bladder cancer cell line T24.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of salinomycin on the metastasis and invasion of
      bladder cancer cell line T24 by regulating the related protein expression in the
      process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and to provide experimental
      basis for the treatment of urological tumors. METHODS: The bladder cancer cell
      line T24 was cultured in vitro. The rat bladder tumor model was established in
      vivo. The rats were randomized into two groups, among which the rats in the
      experiment group were given intraperitoneal injection of salinomycin, while the
      rats in the control group were given intraperitoneal injection of normal saline.
      The change of tumor cells in the two groups was observed. Transwell was used to
      detect the cell migration and invasion abilities, Real-time PCR was used to
      detect the expression of mRNA, while Western-blot was utilized for the
      determination of the expressions of E-cadherin and vimentin proteins. RESULTS:
      The metastasis and invasion abilities of serum bladder cancer cell line T24 after
      salinomycin treatment in the experiment group were significantly reduced when
      compared with those in the control group, and the tumor metastasis lesions were
      decreased from an average of 1.59 to 0.6 (P < 0.05). T24 cell proliferation in
      the experiment group was gradually decreasing. T24 cell proliferation at 48 h was
      significantly lower than that at 12 h and 24 h (P < 0.05). T24 cell proliferation
      at 24 h was significantly lower than that at 12 h (P < 0.05). T24 cell
      proliferation at each timing point in the experiment group was significantly
      lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The serum mRNA level and E
      cadherin expression in the tumor tissues in the experiment group were
      significantly higher than those in the control group, while vimentin expression
      level was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05).
      CONCLUSIONS: Salinomycin can suppress the metastasis and invasion of bladder
      cancer cells, of which the mechanism is probably associated with the inhibition
      of EMT of tumor cells.

PMID- 26276294
TI  - Risk factors of polycystic ovarian syndrome among Li People.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the relevant risk factors of polycystic ovarian syndrome
      (PCOS) of Li People so as to provide basis for early diagnosis and treatment of
      PCOS. METHODS: With case-control study method, 285 cases of PCOS of Li People
      were as recruited case group, and 580 cases of non-PCOS of female Li People as
      control group. Questionnaire was adopted to collect data regarding risk factors
      of PCOS, then the risk factors of PCOS was searched by univariate and
      multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis showed that the risk
      factors of PCOS included in menstrual cycle disorder (OR = 5.824), bad mood (OR =
      2.852), family history of diabetes (OR = 7.008), family history of infertility
      (OR = 11.953), menstrual irregularity of mother (OR = 2.557) and lack of physical
      exercise (OR = 1.866). CONCLUSIONS: To target the high risk factors of menstrual
      cycle disorder, family history of diabetes, family history of infertility, family
      history of diabetes, bad mood and lack of physical exercise of female population,
      we should implement early screen, diagnose and treatment of POCS in order to
      reduce the incidence rate of PCOS and improve prognosis of PCOS.

PMID- 26276293
TI  - Influence of overexpression of SOCS2 on cells of DN rat.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the influence and mechanism of overexpression of SOCS2 on
      diabetic nephropathy (DN) rats and cells. METHODS: STZ was used to induce male SD
      rats and SOCS2 was injected into left renal vein. Rats were divided into DN
      group, DN-Ad-null group and DN-Ad-SOCS2 group. Glucose with high and normal
      concentration was used to culture HBZY-1 cells and then transfect Ad-SOCS2. HG
      group, HG-Ad-null group, HG-Ad-SOCS2 group, CG group, CG-Ad-null group, and CG-Ad
      SOCS2 group were created. The expression of inflammatory cytokines (MCP-1, TNF
      alpha and IL-6) in kidney tissue of rats, fibrosis related protein (FN, Collagen
      IV and TGF-beta) in kidney tissue and cells of rats, and JAK/STAT signaling
      pathway related proteins (p-JAK2 and p-STAT3) were tested by western blot. ELISA
      was used to test the expression of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha and IL-6) in
      cells. RESULTS: The expression of inflammatory cytokines in DN rats (MCP-1, TNF
      alpha and IL-6) and cell (TNF-alpha and IL-6) were increased (P < 0.01)
      significantly. However, SOCS2 could decrease the overexpression of mediated
      inflammatory cytokines in DN animal models and cell models (P < 0.01). The
      expression of fibrosis related protein in DN rats and cells increased while SOCS2
      decreased the overexpression of mediated fibrosis related protein in DN model
      rats and cells (P < 0.01). The expression of JAK/STAT pathway related protein in
      both DN rats and cells increased and the JAK/STAT signaling pathway was
      activated. Yet, SOCS2 obviously suppressed the expression of the JAK/STAT
      signaling pathway as well as the related proteins (p-JAK2 and p-STAT3) in both DN
      rats and cells. CONCLUSIONS: The overexpression of SOCS2 can decrease the
      expression of inflammatory cytokines and fibrosis related proteins in DN rats and
      cells, and meanwhile suppress the activation of JAK/STAT signaling pathway
      mediated by DN.

PMID- 26276295
TI  - [News in sport's cardiology: too much sport harmful for the heart?].
AB  - Essentials moderate and regular physical activity is beneficial at any age and
      whatever medical and surgical history. His practice must always be encouraged.
      The practice of a sport competition has no additional health benefit. The signs
      of athlete's heart may exit standards, we must know them to prevent against
      abusive indications. In some typically male subjects a priori predisposed
      veterans and often a sport, especially too intensive endurance can be harmful to
      the cardiovascular system. Orthostatic intolerance and atrial fibrillation are
      the most frequent, the decrease of sport is justified. Current scientific
      evidence is not sufficiently substantiated to routinely advising against an
      intense sport endurance. However, after 60years it should prevent the sporting
      potential risks of too intensive sports practice and discourage him practice with
      a competitive spirit.

PMID- 26276296
TI  - [Do weather and seasons influence our heart?].
AB  - There are numerous publications about impact of meteo, seasons and pollution on
      cardiovascular diseases. Cardiovascular diseases, in particular myocardial
      infarction and heart failure, have been consistently more frequent during winter
      in the northern and southern hemisphere. Chronic exposure to air pollution
      influences the development of atherosclerosis and increases the risk for coronary
      artery disease. There is a positive association between short-term increase in
      gaseous components with the risk of hospitalization or death from congestive
      heart failure. The considerable impact on health care service warrants a
      comprehensive approach to cardiovascular disease management.

PMID- 26276297
TI  - [Optimal duration of anticoagulant treatment after venous thromboembolic
      disease].
AB  - Determination of the optimal duration of anticoagulant treatment for venous
      thromboembolic disease (VTED) is a major step in the management of patients with
      this disease. The assessment depends on the identification of two sets of risk
      factors: those for recurrence after anticoagulant treatment is stopped and those
      for hemorrhage in cases of prolonged treatment. Nonetheless, the determination of
      the optimal duration remains controversial. Recent data finally make it possible
      to clarify this decision. Recent treatment trials demonstrate that patients at
      high risk of recurrence receive no sustained benefit from a prolonged but limited
      anticoagulant treatment. In other words, the choice is simplified: either the
      risk is low, and treatment for 3months is sufficient, or the risk is high, and
      treatment must be envisioned for an unlimited duration. Adequate identification
      of patients eligible for short or unlimited treatment is more crucial than ever
      and depends on the presence of determinant clinical variables, as the information
      from laboratory or morphologic tests is generally marginal. The risk of
      thromboembolic recurrence is low when the initial episode is triggered by a major
      reversible factor, and a short treatment of 3months is thus indicated. These
      inducing factors are mainly surgery, lower limb injuries, immobilization for a
      medical condition, pregnancy, or use of combined estrogen-progestin
      contraceptives. Among patients with VTED not induced by these factors, the risk
      of recurrence is high and requires planning anticoagulant treatment for an
      unlimited duration. Nonetheless, the risk of hemorrhage is a major constraint to
      such unlimited treatment. Accordingly, the perspectives for secondary prevention
      that is equally effective but has a lower risk of hemorrhage are currently under
      evaluation. Finally, patients with cancer are in a separate category, with a very
      high risk of recurrence that justifies treatment for at least 6months.

PMID- 26276298
TI  - Metallic mercury use by South African traditional health practitioners:
      perceptions and practices.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mercury is a toxic metal however its use in traditional healthcare
      systems remains widespread. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence
      of mercury use by South African Traditional Health Practitioners (THP) and to
      document reasons for use and administration methods. METHODS: A cross-sectional
      study design was employed. A total of 201 THPs were enrolled from two main
      metropolitan areas of KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa), and 198 were included in the
      final analysis. Information on demographic characteristics, reasons for using or
      not using mercury as well as mercury administration methods were collected.
      RESULTS: Of the 198 THPs, 78 (39%) used mercury for healing purposes and 74 (95%)
      of the mercury users stated that they were taught to use it by another THP. The
      two main routes of administration were oral and sub-cutaneous implantations
      (ukugcaba) at 85% (n = 66) and 59% (n = 46), respectively. The most common
      responses for mercury administration were for child birth (n = 70; 90%) and
      protection against guns (n = 39; 50%). CONCLUSION: This is the first study to
      describe the prevalence and practice of mercury use in South African traditional
      medicine. Socio-cultural mercury use is a potential source of exposure to both
      THPs and their patients. In light of such findings, public education messages and
      regulatory measures need to be effected.

PMID- 26276299
TI  - Mapping system for portal placement in laparoscopic procedures of small animals.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Current recommendations for portal placement in laparoscopy are often
      imprecise. The aim of this study was to establish and evaluate a mapping system
      for portal placement during laparoscopic procedures in small animals. Sixty-four
      final-year veterinary students took part in this in papyro study. Descriptions of
      portal placements of two recent veterinary laparoscopic papers were randomly
      chosen as templates. The students performed portal placement based either on the
      description in the papers or based on the orthogonal mapping system for portal
      placement developed by the authors in a previous pilot study. The participants
      were randomly divided into two groups and asked to virtually chart positions of
      the portals on two photographs of a dog's abdomen. Group A (n = 31) placed the
      portals using the mapping system, and Group B (n = 33) placed the portals based
      on the explanations provided in two randomly selected studies. RESULTS: Group A
      achieved an overall correct placement rate of 94.91 % (87.1-100.0 %) with an
      overall mean distance of 1.31 mm (0.00-3.61 mm) from the desired placement
      points. Group B achieved an overall correct placement rate of 40.8 % (3.1-93.3 %)
      with an overall mean distance of 16.97 mm (7.17-27.63 mm) from the desired
      placement points. The students in Group A performed significantly better than did
      students in Group B (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Use of the mapping system
      significantly improved correct portal placement in a dog photograph model. Use of
      such systems in laparoscopy may help facilitate correct portal placement and
      improve the repeatability of procedures, especially for the novice surgeon.

PMID- 26276300
TI  - The Glass Houses of Attending Surgeons: An Assessment of Unprofessional Behavior
      on Facebook Among Practicing Surgeons.
AB  - PURPOSE: Our recent publication demonstrated that unprofessional behavior on
      Facebook is common among surgical residents. In the formulation of standards and
      curricula to address this issue, it is important that surgical faculty lead by
      example. Our current study refocuses on the Facebook profiles of faculty surgeons
      involved in the education of general surgery residents. METHODS: The American
      College of Surgeons (ACS) web site was used to identify general surgery
      residencies located in the Midwest. Departmental web sites were then searched to
      identify teaching faculty for the general surgery residency. Facebook was then
      searched to determine which faculty had profiles available for viewing by the
      general public. Profiles were then placed in 1 of the 3 following categories:
      professional, potentially unprofessional, or clearly unprofessional. STATISTICAL
      ANALYSIS: A chi-square test was used to determine significance. RESULTS: In all,
      57 residency programs were identified on the ACS web site, 100% of which provided
      an institutional web site listing the surgical faculty. A total of 758 general
      surgery faculty were identified (133 women and 625 men), of which 195 (25.7%) had
      identifiable Facebook accounts. In all, 165 faculty (84.6%) had no unprofessional
      content, 20 (10.3%) had potentially unprofessional content, and 10 (5.1%) had
      clearly unprofessional content. Inter-rater reliability was good (88.9%
      agreement, kappa = 0.784). Clearly unprofessional behavior was found only in male
      surgeons. For male surgeons, clearly unprofessional behavior was more common
      among those in practice for less than 5 years (p = 0.031). Alcohol and politics
      were the most commonly found variables in the potentially unprofessional group.
      Inappropriate language and sexually suggestive material were the most commonly
      found variables in the clearly unprofessional group. CONCLUSIONS: Unprofessional
      behavior on Facebook is less common among surgical faculty compared with surgical
      residents. However, the rates remain unacceptably high, especially among men and
      those in practice for less than 5 years. Education on the dangers of social media
      should not be limited to residents but should instead be extended to attending
      surgeons as well.

PMID- 26276301
TI  - Development of a PROficiency-Based StePwise Endovascular Curricular Training
      (PROSPECT) Program.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Focus on patient safety, work-hour limitations, and cost-effective
      education is putting pressure to improve curricula to acquire minimally invasive
      techniques during surgical training. This study aimed to design a structured
      training program for endovascular skills and validate its assessment methods.
      DESIGN: A PROficiency-based StePwise Endovascular Curricular Training (PROSPECT)
      program was developed, consisting of e-learning and hands-on simulation modules,
      focusing on iliac and superficial femoral artery atherosclerotic disease.
      Construct validity was investigated. Performances were assessed using multiple
      choice questionnaires, valid simulation parameters, global rating scorings, and
      examiner checklists. Feasibility was assessed by passage of 2 final-year medical
      students through this PROSPECT program. SETTING: Ghent University Hospital, a
      tertiary clinical care and academic center in Belgium with general surgery
      residency program. PARTICIPANTS: Senior-year medical students were recruited at
      Ghent University Hospital. Vascular surgeons were invited to participate during
      conferences and meetings if they had performed at least 100 endovascular
      procedures as the primary operator during the last 2 years. RESULTS: Overall, 29
      medical students and 20 vascular surgeons participated. Vascular surgeons
      obtained higher multiple-choice questionnaire scores (median: 24.5-22.0 vs. 15.0
      12.0; p < 0.001). Students took significantly longer to treat any iliac or
      femoral artery stenosis (3.3-14.8 vs. 5.8-30.1min; p = 0.001-0.04), whereas in
      more complex cases, fluoroscopy time was significantly higher in students (8.3
      vs. 21.3min; p = 0.002; 7.3 vs. 13.1min; p = 0.03). In all cases, vascular
      surgeons scored higher on global rating scorings (51.0-42.0 vs. 29.5-18.0; p <
      0.001) and examiner checklist (81.5-75.0 vs. 54.5-43.0; p < 0.001). Hence,
      proficiency levels based on median expert scores could be determined. There were
      2 students who completed the program and passed for each step within a 3-month
      period during their internships. CONCLUSIONS: A feasible and construct validated
      surgical program to train cognitive, technical, and nontechnical endovascular
      skills was developed. A structured, stepwise, proficiency-based valid
      endovascular program to train cognitive, technical, and human factor skills has
      been developed and proven to be feasible. A randomized controlled trial has been
      initiated to investigate its effect on performances in real life, patient
      outcomes, and cost-effectiveness.

PMID- 26276302
TI  - Graduating Students' and Surgery Program Directors' Views of the Association of
      American Medical Colleges Core Entrustable Professional Activities for Entering
      Residency: Where are the Gaps?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Residency program directors have increasingly expressed concern about
      the preparedness of some medical school graduates for residency training. The
      Association of American Medical Colleges recently defined 13 core entrustable
      professional activities (EPAs) for entering residency that residents should be
      able to perform without direct supervision on the first day of training. It is
      not known how students' perception of their competency with these activities
      compares with that of surgery program directors'. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey.
      SETTING: All surgery training programs in the United States. PARTICIPANTS: All
      program directors (PDs) in the Association of Program Directors in Surgery (APDS)
      database (n = 222) were invited to participate in an electronic survey, and 119
      complete responses were received (53.6%). Among the respondents, 83% were men and
      35.2% represented community hospital programs. PDs' responses were compared with
      questions asking students to rate their confidence in performance of each EPA
      from the Association of American Medical Colleges Graduation Questionnaire (95%
      response). RESULTS: PDs rated their confidence in residents' performance without
      direct supervision for every EPA significantly lower when compared with the
      rating by graduating students. Although PDs' ratings continued to be lower than
      students' ratings, PDs from academic programs (those associated with a medical
      school) gave higher ratings than those from community programs. PDs generally
      ranked all 13 EPAs as important to being a trustworthy physician. PDs from
      programs without preliminary residents gave higher ratings for confidence with
      EPA performance as compared with PDs with preliminary residents. Among PDs with
      preliminary residents, there were equal numbers of those who agreed and those who
      disagreed that there are no identifiable differences between categorical and
      preliminary residents (42.7% and 41.8%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: A large gap
      exists between confidence in performance of the 13 core EPAs for entering
      residency without direct supervision for graduating medical students and surgery
      program directors. Both the groups identified several key areas for improvement
      that may be addressed by medical school curricular interventions or expanding
      surgical boot camps in hopes to improve resident performance and patient safety.

PMID- 26276303
TI  - Wearable Technology for Global Surgical Teleproctoring.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: In underserved communities around the world, inguinal hernias
      represent a significant burden of surgically-treatable disease. With traditional
      models of international surgical assistance limited to mission trips, a
      standardized framework to strengthen local healthcare systems is lacking. We
      established a surgical education model using web-based tools and wearable
      technology to allow for long-term proctoring and assessment in a resource-poor
      setting. This is a feasibility study examining wearable technology and web-based
      performance rating tools for long-term proctoring in an international setting.
      METHODS: Using the Lichtenstein inguinal hernia repair as the index surgical
      procedure, local surgeons in Paraguay and Brazil were trained in person by
      visiting international expert trainers using a formal, standardized teaching
      protocol. Surgeries were captured in real-time using Google Glass and transmitted
      wirelessly to an online video stream, permitting real-time observation and
      proctoring by mentoring surgeon experts in remote locations around the world. A
      system for ongoing remote evaluation and support by experienced surgeons was
      established using the Lichtenstein-specific Operative Performance Rating Scale.
      RESULTS: Data were collected from 4 sequential training operations for surgeons
      trained in both Paraguay and Brazil. With continuous internet connectivity, live
      streaming of the surgeries was successful. The Operative Performance Rating Scale
      was immediately used after each operation. Both surgeons demonstrated proficiency
      at the completion of the fourth case. CONCLUSIONS: A sustainable model for
      surgical training and proctoring to empower local surgeons in resource-poor
      locations and "train trainers" is feasible with wearable technology and web-based
      communication. Capacity building by maximizing use of local resources and
      expertise offers a long-term solution to reducing the global burden of surgically
      treatable disease.

PMID- 26276304
TI  - Innovation in Pediatric Surgical Education for General Surgery Residents: A
      Mobile Web Resource.
AB  - BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: General surgery residents lack a standardized educational
      experience in pediatric surgery. We hypothesized that the development of a mobile
      educational interface would provide general surgery residents broader access to
      pediatric surgical education materials. METHODS: We created an educational mobile
      website for general surgery residents rotating on pediatric surgery, which
      included a curriculum, multimedia resources, the Operative Performance Rating
      Scale (OPRS), and Twitter functionality. Residents were instructed to consult the
      curriculum. Residents and faculty posted media using the Twitter hashtag,
      #UCLAPedSurg, and following each surgical procedure reviewed performance via the
      OPRS. Site visits, Twitter posts, and OPRS submissions were quantified from
      September 2013 to July 2014. RESULTS: The pediatric surgery mobile website
      received 257 hits; 108 to the homepage, 107 to multimedia, 28 to the syllabus,
      and 19 to the OPRS. All eligible residents accessed the content. The Twitter
      hashtag, #UCLAPedSurg, was assigned to 20 posts; the overall audience reach was
      85 individuals. Participants in the mobile OPRS included 11 general surgery
      residents and 4 pediatric surgery faculty. CONCLUSION: Pediatric surgical
      education resources and operative performance evaluations are effectively
      administered to general surgery residents via a structured mobile platform.

PMID- 26276305
TI  - Glasgow Antipsychotic Side-effects Scale for Clozapine - Development and
      validation of a clozapine-specific side-effects scale.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The authors developed and validated a clozapine-specific side-effects
      scale capable of eliciting the subjectively unpleasant side-effects of clozapine.
      METHODS: Questions from the original Glasgow Antipsychotic Side-effects Scale
      (GASS) were compared to a list of the most commonly reported clozapine side
      effects and those with a significant subjective burden were included in the GASS
      for Clozapine (GASS-C). The original authors of the GASS and a group of mental
      health professionals from the UK and Ireland were enlisted to comment on the
      questions in the GASS-C based on their clinical experience. 110 clozapine
      outpatients from two sites completed the GASS-C, the original GASS and a repeat
      GASS-C. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS for Windows version 19.
      RESULTS: The GASS-C was shown to have construct validity, in that Spearman's
      correlation coefficient was 0.816 (p<0.001) with the original GASS, whilst
      Cohen's kappa coefficient was >0.77 (p<0.001) for one question and >0.81
      (p<0.001) for remaining relevant questions. GASS-C was also shown to have strong
      test-retest reliability, in that Cronbach's alpha coefficient was >0.907
      (p<0.001), whilst Cohen's kappa coefficient was >0.81 (p<0.001) for 12 questions
      and >0.61 (p<0.001) for the remaining four questions. CONCLUSION: The GASS-C is a
      valid and reliable clinical tool to enable a systematic assessment of the
      subjectively unpleasant side-effects of clozapine. Future research should focus
      on how the scale can be utilised as a clinical tool to improve real-world
      outcomes such as adherence to clozapine therapy and quality of life.

PMID- 26276306
TI  - Social defeat predicts paranoid appraisals in people at high risk for psychosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The experience of social defeat may increase the risk of developing
      psychotic symptoms and psychotic disorders. We studied the relationship between
      social defeat and paranoid appraisal in people at high risk for psychosis in an
      experimental social environment created using Virtual Reality (VR). METHOD: We
      recruited UHR (N=64) participants and healthy volunteers (N=43). Regression
      analysis was used to investigate which baseline measures predicted paranoid
      appraisals during the VR experience. RESULTS: At baseline, UHR subjects reported
      significantly higher levels of social defeat than controls (OR=.957, (CI) .941
      .973, p<.000). Following exposure to the VR social environment, the UHR group
      reported significantly more paranoid appraisals than the controls (p<.000).
      Within the UHR sample, paranoid appraisals were predicted by the level of social
      defeat at baseline, as well as by the severity of positive psychotic and
      disorganised symptoms. CONCLUSION: In people who are at high risk of psychosis, a
      history of social defeat is associated with an increased likelihood of making
      paranoid appraisals of social interactions. This is consistent with the notion
      that social defeat increases the risk of developing psychosis.

PMID- 26276307
TI  - Meta-analysis of data from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium and additional
      samples supports association of CACNA1C with risk for schizophrenia.
AB  - Recently, numerous genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified
      numerous risk loci for schizophrenia, but follow-up studies are still essential
      to confirm those results. Therefore, we followed up on top GWAS hits by
      genotyping implicated loci in additional schizophrenia family samples from our
      own collection. Five-hundred thirty-six Asian families (comprising 1633 members
      including 698 schizophrenics) were genotyped in this study. We analyzed 12 single
      nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in strongly implicated candidate genes revealed
      by GWASs and their follow-up studies. We then used meta-analysis to combine our
      results with those of the Schizophrenia Working Group of the Psychiatric Genomics
      Consortium (PGC). In our newly genotyped samples, there were no significant
      associations of any of the 12 candidate SNPs with schizophrenia; however, all
      genome-wide significant results from the schizophrenia PGC analysis were
      maintained after combination with our new data by meta-analysis. One SNP
      (rs4765905 in CACNA1C) showed a stronger effect and decreased p-value (5.14e-17)
      after meta-analysis relative to the original PGC results, with no significant
      between-study heterogeneity. The findings of this study support the significant
      results in the PGC, especially for CACNA1C. The sample size in our study was
      considerably smaller than that in the PGC-SCZ study; thus, the weights carried by
      our samples in the meta-analysis were small. Therefore, our data could not vastly
      reduce PGC association signals. However, we considered that the well replicated
      results from the PGC hold up in our new samples, and may suggest that the top
      hits from the PGC are generalizable, even to other ancestral groups. 

PMID- 26276308
TI  - Outcomes of lung cancer resection for patients with combined pulmonary fibrosis
      and emphysema.
AB  - PURPOSE: Combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE) has recently been
      reported as a prognostic factor that may increase the risk of lung cancer for
      patients with respiratory disorders; however, there have been no reports
      published on mortality and morbidity following major lung resection for patients
      with CPFE. METHODS: The subjects of this retrospective study were 1507 patients
      who underwent surgical resection of lung cancer at our institute between 2008 and
      2013. We reviewed the computed tomography findings and divided the patients into
      four groups: CPFE group, fibrosis group, emphysema group, and normal group. The
      surgical outcomes of the patients with CPFE were compared with those of the
      patients in the other groups. RESULTS: The CPFE group comprised 137 (10.0 %)
      patients. This group had worse surgical morbidity and mortality rates than either
      the fibrosis group or the emphysema group. The 90-day mortality rates for the
      CPFE, fibrosis, and emphysema groups were 7.3, 0, and 3.0 %, respectively. A
      multivariate analysis of the CPFE group revealed that the distribution of IIP (HR
      13.29, p = 0.038) and blood loss (ml) (HR 1.001, p = 0.013) predicted the hazard
      ratio for 90-day mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The postoperative outcome of patients
      with CPFE in this study was poor with respect to morbidity and mortality. The
      high rate of complications and poor survival warrants further investigation of
      the indications for surgery in patients with CPFE.

PMID- 26276309
TI  - Reduction of oxidative stress by an ethanolic extract of leaves of Piper betle
      (Paan) Linn. decreased methotrexate-induced toxicity.
AB  - Methotrexate (MTX), a folate antagonist, is currently used as first line therapy
      for autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis, but its use is
      limited by the associated hepatotoxicity. As leaves of Piper betle, belonging to
      family Piperaceae, have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, the present
      study was undertaken to investigate the potential of Piper betle leaf extract
      (PB) in attenuating MTX-induced hepatotoxicity. Rats pre-treated with PB (50 or
      100 mg kg(-1) b.w., p.o.) were administered with a single dose of MTX (20 mg kg(
      1), b.w., i.p.) and its hepatoprotective efficacy was compared with folic acid (1
      mg kg(-1) b.w., i.p.), conventionally used to minimize MTX-induced toxicity. MTX
      induced hepatotoxicity was confirmed by increased activities of marker enzymes,
      alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase which were
      remitted by pre-treatment with PB and corroborated with histopathology.
      Additionally, MTX-induced hepatic oxidative stress which included increased
      generation of reactive oxygen species, enhanced lipid peroxidation, depleted
      levels of glutathione and decreased activities of antioxidant enzymes was
      effectively mitigated by PB, indicative that its promising antioxidant-mediated
      hepatoprotective activity was worthy of future pharmacological consideration. 

PMID- 26276310
TI  - NF45 overexpression is associated with poor prognosis and enhanced cell
      proliferation of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
AB  - NF45, also referred to as nuclear factor of activated T cells, has been reported
      to promote the progression of multiple cancer types. However, the expression and
      physiological significance of NF45 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC)
      remain largely elusive. In this study, we investigated the clinical relevance and
      potential role of NF45 expression in PDAC development. Western blot analysis
      revealed that NF45 was remarkably upregulated in PDAC tissues, compared with the
      adjacent non-tumorous ones. In addition, the expression of NF45 in 122 patients
      with PDAC was evaluated using immunohistochemistry. In this way, we found that
      NF45 was abundantly expressed in PDAC tissues, and the expression of NF45 was
      correlated with tumor size (p = 0.007), histological differentiation (p = 0.033),
      and TNM stage (p = 0.001). Importantly, patients with low levels of NF45
      expression exhibited better postoperative prognosis as compared with those with
      high NF45 expression. Furthermore, using PDAC cell cultures, we found that
      interference of NF45 expression using siRNA oligos suppressed PDAC cell
      proliferation and retarded cell cycle progression. Moreover, depletion of NF45
      impaired the levels of cellular cyclin E and proliferating cell nuclear antigen
      (PCNA). Conversely, overexpression of NF45 facilitated the cell growth and
      accelerated cell cycle progression. Our results establish NF45 as an important
      indicator of PDAC prognosis with potential utility as a therapeutic target in
      this lethal disease.

PMID- 26276311
TI  - Dextran-shelled oxygen-loaded nanodroplets reestablish a normoxia-like pro
      angiogenic phenotype and behavior in hypoxic human dermal microvascular
      endothelium.
AB  - In chronic wounds, hypoxia seriously undermines tissue repair processes by
      altering the balances between pro-angiogenic proteolytic enzymes (matrix
      metalloproteinases, MMPs) and their inhibitors (tissue inhibitors of
      metalloproteinases, TIMPs) released from surrounding cells. Recently, we have
      shown that in human monocytes hypoxia reduces MMP-9 and increases TIMP-1 without
      affecting TIMP-2 secretion, whereas in human keratinocytes it reduces MMP-2, MMP
      9, and TIMP-2, without affecting TIMP-1 release. Provided that the phenotype of
      the cellular environment is better understood, chronic wounds might be targeted
      by new oxygenating compounds such as chitosan- or dextran-shelled and 2H,3H
      decafluoropentane-cored oxygen-loaded nanodroplets (OLNs). Here, we investigated
      the effects of hypoxia and dextran-shelled OLNs on the pro-angiogenic phenotype
      and behavior of human dermal microvascular endothelium (HMEC-1 cell line),
      another cell population playing key roles during wound healing. Normoxic HMEC-1
      constitutively released MMP-2, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 proteins, but not MMP-9. Hypoxia
      enhanced MMP-2 and reduced TIMP-1 secretion, without affecting TIMP-2 levels, and
      compromised cell ability to migrate and invade the extracellular matrix. When
      taken up by HMEC-1, nontoxic OLNs abrogated the effects of hypoxia, restoring
      normoxic MMP/TIMP levels and promoting cell migration, matrix invasion, and
      formation of microvessels. These effects were specifically dependent on time
      sustained oxygen diffusion from OLN core, since they were not achieved by oxygen
      free nanodroplets or oxygen-saturated solution. Collectively, these data provide
      new information on the effects of hypoxia on dermal endothelium and support the
      hypothesis that OLNs might be used as effective adjuvant tools to promote chronic
      wound healing processes. 

PMID- 26276312
TI  - Co-administration of alpha-lipoic acid and cyclosporine aggravates colon
      ulceration of acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis via facilitation of NO/COX
      2/miR-210 cascade.
AB  - In this work, alpha-lipoic acid and cyclosporine demonstrated significant
      protection against acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis in rats. We proposed
      that alpha-lipoic acid and cyclosporine co-administration might modulate their
      individual effects. Induction of ulcerative colitis in rats was performed by
      intra-rectal acetic acid (5% v/v) administration for 3 consecutive days. Effects
      of individual or combined used of alpha-lipoic acid (35 mg/kg ip) or cyclosporine
      (5mg/kg sc) for 6 days starting 2 days prior to acetic acid were assessed. Acetic
      acid caused colon ulceration, bloody diarrhea and weight loss. Histologically,
      there was mucosal atrophy and inflammatory cells infiltration in submucosa,
      associated with depletion of colon reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase and
      catalase activities and elevated colon malondialdehyde, serum C-reactive protein
      (C-RP) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). Colon gene expression of
      cyclooxygenase-2 and miR-210 was also elevated. These devastating effects of
      acetic acid were abolished upon concurrent administration of alpha-lipoic acid.
      Alternatively, cyclosporine caused partial protection against acetic acid-induced
      ulcerative colitis. Cyclosporine did not restore colon reduced glutathione,
      catalase activity, serum C-RP or TNF-alpha. Unexpectedly, co-administration of
      alpha-lipoic acid and cyclosporine aggravated colon ulceration. Concomitant use
      of alpha-lipoic acid and cyclosporine significantly increased nitric oxide
      production, cyclooxygenase-2 and miR-210 gene expression compared to all other
      studied groups. The current findings suggest that facilitation of nitric
      oxide/cyclooxygenase-2/miR-210 cascade constitutes, at least partially, the
      cellular mechanism by which concurrent use of alpha-lipoic acid and cyclosporine
      aggravates colon damage. Collectively, the present work highlights the probable
      risk of using alpha-lipoic acid/cyclosporine combination in ulcerative colitis
      patients.

PMID- 26276313
TI  - Biphasic reactions in patients with anaphylaxis treated with corticosteroids.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although the incidence of anaphylaxis is rapidly increasing, the
      clinical characteristics and associated factors of a biphasic reaction are
      unclear. OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence and clinical characteristics of
      biphasic reactions in patients with anaphylaxis treated with corticosteroids.
      METHODS: A total of 655 patients with anaphylaxis visiting the emergency
      department of a tertiary teaching hospital from January 2007 through December
      2014 were analyzed. Patient characteristics, triggers, symptoms and signs, in
      hospital management, and disposition were recorded. A biphasic reaction was
      defined as the development of anaphylaxis after complete resolution of the
      initial reaction without further exposure to the offending agent within 7 days.
      Univariate and multivariate analyses on the predictors of the biphasic reaction
      were performed. RESULTS: Of the 415 patients with anaphylaxis treated with
      corticosteroids, 9 patients (2.2%) developed a biphasic reaction. The mean age
      was 48.4 years, and 221 patients (54.4%) were women. The median time from
      complete resolution of initial clinical symptoms to occurrence of the biphasic
      reaction was 15 hours (range 1-45). History of drug anaphylaxis (odds ratio 14.3,
      95% confidence interval 2.4-85.8) was a contributing factor to the development of
      the biphasic reaction. CONCLUSION: The incidence of biphasic reactions was 2.2%
      in patients treated with corticosteroids and those with a history of drug
      anaphylaxis were at greater risk.

PMID- 26276314
TI  - Antisense-mediated affinity purification of dengue virus ribonucleoprotein
      complexes from infected cells.
AB  - The identification of RNA-binding proteins that physically associate with viral
      RNA molecules during infection can provide insight into the molecular mechanisms
      of RNA virus replication. Until recently, such RNA-protein interactions have been
      identified predominantly with the use of in vitro assays that may not accurately
      reflect associations that occur in the context of a living cell. Here we describe
      a method for the specific affinity purification of dengue virus RNA and
      associated proteins using in vivo cross-linking followed by antisense-mediated
      affinity purification. RNA-binding proteins that specifically co-purify with
      viral RNA using this method can be identified en masse by mass spectrometry. This
      strategy can potentially be adapted to the purification of any viral RNA species
      of interest.

PMID- 26276315
TI  - Protein ligand-binding site comparison by a reduced vector representation derived
      from multidimensional scaling of generalized description of binding sites.
AB  - Proteins serve various functions in living cells. When they exert their
      functions, physical contact with other molecules occurs. A close connection
      therefore exists between their functions and structures. Therefore, comparison
      and classification about known and predicted protein structures provides
      important insight into the structural features of proteins, elucidating their
      functions and structures. Analyzing the mutual interactions between proteins and
      small molecules is important to predict the ligands which bind to parts of
      putative ligand binding sites. Such analysis demands a fast and efficient method
      for comparing ligand binding sites because of the recent increase of protein
      structure information. A method has been developed for representing a ligand
      binding site with one reduced vector for binding site comparison. Using our
      method, one can calculate the similarity between ligand binding sites merely by
      calculating the inner product of 11-dimensional vectors. The method explained
      herein shows higher performance of the similarity between binding sites than
      metrics used in existing alignment-free methods. It also shows performance that
      is comparable to accurate methods developed recently, which employ solving the
      optimization problem: APoc. Moreover, these study results suggest that this new
      method can provide similarities faster than our previous method. 

PMID- 26276318
TI  - Edge-Catalyst Wetting and Orientation Control of Graphene Growth by Chemical
      Vapor Deposition Growth.
AB  - Three key positions of graphene on a catalyst surface can be identified based on
      precise computations, namely as sunk (S), step-attached (SA), and on-terrace
      (OT). Surprisingly, the preferred modes are not all alike but vary from metal to
      metal, depending on the energies of graphene-edge "wetting" by the catalyst: on a
      catalyst surface of soft metal like Au(111), Cu(111) or Pd(111), the graphene
      tends to grow in step-attached or embedded mode, while on a rigid catalyst
      surface such as Pt(111), Ni(111), Rh(111), Ir(111), or Ru(0001), graphene prefers
      growing as step-attached or on-terrace. Accordingly, as further energy analysis
      shows, the graphene formed via the S and SA modes should have orientations fixed
      relative to the metal crystal lattice, thus prescribing epitaxial growth of
      graphene on Au(111), Cu(111) and Pd(111). This conclusion indeed correlates well
      with numerous experimental data, also solving some puzzles observed, and
      suggesting better ways for growing larger-area single-crystalline graphene by
      making proper catalyst selections. 

PMID- 26276316
TI  - Biogeography of the Phalaenopsis amabilis species complex inferred from nuclear
      and plastid DNAs.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Phalaenopsis is one of the important commercial orchids in the world.
      Members of the P. amabilis species complex represent invaluable germplasm for the
      breeding program. However, the phylogeny of the P. amabilis species complex is
      still uncertain. The Phalaenopsis amabilis species complex (Orchidaceae) consists
      of subspecies amabilis, moluccana, and rosenstromii of P. amabilis, as well as P.
      aphrodite ssp. aphrodite, P. ap. ssp. formosana, and P. sanderiana. The aims of
      this study were to reconstruct the phylogeny and biogeographcial patterns of the
      species complex using Neighbor Joining (NJ), Maxinum Parsimony (MP), Bayesian
      Evolutionary Analysis Sampling Trees (BEAST) and Reconstruct Ancestral State in
      Phylogenies (RASP) analyses based on sequences of internal transcribed spacers 1
      and 2 from the nuclear ribosomal DNA and the trnH-psbA spacer from the plastid
      DNA. RESULTS: A pattern of vicariance, dispersal, and vicariance + dispersal
      among disjunctly distributed taxa was uncovered based on RASP analysis. Although
      two subspecies of P. aphrodite could not be differentiated from each other in
      dispersal state, they were distinct from P. amabilis and P. sanderiana. Within P.
      amabilis, three subspecies were separated phylogenetically, in agreement with the
      vicariance or vicariance + dispersal scenario, with geographic subdivision along
      Huxley's, Wallace's and Lydekker's Lines. Molecular dating revealed such
      subdivisions among taxa of P. amabilis complex dating back to the late
      Pleistocene. Population-dynamic analyses using a Bayesian skyline plot suggested
      that the species complex experienced an in situ range expansion and population
      concentration during the late Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). CONCLUSIONS: Taxa of
      the P. amabilis complex with disjunct distributions were differentiated due to
      vicariance or vicariance + dispersal, with events likely occurring in the late
      Pleistocene. Demographic growth associated with the climatic oscillations in the
      Wurm glacial period followed the species splits. Nevertheless, a subsequent
      population slowdown occurred in the late LGM due to extinction of regional
      populations. The reduction of suitable habitats resulted in geographic
      fragmenttation of the remaining taxa.

PMID- 26276319
TI  - Elementary Excitations of Superfluid Helium Droplets Probed by Ion Spectroscopy.
AB  - Electronic spectra of molecules in helium droplets reveal spectral features that
      are related to the elementary excitations of the superfluid helium environment.
      In order to determine to what extent the interaction strength of the molecule
      with the helium affects these excitations, the spectrum corresponding to the
      B(2)A" <- X (2)A" transition of 2,5-difluorophenol cations in helium droplets has
      been recorded. The vibronic resonances reveal a sharp zero-phonon line whose
      width is largely determined by the rotational band contour, followed by a broad
      structureless phonon wing at higher frequencies. The splitting between the zero
      phonon line and phonon wing is approximately half of that found for neutral 2,5
      difluorophenol. This difference is attributed to the increased helium density
      around the ion due to its strong interaction with the helium. 

PMID- 26276320
TI  - Trapped Abstraction in the O((1)D) + CHD3 -> OH + CD3 Reaction.
AB  - Despite significant progress made in past decades, it is still challenging to
      elucidate dynamics mechanisms for polyatomic reactions, in particular, involving
      complex formation. The reaction of O((1)D) with methane has long been regarded as
      a prototypical polyatomic system of direct insertion reaction in which the
      O((1)D) atom can insert into the C-H bond of methane to form a "hot" methanol
      intermediate before decomposition. Here, we report a combined theoretical and
      experimental study on the O((1)D) + CHD3 reaction, on which good agreement
      between theory and experiment is achieved. Our study revealed that this complex
      forming reaction actually proceeds via a trapped abstraction mechanism, rather
      than an insertion mechanism as has long been thought. We anticipate that this
      reaction mechanism should also be responsible for the reaction of O((1)D) with
      ethane and propane, as well as many other chemical reactions with deep wells in
      the interaction region. 

PMID- 26276321
TI  - Plasmon-in-a-Box: On the Physical Nature of Few-Carrier Plasmon Resonances.
AB  - Recent demonstrations in doped semiconductor nanocrystals establish that a
      plasmon resonance can be sustained by a handful of charge carriers, much smaller
      in number than conventionally thought. This finding raises questions about the
      physical nature of such a collective resonance, a fundamental question in
      condensed matter and many-body physics, which the author addresses here by means
      of a plasmon-in-a-box model. A small number of carriers confined within a
      nanocrystal exhibit multiple transitions of individual carriers between quantized
      states. However, as carriers are progressively added, spectral lines associated
      with single-carrier excitations evolve into a band representing a collective
      resonance. This evolution is gradual, and it involves an intermediate regime
      where single-carrier excitations and few-carrier collective excitations coexist,
      until, at high carrier numbers, a purely classical collective resonance involving
      all carriers in the nanocrystal is sustained. The author finds that the emergence
      of the plasmon resonance is a density-driven transition; at high enough carrier
      densities, the Coulomb repulsion between carriers becomes strong enough to allow
      individual carriers to overcome their confinement to the nanocrystal lattice and
      to participate in a collective excitation within the mean Coulomb field of other
      carriers. The findings represent deeper insight into the physical picture of a
      plasmon resonance and serve as a potential design guide for nanoscale
      optoelectronic components and photocatalytic plasmonic clusters. 

PMID- 26276317
TI  - Sex-Specific Effects of Adiponectin on Carotid Intima-Media Thickness and
      Incident Cardiovascular Disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Plasma adiponectin levels have previously been inversely associated
      with carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), a marker of subclinical
      atherosclerosis. In this study, we used a sex-stratified Mendelian randomization
      approach to investigate whether adiponectin has a causal protective influence on
      IMT. METHODS AND RESULTS: Baseline plasma adiponectin concentration was tested
      for association with baseline IMT, IMT progression over 30 months, and occurrence
      of cardiovascular events within 3 years in 3430 participants (women, n=1777; men,
      n=1653) with high cardiovascular risk but no prevalent disease. Plasma
      adiponectin levels were inversely associated with baseline mean bifurcation IMT
      after adjustment for established risk factors (beta=-0.018, P<0.001) in men but
      not in women (beta=-0.006, P=0.185; P for interaction=0.061). Adiponectin levels
      were inversely associated with progression of mean common carotid IMT in men
      (beta=-0.0022, P=0.047), whereas no association was seen in women (0.0007,
      P=0.475; P for interaction=0.018). Moreover, we observed that adiponectin levels
      were inversely associated with coronary events in women (hazard ratio 0.57, 95%
      CI 0.37 to 0.87) but not in men (hazard ratio 0.82, 95% CI 0.54 to 1.25). A gene
      score of adiponectin-raising alleles in 6 loci, reported recently in a large
      multi-ethnic meta-analysis, was inversely associated with baseline mean
      bifurcation IMT in men (beta=-0.0008, P=0.004) but not in women (beta=-0.0003,
      P=0.522; P for interaction=0.007). CONCLUSIONS: This report provides some
      evidence for adiponectin protecting against atherosclerosis, with effects being
      confined to men; however, compared with established cardiovascular risk factors,
      the effect of plasma adiponectin was modest. Further investigation involving
      mechanistic studies is warranted.

PMID- 26276322
TI  - Understanding Adsorption-Induced Effects on Platinum Nanoparticles: An Energy
      Decomposition Analysis.
AB  - Platinum nanoparticle catalysts are used in a myriad of gas-phase, liquid-phase,
      and electrochemical reactions. Although a high catalytic activity is paramount,
      stability must also be guaranteed, especially when the nanoparticles are in
      contact with strongly bound adsorbates. Therefore, it is crucial to be able to
      accurately calculate adsorption-energy trends on Pt nanoparticles of multiple
      sizes and morphologies using ab initio methods at affordable computational
      expenses. Here, through an energy-decomposition analysis in which adsorption
      processes are regarded as the interplay between pure binding and various
      compensating core-shell deformations, we show that pure binding is responsible
      for the overall linear adsorption trends. Conversely, the energetic cost of the
      deformations is a site-independent, adsorbate-dependent constant value. These two
      observations and the description of the trends by means of generalized
      coordination numbers help to significantly reduce the computational expense of
      simulating large nanoparticles. 

PMID- 26276323
TI  - Recent Advances in Tip-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy.
AB  - Tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) has experienced tremendous growth in the
      last 5 years. Specifically, TER imaging has provided invaluable insight into the
      spatial distribution and properties of chemical species on a surface with spatial
      resolution that is otherwise unattainable by any other analytical method.
      Additionally, there has been further development in coupling ultrafast
      spectroscopy with TERS in the hope of obtaining both ultrafast temporal and
      nanometer-scale spatial resolution. In this Perspective, we discuss several
      recent advances in TERS, specifically highlighting those in the areas of TER
      imaging and integrating ultrafast spectroscopy with TERS. 

PMID- 26276324
TI  - Different Types of Vibrations Interacting with Electronic Excitations in
      Phycoerythrin 545 and Fenna-Matthews-Olson Antenna Systems.
AB  - The interest in the phycoerythrin 545 (PE545) photosynthetic antenna system of
      marine algae and the Fenna-Matthews-Olson (FMO) complex of green sulfur bacteria
      has drastically increased since long-lived quantum coherences were reported for
      these complexes. For the PE545 complex, this phenomenon is clearly visible even
      at ambient temperatures, while for the FMO system it is more prominent at lower
      temperatures. The key to elucidate the role of the environment in these long
      lived quantum effects is the spectral density. Here, we employ molecular dynamics
      simulations combined with quantum chemistry calculations to study the coupling
      between the biological environment and the vertical excitation energies of the
      bilin pigment molecules in PE545 and compare them to prior calculations on the
      FMO complex. It is found that the overall strength of the resulting spectral
      densities for the PE545 system is similar to the experiment-based counterpart but
      also to those in the FMO complex. Molecular analysis, however, reveals that the
      origin for the spectral densities in the low frequency range, which is most
      important for excitonic transitions, is entirely different. In the case of FMO,
      this part of the spectral density is due to environmental fluctuations, while, in
      case of PE545, it is essentially only due to internal modes of the bilin
      molecules. This finding sheds new light on possible explanations of the long
      lived quantum coherences and that the reasons might actually be different in
      dissimilar systems. 

PMID- 26276325
TI  - Vibrational Excitation in Electron Transport through Carbon Nanotube Quantum
      Dots.
AB  - Electron transport in single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) is extremely
      sensitive to environmental effects. SWCNTs experiencing an inhomogeneous
      environment are effectively subjected to a disorder potential, which can lead to
      localized electronic states. An important element of the physical picture of such
      states localized on the nanometer-scale is the existence of a local vibronic
      mainfold resulting from the localization-enhanced electron-vibrational coupling.
      In this Letter, scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS) is used to study the
      quantum-confined electronic states in SWCNTs deposited on the Au(111) surface.
      STS spectra show the vibrational overtones identified as D-band Kekule
      vibrational modes and K-point transverse out-of plane phonons. The presence of
      these vibrational modes in the STS spectra suggests rippling distortion and
      dimerization of carbon atoms on the SWCNT surface. The present study thus, for
      the first time, experimentally connects the properties of well-defined localized
      electronic states to the properties of their associated vibronic states. 

PMID- 26276326
TI  - Prediction of Superhalogen-Stabilized Noble Gas Compounds.
AB  - The discovery of HArF has generated renewed interest in the chemistry of noble
      gases, particularly their hydrides. Though many weak complexes of noble gases
      bound by van der Waals interactions are known, the number of halogenated noble
      gas compounds, HNgX (Ng = noble gas; X = halogen), where the noble gas atom is
      chemically bound, is limited. These molecules are metastable, and their specialty
      is that there is substantial ionic bonding between the noble gas atom and the
      halogen atom. In this Letter, it is shown using density functional theory and
      second-order Moller-Plesset perturbation theory that by replacing the halogen
      atoms by superhalogens (Y), whose electron affinities are much larger than those
      of halogens, more ionic bonds between Ng and Y can be attained. Moreover, the
      superhalogen-containing noble gas hydrides, HNgY, are more stable compared to
      their halogenated counterparts. 

PMID- 26276327
TI  - Design and Observation of Biphase TiO2 Crystal with Perfect Junction.
AB  - Bicrystalline materials have wide applications from silicon chips to
      photocatalysis, but the controlled synthesis of nanocrytals with ordered phase
      junction has been challenging, in particular via chemical synesthetic routes.
      Here, we propose a general strategy to design biphase crystals formed via partial
      solid-to-solid phase transition with perfect phase junction, e.g., being
      atomically sharp and built of two particular sets of epitaxially joined planes of
      the two component phases, and present such an example by designing, synthesizing,
      and characterizing the interface of two TiO2 phases, namely, TiO2-B/anatase
      biphase nanocrystals that are obtained conveniently via one-pot chemical
      synthesis. Our design strategy classifies the common solid-to-solid phase
      transition into three types that are distinguishable by using the newly developed
      stochastic surface walking (SSW) method for unbiased pathway sampling. Only Type
      I crystal is predicted to possess perfect phase junction, where the phase
      transition involves one and only one propagation direction featuring single
      pathway phase transition containing only one elementary kinetic step. The method
      is applicable for the understanding and the design of heterophase materials via
      partial phase transition in general. 

PMID- 26276328
TI  - Efficient Carrier Multiplication in Colloidal CuInSe2 Nanocrystals.
AB  - Transient absorption spectroscopy (TAS) was used to study carrier multiplication
      (CM) (also called multiexciton generation (MEG)) in solvent-dispersed colloidal
      CuInSe2 nanocrystals with diameters as small as 4.5 nm. Size-dependent carrier
      cooling rates, absorption cross sections, and Auger lifetimes were also
      determined. The energy threshold for CM in the CuInSe2 nanocrystals was found to
      be 2.4 +/- 0.2 times the nanocrystal energy gap (Eg) and the CM efficiency was 36
      +/- 6% per unit Eg. This is similar to other types of nanocrystal quantum dot
      materials. 

PMID- 26276329
TI  - Hierarchy of Chemical Bonding in the Synthesis of Fe-Phthalocyanine on Metal
      Surfaces: A Local Spectroscopy Approach.
AB  - Scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS) has become a key tool for accessing
      properties of organometallic molecules adsorbed on surfaces. However, the rich
      variety of signatures makes it sometimes a difficult task to find out which
      feature is intrinsic to the molecule, i.e., relevant for a metal-ligand
      interaction or related to the interaction of the molecule with the substrate.
      Here we study the prototype covalent self-assembly of FePc and probe how
      electronic/magnetic properties at the local scale change as a function of
      temperature-induced step-by-step assembly, starting from TCNB (1,2,4,5-
      Tetracyanobenzene) molecular and Fe atomic precursors. Intermediate complexes
      with tetra-coordinated Fe atoms are then used both, as synthons for the FePc and
      as identifiers of specific features of the STS. As observed by STS and confirmed
      by spin-polarized DFT calculations, the occupied dpi states of Fe are present in
      both the FePc and Fe(TCNB)2 on Au(111). The main difference appears in the dz(2)
      states, which play a key role in magnetism as confirmed by the presence/absence
      of the Kondo resonance. A comprehensive picture is obtained by following with STS
      the hybridization of the dz(2) orbital of Fe to various substrates (Cu, Au and
      Co). Finally it is demonstrated that FePc units can be created by on-surface
      polymerization from the Fe(TCNB)2 network upon thermal annealing. 

PMID- 26276330
TI  - Capturing the Local Adsorption Structures of Carbon Dioxide in Polyamine
      Impregnated Mesoporous Silica Adsorbents.
AB  - Interactions between amines and carbon dioxide (CO2) are essential to amine
      functionalized solid adsorbents for carbon capture, and an in-depth knowledge of
      these interactions is crucial to adsorbent design and fabrication as well as
      adsorption/desorption processes. The local structures of CO2 adsorbed on a
      tetraethylenepentamine-impregnated mesoporous silica SBA-15 were investigated by
      solid-state (13)C{(14)N} S-RESPDOR MAS NMR technique and theoretical DFT
      calculations. Two types of adsorption species, namely, secondary and tertiary
      carbamates as well as distant ammonium groups were identified together with their
      relative concentrations and relevant (14)N quadrupolar parameters. Moreover, a
      dipolar coupling of 716 Hz was derived, corresponding to a (13)C-(14)N
      internuclear distance of 1.45 A. These experimental data are in excellent
      agreement with results obtained from DFT calculations, revealing that the
      distribution of surface primary and secondary amines readily dictates the CO2
      adsorption/desorption properties of the adsorbent. 

PMID- 26276331
TI  - Ion Mobility Unlocks the Photofragmentation Mechanism of Retinal Protonated
      Schiff Base.
AB  - Retinal protonated Schiff base (RPSB) is a key molecular component of biological
      photoreceptors and bacterial photosynthetic structures, where its action involves
      photoisomerization around bonds in the polyene chain. In a vacuum environment,
      collisional activation or exposure to visible light causes the RPSB molecule to
      disintegrate, producing charged molecular fragments with m/z = 248 Da that cannot
      be formed by simple cleavage of the polyene chain. Photofragments resulting from
      laser excitation of RPSB at a wavelength of 532 nm are analyzed in an ion
      mobility mass spectrometer (IMMS) and found to be the protonated Schiff base of
      beta-ionone. Density functional theory calculations at the M06-2X/cc-pVDZ level
      support a fragmentation mechanism in which RPSB undergoes an
      electrocyclization/fragmentation cascade with the production of protonated Schiff
      base of beta-ionone and toluene. 

PMID- 26276332
TI  - Donor-Bridge-Acceptor Proton Transfer in Aqueous Solution.
AB  - We use ab initio molecular dynamics to study proton transfer in a donor-bridge
      acceptor system in which the bridge is a single water molecule and the entire
      system is embedded in aqueous solution. The results, based on a large number of
      proton transfer trajectories, demonstrate that the dominant charge-transfer
      pathway is a subpicosecond "through bridge" event in which the bridge adopts an
      Eigen-like (hydronium) structure. We also identify another state in which the
      bridge forms a Zundel-like configuration with the acceptor that appears to be a
      dead end for the charge transfer. The reaction coordinate is inherently
      multidimensional and, as we demonstrate, cannot be given in terms of either local
      structural parameters of the donor-bridge-acceptor system or local solvent
      coordination numbers. 

PMID- 26276333
TI  - Surface Termination of the Metal-Organic Framework HKUST-1: A Theoretical
      Investigation.
AB  - The surface morphology and termination of metal-organic frameworks (MOF) is of
      critical importance in many applications, but the surface properties of these
      soft materials are conceptually different from those of other materials like
      metal or oxide surfaces. Up to now, experimental investigations are scarce and
      theoretical simulations have focused on the bulk properties. The possible surface
      structure of the archetypal MOF HKUST-1 is investigated by a first-principles
      derived force field in combination with DFT calculations of model systems. The
      computed surface energies correctly predict the [111] surface to be most stable
      and allow us to obtain an unprecedented atomistic picture of the surface
      termination. Entropic factors are identified to determine the preferred surface
      termination and to be the driving force for the MOF growth. On the basis of this,
      reported strategies like employing "modulators" during the synthesis to tailor
      the crystal morphology are discussed. 

PMID- 26276334
TI  - Experimental Determination of the Electrostatic Nature of Carbonyl Hydrogen
      Bonding Interactions Using IR-NMR Correlations.
AB  - Hydrogen-bonding plays a fundamental role in the structure, function, and
      dynamics of various chemical and biological systems. Understanding the physical
      nature of interactions and the role of electrostatics in hydrogen-bonding has
      been the focus of several theoretical and computational research. We present an
      experimental approach involving IR-(13)C NMR correlations to determine the
      electrostatic nature of carbonyl hydrogen-bonding interactions. This report
      provides a direct experimental evidence of the classical nature of hydrogen
      bonding interaction in carbonyls, independent of any theoretical approximation.
      These results have important implications in chemistry and biology and can be
      applied to probe the reaction mechanisms involving carbonyl
      activation/stabilization by hydrogen bonds using spectroscopic techniques. 

PMID- 26276335
TI  - Accurate Identification and Selective Removal of Rotavirus Using a Plasmonic
      Magnetic 3D Graphene Oxide Architecture.
AB  - According to the World Health Organization, even in the 21st century, more than
      one million children die each year due to the rotavirus contamination of drinking
      water. Therefore, accurate identification and removal of rotavirus are very
      important to save childrens' lives. Driven by the need, in this Letter, we report
      for the first time highly selective identification and removal of rotavirus from
      infected water using a bioconjugated hybrid graphene oxide based three
      dimensional (3D) solid architecture. Experimental results show that due to the
      presence of a high intensity of "hot spots" in the 3D network, an antibody
      attached 3D plasmonic-magnetic architecture can be used for accurate
      identification of rotavirus using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS).
      Reported data demonstrate that the antibody-attached 3D network binds strongly
      with rotavirus and is capable of highly efficient removal of rotavirus, which has
      been confirmed by SERS, fluorescence imaging, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent
      assay (ELISA) data. We discuss a possible mechanism for accurate identification
      and efficient removal of rotavirus from infected drinking water. 

PMID- 26276336
TI  - Using Molecular Design to Control the Performance of Hydrogen-Producing Polymer
      Brush-Modified Photocathodes.
AB  - Attachment of difluoroborylcobaloxime catalysts to a polymer-brush-modified GaP
      semiconductor allows improved hydrogen production levels and photoelectrochemical
      performance under aqueous acidic conditions (pH = 4.5) as compared to the
      performance of electrodes without catalyst treatment. The catalytic assembly used
      in this work incorporates a boron difluoride (BF2) capping group on the
      glyoximate ligand of the catalyst, a synthetic modification previously used to
      enhance the stability of nonsurface-attached complexes toward acid hydrolysis and
      to shift the cobalt reduction potentials of the complex to less negative, and
      thus technologically more relevant, values. The pH-dependent photoresponses of
      the cobaloxime- and difluoroborylcobaloxime- modified semiconductors are shown to
      be consistent with those from analogous studies using non-surface-attached
      cobaloxime catalysts as well as catalysts supported on conductive electrodes.
      Thus, this work illustrates the potential to control and optimize the properties
      of visible-light-absorbing semiconductors using polymeric overcoating techniques
      coupled with the principles of synthetic molecular design. 

PMID- 26276337
TI  - On Universality in Sputtering Yields Due to Cluster Bombardment.
AB  - Molecular dynamics simulations, in which atomic and molecular solids are
      bombarded by Arn (n = 60-2953) clusters, are used to explain the physics that
      underlie the "universal relation" of the sputtering yield Y per cluster atom
      versus incident energy E per cluster atom (Y/n vs E/n). We show that a better
      representation to unify the results is Y/(E/U0) versus (E/U0)/n, where U0 is the
      sample cohesive energy per atom or molecular equivalent, and the yield Y is given
      in the units of atoms or molecular equivalents for atomistic and molecular
      solids, respectively. In addition, we identified a synergistic cluster effect.
      Specifically, for a given (E/U0)/n value, larger clusters produce larger yields
      than the yields that are only proportional to the cluster size n or equivalently
      to the scaled energy E/U0. This synergistic effect can be described in the high
      (E/U0)/n regime as scaling of Y with (E/U0)(alpha), where alpha > 1. 

PMID- 26276338
TI  - Femtosecond Pump-Push-Probe and Pump-Dump-Probe Spectroscopy of Conjugated
      Polymers: New Insight and Opportunities.
AB  - Conjugated polymers are an important class of soft materials that exhibit a wide
      range of applications. The excited states of conjugated polymers, often referred
      to as excitons, can either deactivate to yield the ground state or dissociate in
      the presence of an electron acceptor to form charge carriers. These interesting
      properties give rise to their luminescence and the photovoltaic effect.
      Femtosecond spectroscopy is a crucial tool for studying conjugated polymers.
      Recently, more elaborate experimental configurations utilizing three optical
      pulses, namely, pump-push-probe and pump-dump-probe, have been employed to
      investigate the properties of excitons and charge-transfer states of conjugated
      polymers. These studies have revealed new insight into femtosecond torsional
      relaxation and detrapping of bound charge pairs of conjugated polymers. This
      Perspective highlights (1) the recent achievements by several research groups in
      using pump-push-probe and pump-dump-probe spectroscopy to study conjugated
      polymers and (2) future opportunities and potential challenges of these
      techniques. 

PMID- 26276339
TI  - Hole-Conductor-Free, Metal-Electrode-Free TiO2/CH3NH3PbI3 Heterojunction Solar
      Cells Based on a Low-Temperature Carbon Electrode.
AB  - Low cost, high efficiency, and stability are straightforward research challenges
      in the development of organic-inorganic perovskite solar cells. Organolead halide
      is unstable at high temperatures or in some solvents. The direct preparation of a
      carbon layer on top becomes difficult. In this study, we successfully prepared
      full solution-processed low-cost TiO2/CH3NH3PbI3 heterojunction (HJ) solar cells
      based on a low-temperature carbon electrode. Power conversion efficiency of
      mesoporous (M-)TiO2/CH3NH3PbI3/C HJ solar cells based on a low-temperature
      processed carbon electrode achieved 9%. The devices of M-TiO2/CH3NH3PbI3/C HJ
      solar cells without encapsulation exhibited advantageous stability (over 2000 h)
      in air in the dark. The ability to process low-cost carbon electrodes at low
      temperature on top of the CH3NH3PbI3 layer without destroying its structure
      reduces the cost and simplifies the fabrication process of perovskite HJ solar
      cells. This ability also provides higher flexibility to choose and optimize the
      device, as well as investigate the underlying active layers. 

PMID- 26276340
TI  - Thermoelectricity in Disordered Organic Semiconductors under the Premise of the
      Gaussian Disorder Model and Its Variants.
AB  - Using Monte Carlo simulations, we investigate the thermoelectric properties of
      disordered organic semiconductors under the premise of the Gaussian disorder
      model and its variants. In doing so, we provide much needed additional dimensions
      for comparison between these theoretical frameworks and real systems beyond those
      based on extensively studied charge-transport properties and aim to provide a
      frame-of-reference for rising interest in these systems for thermoelectric-based
      applications. To illustrate the potential existing in the implementation of
      combined transport and thermoelectric investigation, we discuss strategies to
      experimentally deduce a system's DOS shape and the temperature dependence of its
      transport energy (which can discern hopping transport from multiple trapping
      transport), infer whether a system's activation energy originates from inherent
      energetic disorder or a polaron activation energy (while deducing the given
      polaron activation energy), and discerning whether a system's energetic disorder
      is spatially correlated or accompanied by off-diagonal disorder. 

PMID- 26276341
TI  - Observation of the Early Structural Changes Leading to the Formation of Protein
      Superstructures.
AB  - Formation of superstructures in protein aggregation processes has been indicated
      as a general pathway for several proteins, possibly playing a role in human
      pathologies. There is a severe lack of knowledge on the origin of such species in
      terms of both mechanisms of formation and structural features. We use equine
      lysozyme as a model protein, and by combining spectroscopic techniques and
      microscopy with X-ray fiber diffraction and ab initio modeling of Small Angle X
      ray Scattering data, we isolate the partially unfolded state from which one of
      these superstructures (i.e., particulate) originates. We reveal the low
      resolution structure of the unfolded state and its mechanism of formation,
      highlighting the physicochemical features and the possible pathway of formation
      of the particulate structure. Our findings provide a novel detailed knowledge of
      such a general and alternative aggregation pathway for proteins, this being
      crucial for a basic and broader understanding of the aggregation phenomena. 

PMID- 26276342
TI  - Excitation Spectra and Stokes Shift Measurements of Single Organic Dyes at Room
      Temperature.
AB  - We report measurements of excitation and emission spectra of single, polymer
      embedded, perylene dye molecules at room temperature. From these measurements, we
      can derive the Stokes shift for each single molecule. We determined the
      distribution of excitation and emission peak energies and, thus, the distribution
      of single molecule Stokes shifts. Single molecule Stokes shifts have not been
      recorded to date, and the Stokes shift has often been assumed to be constant in
      single molecule studies. Our data show that the observed spectral heterogeneity
      in single molecule emission originates not only from synchronous energetic shifts
      of the excitation and the emission spectra but also from variations in the Stokes
      shift, speaking against the assumption of constant Stokes shift. 

PMID- 26276343
TI  - Electric Fields Control TiO2(e(-)) + I3(-) -> Charge Recombination in Dye
      Sensitized Solar Cells.
AB  - The electric fields generated by excited-state electron injection into anatase
      TiO2 nanocrystallites are screened by cations present in the external
      electrolyte. With some assumptions, a newly discovered electroabsorption
      signature enables quantification of the electric field strength experienced by
      surface-anchored dye molecules. Here, it was found that the fields increased in
      the order Na(+) < Li(+) < Mg(2+) < Ca(2+), with magnitudes of 1.1 MV/cm for Na(+)
      and 2.2 MV/cm for Ca(2+), values that were insensitive to whether the anion was
      iodide or perchlorate. The magnitude of the field was directly related to average
      TiO2(e(-)) + I3(-) -> charge recombination rate constants abstracted from time
      resolved kinetic data. Extrapolation to zero field provided an estimate of
      recombination dynamics when diffusion alone controlled I3(-) mass transport, k =
      300 s(-1). The decreased rate constants measured after excited-state injection
      were attributed to migration of I3(-) away from the TiO2. Cation transference
      coefficients were tabulated that ranged from t = 0.97 for Ca(2+) to 0.40 for
      Na(+) and represented the ability of the unscreened electric field to block the
      TiO2(e(-)) + I3(-) -> charge recombination reaction. This data provides the first
      compelling evidence that the anionic nature of I3(-) inhibits unwanted charge
      recombination in dye-sensitized solar cells. 

PMID- 26276344
TI  - Observing Vibrational Energy Flow in a Protein with the Spatial Resolution of a
      Single Amino Acid Residue.
AB  - One of the challenges in physical chemistry has been understanding how energy
      flows in a condensed phase from the microscopic viewpoint. To address this, space
      resolved information at the molecular scale is required but has been lacking due
      to experimental difficulties. We succeeded in the real-time mapping of the
      vibrational energy flow in a protein with the spatial resolution of a single
      amino acid residue by combining time-resolved resonance Raman spectroscopy and
      site-directed single-Trp mutagenesis. Anti-Stokes Raman intensities of the Trp
      residues at different sites exhibited different temporal evolutions, reflecting
      propagation of the energy released by the heme group. A classical heat transport
      model was not able to reproduce the entire experimental data set, showing that we
      need a molecular-level description to explain the energy flow in a protein. The
      systematic application of our general methodology to proteins with different
      structural motifs may provide a greatly increased understanding of the energy
      flow in proteins. 

PMID- 26276345
TI  - Submolecular Spectroscopy?

PMID- 26276346
TI  - In vitro properties of hordeivirus TGB1 protein forming ribonucleoprotein
      complexes.
AB  - Hordeivirus movement protein encoded by the first gene of the triple gene block
      (TGB1 protein, TGBp1) interacts in vivo with viral genomic and subgenomic RNAs to
      form ribonucleoprotein (RNP) particles that are considered to be a form of viral
      genome (non-virion transport form) capable of cell-to-cell and long-distance
      transport in infected plants. The structures of these RNPs have not been
      elucidated. The poa semilatent virus (PSLV) TGBp1 contains a structured C
      terminal NTPase/helicase domain and an N-terminal extension region consisting of
      two domains - a completely intrinsically disordered extreme N-terminal domain and
      an internal domain (ID) with structure resembling a partially disordered molten
      globule. Here, we characterized the structures assembled in vitro by the full
      length PSLV TGBp1 alone or in the presence of viral RNA. The PSLV TGBp1 was
      capable of multimerization and self-assembly into extended high-molecular-mass
      complexes. These complexes disassembled to apparent monomers upon incubation with
      ATP. Upon incubation with viral RNA, the PSLV TGBp1 in vitro formed RNP
      structures that appeared as filamentous particles resembling virions of helical
      filamentous plant viruses in morphology and dimensions. By comparing the
      biophysical characteristics of PSLV TGBp1 and its domains in the presence and
      absence of RNA, we show that the ID plays the main structural role in the self
      interactions and RNA interactions of TGBp1 leading to the assembly of virus-like
      RNP particles. 

PMID- 26276347
TI  - An international internet survey of the experiences of 1,714 mothers with a late
      stillbirth: the STARS cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Stillbirth occurring after 28 weeks gestation affects between 1.5-4.5
      per 1,000 births in high-income countries. The majority of stillbirths in this
      setting occur in women without risk factors. In addition, many established risk
      factors such as nulliparity and maternal age are not amenable to modification
      during pregnancy. Identification of other risk factors which could be amenable to
      change in pregnancy should be a priority in stillbirth prevention research.
      Therefore, this study aimed to utilise an online survey asking women who had a
      stillbirth about their pregnancy in order to identify any common symptoms and
      experiences. METHODS: A web-based survey. RESULTS: A total of 1,714 women who had
      experienced a stillbirth >3 weeks prior to enrolment completed the survey. Common
      experiences identified were: perception of changes in fetal movement (63% of
      respondents), reports of a "gut instinct" that something was wrong (68%), and
      perceived time of death occurring overnight (56%). A quarter of participants
      believed that their baby's death was due to a cord issue and another 18%
      indicated that they did not know the reason why their baby died. In many cases
      (55%) the mother believed the cause of death was different to that told by
      clinicians. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the association between altered
      fetal movements and stillbirth and highlights novel associations that merit
      closer scrutiny including a maternal gut instinct that something was wrong. The
      potential importance of maternal sleep is highlighted by the finding of more than
      half the mothers believing their baby died during the night. This study supports
      the importance of listening to mothers' concerns and symptoms during pregnancy
      and highlights the need for thorough investigation of stillbirth and appropriate
      explanation being given to parents.

PMID- 26276348
TI  - A method for in vitro regional aerosol deposition measurement in a model of the
      human tracheobronchial tree by the positron emission tomography.
AB  - Researchers have been studying aerosol transport in human lungs for some decades.
      The overall lung deposition can be predicted with sufficient precision nowadays.
      However, the prediction of local deposition remains an unsolved problem.
      Numerical modeling of aerosol transport can provide detailed data with such
      precision and spatial resolution which were unavailable in the past. Yet, the
      necessary validation of numerical results represents a difficult task, as the
      experimental data in a sufficient spatial resolution are hardly available. This
      article introduces a method based on positron emission tomography, which allows
      acquisition of detailed experimental data on local aerosol deposition in a
      realistic model of human lungs. The method utilizes the Condensation Monodisperse
      Aerosol Generator modified for a safe production of radioactive aerosol particles
      and a special measuring rig. The scanning of the model is performed on a positron
      emission tomography-computed tomography scanner. The evaluation of aerosol
      deposition is based on a volume radioactivity analysis in a specialized, yet
      publicly available software. The reliability of the method was tested and its
      first results are discussed in the article. The measurements performed using the
      presented method can serve for validation of numerical simulations, since the
      presented lung model digital geometry is available. 

PMID- 26276349
TI  - Pro-cognitive activity in rats of 3-furan-2-yl-N-p-tolyl-acrylamide, a positive
      allosteric modulator of the alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (alpha7 nAChRs)
      may represent useful targets for cognitive improvement. The aim of this study is
      to compare the pro-cognitive activity of selective alpha7-nAChR ligands,
      including the partial agonists, DMXBA and A-582941, as well as the positive
      allosteric modulator, 3-furan-2-yl-N-p-tolyl-acrylamide (PAM-2). EXPERIMENTAL
      APPROACH: The attentional set-shifting task (ASST) and the novel object
      recognition task (NORT) in rats, were used to evaluate the pro-cognitive activity
      of each ligand [i.e., PAM-2 (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg.kg(-1) ), DMXBA and A-582941
      (0.3 and 1.0 mg.kg(-1) )], in the absence and presence of methyllycaconitine
      (MLA), a selective competitive antagonist. To determine potential drug
      interactions, an inactive dose of PAM-2 (0.5 mg.kg(-1) ) was co-injected with
      inactive doses of either agonist - DMXBA: 0.1 (NORT); 0.3 mg.kg(-1) (ASST) or A
      582941: 0.1 mg.kg(-1) . KEY RESULTS: PAM-2, DMXBA, and A-582941 improved
      cognition in a MLA-dependent manner, indicating that the observed activities are
      mediated by alpha7 nAChRs. Interestingly, the co-injection of inactive doses of
      PAM-2 and DMXBA or A-582941 also improved cognition, suggesting drug
      interactions. Moreover, PAM-2 reversed the scopolamine-induced NORT deficit. The
      electrophysiological results also support the view that PAM-2 potentiates the
      alpha7 nAChR currents elicited by a fixed concentration (3 MUM) of DMXBA with
      apparent EC50 = 34 +/- 3 MUM and Emax = 225 +/- 5 %. CONCLUSIONS AND
      IMPLICATIONS: Our results support the view that alpha7 nAChRs are involved in
      cognition processes and that PAM-2 is a novel promising candidate for the
      treatment of cognitive disorders.

PMID- 26276351
TI  - Effect of male body mass index on clinical outcomes following assisted
      reproductive technology: a meta-analysis.
AB  - Overweight and obese males might exhibit a great risk of infertility. However,
      according to the current studies, the association between elevated male body mass
      index (BMI) and the clinical adverse results after assisted reproductive
      technology (ART) remains controversial. Hence, we conducted a meta-analysis to
      evaluate the effects of raised male BMI on clinical outcomes following ART.
      PubMed, EMBASE and three Chinese databases were used to identify relevant
      studies. The primary outcome was clinical pregnancy rate. Secondary outcomes
      included live birth rate and sperm parameters. A total of 5262 male participants
      from 10 cohort studies were subjected to meta-analysis. Results indicated that
      overweight or obese had no significant impact on clinical pregnancy rate [in
      vitro fertilisation (IVF): odds ratio (OR), 0.73; 95% confidence interval (CI),
      0.39-1.39; intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI): OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.92-1.15],
      live birth rate (IVF: OR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.78-1.06; ICSI: OR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.50
      1.99) and sperm concentration (SMD, -0.28; 95% CI, -0.65 to 0.08) compared with
      normal weight following IVF/ICSI treatments. Exclusion of any single study and
      almost all the sensitivity analyses showed that our results were reliable. At
      present, the role of male BMI in the process of ART is only partly understood and
      should be further investigated.

PMID- 26276350
TI  - Studying longitudinal trajectories in animal models of psychiatric illness and
      their translation to the human condition.
AB  - Many forms of psychopathology and/or psychiatric illness can occur through the
      pathways of altered environmental sensitivity, impulsivity, social functioning,
      and anxious responding. While these traits are also heritable, environmental
      conditions are known to play a critical role. The genetic factors that contribute
      to these traits may be adaptive in certain contexts, but can - under the
      environmental conditions commonly faced among modern humans - also be key
      moderators of risk for psychopathological outcomes. This article will discuss how
      animal studies inform us of the various environmental mechanisms through which
      prenatal or early postnatal environmental challenge can produce long-term effects
      on behavior and will briefly address how pre-copulatory, pre-natal and early
      postnatal epigenetic effects can contribute to persistent alterations in
      offspring behavior. Its main focus will be how nonhuman primate studies have
      helped us to understand how genetic vulnerability factors can moderate responses
      to early environmental factors, suggesting pathways through which early stress
      might produce long-term effects, thus pointing to systems that might moderate
      risk for psychiatric illnesses in humans. 

PMID- 26276352
TI  - PTEN and NEDD4 in Human Breast Carcinoma.
AB  - PTEN is an important tumor suppressor gene that antagonizes the oncogenic
      PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and has functions in the nucleus for maintaining
      genome integrity. Although PTEN inactivation by mutation is infrequent in breast
      cancer, transcript and protein levels are deficient in >25 % of cases. The E3
      ubiquitin ligase NEDD4 (also known as NEDD4-1) has been reported to negatively
      regulate PTEN protein levels through poly-ubiquitination and proteolysis in
      carcinomas of the prostate, lung, and bladder, but its effect on PTEN in the
      breast has not been studied extensively. To investigate whether NEDD4 contributes
      to low PTEN levels in human breast cancer, we analyzed the expression of these
      proteins by immunohistochemistry across a large Swedish cohort of breast tumor
      specimens, and their transcript expression levels by microarrays. For both NEDD4
      and PTEN, their transcript expression was significantly correlated to their
      protein expression. However, comparing NEDD4 expression to PTEN expression,
      either no association or a positive correlation was observed at the protein and
      transcript levels. This unexpected observation was further corroborated in two
      independent breast cancer cohorts from The Netherlands Cancer Institute and The
      Cancer Genome Atlas. Our results suggest that NEDD4 is not responsible for the
      frequent down-regulation of the PTEN protein in human breast carcinoma. 

PMID- 26276353
TI  - Mitochondrial D310 mutation as clonal marker for solid tumors.
AB  - Patients with multiple tumors, either synchronous or metachronous, can have
      metastatic disease or suffer from multiple independent primary tumors. While
      proper diagnosis of these patients is important for prognosis and treatment, this
      can be challenging using only clinical and histological criteria. The aim of the
      present study was to evaluate the value of mitochondrial D310 mutation analysis
      in diagnostic questions regarding tumor clonality for a wide range of tumor
      types. Sanger sequencing of D310 was performed on a diagnostic cohort of 382
      patients with 857 tumors that were previously analyzed using routine molecular
      analysis on genomic DNA. The D310 mononucleotide repeat was frequently
      somatically mutated (56/321, 17 %) in several tumor types, including breast, head
      and neck, gynecological, lung, colorectal, and skin tumors. For 84/327 (26 %)
      patients, a D310 mutation was detected in at least one of their tumors; for these
      patients, D310 can be used to determine the clonal relationship between their
      multiple tumors. Clonality assessments based on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and
      routine genomic DNA analysis were concordant in 52/73 (71 %) patients. We
      conclude that D310 mutation status might aid in determining clonality of
      clinically challenging synchronous or metachronous tumors. To this end, next
      generation sequencing targeted genomic DNA assays should be complemented with
      mtDNA markers, such as the D310 repeat.

PMID- 26276354
TI  - Octreotide LAR and tamoxifen versus tamoxifen in phase III randomize early breast
      cancer trials: NCIC CTG MA.14 and NSABP B-29.
AB  - NCIC CTG MA.14 and NSABP B-29 trials examined the addition of Octreotide LAR
      (OCT) to 5 years of tamoxifen (TAM). Gallbladder toxicity led to B-29
      discontinuation of OCT, and MA.14 OCT administration shortened to 2 years. Median
      follow-up was 9.8 years for 667 MA.14 patients and 6.8 years for 893 B-29
      patients. The primary endpoint was disease-free survival (DFS), defined as time
      from randomization to time of breast cancer recurrence; second primary cancer
      other than squamous or basal cell skin carcinoma, cervical carcinoma in situ, or
      lobular breast carcinoma in situ; or death. The primary statistical test was a
      univariable pooled stratified log-rank test; multivariable assessment was with
      Cox regression. For MA.14, 97% of patients were >=50 years; for B-29, 62%. MA.14
      patients were 53% lymph node negative (LN-) while B-29 were 100% LN-; 33% of
      MA.14 patients received adjuvant chemotherapy, 2% concurrently, while B-29 had
      53% concurrent chemotherapy. MA.14 patients were 90% hormone receptor positive; B
      29, 100%. MA.14 patients experienced 5-year DFS of 80% with TAM, 76% with TAM +
      OCT; B-29 patients had 5-year DFS of 88% for both arms. Pooled univariable TAM +
      OCT to TAM hazard ratio (HR) was 0.99 (95% CI 0.81-1.20; p = 0.69): for MA.14, HR
      = 0.94 (0.73-1.20; p = 0.50); for B-29, HR = 1.09 (0.80-1.50; p = 0.59).
      Multivariable pooled HR = 0.98 (0.81-1.20; p = 0.84). Older patients (p < 0.001),
      with higher T stage (p < 0.001), and LN + (p < 0.001) had shorter DFS. Addition
      of OCT to TAM did not significantly improve DFS; gallbladder toxicity shortened
      the additional administration of OCT. This does not negate targeting the insulin
      IGF-I receptor family with less toxic therapeutics.

PMID- 26276355
TI  - Mechanisms of cadmium-caused eye hypoplasia and hypopigmentation in zebrafish
      embryos.
AB  - Cadmium-caused head and eye hypoplasia and hypopigmentation has been recognized
      for a long time, but knowledge of the underlying mechanisms is limited. In this
      study, we found that high mortality occurred in exposed embryos after 24 hpf,
      when cadmium (Cd) dosage was above 17.8 MUM. Using high-throughput in situ
      hybridization screening, we found that genes labelling the neural crest and its
      derivative pigment cells exhibited obviously reduced expression in Cd-exposed
      embryos from 24 hpf, 2 days earlier than head and eye hypoplasia and
      hypopigmentation occurred. Moreover, based on expression of crestin, a neural
      crest marker, we found that embryos before the gastrula stage were more sensitive
      to cadmium toxicity and that damage caused by Cd on embryogenesis was dosage
      dependent. In addition, by phenotype observation and detection of neural crest
      and pigment cell markers, we found that BIO and retinoic acid (RA) could
      neutralize the toxic effects of Cd on zebrafish embryogenesis. In this study, we
      first determined that Cd blocked the formation of the neural crest and inhibited
      specification of pigment cells, which might contribute to the molecular
      mechanisms underlying the phenotype defects of head and eye hypoplasia and
      hypopigmentation in Cd-exposed embryos. Moreover, we found that compounds BIO or
      RA could neutralize the toxic effects of Cd.

PMID- 26276356
TI  - Effects of cadmium exposure on critical temperatures of aerobic metabolism in
      eastern oysters Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin, 1791).
AB  - Cadmium (Cd) and elevated temperatures are common stressors in estuarine and
      coastal environments. Elevated temperature can sensitize estuarine organisms to
      the toxicity of metals such as Cd and vice versa, but the physiological
      mechanisms of temperature-Cd interactions are not well understood. We tested a
      hypothesis that interactive effects of elevated temperature and Cd stress involve
      Cd-induced reduction of the aerobic scope of an organism thereby narrowing the
      thermal tolerance window of oysters. We determined the effects of prolonged Cd
      exposure (50 MUg Cd l(-1)for 30 days) on the upper critical temperature of
      aerobic metabolism (assessed by accumulation of anaerobic end products L-alanine,
      succinate and acetate), cellular energy status (assessed by the tissue levels of
      adenylates, phosphagen/aphosphagen and glycogen and lipid reserves) and oxidative
      damage during acute temperature rise (20-36  degrees C) in the eastern oysters
      Crassostrea virginica. The upper critical temperature (TcII) was shifted to lower
      values (from 28 to 24  degrees C) in Cd-exposed oysters in spring and was lower
      in both control and Cd-exposed groups in winter (24 and <20  degrees C,
      respectively). This indicates a reduction of thermal tolerance of Cd-exposed
      oysters associated with a decrease of the aerobic scope of the organism and early
      transition to partial anaerobiosis. Acute warming had no negative effects on
      tissue energy reserves or parameters of cellular energy status of oysters (except
      a decrease in adenylate content at the extreme temperature of 36  degrees C) but
      led to an increase in oxidative lesions of proteins at extreme temperatures.
      These data show that transition to partial anaerobiosis (indicated by the
      accumulation of anaerobic end products) is the most sensitive biomarker of
      temperature-induced transition to energetically non-sustainable state in oysters,
      whereas disturbances in the cellular energy status (i.e. decline in adenylate and
      phosphagen levels) and oxidative stress ensue at considerably higher
      temperatures, nearing the lethal range. This study indicates that long-term
      exposure of oysters to environmentally relevant levels of Cd may increase their
      sensitivity to elevated temperatures during seasonal warming and/or the global
      climate change in polluted estuaries.

PMID- 26276357
TI  - Gab1 regulates SDF-1-induced progression via inhibition of apoptosis pathway
      induced by PI3K/AKT/Bcl-2/BAX pathway in human chondrosarcoma.
AB  - In recent decades, the stromal cell-derived factor-l (SDF-1) and Gab1 have been
      investigated to be involved in oncogenesis. However, it is scarcely reported that
      SDF-1-Gab1 pathway mediates proliferation and apoptosis in human chondrosarcoma
      (CS). In this study, we assessed the expression of Gab1 in 90 CS solid tumors by
      immunohistochemistry, immunoblotting, and qRT-PCR, and then, some in vitro assays
      were also applied to CS cells treated with SDF-1. We observed that the
      overexpression of Gab1 was positively correlated with lung metastasis and
      recurrence, and acts as an independent prognostic factor for CS patients. Gab1
      expression was up-regulated in response to SDF-1 stimulation in CS cell line
      JJ012, SW1353, L3252. Overexpression of Gab1 increased Bcl-2/BAX ratio to promote
      cell growth via PI3K/AKT. On the other hand, silencing of Gab1 accelerated
      apoptosis and repressed the growth of CS cells, which further caused the
      inhibition of G1/S phase transition and decreased invasion capacity in CS cell
      lines. In vivo assay identified that the knockdown of Gab1 interfered with the
      tumor mass formation. In conclusion, our data identified overexpression of Gab1
      in CS tissues, and Gab1 can be recommended as a novel biomarker for diagnosis and
      prognosis in patients with CS. Additionally, PI3K/AKT/Bcl-2/BAX axis was involved
      in Gab1-induced CS progression, indicating Gab1 might act as a new target for the
      treatment of CS patients. 

PMID- 26276358
TI  - LRRC3B is downregulated in non-small-cell lung cancer and inhibits cancer cell
      proliferation and invasion.
AB  - LRRC3B has emerged as a tumor suppressor in several human cancers. However, its
      expression pattern and biological roles in human non-small-cell lung cancer
      (NSCLC) have not been explored. In the present study, we investigated clinical
      significance of LRRC3B in 101 NSCLC specimens. We found that LRRC3B expression
      was downregulated in NSCLC tissues compared with normal bronchial epithelium and
      that its downregulation significantly correlated with tumor-node-metastasis (TNM)
      stage (p < 0.0001), nodal metastasis (p < 0.0001), and poor patient prognosis (p
      = 0.0016, log-rank test). We also checked LRRC3B levels in several lung cancer
      cell lines and found that its expression was downregulated in four of nine lung
      cancer cell lines compared with normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cell
      line. We further explored the biological role of LRRC3B. LRRC3B plasmid
      transfection in H460 and A549 cell lines inhibited proliferation, colony
      formation ability, and invading ability. Furthermore, we identified that LRRC3B
      could inhibit cell cycle progression with downregulation of cyclin D1 and
      decreased MMP9 expression. In addition, LRRC3B depletion in HBE cells promoted
      proliferation and invasion. In conclusion, our data suggested that LRRC3B may
      serve as an important tumor suppressor in NSCLC. 

PMID- 26276359
TI  - Association of GRM4 gene polymorphisms with susceptibility and
      clinicopathological characteristics of osteosarcoma in Guangxi Chinese
      population.
AB  - Osteosarcoma is the most frequent malignant primary bone tumor. GRM4 is expressed
      in human osteosarcoma cells, and high expression of mGluR4 in osteosarcoma
      tissues is related to poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to investigate
      the association between polymorphism of the GRM4 gene and the susceptibility to
      osteosarcoma in a Chinese population. In a case-control study, we investigated
      polymorphisms in the GRM4 gene (rs2229901, rs733457, and rs1906953) with a real
      time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay (TaqMan). The study was
      conducted with 126 Chinese patients with osteosarcoma and 168 Chinese subjects in
      a control group. Unconditional logistic regression was used to analyze the
      correlation between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and osteosarcoma risk.
      Different survival rates of different genotypic patients with osteosarcoma were
      analyzed through Kaplan-Meier. There were statistically significant differences
      in the distributions of the rs1906953 genotypes between the cases and control
      group (P = 0.034). However, there was no remarkable difference in the three
      genotypes of GRM4 gene rs2229901 locus between the patient group and control
      group (P = 0.369). Survival analysis for rs1906953 showed that the median
      survival time of osteosarcoma patients with the CC genotype was significantly
      shorter compared to the CT and TT genotypes; patients carrying CC genotype have
      apparently got a decrease in their recurrence-free survival time in comparison
      with patients carrying TT genotype. Our data suggest that GRM4 gene polymorphism
      is closely related to the morbidity and metastasis of osteosarcoma in a Chinese
      population. 

PMID- 26276360
TI  - Risk factors for skeletal-related events (SREs) and factors affecting SRE-free
      survival for nonsmall cell lung cancer patients with bone metastases.
AB  - Skeletal-related events (SREs) for nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients
      with bone metastasis lead to serious morbidity. The aim of this study was to
      determine risk factors for SREs in NSCLC patients with bone metastasis and the
      factors influencing SRE-free survival and overall survival (OS). From 2000 to
      2012, we evaluated retrospectively 835 NSCLC patients. Three hundred and thirty
      five of them with bone metastasis were included in the study. SREs and the other
      prognostic factors were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analysis for SRE
      free survival and OS. SREs were detected in 244 patients (72.8 %). The most
      common SREs were the need for radiotherapy (43.2 %) and malignant hypercalcemia
      (17.6 %). The median time to first SRE was 3.5 months at the median follow-up of
      17 months. A multivariate analysis showed that the presence of bone metastasis at
      diagnosis (p < 0.001), the number of bone metastasis (p = 0.001), baseline
      hypercalcemia (p = 0.004), and the presence of palliative radiotherapy (p = 0.04)
      were independent prognostic factors for SRE-free survival. A logistic regression
      analysis identified that the presence of bone metastasis at diagnosis [odds ratio
      (OR), 12.6], number of bone metastasis (OR, 3.05), and baseline hypercalcemia
      (OR, 0.33) were found to be predictive factors in the developing of SRE. The
      median OS time for patients with SRE was worse than that for patients without SRE
      (7 vs 12 months, respectively). For OS, male gender, ECOG performance status
      (PS), high lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level, hypoalbuminemia, the presence of
      bone metastasis at diagnosis, the number of bone metastasis, the presence of
      SREs, the presence of bisphosphonate therapy, and palliative radiotherapy were
      independent prognostic indicators for OS by the multivariate analysis. Our
      results indicated that the frequency of SREs was high and the presence of bone
      metastasis at the time of diagnosis, baseline hypercalcemia, and multiple bone
      metastases were significant factors predicting the occurrence of SREs. If bone
      metastases diagnose earlier, treatments for the prevention of SREs may be
      initiated earlier; thus, the deterioration of quality of life may be preserved. 

PMID- 26276361
TI  - Downregulated ECRG4 is associated with poor prognosis in renal cell cancer and is
      regulated by promoter DNA methylation.
AB  - Esophageal cancer-related gene 4 (ECRG4) has been proposed as a putative tumor
      suppressor gene in several tumors. However, the role and regulation of ECRG4 in
      the pathogenesis of human renal cancer remain largely unknown. Our current study
      revealed that expression of ECRG4 is downregulated in renal cell lines and renal
      cancer tissues. ECRG4 expression was significantly associated with histological
      grade of tumors (p < 0.001), primary tumor stage (p = 0.017), and distant
      metastasis (p = 0.017). Low expression of ECRG4 was an independent prognostic
      indicator for survival of renal cancer patients. Silencing of ECRG4 expression in
      renal cell lines was associated with its promoter methylation. Moreover, ectopic
      expression of ECRG4 markedly inhibited cell proliferation and invasion in renal
      cancer cell lines. These results indicated that ECRG4 is frequently silenced by
      the methylation of promoter in renal cell cancers. ECRG4 may be a tumor
      suppressor in renal cancer and serve as a prognostic marker. 

PMID- 26276362
TI  - Measurement of physical activity in older adult interventions: a systematic
      review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Interventions to promote physical activity (PA) among older adults
      can positively impact PA behaviour and other health outcomes. Measurement of PA
      must be valid and reliable; however, the degree to which studies employ valid and
      reliable measures of PA is unclear. The purpose of this systematic review was to
      evaluate the measurement tools used in interventions to increase PA among older
      adults (65+ years), including both self-report measures and objective measures.
      In addition, the implications of these different measurement tools on study
      results were evaluated and discussed. METHODS: Four electronic research databases
      (MEDLINE, PsychINFO, Web of Science and EBSCO) were used to identify published
      intervention studies measuring the PA behaviour of adults over 65 years of age.
      Studies were eligible if: (1) PA was an outcome; (2) there was a comparison group
      and (3) the manuscript was published in English. Data describing measurement
      methods and properties were extracted and reviewed. RESULTS: Of the 44 studies
      included in this systematic review, 32 used self-report measures, 9 used
      objective measures and 3 used both measures. 29% of studies used a PA measure
      that had neither established validity nor reliability, and only 63% of measures
      in the interventions had established both validity and reliability. Only 57% of
      measures had population-specific reliability and 66% had population-specific
      validity. CONCLUSIONS: A majority of intervention studies to help increase older
      adult PA used self-report measures, even though many have little evidence of
      validity and reliability. We recommend that future researchers utilise valid and
      reliable measures of PA with well-established evidence of psychometric properties
      such as hip-accelerometers and the Community Health Activities Model Program for
      Seniors (CHAMPS) Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Adults.

PMID- 26276363
TI  - Perceived Job Stress and Presence of Hypertension Among Administrative Officers
      in Sri Lanka.
AB  - A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 275 and 760 randomly selected
      senior officers (SOs) and managerial assistants (MAs) aged between 30 and 60
      years. Sum of scores of efforts, rewards, and overcommitment and effort-reward
      ratio assessed job stress. Blood pressure was measured and classified using JNC-7
      guidelines. The response rates of SOs and MAs were 98.9% and 97.2%, respectively.
      The prevalence of job stress based on high effort-rewards imbalance among SOs and
      MAs was 74.6% and 80.5%, respectively. The prevalence of overcommitment among SOs
      and MAs was 35.3% and 29%, respectively. Statistically significant differences (P
      = .05) were observed between the prevalence of effort-reward imbalance and
      overcommitment among SOs and MAs. Multivariate analysis indicated effort-reward
      imbalance (odds ratio [OR] = 2.8; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.1-7.4), high
      efforts (OR = 2.5; 95% CI = 1.2-5.3), and overcommitment (OR = 2.5; 95% CI = 1.1
      5.6) were significantly associated with hypertension among SOs. Similarly, effort
      reward imbalance and high efforts increased the risk of hypertension by 2-fold
      (OR = 2.2; 95% CI = 1.1-4.2) and 3-fold (OR = 3.02; 95% CI = 1.9-4.8),
      respectively, among the MAs. A significant number of administrators are afflicted
      by job stress, and job stress was significantly associated with hypertension. 

PMID- 26276364
TI  - Level of Physical Activity in Population Aged 16 to 65 Years in Rural Kerala,
      India.
AB  - Kerala is a state in India with a high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases and
      diabetes. In order to control these diseases, the prevalence of modifiable risk
      factors such as low physical activity need to be studied. For this a cross
      sectional study was conducted to assess the level of physical activity among 240
      residents aged between 15 and 65 years in Kulappuram, a village in north Kerala.
      Low level of physical activity was seen in 65.8% of the study participants. The
      average duration of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity per day in
      different domains such as work, travel, and recreation were 40.5, 10.1, and 12.7
      minutes, respectively. The average duration of sedentary activities was 284.3
      minutes per day. The level of physical activity was more among those engaged in
      unskilled work (adjusted odds ratio = 4.32; confidence interval = 1.38-13.51) and
      unmarried persons (adjusted odds ratio = 3.65; confidence interval = 1.25-10.65).
      No statistically significant difference in physical activity level was seen in
      different age, education, religious, and economic categories. The study concludes
      that the physical activity level was low in the study population. 

PMID- 26276365
TI  - Sustained Attention in Auditory and Visual Monitoring Tasks: Evaluation of the
      Administration of a Rest Break or Exogenous Vibrotactile Signals.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Performance and mental workload were observed for the administration
      of a rest break or exogenous vibrotactile signals in auditory and visual
      monitoring tasks. BACKGROUND: Sustained attention is mentally demanding.
      Techniques are required to improve observer performance in vigilance tasks.
      METHOD: Participants (N = 150) monitored an auditory or a visual display for
      changes in signal duration in a 40-min watch. During the watch, participants were
      administered a rest break or exogenous vibrotactile signals. RESULTS: Detection
      accuracy was significantly greater in the auditory than in the visual modality. A
      short rest break restored detection accuracy in both sensory modalities following
      deterioration in performance. Participants experienced significantly lower mental
      workload when monitoring auditory than visual signals, and a rest break
      significantly reduced mental workload in both sensory modalities. Exogenous
      vibrotactile signals had no beneficial effects on performance, or mental
      workload. CONCLUSION: A rest break can restore performance in auditory and visual
      vigilance tasks. Although sensory differences in vigilance tasks have been
      studied, this study is the initial effort to investigate the effects of a rest
      break countermeasure in both auditory and visual vigilance tasks, and it is also
      the initial effort to explore the effects of the intervention of a rest break on
      the perceived mental workload of auditory and visual vigilance tasks. Further
      research is warranted to determine exact characteristics of effective exogenous
      vibrotactile signals in vigilance tasks. APPLICATION: Potential applications of
      this research include procedures for decreasing the temporal decline in observer
      performance and the high mental workload imposed by vigilance tasks.

PMID- 26276367
TI  - Extinction of chained instrumental behaviors: Effects of consumption extinction
      on procurement responding.
AB  - Operant behavior is typically organized into sequences of responses that
      eventually lead to a reinforcer. Response elements can be categorized as those
      that directly lead to reward consumption (i.e., a consumption response) and those
      that lead to the opportunity to make the consumption response (i.e., a
      procurement response). These responses often differ topographically and in terms
      of the discriminative stimuli that set the occasion for them. We have recently
      shown that extinction of the procurement response acts to weaken the specific
      associated consumption response, and that active inhibition of the procurement
      response is required for this effect. To expand the analysis of the associative
      structure of chains, in the present experiments we asked the reverse question:
      whether extinction of consumption behavior results in a decrease in the
      associated procurement response in a discriminated heterogeneous chain. In
      Experiment 1, extinction of consumption alone led to an attenuation of the
      associated procurement response only when rats were allowed to make the
      consumption response in extinction. Exposure to the consumption stimulus alone
      was not sufficient to produce weakened procurement responding. In Experiment 2,
      rats learned two distinct heterogeneous chains, and extinction of one consumption
      response specifically weakened the procurement response associated with it. The
      results add to the evidence suggesting that rats learn a highly specific
      associative structure in behavior chains, emphasizing the role of learning
      response inhibition in extinction. 

PMID- 26276366
TI  - The standard diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of gastrointestinal stromal
      tumors based on guidelines.
AB  - Although gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are a rare type of cancer, they
      are the commonest sarcoma in the gastrointestinal tract. Molecularly targeted
      therapy, such as imatinib therapy, has revolutionized the treatment of advanced
      GIST and facilitates scientific research on GIST. Nevertheless, surgery remains a
      mainstay of treatment to obtain a permanent cure for GIST even in the era of
      targeted therapy. Many GIST guidelines have been published to guide the diagnosis
      and treatment of the disease. We review current versions of GIST guidelines
      published by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, by the European Society
      for Medical Oncology, and in Japan. All clinical practice guidelines for GIST
      include recommendations based on evidence as well as on expert consensus. Most of
      the content is very similar, as represented by the following examples: GIST is a
      heterogeneous disease that may have mutations in KIT, PDGFRA, HRAS, NRAS, BRAF,
      NF1, or the succinate dehydrogenase complex, and these subsets of tumors have
      several distinctive features. Although there are some minor differences among the
      guidelines--for example, in the dose of imatinib recommended for exon 9-mutated
      GIST or the efficacy of antigen retrieval via immunohistochemistry--their common
      objectives regarding diagnosis and treatment are not only to improve the
      diagnosis of GIST and the prognosis of patients but also to control medical
      costs. This review describes the current standard diagnosis, treatment, and
      follow-up of GISTs based on the recommendations of several guidelines and expert
      consensus.

PMID- 26276368
TI  - How New Caledonian crows solve novel foraging problems and what it means for
      cumulative culture.
AB  - New Caledonian crows make and use tools, and tool types vary over geographic
      landscapes. Social learning may explain the variation in tool design, but it is
      unknown to what degree social learning accounts for the maintenance of these
      designs. Indeed, little is known about the mechanisms these crows use to obtain
      information from others, despite the question's importance in understanding
      whether tool behavior is transmitted via social, genetic, or environmental means.
      For social transmission to account for tool-type variation, copying must utilize
      a mechanism that is action specific (e.g., pushing left vs. right) as well as
      context specific (e.g., pushing a particular object vs. any object). To determine
      whether crows can copy a demonstrator's actions as well as the contexts in which
      they occur, we conducted a diffusion experiment using a novel foraging task. We
      used a nontool task to eliminate any confounds introduced by individual
      differences in their prior tool experience. Two groups had demonstrators (trained
      in isolation on different options of a four-option task, including a two-action
      option) and one group did not. We found that crows socially learn about context:
      After observers see a demonstrator interact with the task, they are more likely
      to interact with the same parts of the task. In contrast, observers did not copy
      the demonstrator's specific actions. Our results suggest it is unlikely that
      observing tool-making behavior transmits tool types. We suggest it is possible
      that tool types are transmitted when crows copy the physical form of the tools
      they encounter. 

PMID- 26276369
TI  - Rapid assessment of technical competency: the 8-min suture test.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although simulation training and evaluation have become increasingly
      popular for teaching minimally invasive surgery, tools to measure open surgical
      skills remain underdeveloped. As there is increasing demand for objective
      measures of technical competency at the completion of surgical training
      (postgraduate year [PGY]-6 and -7), this project was designed to assess the
      feasibility, reliability, and validity of a novel open surgical skills evaluation
      tool, the 8-min suture test (8MST). METHODS: During an annual surgical skills
      laboratory session, fellows and residents were asked to complete a simulated end
      to-end vascular anastomosis. They were limited to 8 min to perform the
      anastomosis between two 12-mm Dacron grafts mounted on a customized platform.
      Their real-time and video-recorded performance was scored by two blinded
      evaluators and compared with their faculty-rated technical performance on
      clinical rotations completed around the time of 8MST administration. RESULTS: PGY
      6 and PGY-7 trainees were compared across several domains including 8MST total
      score (4.6 versus 5.5, P = 0.030), 8MST setup score (2.3 versus 2.4, P = 0.797),
      8MST technical score (2.3 versus 3.1, P = 0.026), and clinical performance score
      (3.1 versus 3.6, P = 0.006). Comparison of 8MST total score to the clinical
      performance score identified a strong relationship with a Pearson r = 0.55 (P <
      0.001) and r(2) = 0.30. Additionally, 8MST displayed high inter-rater reliability
      and test-retest reliability. CONCLUSIONS: The 8MST is a rapid, feasible,
      inexpensive, reliable, and valid test for assessment of surgical trainee
      technical abilities.

PMID- 26276370
TI  - PTH and Vitamin D Repress DMP1 in Cementoblasts.
AB  - A complex feedback mechanism between parathyroid hormone (PTH), 1,25(OH)2D3
      (1,25D), and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) maintains mineral homeostasis,
      in part by regulating calcium and phosphate absorption/reabsorption. Previously,
      we showed that 1,25D regulates mineral homeostasis by repressing dentin matrix
      protein 1 (DMP1) via the vitamin D receptor pathway. Similar to 1,25D, PTH may
      modulate DMP1, but the underlying mechanism remains unknown. Immortalized murine
      cementoblasts (OCCM.30), similar to osteoblasts and known to express DMP1, were
      treated with PTH (1-34). Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
      and Western blot revealed that PTH decreased DMP1 gene transcription (85%) and
      protein expression (30%), respectively. PTH mediated the downregulation of DMP1
      via the cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA) pathway. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the
      decreased localization of DMP1 in vivo in cellular cementum and alveolar bone of
      mice treated with a single dose (50 ug/kg) of PTH (1-34). RNA-seq was employed to
      further identify patterns of gene expression shared by PTH and 1,25D in
      regulating DMP1, as well as other factors involved in mineral homeostasis. PTH
      and 1,25D mutually upregulated 36 genes and mutually downregulated 27 genes by
      >=2-fold expression (P <= 0.05). Many identified genes were linked with the
      regulation of bone/tooth homeostasis, cell growth and differentiation, calcium
      signaling, and DMP1 transcription. Validation of RNA-seq results via PCR array
      confirmed a similar gene expression pattern in response to PTH and 1,25D
      treatment. Collectively, these results suggest that PTH and 1,25D share
      complementary effects in maintaining mineral homeostasis by mutual regulation of
      genes/proteins associated with calcium and phosphate metabolism while also
      exerting distinct roles on factors modulating mineral metabolism. Furthermore,
      PTH may modulate phosphate homeostasis by downregulating DMP1 expression via the
      cAMP/PKA pathway. Targeting genes/proteins mutually governed by PTH and 1,25D may
      be a viable approach for designing new therapies for preserving mineralized
      tissue health. 

PMID- 26276371
TI  - Enhanced Dentinogenesis of Pulp Progenitors by Early Exposure to FGF2.
AB  - Members of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family play essential and important
      roles in primary and reparative dentinogenesis. Although there appears to be a
      general agreement on the effects of FGF signaling on the proliferation of pulp
      cells, there are conflicting results regarding its effects on odontoblast
      differentiation. We recently examined the effects of continuous exposure of
      dental pulp cells to FGF2 and showed that the effects of FGF2 on differentiation
      of progenitor cells into odontoblasts were stage specific and dependent on the
      stage of cell maturity. The purpose of this study was to gain further insight
      into cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating the stimulatory effects of FGF2
      on odontoblast differentiation. To do so, we examined the effects of early and
      limited exposure of pulp cells from a series of green fluorescent protein (GFP)
      reporter transgenic mice that display stage-specific activation of transgenes
      during odontoblast differentiation to FGF2. Our results showed that early and
      limited exposure of pulp cells to FGF2 did not have significant effects on the
      extent of mineralization but induced significant increases in the expression of
      Dmp1 and Dspp and the number of DMP1-GFP(+) and DSPP-Cerulean(+) odontoblasts.
      Our results also showed that the stimulatory effects of FGF2 on odontoblast
      differentiation were mediated through FGFR/MEK/Erk1/2 signaling, increases in
      Bmp2, and activation of the BMP/BMPR signaling pathway. These observations show
      that early and limited exposure of pulp cells to FGF2 alone promotes odontoblast
      differentiation and provides critical insight for applications of FGF2 in dentin
      regeneration. 

PMID- 26276372
TI  - Photocurable, Antimicrobial Quaternary Ammonium-modified Nanosilica.
AB  - In this study, novel, quaternary ammonium methacrylate-modified silica
      nanoparticles (QMSNs) were synthesized for the first time and proposed as
      possible antimicrobial particles for free-radical, photocurable monomers. Such
      monomers have the potential to polymerize with other methacrylate monomers and
      create antimicrobial polymers. The silica nanoparticles were modified by
      quaternary ammonium methacrylate functionality and incorporated at 0 to 10 wt%
      into a 1:1 (by mass) bisphenol A glycerolate dimethacrylate (BisGMA)/triethylene
      glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) resin. Thermal stability of the pristine and
      modified silica nanoparticles was examined by thermogravimetric analyses. Atomic
      force microscopy was used to investigate the size distribution and topography of
      the nanoparticles. For evaluation of the mechanical properties of the samples,
      flexural strength was measured using a 3-point bending test method. The flexural
      strength of the composites containing QMSNs increased with increasing modified
      silica content. The antimicrobial activity of samples was investigated against
      some standard microorganisms (Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus,
      Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida
      albicans), and then cytotoxicity and viability were quantified. Incorporation of
      2.5% to 10% (by mass) QMSNs into BisGMA/TEGDMA demonstrated antimicrobial
      activity, but >=5 wt% significantly reduced cell viability. 

PMID- 26276373
TI  - Feasibility of a Website and a Hospital-Based Online Portal for Young Adults With
      Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Views and Experiences of Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To improve knowledge and to encourage active involvement of young
      adults with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), an informative website with
      written and video information and an online portal with access to the personal
      medical record, self-monitoring, and e-consult functionalities were developed.
      Before implementing these applications in daily practice, it is important to gain
      insight into their feasibility in terms of ease of use, perceived usefulness and
      intention to use. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate and to examine
      the feasibility of the website and the online portal for young adults with JIA.
      METHODS: A qualitative, feasibility study was conducted among the first users: 13
      young adults with JIA. After provided access to the website and online portal,
      patients were interviewed on perceived usefulness, ease of use, and intention to
      (re)use the applications. RESULTS: Participants in the study considered the
      website and online portal as useful and easy-to-use. New medical information and
      feedback would motivate them to revisit the applications again. On the website,
      videos showing other young adults, telling how they handle their condition, were
      found as the most useful. On the portal, access to their medical records was most
      appreciated: it made the young JIA patients feel in control and it helped them
      monitor symptoms and disease activity. e-consults were thought to facilitate
      communication with physicians. CONCLUSIONS: The young adults considered both the
      website and the online portal as feasible, but they also had valuable suggestions
      to improve accessibility and use. Based on these findings, a news and event
      section was added on the website and a direct link was made to a discussion board
      and social media. To provide and support health information, the website is
      actively used in daily care. Considering the online portal, the use of self
      monitoring tools and e-consult can be stimulated if there is direct linkage to
      treatment and feedback from the multidisciplinary team. Feasibility testing,
      before implementing the website and online portal in daily practice, has proven
      to be a valuable step. Results led to improvements in terms of integration into
      standard care and topics for further research.

PMID- 26276375
TI  - Recombinant human interleukin-11 (IL-11) is a protective factor in severe sepsis
      with thrombocytopenia: A case-control study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine the platelet recovering and anti-inflammatory effects of IL
      11 in the treatment of sepsis, accompanied with thrombocytopenia and to
      investigate the associated mechanisms via a case-control study. METHODS: 105
      patients enrolled for the study were segregated into (1) IL-11 therapy group and
      (2) conventional therapy group. The IL-11 therapy group was given additional
      recombinant human IL-11 treatment. Laboratory examinations of IL-11, IL-6, TNF
      alpha, PT, APTT, WBC, PLT counts in blood routine assays and PCT, CRP and APACHE
      II scores were performed and the results were recorded. RESULTS: The PLT counts
      in the IL-11 therapy group were higher than those in the conventional therapy
      group. No obvious difference in WBC counts or CRP levels was observed between the
      two groups. The highest levels of TNF-alpha were observed on day 3 in the
      conventional therapy group while it was observed on day 1 in the IL-11 therapy
      group, both of which subsequently declined gradually. The level of IL-6 was
      significantly lower in the IL-11 therapy group from 3 to 14 days, while there was
      a gradual elevation of IL-11. IL-11 therapy downregulated the expression of the
      sepsis indicator PCT and reduced the APACHE II score from 3 to 14 days. The
      conventional therapy group had a significantly higher mortality rate within 28
      days. CONCLUSION: IL-11 has a protective role and can accelerate recovery of
      platelets, and remarkably lessen the extent of inflammatory responses, hence
      reducing the mortality in sepsis patients accompanied with thrombocytopenia.

PMID- 26276376
TI  - Role of aetiology, diabetes, tobacco smoking and hypertension in hepatocellular
      carcinoma survival.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Aim of this study was to investigate the role of aetiology, diabetes,
      tobacco smoking and hypertension in the survival of patients with hepatocellular
      carcinoma. METHODS: A prospective cohort of 552 patients (81.5% males, mean age
      64.4 years) first diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma in 1995-2001 in
      Brescia, Italy, was retrospectively analyzed. Data on the presence of diabetes
      mellitus, hypertension, heavy alcohol intake and tobacco smoking were obtained
      from patients' clinical charts or interviews. Survival analysis was performed
      using univariate and multivariate methods (Cox proportional hazards model).
      RESULTS: 33% had a history of heavy alcohol intake, 24.3% had viral hepatitis and
      33.5% had both aetiologies. Diabetes, hypertension and tobacco smoking were found
      in 29.9%, 37.9% and 35.9%, respectively. During follow-up (median 19.9 months),
      the median survival was 19.9 (95% confidence interval [CI] 16.7-22.8) months.
      Using multivariate Cox regression models, alcohol-related liver disease and
      diabetes were found to be associated with mortality, with hazard ratios of 1.32
      (95% CI 0.99-1.75) and 1.25 (95% CI 1.02-1.54), respectively. Hypertension and
      smoking habit did not influence survival. CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol aetiology and the
      presence of diabetes were positively associated with patient mortality with
      hepatocellular carcinoma, whereas tobacco smoking and hypertension were not.

PMID- 26276374
TI  - Beyond Candida albicans: Mechanisms of immunity to non-albicans Candida species.
AB  - The fungal genus Candida encompasses numerous species that inhabit a variety of
      hosts, either as commensal microbes and/or pathogens. Candida species are a major
      cause of fungal infections, yet to date there are no vaccines against Candida or
      indeed any other fungal pathogen. Our knowledge of immunity to Candida mainly
      comes from studies on Candida albicans, the most frequent species associated with
      disease. However, non-albicans Candida (NAC) species also cause disease and their
      prevalence is increasing. Although research into immunity to NAC species is still
      at an early stage, it is becoming apparent that immunity to C. albicans differs
      in important ways from non-albicans species, with important implications for
      treatment, therapy and predicted demographic susceptibility. This review will
      discuss the current understanding of immunity to NAC species in the context of
      immunity to C. albicans, and highlight as-yet unanswered questions. 

PMID- 26276377
TI  - Early prediction of long-term upper limb spasticity after stroke: part of the
      SALGOT study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To identify predictors and the optimal time point for the early
      prediction of the presence and severity of spasticity in the upper limb 12 months
      poststroke. METHODS: In total, 117 patients in the Gothenburg area who had
      experienced a stroke for the first time and with documented arm paresis day 3
      poststroke were consecutively included. Assessments were made at admission and at
      3 and 10 days, 4 weeks, and 12 months poststroke. Upper limb spasticity in elbow
      flexion/extension and wrist flexion/extension was assessed with the modified
      Ashworth Scale (MAS). Any spasticity was regarded as MAS >=1, and severe
      spasticity was regarded as MAS >=2 in any of the muscles. Sensorimotor function,
      sensation, pain, and joint range of motion in the upper limb were assessed with
      the Fugl-Meyer assessment scale, and, together with demographic and diagnostic
      information, were included in both univariate and multivariate logistic
      regression analysis models. Seventy-six patients were included in the logistic
      regression analysis. RESULTS: Sensorimotor function was the most important
      predictor both for any and severe spasticity 12 months poststroke. In addition,
      spasticity 4 weeks poststroke was a significant predictor for severe spasticity.
      The best prediction model for any spasticity was observed 10 days poststroke (85%
      sensitivity, 90% specificity). The best prediction model for severe spasticity
      was observed 4 weeks poststroke (91% sensitivity, 92% specificity). CONCLUSIONS:
      Reduced sensorimotor function was the most important predictor both for any and
      severe spasticity, and spasticity could be predicted with high sensitivity and
      specificity 10 days poststroke.

PMID- 26276378
TI  - Comment: How and why to predict spasticity after stroke?

PMID- 26276379
TI  - Watch your neighbor's garden, or Delphi's oracle for unruptured intracranial
      aneurysm treatment.

PMID- 26276381
TI  - Using Targeted Resequencing for Identification of Candidate Genes and SNPs for a
      QTL Affecting the pH Value of Chicken Meat.
AB  - Using targeted genetical genomics, a quantitative trait locus (QTL) affecting the
      initial postmortem pH value of chicken breast muscle (Pectoralis major) on
      chromosome 1 (GGA1) recently was fine-mapped. Thirteen genes were present in the
      QTL region of approximately 1 Mb. In this study, 10 birds that were inferred to
      be homozygous for either the high (QQ) or low (qq) QTL allele were selected for
      resequencing. After enrichment for 1 Mb around the QTL region, >500 * coverage
      for the QTL region in each of the 10 birds was obtained. In total 5056 single
      nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified for which the genotypes were
      consistent with one of the QTL genotypes. We used custom tools to identify
      putative causal mutations in the mapped QTL region from these SNPs. Four
      nonsynonymous SNPs differentiating the two QTL genotype groups were identified
      within four local genes (PRDX4, EIF2S3, PCYT1B, and E1BTD2). Although these are
      likely candidate SNPs to explain the QTL effect, 54 additional consensus SNPs
      were detected within gene-related regions (untranslated regions, splicing sites
      CpG island, and promoter regions) for the QQ birds and 71 for the qq birds. These
      could also play a role explaining the observed QTL effect. The results provide an
      important step for prioritizing among a large amount of candidate mutations and
      significantly contribute to the understanding of the genetic mechanisms affecting
      the initial postmortem pH value of chicken muscle.

PMID- 26276380
TI  - The unruptured intracranial aneurysm treatment score: a multidisciplinary
      consensus.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We endeavored to develop an unruptured intracranial aneurysm (UIA)
      treatment score (UIATS) model that includes and quantifies key factors involved
      in clinical decision-making in the management of UIAs and to assess agreement for
      this model among specialists in UIA management and research. METHODS: An
      international multidisciplinary (neurosurgery, neuroradiology, neurology,
      clinical epidemiology) group of 69 specialists was convened to develop and
      validate the UIATS model using a Delphi consensus. For internal (39 panel members
      involved in identification of relevant features) and external validation (30
      independent external reviewers), 30 selected UIA cases were used to analyze
      agreement with UIATS management recommendations based on a 5-point Likert scale
      (5 indicating strong agreement). Interrater agreement (IRA) was assessed with
      standardized coefficients of dispersion (vr*) (vr* = 0 indicating excellent
      agreement and vr* = 1 indicating poor agreement). RESULTS: The UIATS accounts for
      29 key factors in UIA management. Agreement with UIATS (mean Likert scores) was
      4.2 (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.1-4.3) per reviewer for both reviewer
      cohorts; agreement per case was 4.3 (95% CI 4.1-4.4) for panel members and 4.5
      (95% CI 4.3-4.6) for external reviewers (p = 0.017). Mean Likert scores were 4.2
      (95% CI 4.1-4.3) for interventional reviewers (n = 56) and 4.1 (95% CI 3.9-4.4)
      for noninterventional reviewers (n = 12) (p = 0.290). Overall IRA (vr*) for both
      cohorts was 0.026 (95% CI 0.019-0.033). CONCLUSIONS: This novel UIA decision
      guidance study captures an excellent consensus among highly informed individuals
      on UIA management, irrespective of their underlying specialty. Clinicians can use
      the UIATS as a comprehensive mechanism for indicating how a large group of
      specialists might manage an individual patient with a UIA.

PMID- 26276382
TI  - Developmental Transcriptome for a Facultatively Eusocial Bee, Megalopta genalis.
AB  - Transcriptomes provide excellent foundational resources for mechanistic and
      evolutionary analyses of complex traits. We present a developmental transcriptome
      for the facultatively eusocial bee Megalopta genalis, which represents a
      potential transition point in the evolution of eusociality. A de novo
      transcriptome assembly of Megalopta genalis was generated using paired-end
      Illumina sequencing and the Trinity assembler. Males and females of all life
      stages were aligned to this transcriptome for analysis of gene expression
      profiles throughout development. Gene Ontology analysis indicates that stage
      specific genes are involved in ion transport, cell-cell signaling, and
      metabolism. A number of distinct biological processes are upregulated in each
      life stage, and transitions between life stages involve shifts in dominant
      functional processes, including shifts from transcriptional regulation in embryos
      to metabolism in larvae, and increased lipid metabolism in adults. We expect that
      this transcriptome will provide a useful resource for future analyses to better
      understand the molecular basis of the evolution of eusociality and, more
      generally, phenotypic plasticity.

PMID- 26276383
TI  - Ensemble Learning of QTL Models Improves Prediction of Complex Traits.
AB  - Quantitative trait locus (QTL) models can provide useful insights into trait
      genetic architecture because of their straightforward interpretability but are
      less useful for genetic prediction because of the difficulty in including the
      effects of numerous small effect loci without overfitting. Tight linkage between
      markers introduces near collinearity among marker genotypes, complicating the
      detection of QTL and estimation of QTL effects in linkage mapping, and this
      problem is exacerbated by very high density linkage maps. Here we developed a
      thinning and aggregating (TAGGING) method as a new ensemble learning approach to
      QTL mapping. TAGGING reduces collinearity problems by thinning dense linkage
      maps, maintains aspects of marker selection that characterize standard QTL
      mapping, and by ensembling, incorporates information from many more markers-trait
      associations than traditional QTL mapping. The objective of TAGGING was to
      improve prediction power compared with QTL mapping while also providing more
      specific insights into genetic architecture than genome-wide prediction models.
      TAGGING was compared with standard QTL mapping using cross validation of
      empirical data from the maize (Zea mays L.) nested association mapping
      population. TAGGING-assisted QTL mapping substantially improved prediction
      ability for both biparental and multifamily populations by reducing both the
      variance and bias in prediction. Furthermore, an ensemble model combining
      predictions from TAGGING-assisted QTL and infinitesimal models improved
      prediction abilities over the component models, indicating some complementarity
      between model assumptions and suggesting that some trait genetic architectures
      involve a mixture of a few major QTL and polygenic effects. 

PMID- 26276384
TI  - Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Related Genes in Yellow Catfish Pelteobagrus
      fulvidraco: Molecular Characterization, Tissue Expression, and Expression
      Responses to Dietary Copper Deficiency and Excess.
AB  - Two endoplasmic reticulum (ER) molecular chaperones [glucose-regulated protein 78
      (grp78) and calreticulin (crt)] and three ER stress sensors [PKR-like ER kinase
      (perk), inositol requiring enzyme (ire)-1alpha, and activating transcription
      factor (atf)-6alpha] cDNAs were first characterized from yellow catfish,
      Pelteobagrus fulvidraco. The predicted amino acid sequences for the yellow
      catfish grp78, crt, perk, ire-1alpha, and atf-6alpha revealed that the proteins
      contained all of the structural features that were characteristic of the five
      genes in other species, including the KDEL motif, signal peptide, sensor domain,
      and effector domain. mRNAs of the five genes mentioned above were expressed in
      various tissues, but their mRNA levels varied among tissues. Dietary Cu excess,
      but not Cu deficiency, activated the chaperones (grp78 and crt) and folding
      sensors in ER, and the UPR signaling pathways (i.e., perk-eif2alpha and the ire1
      xbp1) in a tissue-specific manner. For the first time, our study cloned grp78,
      crt, perk, ire-1alpha, and atf-6alpha genes in yellow catfish and demonstrated
      their differential expression among tissues. Moreover, the present study also
      indicated differential regulation of these ER stress-related genes by dietary Cu
      deficiency and excess, which will be beneficial for us to evaluate effects of
      dietary Cu levels in fish at the molecular level, based on the upstream pathway
      of lipid metabolism (the ER) and thus provide novel insights regarding the
      nutrition of Cu in fish.

PMID- 26276386
TI  - Efficacy of 1 % silver sulphadiazine dressings in preventing infection of
      external fixation pin-tracks: a randomized study.
AB  - Pin-track infection (PTI) is a common complication of external fixation.
      Antimicrobial dressings of the pin-site interface should reduce the severity and
      incidence of PTI. This study is aimed at determining the efficacy of 1 % silver
      sulphadiazine dressings in preventing PTI in external fixation. We compared the
      incidence of PTI between group A (dry sterile gauze dressing) and group B (1 %
      silver sulphadiazine impregnated gauze dressing). PTI was diagnosed when there
      was: (1) redness around any pin-site, (2) tenderness near a pin-site and (3)
      serous or purulent discharge from the pin-skin interface. With infection, swab
      was obtained for microscopy, culture and sensitivity. Pin-track infections were
      diagnosed in 22.5 and 4.1 % of patients in groups A and B, respectively. This
      difference was statistically significant. The commonest organism isolated from
      swabs was Staphyloccus aureus. In patients with external fixation, 1 % silver
      sulphadiazine lowered PTI. This further underlines the need for antimicrobial
      dressings of pin-sites. We recommend the use of 1 % silver sulphadiazine
      impregnated ribbon gauze for pin-site dressings. Level of evidence II. 

PMID- 26276385
TI  - A Flippase-Mediated GAL80/GAL4 Intersectional Resource for Dissecting Appendage
      Development in Drosophila.
AB  - Drosophila imaginal discs provide an ideal model to study processes important for
      cell signaling and cell specification, tissue differentiation, and cell
      competition during development. One challenge to understanding genetic control of
      cellular processes and cell interactions is the difficulty in effectively
      targeting a defined subset of cells in developing tissues in gene manipulation
      experiments. A recently developed Flippase-induced intersectional GAL80/GAL4
      repression method incorporates several gene manipulation technologies in
      Drosophila to enable such fine-scale dissection in neural tissues. In particular,
      this approach brings together existing GAL4 transgenes, newly developed enhancer
      trap flippase transgenes, and GAL80 transgenes flanked by Flippase recognition
      target sites. The combination of these tools enables gene activation/repression
      in particular subsets of cells within a GAL4 expression pattern. Here, we expand
      the utility of a large collection of these enhancer-trap flippase transgenic
      insertion lines by characterizing their expression patterns in third larval
      instar imaginal discs. We screened 521 different enhancer-trap flippase lines and
      identified 28 that are expressed in imaginal tissues, including two transgenes
      that show sex-specific expression patterns. Using a line that expresses Flippase
      in the wing imaginal disc, we demonstrate the utility of this intersectional
      approach for studying development by knocking down gene expression of a key
      member of the planar cell polarity pathway. The results of our experiments show
      that these enhancer-trap flippase lines enable fine-scale manipulation in
      imaginal discs. 

PMID- 26276387
TI  - Oxidized Mild Steel S235: An Efficient Anode for Electrocatalytically Initiated
      Water Splitting.
AB  - The surface of steel S235 was oxidized by Cl2 gas and checked for its
      electrocatalytic efficiency regarding oxygen formation in aqueous solution. If
      exposed to humid Cl2 gas for 110 min, steel S235 became an electrocatalyst that
      exhibits an overpotential for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) of 462 mV at 1
      mA cm(-2) at pH 7. The OER activity of the same sample at pH 13 was moderate (347
      mV overpotential at 2.0 mA cm(-2) current density) in comparison with OER
      electrocatalysts developed recently. Potential versus time plots measured at a
      constant current demonstrate the sufficient stability of all samples under
      catalysis conditions at pH 7 and 13 for tens of hours. High-resolution X-ray
      photoelectron spectra could be reasonably resolved with the proviso that Fe2 O3 ,
      FeO(OH), MnO(OH), and Mn2 O3 are the predominant Fe and Mn species on the surface
      of the oxidized steel S235.

PMID- 26276388
TI  - Unifying the DNA end-processing roles of the artemis nuclease: Ku-dependent
      artemis resection at blunt DNA ends.
AB  - Artemis is a member of the metallo-beta-lactamase protein family of nucleases. It
      is essential in vertebrates because, during V(D)J recombination, the RAG complex
      generates hairpins when it creates the double strand breaks at V, D, and J
      segments, and Artemis is required to open the hairpins so that they can be
      joined. Artemis is a diverse endo- and exonuclease, and creating a unified model
      for its wide range of nuclease properties has been challenging. Here we show that
      Artemis resects iteratively into blunt DNA ends with an efficiency that reflects
      the AT-richness of the DNA end. GC-rich ends are not cut by Artemis alone because
      of a requirement for DNA end breathing (and confirmed using fixed pseudo-Y
      structures). All DNA ends are cut when both the DNA-dependent protein kinase
      catalytic subunit and Ku accompany Artemis but not when Ku is omitted. These are
      the first biochemical data demonstrating a Ku dependence of Artemis action on DNA
      ends of any configuration. The action of Artemis at blunt DNA ends is slower than
      at overhangs, consistent with a requirement for a slow DNA end breathing step
      preceding the cut. The AT sequence dependence, the order of strand cutting, the
      length of the cuts, and the Ku-dependence of Artemis action at blunt ends can be
      reconciled with the other nucleolytic properties of both Artemis and Artemis.DNA
      PKcs in a model incorporating DNA end breathing of blunt ends to form transient
      single to double strand boundaries that have structural similarities to hairpins
      and fixed 5' and 3' overhangs. 

PMID- 26276389
TI  - Structural Basis for the ATP-dependent Configuration of Adenylation Active Site
      in Bacillus subtilis o-Succinylbenzoyl-CoA Synthetase.
AB  - o-Succinylbenzoyl-CoA synthetase, or MenE, is an essential adenylate-forming
      enzyme targeted for development of novel antibiotics in the menaquinone
      biosynthesis. Using its crystal structures in a ligand-free form or in complex
      with nucleotides, a conserved pattern is identified in the interaction between
      ATP and adenylating enzymes, including acyl/aryl-CoA synthetases, adenylation
      domains of nonribosomal peptide synthetases, and luciferases. It involves tight
      gripping interactions of the phosphate-binding loop (P-loop) with the ATP
      triphosphate moiety and an open-closed conformational change to form a compact
      adenylation active site. In MenE catalysis, this ATP-enzyme interaction creates a
      new binding site for the carboxylate substrate, allowing revelation of the
      determinants of substrate specificities and in-line alignment of the two
      substrates for backside nucleophilic substitution reaction by molecular modeling.
      In addition, the ATP-enzyme interaction is suggested to play a crucial catalytic
      role by mutation of the P-loop residues hydrogen-bonded to ATP. Moreover, the ATP
      enzyme interaction has also clarified the positioning and catalytic role of a
      conserved lysine residue in stabilization of the transition state. These findings
      provide new insights into the adenylation half-reaction in the domain alteration
      catalytic mechanism of the adenylate-forming enzymes. 

PMID- 26276390
TI  - The IVVY Motif and Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor-associated Factor (TRAF) Sites
      in the Cytoplasmic Domain of the Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor kappaB
      (RANK) Cooperate to Induce Osteoclastogenesis.
AB  - Receptor activator of NF-kappaB (RANK) activation by RANK ligand (RANKL) mediates
      osteoclastogenesis by recruiting TNF receptor-associated factors (TRAFs) via
      three cytoplasmic motifs (motif 1, PFQEP(369-373); motif 2, PVQEET(559-564); and
      motif 3, PVQEQG(604-609)) to activate the NF-kappaB and MAPK signaling pathways.
      RANK also has a TRAF-independent motif (IVVY(535-538)), which is dispensable for
      the activation of TRAF-induced signaling pathways but essential for osteoclast
      lineage commitment by inducing the expression of nuclear factor of activated T
      cells c1 (NFATc1) to regulate osteoclast gene expression. Notably, TNF/IL-1
      mediated osteoclastogenesis requires RANK ligand assistance, and the IVVY motif
      is also critical for TNF/IL-1-mediated osteoclastogenesis by rendering osteoclast
      genes responsive to these two cytokines. Here we show that the two types of RANK
      cytoplasmic motifs have to be on the same RANK molecule to mediate
      osteoclastogenesis, suggesting a functional cooperation between them. Subsequent
      osteoclastogenesis assays with TNF or IL-1 revealed that, although all three TRAF
      motifs play roles in TNF/IL-1-mediated osteoclastogenesis, motifs 2 and 3 are
      more potent than motif 1. Accordingly, inactivation of motifs 2 and 3
      blocksTNF/IL-1-mediated osteoclastogenesis. Mechanistically, double mutation of
      motifs 2 and 3, similar to inactivation of the IVVY motif, abrogates the
      expression of nuclear factor of activated T-cells c1 and osteoclast genes in
      assays reflecting RANK-initiated and TNF/IL-1-mediated osteoclastogenesis. In
      contrast, double inactivation of motifs 2 and 3 did not affect the ability of
      RANK to activate the NF-kappaB and MAPK signaling pathways. Collectively, these
      results indicate that the RANK IVVY motif cooperates with the TRAF-binding motifs
      to promote osteoclastogenesis, which provides novel insights into the molecular
      mechanism of RANK signaling in osteoclastogenesis. 

PMID- 26276391
TI  - Prolyl isomerase Pin1 negatively regulates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) by
      associating with the CBS domain in the gamma subunit.
AB  - AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) plays a critical role in metabolic
      regulation. In this study, first, it was revealed that Pin1 associates with any
      isoform of gamma, but not with either the alpha or the beta subunit, of AMPK. The
      association between Pin1 and the AMPK gamma1 subunit is mediated by the WW domain
      of Pin1 and the Thr(211)-Pro-containing motif located in the CBS domain of the
      gamma1 subunit. Importantly, overexpression of Pin1 suppressed AMPK
      phosphorylation in response to either 2-deoxyglucose or biguanide stimulation,
      whereas Pin1 knockdown by siRNAs or treatment with Pin1 inhibitors enhanced it.
      The experiments using recombinant Pin1, AMPK, LKB1, and PP2C proteins revealed
      that the protective effect of AMP against PP2C-induced AMPKalpha subunit
      dephosphorylation was markedly suppressed by the addition of Pin1. In good
      agreement with the in vitro data, the level of AMPK phosphorylation as well as
      the expressions of mitochondria-related genes, such as PGC-1alpha, which are
      known to be positively regulated by AMPK, were markedly higher with reduced
      triglyceride accumulation in the muscles of Pin1 KO mice as compared with
      controls. These findings suggest that Pin1 plays an important role in the
      pathogenic mechanisms underlying impaired glucose and lipid metabolism,
      functioning as a negative regulator of AMPK. 

PMID- 26276392
TI  - AMP-activated protein kinase suppresses arachidonate 15-lipoxygenase expression
      in interleukin 4-polarized human macrophages.
AB  - Macrophages respond to the Th2 cytokine IL-4 with elevated expression of
      arachidonate 15-lipoxygenase (ALOX15). Although IL-4 signaling elicits anti
      inflammatory responses, 15-lipoxygenase may either support or inhibit
      inflammatory processes in a context-dependent manner. AMP-activated protein
      kinase (AMPK) is a metabolic sensor/regulator that supports an anti-inflammatory
      macrophage phenotype. How AMPK activation is linked to IL-4-elicited gene
      signatures remains unexplored. Using primary human macrophages stimulated with IL
      4, we observed elevated ALOX15 mRNA and protein expression, which was attenuated
      by AMPK activation. AMPK activators, e.g. phenformin and aminoimidazole-4
      carboxamide 1-beta-d-ribofuranoside inhibited IL-4-evoked activation of STAT3
      while leaving activation of STAT6 and induction of typical IL-4-responsive genes
      intact. In addition, phenformin prevented IL-4-induced association of STAT6 and
      Lys-9 acetylation of histone H3 at the ALOX15 promoter. Activating AMPK abolished
      cellular production of 15-lipoxygenase arachidonic acid metabolites in IL-4
      stimulated macrophages, which was mimicked by ALOX15 knockdown. Finally,
      pretreatment of macrophages with IL-4 for 48 h increased the mRNA expression of
      the proinflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-12, CXCL9, and CXCL10 induced by
      subsequent stimulation with lipopolysaccharide. This response was attenuated by
      inhibition of ALOX15 or activation of AMPK during incubation with IL-4. In
      conclusion, limiting ALOX15 expression by AMPK may promote an anti-inflammatory
      phenotype of IL-4-stimulated human macrophages. 

PMID- 26276393
TI  - Mycobacterium tuberculosis RecG protein but not RuvAB or RecA protein is
      efficient at remodeling the stalled replication forks: implications for multiple
      mechanisms of replication restart in mycobacteria.
AB  - Aberrant DNA replication, defects in the protection, and restart of stalled
      replication forks are major causes of genome instability in all organisms.
      Replication fork reversal is emerging as an evolutionarily conserved
      physiological response for restart of stalled forks. Escherichia coli RecG,
      RuvAB, and RecA proteins have been shown to reverse the model replication fork
      structures in vitro. However, the pathways and the mechanisms by which
      Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow growing human pathogen, responds to different
      types of replication stress and DNA damage are unclear. Here, we show that M.
      tuberculosis RecG rescues E. coli DeltarecG cells from replicative stress. The
      purified M. tuberculosis RecG (MtRecG) and RuvAB (MtRuvAB) proteins catalyze fork
      reversal of model replication fork structures with and without a leading strand
      single-stranded DNA gap. Interestingly, single-stranded DNA-binding protein
      suppresses the MtRecG- and MtRuvAB-mediated fork reversal with substrates that
      contain lagging strand gap. Notably, our comparative studies with fork structures
      containing template damage and template switching mechanism of lesion bypass
      reveal that MtRecG but not MtRuvAB or MtRecA is proficient in driving the fork
      reversal. Finally, unlike MtRuvAB, we find that MtRecG drives efficient reversal
      of forks when fork structures are tightly bound by protein. These results provide
      direct evidence and valuable insights into the underlying mechanism of MtRecG
      catalyzed replication fork remodeling and restart pathways in vivo. 

PMID- 26276395
TI  - Suppressive effect of membrane-permeable peptides derived from
      autophosphorylation sites of the IGF-1 receptor on breast cancer cells.
AB  - Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) receptors play a crucial role in the biology
      of human cancer, making them an attractive target for anti-cancer agents. We
      previously designed oligopeptides containing the amino-acid sequences surrounding
      the autophosphorylation sites of the insulin receptor and found that two of them,
      namely, Ac-DIYET-NH2 and Ac-DYYRK-NH2, suppressed phosphorylation of purified
      insulin receptors in a non-ATP-competitive manner, whereas Ac-NIYQT-NH2 and Ac
      NYYRK-NH2 suppressed in an ATP-competitive manner. Because the IGF-1 receptor is
      closely related to the insulin receptor, the aim of this study was to observe the
      effects of these peptides, which correspond to the amino-acid sequences of the
      autophosphorylation sites of the IGF-1 receptor, on the activity of the human
      breast cancer cell lines MCF-7, T47D, MDA-MB-231, and MDA-MB-453. To facilitate
      peptide delivery into breast cancer cells, the cell-penetrating peptide, human
      immunodeficiency virus type 1-transactivator of transcription (Tat), was linked
      to these peptides. When breast cancer cells were treated with each of these
      synthetic Tat-conjugated peptides, the conjugated peptides penetrated into the
      cells and suppressed cell proliferation. An inhibitory effect of Tat-conjugated
      peptides against IGF-1-stimulated phosphorylation of IGF-1 receptors was
      observed. In addition, we found that combinations of these peptides suppressed
      phosphorylation of IGF-1 receptors to a greater extent than the peptides did
      individually. In conclusion, IGF-1 receptor autophosphorylation site-derived
      membrane-permeable peptides have the potential to suppress IGF-1 receptor
      function in breast cancer cells and to be developed into novel and useful agents
      for cancer therapy. 

PMID- 26276394
TI  - Mechanisms of inhibition and potentiation of alpha4beta2 nicotinic acetylcholine
      receptors by members of the Ly6 protein family.
AB  - alpha4beta2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are abundantly expressed
      throughout the central nervous system and are thought to be the primary target of
      nicotine, the main addictive substance in cigarette smoking. Understanding the
      mechanisms by which these receptors are regulated may assist in developing
      compounds to selectively interfere with nicotine addiction. Here we report
      previously unrecognized modulatory properties of members of the Ly6 protein
      family on alpha4beta2 nAChRs. Using a FRET-based Ca(2+) flux assay, we found that
      the maximum response of alpha4beta2 receptors to agonist was strongly inhibited
      by Ly6h and Lynx2 but potentiated by Ly6g6e. The mechanisms underlying these
      opposing effects appear to be fundamentally distinct. Receptor inhibition by
      Lynx2 was accompanied by suppression of alpha4beta2 expression at the cell
      surface, even when assays were preceded by chronic exposure of cells to an
      established chaperone, nicotine. Receptor inhibition by Lynx2 also was resistant
      to pretreatment with extracellular phospholipase C, which cleaves lipid moieties
      like those that attach Ly6 proteins to the plasma membrane. In contrast,
      potentiation of alpha4beta2 activity by Ly6g6e was readily reversible by
      pretreatment with phospholipase C. Potentiation was also accompanied by slowing
      of receptor desensitization and an increase in peak currents. Collectively our
      data support roles for Lynx2 and Ly6g6e in intracellular trafficking and
      allosteric potentiation of alpha4beta2 nAChRs, respectively. 

PMID- 26276396
TI  - Cardiovascular protection by ezetimibe and influence on oxidative stress in mice
      exposed to intermittent hypoxia.
AB  - Ezetimibe is as an inhibitor of NPC1L1 protein, which has a key role in
      cholesterol absorption. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of
      ezetimibe on the plasma lipid profile, atherosclerotic lesions, and cardiomyocyte
      ultrastructure in an animal model of atherosclerosis with intermittent hypoxia.
      Apolipoprotein E-knockout mice received a high-fat diet for 30 days. Then animals
      were exposed to intermittent hypoxia for 10 days or were maintained under
      normoxic conditions. In the ezetimibe group, ezetimibe (5 mg/kg/day) was added to
      the diet. Under normoxic conditions, the total cholesterol level was
      significantly lower in the ezetimibe group (63.6+/-6.6 mg/dl) than in the control
      group (116.3+/-16.9 mg/dl, P<0.001). Intermittent hypoxia accelerated
      atherosclerosis associated with increased superoxide production, which also
      caused degeneration of cardiomyocytes, mitochondrial abnormalities, and
      interstitial fibrosis. Compared with the control group, the ezetimibe group
      showed significantly less advanced atherosclerotic lesions and lower superoxide
      production in the thoracic aorta, as well as reduced oxidative stress,
      preservation of cardiomyocyte ultrastructure, and reduced interstitial fibrosis
      in the left ventricular myocardium. In conclusion, ezetimibe not only reduces
      total cholesterol, but also prevents the development of atherosclerosis and
      cardiovascular events due to intermittent hypoxia at least partly through
      suppression of oxidative stress.

PMID- 26276397
TI  - Sample size considerations for livestock movement network data.
AB  - The movement of animals between farms contributes to infectious disease spread in
      production animal populations, and is increasingly investigated with social
      network analysis methods. Tangible outcomes of this work include the
      identification of high-risk premises for targeting surveillance or control
      programs. However, knowledge of the effect of sampling or incomplete network
      enumeration on these studies is limited. In this study, a simulation algorithm is
      presented that provides an estimate of required sampling proportions based on
      predicted network size, density and degree value distribution. The algorithm may
      be applied a priori to ensure network analyses based on sampled or incomplete
      data provide population estimates of known precision. Results demonstrate that,
      for network degree measures, sample size requirements vary with sampling method.
      The repeatability of the algorithm output under constant network and sampling
      criteria was found to be consistent for networks with at least 1000 nodes (in
      this case, farms). Where simulated networks can be constructed to closely mimic
      the true network in a target population, this algorithm provides a
      straightforward approach to determining sample size under a given sampling
      procedure for a network measure of interest. It can be used to tailor study
      designs of known precision, for investigating specific livestock movement
      networks and their impact on disease dissemination within populations. 

PMID- 26276398
TI  - The economic impact of subclinical ketosis at the farm level: Tackling the
      challenge of over-estimation due to multiple interactions.
AB  - Subclinical ketosis (SCK) is a major metabolic disorder that affects dairy cows,
      and its lactational prevalence in Europe is estimated to be at 25%. Nonetheless,
      few data are available on the economics of SCK, although its management clearly
      must be improved. With this in mind, this study develops a double-step stochastic
      approach to evaluate the total cost of SCK to dairy farming. First, all the
      production and reproduction changes and all the health disorders associated with
      SCK were quantified using the meta-analysis from a previous study. Second, the
      total cost of SCK was determined with a stochastic model using distribution laws
      as input parameters. The mean total cost of SCK was estimated to be ?257 per
      calving cow with SCK (95% prediction interval (PI): ?72-442). The margin over
      feeding costs slightly influenced the results. When the parameters of the model
      are not modified to account for the conclusions from the meta-analysis and for
      the prevalence of health disorders in the population without SCK, the mean cost
      of SCK was overestimated by 68%, reaching ?434 per calving cow (95%PI: ?192-676).
      This result indicates that the total cost of complex health disorders is likely
      to be substantially overestimated when calculations use raw results from the
      literature or-even worse-punctual data. Excluding labour costs in the estimation
      reduced the SCK total cost by 12%, whereas excluding contributors with scarce
      data and imprecise calibrations (for lameness and udder health) reduced costs by
      another 18-20% (?210, 95%PI=30-390). The proposed method accounted for
      uncertainty and variability in inputs by using distributions instead of point
      estimates. The mean value and associated prediction intervals (PIs) yielded good
      insight into the economic consequences of this complex disease and can be easily
      and practically used by decision makers in the field while simultaneously
      accounting for biological variability. Moreover, PIs can help prevent the blind
      use of economic results in the field when only the mean value is considered. 

PMID- 26276399
TI  - Hypothesis generation using network structures on community health center cancer
      screening performance.
AB  - RESEARCH OBJECTIVES: Nationally sponsored cancer-care quality-improvement efforts
      have been deployed in community health centers to increase breast, cervical, and
      colorectal cancer-screening rates among vulnerable populations. Despite several
      immediate and short-term gains, screening rates remain below national benchmark
      objectives. Overall improvement has been both difficult to sustain over time in
      some organizational settings and/or challenging to diffuse to other settings as
      repeatable best practices. Reasons for this include facility-level changes, which
      typically occur in dynamic organizational environments that are complex,
      adaptive, and unpredictable. This study seeks to understand the factors that
      shape community health center facility-level cancer-screening performance over
      time. This study applies a computational-modeling approach, combining principles
      of health-services research, health informatics, network theory, and systems
      science. METHODS: To investigate the roles of knowledge acquisition, retention,
      and sharing within the setting of the community health center and to examine
      their effects on the relationship between clinical decision support capabilities
      and improvement in cancer-screening rate improvement, we employed Construct-TM to
      create simulated community health centers using previously collected point-in
      time survey data. Construct-TM is a multi-agent model of network evolution.
      Because social, knowledge, and belief networks co-evolve, groups and
      organizations are treated as complex systems to capture the variability of human
      and organizational factors. In Construct-TM, individuals and groups interact by
      communicating, learning, and making decisions in a continuous cycle. Data from
      the survey was used to differentiate high-performing simulated community health
      centers from low-performing ones based on computer-based decision support usage
      and self-reported cancer-screening improvement. RESULTS: This virtual experiment
      revealed that patterns of overall network symmetry, agent cohesion, and
      connectedness varied by community health center performance level. Visual
      assessment of both the agent-to-agent knowledge sharing network and agent-to
      resource knowledge use network diagrams demonstrated that community health
      centers labeled as high performers typically showed higher levels of
      collaboration and cohesiveness among agent classes, faster knowledge-absorption
      rates, and fewer agents that were unconnected to key knowledge resources.
      Conclusions and research implications: Using the point-in-time survey data
      outlining community health center cancer-screening practices, our computational
      model successfully distinguished between high and low performers. Results
      indicated that high-performance environments displayed distinctive network
      characteristics in patterns of interaction among agents, as well as in the access
      and utilization of key knowledge resources. Our study demonstrated how non
      network-specific data obtained from a point-in-time survey can be employed to
      forecast community health center performance over time, thereby enhancing the
      sustainability of long-term strategic-improvement efforts. Our results revealed a
      strategic profile for community health center cancer-screening improvement via
      simulation over a projected 10-year period. The use of computational modeling
      allows additional inferential knowledge to be drawn from existing data when
      examining organizational performance in increasingly complex environments.

PMID- 26276400
TI  - Hydrothermal liquefaction of de-oiled Jatropha curcas cake using Deep Eutectic
      Solvents (DESs) as catalysts and co-solvents.
AB  - Biomass liquefaction using ionic liquids (ILs) as catalysts has received
      appreciable attention, in renewable fuels and chemicals production, recently.
      However, issues associated with the production cost, long reaction time and use
      of volatile solvents are undeniably challenging. Thus, Deep Eutectic Solvents
      (DESs) emerged as promising and potential ILs substitutes. The hydrothermal
      liquefaction of de-oiled Jatropha curcas cake was catalyzed by four synthesized
      DESs as catalysts and co-solvents for selective extraction. Proximate and
      ultimate analyses including ash, moisture and carbon contents of bio-crude
      produced varied slightly. The higher heating values found ranges from 21.15 +/-
      0.82 MJ/kg to 24.30 +/- 0.98 MJ/kg. The bio-crude yields obtained using ChCl-KOH
      DES was 43.53 wt% and ChCl-p-TsOH DES was 38.31 wt%. Bio-crude yield using ChCl
      FeCl3 DES was 30.80 wt%. It is suggested that, the selectivity of bio-crude could
      be improved, by using DESs as catalyst and co-solvent in HTL of biomass such as
      de-oiled J. curcas cake.

PMID- 26276401
TI  - Pretreatment and saccharification of red macroalgae to produce fermentable
      sugars.
AB  - Red macroalgae are currently considered as renewable resources owing to their
      high carbohydrate and low lignin and hemicellulose contents. However, utilization
      of red macroalgae has been limited owing to the lack of established methods for
      pretreatment and an effective saccharification system. Furthermore, marine red
      macroalgae consist of the non-favorable mixed sugars for industrial
      microorganisms. In this review, we suggest strategies for converting red
      macroalgae to bio-based products, focusing on the pretreatment and
      saccharification of red macroalgae to produce fermentable sugars and the
      microbial fermentation of these sugars by industrial microorganisms. In
      particular, some recent breakthroughs for the efficient utilization of red
      macroalgae include the discovery of key enzymes for the complete monomerization
      of red macroalgal carbohydrate and the catabolic pathway of 3,6-anhydro-l
      galactose, the most abundant sugar in red macroalgae. This review provides a
      comprehensive perspective for the efficient utilization of red macroalgae as
      sustainable resources to produce bio-based products. 

PMID- 26276402
TI  - Effect of temperature on biomass allocation in seedlings of two contrasting
      genotypes of the oilseed crop Ricinus communis.
AB  - Ricinus communis is becoming an important crop for oil production, and studying
      the physiological and biochemical aspects of seedling development may aid in the
      improvement of crop quality and yield. The objective of this study was to assess
      the effect of temperature on biomass allocation in two R. communis genotypes.
      Biomass allocation was assessed by measuring dry weight of roots, stems, and
      cotyledons of seedlings grown at three different temperatures. Root length of
      each seedling was measured. Biomass allocation was strongly affected by
      temperature. Seedlings grown at 25 degrees C and 35 degrees C showed greater
      biomass than seedlings grown at 20 degrees C. Cotyledon and stem dry weight
      increased for both genotypes with increasing temperature, whereas root biomass
      allocation showed a genotype-dependent behavior. Genotype MPA11 showed a
      continuous increase in root dry weight with increasing temperature, while
      genotype IAC80 was not able to sustain further root growth at higher
      temperatures. Based on metabolite and gene expression profiles, genotype MPA11
      increases its level of osmoprotectant molecules and transcripts of genes encoding
      for antioxidant enzymes and heat shock proteins to a higher extent than genotype
      IAC80. This might be causal for the ability to maintain homeostasis and support
      root growth at elevated temperatures in genotype MPA11. 

PMID- 26276403
TI  - Accumulation of flavonoids and phenolic compounds in olive tree roots in response
      to mycorrhizal colonization: A possible mechanism for regulation of defense
      molecules.
AB  - The arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus promotes plant growth and can alter the
      production of primary and secondary metabolites. The aim of this work was to
      determine the influence of AM fungi colonization on the content of phenolic
      compounds, flavonoids and soluble carbohydrates in olive (Olea europaea L.) tree
      roots. The results revealed that mycorrhizal plants had a higher content of
      flavonoids and total phenols. Analysis of sugar contents showed enhanced levels
      of sucrose and fructose in mycorrhizal roots, while glucose amounts stayed
      constant. The DPPH radical-scavenging activity of the mycorrhizal root methanolic
      extracts was higher than that of the non- mycorrhizal root methanolic extracts.
      These results indicated that olive tree roots contain significant amounts of
      phenolic compounds, important factors for antioxidant capacity, which can be
      substantially modified by colonization of olive trees with AM fungi. 

PMID- 26276404
TI  - Identification and characterization of a gene encoding for a nucleotidase from
      Phaseolus vulgaris.
AB  - Nucleotidases are phosphatases that catalyze the removal of phosphate from
      nucleotides, compounds with an important role in plant metabolism. A phosphatase
      enzyme, with high affinity for nucleotides monophosphate previously identified
      and purified in embryonic axes from French bean, has been analyzed by MALDI
      TOF/TOF and two internal peptides have been obtained. The information of these
      peptide sequences has been used to search in the genome database and only a
      candidate gene that encodes for the phosphatase was identified (PvNTD1). The
      putative protein contains the conserved domains (motif I-IV) for haloacid
      dehalogenase-like hydrolases superfamily. The residues involved in the catalytic
      activity are also conserved. A recombinant protein overexpressed in Escherichia
      coli has shown molybdate resistant phosphatase activity with nucleosides
      monophosphate as substrate, confirming that the identified gene encodes for the
      phosphatase with high affinity for nucleotides purified in French bean embryonic
      axes. The activity of the purified protein was inhibited by adenosine. The
      expression of PvNTD1 gene was induced at the specific moment of radicle
      protrusion in embryonic axes. The gene was also highly expressed in young leaves
      whereas the level of expression in mature tissues was minimal. 

PMID- 26276405
TI  - Veinal-mesophyll interaction under biotic stress.
AB  - According to microscopic observations, germinating hyphae of Botrytis cinerea,
      though easily penetrating Mesembryanthemum crystallinum mesophyll tissue, are
      limited in growth in mid-ribs and only occasionally reach vascular bundles. In
      mid-ribs of C3 and CAM leaves, we found significantly lower rbcL (large RubisCO
      subunit) abundance. Moreover, in CAM leaves, minute transcript contents for pepc1
      (phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase) and nadpme1 (malic enzyme) genes found in the
      mid-ribs suggest that they perform beta-carboxylation at a low rate. The gene of
      the main H2O2-scavenging enzyme, catL (catalase), showed lower expression in C3
      mid-rib parts in comparison to mesophyll. This allows maintenance of higher H2O2
      quantities in mid-rib parts. In C3 leaves, pathogen infection does not impact
      photosynthesis. However, in CAM plants, the expression profiles of rbcL and
      nadpme1 were similar under biotic stress, with transcript down-regulation in mid
      ribs and up-regulation in mesophyll (however, in case of rbcL not significant).
      After B. cinerea infection in C3 plants, transcripts for both antioxidative
      proteins strongly increased in mid-ribs, but not in mesophyll. In infected CAM
      plants, a significant transcript increase in the mesophyll was parallel to its
      decrease in the mid-rib region (however, in the case of catL this was not
      significant). Pathogen infection modified the expression of carbon and ROS
      metabolism genes in mid-ribs and mesophyll, resulting in the establishment of
      successful leaf defense. 

PMID- 26276406
TI  - [Adult pattern of alcohol use as perceived by adolescents].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To identify the views of a sample of adolescents on the pattern of
      alcohol consumption shown by adults in their social environment. METHOD: A
      qualitative study was conducted using the method proposed by grounded theory
      (Glaser & Strauss, 1967). Data were collected through five discussion groups.
      Participants were selected by theoretical sampling in the initial and emerging
      phases of the study by applying criteria based on previous research.
      Heterogeneity-homogeneity criteria were used in the composition of the groups.
      The final sample consisted on 40 adolescents of both sexes between 15 and 20
      years from four educational centres in Seville (Spain). RESULTS: According to the
      adolescents interviewed, alcohol use was normal among adults, geared towards fun,
      and was linked to social gatherings and to abusive and intensive consumption
      including drinking spirits. Data from recent studies partly contradict
      adolescents' perceptions, showing a pattern of consumption in adults associated
      mostly with the gastronomic and social component of drink and with moderate
      intake of beer and wine. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that
      adolescents may have a distorted view of the reality of adult patterns of alcohol
      use. As an explanation, we hypothesize that, faced with conflicting information,
      adolescents prioritize the information that best fits their view of what is
      socially acceptable and what meets their own hedonistic and social needs.

PMID- 26276407
TI  - Accelerating total body irradiation with large field modulated arc therapy in
      standard treatment rooms without additional equipment.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to develop a generic and ultra-efficient
      modulated arc technique for treatment with total body irradiation (TBI) without
      additional equipment in standard treatment rooms. METHODS: A continuous gantry
      arc between 300 degrees  and 70 degrees  composed of 26 subarcs (5 degrees  per
      subarc) using a field size of 40 * 40 cm(2) was used to perform the initial beam
      data measurements. The profile was measured parallel to the direction of gantry
      rotation at a constant depth of 9 cm (phantom thickness 18 cm). Beam data were
      measured for single 5 degrees  subarcs, dissecting the individual contribution of
      each subarc to a certain measurement point. The phantom was moved to 20
      measurement positions along the profile. Then profile optimization was performed
      manually by varying the weighting factors of all segments until calculated doses
      at all points were within +/- 1 %. Finally, the dose distribution of the
      modulated arc was verified in phantom thicknesses of 18 and 28 cm. RESULTS: The
      measured profile showed a relative mean dose of 99.7 % [standard deviation (SD)
      0.7 %)] over the length of 200 cm at a depth of 9 cm. The measured mean effective
      surface dose (at a depth of 2 cm) was 102.7 % (SD 2.1 %). The measurements in the
      28 cm slab phantom revealed a mean dose of 95.9 % (SD 2.9 %) at a depth of 14 cm.
      The mean dose at a depth of 2 cm was 111.9 % (SD 4.1 %). Net beam-on-time for a 2
      Gy fraction is approximately 8 min. CONCLUSION: This highly efficient modulated
      arc technique for TBI can replace conventional treatment techniques, providing a
      homogeneous dose distribution, dosimetric robustness, extremely fast delivery,
      and applicability in small treatment rooms, with no need for additional
      equipment.

PMID- 26276408
TI  - Duodenal gastrointestinal stromal tumors: clinicopathological characteristics,
      surgery, and long-term outcome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Duodenal gastrointestinal stromal tumors (DGIST) are rare, and data
      on their management is limited. We here report the clinicopathological
      characteristics, different surgical treatments, and long-term prognosis of DGIST.
      METHODS: Data of 74 consecutive patients with DGIST in a single institution from
      June 2000 to June 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. The overall survival (OS)
      and recurrence/metastasis-free survival rates of 74 cases were calculated using
      Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Out of 74 cases, 42 cases were female (56.76%) and
      32 cases (43.24%) were male. Approximately 22.97, 47.30, 16.22, and 13.51% of the
      tumors originated in the first to fourth portion of the duodenum, respectively,
      with a tumor size of 5.08 +/- 2.90 cm. Patients presented with gastrointestinal
      bleeding (n = 37, 50.00%), abdominal pain (n = 25, 33.78 %), mass (n = 5, 6.76%),
      and others (n = 7, 9.76%). A total of 18 patients (24.3%) underwent wedge
      resection (WR); 39 patients (52.7%) underwent segmental resection (SR); and 17
      cases (23%) underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). The median follow-up was 56
      months (1-159 months); 19 patients (25.68%) experienced tumor recurrence or
      metastasis, and 14 cases (18.92 %) died. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year
      recurrence/metastasis-free survival rates were 93.9, 73.7, and 69%, respectively.
      The 1-, 3- and 5-year OS were 100, 92.5, and 86%, respectively. The
      recurrence/metastasis-free survival rate in the PD group within 5 years was lower
      than that in the WR group (P = 0.047), but was not different from that in the SR
      group (P = 0.060). No statistically significant difference was found among the
      three operation types (P = 0.294). CONCLUSIONS: DGIST patients have favorable
      prognosis after complete tumor removal, and surgical procedures should be
      determined by the DGIST tumor location and size.

PMID- 26276409
TI  - Interference Competition Among Household Strains of Pseudomonas.
AB  - Bacterial species exhibit biogeographical patterns like those observed in larger
      organisms. The distribution of bacterial species is driven by environmental
      selection through abiotic and biotic factors as well dispersal limitations. We
      asked whether interference competition, a biotic factor, could explain
      variability in habitat use by Pseudomonas species in the human home. To answer
      this question, we screened almost 8000 directional, pairwise interactions between
      89 Pseudomonas strains including members of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 29),
      Pseudomonas fluorescens (n = 21), and Pseudomonas putida (n = 39) species groups
      for the presence of killing. This diverse set of Pseudomonas strains includes
      those isolated from several different habitats within the home environment and
      includes combinations of strains that were isolated from different spatial
      scales. The use of this strain set not only allowed us to analyze the commonality
      and phylogenetic scale of interference competition within the genus Pseudomonas
      but also allowed us to investigate the influence of spatial scale on this trait.
      Overall, the probability of killing was found to decrease with increasing
      phylogenetic distance, making it unlikely that interference competition accounts
      for previously observed differential habitat use among Pseudomonas species and
      species groups. Strikingly, conspecific P. aeruginosa killing accounted for the
      vast majority of the observed killing, and this killing was found to differ
      across the habitat type and spatial scale of the strains' isolation. These data
      suggest that interference competition likely plays a large role in the within
      species dynamics of P. aeruginosa but not other household Pseudomonas species.

PMID- 26276411
TI  - Effective Boolean dynamics analysis to identify functionally important genes in
      large-scale signaling networks.
AB  - Efficiently identifying functionally important genes in order to understand the
      minimal requirements of normal cellular development is challenging. To this end,
      a variety of structural measures have been proposed and their effectiveness has
      been investigated in recent literature; however, few studies have shown the
      effectiveness of dynamics-based measures. This led us to investigate a dynamic
      measure to identify functionally important genes, and the effectiveness of which
      was verified through application on two large-scale human signaling networks. We
      specifically consider Boolean sensitivity-based dynamics against an update-rule
      perturbation (BSU) as a dynamic measure. Through investigations on two large
      scale human signaling networks, we found that genes with relatively high BSU
      values show slower evolutionary rate and higher proportions of essential genes
      and drug targets than other genes. Gene-ontology analysis showed clear
      differences between the former and latter groups of genes. Furthermore, we
      compare the identification accuracies of essential genes and drug targets via BSU
      and five well-known structural measures. Although BSU did not always show the
      best performance, it effectively identified the putative set of genes, which is
      significantly different from the results obtained via the structural measures.
      Most interestingly, BSU showed the highest synergy effect in identifying the
      functionally important genes in conjunction with other measures. Our results
      imply that Boolean-sensitive dynamics can be used as a measure to effectively
      identify functionally important genes in signaling networks. 

PMID- 26276410
TI  - Molecular Ecology of nifH Genes and Transcripts Along a Chronosequence in
      Revegetated Areas of the Tengger Desert.
AB  - The colonization and succession of diazotrophs are essential for the development
      of organic soil layers in desert. We examined the succession of diazotrophs in
      the well-established revegetated areas representing a chronosequence of 0 year
      (control), 22 years (restored artificially since 1981), 57 years (restored
      artificially since 1956), and more than 100 years (restored naturally) to
      determine the community assembly and active expression of diazotrophs. The
      pyrosequencing data revealed that Alphaproteobacteria-like diazotrophs
      predominated in the topsoil of our mobile dune site, while cyanobacterial
      diazotrophs predominated in the revegetated sites. The cyanobacterial diazotrophs
      were primarily composed of the heterocystous genera Anabaena, Calothrix,
      Cylindrospermum, Nodularia, Nostoc, Trichormus, and Mastigocladus. Almost all the
      nifH sequences belonged to the Cyanobacteria phylum (all the relative abundance
      values >99.1 %) at transcript level and all the active cyanobacterial diazotrophs
      distributed in the families Nostocaceae and Rivulariaceae. The most dominant
      active cyanobacterial genus was Cylindrospermum in all the samples. The rank
      abundance and community analyses demonstrated that most of the diazotrophic
      diversity originated from the "rare" species, and all the DNA-based diazotrophic
      libraries were richer and more diverse than their RNA-based counterparts in the
      revegetated sites. Significant differences in the diazotrophic community and
      their active population composition were observed among the four research sites.
      Samples from the 1981-revegetating site (predominated by cyanobacterial crusts)
      showed the highest nitrogenase activity, followed by samples from the naturally
      revegetating site (predominated by lichen crusts), the 1956-revegetating site
      (predominated by moss crusts), and the mobile dune site (without crusts).
      Collectively, our data highlight the importance of nitrogen fixation by the
      primary successional desert topsoil and suggest that the N2-fixing cyanobacteria
      are the key diazotrophs to the nitrogen budget and the development of topsoil in
      desert, which is critical for the succession of the degraded terrestrial
      ecosystems. 

PMID- 26276412
TI  - On the Cramer-Rao bound applicability and the role of Fisher information in
      computational neuroscience.
AB  - Neuronal systems exhibit impressive capabilities in decision making and action
      coordination by employing the encoded information about both external and
      internal environments. Despite the tremendous effort of neuroscientists, the
      exact nature of the neuronal code remains elusive. Various experimental and
      theoretical techniques have been used to resolve the question in recent decades,
      with methods of signal estimation and detection theory playing an important part.
      In this paper we review the particular approach which relies on the concepts of
      Fisher information and Cramer-Rao bound. These concepts essentially investigate
      the neuronal coding problem by addressing the theoretical limits on the decoding
      precision, be it in single neurons or in their populations. Despite the success
      of this approach in many instances, the underlying mathematical theory is not
      free of certain restrictive assumptions which might complicate the inference in
      some cases of interest. We recapitulate the assumptions and examine the practical
      extent of their validity. 

PMID- 26276413
TI  - Does F-18 FDG-PET substantially alter the surgical decision-making in drug
      resistant partial epilepsy?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: There is a dearth of information on the critical utility of positron
      emission tomography (PET) in choosing candidates for epilepsy surgery especially
      in resource-poor countries where it is not freely available. This study aimed to
      critically analyze the utility of FDG-PET in the presurgical evaluation and
      surgical selection of patients with DRE based on the results obtained through its
      use in our comprehensive epilepsy program. METHODS: From 2008 to 2012, 117
      patients with drug-resistant epilepsy underwent F-18 fluoro-deoxy-glucose (FDG)
      PET in our center. We utilized their data to audit the utility of PET in
      choosing/deferring patients for surgery. RESULTS: Of the 117 patients (age: 5
      42years) who underwent F-18 FDG-PET, 64 had normal MRI, and 53 had lesions.
      Electroclinical data favored temporal ictal onset in 48 (41%), extratemporal in
      60 (51.3%), and uncertain lobar localization in 9 (7.7%). The topography of PET
      hypometabolism was localizing in 53 (45.3%), lateralizing in 12 (10.3%), and 52
      (44.4%) had either normal or discordant results. In the nonlesional group, focal
      hypometabolism was concordant to the area of ictal onset in 27 (41.5%) versus 38
      (58.5%) in the lesional group (p=0.002). Greater concordance was noted in
      temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) (78.0%) as compared to extratemporal epilepsy (ETPE)
      (28.6%) (p<0.001). Positron emission tomography was more concordant in patients
      with mesial temporal sclerosis than in those with other lesions (82.8% versus
      50%) (p=0.033). Positron emission tomography helped in surgical decision-making
      in 68.8% of TLE and 23.3% of ETPE cases. Overall, 37 patients (31.6%) were
      directly selected for resective surgery based on PET results. CONCLUSIONS:
      Positron emission tomography, when utilized judiciously, remained an ancillary
      tool in the surgical selection of one-third of patients with drug-resistant
      partial epilepsy, although its utility as an independent tool is not very
      promising.

PMID- 26276414
TI  - Two years after epilepsy surgery in children: Recognition of emotions expressed
      by faces.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine whether children with
      epilepsy surgery in their history are able to recognize emotions expressed by
      faces and whether this recognition is associated with demographic variables [age,
      sex, and verbal intelligence (VIQ)] and/or epilepsy variables (epilepsy duration,
      side of the surgery, surgery area, resection of the amygdala, etiology,
      antiepileptic drug use, and seizure freedom). METHODS: Two years after epilepsy
      surgery, the Facial Expression of Emotion: Stimuli and Tests (FEEST) was
      administered to 41 patients (age: 4-20years, mean: 13.5years, 24 girls) and 82
      age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Data obtained longitudinally (before
      surgery and 6, 12, and 24months after surgery) in a small subset (11 patients and
      22 matched controls) were explored to obtain clues about the course of REEF from
      before surgery. RESULTS: Corrected for VIQ, REEF scored significantly lower in
      the 41 surgically treated patients than in matched control children. No
      significant relationship was found between REEF and any epilepsy variable. Only
      age at assessment predicted REEF score in both patients and controls. The
      longitudinal data revealed a 'dip' in emotion recognition at the first
      postsurgical assessment in the six younger patients (age: <12.1years). The older
      patients (age: 13-17years) showed a continuous increase in REEF scores that was
      similar to that in controls. Two years after surgery, REEF of the younger
      patients recovered to, but did not exceed, the presurgical level. CONCLUSION:
      Neither poor REEF present two years after childhood epilepsy surgery, nor the
      aberrant course of REEF in younger patients (age: <12.1years) was explained by
      epilepsy variables or poor verbal intelligence. Disentangling the mechanism of
      the abnormality is urgently needed, as recognizing emotional expressions is a key
      component in the development of more complex social perception skills.

PMID- 26276415
TI  - Actinic keratosis: a cross-sectional study of disease characteristics and
      treatment patterns in Danish dermatology clinics.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The incidence of actinic keratosis (AK) is increasing, and several
      treatment options are available. The aim of this study was to describe clinical
      characteristics and treatment patterns in patients with AK treated by Danish
      dermatologists. METHODS: A multicenter, non-interventional, cross-sectional study
      was conducted. Three dermatology hospital departments and seven private
      dermatology clinics enrolled eligible AK patients consecutively during one week.
      RESULTS: A total of 312 patients were included. Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC)
      was previously reported in 51.0% of patients and currently suspected in 9.4% of
      AK-affected anatomical regions. Lesions of AK were located primarily on the face
      (38.6%), scalp (12.8%), and hands (11.2%). Actinic keratosis commonly presented
      with multiple AK lesions (38.6%) and field cancerization (38.5%). The treatments
      used most frequently were cryotherapy (57.7%) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) with
      methyl aminolevulinate (17.1%) and imiquimod (11.2%). The likelihood of receiving
      cryotherapy was higher for men (odds ratio [OR] 1.65, 95% confidence interval
      [CI] 1.10-2.47) and increased with age (2.2% per year, 0.4-4.0%). PDT represented
      the most frequently applied treatment for severe actinic damage and was more
      likely to be prescribed to women (OR 4.08, 95% CI 2.22-7.47) and young patients
      (OR 0.97 per year, 95% CI 0.95-0.99). The prevalence of severe actinic damage
      (17.3% versus 9.6%) and intake of immunosuppressive medication (29.0 versus 2.0)
      were higher among hospital patients compared with those treated in private
      practices (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of AK patients in Danish
      dermatology clinics have a history of skin cancer, and NMSC is suspected in
      almost 10% of AK-affected regions. Cryotherapy is the most frequently used
      treatment overall, except in instances of severe actinic damage, in which PDT is
      the first-choice treatment.

PMID- 26276416
TI  - A model on how to obtain data from botanical practitioners.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This paper addresses the challenge on how to obtain information from
      practitioners with experience in using medicinal plants. BACKGROUND: Collecting
      information on medicinal uses of plants is very challenging; since botanical
      remedies are used within the context of multiple differing medical systems,
      practitioners differ in training from Western physicians and scientists, and
      active ingredients of botanicals vary with preparation method, growth, and
      harvest conditions. DESIGN/METHODS: A model on how useful data on safety and
      efficacy can be obtained from botanical practitioners is presented, based on
      methods developed by the association of anthroposophic physicians in Europe, a
      system of integrative medicine which includes the use of botanicals and is
      practiced mostly by medical doctors. RESULTS: Decades of experience by hundreds
      of practitioners are summarized and made accessible in a manual, which
      alphabetically lists the most commonly used botanicals and describes the most
      successful therapeutic experiences which could be confirmed by several of the
      contributing practitioners. CONCLUSIONS/RELEVANCE: This approach of continuous,
      multilingual systematic collection of successful therapeutic experiences within a
      community of practitioners with similar goals and a common therapeutic framework
      can be used not only for the training of successful future botanical
      practitioners, but also for helping to identify promising botanicals for
      scientific research and to further their development, and could support their
      official registration with governing bodies in countries of their use. This
      article is part of a Special Issue entitled "Botanicals for Epilepsy".

PMID- 26276418
TI  - The pathophysiology of otosclerosis: Review of current research.
AB  - Otosclerosis is a complex disease of the human otic capsule with highest
      incidence in adult Caucasians. So far, many possible etiological factors like
      genetics, HLA, autoimmunity, viruses, inflammation, and hormones have been
      investigated but still the development of the disease remains unclear. Currently,
      the surgical replacement of stapes (stapedotomy) remains the best possible
      treatment option. In this review, we analyze different etiological factors
      studied so far in otosclerosis pathophysiology and discuss most recent findings
      and possible new research pathways.

PMID- 26276419
TI  - Effects of background noise on inter-trial phase coherence and auditory N1-P2
      responses to speech stimuli.
AB  - This study investigated the effects of a speech-babble background noise on inter
      trial phase coherence (ITPC, also referred to as phase locking value (PLV)) and
      auditory event-related responses (AERP) to speech sounds. Specifically, we
      analyzed EEG data from 11 normal hearing subjects to examine whether ITPC can
      predict noise-induced variations in the obligatory N1-P2 complex response. N1-P2
      amplitude and latency data were obtained for the /bu/syllable in quiet and noise
      listening conditions. ITPC data in delta, theta, and alpha frequency bands were
      calculated for the N1-P2 responses in the two passive listening conditions.
      Consistent with previous studies, background noise produced significant amplitude
      reduction and latency increase in N1 and P2, which were accompanied by
      significant ITPC decreases in all the three frequency bands. Correlation analyses
      further revealed that variations in ITPC were able to predict the amplitude and
      latency variations in N1-P2. The results suggest that trial-by-trial analysis of
      cortical neural synchrony is a valuable tool in understanding the modulatory
      effects of background noise on AERP measures. 

PMID- 26276417
TI  - Third International Congress on Epilepsy, Brain and Mind: Part 1.
AB  - Epilepsy is both a disease of the brain and the mind. Here, we present the first
      of two papers with extended summaries of selected presentations of the Third
      International Congress on Epilepsy, Brain and Mind (April 3-5, 2014; Brno, Czech
      Republic). Epilepsy in history and the arts and its relationships with religion
      were discussed, as were overviews of epilepsy and relevant aspects of social
      cognition, handedness, accelerated forgetting and autobiographical amnesia, and
      large-scale brain networks. 

PMID- 26276420
TI  - Implementing Substance Abuse Intervention Services in New York City Sexually
      Transmitted Disease Clinics: Factors Promoting Interagency Collaboration.
AB  - This report presents results of Project LINK, a Substance Abuse and Mental Health
      Services Administration (SAMHSA)-funded, 5-year collaboration (2007-2012) between
      New York City (NYC) health and NY State substance abuse disorder (SUD) agencies,
      an LGBT organization contractor, and multiple SUD, social service, and mental
      health referral agencies. LINK allowed the first ever SUD screening, brief
      intervention, and referrals to treatment (SBIRT) intervention services onsite in
      NYC Bureau of Sexually Transmitted Disease Control (BSTDC) clinics. Factors
      favoring collaboration were (a) joint recognition of substance abuse as an STD
      risk factor; (b) prior collaborations; (c) agreement on priority of BSTDC's
      mission and policies; (d) extensive SBIRT training, cross training on STDs; (e) a
      memorandum of agreement; and (f) mutual transparency of collaborative efforts,
      among others. LINK screened over 151,000 STD clinic patients and delivered brief
      interventions to 60% of positively screened patients and met a mandated follow-up
      target. Factors found to facilitate collaboration here may help screen
      prospective new health collaborations.

PMID- 26276421
TI  - Private Health Plans' Contracts with Managed Behavioral Healthcare Organizations.

PMID- 26276422
TI  - Postpartum Traditions, Mental Health, and Help-Seeking Considerations Among
      Vietnamese American Women: a Mixed-Methods Pilot Study.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to explore Vietnamese American mothers' perceptions
      and experiences with postpartum traditions, postpartum depression (PPD), and
      mental health help-seeking behavior. Participants were 15 Vietnamese mothers who
      had given birth to at least one live infant within the previous year. A screening
      tool revealed that a third of the mothers had probable PPD. More than half
      reported having recent/current postpartum "sadness" during the interviews.
      Postpartum traditions played important roles in their well-being and maintaining
      strong cultural values. However, some reported feelings of isolation and the
      desire to be able to carry out postpartum traditions more frequently. Many who
      had reported sadness said that they would not seek professional help; all had
      felt that their condition was not "severe" enough to warrant help-seeking. Future
      PPD interventions should consider the importance of postpartum cultural
      traditions and address help-seeking barriers as ways to prevent the adverse
      effects of untreated PPD.

PMID- 26276423
TI  - Components of a TIP Model Program.
AB  - Transition-aged youth in need of services and supports find themselves in a
      quandary; in certain instances, they are considered children, whereas in other
      circumstances, they qualify as adults. Transition to Independence Process (TIP)
      provides a promising model for transition-aged youth programs. It is
      distinguished by an emphasis upon client-driven goals, as opposed to agency
      defined goals. Another key feature is reliance upon collaboration among service
      providers in order to address the myriad of needs of young adults. From the
      perspective of transition-aged clients, an efficacious TIP program must offer
      support services, including mental health care. It must encourage natural
      supports, including family. All of the facets of a TIP model program should have
      as their ultimate focus the education and employment of transition-aged youth.
      Together, these contribute to the best possible outcomes for transition-aged
      youth.

PMID- 26276424
TI  - Repeat computed tomography scans after pediatric trauma: results of an
      institutional effort to minimize radiation exposure.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Many pediatric trauma patients are initially evaluated at non
      pediatric, non-trauma centers where they undergo CT prior to transfer to a
      pediatric trauma center. The purpose of this study is to quantify the number of
      repeat CT and assess the risk of delayed or missed injuries. METHODS: The
      institutional pediatric trauma registry was queried for patients evaluated from
      January 2001 to March 2012. All patients who underwent repeat CT within 24 h
      after transfer were included. General admission, demographic, and outcome data
      were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 6041 patients were transferred from a
      referring hospital after undergoing CT scans. Five percent of patients underwent
      repeat CT with a mean age of 6.3 +/- 5.7 years. Patients who underwent repeat CT
      scans had significantly higher Injury Severity Scores and lower Glasgow Coma
      Scale. CT head was the most commonly repeated. Comparing results of referring CT
      scans to repeated scans, there was good agreement between results for head CT
      (kappa = 0.69) and moderate agreement for abdominopelvic CT (kappa = 0.59). The
      overall incidence of delayed diagnosis of injuries was 0.7%. CONCLUSION: The low
      incidence of missed or delayed injuries justifies limiting additional radiation
      exposure to pediatric trauma patients based on clinical status.

PMID- 26276425
TI  - Thoracoscopic pleural clipping for the management of congenital chylothorax.
AB  - PURPOSE: Medical management of congenital chylothoraces consists of total
      parental nutrition and tube thoracostomy. However, these infants are exposed to
      significant fluid shifts and the related leukopenia carries a high infection
      risk. The purpose of this review is to describe the technique of parietal pleural
      clipping as a surgical treatment of congenital chylothorax. METHODS: The medical
      records of all patients with a chylothorax diagnosis during the study period of
      January 2002 to April 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Six of 14
      infants identified underwent thoracoscopic parietal pleural clipping to disrupt
      the pleural lymphatic channel flow as visualization of the thoracic duct and
      lymphatics was not possible. Nearly all surgical patients had bilateral disease
      (5/6). Resolution of chylous leakage was dramatic following parietal clipping. In
      the surgical patients, chest tube output 2 days prior to surgery averaged 86.96
      ml/kg/day. After parietal clipping, chest tube output dropped to an average of
      6.5 ml/kg/day on post op day 2. Thereafter, chest tube output remained low to
      negligible and chest tubes were removed variably as enteral feeds were started.
      CONCLUSIONS: We describe a straightforward technique of thoracoscopic parietal
      pleural clipping as a safe and successful option for treatment of congenital
      chylothoraces.

PMID- 26276426
TI  - Rho-kinase expression in Hirschsprung's disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Rho-kinase (ROCK) is the primary effector protein in the RhoA
      pathway, which regulates Ca(2+)-independent smooth muscle contraction in the
      human bowel. This pathway has been reported to be hyper-activated in the
      aganglionic bowel of EDNRB-null (-/-) rats compared to the ganglionic bowel from
      EDNRB (+/+) rats. We hypothesised that ROCK expression is up-regulated in human
      aganglionic bowel and designed this study to investigate ROCK 1 and ROCK 2
      expression in Hirschsprung's disease (HSCR) and controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Full-length specimens were collected following pull-through surgery for HSCR (n =
      9). Colonic controls (n = 6) were obtained during colostomy closure from patients
      with anorectal malformations. Distribution of ROCK 1/2 expression was evaluated
      using double-labelled immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy. ROCK1/2 protein
      expression was assessed in mucosa and tunica muscularis using western blot
      analysis. RESULTS: There was strong expression of both ROCK 1 and ROCK 2 in
      interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) and ganglia. ROCK 1 expression was reduced in
      aganglionic bowel compared to HSCR ganglionic bowel and controls in both mucosa
      and tunica muscularis. ROCK 2 expression was similar in the colon of children
      with HSCR and controls. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of strong ROCK
      expression in colonic ICCs. Although the rat model of aganglionic bowel suggests
      that Ca(2+)-independent smooth muscle contraction involving ROCK is hyper
      activated, our data indicate ROCK 1 expression is decreased in aganglionic bowel
      and ROCK 2 expression is unaltered in children with HSCR.

PMID- 26276427
TI  - Causal relationship between delayed gastric emptying and gastroesophageal reflux
      in patients with neurological impairment.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the causal relationship between delayed gastric emptying
      (DGE) and gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in patients with neurological impairment
      (NI). METHODS: Subjects included 30 NI patients (age, 1-34 years; median, 6
      years). Combined multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH (MII-pH) monitoring and
      (13)C-breath test evaluated acid/non-acid reflux episodes (RE) and gastric
      emptying rates, respectively. Values are shown with medians and ranges. RESULTS:
      Percentage time for esophageal pH < 4.0 (reflux index: RI) and numbers for total
      RE and RE > 5 min were 8.3 (0-35.7), 44 (0-129), and 5 (0-22), respectively.
      Total percentage time and bolus RE numbers were 1.4 (0.0-6.9) and 49 (2-159),
      respectively. Median bolus clearance time was 16 s (9-45). T 1/2, T lag, and GEC
      were 103 s (75-204), 54 s (18-97), and 3.4 (2.3-4.3), respectively. Gastric
      emptying rates and acid/non-acid reflux parameters were not significantly
      correlated, except T 1/2 correlated significantly with the numbers of RE > 5 min
      (p = 0.04). T 1/2 inversely correlated with bolus clearance time (p = 0.01).
      Reflux parameters between DGE and non-DGE patients were not significantly
      different, except median bolus clearance time was significantly shorter in DGE
      patients (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: NI patients showed a wide range of gastric
      emptying rates without any significant causal relationship between DGE and GER.

PMID- 26276428
TI  - Impact of an external lengthening procedure on the outcome of long-gap esophageal
      atresia at our hospitals.
AB  - PURPOSE: To demonstrate the outcome of external lengthening for long-gap
      esophageal atresia (LGEA) at our hospitals. METHODS: Five patients with LGEA
      underwent external lengthening between 2010 and 2014 (group A), and 11 patients
      with LGEA underwent other lengthening techniques between 1990 and 2011 (group B).
      We compared the procedure and outcome between these two groups. RESULTS: The mean
      birth weight was 2001 g in group A and 2485 g in group B (p = 0.06). The mean age
      at esophageal reconstruction was 28 days in group A and 227 days in group B (p =
      0.03). Although primary esophageal anastomosis without myotomy was feasible in
      all patients in group A, a myotomy was needed for primary esophageal anastomosis
      in half of the patients in group B. Anastomotic leakage occurred in none in group
      A and in six patients in group B (p = 0.03). The mean age at the establishment of
      full oral feeding was 76 days in group A and 686 days in group B (p = 0.009).
      CONCLUSION: External traction for LGEA can effectively lengthen the esophagus to
      enable primary anastomosis at an earlier age. This may facilitate oral intake.

PMID- 26276429
TI  - Surgical closure of the larynx for intractable aspiration pneumonia: cannula-free
      care and minimizing the risk of developing trachea-innominate artery fistula.
AB  - There is a risk of developing a fatal trachea-innominate artery fistula following
      laryngotracheal separation for the prevention of intractable aspiration
      pneumonia. We developed a novel technique of surgical closure of the larynx to
      avoid this complication and provide long-term cannula-free care. 

PMID- 26276430
TI  - Phylogenetic and amino acid conservation analyses of bacterial L-aspartate-alpha
      decarboxylase and of its zymogen-maturation protein reveal a putative interaction
      domain.
AB  - BACKGROUND: All organisms must synthesize the enzymatic cofactor coenzyme A (CoA)
      from the precursor pantothenate. Most bacteria can synthesize pantothenate de
      novo by the condensation of pantoate and beta-alanine. The synthesis of beta
      alanine is catalyzed by L-aspartate-alpha-decarboxylase (PanD), a pyruvoyl enzyme
      that is initially synthesized as a zymogen (pro-PanD). Active PanD is generated
      by self-cleavage of pro-PanD at Gly24-Ser25 creating the active-site pyruvoyl
      moiety. In Salmonella enterica, this cleavage requires PanM, an acetyl-CoA sensor
      related to the Gcn5-like N-acetyltransferases. PanM does not acetylate pro-PanD,
      but the recent publication of the three-dimensional crystal structure of the PanM
      homologue PanZ in complex with the PanD zymogen of Escherichia coli provides
      validation to our predictions and provides a framework in which to further
      examine the cleavage mechanism. In contrast, PanD from bacteria lacking PanM
      efficiently cleaved in the absence of PanM in vivo. RESULTS: Using phylogenetic
      analyses combined with in vivo phenotypic investigations, we showed that two
      classes of bacterial L-aspartate-alpha-decarboxylases exist. This classification
      is based on their posttranslational activation by self-cleavage of its zymogen.
      Class I L-aspartate-alpha-decarboxylase zymogens require the acetyl-CoA sensor
      PanM to be cleaved into active PanD. This class is found exclusively in the
      Gammaproteobacteria. Class II L-aspartate-alpha-decarboxylase zymogens self
      cleave efficiently in the absence of PanM, and are found in a wide number of
      bacterial phyla. Several members of the Euryarchaeota and Crenarchaeota also
      contain Class II L-aspartate-alpha-decarboxylases. Phylogenetic and amino acid
      conservation analyses of PanM revealed a conserved region of PanM distinct from
      conserved regions found in related Gcn5-related acetyltransferase enzymes
      (Pfam00583). This conserved region represents a putative domain for interactions
      with L-aspartate-alpha-decarboxylase zymogens. This work may inform future
      biochemical and structural studies of pro-PanD-PanM interactions. CONCLUSIONS:
      Experimental results indicate that S. enterica and C. glutamicum L-aspartate
      alpha-decarboxylases represent two different classes of homologues of these
      enzymes. Class I homologues require PanM for activation, while Class II self
      cleave in the absence of PanM. Computer modeling of conserved amino acids using
      structure coordinates of PanM and L-aspartate-alpha-decarboxylase available in
      the protein data bank (RCSB PDB) revealed a putative site of interactions, which
      may help generate models to help understand the molecular details of the self
      cleavage mechanism of L-aspartate-alpha-decarboxylases.

PMID- 26276432
TI  - Discovery of potent HIV-1 non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors from
      arylthioacetanilide structural motif.
AB  - The poor pharmacokinetics, side effects and particularly the rapid emergence of
      drug resistance compromise the efficiency of the clinically used anti-HIV drugs.
      Therefore, the discovery of novel and effective NNRTIs is still an extremely
      primary mission. Arylthioacetanilide family is one of the highly active HIV-1
      NNRTIs against wide-type (WT) HIV-1 and a wide range of drug-resistant mutant
      strains. Especially, VRX-480773 and RDEA806 have been chosen as candidates for
      further clinical studies. In this article, we review the discovery and
      development of the arylthioacetanilides, and, especially, pay much attention to
      the structural modifications, SARs conclusions and molecular modeling. Moreover,
      several medicinal chemistry strategies to overcome drug resistance involved in
      the optimization process of arylthioacetanilides are highlighted, providing
      valuable clues for further investigations.

PMID- 26276433
TI  - Antitumor activity of endoperoxide-iron chelator conjugates-design, synthesis and
      biological evaluation.
AB  - The effort to pursue effective anti-cancer drugs with novel mechanism of action
      has been continued for decades. As an antimalarial agent, artemisinin is well
      known for its endoperoxide moiety, which is activated by the cellular iron.
      Meanwhile, the anti-cancer activity of artemisinin is recognized and reported.
      Herein, we report on the design, synthesis and evaluation of a series of
      endoperoxide and iron chelating moiety conjugates. Our study demonstrated that
      the endoperoxide-quinoline conjugates displayed effective antiproliferative
      capability and good selectivity against certain cancer cells, while both
      hydroxamate and catechol-endoperoxide conjugates shown no significant inhibitory
      activity. Preliminary mechanism investigation suggested that the
      antiproliferative activity of these conjugates is related to the endoperoxide
      moiety as well as their iron-chelating ability. These compounds are expected to
      be used as prototype for further development of selective anti-cancer drug
      candidate. 

PMID- 26276431
TI  - Ultrastructural markers of quality are impaired in human metaphase II aged
      oocytes: a comparison between reproductive and in vitro aging.
AB  - PURPOSE: Childbearing delay contributes to the increase of subfertile couples
      that require assisted reproductive technology (ART). Subfertility relates with
      reproductive aging (RA). In vitro aging (IvA) (due to extended culture) may also
      impair oocyte competence. Aims of this study were to evaluate and compare the
      oocyte ultrastructure after RA and IvA. METHODS: Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs)
      (n = 68), with metaphase II oocyte and expanded cumulus, from consenting patients
      (<35 years old and >=35 years old, n = 36), were selected by phase contrast
      microscopy and fixed at pick up, or after 24 h culture. COCs (n = 44) were
      studied by light and qualitative/morphometric transmission electron microscopy.
      Two-way ANOVA, with age and culture as grouping factors, was applied for
      statistical analysis (p < 0.05). Metaphase II cumulus-free oocytes (n = 24) were
      selected for confocal microscopy observations. RESULTS: Significant decrease of
      mitochondria-smooth endoplasmic reticulum aggregates, increase of mitochondria
      vesicle complexes size and amount, decrease of cortical granules and microvilli,
      and alterations of the spindle structure characterized both RA and IvA oocytes.
      These changes were significantly more evident in the RA oocytes submitted to IvA.
      RA oocytes also showed changes of the zona pellucida and occurrence of vacuoles
      after culture. Cumuli appeared re-compacted after culture, irrespective of the
      age of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrated that aging is related
      to decay of oocyte ultrastructural quality, and that oocytes from elder women are
      more sensitive to prolonged culture (IvA) than the oocytes from younger women.
      These morphological results should be considered when applying ART in aged
      patients, rescue ICSI, or artificial oocyte activation.

PMID- 26276434
TI  - Recent advances on the synthesis of hepatitis C virus NS5B RNA-dependent RNA
      polymerase inhibitors.
AB  - Hepatitis C is a viral liver infection considered as the major cause of cirrhosis
      and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The HCV NS5B polymerase, an RNA-dependent RNA
      polymerase, is essential for HCV replication, which is able to catalyze the
      synthesis of positive (genomic) and negative (template) strand HCV RNA, but has
      no functional equivalent in mammalian cells. Therefore, the NS5B polymerase has
      emerged as an attractive target for the development of specifically targeted
      antiviral therapy for HCV (DAA, for direct-acting antivirals). Recently, a
      growing number of compounds have been reported as the NS5B polymerase inhibitors,
      some of which especially have been licensed in clinical trials. This review
      describes recent advances on the synthesis of the NS5B polymerase inhibitors,
      focusing on the merits and demerits of their synthetic methods. In particular,
      inspiration from the synthesis and the future direction of the NS5B polymerase
      inhibitors are highlighted. 

PMID- 26276435
TI  - Pyrimidine sulfonylacetanilides with improved potency against key mutant viruses
      of HIV-1 by specific targeting of a highly conserved residue.
AB  - Based on molecular simulation, the etravirine-VRX-480773 hybrids previously
      disclosed by our group were optimized to yield novel pyrimidine
      sulfonylacetanilides 8 with improved activity against a panel of seven clinically
      relevant single and double mutant strains of HIV-1. The improvement in potency in
      this in vitro model of HIV RNA replication partly validates the mechanism by
      which this class of allosteric pyrimidine derivatives inhibits the reverse
      transcriptase (RT), and represents a remarkable step forward in the development
      of anti-HIV drugs.

PMID- 26276436
TI  - Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors: Design, synthesis and structural characterization
      of new heteroaryl-N-carbonylbenzenesulfonamides targeting druggable human
      carbonic anhydrase isoforms.
AB  - A set of heteroaryl-N-carbonylbenzenesulfonamides has been designed, synthesized,
      and screened as inhibitors of human carbonic anhydrases (hCAs). The new
      sulfonamide derivatives were tested against hCA I, hCA II, hCA VII, hCA IX, and
      hCA XII isoforms using acetazolamide (AAZ, 1) and topiramate (TPM, 2) as
      reference compounds. Six compounds were low nanomolar inhibitors of tumor
      associated hCA IX isoform (Ki values < 10 nM); among them we identified three
      arylsulfonamides showing unexpected inefficacy over brain distributed hCA VII
      isoform (hCA IX/hCA VII selectivity ratio > 1500 for compound 5c). Thus, these
      compounds can offer the opportunity to highlight the interactions preventing the
      inhibition of hCA VII mainly expressed in central nervous system. Thereby, we
      used structural and computational techniques to study in depth the interaction
      with hCAs. In an effort to confirm the inhibitory action we determined crystal
      structures of five selected heteroaryl-N-carbonylbenzenesulfonamides (4a, 4b, 4e,
      5c, and 5e) in complex with hCA II. Moreover, to explore the lack of inhibitory
      effects of selected compounds (e.g.4b and 5c) we also performed docking studies
      into hCA VII catalytic site.

PMID- 26276437
TI  - Thiazole compounds with activity against Cryptococcus gattii and Cryptococcus
      neoformans in vitro.
AB  - Human cryptococcosis can occur as a primary or opportunistic infection and
      develop as an acute, subacute, or chronic, systemic infection involving different
      host organs. We evaluated the antifungal activity of thirteen compounds against
      Cryptococcus gattii and Cryptococcus neoformans in vitro, by assessing the
      toxicity of the compounds showing the greatest antifungal activity in VERO cells
      and murine macrophages. From these results, four compounds were considered
      promising for further studies because they displayed low cytotoxicity and
      significant antifungal activity. The heterocyclic compounds 1b, 1c, 1d, and 1m
      have antifungal activity levels between that of amphotericin B and fluconazole in
      vitro. The death curve of Cryptococcus spp. treated with these four compounds was
      similar to the curve obtained for amphotericin B, in that we observed a
      significant reduction in cell viability within the first 24 h of treatment.
      Additionally, we found that there was no effect when these compounds were
      combined with amphotericin and fluconazole, except for 1c, which antagonized the
      effect of amphotericin B against C. gattii, also reflected in the reduction of
      the post-antifungal effect (PAFE); however, this interaction did not alter the
      ergosterol content. The results shown in this paper reveal the discovery of novel
      thiazole compounds, which are easy to synthesize, and with potentially exhibit
      antifungal activity, and display low cytotoxicity in normal mammalian cells.
      These compounds can be used as prototypes for the design of new antifungal drugs
      against C. gattii and C. neoformans.

PMID- 26276438
TI  - Perceived ethnic discrimination, acculturation, and psychological distress in
      women of Turkish origin in Germany.
AB  - PURPOSE: Discrimination is linked to various health problems, including mental
      disorders like depression and also has a negative effect on the access to mental
      health care services. Little is known about factors mitigating the association
      between ethnic discrimination and mental distress. METHODS: The present study
      examined the extent of the relationship between perceived ethnic discrimination
      and psychological distress among women of Turkish origin residing in Berlin, and
      explored whether this association is moderated by acculturation strategies while
      controlling for known predictors of distress in migrant populations. RESULTS: A
      total of 205 women of Turkish origin participated in the study. 55.1% of the
      participants reported some degree of ethnic discrimination. The degree of
      reported discrimination varied according to acculturation. The highest level of
      ethnic discrimination was found in the second generation separated group and both
      generations of the marginalized group. Further, the results indicate an
      association between ethnic discrimination and distress while adjusting for known
      socio-demographic predictors of distress, migration-related factors, and
      neuroticism (B = 5.56, 95% CI 2.44-8.68, p < 0.001). However, the relationship
      did vary as a function of acculturation strategy, showing an association only in
      the separated group. CONCLUSIONS: The findings highlight the effects of ethnic
      discrimination beyond the influence of known risk factor for psychological
      distress in migrants, such as unemployment, being single, having a limited
      residence permit or the presence of personality structures that may increase
      vulnerability for stress responses and mental disorders.

PMID- 26276439
TI  - Gene regulation of filaggrin and other skin barrier proteins via aryl hydrocarbon
      receptor.
AB  - Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand-dependent transcription factor that
      binds to structurally diverse chemicals including dioxins, coal tar, flavonoids
      and tryptophan photoproducts. Upon ligation, cytoplasmic AHR translocates to the
      nucleus, heterodimerizes with aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator and
      mediates numerous biological effects by inducing the transcription of various AHR
      responsive genes such as epidermal barrier proteins. The activation of AHR
      usually generates oxidative stress. However, AHR also mediates antioxidant
      signaling by a plethora of ligands via nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor
      2. Both oxidative and antioxidant ligands upregulate the expression of the
      filaggrin gene. We review the role of AHR signaling in the gene regulation of
      epidermal barrier proteins. 

PMID- 26276440
TI  - Understanding age-induced alterations to the biomechanical barrier function of
      human stratum corneum.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The appearance and function of human skin are dramatically altered
      with aging, resulting in higher rates of severe xerosis and other skin
      complaints. The outermost layer of the epidermis, the stratum corneum (SC), is
      responsible for the biomechanical barrier function of skin and is also adversely
      transformed with age. With age the keratin filaments within the corneocytes are
      prone to crosslinking, the amount of intercellular lipids decreases resulting in
      fewer lipid bilayers, and the rate of corneocyte turnover decreases. OBJECTIVES:
      The effect of these structural changes on the mechanical properties of the SC has
      not been determined. Here we determine how several aspects of the SC's mechanical
      properties are dramatically degraded with age. METHODS: We performed a range of
      biomechanical experiments, including micro-tension, bulge, double cantilever
      beam, and substrate curvature testing on abdominal stratum corneum from cadaveric
      female donors ranging in age from 29 to 93 years old. RESULTS: We found that the
      SC stiffens with age, indicating that the keratin fibers stiffen, similarly to
      collagen fibers in the dermis. The cellular cohesion also increases with age, a
      result of the altered intercellular lipid structure. The kinetics of water
      movement through the SC is also decreased. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that
      the combination of structural and mechanical property changes that occur with age
      are quite significant and may contribute to the prevalence of skin disorders
      among the elderly.

PMID- 26276441
TI  - Effects of adalimumab, etanercept and ustekinumab on the expression of psoriasin
      (S100A7) in psoriatic skin.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease. It is characterized
      by immune cell activation and altered epidermal differentiation. S100A7
      (psoriasin) is overexpressed in psoriasis, suggesting a determinant role of this
      protein in inflammation and keratinocyte differentiation. OBJECTIVE: The purpose
      of this study was to investigate the expression of S100A7 in the skin from
      psoriatic patients undergoing biological therapy with adalimumab, etanercept or
      ustekinumab. METHODS: S100A7 expression and distribution were analyzed by
      immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: S100A7, overexpressed in epidermal keratinocytes
      of psoriatic lesions, was downregulated, under the biological therapy with
      adalimumab, etanercept or ustekinumab, only in patients achieving a PASI
      score<15. CONCLUSIONS: Dysregulation of S100A7 may represent a non-negligible
      player in the maintenance of psoriasis and the relative epidermal changes.
      Blockage of S100A7 may represent an additional therapeutic approach in the
      treatment of psoriasis.

PMID- 26276442
TI  - Detection of serum neutralizing antibodies to Simbu sero-group viruses in cattle
      in Tanzania.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Orthobunyaviruses belonging to the Simbu sero-group occur worldwide,
      including the newly recognized Schmallenberg virus (SBV) in Europe. These viruses
      cause congenital malformations and reproductive losses in ruminants. Information
      on the presence of these viruses in Africa is scarce and the origin of SBV is
      unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of antibodies
      against SBV and closely related viruses in cattle in Tanzania, and their possible
      association with reproductive disorders. RESULTS: In a cross-sectional study,
      serum from 659 cattle from 202 herds collected in 2012/2013 were analyzed using a
      commercial kit for SBV ELISA, and 61 % were positive. Univariable logistic
      regression revealed significant association between ELISA seropositivity and
      reproductive disorders (OR = 1.9). Sera from the same area collected in
      2008/2009, before the SBV epidemic in Europe, were also tested and 71 (54.6 %) of
      130 were positive. To interpret the ELISA results, SBV virus neutralization test
      (VNT) was performed on 110 sera collected in 2012/2013, of which 51 % were
      positive. Of 71 sera from 2008/2009, 21 % were positive. To investigate potential
      cross reactivity with related viruses, 45 sera from 2012/2013 that were positive
      in SBV ELISA were analyzed in VNTs for Aino, Akabane, Douglas, Peaton, Sabo, SBV,
      Sathuperi, Shamonda, Simbu and Tinaroo viruses. All 45 sera were positive for one
      or more of these viruses. Twenty-nine sera (64.4 %) were positive for SBV, and
      one had the highest titer for this virus. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first
      indication that Aino, Akabane, Douglas, Peaton, Sabo, SBV, Sathuperi, Shamonda
      and Tinaroo viruses circulate and cause negative effect on reproductive
      performance in cattle in Tanzania. SBV or a closely related virus was present
      before the European epidemic. However, potential cross reactivity complicates the
      interpretation of serological studies in areas where several related viruses may
      circulate. Virus isolation and molecular characterization in cattle and/or
      vectors is recommended to further identify the viruses circulating in this
      region. However, isolation in cattle is difficult due to short viremic period of
      2 to 6 days, and isolation in vectors does not necessarily reflect the situation
      in cattle.

PMID- 26276444
TI  - Cloning and Expression of Plantaricin W Produced by Lactobacillus plantarum U10
      Isolate from "Tempoyak" Indonesian Fermented Food as Immunity Protein in
      Lactococcus lactis.
AB  - Plantaricins, one of bacteriocin produced by Lactobacillus plantarum, are already
      known to have activities against several pathogenic bacterium. L. plantarum U10
      isolated from "tempoyak," an Indonesian fermented food, produced one kind of
      plantaricin designated as plantaricin W (plnW). The plnW is suggested as a
      putative membrane location of protein and has similar conserved motif which is
      important as immunity to bacteriocin itself. Thus, due to study about this
      plantaricin, several constructs have been cloned and protein was analyzed in
      Lactococcus lactis. In this study, plnW gene was successfully cloned into vector
      NICE system pNZ8148 and created the transformant named L. lactis NZ3900 pNZ8148
      WU10. PlnW protein was 25.3 kDa in size. The concentration of expressed protein
      was significantly increased by 10 ng/mL nisin induction. Furthermore, PlnW
      exhibited protease activity with value of 2.22 +/- 0.05 U/mL and specific
      activity about 1.65 +/- 0.03 U/mg protein with 50 ng/mL nisin induction. Immunity
      study showed that the PlnW had immunity activity especially against plantaricin
      and rendered L. lactis recombinant an immunity broadly to other bacteriocins such
      as pediocin, fermentcin, and acidocin.

PMID- 26276443
TI  - Health system context and implementation of evidence-based practices-development
      and validation of the Context Assessment for Community Health (COACH) tool for
      low- and middle-income settings.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The gap between what is known and what is practiced results in health
      service users not benefitting from advances in healthcare, and in unnecessary
      costs. A supportive context is considered a key element for successful
      implementation of evidence-based practices (EBP). There were no tools available
      for the systematic mapping of aspects of organizational context influencing the
      implementation of EBPs in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Thus, this
      project aimed to develop and psychometrically validate a tool for this purpose.
      METHODS: The development of the Context Assessment for Community Health (COACH)
      tool was premised on the context dimension in the Promoting Action on Research
      Implementation in Health Services framework, and is a derivative product of the
      Alberta Context Tool. Its development was undertaken in Bangladesh, Vietnam,
      Uganda, South Africa and Nicaragua in six phases: (1) defining dimensions and
      draft tool development, (2) content validity amongst in-country expert panels,
      (3) content validity amongst international experts, (4) response process
      validity, (5) translation and (6) evaluation of psychometric properties amongst
      690 health workers in the five countries. RESULTS: The tool was validated for use
      amongst physicians, nurse/midwives and community health workers. The six phases
      of development resulted in a good fit between the theoretical dimensions of the
      COACH tool and its psychometric properties. The tool has 49 items measuring eight
      aspects of context: Resources, Community engagement, Commitment to work, Informal
      payment, Leadership, Work culture, Monitoring services for action and Sources of
      knowledge. CONCLUSIONS: Aspects of organizational context that were identified as
      influencing the implementation of EBPs in high-income settings were also found to
      be relevant in LMICs. However, there were additional aspects of context of
      relevance in LMICs specifically Resources, Community engagement, Commitment to
      work and Informal payment. Use of the COACH tool will allow for systematic
      description of the local healthcare context prior implementing healthcare
      interventions to allow for tailoring implementation strategies or as part of the
      evaluation of implementing healthcare interventions and thus allow for deeper
      insights into the process of implementing EBPs in LMICs.

PMID- 26276445
TI  - Advanced Glycation-Modified Human Serum Albumin Evokes Alterations in Membrane
      and Eryptosis in Erythrocytes.
AB  - Increased burden of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) in case of
      hyperglycemic conditions leads to the development of retinopathy, nephropathy,
      and cardiovascular and neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. AGEs
      are considered as pro-oxidants, and their accumulation increases the oxidative
      stress. The prolonged exposure to these AGEs is the fundamental cause of chronic
      oxidative stress. Abnormal morphology of red blood cells (RBCs) and excessive
      eryptosis has been observed in diabetes, glomerulonephritis, dyslipidemia, and
      obesity, but yet the contribution of extracellular AGEs remains undefined. In
      this study, we investigated the effect of AGEs on erythrocytes to determine their
      impact on the occurrence of different pathological forms of these blood cells.
      Specifically, carboxymethyllysine (CML), carboxyethyllysine (CEL), and Arg
      pyrimidine (Arg-P) which have been reported to be the most pre-dominant AGEs
      formed under in vivo conditions were used in this study. Results suggested the
      eryptotic properties of CML, CEL, and Arg-P for RBCs, which were evident from the
      highly damaged cell membrane and occurrence of abnormal morphologies.
      Methylglyoxal-modified albumin showed more severe effects, which can be
      attributed to the high reactivity and pro-oxidant nature of glycation end
      products. These findings suggest the possible role of AGE-modified albumin
      towards the morphological changes in erythrocyte's membrane associated with
      diabetic conditions. 

PMID- 26276446
TI  - Molecular Cloning and Characterization of Spermine Synthesis Gene Associated with
      Cold Tolerance in Tea Plant (Camellia sinensis).
AB  - Spermine synthase (SPMS, EC 2.5.1.22), enzyme of spermine (Spm) biosynthesis, has
      been shown to be related to stress response. In this study, attempts were made to
      clone and characterize a gene encoding SPMS from tea plant (Camellia sinensis).
      The effect of exogenous application of Spm in C. sinensis subjected to low
      temperature stress was also investigated. A full-length SPMS complementary DNA
      (cDNA) (CsSPMS) with an open reading frame of 1113 bp was cloned using reverse
      transcription-PCR and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) techniques from
      cultivar "Yingshuang". The CsSPMS gene, which encoded a 371 amino acid
      polypeptide, in four cultivars is highly homologous. Quantitative real-time PCR
      indicated that the CsSPMS gene shows tissue-specific expression, mainly in the
      leaf and root of tea plant. The expression analysis demonstrated that the CsSPMS
      gene is quickly induced by cold stress and had similar trends in four cultivars.
      Spm-supplemented "Baicha" cultivar contains higher endogenous polyamines compared
      to the control, coupling with higher expression levels of ADC and SPMS. In
      addition, activities of peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase
      (CAT), as well as free proline content in the Spm-supplemented samples were
      higher than the control during the experiment course or at a given time point,
      indicating that Spm exerted a positive effect on antioxidant systems. Moreover,
      Agrobacterium-mediated expression of CsSPMS in tobacco leaves showed relatively
      higher cold tolerance. Taken together, these findings will enhance the
      understanding of the relationships among CsSPMS gene regulatory, polyamines
      accumulation, and cold tolerance in tea plant. 

PMID- 26276447
TI  - Evaluation of smoking-specific and generic quality of life measures in current
      and former smokers in Germany and the United States.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Health-related quality of life (QOL) surveys include generic measures
      that enable comparisons across conditions and measures that focus more
      specifically on one disease or condition. We evaluated the psychometric
      properties of German- and English-language versions of survey scales representing
      both types of measures in samples of current and former smokers. METHODS:
      TQOLIT(TM)v1 integrates new measures of smoking-specific symptoms and QOL impact
      attributed to smoking with generic SF-36 Health Survey measures. For purposes of
      evaluation, cross-sectional data were analyzed for two independent samples.
      Disease-free (otherwise healthy) adults ages 23-55 used a tablet to complete
      surveys in a clinical trial in Germany (125 current and 54 former smokers).
      Online general population surveys were completed in the US by otherwise healthy
      current and former smokers (N = 149 and 110, respectively). Evaluations included
      psychometric tests of assumptions underlying scale construction and scoring,
      score distributions, and reliability. Tests of validity included cross-sectional
      correlations and analyses of variance based on a conceptual framework and
      hypotheses for groups differing in self-reported smoking behavior (current versus
      former smoker, cigarettes per day (CPD)) and severity of smoking symptoms in both
      samples and, in the German trial only, clinical parameters of biomarkers of
      exposure. RESULTS: Tests of scaling assumptions and internal consistency
      reliability (alpha = 0.71-0.79) of the smoking-specific measures were
      satisfactory, although ceiling effects attenuated correlations for former smokers
      in both samples. Correlational evidence supporting validity of smoking-specific
      symptom and impact measures included their substantial inter-correlation and
      higher correlations (than generic measures) with smoking behavior (favoring
      former over current groups) and CPD in both samples. In the German trial, both
      smoking-specific measures correlated significantly (p < 0.05) with all four
      biomarkers. QOL impact attributed to smoking correlated with the SF-36 mental but
      not physical summary measures in both samples. CONCLUSIONS: German- and English
      language TQOLITv1 surveys have comparable and satisfactory psychometric
      properties. Cross-sectional tests, including correlations with four biomarkers,
      support the validity of the new smoking-specific measures for use in studies of
      otherwise healthy smokers. Smoking-specific measures consistently performed
      better than generic QOL measures in all tests of validity.

PMID- 26276448
TI  - Evaluating non-disclosure of errors and healthcare organization: a case of
      bioethics consultation.
AB  - Sometimes medical errors should not be disclosed. We report a case of semen
      samples exchange, during a homologous artificial insemination procedure, where a
      bioethics consultation was required. The bioethics consultation addressed ethical
      and legal elements in play, supporting non-disclosure to some of the subjects
      involved. Through a proper methodology, gathering factual and juridical elements,
      a consultant can show when a moral dilemma between values and rights-privacy
      versus fatherhood, in our case-is unsubstantial, in a given context, because of
      the groundlessness of the value or the right itself. However, being the error
      elicited by organizational factors, a broader ethical pronouncement was needed.
      Under such circumstances, ethical evaluation should engage in a sort of 'ethical
      based root-cause analysis', linking ethical principles to quality aims and
      showing the opportunity to integrate ethical methodology in healthcare
      management. From this perspective, errors may become an incentive to promote high
      quality organizations, attending to the central value of person even through the
      organizational process.

PMID- 26276449
TI  - Rethinking risk assessment for emerging technology first-in-human trials.
AB  - Recent progress in synthetic biology (SynBio) has enabled the development of
      novel therapeutic opportunities for the treatment of human disease. In the near
      future, first-in-human trials (FIH) will be indicated. FIH trials mark a key
      milestone in the translation of medical SynBio applications into clinical
      practice. Fostered by uncertainty of possible adverse events for trial
      participants, a variety of ethical concerns emerge with regards to SynBio FIH
      trials, including 'risk' minimization. These concerns are associated with any FIH
      trial, however, due to the novelty of the approach, they become more pronounced
      for medical applications of emerging technologies (emTech) like SynBio. To
      minimize potential harm for trial participants, scholars, guidelines, regulations
      and policy makers alike suggest using 'risk assessment' as evaluation tool for
      such trials. Conversely, in the context of emTech FIH trials, we believe it to be
      at least questionable to contextualize uncertainty of potential adverse events as
      'risk' and apply traditional risk assessment methods. Hence, this issue needs to
      be discussed to enable alterations of the evaluation process before the
      translational phase of SynBio applications begins. In this paper, we will take
      the opportunity to start the debate and highlight how a misunderstanding of the
      concept of risk, and the possibilities and limitations of risk assessment,
      respectively, might impair decision-making by the relevant regulatory authorities
      and research ethics committees, and discuss possible solutions to tackle the
      issue. 

PMID- 26276450
TI  - Enhanced parathyroid hormone levels are associated with left ventricle
      hypertrophy in very elderly men and women.
AB  - Serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) has been found to be associated with
      cardiovascular mortality in the elderly, but little is known about the mechanisms
      underlying this association. This study investigated the association between PTH
      and structural and functional changes of the heart and arterial wall in a cohort
      of very elderly individuals. Healthy individuals aged 80 years or more (n = 90)
      underwent evaluation of serum PTH, cardiac morphology and function by Doppler
      echocardiography, endothelium dependent and independent vasodilatation by
      brachial reactivity, carotid stiffness and intima-media thickness by ultrasound,
      and coronary calcification by computed tomography. Participants with PTH levels
      above the median 5.8 pmol/L had higher left ventricular mass index (P = .02),
      relative wall thickness (P = .02), left atrial volume index (P = .03), and
      shorter deceleration time of E mitral wave (P = .04). Serum PTH levels (odds
      ratio, 1.027; P = .032) and systolic blood pressure (odds ratio, 1.032; P = .008)
      were independently associated with left ventricular hypertrophy. No difference
      was found between PTH groups in flow- or nitrate-mediated brachial artery
      dilatation, coronary artery calcification, intima-media thickness, or arterial
      stiffness. Elevation of serum PTH in the very elderly is associated with
      concentric left ventricular hypertrophy, but no association with arterial wall
      structure or function was found in this study. 

PMID- 26276451
TI  - A half-century of studies of growth hormone insensitivity/Laron syndrome: A
      historical perspective.
AB  - A growth hormone (GH) dependent substance responsible for sulfate uptake by
      costal cartilage of hypophysectomized rats, labeled sulfation factor, was
      reported in 1957. In 1962 the radioimmunoassay for GH was described. The clinical
      picture of severe GH deficiency but with high serum concentrations of GH was
      reported in 3 siblings in 1966 and followed by a 1968 report of 22 patients
      belonging to 14 consanguineous oriental Jewish families in Israel. Defective
      sulfation factor generation was demonstrated in 15 of these individuals and in a
      1971 report; FFA response to IV GH and growth response to GH injections suggested
      competitive saturation of peripheral tissue receptors by an abnormal GH. However,
      studies published in 1973 demonstrated normal fractionation of their circulating
      GH, and normal binding of GH from 22 patients to various antisera used for
      radioimmunoassay. In 1976, the Israeli investigators reported that circulating GH
      from 7 patients reacted normally in the recently developed radioreceptor assay
      for GH. In 1984, using hepatic microsome pellets, they demonstrated that the
      defect was a failure of GH binding to receptors. Characterization of the human GH
      receptor (GHR) gene, reported in 1989, included the initial description of a
      genetic defect of the GHR in 2 of 9 Israeli patients. At about the same time
      began the identification in Ecuador of what was to become the largest population
      of GH insensitivity in the world, ~100 individuals, and the only substantial
      population with a common mutation of the GH receptor. Treatment studies with
      recombinant IGF-I began in 1990. Growth response was modest compared to that of
      GH treated GH deficient subjects. The spectrum of GH insensitivity has expanded
      beyond GH receptor deficiency to include postreceptor abnormalities: IGF-I gene
      mutation (1996); IGF-I receptor mutation (2003); signal transducer and activator
      of transcription 5b mutation (2003); and mutation of the GH-dependent acid labile
      subunit (2004). CONCLUSION: Rare conditions of GH insensitivity caused by GH
      receptor and postreceptor abnormalities have provided insights into the processes
      of growth, body composition, and metabolism.

PMID- 26276452
TI  - Biolite: A Patented Ultra-Low-Level Laser-Therapy Device for Treating
      Musculoskeletal Pain and Associated Impairments.
AB  - After an excursus on state-of-the-art knowledge for low-level laser therapy
      (LLLT), Biolite, a patented ultra-low-level laser therapy device used to treat
      musculoskeletal pain and associated impairments, is presented. The application
      protocols include short stimulation of sequences of acupuncture points. The
      observed effects seem, however, to be far from those that might be expected after
      acupuncture. The primary effect seems more likely to be an extracellular soft
      tissue matrix reaction. The development of the technique, the studies performed,
      and the evidence collected over > 10 years suggest that specifically modulated
      laser light can interact with human tissues at light fluences well under those
      previously considered as being capable of having any effect. Musculoskeletal pain
      very often becomes an autonomous dysfunction that is independent of the original
      injury and that can be effectively treated using specific peripheral acupuncture
      like stimulation. Because such acupuncture is capable of reducing motor control
      "interferences" from noxious stimuli, it can improve motor control performance,
      thereby reducing the risk of falls in the elderly individuals. The proposal of
      acupuncture-derived protocols to be applied by Western physiotherapists using an
      ultra-low-level laser therapy device is a further "bridge" between two different,
      and sometimes very different, clinical worlds to better serve our patients. 

PMID- 26276453
TI  - Acupuncture Suppresses Morphine Craving in Progressive Ratio Through the GABA
      System.
AB  - Previous studies revealed that acupuncture suppressed both morphine self
      administration and morphine-seeking behavior after abstinence. Based on these
      results, this study examined whether acupuncture attenuated morphine-craving
      under a progressive ratio (PR) schedule and investigated the possible neuronal
      mechanism. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were trained to self-administer morphine (0.5
      mg/kg) at a fixed ratio for 9 days, and rats who achieved stable infusion were
      switched to a PR schedule. When animals had taken no more morphine for 1 hour,
      the number of infusions was defined as the break point (BP). After PR training,
      animals that had established a stable BP received acupuncture the next day.
      Acupuncture was applied for 1 minute immediately before the test session.
      Bicuculline (1.0 mg/kg) and SCH 50911 (2.0 mg/kg) were given 30 minutes prior to
      acupuncture. The c-Fos levels in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the nucleus
      accumbens (NAc) were examined. Acupuncture at SI5 reduced the BP significantly.
      Moreover, the effects of acupuncture were blocked by either bicuculline or SCH
      50911. Immunofluorescence revealed that acupuncture at SI5 decreased c-Fos
      expressions in the VTA and the NAc. This study demonstrates that acupuncture at
      SI5 is effective for the treatment of morphine-craving and that this effect is
      mediated via the GABA pathway. 

PMID- 26276454
TI  - Laser Acupuncture Improves Behavioral Disorders and Brain Oxidative Stress Status
      in the Valproic Acid Rat Model of Autism.
AB  - The therapeutic strategy against autism, a severe neurological development
      disorder, is one of the challenges of this decade. Recent findings show that
      oxidative stress plays a crucial role on the pathophysiology of autism, and laser
      acupuncture at Shenmen (HT7) can improve oxidative status in many neurological
      disorders. Therefore, we aimed to assess the effect of laser acupuncture at HT7
      on behavior disorders and oxidative stress status in the cortex, striatum, and
      hippocampus of the valproic acid rat model of autism. Laser acupuncture was
      performed once daily during postnatal day (PND) 14-PND 40. Behavioral tests
      including rotarod, open-field, learning and memory, and social behavior tests
      were performed during PND 14-PND 40. At the end of study, brain oxidative status
      including malondialdehyde levels and the activities of superoxide dismutase,
      catalase, and glutathione peroxidase were determined in the cortex, striatum, and
      hippocampus. Laser acupuncture at HT7 significantly improved autistic-like
      behaviors. Decreased malondialdehyde levels were observed in all areas mentioned
      above, however, increased glutathione peroxidase activity was observed only in
      the striatum and hippocampus. No changes in superoxide dismutase and catalase
      activities were observed in any investigated area of the brain. Therefore, our
      study suggests that laser acupuncture at HT7 partly mitigates autistic-like
      symptoms via improved oxidative status. 

PMID- 26276456
TI  - Acupressure Bead in the Eustachian Tube.
AB  - In this article, we aim to enlighten practitioners and patients involved with
      acupressure beads and to contribute to their safer use by reporting a unique case
      of insidious intrusion of an acupressure bead into the eustachian tube. A
      metallic object was found in the eustachian tube of a patient while conducting a
      magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination. The object was later confirmed to
      be an auricular acupressure bead, and was successfully removed by performing a
      tympanoplasty and a canal wall down mastoidectomy. The bead was assumed to have
      passed through an existing perforation of the tympanic membrane. According to
      previously published literature, tympanic membrane perforations exist in ~1% of
      the population. Therefore, middle-ear foreign bodies are relatively common
      occurrences for otolaryngologists. However, metallic objects such as acupressure
      beads are especially important in the sense that they can cause severe burns
      during MRI. To avoid potential complications, acupressure-bead practitioners
      should be aware of the possibility that intrusions through the tympanic membrane
      could go unnoticed. 

PMID- 26276455
TI  - Could Acupuncture Be Useful in the Treatment of Temporomandibular Dysfunction?
AB  - In this study, the effects of acupuncture in comparison with flat occlusal plane
      appliance were evaluated in patient with myogenic temporomandibular dysfunction
      (TMD). The sample consisted of 40 women with TMD and unbalanced energy
      predominance of Yang Liver Ascension, selected using the Renying and Cunkou
      pulses, randomly divided into two groups: acupuncture and splint. The effect of
      treatments on the masseter and anterior temporal muscles was evaluated after 4
      weeks of treatment, by means of electromyographic activity (root mean square) and
      pain pressure threshold. Pain intensity was measured using the visual analog
      scale, and range of mouth opening was evaluated using a millimeter ruler. All
      evaluations were performed at the beginning and end of the treatment. Visual
      analog scale score was reduced equally in the two groups (p < 0001), and the
      increase in range of mouth opening was significant in both groups. A significant
      difference was detected only in pain pressure threshold of the left masseter in
      the acupuncture group (p < 0.05). Only root mean square in the at rest position
      of the right temporal muscle diminished in the final stage of the splint group (p
      < 0.05). Both treatments reduced the pain intensity of myogenic TMD in the short
      term and may be considered strategies for control of chronic pain related to TMD.

PMID- 26276457
TI  - Perception of Therapeutic Qi, a Nonmechanical, Nonpsychological Factor in
      Acupuncture That Originates from the Therapist.
AB  - So far, most research attempts to explain the mechanism of the action of
      acupuncture have focused mostly on mechanically-triggered active factors and have
      produced inconclusive findings. In this study, we investigate whether acupuncture
      might also involve nonmechanical, nonpsychological active factors originating in
      the therapist. In 30 individuals, an acupuncture needle was inserted in the
      acupoint PC6 using a special device without touching the needle. A second device
      was used to fix the needle rigidly in place, excluding any mechanical
      transmission of movement from the handle to the needle's tip. Each participant
      was exposed in random order to a control and a stimulation phase. During the
      stimulation phase, the free needle's end was held by the therapist to allow the
      transmission of Qi; during the control phase, it was left untouched.
      Participants' subjective sensations during the stimulation phase and the control
      phase were recorded using a questionnaire. Twenty-two of 28 (79%; p = 0.003) test
      participants believed that they had received stimulation when it had actually
      been performed, and 26 (93%; p < 0.001) sensed differences between the two
      experimental phases. Thus, participants were able to sense the transmission of
      therapeutic Qi in the absence of mechanical or psychological factors.

PMID- 26276458
TI  - Acupuncture Meridian of Traditional Chinese Medical Science: An Auxiliary
      Respiratory System.
AB  - The acupuncture meridian system (AMS) is the key concept of Traditional Chinese
      Medical Science (TCMS). It is a natural network formed by the tissue space that
      connects human viscera and skin. In this article, a new hypothesis that the AMS
      is an auxiliary respiratory system is presented. The AMS collects the CO2 that is
      produced by tissue supersession and that cannot be excreted via blood
      circulation, and discharges the CO2 through the body's pores, thus preventing a
      pressure increase in the internal environment. Thus, local blood circulation will
      not be blocked, and the body will remain healthy. In addition to neuroregulation
      and humoral regulation, AMS regulation is an important method of physiological
      regulation. Furthermore, the pathological principle of the AMS, therapies of
      TCMS, and the excellent future of the AMS are discussed. 

PMID- 26276459
TI  - Overall State of Pediatric Readiness in U.S. Improved Over the Past 10 Years, but
      Gaps Remain.

PMID- 26276461
TI  - Yet another time about time ... Part I: An essay on the phenomenology of physical
      time.
AB  - This paper presents yet another personal reflection on one the most important
      concepts in both science and the humanities: time. This elusive notion has been
      not only bothering philosophers since Plato and Aristotle. It goes throughout
      human history embracing all analytical and creative (anthropocentric)
      disciplines. Time has been a central theme in physical and life sciences,
      philosophy, psychology, music, art and many more. This theme is known with a vast
      body of knowledge across different theories and categories. What has been
      explored concerns its nature (rational, irrational, arational),
      appearances/qualia, degrees, dimensions and scales of conceptualization
      (internal, external, fractal, discrete, continuous, mechanical, quantum, local,
      global, etc.). Of particular interest have been parameters of time such as
      duration ranges, resolutions, modes (present, now, past, future), varieties of
      tenses (e.g. present perfect, present progressive, etc.) and some intuitive, but
      also fancy phenomenological characteristics such as "arrow", "stream", "texture",
      "width", "depth", "density", even "scent". Perhaps the most distinct
      characteristic of this fundamental concept is the absolute time constituting the
      flow of consciousness according to Husserl, the reflection of pure (human) nature
      without having the distinction between exo and endo. This essay is a personal
      reflection upon time in modern physics and phenomenological philosophy. 

PMID- 26276460
TI  - Transitioning Adolescents and Young Adults With HIV Infection to Adult Care:
      Pilot Testing the "Movin' Out" Transitioning Protocol.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Advances in care and treatment of adolescents/young adults with HIV
      infection have made survival into adulthood possible, requiring transition to
      adult care. Researchers have documented that the transition process is
      challenging for adolescents/young adults. To ensure successful transition, a
      formal transition protocol is needed. Despite existing research, little
      quantitative evaluation of the transition process has been conducted. PURPOSE:
      The purpose of the study was to pilot test the "Movin' Out" Transitioning
      Protocol, a formalized protocol developed to assist transition to adult care.
      METHOD: A retrospective medical/nursing record review was conducted with 38
      clients enrolled in the "Movin' Out" Transitioning Protocol at a university-based
      adolescent medicine clinic providing care to adolescents/young adults with HIV
      infection. RESULTS: Almost half of the participants were able to successfully
      transition to adult care. Reasons for failure to transition included relocation,
      attrition, lost to follow-up, and transfer to another adult service. Failure to
      transition to adult care was not related to adherence issues, X(2) (1,
      N=38)=2.49, p=.288; substance use, X(2) (1, N=38)=1.71, p=.474; mental health
      issues, X(2) (1, N=38)=2.23, p=.322; or pregnancy/childrearing, X(2) (1,
      N=38)=0.00, p=.627). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the small sample size, the "Movin' Out"
      Transitioning Protocol appears to be useful in guiding the transition process of
      adolescents/young adults with HIV infection to adult care. More research is
      needed with a larger sample to fully evaluate the "Movin' Out" Transitioning
      Protocol.

PMID- 26276462
TI  - Signs, dispositions, and semiotic scaffolding.
AB  - In theoretical work we distinguish living beings from inanimate objects on the
      basis of some paramount attributes, such as agency and autonomy. These abstract
      features are not directly accessible to our scrutiny, but we surmise their nature
      through observation of the purpose-oriented behavior of organisms. I intend to
      show that organismal purposefulness springs from the intrinsic, constitutive kind
      of finality that is the hallmark of all semiotic transactions. To this aim I
      develop a dispositionalist account of organismal causation based on a distinction
      between two kinds of causal dispositions: fixed (efficient) dispositions and
      traveling dispositions. Fixed dispositions are rigidly attached to physical
      structures and processes; these are the dispositions regularly invoked in current
      discussions of causal explanation. Traveling dispositions are able to move freely
      from one location to another by becoming embodied into suitable supporting media.
      I introduce these notions to articulate a view of semiosis I deem best suited to
      the life sciences, and contend that sign tokens are vehicles of traveling
      dispositions. This account places the origin of purposive behavior at the
      interaction of physical and semiotic causation. To properly motivate the
      discussion I briefly review some recent developments in the philosophy of science
      concerning various forms of causation invoked by scientists across disciplines to
      frame explanations and make predictions. The ensuing discussion gives particular
      prominence to mechanistic (as distinct from mechanicist) explanatory accounts of
      biological phenomena. This review is followed by a brief characterization of a
      "nomological machine," a comprehensive schema introduced and developed by Nancy
      Cartwright with the goal of explaining causal mechanisms in a general setting. By
      capitalizing on this model's heuristic virtues I seek to formulate a compelling
      view of the interactions between physical and semiotic causation at play in
      semiotic scaffolding. These interactions transpire between energetic causal
      chains and a wide range of converging semiotic transactions unfolding within each
      individual organism and between organisms and their environment. The perspective
      advanced here helps elucidate the manner in which physical and semiotic causation
      cooperate in an orchestrated fashion, giving rise to an ever-expanding profusion
      of scaffolding structures and processes. Using simple examples I outline some
      mechanisms that bring about this orchestration as well as the resultant
      channeling activities that eventually merge and find their culmination in the
      enactment of goal-oriented behavior. 

PMID- 26276463
TI  - Free will: A case study in reconciling phenomenological philosophy with
      reductionist sciences.
AB  - Phenomenology aspires to philosophical analysis of humans' subjective experience
      while it strives to avoid pitfalls of subjectivity. The first step towards
      naturalizing phenomenology - making phenomenology scientific - is to reconcile
      phenomenology with modern physics, on the one hand, and with modern cellular and
      molecular neuroscience, on the other hand. In this paper, free will is chosen for
      a case study to demonstrate the feasibility. Special attention is paid to
      maintain analysis with mathematical precision, if possible, and to evade the
      inherent deceptive power of natural language. Laplace's determinism is re
      evaluated along with the concept of microscopic reversibility. A simple and
      transparent version of proof demonstrates that microscopic reversibility is
      irreconcilably incompatible with macroscopic irreversibility, contrary to
      Boltzmann's claim. But the verdict also exalts Boltzmann's statistical mechanics
      to the new height of a genuine paradigm shift, thus cutting the umbilical cord
      linking it to Newtonian mechanics. Laplace's absolute determinism must then be
      replaced with a weaker form of causality called quasi-determinism. Biological
      indeterminism is also affirmed with numerous lines of evidence. The strongest
      evidence is furnished by ion channel fluctuations, which obey an indeterministic
      stochastic phenomenological law. Furthermore, quantum indeterminacy is shown to
      be relevant in biology, contrary to the opinion of Erwin Schrodinger. In
      reconciling phenomenology of free will with modern sciences, three issues -
      alternativism, intelligibility and origination - of free will must be accounted
      for. Alternativism and intelligibility can readily be accounted for by quasi
      determinism. In order to account for origination of free will, the concept of
      downward causation must be invoked. However, unlike what is commonly believed,
      there is no evidence that downward causation can influence, shield off, or
      overpower low-level physical forces already known to physicists. Quasi
      determinism offers an escape route: The possibility that downward causation
      arising from hierarchical organization of biological structures can modify
      dispersions of physical laws remains open. Empirical evidence in support of
      downward causation is scanty but nevertheless exists. Still, origination of free
      will must be considered an unsolved problem at present. It is demonstrated that
      objectivity does not guarantee scientific rigor in the study of complex
      phenomena, such as human creativity. In its replacement, universality and overall
      consistency between a theory and empirical evidence must be maintained. Visual
      thinking is proposed as a reasoning tool to ensure universality and overall
      consistency through inference to the best explanation. 

PMID- 26276464
TI  - The quantum epoche.
AB  - The theme of phenomenology and quantum physics is here tackled by examining some
      basic interpretational issues in quantum physics. One key issue in quantum theory
      from the very beginning has been whether it is possible to provide a quantum
      ontology of particles in motion in the same way as in classical physics, or
      whether we are restricted to stay within a more limited view of quantum systems,
      in terms of complementary but mutually exclusive phenomena. In phenomenological
      terms we could describe the situation by saying that according to the usual
      interpretation of quantum theory (especially Niels Bohr's), quantum phenomena
      require a kind of epoche (i.e. a suspension of assumptions about reality at the
      quantum level). However, there are other interpretations (especially David
      Bohm's) that seem to re-establish the possibility of a mind-independent ontology
      at the quantum level. We will show that even such ontological interpretations
      contain novel, non-classical features, which require them to give a special role
      to "phenomena" or "appearances", a role not encountered in classical physics. We
      will conclude that while ontological interpretations of quantum theory are
      possible, quantum theory implies the need of a certain kind of epoche even for
      this type of interpretations. While different from the epoche connected to
      phenomenological description, the "quantum epoche" nevertheless points to a
      potentially interesting parallel between phenomenology and quantum philosophy. 

PMID- 26276465
TI  - Creation of the relevant next: How living systems capture the power of the
      adjacent possible through sign use.
AB  - Stuart Kauffman's revolutionary notion of the Adjacent Possible as an organizing
      principle in nature shares much in common with logician Charles S. Peirce's
      understanding of the universe as an ever-unfolding 'process ontology' of
      possibility space that is brought about through the recursive interaction of
      genuine possibility, transiently actualized order, and emergent (but never fully
      deterministic) lawfulness. Proceeding from these three fundamental categories of
      becoming-as-being, Peirce developed a complimentary logic of sign relations that,
      along with Estonian biologist Jakob von Uexkull's action-as-meaning-imprinting
      Umwelt theory, informs the work that is currently being undertaken under the
      aegis of Biosemiotics. In this paper, I will highlight the deep affinities
      between Kauffman's notion of the Adjacent Possible and Biosemiotics' hybrid
      Peircean/Uexkullian "sign" concept, by which living systems - both as individuals
      and in the aggregate (i.e., as co-actors, communities and lineages) - "capture"
      relevant aspects of their relations with the immediately given Adjacent Possible
      and preserve those recipes for future interaction possibilities as biologically
      instantiated signs. By so doing, living systems move into the Adjacent Possible
      by "collapsing the wave function" of possibility not just probabilistically, but
      guided by system-internal values arising from previously captured sign relations
      that are biologically instantiated as replicable system biases and generative
      constraints. The influence of such valenced and end-directed action in the world
      introduces into the universe the phenomenon of the Relevant (and not just
      deterministic, or even stochastic) Next. My argument in this paper is that
      organisms live out their lives perpetually confronted with negotiating the
      omnipresent Relevant Next, and are informed by the biological capture of their
      (and their lineage's) previous engagements in doing so. And because that
      "capture" of previous agent-object-action relationships are instantiated as
      biological signs for the guidance of the organism, not only are "successful
      survival strategies" within a given possibility space captured (as in traditional
      accounts of Natural Selection), but captured as well within those signs are the
      entire complement of previously untaken but still veridical real-world
      possibility spaces that are inseparably 'entangled' with that sign, and just
      awaiting exploration by the organism. Thus, while all action in the universe is
      both current-context dependant and next-context creating, the emergence of ever
      more complex semiotic capabilities in organisms has expanded the possibility
      space of immediate-next-action in the world exponentially, and has brought into
      being not a pre-given, singly end-directed ordered world, but an emergent, many
      ends-directed world of promiscuous, unforeseeable and interacting telos. The goal
      of Biosemiotics is to understand and to explore this world. 

PMID- 26276466
TI  - Naturalizing semiotics: The triadic sign of Charles Sanders Peirce as a systems
      property.
AB  - The father of pragmatism, Charles Sanders Peirce, gave in 1903 the following
      definition of a sign: "A Sign, or Representamen, is a First which stands in such
      a genuine triadic relation to a Second, called its Object, as to be capable of
      determining a Third, called its Interpretant, to assume the same triadic relation
      to its Object in which it stands itself to the same Object. The triadic relation
      is genuine, that is its three members are bound together by it in a way that does
      not consist in any complexus of dyadic relations". Despite its cult status and
      its pragmatic foundation, the Peircean sign has never revealed its true potential
      by being integrated into a formal system. In the present report, a reconstruction
      of the sign model is presented, which may at first appear somewhat obvious and
      superficial. However by use of the reconstructed model, the above statement and
      the majority of Peirce's other statements about the nature of signs fall into
      place. Instead of defining three links between Object (O), Representamen (R), and
      Interpretant (I), the sign is described as having a single three-dimensional
      link, specifying its location in a three dimensional (O,R,I) linkage space. To
      understand and explain sign function, the process of sign utilization (semiosis)
      has to be divided into two temporally separated phases, a sign-establishment
      phase where a three-dimensional link (Psi(O,R,I)) is formed between three sign
      elements, and a later sign-interpretation phase where the established linkage is
      used for inferring significance to a novel phenomenon, if this satisfies the
      criteria for being a Representamen for the sign. Numerous statements from Peirce
      indicate that he used a two-staged semiosis paradigm although he did not state
      that explicitly. The three-dimensional model was primarily constructed for use in
      biosemiotics, as an exploratory frame for mapping the evolutionary establishment
      of sign links, which logically must have preceded the fixation of any regulatory
      process in molecular biological systems. It became clear, however, that the model
      is able to clarify many of the difficult explanations offered by Peirce about his
      sign model. I make no claim that Peirce used a similar type of three-dimensional
      model, because he explicitly used the chemical atom as naturalization (natural
      scientific explanation) for his sign model, an interesting but problematic
      analogy. In order to discuss common versus specific semiotic scaffolds for
      molecular biosemiotics, biosemiotics and semiotics proper, I start with a generic
      definition of the three-dimensional sign system, using human semiosis as
      examples. After this, the major part of the paper, I define the specific
      biochemical and evolutionary scaffolds that is used for obtaining the
      evolutionary memory that is needed for sign establishment. To exemplify semiosis
      according to the present model I present a typical situation where a
      Representamen (RE) and an object (OE) in the establishment phase are frequently
      encountered together by a sign interpreter. The process that links specific
      Representamens to specific Objects will first involve the recognition of the
      specific traits that distinguish the two sign elements. Subsequently the
      establishment process leads to the creation of a specific systems-state, called
      the Interpretant, which links the two traits in a way that allows retrieval of
      the information (a memory function). During a later interpretation phase, a
      hypothetical Object will be inferred by the interpreter when a Representamen (RI)
      harboring the required characteristics is encountered. This inference happens
      through a memory retrieval process, irrespective of the fact that relevant
      Objects of the sign may never be encountered after establishment. A simplified
      scheme for computer neural network algorithms is introduced as an example of such
      a system. Since the Peircean sign according to this definition is a systems
      property, there can be no sign without a sign interpreting systems or without
      some kind of memory function. A sign interpreter will thus harbor a semiotic
      scaffold that consists of at least an input sensor and an interpreting system
      coupled to a memory function. Further border conditions for semiotic scaffolds
      will be introduced. Peirce published a comprehensive sign definition system, but
      he allowed only ten sign classes, selected from the twenty-seven sign classes
      that result from his three main subdivisions, each containing three classes. His
      allowed sign classes are here identified as those which do not infer more
      significance during interpretation than was warranted during establishment. The
      excluded sign classes are either undefinable in his system or are of such a
      nature that the objects during interpretation are inferred to be much more
      significant than what was warranted during establishment. Occult signs are of
      these forbidden free-wheeling types, and it is postulated that they were omitted
      because Peirce defined his sign classes for use in a novel sign based logical
      system, where such over-signification would be detrimental. 

PMID- 26276467
TI  - Living science: Science as an activity of living beings.
AB  - The philosophy of science should accommodate itself to the facts of human
      existence, using all aspects of human experience to adapt more effectively, as
      individuals, species, and global ecosystem. This has several implications: (1)
      Our nature as sentient beings interacting with other sentient beings requires the
      use of phenomenological methods to investigate consciousness. (2) Our embodied,
      situated, purposeful physical interactions with the world are the foundation of
      scientific understanding. (3) Aristotle's four causes are essential for
      understanding living systems and, in particular, the final cause aids
      understanding the role of humankind, and especially science, in the global
      ecosystem. (4) In order to fulfill this role well, scientists need to employ the
      full panoply of human faculties. These include the consciousness faculties
      (thinking, sensation, feeling, intuition), and therefore, as advocated by many
      famous scientists, we should cultivate our aesthetic sense, emotions,
      imagination, and intuition. Our unconscious faculties include archetypal
      structures common to all humans, which can guide scientific discovery. By
      striving to engage the whole of human nature, science will fulfill better its
      function for humans and the global ecosystem. 

PMID- 26276468
TI  - Brain arteriovenous malformations in elderly patients: clinical features and
      treatment outcome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In this aging society, attention has not been fully given to brain
      arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) in elderly patients. This study sought to
      describe a single institution's experience treating arteriovenous malformations
      (AVMs) in elderly patients. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of brain
      AVMs in elderly patients treated at our institution between 1990 and 2012 with a
      focus on the clinical features, risk of hemorrhage and treatment outcomes.
      RESULTS: Of the 2790 patients in our AVM database, 98 patients were over the age
      of 60 at presentation. Forty-eight percent presented with hemorrhage. Risks of
      initial hemorrhage were history of hypertension, smaller AVM size (<3 cm) and
      exclusively deep venous drainage. Treatment modalities were microsurgical
      resection in 65 %, embolization alone in 10 %, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) in
      11 % and observation in 14 %. Preoperative embolization was performed in 32 % in
      the surgical group. Complete obliteration was achieved in 95 % by microsurgery,
      30 % by embolization alone and 45 % by SRS. Good functional outcome (modified
      Rankin Scale, mRS <2) was achieved in 69 % after a median follow-up of 5.8 years.
      Multivariate logistic analysis revealed that a pretreatment mRS score >=2,
      eloquent location and higher S-M grade (IV or V) were associated with worsening
      functional status, whereas surgical resection was a negative factor.
      Posttreatment hemorrhage occurred in 8 %. AVM-related death occurred in three
      patients (2 by surgery and 1 by observation). CONCLUSIONS: Brain AVMs in elderly
      patients still pose a high risk of hemorrhage. Initial hemorrhage may be
      associated with a history of hypertension, AVM size and exclusively deep venous
      drainage. Initial mRS score >=2, eloquent location and higher S-M grade may be
      associated with worsening functional status. Microsurgical resection can be safe
      and effective for selected patients. Preoperative embolization is helpful in
      patients with S-M grade IV-V AVMs. For those with surgical contraindications, SRS
      and observation are treatment alternatives.

PMID- 26276469
TI  - Bony surface registration of navigation system in the lateral or prone position:
      technical note.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Navigation systems have become essential tools in neurosurgery.
      Precise registration is indispensable for the accuracy of navigation. The rapid
      and precise registration by surface matching on the facial skin is possible using
      the landmarks of the face in the supine position. On the other hand, incomplete
      registration often occurs in the lateral or prone position due to the direction
      of the face and displacement of the skin by headpins and obscuring of the skin by
      the bispectral index monitor and many electrodes on the forehead as well as the
      eye patch. Surface matching on the occipital scalp is not suitable for
      registration because the shape of the occipital scalp is flat and it is
      compressed in the supine position when obtaining preoperative neuroimaging. To
      overcome this problem, the authors have developed a new method of registration
      designated as "bony surface registration" in which surface matching is achieved
      using the bony surface of the skull after exposure. METHODS: Between June and
      December 2014, this technique was used in 23 patients and its effectiveness was
      examined. RESULTS: Registration time was markedly shortened and useful navigation
      was achieved due to accurate registration in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: This is
      the first report of a registration methodology for a navigation system in the
      lateral or prone position. This bony surface registration method is useful for
      navigation system image-guided surgery in the lateral or prone position.

PMID- 26276470
TI  - Microsurgical resection of an intramedullary glomus arteriovenous malformation in
      the high cervical spinal cord: retrograde dissection techniques of the nidus
      located between spinal tracts.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Spinal intramedullary arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) fed by an
      anterior spinal artery are surgically challenging vascular lesions. METHOD: We
      herein presented microsurgical resection techniques for an intramedullary glomus
      AVM located in the lateral part of the high cervical spinal cord with an
      operative video. These techniques included (1) a lateral suboccipital approach
      via cervical hemilaminectomy in the lateral position; (2) retrograde dissection
      of the AVM located between the spinal tracts; (3) coagulation and division of
      multiple narrow sulcal branches of the anterior spinal artery. CONCLUSION:
      Patients who underwent these techniques achieved good outcomes with minimal
      bleeding and morbidity.

PMID- 26276471
TI  - Expression of bioactive recombinant human fibroblast growth factor 9 in oil
      bodies of Arabidopsis thaliana.
AB  - Fibroblast growth factor 9 (FGF9) has autocrine and paracrine functions in
      chondrogenesis osteogenesis, hair growth, and gonadal differentiation. We have
      expressed recombinant human FGF9 (rhFGF9) in the oil bodies of Arabidopsis
      thaliana via the floral dip method. The expression vector pOTB-rhFGF9 contained
      an oleosin-rhFGF9 fusion gene and a glufosinate resistance gene for selection.
      This plasmid was transformed into A. thaliana and expression of the fusion
      protein oleosin-rhFGF9 confirmed by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting. Furthermore,
      MTT assays demonstrated that the oil bodies expressed oleosin-rhFGF9 from the
      transgenic A. thaliana had a remarkable proliferation effect on NIH/3T3 cells. 

PMID- 26276472
TI  - Expression and purification of active recombinant human bone morphogenetic 7-2
      dimer fusion protein.
AB  - Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) have been applied in bone regeneration therapy
      due to their significant osteogenic activity, however, the complicated processing
      and high cost in producing recombinant BMP have limited their use in the clinic.
      In this study, we have developed a simple method to prepare recombinant human
      BMP7-BMP2 fusion protein with a flexible peptide linker (rhBMP7-2). The rhBMP7-2
      protein is expressed efficiently in Escherichia coli, and the denatured protein
      purified by anion exchange chromatography then refolded by dialysis. The yield
      was about 6.8 mg per gram of wet cell weight. The bioactivity of re-folded rhBMP7
      2 was measured by alkaline phosphatase assay and alizarin red staining using both
      C2C12 and MC3T3-E1 cells, and also using the rat subcutaneous ectopic bone
      formation model. High level osteogenic activity was found in all the assays
      tested demonstrating the production of corrected folded and active rhBMP7-2
      protein.

PMID- 26276473
TI  - Cloning and characterization of a novel thermostable esterase from Bacillus
      gelatini KACC 12197.
AB  - A novel gene encoding a thermostable esterase (designated as Est-gela) was
      isolated from the moderate thermophile Bacillus gelatini KACC 12197. The open
      reading frame of this gene (1170 bp) encodes 389 amino acid residues, and the
      molecular weight of Est-gela is approximately 42 kDa. The protein sequence of Est
      gela shows similarity with beta-lactamases and esterases (? 43%). Est-gela
      contains the Ser-X-X-Lys conserved sequence (Ser58-Met59-Thr60-Lys61) and belongs
      to family VIII of esterases. We overexpressed Est-gela in Escherichia coli XL1
      blue and purified this protein using a His tag. Est-gela showed a strong
      enzymatic activity toward p-nitrophenyl esters with short acyl chains (? C4) and
      the strongest activity toward p-nitrophenyl butyrate. Est-gela showed an enhanced
      enzymatic activity at 65-75  degrees C and retained more than 90% of the activity
      after incubation at 65  degrees C for 180 min. These results indicated that Est
      gela was thermostable. In addition, Est-gela showed the maximal activity at pH
      10. We also evaluated the effects of surfactants and organic solvents.
      Surfactants were more effective at improving the enzymatic activity than were
      organic solvents. Finally, Est-gela hydrolyzed (R,S)-ketoprofen ethyl ester
      (Kcat/Km = 5.0 +/- 0.2 s(-1) mM(-1), mean +/- standard error) with
      enantioselectivity toward (S)-ketoprofen ethyl ester rather than (R)-ketoprofen
      ethyl ester.

PMID- 26276474
TI  - Assessment of alkaline cholesterol oxidase purified from Rhodococcus sp. PKPD-CL
      for its halo tolerance, detergent and organic solvent stability.
AB  - The novel bacterium, Rhodococcus sp. PKPD-CL was isolated and identified from the
      'Chilika Lake' located at Odisha state of India, which is a largest brackish
      water habitat in Asia. Rhodococcus sp. PKPD-CL produces extracellular halo
      tolerant, detergent and organic solvent stable alkaline cholesterol oxidase. It
      has apparent molecular weight of 60 kDa and was purified 59 fold by using 60%
      saturated ammonium sulfate fractionation, anion exchange followed by size
      exclusion chromatographic techniques with 37% recovery. It showed substrate
      specificity for 3beta-hydroxysteroids with Km of 1.1 * 10(-4)M for cholesterol.
      The pH, 8.0 and the temperature, 37  degrees C were required for its optimum
      activity. Enzyme is considerably stable at pH 6.0-8.5 and temperature up to 50 
      degrees C. At 4 and 30  degrees C it maintained its 100% activity up to 60 days.
      The isoelectric point of the enzyme was 9.5. It showed 80% residual activity with
      20% NaCl (3.42 M) and 83% relative activity with 12% NaCl (2.05 M) concentration.
      The metal ions like Zn(2+), Cu(2+), Ag+, Fe(3+), Ba(2+) inhibited the enzyme
      activity >60% while Hg(2+) served a potent inhibitor whereas Mg(2+) found to be a
      good enhancer for it. The enzyme was stable in presence of chemical reagents
      (NaN3, EDTA), detergents (Tween-80, Tween-20, Triton X-100, sodium cholate) and
      various organic solvents (isopropanol, ethanol, benzene, chloroform, methanol,
      toluene, ethyl acetate, butanol and dimethylsulfoxide). Such a multi stress
      tolerant and versatile enzyme produced by Rhodococcus sp. PKPD-CL may serve as a
      good choice for industrial applications.

PMID- 26276475
TI  - How Geometric Distortions Scatter Electronic Excitations in Conjugated
      Macromolecules.
AB  - Effects of disorder and exciton-phonon interactions are the major factors
      controlling photoinduced dynamics and energy-transfer processes in conjugated
      organic semiconductors, thus defining their electronic functionality. All-atom
      quantum-chemical simulations are potentially capable of describing such phenomena
      in complex "soft" organic structures, yet they are frequently computationally
      restrictive. Here we efficiently characterize how electronic excitations in
      branched conjugated molecules interact with molecular distortions using the
      exciton scattering (ES) approach as a fundamental principle combined with
      effective tight-binding models. Molecule geometry deformations are incorporated
      to the ES view of electronic excitations by identifying the dependence of the
      Frenkel-type exciton Hamiltonian parameters on the characteristic geometry
      parameters. We illustrate our methodology using two examples of intermolecular
      distortions, bond length alternation and single bond rotation, which constitute
      vibrational degrees of freedom strongly coupled to the electronic system in a
      variety of conjugated systems. The effect on excited-state electronic structures
      has been attributed to localized variation of exciton on-site energies and
      couplings. As a result, modifications of the entire electronic spectra due to
      geometric distortions can be efficiently and accurately accounted for with
      negligible numerical cost. The presented approach can be potentially extended to
      model electronic structures and photoinduced processes in bulk amorphous polymer
      materials. 

PMID- 26276476
TI  - Some Like It Hot: The Effect of Sterols and Hopanoids on Lipid Ordering at High
      Temperature.
AB  - Sterols and hopanoids have been suggested to reinforce membranes and protect
      against unfavorable environmental conditions. In particular, hopanoids are found
      in high concentrations in membranes of thermotolerant and thermophilic bacteria.
      However, the mechanism whereby sterols and hopanoids stabilize membranes at
      elevated temperatures is poorly understood. Here, the effect of temperature on
      the ordering of lipids in bilayers containing cholesterol or the hopanoids
      bacteriohopanetetrol and diplopterol was explored using molecular dynamics
      simulations. It is shown that cholesterol induces a high level of ordering over a
      wide range of temperatures. Bacteriohopanetetrol promotes order within the lipid
      tails but enhances fluid-like properties of the head groups at high temperatures.
      In contrast, diplopterol partitions in the midplane of the bilayer. This suggests
      that individual hopanoids fulfill distinct functions in membranes, with the
      ordering properties of bacteriohopanetetrol being particularly well suited to
      maintain the integrity of membranes at temperatures preferred by thermotolerant
      and thermophilic bacteria. 

PMID- 26276477
TI  - Room-Temperature Optical Tunability and Inhomogeneous Broadening in 2D-Layered
      Organic-Inorganic Perovskite Pseudobinary Alloys.
AB  - We focus here our attention on a particular family of 2D-layered and 3D hybrid
      perovskite molecular crystals, the mixed perovskites (C6H5-C2H4-NH3)2PbZ4(1-x)Y4x
      and (CH3-NH3)PbZ3(1-x)Y3x, where Z and Y are halogen ions such as I, Br, and Cl.
      Studying experimentally the disorder-induced effects on the optical properties of
      the 2D mixed layered materials, we demonstrate that they can be considered as
      pseudobinary alloys, exactly like Ga1-xAlxAs, Cd1-xHgxTe inorganic
      semiconductors, or previously reported 3D mixed hybrid perovskite compounds. 2D
      layered and 3D hybrid perovskites afford similar continuous optical tunability at
      room temperature. Our theoretical analysis allows one to describe the influence
      of alloying on the excitonic properties of 2D-layered perovskite molecular
      crystals. This model is further refined by considering different Bohr radii for
      pure compounds. This study confirms that despite a large binding energy of
      several 100 meV, the 2D excitons present a Wannier character rather than a
      Frenkel character. The small inhomogeneous broadening previously reported in 3D
      hybrid compounds at low temperature is similarly consistent with the Wannier
      character of free excitons. 

PMID- 26276478
TI  - Calcium Binding to Calmodulin by Molecular Dynamics with Effective Polarization.
AB  - Calcium represents a key biological signaling ion with the EF-hand loops being
      its most prevalent binding motif in proteins. We show using molecular dynamics
      simulations with umbrella sampling that including electronic polarization effects
      via ionic charge rescaling dramatically improves agreements with experiment in
      terms of the strength of calcium binding and structures of the calmodulin binding
      sites. The present study thus opens way to accurate calculations of interactions
      of calcium and other computationally difficult high-charge-density ions in
      biological contexts. 

PMID- 26276479
TI  - RIDME Spectroscopy with Gd(III) Centers.
AB  - The relaxation induced dipolar modulation enhancement (RIDME) technique is
      applied at W-band microwave frequencies around 94 GHz to a pair of Gd(III)
      complexes that are connected by a rodlike spacer, and the extraction of the
      interspin distance distribution is discussed. A dipolar pattern derived from
      RIDME experimental data is a superposition of Pake-like dipolar patterns
      corresponding to the fundamental dipolar interaction and higher harmonics
      thereof. Intriguingly, the relative weights of the stretched patterns do not
      depend significantly on mixing time. As much larger modulation depths can be
      achieved than in double electron-electron resonance distance measurements at the
      same frequency, Gd(III)-Gd(III) RIDME may become attractive for structural
      characterization of biomacromolecules and biomolecular complexes. 

PMID- 26276480
TI  - Which Is Better at Predicting Quantum-Tunneling Rates: Quantum Transition-State
      Theory or Free-Energy Instanton Theory?
AB  - Quantum transition-state theory (QTST) and free-energy instanton theory (FEIT)
      are two closely related methods for estimating the quantum rate coefficient from
      the free-energy at the reaction barrier. In calculations on one-dimensional
      models, FEIT typically gives closer agreement than QTST with the exact quantum
      results at all temperatures below the crossover to deep tunneling, suggesting
      that FEIT is a better approximation than QTST in this regime. Here we show that
      this simple trend does not hold for systems of greater dimensionality. We report
      tests on several collinear and three-dimensional reactions, in which QTST
      outperforms FEIT over a range of temperatures below crossover, which can extend
      down to half the crossover temperature (below which FEIT outperforms QTST). This
      suggests that QTST-based methods such as ring-polymer molecular dynamics (RPMD)
      may often give closer agreement with the exact quantum results than FEIT. 

PMID- 26276481
TI  - Mosaic Texture and Double c-Axis Periodicity of beta-NiOOH: Insights from First
      Principles and Genetic Algorithm Calculations.
AB  - Fe-doped NiOx has recently emerged as a promising anode material for the oxygen
      evolution reaction, but the origin of the high activity is still unclear, due
      largely to the structural uncertainty of the active phase of NiOx. Here, we
      report a theoretical study of the structure of beta-NiOOH, one of the active
      components of NiOx. Using a genetic algorithm search of crystal structures
      combined with dispersion-corrected hybrid density functional theory calculations,
      we identify two groups of favorable structures: (i) layered structures with
      alternate Ni(OH)2 and NiO2 layers, consistent with the doubling of the c axis
      observed in high resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements,
      and (ii) tunnel structures isostructural with MnO2 polymorphs, which can provide
      a rationale for the mosaic textures observed in TEM. Analysis of the Ni ions
      oxidation state further indicates a disproportionation of half of the Ni(3+)
      cations to Ni(2+)/Ni(4+) pairs. Hybrid density functionals are found essential
      for a correct description of the electronic structure of beta-NiOOH. 

PMID- 26276482
TI  - Activated Li2S as a High-Performance Cathode for Rechargeable Lithium-Sulfur
      Batteries.
AB  - Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries with a high theoretical energy density of ~2500
      Wh kg(-1) are considered as one promising rechargeable battery chemistry for next
      generation energy storage. However, lithium-metal anode degradation remains a
      persistent problem causing safety concerns for Li-S batteries, hindering their
      practical utility. One possible strategy to circumvent the aforementioned
      problems is to use alternative, high-capacity, lithium-free anodes (e.g., Si, Sn,
      carbon) and a Li2S cathode. However, a large potential barrier was identified on
      the initial charge of insulating bulk Li2S particles, limiting the cell
      performance. In this work, the bulk Li2S particles were effectively activated
      with an electrolyte containing P2S5, resulting in a lowered initial charging
      voltage plateau. This permits the direct use of commercially available bulk Li2S
      particles as a high-capacity cathode for room-temperature, rechargeable Li-S
      batteries, significantly lowering the manufacturing cost of Li-S cells. 

PMID- 26276483
TI  - What Makes Hydroxamate a Promising Anchoring Group in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells?
      Insights from Theoretical Investigation.
AB  - We report, from a theoretical point of view, the first comparative study between
      the highly water-stable hydroxamate and the widely used carboxylate, in addition
      to the robust phosphate anchors. Theoretical calculations reveal that hydroxamate
      would be better for photoabsorption. A quantum dynamics description of the
      interfacial electron transfer (IET), including the underlying nuclear motion
      effect, is presented. We find that both hydroxamate and carboxylate would have
      efficient IET character; for phosphate the injection time is significantly longer
      (several hundred femtoseconds). We also verified that the symmetry of the
      geometry of the anchoring group plays important roles in the electronic charge
      delocalization. We conclude that hydroxamate can be a promising anchoring group,
      as compared to carboxylate and phosphate, due to its better photoabsorption and
      comparable IET time scale as well as the experimental advantage of water
      stability. We expect the implications of these findings to be relevant for the
      design of more efficient anchoring groups for dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC)
      application. 

PMID- 26276484
TI  - Building Physical Chemistry with BRICKs.

PMID- 26276485
TI  - One-Step Deposition of Photovoltaic Layers Using Iodide Terminated PbS Quantum
      Dots.
AB  - We present a one-step layer deposition procedure employing ammonium iodide (NH4I)
      to achieve photovoltaic quality PbS quantum dot (QD) layers. Ammonium iodide is
      used to replace the long alkyl organic native ligands binding to the QD surface
      resulting in iodide terminated QDs that are stabilized in polar solvents such as
      N,N-dimethylformamide without particle aggregation. We extensively characterized
      the iodide terminated PbS QD via UV-vis absorption, transmission electron
      microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), FT-IR transmission
      spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Finally, we fabricated
      PbS QD photovoltaic cells that employ the iodide terminated PbS QDs. The
      resulting QD-PV devices achieved a best power conversion efficiency of 2.36%
      under ambient conditions that is limited by the layer thickness. The PV
      characteristics compare favorably to similar devices that were prepared using the
      standard layer-by-layer ethandithiol (EDT) treatment that had a similar layer
      thickness. 

PMID- 26276486
TI  - Distinguishing between High- and Low-Spin States for Divalent Mn in Mn-Based
      Prussian Blue Analogue by High-Resolution Soft X-ray Emission Spectroscopy.
AB  - We combine Mn L2,3-edge X-ray absorption, high resolution Mn 2p-3d-2p resonant X
      ray emission, and configuration-interaction full-multiplet (CIFM) calculation to
      analyze the electronic structure of Mn-based Prussian blue analogue. We clarified
      the Mn 3d energy diagram for the Mn(2+) low-spin state separately from that of
      the Mn(2+) high-spin state by tuning the excitation energy for the X-ray emission
      measurement. The obtained X-ray emission spectra are generally reproduced by the
      CIFM calculation for the Mn(2+) low spin state having a stronger ligand-to-metal
      charge-transfer effect between Mn t2g and CN pi orbitals than the Mn(2+) high
      spin state. The d-d-excitation peak nearest to the elastic scattering was
      ascribed to the Mn(2+) LS state by the CIFM calculation, indicating that the
      Mn(2+) LS state with a hole on the t2g orbital locates near the Fermi level. 

PMID- 26276487
TI  - Graphitic Phase of NaCl. Bulk Properties and Nanoscale Stability.
AB  - We applied the ab initio approach to evaluate the stability and physical
      properties of the nanometer-thickness NaCl layered films and found that the rock
      salt films with a (111) surface become unstable with thickness below 1 nm and
      spontaneously split to graphitic-like films for reducing the electrostatic energy
      penalty. The observed sodium chloride graphitic phase displays an uncommon atomic
      arrangement and exists only as nanometer-thin quasi-two-dimensional films. The
      graphitic bulk counterpart is unstable and transforms to another hexagonal
      wurtzite NaCl phase that locates in the negative-pressure region of the phase
      diagram. It was found that the layers in the graphitic NaCl film are weakly
      bounded with each other with a binding energy order of 0.1 eV per stoichiometry
      unit. The electronic band gap of the graphitic NaCl displays an unusual
      nonmonotonic quantum confinement response. 

PMID- 26276488
TI  - Plasmon-Enhanced Upconversion.
AB  - Upconversion, the conversion of photons from lower to higher energies, is a
      process that promises applications ranging from high-efficiency photovoltaic and
      photocatalytic cells to background-free bioimaging and therapeutic probes.
      Existing upconverting materials, however, remain too inefficient for viable
      implementation. In this Perspective, we describe the significant improvements in
      upconversion efficiency that can be achieved using plasmon resonances. As
      collective oscillations of free electrons, plasmon resonances can be used to
      enhance both the incident electromagnetic field intensity and the radiative
      emission rates. To date, this approach has shown upconversion enhancements up to
      450*. We discuss both theoretical underpinnings and experimental demonstrations
      of plasmon-enhanced upconversion, examining the roles of upconverter quantum
      yield, plasmonic geometry, and plasmon spectral overlap. We also discuss
      nonoptical consequences of including metal nanostructures near upconverting
      emitters. The rapidly expanding field of plasmon-enhanced upconversion provides
      novel fundamental insight into nanoscale light-matter interactions while
      improving prospects for technological relevance. 

PMID- 26276489
TI  - Molecular Friction Mechanisms Across Nanofilms of a Bilayer-Forming Ionic Liquid.
AB  - The prevailing paradigm in boundary lubrication asserts, in essence, that
      surfaces coated in amphiphiles slide past each other by way of the "slippery"
      exposed alkyl chains while the polar head group remains anchored at the surface.
      Here we show, for ionic liquid boundary lubricants, that the molecular mechanism
      of shearing is more subtle; while a monolayer on each surface gives rise to alkyl
      plane shearing, a bilayer on each surface shears at the ionic (nonalkyl)
      interface. The incorporation of water from the environment dramatically alters
      the shear at ionic interfaces but leaves alkyl plane shearing unaffected. Our
      experiments involve shearing two identical and atomically smooth surfaces past
      one another with films of an ionic liquid between, with subnanometer control of
      the film thickness and ultrasensitive shear stress resolution. With this, we
      uncover molecular mechanistic details relevant to boundary lubrication in general
      and the development of ionic liquid lubricants in particular. 

PMID- 26276490
TI  - Correction to "Morphology and Carrier Extraction Study of Organic-Inorganic Metal
      Halide Perovskite by One- and Two-Photon Fluorescence Microscopy".

PMID- 26276491
TI  - ReaxFF Reactive Force-Field Modeling of the Triple-Phase Boundary in a Solid
      Oxide Fuel Cell.
AB  - In our study, the Ni/YSZ ReaxFF reactive force field was developed by combining
      the YSZ and Ni/C/H descriptions. ReaxFF reactive molecular dynamics (RMD) were
      applied to model chemical reactions, diffusion, and other physicochemical
      processes at the fuel/Ni/YSZ interface. The ReaxFF RMD simulations were performed
      on the H2/Ni/YSZ and C4H10/Ni/YSZ triple-phase boundary (TPB) systems at 1250 and
      2000 K, respectively. The simulations indicate amorphization of the Ni surface,
      partial decohesion (delamination) at the interface, and coking, which have indeed
      all been observed experimentally. They also allowed us to derive the mechanism of
      the butane conversion at the Ni/YSZ interface. Many steps of this mechanism are
      similar to the pyrolysis of butane. The products obtained in our simulations are
      the same as those in experiment, which indicates that the developed ReaxFF
      potential properly describes complex physicochemical processes, such as the oxide
      ion diffusion, fuel conversion, water formation reaction, coking, and
      delamination, occurring at the TPB and can be recommended for further
      computational studies of the fuel/electrode/electrolyte interfaces in a SOFC. 

PMID- 26276492
TI  - Direct Evidence of Imino Acid-Aromatic Interactions in Native Collagen Protein by
      DNP-Enhanced Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy.
AB  - Aromatic amino acids (AAAs) have rare presence (~1.4% abundance of Phe) inside of
      collagen protein, which is the most abundant animal protein playing a functional
      role in skin, bone, and connective tissues. The role of AAAs is very crucial and
      has been debated. We present here experimental results depicting interaction of
      AAAs with imino acids in a native collagen protein sample. The interaction is
      probed by solid-state NMR (ssNMR) spectroscopy experiments such as (1)H-(13)C
      heteronuclear correlation (HETCOR) performed on a native collagen sample. The
      natural abundance (13)C spectrum was obtained by dynamic nuclear polarization
      (DNP) sensitivity enhancement coupled with ssNMR, providing ~30-fold signal
      enhancement. Our results also open up new avenues of probing collagen
      structure/dynamics closest to the native state by ssNMR experiments coupled with
      DNP. 

PMID- 26276493
TI  - Direct Characterization of Metal-Metal Bonds between Nuclei with Strong
      Quadrupolar Interactions via NMR Spectroscopy.
AB  - Metal-metal bonds can be difficult to characterize directly. We demonstrate that
      J couplings between metal nuclei experiencing strong quadrupolar interactions can
      be easily measured from well-defined splittings in NMR spectra of powdered
      samples. Using (69/71)Ga NMR, it is shown that homonuclear J coupling, which is
      four orders of magnitude smaller than the quadrupolar coupling in a series of
      compounds featuring gallium-gallium bonds, can be extracted with a 2-D NMR
      experiment. The dependence of the multiplets on crystal symmetry reveals
      information on the structures of two Ga-Ga-bonded compounds for which diffraction
      data are unavailable. Interpretation of the data in a molecular orbital framework
      provides insight into the nature of the metal-metal bond. 

PMID- 26276494
TI  - Photoexcited Carrier Dynamics of Cu2S Thin Films.
AB  - Copper sulfide is a simple binary material with promising attributes for low-cost
      thin film photovoltaics. However, stable Cu2S-based device efficiencies
      approaching 10% free from cadmium have yet to be realized. In this Letter,
      transient absorption spectroscopy is used to investigate the dynamics of the
      photoexcited state of isolated Cu2S thin films prepared by atomic layer
      deposition or vapor-based cation exchange of ZnS. While a number of variables
      including film thickness, carrier concentration, surface oxidation, and grain
      boundary passivation were examined, grain structure alone was found to correlate
      with longer lifetimes. A map of excited state dynamics is deduced from the
      spectral evolution from 300 fs to 300 MUs. Revealing the effects of grain
      morphology on the photophysical properties of Cu2S is a crucial step toward
      reaching high efficiencies in operationally stable Cu2S thin film photovoltaics. 

PMID- 26276495
TI  - Photochemical Upconversion: The Primacy of Kinetics.
AB  - Incoherent photochemical upconversion is a process by which low-energy light can
      be converted into a higher-energy form with promising applications in solar
      energy conversion and storage, photocatalysis, biological imaging, and
      photochemical drug activation. Despite intensive research in recent years, there
      remains an underappreciation of the chemical kinetics that controls the
      efficiency of the upconversion process. Here, we provide a brief overview of
      research into photochemical upconversion and provide a tutorial to guide the
      design of efficient upconversion compositions. We further provide our perspective
      on where this area of research is heading and how very efficient systems will be
      developed. 

PMID- 26276497
TI  - Neurovirulence comparison of chikungunya virus isolates of the Asian and
      East/Central/South African genotypes from Malaysia.
AB  - Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), an alphavirus of the family Togaviridae, causes fever,
      polyarthritis and rash. There are three genotypes: West African, Asian and
      East/Central/South African (ECSA). The latter two genotypes have caused global
      outbreaks in recent years. Recent ECSA CHIKV outbreaks have been associated with
      severe neurological disease, but it is not known if different CHIKV genotypes are
      associated with different neurovirulence. In this study, the neurovirulence of
      Asian (MY/06/37348) and ECSA (MY/08/065) strains of CHIKV isolated in Malaysia
      were compared. Intracerebral inoculation of either virus into suckling mice was
      followed by virus titration, histopathology and gene expression analysis of the
      harvested brains. Both strains of CHIKV replicated similarly, yet mice infected
      with MY/06/37348 showed higher mortality. Histopathology findings showed that
      both CHIKV strains spread within the brain (where CHIKV antigen was localized to
      astrocytes and neurons) and beyond to skeletal muscle. In MY/06/37348-infected
      mice, apoptosis, which is associated with neurovirulence in alphaviruses, was
      observed earlier in brains. Comparison of gene expression showed that a pro
      apoptotic gene (eIF2alphaK2) was upregulated at higher levels in MY/06/37348
      infected mice, while genes involved in anti-apoptosis (BIRC3), antiviral
      responses and central nervous system protection (including CD40, IL-10RA, MyD88
      and PYCARD) were upregulated more highly in MY/08/065-infected mice. In
      conclusion, the higher mortality observed following MY/06/37348 infection in mice
      is due not to higher viral replication in the brain, but to differentially
      expressed genes involved in host immune responses. These findings may help to
      identify therapeutic strategies and biomarkers for neurological CHIKV infections.

PMID- 26276496
TI  - Oil biosynthesis in a basal angiosperm: transcriptome analysis of Persea
      Americana mesocarp.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The mechanism by which plants synthesize and store high amounts of
      triacylglycerols (TAG) in tissues other than seeds is not well understood. The
      comprehension of controls for carbon partitioning and oil accumulation in nonseed
      tissues is essential to generate oil-rich biomass in perennial bioenergy crops.
      Persea americana (avocado), a basal angiosperm with unique features that are
      ancestral to most flowering plants, stores ~ 70 % TAG per dry weight in its
      mesocarp, a nonseed tissue. Transcriptome analyses of select pathways, from
      generation of pyruvate and leading up to TAG accumulation, in mesocarp tissues of
      avocado was conducted and compared with that of oil-rich monocot (oil palm) and
      dicot (rapeseed and castor) tissues to identify tissue- and species-specific
      regulation and biosynthesis of TAG in plants. RESULTS: RNA-Seq analyses of select
      lipid metabolic pathways of avocado mesocarp revealed patterns similar to that of
      other oil-rich species. However, only some predominant orthologs of the fatty
      acid biosynthetic pathway genes in this basal angiosperm were similar to those of
      monocots and dicots. The accumulation of TAG, rich in oleic acid, was associated
      with higher transcript levels for a putative stearoyl-ACP desaturase and
      endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-associated acyl-CoA synthetases, during fruit
      development. Gene expression levels for enzymes involved in terminal steps to TAG
      biosynthesis in the ER further indicated that both acyl-CoA-dependent and 
      independent mechanisms might play a role in TAG assembly, depending on the
      developmental stage of the fruit. Furthermore, in addition to the expression of
      an ortholog of WRINKLED1 (WRI1), a regulator of fatty acid biosynthesis, high
      transcript levels for WRI2-like and WRI3-like suggest a role for additional
      transcription factors in nonseed oil accumulation. Plastid pyruvate necessary for
      fatty acid synthesis is likely driven by the upregulation of genes involved in
      glycolysis and transport of its intermediates. Together, a comparative
      transcriptome analyses for storage oil biosynthesis in diverse plants and tissues
      suggested that several distinct and conserved features in this basal angiosperm
      species might contribute towards its rich TAG content. CONCLUSIONS: Our work
      represents a comprehensive transcriptome resource for a basal angiosperm species
      and provides insight into their lipid metabolism in mesocarp tissues.
      Furthermore, comparison of the transcriptome of oil-rich mesocarp of avocado,
      with oil-rich seed and nonseed tissues of monocot and dicot species, revealed
      lipid gene orthologs that are highly conserved during evolution. The orthologs
      that are distinctively expressed in oil-rich mesocarp tissues of this basal
      angiosperm, such as WRI2, ER-associated acyl-CoA synthetases, and lipid-droplet
      associated proteins were also identified. This study provides a foundation for
      future investigations to increase oil-content and has implications for metabolic
      engineering to enhance storage oil content in nonseed tissues of diverse species.

PMID- 26276498
TI  - Maternal history of childhood sexual abuse and preterm birth: an epidemiologic
      review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: History of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is highly prevalent with as
      many as one in four American women being victims. Exposure to CSA or other early
      life traumatic experiences has been associated with adverse reproductive and
      pregnancy outcomes. However, the effects of CSA on preterm delivery (PTB), a
      leading cause of neonatal mortality, remain poorly understood. The objectives of
      this review are (i) to synthesize the available research investigating the
      relationship between maternal history of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and preterm
      delivery (PTB); (ii) to provide suggestions for improving future research on this
      topic; and (iii) to highlight implications for clinical practice and public
      health. METHODS: Relevant articles were identified through searches of four
      electronic databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science Core Collection and BIOSIS
      Online) for studies published before March 2014, as well as through reviewing
      references of published articles. RESULTS: A total of six studies published from
      1992 to 2010 were included in this review. Overall, findings were inconsistent.
      Three studies reported statistically significant associations of CSA with PTB
      (<37 weeks gestation) or shorter mean gestational age at birth. Women with a
      history of CSA had 2.6 to 4.8-fold increased odds of PTB as compared with women
      without a history of CSA. Three other studies did not observe statistically
      significant differences in rates of PTB or mean gestational age at birth in
      relation to a history of CSA. CONCLUSIONS: Available evidence on this topic is
      sparse and inconsistent, and limited by a number of methodological challenges.
      Given the ubiquity of CSA, as well as the clinical and public health significance
      of PTB, more rigorously designed epidemiologic studies on the association between
      CSA and PTB are warranted.

PMID- 26276499
TI  - Melioidosis in Hainan, China: a restrospective study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Melioidosis is a tropical disease caused by infection with
      Burkholderia pseudomallei. Here, we report an 11 year (2002-2013) retrospective
      study of melioidosis cases in China. METHODS: A total of 170 culture-confirmed
      melioidosis cases were included in our analysis, with culture-positive
      confirmation, biochemical identification and 16S DNA sequencing. A retrospective
      study design was employed and a correlational analysis of potential risk factors
      for mortality was carried out with logistic regression. RESULTS: We observed a
      year-over-year increasing trend in the incidence of melioidosis in Hainan,
      particularly after 2007 (annual peak of 64 cases in 2012). Farmers and fishers
      were the main group susceptible to melioidosis (75/170; 44.1%). Forty-six (27.1%)
      of the cases were fatal. Pneumonia (58/170; 34.1%) and septicaemia (44/170;
      25.9%) were common presentations. Meanwhile, pre-existing diabetes (74/170;
      43.5%) and being employed in a job that involves outdoor labour (148/170; 87.1%)
      emerged as common factors among affected patients. We did not observe a
      significant effect of seasonal variation on melioidosis mortality, but the
      greatest number of cases did occur in the rainiest season. CONCLUSIONS: This was
      the first clinical retrospective study of melioidosis in Hainan, China. The
      present data will be a useful resource to melioidosis researchers worldwide.

PMID- 26276500
TI  - "We Are in This Together": Common Group Identity Predicts Majority Members'
      Active Acculturation Efforts to Integrate Immigrants.
AB  - Although integration involves a process of mutual accommodation, the role of
      majority groups is often downplayed to passive tolerance, leaving immigrants with
      the sole responsibility for active integration. However, we show that common
      group identity can actively involve majority members in this process across five
      studies. Study 1 showed that common identity positively predicted support of
      integration efforts; Studies 2 and 3 extended these findings, showing that it
      also predicted real behavior such as monetary donations and volunteering. A
      decrease in modern racism mediated the relations across these studies, and
      Studies 4 and 5 further demonstrated that it indeed mediated these effects over
      and above acculturation expectations and color-blindness, which somewhat
      compromised integration efforts. Moreover, the last two studies also demonstrated
      that common, but not dual, groups motivated integration efforts. Common identity
      appears crucial for securing majorities' altruistic efforts to integrate
      immigrants and, thus, for achieving functional multiculturalism. 

PMID- 26276501
TI  - Pharmacokinetic properties and safety profile of histamine dihydrochloride
      injection in Chinese healthy volunteers: a phase I, single-center, open-label,
      randomized study.
AB  - PURPOSE: Histamine dihydrochloride (HDC) injection has been approved in Europe
      for the treatment of adults with acute myeloid leukemia, used in combination
      therapy with the T-cell-derived cytokine interleukin-2. Despite years of clinical
      applications of HDC in Europe, no data are available on its tolerability and
      pharmacokinetic properties in Chinese patients. The objective of this study was
      to determine the safety profile and pharmacokinetic properties of HDC in Chinese
      healthy volunteers (HVs). METHODS: In this Phase I, single-center, open-label,
      randomized study, 20 Chinese HVs were randomized to receive a single dose of 0.5
      or 1.0 mg HDC via a 10-minute subcutaneous injection. Whole-blood and urine
      samples were collected at designated time points after dosing. Plasma and urine
      concentrations of histamine and metabolite N-methyl histamine were measured using
      a validated HPLC-MS/MS method. Pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated through
      noncompartmental procedures based on concentration-time data. Adverse events and
      evaluation of clinical laboratory tests were used to assess the safety profile.
      The pharmacokinetic profile for a single-dose of 1.0 mg HDC in Chinese HVs was
      compared with that in Western HVs. FINDINGS: No severe adverse events occurred in
      this study, and the severity of all adverse events was grade I according to the
      Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 4.0. For the
      pharmacokinetic parameters of histamine at the 0.5-mg and 1.0-mg dose levels,
      t1/2 was 0.50 and 1.02 hours; Tmax was 0.15 and 0.14 hours; mean Cmax was 26.59
      and 71.01 nmol/L; AUC0-t was 8.35 and 20.43 nmol/h/L; AUC0-infinity was 9.61 and
      22.69 nmol/h/L; accumulated amount excreted in urine within 24 hours was 125.93
      and 145.52 nmol; and maximum urine excretion rates were 21.85 and 38.94 nmol/h,
      respectively. For N-methyl histamine at the 0.5-mg and 1.0-mg dose levels, t1/2
      was 0.58 and 0.66 hours; Tmax was 0.28 and 0.26 hours; mean Cmax was 17.01 and
      23.54 nmol/L; AUC0-t was 7.72 and 17.08 nmol/h/L; AUC0-infinity was 9.01 and
      19.62 nmol/h/L; accumulated amount excreted in urine within 24 hours was 331.7
      and 583.21 nmol; and maximum urine excretion rates were 53.29 and 133.53 nmol/h,
      respectively. IMPLICATIONS: Both single-dose 0.5 mg and 1.0 mg HDC were well
      tolerated in Chinese HVs, and the pharmacokinetic profile of HDC in Chinese HVs
      was characterized in this study. A single dose of 1.0 mg HDC had a more rapid but
      similar extent of absorption, a wider distribution, and a little more rapid
      elimination in Chinese HVs compared with Western HVs. Findings from this study
      support additional clinical trials for HDC using in Chinese patients. Chinese
      Clinical Trial Registry identifier: ChiCTR-ONC-13003954.

PMID- 26276502
TI  - Steatosis and hepatitis C.
AB  - Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a common liver disease worldwide with a high
      rate of chronicity (75-80%) in infected individuals. The chronic form of HCV
      leads to steatosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellualr carcinoma. Steatosis is
      prevalent in HCV patients (55%) due to a combination of viral factors (effect of
      viral proteins on some of the intracellular pathways) and host factors
      (overweight, insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus, and alcohol consumption). The
      response rates to treatment of chronic HCV with pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN)
      and (in the case of genotype-1 HCV, the most common infecting genotype in the
      USA) ribavirin (RBV) is low, with a sustained viral response rate <= 40%. Adding
      direct-acting antiviral agents-recently approved by the FDA-to the standard
      protocol has increased the response rate; however HCV-related end-stage liver
      disease is still the primary indication for liver transplantation in the USA. The
      focus of this article is on the interrelation between HCV, steatosis and
      metabolic syndrome. 

PMID- 26276503
TI  - Spontaneous magnetic gastrojejunal fistula caused by accidentally ingested
      lithium batteries.

PMID- 26276505
TI  - The pain of being misunderstood: Invalidation of pain complaints in chronic low
      back pain patients.
AB  - A particular form of social pain is invalidation. Therefore, this study (a)
      investigates whether patients with chronic low back pain experience invalidation,
      (b) if it has an influence on their pain, and (c) explores whether various social
      sources (e.g. partner and work) influence physical pain differentially. A total
      of 92 patients completed questionnaires, and for analysis, Pearson's correlation
      coefficients and hierarchical linear regression analyses were conducted. They
      indicated a significant association between discounting and disability due to
      pain (respective beta = .29, p > .05). Especially, discounting by partner was
      linked to higher disability ( beta = .28, p > .05).

PMID- 26276504
TI  - TGF-beta1-induced miR-202 mediates drug resistance by inhibiting apoptosis in
      human osteosarcoma.
AB  - PURPOSE: A number of studies have demonstrated that microRNAs play a critical
      role in osteosarcoma progression, therapy and drug resistance. MicroRNA-202 has
      proven to be dysregulated in many human cancer studies. This study aimed to
      explore miR-202 contributions to drug resistance in osteosarcoma. METHODS: miR
      202 expression was measured by real-time PCR in patient tissues, cell lines or
      cells treated with TGF-beta1, using siRNA to knock down the expression of Smad2,
      Smad3 and Smad4. miR-202 mimics, inhibitor and scramble siRNA were transfected
      into osteosarcoma cells to observe effects on cell apoptosis and drug resistance.
      Moreover, relationships of miR-202 level with PDCD4 were investigated by
      luciferase reporter assay, real-time PCR and Western blotting. RESULTS: We found
      that miR-202 is overexpressed in osteosarcoma tissues when compared with normal
      human osteoblasts and TGF-beta1 can induce the expression of miR-202.
      Transfection of miR-202 mimics into osteosarcoma cell lines significantly
      promotes chemotherapy resistance by targeting PDCD4, a tumor suppressor which is
      involved in apoptosis. In contrast, transfection of miR-202 inhibitor enhances
      the drug sensitivity and apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides new insights
      into miRNA-202 in osteosarcoma as a potential molecular target for chemotherapy.

PMID- 26276506
TI  - Integrative network-based analysis of mRNA and microRNA expression in 1,25
      dihydroxyvitamin D3-treated cancer cells.
AB  - Nutritional systems biology is an evolving research field aimed at understanding
      nutritional processes at a systems level. It is known that the development of
      cancer can be influenced by the nutritional status, and the link between vitamin
      D status and different cancer types is widely investigated. In this study, we
      performed an integrative network-based analysis using a publicly available data
      set studying the role of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) in prostate
      cancer cells on mRNA and microRNA level. Pathway analysis revealed 15
      significantly altered pathways: eight more general mostly cell cycle-related
      pathways and seven cancer-specific pathways. The changes in the G1-to-S cell
      cycle pathway showed that 1,25(OH)2D3 down-regulates the genes influencing the G1
      to-S phase transition. Moreover, after 1,25(OH)2D3 treatment the gene expression
      in several cancer-related processes was down-regulated. The more general pathways
      were merged into one network and then extended with known protein-protein and
      transcription factor-gene interactions. Network algorithms were used to (1)
      identify active network modules and (2) integrate microRNA regulation in the
      network. Adding microRNA regulation to the network enabled the identification of
      gene targets of significantly expressed microRNAs after 1,25(OH)2D3 treatment.
      Six of the nine differentially expressed microRNAs target genes in the extended
      network, including CLSPN, an important checkpoint regulator in the cell cycle
      that was down-regulated, and FZD5, a receptor for Wnt proteins that was up
      regulated. The extendable network-based tools PathVisio and Cytoscape enable
      straightforward, in-depth and integrative analysis of mRNA and microRNA
      expression data in 1,25(OH)2D3-treated cancer cells. 

PMID- 26276507
TI  - Antifibrogenic role of valproic acid in streptozotocin induced diabetic rat
      penis.
AB  - We investigated the therapeutic effects of valproic acid (VPA) on erectile
      dysfunction and reducing penile fibrosis in streptozocin (STZ)-induced diabetic
      rats. Eighteen male rats were divided into three experimental groups (Control,
      STZ-DM, STZ-DM plus VPA) and diabetes was induced by transperitoneal single dose
      STZ. Eight weeks after, VPA and placebo treatments were given according to groups
      for 15 days. All rats were anesthetised for the measurement of in vivo erectile
      response to cavernous nerve stimulation. Afterward penes were evaluated
      histologically in terms of immune labelling scores of endothelial nitric oxide
      synthase (eNOS), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and transforming
      growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1). Slides were also evaluated in terms of
      collagen/smooth muscle ratio and penile apoptosis. After the treatment with VPA,
      erectile responses were found as improved when compared with STZ-DM rats but not
      statistically meaningful. eNOS and VEGF immune expressions diminished in penile
      corpora of STZ-DM rats and improved with VPA treatment. VPA led to decrease in
      TGF-beta1 expression and collagen content of diabetic rats' penes. Penile
      apoptosis was not diminished with VPA. In conclusion, VPA treatment seems to be
      effective for reducing penile fibrosis in diabetic rats and more prolonged
      treatment period may enhance erectile functions.

PMID- 26276508
TI  - Transthoracic two-dimensional xPlane and three-dimensional echocardiographic
      analysis of the site of mitral valve prolapse.
AB  - This study sought to assess the value of two-dimensional (2D) transthoracic
      echocardiography (TTE), 2D xPlane imaging and three-dimensional (3D) TTE for the
      definition of the site and the extent of mitral valve (MV) prolapse. Fifty
      patients underwent transthoracic 2D, 2D xPlane and 3D echocardiography. With 2D
      xPlane a segmental analysis of the MV was performed, by making a lateral sweep
      across the MV coaptation line as seen in the parasternal short-axis view. Inter
      observer agreement for specific scallop prolapse was for 2D xPlane excellent
      (97%, kappa = 0.94) and for 3D TTE moderate (85%, kappa = 0.67). The respective
      sensitivities of standard 2D TTE, 2D xPlane, and 3D TTE for the identification of
      the precise posterior scallop prolapse were for P1 92, 85, and 92%, for P2 96,
      96, and 82%, and for P3 86, 81, and 71%. In total, 5 (8%) prolapsing MV scallops
      were missed by 2D TTE, 7 (12%) by 2D xPlane, and 12 (20%) by 3D TTE. The
      sensitivity of 3D TTE was significantly lower than standard 2D imaging (80%
      versus 93%, P < 0.05). The extent of P2 prolapse was under or overestimated in 5
      patients with 2D xPlane and in 9 patients with 3D TTE. 2D xPlane imaging is an
      accurate, easy to use (compared to 3D TTE) and easy to interpret (compared to 2D
      and 3D TTE) imaging modality to study the site and the extent of MV prolapse.

PMID- 26276509
TI  - Cytotoxic T cell vaccination with PLGA microspheres interferes with influenza A
      virus replication in the lung and suppresses the infectious disease.
AB  - Current influenza virus vaccines aim to elicit antibodies directed toward viral
      surface glycoproteins, which however are prone to antigenic drift. Cytotoxic T
      lymphocytes (CTLs) can exhibit heterosubtypic immunity against most influenza A
      viruses. In our study, we encapsulated the highly conserved, immunodominant, HLA
      A*0201 restricted epitope from the influenza virus matrix protein M158-66
      together with TLR ligands in biodegradable poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA)
      microspheres. Subcutaneous immunization of transgenic mice expressing chimeric
      HLA-A*0201 molecules with these microspheres induced a strong and sustained CTL
      response which sufficed to prevent replication of a recombinant vaccinia virus
      expressing the influenza A virus (IAV) matrix protein but not the replication of
      IAV in the lung. However, subcutaneous priming followed by intranasal boosting
      with M158-66 bearing PLGA microspheres was able to induce vigorous CTL responses
      both in the lung and spleen of mice which interfered with IAV replication, weight
      loss, and infection-related death. Taken together, vaccination with well-defined
      and highly conserved IAV-derived CTL epitopes encapsulated into clinically
      compatible PLGA microspheres contribute to the control of influenza A virus
      infections. The promptitude and broad reactivity of the CTL response may help to
      attenuate pandemic outbreaks of influenza viruses. 

PMID- 26276510
TI  - Superagonism at G protein-coupled receptors and beyond.
AB  - Ligands targeting GPCRs can be categorized according to their intrinsic efficacy
      to trigger a specific, receptor-mediated response. A ligand endowed with the same
      level of efficacy as the endogenous agonist can be classified as a full agonist,
      whereas a compound that displays greater efficacy, that is, higher receptor
      signalling output than the endogenous agonist, can be called a superagonist.
      Subsequent to GPCR activation, an intracellular signalling cascade is set in
      motion, which may generate substantial amplification of the signal. This may
      obscure superagonism in pharmacological assays and, therefore, the definition of
      superagonism necessitates a combination of operational approaches, reduction of
      spare receptors or estimation of receptor activation close to the receptor level
      to quantify relative agonist efficacies in a particular system. The first part of
      this review will compare GPCR superagonism with superagonism in the field of
      immunology, where this term is well established. In the second part, known GPCR
      superagonists will be reviewed. Then, the experimental and analytical challenges
      in the deconvolution of GPCR superagonism will be addressed. Finally, the
      potential benefit of superagonism is discussed. The molecular mechanisms behind
      GPCR superagonism are not completely understood. However, crystallography shows
      that agonist binding alone is not sufficient for a fully active receptor state
      and that binding of the G protein is at least equally important. Accordingly, the
      emerging number of reported superagonists implies that ligand-induced receptor
      conformations more active than the ones stabilized by the endogenous agonist are
      indeed feasible. Superagonists may have therapeutic potential when receptor
      function is impaired or to induce negative feedback mechanisms. Linked Articles
      This article is part of a themed section on Molecular Pharmacology of G Protein
      Coupled Receptors. To view the other articles in this section visit
      http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v173.20/issuetoc.

PMID- 26276511
TI  - Effects of Exercise on Select Biomarkers and Associated Outcomes in Chronic Pain
      Conditions: Systematic Review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic pain is highly prevalent. Current management is challenged by
      lack of validated objective measures like biological markers. Clinical pain
      studies employing exercise interventions have evaluated biomarkers; however, it
      is unclear how exercise impacts biomarkers involved in pain pathways and whether
      these markers are associated with relevant pain-related outcomes. This systematic
      review evaluates data from clinical studies employing exercise interventions in
      chronic musculoskeletal nonmalignant pain conditions in which biomarkers in pain
      pathways were measured. METHOD: Published research studies from several databases
      were examined using the Jadad Scale for assessing the quality of clinical
      studies. RESULTS: Twelve research studies were reviewed. Jadad scores ranged from
      5 to 11 out of 13 points. Inflammatory markers were most commonly measured
      followed by neurotransmitter-related genes and metabolite-detecting genes. After
      exercise interventions, changes in biomarkers involved in neurotransmission and
      inflammation suggest a hypoalgesic exercise effect. Significant biomarker
      associations were found with pain intensity, fatigue, depression, anxiety, and
      quality of life. However, there were varying methodologies in the studies
      reviewed. DISCUSSION: It remains a question whether biomarkers can be used as
      objective measures for risk assessment, diagnosis, or evaluation or as surrogate
      endpoints in chronic pain. Adequate sample sizes, optimal exercise dose
      determination, study replications, and longitudinal research studies with
      consistent methodologies are warranted. Regardless, the potential translational
      value of biomarkers in chronic pain is evident. Advancing nursing research in
      biomarkers is vital for moving the nursing discipline and clinical chronic pain
      practice forward. Developing a biobehavioral perspective in chronic pain is also
      necessary for comprehensive management.

PMID- 26276512
TI  - Tissue Factor and Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor in the Wound-Healing Process
      After Neurosurgery.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to assess the concentrations of tissue
      factor (TF) and tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) in the blood of patients
      with a postoperative wound after neurosurgery. METHOD: Participants included 20
      adult patients who underwent neurosurgery because of degenerative spine changes.
      The concentration of TF and TFPI in the patients' blood serum was measured 3
      times: before surgery, during the first 24 hr after surgery, and between the 5th
      and 7th days after surgery. The control group comprised 20 healthy volunteers
      similar to the patient group with respect to gender and age. RESULTS: A
      statistically significant difference was observed between TF concentration at all
      three measurement time points in the research group and TF concentration in the
      control group (p = .018, p = .010, p = .001). A statistically significant
      difference was found between TFPI concentration at the second time point in the
      research group and TFPI concentration in the control group (p = .041). No
      statistically significant within-subject difference was found between TF
      concentrations before and after surgery. A statistically significant within
      subject difference was found between TFPI concentrations within 24 hr after
      surgery and 5-7 days after surgery (p = .004). CONCLUSION: High perioperative
      concentrations of TF indicate not only the presence of thrombophilia but also the
      importance of TF in the wound-healing process. Perioperative changes in TFPI
      concentrations are related to its compensatory influence on hemostasis in
      thrombophilic conditions.

PMID- 26276513
TI  - Convergent validation of EQ-5D-5L in patients with Parkinson's disease.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The European Quality of Life Questionnaire 5 level version (EQ-5D
      5L) is a recently updated instrument to assess Health-Related Quality of Life
      (HRQoL) that has not been validated extensively. The main objective of this study
      was to evaluate the internal consistency and convergent validation of the EQ-5D
      5L in a large sample of subjects with Parkinson's disease (PD). METHODS: A cross
      sectional study was carried out. Consecutive Mexican subjects with PD were
      included. HRQoL was assessed using the EQ-5D-5L and the PDQ-8. Validity of the EQ
      5D-5L was assessed determining its association with clinical ratings of disease
      severity, as well as correlation with PDQ-8. Additionally, performance was
      evaluated along predefined groups based on clinical and demographic data of known
      determinants of quality of life. RESULTS: A total of 585 patients were included
      for this study. A strong correlation was found between EQ-5D-5L index and PDQ-8
      index (Spearman's correlation coefficient=-0.75; p<0.001). Correlation between EQ
      5D-5L index and PDQ-8 index remained strong (-0.60 to -0.78; p values <0.001)
      through all predefined groups. EQ-5D-5L scored higher in those patients with
      dyskinesia, wearing off, freezing, postural instability, cognitive impairment or
      depressive mood (p values <0.001). CONCLUSION: The EQ-5D-5L is a valid instrument
      for evaluating HRQoL in PD, performing adequately irrespective of heterogeneous
      clinical and demographic characteristics, and showing to be sensitive to features
      of advanced disease and treatment complications.

PMID- 26276514
TI  - Convection-enhanced delivery of MANF--volume of distribution analysis in porcine
      putamen and substantia nigra.
AB  - Mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) is a 20kDa human
      protein which has both neuroprotective and neurorestorative activity on
      dopaminergic neurons and therefore may have application for the treatment of
      Parkinson's Disease. The aims of this study were to determine the translational
      potential of convection-enhanced delivery (CED) of MANF for the treatment of PD
      by studying its distribution in porcine putamen and substantia nigra and to
      correlate histological distribution with co-infused gadolinium-DTPA using real
      time magnetic resonance imaging. We describe the distribution of MANF in porcine
      putamen and substantia nigra using an implantable CED catheter system using co
      infused gadolinium-DTPA to allow real-time MRI tracking of infusate distribution.
      The distribution of gadolinium-DTPA on MRI correlated well with
      immunohistochemical analysis of MANF distribution. Volumetric analysis of MANF
      IHC staining indicated a volume of infusion (Vi) to volume of distribution (Vd)
      ratio of 3 in putamen and 2 in substantia nigra. This study confirms the
      translational potential of CED of MANF as a novel treatment strategy in PD and
      also supports the co-infusion of gadolinium as a proxy measure of MANF
      distribution in future clinical studies. Further study is required to determine
      the optimum infusion regime, flow rate and frequency of infusions in human
      trials.

PMID- 26276515
TI  - Critical illness polyneuropathy and myopathy in a rural area in Vietnam.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Critical illness polyneuropathy, myopathy and polyneuromyopathy,
      grouped under the term CIP/CIM, share several risk factors and are associated
      with debilitating outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To assess the incidence and distribution
      of CIP/CIM subtypes and evaluate the risk factors and outcomes of CIP/CIM in a
      rural hospital in Vietnam. METHOD: One hundred and thirty three critically ill
      patients treated more than ten days in the ICU were enrolled. The Medical
      Research Council (MRC) sum scores and the Overall Neuropathy Limitations Scale
      (ONLS) score were calculated and risk factors were monitored. Extensive
      electrodiagnostic investigations were performed to confirm the diagnosis of
      CIP/CIM. RESULTS: CIP/CIM was diagnosed in 73 (55%) patients. The distribution of
      polyneuropathy, myopathy and polyneuromyopathy was 35 (48%), 16 (22%) and 22
      (30%), respectively. Independent risk factors included systemic inflammatory
      response syndrome, shock, and electrolyte disturbances. Compared to patients
      without CIP/CIM, patients with CIP/CIM experienced a mortality rate of 49% vs.
      30%, a length of stay in ICU of 20.3days vs. 14.3days, an ONLS score at day
      thirty of 4.2 vs. 1.3 and at day ninety of 2.7 vs. 1.8. CONCLUSION: The study
      revealed that the diagnosis of CIP/CIM was associated with significantly poorer
      outcomes in comparison to controls.

PMID- 26276516
TI  - ScreenMasker: An Open-source Gaze-contingent Screen Masking Environment.
AB  - The moving-window paradigm, based on gazecontingent technic, traditionally used
      in a studies of the visual perceptual span. There is a strong demand for new
      environments that could be employed by non-technical researchers. We have
      developed an easy-to-use tool with a graphical user interface (GUI) allowing both
      execution and control of visual gaze-contingency studies. This work describes
      ScreenMasker, an environment that allows create gaze-contingent textured displays
      used together with stimuli presentation software. ScreenMasker has an
      architecture that meets the requirements of low-latency real-time eye-movement
      experiments. It also provides a variety of settings and functions. Effective
      rendering times and performance are ensured by means of GPU processing under CUDA
      technology. Performance tests show ScreenMasker's latency to be 67-74 ms on a
      typical office computer, and high-end 144-Hz screen latencies of about 25-28 ms.
      ScreenMasker is an open-source system distributed under the GNU Lesser General
      Public License and is available at https://github.com/PaulOrlov/ScreenMasker .

PMID- 26276517
TI  - Ratings of age of acquisition of 299 words across 25 languages: Is there a cross
      linguistic order of words?
AB  - We present a new set of subjective age-of-acquisition (AoA) ratings for 299 words
      (158 nouns, 141 verbs) in 25 languages from five language families (Afro-Asiatic:
      Semitic languages; Altaic: one Turkic language: Indo-European: Baltic, Celtic,
      Germanic, Hellenic, Slavic, and Romance languages; Niger-Congo: one Bantu
      language; Uralic: Finnic and Ugric languages). Adult native speakers reported the
      age at which they had learned each word. We present a comparison of the AoA
      ratings across all languages by contrasting them in pairs. This comparison shows
      a consistency in the orders of ratings across the 25 languages. The data were
      then analyzed (1) to ascertain how the demographic characteristics of the
      participants influenced AoA estimations and (2) to assess differences caused by
      the exact form of the target question (when did you learn vs. when do children
      learn this word); (3) to compare the ratings obtained in our study to those of
      previous studies; and (4) to assess the validity of our study by comparison with
      quasi-objective AoA norms derived from the MacArthur-Bates Communicative
      Development Inventories (MB-CDI). All 299 words were judged as being acquired
      early (mostly before the age of 6 years). AoA ratings were associated with the
      raters' social or language status, but not with the raters' age or education.
      Parents reported words as being learned earlier, and bilinguals reported learning
      them later. Estimations of the age at which children learn the words revealed
      significantly lower ratings of AoA. Finally, comparisons with previous AoA and MB
      CDI norms support the validity of the present estimations. Our AoA ratings are
      available for research or other purposes.

PMID- 26276518
TI  - Measuring nonvisual knowledge about object categories: The Semantic Vanderbilt
      Expertise Test.
AB  - How much do people differ in their abilities to recognize objects, and what is
      the source of these differences? To address the first question, psychologists
      have created visual learning tests including the Cambridge Face Memory Test
      (Duchaine & Nakayama, 2006) and the Vanderbilt Expertise Test (VET; McGugin et
      al., 2012). The second question requires consideration of the influences of both
      innate potential and experience, but experience is difficult to measure. One
      solution is to measure the products of experience beyond perceptual knowledge
      specifically, nonvisual semantic knowledge. For instance, the relation between
      semantic and perceptual knowledge can help clarify the nature of object
      recognition deficits in brain-damaged patients (Barton, Hanif, & Ashraf, Brain,
      132, 3456-3466, 2009). We present a reliable measure of nonperceptual knowledge
      in a format applicable across categories. The Semantic Vanderbilt Expertise Test
      (SVET) measures knowledge of relevant category-specific nomenclature. We present
      SVETs for eight categories: cars, planes, Transformers, dinosaurs, shoes, birds,
      leaves, and mushrooms. The SVET demonstrated good reliability and domain-specific
      validity. We found partial support for the idea that the only source of domain
      specific shared variance between the VET and SVET is experience with a category.
      We also demonstrated the utility of the SVET-Bird in experts. The SVET can
      facilitate the study of individual differences in visual recognition.

PMID- 26276519
TI  - Relative meaning frequencies for 578 homonyms in two Spanish dialects: A cross
      linguistic extension of the English eDom norms.
AB  - Relative meaning frequency is a critical factor to consider in studies of
      semantic ambiguity. In this work, we examined how this measure may change across
      the European and Rioplatense dialects of Spanish, as well as how the overall
      distributional properties differ between Spanish and English, using a computer
      assisted norming approach based on dictionary definitions (Armstrong, Tokowicz, &
      Plaut, 2012). The results showed that the two dialects differ considerably in
      terms of the relative meaning frequencies of their constituent homonyms, and that
      the overall distributions of relative frequencies vary considerably across
      languages, as well. These results highlight the need for localized norms to
      design powerful studies of semantic ambiguity and suggest that dialectal
      differences may be responsible for some discrepant effects related to homonymy.
      In quantifying the reliability of the norms, we also established that as few as
      seven ratings are needed to converge on a highly stable set of ratings. This
      approach is therefore a very practical means of acquiring essential data in
      studies of semantic ambiguity, relative to past approaches, such as those based
      on the classification of free associates. The norms also present new
      possibilities for studying semantic ambiguity effects within and between
      populations who speak one or more languages. The norms and associated software
      are available for download at http://edom.cnbc.cmu.edu/ or
      http://www.bcbl.eu/databases/edom/ .

PMID- 26276520
TI  - Lisbon Symbol Database (LSD): Subjective norms for 600 symbols.
AB  - This article presents subjective rating norms for a new set of 600 symbols,
      depicting various contents (e.g., transportation, technology, and leisure
      activities) that can be used by researchers in different fields. Symbols were
      evaluated for aesthetic appeal, familiarity, visual complexity, concreteness,
      valence, arousal, and meaningfulness. The normative data were obtained from 388
      participants, and no gender differences were found. Descriptive results (means,
      standard deviations, and confidence intervals) for each symbol in each dimension
      are presented. Overall, the dimensions were highly correlated. Additionally,
      participants were asked to briefly describe the meaning of each symbol. The
      results indicate that the present symbol set is varied, allowing for the
      selection of exemplars with different levels on the seven examined dimensions.
      This set of symbols constitutes a tool with potential for research in different
      areas. The database with all of the symbols is available as supplemental
      materials.

PMID- 26276521
TI  - Estimating informal care inputs associated with EQ-5D for use in economic
      evaluation.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This paper estimates informal care need using the health of the
      patient. The results can be used to predict changes in informal care associated
      with changes in the health of the patient measured using EQ-5D. METHODS: Data was
      used from a prospective survey of inpatients containing 59,512 complete responses
      across 44,494 individuals. The number of days a friend or relative has needed to
      provide care or help with normal activities in the last 6 weeks was estimated
      using the health of the patient measured by EQ-5D, ICD chapter and other health
      and sociodemographic data. A variety of different regression models were
      estimated that are appropriate for the distribution of the informal care
      dependent variable, which has large spikes at 0 (zero informal care) and 42 days
      (informal care every day). RESULTS: The preferred model that most accurately
      predicts the distribution of the data is the zero-inflated negative binomial with
      variable inflation. The results indicate that improving the health of the patient
      reduces informal care need. The relationship between ICD chapter and informal
      care need is not as clear. CONCLUSIONS: The preferred zero-inflated negative
      binomial with variable inflation model can be used to predict changes in informal
      care associated with changes in the health of the patient measured using EQ-5D
      and these results can be applied to existing datasets to inform economic
      evaluation. Limitations include recall bias and response bias of the informal
      care data, and restrictions of the dataset to exclude some patient groups.

PMID- 26276522
TI  - Interleukin 2 Topical Cream for Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcer: Experiment
      Protocol.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It is estimated there are 2.9 million diabetic patients in the United
      Kingdom, and around 5%-7% of patients have diabetic ulcers. This number will
      continue to increase globally. Diabetic ulcers are a major economic burden on the
      healthcare system. More than L650 million is spent on foot ulcers or amputations
      each year, and up to 100 people a week have a limb amputated due to diabetes. In
      T1DM, the level of IL-2 is reduced, and hence, wound healing is in a prolonged
      inflammatory phase. It is not known if IL-2 topical cream can shorten the healing
      process in T1DM patients. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to understand
      the pathophysiology in type 1 diabetes (T1DM) and investigate possible future
      treatment based on its clinical features. The hypothesis is that IL-2 cream can
      speed up wound healing in NOD mice and that this can be demonstrated in a ten
      week study. An experiment protocol is designed in a mouse model for others to
      conduct the experiment. The discussion is purely based on diabetic conditions;
      lifestyle influences like smoking and drinking are not considered. METHODS: Skin
      incisions will be created on 20 nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice, and IL-2 topical
      cream will be applied in a 10-week study to prove the hypothesis. Mice will be
      randomly and equally divide into two groups with one being the control group.
      RESULTS: T1DM patients have a decreased number of T regulatory (Treg) cells and
      interleukin 2 (IL-2). These are the keys to the disease progression and delay in
      wound healing. Diabetic ulcer is a chronic wound and characterized by a prolonged
      inflammatory phase. CONCLUSIONS: If the experiment is successful, T1DM patients
      will have an alternative, noninvasive treatment of foot ulcers. In theory,
      patients with other autoimmune diseases could also use IL-2 topical cream for
      treatment.

PMID- 26276523
TI  - Association between variants in inflammation and cancer-associated genes and risk
      and survival of cholangiocarcinoma.
AB  - Genetic risk factors for cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) remain poorly understood. We
      assessed the effect of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of genes modulating
      inflammation or carcinogenesis on CCA risk and survival. We conducted a case
      control, candidate gene association study of 370 CCA patients and 740 age-, sex-,
      and residential area-matched healthy controls. Eighteen functional or putatively
      functional SNPs in nine genes were genotyped. The log-additive genotype effects
      of SNPs on CCA risk and survival were determined using logistic regression and
      the log-rank test, respectively. Initial analysis identified significant
      associations between SNP rs2143417 and rs689466 in cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) and
      CCA risk, after adjusting for multiple comparisons (cutoff of P = 0.0028).
      However, these findings were not replicated in another independent cohort of 212
      CCA cases and 424 matched controls. No significant association was found between
      any SNP and survival of CCA patients. Although COX-2 has been shown to contribute
      to cholangiocarcinogenesis, the COX-2 SNPs tested were not associated with risk
      of CCA. This study shows a lack of association between variants of genes related
      to inflammation and carcinogenesis and CCA risk and survival. Other factors than
      these genetic variants may play more important roles in CCA risk and survival. 

PMID- 26276524
TI  - Diversity, specificity and speciation in larval Diplostomidae (Platyhelminthes:
      Digenea) in the eyes of freshwater fish, as revealed by DNA barcodes.
AB  - Larvae (metacercariae) in some species of Diplostomidae (Platyhelminthes:
      Digenea) inhabit fish eyes and are difficult to identify to species based on
      morphology. DNA barcoding has clarified the diversity and life cycles of
      diplostomids in North America, Europe and Africa, but has seldom been used in
      parasites sampled in large numbers or at large spatial scales. Here, distance
      based analysis of cytochrome c oxidase 1 barcodes and, in some specimens,
      internal transcribed spacer (ITS-1, 5.8S, ITS-2) sequences was performed for over
      2000 diplostomids from Africa, the Middle East, Europe, Asia and the Americas.
      Fifty-two species of Diplostomum, Tylodelphys and Austrodiplostomum (Digenea:
      Diplostomidae) were distinguished. The 52 species comprise 12 identified species,
      six species in two species complexes and 34 putative species, and 33/52 had been
      delineated in previous studies. Most (23/40) of the unidentified, putative
      species distinguished by cytochrome c oxidase 1 distances were supported by at
      least one additional line of evidence. As the intensity of sampling of the 52
      species increased, variation in cytochrome c oxidase 1 decreased between and
      increased within species, while the spatial scale at which species were sampled
      had no effect. Nonetheless, variation between species always exceeded variation
      within species. New life-cycle linkages, geographic and host records, and genetic
      data were recorded in several species, including Tylodelphys jenynsiae,
      Tylodelphys immer and Diplostomum ardeae. Species of Diplostomum inhabiting the
      lens are less host-specific and less numerous than those infecting other tissues,
      suggesting that reduced immune activity in the lens has influenced rates of
      speciation. 

PMID- 26276525
TI  - Autologous vein graft stenosis inhibited by orphan nuclear receptor Nur77
      targeted siRNA.
AB  - Neointimal hyperplasia plays an important role in autologous vein graft stenosis,
      and orphan receptor TR3/nur77 (Nur77) might play an essential role, but the
      mechanisms are still unclear. Here, we investigated the function of Nur77 in
      autologous vein graft stenosis. Rat vascular smooth muscle cell A7r5 was used for
      evaluating the function of Nur77 and screen siRNAs. Meanwhile, rat vein graft
      models were constructed for investigating the stenosis inhibition effects of
      Nur77-targeted siRNAs. The mRNA and protein levels of Nur77 were highly expressed
      in A7r5 cell, and could be significantly inhibited by the pre-designed siRNAs;
      the proliferation of A7r5 cell was also inhibited by the siRNAs. Furthermore, the
      intimal thickening in rat vein graft models was inhibited when knocking down the
      expression of Nur77 by siRNA. The results suggest that Nur77-targeted siRNA can
      inhibit autologous vein graft stenosis, Nur77 may play an important role in
      autologous vein graft stenosis, and Nur77 targeted siRNAs may be a therapy method
      for anti-stenosis of autologous vein graft. 

PMID- 26276526
TI  - Endothelial cell tetrahydrobiopterin deficiency attenuates LPS-induced vascular
      dysfunction and hypotension.
AB  - Overproduction of nitric oxide (NO) is thought to be a key mediator of the
      vascular dysfunction and severe hypotension in patients with endotoxaemia and
      septic shock. The contribution of NO produced directly in the vasculature by
      endothelial cells to the hypotension seen in these conditions, vs. the broader
      systemic increase in NO, is unclear. To determine the specific role of
      endothelium derived NO in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced vascular dysfunction
      we administered LPS to mice deficient in endothelial cell tetrahydrobiopterin
      (BH4), the essential co-factor for NO production by NOS enzymes. Mice deficient
      in endothelial BH4 production, through loss of the essential biosynthesis enzyme
      Gch1 (Gch1(fl/fl)Tie2cre mice) received a 24hour challenge with LPS or saline
      control. In vivo LPS treatment increased vascular GTP cyclohydrolase and BH4
      levels in aortas, lungs and hearts, but this increase was significantly
      attenuated in Gch1(fl/fl)Tie2cre mice, which were also partially protected from
      the LPS-induced hypotension. In isometric tension studies, in vivo LPS treatment
      reduced the vasoconstriction response and impaired endothelium-dependent and
      independent vasodilatations in mesenteric arteries from wild-type mice, but not
      in Gch1(fl/fl)Tie2cre mesenteric arteries. Ex vivo LPS treatment decreased
      vasoconstriction response to phenylephrine in aortic rings from wild-type and not
      in Gch1(fl/fl)Tie2cre mice, even in the context of significant eNOS and iNOS
      upregulation. These data provide direct evidence that endothelial cell NO has a
      significant contribution to LPS-induced vascular dysfunction and hypotension and
      may provide a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of systemic inflammation
      and patients with septic shock. 

PMID- 26276527
TI  - Glioblastoma recurrence patterns near neural stem cell regions.
AB  - PURPOSE: Glioblastoma (GBM) cancer stem cells and their neural stem cell
      counterparts are hypothesized to contribute to tumor progression. We examined
      whether GBM contrast enhancement contact with neurogenic regions (NR) affect
      recurrence patterns, as contrast enhancement reflects regions of blood-brain
      barrier breakdown. METHODS: 102 patients with primary GBM, treated at Johns
      Hopkins Hospital between 2006 and 2009, were included. All patients underwent
      surgical resection followed by adjuvant IMRT (60 Gy/30 fractions) and concomitant
      temozolomide. Initial and recurrent tumor distance from the subventricular zone
      (SVZ) or subgranular zone (SGZ) was measured. Tumors were categorized as NR
      contacting or non-contacting. The chi-square test was used to analyze the
      association between tumor contact and recurrence pattern. RESULTS: 49 of 102
      (48.0%, 95% CI: 0.386-0.576) tumors contacted NRs at initial presentation, and,
      of these tumors, 49/49 (100%) contacted NRs at recurrence. Of 53 tumors that were
      initially non-contacting, 37/53 (69.8%, 95% CI: 0.565-0.804) recurred contacting
      NRs. In total, 86/102 (84.3%, 95% CI: 0.760-0.901) recurrent GBM contacted NRs
      compared with 49/102 (48%, 95% CI: 0.386-0.576) at initial presentation. Of the
      recurrent tumors that did not contact NRs, 16/53 (30.1%, 95% CI: 0.195-0.435)
      recurred medially toward NRs with a significant decrease in distance between
      tumor contrast enhancement and NRs. 16/49 (32.6%, 95% CI: 0.212-0.466) initially
      NR-contacting GBMs recurred out-of field while 7/53 (13.2%, 95% CI: 0.0655-0.248)
      initially non-contacting recurred out of the radiation treatment field (p=0.0315,
      Odds ratio: 3.19, 95% CI: 1.18-8.62). CONCLUSIONS: GBM contrast-enhancing
      recurrence is significantly associated with proximity to NRs. NR-contacting
      initial tumors were more likely to recur out of radiation treatment fields.

PMID- 26276529
TI  - Multi-variable models predicting specific patient-reported acute urinary symptoms
      after radiotherapy for prostate cancer: Results of a cohort study.
AB  - PURPOSE: A prospective trial started in 2010, aiming at developing models for
      urinary toxicity and erectile dysfunction after radiotherapy for prostate cancer.
      This analysis is finalised at highlighting correlations between
      clinical/dosimetric factors and acute urinary specific symptoms, as measured by
      single questions of the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS).
      MATERIALS/METHODS: IPSS was prospectively collected before and at the end of
      radiotherapy; absolute weekly bladder dose-surface histograms (DSHw) were chosen
      as dosimetric descriptors. Relevant clinical factors were prospectively gathered.
      Backward feature selection was used to identify variables to be included in
      logistic models for moderate-severe (scores?4) urinary symptoms. RESULTS:
      Complete data of 262 patients (120 conventional fractionation, 142
      hypofractionation) were available. Smoking was a strong predictor for feeling of
      incomplete emptying, frequency, intermittency, urgency and straining; neoadjuvant
      hormonal therapy and use of antihypertensive drugs were risk factors for
      intermittency and weak stream, respectively. The baseline score was a major
      predictor for all symptoms with the exception of intermittency. DSHw were
      correlated to increased risk of frequency, intermittency, urgency and nocturia.
      Most models showed moderate-high discrimination (AUC~0.60-0.79). CONCLUSIONS:
      Smoking and other clinical and dosimetric factors predict for specific moderate
      severe acute urinary symptoms; baseline condition heavily modulated the risk in
      most endpoints.

PMID- 26276528
TI  - Patient-reported quality of life after stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT),
      intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), and brachytherapy.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is being used for
      prostate cancer, but concerns persist about toxicity compared to other
      radiotherapy options. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a multi-institutional
      pooled cohort analysis of patient-reported quality of life (QOL) [EPIC-26] before
      and after intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), brachytherapy, or SBRT for
      localized prostate cancer. Data were analyzed by mean domain score, minimal
      clinically detectable difference (MCD) in domain score, and multivariate analyses
      to determine factors associated with domain scores at 2-years. RESULTS: Data were
      analyzed from 803 patients at baseline and 645 at 2-years. Mean declines at 2
      years across all patients were -1.9, -4.8, -4.9, and -13.3 points for urinary
      obstructive, urinary incontinence, bowel, and sexual symptom domains,
      respectively, corresponding to MCD in 29%, 20%, and 28% of patients. On
      multivariate analysis (vs. IMRT), brachytherapy had worse urinary irritation at 2
      years (-6.8 points, p<0.0001) but no differences in other domains (p>0.15). QOL
      after SBRT was similar for urinary (p>0.5) and sexual domains (p=0.57), but was
      associated with better bowel score (+6.7 points, p<0.0002). CONCLUSIONS: QOL 2
      years after brachytherapy, IMRT, or SBRT is very good and largely similar, with
      small differences in urinary and bowel QOL that are likely minimized by modern
      techniques.

PMID- 26276530
TI  - Conceptualisations and perceptions of the nurse preceptor's role: A scoping
      review.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The practice of nursing is a substantially different undertaking to
      supervising nursing students. A clear conceptualisation of the preceptor role
      reveals its scope, expectations and responsibilities. The aim of this scoping
      review is to investigate what is known in the pertinent literature about
      preceptors' experiences of their supervision practices and their perceptions of
      what makes a good workplace environment that enables good preceptorship and is
      conducive to student learning. DESIGN AND DATA SOURCES: The literature scoping
      review design by Arksey and O'Malley was adopted for this literature review study
      because it enables researchers to chart, gather and summarise known literature on
      a given topic. Databases searched included Scopus, Ebsco, Informit and VOCEDplus.
      REVIEW METHOD: To answer our research question what is known about how
      undergraduate nursing student preceptors' supervision practices are
      conceptualised and perceived we posed four analysis questions to our literature
      set: (1) How do the articles conceptualise preceptorship? (2) What pedagogical
      frameworks are used to understand preceptorship? (3) What are the messages for
      preceptorship practices? (4) What are the recommendations for future research?
      RESULTS: A total of 25 articles were identified as eligible for this study. The
      results are ordered into four sections: theoretical conceptualisations of the
      preceptorship role, pedagogical framework, messages about preceptoring and
      recommendations for further research. CONCLUSION: The discourse of preceptorship
      is not underpinned by a strong theoretical and pedagogical base. The role of
      preceptors has not been expanded to include theoretical perspectives from socio
      cultural practice and social learning paradigms.

PMID- 26276531
TI  - The use of reflective journaling as a learning strategy during the clinical
      rotations of students from the faculty of health sciences: An action-research
      study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Reflective practice contributes significantly to the assimilation of
      knowledge in undergraduate health students. Reflective journals constitute a
      learning strategy that promotes student reflection during clinical practice.
      AIMS: The overall aim of the study was to explore teachers' perceptions and
      experiences regarding the use of reflective clinical journals as a learning tool
      for students in order to improve the implementation of clinical journal writing
      in all the Health Science degrees offered by our University. METHOD: A
      qualitative research study was performed using the Action-Research method.
      Students studying various degrees at our Health Faculty were considered for this
      study (Nursing Physiotherapy, and Physiotherapy and Physical Activity and Sport
      Science). Data were collected using triangulation of document analysis (102
      student journals and 12 teacher journals, together with the teachers' responses
      to the student's journals) and transcripts from 2 discussion groups (1 student
      discussion group and 1 teacher discussion group). Data analysis was performed
      based on the constant comparative method using ATLAS.ti version 6.2 software.
      RESULTS: Four qualitative themes emerged from the data: the journal as a teaching
      strategy; building a relationship of trust between the tutor and the student; the
      role of the teacher and the world of emotions. CONCLUSIONS: Several
      recommendations for supporting clinical journal writing were identified: an
      informative meeting should be arranged with students; written guidelines should
      be provided; a personal interview with the student is recommended at the start of
      the activity; feedback should be offered over short time periods; teachers should
      provide constructive feedback; and students should adopt a free writing approach,
      or be guided by very open questions. Finally, it is important that students be
      familiarized with the assessment criteria.

PMID- 26276532
TI  - What deters nurses from participating in web-based graduate nursing programs?: A
      cross-sectional survey research study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A graduate degree is required of nursing faculty in America. Because
      of the nursing faculty shortage, web-based graduate nursing programs are being
      offered to encourage nurses to return to school. The identification of deterrents
      to participating in these programs is an important step in increasing enrollment.
      OBJECTIVE: To identify deterrents to participation in web-based graduate nursing
      programs. DESIGN: Descriptive survey research. SETTING: Louisiana PARTICIPANTS:
      Two hundred and eighty-one registered nurse members of the Louisiana Nurses'
      Association. METHODS: The 54-item four-point Likert-type interval scale
      Deterrents to Participation in Web-Based Graduate Nursing Programs Survey
      Instrument was used. Data were collected over 8weeks using SurveyMonkey.com to
      administer the web survey tool to all members of the Louisiana State Nurses'
      Association. RESULTS: A factor analysis revealed a three-factor solution that
      explained 55.436% of the total variance in deterrents to participation in web
      based graduate nursing programs. The factors were labeled "concerns about
      quality, cost, and time," "concerns about access to resources: technological and
      personal," and "concerns about electronic mediated communication." Multiple
      regression analysis revealed an overall model of three predictors of deterrents
      to participation in web-based graduate nursing programs: no computer literacy,
      annual household income between 20,000 and 50,000 dollars, and having the current
      educational status of graduating from a diploma RN program. This model accounted
      for 21% of the variance in the deterrents to participation scores. CONCLUSIONS:
      Since these three significant predictors of deterrents to participation in web
      based graduate nursing programs were identified, web-based nursing graduate
      program administrators might consider an outreach to RN diploma graduates in an
      effort to make them aware of available technology support programs to foster
      participation. Scholarships for lower income nursing students are recommended,
      and programs to support computer literacy within the nursing community should be
      considered.

PMID- 26276533
TI  - Modularity of the anthropoid dentition: Implications for the evolution of the
      hominin canine honing complex.
AB  - In most anthropoid primates, the maxillary canine, mandibular canine, and mesial
      mandibular premolar form a functional complex that hones the canines. Characters
      in functional complexes are predicted to covary genetically, which constrains
      their evolutionary independence. As a result of substantial changes to canine and
      honing premolar size and shape, hominins are characterized by the apomorphic loss
      of canine honing. In early hominins, changes in canine and 'honing' premolar size
      and shape appear to have been uncoordinated, which is unexpected if there is
      strong genetic covariation coupling these teeth. Using the pattern and magnitude
      of phenotypic dental size covariation in extant anthropoids, results of this
      study indicate that certain dimensions of the anthropoid honing complex are
      characterized by strong size covariation within species and that canine and
      honing premolar size have evolved in a coordinated manner in both males and
      females, which undermines arguments that the complex is selectively important
      only in males. Further, there is no evidence for negative or strong positive
      covariance between canine and either incisor or postcanine size. If patterns of
      phenotypic covariation reflect genetic covariation, this suggests that canine
      reduction was unlikely to have been a dependent change associated with the
      development of postcanine megadontia or incisor reduction. 

PMID- 26276534
TI  - Functional aspects of metatarsal head shape in humans, apes, and Old World
      monkeys.
AB  - Modern human metatarsal heads are typically described as "dorsally domed,"
      mediolaterally wide, and dorsally flat. Despite the apparent functional
      importance of these features in forefoot stability during bipedalism, the
      distinctiveness of this morphology has not been quantitatively evaluated within a
      broad comparative framework. In order to use these features to reconstruct fossil
      hominin locomotor behaviors with any confidence, their connection to human
      bipedalism should be validated through a comparative analysis of other primates
      with different locomotor behaviors and foot postures, including species with
      biomechanical demands potentially similar to those of bipedalism (e.g.,
      terrestrial digitigrady). This study explores shape variation in the distal
      metatarsus among humans and other extant catarrhines using three-dimensional
      geometric morphometrics (3 DGM). Shape differences among species in metatarsal
      head morphology are well captured by the first two principal components of
      Procrustes shape coordinates, and these two components summarize most of the
      variance related to "dorsal doming" and "dorsal expansion." Multivariate
      statistical tests reveal significant differences among clades in overall shape,
      and humans are reliably distinguishable from other species by aspects of shape
      related to a greater degree of dorsal doming. Within quadrupeds, terrestrial
      species also trend toward more domed metatarsal heads, but not to the extent seen
      in humans. Certain aspects of distal metatarsus shape are likely related to
      habitual dorsiflexion of the metatarsophalangeal joints, but the total
      morphological pattern seen in humans is distinct. These comparative results
      indicate that this geometric morphometric approach is useful to characterize the
      complexity of metatarsal head morphology and will help clarify its relationship
      with function in fossil primates, including early hominins.

PMID- 26276535
TI  - NORM in the East Midlands' oil and gas producing region of the UK.
AB  - Naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) is a common feature in North Sea
      oil and gas production offshore but, to date, has been reported from only one
      production site onshore in the United Kingdom. The latter, Wytch Farm on the
      Dorset coast, revealed high activity concentrations of (210)Pb in metallic form
      but little evidence of radium accumulation. NORM has now been discovered at two
      further onshore sites in the East Midlands region of the UK. The material has
      been characterized in terms of its mineralogy, bulk composition and
      disequilibrium in the natural uranium and thorium series decay chains. In
      contrast to Wytch Farm, scale and sludge samples from the East Midlands were
      found to contain elevated levels of radium and radioactive progeny associated
      with crystalline strontiobarite. The highest (226)Ra and (228)Ra activity
      concentrations found in scale samples were 132 and 60 Bq/g, with mean values of
      86 and 40 Bq/g respectively; somewhat higher than the mean for the North Sea and
      well above national exemption levels for landfill disposal. The two East Midlands
      sites exhibited similar levels of radioactivity. Scanning electron microscope
      imaging shows the presence of tabular, idiomorphic and acicular strontiobarite
      crystals with elemental mapping confirming that barium and strontium are co
      located throughout the scale. Bulk compositional data show a corresponding
      correlation between barium-strontium concentrations and radium activity. Scales
      and sludge were dated using the (226)Ra/(210)Pb method giving mean ages of 2.2
      and 3.7 years, respectively. The results demonstrate clearly that these NORM
      deposits, with significant radium activity, can form over a very short period of
      time. Although the production sites studied here are involved in conventional oil
      recovery, the findings have direct relevance should hydraulic fracturing for
      shale gas be pursued in the East Midlands oilfield. 

PMID- 26276536
TI  - Chemical structure and biological activity of a quorum sensing pheromone from
      Bacillus subtilis subsp. natto.
AB  - Bacillus subtilis subsp. natto secrets a peptide pheromone, named ComXnatto
      pheromone, as an inducer for biofilm formation containing poly-gamma-glutamic
      acid. Recently, the ComXnatto pheromone was identified to be a hexapeptide with
      an amino acid sequence of Lys-Trp-Pro-Pro-Ile-Glu, and the tryptophan residue was
      post-translationally modified with a farnesyl group. In order to determine the
      precise modification of the tryptophan residue, ComXnatto pheromone was
      synthesized using solid-phase peptide synthesis. Biological activity of the
      ComXnatto pheromone was then investigated. It was demonstrated that poly-gamma
      glutamic acid production were accelerated by ComXnatto pheromone at more than 1
      nM in natto.

PMID- 26276538
TI  - The effect of stricter licensing on road traffic injury events involving 15 to 17
      year-old moped drivers in Sweden: A time series intervention study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to evaluate and quantify the effect of the
      introduction of the AM driving license on non-fatal moped-related injuries in
      Sweden. With the introduction of the new license category in October 2009,
      prospective moped drivers are now required to pass a mandatory theory test
      following a practical and theoretical course. In addition, obtaining a license to
      operate a moped is now considerably more costly. METHODS: Time series
      intervention analysis on monthly aggregated injury data (1st Jan 2007-31st Dec
      2013) was performed using generalized additive models for location, shape and
      scale (GAMLSS) to quantify the effect size on injury events involving teenage (15
      17 years) moped drivers, while controlling for trend and seasonality. Exposure
      was adjusted for by using the number of registered mopeds in traffic as a proxy.
      RESULTS: The introduction of AM license was associated with a 41% reduction in
      the rate of injury events involving 15-year-old moped drivers (IRR 0.59 [95% CI:
      0.48-0.72]), and a 39% and 36% decrease in those involving 16-year-old (IRR 0.61
      [95% CI: 0.48-0.79]) and 17-year-old drivers (IRR 0.64 [95% CI: 0.46-0.90]),
      respectively. The effect in the 15-year-old stratum was decreased roughly by half
      after adjusting for exposure, but remained significant, and the corresponding
      estimates in the other age groups did not change noticeably. CONCLUSIONS: This
      study provides quasi-experimental evidence of an effect on non-fatal moped
      related injuries as a result of stricter licensing rules. Only part of the effect
      could be explained by a reduction in the number of mopeds in traffic, indicating
      that other mechanisms must be studied to fully understand the cause of the
      reduction in injuries.

PMID- 26276537
TI  - The inhibition of type I bacterial signal peptidase: Biological consequences and
      therapeutic potential.
AB  - The general secretory pathway has long been regarded as a potential antibiotic
      drug target. In particular, bacterial type I signal peptidase (SPase) is emerging
      as a strong candidate for therapeutic use. In this review, we focus on the
      information gained from the use of SPase inhibitors as probes of prokaryote
      biology. A thorough understanding of the consequences of SPase inhibition and the
      mechanisms of resistance that arise are essential to the success of SPase as an
      antibiotic target. In addition to the role of SPase in processing secreted
      proteins, the use of SPase inhibitors has elucidated a previously unknown
      function for SPase in regulating cleavage events of membrane proteins. 

PMID- 26276539
TI  - Comparative transcriptomic analysis between an artificially induced SIRS in
      healthy individuals and spontaneous sepsis.
AB  - Sepsis is defined as a syndrome combining a systemic inflammatory response with a
      documented infection. It may progress to more serious cases such as septic shock
      following the failure of one or more organs and the emergence of hemodynamic
      defects. Assuming that the emergence of serious septic syndromes may be partially
      explained by the early loss of regulation of the inflammatory response, we
      decided to compare, in a transcriptomic perspective, the biological mechanisms
      expressed during an induced systemic inflammatory response with those expressed
      during severe septic syndromes. By using open-access transcriptomic databases, we
      first studied the kinetics of an induced inflammatory response. The use of
      functional analysis helped us identify discriminating biological mechanisms, such
      as the mTOR signaling pathway, between the pathological cases of sepsis and non
      pathological (i.e., the artificially induced SIRS) cases. 

PMID- 26276540
TI  - PVDF-Nafion nanomembranes coated microneedles for in vivo transcutaneous
      implantable glucose sensing.
AB  - We demonstrate that microporous PVDF membranes sandwiched between multiple layers
      of nanomaterials can be used for continuous monitoring of glucose level in vivo.
      This is achieved by coating needle electrodes with Polyaniline nanofiber,
      Platinum nanoparticles, glucose oxidase enzyme and porous layers, successfully
      fabricated with layer-by-layer deposition. Nanoparticles incorporated into
      conductive Polyaniline nanofibers resulted in high surface to volume ratio and
      electrocatalytic activity for glucose enzyme. A composite coating membrane of
      porous PVDF and nano-sphere Nafion limited the glucose transportation and
      increased the lifetime of in vivo measurements. The glucose biosensor exhibited a
      sub-microamperometric output current, fast response time of less than 30s and a
      sensitivity of 0.23 MUA/mM. The linear sensing range in terms of glucose
      concentration was from 0 to 20mM. Implantable experiments using mice models
      showed excellent response to the variation of blood glucose concentration while
      maintaining biocompatibility with the surrounding tissues. The sensitivity was
      shown to remain within 10% close to initial sensitivity within the 7 days of
      continuous monitoring, and maintain at 70% of the initial sensitivity within 21
      days.

PMID- 26276542
TI  - Silver nanoparticles-enhanced time-resolved fluorescence sensor for VEGF(165)
      based on Mn-doped ZnS quantum dots.
AB  - A silver nanoparticles (AgNPs)-enhanced time-resolved fluorescence (TR-FL) sensor
      based on long-lived fluorescent Mn-doped ZnS quantum dots (QDs) is developed for
      the sensitive detection of vascular endothelial growth factor-165 (VEGF165), a
      predominant cancer biomarker in cancer angiogenesis. The aptamers bond with the
      Mn-doped ZnS QDs and the BHQ-2 quencher-labelling strands hybridized in duplex
      are coupled with streptavidin (SA)-functionalized AgNPs to form the AgNPs
      enhanced TR-FL sensor, showing lower fluorescence intensity in the duplex state
      due to the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between the Mn-doped ZnS
      QDs and quenchers. Upon the addition of VEGF165, the BHQ-2 quencher-labelling
      strands of the duplex are displaced, leading to the disruption of the FRET. As a
      result, the fluorescence of the Mn-doped QDs within the proximity of the AgNPs is
      recovered. The FL signal can be measured free of the interference of short-lived
      background by setting appropriate delay time and gate time, which offers a signal
      with high signal-to-noise ratio in photoluminescent biodetection. Compared with
      the bare TR-FL sensor, the AgNPs-based TR-FL sensor showed a huge improvement in
      fluorescence based on metal-enhanced fluorescence (MEF) effect, and the
      sensitivity increased 11-fold with the detection limit of 0.08 nM. In addition,
      the sensor provided a wide range of linear detection from 0.1 nM to 16 nM.

PMID- 26276541
TI  - Wearable salivary uric acid mouthguard biosensor with integrated wireless
      electronics.
AB  - This article demonstrates an instrumented mouthguard capable of non-invasively
      monitoring salivary uric acid (SUA) levels. The enzyme (uricase)-modified screen
      printed electrode system has been integrated onto a mouthguard platform along
      with anatomically-miniaturized instrumentation electronics featuring a
      potentiostat, microcontroller, and a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) transceiver.
      Unlike RFID-based biosensing systems, which require large proximal power sources,
      the developed platform enables real-time wireless transmission of the sensed
      information to standard smartphones, laptops, and other consumer electronics for
      on-demand processing, diagnostics, or storage. The mouthguard biosensor system
      offers high sensitivity, selectivity, and stability towards uric acid detection
      in human saliva, covering the concentration ranges for both healthy people and
      hyperuricemia patients. The new wireless mouthguard biosensor system is able to
      monitor SUA level in real-time and continuous fashion, and can be readily
      expanded to an array of sensors for different analytes to enable an attractive
      wearable monitoring system for diverse health and fitness applications. 

PMID- 26276543
TI  - Immunosensing platform based on gallium nanoparticle arrays on silicon
      substrates.
AB  - Gallium nanoparticles (GaNPs) of different sizes are deposited on Si(100)
      substrates by thermal evaporation. Through ellipsometric analysis, it is possible
      to investigate the plasmonic effects in the GaNPs and exploit them to develop
      biosensors. The excitation of the resonant modes for certain incidence angles
      leads to negative values of the imaginary part of the pseudodielectric function
      (<epsiloni>) obtained in ellipsometry. Furthermore, there is an abrupt sign
      change when the difference between the phase shifts of p- and s-polarization
      components reaches 180 degrees  at an energy of around 3.15 eV. At that energy,
      reversal of the polarization handedness (RPH) occurs for an elliptically
      polarized input beam. The energy of the RPH condition reduces as the evaporation
      time increases. The slope of <epsiloni> at the RPH condition is extremely
      sensitive to changes in the surrounding medium of the NP surface and prompts the
      use of the GaNP/Si system as sensor platform. Fourier transformed infrared
      spectroscopy (FTIR) is used before and after functionalization with 3,3'
      dithiodipropionic acid di(N-succinimidyl ester) and a glutathione-specific
      antibody to confirm the chemical modification of the sample surface. The
      developed immunosensor is exposed to different concentrations of glutathione
      (GSH) showing a linear relationship between the slope of the pseudodielectric
      function at the RPH condition and the GSH concentration. The immunosensor shows a
      limit of detection of 10nM enabling its use for the detection of low GSH levels
      in different medical conditions.

PMID- 26276544
TI  - Production of carbon-13-labeled cadaverine by engineered Corynebacterium
      glutamicum using carbon-13-labeled methanol as co-substrate.
AB  - Methanol, a one-carbon compound, can be utilized by a variety of bacteria and
      other organisms as carbon and energy source and is regarded as a promising
      substrate for biotechnological production. In this study, a strain of non
      methylotrophic Corynebacterium glutamicum, which was able to produce the
      polyamide building block cadaverine as non-native product, was engineered for co
      utilization of methanol. Expression of the gene encoding NAD+-dependent methanol
      dehydrogenase (Mdh) from the natural methylotroph Bacillus methanolicus increased
      methanol oxidation. Deletion of the endogenous aldehyde dehydrogenase genes ald
      and fadH prevented methanol oxidation to carbon dioxide and formaldehyde
      detoxification via the linear formaldehyde dissimilation pathway. Heterologous
      expression of genes for the key enzymes hexulose-6-phosphate synthase and 6
      phospho-3-hexuloisomerase of the ribulose monophosphate (RuMP) pathway in this
      strain restored growth in the presence of methanol or formaldehyde, which
      suggested efficient formaldehyde detoxification involving RuMP key enzymes. While
      growth with methanol as sole carbon source was not observed, the fate of 13C
      methanol added as co-substrate to sugars was followed and the isotopologue
      distribution indicated incorporation into central metabolites and in vivo
      activity of the RuMP pathway. In addition, 13C-label from methanol was traced to
      the secreted product cadaverine. Thus, this synthetic biology approach led to a
      C. glutamicum strain that converted the non-natural carbon substrate methanol at
      least partially to the non-native product cadaverine.

PMID- 26276545
TI  - Direct quantification of fatty acids in wet microalgal and yeast biomass via a
      rapid in situ fatty acid methyl ester derivatization approach.
AB  - Accurate determination of fatty acid contents is routinely required in microalgal
      and yeast biofuel studies. A method of rapid in situ fatty acid methyl ester
      (FAME) derivatization directly from wet fresh microalgal and yeast biomass was
      developed in this study. This method does not require prior solvent extraction or
      dehydration. FAMEs were prepared with a sequential alkaline hydrolysis (15 min at
      85  degrees C) and acidic esterification (15 min at 85  degrees C) process. The
      resulting FAMEs were extracted into n-hexane and analyzed using gas
      chromatography. The effects of each processing parameter (temperature, reaction
      time, and water content) upon the lipids quantification in the alkaline
      hydrolysis step were evaluated with a full factorial design. This method could
      tolerate water content up to 20% (v/v) in total reaction volume, which equaled up
      to 1.2 mL of water in biomass slurry (with 0.05-25 mg of fatty acid). There were
      no significant differences in FAME quantification (p>0.05) between the standard
      AOAC 991.39 method and the proposed wet in situ FAME preparation method. This
      fatty acid quantification method is applicable to fresh wet biomass of a wide
      range of microalgae and yeast species.

PMID- 26276546
TI  - Treating gynecologic malignancies with selective estrogen receptor downregulators
      (SERDs): promise and challenges.
AB  - Endometrial and ovarian cancers are estrogen-dependent gynecologic malignancies.
      Although many are estrogen receptor (ER) positive, treatment with the selective
      estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) tamoxifen, a tissue selective partial-agonist,
      has demonstrated only modest clinical benefit. Selective estrogen receptor
      downregulators (SERDs) are pure ER antagonists showing a benefit for advanced ER
      positive breast cancer, which has bolstered their potential use for ER positive
      gynecologic malignancies. We summarize these preclinical and clinical data,
      suggesting that a subpopulation of patients with endometrial or ovarian cancer
      exists in which treatment with SERDs results in improved outcome. However, the
      full potential of SERDs for a gynecologic malignancies will be realized only when
      the appropriate predictive biomarkers are identified. Additionally, a further
      understanding ER signaling in the context of ovarian and endometrial tissues that
      appear to involve c-Src and other kinase pathways is needed to successfully
      address the emergence of resistance with rationally designed combination
      therapies. 

PMID- 26276547
TI  - Hydrophosphination of CO2 and subsequent formate transfer in the 1,3,2
      diazaphospholene-catalyzed N-formylation of amines.
AB  - Hydrophosphination of CO2 with 1,3,2-Diazaphospholene (NHP-H; 1) afforded
      phosphorus formate (NHP-OCOH; 2) through the formation of a bond between the
      electrophilic phosphorus atom in 1 and the oxygen atom from CO2 , along with
      hydride transfer to the carbon atom of CO2 . Transfer of the formate from 2 to
      Ph2 SiH2 produced Ph2 Si(OCHO)2 (3) in a reaction that could be carried out in a
      catalytic manner by using 5 mol % of 1. These elementary reactions were applied
      to the metal-free catalytic N-formylation of amine derivatives with CO2 in one
      pot under ambient conditions. 

PMID- 26276548
TI  - Measures of satisfaction for providers and patients using same day teledermoscopy
      consultation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We aimed to determine whether patients and providers were satisfied
      with teledermoscopy consultation for skin lesions. METHODS: From 2010 to 2011,
      patients with clinically suspicious lesions were referred for teledermoscopy by
      internal medicine physicians. Lesions were digitally photographed using a
      dermatoscope accessory lens. Images were interpreted by an on-call dermatologist.
      We conducted same day surveys of providers and patients after the evaluations.
      RESULTS: The survey response rate was 100%. Of the 20 patients surveyed, all
      agreed that a teledermoscopic consult was convenient and helpful. Nineteen
      patients (95%) strongly agreed that teledermoscopy potentially was a cost-saving
      tool. All providers thought the evaluations were helpful. Ninety-five percent of
      providers and patients reported satisfaction with the ease of use of this
      technology. CONCLUSIONS: Teledermoscopy may give primary care providers the
      ability to consult with dermatologists when seeing patients in remote or
      medically underserved areas. This can streamline the referral process and
      decrease the number of referrals for benign lesions.

PMID- 26276549
TI  - The lack of a non-communicable disease curriculum threatens the relevance of
      global public health education.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular diseases
      (CVDs), cancer, lung disease and diabetes are major public health challenges for
      emerging economies. However, Masters of Public Health (MPH) curricula in the USA
      do not provide germane coursework. METHODS: To assess the availability of global
      NCD courses in MPH curricula, we searched the websites of the 50 schools
      accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health as of 1 July 2013. Our
      questionnaire queried availability of a global or international health department
      or track, availability of an NCD track, and the presence of courses on NCD, NCD
      risk factors, CVD or global NCDs as well as global health infrastructure.
      RESULTS: All schools had online course coursework available. Thirty-one schools
      (62%) offered a global/international health track or certificate; 38 (76%)
      offered an NCD course but only 4 (8%) offered a global NCD course. Of the schools
      with a global health program, none required an NCD course but all offered courses
      on global health economics or infrastructure. CONCLUSION: For public health
      schools to be aligned with global realities and to retain a leadership role,
      curricular initiatives that highlight the NCD epidemic and its societal
      complexities will need new emphasis.

PMID- 26276550
TI  - Assessment of vascular function in Mexican women exposed to polycyclic aromatic
      hydrocarbons from wood smoke.
AB  - The use of solid fuels for cooking and heating is likely to be the largest source
      of indoor air pollution on a global scale; these fuels emit substantial amounts
      of toxic pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) when used in
      simple cooking stoves (such as open "three-stone" fires). Moreover, indoor air
      pollution from biomass fuels is considered an important risk factor for human
      health. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between exposure
      to PAHs from wood smoke and vascular dysfunction; in a group of Mexican women
      that use biomass combustion as their main energy source inside their homes. We
      used 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) as an exposure biomarker to PAHs and it was assessed
      using high performance liquid chromatography. The endothelium-dependent
      vasodilation was assessed through a vascular reactivity compression test
      performed with a pneumatic cuff under visualization of the brachial artery using
      high resolution ultrasonography (HRU). Assessment of the carotid intima-media
      thickness (CIMT) was used as an atherosclerosis biomarker (also assessed using
      HRU); and clinical parameters such as anthropometry, blood pressure, glucose,
      triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, among others
      were also evaluated. The mean concentration of urinary 1-OHP found in exposed
      women was 0.46+/-0.32MUmol/mol Cr (range: 0.086-1.23MUmol/mol Cr). Moreover,
      vascular dysfunction (diminished endothelium dependent vasodilation) was found in
      45% of the women participating in the study. Association between vascular
      function and 1-OHP levels was found to be significant through a logistic
      regression analysis (p=0.034; r(2)=0.1329). Furthermore, no association between
      CIMT and clinical parameters, urinary 1-OHP levels or vascular dysfunction was
      found. Therefore, with the information obtained in this study, we advocate for
      the need to implement programs to reduce the risk of exposure to PAHs in
      communities that use biomass fuels as a main energy source. 

PMID- 26276553
TI  - Effects of Anesthesia Type on Perioperative Outcome After Endovascular Aneurysm
      Repair.
AB  - PURPOSE: To examine outcomes of endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) using
      general, regional, or local anesthesia. METHODS: From March 2009 to April 2011,
      patients were enrolled from 79 sites in 30 countries worldwide and treated with
      an Endurant Stent Graft System. Data were compared among 3 groups based on the
      method of anesthesia: general anesthesia (GA) was used in 785 (62%) patients,
      regional anesthesia (RA) in 331 (27%) patients, and local anesthesia (LA) in 145
      (11%) patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to adjust
      for possible confounding factors; outcomes are presented as the odds ratio and
      95% confidence interval. RESULTS: There were intercontinental differences in the
      distribution of type of anesthesia used for EVAR. Higher ASA (American Society of
      Anesthesiologists) classification was associated with predominant use of GA.
      Procedure time was reduced in LA (80.4+/-40.0 minutes) compared with RA (94.2+/
      41.6 min, adjusted p=0.001) and GA (105.3+/-46.0 minutes, adjusted p<0.001).
      Intensive care unit (ICU) admission was less frequent for RA than for GA
      (adjusted OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.53 to 0.97, p=0.030) and LA (adjusted OR 0.51, 95% CI
      0.33 to 0.79, p=0.002). Postoperative hospital stay was significantly shorter for
      RA and LA compared with GA (adjusted p=0.003 and p=0.010, respectively). There
      were no significant differences in systemic and surgical complications. Mortality
      rates within 30 days did not differ among the groups. CONCLUSION: Type of
      anesthesia used during EVAR has no influence on perioperative mortality and
      morbidity. The use of local or regional anesthesia during EVAR appeared to be
      beneficial concerning procedure time, ICU admission, and postoperative hospital
      stay.

PMID- 26276552
TI  - Predictors of 2-Year Mortality and Risk Stratification After Surgical or
      Endovascular Revascularization of Infrainguinal Artery Disease in Hemodialysis
      Patients With Critical Limb Ischemia.
AB  - PURPOSE: To examine the 2-year mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients with
      critical limb ischemia (CLI) and determine predictors that may aid in the
      selection of a revascularization strategy [bypass surgery or endovascular therapy
      (EVT)] according to current guidelines. METHODS: From 2007 to 2009, 246
      consecutive CLI patients (mean age 69+/-10 years; 170 men) on HD underwent
      revascularization for de novo infrainguinal lesions (178 EVT and 68 bypass
      grafting). The majority of the patients had diabetes (170, 69%) and tissue loss
      (194, 79%); nearly half (111, 45%) were nonambulatory. Overall survival after
      revascularization was estimated by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Predictors for 2-year
      mortality after revascularization were determined using a Cox proportional
      hazards model; results are given as the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence
      interval (CI). RESULTS: Overall survival rate was 77% at 1 year and 66% at 2
      years. Predictors of 2-year mortality after revascularization were age >75 years
      (HR 1.82, 95% CI 1.14 to 2.91, p=0.012), albumin <3 g/dL (HR 2.31, 95% CI 1.39 to
      3.84, p=0.001), and ejection fraction <50% (HR 1.73, 95% CI 1.06 to 2.83,
      p=0.027). Patients with more predictors had a higher incidence of death within 2
      years after revascularization. CONCLUSION: Advanced age, low albumin level, and
      low ejection fraction were independently associated with 2-year mortality after
      revascularization in HD patients with CLI. Risk stratification by these factors
      would be useful for deciding on a revascularization strategy.

PMID- 26276554
TI  - Through-Plane Movement at Multiple Aortic Levels on Dynamic Computed Tomography
      Angiography Is Limited in Patients With an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.
AB  - PURPOSE: To analyze the movement of the aorta in the craniocaudal direction
      (through-plane movement) during the cardiac cycle at several levels to determine
      any potential impact on endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) of abdominal aortic
      aneurysm (AAA). METHODS: For this study, 30 patients (median age 73.0 years; 27
      men) with an infrarenal AAA were randomly selected from a prospectively
      maintained EVAR database. All patients had undergone preoperative
      electrocardiogram-gated computed tomography angiography consisting of 8 phases.
      After semiautomatic segmentation, a 3-dimensional location probe was placed in
      the center of the aorta (center point) on the orthogonal slices at 12 different
      levels along the aorta and iliac arteries for all 8 phases. Movement of the
      center point during the cardiac cycle was analyzed for each level. Values are
      given as the median and interquartile range (IQR). RESULTS: The median through
      plane movement of all levels was 3.0 mm (IQR 2.8-3.2) and appeared to be lower in
      the region of the celiac and renal arteries: 2.6 mm (IQR 1.7-3.1) at 3 cm
      proximal to the most distal renal artery and 2.4 mm (IQR 1.9-2.9) at 1 cm distal
      to the most distal renal artery, respectively. The thoracic part of the aorta
      showed the largest through-plane motion: 4.1 mm (IQR 2.7-4.6). CONCLUSION: This
      study quantifies aortic through-plane motion in the craniocaudal direction. Since
      through-plane movement appears to be limited, findings of previous studies
      investigating pulsatile in-plane distension seem to be representative for aortic
      distension.

PMID- 26276551
TI  - Subclinical and clinical hypothyroidism and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a
      cross-sectional study of a random population sample aged 18 to 65 years.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common
      disorders of the liver worldwide. Recently, a correlation between thyroid
      dysfunction and NAFLD has been discussed. Objective of the present study was to
      investigate the association between thyroid dysfunction and hepatic steatosis.
      METHODS: Data from 2,445 subjects (51.7% females) aged 18 to 65 years
      participating in a population-based cross-sectional study were assessed based on
      a standardized questionnaire and documentation of physical, biochemical and
      ultrasonographic findings. After application of exclusion criteria, a total of
      1,276 subjects were included in the study collective. The influence of potential
      factors on the development of hepatic steatosis was assessed using multivariate
      logistic regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of hepatic steatosis in the study
      collective was 27.4% (n = 349). The serum thyroxin (TT4) concentration in
      subjects with hepatic steatosis was reduced (p =0.0004). Adjusting for age, or
      BMI, there was an increased prevalence of hepatic steatosis in subjects with
      reduced TT4 concentrations (p = 0.0143; p = < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: The findings
      of the present study confirm an association between both subclinical and clinical
      hypothyroidism and hepatic steatosis.

PMID- 26276555
TI  - Chronic black tea extract consumption improves endothelial function in
      ovariectomized rats.
AB  - PURPOSE: Menopause escalates the risk of cardiovascular diseases in women. There
      is an unmet need for better treatment strategy for estrogen-deficiency-related
      cardiovascular complications. Here we investigated the impact of chronic black
      tea extract (BT) consumption on cardiovascular function and lipid metabolism
      using a rat model of estrogen deficiency. METHODS: Female Sprague-Dawley rats
      were ovariectomized (OVX) and treated with BT (15 mg/kg/day, 4 weeks; active
      ingredients: theaflavins) or estrogen (E2) treatment for 4 weeks. Serum was
      collected for measuring cholesterol, triacylglycerol and estradiol levels.
      Changes in vascular reactivity were examined. The protein levels of NADPH
      oxidases were assessed by Western blotting. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) level
      was measured using dihydroethidium fluorescence imaging. The concentrations of
      cGMP were measured using ELISA kit. RESULTS: Aortic rings from control, BT
      treated and E2-treated OVX rats exhibited a greater increase in Phe-induced
      contraction after inhibition of NO synthase compared with those from OVX rats.
      ACh-induced endothelium-dependent relaxations were augmented in aortae and renal
      arteries in BT/E2-treated OVX rats than in OVX rats. BT/E2 treatment improved
      flow-mediated dilatation in small mesenteric resistance arteries of OVX rats.
      BT/E2 treatment restored the eNOS phosphorylation level and reversed the up
      regulation of NADPH oxidases and ROS overproduction in OVX rat aortae. ACh
      stimulated cGMP production was significantly elevated in the aortae from BT- and
      E2-treated rats compared with those from OVX rats. BT/E2 treatment reduced
      circulating levels of total cholesterol. CONCLUSIONS: The present study reveals
      the novel benefits of chronic BT consumption to reverse endothelial dysfunction
      and favorably modifying cholesterol profile in a rat model of estrogen deficiency
      and provides insights into developing BT as beneficial dietary supplements for
      postmenopausal women.

PMID- 26276556
TI  - A multi-centre pilot study of iodine status in UK schoolchildren, aged 8-10
      years.
AB  - PURPOSE: Iodine, as an essential constituent of thyroid hormones, is required for
      brain development. Iodine status is low in some UK population groups, notably in
      teenage girls, women of childbearing age and pregnant women. We aimed to assess
      iodine status of UK schoolchildren as there are no data on children below 14
      years of age. METHODS: Children (boys and girls) aged 8-10 years were recruited
      to a cross-sectional study from schools in three areas of the UK (Omagh, Northern
      Ireland; Glasgow, Scotland, and Guildford, South-East England). Spot urine
      samples, for measurement of urinary iodine concentration, were collected in the
      winter months (November 2012 to March 2013) and in the summer, in Omagh only
      (September 2013). A food frequency questionnaire was completed. RESULTS: A total
      of 168 schoolchildren provided 165 urine samples. The median urinary iodine
      concentration was 161 ug/L in winter samples (n = 134) and 127 ug/L in summer
      samples (n = 31). The median urinary iodine concentration for the whole group was
      144 ug/L, weighted to account for the unequal proportion of samples from the two
      seasons. The children are classified as iodine-sufficient by WHO criteria (100
      199 ug/L), even in the summer. Milk intake was positively associated with iodine
      status. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study suggests that iodine deficiency is unlikely
      to be a problem in UK children aged 8-10 years. This could be a result of higher
      intake of milk, the principal UK dietary iodine source, in this age group than in
      teenagers and adults. Further assessment of iodine status in a representative
      sample of UK schoolchildren is required.

PMID- 26276557
TI  - A consistent S-Adenosylmethionine force field improved by dynamic Hirshfeld-I
      atomic charges for biomolecular simulation.
AB  - S-Adenosylmethionine (AdoMet) is involved in many biological processes as
      cofactor in enzymes transferring its sulfonium methyl group to various
      substrates. Additionally, it is used as drug and nutritional supplement to reduce
      the pain in osteoarthritis and against depression. Due to the biological
      relevance of AdoMet it has been part of various computational simulation studies
      and will also be in the future. However, to our knowledge no rigorous force field
      parameter development for its simulation in biological systems has been reported.
      Here, we use electronic structure calculations combined with molecular dynamics
      simulations in explicit solvent to develop force field parameters compatible with
      the AMBER99 force field. Additionally, we propose new dynamic Hirshfeld-I atomic
      charges which are derived from the polarized electron density of AdoMet in
      aqueous solution to describe its electrostatic interactions in biological
      systems. The validation of the force field parameters and the atomic charges is
      performed against experimental interproton NOE distances of AdoMet in aqueous
      solution and crystal structures of AdoMet in the cavity of three representative
      proteins.

PMID- 26276560
TI  - Bone Health and Pelvic Radiotherapy.
AB  - Survivors who have received pelvic radiotherapy make up many of the long-term
      cancer population, with therapies for gynaecological, bowel, bladder and prostate
      malignancies. Individuals who receive radiotherapy to the pelvis as part of their
      cancer treatment are at risk of insufficiency fractures. Symptoms of
      insufficiency fractures include pelvic and back pain and immobility, which can
      affect substantially quality of life. This constellation of symptoms can occur
      within 2 months of radiotherapy up to 63 months post-treatment, with a median
      incidence of 6-20 months. As a condition it is under reported and evidence is
      poor as to the contributing risk factors, causation and best management to
      improve the patient's bone health and mobility. As radiotherapy advances, chronic
      symptoms, such as insufficiency fractures, as a consequence of treatment need to
      be better understood and reviewed. This overview explores the current evidence
      for the effect of radiotherapy on bone health and insufficiency fractures and
      identifies what we know and where gaps in our knowledge lie. The overview
      concludes with the need to take seriously complaints of pelvic pain from patients
      after pelvic radiotherapy and to investigate and manage these symptoms more
      effectively. There is a clear need for definitive research in this field to
      provide the evidence-based guidance much needed in practice. 

PMID- 26276558
TI  - Influence of Alpha and Gamma-Iron Oxide Nanoparticles on Marine Microalgae
      Species.
AB  - The effects of alpha-iron oxide (alpha-Fe2O3) and gamma-iron oxide (gamma-Fe2O3)
      nanoparticles (NPs) on marine microalgae species (Nannochloropsis sp. and
      Isochrysis sp.) were investigated in this study. Both Fe2O3 NPs covered the
      surface of algae with the agglomerates of the nanoparticles. This form of
      physical NP toxicity significantly decreased the sizes of phytoplankton. Both NPs
      were toxic to the tested algal species, while alpha-Fe2O3 showed less toxicity
      than gamma-Fe2O3 NPs for both algal species. A comparative analysis of growth
      data of the two algal species treated with alpha-Fe2O3 or gamma-Fe2O3 NPs
      revealed that Isochrysis sp. are more sensitive than Nannochloropsis sp. Toxicity
      of these widely used NPs to primary producers forming the base of the food chain
      in aquatic environments might result in widespread adverse effects on aquatic
      environmental health. 

PMID- 26276559
TI  - Prediction of basal metabolic rate in overweight/obese and non-obese subjects and
      its relation to pulmonary function tests.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Few studies investigated the association between basal metabolic rate
      (BMR) and indicators of pulmonary function. This study was conducted to estimate
      BMR in overweight/obese and non-obese healthy subjects using four commonly used
      predictive equations and to investigate its relation to the indicators of lung
      function tests (LFT). A cross sectional study was conducted in Tabuk University,
      Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. A total of 201 students (98 males and 103 females)
      participated in the study. Four different values of BMR were calculated for each
      participant using four different predictive equations (Harris-Benedict, Mifflin,
      FAO/WHO/UNU and Henry-Rees). A portable All-flow spirometer (Clement Clarke
      International, Harlow, UK) was used for measurements of LFT. RESULTS:
      Significantly higher values of spirometric indicators (p < 0.05) were found in
      males compared to females, except for FEF75 and FEF75-85. Mean BMR values
      predicted with the four equations were significantly higher in the males compared
      to the females and among the overweight/obese compared to the non-obese subjects
      (p < 0.05). The relation between mean BMR values and the indicators of LFT was
      statistically insignificant (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Mean values of LFT indicators
      are not related to the estimated values of BMR. A practical calculation of BMR
      based on direct measurement of oxygen consumption is recommended to confirm the
      absence of this association.

PMID- 26276561
TI  - 2,4-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-one (DIMBOA) inhibits
      trichothecene production by Fusarium graminearum through suppression of Tri6
      expression.
AB  - Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a devastating disease of wheat (Triticum aestivum
      L.) caused by a mycotoxigenic fungus Fusarium graminearum resulting in
      significantly decreased yields and accumulation of toxic trichothecenes in
      grains. We tested 7 major secondary metabolites from wheat for their effect on
      trichothecene production in liquid cultures of F. graminearum producing
      trichothecene 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol (15-ADON). 2,4-Dihydroxy-7-methoxy-2H-1,4
      benzoxazin-3(4H)-one (DIMBOA) benzoxazinoid completely abolished toxin production
      without any apparent effect on fungal growth. DIMBOA strongly affected the
      expression of Tri6, encoding a major transcriptional regulator of several genes
      of the trichothecene biosynthesis pathway. DIMBOA also repressed expression of
      Tri5, encoding trichodiene synthase, the first enzyme in the trichothecene
      biosynthesis pathway. Thus, DIMBOA could play an important role against the
      accumulation of trichothecenes in wheat grain. Breeding or engineering of wheat
      with increased levels of benzoxazinoids could provide varieties with increased
      resistance against trichothecene contamination of grain and lower susceptibility
      to FHB. 

PMID- 26276562
TI  - [Why screen for lung cancer in patients with arterial disease?].
AB  - Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death in France. Such a prognosis
      is explained by late diagnosis at a metastatic stage for half of the patients.
      Tobacco is the main risk factor for lung cancer, as it is for peripheral arterial
      disease. A review of literature shows that between 2.3% and 19% of patients with
      arterial disease also have lung cancer. When lung cancer is detected after
      treatment of arterial disease, it is at an advanced stage. But it can be
      diagnosed at an early stage when it is searched simultaneously with arterial
      disease treatment. There is no recommendation for lung cancer screening
      specifically for patients with arterial disease. However individual screening
      based on an annual low-dose chest scan is proposed for smokers meeting the
      criteria defined by the study of the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST). Such
      screening has two disadvantages : the high number of false positives and the
      irradiation induced by the accumulation of examinations. The ISET method would
      alternatively help to identify circulating tumor cells on a simple blood test for
      subjects not yet at solid tumor stage, provided this method be subject to
      multicentric validation. Thus one could consider that the management of a patient
      with arterial disease meeting NLST criteria should be accompanied with screening
      for lung cancer by searching for tumor cells associated with low-dose scanner. 

PMID- 26276563
TI  - Arsenic Trioxide Attenuates NF-kappaB and Cytokine mRNA Levels in the Livers of
      Cocks.
AB  - Arsenic (As) is a trace element widely found in nature. It exists in several
      forms, including organic arsenic, inorganic arsenic, and trivalent arsenic, the
      most toxic. Arsenic trioxide (As2O3) is widespread in nature. This form tends to
      accumulate in animals and humans and therefore has a potential harm for them.
      Cytokines play essential roles in the immune response and inflammation. Although
      the importance of cytokines in the responses to arsenic exposure has been
      demonstrated in many types of mammals, the function of these in poultry,
      especially in chickens, remains unclear. The purpose of the present study was to
      examine the effect of As2O3 exposure on cytokines in cock livers. In this study,
      72 1-day-old male Hy-line cocks were randomly divided into four groups including
      the control group, low-As group, middle-As group, and high-As group. The livers
      were collected on days 30, 60, and 90 of the experiment. The levels of nuclear
      factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin
      4 (IL-4), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-12 beta (IL
      12beta), and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta) mRNA in the livers of the cocks were
      measured using real-time PCR. The results showed that the expression levels of IL
      6, IL-8, TNF-alpha, and NF-kappaB which seemed to be a critical mediator in the
      inflammatory response tended to increase in the birds chronically treated with
      As2O3. However, the mRNA expression levels of IL-4, IL-12beta, and IL-1beta were
      decreased in the experiment. The information regarding the effects of As2O3 on
      cytokine mRNA expression generated in this study will be important information
      for arsenic toxicology evaluation.

PMID- 26276564
TI  - Mechanisms of Intracellular Calcium Homeostasis in MC3T3-E1 Cells and Bone
      Tissues of Sprague-Dawley Rats Exposed to Fluoride.
AB  - Calcium homeostasis of osteoblasts (OBs) has an important role in the physiology
      and pathology of bone tissue. In order to study the mechanisms of intracellular
      calcium homeostasis, MC3T3-E1 cells and Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with
      different concentrations of fluoride. Then, we examined intracellular-free
      calcium ion ([Ca(2+)]i) in MC3T3-E1 cells as well as mRNA and protein levels of
      Cav1.2, the main subunit of L-type voltage-dependent calcium channels (VDCCs),
      Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchange carriers (NCS), and plasma membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase (PMCA),
      inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) channels, sarco/endoplasmic
      reticulum calcium ATPase 2b (SERCA2b)/ATP2A2 in vitro, and rat bone tissues in
      vivo. Our results showed that [Ca(2+)]i of fluoride-treated OBs increased in a
      concentration-dependent manner with an increase in the concentration of fluoride.
      We also found that the low dose of fluoride led to high expression levels of
      Cav1.2, NCS-1, and PMCA and low expression levels of IP3R and SERCA2b/ATP2A2,
      while the high dose of fluoride induced an increase in SERCA2b/ATP2A2 levels and
      decrease in Cav1.2, PMCA, NCS-1, and IP3R levels. These results demonstrate that
      calcium channels and calcium pumps of plasma and endoplasmic reticulum (ER)
      membranes keep intracellular calcium homeostasis by regulating Cav1.2, NCS-1,
      PMCA, IP3R, and SERCA2b/ATP2A2 expression.

PMID- 26276565
TI  - Time and Concentration-Dependent Therapeutic Potential of Silver Nanoparticles in
      Cervical Carcinoma Cells.
AB  - Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have well-known anti-bacterial properties and have
      been widely used in daily life as various medical and general products. There is
      limited information available on the cytotoxicity of AgNPs. Therefore, the
      present study aimed to investigate the cytotoxicity of AgNPs in HeLa cells.
      Cytotoxicity and apoptosis have been observed in the AgNPs treated in the HeLa
      cells. Sulphorhodamine-B assay (SRB assay) showed the cytotoxic effect in the
      AgNP-treated HeLa cells. Inverted microscope, fluorescence microscope, and
      confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) analyses showed the apoptosis-induced
      morphological changes such as rounding in shape, nuclear fragmentation, cytoplasm
      reduction, loss of adhesion, and reduced cell volume. Necrosis and apoptosis were
      observed in the AgNP-treated HeLa cells by DNA fragmentation study. Mitochondria
      derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) have increased in AgNP-treated HeLa cells.
      Up-regulation of messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of p53, bax, and caspase 3 were
      found in AgNP-treated HeLa cells. Caspase 3 enzyme activity was found to increase
      in AgNP-treated HeLa cells. The AgNPs showed the right cytotoxic effect in
      cervical carcinoma cells. Our results suggest that metal-based nanoparticles
      might be a potential candidate for the treatment of cervical cancer. 

PMID- 26276566
TI  - Analysis of B-Raf[Formula: see text] inhibitors using 2D and 3D-QSAR, molecular
      docking and pharmacophore studies.
AB  - In the present work, a molecular modeling study was carried out using 2D and 3D
      quantitative structure-activity relationships for the various series of compounds
      known as B-Raf[Formula: see text] inhibitors. For 2D-QSAR analysis, a linear
      model was developed by MLR based on GA-OLS with appropriate results [Formula: see
      text], which was validated by several external validation techniques. To perform
      a 3D-QSAR analysis, CoMFA and CoMSIA methods were used. The selected CoMFA model
      could provide reliable statistical values [Formula: see text] based on the
      training set in the biases of the selected alignment. Using the same selected
      alignment, a statistically reliable CoMSIA model, out of thirty-one different
      combinations, was also obtained [Formula: see text]. The predictive accuracy of
      the derived models was rigorously evaluated with the external test set of
      nineteen compounds based on several validation techniques. Molecular docking
      simulations and pharmacophore analyses were also performed to derive the true
      conformations of the most potent inhibitors with B-Raf[Formula: see text] kinase.

PMID- 26276567
TI  - Comparison of adaptive statistical iterative and filtered back projection
      reconstruction techniques in quantifying coronary calcium.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR) has been used to
      reduce radiation dose in cardiac computed tomography. However, change of image
      parameters by ASIR as compared to filtered back projection (FBP) may influence
      quantification of coronary calcium. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of
      ASIR on calcium quantification in comparison to FBP. METHODS: In 352 patients, CT
      images were reconstructed using FBP alone, FBP combined with ASIR 30%, 50%, 70%,
      and ASIR 100% based on the same raw data. Image noise, plaque density, Agatston
      scores and calcium volumes were compared among the techniques. RESULTS: Image
      noise, Agatston score, and calcium volume decreased significantly with ASIR
      compared to FBP (each P < 0.001). Use of ASIR reduced Agatston score by 10.5% to
      31.0%. In calcified plaques both of patients and a phantom, ASIR decreased
      maximum CT values and calcified plaque size. CONCLUSION: In comparison to FBP,
      adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR) may significantly decrease
      Agatston scores and calcium volumes.

PMID- 26276568
TI  - The major acute phase proteins of bovine milk in a commercial dairy herd.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Milk acute phase proteins (APP) have been identified and show promise
      as biomarkers of mastitis. However analysis of their profile in dairy cows from a
      production herd is necessary in order to confirm their benefits in mastitis
      diagnosis. The profiles of milk haptoglobin (Hp), mammary associated serum
      amyloid A3 (M-SAA3) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were determined in 54 composite
      milk (milk from all functional quarters of a cow's udder collected in a common
      receptacle) samples (CMS) from a commercial dairy farm. Milk Hp was also
      determined in individual quarter milk (milk from a single udder quarter) samples
      (QMS) (n = 149) of the cows. An ELISA was developed and validated for the
      determination of milk Hp while commercial kits were used for M-SAA3 and CRP assay
      respectively. Composite milk APP results were compared with cow factors including
      parity, stage of lactation, percentage protein and fat as well as somatic cell
      counts (SCC). RESULTS: Composite milk Hp ranged from <0.4-55 MUg/ml with a median
      of 3.5 MUg/ml; composite milk M-SAA3 ranged from <0.6-50 MUg/ml and had a median
      of 1.2 MUg/ml, while CRP ranged from <1.80-173 ng/ml and had a median of 24.6
      ng/ml. Significant correlations were found between composite SCC and Hp (P-value
      <0.009) as well as parity and Hp (P < 0.009), but not between M-SAA3 and SCC, M
      SAA3 and Hp, M-SAA3 and CRP or M-SAA3 and parity. Milk CRP was correlated with %
      fat (P = 0.002) and % protein (P = 0.001) of the milk samples. The lack of
      correlation of SCC with the M-SAA3 and CRP could result from these APP being more
      sensitive to intra-mammary infection than SCC. Quarter milk Hp had a range of
      <0.4-420 MUg/ml with a median value of 3.6 MUg/ml, with 92 % of samples below 20
      MUg/ml. CONCLUSION: Baseline values of Hp, M-SAA3 and CRP were established in
      composite milk from cows with normal SCC on the dairy farm. Parity was recognized
      as a possible confounding factor when diagnosing mastitis using Hp. The value of
      the APP, Hp, M-SAA3 and CRP as substitutes or to complement SCC in indicating
      udder inflammation, was demonstrated.

PMID- 26276569
TI  - What are effective strategies for the implementation of care bundles on ICUs: a
      systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Care bundles have proven to be effective in improving clinical
      outcomes. It is not known which strategies are the most effective to implement
      care bundles. A systematic review was conducted to determine the strategies used
      to implement care bundles in adult intensive care units and to assess the effects
      of these strategies when implementing bundles. METHODS: The databases
      MEDLINE/PubMed, Ovid/Embase, CINAHL and CENTRAL were searched for eligible
      studies until January 31, 2015. Studies with (non)randomised designs on central
      line, ventilator or sepsis bundles were included if implementation strategies and
      bundle compliance were reported. Methodological quality was assessed by using the
      Downs and Black checklist. Data extraction and quality assessments were
      independently performed by two reviewers. RESULTS: In total, 1533 records were
      screened and 47 studies were finally included. In 49 %, pre/post designs were
      used, 38 % prospective cohorts, and the remaining studies used retrospective
      designs (6 %), interrupted time series (4 %) and longitudinal designs (2 %). The
      methodological quality was classified as 'fair' in 77 %, and the remaining as
      'good' (13 %) and 'poor' (11 %). The most frequently used strategies were
      education (86 %), reminders (71 %) and audit and feedback (63 %). Our results
      show that compliance is influenced by multiple factors, i.e. types and numbers of
      elements varied and different compliance measurements were reported. Furthermore,
      compliance was calculated within different time frames. Also, detailed
      information about compliance, such as numerators and denominators, was not
      reported. Therefore, recalculation of consistent monthly compliance levels was
      not possible. CONCLUSIONS: The three most frequently used strategies were
      education, reminders and audit and feedback. We conclude that the heterogeneity
      among the included studies was high due to the variety in study designs, number
      and types of elements and types of compliance measurements. Due to the
      heterogeneity of the data and the poor quality of the studies, conclusions about
      which strategy results in the highest levels of bundle compliance could not be
      determined. We strongly recommend that studies in quality improvement should be
      reported in a formalised way in order to be able to compare research findings. It
      is imperative that authors follow the standards for quality improvement reporting
      excellence (SQUIRE) guidelines whenever they report quality improvement studies.

PMID- 26276570
TI  - Systems biology study of mucopolysaccharidosis using a human metabolic
      reconstruction network.
AB  - Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) is a group of lysosomal storage diseases (LSD),
      characterized by the deficiency of a lysosomal enzyme responsible for the
      degradation of glycosaminoglycans (GAG). This deficiency leads to the lysosomal
      accumulation of partially degraded GAG. Nevertheless, deficiency of a single
      lysosomal enzyme has been associated with impairment in other cell mechanism,
      such as apoptosis and redox balance. Although GAG analysis represents the main
      biomarker for MPS diagnosis, it has several limitations that can lead to a
      misdiagnosis, whereby the identification of new biomarkers represents an
      important issue for MPS. In this study, we used a system biology approach,
      through the use of a genome-scale human metabolic reconstruction to understand
      the effect of metabolism alterations in cell homeostasis and to identify
      potential new biomarkers in MPS. In-silico MPS models were generated by silencing
      of MPS-related enzymes, and were analyzed through a flux balance and variability
      analysis. We found that MPS models used approximately 2286 reactions to satisfy
      the objective function. Impaired reactions were mainly involved in cellular
      respiration, mitochondrial process, amino acid and lipid metabolism, and ion
      exchange. Metabolic changes were similar for MPS I and II, and MPS III A to C;
      while the remaining MPS showed unique metabolic profiles. Eight and thirteen
      potential high-confidence biomarkers were identified for MPS IVB and VII,
      respectively, which were associated with the secondary pathologic process of LSD.
      In vivo evaluation of predicted intermediate confidence biomarkers (beta
      hexosaminidase and beta-glucoronidase) for MPS IVA and VI correlated with the in
      silico prediction. These results show the potential of a computational human
      metabolic reconstruction to understand the molecular mechanisms this group of
      diseases, which can be used to identify new biomarkers for MPS. 

PMID- 26276571
TI  - Correlation of cumulus gene expression of GJA1, PRSS35, PTX3, and SERPINE2 with
      oocyte maturation, fertilization, and embryo development.
AB  - BACKGROUND: GJA1 and PTX3 were proposed as gene markers for oocyte and embryo
      developmental competence, while SERPINE2 was reported to be associated with
      pregnancy outcome. PRSS35, which is exclusively expressed in the ovary, may be
      correlated with oocyte competence. This study was conducted to evaluate the
      correlation of cumulus GJA1, PRSS35, PTX3, and SERPINE2 gene expression levels
      with oocyte maturation, fertilization, and early embryo development. METHODS: In
      total, 308 cumulus cell samples separated from individual cumulus-oocyte complex
      were obtained from 40 patients undergoing the intracytoplasmic sperm injection
      treatment procedure. Gene expression levels (mRNA levels) in cumulus cells were
      assessed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Gene
      expression levels of GJA1 and SERPINE2 in cumulus cells surrounding mature
      oocytes were significantly lower than those in cumulus cells enclosing immature
      oocytes. PRSS35 mRNA levels in cumulus cells of fertilized oocytes were
      significantly higher than those in cumulus cells of unfertilized oocytes. GJA1
      and SERPINE2 seemed to express higher mRNA levels, while PRSS35 showed lower
      expression in cumulus cells of oocytes that developed into embryos with good
      morphology; however, the expression levels of all three genes and PTX3 showed no
      significant differences between embryos with good or poor morphology.
      CONCLUSIONS: GJA1 and SERPINE2 represent potential gene markers associated with
      oocyte maturation. PRSS35 may be correlated with oocyte fertilization potential.
      However, GJA1, PRSS35, PTX3, and SERPINE2 may not be considered as marker genes
      for predicting embryo morphology.

PMID- 26276572
TI  - Factors Associated With Early Improvement in Low Back Pain After Total Hip
      Arthroplasty: A Multi-Center Prospective Cohort Analyses.
AB  - This study identified factors associated with an improvement in low back pain
      (LBP) at six-month follow-up after total hip arthroplasty (THA). Data from a
      national registry of 3054 patients were analyzed. Factors under analysis included
      demographics, comorbid conditions, operative and nonoperative joint pain
      severity, physical function, and mental health. Differences in these factors
      between patients with and without improvement in LBP were examined. Among
      patients reporting severe or moderate LBP preoperatively, 56% improved 6 months
      after surgery. Patients without improvement were more likely to be on Medicare,
      have a high school education or less, have household income less than $45,000 and
      have one or more comorbid conditions. Patients with improvement in LBP
      experienced more resolution of pain in both the operative and nonoperative hip.

PMID- 26276573
TI  - Postural and Chronological Change in Pelvic Tilt Five Years After Total Hip
      Arthroplasty in Patients With Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip: A Three
      Dimensional Analysis.
AB  - The pelvis generally tilts to the posterior with movement from the supine to
      standing position, and with time after total hip arthroplasty (THA). This study
      aimed to investigate changes in pelvic tilt from the preoperative supine position
      to the standing position at 5 years after THA (pelvic change, PC). We measured
      pelvic tilt using a 2D-3D matching technique in 77 unilaterally affected patients
      who underwent primary THA. PC in 8% of all patients was <=-20 degrees , and the
      greatest PC was -25 degrees . In these patients, posterior pelvic tilt continued
      up to 5 years after THA. These patients were older, and their lumbo-lordotic
      angle was small. For such cases, cup orientation should be planned to account for
      continuous posterior change in pelvic tilt after THA.

PMID- 26276574
TI  - National Trends of Simple Prostatectomy for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia With an
      Analysis of Risk Factors for Adverse Perioperative Outcomes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine the national trends of simple prostatectomy (SP) for benign
      prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) focusing on perioperative outcomes and risk factors
      for complications. METHODS: The National Inpatient Sample (2002-2012) was
      utilized to identify patients with BPH undergoing SP. Analysis included
      demographics, hospital details, associated procedures, and operative approach
      (open, robotic, or laparoscopic). Outcomes included complications, length of
      stay, charges, and mortality. Multivariate logistic regression was used to
      determine the risk factors for perioperative complications. Linear regression was
      used to assess the trends in the national annual utilization of SP. RESULTS: The
      study population included 35,171 patients. Median length of stay was 4 days
      (interquartile range 3-6). Cystolithotomy was performed concurrently in 6041
      patients (17%). The overall complication rate was 28%, with bleeding occurring
      most commonly. In total, 148 (0.4%) patients experienced in-hospital mortality.
      On multivariate analysis, older age, black race, and overall comorbidity were
      associated with greater risk of complications while the use of a minimally
      invasive approach and concurrent cystolithotomy had a decreased risk. Over the
      study period, the national use of simple prostatectomy decreased, on average, by
      145 cases per year (P = .002). By 2012, 135/2580 procedures (5%) were performed
      using a minimally invasive approach. CONCLUSION: The nationwide utilization of SP
      for BPH has decreased. Bleeding complications are common, but perioperative
      mortality is low. Patients who are older, black race, or have multiple
      comorbidities are at higher risk of complications. Minimally invasive approaches,
      which are becoming increasingly utilized, may reduce perioperative morbidity.

PMID- 26276575
TI  - Instrument Life for Robot-assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy and Partial
      Nephrectomy: Are Ten Lives for Most Instruments Justified?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the rate of premature instrument exchange during robot
      assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALRP) and robot-assisted partial
      nephrectomy (RAPN). The majority of robotic instruments have a predetermined
      lifespan of 10 uses; however, it is unknown if instruments are routinely
      exchanged before 10 uses in clinical practice. METHODS: We retrospectively
      reviewed instrument use in consecutive RALRP and RAPN cases performed by high
      volume robotic surgeons at 1 tertiary care center between January 2011 and
      October 2014. The number of instruments used per case was evaluated and instances
      of additional instrument utilization were noted. Exchange number was compared
      between the first and second half of cases performed. Operative times were
      compared between cases with and without exchange. Student's t-test and Pearson's
      chi(2)-test were used to determine statistical significance. RESULTS: Three
      surgeons performed 1579 RALRP procedures and 2 surgeons performed 313 RAPN
      procedures. During RALRP, monopolar curved scissors required exchange in 12.4%
      cases. Other instruments were exchanged in less than 2% of cases. Exchange rates
      were similar to those for RAPN. Only exchange of Prograsp forceps decreased with
      increasing surgeon experience (P = .02) and instrument exchange did not lengthen
      operative times (P >.05 for all instruments). CONCLUSION: During RALRP and RAPN,
      monopolar curved scissors required exchange in approximately 10% of cases whereas
      other instruments were rarely exchanged. Robotic instrument lifetime may not
      uniformly be 10 uses. The preset lifetime of robotic instruments and/or pricing
      should be reevaluated.

PMID- 26276576
TI  - Thymosin beta4 induces proliferation, invasion, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal
      transition of oral squamous cell carcinoma.
AB  - The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a vital role in
      carcinogenesis, invasion, and metastasis of many epithelial tumors including oral
      squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), a common malignancy of the head and neck.
      However, the functional role of the actin-sequestering protein thymosin beta4
      (Tbeta4) in the EMT in OSCCs remains unclear. Thus, we investigated whether
      overexpression of Tbeta4 could induce in vitro tumorigenesis such as cell
      proliferation and anchorage independency and an EMT-like phenotype in OSCCs.
      Also, we examined whether it affects invasiveness and cell motility-associated
      signaling molecules. Tbeta4-overexpressing OSCCs, SCC-15_Tbeta4 and SCC
      25_Tbeta4, enhanced cell proliferation and colony formation. In addition, we
      observed that Tbeta4 overexpression induced an EMT-like phenotype, accompanied by
      a decrease in expression of the epithelial cell marker E-cadherin and an increase
      in expression of mesenchymal cell markers vimentin and N-cadherin. Also, the
      expression level of Twist1, an EMT-inducing transcription factor, was
      significantly enhanced in SCC-15_Tbeta4 and SCC-25_Tbeta4 cells. Tbeta4
      overexpression augmented in vitro invasion and MMP-2 activity and enhanced the
      phosphorylation of paxillin and cortactin and expression of LIMK1. Taken
      together, these results suggest that Tbeta4 overexpression could be one of the
      causes of tumorigenesis and progression in OSCCs. Further investigation on the
      Tbeta4 molecule would encourage the development of specific targets for cancer
      treatment. 

PMID- 26276577
TI  - Austromegabalanus psittacus barnacle shell structure and proteoglycan
      localization and functionality.
AB  - Comparative analyzes of biomineralization models have being crucial for the
      understanding of the functional properties of biominerals and the elucidation of
      the processes through which biomacromolecules control the synthesis and
      structural organization of inorganic mineral-based biomaterials. Among calcium
      carbonate-containing bioceramics, egg, mollusk and echinoderm shells, and
      crustacean carapaces, have being fairly well characterized. However, Thoraceca
      barnacles, although being crustacea, showing molting cycle, build a quite stable
      and heavily mineralized shell that completely surround the animal, which is for
      life firmly cemented to the substratum. This makes barnacles an interesting model
      for studying processes of biomineralization. Here we studied the main
      microstructural and ultrastructural features of Austromegabalanus psittacus
      barnacle shell, characterize the occurrence of specific proteoglycans (keratan-,
      dermatan- and chondroitin-6-sulfate proteoglycans) in different soluble and
      insoluble organic fractions extracted from the shell, and tested them for their
      ability to crystallize calcium carbonate in vitro. Our results indicate that, in
      the barnacle model, proteoglycans are good candidates for the modification of the
      calcite crystal morphology, although the cooperative effect of some additional
      proteins in the shell could not be excluded. 

PMID- 26276578
TI  - Trophic ecology, behaviour and host population dynamics in Echinococcus
      multilocularis transmission.
AB  - The life cycle of the cestode Echinococcus multilocularis primarily involves
      canids and small mammals (rodents, lagomorphs) as definitive and intermediate
      hosts, respectively. Several surveys have identified marked temporal and
      geographical variations at different scales in the parasite's prevalence in both
      types of hosts, suggesting variations in the biological and ecological factors
      that control transmission processes. The parasite transmission from intermediate
      to definitive hosts is determined by the predator-prey relationship, which
      theoretically depends on prey population dynamics and the complex dietary
      response of predators to varying densities of prey species and other food items.
      Parasite eggs are transmitted to intermediate hosts via carnivore faeces, whose
      distribution in the environment is driven by the defecating behaviour of final
      hosts. We reviewed field-based studies that address issues related to the trophic
      ecology and behaviour of definitive hosts, interactions between definitive and
      intermediate hosts, and E. multilocularis transmission both in wild and domestic
      animals in rural and urban environments. Two density-dependent mechanisms control
      the transmission dynamics in definitive hosts: one is based on the variations in
      the availability of intermediate hosts, and the other is based on the variations
      in the density of the definitive host and its faeces. Non-linearity and the
      direct and delayed responses of definitive host contamination in relation to
      intermediate host population variations were recorded. The dietary response of
      the red fox was shown to be complex when abundant alternative resources were
      available (anthropogenic food, multiple intermediate host prey species). Micro
      local hotspots of parasite transmission to intermediate hosts in a landscape, as
      well as areas of higher risk for human contamination in village and urban
      settings, may be explained by the definitive hosts' activity patterns and
      defecation behaviour. 

PMID- 26276579
TI  - Evaluation of an ELISA using recombinant Sslambda20DeltaB3 antigen for the
      serological diagnosis of Sarcoptes scabiei infestation in domestic and wild
      rabbits.
AB  - An ELISA, based on the Sarcoptes scabiei Sslambda20DeltaB3 inmunodominant
      antigen, was evaluated for the detection of antibodies to S. scabiei in
      experimentally infested (n=10), farm (n=109), and wild (n=78) rabbit sera. The S.
      scabiei antigen Sslambda20DeltaB3, a major structural protein present over the
      entire mite's body, was produced as a recombinant protein in Escherichia coli and
      purified for its use in the ELISA. The resulting ELISA showed, in experimentally
      infested domestic rabbits, detectable specific antibody responses (IgG) above the
      cut off level from week three post-infestation indicating that the assay is able
      to detect positive rabbits very early during the course of the infestation. The
      ELISA was validated on a panel of 109 domestic breeding rabbit sera collected
      from 26 Spanish farms, of which 41 were obtained from rabbits with skin lesions
      compatible with sarcoptic mange, 26 with skin lesions compatible with psoroptic
      mange, and 42 from unexposed individuals from mange-free farms. The ELISA in this
      group was characterized by 95% sensitivity, 97% specificity, and a high degree of
      repeatability. In the psoroptic mange compatible lesions group, included in the
      study as control group for cross-reactivity with the closely related mite
      Psoroptes cuniculi, cross-reacting antibodies to Sslambda20DeltaB3 S. scabiei
      antigen were detected in 42.30% of the rabbit sera. However, mean% OD values of
      the sarcoptic-mange group (55.61 +/- 39.20%) were significantly higher (p<0.001)
      than OD values of the psoroptic-mange (3.64% +/- 5.4%) and also of the free-mange
      (0.21% +/- 0.67%) groups. In addition, the ELISA was also evaluated in serum
      samples obtained from both naturally infested and non-infested wild rabbits from
      Mallorca Island. The sensitivity of the assay for this group was 100% (4 out of
      the 4 rabbits with sarcoptic mange compatible lesions and presence of S. scabiei
      mites were seropositive) and the specificity was 90% (67 out of 74 wild rabbits
      without detectable mange lesions were seronegative). Although, the total number
      of tested samples from experimentally infested, farm and wild rabbits was
      limited, our study showed that the ELISA is able to differentiate between
      infested and non-infested animals in all tested groups with very high sensitivity
      and specificity indicating that recombinant Sslambda20DeltaB3 is a reliable
      diagnostic antigen. This assay might be a cost-effective tool for detecting the
      presence of mangy animals and therefore helping prevent spread of mange among
      domestic rabbits, reducing potential transmission from female breeding rabbits to
      other farms, and detecting infestation with sarcoptic mange in the wild.

PMID- 26276580
TI  - Patterns of faecal nematode egg shedding after treatment of sheep with a long
      acting formulation of moxidectin.
AB  - Much of the current information on the effects of long-acting anthelmintics on
      nematode populations derives either from research farms or mathematical models. A
      survey was performed with the aim of establishing how moxidectin is currently
      being used on sheep farms in the south-east of Scotland. A study was undertaken
      on a subsection of the surveyed farms to examine the effects of long-acting
      moxidectin treatments in both spring and autumn on faecal nematode egg output.
      The survey showed that whole flock treatments of injectable 2% moxidectin were
      used to control sheep scab on 21% of farms. Injectable 2% moxidectin and oral
      moxidectin were used to control the periparturient rise in faecal nematode egg
      shedding by ewes on 13% and 55% of farms respectively. The effects of injectable
      2% moxidectin treatment on faecal nematode egg shedding post-treatment in both
      the autumn and spring were investigated by faecal nematode egg counts at the time
      of treatment and at 2-weekly interval thereafter on eight and six farms in the
      autumn and spring, respectively. Faecal egg shedding recommenced at 8 weeks
      (autumn) and 4 weeks (spring) post-treatment. Counts increased to a peak and then
      declined. The mean (95% confidence interval) peak counts post-treatment were 2.8
      (0.6, 5.1), 3.6 (1.7, 5.5) and 53.5 (25.1, 82.0) eggs per gram (EPG) for autumn
      treated ewes, autumn-treated lambs and spring-treated ewes respectively. The
      spring treated sheep showed a statistically significantly earlier return to
      faecal egg shedding (p=0.0125, p=0.0342) compared to both other groups,
      statistically significantly higher peak in egg counts than the autumn treated
      sheep (p<0.001) and a statistically significantly longer period of positive egg
      counts (p=0.0148). There was no statistically significant difference in the
      timing of the peak FECs between autumn and spring (p=0.211). The FECs of all
      groups of sheep treated with an injectable long-acting formulation of moxidectin
      became positive earlier than would be expected from the period of persistence
      given on the datasheet, but post-treatment FECs were very low compared to pre
      treatment counts. 

PMID- 26276581
TI  - A New Rapid In Vitro Assay for Assessing Reactivity of Acyl Glucuronides.
AB  - Idiosyncratic drug toxicity is a major challenge for the pharmaceutical industry
      since complex and multifactorial steps are involved, the dose-dependency is
      unclear, and its occurrence is not reliably predictable. Whereas the exact
      mechanisms leading to idiosyncratic toxicity remain elusive in many cases, there
      are often hints at the involvement of reactive metabolites, such as acyl
      glucuronides formed by conjugation of carboxylic acids with glucuronic acid.
      Because the patient-related susceptibilities leading to idiosyncratic toxicity
      are not sufficiently understood, the best option for the pharmaceutical industry
      is to minimize drug-related risk factors such as potential acyl glucuronide
      formation. Here, we describe a rapid in vitro assay for the assessment of the
      reactivity of acyl glucuronides, on the basis of acyl glucuronide migration, that
      can support the selection of low-risk drug candidates in the drug discovery
      phase. Twenty marketed compounds with a wide range of half-lives were tested,
      their acyl glucuronide migration rates were determined and compared with the half
      lives of the respective acyl glucuronides. Ranking of acyl glucuronide stability
      using this method compared well with the results from existing methodologies.
      With this method, migration rates >20% would indicate higher risk of reactivity.
      This simpler approach using the acyl glucuronide migration rate is not dependent
      on authentic standards, therefore eliminating the requirement for either lengthy
      chemical synthesis or in vitro biosynthesis and purification of the 1-O-beta
      glucuronide. This methodology provides a rapid in vitro assay to assess acyl
      glucuronide stability and reactivity that is well suited for use early in the
      drug discovery phase. 

PMID- 26276583
TI  - Water Encapsulation Control in Individual Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes by Laser
      Irradiation.
AB  - Owing to one-dimensionality, nanoscale curvature, and high chemical stability,
      single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) have unique surfaces for gas molecules:
      outer surface as adsorption (exohedral) site and inner surface that provides
      encapsulation (endohedral) space. Because as-grown SWNTs have different structure
      (chirality and diameter) and they are normally bundled, it is extremely difficult
      to investigate the intrinsic properties of SWNTs as adsorbent. Here we
      demonstrate controlling adsorption and encapsulation states of water in
      individual suspended SWNTs using laser irradiation with monitoring of their
      behavior by photoluminescence measurement and perform molecular dynamics
      simulation. The laser heating and the pressure control make water molecules
      encapsulated or ejected for SWNTs, which are individually oxidized and opened
      with laser heating. The precise control of oxidization makes it possible to
      observe the cluster formation of water molecules during the encapsulation process
      and to confine water molecules inside SWNTs even in vacuum. 

PMID- 26276584
TI  - Self-Organized Traveling Chemo-Hydrodynamic Fingers Triggered by a Chemical
      Oscillator.
AB  - Pulsatile chemo-hydrodynamic patterns due to a coupling between an oscillating
      chemical reaction and buoyancy-driven hydrodynamic flows can develop when two
      solutions of separate reactants of the Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction are put in
      contact in the gravity field and conditions for chemical oscillations are met in
      the contact zone. In regular oscillatory conditions, localized periodic changes
      in the concentration of intermediate species induce pulsatile density gradients,
      which, in turn, generate traveling convective fingers breaking the transverse
      symmetry. These patterns are the self-organized result of a genuine coupling
      between chemical and hydrodynamic modes. 

PMID- 26276582
TI  - Fasiglifam (TAK-875) Inhibits Hepatobiliary Transporters: A Possible Factor
      Contributing to Fasiglifam-Induced Liver Injury.
AB  - Fasiglifam (TAK-875), a selective G-protein-coupled receptor 40 agonist, was
      developed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus; however, its development
      was terminated in phase III clinical trials because of liver safety concerns. Our
      preliminary study indicated that intravenous administration of 100 mg/kg of TAK
      875 increased the serum total bile acid concentration by 3 to 4 times and total
      bilirubin levels by 1.5 to 2.6 times in rats. In the present study, we examined
      the inhibitory effects of TAK-875 on hepatobiliary transporters to explore the
      mechanisms underlying its hepatotoxicity. TAK-875 decreased the biliary excretion
      index and the in vitro biliary clearance of d8-taurocholic acid in sandwich
      cultured rat hepatocytes, suggesting that TAK-875 impaired biliary excretion of
      bile acids, possibly by inhibiting bile salt export pump (Bsep). TAK-875
      inhibited the efflux transporter multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (Mrp2)
      in rat hepatocytes using 5 (and 6)-carboxy-2',7'-dichlorofluorescein as a
      substrate. Inhibition of MRP2 was further confirmed by reduced transport of
      vinblastine in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells overexpressing MRP2 with IC50
      values of 2.41 MUM. TAK-875 also inhibited the major bile acid uptake transporter
      Na(+)/taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (Ntcp), which transports d8
      taurocholic acid into rat hepatocytes, with an IC50 value of 10.9 MUM. TAK-875
      significantly inhibited atorvastatin uptake in organic anion transporter protein
      (OATP) 1B1 and OATP1B3 cells with IC50 values of 2.28 and 3.98 MUM, respectively.
      These results indicate that TAK-875 inhibited the efflux transporter MRP2/Mrp2
      and uptake transporters Ntcp and OATP/Oatp, which may affect bile acid and
      bilirubin homeostasis, resulting in hyperbilirubinemia and cholestatic
      hepatotoxicity.

PMID- 26276585
TI  - In Situ and Real-Time SFG Measurements Revealing Organization and Transport of
      Cholesterol Analogue 6-Ketocholestanol in a Cell Membrane.
AB  - Cholesterol organization and transport within a cell membrane are essential for
      human health and many cellular functions yet remain elusive so far. Using
      cholesterol analogue 6-ketocholestanol (6-KC) as a model, we have successfully
      exploited sum frequency generation vibrational spectroscopy (SFG-VS) to track the
      organization and transport of cholesterol in a membrane by combining achiral
      sensitive ssp (ppp) and chiral-sensitive psp polarization measurements. It is
      found that 6-KC molecules are aligned at the outer leaflet of the DMPC lipid
      bilayer with a tilt angle of about 10 degrees . 6-KC organizes itself by forming
      an alpha-beta structure at low 6-KC concentration and most likely a beta-beta
      structure at high 6-KC concentration. Among all proposed models, our results
      favor the so-called umbrella model with formation of a 6-KC cluster. Moreover, we
      have found that the long anticipated flip-flop motion of 6-KC in the membrane
      takes time to occur, at least much longer than previously thought. All of these
      interesting findings indicate that it is critical to explore in situ, real-time,
      and label-free methodologies to obtain a precise molecular description of
      cholesterol's behavior in membranes. This study represents the first application
      of SFG to reveal the cholesterol-lipid interaction mechanism at the molecular
      level. 

PMID- 26276586
TI  - Surface Tension of Supercooled Water: No Inflection Point down to -25  degrees C.
AB  - A dramatic increase in the surface tension of water with decreasing temperature
      in the supercooled liquid region has appeared as one of the many anomalies of
      water. This claimed anomaly characterized by the second inflection point at about
      +1.5  degrees C was observed in older surface tension data and was partially
      supported by some molecular simulations and theoretical considerations. In this
      study, two independent sets of experimental data for the surface tension of water
      in the temperature range between +33 and -25  degrees C are reported. The two
      data sets are mutually consistent, and they lie on a line smoothly extrapolating
      from the stable region. No second inflection point and no other anomalies in the
      course of the surface tension were observed. The new data lies very close to the
      extrapolated IAPWS correlation for the surface tension of ordinary water, which
      hence can be recommended for use, e.g., in atmospheric modeling. 

PMID- 26276587
TI  - Chloride Inclusion and Hole Transport Material Doping to Improve Methyl Ammonium
      Lead Bromide Perovskite-Based High Open-Circuit Voltage Solar Cells.
AB  - Low-cost solar cells with high VOC, relatively small (EG - qVOC), and high
      qVOC/EG ratio, where EG is the absorber band gap, are long sought after,
      especially for use in tandem cells or other systems with spectral splitting. We
      report a significant improvement in CH3NH3PbBr3-based cells, using CH3NH3PbBr3
      xClx, with EG = 2.3 eV, as the absorber in a mesoporous p-i-n device
      configuration. By p-doping an organic hole transport material with a deep HOMO
      level and wide band gap to reduce recombination, the cell's VOC increased to 1.5
      V, a 0.2 V increase from our earlier results with the pristine Br analogue with
      an identical band gap. At the same time, in the most efficient devices, the
      current density increased from ~1 to ~4 mA/cm(2). 

PMID- 26276588
TI  - Reversibility of Pt-Skin and Pt-Skeleton Nanostructures in Acidic Media.
AB  - Following a well-defined series of acid and heat treatments on a benchmark
      Pt3Co/C sample, three different nanostructures of interest for the
      electrocatalysis of the oxygen reduction reaction were tailored. These
      nanostructures could be sorted into the "Pt-skin" structure, made of one pure Pt
      overlayer, and the "Pt-skeleton" structure, made of 2-3 Pt overlayers surrounding
      the Pt-Co alloy core. Using a unique combination of high-resolution aberration
      corrected STEM-EELS, XRD, EXAFS, and XANES measurements, we provide atomically
      resolved pictures of these different nanostructures, including measurement of the
      Pt-shell thickness forming in acidic media and the resulting changes of the bulk
      and core chemical composition. It is shown that the Pt-skin is reverted toward
      the Pt-skeleton upon contact with acid electrolyte. This change in structure
      causes strong variations of the chemical composition. 

PMID- 26276589
TI  - Can Metal-Organic Framework Separate 1-Butene from Butene Isomers?
AB  - The separation of 1-butene from the other isomers is an industrially important
      but challenging task because these isomers mainly differ only by the position of
      C?C double bond with many of their physical properties very similar. In this
      work, we propose using first-principles calculations that Fe-MOF-74 can be a
      promising candidate for the separation of 1-butene from all other isomers with
      high selectivity. We demonstrate that the underlying mechanism of this olefin
      separation is the steric interactions; that is, 1-butene with terminal double
      bond has the smallest steric interactions with the framework and therefore can
      approach the metal binding sites more closely for stronger pi-complexation. This
      combined effect (pi-complexation modulated by steric interactions) in MOFs with
      open metal sites can offer a promising design strategy for difficult separation
      of even longer olefin isomers by properly engineering the lengths and functional
      groups of the MOF linkers. 

PMID- 26276590
TI  - Cerium-Doped Zirconium Dioxide, a Visible-Light-Sensitive Photoactive Material of
      Third Generation.
AB  - The dispersion of small amounts of Ce(4+) ions in the bulk of ZrO2 leads to a
      photoactive material sensitive to visible light. This is shown by monitoring with
      EPR the formation and the reactivity of photogenerated (lambda > 420 nm) charge
      carriers. The effect, as confirmed by DFT calculations, is due to the presence in
      the solid of empty 4f Ce states at the mid gap, which act as intermediate levels
      in a double excitation mechanism. This solid can be considered an example of a
      third-generation photoactive material. 

PMID- 26276591
TI  - Reaction Pathway for Oxygen Reduction on FeN4 Embedded Graphene.
AB  - The detailed reaction pathways for oxygen reduction on FeN4 embedded graphene
      have been investigated using density functional theory transition-state
      calculations. Our first-principles calculation results show that all of the
      possible ORR elementary reactions could take place within a small region around
      the embedded FeN4 complex. It is predicted that the kinetically most favorable
      reaction pathway for ORR on the FeN4 embedded graphene would be a four-electron
      OOH dissociation pathway, in which the rate-determining step is found to be the
      OOH dissociation reaction with an activation energy of 0.56 eV. Consequently, our
      theoretical study suggests that nonprecious FeN4 embedded graphene could possess
      catalytic activity for ORR comparable to that of precious Pt catalysts. 

PMID- 26276592
TI  - IR, NIR, and UV Absorption Spectroscopy of C60(2+) and C60(3+) in Neon Matrixes.
AB  - C60(2+) and C60(3+) were produced by electron-impact ionization of sublimed C60
      and charge-state-selectively codeposited onto a gold mirror substrate held at 5 K
      together with neon matrix gas containing a few percent of the electron scavengers
      CO2 or CCl4. This procedure limits charge-changing of the incident fullerene
      projectiles during matrix isolation. IR, NIR, and UV-vis spectra were then
      measured. Ten IR absorptions of C60(2+) were identified. C60(3+) was observed to
      absorb in the NIR region close to the known vibronic bands of C60(+). UV spectra
      of C60, C60(+), and C60(2+) were almost indistinguishable, consistent with a
      plasmon-like nature of their UV absorptions. The measurements were supported by
      DFT and TDDFT calculations, revealing that C60(2+) has a singlet D5d ground state
      whereas C60(3+) forms a doublet of Ci symmetry. The new results may be of
      interest regarding the presence of C60(2+) and C60(3+) in space. 

PMID- 26276593
TI  - X-ray Crystal Structure and Theoretical Analysis of Au25-xAgx(SCH2CH2Ph)18(-)
      Alloy.
AB  - The atomic arrangement of Au and Ag atoms in Au25-xAgx(SR)18 was determined by X
      ray crystallography. Ag atoms were selectively incorporated in the 12 vertices of
      the icosahedral core. The central atom and the metal atoms in the six [-SR-Au-SR
      Au-SR-] units were exclusively gold, with 100% Au occupancy. The composition of
      the crystals determined by X-ray crystallography was Au18.3Ag6.7(SCH2CH2Ph)18.
      This composition is in reasonable agreement with the composition
      Au18.8Ag6.2(SCH2CH2Ph)18 measured by electrospray mass spectrometry. The
      structure can be described in terms of shells as Au1@Au5.3Ag6.7@6*[-SR-Au-SR-Au
      SR-]. Density functional theory calculations show that the electronic structure
      and optical absorption spectra are sensitive to the silver atom arrangement
      within the nanocluster. 

PMID- 26276594
TI  - Atomic Scale Identification of Coexisting Graphene Structures on Ni(111).
AB  - Through a combined scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and density functional
      theory (DFT) approach, we provide a full characterization of the different
      chemisorbed configurations of epitaxial graphene coexisting on the Ni(111) single
      crystal surface. Top-fcc, top-hcp, and top-bridge are found to be stable
      structures with comparable adsorption energy. By comparison of experiments and
      simulations, we solve an existing debate, unambiguously distinguishing these
      configurations in high-resolution STM images and characterizing the transitions
      between adjacent domains. Such transitions, described in detail through atomistic
      models, occur not only via sharp domain boundaries, with extended defects, but
      predominantly via smooth in-plane distortions of the carbon network, without
      disruption of the hexagonal rings, which are expected not to significantly affect
      electron transport. 

PMID- 26276595
TI  - CCl Radicals As a Carbon Source for Diamond Thin Film Deposition.
AB  - We use first-principles quantum mechanical calculations to study diamond thin
      film growth on the (100) surface using CCl radicals as the carbon source. Our
      results show that CCl inserts into the surface dimer C-C bonds with a barrier of
      10.5 kcal/mol, roughly half of the energy required for traditional CH2 insertion
      (22.0 kcal/mol). In addition to this, CCl has improved surface mobility (~30.0
      kcal/mol barrier, versus 35 kcal/mol for CH2, along the C-C dimer chain
      direction), and hydrogen abstraction from the surface is also favored via atomic
      Cl in the vapor phase. These results explain the lower substrate temperatures
      achieved in crystal diamond growth from the use of chlorinated sources in CVD
      processes, as opposed to the more traditional CH4/H2 derived species. Our results
      also suggest that further reductions in substrate temperatures are possible from
      using CCl as the only carbon source. 

PMID- 26276596
TI  - Stability of NNO and NPO Nanotube Crystals.
AB  - We combine the USPEX evolution searching method with density functional theory
      using dispersion corrections (DFT-ulg) to predict the crystal structure of the
      NNO extended solid at high pressures (from 100 to 500 GPa). We find that the NNO
      nanotube (with diameter ~ 2.5 A) is the most stable form above 180 GPa. We report
      here the stability, electronic properties, and mechanical properties of this
      novel nanotube and show that it is stable above 20 GPa. To find a similar
      structure that might be stable at ambient conditions, we considered the NPO tube
      and show that it is stable at zero pressure. The NPO phase leads to an insulator
      to metal transition at 25 GPa, where the PP van der Waals distance approaches the
      covalent bond distance. The energy content of this NPO nanotube crystal is 10.6
      kJ/g, which is 152% higher than that of TNT and 86% higher than that of the HMX
      energetic material. This is the first example of a structural energetic material,
      which could have important applications in igniters, incendiaries, screening
      smoke ammunition, and similar devices. This process illustrates how materials
      discovery in extreme conditions can be used to discover and stabilize novel
      structures. 

PMID- 26276597
TI  - Solid-State Mesostructured Perovskite CH3NH3PbI3 Solar Cells: Charge Transport,
      Recombination, and Diffusion Length.
AB  - We report on the effect of TiO2 film thickness on charge transport and
      recombination in solid-state mesostructured perovskite CH3NH3PbI3 (via one-step
      coating) solar cells using spiro-MeOTAD as the hole conductor. Intensity
      modulated photocurrent/photovoltage spectroscopies show that the transport and
      recombination properties of solid-state mesostructured perovskite solar cells are
      similar to those of solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells. Charge transport in
      perovskite cells is dominated by electron conduction within the mesoporous TiO2
      network rather than from the perovskite layer. Although no significant film
      thickness dependence is found for transport and recombination, the efficiency of
      perovskite cells increases with TiO2 film thickness from 240 nm to about 650-850
      nm owing primarily to the enhanced light harvesting. Further increasing film
      thickness reduces cell efficiency associated with decreased fill factor or
      photocurrent density. The electron diffusion length in mesostructured perovskite
      cells is longer than 1 MUm for over four orders of magnitude of light intensity. 

PMID- 26276598
TI  - ACS on Campus in India - 2013.

PMID- 26276599
TI  - Spin-Crossover Anticooperativity Induced by Weak Intermolecular Interactions.
AB  - As a rule, rational design of cooperative spin-crossover (SCO) molecular switches
      is largely based on consideration of sizes and structures of individual building
      blocks, whereas a meticulous analysis of crystal packing, including the weakest
      intermolecular interactions, is often assumed to play a secondary role or is even
      fully neglected. By investigating cobalt(II) clathrochelates, which do not change
      the molecular volume upon SCO, we showed that even weak (1.2 kcal/mol) pi...Cl
      intermolecular interactions can cause a pronounced anticooperativity of SCO,
      being more gradual in the solid state than in solution. Our results clearly
      demonstrate that the "chemical pressure" concept is not as general as it is
      thought to be, and the successful design of molecular switches requires in-depth
      analysis of intermolecular interactions, however weak they seem. 

PMID- 26276600
TI  - Adapting Ruthenium Sensitizers to Cobalt Electrolyte Systems.
AB  - In this work, we report the use of bulky substitutions in a new heteroleptic
      ruthenium(II) bipyridine complex, Ru(NCS)2LL', coded TT-230 to obtain high open
      circuit potential in a dye-sensitized solar cell (where L is a bipyridine ligand
      appended with two cyclopenta(2,1-b;3,4-bA)dithiophene moieties, and L' = 4,4,'
      dicarboxylic acid 2,2'-bipyridine). The electrolytes based on cobalt complexes
      have shown significant advantages in terms of attainable open-circuit potential
      compared to the standard iodide/tri-iodide redox mediators. These merits of the
      cobalt complexes were previously realized with a porphyrin sensitizer, achieving
      a VOC greater than 1 V in DSC. However, with conventional Ru(II)-polypyridyl
      complexes such as the C101 dye, similar increase in the VOC could not be attained
      due to the enhanced recombination. In this work, we have shown that the use of
      bulky substituents can prevent the back reaction of photogenerated electron and
      subsequently increase the open-circuit potential of the device. The recombination
      processes were investigated by transient photovoltage decay measurements. 

PMID- 26276601
TI  - Structural Dynamics of Hydrated Phospholipid Surfaces Probed by Ultrafast 2D
      Spectroscopy of Phosphate Vibrations.
AB  - The properties of biomembranes depend in a decisive way on interactions of
      phospholipids with hydrating water molecules. To map structural dynamics of a
      phospholipid-water interface on the length and time scale of molecular motions,
      we introduce the phospholipid symmetric and asymmetric phosphate stretch
      vibrations as probes of interfacial hydrogen bonds and electrostatic
      interactions. The first two-dimensional infrared spectra of such modes and a line
      shape analysis by density matrix theory reveal two distinct structural dynamics
      components; the first 300 fs contribution is related to spatial fluctuations of
      charged phospholipid head groups with additional water contributions at high
      hydration levels; the second accounts for water-phosphate hydrogen bonds
      persisting longer than 10 ps. Our results reveal a relatively rigid hydration
      shell around phosphate groups, a behavior relevant for numerous biomolecular
      systems. 

PMID- 26276602
TI  - Freezing of Molecular Motions Probed by Cryogenic Magic Angle Spinning NMR.
AB  - Cryogenic magic angle spinning makes it possible to obtain the NMR spectra of
      solids at temperatures low enough to freeze out most molecular motions. We have
      applied cryogenic magic angle spinning NMR to a crystalline small-molecule solid
      (ibuprofen sodium salt), which displays a variety of molecular dynamics. Magic
      angle (13)C NMR spectra are shown for a wide range of temperatures, including in
      the cryogenic regime down to 20 K. The hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions of the
      molecular structure display different behavior in the cryogenic regime, with the
      hydrophilic region remaining well-structured, while the hydrophobic region
      exhibits a broad frozen conformational distribution. 

PMID- 26276603
TI  - Amyloid Aggregation: Role of Biological Membranes and the Aggregate-Membrane
      System.
AB  - Several human degenerative diseases involve amyloidogenic peptides/proteins with
      high conformational plasticity and propensity to self-aggregate into polymeric
      fibrillar assemblies sharing the cross-beta structure and endowed with cytotoxic
      potential. Although the mechanisms of amyloid growth and toxicity are not fully
      understood, a common property of amyloids is their ability to interact with lipid
      bilayers disturbing membrane integrity. Lipid bilayers can also act as
      conformational catalysts, favoring protein misfolding and inducing the growth of
      aggregation nuclei, early oligomers, and mature fibrils with specific
      biophysical, structural, and toxicity features. This Perspective will highlight
      these effects in the context of a membrane-oligomer system where the
      conformational/biophysical features of either component affect those of the
      other. In this context, we will highlight the modulation of the protein-cell
      surface interaction by the content of membrane cholesterol and gangliosides,
      notably GM1. In particular, we will discuss data that indicate how these
      interactions affect the structural and stability properties of both protein and
      bilayers as well as the final cytotoxic effect. Our goal is to propose shared
      membrane-based mechanisms that could apply to any amyloidogenic peptide/protein,
      providing a biochemical background for amyloid growth and toxicity. 

PMID- 26276604
TI  - Vibrational Dynamics of Interfacial Water by Free Induction Decay Sum Frequency
      Generation (FID-SFG) at the Al2O3(1120)/H2O Interface.
AB  - The dephasing dynamics of a vibrational coherence may reveal the interactions of
      chemical functional groups with their environment. To investigate this process at
      a surface, we employ free induction decay sum frequency generation (FID-SFG) to
      measure the time that it takes for free OH stretch oscillators at the charged (pH
      ~ 13, KOH) interface of alumina/water (Al2O3/H2O) to lose their collective
      coherence. By employing noncollinear optical parametric amplification (NOPA)
      technology and nonlinear vibrational spectroscopy, we showed that the single free
      OH peak actually corresponds to two distinct oscillators oriented opposite to
      each other and measured the total dephasing time, T2, of the free OH stretch
      modes at the Al2O3/H2O interface with a sub-40 fs temporal resolution. Our
      results suggested that the free OH oscillators associated with interfacial water
      dephase on the time scale of 89.4 +/- 6.9 fs, whereas the homogeneous dephasing
      of interfacial alumina hydroxyls is an order of magnitude slower. 

PMID- 26276605
TI  - Accurate Characterization of the Peptide Linkage in the Gas Phase: A Joint
      Quantum-Chemical and Rotational Spectroscopy Study of the Glycine Dipeptide
      Analogue.
AB  - Accurate structures of aminoacids in the gas phase have been obtained by joint
      microwave and quantum-chemical investigations. However, the structure and
      conformational behavior of alpha-aminoacids once incorporated into peptide chains
      are completely different and have not yet been characterized with the same
      accuracy. To fill this gap, we present here an accurate characterization of the
      simplest dipeptide analogue (N-acetyl-glycinamide) involving peptidic bonds.
      State-of-the-art quantum-chemical computations are complemented by a
      comprehensive study of the rotational spectrum using a combination of Fourier
      transform microwave spectroscopy with laser ablation. The coexistence of the C7
      and C5 conformers has been proved and energetically as well as spectroscopically
      characterized. This joint theoretical-experimental investigation demonstrated the
      feasibility of obtaining accurate structures for flexible small biomolecules,
      thus paving the route to the elucidation of the inherent behavior of peptides. 

PMID- 26276606
TI  - Lonsdaleite Films with Nanometer Thickness.
AB  - We investigate the properties of potentially the stiffest quasi-2-D films with
      lonsdaleite structure. Using a combination of ab initio and empirical potential
      approaches, we analyze the elastic properties of lonsdaleite films in both
      elastic and inelastic regimes and compare them with graphene and diamond films.
      We review possible fabrication methods of lonsdaleite films using the pure
      nanoscale "bottom-up" paradigm: by connecting carbon layers in multilayered
      graphene. We propose the realization of this method in two ways: by applying
      direct pressure and by using the recently proposed chemically induced phase
      transition. For both cases, we construct the phase diagrams depending on
      temperature, pressure, and film thickness. Finally, we consider the electronic
      properties of lonsdaleite films and establish the nonlinear dependence of the
      band gap on the films' thicknesses and their lower effective masses in comparison
      with bulk crystal. 

PMID- 26276607
TI  - Heating Isotopically Labeled Bernal Stacked Graphene: A Raman Spectroscopy Study.
AB  - One of the greatest issues of nanoelectronics today is how to control the heating
      of the components. Graphene is a promising material in this area, and it is
      essential to study its thermal properties. Here, the effect of heating a bilayer
      structure was investigated using in situ Raman spectroscopy. In order to observe
      the effects on each individual layer, an isotopically labeled bilayer graphene
      was synthesized where the two layers were composed of different carbon isotopes.
      Therefore, the frequency of the phonons in the Raman spectra was shifted in
      relation to each other. This technique was used to investigate the influence of
      different stacking order. It was found that in bilayer graphene grown by chemical
      vapor deposition (CVD), the two layers behave very similarly for both Bernal
      stacking and randomly oriented structures, while for transferred samples, the
      layers act more independently. This highlights a significant dependence on the
      sample preparation procedure. 

PMID- 26276608
TI  - Spectroscopic Observation of Fractal Packing of Oxygen in Variably Modified
      Glassy Tetrahedral Networks.
AB  - The spatial distribution of bridging and nonbridging oxygen atoms in silicate
      glass networks with a wide range of connectivity is studied using (17)O nuclear
      magnetic resonance spin-lattice relaxation spectroscopy. The results demonstrate
      a mass fractal spatial distribution of both oxygen species in the network at the
      nanometer length scale. The fractal dimension increases with increasing relative
      fraction of these oxygen species and reaches a maximum value of ~2.6. Such
      locally fractal character of the structural network is key to the understanding
      of the apparently anomalous transport, relaxation, and localization properties
      that are the hallmarks of the glassy state. 

PMID- 26276609
TI  - Two-Photon Excited State Dynamics of Dark Valence, Rydberg, and Superexcited
      States in 1,3-Butadiene.
AB  - Two-photon absorption in systems with parity permits access to states that cannot
      be prepared by one-photon absorption. Here we present the first time-resolved
      photoelectron spectroscopy study using this technique, applied to 1,3-butadiene,
      in which we investigated the dynamics of its dark valence, Rydberg, and
      superexcited states. The dark valence state dynamics are accessed via the Rydberg
      manifold, excited by two photons of 400 nm. We find that the 'dark' 2(1)Ag state
      populated in this manner has a much longer lifetime than when accesses via the
      1(1)Bu 'bright' valence state when populated by one photon of 200 nm. In
      addition, we compared the dynamics of the 3spi- and 3dpi-Rydberg states. These
      Rydberg states relax to the valence manifold on a subpicosecond time scale, with
      the 3spi-Rydberg state decay rate being larger due to a stronger valence-Rydberg
      mixing. Finally, we investigated superexcited valence states that fragment or
      autoionize within 200 fs, likely without involving Rydberg states. 

PMID- 26276610
TI  - Molecular Active Sites in Heterogeneous Ir-La/C-Catalyzed Carbonylation of
      Methanol to Acetates.
AB  - We report that when Ir and La halides are deposited on carbon, exposure to CO
      spontaneously generates a discrete molecular heterobimetallic structure,
      containing an Ir-La covalent bond that acts as a highly active, selective, and
      stable heterogeneous catalyst for the carbonylation of methanol to produce acetic
      acid. This catalyst exhibits a very high productivity of ~1.5 mol acetyl/mol Ir.s
      with >99% selectivity to acetyl (acetic acid and methyl acetate) without
      detectable loss in activity or selectivity for more than 1 month of continuous
      operation. The enhanced activity can be mechanistically rationalized by the
      presence of La within the ligand sphere of the discrete molecular Ir-La
      heterobimetallic structure, which acts as a Lewis acid to accelerate the normally
      rate-limiting CO insertion in Ir-catalyzed carbonylation. Similar approaches may
      provide opportunities for attaining molecular (single site) behavior similar to
      homogeneous catalysis on heterogeneous surfaces for other industrial
      applications. 

PMID- 26276611
TI  - Unraveling the Electronic Heterogeneity of Charge Traps in Conjugated Polymers by
      Single-Molecule Spectroscopy.
AB  - Charge trapping is taken for granted in modeling the characteristics of organic
      semiconductor devices, but very few techniques actually exist to
      spectroscopically pinpoint trap states. For example, trap levels are often
      assumed to be discrete in energy. Using the well-known keto defect in
      polyfluorene as a model, we demonstrate how single-molecule spectroscopy can
      directly track the formation of charge and exciton traps in conjugated polymers
      in real time, providing crucial information on the energetic distribution of trap
      sites relative to the polymer optical gap. Charge traps with universal spectral
      fingerprints scatter by almost 1 eV in depth, implying that substantial
      heterogeneity must be taken into account when modeling devices. 

PMID- 26276612
TI  - Gating-Associated Clustering-Dispersion Dynamics of the KcsA Potassium Channel in
      a Lipid Membrane.
AB  - The KcsA potassium channel is a prototypical channel of bacterial origin, and the
      mechanism underlying the pH-dependent gating has been studied extensively. With
      the high-resolution atomic force microscopy (AFM), we have resolved functional
      open and closed gates of the KcsA channel under the membrane-embedded condition.
      Here we surprisingly found that the pH-dependent gating of the KcsA channels was
      associated with clustering-dispersion dynamics. At neutral pH, the resting,
      closed channels were coalesced, forming nanoclusters. At acidic pH, the open
      gated channels were dispersed as singly isolated channels. Time-lapse AFM
      revealed reversible clustering-dispersion transitions upon pH changes. At acidic
      equilibrium, a small fraction of the channels was nanoclustered, in which the
      gate was apparently closed. Thus, it is suggested that opening of the gate and
      the dispersion are tightly linked. The interplay between the intramolecular
      conformational change and the supramolecular clustering-dispersion dynamics
      provides insights into understanding of unprecedented functional cooperativity of
      channels. 

PMID- 26276613
TI  - Mixed-Monolayer-Protected Au25 Clusters with Bulky Calix[4]arene Functionalities.
AB  - Although various complex, bulky ligands have been used to functionalize plasmonic
      gold nanoparticles, introducing them to small, atomically precise gold clusters
      is not trivial. Here, we demonstrate a simple one-pot procedure to synthesize
      fluorescent magic number Au25 clusters carrying controlled amounts of bulky
      calix[4]arene functionalities. These clusters are obtained from a synthesis feed
      containing binary mixtures of tetrathiolated calix[4]arene and 1-butanethiol. By
      systematic variation of the molar ratio of ligands, clusters carrying one to
      eight calixarene moieties were obtained. Structural characterization reveals
      unexpected binding of the calix[4]arenes to the Au25 cluster surface with two or
      four thiolates per moiety. 

PMID- 26276614
TI  - Exciton Quenching Due to Copper Diffusion Limits the Photocatalytic Activity of
      CdS/Cu2S Nanorod Heterostructures.
AB  - The formation of donor/acceptor junctions in hybrid nanomaterials is predicted to
      enhance photocatalytic activity as compared to single-component semiconductor
      systems. Specifically, nanomaterials containing a junction of n-type cadmium
      sulfide (CdS) and p-type copper sulfide (Cu2S) formed via cation exchange have
      been proposed as potential photocatalysts for reactions such as water splitting.
      Herein, we study the elemental distribution of Cu within these nanostructures
      using analytical transmission electron microscopy techniques. The resulting
      effects of this elemental distribution on photocatalytic activity and charge
      dynamics were further studied using a model photoreduction reaction and transient
      absorption spectroscopy. We find that copper diffusion in the hybrid
      nanostructure quenches the exciton lifetime and results in low photocatalytic
      activity; however, this effect can be partially mitigated via selective
      extraction. These results provide a deeper understanding of the physical
      processes within these hybrid nanostructures and will lead to more rational
      design of photocatalyst materials. 

PMID- 26276615
TI  - Nanodiamond as a New Hyperpolarizing Agent and Its (13)C MRS.
AB  - In this work, we have hyperpolarized carbonaceous nanoparticles (D ~ 10 nm), that
      is, "nanodiamonds", with 1.1% (13)C (natural abundance) using dynamic nuclear
      polarization (DNP). The polarization buildup curve showed a signal enhancement
      with relative intensity up to 4700 at 1.4 K and 100 mW microwave power. (13)C
      magnetic resonance spectra (MRS) were obtained from the sample at 7 T, and the
      signal decayed with a T1 of 55 +/- 3s. Notably, polarization was possible in the
      absence of added radical, consistent with previous results showing endogenous
      unpaired electrons in natural nanodiamonds. These likely contribute to the
      shorter T1's compared to those of highly pure diamond. Despite the relatively
      short T1, these observations suggest that natural nanodiamonds may be useful for
      in vivo applications. 

PMID- 26276616
TI  - Charge Separation in P3HT:SWCNT Blends Studied by EPR: Spin Signature of the
      Photoinduced Charged State in SWCNT.
AB  - Single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) could be employed in organic photovoltaic
      (OPV) devices as a replacement or additive for currently used fullerene
      derivatives, but significant research remains to explain fundamental aspects of
      charge generation. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, which is
      sensitive only to unpaired electrons, was applied to explore charge separation in
      P3HT:SWCNT blends. The EPR signal of the P3HT positive polaron increases as the
      concentration of SWCNT acceptors in a photoexcited P3HT:SWCNT blend is increased,
      demonstrating long-lived charge separation induced by electron transfer from P3HT
      to SWCNTs. An EPR signal from reduced SWCNTs was not identified in blends due to
      the free and fast-relaxing nature of unpaired SWCNT electrons as well as spectral
      overlap of this EPR signal with the signal from positive P3HT polarons. However,
      a weak EPR signal was observed in chemically reduced SWNTs, and the g values of
      this signal are close to those of C70-PCBM anion radical. The anisotropic line
      shape indicates that these unpaired electrons are not free but instead localized.

PMID- 26276617
TI  - Amyloid Fibrils: Formation, Polymorphism, and Inhibition.
AB  - Amyloid fibrils with cross-beta spine basic architectures are prevalent and
      stable forms of peptides and proteins. Recent research has provided significant
      contributions to our understanding of the mechanisms of fibril formation and to
      the surprising diversity and persistence of structural polymorphism in amyloid
      fibrils. There have also been successful demonstrations of how molecules can be
      engineered to inhibit unwanted amyloid formation by different mechanisms. Future
      research in these areas will include investigations of mechanisms for primary
      nucleation and the structure of oligomeric intermediates, the general role of
      secondary nucleation events (autocatalysis), elucidation of the mechanisms and
      implications of preservation of structural morphology in amyloid propagation, and
      research into the largely unexplored phenomenon of cross-seeding, by which
      amyloid fibrils of one species induce the formation of amyloid by another
      species. 

PMID- 26276618
TI  - Insight into Enhanced Cycling Performance of Li-O2 Batteries Based on Binary
      CoSe2/CoO Nanocomposite Electrodes.
AB  - In this study, binary core-shell CoSe2/CoO nanocomposites are synthesized as
      cathodic electrodes for the Li-O2 cell, which exhibits enhanced cycle
      performance. From theoretical calculations, aberration-corrected scanning
      transmission electron microscopy observation, and gas chromatography mass
      spectrum verification, we propose that an enhanced cycle performance can be
      attributed to the improvement of the compatibility of the cathode/Li2O2
      interface, which results from preferable interaction between Li2O2 intermediates
      and the CoO "shell" and then reduction of interfacial Li2CO3 formation on the
      carbon surface. Furthermore, our findings demonstrate that the CoSe2 "core" may
      impact the electronic structure of surface metal ions, generating a superior
      cycling performance than that of pristine CoO materials. These results will offer
      some critical insights into the mechanistic process of Li-O2 batteries. 

PMID- 26276619
TI  - Strong Photophysical Similarities between Conjugated Polymers and J-aggregates.
AB  - The photophysical properties of emissive conjugated polymer (CP) chains are
      compared to those of linear J-aggregates. The two systems share many properties
      in common, including a red-shifted absorption spectrum with increasing
      chain/aggregate length, enhanced radiative decay rates (superradiance) relative
      to a single monomer/molecule, and several vibronic signatures involving the vinyl
      stretching mode common to many conjugated molecules. In particular, the scaling
      of the 0-0/0-1 photoluminescence ratio and radiative decay rate with the inverse
      square root of temperature in red-phase polydiacetylene is also characteristic of
      linear, disorder-free J-aggregates. The strong photophysical resemblance is
      traced to the excitonic band structure; in one-dimensional direct band gap
      semiconductors as well as J-aggregates, the exciton band curvature is positive at
      the gamma point (k = 0). 

PMID- 26276620
TI  - Membrane-Protein Interactions Are Key to Understanding Amyloid Formation.

PMID- 26276621
TI  - Reversible Adsorption of Outer-Sphere Redox Molecules at Pt Electrodes.
AB  - Adsorption often dominates the response of nanofluidic systems due to their high
      surface-to-volume ratios. Here we harness this sensitivity to investigate the
      reversible adsorption of outer-sphere redox species at electrodes, a phenomenon
      that is easily overlooked in bulk measurements. We find that even though
      adsorption does not necessarily play a role in the electron-transfer process,
      such adsorption is nevertheless ubiquitous for the widely used outer-sphere
      species. We investigate the physical factors driving adsorption and find that
      this counterintuitive behavior is mediated by the anionic species in the
      supporting electrolyte, closely following the well-known Hofmeister series. Our
      results provide foundations both for theoretical studies of the underlying
      mechanisms and for contriving strategies to control adsorption in micro/nanoscale
      electrochemical transducers where surface effects are dominant. 

PMID- 26276622
TI  - Malaria-Induced B Cell Genomic Instability.
AB  - Nussenzweig and colleagues evaluate genomic instability and germinal center
      derived lymphomagenesis in mice infected with Plasmodium to recreate some of the
      hallmark characteristics of Burkitt lymphoma, a form of cancer more common in
      parts of Africa where malaria is endemic. 

PMID- 26276623
TI  - Neurons Rho to Get in Shape for the Day.
AB  - Linking structural changes in neurons to animal behavior has proven challenging.
      New findings by Pesakou et al. tie daily cycles of axon arbor extension and
      retraction, mediated by Rho activity, to circadian and seasonal patterns of
      behavior in the fruit fly. 

PMID- 26276624
TI  - An AAA+ ATPase Clamshell Targets Transposition.
AB  - DNA transposition plays key roles in genome diversity, pathogenesis, and
      evolution. Yet, structural and mechanistic information on transposition targeting
      and regulation is limited. Arias-Palomo and Berger now define the decameric
      organization of the AAA+ ATPase IstB, unveiling key insights into its targeting
      and regulation of IstA transposase activity. 

PMID- 26276625
TI  - A CTCF Code for 3D Genome Architecture.
AB  - The architectural protein CTCF plays a complex role in decoding the functional
      output of the genome. Guo et al. now show that the orientation of a CTCF site
      restricts its choice of interacting partner, thus creating a code that predicts
      the three-dimensional organization of the genome. We propose a DNA extrusion
      model to account for orientation-specific loop formation. 

PMID- 26276626
TI  - Lighting Up Genes in Single Cells at Scale.
AB  - In this issue, Shachar et al. report a high-throughput imaging position mapping
      platform (HIPmap) enabling large-scale, high-resolution localization of 3D gene
      positions in single cells. Coupling loss-of-function screens with HIPmap, the
      authors identify DNA replication rather than mitosis as a major determinant of
      genome positioning. 

PMID- 26276627
TI  - Somatic Rearrangement in B Cells: It's (Mostly) Nuclear Physics.
AB  - We discuss how principles of nuclear architecture drive typical gene
      rearrangements in B lymphocytes, whereas translocation hot spots and recurrent
      lesions reflect the extent of AID-mediated DNA damage and selection. 

PMID- 26276628
TI  - The Brain on Drugs: From Reward to Addiction.
AB  - Advances in neuroscience identified addiction as a chronic brain disease with
      strong genetic, neurodevelopmental, and sociocultural components. We here discuss
      the circuit- and cell-level mechanisms of this condition and its co-option of
      pathways regulating reward, self-control, and affect. Drugs of abuse exert their
      initial reinforcing effects by triggering supraphysiologic surges of dopamine in
      the nucleus accumbens that activate the direct striatal pathway via D1 receptors
      and inhibit the indirect striato-cortical pathway via D2 receptors. Repeated drug
      administration triggers neuroplastic changes in glutamatergic inputs to the
      striatum and midbrain dopamine neurons, enhancing the brain's reactivity to drug
      cues, reducing the sensitivity to non-drug rewards, weakening self-regulation,
      and increasing the sensitivity to stressful stimuli and dysphoria. Drug-induced
      impairments are long lasting; thus, interventions designed to mitigate or even
      reverse them would be beneficial for the treatment of addiction. 

PMID- 26276629
TI  - Plasmodium Infection Promotes Genomic Instability and AID-Dependent B Cell
      Lymphoma.
AB  - Chronic infection with Plasmodium falciparum was epidemiologically associated
      with endemic Burkitt's lymphoma, a mature B cell cancer characterized by
      chromosome translocation between the c-myc oncogene and Igh, over 50 years ago.
      Whether infection promotes B cell lymphoma, and if so by which mechanism, remains
      unknown. To investigate the relationship between parasitic disease and
      lymphomagenesis, we used Plasmodium chabaudi (Pc) to produce chronic malaria
      infection in mice. Pc induces prolonged expansion of germinal centers (GCs),
      unique compartments in which B cells undergo rapid clonal expansion and express
      activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID), a DNA mutator. GC B cells elicited
      during Pc infection suffer widespread DNA damage, leading to chromosome
      translocations. Although infection does not change the overall rate, it modifies
      lymphomagenesis to favor mature B cell lymphomas that are AID dependent and show
      chromosome translocations. Thus, malaria infection favors mature B cell cancers
      by eliciting protracted AID expression in GC B cells. PAPERCLIP.

PMID- 26276630
TI  - Clinical Sequencing Uncovers Origins and Evolution of Lassa Virus.
AB  - The 2013-2015 West African epidemic of Ebola virus disease (EVD) reminds us of
      how little is known about biosafety level 4 viruses. Like Ebola virus, Lassa
      virus (LASV) can cause hemorrhagic fever with high case fatality rates. We
      generated a genomic catalog of almost 200 LASV sequences from clinical and rodent
      reservoir samples. We show that whereas the 2013-2015 EVD epidemic is fueled by
      human-to-human transmissions, LASV infections mainly result from reservoir-to
      human infections. We elucidated the spread of LASV across West Africa and show
      that this migration was accompanied by changes in LASV genome abundance, fatality
      rates, codon adaptation, and translational efficiency. By investigating intrahost
      evolution, we found that mutations accumulate in epitopes of viral surface
      proteins, suggesting selection for immune escape. This catalog will serve as a
      foundation for the development of vaccines and diagnostics. VIDEO ABSTRACT.

PMID- 26276631
TI  - Hybrid Periportal Hepatocytes Regenerate the Injured Liver without Giving Rise to
      Cancer.
AB  - Compensatory proliferation triggered by hepatocyte loss is required for liver
      regeneration and maintenance but also promotes development of hepatocellular
      carcinoma (HCC). Despite extensive investigation, the cells responsible for
      hepatocyte restoration or HCC development remain poorly characterized. We used
      genetic lineage tracing to identify cells responsible for hepatocyte
      replenishment following chronic liver injury and queried their roles in three
      distinct HCC models. We found that a pre-existing population of periportal
      hepatocytes, located in the portal triads of healthy livers and expressing low
      amounts of Sox9 and other bile-duct-enriched genes, undergo extensive
      proliferation and replenish liver mass after chronic hepatocyte-depleting
      injuries. Despite their high regenerative potential, these so-called hybrid
      hepatocytes do not give rise to HCC in chronically injured livers and thus
      represent a unique way to restore tissue function and avoid tumorigenesis. This
      specialized set of pre-existing differentiated cells may be highly suitable for
      cell-based therapy of chronic hepatocyte-depleting disorders.

PMID- 26276632
TI  - Alternative Wnt Signaling Activates YAP/TAZ.
AB  - The transcriptional co-activators YAP and TAZ are key regulators of organ size
      and tissue homeostasis, and their dysregulation contributes to human cancer.
      Here, we discover YAP/TAZ as bona fide downstream effectors of the alternative
      Wnt signaling pathway. Wnt5a/b and Wnt3a induce YAP/TAZ activation independent of
      canonical Wnt/beta-catenin signaling. Mechanistically, we delineate the
      "alternative Wnt-YAP/TAZ signaling axis" that consists of Wnt-FZD/ROR-Galpha12/13
      Rho GTPases-Lats1/2 to promote YAP/TAZ activation and TEAD-mediated
      transcription. YAP/TAZ mediate the biological functions of alternative Wnt
      signaling, including gene expression, osteogenic differentiation, cell migration,
      and antagonism of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling. Together, our work establishes
      YAP/TAZ as critical mediators of alternative Wnt signaling. 

PMID- 26276633
TI  - A Conserved Bicycle Model for Circadian Clock Control of Membrane Excitability.
AB  - Circadian clocks regulate membrane excitability in master pacemaker neurons to
      control daily rhythms of sleep and wake. Here, we find that two distinctly timed
      electrical drives collaborate to impose rhythmicity on Drosophila clock neurons.
      In the morning, a voltage-independent sodium conductance via the NA/NALCN ion
      channel depolarizes these neurons. This current is driven by the rhythmic
      expression of NCA localization factor-1, linking the molecular clock to ion
      channel function. In the evening, basal potassium currents peak to silence clock
      neurons. Remarkably, daily antiphase cycles of sodium and potassium currents also
      drive mouse clock neuron rhythms. Thus, we reveal an evolutionarily ancient
      strategy for the neural mechanisms that govern daily sleep and wake.

PMID- 26276634
TI  - An Atypical AAA+ ATPase Assembly Controls Efficient Transposition through DNA
      Remodeling and Transposase Recruitment.
AB  - Transposons are ubiquitous genetic elements that drive genome rearrangements,
      evolution, and the spread of infectious disease and drug-resistance. Many
      transposons, such as Mu, Tn7, and IS21, require regulatory AAA+ ATPases for
      function. We use X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy to show that
      the ATPase subunit of IS21, IstB, assembles into a clamshell-shaped decamer that
      sandwiches DNA between two helical pentamers of ATP-associated AAA+ domains,
      sharply bending the duplex into a 180 degrees  U-turn. Biochemical studies
      corroborate key features of the structure and further show that the IS21
      transposase, IstA, recognizes the IstB*DNA complex and promotes its disassembly
      by stimulating ATP hydrolysis. Collectively, these studies reveal a distinct
      manner of higher-order assembly and client engagement by a AAA+ ATPase and
      suggest a mechanistic model where IstB binding and subsequent DNA bending primes
      a selected insertion site for efficient transposition. 

PMID- 26276635
TI  - Rli1/ABCE1 Recycles Terminating Ribosomes and Controls Translation Reinitiation
      in 3'UTRs In Vivo.
AB  - To study the function of Rli1/ABCE1 in vivo, we used ribosome profiling and
      biochemistry to characterize its contribution to ribosome recycling. When Rli1
      levels were diminished, 80S ribosomes accumulated both at stop codons and in the
      adjoining 3'UTRs of most mRNAs. Frequently, these ribosomes reinitiated
      translation without the need for a canonical start codon, as small peptide
      products predicted by 3'UTR ribosome occupancy in all three reading frames were
      confirmed by western analysis and mass spectrometry. Eliminating the ribosome
      rescue factor Dom34 dramatically increased 3'UTR ribosome occupancy in Rli1
      depleted cells, indicating that Dom34 clears the bulk of unrecycled ribosomes.
      Thus, Rli1 is crucial for ribosome recycling in vivo and controls ribosome
      homeostasis. 3'UTR translation occurs in wild-type cells as well, and
      observations of elevated 3'UTR ribosomes during stress suggest that modulating
      recycling and reinitiation is involved in responding to environmental changes.

PMID- 26276638
TI  - SnapShot: Interactions between B Cells and T Cells.
AB  - Dynamic interactions between B and T cells underpin the development of adaptive
      humoral immune responses to infections and vaccines. Recent advances in the
      molecular and spatiotemporal control of these interactions during primary
      responses have contributed greatly to elucidating the molecular pathogenesis of
      numerous immunodeficiency and autoimmune diseases. The next challenge is to
      determine how and where memory B and T cells interact during secondary responses
      to facilitate the rapid and robust response that characterizes anamnestic
      immunity. 

PMID- 26276637
TI  - Identification of Gene Positioning Factors Using High-Throughput Imaging Mapping.
AB  - Genomes are arranged non-randomly in the 3D space of the cell nucleus. Here, we
      have developed HIPMap, a high-precision, high-throughput, automated fluorescent
      in situ hybridization imaging pipeline, for mapping of the spatial location of
      genome regions at large scale. High-throughput imaging position mapping (HIPMap)
      enabled an unbiased siRNA screen for factors involved in genome organization in
      human cells. We identify 50 cellular factors required for proper positioning of a
      set of functionally diverse genomic loci. Positioning factors include chromatin
      remodelers, histone modifiers, and nuclear envelope and pore proteins. Components
      of the replication and post-replication chromatin re-assembly machinery are
      prominently represented among positioning factors, and timely progression of
      cells through replication, but not mitosis, is required for correct gene
      positioning. Our results establish a method for the large-scale mapping of genome
      locations and have led to the identification of a compendium of cellular factors
      involved in spatial genome organization.

PMID- 26276636
TI  - CRISPR Inversion of CTCF Sites Alters Genome Topology and Enhancer/Promoter
      Function.
AB  - CTCF and the associated cohesin complex play a central role in insulator function
      and higher-order chromatin organization of mammalian genomes. Recent studies
      identified a correlation between the orientation of CTCF-binding sites (CBSs) and
      chromatin loops. To test the functional significance of this observation, we
      combined CRISPR/Cas9-based genomic-DNA-fragment editing with chromosome
      conformation-capture experiments to show that the location and relative
      orientations of CBSs determine the specificity of long-range chromatin looping in
      mammalian genomes, using protocadherin (Pcdh) and beta-globin as model genes.
      Inversion of CBS elements within the Pcdh enhancer reconfigures the topology of
      chromatin loops between the distal enhancer and target promoters and alters gene
      expression patterns. Thus, although enhancers can function in an orientation
      independent manner in reporter assays, in the native chromosome context, the
      orientation of at least some enhancers carrying CBSs can determine both the
      architecture of topological chromatin domains and enhancer/promoter specificity.
      These findings reveal how 3D chromosome architecture can be encoded by linear
      genome sequences. 

PMID- 26276639
TI  - [Editorial].

PMID- 26276640
TI  - [Treatment of lower limb varicose veins in 2015: The present and the future].
AB  - The introduction of intravenous therapy (ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy,
      laser, radiofrequency) has considerably changed radical treatment of superficial
      venous insufficiency. The recent granting of reimbursable status for radio
      frequency thermal ablation has led us to propose radical synthetic treatment for
      varicose veins. The treatment is based on Doppler ultrasound exploration with
      detailed varicose cartography, taking into account the affected area (large or
      small saphenous vein), the site of the point or points of leakage, the diameter
      of the incontinent saphenous vein, whether the saphenous vein and tributaries are
      rectilinear or sinuous, and the depth of the varicose network in relation to the
      skin surface. The decision to implement radical therapy is based on the stage of
      the disease, particularly in the event of trophic lesions, and takes into
      consideration both the functional and aesthetic impairment caused by the varicose
      disorder. All of the foregoing factors affect the choice of treatment, which is
      also based upon the availability of the various technical approaches mentioned,
      upon full control of the benefits and limitations of each of the various methods,
      and upon informed patient consent with regard to the various options proposed:
      surgery, essentially involving stripping and phlebectomy or endovenous
      treatments: chemical ablation via ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy, and laser
      or radiofrequency thermal ablation. 

PMID- 26276641
TI  - Dexamethasone versus ondansetron in the prevention of postoperative nausea and
      vomiting in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery: a meta-analysis of
      randomized controlled trials.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Dexamethasone is an antiemetic alternative to ondansetron. We aimed
      to compare the effects of dexamethasone and ondansetron in preventing
      postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in patients undergoing laparoscopic
      surgery. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Embase, Medline and Cochrane Library (from
      inception to July 2014) for eligible studies. The primary outcome was the
      incidence of PONV during the first 24 h after surgery. The secondary outcomes
      included PONV in the early postoperative stage (0-6 h), PONV in the late
      postoperative stage (6-24 h), and the postoperative anti-emetics used at both
      stages. We calculated pooled risk ratios (RR) and 95 % CIs using random- and
      fixed-effects models. RESULTS: Seven trials involving 608 patients were included
      in this meta-analysis, which found that dexamethasone had a comparable
      effectiveness in preventing PONV (RR, 0.91; 95 % CI, 0.73-1.13; P = 0.39) with
      that of ondansetron within 24 h of laparoscopic surgery, with no evidence of
      heterogeneity among the studies (I(2) = 0 %; P = 0.71). In the early
      postoperative stage (0-6 h), ondansetron was better at decreasing PONV than
      dexamethasone (RR, 1.71; 95 % CI, 1.05-2.77; P = 0.03), while in the late
      postoperative stage (6-24 h), dexamethasone was more effective in preventing PONV
      than ondansetron (RR, 0.51; 95 % CI, 0.27-0.93; P = 0.03). There was no
      significant difference in the postoperative anti-emetics used (RR, 0.90; 95 % CI,
      0.67-1.19; P = 0.45). CONCLUSIONS: Dexamethasone was as effective and as safe as
      ondansetron in preventing PONV. Dexamethasone should be encouraged as an
      alternative to ondansetron for preventing PONV in patients undergoing
      laparoscopic surgery.

PMID- 26276642
TI  - Parent's experiences of counselling and their need for support following a
      prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease--a qualitative study in a Swedish
      context.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Prenatal screening for foetal cardiac abnormalities has been
      increasingly practiced in Sweden during the last 25 years. A prenatal diagnosis
      may have medical benefits but may also cause sustained parental psychological
      distress. The aim of this study was to explore pregnant women's, and their
      partner's, experiences of counselling and need for support during continued
      pregnancy following a prenatal diagnosis of a cardiac defect. A second aim was to
      use this information to propose a structured follow-up programme for continued
      support after the first counselling. METHOD:  DESIGN: Qualitative study, using
      interviews performed 5-9 weeks after a prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart
      disease. SETTING: A tertiary foetal cardiology unit in Sweden Sample: Six
      pregnant women and their 6 partners, consecutively recruited after a prenatal
      diagnosis of an isolated and significant cardiac defect. DATA ANALYSIS:
      Qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: The analysis resulted in three themes. 1/
      Counselling and making a decision--the importance of knowledge and understanding:
      Short waiting time for specialist evaluation together with clear and
      straightforward information was essential. Parents called for written information
      together with a high-quality website with relevant information about congenital
      heart disease. 2/ Continued support during pregnancy: Continued and easy access
      to health care professionals, including a paediatric specialist nurse, throughout
      pregnancy, was important. Contact with couples with similar experiences and
      social media were also considered valuable sources of support. 3/ Next step--the
      near future: Practical and economical issues during the postnatal hospital stay
      and the initial period following the hospital stay were common concerns.
      CONCLUSIONS: The following aspects should be considered in a structured follow up
      program during pregnancy after a prenatal diagnosis of CHD; written information,
      access to a safe web-site with information of high quality in their native
      language, support from parents with similar experiences and continued contact
      with a specialist liaison nurse with experience of paediatric cardiology.

PMID- 26276643
TI  - Ascaridia nymphii n. sp. (Nematoda: Ascaridida) from the alimentary tract of a
      severely emaciated dead cockatiel Nymphicus hollandicus.
AB  - This report describes Ascaridia nymphii n. sp., a new species isolated from the
      alimentary tract of cockatiel Nymphicus hollandicus in Japan. More than 63
      nematodes were found in the formalin-fixed small intestine, ventriculus,
      proventriculus and crop of a 48-day-old young cockatiel that died after
      exhibiting severe emaciation. No nematode eggs were observed in the faecal
      examination performed while the cockatiel was alive, but Cryptosporidium oocysts
      were found. The intestinal mucosa was damaged considerably. Male worms had two
      alate spicules, well-developed precloacal sucker and a tail with ventrolateral
      caudal alae and mainly 11 pairs of papillae. Nuclear partial (813 bp) 18S
      ribosomal RNA gene (18S rDNA) sequences obtained from two female samples were
      mutually identical. They respectively showed 99.1 and 98.6% identities to those
      from Ascaridia numidae and Ascaridia galli. Phylogenetic analysis using this
      locus indicated the present nematode as Ascaridia species. The mitochondrial NADH
      dehydrogenase subunit 2 gene (nad2) sequences obtained for four samples were
      mutually identical. They respectively showed 98.7, 85.7 and 82.2% identities with
      those from Ascaridia columbae, Ascaridia sp. and A. galli. Combining the
      morphological and sequencing data from two loci, the present nematode was
      identified as A. nymphii n. sp., which is closely related with A. columbae. This
      report is the first of a study examining the distribution of Ascaridia species in
      captive parrots in Japan. This study also identified the trachea and cloaca, like
      Cryptosporidium baileyi, as the possible location of Cryptosporidium avian
      genotype V in avian hosts.

PMID- 26276644
TI  - Impact of family ownerships, individual hygiene, and residential environments on
      the prevalence of pediculosis capitis among schoolchildren in urban and rural
      areas of northwest of Iran.
AB  - In the appraisal of head lice outbreak, in addition to socioeconomic factors and
      availability of health care services, environmental conditions of the households
      must be taken into account. However, interviewing with children or mailing
      questionnaires to families may not reflect the actualities. Therefore, in this
      study, all the inclusive factors which may be associated with head lice outbreak
      were thoroughly and closely investigated. The data were collected by examining
      students at schools and surveying patients' households. A questionnaire
      concerning children's personal hygienic practices, family features, and
      environmental conditions of the households was filled out during the close
      assessment of the residential area. The overall prevalence of head lice was
      obtained as 5.9%, and the difference was not significant within the urban (5.1%)
      and rural (6.1%) communities. Overall, the number of infested students was more
      frequent in girls (6.6%) than boys (2.8%), but the difference was not
      significant. The highest infestation rate was obtained in the examined students
      whose fathers were unemployed, farmer, and herdsman. Family income showed greater
      correlation with the prevalence of pediculosis capitis. A high frequency of
      pediculosis capitis was identified among the students who were sharing individual
      items with siblings. Assessment of households showed that room flooring material
      and keeping animals at home were highly correlated with head lice prevalence.
      Households should be informed that infestations happen, irrespective of
      socioeconomic status. However, the physical and environmental conditions of
      living areas and households play an important role in head lice prevention.

PMID- 26276646
TI  - Effects of post-sampling analysis time, type of blood samples and collection
      tubes on values of blood gas testing.
AB  - AIM: To investigate effects of post-sampling analysis time, a type of blood
      samples and collection tubes on blood gas testing. METHODS: This study included
      100 patients at the Clinic for Pulmonary Diseases, Clinical Centre Sarajevo. The
      partial pressure of oxygen (pO2) and carbon dioxide (pCO2), and the oxygen
      saturation level of hemoglobin (sO2) were analyzed in the arterial blood samples
      (ABS) and capillary blood samples (CBS) by a potentiometric method using a blood
      gas analyzer ABL 555 (Radiometer, Copenhagen, Denmark). Paired measurements of
      ABS were performed within 15 minutes and after 60 minutes from sampling and
      compared. The results of CBS obtained within 15 minutes were compared with
      matching ABS results, as well as the results obtained from CBS within 15 minutes
      taken into glass and plastic tubes. RESULTS: pO2 and sO2 values were
      significantly lower after 60 minutes compared to those within 15 minutes in ABS
      (9.20+/-1.89 vs. 9.51+/-1.95 and 91.25+/-5.03 vs. 92.40+/-4.5; p<0.01,
      respectively). Values of pO2 and sO2 in CBS were significantly lower than values
      obtained in ABS (8.92+/-2.07 vs. 9.51+/-1.95 and 91.25+/-4.86 vs. 92.40+/-4.50;
      p<0.01, respectively). Obtained pO2 and sO2 values in CBS in the plastic tubes
      were higher than those in the glass tubes (8.50+/-1.98 vs. 7.89+/-2.0 and 89.66+/
      11.04 vs. 88.23+/-11.22, p<0.01 respectively). pCO2 blood values were not
      influenced significantly (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The length of post-sampling
      analysis time, a type of blood samples and collection tubes have significant
      impact on blood oxygen parameters. Analysis within 15 minutes after blood
      sampling is considered as appropriate.

PMID- 26276645
TI  - Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles from Cassia roxburghii-a most potent
      power for mosquito control.
AB  - Mosquitoes transmit serious human diseases, causing millions of deaths every
      year. The use of synthetic insecticides to control vector mosquitoes has caused
      physiological resistance and adverse environmental effects in addition to high
      operational cost. Insecticides of synthesized natural products for vector control
      have been a priority in this area. In the present study, silver nanoparticles
      (AgNPs) synthesized using Cassia roxburghii plant leaf extract against Anopheles
      stephensi, Aedes aegypti, and Culex quinquefasciatus were determined. Larvae were
      exposed to varying concentrations of synthesized AgNPs (12, 24, 36, 48, and 60
      MUg/mL) and aqueous leaf extracts (60, 120, 180, 240, and 300 MUg/mL) for 24 h.
      The synthesized AgNPs were characterized by UV-Vis spectrum, Fourier transform
      infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), with energy
      dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis (EDX), transmission electron microscopy,
      and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). Compare to aqueous extracted synthesized
      AgNPs showed extensive mortality rate against An. stephensi, Ae. aegypti, and C.
      quinquefasciatus with the LC50 and LC90 values that were 26.35, 28.67, 31.27 and
      48.81, 53.24, and 58.11 MUg/mL, respectively. No mortality was observed in the
      control. This is the first report on mosquito larvicidal activity of plant
      synthesized nanoparticles. Thus, the use of C. roxburghii to synthesize silver
      nanoparticles is a rapid, eco-friendly, and a single-step approach, and the AgNPs
      formed can be potential mosquito larvicidal agents. Therefore, this study proves
      that C. roxburghii is a potential bioresource for stable, reproducible
      nanoparticle synthesis (AgNPs) and also can be used as an efficient mosquito
      control agent. This is the first report on the larvicidal activity of the plant
      extract and AgNPs. 

PMID- 26276647
TI  - Association of LPIN1 gene variations with markers of metabolic syndrome in
      population from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
AB  - AIM: To investigate association of two LPIN1 gene variations with main traits of
      metabolic syndrome (MS) (waist circumference, body mass index, blood pressure,
      triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol and fasting glucose levels) in population from
      Bosnia and Herzegovina. METHODS: This study included 43 patients with metabolic
      syndrome and 43 healthy controls from General Hospital in Tesanj, Bosnia and
      Herzegovina. Subjects were genotyped for two LPIN1 gene variations (rs11693809:
      C>T and rs2716610: C>T) by real time PCR method. RESULTS: In control subjects
      LPIN1 polymorphism, rs2716610: C>T, was significantly associated with a lower
      body mass index (BMI) (p=0.008) and waist circumference (p=0.008). The second
      analyzed rs11693809: C>T polymorphism was associated with lower blood HbA1c
      levels (p=0.048) in a group of MS patients. CONCLUSION: Results of our study
      suggest that rs2716610: C>T polymorphism of LPIN1 gene could have a protective
      effect against development of metabolic syndrome, while rs11693809: C>T might
      affect a glucose control in patients with MS.

PMID- 26276648
TI  - Alpha-lipoic acid reduces body weight and regulates triglycerides in obese
      patients with diabetes mellitus.
AB  - AIM: To determine an influence of alpha-lipoic acid to reduction of body weight
      and regulation of total cholesterol concentration, triglycerides and glucose
      serum levels in obese patients with diabetes mellitus type 2. METHODS: A
      prospective study includes two groups of obese patients with diabetes mellitus
      and signs of peripheral polyneuropathia: examined group (30 patients; 15 females
      and 15 males), and control group (30 patients; 12 females and 18 males). All were
      treated with metformin (850-1700 mg/day). Examined patients were additionally
      treated with alpha-lipoic acid 600 mg/day during 20 weeks. Body mass index and
      concentrations of total cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose in serum were
      compared before and after the treatment. RESULTS: The group treated with 600 mg
      alpha-lipoic acid lost significantly more weight, and had lower triglyceride
      level than the control group. There were no significant differences in total
      cholesterol and glucose serum levels between the groups. CONCLUSION: Alpha-lipoic
      acid of 600 mg/day treatment have influenced weight and triglycerides loss in
      obese patients with diabetes mellitus type 2. It should be considered as an
      important additive therapy in obese patients with diabetes mellitus type 2.

PMID- 26276649
TI  - Positive correlation between uric acid and C-reactive protein serum level in
      healthy individuals and patients with acute coronary syndromes.
AB  - AIM: To assess serum levels and correlation between uric acid (UA) and C-reactive
      protein (CRP) in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and apparently healthy
      individuals. METHODS: The cross-sectional study included 116 examinees of age 44
      to 83 years, distributed in two groups: 80 ACS patients including 40 with acute
      myocardial infarction (AMI), and 40 with unstable angina pectoris (UAP), and 36
      apparently healthy (control group) individuals. Patients with ACS were
      hospitalized at the Cardiology Clinic, Clinical Centre Sarajevo in the period
      October- December 2012. Laboratory analyses were conducted by standard methods.
      The accepted statistical significance level was p<0.05. RESULTS: Serum levels of
      CRP and UA were higher in patients with ACS as compared to control group
      (p<0.01). The median serum UA was insignificantly lower, and CRP was
      significantly higher in patients with AMI compared to UAP (p=0.118 and p=0.001,
      respectively). CRP and UA correlated positively in both ACS and control groups
      (rho=0.246; p=0.028 and rho=0.374; p=0.027). A positive correlation between serum
      CRP and UA was noted in patients with AMI, but negative in patients with UAP
      (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The correlation between CRP and UA in the patients with ACS
      indicates the association of oxidative stress and inflammation intensity in
      damaged cardiomyocytes. Correlation between UA and CRP in apparently healthy
      individuals indicates a possible role of UA as a marker of low-grade inflammation
      and its potential in risk assessment in cardiovascular diseases.

PMID- 26276650
TI  - Role of echocardiography in diagnosis and management of complete papillary muscle
      rupture caused by myocardial infarction.
AB  - AIM: To evaluate the usefulness of echocardiography in the diagnosis of complete
      rupture of papillary muscle. METHODS: Transthoracic (TTE) and transesophageal
      echocardiography (TEE) was performed with the ATL 3000 HDI Ultrasound Inc
      (Bothell, WA, USA) with a 2.5 MHz transducer and 5-7 MHz multiplane phased array
      transducer. We are reporting about two patients (a 45 and a 51-year old male)
      with complete ruptures of papillary muscle following acute myocardial infarction
      (AMI). RESULTS: Both patients were previously treated with fibrinolysis in their
      local hospitals, 400 and 300 km, respectively, away from our hospital. Massive
      mitral regurgitation developed in both followed by rapid deterioration of
      hemodynamic state and severe heart failure, because of which both were
      transferred by helicopter to the Coronary Care Unit of our clinic. The diagnosis
      of complete papillary muscle rupture was confirmed in both patients by TTE and
      TEE. Due to the significant deterioration in their hemodynamic state, vasoactive
      drugs and intra-aortic balloon pump support were applied. Both patients then
      underwent mitral valve replacement, accompanied by concomitant coronary artery
      bypass grafting in one case. CONCLUSION: Transesophageal echocardiography is a
      more accurate and rapid diagnostic method in patients with mechanical
      complications of AMI than TTE.

PMID- 26276651
TI  - Impact of reperfusion therapy and infarct localization on frequency of premature
      ventricular beats in acute myocardial infarction.
AB  - AIM: To determine the impact of infarct localization and types of reperfusion
      therapy on the frequency of ventricular premature beats (VPBs) in patients with
      acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction
      (LVEF). METHODS: A total of 705 patients with acute ST elevation myocardial
      infarction (STEMI) were divided according to the infarct localization
      (anteroseptal, anterolateral, inferior and posterior) and reperfusion therapy
      (fibrinolysis or percutaneous coronary intervention with stenting) into two
      groups: LVEF<45% was an experimental group and LVEF>45% was a control group. The
      occurrence of VPBs<10 per hour was defined as a non-significant, and the
      occurrence of VPBs>10 per hour defined as a significant. RESULTS: In patients
      with fibrinolysis therapy and LVEF<45% significant number of VPBs were in
      anteroseptal (p=0.017), anterolateral (p<0.001) and posterior AMI (p<0.001), but
      in patients with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and LVEF<45%
      significant number of VPBs were only in anteroseptal AMI (p=0.001) localization.
      CONCLUSION: In patients with reduced ejection fraction in AMI, treatment with PCI
      method has a better antiarrhythmic effect compared to fibrinolysis treatment.

PMID- 26276652
TI  - Possibilities of differentiation of solitary focal liver lesions by computed
      tomography perfusion.
AB  - AIM: To evaluate possibilities of computed tomography (CT) perfusion in
      differentiation of solitary focal liver lesions based on their characteristic
      vascularization through perfusion parameters analysis. METHODS: Prospective study
      was conducted on 50 patients in the period 2009-2012. Patients were divided in
      two groups: benign and malignant lesions. The following CT perfusion parameters
      were analyzed: blood flow (BF), blood volume (BV), mean transit time (MTT),
      capillary permeability surface area product (PS), hepatic arterial fraction
      (HAF), and impulse residual function (IRF). During the study another perfusion
      parameter was analyzed: hepatic perfusion index (HPI). All patients were examined
      on Multidetector 64-slice CT machine (GE) with application of perfusion protocol
      for liver with i.v. administration of contrast agent. RESULTS: In both groups an
      increase of vascularization and arterial blood flow was noticed, but there was no
      significant statistical difference between any of 6 analyzed parameters. Hepatic
      perfusion index values were increased in all lesions in comparison with normal
      liver parenchyma. CONCLUSION: Computed tomography perfusion in our study did not
      allow differentiation of benign and malignant liver lesions based on analysis of
      functional perfusion parameters. Hepatic perfusion index should be investigated
      in further studies as a parameter for detection of possible presence of micro
      metastases in visually homogeneous liver in cases with no lesions found during
      standard CT protocol.

PMID- 26276653
TI  - Familial autoimmune thyroid disease and PTPN-22.
AB  - AIM: Autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) is a multifactorial disease with a genetic
      predisposition. The protein tyrosine phosphatase-22 (PTPN-22) gene is a powerful
      inhibitor of T-cell activation. The aim of this study was to compare messenger
      RNA (mRNA) PTPN22 expression between healthy persons and patients with
      hypothyroidism and with their affected relatives. METHODS: This was a cross
      sectional, prospective and descriptive study. DNA was extracted from leukocytes
      (4,000-10,000 cells) using the Magna Pure LC 2.0 Instrument and MagNA Pure LC RNA
      Isolation Kit I (Roche, Germany). A real-time polymerase reaction (qPCR) was
      performed utilizing the primer sets specific for the PTPN-22 gene, and the
      succinate dehydrogenase complex, the subunit A, Flavoprotein (Fp) (SDHA)
      constitutive gene. All reactions were performed with the 7500 Fast Real Time PCR
      System (Applied Biosystems, Applera International, Inc. Cheshire, UK) employing
      the SYBR Advantage qPCR Premix Kit (Clontech, USA). RESULTS: Twenty five patients
      with AITD (hypothyroidism), all females (mean age 39.6 +/- 11.8 years) and 23
      control subjects (mean age 24.4 +/- 4.2 years) were included in the study. There
      was no statistical difference between both groups in PTPN-22 mRNA expression (p =
      0.125). CONCLUSION: There is no clear difference in mRNA PTPN-22 expression. The
      ideal genes for a systematic screening for familial AITD are yet to be found.

PMID- 26276654
TI  - Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), extended-spectrum (ESBL)- and plasmid
      mediated AmpC beta-lactamase -producing Gram-negative bacteria associated with
      skin and soft tissue infections in hospital and community settings.
AB  - AIM: To investigate the characteristics of meticillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA),
      extended-spectrum (ESBL), and plasmid-mediated AmpC beta-lactamase producing Gram
      negative bacteria causing skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) in hospital and
      outpatient settings of Zenica-Doboj Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina. METHODS:
      Antibiotic susceptibility was determined by disc-diffusion and broth
      microdillution methods according to CLSI guidelines. MecA gene was detected by
      PCR, and genetic characterization of MRSA was performed using spa-typing and the
      algorithm based upon repeat patterns (BURP). Double-disk-synergy test was used to
      screen for ESBLs. PCR was used to detect blaESBL alleles. Genetic relatedness of
      the strains was tested by PFGE. RESULTS: Seventeen in-patients with MRSA, 13 with
      ESBL-producing Gram-negative bacteria and three patients co-infected with both,
      were detected. Five MRSA and 16 ESBL-producing Gram-negative bacteria were found
      in outpatient samples. Klebsiella spp. was isolated in 11 in- and seven
      outpatients. MLST CC152 was the most prevalent MRSA. Seven (38.9%) Klebsiella
      spp. yielded amplicons with primers specific for SHV, TEM-1 and CTX-M group 1
      beta-lactamases. Eight K. pneumonia (44.4%) and 16 (64%) MRSA (including the in-
      and outpatient) strains were clonally related. CONCLUSION: The presence of MRSA
      and ESBL-producing organisms causing SSTIs in the community poses a substantial
      concern, due to the high morbidity and mortality associated with possible
      consequent hospital infections.

PMID- 26276655
TI  - Emergence of extensive drug-resistant (XDR) Acinetobacter baumanniiin the
      Clinical Center University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
AB  - AIM: Recently increased attention and interest for Acinetobacterbaumannii are the
      result of the occurrence of multidrug resistant (MDR), extensive drug resistant
      (XDR) and pandrug resistant (PDR) isolates around the world. The aim of this
      study was to examine the resistance of A. baumannii isolates to antimicrobials in
      Clinical Centre University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. METHODS: Two
      hundred and fifty-seven A.baumannii isolates were collected between July 2011 and
      June 2012 in different wards and from different clinical samples. Multidrug
      resistant, XDR and PDR were defined according to international expert proposal
      for interim standard definitions for acquired resistance. RESULTS: A total of 257
      A. baumannii isolates showed eleven different patterns of resistance, of which
      ten patterns corresponded to MDR and one corresponded to XDR (sensitive only to
      colistin). Multidrug resistant and XDR strains were the most common at Intensive
      Care Units and surgical departments. The largest numbers of isolates were found
      in wound swabs, blood and bronchial aspirate. CONCLUSION: This is the first
      report of XDR A. baumannii in the 2000-bed Clinical Centre University of
      Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina. Although XDR strains have been detected, the
      resistance to colistin has not. The elevated prevalence of these strains
      indicates that local antibiotic prescription policies should be revised and
      infection prevention and control should be improved.

PMID- 26276656
TI  - Brucellosis in children in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the period 2000 - 2013.
AB  - AIM: To analyse clinical, laboratory and epidemiological characteristics of
      brucellosis in children in Bosnia and Herzegovina. METHODS: The study included
      246 children aged 0-18 years, who were hospitalized in Clinics and Departments
      for Infectious Diseases in Tuzla, Sarajevo, Banja Luka, Zenica and Bihac in the
      period 2000-2013, in whom the diagnosis of brucellosis was established based on
      anamnestic data, clinical features and positive results from blood culture and/or
      positive results from one of the serological tests. RESULTS: In this period, a
      total of 2630 patients, 246 (9.35%) of whom were children, were treated from
      brucellosis at the Clinics and Departments in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In the
      majority of cases, the children were from rural parts of the country, 226
      (91.87%);214 (87.04%) cases had direct contact with sick animals, sick family
      member or consumption of unpasteurized dairy products from farms where
      brucellosis had been already established. Male children predominated, 157
      (63.82%). The most frequent clinical features in affected children were fever,
      194 (78.86%) and joint pain, 158 (64.22%). The average duration of antimicrobial
      treatment was 42.85 +/- 10.67 days. A total of 228 (92.68%) children were
      completely cured, while relapses occurred in 18 (7.32%) children. CONCLUSION:
      Since brucellosis is an endemic disease in Bosnia and Herzegovina, it is
      important that physicians in their daily practice consider brucellosis and
      establish proper diagnosis and therapy in children with prolonged fever,
      arthralgia, leukopenia and positive epidemiological data, especially in rural
      parts of the country.

PMID- 26276657
TI  - Differences in newborn umbilical cord care.
AB  - AIM: To investigate the frequency of different cord care practices as well
      recommendations to parents on cord care, along with the need to identify as well
      as reach the consensus on best cord care practices and other procedures in
      newborn care among health workers. METHODS: The study was conducted among 110
      health care workers at the nursery departments in two general hospitals, six
      community-health nursing services and 16 pediatric practices in Eastern Croatia.
      The questionnaire created for this research has evaluated different cord care
      practices and recommendations to parents, a need to identify, as well as reach
      the consensus on best practices in cord care and other procedures in newborn
      care. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences have been found among
      respondent groups in three "dry" cord practices (p=0.000, p=0.002, and p=0.004,
      respectively) and three "wet" cord practices (p=0.000, p=0.001, and p=0.000,
      respectively). Significant differences were determined in three types of
      recommendations to parents about the care of "dry" cord (p=0.000, p=0.000, and
      p=0.002, respectively) and two recommendations for "wet" cord (p =0.000, p=0.000,
      respectively). The majority of respondents stressed the need for publishing
      guidelines on cord care, 104 (94.5%), and for other procedures in newborn care,
      108 (98.2%). More than a half of respondents, 63 (57.3%), declared the need to
      reach a national agreement on guidelines for umbilical cord care. CONCLUSION:
      Healthcare workers employ, as well as recommend, different umbilical cord care
      practices. It is necessary to prepare and reach a national agreement on written
      guidelines for umbilical cord care as well as for other procedures in newborn
      care.

PMID- 26276658
TI  - Effects of perioperative statin treatment on postoperative atrial fibrillation
      and cardiac mortality in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting: a
      propensity score analysis.
AB  - AIM: To evaluate the effect of perioperative statin treatment on postoperative
      atrial fibrillation and cardiac mortality in patients undergoing coronary artery
      bypass grafting. METHODS: A total of 1890 patients who underwent isolated
      coronary artery bypass were analyzed retrospectively, of which 425 patients
      (22.4%) older than 70 were included in the study. The demographic properties,
      preoperative, operative and postoperative data and other medications of these
      patients were recorded. Continuous preoperative and postoperative atorvastatin
      therapy were received by 124 (29.17%) patients; 301 (70.82%) patients were
      matched to a control group (no-statin group). The two groups were matched by
      propensity score analysis in terms of atrial fibrillation development and cardiac
      mortality. RESULTS: Medical history, medical treatment, cardiovascular history,
      and operative characteristics demonstrated significant heterogeneity in both
      groups. Postoperative atrial fibrillation was similar in both groups. Before
      propensity score matching, the percentages of patients in postoperative atrial
      fibrillation with respect to Atorvastain-group and No-statin-group were 13.71 and
      10.3 respectively; however, those were 13.71 and 14.51 after matching. In a
      multivariate regression analysis, five-vessel bypass (odds ratio OR, 2.354; 95%
      confidence interval CI, 0.99 to 5.57) was an independent predictor of
      postoperative atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass
      grafting. In-hospital mortality was higher in the Atorvastatin-group compared
      with the No-statin-group: 124 (8.9%) versus 301 (3.7%), respectively; p=0.027).
      CONCLUSION: Perioperative atorvastatin treatment is not found to be associated
      with reduced postoperative atrial fibrillation and cardiac mortality in patients
      undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting above the age of seventy
      years.

PMID- 26276659
TI  - Efficacy of chronic statin therapy on major cardiac events after coronary artery
      bypass grafting: low-dose versus high-dose.
AB  - AIM: To investigate whether chronic statin treatment after coronary artery bypass
      grafting (CABG) protects patients from major cardiac events and provides
      percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) free survival. METHODS: A total of 232
      patients with previous CABG and chronic statin therapy were selected
      retrospectively and were divided into two groups according to a dosage of
      atorvastatin per day, e. g., 20 mg or 40 mg. Groups were compared for the major
      cardiac events and freedom from PCI by Kaplan Meier analysis as the primary end
      point. Patency of grafts including left internal thoracic artery (LITA) and
      saphenous vein (SVG) and progression of non-grafted native vessel disease were
      also evaluated as secondary end points. RESULTS: Cardiac mortality,
      periprocedural myocardial infarction (MI), target vessel revascularization and
      percutaneous coronary intervention free survival were as follows: 2.9% versus
      2.1% (p=1.000); 16.1% versus 21.1% (p=0.331); 56.93% versus 52.63% (p>0.005);
      58.4% versus 63.2% (log-rank test; p= 0.347) in atorvastatin 20 mg and
      atorvastatin 40 mg groups, respectively. However, these results were not
      statistically significant between two groups (p>0.005). Patency of openness of
      grafts including LITA and SVG and progression of non-grafted native vessel
      disease were similar between groups (p=0.112, p=0.779, p=0.379 and p=0.663,
      respectively). CONCLUSION: Low-dose long-term statin treatment had similar
      outcomes on major cardiac events and identical rate of freedom from percutaneous
      coronary intervention after coronary artery bypass grafting compared with high
      dose long-term statin treatment. It is better to start from low dose statin
      treatment after surgical interventions.

PMID- 26276660
TI  - Incidence of endophthalmitis after intravitreal application of anti VEGF therapy
      at the University Clinical Center in Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
AB  - AIM: To report the incidence of endophthalmitis following the use of intravitreal
      injection of anti- vascular endothelial growth factor (anti VEGF) therapy.
      METHODS: In this retrospective study a total of 986 intravitreal bevacizumab
      injections were applied between January 2008 and April 2015 at the University
      Clinical Center Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). Since January 2012, a total
      of 55 intravitreal ranibizumab injections were applied and since October 2014, 60
      intravitreal aflibercept injections were applied to patients. RESULTS: Two cases
      of endophthalmitis following intravitreal injection of bevaciuzumab occurred and
      none after ranibizumab or aflibercept. The overall incidence of clinical
      endophtahlmitis was 0.2%. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that a low rate of
      endophthalmitis can be achieved by means of a protocol. This is a very important
      study as it is the first of this kind in BiH that documents the incidence of
      endophthalmitis after intravitreal application. Currently, bevacizumab in BiH is
      most frequently used intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor due to
      very low price.

PMID- 26276661
TI  - Therapeutic efficacy and toxicity of bolus application of chemotherapy protocol
      in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer.
AB  - AIM: To compare efficacy and toxicity of bolus application of chemotherapy
      protocol, oxaliplatin, fluorouracil (bolus), leucovorin (folfox) between two
      groups of patients in the therapy of metastatic colorectal carcinoma (mCRC).
      METHODS: A total of 63 patients were treated for mCRC in the period January 2009 
      January 2010 at the Department of Oncology of the Cantonal Hospital Zenica,
      Bosnia and Herzegovina (first group, 30 patients) and at the Department of
      Oncology of the Clinical Hospital Centre Bezanijska kosa in Belgrade, Serbia, in
      the period January 2005 - January 2006 (second group, 33 patients). The patients
      were treated according the same protocol, i.v. bolus infusion, but in different
      day intervals (D), 1, 8, 15/28 days or D1-D5/28 days, respectively. In all
      patients the following factors were analyzed: tumor response, overall survival
      (OS), progression free survival, hematological and non-hematological toxicity .
      RESULTS: Colon was the primary localization in almost two thirds of patients.
      There was no statistically significant difference between the groups according to
      the age, hematological and non-hematological toxicity, as well as in achieved OS.
      Progression free survival expressed in months was in average 5 months though with
      a large range between minimal and maximal survival time. CONCLUSION: Both groups
      have shown equivalent efficacy to applied chemotherapy protocols. Overall
      survival in the two groups matched data from the literature. Further research
      should confirm success of the combination of chemotherapy protocols and their
      combination with the biological therapy.

PMID- 26276662
TI  - Differences in body mass index and height factors between men with and without
      varicocele.
AB  - AIM: Despite many studies published in recent years concerning the relationship
      between demographic factors and varicocele, this issue remains controversial. The
      aim of this study was to identify a possible influence of body mass index (BMI)
      and height on occurrence varicocele in men. METHODS: In a case-control study 153
      patients aged 18-40 years from 2004 to 20014, with moderate and sever varicocele
      were studied. The BMI and height of the 153 patients with varicocele were
      compared with 250 men who had no varicocele as a control group. RESULTS: After
      the adjustment for socio-demographic factors, the risk of varicocele for obese
      men was lower than for overweight and normal men (OR= 0.38, 95% CI= 0.17, 0.85).
      The adjusted OR for varicocele in taller men was higher than in those with low
      height (OR= 3.42, 95% CI= 1.34, 8.72), and moderate height (OR=2.68, 95% CI=
      1.12, 6.46). CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicated that tall men and
      non-obese men may be at higher risk of varicocele, therefore counseling and
      evaluation of the men at high risk of varicocele may be of benefit for reduced
      infertility.

PMID- 26276663
TI  - Genetic polymorphisms variants in interleukin-6 and interleukin-1beta patients
      with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in East Northern Turkey.
AB  - AIM: To investigate the relationship of IL-1beta and IL-6 cytokine gene
      polymorphisms with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in 61 patients
      admitted to the neurology clinic in Kafkas University Hospital with insomnia
      problem who were diagnosed with OSAS in sleeping labs, and 80 healthy subjects
      not associated with the syndrome. METHODS :Blood samples were taken to isolate
      DNA from patients diagnosed with OSAS based on polysomnography results and
      healthy controls. DNA amplification of the genes was performed with PCR.
      Amplification products were cut with the restriction enzymes in order to
      determine IL-1 gene (TaqI) and IL-6 gene (Lwel) polymorphisms. The cut DNA
      fragments were carried out in agarose gel electrophoresis, and RFLP analysis was
      performed by utilizing the images with gel imaging system. PCR products were
      sequenced with an Applied Biosystems Automated Sequencer. RESULTS: Polymorphic
      changes were observed for IL-1beta gene in 26 of 62 patients (41.9%), and 16 of
      the 80 (25.8%) in the control group. The incidence of polymorphic changes in IL-6
      gene was in seen in seven (of the 62 patients) (11.3%), and in the 16 (20%)
      controls. CONCLUSION : The findings on the genomic level in OSAS may provide an
      important contribution to diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in
      clinical practice, as well as it helps to obtain the results easily about
      environmental and genetic interaction of OSAS patients.

PMID- 26276664
TI  - Lack of glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper (GILZ) deregulates B-cell survival
      and results in B-cell lymphocytosis in mice.
AB  - Glucocorticoids (GC) are widely used as antiinflammatory/immunosuppressive drugs
      and antitumor agents in several types of lymphoma and leukemia. Therapeutic doses
      of GC induce growth-suppressive and cytotoxic effects on various leukocytes
      including B cells. Molecular mechanisms of GC action include induction of GC
      target genes. Glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper (GILZ) is a rapidly,
      potently, and invariably GC-induced gene. It mediates a number of GC effects,
      such as control of cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Here we
      show that deletion of GILZ in mice leads to an accumulation of B lymphocytes in
      the bone marrow, blood, and lymphoid tissues. Gilz knockout (KO) mice develop a
      progressive nonlethal B lymphocytosis, with expansion of B220(+) cells in the
      bone marrow and in the periphery, dependent on increased B-cell survival.
      Decreased B-cell apoptosis in mice lacking GILZ correlates with increased NF
      kappaB transcriptional activity and Bcl-2 expression. B cell-specific gilz KO
      mice confirmed that the effect of GILZ deletion is B-cell self-intrinsic. These
      results establish GILZ as an important regulator of B-cell survival and suggest
      that the deregulation of GILZ expression could be implicated in the pathogenesis
      of B-cell disorders. 

PMID- 26276665
TI  - Erythroferrone contributes to hepcidin suppression and iron overload in a mouse
      model of beta-thalassemia.
AB  - Inherited anemias with ineffective erythropoiesis, such as beta-thalassemia,
      manifest inappropriately low hepcidin production and consequent excessive
      absorption of dietary iron, leading to iron overload. Erythroferrone (ERFE) is an
      erythroid regulator of hepcidin synthesis and iron homeostasis. Erfe expression
      was highly increased in the marrow and spleen of Hbb(Th3/+) mice (Th3/+), a mouse
      model of thalassemia intermedia. Ablation of Erfe in Th3/+ mice restored normal
      levels of circulating hepcidin at 6 weeks of age, suggesting ERFE could be a
      factor suppressing hepcidin production in beta-thalassemia. We examined the
      expression of Erfe and the consequences of its ablation in thalassemic mice from
      3 to 12 weeks of age. The loss of ERFE in thalassemic mice led to full
      restoration of hepcidin mRNA expression at 3 and 6 weeks of age, and significant
      reduction in liver and spleen iron content at 6 and 12 weeks of age. Ablation of
      Erfe slightly ameliorated ineffective erythropoiesis, as indicated by reduced
      spleen index, red cell distribution width, and mean corpuscular volume, but did
      not improve the anemia. Thus, ERFE mediates hepcidin suppression and contributes
      to iron overload in a mouse model of beta-thalassemia. 

PMID- 26276666
TI  - Convergent BCL6 and lncRNA promoters demarcate the major breakpoint region for
      BCL6 translocations.

PMID- 26276667
TI  - Targeting the leukemia cell metabolism by the CPT1a inhibition: functional
      preclinical effects in leukemias.
AB  - Cancer cells are characterized by perturbations of their metabolic processes.
      Recent observations demonstrated that the fatty acid oxidation (FAO) pathway may
      represent an alternative carbon source for anabolic processes in different
      tumors, therefore appearing particularly promising for therapeutic purposes.
      Because the carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1a (CPT1a) is a protein that
      catalyzes the rate-limiting step of FAO, here we investigated the in vitro
      antileukemic activity of the novel CPT1a inhibitor ST1326 on leukemia cell lines
      and primary cells obtained from patients with hematologic malignancies. By real
      time metabolic analysis, we documented that ST1326 inhibited FAO in leukemia cell
      lines associated with a dose- and time-dependent cell growth arrest,
      mitochondrial damage, and apoptosis induction. Data obtained on primary
      hematopoietic malignant cells confirmed the FAO inhibition and cytotoxic activity
      of ST1326, particularly on acute myeloid leukemia cells. These data suggest that
      leukemia treatment may be carried out by targeting metabolic processes. 

PMID- 26276668
TI  - Autophagic vesicles on mature human reticulocytes explain phosphatidylserine
      positive red cells in sickle cell disease.
AB  - During maturation to an erythrocyte, a reticulocyte must eliminate any residual
      organelles and reduce its surface area and volume. Here we show this involves a
      novel process whereby large, intact, inside-out phosphatidylserine (PS)-exposed
      autophagic vesicles are extruded. Cell surface PS is a well-characterized
      apoptotic signal initiating phagocytosis. In peripheral blood from patients after
      splenectomy or in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD), the number of
      circulating red cells exposing PS on their surface is elevated. We show that in
      these patients PS is present on the cell surface of red cells in large (~1.4 um)
      discrete areas corresponding to autophagic vesicles. The autophagic vesicles
      found on reticulocytes are identical to those observed on red cells from
      splenectomized individuals and patients with SCD. Our data suggest the increased
      thrombotic risk associated with splenectomy, and patients with hemoglobinopathies
      is a possible consequence of increased levels of circulating mature reticulocytes
      expressing inside-out PS-exposed autophagic vesicles because of asplenia. 

PMID- 26276670
TI  - IL-1beta, in contrast to TNFalpha, is pivotal in blood-induced cartilage damage
      and is a potential target for therapy.
AB  - Joint bleeding after (sports) trauma, after major joint surgery, or as seen in
      hemophilia in general leads to arthropathy. Joint degeneration is considered to
      result from the direct effects of blood components on cartilage and indirectly
      from synovial inflammation. Blood-provided proinflammatory cytokines trigger
      chondrocytes and induce the production of cartilage-degrading proteases. In the
      presence of erythrocyte-derived iron, cytokines stimulate radical formation in
      the vicinity of chondrocytes inducing apoptosis. To unravel the role of
      interleukin (IL) 1beta and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha in the pathogenesis
      of this blood-induced cartilage damage, the effect of antagonizing these
      cytokines was examined in human in vitro cultures. Addition of recombinant human
      IL-1beta monoclonal antibody or IL-1 receptor antagonist resulted in a dose- and
      time-dependent protection of cartilage from blood-induced damage. In higher
      concentrations, almost complete normalization of cartilage matrix proteoglycan
      turnover was achieved. This was accompanied by a reduction in IL-1beta and IL-6
      production in whole blood cultures, whereas TNFalpha production remained
      unaffected. Interestingly, addition of a TNFalpha monoclonal antibody, although
      demonstrated to inhibit the direct (transient) effects of TNFalpha on cartilage,
      exhibited no effect on blood-induced (prolonged) cartilage damage. It is
      demonstrated that IL-1beta is crucial in the development of blood-induced joint
      damage, whereas TNFalpha is not. This hierarchical position of IL-1beta in blood
      induced joint damage warrants studies on targeting IL-1beta to potentially
      prevent joint degeneration after a joint bleed. 

PMID- 26276669
TI  - Molecular prediction of durable remission after first-line fludarabine
      cyclophosphamide-rituximab in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
AB  - Fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab (FCR) has represented a significant
      treatment advancement in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). In the new scenario
      of targeted agents, there is an increasing interest in identifying patients who
      gain the maximum benefit from FCR. In this observational multicenter
      retrospective analysis of 404 CLL patients receiving frontline FCR, the
      combination of three biomarkers that are widely tested before treatment (IGHV
      mutation status, 11q deletion and 17p deletion; available in 80% of the study
      cohort) allowed to identify a very low-risk category of patients carrying mutated
      IGHV genes but neither 11q or 17p deletion that accounted for 28% of all cases.
      The majority of very low-risk patients (71%) remained free of progression after
      treatment and their hazard of relapse decreased after 4 years from FCR. The life
      expectancy of very low-risk patients (91% at 5 years) was superimposable to that
      observed in the matched normal general population, indicating that neither the
      disease nor complications of its treatment affected survival in this favorable
      CLL group. These findings need a prospective validation and may be helpful for
      the design of clinical trials aimed at comparing FCR to new targeted treatments
      of CLL, and, possibly, for optimized disease management. 

PMID- 26276671
TI  - Age of Entry Into Early Childhood Education and Care as a Predictor of
      Aggression: Faint and Fading Associations for Young Norwegian Children.
AB  - Socioemotional risks associated with nonparental care have been debated for
      decades, and research findings continue to be mixed. Yet few studies have been
      able to test the causal hypothesis that earlier, more extensive, and longer
      durations of nonmaternal care lead to more problems. To examine the consequences
      of age of entry into nonparental care for childhood aggression, we used
      prospective longitudinal data from Norway, where month of birth partly determines
      age of entry into Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) centers. In this
      sample of 939 children followed from ages 6 months through 4 years, ECEC teachers
      reported the children's aggression when they were 2, 3, and 4 years old. We found
      some evidence that age of entry into ECEC predicted aggression at age 2, albeit
      modestly and not robustly. Between the ages of 2 and 4 years, the effect of age
      of entry on aggression faded to negligible levels. The implications for
      psychological science and policy are discussed. 

PMID- 26276672
TI  - Non-infectious in-cell HIV-1 protease assay utilizing translocalization of a
      fluorescent reporter protein and apoptosis induction.
AB  - This study describes a non-infectious in-cell imaging assay for HIV-1 protease
      inhibitor screening. It is based on re-distribution of a fluorescence reporter
      protein upon protease cleavage and the fact that HIV-infected cells undergo
      apoptosis. The in-cell assay utilizes fluorescent reporter proteins consisting of
      an intracellular translocation signal sequence, a caspase-3-specific cleavage
      sequence, and a fluorescent tagging protein. The reporter proteins are designed
      to change their intracellular localization upon cleavage, either from the cytosol
      to a subcellular organelle (type I) or from a subcellular organelle to the
      cytosol (type II). Inhibition of protease activity can be monitored at the single
      cell level. Interestingly, the expression of HIV-1 protease induced endogenous
      caspase-3 activation; thus, the fluorescence reporter protein containing the
      caspase-3 cleavage sequence translocalized upon cleavage. This is the first time
      that HIV-1 protease expression, not whole virus infection of the cell, was
      observed to trigger the apoptotic pathway, including caspse-3 activation. A
      validation of this assay was performed with a known HIV-1 protease inhibitor, Ac
      Leu-Val-phenylalanine. The clear cellular change in fluorescence pattern makes
      this system an ideal tool for various types of life science and drug discovery
      research, including high throughput and high content screening applications. 

PMID- 26276673
TI  - Cornin increases angiogenesis and improves functional recovery after stroke via
      the Ang1/Tie2 axis and the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway.
AB  - We investigated whether cornin, an iridoid glycoside isolated from fruits of
      Verbena officinalis L., regulated angiogenesis and thereby improved functional
      outcomes after stroke and discovered a potential mechanism. The effects of cornin
      on proliferation of rat artery smooth muscle cell (RASMC) and signalling was
      investigated in vitro. Adult male rats were subjected to 1 h of middle cerebral
      artery occlusion (MCAO) and reperfusion and treated with or without 25 mg/kg of
      cornin, starting 24 h after ischemia and reperfusion, by continuous intravenous
      injection daily for 14 days. Neurological functional tests were performed and
      cerebral Evans blue extravasation was measured. Angiogenesis and angiogenic
      factor expressions were measured by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting,
      respectively. Cornin increased the proliferation of RASMC and enhanced the
      expression of Wnt5a, beta-catenin, cyclin D1 and angiopoietin-1 (Ang1). Cornin
      treatment promoted angiogenesis in the ischemic brain core and improved
      functional outcomes after stroke. Cornin-treated MCAO rats showed significant
      increase in vascularization and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor
      and Ang1 and phosphorylation of Tie2 and Akt compared with vehicle-treated MCAO
      rats. The Ang1/Tie2 axis and Wnt/beta-catenin pathways appear to mediate cornin
      induced angiogenesis. 

PMID- 26276675
TI  - Allo-transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells attenuates hepatic injury through
      IL1Ra dependent macrophage switch in a mouse model of liver disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Autologous transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)
      reduces concanavalin A (Con A)-induced hepatic injury in mice. However, the
      mechanism is unclear and the therapeutic effect of allo-transplantation remains
      unknown. Our aim was to investigate the effects and mechanisms related to allo
      transplantation of MSCs when used to treat Con A hepatic injury. METHODS: After
      Con A-induced liver injury was created in C57BL/6J mice, MSCs derived from BALB/c
      mice or a vehicle control was administered. RESULTS: Allo-transplantation of MSCs
      derived from BALB/c mice attenuated hepatic apoptosis in C57BL/6J mice that had
      undergone Con A-induced liver injury. MSCs increased the level of serum
      interleukin (IL)-10 and the phosphorylation of hepatic STAT3, but decreased the
      level of hepatic IFN-gamma and phospho-STAT1. Notably, the administered MSCs were
      trapped mostly in the lungs and promoted the macrophage M2 switch, which
      contributed to the increased IL10 levels in the lungs and serum. Loss of the
      therapeutic effect was observed after knock-down of the expression of interleukin
      1 receptor antagonist (IL1Ra) in the MSCs. In vitro investigation supported the
      hypothesis that MSCs are able to switch Con A-stimulated macrophages to the M2
      phenotype, which results in an increase in IL10 production. CONCLUSIONS: Allo
      transplantation of MSCs reduces Con A liver injury by increasing IL10 production
      through an IL1Ra dependent macrophage switch.

PMID- 26276674
TI  - Comparative Genomics of Environmental and Clinical Stenotrophomonas maltophilia
      Strains with Different Antibiotic Resistance Profiles.
AB  - Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, a ubiquitous Gram-negative gamma-proteobacterium,
      has emerged as an important opportunistic pathogen responsible for nosocomial
      infections. A major characteristic of clinical isolates is their high intrinsic
      or acquired antibiotic resistance level. The aim of this study was to decipher
      the genetic determinism of antibiotic resistance among strains from different
      origins (i.e., natural environment and clinical origin) showing various
      antibiotic resistance profiles. To this purpose, we selected three strains
      isolated from soil collected in France or Burkina Faso that showed contrasting
      antibiotic resistance profiles. After whole-genome sequencing, the phylogenetic
      relationships of these 3 strains and 11 strains with available genome sequences
      were determined. Results showed that a strain's phylogeny did not match their
      origin or antibiotic resistance profiles. Numerous antibiotic resistance coding
      genes and efflux pump operons were revealed by the genome analysis, with 57% of
      the identified genes not previously described. No major variation in the
      antibiotic resistance gene content was observed between strains irrespective of
      their origin and antibiotic resistance profiles. Although environmental strains
      generally carry as many multidrug resistant (MDR) efflux pumps as clinical
      strains, the absence of resistance-nodulation-division (RND) pumps (i.e., SmeABC)
      previously described to be specific to S. maltophilia was revealed in two
      environmental strains (BurA1 and PierC1). Furthermore the genome analysis of the
      environmental MDR strain BurA1 showed the absence of SmeABC but the presence of
      another putative MDR RND efflux pump, named EbyCAB on a genomic island probably
      acquired through horizontal gene transfer. 

PMID- 26276676
TI  - Professionalism Redundant, Reshaped, or Reinvigorated? Realizing the "Third
      Logic" in Contemporary Health Care.
AB  - Recent decades have seen the influence of the professions decline. Lately,
      commentators have suggested a revived role for a "new" professionalism in
      ensuring and enhancing high-quality health care in systems dominated by market
      and managerial logics. The form this new professionalism might take, however,
      remains obscure. This article uses data from an ethnographic study of three
      English health care improvement projects to analyze the place, potential, and
      limitations of professionalism as a means of engaging clinicians in efforts to
      improve service quality. We found that appeals to notions of professionalism had
      strong support among practitioners, but converting enthusiasm for the principle
      of professionalism into motivation to change practice was not straightforward.
      Some tactics used in pursuit of this deviated sharply from traditional models of
      collegial social control. In systems characterized by fissures between
      professional groups and powerful market and managerial influences, we suggest
      that professionalism must interact creatively but carefully with other logics. 

PMID- 26276677
TI  - High glucose-induced changes in hyaloid-retinal vessels during early ocular
      development of zebrafish: a short-term animal model of diabetic retinopathy.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Although a variety of animal models have been used to
      test drug candidates and examine the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy, time
      saving and inexpensive models are still needed to evaluate the increasing number
      of therapeutic approaches. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: We developed a model for
      diabetic retinopathy using the early stage of transgenic zebrafish (flk:EGFP) by
      treating embryos with 130 mM glucose, from 3-6 days post fertilisation (high
      glucose model). On day 6, lenses from zebrafish larvae were isolated and treated
      with 3% trypsin, and changes in hyaloid-retinal vessels were analysed using
      fluorescent stereomicroscopy. In addition, expression of tight junction proteins
      (such as zonula occludens-1), effects of hyperosmolar solutions and of hypoxia,
      and Vegf expression were assessed by RT -PCR. NO production was assessed with a
      fluorescent substrate. Effects of inhibitors of the VEGF receptor, NO synthesis
      and a VEGF antibody (ranibizumab) were also measured. KEY RESULTS: In this high
      glucose model, dilation of hyaloid-retinal vessels, on day 6, was accompanied by
      morphological lesions with disruption of tight junction proteins, overproduction
      of Vegf mRNA and increased NO production. Treatment of this high-glucose model
      with an inhibitor of VEGF receptor tyrosine kinase or an inhibitor of NO synthase
      or ranibizumab decreased dilation of hyaloid-retinal vessels. CONCLUSIONS AND
      IMPLICATIONS: These findings suggest that short-term exposure of zebrafish larvae
      to high-glucose conditions could be used for screening and drug discovery for
      diabetic retinopathy and particularly for disorders of retinal vessels related to
      disruption of tight junction proteins and excessive VEGF and NO production.

PMID- 26276678
TI  - A multiphase model for chemically- and mechanically- induced cell differentiation
      in a hollow fibre membrane bioreactor: minimising growth factor consumption.
AB  - We present a simplified two-dimensional model of fluid flow, solute transport,
      and cell distribution in a hollow fibre membrane bioreactor. We consider two cell
      populations, one undifferentiated and one differentiated, with differentiation
      stimulated either by growth factor alone, or by both growth factor and fluid
      shear stress. Two experimental configurations are considered, a 3-layer model in
      which the cells are seeded in a scaffold throughout the extracapillary space
      (ECS), and a 4-layer model in which the cell-scaffold construct occupies a layer
      surrounding the outside of the hollow fibre, only partially filling the ECS.
      Above this is a region of free-flowing fluid, referred to as the upper fluid
      layer. Following previous models by the authors (Pearson et al. in Math Med Biol,
      2013, Biomech Model Mechanbiol 1-16, 2014a, we employ porous mixture theory to
      model the dynamics of, and interactions between, the cells, scaffold, and fluid
      in the cell-scaffold construct. We use this model to determine operating
      conditions (experiment end time, growth factor inlet concentration, and inlet
      fluid fluxes) which result in a required percentage of differentiated cells, as
      well as maximising the differentiated cell yield and minimising the consumption
      of expensive growth factor.

PMID- 26276679
TI  - Have Treatment Studies of Depression Become Even Less Generalizable? A Review of
      the Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria Used in Placebo-Controlled Antidepressant
      Efficacy Trials Published During the Past 20 Years.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the inclusion and exclusion criteria used in antidepressant
      efficacy trials (AETs) published during the past 5 years with those used in
      studies published during the previous 15 years. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We
      conducted a comprehensive literature review of placebo-controlled AETs published
      from January 1995 through December 2014. We included trials whether or not the
      medication has received regulatory approval for the treatment of depression. We
      compared the inclusion and exclusion criteria of studies published during the
      past 5 years (2010-2014) with those of studies published during the previous 15
      years (1995-2009). RESULTS: We identified 170 placebo-controlled AETs published
      during the past 20 years, 56 of which were published during the past 5 years. The
      more recent studies were significantly more likely to exclude patients with
      comorbid Axis I disorders and personality disorders, patients with the episode
      duration either too long or too short, and patients who had made a suicide
      attempt in the past. The severity threshold on depression rating scales required
      for inclusion was higher in the more recent studies. CONCLUSION: The inclusion
      and exclusion criteria of AETs have become more stringent over the past 5 years,
      thereby suggesting that AETs may be even less generalizable than they were
      previously (when concerns about their generalizability had already been raised).

PMID- 26276680
TI  - Knowledge and beliefs about developmental dyslexia in pre-service and in-service
      Spanish-speaking teachers.
AB  - The present study investigated knowledge, misconceptions, and lack of information
      about dyslexia among pre-service (PST) and in-service (IST) Spanish-speaking
      teachers in Spain and Peru. Two hundred and forty-six pre-service teachers and
      267 in-service teachers completed the Knowledge and Beliefs about Developmental
      Dyslexia Scale (KBDDS). In-service teachers scored significantly higher on the
      total scale, and on the symptoms/diagnosis and general information subscales,
      than pre-service teachers. The percentages for misconceptions and lack of
      information ("do not know responses") were higher for PSTs than for ISTs on the
      general information subscale, the symptoms/diagnosis subscale, and the treatment
      subscale. Analyses of individual items were conducted to differentiate concepts
      that teachers did not know from misconceptions. In-service teacher self-efficacy,
      years of teaching experience, post-graduate training in dyslexia, and prior
      exposure to a child with dyslexia were positively related to knowledge about
      dyslexia. Implications for pre-service teacher training and professional
      development are discussed.

PMID- 26276682
TI  - Gut microbiota composition associated with stool consistency.

PMID- 26276681
TI  - The role of growth differentiation factor 15 in the pathogenesis of primary
      myelofibrosis.
AB  - Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) is a pleiotropic cytokine that belongs
      to the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily. Elevated serum concentrations
      of this cytokine have been reported in patients with various malignancies. To
      assess the potential roles of GDF15 in hematologic malignancies, we measured its
      serum levels in patients with these diseases. We found that serum GDF15 levels
      were elevated in almost all these patients, particularly in patients with primary
      myelofibrosis (PMF). Immunohistochemical staining of bone marrow (BM) specimens
      revealed that GDF15 was strongly expressed by megakaryocytes, which may be
      sources of increased serum GDF15 in PMF patients. Therefore, we further assessed
      the contribution of GDF15 to the pathogenesis of PMF. Recombinant human (rh)
      GDF15 enhanced the growth of human BM mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs), and it
      enhanced the potential of these cells to support human hematopoietic progenitor
      cell growth in a co-culture system. rhGDF15 enhanced the growth of human primary
      fibroblasts, but it did not affect their expression of profibrotic genes. rhGDF15
      induced osteoblastic differentiation of BM-MSCs in vitro, and pretreatment of BM
      MSCs with rGDF15 enhanced the induction of bone formation in a xenograft mouse
      model. These results suggest that serum levels of GDF15 in PMF are elevated, that
      megakaryocytes are sources of this cytokine in BM, and that GDF15 may modulate
      the pathogenesis of PMF by enhancing proliferation and promoting osteogenic
      differentiation of BM-MSCs.

PMID- 26276684
TI  - Associations between reproduction and work in workers of the Asian hive bee Apis
      cerana.
AB  - If a honey bee (Apis spp.) colony becomes queenless, about 1/3 of young workers
      activate their ovaries and produce haploid male-producing eggs. In doing so
      queenless workers maximize their inclusive fitness because the normal option of
      vicarious production of relatives via their queen's eggs is no longer available.
      But if many workers are engaged in reproduction, how does a queenless colony
      continue to feed its brood and forage? Here we show that in the Asian hive bee
      Apis cerana hypopharyngeal gland (HPG) size is larger in queenless workers than
      in queenright workers and that bees undertaking brood-rearing tasks have larger
      HPG than same-aged bees that are foraging. In queenless colonies, workers with a
      smaller number of ovarioles are more likely to have activated ovaries. This
      reinforces the puzzling observation that a large number of ovarioles reduces
      reproductive success in queenless A. cerana. It further suggests that
      reproductive workers either avoid foraging or transition to foraging later in
      life than non-reproductive workers. Finally, our study also showed that ovary
      activation and larger-than-average numbers of ovarioles had no statistically
      detectable influence on foraging specialization for pollen or nectar. 

PMID- 26276683
TI  - Host cell mTORC1 is required for HCV RNA replication.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Chronically HCV-infected orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT)
      recipients appear to have improved outcomes when their immunosuppressive regimen
      includes a mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor. The mechanism
      underlying this observation is unknown. DESIGN: We used virological assays to
      investigate mTOR signalling on the HCV replication cycle. Furthermore, we
      analysed HCV RNA levels of 42 HCV-positive transplanted patients treated with an
      mTOR inhibitor as part of their immunosuppressive regimen. RESULTS: The mTOR
      inhibitor rapamycin was found to be a potent inhibitor for HCV RNA replication in
      Huh-7.5 cells as well as primary human hepatocytes. Half-maximal inhibition was
      observed at 0.01 ug/mL, a concentration that is in the range of serum levels seen
      in transplant recipients and does not affect cell proliferation. Early
      replication cycle steps such as cell entry and RNA translation were not affected.
      Knockdown of raptor, an essential component of mTORC1, but not rictor, an
      essential component of mTORC2, inhibited viral RNA replication. In addition,
      overexpression of raptor led to higher viral RNA replication, demonstrating that
      mTORC1, but not mTORC2, is required for HCV RNA replication. In 42 HCV-infected
      liver-transplanted or kidney-transplanted patients who were switched to an mTOR
      inhibitor, we could verify that mTOR inhibition decreased HCV RNA levels in vivo.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our data identify mTORC1 as a novel HCV replication factor. These
      findings suggest an underlying mechanism for the observed benefits of mTOR
      inhibition in HCV-positive OLT recipients and potentiate further investigation of
      mTOR-containing regimens in HCV-positive recipients of solid organ transplants.

PMID- 26276685
TI  - Comparison of Changes in Anxiety and Depression Level Between Dabigatran and
      Warfarin Use in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation.
AB  - We hypothesized that patients taking warfarin require frequent hospital follow-up
      and they are at higher risk for complications, so the incidence of depression and
      anxiety is higher in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) in the period of
      taking warfarin compared to the period of taking dabigatran. Fifty patients
      having AF without valvular diseases under treatment of warfarin in whom a
      transition to dabigatran was planned were consecutively enrolled in this study
      and followed up prospectively between July 2013 and July 2014. All patients
      completed Beck Depression Inventory and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAS) at the
      initiation of study and 6 months after initiation of study. Of the patients
      enrolled in the study, age, gender, smoking status, and comorbidities were
      questioned. A total of 50 patients (28 women; mean age 74.6 +/- 8.7 years)
      treated with warfarin in whom a transition to dabigatran was planned were
      included. Basal mean value of BDS (15.6 +/- 7.8 vs 11.5 +/- 4.8, P < .001) and
      HAS (16.8 +/- 10.4 vs 12.6 +/- 8.1, P < 0.001) was significantly higher in
      patients when they used warfarin than when they switched to dabigatran. In
      categorical analysis, frequency of patients with depression (mild, moderate, and
      severe) was significantly higher in period of warfarin use than after dabigatran
      transition (n = 24, 48% vs n = 14, 28%, P = .039). Our study demonstrates that
      patients with nonvalvular AF under treatment of dabigatran had lower BDS and HAS
      scores compared to warfarin. These findings suggest that dabigatran may increase
      quality of life and decrease morbidity and mortality due to reduction in anxiety
      and depression.

PMID- 26276686
TI  - Adenosine Diphosphate-Induced Platelets Aggregability in Polysomnographically
      Verified Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
AB  - Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a risk factor for arterial thrombosis
      and cardiovascular morbidity. Activated platelets play key roles in the
      development of atherothrombosis, thus may be involved in these complications of
      OSAS. Herein, we evaluated the relationship between severity of OSAS and the
      degree of platelet aggregates as a marker of activated platelets in 64 patients
      with OSAS. Platelet aggregations were determined by means of optical
      aggregometry, using adenosine diphosphate (ADP) as an agonist. Compared with the
      control group, ADP-induced platelet aggregability was increased in patients with
      total OSAS, severe OSAS, and in mild to moderate OSAS. Moreover, ADP-induced
      platelet aggregation was correlated with the Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) in
      patients with severe OSAS. Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is associated with
      enhanced platelets aggregations, which may predispose the cardiovascular sequels.
      The ESS may be important in predicting platelet activation and thus
      atherothrombotic complications in those with OSAS.

PMID- 26276687
TI  - Intussusception after monovalent rotavirus vaccine-United States, Vaccine Adverse
      Event Reporting System (VAERS), 2008-2014.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In 2006 and 2008, two new rotavirus vaccines (RotaTeq [RV5] and
      Rotarix [RV1]) were introduced in the United States. US data on intussusception
      have been mostly related to RV5, with limited data on RV1. METHODS: We assessed
      intussusception events following RV1 reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event
      Reporting System (VAERS), a US national passive surveillance system, during
      February 2008-December 2014. We conducted a self-controlled risk interval
      analysis using Poisson regression to estimate the daily reporting ratio (DRR) of
      intussusception after the first 2 doses of RV1 comparing average daily reports 3
      6 versus 0-2 days after vaccination. We calculated the excess risk of
      intussusception per 100,000 vaccinations based on DRRs and background rates of
      intussusception. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess effects of
      differential reporting completeness and inaccuracy of baseline rates. RESULTS:
      VAERS received 108 confirmed insusceptible reports after RV1. A significant
      clustering was observed on days 3-8 after does1 (p=0.001) and days 2-7 after dose
      2 (p=0.001). The DRR comparing the 3-6 day and the 0-2 day periods after RV1 dose
      1 was 7.5 (95% CI=2.3, 24.6), translating to an excess risk of 1.6 (95% CI=0.3,
      5.8) per 100,000 vaccinations. The DRR was elevated but not significant after
      dose 2 (2.4 [95% CI=0.8,7.5]). The excess risk ranged from 1.2 to 2.8 per 100,000
      in sensitivity analysis. CONCLUSIONS: We observed a significant increased risk of
      intussusception 3-6 days after dose 1 of RV1. The estimated small number of
      intussusception cases attributable to RV1 is outweighed by the benefits of
      rotavirus vaccination.

PMID- 26276690
TI  - Esophageal Perforation Caused by Misplaced Minnesota Tube.

PMID- 26276688
TI  - A Structural View of Negative Regulation of the Toll-like Receptor-Mediated
      Inflammatory Pathway.
AB  - Even though the Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathway is integral to inflammatory
      defense mechanisms, its excessive signaling may be devastating. Cells have
      acquired a cascade of strategies to regulate TLR signaling by targeting protein
      protein interactions, or ubiquitin chains, but the details of the inhibition
      mechanisms are still unclear. Here, we provide the structural basis for the
      regulation of TLR signaling by constructing architectures of protein-protein
      interactions. Structural data suggest that 1) Toll/IL-1R (TIR) domain-containing
      regulators (BCAP, SIGIRR, and ST2) interfere with TIR domain signalosome
      formation; 2) major deubiquitinases such as A20, CYLD, and DUBA prevent
      association of TRAF6 and TRAF3 with their partners, in addition to removing K63
      linked ubiquitin chains that serve as a docking platform for downstream
      effectors; 3) alternative downstream pathways of TLRs also restrict signaling by
      competing to bind common partners through shared binding sites. We also performed
      in silico mutagenesis analysis to characterize the effects of oncogenic mutations
      on the negative regulators and to observe the cellular outcome (whether there
      is/is not inflammation). Missense mutations that fall on interfaces and
      nonsense/frameshift mutations that result in truncated negative regulators
      disrupt the interactions with the targets, thereby enabling constitutive
      activation of the nuclear factor-kappa B, and contributing to chronic
      inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and oncogenesis. 

PMID- 26276689
TI  - Parallel Allostery by cAMP and PDE Coordinates Activation and Termination Phases
      in cAMP Signaling.
AB  - The second messenger molecule cAMP regulates the activation phase of the cAMP
      signaling pathway through high-affinity interactions with the cytosolic cAMP
      receptor, the protein kinase A regulatory subunit (PKAR). Phosphodiesterases
      (PDEs) are enzymes responsible for catalyzing hydrolysis of cAMP to 5' AMP. It
      was recently shown that PDEs interact with PKAR to initiate the termination phase
      of the cAMP signaling pathway. While the steps in the activation phase are well
      understood, steps in the termination pathway are unknown. Specifically, the
      binding and allosteric networks that regulate the dynamic interplay between PKAR,
      PDE, and cAMP are unclear. In this study, PKAR and PDE from Dictyostelium
      discoideum (RD and RegA, respectively) were used as a model system to monitor
      complex formation in the presence and absence of cAMP. Amide hydrogen/deuterium
      exchange mass spectrometry was used to monitor slow conformational transitions in
      RD, using disordered regions as conformational probes. Our results reveal that RD
      regulates its interactions with cAMP and RegA at distinct loci by undergoing slow
      conformational transitions between two metastable states. In the presence of
      cAMP, RD and RegA form a stable ternary complex, while in the absence of cAMP
      they maintain transient interactions. RegA and cAMP each bind at orthogonal sites
      on RD with resultant contrasting effects on its dynamics through parallel
      allosteric relays at multiple important loci. RD thus serves as an integrative
      node in cAMP termination by coordinating multiple allosteric relays and governing
      the output signal response. 

PMID- 26276691
TI  - [Error in cefotaxime dosage in some drug data sheets].

PMID- 26276692
TI  - [CODEPEH 2014 recommendations for the early detection of delayed hearing loss].
AB  - The latest scientific literature considers early diagnosis of deafness as key
      element to define the educational prognosis and inclusion of the deaf child, as
      advantage can be taken in the critical period of development (0-4 years). Highly
      significant differences exist between those deaf persons who have been stimulated
      early and those who have received late or inappropriate intervention. Early
      identification of late-onset disorders requires special attention and knowledge
      of all childcare professionals. Programs and additional actions beyond neonatal
      screening should be designed and planned in order to ensure that every child with
      a significant hearing loss is detected early. For this purpose, the Committee for
      the Early Detection of Deafness (CODEPEH) would like to highlight the need for
      continuous monitoring on the hearing health of children. And, for this reason,
      CODEPEH drafts the recommendations included in the present document.

PMID- 26276693
TI  - A plasma protein corona enhances the biocompatibility of Au@Fe3O4 Janus
      particles.
AB  - Au@Fe3O4 Janus particles (JPs) are heteroparticles with discrete domains defined
      by different materials. Their tunable composition and morphology confer
      multimodal and versatile capabilities for use as contrast agents and drug
      carriers in future medicine. Au@Fe3O4 JPs have colloidal properties and surface
      characteristics leading to interactions with proteins in biological fluids. The
      resulting protein adsorption layer ("protein corona") critically affects their
      interaction with living matter. Although Au@Fe3O4 JPs displayed good
      biocompatibility in a standardized in vitro situation, an in-depth
      characterization of the protein corona is of prime importance to unravel
      underlying mechanisms affecting their pathophysiology and biodistribution in
      vitro and in vivo. Here, we comparatively analyzed the human plasma corona of Au
      thiol@Fe3O4-SiO2-PEG JPs (NH2-functionalized and non-functionalized) and
      spherical magnetite (Fe3O4-SiO2-PEG) particles and investigated its effects on
      colloidal stability, biocompatibility and cellular uptake. Label-free
      quantitative proteomic analyses revealed that complex coronas including almost
      180 different proteins were formed within only one minute. Remarkably, in
      contrast to spherical magnetite particles with surface NH2 groups, the Janus
      structure prevented aggregation and the adhesion of opsonins. This resulted in an
      enhanced biocompatibility of corona sheathed JPs compared to spherical magnetite
      particles and corona-free JPs. 

PMID- 26276694
TI  - Neuroblastoma-targeted nanocarriers improve drug delivery and penetration, delay
      tumor growth and abrogate metastatic diffusion.
AB  - Selective tumor targeting is expected to enhance drug delivery and to decrease
      toxicity, resulting in an improved therapeutic index. We have recently identified
      the HSYWLRS peptide sequence as a specific ligand for aggressive neuroblastoma, a
      childhood tumor mostly refractory to current therapies. Here we validated the
      specific binding of HSYWLRS to neuroblastoma cell suspensions obtained either
      from cell lines, animal models, or Schwannian-stroma poor, stage IV neuroblastoma
      patients. Binding of the biotinylated peptide and of HSYWLRS-functionalized
      fluorescent quantum dots or liposomal nanoparticles was dose-dependent and
      inhibited by an excess of free peptide. In animal models obtained by the
      orthotopic implant of either MYCN-amplified or MYCN single copy human
      neuroblastoma cell lines, treatment with HSYWLRS-targeted, doxorubicin-loaded
      Stealth Liposomes increased tumor vascular permeability and perfusion, enhancing
      tumor penetration of the drug. This formulation proved to exert a potent
      antitumor efficacy, as evaluated by bioluminescence imaging and micro-PET,
      leading to (i) delay of tumor growth paralleled by decreased tumor glucose
      consumption, and (ii) abrogation of metastatic spreading, accompanied by absence
      of systemic toxicity and significant increase in the animal life span. Our
      findings are functional to the design of targeted nanocarriers with potentiated
      therapeutic efficacy towards the clinical translation. 

PMID- 26276695
TI  - The short- and long-term effects of orally administered high-dose reduced
      graphene oxide nanosheets on mouse behaviors.
AB  - Reduced graphene oxide (rGO), a carbon-based nanomaterial, has enormous potential
      in biomedical research, including in vivo cancer therapeutics. Concerns over the
      toxicity remain outstanding and must be investigated before clinical application.
      The effect of rGO exposure on animal behaviors, such as learning and memory
      abilities, has not been clarified. Herein, we explored the short- and long-term
      effects of orally administered rGO on mouse behaviors, including general
      locomotor activity level, balance and neuromuscular coordination, exploratory and
      anxiety behaviors, and learning and memory abilities using open-field, rotarod,
      and Morris water maze tests. Compared with mice administered buffer-dispersed
      mouse chow or buffer alone, mice receiving a high dose of small or large rGO
      nanosheets showed little change in exploratory, anxiety-like, or learning and
      memory behaviors, although general locomotor activity, balance, and neuromuscular
      coordination were initially affected, which the mechanisms (e.g. the influence of
      rGO exposure on the activity of superoxide dismutase in mouse serum) were
      discussed. The results presented in this work look to provide a deep
      understanding of the in vivo toxicity of rGO to animals, especially its effect on
      learning and memory and other behaviors. 

PMID- 26276696
TI  - Factors associated with recurrence after femoral derotation osteotomy in cerebral
      palsy.
AB  - Femoral derotation osteotomy (FDO) as gold standard treatment for internal
      rotation gait in cerebral palsy (CP) leads to satisfying short-term results,
      whereas rates of recurrence up to 33% are reported in long-term outcome studies.
      The purpose of this study was therefore to identify factors contributing to
      recurrence of internal rotation gait in patients with CP who were treated with
      FDO in childhood. 70 patients (age: 10 (+/- 3.3) years at surgery) with bilateral
      CP and internal rotation gait were examined pre-, one year and at least five
      years (mean 8 +/- 2 years) postoperatively after distal or proximal FDO, using
      standardized clinical examination and 3D gait-analysis. 27 patients had a good
      hip rotation one year postoperatively (between 5 degrees  external and 15 degrees
      internal for both limbs) and were considered for the analysis of factors
      contributing to recurrence of internal rotation gait. Regarding all included
      patients both mean hip rotation and foot progression angle improved significantly
      (p < 0.001) from pre- to postoperative. A significant deterioration in hip
      rotation (more involved side) (p < 0.001) from one year postoperatively to the
      long-term follow-up can be observed. Younger age, reduced hip joint impulse,
      increased plantar flexion and internal foot progression angle postoperatively
      could be identified as factors for recurrence. FDO on average leads to a
      satisfactory correction of internal rotation gait. In order to improve the long
      term outcome after FDO the time of multilevel surgery should be indicated as late
      as possible and the different factors leading to potential recurrence should be
      considered.

PMID- 26276697
TI  - Malaria-associated morbidity during the rainy season in Saharan and Sahelian
      zones in Mauritania.
AB  - Reliable epidemiological data based on laboratory-confirmed cases are scarce in
      Mauritania. A large majority of reported malaria cases are based on presumptive
      clinical diagnosis. The present study was conducted to establish a reliable
      database on malaria morbidity among febrile paediatric and adult patients
      consulting spontaneously at public health facilities in Nouakchott, situated in
      the Saharan zone, and in Hodh Elgharbi region in the Sahelian zone in south-east
      Mauritania during the peak transmission periods. Giemsa-stained thin and thick
      films were examined under the microscope, and the parasite density was determined
      according to the procedures recommended by the World Health Organization.
      Microscopy results were confirmed by rapid diagnostic test for malaria. A total
      of 1161 febrile patients (498 in Nouakchott and 663 in Hodh Elgharbi region) were
      enrolled during two successive peak transmission periods in 2009 and 2010. In
      Nouakchott, 253 (50.8%) febrile patients had positive smears (83% Plasmodium
      vivax monoinfections and 17% Plasmodium falciparum monoinfections). In Hodh
      Elgharbi, 378 of 663 patients (57.0%) were smear-positive, mostly due to P.
      falciparum monoinfections (96.6%). Unlike in Nouakchott, mixed P. falciparum-P.
      vivax infections, as well as P. vivax, P. ovale, and P. malariae monoinfections,
      were also observed at a very low prevalence in southern Mauritania. In
      Nouakchott, malaria occurred more frequently (P<0.05) with higher slide
      positivity rates (42-53%) among children aged >5 years old and adults than in
      young children aged <5 years old in both 2009 and 2010. In Hodh Elgharbi, high
      slide positivity rates (60.9-86.2%) were observed in all age groups in 2010, and
      there was no significant trend (P>0.05) in relation with age groups. The present
      study confirmed the predominance of P. falciparum in southern Mauritania reported
      in previous studies. The presence of P. vivax in Nouakchott is a new
      epidemiological reality that requires an urgent adoption of novel strategies for
      parasitological and vector control to combat urban malaria. Moreover, the present
      study provides evidence-based data on malaria burden in two regions in Mauritania
      that may serve as a springboard to establish and develop a national surveillance
      system of malaria epidemiology. 

PMID- 26276698
TI  - Taenia solium in Europe: Still endemic?
AB  - The pork tapeworm, Taenia solium, causes an important economic and health burden,
      mainly in rural or marginalized communities of sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and
      Latin-America. Although improved pig rearing conditions seem to have eliminated
      the parasite in most Western European countries, little is known about the true
      endemicity status of T. solium throughout Europe. Three recent reviews indicate
      that autochthonous human T. solium taeniasis/cysticercosis may be possible in
      Europe, but that current peer-reviewed literature is biased towards Western
      Europe. Officially reported data on porcine cysticercosis are highly
      insufficient. Favourable conditions for local T. solium transmission still exist
      in eastern parts of Europe, although the ongoing integration of the European
      Union is speeding up modernisation and intensification of the pig sector. Further
      evidence is urgently needed to fill the gaps on the European T. solium endemicity
      map. We urge to make human cysticercosis notifiable and to improve the reporting
      of porcine cysticercosis.

PMID- 26276699
TI  - Unusual H-Bond Topology and Bifurcated H-bonds in the 2-Fluoroethanol Trimer.
AB  - By using a combination of rotational spectroscopy and ab initio calculations, an
      unusual H-bond topology was revealed for the 2-fluoroethanol trimer. The trimer
      exhibits a strong heterochiral preference and adopts an open OH???OH H-bond
      topology while utilizing two types of bifurcated H-bonds involving organic
      fluorine. This is in stark contrast to the cyclic OH???OH H-bond topology adopted
      by trimers of water and other simple alcohols. The strengths of different H-bonds
      in the trimer were analyzed by using the quantum theory of atoms in molecules.
      The study showcases a remarkable example of a chirality-induced switch in H-bond
      topology in a simple transient chiral fluoroalcohol. It provides important
      insight into the H-bond topologies of small fluoroalcohol aggregates, which are
      proposed to play a key role in protein folding and in enantioselective reactions
      and separations where fluoroalcohols serve as a (co)solvent. 

PMID- 26276700
TI  - Functional connectivity measures as schizophrenia intermediate phenotypes:
      advances, limitations, and future directions.
AB  - The search for quantifiable biological mediators of genetic risk or 'intermediate
      phenotypes' is an essential strategy in psychiatric neuroscience and a useful
      tool for exploring the complex relationships between genes, neural circuits and
      behaviors. In recent years, the examination of connectivity-based intermediate
      phenotypes has gained increasing popularity in the study of schizophrenia, a
      brain disorder that manifests in early adulthood and disturbs a wide range of
      neural network functions. To date, several potential connectivity phenotypes have
      been identified that link neuroimaging measures of neural circuit interaction to
      genetic susceptibility for schizophrenia. This paper briefly reviews recent
      advances, current limitations and future directions in the search for functional
      connectivity intermediate phenotypes for schizophrenia across different cognitive
      domains. 

PMID- 26276701
TI  - Influence of turbulent flow on the explosion parameters of micro- and nano
      aluminum powder-air mixtures.
AB  - The environmental turbulence intensity has a significant influence on the
      explosion parameters of both micro- and nano-Al at the time of ignition. However,
      explosion research on turbulence intensity with respect to micro- and nano-Al
      powders is still insufficient. In this work, micro- and nano-aluminum powders
      were investigated via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and their particle size
      distributions were measured using a laser diffraction analyzer under dispersing
      air pressures of 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8 MPa in a 20 L cylindrical, strong plexiglass
      vessel. The particle size distributions in three different mass ratio mixtures of
      micro- and nano-Al powders (micro-Al:nano-Al[massratio]=95:5, 90:10, and 85:15)
      were also measured. The results show that the agglomerate size of nano-Al powder
      is an order of magnitude larger than the nanoparticles' actual size. Furthermore,
      the turbulence intensity ranges (Urms) of the Al powder-air mixtures were
      measured using particle image velocimetry (PIV) under dispersing air pressures of
      0.4, 0.6, and 0.8 MPa. The effect of turbulence intensity on the explosion
      characteristics of the micro- and nano-Al powders was investigated using a 20 L
      cylindrical explosion vessel. The results of micro-Al and nano-Al powder-air
      mixtures with a stoichiometric concentration of 337.00 g.m(-3) were discussed for
      the maximum explosion pressure, the maximum rate of pressure increase and the
      maximum effective burning velocity under the different turbulence intensity.

PMID- 26276702
TI  - Environmental application of millimetre-scale sponge iron (s-Fe(0)) particles
      (III): The effect of surface silver.
AB  - To enhance the dechlorination reactivity of millimetric sponge iron (s-Fe(0)), a
      facile one-pot method was used to decorate s-Fe(0) with Ag(+) ions under ambient
      conditions. The results recorded by X-ray diffraction patterns, X-ray
      photoelectron spectra and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy
      demonstrated that the growth of Ag(0) was dominated primarily by (111) plane with
      a mean length of ~20 nm. The roles of Ag(0) loading, catalyst dosage, particle
      size, initial pH and contaminant concentration were assessed during the removal
      of pentachlorophenol (PCP). Catalyst recyclability was also studied. The results
      revealed that 3-5mm s-Fe(0) particles with 5 wt% Ag(0) loading exhibited the best
      performance with a dose of 3.0 g per 60 mL PCP solution. In addition, the
      dechlorination of PCP followed two-step, pseudo-first-order reaction kinetics,
      and Ag(0)-s-Fe(0) was advantageous compared with bimetals of nanoscale zero
      valent iron, iron power and iron flakes. The dechlorination mechanism of PCP over
      Ag(0)-s-Fe(0) was attributed to the surface Ag(0) decoration, which catalyzed the
      formation of reactive hydrogen atoms for indirect reaction, and the direct
      electron transfer via Fe-Ag(0) galvanic cells for direct reaction. This suggests
      that Ag-based bimetals of s-Fe(0) have great potential in the pretreatment of
      organic halogen compounds in aqueous solution.

PMID- 26276703
TI  - Cryptogenic mycotic aneurysm of the superior mesenteric artery.
AB  - Visceral artery aneurysms as a result of arterial degenerative disease are rare
      (0.1-2%), and superior mesenteric artery (SMA) accounts for 3.2% of all reported
      series. However, mycotic SMA aneurysms (SMAAs) are even rarer, and to the best of
      our knowledge, this is the first report of cryptogenic mycotic aneurysm of SMA by
      Enterococcus faecalis (EF). We report a case of 77-year-old man with 6-week
      history of supra pubic/left iliac fossa pain, weight loss and fever. The computed
      tomography demonstrated an incidental finding of 4.4 * 3-cm SMAA with no primary
      foci. The subsequent serology and specimen confirmed EF. Aneurysmectomy without
      bypass grafting along with antimicrobial therapy resulted in full recovery of the
      patient. 

PMID- 26276704
TI  - Can adaptive treatment improve outcomes in family-based therapy for adolescents
      with anorexia nervosa? Feasibility and treatment effects of a multi-site
      treatment study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa (AN), treated with family-based
      treatment (FBT) who fail to gain 2.3 kg by the fourth week of treatment have a 40
      50% lower chance of recovery than those who do. Because of the high risk of
      developing enduring AN, improving outcomes in this group of poor responders is
      essential. This study examines the feasibility and effects of a novel adaptive
      treatment (i.e., Intensive Parental Coaching-IPC) aimed at enhancing parental
      self-efficacy related to re-feeding skills in poor early responders to FBT.
      METHOD: 45 adolescents (12-18 years of age) meeting DSM TR IV criteria for AN
      were randomized in an unbalanced design (10 to standard FBT; 35 to the adaptive
      arm). Attrition, suitability, expectancy rates, weight change, and
      psychopathology were compared between groups. OUTCOMES: There were no differences
      in rates of attrition, suitability, expectancy ratings, or most clinical outcomes
      between randomized groups. However, the group of poor early responders that
      received IPC achieved full weight restoration (>95% of expected mean BMI) by EOT
      at similar rates as those who had responded early. CONCLUSIONS: The results of
      this study suggest that it is feasible to use an adaptive design to study the
      treatment effect of IPC for those who do not gain adequate weight by session 4 of
      FBT. The results also suggest that using IPC for poor early responders
      significantly improves weight recovery rates to levels comparable to those who
      respond early. A sufficiently powered study is needed to confirm these promising
      findings.

PMID- 26276705
TI  - A proposed cascade of vascular events leading to granulomatous amoebic
      encephalitis.
AB  - Granulomatous amoebic encephalitis due to Acanthamoeba is a chronic disease that
      almost always results in death. Hematogenous spread is a pre-requisite followed
      by amoebae invasion of the blood-brain barrier to enter the central nervous
      system. Given the systemic nature of this infection, a significant latent period
      of several months before the appearance of clinical manifestations is puzzling.
      Based on reported cases, here we propose pathogenetic mechanisms that explain the
      above described latency of the disease. 

PMID- 26276706
TI  - The diversities of staphylococcal species, virulence and antibiotic resistance
      genes in the subclinical mastitis milk from a single Chinese cow herd.
AB  - Staphylococci are the leading pathogens of bovine mastitis which is difficult to
      control. However, the published data on the prevalence of staphylococcal species,
      virulence and antibiotic resistance genes in bovine mastitis from China are
      limited. In this study, 104 out of 209 subclinical mastitis milk samples from a
      single Chinese dairy herd were cultured-positive for staphylococci (49.8%), which
      were further identified as coagulase-positive staphylococci (CPS) or coagulase
      negative staphylococci (CNS). According to the partial tuf and/or 16S rRNA gene
      sequence, the 28 CPS isolates were confirmed to be Staphylococcus aureus (26.9%),
      and 76 CNS isolates were assigned to 13 different species (73.1%) with
      Staphylococcus arlettae, Staphylococcus sciuri, Staphylococcus xylosus and
      Staphylococcus chromogenes as the dominant species. In the 28 S. aureus isolates,
      the most prevalent general virulence genes were coa, Ig and eno (100%), followed
      by hla (96.4%), hlb (92.9%), fib (92.9%), clfA (89.3%), clfB (85.7%) and nuc
      (85.7%). Both exotoxin and biofilm-associated genes were significantly less
      prevalent than the previously reported. Although 19 different virulence gene
      patterns were found, only one was dominant (32.1%). The prevalence of blaZ
      (82.1%) or mecA gene (35.7%) was much higher than the previously reported. In the
      76 CNS isolates, the virulence genes were significantly less prevalent than that
      in the S. aureus isolates. Among the 4 main CNS species, S. chromogenes (n = 12)
      was the only species with high percentage (75%) of blaZ gene, while S. sciuri (n
      = 12) was the only species with the high percentage (66.7%) of mecA gene. The
      most of antibiotic resistance genes were present as multi-resistance genes, and
      the antibiotic resistances were attributed by different resistance genes between
      resistant S. aureus and CNS isolates. These data suggest that the prevalence of
      staphylococcal species, virulence and antibiotic resistance in the mastitis milk
      from the Chinese dairy herd are different from the previously reported, and that
      the herd- or farm-based diagnosis of staphylococcal bovine mastitis is required.

PMID- 26276707
TI  - Predicting eating disturbances in Turkish adult females: Examining the role of
      intimate partner violence and perfectionism.
AB  - We examined the relationships between intimate partner violence (IPV),
      perfectionism, and eating disturbances, namely, excessive dieting and bulimia, in
      a sample of 149 Turkish female college students. Results of conducting
      hierarchical regression analyses indicated that IPV accounted for significant
      variance in both excessive dieting and bulimic symptoms. The inclusion of
      perfectionism was found to predict additional variance in eating disturbances,
      beyond IPV. Specifically, we found parental expectations to be a significant
      predictor of dieting, and personal standards, doubts about actions, and parental
      criticism to be significant predictors of bulimia. Some implications for
      understanding eating disturbances in Turkish women are discussed. 

PMID- 26276708
TI  - Illness anxiety and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder: Cognitive
      behavioral conceptualization and treatment.
AB  - Eating difficulties are commonly present in medical and psychiatric settings.
      Some eating problems are resultant from fears about food consumption and can be
      conceptualized as anxiety disorders conditioned by perception of feared outcomes
      associated with eating and maintained by avoidance. The authors present a case in
      which a female patient with limited food intake is successfully treated with
      cognitive-behavioral therapy. Illness anxiety disorder and avoidant/restrictive
      food intake disorder, both newly included in DSM-V, are applied in this case. 

PMID- 26276709
TI  - Executive function and mealtime behavior among preschool-aged children born very
      preterm.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine whether executive function in preschool-aged children
      born very preterm was associated with problematic mealtime behavior. STUDY
      DESIGN: Executive function of 41 preschool-aged children (mean age=47 months)
      born at <30 weeks' gestation was assessed using a standardized protocol (gift
      bag) and by parent-report (Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function
      Preschool). The gift bag assessment was video-recorded and good executive
      function defined as the child not touching the gift bag and remaining seated for
      >2 min. Parent-reported frequency and severity of child mealtime behavior
      problems was assessed with a 20-item index (Meals in Our Household, alpha=0.94).
      Multivariable regression was used to model associations between executive
      function and mealtime behavior problems. RESULTS: BRIEF-P global executive
      composite t-scores [mean (standard deviation [SD])=53.5 (15.7)] and mealtime
      behavior problems scores [mean (SD) =18.5 (13.6)] were correlated (r=0.57,
      P<0.0001). Adjusted for child sex, age, birth weight, weeks' gestation, parent
      education, and neonatal intensive care unit length of stay, a 10-unit difference
      in BRIEF-P t-score was associated with a 7.2-unit difference in mealtime behavior
      problems score (P<0.0001). Ten children (24%) demonstrated good executive
      function during the gift bag assessment. Parents reported these children
      displayed better executive function on the BRIEF-P and had fewer mealtime
      behavior problems (mean 11.2 vs. 20.8, P=0.02). Adjusted for covariates, good
      performance on the gift bag task was associated with 14.1 unit lower mealtime
      behavior problems score (P=0.03). CONCLUSION: Among preschool-aged children born
      very preterm, difficulties with executive function may manifest as mealtime
      behavior problems. Larger studies are needed to help parents anticipate and
      manage these behaviors.

PMID- 26276710
TI  - Role of ellagic acid in regulation of apoptosis by modulating novel and atypical
      PKC in lymphoma bearing mice.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Protein kinase C regulates various cellular processes including cell
      proliferation, cell adhesion, apoptosis, angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis.
      Activation of different PKC isozymes results in distinct cellular responses.
      Novel PKCs are mainly involved in apoptotic process. Atypical PKC subfamily plays
      a critical role in cell proliferation and apoptosis, cell differentiation and
      motility. However, Atypical PKCs show contradictory regulation in different
      tissues or cancer cells. The mechanism of diversified effects is not well
      explored. Antioxidant ellagic acid shows hepatoprotective, anti-carcinogenic and
      anti-mutagenic properties. Present study is focused to analyze the effect of
      ellagic acid on novel and atypical isozymes of PKC in regulation of PKC-mediated
      apoptosis in liver of lymphoma bearing mice. Implication of ellagic acid
      treatment to DL mice was analyzed on caspase-3 mediated apoptosis via PKCdelta
      induced activation; and on maintenance of adequate supply of energy during cancer
      growth. METHODS: 15-20 weeks old adult DL mice were divided into four groups
      (n=6). Group 2, 3, 4 were treated with different doses of ellagic acid (40 mg/kg,
      60 mg/kg and 80 mg/kg bw). The mice were sacrificed after 19 days of treatment
      and liver was used for study. The effect of ellagic acid was determined on
      expression of novel and atypical PKC isozymes. Apoptotic potentiality of ellagic
      acid was checked on activities of caspase-3 and PKCdelta in terms of their
      catalytic fragments. Aerobic glycolysis was monitored by LDH activity, especially
      activity of LDH A. RESULTS: Ellagic acid treatment caused up regulation of
      expression of almost all novel and atypical PKC isozymes. Activities of PKCdelta
      and caspase-3 were enhanced by ellagic acid, however activities of total LDH and
      LDH-A were inhibited. CONCLUSION: The results show that ellagic acid promotes
      apoptosis in lymphoma bearing mice via novel and atypical PKCs which involves
      PKCdelta induced caspase-3 activation; and inhibition of glycolytic pathway.

PMID- 26276712
TI  - A novel truncated form of S100P predicts disease-free survival in patients with
      lymph node positive breast cancer.
AB  - The calcium-binding protein S100P is overexpressed in various cancers and may
      contribute to the oncogenic phenotype. This study used mass spectrometry to
      characterize a novel 9.2-kDa C-terminally truncated form of S100P (t-S100P), and
      to investigate its potential prognostic value in breast cancer. Univariate
      analysis demonstrated the association between breast tissue t-S100P levels (n =
      148) and conventional pathological markers. Across all tumor samples, high t
      S100P was strongly prognostic for poor disease-free survival (P = 0.005), its
      efficacy confined to lymph node-positive tumors (n = 74, P = 0.007). Matrix
      assisted laser desorption/ionization imaging mass spectrometry confirmed
      differential t-S100P abundance between breast cancer and unaffected adjacent
      tissue. t-S100P was exclusively located in the cell nucleus of breast cancer
      tissue, and full-length S100P was essentially undetectable by mass spectrometry.
      We conclude that t-S100P is the predominant form of S100P in breast cancer tissue
      and is strongly prognostic for disease-free survival in women with lymph node
      positive disease. 

PMID- 26276711
TI  - Sleep duration and sleep-disordered breathing and the risk of melanoma among US
      women and men.

PMID- 26276713
TI  - Tumor microenvironment: Sanctuary of the devil.
AB  - Tumor cells constantly interact with the surrounding microenvironment. Increasing
      evidence indicates that targeting the tumor microenvironment could complement
      traditional treatment and improve therapeutic outcomes for these malignancies. In
      this paper, we review new insights into the tumor microenvironment, and summarize
      selected examples of the cross-talk between tumor cells and their
      microenvironment, which have enhanced our understanding of pathophysiology of the
      microenvironment. We believe that this rapidly moving field promises many more to
      come, and they will guide the rational design of combinational therapies for
      success in cancer eradication. 

PMID- 26276714
TI  - Podocalyxin-like protein 1 functions as an immunomodulatory molecule in breast
      cancer cells.
AB  - Podocalyxin-like protein 1 (PCLP1), a CD34-related sialomucin involved in the
      regulation of cellular morphology and adhesion, is expressed by a number of
      normal cells and various tumor cells. In breast malignancies PCLP1 overexpression
      has been associated with the most aggressive, metastatic cancers and poor
      prognosis. These observations suggest that PCLP1 expression could provide a
      mechanism to evade the immune response, thereby promoting metastatic progression
      of cancer. In the present work, we aimed to determine the effect of PCLP1
      overexpressed in MCF7 breast cancer cells on natural killer (NK) cell
      cytotoxicity, dendritic cell maturation, and agonist-induced T cell
      proliferation. The results showed that PCLP1 expressed in MCF7 breast cancer
      cells confers resistance to NK cell-mediated cytolysis and impairs T cell
      proliferation. Furthermore, PCLP1 decreased the levels of NK cell activating
      receptors NKG2D, NKp30, NKp44, NKp46, DNAM-1, and CD16 on cell surface in a
      contact-dependent manner. Moreover, NK cells acquired PCLP1 from MCF7 cells by a
      process known as trogocytosis. These data reveal a new function of PCLP1
      expressed on tumor cells as an immunomodulatory molecule, which may represent a
      mechanism to evade the immune response. 

PMID- 26276715
TI  - Vitamin D and pancreatic cancer.
AB  - Pancreatic cancer is currently the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death,
      and it is projected that within the next two decades it will become the second
      most common cause of death due to cancer. Few patients are diagnosed when
      surgical resection is feasible and the efficacy of existing chemotherapeutic
      agents for advanced/metastatic cancer is limited. Thus, there is a need to
      identify agents that can prevent pancreatic cancer or improve survival in those
      affected. Vitamin D and its analogues, with their ability to regulate cell
      growth, differentiation, apoptosis and angiogenesis, may be promising agents.
      This review explores the published literature about the potential role of vitamin
      D and its analogues in preventing or treating pancreatic cancer. The vitamin D
      system is altered in pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer tissue expresses
      vitamin D receptors, but the calcitriol analogues may affect pancreatic cancer
      tissue by mechanisms that do not involve interaction with its receptors.
      Experimental evidence postulates multiple potential mechanisms by which
      calcitriol analogues may exert their anti-cancer effect, the most common being by
      action on cyclin-dependent kinases p21 and p27. Use of calcitriol analogues in
      pancreatic cancer remains largely underexplored and warrants further clinical
      trials. 

PMID- 26276716
TI  - Reprogramming cancer cells: a novel approach for cancer therapy or a tool for
      disease-modeling?
AB  - Chromatin dynamics have been the major focus of many physiological and
      pathological processes over the past 20 years. Epigenetic mechanisms have been
      shown to be reshaped during both cellular reprogramming and tumorigenesis. For
      this reason, cancer cell reprogramming can provide a powerful tool to better
      understand both regenerative and cancer-fate processes, with a potential to
      develop novel therapeutic approaches. Recent studies showed that cancer cells can
      be reprogrammed to a pluripotent state by the overexpression of reprogramming
      transcription factors. Activation of transcription factors and modification of
      chromatin regulators may result in the remodeling of epigenetic status and
      refueling of tumorigenicity in these reprogrammed cancer cells. However, studies
      focusing on cancer cell reprogramming are contradictory; some studies reported
      increased tumor progression whereas others showed that cellular reprogramming has
      a treatment potential for cancer. In this review, first, the current knowledge on
      the epigenetic mechanisms involved during cancer development and cellular
      reprogramming will be presented. Later, different reports and key factors about
      pluripotency-based reprogramming of cancer cells will be reviewed in detail. New
      insights will be provided on cancer biology and therapy in the light of cellular
      reprogramming. 

PMID- 26276717
TI  - Integrated proteo-genomic approach for early diagnosis and prognosis of cancer.
AB  - Cancer is the leading cause of mortality among men and women worldwide. Despite
      the availability of numerous diagnostic techniques for various cancers, the
      overall survival rate remains low and the majority of patients die due to late
      diagnosis and advanced stage of the disease. Diagnosing and treating cancer at
      its early stages ideally during the precancerous phase could significantly
      increase survival rate with the possibility of cure and prolong survival. Cancer
      is a genetic disease and it is illicitly activated by the acquisition of somatic
      DNA lesions and aberrations in genome structure and defects in maintenance and
      repair. These somatic DNA mutations known as driver mutations seem to be the
      prime cause in initiating tumorigenesis. The advances in genomic technologies
      have immensely facilitated the understanding of cancer progression and
      metastasis, and the discovery of novel biomarkers. However, changes in somatic
      mutational landscape of the oncogenome are translated into aberrantly regulated
      oncoproteome which drives the cancer initiation. Thus, combination of proteomic
      and genomic technologies is urgently required to discover biomarkers for early
      diagnosis. The recent advances in human genome based detection of cancer using
      advanced genomic technologies like NextGen Sequencing, digital PCR, cfDNA
      technology have shown promise; for example oncogenic somatic mutation variants,
      transcriptomic analysis, copy number variant, and methylation data from the
      Cancer Genome Atlas. Similarly, oncoproteomics has the potential to revolutionize
      clinical management of the disease, including cancer diagnosis and screening
      based on new proteomic database which embodies somatic variants and post
      translational modifications, thus devising proteomic technologies as a complement
      to histopathology. Further, the use of multiple proteomic and genomic biomarkers
      rather than a single gene or protein could greatly improve diagnostic accuracy
      and enhance the predictive power for treatment outcome and may enable adequate
      monitoring of the response to treatment and could be an important option for
      personalized medicine. The proteogenomic approach has the promise to identify new
      biomarkers for radiation therapy (RT) which could reliably predict the tumor
      radiation resistance and which could also accurately predict normal tissue
      toxicity, and at the same time radiotherapy effectiveness. In this review we have
      summarize the recent advances in proteogenomic approaches to develop more
      sensitive diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers which could be translated into
      improved clinical care and management of the disease. 

PMID- 26276718
TI  - Sonic hedgehog-glioma associated oncogene homolog 1 signaling enhances drug
      resistance in CD44(+)/Musashi-1(+) gastric cancer stem cells.
AB  - Drug resistance in gastric cancer largely results from the gastric cancer stem
      cells (GCSCs), which could be targeted to improve the efficacy of chemotherapy.
      In this study, we identified a subpopulation of GCSCs enriched in holoclones that
      expressed CD44(+)/Musashi-1(+) stem cell biomarkers, capable of self-renewal and
      proliferation. Enriched CD44(+)/Musashi-1(+) GCSCs demonstrated elevated
      expression of sonic hedgehog (SHH) and glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1
      (GLI1), the well-known signaling pathway molecules involved in the drug
      resistance. Further, CD44(+)/Musashi-1(+) cells exhibited high drug efflux bump
      activity and were resistant to doxorubicin (Dox)-induced apoptosis, and
      unregulated the ATP-binding cassette sub-family G member 2 (ABCG2) expression,.
      The above effects on apoptosis were reversed in the presence of GLI inhibitors,
      GANT61 and GDC-0449, or by the knockdown of GLI1/SHH. Upon knockdown of GLI1,
      expression of ABCG2 was downregulated the antitumor effects were significantly
      improved as observed in the gastric cancer xenograft. Collectively, our study
      revealed that co-expression of CD44(+)/Musashi-1(+) could be used to identify
      GCSCs, which also accounts for the drug resistance in gastric cancer. SHH-GLI and
      its downstream effector ABCG2 could be better targeted to possibly improve the
      efficacy of chemotherapy in drug-resistant gastric cancers. 

PMID- 26276719
TI  - Androgen receptor and antiandrogen therapy in male breast cancer.
AB  - Cancers arising in the male breast are uncommon. Male breast cancer is a hormone
      driven disease that often expresses the estrogen receptor, and antiestrogen
      therapy represents the mainstay of treatment. Paradoxically, the advent of a wave
      of antiestrogens eclipsed the therapeutic potential of alternative therapeutic
      options. At the beginning of the hormonal therapy era the administration of
      antiandrogens to metastatic male breast cancer patients was proposed. Ever since
      the use of these compounds has largely been neglected. A therapeutic role for
      antiandrogens has been envisioned again in recent years. First, molecular
      characterization efforts pointed to the androgen receptor as a potential
      therapeutic target. Second, the development of aromatase inhibitors unexpectedly
      raised the need for neutralizing androgens in order to tackle endocrine feedback
      mechanisms responsible for acquired resistance. We herein provide an overview of
      molecular studies where the androgen receptor was investigated at the genomic,
      transcriptomic or phenotypic level. We then discuss androgens in the context of
      the endocrine networks nourishing male breast cancer. Finally, clinical evidence
      on antiandrogens is summarized along with strategies should be implemented to
      improve the medical management of these patients. 

PMID- 26276720
TI  - Dichotomous role of protein kinase A type I (PKAI) in the tumor microenvironment:
      a potential target for 'two-in-one' cancer chemoimmunotherapeutics.
AB  - An emerging trend in cancer chemoimmunotherapeutics is to develop 'two-in-one'
      therapies, which directly inhibit tumor growth and progression, as well as
      enhance anti-tumor immune surveillance. Protein kinase A (PKA) is a cAMP
      dependent protein kinase that mediates signal transduction of G-protein coupled
      receptors (GPCRs). The regulatory subunit of PKA exists in two isoforms, RI and
      RII, which distinguish the PKA isozymes, PKA type I (PKAI) and PKA type II
      (PKAII). The differential expression of both PKA isozymes has long been linked to
      growth regulation and differentiation. RI/PKAI is particularly implicated in
      cellular proliferation and neoplastic transformation. Emerging experimental and
      pre-clinical data also indicate that RI/PKAI plays a key role in tumor-induced
      immune suppression. More briefly, RI/PKAI possesses a dichotomous role in the
      tumor microenvironment: not only contributes to tumor growth and progression, but
      also takes part in tumor-induced suppression of the innate and adaptive arms of
      anti-tumor immunosurveillance. This review specifically discusses this
      dichotomous role of RI/PKAI with respect to 'two-in-one' chemoimmunotherapeutic
      manipulation. The reviewed experimental and pre-clinical data provide the proof
      of concept validation that RI/PKAI may be regarded as an attractive target for a
      new, single-targeted, 'two hit' chemoimmunotherapeutic approach against cancer. 

PMID- 26276721
TI  - Circulating miRNAs revealed as surrogate molecular signatures for the early
      detection of breast cancer.
AB  - The miRNAs have well studied roles in cancer. Here, we identified altered miRNA
      expression by global miRNA profiling in peripheral blood mononuclear cells
      (PBMCs) of breast cancer (n = 15) and healthy subjects (n = 15), and further
      validated the selected miRNAs in PBMCs (n = 45), blood plasma (n = 45) and breast
      tissue samples (n = 09). The expression of altered miRNAs was also evaluated in
      PBMCs among early stage (n = 32), advanced stage (n = 13), triple positive (n =
      5) and triple negative (n = 5) breast cancer patients. Results showed
      differential pattern of expressions of these miRNAs in multiple cohorts, however
      in early stage breast cancer, miR-106a-5p and miR-454-3p were upregulated (p <
      0.05), miR-195-5p and miR-495 were downregulated (p < 0.05) in PBMCs. In
      addition, these miRNAs were also significantly associated with cancer and ErbB
      signaling pathways. Multiple regression analysis and receiver-operative curve
      (ROC) analysis of miR-195-5p and miR-495 with area under curve (AUC) of 0.901
      showed best discriminating combination for early stage breast cancer detection.
      In summary, the present study delineated the importance of miR-195-5p and miR-495
      miRNAs as prospective circulating surrogate molecular signatures for early
      detection of breast cancer. 

PMID- 26276722
TI  - Identification of miRNomes in human stomach and gastric carcinoma reveals miR
      133b/a-3p as therapeutic target for gastric cancer.
AB  - Gastric cancer (GC) is the fourth most frequent malignant disease and the second
      leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide, but the molecular mechanisms
      underlying this clinically heterogeneous disease are complex and remain far from
      completely understood. Accumulating evidence suggests that abnormal microRNA
      (miRNA) expression is involved in tumorigenesis. However, their accurate
      expression pattern, function, and mechanism in GC remain unclear. Here, a heatmap
      analysis of the miRNomes was performed across TCGA datasets and the expression of
      miR-133 family was found to be consistently downregulated in GC. This result was
      confirmed in two GC cell lines and 20 pairs of primary GC tissues, and further
      study demonstrated that the downregulation of miR-133 was mainly mediated by
      histone modification within its promoter region. Importantly, restoration of miR
      133b/a-3p expression could suppress GC cell proliferation and promote cell
      apoptosis by targeting anti-apoptotic molecules Mcl-1 and Bcl-xL. Consistent with
      in vitro results, reintroducing of miR-133b/a-3p expression significantly delayed
      tumor formation and reduced tumor size of GC cells in xenograft nude mice. And
      the inverse relationship between miR-133b/a-3p and its targets was verified in
      xenograft mice. Taken together, our findings suggest that miR-133b/a-3p acts as a
      tumor suppressor in GC by directly targeting Mcl-1 and Bcl-xL. Revealing novel
      mechanism for oncogene inhibition by miRNA-mediated pathways offers new avenues
      for GC treatment. 

PMID- 26276723
TI  - New insights into molecular diagnostic pathology of primary liver cancer:
      Advances and challenges.
AB  - Primary liver cancer (PLC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide with
      increasing incidence and accounts for the third leading cause of cancer-related
      mortality. Traditional morphopathology primarily emphasizes qualitative diagnosis
      of PLC, which is not sufficient to resolve the major concern of increasing the
      long-term treatment efficacy of PLC in clinical management for the modern era.
      Since the beginning of the 21st century, molecular pathology has played an active
      role in the investigation of the evaluation of the metastatic potential of PLC,
      detection of drug targets, prediction of recurrence risks, analysis of clonal
      origins, evaluation of the malignancy trend of precancerous lesions, and
      determination of clinical prognosis. As a result, many new progresses have been
      obtained, and new strategies of molecular-pathological diagnosis have been
      formed. Moreover, the new types of pathobiological diagnosis indicator systems
      for PLC have been preliminarily established. These achievements provide valuable
      molecular pathology-based guide for clinical formulation of individualized
      therapy programs for PLC. This review article briefly summarizes some relevant
      progresses of molecular-pathological diagnosis of PLC from the perspective of
      clinical translational application other than basic experimental studies. 

PMID- 26276724
TI  - Activated and expanded natural killer cells target osteosarcoma tumor initiating
      cells in an NKG2D-NKG2DL dependent manner.
AB  - Current therapies fail to cure most metastatic or recurrent bone cancer. We
      explored the efficacy and the pathways involved in natural killer (NK) cells'
      elimination of osteosarcoma (OS) cells, including tumor initiating cells (TICs),
      which are responsible for chemotherapy resistance, recurrence, and metastasis.
      The expression of ligands for NK cell receptors was studied in primary OS cell
      lines by flow cytometry. In vitro cytotoxicity of activated and expanded NK
      (NKAE) cells against OS was tested, and the pathways involved explored by using
      specific antibody blockade. NKAE cells' ability to target OS TICs was analyzed by
      flow cytometry and sphere formation assays. Spironolactone (SPIR) was tested for
      its ability to increase OS cells' susceptibility to NK cell lysis in vitro and in
      vivo. We found OS cells were susceptible to NKAE cells' lysis both in vivo and in
      vitro, and this cytolytic activity relied on interaction between NKG2D receptor
      and NKG2D ligands (NKG2DL). SPIR increased OS cells' susceptibility to lysis by
      NKAE cells, and could shrink the OS TICs. Our results show NKAE cells target OS
      cells including the TICs compartment, supporting the use of NK-cell based
      immunotherapies for OS. 

PMID- 26276725
TI  - Toll-like receptor-4 is a target for suppression of proliferation and
      chemoresistance in HepG2 hepatoblastoma cells.
AB  - Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) is known to influence growth and migration of
      hepatocellular tumors; however, its role in hepatoblastoma remains poorly
      understood. This study investigated the regulatory role of TLR4 in proliferation
      and chemoresistance of HepG2 hepatoblastoma cells. Treatment with
      lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a TLR4 agonist, was found to significantly upregulate
      TLR4 expression in HepG2 cells, but not in malignant Huh-7 and Sk-Hep1
      hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Additionally, IL-6 enhanced LPS-induced TLR4
      upregulation. LPS-stimulated TLR4 activation increased proliferation, nitric
      oxide synthase (NOS) expression, and NO production in HepG2 cells.
      Chemotherapeutic agents, cisplatin and doxorubicin, effectively inhibited TLR4
      expression in HepG2 cells. Characterization of LPS-induced signaling activation
      and blockade with kinase inhibitors revealed the involvement of Akt and MAPK
      pathways in LPS-enhanced NO release from, and proliferation of HepG2 cells.
      Mechanistically, gene modifications as a result of TLR4 transfection and siRNA
      mediated knockdown further demonstrated a crucial role for TLR4 in the regulation
      of NOS expression, cell proliferation, and chemoresistance in HepG2 cells. These
      findings suggest that targeting TLR4 expression and its cognate signaling may
      modulate proliferation and chemosensitivity in hepatoblastoma cells and serve as
      a potential therapeutic target. 

PMID- 26276726
TI  - Combined IDH1 mutation and MGMT methylation status on long-term survival of
      patients with cerebral low-grade glioma.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The management of low-grade glioma (LGG) still remains controversial
      because the effectiveness of early and extensive resection is unclear, and the
      use of radiation therapy or chemotherapy is not well-defined. In particular, the
      importance of prognostic factors for survival remains a matter of discussion. The
      purpose of this study was to validate prognostic factors for survival in patients
      with LGG. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A consecutive series of 55 patients with WHO
      grade II LGG treated in our institute between 1983 and 2013 were retrospectively
      reviewed to determine the prognostic factors for survival. All data were
      retrospectively analyzed from the aspect of baseline characteristics,
      pathological findings, genetic change, surgical treatments, adjuvant therapies,
      and survival time. Cox multivariate analysis was performed to determine the
      prognostic factors for survival. RESULTS: There were 28 patients with diffuse
      astrocytoma (DA), 21 patients with oligodendroglioma (OG), and 6 patients with
      oligoastrocytoma (OA) diagnosed on initial surgery. The median overall survival
      was 193 months and fifteen patients (27.3%) died. A mutation in isocitrate
      dehydrogenase-1 (IDH1) was found in 72.9% of LGG, and this mutation was
      positively correlated with methylation of O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase
      (MGMT) (p=0.02). A better prognosis was significantly associated with combined
      IDH1 mutation and MGMT methylation status (both positive vs both negative, HR
      0.079 [95% CI 0.008-0.579], p=0.012), as well as histology (OG vs DA and OA, HR
      0.158 [95% CI 0.022-0.674], p=0.011) and tumor size (<6 cm vs >=6 cm, HR 0.120
      [95% CI 0.017-0.595], p=0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Tumor histology, size and IDH
      mutation status are important predictors for prolonged overall survival in
      patients with LGG and may provide a reliable tool for standardizing future
      treatment strategies.

PMID- 26276727
TI  - Role of intraoperative indocyanine green video-angiography to identify small,
      posterior fossa arteriovenous malformations mimicking cavernous angiomas.
      Technical report and review of the literature on common features of these
      cerebral vascular malformations.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To illustrate the usefulness of intraoperative indocyanine green
      videoangiography (ICG-VA) to identify the nidus and feeders of a small cerebellar
      AVM resembling a cavernous hemangioma. To review the unique features regarding
      the overlay between these two vascular malformations and to highlight the
      importance to identify with ICG-VA, and treat accordingly, the arterial and
      venous vessels of the AVM. METHODS: A 36-year old man presented with bilateral
      cerebellar hemorrhage. MRI was equivocal in showing an underlying vascular
      malformation but angiography demonstrated a small, Spetzler-Martin grade I AVM.
      Surgical resection of the AVM with the aid of intraoperative ICG-VA was
      performed. After hematoma evacuation, pre-resection ICG-VA did not reveal
      tortuous arterial and venous vessels in keeping with a typical AVM but rather an
      unusual blackberry-like image resembling a cavernous hemangioma, with tiny
      surrounding vessels. Such intraoperative appearance, which could also be the
      consequence of a "leakage" of fluorescent dye from the nidal pathological
      vessels, with absent blood-brain barrier, into the surrounding parenchymal
      pathological capillary network, is important to be recognized as an unusual AVM
      appearance. RESULTS: Post-resection ICG-VA confirmed the AVM removal, as also
      shown by postoperative and 3-month follow-up DSAs. CONCLUSIONS: Despite technical
      limitations associated with ICG-VA in post-hemorrhage AVMs, this case together
      with the intraoperative video, demonstrates the useful role of ICG-VA in
      identifying small AVMs with peculiar features.

PMID- 26276728
TI  - Improved survival after non-traumatic subarachnoid haemorrhage with structured
      care pathways and modern intensive care.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) often require
      multidisciplinary management and their treatment is difficult to standardize. The
      aim was to describe baseline characteristics, care pathways and discharge status
      in an unselected group of patients with first ever non-traumatic SAH, and to
      examine whether their care pathways and outcomes vary. METHODS: Patients admitted
      with first ever non-traumatic SAH to a neurosurgical unit (NSU) in Sweden during
      a period of 18 months in 2009-2010 were included. The data was retrospectively
      collected from patient charts. RESULTS: A total of 131 patients were admitted
      with first ever non-traumatic SAH. Forty-nine (37%) patients initially sought
      medical care nearby the NSU and 82 (63%) in other parts of the catchment area.
      The average age was 55.5 years and 79 (60%) were female. In 98 (75%) cases, a
      ruptured aneurysm was found to be the cause of SAH. There was a significant
      correlation between poor clinical grade at admission and poor patient outcome
      (p<0.0005). No significant correlation between early aneurysm treatment and
      improved clinical outcome were seen. No significant differences in outcome were
      seen between patients who initially sought medical care nearby the NSU and those
      in other parts of the catchment area. There was no difference seen in the number
      of patients who had follow-up at the NSU depending on where they initially sought
      help. CONCLUSION: This study shows an improvement in survival after SAH compared
      to earlier studies in Sweden. The results are indicative of effective management
      of all patients with SAH in the catchment area that are treated at the NSU. A
      nationwide registry to assess the overall management of patients treated for SAH
      would be useful to further investigate patients with SAH.

PMID- 26276729
TI  - Study of Spirituality in Elderly With Subjective Memory Complaints.
AB  - Subjective memory complaints are very common among elderly. They can be due to
      depression, cognitive decline, or be a part of normal aging process. Spirituality
      is another important dimension in elderly, and it is believed to help them cope
      with various adversities. This study was done to find out whether any relation
      exists between these 2 variables in elderly. A total of 120 elderly individuals,
      presenting with subjective memory complaints, were divided into 3 groups -
      controls, elderly with depression, and elderly with mild cognitive impairment
      (MCI). Spirituality in them was studied by dividing it into the subdomains of
      self-transcendence, presence of meaning in life, search for meaning in life, and
      locus of control. Spirituality was the highest in controls, followed by MCI
      group, and then depression group. Spirituality had a direct negative relationship
      with severity of depression, while relationship of spirituality with severity of
      cognitive decline was more complex. Relationship of spirituality with mental
      health status in elderly patients seemed bidirectional, that is, cause as well as
      effect relationship. 

PMID- 26276730
TI  - Acute neck pain caused by septic arthritis of the lateral atlantoaxial joint with
      subluxation: a case report.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Crystal-induced arthritis of the lateral atlantoaxial joint may be
      intimately involved in acute neck pain in the elderly. Patients typically have a
      good prognosis, and symptoms usually subside within a few weeks. On the other
      hand, septic arthritis of the lateral atlantoaxial joint requires early diagnosis
      and antibiotic treatment. Diagnostic delay is a risk factor for an unfavorable
      outcome of vertebral osteomyelitis. Even though septic arthritis of the lateral
      atlantoaxial joint is a very rare clinical entity, it is important to
      differentiate septic arthritis from crystal-induced arthritis. CASE PRESENTATION:
      A 53-year-old Japanese man presented with neck pain, stiffness, and loss of power
      of his left upper extremity which started 20 days before his visit to our
      hospital. A physical examination revealed a limited range of motion of his neck,
      with rotation being especially very restricted. Atlantoaxial subluxation was seen
      on plain radiography of his cervical spine. During puncture of the lateral
      atlantoaxial joint, clear yellow fluid was collected. Cultures later grew
      methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus. He was diagnosed with septic
      arthritis of the lateral atlantoaxial joint with atlantoaxial subluxation. After
      diagnosis, intravenous administration of antibiotics was begun. The atlantoaxial
      region was stabilized with the Brooks procedure. Plain radiography showed
      complete bone union 8 months after operation. At a follow-up evaluation 7 years
      after initial onset, he had complete relief of neck pain, and there were no
      neurological abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: A patient with septic arthritis of the
      lateral atlantoaxial joint with subluxation presenting with acute neck pain was
      successfully treated with antibiotics and fusion surgery. In patients with
      persistent neck pain, septic arthritis of the lateral atlantoaxial joint should
      be considered and further examinations performed.

PMID- 26276731
TI  - A systematic evaluation of three different cardiac T2-mapping sequences at 1.5
      and 3T in healthy volunteers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previous studies showed that myocardial T2 relaxation times measured
      by cardiac T2-mapping vary significantly depending on sequence and field
      strength. Therefore, a systematic comparison of different T2-mapping sequences
      and the establishment of dedicated T2 reference values is mandatory for
      diagnostic decision-making. METHODS: Phantom experiments using gel probes with a
      range of different T1 and T2 times were performed on a clinical 1.5T and 3T
      scanner. In addition, 30 healthy volunteers were examined at 1.5 and 3T in
      immediate succession. In each examination, three different T2-mapping sequences
      were performed at three short-axis slices: Multi Echo Spin Echo (MESE), T2
      prepared balanced SSFP (T2prep), and Gradient Spin Echo with and without fat
      saturation (GraSEFS/GraSE). Segmented T2-Maps were generated according to the AHA
      16-segment model and statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: Significant
      intra-individual differences between mean T2 times were observed for all
      sequences. In general, T2prep resulted in lowest and GraSE in highest T2 times. A
      significant variation with field strength was observed for mean T2 in phantom as
      well as in vivo, with higher T2 values at 1.5T compared to 3T, regardless of the
      sequence used. Segmental T2 values for each sequence at 1.5 and 3T are presented.
      CONCLUSIONS: Despite a careful selection of sequence parameters and volunteers,
      significant variations of the measured T2 values were observed between field
      strengths, MR sequences and myocardial segments. Therefore, we present segmental
      T2 values for each sequence at 1.5 and 3T with the inherent potential to serve as
      reference values for future studies.

PMID- 26276732
TI  - Anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of 4-[(1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4
      yl) methyl] 1-piperazine carboxylic acid ethyl ester: A new piperazine
      derivative.
AB  - Piperazine compounds possess anti-infective, anti-carcinogenic, anxiolytic,
      hypotensive, anti-hypertensive and vasorelaxant properties and are attractive
      candidates for the development of new analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs. This
      study investigates the anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of
      piperazine derivative 4-[(1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl) methyl]1-piperazine
      carboxylic acid ethyl ester (LQFM-008) and the involvement of the serotonergic
      pathway. In the formalin test, treatments with LQFM-008 (15 and 30mg/kg p.o.)
      reduced the licking time in both neurogenic and inflammatory phases of this test.
      In the tail flick and hot plate tests, LQFM008 treatment (15 and 30mg/kg p.o.)
      increased latency to thermal stimulus, suggesting the involvement of central
      mechanisms in the anti-nociceptive effect of LQFM-008. In the carrageenan-induced
      paw edema test, LQFM-008 (p.o.) at the doses of 15 and 30mg/kg reduced the edema
      at all tested time points, while the dose of 7.5mg/kg reduced the edema only for
      the first hour. LQFM-008 (30mg/kg p.o.) reduced both cell migration and protein
      exudation in the carrageenan-induced pleurisy test. Furthermore, pre-treatment
      with NAN-190 (0.6mg/kgi.p.) and PCPA (100mg/kgi.p.) antagonized the anti
      nociceptive effect of LQFM-008 in both phases of the formalin test. Our data
      suggest that LQFM-008 possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects
      mediated through the serotonergic pathway. 

PMID- 26276733
TI  - Prevalence and spatial distribution of bovine brucellosis in San Luis and La
      Pampa, Argentina.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Bovine brucellosis (BB) is a zoonotic disease caused by Brucella
      abortus. BB is endemic in Argentina, where vaccination with Brucella abortus
      strain 19 is compulsory for 3-to-8 month-old heifers. The objectives of this
      study were to quantify the prevalence of BB and to identify factors associated
      with its occurrence, along with the spatial distribution of the disease, in the
      provinces of La Pampa and San Luis. A two-stage random sampling design was used
      to sample 8,965 cows (3,513 in La Pampa and 5,452 in San Luis) from 451 farms
      (187 in La Pampa and 264 in San Luis). RESULTS: Cow and herd prevalence were 1.8
      % (95 % CI: 1.3-2.2; n = 157) and 19.7 % (95 % CI: 17.0-22.4; n = 89),
      respectively. Both cow-level and herd-level prevalence in La Pampa (2.4 and 26.0
      %, respectively) were significantly higher than in San Luis (1.4 and 15.5 %,
      respectively). There were not differences between the proportions of reactive
      cattle compared to that obtained in a survey conducted in 2005. However, herd
      prevalence in La Pampa was significantly (P < 0.05) higher compared to that
      study. Disease was found to be spatially clustered in west La Pampa. The lower
      the bovine density and the calf/cow ratio, the higher odds of belonging to the
      cluster. CONCLUSIONS: The increase of farm prevalence in the last five years
      suggests that the disease is spreading and that control measures should be
      applied in the region. The cluster of infected farms was located in the west
      region of La Pampa. There, farms have lower animal densities and smaller cow/calf
      indices compared to the rest of the province. Although western La Pampa has more
      infected herds, within-farm prevalence was not higher, which suggests that the
      control program has been relatively successful in controlling the disease at the
      farm level, and/or that low animal density inherently results in low disease
      prevalence. Our results provide baseline information on the epidemiology of BB
      and its potential pattern of transmission in Argentina, which will ultimately
      help to improve BB control programs in the country.

PMID- 26276734
TI  - Impact of waiting time after surgery and overall time of postoperative
      radiochemotherapy on treatment outcome in glioblastoma multiforme.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A time factor of radiooncological treatment has been demonstrated for
      several tumours, most prominently for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and
      lung cancer. In glioblastoma multiforme studies of the impact of postoperative
      waiting times before initiation of radio- or radiochemotherapy were inconclusive.
      Moreover analysis of the impact of overall treatment time of radiochemotherapy as
      well as overall duration of local treatment from surgery to the end of
      radiochemotherapy is lacking to date. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort
      study, we included 369 consecutive patients treated at our institution between
      2001 and 2014. Inclusion criteria were histologically proven glioblastoma
      multiforme, age >= 18 years, ECOG performance status 0-2 before radiotherapy,
      radiotherapy or radiochemotherapy with 33 * 1.8 Gy to 59.4 Gy or with 30 * 2.0 Gy
      to 60 Gy. The impact of postoperative waiting time, radiation treatment time and
      overall duration of local treatment from surgery to the end of radiotherapy on
      overall (OS) and progression-free (PFS) survival were evaluated under
      consideration of known prognostic factors by univariate Log-rank tests and
      multivariate Cox-regression analysis. RESULTS: The majority of patients had
      received simultaneous and further adjuvant chemotherapy, mainly with
      temozolomide. Median survival time and 2-year OS were 18.0 months and 38.9% after
      radiochemotherapy compared to 12.7 months and 12.6% after radiotherapy alone.
      Median progression-free survival time was 7.5 months and PFS at 2 years was 14.3%
      compared to 6.0 months and 3.3%, respectively. Significant prognostic factors in
      multivariate analysis were age, resection status and application of simultaneous
      chemotherapy. No effect of the interval between surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy
      (median 27, range 11-112 days), radiation treatment time (median 45, range 40-71
      days) and of overall time from surgery until the end of radiotherapy (median 54,
      range 71-154 days) on overall and progression-free survival was evident.
      CONCLUSION: Our data do not indicate a relevant time factor in the treatment of
      glioblastoma multiforme in a large contemporary single-centre cohort. Although
      this study was limited by its retrospective nature, its results indicate that
      short delays of postoperative radiochemotherapy, e.g. for screening of a patient
      for a clinical trial, may be uncritical.

PMID- 26276735
TI  - Mechanisms of lapatinib resistance in HER2-driven breast cancer.
AB  - Targeted therapies have been approved for various malignancies but the
      acquisition of resistance remains a substantial challenge in the clinical
      management of advanced cancers. Twenty-five per cent of breast cancers
      overexpress ErbB2/HER2, which confers a more aggressive phenotype and is
      associated with a poor prognosis. HER2-targeting therapies (trastuzumab,
      pertuzumab, TDM1 and lapatinib) are available, but a significant fraction of HER2
      positive breast cancers eventually relapse or progress. This suggests that
      acquired or intrinsic resistance enables escape from HER2 inhibition. This review
      focuses on mechanisms of intrinsic/acquired resistance to lapatinib identified in
      preclinical and clinical studies. A better understanding of these mechanisms
      could lead to novel predictive markers of lapatinib response and to novel
      therapeutic strategies for breast cancer patients. 

PMID- 26276736
TI  - [MAPEX: look deeper, looking away].

PMID- 26276737
TI  - [The impact of Pharmacy Intervention on the treatment of elderly multi
      pathological patients].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: to analyze the impact of Pharmacy Intervention (PI), within the
      healthcare team who manages elderly multi-pathological patients, regarding the
      evolution of Drug Related Problems (DRPs) and Negative Outcomes Associated with
      Medication (NOMs). To estimate the prevalence of DRPs, NOMs, and Potentially
      Inappropriate Prescriptions (PIPs), and the drugs involved, considering the
      characteristics of their healthcare location. METHOD: multicenter, prospective
      study, on > 65-year-old patients with multiple pathologies, either
      institutionalized or hospitalized. The Pharmacist reviewed the chronic medication
      of the patient in order to detect DRPs and NOMs, and issued recommendations to
      the physician responsible for the patient, and this intervention was subsequently
      evaluated. DRPs and NOMs were classified according to the Third Consensus of
      Granada. The STOPP/START Criteria were used for PIP detection. The primary
      variables were: number of PIs conducted and accepted by the physician. OUTCOMES:
      338 patients were included, and 326 (96.4%) presented some DRP. 1089 DRPs were
      detected, with 983 PIs suggested for their solution, and 651 (69.9%) of these
      were accepted. PIs solved 58.9% of DRPs, and an association was found between PI
      and the solution for the DRP (p < 0.001). PIs were more accepted in
      institutionalized than in hospitalized patients (p = 0.002), by physicians with a
      higher specialization (p < 0.001) and when they involved quantitative safety NOMs
      (p = 0.042). The STOPP/START Criteria detected 65% of PIPs, and more PIPs not
      associated with these criteria were found in institutionalized than in
      hospitalized patients (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: pharmacy Intervention within the
      multidisciplinary team can solve in a significant way both DRPs and NOMs in
      elderly multi-pathological patients, and thus help to improve the quality of
      their pharmacological therapy. This is the first multicenter clinical trial with
      these characteristics that has been conducted in Spain.

PMID- 26276738
TI  - [Oral chemotherapy: food-drug interactions].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: oral chemotherapy is increasingly used in Oncology. It has
      important advantages. such as patient comfort. but it also brings new challenges
      which did not exist with the intravenous therapy. Some of these drugs have
      interactions with food. leading to changes in their bioavailability. As they are
      drugs of narrow therapeutic margin. this can lead to alterations in their
      efficacy and/or toxicity. OBJECTIVES: A. Assessing the level of knowledge on the
      administration of oral cytostatics that present restrictions with meals (drugs
      that have to be taken with/without food) among the outpatients. B. Minimizing the
      incorrect administration and the risk of food-drug interactions. providing
      patients with information as to how and when drugs have to be administrated.
      METHODS: once the oral cytostatics with food restrictions were identified. we
      asked the patients in treatment about the information they had received from the
      doctor and the way they were taking the medication. We provided those who were
      taking the drug incorrectly with the right information. In the following visit.
      it was confirmed if the patients that had been previously taking the cytostatic
      incorrectly. were taking them in a correct way (intervention accepted/not
      accepted). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: 40% of the patients interviewed used to take
      the drug incorrectly. We detected a great diversity depending on the dispensed
      drug. 95% of the 39 interventions made were accepted. The data obtained suggest
      the need to reinforce the information that the patient receives. It is important
      to make sure that the patient understands how and when the oral cytostatic should
      be administered.

PMID- 26276739
TI  - [Applying dose banding to the production of antineoplastic drugs: a narrative
      review of the literature].
AB  - The dosage of antineoplastic drugs has historically been based on individualized
      prescription and preparation according to body surface area or patient's weight.
      Lack of resources and increased assistance workload in the areas where
      chemotherapy is made, are leading to the development of new systems to optimize
      the processing without reducing safety. One of the strategies that has been
      proposed is the elaboration by dose banding. This new approach standardizes the
      antineoplastic agents doses by making ranges or bands accepting a percentage of
      maximum variation. It aims to reduce processing time with the consequent
      reduction in waiting time for patients; to reduce errors in the manufacturing
      process and to promote the rational drug use. In conclusion, dose banding is a
      suitable method for optimizing the development of anticancer drugs, obtaining
      reductions in oncologic patients waiting time but without actually causing a
      favorable impact on direct or indirect costs. 

PMID- 26276740
TI  - [Eculizumab for atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome in newborn: a case report].

PMID- 26276741
TI  - [Vancomycin intoxication in a patient with inappropriate antidiuretic hormone
      syndrome and diarrhea].
AB  - Vancomycin is an antibiotic used for infections by gram-positive bacteria with a
      two-compartment pharmacokinetic model. Its monitoring has an established
      therapeutic range (10-20 mg/L) to prevent nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity due to
      supratherapeutic levels, and inefficiency and development of resistance by
      subtherapeutic levels. Nephrotoxicity for vancomycin monotherapy at standard
      doses according to pathogen and typical regimens (usual dose: 15-20 mg/kg/12 h)
      is rare and usually reversible. Moreover, monitoring plasma concentrations allows
      to achieve concentrations within therapeutic range to allow safe and effective
      drug use. The renal hypoperfusion can cause pre-renal damage, resulting in
      elevated levels of serum creatinine, resulting in decreased antibiotic
      elimination and nephrotoxicity. We report a case of unexpected vancomycin
      nephrotoxicity in a patient with syndrome Inappropriate antidiuretic hormone
      secretion associated paraneoplastic. 

PMID- 26276742
TI  - [Off-lable uses of mycophenolate mofetil: lupus nephritis].

PMID- 26276743
TI  - [Impact of the economic crisis on the activity of a clinical research ethics
      committee; response from the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices].

PMID- 26276744
TI  - Modulation of Breast Cancer Risk Biomarkers by High-Dose Omega-3 Fatty Acids:
      Phase II Pilot Study in Postmenopausal Women.
AB  - Associational studies suggest higher intakes/blood levels of the omega-3 fatty
      acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) relative to the
      omega-6 arachidonic acid (AA) are associated with reduced breast cancer risk. We
      performed a pilot study of high-dose EPA + DHA in postmenopausal women to assess
      feasibility before initiating a phase IIB prevention trial. Postmenopausal women
      with cytologic evidence of hyperplasia in their baseline random periareolar fine
      needle aspiration (RPFNA) took 1,860 mg EPA +1500 mg DHA ethyl esters daily for 6
      months. Blood and breast tissue were sampled at baseline and study conclusion for
      exploratory biomarker assessment, with P values uncorrected for multiple
      comparisons. Feasibility was predefined as 50% uptake, 80% completion, and 70%
      compliance. Trial uptake by 35 study entrants from 54 eligible women was 65%,
      with 97% completion and 97% compliance. Favorable modulation was suggested for
      serum adiponectin (P = 0.0027), TNFalpha (P = 0.016), HOMA 2B measure of
      pancreatic beta cell function (P = 0.0048), and bioavailable estradiol (P =
      0.039). Benign breast tissue Ki-67 (P = 0.036), macrophage chemoattractant
      protein-1 (P = 0.033), cytomorphology index score (P = 0.014), and percent
      mammographic density (P = 0.036) were decreased with favorable effects in a
      proteomics array for several proteins associated with mitogen signaling and cell
      cycle arrest; but no obvious overall effect on proteins downstream of mTOR.
      Although favorable risk biomarker modulation will need to be confirmed in a
      placebo-controlled trial, we have demonstrated feasibility for development of
      high-dose EPA and DHA ethyl esters for primary prevention of breast cancer.

PMID- 26276745
TI  - Vitamin D Repletion Reduces the Progression of Premalignant Squamous Lesions in
      the NTCU Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma Mouse Model.
AB  - The chemopreventive actions of vitamin D were examined in the N-nitroso-tris
      chloroethylurea (NTCU) mouse model, a progressive model of lung squamous cell
      carcinoma (SCC). SWR/J mice were fed a deficient diet (D) containing no vitamin
      D3, a sufficient diet (S) containing 2,000 IU/kg vitamin D3, or the same diets in
      combination with the active metabolite of vitamin D, calcitriol (C; 80 MUg/kg,
      weekly). The percentage (%) of the mucosal surface of large airways occupied by
      dysplastic lesions was determined in mice after treatment with a total dose of 15
      or 25 MUmol NTCU (N). After treatment with 15 MUmol NTCU, the percentages of the
      surface of large airways containing high-grade dysplastic (HGD) lesions were
      vitamin D-deficient + NTCU (DN), 22.7% [P < 0.05 compared with vitamin D
      sufficient +NTCU (SN)]; DN + C, 12.3%; SN, 8.7%; and SN + C, 6.6%. The extent of
      HGD increased with NTCU dose in the DN group. Proliferation, assessed by Ki-67
      labeling, increased upon NTCU treatment. The highest Ki-67 labeling index was
      seen in the DN group. As compared with SN mice, DN mice exhibited a three-fold
      increase (P < 0.005) in circulating white blood cells (WBC), a 20% (P < 0.05)
      increase in IL6 levels, and a four-fold (P < 0.005) increase in WBC in bronchial
      lavages. Thus, vitamin D repletion reduces the progression of premalignant
      lesions, proliferation, and inflammation, and may thereby suppress development of
      lung SCC. Further investigations of the chemopreventive effects of vitamin D in
      lung SCC are warranted.

PMID- 26276746
TI  - Low SFRP1 Expression Correlates with Poor Prognosis and Promotes Cell Invasion by
      Activating the Wnt/beta-Catenin Signaling Pathway in NPC.
AB  - Distant metastasis remains the predominant mode of treatment failure in
      nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Unfortunately, the molecular events underlying
      NPC metastasis remain poorly understood. Secreted frizzled-related protein 1
      (SFRP1) plays an important role in tumorigenesis and progression. However, little
      is known about the function and mechanism of SFRP1 in NPC. Immunohistochemistry
      was used to determine SFRP1 expression levels in patients with NPC. SFRP1
      function was evaluated using MTT, colony formation, wound-healing, Transwell
      assays, and in vivo models. The methylation level of SFRP1 in NPC cells was
      examined using bisulfate pyrosequencing; the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway
      genes were studied using Western blotting. Compared with patients with high SFRP1
      expression, patients with low SFRP1 expression had worse overall survival [HR,
      2.32; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.36-3.94; P = 0.002], disease-free survival
      (HR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.23-3.18; P = 0.005), and distant metastasis-free survival
      (HR, 2.07; 95% CI, 1.19-3.59; P = 0.009). Multivariate Cox regression analysis
      indicated that SFRP1 was an independent prognostic factor. Furthermore, SFRP1 was
      significantly downregulated in NPC cell lines. SFRP1 overexpression suppressed
      NPC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro and lung colonization in
      vivo. SFRP1 expression was restored after treatment with a demethylation agent,
      and the SFRP1 promoter region was hypermethylated in NPC cells. beta-Catenin, c
      Myc, and cyclin D1 were downregulated after SFRP1 restoration, which suggested
      that SFRP1 suppressed growth and metastasis by inhibiting the Wnt/beta-catenin
      signaling pathway in NPC. SFRP1 provides further insight into NPC progression and
      may provide novel therapeutic targets for NPC treatment.

PMID- 26276747
TI  - ERbeta expression and breast cancer risk prediction for women with atypias.
AB  - Estrogen receptor (ER) beta is highly expressed in normal breast epithelium and a
      putative tumor suppressor. Atypical hyperplasia substantially increases breast
      cancer risk, but identification of biomarkers to further improve risk
      stratification is needed. We evaluated ERbeta expression in breast tissues from
      women with atypical hyperplasia and association with subsequent breast cancer
      risk. ERbeta expression was examined by immunohistochemistry in a well
      characterized 171-women cohort with atypical hyperplasia diagnosed 1967-1991.
      Nuclear ERbeta percent and intensity was scored in the atypia and adjacent normal
      lobules. An ERbeta sum score (percent + intensity) was calculated and grouped as
      low, moderate, or high. Competing risks regression was used to assess
      associations of ERbeta expression with breast cancer risk. After 15-year median
      follow-up, 36 women developed breast cancer. ERbeta expression was lower in
      atypia lobules in than normal lobules, by percent staining and intensity (both P
      < 0.001). Higher ERbeta expression in the atypia or normal lobules, evaluated by
      percent staining, intensity or sum score, decreased the risk of subsequent breast
      cancer by 2-fold (P = 0.04) and 2.5-fold (P = 0.006). High normal lobule ERbeta
      expression conferred the strongest protective effect in premenopausal women: the
      20-year cumulative incidence of breast cancer was 0% for women younger than 45
      years with high versus 31% for low-moderate ERbeta expression (P = 0.0008). High
      ERbeta expression was associated with a significantly decreased risk of breast
      cancer in women with atypical hyperplasia. These data suggest that ERbeta may be
      a useful biomarker for risk stratification and a novel therapeutic target for
      breast cancer risk reduction.

PMID- 26276748
TI  - Noninvasive molecular screening for oral precancer in Fanconi anemia patients.
AB  - LOH at chromosome arms 3p, 9p, 11q, and 17p are well-established oncogenetic
      aberrations in oral precancerous lesions and promising biomarkers to monitor the
      development of oral cancer. Noninvasive LOH screening of brushed oral cells is a
      preferable method for precancer detection in patients at increased risk for head
      and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), such as patients with Fanconi anemia.
      We determined the prevalence of LOH in brushed samples of the oral epithelium of
      141 patients with Fanconi anemia and 144 aged subjects, and studied the
      association between LOH and HNSCC. LOH was present in 14 (9.9%) nontransplanted
      patients with Fanconi anemia, whereas LOH was not detected in a low-risk group (n
      = 50, >58 years, nonsmoking/nonalcohol history) and a group with somewhat
      increased HNSCC risk (n = 94, >58 years, heavy smoking/excessive alcohol use);
      Fisher exact test, P = 0.023 and P = 0.001, respectively. Most frequent genetic
      alteration was LOH at 9p. Age was a significant predictor of LOH (OR, 1.13, P =
      0.001). Five patients with Fanconi anemia developed HNSCC during the study at a
      median age of 39.6 years (range, 24.8-53.7). LOH was significantly associated
      with HNSCC (Fisher exact test, P = 0.000). Unexpectedly, the LOH assay could not
      be used for transplanted patients with Fanconi anemia because donor DNA in
      brushed oral epithelium, most likely from donor leukocytes present in the oral
      cavity, disturbed the analysis. Noninvasive screening using a LOH assay on
      brushed samples of the oral epithelium has a promising outlook in patients with
      Fanconi anemia. However, assays need to be adapted in case of stem cell
      transplantation, because of contaminating donor DNA.

PMID- 26276749
TI  - Isoflavone pharmacokinetics and metabolism after consumption of a standardized
      soy and soy-almond bread in men with asymptomatic prostate cancer.
AB  - Epidemiologic associations suggest that populations consuming substantial amounts
      of dietary soy exhibit a lower risk of prostate cancer. A 20-week randomized,
      phase II, crossover trial was conducted in 32 men with asymptomatic prostate
      cancer. The crossover involved 8 weeks each of soy bread (SB) and soy-almond
      bread (SAB). The primary objective was to investigate isoflavone bioavailability
      and metabolite profile. Secondary objectives include safety, compliance, and
      assessment of biomarkers linked to prostate carcinogenesis. Two distinct SBs were
      formulated to deliver approximately 60 mg aglycone equivalents of isoflavones per
      day. The isoflavones were present as aglycones (~78% as aglycones) in the SAB
      whereas in the standard SB predominantly as glucosides (18% total isoflavones as
      aglycones). Compliance to SB (97% +/- 4%) and SAB (92% +/- 18%) was excellent;
      toxicity was rare and limited to grade 1 gastrointestinal complaints.
      Pharmacokinetic studies between SB and SAB showed modest differences. Peak serum
      concentration time (Tmax) was significantly faster with SAB meal compared with SB
      in some isoflavonoids, and AUC0 to 24 h of dihydrodaidzein and O
      desmethylangolensin was significantly greater after an SB meal. An exploratory
      cluster analysis was used to identify four isoflavone-metabolizing phenotypes.
      Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein increased significantly by 41% (P =
      0.024) with soy intervention. Findings from this study provide the necessary
      framework to study isoflavone-metabolizing phenotypes as a strategy for
      identification of individuals that might benefit or show resistance to cancer
      preventive strategies using dietary soy. A standardized SB used for future large
      scale randomized clinical trials to affect human prostate carcinogenesis is
      feasible.

PMID- 26276750
TI  - Double-Blind Randomized 12-Month Soy Intervention Had No Effects on Breast MRI
      Fibroglandular Tissue Density or Mammographic Density.
AB  - Soy supplementation by patients with breast cancer remains controversial. No
      controlled intervention studies have investigated the effects of soy
      supplementation on mammographic density in patients with breast cancer. We
      conducted a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled intervention study in
      previously treated patients with breast cancer (n = 66) and high-risk women (n =
      29). We obtained digital mammograms and breast MRI scans at baseline and after 12
      months of daily soy (50 mg isoflavones per day; n = 46) or placebo (n = 49)
      tablet supplementation. The total breast area (MA) and the area of mammographic
      density (MD) on the mammogram were measured using a validated computer-assisted
      method, and mammographic density percent (MD% = 100 * MD/MA) was determined. A
      well-tested computer algorithm was used to quantitatively measure the total
      breast volume (TBV) and fibroglandular tissue volume (FGV) on the breast MRI, and
      the FGV percent (FGV% = 100 * FGV/TBV) was calculated. On the basis of plasma soy
      isoflavone levels, compliance was excellent. Small decreases in MD% measured by
      the ratios of month 12 to baseline levels were seen in the soy (0.95) and the
      placebo (0.87) groups; these changes did not differ between the treatments (P =
      0.38). Small decreases in FGV% were also found in both the soy (0.90) and the
      placebo (0.92) groups; these changes also did not differ between the treatments
      (P = 0.48). Results were comparable in patients with breast cancer and high-risk
      women. We found no evidence that soy supplementation would decrease mammographic
      density and that MRI might be more sensitive to changes in density than
      mammography.

PMID- 26276751
TI  - Consumption of soy isoflavone enriched bread in men with prostate cancer is
      associated with reduced proinflammatory cytokines and immunosuppressive cells.
AB  - We hypothesized that soy phytochemicals may have immunomodulatory properties that
      may affect prostate carcinogenesis and progression. A randomized, phase II trial
      was conducted in 32 patients with prostate cancer with asymptomatic biochemical
      recurrence but no measurable disease on standard staging studies. Patients were
      randomized to two slices of soy bread (34 mg isoflavones/slice) or soy bread
      containing almond powder daily as a source of beta-glucosidase. Flow cytometry
      and bioplex assays were used to measure cytokines or immune cell phenotype in
      blood at baseline (day 0) and following intervention (day 56). Adequate blood
      samples were available at enrollment and day 56 and evaluated. Multiple plasma
      cytokines and chemokines were significantly decreased on day 56 versus baseline.
      Subgroup analysis indicated reduced TH1 (P = 0.028) and myeloid-derived
      suppressor cell (MDSC)-associated cytokines (P = 0.035). TH2 and TH17 cytokines
      were not significantly altered. Phenotypic analysis revealed no change in CD8(+)
      or CD4(+) T cells but showed increased CD56(+) natural killer (NK) cells (P =
      0.038). The percentage of cells with a T regulatory cell phenotype
      (CD4(+)CD25(+)FoxP3(+)) was significantly decreased after 56 days of soy bread (P
      = 0.0136). Significantly decreased monocytic (CD33(+)HLADR(neg)CD14(+)) MDSC were
      observed in patients consuming soy bread (P = 0.0056). These data suggest that
      soy bread modulates systemic soluble and cellular biomarkers consistent with
      limiting inflammation and suppression of MDSCs. Additional studies to elucidate
      impact on the carcinogenic process or as a complement to immune-based therapy are
      required.

PMID- 26276752
TI  - Colon Tumors with the Simultaneous Induction of Driver Mutations in APC, KRAS,
      and PIK3CA Still Progress through the Adenoma-to-carcinoma Sequence.
AB  - Human colorectal cancers often possess multiple mutations, including three to six
      driver mutations per tumor. The timing of when these mutations occur during tumor
      development and progression continues to be debated. More advanced lesions carry
      a greater number of driver mutations, indicating that colon tumors might progress
      from adenomas to carcinomas through the stepwise accumulation of mutations
      following tumor initiation. However, mutations that have been implicated in tumor
      progression have been identified in normal-appearing epithelial cells of the
      colon, leaving the possibility that these mutations might be present before the
      initiation of tumorigenesis. We utilized mouse models of colon cancer to
      investigate whether tumorigenesis still occurs through the adenoma-to-carcinoma
      sequence when multiple mutations are present at the time of tumor initiation. To
      create a model in which tumors could concomitantly possess mutations in Apc,
      Kras, and Pik3ca, we developed a novel minimally invasive technique to administer
      an adenovirus expressing Cre recombinase to a focal region of the colon. Here, we
      demonstrate that the presence of these additional driver mutations at the time of
      tumor initiation results in increased tumor multiplicity and an increased rate of
      progression to invasive adenocarcinomas. These cancers can even metastasize to
      retroperitoneal lymph nodes or the liver. However, despite having as many as
      three concomitant driver mutations at the time of initiation, these tumors still
      proceed through the adenoma-to-carcinoma sequence.

PMID- 26276753
TI  - Physical Activity and Prostate Tumor Vessel Morphology: Data from the Health
      Professionals Follow-up Study.
AB  - Vigorous activity is associated with lower risk of prostate cancer progression,
      but the biologic mechanisms are unknown. Exercise affects vascularization of
      tumors in animal models, and small, irregularly shaped vessels in prostate tumors
      are associated with fatal prostate cancer. We hypothesized that men who engaged
      in vigorous activity or brisk walking would have larger, more regularly shaped
      vessels in their prostate tumors. We prospectively examined whether physical
      activity was associated with prostate tumor microvessel morphology among 571 men
      in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study using ordinal logistic regression.
      Vessel size (MUm(2)), vessel lumen regularity (perimeter(2)/4 . Pi . area), and
      microvessel density (number/high-powered field) were ascertained in tumor
      sections stained for endothelial cell marker CD34. Vigorous activity [metabolic
      equivalent task (MET) >= 6], nonvigorous activity (MET < 6), and walking pace
      were assessed a median of 14 months before diagnosis. Prostate tumors from men
      who reported a brisk walking pace (3+ mph) had larger, more regularly shaped
      blood vessels compared with those of men who walked at a less than brisk pace
      [vessel regularity OR, 1.59; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.11-2.27; P value,
      0.01; vessel size OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.04-2.12; P value, 0.03]. Brisk walking was
      not associated with microvessel density; total vigorous and nonvigorous
      activities were not associated with vessel size, shape, or number. Brisk walking
      may be associated with larger, more regularly shaped vessels in prostate tumors.
      Additional research elucidating the effect of physical activity on prostate tumor
      biology is needed.

PMID- 26276754
TI  - Effect of Metformin on Breast Ductal Carcinoma In Situ Proliferation in a
      Randomized Presurgical Trial.
AB  - Metformin is associated with lower breast cancer risk in epidemiologic studies
      and showed decreased proliferation in HER2-positive breast cancer in a
      presurgical trial. To provide insight into its preventive potential, we measured
      proliferation by Ki-67 labeling index (LI) of intraepithelial lesions surrounding
      breast cancer. We randomly assigned 200 nondiabetic patients diagnosed with
      invasive breast cancer in core biopsies to metformin, 1,700 mg or placebo once
      daily for 28 days before surgery. Upon surgery, five to seven specimens of cancer
      adjacent (<=1 cm) and distant (>1 cm) tissue were screened for LCIS, ductal
      carcinoma in situ (DCIS), and ductal hyperplasia (DH). The prevalence of LCIS,
      DCIS, and DH was 4.5% (9/200), 67% (133/200), and 35% (69/200), respectively.
      Overall, metformin did not affect Ki-67 LI in premalignant disorders. The median
      posttreatment Ki-67 LI (IQR) in the metformin and placebo arm was, respectively,
      15% (5-15) versus 5% (4-6) in LCIS (P = 0.1), 12% (8-20) versus 10% (7-24) in
      DCIS (P = 0.9), and 3% (1-4) versus 3% (1-4) in DH (P = 0.5). However,
      posttreatment Ki-67 in HER2-positive DCIS lesions was significantly lower in
      women randomized to metformin especially when ER was coexpressed: 22% (11-32)
      versus 35% (30-40) in HER2-positive DCIS (n = 22, P = .06); 12% (7-18) versus 32%
      (27-42) in ER-positive/HER2-positive DCIS (n = 15, P = .004). Eight of 22 (36%)
      HER2-positive DCIS were adjacent to HER2-negative invasive breast cancer. In
      tissue samples obtained following 4 weeks of study drug, proliferation was lower
      in HER2-positive DCIS for women randomized to metformin versus placebo. An
      adjuvant trial incorporating metformin in HER2-positive DCIS is warranted.

PMID- 26276755
TI  - Occupational lung disease survey of respiratory physicians in Northern Ireland.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Respiratory physicians are likely to encounter occupational lung
      disease (OLD) in their daily practice. AIMS: To assess the profile of cases being
      encountered by general respiratory physicians in Northern Ireland (NI) and
      determine satisfaction with training, confidence in diagnosis and management of
      OLD. METHODS: An online survey of all consultant respiratory physicians currently
      practising in NI. Questions assessed the numbers of new cases seen over the
      preceding year, case type, satisfaction with specialist registrar training in OLD
      and degree of confidence in the diagnosis and management of these conditions.
      RESULTS: Of the 40 consultants identified, the response rate was 80% (n = 32)
      with 94% of respondents (n = 30) indicating they had dealt with patients
      suspected of having occupation-related respiratory symptoms. The most commonly
      encountered OLDs were pleural plaques (91% of respondents), occupational asthma
      (88%), asbestosis (84%), non-asbestosis pulmonary fibrosis (76%),
      hypersensitivity pneumonitis (67%) and mesothelioma (66%). Just over one third of
      consultants (36%, n = 10) indicated a lack of confidence in diagnosis and
      management of OLD with almost half (48%) dissatisfied with OLD training as a
      registrar and a further 78% (n = 25) indicating they would value additional
      training in OLD as a consultant. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of respiratory
      consultants in NI encountered OLD in their day to day practice and half were
      dissatisfied with their specialist registrar training in OLD and express a lack
      of confidence in the diagnosis and management of these conditions. This
      highlights the need for additional training at both registrar and consultant
      level.

PMID- 26276756
TI  - Impact of rail medical standard on obstructive sleep apnoea prevalence.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The 2004 edition of the National Standard for Health Assessment of
      Rail Safety Workers (the standard) used the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) to
      screen for excessive daytime sleepiness related to obstructive sleep apnoea
      (OSA). The 2012 edition of the standard expanded the OSA screening matrix to
      include body mass index, comorbid hypertension and type 2 diabetes as triggers
      requiring a sleep study to be undertaken irrespective of the ESS. AIMS: To assess
      the impact of the new standard on the estimated prevalence of OSA in railway
      workers. METHODS: An analysis of data on safety critical employees referred for
      rail safety health assessment during the 2013 calendar year and meeting the
      criteria for sleep study referral. Sleep study outcomes were used to assess the
      predictive value of screening under the new standard. RESULTS: A total of
      200/4311 workers were investigated with a sleep study. One hundred and ninety
      three met the new risk factor criteria and 182 (91%) were newly diagnosed with
      OSA. The prevalence of OSA in the study population was 7%, compared with 2% in
      2009. No worker reported an elevated ESS. The false positive to true positive
      ratio was 0.1 (95% CI 0.06-0.16). CONCLUSIONS: The new medical standard has
      resulted in an increased estimate of the prevalence of OSA in rail workers. This
      study supports the use of objective clinical risk factors to select workers for
      further investigation, aiming to minimize the risk of accidents associated with
      excessive daytime sleepiness and other comorbid conditions of OSA.

PMID- 26276757
TI  - Accreditation of occupational health services in Norway.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In 2010, an accreditation system for occupational health services
      (OHS) in Norway was implemented. AIMS: To examine OHS experiences of the
      accreditation system in Norway 4 years after its implementation. METHODS: A web
      based questionnaire was sent to all accredited OHS asking about their experiences
      with the accreditation system. Responses were compared with a similar survey
      conducted in 2011. RESULTS: The response rate was 76% (173/228). OHS reported
      that the most common changes they had had to make to achieve accreditation were:
      improvement of their quality assurance system (53%), a plan for competence
      development (44%) and increased staffing in occupational hygiene (36%) and
      occupational medicine (28%). The OHS attributed improved quality in their own OHS
      (56%) and in OHS in Norway (47%), to the accreditation process. CONCLUSIONS: The
      accreditation system was well accepted by OHS, who reported that it had improved
      the quality of their OHS and of OHS in Norway. The results are similar to the
      findings of a 2011 survey.

PMID- 26276758
TI  - Health care workers' influenza vaccination: motivations and mandatory mask
      policy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Vaccination of health care workers (HCW) against seasonal influenza
      (SI) is recommended but vaccination rate rarely reach >30%. Vaccination coverage
      against 2009 pandemic influenza (PI) was 52% in our hospital, whilst a new policy
      requiring unvaccinated HCW to wear a mask during patient care duties was
      enforced. AIMS: To investigate the determinants of this higher vaccination
      acceptance for PI and to look for an association with the new mask-wearing
      policy. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study, involving HCW of three critical
      departments of a 1023-bed, tertiary-care university hospital in Switzerland. Self
      reported 2009-10 SI and 2009 PI vaccination statuses, reasons and demographic
      data were collected through a literature-based questionnaire. Descriptive
      statistics, uni- and multivariate analyses were then performed. RESULTS: There
      were 472 respondents with a response rate of 54%. Self-reported vaccination
      acceptance was 64% for PI and 53% for SI. PI vaccination acceptance was
      associated with being vaccinated against SI (OR 9.5; 95% CI 5.5-16.4), being a
      physician (OR 7.7; 95% CI 3.1-19.1) and feeling uncomfortable wearing a mask (OR
      1.7; 95% CI 1.0-2.8). Main motives for refusing vaccination were: preference for
      wearing a surgical mask (80% for PI, not applicable for SI) and concerns about
      vaccine safety (64%, 50%) and efficacy (44%, 35%). CONCLUSIONS: The new mask
      wearing policy was a motivation for vaccination but also offered an alternative
      to non-compliant HCW. Concerns about vaccine safety and efficiency and self
      interest of health care workers are still main determinants for influenza
      vaccination acceptance. Better incentives are needed to encourage vaccination
      amongst non-physician HCW.

PMID- 26276759
TI  - Mundane science use in a practice theoretical perspective: Different
      understandings of the relations between citizen-consumers and public
      communication initiatives build on scientific claims.
AB  - Public communication initiatives play a part in placing complicated scientific
      claims in citizen-consumers' everyday contexts. Lay reactions to scientific
      claims framed in public communication, and attempts to engage citizens, have been
      important subjects of discussion in the literatures of public understanding and
      public engagement with science. Many of the public communication initiatives,
      however, address lay people as consumers rather than citizens. This creates
      specific challenges for understanding public engagement with science and
      scientific citizenship. The article compares five different understandings of the
      relations between citizen-consumers and public issue communication involving
      science, where the first four types are widely represented in the Public
      Understanding of Science discussions. The fifth understanding is a practice
      theoretical perspective. The article suggests how the public understanding of and
      engagement in science literature can benefit from including a practice
      theoretical approach to research about mundane science use and public engagement.

PMID- 26276760
TI  - Pharmacists could work in GP premises under proposed new model of care.

PMID- 26276761
TI  - Prognostic signature of protocadherin 10 methylation in curatively resected
      pathological stage I non-small-cell lung cancer.
AB  - Although curative resection is the current treatment of choice for localized non
      small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), patients show a wide spectrum of survival even
      after complete resection of pathological stage I NSCLC. Thus, identifying
      molecular biomarkers that help to accurately select patients at high risk of
      relapse is an important key to improving the treatment strategy. The purpose of
      this study was to evaluate the prognostic signature of protocadherin 10 (PCDH10)
      promoter methylation in curatively resected pathological stage I NSCLC. Using
      methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction assays, methylation of PCDH10
      promoter was assessed in cancer tissues of 109 patients who underwent curative
      resection of pathological stage I NSCLC. Associations between PCDH10 methylation
      status and disease outcome was analyzed. PCDH10 promoter methylation was detected
      in 46/109 patients (42.2%). Patients with methylated PCDH10 showed significantly
      worse recurrence-free, overall, and disease-specific survival compared with those
      without methylation (P < 0.0001, P = 0.0004, P = 0.0002, respectively).
      Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis revealed that adjusted
      hazard ratios of methylated PCDH10 were 5.159 for recurrence-free, 1.817 for
      overall, and 5.478 for disease-specific survival (P = 0.0005, P = 0.1475, P =
      0.0109, respectively). The pattern of recurrence was not significantly different
      between patients with and without PCDH10 methylation (P = 0.5074). PCDH10
      methylation is a potential biomarker that predicts a poor prognosis after
      curative resection of pathological stage I NSCLC. Assessment of PCDH10
      methylation status might assist in patient stratification for determining an
      appropriate adjuvant treatment and follow-up strategy.

PMID- 26276762
TI  - Prevalence of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Usage in Vietnamese American
      Asthmatic Children.
AB  - This study examined the frequency and type of complementary and alternative
      medicine (CAM) therapy, as well as characteristics associated with CAM usage. A
      survey about parental preferences and beliefs regarding CAM usage was distributed
      to 5 schools with predominantly low socioeconomic Vietnamese children. For the
      360 Vietnamese children previously diagnosed with asthma whose families
      responded, most preferred conventional therapy as prescribed by the physician.
      The prevalence of CAM usage was 38.1%. Common CAM therapies were steam
      inhalation, creams/topical oils, foods, prayer, oil inhalation, massage, herbal
      medication, coining, and cupping. Significant predictors of CAM usage were older
      age (11-12 years) (P = .038), English language of survey response (P = .001),
      environmental tobacco smoke exposure (P = .001), fear of long-term medication
      usage, and perception of asthma as a condition related to genetics (P = .023).
      These findings suggest that assessing CAM therapy will provide a more holistic
      approach to asthma therapy. 

PMID- 26276763
TI  - The global health network on alcohol control: successes and limits of evidence
      based advocacy.
AB  - Global efforts to address alcohol harm have significantly increased since the mid
      1990 s. By 2010, the World Health Organization (WHO) had adopted the non-binding
      Global Strategy to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol. This study investigates the
      role of a global health network, anchored by the Global Alcohol Policy Alliance
      (GAPA), which has used scientific evidence on harm and effective interventions to
      advocate for greater global public health efforts to reduce alcohol harm. The
      study uses process-tracing methodology and expert interviews to evaluate the
      accomplishments and limitations of this network. The study documents how network
      members have not only contributed to greater global awareness about alcohol harm,
      but also advanced a public health approach to addressing this issue at the global
      level. Although the current network represents an expanding global coalition of
      like-minded individuals, it faces considerable challenges in advancing its cause
      towards successful implementation of effective alcohol control policies across
      many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The analysis reveals a need to
      transform the network into a formal coalition of regional and national
      organizations that represent a broader variety of constituents, including the
      medical community, consumer groups and development-focused non-governmental
      organizations. Considering the growing harm of alcohol abuse in LMICs and the
      availability of proven and cost-effective public health interventions, alcohol
      control represents an excellent 'buy' for donors interested in addressing non
      communicable diseases. Alcohol control has broad beneficial effects for human
      development, including promoting road safety and reducing domestic violence and
      health care costs across a wide variety of illnesses caused by alcohol
      consumption.

PMID- 26276764
TI  - Exploiting Atropisomerism to Increase the Target Selectivity of Kinase
      Inhibitors.
AB  - Many biologically active molecules exist as rapidly interconverting atropisomeric
      mixtures. Whereas one atropisomer inhibits the desired target, the other can lead
      to off-target effects. Herein, we study atropisomerism as a possibility to
      improve the selectivities of kinase inhibitors through the synthesis of
      conformationally stable pyrrolopyrimidines. Each atropisomer was isolated by HPLC
      on a chiral stationary phase and subjected to inhibitor profiling across a panel
      of 18 tyrosine kinases. Notably different selectivity patterns between
      atropisomers were observed, as well as improved selectivity compared to a rapidly
      interconverting parent molecule. Computational docking studies then provided
      insights into the structure-based origins of these effects. This study is one of
      the first examples of the intentional preorganization of a promiscuous scaffold
      along an atropisomeric axis to increase target selectivity, and provides
      fundamental insights that may be applied to other atropisomeric target scaffolds.

PMID- 26276765
TI  - Integrated Microfluidics for Protein Modification Discovery.
AB  - Protein post-translational modifications mediate dynamic cellular processes with
      broad implications in human disease pathogenesis. There is a large demand for
      high-throughput technologies supporting post-translational modifications
      research, and both mass spectrometry and protein arrays have been successfully
      utilized for this purpose. Protein arrays override the major limitation of target
      protein abundance inherently associated with MS analysis. This technology,
      however, is typically restricted to pre-purified proteins spotted in a fixed
      composition on chips with limited life-time and functionality. In addition, the
      chips are expensive and designed for a single use, making complex experiments
      cost-prohibitive. Combining microfluidics with in situ protein expression from a
      cDNA microarray addressed these limitations. Based on this approach, we introduce
      a modular integrated microfluidic platform for multiple post-translational
      modifications analysis of freshly synthesized protein arrays (IMPA). The system's
      potency, specificity and flexibility are demonstrated for tyrosine
      phosphorylation and ubiquitination in quasicellular environments. Unlimited by
      design and protein composition, and relying on minute amounts of biological
      material and cost-effective technology, this unique approach is applicable for a
      broad range of basic, biomedical and biomarker research. 

PMID- 26276766
TI  - Laboratory medicine and value-based health care.

PMID- 26276767
TI  - The persistence of misinformation.

PMID- 26276768
TI  - Acute leukemias of ambiguous origin.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This session of the Society for Hematopathology/European Association
      for Haematopathology Workshop focused on acute leukemias of ambiguous origin.
      METHODS: We provide an overview of mixed-phenotype acute leukemia (MPAL) as
      recognized in the current World Health Organization classification and summarize
      diagnostic criteria for major categories of MPAL: B/myeloid, T/myeloid, B/T, and
      B/T/myeloid. RESULTS: Most MPAL cases submitted were B/myeloid and T/myeloid
      MPAL, the most frequent types, but three cases of B/T MPAL were also submitted,
      and examples of all categories are illustrated. We emphasize that a comprehensive
      approach to immunophenotyping is required to accurately establish the diagnosis
      of MPAL. Flow cytometry immunophenotyping using a large panel of antibodies is
      needed as well as confirmatory immunohistochemical analysis and cytochemistry
      studies for myeloperoxidase and nonspecific esterase. We discuss technical issues
      in determining blast lineage and possible pitfalls in MPAL diagnosis. In
      particular, rare cases of B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) can express
      myeloperoxidase but are otherwise consistent with B-ALL and should be treated as
      such. Last, we review the differential diagnosis between acute undifferentiated
      leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia with minimal differentiation. CONCLUSIONS:
      There was an agreement that diagnosis of MPAL can be challenging, especially if
      applied flow cytometry panels are not comprehensive enough.

PMID- 26276769
TI  - Hematolymphoid neoplasms associated with rearrangements of PDGFRA, PDGFRB, and
      FGFR1.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This session of the 2013 Society for Hematopathology/European
      Association for Haematopathology Workshop was dedicated to tumors currently
      included in the World Health Organization (WHO) classification category of
      myeloid and lymphoid neoplasms with eosinophilia and abnormalities of PDGFRA,
      PDGFRB, and FGFR1. METHODS: We use the cases submitted to this session to review
      the clinicopathologic and genetic spectrum of these neoplasms, methods for their
      diagnosis, and issues related to the WHO classification terminology. Since many
      patients with these neoplasms have eosinophilia, we also briefly mention other
      causes of clonal eosinophilia. RESULTS: These neoplasms are the result of gene
      fusions involving any one of these three tyrosine kinase genes. A variety of gene
      fusion partners have been found consistently for each category of neoplasms.
      Diagnoses of these neoplasms are often highly challenging and require a high
      index of suspicion and a multidisciplinary approach. CONCLUSIONS: Early
      recognition of these neoplasms is important because patients with neoplasms
      associated with PDGFRA or PDGFRB fusions often respond to tyrosine kinase
      inhibitor therapy, whereas patients with neoplasms associated with FGFR1 fusions
      usually do not respond.

PMID- 26276770
TI  - B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoblastic lymphoma.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This session of the 2013 Society of Hematopathology/European
      Association for Haematopathology Workshop was dedicated to B-acute lymphoblastic
      leukemia (B-ALL)/lymphoblastic lymphoma (LBL) with recurrent translocations and
      not otherwise specified. METHODS: In this review, we summarize the cases
      discussed during the workshop, review the pertinent and most recent literature on
      the respective topics, and provide a few key points that may aid in the workup of
      patients with B-ALL/LBL. RESULTS: Many of the submitted cases showed interesting
      diagnostic, immunophenotypic, or clinical aspects of B-ALL with BCR/ABL1, MLL
      associated, and other recurrent chromosomal abnormalities. Several cases showed
      rare aberrancies such as coexistent IGH/BCL2 and MYC rearrangements and raised
      issues in classification. Other cases had unusual clinical presentations,
      including B-ALL with hypereosinophilia and therapy-related B-ALL. Several cases
      highlighted the role of flow cytometry immunophenotyping in distinguishing benign
      B-cell precursors from aberrant lymphoblasts, and other cases raised questions
      regarding the clinical importance of myeloperoxidase positivity in acute
      lymphoblastic leukemia. CONCLUSIONS: The complexity and spectrum of cases
      presented in this review highlight the importance of clinicopathologic
      correlation and the value of ancillary studies in the classification and workup
      of patients with B-ALL/LBL.

PMID- 26276771
TI  - T-lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To review important concepts from the 2013 Society for
      Hematopathology/European Association for Haematopathology Workshop session on T
      acute lymphoblastic leukemia/T-lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-ALL/T-LBL). METHODS:
      Twenty-one submitted cases are reviewed and summarized, with emphasis on key
      diagnostic or biologic points, and supplemented with relevant literature
      citations. RESULTS: Early T-cell precursor (ETP)-ALL represented about one-third
      of all cases submitted. It is important to recognize ETP-ALL, because these
      patients have a poor prognosis if treated with standard therapy. A consensus
      immunophenotype has been developed to aid in the recognition of these cases.
      Other cases submitted illustrated rare entities, including two cases of
      Philadelphia chromosome-positive T-ALL, two cases of T-ALL associated with MYC
      translocations, and single cases illustrating various diseases. A subset of cases
      submitted illustrated issues related to differential diagnosis of T-ALL/T-LBL.
      CONCLUSIONS: In view of the growing importance of molecular genetic analysis in
      the diagnosis and prognosis of T-ALL/T-LBL, it is important for pathologists to
      keep abreast of these developments. Currently, routine histopathology,
      immunophenotyping, conventional cytogenetic analysis, fluorescence in situ
      hybridization, and clonality testing are usually adequate to establish the
      diagnosis. However, as therapies become more targeted, assessment for relevant
      genetic abnormalities, either through candidate gene or broad-scale unbiased
      approaches, may become necessary.

PMID- 26276772
TI  - Limiting the testing of AST: a diagnostically nonspecific enzyme.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Annually, millions of pairs of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and
      aspartate aminotransferase (AST) tests are ordered. These enzymes are highly
      correlated, and ALT is far more specific diagnostically than AST. To reduce AST
      testing, we suggest measuring AST only when ALT exceeds a predetermined limit.
      METHODS: We derived the proportions of elevated ASTs that would not be measured
      based on 15 months of paired inpatient and outpatient ALT and AST data. RESULTS:
      For inpatients, a 35 U/L ALT limit for initiating AST testing would reduce AST
      testing by 51%, missing only 3% and 7.5% of ASTs exceeding 50 U/L and 35 U/L,
      respectively. In outpatients, AST testing can be reduced by more than 65%, with
      fewer missed elevated ASTs (0.5% and 2% of the ASTs exceeding 50 U/L and 35 U/L,
      respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Conservatively, $100 million could be saved annually
      in the US health care budget by selectively limiting AST testing in just the US
      outpatient environment.

PMID- 26276773
TI  - Calciphylaxis and the persistence of medical misinformation in the era of Google.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We illustrate the important and troubling issue of persistent
      misinformation and false claims in the medical literature using a frequently
      cited case inaccurately believed by many to be the first case of calciphylaxis.
      METHODS: We identified a recurring error in the medical literature in the form of
      numerous citations of a study from the 1890s of a 6-month-old child with
      idiopathic infantile arterial calcification that is purported to be the first
      description of a case of calciphylaxis. We performed searches to determine the
      frequency of this error. Google Scholar and PubMed were searched for references
      citing the Bryant and White article. Accuracy of the citations was determined.
      RESULTS: A Google Scholar search identified 33 references that incorrectly cite
      the Bryant and White article as the first description of a case of calciphylaxis.
      Of the 100 most recent PubMed publications on calciphylaxis, we identified five
      studies that incorrectly attribute the Bryant and White article as the first
      description of calciphylaxis, which accounts for approximately 5% of the
      contemporary literature on this topic. CONCLUSIONS: Medical misinformation such
      as this is frequently perpetuated. We propose that computational resources could
      be better used to flag erroneous and contradicted claims to update and correct
      the literature.

PMID- 26276774
TI  - The American Society for Clinical Pathology's 2014 vacancy survey of medical
      laboratories in the United States.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To determine the extent and distribution of workforce shortages
      within the nation's medical laboratories. Historically, the results of this
      biennial survey have served as a basis for additional research on laboratory
      recruitment, retention, education, marketing, certification, and advocacy.
      METHODS: The 2014 Vacancy Survey was conducted through collaboration between
      American Society for Clinical Pathology's Institute of Science, Technology, and
      Policy in Washington, DC, and the Evaluation, Measurement, and Assessment
      Department and Board of Certification in Chicago, Illinois. Data were collected
      via an Internet survey that was distributed to individuals who were able to
      report on staffing and certifications for their laboratories. RESULTS: Data
      reveal increased overall vacancy rates since 2012 for all departments surveyed
      except cytology and cytogenetics. Also, results show higher anticipated
      retirement rates for both staff and supervisors. Overall certification rates are
      highest among laboratory personnel in cytogenetics, hematology/coagulation, and
      flow cytometry departments and lowest among phlebotomy, specimen processing, and
      anatomic pathology. CONCLUSIONS: Factors such as retirement and the improving
      economy are driving the need for more laboratory professionals. Recruitment of
      qualified laboratory professionals in the workforce and students in laboratory
      programs will be the key in fulfilling the higher vacancies revealed from the
      survey results in 2014.

PMID- 26276775
TI  - Evaluating the utility of trefoil factor 1 as a mammary-specific immunostain
      compared and in conjunction with GATA-3 and mammaglobin in the distinction
      between carcinoma of breast and lung.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The distinction between metastatic breast carcinomas (BCs) and
      primary lung carcinomas (PLCs) can be difficult. This study tested the utility of
      trefoil factor 1 (TFF1) for this purpose and compared it with mammaglobin and
      GATA protein binding 3 (GATA-3). METHODS: Tissue microarrays containing 365 BCs
      and 338 PLCs were stained with TFF1, mammaglobin, and GATA-3, and an H-score was
      calculated. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were calculated, and
      logistical regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: Accuracy of correctly
      classifying the tumor type was 81.9%, 71.3%, and 64.0% for GATA-3, mammaglobin,
      and TFF1, respectively. Odds ratios for selecting BCs were 25.69, 93.15, and
      4.17, respectively, with P values less than .001. With a single exception, the
      best immunopanel included GATA-3 and mammaglobin in all comparisons. CONCLUSIONS:
      TFF1 demonstrated breast specificity but was inferior to mammaglobin and GATA-3.
      Therefore, its routine clinical use may not be justified. TFF1 showed little
      benefit when added to an immunopanel.

PMID- 26276777
TI  - Probabilistic issues with sentinel lymph nodes in malignant melanoma.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To address issues of probability for sentinel lymph node results in
      melanoma and provide details about the probabilistic nature of the numbers of
      sentinel nodes as well as to address how these issues relate to tumor thickness
      and patient outcomes. METHODS: Analysis of the probability of observing sentinel
      node metastases uses the discrete exponential probability distribution to address
      the number of observed positive sentinel nodes. In addition, mathematical
      functions derived from survival analysis are used. Data are then chosen from the
      literature to illustrate the approach and to derive results. RESULTS:
      Observations about the numbers of positive and negative sentinel nodes closely
      follow discrete exponential probability distributions, and the relationship
      between the probability of a positive sentinel node and tumor thickness follows
      closely a function derived from survival analysis. Sentinel node results relate
      to tumor thickness as well as to the total number of nodes harvested but fall
      short of identifying all those who eventually develop metastatic melanoma.
      CONCLUSIONS: Probability analyses provide useful insight into the success and
      failure of the sentinel node biopsy procedure in patients with melanoma.

PMID- 26276776
TI  - Distinct beta-catenin and PIK3CA mutation profiles in endometriosis-associated
      ovarian endometrioid and clear cell carcinomas.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We focused on the differences in molecular mechanisms in the early
      stages of endometriosis-associated ovarian endometrioid carcinoma (OEMCa) and
      ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCCa). METHODS: Alterations in the beta-catenin
      and PIK3CA genes, as well as expression of their associated markers, were
      investigated. RESULTS: Mutations in exon 3 of the beta-catenin gene were
      identified in 21 (60%) of 35 OEMCas. The mutations were also detected in the
      coexisting nonatypical (52.4%) and atypical (73.3%) endometriosis, and the single
      nucleotide substitutions were identical in most cases. In contrast, the mutations
      were not identified in any of the OCCCas and their coexisting endometriosis.
      PIK3CA mutations were observed in 11 (31.4%) of 35 OEMCas and 10 (35.7%) of 28
      OCCCas. Ten of 11 OEMCas had PIK3CA mutations in exon 9, and eight of 10 OCCCas
      had them in exon 20. The same mutations were also detected in the coexisting
      nonatypical and/or atypical endometriosis in three OEMCas and four OCCCas. In
      addition, significant differences in the expression of pAkt, hepatocyte nuclear
      factor 1beta, hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha, p65, and inducible nitric oxide
      synthase were evident between the two types of tumors and their coexisting
      endometriosis. CONCLUSIONS: Distinct molecular events may occur in relatively
      early stages of tumorigenesis of endometriosis-associated OEMCas and OCCCas.

PMID- 26276778
TI  - Human papillomavirus oncogenic mRNA testing for cervical cancer screening:
      baseline and longitudinal results from the CLEAR study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study determined the longitudinal clinical performance of a high
      risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) E6/E7 RNA assay (Aptima HPV [AHPV]; Hologic,
      San Diego, CA) compared with an HR-HPV DNA assay (Hybrid Capture 2 [HC2]; Qiagen,
      Gaithersburg, MD) as an adjunctive method for cervical cancer screening. METHODS:
      Women 30 years or older with a negative result for intraepithelial lesions or
      malignancy cytology (n = 10,860) positive by AHPV and/or HC2 assays and randomly
      selected women negative by both assays were referred to colposcopy at baseline.
      Women without baseline cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade 2 or higher
      (CIN2+) continued into the 3-year follow-up. RESULTS: The specificity of AHPV for
      CIN2 or lower was significantly greater at 96.3% compared with HC2 specificity of
      94.8% (P < .001). Estimated sensitivities and risks for detection of CIN2+ were
      similar between the two assays. After 3 years of follow-up, women negative by
      either human papillomavirus test had a very low risk of CIN2+ (<0.3%) compared
      with CIN2+ risk in women with positive AHPV results (6.3%) or positive HC2
      results (5.1%). CONCLUSIONS: These results support the use of AHPV as a safe and
      effective adjunctive cervical cancer screening method.

PMID- 26276779
TI  - Complex measurements may be required to establish the prognostic impact of
      immunophenotypic markers in AML.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The prognostic impact of immunophenotypic markers in acute myeloid
      leukemia (AML) is controversial. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the value
      of CD34, CD117, CD7, and CD123 expression in a consecutive series of 592 adult
      patients with de novo AML. RESULTS: CD34+ measured as a percentage (>=2.88%) and
      CD34 mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) (>=146.79, arbitrary units [AU])
      expression had a prognostic impact in terms of overall survival (OS; P = .005, P
      = .003), leukemia-free survival (LFS; P = .011, P < .001), and cumulative
      incidence of relapse (CIR; P = .014, P =. 001). The percentage of CD117+ cells
      (61.29%) was associated with shorter LFS (P =. 043), and CD117 MFI (>=284.01 AU)
      was associated with a shorter OS (P =. 033) and LFS (P =. 028). In the
      multivariate analysis, high CD34 MFI retained the independent value as predictor
      of LFS and CIR (P =. 012; hazard ratio [HR], 1.59; 95% confidence interval [CI],
      1.11-2.28 and P =. 045; HR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.01-2.46). CONCLUSIONS: CD34
      positivity threshold with prognostic relevance is low (3% positive cells).
      Immunophenotypic findings in AML probably could only be fully exploited after a
      complex analysis that takes into account unconventional thresholds and the MFI.

PMID- 26276780
TI  - Morphologically occult systemic mastocytosis in bone marrow: clinicopathologic
      features and an algorithmic approach to diagnosis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Bone marrow (BM) biopsy specimens involved by systemic mastocytosis
      (SM) typically show multifocal, compact, dense aggregates of spindled mast cells
      (MCs). However, some cases lack aggregate formation and fulfill the World Health
      Organization 2008 criteria for SM, based on minor criteria. METHODS: We
      identified 26 BM cases of KIT D816V-mutated, morphologically occult SM in the BM.
      RESULTS: All patients had some combination of allergic/MC activating symptoms.
      Peripheral blood counts were generally normal. BM aspirates showed 5% or less
      MCs, which were only occasionally spindled. BM biopsy specimens showed no
      morphologic classic MC lesions. Tryptase immunohistochemistry (IHC) demonstrated
      interstitial, individually distributed MCs (up to 5%) with prominent spindling,
      lacking aggregate formation. MCs coexpressed CD25 by IHC and/or flow cytometry.
      Spindled MCs constituted more than 25% of total MCs in all cases and more than
      50% in 20 of 26 cases. CONCLUSIONS: Morphologically occult involvement of normal
      appearing BM by SM will be missed without appropriate clinical suspicion and
      pathologic evaluation by tryptase and CD25 IHC and KIT D816V mutation analysis.
      On the basis of these findings, we propose a cost-effective, data-driven,
      evidence-based algorithmic approach to the workup of these cases.

PMID- 26276781
TI  - Regressive change in high-grade ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast:
      histopathologic spectrum and biologic importance.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: High-grade ductal carcinoma in situ (HG-DCIS) of the breast often
      shows tumor attenuation and reactive fibrosis. These changes, previously
      described as "regressive," have been paradoxically associated with an increased
      risk of invasive carcinoma. We aimed to further characterize the spectrum of the
      so-called regressive changes (RCs) in HG-DCIS. METHODS: We reviewed 52
      consecutive cases of HG-DCIS on biopsy specimens followed by excision. RCs were
      divided into early (stage 1) and advanced (stages 2 and 3) stages according to
      the degree of ductal fibrosis and tumor effacement. The presence of inflammation,
      hormone receptor status, and diagnosis on excision were recorded. RESULTS: RCs
      were seen in 51 (98%) cases: 96%, 76.4%, and 39.2% cases showed stages 1, 2, and
      3, respectively. Periductal T cells with a normal CD4/CD8 ratio were constantly
      seen. Advanced RCs and inflammation were more frequent in estrogen and
      progesterone receptor-negative tumors. RCs were not associated with invasion but
      correlated with a larger residual HG-DCIS volume on excision. CONCLUSIONS:
      Regression in HG-DCIS is frequent. It may reflect a targeted immune response to
      certain phenotypes, mainly hormone receptor-negative lesions. Nonetheless, RCs do
      not lead to complete tumor obliteration but correlate with aggressive tumor
      characteristics instead.

PMID- 26276782
TI  - Polypoid laryngeal inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors: misleading lesions:
      description of six cases showing ALK overexpression.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Laryngeal inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMTs) are rarely
      reported in the literature but may be underrecognized. To better characterize
      their features, we report a series of six cases. METHODS: The clinicopathologic
      findings, including immunohistochemistry, fluorescence in situ hybridization
      (FISH) analysis, and follow-up, were evaluated and a review of the literature was
      performed. RESULTS: These cases presented as small polypoid vocal cord or
      ventricular band lesions, with a more advanced mean age at diagnosis (49 years)
      than typically reported in other localizations. Apart from one secondary revision
      surgery, no complementary treatment and no recurrences were observed.
      Histologically, various morphologic features were seen. All tumors were spindle
      cell proliferations on a myxoid background with more or less atypia and
      significant inflammatory infiltrate. All six cases showed anaplastic lymphoma
      kinase (ALK) immunohistochemical expression. FISH rearrangement was present in
      four of six cases. Only two cases were initially diagnosed as IMT. CONCLUSIONS:
      According to our series, laryngeal IMTs are easily misdiagnosed. They have a good
      prognosis, and ALK immunohistochemistry should be carried out to assess this
      diagnosis when spindle cell proliferations are observed in this localization.

PMID- 26276783
TI  - Computer-aided detection of rare tumor populations in flow cytometry: an example
      with classic Hodgkin lymphoma.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Diagnosing classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) by flow cytometry (FC)
      relies on an observer gating rare populations of Hodgkin/Reed Sternberg (HRS)
      cells. Here, we apply machine-learning methods to aid in the detection of rare
      tumor cell populations using data derived from clinical FC analysis of cHL as a
      model disease. METHODS: FC data from 144 clinical cases using a nine-color FC
      reagent panel were analyzed using Python 2.7 and the "scikit-learn" module.
      RESULTS: Seventy-eight 50 * 50 two-dimensional histograms were generated from
      routine FC data and a reciprocal power function applied to favor rare events.
      Data were classified by support vector machine (SVM), gradient boosting, and
      random forest classifiers. All three classifiers showed no statistical difference
      in performance, with 89%-92% accuracy on cross-validation. Nearly all classifiers
      misclassified the same set of cases, with more false-positive than false-negative
      cases. Dimensionality reduction by ensemble methods selected for data points in a
      CD5+/ CD40+/CD64- region. CONCLUSIONS: All classifiers provide probabilistic
      confidences for each result, and diagnostic cutoffs can be chosen to minimize
      false negatives and serve as a screening tool. Computational exclusion of
      manually gated HRS cells had little impact on the overall performance of selected
      support vectors in SVM or dimensionality reduction, suggesting that features of
      the immune response in cHL may dictate the method accuracy. We hypothesize there
      are distinct inflammatory cells that suggest cHL.

PMID- 26276784
TI  - Resident remediation: start from scratch.

PMID- 26276785
TI  - Reference intervals data mining: getting the right paper.

PMID- 26276786
TI  - Temozolomide for central nervous system involvement in mycosis fungoides.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The central nervous system (CNS) is one of the most commonly involved
      sites in the systemic progression of primary cutaneous T cell lymphomas (CTCLs)
      such as mycosis fungoides (MF). There is no consensus on the treatment of CNS
      progression in CTCL, but survival of 3-6 months is suggested when methotrexate
      based chemotherapy and/or CNS irradiation is used. Temozolomide is active in
      earlier stages of MF and readily crosses the blood-brain barrier. There are no
      published data on its use in MF patients with CNS involvement. METHODS: Four MF
      patients were treated with oral temozolomide (200 mg/m(2) per day for 5 d on a 28
      day cycle) for CNS progression. Two patients received temozolomide with low-dose
      CNS irradiation as initial treatment, and two received temozolomide following
      disease progression after methotrexate-based chemotherapy and CNS irradiation.
      All patients received dexamethasone. RESULTS: Temozolomide was well tolerated;
      there were no treatment withdrawals or dose reductions caused by toxicity.
      Patient 1 had an excellent partial response in pre-irradiated disease. Patient 2
      showed disease stabilization following irradiation. Patient 3 showed a complete
      response after a partial response to irradiation. Patient 4 demonstrated
      continued stabilization after a partial response to irradiation. Overall survival
      ranged from 10 to 33 months. Patient 3 remains alive and symptom-free at 23
      months following treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Temozolomide following low-dose CNS
      irradiation appears to be well tolerated and effective in MF patients with CNS
      progression. It may represent a less toxic alternative to chemotherapy containing
      methotrexate or an option for second-line therapy.

PMID- 26276787
TI  - Idiopathic constipation in children clinical practice guidelines.

PMID- 26276788
TI  - Premature births are blamed for high death rate in UK's under 5s compared with
      Sweden.

PMID- 26276789
TI  - Ethical implications of HIV self-testing.
AB  - In April 2015, the first legally approved HIV self-testing kit went on sale in
      the UK-except Northern Ireland where they remain illegal. These tests allow
      individuals to test their HIV status and read the result in the privacy of their
      own home, much like a home pregnancy test. This paper explores the ethical
      implications of HIV self-testing. We conclude that there are no strong ethical
      objections to self-testing being made widely available in the UK. Pretest
      counselling for an HIV test is not an ethical necessity, and self-testing has the
      potential to increase early diagnosis of HIV infection and thus improve prognosis
      and reduce ongoing transmission. Self-testing kits might also empower people and
      promote autonomy by allowing people to dictate the terms on which they test their
      HIV status. We accept that there are some potential areas of concern. These
      include the possibility of user error with the tests, and the concern that
      individuals may not present to health services following a reactive result. False
      negatives have the potential to cause harm if the 'window period' is not
      understood, and false positives might produce psychological distress. There is,
      however, little evidence to suggest that self-testing kits will cause widespread
      harm, and we argue that the only way to properly evaluate whether they do cause
      significant harm is to carefully evaluate their use, now that they are available
      on the market. 

PMID- 26276790
TI  - Impaired vascular function and repair in patients with premature coronary artery
      disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Endothelial dysfunction is central to the pathogenesis of coronary
      artery disease, but the role of local and circulating endothelial progenitor
      cells in maintaining vascular health is poorly understood. We hypothesised that
      impaired local and circulating vascular repair mechanisms predispose to
      endothelial dysfunction and the premature onset of coronary artery disease.
      METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients with premature coronary artery disease (n = 16) and
      healthy age- and sex-matched controls (n = 16) underwent venous occlusion
      plethysmography with intra-arterial infusion of acetylcholine and sodium
      nitroprusside. Numbers of circulating endothelial progenitor cells were directly
      quantified in whole blood by flow cytometry. Endothelial cells were isolated from
      the blood vessel wall and from peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and expanded
      in vitro for phenotypic and functional characterisation and analysis of microRNA
      expression levels. A dose-dependent increase in forearm blood flow (p < 0.001)
      was attenuated in response to the endothelial-dependent vasodilator acetylcholine
      in patients compared with controls (p = 0.03). No differences in the number of
      circulating endothelial progenitor cells or in the phenotype, function or
      microRNA expression levels of endothelial outgrowth cells isolated from blood
      were observed in patients and controls. Conversely, local vessel wall endothelial
      cells from patients had significant impairments in proliferation, adhesion and
      migration, and significantly reduced expression levels of microRNAs known to
      regulate endothelial function (miRs -10 a, -let7b, -126 and -181 b) (p < 0.05 for
      all). CONCLUSION: Local vessel wall derived endothelial cells, rather than
      circulating endothelial progenitor cells and their progeny, are impaired in
      patients with vascular dysfunction and premature coronary artery disease.

PMID- 26276792
TI  - What is publication bias in a meta-analysis?

PMID- 26276791
TI  - Apelin and Visfatin Plasma Levels in Healthy Individuals With High Normal Blood
      Pressure.
AB  - BACKGROUND: High normal blood pressure (BP; 130-139/85-89 mm Hg) is related with
      increased cardiovascular (CV) risk compared to normal BP (120-129/80-84 mm Hg)
      or/and optimal BP (<120/80 mm Hg). Low apelin plasma levels have been associated
      with arterial hypertension and atherosclerosis, while high visfatin plasma levels
      may promote vascular inflammation and atherosclerotic plaque destabilization and
      have been evaluated as a marker for identifying stages of essential hypertension.
      We sought to compare the apelin and visfatin plasma levels between subjects with
      high normal BP and subjects with normal or optimal BP matched for age, gender,
      smoking, and body mass index (BMI). METHODS: Twenty-five subjects with high
      normal BP (office BP 136+/-3/88+/-2 mm Hg, age 57+/-4 years, 76% males, 32%
      smokers, BMI 24.0+/-1.7 kg/m2) and 35 subjects with normal or optimal BP (office
      BP 118+/-2/78+/-2 mm Hg, age 55+/-7 years, 63% males, 29% smokers, BMI 23.2+/-1.4
      kg/m2) were studied. The apelin and visfatin plasma levels were determined with
      the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Compared to normal or optimal BP
      subjects, apelin levels were significantly lower (205+/-108 vs. 325+/-152 pg/ml,
      P < 0.001) and visfatin levels significantly higher (11.0+/-2.0 vs. 7.2+/-0.9
      ng/ml, P = 0.002) in high normal BP subjects. No significant differences were
      found between the 2 groups (P = NS) regarding the basic clinical characteristics,
      the glycemic/lipid profile, and the renal function parameters. CONCLUSIONS: The
      emerging, from the present study, data raise the hypothesis that lower apelin and
      higher visfatin plasma levels in high normal BP subjects compared to normal or
      optimal BP individuals could partially explain the higher CV risk of the high
      normal BP group.

PMID- 26276794
TI  - Designing a spoken dialogue interface to an intelligent cognitive assistant for
      people with dementia.
AB  - Intelligent cognitive assistants support people who need help performing everyday
      tasks by detecting when problems occur and providing tailored and context
      sensitive assistance. Spoken dialogue interfaces allow users to interact with
      intelligent cognitive assistants while focusing on the task at hand. In order to
      establish requirements for voice interfaces to intelligent cognitive assistants,
      we conducted three focus groups with people with dementia, carers, and older
      people without a diagnosis of dementia. Analysis of the focus group data showed
      that voice and interaction style should be chosen based on the preferences of the
      user, not those of the carer. For people with dementia, the intelligent cognitive
      assistant should act like a patient, encouraging guide, while for older people
      without dementia, assistance should be to the point and not patronising. The
      intelligent cognitive assistant should be able to adapt to cognitive decline.

PMID- 26276795
TI  - Implementation factors affecting the large-scale deployment of digital health and
      well-being technologies: A qualitative study of the initial phases of the 'Living
      It-Up' programme.
AB  - Little is known about the factors which facilitate or impede the large-scale
      deployment of health and well-being consumer technologies. The Living-It-Up
      project is a large-scale digital intervention led by NHS 24, aiming to transform
      health and well-being services delivery throughout Scotland. We conducted a
      qualitative study of the factors affecting the implementation and deployment of
      the Living-It-Up services. We collected a range of data during the initial phase
      of deployment, including semi-structured interviews (N = 6); participant
      observation sessions (N = 5) and meetings with key stakeholders (N = 3). We used
      the Normalisation Process Theory as an explanatory framework to interpret the
      social processes at play during the initial phases of deployment.Initial findings
      illustrate that it is clear - and perhaps not surprising - that the size and
      diversity of the Living-It-Up consortium made implementation processes more
      complex within a 'multi-stakeholder' environment. To overcome these barriers,
      there is a need to clearly define roles, tasks and responsibilities among the
      consortium partners. Furthermore, varying levels of expectations and
      requirements, as well as diverse cultures and ways of working, must be
      effectively managed. Factors which facilitated implementation included extensive
      stakeholder engagement, such as co-design activities, which can contribute to an
      increased 'buy-in' from users in the long term. An important lesson from the
      Living-It-Up initiative is that attempting to co-design innovative digital
      services, but at the same time, recruiting large numbers of users is likely to
      generate conflicting implementation priorities which hinder - or at least
      substantially slow down - the effective rollout of services at scale.The
      deployment of Living-It-Up services is ongoing, but our results to date suggest
      that - in order to be successful - the roll-out of digital health and well-being
      technologies at scale requires a delicate and pragmatic trade-off between co
      design activities, the development of innovative services and the efforts
      allocated to widespread marketing and recruitment initiatives.

PMID- 26276796
TI  - Integration of healthcare and financial information: Evaluation in a public
      hospital using a comprehensive approach.
AB  - Public healthcare organisations are moving towards the use of new technologies to
      automate and improve their internal processes in order to increase the
      effectiveness and efficiency of their use of resources. The aim of this research
      is to tackle the systematic evaluation of an experience of integrating
      information in a healthcare organisation, paying attention to the implications
      that this entails. The results show that the integration of the information in
      the hospital results in higher levels of quality. This study contributes a vision
      of interrelated work, in which tasks are shared and aims are jointly established.

PMID- 26276797
TI  - Targets to promote swimming between the flags among Australian beachgoers.
AB  - Visiting the beach is a popular activity, but the risk of drowning is real.
      Drownings are preventable, and swimming between the patrol flags can save lives.
      The aim of this study is to understand the beliefs people hold in relation to
      this important water safety behaviour. Participants (N= 514; females = 58%) who
      were residents of/visitors to coastal areas in South-East Queensland, Australia,
      completed a theory of planned behaviour belief-based questionnaire. The survey
      was designed to measure behavioural, normative and control beliefs guiding
      beachgoers' intentions to swim between the patrol flags. Controlling for age,
      gender and swimming ability, four critical beliefs (along with self-reported
      swimming ability) were identified as independently predicting intention.
      Specifically, the benefits of feeling safe and the cost of feeling limited in
      choice of where to swim, the social approval from partners and the inhibitor
      belief about better waves being outside the flags predicted intentions to swim
      between the flags. This study provides an understanding of the beliefs underlying
      Australian beachgoers' intentions to swim between the patrol flags. Attention to
      these targeted beliefs may assist in promoting more regular performance of this
      beach safety behaviour, thereby combating the increasing rates of drownings and
      surf rescues.

PMID- 26276798
TI  - With or without the group: Swedish midwives' and child healthcare nurses'
      experiences in leading parent education groups.
AB  - The aim of the study was to describe and to understand midwives' and child
      healthcare nurses' experiences of working with parent education groups through
      their descriptions of the role and what they find rewarding and challenging in
      that work. Data were collected through three open-ended questions from a web
      survey: 'How do you refer to your role when working in parent education?', 'What
      is the biggest challenge or difficulty for you when working in parent education?'
      and 'What is most rewarding when working in parent education?' The answers were
      analysed by using qualitative content analysis and correlation analysis. The
      results show that the midwives and child healthcare nurses either included or
      excluded the group when describing their role as leaders and their influence on
      parents. The same applies to what they found rewarding and what was difficult and
      challenging for them in working with the groups. Primarily, the leaders who
      excluded the group expressed a lack of competence on a professional level in
      managing groups and using the right teaching methods to process the knowledge
      content. One important question to deal with is how to best support midwives and
      nurses in child healthcare to be prepared for working with parent education
      groups. One obvious thing is to provide specialized training in an educational
      sense. An important aspect could also be providing supervision, individually or
      in groups.

PMID- 26276799
TI  - Young adults: beloved by food and drink marketers and forgotten by public health?
AB  - Young adults are a highly desirable target population for energy-dense, nutrient
      poor (EDNP) food and beverage marketing. But little research, resources, advocacy
      and policy action have been directed at this age group, despite the fact that
      young adults are gaining weight faster than previous generations and other
      population groups. Factors such as identity development and shifting
      interpersonal influences differentiate young adulthood from other life stages and
      influence the adoption of both healthy and unhealthy eating behaviours. EDNP food
      and beverage marketing campaigns use techniques to normalize brands within young
      adult culture, in particular through online social media. Young adults must be a
      priority population in future obesity prevention efforts. Stronger policies to
      protect young adults from EDNP food and beverage marketing may also increase the
      effectiveness of policies that are meant to protect younger children.
      Restrictions on EDNP food and beverage marketing should be extended to include
      Internet-based advertising and also aim to protect vulnerable young adults.

PMID- 26276800
TI  - Health in All Policies in South Australia: what has supported early
      implementation?
AB  - Health in All Policies (HiAP) is a policy development approach that facilitates
      intersectoral responses to addressing the social determinants of health and
      health equity whilst, at the same time, contributing to policy priorities across
      the various sectors of government. Given that different models of HiAP have been
      implemented in at least 16 countries, there is increasing interest in how its
      effectiveness can be optimized. Much of the existing literature on HiAP remains
      descriptive, however, and lacks critical, empirically informed analyses of the
      elements that support implementation. Furthermore, literature on HiAP, and
      intersectoral action more generally, provides little detail on the practical
      workings of policy collaborations. This paper contributes empirical findings from
      a multi-method study of HiAP implementation in South Australia (SA) between 2007
      and 2013. It considers the views of public servants and presents analysis of
      elements that have supported, and impeded, implementation of HiAP in SA. We found
      that HiAP has been implemented in SA using a combination of interrelated
      elements. The operation of these elements has provided a strong foundation, which
      suggests the potential for HiAP to extend beyond being an isolated strategy, to
      form a more integrated and systemic mechanism of policy-making. We conclude with
      learnings from the SA experience of HiAP implementation to inform the ongoing
      development and implementation of HiAP in SA and internationally.

PMID- 26276801
TI  - Junior doctors will not re-enter contract negotiations with government.

PMID- 26276802
TI  - A glyS T-box riboswitch with species-specific structural features responding to
      both proteinogenic and nonproteinogenic tRNAGly isoacceptors.
AB  - In Staphylococcus aureus, a T-box riboswitch exists upstream of the glyS gene to
      regulate transcription of the sole glycyl-tRNA synthetase, which aminoacylates
      five tRNA(Gly) isoacceptors bearing GCC or UCC anticodons. Subsequently, the
      glycylated tRNAs serve as substrates for decoding glycine codons during
      translation, and also as glycine donors for exoribosomal synthesis of
      pentaglycine peptides during cell wall formation. Probing of the predicted T-box
      structure revealed a long stem I, lacking features previously described for
      similar T-boxes. Moreover, the antiterminator stem includes a 42-nt long
      intervening sequence, which is staphylococci-specific. Finally, the terminator
      conformation adopts a rigid two-stem structure, where the intervening sequence
      forms the first stem followed by the second stem, which includes the more
      conserved residues. Interestingly, all five tRNA(Gly) isoacceptors interact with
      S. aureus glyS T-box with different binding affinities and they all induce
      transcription readthrough at different levels. The ability of both GCC and UCC
      anticodons to interact with the specifier loop indicates ambiguity during the
      specifier triplet reading, similar to the unconventional reading of glycine
      codons during protein synthesis. The S. aureus glyS T-box structure is consistent
      with the recent crystallographic and NMR studies, despite apparent differences,
      and highlights the phylogenetic variability of T-boxes when studied in a genome
      dependent context. Our data suggest that the S. aureus glyS T-box exhibits
      differential tRNA selectivity, which possibly contributes toward the regulation
      and synchronization of ribosomal and exoribosomal peptide synthesis, two
      essential but metabolically unrelated pathways. 

PMID- 26276804
TI  - Cardiac magnetic resonance markers of progressive RV dilation and dysfunction
      after tetralogy of Fallot repair.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) are followed serially
      by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) for surveillance of RV dilation and
      dysfunction. We sought to define the prevalence of progressive RV disease and the
      optimal time interval between CMR evaluations. METHODS: Candidates were selected
      from a multicentre TOF registry and were included if >=2 CMR studies performed
      >=6 months apart were available without interval cardiovascular interventions.
      Patients with 'disease progression' (defined as increase in RV end-diastolic
      volume index (RVEDVi) >=30 mL/m(2), decrease in RVEF >=10% or decrease in LVEF
      >=10%) were compared with those with 'disease non-progression' (defined as RVEDVi
      increase <=5 mL/m(2), RVEF decrease <=3% and LVEF decrease <=3%). RESULTS: A
      total of 849 CMR studies in 339 patients (median age at first CMR 23.6 years)
      were analysed. Over a median interval of 2.2 years between CMR pairs, RVEDVi
      increased 4+/-18 mL/m(2) (p<0.001), RV end-systolic volume index increased 3+/-13
      mL/m(2) (p<0.001), RVEF decreased 1%+/-6% (p=0.02) and LVEF decreased 1%+/-6%
      (p=0.001). Disease progression was observed in 15% (n=76) and non-progression in
      26% (n=133). There were no significant differences between those with and without
      progression in baseline demographic, anatomic, ECG, exercise or baseline CMR
      characteristics. The optimal time interval between CMR studies for detection of
      progression was a 3-year interval (63% sensitivity, 65% specificity, area under
      the receiver operating characteristic curve 0.65). CONCLUSIONS: Although
      progressive RV dilation and decline in biventricular systolic function occur at a
      slow pace in the majority of adults with repaired TOF, 15% of patients experience
      rapid disease progression. The results of this study support the practice of
      serial CMR examinations to identify progressive disease at a time interval of up
      to 3 years.

PMID- 26276805
TI  - A not so typical pericardial effusion case....

PMID- 26276806
TI  - Exercise Improves Physical Function and Mental Health of Brain Cancer Survivors:
      Two Exploratory Case Studies.
AB  - Background Malignant brain tumors are unpredictable and incurable, with 5-year
      survival rates less than 30%. The poor prognosis combined with intensive
      treatment necessitates the inclusion of complementary and supportive therapies
      that optimize quality of life and reduce treatment-related declines in health.
      Exercise therapy has been shown to be beneficial in other cancer populations, but
      no evidence is available for brain cancer survivors. Therefore, we report results
      from 2 preliminary cases. Methods Two female patients diagnosed with glioblastoma
      multiforme and oligodendroglioma participated in a structured and supervised 12
      week exercise program. The program consisted of two 1-hour resistance and aerobic
      exercise sessions per week and additional self-managed aerobic sessions. Outcome
      measures of strength, cardiovascular fitness, and several psychological
      indicators (depression, anxiety, and quality of life) were recorded at baseline,
      after 6 weeks and at the conclusion of the intervention. Results Exercise was
      well tolerated; both participants completed all 24 sessions and the home-based
      component with no adverse effects. Objective outcome measures displayed positive
      responses relating to reduced morbidity. Similar positive responses were found
      for psychological outcomes. Scores on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale
      showed clinically meaningful improvements in depression and total distress.
      Conclusion These findings provide initial evidence that, despite the difficulties
      associated with brain cancer treatment and survivorship, exercise may be safe and
      beneficial and should be considered in the overall management of patients with
      brain cancer.

PMID- 26276807
TI  - MCNP SIMULATION OF THE HP(10) ENERGY RESPONSE OF A BRAZILIAN TLD ALBEDO NEUTRON
      INDIVIDUAL DOSEMETER, FROM THERMAL TO 20 MeV.
AB  - The Brazilian Instituto de Radioprotecao e Dosimetria (IRD) runs a neutron
      individual monitoring system with a home-made TLD albedo dosemeter. It has
      already been characterised and calibrated in some reference fields. However, the
      complete energy response of this dosemeter is not known, and the calibration
      factors for all monitored workplace neutron fields are difficult to be obtained
      experimentally. Therefore, to overcome such difficulties, Monte Carlo simulations
      have been used. This paper describes the simulation of the HP(10) neutron
      response of the IRD TLD albedo dosemeter using the MCNPX transport code, for
      energies from thermal to 20 MeV. The validation of the MCNPX modelling is done
      comparing the simulated results with the experimental measurements for ISO
      standard neutron fields of (241)Am-Be, (252)Cf, (241)Am-B and (252)Cf(D2O) and
      also for (241)Am-Be source moderated with paraffin and silicone. Bare (252)Cf are
      used for normalisation. 

PMID- 26276808
TI  - A SINGLE-EXPOSURE, MULTIDETECTOR NEUTRON SPECTROMETER FOR WORKPLACE MONITORING.
AB  - This communication describes a recently developed single-exposure neutron
      spectrometer, based on multiple active thermal neutron detectors located within a
      moderating sphere, which have been developed jointly by CIEMAT (Spain), INFN
      (Italy) and Politecnico di Milano (Italy) in the framework of Italian and Spanish
      collaboration projects. The fabricated prototypes permit to achieve spectrometric
      resolution with nearly isotropic response for neutron with energies from thermal
      to 100-200 MeV, thus being able to characterise the complete neutron spectrum in
      only one exposure by unfolding the measured responses of the detectors. This
      makes it especially advantageous for characterising neutron fields and workplace
      monitoring purposes in neutron-producing facilities. 

PMID- 26276809
TI  - Neural signatures of third-party punishment: evidence from penetrating traumatic
      brain injury.
AB  - The ability to survive within a cooperative society depends on impartial third
      party punishment (TPP) of social norm violations. Two cognitive mechanisms have
      been postulated as necessary for the successful completion of TPP: evaluation of
      legal responsibility and selection of a suitable punishment given the magnitude
      of the crime. Converging neuroimaging research suggests two supporting domain
      general networks; a mentalizing network for evaluation of legal responsibility
      and a central-executive network for determination of punishment. A whole-brain
      voxel-based lesion-symptom mapping approach was used in conjunction with a rank
      order TPP task to identify brain regions necessary for TPP in a large sample of
      patients with penetrating traumatic brain injury. Patients who demonstrated
      atypical TPP had specific lesions in core regions of the mentalizing (dorsomedial
      prefrontal cortex [PFC], ventromedial PFC) and central-executive (bilateral
      dorsolateral PFC, right intraparietal sulcus) networks. Altruism and executive
      functioning (concept formation skills) were significant predictors of TPP:
      altruism was uniquely associated with TPP in patients with lesions in right
      dorsolateral PFC and executive functioning was uniquely associated with TPP in
      individuals with lesions in left PFC. Our findings contribute to the extant
      literature to support underlying neural networks associated with TPP, with
      specific brain-behavior causal relationships confirming recent functional
      neuroimaging research. 

PMID- 26276811
TI  - Glial TDP-43 regulates axon wrapping, GluRIIA clustering and fly motility by
      autonomous and non-autonomous mechanisms.
AB  - Alterations in the glial function of TDP-43 are becoming increasingly associated
      with the neurological symptoms observed in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS),
      however, the physiological role of this protein in the glia or the mechanisms
      that may lead to neurodegeneration are unknown. To address these issues, we
      modulated the expression levels of TDP-43 in the Drosophila glia and found that
      the protein was required to regulate the subcellular wrapping of motoneuron
      axons, promote synaptic growth and the formation of glutamate receptor clusters
      at the neuromuscular junctions. Interestingly, we determined that the glutamate
      transporter EAAT1 mediated the regulatory functions of TDP-43 in the glia and
      demonstrated that genetic or pharmacological compensations of EAAT1 activity were
      sufficient to modulate glutamate receptor clustering and locomotive behaviors in
      flies. The data uncovers autonomous and non-autonomous functions of TDP-43 in the
      glia and suggests new experimentally based therapeutic strategies in ALS. 

PMID- 26276810
TI  - Tau deposition drives neuropathological, inflammatory and behavioral
      abnormalities independently of neuronal loss in a novel mouse model.
AB  - Aberrant tau protein accumulation drives neurofibrillary tangle (NFT) formation
      in several neurodegenerative diseases. Currently, efforts to elucidate pathogenic
      mechanisms and assess the efficacy of therapeutic targets are limited by
      constraints of existing models of tauopathy. In order to generate a more
      versatile mouse model of tauopathy, somatic brain transgenesis was utilized to
      deliver adeno-associated virus serotype 1 (AAV1) encoding human mutant P301L-tau
      compared with GFP control. At 6 months of age, we observed widespread human tau
      expression with concomitant accumulation of hyperphosphorylated and abnormally
      folded proteinase K resistant tau. However, no overt neuronal loss was observed,
      though significant abnormalities were noted in the postsynaptic scaffolding
      protein PSD95. Neurofibrillary pathology was also detected with Gallyas silver
      stain and Thioflavin-S, and electron microscopy revealed the deposition of
      closely packed filaments. In addition to classic markers of tauopathy,
      significant neuroinflammation and extensive gliosis were detected in AAV1
      Tau(P301L) mice. This model also recapitulates the behavioral phenotype
      characteristic of mouse models of tauopathy, including abnormalities in
      exploration, anxiety, and learning and memory. These findings indicate that
      biochemical and neuropathological hallmarks of tauopathies are accurately
      conserved and are independent of cell death in this novel AAV-based model of
      tauopathy, which offers exceptional versatility and speed in comparison with
      existing transgenic models. Therefore, we anticipate this approach will
      facilitate the identification and validation of genetic modifiers of disease, as
      well as accelerate preclinical assessment of potential therapeutic targets. 

PMID- 26276813
TI  - Unregulated usage of labour-inducing medication in a region of Pakistan with poor
      drug regulatory control: characteristics and risk patterns.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In developing countries such as Pakistan, poor training of mid-level
      cadres of health providers, combined with unregulated availability of labour
      inducing medication can carry considerable risk for mother and child during
      labour. Here, we describe the exposure to labour-inducing medication and its
      possible risks in a vulnerable population in a conflict-affected region of
      Pakistan. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study using programme data, compared
      the outcomes of obstetric risk groups of women treated with unregulated oxytocin,
      with those of women with regulated treatment. RESULTS: Of the 6379 women included
      in the study, 607 (9.5%) received labour-inducing medication prior to reaching
      the hospital; of these, 528 (87.0%) received unregulated medication. Out of 528
      labour-inducing medication administrators, 197 (37.3%) traditional birth
      attendants (also known as dai) and 157 (29.7%) lady health workers provided
      unregulated treatment most frequently. Women given unregulated medication who
      were diagnosed with obstructed/prolonged labour were at risk for uterine rupture
      (RR 4.1, 95% CI: 1.7-9.9) and severe birth asphyxia (RR 3.9, 95% CI: 2.5-6.1),
      and those with antepartum haemorrhage were at risk for stillbirth (RR 1.8, 95%
      CI: 1.0-3.1). CONCLUSIONS: In a conflict-affected region of Pakistan, exposure to
      unregulated treatment with labour-inducing medication is common, and carries
      great risk for mother and child. Tighter regulatory control of labour-inducing
      drugs is needed, and enhanced training of the mid-level cadres of healthcare
      workers is required.

PMID- 26276812
TI  - Low levels of Survival Motor Neuron protein are sufficient for normal muscle
      function in the SMNDelta7 mouse model of SMA.
AB  - Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by
      loss of lower motor neurons. SMA is caused by deletion or mutation of the
      Survival Motor Neuron 1 (SMN1) gene and retention of the SMN2 gene. The loss of
      SMN1 results in reduced levels of the SMN protein. SMN levels appear to be
      particularly important in motor neurons; however SMN levels above that produced
      by two copies of SMN2 have been suggested to be important in muscle. Studying the
      spatial requirement of SMN is important in both understanding how SMN deficiency
      causes SMA and in the development of effective therapies. Using Myf5-Cre, a
      muscle-specific Cre driver, and the Cre-loxP recombination system, we deleted
      mouse Smn in the muscle of mice with SMN2 and SMNDelta7 transgenes in the
      background, thus providing low level of SMN in the muscle. As a reciprocal
      experiment, we restored normal levels of SMN in the muscle with low SMN levels in
      all other tissues. We observed that decreasing SMN in the muscle has no
      phenotypic effect. This was corroborated by muscle physiology studies with twitch
      force, tetanic and eccentric contraction all being normal. In addition,
      electrocardiogram and muscle fiber size distribution were also normal.
      Replacement of Smn in muscle did not rescue SMA mice. Thus the muscle does not
      appear to require high levels of SMN above what is produced by two copies of SMN2
      (and SMNDelta7). 

PMID- 26276814
TI  - Relation between QT interval variability and muscle sympathetic nerve activity in
      normal subjects.
AB  - Beat-to-beat variability of the QT interval (QTV) is sought to provide an
      indirect noninvasive measure of sympathetic nerve activity, but a formal
      quantification of this relationship has not been provided. In this study we used
      power contribution analysis to study the relationship between QTV and muscle
      sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA). ECG and MSNA were recorded in 10 healthy
      subjects in the supine position and after 40 degrees  head-up tilt. Power
      spectrum analysis was performed using a linear autoregressive model with two
      external inputs: heart period (RR interval) variability (RRV) and MSNA. Total and
      low-frequency power of QTV was decomposed into contributions by RRV, MSNA, and
      sources independent of RRV and MSNA. Results show that the percentage of MSNA
      power contribution to QT is very small and does not change with tilt. RRV power
      contribution to QT power is notable and decreases with tilt, while the greatest
      percentage of QTV is independent of RRV and MSNA in the supine position and after
      40 degrees  head-up tilt. In conclusion, beat-to-beat QTV in normal subjects does
      not appear to be significantly affected by the rhythmic modulations in MSNA
      following low to moderate orthostatic stimulation. Therefore, MSNA oscillations
      may not represent a useful surrogate for cardiac sympathetic nerve activity at
      moderate levels of activation, or, alternatively, sympathetic influences on QTV
      are complex and not quantifiable with linear shift-invariant autoregressive
      models. 

PMID- 26276815
TI  - Dynamics of enhanced mitochondrial respiration in female compared with male rat
      cerebral arteries.
AB  - Mitochondrial respiration has never been directly examined in intact cerebral
      arteries. We tested the hypothesis that mitochondrial energetics of large
      cerebral arteries ex vivo are sex dependent. The Seahorse XFe24 analyzer was used
      to examine mitochondrial respiration in isolated cerebral arteries from adult
      male and female Sprague-Dawley rats. We examined the role of nitric oxide (NO) on
      mitochondrial respiration under basal conditions, using N(omega)-nitro-l-arginine
      methyl ester, and following pharmacological challenge using diazoxide (DZ), and
      also determined levels of mitochondrial and nonmitochondrial proteins using
      Western blot, and vascular diameter responses to DZ. The components of
      mitochondrial respiration including basal respiration, ATP production, proton
      leak, maximal respiration, and spare respiratory capacity were elevated in
      females compared with males, but increased in both male and female arteries in
      the presence of the NOS inhibitor. Although acute DZ treatment had little effect
      on mitochondrial respiration of male arteries, it decreased the respiration in
      female arteries. Levels of mitochondrial proteins in Complexes I-V and the
      voltage-dependent anion channel protein were elevated in female compared with
      male cerebral arteries. The DZ-induced vasodilation was greater in females than
      in males. Our findings show that substantial sex differences in mitochondrial
      respiratory dynamics exist in large cerebral arteries and may provide the
      mechanistic basis for observations that the female cerebral vasculature is more
      adaptable after injury. 

PMID- 26276816
TI  - Associations and clinical relevance of aortic-brachial artery stiffness mismatch,
      aortic reservoir function, and central pressure augmentation.
AB  - Central augmentation pressure (AP) and index (AIx) predict cardiovascular events
      and mortality, but underlying physiological mechanisms remain disputed. While
      traditionally believed to relate to wave reflections arising from proximal
      arterial impedance (and stiffness) mismatching, recent evidence suggests aortic
      reservoir function may be a more dominant contributor to AP and AIx. Our aim was
      therefore to determine relationships among aortic-brachial stiffness mismatching,
      AP, AIx, aortic reservoir function, and end-organ disease. Aortic (aPWV) and
      brachial (bPWV) pulse wave velocity were measured in 359 individuals (aged 61 +/-
      9, 49% male). Central AP, AIx, and aortic reservoir indexes were derived from
      radial tonometry. Participants were stratified by positive (bPWV > aPWV),
      negligible (bPWV ~ aPWV), or negative stiffness mismatch (bPWV < aPWV). Left
      ventricular mass index (LVMI) was measured by two-dimensional-echocardiography.
      Central AP and AIx were higher with negative stiffness mismatch vs. negligible or
      positive stiffness mismatch (11 +/- 6 vs. 10 +/- 6 vs. 8 +/- 6 mmHg, P < 0.001
      and 24 +/- 10 vs. 24 +/- 11 vs. 21 +/- 13%, P = 0.042). Stiffness mismatch (bPWV
      aPWV) was negatively associated with AP (r = -0.18, P = 0.001) but not AIx (r = 
      0.06, P = 0.27). Aortic reservoir pressure strongly correlated to AP (r = 0.81, P
      < 0.001) and AIx (r = 0.62, P < 0.001) independent of age, sex, heart rate, mean
      arterial pressure, and height (standardized beta = 0.61 and 0.12, P <= 0.001).
      Aortic reservoir pressure independently predicted abnormal LVMI (beta = 0.13, P =
      0.024). Positive aortic-brachial stiffness mismatch does not result in higher AP
      or AIx. Aortic reservoir function, rather than discrete wave reflection from
      proximal arterial stiffness mismatching, provides a better model description of
      AP and AIx and also has clinical relevance as evidenced by an independent
      association of aortic reservoir pressure with LVMI. 

PMID- 26276817
TI  - Angiopoietin-1 prevents severe bleeding complications induced by heparin-like
      drugs and fibroblast growth factor-2 in mice.
AB  - Critically ill children can develop bleeding complications when treated with
      heparin-like drugs. These events are usually attributed to the anticoagulant
      activity of these drugs. However, previous studies showed that fibroblast growth
      factor-2 (FGF-2), a heparin-binding growth factor released in the circulation of
      these patients, could precipitate intestinal hemorrhages in mice treated with the
      heparin-like drug pentosan polysulfate (PPS). Yet very little is known about how
      FGF-2 induces bleeding complications in combination with heparin-like drugs.
      Here, we examined the mechanisms by which circulating FGF-2 induces intestinal
      hemorrhages in mice treated with PPS. We used a well-characterized mouse model of
      intestinal hemorrhages induced by FGF-2 plus PPS. Adult FVB/N mice were infected
      with adenovirus carrying Lac-Z or a secreted form of recombinant human FGF-2, and
      injected with PPS, at doses that do not induce bleeding complications per se.
      Mice treated with FGF-2 in combination with PPS developed an intestinal
      inflammatory reaction that increased the permeability and disrupted the integrity
      of submucosal intestinal vessels. These changes, together with the anticoagulant
      activity of PPS, induced lethal hemorrhages. Moreover, a genetically modified
      form of the endothelial ligand angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1*), which has powerful
      antipermeability and anti-inflammatory activity, prevented the lethal bleeding
      complications without correcting the anticoagulant status of these mice. These
      findings define new mechanisms through which FGF-2 and Ang-1* modulate the
      outcome of intestinal bleeding complications induced by PPS in mice and may have
      wider clinical implications for critically ill children treated with heparin-like
      drugs. 

PMID- 26276818
TI  - Vagus nerve stimulation mitigates intrinsic cardiac neuronal and adverse myocyte
      remodeling postmyocardial infarction.
AB  - This paper aims to determine whether chronic vagus nerve stimulation (VNS)
      mitigates myocardial infarction (MI)-induced remodeling of the intrinsic cardiac
      nervous system (ICNS), along with the cardiac tissue it regulates. Guinea pigs
      underwent VNS implantation on the right cervical vagus. Two weeks later, MI was
      produced by ligating the ventral descending coronary artery. VNS stimulation
      started 7 days post-MI (20 Hz, 0.9 +/- 0.2 mA, 14 s on, 48 s off; VNS-MI, n = 7)
      and was compared with time-matched MI animals with sham VNS (MI n = 7) vs.
      untreated controls (n = 8). Echocardiograms were performed before and at 90 days
      post-MI. At termination, IC neuronal intracellular voltage recordings were
      obtained from whole-mount neuronal plexuses. MI increased left ventricular end
      systolic volume (LVESV) 30% (P = 0.027) and reduced LV ejection fraction (LVEF)
      6.5% (P < 0.001) at 90 days post-MI compared with baseline. In the VNS-MI group,
      LVESV and LVEF did not differ from baseline. IC neurons showed depolarization of
      resting membrane potentials and increased input resistance in MI compared with
      VNS-MI and sham controls (P < 0.05). Neuronal excitability and sensitivity to
      norepinephrine increased in MI and VNS-MI groups compared with controls (P <
      0.05). Synaptic efficacy, as determined by evoked responses to stimulating input
      axons, was reduced in VNS-MI compared with MI or controls (P < 0.05). VNS induced
      changes in myocytes, consistent with enhanced glycogenolysis, and blunted the MI
      induced increase in the proapoptotic Bcl-2-associated X protein (P < 0.05). VNS
      mitigates MI-induced remodeling of the ICNS, correspondingly preserving
      ventricular function via both neural and cardiomyocyte-dependent actions. 

PMID- 26276819
TI  - Chloride intracellular channel 4 is required for maturation of the cerebral
      collateral circulation.
AB  - The number and diameter of native collaterals in tissues of healthy mice vary
      widely, resulting in large differences in tissue injury in occlusive diseases.
      Recent studies suggest similar variation may exist in humans. Collateral
      variation in mice is determined by genetic background-dependent differences in
      embryonic collateral formation, by variation in maturation of the nascent
      collaterals, and by environmental factors such as aging that cause collateral
      rarefaction in the adult. Recently, formation of the collateral circulation in
      the brain was found to involve a unique VEGF-A-dependent "arteriolar" angiogenic
      sprouting-like mechanism. Elsewhere, chloride intracellular protein 4 (CLIC4) was
      implicated but not investigated directly, prompting the present study. Deletion
      of Clic4 had no effect on embryonic collaterogenesis. However, during collateral
      maturation from embryonic day 18.5 to postnatal day 7, reduced mural cell
      investment was observed and excessive pruning of collaterals occurred. Growth in
      collateral diameter was reduced. This resulted in 50% fewer collaterals of
      smaller diameter in the adult and thus larger infarct volume after middle
      cerebral artery occlusion. During collateral maturation, CLIC4 deficiency
      resulted in reduced expression of Vegfr2, Vegfr1, Vegfc, and mural cell markers,
      but not notch-pathway genes. Overexpression of VEGF-A in Clic4(-/-) mice had no
      effect on collaterogenesis, but rescued the above defects in collateral
      maturation by preventing mural cell loss and collateral pruning, thus restoring
      collateral number and diameter and reducing stroke severity in the adult. CLIC4
      is not required for collaterogenesis but is essential for perinatal maturation of
      nascent collaterals through a mechanism that supports VEGF signaling. 

PMID- 26276820
TI  - Mitochondrial flash as a novel biomarker of mitochondrial respiration in the
      heart.
AB  - Mitochondrial respiration through electron transport chain (ETC) activity
      generates ATP and reactive oxygen species in eukaryotic cells. The modulation of
      mitochondrial respiration in vivo or under physiological conditions remains
      elusive largely due to the lack of appropriate approach to monitor ETC activity
      in a real-time manner. Here, we show that ETC-coupled mitochondrial flash is a
      novel biomarker for monitoring mitochondrial respiration under pathophysiological
      conditions in cultured adult cardiac myocyte and perfused beating heart. Through
      real-time confocal imaging, we follow the frequency of a transient bursting
      fluorescent signal, named mitochondrial flash, from individual mitochondria
      within intact cells expressing a mitochondrial matrix-targeted probe, mt-cpYFP
      (mitochondrial-circularly permuted yellow fluorescent protein). This mt-cpYFP
      recorded mitochondrial flash has been shown to be composed of a major superoxide
      signal with a minor alkalization signal within the mitochondrial matrix. Through
      manipulating physiological substrates for mitochondrial respiration, we find a
      close coupling between flash frequency and the ETC electron flow, as measured by
      oxygen consumption rate in cardiac myocyte. Stimulating electron flow under
      physiological conditions increases flash frequency. On the other hand, partially
      block or slowdown electron flow by inhibiting the F0F1 ATPase, which represents a
      pathological condition, transiently increases then decreases flash frequency.
      Limiting electron entrance at complex I by knocking out Ndufs4, an assembling
      subunit of complex I, suppresses mitochondrial flash activity. These results
      suggest that mitochondrial electron flow can be monitored by real-time imaging of
      mitochondrial flash. The mitochondrial flash frequency could be used as a novel
      biomarker for mitochondrial respiration under physiological and pathological
      conditions. 

PMID- 26276821
TI  - Axl modulates immune activation of smooth muscle cells in vein graft remodeling.
AB  - The pathophysiological mechanisms of the immune activation of smooth muscle cells
      are not well understood. Increased expression of Axl, a receptor tyrosine kinase,
      was recently found in arteries from patients after coronary bypass grafts. In the
      present study, we hypothesized that Axl-dependent immune activation of smooth
      muscle cells regulates vein graft remodeling. We observed a twofold decrease in
      intimal thickening after vascular and systemic depletion of Axl in vein grafts.
      Local depletion of Axl had the greatest effect on immune activation, whereas
      systemic deletion of Axl reduced intima due to an increase in apoptosis in vein
      grafts. Primary smooth muscle cells isolated from Axl knockout mice had reduced
      proinflammatory responses by prevention of the STAT1 pathway. The absence of Axl
      increased suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS)1 expression in smooth muscle
      cells, a major inhibitory protein for STAT1. Ultrasound imaging suggested that
      vascular depletion of Axl reduced vein graft stiffness. Axl expression determined
      the STAT1-SOCS1 balance in vein graft intima and progression of the remodeling.
      The results of this investigation demonstrate that Axl promotes STAT1 signaling
      via inhibition of SOCS1 in activated smooth muscle cells in vein graft
      remodeling. 

PMID- 26276822
TI  - Prevention of vascular dysfunction and arterial hypertension in mice generated by
      assisted reproductive technologies by addition of melatonin to culture media.
AB  - Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) induce vascular dysfunction in humans
      and mice. In mice, ART-induced vascular dysfunction is related to epigenetic
      alteration of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene, resulting in
      decreased vascular eNOS expression and nitrite/nitrate synthesis. Melatonin is
      involved in epigenetic regulation, and its administration to sterile women
      improves the success rate of ART. We hypothesized that addition of melatonin to
      culture media may prevent ART-induced epigenetic and cardiovascular alterations
      in mice. We, therefore, assessed mesenteric-artery responses to acetylcholine and
      arterial blood pressure, together with DNA methylation of the eNOS gene promoter
      in vascular tissue and nitric oxide plasma concentration in 12-wk-old ART mice
      generated with and without addition of melatonin to culture media and in control
      mice. As expected, acetylcholine-induced mesenteric-artery dilation was impaired
      (P = 0.008 vs. control) and mean arterial blood pressure increased (109.5 +/- 3.8
      vs. 104.0 +/- 4.7 mmHg, P = 0.002, ART vs. control) in ART compared with control
      mice. These alterations were associated with altered DNA methylation of the eNOS
      gene promoter (P < 0.001 vs. control) and decreased plasma nitric oxide
      concentration (10.1 +/- 11.1 vs. 29.5 +/- 8.0 MUM) (P < 0.001 ART vs. control).
      Addition of melatonin (10(-6) M) to culture media prevented eNOS dysmethylation
      (P = 0.005, vs. ART + vehicle), normalized nitric oxide plasma concentration
      (23.1 +/- 14.6 MUM, P = 0.002 vs. ART + vehicle) and mesentery-artery
      responsiveness to acetylcholine (P < 0.008 vs. ART + vehicle), and prevented
      arterial hypertension (104.6 +/- 3.4 mmHg, P < 0.003 vs. ART + vehicle). These
      findings provide proof of principle that modification of culture media prevents
      ART-induced vascular dysfunction. We speculate that this approach will also allow
      preventing ART-induced premature atherosclerosis in humans. 

PMID- 26276824
TI  - Is Monoglucosyldiacylglycerol a Precursor to Monogalactosyldiacylglycerol in All
      Cyanobacteria?
AB  - Monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG) is ubiquitous in the photosynthetic membranes
      of cyanobacteria and chloroplasts. It is synthesized by galactosylation of
      diacylglycerol (DAG) in the chloroplasts, whereas it is produced by epimerization
      of monoglucosyldiacylglycerol (GlcDG) in at least several cyanobacteria that have
      been analyzed such as Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. A previous study, however,
      showed that the mgdE gene encoding the epimerase is absent in some cyanobacteria
      such as Gloeobacter violaceus, Thermosynechococcus elongatus and Acaryochloris
      marina. In addition, the N-terminal 'fatty acid hydroxylase' domain is lacking in
      the MgdE protein of Prochlorococcus marinus. These problems may cast doubt upon
      the general (or exclusive) role of MgdE in the epimerization of GlcDG to MGDG in
      cyanobacteria. In addition, GlcDG is usually present at a very low level, and the
      structural determination of endogenous GlcDG has not been accomplished with
      cyanobacterial samples. In this study, I determined the structure of GlcDG from
      Anabaena variabilis by (1)H- and (13)C-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)
      spectroscopy. I then showed that G. violaceus, T. elongatus, A. marina and P.
      marinus contain GlcDG. In all cases, GlcDG consisted of fewer unsaturated
      molecular species than MGDG, providing further evidence that GlcDG is a precursor
      to MGDG. The conversion of GlcDG to MGDG was also demonstrated by radiolabeling
      and chase experiments in G. violaceus and P. marinus. These results demonstrate
      that all the analyzed cyanobacteria contain GlcDG, which is converted to MGDG,
      and suggest that an alternative epimerase is required for MGDG synthesis in these
      cyanobacteria. 

PMID- 26276823
TI  - AMP-activated protein kinase inhibits transforming growth factor-beta-mediated
      vascular smooth muscle cell growth: implications for a Smad-3-dependent
      mechanism.
AB  - Dysfunctional vascular growth is a major contributor to cardiovascular disease,
      the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Growth factor-induced
      activation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) results in a phenotypic switch
      from a quiescent, contractile state to a proliferative state foundational to
      vessel pathology. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is a multifunctional
      signaling protein capable of growth stimulation via Smad signaling. Although Smad
      signaling is well characterized in many tissues, its role in VSM growth disorders
      remains controversial. Recent data from our lab and others implicate the
      metabolic regulator AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in VSM growth inhibition.
      We hypothesized that AMPK inhibits VSMC proliferation by reducing TGF-beta
      mediated growth in a Smad-dependent fashion. Treatment of rat VSMCs with the AMPK
      agonist AICAR significantly decreased TGF-beta-mediated activation of synthetic
      Smad2 and Smad3 and increased inhibitory Smad7. Flow cytometry and automated cell
      counting revealed that AICAR reversed TGF-beta-mediated cell cycle progression at
      24 h and elevated cell numbers at 48 h. TGF-beta/Smad signaling increased the
      G0/G1 inducers cyclin D1/cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4 and cyclin E/CDK2;
      however, AICAR reversed these events while increasing cytostatic p21. The
      specific role of Smad3 in AMPK-mediated reversal of TGF-beta-induced growth was
      then explored using adenovirus-mediated Smad3 overexpression (Ad-Smad3). Ad-Smad3
      cells increased cell cycle progression and cell numbers compared with Ad-GFP
      control cells, and these were restored to basal levels with concomitant AICAR
      treatment. These findings support a novel AMPK target in TGF-beta/Smad3 for VSMC
      growth control and support continued investigation of AMPK as a possible
      therapeutic target for reducing vascular growth disorders. 

PMID- 26276825
TI  - Methyl Jasmonate-Induced Lipidomic and Biochemical Alterations in the Intertidal
      Macroalga Gracilaria dura (Gracilariaceae, Rhodophyta).
AB  - The role of exogenously added methyl jasmonate (MeJA), a lipid-derived signaling
      compound, in inducing oxidative stress in the marine red macroalga Gracilaria
      dura was investigated. MeJA at a concentration of 1-100 uM was a strong stimulant
      of reactive oxygen species (H(2)O(2), HO. and O(2) (.-)) (P < 0.05) causing
      considerable oxidative stress in G. dura. This further led to lipid peroxidation
      and degradation of the pigments Chl a and phycocyanin, with a concomitant
      increase in phycoerythrin. The MeJA-induced oxidative burst also led to the
      induction of a fatty acid oxidation cascade, resulting in the synthesis of
      hydroxy-oxylipins and the up-regulation of the 13-lipoxygenase pathway.
      Electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry-based shotgun lipidomic analysis
      revealed that monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (a chloroplastic glycerolipid) and
      phosphatidylcholine (extrachloroplastidic phopholipid) were the most affected
      lipid classes. The degradation of 18:3-fatty acid-containing
      monogalactosyldiacylglycerol inferred that it provided fatty acyl chains for the
      biosynthesis of 13-hydroperoxylinolenic acid, which was further directed towards
      either the jasmonate pathway or other alternative pathways of the fatty acid
      oxidation cascade, analogous to higher plants. Also, G. dura modulated the lipid
      acyl chains in such a way that no significant change was observed in the fatty
      acid profile of the treated thalli as compared with those of the control, except
      for C16:0, C16:1 (n-9), C20:3 (n-6) and C20:4 (n-6) (P < 0.05). Furthermore, MeJA
      caused the accumulation of phenolic compounds and the up-regulation of enzymes
      involved in secondary metabolism such as polyphenol oxidase, shikimate
      dehydrogenase and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, indicating a shift towards
      secondary metabolism as a defense strategy to combat the induced oxidative
      stress.

PMID- 26276826
TI  - Leptin enhances ICAM-1 expression, induces migration and cytokine synthesis, and
      prolongs survival of human airway epithelial cells.
AB  - There is rising interest in how obesity affects respiratory diseases, since
      epidemiological findings indicate a strong relationship between the two
      conditions. Leptin is a potent adipokine produced mainly by adipocytes. It
      regulates energy storage and expenditure and also induces inflammation. Previous
      studies have shown that leptin is able to activate inflammatory cells such as
      lymphocytes and granulocytes, but little is known about its effect on lung
      structural cells. The present study investigated the effects of leptin on human
      airway epithelial cells by using human primary airway epithelial cells and a
      human airway epithelial cell line, BEAS-2B. Flow cytometry showed enhanced ICAM-1
      expression by both of those cells in response to leptin, and that effect was
      abrogated by dexamethasone or NF-kappaB inhibitor. Flow cytometry and
      quantitative PCR showed that airway epithelial cells expressed leptin receptor
      (Ob-R), whose expression level was downregulated by leptin itself. Multiplex
      cytokine analysis demonstrated enhanced production of CCL11, G-CSF, VEGF, and IL
      6 by BEAS-2B cells stimulated with leptin. Furthermore, transfection of Ob-R
      small interference RNA decreased the effect of leptin on CCL11 production as
      assessed by quantitative PCR. Finally, leptin induced migration of primary airway
      epithelial cells toward leptin, suppressed BEAS-2B apoptosis induced with TNF
      alpha and IFN-gamma, and enhanced proliferation of primary airway epithelial
      cells. In summary, leptin was able to directly activate human airway epithelial
      cells by binding to Ob-R and by NF-kappaB activation, resulting in upregulation
      of ICAM-1 expression, induction of CCL11, VEGF, G-CSF, and IL-6 synthesis,
      induction of migration, inhibition of apoptosis, and enhancement of
      proliferation. 

PMID- 26276827
TI  - ROCK insufficiency attenuates ozone-induced airway hyperresponsiveness in mice.
AB  - Ozone causes airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and pulmonary inflammation. Rho
      kinase (ROCK) is a key regulator of smooth muscle cell contraction and
      inflammatory cell migration. To determine the contribution of the two ROCK
      isoforms ROCK1 and ROCK2 to ozone-induced AHR, we exposed wild-type, ROCK1(+/-),
      and ROCK2(+/-) mice to air or ozone (2 ppm for 3 h) and evaluated mice 24 h
      later. ROCK1 or ROCK2 haploinsufficiency did not affect airway responsiveness in
      air-exposed mice but significantly reduced ozone-induced AHR, with a greater
      reduction in ROCK2(+/-) mice despite increased bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)
      inflammatory cells in ROCK2(+/-) mice. Compared with wild-type mice, ozone
      induced increases in BAL hyaluronan, a matrix protein implicated in ozone-induced
      AHR, were lower in ROCK1(+/-) but not ROCK2(+/-) mice. Ozone-induced increases in
      other inflammatory moieties reported to contribute to ozone-induced AHR (IL-17A,
      osteopontin, TNFalpha) were not different in wild-type vs. ROCK1(+/-) or ROCK2(+/
      ) mice. We also observed a dose-dependent reduction in ozone-induced AHR after
      treatment with the ROCK1/ROCK2 inhibitor fasudil, even though fasudil was
      administered after induction of inflammation. Ozone increased pulmonary
      expression of ROCK2 but not ROCK1 or RhoA. A ROCK2 inhibitor, SR3677, reduced
      contractile forces in primary human airway smooth muscle cells, confirming a role
      for ROCK2 in airway smooth muscle contraction. Our results demonstrate that ozone
      induced AHR requires ROCK. Whereas ROCK1-dependent changes in hyaluronan may
      contribute to ROCK1's role in O3-induced AHR, the role of ROCK2 is downstream of
      inflammation, likely at the level of airway smooth muscle contraction. 

PMID- 26276828
TI  - Impaired Quadriceps Rate of Torque Development and Knee Mechanics After Anterior
      Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction With Patellar Tendon Autograft.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Rate of torque development (RTD) measures the ability of a muscle to
      produce torque quickly. Decreased quadriceps RTD may impair performance of
      sporting tasks after surgery. Currently, little is known about variations in
      quadriceps RTD between anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-reconstructed and
      noninjured limbs. PURPOSE: To determine the differences in RTD of the quadriceps,
      the rate and timing of knee extensor moment (KEM) development, and knee flexion
      excursion during running after ACL reconstruction with patellar tendon autograft.
      STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: This study
      involved 21 patients (11 female) 6 months after ACL reconstruction with patellar
      tendon autograft (median [IQR]: age, 18 [16-20] years; mass, 68.18 [61.34-75] kg;
      height, 1.74 [1.66-1.78] m). Patients performed four 5-second maximal voluntary
      isometric strength trials of both limbs on an isokinetic dynamometer. RTD was
      calculated as the mean slope of the torque-time curve between 20% and 80% of
      total time to peak torque. Then, patients underwent 3-dimensional motion analysis
      while running on an instrumented treadmill at a self-selected running speed (mean
      +/- SD, 2.68 +/- 0.28 m/s). The rate of knee extensor moment (RKEM) was
      calculated as the mean slope of the moment curve between 10% and 30% of stance
      phase. Between-limb comparisons were determined with a paired t test for peak
      KEM, RKEM, knee flexion excursion during 10% to 30% of stance, and time to
      generate KEM. RESULTS: In the reconstructed limb, deficits in the peak rate of
      quadriceps torque development compared with the noninjured limb existed both
      isometrically (RTD, 257.56 vs 569.11 Nm/s; P < .001) and dynamically (RKEM, 16.47
      vs 22.38 Nm/kg.m.s; P < .001). The reconstructed limb also generated a KEM later
      in the stance phase compared with the noninjured limb (11.37% vs 9.61% stance; P
      < .001) and underwent less knee flexion excursion (15.5 degrees  vs 19.8 degrees
      ; P < .001). CONCLUSION: After ACL reconstruction with patellar tendon autograft,
      patients have lower RTD and RKEM in the reconstructed limb. Deviations in RTD and
      the timing of the KEM can change the way the knee is loaded and can potentially
      increase injury risk and future development of posttraumatic osteoarthritis.
      Rehabilitation should consider exercises designed to improve RTD and prepare the
      limb for the demands of sport performance.

PMID- 26276829
TI  - Prevention of non-communicable diseases and special causes of heart failure.

PMID- 26276830
TI  - CardioPulse Articles.

PMID- 26276832
TI  - The Transcriptional Coregulator LEUNIG_HOMOLOG Inhibits Light-Dependent Seed
      Germination in Arabidopsis.
AB  - PHYTOCHROME-INTERACTING FACTOR1 (PIF1) is a basic helix-loop-helix transcription
      factor that inhibits light-dependent seed germination in Arabidopsis thaliana.
      However, it remains unclear whether PIF1 requires other factors to regulate its
      direct targets. Here, we demonstrate that LEUNIG_HOMOLOG (LUH), a Groucho family
      transcriptional corepressor, binds to PIF1 and coregulates its targets. Not only
      are the transcriptional profiles of the luh and pif1 mutants remarkably similar,
      more than 80% of the seeds of both genotypes germinate in the dark. We show by
      chromatin immunoprecipitation that LUH binds a subset of PIF1 targets in a
      partially PIF1-dependent manner. Unexpectedly, we found LUH binds and coregulates
      not only PIF1-activated targets but also PIF1-repressed targets. Together, our
      results indicate LUH functions with PIF1 as a transcriptional coregulator to
      inhibit seed germination. 

PMID- 26276834
TI  - Conserved Functions of the MATE Transporter BIG EMBRYO1 in Regulation of Lateral
      Organ Size and Initiation Rate.
AB  - Genetic networks that determine rates of organ initiation and organ size are key
      regulators of plant architecture. Whereas several genes that influence the timing
      of lateral organ initiation have been identified, the regulatory pathways in
      which these genes operate are poorly understood. Here, we identify a class of
      genes implicated in regulation of the lateral organ initiation rate. Loss-of
      function mutations in the MATE transporter encoded by maize (Zea mays) Big embryo
      1 (Bige1) cause accelerated leaf and root initiation as well as enlargement of
      the embryo scutellum. BIGE1 is localized to trans-Golgi, indicating a possible
      role in secretion of a signaling molecule. Interestingly, phenotypes of bige1
      bear striking similarity to cyp78a mutants identified in diverse plant species.
      We show that a CYP78A gene is upregulated in bige1 mutant embryos, suggesting a
      role for BIGE1 in feedback regulation of a CYP78A pathway. We demonstrate that
      accelerated leaf formation and early flowering phenotypes conditioned by mutants
      of Arabidopsis thaliana BIGE1 orthologs are complemented by maize Bige1, showing
      that the BIGE1 transporter has a conserved function in regulation of lateral
      organ initiation in plants. We propose that BIGE1 is required for transport of an
      intermediate or product associated with the CYP78A pathway. 

PMID- 26276835
TI  - Taking Hormone Crosstalk to a New Level: Brassinosteroids Regulate Gibberellin
      Biosynthesis.

PMID- 26276833
TI  - The Plant Peptidome: An Expanding Repertoire of Structural Features and
      Biological Functions.
AB  - Peptides fulfill a plethora of functions in plant growth, development, and stress
      responses. They act as key components of cell-to-cell communication, interfere
      with signaling and response pathways, or display antimicrobial activity.
      Strikingly, both the diversity and amount of plant peptides have been largely
      underestimated. Most characterized plant peptides to date acting as small
      signaling peptides or antimicrobial peptides are derived from nonfunctional
      precursor proteins. However, evidence is emerging on peptides derived from a
      functional protein, directly translated from small open reading frames (without
      the involvement of a precursor) or even encoded by primary transcripts of
      microRNAs. These novel types of peptides further add to the complexity of the
      plant peptidome, even though their number is still limited and functional
      characterization as well as translational evidence are often controversial. Here,
      we provide a comprehensive overview of the reported types of plant peptides,
      including their described functional and structural properties. We propose a
      novel, unifying peptide classification system to emphasize the enormous diversity
      in peptide synthesis and consequent complexity of the still expanding knowledge
      on the plant peptidome. 

PMID- 26276838
TI  - Thoracic endovascular repair first for extensive aortic disease: the staged
      hybrid approach?.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Repair of extensive aortic disease carries a significant risk of
      death and morbidity, the most feared complication being spinal cord ischaemia.
      Objectives of this study are to characterize patients, describe repair methods
      and assess feasibility and safety of hybrid staged repair for treatment of
      extensive aortic disease. METHODS: From to 2001 to 2013, 22 patients underwent
      extensive aortic repair that included a thoracic endovascular aortic repair
      (TEVAR) first followed by an open completion repair extending through the
      visceral and infrarenal aorta for degenerative aneurysm and dissection. At the
      time of initial repair, all patients were deemed to be at a high risk for
      conventional open repair and had extensive disease. Indications for open
      completion included emergency failure of TEVAR (n = 3), early two-stage approach
      (n = 6) and delayed disease progression after TEVAR (n = 13). The median interval
      between stages was 6.5 months. The mean age was 56 +/- 14 years, 5 patients had
      connective tissue disorder and the mean maximum aortic diameter was 58 +/- 16 mm
      preoperatively. RESULTS: There was no death or major complication after initial
      TEVAR, but the operative mortality rate was 9% (n = 2) after the open procedure.
      One of these patients died from intraoperative myocardial infarction during
      emergency repair, and the other had disseminated intravascular coagulation during
      delayed repair for disease progression after TEVAR. Other complications included
      paralysis in 1 (4.5%), tracheostomy in 2 (9%) and dialysis in 1 (4.5%), and there
      was 1 reoperation for bleeding (4.5%). The median follow-up was 37 (range 3.3-93)
      months and there were no late deaths. There were four late reoperations for
      proximal disease progression leading to Type 1 endoleak (n = 2), Type A
      dissection (n = 1) and root aneurysm (n = 1). CONCLUSIONS: Use of a TEVAR-first
      approach in combination with a staged open repair is a safe and feasible
      treatment strategy for repair of extensive aortic disease. A staged hybrid
      approach to aortic repair in patients at high risk for total aortic replacement
      may limit morbidity.

PMID- 26276837
TI  - Activity and outcomes for aortic valve implantations performed in England and
      Wales since the introduction of transcatheter aortic valve implantation.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The first transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in England
      and Wales was performed in 2007. This study presents the subsequent national
      activity and outcomes for both TAVI and aortic valve replacement (AVR). METHODS:
      Data for all AVR and TAVI procedures between January 2006 and December 2012 in
      England and Wales were included. The number of procedures, patient
      characteristics, in-hospital and 30-day mortality, postoperative length of stay
      (PLOS) and survival were analysed separately for: isolated AVR; AVR + coronary
      artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery; AVR + other surgery and TAVI. RESULTS: The
      number of TAVIs increased from 66 in 2007 (0.8% of all implants) to 1186 in 2012
      (10.9% of all implants). AVR activity also increased over the study period. TAVI
      patients were older and had a higher mean logistic EuroSCORE than all AVR groups.
      The 30-day mortality rates were 2.1% for isolated AVR, 3.9% for AVR + CABG, 7.7%
      for AVR + other surgery and 6.2% for TAVI. In-hospital mortality has
      significantly improved for all groups. The 5-year survival rates were 82.6% for
      isolated AVR, 81.7% for AVR + CABG, 74.5% for AVR + other surgery and 46.1% for
      TAVI. The median PLOS after TAVI was similar to that of isolated AVR but shorter
      than that of the other AVR groups. CONCLUSIONS: Since the introduction of TAVI,
      there has been an increase in both TAVI and AVR activity. TAVIs now represent
      over 10% of all aortic valve implants. There are distinct differences between
      procedural groups with respect to patient risk factors. Outcomes for all
      procedural groups have improved, but long-term TAVI results are required before
      its role in the treatment of aortic stenosis can be fully defined.

PMID- 26276836
TI  - Crosstalk between Two bZIP Signaling Pathways Orchestrates Salt-Induced Metabolic
      Reprogramming in Arabidopsis Roots.
AB  - Soil salinity increasingly causes crop losses worldwide. Although roots are the
      primary targets of salt stress, the signaling networks that facilitate metabolic
      reprogramming to induce stress tolerance are less understood than those in
      leaves. Here, a combination of transcriptomic and metabolic approaches was
      performed in salt-treated Arabidopsis thaliana roots, which revealed that the
      group S1 basic leucine zipper transcription factors bZIP1 and bZIP53 reprogram
      primary C- and N-metabolism. In particular, gluconeogenesis and amino acid
      catabolism are affected by these transcription factors. Importantly, bZIP1
      expression reflects cellular stress and energy status in roots. In addition to
      the well-described abiotic stress response pathway initiated by the hormone
      abscisic acid (ABA) and executed by SnRK2 (Snf1-RELATED-PROTEIN-KINASE2) and AREB
      like bZIP factors, we identify a structurally related ABA-independent signaling
      module consisting of SnRK1s and S1 bZIPs. Crosstalk between these signaling
      pathways recruits particular bZIP factor combinations to establish at least four
      distinct gene expression patterns. Understanding this signaling network provides
      a framework for securing future crop productivity. 

PMID- 26276839
TI  - Current evidence of coronary artery bypass grafting off-pump versus on-pump: a
      systematic review with meta-analysis of over 16,900 patients investigated in
      randomized controlled trials?.
AB  - In the present systematic review with meta-analysis, we sought to determine the
      current strength of evidence for or against off-pump and on-pump coronary artery
      bypass grafting (CABG) with regard to hard clinical end-points, graft patency and
      cost-effectiveness. We performed a meta-analysis of only randomized controlled
      trials (RCT) which reported at least one of the desired end-points including: (i)
      major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), (ii) all-cause
      mortality, (iii) myocardial infarction, (iv) cerebrovascular accident, (v) repeat
      revascularization, (vi) graft patency and (vii) cost-effectiveness. The pooled
      treatment effects [odds ratio (OR) or weighted mean difference, 95% confidence
      intervals (95% CIs)] were assessed using a fixed or random effects model. A total
      of 16 904 patients from 51 studies were identified after literature search of the
      major databases using a predefined keyword list. The incidence of MACCE did not
      differ between the groups, neither during the first 30 days (OR: 0.93; 95% CI:
      0.82-1.04) nor for the longest available follow-up (OR: 1.01; 95% CI: 0.92-1.12).
      While the incidence of mid-term graft failure (OR: 1.37; 95% CI: 1.09-1.72) and
      the need for repeat revascularization (OR: 1.55; 95% CI: 1.33-1.80) was increased
      after off-pump surgery, on-pump surgery was associated with an increased
      occurrence of stroke (OR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.58-0.95), renal impairment (OR: 0.79;
      95% CI: 0.71-0.89) and mediastinitis (OR: 0.44; 95% CI: 0.31-0.62). There was no
      difference with regard to hard clinical end-points between on- or off-pump
      surgery, including myocardial infarction or mortality. The present systematic
      review emphasizes that both off- and on-pump surgery provide excellent and
      comparable results in patients requiring surgical revascularization. The choice
      for either strategy should take into account the individual patient profile
      (comorbidities, life expectancy, etc.) and importantly, the surgeon's experience
      in performing on- or off-pump CABG in their routine practice. 

PMID- 26276840
TI  - Health care in the United States--basic human right or entitlement?

PMID- 26276841
TI  - Bilateral arterial ducts with isolated left subclavian artery in ventriculo
      arterial discordance, ventricular septal defect, and coarctation.

PMID- 26276842
TI  - Overexpression of Arabidopsis Ceramide Synthases Differentially Affects Growth,
      Sphingolipid Metabolism, Programmed Cell Death, and Mycotoxin Resistance.
AB  - Ceramide synthases catalyze an N-acyltransferase reaction using fatty acyl
      coenzyme A (CoA) and long-chain base (LCB) substrates to form the sphingolipid
      ceramide backbone and are targets for inhibition by the mycotoxin fumonisin B1
      (FB1). Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) contains three genes encoding ceramide
      synthases with distinct substrate specificities: LONGEVITY ASSURANCE GENE ONE
      HOMOLOG1 (LOH1; At3g25540)- and LOH3 (At1g19260)-encoded ceramide synthases use
      very-long-chain fatty acyl-CoA and trihydroxy LCB substrates, and LOH2
      (At3g19260)-encoded ceramide synthase uses palmitoyl-CoA and dihydroxy LCB
      substrates. In this study, complementary DNAs for each gene were overexpressed to
      determine the role of individual isoforms in physiology and sphingolipid
      metabolism. Differences were observed in growth resulting from LOH1 and LOH3
      overexpression compared with LOH2 overexpression. LOH1- and LOH3-overexpressing
      plants had enhanced biomass relative to wild-type plants, due in part to
      increased cell division, suggesting that enhanced synthesis of very-long-chain
      fatty acid/trihydroxy LCB ceramides promotes cell division and growth.
      Conversely, LOH2 overexpression resulted in dwarfing. LOH2 overexpression also
      resulted in the accumulation of sphingolipids with C16 fatty acid/dihydroxy LCB
      ceramides, constitutive induction of programmed cell death, and accumulation of
      salicylic acid, closely mimicking phenotypes observed previously in LCB C-4
      hydroxylase mutants defective in trihydroxy LCB synthesis. In addition, LOH2- and
      LOH3-overexpressing plants acquired increased resistance to FB1, whereas LOH1
      overexpressing plants showed no increase in FB1 resistance, compared with wild
      type plants, indicating that LOH1 ceramide synthase is most strongly inhibited by
      FB1. Overall, the findings described here demonstrate that overexpression of
      Arabidopsis ceramide synthases results in strongly divergent physiological and
      metabolic phenotypes, some of which have significance for improved plant
      performance. 

PMID- 26276845
TI  - Everything flows: A process perspective on life.

PMID- 26276843
TI  - Something Old, Something New: Conserved Enzymes and the Evolution of Novelty in
      Plant Specialized Metabolism.
AB  - Plants produce hundreds of thousands of small molecules known as specialized
      metabolites, many of which are of economic and ecological importance. This
      remarkable variety is a consequence of the diversity and rapid evolution of
      specialized metabolic pathways. These novel biosynthetic pathways originate via
      gene duplication or by functional divergence of existing genes, and they
      subsequently evolve through selection and/or drift. Studies over the past two
      decades revealed that diverse specialized metabolic pathways have resulted from
      the incorporation of primary metabolic enzymes. We discuss examples of enzyme
      recruitment from primary metabolism and the variety of paths taken by duplicated
      primary metabolic enzymes toward integration into specialized metabolism. These
      examples provide insight into processes by which plant specialized metabolic
      pathways evolve and suggest approaches to discover enzymes of previously
      uncharacterized metabolic networks. 

PMID- 26276846
TI  - Determination of 3,4-Dihydroxy Methyl Benzoate in Rat Plasma by HPLC and Its
      Pharmacokinetics.
AB  - A high-performance liquid chromatography method was established for determination
      of 3,4-dihydroxy methyl benzoate in rat plasma and for investigation of
      pharmacokinetics after intragastric administration of 3,4-dihydroxy methyl
      benzoate water solution. 3,4-Dihydroxy methyl benzoate and internal standard were
      separated on a Diamonsil(TM) C18 column (250 mm * 4.6 mm, 5 um), using a mobile
      phase of methanol-acetonitrile-water-glacial acetic acid (6 : 3 : 100 : 0.25,
      v/v/v/v), and the detection wavelength was 254 nm. The calibration curve of 3,4
      dihydroxy methyl benzoate was linear in the concentration range of 0.1313-25.25
      ug mL(-1). The lower limit of quantification was 0.1313 ug mL(-1), and the
      relative standard deviations of intra- and inter-day were <11.7%. The main
      pharmacokinetic parameters were as follows: Cmax (12.1 +/- 1.93) mg L(-1), Tmax
      (27.5 +/- 6.12) h, t1/2 (39.2 +/- 5.66) h, AUC(0->t)(0.85 +/- 0.13) g min L(-1),
      AUC(0->infinity) (0.88 +/- 0.14) g min L(-1), MRT (70.7 +/- 5.27) min(-1), Vd
      (0.32 +/- 0.04) L and CL (5.79 +/- 0.82) mL min(-1). The method is proven to be
      suitable for the pharmacokinetic study of 3,4-dihydroxy methyl benzoate, which
      offers the advantage of simplicity, sensitivity and accuracy.

PMID- 26276844
TI  - Living to Die and Dying to Live: The Survival Strategy behind Leaf Senescence.
AB  - Senescence represents the final developmental act of the leaf, during which the
      leaf cell is dismantled in a coordinated manner to remobilize nutrients and to
      secure reproductive success. The process of senescence provides the plant with
      phenotypic plasticity to help it adapt to adverse environmental conditions. Here,
      we provide a comprehensive overview of the factors and mechanisms that control
      the onset of senescence. We explain how the competence to senesce is established
      during leaf development, as depicted by the senescence window model. We also
      discuss the mechanisms by which phytohormones and environmental stresses control
      senescence as well as the impact of source-sink relationships on plant yield and
      stress tolerance. In addition, we discuss the role of senescence as a strategy
      for stress adaptation and how crop production and food quality could benefit from
      engineering or breeding crops with altered onset of senescence. 

PMID- 26276847
TI  - Topiramate: A Review of Analytical Approaches for the Drug Substance, Its
      Impurities and Pharmaceutical Formulations.
AB  - An important step during the development of high-performance liquid
      chromatography (HPLC) methods for quantitative analysis of drugs is choosing the
      appropriate detector. High sensitivity, reproducibility, stability, wide linear
      range, compatibility with gradient elution, non-destructive detection of the
      analyte and response unaffected by changes in the temperature/flow are some of
      the ideal characteristics of a universal HPLC detector. Topiramate is an
      anticonvulsant drug mainly used for the treatment of different types of seizures
      and prophylactic treatment of migraine. Different analytical approaches to
      quantify topiramate by HPLC have been described because of the lack of
      chromophoric moieties on its structure, such as derivatization with fluorescent
      moieties and UV-absorbing moieties, conductivity detection, evaporative light
      scattering detection, refractive index detection, chemiluminescent nitrogen
      detection and MS detection. Some methods for the determination of topiramate by
      capillary electrophoresis and gas chromatography have also been published. This
      systematic review provides a description of the main analytical methods presented
      in the literature to analyze topiramate in the drug substance and in
      pharmaceutical formulations. Each of these methods is briefly discussed,
      especially considering the detector used with HPLC. In addition, this article
      presents a review of the data available regarding topiramate stability,
      degradation products and impurities. 

PMID- 26276848
TI  - An atypical limping teenager.
AB  - A 13-year-old boy presented with a 5-day history of left-sided limp of gradual
      onset. There was no history of trauma. He developed a fever and rigours a few
      days before presenting to the paediatric emergency department. On examination, he
      was tender on palpating the left gluteal area on active mobilisation of the left
      hip and could not weight bear on the left leg. Pelvic X-rays and ultrasound of
      the left hip were normal. The blood results showed raised inflammatory markers
      and normal white cell count. The blood cultures were positive for Staphylococcus
      aureus. On day 2, a left hip MRI was performed as well as CT-guided drainage.
      Diagnosis of left sacroiliac septic arthritis was made. After an initial lack of
      improvement under intravenous ceftriaxone, a drain was inserted and left in situ
      for 8 days with double intravenous antibiotic therapy instituted. The patient
      made a full recovery.

PMID- 26276849
TI  - Cornelia de Lange syndrome due to mosaic NIPBL mutation: antenatal presentation
      with sacrococcygeal teratoma.
AB  - A male infant at 36 weeks gestation was born by section. At 20 weeks of
      gestation, congenital diaphragmatic hernia and sacrococcygeal teratoma had been
      seen on ultrasound. At birth, the infant had features suggestive of Cornelia de
      Lange syndrome (CdLS). He remained hypoxic despite aggressive ventilatory
      manoeuvres and was palliated. At postmortem, the lungs were hypoplastic. In CdLS,
      mutations in NIPBL are found in around 50% of cases. Mutation analysis, including
      multiplex ligation dependent probe amplification of the NIPBL gene from the DNA
      extracted from peripheral blood lymphocytes was negative, but microarray
      comparative genomic hybridisation on DNA from skin fibroblast showed a 0.13Mb
      deletion on chromosome 5p13. The deleted region includes exons 42-47 of the NIPBL
      gene. It is important to perform NIBPL mutation analysis on DNA from more than
      one tissue when testing for CdLS.

PMID- 26276850
TI  - Renal cell carcinoma presenting as an upper gastrointestinal bleeding.
AB  - An 80-year-old man presented with melaena and anaemia of 1 week duration. This
      was associated with shortness of breath and an indigestion-type pain for the
      preceding 8 weeks. General physical examination revealed epigastric tenderness,
      but an otherwise soft abdomen with no organomegaly. The patient had a
      gastroscopy, showing a polypoidal lesion in the second part of duodenum (D2) as
      the bleeding point, which was managed with epinephrine injection and endoclips.
      This was followed by CT of the abdomen, revealing a lobulated 8 cm mass arising
      from the lower pole of the right kidney and invading the duodenum. The case
      report aims to acknowledge the possibility of direct duodenal involvement in
      renal cell carcinoma, which is a rare occurrence.

PMID- 26276851
TI  - A case of a slightly symptomatic exfoliative oesophagitis.

PMID- 26276852
TI  - ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction with anomalous right coronary artery
      originating from the mid-left anterior descending artery.

PMID- 26276853
TI  - A positive cooperativity binding model between Ly49 natural killer cell receptors
      and the viral immunoevasin m157. KINETIC AND THERMODYNAMIC STUDIES.

PMID- 26276854
TI  - c-Myc programs fatty acid metabolism and dictates acetyl-CoA abundance and fate.

PMID- 26276855
TI  - Membrane and integrative nuclear fibroblastic growth factor receptor (FGFR)
      regulation of FGF-23.

PMID- 26276856
TI  - Heat shock protein 70 interacts with nucleolin and inhibits its cleavage,
      downregulation and apoptosis induced by hydrogen peroxide in myocytes.

PMID- 26276857
TI  - The troponin T isoform shift may constitute a protective compensatory mechanism
      in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

PMID- 26276858
TI  - TcJAMYC: a bHLH transcription factor that activates paclitaxel biosynthetic
      pathway genes in yew.

PMID- 26276859
TI  - Function and Structure of the RWD Domain.

PMID- 26276861
TI  - Insects modify their behaviour depending on the feedback sensor used when walking
      on a trackball in virtual reality.
AB  - When using virtual-reality paradigms to study animal behaviour, careful attention
      must be paid to how the animal's actions are detected. This is particularly
      relevant in closed-loop experiments where the animal interacts with a stimulus.
      Many different sensor types have been used to measure aspects of behaviour, and
      although some sensors may be more accurate than others, few studies have examined
      whether, and how, such differences affect an animal's behaviour in a closed-loop
      experiment. To investigate this issue, we conducted experiments with tethered
      honeybees walking on an air-supported trackball and fixating a visual object in
      closed-loop. Bees walked faster and along straighter paths when the motion of the
      trackball was measured in the classical fashion - using optical motion sensors
      repurposed from computer mice - than when measured more accurately using a
      computer vision algorithm called 'FicTrac'. When computer mouse sensors were used
      to measure bees' behaviour, the bees modified their behaviour and achieved
      improved control of the stimulus. This behavioural change appears to be a
      response to a systematic error in the computer mouse sensor that reduces the
      sensitivity of this sensor system under certain conditions. Although the large
      perceived inertia and mass of the trackball relative to the honeybee is a
      limitation of tethered walking paradigms, observing differences depending on the
      sensor system used to measure bee behaviour was not expected. This study suggests
      that bees are capable of fine-tuning their motor control to improve the outcome
      of the task they are performing. Further, our findings show that caution is
      required when designing virtual-reality experiments, as animals can potentially
      respond to the artificial scenario in unexpected and unintended ways. 

PMID- 26276860
TI  - Control of Trx1 redox state modulates protection against methyl methanesulfonate
      induced DNA damage via stabilization of p21.
AB  - Thioredoxin 1 (Trx1) is known to play an important role in protecting against
      cell death. However, the mechanism for control of Trx1 in cell death resulting
      from DNA damage has not been fully investigated. In this study, we used the DNA
      damaging agent methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) to investigate the protective
      effects of Trx1 against DNA damage and cell death in HEK293 cells. We found that
      MMS application caused dose-dependent changes in the Trx1 redox state determined
      by redox western blotting. At lower concentrations, both reduced and oxidized
      Trx1 were observed, whereas the reduced band was fully oxidized at the higher
      concentration. Trx1 overexpression and small interfering RNA knockdown in cells
      revealed that reduced Trx1 after exposure to lower doses of MMS attenuated DNA
      damage, assessed by comet assay, and level of the DNA-damage marker histone gamma
      H2AX, possibly through scavenging intracellular ROS and an increase in p21
      protein level via enhancing its stability. However, oxidized Trx1 lost its
      protective ability to DNA damage in response to higher concentration of MMS.
      Corresponding to the redox state control of Trx1, cell death induced by different
      dose of MMS was also found, by inhibiting phosphorylations of p38 and 4E-BP1.
      These results indicate that reduced Trx1 plays important protective roles against
      MMS-induced DNA damage and cell death, suggesting that cell protection is
      regulated by the intracellular redox state. Control of the redox state of Trx1
      and its regulating proteins may offer a novel therapeutic strategy for the
      control of cancer. 

PMID- 26276862
TI  - Circadian modulation of learning ability in a disease vector insect, Rhodnius
      prolixus.
AB  - Despite the drastic consequences it may have on the transmission of parasites,
      the ability of disease vectors to learn and retain information has just begun to
      be characterised. The kissing bug Rhodnius prolixus, a vector of Chagas disease,
      is an excellent model, particularly because conditioning the proboscis extension
      response (PER) constitutes a valuable paradigm to study their cognitive abilities
      under carefully controlled conditions. Another characteristic of these bugs is
      the temporal organisation of their different activities in a bimodal endogenous
      daily rhythm. This offers the opportunity to address the implication of the
      circadian system in learning and memory. Using aversive conditioning of the PER,
      we tested whether the ability of kissing bugs to learn and remember information
      varies during the day. We found that bugs perform well during the night, but not
      during the day: their ability to acquire information - but not their ability to
      retrieve it - is modulated by time. When the bugs were kept under constant
      conditions in order to analyse the origin of this rhythm, the rhythm continued to
      free run, showing its endogenous and truly circadian nature. These results are
      the first to evince the effect of the circadian system on the learning abilities
      of disease vectors and one of the few in insects in general. 

PMID- 26276863
TI  - Mode-dependent control of human walking and running as revealed by split-belt
      locomotor adaptation.
AB  - Here, we investigate the association of neural control between walking and
      running, and in particular, how these two gait modes at different velocities are
      controlled by the central nervous system. The subjects were fully adapted by
      acquiring modified motor patterns to either walk or run on a split-belt treadmill
      driven in split mode (asymmetry in the velocities of two belts at 1.0 and 2.0 m
      s(-1)). Subsequently, we tested how the adaptation affected walking and running
      at three different velocities in the tied mode (equal belt velocities). At 0.75 m
      s(-1), we found a preference to walk, at 1.50 m s(-1), there was a preference to
      both walk and run, and at a velocity of 2.25 m s(-1) there was a preference to
      run. Both walking and running on the split belt resulted in the emergence of a
      significant aftereffect (asymmetrical movement) at all of the velocities tested
      when walking after adapting to walk and running after adapting to run. However,
      for contrasting modes (i.e. running after adapting to walk and walking after
      adapting to run), such aftereffects were far less evident at all velocities; thus
      showing only limited transfer across gait modes. The results demonstrate a clear
      mode dependency in the neural control of human walking and running. In addition,
      only for walking, was there a degree of velocity dependency. 

PMID- 26276864
TI  - Double-network gels and the toughness of terrestrial slug glue.
AB  - The terrestrial slug Arion subfuscus produces a defensive secretion that is
      sticky and tough, despite being a dilute gel. It is unusual in having high
      stiffness for a gel, yet retaining the high extensibility typical of mucus. In
      tensile tests, it sustains an average peak stress of 101 kPa, and fails at an
      average strain of 9.5. This gives the gel toughness; it requires much greater
      strain energy to fracture than most gels. This toughness may arise from a double
      network type mechanism. In this mechanism, two separate, interpenetrating
      networks of polymers with different properties combine to give toughness that can
      be several orders of magnitude greater than either network individually. Native
      gel electrophoresis suggests that A. subfuscus glue consists of two networks: a
      network of negatively charged proteins ranging in Mr from 40*10(3) to 220*10(3)
      that can be dissociated by hydroxylamine and a network of heparan sulfate-like
      proteoglycans. The two networks are not tightly linked, though proteins of Mr
      40*10(3) and 165*10(3) may associate with the carbohydrates. Targeted disruption
      of either network separately, using enzymatic hydrolysis, disulfide bond breakage
      or imine bond disruption completely disrupted the glue, resulting in no
      measurable toughness. Thus, the two networks separately provide little toughness,
      but together they work synergistically to create a tough material, as predicted
      in the double-network mechanism.

PMID- 26276865
TI  - Increasing cyclic electron flow is related to Na+ sequestration into vacuoles for
      salt tolerance in soybean.
AB  - In land plants, the NAD(P)H dehydrogenase (NDH) complex reduces plastoquinones
      and drives cyclic electron flow (CEF) around PSI. It also produces extra ATP for
      photosynthesis and improves plant fitness under conditions of abiotic
      environmental stress. To elucidate the role of CEF in salt tolerance of the
      photosynthetic apparatus, Na(+) concentration, chlorophyll fluorescence, and
      expression of NDH B and H subunits, as well as of genes related to cellular and
      vacuolar Na(+) transport, were monitored. The salt-tolerant Glycine max (soybean)
      variety S111-9 exhibited much higher CEF activity and ATP accumulation in light
      than did the salt-sensitive variety Melrose, but similar leaf Na(+)
      concentrations under salt stress. In S111-9 plants, ndhB and ndhH were highly up
      regulated under salt stress and their corresponding proteins were maintained at
      high levels or increased significantly. Under salt stress, S111-9 plants
      accumulated Na(+) in the vacuole, but Melrose plants accumulated Na(+) in the
      chloroplast. Compared with Melrose, S111-9 plants also showed higher expression
      of some genes associated with Na(+) transport into the vacuole and/or cell, such
      as genes encoding components of the CBL10 (calcineurin B-like protein 10)-CIPK24
      (CBL-interacting protein kinase 24)-NHX (Na(+)/H(+) antiporter) and CBL4
      (calcineurin B-like protein 4)-CIPK24-SOS1 (salt overly sensitive 1) complexes.
      Based on the findings, it is proposed that enhanced NDH-dependent CEF supplies
      extra ATP used to sequester Na(+) in the vacuole. This reveals an important
      mechanism for salt tolerance in soybean and provides new insights into plant
      resistance to salt stress. 

PMID- 26276866
TI  - Hormone-mediated growth dynamics of the barley pericarp as revealed by magnetic
      resonance imaging and transcript profiling.
AB  - The shape of the maternal pericarp affects cereal grain mass and yield. Pericarp
      growth was analysed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), revealing topological
      maps of mobile water in developing pericarp of barley (Hordeum vulgare) and
      displaying tissue regions actively elongating in specific temporal-spatial
      patterns. Correlation analysis of MRI signals and growth rates reveals that
      growth in length is mediated by dorsal and also lateral rather than ventral
      regions. Growth in thickness is related to ventral regions. Switching from dorsal
      to ventral growth is associated with differential expression of axial regulators
      of the HD-ZipIII and Kanadi/Ettin types, and NPH3 photoreceptors, suggesting
      light-mediated auxin re-distribution. Auxin increases with the highest levels in
      the basal pericarp at 6 days after fertilization (DAF), together with
      transcriptionally up-regulated auxin transport and signalling. Gibberellin
      biosynthesis is transcriptionally up-regulated only later, and levels of
      bioactive gibberellins increase from 7 to 13 DAF, with higher levels in ventral
      than dorsal regions. Differential gene expression related to cell expansion
      indicates genes related to apoplast acidification, wall relaxation, sugar
      cleavage, water transport, and cell wall biosynthesis. Candidate genes
      potentially involved in pericarp extension are distinguished by their temporal
      expression, representing potential isoforms responsible for dorsal-mediated early
      growth in length or ventral-mediated late growth in thickness. 

PMID- 26276867
TI  - Mutation of SPOTTED LEAF3 (SPL3) impairs abscisic acid-responsive signalling and
      delays leaf senescence in rice.
AB  - Lesion mimic mutants commonly display spontaneous cell death in pre-senescent
      green leaves under normal conditions, without pathogen attack. Despite molecular
      and phenotypic characterization of several lesion mimic mutants, the mechanisms
      of the spontaneous formation of cell death lesions remain largely unknown. Here,
      the rice lesion mimic mutant spotted leaf3 (spl3) was examined. When grown under
      a light/dark cycle, the spl3 mutant appeared similar to wild-type at early
      developmental stages, but lesions gradually appeared in the mature leaves close
      to heading stage. By contrast, in spl3 mutants grown under continuous light,
      severe cell death lesions formed in developing leaves, even at the seedling
      stage. Histochemical analysis showed that hydrogen peroxide accumulated in the
      mutant, likely causing the cell death phenotype. By map-based cloning and
      complementation, it was shown that a 1-bp deletion in the first exon of Oryza
      sativa Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinase Kinase1 (OsMAPKKK1)/OsEDR1/OsACDR1
      causes the spl3 mutant phenotype. The spl3 mutant was found to be insensitive to
      abscisic acid (ABA), showing normal root growth in ABA-containing media and
      delayed leaf yellowing during dark-induced and natural senescence. Expression of
      ABA signalling-associated genes was also less responsive to ABA treatment in the
      mutant. Furthermore, the spl3 mutant had lower transcript levels and activities
      of catalases, which scavenge hydrogen peroxide, probably due to impairment of ABA
      responsive signalling. Finally, a possible molecular mechanism of lesion
      formation in the mature leaves of spl3 mutant is discussed.

PMID- 26276868
TI  - Melatonin biosynthesis requires N-acetylserotonin methyltransferase activity of
      caffeic acid O-methyltransferase in rice.
AB  - Caffeic acid O-methyltransferase (COMT) methylates N-acetylserotonin into
      melatonin; that is, it has N-acetylserotonin O-methyltransferase (ASMT) activity.
      The ASMT activity of COMT was first detected in Arabidopsis thaliana COMT
      (AtCOMT). To confirm the involvement of COMT on melatonin synthesis in other
      plant species, the ASMT activity of a COMT from rice (Oryza sativa) (OsCOMT) was
      evaluated. Purified recombinant OsCOMT protein from Escherichia coli was used to
      validate the high ASMT activity of OsCOMT, similar to that of AtCOMT. The K m and
      V max values for the ASMT activity of OsCOMT were 243 uM and 2400 pmol min(-1) mg
      protein(-1), which were similar to those of AtCOMT. Similar to AtCOMT, OsCOMT was
      localized in the cytoplasm. In vitro ASMT activity was significantly inhibited by
      either caffeic acid or quercetin in a dose-dependent manner. Analogously, in vivo
      production of melatonin was significantly inhibited by quercetin in 4-week-old
      detached rice leaves. Lastly, the transgenic rice plants overexpressing rice COMT
      showed an increase in melatonin levels whereas transgenic rice plants suppressing
      the rice COMT had a significant decrease on melatonin levels, suggestive of the
      direct role of COMT in melatonin biosynthesis in plants. 

PMID- 26276869
TI  - Cutting Edge: miR-17-92 Is Required for Both CD4 Th1 and T Follicular Helper Cell
      Responses during Viral Infection.
AB  - Viral infections induce the differentiation of naive CD4 T cells into two
      distinct lineages, Th1 cells and T follicular helper (TFH) cells. Two recent
      studies demonstrated that the microRNA cluster miR-17-92 selectively promotes CD4
      TFH responses. However, we show in this study that miR-17-92 expression is
      required for the clonal expansion of both virus-specific Th1 and TFH cells. Upon
      viral infection, miR-17-92-deficient CD4 T cells showed impaired clonal expansion
      and subsequent memory formation. Although miR-17-92 deficiency impaired the
      clonal expansion of both Th1 and TFH cells, the expansion of Th1 cells was more
      affected. Overexpression of miR-17-92 in CD4 T cells resulted in increased
      expansion of both virus-specific Th1 and TFH cells but selectively enhanced the
      Th1 response. Taken together, our data suggest that miR-17-92 is necessary for
      both Th1 and TFH cells to respond efficiently to viral infections and that the
      Th1 response is more sensitive to the level of miR-17-92 expression. 

PMID- 26276870
TI  - Priming of Human Resting NK Cells by Autologous M1 Macrophages via the Engagement
      of IL-1beta, IFN-beta, and IL-15 Pathways.
AB  - The cross talk between NK cells and macrophages is emerging as a major line of
      defense against microbial infections and tumors. This study reveals a complex
      network of soluble mediators and cell-to-cell interactions allowing human
      classically activated (M1) macrophages, but not resting (M0) or alternatively
      activated (M2) macrophages, to prime resting autologous NK cells. In this
      article, we show that M1 increase NK cell cytotoxicity by IL-23 and IFN-beta
      dependent upregulation of NKG2D, IL-1beta-dependent upregulation of NKp44, and
      trans-presentation of IL-15. Moreover, both IFN-beta-dependent cis-presentation
      of IL-15 on NK cells and engagement of the 2B4-CD48 pathway are used by M1 to
      trigger NK cell production of IFN-gamma. The disclosure of these synergic
      cellular mechanisms regulating the M1-NK cell cross talk provides novel insights
      to better understand the role of innate immune responses in the physiopathology
      of tumor biology and microbial infections. 

PMID- 26276871
TI  - IRF4 Is a Critical Gene in Retinoic Acid-Mediated Plasma Cell Formation and Is
      Deregulated in Common Variable Immunodeficiency-Derived B Cells.
AB  - In the present study, we aimed at identifying the mechanisms whereby the vitamin
      A metabolite all-trans retinoic acid (RA) promotes the formation of plasma cells
      upon stimulation of B cells via the innate immunity receptors TLR9 and RP105.
      Most often, differentiation of B cells involves the sequential events of class
      switch recombination and somatic hypermutations characteristic of germinal center
      reactions, followed by plasma cell formation. By studying the regulatory networks
      known to drive these reactions, we revealed that RA enhances the expression of
      the plasma cell-generating transcription factors IFN regulatory factor (IRF)4 and
      Blimp1, and paradoxically also activation-induced deaminase (AID) involved in
      somatic hypermutations/class switch recombination, in primary human B cells. IRF4
      was identified as a particularly important protein involved in the RA-mediated
      production of IgG in TLR9/RP105-stimulated B cells. Based on kinetic studies, we
      present a model suggesting that the initial induction of IRF4 by RA favors AID
      expression. According to this model, the higher level of IRF4 that eventually
      arises results in sustained elevated levels of Blimp1. Regarded as a master
      regulator of plasma cell development, Blimp1 will in turn suppress AID expression
      and drive the formation of IgG-secreting plasma cells. Notably, we demonstrated
      IRF4 to be deregulated in B cells from common variable immunodeficiency patients,
      contributing to the observed aberrant expression of AID in these patients. Taken
      together, the present study both provides new insight into the mechanisms whereby
      RA induces differentiation of B cells and identifies IRF4 as a key to understand
      the defective functions of B cells in common variable immunodeficiency patients. 

PMID- 26276872
TI  - 1,25(OH)2D3 Promotes the Efficacy of CD28 Costimulation Blockade by Abatacept.
AB  - Inhibition of the CD28:CD80/CD86 T cell costimulatory pathway has emerged as an
      effective strategy for the treatment of T cell-mediated inflammatory diseases.
      However, patient responses to CD28-ligand blockade by abatacept (CTLA-4-Ig) in
      conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis are variable and often suboptimal. In
      this study, we show that the extent to which abatacept suppresses T cell
      activation is influenced by the strength of TCR stimulation, with high-strength
      TCR stimulation being associated with relative abatacept insensitivity.
      Accordingly, cyclosporin A, an inhibitor of T cell stimulation via the TCR,
      synergized with abatacept to inhibit T cell activation. We also observed that
      1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 enhanced the inhibition of T cell activation by
      abatacept, strongly inhibiting T cell activation driven by cross-linked anti-CD3,
      but with no effect upon anti-CD28 driven stimulation. Thus, like cyclosporin A,
      1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 inhibits TCR-driven activation, thereby promoting
      abatacept sensitivity. Vitamin D3 supplementation may therefore be a useful
      adjunct for the treatment of conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis in
      combination with abatacept to promote the efficacy of treatment. 

PMID- 26276873
TI  - Lipoxin A4 Attenuates Constitutive and TGF-beta1-Dependent Profibrotic Activity
      in Human Lung Myofibroblasts.
AB  - Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a common, progressive, and invariably
      lethal interstitial lung disease with no effective therapy. The key cell driving
      the development of fibrosis is the myofibroblast. Lipoxin A4 (LXA4) is an anti
      inflammatory lipid, important in the resolution of inflammation, and it has
      potential antifibrotic activity. However, the effects of LXA4 on primary human
      lung myofibroblasts (HLMFs) have not previously been investigated. Therefore, the
      aim of this study was to examine the effects of LXA4 on TGF-beta1-dependent
      responses in IPF- and nonfibrotic control (NFC)-derived HLMFs. HLMFs were
      isolated from IPF and NFC patients and grown in vitro. The effects of LXA4 on
      HLMF proliferation, collagen secretion, alpha-smooth muscle actin (alphaSMA)
      expression, and Smad2/3 activation were examined constitutively and following TGF
      beta1 stimulation. The LXA4 receptor (ALXR) was expressed in both NFC- and IPF
      derived HLMFs. LXA4 (10(-10) and 10(-8) mol) reduced constitutive alphaSMA
      expression, actin stress fiber formation, contraction, and nuclear Smad2/3,
      indicating regression from a myofibroblast to fibroblast phenotype. LXA4 also
      significantly inhibited FBS-dependent proliferation and TGF-beta1-dependent
      collagen secretion, alphaSMA expression, and Smad2/3 nuclear translocation in IPF
      derived HLMFs. LXA4 did not inhibit Smad2/3 phosphorylation. In summary, LXA4
      attenuated profibrotic HLMF activity and promoted HLMF regression to a quiescent
      fibroblast phenotype. LXA4 or its stable analogs delivered by aerosol may offer a
      novel approach to the treatment of IPF. 

PMID- 26276874
TI  - DNA Methylation Regulates the Differential Expression of CX3CR1 on Human IL
      7Ralphalow and IL-7Ralphahigh Effector Memory CD8+ T Cells with Distinct
      Migratory Capacities to the Fractalkine.
AB  - DNA methylation is an epigenetic mechanism that modulates gene expression in
      mammalian cells including T cells. Memory T cells are heterogeneous populations.
      Human effector memory (EM) CD8(+) T cells in peripheral blood contain two cell
      subsets with distinct traits that express low and high levels of the IL-7Ralpha.
      However, epigenetic mechanisms involved in defining such cellular traits are
      largely unknown. In this study, we use genome-wide DNA methylation and individual
      gene expression to show the possible role of DNA methylation in conferring
      distinct traits of chemotaxis and inflammatory responses in human IL-7Ralpha(low)
      and IL-7Ralpha(high) EM CD8(+) T cells. In particular, IL-7Ralpha(low) EM CD8(+)
      T cells had increased expression of CX3CR1 along with decreased DNA methylation
      in the CX3CR1 gene promoter compared with IL-7Ralpha(high) EM CD8(+) T cells.
      Altering the DNA methylation status of the CX3CR1 gene promoter changed its
      activity and gene expression. IL-7Ralpha(low) EM CD8(+) T cells had an increased
      migratory capacity to the CX3CR1 ligand fractalkine compared with IL
      7Ralpha(high) EM CD8(+) T cells, suggesting an important biological outcome of
      the differential expression of CX3CR1. Moreover, IL-7Ralpha(low) EM CD8(+) T
      cells induced fractalkine expression on endothelial cells by producing IFN-gamma
      and TNF-alpha, forming an autocrine amplification loop. Overall, our study shows
      the role of DNA methylation in generating unique cellular traits in human IL
      7Ralpha(low) and IL-7Ralpha(high) EM CD8(+) T cells, including differential
      expression of CX3CR1, as well as potential biological implications of this
      differential expression. 

PMID- 26276875
TI  - Cutting Edge: Hematopoietic Stem Cell Expansion and Common Lymphoid Progenitor
      Depletion Require Hematopoietic-Derived, Cell-Autonomous TLR4 in a Model of
      Chronic Endotoxin.
AB  - Hematopoietic stem and progenitors cells (HSPCs) are activated through TLR4 in
      vitro. However, it remains unclear whether in vivo TLR4 sensing by HSPCs occurs
      directly or via other cell intermediates. In this study, we examined the cellular
      mechanisms underlying murine hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) expansion and common
      lymphoid progenitor (CLP) depletion in a model of chronic low-dose LPS. Using
      adoptive-transfer approaches, we show that HSC and CLP sensitivity to chronic LPS
      depends on hematopoietic-derived, cell subset-autonomous TLR4. Like murine
      progenitors, human HSPCs are activated by TLR4 in vitro. Using humanized mice, a
      preclinical model relevant to human physiology, we show that persistent endotoxin
      increases the frequency of Ki-67(+) HSCs and severely depletes CLPs and B
      precursors. Together, our findings show that murine HSPCs directly respond to
      endotoxin in vivo and that persistent LPS, a feature of several diseases of
      global health significance, impairs human lymphopoiesis. 

PMID- 26276882
TI  - Long-term persistence of multidrug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae after travel.

PMID- 26276877
TI  - Cutting Edge: AhR Is a Molecular Target of Calcitriol in Human T Cells.
AB  - The immunoregulatory functions of vitamin D have been well documented in various
      immunological disorders, including multiple sclerosis, arthritis, and asthma. IL
      10 is considered a chief effector molecule that promotes the vitamin D-induced
      immunosuppressive states of T cells and accessory cells. In this article, we
      demonstrate that the active form of vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3
      (calcitriol), has a profound inhibitory effect on the development of human Th9, a
      CD4 T cell subset that is highly associated with asthma, in an IL-10-independent
      manner. Our data show that calcitriol represses the expression of BATF, a
      transcription factor essential for Th9, via suppressing the expression of aryl
      hydrocarbon receptor, without an increase in IL-10. The data show a novel link
      between vitamin D and two key transcription factors involved in T cell
      differentiation. 

PMID- 26276883
TI  - Reply to Collignon and Kennedy.

PMID- 26276876
TI  - IL-3 Maintains Activation of the p90S6K/RPS6 Pathway and Increases Translation in
      Human Eosinophils.
AB  - IL-5 is a major therapeutic target to reduce eosinophilia. However, all of the
      eosinophil-activating cytokines, such as IL-5, IL-3, and GM-CSF, are typically
      present in atopic diseases, including allergic asthma. As a result of the
      functional redundancy of these three cytokines on eosinophils and the loss of IL
      5R on airway eosinophils, it is important to take IL-3 and GM-CSF into account to
      efficiently reduce tissue eosinophil functions. Moreover, these three cytokines
      signal through a common beta-chain receptor but yet differentially affect protein
      production in eosinophils. Notably, the increased ability of IL-3 to induce the
      production of proteins, such as semaphorin-7A, without affecting mRNA levels
      suggests a unique influence of IL-3 on translation. The purpose of this study was
      to identify the mechanisms by which IL-3 distinctively affects eosinophil
      function compared with IL-5 and GM-CSF, with a focus on protein translation.
      Peripheral blood eosinophils were used to study intracellular signaling and
      protein translation in cells activated with IL-3, GM-CSF, or IL-5. We establish
      that, unlike GM-CSF or IL-5, IL-3 triggers prolonged signaling through activation
      of ribosomal protein S6 (RPS6) and the upstream kinase 90-kDa ribosomal S6 kinase
      (p90S6K). Blockade of p90S6K activation inhibited phosphorylation of RPS6 and IL
      3-enhanced semaphorin-7A translation. Furthermore, in an allergen-challenged
      environment, in vivo phosphorylation of RPS6 and p90S6K was enhanced in human
      airway compared with circulating eosinophils. Our findings provide new insights
      into the mechanisms underlying differential activation of eosinophils by IL-3, GM
      CSF, and IL-5. These observations identify IL-3 and its downstream intracellular
      signals as novel targets that should be considered to modulate eosinophil
      functions. 

PMID- 26276884
TI  - Time Course of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With Congenital Heart Defects.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) is rising in the aging
      patients with congenital heart defects (CHD). However, studies reporting on AF in
      patients with CHD are scarce. The aim of this multicenter study was to examine in
      a large cohort of patients with a variety of CHD: (1) the age of onset and
      initial treatment of AF, coexistence of atrial tachyarrhythmia and (2)
      progression of paroxysmal to (long-standing) persistent/permanent AF during long
      term follow-up. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients (n=199) with 15 different CHD and
      documented AF episodes were studied. AF developed at 49+/-17 years. Regular
      atrial tachycardia (AT) coexisting with AF occurred in 65 (33%) patients; 65%
      initially presented with regular AT. At the end of a follow-up period of 5 (0-24)
      years, the ECG showed AF in 81 patients (41%). In a subgroup of 114 patients,
      deterioration from paroxysm of AF to (long-standing) persistent/permanent AF was
      observed in 29 patients (26%) after only 3 (0-18) years of the first AF episode.
      Cerebrovascular accidents/transient ischemic attacks occurred in 26 patients
      (13%), although a substantial number (n=16) occurred before the first documented
      AF episode. CONCLUSIONS: Age at development of AF in patients with CHD is
      relatively young compared with the patients without CHD. Coexistence of episodes
      of AF and regular AT occurred in a considerable number of patients; most of them
      initially presented with regular AT. The fast and frequent progression from
      paroxysmal to (long-standing) persistent or permanent AF episodes justifies close
      follow-up and early, aggressive therapy of both AT and AF.

PMID- 26276885
TI  - Functional Analysis of a Carotid Intima-Media Thickness Locus Implicates BCAR1
      and Suggests a Causal Variant.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) is a marker of subclinical
      atherosclerosis that can predict cardiovascular disease events over traditional
      risk factors. This study examined the BCAR1-CFDP1-TMEM170A locus on chromosome
      16, associated with carotid IMT and coronary artery disease in the IMT and IMT
      Progression as Predictors of Vascular Events (IMPROVE) cohort, to identify the
      functional variant. METHODS AND RESULTS: In analysis of the locus lead single
      nucleotide polymorphism (SNP; rs4888378, intronic in CFDP1) in Progressione della
      Lesione Intimale Carotidea (PLIC), the protective AA genotype was associated with
      slower IMT progression in women (P=0.04) but not in men. Meta-analysis of 5
      cohort studies also supported a protective effect of the A allele on common
      carotid IMT in women only (women: beta=-0.0047, P=1.63 * 10(-4); men: beta=
      0.0029, P=0.0678). Two hundred fourteen noncoding variants in strong linkage
      disequilibrium (r(2) >= 0.8) with rs4888378 were identified from 1000 Genome
      Project. ENCODE regulatory chromatin marks were used to create a shortlist of 6
      possible regulatory variants. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays on the
      shortlist detected allele-specific protein binding to the lead SNP rs4888378;
      multiplexed competitor electrophoretic mobility shift assays implicated FOXA as
      the protein. Luciferase reporter assays on rs4888378 showed a significant 35% to
      92% (P=0.0057; P=4.0 * 10(-22)) decrease in gene expression with the A allele.
      Expression quantitative trait loci analysis confirmed previously reported
      associations of rs4888378 with BCAR1 in vascular tissues. CONCLUSIONS: Molecular
      studies suggest the lead SNP as a potentially causal SNP at the BCAR1-CFDP1
      TMEM170A locus, and expression quantitative trait loci studies implicate BCAR1 as
      the causal gene. This variant showed stronger effects on common carotid IMT in
      women, raising questions about the mechanism of the causal SNP on
      atherosclerosis.

PMID- 26276887
TI  - Risk of Cardiomyopathy in Younger Persons With a Family History of Death from
      Cardiomyopathy: A Nationwide Family Study in a Cohort of 3.9 Million Persons.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recommendations for presymptomatic screening of relatives of
      cardiomyopathy patients are based on findings from tertiary centers.
      Cardiomyopathy inheritance patterns are fairly well understood, but how
      cardiomyopathy in younger persons (<50 years) aggregates in families at the
      population level is unclear. In a nationwide cohort, we examined the risk of
      cardiomyopathy by family history of premature death (<60 years) from
      cardiomyopathy. METHODS AND RESULTS: By linking Danish national register data, we
      constructed a cohort of 3.9 million persons born from 1950 to 2008. We
      ascertained family history of premature (<60 years) death from cardiomyopathy or
      other conditions, and cohort members were followed from 1977 to 2008 for
      cardiomyopathy diagnosed at <50 years. We identified 3890 cardiomyopathies in 89
      million person-years of follow-up. Using Poisson regression, we estimated
      incidence rate ratios for cardiomyopathy by family history of premature death.
      Premature cardiomyopathy deaths in first- and second-degree relatives were
      associated with 29- and 6-fold increases in the rate of cardiomyopathy,
      respectively. If the first-degree relative died aged <35 years, the rate of
      cardiomyopathy increased 100-fold; given >=2 premature deaths in first-degree
      relatives, the rate increased more than 400-fold. In contrast, a family history
      of premature death from other cardiac or noncardiac conditions increased the rate
      of cardiomyopathy 3-fold at most. CONCLUSIONS: A family history of premature
      cardiomyopathy death was associated with an increase in risk of cardiomyopathy
      ranging from 6- to 400-fold, depending on age, kinship, gender and number of
      affected family members. Our general population-based results support
      recommendations for presymptomatic screening of relatives of cardiomyopathy
      patients.

PMID- 26276886
TI  - Elevated Plasma Marinobufagenin, An Endogenous Cardiotonic Steroid, Is Associated
      With Right Ventricular Dysfunction and Nitrative Stress in Heart Failure.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Plasma levels of cardiotonic steroids are elevated in volume-expanded
      states, such as chronic kidney disease, but the role of these natriuretic
      hormones in subjects with heart failure (HF) is unclear. We sought to determine
      the prognostic role of the cardiotonic steroids marinobufagenin (MBG) in HF,
      particularly in relation to long-term outcomes. METHODS AND RESULTS: We first
      measured plasma MBG levels and performed comprehensive clinical, laboratory, and
      echocardiographic assessment in 245 patients with HF. All-cause mortality,
      cardiac transplantation, and HF hospitalization were tracked for 5 years. In our
      study cohort, median (interquartile range) MBG was 583 (383-812) pM. Higher MBG
      was associated with higher myeloperoxidase (r=0.42, P<0.0001), B-type natriuretic
      peptide (r=0.25, P=0.001), and asymmetrical dimethylarginine (r=0.32, P<0.001).
      Elevated levels of MBG were associated with measures of worse right ventricular
      function (RV s', r=-0.39, P<0.0001) and predicted increased risk of adverse
      clinical outcomes (MBG>=574 pmol/L: hazard ratio 1.58 [1.10-2.31], P=0.014) even
      after adjustment for age, sex, diabetes mellitus, and ischemic pathogenesis. In
      mice, a left anterior descending coronary artery ligation model of HF lead to
      increases in MBG, whereas infusion of MBG into mice for 4 weeks lead to
      significant increases in myeloperoxidase, asymmetrical dimethylarginine, and
      cardiac fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS: In the setting of HF, elevated plasma levels of
      MBG are associated with right ventricular dysfunction and predict worse long-term
      clinical outcomes in multivariable models adjusting for established clinical and
      biochemical risk factors. Infusion of MBG seems to directly contribute to
      increased nitrative stress and cardiac fibrosis.

PMID- 26276888
TI  - A Critical Need for Clinical Context in the Genomic Era.

PMID- 26276889
TI  - Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography Imaging in Device Infective
      Endocarditis: Ready for Prime Time.

PMID- 26276890
TI  - Improving the Diagnosis of Infective Endocarditis in Prosthetic Valves and
      Intracardiac Devices With 18F-Fluordeoxyglucose Positron Emission
      Tomography/Computed Tomography Angiography: Initial Results at an Infective
      Endocarditis Referral Center.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of infective endocarditis (IE) in prosthetic valves and
      intracardiac devices is challenging because both the modified Duke criteria (DC)
      and echocardiography have limitations in this population. The added value of
      (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed
      tomography (CT) and (18)F-FDG PET/CT angiography (PET/CTA) was evaluated in this
      complex scenario at a referral center with a multidisciplinary IE unit. METHODS
      AND RESULTS: Ninety-two patients admitted to our hospital with suspected
      prosthetic valve or cardiac device IE between November 2012 and November 2014
      were prospectively included. All patients underwent echocardiography and PET/CT,
      and 76 had cardiac CTA. PET/CT and echocardiography findings were evaluated and
      compared, with concordant results in 54% of cases (kappa=0.23). Initial diagnoses
      with DC at admission, PET/CT, and DC+PET/CT were compared with the final
      diagnostic consensus reached by the IE Unit. DC+PET/CT enabled reclassification
      of 90% of cases initially classified as possible IE with DC and provided a
      conclusive diagnosis (definite/rejected) in 95% of cases. Sensitivity,
      specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were 52%, 94.7%, 92.9%,
      and 59.7% for DC; 87%, 92.1%, 93.6%, and 84.3% for PET/CT; and 90.7%, 89.5%, 92%,
      and 87.9% for DC+PET/CT. Use of PET/CTA yielded even better diagnostic
      performance values than PET/nonenhanced CT (91%, 90.6%, 92.8%, and 88.3% versus
      86.4%, 87.5%, 90.2%, and 82.9%) and substantially reduced the rate of doubtful
      cases from 20% to 8% (P<0.001). DC+PET/CTA reclassified an additional 20% of
      cases classified as possible IE with DC+PET/nonenhanced CT. In addition, PET/CTA
      enabled detection of a significantly larger number of anatomic lesions associated
      with active endocarditis than PET/nonenhanced CT (P=0.006) or echocardiography
      (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: (18)F-FDG PET/CT improves the diagnostic accuracy of the
      modified DC in patients with suspected IE and prosthetic valves or cardiac
      devices. PET/CTA yielded the highest diagnostic performance and provided
      additional diagnostic benefits.

PMID- 26276891
TI  - Transcriptional Profiling of Breast Cancer Metastases Identifies Liver Metastasis
      Selective Genes Associated with Adverse Outcome in Luminal A Primary Breast
      Cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: The complete molecular basis of the organ-specificity of metastasis is
      elusive. This study aimed to provide an independent characterization of the
      transcriptional landscape of breast cancer metastases with the specific objective
      to identify liver metastasis-selective genes of prognostic importance following
      primary tumor diagnosis. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: A cohort of 304 women with advanced
      breast cancer was studied. Associations between the site of recurrence and
      clinicopathologic features were investigated. Fine-needle aspirates of metastases
      (n = 91) were subjected to whole-genome transcriptional profiling. Liver
      metastasis-selective genes were identified by significance analysis of microarray
      (SAM) analyses and independently validated in external datasets. Finally, the
      prognostic relevance of the liver metastasis-selective genes in primary breast
      cancer was tested. RESULTS: Liver relapse was associated with estrogen receptor
      (ER) expression (P = 0.002), luminal B subtype (P = 0.01), and was prognostic for
      an inferior postrelapse survival (P = 0.01). The major variation in the
      transcriptional landscape of metastases was also associated with ER expression
      and molecular subtype. However, liver metastases displayed unique transcriptional
      fingerprints, characterized by downregulation of extracellular matrix (i.e.,
      stromal) genes. Importantly, we identified a 17-gene liver metastasis-selective
      signature, which was significantly and independently prognostic for shorter
      relapse-free (P < 0.001) and overall (P = 0.001) survival in ER-positive tumors.
      Remarkably, this signature remained independently prognostic for shorter relapse
      free survival (P = 0.001) among luminal A tumors. CONCLUSIONS: Extracellular
      matrix (stromal) genes can be used to partition breast cancer by site of relapse
      and may be used to further refine prognostication in ER positive primary breast
      cancer.

PMID- 26276892
TI  - Preclinical Assessment of Efficacy of Radiation Dose Painting Based on
      Intratumoral FDG-PET Uptake.
AB  - PURPOSE: We tested therapeutic efficacy of two dose painting strategies of
      applying higher radiation dose to tumor subvolumes with high FDG uptake (biologic
      target volume, BTV): dose escalation and dose redistribution. We also
      investigated whether tumor response was determined by the highest dose in BTV or
      the lowest dose in gross tumor volume (GTV). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: FDG uptake was
      evaluated in rat rhabdomyosarcomas prior to irradiation. BTV was defined as 30%
      of GTV with the highest (BTVhot) or lowest (BTVcold) uptake. To test efficacy of
      dose escalation, tumor response (time to reach two times starting tumor volume,
      TGTV2) to Hot Boost irradiation (40% higher dose to BTVhot) was compared with
      Cold Boost (40% higher dose to BTVcold), while mean dose to GTV remained 12 Gy.
      To test efficacy of dose redistribution, TGTV2 after Hot Boost was compared with
      uniform irradiation with the same mean dose (8 or 12 Gy). RESULTS: TGTV2 after 12
      Gy delivered heterogeneously (Hot and Cold Boost) or uniformly were not
      significantly different: 20.2, 19.5, and 20.6 days, respectively. Dose
      redistribution (Hot Boost) with 8 Gy resulted in faster tumor regrowth as
      compared with uniform irradiation (13.3 vs. 17.1 days; P = 0.026). Further
      increase in dose gradient to 60% led to a more pronounced decrease in TGTV2 (10.9
      days; P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Dose escalation effect was independent of FDG
      uptake in target tumor volume, while dose redistribution was detrimental in this
      tumor model for dose levels applied here. Our data are consistent with the
      hypothesis that tumor response depends on the minimum intratumoral dose.

PMID- 26276893
TI  - Decrease in penicillin Sales in Brazil after over-the-counter restrictions.

PMID- 26276894
TI  - Reply to "decrease in penicillin sales in Brazil after over-the-counter
      restrictions".

PMID- 26276895
TI  - No robust evidence of lumefantrine resistance.

PMID- 26276896
TI  - Reply to "no robust evidence of lumefantrine resistance".

PMID- 26276897
TI  - Erratum for Mandelbrot et al., placental transfer of rilpivirine in an ex vivo
      human cotyledon perfusion model.

PMID- 26276898
TI  - Erratum for Grossman et al., target- and resistance-based mechanistic studies
      with TP-434, a novel fluorocycline antibiotic.

PMID- 26276899
TI  - Erratum for Johnson et al., intensity and mechanisms of fluoroquinolone
      resistance within the H30 and H30Rx subclones of Escherichia coli sequence type
      131 compared with other fluoroquinolone-resistant E. coli.

PMID- 26276901
TI  - Weak-acid sites catalyze the hydrolysis of crystalline cellulose to glucose in
      water: importance of post-synthetic functionalization of the carbon surface.
AB  - The direct hydrolysis of crystalline cellulose to glucose in water without prior
      pretreatment enables the transformation of biomass into fuels and chemicals. To
      understand which features of a solid catalyst are most important for this
      transformation, the nanoporous carbon material MSC-30 was post-synthetically
      functionalized by oxidation. The most active catalyst depolymerized crystalline
      cellulose without prior pretreatment in water, providing glucose in an
      unprecedented 70 % yield. In comparison, virtually no reaction was observed with
      MSC-30, even when the reaction was conducted in aqueous solution at pH 2. As no
      direct correlations between the activity of this solid-solid reaction and
      internal-site characteristics, such as the beta-glu adsorption capacity and the
      rate of catalytic hydrolysis of adsorbed beta-glu strands, were observed,
      contacts of the external surface with the cellulose crystal are thought to be key
      for the overall efficiency. 

PMID- 26276902
TI  - Bayesian inference in two-arm trials using relative belief ratios.
AB  - Various methodologies proposed for some inference problems associated with two
      arm trails are known to suffer from difficulties, as documented in Senn (2001).
      We propose an alternative Bayesian approach to these problems that deals with
      these difficulties through providing an explicit measure of statistical evidence
      and the strength of this evidence. Bayesian methods are often criticized for
      their intrinsic subjectivity. We show how these concerns can be dealt with
      through assessing the bias induced by a prior model checking and checking for
      prior-data conflict.

PMID- 26276904
TI  - Single-Flask Multicomponent Palladium-Catalyzed alpha,gamma-Coupling of Ketone
      Enolates: Facile Preparation of Complex Carbon Scaffolds.
AB  - A three-component palladium-catalyzed reaction sequence has been developed in
      which gamma-substituted alpha,beta-unsaturated products are obtained in a single
      flask by an alpha-alkenylation with either a subsequent gamma-alkenylation or
      gamma-arylation of a ketone enolate. Coupling of a variety of electronically and
      structurally different components was achieved in the presence of a Pd/Q-Phos
      catalyst (2 mol %), usually at 22  degrees C with yields of up to 85 %. Most
      importantly, access to these products is obtained in one simple operation in
      place of employing multiple reactions.

PMID- 26276903
TI  - State-dependent blocking mechanism of Kv 1.3 channels by the antimycobacterial
      drug clofazimine.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Kv 1.3 potassium channels are promising pharmaceutical
      targets for treating immune diseases as they modulate Ca(2+) signalling in T
      cells by regulating the membrane potential and with it the driving force for
      Ca(2+) influx. The antimycobacterial drug clofazimine has been demonstrated to
      attenuate antigen-induced Ca(2+) oscillations, suppress cytokine release and
      prevent skin graft rejection by inhibiting Kv 1.3 channels with high potency and
      selectivity. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: We used patch-clamp methodology to
      investigate clofazimine's mechanism of action in Kv 1.3 channels expressed in
      HEK293 cells. KEY RESULTS: Clofazimine blocked Kv 1.3 channels by involving two
      discrete mechanisms, both of which contribute to effective suppression of
      channels: (i) a use-dependent open-channel block during long depolarizations,
      resulting in accelerated K(+) current inactivation and (ii) a block of closed
      deactivated channels after channels were opened by brief depolarizations. Both
      modes of block were use-dependent and state-dependent in that they clearly
      required prior channel opening. The clofazimine-sensitive closed-deactivated
      state of the channel was distinct from the resting closed state because channels
      at hyperpolarized voltages were not inhibited by clofazimine. Neither were
      channels in the C-type inactivated state significantly affected. Kv 1.3 channels
      carrying the H399T mutation and lacking C-type inactivation were insensitive to
      clofazimine block of the closed-deactivated state, but retained their
      susceptibility to open-channel block. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Given the
      prominent role of Kv 1.3 in shaping Ca(2+) oscillations, the use-dependent and
      state-dependent block of Kv 1.3 channels by clofazimine offers therapeutic
      potential for selective immunosuppression in the context of autoimmune diseases
      in which Kv 1.3-expressing T cells play a significant role.

PMID- 26276905
TI  - A Unique Ternary Semiconductor-(Semiconductor/Metal) Nano-Architecture for
      Efficient Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution.
AB  - It has been a long-standing demand to design hetero-nanostructures for charge
      flow steering in semiconductor systems. Multi-component nanocrystals exhibit
      multifunctional properties or synergistic performance, and are thus attractive
      materials for energy conversion, medical therapy, and photoelectric catalysis
      applications. Herein we report the design and synthesis of binary and ternary
      multi-node sheath hetero-nanorods in a sequential chemical transformation
      procedure. As verified by first-principles simulations, the conversion from type
      I ZnS-CdS heterojunction into type-II ZnS-(CdS/metal) ensures well-steered
      collections of photo-generated electrons at the exposed ZnS nanorod stem and
      metal nanoparticles while holes at the CdS node sheaths, leading to substantially
      improved photocatalytic hydrogen-evolution performance. 

PMID- 26276906
TI  - Ammonia-(Dinitramido)boranes: High-Energy-Density Materials.
AB  - Two ammonia-(dinitramido)boranes were synthesized by the reaction of dinitroamine
      with ammonia-borane. These compounds are the first reported examples of
      (dinitramido)boranes. Ammonia-mono(dinitramido)borane is a perfectly oxygen
      balanced high-energy-density material (HEDM) composed of an ammonia-BH2 fuel
      group and a strongly oxidizing dinitramido ligand. Although it is thermally not
      stable enough for practical applications, its predicted specific impulse as a
      solid rocket propellant would be 333 s. Its predicted performance as an explosive
      matches that of pentaerythtritol tetranitrate (PETN) and significantly exceeds
      that of trinitrotoluene (TNT). Its structure was established by X-ray
      crystallography and vibrational and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy. Additionally,
      the over-oxidized ammoniabis(dinitramido)borane was detected by NMR spectroscopy.

PMID- 26276907
TI  - Diagnosis And Management Of Deep Venous Thrombosis In The Emergency Department.
AB  - Although the clinical presentations of deep venous thrombosis are notoriously
      subtle and nonspecific, risk stratification tools such as the Wells clinical
      model have improved the efficiency of the diagnostic evaluation. The emergency
      clinician may be guided down several pathways, including D-dimer assays and/ or
      ultrasonography. New oral anticoagulants offer alternatives to the traditional
      heparins and vitamin K antagonists in the treatment of deep venous thrombosis.
      This review examines the current literature, evidence, and guidelines in the
      diagnosis and management of deep venous thrombosis. It also explores some of the
      controversies and developments regarding risk stratification, adjusted D-dimer
      thresholds,special populations, isolated distal deep venous thrombosis, upper
      extremity deep venous thrombosis, outpatient treatment, and the new oral
      anticoagulants.

PMID- 26276908
TI  - Evidence-Based Evaluation And Management Of Patients With Pharyngitis In The
      Emergency Department.
AB  - Pharyngitis is a common presentation, but it can also be associated with life
      threatening processes, including sepsis and airway compromise. Other conditions,
      such as thyroid disease and cardiac disease, may mimic pharyngitis. The emergency
      clinician must sort through the broad differential for this complaint using a
      systematic approach that protects against early closure of the diagnosis. This
      issue reviews the various international guidelines for pharyngitis and notes
      controversies in diagnostic and treatment strategies, specifically for management
      of suspected bacterial, viral, and fungal etiology. A management algorithm is
      presented, with recommendations based on a review of the best available evidence,
      taking into account patient comfort and outcomes, the need to reduce bacterial
      resistance, and costs. 

PMID- 26276910
TI  - An Update on Diagnosis of Tracheomalacia in Children.
AB  - Congenital tracheomalacia is the most common congenital tracheal abnormality and
      occurs in approximately 1:2,100 children. Tracheomalacia can be isolated or
      associated with other airway anomalies such as laryngomalacia, bronchomalacia,
      and large laryngeal clefts. Also, an abnormal division of the embryonic foregut
      is frequently associated with congenital tracheomalacia; mostly in the form of
      proximal esophageal atresia with distal tracheoesophageal fistula. In such cases,
      the ratio between the cartilage ring and the posterior membranous wall drops from
      the normal ratio of 4 to 5:1 to 2 to 3:1. The diagnosis can be made upon clinical
      history and physical examination as well as by pulmonary function testing,
      computed tomography, dynamic magnetic resonance imaging, and fiberoptic
      bronchoscopy. Other approaches such as tracheobronchography have been used, but
      have not been validated for the diagnosis of tracheomalacia; fluoroscopy can be
      specific for diagnosing tracheomalacia, but lacks a reasonable sensitivity.
      Tracheomalacia is often self-limited and will resolve or become asymptomatic by
      the second year of life without intervention. For patients who remain
      symptomatic, possible treatments include pharmacotherapy, positive pressure
      application, and surgery. 

PMID- 26276911
TI  - Editorial.
AB  - Dear Readers, In no time, we are almost halfway through 2015. Currently many
      issues concern psychiatrists, and does not fill them with optimism: an uncertain
      future implementation of the National Mental Health Protection Programme, or the
      recent amendment of criminal law, entering into force on 01.07.2015, on the
      significant enlargement of implementation of treatment and precautionary measures
      in psychiatric institutions. Prof. J.K. Gierowski [1] wrote in Psychiatria Polska
      about the misunderstanding and even conflict in this matter, between politicians,
      lawyers and psychiatric community, almost one and a half year ago. Several
      tragic, dramatic events (German Wings plane crash, the recent murder in Tworki)
      creates a bad social attitude towards the mentally ill. Our environment does not
      remain indifferent and is actively involved in the discussion - it is expressed
      by Letters to Editor, written by Elwira Marszalkowska-Krzes and Andrzej Brodziak,
      published in the current issue of the magazine. We are all aware of our
      responsibility - on the one hand for a safe environment for patients while
      ensuring adequate treatment to the ill, and on the other for creating the image
      of psychiatry and psychiatrists [2, 3]. (...). 

PMID- 26276912
TI  - Sleep deprivation as a method of chronotherapy in the treatment of depression.
AB  - Disturbances of circadian rhythms play an important role in the pathogenesis of
      affective illnesses, and their normalisation with methods of chronotherapy might
      become an important element of therapeutic treatment. Chronotherapy is based on a
      controlled exposure to environmental stimuli which affect biorhythms. One of the
      chronotherapeutic methods is sleep deprivation (SD). The article discusses the
      present status of SD in psychiatry, its methods and application in depression
      treatment. Presently the most recommended pattern is combining total sleep
      deprivation (TSD), sleep phase advance (SPA), pharmacotherapy, and sometimes also
      phototherapy. Such proceedings have proven short-term and long-term
      effectiveness, and they may also have beneficial effect in drug resistant
      depression. Among the therapeutic mechanisms of the sleep deprivation treatment,
      the following are influenced: catecholaminergic, serotonergic and glutamatergic
      neurotransmission, neurotrophic factors (mainly the brain-derived neurotrophic
      factor - BDNF), the immune system, the endocrine system, metabolism of some brain
      structures (mostly the prefrontal cortex) and gene expression related to
      biological clock. On the grounds of the efficiency, simplicity and safety of this
      method, authors think that SD in its modern version with SPA should be used more
      often as an element of depression treatment. 

PMID- 26276913
TI  - Natural products of relevance in the prevention and supportive treatment of
      depression.
AB  - The use of herbs or their parts: leaves, roots, rhizomes, flowers, seeds, natural
      strains, as well as extracts or isolated metabolites is becoming more and more
      popular. Natural remedies not only act prophylactically, but also help to
      alleviate symptoms of many diseases and enhance the overall functioning of the
      internal organs. Many raw materials of natural origin plays a role in treatment
      of health problems, and also in case of serious diseases such as depression.
      Depression (affective disorder) now affects about 10% of the population, but in
      next few years due to the development of civilization and increasing pace of
      life, the probable number of people suffering from this disease can grow rapidly.
      Natural raw materials such as Bacopa monnieri, Crocus sativus, Eleutherococcus
      senticosus, Griffonia simplicifolia, Hypericum perforatum, Sceletium tortuosum,
      Piper methysticum, Rhodiola rosea, Aspalathus linearis, Camellia sinensis, Ficus
      carica, Lycium chinense, Cuminum cyminum, Panax Ginseng can effectively assist
      the prevention and treatment of depression. Daily diet may also have positive
      effect in prevention of this disease. It was found that 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan, L
      tryptophan (which are precursors of serotonin in the CNS), omega-3 fatty acids
      and anthranilic acid (vitamin L1) are able to improve mood. L-Tryptophan, 5
      hydroxy-L-tryptophan are present in the largest quantities in the fruiting bodies
      of edible mushrooms. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in the flesh of fish, walnuts,
      soybeans, beans and chicken egg protein, while the anthranilic acid is commonly
      found in plants. 

PMID- 26276914
TI  - Increased plasma pro-inflammatory cytokine concentrations after myocardial
      infarction and the presence of depression during next 6-months.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate plasma concentrations of
      four pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL17a, IL6, TNFalpha and IL12p70) in patients
      with myocardial infarction and to analyse them according to presence of
      depression observed during first 6 months after myocardial infarction. METHODS:
      In 44 patients with the first acute STEMI (ST segment elevation myocardial
      infarction) plasma levels of IL17a, IL6, TNFalpha and IL12p70 were measured on
      the 3rd and 5th day after the MI. Cytokine concentrations were analyzed according
      to the presence of depression during 6 months of observation. RESULTS: Two groups
      of patients distinguished according to presence of depression during 6 months of
      observation differed in their inflammatory reaction to MI. In the depression
      group all four cytokines on the 3rd day after the MI were elevated compared to
      control and on the 5th day two of them: IL17a and IL6 were still elevated. In the
      group without depression on the 3rd day only two of four investigated cytokines
      were elevated and on the 5th day only IL6 concentration remained higher.
      CONCLUSIONS: It can be assumed that more pronounced inflammatory response as an
      element of stress reaction after MI can predispose to depression. IL17a increase
      can play particularly important role in this process.

PMID- 26276909
TI  - Metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5: molecular pharmacology, allosteric
      modulation and stimulus bias.
AB  - The metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5 (mGlu5 ) is a family C GPCR that
      has been implicated in various neuronal processes and, consequently, in several
      CNS disorders. Over the past few decades, GPCR-based drug discovery, including
      that for mGlu5 receptors, has turned considerable attention to targeting
      allosteric binding sites. Modulation of endogenous agonists by allosteric ligands
      offers the advantages of spatial and temporal fine-tuning of receptor activity,
      increased selectivity and reduced adverse effects with the potential to elicit
      improved clinical outcomes. Further, with greater appreciation of the
      multifaceted nature of the transduction of mGlu5 receptor signalling, it is
      increasingly apparent that drug discovery must take into consideration unique
      receptor conformations and the potential for stimulus-bias. This novel paradigm
      proposes that different ligands may differentially modulate distinct signalling
      pathways arising from the same receptor. We review our current understanding of
      the complexities of mGlu5 receptor signalling and regulation, and how these
      relate to allosteric ligands. Ultimately, a deeper appreciation of these
      relationships will provide the foundation for targeted drug design of compounds
      with increased selectivity, not only for the desired receptor but also for the
      desired signalling outcome from the receptor. Linked Articles This article is
      part of a themed section on Molecular Pharmacology of G Protein-Coupled
      Receptors. To view the other articles in this section visit
      http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v173.20/issuetoc.

PMID- 26276915
TI  - Symptoms of depression and anxiety after cardiac arrest.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to assess the incidence of depression and
      anxiety symptoms in patients after cardiac arrest (SCA) in relation to patients
      with a history of myocardial infarction without SCA and in healthy individuals.
      The analysis of the impact of selected socio-demographic and clinical parameters
      and duration of SCA on the presence and severity of depression and anxiety
      symptoms in different groups was also performed. METHODS: The study involved 30
      patients after SCA and 31 patients with a history of myocardial infarction
      without SCA. The control group consisted of 30 healthy subjects. To assess the
      mental state, a specially developed questionnaire was used, while the presence
      and severity of the symptoms were assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating
      Scale (HDRS) and the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A). RESULTS:
      Statistically, a significantly higher average level of depression and a higher
      incidence of anxiety was demonstrated in patients after a sudden cardiac arrest
      (study group) and after myocardial infarction (reference group) compared with the
      control group. There were no statistically significant differences in the
      incidence of anxiety between the study and reference groups. No impact of the
      duration of cardiac arrest on the incidence of depression and anxiety symptoms in
      the study group was observed. CONCLUSIONS: In the group of people with a history
      of cardiac arrest, the most common mental disorder is depression. Anxiety and
      depression are significantly more frequent in patients with a history of SCA than
      in healthy individuals. There were no differences in the incidence and severity
      of depression symptoms in patients after SCA compared to patients after
      myocardial infarction without SCA. The described socio-demographic parameters and
      clinical characteristics had no impact on the symptoms of depression and anxiety
      in the investigated groups.

PMID- 26276916
TI  - Risk factors for suicide among children and youths with bipolar spectrum and
      early bipolar disorder.
AB  - In recent years much attention has been given to determine risk factors for
      suicide among adults with bipolar disorder. Such studies concerning children and
      youths, which would also take into account the specificity of the developmental
      age, are still too few. The ability to identify risk factors for children and
      youths with mood disorders, as well as the possibility to monitor them, is an
      essential element in preventing suicidal behaviours. Previous studies have
      clearly indicated that in the group of patients with an early onset of the
      bipolar disorder the occurrence of suicidal thoughts and intentions were
      significantly increased. Identifying the risk of suicide is hindered further by
      the complexity of the phenomenon, which is a compound interaction of various
      factors: biological, environmental, sociological, psychological and clinical.
      This is especially true with young adults suffering from mental illness and
      presenting a number of other psychopathological symptoms. The following paper
      introduces and reviews the results of current studies, which analysed the risk
      factors for suicide among children and youths with bipolar spectrum or already
      diagnosed with bipolar disorder. For this purpose we conducted the overview of
      recent years literature available in PubMed/MEDLINE database, including the
      following search criteria: early onset bipolar disorder, bipolar disorder in
      children and young people, the spectrum of bipolar disorder, and suicidal
      ideation, suicidal intent, suicide. 

PMID- 26276917
TI  - Effectiveness of therapy in terms of reduction of intensity and elimination of
      suicidal ideation in day hospital for the treatment of neurotic and behavioral
      disorders.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Analysis of changes in prevalence and intensity of suicidal ideation
      (SI) in patients who underwent an intensive psychotherapy conducted in
      integrative approach with predominance of psychodynamic approach in the Day
      Hospital for Neurotic and Behavioral Disorders. METHODS: Symptom checklist KO"O"
      and Life Inventory completed by 461 women and 219 men who were treated in the day
      hospital due to neurotic, behavioral and personality disorders in 2005-2013.
      RESULTS: Patients initially reporting SI showed greater than others global
      intensity of the neurotic symptoms (p < 0.001 for both sexes) and greater
      intensity in almost all the neurotic symptoms scales. Improvement (elimination or
      reduction of intensity) in terms of SI was observed in 84.3% of women and 77.5%
      of men. The prevalence of SI-reporting patients decreased substantially from
      29.1% to 10.2% in women and from 36.5% to 13.7% in men. CONCLUSIONS: The patients
      reporting SI before the commencement of psychotherapy constituted a large part of
      the studied population - approximately 1/3. They showed greater intensity of
      neurotic symptoms than those who were not reporting SI. Intensive psychotherapy
      in the day hospital was characterized by high effectiveness in terms of reduction
      and elimination of SI. Prevalence of SI in both women and men until the end of
      therapy decreased almost three times. Cases of improvement in terms of SI were
      several times more frequent than cases of deterioration in terms of SI (increase
      in its intensity or its occurrence at the end of therapy). Etiopathogenesis of SI
      and its methods of treatment require further research.

PMID- 26276918
TI  - Self-mutilating behaviours in patients with mental disorders - a study on users
      of a social networking service.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This work is aimed at gaining extended knowledge of self-destructive
      behaviours. Users of a social networking service devoted to people with mental
      disorders took part in the study. METHODS: The study was carried out as a
      voluntary web questionnaire based on clinical experience of researchers and
      literature. Results were summed up using standard method of descriptive
      statistics. RESULTS: 202 users of the web portal psychiatrically identified with
      various mental disorders participated in the study (information derived from
      responses given in the questionnaire). Patients afflicted by bipolar disorder and
      recurrent depressive disorders (72.7%) constituted the biggest group. Those
      previously thinking of self-harm have done it nine times more frequently, the
      majority under 20 years of age. These behaviours included self-mutilations
      (56.4%) and deliberate self-poisoning (53.5%). The biggest group of patients who
      declared self-harm in the past were afflicted by mood disorders (BD - 77.3%, RDD 
      71.2%); however, the difference is not statistically significant. Such
      behaviours were reported 2.5 times more frequently (p < 0.05) by patients with
      identified co-occurrence of personality disorders. Thoughts of self-harm appeared
      not only in full-blown episodes. Regardless of the identified mental disorder,
      self-harming behaviours were accompanied by despondency and resignation.
      Approximately 10% of respondents talked about their self-harming behaviours with
      a psychiatrist and a psychotherapist, i.e. 1.5 times more frequently than with
      other people from their surroundings. Suicide attempts and completed suicides
      occurred much more frequently within surveyed families than in the general
      population. CONCLUSIONS: Self-mutilations occur mostly in patients suffering from
      various affective disorders. In spite of obvious restrictions of this study
      method, a web portal may be an effective way to collect data, for it provides
      fully anonymous responses.

PMID- 26276919
TI  - Dyadic death - depression and borderline personality.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This work aims to present the difficulties in the assessment of
      sanity of a perpetrator involved in the so-called dyadic death, which in Poland
      is identified with the occurrence of sever mood disturbances at the time of the
      crime. METHODS:  CASE: A case of a man who killed his wife and two children is
      presented. The perpetrator himself tried to commit suicide by cutting his veins
      with a razor. CONCLUSIONS:  COMMENTARY: The authors underline diagnostic
      difficulties which were encountered in the analysed case, they point out the
      necessity to go beyond the phenomenological aspect of "dyadic death" and the need
      for multidimensional clinical evaluation of the perpetrator. The rarity of
      similar acts and low survival rate of perpetrators leaves experts with relatively
      small amount of opinion giving experience. Thus, there is a need for high
      accuracy research and careful consideration.

PMID- 26276920
TI  - Differentiation of indirect self-destructiveness due to sex (gender) in
      individuals after suicide attempts.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine the sex (gender) differentiation
      of indirect self-destructiveness as a generalised behavioural tendency and its
      manifestations in individuals who attempted suicides. METHODS: 147 individuals
      (114 females and 33 males) after suicide attempts were studied; the reference
      group consisted of 558 individuals (399 females and 159 males). Indirect self
      destructiveness was examined by means of the Polish version of the Chronic Self
      Destructiveness Scale (CS-DS) including Transgression and Risk (A1), Poor Health
      Maintenance (A2), Personal and Social Neglects (A3), Lack of Planfulness (A4) and
      Helplessness, Passiveness in the Face of Problems/Difficulties (A5). RESULTS: Sex
      (gender) and suicide attempt significantly differentiate scores of the subjects
      on all indices/scales of indirect self-destructiveness. Scores of individuals
      after suicide attempts are considerably higher on almost all scales. In that
      group, significant differences between females and males occurred on the A2-Poor
      Health Maintenance, A3-Personal and Social Neglects, A4-Lack of Planfulness and
      A5-Helplessness scales. It was only on the A2-Poor Health Maintenance scale that
      females achieved higher scores. CONCLUSIONS: The intensity of indirect self
      destructiveness in females who attempted suicides achieved the level observed in
      males who attempted suicides. Poor health maintenance was also more intense in
      them than in the group of males. Males after suicide attempts displayed the
      lowest poor health maintenance. Results of this study may have preventive and
      therapeutic implications.

PMID- 26276921
TI  - Indirect self-destructiveness in homosexual individuals.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to comprehensively examine the syndrome of
      indirect self-destructiveness in homosexual individuals. METHODS: 156 homosexual
      individuals (111 males, 45 females) aged 25-35 (mean age of 29.6) and 561
      heterosexual individuals (400 males, 161 females) aged 24-36 (mean age of 28.2)
      were studied with regard to indirect self-destructiveness. The research
      instrument was the Polish version of the Chronic Self-Destructiveness Scale (CS
      DS) including: Transgression and Risk (A1), Poor Health Maintenance (A2),
      Personal and Social Neglects (A3), Lack of Planfulness (A4) and Helplessness and
      Passiveness in the face of problems (A5). RESULTS: Homosexual individuals
      obtained significantly higher scores than heterosexual ones in numerous scales:
      Indirect Self-Destructiveness - global (general) index (p<0.001), A1
      Transgression and Risk (p<0.001), A4-Lack of Planfulness (p<0.001) and A5
      Helplessness, Passiveness (p=0.04) There were no significant differences in the
      Poor Health Maintenance scale (A2). They also achieved significantly higher
      scores in the subscales assessing using of psychoactive substances. Factor
      analysis revealed the presence of only one factor both in the group of homosexual
      and heterosexual individuals. CONCLUSIONS: The research results indicate that, as
      compared with the group of heterosexual individuals, in the group of homosexuals
      there occurs a worsening in psychological functioning, which may be also
      manifested by an increased indirect self-destructiveness index. The increased
      intensity of indirect self-destructiveness in homosexual individuals may be
      considered a manifestation of worsened psychological functioning. The homosexual
      individuals look after their health similarly to heterosexuals.

PMID- 26276922
TI  - Satisfaction with life, self-esteem and evaluation of mental health in people
      with tattoos or piercings.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to determine the level of life satisfaction
      and the various dimensions of self-esteem of pierced or tattooed people, and
      evaluate their mental health, compared to those without similar body
      modifications. METHODS: The study was conducted on a sample of 449 people aged 16
      58 years (mean age 26.7 +/- 6.35), of whom 308 had body modifications: tattoo (n
      = 90), body piercings in places other than the ear lobe (n = 53), or both tattoos
      and piercings (n = 165). The control group consisted of 141 people without such
      modifications. The participants completed a questionnaire concerning their socio
      demographic status, as well as the following psychological tests: The
      Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), Multidimensional Self-Esteem Inventory
      (MSEI) and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28). RESULTS: Our findings show no
      significant differences in terms of life satisfaction between the group with
      tattoos or piercings and the control group. People with body modifications were
      characterized by higher self-esteem, with regard to their competence and
      leadership abilities. They also display fewer symptoms of social impairment and
      sleep disorders than the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Tattoos and piercings should
      not be considered as indicators of psychopathology.

PMID- 26276923
TI  - Examining mentalizing ability in the process of psychiatric and psychotherapeutic
      diagnosis.
AB  - The present paper discusses the problem of examining ability to mentalize in the
      psychiatric and psychotherapeutic diagnosis process. It is proved by the research
      results indicating significance of mentalization in the psychosocial functioning
      of an individual, the relation between the level of this ability and the
      appearance of the specific mental disorders and problems, and its role in the
      treatment process. The paper describes and analyses the classic tool for studying
      mentalization - Reflective Functioning Scale. The present paper points to the
      advantages of this tool - good reliability, high criterion and theoretical
      validity, enabling studying complexity of a phenomenon, and introduction of non
      specific therapeutic factors into the diagnostic process. The limitations of the
      tool are also mentioned - high cost borne by a researcher and an examined person,
      the complexity of the interview collection and analysis procedure and the
      inability of repeated application of the tool to evaluate treatment effects. The
      paper also presents an alternative method of studying mentalization that uses
      questionnaire tools. The text describes the advantages of the questionnaire in
      assessing a reflective function: first and foremost, its low cost and an easy
      repeatability of the test. The paper also shows the limitations of this tool in
      describing the subject phenomenon: inability to describe the complexity of the
      phenomenon, simplified results and low theoretical validity. 

PMID- 26276924
TI  - Psychotherapy of nonheterosexual people from the perspectives of therapists and
      patients - bilateral expectations and concerns.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to show the differences in declared
      therapeutic goals and priorities, and in concerns about the therapeutic process,
      between LGB (lesbians, gays and bisexual people) people and psychotherapists.
      METHODS: Participants from both groups fulfilled semi-structured questionnaire,
      which was anonymously available on-line through the link sent together with the
      invitation to participate in the study. LGB people were contacted through the
      biggest Internet site for non-heterosexual people in Poland. The invitation was
      also sent to the psychotherapists, members of the Polish Psychiatric Association.
      The questions and responses in both versions of the questionnaire were formulated
      in that way, so as to enable adequate comparisons. RESULTS: The two most
      important therapeutic goals for respondents in both groups were: help in the
      acceptance of sexual orientation and emotional support with the difficulties of
      living in a hostile environment. The most common concerns for LGB people were
      that psychotherapists might attempt to change their sexual orientation, whereas
      for psychotherapists, the most common concern was that they would be helpless in
      the face of the social situation of LGB people. CONCLUSIONS: Psychotherapists and
      LGB people basically agreed upon the therapeutic aims of psychotherapy. The
      adverse social situation of non-heterosexual people in Poland is a source of
      their concerns about the psychotherapeutic relations. On the other side the
      concerns of psychotherapists seem to correspond to some degree with the concerns
      of LGB people. They both reflect the society, which still struggles with
      heterosexism and homophobia.

PMID- 26276925
TI  - The sense of identity and symptoms of personality disorders - The results of a
      non-clinical population study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of the presented studies was to empirically analyze the
      relation between the symptoms of personality disorders and the structure of
      identity-related senses. The analyses were conducted within two models - based on
      Millon's theory of personality and DSM-IV personality disorder classification
      system. METHODS: In the studies, a total of 197 university students of various
      majors were included. The authors used Polish version of the Millon Index of
      Personality Styles that assess personality styles and offers a Clinical Index to
      evaluate psychological adjustment, and Personality Disorder Types Questionnaire
      to obtain DSM-IV diagnoses. The intensity of the identity-related senses was
      measured using the Multidimensional Identity Inventory. Data were tested for
      normality, and then Student's t-tests and ANOVA tests were used to compare the
      structure of identity-related senses in individuals with a healthy personality
      and disordered personality. RESULTS: Within Millon's model, three different
      patterns of disordered personality were found, and they all manifested some
      identity deficits. Most of the personality disorders covered by DSM-IV also
      significantly differed on the identity dimensions from healthy personality.
      CONCLUSIONS: The results show that identity deficits should be considered as an
      important symptom of personality disorders, regardless of the adopted model of
      personality. The most disordered identity is observed in individuals falling into
      the group with odd or eccentric disorders and into the anxious or fearful
      cluster. The group with dramatic, emotional or erratic disorders is the most
      heterogeneous in terms of the level of identity disorganization.

PMID- 26276926
TI  - Disturbances of sleep continuity in women during the menopausal transition.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of sleep
      continuity disorders in women during menopausal transition, to evaluate the
      relationship between disturbances of sleep continuity and the severity of
      menopausal syndrome and the occurrence of various symptoms of this syndrome, as
      well as to evaluate the association between the presence of sleep disturbances
      and serum concentrations of gonadotropins, prolactin and sex hormones. METHODS:
      Consecutive 140 women (mean age 54.4 +/- 4.7 years) searching for the treatment
      in the Clinic for Gynaecological Endocrinology who reported symptoms of
      menopausal syndrome were investigated. The type and severity of disturbances of
      sleep continuity were evaluated using a survey based on the sleep related
      questions from Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. The severity of symptoms of
      menopausal syndrome was assessed using the Kupperman Index. The concentration of
      the following hormones in blood serum was tested: FSH, LH, 17beta-estradiol, PRL,
      total testosterone, DHEAS and SHBG. RESULTS: Disturbances of sleep continuity
      were a prevalent complaint in the studied group of women. Difficulties in falling
      asleep were found in 57.8% of women, difficulties in maintaining sleep in 70%,
      waking up too early in 60.7%. The severity of all three types of sleep continuity
      disturbances was related to the severity of menopausal syndrome as measured with
      Kupperman Index (Spearman correlation coefficient r = 0.63, r = 0.61, r = 0.52,
      respectively; p < 0.001). Difficulties in maintaining sleep were negatively
      correlated with the concentration of FSH (r = - 0.19; p < 0.05), 17beta-estradiol
      (r = - 0.19; p < 0.05) and SHBG (r = - 0.18; p < 0.05), difficulties in falling
      asleep negatively correlated with the concentration of 17beta-estradiol in the
      blood serum (r = - 0.19; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Sleep continuity disturbances
      are frequently reported by women during the menopausal transition. Interventions
      aimed at reducing the symptoms of menopausal syndrome should be considered as
      important action to improve sleep quality in this population of patients.

PMID- 26276927
TI  - The early childhood sexual experiences and collusion in adult partner
      relationship.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present research was verification of the hypothesis
      for the influence of negative sexual experiences in sexual development on the
      quality of partner relationships in the adult life. Special attention was given
      to the influence exercised by the level of erotization in the environment of the
      family of origin and to the experience of child sexual abuse. The quality of
      partner relationships was recognized using Jurg Willi's concept through the
      analysis of intensity of dysfunctions (collusions) in those relationships.
      METHODS: The study was conducted on a population of 170 adults in partnerships.
      The surveyed group filled in the Questionnaire on Models of Sexual Upbringing in
      Families, the Couples Collusion Questionnaire and the Questionnaire on Sexual
      Abuse of Children. RESULTS: Positive interrelation has been confirmed between the
      level of erotization in the family of origin and the oral, anal and oedipal
      partner collusion in the procreative relationships of individuals. Such link has
      not been confirmed for narcissistic collusion. The interrelation between the
      sexually abusive experiences and the partner collusion has only been confirmed in
      masculine group within the oral collusion and the anal collusion. CONCLUSIONS:
      The findings largely support the assumption that there is a connection between
      the character of sexual experiences in childhood and functioning in adult
      partnership.

PMID- 26276928
TI  - Letter to Editor. Prerequisites for psychiatric examination detecting the
      intention to commit suicide.
AB  - The recent plane crash caused by the pilot increased the interest in the
      possibility of medical examination, which would be able to detect the intention
      of committing suicide. The development of such a diagnostic procedure is not only
      important for the prevention of events in the civil and military aviation, but
      also due to increase in the incidence of various suicide terrorist acts. The
      author expresses his opinion on the nature of such examination, due to his
      experience of working in Acute Poisoning Treatment Centre. The Centre admits
      about 1 000 patients per year, who have been rescued after suicide attempts made
      by the intake of a toxic substance. He discusses the developed scheme of
      structuralized interview, however, he believes that the ability to detect the
      existence of suicidal ideation was significantly improved as a result of the
      formulation of Interpersonal Theory of Suicide, which distinguishes four stages:
      1) passive suicidal ideation, 2) suicidal desire, 3) suicidal intent, 4) lethal
      and near lethal suicide attempts. Next, the author presents his own prediction of
      the development of methods, enabling the objective detection of "suicidal intent"
      (plan). In his opinion, such an examination in the future, would be based on
      brain imaging techniques, which could detect the specific configuration of a
      person's brain neural circuits representing the existing plan of suicide. The
      real ability to detect such a configuration of neural circuits can be predicted
      on the basis of new, quoted results of neurophysiological studies. 

PMID- 26276929
TI  - Letter to the Editors. Professional confidentiality applicable to psychiatrists.
AB  - Psychiatrists performing activities under the Mental Health Protection Act who in
      connection with their performance of such activities become aware of information
      that, if kept confidential, can constitute a threat to the life or health of the
      patient or other people, are released from the duty to keep such information
      confidential. In such a case, they have a moral and legal duty to disclose such
      information to law enforcement authorities and cannot be prosecuted under
      criminal law for disclosing such confidential information. An attempt to
      interrogate a physician who files such a report regarding circumstances of which
      he became aware while performing activities under the Mental Health Protection
      Act will, however, be illegal. Yet, that leads to disputes and controversies in
      the medical and legal communities, and, therefore, the issue requires a prompt,
      uniform interpretation. Due to the expected increase in attempted dyadic deaths
      (after the Germanwings plane crash,) the problem should be carefully regulated so
      that psychiatrists know the legal boundaries of dealing with patients - potential
      suicides. 

PMID- 26276930
TI  - Letter to Editor. New assessment of the validity of the Brief Measure to Assess
      Perception of Self-Influence on the Disease Course: A Version for Schizophrenia.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Clinical observations suggest that the Brief Measure to Assess
      Perception of Self-Influence on the Disease Course: A Version for Schizophrenia
      has the better reliability, than presented in the original publication of the
      scale [1]. It is used in research and their results indicate moderate relations
      between the perception of the self-influence on schizophrenia course and social
      functioning as well as adherence to the recommended treatment. These
      circumstances justify and new assessment of the reliability of the scale.
      MATERIAL AND METHODS: Detailed scale for competent judges, who had better
      opportunity for the comprehensive examination of 59 participants, 27 men and 29
      women of age 22-72 lat (M = 40.69; SD = 11.85). RESULTS: The Spearman's
      correlation between the scores on the version for schizophrenia of the Brief
      Measure to Assess Perception of Self-Influence on the Disease Course and the
      assessment of the patients' perception of self-influence on the schizophrenia
      course by the competent judges rho was 0.56. Whereas, in the first study
      Pearson's r was 0.45. CONCLUSIONS: Brief Measure to Assess Perception of Self
      Influence on the Disease Course - Version for Schizophrenia has good enough
      validity, as for so brief scale. It can be used in research and clinical
      practice.

PMID- 26276931
TI  - Agencies raise health concerns over treatment of Kos migrants.

PMID- 26276933
TI  - Postsurgical Inflammation as a Causative Mechanism of Venous Thromboembolism.
AB  - Surgery is associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolic events
      (VTE) including deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Although the current
      treatment regiments such as mechanical manipulation and administration of
      pharmacological prophylaxis significantly reduced the incidence of postsurgical
      VTE, they remain a major cause of postoperative morbidity and mortality
      worldwide. The pathophysiology of venous thrombosis traditionally emphasizes the
      series of factors that constitute Virchow triad of factors. However, inflammation
      can also be a part of this by giving rise to a hypercoagulable state and
      endothelial damage. The inflammatory response after surgery, which is initiated
      by a cytokine "storm" and occurs within hours of surgery, creates a prothrombotic
      environment that is further accentuated by several cellular processes including
      neutrophil extracellular traps formation, platelet activation, and the generation
      of tissue factor-bearing microparticles. Although such inflammatory markers are
      elevated in undergoing surgery, the precise mechanism by which they give rise to
      venous thrombosis is poorly understood. Here, we discuss the potential mechanisms
      linking inflammation to thrombosis, and highlight strategies that may minimize
      surgical inflammation and reduce the incidence of postoperative VTE. 

PMID- 26276932
TI  - Role of Pex21p for Piggyback Import of Gpd1p and Pnc1p into Peroxisomes of
      Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
AB  - Proteins designated for peroxisomal protein import harbor one of two common
      peroxisomal targeting signals (PTS). In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the
      oleate-induced PTS2-dependent import of the thiolase Fox3p into peroxisomes is
      conducted by the soluble import receptor Pex7p in cooperation with the auxiliary
      Pex18p, one of two supposedly redundant PTS2 co-receptors. Here, we report on a
      novel function for the co-receptor Pex21p, which cannot be fulfilled by Pex18p.
      The data establish Pex21p as a general co-receptor in PTS2-dependent protein
      import, whereas Pex18p is especially important for oleate-induced import of PTS2
      proteins. The glycerol-producing PTS2 protein glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase
      Gpd1p shows a tripartite localization in peroxisomes, in the cytosol, and in the
      nucleus under osmotic stress conditions. We show the following: (i) Pex21p is
      required for peroxisomal import of Gpd1p as well as a key enzyme of the NAD(+)
      salvage pathway, Pnc1p; (ii) Pnc1p, a nicotinamidase without functional PTS2, is
      co-imported into peroxisomes by piggyback transport via Gpd1p. Moreover, the
      specific transport of these two enzymes into peroxisomes suggests a novel
      regulatory role for peroxisomes under various stress conditions. 

PMID- 26276934
TI  - Endothelial Dysfunction and Altered Coagulation As Mediators of Thromboembolism
      in Behcet Disease.
AB  - Behcet disease (BD) is a rare multisystem, inflammatory disease of unknown
      etiology with vascular involvement and associated thrombogenicity. This review
      aims to describe the involvement of various mediators in endothelial cell damage
      and in the hypercoagulable state of BD. The scenario of the chronic inflammation
      present in BD shows an increased oxidative condition that contributes to
      endothelial cell damage and induces platelet, leukocyte, and endothelial cell
      activation through the release of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. These
      factors, together with the increased levels of homocysteine observed in BD
      patients, induce the endothelial cell expression of adhesion molecules (VCAM-1
      and ICAM-1) and tissue factor; the release of cytokines, soluble CD40L (sCD40L),
      matrix metalloproteinase-9, and blood coagulation factor V; the inhibition of
      fibrinolysis; the disruption of nitric oxide metabolism; and the increase in
      platelet reactivity and lipid peroxidation. Endothelial cell dysfunction leads to
      a prothrombotic and antifibrinolytic phenotype in BD patients. Increased levels
      of homocysteine, fibrinogen, and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 seem to
      be involved in the procoagulant condition of this pathology that has been
      verified by end-point tests as well as by global coagulation tests. 

PMID- 26276935
TI  - Antiphospholipid Syndrome--Not a Noninflammatory Disease.
AB  - The autoimmune disease antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is characterized by
      thrombosis or pregnancy morbidity in patients with persistent antiphospholipid
      antibodies (aPLs). Although inflammation is not a key feature of the clinical
      presentation of the syndrome, there are indications that the inflammatory
      response plays an important role in APS. The major antigen of aPLs, the plasma
      protein beta2-glycoprotein I, is involved in clearance of microparticles and in
      the innate immune response. In light of these physiological functions, the
      formation of antibodies against the protein is easily understood, as antibodies
      might augment the clearance reaction. In addition, inflammatory mediators are
      thought to play a role in the activation of leukocytes and the induction of
      endothelial dysfunction in APS. Moreover, evidence for a role of complement
      activation in the pathogenesis of the syndrome is accumulating. This review will
      provide an overview of current knowledge on the physiological function of beta2
      glycoprotein I, the formation of autoantibodies against beta2-glycoprotein I and
      will explore the contribution of inflammation to the clinical manifestations of
      APS. 

PMID- 26276936
TI  - Thrombosis, Microangiopathies, and Inflammation.
AB  - Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is characterized by the presence of
      microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia. There are several
      disorders with varied etiopathogenesis, both genetic and acquired, that result in
      TMA. The neutrophils play an important role in inflammation and thrombosis
      through the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). NETs are formed
      in response to a variety of stimuli including infections, chemical factors, and
      platelet activation. The classic TMA, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP)
      is caused by a severe deficiency of ADAMTS-13 (a disintegrin and
      metalloproteinase with a thrombospondin type-I motif, member 13), mostly acquired
      due to autoantibodies, whereas atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is
      mostly attributed to genetic defects in complement pathway regulatory proteins.
      The management of these well-known disorders has evolved over the last decade.
      Similarly, there is also better understanding of diverse and unusual clinical
      presentations of both of these conditions. Since there are many other causes of
      TMAs, which may mimic some of the clinical features of TTP or aHUS, it is
      essential to thoroughly investigate each patient so that appropriate therapy can
      be offered. This review focuses on some important developments in understanding
      of etiopathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of more commonly encountered TMAs. 

PMID- 26276937
TI  - The Role of Blood-Borne Microparticles in Inflammation and Hemostasis.
AB  - Inflammation has a pivotal role in cardiovascular disease because it contributes
      to the progression of atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory disease of the
      vessel wall. Microparticles (MPs) have recently emerged as both surrogate markers
      for different cardiovascular conditions (i.e., biomarkers of vascular
      inflammation and coagulation) and paracrine biological shuttle modules with
      influence in target cells. MPs are vesicles that bud off from cells, lack a
      nucleus, contain a membrane skeleton, and are defined by their size and
      expression on their surface of antigens specific of parental cells.
      Interestingly, not only inflammation is one of the main stimuli causing MP
      release but also MPs, in its turn, can induce, regulate, and even in specific
      cases reduce inflammation. The present review aims to summarize and update the
      role of circulating MPs in inflammation and hemostasis with special emphasis on
      their novel associations and functions. Besides their role as biomarkers of
      atherosclerotic inflammation, blood-borne MPs possess mechanisms to alter
      vascular cell milieu, to disseminate proinflammatory mediators, and to spread the
      inflammatory cascade reaction, causing a chronic inflammation of the vascular
      wall and aggravating the atherothrombotic process. 

PMID- 26276938
TI  - Platelets in Inflammatory Disorders: A Pathophysiological and Clinical
      Perspective.
AB  - Platelets are well recognized as a key cell component of the hemostatic system.
      Recently, several additional functions have been discovered for these blood cells
      but most importantly in the process of inflammation. Numerous research groups
      have demonstrated crucial roles for platelets in the pathogenesis of varied
      clinical conditions where inflammation is important. Alterations in both platelet
      number and function have been observed with these different conditions. The
      relevance of these findings is their therapeutic implications through simple
      antiplatelet therapy to more complex, as yet clinically untrialed options, like
      interfering with platelet-leukocyte or platelet-endothelial interaction. This
      review focuses on how platelets are relevant in inflammatory conditions with an
      impetus on the clinical aspects. 

PMID- 26276939
TI  - Time for a Revolution in AMEDD Doctrine.

PMID- 26276940
TI  - Baseline Susceptibility to Pyrethroid and Organophosphate Insecticides in Two Old
      World Sand Fly Species (Diptera: Psychodidae).
AB  - Phlebotomine sand flies are blood-feeding insects that transmit Leishmania
      parasites that cause various forms of cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis and
      sand fly fever viruses (Phlebovirus; Bunyaviridae) in humans. Sand flies pose a
      significant threat to US military personnel deployed to Leishmania-endemic and
      sand fly fever endemic regions which include Europe, the Mediterranean basin,
      Middle East, Central Asia, Southwest Asia, and Africa. A research project
      supported by the Department of Defense Deployed Warfighter Protection Program was
      initiated to evaluate the susceptibility of 2 Old World sand fly species,
      Phlebotomus papatasi and P duboscqi, to a number of commonly used pyrethroid and
      organophosphate insecticides. A new glass vial bioassay technique based on the
      CDC bottle assay was developed for this study. The exposure time-mortality
      relationship at a given insecticide concentration was determined for each
      insecticide, and their relative toxicity against the 2 sand fly species was
      ranked based on bioassay results. This study validated the new bioassay technique
      and also generated baseline insecticide susceptibility data to inform future
      insecticide resistance monitoring work. 

PMID- 26276941
TI  - Efficacy of Permethrin Treated Bed Nets Against Leishmania major Infected Sand
      Flies.
AB  - Insecticide treated nets (ITNs) are a potential tool to help control sand flies
      and prevent Leishmaniasis. However, little is currently known about the response
      of Leishmania infected sand flies to ITNs. In this study, Phlebotomus duboscqi
      sand flies were infected with the parasite Leishmania major. Infected and
      noninfected sand flies were then evaluated against permethrin treated and
      untreated bed nets in a laboratory assay that required sand flies to pass through
      suspended netting material to feed on a mouse serving as an attractive host. The
      number of sand flies passing through the nets and blood feeding was recorded.
      There was not a significant difference in the ability of infected or noninfected
      sand flies to move through treated or untreated nets. Fewer sand flies entered
      the permethrin treated nets compared to the untreated nets, indicating that
      permethrin creates an effective barrier. The results show that in addition to
      reducing the nuisance bites of noninfected sand flies, ITNs also protect against
      Leishmania infected sand flies and therefore can play in key role in reducing the
      rates of Leishmaniasis. This study is important to the Department of Defense as
      it continues to develop and field new bed nets to protect service members. 

PMID- 26276942
TI  - Controlled Human Malaria Infection at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research:
      The Past, Present, and Future From an Entomological Perspective.
AB  - Thirty years ago, the Entomology Branch at the Walter Reed Army Institute of
      Research (WRAIR) performed the first controlled human malaria infection, in which
      lab-reared mosquitoes were infected with lab-cultured malaria parasites and
      allowed to feed on human volunteers. The development of this model was a turning
      point for pre-erythrocytic malaria vaccine research and, through decades of
      refinement, has supported 30 years of efficacy testing of a suite of antimalarial
      vaccines and drugs. In this article, we present a historical overview of the
      research that enabled the first challenge to occur and the modifications made to
      the challenge over time, a summary of the 104 challenges performed by WRAIR from
      the first into 2015, and a prospective look at what the next generation of
      challenges might entail. 

PMID- 26276943
TI  - Mosquito Fauna of Lao People's Democratic Republic, with Special Emphasis on the
      Adult and Larval Surveillance at Nakai District, Khammuane Province.
AB  - This article includes the distribution records and updated checklist of
      mosquitoes (Culicidae, Diptera) from the Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR),
      based on the literature, specimens deposited at the US National Museum of Natural
      History mosquito collections, and our recent field collections from the Nakai
      District, Khammuane Province. Ten of 101 species in the updated checklist of
      mosquitoes are new records for the Lao PDR. 

PMID- 26276944
TI  - Records and Distribution of New World Phlebotomine Sand Flies (Psychodidae,
      Diptera), With Special Emphasis on Primary Types and Species Diversity.
AB  - This article includes the records and distribution of Phlebotomine sand flies
      (Psychodidae, Diptera) in the New World based on the specimen collections housed
      in 2 repositories, the US National Museum of Natural History and the Museum of
      Entomology, Florida State Collection of Arthropods. Approximately 128 species
      have primary types housed in the 2 repositories, including holotypes (47 species,
      3 subspecies), "types" (7 species), allotypes (52 species, 6 subspecies),
      lectotypes (4 species), paratypes (93 species, 10 subspecies), and neoallotype (1
      species), mounted on slides, with a total of 1,107 type slides. For species
      diversity, collection data from 24 countries in the sand fly database were
      analyzed according to the number of species present, specimen records, decade of
      collections, and countries where collections were conducted. 

PMID- 26276945
TI  - Development of Air Force Aerial Spray Night Operations: High Altitude Swath
      Characterizations.
AB  - Multiple trials were conducted from 2006 to 2014 in an attempt to validate aerial
      spray efficacy at altitudes conducive to night spray operations using night
      vision goggles (NVGs). Higher altitude application of pesticide (more than 400 ft
      (121.9 m) above ground level (AGL)) suggested that effective vector control might
      be possible under ideal meteorological conditions. A series of lower altitude
      daytime applications (300 ft (91.4 m) AGL) demonstrated effective and repeatable
      mortality of target sentinel insects more than 5,000 ft (1,524 m) downwind, and
      control of natural vector populations. From these results we believe further
      pursuit of aerial night applications of pesticide using NVGs at 300 ft (91.4 m)
      AGL by this group is warranted. 

PMID- 26276946
TI  - Toxicity Testing in the 21st Century: Refining the Army's Toolbox.

PMID- 26276947
TI  - The New US Military Role in the European Union's Import Program: Strategic
      Implications Ensuring Safe Food for the European Theater.

PMID- 26276948
TI  - Evaluation of Postdeployment Cancers Among Active Duty Military Personnel.

PMID- 26276949
TI  - A Preliminary Analysis of Noise Exposure and Medical Outcomes for Department of
      Defense Military Musicians.
AB  - Noise exposure is a known occupational health hazard to those serving in the
      military. Previous military epidemiology studies have identified military
      occupations at risk of noise induced hearing loss (NIHL); however, musicians have
      not been specifically mentioned. The focus of military NIHL studies is usually on
      those service members of the combat arms occupations. This project was a
      preliminary examination of Department of Defense (DoD) active duty military
      musicians in regard to their noise exposure, annual hearing test rates, and
      hearing injury rates using available data sources. The analysis concluded that
      DoD military musicians are an underserved population in terms of hearing
      conservation efforts. Noise surveillance data extracted from the Defense
      Occupational and Environmental Health Readiness System-Industrial Hygiene showed
      that every musician similar exposure group (SEG) with noise survey data from 2009
      to 2013 exceeded the occupation exposure level adopted by DoD Instruction
      6055.12. However, only a small percentage of all DoD active duty military
      musicians (5.5% in the peak year of 2012) were assigned to a SEG that was
      actually surveyed. Hearing test data based on Current Procedural Terminology
      coding extracted from the Military Health System revealed that the percentage of
      musicians with annual hearing tests increased over the 5 years studied in all
      services except the Air Force. During 2013, the data showed that the Navy had the
      highest percentage of musicians with annual hearing tests at 70.9%, and the Air
      Force had the lowest at 11.4%. The Air Force had the highest percentage of
      hearing injuries of those musicians with annual hearing tests for all 5 years
      analyzed. Although noise surveillance and annual hearing tests are being
      conducted, they occur at a much lower rate than required for a population that is
      known to be overexposed to noise. 

PMID- 26276950
TI  - The Benefits of Deploying Health Physics Specialists to Joint Operation Areas.
AB  - Preventive Medicine Specialists (military occupational specialty [MOS] 68S) with
      the health physics specialist (N4) qualification identifier possess a unique
      force health protection skill set. In garrison, they ensure radiation exposures
      to patients, occupational workers and the public from hospital activities such as
      radioisotope therapy and x-ray machines do not to exceed Federal law limits and
      kept as low as reasonably achievable. Maintaining sufficient numbers of health
      physics specialists (HPSs) to fill authorizations has been a consistent struggle
      for the Army Medical Department due to the rigorous academic requirements of the
      additional skill identifier-producing program. This shortage has limited MOS
      68SN4 deployment opportunities in the past and prevented medical planners from
      recognizing the capabilities these Soldiers can bring to the fight. In 2014, for
      the first time, HPSs were sourced to deploy as an augmentation capability to the
      172nd Preventive Medicine Detachment (PM Det), the sole PM Det supporting the
      Combined Joint Operations Area-Afghanistan. Considerable successes in bettering
      radiation safety practices and improvements in incident and accident response
      were achieved as a result of their deployment. The purposes of this article are
      to describe the mission services performed by HPSs in Afghanistan, discuss the
      benefits of deploying HPSs with PM Dets, and demonstrate to senior medical
      leadership the importance of maintaining a health physics capability in a theater
      environment. 

PMID- 26276952
TI  - An estimate of the second-order in-plane acceleration sensitivity of a Y-cut
      quartz thickness-shear resonator.
AB  - We perform a theoretical analysis of the secondorder in-plane acceleration
      sensitivity of a Y-cut quartz thickness- shear mode resonator. The second-order
      nonlinear theory of elasticity for anisotropic crystals is used to determine the
      biasing fields in the resonator under in-plane acceleration. The acceleration
      induced frequency shift is determined from a perturbation analysis based on the
      plate equations for small-amplitude vibrations superposed on a finite bias. We
      show that, whereas the first-order acceleration-induced frequency shift is zero
      for a structurally symmetric resonator under in-plane acceleration, the second
      order frequency shift is nonzero and is quadratic in the acceleration. As the
      fourth-order nonlinear elastic constants of quartz have never been measured, we
      can only estimate the magnitude of the second-order frequency shift. For a
      particular case of interest, we find Deltaomega/omega0 ~ 10(-18), 10(-16), and
      10(-14) when the acceleration is 1, 10, and 100 g, respectively.

PMID- 26276951
TI  - Human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived versus adult cardiomyocytes: an in
      silico electrophysiological study on effects of ionic current block.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Two new technologies are likely to revolutionize cardiac
      safety and drug development: in vitro experiments on human-induced pluripotent
      stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) and in silico human adult
      ventricular cardiomyocyte (hAdultV-CM) models. Their combination was recently
      proposed as a potential replacement for the present hERG-based QT study for
      pharmacological safety assessments. Here, we systematically compared in silico
      the effects of selective ionic current block on hiPSC-CM and hAdultV-CM action
      potentials (APs), to identify similarities/differences and to illustrate the
      potential of computational models as supportive tools for evaluating new in vitro
      technologies. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: In silico AP models of ventricular-like and
      atrial-like hiPSC-CMs and hAdultV-CM were used to simulate the main effects of
      four degrees of block of the main cardiac transmembrane currents. KEY RESULTS:
      Qualitatively, hiPSC-CM and hAdultV-CM APs showed similar responses to current
      block, consistent with results from experiments. However, quantitatively, hiPSC
      CMs were more sensitive to block of (i) L-type Ca(2+) currents due to the
      overexpression of the Na(+) /Ca(2+) exchanger (leading to shorter APs) and (ii)
      the inward rectifier K(+) current due to reduced repolarization reserve (inducing
      diastolic potential depolarization and repolarization failure). CONCLUSIONS AND
      IMPLICATIONS: In silico hiPSC-CMs and hAdultV-CMs exhibit a similar response to
      selective current blocks. However, overall hiPSC-CMs show greater sensitivity to
      block, which may facilitate in vitro identification of drug-induced effects.
      Extrapolation of drug effects from hiPSC-CM to hAdultV-CM and pro-arrhythmic risk
      assessment can be facilitated by in silico predictions using biophysically-based
      computational models.

PMID- 26276953
TI  - A multiresolution approach to shear wave image reconstruction.
AB  - Shear wave imaging techniques build maps of local elasticity estimating the local
      group velocity of induced mechanical waves. Velocity estimates are formed using
      the time delay in the motion profile of the medium at two or more points offset
      from the shear wave source. Because the absolute time-of-flight between any pair
      of locations scales with the distance between them, there is an inherent trade
      off between robustness to time-of-flight errors and lateral spatial resolution
      based on the number and spacing of the receive points used for each estimate.
      This work proposes a method of using the time delays measured between all
      combinations of locations to estimate a noise-robust, high-resolution image. The
      time-of-flight problem is presented as an overdetermined system of linear
      equations that can be directly solved with and without spatial regularization
      terms. Finite element method simulations of acoustic radiation force-induced
      shear waves are used to illustrate the method, demonstrating superior contrast-to
      noise ratio and lateral edge resolution characteristics compared with linear
      regression of arrival times. This technique may improve shear wave imaging in
      situations where time-of-flight noise is a limiting factor. 

PMID- 26276954
TI  - Plane wave compounding based on a joint transmitting-receiving adaptive
      beamformer.
AB  - Plane wave compounding is a useful mode for ultrasound imaging because it can
      make a good compromise between imaging quality and frame rate. It is also useful
      for broad view ultrasound imaging. Traditional coherent plane wave compounding
      coherently sums the echo data of different steered transmitting waves as the
      output. The data correlation information of different emissions is not
      considered. Therefore, some adaptive techniques can be introduced into the
      compounding procedure. In this paper, we propose a Joint Transmitting-Receiving
      (JTR) adaptive beamforming scheme for plane wave compounding. Unlike traditional
      adaptive beamformers, the proposed beamforming scheme is designed for the 2-D
      data set obtained from multiple plane wave firings. It calculates both the
      transmitting aperture weights and the receiving aperture weights and then
      combines them into a 2-D adaptive weight function for compounding. Experiments
      are conducted on both simulated and phantom data. Results show that the proposed
      scheme has better performance on both point targets and cysts than the existing
      plane wave compounding approach. Because of the adaptive process in both
      apertures for compounding, an improved resolution is observed in both simulation
      and phantom studies. When the eigenanalysis is introduced, a contrast enhancement
      is achieved. For the simulated cyst, a contrast ratio (CR) improvement of 48% is
      achieved compared with the traditional plane wave compounding. For the phantom
      cyst, this improvement is 213.8%. The proposed scheme also has good robustness
      against sound velocity errors. Therefore, it is effective in enhancing the
      coherent plane wave compounding quality. 

PMID- 26276955
TI  - Frequency adaptation for enhanced radiation force amplitude in dynamic
      elastography.
AB  - In remote dynamic elastography, the amplitude of the generated displacement field
      is directly related to the amplitude of the radiation force. Therefore,
      displacement improvement for better tissue characterization requires the
      optimization of the radiation force amplitude by increasing the push duration
      and/or the excitation amplitude applied on the transducer. The main problem of
      these approaches is that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) thresholds for
      medical applications and transducer limitations may be easily exceeded. In the
      present study, the effect of the frequency used for the generation of the
      radiation force on the amplitude of the displacement field was investigated. We
      found that amplitudes of displacements generated by adapted radiation force
      sequences were greater than those generated by standard nonadapted ones (i.e.,
      single push acoustic radiation force impulse and supersonic shear imaging). Gains
      in magnitude were between 20 to 158% for in vitro measurements on agar-gelatin
      phantoms, and 170 to 336% for ex vivo measurements on a human breast sample,
      depending on focus depths and attenuations of tested samples. The signal-to-noise
      ratio was also improved more than 4-fold with adapted sequences. We conclude that
      frequency adaptation is a complementary technique that is efficient for the
      optimization of displacement amplitudes. This technique can be used safely to
      optimize the deposited local acoustic energy without increasing the risk of
      damaging tissues and transducer elements. 

PMID- 26276956
TI  - 3-D ultrafast Doppler imaging applied to the noninvasive mapping of blood vessels
      in vivo.
AB  - Ultrafast Doppler imaging was introduced as a technique to quantify blood flow in
      an entire 2-D field of view, expanding the field of application of ultrasound
      imaging to the highly sensitive anatomical and functional mapping of blood
      vessels. We have recently developed 3-D ultrafast ultrasound imaging, a technique
      that can produce thousands of ultrasound volumes per second, based on a 3-D plane
      and diverging wave emissions, and demonstrated its clinical feasibility in human
      subjects in vivo. In this study, we show that noninvasive 3-D ultrafast power
      Doppler, pulsed Doppler, and color Doppler imaging can be used to perform imaging
      of blood vessels in humans when using coherent compounding of 3-D tilted plane
      waves. A customized, programmable, 1024-channel ultrasound system was designed to
      perform 3-D ultrafast imaging. Using a 32 * 32, 3-MHz matrix phased array
      (Vermon, Tours, France), volumes were beamformed by coherently compounding
      successive tilted plane wave emissions. Doppler processing was then applied in a
      voxel-wise fashion. The proof of principle of 3-D ultrafast power Doppler imaging
      was first performed by imaging Tygon tubes of various diameters, and in vivo
      feasibility was demonstrated by imaging small vessels in the human thyroid.
      Simultaneous 3-D color and pulsed Doppler imaging using compounded emissions were
      also applied in the carotid artery and the jugular vein in one healthy volunteer.

PMID- 26276957
TI  - Full 3-D transverse oscillations: a method for tissue motion estimation.
AB  - We present a new method to estimate 4-D (3-D + time) tissue motion. The method
      used combines 3-D phase based motion estimation with an unconventional
      beamforming strategy. The beamforming technique allows us to obtain full 3-D RF
      volumes with axial, lateral, and elevation modulations. Based on these images, we
      propose a method to estimate 3-D motion that uses phase images instead of
      amplitude images. First, volumes featuring 3-D oscillations are created using
      only a single apodization function, and the 3-D displacement between two
      consecutive volumes is estimated simultaneously by applying this 3-D estimation.
      The validity of the method is investigated by conducting simulations and phantom
      experiments. The results are compared with those obtained with two other
      conventional estimation methods: block matching and optical flow. The results
      show that the proposed method outperforms the conventional methods, especially in
      the transverse directions. 

PMID- 26276958
TI  - Multi-frame elastography using a handheld force-controlled ultrasound probe.
AB  - We propose a new method for strain field estimation in quasi-static ultrasound
      elastography based on matching RF data frames of compressed tissues. The method
      benefits from using a handheld force-controlled ultrasound probe, which provides
      the contact force magnitude and therefore improves repeatability of displacement
      field estimation. The displacement field is estimated in a two-phase manner using
      triplets of RF data frames consisting of a pre-compression image and two post
      compression images obtained with lower and higher compression ratios. First, a
      reliable displacement field estimate is calculated for the first post-compression
      frame. Second, we use this displacement estimate to warp the second post
      compression frame while using linear elasticity to obtain an initial
      approximation. Final displacement estimation is refined using the warped image.
      The two-phase displacement estimation allows for higher compression ratios, thus
      increasing the practical resolution of the strain estimates. The strain field is
      computed from a displacement field using a smoothness- regularized energy
      functional, which takes into consideration local displacement estimation quality.
      The minimization is performed using an efficient primal-dual hybrid gradient
      algorithm, which can leverage the architecture of a graphical processing unit.
      The method is quantitatively evaluated using finite element simulations. We
      compute strain estimates for tissue-mimicking phantoms with known elastic
      properties and finally perform a qualitative validation using in vivo patient
      data. 

PMID- 26276959
TI  - Nonlocal means filter-based speckle tracking.
AB  - The objective of sensorless freehand 3-D ultrasound imaging is to eliminate the
      need for additional tracking hardware and reduce cost and complexity. However,
      the accuracy of current out-of-plane pose estimation is main obstacle for full 6
      degree-of-freedom (DoF) tracking. We propose a new filter-based speckle tracking
      framework to increase the accuracy of out-of-plane displacement estimation. In
      this framework, we use the displacement estimation not only for the specific
      speckle pattern, but for the entire image. We develop a nonlocal means (NLM)
      filter based on a probabilistic normal variance mixture model of ultrasound,
      known as Rician-inverse Gaussian (RiIG). To aggregate the local displacement
      estimations, Stein's unbiased risk estimate (SURE) is used as a quality measure
      of the estimations. We derive an explicit analytical form of SURE for the RiIG
      model and use it as a weight factor. The proposed filter-based speckle tracking
      framework is formulated and evaluated for three commonly used noise models,
      including the RiIG model. The out-of-plane estimations are compared with our
      previously proposed model-based algorithm in a set of ex vivo experiments for
      different tissue types. We show that the proposed RiIG filter-based method is
      more accurate and less tissue-dependent than the other methods. The proposed
      method is also evaluated in vivo on the spines of five different subjects to
      assess the feasibility of a clinical application. The 6-DoF transform parameters
      are estimated and compared with the electromagnetic tracker measurements. The
      results show higher tracking accuracy for typical small lateral displacements and
      tilt rotations between image pairs. 

PMID- 26276960
TI  - Data-driven and calibration-free Lamb wave source localization with sparse sensor
      arrays.
AB  - Most Lamb wave localization techniques require that we know the wave's velocity
      characteristics; yet, in many practical scenarios, velocity estimates can be
      challenging to acquire, are unavailable, or are unreliable because of the
      complexity of Lamb waves. As a result, there is a significant need for new
      methods that can reduce a system's reliance on a priori velocity information.
      This paper addresses this challenge through two novel source localization methods
      designed for sparse sensor arrays in isotropic media. Both methods exploit the
      fundamental sparse structure of a Lamb wave's frequency-wavenumber
      representation. The first method uses sparse recovery techniques to extract
      velocities from calibration data. The second method uses kurtosis and the support
      earth mover's distance to measure the sparseness of a Lamb wave's approximate
      frequency-wavenumber representation. These measures are then used to locate
      acoustic sources with no prior calibration data. We experimentally study each
      method with a collection of acoustic emission data measured from a 1.22 m by 1.22
      m isotropic aluminum plate. We show that both methods can achieve less than 1 cm
      localization error and have less systematic error than traditional time-of
      arrival localization methods.

PMID- 26276961
TI  - Nonintrusive estimation of anisotropic stiffness maps of heterogeneous steel
      welds for the improvement of ultrasonic array inspection.
AB  - It is challenging to inspect austenitic welds nondestructively using ultrasonic
      waves because the spatially varying elastic anisotropy of weld microstructures
      can lead to the deviation of ultrasound. Models have been developed to predict
      the propagation of ultrasound in such welds once the weld stiffness heterogeneity
      is known. Consequently, it is desirable to have a means of measuring the
      variation in elastic anisotropy experimentally so as to be able to correct for
      deviations in ultrasonic pathways for the improvement of weld inspection. This
      paper investigates the use of external nonintrusive ultrasonic array measurements
      to construct such weld stiffness maps, representing the orientation of the
      stiffness tensor according to location in the weld cross section. An inverse
      model based on a genetic algorithm has been developed to recover a small number
      of key parameters in an approximate model of the weld map, making use of
      ultrasonic array measurements. The approximate model of the weld map uses the
      Modeling of anIsotropy based on Notebook of Arcwelding (MINA) formulation, which
      is one of the representations that has been proposed by other researchers to
      provide a simple, yet physically based, description of the overall variations of
      orientations of the stiffness tensors over the weld cross section. The choice of
      sensitive ultrasonic modes as well as the best monitoring positions have been
      discussed to achieve a robust inversion. Experiments have been carried out on a
      60-mm-thick multipass tungsten inert gas (TIG) weld to validate the findings of
      the modeling, showing very good agreement. This work shows that ultrasonic array
      measurements can be used on a single side of a butt-welded plate, such that there
      is no need to access the remote side, to construct an approximate but useful weld
      map of the spatial variations in anisotropic stiffness orientation that occur
      within the weld. 

PMID- 26276962
TI  - Experimental study of passive defect localization in plates using ambient noise.
AB  - Passive listening methodology has been shown to be a practical and effective
      method for passive structural health monitoring. In this work, this approach is
      applied experimentally to monitor the occurrence of defects in thin aluminum
      plates. A correlation matrix is estimated from noise vibrations recorded on a
      transducer array. A defect is localized by applying a beamforming algorithm to
      the difference between the correlation matrices obtained with and without the
      defect. We successfully detect defects for different kinds of noise sources.
      Moreover, we show that this technique is robust to detect massive inclusions,
      holes, and cracks. With a vibrometer, we observe that the fidelity of the
      estimated transient responses strongly depends on the number of uncorrelated
      noise sources. Finally, we show that the defect is successfully localized even if
      the noise source distribution is not uniform, provided that it remains spatially
      stationary between the states with and without defect. A simple theoretical
      framework is proposed to interpret these results. 

PMID- 26276963
TI  - Bulk mode piezoresistive thermal oscillators: time constants and scaling.
AB  - This paper presents design and analysis for engineering the thermal and
      mechanical time constants of piezoresistive thermal oscillators. The optimal
      design is obtained by minimizing the threshold current density required to
      initiate self-sustained oscillations. Optimizing the oscillator geometry is of
      extreme practical importance given that the threshold current densities (GA/m(2))
      are close to the breakdown current densities observed in silicon. The equivalent
      circuit model of the oscillator is used along with the lumped thermal,
      mechanical, and piezoresistive parameters to calculate the threshold current
      density of the oscillator. The optimal ratio of the thermal and mechanical time
      constants is found to be ?3 for bulkmode oscillators where the in-plane
      dimensions control the mechanical resonant frequency. The final frequency of
      oscillations is obtained as a function of the mechanical resonant frequency,
      quality factor (Q), and the ratio of the time constants. Results show that
      scaling the dimension (or frequency) has a weak sub-linear effect on the
      oscillator performance. Finally, we compare different bulk modes, based on the
      calculated threshold dc currents for a 1-GHz oscillator.

PMID- 26276964
TI  - The Endothelial-mesenchymal Transition in Systemic Sclerosis Is Induced by
      Endothelin-1 and Transforming Growth Factor-beta and May Be Blocked by
      Macitentan, a Dual Endothelin-1 Receptor Antagonist.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: High endothelin-1 (ET-1) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF
      beta) levels may induce in healthy endothelial cells (EC) an endothelial-to
      mesenchymal transition (EndMT). The same cytokines are associated with fibrosis
      development in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Although EndMT has not been definitively
      shown in SSc, this process, potentially induced by a stimulatory loop involving
      these 2 cytokines, overexpressed in this disease might contribute to fibroblast
      accumulation in affected tissues. Macitentan (MAC), an ET-1 receptor antagonist
      interfering with this loop, might prevent EndMT and fibroblast accumulation.
      METHODS: EC, isolated from healthy controls (HC) and patients with SSc, were
      treated with ET-1 and TGF-beta and successively analyzed for gene and protein
      expressions of endothelial and mesenchymal markers, and for Sma- and Mad-related
      (SMAD) phosphorylation. Further, in the supernatants, we evaluated ET-1 and TGF
      beta production by ELISA assay. In each assay we evaluated the ability of MAC to
      inhibit both the TGF-beta and ET-1 effects. RESULTS: We showed that both TGF-beta
      and ET-1 treatments induced an activation of the EndMT process in SSc-EC as
      reported in HC cells. The ELISA assays showed a mutual TGF-beta and ET-1
      induction in both SSc-EC and HC-EC. A statistically significant increase of SMAD
      phosphorylation after treatment was observed in SSc-EC. In each assay, MAC
      inhibited both TGF-beta and ET-1 effects. CONCLUSION: Our work is the first
      demonstration in literature that SSc-EC, under the synergistic effect of TGF-beta
      and ET-1, may transdifferentiate toward myofibroblasts, thus contributing to
      fibroblast accumulation. MAC, interfering with this process in vitro, may offer a
      new potential therapeutic strategy against fibrosis.

PMID- 26276965
TI  - Longterm Safety of Rituximab: Final Report of the Rheumatoid Arthritis Global
      Clinical Trial Program over 11 Years.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Final evaluation of the longterm safety of rituximab (RTX) in
      rheumatoid arthritis (RA) up to 11 years. METHODS: Pooled observed case analysis
      of data from patients with moderate to severe, active RA in a global clinical
      trial program. RESULTS: As of September 2012, 3595 patients received a mean of 4
      courses (range 1-20) of RTX over 11 years [14,816 patient-years (PY)]. Of these,
      1246 patients had > 5 years of followup (8970 PY). A pooled placebo population (n
      = 818) was included in the analysis. The overall serious infection event (SIE)
      rate was 3.76/100 PY (2.71/100 PY in patients observed for > 5 yrs) and
      comparable with rates reported previously at 9.5 years (3.94/100 PY and 3.26/100
      PY, respectively). SIE rates continued to be similar before and during/after
      development of low immunoglobulin levels, and serious opportunistic infections
      remained rare. Rates of cardiac events remained consistent with previous analysis
      and with rates in the general RA population. No increased risk of malignancy over
      time was observed. CONCLUSION: This final report demonstrates that RTX remains
      well tolerated over time and multiple courses. No new safety risks were
      identified and there was no increase in the rate of any types of adverse events
      with prolonged exposure to RTX during 11 years of observation.

PMID- 26276966
TI  - Alemtuzumab as Remission Induction Therapy in Behcet Disease: A 20-year
      Experience.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the efficacy and safety of anti-CD52 antibody (alemtuzumab)
      in the treatment of refractory and relapsing Behcet disease (BD). METHODS: Thirty
      two patients (22 women) with BD received 60 courses of alemtuzumab between 1994
      and 2013. Three-dose regimens were used: 134 mg in 21 courses (Group 1), 95 mg in
      18 courses (Group 2), and 60 mg in 21 courses (Group 3). Immunosuppressive drugs
      were stopped at the time of alemtuzumab, and prednisolone was reduced according
      to clinical response. Treatment response was assessed by clinical status,
      inflammatory activity, prednisolone dose, and the need for subsequent
      immunosuppressive drugs and disease relapse. RESULTS: After the first alemtuzumab
      course, 27 of 32 patients (84%) achieved partial or complete remission (CR).
      Fifty of 60 courses (83%) resulted in remission (66% CR) without differences in
      remission rates between dosing regimens. Profound lymphocyte depletion occurred
      after all courses. Relapse-free survival rates were 83.6% at 6 months and 52.8%
      at 12 months, and were higher among Group 1 patients (Group 1: 100% and 77.8%,
      Group 2: 81.3% and 37.5%, and Group 3: 65.0% and 37.1%, p < 0.001). Mild to
      moderate infusion reactions occurred after 16 courses (27%). Eight patients (25%)
      developed symptomatic thyroid disease. CONCLUSION: Alemtuzumab led to remission
      in the majority of patients with difficult-to-treat BD. Relapse was common and
      may be associated with lower dosing. Adverse events included infusion reactions
      and new autoimmunity. Achieving complete lymphocyte depletion did not affect the
      remission rate or duration.

PMID- 26276967
TI  - Relation of Autoimmune Cytopenia to Glandular and Systemic Manifestations in
      Primary Sjogren Syndrome: Analysis of 113 Korean Patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the characteristics of patients with primary Sjogren
      syndrome (pSS) who have autoimmune cytopenia. METHODS: We analyzed 113
      participants from the Korean Initiative of Primary Sjogren Syndrome, a
      prospective pSS cohort. Autoimmune cytopenia was defined as autoimmune origin
      neutropenia, anemia, and/or thrombocytopenia without vitamin or iron deficiency,
      or drug-induced cytopenia. To identify the association between autoimmune
      cytopenia and the clinical characteristics of pSS, extraglandular manifestations
      were analyzed according to the European League Against Rheumatism Sjogren's
      syndrome disease activity index (ESSDAI) definition. Xerophthalmia was assessed
      with the Ocular Surface Disease Index, Schirmer I test, ocular stain score (OSS),
      and tear film breakup time. RESULTS: The median total ESSDAI score was 2
      (interquartile range 1-6). About a quarter of patients had no systemic activity.
      Autoimmune cytopenia was observed in 23.9% of patients (n = 27). Moderate
      biological features were more frequently observed in patients with autoimmune
      cytopenia than in patients without [10 (37%) and 11 (12.8%), respectively, p =
      0.016]. Articular involvement was exhibited in 1 patient with autoimmune
      cytopenia, but in 23 patients (27.4%) without autoimmune cytopenia (p = 0.013).
      Higher OSS (p = 0.002) and lower mean Schirmer I test (p = 0.029) were observed
      in patients with autoimmune cytopenia than in those without. Neutrophils and
      lymphocytes negatively correlated with OSS (rho = -0.204, p = 0.041 and rho = 
      0.230, p = 0.020, respectively). CONCLUSION: Autoimmune cytopenia is closely
      associated with severe ocular surface damage in pSS. Therefore, assessment of
      xerophthalmia by ophthalmologists may be mandatory, particularly in patients with
      pSS with cytopenia, even if patients do not complain of eye dryness.

PMID- 26276968
TI  - Evaluation of Health Outcomes with Etanercept Treatment in Patients with Early
      Nonradiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Analyses were conducted to examine the baseline burden of illness and
      compare the effect of etanercept (ETN) versus placebo (PBO) on quality of life
      (QOL) in patients with nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) who
      failed nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID). METHODS: Patients fulfilling
      the Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society axSpA criteria, not
      meeting the modified New York criteria for ankylosing spondylitis (AS), who were
      symptomatic 3 months to 5 years, with a Bath AS Disease Activity Index score >=
      4, and failed >= 2 NSAID were randomized to ETN 50 mg weekly or PBO (double
      blind) for 12 weeks, followed by open-label ETN 50 mg for 92 weeks. Stable NSAID
      were allowed throughout our study. QOL outcomes over 24 weeks were analyzed using
      ANCOVA models. RESULTS: At baseline, Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI; ETN
      mean 14.7, PBO mean 15.0), EQ-5D utility (0.52, 0.57), EQ-5D visual analog scale
      (56.5, 56.4), and Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) Sleep Index II (45.5, 48.1) were
      worse than population norms (6.6-8.0, 0.86, 82.5, and 25.8, respectively). At
      Week 12, Bath AS Patient Global Score, nocturnal and average back pain, MOS Short
      Form-36 (SF-36) physical component, and Work Productivity and Activity Index
      (WPAI) presenteeism and activity impairment favored ETN (p < 0.05).
      Nonsignificant improvements for ETN were seen in other WPAI domains, MFI, MOS
      Sleep Index I and II, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, EQ-5D utility score,
      and SF-36 mental component (p > 0.05). At Week 24, patients in the PBO group who
      had switched to ETN at Week 12 showed improvement in most QOL assessments,
      similar to that seen in patients receiving ETN for 24 weeks. CONCLUSION:
      Improvements favored ETN in QOL and productivity measures, with limited
      improvement on general QOL measures. Short disease duration, a short PBO
      controlled period, and a wide range of QOL scores at baseline may have influenced
      improvements.

PMID- 26276969
TI  - Association Between Infrapatellar Fat Pad Volume and Knee Structural Changes in
      Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The function of the infrapatellar fat pad (IPFP) in knee
      osteoarthritis (OA) remains uncertain. This study aimed to examine cross
      sectional associations between IPFP volume and knee structures in patients with
      knee OA. METHODS: The study included 174 patients with clinical knee OA (mean
      age, 55.5 yrs). Fat-suppressed 3-D T1-weighted spoiled gradient recall magnetic
      resonance imaging (MRI) was used to measure the IPFP and cartilage volume. T2
      weighted fast spin echo MRI was used to assess cartilage defects and bone marrow
      lesions (BML). Radiographic knee osteophytes and joint space narrowing (JSN) were
      assessed using the Osteoarthritis Research Society International atlas. RESULTS:
      After adjustment for potential confounders, greater IPFP volume was associated
      with greater tibial and patellar cartilage volume (all p < 0.05), and fewer
      cartilage defects at all sites (OR 0.88-0.91, all p < 0.05). IPFP volume was
      associated with presence of BML at lateral tibial and medial femoral sites (OR
      0.88-0.91, all p < 0.05) and osteophytes at lateral tibiofemoral compartment (OR
      0.88, p < 0.05). IPFP volume was not significantly associated with JSN.
      CONCLUSION: Greater IPFP volume was associated with greater knee cartilage volume
      and fewer structural abnormalities, suggesting a protective role of IPFP size in
      knee OA.

PMID- 26276970
TI  - The Spirit of OMERACT: Q Methodology Analysis of Conference Characteristics
      Valued by Delegates.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To identify the major features of OMERACT meetings as valued by
      frequent participants and to explore whether there are groups of participants
      with different opinions. METHODS: Using Q methodology (a qualitative and
      quantitative approach to grouping people according to subjective opinion),
      participants (who attended more than 1 OMERACT conference) sorted 66 statements
      relating to the "spirit of OMERACT" according to level of agreement across a
      normal distribution grid. Data were examined using Q factor analysis. RESULTS: Of
      226 potential participants, 105 responded (46%). All participants highly ranked
      the focus on global standardization of methods, outcome measures, data-driven
      research, methodological discussion, and international collaboration. Four
      factors describing the "spirit of OMERACT" were identified: "Evidence not
      eminence" (n = 31) valued the data- and evidence-driven research above
      personality and status; "Collaboration and collegiality" (n = 19) valued the
      international and cross-stakeholder collaboration, interaction, and collegiality;
      "Equal voices, equal votes, common goals" (n = 12) valued equality in discussion
      and voting, with everyone striving toward the same goal; "principles and product,
      not process" (n = 8) valued the principles of focusing on outcome measures and
      the product of guiding clinical trials, but were unsure whether the process is
      necessary to reach this. The factors did not segregate different stakeholder
      groups. CONCLUSION: Delegates value different elements of OMERACT, and thus the
      "spirit of OMERACT" encompasses evidence-based research, collaboration, and
      equality, although a small group are unsure whether the process is necessary to
      achieve the end result. Q methodology may prove useful for conference organizers
      to identify their delegates' different needs to tailor conference content.

PMID- 26276971
TI  - Factor H Autoantibodies in Patients with Antiphospholipid Syndrome and
      Thrombosis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Autoantibodies to complement factor H (FH) are associated with
      atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, but can also be detected in patients with
      rheumatoid arthritis and in patients positive for lupus anticoagulants and thus
      potentially antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). To our knowledge, no data are
      available on the association between the presence of FH autoantibodies in APS and
      clinical manifestations. METHODS: We determined FH autoantibody levels using
      ELISA in 2 cohorts of patients with primary (PAPS) and secondary APS (SAPS) from
      Serbia and Italy, and an additional cohort including patients with venous
      thromboembolism (VTE) from Sweden. RESULTS: FH autoantibodies were detected in
      13.7% of patients (n = 73) with PAPS and 30.3% of patients (n = 33) with SAPS in
      the Serbian cohort. FH autoantibody frequency in the Italian cohort was 33.3% (n
      = 15) and 36% (n = 25) in PAPS and SAPS, respectively. Both FH autoantibody
      levels and frequencies observed in both APS cohorts were significantly higher
      than in matched healthy controls (5%). Further, patients with PAPS with venous
      thrombosis in the Serbian cohort had significantly higher levels of FH
      autoantibodies. Therefore, we analyzed a dedicated Swedish thrombosis cohort and
      found that patients with FH autoantibody positivity had higher risk of VTE
      recurrence (HR 2.0, 95% CI 1.2-3.3, p = 0.011) compared with the reference group
      of FH autoantibody-negative patients. CONCLUSION: Overall, the data indicate that
      in patients with APS and recurrent venous thrombosis, there are increased levels
      of FH autoantibodies, a finding associated with poor clinical outcome.

PMID- 26276972
TI  - Sleep parameters by actigraphy and relationship between plasma melatonin and
      intestinal permeability in alcoholics.

PMID- 26276973
TI  - Response to Dr. Kawada.

PMID- 26276974
TI  - Allergen-induced resistin-like molecule- promotes esophageal epithelial cell
      hyperplasia in eosinophilic esophagitis.

PMID- 26276975
TI  - Commentaries on Viewpoint: Why do some patients stop breathing after taking
      narcotics? Ventilatory chemosensitivity as a predictor of opioid-induced
      respiratory depression.

PMID- 26276976
TI  - Last Word on Viewpoint: Why do some patients stop breathing after taking
      narcotics? Ventilatory chemosensitivity as a predictor of opioid-induced
      respiratory depression.

PMID- 26276977
TI  - Victoria Cowling.
AB  - Victoria Cowling received her BA from the University of Cambridge. She completed
      her PhD with Julian Downward and Gerard Evan at Cancer Research UK in London, and
      then moved to the US for a postdoctoral position at Princeton University and
      Dartmouth College with Michael Cole. Since 2008, she has been running a lab at
      Dundee University. She is an MRC Senior Research Fellow, a Lister Institute
      Research Fellow and an EMBO Young Investigator and, in 2015, she was the first
      recipient of the Women in Cell Biology medal, awarded by the British Society for
      Cell Biology.

PMID- 26276978
TI  - Letter to the Editor: Giant proteins and cancer chemotherapy cardiotoxicity.

PMID- 26276979
TI  - A Robust Heart Rate Monitoring Scheme Using Photoplethysmographic Signals
      Corrupted by Intense Motion Artifacts.
AB  - GOAL: Although photoplethysmographic (PPG) signals can monitor heart rate (HR)
      quite conveniently in hospital environments, trying to incorporate them during
      fitness programs poses a great challenge, since in these cases, the signals are
      heavily corrupted by motion artifacts. METHODS: In this paper, we present a novel
      signal processing framework which utilizes two channel PPG signals and estimates
      HR in two stages. The first stage eliminates any chances of a runaway error by
      resorting to an absolute criterion condition based on ensemble empirical mode
      decomposition. This stage enables the algorithm to depend very little on the
      previously estimated HR values and to discard the need of an initial resting
      phase. The second stage, on the other hand, increases the algorithm's robustness
      against offtrack errors by using recursive least squares filters complemented
      with an additional novel technique, namely time-domain extraction. RESULTS: Using
      this framework, an average absolute error of 1.02 beat per minute (BPM) and
      standard deviation of 1.79 BPM are recorded for 12 subjects performing a run with
      peak velocities reaching as high as 15 km/h. CONCLUSION: The performance of this
      algorithm is found to be better than the other recently reported algorithms in
      this field such as TROIKA and JOSS. SIGNIFICANCE: This method is expected to
      greatly facilitate the presently available wearable gadgets in HR computation
      during various physical activities.

PMID- 26276980
TI  - Flexible Epineural Strip Electrode for Recording in Fine Nerves.
AB  - This paper demonstrates flexible epineural strip electrodes (FLESE) for recording
      from small nerves. Small strip-shaped FLESE enables us to easily and closely
      stick on various sized nerves for less damage in a nerve and optimal recording
      quality. In addition, in order to enhance the neural interface, the gold
      electrode contacts were coated with carbon nanotubes, which reduced the impedance
      of the electrodes. We used the FLESEs to record electrically elicited nerve
      signals (compound neural action potentials) from the sciatic nerve in rats.
      Bipolar and differential bipolar configurations for the recording were
      investigated to optimize the recording configuration of the FLESEs. The
      successful results from differential bipolar recordings showed that the total
      length of FLESEs could be further reduced, maintaining the maximum recording
      ability, which would be beneficial for recording in very fine nerves. Our results
      demonstrate that new concept of FLESEs could play an important role in
      electroceuticals in near future. 

PMID- 26276981
TI  - Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Diagnosis Using Hierarchical Heterogeneous
      Descriptor Fusion Support Vector Machine.
AB  - A new computer-aided diagnosis method is proposed to diagnose the
      gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) from endoscopic images of the esophageal
      gastric junction. To avoid the interferences of different endoscope devices and
      automatic camera white balance adjustment, heterogeneous descriptors computed
      from heterogeneous color models are used to represent endoscopic images. Instead
      of concatenating these descriptors to a super vector, a hierarchical
      heterogeneous descriptor fusion support vector machine (HHDF-SVM) framework is
      proposed to simultaneously apply heterogeneous descriptors for GERD diagnosis and
      overcome the curse of dimensionality problem. During validation, heterogeneous
      descriptors are extracted from test endoscopic images at first. The
      classification result is obtained by using HHDF-SVM with heterogeneous
      descriptors. As shown in the experiments, our method can automatically diagnose
      GERD without any manual selection of region of interest and achieve better
      accuracy compared to states-of-the-art methods. 

PMID- 26276982
TI  - Subspace Regularized Sparse Multitask Learning for Multiclass Neurodegenerative
      Disease Identification.
AB  - The high feature-dimension and low sample-size problem is one of the major
      challenges in the study of computer-aided Alzheimer's disease (AD) diagnosis. To
      circumvent this problem, feature selection and subspace learning have been
      playing core roles in the literature. Generally, feature selection methods are
      preferable in clinical applications due to their ease for interpretation, but
      subspace learning methods can usually achieve more promising results. In this
      paper, we combine two different methodological approaches to discriminative
      feature selection in a unified framework. Specifically, we utilize two subspace
      learning methods, namely, linear discriminant analysis and locality preserving
      projection, which have proven their effectiveness in a variety of fields, to
      select class-discriminative and noise-resistant features. Unlike previous methods
      in neuroimaging studies that mostly focused on a binary classification, the
      proposed feature selection method is further applicable for multiclass
      classification in AD diagnosis. Extensive experiments on the Alzheimer's disease
      neuroimaging initiative dataset showed the effectiveness of the proposed method
      over other state-of-the-art methods. 

PMID- 26276983
TI  - Evaluation of Ultrasound-Based Sensor to Monitor Respiratory and Nonrespiratory
      Movement and Timing in Infants.
AB  - GOAL: To describe and validate a noncontacting sensor that used reflected
      ultrasound to separately monitor respiratory, nonrespiratory, and caretaker
      movements of infants. METHODS: An in-phase and quadrature (I & Q) detection
      scheme provided adequate bandwidth, in conjunction with postdetection filtering,
      to separate the three types of movement. The respiratory output was validated by
      comparing it to the electrical activity of the diaphragm (Edi) obtained from an
      infant ventilator in 11 infants. The nonrespiratory movement output was compared
      to movement detected by miniature accelerometers attached to the wrists, ankles,
      and heads of seven additional infants. Caretaker movement was compared to visual
      observations annotated in the recordings. RESULTS: The respiratory rate
      determined by the sensor was equivalent to that from the Edi signal. The sensor
      could detect the onset of inspiration significantly earlier than the Edi signal
      (23+/-69 ms). Nonrespiratory movement was identified with an agreement of 0.9
      with the accelerometers. It potentially interfered with the respiratory output an
      average of 4.7+/-4.5% and 14.9+/15% of the time in infants not requiring or on
      ventilatory support, respectively. Caretaker movements were identified with 98%
      sensitivity and specificity. The sensor outputs were independent of body
      coverings or position. CONCLUSION: This single, noncontacting sensor can
      independently quantify these three types of movement. SIGNIFICANCE: It is
      feasible to use the sensor as trigger for synchronizing mechanical ventilators to
      spontaneous breathing, to quantify overall movement, to determine sleep state, to
      detect seizures, and to document the amount and effects of caretaker activity in
      infants.

PMID- 26276984
TI  - Optimization of Active Muscle Force-Length Models Using Least Squares Curve
      Fitting.
AB  - The objective of this paper is to propose an asymmetric Gaussian function as an
      alternative to the existing active force-length models, and to optimize this
      model along with several other existing models by using the least squares curve
      fitting method. The minimal set of coefficients is identified for each of these
      models to facilitate the least squares curve fitting. Sarcomere simulated data
      and one set of rabbits extensor digitorum II experimental data are used to
      illustrate optimal curve fitting of the selected force-length functions. The
      results shows that all the curves fit reasonably well with the simulated and
      experimental data, while the Gordon-Huxley-Julian model and asymmetric Gaussian
      function are better than other functions in terms of statistical test scores root
      mean squared error and R-squared. However, the differences in RMSE scores are
      insignificant (0.3-6%) for simulated data and (0.2-5%) for experimental data. The
      proposed asymmetric Gaussian model and the method of parametrization of this and
      the other force-length models mentioned above can be used in the studies on
      active force-length relationships of skeletal muscles that generate forces to
      cause movements of human and animal bodies. 

PMID- 26276985
TI  - Utility of AdaBoost to Detect Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea Syndrome From Single-Channel
      Airflow.
AB  - GOAL: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of the boosting
      algorithm AdaBoost (AB) in the context of the sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome
      (SAHS) diagnosis. METHODS: We characterize SAHS in single-channel airflow (AF)
      signals from 317 subjects by the extraction of spectral and nonlinear features.
      Relevancy and redundancy analyses are conducted through the fast correlation
      based filter to derive the optimum set of features among them. These are used to
      feed classifiers based on linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and classification
      and regression trees (CART). LDA and CART models are sequentially obtained
      through AB, which combines their performances to reach higher diagnostic ability
      than each of them separately. RESULTS: Our AB-LDA and AB-CART approaches showed
      high diagnostic performance when determining SAHS and its severity. The
      assessment of different apnea-hypopnea index cutoffs using an independent test
      set derived into high accuracy: 86.5% (5 events/h), 86.5% (10 events/h), 81.0%
      (15 events/h), and 83.3% (30 events/h). These results widely outperformed those
      from logistic regression and a conventional event-detection algorithm applied to
      the same database. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that AB applied to data from
      single-channel AF can be useful to determine SAHS and its severity. SIGNIFICANCE:
      SAHS detection might be simplified through the only use of single-channel AF
      data.

PMID- 26276987
TI  - Unsupervised Joint Feature Learning and Encoding for RGB-D Scene Labeling.
AB  - Most existing approaches for RGB-D indoor scene labeling employ hand-crafted
      features for each modality independently and combine them in a heuristic manner.
      There has been some attempt on directly learning features from raw RGB-D data,
      but the performance is not satisfactory. In this paper, we propose an
      unsupervised joint feature learning and encoding (JFLE) framework for RGB-D scene
      labeling. The main novelty of our learning framework lies in the joint
      optimization of feature learning and feature encoding in a coherent way, which
      significantly boosts the performance. By stacking basic learning structure,
      higher level features are derived and combined with lower level features for
      better representing RGB-D data. Moreover, to explore the nonlinear intrinsic
      characteristic of data, we further propose a more general joint deep feature
      learning and encoding (JDFLE) framework that introduces the nonlinear mapping
      into JFLE. The experimental results on the benchmark NYU depth dataset show that
      our approaches achieve competitive performance, compared with the state-of-the
      art methods, while our methods do not need complex feature handcrafting and
      feature combination and can be easily applied to other data sets. 

PMID- 26276986
TI  - EEG Source Imaging Enhances the Decoding of Complex Right-Hand Motor Imagery
      Tasks.
AB  - GOAL: Sensorimotor-based brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) have achieved
      successful control of real and virtual devices in up to three dimensions;
      however, the traditional sensor-based paradigm limits the intuitive use of these
      systems. Many control signals for state-of-the-art BCIs involve imagining the
      movement of body parts that have little to do with the output command, revealing
      a cognitive disconnection between the user's intent and the action of the end
      effector. Therefore, there is a need to develop techniques that can identify with
      high spatial resolution the self-modulated neural activity reflective of the
      actions of a helpful output device. METHODS: We extend previous EEG source
      imaging (ESI) work to decoding natural hand/wrist manipulations by applying a
      novel technique to classifying four complex motor imaginations of the right hand:
      flexion, extension, supination, and pronation. RESULTS: We report an increase of
      up to 18.6% for individual task classification and 12.7% for overall
      classification using the proposed ESI approach over the traditional sensor-based
      method. CONCLUSION: ESI is able to enhance BCI performance of decoding complex
      right-hand motor imagery tasks. SIGNIFICANCE: This study may lead to the
      development of BCI systems with naturalistic and intuitive motor imaginations,
      thus facilitating broad use of noninvasive BCIs.

PMID- 26276988
TI  - Face Spoofing Detection Through Visual Codebooks of Spectral Temporal Cubes.
AB  - Despite important recent advances, the vulnerability of biometric systems to
      spoofing attacks is still an open problem. Spoof attacks occur when impostor
      users present synthetic biometric samples of a valid user to the biometric system
      seeking to deceive it. Considering the case of face biometrics, a spoofing attack
      consists in presenting a fake sample (e.g., photograph, digital video, or even a
      3D mask) to the acquisition sensor with the facial information of a valid user.
      In this paper, we introduce a low cost and software-based method for detecting
      spoofing attempts in face recognition systems. Our hypothesis is that during
      acquisition, there will be inevitable artifacts left behind in the recaptured
      biometric samples allowing us to create a discriminative signature of the video
      generated by the biometric sensor. To characterize these artifacts, we extract
      time-spectral feature descriptors from the video, which can be understood as a
      low-level feature descriptor that gathers temporal and spectral information
      across the biometric sample and use the visual codebook concept to find mid-level
      feature descriptors computed from the low-level ones. Such descriptors are more
      robust for detecting several kinds of attacks than the low-level ones. The
      experimental results show the effectiveness of the proposed method for detecting
      different types of attacks in a variety of scenarios and data sets, including
      photos, videos, and 3D masks. 

PMID- 26276989
TI  - Dynamical System Approach for Edge Detection Using Coupled FitzHugh-Nagumo
      Neurons.
AB  - The prospect of emulating the impressive computational capabilities of biological
      systems has led to considerable interest in the design of analog circuits that
      are potentially implementable in very large scale integration CMOS technology and
      are guided by biologically motivated models. For example, simple image processing
      tasks, such as the detection of edges in binary and grayscale images, have been
      performed by networks of FitzHugh-Nagumo-type neurons using the reaction
      diffusion models. However, in these studies, the one-to-one mapping of image
      pixels to component neurons makes the size of the network a critical factor in
      any such implementation. In this paper, we develop a simplified version of the
      employed reaction-diffusion model in three steps. In the first step, we perform a
      detailed study to locate this threshold using continuous Lyapunov exponents from
      dynamical system theory. Furthermore, we render the diffusion in the system to be
      anisotropic, with the degree of anisotropy being set by the gradients of
      grayscale values in each image. The final step involves a simplification of the
      model that is achieved by eliminating the terms that couple the membrane
      potentials of adjacent neurons. We apply our technique to detect edges in data
      sets of artificially generated and real images, and we demonstrate that the
      performance is as good if not better than that of the previous methods without
      increasing the size of the network. 

PMID- 26276990
TI  - Adaptive Skin Classification Using Face and Body Detection.
AB  - In this paper, we propose a skin classification method exploiting faces and
      bodies automatically detected in the image, to adaptively initialize individual
      ad hoc skin classifiers. Each classifier is initialized by a face and body couple
      or by a single face, if no reliable body is detected. Thus, the proposed method
      builds an ad hoc skin classifier for each person in the image, resulting in a
      classifier less dependent from changes in skin color due to tan levels, races,
      genders, and illumination conditions. The experimental results on a heterogeneous
      data set of labeled images show that our proposal outperforms the state-of-the
      art methods, and that this improvement is statistically significant. 

PMID- 26276991
TI  - Non-Rigid Point Set Registration by Preserving Global and Local Structures.
AB  - In previous work on point registration, the input point sets are often
      represented using Gaussian mixture models and the registration is then addressed
      through a probabilistic approach, which aims to exploit global relationships on
      the point sets. For non-rigid shapes, however, the local structures among
      neighboring points are also strong and stable and thus helpful in recovering the
      point correspondence. In this paper, we formulate point registration as the
      estimation of a mixture of densities, where local features, such as shape
      context, are used to assign the membership probabilities of the mixture model.
      This enables us to preserve both global and local structures during matching. The
      transformation between the two point sets is specified in a reproducing kernel
      Hilbert space and a sparse approximation is adopted to achieve a fast
      implementation. Extensive experiments on both synthesized and real data show the
      robustness of our approach under various types of distortions, such as
      deformation, noise, outliers, rotation, and occlusion. It greatly outperforms the
      state-of-the-art methods, especially when the data is badly degraded. 

PMID- 26276992
TI  - Bit-Scalable Deep Hashing With Regularized Similarity Learning for Image
      Retrieval and Person Re-Identification.
AB  - Extracting informative image features and learning effective approximate hashing
      functions are two crucial steps in image retrieval. Conventional methods often
      study these two steps separately, e.g., learning hash functions from a predefined
      hand-crafted feature space. Meanwhile, the bit lengths of output hashing codes
      are preset in the most previous methods, neglecting the significance level of
      different bits and restricting their practical flexibility. To address these
      issues, we propose a supervised learning framework to generate compact and bit
      scalable hashing codes directly from raw images. We pose hashing learning as a
      problem of regularized similarity learning. In particular, we organize the
      training images into a batch of triplet samples, each sample containing two
      images with the same label and one with a different label. With these triplet
      samples, we maximize the margin between the matched pairs and the mismatched
      pairs in the Hamming space. In addition, a regularization term is introduced to
      enforce the adjacency consistency, i.e., images of similar appearances should
      have similar codes. The deep convolutional neural network is utilized to train
      the model in an end-to-end fashion, where discriminative image features and hash
      functions are simultaneously optimized. Furthermore, each bit of our hashing
      codes is unequally weighted, so that we can manipulate the code lengths by
      truncating the insignificant bits. Our framework outperforms state-of-the-arts on
      public benchmarks of similar image search and also achieves promising results in
      the application of person re-identification in surveillance. It is also shown
      that the generated bit-scalable hashing codes well preserve the discriminative
      powers with shorter code lengths. 

PMID- 26276993
TI  - A New Quaternion-Based Encryption Method for DICOM Images.
AB  - In this paper, a new quaternion-based lossless encryption technique for digital
      image and communication on medicine (DICOM) images is proposed. We have
      scrutinized and slightly modified the concept of the DICOM network to point out
      the best location for the proposed encryption scheme, which significantly
      improves speed of DICOM images encryption in comparison with those originally
      embedded into DICOM advanced encryption standard and triple data encryption
      standard algorithms. The proposed algorithm decomposes a DICOM image into two 8
      bit gray-tone images in order to perform encryption. The algorithm implements
      Feistel network like the scheme proposed by Sastry and Kumar. It uses special
      properties of quaternions to perform rotations of data sequences in 3D space for
      each of the cipher rounds. The images are written as Lipschitz quaternions, and
      modular arithmetic was implemented for operations with the quaternions. A
      computer-based analysis has been carried out, and the obtained results are shown
      at the end of this paper. 

PMID- 26276994
TI  - Measurement of Contact Behavior Including Slippage of Cuff When Using Wearable
      Physical Assistant Robot.
AB  - Continuous use of wearable robots can cause skin injuries beneath the cuffs of
      robots. To prevent such injuries, understanding the contact behavior of the cuff
      is important. Thus far, this contact behavior has not been studied because of the
      difficulty involved in measuring the slippage under the cuff. In this study, for
      the first time, the relative displacement, slippage, and interaction force and
      moment at the thigh cuff of a robot during sit-to-stand motion were measured
      using an instrumented cuff, which was developed for this purpose. The results
      indicated that the slippage and relative displacement under the cuff was uneven
      because of the rotation of the cuff, which suggests that the risk of skin
      injuries is different at different positions. Especially, the skin closer to the
      hip showed larger dynamism, with a maximum slippage of approximately 10 mm and a
      displacement of 20 mm during motion. Another important phenomenon was the
      individual difference among subjects. During motion, the interaction force,
      moment, and slippage of some subjects suddenly increased. Such behavior results
      in stress concentration, which increases the risk of skin injuries. These
      analyses are intended to understand how skin injuries are caused and to design
      measures to prevent such injuries.

PMID- 26276995
TI  - Quaternion Singular Spectrum Analysis of Electroencephalogram With Application in
      Sleep Analysis.
AB  - A novel quaternion-valued singular spectrum analysis (SSA) is introduced for
      multichannel analysis of electroencephalogram (EEG). The analysis of EEG
      typically requires the decomposition of data channels into meaningful components
      despite the notoriously noisy nature of EEG--which is the aim of SSA. However,
      the singular value decomposition involved in SSA implies the strict orthogonality
      of the decomposed components, which may not reflect accurately the sources which
      exhibit similar neural activities. To allow for the modelling of such co-channel
      coupling, the quaternion domain is considered for the first time to formulate the
      SSA using the augmented statistics. As an application, we demonstrate how the
      augmented quaternion-valued SSA (AQSSA) can be used to extract the sources, even
      at a signal-to-noise ratio as low as -10 dB. To illustrate the usefulness of our
      quaternion-valued SSA in a rehabilitation setting, we employ the proposed SSA for
      sleep analysis to extract statistical descriptors for five-stage classification
      (Awake, N1, N2, N3 and REM). The level of agreement using these descriptors was
      74% as quantified by the Cohen's kappa.

PMID- 26276996
TI  - The Principle of the Micro-Electronic Neural Bridge and a Prototype System
      Design.
AB  - The micro-electronic neural bridge (MENB) aims to rebuild lost motor function of
      paralyzed humans by routing movement-related signals from the brain, around the
      damage part in the spinal cord, to the external effectors. This study focused on
      the prototype system design of the MENB, including the principle of the MENB, the
      neural signal detecting circuit and the functional electrical stimulation (FES)
      circuit design, and the spike detecting and sorting algorithm. In this study, we
      developed a novel improved amplitude threshold spike detecting method based on
      variable forward difference threshold for both training and bridging phase. The
      discrete wavelet transform (DWT), a new level feature coefficient selection
      method based on Lilliefors test, and the k-means clustering method based on
      Mahalanobis distance were used for spike sorting. A real-time online spike
      detecting and sorting algorithm based on DWT and Euclidean distance was also
      implemented for the bridging phase. Tested by the data sets available at Caltech,
      in the training phase, the average sensitivity, specificity, and clustering
      accuracies are 99.43%, 97.83%, and 95.45%, respectively. Validated by the three
      fold cross-validation method, the average sensitivity, specificity, and
      classification accuracy are 99.43%, 97.70%, and 96.46%, respectively. 

PMID- 26276997
TI  - Hardware-Algorithms Co-Design and Implementation of an Analog-to-Information
      Converter for Biosignals Based on Compressed Sensing.
AB  - We report the design and implementation of an Analog-to-Information Converter
      (AIC) based on Compressed Sensing (CS). The system is realized in a CMOS 180 nm
      technology and targets the acquisition of bio-signals with Nyquist frequency up
      to 100 kHz. To maximize performance and reduce hardware complexity, we co-design
      hardware together with acquisition and reconstruction algorithms. The resulting
      AIC outperforms previously proposed solutions mainly thanks to two key features.
      First, we adopt a novel method to deal with saturations in the computation of CS
      measurements. This allows no loss in performance even when 60% of measurements
      saturate. Second, the system is able to adapt itself to the energy distribution
      of the input by exploiting the so-called rakeness to maximize the amount of
      information contained in the measurements. With this approach, the 16 measurement
      channels integrated into a single device are expected to allow the acquisition
      and the correct reconstruction of most biomedical signals. As a case study,
      measurements on real electrocardiograms (ECGs) and electromyograms (EMGs) show
      signals that these can be reconstructed without any noticeable degradation with a
      compression rate, respectively, of 8 and 10.

PMID- 26276998
TI  - Designing Media for Visually-Impaired Users of Refreshable Touch Displays:
      Possibilities and Pitfalls.
AB  - This paper discusses issues of importance to designers of media for visually
      impaired users. The paper considers the influence of human factors on the
      effectiveness of presentation as well as the strengths and weaknesses of tactile,
      vibrotactile, haptic, and multimodal methods of rendering maps, graphs, and
      models. The authors, all of whom are visually impaired researchers in this
      domain, present findings from their own work and work of many others who have
      contributed to the current understanding of how to prepare and render images for
      both hard-copy and technology-mediated presentation of Braille and tangible
      graphics. 

PMID- 26276999
TI  - Volume Haptics with Topology-Consistent Isosurfaces.
AB  - Haptic interfaces offer an intuitive way to interact with and manipulate 3D
      datasets, and may simplify the interpretation of visual information. This work
      proposes an algorithm to provide haptic feedback directly from volumetric
      datasets, as an aid to regular visualization. The haptic rendering algorithm lets
      users perceive isosurfaces in volumetric datasets, and it relies on several
      design features that ensure a robust and efficient rendering. A marching
      tetrahedra approach enables the dynamic extraction of a piecewise linear
      continuous isosurface. Robustness is achieved using a continuous collision
      detection step coupled with state-of-the-art proxy-based rendering methods over
      the extracted isosurface. The introduced marching tetrahedra approach guarantees
      that the extracted isosurface will match the topology of an equivalent isosurface
      computed using trilinear interpolation. The proposed haptic rendering algorithm
      improves the consistency between haptic and visual cues computing a second proxy
      on the isosurface displayed on screen. Our experiments demonstrate the
      improvements on the isosurface extraction stage as well as the robustness and the
      efficiency of the complete algorithm.

PMID- 26277000
TI  - Multistability and Instability of Neural Networks With Discontinuous Nonmonotonic
      Piecewise Linear Activation Functions.
AB  - In this paper, we discuss the coexistence and dynamical behaviors of multiple
      equilibrium points for recurrent neural networks with a class of discontinuous
      nonmonotonic piecewise linear activation functions. It is proved that under some
      conditions, such n -neuron neural networks can have at least 5(n) equilibrium
      points, 3(n) of which are locally stable and the others are unstable, based on
      the contraction mapping theorem and the theory of strict diagonal dominance
      matrix. The investigation shows that the neural networks with the discontinuous
      activation functions introduced in this paper can have both more total
      equilibrium points and more locally stable equilibrium points than the ones with
      continuous Mexican-hat-type activation function or discontinuous two-level
      activation functions. An illustrative example with computer simulations is
      presented to verify the theoretical analysis. 

PMID- 26277001
TI  - On the Performance of Manhattan Nonnegative Matrix Factorization.
AB  - Extracting low-rank and sparse structures from matrices has been extensively
      studied in machine learning, compressed sensing, and conventional signal
      processing, and has been widely applied to recommendation systems, image
      reconstruction, visual analytics, and brain signal processing. Manhattan
      nonnegative matrix factorization (MahNMF) is an extension of the conventional
      NMF, which models the heavy-tailed Laplacian noise by minimizing the Manhattan
      distance between a nonnegative matrix X and the product of two nonnegative low
      rank factor matrices. Fast algorithms have been developed to restore the low-rank
      and sparse structures of X in the MahNMF. In this paper, we study the statistical
      performance of the MahNMF in the frame of the statistical learning theory. We
      decompose the expected reconstruction error of the MahNMF into the estimation
      error and the approximation error. The estimation error is bounded by the
      generalization error bounds of the MahNMF, while the approximation error is
      analyzed using the asymptotic results of the minimum distortion of vector
      quantization. The generalization error bound is valuable for determining the size
      of the training sample needed to guarantee a desirable upper bound for the defect
      between the expected and empirical reconstruction errors. Statistical performance
      analysis shows how the reduced dimensionality affects the estimation and
      approximation errors. Our framework can also be used for analyzing the
      performance of the NMF.

PMID- 26277002
TI  - Intelligent Tracking Control for a Class of Uncertain High-Order Nonlinear
      Systems.
AB  - This brief is concerned with the problem of intelligent tracking control for a
      class of high-order nonlinear systems with completely unknown nonlinearities. An
      intelligent adaptive control algorithm is presented by combining the adaptive
      backstepping technique with the neural networks' approximation ability. It is
      shown that the practical output tracking performance of the system is achieved
      using the proposed state-feedback controller under two mild assumptions. In
      particular, by introducing a parameter in the derivations, the tracking error
      between the time-varying target signal and the output can be reduced via tuning
      the controller design parameters. Moreover, in order to solve the problem of
      overparameterization, which is a common issue in adaptive control design, a
      controller with one adaptive law is also designed. Finally, simulation results
      are given to show the effectiveness of the theoretical approaches and the
      potential of the proposed new design techniques.

PMID- 26277003
TI  - Finite-Time Stabilizability and Instabilizability of Delayed Memristive Neural
      Networks With Nonlinear Discontinuous Controller.
AB  - This paper is concerned about the finite-time stabilizability and
      instabilizability for a class of delayed memristive neural networks (DMNNs).
      Through the design of a new nonlinear controller, algebraic criteria based on M 
      matrix are established for the finite-time stabilizability of DMNNs, and the
      upper bound of the settling time for stabilization is estimated. In addition,
      finite-time instabilizability algebraic criteria are also established by choosing
      different parameters of the same nonlinear controller. The effectiveness and the
      superiority of the obtained results are supported by numerical simulations. 

PMID- 26277004
TI  - Efficient Implementation of the Backpropagation Algorithm in FPGAs and
      Microcontrollers.
AB  - The well-known backpropagation learning algorithm is implemented in a field
      programmable gate array (FPGA) board and a microcontroller, focusing in obtaining
      efficient implementations in terms of a resource usage and computational speed.
      The algorithm was implemented in both cases using a training/validation/testing
      scheme in order to avoid overfitting problems. For the case of the FPGA
      implementation, a new neuron representation that reduces drastically the resource
      usage was introduced by combining the input and first hidden layer units in a
      single module. Further, a time-division multiplexing scheme was implemented for
      carrying out product computations taking advantage of the built-in digital signal
      processor cores. In both implementations, the floating-point data type
      representation normally used in a personal computer (PC) has been changed to a
      more efficient one based on a fixed-point scheme, reducing system memory variable
      usage and leading to an increase in computation speed. The results show that the
      modifications proposed produced a clear increase in computation speed in
      comparison with the standard PC-based implementation, demonstrating the
      usefulness of the intrinsic parallelism of FPGAs in neurocomputational tasks and
      the suitability of both implementations of the algorithm for its application to
      the real world problems.

PMID- 26277005
TI  - Semisupervised Support Vector Machines With Tangent Space Intrinsic Manifold
      Regularization.
AB  - Semisupervised learning has been an active research topic in machine learning and
      data mining. One main reason is that labeling examples is expensive and time
      consuming, while there are large numbers of unlabeled examples available in many
      practical problems. So far, Laplacian regularization has been widely used in
      semisupervised learning. In this paper, we propose a new regularization method
      called tangent space intrinsic manifold regularization. It is intrinsic to data
      manifold and favors linear functions on the manifold. Fundamental elements
      involved in the formulation of the regularization are local tangent space
      representations, which are estimated by local principal component analysis, and
      the connections that relate adjacent tangent spaces. Simultaneously, we explore
      its application to semisupervised classification and propose two new learning
      algorithms called tangent space intrinsic manifold regularized support vector
      machines (TiSVMs) and tangent space intrinsic manifold regularized twin SVMs
      (TiTSVMs). They effectively integrate the tangent space intrinsic manifold
      regularization consideration. The optimization of TiSVMs can be solved by a
      standard quadratic programming, while the optimization of TiTSVMs can be solved
      by a pair of standard quadratic programmings. The experimental results of
      semisupervised classification problems show the effectiveness of the proposed
      semisupervised learning algorithms.

PMID- 26277006
TI  - Enhanced Data-Driven Optimal Terminal ILC Using Current Iteration Control
      Knowledge.
AB  - In this paper, an enhanced data-driven optimal terminal iterative learning
      control (E-DDOTILC) is proposed for a class of nonlinear and nonaffine discrete
      time systems. A dynamical linearization approach is first developed with
      iterative operation points to formulate the relationship of system output and
      input into a linear affine form. Then, an ILC law is constructed with a nonlinear
      learning gain, which is a function about the system partial derivative with
      respect to the time-varying control input. In addition, a parameter updating law
      is designed to estimate the unknown partial derivatives iteratively. The input
      signals of the proposed E-DDOTILC are time-varying and updated utilizing not only
      the terminal tracking error of the previous run but also the input signals of the
      previous time instants in the current iteration. The proposed approach is a data
      driven control strategy and only the I/O data are required for the controller
      design and analysis. The monotonic convergence and effectiveness of the proposed
      approach is further verified by both the rigorous mathematical analysis and the
      simulation results. 

PMID- 26277007
TI  - Data-Driven Hinfinity Control for Nonlinear Distributed Parameter Systems.
AB  - The data-driven Hinfinity control problem of nonlinear distributed parameter
      systems is considered in this paper. An off-policy learning method is developed
      to learn the Hinfinity control policy from real system data rather than the
      mathematical model. First, Karhunen-Loeve decomposition is used to compute the
      empirical eigenfunctions, which are then employed to derive a reduced-order model
      (ROM) of slow subsystem based on the singular perturbation theory. The Hinfinity
      control problem is reformulated based on the ROM, which can be transformed to
      solve the Hamilton-Jacobi-Isaacs (HJI) equation, theoretically. To learn the
      solution of the HJI equation from real system data, a data-driven off-policy
      learning approach is proposed based on the simultaneous policy update algorithm
      and its convergence is proved. For implementation purpose, a neural network (NN)-
      based action-critic structure is developed, where a critic NN and two action NNs
      are employed to approximate the value function, control, and disturbance
      policies, respectively. Subsequently, a least-square NN weight-tuning rule is
      derived with the method of weighted residuals. Finally, the developed data-driven
      off-policy learning approach is applied to a nonlinear diffusion-reaction
      process, and the obtained results demonstrate its effectiveness. 

PMID- 26277008
TI  - Manifold Ranking-Based Matrix Factorization for Saliency Detection.
AB  - Saliency detection is used to identify the most important and informative area in
      a scene, and it is widely used in various vision tasks, including image quality
      assessment, image matching, and object recognition. Manifold ranking (MR) has
      been used to great effect for the saliency detection, since it not only
      incorporates the local spatial information but also utilizes the labeling
      information from background queries. However, MR completely ignores the feature
      information extracted from each superpixel. In this paper, we propose an MR-based
      matrix factorization (MRMF) method to overcome this limitation. MRMF models the
      ranking problem in the matrix factorization framework and embeds query sample
      labels in the coefficients. By incorporating spatial information and embedding
      labels, MRMF enforces similar saliency values on neighboring superpixels and
      ranks superpixels according to the learned coefficients. We prove that the MRMF
      has good generalizability, and develops an efficient optimization algorithm based
      on the Nesterov method. Experiments using popular benchmark data sets illustrate
      the promise of MRMF compared with the other state-of-the-art saliency detection
      methods.

PMID- 26277009
TI  - The Application of Visual Saliency Models in Objective Image Quality Assessment:
      A Statistical Evaluation.
AB  - Advances in image quality assessment have shown the potential added value of
      including visual attention aspects in its objective assessment. Numerous models
      of visual saliency are implemented and integrated in different image quality
      metrics (IQMs), but the gain in reliability of the resulting IQMs varies to a
      large extent. The causes and the trends of this variation would be highly
      beneficial for further improvement of IQMs, but are not fully understood. In this
      paper, an exhaustive statistical evaluation is conducted to justify the added
      value of computational saliency in objective image quality assessment, using 20
      state-of-the-art saliency models and 12 best-known IQMs. Quantitative results
      show that the difference in predicting human fixations between saliency models is
      sufficient to yield a significant difference in performance gain when adding
      these saliency models to IQMs. However, surprisingly, the extent to which an IQM
      can profit from adding a saliency model does not appear to have direct relevance
      to how well this saliency model can predict human fixations. Our statistical
      analysis provides useful guidance for applying saliency models in IQMs, in terms
      of the effect of saliency model dependence, IQM dependence, and image distortion
      dependence. The testbed and software are made publicly available to the research
      community.

PMID- 26277010
TI  - Adaptive Neural Control for a Class of Pure-Feedback Nonlinear Systems via
      Dynamic Surface Technique.
AB  - This brief addresses the adaptive control problem for a class of pure-feedback
      systems with nonaffine functions possibly being nondifferentiable. Without using
      the mean value theorem, the difficulty of the control design for pure-feedback
      systems is overcome by modeling the nonaffine functions appropriately. With the
      help of neural network approximators, an adaptive neural controller is developed
      by combining the dynamic surface control (DSC) and minimal learning parameter
      (MLP) techniques. The key features of our approach are that, first, the
      restrictive assumptions on the partial derivative of nonaffine functions are
      removed, second, the DSC technique is used to avoid "the explosion of complexity"
      in the backstepping design, and the number of adaptive parameters is reduced
      significantly using the MLP technique, third, smooth robust compensators are
      employed to circumvent the influences of approximation errors and disturbances.
      Furthermore, it is proved that all the signals in the closed-loop system are
      semiglobal uniformly ultimately bounded. Finally, the simulation results are
      provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the designed method.

PMID- 26277011
TI  - Extracting Fundamental Periods to Segment Biomedical Signals.
AB  - We address the problem of segmenting nearly periodic time series into period-like
      segments. We introduce a definition of nearly periodic time series via triplets <
      basic shape, shape transformation, time scaling > that covers a wide range of
      time series. To split the time series into periods, we select a pair of principal
      components of the Hankel matrix. We then cut the trajectory of the selected
      principal components by its symmetry axis and, thus, obtaining half-periods that
      are merged into segments. We describe a method of automatic selection of periodic
      pairs of principal components, corresponding to the fundamental periodicity. We
      demonstrate the application of the proposed method to the problem of period
      extraction for accelerometric time series of human gait. We see the automatic
      segmentation into periods as a problem of major importance for human activity
      recognition problem, since it allows to obtain interpretable segments: each
      extracted period can be seen as an ultimate entity of gait. The method we propose
      is more general compared to the application specific methods and can be used for
      any nearly periodical time series. We compare its performance to classical
      mathematical methods of period extraction and find that it is not only comparable
      to the alternatives, but in some cases performs better.

PMID- 26277012
TI  - Characterization Methods for the Detection of Multiple Voice Disorders:
      Neurological, Functional, and Laryngeal Diseases.
AB  - This paper evaluates the accuracy of different characterization methods for the
      automatic detection of multiple speech disorders. The speech impairments
      considered include dysphonia in people with Parkinson's disease (PD), dysphonia
      diagnosed in patients with different laryngeal pathologies (LP), and
      hypernasality in children with cleft lip and palate (CLP). Four different methods
      are applied to analyze the voice signals including noise content measures,
      spectral-cepstral modeling, nonlinear features, and measurements to quantify the
      stability of the fundamental frequency. These measures are tested in six
      databases: three with recordings of PD patients, two with patients with LP, and
      one with children with CLP. The abnormal vibration of the vocal folds observed in
      PD patients and in people with LP is modeled using the stability measures with
      accuracies ranging from 81% to 99% depending on the pathology. The spectral
      cepstral features are used in this paper to model the voice spectrum with special
      emphasis around the first two formants. These measures exhibit accuracies ranging
      from 95% to 99% in the automatic detection of hypernasal voices, which confirms
      the presence of changes in the speech spectrum due to hypernasality. Noise
      measures suitably discriminate between dysphonic and healthy voices in both
      databases with speakers suffering from LP. The results obtained in this study
      suggest that it is not suitable to use every kind of features to model all of the
      voice pathologies; conversely, it is necessary to study the physiology of each
      impairment to choose the most appropriate set of features. 

PMID- 26277013
TI  - Multi-Objective Model Selection via Racing.
AB  - Model selection is a core aspect in machine learning and is, occasionally, multi
      objective in nature. For instance, hyper-parameter selection in a multi-task
      learning context is of multi-objective nature, since all the tasks' objectives
      must be optimized simultaneously. In this paper, a novel multi-objective racing
      algorithm (RA), namely S-Race, is put forward. Given an ensemble of models, our
      task is to reliably identify Pareto optimal models evaluated against multiple
      objectives, while minimizing the total computational cost. As a RA, S-Race
      attempts to eliminate non-promising models with confidence as early as possible,
      so as to concentrate computational resources on promising ones. Simultaneously,
      it addresses the problem of multi-objective model selection (MOMS) in the sense
      of Pareto optimality. In S-Race, the nonparametric sign test is utilized for pair
      wise dominance relationship identification. Moreover, a discrete Holm's step-down
      procedure is adopted to control the family-wise error rate of the set of
      hypotheses made simultaneously. The significance level assigned to each family is
      adjusted adaptively during the race. In order to illustrate its merits, S-Race is
      applied on three MOMS problems: 1) selecting support vector machines for
      classification; 2) tuning the parameters of artificial bee colony algorithms for
      numerical optimization; and 3) constructing optimal hybrid recommendation systems
      for movie recommendation. The experimental results confirm that S-Race is an
      efficient and effective MOMS algorithm compared to a brute-force approach.

PMID- 26277014
TI  - Low-Rank Preserving Projections.
AB  - As one of the most popular dimensionality reduction techniques, locality
      preserving projections (LPP) has been widely used in computer vision and pattern
      recognition. However, in practical applications, data is always corrupted by
      noises. For the corrupted data, samples from the same class may not be
      distributed in the nearest area, thus LPP may lose its effectiveness. In this
      paper, it is assumed that data is grossly corrupted and the noise matrix is
      sparse. Based on these assumptions, we propose a novel dimensionality reduction
      method, named low-rank preserving projections (LRPP) for image classification.
      LRPP learns a low-rank weight matrix by projecting the data on a low-dimensional
      subspace. We use the L21 norm as a sparse constraint on the noise matrix and the
      nuclear norm as a low-rank constraint on the weight matrix. LRPP keeps the global
      structure of the data during the dimensionality reduction procedure and the
      learned low rank weight matrix can reduce the disturbance of noises in the data.
      LRPP can learn a robust subspace from the corrupted data. To verify the
      performance of LRPP in image dimensionality reduction and classification, we
      compare LRPP with the state-of-the-art dimensionality reduction methods. The
      experimental results show the effectiveness and the feasibility of the proposed
      method with encouraging results.

PMID- 26277015
TI  - A Separated Approach to Control of Markov Jump Nonlinear Systems With General
      Transition Probabilities.
AB  - This paper is devoted to the control of Markov jump nonlinear systems with
      general transition probabilities (TPs) allowed to be known, uncertain, and
      unknown. With the help of the S-procedure to dispose the system nonlinearities
      and the TP property to eliminate the coupling between unknown TP and Lyapunov
      variable, an extended bounded real lemma for the considered system to be
      stochastically stable with the prescribed Hinfinity performance is established in
      the framework of linear matrix inequalities. To handle the nonlinearity incurred
      by uncertain TP for controller synthesis, a separated method is proposed to
      decouple the interconnection between Lyapunov variables and controller gains. A
      numerical example is given to show the effectiveness of the proposed method. 

PMID- 26277016
TI  - [Use of 3D-rotational angiography in the diagnosis of the anomalous origin of the
      left coronary artery in the pulmonary artery].

PMID- 26277017
TI  - [Different glycogen storage diseases presenting as abdominal distention and
      growth and weight retardation].

PMID- 26277018
TI  - The attentional blink is related to phonemic decoding, but not sight-word
      recognition, in typically reading adults.
AB  - This research investigated the relationship between the attentional blink (AB)
      and reading in typical adults. The AB is a deficit in the processing of the
      second of two rapidly presented targets when it occurs in close temporal
      proximity to the first target. Specifically, this experiment examined whether the
      AB was related to both phonological and sight-word reading abilities, and whether
      the relationship was mediated by accuracy on a single-target rapid serial visual
      processing task (single-target accuracy). Undergraduate university students
      completed a battery of tests measuring reading ability, non-verbal intelligence,
      and rapid automatised naming, in addition to rapid serial visual presentation
      tasks in which they were required to identify either two (AB task) or one (single
      target task) target/s (outlined shapes: circle, square, diamond, cross, and
      triangle) in a stream of random-dot distractors. The duration of the AB was
      related to phonological reading (n=41, beta=-0.43): participants who exhibited
      longer ABs had poorer phonemic decoding skills. The AB was not related to sight
      word reading. Single-target accuracy did not mediate the relationship between the
      AB and reading, but was significantly related to AB depth (non-linear fit,
      R(2)=.50): depth reflects the maximal cost in T2 reporting accuracy in the AB.
      The differential relationship between the AB and phonological versus sight-word
      reading implicates common resources used for phonemic decoding and target
      consolidation, which may be involved in cognitive control. The relationship
      between single-target accuracy and the AB is discussed in terms of cognitive
      preparation. 

PMID- 26277019
TI  - Increased alpha band activity indexes inhibitory competition across a border
      during figure assignment.
AB  - Figure-ground assignment is thought to entail inhibitory competition between
      potential objects on opposite sides of a shared border; the winner is perceived
      as the figure, and the loser as the shapeless ground. Computational models and
      response time measures support this understanding but to date no online measure
      of inhibitory competition during figure-ground assignment has been reported. The
      current study assays electroencephalogram (EEG) alpha power as a measure of
      inhibitory competition during figure-ground assignment. Activity in the EEG alpha
      band has been linked to functional inhibition in the brain, and it has been
      proposed that increased alpha power reflects increased inhibition. In 2
      experiments participants viewed silhouettes designed so that the insides would be
      perceived as figures. Real-world silhouettes depicted namable objects. Novel
      silhouettes depicted novel objects on the insides of their borders, but varied in
      the amount of hypothesized cross-border competition for figural status: In "Low
      Competition" silhouettes, the borders suggested novel objects on the outside as
      well as on the inside. In "High-Competition" silhouettes the borders suggested
      portions of real-world objects on the outside; these compete with the figural
      properties favoring the inside as figure. Participants accurately categorized
      both types of novel silhouettes as "novel" objects and were unaware of the real
      world objects suggested on the outside of the High-Competition silhouettes. In
      both experiments, we observed more alpha power while participants viewed High-
      rather than Low-Competition novel silhouettes. These are the first results to
      show via an online index of neural activity that figure assignment entails
      inhibitory competition.

PMID- 26277020
TI  - Determining color difference thresholds in denture base acrylic resin.
AB  - STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: In restorative prostheses, color is important, but the
      choice of color difference formula used to quantify color change in acrylic
      resins is not straightforward. PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to
      choose a color difference formula that best represented differences between the
      calculated color and the observed imperceptible to unacceptable color and to
      determine the corresponding perceptibility and acceptability threshold of color
      stability for denture base acrylic resins. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 291
      acrylic resin denture base plates were fabricated and subjected to radiation
      tests from zero to 42 hours in accordance with ISO 7491:2000. Color was measured
      with a portable spectrophotometer, and color differences were calculated with 3
      International Commission on Illumination (CIE) formulas: CIELab, CMC(1:1), and
      CIEDE2000. Thirty-four observers with no deficiencies in color perception
      participated in psychophysical perceptibility and acceptability assessments under
      controlled conditions in vitro. These 2 types of assessments were regressed to
      each observer by each formula to generate receiver operator characteristic (ROC)
      curves. Areas under the curves (AUCs) were then calculated and analyzed to
      exclude observers with poor color discrimination. AUCs were subjected to 1-way
      ANOVA (alpha=.05) to deter the statistical significance of discriminability among
      the 3 formulas in terms of perceptibility and acceptability judgments. Student
      Newman-Keuls tests (alpha=.05) were used for post hoc comparison. RESULTS:
      CMC(1:1) and CIEDE2000 formulas performed better for imperceptible to
      unacceptable color differences, with corresponding CMC(1:1) and CIEDE2000 values
      for perceptibility of 2.52 and 1.72, respectively, and acceptability thresholds
      of 6.21 and 4.08, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Formulas CMC(1:1) and CIEDE2000
      possess higher discriminability than that of CIELab in the assessment of
      perceptible color difference threshold of denture base acrylic resin. A
      statistically significant difference exists between perceptibility and
      acceptability thresholds for denture base acrylic resin.

PMID- 26277023
TI  - Gradient-based enhancement of tubular structures in medical images.
AB  - Vesselness filters aim at enhancing tubular structures in medical images. The
      most popular vesselness filters are based on eigenanalyses of the Hessian matrix
      computed at different scales. However, Hessian-based methods have well-known
      limitations, most of them related to the use of second order derivatives. In this
      paper, we propose an alternative strategy in which ring-like patterns are sought
      in the local orientation distribution of the gradient. The method takes advantage
      of symmetry properties of ring-like patterns in the spherical harmonics domain.
      For bright vessels, gradients not pointing towards the center are filtered out
      from every local neighborhood in a first step. The opposite criterion is used for
      dark vessels. Afterwards, structuredness, evenness and uniformness measurements
      are computed from the power spectrum in spherical harmonics of both the original
      and the half-zeroed orientation distribution of the gradient. Finally, the
      features are combined into a single vesselness measurement. Alternatively, a
      structure tensor that is suitable for vesselness can be estimated before the
      analysis in spherical harmonics. The two proposed methods are called Ring Pattern
      Detector (RPD) and Filtered Structure Tensor (FST) respectively. Experimental
      results with computed tomography angiography data show that the proposed filters
      perform better compared to the state-of-the-art. 

PMID- 26277021
TI  - Synergistic Effect of Simvastatin Plus Radiation in Gastric Cancer and Colorectal
      Cancer: Implications of BIRC5 and Connective Tissue Growth Factor.
AB  - PURPOSE: We investigated the synergistic effect of simvastatin, a 3-hydroxy-3
      methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor plus radiation therapy, on the
      proliferation and survival of gastric cancer (GC) and colorectal cancer (CRC)
      cells. We also studied several genes involved in the simvastatin/radiation
      induced effects. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Gastric cancer (AGS, SNU601, MKN1, and
      MKN28) and CRC (CoLo320, SW48, HT29, and HCT8) cell lines were treated with 0.2
      MUM simvastatin alone, or in combination with 0 to 4 Gy of radiation, and
      subjected to clonogenic survival and proliferation assays in vitro. To assess the
      molecular mechanism of the combination treatment, we performed microarray
      analysis, immunoblot assays, small interfering RNA knockdown experiments, and
      plasmid rescue assays. The antitumoral effects of simvastatin and radiation were
      evaluated in vivo using xenograft models. RESULTS: The combination therapy of
      simvastatin plus radiation inhibited basal clonogenic survival and proliferation
      of GC and CRC cells in vitro. Simvastatin suppressed the expression of BIRC5 and
      CTGF genes in these cancer cells. In vivo, the combined treatment with
      simvastatin and radiation significantly reduced the growth of xenograft tumors
      compared with treatment with radiation alone. CONCLUSION: We suggest that
      simvastatin has a synergistic effect with radiation on GC and CRC through the
      induction of apoptosis, which may be mediated by a simultaneous inhibition of
      BIRC5 and CTGF expression. A clinical trial of simvastatin in combination with
      radiation in patients with GC or CRC is warranted.

PMID- 26277022
TI  - Abdominal multi-organ segmentation from CT images using conditional shape
      location and unsupervised intensity priors.
AB  - This paper addresses the automated segmentation of multiple organs in upper
      abdominal computed tomography (CT) data. The aim of our study is to develop
      methods to effectively construct the conditional priors and use their prediction
      power for more accurate segmentation as well as easy adaptation to various
      imaging conditions in CT images, as observed in clinical practice. We propose a
      general framework of multi-organ segmentation which effectively incorporates
      interrelations among multiple organs and easily adapts to various imaging
      conditions without the need for supervised intensity information. The features of
      the framework are as follows: (1) A method for modeling conditional shape and
      location (shape-location) priors, which we call prediction-based priors, is
      developed to derive accurate priors specific to each subject, which enables the
      estimation of intensity priors without the need for supervised intensity
      information. (2) Organ correlation graph is introduced, which defines how the
      conditional priors are constructed and segmentation processes of multiple organs
      are executed. In our framework, predictor organs, whose segmentation is
      sufficiently accurate by using conventional single-organ segmentation methods,
      are pre-segmented, and the remaining organs are hierarchically segmented using
      conditional shape-location priors. The proposed framework was evaluated through
      the segmentation of eight abdominal organs (liver, spleen, left and right
      kidneys, pancreas, gallbladder, aorta, and inferior vena cava) from 134 CT data
      from 86 patients obtained under six imaging conditions at two hospitals. The
      experimental results show the effectiveness of the proposed prediction-based
      priors and the applicability to various imaging conditions without the need for
      supervised intensity information. Average Dice coefficients for the liver,
      spleen, and kidneys were more than 92%, and were around 73% and 67% for the
      pancreas and gallbladder, respectively. 

PMID- 26277024
TI  - [Application of an uncertainty model for fibromyalgia].
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Finding out women's experiences diagnosed with fibromyalgia applying
      the Theory of Uncertainty proposed by M. Mishel. DESIGN: A qualitative study was
      conducted, using a phenomenological approach. LOCATION: An Association of
      patients in the province of Alicante during the months of June 2012 to November
      2013. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 14 women diagnosed with fibromyalgia participated
      in the study as volunteers, aged between 45 and 65 years. METHOD: Information
      generated through structured interviews with recording and transcription, prior
      confidentiality pledge and informed consent. Analysis content by extracting
      different categories according to the theory proposed. RESULTS: The study
      patients perceive a high level of uncertainty related to the difficulty to deal
      with symptoms, uncertainty about diagnosis and treatment complexity. Moreover,
      the ability of coping with the disease it is influenced by social support,
      relationships with health professionals and help and information attending to
      patient associations. CONCLUSIONS: The health professional must provide clear
      information on the pathology to the fibromyalgia suffers, the larger lever of
      knowledge of the patients about their disease and the better the quality of the
      information provided, it is reported to be the less anxiety and uncertainty in
      the experience of the disease. Likewise patient associations should have health
      professionals in order to avoid bias in the information and advice with
      scientific evidence.

PMID- 26277025
TI  - Multifocal TMS for temporo-spatial description of cortico-cortical connectivity
      patterns.

PMID- 26277026
TI  - Acetone-activated polyimide electrospun nanofiber membrane for thin-film
      microextraction and thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometric
      analysis of phenols in environmental water.
AB  - In this work, a polyimide nanofiber membrane was electrospun and applied as
      sorbent for thin film microextraction (TFME). After TFME of phenols in water
      samples, direct thermal desorption of the sorbent at 300 degrees C followed by
      gas chromatography-mass spectrometric (TD-GC-MS) analysis was carried out. The
      extraction efficiency of TFME was enhanced by 6-12 times for phenols after
      activation with acetone. The positive effect of acetone activation was correlated
      to the increased hydrophilicity of the membrane. Extraction parameters, including
      mass of nanofiber membrane, pH value, NaCl concentration and extraction time,
      were optimized. Under optimal conditions, the LODs and LOQs for analysis of
      phenols in spiked purified water were 0.0006-0.008 and 0.002-0.025MUgL(-1),
      respectively. The linearity range was more than two orders of magnitude (R>0.99).
      The RSDs of intra-batch and inter-batch were 4.3-7.4% and 2.7-10.6% (n=3).
      Finally the method was applied to real samples, including tap water, sea water,
      and waste water. These results indicate that the polyimide nanofiber membrane is
      a promising candidate as TFME sorbent for determination of polar analytes in
      water samples coupled with TD-GC-MS. 

PMID- 26277027
TI  - Development of an accurate and high-throughput methodology for structural
      comprehension of chlorophylls derivatives. (II) Dephytylated derivatives.
AB  - Dephytylated chlorophylls (chlorophyllides and pheophorbides) are the starting
      point of the chlorophyll catabolism in green tissues, components of the
      chlorophyll pattern in storage/processed food vegetables, as well as the favoured
      structural arrangement for chlorophyll absorption. In addition, dephytylated
      native chlorophylls are prone to several modifications of their structure
      yielding pyro-, 13(2)-hydroxy- and 15(1)-hydroxy-lactone derivatives. Despite of
      these outstanding remarks only few of them have been analysed by MS(n). Besides
      new protocols for obtaining standards, we have developed a new high throughput
      methodology able to determine the fragmentation pathway of 16 dephytylated
      chlorophyll derivatives, elucidating the structures of the new product ions and
      new mechanisms of fragmentation. The new methodology combines, by first time,
      high resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry and powerful post-processing
      software. Native chlorophyllides and pheophorbides mainly exhibit product ions
      that involve the fragmentation of D ring, as well as additional exclusive product
      ions. The introduction of an oxygenated function at E ring enhances the progress
      of fragmentation reactions through the beta-keto ester group, developing also
      exclusive product ions for 13(2)-hydroxy derivatives and for 15(1)-hydroxy
      lactone ones. Consequently, while MS(2)-based reactions of phytylated chlorophyll
      derivatives point to fragmentations at the phytyl and propionic chains,
      dephytylated chlorophyll derivatives behave different as the absence of phytyl
      makes beta-keto ester group and E ring more prone to fragmentation. Proposals of
      the key reaction mechanisms underlying the origin of new product ions have been
      made. 

PMID- 26277028
TI  - Insights into chromatographic separation using core-shell metal-organic
      frameworks: Size exclusion and polarity effects.
AB  - Porous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) [Cu3(BTC)2(H2O)3]n (also known as HKUST-1;
      BTC, benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid) were synthesized as homogeneous shell onto
      carboxyl functionalized magnetic microparticles through a liquid phase epitaxy
      (LPE) process. The as-synthesized core-shell HKUST-1 magnetic microparticles
      composites were characterized by XRD and SEM, and used as stationary phase in
      high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The effects of the unique
      properties of MOFs onto the chromatographic performance are demonstrated by the
      experiments. First, remarkable separation of pyridine and bipyridine is achieved,
      although both molecules show a strong interaction between the Cu-ions in HKUST-1
      and the nitrogen atoms in their heterocyles. The difference can be explained due
      to size exclusion of bipyridine from the well defined pore structure of
      crystalline HKUST-1. Second, the enormous variety of possible interactions of
      sample molecules with the metal ions and linkers within MOFs allows for
      specifically tailored solid phases for challenging separation tasks. For example,
      baseline separation of three chloroaniline (CLA) isomers tested can be achieved
      without the need for gradient elution modes. Along with the experimental HPLC
      runs, in-depth modelling with a recently developed chromatography modelling
      software (ChromX) was applied and proofs the software to be a powerful tool for
      exploring the separation potential of thin MOF films. The pore diffusivity of
      pyridine and CLA isomers within HKUST-1 are found to be around 2.3*10(-15)m(2)s(
      1). While the affinity of HKUST-1 to the tested molecules strongly differs, the
      maximum capacities are in the same range, with 0.37molL(-1) for pyridine and
      0.23molL(-1) for CLA isomers, corresponding to 4.0 and 2.5 molecules per MOF unit
      cell, respectively. 

PMID- 26277029
TI  - Determination of adsorption isotherm parameters for minor whey proteins by
      gradient elution preparative liquid chromatography.
AB  - Ion-Exchange Chromatography (IEC) techniques have been extensively investigated
      in protein purification processes, due to the more selective and milder
      separation steps. To date, existing studies of minor whey proteins fractionation
      in IEC have primarily been conducted as batch uptake studies, which require more
      experimental search space, time and materials. In this work, the selected resin's
      (SP Sepharose FF) equilibrium and dynamic binding capacity were first
      investigated. Next, adsorption of the pure binary mixture of lactoperoxidase and
      lactoferrin was studied to calibrate steric mass action (SMA) model using a
      simplified approach with data from single column experiments. The calibrated
      model was then verified by performing factorial-design based experiments for
      various process operating conditions assessing process performance on a larger
      bed height column. The model predicted results demonstrated a realistic agreement
      with the experiments providing reproducible column elution profile and reduced
      experimental work. Finally, whey protein isolate was used to evaluate model
      parameters in real conditions. Results obtained herein are suitable for future
      large scale applications. 

PMID- 26277030
TI  - Study of complex matrix effect on solid phase microextraction for biological
      sample analysis.
AB  - Solid phase microextraction (SPME) has become a useful tool for in vivo
      monitoring the behavior of environmental organic pollutants in biological species
      due to its simplicity, relatively non-invasive, and cost-effective manner.
      However, the complex matrices in biological samples could significantly influence
      the extraction kinetic, and bias the quantification result. In this study, we
      investigated the effect of complex matrix on the extraction kinetic of SPME for
      biological sample analysis. Two sample matrices, phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)
      with bovine serum albumin (BSA) and agarose gel with BSA were used to simulate
      the biological fluid and tissue. Results showed that the addition of BSA
      significantly enhanced the mass transfer of organic compounds onto SPME fiber in
      both PBS buffer and gel sample. Enhancement factors ranging from 1.3 to 27, and
      2.0 to 80 were found for all selected polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in PBS
      buffer and agarose gel with BSA concentration of 0.1-5%, respectively. Then, an
      improved theoretical model was applied to quantify the observed enhancement
      effect, and the result showed that the predicted sampling time constant agreed
      well with the experimental one in complex matrix. Furthermore, a simplified
      equation was proposed for the real biological sample analysis. 

PMID- 26277031
TI  - Comparison of survival outcomes among standard radiotherapy regimens in limited
      stage small cell lung cancer patients receiving concurrent chemoradiation.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The optimal radiotherapy dose in concurrent chemoradiation (CRT) for
      limited-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is controversial. We compared the
      effectiveness of several high-dose chemoradiation regimens using a large national
      dataset. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with non-metastatic SCLC treated with
      concurrent CRT were identified in the National Cancer Database base. Overall
      survival (OS) of patients receiving dose-fractionation regimens, matching those
      in the ongoing CALGB 30610 trial [45 Gy in 30 fractions (Fx) (45 Gy/30Fx), 70 Gy
      in 35 fractions (70 Gy/35Fx), and 61.2 Gy in 34 fractions (61.2 Gy/34Fx)], were
      compared using Kaplan-Meier analysis and multivariable Cox proportional hazards
      modeling. RESULTS: We included 1228 patients treated between 1998 and 2006 with
      CRT. Mean age was 62 years and 50% of patients were women. Radiotherapy dose
      fractionation was 45 Gy/30Fx in 707 (57.6%), 70 Gy/35Fx in 53 (4.3%), and 61.2
      Gy/34Fx in 468 (38.1%). Overall survival was similar among patients treated with
      45 Gy/30Fx, 70 Gy/35Fx, and 61.2 Gy/34Fx, with median survival times of 21.5,
      21.5, and 20.2 months, respectively (p=0.438). Older age, male sex, larger tumor
      size, and more advanced stage were associated with inferior OS on Kaplan-Meier
      (all p<0.001). Cox proportional hazards modeling adjusting for these factors
      demonstrated similar OS among patients receiving these three dose-fractionation
      regimens (p=0.815). CONCLUSIONS: We observed equivalent OS among patients with
      limited-stage SCLC being treated with three dose-fractionation regimens of
      concurrent CRT. This supports the use of any one of these regimens while awaiting
      the results of ongoing randomized trials.

PMID- 26277032
TI  - Biological impact of cigarette smoke compared to an aerosol produced from a
      prototypic modified risk tobacco product on normal human bronchial epithelial
      cells.
AB  - Cigarette smoking causes serious and fatal diseases. The best way for smokers to
      avoid health risks is to quit smoking. Using modified risk tobacco products
      (MRTPs) may be an alternative to reduce the harm caused for those who are
      unwilling to quit smoking, but little is known about the toxic effects of MRTPs,
      nor were the molecular mechanisms of toxicity investigated in detail. The
      toxicity of an MRTP and the potential molecular mechanisms involved were
      investigated in high-content screening tests and whole genome transcriptomics
      analyses using human bronchial epithelial cells. The prototypic (p)MRTP that was
      tested had less impact than reference cigarette 3R4F on the cellular oxidative
      stress response and cell death pathways. Higher pMRTP aerosol extract
      concentrations had impact on pathways associated with the detoxification of
      xenobiotics and the reduction of oxidative damage. A pMRTP aerosol concentration
      up to 18 times higher than the 3R4F caused similar perturbation effects in
      biological networks and led to the perturbation of networks related to cell
      stress, and proliferation biology. These results may further facilitate the
      development of a systems toxicology-based impact assessment for use in future
      risk assessments in line with the 21st century toxicology paradigm, as shown here
      for an MRTP. 

PMID- 26277034
TI  - Mesocorticolimbic dopamine functioning in primary psychopathy: A source of within
      group heterogeneity.
AB  - Despite similar emotional deficiencies, primary psychopathic individuals can be
      situated on a continuum that spans from controlled to disinhibited. The
      constructs on which primary psychopaths are found to diverge, such as self
      control, cognitive flexibility, and executive functioning, are crucially
      regulated by dopamine (DA). As such, the goal of this review is to examine which
      specific alterations in the meso-cortico-limbic DA system and corresponding genes
      (e.g., TH, DAT, COMT, DRD2, DRD4) might bias development towards a more
      controlled or disinhibited expression of primary psychopathy. Based on empirical
      data, it is argued that primary psychopathy is generally related to a higher
      tonic and population activity of striatal DA neurons and lower levels of D2-type
      DA receptors in meso-cortico-limbic projections, which may boost motivational
      drive towards incentive-laden goals, dampen punishment sensitivity, and increase
      future reward-expectancy. However, increasingly higher levels of DA activity in
      the striatum (moderate versus pathological elevations), lower levels of DA
      functionality in the prefrontal cortex, and higher D1-to-D2-type receptor ratios
      in meso-cortico-limbic projections may lead to increasingly disinhibited and
      impetuous phenotypes of primary psychopathy. Finally, in order to provide a more
      coherent view on etiological mechanisms, we discuss interactions between DA and
      serotonin that are relevant for primary psychopathy. 

PMID- 26277033
TI  - Inflammatory markers and chronic exposure to fluoxetine, divalproex, and placebo
      in intermittent explosive disorder.
AB  - Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED) is a disorder of impulsive aggression
      affecting 4-7% of the U.S. population during some period of life. In addition to
      other biological correlates, elevations of plasma inflammatory markers have been
      reported in IED, compared with control, subjects. In this study we sought to
      explore if treatment exposure to anti-aggressive agents, compared with placebo,
      would be associated with a reduction in circulating levels of inflammatory
      markers. Thirty IED subjects, from a 12-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo
      controlled trial of fluoxetine and divalproex, in which both pre- and post
      treatment levels of C-Reactive Protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-2, IL-6,
      IL-8, IL-10 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha were obtained. Efficacy
      measures included the Overt Aggression Scale-Modified (OAS-M) score for
      Aggression and for Irritability, rate of Clinical Global Impression of
      Improvement (CGI-I), and rate of IED Remitters at study completion. As compared
      to placebo, neither fluoxetine nor divalproex reduced any of the measures of
      aggression. In addition, levels of CRP and pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines
      showed no changes from pre- to post-treatment for any treatment condition.
      Correlations between pre- and post- treatment plasma CRP/cytokines were
      substantial (mean r=0.71, r(2)=0.50, p<0.001). Overall, circulating markers of
      inflammation markers were unaffected by treatment with fluoxetine or divalproex,
      consistent with the absence of change in measures of impulsive aggression. 

PMID- 26277035
TI  - BDNF concentration and impulsiveness level in post-traumatic stress disorder.
AB  - Among the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), impulsiveness has
      been observed in patients with high levels of hyperarousal. Recent literature
      reveals the importance of investigating the role of neurotrophins, such as brain
      derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), in several psychiatric disorders.
      Specifically, contrasting findings have been reported on the levels of serum BDNF
      in subjects with PTSD. The aim of the present study was to investigate the
      correlation between BDNF serum levels and impulsiveness in PTSD. To this end, we
      measured BDNF serum levels in 23 PTSD patients and a control group of 19 trauma
      exposed non-PTSD subjects. Results indicate a positive correlation in the PTSD
      group; that is, the higher the BDNF levels the higher the impulsiveness score, as
      measured by the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11), suggesting that
      impulsiveness could be associated with greater BDNF production. Alternatively, it
      is also possible that high impulsiveness acts as a psychological mechanism that
      counteracts the negative effects exerted by the traumatic experience and the
      associated obsessive thoughts. The present paper discusses both hypotheses. 

PMID- 26277036
TI  - Para-aminosalicylic acid: the return of an old friend.
AB  - Para-aminosalicylic acid (PAS) is one of the last remaining drugs available to
      treat extensively drug-resistant (XDR) tuberculosis. Good outcomes (81% 5 year
      survival) were documented when PAS was first used with streptomycin, yet results
      of PAS with remaining potentially effective drugs for the treatment of XDR
      tuberculosis are poor (mortality 30-90%). In this Review, we assess published
      work regarding recommendations for PAS dosing in relation to efficacy and
      tolerance. PAS 20 g daily acoompanied only by streptomycin is better in
      prevention of streptomycin resistance than PAS 10 g or 5 g daily. When
      accompanied by isonazid, a more potent drug than streptomycin, treatment success
      with PAS 20 g daily is similar to that of PAS 10 g daily. In contemporary,
      relatively weak XDR tuberculosis regimens, the recommended doseage of PAS 8-12 g
      in two to three doses daily is probably insufficient. Furthermore, once daily PAS
      could be considered, because substantial research suggests no worse intolerance
      than with multiple daily PAS doses. In most countries, PAS is now available in a
      granular, slow-release formulation that seems well tolerated, but efficacy has
      never been formally assessed. Once daily dosing with granular PAS might achieve
      high peak concentrations and a long interval above minimum inhibitory
      concentration, with the advantage of improved supervision of drug intake. 

PMID- 26277037
TI  - Clinical value of whole-genome sequencing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
AB  - Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) is now common as a result of new technologies that
      can rapidly sequence a complete bacterial genome for US$500 or less. Many studies
      have addressed questions about tuberculosis with WGS, and knowing the sequence of
      the entire genome, rather than only a few fragments, has greatly increased the
      precision of molecular epidemiology and contact tracing. Additionally, topics
      such as the mutation rate, drug resistance, the target of new drugs, and the
      phylogeny and evolution of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex bacteria have
      been elucidated by WGS. Nonetheless, WGS has not explained differences in
      transmissibility between strains, or why some strains are more virulent than
      others or more prone to development of multidrug resistance. With advances in
      technology, WGS of clinical specimens could become routine in high-income
      countries; however, its relevance will probably depend on easy to use software to
      efficiently process the sequences produced and accessible genomic databases that
      can be mined in future studies. 

PMID- 26277038
TI  - Characterization of the SIRT family of NAD+-dependent protein deacetylases in the
      context of a mammalian model of hibernation, the thirteen-lined ground squirrel.
AB  - Hibernating mammals employ strong metabolic rate depression to survive the
      winter, thereby avoiding the high energy costs of maintaining a euthermic
      lifestyle in the face of low seasonal temperatures and limited food resources.
      Characteristics of this natural torpor include a significant reduction in body
      temperature, a shift to a lipid-based metabolism, global suppression of ATP
      expensive activities, and the upregulation of selected genes that mediate
      biochemical reorganization and cytoprotection. Sirtuin (SIRT) proteins, an
      evolutionarily conserved family of NAD(+)-dependent protein deacetylases, have
      been shown to play important roles in the post-translational regulation of many
      metabolic and cytoprotective processes, suggesting a potential function for these
      enzymes in the control of hibernation. To assess this possibility, protein levels
      of the seven mammalian SIRTs (SIRT1, SIRT2, SIRT3, SIRT4, SIRT5, SIRT6 and
      SIRT7), total SIRT activity, and the acetylation status of two downstream SIRT
      targets (SOD2K68 and NF-kappaB p65K310) were measured in skeletal muscle, liver,
      brown adipose and white adipose tissues of the hibernating thirteen-lined ground
      squirrel (Ictidomys tridecemlineatus) over the course of the torpor-arousal
      cycle. The analysis revealed tissue-specific responses of different SIRTs at
      various points throughout hibernation, including a potentially interesting
      correlation between increased levels of SIRT3 protein, heightened total SIRT
      activity, and decreased acetylation of SIRT3 downstream target SOD2K68 in
      skeletal muscle during late torpor. These results provide evidence to suggest a
      possible role for the SIRT family of protein deacetylases in the regulation of
      the metabolic and cellular protective pathways that mediate the process of
      mammalian hibernation. 

PMID- 26277039
TI  - Successful ram semen cryopreservation with lyophilized egg yolk-based extender.
AB  - The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of lyophilized egg yolk
      extender on ram semen cryopreservation. Ejaculates with a thick consistency,
      rapid wave motion (3-5 on a 0-5 scale) and >75% initial motility were pooled.
      Sperm were diluted to final concentration of 1/5 (semen/extender) in lyophilized
      egg yolk or fresh egg yolk extenders using two-step dilution method. The
      equilibrated semen was frozen in 0.25 mL straws. Semen samples were assessed for
      sperm motility, plasma membrane functional integrity using hypoosmotic swelling
      test (HOST), damaged acrosome using FITC-Pisum sativum agglutinin (PSA-FITC) and
      DNA integrity using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end
      labeling (TUNEL) at three time points: after dilution with extender A,
      equilibration and post-thaw. The results showed that freezing and thawing
      procedures (dilution, equilibration and thawing) had negative effects on motility
      (P<0.001), plasma membrane integrity (P<0.001), acrosome integrity (P<0.001) and
      DNA integrity (P<0.001). In the study, there were no significant differences
      between lyophilized and fresh egg yolk extenders when comparing motility, plasma
      membrane integrity, acrosome integrity and DNA integrity between groups. In
      conclusion, lyophilized egg yolk extender provided similar cryoprotective effects
      with fresh egg yolk extender to cryopreserve ram semen.

PMID- 26277040
TI  - Update on Hidradenitis Suppurative (Part II): Treatment.
AB  - Although hidradenitis suppurativa is a common and serious skin condition, its
      treatment is not well established. It is now accepted that the moderate and
      severe forms of the disease are associated with marked systemic inflammation. The
      goal of treatment in hidradenitis suppurative is therefore to achieve systemic
      control of inflammation. In some cases, surgery may also be necessary to reduce
      the severity of the manifestations of cutaneous inflammation. Recent advances in
      our understanding of hidradenitis suppurativa have been accompanied by the
      emergence of novel approaches to its treatment, including the use of certain
      biologic drugs. Several clinical trials have been undertaken to test the effects
      of biologics (mainly adalimumab) in this setting. In this review, we analyze the
      different treatments available for hidradenitis suppurativa. 

PMID- 26277041
TI  - Paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity in pediatric traumatic brain injury: A case
      series of four patients.
AB  - Paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity (PSH) is a condition in which there is
      extreme autonomic dysregulation leading to multiple episodes of sympathetic
      hyperactivity. Its occurrence after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in pediatric
      population is a neglected scenario. In our series, all pediatric patients with
      moderate and severe head injuries were studied and those patients who developed
      PSH were monitored for the PSH episodes. Four children out of 36 cases of
      pediatric severe traumatic brain injury developed features of PSH. Admission GCS
      of 3 children were 4/15 and 1 child was 6/15 and each of them had an ICU stay of
      more than 2 weeks and a poor DRS score at discharge. The presence of PSH is known
      to produce poorer outcome in terms of overall mortality, time needed for
      recovery, chances of developing infections, etc. which was also seen in these
      cases presented here. Though some studies have provided guidelines for the
      management of PSH like symptomatic management and use of drugs like clonidine,
      bromocriptine, benzodiazepines, and gabapentin, strict management guidelines are
      not established and exact incidence in pediatric population is not determined.

PMID- 26277042
TI  - The bilingual advantage debate: Moving toward different methods for verifying its
      existence.

PMID- 26277043
TI  - A quality initiative of postoperative radiographic imaging performed on
      mastectomy specimens to reduce histology cost and pathology report turnaround
      time.
AB  - Breast pathology relies on gross dissection for accurate diagnostic work, but
      challenges can necessitate submission of high tissue volumes resulting in excess
      labor, laboratory costs, and delays. To address these issues, a quality
      initiative was created through implementation of the Faxitron PathVision specimen
      radiography system as part of the breast gross dissection protocol; this report
      documents its impact on workflow and clinical care. Retrospective data from 459
      patients who underwent simple or modified radical mastectomy at our institution
      between May 2012 and December 2014 were collected. Comparison was made between
      the mastectomy specimen control group before radiography use (233 patients, 340
      breasts) and Faxitron group that underwent postoperative radiography (226
      patients, 338 breasts). We observed a statistically significant decrease in mean
      number of blocks between control and Faxitron groups (47.0 vs 39.7 blocks;
      P<.0001), for calculated cost savings of US $146 per mastectomy. A statistically
      significant decrease in pathology report turnaround time was also observed (4.2
      vs 3.8days; P=.038). Postoperative mastectomy specimen radiography has increased
      workflow efficiency and decreased histology costs and pathology report turnaround
      time. These findings may underestimate actual benefits and highlight the
      importance of quality improvement projects in anatomical pathology. 

PMID- 26277044
TI  - Association between alcohol and substance use disorders and all-cause and cause
      specific mortality in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and unipolar depression: a
      nationwide, prospective, register-based study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: People with severe mental illness have both increased mortality and
      are more likely to have a substance use disorder. We assessed the association
      between mortality and lifetime substance use disorder in patients with
      schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or unipolar depression. METHODS: In this
      prospective, register-based cohort study, we obtained data for all people with
      schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or unipolar depression born in Denmark in 1955
      or later from linked nationwide registers. We obtained information about
      treatment for substance use disorders (categorised into treatment for alcohol,
      cannabis, or hard drug misuse), date of death, primary cause of death, and
      education level. We calculated hazard ratios (HRs) for all-cause mortality and
      subhazard ratios (SHRs) for cause-specific mortality associated with substance
      use disorder of alcohol, cannabis, or hard drugs. We calculated standardised
      mortality ratios (SMRs) to compare the mortality in the study populations to that
      of the background population. FINDINGS: Our population included 41 470 people
      with schizophrenia, 11 739 people with bipolar disorder, and 88 270 people with
      depression. In schizophrenia, the SMR in those with lifetime substance use
      disorder was 8.46 (95% CI 8.14-8.79), compared with 3.63 (3.42-3.83) in those
      without. The respective SMRs in bipolar disorder were 6.47 (5.87-7.06) and 2.93
      (2.56-3.29), and in depression were 6.08 (5.82-6.34) and 1.93 (1.82-2.05). In
      schizophrenia, all substance use disorders were significantly associated with
      increased risk of all-cause mortality, both individually (alcohol, HR 1.52 [95%
      CI 1.40-1.65], p<0.0001; cannabis, 1.24 [1.04-1.48], p=0.0174; hard drugs, 1.78
      [1.56-2.04], p<0.0001) and when combined. In bipolar disorder or depression, only
      substance use disorders of alcohol (bipolar disorder, HR 1.52 [95% CI 1.27-1.81],
      p<0.0001; depression, 2.01 [1.86-2.18], p<0.0001) or hard drugs (bipolar
      disorder, 1.89 [1.34-2.66], p=0.0003; depression, 2.27 [1.98-2.60], p<0.0001)
      increased risk of all-cause mortality individually. INTERPRETATION: Mortality in
      people with mental illness is far higher in individuals with substance use
      disorders than in those without, particularly in people who misuse alcohol and
      hard drugs. Mortality-reducing interventions should focus on patients with a dual
      diagnosis and seek to prevent or treat substance use disorders. FUNDING: The
      Lundbeck Foundation.

PMID- 26277045
TI  - Drug-related mortality in psychiatric patients.

PMID- 26277046
TI  - Human Papillomavirus Biology, Pathogenesis, and Potential for Drug Discovery: A
      Literature Review for HIV Nurse Clinical Scientists.
AB  - Persistent oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) infection increases the
      probability that precancerous anal high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions
      will progress to invasive anal cancer. Anal neoplasia associated with HPV
      disproportionately affects HIV-infected individuals, especially men who have sex
      with men. Prevention is limited to HPV vaccine recommendations, highlighting the
      need for new treatments. The purpose of this review is to provide HIV information
      to nurse clinical scientists about HPV-related cancer to highlight the connection
      between: (a) HPV biology and pathogenesis and (b) the development of drugs and
      novel therapeutic methods using high-throughput screening. PubMed and CINAHL were
      used to search the literature to determine HPV-related epidemiology, biology, and
      use of high-throughput screening for drug discovery. Several events in the HPV
      life cycle have the potential to be developed into biologic targets for drug
      discovery using the high-throughput screening technique, which has been
      successfully used to identify compounds to inhibit HPV infections. 

PMID- 26277047
TI  - Real-time characterization of the uterine blood flow in mares before and after
      artificial insemination.
AB  - The present experiment was divided into two studies to investigate the effect of
      age and endometrial degeneration on uterine blood flow of mares throughout the
      immediate post-breeding period. In study 1, uterine blood flow was characterized
      in mares (n = 7 mares/group) with minimal, moderate or severe endometrial
      degenerative changes (GI, GII and GIII, respectively). In study 2, the effect of
      age was investigated using young (<= 6 years) and old (>= 15 years) mares (n = 7
      mares/group). Uterine vascular perfusion and mesometrial pulsatility index (PI)
      were evaluated every hour from H0 (moment immediately before AI) to H12. In study
      1, a pronounced and transitory increase on uterine vascular perfusion was
      detected (P < 0.001) between H1 and H3 in the three endometrial groups. In
      addition, GIII mares had greater (P < 0.05) mesometrial PI than GI mares during
      the post-breeding period, denoting reduced uterine blood flow. In study 2, a
      transitory increase on uterine vascular perfusion was also observed in both age
      groups during the first hour after mating. However, mesometrial PI of young and
      old mares was similar (P > 0.05) and constant (P > 0.7) through the first 12h
      after AI. Results demonstrated, for the first time, the immediate changes on
      uterine vascular perfusion and mesometrial PI in response to semen infusion.
      Moreover, reduced blood flow of the uterus during the post-breeding period was
      strongly associated with endometrial degenerative changes in mares, regardless of
      age.

PMID- 26277048
TI  - Modeling the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis: A review and extension.
AB  - Multiple models of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis have been
      developed to characterize the oscillations seen in the hormone concentrations and
      to examine HPA axis dysfunction. We reviewed the existing models, then replicated
      and compared five of them by finding their correspondence to a dataset consisting
      of ACTH and cortisol concentrations of 17 healthy individuals. We found that
      existing models use different feedback mechanisms, vary in the level of details
      and complexities, and offer inconsistent conclusions. None of the models fit the
      validation dataset well. Therefore, we re-calibrated the best performing model
      using partial calibration and extended the model by adding individual fixed
      effects and an exogenous circadian function. Our estimated parameters reduced the
      mean absolute percent error significantly and offer a validated reference model
      that can be used in diverse applications. Our analysis suggests that the
      circadian and ultradian cycles are not created endogenously by the HPA axis
      feedbacks, which is consistent with the recent literature on the circadian clock
      and HPA axis. 

PMID- 26277049
TI  - Wintertime haze deterioration in Beijing by industrial pollution deduced from
      trace metal fingerprints and enhanced health risk by heavy metals.
AB  - Airborne particulate matter (PM) was collected in Beijing between 24 February and
      12 March 2014 to investigate chemical characteristics and potential industrial
      sources of aerosols along with health risk of haze events. Results showed
      secondary inorganic aerosol was the major contributor to PM2.5 during haze days.
      Utilizing specific elements, including Fe, La, Tl and As, as fingerprinting
      tracers, four emission sources, namely iron and steel manufacturing, petroleum
      refining, cement plant, and coal combustion were explicitly identified; their
      elevated contributions to PM during haze days were also estimated. The average
      cancer risk from exposure to inhalable PM toxic metals was 1.53 * 10(-4) on haze
      days, which is one order of magnitude higher than in other developed cities.
      These findings suggested heavy industries emit large amounts of not only primary
      PM but also precursor gas pollutants, leading to secondary aerosol formation and
      harm to human health during haze days. 

PMID- 26277050
TI  - Effects of feeding different lipid sources on hepatic histopathology features and
      growth traits of broiler chickens.
AB  - The effects of different dietary lipid sources on growth traits and hepatic
      histopathology of broiler chickens were investigated. Hubbard strain one-day old
      chickens (n=120) were kept in pens and were fed one of the three corn-soybean
      meal-based diets until 49 days of age. The dietary treatments consisted of 2.5%
      added oil or fat from three sources as follows: SFO diet containing sunflower
      oil; LRD diet containing lard, and EVOO diet containing extra-virgin olive oil.
      Dietary oil or fat type improved significantly body weight and gain as well as
      feed efficiency in birds fed EVOO compared to those fed the other treatments.
      Based on our findings, after the whole experimental feeding period it was
      possible to observe relevant injuries to the liver of the chicks fed with lard,
      whereas the hepatic histopathological changes appeared less marked or absent in
      the chicks fed vegetable oils from sunflower or olive. Thus, we can conclude that
      dietary lipid source affected chicks performance and hepatic histopathology
      especially when chicks fed diet containing animal fats; whereas feeding extra
      virgin olive oil supported positively growth traits and did not result in hepatic
      histopathological effects. 

PMID- 26277052
TI  - Clinical potential of boron neutron capture therapy for locally recurrent
      inoperable previously irradiated head and neck cancer.
AB  - This review compares the safety and efficacy of boron neutron capture therapy
      (BNCT) in the treatment of previously irradiated, inoperable locoregional
      recurrent HNC patients and compares BNCT against the standard treatment of
      platinum-based chemotherapy. Our analysis of published clinical trials highlights
      efficacy of BNCT associated with mild side effects. However, the use of BNCT
      should be explored in stratified randomised trials. 

PMID- 26277051
TI  - Cyclo-Gly-Pro, a cyclic dipeptide, attenuates nociceptive behaviour and
      inflammatory response in mice.
AB  - The present study aimed to investigate the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory
      effects of the cyclic dipeptide cyclo-Gly-Pro (CGP) in mice. Antinociceptive
      activity was assessed by employing different pain models, such as formalin test,
      acetic acid-induced writhing, hot plate test, and carrageenan-induced
      hyperalgesia, in mice. The number of c-Fos-immunoreactive cells in the
      periaqueductal gray (PAG) was evaluated in CGP-treated mice. Anti-inflammatory
      activity was evaluated using paw oedema induced by carrageenan, compound 48/80,
      serotonin, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and analyzed by plethysmometry.
      Quantitation of myeloperoxidase (MPO) in the paw was carried out to analyze the
      presence of neutrophils in the tissue. Intraperitoneal injection of CGP produced
      a significant inhibition in both neurogenic and inflammatory phases of formalin
      induced pain. The antinociceptive effect of CGP, evaluated in the acetic acid
      induced writhing test, was detected for up to 6 h after treatment. Further, in
      the hot plate test, antinociceptive behaviour was evoked by CGP, and this
      response was inhibited by naloxone. Animals treated with CGP did not present
      changes in motor performance. In CGP-treated mice there was an increase in the
      number of c-Fos-positive neurons in the periaqueductal gray. In another set of
      experiments, CGP attenuated the hyperalgesic response induced by carrageenan.
      Furthermore, CGP also reduced the carrageenan-increased MPO activity in paws. In
      addition, CGP also reduced the paw oedema evoked by compound 48/80, serotonin,
      and PGE2 . Taken together, these results may support a possible therapeutic
      application of the cyclic dipeptide cyclo-Gly-Pro toward alleviating nociception
      and damage caused by inflammation conditions.

PMID- 26277053
TI  - Relationship between Root Apices and the Mandibular Canal: A Cone-beam Computed
      Tomographic Analysis in a German Population.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to assess the mean distance between
      the mandibular canal and the apices of the adjacent teeth. METHODS: Six hundred
      twenty-seven full-size cone-beam computed tomographic radiographs (Planmeca
      Promax3D; Planmeca, Helsinki, Finland; volume 8 * 8cm, voxel size <=0.2 mm) of a
      German population (female = 58.2%, male = 41.8%, mean age = 51 years) were
      analyzed to establish the shortest distance between the mandibular canal and the
      root apices of the second premolar and all molars using the multiplanar
      reconstruction of the manufacturer's software in 3 mutually orthogonal planes.
      The obtained metric data were statistically analyzed using Student-Neumann-Keuls
      and Scheffe tests. Concerning the position of the tooth, the left or right side,
      and the sex of the patients, the chi-square test was used. RESULTS: A total of
      821 second mandibular premolars and 597 first, 508 second, and 48 third
      mandibular molars were included, and the mean distances were 4.2, 4.9, 3.1, and
      2.6 mm, respectively. The occurrence of a direct relationship between the root
      tips and the mandibular canal was found in 3.2%, 2.9%, 15.2%, and 31.3% of the
      teeth. Women were almost twice as often affected as men. No significant
      differences were found concerning the location (right/left) of the teeth (P >
      .05). Significantly shorter distances from the mandibular canal to the root
      apices were found in patients younger than 35 years compared with older patients
      (P < .0012). CONCLUSIONS: Direct communication between the root apices and the
      mandibular canal is not rare and has to be taken into consideration when
      performing surgical or endodontic procedures to avoid iatrogenic nerve damages.
      Distances depend on sex and age.

PMID- 26277054
TI  - [Prostatic abscess: Clinical case and a literature review].

PMID- 26277055
TI  - [Arthropathy due to B19 parvovirus in adults].

PMID- 26277057
TI  - [Twin brothers, same reason for consulting, different days].

PMID- 26277058
TI  - [Cold agglutinin disease secondary to Epstein-Barr virus infection: A rare
      complication of a common disease].

PMID- 26277059
TI  - When top predators become prey: Black bears alter movement behaviour in response
      to hunting pressure.
AB  - The trade-off between predator avoidance and foraging is a key decision making
      factor that shapes an organism's adaptive behaviour and movement patterns. Human
      hunters act as top predators to influence the behaviour of free-ranging mammals,
      including large carnivorous species such as black bears (Ursus americanus).
      Analysing the effects of hunting on animal behavioural patterns is essential for
      understanding the extent to which animals detect and respond to human-induced
      disturbances. To this end, we assessed whether black bear movement behaviour
      changed with varying risk from spatially and temporally heterogeneous human
      predation. Levels of risk were categorized as either low (disturbance from dog
      training; n=19 bears) or high (disturbance from hunting activities; n=11 bears).
      Road types were either paved (risk due to vehicles) or non-paved (risk due to
      hunters) and were used as proxies for hunting effort and amount of disturbance.
      We began by testing the null hypothesis that bears' distribution before the onset
      of human disturbance is spatially random. Next, to test temporal movement
      adjustment between the low and high risk levels, we measured the distance to the
      nearest road and the road crossing frequency using mixed effects models with risk
      level, time of day and sex as predictor variables. As disturbance near non-paved
      roads increased due to the start of the hunting activity, the mean distances of
      bears to non-paved roads increased while the mean distances of bears to paved
      roads decreased, despite the continual risk of vehicle collision. These
      behavioural responses were observed during day and night, with the frequency of
      crossing paved roads at night five times greater than in daytime during the
      hunting season. Our findings demonstrate that black bears are able to detect
      risky places and adjust their spatial movements accordingly. More specifically,
      bears can perceive changes in the level of risk from human hunting activities on
      a fine temporal scale. 

PMID- 26277060
TI  - Do dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) prefer family?
AB  - Kin recognition requires the ability to discriminate between one's own genetic
      relatives and non-relatives. There are two mechanisms that aid in kin
      discrimination: phenotype matching and familiarity. Dogs may be a good model for
      assessing these mechanisms as dogs are a promiscuous social species with a keen
      sense of smell. Domestic dogs of both sexes were presented with two scents (close
      kin, distant-kin) and preference was assessed through three measures (latency to
      approach, number of visits, time spent). Experiment 1 explored the possibility of
      phenotype matching as subjects had no contact with sires, whose scent was
      presented alongside a control male's scent. Experiment 2 explored recognition of
      siblings raised with the subjects and then separated at seven weeks of age.
      Whereas female dogs in this experiment did not show a statistically significant
      preference, male dogs showed a preference for distant-kin when presented with
      sire and female sibling samples. 

PMID- 26277061
TI  - The distribution of branch lengths in phylogenetic trees.
AB  - A lot of effort has been devoted to analyze the distribution of branching times
      observed in a phylogenetic tree. On the other hand, the distribution of branch
      lengths has not received similar attention. In this paper, the distribution of
      branch lengths is studied. It is shown that different types of branches within a
      tree have distinct distributions. Some equations to predict these distributions
      are derived with respect to diversification parameters and whether the size of
      the tree is known or not. A simulation study validated these predictions. The
      inferred distributions are used to develop graphical and statistical tools to
      assess the goodness-of-fit of diversification models. An application is presented
      on a recently published dated phylogeny of Carnivora. Some future developments
      are discussed. 

PMID- 26277062
TI  - Glucose stimulates chondrocyte differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells
      and calcification: A possible role for IL-1beta.
AB  - Vascular calcification is a hallmark of type 2 diabetes. Glucose stimulates
      calcification in culture of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) but the
      underlying mechanisms remain obscure. We observed that high glucose levels
      stimulated mouse and human VSMC trans-differentiation into chondrocytes, with
      increased levels of Sox9, type II collagen, glycosaminoglycan and Runx2
      expression, and increased alkaline phosphatase activity and mineralization. These
      effects were associated with increased expression of IL-1beta, which stimulated
      alkaline phosphatase and calcification, suggesting that glucose induces
      chondrocyte differentiation of VSMCs, possibly through IL-1beta activation. 

PMID- 26277063
TI  - Congenital uveal melanoma?
AB  - A 3-month-old infant with a white mother and Asian father presented with
      discoloration and prominence of the left eye since birth. Examination revealed a
      normal right eye. The left eye had hyperchromic heterochromia and an enlarged
      cornea (diameter, 13.0 mm) with intraocular pressure of 26 mm Hg. There were
      multiple areas of subconjunctival nodular pigmentation that extended posteriorly
      into the superior fornix. Fundus examination showed a large ciliochoroidal
      pigmented mass extending from 10:30 to 3:00 o'clock position involving the
      superior half of the choroid and adjacent ciliary body. The eye was enucleated,
      confirming the diagnosis of diffuse uveal melanoma with extraocular extension.
      Systemic surveillance (hepatic panel and ultrasonography of the liver) performed
      every 6 months for 5 years was has been negative for metastases. The tumor was
      investigated intensively for the panel of genes (BAP1, BRAF, NRAS12, NRAS61,
      GNAQ, Kit 9,11,13,17,18) implicated in pathogenesis of blue nevus, cutaneous
      melanoma, and mucosal melanomas with negative results. Moreover, germline BAP1
      mutation could not be identified. This case possibly represents as yet
      unidentified uveal melanocytic proliferation rather than a true variant of uveal
      melanoma.

PMID- 26277064
TI  - Comparison of the uptake of methacrylate-based nanoparticles in static and
      dynamic in vitro systems as well as in vivo.
AB  - Polymer-based nanoparticles are promising drug delivery systems allowing the
      development of new drug and treatment strategies with reduced side effects.
      However, it remains a challenge to screen for new and effective nanoparticle
      based systems in vitro. Important factors influencing the behavior of
      nanoparticles in vivo cannot be simulated in screening assays in vitro, which
      still represent the main tools in academic research and pharmaceutical industry.
      These systems have serious drawbacks in the development of nanoparticle-based
      drug delivery systems, since they do not consider the highly complex processes
      influencing nanoparticle clearance, distribution, and uptake in vivo. In
      particular, the transfer of in vitro nanoparticle performance to in vivo models
      often fails, demonstrating the urgent need for novel in vitro tools that can
      imitate aspects of the in vivo situation more accurate. Dynamic cell culture,
      where cells are cultured and incubated in the presence of shear stress has the
      potential to bridge this gap by mimicking key-features of organs and vessels. Our
      approach implements and compares a chip-based dynamic cell culture model to the
      common static cell culture and mouse model to assess its capability to predict
      the in vivo success more accurately, by using a well-defined poly((methyl
      methacrylate)-co-(methacrylic acid)) and poly((methyl methacrylate)-co-(2
      dimethylamino ethylmethacrylate)) based nanoparticle library. After
      characterization in static and dynamic in vitro cell culture we were able to show
      that physiological conditions such as cell-cell communication of co-cultured
      endothelial cells and macrophages as well as mechanotransductive signaling
      through shear stress significantly alter cellular nanoparticle uptake. In
      addition, it could be demonstrated by using dynamic cell cultures that the in
      vivo situation is simulated more accurately and thereby can be applied as a novel
      system to investigate the performance of nanoparticle systems in vivo more
      reliable. 

PMID- 26277066
TI  - All [post-cardiac arrest patients] are [not] created equal.

PMID- 26277067
TI  - Genetic and clinical characterization of canine leishmaniasis caused by
      Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum in northeastern Argentina.
AB  - Leishmaniases comprise zoonotic diseases caused by protozoan flagellates of the
      Leishmania genus. They are endemic to South America, and the visceral form has
      been recently reported in Argentina. Dogs can play different roles in the
      Leishmania transmission cycles, depending mainly on the species of parasite
      involved. Here we focused on the clinical characterization of canine
      leishmaniasis (CanL) in Northeast Argentina and on the molecular typing of its
      etiological agent. The nested polymerase chain reaction and sequence analysis of
      the Leishmania cytochrome b (cyt b) gene was performed on DNA templates purified
      from lymph nodes, bone marrow or spleen aspirates obtained from 48 dogs
      previously diagnosed by the observation of Leishmania amastigotes on smears from
      these aspirates. Their clinical and epidemiological data were also recorded.
      Systemic abnormalities were observed in 46 subjects (95.8%), most frequently
      lymphadenopathy, and emaciation (89.6 and 75%). Furthermore, 87% also presented
      tegumentary abnormalities, such as alopecia (54.2%) or secondary skin lesions
      (47.9%), among others. Twenty three dogs were positive for cyt b amplification.
      The sequence analysis showed the presence of two genotypes, LiA1 and LiA2,
      assigned to Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum, with 99.9 and 100% homology with
      the reference strain MHOM/TN/80/IPT1 respectively. LiA1 was identified in 18
      cases (78.3%) and LiA2 in five (21.7%). Two cyt b variants of L. (L.) infantum
      were incriminated as the causative agents of CanL cases from three cities:
      Posadas, Garupa, and Ituzaingo. All three cities are located in the northeastern
      area of the country, where these parasites seem to be spreading in urban areas.

PMID- 26277068
TI  - Estimated and reported incidence of pertussis in Estonian adults: A
      seroepidemiological study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Rates of pertussis immunisation among children in Estonia are high
      (~95%), but pertussis is still the most common vaccine preventable childhood
      disease. Adults are suspected to be sources of pertussis in children. We aimed to
      measure pertussis toxin (PT) IgG in adults to estimate pertussis infection
      activity and compare estimated and reported pertussis incidences. METHODS: In a
      cross-sectional serosurvey, consecutive leftover blood sera (n=3327) from
      subjects aged 20-99 years old were collected at Quattromed HTI laboratories
      between the 7th January and 27th February 2013. Anti-PT IgG concentration was
      measured by ELISA (Euroimmun, Lubeck, Germany). Estimated annual pertussis
      incidence was calculated for 10-year age classes using de Melker et al. (2006. J
      Infect. 53(2):106-13) formula. RESULTS: The mean number of samples in each 10
      year age class was 466 (SD 20.5), except for 90-99 year olds which contained 65
      samples. More than half of all subjects (58.1%) had anti-PT IgG <5.0IU/mL, 2.7%
      had 62.5 to <125IU/mL and 0.6% >=125IU/mL; no differences occurred between 10
      year age classes. Estimated incidence of pertussis infection was 5.8% (95% CI 4.8
      7.0) in 2012, with peaks observed in 20-29 year olds (11.0%; 95% CI 7.4-15.6) and
      90-99 year olds (10.8%; 95% CI 3.0-26.2). Estimated pertussis incidence rate was
      915 times higher than reported. Of 80 subjects with anti-PT IgG >=62.5IU/mL, 25
      (31.3%) had complained of coughing to their GP during the previous six months.
      CONCLUSION: The frequency of pertussis infection was similar for all ages,
      suggesting similar Bordetella pertussis activity in adults and children. The wide
      gap between reported and estimated incidence indicates poor recognition of
      pertussis, likely owing to it being an asymptomatic or mild disease.

PMID- 26277069
TI  - Establishment of functional influenza virus-specific CD8(+) T cell memory pools
      after intramuscular immunization.
AB  - The emergence of the avian-origin influenza H7N9 virus and its pandemic potential
      has highlighted the ever-present need to develop vaccination approaches to induce
      cross-protective immunity. In this study, we examined the establishment of cross
      reactive CD8(+) T cell immunity in mice following immunization with live A/Puerto
      Rico/8/1934 (PR8; H1N1) influenza virus via two non-productive inoculation
      routes. We found that immunization via the intramuscular (IM) route established
      functional influenza-virus specific memory CD8(+) T cell pools capable of cross
      reactive recall responses. Epitope-specific primary, memory and recall CD8(+) T
      cell responses induced by the IM route, highly relevant to human influenza
      immunisations, were of comparable magnitude and quality to those elicited by the
      intraperitoneal (IP) priming, commonly used in mice. Furthermore, IM immunisation
      resulted in lower lung viral titres following heterologous challenge with
      A/Aichi/68 (X31; H3N2) compared to the IP route. Examining the ability of DCs
      from lymphoid organs to present viral antigen revealed that immune induction
      following IM immunization occurred in draining lymph nodes, while immunization
      via the IP route resulted in the priming of responses in distal lymphoid organs,
      indicative of a systemic distribution of antigen. No major differences in the
      pulmonary cytokine environment of immunized animals following X31 challenge were
      observed that could account for the improved heterologous protection induced by
      the IM route. However, while both routes induced similar levels of PR8-specific
      antibodies, higher levels of cross-reactive antibodies against X31 were induced
      following IM inoculation. Our data demonstrate how non-replicative routes of
      infection can induce efficient cross-reactive CD8(+) T cell responses and strong
      strain-specific antibody responses, with the additional benefit from IM priming
      of enhanced heterosubtypic antibody production.

PMID- 26277065
TI  - Stromal barriers and strategies for the delivery of nanomedicine to desmoplastic
      tumors.
AB  - Nanoparticle based delivery formulations have become a leading delivery strategy
      for cancer imaging and therapy. The success of nanoparticle-based therapy relies
      heavily on their ability to utilize the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR)
      effect and active targeting moieties to their advantage. However, these methods
      often fail to enable a uniform NP distribution across the tumor, and lead to
      insufficient local concentrations of drug. Oftentimes, this heterogeneous drug
      distribution is one of the primary reasons for suboptimal treatment efficacy in
      NP delivery platforms. Herein, we seek to examine the biophysical causes of
      heterogeneous NP distribution in stroma-rich desmoplastic tumors; namely the
      abnormal tumor vasculature, deregulated extracellular matrix and high
      interstitial hypertension associated with these tumors. It is suggested that
      these factors help explain the discrepancy between promising outlooks for many NP
      formulations in preclinical studies, but suboptimal clinical outcomes for most
      FDA approved nanoformulations. Furthermore, examination into the role of the
      physicochemical properties of NPs on successful drug delivery was conducted in
      this review. In light of the many formidable barriers against successful NP drug
      delivery, we provided possible approaches to mitigate delivery issues from the
      perspective of stromal remodeling and NP design. In all, this review seeks to
      provide guidelines for optimizing nanoparticle-based cancer drug delivery through
      both modified nanoparticle design and alleviation of biological barriers to
      successful therapy. 

PMID- 26277070
TI  - Characterization and optimization of a novel vaccine for protection against Lyme
      borreliosis.
AB  - Lyme borreliosis (LB) is the most common vector-borne disease in the northern
      hemisphere and there is no vaccine available for disease prevention. The majority
      of LB cases in Europe are caused by four different Borrelia species expressing
      six different OspA serotypes, whereas in the US only one of these serotypes is
      present. Immunization with the outer surface protein A (OspA) can prevent
      infection and the C-terminal part of OspA is sufficient for protection against
      infection transmitted by Ixodes ticks. Here we show that the order of the
      stabilized monomeric OspA fragments making up the heterodimers in our LB vaccine
      does not influence the induced immunogenicity and protection. Using
      bioinformatics analysis (surface electrostatics), we have designed an improved
      version of an LB vaccine which has an increased immunogenicity for OspA serotype
      3 and an optimized expression and purification profile. The OspA heterodimers
      were highly purified with low amounts of endotoxin, host cell proteins and host
      cell DNA. All three proteins were at least 85% triacylated which ensured high
      immunogenicity. The LB vaccine presented here was designed, produced and
      characterized to a level which warrants further development as a second
      generation human LB vaccine. 

PMID- 26277071
TI  - Maternal immunization in Argentina: A storyline from the prospective of a middle
      income country.
AB  - The importance of vaccination during pregnancy lies not only in directly
      protecting vaccinated women, but also by indirectly protecting small infants
      during the first few months of life. Vaccination against the flu and whooping
      cough is a priority within the comprehensive care strategy for pregnant women and
      small infants in Argentina, in the context of transitioning from child
      vaccination to family vaccination. In 2011, the flu vaccine was included in the
      National Immunization Schedule (NIS) as mandatory and free of charge, with the
      aim of decreasing complications and death due to influenza in the at-risk
      population in Argentina. The national vaccination coverage attained in pregnant
      women in the past 4 years (2011-2014) has been satisfactory; 88% coverage was
      attained in the year this program was introduced to the schedule. In the
      following years, coverage was maintained at greater than 95%. In February 2012,
      Argentina became the first country in Latin America to have universal vaccination
      strategy for pregnant women against whooping cough. This recommendation was
      implemented throughout the country by vaccination with the diphtheria toxoid,
      tetanus toxoid, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine starting at 20 weeks of
      pregnancy, with the aim of decreasing morbimortality due to whooping cough in
      infants under 6 months of age. The vaccine was incorporated into the NIS in 2014.
      More than 1,200,000 doses were applied in this period. Both vaccines showed a
      suitable safety profile and no serious events were reported. Argentina is an
      example of a middle-income country that has been able to implement a successful
      strategy for primary prevention through vaccines, making it a health policy. 

PMID- 26277072
TI  - Antibodies elicited by yeast glycoproteins recognize HIV-1 virions and potently
      neutralize virions with high mannose N-glycans.
AB  - The glycan shield on the human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) envelope (Env)
      glycoprotein has drawn attention as a target for HIV-1 vaccine design given that
      an increasing number of potent and broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs)
      recognize epitopes entirely or partially comprised of high mannose type N-linked
      glycans. In an attempt to generate immunogens that target the glycan shield of
      HIV-1, we previously engineered a triple mutant (TM) strain of Saccharomyces
      cerevisiae that results in exclusive presentation of high mannose type N-glycans,
      and identified five TM yeast glycoproteins that support strong binding of 2G12, a
      bNAb that targets a cluster of high mannose glycans on the gp120 subunit of Env.
      Here, we further analyzed the antigenicity and immunogenicity of these proteins
      in inducing anti-HIV responses. Our study demonstrated that the 2G12-reactive TM
      yeast glycoproteins efficiently bound to recently identified bNAbs including
      PGT125-130 and PGT135 that recognize high mannose glycan-dependent epitopes.
      Immunization of rabbits with a single TM yeast glycoprotein (Gp38 or Pst1), when
      conjugated to a promiscuous T-cell epitope peptide and coadministered with a Toll
      like receptor 2 agonist, induced glycan-specific HIV-1 Env cross-reactive
      antibodies. The immune sera bound to both synthetic mannose oligosaccharides and
      gp120 proteins from a broad range of HIV-1 strains. The purified antibodies
      recognized and captured virions that contain both complex- and high mannose-type
      of N-glycans, and potently neutralized virions from different HIV-1 clades but
      only when the virions were enforced to retain high mannose N-glycans. This study
      provides insights into the elicitation of anti-carbohydrate, HIV-1 Env-cross
      reactive antibodies with a heterologous glycoprotein and may have applications in
      the design and administration of immunogens that target the viral glycan shield
      for development of an effective HIV-1 vaccine.

PMID- 26277073
TI  - Functional immune responses to twelve serotypes after immunization with a 23
      valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine in older adults.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) was
      introduced as part of the national immunization program for the elderly (>=65
      years of age) in Korea on 2013. To evaluate immune responses in this population,
      serotype-specific anti-pneumococcal antibodies were studied with opsonophagocytic
      assay (OPA). METHODS: Pneumococcal vaccine-naive participants >=65 years of age
      were enrolled. They were divided into two groups according to their age: 30 in
      (65-74 years) and 32 in group (>=75 years). The functional antibody response was
      determined by multiplexed OPA (MOPA) for 12 serotypes (1, 3, 4, 5, 6B, 7F, 9V,
      14, 18C, 19A, 19F, and 23F) before and 4 weeks after vaccination with PPSV23.
      RESULTS: Geometric mean titers (GMTs) to all tested serotypes significantly
      increased in both groups after vaccination compared to those before vaccination.
      There were no significant differences in either the fold rise (post-vaccination
      to pre-vaccination) or the percentage of participants with a >=4-fold increase in
      OPA titers between two groups for any of the 12 serotypes. Following vaccination,
      GMT for serotype 9V was higher in group 1 than in group 2 (P=0.011). CONCLUSIONS:
      PPSV23 induces functional immune response for 12 vaccine serotypes in both age
      groups. Further analysis is needed for the remaining 11 serotypes in the PPSV23,
      in order to develop a better understanding of the immune responses induced by
      PPV23 in older adults.

PMID- 26277074
TI  - Investigating the Effects of Smoking on Young Adult Male Voice by Using
      Multidimensional Methods.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Smoking is one of the most common harmful habits in the world,
      especially common among young adult male population in Turkey. The purpose of
      this study was to evaluate the effect of smoking on the young adults' male voice
      using multidimensional voice assessment methods. STUDY DESIGN: This is a case
      control study. METHODS: The study included 109 young adult men, 51 nonsmokers and
      58 smokers between the ages of 20 and 34 years. The voice evaluation protocol
      consisted of voice handicap index (VHI), maximum phonation time (MPT), and
      perceptual, acoustic, and videostroboscopic analyses. RESULTS: A statistically
      significant increase for physical, physiological, and total scores of VHI was
      found in smokers group (P < 0.05). MPT showed significantly lower values among
      smokers (P < 0.05). There were no significant changes in perceptual analysis of
      voice samples between smoker and nonsmoker groups. There were no significant
      changes in any of the acoustic parameters between smoker and nonsmoker groups.
      Results of videostroboscopic analysis showed significant relationships between
      smoking and increased vocal fold erythema (P < 0.05). In addition, significantly
      asymmetry, amplitude, and periodicity abnormality of vocal fold movements were
      observed in smoker group during phonation (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of
      this study indicate that observable signs of laryngeal irritation and disturbed
      phonatory physiology occur even in young adults with relatively brief smoking
      habits. Subjective symptoms of smoking on voice appear to occur earlier than
      objective findings.

PMID- 26277075
TI  - Spatiotemporal Quantification of Vocal Fold Vibration After Exposure to
      Superficial Laryngeal Dehydration: A Preliminary Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of a superficial
      laryngeal dehydration challenge on vocal fold vibration in young healthy adults
      using high-speed video imaging. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In this prospective study,
      the effects of a 60-minute superficial laryngeal dehydration challenge on spatial
      (speed quotient, amplitude quotient) and temporal measures (jitter percentage,
      vibratory onset time) of vocal fold vibration and phonation threshold pressure
      (PTP) were evaluated in 10 (male = 4, female = 6) vocally normal adults (21-29
      years). All measures except the vibratory onset time were measured at the 10
      (low) and 80 (high) percent level of their pitch range. The vibratory onset time
      was obtained at habitual pitch and loudness level. Superficial laryngeal
      dehydration was induced by oral breathing in low ambient humidity. Prechallenge
      and postchallenge differences were statistically investigated using t tests with
      Bonferroni correction. RESULTS: The speed quotient at low-pitch phonation
      significantly decreased after oral breathing of low ambient humidity. Other
      spatiotemporal measures and PTP at low and high pitch were not significant after
      challenge. CONCLUSIONS: Results from this initial study have implications for the
      use of high-speed video imaging to detect and quantify the subtle changes in
      vocal fold vibrations after superficial dehydration in healthy individuals.
      Preliminary findings indicate that superficial dehydration in healthy individuals
      results in spatial deviations at low pitch. However, further studies are
      warranted to identify additional spatiotemporal changes in vocal fold vibration
      after superficial dehydration in normal and disordered populations.

PMID- 26277076
TI  - Erratum to: The Preventive Effects of Posterior Pericardiotomy with
      Intrapericardial Tube on the Development of Pericardial Effusion, Atrial
      Fibrillation, and Acute Kidney Injury after Coronary Artery Surgery: A
      Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Trial.

PMID- 26277077
TI  - Conflicts, Compromises, and Common Sense.

PMID- 26277078
TI  - Valve-in-Valve Procedures in Failing Biological Xenografts Using a Novel Balloon
      Expandable Device: Experience in Aortic, Mitral, and Tricuspid Positions.
AB  - Background Valve-in-valve (ViV) procedures for degenerated bioprostheses are an
      alternative for the standard of care in an aging population. Several reports
      showed that the Edwards Sapien XT (Edwards Lifesciences Co., Irvine, California,
      United States) transcatheter heart valve (THV) can be used in aortic, mitral, and
      tricuspid position for ViV procedures. No published case series for different
      valve positions exist regarding suitability of the new Edwards Sapien 3 (Edwards
      Lifesciences Co.) THV for this purpose. Especially, the increased stent height
      compared with the XT and the newly added polyethylene terephthalate cuff is of
      potential concern in ViV interventions. Herein, we report six cases of ViV
      procedures with the Edwards Sapien 3 THV with a focus on technical
      considerations. Methods and Results Between October 2013 and November 2014, six
      ViV procedures with the Edwards Sapien 3 THV were performed. Four implants were
      done in aortic, one in mitral, and one in tricuspid position. All procedures were
      performed successfully without any complications. Fluoroscopy and
      echocardiography confirmed an adequate position and function without any
      paravalvular or transvalvular leakage or elevated transvalvular gradients in any
      case. Conclusion Preliminary experience suggests, ViV procedures with the Edwards
      Sapien 3 THV are safe and reliable. The outer polyethylene terephthalate cuff,
      for enhanced paravalvular sealing, led to a good outcome, concerning PVL in ViV
      procedures without resulting in elevated transvalvular gradients. This was even
      the case in a mildly undersized THV when compared with the internal diameter of
      the surgical bioprosthesis. The central radiopaque positioning marker and the
      fine adjustment wheel allow for accurate positioning within degenerated
      bioprostheses. The increased stent height, compared with the Sapien XT, led to no
      complications, especially in mitral position. In bioprostheses without any
      fluoroscopic landmarks, a balloon valvuloplasty may be necessary to identify the
      appropriate deployment position. 

PMID- 26277079
TI  - Body Mass Index as a Prognostic Factor in Resected Lung Cancer: Obesity or
      Underweight, Which Is the Risk Factor?
AB  - BACKGROUND: In general, obesity is thought to be associated with increased
      surgical mortality and morbidity. On the other hand, low body mass index (BMI)
      has recently been reported as a poor prognostic factor for surgical candidates.
      This study investigated the effect of BMI on lung surgery. METHODS: A
      retrospective study was conducted on 1,518 consecutive patients who had malignant
      pulmonary tumors resected between February 2008 and March 2013. BMI was used to
      classify patients according to the World Health Organization definition: BMI <
      18.5: underweight (UW); BMI 18.5 to <25: normal weight (NW); BMI 25 to <30:
      overweight (OW); and BMI >= 30: obese (OB). We defined surgical resection-related
      mortality as any patient who died within 90 days after resection or while in the
      hospital. We analyzed morbidity and surgical resection-related mortality, and
      logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors for surgical
      resection-related mortality. RESULTS: Among the four groups, the incidence of
      cerebrovascular complications was 1.5% in UW, 0.4% in NW, 0% in OW, and 0% in OB,
      and that of pulmonary complications was 13.1% in UW, 8.4% in NW, 7.3% in OW, and
      7.6% in OB. Surgical resection-related mortality was 2.9% in UW, 0.6% in NW, 1.7%
      in OW, and 0% in OB. Multivariate analysis revealed underweight, diffusing
      capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide, and male sex as the significant
      predictors. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, low BMI was an independent risk factor
      for mortality, and the incidence of cerebrovascular and pulmonary complications
      tended to be higher in patients with low BMI than in obese patients. Underweight
      patients should be closely monitored following pulmonary resection.

PMID- 26277080
TI  - Emerging Fixation Technique to Prevent Pectus Bar Displacement: Needlescope
      Assisted 3-Point Fixation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Bar flipping displacement is one of the most common complications
      after the Nuss procedure for pectus excavatum. We evaluated the results of a
      modified Nuss procedure with needlescope-assisted bar fixation. METHODS: The
      records of 41 patients with pectus excavatum who underwent single pectus bar
      insertion with the Nuss procedure between July 2011 and August 2014 were
      retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided into two groups: those who
      did not undergo 3-point fixation (group A) and those who did undergo 3-point
      fixation (group B). RESULTS: There were 36 male patients and 5 female patients
      with a mean age of 10.7 +/- 8.3 years (range: 3-36 years). The postoperative
      Haller index (HI) (2.61 +/- 0.42) was significantly lower than the preoperative
      HI (3.91 +/- 1.07; p < 0.01). The angle of the initial bar position was 5.59 +/-
      7.37 degrees in group A and 8.52 +/- 9.61 degrees in group B, with no significant
      difference between the groups (p > 0.05). The rate of reoperation to correct bar
      displacement was lower in group B (3.3%) than in group A (9.1%). CONCLUSION:
      Needlescope-assisted 3-point fixation of the bar was performed without an
      additional skin incision and showed a low rate of reoperation to correct
      displacement of the pectus bar.

PMID- 26277081
TI  - Electrocatalytic reduction of bromate based on Pd nanoparticles uniformly
      anchored on polyaniline/SBA-15.
AB  - A nano-composite electrocatalyst of Pd nanoparticles (Pd-NPs) anchored on
      polyaniline (PANI) supported by mesoporous SBA-15 (Pd-NPs/PANI/SBA-15), was
      synthesized using an in situ chemical method. Transmission electron microscopy
      showed that the Pd-NPs were homogeneously dispersed. Fourier-transform infrared
      and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies confirmed that the Pd-NPs in the metallic
      state (Pd(0)) were predominantly immobilized on nitrogen sites in the PANI
      chains. The electrochemical performance of Pd-NPs/PANI/SBA-15 for
      electrocatalytic reduction of bromate (BrO3(-)) in an acidic medium was
      investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and amperometric measurement. The
      reduction peak in the CV curves in the region 0.12 to -0.22V (vs. SCE)
      corresponded to response of BrO3(-) electroreduction, and the reduction peak
      current was well fitted linearly to the BrO3(-) concentration. It is proposed
      that the bromate ions diffuse to the Pd-NPs active sites and then the
      electrocatalytic reduction occurred with the H(+) doped in PANI. Furthermore, by
      amperometric measurement, Pd-NPs/PANI/SBA-15 showed relatively high sensitivity
      with respect to BrO3(-) concentration in the range of 8MUmolL(-1) to 40mmolL(-1).
      Continuous CV for 200 cycles proved that Pd-NPs/PANI/SBA-15 had excellent
      electrocatalytic stability. These results show that Pd-NPs/PANI/SBA-15 is
      effective for electrocatalytic reduction of BrO3(-) and has great potential for
      the fabrication of BrO3(-) electrochemical sensor. 

PMID- 26277082
TI  - Recent advances in 3D SEM surface reconstruction.
AB  - The scanning electron microscope (SEM), as one of the most commonly used
      instruments in biology and material sciences, employs electrons instead of light
      to determine the surface properties of specimens. However, the SEM micrographs
      still remain 2D images. To effectively measure and visualize the surface
      attributes, we need to restore the 3D shape model from the SEM images. 3D surface
      reconstruction is a longstanding topic in microscopy vision as it offers
      quantitative and visual information for a variety of applications consisting
      medicine, pharmacology, chemistry, and mechanics. In this paper, we attempt to
      explain the expanding body of the work in this area, including a discussion of
      recent techniques and algorithms. With the present work, we also enhance the
      reliability, accuracy, and speed of 3D SEM surface reconstruction by designing
      and developing an optimized multi-view framework. We then consider several real
      world experiments as well as synthetic data to examine the qualitative and
      quantitative attributes of our proposed framework. Furthermore, we present a
      taxonomy of 3D SEM surface reconstruction approaches and address several
      challenging issues as part of our future work. 

PMID- 26277083
TI  - Quantifying mean inner potential of ZnO nanowires by off-axis electron
      holography.
AB  - Off-axis electron holography has been used to quantitatively determine the mean
      inner potential of ZnO. [0001] grown ZnO nanowires with hexagonal cross-sections
      were chosen as our samples because the angle between the adjacent surfaces is 120
      degrees , as confirmed by electron tomography, so the entire geometry of the
      nanowire could be precisely determined. The acceleration voltage of the
      transmission electron microscope was accurately calibrated by convergent beam
      electron diffraction (CBED)-higher-order Laue-zone (HOLZ) analyses. ZnO nanowires
      were tilted away from zone-axis to avoid strong dynamical diffraction effect, and
      the tilting angles were determined by CBED patterns. Our experimental data found
      a mean inner potential of ZnO as 14.30+/-0.28 V.

PMID- 26277084
TI  - Three-dimensional microstructural characterization of porous cubic zirconia.
AB  - A set of cubic zirconia samples were investigated using 3-dimensional electron
      backscatter diffraction (3D EBSD) to analyze the grain structure, grain boundary
      networks and pore morphology. 3D EBSD is a variation of conventional EBSD,
      whereby a focused ion beam (FIB) is used in a dual beam scanning electron
      microscope (SEM) i.e. FIB-SEM to mill away material and to create 'serial
      sections' through the material being analyzed. Each new surface revealed is
      subject to an EBSD scan, which continues sequentially until a desired volume of
      material has been removed. In this manner, many consecutive 2D EBSD scans can be
      rendered in 3D to gain a greater insight of microstructural features and
      parameters. The three samples were examined in order to determine the effect of
      differences in the manufacturing process used for each. For each sample, a volume
      of ca. 15,000 MUm(3) was studied. The analysis of several microstructure
      parameters revealed a strong dependence on manufacturing conditions.
      Subsequently, the results of 3D EBSD analysis were compared to conventional 2D
      EBSD. Significant differences between the values of microstructure parameters
      determined by 2D and 3D EBSD were observed.

PMID- 26277085
TI  - Taking a bite: Amoebic trogocytosis in Entamoeba histolytica and beyond.
AB  - Entamoeba histolytica is a diarrheal pathogen with the ability to cause profound
      host tissue damage. This organism possesses contact-dependent cell killing
      activity, which is likely to be a major contributor to tissue damage. E.
      histolytica trophozoites were recently shown to ingest fragments of living human
      cells. It was demonstrated that this process, termed amoebic trogocytosis,
      contributes to cell killing. Recent advances in ex vivo and 3-D cell culture
      approaches have shed light on mechanisms for tissue destruction by E.
      histolytica, allowing amoebic trogocytosis to be placed in the context of
      additional host and pathogen mediators of tissue damage. In addition to its
      relevance to pathogenesis of amoebiasis, an appreciation is emerging that
      intercellular nibbling occurs in many organisms, from protozoa to mammals. 

PMID- 26277086
TI  - From Heart Failure to Highly Unsaturated Fatty Acid Deficiency and Vice Versa:
      Bidirectional Heart and Liver Interactions.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In several trials, beneficial prognostic effects of highly
      unsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs) in heart failure were shown. Because other
      studies showed no incremental benefit in nearly preserved cardiac function, the
      question arises, whether the degree of cardiac dysfunction is involved. It is
      hypothesized that increased left ventricular (LV) wall stress affects the
      endogenous hepatic HUFA metabolism, which in turn exhibits adverse cardiac
      consequences. METHODS: Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 30
      patients with suspected cardiomyopathy. The serum fatty acid profile was assessed
      using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; P
      = 0.002) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; by trend) levels were decreased in
      patients with reduced LV ejection fraction (<= 50%) or LV dilatation (>= 90
      mL/m(2)). Decreased DHA (P = 0.003) and EPA (P = 0.022) levels were associated
      with a reduced LV ejection fraction. Decreased DHA level was correlated with
      increased end-diastolic (P = 0.047) and end-systolic LV wall stress (P = 0.001).
      Pseudocholinesterase activity was inversely correlated with end-diastolic (P =
      0.020) and end-systolic LV wall stress (P = 0.025). CONCLUSIONS: DHA level was
      significantly reduced in heart failure. Similar, but less pronounced effects were
      found for EPA and arachidonic acid by trend. Increased LV wall stress was
      correlated with a reduced DHA level. Increased LV wall stress exhibits various
      adverse consequences (eg, increased oxygen consumption, favouring of arrhythmias,
      and an unfavourable remodelling). The increase of wall stress was paralleled by
      reduced HUFA level. Increased LV wall stress was correlated with reduced
      pseudocholinesterase, which is suggestive of hepatic congestion (ie, a
      cardiohepatic syndrome, involved in the altered fatty acid profile in heart
      failure) and has major consequences regarding the dose-efficacy of HUFA
      treatment.

PMID- 26277087
TI  - Antecubital vs Femoral Venous Access for Right Heart Catheterization: Benefits of
      a Flashback.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although rare, complications of right heart catheterization (RHC) are
      usually related to the access site. Antecubital venous access for RHC allows
      immediate ambulation and may reduce access-site complications, but data on this
      approach are scarce. METHODS: Our study prospectively collected comprehensive
      data from consecutive RHCs performed at our academic center between February 2010
      and August 2013. Demographic, procedural, and in-hospital outcomes were compared
      between patient groups defined by antecubital and femoral approaches. RESULTS: A
      total of 1007 RHC procedures was performed; 895 (88.9%) were performed through an
      antecubital approach and 112 (11.1%) were performed through a femoral approach.
      Antecubital attempts were successful in 92.8% of the clinically eligible
      patients. The antecubital approach was associated with a shorter procedure
      duration and fluoroscopy time as well as a lower radiation dose (P < 0.001 for
      all) compared with femoral access. Radiation dose and fluoroscopy time were
      significantly reduced (P < 0.001 for both) when antecubital procedures were
      performed by experienced operators compared with trainees. Periprocedural
      complications occurred in 8 patients (0.8%) (leading to prolonged hospitalization
      in only 1 patient in the femoral group). Access-site hematoma occurred more
      frequently in the femoral group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: An antecubital venous
      approach is a feasible alternative to femoral venous access for RHC. Shorter
      fluoroscopy time, lower radiation dose, and fewer access-site hematomas with this
      approach argue for its preferential use when possible and performed in an
      experienced centre.

PMID- 26277088
TI  - Minimally Invasive Repair of Partial Atrioventricular Canal Defect.
AB  - Percutaneous techniques offer patients with anatomically suitable secundum atrial
      septal defects a less invasive treatment option; however, repair of more complex
      atrial septal defects are still performed via sternotomy. An endoscopic, right
      minithoracotomy approach has demonstrated efficacy and safety in complex mitral
      valve repair and might be a more cosmetically appealing alternative, particularly
      in young adult patients. We describe a patient with partial atrioventricular
      canal defect and left atrioventricular valve insufficiency who underwent
      successful minimally invasive, endoscopic repair of this defect. 

PMID- 26277089
TI  - Is Aortic Valve Repair Reproducible? Analysis of the Learning Curve for Aortic
      Valve Repair.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Aortic valve (AV) preservation and repair, although effective, is
      performed in a limited number of centres. Lack of wider application might be due
      to challenges in dissemination of tacit surgical knowledge. We examined the
      learning curve in 2 centres that initiated dedicated programs in AV repair.
      METHODS: Prospectively collected data on the first 100 (cohort A) and 150
      consecutive patients (cohort B) who underwent AV repair surgery were analyzed.
      Safety end points included mortality, myocardial infarction or stroke, early AV
      repeat surgery, re-exploration for bleeding, or pacemaker implantation.
      Efficiency was assessed according to aortic crossclamp and cardiopulmonary bypass
      times. Efficacy parameters included residual aortic insufficiency or stenosis.
      Indices of case complexity included presence of severe aortic insufficiency,
      nontrileaflet AV, and associated cardiac procedures. Each cohort was divided into
      3 equal tertiles (T1, T2, and T3). RESULTS: Early mortality was <= 1% in both
      cohorts. In cohort A, a total of 12 safety events occurred with a significant
      reduction in incidence over the tertiles (18%, 15%, and 3%, in T1, T2, and T3,
      respectively; P = 0.05). In cohort B, 20 safety events occurred in 18 patients
      with a trend toward reduction of incidence over tertiles (20%, 12%, and 8%, in
      T1, T2, and T3, respectively; P = 0.14). aortic crossclamp and cardiopulmonary
      bypass times decreased significantly after T2 in cohort A and T1 in cohort B (P <
      0.01). Intraoperative procedural efficacy was similar across tertiles in both
      cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: Procedural safety and efficiency improves with experience
      whereas efficacy is consistent over time. AV repair is reproducible and appears
      to have a learning curve of approximately 40-60 cases.

PMID- 26277090
TI  - A Randomized Controlled Trial of Allopurinol in Patients With Peripheral Arterial
      Disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) are limited by
      intermittent claudication in the distance they can walk. Allopurinol has been
      shown in coronary arterial disease to prolong exercise before angina occurs,
      likely by prevention of oxygen wastage in tissues and reduction of harmful
      oxidative stress. METHODS: In this study we evaluated whether allopurinol could
      prolong the time to development of leg pain in participants with PAD. In a double
      blind, randomized controlled clinical trial participants were randomized to
      receive either allopurinol 300 mg twice daily or placebo for 6 months. The
      primary outcome was change in exercise capacity on treadmill testing at 6 months.
      Secondary outcomes were 6-minute walking distance, Walking Impairment
      Questionnaire, SF-36 questionnaire, flow-mediated dilatation, and oxidized low
      density lipoprotein. Outcome measures were repeated midstudy and at the end of
      study. The mean age of the 50 participants was 68.4 +/- 1.2 years with 39 of 50
      (78%) male. RESULTS: Five participants withdrew during the study (2 active, 3
      placebo). There was a significant reduction in uric acid levels in those who
      received active treatment of 52.1% (P < 0.001), but no significant change in
      either the pain-free or the maximum walking distance. Other measures of exercise
      capacity, blood vessel function, and the participants' own assessment of their
      health and walking ability also did not change during the course of the study.
      CONCLUSIONS: Although allopurinol has been shown to be of benefit in a number of
      other diseases, in this study there was no evidence of any improvement after
      treatment in patients with PAD.

PMID- 26277091
TI  - The Effect of Bleeding Risk and Frailty Status on Anticoagulation Patterns in
      Octogenarians With Atrial Fibrillation: The FRAIL-AF Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Older adults are at increased risk of atrial fibrillation (AF), its
      thromboembolic complications, and bleeding. A significant percentage of
      octogenarians do not receive anticoagulation therapy. The objective of this study
      was to investigate the effect of thromboembolic risk, bleeding risk, and frailty
      on the anticoagulation status of octogenarians hospitalized with AF. METHODS: A
      cross-sectional study was conducted in 682 hospitalized patients aged 80 years
      and older with AF or atrial flutter in Montreal, Quebec. Consumption of warfarin
      or a new oral anticoagulant was documented. Medical record data were used to
      determine each patient's frailty status using the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS)
      and to evaluate the risk of stroke (CHADS2 [Congestive Heart Failure,
      Hypertension, Age, Diabetes, Stroke/Transient Ischemic Attack]) and bleeding (HAS
      BLED [Hypertension, Abnormal renal/liver function, Stroke, Bleeding history or
      predisposition, Labile international normalized ratio, Elderly (> 65 years)
      Drugs/alcohol concomitantly]). Univariable and multivariable logistic regression
      analyses were used to examine the effect of frailty status and the risk of stroke
      and bleeding on the probability of receiving anticoagulation therapy. RESULTS:
      Seventy percent of octogenarians with AF received anticoagulation therapy (n =
      475). A high risk of stroke (CHADS2 = 3 compared with CHADS2 = 1, odds ratio
      [OR], 3.58; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09-11.77), and the absence of severe
      frailty (CFS < 7; OR, 3.41; 95% CI, 1.84-6.33) were independently associated with
      anticoagulant use in multivariable analyses. A high risk of bleeding (HAS-BLED
      score >= 3; OR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.12-0.86) was associated with the absence of
      anticoagulation. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests a higher prevalence of
      appropriate anticoagulation among octogenarians with AF than reported in previous
      studies. Further work is needed to develop and disseminate tools to optimize the
      use of anticoagulants in this high-risk population.

PMID- 26277092
TI  - Contrast-Induced Nephropathy: From Pathophysiology to Preventive Strategies.
AB  - Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is a frequent cause of acute kidney injury in
      hospitalized patients. CIN is most commonly defined as either an absolute (>= 0.5
      mg/dL; >= 44 MUmol/L) or relative (>= 25%) increase in serum creatinine levels at
      48-72 hours after exposure to iodinated contrast media (CM). Its occurrence is
      associated with worsened clinical outcomes. Patients undergoing cardiac
      catheterization and percutaneous coronary intervention are particularly
      vulnerable to CIN. The complex pathophysiology of CIN involves different
      mechanisms, such as vasoconstriction, oxidative stress, medullary ischemia, and
      the direct toxic effects of CM. In CIN pathophysiology, both patient-related and
      procedure-related risk factors have been identified. The risk for CIN can be
      reliably estimated with clinical scores such as that proposed by Mehran. Because
      no definitive treatment exists for CIN, the most effective strategy remains
      prevention. Several interventions have been investigated--from hydration to
      various pharmacologic agents and mechanical devices. In this state-of-the-art
      article, we review the pathophysiology, diagnosis, risk stratification, and
      preventive strategies for CIN.

PMID- 26277093
TI  - Physiological enzymology: The next frontier in understanding protein structure
      and function at the cellular level.
AB  - Historically, the study of proteins has relied heavily on characterizing the
      activity of a single purified protein isolated from other cellular components.
      This classic approach allowed scientists to unambiguously define the intrinsic
      kinetic and chemical properties of that protein. The ultimate hope was to
      extrapolate this information toward understanding how the enzyme or receptor
      behaves within its native cellular context. These types of detailed in vitro
      analyses were necessary to reduce the innate complexities of measuring the
      singular activity and biochemical properties of a specific enzyme without
      interference from other enzymes and potential competing substrates. However,
      recent developments in fields encompassing cell biology, molecular imaging, and
      chemical biology now provide the unique chemical tools and instrumentation to
      study protein structure, function, and regulation in their native cellular
      environment. These advancements provide the foundation for a new field, coined
      physiological enzymology, which quantifies the function and regulation of enzymes
      and proteins at the cellular level. In this Special Edition, we explore the area
      of Physiological Enzymology and Protein Function through a series of review
      articles that focus on the tools and techniques used to measure the cellular
      activity of proteins inside living cells. This article is part of a Special Issue
      entitled: Physiological Enzymology and Protein Functions. 

PMID- 26277094
TI  - Behavioral signs of pain and functional impairment in a mouse model of
      osteogenesis imperfecta.
AB  - Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a congenital disorder caused most often by
      dominant mutations in the COL1A1 or COL1A2 genes that encode the alpha chains of
      type I collagen. Severe forms of OI are associated with skeletal deformities and
      frequent fractures. Skeletal pain can occur acutely after fracture, but also
      arises chronically without preceding fractures. In this study we assessed OI
      associated pain in the Col1a1Jrt/+ mouse, a recently developed model of severe
      dominant OI. Similar to severe OI in humans, this mouse has significant skeletal
      abnormalities and develops spontaneous fractures, joint dislocations and
      vertebral deformities. In this model, we investigated behavioral measures of pain
      and functional impairment. Significant hypersensitivity to mechanical, heat and
      cold stimuli, assessed by von Frey filaments, radiant heat paw withdrawal and the
      acetone tests, respectively, were observed in OI compared to control wildtype
      littermates. OI mice also displayed reduced motor activity in the running wheel
      and open field assays. Immunocytochemical analysis revealed no changes between OI
      and WT mice in innervation of the glabrous skin of the hindpaw or in expression
      of the pain-related neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related protein in sensory
      neurons. In contrast, increased sensitivity to mechanical and cold stimulation
      strongly correlated with the extent of skeletal deformities in OI mice. Thus, we
      demonstrated that the Col1a1Jrt/+ mouse model of severe OI has hypersensitivity
      to mechanical and thermal stimuli, consistent with a state of chronic pain. 

PMID- 26277095
TI  - Integrating microbial and host transcriptomics to characterize asthma-associated
      microbial communities.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The relationships between infections in early life and asthma are not
      completely understood. Likewise, the clinical relevance of microbial communities
      present in the respiratory tract is only partially known. A number of microbiome
      studies analyzing respiratory tract samples have found increased proportions of
      gamma-Proteobacteria including Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, and
      Firmicutes such as Streptococcus pneumoniae. The aim of this study was to present
      a new approach that combines RNA microbial identification with host gene
      expression to characterize and validate metagenomic taxonomic profiling in
      individuals with asthma. METHODS: Using whole metagenomic shotgun RNA sequencing,
      we characterized and compared the microbial communities of individuals, children
      and adolescents, with asthma and controls. The resulting data were analyzed by
      partitioning human and microbial reads. Microbial reads were then used to
      characterize the microbial diversity of each patient, and potential differences
      between asthmatic and healthy groups. Human reads were used to assess the
      expression of known genes involved in the host immune response to specific
      pathogens and detect potential differences between those with asthma and
      controls. RESULTS: Microbial communities in the nasal cavities of children
      differed significantly between asthmatics and controls. After read count
      normalization, some bacterial species were significantly overrepresented in
      asthma patients (Wald test, p-value < 0.05), including Escherichia coli and
      Psychrobacter. Among these, Moraxella catarrhalis exhibited ~14-fold over
      abundance in asthmatics versus controls. Differential host gene expression
      analysis confirms that the presence of Moraxella catarrhalis is associated to a
      specific M. catarrhalis core gene signature expressed by the host. CONCLUSIONS:
      For the first time, we show the power of combining RNA taxonomic profiling and
      host gene expression signatures for microbial identification. Our approach not
      only identifies microbes from metagenomic data, but also adds support to these
      inferences by determining if the host is mounting a response against specific
      infectious agents. In particular, we show that M. catarrhalis is abundant in
      asthma patients but not in controls, and that its presence is associated with a
      specific host gene expression signature.

PMID- 26277096
TI  - Diosgenin regulates adipokine expression in perivascular adipose tissue and
      ameliorates endothelial dysfunction via regulation of AMPK.
AB  - Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) has been recognized as an active contributor
      to vascular function due to its paracrine effects on cells contained within
      vascular wall. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of
      diosgenin on adipokine expression in PVAT with emphasis on the regulation of
      endothelial function. Palmitic acid (PA) stimulation induced inflammation and
      dysregulation of adipokine expression in PVAT. Diosgenin treatment inhibited
      IKKbeta phosphorylation and downregulated mRNA expressions of proinflammatory
      cytokines/proteins including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin
      6 (IL-6), monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP-1), and inducible nitric oxide
      synthase (iNOS), while reduced gene expressions for adiponectin, PPARgamma, and
      arginase 1 (Arg-1) were reversed by diosgenin treatment. Diosgenin enhanced AMPK
      phosphorylation under basal and inflammatory conditions in PVAT, whereas
      knockdown of AMPK by SiRNA diminished its modulatory effect, indicating that
      diosgenin inhibited inflammation in an AMPK-dependent manner. We prepared
      conditioned medium from PA-stimulated PVAT to induce endothelial dysfunction and
      found that pre-treatment of PVAT with diosgenin effectively restored the loss of
      ACh-induced vasodilation and increased eNOS phosphorylation in rat aorta. High
      fat diet feeding in rats induced inflammation in PVAT and the impairment of
      endothelium-dependent vasodilation, whereas these alterations were prevented by
      oral administration of diosgenin at doses of 20 and 40 mg/kg. In conclusion, the
      obtained data showed that diosgenin ameliorated inflammation-associated adipokine
      dysregulation, and thereby prevented endothelial dysfunction. Our findings would
      shed a novel insight into the potential mechanism by which diosgenin protected
      endothelial function against inflammatory insult.

PMID- 26277098
TI  - Morphological changes after radiosurgery for mesial temporal lobe epilepsy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To review our experience with morphological developments during the
      long-term follow-up of patients treated by Gamma Knife radiosurgery for mesial
      temporal lobe epilepsy. METHOD: Between 1995 and 1999, we treated 14 patients
      with marginal doses of 24 Gy (n = 6) and 18-20 Gy (n = 8). Nine of these were
      operated on for insufficient seizure control. We reviewed seizure outcome and
      magnetic resonance images in both operated and unoperated patients and also re
      examined histopathology specimens. RESULTS: Of the nine operated patients, two
      were Engel IIIA, one was IVA, five were IVB, and one was Engel IVC prior to
      surgery. At their final visit, five cases had become Engel class IA, one patient
      was ID, and two were IIC. In one patient the follow-up was not long enough for
      classification. Of the five unoperated patients, one was Engel class IB, one was
      IIIA, one IIB and one IVB at their final visit. Radionecrosis developed in 11
      patients, occurring more often and earlier in those treated with higher doses.
      Collateral edema reached outside the temporal lobe in six patients, caused uncal
      herniation in two and intracranial hypertension in three. During longer follow
      up, postnecrotic pseudocysts developed in 9 patients, and postcontrast
      enhancement persisted for 2.5-16 years after GKRS in all 14 patients. In five of
      them we detected its progression between 2 and 16 years after treatment. Signs of
      neoangiogenesis were found in two patients and microbleeds could be seen in five.
      Histopathology revealed blood vessel proliferation and macrophage infiltration.
      CONCLUSIONS: Early delayed complications and morphological signs suggesting a
      risk of development of late delayed complications are frequent after radiosurgery
      for mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. Together with its unproven antiseizure
      efficacy, these issues should be taken into account when planning future studies
      of this method.

PMID- 26277099
TI  - Survival of breast cancer patients with synchronous or metachronous central
      nervous system metastases.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Central nervous system (CNS) metastases represent a devastating
      complication for advanced breast cancer patients. This observational study
      examines the influence of patient, tumour and treatment characteristics on
      overall survival after synchronous or metachronous CNS metastases. METHODS:
      Information on 992 breast cancer patients with CNS metastases (whose primary
      tumour was diagnosed between 2004 and 2010) was retrieved from the Netherlands
      Cancer Registry (NCR). Overall survival was calculated from the date of CNS
      metastatic diagnosis, and the impact of prognostic factors on survival was
      assessed using univariate and multivariate extended Cox-regression models.
      RESULTS: We identified 165 patients with synchronous and 827 patients with
      metachronous CNS metastases. The majority of patients (88%) presented with brain
      metastases only, 12% had leptomeningeal metastases. Overall median survival was
      5.0 months. Non-triple-negative breast cancer and systemic therapy were
      associated with improved survival in both groups. In patients with synchronous
      CNS metastases, surgery for the primary tumour and the metastases also improved
      survival. In patients with metachronous metastases, younger age (<50 years),
      lower initial tumour stage (I), ductal carcinoma, a prolonged time interval until
      diagnosis of CNS metastasis (>1 year), and absence of extracranial metastases
      were associated with improved survival. Metastasectomy and radiation therapy did
      not provide benefit beyond the first six months. CONCLUSIONS: No difference in
      survival was established between synchronous and metachronous CNS metastases.
      Triple-negative disease is prognostically unfavourable in both groups, while
      those receiving treatment have a better outcome. Metastasectomy and radiotherapy
      improve survival within the first six months, and additional benefit may be
      derived from systemic therapy.

PMID- 26277097
TI  - Structural and functional characterization of aromatase, estrogen receptor, and
      their genes in endocrine-responsive and -resistant breast cancer cells.
AB  - Aromatase and estrogen receptor alpha (ER) are two key proteins for the
      proliferation of endocrine-responsive and -resistant breast cancers. Aromatase is
      an enzyme involved in the conversion of androgen (such as testosterone) to
      estrogen (such as 17beta-estradiol). It is also a very effective therapeutic
      target for the treatment of endocrine-responsive breast cancer. Comparing
      endocrine-responsive and -resistant breast cancer, aromatase protein levels do
      not change significantly. Aromatase activity; however, can be increased via
      PI3K/Akt/IGFR signaling pathways in endocrine resistant cells. The activity of
      aromatase has been reported to be modulated by phosphorylation. The ER is an
      important steroid nuclear receptor in the proliferation of both endocrine
      responsive and -resistant cells. Although the mutation or amplification of ER can
      cause endocrine resistance, it is not commonly found. Some point mutations and
      translocation events have been characterized and shown to promote estrogen
      independent growth. Phosphorylation by cross-talk with growth factor pathways is
      one of the main mechanisms for ligand-independent activation of ER. Taken
      together, both ER and aromatase are important in ER-dependent breast cancer and
      the development of endocrine resistance.

PMID- 26277100
TI  - Improved inter-observer agreement of an expert review panel in an oncology
      treatment trial--Insights from a structured interventional process.
AB  - PURPOSE: Oncologic imaging is a key for successful cancer treatment. While the
      quality assurance (QA) of image acquisition protocols has already been focussed,
      QA of reading and reporting offers still room for improvement. The latter was
      addressed in the context of a prospective multicentre trial on fluoro
      deoxyglucose (FDG)-positron-emission tomography (PET)/CT-based chemoradiotherapy
      for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: An
      expert panel was prospectively installed performing blinded reviews of
      mediastinal NSCLC involvement in FDG-PET/CT. Due to a high initial reporting
      inter-observer disagreement, the independent data monitoring committee (IDMC)
      triggered an interventional harmonisation process, which overall involved 11
      experts uttering 6855 blinded diagnostic statements. After assessing the baseline
      inter-observer agreement (IOA) of a blinded re-review (phase 1), a discussion
      process led to improved reading criteria (phase 2). Those underwent a validation
      study (phase 3) and were then implemented into the study routine. After 2 months
      (phase 4) and 1 year (phase 5), the IOA was reassessed. RESULTS: The initial
      overall IOA was moderate (kappa 0.52 CT; 0.53 PET). After improvement of reading
      criteria, the kappa values improved substantially (kappa 0.61 CT; 0.66 PET),
      which was retained until the late reassessment (kappa 0.71 CT; 0.67 PET).
      Subjective uncertainty was highly predictive for low IOA. CONCLUSION: The IOA of
      an expert panel was significantly improved by a structured interventional
      harmonisation process which could be a model for future clinical trials.
      Furthermore, the low IOA in reporting nodal involvement in NSCLC may bear
      consequences for individual patient care.

PMID- 26277101
TI  - Photodynamic Diagnosis Using 5-Aminolevulinic Acid in 41 Biopsies for Primary
      Central Nervous System Lymphoma.
AB  - We evaluated the feasibility of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA)-mediated
      photodynamic diagnosis (PDD) in the biopsy for primary central nervous system
      lymphoma (PCNSL). 5-ALA (20 mg kg(-1) ) was administered orally 4 hours
      preoperatively. Forty-one biopsies obtained under PDD in 47 consecutive biopsies
      (46 patients) that were finally pathologically diagnosed as PCNSL were evaluated.
      Positive fluorescence was observed in 34 of those 41 biopsies (82.9%). An
      intraoperative pathological diagnosis (IOD) of suspected PCNSL was made in 21 of
      the biopsies with positive fluorescence (61.8%). However, the eight IODs in the
      remaining 13 biopsies (23.5%) were not correct (atypical cell, 4; high-grade
      glioma, 1; gliosis, 1; unremarkable, 2). In those 8 biopsies, PCNSL was confirmed
      by the final pathological diagnosis. There was no difference in the mean Mib-1
      labeling index between the biopsies with positive fluorescence (86.5%) and those
      without positive fluorescence (90.0%). IOD was not performed in 6 biopsies;
      however, 5 of those biopsies (83.3%) showed positive fluorescence and were
      finally pathologically diagnosed as PCNSL. Use of PDD in biopsies for patients
      with suspected PCNSL is a reliable way of obtaining specimens of adequate quality
      for the final pathological diagnosis and may lead to improved diagnostic yield in
      the biopsy of PCNSL. 

PMID- 26277102
TI  - Novel mutations and polymorphisms in the CFTR gene associated with three subtypes
      of congenital absence of vas deferens.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the new genotypes in congenital absence of vas deferens
      (CAVD) and the correlation with different phenotypes, and to investigate the
      pathogenesis of the disease based on bioinformatics analysis. DESIGN: Case
      control study. SETTING: University-affiliated tertiary teaching hospital.
      PATIENT(S): Nineteen patients with CAVD and azoospermia. The time period of the
      study was from May 2013 to April 2014. INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME
      MEASURE(S): Sanger sequencing was performed in the coding regions and intron-exon
      boundaries of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator CFTR gene on the
      polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products. Mutations/variations were identified
      and compared with the control subjects, and bioinformatics analysis searched in
      the dbSNP and 1000 Genomes Project. Functional effects of the novel mutations
      were predicted. Structural modeling of the wild and mutant proteins was also
      performed. RESULT(S): A total of 8 mutations were identified in 12 patients, 4 of
      which were novel (c.4433C>G, c.3469-3C>A, c.1357delT, and c.3407C>T). The
      mutation c.4433C>G occurred in the PSD-95/DLG/ZO-1 (PDZ)-binding motif in the
      CFTR protein, which was predicted to disrupt the interaction between CFTR and
      CFTR-associated ligand (CAL). Another missense mutation, c.3407C>T, was predicted
      to damage and destroy the transmembrane adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding
      cassette domain. The splicing mutation, c.3469-3C>A, was predicted to truncate
      exon 22 by Human Splicing Finder. The frameshift mutation, c.1357delT, was
      predicted to introduce a premature stop codon at position 453 and lead to 1,012
      amino acids truncation at the carboxyl terminus of the CFTR protein.
      CONCLUSION(S): This study illustrates the significance of whole exon sequencing
      of the CFTR gene in patients with CAVD. It is essential for determining the
      pathogenesis of novel mutations using bioinformatics analysis and to identify
      correlation between new genotypes and phenotypes.

PMID- 26277103
TI  - Novel FGFR1 mutations in Kallmann syndrome and normosmic idiopathic
      hypogonadotropic hypogonadism: evidence for the involvement of an alternatively
      spliced isoform.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of fibroblast growth factor receptor 1
      (FGFR1) mutations and their predicted functional consequences in patients with
      idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study.
      SETTING: Multicentric. PATIENT(S): Fifty unrelated patients with IHH (21 with
      Kallmann syndrome and 29 with normosmic IHH). INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME
      MEASURE(S): Patients were screened for mutations in FGFR1. The functional
      consequences of mutations were predicted by in silico structural and conservation
      analysis. RESULT(S): Heterozygous FGFR1 mutations were identified in six (12%)
      kindreds. These consisted of frameshift mutations (p.Pro33-Alafs*17 and
      p.Tyr654*) and missense mutations in the signal peptide (p.Trp4Cys), in the D1
      extracellular domain (p.Ser96Cys) and in the cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase domain
      (p.Met719Val). A missense mutation was identified in the alternatively spliced
      exon 8A (p.Ala353Thr) that exclusively affects the D3 extracellular domain of
      FGFR1 isoform IIIb. Structure-based and sequence-based prediction methods and the
      absence of these variants in 200 normal controls were all consistent with a
      critical role for the mutations in the activity of the receptor. Oligogenic
      inheritance (FGFR1/CHD7/PROKR2) was found in one patient. CONCLUSION(S): Two
      FGFR1 isoforms, IIIb and IIIc, result from alternative splicing of exons 8A and
      8B, respectively. Loss-of-function of isoform IIIc is a cause of IHH, whereas
      isoform IIIb is thought to be redundant. Ours is the first report of normosmic
      IHH associated with a mutation in the alternatively spliced exon 8A and suggests
      that this disorder can be caused by defects in either of the two alternatively
      spliced FGFR1 isoforms.

PMID- 26277104
TI  - Synovial sarcoma is a gateway to the role of chromatin remodeling in cancer.
AB  - Patients afflicted with synovial sarcoma share the fate of other translocation
      positive sarcomas; the driver mutation for this cancer is known, yet no means to
      target the fusion protein SS18-SSX directly exist. Current chemotherapeutic
      regimens are minimally beneficial, particularly in patients with metastatic
      disease. SS18-SSX putatively promotes its oncogenic activity through protein
      protein interactions that alter genetic programs through chromatin remodeling.
      This review discusses the functional protein network of SS18-SSX, both wild-type
      and fusion protein, considers its intrinsically disordered nature, and provides
      insights into potential therapeutic strategies. A comprehensive overview of the
      clinical characteristics reveals the need for newly targeted therapeutics based
      upon oncogenic transformation by the fusion protein SS18-SSX. The wild-type, non
      fused proteins SS18 and SSX are presented including their molecular structure and
      biological function with regard to protein-protein interactions. The interactions
      of the wild-type proteins inform the oncogenic changes of the fusion protein. The
      SS18-SSX fusion protein and its protein interactions are described and evaluated
      for their biological consequences that lead to oncogenesis. This review
      illustrates the key protein interactions of SS18-SSX that may qualify as primary
      targets for small molecule-based disruption leading to the development of SS18
      SSX-specific drugs. These novel targeted therapeutics may provide a specificity
      that ultimately improves survival while reducing morbidity of patients with
      synovial sarcoma. 

PMID- 26277105
TI  - Epigenetics regulation of disease: There is more to a gene than its sequence.

PMID- 26277106
TI  - The urodele amphibian Pleurodeles waltl has a diverse repertoire of
      immunoglobulin heavy chains with polyreactive and species-specific features.
AB  - Urodele amphibians are an interesting model because although they possess the
      cardinal elements of the vertebrate immune system, their immune response is
      apparently subdued. This phenomenon, sometimes regarded as a state of
      immunodeficiency, has been attributed by some authors to limited antibody
      diversity. We reinvestigated this issue in Pleurodeles waltl, a metamorphosing
      urodele, and noted that upsilon transcripts of its IgY repertoire were as diverse
      as alpha transcripts of the mammalian IgA repertoire. Mu transcripts encoding the
      IgM repertoire were less diverse, but could confer more plasticity. Both isotypes
      present potential polyreactive features that may confer urodele antibodies with
      the ability to bind to a variety of antigens. Finally, we observed additional
      cysteines in CDR1 and 2 of the IGHV5 and IGHV6 domains, some of which specific to
      urodeles, that could allow the establishment of a disulfide bond between these
      CDRs. Together, these data suggest that urodele antibody diversity is not as low
      as previously thought. 

PMID- 26277107
TI  - Identification of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) binding motifs in
      Biomphalaria glabrata.
AB  - Biomphalaria glabrata acts as the intermediate host to the parasite, Schistosoma
      mansoni, and for this reason, the immune system of B. glabrata has been
      researched extensively. Several studies have demonstrated that the transcriptome
      profile of B. glabrata changes following exposure to a variety of pathogens, yet
      very little is known regarding the regulation of gene expression in this species.
      Nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) homologues have recently been identified in B.
      glabrata but few functional studies have been carried out on this family of
      transcription factors. The aims of this study therefore were to identify NF
      kappaB binding sites (kappaB motifs) in B. glabrata and examine them via
      functional assays. Two different kappaB motifs were predicted. Furthermore, the
      Rel homology domain (RHD) of a B. glabrata NF-kappaB was able to bind these
      kappaB motifs in EMSAs, as well as a vertebrate kappaB motif. 

PMID- 26277108
TI  - Simultaneous depletion of Atm and Mdl rebalances cytosolic Fe-S cluster assembly
      but not heme import into the mitochondrion of Trypanosoma brucei.
AB  - ABC transporter mitochondrial 1 (Atm1) and multidrug resistance-like 1 (Mdl) are
      mitochondrial ABC transporters. Although Atm1 was recently suggested to transport
      different forms of glutathione from the mitochondrion, which are used for iron
      sulfur (Fe-S) cluster maturation in the cytosol, the function of Mdl remains
      elusive. In Trypanosoma brucei, we identified one homolog of each of these genes,
      TbAtm and TbMdl, which were downregulated either separately or simultaneously
      using RNA interference. Individual depletion of TbAtm and TbMdl led to limited
      growth defects. In cells downregulated for TbAtm, the enzymatic activities of the
      Fe-S cluster proteins aconitase and fumarase significantly decreased in the
      cytosol but not in the mitochondrion. Downregulation of TbMdl did not cause any
      change in activities of the Fe-S proteins. Unexpectedly, the simultaneous
      downregulation of TbAtm and TbMdl did not result in any growth defect, nor were
      the Fe-S cluster protein activities altered in either the cytosolic or
      mitochondrial compartments. Additionally, TbAtm and TbMdl were able to partially
      restore the growth of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Deltaatm1 and Deltamdl2 null
      mutants, respectively. Because T. brucei completely lost the heme b biosynthesis
      pathway, this cofactor has to be obtained from the host. Based on our results,
      TbMdl is a candidate for mitochondrial import of heme b, which was markedly
      decreased in both TbMdl and TbAtm + TbMdl knockdowns. Moreover, the levels of
      heme a were strongly decreased in the same knockdowns, suggesting that TbMdl
      plays a key role in heme a biosynthesis, thus affecting the overall heme
      homeostasis in T. brucei. 

PMID- 26277109
TI  - A multilevel cross-lagged structural equation analysis for reciprocal
      relationship between social capital and health.
AB  - We investigated the reciprocal relationship between individual social capital and
      perceived mental and physical health in the UK. Using data from the British
      Household Panel Survey from 1991 to 2008, we fitted cross-lagged structural
      equation models that include three indicators of social capital vis. social
      participation, social network, and loneliness. Given that multiple measurement
      points (level 1) are nested within individuals (level 2), we also applied a
      multilevel model to allow for residual variation in the outcomes at the occasion
      and individual levels. Controlling for gender, age, employment status,
      educational attainment, marital status, household wealth, and region, our
      analyses suggest that social participation predicts subsequent change in
      perceived mental health, and vice versa. However, whilst loneliness is found to
      be significantly related to perceived mental and physical health, reciprocal
      causality is not found for perceived mental health. Furthermore, we find evidence
      for reverse effects with both perceived mental and physical health appearing to
      be the dominant causal factor with respect to the prospective level of social
      network. Our findings thus shed further light on the importance of social
      participation and social inclusion in health promotion and aid the development of
      more effective public health policies in the UK. 

PMID- 26277111
TI  - Outcome Measures in Bariatric Surgery.

PMID- 26277110
TI  - Bariatric Nutrition Guidelines for the Indian Population.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgery numbers have seen a sharp rise in India in the last
      decade. A country known for its undernourished population has seen economic
      growth and with it, greater influence of western culture and foods. The obesity
      epidemic is on the rise here and India is one of the 10 most obese nations of the
      world being second only to China in the number of type 2 diabetes. Nutritionists
      in India often rely on recommendations and guidelines meant for the Caucasian
      population. Religious and cultural practices influence the dietary habits and
      patterns of the Indian population to a great extent; because of which the
      nutritional requirements are very different. This document was put together with
      an aim to provide nutritionists with recommendations on how to manage the Indian
      bariatric patient. METHODS: A bariatric nutrition round table meeting was
      initiated by the Centre for Obesity and Digestive Surgery (CODS) to bring
      together experts in the field of bariatric nutrition to review current data on
      nutritional deficiencies in the morbid obese and existing post-operative
      deficiencies and to formulate nutritional recommendations for bariatric/metabolic
      surgery specific to patients from India. RESULTS: Percentage of nutritional
      deficiencies and reasons for the same were identified among the Indian population
      and recommendations were made to suit this particular population. CONCLUSION: It
      is recommended that all patients undergo compulsory pre-operative nutritional
      counseling and nutritional investigations and that nutritional follow-up be
      continued lifelong. In addition, long-term implications like hypoglycemia,
      dumping syndrome, sugar cravings, and weight regain, need to be picked up and
      managed efficiently. Most importantly, post-operative supplementation is a must
      irrespective of type of surgery.

PMID- 26277112
TI  - Reply to the Letter to the Editor: Citation Analysis in Bariatric Surgery.

PMID- 26277113
TI  - A pharmacist-led medication assessment used to determine a more precise
      estimation of the prevalence of complementary and alternative medication (CAM)
      use among ambulatory senior adults with cancer.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of complementary and alternative medication (CAM) use
      in senior adult oncology (SAO) patients is widely variable and little is known
      about whether polypharmacy (PP) and potentially inappropriate medication (PIM)
      use influences CAM use given the increased number of comorbidities and
      polypharmacy. One approach to optimize medication management is through
      utilization of pharmacists as part of a team-based, healthcare model. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: Prevalence of CAM and factors influencing CAM use was examined in a
      secondary analysis of 248 patients who received an initial comprehensive
      geriatric oncology assessment between January 2011 and June 2013. Data was
      collected from electronic medical records. CAM was defined as herbal medications,
      minerals, or other dietary supplements, excluding vitamins. Patient
      characteristics influencing CAM use (e.g. comorbidities, PP and PIM use) were
      analyzed. RESULTS: Only 234 patients (evaluated by pharmacists) were included in
      the final analysis. Mean age was 79.9 years [range 61-98]; 64% women, 74%
      Caucasian, 87% with a solid tumor, mean comorbidities, 7.69. CAM prevalence was
      26.5% (n=62) and median CAM use was 0 (range 0-10). The proportion of CAM use (1,
      2, and 3) was 19.2%, 6.4%, and 0.4%, respectively. Associations with CAM use
      (versus no-CAM) were polypharmacy (P=0.045), vision impairment (P=0.048) and
      urologic comorbidities (P=0.021). CONCLUSIONS: A pharmacist-led comprehensive
      medication assessment demonstrated a more precise estimation of CAM prevalence in
      the ambulatory SAO population. CAM use was associated with polypharmacy,
      ophthalmic and urologic medical conditions. Integrating pharmacists into team
      based (geriatric and oncology) care models is an underutilized yet viable
      solution to optimize medication use.

PMID- 26277114
TI  - Identification of clinical parameters predictive of one-year survival using two
      geriatric tools in clinically fit older patients with hematological malignancies:
      Major impact of cognition.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Little is known about the reliability of G8 screening tool and the
      prognostic value of clinical parameters within the Comprehensive Geriatric
      Assessment (CGA) in clinically fit older patients with hematological
      malignancies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was performed to assess the
      reliability of G8 as a screening tool and to determine the predictive value of
      CGA items in terms of 1-year overall survival (OS). G8 and CGA were proposed to
      107 consecutive patients (65-89 years) with hematological malignancies assessed
      by their physicians as clinically fit, meaning not exhibiting geriatric syndromes
      and/or irreversible comorbidities significantly impairing their daily function,
      and thus able to receive chemotherapy. RESULTS: Out of 107 patients, 90 patients
      were evaluable and completed both scales; 72% and 80% were defined as
      "vulnerable" when evaluated with G8 (<= 14.5) or CGA (>= 2 impairments)
      respectively. The area under ROC-curve of G8 compared to CGA was 0.749+/-0.051.
      Neither G8 nor CGA total scores were predictive of 1-year OS. However, age
      (HR=1.105, 95% CI: 1.016-1.202; p=0.019), diagnosis (HR=5.208, 95% CI: 1.895
      14.310; p=0.001) and cognitive status (HR=3.260, 95% CI: 1.043-10.194; p=0.042)
      were predictive of OS. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that in our selected
      hematological patients: 1) the G8 score does not help selecting patients for CGA,
      2) the G8 and CGA total scores do not predict OS, and 3) in addition to the age
      and disease itself, cognitive impairment appears to be a powerful prognostic
      factor.

PMID- 26277116
TI  - Development of a large-scale neuroimages and clinical variables data atlas in the
      neuGRID4You (N4U) project.
AB  - Exceptional growth in the availability of large-scale clinical imaging datasets
      has led to the development of computational infrastructures that offer scientists
      access to image repositories and associated clinical variables data. The EU FP7
      neuGRID and its follow on neuGRID4You (N4U) projects provide a leading e
      Infrastructure where neuroscientists can find core services and resources for
      brain image analysis. The core component of this e-Infrastructure is the N4U
      Virtual Laboratory, which offers easy access for neuroscientists to a wide range
      of datasets and algorithms, pipelines, computational resources, services, and
      associated support services. The foundation of this virtual laboratory is a
      massive data store plus a set of Information Services collectively called the
      'Data Atlas'. This data atlas stores datasets, clinical study data, data
      dictionaries, algorithm/pipeline definitions, and provides interfaces for
      parameterised querying so that neuroscientists can perform analyses on required
      datasets. This paper presents the overall design and development of the Data
      Atlas, its associated dataset indexing and retrieval services that originated
      from the development of the N4U Virtual Laboratory in the EU FP7 N4U project in
      the light of detailed user requirements. 

PMID- 26277115
TI  - PKDE4J: Entity and relation extraction for public knowledge discovery.
AB  - Due to an enormous number of scientific publications that cannot be handled
      manually, there is a rising interest in text-mining techniques for automated
      information extraction, especially in the biomedical field. Such techniques
      provide effective means of information search, knowledge discovery, and
      hypothesis generation. Most previous studies have primarily focused on the design
      and performance improvement of either named entity recognition or relation
      extraction. In this paper, we present PKDE4J, a comprehensive text-mining system
      that integrates dictionary-based entity extraction and rule-based relation
      extraction in a highly flexible and extensible framework. Starting with the
      Stanford CoreNLP, we developed the system to cope with multiple types of entities
      and relations. The system also has fairly good performance in terms of accuracy
      as well as the ability to configure text-processing components. We demonstrate
      its competitive performance by evaluating it on many corpora and found that it
      surpasses existing systems with average F-measures of 85% for entity extraction
      and 81% for relation extraction. 

PMID- 26277117
TI  - Holistic approach to design and implementation of a medical teleconsultation
      workspace.
AB  - While there are many state-of-the-art approaches to introducing telemedical
      services in the area of medical imaging, it is hard to point to studies which
      would address all relevant aspects in a complete and comprehensive manner. In
      this paper we describe our approach to design and implementation of a universal
      platform for imaging medicine which is based on our longstanding experience in
      this area. We claim it is holistic, because, contrary to most of the available
      studies it addresses all aspects related to creation and utilization of a medical
      teleconsultation workspace. We present an extensive analysis of requirements,
      including possible usage scenarios, user needs, organizational and security
      issues and infrastructure components. We enumerate and analyze multiple usage
      scenarios related to medical imaging data in treatment, research and educational
      applications - with typical teleconsultations treated as just one of many
      possible options. Certain phases common to all these scenarios have been
      identified, with the resulting classification distinguishing several modes of
      operation (local vs. remote, collaborative vs. non-interactive etc.). On this
      basis we propose a system architecture which addresses all of the identified
      requirements, applying two key concepts: Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) and
      Virtual Organizations (VO). The SOA paradigm allows us to decompose the
      functionality of the system into several distinct building blocks, ensuring
      flexibility and reliability. The VO paradigm defines the cooperation model for
      all participating healthcare institutions. Our approach is validated by an ICT
      platform called TeleDICOM II which implements the proposed architecture. All of
      its main elements are described in detail and cross-checked against the listed
      requirements. A case study presents the role and usage of the platform in a
      specific scenario. Finally, our platform is compared with similar systems
      described into-date studies and available on the market. 

PMID- 26277118
TI  - Classifying individuals based on a densely captured sequence of vital signs: An
      example using repeated blood pressure measurements during hemodialysis treatment.
AB  - Electronic Health Records (EHRs) present the opportunity to observe serial
      measurements on patients. While potentially informative, analyzing these data can
      be challenging. In this work we present a means to classify individuals based on
      a series of measurements collected by an EHR. Using patients undergoing
      hemodialysis, we categorized people based on their intradialytic blood pressure.
      Our primary criteria were that the classifications were time dependent and
      independent of other subjects. We fit a curve of intradialytic blood pressure
      using regression splines and then calculated first and second derivatives to come
      up with four mutually exclusive classifications at different time points. We show
      that these classifications relate to near term risk of cardiac events and are
      moderately stable over a succeeding two-week period. This work has general
      application for analyzing dense EHR data. 

PMID- 26277119
TI  - Communication: Antibody stability and behavior on surfaces.
AB  - Antibody microarrays have the potential to revolutionize molecular detection in
      scientific, medical, and other biosensor applications, but their current use is
      limited because of poor reliability. It is hypothesized that one reason for their
      poor performance results from strong antibody-surface interactions that
      destabilize the antibody structure and create steric interference for antigen
      recognition. Using a recently developed coarse-grain protein-surface model that
      has been parameterized against experimental data, antibody-surface interactions
      for two antibody orientations on two types of surfaces have been investigated.
      The results show that regardless of attachment geometry, antibodies tend to
      collapse onto hydrophobic surfaces and exhibit lower overall stability compared
      to antibodies on hydrophilic surfaces or in bulk solution. The results provide an
      unprecedented view into the dynamics of antibodies on surfaces and offer new
      insights into the poor performance exhibited by current antibody microarrays. 

PMID- 26277120
TI  - Communication: Quantitative multi-site frequency maps for amide I vibrational
      spectroscopy.
AB  - An accurate method for predicting the amide I vibrational spectrum of a given
      protein structure has been sought for many years. Significant progress has been
      made recently by sampling structures from molecular dynamics simulations and
      mapping local electrostatic variables onto the frequencies of individual amide
      bonds. Agreement with experiment, however, has remained largely qualitative.
      Previously, we used dipeptide fragments and isotope-labeled constructs of the
      protein G mimic NuG2b as experimental standards for developing and testing amide
      I frequency maps. Here, we combine these datasets to test different frequency-map
      models and develop a novel method to produce an optimized four-site potential
      (4P) map based on the CHARMM27 force field. Together with a charge correction for
      glycine residues, the optimized map accurately describes both experimental
      datasets, with average frequency errors of 2-3 cm(-1). This 4P map is shown to be
      convertible to a three-site field map which provides equivalent performance,
      highlighting the viability of both field- and potential-based maps for amide I
      spectral modeling. The use of multiple sampling points for local electrostatics
      is found to be essential for accurate map performance. 

PMID- 26277121
TI  - From molecular systems to continuum solids: A multiscale structure and dynamics.
AB  - We propose a concurrent multiscale molecular dynamics for molecular systems in
      order to apply macroscale mechanical boundary conditions such as traction and
      average displacement for solid state materials, which is difficult to do in
      traditional molecular dynamics where boundary conditions are applied in terms of
      forces and displacements on selected particles. The multiscale model is
      systematically constructed in terms of multiscale structures of kinematics, force
      field, and dynamical equations. The idea is to extend the Anderson-Parrinello
      Rahman molecular dynamics to the cases that have arbitrary finite domain and
      boundary, thus the model is capable of solving inhomogeneous, non-equilibrium
      problems. The macroscale stress loading on a representative volume element with
      periodic boundary condition is generalized to all kinds of macroscale mechanical
      boundary conditions. Unlike most multiscale techniques, our theory is aimed at
      understanding fundamental physics rather than achieving computing efficiency.
      Examples of problems with prescribed average displacements and surface tractions
      are presented to demonstrate the validity of the proposed multiscale molecular
      dynamics. 

PMID- 26277122
TI  - Spin-orbit couplings within the equation-of-motion coupled-cluster framework:
      Theory, implementation, and benchmark calculations.
AB  - We present a formalism and an implementation for calculating spin-orbit couplings
      (SOCs) within the EOM-CCSD (equation-of-motion coupled-cluster with single and
      double substitutions) approach. The following variants of EOM-CCSD are
      considered: EOM-CCSD for excitation energies (EOM-EE-CCSD), EOM-CCSD with spin
      flip (EOM-SF-CCSD), EOM-CCSD for ionization potentials (EOM-IP-CCSD) and electron
      attachment (EOM-EA-CCSD). We employ a perturbative approach in which the SOCs are
      computed as matrix elements of the respective part of the Breit-Pauli Hamiltonian
      using zeroth-order non-relativistic wave functions. We follow the expectation
      value approach rather than the response-theory formulation for property
      calculations. Both the full two-electron treatment and the mean-field
      approximation (a partial account of the two-electron contributions) have been
      implemented and benchmarked using several small molecules containing elements up
      to the fourth row of the periodic table. The benchmark results show the excellent
      performance of the perturbative treatment and the mean-field approximation. When
      used with an appropriate basis set, the errors with respect to experiment are
      below 5% for the considered examples. The findings regarding basis-set
      requirements are in agreement with previous studies. The impact of different
      correlation treatment in zeroth-order wave functions is analyzed. Overall, the
      EOM-IP-CCSD, EOM-EA-CCSD, EOM-EE-CCSD, and EOM-SF-CCSD wave functions yield SOCs
      that agree well with each other (and with the experimental values when
      available). Using an EOM-CCSD approach that provides a more balanced description
      of the target states yields more accurate results. 

PMID- 26277123
TI  - Positive semidefinite tensor factorizations of the two-electron integral matrix
      for low-scaling ab initio electronic structure.
AB  - Tensor factorization of the 2-electron integral matrix is a well-known technique
      for reducing the computational scaling of ab initio electronic structure methods
      toward that of Hartree-Fock and density functional theories. The simplest
      factorization that maintains the positive semidefinite character of the 2
      electron integral matrix is the Cholesky factorization. In this paper, we
      introduce a family of positive semidefinite factorizations that generalize the
      Cholesky factorization. Using an implementation of the factorization within the
      parametric 2-RDM method [D. A. Mazziotti, Phys. Rev. Lett. 101, 253002 (2008)],
      we study several inorganic molecules, alkane chains, and potential energy curves
      and find that this generalized factorization retains the accuracy and size
      extensivity of the Cholesky factorization, even in the presence of multi
      reference correlation. The generalized family of positive semidefinite
      factorizations has potential applications to low-scaling ab initio electronic
      structure methods that treat electron correlation with a computational cost
      approaching that of the Hartree-Fock method or density functional theory. 

PMID- 26277124
TI  - Aspects of the Eckart frame ro-vibrational kinetic energy operator.
AB  - A most decisive part of developing the Eckart frame ro-vibrational kinetic energy
      operator (KEO) in terms of curvilinear internal coordinates is the introduction
      of vibrational displacements obeying the Eckart conditions. It is examined here,
      how such displacements may be constructed by orthogonal and nonorthogonal
      transformations, and how they can be employed in developing the KEO. In
      particular, it is shown analytically, by term by term comparison, that the Eckart
      KEOs obtained by employing Pickett's method and the gateway Hamiltonian method
      are equivalent. That is, although it may appear in the form of very different
      expressions, the general, exact ro-vibrational Eckart frame KEO is unique. As
      side result, it has been shown that the simple formula of the pseudo-potential
      derived by Watson for the exact KEO given in normal coordinates applies to any
      Eckart frame KEO, irrespective of the choice of the vibrational coordinates. 

PMID- 26277125
TI  - Spatiotemporal chaos from bursting dynamics.
AB  - In this paper, we study the emergence of spatiotemporal chaos from mixed-mode
      oscillations, by using an extended Oregonator model. We show that bursting
      dynamics consisting of fast/slow mixed mode oscillations along a single attractor
      can lead to spatiotemporal chaotic dynamics, although the spatially homogeneous
      solution is itself non-chaotic. This behavior is observed far from the Hopf
      bifurcation and takes the form of a spatiotemporal intermittency where the system
      locally alternates between the fast and the slow phases of the mixed mode
      oscillations. We expect this form of spatiotemporal chaos to be generic for
      models in which one or several slow variables are coupled to activator-inhibitor
      type of oscillators. 

PMID- 26277126
TI  - Information processing in parallel through directionally resolved molecular
      polarization components in coherent multidimensional spectroscopy.
AB  - We propose that information processing can be implemented by measuring the
      directional components of the macroscopic polarization of an ensemble of
      molecules subject to a sequence of laser pulses. We describe the logic operation
      theoretically and demonstrate it by simulations. The measurement of integrated
      stimulated emission in different phase matching spatial directions provides a
      logic decomposition of a function that is the discrete analog of an integral
      transform. The logic operation is reversible and all the possible outputs are
      computed in parallel for all sets of possible multivalued inputs. The number of
      logic variables of the function is the number of laser pulses used in sequence.
      The logic function that is computed depends on the chosen chromophoric molecular
      complex and on its interactions with the solvent and on the two time intervals
      between the three pulses and the pulse strengths and polarizations. The outputs
      are the homodyne detected values of the polarization components that are measured
      in the allowed phase matching macroscopic directions, kl, kl=?iliki where ki is
      the propagation direction of the ith pulse and {li} is a set of integers that
      encodes the multivalued inputs. Parallelism is inherently implemented because all
      the partial polarizations that define the outputs are processed simultaneously.
      The outputs, which are read directly on the macroscopic level, can be multivalued
      because the high dynamical range of partial polarization measurements by
      nonlinear coherent spectroscopy allows for fine binning of the signals. The
      outputs are uniquely related to the inputs so that the logic is reversible. 

PMID- 26277127
TI  - Quantum heat transport of a two-qubit system: Interplay between system-bath
      coherence and qubit-qubit coherence.
AB  - We consider a system consisting of two interacting qubits that are individually
      coupled to separate heat baths at different temperatures. The quantum effects in
      heat transport are investigated in a numerically rigorous manner with a
      hierarchial equations of motion (HEOM) approach for non-perturbative and non
      Markovian system-bath coupling cases under non-equilibrium steady-state
      conditions. For a weak interqubit interaction, the total system is regarded as
      two individually thermostatted systems, whereas for a strong interqubit
      interaction, the two-qubit system is regarded as a single system coupled to two
      baths. The roles of quantum coherence (or entanglement) between the two qubits (q
      q coherence) and between the qubit and bath (q-b coherence) are studied through
      the heat current calculated for various strengths of the system-bath coupling and
      interqubit coupling for high and low temperatures. The same current is also
      studied using the time convolutionless (TCL) Redfield equation and using an
      expression derived from the Fermi golden rule (FGR). We find that the HEOM
      results exhibit turnover behavior of the heat current as a function of the system
      bath coupling strength for all values of the interqubit coupling strength, while
      the results obtained with the TCL and FGR approaches do not exhibit such
      behavior, because they do not possess the capability of treating the q-b and q-q
      coherences. The maximum current is obtained in the case that the q-q coherence
      and q-b coherence are balanced in such a manner that coherence of the entire heat
      transport process is realized. We also find that the heat current does not follow
      Fourier's law when the temperature difference is very large, due to the non
      perturbative system-bath interactions. 

PMID- 26277128
TI  - A novel Gaussian-Sinc mixed basis set for electronic structure calculations.
AB  - A Gaussian-Sinc basis set methodology is presented for the calculation of the
      electronic structure of atoms and molecules at the Hartree-Fock level of theory.
      This methodology has several advantages over previous methods. The all-electron
      electronic structure in a Gaussian-Sinc mixed basis spans both the "localized"
      and "delocalized" regions. A basis set for each region is combined to make a new
      basis methodology-a lattice of orthonormal sinc functions is used to represent
      the "delocalized" regions and the atom-centered Gaussian functions are used to
      represent the "localized" regions to any desired accuracy. For this mixed basis,
      all the Coulomb integrals are definable and can be computed in a dimensional
      separated methodology. Additionally, the Sinc basis is translationally invariant,
      which allows for the Coulomb singularity to be placed anywhere including on
      lattice sites. Finally, boundary conditions are always satisfied with this basis.
      To demonstrate the utility of this method, we calculated the ground state Hartree
      Fock energies for atoms up to neon, the diatomic systems H2, O2, and N2, and the
      multi-atom system benzene. Together, it is shown that the Gaussian-Sinc mixed
      basis set is a flexible and accurate method for solving the electronic structure
      of atomic and molecular species. 

PMID- 26277129
TI  - A time domain two-particle approximation to calculate the absorption and circular
      dichroism line shapes of molecular aggregates.
AB  - The hierarchical equations of motion (HEOM) method has recently emerged as an
      effective approach to simulate linear and nonlinear spectroscopic signals of
      molecular aggregates in the intermediate coupling regime. However, its
      application to large systems is still limited when there are a large number of
      molecules in the molecular aggregate. In this work, we propose a time domain two
      particle approximation (TPA) in combination with the HEOM method to calculate the
      absorption and circular dichroism line shapes of molecular aggregates. The new
      method is shown to reduce the number of auxiliary density operators (ADOs)
      significantly for large systems, and a further truncation of the two-bath-set
      excited terms based on geometric considerations can lead to a linear increase of
      the number of ADOs with the system size. The validity of the HEOM-TPA method is
      first tested on one-dimensional model systems. The new method is then applied to
      calculate the absorption and circular dichroism line shapes of the Photosystem I
      core complex, as well as the population evolution of the Fenna-Matthews-Olson
      complex to demonstrate its effectiveness. 

PMID- 26277130
TI  - Subspace formulation of time-dependent density functional theory for large-scale
      calculations.
AB  - A subspace formulation of time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) is
      proposed for large-scale calculations based on density functional perturbation
      theory. The formulation is implemented in conjunction with projector augmented
      wave method and plane-wave basis set. A key bottleneck of conventional TDDFT
      method is circumvented by projecting the time-dependent Kohn-Sham eigenvalue
      equations from a full Hilbert space to a substantially reduced sub-Hilbert space.
      As a result, both excitation energies and ionic forces can be calculated
      accurately within the reduced subspace. The method is validated for several model
      systems and exhibits the similar accuracy as the conventional TDDFT method but at
      a computational cost of the ground state calculation. The Born-Oppenheimer
      molecular dynamics can be successfully performed for excited states in C60 and
      T12 molecules, opening doors for many applications involving excited state
      dynamics. 

PMID- 26277131
TI  - Derivative discontinuity with localized Hartree-Fock potential.
AB  - The localized Hartree-Fock potential has proven to be a computationally efficient
      alternative to the optimized effective potential, preserving the numerical
      accuracy of the latter and respecting the exact properties of being self
      interaction free and having the correct -1/r asymptotics. In this paper we extend
      the localized Hartree-Fock potential to fractional particle numbers and observe
      that it yields derivative discontinuities in the energy as required by the exact
      theory. The discontinuities are numerically close to those of the computationally
      more demanding Hartree-Fock method. Our potential enjoys a "direct-energy"
      property, whereby the energy of the system is given by the sum of the single
      particle eigenvalues multiplied by the corresponding occupation numbers. The
      discontinuities c? and c? of the spin-components of the potential at integer
      particle numbers N? and N? satisfy the condition c?N? + c?N? = 0. Thus, joining
      the family of effective potentials which support a derivative discontinuity, but
      being considerably easier to implement, the localized Hartree-Fock potential
      becomes a powerful tool in the broad area of applications in which the
      fundamental gap is an issue. 

PMID- 26277132
TI  - Benchmark calculations on the nuclear quadrupole-coupling parameters for open
      shell molecules using non-relativistic and scalar-relativistic coupled-cluster
      methods.
AB  - Quantum-chemical computations of nuclear quadrupole-coupling parameters for 24
      open-shell states of small molecules based on non-relativistic and spin-free
      exact two-component (SFX2C) relativistic equation-of-motion coupled-cluster (EOM
      CC) as well as spin-orbital-based restricted open-shell Hartree-Fock coupled
      cluster (ROHF-CC) methods are reported. Relativistic effects, the performance of
      the EOM-CC and ROHF-CC methods for treating electron correlation, as well as
      basis-set convergence have been carefully analyzed. Consideration of relativistic
      effects is necessary for accurate calculations on systems containing third-row (K
      Kr) and heavier elements, as expected, and the SFX2C approach is shown to be a
      useful cost-effective option here. Further, it is demonstrated that the EOM-CC
      methods constitute flexible and accurate alternatives to the ROHF-CC methods in
      the calculations of nuclear quadrupole-coupling parameters for open-shell states.

PMID- 26277133
TI  - A semiclassical treatment of the l-j correlation in atom-diatom collisions.
AB  - The explicit consideration of the vector correlations is an essential step when
      it comes to determining the mechanism of chemical reactions. Usual vector
      correlations involve initial and final relative velocity vectors and rotational
      angular momenta. However, the correlation between the orbital, l, and rotational,
      j, angular momenta has seldom received any attention. In this article, we present
      a semiclassical methodology capable of describing the l-j correlation that may
      serve as a connection between the quantum and quasiclassical treatments. Using
      the scattering matrix in the orbital angular momentum representation, the l-j
      correlation is expressed as a probability density function of the angle formed by
      both vectors. This technique is exemplified through the H + D2 reaction and its
      accuracy is appraised by comparing with results derived from calculations based
      on quasiclassical trajectories. 

PMID- 26277134
TI  - A first-principles study on the B5O5 (+/0) and B5O5 (-) clusters: The boron oxide
      analogs of C6H5 (+/0) and CH3Cl.
AB  - The concept of boronyl (BO) and the BO/H isolobal analogy build an interesting
      structural link between boron oxide clusters and hydrocarbons. Based upon global
      minimum searches and first-principles electronic structural calculations, we
      present here the perfectly planar C2v B5O5 (+) (1, (1)A1), C2v B5O5 (2, (2)A1),
      and tetrahedral Cs B5O5 (-) (3, (1)A') clusters, which are the global minima of
      the systems. Structural and molecular orbital analyses indicate that C2v B5O5 (+)
      (1) [B3O3(BO)2 (+)] and C2v B5O5 (2) [B3O3(BO)2] feature an aromatic six-membered
      boroxol (B3O3) ring as the core with two equivalent boronyl terminals, similar to
      the recently reported boronyl boroxine D3h B6O6 [B3O3(BO)3]; whereas Cs B5O5 (-)
      (3) [B(BO)3(OBO)(-)] is characterized with a tetrahedral B(-) center, terminated
      with three BO groups and one OBO unit, similar to the previously predicted
      boronyl methane Td B5O4 (-) [B(BO)4 (-)]. Alternatively, the 1-3 clusters can be
      viewed as the boron oxide analogs of phenyl cation C6H5 (+), phenyl radical C6H5,
      and chloromethane CH3Cl, respectively. Chemical bonding analyses also reveal a
      dual three-center four-electron (3c-4e) pi hyperbond in Cs B5O5 (-) (3). The
      infrared absorption spectra of B5O5 (+) (1), B5O5 (2), and B5O5 (-) (3) and anion
      photoelectron spectrum of B5O5 (-) (3) are predicted to facilitate their
      forthcoming experimental characterizations. The present work completes the BnOn
      (+/0/-) series for n = 1-6 and enriches the analogous relationship between boron
      oxides and hydrocarbons. 

PMID- 26277135
TI  - The geometrical change and intramolecular energy transfer upon S1<-S0 excitation
      in cyclopentanone.
AB  - The ultrafast dynamics in vibrationally hot S1 electronic excited state in
      cyclopentanone molecule was discovered with time resolved spectroscopy.
      Investigation of the geometry change upon the S1<-S0 excitation and D0<-S1
      ionization has shown that the dihedral angle between the C=O bond and the plane
      given by the carbonyl and the alpha-carbons is 180 degrees  either in S0 or D0
      state and is reduced to 145.8 degrees  by out-out-plane deformation of the oxygen
      in S1 state according to the theoretical calculation. The time domain experiments
      with femtosecond resolution have given rich insights into the energy transfer of
      the cyclopentanone molecule. The molecules are excited to the vibrationally hot
      S1 (n,  pi(*)) state following absorption of one 267-nm photon. It is found that
      the population of the S1 (n, pi(*)) state undergoes ultrafast internal conversion
      to the highly vibrationally hot S0 state within 80 fs and nonradiative
      deactivation by intersystem crossing to triplet T1 (n, pi(*)) state occurring in
      3.14 ps. Several Rydberg states have worked as stepping stones during the
      ionization. The available energy was distributed in the symmetric methylene group
      wagging and the symmetric skeletal ring breathing modes in D0 state. 

PMID- 26277136
TI  - Photoelectron spectrum of PrO(-).
AB  - The photoelectron (PE) spectrum of PrO(-) exhibits a short 835 +/- 20 cm(-1)
      vibrational progression of doublets (210 +/- 30 cm(-1) splitting) assigned to
      transitions from the 4f(2) [(3)H4] sigma6s (2) Omega = 4 anion ground state to
      the 4f(2) [(3)H4] sigma6s Omega = 3.5 and 4.5 neutral states. This assignment is
      analogous to that of the recently reported PE spectrum of CeO(-), though the 82
      cm(-1) splitting between the 4f [(2)F2.5] sigma6s Omega = 2 and Omega = 3 CeO
      neutral states could not be resolved [Ray et al., J. Chem. Phys. 142, 064305
      (2015)]. The origin of the transition to the Omega = 3.5 neutral ground state is
      0.96 +/- 0.01 eV, which is the adiabatic electron affinity of PrO. Density
      functional theory calculations on the anion and neutral molecules support the
      assignment. The appearance of multiple, irregularly spaced and low-intensity
      features observed ca. 1 eV above the ground state cannot be reconciled with low
      lying electronic states of PrO that are accessible via one-electron detachment.
      However, neutral states correlated with the 4f(2) [(3)H4] 5d superconfiguration
      are predicted to be approximately 1 eV above the 4f(2) [(3)H4] sigma6s Omega =
      3.5 neutral ground state, leading to the assignment of these features to shake-up
      transitions to the excited neutral states. Based on tentative hot band transition
      assignments, the term energy of the previously unobserved 4f(2) [(3)H4] sigma6s
      Omega = 2.5 neutral state is determined to be 1840 +/- 110 cm(-1). 

PMID- 26277137
TI  - Electron collisions with methyl-substituted ethylenes: Cross section measurements
      and calculations for 2-methyl-2-butene and 2,3-dimethyl-2-butene.
AB  - We report electron-scattering cross sections determined for 2-methyl-2-butene
      [(H3C)HC = C(CH3)2] and 2,3-dimethyl-2-butene [(H3C)2C = C(CH3)2] molecules.
      Absolute grand-total cross sections (TCSs) were measured for incident electron
      energies in the 0.5-300 eV range, using a linear electron-transmission technique.
      The experimental TCS energy dependences for the both targets appear to be very
      similar with respect to the shape. In each TCS curve, three features are
      discernible: the resonant-like structure located around 2.6-2.7 eV, the broad
      distinct enhancement peaking near 8.5 eV, and a weak hump in the vicinity of 24
      eV. Theoretical integral elastic (ECS) and ionization (ICS) cross sections were
      computed up to 3 keV by means of the additivity rule (AR) approximation and the
      binary-encounter-Bethe method, respectively. Their sums, (ECS+ICS), are in a
      reasonable agreement with the respective measured TCSs. To examine the effect of
      methylation of hydrogen sides in the ethylene [H2C = CH2] molecule on the TCS, we
      compared the TCS energy curves for the sequence of methylated ethylenes: propene
      [H2C = CH(CH3)], 2-methylpropene [H2C = C(CH3)2], 2-methyl-2-butene [(H3C)HC =
      C(CH3)2], and 2,3-dimethyl-2-butene [(H3C)2C = C(CH3)2], measured in the same
      laboratory. Moreover, the isomeric effect is also discussed for the C5H10 and
      C6H12 compounds. 

PMID- 26277138
TI  - Strong field coherent control of molecular torsions--Analytical models.
AB  - We introduce analytical models of torsional alignment by moderately intense laser
      pulses that are applicable to the limiting cases of the torsional barrier
      heights. Using these models, we explore in detail the role that the laser
      intensity and pulse duration play in coherent torsional dynamics, addressing both
      experimental and theoretical concerns. Our results suggest strategies for
      minimizing the risk of off-resonant ionization, noting the qualitative
      differences between the case of torsional alignment subject to a field-free
      torsional barrier and that of torsional alignment of a barrier-less system
      (equivalent to a 2D rigid rotor). We also investigate several interesting
      torsional phenomena, including the onset of impulsive alignment of torsions,
      field-driven oscillations in quantum number space, and the disappearance of an
      alignment upper bound observed for a rigid rotor in the impulsive torsional
      alignment limit. 

PMID- 26277139
TI  - On the mechanism of Zn4O-acetate precursors ripening to ZnO: How dimerization is
      promoted by hydroxide incorporation.
AB  - We report on a combined experimental and molecular modelling study on Zn4O ion
      clusters stabilized by acetate molecules (OAc). In particular, ab initio
      calculations of acetate substitution by hydroxide ions are compared with mass
      spectrometry data. Though quantum calculations in the gas phase indicate strong
      energetic preference, no experimental evidence of stable Zn4O(OAc)6-x(OH)x
      clusters in ethanolic solutions could be observed. This apparent contradiction is
      rationalized by identifying the supportive role of hydroxide ions for the
      association of (OAc(-) -> OH(-) substituted) Zn4O(OAc)6 and Zn4O(OAc)5 (+)
      clusters. Mass spectrometry and quantum calculations hint at the stability of
      (Zn4O)2(OAc)12-x(OH)x dimers with x = 1, 2. Therein, the hydroxide ions establish
      salt-bridges that allow for the formation of additional Zn3 motifs with the OH
      above the triangle center-a structural motif close to that of the ZnO-crystal.
      The association of Zn4O(OAc)6 clusters is thus suggested to involve OAc(-) -> OH(
      ) substitution as an activation step, quickly followed by dimerization and the
      subsequent agglomeration of oligomers. 

PMID- 26277140
TI  - Thermodynamic precursors, liquid-liquid transitions, dynamic and topological
      anomalies in densified liquid germania.
AB  - The thermodynamic, dynamic, structural, and rigidity properties of densified
      liquid germania (GeO2) have been investigated using classical molecular dynamics
      simulation. We construct from a thermodynamic framework an analytical equation of
      state for the liquid allowing the possible detection of thermodynamic precursors
      (extrema of the derivatives of the free energy), which usually indicate the
      possibility of a liquid-liquid transition. It is found that for the present
      germania system, such precursors and the possible underlying liquid-liquid
      transition are hidden by the slowing down of the dynamics with decreasing
      temperature. In this respect, germania behaves quite differently when compared to
      parent tetrahedral systems such as silica or water. We then detect a diffusivity
      anomaly (a maximum of diffusion with changing density/volume) that is strongly
      correlated with changes in coordinated species, and the softening of bond-bending
      (BB) topological constraints that decrease the liquid rigidity and enhance
      transport. The diffusivity anomaly is finally substantiated from a Rosenfeld-type
      scaling law linked to the pair correlation entropy, and to structural relaxation.

PMID- 26277141
TI  - Interactions between water and 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium ionic liquids.
AB  - We report experimental results on the diffusivity of water in two ionic liquids
      obtained using the pulsed-gradient spin-echo NMR method. Both ionic liquids have
      the same cation, 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium, but different trifluoromethyl
      containing anions. One has a strongly hydrophobic anion,
      bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide, while the second has a hydrophilic anion,
      trifluoromethylsulfonate. Transport of water in these ionic liquids is much
      faster than would be predicted from hydrodynamic laws, indicating that the
      neutral water molecules experience a very different friction than the anions and
      cations at the molecular level. Temperature-dependent viscosities,
      conductivities, and densities are reported as a function of water concentration
      to further analyze the properties of the ionic liquid-water mixtures. These
      results on the properties of water in ionic liquids should be of interest to
      researchers in diverse areas ranging from separations, solubilizing biomass and
      energy technologies. 

PMID- 26277142
TI  - Mixing effects in the crystallization of supercooled quantum binary liquids.
AB  - By means of Raman spectroscopy of liquid microjets, we have investigated the
      crystallization process of supercooled quantum liquid mixtures composed of
      parahydrogen (pH2) or orthodeuterium (oD2) diluted with small amounts of neon. We
      show that the introduction of the Ne impurities affects the crystallization
      kinetics in terms of a significant reduction of the measured pH2 and oD2 crystal
      growth rates, similarly to what found in our previous work on supercooled pH2-oD2
      liquid mixtures [Kuhnel et al., Phys. Rev. B 89, 180201(R) (2014)]. Our
      experimental results, in combination with path-integral simulations of the
      supercooled liquid mixtures, suggest in particular a correlation between the
      measured growth rates and the ratio of the effective particle sizes originating
      from quantum delocalization effects. We further show that the crystalline
      structure of the mixtures is also affected to a large extent by the presence of
      the Ne impurities, which likely initiate the freezing process through the
      formation of Ne-rich crystallites. 

PMID- 26277143
TI  - Pressure-induced structural changes in NH4Br.
AB  - We report angle dispersive X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements and Raman
      spectroscopy on NH4Br up to 70.0 GPa at room temperature. Three thermodynamically
      stable phases (phases II, IV, and V) are confirmed and a new possible phase
      (phase VI) of P21/m symmetry is proposed whose structure was established from
      Rietveld refinement of synchrotron XRD data for the first time. The phase
      sequence observed in NH4Br is in accordance with phase II -> IV -> V -> VI. Phase
      V transforms into phase VI at about 57.8 GPa with a huge volume reduction of 30%.
      Still, the intramolecular distances are analyzed to better understand the nature
      of structures. The H-H interactions become markedly more important as the N-Br
      distances are compacted, which is probably the reason of the kink of symmetric
      stretching band (nu1) at the transition pressure. 

PMID- 26277144
TI  - Photodetachment, electron cooling, and recombination, in a series of neat
      aliphatic room temperature ionic liquids.
AB  - Transient absorption following photodetachment of a series of neat methyl-alkyl
      pyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amides at 6.20 eV was measured with sub
      picosecond time resolution in the visible and near-IR portions of the spectrum.
      This series spans the onset of structuring in the liquids in the form of polarity
      alternation. Excitation promotes the electron into a delocalized state with a
      very large reactive radius. Strong transient absorption is observed in the
      visible spectrum with a ~700 fs lifetime, and much weaker, long-lived absorption
      is observed in the near-IR spectrum. Absorption in the visible is shown to be
      consistent with the hole, and absorption in the near-IR is assigned to the free
      solvated electron. Yield of free electrons is estimated at ~4%, is insensitive to
      the size of the cation, and is determined in less than 1 ps. Solvation of free
      electrons depends strongly on the size of the cation and correlates well with the
      viscosity of the liquid. In addition to radiolytic stability of the aliphatic
      cations, ultrafast, efficient recombination of separated charge in NTf2 (-) based
      ionic liquids following photo-excitation near the band-gap may prevent subsequent
      reactive damage associated with anions. 

PMID- 26277145
TI  - Homogeneous SPC/E water nucleation in large molecular dynamics simulations.
AB  - We perform direct large molecular dynamics simulations of homogeneous SPC/E water
      nucleation, using up to ~ 4 ? 10(6) molecules. Our large system sizes allow us to
      measure extremely low and accurate nucleation rates, down to ~ 10(19) cm(-3) s(
      1), helping close the gap between experimentally measured rates ~ 10(17) cm(-3)
      s(-1). We are also able to precisely measure size distributions, sticking
      efficiencies, cluster temperatures, and cluster internal densities. We introduce
      a new functional form to implement the Yasuoka-Matsumoto nucleation rate
      measurement technique (threshold method). Comparison to nucleation models shows
      that classical nucleation theory over-estimates nucleation rates by a few orders
      of magnitude. The semi-phenomenological nucleation model does better, under
      predicting rates by at worst a factor of 24. Unlike what has been observed in
      Lennard-Jones simulations, post-critical clusters have temperatures consistent
      with the run average temperature. Also, we observe that post-critical clusters
      have densities very slightly higher, ~ 5%, than bulk liquid. We re-calibrate a
      Hale-type J vs. S scaling relation using both experimental and simulation data,
      finding remarkable consistency in over 30 orders of magnitude in the nucleation
      rate range and 180 K in the temperature range. 

PMID- 26277146
TI  - Structural stability, vibrational, and bonding properties of potassium 1, 1'
      dinitroamino-5, 5'-bistetrazolate: An emerging green primary explosive.
AB  - Potassium 1,1'-dinitroamino-5,5'-bistetrazolate (K2DNABT) is a nitrogen rich
      (50.3% by weight, K2C2N12O4) green primary explosive with high performance
      characteristics, namely, velocity of detonation (D = 8.33 km/s), detonation
      pressure (P = 31.7 GPa), and fast initiating power to replace existing toxic
      primaries. In the present work, we report density functional theory (DFT)
      calculations on structural, equation of state, vibrational spectra, electronic
      structure, and absorption spectra of K2DNABT. We have discussed the influence of
      weak dispersive interactions on structural and vibrational properties through the
      DFT-D2 method. We find anisotropic compressibility behavior (b<a<c) from pressure
      dependent structural properties. The predicted equilibrium bulk modulus reveals
      that K2DNABT is softer than toxic lead azide and harder than the most sensitive
      cyanuric triazide. A complete assignment of all the vibrational modes has been
      made and compared with the available experimental results. The calculated zone
      center IR and Raman frequencies show a blue-shift which leads to a hardening of
      the lattice upon compression. In addition, we have also calculated the electronic
      structure and absorption spectra using recently developed Tran Blaha-modified
      Becke Johnson potential. It is found that K2DNABT is a direct band gap insulator
      with a band gap of 3.87 eV and the top of the valence band is mainly dominated by
      2p-states of oxygen and nitrogen atoms. K2DNABT exhibits mixed ionic (between
      potassium and tetrazolate ions) and covalent character within tetrazolate
      molecule. The presence of ionic bonding suggests that the investigated compound
      is relatively stable and insensitive than covalent primaries. From the calculated
      absorption spectra, the material is found to decompose under ultra-violet light
      irradiation. 

PMID- 26277147
TI  - Monte Carlo simulations of a model two-dimensional, two-patch colloidal
      particles.
AB  - We carried out Monte Carlo simulations of the two-patch colloids in two
      dimensions. Similar model investigated theoretically in three-dimensions
      exhibited a re-entrant phase transition. Our simulations indicate that no re
      entrant transition exists and the phase diagram for the system is of a swan-neck
      type and corresponds solely to the fluid-solid transition. 

PMID- 26277148
TI  - Structure-topology-property correlations of sodium phosphosilicate glasses.
AB  - In this work, we investigate the correlations among structure, topology, and
      properties in a series of sodium phosphosilicate glasses with [SiO2]/[SiO2 +
      P2O5] ranging from 0 to 1. The network structure is characterized by (29)Si and
      (31)P magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance and Raman spectroscopy. The
      results show the formation of six-fold coordinated silicon species in phosphorous
      rich glasses. Based on the structural data, we propose a formation mechanism of
      the six-fold coordinated silicon, which is used to develop a quantitative
      structural model for predicting the speciation of the network forming units as a
      function of chemical composition. The structural model is then used to establish
      a temperature-dependent constraint description of phosphosilicate glass topology
      that enables prediction of glass transition temperature, liquid fragility, and
      indentation hardness. The topological constraint model provides insight into
      structural origin of the mixed network former effect in phosphosilicate glasses. 

PMID- 26277149
TI  - An itinerant oscillator model with cage inertia for mesorheological granular
      experiments.
AB  - Recent experiments with a rotating probe immersed in weakly fluidized granular
      materials show a complex behavior on a wide range of time scales. Viscous-like
      relaxation at high frequency is accompanied by an almost harmonic dynamical
      trapping at intermediate times, with possibly anomalous long time behavior in the
      form of super-diffusion. Inspired by the itinerant oscillator model for diffusion
      in molecular liquids, and other models with coupled thermostats acting at
      different time scales, here we discuss a new model able to account for fast
      viscous relaxation, dynamical trapping, and super-diffusion at long times. The
      main difference with respect to liquids is a non-negligible cage inertia for the
      surrounding (granular) fluid, which allows it to sustain a slow but persistent
      motion for long times. The computed velocity power density spectra and mean
      squared displacement qualitatively reproduce the experimental findings. We also
      discuss the linear response to external perturbations and the tail of the
      distribution of persistency time, which is associated with superdiffusion, and
      whose cut-off time is determined by cage inertia. 

PMID- 26277150
TI  - Effects of polymer stiffness on surface tension and pressure in confinement.
AB  - We study the effect of chain rigidity on the behavior of semiflexible polymers in
      the vicinity of flat walls in a slit, and of surfactants at the liquid-liquid
      interface between immiscible liquids. Using molecular dynamics simulations, it is
      demonstrated that the impact of bending angle forces is particularly strong
      within the depletion layer at the phase boundary whereas at distance Re away from
      the interface, where Re is the mean distance between the ends of a semiflexible
      chain, the contribution of these non-local triplet interactions to pressure
      tensor virtually disappears. The present study also demonstrates that growing
      stiffness of the macromolecules leads to an increase in surface tension and total
      pressure. 

PMID- 26277151
TI  - Chemical bonding in hydrogen and lithium under pressure.
AB  - Though hydrogen and lithium have been assigned a common column of the periodic
      table, their crystalline states under common conditions are drastically
      different: the former at temperatures where it is crystalline is a molecular
      insulator, whereas the latter is a metal that takes on simple structures. On
      compression, however, the two come to share some structural and other
      similarities associated with the insulator-to-metal and metal-to-insulator
      transitions, respectively. To gain a deeper understanding of differences and
      parallels in the behaviors of compressed hydrogen and lithium, we performed an ab
      initio comparative study of these systems in selected identical structures. Both
      elements undergo a continuous pressure-induced s-p electronic transition, though
      this is at a much earlier stage of development for H. The valence charge density
      accumulates in interstitial regions in Li but not in H in structures examined
      over the same range of compression. Moreover, the valence charge density
      distributions or electron localization functions for the same arrangement of
      atoms mirror each other as one proceeds from one element to the other.
      Application of the virial theorem shows that the kinetic and potential energies
      jump across the first-order phase transitions in H and Li are opposite in sign
      because of non-local effects in the Li pseudopotential. Finally, the common
      tendency of compressed H and Li to adopt three-fold coordinated structures as
      found is explained by the fact that such structures are capable of yielding a
      profound pseudogap in the electronic densities of states at the Fermi level,
      thereby reducing the kinetic energy. These results have implications for the
      phase diagrams of these elements and also for the search for new structures with
      novel properties. 

PMID- 26277152
TI  - Ultra-sensitive pressure dependence of bandgap of rutile-GeO2 revealed by many
      body perturbation theory.
AB  - The reported values of bandgap of rutile GeO2 calculated by the standard density
      functional theory within local-density approximation (LDA)/generalized gradient
      approximation (GGA) show a wide variation (~2 eV), whose origin remains
      unresolved. Here, we investigate the reasons for this variation by studying the
      electronic structure of rutile-GeO2 using many-body perturbation theory within
      the GW framework. The bandgap as well as valence bandwidth at Gamma-point of
      rutile phase shows a strong dependence on volume change, which is independent of
      bandgap underestimation problem of LDA/GGA. This strong dependence originates
      from a change in hybridization among O-p and Ge-(s and p) orbitals. Furthermore,
      the parabolic nature of first conduction band along X-Gamma-M direction changes
      towards a linear dispersion with volume expansion. 

PMID- 26277153
TI  - Computational investigation on tunable optical band gap in armchair polyacenes.
AB  - Polyacenes in their armchair geometry (phenacenes) have recently been found to
      possess appealing electronic and optical properties with higher chemical
      stability and comparatively larger band gap as compared to linear polyacenes.
      They also behave as high-temperature superconductors upon alkali metal doping.
      Moreover, the optical properties of crystalline picene can be finely tuned by
      applying external pressure. We investigated the variation of optical gap as a
      function of altering the interplanar distances between parallel cofacial
      phenacene dimers. We employed both time-dependent density functional theory and
      density matrix renormalization group (DMRG) technique to investigate the lowest
      singlet excitations in phenacene dimer. Our study showed that the lowest singlet
      excitation in these systems evolved as a function of interplanar separation. The
      optical excitation energy gap decreases as a function of inverse interplanar
      separation of the phenacene dimer. The distant dependent variation of optical
      absorption at the dimer level may be comparable with experimental observation in
      picene crystal under pressure. DMRG study also demonstrates that besides picene,
      electronic properties of higher phenacenes can also be tunable by altering
      interplanar separation. 

PMID- 26277154
TI  - The role of fluctuations in bistability and oscillations during the H2 + O2
      reaction on nanosized rhodium crystals.
AB  - A combined experimental and theoretical study is presented of fluctuations
      observed by field ion microscopy in the catalytic reaction of water production on
      a rhodium tip. A stochastic approach is developed to provide a comprehensive
      understanding of the different phenomena observed in the experiment, including
      burst noise manifesting itself in a bistability regime, noisy oscillations, and
      nanopatterns with a cross-like oxidized zone separating the surface into four
      quadrants centered on the {111} facets. The study is based on a stochastic model
      numerically simulating the processes of adsorption, desorption, reaction, and
      transport. The surface diffusion of hydrogen is described as a percolation
      process dominated by large clusters corresponding to the four quadrants. The
      model reproduces the observed phenomena in the ranges of temperature, pressures,
      and electric field of the experiment. 

PMID- 26277155
TI  - Second order classical perturbation theory for the sticking probability of heavy
      atoms scattered on surfaces.
AB  - A second order classical perturbation theory is developed to calculate the
      sticking probability of a particle scattered from an uncorrugated thermal
      surface. An analytic expression for the temperature dependent energy loss of the
      particle to the surface is derived by employing a one-dimensional generalized
      Langevin equation. The surface temperature reduces the energy loss, since the
      thermal surface transfers energy to the particle. Using a Gaussian energy loss
      kernel and the multiple collision theory of Fan and Manson [J. Chem. Phys. 130,
      064703 (2009)], enables the determination of the fraction of particles trapped on
      the surface after subsequent momentum reversals of the colliding particle. This
      then leads to an estimate of the trapping probability. The theory is tested for
      the model scattering of Ar on a LiF(100) surface. Comparison with numerical
      simulations shows excellent agreement of the analytical theory with simulations,
      provided that the energy loss is determined by the second order perturbation
      theory. 

PMID- 26277156
TI  - Magneto-structural transformations via a solid-state nudged elastic band method:
      Application to iron under pressure.
AB  - We extend the solid-state nudged elastic band method to handle a non-conserved
      order parameter, in particular, magnetization, that couples to volume and leads
      to many observed effects in magnetic systems. We apply this formalism to the well
      studied magneto-volume collapse during the pressure-induced transformation in
      iron-from ferromagnetic body-centered cubic (bcc) austenite to hexagonal close
      packed (hcp) martensite. We find a bcc-hcp equilibrium coexistence pressure of
      8.4 GPa, with the transition-state enthalpy of 156 meV/Fe at this pressure. A
      discontinuity in magnetization and coherent stress occurs at the transition
      state, which has a form of a cusp on the potential-energy surface (yet all the
      atomic and cell degrees of freedom are continuous); the calculated pressure jump
      of 25 GPa is related to the observed 25 GPa spread in measured coexistence
      pressures arising from martensitic and coherency stresses in samples. Our results
      agree with experiments, but necessarily differ from those arising from drag and
      restricted parametrization methods having improperly constrained or uncontrolled
      degrees of freedom. 

PMID- 26277157
TI  - Onsager's reciprocal relations in electrolyte solutions. I. Sedimentation and
      electroacoustics.
AB  - In the framework of irreversible thermodynamics, we show that the sedimentation
      current in electrolyte solutions is mathematically equivalent to the low
      frequency limit of the ionic vibration current, appearing in the presence of an
      acoustic wave. This non-trivial result is obtained thanks to a careful choice of
      the reference frame used to express the mass fluxes in the context of
      electroacoustics. Coupled transport phenomena in electrolyte solutions can also
      be investigated in a mechanical framework, with a set of Newtonian equations for
      the dynamics of charged solutes. Both in the context of sedimentation and of
      electroacoustics, we show that the results obtained in the mechanical framework,
      in the ideal case (i.e., without interactions between ions), do satisfy the
      Onsager's reciprocal relations. We also derive the general relation between
      corrective forces accounting for ionic interactions which must be fulfilled so
      that the Onsager's reciprocal relations are verified. Finally, we show that no
      additional diffusion term needs to be taken into account in the flux of solutes
      (far from the walls), even if local concentration gradients exist, contrarily to
      what was done previously in the literature. 

PMID- 26277158
TI  - Onsager's reciprocal relations in electrolyte solutions. II. Effect of ionic
      interactions on electroacoustics.
AB  - In electrolyte solutions, an electric potential difference, called the Ionic
      Vibration Potential (IVP), related to the ionic vibration intensity, is generated
      by the application of an acoustic wave. Several theories based on a mechanical
      framework have been proposed over the years to predict the IVP for high ionic
      strengths, in the case where interactions between ions have to be accounted for.
      In this paper, it is demonstrated that most of these theories are not consistent
      with Onsager's reciprocal relations. A new expression for the IVP will be
      presented that does fulfill the Onsager's reciprocal relations. We obtained this
      expression by deriving general expressions of the corrective forces describing
      non-ideal effects in electrolyte solutions. 

PMID- 26277159
TI  - Influence of the exchange-correlation functional on the quasi-harmonic lattice
      dynamics of II-VI semiconductors.
AB  - We perform a systematic comparison of the finite-temperature structure and
      properties of four bulk semiconductors (PbS, PbTe, ZnS, and ZnTe) predicted by
      eight popular exchange-correlation functionals from quasi-harmonic lattice
      dynamics calculations. The performance of the functionals in reproducing the
      temperature dependence of a number of material properties, including lattice
      parameters, thermal-expansion coefficients, bulk moduli, heat capacities, and
      phonon frequencies, is evaluated quantitatively against available experimental
      data. We find that the phenomenological over- and under-binding characteristics
      of the local-density approximation and the PW91 and Perdew-Burke-Enzerhof (PBE)
      generalised-gradient approximation (GGA) functionals, respectively, are
      exaggerated at finite temperature, whereas the PBEsol GGA shows good general
      performance across all four systems. The Tao-Perdew-Staroverov-Scuseria (TPSS)
      and revTPSS meta-GGAs provide relatively small improvements over PBE, with the
      latter being better suited to calculating structural and dynamical properties,
      but both are considerably more computationally demanding than the simpler GGAs.
      The dispersion-corrected PBE-D2 and PBE-D3 functionals perform well in describing
      the lattice dynamics of the zinc chalcogenides, whereas the lead chalcogenides
      appear to be challenging for these functionals. These findings show that quasi
      harmonic calculations with a suitable functional can predict finite-temperature
      structure and properties with useful accuracy, and that this technique can serve
      as a means of evaluating the performance of new functionals in the future. 

PMID- 26277160
TI  - Anomalous behavior of trapping in extended dendrimers with a perfect trap.
AB  - Compact and extended dendrimers are two important classes of dendritic polymers.
      The impact of the underlying structure of compact dendrimers on dynamical
      processes has been much studied, yet the relation between the dynamical and
      structural properties of extended dendrimers remains not well understood. In this
      paper, we study the trapping problem in extended dendrimers with generation
      dependent segment lengths, which is different from that of compact dendrimers
      where the length of the linear segments is fixed. We first consider a particular
      case that the deep trap is located at the central node, and derive an exact
      formula for the average trapping time (ATT) defined as the average of the source
      to-trap mean first passage time over all starting points. Then, using the
      obtained result we deduce a closed-form expression for the ATT to an arbitrary
      trap node, based on which we further obtain an explicit solution to the ATT
      corresponding to the trapping issue with the trap uniformly distributed in the
      polymer systems. We show that the trap location has a substantial influence on
      the trapping efficiency measured by the ATT, which increases with the shortest
      distance from the trap to the central node, a phenomenon similar to that for
      compact dendrimers. In contrast to this resemblance, the leading terms of ATTs
      for the three trapping problems differ drastically between extended and compact
      dendrimers, with the trapping processes in the extended dendrimers being less
      efficient than in compact dendrimers. 

PMID- 26277161
TI  - Counterion-only electrical double layers: An application of density functional
      theory.
AB  - Within the framework of density functional theory, a self-consistent approach of
      weighted correlation approximation is developed to give an accurate account of
      the cross correlations between the Coulombic interaction and the hard-sphere
      exclusion in the counterion-only electrical double layers. Application of the
      approach to the cases of practical interest, against the Monte Carlo simulations,
      shows that it is excellent in describing the structural properties and the
      pressures of the confined solutions involving both mono- and divalent counterions
      between two planar charged walls. In particular, the study suggests that the
      relative importance of electrostatic correlations in comparison to the effects of
      ionic excluded volume and direct Coulomb interactions depends on the valency of
      the counterions and the surface charge density. In a clay system with mixed
      counterions, the competition between the mono- and divalent ions results in a
      large swelling when the fraction of surface charge compensated by monovalent
      counterions is greater than 30%. In the opposite situation involving mostly
      divalent counterions, a limited swelling is found and the attraction between the
      clay particles favors the formation of stacks incorporating a water layer of
      about 1.0 nm. These findings are consistent with experimental observations,
      giving insight into some mechanisms governing the stability of colloidal clay in
      salt-free or dilute solutions. 

PMID- 26277162
TI  - From nuclei to micro-structure in colloidal crystallization: Investigating
      intermediate length scales by small angle laser light scattering.
AB  - Hard sphere suspensions are well recognized model systems of statistical physics
      and soft condensed matter. We here investigate the temporal evolution of the
      immediate environment of nucleating and growing crystals and/or their global
      scale distribution using time resolved Small Angle Light Scattering (SALS).
      Simultaneously performed Bragg scattering measurements provide an accurate
      temporal gauging of the sequence of events. We apply this approach to studies of
      re-crystallization in several different shear molten hard sphere and attractive
      hard sphere samples with the focus being on the diversity of observable signal
      shapes and their change in time. We demonstrate that depending on the preparation
      conditions different processes occur on length scales larger than the structural
      scale, which significantly influence both the crystallization kinetics and the
      final micro-structure. By careful analysis of the SALS signal evolution and by
      comparing different suggestions for small angle signal shapes to our data, we can
      for most cases identify the processes leading to the observed signals. These
      include form factor scattering from crystals surrounded by depletion zones and
      structure factor scattering from late stage inter-crystallite ordering. The large
      variety of different small angle signals thus in principle contains valuable
      information complementary to that gained from Bragg scattering or microscopy. Our
      comparison, however, also shows that further refinement and adaptation of the
      theoretical expressions to the sample specific boundary conditions is desired for
      a quantitative kinetic analysis of micro-structural evolution. 

PMID- 26277163
TI  - Charged patchy particle models in explicit salt: Ion distributions, electrostatic
      potentials, and effective interactions.
AB  - We introduce a set of charged patchy particle models (CPPMs) in order to
      systematically study the influence of electrostatic charge patchiness and
      multipolarity on macromolecular interactions by means of implicit-solvent,
      explicit-ion Langevin dynamics simulations employing the Gromacs software. We
      consider well-defined zero-, one-, and two-patched spherical globules each of the
      same net charge and (nanometer) size which are composed of discrete atoms. The
      studied mono- and multipole moments of the CPPMs are comparable to those of
      globular proteins with similar size. We first characterize ion distributions and
      electrostatic potentials around a single CPPM. Although angle-resolved radial
      distribution functions reveal the expected local accumulation and depletion of
      counter- and co-ions around the patches, respectively, the orientation-averaged
      electrostatic potential shows only a small variation among the various CPPMs due
      to space charge cancellations. Furthermore, we study the orientation-averaged
      potential of mean force (PMF), the number of accumulated ions on the patches, as
      well as the CPPM orientations along the center-to-center distance of a pair of
      CPPMs. We compare the PMFs to the classical Derjaguin-Verwey-Landau-Overbeek
      theory and previously introduced orientation-averaged Debye-Huckel pair
      potentials including dipolar interactions. Our simulations confirm the adequacy
      of the theories in their respective regimes of validity, while low salt
      concentrations and large multipolar interactions remain a challenge for tractable
      theoretical descriptions. 

PMID- 26277164
TI  - Like-charged protein-polyelectrolyte complexation driven by charge patches.
AB  - We study the pair complexation of a single, highly charged polyelectrolyte (PE)
      chain (of 25 or 50 monomers) with like-charged patchy protein models (CPPMs) by
      means of implicit-solvent, explicit-salt Langevin dynamics computer simulations.
      Our previously introduced set of CPPMs embraces well-defined zero-, one-, and two
      patched spherical globules each of the same net charge and (nanometer) size with
      mono- and multipole moments comparable to those of globular proteins with similar
      size. We observe large binding affinities between the CPPM and the like-charged
      PE in the tens of the thermal energy, kBT, that are favored by decreasing salt
      concentration and increasing charge of the patch(es). Our systematic analysis
      shows a clear correlation between the distance-resolved potentials of mean force,
      the number of ions released from the PE, and CPPM orientation effects. In
      particular, we find a novel two-site binding behavior for PEs in the case of two
      patched CPPMs, where intermediate metastable complex structures are formed. In
      order to describe the salt-dependence of the binding affinity for mainly dipolar
      (one-patched) CPPMs, we introduce a combined counterion-release/Debye-Huckel
      model that quantitatively captures the essential physics of electrostatic
      complexation in our systems. 

PMID- 26277165
TI  - Size, shape, and diffusivity of a single Debye-Huckel polyelectrolyte chain in
      solution.
AB  - Brownian dynamics simulations of a coarse-grained bead-spring chain model, with
      Debye-Huckel electrostatic interactions between the beads, are used to determine
      the root-mean-square end-to-end vector, the radius of gyration, and various shape
      functions (defined in terms of eigenvalues of the radius of gyration tensor) of a
      weakly charged polyelectrolyte chain in solution, in the limit of low polymer
      concentration. The long-time diffusivity is calculated from the mean square
      displacement of the centre of mass of the chain, with hydrodynamic interactions
      taken into account through the incorporation of the Rotne-Prager-Yamakawa tensor.
      Simulation results are interpreted in the light of the Odjik, Skolnick, Fixman,
      Khokhlov, and Khachaturian blob scaling theory (Everaers et al., Eur. Phys. J. E
      8, 3 (2002)) which predicts that all solution properties are determined by just
      two scaling variables-the number of electrostatic blobs X and the reduced Debye
      screening length, Y. We identify three broad regimes, the ideal chain regime at
      small values of Y, the blob-pole regime at large values of Y, and the crossover
      regime at intermediate values of Y, within which the mean size, shape, and
      diffusivity exhibit characteristic behaviours. In particular, when simulation
      results are recast in terms of blob scaling variables, universal behaviour
      independent of the choice of bead-spring chain parameters, and the number of
      blobs X, is observed in the ideal chain regime and in much of the crossover
      regime, while the existence of logarithmic corrections to scaling in the blob
      pole regime leads to non-universal behaviour. 

PMID- 26277166
TI  - Phase transitions and separations in a distorted liquid crystalline mixture.
AB  - A theoretical method is proposed for modelling phase transitions and phase ranges
      in a multi-component liquid crystalline mixture where the liquid crystal
      structure is distorted and defects are formed. This method employs the Maier
      Saupe and Kobayashi-McMillan theories of liquid crystalline ordering and the
      Flory-Huggins theory of mixtures. It builds on previous work on mixed systems
      that can form smectic-A and nematic phases by incorporating "distortion factors"
      into the expression for the local free energy of the mixture, which account for
      the effects of a deviation of the liquid crystal structure from the uniform
      nematic and smectic-A states. The method allows a simple description of chiral
      defect phases such as the blue phase and the twist grain boundary phase. In a
      previous work, it was shown that a model of the blue phase along these lines
      could effectively explain the observed effect whereby an added guest compound can
      stabilize the phase by separating into the high energy defect regions of the
      structure. It is shown here that with the correct choice of guest material a
      similar effect could be observed for the twist grain boundary phase. 

PMID- 26277167
TI  - Influence of weak vibrational-electronic couplings on 2D electronic spectra and
      inter-site coherence in weakly coupled photosynthetic complexes.
AB  - Coherence oscillations measured in two-dimensional (2D) electronic spectra of
      pigment-protein complexes may have electronic, vibrational, or mixed-character
      vibronic origins, which depend on the degree of electronic-vibrational mixing.
      Oscillations from intrapigment vibrations can obscure the inter-site coherence
      lifetime of interest in elucidating the mechanisms of energy transfer in
      photosynthetic light-harvesting. Huang-Rhys factors (S) for low-frequency
      vibrations in Chlorophyll and Bacteriochlorophyll are quite small (S <= 0.05), so
      it is often assumed that these vibrations influence neither 2D spectra nor inter
      site coherence dynamics. In this work, we explore the influence of S within this
      range on the oscillatory signatures in simulated 2D spectra of a pigment
      heterodimer. To visualize the inter-site coherence dynamics underlying the 2D
      spectra, we introduce a formalism which we call the "site-probe response." By
      comparing the calculated 2D spectra with the site-probe response, we show that an
      on-resonance vibration with Huang-Rhys factor as small as S = 0.005 and the most
      strongly coupled off-resonance vibrations (S = 0.05) give rise to long-lived,
      purely vibrational coherences at 77 K. We moreover calculate the correlation
      between optical pump interactions and subsequent entanglement between sites, as
      measured by the concurrence. At 77 K, greater long-lived inter-site coherence and
      entanglement appear with increasing S. This dependence all but vanishes at
      physiological temperature, as environmentally induced fluctuations destroy the
      vibronic mixing. 

PMID- 26277168
TI  - Note: Coherent resonances observed in the dissociative electron attachment to
      carbon monoxide.
AB  - Succeeding our previous finding about coherent interference of the resonant
      states of CO(-) formed by the low-energy electron attachment [Tian et al. Phys.
      Rev. A 88, 012708 (2013)], here we provide further evidence of the coherent
      interference. The completely backward distributions of the O(-) fragment of the
      temporary CO(-) are observed with anion velocity map imaging technique in an
      electron energy range of 11.3-12.6 eV and explained as the results of the
      coherent interferences of three resonant states. Furthermore, the state
      configuration of the interference is changed with the increase of electron
      attachment energy. 

PMID- 26277169
TI  - Comment on "Systematic and simulation-free coarse graining of homopolymer melts:
      A structure-based study" [J. Chem. Phys. 142, 054905 (2015)].

PMID- 26277170
TI  - [Cellular model of blood coagulation process].
AB  - Blood coagulation is a process which main objective is the prevention of blood
      loss when the integrity of the blood vessel is damaged. Over the years, have been
      presented a number of concepts characterizing the mechanism of thrombus
      formation. Since the 60s of last century was current cascade model of the
      coagulation wherein forming of the fibrin clot is determined by two pathways
      called extrinsic and intrinsic pathways. In the nineties of the last century
      Monroe and Hoffman presented his concept of blood coagulation process which
      complement the currently valid model of cells participation especially of blood
      platelets which aim is to provide a negatively charged phospholipid surface and
      thereby allow the coagulation enzymatic complexes formation. Developed conception
      they called cellular model of coagulation. The aim of this work was to present in
      details of this blood coagulation, including descriptions of its various phases. 

PMID- 26277171
TI  - Assessment of the correlation between gender, age, body mass index and the
      severity of postoperative pain, nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing
      laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
AB  - Obesity has become one of the leading epidemic diseases in the world. Obesity is
      acknowledged as a risk factor for postoperative pain, nausea and vomiting (PONV),
      especially in obese patients undergoing laparoscopic procedures. AIM: The aim of
      the study was to evaluate the correlation between gender, age, BMI values and the
      severity of postoperative pain and PONV in patients undergoing laparoscopic
      cholecystectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study enrolled 244 patients with
      cholelithiasis who underwent scheduled laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Patients
      were assigned to 3 groups according to BMI values. Patients were assessed for the
      presence of PONV and severity of pain in the 6(th) and 24(th) hour after surgery.
      RESULTS: BPONV was reported more frequently in female than in male patients in
      the 1(st) time period. In the first time point the postoperative pain was
      significantly higher in group O in comparison to group H and N. Postoperative
      pain significantly decreased in the 24(th) postoperative hour in comparison to
      its level assessed in the 6th postoperative hour in all three groups.
      CONCLUSIONS: Female gender is a risk factor of PONV, so women should receive
      antiemetic prophylactic. There is a positive relationship between BMI and
      postoperative pain, so obese patients undergoing laparoscopic procedures should
      receive prophylactic application of analgesic drugs.

PMID- 26277172
TI  - Serum nitric oxide metabolites as a predictive factor of premature delivery.
AB  - In spite of medical progress in evolving diagnostic methods and clinical
      treatment premature delivery still remains the main problem in obstetric and
      perinatology. Nitric oxide (NO) is one of the factors which can be important in
      physiological mechanisms of placental angiogenesis and regulation of vascular
      tone and could be useful in predicting the risk of premature labor. AIM: The aim
      of this study was to establish the relation between NO concentration in serum and
      uterine activity before 37 weeks of gestation in pregnancy with premature
      delivery. Correlations between serum level of NO and hemoglobin, C- reactive
      protein (CRP) and total leukocyte count (TLC) were also studied. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: The examined group included 47 primigravidas between 23 and 37 weeks of
      gestation with diagnosis of premature delivery and 26 gestational age-matched
      women with uncomplicated pregnancy. Serum NO concentration was determined by
      colorimetric method using a commercially available kit. In this assay total
      nitrite (nitrites + nitrates) - was analyzed as indicator of NO production.
      RESULTS: As compared to the control group, the maternal serum concentrations of
      NO in each group of women with premature delivery were lower and these
      differences were statistically significant (p<0.05). The lowest concentration of
      NO was observed in the group of patients with spontaneous uterine activity and
      without premature rupture of membranes (PROM) in comparison to other groups with
      imminent premature delivery and to the control group. The levels of hemoglobin
      and CRP were within the physiological range and correlated positively with the
      concentrations NO (r=0.635, p=0.015; r=0.484, p=0.035 respectively) in all women
      included in the study. CONCLUSIONS: The decreased level of NO in patients with
      preterm labor was not connected with subclinical infections but it may be
      associated with initiation of uterine contraction before 37 weeks of gestation.

PMID- 26277173
TI  - [Adipokines, body composition and bone mineral density in underweight children].
AB  - One of the important factors affecting bone health is body weight. Underweight
      children are predisposed to disturbances in bone metabolism, which may result in
      osteopenia and osteoporosis in later life. AIM: The aim of the study was to
      assess the relationship between adipokines, bone metabolism, and anthropometric
      parameters in underweight prepubertal children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study
      included 60 children aged 5-10 years. Among them, there were: 30 underweight
      children (BMI z-score <=-1) and 30 normal-weight children (BMI z-score <-1 + 1
      >). Body composition (fat mass, lean body mass, bone mass) and bone mineral
      density examination were performed by densitometry. Serum concentrations of bone
      metabolism markers and adipokines were determined by immunoenzymatic methods.
      RESULTS: In underweight children we observed significantly lower fat mass
      (p<0.0001), lean mass (p<0.001), bone mineral content (p<0.01) and bone mineral
      density both the total body (p<0.01) as well as lumbar spine L2-L4 (p<0.05)
      compared with normal-weight children. In the group of underweight children, serum
      concentration of bone resorption marker (CTX) was significantly higher than in
      normal-weight children (2.006+/-0.649 vs. 1.624+/-0.492 ng/ml, p<0.05), with no
      differences in the concentrations of osteocalcin and sclerostin between studied
      groups. The ratio of adipokines (leptin/adiponectin) was approximately 2-fold
      lower in underweight than in normal-weight subjects. In underweight children we
      observed positive correlations between concentrations of sclerostin and bone
      turnover markers (OC, CTX) and between adiponectin and CTX. However, there was no
      correlation between fat mass and leptin concentration in this group of children.
      CONCLUSIONS: Low body weight in prepubertal period is related with an alteration
      in the adipokines profile and bone metabolism markers, resulting in a decrease in
      bone mineral density.

PMID- 26277174
TI  - [Assessment of rehabilitation progress in patients with cervical radicular pain
      syndrome after application of high intensity laser therapy - HILT and Saunders
      traction device].
AB  - Osteoarthritis of the spine is a major global health problem, it is an epidemic
      of our times. It affects all parts of the spine, but the hardest to treat is its
      cervical region. The cervical spine is most mobile, delicate and sensitive to any
      load. It requires special care in conservative treatment. To date the selection
      of effective therapeutic approaches has been controversial. AIM: The aim of the
      study was to assess the progress of rehabilitation in patients with cervical
      radicular pain syndrome after using two different methods of treatment: HILT and
      spinal axial traction with the use of Saunders device. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The
      randomized study included 150 patients (81 women and 69 men, aged 24-67 years,
      mean age 45.5) divided into two groups of 75 patients each with characteristic
      symptoms of radicular pain. The measurement of the range of cervical spine
      movement of the cervical spine, visual analog scale for pain - VAS and a NDI
      questionnaire (Neck Disability Index - Polish version) - an indicator of
      functional disorders - were used to evaluate the effectiveness of the two
      different therapies. RESULTS: The results obtained by Saunders method remained
      significantly higher than those obtained when HILT laser therapy was used for
      most of the examined parameters. A thorough analysis of the results showed
      greater analgesic efficacy, improved global mobility and reduced functional
      impairment in patients treated with Saunders method. CONCLUSIONS: Both
      therapeutic methods manifest analgesic effect and a positive impact on the
      improvement of range of cervical spine movement in patients with radicular pain
      in this spine region. HILT laser therapy and Saunders traction device reduce neck
      disability index in the treated patients.

PMID- 26277175
TI  - [Internet addiction among graduates of general secondary schools in Cracow and
      its correlation with body mass index and other health problems].
AB  - Studies find increasing trend among children, adolescents and young adults to
      spend excessive amounts of time surfing in the Internet. Another serious problem
      is the increasing proportion of young people who are overweight and obese. There
      are only few papers trying to correlate these two trends. AIM: The aims of the
      study were as follows: identification the extent of Internet addiction among
      students of Krakow's secondary schools and its correlation with BMI and other
      health problems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study among 200 pupils of
      randomly selected Krakow's high schools was conducted. Internet addiction was
      evaluated by using the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) by Kimberly Young. Each
      participant filled in an authors' questionnaire about his/her basic social and
      medical information. For each participant BMI was calculated. RESULTS: It was
      found that 7% of study group was addicted to the Internet (above 49 points in the
      IAT questionnaire). Internet addicts had higher BMI. The study revealed also
      several statistically significant relationships between the level of Internet
      addiction and the time spent online, BMI, back pain, headache. CONCLUSIONS: There
      is a modest percentage of people addicted to the Internet in the population of
      high school graduates, but these people often complain of back pain and
      headaches. BMI is higher among addicted youths. The time spent by high school
      graduates on online activity is far beyond the time devoted to physical activity.

PMID- 26277176
TI  - [Post-polio syndrome - a case report].
AB  - Post-polio syndrome occurs 30-40 years after polio virus infection. The main
      symptoms of PPS are slowly progressive muscle limbs paresis with muscle atrophy,
      joints pain, paresthesia. In 90% of patients the main symptom is fatigue that
      leads to physical and mental activity deterioration. The cause of disease remains
      unknown. Probably it is an effect of motoneurons damage during acute virus polio
      infection, their overloading and degeneration of remaining ones. In this study we
      described a case of man who developed PPS 36 years after Heine-Medin disease. The
      main symptom was intensification of right limb paresis and muscle atrophy. In
      electromyography there were damage features of muscle clinically affected and
      unaffected. Changes in lifestyle made possible to continue occupational activity.

PMID- 26277177
TI  - High-grade surface osteosarcoma of the rib - a case report.
AB  - Surface osteosarcomas refers to tumors originating from the surface of bone
      primarily connected with the periosteum. Approximately 1- 2% of osteosarcomas are
      located in thoracic bones. These tumors are characterized by wide range of
      radiologic, morphologic and histologic presentation, mainly affects patients in
      the second and third decade of life and has very poor prognosis. According to the
      current WHO classification of OS one of this kind of tumor is highgrade surface
      osteosarcoma which accounts for 0,4% of all OS cases. 

PMID- 26277178
TI  - [Vitex Agnus Castus in the treatment of hyperprolactinemia and menstrual
      disorders - a case report].
AB  - We describe a patient with mild hyperprolactinemia and menstrual disorders
      (oligomenorrhea). She presented relative hypoestrogenism in laboratory tests.
      Magnetic resonans excluded the presence of pituitary adenoma. Because patient
      developed a bromocriptine intolerance, the Vitex Agnus Castus (VAC) extract has
      been introduced. The VAC therapy was effective, with symptoms relief and
      improvement of hormonal tests. The VAC medicines are indicated for the treatment
      of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), mastalgia, menstrual disorders and mild
      hyperprolactinemia. The mechanism of action is not fully understood, but it is
      related to dopaniergic activity of diterpenes and castacin in VAC. The randomized
      clinical trials revealed efficacy of VAC extract in the treatmet of
      hyperprolactinemia, menstrual disorders, PMS and mastalgia. Good tolerability,
      lack of serious side-effects and drug interactions are the advantages of the VAC
      preparations. 

PMID- 26277179
TI  - [The use of psychotropic drugs during breast-feeding].
AB  - Breast milk is the best source of nutrients and provides much better protection
      than immune modified milk. In the United States around 500 000 cases of mental
      disorders affecting pregnant women are diagnosed each year. It is estimated that
      approximately 1/3 of these women need psychotropic drugs in a period of breast
      feeding. Despite the serious consequences of depression and its well-known effect
      on a newborn, the women are still reluctant to begin pharmacological treatment.
      The fear of side effects unfortunately still plays an important role in making
      such a decision. It has been proved that all psychiatric drugs can transfer into
      breast milk, but their levels are very low or even negligible for the newborn.
      Most laboratory tests do not reveal an adequate sensitivity to detect these low
      concentrations. One have to remember that in case of any disturbing symptoms
      which may result from the use of these drugs, the only procedure is to
      discontinue breastfeeding immediately. The knowledge of these effects of
      particular groups of psychotropic drugs in breast-feeding mothers is essential
      for every practitioner. This knowledge should also be available not only to
      psychiatrists, but gynecologists and pediatricians as well. For this reason, it
      seems to be reasonable to summarize the results of previously published studies
      dealing with the topic. 

PMID- 26277180
TI  - [Pro-health prevention in perimenopausal women with regard to estrogen
      treatment].
AB  - According to the latest demographic forecast in Poland is observed the
      progressive aging of the population with growing population of perimenopausal
      women. This is a special time in woman's life, in which there are many metabolic
      changes, neurovegetative symptoms and mental changes. All of them are connected
      with decreased concentration of sex hormones. Very important in this period are
      health behaviors, including healthy lifestyle, regular exercises and proper diet.
      Highly effective in removing menopausal symptoms is hormone replacement therapy.
      It also prevents the effects of metabolic disorders. This therapy is primary
      prevention of cardiovascular diseases and osteoporosis, depression, Alzheimer's
      and Parkinson's disease and urogenital atrophy. It also has to delay the process
      of aging. Clinical studies of HERS, WHI and MWS caused extreme caution in the use
      of hormone replacement therapy and distrust for this therapy between doctors and
      their patients. It is therefore important to establish priorities for action and
      individualized therapy, depending on the indications and contraindications for
      its use. 

PMID- 26277181
TI  - [Omentin - a newly-discovered adipocytokine in insulin resistance pathogenesis].
AB  - Increased consumption of highly processed food and low level of physical activity
      are the main culprits of the obesity epidemic. Excessive visceral fat is an
      independent risk factor for insulin resistance. Pathogenesis of insulin
      resistance includes increased oxidation of free fatty acids and chronic
      inflammation. It seems that a recently discovered adipokine - omentin can play a
      role in the complex phenomenon of insulin resistance. Studies have shown that the
      concentrations of omentin are reduced in conditions associated with insulin
      resistance, such as obesity, polycystic ovary syndrome, type 2 diabetes and
      gestational diabetes amongst others. Available research also indicate a positive
      correlation between plasma adiponectin and omentin. Biological functions of
      omentin and its mechanism of action are not fully understood. It has been
      determined that omentin enhances insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in
      subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue. However, this adipokine does not
      stimulate basal glucose transport. It has been shown that omentin increases
      phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase, which indicates a potential role
      of omentin in energy homeostasis. 

PMID- 26277182
TI  - [The endocannabinoid system role in the pathogenesis of obesity and depression].
AB  - Excessive consumption and obesity do not always have to be strictly pathological.
      The adjustment of food intake as well as the pleasure of eating are the results
      of the circulation of neurotransmitters, hormones and glucocorticoids which have
      an ability to regulate the activity of many receptors connected with G protein,
      including endocannabinoid receptors. The key role of endocannabinoids in
      pathogenesis of obesity is their overproduction by adipose cells.
      Endocannabinoids (eCBs) affect CB1 receptors and increase hunger, willingness to
      intake food, decrease peristalsis and delay stomach emptying. In obese people
      increased levels of both central and peripheral endocannabinoids are observed. It
      may be connected with higher availability of endocannabinoid precursors to
      synthesis from adipose tissue and lipids. Raised concentration of eCBs in the
      body may be the consequence of their catabolism dysfunction. There is a positive
      correlation between amount the number of receptors in the peripheral tissues and
      obesity increase. It is thought that expression of CB1 receptors in mesolimbic
      system is connected with motivation to consume food in response to rewarding
      factor. The appetite increase after cannabinoids use is probably caused by
      rewarding action of the consumed food and it results from excessive dopaminergic
      transmission in award system. The pharmacological inhibition of endocannabinoids
      activity leads to weight loss, but may also have negative consequences such as
      decreased mood, reduced tolerance of pain, intensified anxiety, anhedonia,
      depressive symptoms, even suicidal thoughts. In post mortem examinations a
      decrease in CB1 receptor density in grey matter of glial cells in patients with
      major depression was identified. The pleiotropic and extensive activity of
      endocannabinoid system can influence a range of neurotransmitters thereby
      modulating the psychiatric life phenomena, simultaneously being involved in
      metabolism control and energetic system of human body. Hence it is a link between
      metabolic disorders and depression and anxiety disorders. Therefore, in obese
      people depressive comorbidity is higher and it significantly worsens prognosis
      and decreases life quality. 

PMID- 26277183
TI  - In vitro prediction of human intestinal absorption and blood-brain barrier
      partitioning: development of a lipid analog for micellar liquid chromatography.
AB  - Over the past decades, several in vitro methods have been tested for their
      ability to predict either human intestinal absorption (HIA) or penetration across
      the blood-brain barrier (BBB) of drugs. Micellar liquid chromatography (MLC) has
      been a successful approach for retention time measurements of drugs to establish
      models together with other molecular descriptors. Thus far, MLC approaches have
      only made use of commercial surfactants such as sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and
      polyoxyethylene (23) lauryl ether (Brij35), which are not representative for the
      phospholipids present in human membranes. Miltefosine, a phosphocholine-based
      lipid, is presented here as an alternative surfactant for MLC measurements. By
      using the obtained retention factors and several computed descriptors for a set
      of 48 compounds, two models were constructed: one for the prediction of HIA and
      another for the prediction of penetration across the BBB expressed as log BB. All
      data were correlated to experimental HIA and log BB values, and the performance
      of the models was evaluated. Log BB prediction performed better than HIA
      prediction, although HIA prediction was also improved a lot (from 0.5530 to
      0.7175) compared to in silico predicted HIA values. 

PMID- 26277184
TI  - The biocompatibility of carbon hydroxyapatite/beta-glucan composite for bone
      tissue engineering studied with Raman and FTIR spectroscopic imaging.
AB  - The spectroscopic approaches of FTIR imaging and Raman mapping were applied to
      the characterisation of a new carbon hydroxyapatite/beta-glucan composite
      developed for bone tissue engineering. The composite is an artificial bone
      material with an apatite-forming ability for the bone repair process. Rabbit bone
      samples were tested with an implanted bioactive material for a period of several
      months. Using spectroscopic and chemometric methods, we were able to determine
      the presence of amides and phosphates and the distribution of lipid-rich domains
      in the bone tissue, providing an assessment of the composite's bioactivity.
      Samples were also imaged in transmission using an infrared microscope combined
      with a focal plane array detector. CaF2 lenses were also used on the infrared
      microscope to improve spectral quality by reducing scattering artefacts,
      improving chemometric analysis. The presence of collagen and lipids at the
      bone/composite interface confirmed biocompatibility and demonstrate the
      suitability of FTIR microscopic imaging with lenses in studying these samples. It
      confirmed that the composite is a very good background for collagen growth and
      increases collagen maturity with the time of the bone growth process. The results
      indicate the bioactive and biocompatible properties of this composite and
      demonstrate how Raman and FTIR spectroscopic imaging have been used as an
      effective tool for tissue characterisation.

PMID- 26277185
TI  - Raman spectroscopy for screening and diagnosis of cervical cancer.
AB  - Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide and mainly
      affects younger women. The mortality associated with cervical cancer can be
      reduced if the disease is detected at the pre-cancer stage. Current best-practice
      methods include cytopathology, HPV testing, and histopathology, but these methods
      are limited in terms of subjectivity, cost, and time. There is an unmet clinical
      need for new methods to aid clinicians in the early detection of cervical pre
      cancer. These methods should be objective and rapid and require minimal sample
      preparation. Raman spectroscopy is a vibrational spectroscopic technique by which
      incident radiation is used to induce vibrations in the molecules of a sample and
      the scattered radiation may be used to characterise the sample in a rapid and non
      destructive manner. Raman spectroscopy is sensitive to subtle biochemical changes
      occurring at the molecular level, enabling spectral variations corresponding to
      disease onset to be detected. Over the past 15 years, there have been numerous
      reports revealing the potential of Raman spectroscopy together with multivariate
      statistical analysis for the detection of a variety of cancers. This paper
      discusses the recent advances and challenges for cervical-cancer screening and
      diagnosis and offers some perspectives for the future. 

PMID- 26277186
TI  - A novel direct spray-from-tissue ionization method for mass spectrometric
      analysis of human brain tumors.
AB  - Real-time feedback about dissected tissue during the neurosurgical procedure is
      strongly requested. A novel direct ionization mass spectrometric method for
      identifying pathological differences in tissues is proposed. The method is based
      on simultaneous extraction of tissue lipids and electrospray ionization which
      allows mass spectrometric data to be obtained directly from soft tissues. The
      advantage of this method is the stable flow of solvent, which leads to stable
      time-dependent spectra. The tissues included necrotized tissues and tumor tissues
      in different combinations. Capability for direct analysis of samples of dissected
      tissues during the neurosurgical procedure is demonstrated. Data validation is
      conducted by compound identification using precise masses from the MS profile,
      MS/MS, and isotopic distribution structure analysis. The method can be upgraded
      and applied for real-time identification of tissues during surgery. This paper
      describes the technique and its application perspective. For these purposes,
      other methods were compared with the investigated one and the results were shown
      to be reproducible. Differences in lipid profiles were observed even in tissues
      from one patient where distinctions between different samples could be poor. The
      paper presents a proof of concept for the method to be applied in neurosurgery
      particularly and in tissue analysis generically. The paper also contains
      preliminary results proving the possibility of observing differences in mass
      spectra of different tumors.

PMID- 26277187
TI  - Fluorescence polarization immunoassay using IgY antibodies for detection of
      valnemulin in swine tissue.
AB  - Immunoglobulin Y (IgY) is derived from egg yolk and has been identified as a
      cheap and high-yield immunoreagent. The application of IgY in immunoassays for
      the detection of chemical contaminants in food samples has rarely been reported.
      In this work, we describe a rapid and sensitive fluorescence polarization
      immunoassay (FPIA) for valnemulin (VAL) using IgY which was produced using a
      previously prepared immunogen. Three fluorophore-labeled VAL tracers were
      synthesized and the sensitivity of the best tracer (VAL-DTAF) in the optimized
      FPIA with antibody IgY100 demonstrated an IC50 value of 12 ng mL(-1) in buffer.
      After evaluation of several extraction procedures, acidified acetonitrile was
      selected to extract VAL from swine tissue. The recoveries of VAL in spiked swine
      tissue at three levels (50, 100, and 200 MUg kg(-1)) were higher than 79% with
      coefficients of variation (CVs) lower than 12%. The limit of detection (LOD) of
      the FPIA in swine tissue was 26 MUg kg(-1) and was lower than the maximum residue
      limit (MRL) of VAL set by the European Union. The study showed that IgY could be
      a good substitute for IgG when developing a high-throughput assay for chemical
      residues.

PMID- 26277189
TI  - Radiation dosimetry using decreasing TL intensity in a few variety of silicate
      crystals.
AB  - This study shows that there are some ionic crystals which after irradiation with
      high gamma dose Dm and subsequent irradiation with low doses ranging up to 500Gy
      present a decreasing TL intensity as dose increases. This interesting feature can
      be used as a calibration curve in radiation dosimetry. Such behavior can be found
      in green quartz, three varieties of beryl and pink tourmaline. In all these
      silicate crystals it can be shown that irradiation with increasing gamma-dose
      there is a dose Dm for which the TL intensity is maximum. Of course, Dm varies
      depending on the crystal and irradiated crystal with the dose Dm is stable. If
      one of these crystals is taken and irradiated with doses from low values up to
      400-500Gy, a curve of decreasing TL intensity is obtained; such a curve can be
      used as a calibration curve. 

PMID- 26277188
TI  - Development of an aptasensor based on a fluorescent particles-modified aptamer
      for ochratoxin A detection.
AB  - The presented work reports a generic fluorescent aptasensing design employing
      carboxy-modified fluorescent particles as a signal-generating probe and magnetic
      particles as a solid separation support. Carboxy-modified fluorescent particles
      were used to modify the aptamer and act as a signal-generating probe. Magnetic
      beads were used as an immobilization surface to perform the function of a solid
      separation support. As a proof of concept, the assay was used to detect
      ochratoxin A (OTA). Fluorescent detection based on the displacement and
      competition format was performed, and the obtained results were compared. The
      competition-based assays were characterized with improved analytical
      characteristics as compared to those based on the displacement principle. The
      competitive fluorescent assays showed a high sensitivity where the detection
      limit and IC50 were 0.005 and 7.2 nM respectively. The aptasensing platform was
      finally demonstrated for the detection of OTA in a beer sample. However, this is
      a generic approach that can be very easily extended to other matrixes to
      determine OTA. Additionally, the proposed concept of fluorescent particles as a
      signal-generating probe in combination with magnetic particles can also be
      integrated to other fluorescent-based affinity assays.

PMID- 26277190
TI  - New Insights on Coffea miRNAs: Features and Evolutionary Conservation.
AB  - Small RNAs influence the gene expression at the post-transcriptional level by
      guiding messenger RNA (mRNA) cleavage, translational repression, and chromatin
      modifications. In addition to model plants, the microRNAs (miRNAs) have been
      identified in different crop species. In this work, we developed a specific
      pipeline to search for coffee miRNA homologs on expressed sequence tags (ESTs)
      and genome survey sequences (GSS) databases. As a result, 36 microRNAs were
      identified and a total of 616 and 362 potential targets for Coffea arabica and
      Coffea canephora, respectively. The evolutionary analyses of these molecules were
      performed by comparing the primary and secondary structures of precursors and
      mature miRNAs with their orthologs. Moreover, using a stem-loop RT-PCR assay, we
      evaluated the accumulation of mature miRNAs in genomes with different ploidy
      levels, detecting an increase in the miRNAs accumulation according to the ploidy
      raising. Finally, a 5' RACE (Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends) assay was
      performed to verify the regulation of auxin responsive factor 8 (ARF8) by MIR167
      in coffee plants. The great variety of target genes indicates the functional
      plasticity of these molecules and reinforces the importance of understanding the
      RNAi-dependent regulatory mechanisms. Our results expand the study of miRNAs and
      their target genes in this crop, providing new challenges to understand the
      biology of these species. 

PMID- 26277191
TI  - Kinetics of Methane Production from Swine Manure and Buffalo Manure.
AB  - The degradation kinetics of swine and buffalo manure for methane production was
      investigated. Six kinetic models were employed to describe the corresponding
      experimental data. These models were evaluated by two statistical measurements,
      which were root mean square prediction error (RMSPE) and Akaike's information
      criterion (AIC). The results showed that the logistic and Fitzhugh models could
      predict the experimental data very well for the digestion of swine and buffalo
      manure, respectively. The predicted methane yield potential for swine and buffalo
      manure was 487.9 and 340.4 mL CH4/g volatile solid (VS), respectively, which was
      close to experimental values, when the digestion temperature was 36 +/- 1 
      degrees C in the biochemical methane potential assays. Besides, the rate constant
      revealed that swine manure had a much faster methane production rate than buffalo
      manure.

PMID- 26277192
TI  - Enhanced Anti-Tumor (Anti-Proliferation) Activity of Recombinant Human
      Interleukin-29 (IL-29) Mutants Using Site-Directed Mutagenesis Method.
AB  - Interferon (IFN)-lambda, also known as IL-28A, IL-28B, or IL-29, is a new type
      III IFN, which shares many functional characteristics with type I IFN
      (alpha/beta). Currently, IFN-alpha is used in the treatment of certain forms of
      cancer with severe adverse effects. Some researches had stated that IFN-lambdas
      induced a similar but restricted growth inhibition of tumor cells relative to IFN
      alpha; moreover, mutations of IFN-lambdas could strongly impact its biological
      properties. In this study, three hIL-29 mutants (K33R, R35K, and K33R/R35K) were
      generated by site-directed mutagenesis and efficiently expressed in Pichia
      pastoris GS115, which have considerable abilities to inhibit the growth of BEL
      7402, HCT-8, and SGC-7901 tumor cells in vitro. The results showed that these
      mutants (K33R, R35K, and K33R/R35K) exhibited a significantly enhanced anti
      proliferation activity against these tumor cells, compared with native hIL-29 in
      vitro. Further assay in vitro indicated that superior to K33R and R35K, K33R/R35K
      had a significant increase in anti-tumor activity compared with IFN-alpha2b,
      which suggested that the K33R/R35K could make improvement for the effectiveness
      of native hIL-29 in clinic and could be used as a potentially powerful candidate
      for cancer immunotherapy. 

PMID- 26277193
TI  - Corrigendum to: "Human health risk assessment of pharmaceuticals and personal
      care products in plant tissue due to biosolids and manure amendments, and
      wastewater irrigation" [Environ. Int. 75 (2015) 223-233].

PMID- 26277194
TI  - Right Lower Quadrant Pain in a Young Female: Ultrasound Diagnosis of Rectus
      Abdominis Tear.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Right lower quadrant pain in young females presents a frequent
      diagnostic challenge for emergency physicians, with a broad differential and
      several important diagnoses. Using an "ultrasound first" imaging strategy can
      help decrease the use of computed tomography scans, with associated savings in
      radiation exposure, cost, and other resource use. CASE REPORT: We report a case
      of right lower quadrant pain in a young woman. After her initial history and
      physical examination, appendicitis was the leading differential. A bedside
      ultrasound was performed, leading to the uncommon diagnosis of rectus abdominis
      muscle tear. The sonographic findings of a muscle tear include increase in size,
      loss of linear, homogeneous architecture, and decreased echogenicity. Making this
      diagnosis at the bedside using ultrasound obviated the need for further imaging,
      avoiding unnecessary radiation exposure, and decreasing emergency department
      length of stay and overall cost, while leading to a tailored treatment plan. Why
      Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This? Rectus abdominis tear is a cause
      of right lower quadrant pain that may mimic appendicitis and should be considered
      in patients with this complaint. The ability to make this diagnosis with bedside
      ultrasound may assist in several important patient-oriented outcomes.

PMID- 26277195
TI  - The alpha- and beta-Adrenergic Antagonist Controversy with Sympathomimetic
      Agents.

PMID- 26277196
TI  - Re: Not Another Boring Lecture: Let's Be the Guide on the Side.

PMID- 26277197
TI  - Cutaneous Xanthoma.

PMID- 26277198
TI  - Tremendous Intrahepatic Cavity.

PMID- 26277199
TI  - Novel therapies for osteoporosis.
AB  - Since the identification of osteoporosis as a major health issue in aging
      populations and the subsequent development of the first treatment modalities for
      its management, considerable progress has been made in our understanding of the
      mechanisms controlling bone turnover and disease pathophysiology, thus enabling
      the pinpointing of new targets for intervention. This progress, along with
      advances in biotechnology, has rendered possible the development of ever more
      sophisticated treatments employing novel mechanisms of action. Denosumab, a
      monoclonal antibody against RANKL, approved for the treatment of postmenopausal
      and male osteoporosis, significantly and continuously increases bone mineral
      density (BMD) and maintains a low risk of vertebral, non-vertebral, and hip
      fractures for up to 8 years. Currently available combinations of estrogens with
      selective estrogen receptor modulators moderately increase BMD without causing
      the extra-skeletal adverse effects of each compound alone. The cathepsin K
      inhibitor odanacatib has recently been shown to decrease vertebral, non
      vertebral, and hip fracture rates and is nearing approval. Romosozumab, an anti
      sclerosin antibody, and abaloparatide, a PTH-related peptide analog, are at
      present in advanced stages of clinical evaluation, so far demonstrating
      efficaciousness together with a favorable safety profile. Several other agents
      are currently in earlier clinical and preclinical phases of development,
      including dickkopf-1 antagonists, activin A antagonists, beta-arrestin analogs,
      calcilytics, and Src tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

PMID- 26277200
TI  - Octanoylated ghrelin attenuates angiogenesis induced by oxLDL in human coronary
      artery endothelial cells via the GHSR1a-mediated NF-kappaB pathway.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Low concentrations of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) promote
      the in vitro angiogenesis of endothelial cells and play an important role in
      plaque angiogenesis, which may cause plaque vulnerability and enhance the risk of
      intravascular thrombosis. The aim of this research was to investigate the effects
      of octanoylated ghrelin on oxLDL-induced angiogenesis and the underlying
      molecular mechanisms involved in this process. MATERIALS/METHODS: Human coronary
      artery endothelial cells (HCAECs) were incubated with 5 MUg/ml oxLDL and treated
      with various concentrations of octanoylated ghrelin (10(-9)-10(-6)M) with or
      without inhibitors for 24h. Cell proliferation, migration, and in vitro
      angiogenesis were analyzed by bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) staining and BrdU enzyme
      linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), transwell assay, and tube formation on
      Matrigel, respectively. NF-kappaB (nuclear factor kappaB) expression was
      determined by Western-blot analysis. RESULTS: Treatment with oxLDL at 5 MUg/ml
      enhanced the proliferation, migration and tube formation of HCAECs. In contrast,
      pretreatment with octanoylated ghrelin significantly attenuated in vitro
      angiogenesis in oxLDL-induced HCAECs. In addition, Western blot analysis
      indicated that NF-kappaB expression was increased after oxLDL treatment, and that
      this effect was significantly reversed by pretreatment with octanoylated ghrelin.
      However, the NF-kappaB inhibitor PDTC or the GHSR1a inhibitor [D-Lys3]-GHRP-6
      abolished the effects of octanoylated ghrelin on the inhibition of angiogenesis
      and NF-kappaB p65 expression induced by oxLDL. CONCLUSIONS: These findings
      suggest that octanoylated ghrelin attenuates angiogenesis induced by oxLDL in
      HCAECs via the inhibition of GHSR1a-mediated NF-kappaB pathway. Furthermore,
      octanoylated ghrelin may promote the stability of vulnerable plaques by
      inhibiting plaque angiogenesis.

PMID- 26277201
TI  - Effects of age, sex, lactation and social dominance on faecal egg count patterns
      of gastrointestinal nematodes in farmed eland (Taurotragus oryx).
AB  - The eland is a large African antelope that can be bred in a temperate climate,
      under similar conditions and production systems as cattle. However, knowledge of
      parasites in farmed elands outside the area of their native habitat is still
      limited, and information concerning factors that influence these parasites is
      lacking. Therefore, faecal samples from an entire herd of elands, including
      calves and adult females and males, were examined monthly over a one year period.
      Almost 84% of the animals were found to be positive for gastrointestinal
      nematodes. Strongyle-type eggs were most frequently detected (prevalence 75%),
      followed by Capillaria sp., Nematodirus sp. and Trichuris sp. eggs. Following
      culturing eggs to infective larvae, Teladorsagia sp., Trichostrongylus sp.,
      Nematodirus sp., Cooperia sp. and Oesophagostomum sp. were identified. Following
      necropsy of two calves that died during the study one abomasal nematode
      (Teladorsagia circumcincta), five small intestinal nematode species (Nematodirus
      helvetianus, N. spathiger, Cooperia oncophora, C. curticei and Capillaria bovis)
      and two large intestinal nematodes (Oesophagostomum venulosum and Trichuris ovis)
      were recovered. From these findings, it is evident that the eland harbours
      nematodes that are typical for domestic cattle and small ruminants. Morphological
      and morphometric analyses of recovered nematodes revealed that these parasites do
      not require any special morphological adaptation to establish infection in
      elands. The faecal output of strongyle-type and Nematodirus sp. eggs was
      seasonal, with the highest egg production taking place during spring and summer.
      Calves had higher faecal egg counts (for all the monitored nematode species) than
      adults did. Lactation in females was significantly (P<0.0001) associated with
      higher strongyle nematode egg shedding. Social dominance also affected faecal egg
      count patterns. The lower the hierarchical position among adults (regardless of
      sex), the higher the risk of nematode infection. This effect was evident for
      strongyles (P<0.0001) and Capillaria sp. nematodes (P=0.0065). The results of our
      study suggest that control measures applicable in domestic cattle and small
      ruminants might be similarly applicable for controlling gastrointestinal nematode
      infections in captive farmed elands. 

PMID- 26277202
TI  - Infectious disease surveillance in animal movement networks: An approach based on
      the friendship paradox.
AB  - The network of animal movements among livestock premises is an important
      topological structure for the spread of infectious diseases. The central focus of
      this study was to analyze strategies for selecting premises based on the
      friendship paradox ("your friends have more friends than you do") - in which
      premises that neighbor randomly selected premises are sampled for surveillance or
      control - to determine whether these strategies are viable alternatives for the
      surveillance and control of diseases in scenarios with insufficient data on
      animal movement. To test the effectiveness of these strategies, we performed
      three sets of simulations. In the first set, we examined the risk of spreading an
      infectious disease using the cattle movement network of the state of Mato Grosso,
      Brazil. All tested strategies based on the friendship paradox have comparable
      performance to the hub control strategy (controlling premises that sold more
      animals) and superior performance to random sampling in terms of both reducing
      the risk of purchasing infected animals and the number of premises that need to
      be controlled. In the second and third sets of simulations, we observed that the
      friendship paradox strategies were more sensitive than the random sampling
      strategy to detect cases and disease, respectively. The survey of the entire
      animal movement network to identify animal premises with a key role in trade is
      not always possible, either because the data are insufficient or because informal
      trade is significant. If surveying the network is not possible, all approaches
      based on knowledge of the network become useless. As an alternative, knowing that
      there is a hidden movement network that follows rules inherent to all networks,
      such as the friendship paradox, can be used to our advantage. Strategies based on
      the friendship paradox do not assume knowledge of the animal movement network and
      therefore may be viable alternatives for the surveillance or control of
      infectious diseases in the absence of network information, thus optimizing the
      use of human and financial resources. 

PMID- 26277203
TI  - Thyroid Nodules and Shear Wave Elastography: A New Tool in Thyroid Cancer
      Detection.
AB  - This study determines the performance of virtual touch imaging quantification
      (VTIQ), a non-invasive shear wave elastography method for measuring thyroid
      nodule (TN) stiffness, in distinguishing benign from malignant TNs. This
      prospective study evaluates 707 TNs in 676 patients with fine-needle aspiration
      biopsy (FNAB). Before FNAB, both conventional B-mode ultrasound and shear wave
      elastography were performed. Surgical resection was recommended for FNAB results
      that were not clearly benign. Surgical pathology confirmed 82 malignant TNs. The
      receiver operating curve identified a single cut-off of 3.54 m/s as the maximum
      shear wave velocity (SWV) for predicting thyroid cancer (TC). The sensitivity and
      specificity were 79.27% and 71.52%, respectively. Positive predictive value (PPV)
      was 26.75% and negative predictive value (NPV) was 96.34%. Compared with B-mode
      US features for predicting malignancy, SWV >=3.54 m/s has a higher sensitivity,
      specificity, PPV and NPV. TN stiffness measured by VTIQ-generated shear wave
      elastography is an independent predictor of TC. 

PMID- 26277205
TI  - Trends in antimicrobial susceptibility among anaerobes in Gran Canaria: Analysis
      of 15-years data.

PMID- 26277204
TI  - Gene scanning and heart attack risk.
AB  - Coronary heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the Western World.
      The advent of microarray and next-generation sequencing technologies has
      generated multi-dimensional data sets, allowing for new pathophysiological
      insights into this complex disease. To date, genome-wide association studies
      (GWAS) have identified 152 associated loci and 320 candidate genes, contributing
      to the genetic risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) and acute myocardial
      infarction (AMI). The majority of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) mediate
      their risk by unknown mechanisms. A functional analysis based on Gene Ontology
      and KEGG pathways of candidate genes that are associated with CAD/AMI-SNPs showed
      the strongest evidence for genes regulating cholesterol metabolism. Additional
      clusters were significantly enriched for pathways, which play prominent roles
      during AMI and the development of atherosclerotic plaques in vascular tissue,
      including focal adhesion/extracellular matrix interaction, TGF-beta signaling,
      apoptosis, regulation of vascular smooth muscle contraction, angiogenesis,
      calcium ion binding, and transcription factors. A systems genetics approach,
      which incorporates genetic risk with gene expression data, metabolomic data, and
      protein biochemistry into genome-wide network studies, holds promise to elucidate
      the complex interplay between genetic risk and environmental factors for coronary
      artery disease. 

PMID- 26277206
TI  - [In vitro activity of fosfomycin, alone or in combination, against clinical
      isolates of carbapenem resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The increase in microorganisms showing patterns of multi-drug
      resistance or even pan-drug resistance is of growing concern. Fosfomycin (FO) is
      well known to be active against a wide variety of microorganisms, including
      highly resistant strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), and can also
      synergistically act with other molecules. METHODS: This study examines the in
      vitro activity shown by FO against 120 strains of carbapenem-resistant P.
      aeruginosa using an agar dilution and a gradient diffusion test. Possible
      synergistic effects of the combinations of FO/amikacin and FO/ciprofloxacin were
      also examined using E-test and time-kill techniques. RESULTS: According to the
      epidemiological cut-off value (ECOFF) issued by the European Committee on
      Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST), our results indicate that over
      three-quarters of the strains tested would be susceptible to FO treatment,
      especially if combined with another antimicrobial. The FO/ciprofloxacin
      combination had a synergistic effect on 40% of the clinical isolates, while for
      FO/amikacin this effect was only observed in 12% of the isolates. CONCLUSION: The
      appearance of carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa strains requires the evaluation
      by combination therapy. This report suggests that the FO/ciprofloxacin
      combination can be useful, showing a synergistic effect in 40% of the isolates.

PMID- 26277207
TI  - Enteropathogens and antibiotics.
AB  - Infectious gastroenteritis remains a public health problem. The most severe cases
      are of bacterial origin. In Spain, Campylobacter and Salmonella are the most
      prevalent bacterial genus, while Yersinia and Shigella are much less frequent.
      Most cases are usually self-limiting and antibiotic therapy is not generally
      indicated, unless patients have risk factors for severe infection and
      shigellosis. Ciprofloxacin, third generation cephalosporins, azithromycin,
      ampicillin, cotrimoxazole and doxycycline are the most recommended drugs. The
      susceptibility pattern of the different bacteria determines the choice of the
      most appropriate treatment. The aim of this review is to analyse the current
      situation, developments, and evolution of resistance and multidrug resistance in
      these 4 enteric pathogens.

PMID- 26277208
TI  - A review of the fundamentals of polymer-modified asphalts: Asphalt/polymer
      interactions and principles of compatibility.
AB  - During the last decades, the number of vehicles per citizen as well as the
      traffic speed and load has dramatically increased. This sudden and somehow
      unplanned overloading has strongly shortened the life of pavements and increased
      its cost of maintenance and risks to users. In order to limit the deterioration
      of road networks, it is necessary to improve the quality and performance of
      pavements, which was achieved through the addition of a polymer to the bituminous
      binder. Since their introduction, polymer-modified asphalts have gained in
      importance during the second half of the twentieth century, and they now play a
      fundamental role in the field of road paving. With high-temperature and high
      shear mixing with asphalt, the polymer incorporates asphalt molecules, thereby
      forming a swallowed network that involves the entire binder and results in a
      significant improvement of the viscoelastic properties in comparison with those
      of the unmodified binder. Such a process encounters the well-known difficulties
      related to the poor solubility of polymers, which limits the number of
      macromolecules able to not only form such a structure but also maintain it during
      high-temperature storage in static conditions, which may be necessary before
      laying the binder. Therefore, polymer-modified asphalts have been the subject of
      numerous studies aimed to understand and optimize their structure and storage
      stability, which gradually attracted polymer scientists into this field that was
      initially explored by civil engineers. The analytical techniques of polymer
      science have been applied to polymer-modified asphalts, which resulted in a good
      understanding of their internal structure. Nevertheless, the complexity and
      variability of asphalt composition rendered it nearly impossible to generalize
      the results and univocally predict the properties of a given polymer/asphalt
      pair. The aim of this paper is to review these aspects of polymer-modified
      asphalts. Together with a brief description of the specification and techniques
      proposed to quantify the storage stability, state-of-the-art knowledge about the
      internal structure and morphology of polymer-modified asphalts is presented.
      Moreover, the chemical, physical, and processing solutions suggested in the
      scientific and patent literature to improve storage stability are extensively
      discussed, with particular attention to an emerging class of asphalt binders in
      which the technologies of polymer-modified asphalts and polymer nanocomposites
      are combined. These polymer-modified asphalt nanocomposites have been introduced
      less than ten years ago and still do not meet the requirements of industrial
      practice, but they may constitute a solution for both the performance and storage
      requirements. 

PMID- 26277209
TI  - Patient-centered rapid reviews will drive local decision making: commentary on
      Hartling et al.

PMID- 26277210
TI  - Lateral Femoral Condyle Flap: An Alternative Source of Vascularized Bone From the
      Distal Femur.
AB  - PURPOSE: To elucidate the vascular anatomy of the superolateral geniculate artery
      (SLGA) and its supply to the periosteum of the lateral femoral condyle (LFC) and
      to provide guidelines for flap design and describe an illustrative case. METHODS:
      Thirty-one fresh cadaveric limbs were dissected. The vascular anatomy of the SLGA
      and its distal branches to skin, muscle, and periosteum were identified.
      Fluoroscopic images were taken during continuous perfusion of a radiopaque
      contrast dye into the SLGA. Intra-arterial injections of latex rubber were
      performed in 12 cadaver limbs. The vascular territory was traced from the SLGA to
      its distal branches, and surrounding soft tissues were dissected. RESULTS: The
      SLGA originated from the popliteal artery 4.9 +/- 1.2 cm (range, 2.8-7 cm) from
      the knee joint and its pedicle diameter was 1.8 +/- 0.5 mm (range, 1-3 mm). SGLA
      pedicle-specific fluoroscopic angiography demonstrated a dense filigree of
      vessels over the lateral distal femur. Arterial latex injections confirmed that
      the SLGA supplied the periosteum of the LFC and distal femur shaft. The proximal
      most extent of periosteal perfusion was 11.7 +/- 2.1 cm (range, 9.3-14.1 cm) from
      the knee joint. The average pedicle length of LFC osteoperiosteal flaps was 4.8
      +/- 0.9 cm (range, 3.5-6.3 cm). CONCLUSIONS: The LFC flap consistently
      demonstrated almost 12 cm of femur length perfusion based on the SLGA pedicle.
      The anatomy of this flap enables chimeric designs combining soft tissue, bone,
      and cartilage. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The vascularized LFC flap is an option for
      reconstruction of osseous defects of the upper extremity.

PMID- 26277211
TI  - The effects of ambient temperature on outpatient visits for varicella and herpes
      zoster in Shanghai, China: a time-series study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The seasonality of varicella and herpes zoster has been widely
      observed, but there is limited evidence on their associations with ambient
      temperature. OBJECTIVE: The associations between ambient temperature and
      outpatient visits for varicella and herpes zoster were examined. METHODS: We
      collected daily outpatient visit data for varicella (N = 3520) and herpes zoster
      (N = 6614) from a major hospital in Shanghai, China, from 2008 to 2010. We
      adopted the generalized additive model in time-series analysis to investigate the
      short-term associations between temperature and outpatient visits for varicella
      and herpes zoster after controlling for seasonal trends, day of the week, and
      humidity. RESULTS: A 1 degrees C increase in daily mean temperature was
      associated with a 1.33% (95% confidence interval 0.93%-1.74%) decrease in
      outpatient visits for varicella whereas it was associated with a 2.18% (95%
      confidence interval 1.90%-2.46%) increase in outpatient visits for herpes zoster.
      LIMITATIONS: Only 1 hospital was included and we did not control for individual
      level risk factors. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated that temperature
      variation might be an important risk factor for varicella and herpes zoster in
      China.

PMID- 26277212
TI  - Cutaneous microemboli from hydrophilic polymer after endovascular procedures.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Multiple devices and coatings assist with endovascular insertion of
      sheaths, catheters, and guide wires. Hydrophilic polymer coatings, a common
      component of endovascular surgical devices, reportedly cause microvascular
      obstruction and embolization, with various sequelae in organs and soft tissue.
      OBJECTIVE: We sought to describe clinical and histopathologic features of
      cutaneous manifestations of hydrophilic polymer gel emboli. METHODS: We evaluated
      the clinical and histopathologic characteristics of 8 patients with cutaneous
      complications of hydrophilic polymer gel emboli who presented in May 2013 through
      February 2015. RESULTS: Sudden onset of lower extremity livedo racemosa, purpuric
      patches, or both, occurred hours to days after endovascular procedures involving
      the aorta. Histopathologic evaluation showed basophilic lamellated material,
      consistent with hydrophilic polymer gel emboli, within small dermal vessels.
      LIMITATIONS: This was a retrospective study with small sample size and not
      controlled for all similar procedures in this population. CONCLUSION: Hydrophilic
      polymer gel coatings in endovascular devices can embolize to skin and cause
      microvascular occlusion, presenting as livedo racemosa, purpura, or both. Given
      the number of patients observed over a short period, this phenomenon may be
      underappreciated. Hydrophilic polymer gel emboli should be considered in
      differential diagnosis of livedo racemosa and purpura after endovascular
      procedure.

PMID- 26277213
TI  - Why does parental language input style predict child language development? A twin
      study of gene-environment correlation.
AB  - There are well-established correlations between parental input style and child
      language development, which have typically been interpreted as evidence that the
      input style causes, or influences the rate of, changes in child language. We
      present evidence from a large twin study (TEDS; 8395 pairs for this report) that
      there are also likely to be both child-to-parent effects and shared genetic
      effects on parent and child. Self-reported parental language style at child age 3
      and age 4 was aggregated into an 'informal language stimulation' factor and a
      'corrective feedback' factor at each age; the former was positively correlated
      with child language concurrently and longitudinally at 3, 4, and 4.5 years,
      whereas the latter was weakly and negatively correlated. Both parental input
      factors were moderately heritable, as was child language. Longitudinal bivariate
      analysis showed that the correlation between the language stimulation factor and
      child language was significantly and moderately due to shared genes. There is
      some suggestive evidence from longitudinal phenotypic analysis that the
      prediction from parental language stimulation to child language includes both
      evocative and passive gene-environment correlation, with the latter playing a
      larger role. LEARNING OUTCOMES: The reader will understand why correlations
      between parental language and rate of child language are by themselves ambiguous,
      and how twin studies can clarify the relationship. The reader will also
      understand that, based on the present study, at least two aspects of parental
      language style - informal language stimulation and corrective feedback - have
      substantial genetic influence, and that for informal language stimulation, a
      substantial portion of the prediction to child language represents the effect of
      shared genes on both parent and child. It will also be appreciated that these
      basic research findings do not imply that parental language input style is
      unimportant or that interventions cannot be effective.

PMID- 26277214
TI  - Influence of dissolved organic carbon on the efficiency of P sequestration by a
      lanthanum modified clay.
AB  - A laboratory scale experiment was set up to test the effect of dissolved organic
      carbon (DOC) as well as ageing of the La-P complex formed during phosphorus (P)
      sequestration by a La modified clay (Phoslock((r))). Short term (7 days) P
      adsorption studies revealed a significant negative effect of added DOC on the P
      sequestration of Phoslock((r)), whereas a long-term P adsorption experiment
      revealed that the negative effect of added DOC was reduced with time. The reduced
      P binding efficiency is kinetic, as evident from solid-state (31)P magic-angle
      spinning (MAS) NMR spectroscopy, who showed that the P binding did not change in
      the presence of DOC. (31)P MAS NMR also reveals that up to 26% of the sequestered
      phosphate is as loosely bound redox-sensitive P species on the surface of
      rhabdophane (LaPO4 . nH2O, n <= 3). The ratio between the loosely bound P and
      lanthanum phosphate did not change with time, however both NMR and La LIII
      extended x-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy shows a
      transformation of lanthanum phosphate from the initially formed rhabdophane
      towards the more stable monazite (LaPO4). Furthermore, the effect of natural DOC
      on the P binding capacity was tested using water and pore water from 16 Danish
      lakes. Whilst DOC has an immediate negative impact on P binding in the lake
      water, with time this effect is reduced.

PMID- 26277215
TI  - Delimiting Species Boundaries within a Paraphyletic Species Complex: Insights
      from Morphological, Genetic, and Molecular Data on Paramecium sonneborni
      (Paramecium aurelia species complex, Ciliophora, Protozoa).
AB  - The demarcation of boundaries between protist species is often problematic
      because of the absence of a uniform species definition, the abundance of cryptic
      diversity, and the occurrence of convergent morphology. The ciliates belonging to
      the Paramecium aurelia complex, consisting of 15 species, are a good model for
      such systematic and evolutionary studies. One member of the complex is P.
      sonneborni, previously known only from one stand in Texas (USA), but recently
      found in two new sampling sites in Cyprus (creeks running to Salt Lake and
      Oroklini Lake near Larnaca). The studied Paramecium sonneborni strains (from the
      USA and Cyprus) reveal low viability in the F1 and F2 generations of interstrain
      hybrids and may be an example of ongoing allopatric speciation. Despite its
      molecular distinctiveness, we postulate that P. sonneborni should remain in the
      P. aurelia complex, making it a paraphyletic taxon. Morphological studies have
      revealed that some features of the nuclear apparatus of P. sonneborni correspond
      to the P. aurelia spp. complex, while others are similar to P. jenningsi and P.
      schewiakoffi. The observed discordance indicates rapid splitting of the P.
      aurelia-P. jenningsi-P. schewiakoffi group, in which genetic, morphological, and
      molecular boundaries between species are not congruent.

PMID- 26277216
TI  - CRISPR mediated somatic cell genome engineering in the chicken.
AB  - Gene-targeted knockout technologies are invaluable tools for understanding the
      functions of genes in vivo. CRISPR/Cas9 system of RNA-guided genome editing is
      revolutionizing genetics research in a wide spectrum of organisms. Here, we
      combined CRISPR with in vivo electroporation in the chicken embryo to efficiently
      target the transcription factor PAX7 in tissues of the developing embryo. This
      approach generated mosaic genetic mutations within a wild-type cellular
      background. This series of proof-of-principle experiments indicate that in vivo
      CRISPR-mediated cell genome engineering is an effective method to achieve gene
      loss-of-function in the tissues of the chicken embryo and it completes the
      growing genetic toolbox to study the molecular mechanisms regulating development
      in this important animal model.

PMID- 26277217
TI  - AP-2beta is a transcriptional regulator for determination of digit length in
      tetrapods.
AB  - The species-specific morphology of digits in the tetrapod limb, including the
      length and number of metacarpal, metatarsal, and phalangeal bones, suggests that
      a common developmental mechanism for digit formation is modified in a species
      specific manner. Here, we examined the function of the AP-2beta transcription
      factor in regulating digit length in the chicken autopod. Mutations in the gene
      encoding AP-2beta are associated with Char syndrome, a human autosomal dominant
      disorder. Char syndrome patients exhibit autopod skeletal defects, including loss
      of phalanges and shortened fingers, suggestive of a function for AP-2beta in
      normal digit development. The ectopic expression of two different dominant
      negative forms of chick AP-2beta, equivalent to mutant forms associated with
      human Char syndrome, in the developing chick hindlimb bud resulted in defective
      digit formation, including reductions in the number and length of phalanges and
      metatarsals. A detailed analysis of the AP-2beta expression pattern in the limb
      bud indicated a correlation between the pattern/duration of AP-2beta expression
      in the limb mesenchyme and digit length in three amniote species, the chicken,
      mouse and gecko. In addition, we found that AP-2beta expression was downstream of
      Fgf signals from the apical ectodermal ridge, which is crucial in digit
      morphogenesis, and that excessive AP-2beta function resulted in dysregulated
      digit length. Taken together, these results suggest that AP-2beta functions as a
      novel transcriptional regulator for digit morphogenesis.

PMID- 26277219
TI  - Cytotoxicity of gold nanoparticles in human neural precursor cells and rat
      cerebral cortex.
AB  - Nanoparticles are promising tools for the advancement of drug delivery, medical
      imaging, and as diagnostic sensor. Medical nanodevices should develop
      miniaturization, because it would be injected into a human body. Gold
      nanoparticles (GNPs) with different sizes and shapes have therapeutic potential
      as a result of their small size, robust nature, excellent biocompatibility and
      optical properties. However, the application of GNPs as medical nanodevices it is
      necessary to know the biodegradation, biocompatibility, and development of
      surface coating which avoid the accumulation of nanoparticles. In this study, we
      carry out an in vitro toxicity and in vivo gene expression study using two kinds
      of GNPs. We found that GNPs toxicity is dependent on the dose or size
      administrated after the injected GNPs into the brain, and small particle size
      GNPs appeared more nestin expression compared to large particle size at short
      term implantation. These findings of toxicity of GNPs may play an important role
      in development of in vivo tools for the safety of GNPs.

PMID- 26277218
TI  - Is radiofrequency ablation applicable for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma
      after liver transplantation?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a radical treatment for both primary
      and recurrent small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with an optimistic outcome
      which is comparable with surgery. For localized recurrence of HCC after liver
      transplantation (LTx), surgical resection is considered the most favorable
      treatment. When surgical resection is contraindicated or technically infeasible,
      whether RFA is as efficient after transplantation as in nontransplant settings
      remains unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cohort study was undertaken in a
      population of patients that had a recurrence of HCC after LTx to evaluate the
      outcomes of different modalities (surgery, RFA, and conservative therapy) on long
      term survival. RESULTS: Seventy-eight of the 486 HCC patients who received LTx
      had a recurrence (16%). Fifteen patients underwent surgical resection, and 11
      patients were treated with RFA. The remaining 52 patients received conservative
      therapy (17 patients with sirolimus plus sorafenib regimen; the others were
      treated with conventional supportive therapy). The 1-, 3-, and 5-y overall
      survival rates were 92%, 51%, and 35% for the patients treated with surgery and
      87%, 51%, and 28% for the patients that received RFA. The corresponding 1-, 3-,
      and 5-y rerecurrence-free survival rates were 83%, 16%, and 16% for the patients
      treated with surgery and 76%, 22%, and 0% for the patients that received RFA,
      respectively. There was no significant difference in overall survival or
      rerecurrence-free survival between the surgical resection group and the RFA group
      (P = 0.879, P = 0.745). CONCLUSIONS: For HCC recurrence after LTx, RFA is
      preferable when surgical resection is contraindicated or technically infeasible
      and provides comparable long-term survival compared with surgery.

PMID- 26277220
TI  - Investigating the role of co-substrate-substrate ratio and filter media on the
      performance of anammox hybrid reactor treating nitrogen rich wastewater.
AB  - This study explored the feasibility of using the anammox hybrid reactor (AHR),
      which combines suspended and attached growth media, for the biodegradation of
      ammonical nitrogen in wastewater. The study was performed in four laboratory
      scale AHRs, inoculated with mixed seed culture (1:1). The anammox process was
      established by feeding the AHR with synthetic wastewater, containing NH(4)-N and
      NO(2)-N (1:1), at hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 1 day. The reactors were
      gradually acclimated to a higher ammonium concentration (1200 mg/l) until the
      pseudo-steady state was attained. Subsequently, the reactors were operated at
      various HRTs (0.25-3.0 days) to optimize the HRT and nitrogen loading rate (NLR).
      The study demonstrated that HRT of 1 day, corresponding to 95.1% of nitrogen
      removal was optimal. Pearson correlation analysis indicated the strong and
      positive correlation of HRT and sludge retention time (SRT), whereas the NLR and
      biomass yield correlated negatively with the nitrogen removal efficiency (NRE).
      The mass balance of nitrogen showed that a major fraction (79.1%) of the input
      nitrogen was converted into N2 gas, and 11.25% was utilized in synthesizing the
      biomass. The filter media in the AHR contributed to an additional 15.4% of
      ammonium removal and a reduction of 29% in the sludge washout rate. The nitrogen
      removal kinetics in the AHR followed the modified Stover-Kincannon model, whereas
      the Lawrence-McCarty model best described the bacterial growth kinetics. The
      study concludes that the hybrid configuration of the reactor demonstrated
      promising results and could be suitably applied for industrial applications.

PMID- 26277221
TI  - Increasing Timely Postpartum Oral Glucose Tolerance Test Completion in Women with
      Gestational Diabetes: A Quality-Improvement Initiative.

PMID- 26277222
TI  - Contextualizing the Proven Effectiveness of a Lifestyle Intervention for Type 2
      Diabetes in Primary Care: A Qualitative Assessment Based on the RE-AIM Framework.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The Healthy Eating and Active Living for Diabetes in Primary Care
      Networks (HEALD) intervention proved effective in increasing daily physical
      activity among people with type 2 diabetes in 4 community-based primary care
      networks (PCNs) in Alberta. Here, we contextualize its effectiveness by
      describing implementation fidelity and PCN staff's perceptions of its success in
      improving diabetes management. METHODS: We used the Reach, Effectiveness,
      Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework to evaluate the HEALD
      intervention. Qualitative methods used to collect data related to the RE-AIM
      dimensions of implementation and effectiveness included interviews with PCN staff
      (n=24), research team reflections (n=4) and systematic documentation. We used
      content analysis, and data were imported into and managed using Nvivo 10.
      RESULTS: HEALD was implemented as intended with adequate fidelity across all 4
      PCNs. Identified implementation facilitators included appropriate human
      resources, the training provided, ongoing support, the provision of space and the
      simplicity of the intervention. However, PCN staff reported varying opinions
      regarding its potential for improving diabetes management among patients.
      Rationales for their views included intervention "dose" inadequacy; that the
      quality of usual care for people with diabetes was already good; patients were
      already managing their diabetes well; and the potential for cointervention.
      Recommended improvements to HEALD included increasing the dose of the
      intervention, expanding it to other modes of exercise and incorporating a medical
      clearance process. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the high degree of fidelity, the
      demonstrated effectiveness of HEALD in improving physical activity among patients
      was a result of sound implementation of an efficacious intervention. Increasing
      the dose of HEALD could result in additional improvements for patients.

PMID- 26277223
TI  - Association between Alcohol Consumption and Glycemic Status in Middle-Aged Women.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Habitual alcohol drinking has been shown to reduce the risk for
      diabetes by recent meta-analysis studies. However, it remains to be clarified
      whether the relationship between alcohol and diabetes is influenced by adiposity.
      The purpose of this study was to determine whether glycemic status is influenced
      by alcohol drinking in women. METHODS: The subjects were 18 352 Japanese women,
      35 to 60 years of age, who underwent health check-up examinations. The subjects
      were divided into 4 groups: nondrinkers, occasional drinkers, regular light
      drinkers (<22 g ethanol/day) and regular heavy drinkers (>=22 g ethanol/day). The
      relationship between alcohol consumption and glycated hemoglobin (A1C) levels was
      investigated by using analysis of covariance and logistic regression analysis
      with adjustment for age and histories of smoking and regular exercise. RESULTS:
      A1C levels were significantly lower in occasional, regular light and regular
      heavy drinkers than in nondrinkers and was significantly lower in regular light
      and heavy drinkers than in occasional drinkers. These inverse associations were
      not altered by adiposity status as evaluated by body mass index and waist-to
      height ratios. Odds ratios versus nondrinkers for hyperglycemia were
      significantly lower (p<0.01) than the reference level of 1.00 in occasional
      drinkers (0.82 [95% confidence interval 0.73 to 0.92]); regular light drinkers
      (0.61 [95% CI: 0.44 to 0.85]) and regular heavy drinkers (0.66 [95% CI: 0.50 to
      0.88]). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that glycemic status is inversely
      associated with alcohol drinking independent of adiposity status in Japanese
      women. This may be related to the known lower risk for cardiovascular disease in
      female drinkers.

PMID- 26277224
TI  - Feasibility and effectiveness of the Integrated Psychological Therapy (IPT) in
      patients with schizophrenia: a preliminary investigation from India.
AB  - Functional outcome is an important index of recovery in patients with
      Schizophrenia (SZ). Several factors impact social functioning, including
      neurocognition. The Integrated Psychological Therapy (IPT) has been effective in
      improving social-functioning in SZ patients, but needs to be evaluated for its
      feasibility and impact in the Indian subcontinent. The study examined the
      effectiveness of the IPT on neurocognition and social functioning in patients
      with SZ. An open label design with baseline, post-intervention and 3-month follow
      up assessments was adopted. Twenty nine clinically stable out-patients with
      schizophrenia/schizo-affective disorder (DSM IV-TR) providing written informed
      consent were recruited, of whom 23 completed the intervention. Patients were
      assessed on tests of neurocognition, social functioning and symptomatology.
      Following baseline assessment, patients received 16-20, 1h individual sessions of
      the IPT over 2.5-3 months. The structure and content of the IPT was modified to
      make it culturally appropriate for the Indian subcontinent. Therapy comprised of
      psycho education and the first four modules of the IPT. Repeated measures
      analysis of variance (RMANOVA) for the completers sample (N=23) indicated
      significant improvement in social-functioning, symptom severity and certain
      domains of neurocognition following the intervention. Large effect sizes of 1.21
      and 1.01 were obtained for scores on Social and Occupational Functioning Scale
      (SOFS) and Groningen Social Disabilities Schedule (GSDS) respectively at 3-month
      follow-up. The IPT was effective in improving social-functioning and
      neurocognition in Indian patients with SZ. The study demonstrated the durability
      of these improvements. 

PMID- 26277225
TI  - The airplane crash in the French Alps: A preventable tragedy.

PMID- 26277226
TI  - Serotonin and interleukin-6: Association with pruritus severity, sleep quality
      and depression severity in Prurigo Nodularis.
AB  - Prurigo Nodularis (PN) is a chronic skin condition of unknown etiology. It is
      said to be associated with psychological factors. However, studies to identify
      the same are few. Hence, we undertook to assess the association between quality
      of sleep, depression, pruritus severity in cases of PN and to assess association
      of serum serotonin, interleukin (IL)-6 with sleep, depression and pruritus
      severity. This cross-sectional study involves 39 patients with PN and 39 age and
      gender matched healthy controls. Subjective quality of sleep, depressive symptom
      severity and pruritus severity were collected through clinician based interview.
      Serum serotonin and serum IL-6 were estimated by ELISA. Spearman correlation was
      used to assess the strength of association between biochemical parameters and
      clinical parameters. Cases had significantly higher percentage of depression, a
      higher score of depression severity, higher serum IL-6 level and lower serum
      serotonin levels. Serum serotonin and serum IL-6 showed significant correlation
      with the severity of pruritus (r=-0.66, p<0.01 and r=0.60, p<0.01). However, both
      these parameters showed a significantly negative correlation between them (r=
      0.92, p<0.01). Though cause and effect cannot be established in this type of
      study, there is a disturbance of the inflammatory-neuroendocrine axis
      (interleukins-serotonin). PN is characterized by higher IL-6 and lower serotonin
      and greater depression severity than healthy controls. Findings of this study may
      have an influence on the treatment of PN. 

PMID- 26277227
TI  - Improved immune responses to a bivalent vaccine of Newcastle disease and avian
      influenza in chickens by ginseng stem-leaf saponins.
AB  - Our previous investigation demonstrated that ginseng stem-leaf saponins (GSLS)
      derived from the stems and leaves of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer promoted humoral
      and gut mucosal immunity in chickens vaccinated with live infectious bursa
      disease vaccine. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of GSLS on
      the immune response to a bivalent inactive vaccine of Newcastle disease (ND) and
      avian influenza (AI) in chickens immunosuppressed by cyclophosphamide (Cy). One
      hundred and sixty-eight specific-pathogen-free (SPF) chickens were randomly
      divided into 7 groups, each containing 24 birds. Chickens in groups 3-7 received
      intramuscular injection of Cy at 100mg/kg BW for 3 days to induce
      immunosuppression. Groups 1 and 2 were injected with saline solution in the same
      way as groups 3-7. Following injection of Cy, groups 4-7 were orally
      administrated GSLS (2.5, 5 and 10mg/kg BW) or astragalus polysaccharide (APS)
      (200mg/L) in drinking water for 7 days; groups 1-3 were not medicated and served
      as control birds. After administration of GSLS or APS, groups 2-7 were
      subcutaneously injected with a bivalent inactive vaccine of ND and AI. After
      that, serum was sampled for detecting antibody titers by HI, spleen was collected
      for lymphocyte proliferation assay, and duodenum tissues were collected for
      measurement of IgA-secreting (IgA+) cells and intestinal intraepithelial
      lymphocytes (iIELs). The results showed that injection of Cy significantly
      suppressed immunity in chickens; oral administration of GSLS before immunization
      recovered splenocyte proliferation induced by ConA and LPS, and the numbers of
      IgA+ cells and iIELs as well as the specific antibody response to a bivalent
      inactive vaccine of ND and AIin immunosuppressed chickens treated with Cy.
      Therefore, GSLS may be the potential agent to improve vaccination in
      immunosuppressed chickens. 

PMID- 26277228
TI  - Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5: Past and future progress.
AB  - We review global and regional progress towards Millennium Development Goals
      (MDGs) 4 and 5 with respect to their indicators, drawing on the latest data
      available from the relevant United Nations inter-agency groups responsible for
      maternal and child mortality estimation, as well as recent reports from
      individual UN agencies and external monitoring groups reporting on MDG progress.
      We also draw on recent, comprehensive evidence syntheses to present an overview
      of a selection of existing effective interventions that, if collectively
      implemented at scale, would reduce maternal and child deaths well beyond the MDG
      target levels. We conclude with a summary of why and how a focus on maternal and
      child health in the post-2015 era should be maintained, as the global development
      agenda transitions from the MDGs to the Sustainable Development Goals. 

PMID- 26277229
TI  - Low-frequency oscillations in cerebrovascular and cardiovascular hemodynamics:
      Their interrelationships and the effect of age.
AB  - The aim of this study was to investigate how the interrelationships between low
      frequency oscillations (LFOs) in the cerebral and systemic cardiovascular
      hemodynamic systems change with aging and systemic hemodynamic perturbation.
      Seventeen young adult (28.4+/-3.5years) and seventeen elderly subjects (69.4+/
      8.7years) underwent continuous measurements of arterial blood pressure (ABP),
      heart rate (HR), and cerebral oxygenation (oxy-hemoglobin, deoxy-hemoglobin, and
      total hemoglobin) using near-infrared spectroscopy. The LFOs were subdivided into
      three frequency intervals (FI-1: 0.01-0.02Hz, FI-2: 0.02-0.06Hz, and FI-3: 0.06
      0.15Hz) via spectral analysis based on continuous wavelet transform. The
      amplitudes of the LFOs at these FIs were calculated to examine the effects of
      aging and head-up tilt (HUT) on cerebral and cardiovascular hemodynamics. Granger
      causality (GC) was used for analyzing the causal relationships between the LFOs
      observed in ABP, oxy-hemoglobin, and HR. The amplitudes of the LFOs were
      generally higher in young adults than in the elderly and increased significantly
      only in the younger subjects after HUT. GCs in FI-3 oscillations were
      significantly higher in young subjects compared to older participants in the HUT
      state. These results indicate that aging dampens systemic and cerebral
      hemodynamic regulatory mechanisms, and the interrelationships between systemic
      and cerebral hemodynamics become weaker with age. 

PMID- 26277230
TI  - 3-D reconstruction and multiple marker analysis of mouse proepicardial
      endothelial cell population.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The proepicardium (PE), a transient embryonic structure crucial for
      the development of the epicardium and heart, contains its own population of
      endothelial cells (ECs). The aim of our study was to determine the pattern,
      anatomical orientation and phenotypic marker expression of the endothelial cell
      network within the PE. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical findings revealed that
      proepicardial ECs express both early and late EC-specific markers such as CD31,
      Flk-1, Lyve-1 and Tie-2 but not SCL/Tal1, vWF, Dll4 or Notch1. Proepicardial ECs
      are present in the vicinity of the sinus venosus (SV) and form a continuous
      network of vascular sprouts/tubules connected with the SV endothelium, with Ter
      119-positive erythroblasts in the vascular lumina. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of
      our results, we postulate the existence of a continuous network of ECs in the PE,
      exhibiting connection and/or patency with the SV and forming
      vessels/tubules/strands. Marker expression suggests that ECs are immature and
      undifferentiated, which was also confirmed with a transmission electron
      microscopy (TEM) analysis. Our results deliver new data for a better
      understanding of the nature of proepicardial ECs.

PMID- 26277231
TI  - Does the incidence of sore throat postoperatively increase with the use of a
      traditional intubation blade or the GlideScope?
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVE: The GlideScope video-guided laryngoscope is an alternative
      standard of care for rescue laryngoscopies when direct laryngoscopy is
      unsuccessful. During postoperative checks by an anesthesiologist, it was noticed
      that patients who reported sore throat often required GlideScope laryngoscopy.
      Consequently, it is difficult to determine whether postoperative sore throats are
      caused by irritation inflicted by multiple laryngoscopic attempts or the actual
      utilization of the GlideScope itself. The goal of this study was to determine
      whether the use of the GlideScope leads to a greater or lesser incidence of sore
      throat when compared with traditional laryngoscope blades used for intubation.
      DESIGN: Eligible patients scheduled for elective inpatient surgeries requiring
      endotracheal tube intubation were enrolled into this single-blinded prospective
      cohort study. chi(2) Test, Fisher exact test, and t tests were used to compare
      differences across the primary end point and other demographic categories.
      SETTING: Operating rooms and postanesthesia recovery unit, Albany Medical Center,
      Albany, NY. PATIENTS: There were a total of 151 patients with American Society of
      Anesthesiologists grades 1 to 3 included in the study. INTERVENTIONS: Eighty-one
      patients were randomized to a control group that received traditional
      laryngoscopy via Macintosh/Miller blades and 70 patients received video-guided
      intubation via the GlideScope. MEASUREMENTS: The incidence of postoperative sore
      throat was recorded via a yes/no questionnaire within 24 hours after extubation.
      Secondary parameters such as provider type, sex, and perceived difficulty were
      also recorded. MAIN RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the
      proportion of patients reporting sore throat by type of blade used (Mac/Miller
      36.3% vs GlideScope 32.4%, P = .619). For secondary outcomes, women were
      significantly more likely to report sore throat as compared with men (men 24.3%
      vs women 43.2%, P = .015), and the provider type was significantly associated
      with the occurrence of postoperative sore throat (attendings 26.8% vs certified
      registered nurse anesthetists 52.3% vs third-year clinical anesthesia residents
      30%, P = .012). CONCLUSIONS: Use of the GlideScope videolaryngoscopy was not
      significantly associated with increased occurrence of postoperative sore throat
      when compared with traditional intubation techniques. Our results may enable more
      trainees to acquire intubation skills with the GlideScope during an initial
      intubation attempt in patients with American Society of Anesthesiologist grades 1
      to 3, with optimization of patient satisfaction in respect to postoperative sore
      throats. In addition, a provider's choice of intubation technique based on either
      Macintosh/Miller blades or the GlideScope does not significantly impact a
      patient's risk of postoperative sore throat.

PMID- 26277232
TI  - Where are we heading to in pharmacological IBD therapy?
AB  - After a relatively long time of failed developments and negative clinical trials
      in pharmacological inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) therapy we now phase a time
      of a great number of successful studies and new therapy principles that will most
      likely make it into clinical practice. This will change the landscape of IBD
      therapy in future markedly. Many new therapeutic principles have been developed
      and old ones that seemed to have failed such as anti-sense technology suddenly
      now provide promising results. Some initially promising therapies will need
      further development or have failed such as Trichuris suis ova therapy (but not
      helminth therapy in general), CCR9 targeted therapies or recombinant IL-10. In
      contrast anti-leukocate trafficking therapies appear to be quite promising.
      Vedolizumab is the first in class anti-integrin antibody that was approved for
      the therapy of CD and UC recently. Other anti-integrin antibodies and small
      molecule adhesion inhibitors will most likely be approved in the next years for
      IBD therapy. Tofacitinib, a small molecule JAK inhibitor, is a promising
      candidate for the treatment of UC. Phosphatidylcholine may be a future option for
      patients with 5-ASA refractory UC or 5-ASA intolerance. The preliminary data for
      Mongersen, a Smad7 antisense oligonucleotide, are promising despite some concerns
      about long term effect of TGFbeta induction. Anti IL6 strategies will hopefully
      be further evaluated keeping in mind the caveat of a lack of CRP induction in
      anti-IL6 treated patients. Stem cell transplantation will become an option for
      patients that have experienced failure of established medications. Fecal
      microbiota transplantation and also perhaps combined probiotic therapy is a field
      that will be evaluated in more detail in the near future especially for UC
      patients. Based on these new developments treatment algorithms need to be
      updated. This review will reflect these current developments and give a
      perspective for future IBD therapy. 

PMID- 26277233
TI  - Time-Resolved Magnetic Resonance Angiography in the Evaluation of Intracranial
      Vascular Lesions and Tumors: A Pictorial Essay of Our Experience.
AB  - Time-resolved magnetic resonance angiography (TR MRA) is a promising less
      invasive technique for the diagnosis of intracranial vascular lesions and
      hypervascular tumors. Similar to 4-dimensional computed tomographic angiography
      obtaining high frame rate images, TR MRA utilizes acceleration techniques to
      acquire sequential arterial and venous phase images for identifying, localizing,
      and classifying vascular lesions. Because of the good agreement with digital
      subtraction angiography for grading brain arteriovenous malformations with the
      Spetzler-Martin classification and the good sensitivity for visualizing
      arteriovenous fistulas, studies have suggested that TR MRA could serve as a
      screening or routine follow-up tool for diagnosing intracranial vascular
      disorders. In this pictorial essay, we report on the use of TR MRA at 3.0 T to
      diagnose intracranial vascular lesions and hypervascular tumors, employing DSA as
      the reference technique. 

PMID- 26277234
TI  - Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography: A Guide for the General
      Radiologist.
AB  - Cancer remains a leading cause of death in Canada and worldwide. Whilst advances
      in anatomical imaging to detect and monitor malignant disease have continued over
      the last few decades, limitations remain. Functional imaging, such as positron
      emission tomography (PET), has improved the sensitivity and specificity in
      detecting malignant disease. In combination with computed tomography (CT), PET is
      now commonly used in the oncology setting and is an integral part of many cancer
      patients' pathways. Although initially the CT component of the study was purely
      for attenuation of the PET imaging and to provide anatomical coregistration, many
      centers now combine the PET study with a diagnostic quality contrast enhanced CT
      to provide one stop staging, thus refining the patient's pathway. The commonest
      tracer used in everyday practice is FDG (F18-fluorodeoxyglucose). There are many
      more tracers in routine clinical practice and those with emerging roles, such as
      11C-choline, useful in the imaging of prostate cancer; 11C-methionine, useful in
      imaging brain tumours; C11-acetate, used in imaging hepatocellular carcinomas;
      18F-FLT, which can be used as a marker of cellular proliferation in various
      malignancies; and F18-DOPA and various 68Ga-somatostatin analogues, used in
      patients with neuroendocrine tumours. In this article we concentrate on FDG PETCT
      as this is the most commonly available and widely utilised tracer now used to
      routinely stage a number of cancers. PETCT alters the stage in approximately one
      third of patients compared to anatomical imaging alone. Increasingly, PETCT is
      being used to assess early metabolic response to treatment. Metabolic response
      can be seen much earlier than a change in the size/volume of the disease which is
      measured by standard CT imaging. This can aid treatment decisions in both in
      terms of modifying therapy and in addition to providing important prognostic
      information. Furthermore, it is helpful in patients with distorted anatomy from
      surgery or radiotherapy when there is suspicion of recurrent or residual disease.
      FDG PETCT is not specific for malignancy and can also be used for diagnosing and
      monitoring a number of inflammatory and infectious conditions that can be
      difficult to diagnose on anatomical imaging, some of which carry significant
      morbidity. FDG PETCT is increasingly used in patients with pyrexia of unknown
      origin and in patients with metastatic malignancies of unidentified primary on
      conventional imaging. This article reviews the uses of PETCT including an
      overview of the more common incidental lesions and conditions. It also provides
      guidance of how to approach a PETCT as a nonradionuclide radiologist and how to
      interpret a study in the multidisciplinary team setting. 

PMID- 26277235
TI  - Finding the Truth in Medical Imaging: Painting the Picture of Appropriateness for
      Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Canada.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Questions about the appropriateness of medical imaging exams,
      particularly related to magnetic resonance exams, have arisen in recent years.
      However, the prevalence of inappropriate imaging in Canada is unclear as
      inappropriate exam proportion estimates are often based on studies from other
      countries. Hence, we sought to compare and summarize Canadian studies related to
      magnetic resonance imaging appropriateness. METHODS: We completed a systematic
      literature search identifying studies related to magnetic resonance
      appropriateness in Canada published between 2003 and 2013. Two researchers
      independently searched and evaluated the literature available. Articles that
      studied or discussed magnetic resonance appropriateness in Canada were selected
      based on titles, abstracts, and, where necessary, full article review. Articles
      relating solely to other modalities or countries were excluded, as were imaging
      appropriateness guidelines and reviews. RESULTS: Fourteen articles were included:
      8 quantitative studies and 6 editorials/commentaries. The quantitative studies
      reported inappropriate proportions of magnetic resonance exams ranging from 2%
      28.5%. Our review also revealed substantial variations among study methods and
      analyses. Common topics identified among editorials/commentaries included reasons
      for obtaining imaging in general and for selecting a specific modality,
      consequences of inappropriate imaging, factors contributing to demand, and
      suggested means of mitigating inappropriate medical imaging use. CONCLUSIONS: The
      available studies do not support the common claim that 30% of medical imaging
      exams in Canada are inappropriate. The actual proportion of inappropriate
      magnetic resonance exams has not yet been established conclusively in Canada.
      Further research, particularly on a widespread national scale, is needed to guide
      healthcare policies.

PMID- 26277236
TI  - Dual-Energy Multidetector Computed Tomography With Iodine Quantification in the
      Evaluation of Portal Vein Thrombosis: Is It Possible to Discard the Unenhanced
      Phase?

PMID- 26277237
TI  - Proteomics in cancer research: Are we ready for clinical practice?
AB  - Although genomics has delivered major advances in cancer prognostics, treatment
      and diagnostics, it still only provides a static image of the situation. To study
      more dynamic molecular entities, proteomics has been introduced into the cancer
      research field more than a decade ago. Currently, however, the impact of clinical
      proteomics on patient management and clinical decision-making is low and the
      implementations of scientific results in the clinic appear to be scarce. The
      search for cancer-related biomarkers with proteomics however, has major potential
      to improve risk assessment, early detection, diagnosis, prognosis, treatment
      selection and monitoring. In this review, we provide an overview of the
      transition of oncoproteomics towards translational oncology. We describe which
      lessons are learned from currently approved protein biomarkers and previous
      proteomic studies, what the pitfalls and challenges are in clinical proteomics
      applications, and how proteomic research can be successfully translated into
      medical practice. 

PMID- 26277238
TI  - [Ultrahigh dose-rate, "flash" irradiation minimizes the side-effects of
      radiotherapy].
AB  - PURPOSE: Pencil beam scanning and filter free techniques may involve dose-rates
      considerably higher than those used in conventional external-beam radiotherapy.
      Our purpose was to investigate normal tissue and tumour responses in vivo to
      short pulses of radiation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: C57BL/6J mice were exposed to
      bilateral thorax irradiation using pulsed (at least 40 Gy/s, flash) or
      conventional dose-rate irradiation (0.03 Gy/s or less) in single dose.
      Immunohistochemical and histological methods were used to compare early radio
      induced apoptosis and the development of lung fibrosis in the two situations. The
      response of two human (HBCx-12A, HEp-2) tumour xenografts in nude mice and one
      syngeneic, orthotopic lung carcinoma in C57BL/6J mice (TC-1 Luc+), was monitored
      in both radiation modes. RESULTS: A 17 Gy conventional irradiation induced
      pulmonary fibrosis and activation of the TGF-beta cascade in 100% of the animals
      24-36 weeks post-treatment, as expected, whereas no animal developed
      complications below 23 Gy flash irradiation, and a 30 Gy flash irradiation was
      required to induce the same extent of fibrosis as 17 Gy conventional irradiation.
      Cutaneous lesions were also reduced in severity. Flash irradiation protected
      vascular and bronchial smooth muscle cells as well as epithelial cells of bronchi
      against acute apoptosis as shown by analysis of caspase-3 activation and TUNEL
      staining. In contrast, the antitumour effectiveness of flash irradiation was
      maintained and not different from that of conventional irradiation. CONCLUSION:
      Flash irradiation shifted by a large factor the threshold dose required to
      initiate lung fibrosis without loss of the antitumour efficiency, suggesting that
      the method might be used to advantage to minimize the complications of
      radiotherapy.

PMID- 26277239
TI  - [How to care for elderly patients with cognitive impairment?].
AB  - Mild cognitive impairment occurs frequently with ageing, concerning memory
      complaint, attention and executive dysfunction without any consequence on the
      activities of daily living. They are strongly linked to the presence of vascular
      risk factors in adulthood. Nevertheless with the continuous progression of life
      expectancy, the incidence of dementia drastically increases after sixty-five
      years of age and the number of old people with dementia is expected to increase
      by 75% in 2030 in France. Caring for elderly patients with cancer needs to face
      the possibility of cognitive impairment and its consequences on a good
      comprehension of diagnosis and treatment and ability to properly take medication.
      Comprehensive geriatric assessment can help to diagnose cognitive impairment and
      evaluate the consequences on instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) and
      activities of daily living (ADL). Home care may be organised with the help of the
      family or social workers. Physiotherapy and speech rehabilitation are often
      useful. Assistance for housekeeping, shopping and cooking may be financed by
      social organisations such as APA in France. Complex cases must be referred to
      case managers in homes for patients suffering for Alzheimer's disease (MAIA) who
      liaise between doctors and home carers with good results. 

PMID- 26277240
TI  - Total Bilateral Tarsal Coalition: A Case Report.
AB  - A 35-year-old male presented with pain and swelling of his right foot and ankle.
      His pain developed gradually and without overt pedal deformity. The radiologic
      examination revealed complete fusion of all tarsal bones of his right foot.
      Comparative radiographs of his left foot also showed complete tarsal coalition.
      Ankle osteoarthritis was diagnosed, and supportive treatment enabled the patient
      to return to an asymptomatic status and continue the duties of his employment.
      This case is presented to describe an adult patient with bilateral, massive
      tarsal coalition who was essentially asymptomatic until degenerative arthritic
      changes developed in one of his ankles. 

PMID- 26277241
TI  - Screw Versus Plate Fixation for Chevron Osteotomy: A Retrospective Study.
AB  - The chevron osteotomy is a popular procedure used for the correction of moderate
      hallux abducto valgus deformity. Fixation is typically accomplished with
      Kirschner wires or bone screws; however, in cystic or osteoporotic bone, these
      could be inadequate, resulting in displacement of the capital fragment. We
      propose using a locking plate and interfragmental screw for fixation of the
      chevron osteotomy that could reduce the healing time and decrease the incidence
      of displacement. We performed a retrospective cohort study for chevron
      osteotomies on 75 feet (73 patients). The control groups underwent fixation with
      1 screw in 30 feet (40%) and 2 screws in 30 feet (40%). A total of 15 feet (20%)
      were included in the locking plate and interfragmental screw group. The patients
      were followed up until bone healing was achieved at a median of 7 (range 6 to 14)
      weeks. Our hypothesis was that those treated with the locking plate and
      interfragmental screw would have a faster healing time and fewer incidents of
      capital fragment displacement compared with the 1- or 2-screw groups. The
      corresponding mean intervals to healing for the 1-screw group was 7.71 +/- 1.28
      (range 6 to 10) weeks, for the 2-screw group was 7.27 +/- 1.57 (range 6 to 14)
      weeks, and for the locking plate and interfragmental screw group was 7.01 +/-
      1.00 (range 6 to 9) weeks. One case of capital fragment displacement occurred in
      the single screw group and one in the 2-screw group. No displacement occurred in
      the locking plate and interfragmental screw group. Neither finding was
      statistically significant. However, we believe the locking plate and
      interfragmental screw could be a viable option in patients with osteoporotic and
      cystic bone changes for correction of hallux abducto valgus.

PMID- 26277242
TI  - Empty Toe Phenomenon: A Rare Presentation of Closed Degloving Injury of the Foot.
AB  - Traumatic degloving injuries of the lower extremity are commonly diagnosed by
      soft tissue deficits and separation of soft tissue planes. The management of open
      degloving injuries is well documented with established treatment protocols.
      Because closed degloving injuries of the lower extremity are so rare, the
      protocol management is not well established. Unlike open degloving injuries,
      evidence of soft tissue injury and detachment of the tissue planes can be subtle.
      Owing to the rarity of these injuries, little has been described regarding the
      long-term outcomes. In the present report, 2 closed degloving cases are
      presented. The first case presented is of a 27-year-old railroad worker who
      sustained a severe closed degloving injury of his foot with digital soft tissue
      envelope transposition. The second case involved a 60-year-old automobile
      manufacturer, whose foot was crushed by a hydraulic fork lift, creating a
      degloving injury of the third, fourth, and fifth toes. The follow-up duration
      from the date of injury for patient 1 was 26 months and for patients 2 was 16
      months. The purpose of presenting these cases is to report these rare injuries
      with the treatment, complications, and outcomes. 

PMID- 26277243
TI  - Operative Treatment for Osteoarthritis of the First Metatarsophalangeal Joint:
      Arthrodesis Versus Hemiarthroplasty.
AB  - Controversy remains whether hemiarthroplasty or arthrodesis results in better
      postoperative outcomes for patients who request surgery for advanced
      osteoarthritis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint. Therefore, we tested the
      primary null hypothesis that the 2 treatment groups would not differ in the
      postoperative American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society hallux
      metatarsophalangeal interphalangeal scale scores after a follow-up period of >=1
      year. Secondary analyses addressed the satisfaction rates, percentage of patients
      who would recommend the procedure, and unplanned repeat operation rates. A total
      of 58 primary arthrodeses and 36 hemiarthroplasties performed from January 2005
      to December 2010 were evaluated at >=1 year postoperatively. At a mean average of
      4 (range 1 to 7) years after surgery, the mean American Orthopaedic Foot and
      Ankle Society hallux metatarsophalangeal interphalangeal scale score was 77.5 +/-
      18.5 in the arthrodesis group and 77.8 +/- 12.0 in the arthroplasty group (p =
      .93). The number of repeat operations did not differ between these 2 groups, and
      patients treated with hemiarthroplasty reported greater mean satisfaction (p =
      .04). These results showed that the symptom intensity and magnitude of disability
      were similar at >=1 year after arthrodesis or hemiarthroplasty for osteoarthritis
      of the first metatarsophalangeal joint, although the patients were subjectively
      more pleased with the results after hemiarthroplasty. 

PMID- 26277244
TI  - Prosteatotic genes are associated with unsaturated fat suppression of saturated
      fat-induced hepatic steatosis in C57BL/6 mice.
AB  - Both high sugar and fat diets can induce prosteatotic genes, leading to obesity
      and obesity-associated diseases, including hepatic steatosis. Unsaturated
      fat/fatty acid (USFA) reduces high sugar-induced hepatic steatosis by inhibiting
      the induced prosteatotic genes. In contrast, it is still unclear how USFA
      ameliorates saturated fat/fatty acid (SFA)-induced hepatic steatosis. As sugar
      and fat have different transport and metabolic pathways, we hypothesized that
      USFA suppressed SFA-induced hepatic steatosis via a different set of prosteatotic
      genes. To test this, we implemented high SFA vs USFA diets and a control diet in
      C57BL/6 mice for 16 weeks. Severe hepatic steatosis was induced in mice fed the
      SFA diet. Among a nearly complete set of prosteatotic genes, only the stearoyl
      coenzyme a desaturase 1 (Scd1), cluster of differentiation 36 (Cd36), and
      peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (Ppargamma) genes that were
      differentially expressed in the liver could contribute to SFA-induced steatosis
      or the alleviative effect of USFA. That is, the SFA diet induced the expression
      of Cd36 and Ppargamma but not Scd1, and the USFA diet suppressed Scd1 expression
      and the induction of Cd36 and Ppargamma. These findings were mainly recapitulated
      in cultured hepatocytes. The essential roles of SCD1 and CD36 were confirmed by
      the observation that the suppression of SCD1 and CD36 with small interfering RNA
      or drug treatment ameliorated SFA-induced lipid accumulation in hepatocytes. We
      thus concluded that SCD1, CD36, and PPARgamma were essential to the suppression
      of SFA-induced hepatic steatosis by main dietary USFA, which may provide
      different therapeutic targets for reducing high-fat vs sugar-induced hepatic
      steatosis.

PMID- 26277245
TI  - Music in hospital.

PMID- 26277246
TI  - Music as an aid for postoperative recovery in adults: a systematic review and
      meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Music is a non-invasive, safe, and inexpensive intervention that can
      be delivered easily and successfully. We did a systematic review and meta
      analysis to assess whether music improves recovery after surgical procedures.
      METHODS: We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of adult patients
      undergoing surgical procedures, excluding those involving the central nervous
      system or head and neck, published in any language. We included RCTs in which any
      form of music initiated before, during, or after surgery was compared with
      standard care or other non-drug interventions. We searched MEDLINE, Embase,
      CINAHL, and Cochrane Central. We did meta-analysis with RevMan (version 5.2),
      with standardised mean differences (SMD) and random-effects models, and used
      Stata (version 12) for meta-regression. This study is registered with PROSPERO,
      number CRD42013005220. FINDINGS: We identified 4261 titles and abstracts, and
      included 73 RCTs in the systematic review, with size varying between 20 and 458
      participants. Choice of music, timing, and duration varied. Comparators included
      routine care, headphones with no music, white noise, and undisturbed bed rest.
      Music reduced postoperative pain (SMD -0.77 [95% CI -0.99 to -0.56]), anxiety (
      0.68 [-0.95 to -0.41]), and analgesia use (-0.37 [-0.54 to -0.20]), and increased
      patient satisfaction (1.09 [0.51 to 1.68]), but length of stay did not differ
      (SMD -0.11 [-0.35 to 0.12]). Subgroup analyses showed that choice of music and
      timing of delivery made little difference to outcomes. Meta-regression identified
      no causes of heterogeneity in eight variables assessed. Music was effective even
      when patients were under general anaesthetic. INTERPRETATION: Music could be
      offered as a way to help patients reduce pain and anxiety during the
      postoperative period. Timing and delivery can be adapted to individual clinical
      settings and medical teams. FUNDING: None.

PMID- 26277247
TI  - Community-acquired pneumonia.
AB  - Community-acquired pneumonia causes great mortality and morbidity and high costs
      worldwide. Empirical selection of antibiotic treatment is the cornerstone of
      management of patients with pneumonia. To reduce the misuse of antibiotics,
      antibiotic resistance, and side-effects, an empirical, effective, and
      individualised antibiotic treatment is needed. Follow-up after the start of
      antibiotic treatment is also important, and management should include early
      shifts to oral antibiotics, stewardship according to the microbiological results,
      and short-duration antibiotic treatment that accounts for the clinical stability
      criteria. New approaches for fast clinical (lung ultrasound) and microbiological
      (molecular biology) diagnoses are promising. Community-acquired pneumonia is
      associated with early and late mortality and increased rates of cardiovascular
      events. Studies are needed that focus on the long-term management of pneumonia. 

PMID- 26277248
TI  - Analysis of differentially expressed genes under UV-B radiation in the desert
      plant Reaumuria soongorica.
AB  - Reaumuria soongorica is one of the typical desert plants that present excellent
      tolerance to adverse environments. However, its molecular response to UV-B
      radiation remains poorly understood. To test the response and tolerance
      mechanisms of R. soongorica to the increasing UV-B radiation, the differentially
      expressed genes (DEGs) were investigated between the control and UV-B radiation
      groups. A total of 2150 DEGs were detected between the two groups, of which 561
      were up-regulated and 1589 were down-regulated. For functional analysis, DEGs
      were divided into three groups: (i) Chloroplast-localized proteins, including
      photosynthesis-associated proteins, ribulose-phosphate-3-epimerase, and ATP
      dependent Clp protease. Their transcripts were inhibited, implying that the
      normal function of chloroplast was affected by UV-B radiation. (ii) Proteins
      involved in signaling transduction, such as phototropins and GTP-binding
      proteins. The transcriptional alternation of phototropins may reduce the
      penetration of UV-B radiation by regulating phototropism, stomatal opening, and
      chloroplast relocation. The down regulation of GTP-binding proteins may inhibit
      replication of potentially damaged DNA through preventing cell division; and
      (iii) proteins for lipid transfer and flavonoids biosynthesis. The up-regulation
      of these genes suggested that lipid transfer and flavonoids may have a protective
      function in response to UV-B radiation. Thus, UV-B radiation may lead to the
      disruption of chloroplasts function. The induction of genes for signal
      transduction and protective proteins may be a strategy for responding to UV-B
      radiation in R. soongorica. 

PMID- 26277249
TI  - Genome-wide selection of superior reference genes for expression studies in
      Ganoderma lucidum.
AB  - Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) is widely used for the
      accurate analysis of gene expression. However, high homology among gene families
      might result in unsuitability of reference genes, which leads to the inaccuracy
      of qRT-PCR analysis. The release of the Ganoderma lucidum genome has triggered
      numerous studies to be done on the homology among gene families with the purpose
      of selecting reliable reference genes. Based on the G. lucdum genome and
      transcriptome database, 38 candidate reference genes including 28 novel genes
      were systematically selected and evaluated for qRT-PCR normalization. The result
      indicated that commonly used polyubiquitin (PUB), beta-actin (BAT), and
      glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) were unsuitable reference genes
      because of the high sequence similarity and low primer specificity. According to
      the evaluation of RefFinder, cyclophilin 5 (CYP5) was ranked as the most stable
      reference gene for 27 tested samples under all experimental conditions and
      eighteen mycelial samples. Based on sequence analysis and expression analysis,
      our study suggested that gene characteristic, primer specificity of high
      homologous genes, allele-specificity expression of candidate genes and under
      evaluation of reference genes influenced the accuracy and sensitivity of qRT-PCR
      analysis. This investigation not only revealed potential factors influencing the
      unsuitability of reference genes but also selected the superior reference genes
      from more candidate genes and testing samples than those used in the previous
      study. Furthermore, our study established a model for reference gene analysis by
      using the genomic sequence.

PMID- 26277250
TI  - Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, linagliptin, ameliorates endothelial
      dysfunction and atherogenesis in normoglycemic apolipoprotein-E deficient mice.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors have vasoprotective
      effects. This study investigated whether a recently approved DPP-4 inhibitor,
      linagliptin (Lina), suppresses atherogenesis in non-diabetic apolipoprotein-E
      deficient (ApoE(-/-)) mice, and examined its effects on endothelial function.
      METHODS AND RESULTS: Lina (10mg/kg/day) was administered orally to ApoE(-/-) mice
      for 20 weeks. Lina reduced atherogenesis without alteration of metabolic
      parameters including blood glucose level compared with control (P<0.05). Results
      of immunohistochemical analyses and quantitative RT-PCR demonstrated that Lina
      significantly decreased inflammatory molecule expression and macrophage
      infiltration in the atherosclerotic aorta. Lina administration to ApoE(-/-) mice
      for 9 weeks ameliorated endothelium-dependent vasodilation compared with that in
      untreated mice. Plasma active glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) level was
      significantly higher in the treated group (P<0.05). Exendin-4 (Ex-4), a GLP-1
      analog, ameliorated endothelium-dependent vasodilation impaired by palmitic acid
      (PA) in wild-type mouse aortic segments. Ex-4 promoted phosphorylation of
      eNOS(Ser1177) and Akt, both of which were abrogated by PA, in human umbilical
      vein endothelial cells. In addition, Lina administration to ApoE(-/-) mice
      decreased oxidative stress, as determined by urinary 8-OHdG secretion and NADPH
      oxidase subunit expression in the abdominal aorta. CONCLUSION: Lina inhibited
      atherogenesis in non-diabetic ApoE(-/-) mice. Amelioration of endothelial
      dysfunction associated with a reduction of oxidative stress by GLP-1 contributes
      to the atheroprotective effects of Lina.

PMID- 26277251
TI  - Recent mechanistic and structural insights on class III viral fusion
      glycoproteins.
AB  - Enveloped viruses enter the cell by fusing their envelope with a cellular
      membrane. Fusion is catalyzed by conformational changes of viral glycoproteins
      from pre-fusion to post-fusion states. Structural studies have defined three
      classes of viral fusion glycoproteins. Class III comprises the fusion
      glycoproteins from rhabdoviruses (G), herpesviruses (gB), and baculoviruses
      (GP64). Although sharing the same fold, those glycoproteins exhibit striking
      differences in their modes of activation and interaction with the target
      membrane. Furthermore, for gB and GP64, only the post-fusion structure is known
      and the extent of their conformational change is still an unresolved issue.
      Further structural studies are therefore required to get a detailed insight in
      the working of those fusion machines. 

PMID- 26277252
TI  - General practitioners adherence to recommendations from geriatric assessments
      made during teleconsultations for the elderly living in nursing homes.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To determine the factors associated with general practitioners
      adherence to recommendations from geriatric assessments made during
      teleconsultations for the elderly living in nursing homes. STUDY DESIGN:
      Prospective cohort study in three nursing homes in Vendee, France, with access to
      teleconsultations from Challans Hospital. Teleconsultations with geriatric
      assessment for which recommendations were made by a geriatrician (n=69). MAIN
      OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Participants were separated into two groups based on the
      evidence of general practitioners adherence to recommendations 30 days after
      teleconsultation. Their adherence has been defined by the application by
      themselves supporting the elderly of prescription or organization of all
      recommendations made by the geriatrician during the teleconsultation. The type of
      recommendations was pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments, and
      expert medical advice. The recorded data included the main reason of
      teleconsultation's request, age, sex, dementia diagnosis, multimorbidities scale,
      body mass index, Activities of Daily Living Scale, 4-items Geriatric Depression
      Scale, existence of a fall, and the Neuropsychiatric Inventory. Logistic
      regressions were performed to examine the factors associated with general
      practitioners adherence to recommendations from the geriatric assessment.
      RESULTS: General practitioners adherence to recommendations was made for 58
      teleconsultations (86.3%). A fully adjusted logistic regression showed that
      general practitioners adherence to recommendations was associated with risk of
      depressive syndrome (OR=8.00, P=0.040) and expert medical advice's
      recommendations (OR=17.97, P=0.040). CONCLUSIONS: General practitioners adherence
      to recommendations from the geriatric assessment made during teleconsultations
      for elderly living in nursing homes is associated with the risk of depressive
      syndrome's existence and the expert medical advice recommendations.

PMID- 26277253
TI  - Cognitive frailty, a new target for healthy ageing.

PMID- 26277254
TI  - Effects of a six-week Pilates intervention on balance and fear of falling in
      women aged over 65 with chronic low-back pain: A randomized controlled trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to evaluate the effects of six weeks of
      Pilates regarding functional balance, fear of falling and pain in community
      living women older than 65 years old with chronic low-back pain. STUDY DESIGN: A
      single blind controlled randomized trial of six weeks of Pilates in addition to
      physiotherapy treatment (n=50) vs. physiotherapy treatment alone (n=47) was
      conducted on 97 community living women (71.14 +/- 3.30 years) with chronic low
      back pain (CLBP). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Main outcome measures were fear of
      falling (FoF), assessed by the Falls Efficacy Scale-international; functional
      mobility and balance, measured with the Timed up and Go Test; and pain, evaluated
      using the numeric rating scale. RESULTS: Only the Pilates group showed
      improvement in FoF (ES; d=.68) and functional mobility and balance (ES; d=1.12)
      after treatment, and also had better results in pain (ES; d=1.46) than the
      physiotherapy-only group. CONCLUSIONS: Six weeks of Pilates exercises may be
      effective in fall prevention through the improvement of FoF, functional balance,
      and pain in Spanish women over 65 years old with CLBP.

PMID- 26277255
TI  - Exploring the critical quality attributes and models of smart homes.
AB  - Research on smart homes has significantly increased in recent years owing to
      their considerably improved affordability and simplicity. However, the challenge
      is that people have different needs (or attitudes toward smart homes), and
      provision should be tailored to individuals. A few studies have classified the
      functions of smart homes. Therefore, the Kano model is first adopted as a
      theoretical base to explore whether the functional classifications of smart homes
      are attractive or necessary, or both. Second, three models and test user
      attitudes toward three function types of smart homes are proposed. Based on the
      Kano model, the principal results, namely, two "Attractive Quality" and nine
      "Indifferent Quality" items, are found. Verification of the hypotheses also
      indicates that the entertainment, security, and automation functions are
      significantly correlated with the variables "perceive useful" and "attitude."
      Cost consideration is negatively correlated with attitudes toward entertainment
      and automation. Results suggest that smart home providers should survey user
      needs for their product instead of merely producing smart homes based on the
      design of the builder or engineer.

PMID- 26277256
TI  - Hypovitaminosis D and frailty: Epiphenomenon or causal?
AB  - Vitamin D is not only a key component in the maintenance of calcium homeostasis
      and bone health, but has also been implicated in a myriad of other non-skeletal
      biologic systems. The frailty syndrome is an emerging and increasingly important
      concept in the field of aging, with the "physical" clinical phenotype being
      initially presented as the operational definition. The relationship between
      vitamin D and frailty is postulated to be largely mediated via the development of
      sarcopenia, a condition characterised by a combination of the reduction of muscle
      mass, plus either muscle strength or performance. Several molecular pathways may
      account for the development of muscle wasting in sarcopenia, and there is
      mounting epidemiological and laboratory evidence that supports a role of vitamin
      D on muscle cell proliferation and function. Although observational studies on
      vitamin D and frailty have not definitively established an independent
      relationship, interventional studies of the effect of supplemental vitamin D have
      yielded a positive influence on the frailty status, mainly via improvements in
      the physical performance. Further studies that are adequately powered and well
      designed are warranted in an attempt to establish a causal relationship between
      vitamin D and frailty. In the absence of a consensus on the definition of the
      frailty syndrome, an appropriate and well-validated measure instrument for this
      health outcome would be recommended in the realm of frailty research.

PMID- 26277257
TI  - FRAX--Where are we now?
AB  - Bone mineral density (BMD) measurements have been widely used in clinical
      practice for the diagnosis of osteoporosis, monitoring of treatment, and
      prediction of fracture risk. However, although BMD values show high specificity
      for prediction of fractures, their sensitivity is quite low. Fracture risk
      algorithms such as FRAX improve prediction by including clinical risk factors
      that act independently of BMD. This mini-review discusses the strengths and
      limitations of FRAX relevant to its use in clinical practice. 

PMID- 26277258
TI  - Distorted estimates of implicit and explicit learning in applications of the
      process-dissociation procedure to the SRT task.
AB  - We investigated potential biases affecting the validity of the process
      dissociation (PD) procedure when applied to sequence learning. Participants were
      or were not exposed to a serial reaction time task (SRTT) with two types of
      pseudo-random materials. Afterwards, participants worked on a free or cued
      generation task under inclusion and exclusion instructions. Results showed that
      pre-experimental response tendencies, non-associative learning of location
      frequencies, and the usage of cue locations introduced bias to PD estimates.
      These biases may lead to erroneous conclusions regarding the presence of implicit
      and explicit knowledge. Potential remedies for these problems are discussed. 

PMID- 26277259
TI  - Obstructive Gastric Pseudotumor Caused by Cytomegalovirus in an AIDS Patient: A
      Case Report and Review of Surgical Treatment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common opportunistic pathogen in patients
      with HIV. It is also a major cause of gastrointestinal ulcers in patients with
      acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). CMV pseudotumor in the stomach is a
      rare cause of digestive tract obstruction. CASE REPORT: In this study we report a
      male patient infected with HIV in 2002. In 2014 he evolved C3 stage AIDS with pre
      pyloric gastric ulcer which provoked deformity and pseudotumoral aspect of the
      gastric outlet. Endoscopic biopsy confirmed CMV infection. He underwent Roux-en-Y
      gastroenteroanastomosis with good recovery. CONCLUSIONS: CMV infection should be
      considered as an agent in gastric lesions in HIV-infected patients. Roux-en-Y
      gastroenteroanastomosis is a surgical option for this group of patients, allowing
      improvements in quality of life and decreasing risks of perioperative
      complications.

PMID- 26277260
TI  - The COP9 SIGNALOSOME Is Required for Postembryonic Meristem Maintenance in
      Arabidopsis thaliana.
AB  - Cullin-RING E3 ligases (CRLs) regulate different aspects of plant development and
      are activated by modification of their cullin subunit with the ubiquitin-like
      protein NEDD8 (NEural precursor cell expressed Developmentally Down-regulated 8)
      (neddylation) and deactivated by NEDD8 removal (deneddylation). The
      constitutively photomorphogenic9 (COP9) signalosome (CSN) acts as a molecular
      switch of CRLs activity by reverting their neddylation status, but its
      contribution to embryonic and early seedling development remains poorly
      characterized. Here, we analyzed the phenotypic defects of csn mutants and
      monitored the cullin deneddylation/neddylation ratio during embryonic and early
      seedling development. We show that while csn mutants can complete embryogenesis
      (albeit at a slower pace than wild-type) and are able to germinate (albeit at a
      reduced rate), they progressively lose meristem activity upon germination until
      they become unable to sustain growth. We also show that the majority of cullin
      proteins are progressively neddylated during the late stages of seed maturation
      and become deneddylated upon seed germination. This developmentally regulated
      shift in the cullin neddylation status is absent in csn mutants. We conclude that
      the CSN and its cullin deneddylation activity are required to sustain
      postembryonic meristem function in Arabidopsis.

PMID- 26277261
TI  - Gene Body CG and CHG Methylation and Suppression of Centromeric CHH Methylation
      are Mediated by DECREASE IN DNA METHYLATION1 in Rice.

PMID- 26277262
TI  - Proton Pump Inhibitors and Myocardial Infarction.

PMID- 26277263
TI  - Stabilization challenges and formulation strategies associated with oral biologic
      drug delivery systems.
AB  - Delivery of proteins to mucosal tissues of GI tract typically utilize
      formulations which protect against proteolysis and target the mucosal tissues.
      Using case studies from literature and the authors' own work, the in-process
      stability and solid state storage stability of biopharmaceuticals formulated in
      delivery systems designed for oral delivery to the GI tract will be reviewed.
      Among the range of delivery systems, biodegradable polymer systems for protection
      and controlled release of proteins have been the most studied; hence these
      systems will be covered in greater depth. These delivery systems include
      polymeric biodegradable microspheres or nanospheres that contain proteins or
      vaccines, which are designed to reduce the number of administrations/inoculations
      and the total protein dose required to achieve the desired biological effect.
      Specifically, this review will include a landscape survey of the systems that
      have been studied, the manufacturing processes involved, stability through the
      manufacturing process, key pharmaceutical formulation parameters that impact
      stability of the encased proteins, and storage stability of the encapsulated
      proteins in these delivery systems. 

PMID- 26277264
TI  - "Compliance and patching and atropine amblyopia treatments"--Reply to Letter to
      the Editor.

PMID- 26277266
TI  - Expert-novice differences in SMR activity during dart throwing.
AB  - Previous evidence suggests that augmented sensorimotor rhythm (SMR) activity is
      related to the superior regulation of processing cognitive-motor information in
      motor performance. However, no published studies have examined the relationship
      between SMR and performance in precision sports; thus, this study examined the
      relationship between SMR activity and the level of skilled performance in tasks
      requiring high levels of attention (e.g., dart throwing). We hypothesized that
      skilled performance would be associated with higher SMR activity. Fourteen dart
      throwing experts and eleven novices were recruited. Participants were requested
      to perform 60 dart throws while EEG was recorded. The 2(Group: Expert,
      Novice)*2(Time window: -2000 ms to -1000 ms, -1000 ms to 0 ms) ANOVA showed that
      the dart-throwing experts maintained a relatively higher SMR power than the
      novices before dart release. These results suggest that SMR might reflect the
      adaptive regulation of cognitive-motor processing during the preparatory period.

PMID- 26277265
TI  - Unoprostone activation of BK (KCa1.1) channel splice variants.
AB  - This investigation was conducted to study the relationship between intracellular
      Ca(2+) and activation of large conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (BK) currents by
      unoprostone, the first synthetic docosanoid. We used HEK293 cells stably
      transfected with two BK channel splice variants, one sensitive to unoprostone and
      the other insensitive. We examined the effects of unoprostone on channel activity
      in excised inside-out patches and cell-attached patches. The half-maximal
      stimulation of the sensitive BK channels by Ca(2+) was shifted from 3.4+/-0.017
      nM to 0.81+/-.0058 nM in the presence of 10 nM unoprostone. There was no effect
      on insensitive channels even at unoprostone concentrations as high as 1000 nM.
      There was no effect of unoprostone on the voltage dependence of the BK channels.
      Changes in open probability and effects of Ca(2+) and unoprostone were best
      described by a synergistic binding model. These data would suggest that Ca(2+)
      and unoprostone were binding to sites close to one another on the channel protein
      and that unoprostone binding causes the affinity of the calcium binding site to
      increase. This idea is consistent with three dimensional models of the Ca(2+)
      binding site and a putative unoprostone binding domain. Our results have
      important implications for the clinical use of unoprostone to activate BK
      channels. Channel activation will be limited if intracellular Ca(2+) is not
      elevated.

PMID- 26277267
TI  - Echocardiography in Acute Heart Failure: Current Perspectives.
AB  - In contrast to chronic heart failure (HF), the use of echocardiography in acute
      HF (AHF) is less well defined, both in clinical practice and in clinical trials.
      Current guidelines recommend the utility of echocardiography as an adjunct
      diagnostic tool in the clinical setting of new-onset or decompensated HF.
      However, despite its unique advantages as the only practical imaging modality in
      AHF, echocardiography poses unique challenges in this setting. Data from early
      phase clinical studies and trials provide evidence that echocardiographic end
      points can be clinically meaningful surrogate end points as a means to track
      response to treatment in AHF; however, the optimal timing and selection of
      echocardiographic measures is under active investigation. In addition, despite a
      number of studies indicating that certain echocardiographic measures of cardiac
      function are predictive of post-discharge prognosis, the role of echocardiography
      as a tool for patient classification and risk determination in AHF is less well
      defined. Importantly, it is unclear whether echocardiography can be used to
      phenotype and select AHF patients for interventions. In this article, we (1)
      appraise the current evidence for use of echocardiographic measures in AHF, (2)
      identify knowledge gaps regarding optimal use of echocardiography in AHF, and (3)
      assess the evidence for echocardiography as a prognosis determination and risk
      stratification tool in AHF. 

PMID- 26277268
TI  - A comprehensive review on pre-treatment strategy for lignocellulosic food
      industry waste: Challenges and opportunities.
AB  - Lignocellulose is a generic term used to describe plant biomass. It is the most
      abundant renewable carbon resource in the world and is mainly composed of lignin,
      cellulose and hemicelluloses. Most of the food and food processing industry waste
      are lignocellulosic in nature with a global estimate of up to 1.3 billion
      tons/year. Lignocellulose, on hydrolysis, releases reducing sugars which is used
      for the production of bioethanol, biogas, organic acids, enzymes and biosorbents.
      However, structural conformation, high lignin content and crystalline cellulose
      hinder its use for value addition. Pre-treatment strategies facilitate the
      exposure of more cellulose and hemicelluloses for enzymatic hydrolysis. The
      present article confers about the structure of lignocellulose and how it
      influences enzymatic degradation emphasising the need for pre-treatments along
      with a comprehensive analysis and categorisation of the same. Finally, this
      article concludes with a detailed discussion on microbial/enzymatic inhibitors
      that arise post pre-treatment and strategies to eliminate them.

PMID- 26277269
TI  - Explicit verbal memory impairments associated with brain functional deficits and
      morphological alterations in patients with generalized anxiety disorder.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is associated with brain function
      and morphological alterations. This study investigated explicit verbal memory
      impairment in patients with GAD in terms of brain functional deficits in
      combination with morphologic changes. METHODS: Seventeen patients with GAD and 17
      healthy controls matched for age, sex, and education level underwent high
      resolution T1-weighted MRI and fMR imaging at 3 T during explicit verbal memory
      tasks with emotionally neutral and anxiety-inducing words. RESULTS: In response
      to the neutral words, the patients showed significantly lower activities in the
      regions of the hippocampus (Hip), middle cingulate gyrus (MCG), putamen (Pu) and
      head of the caudate nucleus (HCd) compared with healthy controls. In response to
      the anxiety-inducing words, the patients showed significantly higher activities
      in the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex and precentral gyrus. However, they showed
      lower activities in the Hip, MCG, Pu and HCd. In addition, patients with GAD
      showed a significant reduction in gray matter volumes, especially in the regions
      of the Hip, midbrain, thalamus, insula and superior temporal gyrus, compared with
      healthy controls. LIMITATIONS: This study examined a small sample sizes in each
      of the groups, and there was no consideration of a medication effect on brain
      activity and volume changes. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence for the
      association between brain functional deficits and morphometric alterations in an
      explicit verbal memory task for patients with GAD. This finding is helpful for
      understanding explicit verbal memory impairment in connection with GAD symptoms.

PMID- 26277270
TI  - Mood instability in bipolar disorder type I versus type II-continuous daily
      electronic self-monitoring of illness activity using smartphones.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A substantial proportion of patients with bipolar disorder remain
      symptomatic during inter-episode periods, and mood instability is associated with
      high risk of relapse and hospitalization. Few studies have investigated long-term
      daily illness activity and none has compared bipolar type I and II using daily
      data. The objectives were to investigate differences in daily illness activity
      between bipolar disorder type I and II. METHODS: A smartphone-based system for
      self-monitoring was developed. A total of 33 patients treated in a mood clinic
      used the system for daily self-monitoring during a median period of 310 days [IQR
      189; 437]. Data presented summarize over 8500 observations. RESULTS: Patients
      with bipolar disorder type II (n=20), compared to patients with bipolar disorder
      type I (n=13), experienced a significant lower mean level of mood on a scale from
      -3; +3 (-0.54 (95% CI: -0.74; -0.35) versus -0.19 (95% CI: -0.35; -0.02),
      p=0.02), less time euthymic (51.0% (95% CI: 36.4; 65.7) versus 74.5% (95% CI:
      62.4; 86.7), p=0.03) and a higher proportion of time with depressive symptoms
      (45.1% (95% CI: 30.6; 59.5) versus 18.8% (95% CI: 6.9; 30.7), p=0.01). The
      proportion of time spent with (hypo)manic symptoms did not differ (2.7% (95% CI:
      0.1; 5.5) versus 5.5% (95% CI: 3.1; 7.8), p=0.17). LIMITATIONS: Patients received
      different types, doses and combinations of psychopharmacological treatment.
      CONCLUSION: Euthymia was obtained for a substantial proportion of time in
      patients with bipolar disorder type I, but despite on-going treatment only for
      half of the time for patients with bipolar disorder type II. This emphasizes the
      need for improving treatment strategies for bipolar disorder type II.

PMID- 26277272
TI  - Skin lesions on yellowfin tuna Thunnus albacares from Gulf of Mexico outer
      continental shelf: Morphological, molecular, and histological diagnosis of
      infection by a capsalid monogenoid.
AB  - We characterize lesion-associated capsaline infections on yellowfin tuna, Thunnus
      albacares, in the Gulf of Mexico by comparing our specimens with published
      descriptions and museum specimens ascribed to Capsala biparasiticum and its
      synonyms: vouchers of C. biparasiticum from parasitic copepods; the holotype of
      Capsala neothunni; and vouchers of Capsala abidjani. Those from parasitic
      copepods differed by having a small, rounded body, large anterior attachment
      organs, closely spaced dorsomarginal body sclerites, small testes, and a short
      and wide testicular field. No morphometric feature in the holotype of C.
      neothunni ranged outside of that reported for the newly-collected specimens,
      indicating conspecificity of our specimens. The specimens of C. abidjani differed
      by having a large anterior attachment organ, few and dendritic testes, and a
      short, wide testicular field. Large subunit ribosomal DNA (28S) sequences grouped
      our specimens and Capsala sp. as sister taxa and indicated a phylogenetic
      affinity of Nasicola klawei. The haptoral attachment site comprised a crater-like
      depression surrounded by a blackish-colored halo of extensively rugose skin, with
      abundant pockmarked-like, irregularly-shaped oblong or semi-circular epidermal
      pits surrounding these attachment sites. Histology confirmed extensive folding of
      epidermis and underlying stratum laxum, likely epidermal hyperplasia, foci of
      weak cell-to-cell adhesions among apical malpighian cells as well as that between
      stratum germinativum and stratum laxum, myriad goblet cells in epidermis, rodlet
      cells in apical layer of epidermis, and lymphocytic infiltrates and melanin in
      dermis. The present study comprises (i) the first published report of this
      parasite from yellowfin tuna captured in the Gulf of Mexico-NW Atlantic Ocean
      Basin, (ii) confirmation of its infection on the skin (rather than on a parasitic
      copepod), (iii) the first molecular data for this capsaline, and (iv) the first
      observations of histopathological changes associated with a capsalid infection on
      a wild-caught epipelagic fish. 

PMID- 26277271
TI  - The role of self-blame and worthlessness in the psychopathology of major
      depressive disorder.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cognitive models predict that vulnerability to major depressive
      disorder (MDD) is due to a bias to blame oneself for failure in a global way
      resulting in excessive self-blaming emotions, decreased self-worth, hopelessness
      and depressed mood. Clinical studies comparing the consistency and coherence of
      these symptoms in order to probe the predictions of the model are lacking.
      METHODS: 132 patients with remitted MDD and no relevant lifetime co-morbid axis-I
      disorders were assessed using a phenomenological psychopathology-based interview
      (AMDP) including novel items to assess moral emotions (n=94 patients) and the
      structured clinical interview-I for DSM-IV-TR. Cluster analysis was employed to
      identify symptom coherence for the most severe episode. RESULTS: Feelings of
      inadequacy, depressed mood, and hopelessness emerged as the most closely co
      occurring and consistent symptoms (>=90% of patients). Self-blaming emotions
      occurred in most patients (>80%) with self-disgust/contempt being more frequent
      than guilt, followed by shame. Anger or disgust towards others was experienced by
      only 26% of patients. 85% of patients reported feelings of inadequacy and self
      blaming emotions as the most bothering symptoms compared with 10% being more
      distressed by negative emotions towards others. LIMITATIONS: Symptom assessment
      was retrospective, but this is unlikely to have biased patients towards
      particular emotions relative to others. CONCLUSIONS: As predicted, feelings of
      inadequacy and hopelessness were part of the core depressive syndrome, closely co
      occurring with depressed mood. Self-blaming emotions were highly frequent and
      bothering but not restricted to guilt. This calls for a refined assessment of
      self-blaming emotions to improve the diagnosis and stratification of MDD.

PMID- 26277273
TI  - Utility of hand-held devices in diagnosis and triage of cardiovascular
      emergencies. Observations during implementation of a PACS-based system in an
      acute aortic syndrome (AAS) network.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Prompt diagnosis and early referral to specialized centers is
      critical for patients presenting with cardiovascular emergencies, including acute
      aortic syndromes (AAS). Prior data has suggested that mobile access to imaging
      studies with hand-held devices can accelerate diagnosis and management.
      OBJECTIVE: We conducted a study to determine the diagnostic accuracy of a hand
      held device compared to conventional dedicated work-stations for diagnosing a
      spectrum of cardiovascular emergencies, predominantly acute aortic pathology.
      METHODS: This study included 104 cases who underwent computed tomography (CT)
      scan during "on-call'' hours between January, 2013 and August, 2014 for suspected
      AAS. Assessment was performed on a hand-held device independently by two readers
      using an iPhone5 connected via secure connection to web-based PACS servers. The
      subsequent interpretation from a dedicated workstation coupled with the diagnosis
      at the time of discharge was used as the reference standard for determining the
      presence or absence of an acute abnormality. Sensitivity and Specificity were
      calculated on a per patient basis. RESULTS: Readers' sensitivity and specificity
      using the hand-held device to diagnose acute chest pathology were calculated.
      Hand-held device evaluation was determined to have a sensitivity of 85.2% and a
      specificity of 98.6% by reader A and a sensitivity of 96.3% and specificity of
      100% by reader B. Of 103 cases interpreted by both readers, the readers agreed
      about the diagnosis in 98 cases (95.1%). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that
      hand-held devices can be a potential useful tool to assist in diagnosis and
      triage of patients presenting with cardiovascular emergencies. Further studies
      are needed to assess the impact of screen size and resolution.

PMID- 26277274
TI  - T cell metabolic reprogramming and plasticity.
AB  - Upon antigen stimulation, small and quiescent naive T cells undergo an
      approximately 24h growth phase followed by rapid proliferation. Depending on the
      nature of the antigen and cytokine milieu, these proliferating T cells
      differentiate into distinctive functional subgroups that are essential for
      appropriate immune defense and regulation. T cells undergo a characteristic
      metabolic rewiring that fulfills the dramatically increased bioenergetic and
      biosynthetic demands during the transition between resting, activation and
      differentiation. Beyond this, T cells are distributed throughout the body and are
      able to function in a wide range of physio-pathological environments, including
      some with a dramatic metabolic derangement. As such, T cells must quickly respond
      to and adapt to fluctuations in environmental nutrient levels. We consider such
      responsiveness and adaptation in terms of metabolic plasticity, that is, an
      evolutionarilly selected process which allows T cells to illicit robust immune
      functions in response to either a continuous or disrupted nutrient supply. In
      this review, we illustrate the relevant metabolic pathways in T cells and discuss
      the ability of T cells to change their metabolic substrates in response to
      changes in the environment. 

PMID- 26277276
TI  - Delineation of BmSXP antibody V-gene usage from a lymphatic filariasis based
      immune scFv antibody library.
AB  - Phage display technology is an important tool for antibody generation or
      selection. This study describes the development of a scFv library and the
      subsequent analysis of identified monoclonal antibodies against BmSXP, a
      recombinant antigen for lymphatic filariasis. The immune library was generated
      from blood of lymphatic filariasis infected individuals. A TA based intermediary
      cloning approach was used to increase cloning efficiency for the library
      construction process. A diverse immune scFv library of 10(8) was generated. Six
      unique monoclonal antibodies were identified from the 50 isolated clones against
      BmSXP. Analysis of the clones showed a bias for the IgHV3 and Vkappa1 (45.5%) and
      IgHV2 and Vkappa3 (27.3%) gene family. The most favored J segment for light chain
      is IgKJ1 (45.5%). The most favored D and J segment for heavy chain are IgHD6-13
      (75%) and IgHJ3 (47.7%). The information may suggest a predisposition of certain
      V genes in antibody responses against lymphatic filariasis. 

PMID- 26277275
TI  - Metabolic regulation of T cell differentiation and function.
AB  - Upon encountering pathogens, T cells mount immune responses by proliferating,
      increasing cellular mass and differentiating. These cellular changes impose
      significant energetic challenges on T cells. It was believed that TCR and
      cytokine-mediated signaling are dominant dictators of T cell-mediated immune
      responses. Recently, it was recognized that T cells utilize metabolic
      transporters and metabolic sensors that allow them to rapidly respond to nutrient
      limiting inflammatory environments. Metabolic sensors allow T cells to find a
      balance between energy consumption (anabolic metabolism) and production
      (catabolic metabolism) in order to mount effective immune responses. Also,
      metabolic regulators interact with cytokine-dependent transcriptional regulators,
      suggesting a more integrative and advanced model of T cell activation and
      differentiation. In this review, we will discuss recent discoveries regarding the
      roles of metabolic regulators in effector and memory T cell development and their
      interaction with canonical transcription factors. 

PMID- 26277277
TI  - Immunological evaluation of OMV(PagL)+Bap(1-487aa) and AbOmpA(8-346aa)+Bap(1
      487aa) as vaccine candidates against Acinetobacter baumannii sepsis infection.
AB  - Acinetobacter baumannii is an important nosocomial pathogen that causes a high
      morbidity and mortality rate in infected patients with sepsis form. The surface
      exposed virulence proteins and serum resistance factors helping to dissemination
      of this bacterium to bloodstream are the most promising vaccine candidates
      against this microorganism. In this project we immunologically evaluated
      OMV(PagL)+Bap(1-487aa) and AbOmpA (8-346aa)+Bap(1-487aa) as combination forms as
      well as Bap(1-487aa), AbOmpA(8-346aa) and OMV(PagL) singly, with addition of alum
      adjuvant as vaccine candidates. The titers of total IgG, IgG1 and IgG2c as well
      as concentration of IL-4 and IFN-gamma and survival rates were measured in a
      C57BL/6 murine model with disseminated sepsis. The ratio of IgG1/IgG2c and
      profile of IL-4/IFN-gamma in OMV (PagL)+Bap (1-487aa) formulation shows the
      humoral and cellular immune responses have been induced robustly and have created
      a full protection against A. baumannii ATCC 19606 and MDR AB-44 strains. We found
      that the two combination vaccine candidates were protective and induced both Th1
      and Th2 responses. 

PMID- 26277279
TI  - Metformin and cancer: Between the bioenergetic disturbances and the antifolate
      activity.
AB  - For decades, metformin has been the first-line drug for the treatment of type II
      diabetes mellitus, and it thus is the most widely prescribed antihyperglycemic
      drug. Retrospective studies associate the use of metformin with a reduction in
      cancer incidence and cancer-related death. However, despite extensive research
      about the molecular effects of metformin in cancer cells, its mode of action
      remains controversial. In this review, we summarize the current molecular
      evidence in an effort to elucidate metformin's mode of action against cancer
      cells. Some authors describe that metformin acts directly on mitochondria,
      inhibiting complex I and restricting the cell's ability to cope with energetic
      stress. Furthermore, as the drug interrupts the tricarboxylic acid cycle,
      metformin-induced alteration of mitochondrial function leads to a compensatory
      increase in lactate and glycolytic ATP. It has also been reported that cell cycle
      arrest, autophagy, apoptosis and cell death induction is mediated by the
      activation of AMPK and Redd1 proteins, thus inhibiting the mTOR pathway.
      Additionally, unbiased metabolomics studies have provided strong evidence to
      support that metformin alters the methionine and folate cycles, with a
      concomitant decrease in nucleotide synthesis. Indeed, purines such as thymidine
      or hypoxanthine restore the proliferation of tumor cells treated with metformin
      in vitro. Consequently, some authors prefer to refer to metformin as an
      "antimetabolite drug" rather than a "mitochondrial toxin". Finally, we also
      review the current controversy concerning the relationship between the
      experimental conditions of in vitro-reported effects and the plasma
      concentrations achieved by chronic treatment with metformin. 

PMID- 26277278
TI  - The repetitive portion of the Xenopus IgH Mu switch region mediates orientation
      dependent class switch recombination.
AB  - Vertebrates developed immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) class switch recombination
      (CSR) to express different IgH constant regions. Most double-strand breaks for Ig
      CSR occur within the repetitive portion of the switch regions located upstream of
      each set of constant domain exons for the Iggamma, Igalpha or Igepsilon heavy
      chain. Unlike mammalian switch regions, Xenopus switch regions do not have a high
      G-density on the non-template DNA strand. In previous studies, when Xenopus SMU
      DNA was moved to the genome of mice, it is able to support substantial CSR when
      it is used to replace the murine Sgamma1 region. Here, we tested both the 2kb
      repetitive portion and the 4.6 kb full-length portions of the Xenopus SMU in both
      their natural (forward) orientation relative to the constant domain exons, as
      well as the opposite (reverse) orientation. Consistent with previous work, we
      find that the 4.6 kb full-length SMU mediates similar levels of CSR in both the
      forward and reverse orientations. Whereas, the forward orientation of the 2kb
      portion can restore the majority of the CSR level of the 4.6 kb full-length SMU,
      the reverse orientation poorly supports R-looping and no CSR. The forward
      orientation of the 2kb repetitive portion has more GG dinucleotides on the non
      template strand than the reverse orientation. The correlation of R-loop formation
      with CSR efficiency, as demonstrated in the 2kb repetitive fragment of the
      Xenopus switch region, confirms a role played by R-looping in CSR that appears to
      be conserved through evolution.

PMID- 26277280
TI  - Challenges and achievements in the therapeutic modulation of aquaporin
      functionality.
AB  - Aquaporin (AQP) water and solute channels have basic physiological functions
      throughout the human body. AQP-facilitated water permeability across cell
      membranes is required for rapid reabsorption of water from pre-urine in the
      kidneys and for sustained near isosmolar water fluxes e.g. in the brain, eyes,
      inner ear, and lungs. Cellular water permeability is further connected to cell
      motility. AQPs of the aquaglyceroporin subfamily are necessary for lipid
      degradation in adipocytes and glycerol uptake into the liver, as well as for skin
      moistening. Modulation of AQP function is desirable in several pathophysiological
      situations, such as nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, Sjogren's syndrome, Meniere's
      disease, heart failure, or tumors to name a few. Attempts to design or to find
      effective small molecule AQP inhibitors have yielded only a few hits. Challenges
      reside in the high copy number of AQP proteins in the cell membranes, and spatial
      restrictions in the protein structure. This review gives an overview on selected
      physiological and pathophysiological conditions in which modulation of AQP
      functions appears beneficial and discusses first achievements in the search of
      drug-like AQP inhibitors. 

PMID- 26277281
TI  - Development and field testing of a consumer shared decision-making training
      program for adults with low literacy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Given the scarcity of shared decision-making (SDM) interventions for
      adults with low literacy, we created a SDM training program tailored to this
      population to be delivered in adult education settings. METHODS: Formative
      evaluation during program development included a review of the problem and
      previous efforts to address it, qualitative interviews with the target
      population, program planning and field testing. RESULTS: A comprehensive SDM
      training program was developed incorporating core SDM elements. The program aimed
      to improve students' understanding of SDM and to provide them with the necessary
      skills (understanding probabilistic risks and benefits, personal values and
      preferences) and self-efficacy to use an existing set of questions (the
      AskShareKnow questions) as a means to engage in SDM during healthcare
      interactions. CONCLUSIONS: There is an ethical imperative to develop SDM
      interventions for adults with lower literacy. Generic training programs delivered
      direct-to-consumers in adult education settings offer promise in a national and
      international environment where too few initiatives exist. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS:
      Formative evaluation of the program offers practical insights into developing
      consumer-focused SDM training. The content of the program can be used as a guide
      for future efforts to engage consumers in SDM.

PMID- 26277282
TI  - Acceptability, feasibility and effectiveness of an eHealth behaviour intervention
      using self-regulation: 'MyPlan'.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The study aims to evaluate the acceptability, feasibility and
      effectiveness of the eHealth intervention 'MyPlan', which targets health
      behaviour in adults. METHODS: Flemish adults were randomly allocated to a control
      (n=155), or one of the three intervention groups: a physical activity (PA)
      (n=158), a fruit intake (n=161) or a vegetable intake group (n=48). PA, fruit or
      vegetable intake were measured at the start and after one month. RESULTS: Adults
      with low education, and over 40 years evaluated the personal advice and action
      plans as more motivating, but also the personal advice as too long than adults
      with high education and younger adults. Overall, 48% completed the follow-up
      module after one week, and only 24% after one month. At one-month follow-up, the
      fruit intake intervention resulted in more fruit intake (F=9.5, p=0.003) and the
      PA intervention in a higher total physically activity level (F=5.6, p=0.020) than
      the control group. There was no effect for vegetable intake. CONCLUSION: 'MyPlan'
      was feasible and acceptable, and has the potential to increase PA levels, and
      fruit and vegetable intake. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Adaptations to the content of
      the intervention are further needed, and more attention is needed to motivate
      participants to complete the different follow-up parts.

PMID- 26277284
TI  - Re-orientation of human resources for health: a great challenge for the Brazilian
      National Health System.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To present the data available and discuss the progress, current
      advances and challenges of the initiatives, current policies and guidance
      implemented by the Health and Education Ministries in Brazil to target
      transformation of health teaching in order to improve the health care offered by
      the Brazilian National Health System. STUDY DESIGN: Literature review. METHODS:
      Documentary analysis and review of articles identified in a search of electronic
      databases, along with reports and documents acquired from the Health and
      Education Ministries between 1988 and 2013. RESULTS: This study identified some
      important initiatives, including the Programme for the Encouragement of
      Curricular Changes in Medical Courses (PROMED), implemented in 2002 for medical
      courses alone. Inspired by PROMED and covering a wider range of graduate courses,
      the National Programme for Re-orientation of Health Professionals was implemented
      in 2005. This initiative launched its third edition in 2012, covering 14 health
      professional areas. Another relevant innovation was the National Policy of
      Permanent Health Education, implemented in 2007, with the goal of transforming
      public health services into a locus of teaching-learning through working. The
      Unified Health System Open University was also implemented. CONCLUSIONS: There is
      general concern and ongoing actions involving different sectors in Brazil in an
      attempt to improve the health of the Brazilian population in the future. However,
      the changes pursued involve deep transformations and may take considerable time.

PMID- 26277285
TI  - Who's afraid of the nanny state? Introduction to a symposium.

PMID- 26277283
TI  - Clinicians' recognition and management of emotions during difficult healthcare
      conversations.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine the most commonly reported emotions encountered among
      healthcare practitioners when holding difficult conversations, including
      frequency and impact on care delivery. METHODS: Interprofessional learners from a
      range of experience levels and specialties completed self-report questionnaires
      prior to simulation-based communication workshops. Clinicians were asked to
      describe up to three emotions they experienced when having difficult healthcare
      conversations; subsequent questions used Likert-scales to measure frequency of
      each emotion, and whether care was affected. RESULTS: 152 participants completed
      questionnaires, including physicians, nurses, and psychosocial professionals.
      Most commonly reported emotions were anxiety, sadness, empathy, frustration, and
      insecurity. There were significant differences in how clinicians perceived these
      different emotions affecting care. Empathy and anxiety were emotions perceived to
      influence care more than sadness, frustration, and insecurity. CONCLUSIONS: Most
      clinicians, regardless of clinical experience and discipline, find their
      emotional state influences the quality of their care delivery. Most clinicians
      rate themselves as somewhat to quite capable of recognizing and managing their
      emotions, acknowledging significant room to grow. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Further
      education designed to increase clinicians' recognition of, reflection on, and
      management of emotion would likely prove helpful in improving their ability to
      navigate difficult healthcare conversations. Interventions aimed at anxiety
      management are particularly needed.

PMID- 26277286
TI  - Resilience and its influential factors in left-behind middle school students in
      Yunyang County of Rural Three Gorges Areas in China: a cross-sectional survey.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Left-behind middle school students are a common phenomenon in the
      rural Three Gorges areas causing wide concerns as students in puberty undergoing
      rapid development of the mind and body. This study examines the mental health of
      the left-behind middle school students from a positive perspective instead of
      emphasizing negative factors, which may explore a new way to study their mental
      health. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey. METHODS: A cross-sectional study
      was conducted among middle school students in the Yunyang County of the Rural
      Three Gorges areas. Information about demographic characteristics was collected
      using a self-designed questionnaire; mental health status, resilience status, and
      the influential factors of resilience were collected using Mental Health Test
      (MHT) and Resilience and Youth Development Module (RYDM) scales. RESULTS: The
      detection rate of mental health problems in left-behind students was 6.01%. The
      difference in detection rates between left-behind students and non-left-behind
      students was not significant. The detection rates of low resilience in left
      behind students was 0.95%, of medium resilience was 54.15%, and of high
      resilience was 44.90%. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that
      influential factors associated with the resilience of left-behind students
      included grade, contradiction with the guardian, and students' worry about their
      parents working outside the county. CONCLUSIONS: Future studies should explore
      the links between each influential factor and its influencing mechanism.
      Meanwhile, the appropriate mental health education activities should be conducted
      in line with local conditions.

PMID- 26277287
TI  - Ambient fine particulate matter air pollution and leisure-time physical
      inactivity among US adults.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: There is mounting evidence documenting the adverse health effects of
      short- and long-term exposure to ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) air
      pollution, but population-based evidence linking PM2.5 and health behaviour
      remains lacking. This study examined the relationship between ambient PM2.5 air
      pollution and leisure-time physical inactivity among US adults 18 years of age
      and above. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective data analysis. METHODS: Participant-level
      data (n = 2,381,292) from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System 2003
      2011 surveys were linked with Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research
      air quality data by participants' residential county and interview month/year.
      Multilevel logistic regressions were performed to examine the effect of ambient
      PM2.5 air pollution on participants' leisure-time physical inactivity, accounting
      for various individual and county-level characteristics. Regressions were
      estimated on the overall sample and subsamples stratified by sex, age cohort,
      race/ethnicity and body weight status. RESULTS: One unit (MUg/m(3)) increase in
      county monthly average PM2.5 concentration was found to be associated with an
      increase in the odds of physical inactivity by 0.46% (95% confidence interval =
      0.34%-0.59%). The effect was similar between the sexes but to some extent
      (although not always statistically significant) larger for younger adults,
      Hispanics, and overweight/obese individuals compared with older adults, non
      Hispanic whites or African Americans, and normal weight individuals,
      respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Ambient PM2.5 air pollution is found to be associated
      with a modest but measurable increase in individuals' leisure-time physical
      inactivity, and the relationship tends to differ across population subgroups.

PMID- 26277288
TI  - [Declaration of funding and funding sources received by research projects
      presented at the largest international nursing research conference].

PMID- 26277290
TI  - Positive Fluid Balance Is Associated With Poor Outcomes in Subarachnoid
      Hemorrhage.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Strict maintenance of normovolemia is standard of care in the
      treatment of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), and induced hypervolemia
      is often used to treat delayed cerebral ischemia from vasospasm. We tested the
      hypothesis that positive fluid balance could adversely affect clinical outcomes
      in aSAH. METHODS: We reviewed 288 patients with aSAH admitted to the Neuroscience
      Intensive Care Unit (NICU) from October 2001 to June 2011. We collected data on
      fluid balance during NICU stay, clinical and radiographic evidence of vasospasm,
      cardiopulmonary complications, and functional outcomes by modified Rankin Scale
      (mRS) on follow-up (mean 8 +/- 8 months). Poor functional outcome was defined as
      an mRS score 3-6. Associations of variables of interest with outcome were
      assessed using univariable and multivariable logistic regression. Propensity
      scores were estimated to account for imbalances between patients with positive
      versus negative fluid balance and were included in multivariable models. RESULTS:
      Average net fluid balance during the NICU stay was greater in patients with poor
      functional outcome (3.52 +/- 5.51 L versus -.02 +/- 5.30 L in patients with good
      outcome; P < .001). On multivariate analysis, positive fluid balance (P = .002)
      was independently associated with poor functional outcome along with World
      Federation of Neurosurgical Societies grade (P < .001), transfusion (P = .003),
      maximum glucose (P = .005), and radiological evidence of cerebral infarction (P =
      .008). After regression adjustment with propensity scores, the association of
      positive fluid balance with poor functional outcome remained significant (odds
      ratio, 1.18; 95% confidence interval, 1.08-1.29; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Greater
      positive net fluid balance is independently associated with poorer functional
      outcome in patients with aSAH.

PMID- 26277291
TI  - Japanese Adaptation of the Stroke and Aphasia Quality of Life Scale-39 (SAQOL
      39): Comparative Study among Different Types of Aphasia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We have developed a Japanese version of the Stroke and Aphasia
      Quality of Life Scale-39 (SAQOL-39), designated as SAQOL-39-J, and used
      psychometric methods to examine its acceptability and reliability. METHODS: The
      acceptability and reliability of SAQOL-39-J, which was developed from the English
      version using a standard translation and back-translation method, were examined
      in 54 aphasia patients using standard psychometric methods. The acceptability and
      reliability of SAQOL-39-J were then compared among patients with different types
      of aphasia. RESULTS: SAQOL-39-J showed good acceptability, internal consistency
      (Cronbach's alpha score = .90), and test-retest reliability (intraclass
      correlation coefficient = .97). Broca's aphasia patients showed the lowest total
      scores and communication scores on SAQOL-39-J. CONCLUSIONS: The Japanese version
      of SAQOL-39, SAQOL-39-J, provides acceptable and reliable data in Japanese stroke
      patients with aphasia. Among different types of aphasia, Broca's aphasia patients
      had the lowest total and communication SAQOL-39-J scores. Further studies are
      needed to assess the effectiveness of health care interventions on health-related
      quality of life in this population.

PMID- 26277292
TI  - Acute Posterior Multifocal Placoid Pigment Epitheliopathy Associated with Stroke:
      A Case Report and Review of the Literature.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Present a case report of acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment
      epitheliopathy (APMPPE) associated with stroke along with the serologic findings,
      diagnostic findings, and treatment in addition to presenting a review of other
      case reports to date in literature. With this information, we are attempting to
      identify key diagnostic features and appropriate treatment options for patients
      with this disease. METHODS: Presentation of case report, background on APMPPE,
      review of the literature and previous case reports, and discussion of diagnostic
      workup and treatment options for these patients. RESULTS: There are 28 well
      described case reports in the literature to date, not including our case report;
      23 had documented radiographic findings consistent with parenchymal injury,
      ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, or cerebral venous thrombosis. We report a
      23-year-old right-handed man with left hemiparesis, ischemic strokes, and
      angiographic findings characteristic of cerebral vasculitis 4 months after he was
      diagnosed with APMPPE. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our present case and previously
      documented cases to date, corticosteroid therapy with potential escalation of
      care to immunomodulatory treatment appears to benefit clinical outcomes.

PMID- 26277289
TI  - Biomimetic particles as therapeutics.
AB  - In recent years, there have been major advances in the development of novel
      nanoparticle- and microparticle-based therapeutics. An emerging paradigm is the
      incorporation of biomimetic features into these synthetic therapeutic constructs
      to enable them to better interface with biological systems. Through the control
      of size, shape, and material consistency, particle cores have been generated that
      better mimic natural cells and viruses. In addition, there have been significant
      advances in biomimetic surface functionalization of particles through the
      integration of bio-inspired artificial cell membranes and naturally derived cell
      membranes. Biomimetic technologies enable therapeutic particles to have increased
      potency to benefit human health. 

PMID- 26277293
TI  - Conventional Computed Tomography and Axial Magnetic Resonance T2-Weighted Imaging
      of Horizontal Segment of Middle Cerebral Artery in Moyamoya Disease or Syndrome
      in Adult Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Moyamoya disease or syndrome (MMD or MMS) is a cerebrovascular
      disease characterized by stenosis or occlusion of the distal portion of the
      internal carotid arteries, with ultimate spread to the proximal portion of the
      anterior cerebral arteries and middle cerebral arteries (MCAs). In the present
      study, we wanted to evaluate the usefulness of conventional computed tomography
      (CT) and axial magnetic resonance (MR) T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) for the
      examination of horizontal segments of the MCAs (ie, M1 segments) in patients
      diagnosed with MMD or MMS. METHODS: This study enrolled 29 patients (n = 11 men;
      n = 18 women), who underwent conventional CT and/or MR T2WI. CT angiography, MR
      angiography, or digital subtraction angiography was used as a reference. CT and
      MR imaging data were reviewed by 2 experienced radiologists, who analyzed and
      recorded stenosis or occlusions of the M1 segments. We performed statistical
      analyses to compare the diagnostic accuracy of both techniques on M1 segments in
      MMD or MMS. RESULTS: Fifty-three steno-occlusive changes of M1 segments were
      revealed by angiography in the 29 patients. T2W-MRI allowed the identification of
      moyamoya vessels with 100% success rate. Stenosis and occlusion of M1 segments
      were better visualized on axial T2W-MRI compared to conventional CT (94.59%
      versus 71.43%; P = .008). CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that conventional CT and
      axial T2W-MRI could be used to identify the steno-occlusive changes of the
      horizontal segment of the MCA in MMD or MMS, which may have a significant impact
      on the accurate diagnosis of this disease at its early stage.

PMID- 26277294
TI  - International Comparison of Poststroke Resource Use: A Longitudinal Analysis in
      Europe.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Long-term costs often represent a large proportion of the total costs
      induced by stroke, but data on long-term poststroke resource use are sparse,
      especially regarding the trajectory of costs by severity. We used a multinational
      longitudinal survey to estimate patterns of poststroke resource use by degree of
      functional disability and to compare resource use between regions. METHODS: The
      Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) is a multinational
      database of adults 50 years and older, which includes demographic information
      about respondents, age when stroke first occurred, current activity of daily
      living (ADL) limitations, and health care resource use in the year before
      interview. We modeled resource use with a 2-part regression for number of
      hospital days, home nursing hours, and paid and unpaid home caregiving hours.
      RESULTS: After accounting for time since stroke, number of strokes and
      comorbidities, age, gender, and European regions, we found that poststroke
      resource use was strongly associated with ADL limitations. The duration since the
      stroke event was significantly associated only with inpatient care, and informal
      help showed significant regional heterogeneity across all ADL limitation levels.
      CONCLUSIONS: Poststroke physical deficits appear to be a strong driver of long
      term resource utilization; treatments that decrease such deficits offer
      substantial potential for downline cost savings. Analyzing internationally
      comparable panel data, such as SHARE, provide valuable insight into long-term
      cost of stroke. More comprehensive international comparisons will require
      registries with follow-up, particularly for informal and formal home-based care.

PMID- 26277295
TI  - Effect of Diltiazem on Coronary Artery Flow and Myocardial Perfusion in Patients
      With Isolated Coronary Artery Ectasia and Either Stable Angina Pectoris or
      Positive Myocardial Ischemic Stress Test.
AB  - Isolated coronary artery ectasia (CAE) may be associated with stable or unstable
      coronary events despite the absence of epicardial coronary stenosis. Impaired
      coronary flow dynamics and myocardial perfusion have been demonstrated in stable
      patients with ectatic coronary arteries. We aimed to assess whether epicardial
      flow and tissue-level perfusion would be improved by diltiazem in myocardial
      regions subtended by the ectatic coronary arteries in patients with isolated CAE.
      A total of 60 patients with isolated CAE were identified of 9,780 patients who
      underwent elective coronary angiography. Patients were randomized to 5 mg of
      intracoronary diltiazem or saline. Coronary blood flow of the microvascular
      network was assessed using myocardial blush grade (MBG) technique. The
      thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grade and TIMI frame count
      (TFC) were used to assess epicardial coronary flow. MBG (from 2.4 to 2.6, p =
      0.02), TIMI flow grades (from 2.4 to 2.8, p <0.001), and TFC (from 35 to 26, p
      <0.001) were significantly improved after diltiazem, whereas no significant
      change was noticed after saline (from 2.4 to 2.4, p = 0.86 for MBG; from 2.3 to
      2.3, p = 0.71 for TIMI flow grade; and from 35 to 33, p = 0.43 for TFC).
      Diltiazem provided amelioration of the altered coronary flow dynamics, which was
      suggested as the pathophysiological influence of CAE. In conclusion, the
      favorable effects of the diltiazem on myocardial perfusion were observed at both
      epicardial and tissue levels. 

PMID- 26277296
TI  - Self-Inserted Needles in the Heart.
AB  - Cardiac injuries due to penetration by sharp foreign bodies usually have a clear
      clinical presentation. A case of a 38-year-old man with self-inserted cardiac
      lesions and a misleading presentation is reported. The patient was admitted to
      the emergency room because of chest pain, with increase in biomarkers of
      myocardial necrosis, and electrocardiographic and echocardiographic abnormalities
      inducing initial diagnostic and therapeutic workup of acute coronary syndrome.
      Once clinical destabilization followed by death had occurred, the suspicion of an
      alternative diagnosis came from delayed chest radiography, confirmed by autopsy,
      revealing the presence of multiple metallic objects within the thorax. 

PMID- 26277297
TI  - "Jackhammer esophagus" and eosinophilic esophagitis.

PMID- 26277298
TI  - Proteomic analysis of Vibrio metschnikovii under cold stress using a quadrupole
      Orbitrap mass spectrometer.
AB  - Vibrio metschnikovii is a food-borne pathogen found in seafood worldwide. We
      studied the global proteome responses of V. metschnikovii under cold stress by
      nano-flow ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a quadrupole
      Orbitrap mass spectrometer. A total of 2066 proteins were identified, among which
      288 were significantly upregulated and 572 were downregulated. Functional
      categorization of these proteins revealed distinct differences between cold
      stressed and control cells. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain
      reaction analysis was also performed to determine the mRNA expression levels of
      seventeen cold stress-related genes. The results of this study should improve our
      understanding of the metabolic activities of cold-adapted bacteria and will
      facilitate a better systems-based understanding of V. metschnikovii. 

PMID- 26277299
TI  - Screening for Elder Abuse in Healthcare Settings: Why Should We Care, and Is It a
      Missed Quality Indicator?

PMID- 26277300
TI  - Genetics of Canine Primary Glaucomas.
AB  - Primary glaucomas are a leading cause of incurable vision loss in dogs. Based on
      their specific breed predilection, a genetic cause is suspected to be
      responsible, and affected dogs should be excluded from breeding. Despite the high
      prevalence of primary glaucomas in dogs, their genetics have been studied in only
      a small number of breeds. The identification of canine glaucoma disease genes,
      and the development of genetic tests, will help to avoid the breeding of affected
      dogs in the future and will allow for earlier diagnosis and potentially more
      effective therapy. 

PMID- 26277301
TI  - Reply to Thorsten Derlin, Matthias Eiber, Markus Schwaiger, and Frank M. Bengel's
      Letter to the Editor re: Lars Budaus, Sami-Ramzi Leyh-Bannurah, Georg Salomon, et
      al. Initial Experience of (68)Ga-PSMA PET/CT Imaging in High-risk Prostate Cancer
      Patients Prior to Radical Prostatectomy. Eur Urol 2016;69:393-6.

PMID- 26277302
TI  - The Devil is in the Details: Still True.

PMID- 26277303
TI  - Nerve-sparing Surgery Technique, Not the Preservation of the Neurovascular
      Bundles, Leads to Improved Long-term Continence Rates After Radical
      Prostatectomy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The effect of preservation of neurovascular bundles (NVBs) during
      radical prostatectomy (RP) on continence remains controversial. OBJECTIVE: To
      analyze if the differing surgical techniques of nerve-sparing (NS) versus non
      nerve-sparing (NNS) RP and not the preservation of the NVB itself may be
      responsible for differences in continence rates. DESIGN, SETTING, AND
      PARTICIPANTS: A total of 18 427 men who underwent RP from 2002 to 2014 in a
      single high-volume center were analyzed retrospectively. Patients with bilateral
      NS RP, with primary NNS RP, and with bilateral secondary resection of the NVBs
      for positive frozen-section results after an initial bilateral nerve sparing
      (secNNS) RP were studied. INTERVENTION: NS, NNS, or secNNS RP. OUTCOME
      MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Multivariable and propensity score matched
      analyses adjusting for age, prostate volume, and year of surgery were performed
      to assess differences in continence rates after RP. Continence was defined as the
      use of no or one safety pad per day. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Post-RP urinary
      continence rates at 1 wk, 3 mo, and 12 mo were 59.8%, 76.2%, 85.4% in the NS
      group, 39.5%, 59.5%, and 87.0% in the secNNS group, and 29.1%, 52.8%, and 70.5%
      in the NNS group. Continence rates at 12 mo after surgery did not differ
      significantly between patients who had bilateral NS and patients who had
      resection of both NVBs after an initial nerve-sparing technique (secNNS). In
      contrast, when comparing the NNS study groups with initial NNS versus secNNS, the
      latter group had significantly higher continence rates after 12 mo. CONCLUSIONS:
      Our results indicate that the meticulous apical dissection associated with the NS
      RP technique rather than the preservation of the NVBs itself may have a positive
      impact on long-term urinary continence rates. PATIENT SUMMARY: We looked at
      continence rates after nerve-sparing (NS) versus non-NS radical prostatectomy
      (RP). NS surgery technique but not the preservation of the neurovascular bundles
      led to improved long-term continence rates after RP.

PMID- 26277304
TI  - On the local Mousterian origin of the Chatelperronian: Integrating typo
      technological, chronostratigraphic and contextual data.
AB  - Across Europe the period 45-40 ka (thousands of years ago) is associated with
      several technological changes, including the emergence of the Chatelperronian
      technocomplex in France and northern Spain. The Chatelperronian,
      stratigraphically located between the Mousterian and Aurignacian, is
      characterized by Upper Palaeolithic features, such as volumetric blade reduction,
      curved backed blades, end-scrapers, bladelets, bone tools and ornaments.
      Concurrently, repeated, though debated, associations with Neanderthal remains and
      Mousterian elements suggest a local technological development. Following recent
      critiques and cumulating technological studies, this paper provides data-driven
      contextualisations of the Chatelperronian and late Mousterian archaeological
      records and a primary comparative assessment of a major linking element, backed
      knives, to re-assess the origin of the Chatelperronian. The results demonstrate
      the challenging nature of the 50-35 ka record, with many interpretive problems
      caused by poorly recorded excavations, resulting in only 25 well-contextualised
      assemblages from the claimed 143 Chatelperronian find spots. These 25 assemblages
      facilitate more detailed chronostratigraphic and typo-technological assessments
      and show that the Chatelperronian has a homogenous set of technologies and tools.
      A similar evaluation of the late Mousterian indicates a wide-ranging late
      Neanderthal skill set, commonly including laminar blank production and backing.
      Further, conceptual similarities were noted both in blank selection and edge
      modification between Mousterian and Chatelperronian backed knives, alongside
      their near-absence in other, contemporaneous technocomplexes. A Europe-wide
      contextualisation shows that while the current coarse-grained record still allows
      for several potential scenarios, the data throughout this paper point towards a
      most parsimonious model of a Chatelperronian made by Neanderthals, with roots in
      the late Middle Palaeolithic technological skill set. However, this change seems
      triggered by early arrivals of modern humans either indirectly, through stimulus
      diffusion, or directly, after ca. 42 ka. Fully testing this model requires an
      ongoing focus on site formation and assemblage integrity, alongside in-depth
      analyses of recently excavated assemblages and existing collections.

PMID- 26277305
TI  - Taphonomy of fossils from the hominin-bearing deposits at Dikika, Ethiopia.
AB  - Two fossil specimens from the DIK-55 locality in the Hadar Formation at Dikika,
      Ethiopia, are contemporaneous with the earliest documented stone tools, and they
      collectively bear twelve marks interpreted to be characteristic of stone tool
      butchery damage. An alternative interpretation of the marks has been that they
      were caused by trampling animals and do not provide evidence of stone tool use or
      large ungulate exploitation by Australopithecus-grade hominins. Thus, resolving
      which agents created marks on fossils in deposits from Dikika is an essential
      step in understanding the ecological and taphonomic contexts of the hominin
      bearing deposits in this region and establishing their relevance for
      investigations of the earliest stone tool use. This paper presents results of
      microscopic scrutiny of all non-hominin fossils collected from the Hadar
      Formation at Dikika, including additional fossils from DIK-55, and describes in
      detail seven assemblages from sieved surface sediment samples. The study is the
      first taphonomic description of Pliocene fossil assemblages from open-air
      deposits in Africa that were collected without using only methods that emphasize
      the selective retention of taxonomically-informative specimens. The sieved
      assemblages show distinctive differences in faunal representation and taphonomic
      modifications that suggest they sample a range of depositional environments in
      the Pliocene Hadar Lake Basin, and have implications for how landscape-based
      taphonomy can be used to infer past microhabitats. The surface modification data
      show that no marks on any other fossils resemble in size or shape those on the
      two specimens from DIK-55 that were interpreted to bear stone tool inflicted
      damage. A large sample of marks from the sieved collections has characteristics
      that match modern trampling damage, but these marks are significantly smaller
      than those on the DIK-55 specimens and have different suites of characteristics.
      Most are not visible without magnification. The data show that the DIK-55 marks
      are outliers amongst bone surface damage in the Dikika area, and that trampling
      is not the most parsimonious interpretation of their origin. 

PMID- 26277306
TI  - Influence of Plio-Pleistocene basin hydrology on the Turkana hominin enamel
      carbonate delta(18)O values.
AB  - Stable oxygen isotopes of hominin enamel carbonate (delta(18)OEC) provide a
      window into aspects of past drinking behavior and diet, body size, breastfeeding
      and weaning, mobility, and paleoclimate. It is tempting to compare all hominins
      across time and space in order to gauge species-level adaptations to changing
      environments and niche separation between those living sympatrically. Basinal,
      sub-basinal, and micro-environmental differences, however, may exert an influence
      on variation in enamel carbonate isotopic values that must be reconciled before
      hominin species across Africa can be meaningfully compared. Plio-Pleistocene
      Turkana hominin delta(18)OEC values show a considerable spread, potentially
      revealing many intrinsic and extrinsic contributing factors operating on
      different scales. In this study, I examine Turkana hominin delta(18)OEC values
      relative to identity (taxon, tooth type and number, body size of taxon), dietary
      (delta(13)C value, Turkana coeval and modern mammalian delta(18)OEC values), and
      contextual (time, depositional environment) information of each specimen and
      collection locality and discuss various potential influences. Turkana hominin
      delta(18)OEC values may primarily reflect differences in imbibed water sources
      (lake vs. river) as a function of evolving basin hydrology. 

PMID- 26277307
TI  - The rapid increase of circulating adiponectin in neonatal calves depends on
      colostrum intake.
AB  - Adiponectin, an adipokine, regulates metabolism and insulin sensitivity.
      Considering that the transplacental transfer of maternal proteins of high
      molecular weight is hindered in ruminants, this study tested the hypothesis that
      the blood concentration of adiponectin in neonatal calves largely reflects their
      endogenous synthesis whereby the intake of colostrum might modify the circulating
      concentrations. We thus characterized the adiponectin concentrations in neonatal
      and young calves that were fed either colostrum or formula. Three trials were
      performed: in trial 1, 20 calves were all fed colostrum for 3 d, and then formula
      until weaning. Blood samples were collected on d 0 (before colostrum feeding),
      and on d 1, 3, 11, 22, 34, 43, 52, 70, 90, and 108 postnatum. In trial 2, 14
      calves were studied for the first 4 d of life. They were fed colostrum (n=7) or
      formula (n=7), and blood samples were taken right after birth and before each
      morning feeding on d 2, 3, and 4. In trial 3, calves born preterm (n=7) or at
      term received colostrum only at 24 h postnatum. Blood was sampled at birth, and
      before and 2 h after feeding. Additionally, allantoic fluid and blood from 4
      Holstein cows undergoing cesarean section were sampled. Adiponectin was
      quantified by ELISA. In trial 1, the serum adiponectin concentrations recorded on
      d 3 were 4.7-fold higher than before colostrum intake. The distribution of the
      molecular weight forms of adiponectin differed before and after colostrum
      consumption. In trial 2, the colostrum group had consistently greater plasma
      adiponectin concentrations than the formula group after the first meal. In trial
      3, the preterm calves tended to have lower concentrations of plasma adiponectin
      than the term calves at birth and before and 2 h after feeding. Furthermore, the
      adiponectin concentrations were substantially lower in allantoic fluid than in
      the sera from neonatal calves and from cows at parturition. Our results show that
      calves are born with very low blood concentrations of adiponectin and placental
      transfer of adiponectin to the bovine fetus is unlikely. In conclusion, colostrum
      intake is essential for the postnatal increase of circulating adiponectin in
      newborn calves. 

PMID- 26277308
TI  - Inclusion of various amounts of steam-flaked soybeans in lactating dairy cattle
      diets.
AB  - Whereas most soybean feedstuffs have been extensively investigated for use in
      ruminant diets, a lack of information exists regarding steam-flaked soybeans
      (SFSB). This research evaluated various inclusion rates of SFSB in diets for
      lactating dairy cattle. Twelve multiparous Holstein cows (103 +/- 39 d in milk)
      were used in a 4 * 4 Latin square experiment consisting of 28-d periods, 14 d for
      diet transitioning followed by a 14-d sampling period. Treatments were inclusion
      of SFSB at 0, 5, 10, and 15% of dietary dry matter (DM), replacing a mixture of
      soybean meal, soy hulls, calcium salts of fatty acids, and choice white grease.
      Animals were fed lactating dairy cow diets formulated to be isonitrogenous and
      isoenergetic, containing 60% of DM as forage and 40% of DM as concentrate. Dry
      matter intake (mean = 28.8 kg/d), milk production (42.2 kg/d), milk fat
      percentage (3.52%), and feed efficiency (1.43 kg of energy-corrected milk/kg of
      DM intake) were similar across all treatments. Milk protein (2.98%) and lactose
      (4.87%) were also unaffected by the amount of SFSB in the diet. Milk urea
      nitrogen concentration decreased linearly as the amount of SFSB in the diet
      increased. Unlike some other soybean supplements, feeding SFSB did not increase
      trans-11 C18:1 or cis-9,trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid, but instead resulted
      in increased cis-9,cis-12 C18:2 and alpha-C18:3. Body weights (752 kg) and body
      condition scores (3.17) were similar with all diets. This research demonstrated
      that SFSB can be substituted for soybean meal and commercial fat sources while
      maintaining milk and milk component production and decrease milk urea nitrogen
      concentration.

PMID- 26277309
TI  - Short communication: Genetic relationships between functional longevity and
      direct health traits in Austrian Fleckvieh cattle.
AB  - The aim of this study was to conduct a multitrait 2-step approach applied to
      yield deviations and deregressed breeding values to get genetic parameters of
      functional longevity, clinical mastitis, early fertility disorders, cystic
      ovaries, and milk fever of Austrian Fleckvieh cattle. An approximate multitrait
      approach allows the combination of information from pseudo-phenotypes derived
      from different statistical models in routine genetic evaluation, which cannot be
      estimated easily in a full multitrait model. A total of 66,890 Fleckvieh cows
      were included in this study. For estimating genetic parameters, a simple linear
      animal model with year of birth as a fixed effect and animal as a random genetic
      effect was fitted. The joint analysis of yield deviations and deregressed
      breeding values was feasible. As expected, heritabilities were low, ranging from
      0.03 (early fertility disorders) to 0.15 (functional longevity). Genetic
      correlations between functional longevity and clinical mastitis, early fertility
      disorders, cystic ovaries, and milk fever were 0.63, 0.29, 0.20, and 0.20,
      respectively. Within direct health traits genetic correlations were between 0.14
      and 0.45. Results suggest that selecting for more robust disease-resistant cows
      would imply an improvement of functional longevity. 

PMID- 26277310
TI  - Short communication: Characterizing metabolic and oxidant status of pastured
      dairy cows postpartum in an automatic milking system.
AB  - The periparturient period represents a stressful time for dairy cows as they
      transition from late gestation to early lactation. Undesirable fluctuations in
      metabolites and impaired immune defense mechanisms near parturition can severely
      affect cow health and have residual effects on performance and longevity.
      Metabolic and oxidative stress profiles of multiparous and primiparous dairy cows
      in traditional parlor and feeding systems are well characterized, but status of
      these profiles in alternative management systems, such as grazing cows managed
      with an automatic milking system (AMS), are poorly characterized. Therefore, the
      objective of this case study was to characterize the metabolic and oxidant status
      of pastured cows milked with an AMS. It was hypothesized that primiparous and
      multiparous cows milked with an AMS would experience changes in oxidative and
      metabolic status after parturition; however, these changes would not impair cow
      health or production. Blood was collected from 14 multiparous and 8 primiparous
      Friesian-cross dairy cows at 1, 7, 14, and 21 d relative to calving for
      concentrations of insulin, glucose, nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), beta
      hydroxybutyrate, reduced glutathione, oxidized glutathione, and antioxidant
      potential. Milk production and milking frequency data were collected postpartum.
      Milk production differed on d 7 and 14 between primiparous and multiparous cows
      and frequency was not affected by parity. Primiparous cows had higher levels of
      glucose than multiparous cows. No differences in insulin, NEFA, or beta
      hydroxybutyrate concentrations were noted between multiparous and primiparous
      cows postpartum, though days relative to calving significantly affected insulin
      and NEFA. Primiparous cows also had higher antioxidant potential than multiparous
      cows during the postpartum period. Results from this study show that, although
      responses were within expected ranges, periparturient multiparous cows responded
      differently than periparturient primiparous cows with respect to metabolic and
      oxidative measures during the postpartum period at this pastured-AMS dairy,
      suggesting different management strategies may need to be considered with
      primiparous and multiparous cows. 

PMID- 26277311
TI  - Influence of ensiling, exogenous protease addition, and bacterial inoculation on
      fermentation profile, nitrogen fractions, and ruminal in vitro starch
      digestibility in rehydrated and high-moisture corn.
AB  - Exogenous protease addition may be an option to increase proteolysis of zein
      proteins and thus starch digestibility in rehydrated and high-moisture corn (HMC)
      ensiled for short periods. In addition, microbial inoculation may accelerate
      fermentation and increase acid production and thus increase solubilization of
      zein proteins. Four experiments were performed to evaluate the effect on
      fermentation profile, N fractions, and ruminal in vitro starch digestibility
      (ivSD) of the following: (1) rehydration and ensiling of dry ground corn; (2)
      exogenous protease addition to rehydrated un-ensiled and ensiled corn; (3)
      exogenous protease addition or inoculation in rehydrated ensiled corn; and (4)
      exogenous protease addition or inoculation in HMC. Experiments 1, 2, and 3 were
      performed with 7 treatments: dry ground corn (DGC); DGC rehydrated to a targeted
      dry matter content of 70% (REH); REH treated with exogenous protease (REH+); REH
      ensiled for 30 d (ENS); ENS treated with exogenous protease (ENS+); ENS treated
      with a microbial inoculant containing Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus
      casei, Enterococcus faecium, and Pediococcus sp. (ENSI); and ENS treated with
      exogenous protease and microbial inoculant (ENSI+). Experiment 1 compared DGC,
      REH, and ENS with ivSD being greater for ENS (64.9%) than DGC and REH (51.7% on
      average). Experiment 2 compared REH and ENS without or with exogenous protease
      addition (REH+ and ENS+, respectively). Ensiling and exogenous protease addition
      increased ivSD, but exogenous protease addition was more effective in ENS than
      REH (6.4 vs. 2.6 percentage unit increase). Experiment 3 compared the effects of
      exogenous protease addition and inoculation in ENS corn (ENS, ENS+, ENSI, and
      ENSI+). The addition of protease, but not inoculant, increased ivSD. Inoculation
      reduced pH and acetate, propionate, and ethanol concentrations, and increased
      lactate and total acid concentrations. In experiment 4, 8 treatments were a
      combination of HMC noninoculated or inoculated with 1 of 3 microbial inoculants
      and with or without exogenous protease addition. The inoculant treatments
      contained (1) Lactobacillus buchneri 40788 and Pediococcus pentosaceus, (2) L.
      buchneri 40788, and (3) a mixture of P. pentosaceus and Propionibacterium
      freudenreichii. Protease, but not inoculation, increased ivSD by 7.5 percentage
      units (44.4 vs. 51.9%). Protease addition increased ivSD in rehydrated corn and
      HMC. Microbial inoculation improved fermentation profiles but did not affect
      ivSD.

PMID- 26277312
TI  - Short communication: The effects of cabergoline administration at dry-off of
      lactating cows on udder engorgement, milk leakages, and lying behavior.
AB  - Cabergoline is an ergot derivative with high affinity for the D2 dopamine
      receptors whose dopaminergic effects cause inhibition of prolactin (PRL)
      secretion; thus, it could be considered a molecule that acts as a potential dry
      off facilitator. One hundred ninety-nine Holstein cows (102 primiparous; 97
      multiparous) producing >= 18 kg/d at dry-off were split in 2 treatments to
      evaluate the effects of diminishing PRL secretion at dry-off (between 70 and 50 d
      from the expecting calving date) on udder engorgement, milk leakage, and cow well
      being after dry-off. Treatments consisted of a single i.m. injection of 5 mL of a
      solution containing 5.6 mg of cabergoline (CAB; Velactis, Ceva Sante Animal,
      Libourne, France) or 5 mL of saline solution as a placebo (CTRL). Each animal was
      evaluated for presence or absence of milk leakages during the 4 d following dry
      off and udder engorgement was determined using a digital algometer. Lying
      behavior was recorded during 10 d after dry-off. Twenty-five cows from each
      treatment were randomly chosen and blood sampled at 3 and 15 d after dry-off, and
      again at 5 and 3 d before the expected calving date to determine serum PRL
      concentrations. Cows on CAB had lower serum PRL concentrations than cows on CTRL
      at 3 and 15 d after dry-off. Average udder engorgement was lower for cows on CAB
      than for cows on CTRL following dry-off, and it decreased as days after dry-off
      increased. The overall incidence of milk leakage in cows on CAB (3.1 +/- 0.88%)
      was 73.5% of that obtained in cows on CTRL (11.7 +/- 1.64%); cows on CAB had 0.2
      lower odds of incurring milk leakage than cows on CTRL. The day following dry
      off, CAB cows lied about 1.5h/d more than cows on CTRL. We conclude that i.m.
      administration of 5.6 mg of cabergoline at dry-off effectively reduces PRL
      secretion, udder engorgement, and milk leakages, and improves lying time the day
      following dry-off.

PMID- 26277313
TI  - Bacterial species and their associations with acute and chronic mastitis in
      suckler ewes.
AB  - Acute mastitis in suckler ewes is often detected because of systemic signs such
      as anorexia or lameness, whereas chronic mastitis, characterized by intramammary
      abscesses with no systemic disease, is typically detected when ewes are inspected
      before mating. The aims of the current study were to identify the species and
      strains of culturable bacteria associated with acutely diseased, chronically
      diseased, and unaffected mammary glands to investigate whether species and
      strains vary by state. To investigate acute mastitis, 28 milk samples were
      obtained from both glands of 14 ewes with acute mastitis in one gland only. To
      investigate chronic mastitis, 16 ovine udders were obtained from 2 abattoirs;
      milk was aspirated from the 32 glands where possible, and the udders were
      sectioned to expose intramammary abscesses, which were swab sampled. All milk and
      swab samples were cultured aerobically. In total, 37 bacterial species were
      identified, 4 from acute mastitis, 26 from chronic mastitis, and 8 from
      apparently healthy glands. In chronic mastitis, the overall coincidence index of
      overlap of species detected in intramammary abscesses and milk was 0.60, reducing
      to 0.36 within individual glands, indicating a high degree of species overlap in
      milk and abscesses overall, but less overlap within specific glands.
      Staphylococcus aureus was detected frequently in all sample types; it was
      isolated from 10/14 glands with acute mastitis. In 5 ewes, closely related
      strains were present in both affected and unaffected glands. In chronic mastitis,
      closely related Staphylococcus aureus strains were detected in milk and abscesses
      from the same gland. 

PMID- 26277314
TI  - Improvement of skin condition by oral supplementation with sphingomyelin
      containing milk phospholipids in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized
      trial.
AB  - Sphingomyelin (SM), an essential phospholipid for the skin, is contained largely
      in the milk fat globule membrane surrounding milk fat, concentrated fractions of
      which are also generated concurrently during the manufacture of dairy products.
      Such an SM-containing milk phospholipid concentrate (SM-MPC) is useful for
      investigating the benefits of dietary SM. Here, we examined the effect of
      consuming SM-MPC on the condition of skin in a double-blind, placebo-controlled,
      randomized trial. Ninety-six healthy subjects aged 20 to 39 yr with low skin
      hydration were randomly assigned to 3 groups: a high-SM group supplemented with
      SM-MPC at a dose equivalent to 10 mg/d of SM, a low-SM group supplemented with SM
      MPC equivalent to 5 mg/d of SM, and a placebo group fed a vehicle composed of
      olive oil and beeswax. During daily supplementation for 12 wk, parameters related
      to the condition of skin were evaluated at baseline and every 3 wk. Skin
      hydration at the heel was significantly increased at wk 9 and 12 in the low-SM
      group compared with the placebo group. Skin elasticity in the region below the
      eye was significantly increased at wk 9 in the high-SM group versus placebo.
      Questionnaire-based subjective perceptions of skin conditions were significantly
      improved for facial skin moisture at wk 3 and 12, and in the wrinkle around the
      eyes at wk 9 and 12 in the high-SM group versus placebo. Our results indicate
      that constant and long-term supplementation with SM-MPC is capable of improving
      the general condition of skin. 

PMID- 26277315
TI  - Formation of volatile compounds in kefir made of goat and sheep milk with high
      polyunsaturated fatty acid content.
AB  - This article explored the formation of volatile compounds during the production
      of kefir from goat and sheep milks with high polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA)
      as a result of feeding animals forage supplemented with maize dried distillers
      grains with solubles (DDGS). The increased PUFA content of the goat and sheep
      milks resulted in significant changes to the fermentation process. In particular,
      apart from an increase in the time taken to ferment sheep milk, fermentation
      yielded less 2,3-butanedione. The highest quantities of this compound were
      assayed in kefir produced from goat milk with an increased content of PUFA. An
      increase of PUFA significantly elevated ethanal synthesis during lactose-alcohol
      fermentation of sheep milk. Neither the origin of milk (sheep or goat) nor the
      level of PUFA had any statistical effect on the amount of ethanal assayed during
      the fermentation of milk and within the finished product. The proportion of l(+)
      lactic acid was higher in kefirs produced using goat milk compared with sheep
      milk and did not depend on the content of PUFA in milk fat. The content of PUFA
      had a significant effect on the aroma profile of the resulting kefirs. An
      increase in PUFA content resulted in the loss of whey aroma in goat milk kefirs
      and the animal odor in sheep milk kefirs, and a creamy aroma became more
      prevalent in kefirs made from sheep milk. 

PMID- 26277316
TI  - Low-sodium Cheddar cheese: Effect of fortification of cheese milk with
      ultrafiltration retentate and high-hydrostatic pressure treatment of cheese.
AB  - Low-sodium cheeses often exhibit an acidic flavor due to excessive acid
      production during the manufacturing and the initial stage of ripening, which is
      caused by ongoing starter culture activity facilitated by the low salt-in
      moisture levels. We proposed that this excessive starter-induced acidity could be
      prevented by the fortification of cheese milk with ultrafiltration (UF)
      retentates (to increase curd buffering), and by decreasing microbial activity
      using the application of high-hydrostatic pressure (HHP) treatment (that is, to
      reduce residual starter numbers). Camel chymosin was also used as a coagulant to
      help reduce bitterness development (a common defect in low-sodium cheeses). Three
      types of low-Na (0.8% NaCl) Cheddar cheeses were manufactured: non-UF fortified,
      no HHP applied (L-Na); UF-fortified (cheese milk total solids = 17.2 +/- 0.6%),
      no HHP applied (L-Na-UF); and UF-fortified, HHP-treated (L-Na-UF-HHP; 500 MPa for
      3 min applied at 1 d post-cheese manufacture). Regular salt (2% NaCl) non-UF
      fortified, non-HHP treated (R-Na) cheese was also manufactured for comparison
      purposes. Analysis was performed at 4 d, 2 wk, and 1, 3, and 6 mo after cheese
      manufacture. Cheese functionality during ripening was assessed using texture
      profile analysis and dynamic low-amplitude oscillatory rheology. Sensory Spectrum
      and quantitative descriptive analysis was conducted with 9 trained panelists to
      evaluate texture and flavor attributes using a 15-point scale. At 4 d and 2 wk of
      ripening, L-Na-UF-HHP cheese had ~2 and ~4.5 log lower starter culture numbers,
      respectively, than all other cheeses. Retentate fortification of cheese milk and
      HHP treatment resulted in low-Na cheeses having similar insoluble calcium
      concentrations and pH values compared with R-Na cheese during ripening. The L-Na
      UF cheese exhibited significantly higher hardness values (measured by texture
      profile analysis) compared with L-Na cheese until 1 mo of ripening; however,
      after 1 mo, all low-Na cheeses exhibited similar hardness values, which were
      significantly lower than R-Na cheese. Pressure treatment significantly increased
      maximum loss tangent (meltability) from rheology testing and decreased melt
      temperature. Sensory results indicated only very slight bitterness (<2.5 out of
      15-point scale) was detected in all cheeses during the 6 mo of ripening. The L-Na
      UF-HHP cheese did not significantly differ in bitterness and acidity from R-Na
      cheese during ripening. Pressures treatment of cheese at 500 MPa and cheese milk
      retentate fortification could be used to improve the quality of low-Na cheese.

PMID- 26277317
TI  - Conjugated linoleic acid isomers strongly improve the redox status of bovine
      mammary epithelial cells (BME-UV1).
AB  - Some studies have shown the protective effects of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
      isomers against oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in animal models, but no
      information is available about CLA and changes in oxidative status of the bovine
      mammary gland. The objectives of the study were to assess in vitro the effect of
      CLA on the cellular antioxidant response of bovine mammary cells, to examine
      whether CLA isomers could play a role in cell protection against the oxidative
      stress, and to study the molecular mechanism involved. For the study, BME-UV1
      cells, a bovine mammary epithelial cell line, were used as the experimental
      model. The BME-UV1 cells were treated with complete medium containing 50 uM cis
      9,trans-11 CLA (c9,t11 CLA), trans-10,cis-12 CLA (t10,c12 CLA), and CLA mixture
      (1:1, cis-9,trans-11: trans-10,cis-12 CLA). To monitor cellular uptake of CLA
      isomers, cells and culture medium were collected at 0, 3, and 48 h from CLA
      addition for lipid extraction and fatty acid analyses. To assess the cellular
      antioxidant response, glutathione (GSH/GSSH), NADPH, and gamma-glutamyl-cysteine
      ligase activity was measured after 48 h from addition of CLA. Cytoplasmic
      superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase, and
      glutathione reductase activities and mRNA were also determined. Intracellular
      reactive oxygen species and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance production
      were assessed in cells supplemented with CLA isomers. Cell viability after 3h to
      H2O2 exposure was assessed to evaluate and to compare the potential protection of
      different CLA isomers against H2O2-induced oxidative stress. Mammary cells
      readily picked up all CLA isomers, their accumulation was time dependent, and
      main metabolites at 48 h are two 18:3 isomers. The CLA treatment induced an
      intracellular GSH increase, matched by high concentration of NADPH, and an
      increase of gamma-glutamyl-cysteine ligase activity mainly in cells treated with
      the t10,c12 CLA isomer. The CLA isomer treatment of bovine mammary cells
      increased superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione S
      transferase activity and decreased glutathione reductase activity, but no changes
      in gene expression of these antioxidant enzymes were observed. Cells supplemented
      with CLA isomers showed a reduction in intracellular reactive oxygen species and
      thiobarbituric acid reactive substance levels. All CLA isomers were able to
      enhance cell resistance against H2O2-induced oxidative stress. These suggest an
      antioxidant role of CLA, in particular of t10,c12 CLA, by developing a
      significantly high redox status in cells.

PMID- 26277318
TI  - Rumen fermentation, blood metabolites, and growth performance of calves during
      transition from liquid to solid feed: Effects of dietary level and particle size
      of alfalfa hay.
AB  - This study evaluated the effects of particle size (PS) and dietary level of
      alfalfa hay (AH) on rumen fermentation parameters, blood metabolites, eating
      behavior, and growth performance in dairy calves during transition from liquid to
      solid feed. Sixty newborn dairy calves (41 +/- 2.5,kg of body weight) were used
      in a 2 * 2 factorial arrangement with the factors dietary AH level (medium,
      12.5%, or high, 25%, on DM basis) and PS (fine = 1mm or medium = 3mm, as
      geometric means) of AH. Hence, the dietary treatments were (1) medium level of AH
      with fine PS (M-FPS), (2) medium level of AH with medium PS (M-MPS), (3) high
      level of AH with fine PS (H-FPS), and (4) high level of AH with medium PS (H
      MPS). Particle size of AH did not affect total DMI (TDMI) during the preweaning
      period, although TDMI was greater for calves fed MPS than in those fed FPS during
      the postweaning and overall periods. Calves fed MPS spent more time eating solid
      feed and ruminating and less time on nonnutritive oral behaviors compared with
      FPS calves. The dietary level of AH did not affect behavioral parameters. Average
      daily gain of calves was not affected by dietary treatment before weaning. During
      the postweaning and overall periods, average daily gain was greater in calves fed
      MPS than in those fed FPS at the 25% AH level, but this effect was absent with
      12.5% AH. Furthermore, the rumen pH values on d 35 and 70 of the study were
      greater for MPS than for FPS, regardless of the dietary level of AH. Effects of
      AH level, PS, and their interaction did not affect blood glucose concentrations
      in developing calves. These results indicate that feed intake, feeding behavior,
      rumen fermentation parameters, and blood beta-hydroxybutyrate concentration may
      be affected by rations differing in forage PS; thus, providing calves with MPS
      can improve calf performance and reduce their nonnutritive oral behaviors.

PMID- 26277319
TI  - Feeding preferences and voluntary feed intake of dairy cows: Effect of
      conservation and harvest time of birdsfoot trefoil and chicory.
AB  - Bioactive forages contain compounds, such as tannins, that are active against
      pathogens. They have been successfully used in ruminants to control parasite
      infections. Because cattle may find bioactive forages unpalatable, it is of
      interest to know if an afternoon harvest time, which has been shown to increase
      the percentage of nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC), hence palatability, may
      mitigate this. The objectives of this study were to quantify voluntary intake and
      preference of dairy cows for 2 bioactive forages, harvested in the morning and
      evening, in addition to determining their time spent grazing on each forage
      species. The forage species evaluated were fresh chicory harvested at 0700 h
      (FCAM) and 1800 h (FCPM), fresh birdsfoot trefoil harvested at 0700 h (FBAM) and
      1800 h (FBPM), birdsfoot trefoil baleage harvested the previous summer at 0700 h
      (BBAM) and at 1800 h (BBPM), and third-cut alfalfa baleage harvested the previous
      summer and used as control (CON). Single forages were offered ad libitum in 30
      min tests to 14 dairy cows to determine intake in a 7 * 7 Latin square
      (experiment 1). Every possible pair of forages (21 pairs) was then presented for
      a 30-min test to 8 different dairy cows, and feed intake was measured (experiment
      2). Finally, time spent grazing on chicory and birdsfoot trefoil was measured on
      12 dairy cows (experiment 3). The tests consisted of 2 d of restriction on 1 of
      the 2 fields for 1h, and 2 d of free-choice sessions (1h) between the 2 fields
      adjacent to each other. Grazing time and location of the animals on the field was
      assessed through 2-min scan sampling. In experiment 1, the highest voluntary
      intakes were for CON, BBPM, and BBAM. In experiment 2, BBPM was preferentially
      consumed over all other forages followed by CON and BBAM. Multidimensional
      scaling showed that preference for BBPM, CON, and BBAM in dimension 1 was
      positively associated with dry matter and nitrogen content, and negatively
      associated with hemicellulose and soluble N/total N. No relationships between
      dimension coordinates and any of the measured chemical composition variables
      could be found for the other 2 dimensions. In experiment 3, cows spent 71% of
      their time grazing in the birdsfoot trefoil field and 23% in the chicory field
      during the free-choice sessions. In conclusion, cows in the present experiments
      showed an overall preference toward baled forages compared with fresh forages,
      most notably toward birdsfoot trefoil baleage. Cow preference did not appear to
      be linked to harvest time (a.m. vs. p.m.).

PMID- 26277320
TI  - The origin of the p.E180 growth hormone receptor gene mutation.
AB  - Laron syndrome, an autosomal recessive condition of extreme short stature, is
      caused by the absence or dysfunction of the growth hormone receptor. A recurrent
      mutation in the GHR gene, p.E180, did not alter the encoded amino acid, but
      activated a cryptic splice acceptor resulting in a receptor protein with an 8
      amino acid deletion in the extracellular domain. This mutation has been observed
      among Sephardic Jews and among individuals in Ecuador, Brazil and Chile, most
      notably in a large genetic isolate in Loja, Ecuador. A common origin has been
      postulated based on a shared genetic background of markers flanking this
      mutation, suggesting that the Lojanos (and others) may have Sephardic (Converso)
      Jewish ancestry. Analysis of the population structure of Lojanos based on genome
      wide analysis demonstrated European, Sephardic Jewish and Native American
      ancestry in this group. X-autosomal comparison and monoallelic Y chromosomal and
      mitochondrial genetic analysis demonstrated gender-biased admixture between
      Native American women and European and Sephardic Jewish men. These findings are
      compatible with the co-occurrence of the Inquisition and the colonization of the
      Americas, including Converso Jews escaping the Inquisition in the Iberian
      Peninsula. Although not found among Lojanos, Converso Jews also brought founder
      mutations to contemporary Hispanic and Latino populations in the BRCA1
      (c.68_69delAG) and BLM (c.2207_2212delATCTGAinsTAGATTC) genes.

PMID- 26277321
TI  - Inhibition of gastric H+,K+-ATPase by 4-(2-butyl-6,7-dichloro-2-cyclopentylindan
      1-on-5-yl)oxybutyric acid (DCPIB), an inhibitor of volume-regulated anion
      channel.
AB  - 4-(2-Butyl-6,7-dichloro-2-cyclopentylindan-1-on-5-yl)oxybutyric acid (DCPIB) has
      been used as an inhibitor of volume-regulated anion channel (VRAC), which is
      expressed in almost all cells (IC50 is around 4 uM). Here, we found that DCPIB
      significantly inhibited the activities of gastric proton pump (H+,K+-ATPase) in
      isolated gastric tubulovesicles and the membrane sample of the H+,K+-ATPase
      expressing cells, and their IC50 values were around 9 uM. In the tubulovesicles,
      no significant expression of leucine rich repeat containing 8 family member A
      (LRRC8A), an essential component of VRAC, was observed. The inhibitory effect of
      DCPIB was also found in the membrane sample obtained from the cells in which
      LRRC8A had been knocked down. On the other hand, DCPIB had no significant effect
      on the activity of Na+,K+-ATPase or Ca2+-ATPase. In the H+,K+-ATPase-expressing
      cells, DCPIB inhibited the 86Rb+ transport activity of H+,K+-ATPase but not that
      of Na+,K+-ATPase. DCPIB had no effect on the activity of Cl- channels other than
      VRAC in the cells. These results suggest that DCPIB directly inhibits H+,K+
      ATPase activity. DCPIB may be a beneficial tool for studying the H+,K+-ATPase
      function in vitro.

PMID- 26277322
TI  - Effect of the potent and selective DP1 receptor antagonist, asapiprant (S
      555739), in animal models of allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma.
AB  - Prostaglandin (PG) D2 elicits responses through either the DP1 and/or DP2
      receptor. Experimental evidence suggests that stimulation of the DP1 receptor
      contributes to allergic responses, such that antagonists are considered to be
      directed therapies for allergic diseases. In this study, we demonstrate the
      activity of a novel synthetic DP1 receptor antagonist termed asapiprant (S
      555739) for the DP1 receptor and other receptors in vitro, and assess the
      efficacy of asapiprant in several animal models of allergic diseases. We
      determined the affinity and selectivity of asapiprant for the DP1 receptor in
      binding assays. In the animal models of allergic rhinitis, changes in nasal
      resistance, nasal secretion, and cell infiltration in nasal mucosa were assessed
      after antigen challenge with and without asapiprant. Similarly, in the animal
      models of asthma, the effect of antigen challenge with and without asapiprant on
      antigen-induced bronchoconstriction, airway hyper-responsiveness, mucin
      production, and cell infiltration in lung were assessed. In binding studies,
      asapiprant exhibited high affinity and selectivity for the DP1 receptor.
      Significant suppression of antigen-induced nasal resistance, nasal secretion, and
      cell infiltration in nasal mucosa was observed with asapiprant treatment. In
      addition, treatment with asapiprant suppressed antigen-induced asthmatic
      responses, airway hyper-responsiveness, and cell infiltration and mucin
      production in lung. These results show that asapiprant is a potent and selective
      DP1 receptor antagonist, and exerts suppressive effects in the animal models of
      allergic diseases. Thus, asapiprant has potential as a novel therapy for allergic
      airway diseases. 

PMID- 26277323
TI  - Facilitatory effect of dopamine on neuromuscular transmission mediated via
      dopamine D1-like receptors and prospective interaction with nicotine.
AB  - The objective of this study is to probe the effects of dopamine and potential
      interactions with nicotine at the motor end plate. To accomplish this, we
      measured the amplitude of nerve-evoked muscle twitches of the isolated rat
      phrenic hemi-diaphragm preparation. Dopamine potentiated indirect muscle twitches
      in normal and gallamine-presensitized preparations amounting to a maximum of
      31.14+/-0.71% and 69.23+/-1.96%, respectively. The dopamine-induced facilitation
      was well maintained in presence of 10 uM propranolol but greatly reduced in
      presence of 6 uM SCH 23390 or 3 uM dantrolene. In addition, SKF 81297 attained a
      plateau at 16 uM as opposed to 64 uM dopamine, with a percentage potentiation of
      69.47+/-1.76. The facilitatory effect of dopamine was potentiated in nicotine
      treated rats. This study revealed for the first time that the facilitatory effect
      exerted by dopamine on neuromuscular transmission is mediated via the dopamine D1
      like receptors. In addition, it highlighted the possible dependency of dopamine
      effects on intracellular calcium and signified potential interaction among
      dopamine and nicotine. Clinically, the findings generated by this study reveal
      potential targets for approaching motor deficit syndromes.

PMID- 26277324
TI  - Nociceptin/orphanin FQ receptor and pain: Feasibility of the fourth opioid family
      member.
AB  - The pharmacological management of chronic pain is a major therapeutic problem.
      The need of repeated treatments reduces the usefulness of classical analgesic
      drugs, like MU opioid receptor (MOP) agonists, characterized by tolerance
      development, side effects and abuse. Moreover, the pathological persistence of
      pain modifies nociceptive signals and pain-devoted structure activity weakening
      MOP agonists and making difficult the research of new active molecules.
      Nociceptine/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) and its receptor (NOP) offers a peculiar opioid
      system able to interact with MOP receptors and made more sensitive by chronic
      pain conditions. The pain reliever efficacy of NOP agonists against persistent
      pain, mainly neuropathic pain, has been highlighted after intrathecal infusions
      in rats and non human primates (NHPs). The differences emerged between the
      effects of NOP stimulation in rodents and NHPs allow to hypothesize the relevance
      of NOP modulators in higher organisms strongly encouraging the development of
      compounds active by a systemic route. Possible applicative perspectives are (i)
      selective NOP agonists as such, (ii) NOP modulation as adjuvant of MOP-based
      treatments, or (iii) mixed non-selective agonists vs NOP and classical opioid
      receptors. 

PMID- 26277325
TI  - Reduction in renal blood flow following administration of norepinephrine and
      phenylephrine in septic rats treated with Kir6.1 ATP-sensitive and KCa1.1 calcium
      activated K+ channel blockers.
AB  - We evaluated the effects of K+ channel blockers in the vascular reactivity of in
      vitro perfused kidneys, as well as on the influence of vasoactive agents in the
      renal blood flow of rats subjected to the cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) model
      of sepsis. Both norepinephrine and phenylephrine had the ability to increase the
      vascular perfusion pressure reduced in kidneys of rats subjected to CLP at 18 h
      and 36 h before the experiments. The non-selective K+ channel blocker
      tetraethylammonium, but not the Kir6.1 blocker glibenclamide, normalized the
      effects of phenylephrine in kidneys from the CLP 18 h group. Systemic
      administration of tetraethylammonium, glibenclamide, or the KCa1.1 blocker
      iberiotoxin, did not change the renal blood flow in control or septic rats.
      Norepinephrine or phenylephrine also had no influence on the renal blood flow of
      septic animals, but its injection in rats from the CLP 18 h group previously
      treated with either glibenclamide or iberiotoxin resulted in an exacerbated
      reduction in the renal blood flow. These results suggest an abnormal
      functionality of K+ channels in the renal vascular bed in sepsis, and that the
      blockage of different subtypes of K+ channels may be deleterious for blood
      perfusion in kidneys, mainly when associated with vasoactive drugs.

PMID- 26277326
TI  - The dynamic blood-brain barrier.
AB  - With the endothelium as its central unit, the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a
      complex multicellular structure separating the central nervous system (CNS) from
      the systemic circulation. Disruption of the BBB has now been implicated in a
      multitude of acute and chronic CNS disorders indicating the potentially
      devastating effects of BBB breakdown on brain function. However, the healthy BBB
      is not an impermeable wall, but rather a communication 'centre', responding to
      and passing signals between the CNS and blood. New studies are identifying BBB
      specific transport pathways that tightly regulate the entry and exit of molecules
      to and from the brain. They are revealing a highly plastic barrier in which
      dynamic changes in BBB components like paracellular tight junction complexes can
      contribute to BBB maintenance. Here, we provide a succinct overview of the
      current state-of-play in BBB research and summarize novel findings into BBB
      regulation in homeostatic regulation of the brain. 

PMID- 26277327
TI  - Self-Guided Supramolecular Cargo-Loaded Nanomotors with Chemotactic Behavior
      towards Cells.
AB  - Delivery vehicles that are able to actively seek and precisely locate targeted
      tissues using concentration gradients of signaling molecules have hardly been
      explored. The directed movement toward specific cell types of cargo-loaded
      polymeric nanomotors along a hydrogen peroxide concentration gradient
      (chemotaxis) is reported. Through self-assembly, bowl-shaped poly(ethylene
      glycol)-b-polystyrene nanomotors, or stomatocytes, were formed with platinum
      nanoparticles entrapped in the cavity while a model drug was encapsulated in the
      inner compartment. Directional movement of the stomatocytes in the presence of a
      fuel gradient (chemotaxis) was first demonstrated in both static and dynamic
      systems using glass channels and a microfluidic flow. The highly efficient
      response of these motors was subsequently shown by their directional and
      autonomous movement towards hydrogen peroxide secreting neutrophil cells. 

PMID- 26277328
TI  - Metastatic spread pattern after curative colorectal cancer surgery. A
      retrospective, longitudinal analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The most common sites of colorectal cancer (CRC) recurrence are the
      local tissues, liver or lungs. The objective was to identify risk factors
      associated with the primary CRC tumor and cancer recurrence in these anatomical
      sites. METHODS: Retrospective, longitudinal analyses of data on CRC survivors.
      Multivariable Cox regression analysis was performed to examine the association
      between possible cofounders with recurrence to various anatomical sites. RESULTS:
      Data for 10,398CRC survivors (tumor location right colon=3870, left colon=2898,
      high rectum=2569, low rectum=1061) were analyzed; follow up time was up to five
      years. Mean age at curative surgery was 71.5 (SD 11.8) years, 20.2% received
      radio-chemotherapy, stage T3 (64.4%) and N0 (65.1%) were most common. Overall
      1632 (15.7%) had cancer recurrence (Isolated liver n=412, 3,8%;  isolated lung
      n=252, 2,4%; isolated local n=223, 2.1%). Risk factors associated with recurrent
      CRC were identified, i.e. isolated liver metastases (male: Adjusted Hazard Ratio
      (AHR) 1,45; colon left: AHR 1,63; N2 disease: AHR 3,35; T2 disease: AHR 2,82),
      isolated lung metastases (colon left: AHR 1,53; rectum high: AHR 2,48; rectum
      low: AHR 2,65; N2 disease 3,76), and local recurrence (glands examined<12: AHR
      1,51; CRM <3mm: AHR 1,60; rectum high: AHR 2,15; N2 disease: AHR 2,58) (all p
      values <0001). CONCLUSION: Our study finds that the site of the primary CRC tumor
      is associated with location of subsequent metastasis. Left sided colon cancers
      have increased risk of metastatic spread to the liver, whereas rectal cancers
      have increased risk of local recurrence and metastatic spread to the lungs. These
      results, in combination with other risk factors for CRC recurrence, should be
      taken into consideration when designing risk adapted post-treatment CRC
      surveillance programs.

PMID- 26277329
TI  - Increasing trends in cervical cancer mortality among young Japanese women below
      the age of 50 years: an analysis using the Kanagawa population-based Cancer
      Registry, 1975-2012.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In Japan, cervical cancer (CC) deaths among women aged <50 years have
      doubled over the last three decades. Obtaining age-specific CC mortality rates
      among young women is important for taking measures against CC. Age-adjusted CC
      mortality rates for all ages are inadequate because of the classification of
      'uterine cancer, not otherwise specified' (NOS uterine cancer) and CC mortality
      rates among elderly women. The aim of the present study was to calculate exact
      age-specific CC mortality rates in women aged <50 years in Kanagawa, taking into
      account the impact of NOS uterine cancer. METHODS: Using the Kanagawa Cancer
      Registry, CC deaths (1975-2012) were analyzed and CC mortality rates (age
      adjusted, 20-29, 30-49, and >=50 years) were calculated. In addition, hospitals
      were surveyed to reclassify cases of NOS uterine cancer. After reclassification,
      chronological trends were also analyzed. RESULTS: Age-specific CC mortality rates
      in Kanagawa and Japan overall showed increasing trends for ages 20-29 (P for
      trend<0.001) and 30-49 (P for trend<0.001). Rates of NOS uterine cancer death
      were significantly lower in Kanagawa than in Japan overall (P<0.05), except for
      patients aged <50 years in 2005-2009 (P=0.159). CONCLUSIONS: The present study
      revealed concern for CC among Japanese women younger than 50 years. Well
      organized CC screening and HPV vaccination should be provided to reduce CC
      mortality rates for these young women.

PMID- 26277330
TI  - Trends in survival of multiple myeloma: a thirty-year population-based study in a
      single institution.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite the progress made in recent years, multiple myeloma is still
      considered an incurable disease. Most survival data come from clinical trials.
      Little is known about the outcome in unselected real-life patients. METHODS:
      Overall survival was analyzed in a cohort of newly diagnosed symptomatic multiple
      myeloma patients, over the last three decades, in a single institution population
      based study. RESULTS: 582 consecutive myeloma patients were included in the
      study. Survival increased over time in patients younger than 65 years but did not
      reach statistical significance in patients with 65 years or older. The prognostic
      factors associated with overall survival were the International Staging System,
      the serum lactate dehydrogenase level, the renal impairment, the realization of
      autologous stem cell transplantation, and the presence of concomitant
      amyloidosis. Overall survival shows a steady improvement over time.
      INTERPRETATION: The survival of myeloma is improving progressively in real-life
      patients, particularly after the widespread use of the novel agents. A
      comprehensive assessment of comorbidity can help to explain the huge
      heterogeneity of myeloma outcome. The optimization of current therapeutic
      resources as well as the incorporation of new drugs will allow further
      improvement of survival in the coming years.

PMID- 26277331
TI  - Case series: A novel technique for the treatment of external auditory canal
      stenosis.
AB  - External auditory canal (EAC) stenosis can exist as an isolated problem, as a
      component of craniofacial disorders, or in association with genetic syndromes. We
      present five cases and demonstrate the efficacy of a minimally invasive way of
      opening the EAC, facilitating better hearing, easier office examination, and
      allowing for other necessary treatments such as ear tube placement or use of a
      hearing aid. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 19 months, with all patients
      demonstrating significant improvement. We believe this is a novel surgical
      approach which is easy to perform, cost effective, and may be applicable to a
      wide range of patients. 

PMID- 26277332
TI  - An overview of the clinical application of antisense oligonucleotides for RNA
      targeting therapies.
AB  - Despite the discovery more than two decades ago that antisense oligonucleotides
      (ASOs) could be used to modulate protein expression, there have been only two
      antisense drugs approved for clinical use till date. Despite this low success
      rate, the antisense field is undergoing resurgence due to the development of more
      potent and nuclease resistant chemistries, as well as nanoparticle delivery
      systems that enhance delivery to target tissues. In this review, we introduce the
      predominant therapeutic strategies in the antisense field whilst highlighting
      recent clinical findings that demonstrate the significant potential of these
      approaches for development of novel therapies in several diseases. 

PMID- 26277333
TI  - 2015 Residency Match Update and the Radiology Stock Market.

PMID- 26277334
TI  - Avoid "Cannot Exclude": Make a Diagnosis.

PMID- 26277335
TI  - Maternal collapse: Training in resuscitation.
AB  - The National Committee for the Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths
      (NCCEMD) of South Africa has recommended in the Sixth Saving Mothers Report that
      health-care professionals (HCPs) training in managing obstetric emergencies be
      improved. One such measure is to ensure that the Essential Steps in Managing
      Obstetric Emergencies (ESMOE) with its Emergency Obstetric Simulation Training
      (EOST) be rolled out to every HCP working in the obstetric environment. The
      programme has been strengthened and rolled out in the province of KwaZulu-Natal,
      South Africa. This review focuses on the various teaching methods used to improve
      maternal resuscitation training in a South African context. Evidence-based
      interventions in maternal resuscitation will be highlighted, and recommendations
      for clinical practice will be suggested. Common causes of maternal collapse will
      be explored, and measures to improve training in these areas will be outlined. In
      order to ensure sustainability, quality improvement measures need to be
      introduced and evaluated. 

PMID- 26277336
TI  - Surgeon motivations behind the timing of breast reconstruction in patients
      requiring postmastectomy radiation therapy.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Although postmastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) has been shown to
      reduce breast cancer burden and improve survival, PMRT may negatively influence
      outcomes after reconstruction. The goal of this study was to compare current
      opinions of plastic and reconstructive surgeons (PRS) and surgical oncologists
      (SO) regarding the optimal timing of breast reconstruction for patients requiring
      PMRT. METHODS: Members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the
      American Society of Breast Surgeons (ASBS), and the Society of Surgical Oncology
      (SSO) were asked to participate in an anonymous web-based survey. Responses were
      solicited in accordance to the Dillman method, and they were analyzed using
      standard descriptive statistics. RESULTS: A total of 330 members of the ASPS and
      348 members of the ASBS and SSO participated in our survey. PRS and SO differed
      in patient-payor mix (p < 0.01) and practice setting (p < 0.01), but they did not
      differ by urban versus rural setting (p = 0.65) or geographic location (p =
      0.30). Although PRS favored immediate reconstruction versus SO, overall timing
      did not significantly differ between the two specialists (p = 0.14). The primary
      rationale behind delayed breast reconstruction differed significantly between PRS
      and SO (p < 0.01), with more PRS believing that the reconstructive outcome is
      significantly and adversely affected by radiation. Both PRS and SO cited "patient
      driven desire to have immediate reconstruction" (p = 0.86) as the primary
      motivation for immediate reconstruction. CONCLUSIONS: Although the optimal timing
      of reconstruction is controversial between PRS and SO, our study suggests that
      the timing of reconstruction in PMRT patients is ultimately driven by patient
      preferences and the desire of PRS to optimize aesthetic outcomes.

PMID- 26277337
TI  - Microvascular vessel preparation: What are we really removing during adventitial
      stripping?
AB  - AIM: Although adventitial stripping has been routinely recommended and practiced
      during vessel preparation for microsurgical anastomoses, detailed descriptions
      vary regarding the adequate extent of such maneuver. We aimed to histologically
      clarify which components of the vessel are removed during adventitial stripping,
      using arterial samples harvested during microsurgical breast reconstruction.
      METHODS: Thirteen deep inferior epigastric arteries, nine internal mammary
      arteries, and four thoracodorsal arteries were evaluated in each step of vessel
      preparation, which were (1) grossly as a vascular bundle, (2) before vessel
      preparation, and (3) after vessel preparation under the operative microscope.
      Histologic components of each sample were evaluated under light microscopy. The
      combined thickness of the intima and the media and the thickness of the
      adventitia were measured and compared. RESULTS: Two distinctive layers of
      connective tissue were observed outside the media before vessel preparation.
      Outer loose areolar tissue with coarse fibers was mostly removed during vessel
      preparation. However, the inner adventitial layer with dense, fine collagen
      fibers consistently remained after vessel preparation and ostensible adventitial
      stripping. The average thickness of this layer was comparable with that of the
      media. Although there was no definitive demarcation between the two differential
      connective tissue layers, a vasa vasorum layer was distinctly seen between the
      two layers. CONCLUSION: The tissue removed during standard microsurgical vessel
      preparation or vessel stripping is not the entire layer of the adventitia, and
      the inner adherent layer of adventitia with fine collagen fibers should be
      preserved and included in the microsuture with the intima and media during
      anastomosis.

PMID- 26277338
TI  - Reply: To PMID 26135812.

PMID- 26277339
TI  - Editorial Comment.

PMID- 26277340
TI  - The auxiliary subunits Neto1 and Neto2 have distinct, subunit-dependent effects
      at recombinant GluK1- and GluK2-containing kainate receptors.
AB  - The kainate-type of ionotropic glutamate receptors are assembled from a
      combination of five different pore-forming subunits (GluK1-5), which confer
      distinct functional and pharmacological properties. These receptors are also
      modulated by co-assembly with the auxiliary subunits Neto1 and Neto2. To
      determine the impact of variation in subunit composition on the functional
      interaction between kainate receptors and Neto subunits, the Neto subunits were
      combined with either GluK1 or GluK2 in HEK-293T cells and responses to glutamate
      examined through patch-clamp recordings. Co-expression of GluK1 with either Neto1
      or Neto2 caused a substantial increase in glutamate sensitivity and a slowing of
      the onset of desensitization at low agonist concentrations. However, at higher
      glutamate concentrations the primary effect of Neto2 was to slow the onset of
      desensitization, while that of Neto1 was to increase recovery from
      desensitization. In contrast, co-expression of Neto2 with GluK2 homomeric
      receptors had only modest effects on glutamate sensitivity, but increased the
      rate of recovery from desensitization as well as slowing its onset at all agonist
      concentrations. The properties of chimeric Neto1/Neto2 subunits suggested that
      the extracellular N-terminal region including the two CUB domains was largely
      responsible for the distinct regulatory effects of Neto1 and Neto2 on the
      desensitization properties of GluK1 homomeric receptors. These results further
      demonstrate that the functional effects of Neto subunits depend upon the subunit
      identity of both the auxiliary and the pore-forming subunits. 

PMID- 26277341
TI  - Upregulation of orexin receptor in paraventricular nucleus promotes sympathetic
      outflow in obese Zucker rats.
AB  - Sympathetic vasomotor tone is elevated in obesity-related hypertension. Orexin
      importantly regulates energy metabolism and autonomic function. We hypothesized
      that alteration of orexin receptor in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the
      hypothalamus leads to elevated sympathetic vasomotor tone in obesity. We used in
      vivo measurement of sympathetic vasomotor tone and microinjection into brain
      nucleus, whole-cell patch clamp recording in brain slices, and immunocytochemical
      staining in obese Zucker rats (OZRs) and lean Zucker rats (LZRs). Microinjection
      of orexin 1 receptor (OX1R) antagonist SB334867 into the PVN reduced basal
      arterial blood pressure (ABP) and renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) in
      anesthetized OZRs but not in LZRs. Microinjection of orexin A into the PVN
      produced greater increases in ABP and RSNA in OZRs than in LZRs. Western blot
      analysis revealed that OX1R expression levels in the PVN were significantly
      increased in OZRs compared with LZRs. OX1R immunoreactivity was positive in
      retrogradely labeled PVN-spinal neurons. The basal firing rate of labeled PVN
      spinal neurons was higher in OZRs than in LZRs. SB334867 decreased the basal
      firing activity of PVN-spinal neurons in OZRs but had no effect in LZRs. Orexin A
      induced a greater increase in the firing rate of PVN-spinal neurons in OZRs than
      in LZRs. In addition, orexin A induced larger currents in PVN-spinal neurons in
      OZRs than in LZRs. These data suggest that upregulation of OX1R in the PVN
      promotes hyperactivity of PVN presympathetic neurons and elevated sympathetic
      outflow in obesity. 

PMID- 26277343
TI  - Delayed facial palsy in Miller Fisher syndrome.
AB  - Miller Fisher syndrome is characterised by the triad of ophthalmoplegia, ataxia
      and areflexia. However, facial palsy can occur during the course of the illness
      although development of facial palsy when other cardinal signs of Miller Fisher
      syndrome have reached nadir or improving, is unusual. This delayed appearance of
      facial palsy can be easily overlooked by the treating clinician. Here, we report
      four patients with Miller Fisher syndrome and delayed-onset facial palsy. We
      discuss the possible underlying reasons behind the delay in facial palsy. 

PMID- 26277342
TI  - Dopaminergic and cholinergic regulation of Fyn tyrosine kinase phosphorylation in
      the rat striatum in vivo.
AB  - Src and Fyn are two Src family kinase (SFK) members that are expressed in
      mammalian brains and play important roles in the regulation of a variety of
      neuronal and synaptic substrates. Here we investigated the responsiveness of
      these SFKs to changing dopamine receptor signals in dopamine responsive regions
      of adult rat brains in vivo. Pharmacological activation of dopamine D1 receptors
      (D1Rs) by a systemic injection of the selective agonist SKF81297 increased
      phosphorylation of SFKs at a conserved and activation-associated
      autophosphorylation site (Y416) in the striatum, indicating activation of SFKs
      following SKF81297 injection. The dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) agonist quinpirole
      had no effect. Blockade of D1Rs with an antagonist SCH23390 did not alter
      striatal Y416 phosphorylation, while the D2R antagonist eticlopride elevated it.
      Between Src and Fyn, SKF81297 seemed to preferentially facilitate Fyn
      phosphorylation. Activation of muscarinic acetylcholine M4 receptors (M4Rs) with
      a positive allosteric modulator VU0152100 suppressed SFK Y416 responses to
      SKF81297. Additionally, SKF81297 induced a correlated increase in phosphorylation
      of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor GluN2B subunits at a Fyn site (Y1472),
      which was attenuated by VU0152100. SKF81297 also enhanced synaptic recruitments
      of active Fyn and GluN1/GluN2B-containing NMDA receptors. These data demonstrate
      that D1Rs regulate Fyn and downstream NMDA receptors in striatal neurons in vivo.
      Acetylcholine through activating M4Rs inhibits Fyn and NMDA receptors in their
      sensitivity to D1R signaling.

PMID- 26277344
TI  - Coronary events in obese hemodialysis patients before and after renal
      transplantation.
AB  - We examined the impact of obesity (BMI >=30 kg/m(2) , n = 357) on prognosis in
      1696 hemodialysis (HD) patients before and after renal transplantation (TX). End
      points were coronary events, composite cardiovascular (CV) events, and death.
      Obese HD patients were older (55.9 +/- 9.2 vs. 54.2 +/- 11), had more diabetes
      (54% vs. 40%), dyslipidemia (49% vs. 30%), altered myocardial scan (38% vs. 31%),
      myocardial infarction (MI) (16% vs. 10%), coronary intervention (11% vs. 7%),
      higher total cholesterol (186 +/- 52 vs. 169 +/- 47), and triglycerides (219 +/-
      167 vs. 144 +/- 91). Obese undergoing TX had more dyslipidemia (46% vs. 31%),
      angina (23% vs. 14%), MI (18% vs. 5%), increased total cholesterol (185 +/- 56
      vs. 172 +/- 48), and triglycerides (237 +/- 190 vs. 149 +/- 100). Obesity was
      independently associated with coronary events (log-rank = 0.008, HR 2.55% CI 1.27
      5.11) and death (log-rank 0.046, HR 1.52, % CI 1.007-2.30) in TX but not in HD.
      Obese HD patients had more risk factors and ischemic heart disease, but these
      characteristics did not interfere with prognosis. In TX patients, obesity
      predicts coronary events and death.

PMID- 26277345
TI  - The carriage of the serine-aspartate repeat protein-encoding sdr genes among
      Staphylococcus aureus lineages.
AB  - The serine-aspartate repeat proteins (Sdr) are members of a family of surface
      proteins and contribute to the pathogenicity of Staphylococcus aureus. Among 288
      S. aureus isolates including 158 and 130 associated with skin and soft tissue
      infections and bloodstream infection, respectively; 275 (95.5%) were positive for
      at least one of three sdr genes tested. The positivity rates for sdrC, sdrD, and
      sdrE among S. aureus isolates were 87.8% (253/288), 63.9% (184/288), and 68.1%
      (196/288), respectively. 224 (77.8%) of 288 isolates were concomitantly positive
      for two or three sdr genes. There was an association between carriage of sdrE and
      methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) isolates, while the carriage rates of sdrC
      and sdrD in MRSA isolates were similar to those in methicillin-sensitive S.
      aureus (MSSA) isolates. The prevalence of co-existence of sdrC and sdrE among
      MRSA isolates was significantly higher than that among MSSA isolates (p<0.05).
      All ST1, ST5, ST7, and ST25 isolates were positive for sdrD. While all ST121 and
      ST398 isolates were negative for sdrD. All ST59 and ST88 isolates were positive
      for sdrE. All ST1 isolates were concomitantly positive for sdrC and sdrD.
      Concomitant carriage of sdrC, sdrD, and sdrE was found among all ST5, 75.0%
      (9/12) of ST1, 69.2% (9/13) of ST6, 78.6% (11/14) of ST25, and 90.9% (20/22) of
      ST88 isolates. sdrD was linked to CC5, CC7 and CC88 isolates, especially CC88
      isolates. There was a strong association between the presence of sdrE and CC59,
      CC88, and CC5 isolates. A significant correlation between concomitant carriage of
      sdrC, sdrD, and sdrE and CC88 isolates was found. sdrC-positive, sdrD-positive
      and sdrE-negative gene profile was significantly associated with CC7 clone. There
      was an association between sdrC-positive, sdrD-negative, and sdrE-positive gene
      profile and CC59 isolates. A correlation between sdrC-positive, sdrD-negative,
      and sdrE-negative gene profile and CC121 clone was found. More CC59 isolates
      carried sdrC-negative, sdrD-negative, and sdrE-positive gene profile relative to
      other four CCs isolates. All ST1 and ST5, 95.2% (20/21) of ST188 and 95.2%
      (20/21) of ST630 isolates were positive for sdrC. Taken together, our
      investigation indicated that different S. aureus lineages were associated with
      specific patterns of carriage of sdr genes. 

PMID- 26277346
TI  - Thermal Effects and Structural Changes of Photosynthetic Reaction Centers
      Characterized by Wide Frequency Band Hydrophone: Effects of Carotenoids and
      Terbutryn.
AB  - Photothermal characteristics and light-induced structural (volume) changes of
      carotenoid-containing and noncontaining photosynthetic reaction centers (RCs)
      were investigated by wide frequency band hydrophone. We found that the presence
      of carotenoid either does not play considerable role in the light-induced
      conformational movements, or these rearrangements are too slow for inducing a
      photoacoustic (PA) signal. The kinetic component with a few tens of microseconds,
      exhibited by the carotenoid-less RCs, appears to be similar to that of triplet
      state lifetimes, identified by other methods. The binding of terbutryn to the
      acceptor side is shown to affect the dynamics of the RC. Our results do not
      confirm large displacements or volume changes induced by the charge movements and
      by the charge relaxation processes in the RCs in few hundreds of microseconds
      time scale that accompanies the electron transfer between the primary and
      secondary electron acceptor quinones. 

PMID- 26277347
TI  - Biodegradation of benzalkonium chlorides singly and in mixtures by a Pseudomonas
      sp. isolated from returned activated sludge.
AB  - Bactericidal cationic surfactants such as quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs)
      are widely detected in the environment, and found at mg kg(-1) concentrations in
      biosolids. Although individual QACs are amenable to biodegradation, it is
      possible that persistence is increased for mixtures of QACs with varying
      structure. The present study evaluated the biodegradation of benzyl dimethyl
      dodecyl ammonium chloride (BDDA) singly and in the presence of benzyl dimethyl
      tetradecyl ammonium chloride (BDTA) using Pseudomonas sp., isolated from returned
      activated sludge. Growth was evaluated, as was biodegradation using (14)C and
      HPLC-MS methods. BDTA was more toxic to growth of Pseudomonas sp. compared to
      BDDA, and BDTA inhibited BDDA biodegradation. The benzyl ring of [U-(14)C-benzyl]
      BDDA was readily and completely mineralized. The detection of the transformation
      products benzyl methyl amine and dodecyl dimethyl amine in spent culture liquid
      was consistent with literature. Overall, this study demonstrates the antagonistic
      effect of interactions on biodegradation of two widely used QACs suggesting
      further investigation on the degradation of mixture of QACs in wastewater
      effluents and biosolids.

PMID- 26277348
TI  - Signs of stress on soft surfaces : A commentary on: Cui, Y., F.M. Hameed, B.
      Yang, K. Lee, C.Q. Pan, S. Park, and M. Sheetz. 2015. Cyclic stretching of soft
      substrates induces spreading and growth. Nat Commun. 6:6333.
AB  - Cells experience mechanical stimuli during growth and differentiation and
      transduce these stimuli into biochemical signals that in turn regulate cell
      responses to the imposed forces. Reduced spreading and impaired stress fiber
      formation are indicators of the mechano-response to growth on soft elastic
      culture substrates. However, Cui and coworkers demonstrate that cell spreading
      and stress fiber formation on soft substrates is possible if simultaneous cyclic
      stretching compensates for the lack of substrate stiffness-induced cell stress.
      The stress(ed) response is dependent on cyclic stretch amplitude and frequency
      and, at least in part, mediated by myocardin related transcription factor A (MRTF
      A) and Yes-associated protein (YAP). The study thus provides novel insight into
      the mechanisms of cell mechanosensing and how materials can be designed to mimic
      mechanical conditions of body tissues. 

PMID- 26277349
TI  - Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw: Basic and Translational Science
      Updates.
AB  - In the late 1990s and the early 2000s, bisphosphonates had become the clinical
      pillar of excellence for treating metabolic bone disease, and thus their
      connection with osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) caused significant concern. Over
      the past decade, progress has been made in understanding what is now referred to
      as medication-related ONJ (MRONJ), because of its connections to agents other
      than bisphosphonates, although in many respects the progress has been slow. This
      review highlights the key basic science and translational (animal) studies in the
      area of MRONJ and suggests areas of focus as the field moves into the next
      decade. 

PMID- 26277350
TI  - EMF radiations (1800 MHz)-inhibited early seedling growth of maize (Zea mays)
      involves alterations in starch and sucrose metabolism.
AB  - The present study investigated the impact of 1800-MHz electromagnetic field
      radiations (EMF-r), widely used in mobile communication, on the growth and
      activity of starch-, sucrose-, and phosphate-hydrolyzing enzymes in Zea mays
      seedlings. We exposed Z. mays to modulated continuous wave homogenous EMF-r at
      specific absorption rate (SAR) of 1.69+/-0.0 * 10(-1) W kg(-1) for 1/2, 1, 2, and
      4 h. The analysis of seedlings after 7 days revealed that short-term exposure did
      not induce any significant change, while longer exposure of 4 h caused
      significant growth and biochemical alterations. There was a reduction in the root
      and coleoptile length with more pronounced effect on coleoptile growth (23 %
      reduction on 4-h exposure). The contents of photosynthetic pigments and total
      carbohydrates declined by 13 and 18 %, respectively, in 4-h exposure treatments
      compared to unexposed control. The activity of starch-hydrolyzing enzymes-alpha-
      and beta-amylases-increased by ~92 and 94 %, respectively, at an exposure
      duration of 4 h, over that in the control. In response to 4-h exposure treatment,
      the activity of sucrolytic enzymes-acid invertases and alkaline invertases-was
      increased by 88 and 266 %, whereas the specific activities of phosphohydrolytic
      enzymes (acid phosphatases and alkaline phosphatases) showed initial increase up
      to <=2 h duration and then declined at >2 h exposure duration. The study
      concludes that EMF-r-inhibited seedling growth of Z. mays involves interference
      with starch and sucrose metabolism. 

PMID- 26277351
TI  - Apoptosis and necrosis during the circadian cycle in the centipede midgut.
AB  - Three types of cells have been distinguished in the midgut epithelium of two
      centipedes, Lithobius forficatus and Scolopendra cingulata: digestive, secretory,
      and regenerative cells. According to the results of our previous studies, we
      decided to analyze the relationship between apoptosis and necrosis in their
      midgut epithelium and circadian rhythms. Ultrastructural analysis showed that
      these processes proceed in a continuous manner that is independent of the
      circadian rhythm in L. forficatus, while in S. cingulata necrosis is activated at
      midnight. Additionally, the description of apoptosis and necrosis showed no
      differences between males and females of both species analyzed. At the beginning
      of apoptosis, the cell cytoplasm becomes electron-dense, apparently in response
      to shrinkage of the cell. Organelles such as the mitochondria, cisterns of
      endoplasmic reticulum transform and degenerate. Nuclei gradually assume lobular
      shapes before the apoptotic cell is discharged into the midgut lumen. During
      necrosis, however, the cytoplasm of the cell becomes electron-lucent, and the
      number of organelles decreases. While the digestive cells of about 10 % of L.
      forficatus contain rickettsia-like pathogens, the corresponding cells in S.
      cingulata are free of rickettsia. As a result, we can state that apoptosis in L.
      forficatus is presumably responsible for protecting the organism against
      infections, while in S. cingulata apoptosis is not associated with the
      elimination of pathogens. Necrosis is attributed to mechanical damage, and the
      activation of this process coincides with proliferation of the midgut
      regenerative cells at midnight in S. cingulata. 

PMID- 26277353
TI  - Pollen and microsporangium development in Hovenia dulcis (Rhamnaceae): a
      different type of tapetal cell ultrastructure.
AB  - Despite that there is some literature on pollen morphology of Rhamnaceae, studies
      addressing general aspects of the microsporogenesis, microgametogenesis, and
      anther development are rare. The aim of this paper is to describe the
      ultrastructure of pollen grain ontogeny with special attention to tapetum
      cytology in Hovenia dulcis. Anthers at different stages of development were
      processed for transmission and scanning electron microscopy, bright-field
      microscopy, and fluorescence microscopy. Different histochemical reactions were
      carried out. The ultrastructural changes observed during the development of the
      tapetal cells and pollen grains are described. Large vesicles containing
      carbohydrates occur in the tapetal cell cytoplasm during the early stages of
      pollen development. Its origin and composition are described and discussed. This
      is the first report on the ontogeny and ultrastructure of the pollen grain and
      related sporophytic structures of H. dulcis. 

PMID- 26277352
TI  - Cytological characterization of anther development in Panax ginseng Meyer.
AB  - Ginseng (Panax ginseng), a valued medicinal herb, is a slow-growing plant that
      flowers after 3 years of growth with the formation of a solitary terminal umbel
      inflorescence. However, little is known about cytological events during ginseng
      reproduction, such as the development of the male organ, the stamen. To better
      understand the mechanism controlling ginseng male reproductive development, here,
      we investigated the inflorescence and flower structure of ginseng. Moreover, we
      performed cytological analysis of anther morphogenesis and showed the common and
      specialized cytological events including the formation of four concentric cell
      layers surrounding male reproductive cells followed by subsequent cell
      differentiation and degeneration of tapetal cells, as well as the formation of
      mature pollen grains via meiosis and mitosis during ginseng anther development.
      Particularly, our transverse section and microscopic observations showed that the
      ginseng tapetal layer exhibits obvious nonsynchronous cell division evidenced by
      the observation of one or two tapetal layers frequently observed in one anther
      lobe, suggesting the unique control of cell division. To facilitate the future
      study on ginseng male reproduction, we grouped the anther development into 10
      developmental stages according to the characterized cytological events. 

PMID- 26277354
TI  - Depressive symptomatology in patients with metabolic syndrome: A cross-sectional
      study of stable coronary artery disease patients.

PMID- 26277355
TI  - Randomized Prospective Clinical Trial Comparing Room Temperature and Warmed
      Intravenous Fluid Boluses on Pediatric Patients' Comfort.
AB  - A common complaint among pediatric patients receiving an intravenous (IV) fluid
      bolus is that their arm feels cold and uncomfortable. The purpose of this study
      is to test if administering warmed IV fluids, as compared to room temperature IV
      fluids, results in increased comfort among pediatric patients seeking care in an
      emergency department. A blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted and 126
      pediatric patients were enrolled. Each patient's overall comfort, arm comfort,
      and arm temperature were measured prior to IV fluid administration, 15 minutes
      after the beginning of the infusion, and at the end of the 60-minute infusion.
      After the first 15 minutes of IV fluid administration, the patients who received
      warmed IV fluids reported higher comfort than the patients who received room
      temperature IV fluids, t(118)=2.04, p=0.04. Additionally, patients who received
      the room temperature IV fluids reported that their arms felt cooler than patients
      who received the warmed fluids, t(118)=3.25, p=0.0015. Warming IV fluids has the
      potential to improve the experience of IV bolus administration for pediatric
      patients.

PMID- 26277356
TI  - Ghrelin Inhibits Interleukin-6 Production Induced by Cigarette Smoke Extract in
      the Bronchial Epithelial Cell Via NF-kappaB Pathway.
AB  - Cigarette smoke (CS)-induced airway inflammation is the main pathogenesis of
      COPD. The present study was designed to evaluate whether ghrelin, a novel growth
      hormone-releasing peptide, can affect the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6
      (IL-6) production induced by cigarette smoke extract (CSE) in the human bronchial
      epithelial cell line (16-HBE) and its possible mechanism. 16-HBE cells were pre
      incubated with vehicle or ghrelin (0.1 to 1000 ng/mL) in a concentration
      dependent manner, and then CSE (0 to 16 %) was added. The protein levels of IL-6
      in the medium were determined by ELISA, and the mRNA expressions of IL-6 was
      detected by RT-PCR. We also detected the phosphorylation of IKKalpha/beta/p65
      protein and the degradation of inhibitory protein-kappaB (I-kappaB) by Western
      blot analysis. And the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in 16-HBE was
      evaluated by labeling specific fluorescence probes DCFH-DA. 16-HBE Cells treated
      with CSE (8 %) exhibited significantly higher IL-6 production compared with cells
      treated with vehicle alone (P < 0.05). Ghrelin suppressed CSE-induced IL-6
      production at both mRNA and protein levels in a concentration-dependent manner (P
      < 0.05). Moreover, ghrelin attenuated CSE-triggered NF-kappaB activation in 16
      HBE, but the intracellular ROS level after application of CSE was not affected by
      ghrelin (0.1 to 1000 ng/mL). Together, these results suggest that ghrelin
      inhibits CSE-induced IL-6 production in 16-HBE cells by targeting on NF-kappaB
      pathway, but not by scavenging intracellular ROS. 

PMID- 26277357
TI  - Silencing Triggering Receptors Expressed on Myeloid Cells-1 Impaired the
      Inflammatory Response to Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein in Macrophages.
AB  - Atherosclerosis is a chronic progressive inflammatory disease characterized by
      the accumulation of lipid contents in arterial walls. Previous studies suggest
      participation of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in lipid deposition and inflammatory
      response in vascular wall. The triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1
      (TREM-1) is a cell surface receptor of the immunoglobulin superfamily, which
      amplifies signal transduction of TLR pathway and enhances immune response to
      microbial infections. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect
      of the oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) on the expression of the TREM-1,
      as well as its engagement in proinflammatory cytokine production and foam cell
      formation in RAW264.7 mice macrophages. oxLDL enhanced TREM-1 and TLR-4, but not
      TLR-2 gene expression in macrophages; furthermore, silencing TREM-1 expression by
      short hairpin interfering RNA inhibited lipid phagocytosis and proinflammatory
      tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) as well as interleukin-6 (IL-6)
      production in macrophages; moreover, application of synthetic antagonist, LP-17
      polypeptide, reduced IL-6 production upon oxLDL stimulation in vitro and in vivo.
      In conclusion, in macrophages, oxLDL enhanced expression of TREM-1, which
      amplifies the innate immune response of TLR pathway; activation of TREM-1
      contributes to atherogenesis process by enhancing proinflammatory cytokine
      production and foam cell formation. 

PMID- 26277358
TI  - Optic pathway glioma in children: does visual deficit correlate with radiology in
      focal exophytic lesions?
AB  - PURPOSE: Unlike pilocytic astrocytomas in other parts of the brain, optic pathway
      gliomas (OPG) are usually diffuse lesions involving the anterior optic pathways
      and hypothalamus. Their infiltrative nature often precludes complete surgical
      resection. We sought to determine whether careful magnetic resonance (MR)
      analysis, correlated with visual deficits, could be sufficient to identify those
      focal lesions that may be amenable to more aggressive surgical resection at
      presentation. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of
      patients from two sites: children under 20 years of age treated for OPG between
      1985 and 2009 at St Jude's Children's Research Hospital and children under 16
      years of age treated at Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK, between 1984
      and 2011. Patients with isolated optic nerve tumors were excluded. Visual acuity
      and visual field data at presentation were reviewed and correlated with MR
      characteristics, including extent of optic pathway involvement, symmetry, and
      lateral extension. RESULTS: Two hundred and one children were treated for OPG
      between 1984 and 2011 in the two institutions; 74 had neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1).
      At presentation, visual loss was symmetrical in 132 patients and asymmetrical in
      69. Potential correlation between pattern of visual loss and tumor
      characteristics on routine MRI was found in only 13 patients with asymmetrical
      vision. There was no difference between patients with and without NF1.
      CONCLUSION: The decision for aggressive surgical resection for optic pathway
      gliomas should be based on clinical criteria, particularly in children with good
      vision in one eye and poor vision in the other, as current MRI results do not
      reliably predict visual field deficits.

PMID- 26277359
TI  - Familial moyamoya disease in two Turkish siblings with same polymorphism in
      RNF213 gene but different clinical features.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Moyamoya disease is an uncommon, progressive, and occlusive
      cerebrovascular disorder, predominantly affecting the terminal segment of the
      internal carotid arteries and its main branches. This occlusion results at the
      formation of a compensatory collateral arterial network (moyamoya vessels)
      developing at the base of the brain. The c.14576G>A variant in ring finger
      protein 213 (RNF213) was recently reported as a susceptibility gene for moyamoya
      disease. METHODS: We describe two Turkish pediatric siblings with moyamoya
      disease born to consanguineous, unaffected Turkish parents. RESULTS: The first
      patient (proband) is a 2-year-old boy who presented with afebrile focal seizures,
      moderate psychomotor retardation, paresis in the left upper and lower extremity,
      multiple infarctions of the brain, stenosis of the bilateral internal carotid
      artery and the middle cerebral artery, and stenosis of the right posterior
      cerebral artery. The second patient is a 10-year-old girl who is an elder sister
      of proband. She showed normal psychomotor development, millimetric signal
      enhancement without diffusion limitation of the brain, and stenosis of the
      bilateral internal carotid artery. CONCLUSION: We herein report pediatric sibling
      patients of moyamoya disease who have homozygous wild-type c.14576G>A variant in
      RNF213, showing different clinical course and disease severity. This is the first
      report of pediatric siblings with moyamoya disease from Turkey validating the
      genetic background of most frequent variant in East Asian patients with moyamoya
      disease.

PMID- 26277360
TI  - Syringomyelia following surgery for a spontaneous spinal subdural hematoma in a
      13-year-old girl with congenital von Willebrand disease: case report and
      literature review.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE: Spontaneous spinal subdural hematomas are rare. Their
      occurrence in a child with congenital von Willebrand disease and the complication
      of their surgery by a large secondary syringomyelia have never been previously
      reported. CASE PRESENTATION: A 13-year-old girl with congenital von Willebrand
      disease presented to our emergency department in January 2011 for sudden onset of
      severe back pain centered in her thoracic spine rapidly aggravated by signs of
      acute myelopathy without any precipitating factor. MRI scan revealed a thoracic
      subdural collection anterior to the spinal cord at the T7-T9 level, hyperintense
      on T1- and T2-weighted sequences consistent with an acute spinal subdural
      hemorrhage. Evacuation of the subdural hematoma was realized immediately after
      hemostasis parameter correction, and post-operative course was uneventful with
      full functional recovery. One year later, the patient presented once again but
      with progressive and more severe myelopathy caused by a large syringomyelia
      extending from the T5 level to the conus medullaris. A syringopleural shunting
      was performed and the patient was unrolled under an intensive care and
      rehabilitation program. Her condition remarkably improved and she became able to
      walk independently within 2 weeks post-operatively. CONCLUSIONS: von Willebrand
      disease should be included as a possible factor of spontaneous spinal subdural
      hemorrhage. Surgery is advised in emergency and can be associated with remarkable
      recovery especially in children. Delayed syringomyelia can complicate the post
      operative course and can be successfully addressed by syringopleural shunting.
      Long-term clinical and radiological follow-up is advocated.

PMID- 26277361
TI  - Changing contraindications for t-PA in acute stroke: review of 20 years since
      NINDS.
AB  - When intravenous (IV) tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) was originally
      approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for acute ischemic stroke
      (AIS) in 1996, there was a lengthy list of contraindications. In the 19 years
      since the approval of t-PA for AIS, it has been used off label and in patients
      with those contraindications. In February 2015, the list of contraindications for
      IV t-PA in AIS was revised and several of the previous contraindications were
      removed. As only 4 % of patients with ischemic stroke receive treatment with IV t
      PA, these changes increase the number of patients eligible for treatment. Anytime
      there is a significant change in the indications and treatment paradigm with a
      medication, there can be some resistance to the adaptation of the change into
      physician's treating habits. We seek to review what the changes to t-PA
      contraindications are, how they came about, as well as the literature on the
      previously off-label and currently off-label use of IV t-PA for patients with
      AIS.

PMID- 26277363
TI  - Optimal treatment of extracranial carotid artery disease: carotid endarterectomy,
      carotid stenting, or optimal medical therapy.
AB  - The optimal treatment of extracranial carotid artery disease is more
      controversial for asymptomatic than for symptomatic patients. Early trials
      comparing carotid endarterectomy to medical therapy alone demonstrated clear
      benefit of surgery in both symptomatic and asymptomatic populations. However,
      some believe that advances in medical therapy now lead to similar outcomes with
      optimal medical therapy alone and revascularization in asymptomatic patients. The
      role of carotid stenting is heavily debated, and the evidence base comparing
      carotid stenting to endarterectomy is limited primarily by inadequate operator
      experience as well as paucity of data in high surgical risk patients. A useful
      clinical approach to carotid bifurcation disease is to categorize patients by
      symptomatic status and revascularization risk. For symptomatic patients,
      revascularization should be favored over medical therapy alone. For asymptomatic
      patients, medical therapy alone might be considered, particularly for patients at
      high risk of revascularization and with anticipated survival <3-5 years. 

PMID- 26277362
TI  - Management of depression after myocardial infarction.
AB  - Depression in patients who have had a myocardial infarction is an important
      clinical problem because it is extremely common and because the comorbidity
      complicates depression treatment and worsens the cardiovascular prognosis.
      Studies of psychotherapy, exercise, pharmacotherapy, and collaborative care
      demonstrate that effective treatment of depression is possible but the strength
      of the effects seen in most studies is low, and cardiovascular and all-cause
      morbidity and mortality benefits have not been proven. Recent collaborative care
      studies have had promising outcomes. For pharmacotherapy, side effects, including
      bleeding and arrhythmia risks, require special attention. Recovery from
      depression is associated with better long-term cardiovascular prognosis, while
      treatment per se is not. 

PMID- 26277364
TI  - Stroke: advances in medical therapy and acute stroke intervention.
AB  - Evidence-based therapeutic options for stroke continue to emerge based on results
      from well-designed clinical studies. Ischemic stroke far exceeds hemorrhagic
      stroke in terms of prevalence and incidence, both in the USA and worldwide. The
      public health effect of reducing death and disability related to ischemic stroke
      justifies the resources that have been invested in identifying safe and effective
      treatments. The emergence of novel oral anticoagulants for ischemic stroke
      prevention in atrial fibrillation has introduced complexity to clinical decision
      making for patients with this common cardiac arrhythmia. Some accepted ischemic
      stroke preventative strategies, such as carotid revascularization for
      asymptomatic carotid stenosis, require reassessment, given advances in risk
      factor management, antithrombotic therapy, and surgical techniques. Intra
      arterial therapy, particularly with stent retrievers after intravenous tissue
      plasminogen activator, has recently been demonstrated to improve functional
      outcomes and will require investment in system-based care models to ensure that
      effective treatments are received by patients in a timely fashion. The purpose of
      this review is to describe recent advances in medical and surgical approaches to
      ischemic stroke prevention and acute treatment. Results from recently published
      clinical trials will be highlighted along with ongoing clinical trials addressing
      key questions in ischemic stroke management and prevention where equipoise
      remains. 

PMID- 26277365
TI  - Can a closed carotid artery be reopened?
AB  - Carotid occlusion is a disease that presents a difficult decision for the
      treating provider. Traditionally, many providers would opt for expectant
      management with risk factor reduction and supportive therapy. There is a growing
      body of literature however pointing to possible improved outcomes of more
      aggressive treatments, including reopening of the occluded carotid. In this
      review, we discuss the difficulties involved in diagnosing a patient presenting
      with symptomatic carotid occlusion, the natural history of the disease, and the
      emerging treatment options and paradigms of different institutions based on
      recent literature. 

PMID- 26277366
TI  - Intra-arterial thrombectomy: does invasive treatment lead to better outcomes than
      intravenous thrombolysis alone?
AB  - Intravenous thrombolysis is considered to be standard of care for acute ischemic
      stroke patients arriving within 3-4.5 h of stroke symptom onset. Recently,
      endovascular therapies have been proposed to extend and enhance stroke outcomes
      by targeting large vessel occlusions. Different radiologic methods, time windows,
      and treatment tools have delineated differences between trials. Overall,
      intravenous thrombolysis remains the treatment of choice for all acute ischemic
      stroke patients, with a small subset benefiting from additional endovascular
      therapy. Endovascular therapy remains a viable singular option for patients with
      large vessel occlusion unable to receive thrombolysis. 

PMID- 26277368
TI  - Sudden infant death due to Lactococcal infective endocarditis.
AB  - Infective endocarditis (IE) of infants is rare, most of which occur associated
      with congenital heart disease or its cardiac surgery. We experienced a case of
      sudden death of a four-month-old male infant without congenital heart disease. It
      was elucidated by postmortem examination that the dead had suffered severe IE,
      which led him to death. In the microbiological genetic analysis using
      histological section, the pathogen causing inflammation in the present case was
      identified as Lactococcus lactis subspecies, although Staphylococci have been
      reported to be common and important one. Previously reported infectious diseases
      by Lactococcus lactis subspecies were all adult cases and this is the first
      report of an infantile death due to Lactococcal IE according to our knowledge.
      Any fatal disease may be included in sudden death cases targeted for forensic
      autopsy, even if it is rare. It is expected for forensic pathologists that they
      note such case and share each experience among themselves and other medical
      fields to develop a strategy for prevention. 

PMID- 26277367
TI  - Depression in people with coronary heart disease: prognostic significance and
      mechanisms.
AB  - Depression affects about 40 % of people with coronary heart disease (CHD). This
      group with depression and CHD have increased mortality and morbidity, worse
      health-related quality of life, use health services more frequently and
      consequently cost the health service and the national economy considerably more
      than their non-depressed counterparts. A number of characteristics of depression
      and plausible mechanisms have been proposed to explain this observed association,
      which could lead to improved understanding of the association and lead to new
      interventions to improve cardiac outcomes. This review summarises the evidence
      linking depression with worse cardiac outcomes, considers specific aspects of
      depression which may predict worse outcomes and reviews the mechanisms that could
      potentially explain the direct or indirect association of depression with
      coronary outcomes. 

PMID- 26277369
TI  - An assessment of the relevance of the home neighbourhood for understanding
      environmental influences on physical activity: how far from home do people roam?
AB  - BACKGROUND: The choice of geographical unit of analysis in studies of the built
      environment and physical activity has typically been restricted to the home
      neighbourhood where only a small proportion of physical activity may actually be
      undertaken. This study aimed to examine the distance from home at which physical
      activity takes place and how this varies by personal and neighbourhood
      characteristics. METHODS: A cross-sectional, population based study of 195 people
      in the North West region of England, aged 18 to 91 years, clustered in 60
      localities (small geographical areas of ~125 households). Individual socio
      demographic data were collected by computer-aided personal interviews and
      physical activity was characterised by accelerometer and Global Positioning
      System (GPS) data. The locations of periods of light, moderate and vigorous
      intensity physical activity (LMVPA) undertaken outdoors were linked to measures
      of the neighbourhood around the home and distance from home. RESULTS: Sixty per
      cent of outdoors LMVPA took place outside of the proximal home neighbourhood (800
      m buffer). Distances from home where median levels of LMVPA were undertaken
      varied by gender (p < 0.05), home location, area deprivation, and car ownership
      (all p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Objectively measured physical activity appears to
      vary appreciably by participant characteristics and home location, although for
      many settings a large proportion is undertaken outside of the home neighbourhood,
      suggesting the characterisation of neighbourhoods close to home will fail to
      properly capture the environmental influences on physical activity.

PMID- 26277370
TI  - Clarifying hierarchical age-period-cohort models: A rejoinder to Bell and Jones.
AB  - Previously, Reither et al. (2015) demonstrated that hierarchical age-period
      cohort (HAPC) models perform well when basic assumptions are satisfied. To
      contest this finding, Bell and Jones (2015) invent a data generating process
      (DGP) that borrows age, period and cohort effects from different equations in
      Reither et al. (2015). When HAPC models applied to data simulated from this DGP
      fail to recover the patterning of APC effects, B&J reiterate their view that
      these models provide "misleading evidence dressed up as science." Despite such
      strong words, B&J show no curiosity about their own simulated data--and therefore
      once again misapply HAPC models to data that violate important assumptions. In
      this response, we illustrate how a careful analyst could have used simple
      descriptive plots and model selection statistics to verify that (a) period
      effects are not present in these data, and (b) age and cohort effects are
      conflated. By accounting for the characteristics of B&J's artificial data
      structure, we successfully recover the "true" DGP through an appropriately
      specified model. We conclude that B&Js main contribution to science is to remind
      analysts that APC models will fail in the presence of exact algebraic effects
      (i.e., effects with no random/stochastic components), and when collinear temporal
      dimensions are included without taking special care in the modeling process. The
      expanded list of coauthors on this commentary represents an emerging consensus
      among APC scholars that B&J's essential strategy--testing HAPC models with data
      simulated from contrived DGPs that violate important assumptions--is not a
      productive way to advance the discussion about innovative APC methods in
      epidemiology and the social sciences.

PMID- 26277371
TI  - Supercritical fluid precipitation of ketoprofen in novel structured lipid
      carriers for enhanced mucosal delivery--a comparison with solid lipid particles.
AB  - Structured lipid carriers based on mixture of solid lipids with liquid lipids are
      the second generation of solid lipid particles, offering the advantage of
      improved drug loading capacity and higher storage stability. In this study,
      structured lipid carriers were successfully prepared for the first time by
      precipitation from gas saturated solutions. Glyceryl monooleate (GMO), a liquid
      glycerolipid, was selected in this work to be incorporated into three solid
      glycerolipids with hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) ranging from 1 to 13,
      namely Gelucire 43/01TM, GeleolTM and Gelucire 50/13TM. In general,
      microparticles with a irregular porous morphology and a wide particle size
      distribution were obtained. The HLB of the individual glycerolipids might be a
      relevant parameter to take into account during the processing of solid:liquid
      lipid blends. As expected, the addition of a liquid lipid into a solid lipid
      matrix led to increased stability of the lipid carriers, with no significant
      modifications in their melting enthalpy after 6 months of storage. Additionally,
      Gelucire 43/01TM:GMO particles were produced with different mass ratios and
      loaded with ketoprofen. The drug loading capacity of the structured lipid
      carriers increased as the GMO content in the particles increased, achieving a
      maximum encapsulation efficiency of 97% for the 3:1 mass ratio. Moreover,
      structured lipid carriers presented an immediate release of ketoprofen from its
      matrix with higher permeation through a mucous-membrane model, while solid lipid
      particles present a controlled release of the drug with less permeation capacity.

PMID- 26277372
TI  - TET2 expression level and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine are decreased in refractory
      cytopenia of childhood.
AB  - Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are myeloid malignancies characterized by
      ineffective hematopoiesis, dysplasia, peripheral cytopenia and increased risk of
      progression to acute myeloid leukemia. Refractory cytopenia of childhood (RCC) is
      the most common subtype of pediatric MDS and has overlapping clinical features
      with viral infections and autoimmune disorders. Mutations in TET2 gene are found
      in about 20-25% of adult MDS and are associated with a decrease in 5
      hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC) content. TET2 deregulation and its malignant
      potential were reported in adult but not in pediatric MDS. We evaluated the gene
      expression and the presence of mutations in TET2 gene in 19 patients with RCC.
      TET2 expression level was correlated with 5-hmC amount in DNA and possible
      regulatory epigenetic mechanisms. One out of 19 pediatric patients with RCC was a
      carrier of a TET2 mutation. TET2 expression and 5-hmC levels were decreased in
      patients when compared to a disease-free group. Lower expression was not
      associated to the presence of mutation or with the status of promoter
      methylation, but a significant correlation with microRNA-22 expression was found.
      These findings suggested that TET2 downregulation and low levels of 5-hmC are
      inversely related to miR-22 expression. The existence of a regulatory loop
      between microRNA-22 and TET2 may play a role in MDS pathogenesis. 

PMID- 26277373
TI  - Endoscopic Full-Thickness Resection of an Inverted Colonic Diverticulum With
      Intraepithelial Neoplasia Using the Ligate-and-Let-Go Technique.

PMID- 26277374
TI  - Development and validation of a novel tool for assessing pitch discrimination.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To develop and validate a tool for pitch discrimination that can be
      easily applied in otolaryngology clinics. METHODS: Twenty healthy subjects
      performed three psychoacoustic tasks for assessing pitch discrimination
      thresholds, which were compared among the three tasks. In the pitch direction
      discrimination (PDirD) task, the subjects judged the pitch of two tones as higher
      or lower. In the pitch difference discrimination (PDiffD) task, the subjects
      judged the pitch of two tones as same or different. In the pitch pattern
      detection (PPD) task, the subjects judged the pattern of a tone complex. Using
      tone sets from level 0 to level 8, pitch thresholds were determined using the
      Parameter Estimation by Sequential Testing (PEST) staircase procedure. The tasks
      were performed without prior training. RESULTS: Every test was performed twice
      for each ear, and the better results were adopted as the threshold values. The
      PDirD thresholds varied considerably among the subjects and showed significantly
      larger deviations relative to those of the PPD thresholds. The number of below 0
      thresholds, which are considered inadequate results, was significantly larger in
      the PDiffD task. In the PPD task, all thresholds except one were above level 6.
      The average total time taken to complete the PPD task was 7.7min, which was
      significantly lesser than that taken to complete the other two tasks. CONCLUSION:
      The results of our study suggest that the PPD task is a reliable and easily
      available tool for the assessment of pitch discrimination.

PMID- 26277375
TI  - Hearing loss in postmenopausal women with low bone mineral density.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Several studies suggested the possible relationship between decreased
      bone mineral density (BMD) of the temporal bone and hearing loss, primarily of
      the sensorineural type. The aim of the present study is to determine the
      relationship between BMD and hearing loss and to evaluate the systemic Ca(2+) and
      vitamin D status with relation to hearing sensitivity in the postmenopausal women
      who were diagnosed with primary osteoporosis. METHODS: The study involved a total
      of 324 patients who were referred between 2008 and 2013. Based on BMD scores, the
      subjects were divided into three groups: normal BMD (n=102), osteopenia (n=106)
      and osteoporosis (n=116). Hearing sensitivity was evaluated with audiometric
      tests along with serum Ca(2+) and vitamin D level. RESULTS: The age distribution
      among 3 groups was similar. Mean serum Ca(2+), phosphate, 25(OH)D and creatinine
      clearance were within the standard laboratory reference ranges in all patients.
      There was no difference in the proportion of vitamin D deficiency among groups.
      The typical type of hearing loss was sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and the
      patients with reduced BMD showed higher prevalence of SNHL than the patients with
      normal BMD. Pure-tone thresholds average was significantly higher in all
      frequencies in women with osteopenia/osteoporosis than women with normal BMD.
      Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that age and lumbar BMD were
      associated with the presence of hearing loss (>25dB). CONCLUSION: Our findings
      suggest that the presence of decreased BMD in postmenopausal women might be
      associated with the higher prevalence of age-related SNHL.

PMID- 26277376
TI  - Rapid-scan coherence signals in X-band EPR spectra of semiquinones with small
      hyperfine splittings.
AB  - Rapid-scan EPR signals for semiquinones with very-small well-resolved hyperfine
      splittings exhibit coherence signals at a time after passing through the EPR line
      that is proportional to the reciprocal of the hyperfine splitting. Such
      coherences are a general phenomenon due to constructive interference of the
      responses to transient excitation of spins by rapid scan of the magnetic field
      across equally spaced spin packets. Examples are shown for 2,3,5,6-tetramethoxy
      1,4-benzosemiquinone with aH=46 mG for 12 protons and for 2,5-di-t-butyl-1,4
      benzosemiquinone with aH=59 mG for 18 protons.

PMID- 26277377
TI  - Degree of bioresorbable vascular scaffold expansion modulates loss of essential
      function.
AB  - Drug-eluting bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BVSs) have the potential to
      restore lumen patency, enable recovery of the native vascular environment, and
      circumvent late complications associated with permanent endovascular devices. To
      ensure therapeutic effects persist for sufficient times prior to scaffold
      resorption and resultant functional loss, many factors dictating BVS performance
      must be identified, characterized and optimized. While some factors relate to BVS
      design and manufacturing, others depend on device deployment and intrinsic
      vascular properties. Importantly, these factors interact and cannot be considered
      in isolation. The objective of this study is to quantify the extent to which
      degree of radial expansion modulates BVS performance, specifically in the context
      of modifying device erosion kinetics and evolution of structural mechanics and
      local drug elution. We systematically varied degree of radial expansion in model
      BVS constructs composed of poly dl-lactide-glycolide and generated in vitro
      metrics of device microstructure, degradation, erosion, mechanics and drug
      release. Experimental data permitted development of computational models that
      predicted transient concentrations of scaffold-derived soluble species and drug
      in the arterial wall, thus enabling speculation on the short- and long-term
      effects of differential expansion. We demonstrate that degree of expansion
      significantly affects scaffold properties critical to functionality, underscoring
      its relevance in BVS design and optimization. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE:
      Bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS) therapy is beginning to transform the
      treatment of obstructive artery disease, owing to effective treatment of short
      term vessel closure while avoiding long term consequences such as in situ, late
      stent thrombosis - a fatal event associated with permanent implants such as drug
      eluting stents. As device scaffolding and drug elution are temporary for BVS, the
      notion of using this therapy in lieu of existing, clinically approved devices
      seems attractive. However, there is still a limited understanding regarding the
      optimal lifetime and performance characteristics of erodible endovascular
      implants. Several engineering criteria must be met and clinical endpoints
      confirmed to ensure these devices are both safe and effective. In this
      manuscript, we sought to establish general principles for the design and
      deployment of erodible, drug-eluting endovascular scaffolds, with focus on how
      differential expansion can modulate device performance.

PMID- 26277378
TI  - Highly adjustable biomaterial networks from three-armed biodegradable macromers.
AB  - Biocompatible material platforms with adjustable properties and option for
      chemical modification are warranted for site-specific biomedical applications. To
      this end, three-armed biodegradable macromers of well-defined chemical
      characteristics were prepared from trivalent alcohols with different degrees of
      ethoxylation and different lengths of oligoester domains. A platform of 15
      different macromers was established. The macromers were designed to exhibit
      different hydrophilicities and molecular weights and contained various types of
      oligoesters such as d,l-lactide, l-lactide and epsilon-caprolactone. Macromers
      chemical composition was determined and molecular weights ranged from 900 to 3000
      Da. Thermally induced cross-linking of methacrylated macromers was monitored by
      oscillation rheology. A novel variant of the solid lipid templating technique was
      established to fabricate macroporous tissue engineering scaffolds from these
      macromers. Scaffold properties were thoroughly investigated regarding mechanical
      properties, compositional analysis including methacrylic double bond conversion,
      microstructure and porosity. Material properties could be controlled by macromer
      chemistry. By variation of the fabrication procedure and processing parameters
      scaffold porosity was increased up to 88%. Basic cytocompatibility was assessed
      including indirect and direct contact methods. The established macromers hold
      promise for various biomedical purposes. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Specific
      biomedical applications require tailored biomaterials with defined properties. We
      established a macromer platform for preparation of tissue engineering scaffolds
      with adjustable chemical and mechanical characteristics. Macromers were composed
      of trivalent core alcohols with different degrees of ethoxylation to which
      biodegradable domains - lactide or epsilon-caprolactone - were oligomerized
      before final methacrylation. The solid lipid templating technique was adapted to
      fabricate macroporous scaffolds with controlled pore structure and porosity from
      the developed macromers, which can also be processed by solid freeform
      fabrication techniques. The material platform relies on clinically established
      chemistries of the biodegradable domains and the macromer concept enables the
      fabrication of networks in which cross-polymerization kinetics, mechanical
      properties and surface hydrophobicity is predefined by macromer chemistry.
      Cytocompatibility was confirmed by indirect and direct cell contact experiments.

PMID- 26277379
TI  - Regulating myogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells using
      thermosensitive hydrogels.
AB  - Stem cell therapy has potential to regenerate skeletal muscle tissue in ischemic
      limb. However, the delivered stem cells experience low rate of myogenic
      differentiation. Employing injectable hydrogels as stem cell carriers may enhance
      the myogenic differentiation as their modulus may be tailored to induce the
      differentiation. Yet current approaches used to manipulate hydrogel modulus often
      simultaneously vary other properties that also affect stem cell differentiation,
      such as chemical structure, composition and water content. Thus it is challenging
      to demonstrate the decoupled effect of hydrogel modulus on stem cell
      differentiation. In this report, we decoupled the hydrogel modulus from chemical
      structure, composition, and water content using injectable and thermosensitive
      hydrogels. The hydrogels were synthesized from N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm),
      acrylic acid (AAc), and degradable macromer 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-oligomer
      [oligolatide, oligohydroxybutyrate, or oligo(trimethylene carbonate)]. We found
      that using the same monomer composition and oligomer chemical structure but
      different oligomer length can independently vary hydrogel modulus. Rat bone
      marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were encapsulated in the hydrogels with
      elastic expansion moduli of 11, 20, and 40 kPa, respectively. After 14 days of
      culture, significant myogenic differentiation was achieved for the hydrogel with
      elastic expansion modulus of 20 kPa, as judged from both the gene and protein
      expression. In addition, MSCs exhibited an elastic expansion modulus-dependent
      proliferation rate. The most significant proliferation was observed in the
      hydrogel with elastic expansion modulus of 40 kPa. These results demonstrate that
      the developed injectable and thermosensitive hydrogels with suitable modulus has
      the potential to deliver stem cells into ischemic limb for enhanced myogenic
      differentiation and muscle regeneration. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Stem cell
      therapy for skeletal muscle regeneration in ischemic limb experiences low rate of
      myogenic differentiation. Employing injectable hydrogels as stem cell carriers
      may enhance the myogenic differentiation as hydrogel modulus may be modulated to
      induce the differentiation. Yet current approaches used to modulate hydrogel
      modulus may simultaneously vary other properties that also affect stem cell
      myogenic differentiation, such as chemistry, composition and water content. In
      this report, we decoupled the hydrogel modulus from chemistry, composition, and
      water content using injectable and thermosensitive hydrogels. We found that
      mesenchymal stem cells best differentiated into myogenic lineage in the hydrogel
      with elastic modulus of 20 kPa.

PMID- 26277380
TI  - Early glycaemic control in metformin users receiving their first add-on therapy:
      a population-based study of 4,734 people with type 2 diabetes.
AB  - AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: The aims of this work were to assess glycaemic control in
      metformin users receiving their first add-on glucose-lowering therapy and to
      examine the real-life effectiveness of different add-on drugs. METHODS: We
      carried out a population-based cohort study using healthcare databases in
      northern Denmark during 2000-2012. We included 4,734 persons who initiated
      metformin monotherapy and added another glucose-lowering drug within 3 years.
      Attainment of recommended HbA1c goals within 6 months of add-on was investigated,
      using Poisson regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, baseline HbA(1c),
      diabetes duration, complications and Charlson Comorbidity Index. RESULTS: Median
      metformin treatment duration at intensification was 12 months (interquartile
      range [IQR] 4-23 months) and pre-intensification HbA(1c) was 8.0% (IQR 7.2-9.2%)
      (64 [IQR 55-77] mmol/mol). Median HbA(1c) dropped 1.2% (13 mmol/mol) with a
      sulfonylurea (SU) add-on, 0.8% (9 mmol/mol) with a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4)
      inhibitor, 1.3% (14 mmol/mol) with a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor
      agonist, 0.9% (10 mmol/mol) with other non-insulin drugs and 2.4% (26 mmol/mol)
      with insulin. Compared with SU add-on, attainment of HbA(1c) <7% (<53 mmol/mol)
      was higher with GLP-1 receptor agonists (adjusted RR [aRR] 1.10; 95% CI 1.01,
      1.19) and lower with DPP-4 inhibitors (aRR 0.94; 95% CI 0.89, 0.99), other drugs
      (aRR 0.86; 95% CI 0.77, 0.96) and insulin (aRR 0.88; 95% CI 0.77, 0.99). The
      proportion of metformin add-on users who attained HbA(1c) <7% (<53 mmol/mol)
      increased from 46% in 2000-2003 to 59% in 2010-2012, whereas attainment of
      HbA(1c) <6.5% (<48 mmol/mol) remained 30% among patients aged <65 years without
      comorbidities. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Among early type 2 diabetes patients
      receiving their first metformin add-on treatment, HbA(1c) reduction with
      different non-insulin drugs is similar to, and comparable with, that observed in
      randomised trials, yet 41% do not achieve HbA(1c) <7% (<53 mmol/mol) within 6
      months.

PMID- 26277382
TI  - The use of a detachable multiple polyp catcher to facilitate accurate location
      and pathological diagnosis of resected polyps in the proximal colon.

PMID- 26277381
TI  - Plasma fatty acids as predictors of glycaemia and type 2 diabetes.
AB  - AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Our aim was to investigate the fasting proportions of fatty
      acids and estimated desaturase and elongase activities in three different lipid
      fractions in plasma, phospholipids (PLs), cholesteryl esters (CEs) and
      triacylglycerols (TGs), as predictors for the worsening of glycaemia (area under
      the glucose curve in an OGTT [glucose AUC]) and incident type 2 diabetes in a 5.9
      year follow-up of the Metabolic Syndrome in Men population-based cohort. METHODS:
      Fatty acid proportions were measured in plasma PL, CE and TG fractions in 1,364
      Finnish men aged 45-68 years at baseline. The prospective follow-up study
      included only men who were non-diabetic at baseline and had data available at
      follow-up (n = 1,302). A total of 71 participants developed new type 2 diabetes
      during follow-up. RESULTS: After adjusting for confounding factors, total
      saturated fatty acids, palmitoleic acid (16:1n-7), dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid
      (20:3n-6) and estimated stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 and Delta(6)-desaturase (D6D)
      enzyme activities significantly predicted the worsening of glycaemia whereas
      total polyunsaturated fatty acid, linoleic acid (18:2n-6) and elongase activity
      predicted a decrease in the glucose AUC. Estimated D6D activity and dihomo-gamma
      linolenic acid (20:3n-6) were associated with an increased risk of incident type
      2 diabetes. Results were consistent across the three different lipid fractions.
      However, fatty acid proportions in the PL and CE fractions were stronger
      predictors for glycaemia and incident type 2 diabetes compared with fatty acid
      proportions in the TG fraction. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Selected fatty acid
      proportions of plasma lipid fractions and their ratios, which reflect desaturase
      and elongase enzyme activities, may be good biomarkers for the worsening of
      glycaemia and incident type 2 diabetes.

PMID- 26277383
TI  - Nicotinic receptors modulate the function of presynaptic AMPA receptors on
      glutamatergic nerve terminals in the trigeminal caudal nucleus.
AB  - In this study, we demonstrate the existence on trigeminal caudal nucleus (TCN)
      glutamatergic terminals of alpha4beta2 nicotinic receptors (nAChRs) capable of
      enhancing the terminals' spontaneous release of [(3)H]d-aspartate ([(3)H]D-Asp).
      In rat TCN synaptosomes, spontaneous [(3)H]D-Asp release was increased by
      nicotine and the nicotinic receptor agonists (+/-)epibatidine and RJR2403. The
      increase was potentiated by the positive allosteric modulator of nAChRs
      LY2087101, inhibited by the nicotinic antagonists mecamylamine (MEC) and dihydro
      beta-erythroidine hydrobromide (DHbetaE), and unaffected by alpha-bungarotoxin
      (alpha-BgTx) and methyllycaconitine (MLA). Evidence of functional interaction was
      observed between the alpha4beta2 nAChRs and cyclothiazide-sensitive, alfa-amino-3
      hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolone propionate (AMPA) receptors co-localized on the
      TCN synaptosomes. Brief pre-exposure of synaptosomes to 30 MUM nicotine or 10 MUM
      RJR2403 abolished the AMPA (100 MUM) -induced potentiation of [K(+)]e-evoked
      [(3)H]D-Asp release, an effect that seems to be caused by nicotine-induced
      increases in the internalization of AMPA receptors. Indeed, the effects of
      nicotine-pretreatment were not seen in synaptosomes containing pre-entrapped pep2
      SVKI, a peptide known to compete for the binding of GluA2 subunit to scaffolding
      proteins involved in AMPA endocytosis, while entrapment of pep2-SVKE, an inactive
      peptide used as negative control, was inefficacious. These findings show that
      nicotine can negatively modulate the function of AMPA receptors present on
      glutamatergic nerve terminals in the rat TCN. Dynamic control of AMPA receptors
      by the nicotinic cholinergic system has been observed under other experimental
      conditions, and it can contribute to the control of synaptic plasticity such as
      long-term depression and potentiation. Nicotine's ability to reduce the
      functionality of presynaptic AMPA receptors could contribute to its analgesic
      effects by diminishing glutamatergic transmission from the primary afferent
      terminals that convey nociceptive input to TCN. 

PMID- 26277385
TI  - Imaging features of complex solid and multicystic ovarian lesions: proposed
      algorithm for differential diagnosis.
AB  - Complex solid and multicystic ovarian lesions are broad-spectrum diseases,
      ranging from benign to malignant. This article describes the broad-spectrum and
      imaging features of complex solid and multicystic ovarian lesions and illustrates
      an algorithmic approach to such lesions, focusing on the ultrasonography and
      magnetic resonance imaging features that allow one to hone the differential
      diagnosis. Multimodality imaging workup plays an important role in the
      characterization and differential diagnosis of these diseases. Also, knowledge of
      the clinical setting and imaging features for the spectrum of complex solid and
      multicystic ovarian lesions can lead to appropriate management. 

PMID- 26277384
TI  - Resveratrol neuroprotection in stroke and traumatic CNS injury.
AB  - Resveratrol, a stilbene formed in many plants in response to various stressors,
      elicits multiple beneficial effects in vertebrates. Particularly, resveratrol was
      shown to have therapeutic properties in cancer, atherosclerosis and
      neurodegeneration. Resveratrol-induced benefits are modulated by multiple
      synergistic pathways that control oxidative stress, inflammation and cell death.
      Despite the lack of a definitive mechanism, both in vivo and in vitro studies
      suggest that resveratrol can induce a neuroprotective state when administered
      acutely or prior to experimental injury to the CNS. In this review, we discuss
      the neuroprotective potential of resveratrol in stroke, traumatic brain injury
      and spinal cord injury, with a focus on the molecular pathways responsible for
      this protection. 

PMID- 26277386
TI  - Urban air quality comparison for bus, tram, subway and pedestrian commutes in
      Barcelona.
AB  - Access to detailed comparisons in air quality variations encountered when
      commuting through a city offers the urban traveller more informed choice on how
      to minimise personal exposure to inhalable pollutants. In this study we report on
      an experiment designed to compare atmospheric contaminants inhaled during bus,
      subway train, tram and walking journeys through the city of Barcelona. Average
      number concentrations of particles 10-300 nm in size, N, are lowest in the
      commute using subway trains (N<2.5*10(4) part. cm(-3)), higher during tram travel
      and suburban walking (2.5*10(4) cm(-3)<N<5.0*10(4) cm(-3)), and highest in diesel
      bus or walking in the city centre (N>5.0*10(4) cm(-3)), with extreme transient
      peaks at busy traffic crossings commonly exceeding 1.0*10(5) cm(-3) and
      accompanied by peaks in Black Carbon and CO. Subway particles are coarser (mode
      90 nm) than in buses, trams or outdoors (<70 nm), and concentrations of fine
      particulate matter (PM2.5) and Black Carbon are lower in the tram when compared
      to both bus and subway. CO2 levels in public transport reflect passenger numbers,
      more than tripling from outdoor levels to >1200 ppm in crowded buses and trains.
      There are also striking differences in inhalable particle chemistry depending on
      the route chosen, ranging from aluminosiliceous at roadsides and near pavement
      works, ferruginous with enhanced Mn, Co, Zn, Sr and Ba in the subway environment,
      and higher levels of Sb and Cu inside the bus. We graphically display such
      chemical variations using a ternary diagram to emphasise how "air quality" in the
      city involves a consideration of both physical and chemical parameters, and is
      not simply a question of measuring particle number or mass.

PMID- 26277387
TI  - Renal phenotype of young and old telomerase-deficient mice.
AB  - Telomere shortening in the kidney explains the impaired regenerative capacity,
      but may not drive the ageing phenotype itself. We investigated kidneys from young
      and old Terc(+/+) and Terc(-/-) mice of early (G1) and late (G4, G5) generations.
      Functional parameters declined and age-related morphological changes increased in
      late generation Terc(-/-) mice and with further age. Podocyte loss was only seen
      in old G4 Terc(-/-). Whereas p21(CIP1/WAF1) was highest in old G1 and G4 Terc(-/
      ), telomere shortening and p16(INK4a) expression, also significantly associated
      with later generation young Terc(-/-), were not further induced in old Terc(-/-)
      mice. Both, young and old late generation Terc(-/-), showed increased pro
      inflammatory cytokine levels. Young late generation Terc(-/-) animals show mild
      functional and histological abnormalities, the presence of cellular senescence
      explains their kidneys' limited regenerative capacity. While these aspects
      resemble the situation seen in aged human kidneys, the lack of telomere
      shortening and p16(INK4a) induction in older Terc(-/-) animals differs from
      observations in old human kidneys and may result from clearance of senescent
      cells. This animal model is well suited to investigate the mechanisms of impaired
      renal regeneration in aged human kidney, but may not fully explain the natural
      course of the human renal ageing phenotype. 

PMID- 26277388
TI  - Arf6 mediates Schwann cell differentiation and myelination.
AB  - During development of the peripheral nervous system (PNS), Schwann cells wrap
      neuronal axons, becoming the myelin sheaths that help axonal functions. While the
      intercellular signals controlling the myelination process between Schwann cells
      and peripheral neurons are well studied, the transduction of these signals in
      Schwann cells still remains elusive. Here, we show that Arf6, an Arf protein of
      the small GTPase family, is involved in promoting the myelination process.
      Knockdown of Arf6 with the small-interfering (si)RNA in primary Schwann cells
      markedly decreases dibutyl-cyclic AMP-induced myelin marker protein expression,
      indicating that Arf6 plays a role in differentiation-like phenotypic changes. To
      obtain in vivo evidence, we generated small-hairpin (sh)RNA transgenic mice
      targeting Arf6 for Schwann cells. Transgenic mice exhibited reduced myelin
      thickness compared to littermate controls, consistent with the defective myelin
      formation observed in the transgenic mouse-derived Schwann cell and neuronal
      culture system. Transgenic mice also exhibited decreased phosphorylation of
      myelination-related signaling molecules such as Akt kinase cascade proteins as
      well as downregulation of myelin marker proteins. These results suggest that
      signaling through Arf6 is required for Schwann cell myelination, adding Arf6 to
      the list of intracellular signaling molecules involved in the myelination
      process.

PMID- 26277389
TI  - Overexpression of acetylcholinesterase gene in rice results in enhancement of
      shoot gravitropism.
AB  - Acetylcholine (ACh), a known neurotransmitter in animals and acetylcholinesterase
      (AChE) exists widely in plants, although its role in plant signal transduction is
      unclear. We previously reported AChE in Zea mays L. might be related to
      gravitropism based on pharmacological study using an AChE inhibitor. Here we
      clearly demonstrate plant AChE play an important role as a positive regulator in
      the gravity response of plants based on a genetic study. First, the gene encoding
      a second component of the ACh-mediated signal transduction system, AChE was
      cloned from rice, Oryza sativa L. ssp. Japonica cv. Nipponbare. The rice AChE
      shared high homology with maize, siratro and Salicornia AChEs. Similar to animal
      and other plant AChEs, the rice AChE hydrolyzed acetylthiocholine and
      propionylthiocholine, but not butyrylthiocholine. Thus, the rice AChE might be
      characterized as an AChE (E.C.3.1.1.7). Similar to maize and siratro AChEs, the
      rice AChE exhibited low sensitivity to the AChE inhibitor, neostigmine bromide,
      compared with the electric eel AChE. Next, the functionality of rice AChE was
      proved by overexpression in rice plants. The rice AChE was localized in
      extracellular spaces of rice plants. Further, the rice AChE mRNA and its activity
      were mainly detected during early developmental stages (2 d-10 d after sowing).
      Finally, by comparing AChE up-regulated plants with wild-type, we found that AChE
      overexpression causes an enhanced gravitropic response. This result clearly
      suggests that the function of the rice AChE relate to positive regulation of
      gravitropic response in rice seedlings.

PMID- 26277390
TI  - PEDF attenuates hypoxia-induced apoptosis and necrosis in H9c2 cells by
      inhibiting p53 mitochondrial translocation via PEDF-R.
AB  - Pigment epithelial-derived factor (PEDF) is a multifunctional secreted
      glycoprotein, which could protect against hypoxia-induced cell death related to
      its anti-oxidative effect in cultured cardiomyocytes. However, the pathway
      mediating this cytoprotective process has not been fully established. Here we
      confirmed that PEDF bound to pigment epithelial-derived factor receptor (PEDF-R)
      expressed on the membrane of H9c2 cells. Under hypoxic condition, PEDF increased
      the ratio of MDM2:p53, so as to inhibited p53 mitochondrial translocation via
      PEDF-R. As a result, mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP) and
      mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) opening were inhibited,
      meanwhile cleaved caspase-3, PARP and the release of HMGB1 were reduced.
      Accordingly, apoptosis and necrosis were attenuated simultaneously. We conclude
      that PEDF-R mediates PEDF attenuates hypoxia-induced apoptosis and necrosis in
      H9c2 cells by inhibiting p53 mitochondrial translocation. 

PMID- 26277391
TI  - Deferoxamine attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory responses and
      protects against endotoxic shock in mice.
AB  - To examine the role of the intracellular labile iron pool (LIP) in the induction
      of inflammatory responses, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of the
      iron chelator deferoxamine (DFO) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory
      responses in RAW264.7 macrophage cells and endotoxic shock in mice in the present
      study. Our data showed that DFO significantly decreased LPS-induced LIP and ROS
      upregulation. We then found that DFO inhibited phosphorylation of MAP kinases
      such as ERK and p38 and also inhibited the activation of NF-kappaB induced by
      LPS. Furthermore, the production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha),
      interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)
      induced by LPS was inhibited by DFO in RAW264.7 macrophages. Administration of
      DFO significantly decreased the mortality and improved the survival of septic
      mice with lethal endotoxemia in LPS-injected mice. These results demonstrate that
      iron plays a pivotal role in the induction of inflammatory responses and against
      septic shock. DFO has effective inhibitory effect on the production of
      inflammatory mediators via suppressing activation of MAPKs and NF-kappaB
      signaling pathways; it also has a protective effect on LPS-induced endotoxic
      shock in mice. Our findings open doors to further studies directed at exploring a
      new class of drugs against septic shock or other inflammatory diseases by
      modulating cellular chelatable iron. 

PMID- 26277392
TI  - Nitration of indoxyl sulfate facilitates its cytotoxicity in human renal proximal
      tubular cells via expression of heme oxygenase-1.
AB  - Peroxynitrite, the reaction product of superoxide [Formula: see text] and nitric
      oxide (NO), nitrates tyrosine residues, unsaturated fatty acids, cyclic guanosine
      monophosphate and other phenolics. We report herein that indoxyl sulfate (IS) is
      also nitrated by peroxynitrite in vitro and forms 2-nitro-IS, as determined from
      spectral characteristics and (1)H-NMR. IS is one of the very important uremic
      toxins that accelerate the progression of chronic kidney disease via various
      mechanisms. However, cell viability experiments with human proximal tubular cells
      show that the cytotoxicity of 2-nitro-IS is several-fold higher than that of IS.
      The explanation for this finding seems to be that 2-nitro-IS induces a much more
      pronounced generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) than IS.
      Results with inhibitors revealed that an organic anion transporter, several
      intracellular enzymes and nonprotein-bound iron ions are reasons for this
      finding. Most importantly, however, as detected by immunofluorescence and Western
      blotting, 2-nitro-IS induces the expression of heme oxygenase-1 and thereby the
      formation of ROS; most probably through the Fenton reaction. The final result of
      the increased amounts of ROS is death of the kidney cells. Thus, nitration of
      uremic toxins by peroxynitrite may help us to understand the initiation and
      progress of chronic kidney diseases.

PMID- 26277393
TI  - Neuronal differentiation of human iPS cells induced by baicalin via regulation of
      bHLH gene expression.
AB  - Efficient differentiation is important for regenerative medicine based on
      pluripotent stem cells, including treatment of neurodegenerative disorders and
      trauma. Baicalin promotes neuronal differentiation of neural stem/progenitor
      cells of rats and mice. To evaluate the suitability of baicalin for neuronal
      differentiation of human iPS cells, we investigated whether it promotes neuronal
      differentiation in human iPS cells and monitored basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH)
      gene expression during neuronal differentiation. Baicalin promoted neuronal
      differentiation and inhibited glial differentiation, suggesting that baicalin can
      influence the neuronal fate decision in human iPS cells. Notch signaling, which
      is upstream of bHLH proteins, was not involved in baicalin-induced neuronal
      differentiation. Baicalin treatment did not down-regulate Hes1 gene expression,
      but it reduced Hes1 protein levels and up-regulated Ascl1 gene expression. Thus,
      baicalin promoted neuronal differentiation via modulation of bHLH transcriptional
      factors. Therefore, baicalin has potential to be used as a small-molecule drug
      for regenerative treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. 

PMID- 26277394
TI  - Simple and sensitive electrochemical impedimetric approach towards analysis of
      biophysical interaction.
AB  - Study of biophysical interactions have been carried out using specific
      combination of proteins such as human IgG (as antigen) and anti-human IgG (as
      complementary antibody; raised in rabbit). Bovine serum albumin (BSA) was used to
      block any nonspecific interaction between antigen and antibody as BSA has been
      reported to bind to several sites non-specifically. Optimization of BSA
      concentration was done in order to make the antigen-antibody interaction
      relatively more pronounced and specific. We have used gold electrode in order to
      provide a relatively inert platform for adsorption/immobilization of protein
      molecules. The interaction between the antigen and antibody caused an increase in
      the charge transfer resistance (parallel resistance in Randles cell model) for an
      indicator molecule (hexacyanoferrate) and this was monitored by impedance
      spectroscopy. Detection limit for the antigen was found to be about 50 ng/mL. The
      approach presented is general and versatile and can be used for any antigen
      antibody pair without any significant modification.

PMID- 26277395
TI  - Human FAD synthase is a bi-functional enzyme with a FAD hydrolase activity in the
      molybdopterin binding domain.
AB  - FAD synthase (FMN:ATP adenylyl transferase, FMNAT or FADS, EC 2.7.7.2) is
      involved in the biochemical pathway for converting riboflavin into FAD. Human
      FADS exists in different isoforms. Two of these have been characterized and are
      localized in different subcellular compartments. hFADS2 containing 490 amino
      acids shows a two domain organization: the 3'-phosphoadenosine-5'-phosphosulfate
      (PAPS) reductase domain, that is the FAD-forming catalytic domain, and a
      resembling molybdopterin-binding (MPTb) domain. By a multialignment of hFADS2
      with other MPTb containing proteins of various organisms from bacteria to plants,
      the critical residues for hydrolytic function were identified. A homology model
      of the MPTb domain of hFADS2 was built, using as template the solved structure of
      a T. acidophilum enzyme. The capacity of hFADS2 to catalyse FAD hydrolysis was
      revealed. The recombinant hFADS2 was able to hydrolyse added FAD in a Co(2+) and
      mersalyl dependent reaction. The recombinant PAPS reductase domain is not able to
      perform the same function. The mutant C440A catalyses the same hydrolytic
      function of WT with no essential requirement for mersalyl, thus indicating the
      involvement of C440 in the control of hydrolysis switch. The enzyme C440A is also
      able to catalyse hydrolysis of FAD bound to the PAPS reductase domain, which is
      quantitatively converted into FMN. 

PMID- 26277396
TI  - Isoform-specific dynamic translocation of PKC by alpha1-adrenoceptor stimulation
      in live cells.
AB  - Protein kinase C (PKC) plays key roles in the regulation of signal transduction
      and cellular function in various cell types. At least ten PKC isoforms have been
      identified and intracellular localization and trafficking of these individual
      isoforms are important for regulation of enzyme activity and substrate
      specificity. PKC can be activated downstream of Gq-protein coupled receptor
      (GqPCR) signaling and translocate to various cellular compartments including
      plasma membrane (PM). Recent reports suggested that different types of GqPCRs
      would activate different PKC isoforms (classic, novel and atypical PKCs) with
      different trafficking patterns. However, the knowledge of isoform-specific
      activation of PKC by each GqPCR is limited. alpha1-Adrenoceptor (alpha1-AR) is
      one of the GqPCRs highly expressed in the cardiovascular system. In this study,
      we examined the isoform-specific dynamic translocation of PKC in living HEK293T
      cells by alpha1-AR stimulation (alpha1-ARS). Rat PKCalpha, betaI, betaII, delta,
      epsilon and zeta fused with GFP at C-term were co-transfected with human alpha1A
      AR into HEK293T cells. The isoform-specific dynamic translocation of PKC in
      living HEK293T cells by alpha1-ARS using phenylephrine was measured by confocal
      microscopy. Before stimulation, GFP-PKCs were localized at cytosolic region.
      alpha1-ARS strongly and rapidly translocated a classical PKC (cPKC), PKCalpha,
      (<30 s) to PM, with PKCalpha returning diffusively into the cytosol within 5 min.
      alpha1-ARS rapidly translocated other cPKCs, PKCbetaI and PKCbetaII, to the PM
      (<30 s), with sustained membrane localization. One novel PKC (nPKC), PKCepsilon,
      but not another nPKC, PKCdelta, was translocated by alpha1-AR stimulation to the
      PM (<30 s) and its membrane localization was also sustained. Finally, alpha1-AR
      stimulation did not cause a diacylglycerol-insensitive atypical PKC, PKCzeta
      translocation. Our data suggest that PKCalpha, beta and epsilon activation may
      underlie physiological and pathophysiological responses of alpha1-AR signaling
      for the phosphorylation of membrane-associated substrates including ion-channel
      and transporter proteins in the cardiovascular system.

PMID- 26277397
TI  - Keratin 8 is a novel autoantigen of rheumatoid arthritis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This research aims to verify Keratin 8 (K8) as a specific autoantigen
      in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: First, total RNA was extracted from HaCaT
      cell to obtain cDNA by inverse transcription. Then, PCR was performed to amplify
      corresponding gene by K8 primers. Next, cloning, expression, and purification
      technology were used to obtain the recombinant human K8 (rhK8). At last, the
      purified rhK8, after identified by mass spectrometer, was used to perform further
      disease-related Western blotting and ELISA test with real clinical samples.
      RESULTS: Purified rhK8 was successfully obtained and then Western blotting
      confirmed antigenicity of K8 in rheumatoid arthritis. The reactivity of serum IgG
      against rhK8 was further detected in 34 of 50 RA patients (68%). The reactivity
      of RA serum IgG antibodies against K8 was significantly higher than healthy
      controls and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. CONCLUSION: This
      research confirmed Keratin 8 as a novel autoantigen of RA.

PMID- 26277398
TI  - Metabolic, anabolic, and mitogenic insulin responses: A tissue-specific
      perspective for insulin receptor activators.
AB  - Insulin acts as the major regulator of the fasting-to-fed metabolic transition by
      altering substrate metabolism, promoting energy storage, and helping activate
      protein synthesis. In addition to its glucoregulatory and other metabolic
      properties, insulin can also act as a growth factor. The metabolic and mitogenic
      responses to insulin are regulated by divergent post-receptor signaling
      mechanisms downstream from the activated insulin receptor (IR). However, the
      anabolic and growth-promoting properties of insulin require tissue-specific inter
      relationships between the two pathways, and the nature and scope of insulin
      regulated processes vary greatly across tissues. Understanding the nuances of
      this interplay between metabolic and growth-regulating properties of insulin
      would have important implications for development of novel insulin and IR
      modulator therapies that stimulate insulin receptor activation in both pathway-
      and tissue-specific manners. This review will provide a unique perspective
      focusing on the roles of "metabolic" and "mitogenic" actions of insulin signaling
      in various tissues, and how these networks should be considered when evaluating
      selective pharmacologic approaches to prevent or treat metabolic disease. 

PMID- 26277399
TI  - Maternal hyperthyroidism increases the susceptibility of rat adult offspring to
      cardiovascular disorders.
AB  - Suboptimal intrauterine conditions as changed hormone levels during critical
      periods of the development are considered an insult and implicate in
      physiological adaptations which may result in pathological outcomes in later
      life. This study evaluated the effect of maternal hyperthyroidism (hyper) on
      cardiac function in adult offspring and the possible involvement of cardiac Renin
      Angiotensin System (RAS) in this process. Wistar dams received orally thyroxin
      (12 mg/L) from gestational day 9 (GD9) until GD18. Adult offspring at postnatal
      day 90 (PND90) from hyper dams presented increased SBP evaluated by
      plethysmography and worse recovery after ischemia-reperfusion (I/R), as evidenced
      by decreased LVDP, +dP/dT and -dP/dT at 25 min of reperfusion and by increased
      infarct size. Increased cardiac Angiotensin I/II levels and AT1R in hyper
      offspring were verified. Herein, we provide evidences that maternal
      hyperthyroidism leads to altered expression of RAS components in adult offspring,
      which may be correlated with worse recovery of the cardiac performance after
      ischemic insults and hypertension.

PMID- 26277400
TI  - GnRH-(1-5) activates matrix metallopeptidase-9 to release epidermal growth factor
      and promote cellular invasion.
AB  - In the extracellular space, the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is
      metabolized by the zinc metalloendopeptidase EC3.4.24.15 (EP24.15) to form the
      pentapeptide, GnRH-(1-5). GnRH-(1-5) diverges in function and mechanism of action
      from GnRH in the brain and periphery. GnRH-(1-5) acts on the orphan G protein
      coupled receptor 101 (GPR101) to sequentially stimulate epidermal growth factor
      (EGF) release, phosphorylate the EGF receptor (EGFR), and facilitate cellular
      migration. These GnRH-(1-5) actions are dependent on matrix metallopeptidase
      (MMP) activity. Here, we demonstrated that these GnRH-(1-5) effects are dependent
      on increased MMP-9 enzymatic activity in the Ishikawa and ECC-1 cell lines.
      Furthermore, the effects of GnRH-(1-5) mediated by GPR101 and the subsequent
      increase in MMP-9 enzymatic activity lead to an increase in cellular invasion.
      These results suggest that GnRH-(1-5) and GPR101 regulation of MMP-9 may have
      physiological relevance in the metastatic potential of endometrial cancer cells.

PMID- 26277402
TI  - Activins and activin antagonists in the human ovary and ovarian cancer.
AB  - Activins are members of the transforming growth factor beta superfamily that play
      an important role in controlling cell proliferation and differentiation in many
      organs including the ovary. It is essential that activin signalling be tightly
      regulated as imbalances can lead to uncontrolled cell proliferation and cancer.
      This review describes the expression and function of the activins and their known
      antagonists in both normal and cancerous human ovaries. 

PMID- 26277401
TI  - Bisphenol A (BPA) stimulates the interferon signaling and activates the
      inflammasome activity in myeloid cells.
AB  - Environmental factors contribute to the development of autoimmune diseases,
      including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), which exhibits a strong female bias
      (female-to-male ratio 9:1). However, the molecular mechanisms remain largely
      unknown. Because a feedforward loop between the female sex hormone estrogen (E2)
      and type I interferon (IFN-alpha/beta)-signaling induces the expression of
      certain p200-family proteins (such as murine p202 and human IFI16) that regulate
      innate immune responses and modify lupus susceptibility, we investigated whether
      treatment of myeloid cells with bisphenol A (BPA), an environmental estrogen,
      could regulate the p200-family proteins and activate innate immune responses. We
      found that treatment of murine bone marrow-derived cells (BMCs) and human
      peripheral blood mononuclear cells with BPA induced the expression of ERalpha and
      IFN-beta, activated the IFN-signaling, and stimulated the expression of the p202
      and IFI16 proteins. Further, the treatment increased levels of the NLRP3
      inflammasome and stimulated its activity. Accordingly, BPA-treatment of BMCs from
      non lupus-prone C57BL/6 and the lupus-prone (NZB*NZW)F1 mice activated the type I
      IFN-signaling, induced the expression of p202, and activated an inflammasome
      activity. Our study demonstrates that BPA-induced signaling in the murine and
      human myeloid cells stimulates the type I IFN-signaling that results in an
      induction of the p202 and IFI16 innate immune sensors for the cytosolic DNA and
      activates an inflammasome activity. These observations provide novel molecular
      insights into the role of environmental BPA exposures in potentiating the
      development of certain autoimmune diseases such as SLE. 

PMID- 26277403
TI  - First Steps Towards Successful Post-Transplantation Therapy for Myeloid
      Malignancies after Allogeneic Blood Stem Cell Transplantation.

PMID- 26277404
TI  - School and peer influences on the academic outcomes of African American
      adolescents.
AB  - Little scholarship explores how adolescents' beliefs about school and peers
      influence the academic outcomes of African American boys and girls. The sample
      included 612 African American boys (N = 307, Mage = 16.84) and girls (N = 305,
      Mage = 16.79). Latent class analysis (LCA) revealed unique patterns for African
      American boys and girls. Findings indicate that for African American boys, school
      attachment was protective, despite having peers who endorsed negative achievement
      values. Furthermore, socio-economic (SES) status was associated with higher grade
      point averages (GPA) for African American girls. Overall, these findings
      underscore the unique role of school, peer, and gendered experiences in lives of
      African American adolescents. 

PMID- 26277405
TI  - Disruptive behavior disorders and indicators of disinhibition in adolescents: The
      BRIEF-SR, anti-saccade task, and D-KEFS color-word interference test.
AB  - Disinhibition contributes to the development of disruptive behavior disorders
      (DBD) in adolescents. Self-reports and behavioral tasks are commonly used to
      assess disinhibition, each with their unique strengths and limitations.
      Accordingly, it is important to identify which measure, or combination thereof,
      is the most effective in predicting DBD symptoms. This study assessed the
      relationship between DBD (symptoms of ADHD/ODD/CD) and two behavioral
      disinhibition tasks: the anti-saccade task and the D-KEFS color-word interference
      test, as well as a self-report measure (the BRIEF-SR). The results indicated that
      the BRIEF-Inhibit scale accounted for the majority of the variance in the DBD sum
      score. The anti-saccade task and color-word interference test were also
      significantly associated with an increase in the number of DBD symptoms endorsed.
      These behavioral tasks accounted for 9% additional variance than the self-report
      alone. Therefore, combining self-report measures with behavioral disinhibition
      tasks may provide the most thorough assessment of adolescent DBD. 

PMID- 26277406
TI  - Pandalisines A and B, novel indolizidine alkaloids from the leaves of Pandanus
      utilis.
AB  - Two novel alkaloids named pandalisines A (1) and B (2), constituting a new class
      of C8-substituted indolizidine moiety, were isolated from the leaves of Pandanus
      utilis. The structures of these new compounds were established by their mass and
      spectroscopic data. The absolute configuration was determined by the comparison
      of experimental CD and calculated ECD spectra. A plausible biosynthetic pathway
      for compounds 1 and 2 is advanced. The cytotoxic activities of the isolated
      alkaloids against A-549, Hep-G2, and MDA-MB-231 cancer cell lines were evaluated.
      The result showed that 1 and 2 are the first non-cytotoxic indolizidine
      alkaloids. 

PMID- 26277407
TI  - Re-engineering nalidixic acid's chemical scaffold: A step towards the development
      of novel anti-tubercular and anti-bacterial leads for resistant pathogens.
AB  - Occurrence of antibacterial and antimycobacterial resistance stimulated a thrust
      to discover new drugs for infectious diseases. Herein we report the work on re
      engineering nalidixic acid's chemical scaffold for newer leads. Stepwise clubbing
      of quinoxaline, 1,2,4-triazole/1,3,4-oxadiazole with nalidixic acid yielded
      better compounds. Compounds were screened against ciprofloxacin resistant
      bacteria and Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv species. Results were obtained as
      minimum inhibitory concentration, it was evident that molecule with quinoxaline
      linked azide as side chain served as antitubercular lead (<6.25 MUg/ml) whilst
      molecule with oxadiazole or triazole linked quinoxaline side chain served as anti
      bacterial lead. Few compounds were significantly active against Escherichia coli
      and Proteus vulgaris with MIC less than 0.06 MUg/ml and relatively potent than
      ciprofloxacin. No true compound was potentially active against Salmonella species
      as compared to amoxicillin.

PMID- 26277408
TI  - Effect of nutritive status on Mytilus galloprovincialis pollution biomarkers:
      Implications for large-scale monitoring programs.
AB  - Biomarkers have been extensively used in monitoring programs with the aim of
      assessing the biological effects of pollutants on marine organisms and
      determining environmental status. Data obtained from these programs are sometimes
      difficult to interpret due to the large amount of natural variables affecting
      biological processes, which could act as confounding factors on biomarker
      responses. The main aim of this work was to identify the effect of one of these
      variables, the food availability, and consequently, the mussel nutritive status,
      on biomarker responses. For that purpose, mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis)
      were conditioned to three different food rations for 2 months in order to create
      three mussel nutritive statuses and afterwards, each status was exposed to three
      nominal concentrations of fluoranthene (FLU) for 3 weeks. A battery of biomarkers
      was considered in this study to cover a wide range of organism responses, both
      physiological (scope for growth - SFG) and biochemical (superoxide dismutase -
      SOD, catalase - CAT, glutathione reductase - GR, glutathione peroxidase - GPx,
      glutathione-S-transferase - GST and phenoloxidase - PO activities, and lipid
      membrane peroxidation - LPO). The results obtained, evidenced that most of the
      studied biomarkers (SFG, SOD, CAT, GPx, and PO) were strongly affected by mussel
      nutritive status, showing higher values at lower status, whereas the effect of
      toxicant was not always evident, masked by the nutritive status effect. This
      paper demonstrates that toxicants are not the only source of variability
      modulating pollution biomarkers, and confirms nutritive status as a major factor
      altering biochemical and physiological biomarkers. 

PMID- 26277410
TI  - Parents' perspective on weight management interventions for adolescents with
      intellectual and developmental disabilities.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Adolescents with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)
      have high rates of obesity. However, little research has been conducted
      demonstrating effective strategies and barriers for weight loss or weight
      management in adolescents with IDD. Furthermore, parents play a large role in
      terms of weight management in children and adolescents with IDD, and their views
      should be taken into consideration when designing a diet and PA intervention for
      weight management. OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study are to better understand the
      parents' perspectives on the strategies and barriers for helping children and
      adolescents with IDD be successful in a weight management program and to identify
      how this information to guide future approaches. METHODS: Semi-structured
      interviews were conducted in 18 parents whose children had just finished a diet
      and PA intervention. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, and thematic analysis
      was performed. RESULTS: Parents reported a positive attitude toward the program,
      liked the convenience of the program, and felt that they learned beneficial
      strategies to encourage healthy habits in the home. Parents found time to be a
      major barrier to supporting their child with a diet and PA intervention. Parents
      were willing to change their own dietary behaviors to help their children
      successfully follow a weight loss intervention; however, no parent reported
      changing their own PA levels. CONCLUSION: Future diet and PA studies should aim
      to reduce parental time commitment and increase importance of PA.

PMID- 26277411
TI  - Testing a structural model of young driver willingness to uptake Smartphone
      Driver Support Systems.
AB  - There is growing interest in the potential value of using phone applications that
      can monitor driver behaviour (Smartphone Driver Support Systems, 'SDSSs') in
      mitigating risky driving by young people. However, their value in this regard
      will only be realised if young people are willing to use this technology. This
      paper reports the findings of a study in which a novel structural model of
      willingness to use SDSSs was tested. Grounded in the driver monitoring and
      Technology Acceptance (TA) research literature, the model incorporates the
      perceived risks and gains associated with potential SDSS usage and additional
      social cognitive factors, including perceived usability and social influences. A
      total of 333 smartphone users, aged 18-24, with full Irish driving licenses
      completed an online questionnaire examining willingness or Behavioural Intention
      (BI) to uptake a SDSS. Following exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses,
      structural equation modelling indicated that perceived gains and social influence
      factors had significant direct effects on BI. Perceived risks and social
      influence also had significant indirect effects on BI, as mediated by perceived
      gains. Overall, this model accounted for 72.5% of the variance in willingness to
      uptake SDSSs. Multi-group structural models highlighted invariance of effects
      across gender, high and low risk drivers, and those likely or unlikely to adopt
      novel phone app technologies. These findings have implications for our
      understanding of the willingness of young drivers to adopt and use SDSSs, and
      highlight potential factors that could be targeted in behavioural change
      interventions seeking to improve usage rates. 

PMID- 26277409
TI  - Inositol-phosphodihydroceramides in the periodontal pathogen Tannerella
      forsythia: Structural analysis and incorporation of exogenous myo-inositol.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Unique phosphodihydroceramides containing phosphoethanolamine and
      glycerol have been previously described in Porphyromonas gingivalis. Importantly,
      they were shown to possess pro-inflammatory properties. Other common human
      bacteria were screened for the presence of these lipids, and they were found,
      amongst others, in the oral pathogen Tannerella forsythia. To date, no detailed
      study into the lipids of this organism has been performed. METHODS: Lipids were
      extracted, separated and purified by HPTLC, and analyzed using GC-MS, ESI-MS and
      NMR. Of special interest was how T. forsythia acquires the metabolic precursors
      for the lipids studied here. This was assayed by radioactive and stable isotope
      incorporation using carbon-14 and deuterium labeled myo-inositol, added to the
      growth medium. RESULTS: T. forsythia synthesizes two phosphodihydroceramides (Tf
      GL1, Tf GL2) which are constituted by phospho-myo-inositol linked to either a 17
      , 18-, or 19-carbon sphinganine, N-linked to either a branched 17:0(3-OH) or a
      linear 16:0(3-OH) fatty acid which, in Tf GL2, is, in turn, ester-substituted
      with a branched 15:0 fatty acid. T. forsythia lacks the enzymatic machinery
      required for myo-inositol synthesis but was found to internalize inositol from
      the medium for the synthesis of both Tf GL1 and Tf GL2. CONCLUSION: The study
      describes two novel glycolipids in T. forsythia which could be essential in this
      organism. Their synthesis could be reliant on an external source of myo-inositol.
      GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: The effects of these unique lipids on the immune system and
      their role in bacterial virulence could be relevant in the search for new drug
      targets.

PMID- 26277412
TI  - Redox-implications associated with the formation of complexes between copper ions
      and reduced or oxidized glutathione.
AB  - Binding of copper by reduced glutathione (GSH) is generally seen as a mechanism
      to lower, if not abolish, the otherwise high electrophilicity and redox activity
      of its free ions. In recent years, however, this concept has been contradicted by
      new evidence revealing that, rather than stabilizing free copper ions, its
      binding to GSH leads to the formation of a Cu(I)-[GSH]2 complex capable of
      reducing molecular oxygen into superoxide. It is now understood that, under
      conditions leading to the removal of such radicals, the Cu(I)-[GSH]2 complex is
      readily oxidized into Cu(II)-GSSG. Interestingly, in the presence of a GSH
      excess, the latter complex is able to regenerate the superoxide-generating
      capacity of the complex it originated from, opening the possibility that a GSH
      dependent interplay exists between the reduced and the oxidized glutathione forms
      of these copper-complexes. Furthermore, recent evidence obtained from experiments
      conducted in non-cellular systems and intact mitochondria indicates that the
      Cu(II)-GSSG complex is also able to function in a catalytic manner as an
      efficient superoxide dismutating- and catalase-like molecule. Here we review and
      discuss the most relevant chemical and biological evidence on the formation of
      the Cu(I)-[GSH]2 and Cu(II)-GSSG complexes and on the potential redox
      implications associated with their intracellular occurrence. 

PMID- 26277413
TI  - Metal complexes of 6-pyrazolylpurine derivatives as models for metal-mediated
      base pairs.
AB  - 6-(3,5-Dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)purine has recently been introduced as an artificial
      nucleobase for the specific recognition of canonical nucleobases via the
      formation of a metal-mediated base pair. We report here the synthesis and
      structural characterization by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of a
      series of metal complexes of the corresponding alkylated model nucleobases 9
      methyl-6-(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)purine 2 and 9-methyl-6-pyrazol-1-yl-purine 7.
      The sterically more demanding ligand 2 forms the Cu(2+) complexes [Cu(2)(NO3)2]
      and [Cu(2)Cl2] with a 1:1 stoichiometry of ligand and metal ion. In contrast,
      ligand 7 forms complexes [Cu(7)2(NO3)](NO3) and [Ag(7)2](ClO4) with a 2:1
      stoichiometry. The molecular structures of [Cu(2)(NO3)2] and [Cu(2)Cl2] confirm
      the previously suggested coordination pattern, i.e. Cu(2+) is coordinated via the
      pyrazole nitrogen atom and the purine N7 position. The fact that different
      relative orientations of the two ligands in [Cu(7)2(NO3)](NO3) and [Ag(7)2](ClO4)
      are observed allows the prediction that the corresponding metal-mediated homo
      base pairs should be stable both in regular antiparallel-stranded and in the rare
      parallel-stranded double helices. 

PMID- 26277415
TI  - Cytotoxicity of Ru(II) piano-stool complexes with chloroquine and chelating
      ligands against breast and lung tumor cells: Interactions with DNA and BSA.
AB  - The synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of nine pi-arene piano-stool
      ruthenium (II) complexes with aromatic dinitrogen chelating ligands or containing
      chloroquine (CQ), are described in this study: [Ru(eta(6)-C10H14)(phen)Cl]PF6
      (1), [Ru(eta(6)-C10H14)(dphphen)Cl]PF6 (2), [Ru(eta(6)-C10H14)(bipy)Cl]PF6 (3),
      [Ru(eta(6)-C10H14)(dmebipy)Cl]PF6 (4) and [Ru(eta(6)-C10H14)(bdutbipy)Cl]PF6 (5),
      [Ru(eta(6)-C10H14)(phen)CQ](PF6)2 (6), [Ru(eta(6)-C10H14)(dphphen)CQ](PF6)2 (7),
      [Ru(eta(6)-C10H14)(bipy)CQ](PF6)2 (8), [Ru(eta(6)-C10H14)(dmebipy)CQ](PF6)2 (9):
      [1,10-phenanthroline (phen), 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (dphphen), 2,2'
      bipyridine (bipy), 5,5'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine (dmebipy), and 4,4'-di-t-butyl
      2,2'-bipyridine (dbutbipy)]. The solid state structures of five ruthenium
      complexes (1-5) were determined by X-ray crystallography. Electrochemical
      experiments were performed by cyclic voltammetry to estimate the redox potential
      of the Ru(II)/Ru(III) couple in each case. Their interactions with DNA and BSA,
      and activity against four cell lines (L929, A549, MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7) were
      evaluated. Compounds 2, 6 through 9, interact with DNA which was comparable to
      the one observed for free chloroquine. The results of fluorescence titration
      revealed that these complexes strongly quenched the intrinsic fluorescence of BSA
      following a static quenching procedure. Binding constants (Kb) and the number of
      binding sites (n~1) were calculated using modified Stern-Volmer equations. The
      thermodynamic parameters DeltaG at different temperatures were calculated and
      subsequently the values of DeltaH and DeltaS were also calculated, which revealed
      that hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions play a major role in the BSA
      complex association. The MTT assay results indicated that complexes 2, 5 and 7
      showed cytostatic effects at appreciably lower concentrations than those needed
      for cisplatin, chloroquine and doxorubicin. 

PMID- 26277414
TI  - Insight into structural rearrangements and interdomain interactions related to
      electron transfer between flavin mononucleotide and heme in nitric oxide
      synthase: A molecular dynamics study.
AB  - Calmodulin (CaM) binding to nitric oxide synthase (NOS) enables a conformational
      change, in which the FMN domain shuttles between the FAD and heme domains to
      deliver electrons to the active site heme center. A clear understanding of this
      large conformational change is critical, since this step is the rate-limiting in
      NOS catalysis. Herein molecular dynamics simulations were conducted on a model of
      an oxygenase/FMN (oxyFMN) construct of human inducible NOS (iNOS). This is to
      investigate the structural rearrangements and the domain interactions related to
      the FMN-heme interdomain electron transfer (IET). We carried out simulations on
      the iNOS oxyFMN.CaM complex models in [Fe(III)][FMNH(-)] and [Fe(II)][FMNH]
      oxidation states, the pre- and post-IET states. The comparison of the dynamics
      and conformations of the iNOS construct at the two oxidation states has allowed
      us to identify key factors related to facilitating the FMN-heme IET process. The
      computational results demonstrated, for the first time, that the conformational
      change is redox-dependent. Predictions of the key interacting sites in optimal
      interdomain FMN/heme docking are well supported by experimental data in the
      literature. An intra-subunit pivot region is predicted to modulate the FMN domain
      motion and correlate with existence of a bottleneck in the conformational
      sampling that leads to the electron transfer-competent state. Interactions of the
      residues identified in this work are proposed to ensure that the FMN domain moves
      with appropriate degrees of freedom and docks to proper positions at the heme
      domain, resulting in efficient IET and nitric oxide production. 

PMID- 26277416
TI  - Functional fluorescent nonporous silica nanoparticles as carriers for Pt(IV)
      anticancer prodrugs.
AB  - Multilayer fluorescent nonporous silica nanoparticles (SNPs) with an external
      shell containing primary amino groups were used as delivery systems for Pt(IV)
      candidate antitumor prodrugs. Spherical SNPs of three different sizes (diameter
      around 120, 100, and 50 nm) were loaded with two different complexes, namely (OC
      6-33)-diamminebis(4-carboxybutanoato)dichloridoplatinum(IV) (1) and (OC-6-44)
      diammine(4-carboxybutanoato)dichloridoethanolatoplatinum(IV) (2), through the
      formation of amide bonds between the pendant amino groups on SNPs and the free
      carboxylic groups of the complexes. Complex 1 proved to cause heavy and
      irreversible agglomeration of SNPs; likely, the presence of two reactive
      carboxylic functionalities induces the formation of cross-links between the amino
      decorated SNPs. On the contrary, the conjugates 2-SNP, obtained from the
      monofunctionalized 2, afforded aqueous nano-suspensions reasonably stable toward
      aggregation. These solutions showed a limited Pt release in water in the absence
      of any reducing agents, mainly in form of a Pt(IV) derivative generated by the
      hydrolysis of the Si-O-Si bond of the functionalized arms attached to silica. In
      the presence of ascorbic acid, the reduction Pt(IV) -> Pt(II) caused the release
      of the active metabolite cisplatin. Conjugates 2-SNP exhibited much better
      antiproliferative activity on the Pt-sensitive ovarian A2780 cell line than
      parent cisplatin and free 2, due to their more efficient cellular uptake.

PMID- 26277417
TI  - NO2(-)-mediated nitrosylation of ferrous microperoxidase-11.
AB  - Microperoxidase-11 (MP11) is an undecapeptide derived from horse heart cytochrome
      c (cyt c) and characterized by a covalently-linked solvent-exposed heme group.
      Here, kinetics of the NO2(-)-mediated nitrosylation of ferrous MP11 (MP11-Fe(II))
      is reported. Data were obtained between pH6.4 and 8.2, at 20.0 degrees C. The
      NO2(-)-mediated conversion of MP11-Fe(II) to MP11-Fe(II)-NO requires one proton;
      accordingly, values of the apparent second-order rate constant (kon) decrease by
      about two orders of magnitude from (2.9+/-0.3)*10(1)M(-1)s(-1) to (5.0+/-0.6)*10(
      1)M(-1)s(-1) upon increasing pH from 6.4 to pH8.2. The slope of the linear
      fitting of Logkon versus pH is -1.00+/-0.06. Values of kon for the NO2(-)
      mediated nitrosylation of MP11-Fe(II) are similar to those of penta-coordinated
      cardiolipin-bound horse heart cyt c, exceeding by about two orders of magnitude
      those of wild-type horse heart cyt c. Present results highlight the role of heme
      distal residues in modulating horse heart cyt c reactivity. 

PMID- 26277418
TI  - GoFDR: A sequence alignment based method for predicting protein functions.
AB  - In this study, we developed a method named GoFDR for predicting Gene Ontology
      (GO)-based protein functions. The input for GoFDR is simply a query sequence
      based multiple sequence alignment (MSA) produced by PSI-BLAST. For each GO term
      annotated to the sequences in the MSA, GoFDR identifies a number of functionally
      discriminating residues (FDRs) specific to the GO term, and scores the query
      sequence using a position specific scoring matrix (PSSM) constructed for the
      FDRs. The raw score is then converted into a probability score according to a
      score-to-probability table prepared from training sequences. GoFDR outperformed
      three sequence-based methods for predicting GO functions in a benchmark of 18,520
      sequences. In addition, GoFDR was ranked one of the top methods according to the
      preliminary evaluation report released by the 2nd Critical Assessment of Function
      Annotation (CAFA2) project. Finally, we applied GoFDR to the complete human
      proteome sequences, and showed that the predictions made by GoFDR with high
      confidence significantly expanded current annotations of human proteome. As such,
      GoFDR is of great value not only for annotating protein functions in newly
      sequenced genomes, but also for characterizing the function of proteins of
      interest. 

PMID- 26277419
TI  - A modified bilateral carotid artery stenosis procedure to develop a chronic
      cerebral hypoperfusion rat model with an increased survival rate.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Bilateral carotid artery occlusion (2-vessel occlusion, 2VO) in rats
      is a classic and frequently used approach to develop an animal model of chronic
      cerebral hypoperfusion. However, this method results in substantial mortality in
      rats. NEW METHOD: We investigated whether a modified 2VO procedure, which induces
      bilateral carotid artery stenosis via ligation of each bilateral common carotid
      artery (CCA) with a 32 gauge (G) needle followed by needle removal, could produce
      a chronic cerebral hypoperfusion rat model with an increased survival rate.
      Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were treated with the standard or modified 2VO
      procedure, and changes in cerebral blood flow (CBF) and survival rates were
      determined. On day 28, cognitive function was assessed with the Morris Water Maze
      (MWM) test, and neuronal survival and degeneration within the hippocampal CA1
      area were measured. Damage to the white matter (WM) within the corpus striatum
      was assessed via Luxol fast blue (LFB) staining and analyses analyzing the levels
      of the myelin basic protein (MBP) protein levels. RESULTS: The modified 2VO
      procedure induced similar cognitive impairments, hippocampal lesions and WM
      damage compared with the standard 2VO procedure in rats; however, it had an
      increased survival rate. Comparison with existing methods This novel method can
      be used to quickly and effectively establish a chronic cerebral hypoperfusion rat
      model with common materials and an improved survival rate. CONCLUSION: Bilateral
      carotid artery stenosis using a 32 G needle is a useful and reliable method to
      develop a rat model of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion with increased survival.

PMID- 26277420
TI  - Design of a fused phantom for quantitative evaluation of brain metabolites and
      enhanced quality assurance testing for magnetic resonance imaging and
      spectroscopy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy (MRI-MRS) is a useful
      tool for the identification and evaluation of chemical changes in anatomical
      regions. Quality assurance (QA) is performed in either images or spectra using QA
      phantom. Therefore, consistent and uniform technical MRI-MRS QA is crucial. NEW
      METHOD: Here we developed an MRI-MRS fused phantom along with the inserts for
      metabolite quantification to simultaneously optimize QA parameters for both MRI
      and MRS. T1- and T2-weighted images were obtained and MRS was performed with
      point-resolved spectroscopy. RESULTS: Using the fused phantom, the results of
      measuring MRI factors were: geometric distortion, <2% and +/- 2 mm; image
      intensity uniformity, 83.09 +/- 1.33%; percent-signal ghosting, 0.025 +/- 0.004;
      low-contrast object detectability, 27.85 +/- 0.80. In addition, the signal-to
      noise ratio of N-acetyl-aspartate was consistently high (42.00 +/- 5.66).
      COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS: In previous studies, MR phantoms could not
      obtain information from both images and spectra in the MR scanner simultaneously.
      Here we designed and developed a phantom for accurate and consistent QA within
      the acceptance range. It is important to take into account variations in the QA
      value using the MRI-MRS phantom, when comparing to other clinical or research MR
      scanners. CONCLUSIONS: The MRI-MRS QA factors obtained simultaneously using the
      phantom can facilitate evaluation of both images and spectra, and provide
      guidelines for obtaining MRI and MRS QA factors simultaneously.

PMID- 26277421
TI  - Optimizing spatial patterns with sparse filter bands for motor-imagery based
      brain-computer interface.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Common spatial pattern (CSP) has been most popularly applied to motor
      imagery (MI) feature extraction for classification in brain-computer interface
      (BCI) application. Successful application of CSP depends on the filter band
      selection to a large degree. However, the most proper band is typically subject
      specific and can hardly be determined manually. NEW METHOD: This study proposes a
      sparse filter band common spatial pattern (SFBCSP) for optimizing the spatial
      patterns. SFBCSP estimates CSP features on multiple signals that are filtered
      from raw EEG data at a set of overlapping bands. The filter bands that result in
      significant CSP features are then selected in a supervised way by exploiting
      sparse regression. A support vector machine (SVM) is implemented on the selected
      features for MI classification. RESULTS: Two public EEG datasets (BCI Competition
      III dataset IVa and BCI Competition IV IIb) are used to validate the proposed
      SFBCSP method. Experimental results demonstrate that SFBCSP help improve the
      classification performance of MI. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS: The optimized
      spatial patterns by SFBCSP give overall better MI classification accuracy in
      comparison with several competing methods. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed SFBCSP is a
      potential method for improving the performance of MI-based BCI.

PMID- 26277422
TI  - [Protocols].

PMID- 26277423
TI  - Five-Year Recovery: A New Standard for Assessing Effectiveness of Substance Use
      Disorder Treatment.

PMID- 26277424
TI  - SW1PerS: Sliding windows and 1-persistence scoring; discovering periodicity in
      gene expression time series data.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Identifying periodically expressed genes across different processes
      (e.g. the cell and metabolic cycles, circadian rhythms, etc) is a central problem
      in computational biology. Biological time series may contain (multiple) unknown
      signal shapes of systemic relevance, imperfections like noise, damping, and
      trending, or limited sampling density. While there exist methods for detecting
      periodicity, their design biases (e.g. toward a specific signal shape) can limit
      their applicability in one or more of these situations. METHODS: We present in
      this paper a novel method, SW1PerS, for quantifying periodicity in time series in
      a shape-agnostic manner and with resistance to damping. The measurement is
      performed directly, without presupposing a particular pattern, by evaluating the
      circularity of a high-dimensional representation of the signal. SW1PerS is
      compared to other algorithms using synthetic data and performance is quantified
      under varying noise models, noise levels, sampling densities, and signal shapes.
      Results on biological data are also analyzed and compared. RESULTS: On the task
      of periodic/not-periodic classification, using synthetic data, SW1PerS
      outperforms all other algorithms in the low-noise regime. SW1PerS is shown to be
      the most shape-agnostic of the evaluated methods, and the only one to
      consistently classify damped signals as highly periodic. On biological data, and
      for several experiments, the lists of top 10% genes ranked with SW1PerS recover
      up to 67% of those generated with other popular algorithms. Moreover, the list of
      genes from data on the Yeast metabolic cycle which are highly-ranked only by
      SW1PerS, contains evidently non-cosine patterns (e.g. ECM33, CDC9, SAM1,2 and
      MSH6) with highly periodic expression profiles. In data from the Yeast cell cycle
      SW1PerS identifies genes not preferred by other algorithms, hence not previously
      reported as periodic, but found in other experiments such as the universal growth
      rate response of Slavov. These genes are BOP3, CDC10, YIL108W, YER034W, MLP1,
      PAC2 and RTT101. CONCLUSIONS: In biological systems with low noise, i.e. where
      periodic signals with interesting shapes are more likely to occur, SW1PerS can be
      used as a powerful tool in exploratory analyses. Indeed, by having an initial set
      of periodic genes with a rich variety of signal types, pattern/shape information
      can be included in the study of systems and the generation of hypotheses
      regarding the structure of gene regulatory networks.

PMID- 26277425
TI  - Surgery resident participation in short-term humanitarian international surgical
      missions can supplement exposure where program case volumes are low.
AB  - BACKGROUND: General surgery training programs face declining case volume and
      diversity. We wanted to determine if resident participation in international
      surgical missions would increase exposure to cases underrepresented in our
      program case mix. METHODS: Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education
      program data from 2008 to 2011 (University of Medicine and Dentistry-New Jersey
      Medical School, Newark, NJ) were analyzed to identify categories where volume was
      below national average. This was compared with case logs from 3 missions
      conducted by International Surgical Health Initiatives between 2011 and 2012.
      RESULTS: All chief residents completed more than minimum required index cases.
      Categories head and neck, alimentary tract, abdomen, and endocrine showed
      percentile below national average. Seven residents participated in 3 missions to
      Philippines and Sierra Leone. Sixty-five percent of the operations performed were
      in the 4 low-volume categories. CONCLUSIONS: International surgery missions
      expose residents to a high volume and variety of cases. Participation can be one
      way to increase case volume and diversity during training. Cases completed on
      missions with board certified surgeons should be considered for Accreditation
      Council for Graduate Medical Education credit.

PMID- 26277427
TI  - Not just ticking all the boxes. Problem based learning and mental health nursing.
      A review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The practice and policy of mental health nursing are changing.
      Integration of health and social care, an increased emphasis on wellness and
      recovery and greater expectation of involvement from both service users and
      carers require competence in both group and interpersonal working. The active and
      dynamic processes of problem based learning provide the ideal environment to
      achieve proficiency in these skills. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this review was to
      understand those programme elements that best support the delivery of a problem
      based learning module. DATA SOURCES: This study utilised a standard module
      evaluation. REVIEW METHODS: A systematic analysis of completed module evaluations
      allowed key themes to be established. RESULTS: Problem based learning helps
      develop the skills and attributes that mental health nursing need in an
      increasing collaborative and wellness focused practice environment. Successful
      integration of PBL is more likely to occur when student centred approaches are
      already incorporated within a programme. Creating the right conditions for
      learning are key to successful facilitation of PBL groups. CONCLUSIONS:
      Successful implementation of PBL requires identification of relevance to practice
      by students, a programme approach that is compatible with the aims and philosophy
      of PBL and a form of facilitation that encourages development of student
      autonomy.

PMID- 26277426
TI  - The gap between training and practice of prescribing of drugs by nurses in the
      primary health care: a case study in Brazil.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In many countries, the inclusion of nurses as prescribers is
      considered to be an advanced practice. In Brazil, such prescriptions are legally
      regulated and restricted to primary health care protocols. The presence of
      prescribing nurses has provoked a debate among medical and nursing corporations.
      However, there are few studies examining the qualifications, protocols and in
      service training that are aimed at prescribing nurses in primary health care.
      OBJECTIVE: We sought to investigate possible gaps between the education,
      qualifications, self-assessments and practice of prescribing medicine in primary
      health care from the perspective of nurses. DESIGN: This investigation is a case
      study with a qualitative approach. SETTING: This research was conducted in a
      Brazilian municipality with 84.04% family health strategy coverage and 400,002
      inhabitants in northeast Brazil. PARTICIPANTS: The participants were an
      intentional sample of 37 nurses in primary health care who were linked to the
      family health strategy. METHODS: The study was conducted between August and
      November 2011 with four focus groups, a script validated by the Delphi technique,
      and a pilot study. This study addressed the qualifications for the prescription
      of medication, the sufficiency of the Ministry of Health protocols and self
      assessments of the ability to prescribe. Qualitative analysis was applied.
      RESULTS: All nurses reported having received insufficient training in the
      discipline of pharmacology to qualify them for prescriptive practice. The nurses
      emphasised the need for post-graduate training, the importance of clinical
      experience, and the lack of discussions and training. Only a small number of
      nurses self-assessed themselves as competent in prescribing drugs, and the others
      revealed fears of causing adverse reactions to medication. CONCLUSIONS: There are
      gaps in the education, training,  and daily demands of the prescription of
      medication by nurses in primary health care. It is suggested that prescription
      practices should be incorporated into undergraduate studies and continuing
      education in health services.

PMID- 26277428
TI  - Qualifications for nurses for the care of patients with dementia and support to
      their caregivers: A pilot evaluation of the dementia care management curriculum.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A substantial increase of people with dementia (PwD) is predicted for
      the future. Nurses are taking over important tasks to support PwD, which requires
      a specialized qualification. OBJECTIVES: The aim was to identify points for
      revision and to further improve the Dementia Care Manager (DCM) curriculum as a
      basis for probable qualification of nurses caring for PwD. DESIGN: We conducted a
      summative evaluation study to revise the first version of the DCM curriculum.
      SETTING: The study was conducted in the primary health care setting.
      PARTICIPANTS: Nurses and lecturers of the first theoretical and practical
      implementation were involved. METHODS: Questionnaire-based interviews with nurses
      and lecturers after every module during the theoretical qualification. Besides,
      nurses rated the curriculum after the end of the theoretical part and evaluated
      the DCM tasks and the usefulness of the curriculum contents after the practical
      phase in questionnaire-based interviews. Descriptive statistics were used for
      analysis. RESULTS: A total of five nurses and 33 lecturers participated in the
      first theoretical and practical implementation of the DCM qualification.
      Generally, nurses and lecturers assessed the curriculum contents as "very
      important" or "important." In particular, the job-related issues, the variety of
      course topics and the close combination of theory and practice were highly
      valued. The practical implementation of the DCM was rated predominantly as
      "important" by nurses for the delivery of care for PwD. To optimize the
      theoretical DCM curriculum, participants suggested increasing the number of
      lessons for two of the modules (gerontopsychiatry, interdisciplinary case
      reviews). Furthermore, nurses preferred a longer practical phase, whereas some
      lecturers called for larger group sizes of participants. CONCLUSIONS: The DCM
      qualification enhances nurses' competencies to care for PwD. The curriculum
      regards an interprofessional, cooperative team approach as the potential to
      improve health care supply for demented people and to better support their
      caregivers.

PMID- 26277430
TI  - Application of 1H NMR spectroscopy-based metabonomics to feces of cervical cancer
      patients with radiation-induced acute intestinal symptoms.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Radiation-induced acute intestinal symptoms (RIAISs) are a common
      complication of radiotherapy for cervical cancer. The aim of this study was to
      use (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance ((1)H NMR) combined with chemometric analysis
      to develop a metabolic profile of patients with RIAISs. METHODS: Fecal samples
      were collected from 66 patients with cervical cancer before and after pelvic
      radiotherapy. After radiotherapy, RIAISs occurred in eleven patients. We selected
      another 11 patients from participants without RIAISs whose age, stage,
      histological type and treatment methods are matched with RIAIS patients as the
      control group. (1)H NMR spectroscopy combined with multivariate pattern
      recognition analysis was used to generate metabolic profile data, as well as to
      establish a RIAIS-specific metabolic phenotype. RESULTS: Orthogonal partial least
      squares discriminant analysis was used to distinguish samples between the pre-
      and post-radiotherapy RIAIS patients and between RIAIS patients and controls.
      Fecal samples from RIAIS patients after pelvic radiotherapy were characterized by
      increased concentrations of alpha-ketobutyrate, valine, uracil, tyrosine,
      trimethylamine N-oxide, phenylalanine, lysine, isoleucine, glutamine, creatinine,
      creatine, bile acids, aminohippurate, and alanine, accompanied by reduced
      concentrations of alpha-glucose, n-butyrate, methylamine, and ethanol relative to
      samples from RIAIS patients before pelvic radiotherapy, while in RIAIS patients
      relative to controls, trimethylamine, n-butyrate, fumarate and acetate were down
      regulated and valine, TMAO, taurine, phenylalanine, lactate, isoleucine and
      creatinine were up-regulated. CONCLUSIONS: We obtained the metabolic profile of
      RIAIS patients from fecal samples using NMR-based metabonomics. This profile has
      the potential to be developed into a novel clinical tool for RIAIS diagnosis or
      therapeutic monitoring, and could contribute to an improved understanding of the
      disease mechanism. However, because of the limitations of methods, technique,
      bacterial contamination of feces and small sample size, further research and
      verification are needed.

PMID- 26277429
TI  - Does laboratory cue reactivity correlate with real-world craving and smoking
      responses to cues?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Laboratory cue reactivity (CR) assessments are used to assess
      smokers' responses to cues. Likewise, EMA recording is used to characterize real
      world response to cues. Understanding the relationship between CR and EMA
      responses addresses the ecological validity of CR. METHODS: In 190 daily smokers
      not currently quitting, craving and smoking responses to cues were assessed in
      laboratory CR and by real-world EMA recording. Separate CR sessions involved 5
      smoking-relevant cues (smoking, alcohol, negative affect, positive affect,
      smoking prohibitions), and a neutral cue. Subjects used EMA to monitor smoking
      situations for 3 weeks, completing parallel situational assessments (presence of
      others smoking, alcohol consumption, negative affect, positive affect, and
      smoking prohibitions, plus current craving) in smoking and non-smoking occasions
      (averaging 70 and 60 occasions each). Analyses correlated CR craving and smoking
      cue responses with EMA craving and smoking correlations with similar cues.
      RESULTS: Although some cues did not show main effects on average craving or
      smoking, a wide range of individual differences in response to cues was apparent
      in both CR and EMA data, providing the necessary context to assess their
      relationship. Laboratory CR measures of cue response were not correlated with
      real-world cue responses assessed by EMA. The average correlation was 0.03; none
      exceeded 0.32. One of 40 correlations examined was significantly greater than 0.
      CONCLUSIONS: Laboratory CR measures do not correlate with EMA-assessed craving or
      smoking in response to cues, suggesting that CR measures are not accurate
      predictors of how smokers react to relevant stimuli in the real world.

PMID- 26277431
TI  - Coronary stenosis risk analysis following Hodgkin lymphoma radiotherapy: A study
      based on patient specific artery segments dose calculation.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The dose effect-effect relationship for cardiac diseases
      following radiotherapy suffers from uncertainties. Three dimensional coronary
      artery (CA) dose calculation after mediastinal Hodgkin lymphoma radiotherapy was
      performed, using the patient's coronary CT angiography (CCTA), and the
      relationship between the coronary arteries' radiation doses and the risk of
      stenosis was estimated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Radiotherapy simulation CT scans
      and CCTAs of patients treated for a mediastinal Hodgkin lymphoma were used to
      merge thoracic and detailed cardiovascular anatomies. Radiation treatment
      parameters were used to estimate CA radiation doses. Twenty-one patients without
      coronary stenosis (controls) were matched with twelve patients with stenosis
      (cases). CA segments were considered as sub-volumes of interest. Radiation doses
      to stenotic segments were compared with those received by normal segments (from
      cases and controls) using a logistic regression. RESULTS: In eleven cases out of
      twelve, the highest of the coronary dose distribution was on a damaged segment.
      Logistic regression with CA segments yielded an odds ratio associated with the
      risk of coronary stenosis of 1.049 per additional gray with the CA segment median
      dose (95% confidence interval, 1.004-1.095; p-value <0.05). CONCLUSION: The CA
      segment dose significantly increased the risk of stenosis on the segment. Such
      personalized CA dose calculations on larger cohorts are expected to improve the
      understanding of the cardiovascular radiation dose-effect relationship.

PMID- 26277432
TI  - In vivo studies of the PARP inhibitor, AZD-2281, in combination with fractionated
      radiotherapy: An exploration of the therapeutic ratio.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Pre-clinical data have shown that PARP inhibitors (PARPi)
      may increase the efficacy of radiotherapy in prostate cancer. However, it is
      uncertain as to whether PARPi lead to clonogenic kill when combined with
      radiotherapy (RT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We tested the PARP inhibitor AZD-2281 as
      a radiosensitizing agent under oxic and hypoxic conditions for clonogenic
      survival in vitro and in vivo using the human prostate cancer cell line, 22Rv1.
      In addition, the effects of PARPi+RT on normal tissue were investigated using a
      crypt clonogenic assay. RESULTS: AZD-2281 inhibited cellular PARP activity under
      both oxic and hypoxic conditions. The addition of AZD-2281 radiosensitized 22Rv1
      cells under oxia, acute hypoxia and chronic hypoxia in vitro. The combination of
      AZD-2281 with fractionated radiotherapy resulted in a significant growth delay
      and clonogenic kill in vivo. No increased gut toxicity was observed using this
      combined PARPi+radiotherapy regimen. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first preclinical
      study to demonstrate direct clonogenic kill in vivo by the addition of AZD-2281
      to radiotherapy. As we did not observe gut toxicity, the use of PARPi in the
      context of prostate cancer radiotherapy warrants further investigation in
      clinical trials.

PMID- 26277434
TI  - A MLC-based inversely optimized 3D spatially fractionated grid radiotherapy
      technique.
AB  - This study presents a MLC-based, 3D grid-therapy technique with characteristics
      of both 3D-conformal-radiotherapy and grid-therapy. It generates a brachytherapy
      like dose distribution, with D50% of 20, 9.8, 5.4 and 2.9-Gy, for the spheres,
      target, 1 cm-outershell and 2 cm-outershell, respectively. It may provide a
      strategy to deliver ablative doses to large tumors safely.

PMID- 26277433
TI  - Evaluation of a 36 Gy elective node irradiation dose in anal cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: To retrospectively analyze the efficacy of 36 Gy of elective node
      irradiation and report patterns of recurrence in patients with anal cancer
      treated by chemoradiation with the same radiotherapy (RT) treatment scheme.
      METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between January 1996 and December 2013, 142 patients with
      anal squamous cell cancer were scheduled to receive a dose of 36 Gy of elective
      node irradiation (ENI) to the inguinal area and whole pelvis over 4 weeks
      followed after a 2-week gap by a boost dose of 23.4 Gy over 17 days to the
      macroscopic disease. Mitomycin C combined with fluorouracil, capecitabin or
      cisplatin was given at day 1 of each sequence of RT. RESULTS: Disease stages were
      I: 3, II: 78, IIIA: 23, IIIB: 38. Compliance rates were 97.2% with RT and 87.9%
      with chemotherapy. After a median follow up of 48 months [3.6-192], estimated 5
      year overall survival and colostomy-free survival were 75.4% and 85.3%
      respectively. Eleven patients (7.7%) never achieved a complete response, 15 had a
      local component of recurrence and 5 a regional one. One patient had failure in
      the common iliac node area outside the treatment fields. The inguinal control
      rate was 98.5%. The 5-year tumor and nodal control rates were 81.5% and 96.0%,
      respectively. CONCLUSION: Chemoradiation with a dose of 36 Gy ENI achieved
      excellent nodal control. However, it is necessary to improve the 5-year control
      rate of the primary tumor. Omitting the gap and using additional doses per
      fraction or hyper-fractionation are to be explored.

PMID- 26277435
TI  - Modeling the risk of radiation-induced lung fibrosis: Irradiated heart tissue is
      as important as irradiated lung.
AB  - PURPOSE: We used normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) modeling to
      explore the impact of heart irradiation on radiation-induced lung fibrosis
      (RILF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed for RILF 148
      consecutive Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) patients treated with sequential chemo
      radiotherapy (CHT-RT). Left, right, total lung and heart dose-volume and dose
      mass parameters along with clinical, disease and treatment-related
      characteristics were analyzed. NTCP modeling by multivariate logistic regression
      analysis using bootstrapping was performed. Models were evaluated by Spearman Rs
      coefficient and ROC area. RESULTS: At a median time of 13months, 18 out of 115
      analyzable patients (15.6%) developed RILF after treatment. A three-variable
      predictive model resulted to be optimal for RILF. The two models most frequently
      selected by bootstrap included increasing age and mass of heart receiving >30Gy
      as common predictors, in combination with left lung V5 (Rs=0.35, AUC=0.78), or
      alternatively, the lungs near maximum dose D2% (Rs=0.38, AUC=0.80). CONCLUSION:
      CHT-RT may cause lung injury in a small, but significant fraction of HL patients.
      Our results suggest that aging along with both heart and lung irradiation plays a
      fundamental role in the risk of developing RILF.

PMID- 26277437
TI  - Managing Anterior Shoulder Dislocation.

PMID- 26277438
TI  - A Highly Mobile Mass in the Anterior Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Immediately
      Beneath a Heavily Calcified, Stenotic Aortic Valve: Vegetation, Thrombus, or
      Neoplasm?

PMID- 26277439
TI  - An Accidental Career in Geriatrics.

PMID- 26277436
TI  - Brain-peripheral cell crosstalk in white matter damage and repair.
AB  - White matter damage is an important part of cerebrovascular disease and may be a
      significant contributing factor in vascular mechanisms of cognitive dysfunction
      and dementia. It is well accepted that white matter homeostasis involves
      multifactorial interactions between all cells in the axon-glia-vascular unit. But
      more recently, it has been proposed that beyond cell-cell signaling within the
      brain per se, dynamic crosstalk between brain and systemic responses such as
      circulating immune cells and stem/progenitor cells may also be important. In this
      review, we explore the hypothesis that peripheral cells contribute to damage and
      repair after white matter damage. Depending on timing, phenotype and context,
      monocyte/macrophage can possess both detrimental and beneficial effects on
      oligodendrogenesis and white matter remodeling. Endothelial progenitor cells
      (EPCs) can be activated after CNS injury and the response may also influence
      white matter repair process. These emerging findings support the hypothesis that
      peripheral-derived cells can be both detrimental or beneficial in white matter
      pathology in cerebrovascular disease. This article is part of a Special Issue
      entitled: Vascular Contributions to Cognitive Impairment and Dementia, edited by
      M. Paul Murphy, Roderick A. Corriveau and Donna M. Wilcock.

PMID- 26277440
TI  - EPHECT III: Health risk assessment of exposure to household consumer products.
AB  - In the framework of the EU EPHECT project (Emissions, Exposure Patterns and
      Health Effects of Consumer Products in the EU), irritative and respiratory
      effects were assessed in relation to acute (30-min) and long-term (24-h)
      inhalation exposure to key and emerging indoor air pollutants emitted during
      household use of selected consumer products. A detailed Health Risk Assessment
      (HRA) was performed for five selected pollutants of respiratory health relevance,
      namely acrolein, formaldehyde, naphthalene, d-limonene and alpha-pinene. For each
      pollutant, the Critical Exposure Limit (CEL) was compared to indoor air
      concentrations and exposure estimates for the use of 15 selected consumer
      products by two population groups (housekeepers and retired people) in the four
      geographical regions of Europe (North, West, South, East), which were derived
      previously based on microenvironmental modelling. For the present HRA, health
      based CELs were derived for certain compounds in case indoor air quality
      guidelines were not available by the World Health Organization for end-points
      relevant to the current study. For each pollutant, the highest indoor air
      concentrations in each microenvironment and exposure estimates across home
      microenvironments during the day were lower than the corresponding acute and long
      term CELs. However, considerable contributions, especially to acute exposures,
      were obtained in some cases, such as formaldehyde emissions resulting from single
      product use of a floor cleaning agent (82% CEL), a candle (10% CEL) and an
      electric air freshener (17% CEL). Regarding multiple product use, the case of 30
      min formaldehyde exposure reaching 34% CEL when eight product classes were used
      across home microenvironments, i.e. all-purpose/kitchen/floor cleaning agents,
      furniture/floor polish, combustible/electric air fresheners, and perfume, needs
      to be highlighted. Such estimated values should be evaluated with caution, as
      these may be attributed to the exposure scenarios specifically constructed for
      the present study, following a 'most-representative worst-case scenario' approach
      for exposure and health risk assessment. 

PMID- 26277441
TI  - Development of an integrated methodology for the sustainable environmental and
      socio-economic management of river ecosystems.
AB  - The development of the Water Framework Directive aimed to establish an integrated
      framework of water management at European level. This framework revolves around
      inland surface waters, transitional waters, coastal waters and ground waters. In
      the process of achieving the environment and ecological objectives set from the
      Directive, the role of economics is put in the core of the water management. An
      important feature of the Directive is the recovery of total economic cost of
      water services by all users. The total cost of water services can be
      disaggregated into environmental, financial and resource costs. Another important
      aspect of the directive is the identification of major drivers and pressures in
      each River Basin District. We describe a methodology that is aiming to achieve
      sustainable and environmental and socioeconomic management of freshwater
      ecosystem services. The Ecosystem Services Approach is in the core of the
      suggested methodology for the implementation of a more sustainable and efficient
      water management. This approach consists of the following three steps: (i) socio
      economic characterization of the River Basin area, (ii) assessment of the current
      recovery of water use cost, and (iii) identification and suggestion of
      appropriate programs of measures for sustainable water management over space and
      time. This methodology is consistent with a) the economic principles adopted
      explicitly by the Water Framework Directive (WFD), b) the three-step WFD
      implementation approach adopted in the WATECO document, c) the Ecosystem Services
      Approach to valuing freshwater goods and services to humans. Furthermore, we
      analyze how the effects of multiple stressors and socio-economic development can
      be quantified in the context of freshwater resources management. We also attempt
      to estimate the value of four ecosystem services using the benefit transfer
      approach for the Anglian River Basin, which showed the significance of such
      services. 

PMID- 26277442
TI  - Adaptation strategies for water supply management in a drought prone
      Mediterranean river basin: Application of outranking method.
AB  - The regional water allocation planning is one of those complex decision problems
      where holistic approach to water supply management considering different criteria
      would be valuable. However, multi-criteria decision making with diverse
      indicators measured on different scales and uncertainty levels is difficult to
      solve. Objective of this paper is to develop scenarios for the future imbalances
      in water supply and demand for a water stressed Mediterranean area of Northern
      Spain (Tarragona) and to test the applicability and suitability of an outranking
      method ELECTRE-III-H for evaluating sectoral water allocation policies. This
      study is focused on the use of alternative water supply scenarios to fulfil the
      demand of water from three major sectors: domestic, industrial and agricultural.
      A detail scenario planning for regional water demand and supply has been
      discussed. For each future scenario of climate change, the goal is to obtain a
      ranking of a set of possible actions with regards to different types of
      indicators (costs, water stress and environmental impact). The analytical method
      used is based on outranking models for decision aid with hierarchical structures
      of criteria and ranking alternatives using partial preorders based on pairwise
      preference relations. We compare several adaptation measures including
      alternative water sources (reclaimed water and desalination); inter basin water
      transfer and sectoral demand management coming from industry, agriculture and
      domestic sectors and tested the sustainability of management actions for
      different climate change scenarios. Results have shown use of alternative water
      resources as the most reliable alternative with medium reclaimed water reuse in
      industry and agriculture and low to medium use of desalination water in domestic
      and industrial sectors as the best alternative. The proposed method has several
      advantages such as the management of heterogeneous scales of measurement without
      requiring any artificial transformation and the management of uncertainty by
      means of comparisons at a qualitative level in terms of the decision maker
      preferences. 

PMID- 26277443
TI  - Quantitation of eleven active compounds of Aidi injection in rat plasma and its
      application to comparative pharmacokinetic study.
AB  - Aidi injection has been widely used for the treatment of colorectal cancer. The
      purpose of this study was to develop a sensitive and reliable method for
      simultaneous quantitation of 11 main active ingredients in Aidi injection and to
      compare the pharmacokinetics of these ingredients in normal and colorectal model
      cancer rats after tail vein injection. After being extracted by isopropanol-ethyl
      acetate (1:1, v/v), the plasma samples were analyzed with domperidone as internal
      standard. Then the analytes were separated on a Venusil MP C18 column with 0.15%
      formic acid and methanol. The detection was performed on HPLC-MS/MS system with
      turbo ion spray source in the positive ion and multiple reaction-monitoring mode.
      The assay was shown to be linear over the range of 0.004-4.0MUgmL(-1) of syringin
      B, astragaloside II and isofraxidin; 0.01-10.0MUgmL(-1) of calycosin-7-O-beta-d
      glucoside and astragaloside IV; 0.02-20.0MUgmL(-1) of ginsenoside Rg1, Rb1, Rc
      and Rd; 0.04-40.0MUgmL(-1) of syringin E; 0.06-60.0MUgmL(-1) of ginsenoside Re.
      And the validated method has been successfully applied to compare pharmacokinetic
      profiles of the 11 ingredients in plasma. The pharmacokinetic results showed here
      were significant differences in pharmacokinetic parameters for eight analytes
      between two groups after injection, while no significant differences for
      astragaloside II, astragaloside IV and ginsenoside Rc. The present study has the
      advantages of short analysis time and easy sample preparation, which could more
      comprehensively reflect the quality of Aidi injection in single run. The method
      proposed could be of great use for pharmacokinetics, bioavailability or
      bioequivalence studies of Aidi injection in biological samples. 

PMID- 26277444
TI  - Diagnostic performance of the Selvester QRS scoring system in relation to
      clinical ECG assessment of patients with lateral myocardial infarction using
      cardiac magnetic resonance as reference standard.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Selvester QRS scoring system has previously been shown to enable
      estimation of myocardial infarct (MI) size by quantitative evaluation of the 12
      lead ECG. The aim of this study was to assess the system's ability to detect and
      quantify lateral MI, using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) as reference
      standard. METHODS: In 23 patients with isolated lateral infarctions MI size was
      assessed by CMR and estimated by QRS scoring. The ECGs were also evaluated by two
      cardiologists according to clinical routine. RESULTS: The MI size estimated by
      QRS scoring correlated with MI size assessed by CMR (r=0.55, p=0.006). The
      sensitivity for lateral MI detection was 78% for QRS scoring and 39% for clinical
      routine ECG evaluation, respectively. CONCLUSION: Selvester QRS scoring can be
      used to estimate size of isolated lateral MI and has a higher sensitivity for
      infarct detection compared to clinical routine evaluation of ECGs in these
      patients.

PMID- 26277445
TI  - A kinetic model for the prevalence of mono- over poly-pupylation.
AB  - Bacteria belonging to the phyla Actinobacteria and Nitrospira possess proteasome
      cores homologous to the eukaryotic 20S proteasome particle. In these bacteria,
      the cytoplasmic signal for proteasomal degradation is a small protein termed Pup
      (prokaryotic ubiquitin-like protein). PafA, the only known Pup ligase, conjugates
      Pup to lysine side chains of target proteins. In contrast to the eukaryotic
      ubiquitin-proteasome system, where poly-ubiquitin chains are the principal tags
      for proteasomal degradation, mono-Pup moieties are almost exclusively observed in
      vivo and are sufficient as degradation tags. Although Pup presents lysines,
      raising the possibility of poly-Pup chain assembly, these do not predominate. At
      present, the factors promoting the distinct predominance of mono- over poly
      pupylation remain poorly understood. To address this issue, we conducted a
      detailed biochemical analysis characterizing the pupylation of model proteins in
      vitro. We found that Pup can indeed serve as a pupylation target for PafA either
      in its free form or when already conjugated to proteins, thus allowing for the
      formation of poly-Pup chains. However, our results indicate that pupylation of an
      already pupylated protein is unlikely to occur due to low affinity of PafA for
      such species. This alone prevents predominance of poly- over mono-pupylation in
      vitro. This effect is likely to be magnified in vivo by the combination of PafA
      kinetics with the high abundance of non-pupylated proteins. Overall, this work
      provides a kinetic explanation for the prevalence of mono- rather than poly
      pupylation in vivo, and sheds light on PafA substrate specificity. 

PMID- 26277446
TI  - On the Mechanisms of Hydrogen-Atom Transfer from Water to the Heteronuclear Oxide
      Cluster [Ga2 Mg2 O5 ](.+) : Remarkable Electronic Structure Effects.
AB  - Mechanistic insight into the homolytic cleavage of the O-H bond of water by the
      heteronuclear oxide cluster [Ga2 Mg2 O5 ](.+) has been derived from state-of-the
      art gas-phase experiments in conjunction with quantum chemical calculations.
      Three pathways have been identified computationally. In addition to the
      conventional hydrogen-atom transfer (HAT) to the radical center of a bridging
      oxygen atom, two mechanistically distinct proton-coupled electron-transfer (PCET)
      processes have been identified. The energetically most favored path involves
      initial coordination of the incoming water ligand to a magnesium atom followed by
      an intramolecular proton transfer to the lone-pair of the bridging oxygen atom.
      This step, which is accomplished by an electronic reorganization, generates two
      structurally equivalent OH groups either of which can be liberated, in agreement
      with labeling experiments.

PMID- 26277447
TI  - Babesia species in questing Ixodes ricinus, Sweden.
AB  - Babesiosis is an emerging tick-transmitted zoonosis in large parts of the world.
      In Sweden, the occurrence and diversity of Babesia species is largely unknown. In
      order to estimate the exposure to Babesia from infected ticks, we collected
      questing Ixodes ricinus from several sites across southern Sweden during two
      consecutive field seasons and investigated the occurrence of Babesia species. We
      report for the first time the occurrence of the zoonotic species Babesia
      venatorum in Swedish ticks, with a prevalence of 1%. We also detected B. microti
      (prevalence 3.2%) and B. divergens (prevalence 0.2%). The incidence of Babesia in
      questing ticks is substantially lower than that of several other tick-borne
      diseases in Sweden. Nevertheless, babesiosis should not be neglected as a
      possible diagnosis following tick bites in humans and animals in Sweden. 

PMID- 26277448
TI  - Low environmental levels of neuro-active pharmaceuticals alter phototactic
      behaviour and reproduction in Daphnia magna.
AB  - Assessing the risks of emerging contaminants, such as pharmaceuticals in the
      environment requires an understanding of their exposure regime and their effects
      at environmentally relevant concentrations across species. Daphnia magna
      represents an excellent invertebrate model species to study the mode of action of
      emerging pollutants, allowing the assessment of effects at different biological
      levels. The present study aims to test the hypothesis that different families of
      neuro-active pharmaceuticals at low environmentally relevant concentrations may
      lead to similar phenotypic responses in D. magna. Phenotypic traits included
      reproduction and behavioural responses. Selected pharmaceuticals were
      carbamazepine, diazepam and propranolol, three widely prescribed compounds,
      already detected at considerable levels in the environment (ng to few MUg/L).
      Fluoxetine was also included in behavioural assays. The three tested neuro-active
      pharmaceuticals were able to enhance reproduction at 1ng/L of propranolol,
      0.1MUg/L of diazepam and 1MUg/L of carbamazepine. Fluoxetine, carbamazepine and
      diazepam increased positive phototactic behaviour at concentrations ranging from
      1, 10 and 100ng/L, respectively. Reported responses were nonmonotonic, which
      means that eco-toxicity testing of pharmaceuticals need to assess effects at the
      ng/L range. 

PMID- 26277450
TI  - Gastric bypass-induced weight loss alters obesity-associated patterns of plasma
      pentraxin-3 and systemic inflammatory markers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Systemic inflammation contributes to obesity-associated
      complications. The short pentraxin C-reactive protein (CRP) is a validated
      inflammatory marker, whereas long pentraxin-3 (PTX3) limits inflammation and is
      adaptively stimulated by proinflammatory cytokines in vitro. Severely obese (SO)
      patients (body mass index [BMI]>40] have the highest obesity-associated
      complications and increasingly undergo surgical treatment. SO-associated changes
      in plasma PTX3 and their interactions with systemic inflammation are, however,
      unknown. OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine potential alterations in plasma PTX3
      and their associations with changes in inflammatory markers before and after
      weight loss induced by laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB). SETTING:
      University hospital in Trieste, Italy. METHODS: Plasma PTX3, CRP, and cytokines,
      including tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin 6 were measured in (1) 24
      individuals with severe, class III obesity (SO; age = 42 +/- 1 yr, female/male =
      18/6, BMI = 45 +/- 1 kg/m(2)) before and 3, 6, and 12 months after LRYGB; and (2)
      age- and sex-matched normal-weight (N; n = 56, BMI = 22 +/- .2 kg/m(2)) or class
      I obese individuals (O; n = 44, BMI = 31.2 +/- .3 kg/m(2)). RESULTS: SO, but not
      O, had higher plasma PTX3 compared with N, associated with highest
      proinflammatory cytokines and CRP (P<.05 versus N-O). In all patients, plasma
      interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha were associated positively with
      PTX3 (P<.05). Plasma CRP and proinflammatory cytokines declined during LRYGB
      induced weight loss. In contrast, high PTX3 further increased and remained
      elevated (P<.05 versus basal). CONCLUSIONS: Obesity level and energy balance
      modulate interactions between PTX3 and systemic inflammation. Elevated PTX3 is a
      novel, potentially adaptive alteration associated with proinflammatory cytokines
      in SO. Their differential changes conversely suggest circulating PTX3 as a novel
      negative inflammatory marker in SO undergoing LRYGB-induced weight loss.

PMID- 26277449
TI  - Super-enhancers: Asset management in immune cell genomes.
AB  - Super-enhancers (SEs) are regions of the genome consisting of clusters of
      regulatory elements bound with very high amounts of transcription factors, and
      this architecture appears to be the hallmark of genes and noncoding RNAs linked
      with cell identity. Recent studies have identified SEs in CD4(+) T cells and have
      further linked these regions to single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated
      with immune-mediated disorders, pointing to an important role for these
      structures in the T cell differentiation and function. Here we review the
      features that define SEs, and discuss their function within the broader
      understanding of the mechanisms that define immune cell identity and function. We
      propose that SEs present crucial regulatory hubs, coordinating intrinsic and
      extrinsic differentiation signals, and argue that delineating these regions will
      provide important insight into the factors and mechanisms that define immune cell
      identity. 

PMID- 26277451
TI  - Depression and quality of life in Spanish-speaking immigrant persons with
      epilepsy compared with those in English-speaking US-born persons with epilepsy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine levels of depression and quality of life
      in Spanish-speaking (less acculturated) immigrants with epilepsy compared with
      those in English-speaking US-born persons with epilepsy (PWEs). METHODS: The
      study included 85 PWEs - 38 Spanish-speaking immigrants with epilepsy and 47 US
      born PWEs. All patients underwent video-EEG monitoring and completed depression
      and quality-of-life inventories in their dominant language (Spanish/English).
      Chart review of clinical epilepsy variables was conducted by an epileptologist.
      RESULTS: Our study revealed that depression scores were significantly higher in
      Hispanic PWEs (21.65+/-14.6) than in US-born PWEs (14.50+/-10.2) (t (64.02)=-2.3,
      two-sided p=.025). Marital status, medical insurance, antidepressant use, seizure
      frequency, and number of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) were tested as covariates in
      the ANCOVA framework and were not statistically significant at the 0.05
      significance level. Fewer Hispanics were prescribed antidepressant medications
      (13.15% for Hispanics and 40.42% for US-born, chi(2) (1,85) 7.71, p=.005) and had
      access to comprehensive health insurance coverage (chi(2) (1,85)=13.70, p=0.000).
      Hispanic patients were also found to be receiving significantly less AEDs
      compared with their US-born peers (t (83, 85)=2.33, p=.02). Although quality of
      life was diminished in both groups, Seizure Worry was worse for Hispanics after
      accounting for potential effects of marital status, medical insurance, use of
      antidepressants, seizure frequency, and number of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) ((1,
      83), F=7.607, p=0.007). SIGNIFICANCE: The present study is the first of its kind
      to examine depression and quality of life in Spanish-speaking US immigrants with
      epilepsy. Spanish-speaking immigrants with epilepsy have been identified as a
      group at risk. They demonstrated higher depression scores and more Seizure Worry
      independent of epilepsy and demographic characteristics compared with their US
      born peers. The Hispanic group was receiving less treatment for depression, was
      taking less AEDs, and had less access to comprehensive health coverage compared
      with non-Hispanics.

PMID- 26277452
TI  - Rare Upper Airway Anomalies.
AB  - A broad spectrum of congenital upper airway anomalies can occur as a result of
      errors during embryologic development. In this review, we will describe the
      clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management strategies for a few select,
      rare congenital malformations of this system. The diagnostic tools used in workup
      of these disorders range from prenatal tests to radiological imaging, swallowing
      evaluations, indirect or direct laryngoscopy, and rigid bronchoscopy. While these
      congenital defects can occur in isolation, they are often associated with
      disorders of other organ systems or may present as part of a syndrome. Therefore
      workup and treatment planning for patients with these disorders often involves a
      team of multiple specialists, including paediatricians, otolaryngologists,
      pulmonologists, speech pathologists, gastroenterologists, and geneticists. 

PMID- 26277455
TI  - Color stability and force decay of clear orthodontic elastomeric chains: An in
      vitro study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the percentage force decay of clear and semi-clear
      elastomeric chain products from eight different manufacturers and to evaluate the
      amount of discoloration after immersion in colored dietary media of the same
      elastomeric chain products. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An in vitro study was designed
      using an electronic force gauge to measure six samples from each of 19 types of
      elastomeric chains stretched for a period of four weeks. A spectrophotometer was
      used to measure the color of each specimen (10 of each type) at baseline and
      after being soaked in a dietary medium (coffee, tea, cola, and wine in 250 ml
      amounts) for 72 h. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in the percentage
      of the lost initial force between all the tested E-chains (P<0.001). ANOVA shows
      a significant difference in the amount of discoloration between the E-chain types
      (P<0.001). Semi-clear (tooth-color/pearl/obscure) E-chain types (TP-ToothC, OrthO
      Pearl, GAC-SiliPearl, 3M-Obscure) present significantly less change in color than
      clear E-chains of the same brand (TP-Clear, OrthoO-Clear, GAC-SiliClear, 3M
      Clear). CONCLUSIONS: Significant differences in the mean percentage force decay
      between the 19 studied clear elastomeric chain types were present. AO-Memory and
      Ormco maintained most of their original force at the end of the four-week
      interval. Significant differences in discoloration also exist between the various
      types of E-chains. TP Orthodontics (Tooth-Colored, SuperSlick, Clear) and Ortho
      Organizers (Pearl) showed the least discoloration.

PMID- 26277457
TI  - Adjustable selective maxillary expansion combined with maxillomandibular surgery:
      A case report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion (SARME) is usually
      considered the gold standard for maxillary transverse expansion in adults.
      However, a second surgical procedure is needed in cases of associated sagittal or
      vertical discrepancies. We describe the use of two new innovative devices for the
      correction of discrepancies in all dimensions during a single surgical procedure,
      thus reducing treatment duration. MATERIAL: We report the case of a 21-year-old
      female patient, referred to our department for skeletal Class III malocclusion
      associated with right-side laterognathism and transverse maxillary deficiency.
      The patient underwent one-stage surgery, using sliding osteosynthesis plates and
      an adjustable bone-borne distractor. Pre-surgical orthodontics consisted in
      leveling and aligning the mandibular arch; maxillary leveling was initiated 3
      months before surgery. Postoperative palatal distraction combined with
      orthodontic finishing enabled complete correction of dental and bony
      discrepancies after 3 months. CONCLUSION: In our experience, treatment of
      transverse, sagittal and vertical discrepancies has been possible in a single
      surgical procedure, using two innovative techniques: sliding osteosynthesis and
      an adjustable bone distractor. Two years post-surgery, the correction is stable
      in all dimensions.

PMID- 26277458
TI  - Bone stress and strain modification in diastema closure: 3D analysis using finite
      element method.
AB  - The aim of this study was to analyse the stress and strain distribution in the
      alveolar bone between two central incisors in the process of diastema closure
      with a constant force. A 3-dimensional computer modeling based on finite element
      techniques was used for this purpose. A model of an anterior segment of the
      mandible containing cortical bone, spongy bone, gingivae, PDL and two central
      incisors with a bracket in the labial surface of each tooth were designed. The
      von Mises stress and strain was evaluated in alveolar bone along a path of nodes
      defined in a cresto-apical direction in the midline between two teeth. It was
      observed that stress and strain of alveolar bone increased in midline with a
      constant force to close the diastema regardless of the type of movement in
      gradual steps of diastema closure, however the stress was higher in the tipping
      movement than the bodily so it can be suggested that a protocol of force system
      modification should be introduced to compensate for the stress and strain changes
      caused by the reduced distance to avoid the unwanted stress alteration during the
      diastema closure. 

PMID- 26277459
TI  - Personal semantics: Is it distinct from episodic and semantic memory? An
      electrophysiological study of memory for autobiographical facts and repeated
      events in honor of Shlomo Bentin.
AB  - Declarative memory is thought to consist of two independent systems: episodic and
      semantic. Episodic memory represents personal and contextually unique events,
      while semantic memory represents culturally-shared, acontextual factual
      knowledge. Personal semantics refers to aspects of declarative memory that appear
      to fall somewhere in between the extremes of episodic and semantic. Examples
      include autobiographical knowledge and memories of repeated personal events.
      These two aspects of personal semantics have been studied little and rarely
      compared to both semantic and episodic memory. We recorded the event-related
      potentials (ERPs) of 27 healthy participants while they verified the veracity of
      sentences probing four types of questions: general (i.e., semantic) facts,
      autobiographical facts, repeated events, and unique (i.e., episodic) events.
      Behavioral results showed equivalent reaction times in all 4 conditions. True
      sentences were verified faster than false sentences, except for unique events for
      which no significant difference was observed. Electrophysiological results showed
      that the N400 (which is classically associated with retrieval from semantic
      memory) was maximal for general facts and the LPC (which is classically
      associated with retrieval from episodic memory) was maximal for unique events.
      For both ERP components, the two personal semantic conditions (i.e.,
      autobiographical facts and repeated events) systematically differed from semantic
      memory. In addition, N400 amplitudes also differentiated autobiographical facts
      from unique events. Autobiographical facts and repeated events did not differ
      significantly from each other but their corresponding scalp distributions
      differed from those associated with general facts. Our results suggest that the
      neural correlates of personal semantics can be distinguished from those of
      semantic and episodic memory, and may provide clues as to how unique events are
      transformed to semantic memory. 

PMID- 26277460
TI  - Functional asymmetry between the left and right human fusiform gyrus explored
      through electrical brain stimulation.
AB  - The ventral temporal cortex (VTC) contains several areas with selective responses
      to words, numbers, faces, and objects as demonstrated by numerous human and
      primate imaging and electrophysiological studies. Our recent work using
      electrocorticography (ECoG) confirmed the presence of face-selective neuronal
      populations in the human fusiform gyrus (FG) in patients implanted with
      intracranial electrodes in either the left or right hemisphere. Electrical brain
      stimulation (EBS) disrupted the conscious perception of faces only when it was
      delivered in the right, but not left, FG. In contrast to our previous findings,
      here we report both negative and positive EBS effects in right and left FG,
      respectively. The presence of right hemisphere language dominance in the first,
      and strong left-handedness and poor language processing performance in the second
      case, provide indirect clues about the functional architecture of the human VTC
      in relation to hemispheric asymmetries in language processing and handedness. 

PMID- 26277461
TI  - Outcomes of pulmonary resection in single-lung patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: After pneumonectomy, the development of a new lung cancer or a
      recurrence in the residual lung is a challenge. Surgery often is considered
      contraindicated. The goal of our study is to assess the morbidity and mortality
      of lung resection on a single lung. METHODS: All patients who underwent lung
      resection after pneumonectomy from January 1996 through December 2012 were
      reviewed. RESULTS: There were 12 patients (10 men and 2 women). Mean age was 71
      years (range, 54-81 years). Mean preoperative FEV1 was 1,470 ml (52%) and
      preoperative FVC 2,153 ml (61,5%). Subsequent pulmonary resection was performed
      after a median follow-up of 34,5 months. Wedge resection was performed in all
      patients. Diagnosis was pulmonary mestastatic lung cancer in 2 patients,
      metachronous lung cancer in 6, metastatic extrathoracic cancer in 3 and benign
      nodule in one. Complications occurred in 4 patients (33,4%) while operative
      mortality was nil. CONCLUSIONS: Lung resection on a single lung is a safe
      procedure associated with acceptable morbidity and mortality. Careful patient
      selection is very important.

PMID- 26277462
TI  - Of mice and men and surgical transcatheter aortic valve insertion.

PMID- 26277464
TI  - Pulmonary vein stenosis: Challenges ahead.

PMID- 26277463
TI  - Device success and 30-day clinical outcome in patients undergoing preimplant
      valvuloplasty in transfemoral versus omitting valvuloplasty in transapical
      transcatheter aortic valve replacement.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The study objective was to evaluate the impact of preimplantation
      balloon valvuloplasty on procedural outcomes in high-risk or no-option patients
      with aortic stenosis undergoing Edwards Lifesciences (Irvine, Calif) Sapien valve
      placement. Paravalvular aortic regurgitation has been associated with long-term
      mortality after transcatheter aortic valve replacement. Whether omitting
      preimplant balloon valvuloplasty affects paravalvular aortic regurgitation after
      Edwards Sapien transcatheter aortic valve replacement is currently unknown.
      METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical outcome of 121 consecutive
      patients undergoing transapical (N = 50) or transfemoral (N = 71) Edwards Sapien
      transcatheter aortic valve replacement. Routinely, no preimplant balloon
      valvuloplasty was performed in transapical procedure as opposed to uniform
      preimplant balloon valvuloplasty in transfemoral cases. The incidence and
      severity of total and paravalvular aortic regurgitation and 30-day clinical
      outcomes were compared between the 2 cohorts. RESULTS: The average patient's age
      was 84.4 years, with a higher prevalence of smoking history (68% vs 42%, P =
      .005) and peripheral vascular disease (38% vs 20%, P = .03) in the patients
      undergoing transapical replacement. The preprocedural transthoracic
      echocardiographic and computed tomography findings were similar between the 2
      cohorts. After transcatheter aortic valve replacement, the incidence of mild to
      moderate total aortic regurgitation (42% transfemoral vs 38% transapical),
      paravalvular aortic regurgitation (39% transfemoral vs 30% transapical), device
      success (88.7% transfemoral vs 94.0% transapical), and 30-day composite end
      points (9.9% transfemoral vs 14.0% transapical) were comparable in both groups.
      Multivariate regression analysis revealed male gender (odds ratio, 2.7; 95%
      confidence interval, 1.18-6.35; P = .02) but not preimplant balloon valvuloplasty
      as an independent predictor for mild or greater total aortic regurgitation.
      CONCLUSIONS: Compared with transapical transcatheter aortic valve replacement
      without preimplant balloon valvuloplasty, preimplant balloon valvuloplasty before
      transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement resulted in a similar degree
      of prosthesis-related regurgitation, device success, and 30-day composite safety
      outcomes.

PMID- 26277465
TI  - Small incisions in small patients: Continued advancement in pediatric
      thoracoscopy.

PMID- 26277467
TI  - Dealing with a stenotic bicuspid aortic valve: Is this still an off-label
      procedure for a sutureless valve?

PMID- 26277466
TI  - Knowledge, attitudes, and practice preferences of Canadian cardiac surgeons
      toward the management of acute type A aortic dissection.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The complexity of surgical treatment for acute type A dissection
      contributes to the variability in patient management. This study was designed to
      elucidate the contemporary practice preferences of cardiac surgeons regarding
      different phases of management of acute type A aortic dissection. METHODS: A 34
      item questionnaire was distributed to all Canadian adult cardiac surgeons
      addressing the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative management of
      acute type A dissection. A total of 100 responses were obtained (82% of active
      surgeons in Canada). Outcomes were compared between high- and low-volume aortic
      surgeons. RESULTS: Seventy-six percent of respondents favored axillary artery
      cannulation. High-volume surgeons (>150 cases) were more likely to indicate a
      target lowest nasopharyngeal temperature more than 20  degrees C (53% vs 25%, P =
      .02). The majority of surgeons (65%) recommended using selective antegrade
      cerebral perfusion, with a significantly greater proportion for higher-volume
      aortic surgeons (P = .03). In addition, high-volume aortic surgeons were more
      likely to recommend aortic root replacement at smaller diameters (73% vs 55%, P =
      .02), to recommend more extensive distal aortic resection with routine open
      hemiarch anastomosis (85% vs 65%, P = .04), and to more commonly perform total
      arch reconstruction when needed (93% vs 77%, P = .04). In the follow-up period,
      frequency of serial imaging of the residual aorta was significantly higher for
      high-volume aortic surgeons (P = .04). CONCLUSIONS: This study identified some
      commonalities in practice preferences among Canadian cardiac surgeons for the
      management of acute type A aortic dissection. However, it also highlighted
      significant differences in temperature management, cerebral protection
      strategies, and extent of resection between high-volume and low-volume aortic
      surgeons.

PMID- 26277468
TI  - Surgical removal of embolized atrial septal defect device from pulmonary artery.

PMID- 26277469
TI  - Contemporary outcomes of surgery for aortic root aneurysms: A propensity-matched
      comparison of valve-sparing and composite valve graft replacement.

PMID- 26277470
TI  - Descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms: "Busted".

PMID- 26277471
TI  - Stem cells on a new stage: Treatment of hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

PMID- 26277472
TI  - Impact of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting on long-term percutaneous
      coronary interventions.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The debate regarding the advantages and limitations of off-pump
      versus on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) has yet to be resolved.
      This study was designed to compare the impact of surgical technique on long-term
      mortality and subsequent revascularization. METHODS: The Predicting Long-Term
      Outcomes After Isolated Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery (PRIORITY) project was
      designed to evaluate the long-term outcomes of 2 large, prospective multicenter
      cohort studies on CABG conducted in Italy between 2002 and 2004 and in 2007 and
      2008. Clinical data on isolated CABG were compiled from 2 administrative
      databases. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 11,021 patients who
      underwent isolated CABG (27.2% off-pump CABG). Surgical strategy did not affect
      in-hospital mortality. Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated that on-pump
      CABG was the only factor that protected from in-hospital percutaneous coronary
      intervention after surgery (odds ratio, 0.61). Although unadjusted long-term
      survival was significantly worse for off-pump CABG, adjustment did not confirm
      off-pump CABG as a risk factor for mortality (hazard ratio, 0.96; 95% confidence
      interval, 0.87-1.06). The on-pump CABG group had a significantly lower
      hospitalization for subsequent percutaneous coronary intervention, a finding
      confirmed even with adjustment for confounding factors (hazard ratio, 0.70; 95%
      confidence interval, 0.62-0.80; P < .001). Off-pump CABG thus carried a 42%
      higher risk for subsequent percutaneous coronary intervention than on-pump CABG.
      The incidence of repeat CABG was similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study
      demonstrated that off-pump OPCAB did not affect short- and long-term mortality,
      but it was a significant risk factor for rehospitalization for percutaneous
      coronary intervention.

PMID- 26277473
TI  - Ross procedure in the setting of anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery.

PMID- 26277474
TI  - Modified technique for tracheobronchial Y-stent insertion using flexible
      bronchoscope for stent guidance.

PMID- 26277475
TI  - Biomechanical drawbacks of different techniques of mitral neochordal
      implantation: When an apparently optimal repair can fail.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Intraoperative assessment of the proper neochordal length during
      mitral plasty may be complex sometimes. Patient-specific finite element models
      were used to elucidate the biomechanical drawbacks underlying an apparently
      correct mitral repair for isolated posterior prolapse. METHODS: Preoperative
      patient-specific models were derived from cardiac magnetic resonance images;
      integrated with intraoperative surgical details to assess the location and extent
      of the prolapsing region, including the number and type of diseased chordae; and
      complemented by the biomechanical properties of mitral leaflets, chordae
      tendineae, and artificial neochordae. We investigated postoperative mitral valve
      biomechanics in a wide spectrum of different techniques (single neochorda, double
      neochordae, and preconfigured neochordal loop), all reestablishing adequate
      valvular competence, but differing in suboptimal millimetric expanded
      polytetrafluoroethylene suture lengths in a range of +/-2 mm, compared with the
      corresponding "ideal repair." RESULTS: Despite the absence of residual
      regurgitation, alterations in chordal forces and leaflet stresses arose
      simulating suboptimal repairs; alterations were increasingly relevant as more
      complex prolapse anatomies were considered and were worst when simulating single
      neochorda implantation. Multiple chordae implantations were less sensitive to
      errors in neochordal length tuning, but associated postoperative biomechanics
      were hampered when asymmetric configurations were reproduced. Computational
      outcomes were consistent with the presence and entity of recurrent mitral
      regurgitation at midterm follow-up of simulated patients. CONCLUSIONS: Suboptimal
      suture length tuning significantly alters chordal forces and leaflet stresses,
      which may be key parameters in determining the long-term outcome of the repair.
      The comparison of the different simulated techniques suggests possible criteria
      for the selection and implementation of neochordae implantation techniques.

PMID- 26277476
TI  - Assessment of mitral annuloplasty ring by cardiac computed tomography:
      Correlation with echocardiographic parameters and comparison between two
      different ring types.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study investigated computed tomographic (CT) appearance after
      mitral ring annuloplasty, especially comparing CT findings between patients with
      normal pressure gradient (PG) and patients with functional mitral stenosis (MS)
      and between 2 commonly used types of annuloplasty ring. METHODS: A total of 45
      cardiac CT scans in patients who underwent mitral ring annuloplasty (Carpentier
      Edwards ring, n = 27; Duran ring, n = 18) were retrospectively reviewed. On CT
      scan, presence of significant pannus around the annuloplasty ring, presence of
      leaflet thickening, and maximal mitral opening area were analyzed. CT findings
      were compared between patients with normal PG and patients with functional MS
      (mean diastolic PG >= 5 mm Hg). Incidences of functional MS and CT findings were
      compared between ring types. RESULTS: Significant pannus was present in 10 cases
      and leaflet thickening in 31 cases, and maximal opening area was 2.34 +/- 0.717
      cm(2). Valve opening area on CT was positively correlated with mitral valve area
      on transthoracic echocardiography and negatively correlated with mean diastolic
      PG. Mean diastolic PG was significantly elevated with increasing pannus severity.
      Patients with functional MS had more significant pannus than patients with normal
      PG. The Duran ring group had higher mean diastolic PG, smaller mitral valve area,
      and higher incidence of functional MS than the Carpentier-Edwards ring group (P <
      .05). The proportion of pannus and significant pannus was significantly higher in
      the Duran ring group (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Significant pannus around the
      annuloplasty ring on CT may cause functional MS after mitral ring annuloplasty.
      This may occur more frequently with the Duran ring.

PMID- 26277477
TI  - Chelation efficacy and erythroid response during deferasirox treatment in
      patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms in fibrotic phase.
AB  - At present, very few data are available on deferasirox (DFX) in the treatment of
      patients with Philadelphia-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms in fibrotic
      phase (FP-MPN) and transfusion dependence. To address this issue, a retrospective
      analysis of 28 patients (22 male and 6 female) with FP-MPN and iron overload
      secondary to transfusion dependence was performed, based on patients enrolled in
      the database of our regional cooperative group who received treatment with DFX.
      DFX was started after a median interval from diagnosis of 12.8 months (IR 7.1
      43.1) with median ferritin values of 1415 ng/mL (IR 1168-1768). Extra
      hematological toxicity was reported in 16 of 28 patients (57.1%), but only two
      patients discontinued treatment due to toxicity. Among 26 patients evaluable for
      response (>=6 months of treatment), after a median treatment period of 15.4
      months (IR 8.1-22.3), 11 patients (42.3%) achieved a stable and consistent
      reduction in ferritin levels <1000 ng/mL. As for hematological improvement, 6 of
      26 patients (23%) showed a persistent (>3 months) rise of Hb levels >1.5 g/dL,
      with disappearance of transfusion dependence in four cases. Treatment with DFX is
      feasible and effective in FP-MPN with iron overload. Moreover, in this setting,
      an erythroid response can occur in a significant proportion of patients. 

PMID- 26277478
TI  - Rethinking the Concepts of Fluence (UV Dose) and Fluence Rate: The Importance of
      Photon-based Units - A Systemic Review.
AB  - After a critical review of the fundamental equations describing photobiological
      and photochemical processes occurring in a medium exposed to a quasi-collimated
      monochromatic UV light beam, the analysis in this review is extended to analogous
      processes driven by polychromatic UV light, such as that emitted by medium
      pressure mercury-vapor arc lamps. The analysis is based on the Second Law of
      Photochemistry, namely that all photochemical events must be independent, and the
      rate of such events must be proportional to the rate of photon absorption. A
      consistent application of the Second Law of Photochemistry leads to a concept
      change; hence it is proposed herein to use photon fluence and photon fluence
      rate, rather than fluence (UV dose) and fluence rate, respectively, in the
      analysis and interpretation of photobiological and photochemical processes. As a
      consequence, many equations that have been used in the past must be revised, and
      some experimental information (e.g. action spectra) needs to be re-analyzed. 

PMID- 26277479
TI  - Progesterone receptor-estrogen receptor crosstalk: a novel insight.
AB  - Copy number loss of the PGR gene and decreased expression of progesterone
      receptor (PR) may account for worse clinical outcomes in some individuals with
      estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha)-positive breast cancer. A recent report shows
      that PR activation inhibits estrogen-driven breast tumor growth by altering
      ERalpha chromatin binding and transcriptional activity. 

PMID- 26277480
TI  - Mixtures of amino-acid based ionic liquids and water.
AB  - New ionic liquids (ILs) involving increasing numbers of organic and inorganic
      ions are continuously being reported. We recently developed a new force field; in
      the present work, we applied that force field to investigate the structural
      properties of a few novel imidazolium-based ILs in aqueous mixtures via molecular
      dynamics (MD) simulations. Using cluster analysis, radial distribution functions,
      and spatial distribution functions, we argue that organic ions (imidazolium,
      deprotonated alanine, deprotonated methionine, deprotonated tryptophan) are well
      dispersed in aqueous media, irrespective of the IL content. Aqueous dispersions
      exhibit desirable properties for chemical engineering. The ILs exist as ion pairs
      in relatively dilute aqueous mixtures (10 mol%), while more concentrated mixtures
      feature a certain amount of larger ionic aggregates.

PMID- 26277481
TI  - The inhibitory effects of quercetin on obesity and obesity-induced inflammation
      by regulation of MAPK signaling.
AB  - Quercetin is a flavonoid found in fruits, vegetables, leaves and grains. It has
      inhibitory, antiviral, antiasthma, anticancer and antiinflammatory effects.
      Research has suggested that obesity is linked to metabolic disorders. In this
      study, we examined the inhibitory effect of quercetin on lipid accumulation and
      obesity-induced inflammation using 3T3-L1, RAW264.7, zebrafish and mouse models.
      Quercetin suppressed protein levels of the key adipogenic factors C/EBPbeta,
      C/EBPalpha, PPARgamma and FABP4 and the TG-synthesis enzymes lipin1, DGAT1 and
      LPAATtheta. Activation of m-TOR and p70S6K, which are related to insulin and
      adipogenesis, was down-regulated during adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells. Recent
      research suggested that MAPK signaling factors were involved in adipogenesis and
      inflammation and that the adipokines MCP-1 and TNF-alpha attracted macrophages
      into adipose tissue. Our data showed that quercetin inhibited the MAPK signaling
      factors ERK1/2, JNK and p38MAPK and MCP-1 and TNF-alpha in adipocytes and
      macrophages. Quercetin also inhibited secretion of the inflammatory cytokines IL
      1beta and IL-6 and stimulated that of IL-10, an antiinflammatory cytokine. In
      this study, we confirmed the inhibitory effects of quercetin in adipogenesis and
      inflammation using a mouse model. In mice, quercetin reduced body weight (almost
      40%) and suppressed expression of adipogenic, lipogenic and inflammation-related
      cytokines. Our data demonstrated that quercetin inhibits lipid accumulation and
      obesity-induced inflammation in the cell and animal models. Our study suggested
      that quercetin may represent a potential therapeutic agent for other metabolic
      disorders by regulating obesity and obesity-induced inflammation. 

PMID- 26277483
TI  - Tumor infiltration pattern into the surrounding tissue has prognostic
      significance in advanced gastric cancer.
AB  - Gastric cancer can be classified into three subgroups according to pattern of
      tumor infiltration into the surrounding tissue: INFa (expanding growth and a
      distinct border with the surrounding tissue), INFc (infiltrating growth and an
      indistinct border with the surrounding tissue), and INFb (in-between a and c).
      How the tumor infiltration pattern (INF) relates to prognosis and type of
      recurrence in advanced gastric cancer has not been sufficiently explored. We
      examined 805 consecutive advanced gastric adenocarcinoma patients who underwent
      curative gastrectomy at our institution between 1980 and 2005. Poor
      differentiation, serosal invasion, and lymph node metastasis were significantly
      more frequent in patients with INFc tumors than in those with INFa/b tumors. For
      patients with a T2 or T3 tumor, there was no significant difference in prognosis
      between those with INFa/b and with INFc. However, for patients with a T4a or T4b
      tumor, the prognosis of those with INFc was significantly worse than that of
      those with INFa/b. In multivariate analysis, INF was an independent prognostic
      indicator in T4a but not T2, T3, and T4b. Furthermore, the prognosis of T4
      patients with INFc tumors was significantly worse than that of those with INFa/b,
      especially in node-negative but not in node-positive cases. In patients with a
      T4a or T4b tumor, peritoneal recurrence was significantly more frequent for those
      with INFc than for those with INFa/b. Our data indicate that INF is useful to
      predict the prognosis and recurrence pattern in T4a node-negative gastric cancer.

PMID- 26277482
TI  - Marijuana, phytocannabinoids, the endocannabinoid system, and male fertility.
AB  - Marijuana has the highest consumption rate among all of the illicit drugs used in
      the USA, and its popularity as both a recreational and medicinal drug is
      increasing especially among men of reproductive age. Male factor infertility is
      on the increase, and the exposure to the cannabinoid compounds released by
      marijuana could be a contributing cause. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is
      deeply involved in the complex regulation of male reproduction through the
      endogenous release of endocannabinoids and binding to cannabinoid receptors.
      Disturbing the delicate balance of the ECS due to marijuana use can negatively
      impact reproductive potential. Various in vivo and in vitro studies have reported
      on the empirical role that marijuana plays in disrupting the hypothalamus
      pituitary-gonadal axis, spermatogenesis, and sperm function such as motility,
      capacitation, and the acrosome reaction. In this review, we highlight the latest
      evidence regarding the effect of marijuana use on male fertility and also provide
      a detailed insight into the ECS and its significance in the male reproductive
      system. 

PMID- 26277485
TI  - Mechanical properties of the trapezius during scapular elevation in people with
      chronic whiplash associated disorders--A case-control ultrasound speckle tracking
      analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Approximately 50% of people with Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD)
      report longstanding symptoms. The upper trapezius is commonly painful yet its
      mechanical properties are not fully understood. OBJECTIVES: This study examined
      the deformation of different depths of the upper trapezius muscle during a
      scapular elevation task (shoulder shrugging) before and following loaded arm
      abduction. DESIGN AND METHODS: A cross-sectional case-control study of 36 people
      (26 female and 10 male, mean age 38 (SD 11)) with chronic WAD and 36 controls,
      matched for age and gender. Real-time ultrasound recordings of upper trapezius
      were taken during both scapular elevation tasks. Post-process speckle tracking
      analysis was undertaken of three different sections of the upper trapezius muscle
      (superficial, middle, deep). RESULTS: The WAD group had lower deformation of the
      superficial section of the upper trapezius compared to the control group in both
      concentric and eccentric phases of scapular elevation (p < 0.05) especially
      before the loaded arm abduction. After arm abduction, the deformation of the
      trapezius was reduced in both groups but only significantly in the WAD-group (p =
      0.03). Within-group analysis revealed that the control group least engaged the
      deep section of upper trapezius during the task (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: This
      study, measuring mechanical deformation of the upper trapezius during a scapular
      elevation task indicates that persons with WAD may display different patterns in
      engagement of the muscle sections than those in the control group. Further
      research is needed to replicate and understand the reasons for and implications
      of this possible change in motor strategy within upper trapezius. Clinical
      Trials.gov, Number: NCT01547624.

PMID- 26277484
TI  - Vascular Smooth Muscle as a Target for Novel Therapeutics.
AB  - Cardiovascular disease is the principal cause of death in patients with type 2
      diabetes (T2DM). Exposure of the vasculature to metabolic disturbances leaves a
      persistent imprint on vascular walls, and specifically on smooth muscle cells
      (SMC) that favours their dysfunction and potentially underlies macrovascular
      complications of T2DM. Current diabetes therapies and continued development of
      newer treatments has led to the ability to achieve more efficient glycaemic
      control. There is also some evidence to suggest that some of these treatments may
      exert favourable pleiotropic effects, some of which may be at the level of SMC.
      However, emerging interest in epigenetic markers as determinants of vascular
      disease, and a putative link with diabetes, opens the possibility for new avenues
      to develop robust and specific new therapies. These will likely need to target
      cell-specific epigenetic changes such as effectors of DNA histone modifications
      that promote or inhibit gene transcription, and/or microRNAs capable of
      regulating entire cellular pathways through target gene repression. The growing
      epidemic of T2DM worldwide, and its attendant cardiovascular mortality, dictates
      a need for novel therapies and personalised approaches to ameliorate vascular
      complications in this vulnerable population. 

PMID- 26277486
TI  - Does Educator Training or Experience Affect the Quality of Multiple-Choice
      Questions?
AB  - RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Physicians receive little training on proper multiple
      choice question (MCQ) writing methods. Well-constructed MCQs follow rules, which
      ensure that a question tests what it is intended to test. Questions that break
      these are described as "flawed." We examined whether the prevalence of flawed
      questions differed significantly between those with or without prior training in
      question writing and between those with different levels of educator experience.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: We assessed 200 unedited MCQs from a question bank for our
      senior medical student radiology elective: an equal number of questions (50) were
      written by faculty with previous training in MCQ writing, other faculty,
      residents, and medical students. Questions were scored independently by two
      readers for the presence of 11 distinct flaws described in the literature.
      RESULTS: Questions written by faculty with MCQ writing training had significantly
      fewer errors: mean 0.4 errors per question compared to a mean of 1.5-1.7 errors
      per question for the other groups (P < .001). There were no significant
      differences in the total number of errors between the untrained faculty,
      residents, and students (P values .35-.91). Among trained faculty 17/50 questions
      (34%) were flawed, whereas other faculty wrote 38/50 (76%) flawed questions,
      residents 37/50 (74%), and students 44/50 (88%). Trained question writers' higher
      performance was mainly manifest in the reduced frequency of five specific errors.
      CONCLUSIONS: Faculty with training in effective MCQ writing made fewer errors in
      MCQ construction. Educator experience alone had no effect on the frequency of
      flaws; faculty without dedicated training, residents, and students performed
      similarly.

PMID- 26277487
TI  - Functions of the anterior insula in taste, autonomic, and related functions.
AB  - The anterior insula contains the primary taste cortex, in which neurons in
      primates respond to different combinations providing a distributed representation
      of different prototypical tastes, oral texture including fat texture, and oral
      temperature. These taste neurons do not represent food reward value, in that
      feeding to satiety does not reduce their responses to zero, in contrast to the
      next stage of processing, the orbitofrontal cortex, where food reward value is
      represented. Corresponding results are found with fMRI in humans. A more ventral
      part of the anterior insula is implicated using fMRI in autonomic-visceral
      functions. 'Salient' stimuli, including rewarding, punishing, non-rewarding, and
      novel stimuli may activate this viscero-autonomic system, via inputs received
      from regions that represent these stimuli such as the orbitofrontal and anterior
      cingulate cortex. More posteriorly in the insula, there is an oral somatosensory
      region, and posterior to this somatosensory regions that respond to touch to the
      body. These taste and somatosensory representations in the insula provide
      representations that are about the external world (touch), are intermediate (oral
      taste and texture), and are about internal signals related to visceral and
      autonomic function. This functionality needs to be taken into account when
      considering activations of the insula found in cognitive tasks.

PMID- 26277488
TI  - Prediction of dual agents as an activator of mutant p53 and inhibitor of Hsp90 by
      docking, molecular dynamic simulation and virtual screening.
AB  - Heat shock protein90s (Hsp90s) play a crucial role in the development of cancer,
      and their inhibitors are a main target for tumor suppression. P53 also is a tumor
      suppressor, but in cancer cells, mutations in the p53 gene lead to the
      inactivation and accumulation of protein. For instance, the ninth p53 cancer
      mutation, Y220C, destabilizes the p53 core domain. Small molecules have been
      assumed to bind to Y220C DNA-binding domain and reactivate cellular mutant p53
      functions. In this study, one of the mutant p53 activators is suggested as an
      Hsp90 inhibitor according to a pyrazole scaffold. To confirm a new ligand as a
      dual agent, molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulations were performed on
      both proteins (p53 and Hsp90). Molecular dynamic simulations were also conducted
      to evaluate the obtained results on the other two pyrazole structures, one known
      as Hsp90 inhibitor and the other as the reported mutant p53 activator. The
      findings indicate that the new ligand was stable in the active site of both
      proteins. Finally, a virtual screening was performed on ZINC database, and a set
      of new dual agents was proposed according to the new ligand scaffold. 

PMID- 26277489
TI  - Ethnobotany, therapeutic value, phytochemistry and conservation status of Bowiea
      volubilis: A widely used bulbous plant in southern Africa.
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Bowiea volubilis Harv. ex Hook.f. (Family:
      Asparagaceae) is a bulbous medicinal plant widely used against numerous ailments
      including headache, muscular pains, infertility, cystitis and venereal diseases
      in southern Africa. AIM OF THE REVIEW: To provide a critical and updated review
      of Bowiea volubilis with regards to its abundance, medicinal importance,
      conservation status and potential means to sustain its availability for future
      generations. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search using online databases
      such as Web of Science, Google Scholar, Scopus and Springerlink as well as
      ethnobotanical literature was done in order to obtain, collate, synthesize and
      critically analyze available information on Bowiea volubilis. RESULTS: On the
      basis of its wide distribution in many Provinces in South Africa, Bowiea
      volubilis has a long history of applications among the different ethnic groups.
      These applications include its uses as purgatives and for the treatment or relief
      of microbial infections, skin disorders, pains and inflammation. Scientific
      validation of its diverse uses in traditional medicine has been demonstrated via
      antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and toxicity assays. Available results indicate
      a general poor antimicrobial activity especially with the bulb extracts while the
      anti-inflammatory activity appears promising. Phytochemical screenings revealed
      that Bowiea volubilis contains cardiac glycosides and related compounds while
      reports of other classes of compounds are unavailable. In line with its usage in
      traditional medicine, the majority of available studies on the species have
      focused on the use of different solvent extracts from the bulbs. The destructive
      harvesting of bulbs has led to a continuous decimation of wild populations.
      Consequently, there are increasing conservational concerns on the sustainability
      of this species for continuous supply to meet escalating demands. CONCLUSIONS:
      Bowiea volubilis remains a widely used medicinal plant and available but limited
      scientific evidence indicates its anti-inflammatory potential. The abundance of
      cardiac glycosides in its phytochemical composition provides an indication on the
      therapeutic potential. More research efforts including the application of
      different biotechnological techniques are still required in order to guarantee
      its sustainable use over time.

PMID- 26277490
TI  - Immunohistochemical localization of anterior pituitary cell types of vervet
      monkey (Chlorocebus aethiops) following sub-chronic cathinone exposure.
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Khat (Catha edulis) contains cathinone, an active
      principal that is customarily used as a psychostimulant that wards off fatigue
      and to some extent used as an aphrodisiac. AIM OF STUDY: To investigate effects
      of escalating doses of cathinone on hormone expression by different anterior
      pituitary cell types using specific antibodies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eleven
      vervet monkeys (6 males and 5 females) divided into tests (n=9) and controls
      (n=2) were used. Animals were allocated as group I (saline controls), group II
      (0.8 mg/kg), group III (3.2 mg/kg) and group IV (6.4 mg/kg) of cathinone. All
      treatments were via oral route at alternate days of each week. At the end of 4
      month treatment phase, GnRH agonist (ZOLADEX) was administered to group II (low
      dose) and group IV (high dose) alongside cathinone for 2 additional weeks.
      RESULTS: High cathinone dose at long-term exposure caused proliferation of
      gonadotrophs but decrease in lactotrophs and corticotrophs in anterior pituitary
      sections of animals while effect of low dose on these cells was insignificant.
      Subsequent GnRH agonist co-treatment with low and high cathinone doses enhanced
      gonadotroph proliferation but no change on decline of lactotrophs and
      corticotrophs. CONCLUSION: We believe that there was a possible potentiation of
      cathinone on pituitary hormone synthesis thereby influencing reproductive
      function. Suppression of corticotrophic and lactotrophic functions suggest
      lowering of stress levels and modulation of reproductive function based on dose
      level and chronicity of exposure. The findings are consistent with the hypothesis
      that cathinone interferes with pituitary cell integrity and consequently target
      organs, but further studies are required to address the precise mechanism
      underlying this phenomenon.

PMID- 26277491
TI  - The use of Chinese herbal medicines associated with reduced mortality in chronic
      hepatitis B patients receiving lamivudine treatment.
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Lamivudine associated mutation and resistance
      reduces the effect of anti-hepatitis B virus. Pharmacological studies in cell and
      animal model suggest that Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) have anti-hepatitis B
      virus effect. Observational studies offer mixed results. The aim of this study
      was to evaluate the relation between the use of CHMs and outcome in patients with
      chronic hepatitis B receiving lamivudine treatment and further estimate the
      association of Jia-Wei-Xiao-Yao-Sang (JWXYS) use with mortality of those
      patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a cohort study among patients age
      20-90 years within a National Health Insurance Healthcare system. Information on
      the use of CHMs and covariates were obtained from Taiwan National Health
      Insurance Research Database. We used Cox proportional hazards models to estimate
      the hazard ratio and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for all-cause mortality
      among CHMs users compared to nonusers. RESULTS: Among 1037 patients studied from
      2004 to 2011, median follow-up time 5.3 years and 88 deaths were identified.
      During the study period, 49% of patients used CHMs and the median duration of use
      was 2.4 years. We found that significant difference on all-cause mortality among
      CHMs users (aHR=0.45, 95% CI: 0.27-0.76) compared to CHMs nonusers. All-cause
      mortality also differed by JWXYS use (aHR=0.26, 95% CI: 0.08-0.83). CONCLUSIONS:
      This study reveals that the use of CHMs may lower the risk of death in patients
      with chronic hepatitis B receiving lamivudine treatment. Further randomized
      controlled trials are required to validate these findings.

PMID- 26277493
TI  - An overview of the medical management of nonmelanoma skin cancer.
AB  - Importantly, NMSCs are increasing in prevalence, and full recognition of these
      diseases as life-threatening entities is paramount. Overall, data supporting
      adjuvant or systemic therapy in NMSCs are limited, but there are enough reports
      in the literature to suggest some benefit with systemic agents. Where available,
      we recommend patients investigate clinical trial options, including phase I
      studies. Newer targeted therapies and activation of the immune system may provide
      for a dramatic step forward in the management of these diseases; however, formal
      clinical trials are necessary to establish these new treatments as a standard of
      care.

PMID- 26277492
TI  - Artemisia herba-alba essential oil from Buseirah (South Jordan): Chemical
      characterization and assessment of safe antifungal and anti-inflammatory doses.
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGIC RELEVANCE: Artemisia herba-alba Asso ("desert wormwood" in
      English; "armoise blanche" in French; "shaih" in Arabic), is a medicinal and
      strongly aromatic plant widely used in traditional medicine by many cultures
      since ancient times. It is used to treat inflammatory disorders (colds, coughing,
      bronchitis, diarrhea), infectious diseases (skin diseases, scabies, syphilis) and
      others (diabetes, neuralgias). In Jordanian traditional medicine, this plant is
      used as antiseptic and against skin diseases, scabies, syphilis, fever as well as
      menstrual and nervous disorders. AIM OF THE STUDY: Considering the traditional
      medicinal uses and the lack of scientific studies addressing the cellular and
      molecular players involved in these biological activities, the present study was
      designed to unveil the antifungal and anti-inflammatory activities of A. herba
      alba Asso essential oil at doses devoid of toxicity to mammalian cells. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: Chemical analysis of A. herba-alba essential oil isolated by
      hydrodistillation from aerial parts was carried out by gas chromatography (GC)
      and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The antifungal activity
      (minimal inhibitory concentrations and minimal lethal concentrations) was
      evaluated against yeasts, dermatophyte and Aspergillus strains. In order to
      explore the mechanisms behind the anti-fungal effect of the essential oil, the
      germ tube inhibition assay was evaluated using Candida albicans. The assessment
      of cell viability was accomplished using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5
      diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and the in vitro anti-inflammatory
      potential of A. herba-alba oil at the periphery and central nervous system was
      evaluated by measuring nitric oxide (NO) production using lipopolysaccharide
      (LPS)-stimulated mouse macrophages and microglia, respectively. RESULTS: Oxygen
      containing monoterpenes are the main compounds of the oil, namely 1,8-cineole
      (20.1%), beta-thujone (25.1%), alpha-thujone (22.9%) and camphor (10.5%). Among
      the fungal strains tested, the oil demonstrated potential against Trichophyton
      rubrum and Epidermophyton floccosum, with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC)
      and minimal lethal concentration (MCL) values of 0.32 mg/mL and Cryptococcus
      neoformans with MIC of 0.64 mg/mL. The oil revealed a strong inhibitory effect on
      germ tube formation in C. albicans with inhibition of filamentation around 90% at
      a concentration 0.16 mg/mL. Importantly, the essential oil significantly
      inhibited NO production evoked by LPS without cytotoxicity at concentrations up
      to 1.25 uL/mL in macrophages and up to 0.32 uL/mL in microglia. Furthermore,
      evaluation of cell viability in RAW 264.7 macrophages, BW2 microgliacells and
      HaCaT keratinocytes showed no cytotoxicity at concentrations up to 0.32 MUL/mL.
      CONCLUSIONS: It was possible to find appropriate doses of A. herba-alba oil with
      both antifungal and anti-inflammatory activities and without detrimental effects
      towards several mammalian cell types. These findings add significant information
      to the pharmacological activity of A. herba-alba essential oil, specifically to
      its antifungal and anti-inflammatory therapeutic value, thus justifying and
      reinforcing the use of this plant in traditional medicine.

PMID- 26277494
TI  - Spinal cord stimulation suppresses atrial fibrillation by inhibiting autonomic
      remodeling.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previous study has shown that spinal cord stimulation (SCS) may
      suppress atrial fibrillation (AF) inducibility, but the mechanism for this is
      elusive. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether SCS could
      inhibit AF inducibility by suppressing autonomic remodeling in a canine model of
      rapid atrial pacing (RAP)-induced AF. METHODS: Eighteen canines were randomly
      divided into an RAP group (n = 9) and an RAP+SCS group (n = 9). Effective
      refractory period (ERP), window of vulnerability (WOV), AF inducibility,
      autonomic neural function, and activity from the anterior right ganglionated
      plexus (ARGP) and left stellate ganglion (LSG) were measured at baseline, at 3
      hours of RAP, and at 6 hours of RAP. Then, ARGP and LSG were excised for Western
      blot and messenger RNA analysis. In another 4 dogs (control group, which received
      sham RAP and sham SCS), tissues were also excised for analysis. RESULTS: In the
      RAP group, RAP resulted in (1) a significant decrease in ERP and an increase in
      ERP dispersion, SigmaWOV, and AF inducibility and (2) activation of ARGP and LSG
      versus baseline. In the RAP+SCS group, however, these changes were significantly
      attenuated by SCS. Compared with the control group, c-fos and nerve growth factor
      (NGF) were significantly up-regulated and small conductance calcium-activated
      potassium channel type 2 (SK2) was significantly down-regulated in the RAP group.
      In the RAP+SCS group, however, c-fos, NGF, and SK2 remained at a normal level
      compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: SCS may suppress RAP-induced AF by
      inhibiting autonomic remodeling, and the underlying mechanism of the salutary
      effect of SCS might contribute to modulation of the expression of c-fos, NGF, and
      SK2.

PMID- 26277495
TI  - Role of adipose tissue in the pathogenesis of cardiac arrhythmias.
AB  - Epicardial adipose tissue is present in normal healthy individuals. It is a
      unique fat depot that, under physiologic conditions, plays a cardioprotective
      role. However, excess epicardial adipose tissue has been shown to be associated
      with prevalence and severity of atrial fibrillation. In arrhythmogenic right
      ventricular cardiomyopathy and myotonic dystrophy, fibrofatty infiltration of the
      myocardium is associated with ventricular arrhythmias. In the ovine model of
      ischemic cardiomyopathy, the presence of intramyocardial adipose or lipomatous
      metaplasia has been associated with increased propensity to ventricular
      tachycardia. These observations suggest a role of adipose tissue in the
      pathogenesis of cardiac arrhythmias. In this article, we review the role of
      cardiac adipose tissue in various cardiac arrhythmias and discuss the possible
      pathophysiologic mechanisms. 

PMID- 26277496
TI  - Comparisons of CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores for stroke risk stratification in
      atrial fibrillation: Which scoring system should be used for Asians?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Both U.S. and European guidelines recommend use of the CHA2DS2-VASc
      rather than CHADS2 score for stroke risk stratification in atrial fibrillation
      (AF). However, the CHA2DS2-VASc score has not been proved to be better than
      CHADS2 score for Asians in a large-scale study. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this
      study was to compare the accuracies of CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores in
      predicting ischemic stroke in Chinese patients. METHODS: This study used the
      National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan. A total of 186,570 AF
      patients without antithrombotic therapies were selected as the study cohort. The
      clinical end-point was occurrence of ischemic stroke. RESULTS: During follow-up
      of 3.4 +/- 3.7 years, 23,723 patients (12.7%) experienced ischemic stroke. The
      CHA2DS2-VASc score performed better than CHADS2 score in predicting ischemic
      stroke assessed by c-indexes (0.698 vs 0.659, P <.0001). Among 25,286 patients
      with a CHADS2 score of 0, the CHA2DS2-VASc score ranged from 0 to 3, and the
      annual stroke rate ranged from 1.15% to 4.47%. Compared to patients with a
      CHA2DS2-VASc score of 0, the hazard ratio of ischemic stroke for patients with a
      CHA2DS2-VASc score of 3 was 3.998. CONCLUSION: Patients with a CHADS2 score of 0
      were not necessarily "low risk," and the annual stroke rate can be as high as
      4.47% when patients were further stratified by the CHA2DS2-VASc score. In
      contrast, patients with a CHA2DS2-VASc score of 0 had a truly low risk of
      ischemic stroke, with an annual stroke rate around 1.15%. As with Caucasians, the
      CHA2DS2-VASc score should be used for stroke risk stratification in Asians.

PMID- 26277497
TI  - Diagnostic value of tumor blood flow and its histogram analysis obtained with
      pCASL to differentiate sinonasal malignant lymphoma from squamous cell carcinoma.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To investigate the diagnostic value of tumor blood flow (TBF)
      obtained with pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (pCASL) for the
      differentiation of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and malignant lymphoma (ML) in
      the nasal or sinonasal cavity. METHODS: Thirty-three patients with SCC and 6
      patients with ML in the nasal or sinonasal cavity were retrospectively analyzed.
      Quantitative TBF values were obtained using whole-tumor region of interest (ROI)
      from pCASL data. The histogram analysis of TBF values within the tumor ROI was
      also performed by calculating the coefficient of variation (CV), kurtosis, and
      skewness. The mean TBF value, histogram CV, kurtosis and skewness of the patients
      with SCC were compared with those of the ML patients. The diagnostic accuracy to
      differentiate SCC from ML was also calculated by receiver operating
      characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. In addition, multiple logistic regression
      models were also performed to determine their independent predictive value, and
      diagnostic accuracy with the combined use of these parameters. RESULTS: Between
      the SCC and ML groups, significant differences were observed in mean TBF, CV, and
      kurtosis, but not in skewness. In ROC curve analysis, the diagnostic accuracy
      values for the differentiation of SCC from ML in mean TBF, CV, and kurtosis were
      all 0.87, respectively. Multiple logistic regression models revealed TBF and CV
      were respectively independent predictive value. With the combination of these
      parameters, the diagnostic accuracy was elevated to 0.97. CONCLUSIONS: The TBF
      value and its histogram analysis obtained with pCASL can help differentiate SCC
      and ML.

PMID- 26277498
TI  - Coronary CT angiography using low concentrated contrast media injected with high
      flow rates: Feasible in clinical practice.
AB  - PURPOSE: Aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that peak injection
      pressures and image quality using low concentrated contrast media (CM) (240
      mg/mL) injected with high flow rates will be comparable to a standard injection
      protocol (CM: 300 mg/mL) in coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA).
      MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred consecutive patients were scanned on a 2nd
      generation dual-source CT scanner. Group 1 (n=50) received prewarmed Iopromide
      240 mg/mL at an injection rate of 9 mL/s, followed by a saline chaser. Group 2
      (n=50) received the standard injection protocol: prewarmed Iopromide 300 mg/mL;
      flow rate: 7.2 mL/s. For both protocols, the iodine delivery rate (IDR, 2.16
      gI/s) and the total iodine load (22.5 gI) were kept identical. Injection pressure
      (psi) was continuously monitored by a data acquisition program. Contrast
      enhancement was measured in the thoracic aorta and all proximal and distal
      coronary segments. Subjective and objective image quality was evaluated between
      both groups. RESULTS: No significant differences in peak injection pressures were
      found between both CM groups (121 +/- 5.6 psi vs. 120 +/- 5.3 psi, p=0.54). Flow
      rates of 9 mL/s were safely injected without any complications. No significant
      differences in contrast-to-noise ratio, signal-to-noise ratio and subjective
      image quality were found (all p>0.05). No significant differences in attenuation
      levels were found in the thoracic aorta and all segments of the coronary arteries
      (all p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Usage of low iodine concentration CM and injection with
      high flow rates is feasible. High flow rates (9 mL/s) of Iopromide 240 were
      safely injected without complications and should not be considered a drawback in
      clinical practice. No significant differences in peak pressure and image quality
      were found. This creates a doorway towards applicability of a broad variety in
      flow rates and IDRs and subsequently more individually tailored injection
      protocols.

PMID- 26277499
TI  - Homeostasis-based aging model for trabecular changes and its correlation with age
      matched bone mineral densities and radiographs.
AB  - PURPOSE: This paper aims (1) to propose a novel bone adaptation model for age
      related trabecular changes by adopting two implicit parameters in optimization,
      (2) to compare the simulated bone volume fraction (BV/TV) with the reported bone
      mineral density (BMD), and (3) to review the simulated trabecular architectures
      with the age-matched radiographs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The proposed model
      simulated the trabecular changes for an age span of 32-80 years. Quantitative
      comparison was conducted in terms of BMD and other morphometric indices. Then,
      two radiologists scored the simulated trabecular architectures using the age
      matched radiographs. This protocol was approved by the hospital institutional
      review board. RESULTS: The simulated BV/TV was well correlated with BMD reported
      in the literature (R(2)=0.855; p<0.05). In comparison with age-matched
      radiographs, the consensus scores of agreement of the trabeculae were higher in
      age groups over the 50s, and the means of the Ward's triangle areas were strongly
      correlated with those in the age-matched radiographs (R(2)=0.982; p<0.05).
      CONCLUSION: The proposed model could reflect the targeted trabecular changes in
      proximal femur with age. With further follow-up measurements, this research would
      contribute to the development of patient-specific models that assist radiologists
      in predicting skeletal integrity with aging.

PMID- 26277500
TI  - [Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG inhibits Cronobacter-induced meningitis in neonatal
      rats].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the inhibitory effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (
      LGG) against Cronobacter-induced meningitis in neonatal rats. METHODS: The cell
      adhesion and invasion capacities of Cronobacter were assayed in Caco-2 cells, and
      the optimal time length and concentration of the bacterium for infection were
      determined. The suppressive effects of LGG on the adhesion and invasion of
      Cronobacter in caco-2 cells were tested by competitive and exclusion experiments,
      and its inhibitory effect against Cronobacter-induced meningitis was evaluated in
      neonatal rats. RESULTS: Cronobacter showed aggressive adhesion to caco-2 cells
      with an optimal infection time of 3 h. LGG produced a concentration-dependent
      inhibition of Cronobacter adhesion and invasion by competing with and excluding
      the latter for cell adhesion. In neonatal rats, LGG showed an obvious preventive
      effect and also a moderate therapeutic effect against Cronobacter-induced
      meningitis. CONCLUSION: LGG can inhibit Cronobacter entry across the intestinal
      barrier to achieve preventive and therapeutic effects against Cronobacter-induced
      meningitis.

PMID- 26277501
TI  - [Effect of thalidomide on development of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of
      the jaws in rats].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of thalidomide on the development of
      bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (BRONJ). METHODS: Thirty-six
      rats were randomly divided into groups A, B and C, and treated with saline,
      zoledronate and zoledronate plus thalidomide, respectively. Three weeks later,
      the left maxillary first molars of the rats were extracted. Four and eight weeks
      after tooth extraction, samples were harvested for evaluation of osteonecrosis of
      the jaws, microvessel density, and cell apoptosis. RESULTS: At both of the time
      points, no exposed dead bone was observed at the extraction socket areas in the
      rats except for some small fistulas in groups B and C. Histological examination
      confirmed the absence of dead bone in group A, whereas small areas of dead bone
      were observed around the extraction socket in groups B and C. Compared with those
      in group A, the percentage of empty lacunae and the area of dead bone were
      significantly increased (P<0.01), whereas bone lacunae density was significantly
      decreased (P<0.01) in groups B and C at both time points. Microvessel density in
      groups B and C were also significantly decreased (P<0.01) by 25.87% and 55.27% at
      week 4, and by 45.62% and 72.84% at week 8, respectively; the apoptotic cells in
      groups B and C increased by 54.80% and 87.89% at week 4 (P<0.01), and by 208.08%
      and 250.58% at week 8 (P<0.01), respectively. CONCLUSION: Thalidomide can
      aggravate zoledronate-induced early-stage BRONJ, and their osteonecrosis-inducing
      effect of the jaw may be attributed, at least partly, to the inhibition of
      angiogenesis.

PMID- 26277502
TI  - [Optimization of the protocols for in vitro culture and induction of hepatic
      differentiation of rat mesenchymal stem cells].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To optimize the protocols for isolation, in vitro culture,
      identification and induction of hepatic differentiation of rat bone marrow
      mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). METHODS: Rat BMSCs were separated and purified by
      differential adherent culture for 1.5 h with the first medium change at 12 h. The
      surface markers of BMSCs were detected by flow cytometry. The cells were induced
      to differentiate into adipogenic, osteogenic, and chondrogenesis lineages. A 3
      step protocol including sequential addition of growth factors, cytokines and
      hormones was used to induce the BMSCs to differentiate into hepatocyte-like
      cells. RESULTS: The cells isolated using this protocol were positive for CD29,
      CD44, and CD90 and negative for CD29 and CD45. The adipogenic, osteogenic, and
      chondrogenic differentiation of the BMSCs were verified by Oil red, Alizarin red,
      and toluidine blue staining. The BMSCs induced with the 3-step protocol
      differentiated into hepatic-like cells that expressed hepatocyte-specific
      proteins (ALB and AFP) and genes. CONCLUSION: The optimized protocol allows
      simple and efficient isolation of highly purified populations of BMSCs, which can
      be induced into hepatic lineages in specific microenvironment.

PMID- 26277503
TI  - [Clinicopathological characteristics and prognostic factors of intrahepatic
      biliary cystadenocarcinoma].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinicopathological characteristics and the factors
      affecting the prognosis of intrahepatic biliary cystadenocarcinoma (IBC).
      METHODS: Forty-six patients with histologically confirmed IBC from January, 2000
      to April, 2014 were included. The clinical characteristics of the patients with
      IBC were compared with those of 58 patients with intrahepatic biliary cystadenoma
      (IBCA). Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to identify the factors affecting the
      prognosis of IBC. RESULTS: The 46 patients with IBC included 15 men and 31 women
      with a mean age of 57.0 +/- 10.5 years. Compared with the patients with IBCA, IBC
      patients had an older mean age (57.0 +/- 10.7 vs 44.3 +/- 15.3 years, P=0.03) and
      a greater proportion of male patients (15/46 vs 8/58, P=0.02). The differential
      diagnosis between IBC and IBCA was difficult on the basis of preoperative
      laboratory and imaging findings. The median overall survival of IBC patients was
      56 months with 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates of 85.9%, 65.2%, and 47.7%,
      respectively. Gender, surgical approach, tumor growth pattern and distant
      metastasis were all significant prognostic factors for the overall survival of
      the patients. CONCLUSION: IBC is a rare cystic lesion occurring primarily in
      middle-aged men. Complete resection is recommended for curative treatment and
      close follow-up is essential especially for male patients and patients with
      tumors exhibiting an invasive growth.

PMID- 26277504
TI  - [Effects of Panax notoginseng saponins on proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle
      of K562 cells in vitro and the mechanisms].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) on the
      proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle of K562 cells and explore the molecular
      mechanisms underlying these effects. METHODS: PNS-induced growth inhibition of
      K562 cells was detected by MTT assay; the cell apoptosis was evaluated by AO/EB
      staining and Annexin V-FITC/ PI staining; flow cytometry was used to detect cell
      cycle changes in the treated cells. The mRNA expressions of the molecules in mTOR
      signaling pathway were examined by RT-PCR, and the cellular expressions of
      cleaved caspeas-3, cyclin D1 and major proteins in mTOR signaling pathway were
      detected using Western blotting. RESULTS: MTT assay showed that treatment with
      100-800 ug/mL PNS significantly inhibited the proliferation, promoted the cell
      apoptosis, and caused cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase in K562 cells. Western
      blotting revealed increased protein expression of cleaved caspase-3 and decreased
      expression of cyclin D1 in PNS-treated cells, in which the proteins expressions
      of mTOR, p-mTOR, p-p70S6K and p-4E-BP 1 and the mRNA expression of mTOR were all
      decreased. CONCLUSION: PNS can inhibit the proliferation, induce apoptosis and
      cause cell cycle arrest in K562 cells possibly by up-regulating cleaved caspase 3
      and down-regulating cyclin D1 and mTOR signaling pathway.

PMID- 26277505
TI  - [Proanthocyanidins inhibit pancreatic cancer AsPC-1 cell growth and migration
      through up-regulation of let-7a].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To ascertain whether proanthocyanidins inhibit cell growth and
      migration by increasing let-7a expression in pancreatic cancer AsPC-1 cells.
      METHODS: The proliferation rate, cell apoptosis rate and cell migration ability
      of AsPC-1 cells treated with proanthocyanidins were measured by MTT assay,
      Annexin V-FITC/PI staining, and Transwell migration assay, respectively. The
      expression of let-7a AsPC cells was detected by miRNA real-time RT-PCR after
      proanthocyanidins treatment. The changes in the biological behaviors of AsPC-1
      cells were evaluated after transfection with let-7a mimics. RESULTS: Compared
      with the control group, proanthocyanidins treatment caused dose-dependent
      decrements of the proliferation rate and migration ability and increased the
      apoptosis rate in AsPC-1 cells. AsPC-1 cells with proanthocyanidins treatment
      showed increased expression of let-7a. Transfection with let-7a mimics resulted
      in obvious decreases in the cell growth rate and migration ability, and
      proanthocyanidins treatment significantly enhanced the inhibitory effect of let
      7a mimics. CONCLUSION: Proanthocyanidins-induced cell growth and migration
      inhibition are partially mediated by up-regulation of let-7a expression in AsPC-1
      cells.

PMID- 26277506
TI  - [Automatic extraction of the pennation angle of the gastrocnemius muscles from
      ultrasound radiofrequency signals].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We propose a cross-correlation method for automatic extraction of the
      pennation angle (PA) of the gastrocnemius (GM) muscle from ultrasound
      radiofrequency (RF) signals. METHODS: The ultrasound RF signals of the GM muscles
      in tension condition from normal subjects and the simulated ultrasound signals
      were collected. After the starting point of tracking, a fascicle was selected in
      the reconstructed GM ultrasound image from the RF signals, and the fascicle and
      deep aponeurosis could be automatically tracked using the cross-correlation
      algorithm. The lines of the fascicle and deep aponeurosis were then drawn and the
      PA was calculated. The reproducibility of the proposed method and its consistency
      with the manual measurement method were tested. RESULTS: The angles of the
      simulated fascicles were precisely extracted automatically. The difference
      between the experimental measurement and the theoretical values was less than 1
      degrees . The PA measured automatically and manually was 20.48 degrees ?0.47
      degrees  and 21.49 degrees ?1.79 degrees , respectively. The coefficient of
      variation (CV) of the two methods was less than 3% and the root-mean square error
      (RMSE) was less than 1 degrees . Bland-Altman plot showed a good agreement
      between the proposed automatic method and the manual method. CONCLUSION: The
      proposed cross-correlation automatic measurement method can detect the
      orientation of the fascicle and deep aponeurosis and measure the PA based on
      ultrasound RF signals with serious speckle noise.

PMID- 26277507
TI  - [Establishment of a colorectal cancer SW620 cell line stably over-expressing
      Wilm's tumor on X chromosome using a recombinant lentivirus vector].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To construct a recombinant lentivirus vector for Wilm's tumor on X
      chromosome (WTX) gene and establish a colorectal cancer SW620 cell line with
      stable WTX over-expression. METHODS: The full length coding region of WTX gene
      was amplified with PCR, and the amplified fragment was cloned into the lentivirus
      vector GV387. The recombinant lentivirus vector was transfected in 293T cells for
      packaging the virus, which was then transfected into colorectal cancer SW620
      cells. The stably transfected cells were selected with G418, and the cellular
      expressions of WTX mRNA and protein were detected using quantitative PCR and
      Western blotting. RESULTS: The recombinant plasmid was successfully constructed
      as verified by sequence analysis. Quantitative PCR and Western blotting results
      showed that trasnfection with the recombinant lentivirus significantly increased
      the expression levels of WTX in SW620 cells. CONCLUSION: We successfully
      established a colorectal cancer cell lines with stable over-expression of WTX,
      which provides an essential cell model for studying the role of WTX in the
      tumorigenesis and progression of colorectal cancer.

PMID- 26277508
TI  - [Effects of allitridum on rapidly delayed rectifier potassium current in HEK293
      cell line].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of allitridum on rapidly delayed rectifier
      potassium current (IKr) in HEK293 cell line. METHODS: HEK293 cells were
      transiently transfected with HERG channel cDNA plasmid pcDNA3.1 via
      Lipofectamine. Allitridum was added to the extracellular solution by partial
      perfusion after giga seal at the final concentration of 30 umol/L. Whole-cell
      patch clamp technique was used to record the HERG currents and gating kinetics
      before and after allitridum exposure at room temperature. RESULTS: The amplitude
      and density of IHERG were both suppressed by allitridum in a voltage-dependent
      manner. In the presence of allitridum, the peak current of IHERG was reduced from
      73.5?4.3 pA/pF to 42.1?3.6 pA/pF at the test potential of +50 mV (P<0.01).
      Allitridum also concentration-dependently decreased the density of the IHERG. The
      IC50 of allitridum was 34.74 umol/L with a Hill coefficient of 1.01. Allitridum
      at 30 umol/L caused a significant positive shift of the steady-state activation
      curve of IHERG and a markedly negative shift of the steady-state inactivation of
      IHERG, and significantly shortened the slow time constants of IHERG deactivation.
      CONCLUSION: Allitridum can potently block IHERG in HEK293 cells, which might be
      the electrophysiological basis for its anti-arrhythmic action.

PMID- 26277509
TI  - [Role of calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II in bupivacaine hydrochloride
      induced injury of SH-SY5Y cells].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of KN93, a calmodulin-dependent protein
      kinase II (CaMK II) inhibitor, on SH-SY5Y cell injury induced by bupivacaine
      hydrochloride. METHODS: SH-SY5Y cells exposed for 24 h to 1 mmol/L KN93, 1 mmol/L
      bupivacaine hydrochloride, or both were examined for morphological changes and
      Cav3.1 protein expressions using Western blotting. The vitality and apoptosis
      rate of the cells at different time points during the exposures were assessed
      with MTT assay and flow cytometry, respectively. RESULTS: Bupivacaine
      hydrochloride exposure caused obvious cell morphologial changes, reduced cell
      viability, increased cell apoptosis, and enhanced Cav3.1 protein expression. All
      these changes were partly reversed by treatment of the cells with 1 mmol/L KN93.
      CONCLUSIONS: CaMKII may play a role in bupivacaine hydrochloride-induced SH-SY5Y
      cells injury, which is related with upregulated Cav3.1 protein expression.

PMID- 26277510
TI  - [Preparation and identification of rabbit polyclonal antibodies against vacuolar
      proton pyrophosphatase type I of Toxoplasma gondii].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To prepare and characterize rabbit polyclonal antibodies against
      Toxoplasma gondii vacuolar proton pyrophosphatase type I (TgVP1). METHODS AND
      RESULTS: Two synthesized peptides TgVP1-1 and TgVP1-2 as the haptens were
      conjugated with KLH to immunize rabbits. Indirect ELISA showed that the titers of
      rabbit anti-TgVP1-1 polyclonal antibody and rabbit anti-TgVP1-2 polyclonal
      antibody reached 1:128 000. Western blotting results revealed that both purified
      polyclonal antibodies could specifically bind to a purified 85 kD T. gondii
      protein predicted as TgVP1. The protein detected by these two polyclonal
      antibodies was distributed in the cytoplasm of T. gondii tachyzoite, and this
      distribution pattern was consistent with that of acidocalcisome. CONCLUSION: The
      peptide-based method of antibody generation is efficient and the obtained TgVP1
      polyclonal antibodies possess a high specificity to facilitate further study of
      T. gondii acidocalcisome and the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis.

PMID- 26277511
TI  - [Brain image segmentation based on multi-weighted probabilistic atlas].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We propose a multi-weighted probabilistic atlas to obtain accurate,
      robust, and reliable segmentation. The local similarity measure is used as the
      weight to compute the probabilistic atlas, and the distance field is used as the
      weight to incorporate the locality information of the atlas; the self-similarity
      is used as the weight to incorporate the local information of target image to
      refine the probabilistic atlas. Experimental results with brain MRI images showed
      that the proposed algorithm outperforms the common brain image segmentation
      methods and achieved a median Dice coefficient of 87.1% on the left hippocampus
      and 87.6% on the right.

PMID- 26277512
TI  - [Effect of cancer-associated fibroblasts on proliferation and invasion of
      gallbladder carcinoma cells].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) on
      the growth and invasion of gallbladder cancer cells. METHODS: The CAFs were
      isolated from human primary gallbladder carcinoma tissues by tissue culture and
      digestion methods. The cells were purified by differential adhesion method, and
      the primary cells were identified morphologically and immunocytochemically. The
      proliferation and invasion of two human gallbladder carcinoma cell lines (SBC-996
      and GBC-SD) co-cultured with CAFs were detected by MTT and Transwell chamber
      assays. RESULTS: Gallbladder carcinoma CAFs were isolated successfully by both
      tissue culture and enzyme digestion methods, and the latter method was more
      convenient and efficient. MTT and Transwell assays showed that CAFs significantly
      promoted the proliferation and invasion of the two gallbladder carcinoma cell
      lines. CONCLUSION: CAFs can promote the proliferation and invasion of gallbladder
      carcinoma cells in vitro, suggesting the important role of CAFs in the
      development of gallbladder carcinoma.

PMID- 26277513
TI  - [Minocycline reduces hyperpolarization-activated current in rat substantia
      gelatinosa neurons].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of minocycline on hyperpolarization
      activated current (Ih) in the substantia gelatinosa (SG) neurons in rat spinal
      dorsal horn. METHODS: In vitro spinal cord transverse slices were prepared from 3
      5-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats. Using whole-cell patch clamp technique, Ih
      currents were recorded before and after bath application of minocycline (1-300
      umol/L) to the SG neurons. RESULTS: Ih currents were observed in nearly 50% of
      the recorded neurons, and were blocked by Ih blocker CsCl and ZD7288. Minocycline
      rapidly and reversibly reduced the amplitude of Ih and decreased the current
      density in a concentration-dependent manner with an IC50 of 34 umol/L.
      CONCLUSION: Minocycline suppresses the excitability of SG neurons through
      inhibiting the amplitude and current density of Ih and thereby contributes to
      pain modulation.

PMID- 26277514
TI  - [Effect of sulindac on improving autistic behaviors in rats].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To test the effect of sulindac on autistic behaviors in a rat model
      and explore the possible mechanisms. METHODS: Autistic rat models were
      established by a single intraperitoneal injection of sodium valproate (VPA) at
      12.5 days of pregnancy. The pregnant rats were treated with oral sulindac at a
      daily dose of 80 mg/kg until weaning of the newborn rats (23 days after being
      born), which were divided into control, VPA treatment, sulindac treatment, and
      VPA+ sulindac treatment groups. The social interaction and neuroethology of the
      newborn rats were evaluated at 35 days, and the levels of beta-catenin and
      phosphorylated Gsk3beta in the brain tissues were investigated by Western
      blotting. RESULTS: Compared with the control rats, the rats treated with VPA
      showed lower social interaction, longer moving time in central area, and reduced
      standing times. Treatment with sulindac alone resulted in no obvious changes in
      the social interaction or neuroethology of the newborn rats, but sulindac
      treatment corrected VPA-induced autistic-like behaviors. Sulindac also attenuated
      VPA-triggered p-Gsk3beta downregulation and beta-catenin upregulation in the
      prefrontal lobe, seahorse and cerebellum. CONCLUSION: Sulindac can improve the
      behaviors of autistic rats possibly by suppressing Wnt signaling pathway.

PMID- 26277515
TI  - [Short-term follow-up results of hybrid coronary revascularization by robotic
      coronary artery bypass grafting and stent implantation].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the short-term outcomes of staged hybrid coronary
      revascularization performed using robotic-assisted off-pump coronary bypass
      grafting followed by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in a non-left
      anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery lesion. METHODS: From January, 2007 to
      May, 2013, 35 patients (32 male and 3 female patients, mean age 56.7 +/- 9.6
      years) underwent staged hybrid coronary revascularization. Ten patients had
      double-vessel and 25 patients had triple-vessel coronary diseases, and the
      lesions involved an average of 2.7 +/- 0.5 coronary vessels. Coronary artery
      bypass grafting was completed in robotic-assisted left internal thoracic artery
      (ITA) harvesting and LITA to LAD bypass. Coronary angiography or 64-MSCT was
      performed to evaluate the patency of the ITA and stents at 6 months and at 1 to 5
      years postoperatively. The patients were followed for major adverse cardiac
      events (MACE) including cardiac death, acute myocardial infarction and target
      lesion revascularization. RESULTS: Staged hybrid revascularization was completed
      successfully in all the patients without complications. The LITA to LAD
      anastomosis was completed in minimally invasive direct coronary bypass grafting
      (MIDCAB) or totally robotic coronary bypass grafting on beating heart (TECAB)
      with the assistance of da Vinci Surgical System. The mean artery graft flow was
      36.0 +/- 22.5 ml/min, and the graft had a 100% patency before discharge. A total
      of 49 stents were deployed in 35 patients within 2 weeks after robotic coronary
      bypass grafting, with a mean of 1.34 +/- 0.6 stents per case (1 stent in 23
      cases, 2 stents in 11 cases, and 3 stents in 1 case). The patients were followed
      up for 17.5 +/- 11.6 months, and 1 patient had artery graft occlusion and another
      had in-stent occlusion at 6 months. All the other 33 patients had patent LITA-to
      LAD anastomosis without angina or MACE. CONCLUSION: Staged hybrid
      revascularization strategy has acceptable angiographic patency results for both
      LITA-LAD grafts and PCI interventions.

PMID- 26277516
TI  - [Shenshuai Yingyang capsule ameliorates muscle atrophy in rats with chronic renal
      failure: role of Wnt7a-Akt/mTOR signal pathway].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Shenshuai Yingyang Capsule (SSYYJN) in
      ameliorating muscle atrophy in rats with chronic renal failure (CRF) and explore
      the role of Wnt7a-Akt/mTOR signal pathway in mediating this effect. METHODS: Male
      rats were randomly assigned to 5/6 nephrectomy group and sham-operated group, and
      the former group was further randomly divided into CRF model group, KA group, and
      SSYYJN group. The size of anterior tibia muscle was examined microscopically with
      HE staining. Protein synthesis in the soleus muscle was investigated by (14)C
      phenylalanine experiment, and the expression of Wnt7a, frizzled-7, phospho-Akt,
      phospho-mTOR and GAPDH were detected with Western blotting. RESULTS: The body
      weight, the wet and dry weight, cross-sectional area, and muscle protein
      synthesis of the anterior tibia muscles, and expressions of the proteins in the
      Wnt7a/Akt signaling pathway all increased significantly in SSYYJN and KA groups
      as compared with those in the model group. CONCLUSION: SSYYJN can effectively
      improve muscle atrophy in the rat model of CRF possibly by reversing the
      reduction in the expressions of Wnt7a/Akt signaling pathway proteins in the
      skeletal muscles.

PMID- 26277517
TI  - [Radioimmunoimaging of lymphoma in mice with a two-step pretargeting strategy
      using biotinyled CD45 monoclonal antibody and (188)Re-avidin].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To establish a two-step pretargeting approach to lymphoma
      radioimmunoimaging in mice using biotinynaled CD45 monoclonal antibody (McAb) and
      (188)Re-avidin in a tumor-bearing mouse model. METHODS: Six Nod-Scid mice bearing
      lymphoma cell xenograft were randomized to receive either an intravenous
      injection of 50 ug/200 uL biotinyled CD45 McAb followed 24 h later by an
      intraperitoneal injection of 3.7 MBq (50 ug/100 uL) (188)Re-avidin (two-step
      pretargeting group), or a single intravenous injection of 3.7 MBq (100 ug/100 uL)
      (188)Re-CD45 McAb (control group). SPECT was performed at 0.5, 1, 6 and 23 h post
      injection to characterize (188)Re isotope biodistribution. At 24 h pos-injection,
      the mice were sacrificed for measurement of radioactivity uptake in the tumor and
      normal tissues and calculation of the tumor-to-non-tumor (T/NT) ratios. RESULTS:
      SPECT showed that the two-step pretargeting method resulted in a low
      radioactivity in the blood pool during the imaging and a concentrated
      radioactivity in the liver and spleen. The transplanted tumor began to be
      displayed at 1 h post-injection and was clearly displayed at 1-6 h; the images
      were clear even at 23 h. With the two-step pretargeting method, the radioactive
      uptake at 24 h post-injection were (1.34?0.52)%, (6.77?2.32)%, and (2.81?1.25)%
      in the tumor, kidney and liver, respectively, with low radioactivity levels in
      other organs and high tumor/blood and tumor/muscle ratios (4.28?0.82 and
      8.00?0.88, respectively). In the control group, SPECT revealed intense
      radioactivity in the liver, spleen, and kidneys with obscure display of the
      tumor; at 20 h, the radioactivity in the blood pool remained high but that in the
      tumor was low, and the tumor/blood and tumor/muscle ratios at 24 h were only
      0.58?0.06 and 3.21?0.24, respectively. CONCLUSION: Compared with (188)Re-CD45
      McAb, the two-step pretargeting approach exhibits a good specificity in targeting
      lymphoma with an increased T/NT ratio in mice and allows early tumor display at 1
      h post-injection.

PMID- 26277518
TI  - [Structural changes in the gray matter in patients with trigeminal neuralgia: a
      voxel-based morphometric study].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes in whole brain gray matter volume in
      patients with trigeminal neuralgia using voxel-based morphometry (VBM). METHODS:
      Twenty-eight patients with trigeminal neuralgia and 28 healthy controls underwent
      magnetic resonance imaging with a Philips 1.5T MRI scanner. VBM was used to
      compare the structural differences in the whole brain gray matter between the two
      groups based on the DARTEL after data preprocessing with SPM8 software package.
      RESULTS: Compared with the healthy controls, the patients with trigeminal
      neuralgia presented with decreased gray matter volume in several brain regions
      including the bilateral middle temporal gyrus, bilateral superior/middle frontal
      gyrus, left pre-/post-central gyrus, right fusiform and anterior cingulate gyrus.
      CONCLUSIONS: Patients with trigeminal neuralgia had abnormal gray matter volume
      in some brain regions associated with perception and processing of pain
      sensation. These changes may provide clues for further exploration of the
      neuropathogenic basis of trigeminal neuralgia.

PMID- 26277519
TI  - [Soft tissue regeneration after implantation of two novel citric acid-based
      biodegradable materials in rats].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To observe the soft tissue regeneration after implantation of two
      novel citric acid-based biodegradable materials in the skull defects in rats.
      METHODS: Two novel citric acid-based biodegradable materials were implanted in
      the muscular tissues in the thigh and harvested 2 weeks later. Another 40 rats
      with surgically induced cranial defect were randomized into control group,
      autograft group, CUPE-HA group, and POC-HA group (n=10), and 3 months after
      implantation, the materials were harvested for histological and morphometric
      analyses. RESULTS: Soft tissue regeneration was stimulated by the two
      biodegradable materials in the muscular tissues. The implants also stimulated
      angiogenesis and soft tissue regeneration in the cranial defect and accelerated
      of intramembranous ossification. CONCLUSION: The 2 novel citric acid-based
      biodegradable materials can induce angiogenesis and soft tissue regeneration and
      accelerate intramembranous ossification in rats with cranial defects.

PMID- 26277520
TI  - [Mechanism of continuous venovenous hemofiltration combined with ulinastatin for
      the treatment of septic shock].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the molecular mechanisms of continuous venovenous
      hemofiltration (CVVH) combined with ulinastatin (ULI) (CVVH-ULI) for the
      treatment of septic shock. METHODS: Human umbilical endothelial cells (HUVECs)
      were incubated with serums isolated from normal healthy people (control), septic
      shock patients treated with conventional therapy (CT) or treated with CVVH
      combined with ULI (CVVH-ULI). Endothelial permeability was evaluated by the
      leakage of FITC-labeled albumin. The morphological changes of F-actin was
      evaluated by Rhodamine-phalloidin. The phosphorylated levels of p38 were
      determined by Western blot. Cells were then treated with p38inhibitor (SB203580),
      or DMSO, followed by incubation with serum from septic shock patients treated
      with conventional therapy. Endothelial permeability and F-actin rearrangements
      were also evaluated as noted above. RESULTS: Serum from CT group increased
      endothelial permeability, F-actin rearrangements, and phosphorylated levels of
      p38, which were inhibited by CVVH-ULI treatment. Moreover, in CT group, the serum
      induced endothelial hyperpermeability and F-actin rearrangements were inhibited
      by SB203580, the inhibitor of p38. CONCLUSION: CVVH combined with ulinastatin
      decreases endothelial hyperpermeability induced by septic shock through
      inhibiting p38 MAPK pathways.

PMID- 26277521
TI  - [Bilateral ultrasound-guided supraclavicular brachial plexus block in shoulder
      joint release surgery for shoulder periarthritis].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To observe the anesthetic efficacy and safety of bilateral ultrasound
      guided supraclavicular brachial plexus block in patients undergoing arthrolysis
      for shoulder periarthritis. METHODS: Twenty-seven patients (ASA class I-II)
      undergoing bilateral shoulder joint release surgery and 24 ml received bilateral
      ultrasound-guided supraclavicular brachial plexus block anesthesia with 0.4%
      ropivacaine and 0.8% lidocaine. The visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for
      shoulder joint pain were recorded before and after anesthesia. The efficacy of
      axillary nerve, dorsal scapular nerve and suprascapular nerve block was
      evaluated, and the anesthetic effect and complications was assessed during
      surgery. Before and after anesthesia, the range of left and right diaphragmatic
      muscle movement was measured when the patient took a quiet breath and a deep
      breath. RESULTS: The patients showed no significant variations in MAP, HR, or
      SpO2after anesthesia. The VAS scores of shoulder joint pain during anteflexion,
      abduction, posterior extension, rotation, posterior extension and medial rotation
      were significantly lowered after anesthesia (P<0.05), but the left and the right
      diaphragm movement range showed no significant difference between quiet breath
      and deep breath (P>0.05). The rates of complete block of the axillary nerve and
      dorsal scapular nerve was 100%, and that of suprascapular nerve was 92.6%.
      Partial phrenic nerve block occurred in 1 case with mild local anesthetic
      toxicity in another. CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral ultrasound-guided supraclavicular
      brachial plexus block in patients has excellent analgesic effect in should joint
      release surgery with good safely.

PMID- 26277522
TI  - [Spd1672 gene knockout significantly attenuates the virulence of Streptococcus
      pneumoniae].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of spd1672 gene in the infection process of
      Streptococcus pneumoniae. METHODS: BALB/c mice were intraperitoneally infected by
      a spd1672 knockout strain and a D39 wild-type strain of S. pneumoniae, and the
      survival time of mice and blood bacterial counts were recorded. The adhesion and
      invasion ability of S. pneumoniae strains were assessed in A549 cells.
      Bactericidal assays were carried out to determine the resistance of spd1672
      knockout strains and D39 wild strains, and the serum levels of inflammatory
      cytokines were detected in the infected mice. RESULTS: The mice infected with
      spd1672 knockout strains showed a significantly longer median survival time, a
      higher survival rate, and a lower blood bacterial load than the wild strain
      infected mice (P<0.05). Having a similar cell adhesion ability to the wild-type
      strain (P>0.05), the spd1672 knockout strain showed significantly lower cell
      invasion ability than the wild-type strain (P<0.05). The spd1672 knockout strain
      also had a reduced resistance to whole blood cells, and thw mice infected with
      spd1672 knockout strain exhibit lower levels of serum inflammatory cytokines than
      those infected with the wild-type strain. CONCLUSION: Spd1672 gene is importantly
      related to the virulence of S. pneumoniae and plays important roles in modulating
      bacterial invasion, resistance to whole blood cells and proinflammatory
      responses.

PMID- 26277523
TI  - [Immunoexpression of apollon in breast cancer tissues before neoadjuvant
      chemotherapy and its clinical significance].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether apollon immunoexpression in breast cancer
      tissues helps to predict pathological complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant
      chemotherapy (NAC). METHODS: The expressions of Apollon, Her-2, estrogen receptor
      (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) were detected immunohistochemically in biopsy
      tissues from 124 breast cancer patients. The clinical responses to NAC were
      evaluated in line with the response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST).
      The pCR rate was analyzed for different types of breast cancer. The correlations
      between Apollon status with Her-2, ER, PR, lymph node status and tumor size were
      analyzed. Immunohistochemistry was used to compared the changes in Apollon
      expression in the breast cancer tissues before and after NAC. RESULTS: The pCR
      rate was 18.5% (23/124) in these patients. Negative expressions of apollon, ER
      and PR were all associated with a higher pCR rate after NAC. Apollon was
      significantly correlated with Her-2, ER, PR and lymph node involvement.
      Chemotherapy significantly down-regulated apollon expression in the tumor cells.
      CONCLUSION: A negative apollon expression might be a predictor of pCR in patients
      with breast cancer.

PMID- 26277524
TI  - [Hyperbaric oxygen therapy at different pressure levels for aphasia following
      craniocerebral injury: efficacy, safety and patient adherence to therapy].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy at
      different pressure levels on aphasia after craniocerebral injury and assess the
      patient adherence to the therapies. METHODS: Thirty-one patients with aphasia
      after craniocerebral injury receiving 30 sessions of HBO therapy at the pressure
      level of 0.175 MPa and another 31 patients receiving 0.2 MPa therapy were
      recruited as the treatment groups 1 and 2, respectively; 31 patients who refused
      to have HBO therapy served as the control group. All the patients received
      routine therapy. The therapeutic effects were assessed using Western Aphasia
      Battery (WAB) before and after the therapy. The WAB item and AQ scores, curative
      effect, and recovery time of aphasia were compared between the 3 groups. RESULTS:
      The total response rate was significantly lower in the control group as compared
      with those in treatment groups 1 and 2 (58.06% vs 83.87% and 87.1%). WAB item
      scores and AQ scores, curative effect, and recovery time of aphasia all showed
      significant differences between the control group and the two treatment groups
      (P<0.05), but not between the latter 2 groups (P>0.05). Compared with 0.20 MPa
      HBO therapy, 0.175 MPa HBO therapy showed a better patient adherence with a
      significantly lowered non-adherence rate (by 31.37%) an increased partial and
      total adherence rates (by 13.86% and 17.51%, respectively). CONCLUSION: HBO
      therapy at the pressure level of 0.175 MPa is more appropriate for treatment of
      aphasia after craniocerebral injury to ensure the safety, efficacy and patient
      compliance.

PMID- 26277525
TI  - [Effects of anti-survivin oligonucleotides on growth of peritoneally implanted
      ovarian cancer xenografts in nude mice].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of anti-survivin oligonucleotides (ASODN) on the
      invasion and growth of peritoneally implanted ovarian cancer cell xenografts in
      nude mice. METHODS: Nude mouse models bearing peritoneally implanted ovarian
      cancer cell (SKOV3) xenografts were established and subjected to intraperitoneal
      injection of survivin ASODN or saline (control). The number and weight of the
      intraperitoneal xenografts were compared between the two groups.The expressions
      of interleukin (IL-6), signal transducer and activator of transcription3 (STAT3),
      phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3), and survivin protein in the tumor tissues were
      detected with Western blotting in both groups. RESULTS: Compared with those in
      the control group, the number and weight of the intraperitoneal xenografts were
      significantly reduced in ASODN group (P<0.05). ASODN treatment also resulted in
      significantly lowered protein levels of IL-6, STAT3, p-STAT3, and survivin in the
      tumor tissues (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Survivin ASODN can suppress the invasion and
      migration capacity of ovarian cancer cells and inhibit peritoneal metastasis of
      the tumor in nude mice possibly though down-regulation of IL-6/STAT3 signaling
      pathway.

PMID- 26277526
TI  - [Value of specific 16S rDNA fragment of algae in diagnosis of drowning: an
      experiment with rabbits].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To establish a method for amplifying specific 16S rDNA fragment of
      algae related with drowning and test its value in drowning diagnosis. METHODS:
      Thirty-five rabbits were randomly divided into 3 the drowning group (n=15),
      postmortem water immersion group (n=15, subjected to air embolism before seawater
      immersion), and control group(n=5, with air embolism only). Twenty samples of the
      liver tissues from human corpses found in water were also used, including 14
      diatom-positive and 6 diatom-negative samples identified by microwave digestion
      vacuum filtration-automated scanning electron microscopy (MD-VF-Auto SEM). Seven
      known species of algae served as the control algae (Melosira sp, Nitzschia sp,
      Synedra sp, Navicula sp, Microcystis sp, Cyclotella meneghiniana, and Chlorella
      sp). The total DNA was extracted from the tissues and algae to amplify the
      specific fragment of algae followed by 8% polyacrylamide gelelectrophoresis and
      sliver-staining. RESULTS: In the drowning group, algae was detected in the lungs
      (100%), liver (86%), and kidney (86%); algae was detected in the lungs in 2
      rabbits in the postmortem group (13%) and none in the control group. The
      positivity rates of algae were significantly higher in the drowning group than in
      the postmortem group (P<0.05). Of the 20 tissue samples from human corps found in
      water, 15 were found positive for algae, including sample that had been
      identified as diatom-negative by MD-VF-Auto SEM. All the 7 control algae samples
      yielded positive results in PCR. CONCLUSIONS: The PCR-based method has a high
      sensitivity in algae detection for drowning diagnosis and allows simultaneous
      detection of multiple algae species related with drowning.

PMID- 26277527
TI  - Changes in weight, length, head circumference, and ponderal index at birth of
      healthy term newborns in nine cities in China during the period of rapid social
      development 1985-2005.
AB  - The changes in the anthropometric parameters at birth of healthy singleton term
      newborns in nine cities in China were analyzed by means of the data collected in
      three large-scale cross-sectional physical growth surveys in 1985, 1995, and 2005
      (n=6660, 7109 and 6144). Between 1985 and 2005, average increases in body weight
      (BW), body length (BL), ponderal index (PI), and head circumference (HC) of
      newborns were statistically significant: 107g, 0.2cm, 0.6kg/m(3) and 0.4cm,
      respectively. The relative increase in BW was more than that in BL (3.4% vs 0.4%)
      in the last two decades, leading to an increase in PI. The distribution of birth
      size shifted slightly to the right, and the proportion of macrosomia increased
      from 3.2% in 1985 to 3.4% in 1995 and to 4.3% in 2005. The increases in BW and PI
      and the increase in rate of macrosomia are concerns from public health
      perspectives. 

PMID- 26277528
TI  - Disentangling the link between depressive symptoms and plasma oxytocin in men:
      The role of brooding rumination.
AB  - The links between plasma oxytocin and depression are controversial, ranging from
      negative to positive associations. The present study was conducted to reconcile
      those conflicting findings; amongst the features of depression, we considered
      rumination and hypothesised that rumination would function as moderator between
      depressive symptoms and oxytocin. Seventy five clinically normal adult male
      volunteers were assessed for depressive characteristics by means of the
      Ruminative Responses Scale and Beck's Depression Inventory-II; plasma oxytocin
      was measured by means of competitive enzyme immunoassay. The results demonstrate
      that high depressive symptoms were negatively associated with oxytocin
      concentrations at high rumination levels while such an association did not exist
      at low levels of rumination. The present findings suggest there are complex
      associations between oxytocin and brooding rumination, the latter being an
      important feature among depressive symptoms observed in clinically normal
      individuals. This complexity can underlie the current lack of consensus on the
      role of oxytocin in depression. 

PMID- 26277530
TI  - Hepatectomy for liver metastases in non-colorectal, non-neuroendocrine cancer
      patients. The survival benefit in primary unresectable cases.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although liver resection is widely accepted as a potentially curative
      treatment for colorectal liver metastases, there is an ongoing debate on the
      indications for hepatectomy for the treatment of liver metastases from non
      colorectal primary tumors. The number of candidates for hepatectomy for non
      colorectal liver metastases may increase due to advances in chemotherapy;
      however, the factors related to prognosis after hepatectomy for non-colorectal
      liver metastases have yet to be clearly elucidated. METHODS: The clinical
      outcomes of 59 patients who underwent hepatectomy for non-colorectal liver
      metastases at a single institute were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The 5
      year overall survival rate after hepatectomy for non-colorectal, non
      neuroendocrine liver metastases was 30%, and 8 patients (gastric cancer (n = 2),
      ovarian cancer (n = 2), uterine cancer (n = 2) and breast cancer (n = 2))
      survived for 5 years. The 5-year disease-free survival rate after hepatectomy was
      28%. The postoperative morbidity rate was 25%; however, there were no cases of in
      hospital mortality and no patients suffered liver failure. The presence of
      bilateral liver metastases was identified to be an independent predicting factor
      for poor prognosis by a multivariate analysis (P = 0.049). The survival rate of
      the conversion cases (initially unresectable and converted to resection after
      chemotherapy) was not inferior to that of primary resectable cases in terms of
      either overall survival or disease-free survival. CONCLUSION: The present study
      demonstrates that hepatectomy for liver metastases from non-colorectal tumors is
      safe and that it may be a promising strategy for prolonging survival and
      achieving a cure.

PMID- 26277529
TI  - Glutamatergic and GABAergic susceptibility loci for heroin and cocaine addiction
      in subjects of African and European ancestry.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Drug addiction, a leading health problem, is a chronic brain disease
      with a significant genetic component. Animal models and clinical studies
      established the involvement of glutamate and GABA neurotransmission in drug
      addiction. This study was designed to assess if 258 variants in 27 genes of these
      systems contribute to the vulnerability to develop drug addiction. METHODS: Four
      independent analyses were conducted in a sample of 1860 subjects divided
      according to drug of abuse (heroin or cocaine) and ancestry (African and
      European). RESULTS: A total of 11 SNPs in eight genes showed nominally
      significant associations (P<0.01) with heroin and/or cocaine addiction in one or
      both ancestral groups but the associations did not survive correction for
      multiple testing. Of these SNPs, the GAD1 upstream SNP rs1978340 is potentially
      functional as it was shown to affect GABA concentrations in the cingulate cortex.
      In addition, SNPs GABRB3 rs7165224; DBI rs12613135; GAD1 SNPs rs2058725,
      rs1978340, rs2241164; and GRIN2A rs1650420 were previously reported in
      associations with drug addiction or related phenotypes. CONCLUSIONS: The study
      supports the involvement of genetic variation in the glutamatergic and GABAergic
      systems in drug addiction with partial overlap in susceptibility loci between
      cocaine and heroin addiction.

PMID- 26277531
TI  - Effect of wound infiltration with ropivacaine or bupivacaine analgesia in breast
      cancer surgery: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although not completely painless, breast-conserving surgery is
      considerably less painful than modified radical mastectomy. Local anesthetics are
      speculated to reduce postoperative pain when placed at the surgical site. Thus,
      we conducted a systematic review of randomized controlled trials to evaluate the
      efficacy of bupivacaine or ropivacaine analgesia for pain relief in breast cancer
      surgery. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Scopus, and the
      ClinicalTrials.gov registry were searched for studies published up to July 2015.
      Individual effect sizes were standardized, and a meta-analysis was performed to
      calculate a pooled effect size by using random effects models. Pain was assessed
      using a visual analog scale at 1, 2, 12, and 24 h postoperatively. The secondary
      outcomes included complications and analgesic consumption. RESULTS: We reviewed
      13 trials with 1150 patients. We found no difference in postoperative pain
      reduction at 1, 12, and 24 h after breast cancer surgery between the experimental
      and control groups. The severity of pain was significantly reduced in the
      experimental group (weighted mean difference -0.19; 95% confidence interval: 
      0.39-0.00) at 2 h postoperatively. Moreover, postoperative analgesic consumption
      did not differ significantly between the groups. No major drug-related
      complication was observed in any study. CONCLUSION: Administration of the local
      anesthetics bupivacaine or ropivacaine during breast cancer surgery decreased
      pain significantly at only 2 h but did not reduce pain at 12, and 24 h
      postoperatively.

PMID- 26277532
TI  - Large pore size and controlled mesh elongation are relevant predictors for mesh
      integration quality and low shrinkage--Systematic analysis of key parameters of
      meshes in a novel minipig hernia model.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Prosthetic mesh implants in hernia repair are frequently used based
      on the fact that lower recurrence rates are detected. However, an undesirable
      side effect is persistent foreign body reaction that drives adhesions and
      shrinkage among other things in the course of time. Thereby a variety of meshes
      have been created in an attempt to alleviate these side effects, and particular
      relating to shrinkage, the ideal mesh has not been developed. Large pore size is
      one of the properties to get better ingrowth of the implants but could also be a
      risk factor to shrinkage behavior. The aim of this preclinical study was to
      determine optimal pore size based on mesh integration and shrinkage in a hernia
      minipig model. METHODS: Twenty female minipigs were each implanted at four
      abdominal retromuscular sites with meshes (designed and knitted specifically for
      this study) that had various weights and pore sizes, but similar weave. At 3 and
      21 weeks post-operation, ten pigs each were euthanized. Mesh integration and
      shrinkage were evaluated through macroscopic observation, biomechanical testing
      and histopathological analysis. RESULTS: The large pore meshes (6.1-6.6 mm(2))
      showed significantly better integration than small pore (0.9-1.1 mm(2))
      counterparts, by biomechanical testing and histological assessment. This was
      independent of mesh weight. The lightweight small pore mesh exhibited
      significantly more shrinkage than any of the other meshes, while the three
      dimensional heavyweight large pore mesh exhibited the least shrinkage. Mesh
      shrinkage and elongation at 50 Newton (N) as one parameter of the implant
      structural stability appeared to be strongly interrelated. CONCLUSION: Tissue
      ingrowth of meshes depends on increasing pore size. Macroporous mesh design >1.5
      mm diameter appears to be optimal in terms of mesh integration. Lightweight
      meshes with a large pore size on one hand and a lack of structural stability on
      the other hand drives mesh shrinkage. High stretchability (Elongation >50 N)
      induces higher shrinkage and therefore elongation at 50 N appears to be a new
      parameter to estimate mesh shrinkage. Three-dimensional mesh constructions relate
      to the lowest shrinkage behavior caused by higher structure stability.

PMID- 26277533
TI  - Predicting success of single step hysteroscopic myomectomy: A single centre large
      cohort study of single myomas.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Submucous myomas represent one of the main indications of operative
      hysteroscopy. Hysteroscopic resection of submucous fibroids should be a simple,
      well-tolerated and effective procedure and ideally accomplished in in only one
      surgical step. METHODS: Retrospective cohort single Centre study of 1244 women
      undergoing hysteroscopic myomectomy. Data analysis included patients' and the
      myomas characteristics. A multiple logistic regression was carried out in order
      to assess which variables were able to determine a multiple step procedure.
      RESULTS: 1090 myomas (87.62%) were completely resected in a single-step procedure
      (SS group) whereas a multiple-step procedure (MS group) was needed for the
      removal of 154 fibroids (12.38%). The mean size of myomas resected in the SS
      group was 22.83 +/- 9.36 mm whereas fibroids of the MS group measured 29.67 +/-
      10.76 mm. The overall feasibility of hysteroscopic myomectomy in one surgical
      procedure was 88.28%. All hysteroscopic myomectomies of G0 fibroids were
      completed in a single step. The chance of success to accomplish the treatment in
      a single-step for G1 and G2 myomas were 88.59% and 82.55%, respectively. The
      multivariate analysis revealed an inverse correlation between age and multiple
      step procedures and size of myomas were all directly correlated to multiple step
      procedures. CONCLUSION: The grading, the size of the myomas and the age of
      patients play a crucial role in completing the hysteroscopic myomectomy in a
      single step. Only the diameter greater than 3 cm in G2 myomas is correlated to a
      higher risk of a multiple procedure.

PMID- 26277534
TI  - Clozapine in schizophrenia and its association with treatment satisfaction and
      quality of life: Findings of the three national surveys on use of psychotropic
      medications in China (2002-2012).
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We examined the time trends and correlates of clozapine use in
      schizophrenia patients in China. METHOD: A total of 14,013 patients with
      schizophrenia treated in 45 psychiatric hospitals/centers nationwide were
      interviewed in 2002, 2006 and 2012. Patients' socio-demographic and clinical
      characteristics including psychopathology, medication side effects, satisfaction
      with treatment and quality of life (QOL) were recorded in a standardized fashion.
      RESULTS: Clozapine was used in 32.9% of the whole sample; with corresponding
      figures of 39.7%, 32.5% and 26.4% in 2002, 2006 and 2012 (p<0.001). Families of
      clozapine users had lower satisfaction with treatment than those of the non
      clozapine group, without significant differences with respect to patients'
      treatment satisfaction and mental or physical QOL. In multiple logistic
      regression analyses, compared to the non-clozapine group, patients on clozapine
      had an earlier age of onset, longer illness duration, more global illness
      severity and drug-induced central nervous system, gastrointestinal and other side
      effects, lower antipsychotic doses, less delusions and hallucinations, more
      negative symptoms, were more likely male, inpatients, to have a family history of
      psychiatric disorders, receive treatments in regional centers and receive
      antipsychotic polypharmacy, but less likely to have health insurance and receive
      first-generation antipsychotics and benzodiazepines (R(2)=0.498, p<0.001).
      CONCLUSIONS: Clozapine was used in one-third of schizophrenia patients in China,
      with decreasing frequency since 2002. Patients prescribed clozapine had multiple
      markers of greater global illness severity/chronicity and decreased satisfaction
      with treatment by the families, but similar QOL and less delusions and
      hallucinations than patients not prescribed clozapine.

PMID- 26277535
TI  - Brain correlates of verbal fluency in subthreshold psychosis assessed by
      functional near-infrared spectroscopy.
AB  - The prevalence of subthreshold psychotic symptoms in the general population has
      gained increasing interest as a possible precursor of psychotic disorders. The
      goal of the present study was to evaluate whether neurobiological features of
      subthreshold psychotic symptoms can be detected using verbal fluency tasks and
      functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). A large data set was obtained from
      the Zurich Program for Sustainable Development of Mental Health Services (ZInEP).
      Based on the SCL-90-R subscales 'Paranoid Ideation' and 'Psychoticism' a total
      sample of 188 subjects was assigned to four groups with different levels of
      subthreshold psychotic symptoms. All subjects completed a phonemic and semantic
      verbal fluency task while fNIRS was recorded over the prefrontal and temporal
      cortices. Results revealed larger hemodynamic (oxy-hemoglobin) responses to the
      phonemic and semantic conditions compared to the control condition over
      prefrontal and temporal cortices. Subjects with high subthreshold psychotic
      symptoms exhibited significantly reduced hemodynamic responses in both conditions
      compared to the control group. Further, connectivity between prefrontal and
      temporal cortices revealed significantly weaker patterns in subjects with high
      subthreshold psychotic symptoms compared to the control group, possibly
      indicating less incisive network connections associated with subthreshold
      psychotic symptoms. The present findings provide evidence that subthreshold forms
      of psychotic symptoms are associated with reduced hemodynamic responses and
      connectivity in prefrontal and temporal cortices during verbal fluency that can
      be identified using fNIRS. 

PMID- 26277536
TI  - Conservative Management of Segmental Multicystic Dysplastic Kidney in Children.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical characteristics and natural course of segmental
      multicystic dysplastic kidney (MCDK). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the
      medical records of 40 patients (43 renal units) diagnosed as having segmental
      MCDK between January 2002 and June 2014. Segmental MCDK was classified as typical
      when it was localized to the upper pole of a duplex collecting system, and
      otherwise as atypical. We investigated involution, associated anomalies requiring
      surgery, and complications of segmental MCDK. RESULTS: Of 43 renal units, 23 were
      typical and 20 were atypical. During 71.5 (interquartile range: 37.5-84.1) months
      of median follow-up period, complete and partial involution were observed in 48%
      and 26% of the typical group and 30% and 35% of the atypical group, respectively.
      In the typical group, involution was complete significantly earlier (P = .048)
      and ipsilateral anomalies were more frequently observed (P = .002). The
      initiation point of involution and contralateral anomalies were not different in
      the two groups. Hypertension developed in 1 case with contralateral MCDK and 1
      case with contralateral renal agenesis. CONCLUSION: Segmental MCDK is not a rare
      disease entity, and conservative treatment appears to be sufficient with thorough
      follow-up, including regular monitoring of blood pressure and renal function, and
      with ultrasonography.

PMID- 26277537
TI  - Cardioprotective effects of timosaponin B II from Anemarrhenae asphodeloides Bge
      on isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction in rats.
AB  - The aim of the present study was to investigate the cardioprotective effects of
      Timosaponin B II (TB), a main bioactive constituent from Anemarrhenae
      asphodeloides Bge, on an isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial infarction model
      in rats and explore its underlying mechanisms. Rats were treated with TB (50
      mg/kg, 100 mg/kg) or diltiazem hydrochloride (DH, 5 mg/kg) by gastric gavage for
      five days. At the 4th and 5th days, myocardial injury was induced by ISO
      injection (85 mg/kg) at an interval of 24 h for 2 consecutive days. After the
      induction, rats were anaesthetized with pentobarbital sodium (30 mg/kg) to record
      the electrocardiogram. Our research showed that ISO administration resulted in
      significant elevations in the ST-segment, the levels of cardiac injury biomarkers
      creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and concentrations of
      serum proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor
      alpha (TNF-alpha). Pretreatment with TB significantly reversed these alterations
      induced by ISO challenge. The cardioprotective effects of TB were further proved
      by the histopathological examination. Exploration of the underlying mechanisms of
      its actions revealed that TB pretreatment restored the ISO-induced decrease of
      super oxide dismutase (SOD) and the increase of malondialdehyde (MDA). Meanwhile,
      we found that the enhancement of antioxidant defense system might be associated
      with the increased heme oxygenase isoform 1 (HO-1) induction and activated
      nuclear respiratory factor 2 (Nrf-2) translocation. Furthermore, the present
      research also demonstrated that nuclear translocation of Nrf-2 and subsequent HO
      1 expression might be associated with nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) pathway
      activation. Taken together, our finding demonstrated that TB might have a
      potential benefit in preventing ischemic heart diseases like myocardial
      infarction. 

PMID- 26277538
TI  - Protection of Quercetin against Triptolide-induced apoptosis by suppressing
      oxidative stress in rat Leydig cells.
AB  - Triptolide (TP) is a diterpene triepoxide with variety biological activities,
      such as anti-inflammatory, anti-cancerogenic, immunomodulatory and pro-apoptotic
      activities. However, its clinical application was limited by potential toxicity.
      Quercetin (Que) is a member of flavonoids with anti-oxidant effects. In this
      study, we aimed to demonstrate the protective effect of Que in TP-induced
      oxidative stress and decrease of testosterone generation in reproductive damage.
      Leydig cells were treated with TP (20, 40 and 60 nM), which caused obvious
      oxidative stress increasing intracellular ROS, decreasing activities and
      expressions of GPx and SOD. Apoptosis was resulted from depolarization of
      mitochondrial membrane potential (DeltaPsim) and release of cytochrome C (Cyt-C)
      showing increase of BAX/Bcl-2 ratio, caspase-3 and caspase-9. Treatment of Que (5
      MUM) prior to triptolide could restore all the TP-induced alteration in a certain
      dose range indicating that the oxidative stress might be one reason of TP-induced
      reproductive toxic effect. These results suggest that the compatibility with Que
      might reduce the TP-induced reproductive toxicity, which provide a probability to
      extend the usage of TP. 

PMID- 26277539
TI  - High affinity and covalent-binding microtubule stabilizing agents show activity
      in chemotherapy-resistant acute myeloid leukemia cells.
AB  - Treatment failure in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is frequently due to the
      persistence of a cell population resistant to chemotherapy through different
      mechanisms, in which drug efflux via ATP-binding cassette (ABC) proteins,
      specifically P-glycoprotein, is one of the most recognized. However,
      disappointing results from clinical trials employing inhibitors for these
      transporters have demonstrated the need to adopt different strategies. We
      hypothesized that microtubule targeting compounds presenting high affinity or
      covalent binding could overcome the effect of ABC transporters. We therefore
      evaluated the activity of the high-affinity paclitaxel analog CTX-40 as well as
      the covalent binder zampanolide (ZMP) in AML cells. Both molecules were active in
      chemosensitive as well as in chemoresistant cell lines overexpressing P
      glycoprotein. Moreover, ZMP or CTX-40 in combination with daunorubicin showed
      synergistic killing without increased in vitro hematopoietic toxicity. In a
      primary AML sample, we further demonstrated that ZMP and CTX-40 are active in
      progenitor and differentiated leukemia cell populations. In sum, our data
      indicate that high affinity and covalent-binding anti-microtubule agents are
      active in AML cells otherwise chemotherapy resistant. 

PMID- 26277540
TI  - Phytotoxic mechanisms of bur cucumber seed extracts on lettuce with special
      reference to analysis of chloroplast proteins, phytohormones, and nutritional
      elements.
AB  - Bioherbicides from plant extracts are an effective and environmentally friendly
      method to prevent weed growth. The present investigation was aimed at determining
      the inhibitory effect of bur cucumber seed extracts (BSE) on lettuce plant
      growth. Bur cucumber seeds were ground with water, and two different
      concentrations of seed extracts (10% and 20%) were prepared and applied to
      lettuce plants. Decreased plant height, number of leaves, leaf length, leaf
      width, anProd. Type: FTPd leaf area were found in lettuce exposed to BSE as
      compared with controls. A significant reduction in lettuce biomass was observed
      in 20% BSE-treated plants due to the presence of higher amounts of phenolic
      content in the extracts. Moreover, a significant inhibitory chemical, 2-linoleoyl
      glycerol, was identified in BSE extracts. The mechanism of plant growth
      inhibition was assayed in lettuce proteins by 2-dimensional electrophoresis (2
      DE) and the LC-MS/MS method. In total, 57 protein spots were detected in plants
      treated with 20% BSE and control plants. Among these, 39 proteins were down
      regulated and 18 proteins were up-regulated in plants exposed to 20% BSE as
      compared with controls. The presence of low levels of chlorophyll a/b binding
      protein and oxygen-evolving enhancer protein 1 in BSE-exposed plants reduced
      photosynthetic pigment synthesis and might be a reason for stunted plant growth.
      Indeed, the plant-growth stimulating hormone gibberellin was inhibited, and
      synthesis of stress hormones such as abscisic acid, jasmonic acid, and salicylic
      acid were triggered in lettuce by the effects of BSE. Uptake of essential
      nutrients, Ca, Fe, Mg, K, S, and Mo, was deficient and accumulation of the toxic
      ions Cu, Zn, and Na was higher in BSE-treated plants. The results of this study
      suggest that extracts of bur cucumber seeds can be an effective eco-friendly
      bioherbicide for weed control that work by inhibiting mechanisms of
      photosynthesis and regulating phytohormones and nutritional elements. 

PMID- 26277541
TI  - Short-term cadmium exposure induces stress responses in frog (Pelophylax bergeri)
      skin organ culture.
AB  - There have been a few studies on the negative effects of pollutants on amphibian
      skin, the first structural barrier that interacts with the environment and its
      potential contaminants. In this study an ex vivo skin organ culture from the
      amphibian Pelophylax bergeri was used to evaluate cell stress responses induced
      by short-term exposure to cadmium (Cd), a toxic heavy metal known to be an
      environmental hazard to both humans and wildlife. Histopathological studies were
      carried out on skin explants using light microscopy and changes in the expression
      of stress proteins, such as Metallothionein (MT) and Heat shock proteins (HSPs),
      were investigated by Real-time RT-PCR. Results revealed that amphibian skin
      reacts to Cd-induced stress by activating biological responses such as
      morphological alterations and dose- and time-dependent induction of Mt and Hsp70
      mRNA expression, suggesting their potential role as biomarkers of exposure to Cd.
      This work provides a basis for a better understanding of the tissue-specific
      responses of amphibian skin as a target organ to Cd exposure and its in vitro use
      for testing potentially harmful substances present in the environment. 

PMID- 26277542
TI  - Amino acid management in cancer.
AB  - Amino acids have a dual role in cellular metabolism, as they are both the
      building blocks for protein synthesis and intermediate metabolites which fuel
      other biosynthetic reactions. Recent work has demonstrated that deregulation of
      both arms of amino acid management are common alterations seen in cancer. Among
      the most highly consumed nutrients by cancer cells are the amino acids glutamine
      and serine, and the biosynthetic pathways that metabolize them are required in
      various cancer subtypes and the object of current efforts to target cancer
      metabolism. Also altered in cancer are components of the machinery which sense
      amino acid sufficiency, nucleated by the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR),
      a key regulator of cell growth via modulation of key processes including protein
      synthesis and autophagy. The precise ways in which altered amino acid management
      supports cellular transformation remain mostly elusive, and a fuller mechanistic
      understanding of these processes will be important for efforts to exploit such
      alterations for cancer therapy. 

PMID- 26277543
TI  - MYC and metabolism on the path to cancer.
AB  - The MYC proto-oncogene is frequently deregulated in human cancers, activating
      genetic programs that orchestrate biological processes to promote growth and
      proliferation. Altered metabolism characterized by heightened nutrients uptake,
      enhanced glycolysis and glutaminolysis and elevated fatty acid and nucleotide
      synthesis is the hallmark of MYC-driven cancer. Recent evidence strongly suggests
      that Myc-dependent metabolic reprogramming is critical for tumorigenesis, which
      could be attenuated by targeting specific metabolic pathways using small drug
      like molecules. Understanding the complexity of MYC-mediated metabolic re-wiring
      in cancers as well as how MYC cooperates with other metabolic drivers such as
      mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) will provide translational opportunities for
      cancer therapy. 

PMID- 26277544
TI  - Oncogenes strike a balance between cellular growth and homeostasis.
AB  - Altered tumor cell metabolism is now firmly established as a hallmark of human
      cancer. Downstream of oncogenic events, metabolism is re-wired to support
      cellular energetics and supply the building blocks for biomass. Rapid,
      uncontrolled proliferation results in tumor growth beyond the reach of existing
      vasculature and triggers cellular adaptations to overcome limiting nutrient and
      oxygen delivery. However, oncogenic activation and metabolic re-programming also
      elicit cell intrinsic stresses, independent of the tumor microenvironment. To
      ensure metabolic robustness and stress resistance, pro-growth signals downstream
      of oncogene activation or tumor suppressor loss simultaneously activate
      homeostatic processes. Here, we summarize recent literature describing the
      adaptive mechanisms co-opted by common oncogenes, including mTOR, MYC, and RAS.
      Recurrent themes in our review include: (1) coordination of oncogene-induced
      changes in protein and lipid metabolism to sustain endoplasmic reticulum
      homeostasis, (2) maintenance of mitochondrial functional capacity to support
      anabolic metabolism, (3) adaptations to sustain intracellular metabolite
      concentrations required for growth, and (4) prevention of oxidative stress. We
      also include a discussion of the hypoxia inducible factors (HIFs) and the AMP
      dependent protein kinase (AMPK)--stress sensors that are co-opted to support
      tumor growth. Ultimately, an understanding of the adaptations required downstream
      of specific oncogenes could reveal targetable metabolic vulnerabilities.

PMID- 26277546
TI  - The locoregional recurrence post-mastectomy for ductal carcinoma in situ:
      Incidence and risk factors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The objective of this retrospective study was to determine the
      incidence of recurrence of breast cancer after mastectomy for ductal carcinoma in
      situ (DCIS) in our institution, and to evaluate the associated risk factors while
      comparing them to those proposed in the literature. METHODS: The files of 218
      patients who had undergone mastectomy for pure DCIS or DCIS with micro-invasion
      at Centre Eugene Marquis between January 2003 and November 2013 were compared
      for: age at diagnosis, type of mastectomy and immediate reconstruction, tumor
      characteristics, and the evaluation of the sentinel axillary lymph node. The mean
      follow-up period was 30.5 months. RESULTS: In a mean period of 39.13 months, 8
      patients (3.67%) developed a recurrence post-mastectomy, 2 of whom with distant
      metastasis. Two others developed distant metastases subsequently during
      treatment. All 4 died due to progression of metastases, while the other 4 are
      alive and disease-free after treatment. The only risk factor was young age at
      initial diagnosis (<40 years). None of the other factors described in the
      literature, such as high grade or diffuse disease, comedo-necrosis, positive
      margins or micro-invasion were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The
      recurrence of breast cancer after mastectomy for DCIS is rare, however, it
      carries a high mortality rate for those who do relapse. Patients who have high
      risk factors such as young age at diagnosis and high risk tumor factors should be
      followed closely for signs of recurrence and/or metastasis.

PMID- 26277545
TI  - Pyruvate kinase: Function, regulation and role in cancer.
AB  - Pyruvate kinase is an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of phosphoenolpyruvate
      and ADP to pyruvate and ATP in glycolysis and plays a role in regulating cell
      metabolism. There are four mammalian pyruvate kinase isoforms with unique tissue
      expression patterns and regulatory properties. The M2 isoform of pyruvate kinase
      (PKM2) supports anabolic metabolism and is expressed both in cancer and normal
      tissue. The enzymatic activity of PKM2 is allosterically regulated by both
      intracellular signaling pathways and metabolites; PKM2 thus integrates signaling
      and metabolic inputs to modulate glucose metabolism according to the needs of the
      cell. Recent advances have increased our understanding of metabolic regulation by
      pyruvate kinase, raised new questions, and suggested the possibility of non
      canonical PKM2 functions to regulate gene expression and cell cycle progression
      via protein-protein interactions and protein kinase activity. Here we review the
      structure, function, and regulation of pyruvate kinase and discuss how these
      properties enable regulation of PKM2 for cell proliferation and tumor growth. 

PMID- 26277548
TI  - Cholecalciferol supplementation improves suppressive capacity of regulatory T
      cells in young patients with new-onset type 1 diabetes mellitus - A randomized
      clinical trial.
AB  - It is unknown if cholecalciferol is able to modify defects in regulatory T cells
      (Tregs) in type 1 diabetes (T1D). In this randomized, double-blind, placebo
      controlled trial 30 young patients with new-onset T1D were assigned to
      cholecalciferol (70IU/kgbodyweight/day) or placebo for 12months. Tregs were
      determined by FACS-analysis and functional tests were assessed with ex vivo
      suppression co-cultures at months 0, 3, 6 and 12. Suppressive capacity of Tregs
      increased (p<0.001) with cholecalciferol from baseline (-1.59+/-25.6%) to 3
      (30.5+/-39.4%), 6 (44.6+/-23.8%) and 12months (37.2+/-25.0%) and change of
      suppression capacity from baseline to 12months was significantly higher (p<0.05)
      with cholecalciferol (22.2+/-47.2%) than placebo (-16.6+/-21.1%). Serum calcium
      and parathormone stayed within normal range. This is the first study, which
      showed that cholecalciferol improved suppressor function of Tregs in patients
      with T1D and vitamin D could serve as one possible agent in the development of
      immunomodulatory combination therapies for T1D. 

PMID- 26277547
TI  - Abnormal white matter connections between medial frontal regions predict symptoms
      in patients with first episode schizophrenia.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The medial orbitofrontal cortex (mOFC) and rostral part of anterior
      cingulate cortex (rACC) have been suggested to be involved in the neural network
      of salience and emotional processing, and associated with specific clinical
      symptoms in schizophrenia. Considering the schizophrenia dysconnectivity
      hypothesis, the connectivity abnormalities between mOFC and rACC might be
      associated with clinical characteristics in first episode schizophrenia patients
      (FESZ). METHODS: After parcellating mOFC into the anterior and posterior part,
      diffusion properties of the mOFC-rACC white matter connections for 21 patients
      with FESZ and 21 healthy controls (HCs) were examined using stochastic
      tractography, one of the most effective Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) methods
      for examining tracts between adjacent gray matter (GM) regions. RESULTS:
      Fractional anisotropy (FA) reductions were observed in bilateral posterior, but
      not anterior mOFC-rACC connections (left: p < .0001; right: p < .0001) in FESZ
      compared to HCs. In addition, reduced FA in the left posterior mOFC-rACC
      connection was associated with more severe anhedonia-asociality (rho = -.633, p =
      .006) and total score (rho = -.520, p = .032) in the Scale for the Assessment of
      Negative Symptoms (SANS); reduced FA in the right posterior mOFC-rACC connection
      was associated with more severe affective flattening (rho = -.644, p = .005),
      total score (rho = -.535, p = .027) in SANS, hallucinations (rho = -.551, p =
      .018), delusions (rho = -.632, p = .005) and total score (rho = -.721, p = .001)
      in the Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS) in FESZ. CONCLUSIONS:
      The observed white matter abnormalities within the connections between mOFC and
      rACC might be associated with the psychopathology of the early stage of
      schizophrenia.

PMID- 26277549
TI  - Frequency of copy number abnormalities in common genes associated with B-cell
      precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia cytogenetic subtypes in Brazilian
      children.
AB  - Copy number alterations (CNAs) in genes committed to B-cell precursors have been
      associated with poor survival in subgroups of patients with B-cell precursor
      acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL). We investigated submicroscopic
      alterations in a series of 274 Brazilian children with BCP-ALL by multiplex
      ligation-dependent probe amplification and evaluated their correlation with
      clinical and laboratory features. The relevance of overlapping CNA abnormalities
      was also explored. Deletions/amplifications in at least one gene were identified
      in 83% of the total series. In children older than 2 years, there was a
      predominance of CNAs involving deletions in IKZF1, CDKN2A, and CDKN2B, whereas
      the pseudoautosomal region 1 (PAR1) had deletions that were found more frequently
      in infants (P <0.05). Based on the cytogenetic subgroups, favorable cytogenetic
      subgroups showed more deletions than other subgroups that occurred
      simultaneously, specifically ETV6 deletions (P <0.05). TCF3-PBX1 was frequently
      deleted in RB1, and an absence of deletions was observed in IKZF1 and genes
      localized to the PAR1 region. The results corroborate with previous genome-wide
      studies and aggregate new markers for risk stratification of BCP-ALL in Brazil. 

PMID- 26277550
TI  - Congenital coronary artery anomalies in Kawasaki Disease.

PMID- 26277552
TI  - Generation of recombinant destabilase-lysozyme from medicinal leeches in three
      different expression systems.
AB  - Destabilase-lysozyme (mlDL) is an enzyme secreted by the salivary gland cells of
      medicinal leeches. Destabilase-lysozyme possesses lysozyme and isopeptidase
      activities. We generated recombinant destabilase-lysozyme isoform 2 in three
      expression systems, i.e., in the bacteria Escherichia coli, in the yeast Pichia
      pastoris, and in the human cell line Expi293F. In E. coli, we generated both
      polypeptide in inclusion bodies that was later undergone to the refolding and
      soluble protein that had been fused with the chaperone SlyD. The chaperone was
      later cleaved by a specific TEV-protease. In cultures of the yeast P. pastoris
      and the human cell line Expi293F, the soluble form of destabilase-lysozyme was
      accumulated in the culture media. For the generated enzymes, we determined the
      lysozyme, isopeptidase and fibrinolytic activities and tested their general
      antimicrobial effects. The comparisons of the enzymes generated in the different
      expression systems revealed that all of the destabilase-lysozymes obtained in the
      soluble forms possessed equal levels of lysozyme, isopeptidase and fibrinolytic
      activities that exceeded several to ten times the levels of the same activities
      of the destabilase-lysozyme renaturated from the inclusion bodies. A similar
      pattern of the differences in the levels of the general antimicrobial effects was
      observed for the destabilase-lysozymes generated in the soluble form and as
      inclusion bodies. 

PMID- 26277553
TI  - Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 gene (MCP-1) polymorphisms are associated with
      risk of premature coronary artery disease in Mexican patients from the Genetics
      of Atherosclerotic Disease (GEA) study.
AB  - The CC chemokine monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1/CCL2 is involved in the
      formation, progression, and destabilization of atheromatous plaques and plays an
      essential role in postinfarction remodeling. The aim of the present study was to
      evaluate the role of MCP-1 gene polymorphisms as susceptibility markers for
      premature coronary artery disease (CAD) and cardiovascular risk factors in the
      Mexican population. Four MCP-1 gene polymorphisms (rs1024611, rs2857654,
      rs3760396, and rs1024610) were genotyped by 5' exonuclease TaqMan assays in a
      group of 1072 patients with premature CAD, and 1082 healthy unrelated controls
      (with negative calcium score by computed tomography) seeking for associations
      with premature CAD and other metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors using
      logistic regression analyses. MCP-1 polymorphism frequencies were similar in
      premature CAD patients and healthy controls. When the analysis included only
      those premature CAD patients without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), the
      rs1024610 polymorphism was associated with increased risk of developing premature
      CAD under dominant and additive models adjusted by age and gender (OR=1.33,
      Pdom=0.040 and OR=1.34, Padd=0.027). The effect of the MCP-1 polymorphisms on
      various metabolic cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic parameters was
      explored separately in controls, and premature CAD. In this analysis adjusted by
      age and gender, the rs3760396 CC genotype was associated with low levels of gamma
      glutamyl transpeptidase (P=0.002), whereas, the rs1024610 TT genotype was
      associated with decreased risk of T2DM (P=0.035) in premature CAD patients. One
      haplotype (CATG) was associated with increased risk of developing premature CAD
      (OR=1.44, P=0.0019). In summary, in our study, the rs1024610 polymorphism was
      associated with increased risk of developing premature CAD only in those patients
      without T2DM. The four MCP-1 polymorphisms were in high linkage disequilibrium
      and one haplotype was significantly associated with risk of developing premature
      CAD. 

PMID- 26277551
TI  - Inflammatory and cardiac biomarkers are differentially expressed in clinical
      stages of Chagas disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chagas disease has a long clinically silent period following
      Trypanosoma cruzi infection and before development of overt clinical pathology;
      detectable biomarkers of infection and pathogenesis are urgently needed. We
      tested 22 biomarkers known to be associated with cardiomyopathy to evaluate if a
      biomarker signature could successfully classify T. cruzi seropositive subjects
      into clinical Chagas disease stage groups. METHODS: This cross-sectional
      retrospective case-control study enrolled T. cruzi seropositive blood donors (BD)
      who were further characterized as having chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CC-BD) or
      not (nonCC-BD) and seronegative (SN) control donors; we also included clinically
      diagnosed Chagas cardiomyopathy patients (CC-P). All subjects underwent a health
      history questionnaire, medical examination, electro- and echocardiograms (ECG and
      Echo) and phlebotomy. Biomarkers were measured on blinded samples by luminex bead
      array and Ortho VITROS. RESULTS: A clear biomarker pattern was observed only in
      more severe cardiac disease; this pattern included significantly elevated levels
      of inflammatory cytokines IFN-gamma, IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-alpha and soluble
      cardiovascular disease biomarkers CK-MB, troponin, myoglobin, VCAM and NTproBNP
      while there were lower levels of MPO, PAI-1, and MCP-1. The markers determined to
      be the most predictive of disease by ROC curve analysis were NTproBNP and T.
      cruzi PCR status. CONCLUSIONS: Although many biomarkers demonstrated increased or
      decreased concentrations among the clinical forms of Chagas disease, NTproBNP and
      T. cruzi PCR were the only tests that would independently be of clinical value
      for disease staging, in concert with ECG, Echo and clinical assessments.

PMID- 26277554
TI  - Extracellular ATP induces unconventional release of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate
      dehydrogenase from microglial cells.
AB  - Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) is a key glycolytic enzyme that
      is predominantly localized in the cytoplasm. However, recent studies have
      suggested that GAPDH is released by various cells and that extracellular GAPDH is
      involved in the regulation of neuritogenesis in neuronal cells. It has also been
      reported that GAPDH is expressed on the surfaces of macrophages and functions as
      a transferrin receptor. However, since GAPDH is a leaderless protein the
      mechanisms by which it reaches the extracellular environment remain unclear.
      Here, we examined the role of P2X7 receptor (P2X7R), an ATP-gated cation channel,
      in the unconventional release of GAPDH from microglial cells, the resident
      macrophages in the brain. The activation of P2X7R by ATP triggered GAPDH release
      from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-primed microglial cells. ATP-induced microvesicle
      formation, exosome release, and K(+) efflux followed by caspase-1 activation are
      likely involved in the GAPDH release, but ATP-induced dilatation of membrane
      pores and lysosome exocytosis are not. It was also demonstrated that exogenous
      GAPDH facilitated LPS-induced phosphorylation of p38 MAP kinase in microglial
      cells. These findings suggest that P2X7R plays an important role in the
      unconventional release of GAPDH from microglial cells, and the GAPDH released
      into the extracellular space might be involved in the regulation of the
      neuroinflammatory response in the brain. 

PMID- 26277555
TI  - [Dexmedetomidine and propofol infusion on sedation characteristics in patients
      undergoing sciatic nerve block in combination with femoral nerve block via
      anterior approach].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Dexmedetomidine is an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist having wide range of
      effects including sedation in mammalian brain, and has analgesic as well as
      sympatholytic properties. This study aimed to compare the effects of
      dexmedetomidine and propofol infusion on sedation characteristics in patients
      undergoing combined sciatic nerve and femoral nerve block via anterior approach
      for lower limb orthopedic procedure. METHODS: Forty patients, who were between 18
      and 65 years old, this study was made at anesthesiology clinic of Bagcilar
      training and research hospital in 08 September 2011 to 07 June 2012, and
      underwent surgical procedure due to fractures lateral and medial malleol, were
      included. Sciatic nerve and femoral nerve block were conducted with an anterior
      approach on all patients included in the study, with an ultrasonography. The
      patients were randomly divided into dexmedetomidine [Group D (n=20). 0.5MUgkg(
      1)h(-1)] and propofol [Group P (n=20); 3mgkg(-1)h(-1)] infusion groups. RESULTS:
      The vital findings and intra-operative Ramsay sedation scale values were similar
      in both groups. Time taken for sedation to start and time required for sedation
      to become over of Group D were significantly higher than those of Group P
      (p<0.001 for each). CONCLUSIONS: Substitution of dexmedetomidine instead of
      propofol prolongs the times to start of sedation, the times to end of sedation
      and duration of sedation.

PMID- 26277556
TI  - Barlow's Mitral Valve Disease: A Comparison of Neochordal (Loop) and Edge-To-Edge
      (Alfieri) Minimally Invasive Repair Techniques.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Barlow's mitral valve (MV) disease remains a surgical challenge. We
      compared short- and medium-term outcomes of neochordal ("loop") versus edge-to
      edge ("Alfieri") minimally invasive MV repair in patients with Barlow's disease.
      METHODS: From January 2009 to April 2014, 123 consecutive patients with Barlow's
      disease (defined as bileaflet billowing or prolapse [or both], excessive leaflet
      tissue, and annular dilatation with or without calcification) underwent minimally
      invasive MV operations for severe mitral regurgitation (MR) at our institution.
      Three patients (2.4%) underwent MV replacement during the study period and were
      excluded from subsequent analysis. The loop MV repair technique was used in 68
      patients (55.3%) and an edge-to-edge repair was performed in 44 patients (35.8%).
      Patients who underwent a combination of these 2 techniques (n = 8 [6.5%]) were
      excluded. The median age was 48 years, and 62.5% of patients were men.
      Concomitant procedures included closure of a patent foramen ovale or atrial
      septal defect (n = 19), tricuspid valve repair (n = 5), and atrial fibrillation
      ablation (n = 15). Follow-up was performed 24.7 +/- 17 months postoperatively and
      was 98% complete. RESULTS: No deaths occurred perioperatively or during follow
      up. Aortic cross-clamp time (64.1 +/- 17.6 minutes versus 95.9 +/- 29.5 minutes)
      and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time (110.0 +/- 24.2 minutes versus 146.4 +/-
      39.1 minutes) were significantly shorter (p < 0.001) in patients who received
      edge-to-edge repair. Although patients who underwent edge-to-edge repair received
      a larger annuloplasty ring (38.6 +/- 1.5 mm versus 35.8 +/- 2.7 mm; p < 0.001),
      the early postoperative resting mean gradients were higher (3.3 +/- 1.2 mm Hg
      versus 2.6 +/- 1.2 mm Hg; p = 0.007) and the mitral orifice area tended to be
      smaller in this group (2.8 +/- 0.7 cm(2) versus 3.0 +/- 0.7 cm(2); p = 0.06). The
      amount of residual MR was similar between groups (0.3 +/- 0.6 versus 0.6 +/- 1.0
      for edge-to-edge versus loop procedures, respectively; p = 0.08). More than mild
      MR requiring early MV reoperation was present in 3 patients who underwent loop
      procedures (4.4%) and in no patients who had edge-to-edge procedures (p = 0.51).
      During follow-up, 2 patients (1 in each group) required MV replacement for severe
      MR. The 4-year freedom from MV reoperation was 92.8% +/- 5.0% in the Alfieri
      group compared with 90.9% +/- 4.6% in the loop group (p = 0.94). CONCLUSIONS:
      Minimally invasive MV repair can be accomplished with excellent early and medium
      term outcomes in patients with Barlow's disease. The edge-to-edge (Alfieri)
      repair can be performed with reduced operative times when compared with the loop
      technique, but it results in mildly increased transvalvular gradients and mildly
      decreased valve opening areas without any difference in residual MR.

PMID- 26277557
TI  - Outcomes of Open Repair of Mycotic Descending Thoracic and Thoracoabdominal
      Aortic Aneurysms.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the short- and intermediate
      term outcomes of open repair of mycotic thoracic and thoracoabdominal aneurysms.
      Contemporary surgical and perioperative techniques were utilized. METHODS: From
      November 1997 to May 2014, 14 consecutive patients underwent open repair of
      descending thoracic (n = 9, 64.3%) and thoracoabdominal (n = 5, 35.7%) mycotic
      aortic aneurysms. All procedures were performed through the left side of the
      chest. Infected tissue was completely debrided and excised. Aortic continuity was
      restored in situ with a Dacron prosthesis (Macquet Corp, Oakland, NJ). Soft
      tissue coverage of the prosthesis was performed when anatomy and patient
      condition permitted. Perioperative outcomes, intermediate-term survival, and
      reinfection rates were examined. RESULTS: All patients presented with either
      aneurysm-related symptoms or a clinical picture of sepsis. Diagnosis was
      confirmed utilizing computed tomography imaging. Mean age was 66 +/- 13 years, 8
      patients (57.1%) were male, and mean aneurysm size was 5.9 +/- 1.3 cm. All
      patients were hypertensive, 3 (21.4%) had prior coronary revascularization, 7
      (50%) had chronic pulmonary disease, 5 (35.7%) had diabetes mellitus, and 2
      (14.3%) had end-stage renal disease requiring dialysis. Twelve patients (85.7%)
      had aneurysm-related pain, and 9 (64.3%) of them had contained rupture. Mean time
      from onset of illness to surgery was 36 days (range, 0 to 153). On preoperative
      blood cultures, 4 (28.6%) grew Staphylococcus aureus, 4 (28.6%) grew gram
      negative organisms, 2 (14.3%) grew mycobacterium, and 4 cultures (28.6%) had
      negative results. Empiric broad-spectrum antibiotics were initiated on all
      patients and adjusted based on final cultures. A majority of patients underwent
      repair utilizing a clamp-and-sew technique (n = 10, 71.4%); the remainder (n = 4,
      28.6%) required repair under profound hypothermic circulatory arrest. After
      radical debridement of the infected tissue, grafts were placed in the normal
      anatomic position; 6 (42.9%) patients had additional soft tissue coverage, 5
      (35.7%) utilizing an omental flap and 1 (7.1%), a serratus muscle flap. There was
      1 in-hospital death (7.1%) secondary to ischemic bowel. Four patients (28.6%)
      required tracheostomy, and 1 (7.1%) had recurrent nerve injury. None of the
      patients incurred spinal cord injury, stroke, or new onset renal failure
      requiring dialysis. After surgery, all patients were given 6 weeks of intravenous
      antibiotics. Lifelong suppression therapy was maintained with oral antibiotics.
      There were no episodes of prosthetic graft infection on follow-up. Univariate
      analysis revealed that New York Heart Association functional class, diabetes, and
      preoperative renal dysfunction were preoperative risk factors for major adverse
      events. Mean follow-up time was 26.5 months (median 8.2; range, 1 to 142).
      Actuarial 5-year survival was 71%. CONCLUSIONS: Open repair of mycotic descending
      thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms remains the gold standard of
      therapy. Aggressive intraoperative debridement with in situ prosthetic
      reconstruction permits a high rate of success in this very high risk cohort of
      patients. Lifelong antibiotic suppression therapy may prevent late prosthetic
      graft infection.

PMID- 26277558
TI  - Surgical Resection of Rare Esophageal Cancers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although surgical resection of adenocarcinoma or squamous cell
      carcinoma of the esophagus is standard practice, the treatment strategy for other
      malignant rare esophageal cancers is still under debate. The aim of this study
      was to examine the treatment of rare malignant esophageal cancers and to evaluate
      the survival of these patients. METHODS: A retrospective review of all
      esophagectomies performed at Mayo Clinic from 1980 to 2014 (approximately 4,000
      cases) identified 24 patients with histologic features other than adenocarcinoma
      or squamous cell carcinoma. Their medical records were reviewed for demographics,
      presenting symptoms, evaluation, surgical management, pathologic features, and
      short-term and long-term outcome. RESULTS: Pathologic identifications included
      small cell carcinoma, lymphoma, and undifferentiated carcinoma in 4 (16.7%)
      patients each and neuroendocrine, melanoma, leiomyosarcoma, sarcomatoid, sarcoma,
      and gastrointestinal stromal tumor in 2 (8.3%) patients each. The most common
      presenting symptoms included dysphasia in 91.7% patients (22/24), pain in 75.0%
      (18/24), and weight loss in 62.5% (15/24). Preoperative evaluation included
      barium swallow in 91.7% (22/24), computed tomography in 91.7% (22/24), positron
      emission tomography in 54.2% (13/24), esophagogastroduodenoscopy in 100% (24/24),
      and endoscopic ultrasonography in 29.2% (7/24) patients. The location of the
      tumor was at the gastroesophageal junction in 41.7% (10/24). There was no
      operative mortality, and 13 patients (54.16%) had at least one postoperative
      adverse event. The 1-year survival after esophagectomy was 69.7%, the 5-year
      survival was 42.7%, and the 10-year survival was 37.4%. CONCLUSIONS: Esophageal
      cancer with pathologic features other than squamous cell carcinoma or
      adenocarcinoma is rare. Esophagectomy for rare types of malignant esophageal
      cancers should be considered part of the effective treatment paradigm.

PMID- 26277559
TI  - Coexisting Mitral Regurgitation Impairs Survival After Transcatheter Aortic Valve
      Implantation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It remains unclear whether coexisting and untreated mitral
      regurgitation (MR) affects survival after transcatheter aortic valve implantation
      (TAVI) for aortic stenosis (AS). To summarize contemporary evidence, we performed
      the first metaanalysis of adjusted observational studies reporting post-TAVI
      mortality in patients with various grades of MR. METHODS: MEDLINE and EMBASE were
      searched until February 2015, with a bibliographic review of secondary sources.
      Eligible studies were observational studies enrolling patients undergoing TAVI
      for AS and reporting adjusted odds ratios (ORs), hazard ratios (HRs), or both for
      early (30-day or in-hospital) all-cause mortality, overall all-cause mortality,
      or both in patients with apparent (significant) versus unapparent
      (nonsignificant) MR as outcomes. RESULTS: Sixteen eligible studies enrolling a
      total of 13,672 patients undergoing TAVI for AS were identified and included.
      Pooled analyses of eight studies (representing 9,356 patients) and 14 studies
      (representing 7,405 patients) respectively demonstrated a statistically
      significant increase in early (OR 2.17; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.50 to
      3.14; p < 0.0001) and overall all-cause mortality (HR 1.81; 95% CI 1.37 to 2.40;
      p < 0.0001) in patients with apparent relative to unapparent MR. The exclusion of
      any single study from the analyses did not substantively alter the overall
      results of our analyses, and there was no evidence of significant publication
      bias. CONCLUSIONS: Coexisting and untreated apparent (usually moderate or severe)
      MR appears to be associated with an increase in both early and overall mortality
      after TAVI for AS.

PMID- 26277560
TI  - Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Results in Improvement of Pulmonary
      Function in Patients With Severe Aortic Stenosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been identified as a
      risk factor for morbidity and mortality after transcatheter aortic valve
      replacement (TAVR). We hypothesized that a portion of pulmonary dysfunction in
      patients with severe aortic stenosis may be of cardiac origin, and has potential
      to improve after TAVR. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was made of consecutive
      TAVR patients from April 2008 to October 2014. Of patients who had pulmonary
      function testing and serum B-type natriuretic peptide data available before and
      after TAVR, 58 were found to have COPD (26 mild, 14 moderate, and 18 severe).
      Baseline variables and operative outcomes were explored along with changes in
      pulmonary function. Multiple regression analyses were performed to adjust for
      preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction and glomerular filtration rate.
      RESULTS: Comparison of pulmonary function testing before and after the procedure
      among all COPD categories showed a 10% improvement in forced vital capacity (95%
      confidence interval: 4% to 17%) and a 12% improvement in forced expiratory volume
      in 1 second (95% confidence interval: 6% to 19%). There was a 29% decrease in B
      type natriuretic peptide after TAVR (95% confidence interval: -40% to -16%). An
      improvement of at least one COPD severity category was observed in 27% of
      patients with mild COPD, 64% of patients with moderate COPD, and 50% of patients
      with severe COPD. There was no 30-day mortality in any patient group.
      CONCLUSIONS: In patients with severe aortic stenosis, TAVR is associated with a
      significant improvement of pulmonary function and B-type natriuretic peptide.
      After TAVR, the reduction in COPD severity was most evident in patients with
      moderate and severe pulmonary dysfunction.

PMID- 26277561
TI  - Early Surgical Outcomes of En Bloc Resection Requiring Vertebrectomy for
      Malignancy Invading the Thoracic Spine.
AB  - BACKGROUND: En bloc vertebral resection of locally invasive T4 lung cancers led
      to the development of a surgical sequence for resection; posterior stabilization,
      reposition, thoracotomy, lobectomy, vertebrectomy, and anterior spine
      stabilization in 1 procedure. This technique expanded indications for
      vertebrectomy to selected patients with sarcoma and metastatic disease. We review
      our experience to identify areas for clinical improvement. METHODS: Operative
      case logs were cross-checked with billing data from 2003 to 2014 with Current
      Procedural Terminology (CPT, American Medical Association) codes for
      vertebrectomy. Thirty-two cases involving en bloc resection of malignancy
      invading at least 1 thoracic vertebra were selected. Outcomes data were analyzed
      using summary statistics. RESULTS: Series includes 14 men and 18 women, median
      age 50 years. Twenty-five patients (78%) received preoperative chemoradiation.
      Nineteen total and 13 partial vertebrectomy were performed. Average number of
      vertebrae resected was 1.6 (range, 1 to 4). Median operative length was 8.5 hours
      (range, 2.8 to 14.5), mean blood loss 923 mL (SD +/- 477 mL), and median length
      of stay 8 days (range, 3 to 56). Major morbidity followed 56% of cases. Thirty
      day mortality was 3%. Overall median survival was 43.6 months, 1-year survival
      was 73.6%, and 5-year survival was 40.3%. CONCLUSIONS: En bloc vertebrectomy for
      malignant disease is feasible. Our 1 stage and 2 team approach allows completion
      of the operation within a standard day, but is associated with long operative
      time. Complication rates may improve with decreased operative times. Review of
      available data warrants future prospective studies.

PMID- 26277562
TI  - Pathologic Upstaging in Patients Undergoing Resection for Stage I Non-Small Cell
      Lung Cancer: Are There Modifiable Predictors?
AB  - BACKGROUND: A substantial proportion of patients with clinical stage I non-small
      cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have more advanced disease on final pathologic review.
      We studied potentially modifiable factors that may predict pathologic upstaging.
      METHODS: Data of patients with clinical stage I NSCLC undergoing resection were
      obtained from the National Cancer Database. Univariate and multivariate analyses
      were performed to identify variables that predict upstaging. RESULTS: From 1998
      to 2010, 55,653 patients with clinical stage I NSCLC underwent resection; of
      these, 9,530 (17%) had more advanced disease on final pathologic review. Of the
      9,530 upstaged patients, 27% had T3 or T4 tumors, 74% had positive lymph nodes (n
      > 0), and 4% were found to have metastatic disease (M1). Patients with larger
      tumors (38 mm vs 29 mm, p < 0.001) and a delay greater than 8 weeks from
      diagnosis to resection were more likely to be upstaged. Upstaged patients also
      had more lymph nodes examined (10.9 vs 8.2, p < 0.001) and were more likely to
      have positive resection margins (10% vs 2%, p < 0.001). Median survival was lower
      in upstaged patients (39 months vs 73 months). Predictors of upstaging in
      multivariate regression analysis included larger tumor size, delay in resection
      greater 8 weeks, positive resection margins, and number of lymph nodes examined.
      There was a linear relationship between the number of lymph nodes examined and
      the odds of upstaging (1 to 3 nodes, odds ratio [OR] 2.01; >18 nodes OR 6.14).
      CONCLUSIONS: Pathologic upstaging is a common finding with implications for
      treatment and outcomes in clinical stage I NSCLC. A thorough analysis of regional
      lymph nodes is critical to identify patients with more advanced disease.

PMID- 26277563
TI  - Following the intracellular localization of the iab-8ncRNA of the bithorax
      complex using the MS2-MCP-GFP system.
AB  - Homeotic genes are aligned on the chromosome in the order of the segments that
      they specify along the antero-posterior axis of the fly. In general the genes
      affecting the more posterior segments repress the more anterior genes, a
      phenomenon known as "posterior dominance". There is however a noticeable
      exception to this rule in the central nervous system of Drosophila melanogaster
      where the posterior Abd-B gene does not repress the immediately more anterior abd
      A gene. Instead, abd-A repression is accomplished by a 92 kb-long ncRNA (the iab
      8ncRNA) that is transcribed from the large inter-genic region between abd-A and
      Abd-B. This iab-8ncRNA encodes a microRNA to repress abd-A and also a second
      redundant repression mechanism acting in cis and thought to be transcriptional
      interference with the abd-A promoter. Using in situ hybridization, a previous
      work suggested that the iab8ncRNA transcript forms discrete foci restricted to
      the nuclear periphery and that this localization may be important for its
      function. In order to better characterize the intra-cellular localization of the
      iab-8ncRNA we used the MS2-MCP system, which allows fluorescent labeling of RNA
      in cells and relies on the interaction between GFP-tagged MS2 coat protein (MCP
      GFP) and MS2 RNA stem loops. Our results indicate that the large foci seen in
      previous studies correspond to the site of iab8ncRNA transcription and that the
      foci seen may simply be an indication of the level of transcription at the locus.
      We find no evidence to suggest that this localization is important for its
      function on abd-A repression. We discuss the idea that the iab-8ncRNA may be a
      relic of a more general ancient mechanism of posterior dominance during the
      emergence of the hox clusters that was mediated by transcriptional interference.

PMID- 26277564
TI  - Socs36E limits STAT signaling via Cullin2 and a SOCS-box independent mechanism in
      the Drosophila egg chamber.
AB  - The Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling (SOCS) proteins are critical, highly
      conserved feedback inhibitors of signal transduction cascades. The family of SOCS
      proteins is divided into two groups: ancestral and vertebrate-specific SOCS
      proteins. Vertebrate-specific SOCS proteins have been heavily studied as a result
      of their strong mutant phenotypes. However, the ancestral clade remains less
      studied, a potential result of genetic redundancies in mammals. Use of the
      genetically tractable organism Drosophila melanogaster enables in vivo assessment
      of signaling components and mechanisms with less concern about the functional
      redundancy observed in mammals. In this study, we investigated how the SOCS
      family member Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling at 36E (Socs36E) attenuates Janus
      Kinase/Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (Jak/STAT) activation
      during specification of motile border cells in Drosophila oogenesis. We found
      that Socs36E genetically interacts with the Cullin2 (Cul2) scaffolding protein.
      Like Socs36E, Cul2 is required to limit the number of motile cells in egg
      chambers. We demonstrated that loss of Cul2 in the follicle cells significantly
      increased nuclear STAT protein levels, which resulted in additional cells
      acquiring invasive properties. Further, reduction of Cul2 suppressed border cell
      migration defects that occur in a Stat92E-sensitized genetic background. Our data
      incorporated Cul2 into a previously described Jak/STAT-directed genetic
      regulatory network that is required to generate a discrete boundary between cell
      fates. We also found that Socs36E is able to attenuate STAT activity in the egg
      chamber when it does not have a functional SOCS box. Collectively, this work
      contributes mechanistic insight to a Jak/STAT regulatory genetic circuit, and
      suggests that Socs36E regulates Jak/STAT signaling via a Cul2-dependent
      mechanism, as well as by a Cullin-independent manner, in vivo. 

PMID- 26277565
TI  - Susceptibility of helminth species from horses against different chemical
      compounds in Brazil.
AB  - By means of parasitological necropsies, the present study aimed to evaluate, in
      six experiments, the degree of susceptibility or resistance of different helminth
      species which naturally infect horses to ivermectin 0.2 mg/kg, abamectin 0.2
      mg/kg, moxidectin 0.4 mg/kg, trichlorfon 35 mg/kg, ivermectin 0.2
      mg/kg+praziquantel 2.5 mg/kg, abamectin 0.2 mg/kg+praziquantel 2.5 mg/kg and
      ivermectin 0.2 mg/kg+6.6 mg/kg pyrantel. At experimental day zero, the horses
      were allocated to treatment groups based on average counts of strongylid eggs per
      gram of feces (EPG) obtained on days -3, -2 and -1. Oxyuris sp. infections were
      confirmed as positive or negative. All the animals in the six experiments were
      naturally infected by this helminth species. Each group (control or treated)
      consisted of six animals. All the assessed Habronema muscae populations analyzed
      were susceptible to ivermectin, abamectin and moxidectin. Of the six
      Trichostrongylus axei populations, four were susceptible to ivermectin,
      abamectin, moxidectin, trichlorfon and ivermectin+praziquantel, and two were
      resistant to abamectin+praziquantel and ivermectin+pyrantel. Both Strongyloides
      westeri populations analyzed were susceptible to ivermectin, abamectin,
      moxidectin and abamectin+praziquantel. For O. equi, resistance was found in four
      different populations treated with ivermectin, abamectin, moxidectin, trichlorfon
      and ivermectin+praziquantel. Only combinations of abamectin+praziquantel and
      ivermectin+pyrantel were effective against this parasite species. All the large
      strongyles diagnosed in the present study (Strongyus edentatus, Strongyus
      vulgaris and Triodontophorus serratus) were susceptible to all the chemicals
      tested, with the exception of trichlorfon. Of the Cyathostominae populations, one
      was diagnosed as resistant to ivermectin and another to trichlorfon. The
      remaining populations from this nematode group were considered to be sensitive to
      ivermectin, abamectin, moxidectin, ivermectin+praziquantel,
      abamectin+praziquantel and ivermectin+pyrantel. New studies should be performed
      in different regions to evaluate the efficacy of trichlorfon in others field
      populations of helminthes.

PMID- 26277566
TI  - Metronidazole-but not IL-10 or prednisolone-rescues Trichuris muris infected
      C57BL/6 IL-10 deficient mice from severe disease.
AB  - Trichuris muris infected C57BL/6 mice are a frequently studied model of immune
      mediated resistance to helminths. Our objective was to characterize dose
      dependent gastrointestinal (GI) disease and pathology due to Trichuris in C57BL/6
      mice with varying degrees of IL-10 sufficiency. These mice can serve as a model
      for other animals (dogs, cattle) and humans where IL-10 polymorphisms have been
      associated with disease susceptibility and may affect susceptibility to whipworm.
      C57BL/6 IL-10(+/+), IL-10(+/-) and IL-10(-/-) mice were infected with T. muris (J
      strain) in a dose response study. T. muris produced dose-dependent disease in IL
      10(-/-) mice. Ninety percent of mice receiving the high dose (75 ova) had severe
      disease necessitating early euthanasia, while the medium dose (50 ova) resulted
      in 100% early euthanasia of males/75% of females, and the low dose (25 ova) in
      100% early euthanasia of males/25% of females. Having some IL-10 as in
      heterozygotes did not rescue all infected mice from effects of the high dose.
      2/21 IL-10(-/-), 1/17 IL-10(+/-), and 0/17 IL-10(+/+) mice in the high dose group
      had severe peritonitis and extra-intestinal bacteria confirmed by fluorescent 16S
      rDNA analysis of peritoneal organ surfaces. Three of twenty one IL-10(-/-) had
      demonstrable extra-intestinal T. muris adults. Although free from viral
      pathogens, 12/21 IL-10(-/-), 6/17 IL-10(+/-), and 4/17 IL-10(+/+) infected mice
      had hepatitis, while control mice of all genotypes did not. Mice had evidence of
      inflammation of serosal surfaces of liver, spleen and GI tract even when
      extraintestinal Trichuris were not found. Blinded histopathology scoring revealed
      that even when infected IL-10(-/-) mice displayed few, if any, clinical signs,
      levels of gut inflammation did not vary significantly from those mice euthanized
      early due to severe disease. To examine whether antibiotics or corticosteroids
      could reverse severe disease and lesions, IL-10(-/-) mice infected with T. muris
      were treated with metronidazole or prednisolone prior to and throughout 40 days
      of infection. Mice given prednisolone had severe disease and lesions with the
      highest mortality rate. Mice given metronidazole had a significantly lower
      mortality rate than those given prednisolone, but GI lesions were of similar
      severity and distribution including peritonitis. Mortality was associated with
      extraintestinal worms and bacteria and further supported a role for enteric
      bacteria in this pathogenesis. 

PMID- 26277567
TI  - Detection of Leishmania major and Leishmania tropica in domestic cats in the Ege
      Region of Turkey.
AB  - Leishmaniosis is a group of diseases caused by different species of Leishmania
      parasites in mammalian species. The aim of the present study was to investigate
      the presence of Leishmania spp. DNA in cats using real time polymerase chain
      reaction (RT-PCR) assays targeting internal transcribed spacer (ITS1) and heat
      shock protein 70 gene (Hsp70) regions with Leishmania species-specific primers
      and probes. Blood samples were collected from 147 cats (73 female; 74 male) in
      the endemic regions for zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis in the western provinces
      of Turkey and analyzed using two RT-PCR assays. Additionally, Hsp70 RT-PCR
      products were sequenced. ELISA assays for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and
      feline leukemia virus (FeLV) were also carried out for 145 of the 147 samples.
      Overall, 13/147 (8.84%) cats were positive for Leishmania by RT-PCR (4 L. major
      and 9 L. tropica). FIV and FeLV antibody and/or antigen was detected in 4 and 5
      cats among Leishmania DNA positives, respectively. To the best of our knowledge,
      this study is the first to investigate and report the presence of L. major and L.
      tropica infections in a large group of domestic cats in Turkey. The results
      obtained indicate that species identification of Leishmania is essential for
      epidemiological understanding and that clinical signs alone are not indicative
      for leishmaniosis in cats, as it is in dogs. This study suggests that extensive
      research should be carried out in cat populations in order to fully understand
      the role of cats in the epidemiology of the disease. 

PMID- 26277568
TI  - The taruca (Hippocamelus antisensis) and the red brocket deer (Mazama americana)
      as intermediate hosts of Taenia hydatigena in Peru, morphological and molecular
      evidence.
AB  - In the present report metacestodes were collected from the mesentery of a taruca
      (Hippocamelus antisensis) and from the omentum of a red brocket deer (Mazama
      americana) in Peru. Various metacestodes parameters, including rostellar hook
      characteristics, were measured. Molecular analysis was performed to amplify the
      mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene from metacestode isolates.
      Metacestodes were identified as T. hydatigena by morphology and molecular
      methods. This constitutes the first molecular detection of T. hydatigena
      metacestodes in the taruca and the red brocket deer and demonstrates that these
      animal species are natural intermediate hosts for this parasite. 

PMID- 26277569
TI  - Safety of reduced anti-thrombotic strategies in HeartMate II patients: A one-year
      analysis of the US-TRACE Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients with bleeding complications during left ventricular assist
      device (LVAD) support often require a reduction in the recommended warfarin plus
      aspirin regimen. To characterize those who can be safely managed with a reduced
      anti-thrombotic strategy, the TRACE (STudy of Reduced Anti-Coagulation/Anti
      platelEt Therapy in Patients with the HeartMate II LVAS) study was initiated in
      the United States (U.S.) and Europe. METHODS: The TRACE U.S. arm enrolled
      HeartMate II (HMII; Thoratec) outpatients on a regimen of reduced anti-thrombotic
      therapy (RT), defined as vitamin K antagonist (warfarin) only, aspirin only, or
      no anti-thrombotic agent. The indication for RT, changes in anti-thrombotic
      therapies, and patient outcomes after RT were documented. Results for patients
      reaching 12 months or outcome are presented here. RESULTS: Between April 2012 and
      June 2013, 100 HMII outpatients (85% men) on RT (median age 64.5 [interquartile
      range, 32, 82] years, 61% with ischemic etiology, 69% destination therapy) were
      enrolled from 9 U.S. sites. The primary reason for RT initiation was in response
      to a bleeding event (82%). Pharmacotherapy at RT initiation included warfarin
      only (38%), aspirin only (28%), or no anti-thrombotic agent (34%). Freedom from
      ischemic stroke at 1 year was 93.8% +/- 2.5%, and freedom from device thrombosis
      was 92.7% +/- 2.7%. Despite RT, a subsequent bleeding event occurred in 52%.
      CONCLUSIONS: Reducing anti-thrombotic therapies in response to bleeding among
      HMII patients was achievable but may be associated with a higher risk for device
      thrombosis. Furthermore, despite an RT strategy, bleeding often will persist in
      those prone to such events.

PMID- 26277570
TI  - Identify, isolate, inform: Background and considerations for Ebola virus disease
      preparedness in U.S. ambulatory care settings.
AB  - Public health activities to identify and monitor persons at risk for Ebola virus
      disease in the United States include directing persons at risk to assessment
      facilities that are prepared to safely evaluate for Ebola virus disease. Although
      it is unlikely that a person with Ebola virus disease will unexpectedly present
      to a nonemergency ambulatory care facility, the Centers for Disease Control and
      Prevention have provided guidance for this setting that can be summarized as
      identify, isolate, and inform. 

PMID- 26277571
TI  - Seroprevalence of cytomegalovirus IgG antibodies among pregnant women in Japan
      from 2009-2014.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a major cause of congenital infection.
      The seroprevalence of maternal CMV IgG antibodies among Japanese women is
      decreasing. In this study, we assessed the rate of and risk factors for CMV
      infection. This article includes a description of a method for the prevention of
      CMV infection. METHODS: Medical records of 7,074 women who delivered a baby at
      our hospital were retrospectively reviewed. For seronegative patients, preventive
      educational materials were provided, and CMV IgG antibody levels were reassessed
      during late pregnancy. Congenital infection in neonates from seroconverted
      mothers was determined by urine analysis. RESULTS: The overall CMV IgG
      seropositivity rate was 69.1%. The prevalence of CMV IgG increased with age and
      parity. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, parity remained an
      independent determinant of CMV IgG seropositivity. The seroconversion rate for
      CMV IgG antibody during pregnancy was 0.37%. Neonatal congenital CMV infection
      occurred in 37.5% of seroconverted women. The risk of primary CMV infection in
      mothers during their first pregnancy was 7.0%, with an average follow-up period
      of 2.1 years. CONCLUSION: We found that parity was an independent determinant of
      CMV IgG seropositivity, suggesting that child-rearing may be a high risk factor
      for maternal CMV infection. The provision of information on hygiene may be an
      effective and inexpensive method for preventing CMV infection.

PMID- 26277572
TI  - Personal protective equipment for the Ebola virus disease: A comparison of 2
      training programs.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Personal protective equipment (PPE) for preventing Ebola virus
      disease (EVD) includes basic PPE (B-PPE) and enhanced PPE (E-PPE). Our aim was to
      compare conventional training programs (CTPs) and reinforced training programs
      (RTPs) on the use of B-PPE and E-PPE. METHODS: Four groups were created,
      designated CTP-B, CTP-E, RTP-B, and RTP-E. All groups received the same
      theoretical training, followed by 3 practical training sessions. RESULTS: A total
      of 120 students were included (30 per group). In all 4 groups, the frequency and
      number of total errors and critical errors decreased significantly over the
      course of the training sessions (P < .01). The RTP was associated with a greater
      reduction in the number of total errors and critical errors (P < .0001). During
      the third training session, we noted an error frequency of 7%-43%, a critical
      error frequency of 3%-40%, 0.3-1.5 total errors, and 0.1-0.8 critical errors per
      student. The B-PPE groups had the fewest errors and critical errors (P < .0001).
      CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that both training methods improved the
      student's proficiency, that B-PPE appears to be easier to use than E-PPE, that
      the RTP achieved better proficiency for both PPE types, and that a number of
      students are still potentially at risk for EVD contamination despite the
      improvements observed during the training.

PMID- 26277573
TI  - Decreasing vancomycin utilization in a neonatal intensive care unit.
AB  - This study evaluated the efficacy of education versus audit and feedback in
      decreasing vancomycin utilization. Data were collected prospectively from October
      1, 2012-April 30, 2014 over the following 3 periods: baseline, after education
      and introduction of a late-onset sepsis treatment guideline, and after
      prospective audit-feedback to physicians. Vancomycin utilization and
      administration duration >3 days significantly decreased with education and
      guideline use, but it was not affected by addition of audit and feedback. 

PMID- 26277574
TI  - The effectiveness of UV-C radiation for facility-wide environmental disinfection
      to reduce health care-acquired infections.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Health care-acquired infections (HAIs) constitute an increasing
      threat for patients worldwide. Potential contributors of HAIs include
      environmental surfaces in health care settings, where ultraviolet-C radiation (UV
      C) is commonly used for disinfection. This UV-C intervention-based pilot study
      was conducted in a hospital setting to identify any change in the incidence of
      HAIs before and after UV-C intervention, and to determine the effectiveness of UV
      C in reducing pathogens. METHODS: In a hospital in Culver City, CA, during 2012
      2013, bactericidal doses of UV-C radiation (254 nm) were delivered through a UV-C
      based mobile environmental decontamination unit. The UV-C dosing technology and
      expertise of the specifically trained personnel were provided together as a
      dedicated service model by a contracted company. The incidence of HAIs before and
      after the intervention period were determined and compared. RESULTS: The
      dedicated service model dramatically reduced HAIs (incidence difference, 1.3/1000
      patient-days, a 34.2% reduction). Reductions in the total number and incidence
      proportions (28.8%) of HAIs were observed after increasing and maintaining the
      coverage of UV-C treatments. CONCLUSION: The dedicated service model was found to
      be effective in decreasing the incidence of HAIs, which could reduce disease
      morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. This model provides a
      continuously monitored and frequently UV-C-treated patient environment. This
      approach to UV-C disinfection was associated with a decreased incidence of HAIs.

PMID- 26277575
TI  - Molecular phylogeny of Squaliformes and first occurrence of bioluminescence in
      sharks.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Squaliform sharks represent approximately 27 % of extant shark
      diversity, comprising more than 130 species with a predominantly deep-dwelling
      lifestyle. Many Squaliform species are highly specialized, including some that
      are bioluminescent, a character that is reported exclusively from Squaliform
      sharks within Chondrichthyes. The interfamiliar relationships within the order
      are still not satisfactorily resolved. Herein we estimate the phylogenetic
      interrelationships of a generic level sampling of "squaloid" sharks and closely
      related taxa using aligned sequences derived from a targeted gene capture
      approach. The resulting phylogenetic estimate is further used to evaluate the age
      of first occurrence of bioluminescence in Squaliformes. RESULTS: Our dataset
      comprised 172 putative ortholog exon sequences. Phylogenetic estimates result in
      a fully resolved tree supporting a monophyletic lineage of Squaliformes excluding
      Echinorhinus. Non-luminous Squalidae are inferred to be the sister to a clade
      comprising all remaining Squaliform families. Our results suggest that the origin
      of photophores is coincident with an elevated diversification rate and the
      splitting of families Dalatiidae, Etmopteridae, Oxynotidae and Somniosidae at the
      transition of the Lower to the Upper Cretaceous. The presence of luminous organs
      was confirmed for the Sleeper shark genus Zameus. These results indicate that
      bioluminescence in sharks is not restricted solely to the families Etmopteridae
      and Dalatiidae as previously believed. CONCLUSIONS: The sister-clade to non
      luminous Squalidae comprises five families. The presence of photophores is
      reported for extant members of three out of these five families based on results
      of this study, i.e. Lantern sharks (Etmopteridae), Kitefin sharks (Dalatiidae)
      and Sleeper sharks (Somniosidae). Our results suggest that the origin of luminous
      organs arose during the rapid diversification event that gave rise to the extant
      Squaliform families. These inferences are consistent with the idea of
      diversification of Squaliform sharks being associated with the emergence of new
      deep-sea habitats in the Lower Cretaceous, which may have been facilitated by the
      evolution of bioluminescence.

PMID- 26277576
TI  - High Serum Uric Acid Levels Are Associated with All-Cause and Cardiovascular, but
      Not Cancer, Mortality in Elderly Adults.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To estimate the all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality risks
      associated with serum uric acid levels in elderly adults. DESIGN: Cohort study.
      SETTING: The Annual Geriatric Health Examination Program database from 2006 to
      2010. PATICIPANTS: Community-dwelling Taipei citizens aged 65 and older (N =
      77,541). MEASUREMENTS: Stratified according to sex, serum uric acid levels were
      analyzed in quartiles and as normal versus high categories. Mortality was
      determined by matching cohort identifications with national death files. RESULTS:
      Men had significantly higher uric acid levels than women (P < .001), and mean
      levels increased with age (P < .001). Serum uric acid levels (normal vs high)
      were an independent risk factor for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in men
      and women, with the strongest association found for cardiovascular mortality. The
      association between serum uric acid levels and cardiovascular mortality was
      independent of other cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes
      mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and glomerular filtration rate levels. When levels were
      analyzed as quartiles, men with levels in the second quartile had the lowest
      hazard ratios for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. CONCLUSION: High serum
      uric acid levels are associated with greater risk of all-cause and cardiovascular
      mortality but not cancer mortality in elderly adults. Further studies are
      warranted to investigate the prognostic implications and potential utility in the
      monitoring of therapy.

PMID- 26277578
TI  - Hyperthyroidism induced by topical iodine.

PMID- 26277577
TI  - Infection is the major trigger of hemophagocytic syndrome in adult patients
      treated with biological therapies.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Hemophagocytic syndromes (hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, HLH)
      are characterized by a wide range of etiologies, symptoms, and outcomes, but have
      a common etiopathogenic pathway leading to organ damage: an excessive
      inflammatory response. Biological therapies have been proposed as a therapeutic
      option for refractory HLH, but have also been related to the development of HLH
      in severe immunosuppressed patients. OBJECTIVES AND METHODS: The purpose of this
      study was to analyze the clinical characteristics and outcomes of adult patients
      who developed HLH after receiving biological therapies. RESULTS: We identified 30
      patients (29 from the PubMed search and one unpublished case), including 19 women
      and 11 men, with a mean age of 46.5 years. Underlying diseases consisted of
      rheumatologic/autoimmune diseases in 24 patients and hematological neoplasia in
      the remaining 6. Biological agents received before the development of HLH were
      mainly anti-TNF agents (n = 19). Search for microorganisms confirmed systemic
      infection in 20 (67%) patients, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis (n = 5),
      cytomegalovirus (CMV) (n = 4), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) (n = 3), Histoplasma
      capsulatum (n = 3), Escherichia coli (n = 2), Staphylococcus aureus, Leishmania
      amastigotes and Brucella melitensis (n = 1, respectively); viral infections were
      mainly reported in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. Patients with
      infections had more frequently received previous immunosuppressive therapies (p =
      0.036) and had lower leukocyte counts (p = 0.020) in comparison with patients
      without associated infections. The outcome was described in 29 patients. After a
      mean follow-up of 6.3 months, 8 patients died (28%) and 6 had received anti-TNF
      agents. There was a high mortality rate in patients aged >65 years and those with
      tuberculosis (62% and 60%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In patients receiving
      biological therapies who develop HLH, searching for a concomitant infectious
      process is mandatory, and specific surveillance for EBV/CMV infections (in
      patients with IBD) and for bacteria, including mycobacteria (in elderly patients
      receiving anti-TNF therapy), is recommended.

PMID- 26277579
TI  - A novel pressed porous silicon-polycaprolactone composite as a dual-purpose
      implant for the delivery of cells and drugs to the eye.
AB  - Dysfunction of corneal epithelial stem cells can result in painful and blinding
      disease of the ocular surface. In such cases, treatment may involve transfer of
      growth factor and normal adult stem cells to the ocular surface. Our purpose was
      to develop an implantable scaffold for the delivery of drugs and cells to the
      ocular surface. We examined the potential of novel composite biomaterials
      fabricated from electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) fibres into which
      nanostructured porous silicon (pSi) microparticles of varying sizes (150-250 MUm
      or <40 MUm) had been pressed. The PCL fabric provided a flexible support for
      mammalian cells, whereas the embedded pSi provided a substantial surface area for
      efficient delivery of adsorbed drugs and growth factors. Measurements of tensile
      strength of these composites revealed that the pSi did not strongly influence the
      mechanical properties of the polymer microfiber component for the Si loadings
      evaluated. Human lens epithelial cells (SRA01/04) attached to the composite
      materials, and exhibited enhanced attachment and growth when the materials were
      coated with foetal bovine serum. To examine the ability of the materials to
      deliver a small-drug payload, pSi microparticles were loaded with fluorescein
      diacetate prior to cell attachment. After 6 hours (h), cells exhibited
      intracellular fluorescence, indicative of transfer of the fluorescein diacetate
      into viable cells and its subsequent enzymatic conversion to fluorescein. To
      investigate loading of large-molecule biologics, murine BALB/c 3T3 cells,
      responsive to epidermal growth factor, insulin and transferrin, were seeded on
      composite materials. The cells showed significantly more proliferation at 48 h
      when seeded on composites loaded with these biologics, than on unloaded
      composites. No cell proliferation was observed on PCL alone, indicating the
      biologics had loaded into the pSi microparticles. Drug release, measured by ELISA
      for insulin, indicated a burst followed by a slower, continuous release over six
      days. When implanted under the rat conjunctiva, the most promising composite
      material did not cause significant neovascularization but did elicit a macrophage
      and mild foreign body response. These novel pressed pSi-PCL materials have
      potential for delivery of both small and large drugs that can be released in
      active form, and can support the growth of mammalian cells. 

PMID- 26277580
TI  - TIMP-1 affects the spatial distribution of dendritic processes of second-order
      neurons in a rat model of Retinitis Pigmentosa.
AB  - Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) is an inherited disorder that may lead to blindness. In
      the rhodopsin S334ter-line-3 rat model of RP, the death of rods induces spatial
      rearrangement of cones into regular ring mosaics. Using this model, we discovered
      that the ring mosaics are restored to a homogeneous distribution upon application
      of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1). In this study, we further
      investigated the cone migration and spatial distribution of second-order neurons
      and their connections to cones in the presence or absence of TIMP-1 using
      immunohistochemistry to identify retinal neurons and their connections with
      cones. M-opsin cell bodies and their outer segments were evaluated to determine
      whether TIMP-1 delays the degeneration of outer segments of cones. We observed
      that during cone rearrangement into ring mosaics in RP retina, dendritic
      processes of second-order neurons undergo remodeling to maintain their synaptic
      connections with the cones in the rings. TIMP-1 treatment induced the cones to
      rearrange and dendritic processes of second-order neurons to return to a more
      homogeneous spatial distribution. In addition, TIMP-1 treatment protected the
      outer segments of cones at later stages of retinal degeneration. Our findings
      clearly demonstrate that despite their dramatic spatial rearrangement, cones and
      second-order neuron processes maintain their synaptic connections before and
      after TIMP-1 treatment. 

PMID- 26277581
TI  - Photopigment self-screening and the determination of macular pigment absorbance
      using heterochromatic flicker photometry.
AB  - PURPOSE: Heterochromatic flicker photometry (HFP) is commonly used to determine
      macular pigment optical density (MPOD). Since HFP in this application is a locus
      comparison method, an identical relative spectral response at each locus is
      required for a perfect measure. We know this requirement cannot be strictly true
      since the optical density of photopigments increases as the foveal center is
      approached. Thus, the self-screening effect would result in an underestimate of
      MPOD. An earlier study concluded that the underestimate is on the order of 30%.
      We examined this issue by manipulating photopigment optical density, and
      consequently the degree of selfscreening. METHODS: A continuously exposed, 470
      nm, background bleached cone photopigments over a range from 0 to 80%. MPOD was
      determined 10' and 30' from the foveal center. Two subjects were used in the main
      experiment. Five additional subjects were studied with just the 0% and 80% bleach
      levels. Spectral measures were obtained at 0% and 70% bleach levels for the two
      primary subjects. RESULTS: Subjects in the main experiment showed MPOD estimates
      that increased with increasing bleaching. The effect, however, was small: one
      observer's MPOD increased 0.08 and 0.02 for the 10' and 30' loci, respectively;
      the other observer's values were 0.04 and 0.01 for the same loci. Comparable
      values were obtained for the other five subjects using the 0% and 80% bleach
      conditions. Spectral measures were consistent with the findings of the main
      experiment. CONCLUSIONS: When self-screening is nearly abolished (80% bleach), a
      relatively small underestimation is revealed for the unbleached state. For the 1
      degrees  target we show about 2-3% underestimation. Our 20' target reveals a
      larger underestimate (8-9%), consistent with longer photoreceptor outer-segments
      nearer the foveal center. We conclude that HFP yields values essentially
      independent of self-screening for targets of 1 degrees  diameter or greater.
      Smaller targets are less than 10% underestimated for near-zero bleach conditions.

PMID- 26277582
TI  - Programmed cell death-1 is expressed in large retinal ganglion cells and is
      upregulated after optic nerve crush.
AB  - Programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) is a key negative receptor inducibly expressed on
      T cells, B cells and dendritic cells. It was discovered on T cells undergoing
      classical programmed cell death. Studies showed that PD-1 ligation promotes
      retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death during retinal development. The purpose of this
      present study is to characterize PD-1 regulation in the retina after optic nerve
      crush (ONC). C57BL/6 mice were subjected to ONC and RGC loss was monitored by
      immunolabelling with RNA-binding protein with multiple splicing (Rbpms). Time
      course of PD-1 mRNA expression was determined by real-time PCR. PD-1 expression
      was detected with anti-PD-1 antibody on whole mount retinas. PD-1 staining
      intensity was quantitated. Colocalization of PD-1 and cleaved-caspase-3 after ONC
      was analyzed. Real-time PCR results demonstrated that PD-1 gene expression was
      significantly upregulated at day 1, 3, 7, 10 and 14 after ONC. Immunofluorescent
      staining revealed a dramatic increase of PD-1 expression following ONC. In both
      control and injured retinas, PD-1 tended to be up-expressed in a subtype of RGCs,
      whose somata size were significantly larger than others. Compared to control, PD
      1 intensity in large RGCs was increased by 82% in the injured retina. None of the
      large RGCs expressed cleaved-caspase-3 at day 5 after ONC. Our work presents the
      first evidence of PD-1 induction in RGCs after ONC. This observation supports
      further investigation into the role of PD-1 expression during RGC death or
      survival following injury. 

PMID- 26277583
TI  - Soluble extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN, EMN) regulates
      cancer-related cellular functions by homotypic interactions with surface CD147.
AB  - EMMPRIN (extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer) is a widely expressed
      glycoprotein and a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily which exists in both
      a membrane-spanning and a soluble form. Homotypic interactions of EMMPRIN
      underlie its multiple roles in normal development and pathological situations
      such as viral infections, Alzheimer's disease and cancer. This study employed a
      recombinant soluble, fully glycosylated EMMPRIN domain (rhsEMN) as a tool to
      characterize the structural basis of EMMPRIN-EMMPRIN receptor (EMNR) contacts and
      their functional effects on MCF-7 breast carcinoma cells. rhsEMN did not form
      dimers in solution but bound to surface EMMPRIN (EMN) on MCF-7 cells with high
      affinity and was readily internalized. The interaction interface for the
      homotypic contact was localized to the N-terminal Ig domain. rhsEMN exerted a
      stimulatory effect on proliferation of MCF-7 cells whereas it reduced cell
      migration in a dose-dependent manner. These effects were accompanied by an
      upregulation of endogenous EMMPRIN as well as of matrix metalloproteinase-14 (MMP
      14), a membrane-bound protease involved in the extracellular release of soluble
      EMMPRIN, indicating a regulatory feedback mechanism. The proliferation-promoting
      activity of rhsEMN was mimicked by a novel functional antibody directed to
      EMMPRIN, underscoring that crosslinking of cell surface EMMPRIN (EMNR) is crucial
      for eliciting intracellular signalling. Addressing malignancy-related signal
      transduction in HEK-293 cells, we could show that rhsEMN triggers the oncogenic
      Wnt pathway. 

PMID- 26277584
TI  - Stereoselective Retentive Domino Transmetalations of Secondary Alkyllithium
      Compounds to Functionalized Secondary Alkylcopper Reagents.
AB  - Functionalized secondary alkyllithium reagents obtained by I/Li exchange from the
      corresponding secondary alkyl iodides undergo two successive transmetalations
      with Me3 SiCH2 ZnBr?LiBr and CuBr?2 LiCl?Me2 S to provide functionalized
      secondary alkylcopper compounds with high retention of configuration. These
      alkylcopper derivatives react further with electrophiles such as alkynyl esters,
      acid chlorides, allylic chlorides, ketals, ethylene oxide, and 3
      iodocyclopentanone with high retention of configuration. A related sequence of
      transmetalations with MeMgI and LaCl3 ?2 LiCl allows a retentive addition of
      secondary alkyllithium reagents to acetone. The influence of the solvent on the
      configurational stability of secondary alkylzinc reagents is described. 

PMID- 26277585
TI  - Robotic-assisted laparoscopic bilio-pancreatic bypass with duodenal switch.

PMID- 26277586
TI  - Quality control and standardization of embryo morphology scoring and viability
      markers.
AB  - A so-called 'good-quality embryo' may be defined as an embryo that has the
      potential to implant into the uterine endometrium and give rise to the birth of a
      healthy child. A standardized and objective scoring of embryo 'quality' is
      therefore crucial in the classification and selection of embryos. However, embryo
      scoring is still being performed mainly via ocular evaluation, which often
      results in different interpretations of embryo quality. The addition of viability
      markers, such as measuring gene expression or the uptake/release of metabolites,
      proteins or RNA/DNA molecules in the culture media, would increase the
      possibility of standardized measurements. However, no single biomarker has yet
      been introduced into standard clinical practice, mainly due to the complexity of
      the techniques and the influence of biological variations and differences in
      culture conditions. In this paper different methods for the scoring of embryos
      and the possibility of standardizing and implementing quality control systems are
      discussed. 

PMID- 26277587
TI  - Assisted yes, but where do we draw the line?
AB  - In a recent report in Reproductive Biomedicine Online by Ebner et al., a
      comprehensive multi-centre study was presented on the use of a calcium ionophore,
      A23187, to artificially activate oocytes from patients who had poor fertilization
      rates in previous cycles. Under physiological conditions, the calcium increase in
      oocytes at activation is caused by influx and release from specific stores and
      ion channels, and has precise temporal, quantitative and spatial patterns.
      Calcium ionophores may release Ca(2+) in an uncontrolled fashion from
      intracellular stores that would not normally be involved in the activation
      process. Ionophores, including A23187, have a multitude of effects on cell
      homeostasis, not yet defined in oocytes, that may have long-term effects, for
      example on gene expression. We suspect that the successful births reported by
      Ebner et al. are a result of the overriding influence of the injected
      spermatozoa, rather than the effect of the ionophore; nevertheless, such an
      invasive non-physiological approach to assisted reproduction techniques is
      worrying, especially as epigenetic effects may result in future generations. 

PMID- 26277588
TI  - Correlation between presence of Leishmania RNA virus 1 and clinical
      characteristics of nasal mucosal leishmaniosis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Mucosal leishmaniosis (ML) is a severe clinical form of
      leishmaniosis. Complex factors related to the parasite and the host are
      attributed to the development of mucosal lesions. Leishmania RNA virus 1 (LRV1)
      can disrupt immune response, and may be the main determinant of severity of the
      disease; it should be investigated. OBJECTIVE: To study the existence of clinical
      differences between patients with ML with endosymbiosis by LRV1 and. those
      without it. METHODS: A cross-sectional cohort study with clinical evaluation,
      polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection of Leishmania, species classification,
      and search of LRV1 was performed. Only patients with confirmed diagnosis of ML by
      positive PCR and with nasal mucosa injuries were included in this analysis.
      RESULTS: Out of 37 patients, 30 (81.1%) were diagnosed with Leishmania
      braziliensis, five (13.5%) with Leishmania guyanensis, and two (5.4%) with mixed
      infection of L. braziliensis and L. guyanensis. LVR1 virus was present in 26
      (70.3%) of the cases. CONCLUSION: Correlation between clinical phenotype and
      presence of LRV1 was not observed, although the frequency of the virus is two
      fold higher in mucosal lesions than that found in the literature on skin lesions
      in the same geographical area.

PMID- 26277589
TI  - Efferent inhibition of otoacoustic emissions in preterm neonates.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Abnormalities in auditory function of newborns may occur not only
      because of preterm birth, but also from the use of medications and from diseases
      related to prematurity. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the inhibitory effect from
      stimulation of the olivocochlear efferent system on transient evoked otoacoustic
      emissions in preterm neonates, comparing these data with those from full-term
      neonates. METHODS: This was a prospective, cross-sectional, contemporary cohort
      study with 125 neonates, pooled into two groups: full-term (72 full-term
      neonates, 36 females and 36 males, born at 37-41 weeks of gestational age); and
      preterm (53 neonates, 28 males and 25 females, born at <=36 weeks of gestational
      age, evaluated at the corrected gestational age of 37-41 weeks). Otoacoustic
      emissions were recorded using linear and nonlinear click-evoked stimuli, with and
      without contralateral stimulation. RESULTS: The inhibitory effect of the efferent
      pathway in otoacoustic emissions was different (p=0.012) between groups, and a
      mean reduction of 1.48dB SPL in full-term births and of 1.02dB SPL in preterm
      births was observed for the non-linear click-evoked stimulus. CONCLUSION: The
      results suggest a reduced inhibitory effect of the olivocochlear efferent system
      on otoacoustic emissions in preterm neonates.

PMID- 26277590
TI  - Analysis of pattern of occurrence of thyroid carcinoma between 2001 and 2010.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: An ongoing discussion is found in medical literature about the
      reasons for changes in thyroid carcinoma incidence patterns over the last
      decades. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical and pathological characteristics of
      thyroid carcinoma cases over a decade. METHODS: Cross-sectional study over an
      historical cohort. Medical records of 628 thyroid cancer cases in a single center
      were reviewed. 597 patients were included. Microcarcinoma cases were selected for
      a qualitative analysis phase, in which medical records were reviewed for better
      understanding of thyroid nodule and thyroid cancer diagnosis process. RESULTS: An
      increase in the proportion of cases with thyroid cancer diagnosis was observed
      throughout the decade; new cases were predominantly tumors of less than 2 cm,
      with histopathological signs of low aggressiveness. There was an increase in
      proportion of cases with malignant cytological results among microcarcinomas.
      CONCLUSION: There is a trend for increase in thyroidectomies due to cancer in
      this institution, with proportional increment of cases with histopathological
      characteristics indicative of early disease. Among microcarcinomas, there is an
      increasing group represented by cancer cases that were not incidentally
      diagnosed, related to an enhancement in preoperative diagnostic methods.

PMID- 26277591
TI  - Benchmarks for the Dichotic Sentence Identification test in Brazilian Portuguese
      for ear and age.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Dichotic listening tests should be used in local languages and
      adapted for the population. OBJECTIVE: Standardize the Brazilian Portuguese
      version of the Dichotic Sentence Identification test in normal listeners,
      comparing the performance for age and ear. METHODS: This prospective study
      included 200 normal listeners divided into four groups according to age: 13-19
      years (GI), 20-29 years (GII), 30-39 years (GIII), and 40-49 years (GIV). The
      Dichotic Sentence Identification was applied in four stages: training, binaural
      integration and directed sound from right and left. RESULTS: Better results for
      the right ear were observed in the stages of binaural integration in all assessed
      groups. There was a negative correlation between age and percentage of correct
      responses in both ears for free report and training. The worst performance in all
      stages of the test was observed for the age group 40-49 years old. CONCLUSIONS:
      Reference values for the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Dichotic Sentence
      Identification test in normal listeners aged 13-49 years were established
      according to age, ear, and test stage; they should be used as benchmarks when
      evaluating individuals with these characteristics.

PMID- 26277592
TI  - Sedentary behavior and medical multimorbidity.
AB  - Emerging research demonstrates that sedentary behavior is associated with various
      individual chronic conditions, independent of physical activity. Despite
      multimorbidity (having at least 2 chronic diseases) being highly prevalent (>=
      23% of adults) and associating with premature mortality, limited research has
      examined the association between sedentary behavior and multimorbidity, which was
      the purpose of this research letter. Data from the 2005-2006 NHANES were used
      (analyzed in 2015). A multimorbidity index variable was created indicating the
      number of 14 morbidities each patient had; sedentary behavior and physical
      activity were assessed via accelerometry. For every 60 min/day increase in
      sedentary behavior, participants had a higher multimorbidity index
      (beta(adjusted) = 0.08; 95% CI: 0.04-0.11, p<0.001) and had an 11% (OR(adjusted)
      = 1.11; 95% CI: 1.01-1.21; p = 0.03) increased odds of being multimorbid (i.e.,
      having >= 2 morbidities). Sedentary behavior is associated with multimorbidity
      (independent of light-intensity physical activity and adherence to moderate-to
      vigorous physical activity guidelines), which underscores the importance of
      minimizing prolonged sedentary behavior (in addition to promoting physical
      activity) among adults.

PMID- 26277593
TI  - Type 2 innate lymphoid cells in induced sputum from children with severe asthma.

PMID- 26277594
TI  - Continuing IgG replacement therapy for hypogammaglobulinemia after rituximab--for
      how long?

PMID- 26277597
TI  - Neutrophils in respiratory syncytial virus infection: A target for asthma
      prevention.
AB  - Lower respiratory tract infections by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are the
      foremost cause of infant hospitalization and are implicated in lasting pulmonary
      impairment and the development of asthma. Neutrophils infiltrate the airways of
      pediatric patients with RSV-induced bronchiolitis in vast numbers: approximately
      80% of infiltrated cells are neutrophils. However, why neutrophils are recruited
      to the site of viral respiratory tract infection is not clear. In this review we
      discuss the beneficial and pathologic contributions of neutrophils to the immune
      response against RSV infection. Neutrophils can limit viral replication and
      spread, as well as stimulate an effective antiviral adaptive immune response.
      However, low specificity of neutrophil antimicrobial armaments allows for
      collateral tissue damage. Neutrophil-induced injury to the airways during the
      delicate period of infant lung development has lasting adverse consequences for
      pulmonary architecture and might promote the onset of asthma in susceptible
      subjects. We suggest that pharmacologic modulation of neutrophils should be
      explored as a viable future therapy for severe RSV-induced bronchiolitis and
      thereby prevent the inception of subsequent asthma. The antiviral functions of
      neutrophils suggest that targeting of neutrophils in patients with RSV-induced
      bronchiolitis is best performed under the umbrella of antiviral treatment. 

PMID- 26277595
TI  - Genetic errors of the human caspase recruitment domain-B-cell lymphoma 10-mucosa
      associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma-translocation gene 1 (CBM) complex:
      Molecular, immunologic, and clinical heterogeneity.
AB  - Three members of the caspase recruitment domain (CARD) family of adaptors (CARD9,
      CARD10, and CARD11) are known to form heterotrimers with B-cell lymphoma 10
      (BCL10) and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma-translocation gene 1
      (MALT1). These 3 CARD-BCL10-MALT1 (CBM) complexes activate nuclear factor kappaB
      in both the innate and adaptive arms of immunity. Human inherited defects of the
      3 components of the CBM complex, including the 2 adaptors CARD9 and CARD11 and
      the 2 core components BCL10 and MALT1, have recently been reported. Biallelic
      loss-of-function mutant alleles underlie several different immunologic and
      clinical phenotypes, which can be assigned to 2 distinct categories. Isolated
      invasive fungal infections of unclear cellular basis are associated with CARD9
      deficiency, whereas a broad range of clinical manifestations, including those
      characteristic of T- and B-lymphocyte defects, are associated with CARD11, MALT1,
      and BCL10 deficiencies. Interestingly, human subjects with these mutations have
      some features in common with the corresponding knockout mice, but other features
      are different between human subjects and mice. Moreover, germline and somatic
      gain-of-function mutations of MALT1, BCL10, and CARD11 have also been found in
      patients with other lymphoproliferative disorders. This broad range of germline
      and somatic CBM lesions, including loss-of-function and gain-of-function
      mutations, highlights the contribution of each of the components of the CBM
      complex to human immunity. 

PMID- 26277596
TI  - Exposure to welding fumes and lower airway infection with Streptococcus
      pneumoniae.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Welders are at increased risk of pneumococcal pneumonia. The
      mechanism for this association is not known. The capacity of pneumococci to
      adhere to and infect lower airway cells is mediated by host-expressed platelet
      activating factor receptor (PAFR). OBJECTIVE: We sought to assess the effect of
      mild steel welding fumes (MS-WF) on PAFR-dependent pneumococcal adhesion and
      infection to human airway cells in vitro and on pneumococcal airway infection in
      a mouse model. METHODS: The oxidative potential of MS-WF was assessed by their
      capacity to reduce antioxidants in vitro. Pneumococcal adhesion and infection of
      A549, BEAS-2B, and primary human bronchial airway cells were assessed by means of
      quantitative bacterial culture and expressed as colony-forming units (CFU). After
      intranasal instillation of MS-WF, mice were infected with Streptococcus
      pneumoniae, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung CFU values were
      determined. PAFR protein levels were assessed by using immunofluorescence and
      immunohistochemistry, and PAFR mRNA expression was assessed by using quantitative
      PCR. PAFR was blocked by CV-3988, and oxidative stress was attenuated by N
      acetylcysteine. RESULTS: MS-WF exhibited high oxidative potential. In A549 and
      BEAS-2B cells MS-WF increased pneumococcal adhesion and infection and PAFR
      protein expression. Both CV-3988 and N-acetylcysteine reduced MS-WF-stimulated
      pneumococcal adhesion and infection of airway cells. MS-WF increased mouse lung
      PAFR mRNA expression and increased BALF and lung pneumococcal CFU values. In MS
      WF-exposed mice CV-3988 reduced BALF CFU values. CONCLUSIONS: Hypersusceptibility
      of welders to pneumococcal pneumonia is in part mediated by the capacity of
      welding fumes to increase PAFR-dependent pneumococcal adhesion and infection of
      lower airway cells.

PMID- 26277598
TI  - Objective assessment of domestic mold contamination using quantitative PCR.

PMID- 26277599
TI  - Provider experiences with uterine balloon tamponade for uncontrolled postpartum
      hemorrhage in health facilities in Kenya.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To understand provider perceptions and experiences following training
      in the use of a condom-catheter uterine balloon tamponade (UBT) as second-line
      treatment for uncontrolled postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) in health facilities in
      Kenya. METHODS: As part of a qualitative study, interviews of facility-based
      providers who had managed PPH following comprehensive PPH training were conducted
      between February and April 2014. Facilities were purposively sampled to represent
      a range of experience with UBT, facility size, and geography. Interviews
      continued until thematic saturation was achieved. Interview transcripts were
      analyzed for themes. RESULTS: Overall, 68 providers from 29 facilities were
      interviewed, of whom 31 reported experience with UBT placement (25 midwives, 2
      clinical officers, 4 medical officers). Qualitative analysis revealed several
      major themes. Providers used UBT appropriately within the PPH algorithm, although
      the timing and clinical severity of patients varied. UBT was most commonly used
      when bleeding was unresponsive to uterotonics, hysterectomy was unavailable, and
      referral times long. Providers reported that bleeding was arrested following UBT
      use in all except one patient, who had a suspected coagulopathy. Most providers
      described UBT as technically easy to use, although three described initial
      balloon displacement. CONCLUSION: UBT has been readily accepted by providers at
      all levels of training and is being incorporated into the existing PPH management
      algorithm in Kenya.

PMID- 26277600
TI  - [Lack of correlation between retinal variables before treatment and poor
      functional response after focal photocoagulation in diabetic macular oedema].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although photocoagulation reduces the incidence of moderate visual
      loss in eyes with focal diabetic macular oedema, some eyes may lose some vision
      after treatment. The proportion of eyes with poor functional response after
      photocoagulation, and whether any retinal variable is associated with this, is
      unknown. OBJECTIVE: To determine the proportion of eyes with diabetic macular
      oedema that have a poor functional response after focal photocoagulation, and
      their associated features. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A non-experimental,
      longitudinal, comparative and retrospective study was conducted. The proportion
      and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of diabetics with macular oedema that had a
      poor functional response after focal photocoagulation (any visual loss after 6
      weeks) were identified. The means of retinal variables before treatment were
      compared between eyes with and without a poor functional response using the
      Student t test for independent means. RESULTS: The study included 115 eyes of
      patients aged 59.3 (SD 9.24) years. Visual acuity was greater than or equal to
      0.5 in 63 eyes (54.8%). A total of 33 eyes had a poor functional response after
      photocoagulation (28.7%, 95% CI: 13.3 to 44.1). The comparison between retinal
      variables and visual acuity before treatment did not show any differences between
      eyes with or without a poor functional response and eyes. CONCLUSION: Retinal
      thickening and visual acuity improved or did not change in 71.3% of eyes with
      diabetic macular oedema with a single photocoagulation procedure. Retinal
      variables that are usually evaluated were unable to identify the remaining 28.7%,
      which could lose vision after that treatment, and would require additional
      interventions.

PMID- 26277601
TI  - [Update on surgical treatment of primary and metastatic cutaneous melanoma].
AB  - Melanoma is a common cutaneous tumour. It is of great importance due to its
      increasing incidence and aggressive behaviour, with metastasis to lymph nodes and
      internal organs. When suspecting melanoma, excisional biopsy should be performed
      to obtain complete histological information in order to determine the adverse
      factors such as ulceration, mitosis rate, and Breslow depth, which influence
      preoperative staging and provide data for sentinel lymph biopsy decision making.
      The indicated management for melanoma is wide local excision, observing
      recommended and well-established excision margins, depending on Breslow depth and
      anatomical location of the tumour. Therapeutic lymphadenectomy is recommended for
      patients with clinically or radiologically positive lymph nodes. This article
      reviews surgical treatment of melanoma, adverse histological factors, sentinel
      lymph node biopsy, and radical lymphadenectomy. Details are presented on special
      situations in which management of melanoma is different due to the anatomical
      location (plantar, subungual, lentigo maligna), or pregnancy. 

PMID- 26277602
TI  - Parameter optimization method for the water quality dynamic model based on data
      driven theory.
AB  - Parameter optimization is important for developing a water quality dynamic model.
      In this study, we applied data-driven method to select and optimize parameters
      for a complex three-dimensional water quality model. First, a data-driven model
      was developed to train the response relationship between phytoplankton and
      environmental factors based on the measured data. Second, an eight-variable water
      quality dynamic model was established and coupled to a physical model. Parameter
      sensitivity analysis was investigated by changing parameter values individually
      in an assigned range. The above results served as guidelines for the control
      parameter selection and the simulated result verification. Finally, using the
      data-driven model to approximate the computational water quality model, we
      employed the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm to optimize the control
      parameters. The optimization routines and results were analyzed and discussed
      based on the establishment of the water quality model in Xiangshan Bay (XSB). 

PMID- 26277603
TI  - Renewables-to-reefs: Response to Fowler et al.

PMID- 26277604
TI  - A high BMI is a risk factor in younger patients with de novo acute myelogenous
      leukemia.
AB  - Overweight and obese patients have an increased risk to develop several
      malignancies and, additionally, body mass index (BMI) impacts on outcome in
      several solid tumors. However, little is known for AML. We analyzed a cohort of
      3526 patients with AML treated in three prospective multicenter trials within the
      German Study Alliance Leukemia. In multivariate analyses, we identified BMI as an
      independent risk factor for both DFS (HR 1.014, P = 0.0217) and OS (HR 1.015, P <
      0.0036). Interestingly, overweight and obesity seemed to be a risk factor
      predominantly in patients with de novo AML younger than 65 yr with intermediate
      risk and adverse cytogenetics. Overweight with a BMI >=25 kg/m2 best
      discriminated the worse outcome and led to an absolute reduction in long-term
      survival of 5-7% in the group of all younger patients (3-yr OS 39.9% vs. 47.3%;
      10-yr OS 28.7% vs. 33.8%, P = 0.0002). Additionally, response to induction
      therapy was significantly reduced in these patients (76.9% vs. 82.8%, P <
      0.0001). Thus, in younger patients with de novo AML, overweight and obesity are
      risk factors for impaired response to induction therapy, DFS and OS. This effect
      is, in part but not fully, explained by dose reduction such as dose-capping at a
      body surface area of 2 m2. 

PMID- 26277605
TI  - 17-(allylamino)-17-demethoxygeldanamycin drives Hsp70 expression but fails to
      improve morphological or functional recovery in injured skeletal muscle.
AB  - The stress inducible 70 kDa heat shock protein (Hsp70) is instrumental to
      efficient morphological and functional recovery following skeletal muscle injury
      because of its roles in protein quality control and molecular signalling.
      Therefore, in attempt to improve recovery, Hsp70 expression was increased with 17
      (allylamino)-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG) prior to and following an
      intramuscular injection of barium chloride (BaCl2) into the tibialis anterior
      (TA) of healthy young mice. To assess recovery, regenerating fibre cross
      sectional area (CSA) of the TA and in vivo peak isometric torque produced by the
      anterior crural muscles (TA, extensor digitorum longus and extensor hallucis
      muscles) were analyzed for up to 3 weeks after the injury. Because treatment of
      17-AAG and Hsp70 are known to influence inflammatory and myogenic signalling,
      tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and myogenin content were also assessed.
      This study reports that 17-AAG was effective at up-regulating Hsp70 expression,
      increasing content fivefold in the uninjured muscle. However, this significant
      increase in Hsp70 content did not enhance morphological or functional recovery
      following the injury, as the return of regenerating fibre CSA and in vivo peak
      isometric torque did not differ compared to that of the injured muscle from the
      vehicle treated mice. Treatment with 17-AAG also altered TNF-alpha and myogenin
      content, increasing both to a greater extent after the injury. Together, these
      findings demonstrate that although 17-AAG may alter molecular makers of
      regeneration, it does not improve recovery following BaCl2-induced skeletal
      muscle injury in healthy young mice.

PMID- 26277606
TI  - The Effectiveness of Pemetrexed Monotherapy Depending on Polymorphisms in TS and
      MTHFR Genes as Well as Clinical Factors in Advanced NSCLC Patients.
AB  - In NSCLC, second-line chemotherapy using pemetrexed or docetaxel has limited
      efficacy and should be dedicated to selected groups of patients. Pemetrexed is an
      antifolate compound with the ability to inhibit enzymes (TS, DHFR and GARFT)
      involved in pyrimidine and purine synthesis. The objective of this study was to
      evaluate the association between polymorphisms of TS and MHFR genes and clinical
      outcomes in NSCLC patients treated with pemetrexed monotherapy. DNA was isolated
      from peripheral blood of 72 non-squamous NSCLC patients treated with pemetrexed.
      Using PCR and RFLP methods, the variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR), the G >
      C SNP in these repeats and insertion/deletion polymorphism of TS gene as well as
      677C > T SNP in MTHFR gene were analyzed and correlated with disease control
      rate, progression-free survival and overall survival (OS) of NSCLC patients.
      Carriers of 2R/3R(G), 3R(C)/3R(G), 3R(G)/3R(G) genotypes showed significantly
      more frequent early progression than carriers of 2R/2R, 2R/3R(C), 3R(C)/3R(C)
      genotypes of TS gene (p < 0.05). Among carriers of triple 28 bp tandem repeats
      (3R) in TS gene and C/C genotype of MTHFR gene a significantly shorter OS was
      observed (HR = 3.07; p = 0.003). In multivariate analysis, significantly higher
      risk of death was observed in carriers of both 3R/3R genotype in TS and C/C
      genotype in 677C > T SNP in MTHFR (HR = 3.85; p < 0.005) as well as in patients
      with short duration of response to first-line chemotherapy (HR = 2.09; p <
      0.005). Results of our study suggested that genetic factors may have a high
      predictive and prognostic value (even greater than clinical factors) for patients
      treated with pemetrexed monotherapy. 

PMID- 26277608
TI  - Towards dropout training for convolutional neural networks.
AB  - Recently, dropout has seen increasing use in deep learning. For deep
      convolutional neural networks, dropout is known to work well in fully-connected
      layers. However, its effect in convolutional and pooling layers is still not
      clear. This paper demonstrates that max-pooling dropout is equivalent to randomly
      picking activation based on a multinomial distribution at training time. In light
      of this insight, we advocate employing our proposed probabilistic weighted
      pooling, instead of commonly used max-pooling, to act as model averaging at test
      time. Empirical evidence validates the superiority of probabilistic weighted
      pooling. We also empirically show that the effect of convolutional dropout is not
      trivial, despite the dramatically reduced possibility of over-fitting due to the
      convolutional architecture. Elaborately designing dropout training simultaneously
      in max-pooling and fully-connected layers, we achieve state-of-the-art
      performance on MNIST, and very competitive results on CIFAR-10 and CIFAR-100,
      relative to other approaches without data augmentation. Finally, we compare max
      pooling dropout and stochastic pooling, both of which introduce stochasticity
      based on multinomial distributions at pooling stage. 

PMID- 26277607
TI  - Combination of Praziquantel and Aspirin Minimizes Liver Pathology of Hamster
      Opisthorchis viverrini Infection Associated Cholangiocarcinoma.
AB  - Opisthorchiasis is one of the major risk factors for cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) in
      northeastern Thailand. An effective drug for killing this parasite is
      praziquantel. Recently, several reports have shown that with frequent use,
      praziquantel may itself be a CCA risk and can cause liver cell damage from an
      immunopathological response after parasite death. Aspirin has many properties
      including anti-inflammation and anti-cancer. Therefore, we use of aspirin (As)
      and praziquantel (Pz) to improve hepatobiliary system function in hamsters
      infected with Opisthorchis viverrini (OV) and or administered N
      nitrosodimethylamine (ND). Livers of OVNDAsPz, appeared healthy macroscopically,
      suggesting slow progression of cholangiocarcinoma evident by extent of fibrosis
      and bile duct cell proliferation was less than OVND although aggregations of
      inflammatory cells remained. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA),
      cytokeratin 19 (CK19), and cancer antigen (CA19-9) staining were strongly
      positive in OVND, but were only slight in OVNDAs. Moreover, OVNDAsPz, appeared a
      few inflammatory infiltrations, bile duct proliferation, fibrosis and CCA area
      than the OVNDAs group. Thirty seven point five percent of hamster in this group
      could not develop CCA. These findings suggest that using aspirin combination with
      praziquantel treatment can improve the hepatobiliary system after O. viverrini
      infection and reduce the risk of CCA. 

PMID- 26277609
TI  - Complex Rotation Quantum Dynamic Neural Networks (CRQDNN) using Complex Quantum
      Neuron (CQN): Applications to time series prediction.
AB  - Quantum Neural Networks (QNN) models have attracted great attention since it
      innovates a new neural computing manner based on quantum entanglement. However,
      the existing QNN models are mainly based on the real quantum operations, and the
      potential of quantum entanglement is not fully exploited. In this paper, we
      proposes a novel quantum neuron model called Complex Quantum Neuron (CQN) that
      realizes a deep quantum entanglement. Also, a novel hybrid networks model Complex
      Rotation Quantum Dynamic Neural Networks (CRQDNN) is proposed based on Complex
      Quantum Neuron (CQN). CRQDNN is a three layer model with both CQN and classical
      neurons. An infinite impulse response (IIR) filter is embedded in the Networks
      model to enable the memory function to process time series inputs. The Levenberg
      Marquardt (LM) algorithm is used for fast parameter learning. The networks model
      is developed to conduct time series predictions. Two application studies are done
      in this paper, including the chaotic time series prediction and electronic
      remaining useful life (RUL) prediction. 

PMID- 26277610
TI  - Multistability of memristive Cohen-Grossberg neural networks with non-monotonic
      piecewise linear activation functions and time-varying delays.
AB  - The problem of coexistence and dynamical behaviors of multiple equilibrium points
      is addressed for a class of memristive Cohen-Grossberg neural networks with non
      monotonic piecewise linear activation functions and time-varying delays. By
      virtue of the fixed point theorem, nonsmooth analysis theory and other analytical
      tools, some sufficient conditions are established to guarantee that such n
      dimensional memristive Cohen-Grossberg neural networks can have 5(n) equilibrium
      points, among which 3(n) equilibrium points are locally exponentially stable. It
      is shown that greater storage capacity can be achieved by neural networks with
      the non-monotonic activation functions introduced herein than the ones with
      Mexican-hat-type activation function. In addition, unlike most existing
      multistability results of neural networks with monotonic activation functions,
      those obtained 3(n) locally stable equilibrium points are located both in
      saturated regions and unsaturated regions. The theoretical findings are verified
      by an illustrative example with computer simulations. 

PMID- 26277611
TI  - From principles to practice: Description of a novel equity-based HCV primary care
      treatment model for PWID.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Knowledge is increasing regarding effective models of HCV care for
      people who inject drugs (PWID). However, examples implementing such models in
      primary care are lacking, leaving a gap in our applied understanding of how
      practically we best scale-up such care: this is critical and urgent if the
      benefits of treatment advances are to be realized for PWID. A CASE STUDY: The
      Cool Aid Community Health Centre (CHC) provides HCV programming for PWID, putting
      recent advances into practice. A case study of the CHC's HCV programming
      describes the practice experience and outcomes of its novel, multidisciplinary,
      primary care, inner-city HCV treatment program for PWID. This paper describes how
      this model of care functions to address the many barriers to treatment and
      successfully facilitate adherence to treatment. CONCLUSION: Medical advances for
      HCV will be ineffectual without effective management of complex barriers to care
      related to substance use, mental health, trauma, poverty, homelessness,
      criminalization, cultural issues, stigma and marginalization. HCV treatment for
      PWIDs benefits from low-threshold settings which are culturally appropriate and
      where trusting relationships between clients and providers are nurtured. Public
      investment in primary care treatment for PWID living with HCV, including
      investments in supports that address the social barriers faced by these
      vulnerable populations would build on existing evidence and improve HCV outcomes
      for PWID.

PMID- 26277613
TI  - A Novel Anti-classification Approach for Knowledge Protection.
AB  - Classification is the problem of identifying a set of categories where new data
      belong, on the basis of a set of training data whose category membership is
      known. Its application is wide-spread, such as the medical science domain. The
      issue of the classification knowledge protection has been paid attention
      increasingly in recent years because of the popularity of cloud environments. In
      the paper, we propose a Shaking Sorted-Sampling (triple-S) algorithm for
      protecting the classification knowledge of a dataset. The triple-S algorithm
      sorts the data of an original dataset according to the projection results of the
      principal components analysis so that the features of the adjacent data are
      similar. Then, we generate noise data with incorrect classes and add those data
      to the original dataset. In addition, we develop an effective positioning
      strategy, determining the added positions of noise data in the original dataset,
      to ensure the restoration of the original dataset after removing those noise
      data. The experimental results show that the disturbance effect of the triple-S
      algorithm on the CLC, MySVM, and LibSVM classifiers increases when the noise data
      ratio increases. In addition, compared with existing methods, the disturbance
      effect of the triple-S algorithm is more significant on MySVM and LibSVM when a
      certain amount of the noise data added to the original dataset is reached. 

PMID- 26277612
TI  - Hypoxia-Inducible Factor alpha and Hif-prolyl Hydroxylase Characterization and
      Gene Expression in Short-Time Air-Exposed Mytilus galloprovincialis.
AB  - Aquatic organisms experience environmental hypoxia as a result of eutrophication
      and naturally occurring tidal cycles. Mytilus galloprovincialis, being an
      anoxic/hypoxic-tolerant bivalve, provides an excellent model to investigate the
      molecular mechanisms regulating oxygen sensing. Across the animal kingdom,
      inadequacy in oxygen supply is signalled predominantly by hypoxia-inducible
      factors (HIF) and Hif-prolyl hydroxylases (PHD). In this study, hif-alpha 5'-end
      and partial phd mRNA sequences from M. galloprovincialis were obtained.
      Phylogenetic and molecular characterization of both HIF-alpha and PHD putative
      proteins showed shared key features with the respective orthologues from animals
      strongly suggesting their crucial involvement in the highly conserved oxygen
      sensing pathway. Both transcripts displayed a tissue-specific distribution with
      prominent expression in gills. Quantitative gene expression analysis of hif-alpha
      and phd mRNAs from gills of M. galloprovincialis demonstrated that both these key
      sensors are transcriptionally modulated by oxygen availability during the short
      time air exposure and subsequent re-oxygenation treatments proving that they are
      critical players of oxygen-sensing mechanisms in mussels. Remarkably, hif-alpha
      gene expression showed a prompt and transient response suggesting the precocious
      implication of this transcription factor in the early phase of the adaptive
      response to hypoxia in Mytilus. HIF-alpha and PHD proteins were modulated in a
      time-dependent manner with trends comparable to mRNA expression patterns, thus
      suggesting a central role of their transcriptional regulation in the hypoxia
      tolerance strategies in marine bivalves. These results provide molecular
      information about the effects of oxygen deficiency and identify hypoxia
      responsive biomarker genes in mussels applicable in ecotoxicological studies of
      natural marine areas.

PMID- 26277614
TI  - A Clinical Support System Based on Quality of Life Estimation.
AB  - Quality of life is a concept influenced by social, economic, psychological,
      spiritual or medical state factors. More specifically, the perceived quality of
      an individual's daily life is an assessment of their well-being or lack of it. In
      this context, information technologies may help on the management of services for
      healthcare of chronic patients such as estimating the patient quality of life and
      helping the medical staff to take appropriate measures to increase each patient
      quality of life. This paper describes a Quality of Life estimation system
      developed using information technologies and the application of data mining
      algorithms to access the information of clinical data of patients with cancer
      from Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck services of an oncology institution.
      The system was evaluated with a sample composed of 3013 patients. The results
      achieved show that there are variables that may be significant predictors for the
      Quality of Life of the patient: years of smoking (p value 0.049) and size of the
      tumor (p value < 0.001). In order to assign the variables to the classification
      of the quality of life the best accuracy was obtained by applying the John
      Platt's sequential minimal optimization algorithm for training a support vector
      classifier. In conclusion data mining techniques allow having access to patients
      additional information helping the physicians to be able to know the quality of
      life and produce a well-informed clinical decision.

PMID- 26277615
TI  - Setting Appropriate Goals for the Next Generation of Clinical Trials in
      Myelofibrosis.
AB  - New targeted therapies administered in phase II and phase III studies have
      produced substantial improvements in outcomes of myelofibrosis (MF). However,
      strong documentation that the new agents modify the natural history of the
      disease is lacking, and a number of therapeutic indications of new drugs remain
      unaddressed. Overall survival (OS) improvement is the major goal of next
      generation clinical trials in MF. This may be attained if an adequate population
      of patients and an unambiguous design of the trial will be selected. Another goal
      is preventing disease progression in early MF: this requires a controlled
      clinical trial with an accessible endpoint and a clinically relevant definition
      of disease progression. Improvement in the documentation of responsiveness of
      patient-reported outcomes (PROs) will allow to use them as a critical endpoint of
      new trials. Finally, exploiting the clinical utility of biomarkers should become
      a major goal of future clinical experimentation in MF. 

PMID- 26277616
TI  - Assessing the relationship between oral chronic graft-versus-host disease and
      global measures of quality of life.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Chronic GVHD (cGVHD) is a frequent complication of allogeneic
      hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and affects multiple organ
      systems, with the oral cavity being one of the most frequently affected sites.
      Patients with cGVHD experience reduced quality of life (QOL), yet the specific
      impact of oral cGVHD on QOL is poorly understood. The objective of this study was
      to characterize the impact of oral cGVHD on global measures of QOL. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: QOL data were collected using the FACT-BMT and SF-36 instruments for 569
      patients enrolled in the Chronic GVHD Consortium, with a total of 1915 follow-up
      visits. At study enrollment, patients were categorized as isolated oral cGVHD
      (n=22), oral and concomitant extra-oral cGVHD (n=420), and only extra-oral cGVHD
      (n=127). Utilizing all longitudinal data, QOL scores were compared using a
      multivariable linear model controlling for demographic, transplant, and cGVHD
      characteristics. RESULTS: Patients with isolated oral cGVHD reported better
      physical well-being (P=0.009), BMT well-being (P=0.01), and decreased bodily pain
      (P=0.01) compared to patients with oral and concomitant extra-oral cGVHD, but the
      differences in scores did not reach the defined threshold for clinical
      significance (6 points for FACT-BMT domains and 5 points for SF-36 domains).
      CONCLUSIONS: Global QOL scores are similar in patients with isolated oral cGVHD
      and patients with oral and concomitant extra-oral cGVHD.

PMID- 26277617
TI  - Clinical effect of a positive surgical margin without extraprostatic extension
      after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of positive
      surgical margin (PSM) without extraprostatic extension after robot-assisted
      radical prostatectomy (RARP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed
      837 patients who underwent RARP for clinically localized prostate cancer without
      neoadjuvant endocrine therapy. The pT2+category lesions were defined according to
      World Health Organization classification. The actuarial probabilities of
      biochemical recurrence-free survival (BCR-FS) were determined using Kaplan-Meier
      analysis. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression
      analyses were also used to identify independent predictors for BCR. RESULTS: Of
      the 837 patients, 102 (12.2%) experienced BCR during the follow-up period. The
      BCR-FS rate was significantly higher in patients with pT2+category tumors than in
      those with pT3a category tumors, and significantly lower in patients with
      pT2+category tumors than that in those with pT2 category tumors without PSM. The
      BCR-FS rate of patients with pT2+category tumors was significantly higher than
      that with pT3a category tumors with PSM but not significantly different from that
      with pT3a category tumors without PSM. In a multivariate analysis, the
      pathological T category considering pT2+category was one of independent
      predictive factors for BCR. CONCLUSIONS: This study support the hypothesis that
      the pT2+category disease is associated with a significantly increased risk of BCR
      in patients with organ-confined prostate cancer after RARP. As PSM can be avoided
      in some cases, urologists should continually seek to improve their operative
      skills and to reduce the rate of PSM, especially in patients with organ-confined
      prostate cancer.

PMID- 26277618
TI  - Asynchrony of senescence among phenotypic traits in a wild mammal population.
AB  - The degree to which changes in lifespan are coupled to changes in senescence in
      different physiological systems and phenotypic traits is a central question in
      biogerontology. It is underpinned by deeper biological questions about whether or
      not senescence is a synchronised process, or whether levels of synchrony depend
      on species or environmental context. Understanding how natural selection shapes
      patterns of synchrony in senescence across physiological systems and phenotypic
      traits demands the longitudinal study of many phenotypes under natural
      conditions. Here, we examine the patterns of age-related variation in late
      adulthood in a wild population of Soay sheep (Ovis aries) that have been the
      subject of individual-based monitoring for thirty years. We examined twenty
      different phenotypic traits in both males and females, encompassing vital rates
      (survival and fecundity), maternal reproductive performance (offspring birth
      weight, birth date and survival), male rutting behaviour, home range measures,
      parasite burdens, and body mass. We initially quantified age-related variation in
      each trait having controlled for annual variation in the environment, among
      individual variation and selective disappearance effects. We then standardised
      our age-specific trait means and tested whether age trajectories could be
      meaningfully grouped according to sex or the type of trait. Whilst most traits
      showed age-related declines in later life, we found striking levels of asynchrony
      both within and between the sexes. Of particular note, female fecundity and
      reproductive performance declined with age, but male annual reproductive success
      did not. We also discovered that whilst home range size and quality decline with
      age in females, home range size increases with age in males. Our findings
      highlight the complexity of phenotypic ageing under natural conditions and, along
      with emerging data from other wild populations and laboratory models, suggest
      that the long-standing hypothesis within evolutionary biology that fitness
      related traits should senesce in a synchronous manner is seriously flawed. 

PMID- 26277619
TI  - The cefazolin inoculum effect in methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus
      blood isolates: their association with dysfunctional accessory gene regulator
      (agr).
AB  - We evaluated the clinical significance of the cefazolin inoculum effect (CIE) in
      methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) isolates. In total, 146
      isolates were recovered from patients with MSSA bacteremia at 9 hospitals in
      Korea. The CIE was observed in 16 MSSA isolates, and while type A was the only
      detected beta-lactamase in MSSA isolates exhibiting the CIE, no strains
      expressing type B, C, or D beta-lactamases exhibited this effect. The CIE was
      only observed in agr group III and I isolates and was significantly more common
      in isolates with agr dysfunction than in those with functional agr (P<0.001).
      Even among isolates producing type A beta-lactamase, the CIE was also prevalent
      in isolates with dysfunctional agr than in isolates with functional agr
      (P=0.025). This study demonstrates an association between the CIE of MSSA
      isolates and agr dysfunction, in addition to those between the CIE and type A
      beta-lactamase. 

PMID- 26277620
TI  - Antioxidant activity of chemically synthesized AgNPs and biosynthesized Pongamia
      pinnata leaf extract mediated AgNPs - A comparative study.
AB  - Biosynthesis of metal nanoparticles is the present research in the limb of
      nanotechnology which reduces the toxicity of metal nanoparticles. Green chemistry
      approach emphasizes that the usage of plant material has offered a reliable,
      simple, nontoxic and eco-friendly that links Nanotechnology and Biotechnology.
      Increasing environmental concerns over chemical synthesis routes have resulted in
      attempts to develop bio-mimetic approaches. The current study deals with novel
      method for biosynthesis of AgNPs using Pongamia pinnata leaf extract as reducing
      agent. These biosynthesized nanoparticles were characterized with the help of UV
      vis Spectroscopy, Photoluminescence (PL) and Fourier transform infrared
      spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Atomic force microscopy (AFM),
      Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and Zeta Potential (ZP). Free radical scavenging
      potential of P. pinnata synthesized silver nanoparticles was evaluated in vitro
      by using five different assays viz., DPPH, ABT+S, Hydroxyl, Superoxide anion and
      Nitric oxide scavenging assays are also adopted. Capping of AgNPs by various
      polyphenolic compounds present in P. pinnata leaf extract appears to be a major
      contributor to lower toxicity compared to chemically synthesized AgNPs. The
      surface plasmon resonance shows 425nm and grain size of the AgNPs was measured
      from XRD and FTIR revealed the bioconjucation of AgNPs. The in vitro antioxidant
      activity of AgNPs showed a significant effect on scavenging of free radicals. The
      results suggest that the silver nanoparticles from P. pinnata can be potent
      natural antioxidants and can be essential for health preservation against
      oxidative stress related degenerative diseases, such as cancer. The vitality of
      this study lies in the formation of silver nanoparticles by utilizing the wealth
      of global ecological resources, eliminating obnoxious and toxic reagents which
      are hazardous to be handled as well as to be applied.

PMID- 26277621
TI  - Changes in microRNA expression during differentiation of embryonic and induced
      pluripotent stem cells to definitive endoderm.
AB  - Pluripotent stem cells, including embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced
      pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), have the potential to treat type 1 diabetes
      through cell replacement therapy. However, the protocols used to generate insulin
      expressing cells in vitro frequently result in cells which have an immature
      phenotype and are functionally restricted. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are now known to be
      important in cell fate specification, and a unique miRNA signature characterises
      pancreatic development at the definitive endoderm stage. Several studies have
      described differences in miRNA expression between ESCs and iPSCs. Here we have
      used microarray analysis both to identify miRNAs up- or down-regulated upon
      endoderm formation, and also miRNAs differentially expressed between ESCs and
      iPSCs. Several miRNAs fulfilling both these criteria were identified, suggesting
      that differences in the expression of these miRNAs may affect the ability of
      pluripotent stem cells to differentiate into definitive endoderm. The expression
      of these miRNAs was validated by qRT-PCR, and the relationship between one of
      these miRNAs, miR-151a-5p, and its predicted target gene, SOX17, was investigated
      by luciferase assay, and suggested an interaction between miR-151a-5p and this
      key transcription factor. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate a unique
      miRNA expression pattern for definitive endoderm derived from both embryonic and
      induced pluripotent stem cells.

PMID- 26277622
TI  - BTLA expression declines on B cells of the aged and is associated with low
      responsiveness to the trivalent influenza vaccine.
AB  - Virus-neutralizing antibody and B cell responses to influenza A viruses were
      measured in 35 aged and 28 middle-aged individuals following vaccination with the
      2012 and 2013 trivalent inactivated influenza vaccines. Antibody responses to the
      vaccine strains were lower in the aged. An analysis of B cell subsets by flow
      cytometry with stains for immunoregulators showed that B cells of multiple
      subsets from the aged as compared to younger human subjects showed differences in
      the expression of the co-inhibitor B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA).
      Expression of BTLA inversely correlated with age and appears to be linked to
      shifting the nature of the response from IgM to IgG. High BTLA expression on
      mature B cells was linked to higher IgG responses to the H1N1 virus. Finally,
      high BTLA expression on isotype switched memory B cells was linked to better
      preservation of virus neutralizing antibody titers and improved recall responses
      to vaccination given the following year. 

PMID- 26277624
TI  - Analysis of a FANCE Splice Isoform in Regard to DNA Repair.
AB  - The FANC-BRCA DNA repair pathway is activated in response to interstrand
      crosslinks formed in DNA. A homozygous mutation in 1 of the 17 Fanconi anemia
      (FA) genes results in malfunctions of this pathway and development of FA
      syndrome. The integrity of this protein network is essential for good maintenance
      of DNA repair process and genome stability. Following the identification of an
      alternatively splice isoform of FANCE (Fanconi anemia complementation group E)
      significantly expressed in breast cancer individuals from high-risk non-BRCA1/2
      families, we studied the impact of this FANCE splice isoform (FANCEDelta4) on DNA
      repair processes. We have demonstrated that FANCEDelta4 mRNA was efficiently
      translated into a functional protein and expressed in normal and breast cancer
      cell lines. Following treatment with the crosslinking agent mitomycin C, EUFA130
      (FANCE-deficient) cells infected with FANCEDelta4 were blocked into G2/M phase,
      while cell survival was significantly reduced compared with FANCE-infected
      EUFA130 cells. In addition, FANCEDelta4 did not allow FANCD2 and FANCI
      monoubiquitination, which represents a crucial step of the FANC-BRCA functional
      pathway. As observed for FANCE wild-type protein, localization of FANCEDelta4
      protein was confined to the nucleus following mitomycin C treatment. Although
      FANCEDelta4 protein showed interaction with FANCE, FANCEDelta4 did not support
      normal function of FANCE protein in this pathway and could have deleterious
      effects on FANCE protein activity. We have demonstrated that FANCEDelta4 seems to
      act as a regulator of FANCD2 protein expression level by promoting its
      degradation. This study highlights the importance of an efficient regulation of
      alternative splicing expression of FA genes for proper DNA repair. 

PMID- 26277625
TI  - Demographic and behavioural correlates of six sexting behaviours among Australian
      secondary school students.
AB  - Background There has been increasing attention on assessing rates of sexting in
      adolescents and of the potential negative effects of the behaviour. Our aim was
      to assess rates and correlates of sexting in Australian students in years10, 11
      and 12. METHODS: The current study was part of The Fifth National Survey of
      Australian Secondary Students and Sexual Health and reports on responses of 2114
      students (811 male, 1303 female). Sexting was assessed using six items: sending a
      sexually explicit written text message; receiving a sexually explicit text
      message; sending a sexually explicit nude or nearly nude photo or video of
      themselves; sending a sexually explicit nude or nearly nude photo or video of
      someone else; receiving a sexually explicit nude or nearly nude photo or video of
      someone else; and using a social media site for sexual reasons. RESULTS:
      Approximately half of the students had received (54%, 1139/2097) or sent (43%,
      904/2107) a sexually explicit written text message. Sexually explicit images had
      been received by 42% (880/2098) of students, one in four students had sent a
      sexually explicit image of themselves (26%, 545/2102) and one in 10 had sent a
      sexually explicit image of someone else (9%, 180/2095). Finally, 22% (454/2103)
      of students had used social media for sexual reasons. Sexting was associated with
      several correlates. CONCLUSIONS: Sexting was relatively common in this sample of
      year 10, 11 and 12 Australian students, particularly among older students, those
      who are sexually active, and those who use recreational substances.

PMID- 26277623
TI  - Shelter in a Swarm.
AB  - Flagella propel bacteria during both swimming and swarming, dispersing them
      widely. However, while swimming bacteria use chemotaxis to find nutrients and
      avoid toxic environments, swarming bacteria appear to suppress chemotaxis and to
      use the dynamics of their collective motion to continuously expand and acquire
      new territory, barrel through lethal chemicals in their path, carry along
      bacterial and fungal cargo that assists in exploration of new niches, and engage
      in group warfare for niche dominance. Here, we focus on two aspects of swarming,
      which, if understood, hold the promise of revealing new insights into microbial
      signaling and behavior, with ramifications beyond bacterial swarming. These are
      as follows: how bacteria sense they are on a surface and turn on programs that
      promote movement and how they override scarcity and adversity as dense packs. 

PMID- 26277626
TI  - Silver and titanium dioxide nanoparticles alter oxidative/inflammatory response
      and renin-angiotensin system in brain.
AB  - The study was designed to examine the effects of silver AgNPs, 20 nm) and
      titanium dioxide (Aeroxide((r)) P25 TiO2NPs, 21 nm) nanoparticles on brain
      oxidative stress parameters, its antioxidant potential and brain renin
      angiotensin system (RAS) in vivo. The analysis was performed 28 days after single
      dose injection of TiO2NPs and AgNPs (10 or 5 mg/kg body weight, respectively).
      The AgNPs, but not TiO2NPs, administration resulted in decreased lipid and
      cholesterol peroxidation. Antioxidant enzymes gene expression and/or activity
      were changed differently for TiO2NPs and AgNPs group. The TiO2NPs decreased
      aromatase gene expression, and glutathione peroxidase and reductase activities.
      In AgNPs group the sodium dismutase 1 and glutathione reductase mRNA levels were
      decreased as opposed to their activities. Both NPs altered the expression of
      brain RAS genes (angiotensinogen, renin, angiotensin I converting enzyme 1 and
      2), but only TiO2NPs caused similar changes on protein level. The expression of
      amyloid beta precursor protein gene was not altered by any kind of injected NPs.
      The TiO2NPs were more potent modulator of gene expression in the brain than
      AgNPs, despite the two times lower dosage. These results suggest that AgNPs and
      TiO2NPs exposure may modulate the brain function, but with different strength. 

PMID- 26277627
TI  - Degradation and detection of transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis DNA and proteins
      in flour of three genetically modified rice events submitted to a set of thermal
      processes.
AB  - This study aimed to investigate the degradation of three transgenic Bacillus
      thuringiensis (Bt) genes (Cry1Ab, Cry1Ac, and Cry1Ab/Ac) and the corresponding
      encoded Bt proteins in KMD1, KF6, and TT51-1 rice powder, respectively, following
      autoclaving, cooking, baking, or microwaving. Exogenous Bt genes were more stable
      than the endogenous sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) gene, and short DNA
      fragments were detected more frequently than long DNA fragments in both the Bt
      and SPS genes. Autoclaving, cooking (boiling in water, 30 min), and baking (200 
      degrees C, 30 min) induced the most severe Bt protein degradation effects, and
      Cry1Ab protein was more stable than Cry1Ac and Cry1Ab/Ac protein, which was
      further confirmed by baking samples at 180  degrees C for different periods of
      time. Microwaving induced mild degradation of the Bt and SPS genes, and Bt
      proteins, whereas baking (180  degrees C, 15 min), cooking and autoclaving led to
      further degradation, and baking (200  degrees C, 30 min) induced the most severe
      degradation. The findings of the study indicated that degradation of the Bt genes
      and proteins somewhat correlated with the treatment intensity. Polymerase chain
      reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and lateral flow tests were used to
      detect the corresponding transgenic components. Strategies for detecting
      transgenic ingredients in highly processed foods are discussed.

PMID- 26277628
TI  - Invited review: Diagnosis of zearalenone (ZEN) exposure of farm animals and
      transfer of its residues into edible tissues (carry over).
AB  - The aim of the review was to evaluate the opportunities for diagnosing the
      zearalenone (ZEN) exposure and intoxication of farm animals by analyzing
      biological specimens for ZEN residue levels. Metabolism is discussed to be
      important when evaluating species-specific consequences for the overall toxicity
      of ZEN. Besides these toxicological facts, analytics of ZEN residues in various
      animal-derived matrices requires sensitive, matrix-adapted multi-methods with low
      limits of quantification, which is more challenging than the ZEN analysis in
      feed. Based on dose-response experiments with farm animals, the principle
      usability of various specimens as bio-indicators for ZEN exposure is discussed
      with regard to individual variation and practicability for the veterinary
      practitioner. ZEN residue analysis in biological samples does not only enable
      evaluation of ZEN exposure but also allows the risk for the consumer arising from
      contaminated foodstuffs of animal origin to be assessed. It was compiled from
      literature that the tolerable daily intake of 0.25 MUg ZEN/kg body weight and day
      is exploited to approximately 8%, when a daily basket of animal foodstuffs and
      associated carry over factors are assumed at reported ZEN contamination levels of
      complete feed.

PMID- 26277629
TI  - Antifungal activity of nano and micro charcoal particle polymers against
      Paecilomyces variotii, Trichoderma virens and Chaetomium globosum.
AB  - This study investigates the antifungal activity of a polymer integrated with nano
      porous charcoal particles against Paecilomyces variotii, Chaetomium globosum,
      Trichoderma virens, which are all filamentous fungi. The charcoal polymers were
      prepared by combining charcoal powders with plastic resin under a vacuum to form
      charcoal particle protrusions on the polymer surface. The mycelial growth of P.
      variotii and T. virens exhibited a reduction of 10 and 30%, respectively, after
      the conidia were pre-treated with charcoal polymers, and in particular, no
      mycelial growth was found in C. globosum during 5 days of culture. The adsorption
      of Ca(2+) into charcoal was suggested to inhibit growth due to the reduction in
      the flux of calcium ions (Ca(2+)) into the hyphae. In 5 h, about 15 mM of Ca(2+)
      were removed from CaCl2 solution with 0.2 g/mL of polymers, and the nano-sized
      pores of the charcoals on the polymer were responsible for the Ca(2+) adsorption.

PMID- 26277630
TI  - Immunohistopathological analysis of frizzled-4-positive immature melanocytes from
      hair follicles of patients with Rhododenol-induced leukoderma.

PMID- 26277631
TI  - Valvular endothelial cells: guardians or destroyers of aortic valve integrity?

PMID- 26277632
TI  - Lipoprotein particle subclass profiles among metabolically healthy and unhealthy
      obese and non-obese adults: does size matter?
AB  - OBJECTIVES: No data regards lipoprotein particle profiles in obese and non-obese
      metabolic health subtypes exist. We characterised lipoprotein size, particle and
      subclass concentrations among metabolically healthy and unhealthy obese and non
      obese adults. METHODS: Cross-sectional sample of 1834 middle-aged Irish adults
      were classified as obese (BMI >=30 kg/m(2)) and non-obese (BMI <30 kg/m(2)).
      Metabolic health was defined using three metabolic health definitions based on
      various cardiometabolic abnormalities including metabolic syndrome criteria,
      insulin resistance and inflammation. Lipoprotein size, particle and subclass
      concentrations were determined using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)
      spectroscopy. RESULTS: Lipoprotein profiling identified a range of adverse
      phenotypes among the metabolically unhealthy individuals, regardless of BMI and
      metabolic health definition, including increased numbers of small low density
      lipoprotein (LDL) (P < 0.001) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) particles (P <
      0.001), large very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) particles (P < 0.001) and
      greater lipoprotein related insulin resistance (P < 0.001). The most significant
      predictors of metabolic health were lower numbers of large VLDL (ORs 2.72-3.13
      and 2.49-3.86, P < 0.05 among obese and non-obese individuals, respectively) and
      small dense LDL particles (ORs 1.78-2.39 and 1.50-1.94, P < 0.05) and higher
      numbers of large LDL (ORs 1.82-2.66 and 2.84-3.27, P < 0.05) and large HDL
      particles (ORs 1.88-2.58 and 1.81-3.49, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Metabolically
      healthy adults displayed favourable lipoprotein particle profiles, irrespective
      of BMI and metabolic health definition. These findings underscore the importance
      of maintaining a healthy lipid profile in the context of overall cardiometabolic
      health.

PMID- 26277633
TI  - The influence of housing characteristics on leisure-time sitting. A prospective
      cohort study in Danish adults.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Built environmental attributes have been studied in relation to
      domestic time spent sedentary. An indoor behaviour has thus been linked to an
      outdoor setting. Yet, attributes of the actual domestic environment may also
      influence the time spent sedentary at home. Therefore, the aim was to examine if
      housing characteristics were cross-sectionally and prospectively related to
      leisure-time sitting in adults. METHODS: In the Danish Health2006 cohort, 2308
      adults were followed for 5 years. At baseline, subjects self-reported housing
      characteristics (habitat type, habitat surface area and household size), moderate
      to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and socio-demographic factors. Leisure-time
      sitting was self-reported at baseline and 5-year follow-up. Multiple linear
      regression was used to assess cross-sectional and prospective associations.
      RESULTS: At baseline habitat surface area and household size were inversely
      associated with leisure-time sitting (p<0.01). Living in an apartment was
      associated with higher leisure-time sitting compared to living in a house
      (p<0.01). Household size was a predictor of 5-year leisure-time sitting (p<0.01),
      after adjustment for confounders and the other housing characteristics.
      CONCLUSIONS: Habitat type, habitat surface area and household size were
      associated with leisure-time sitting in adults, while especially household size
      was a predictor of leisure-time sitting five years later. The findings highlight
      the importance of home-environmental attributes when targeting a reduction in
      sedentary behaviours.

PMID- 26277634
TI  - False-normal vitamin B12 results in a patient with pernicious anaemia.
AB  - Pernicious anaemia is a common autoimmune disorder with a prevalence of
      approximately 4% amongst Europeans. If untreated, it can result in permanent
      neurological disability or death. Central to the diagnosis is establishing the
      presence of vitamin B12 deficiency. Concern has been raised recently regarding
      false-normal results obtained with competitive-binding vitamin B12 assays
      performed on automated biochemistry platforms in patients with pernicious anaemia
      due to the presence of interfering anti-intrinsic factor antibodies in the
      patient sample. We report a case in which diagnosis of pernicious anaemia was
      delayed due to false-normal vitamin B12 results. Questioning the results in light
      of high pre-test probability, and knowledge of the role of functional markers of
      vitamin B12 deficiency enabled the correct diagnosis to be made so that effective
      treatment could be initiated. It is crucial that those who frequently request
      vitamin B12 are aware of the potential problems with the available assays and how
      these problems can be addressed. We suggest that all patients with normal vitamin
      B12 levels where there is a high clinical suspicion for deficiency such as a
      macrocytic anaemia, neurological symptoms or megaloblastic bone marrow should
      have a functional assay of vitamin B12 (plasma homocysteine or methylmalonic
      acid) checked to further investigate for vitamin B12 deficiency. 

PMID- 26277635
TI  - Utilization of cardiac troponin assays in adult and pediatric populations:
      Guideline recommendations vs. reality.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We hypothesized significant gaps remained for cardiac troponin (cTn)
      utilization in the United States, despite an emerging evidence base and guideline
      recommendations. We tested this hypothesis and investigated differences and
      trends between the use of cTn in adult versus pediatric hospitals. DESIGN AND
      METHODS: Individuals were identified by a targeted distribution through personal
      contact and professional society email lists. Participants completed an online
      survey (Qualtrics) from 07/15/13 to 07/26/13. The 31-item questionnaire used
      skipped logic and collected data about the respondent and their institutional cTn
      clinical practices. Data tabulation and analysis were conducted using Qualtrics
      and Microsoft Excel. RESULTS: A total of 159 unique laboratories responded to the
      survey, representing primarily adult (81%) versus pediatric (19%) institutions.
      59% of laboratories utilize the guideline recommended 99th percentile as the
      upper reference limit (URL) for cTn, with large variability in reporting
      practices among users of the same assay. 73% of laboratories reported
      simultaneous ordering of other cardiac biomarkers with cTn, a majority which
      included CK-MB. Interpretive comments were used with cTn in 71 laboratories with
      a significant amount of heterogeneity. Pediatric hospitals reported a lower
      frequency of cTn orders and were less likely to consider elevated cTn a critical
      value. CONCLUSIONS: Gaps in current utilization and reporting of cTn exist, along
      with practices inconsistent with clinical guideline recommendations.
      Implementation of the 99th percentile and serial sampling protocols will be
      critical to adoption of high-sensitivity cTn assays. Differences in chest pain
      etiology are the most likely reason for the notable differences between cTn use
      in adults versus pediatric hospitals.

PMID- 26277636
TI  - Soluble ST2 and galectin-3 in pediatric patients without heart failure.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Soluble ST2 (ST2) and galectin-3 (Gal3) are biomarkers of myocardial
      fibrosis and remodeling. This study provides a foundation for the use of ST2 and
      Gal3 in pediatric patients by assessing values of these biomarkers among children
      without heart failure. DESIGN AND METHODS: Sera from 240 children, 40 males and
      40 females from each of three age groups, (2-6 years, 7-11 years, and 12-17
      years) without heart failure were identified from residual clinical testing.
      Serum ST2 and Gal3 were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: Serum ST2 increased with age
      among males, but not females. However, the difference was not statistically
      significant at the 95th or 97.5th percentiles. No relationship was found between
      serum Gal3 concentrations and age or gender. Central 95th percentiles (2.5th to
      97.5th) were 9-50 ng/mL for ST2 and 7-33 ng/mL for Gal3. CONCLUSIONS: We have
      presented baseline, normative data for ST2 and Gal3 in children. This will allow
      for study of the utility of these biomarkers in children with heart disease.

PMID- 26277637
TI  - Nanoparticles enhance the ability of human neutrophils to exert phagocytosis by a
      Syk-dependent mechanism.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Some reports indicate that NPs are ingested by cells via different
      mechanisms, including phagocytosis. In contrast, the direct role of NPs on the
      phagocytic process is not well documented. The aim of this study was to determine
      if titanium dioxide (TiO(2)), zinc oxide (ZnO) and cerium dioxide (CeO(2)) NPs,
      could alter the ability of neutrophils to exert phagocytosis. METHODS: Freshly
      isolated human neutrophils were incubated with NPs and their ability to
      phagocytose opsonized sheep red blood cells (SRBCs) or fluorescent latex beads
      (LBs) was assessed by optical and fluorescence microscopy, respectively. Syk
      activation was assessed by western blot experiments and a pharmacological
      approach with piceatannol, a Syk inhibitor, was used to determine its role in NPs
      induced neutrophils. The cytokine granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating
      factor (GM-CSF) was used as a positive control. RESULTS: All tested NPs enhanced
      the ability of neutrophil to phagocytose SRBCs and LBs. Syk was activated in NPs
      induced neutrophils as evidenced by its increased tyrosine phosphorylation level
      vs controls and the ability of NPs-induced phagocytosis was reversed by
      piceatannol. CONCLUSIONS: We found that the tested NPs enhanced phagocytosis,
      although at different degree, and this occurred by a Syk-dependent mechanism.
      GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: This is the first study demonstrating that NPs, by
      themselves, can directly enhance FcR-mediated (opsonized SRBCs) and complement
      mediated (LBs) phagocytosis. Moreover, as part of their mode of action, we
      determined that NPs can act similarly to GM-CSF leading to Syk activation
      involved in phagocytosis. This has to be taken under consideration for future
      nanobiology and nanomedicine studies.

PMID- 26277638
TI  - Modelling microbial health risk of wastewater reuse: A systems perspective.
AB  - There is a widespread need for the use of quantitative microbial risk assessment
      (QMRA) to determine reclaimed water quality for specific uses, however neither
      faecal indicator levels nor pathogen concentrations alone are adequate for
      assessing exposure health risk. The aim of this study was to build a conceptual
      model representing factors contributing to the microbiological health risks of
      reusing water treated in maturation ponds. This paper describes the development
      of an unparameterised model that provides a visual representation of theoretical
      constructs and variables of interest. Information was collected from the peer
      reviewed literature and through consultation with experts from regulatory
      authorities and academic disciplines. In this paper we explore how, considering
      microbial risk as a modular system, following the QMRA framework enables
      incorporation of the many factors influencing human exposure and dose response,
      to better characterise likely human health impacts. By using and expanding upon
      the QMRA framework we deliver new insights into this important field of
      environmental exposures. We present a conceptual model of health risk of
      microbial exposure which can be used for maturation ponds and, more importantly,
      as a generic tool to assess health risk in diverse wastewater reuse scenarios. 

PMID- 26277639
TI  - Occurrence, fate and ecological risk of five typical azole fungicides as
      therapeutic and personal care products in the environment: A review.
AB  - Azole fungicides are widely used to treat fungal infection in human. After
      application, these chemicals may reach to the receiving environment via direct or
      indirect discharge of wastewaters, thus posing potential risks to non-target
      organisms. We aimed to review the occurrence, fate and toxicological effects of
      some representative household azole fungicides in the environment. Azole
      fungicides were widely detected in surface water and sediment of the aquatic
      environment due to their incomplete removal in wastewater treatment plants. These
      chemicals are found resistant to microbial degradation, but can undergo
      photolysis under UV irradiation. Due to different physiochemical properties,
      azole fungicides showed different environmental behaviors. The residues of azole
      fungicides could cause toxic effects on aquatic organisms such as algae and fish.
      The reported effects include regulation changes in expression of cytochrome P450
      related genes and alteration in CYP450-regulated steroidogenesis causing
      endocrine disruption in fish. Further studies are essential to investigate the
      removal of azole fungicides by advanced treatment technologies, environmental
      fate such as natural photolysis, and toxic pathways in aquatic organisms. 

PMID- 26277640
TI  - Interactions between nuclear genes and a foreign mitochondrial genome in the
      redbelly dace Chrosomus eos.
AB  - Given the coevolution process occurring between nuclear and mitochondrial
      genomes, the effects of introgressive hybridization remain puzzling. In this
      study, we take advantage of the natural co-occurrence of two biotypes bearing a
      similar nuclear genome (Chrosomus eos) but harbouring mitochondria from different
      species (wild type: C. eos; cybrids: Chrosomus neogaeus) to determine the extent
      of phenotype changes linked to divergence in the mitochondrial genome. Changes
      were assessed through differences in gene expression, enzymatic activity,
      proteomic and swimming activity. Our data demonstrate that complex IV activity
      was significantly higher in cybrids compared to wild type. This difference could
      result from one variable amino acid on the COX3 mitochondrial subunit and/or from
      a tremendous change in the proteome. We also show that cybrids present a higher
      swimming performance than wild type. Ultimately, our results demonstrate that the
      absence of coevolution for a period of almost ten million years between nuclear
      and mitochondrial genomes does not appear to be necessarily deleterious but could
      even have beneficial effects. Indeed, the capture of foreign mitochondria could
      be an efficient way to circumvent the selection process of genomic coevolution,
      allowing the rapid accumulation of new mutations in C. eos cybrids. 

PMID- 26277641
TI  - Effect of endoscopic third ventriculostomy on cerebrospinal fluid pressure in the
      cerebral ventricles.
AB  - We aimed to show how endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) treatment may affect
      cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow dynamics in hydrocephalus, with and without
      aqueductal stenosis. Hydrocephalus is a neurological disorder which is
      characterized by enlarged brain ventricles. The periodic motion of CSF flow as a
      function of the cardiac cycle was prescribed as the inlet boundary condition at
      the foramen of Monro, and ETV was modeled as a 5mm diameter hole in the anterior
      wall of the third ventricle. The results show that ETV reduces the pressure in
      the ventricles by nine-fold in the model with aqueductal stenosis, and three-fold
      in the model without aqueductal stenosis. More importantly, ETV changes the
      temporal characteristics of the CSF pressure waveform in the model without
      aqueductal stenosis, such that there is higher pressure in the ventricle during
      diastole. This study suggests that changes in the temporal characteristics of the
      CSF pressure waveform in the ventricles may be the reason why ETV treatment is
      not effective for hydrocephalus without aqueductal stenosis. 

PMID- 26277642
TI  - Current indications for the surgical treatment of prolactinomas.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to examine the current indications for
      transsphenoidal surgery in the prolactinoma patient population, and to determine
      the outcomes of patients who undergo such operations. Transsphenoidal surgery may
      be indicated in prolactinoma patients who are resistant and/or intolerant to
      dopamine agonist (DA) therapy. We performed a retrospective review of the medical
      records of prolactinoma patients over a 6 year period (April 2008 to April 2014)
      at a large volume academic center. The median follow-up time was 12.0 months
      (range: 3-69). All patients who were included in the study (n=66) were treated
      with DA therapy and subsequently underwent an endonasal transsphenoidal
      operation. Of the 66 patients, 44 were women (mean age 34.2 years) and 22 were
      men (mean 41.7 years). There were 29 (43.9%) intolerant patients and 29 (43.9%)
      resistant patients. Postoperatively, 18 intolerant patients (66.7%) had
      normalized prolactin levels without the need for DA therapy, and five (17.2%)
      required DA to normalize their prolactin levels (p=0.02). Six patients (20.6%)
      had persistently elevated prolactin levels but were no longer receiving DA
      treatment (p<0.001). Postoperatively, 10 resistant patients (35.7%) had normal
      prolactin levels without DA therapy, and seven patients (25%) were treated with
      DA therapy to normalize their prolactin levels (p=0.22). Eight patients (28.6%)
      had supraphysiologic prolactin levels but were no longer taking a DA (p<0.001).
      Three patients (10.7%) were hyperprolactinemic, despite postoperative treatment
      with DA (p<0.001). After an appropriate treatment interval with multiple DA,
      radiographic follow-up, and careful clinical evaluation, prolactinoma patients
      can be offered surgery as an effective therapeutic option.

PMID- 26277643
TI  - Pain Catastrophizing and Fear of Pain Predict the Experience of Pain in Body
      Parts Not Targeted by a Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness Procedure.
AB  - The present study examined whether pain catastrophizing and pain-related fear
      predict the experience of pain in body regions that are not targeted by an
      experimental muscle injury protocol. A delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS)
      protocol was used to induce pain unilaterally in the pectoralis, serratus,
      trapezius, latissimus dorsi, and deltoid muscles. The day after the DOMS
      protocol, participants were asked to rate their pain as they lifted weighted
      canisters with their targeted (ie, injured) arm and their nontargeted arm. The
      lifting task is a nonnoxious stimulus unless participants are already
      experiencing musculoskeletal pain. Therefore, reports of pain on the nontargeted
      arm were operationalized as pain in response to a nonnoxious stimulus. Eighty-two
      healthy university students (54 men, 28 women) completed questionnaires on pain
      catastrophizing and fear of pain and went through the DOMS protocol. The analyses
      revealed that catastrophizing and pain-related fear prospectively predicted pain
      experience in response to a nonnoxious stimulus. The possible mechanisms
      underlying this effect and clinical implications are discussed. PERSPECTIVE: Pain
      catastrophizing and fear of pain prospectively predict the pain experience in
      response to a nonnoxious stimulus. The pattern of findings is consistent with the
      predictions of current models of generalization of pain-related fear.

PMID- 26277644
TI  - Transpulmonary radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma contiguous to
      the heart.

PMID- 26277645
TI  - Uterine remnant: An uncommon finding after transvaginal hysterectomy.

PMID- 26277646
TI  - 'Smartening' anticancer therapeutic nanosystems using biomolecules.
AB  - To be effective, anticancer agents must induce cell killing in a selective
      manner, something that is proving difficult to achieve. Drug delivery systems
      could help to solve problems associated with the lack of selectivity of classical
      chemotherapeutic agents. However, to realize this, such systems must overcome
      multiple physiological barriers. For instance, they must evade surveillance by
      the immune system, attach selectively to target cells, and gain access to their
      interior. Furthermore, there they must escape endosomal entrapment, and release
      their cargoes in a controlled manner, without affecting their functionality. Here
      we review recent efforts aiming at using biomolecules to confer these abilities
      to bare nanoparticles, to transform them into smart anticancer therapeutic
      nanosystems. 

PMID- 26277647
TI  - Investigating the potential immune role of fish NCAMs: Molecular cloning and
      expression analysis in mandarin fish.
AB  - The immune role of NCAMs has been revealed in mammals, yet there is no such
      report in fish. Hence, we analyzed the molecular characterizations and immune
      associated expression patterns of NCAMs in mandarin fish. Three NCAM members,
      named mfNCAM1a, mfNCAM1b and mfNCAM2, were identified. Among the cDNA sequences
      of mfNCAMs, AU-rich elements in the 3' UTRs of mfNCAM1b and mfNCAM2 as well as
      VASE sequences in the fourth Ig-like domain-encoding regions of mfNCAM1a and
      mfNCAM1b were discovered. Moreover, the syntenic analysis suggested that the
      duplication of NCAM1 is fish-specific. At mRNA and protein levels, the expression
      analyses revealed that mfNCAMs existed in both systemic and mucosal immune
      tissues, and located within lymphoid cells. Upon stimulated either by LPS or poly
      I:C, the expression level of mfNCAM1a was significantly up-regulated in head
      kidney, spleen, liver, and gut, whereas mfNCAM1b only in head kidney and liver,
      and mfNCAM2 only in liver. Additionally, the cells coexpressed mfNCAM1 and
      mfNCCRP-1 might imply the equivalents to mammalian NK cells. Our finding firstly
      demonstrates the member-specific immune-related tissue expression pattern and
      immune activity for fish NCAMs. Current data indicate that mfNCAM2 has little
      immune activity, while the immune activity of mfNCAM1a exists in more tissues
      than mfNCAM1b, and mfNCAM1a may tend to respond more actively to viral while
      mfNCAM1b to bacterial stimulants. Additionally, NCAM1b should be a fish-specific
      member with unique immune function, judging from its different expression
      pattern, immune activity as well as phylogenetic relationship to mfNCAM1a.

PMID- 26277648
TI  - Influences of binding to dissolved organic matter on hydrophobic organic
      compounds in a multi-contaminant system: Coefficients, mechanisms and ecological
      risks.
AB  - The complexation flocculation (CF) method was successfully employed to identify
      binding coefficients (Kdoc) of specific organic contaminants to dissolved organic
      matter (DOM, often indicated by dissolved organic carbon, DOC) in a multi
      contaminant hydrophobic organic contaminant (HOC) system. Kdoc values were
      obtained for most of the evaluated 33 HOCs, indicating the feasibility and
      applicability of the CF method in a multi-contaminant system. Significant
      positive correlations were observed between binding coefficients and octanol
      water partition coefficients (Kow) for organic halogen compounds, such as
      polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) (R(2) = 0.95, p < 0.05) and organic
      chlorine pesticides (OCPs) (methoxychlor excluded, R(2) = 0.82, p < 0.05). The
      positive correlations identified between the lgKdoc and lgBCF (bioconcentration
      factor) for PBDEs and OCPs, as well as the negative correlation observed for
      polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), indicated that different binding or
      partition mechanisms between PAHs and organic halogen compounds exist. These
      differences further result in discriminative competition partitions of HOCs
      between DOM and organisms. Assuming that only freely dissolved HOCs are
      bioconcentrative, the results of DOM-influenced bioconcentration factor (BCFDOM)
      and DOM-influenced lowest observed effect level (LOELDOM) indicate that the
      ecological risk of HOCs is decreased by DOM. 

PMID- 26277649
TI  - Oil sands development and its impact on atmospheric wet deposition of air
      pollutants to the Athabasca Oil Sands Region, Alberta, Canada.
AB  - Characterization of air pollutant deposition resulting from Athabasca oil sands
      development is necessary to assess risk to humans and the environment. To
      investigate this we collected event-based wet deposition during a pilot study in
      2010-2012 at the AMS 6 site 30 km from the nearest upgrading facility in Fort
      McMurray, AB, Canada. Sulfate, nitrate and ammonium deposition was (kg/ha) 1.96,
      1.60 and 1.03, respectively. Trace element pollutant deposition ranged from 2 *
      10(-5) - 0.79 and exhibited the trend Hg < Se < As < Cd < Pb < Cu < Zn < S.
      Crustal element deposition ranged from 1.4 * 10(-4) - 0.46 and had the trend: La
      < Ce < Sr < Mn < Al < Fe < Mg. S, Se and Hg demonstrated highest median
      enrichment factors (130-2020) suggesting emissions from oil sands development,
      urban activities and forest fires were deposited. High deposition of the elements
      Sr, Mn, Fe and Mg which are tracers for soil and crustal dust implies land
      clearing, mining and hauling emissions greatly impacted surrounding human
      settlements and ecosystems. 

PMID- 26277650
TI  - [Intraoperative fluid therapy in infants with congestive heart failure due to
      intracranial pial arteriovenous fistula].
AB  - Pial arteriovenous fistula is a rare intracranial congenital malformation (0.1-1:
      100,000). It has a high blood flow between one or more pial arteries and drains
      into the venous circulation. It is usually diagnosed during the childhood by
      triggering an intracranial hypertension and/or congestive heart failure due to
      left-right systemic shunt. It is a rare malformation with a complex
      pathophysiology. The perioperative anaesthetic management is not well
      established. We present a 6-month-old infant diagnosed with pial arteriovenous
      fistula with hypertension and congestive heart failure due to left-right shunt.
      He required a craniotomy and clipping of vascular malformation. Anaesthetic
      considerations in patients with this condition are a great challenge. It must be
      performed by multidisciplinary teams with experience in paediatrics. The
      maintenance of blood volume during the intraoperative course is very important.
      Excessive fluid therapy can precipitate a congestive heart failure or
      intracranial hypertension, and a lower fluid therapy may cause a tissue hypoxia
      due to the bleeding. 

PMID- 26277651
TI  - Graphene oxide based fluorescence resonance energy transfer and loop-mediated
      isothermal amplification for white spot syndrome virus detection.
AB  - Graphene oxide (GO) is attractived for biological or medical applications due to
      its unique electrical, physical, optical and biological properties. In
      particular, GO can adsorb DNA via pi-pi stacking or non-covalent interactions,
      leading to fluorescence quenching phenomenon applicable for bio-molecular
      detection. In this work, a new method for white spot syndrome virus (WSSV)-DNA
      detection is developed based on loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP)
      combined with fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between GO and
      fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled probe (FITC-probe). The fluorescence quenching
      efficiency of FITC-probe was found to increase with increasing GO concentration
      and reached 98.7% at a GO concentration of 50 MUg/ml. The fluorescence intensity
      of FITC-probe was recovered after hybridization with WSSV LAMP product with an
      optimal hybridization time of 10 min and increased accordingly with increasing
      amount of LAMP products. The detection limit was estimated to be as low as 10
      copies of WSSV plasmid DNA or 0.6 fg of the total DNA extracted from shrimp
      infected with WSSV. In addition, no cross reaction was observed with other common
      shrimp viral pathogens. Therefore, the GO-FRET-LAMP technique is promising for
      fast, sensitive and specific detection of DNAs.

PMID- 26277652
TI  - Toking, Vaping, and Eating for Health or Fun: Marijuana Use Patterns in Adults,
      U.S., 2014.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Policies legalizing marijuana for medical and recreational use have
      been increasing in the U.S. Considering the potential impact of these policies,
      important knowledge gaps exist, including information about the prevalence of
      various modes of marijuana use (e.g., smoked in joints, bowls, bongs; consumed in
      edibles or drinks) and about medical versus recreational use. Accordingly, this
      study assessed (1) prevalence and correlates of modes of current and ever
      marijuana use and (2) prevalence of medicinal and recreational marijuana use in
      U.S. adults. METHODS: Data came from Summer Styles (n=4,269), a nationally
      representative consumer panel survey of adults aged >=18 years, collected in
      2014. The survey asked about past 30-day (current) and ever mode of marijuana use
      and current reason for use (medicinal, recreational, both). Weighted prevalence
      estimates were computed and correlates were assessed in 2014 using logistic
      regression. RESULTS: Overall, 7.2% of respondents reported current marijuana use;
      34.5% reported ever use. Among current users, 10.5% reported medicinal-only use,
      53.4% reported recreational-only use, and 36.1% reported both. Use of bowl or
      pipe (49.5%) and joint (49.2%) predominated among current marijuana users, with
      lesser use of bong, water pipe, or hookah (21.7%); blunts (20.3%); edibles/drinks
      (16.1%); and vaporizers (7.6%); 92.1% of the sample reported combusted-only
      marijuana use. CONCLUSION: Combusted modes of marijuana use are most prevalent
      among U.S. adults, with a majority using marijuana for recreation. In light of
      changing policies and patterns of use, improved marijuana surveillance is
      critical for public health planning.

PMID- 26277654
TI  - Influence of group II metals on Radium-226 concentration ratios in the native
      green plum (Buchanania obovata) from the Alligator Rivers Region, Northern
      Territory, Australia.
AB  - In this study, uptake of Ra from soil, and the influence of group II metals on Ra
      uptake, into the stones and edible flesh of the fruit of the wild green plum,
      Buchanania obovata, was investigated. Selective extraction of the exchangeable
      fraction of the soil samples was undertaken but was not shown to more reliably
      predict Ra uptake than total soil Ra activity concentration. Comparison of the
      group II metal to Ca ratios (i.e. Sr/Ca, Ba/Ca, Ra/Ca) in the flesh with
      exchangeable Ca shows that Ca outcompetes group II metals for root uptake and
      that the uptake pathway discriminated against group II metals relative to ionic
      radius, with uptake of Ca > Sr > Ba >> Ra. Flesh and stone analysis showed that
      movement of group II metals to these components of the plant, after root uptake,
      was strongly related. This supports the hypothesis that Sr, Ba and Ra are being
      taken up as analogue elements, and follow the same uptake and translocation
      pathways, with Ca. Comparison with previously reported data from a native passion
      fruit supports the use of total soil CRs on natural, undisturbed sites. As
      exchangeable CRs for Ra reach a saturation value it may be possible to make more
      precise predictions using selective extraction techniques for contaminated or
      disturbed sites.

PMID- 26277653
TI  - Fixation to features and neural processing of facial expressions in a gender
      discrimination task.
AB  - Early face encoding, as reflected by the N170 ERP component, is sensitive to
      fixation to the eyes. Whether this sensitivity varies with facial expressions of
      emotion and can also be seen on other ERP components such as P1 and EPN, was
      investigated. Using eye-tracking to manipulate fixation on facial features, we
      found the N170 to be the only eye-sensitive component and this was true for
      fearful, happy and neutral faces. A different effect of fixation to features was
      seen for the earlier P1 that likely reflected general sensitivity to face
      position. An early effect of emotion (~120 ms) for happy faces was seen at
      occipital sites and was sustained until ~350 ms post-stimulus. For fearful faces,
      an early effect was seen around 80 ms followed by a later effect appearing at
      ~150 ms until ~300 ms at lateral posterior sites. Results suggests that in this
      emotion-irrelevant gender discrimination task, processing of fearful and happy
      expressions occurred early and largely independently of the eye-sensitivity
      indexed by the N170. Processing of the two emotions involved different underlying
      brain networks active at different times.

PMID- 26277655
TI  - Safety and efficacy of an attenuated Chinese QX-like infectious bronchitis virus
      strain as a candidate vaccine.
AB  - Infectious bronchitis (IB) is a highly contagious respiratory and urogenital
      disease of chickens caused by infectious bronchitis virus (IBV). This disease is
      of considerable economic importance and is primarily controlled through
      biosecurity and immunization with live attenuated and inactivated IB vaccines of
      various serotypes. In the present study, we tested the safety and efficacy of an
      attenuated predominant Chinese QX-like IBV strain. The results revealed that the
      attenuated strain has a clear decrease in pathogenicity for specific-pathogen
      free (SPF) chickens compared with the parent strain. Strain YN-inoculated birds
      had clinical signs of varying severity with 30% mortality, while the attenuated
      group appeared healthy, with less tissue damage. The attenuated strain also had
      relatively low tissue replication rates and higher antibody levels. The superior
      protective efficacy of the attenuated strain was observed when vaccinated birds
      were challenged with a homologous or heterologous field IBV strain, indicating
      the potential of the attenuated YN (aYN) as a vaccine. Producing a vaccine
      targeting the abundant serotype in China is essential to reducing the economic
      impact of IB on the poultry industry. 

PMID- 26277656
TI  - Pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy as an innovative approach to
      treat peritoneal carcinomatosis.
AB  - Peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) is difficult to treat and many efforts have been
      made to identify effective and safe treatments. One hypothetical way to increase
      the efficacy of chemotherapy regarding tumor eradication or tumor control is to
      apply chemotherapeutic agents into the abdomen in the form of a pressurized
      aerosol, taking advantage of the physical properties of gas and pressure. This
      new approach for treatment of PC is based on the assumption that (1)
      intraabdominal application of chemotherapy under pressure will enhance tumor drug
      uptake and (2) aerosolizing and spraying chemotherapy will enhance the area of
      peritoneal surface covered by the drug, (3) resulting in an improved anti-tumor
      efficacy. Ex vivo and in vitro models have tested this approach and have
      demonstrated good peritoneal cavity coverage, deep peritoneal drug infiltration,
      and technical feasibility. Occupational safety of this procedure has also been
      established. First evidence in humans with peritoneal cancer from ovarian cancer,
      gastric cancer, colon cancer, appendiceal cancer, and pseudomyxoma peritonei has
      been obtained suggesting clinical antitumor activity and procedural safety of
      repeated pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC) with cisplatin
      and doxorubicin. We hypothesize that PIPAC can effectively treat PC and will
      hence become part of the surgical and chemotherapeutical treatment spectrum of
      this disease in the future. 

PMID- 26277657
TI  - Type 5 and 6 nasal septal deformities: Could we predict and prevent acute
      coronary syndrome attacks in the future?
AB  - Undisturbed nasal breathing is essential for normal breathing physiology as a
      whole. Nasal septal deformities (NSD) are well known as a factor which can
      remarkably and substantially affect the quality of nasal and pulmonary breathing.
      However, it is well known that type 5 and type 6 nasal septal deformities may
      cause only a moderate, unilateral nasal obstruction or none at all. The effects
      of nasal obstruction on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems have been well
      studied so far: right ventricle problems, ischemic heart diseases, sleep
      disorders, mucociliary clearance system disturbances, paranasal sinus pathology,
      have all been described as a result of impaired nasal breathing. The connection
      between the upper and lower respiratory systems has been recognized in allergic
      rhinitis and asthma as well, resulting in the united airways concept. Most
      recently, the ostensible connection between chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and
      acute myocardial infarction has been said to be proven. However, the results of
      this study might have not been well founded since there are no direct and clear
      proofs that CRS as a chronic inflammatory process has anything to do with the
      acute coronary syndrome (ACS). On the other hand, a large international study on
      the incidence of NSD in CRS patients, based on the Mladina classification, showed
      that NSD were present in a high incidence and that the most frequent deformities
      were types 5 (36.18%) and 7 (29.92%). The vast majority of those types 7
      consisted of types 3 and (again) types 5 or types 6 (76.32%). The fact that in
      CRS patients a remarkably high incidence of type 5 septal deformity can be seen,
      gives rise to thinking that this factor perhaps plays a role in the onset of ACS.
      Acute coronary syndrome is one of the leading causes of death all over the world.
      Traditional risk factors such as family history, overweight body, smoking,
      stress, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery
      calcium score, C-reactive protein, lipoprotein, homocysteine, lipoprotein
      associated phospholipase A2, as well as high-density lipoprotein functionality
      perhaps cannot account for the entire risk for incident coronary events. Several
      other potential risk factors have been identified in an effort to improve risk
      assessment for ACS. This article reviews one of them: the possible influence of
      an unusual, so far unknown predisposing factor: type 5 or type 6 nasal septal
      deformities. They have been found as pure, isolated types or as a part of
      combined nasal septal deformity (type 7). 

PMID- 26277658
TI  - Arterial tree asymmetry reduces cerebral pulsatility.
AB  - With each heartbeat, pressure wave (PW) propagates from aorta toward periphery.
      In cerebral circulation, at the level of circle of Willis (CW), four arteries and
      four PWs converge. Since the interference is an elemental property of the wave,
      PWs interfere at the level of CW. We hypothesize that the asymmetry of brain
      supplying arteries (that join to form CW) creates phase difference between the
      four PWs that interfere at the level of CW and reduce downstream cerebral
      pulsatility. To best of our knowledge, the data about the sequence of PWs'
      arrival into the cerebral circulation is lacking. Evident imperfect bilateral
      symmetry of the vessels results with different path length of brain-supplying
      arteries, hence, PWs should arrive into the head at different times. The
      probabilistic calculation shows that asynchronous arrival is more probable than
      synchronous. The importance of PWs for the cerebral circulation is highlighted by
      the observation that barotrauma protection mechanisms are more influenced by the
      crest of PW (pulse pressure) than by the mean arterial pressure. In addition, an
      increased arterial pulsatility is associated with several brain pathologies. We
      created simple computational models of four converging arteries and found that
      asynchronous arrival of the PWs results with lower maximum pressure, slower rate
      of pressure amplification and lower downstream pulsatility. In analogy, the
      asynchronous arrival of the pressure waves into the cerebral circulation should
      decrease blood flow pulsatility and lower transmission of kinetic energy on
      arterial wall. We conclude that asynchronous arrival of PWs into the cerebral
      circulation influences cerebral hemodynamics and represents a physiological
      necessity. 

PMID- 26277659
TI  - Tumor targeting using polyamidoamine dendrimer-cisplatin nanoparticles
      functionalized with diglycolamic acid and herceptin.
AB  - Polymer mediated drug delivery system represents a novel promising platform for
      tumor-targeting with reduced systemic side effects and improved
      chemotherapeutical efficacy. In this study, we report the preparation and
      characterization of herceptin targeted, diglycolamic acid (DGA) functionalized
      polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer as a potent drug carrier for cisplatin. DGA
      dendrimers carrying cisplatin demonstrated enhanced anticancer activity when
      targeted with herceptin. In vitro cell line studies with herceptin-DGA-G4
      cisplatin in HER-2 +ve and HER-2 -ve human ovarian cancer cell lines showed that
      these nanoparticles possessed remarkable features such as lower IC50 value,
      improved S-phase arrest, and enhanced apoptosis due to increased cellular uptake
      and accumulation than the untargeted DGA-G4-cisplatin and free cisplatin.
      Furthermore, in vivo results in SCID mice bearing SKOV-3 tumor xenografts,
      herceptin-DGA-G4-cisplatin, appeared to be more effective in inducing tumor
      regression as compared to free cisplatin. Collectively, these results indicate
      that herceptin targeted DGA functionalized PAMAM-cisplatin conjugates serve as
      better anti-tumor agents than individual therapeutic agents. 

PMID- 26277661
TI  - Malaysian pathology spreading its canopy.

PMID- 26277660
TI  - A flexible-dose dispenser for immediate and extended release 3D printed tablets.
AB  - The advances in personalised medicine increased the demand for a fast, accurate
      and reliable production method of tablets that can be digitally controlled by
      healthcare staff. A flexible dose tablet system is presented in this study that
      proved to be suitable for immediate and extended release tablets with a realistic
      drug loading and an easy-to-swallow tablet design. The method bridges the
      affordable and digitally controlled Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) 3D printing
      with a standard pharmaceutical manufacturing process, Hot Melt Extrusion (HME).
      The reported method was compatible with three methacrylic polymers (Eudragit RL,
      RS and E) as well as a cellulose-based one (hydroxypropyl cellulose, HPC SSL).
      The use of a HME based pharmaceutical filament preserved the linear relationship
      between the mass and printed volume and was utilized to digitally control the
      dose via an input from computer software with dose accuracy in the range of 91
      95%. Higher resolution printing quality doubled the printing time, but showed a
      little effect on in vitro release pattern of theophylline and weight accuracy.
      Physical characterization studies indicated that the majority of the model drug
      (theophylline) in the 3D printed tablet exists in a crystal form. Owing to the
      small size, ease of use and the highly adjustable nature of FDM 3D printers, the
      method holds promise for future individualised treatment. 

PMID- 26277662
TI  - IsomiRs have functional importance.
AB  - Since the inception of deep sequencing, isomiRs are consistently observed to be
      produced by most miRNA genes in a variety of cell types. IsomiRs appear as a
      variation in length from the canonical sequence annotated in miRBase, due to an
      addition or deletion of one or more nucleotides at the 5(') or 3(') ends or both.
      As the seed sequence is located at the 5(') end of the microRNA, the target mRNA
      will be theoretically different. Therefore, 5(')isomiRs might potentially target
      a new set mRNA compared to their canonical counterpart. This article gives an
      overview of investigations that explored the functional potential of isomiRs such
      as their ability to incorporate into Argonaute protein, the differential
      expression of isomiRs in various tissue types and cell lines, and the differences
      of mRNA targets between isomiR and its canonical microRNA. In addition, this
      article provides a brief introduction of RNA sponges as a potential way to
      inhibit isomiRs. 

PMID- 26277663
TI  - Increased soluble HLA-DRB1in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
AB  - Soluble HLA (sHLA) are potential tumour markers released in order to counter
      immune surveillance. sHLA-class II is less known especially in acute
      lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). This study aimed to investigate soluble, surface
      and allelic expression of HLA Class II (sHLA-DR) in B-cell ALL patients and
      compare with soluble expression in normal individuals. A sandwich enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed to measure soluble HLA-DRB1 in plasma.
      Flow cytometric analysis was performed to determine median fluorescence intensity
      in HLA-DR surface expression. HLA-DNA typing by polymerase chain reaction,
      sequence specific oligonucleotides, PCRSSO was performed to determine HLA-DRB1
      type in ALL samples. Results showed sHLA-DRB1 (mean+/-SEM) was significantly
      increased (p=0.001) in plasma of ALL patients (0.260 +/-0.057 MUg/mL; n=30)
      compared to healthy controls (0.051 +/- 0.007ug/mL; n=31) of Malay ethnicity.
      However, these levels did not correlate with percentage or median fluorescence
      intensity of HLA-DR expressed on leukemia blasts (CD19+CD34 +/- CD45(lo)HLA-DR+)
      or in the normal B cell population (CD19+CD34- CD45(hi)HLA-DR+) of patients. No
      significant difference was observed in gender (male/female) or age
      (paediatric/adult). Only a trend in reduced sHLA was observed in patients
      carrying HLA-DR04. These results have to be validated with a larger number of
      samples.

PMID- 26277664
TI  - Gamma irradiation and red cell haemolysis: a study at the Universiti Kebangsaan
      Malaysia Medical Centre.
AB  - Gamma-irradiation of blood components is regarded a safe procedure used for
      prevention of transfusion associated graft-versus-host disease. However, reports
      showed that irradiation can cause erythrocyte haemolysis and damage to the RBC
      membrane. In University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC), a number of
      suspected transfusion reactions (TR) featured unusual isolated episodes of red
      coloured-urine or haemoglobinuria among paediatric patients without clinical
      features of acute haemolytic TR. Haemolysis of irradiated red cells was suspected
      as a cause. This study was conducted to evaluate haemolytic changes of RBC
      components following irradiation. A prospective, pre- and post- irradiation
      comparative study was conducted on 36 paired RBC-components in the blood-bank,
      UKMMC in the year 2013. Samples were tested for plasma-Hb, percent-haemolysis,
      plasma-potassium (K+) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level. Post-irradiation
      mean plasma-Hb and percent-haemolysis were significantly higher than pre
      irradiation values at 0.09 +/-0.06g/dl VS 0.10 +/- 0.06g/dl and 0.19 +/- 0.13% VS
      0.22 +/- .13% respectively, while plasma-K+ and LDH values did not show
      significant difference. However, the mean percent-haemolysis level was still
      within recommended acceptable levels for clinical use, supporting that irradiated
      RBC units were safe and of acceptable quality for transfusion. There was no
      conclusive reason for isolated haemoglobinuria following transfusion of
      irradiated red-cell products. Further research is suggested to investigate the
      other possible causes.

PMID- 26277665
TI  - Detection of chromosome 13 (13q14) deletion among Sudanese patients with multiple
      myeloma using a molecular genetics fluorescent in situ hybridization technique
      (FISH).
AB  - Multiple myeloma (MM) is a neoplastic plasma cell dyscrasia with an incidence of
      4-4.5 per 100,000 population per year. It is regarded as the second most
      prevalent blood cancer (10%) after non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The objective of this
      study was to investigate the mutational change in chromosome 13 (13q14) among
      Sudanese MM patients and to identify the association between extent of plasma
      cell infiltration in the bone marrow, albumin level and deletion of 13q14 by an
      analytical case control study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 15 patients were enrolled
      in the study. 11 bone marrow samples were collected from MM patients at different
      stages of the disease and 4 samples were from patients with conditions other than
      MM as control. Plasma cells were counted from bone marrow smears and fluorescence
      in-situ hybridization (FISH) was performed using Fluorophore labeled DLEU1
      (13q14) LSI (local specific identifier) probe designed as a dual-colour assay to
      detect deletion at 13q14. Heparanized sample was taken for estimation of serum
      albumin in all patients. RESULTS: 13q14 deletion was detected in 6 (54.5%) MM
      patients while one (9.1%) patient showed monosomy. All relapsed MM (27.3%) had
      13q14 deletion. Surprisingly almost all patients studied had normal albumin
      level. The study could not show whether the deletion is implicated in the
      pathogenesis of multiple myeloma.

PMID- 26277666
TI  - Diagnostic flex-rigid pleuroscopic biopsy of parietal pleura for exudative
      pleural effusions in suspected malignant and tuberculosis cases: a retrospective
      study of 219 cases.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study was carried out to ascertain the aetiology of exudative
      pleural effusions when other diagnostic investigations such as pleural fluid and
      sputum examination for cytology and acid fast bacilli fail to yield a definitive
      diagnosis and to differentiate between tuberculosis and malignancy in cases
      suspicious of malignancy. METHODS: Pleuroscopic biopsies were obtained in 219
      cases by Chest Physicians in the endoscopy suite using flexi-rigid fiber-optic
      pleuroscopes. Histological sections were stained with H&E and microscopic
      examination performed. Ziehl-Nielsen stain for acid fast bacilli was performed in
      all suspected tuberculosis cases and immunohistochemistry for Thyroid
      transcription factor 1 and other markers were carried out for all cases
      suspicious of malignancy. RESULTS: Adequate biopsy material for interpretation
      was obtained in 210 (95.9%) of 219 cases. Histopathology revealed 79 (37.6%)
      cases were tuberculosis, 64 (30.5%) were malignant (primary from lung and other
      sites), 62 (29.5%) were non-specific inflammation and 5 (2.4%) were empyema. A
      definitive diagnosis of tuberculosis, malignancy and empyema was obtained in
      70.5% of cases. Tuberculosis was encountered in a younger age-group than
      malignancy. Mean age for tuberculosis patient was 49 years while for malignant
      patients was 63 years. The majority (79.6%) of malignances encountered were
      metastatic lung adenocarcinoma.

PMID- 26277667
TI  - Comparison of Abtectcell III and Diamed red cell antibody screening kit for
      detection of clinically significant red cells alloantibody.
AB  - Antibody screening is important for the antenatal screening and pre-transfusion
      tests. This study aimed to compare the MUT/Mur kodecytesAbtectcell III (CSL
      Abtectcell III) red cell antibody screening kit with DiaMed ID-Dia Cell I-II-III
      Asia that was then used in our laboratory. In this study, 125 samples were
      randomly chosen, with 67 samples of known antibody specificities and 58 samples
      identified as negative for antibody, as the negative control. Concordant negative
      results were obtained in 57 out of 58 antibody negative samples. Concordant
      antibody positive results with both reagents were seen in 49 out of 67 samples.
      There were 18 discrepant results of antibody screening with CSL Abtetcell III
      (16/18 for vMNS antibodies). The sensitivity and specificity for CSL Abtectcell
      III were 73.0% and 98.3% respectively. In conclusion, the CSL Abtectcell III
      reagent would be an acceptable alternative for screening of red cell
      alloantibodies. It was able to detect all the clinically significant
      alloantibodies. 

PMID- 26277668
TI  - Tumour morphology after neoadjuvant chemotherapy as a predictor of survival in
      serous ovarian cancer: an experience from a tertiary care centre in India.
AB  - Serous ovarian cancer is the most common malignant ovarian tumour. Traditional
      management consists of surgical resection with postoperative chemotherapy.
      Currently neoadjuvant chemotherapy is offered to patients with advanced stage
      disease. The present study aims to analyse the histomorphological alterations in
      serous ovarian cancer following neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Correlation of these
      morphological alterations with survival is also presented here. Serous ovarian
      cancers from 100 advanced stage cases were included; 50 were treated with pre
      surgery chemotherapy. Semi-quantitative scoring was used to grade the alterations
      in tumour morphology. Survival data was correlated with the final morphological
      score. Tumour morphology was significantly different in cases treated with
      neoadjuvant chemotherapy (CT group) as compared to cases with upfront surgery.
      The CT group cases showed more fibrosis, calcification, and infiltration by
      lymphocytes, plasma cells, foamy and hemosiderin-laden macrophages. The residual
      tumour cells had degenerative cytoplasmic changes with nuclear atypia. Patients
      with significant morphological response had a longer median survival, although it
      did not attain statistical significance in the current study. With the increasing
      use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in management, the pathologist needs to be aware
      of the altered morphological appearance of tumour. Further studies are required
      to establish a grading system to assess the tissue response which can be helpful
      in predicting the overall therapeutic outcome and the prognosis of patients. 

PMID- 26277669
TI  - Effectiveness of bone cleaning process using chemical and entomology approaches:
      time and cost.
AB  - Skeletal examination is an important aspect of forensic pathology practice,
      requiring effective bone cleaning with minimal artefact. This study was conducted
      to compare between chemical and entomology methods of bone cleaning. Ten subjects
      between 20 and 40 years old who underwent uncomplicated medico-legal autopsies at
      the Institute of Forensic Medicine Malaysia were randomly chosen for this
      descriptive cross sectional study. The sternum bone was divided into 4 parts,
      each part subjected to a different cleaning method, being two chemical approaches
      i.e. laundry detergent and a combination of 6% hydrogen peroxide and powder
      sodium bicarbonate and two entomology approaches using 2nd instar maggots of
      Chrysomyia rufifacies and Ophyra spinigera. A scoring system for grading the
      outcome of cleaning was used. The effectiveness of the methods was evaluated
      based on average weight reduction per day and median number of days to achieve
      the average score of less than 1.5 within 12 days of the bone cleaning process.
      Using maggots was the most time-effective and costeffective method, achieving an
      average weight reduction of 1.4 gm per day, a median of 11.3 days to achieve the
      desired score and an average cost of MYR 4.10 per case to reach the desired score
      within 12 days. This conclusion was supported by blind validation by forensic
      specialists achieving a 77.8% preference for maggots. Emission scanning electron
      microscopy evaluation also revealed that maggots especially Chrysomyia rufifacies
      preserved the original condition of the bones better allowing improved
      elucidation of bone injuries in future real cases. 

PMID- 26277670
TI  - Routine diabetes screening in blood donation campaigns.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Data from the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2011 showed that
      20.8% of Malaysians above 30 years have diabetes. 10.1%of them are undiagnosed.
      Mobile blood drives could complement the public health department efforts in
      diabetes screening for early detection of the illness. AIMS: This study aims to
      determine the necessity of diabetes screening as a routine screening program
      during blood donation campaign. METHODS AND MATERIAL: Blood donation campaigns
      which involved the public community between January 2013 and June 2013 were
      included in this study. Donors above 30-years-old, not known to have diabetes,
      consented for diabetes screening. Diabetes screening was done by checking random
      capillary blood sugar (RCBS) levels while performing a Hemoglobin test and ABO
      grouping. Donors with RCBS of >= 7.8 mmol/L were given appointments for oral
      glucose tolerance test (OGTT) to confirm the diagnosis of diabetes. RESULTS: A
      total of 211 diabetes screenings were performed. Mean RCBS was 6 mmol/L.
      43(20.4%) donors had RCBS>= 7.8 mmol/L. 10 donors were later diagnosed to have
      diabetes (5.0%) and 5 donors were prediabetes (2.5%). 9 donors (4.3%) did not
      turn up for further investigation. CONCLUSIONS: Blood donors are expected to be
      healthy volunteers. The diabetes prevalence among blood donors (5.0%) is
      considered low if compared with the prevalence in the whole population (20.8%).
      However, the number is largely comparable to the prevalence of undiagnosed
      diabetes in the country (10.1%). Routine diabetes screening during blood donation
      campaign should be implemented to safeguard donors' health and serve as a public
      health initiative to improve community health.

PMID- 26277671
TI  - Pseudotumour cerebri in acute promyelocytic leukemia on treatment with all-trans
      retinoic acid (ATRA) - an experience from a tertiary care centre.
AB  - Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APML) is considered to be sensitive to all-trans
      retinoic acid (ATRA) which acts as a differentiating agent. ATRA is considered to
      be a well-tolerated agent and is known to achieve complete remission in acute
      promyelocytic leukemia. However, a few cases on long term all-trans-retinoic acid
      (ATRA) use can develop pseudotumor cerebri. Out of 32 patients with APML who were
      treated in our Centre over a 4-year-period, we encountered 6 patients who
      developed ATRA-related pseudotumor cerebri while on maintenance treatment. The
      patients ranged from 12 to 40 years of age. 3 patients complained of unbearable
      headache, 2 of diplopia and 1 of gross reduction in visual acuity. CT scans and
      MRI did not reveal any intracranial lesions. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
      examination was normal with CSF manometry revealing a high CSF pressure (average
      of 345mmH2O). Fundoscopy revealed papilledema in 5 patients and optic atrophy in
      1 patient. The patients were successfully managed with decrease
      dose/discontinuation of ATRA, use of acetazolamide, corticosteroids and
      therapeutic CSF drainage. 

PMID- 26277672
TI  - A rare case of combined placental site trophoblastic tumour with mature cystic
      teratoma and mixed germ cell tumour in the testis.
AB  - A 20-year-old male presented with persistent right testicular pain. Following
      ultrasound detection of testicular nodules and biopsy for intraoperative
      consultation which yielded germ cell tumour, he underwent radical orchidectomy. A
      predominantly whitish cyst and a lobulated, variegated nodule were identified.
      Histology showed a mature cystic teratoma with a focus of infiltrative
      epithelioid cells containing eosinophilic cytoplasm and pleomorphic nuclei,
      invading ectatic vessel wall associated with fibrinoid change. These cells were
      positive for cytokeratin, human placental lactogen and inhibin, while negative
      for Melan-A, p63 and alpha-fetoprotein, consistent with placental site
      trophoblastic tumor (PSTT). The variegated nodule was a mixed germ cell tumour
      composed of embryonal carcinoma and immature teratoma. Aside from
      choriocarcinoma, primary trophoblastic tumors such as PSTT, which are derived
      from intermediate trophoblasts, are extremely rare in the testis. Aside from a
      case of pure testicular PSTT, 2 other cases have been described in association
      with germ cell tumour, of which one is a mature teratoma with PSTT that
      demonstrated gain of chromosome 12p. The other presented with PSTT in
      retroperitoneal recurrence of a testicular mixed germ cell tumour. We discussed
      the features of this tumour in the testis and important differentials in its
      diagnosis. 

PMID- 26277673
TI  - Obstructive jaundice in small cell lung carcinoma.
AB  - Small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) commonly metastasizes to distant organs.
      However, metastasis to the pancreas is not a common event. Moreover, obstructive
      jaundice as a first clinical presentation of SCLC is extremely unusual. This case
      reports a 51-year-old male with SCLC, manifesting with obstructive jaundice as
      the initial clinical presentation. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatograghy
      (ERCP) and abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan showed a mass at the head of
      the pancreas. The patient underwent pancreatoduodenectomy (Whipple procedure).
      Histopathology revealed a chromogranin- A-positive poorly-differentiated
      neuroendocrine carcinoma of the pancreas. No imaging study of the lung was
      performed before surgery. A few months later, a follow-up CT revealed unilateral
      lung nodules with ipsilateral hilar nodes. A lung biopsy was done and
      histopathology reported a TTF- 1-positive, chromogranin A-positive, small cell
      carcinoma of the lung. On review, the pancreatic tumour was also TTF-1-positive.
      He was then treated with combination chemotherapy (cisplatin, etoposide). These
      findings highlight that presentation of a mass at the head of pancreas could be a
      manifestation of a metastatic tumour from elsewhere such as the lung, and
      thorough investigations should be performed before metastases can be ruled out.

PMID- 26277674
TI  - Molecular characterization of two Malaysian patients with Wiskott-Aldrich
      syndrome.
AB  - The Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome (WAS) is an X-linked immunodeficiency condition
      characterized by microthrombocytopenia, eczema and recurrent infections. It is
      caused by mutations in the Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome protein (WASP) gene. We
      investigated two Malay boys who presented with congenital thrombocytopenia,
      eczema and recurrent infections. Here we report two cases of WASP mutation in
      Malaysia from two unrelated families. One had a novel missense mutation in exon 1
      while the other had a nonsense mutation in exon 2. Both patients succumbed to
      diseaserelated complications. A differential diagnosis of WAS should be
      considered in any male child who present with early onset thrombocytopenia,
      especially when this is associated with eczema and recurrent infections. 

PMID- 26277675
TI  - Triple cancer: chronic lymphocytic leukemia with bladder and prostate carcinoma.
AB  - B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) is a
      common lymphoproliferative disorder with an increased risk of developing
      subsequent neoplasms of epithelial and mesenchymal origin. The decreased immunity
      and B-cell dysfunction in CLL probably accounts for this emergence of second
      malignancies. We report a case of synchronous bladder transitional cell carcinoma
      (TCC) and prostatic carcinoma with CLL. A 74-year-old male who underwent
      transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) for benign prostatic hyperplasia 2
      years before, presented with recurrent urinary tract infection. Peripheral blood
      smear revealed leukocytosis with absolute lymphocytosis (absolute lymphocyte
      count: 37870 cells/mm3). Flow cytometric immunophenotyping revealed 75% abnormal
      lymphoid cells which were positive for CD 19, CD5, CD23, CD22, CD200, CD20
      (moderate) with lambda light chain restriction and negative for CD3, CD10, FMC7,
      CD38, CD138, IgM, CD103, CD123. F Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission
      tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) showed increased metabolic activity of
      the left lateral wall of the urinary bladder extending to the left UV junction,
      adjacent part of trigone and bladder neck region along with multiple
      heterogeneous enhancing areas with increased FDG avidity within the prostate.
      Transurethral resection of the bladder tumour by cystoscopy was performed.
      Histopathology showed high grade, muscle invasive urothelial carcinoma. Due to
      presence of uptake in the prostate, transurethral resection of the prostate was
      done and histopathology revealed adenocarcinoma of prostate (prostate specific
      antigen- positive), Gleason grade III+III and Gleason score 6. A high index of
      suspicion is required to detect synchronous and metachronous malignancies.
      Ancillary studies such as immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry and PET/CT are
      often essential for detection and an accurate diagnosis.

PMID- 26277676
TI  - Guidelines for nucleic acid detection and analysis in hematological disorders.

PMID- 26277677
TI  - Previous Pregnancies Among Young Women Having an Abortion in England and Wales.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to use national statistics on abortions
      carried out in England and Wales to more precisely estimate the proportion of
      young women aged <20 years obtaining an abortion who have had one or more
      previous pregnancies. METHODS: Secondary analysis of abortion data from the
      Office of National Statistic and the Department of Health by parity for women
      aged <20 years, ordinarily residing in England and Wales, from 1992 to 2013.
      RESULTS: Over the past 20 years, the proportion of teenagers in England and Wales
      having an abortion as a result of a subsequent pregnancy increased by 33% (from
      .172 in 1992 to .229 in 2013). Most of this increase occurred before 2004, and
      the proportion now appears to have stabilized. In 2013, 22.9% of the young women
      aged <20 years who underwent an abortion had had at least one previous pregnancy
      (either a birth or an abortion). Only a minority (<5% of young women who obtained
      an abortion) had had more than one previous pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: The findings
      show that nearly one in four teenagers presenting for an abortion have already
      been in contact with health services for a previous birth or abortion. Greater
      policy emphasis must be placed on the accurate identification of the proportion
      of teenage pregnancies that occur as a result of a subsequent pregnancy and
      developing more effective "secondary prevention" interventions to help the first
      time pregnant and parenting teenagers manage their future reproductive lives and
      prevent further unplanned pregnancies.

PMID- 26277678
TI  - Sexual and Reproductive Health Among Ugandan Youth: 2003-04 to 2012.
AB  - PURPOSE: Suboptimal sexual and reproductive health (SRH) increases morbidity,
      mortality, and gender inequity and slows development. In Uganda, youths represent
      20% of the population, and the burden of sexually transmitted infections (STIs),
      including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), is substantial. METHODS: We
      analyzed survey data collected using the lot quality assurance sampling (LQAS)
      technique from two time periods, 2003-2004 and 2012. We assessed knowledge,
      behaviors, and access to SRH services of youths aged 15-24 years. Using logistic
      regression, we examined factors associated with these indicators. RESULTS: All
      indicators have improved between the early and later time period. Youths knowing
      where to get HIV tests increased from <40% to 80% (both sexes); the number of
      youths reporting ever having an HIV test increased from 8% to 48% (males) and 10%
      to 64% (females). Knowledge of other STIs improved but remains low; only half of
      respondents know signs and symptoms of STIs, and less than half know what action
      to take when infected. In the late period, 85% of female youths, compared with
      93% of males reported knowing where to obtain condoms. The proportion of youths
      reporting sexual debut before age 15 years decreased, less so for males than that
      for females. Increased age and level of education are associated with positive
      change for most indicators. CONCLUSIONS: Over the last decade, progress has been
      made toward improving the SRH of young people in Uganda. Further efforts are
      required to ensure universal access and sufficient health education to facilitate
      the continued improvement of safe sexual behaviors among youth aged 15-24 years.

PMID- 26277679
TI  - Neuroanatomical correlates of late-life depression and associated cognitive
      changes.
AB  - We compared cortical thickness between patients with late-life depression (LLD)
      and healthy controls and between patients with early-onset (EOD) and late-onset
      (LOD) depression. We also tested age effects on cortical thickness in LLD and
      controls and if cortical thickness and hippocampal volumes were associated with
      cognitive performance in LLD. Three-dimensional T1-weighted magnetic resonance
      images were obtained in 49 LLD and 49 matched hospital controls and processed
      using FreeSurfer. General linear model analysis was used as a statistical
      approach. LLD group had thinning in the left parahippocampal, fusiform, and
      inferior-parietal cortex compared with controls. Age correlated with cortical
      thinning in controls but not in LLD. Women in the LOD groups had extensive
      cortical thinning in the lateral prefrontal cortex bilaterally compared with EOD
      women. Absence of statistically significant changes observed in men should
      however be treated with caution because of the low number of men in the study.
      Mini-Mental Status Examination score correlated with lateral prefrontal cortical
      thickness bilaterally and hippocampal volume in the total group of LLD and in LOD
      but not EOD. LLD is associated with cortical thinning, which is associated with
      age at depression onset, gender, and level of cognitive functioning. 

PMID- 26277680
TI  - Delivery of a Vitamin D Intervention in Homebound Older Adults Using a Meals-on
      Wheels Program: A Pilot Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To assess the feasibility of a vitamin D intervention delivered
      through a Meals-on-Wheels (MOW) program to improve 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D)
      concentrations and reduce falls in homebound older adults. DESIGN: Single-blind,
      cluster randomized trial. SETTING: MOW, Forsyth County, North Carolina.
      PARTICIPANTS: Community-dwelling homebound adults aged 65 to 102 (N = 68).
      INTERVENTION: MOW clients were randomized to vitamin D3 (100,000 IU/month; n =
      38) or active placebo (400 IU vitamin E/month; n = 30) according to MOW delivery
      route. MEASUREMENTS: Serum 25(OH)D was assessed at baseline and 5-month follow
      up; proportions of participants in 25(OH)D categories were compared using Fisher
      exact test. Falls were assessed using monthly fall calendars, and rate of falls
      was estimated using negative binomial generalized estimating equation models.
      RESULTS: Mean +/- standard deviation 25(OH)D concentrations were 20.9 +/- 11.5
      ng/mL at baseline, with 57% having 25(OH)D concentrations less than 20 ng/mL.
      Retention and adherence were high (>90%). After the 5-month intervention, only
      one of 34 participants randomized to vitamin D3 had 25(OH)D concentrations less
      than 20 ng/mL, compared with 18 of 25 participants randomized to placebo (P <
      .001). In unadjusted analyses, the rate of falls over 5 months was not
      significantly different according to intervention group (risk ratio (RR) = 0.48,
      95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.19-1.19), but after adjustment for sex, race,
      season of year, baseline 25(OH)D status, and history of falls, participants
      randomized to vitamin D3 had a lower rate of falling than those randomized to
      placebo (RR = 0.42, 95% CI = 0.21-0.87). CONCLUSION: A vitamin D intervention
      delivered through MOW was feasible, resulting in improvements in 25(OH)D
      concentrations and a lower rate of falls in adjusted analyses. Further research
      is needed to validate the reduction in falls from this type of intervention.

PMID- 26277681
TI  - Fibronectin unfolded by adherent but not suspended platelets: An in vitro
      explanation for its dual role in haemostasis.
AB  - Fibronectin (FN), a dimeric adhesive glycoprotein, which is present both in
      plasma and the extracellular matrix can interact with platelets and thus
      contribute to platelet adhesion and aggregation. It has been shown that FN can
      decrease platelet aggregation but enhance platelet adhesion, suggesting a dual
      role of FN in haemostasis. The prevalent function(s) of FN may be determined by
      its fibril form. To explore the suggested dual role of this adhesive protein for
      haemostasis in further detail, we now tested for any differences of adherent and
      suspended platelets with regard to their effect to unfold and assemble FN upon
      interaction. Platelet aggregation and adhesion assays were performed using washed
      platelets in the presence of exogenous FN. Addition of plasma FN reduced platelet
      aggregation in response to collagen or PMA by 50% or 25% but enhanced platelet
      adhesion onto immobilized collagen, as compared to control experiments. Analyses
      by fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) demonstrated that adherent
      platelets but not suspended platelets were capable of unfolding FN during 3h
      incubation. Fluorescence microscopy and deoxycholate (DOC) solubility assays
      demonstrated that FN fibrils formed only on the surfaces of adherent platelets.
      In addition, platelets adherent onto FN revealed a significantly higher activity
      of specific Src phosphorylation (pY418) than platelets in suspension. These data
      suggest (1) that the function of FN in haemostasis is prevalent to its assembly,
      unfolding and subsequent fibril formation on the surface of adherent platelets
      and (2) that outside-in signaling contributes to the interaction of platelets and
      FN. 

PMID- 26277682
TI  - Safety and efficacy of direct oral anticoagulants compared to warfarin for
      extended treatment of venous thromboembolism -a systematic review and meta
      analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine and compare the safety and efficacy of extended treatment
      with dabigatran, apixaban, rivaroxaban and warfarin in patients with unprovoked
      venous thromboembolism. METHODS: PubMed and Embase were searched for randomized
      clinical trials reporting on the use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and
      warfarin for the extended treatment of VTE. Meta-analysis was performed on
      studies reporting similar study design and comparator. RESULTS: A total of 729
      articles were identified and 5 studies covering 6 randomized clinical trials met
      the eligibility criteria and were included in the study. 5 studies were included
      in the meta-analysis. Results from the meta-analysis showed that the extended use
      of DOACs and warfarin significantly decreased the risk of recurrent VTE with 83 %
      when compared placebo. Warfarin (RR: 0.03, CI: 0.00-0.49) and dabigatran (RR:
      0.08, CI: 0.03-0.27) showed the largest relative risk reduction followed by
      apixaban 2.5mg (RR: 0.19, CI: 0.11-0.33), rivaroxaban (RR:0.19, CI: 0.09-0.40)
      and apixaban 5mg (RR: 0.20, CI: 0.11-0.34). No significant increased risk of
      major bleeding was observed with the extended use of any DOACs and warfarin
      compared to placebo (1.15, CI: 0.40-3.31), but an overall increased risk of non
      major clinically relevant bleeding (NMCRB) was observed (RR: 2.12, CI: 1.55
      2.90). Apixaban 2.5mg and warfarin was not individually associated with an
      increased risk of NMCRB. Furthermore, it was found from a study not included in
      the meta-analysis that dabigatran was non-inferior to VKA for the prevention of
      recurrent VTE (HR: 1.44, CI: 0.78-2.64, p=0.01 for noninferiority) and decreased
      the risk of NMCRB compared to VKA (RR: 0.58, CI: 0.43-0.77). CONCLUSION: Extended
      treatment with both warfarin and DOACs are effective in preventing recurrent VTE
      and does not increase the risk of major bleeding, but increases the risk of
      NMCRB.

PMID- 26277683
TI  - Return to work after general surgery: A comparative study.
AB  - PURPOSES: There is scarce information on the time to return to work after general
      surgery. The aim of this study was to analyze time off work after elective
      cholecystectomy and to compare the results with those in patients undergoing
      other surgical interventions. METHODS: Observational and comparative study.
      Inclusion criteria were: being of working age and undergoing elective
      laparoscopic cholecystectomy (group 1) or unilateral inguinal hernia or
      haemorrhoidectomy (group 2). RESULTS: 36 patients were included: 18 patients in
      each group. Overall, return to work occurred at a mean of 35.7 days, with no
      significant differences (p=0.656) between groups (group 1: 36.6 days vs. group 2:
      35.44 days). The reasons for not returning to work earlier were fear of
      complications (37.5%), pain control (37.5%), surgeon recommendation (12.5%), and
      general practitioner recommendation (12.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Time to recovery after
      laparoscopic cholecystectomy is prolonged. No statistically significant
      differences with less complex surgical procedures were detected.

PMID- 26277685
TI  - "GAG-ing with the neuron": The role of glycosaminoglycan patterning in the
      central nervous system.
AB  - Proteoglycans (PGs) are a diverse family of proteins that consist of one or more
      glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chains, covalently linked to a core protein. PGs are
      major components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and play critical roles in
      development, normal function and damage-response of the central nervous system
      (CNS). GAGs are classified based on their disaccharide subunits, into the
      following major groups: chondroitin sulfate (CS), heparan sulfate (HS), heparin
      (HEP), dermatan sulfate (DS), keratan sulfate (KS) and hyaluronic acid (HA). All
      except HA are modified by sulfation, giving GAG chains specific charged
      structures and binding properties. While significant neuroscience research has
      focused on the role of one PG family member, chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan
      (CSPG), there is ample evidence in support of a role for the other PGs in
      regulating CNS function in normal and pathological conditions. This review
      discusses the role of all the identified PG family members (CS, HS, HEP, DS, KS
      and HA) in normal CNS function and in the context of pathology. Understanding the
      pleiotropic roles of these molecules in the CNS may open the door to novel
      therapeutic strategies for a number of neurological conditions. 

PMID- 26277684
TI  - Development and functional characterization of extrahepatic cholangiocyte lines
      from normal rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Since limited in vitro tools exist for evaluating the pathophysiology
      of extrahepatic bile ducts, we aim to develop an extrahepatic cholangiocyte
      culture system from normal rats. METHODS: Extrahepatic ducts were dissected from
      rats, cut in half length-wise and cultured on collagen-I coated plates.
      Transepithelial electrical resistance was measured. At ~85% confluence, in
      extrahepatic cholangiocytes we measured: (i) cell size and distribution, and
      expression for cytokeratin-19, secretin, secretin receptor and somatostatin
      receptor type II (SSTR2), cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator
      (CFTR), chloride bicarbonate anion exchanger 2 (AE2), vascular endothelial growth
      factor-A (VEGF-A) and nerve growth factor (NGF); and (ii) the effect of secretin
      and/or somatostatin on 3'-5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels and
      proliferation. RESULTS: Cytokeratin-positive extrahepatic cholangiocytes were
      cultured for 6 passages to form a cell monolayer. Cholangiocytes proliferated to
      confluence over a 2-week period. The size of extrahepatic cholangiocytes averaged
      ~16 MUm. Extrahepatic ducts and cholangiocytes were positive for secretin,
      secretin receptor and SSTR2, CFTR, AE2, VEGF-A and NGF. In extrahepatic
      cholangiocyte cultures, secretin increased cAMP (prevented by somatostatin),
      chloride efflux and proliferation. CONCLUSIONS: Extrahepatic cholangiocyte
      cultures may be important for studying diseases targeting extrahepatic
      cholangiocytes such as biliary atresia.

PMID- 26277687
TI  - Requirement of keratan sulfate proteoglycan phosphacan with a specific sulfation
      pattern for critical period plasticity in the visual cortex.
AB  - Proteoglycans play important roles in regulating the development and functions of
      the brain. They consist of a core protein and glycosaminoglycans, which are long
      sugar chains of repeating disaccharide units with sulfation. A recent study
      demonstrated that the sulfation pattern of chondroitin sulfate on proteoglycans
      contributes to regulation of the critical period of experience-dependent
      plasticity in the mouse visual cortex. In the present study, we investigated the
      role of keratan sulfate (KS), another glycosaminoglycan, in critical period
      plasticity in the mouse visual cortex. Immunohistochemical analyses demonstrated
      the presence of KS containing disaccharide units of N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc)
      6-sulfate and nonsulfated galactose during the critical period, although KS
      containing disaccharide units of GlcNAc-6-sulfate and galactose-6-sulfate was
      already known to disappear before that period. The KS chains were distributed
      diffusely in the extracellular space and densely around the soma of a large
      population of excitatory and inhibitory neurons. Electron microscopic analysis
      revealed that the KS was localized within the perisynaptic spaces and dendrites
      but not in presynaptic sites. KS was mainly located on phosphacan. In mice
      deficient in GlcNAc-6-O-sulfotransferase 1, which is one of the enzymes necessary
      for the synthesis of KS chains, the expression of KS was one half that in wild
      type mice. In the knockout mice, monocular deprivation during the critical period
      resulted in a depression of deprived-eye responses but failed to produce
      potentiation of nondeprived-eye responses. In addition, T-type Ca(2+) channel
      dependent long-term potentiation (LTP), which occurs only during the critical
      period, was not observed. These results suggest that regulation by KS-phosphacan
      with a specific sulfation pattern is necessary for the generation of LTP and
      hence the potentiation of nondeprived-eye responses after monocular deprivation. 

PMID- 26277686
TI  - Combination therapy with lenalidomide and nanoceria ameliorates CNS autoimmunity.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating neurological disorder
      involving an autoimmune reaction to oligodendrocytes and degeneration of the
      axons they ensheath in the CNS. Because the damage to oligodendrocytes and axons
      involves local inflammation and associated oxidative stress, we tested the
      therapeutic efficacy of combined treatment with a potent anti-inflammatory
      thalidomide analog (lenalidomide) and novel synthetic anti-oxidant cerium oxide
      nanoparticles (nanoceria) in the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE)
      mouse model of MS. METHODS: C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to a control (no
      EAE) group, or one of the four myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-induced EAE
      groups: vehicle, lenalidomide, nanoceria, or lenalidomide plus nanoceria. During
      a 23 day period, clinical EAE symptoms were evaluated daily, and MRI brain scans
      were performed at 11-13 days and 20-22 days. Histological and biochemical
      analyses of brain tissue samples were performed to quantify myelin loss and local
      inflammation. RESULTS: Lenalidomide treatment alone delayed symptom onset, while
      nanoceria treatment had no effect on symptom onset or severity, but did promote
      recovery; lenalidomide and nanoceria each significantly attenuated white matter
      pathology and associated inflammation. Combined treatment with lenalidomide and
      nanoceria resulted in a near elimination of EAE symptoms, and reduced white
      matter pathology and inflammatory cell responses to a much greater extent than
      either treatment alone. INTERPRETATION: By suppressing inflammation and oxidative
      stress, combined treatment with lenalidomide and nanoceria can reduce
      demyelination and associated neurological symptoms in EAE mice. Our preclinical
      data suggest a potential application of this combination therapy in MS.

PMID- 26277688
TI  - Aging-associated subpopulations of human CD8+ T-lymphocytes identified by their
      CD28 and CD57 phenotypes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: During organismal aging, human T-cells shift towards less functional
      phenotypes, often called senescent cells. As these cells have not been well
      characterized, we aimed to relate surface markers of human T-cell senescence with
      characteristics of in vitro cellular aging and to further characterize these
      cells. METHODS: We identified, by flow cytometry, subpopulations of CD8+ T-cells
      based on CD57 and CD28 expression, and tested them for some markers of cellular
      senescence, apoptosis, differentiation and homing. RESULTS: Elderly persons
      presented significantly higher proportions not only of CD28-CD57+, but also of
      CD28+CD57+ cells. CD28+CD57+ cells had the highest expression of p16, p21, Bcl-2,
      CD95, CD45RO, CCR5 and PD-1, thereby arguing in favor of a senescent phenotype.
      CONCLUSION: Among CD8+ T-lymphocytes, CD28+CD57+ cells represent a subset with
      some senescent features that are distinct from the CD28-CD57+ cells.

PMID- 26277689
TI  - The effect of offspring on depressive disorder among old adults: Evidence from
      the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging from 2006 to 2012.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether having an offspring protects against or
      increases the risk of depressive disorders. METHODS: Data from the Korean
      Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLoSA) from 2006 and 2012 was assessed using
      longitudinal data analysis. We have included 10,149 research subjects at baseline
      and estimated the prevalence of depressive disorders for those with children.
      RESULTS: The number of offspring was from zero to five or more, and the
      composition of offspring is from zero boys and zero girls to two or more boys and
      two or more girls. For parents with zero offspring, the estimate for depressive
      disorder was 0.464 higher (SE: 0.123, p-value: 0.000, OR: 1.389; 95% CI: 1.176
      1.640) and for parents with five or more offspring, the estimate for depressive
      disorder was 0.1 higher (SE: 0.104, p-value: 0.013, OR: 1.315; 95% CI: 1.150
      1.504) compared to parents with two offspring. For parents with zero boys and
      zero girls, the estimate for depressive disorder was 0.599 higher (SE: 4.750, p
      value: <0.0001, OR: 1.539; 95% CI: 1.298-1.825), and for parents with two or more
      boys and two or more girls, the estimate for depressive disorder was 1.328 higher
      (SE: 3.820, p-value: 0.000, OR: 1.328; 95% CI: 1.189-1.482) compared to parents
      with one boy and one girl. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that there is a
      large effect of offspring on the prevalence of depressive disorder, with
      significant positive effects for mothers. Fathers are at lower risk for
      depressive disorder than mothers, and the graph was U-shaped.

PMID- 26277690
TI  - Intersphincteric completion proctectomy with omentoplasty for chronic presacral
      sinus after low anterior resection for rectal cancer.
AB  - AIM: This study aimed to determine the clinical outcome of salvage surgery
      without restoring continuity for symptomatic chronic presacral sinus after low
      anterior resection (LAR) for rectal cancer. METHOD: Out of a prospective cohort
      of 46 patients with chronic presacral sinus (> 1 year after LAR), 27 underwent
      completion proctectomy with omentoplasty between January 2005 and July 2014.
      RESULTS: The initial treatment for rectal cancer included neoadjuvant
      radiotherapy in 26 (96%) patients. Besides a chronic presacral sinus, a secondary
      fistula was present in 15 (56%) patients. Definitive salvage surgery was
      performed after a median of 40 (12-350) months from the primary resection. The
      median hospital stay after single- and multiple-stage salvage surgery was 11 and
      17 days. Postoperative complications occurred in 44% of patients. The re
      intervention rate was 33% with a range of 1-10 interventions per patient. During
      a median follow-up of 20 (4-45) months from salvage surgery, healing of the
      chronic presacral sinus occurred in 78% of patients, with a healing rate after
      single- and multiple-stage procedures of 88% and 64% respectively (P = 0.19).
      CONCLUSION: Patients with a symptomatic chronic presacral sinus after LAR for
      rectal cancer, in whom restoration of continuity is not intended, can be
      effectively managed by completion proctectomy with complete debridement of the
      sinus and fistula tracts followed by an omentoplasty to fill the presacral
      cavity, preferably as a single-stage procedure.

PMID- 26277691
TI  - Turning the page.

PMID- 26277693
TI  - Corrigendum.

PMID- 26277697
TI  - Dexamethasone-suppressed corticotropin-releasing hormone stimulation test in
      morbid obese adults.
AB  - PURPOSE: In order to differentiate between Cushing's syndrome (CS) and Pseudo
      Cushing's syndrome, it is customary to use a test that is conducted by cortisol
      suppression with low-dose dexamethasone, followed by the administration of
      corticotropin releasing hormone (Dex-CRH test). In children with severe obesity,
      Dex-CRH test has shown a specificity of 55%. The aim of current study was to
      evaluate the specificity of Dex-CRH test in morbid obese adults. METHODS: The
      study included a total of 19 subjects with a body mass index (BMI) equal or
      higher than 40kg/m(2). In all subjects Dex-CRH test was performed, and 24h
      urinary free cortisol was collected prior the test and during the second day of
      dexamethasone administration (2nd-day-UFC). RESULTS: BMI was 45.1+/-4.6kg/m(2)
      and 45.7+/-3.3kg/m(2) in women and men, respectively. 14 subjects underwent
      bariatric surgery. No subject had surgical or perioperative complications and
      surgically treated subjects had mean body weight loss of 46.5+/-16.6kg. All
      except for 2 subjects had normal Dex-CRH test, as 15-min cortisol falling below
      1.4MUg/dl. During follow-up, no subject gained additional weight, neither
      developed signs of CS. 15-min-cortisol concentration of 1.4MUg/dl revealed a
      specificity of 89% and 2nd-day-UFC of 16MUg/24h showed a specificity of 100%.
      CONCLUSIONS: Morbid obesity in adults seems not to comprise a significant
      confounder in Dex-CRH test, and 15-min-cortisol concentration of 1.4MUg/dl had a
      higher specificity than previously reported in obese children.

PMID- 26277696
TI  - Radioembolization as a Salvage Therapy for Heavily Pretreated Patients With
      Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastases: Factors That Affect Outcomes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In this study we assessed the efficacy and factors that affect
      outcomes of radioembolization (RE) using yttrium-90 resin microspheres in
      patients with unresectable and chemorefractory colorectal cancer liver metastases
      (CLM). PATIENTS AND METHODS: After an institutional review board waiver of
      approval, a review of a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
      registered, prospectively created and maintained database was performed. Data on
      patient demographic and disease characteristics, RE treatment parameters, and
      additional treatments were evaluated for significance in predicting overall
      survival (OS) and liver progression-free survival (LPFS). Complications were
      evaluated according to the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria
      for adverse events. RESULTS: From September 2009 to September 2013, 53 patients
      underwent RE at a median of 35 months after CLM diagnosis. Median OS was 12.7
      months. Multivariate analysis showed that carcinoembryonic antigen levels at the
      time of RE >= 90 ng/mL (P = .004) and microscopic lymphovascular invasion of the
      primary (P = .002) were independent predictors of decreased OS. Median LPFS was
      4.7 months. At 4 to 8 and 12 to 16 weeks after RE, most patients (80% and 61%,
      respectively) according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST)
      had stable disease; additional evaluation using PET Response Criteria in Solid
      Tumors (PERCIST) led to reclassification in 77% of these cases (response or
      progression). No deaths were noted within the first 30 days. Within the first 90
      days after RE, 4 patients (8%) developed liver failure and 5 patients (9%) died,
      all with evidence of disease progression. CONCLUSION: RE in the salvage setting
      was well-tolerated, and permitted the administration of additional therapies and
      led to a median OS of 12.7 months. Evaluation using PERCIST was more likely than
      RECIST to document response or progression compared with the baseline assessment
      before RE.

PMID- 26277695
TI  - A side-by-side comparison of T cell reactivity to fifty-nine Mycobacterium
      tuberculosis antigens in diverse populations from five continents.
AB  - We compared T cell recognition of 59 prevalently recognized Mycobacterium
      tuberculosis (MTB) antigens in individuals latently infected with MTB (LTBI), and
      uninfected individuals with previous BCG vaccination, from nine locations and
      populations with different HLA distribution, MTB exposure rates, and standards of
      TB care. This comparison revealed similar response magnitudes in diverse LTBI and
      BCG-vaccinated cohorts and significant correlation between responses in LTBIs
      from the USA and other locations. Many antigens were uniformly recognized,
      suggesting suitability for inclusion in vaccines targeting diverse populations.
      Several antigens were similarly immunodominant in LTBI and BCG cohorts,
      suggesting applicability for vaccines aimed at boosting BCG responses. The panel
      of MTB antigens will be valuable for characterizing MTB-specific CD4 T cell
      responses irrespective of ethnicity, infecting MTB strains and BCG vaccination
      status. Our results illustrate how a comparative analysis can provide insight
      into the relative immunogenicity of existing and novel vaccine candidates in
      LTBIs. 

PMID- 26277698
TI  - Accuracy of resting metabolic rate prediction in overweight and obese Australian
      adults.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Predictive resting metabolic rate (RMR) equations in Australian
      populations are at least 10 years old, focused on males and do not commonly use
      overweight and obese weight categorisation. The aim of this study was to measure
      RMR via indirect calorimetry in overweight and obese Australian adults to develop
      population specific predictive equations and compare with other well-known
      international equations (Mifflin-St. Jeor, Owen and WHO/FAO/UNU). METHODS:
      Retrospective data from 278 participants (154 males, 124 females: 37% overweight,
      63% obese) who had attended a weight management clinic were used to develop
      predictive RMR equations. These were then validated against another sample (from
      the same clinic) of 297 participants (150 males, 147 females: 47% overweight, 53%
      obese), and their accuracy compared with known standard equations. RESULTS: For
      the prediction sample, weight, BMI, resting VO2 and measured RMR were
      significantly greater in the obese than overweight. Using the validation sample,
      the predictive equations met a +/-10% of measured RMR criterion 42% (females),
      41% (total sample) and 40% (males) of the time. Prediction accuracy was not
      improved by using specific overweight and obese weight category equations, or by
      applying the known standard equations from the literature. CONCLUSIONS: In our
      sample of overweight and obese adults, RMR prediction to within +/-10% of the
      measured value was only accurate ~40% of the time, regardless of gender and
      weight classification. In clinical weight management settings direct measures of
      RMR should be made wherever possible.

PMID- 26277699
TI  - Breaststroke swimmers moderate internal work increases toward the highest stroke
      frequencies.
AB  - A model to predict the mechanical internal work of breaststroke swimming was
      designed. It allowed us to explore the frequency-internal work relationship in
      aquatic locomotion. Its accuracy was checked against internal work values
      calculated from kinematic sequences of eight participants swimming at three
      different self-chosen paces. Model predictions closely matched experimental data
      (0.58 +/- 0.07 vs 0.59 +/- 0.05 J kg(-1)m(-1); t(23)=-0.30, P=0.77), which was
      reflected in a slope of the major axis regression between measured and predicted
      total internal work whose 95% confidence intervals included the value of 1
      (beta=0.84, [0.61, 1.07], N=24). The model shed light on swimmers ability to
      moderate the increase in internal work at high stroke frequencies. This strategy
      of energy minimization has never been observed before in humans, but is present
      in quadrupedal and octopedal animal locomotion. This was achieved through a
      reduced angular excursion of the heaviest segments (7.2 +/- 2.9 degrees  and 3.6
      +/- 1.5 degrees  for the thighs and trunk, respectively, P<0.05) in favor of the
      lightest ones (8.8 +/- 2.3 degrees  and 7.4 +/- 1.0 degrees  for the shanks and
      forearms, respectively, P<0.05). A deeper understanding of the energy flow
      between the body segments and the environment is required to ascertain the
      possible dependency between internal and external work. This will prove essential
      to better understand swimming mechanical cost determinants and power generation
      in aquatic movements.

PMID- 26277700
TI  - Effect of non-Newtonian fluid properties on bovine sperm motility.
AB  - The swimming process by which mammal spermatozoa progress towards an egg within
      the reproductive organs is important in achieving successful internal
      fertilization. The viscosity of oviductal mucus is more than two orders of
      magnitude greater than that of water, and oviductal mucus also has non-Newtonian
      properties. In this study, we experimentally observed sperm motion in fluids with
      various fluid rheological properties and investigated the influence of varying
      the viscosity and whether the fluid was Newtonian or non-Newtonian on the sperm
      motility. We selected polyvinylpyrrolidone and methylcellulose as solutes to
      create solutions with different rheological properties. We used the semen of
      Japanese cattle and investigated the following parameters: the sperm velocity,
      the straight-line velocity and the amplitude from the trajectory, and the beat
      frequency from the fragellar movement. In a Newtonian fluid environment, as the
      viscosity increased, the motility of the sperm decreased. However, in a non
      Newtonian fluid, the straight-line velocity and beat frequency were significantly
      higher than in a Newtonian fluid with comparable viscosity. As a result, the
      linearity of the sperm movement increased. Additionally, increasing the viscosity
      brought about large changes in the sperm flagellar shape. At low viscosities, the
      entire flagellum moved in a curved flapping motion, whereas in the high
      viscosity, only the tip of the flagellum flapped. These results suggest that the
      bovine sperm has evolved to swim toward the egg as quickly as possible in the
      actual oviduct fluid, which is a high-viscosity non-Newtonian fluid. 

PMID- 26277701
TI  - Omega-3-fatty acid adds to the protective effect of flax lignan concentrate in
      pressure overload-induced myocardial hypertrophy in rats via modulation of
      oxidative stress and apoptosis.
AB  - Objective of the present investigation was to study the effect of the flax lignan
      concentrate (FLC) and Omega-3-fatty acid (O-3-FA) on myocardial apoptosis, left
      ventricular (LV) contractile dysfunction and electrocardiographic abnormalities
      in pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy. The rats were divided into five
      groups such as sham, aortic stenosis (AS), AS+FLC, AS+O-3-FA and AS+FLC+O-3-FA.
      Cardiac hypertrophy was produced in rats by abdominal aortic constriction. The
      rats were treated with FLC (400mg/kg, p.o.), O-3-FA (400mg/kg, p.o.) and FLC+O-3
      FA orally per day for four weeks. The LV function, myocardial apoptosis, and
      oxidative stress were quantified. FLC+O-3-FA treatment significantly reduced
      hemodynamic changes, improved LV contractile dysfunction, reduced cardiomyocyte
      apoptosis and cellular oxidative stress. Moreover, it significantly up-regulated
      the VEGF expression and decreased TNF-alpha level in serum. The histological
      analysis also revealed that FLC+O-3-FA treatment markedly preserved the cardiac
      structure and inhibited interstitial fibrosis. In conclusion, FLC+O-3-FA
      treatment improved LV dysfunction, inhibited cardiomyocyte apoptosis, improved
      myocardial angiogenesis, conserved activities of membrane-bound phosphatase
      enzymes and suppressed inflammation through reduced oxidative stress in an
      additive manner than FLC alone and O-3-FA alone treatment in pressure overload
      induced cardiac hypertrophy. 

PMID- 26277702
TI  - Hard-Wired Bias: How Even Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trials Can Be
      Skewed From the Start.

PMID- 26277703
TI  - Contrast-enhanced ultrasonographic characteristics of the diseased canine
      prostate gland.
AB  - The work was carried out on a total of 26 male dogs that on the basis of clinical
      examination, prostate ultrasound and prostate biopsy, were divided prospectively
      into four groups: (1) normal dogs (control group; n = 8); (2) dogs with benign
      prostatic hyperplasia (group BPH; n = 8); (3) dogs suffering from prostatitis
      (group prostatitis; n = 4); (4) dogs with prostatic tumors (group tumors; n = 6).
      The examination of the prostate by means of contrast medium and dedicated
      ultrasound system allowed a detailed qualitative and quantitative analysis of
      prostatic vessels in normal and diseased conditions, enabling the detection and
      characterization of different disease states, and quantification of parameters
      such as peak intensity of perfusion (%), arrival time of the contrast medium to
      its maximum value of video intensity (time to peak [TTP; seconds]), regional
      blood volume, regional blood flow, and mean transit time (MTT [seconds]). The
      hemodynamic indices TTP (P < 0.01) and MTT (P < 0.001) of diseased prostate
      groups were significantly lower than those in the normal prostate group although
      there were no differences among diseases. Optimal cutoff values were 31 seconds
      (Sensitivity: 72%; Specificity: 88%) and 47 seconds (Sensitivity: 100%;
      Specificity: 88%) while area under receiver operating characteristic curves were
      0.86 (P < 0.01) and 0.97 (P < 0.01) for TTP and MTT, respectively. The
      qualitative evaluation of vascular patterns showed differences between normal and
      diseased prostate glands. The latter were characterized by an alteration of the
      normal vascular appearance consisting of loss of the subcapsular arterioles and
      lack of a centripetal vascular pattern. The qualitative aspect of the study
      highlighted the different vascular architecture between BPH, prostatitis,
      adenocarcinoma, and lymphoma. This study shows how contrast-enhanced ultrasound
      represents a valid and noninvasive method for highlighting and characterizing
      prostatic vasculature. Furthermore, it allows the operator to obtain qualitative
      and quantitative data that are useful for the diagnosis of selected prostatic
      diseases. In conclusion, contrast-enhanced ultrasound can be a valuable
      noninvasive diagnostic tool to improve the diagnostic accuracy of prostate
      diseases in the dog. 

PMID- 26277704
TI  - Sperm selection in the female mammalian reproductive tract. Focus on the oviduct:
      Hypotheses, mechanisms, and new opportunities.
AB  - Research over the past 3 decades has caused a major shift in the way that the
      oviduct, or fallopian tube, is perceived. Previously, it was regarded as little
      more than the anatomic site for fertilization, where spermatozoa and oocytes meet
      as they travel in opposite directions. However, this view has been radically
      altered by the realization that both spermatozoa and oocytes elicit changes in
      the biochemical composition of oviductal fluid through the induction of novel
      gene expression. Moreover, it has also been shown that only a privileged sperm
      population, selected on the basis of multiple criteria, is permitted to enter the
      oviduct, where they are subjected to even more selection processes that control
      their motility and capacitation status, thus either inhibiting or facilitating
      their progress toward the oocyte. Even more recently, it has become apparent that
      the oviduct has some ability to differentiate the genetic signatures of X- and Y
      bearing spermatozoa. Although how exactly this is achieved is unknown, it prompts
      us to speculate that the oviduct may also be capable of distinguishing other
      genetically encoded properties of individual spermatozoa and that there must
      ultimately be a huge payoff in terms of selective animal breeding.

PMID- 26277705
TI  - Lifestyle Choices Fuel Epidemics of Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease Among
      Asian Indians.
AB  - Within the next 15years, India is projected to overtake China as the world's most
      populous nation. Due to the rapid pace of urbanization and modernization fueling
      population growth, in conjunction with a genetic predisposition to insulin
      resistance, India is suffering a rising epidemic of non-communicable diseases
      (NCDs), including coronary artery disease (CAD), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM),
      and stroke. In addition to the genetic predisposition, major negative lifestyle
      factors are contributing to the alarming outbreak of cardiovascular disease (CVD)
      among the Asian Indian population; these factors include: 1) a diet high in added
      sugar, refined grains and other processed foods, 2) physical inactivity, 3)
      vitamin D deficiency (VDD), and 4) smoking/pollution. These risk factors are all
      highly modifiable, and steps to improve these issues should be taken urgently to
      avoid a worsening NCD crisis among the inhabitants of the South Asian
      subcontinent as well as for people with Asian Indian ethnicity worldwide.

PMID- 26277706
TI  - Novel Antiplatelet Agents: The Current State and What Is Coming Down the Pike.
AB  - Antiplatelet therapy is the cornerstone of treatment for patients with acute
      coronary syndrome (ACS) or undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).
      Despite the use of dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel, a
      considerable number of patients still experience atherothrombotic events, which
      may be explained at least in part by inadequate platelet inhibition induced by
      this treatment regimen. This underscores the need for more potent antithrombotic
      strategies for the acute and long-term treatment of ischemic complications,
      especially in high-risk patients. These include novel generation P2Y12 receptor
      antagonists, such as prasugrel, ticagrelor and cangrelor, or adjunctive
      antiplatelet agents targeting different pathways, such as the thrombin protease
      activated receptors-1 receptor inhibitor vorapaxar. Moreover, since ischemic
      events accrue over time after an acute event, prolonging intensified antiplatelet
      therapy beyond 1-year has also been investigated. This manuscript provides an
      overview on the current status and future directions of antithrombotic therapies
      for the treatment of patients with ACS or treated with PCI, mainly focusing on
      novel agents. 

PMID- 26277707
TI  - Enhanced Hydrogen Generation from Formic Acid by Half-Sandwich Iridium(III)
      Complexes with Metal/NH Bifunctionality: A Pronounced Switch from Transfer
      Hydrogenation.
AB  - By switching the catalytic function from transfer hydrogenation based on the
      metal/NH bifunctionality, facile dehydrogenation of formic acid was achieved by
      amido- and hydrido(amine)-Ir complexes derived from N-triflyl-1,2
      diphenylethylenediamine (TfDPEN) at ambient temperature even in the absence of
      base additives. Further acceleration was observed by the addition of water,
      leading to a maximum turnover frequency above 6000 h(-1). A proton-relay
      mechanism guided by the protic amine ligand and water is postulated for effective
      protonation of metal hydrides.

PMID- 26277708
TI  - Targeting the platelet-derived growth factor signalling in cardiovascular
      disease.
AB  - Over 40 years of studies on platelet-derived growth factors (PDGFs) and their
      receptors, the molecular mechanisms and functional roles of PDGFs in the
      development of embryos and human diseases, especially in cancer, are gradually
      being unravelled. PDGF-BB was approved by the United States Food and Drug
      Administration for promoting wound healing, while imatinib, which selectively
      inhibits tyrosine kinase activity of PDGF receptors (PDGFR), has been prescribed
      to treat patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumor and chronic eosinophilic
      leukaemia. However, much less often have these drugs been studied in relation to
      cardiovascular diseases. This brief review mainly describes the role of PDGF
      signalling in cardiovascular pathogenesis such as atherosclerosis, pulmonary
      arterial hypertension, diabetes, angiogenesis and inflammation with an emphasis
      on how PDGFs function in these situations and what components might serve as
      potential therapeutic targets against cardio-metabolic dysfunction.

PMID- 26277709
TI  - [Study of 11 new cases of Kawasaki disease Congolese].
AB  - Kawasaki's disease (KD) is a rarely described entity in Africa. The purpose of
      this work is to describe the clinical, biological and evolutionary aspects of KD
      in the Congolese child. This is a retrospective study of 11 cases of KD collected
      from 2003 to 2014 at the University Hospital of Brazzaville. The diagnosis was
      based on the criteria proposed by the Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome Research
      Commitee and validated by the Center for Disease Control grouping the major
      criteria originally described by Kawasaki and updated by the American Heart
      Association. The sex-ratioM/F was 2.7 and the mean age of 16.5 +/- 5.9 months
      (range 9 to 43 months). The average intake time was 12.8 +/- 5.9 days (range 6
      and 30). In nine cases there was a complete form. The symptoms began with an
      invasion of the upper airway in 8 cases. Achieving oropharyngeal was in the form
      of oral enanthema with strawberry tongue and / or angular cheilitis; it was
      associated with perineal erythema in 7 cases. Reaching the end realized swelling
      and/or redness and / or peeling finger gloves or flap toes. The latter occurred
      at an average of 11 +/- 3.5 days (range 8 to 16) after the start of the fever.
      The treatment with acetylsalicylic acid administered to all children, began
      within varying between 4 and 15 days of admission. The defervescence was obtained
      after 5.3 +/- 2.6 days (range 4 to 11). The average hospital stay was 16.6 +/-
      9.7 days (range: 11 to 25 days). The evolution after discharge was considered
      favorable in all cases. However, no control echocardiography was performed. KD
      remains an ubiquitous condition but with a variable incidence from one continent
      to another. The arrival of the twodimensional ultrasound should enable the
      systematic investigation of coronary abnormalities to catch up unnoticed past
      cases but also to prevent complications related there.

PMID- 26277710
TI  - [Blinding trachoma: results of a prevalence survey in 8 health districts in CAR].
AB  - Support of visual disabilities in terms of preventive and curative treatment, is
      a priority for public health in Central African Republic. The lack of recent and
      reliable data on ocular pathologies in general including trachoma particularly,
      has led health authorities, in collaboration with partners to undertake an
      epidemiological investigation to determine the mapping. This study was designed
      to assess the importance of endemicity in the most sensitive groups within
      population, including children of 1 to 9 years old. Eight from sixteen health
      districts in the country, were selected for this survey as a first step. The data
      collected will assess the real needs in medical and surgical care to develop an
      appropriate strategic plan of support for this condition on a large scale. This
      is a cross-sectional descriptive survey carried out in one month, from November
      23 to December 26, 2011 in eight health prefectures of the country. The sampling
      frame was the population of eight health districts. The exhaustive list of
      villages and demographic data from the national census conducted in December
      2003, adjusted by the rate of annual increase of 2.5%has been used. The
      administrative headquarters of the places of the visited districts leaders were
      excluded from the sampling frame. A random survey in clusters at two levels made
      from formed bases. Twenty villages (clusters) in each health district have been
      drawn according to the proportional probability to the size of the totals
      cumulative. 12,800 children of both sexes, aged 1 to 9 years have been identified
      in this investigation and 11,287 were actually examined, or 88.2 %, sex ratio is
      significantly 1.11. The proportion by age group of the children sampled is
      stackable to the general population. 26.9 % of TF and 5.9 % TI have been
      diagnosed. Six from eight districts surveyed are endemic. Three of them had
      respectively rates of 32.3 %, 47.1 % and 54.3 %.

PMID- 26277711
TI  - Selective intracellular drug delivery from pH-responsive polyion complex micelle
      for enhanced malignancy suppression in vivo.
AB  - The pH-triggered intracellular drug delivery platforms have attracted great
      interest in malignancy therapy. Herein, a pH-responsive polyion complex (PIC)
      micelle from anionic acid-sensitive methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-block
      poly(N(epsilon)-((1-carboxy-cis-cyclohexene)-2-carbonyl)-L-lysine) (mPEG-b-PCLL)
      and cationic doxorubicin (DOX), a model anthracycline antitumor drug, was
      constructed by electrostatic interaction for directional intracellular drug
      delivery in malignancy chemotherapy. The PIC micelle kept constant diameter at
      physiological condition (i.e., pH 7.4), while gradually swelled and finally
      disassembled at mimicking intratumoral pH (i.e., 6.8) and especially
      intracellular endo/lysosomal pH (i.e., 5.5). The DOX release from the PIC micelle
      at pH 7.4 was slow, whereas obviously accelerated at the intracellular acidic
      condition of pH 5.5. These results should be related to the rapid cleavage of the
      side amide bond of mPEG-b-PCLL in an acidic environment. The PIC micelle
      exhibited satisfactory tumor suppression toward the H22 hepatoma-bearing BALB/c
      mouse model compared with free DOX, which was demonstrated by the upregulated
      tumor inhibition rate, and the increased necrotic and apoptosis areas in tumor
      tissue. Furthermore, the enhanced security was also observed in the PIC micelle
      group in relation to that of free DOX. The above results strongly supported that
      the acid-sensitive PIC micelle was promising for selective intracellular drug
      delivery along with upregulated malignancy inhibition. 

PMID- 26277712
TI  - Combination of nanoparticles with photothermal effects and phase-change material
      enhances the non-invasive transdermal delivery of drugs.
AB  - We describe a promising non-invasive transdermal delivery system comprising block
      copolymer composite micelles that contained a phase-change material (PCM),
      photothermal Au nanoparticles (AuNPs), and hydrophobic drugs in the core. To
      minimize cell toxicity, we developed block copolymer micelles with a poly(E
      caprolactone) (PCL) biodegradable core and a hyperbranched polyglycol (hbPG)
      shell. The hbPG block formed micelles at a low-molecular-weight fraction of a low
      molecular-weight block copolymer. The composite micelles showed excellent
      biocompatibility with cell viability at high concentrations. Visible light
      irradiation (lambda=520 nm) of the composite micelles induced the photothermal
      effects of the AuNPs and melting of the PCM (lauric acid); hence, the drugs were
      released along with the PCM liquid. The release rate was controlled by the light
      intensity. Based on in vitro and in vivo skin penetration studies, the skin
      permeability of the drug remarkably improved under mild light irradiation (18
      J/cm(2)) that was much lower than the dose that causes skin damage.

PMID- 26277713
TI  - Nano-hydroxyapatite-coated metal-ceramic composite of iron-tricalcium phosphate:
      Improving the surface wettability, adhesion and proliferation of mesenchymal stem
      cells in vitro.
AB  - Thin radio-frequency magnetron sputter deposited nano-hydroxyapatite (HA) films
      were prepared on the surface of a Fe-tricalcium phosphate (Fe-TCP) bioceramic
      composite, which was obtained using a conventional powder injection moulding
      technique. The obtained nano-hydroxyapatite coated Fe-TCP biocomposites (nano-HA
      Fe-TCP) were studied with respect to their chemical and phase composition,
      surface morphology, water contact angle, surface free energy and hysteresis. The
      deposition process resulted in a homogeneous, single-phase HA coating. The
      ability of the surface to support adhesion and the proliferation of human
      mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) was studied using biological short-term tests in
      vitro. The surface of the uncoated Fe-TCP bioceramic composite showed an initial
      cell attachment after 24h of seeding, but adhesion, proliferation and growth did
      not persist during 14 days of culture. However, the HA-Fe-TCP surfaces allowed
      cell adhesion, and proliferation during 14 days. The deposition of the nano-HA
      films on the Fe-TCP surface resulted in higher surface energy, improved
      hydrophilicity and biocompatibility compared with the surface of the uncoated Fe
      TCP. Furthermore, it is suggested that an increase in the polar component of the
      surface energy was responsible for the enhanced cell adhesion and proliferation
      in the case of the nano-HA-Fe-TCP biocomposites. 

PMID- 26277714
TI  - Recognition of Rhodobacter sphaeroides by microcontact-imprinted poly(ethylene-co
      vinyl alcohol).
AB  - The immobilization of cells or microorganisms is important for bioseparations, in
      bioreactors producing cellular metabolites, and as receptors for biosensing. Cell
      imprinted polymers (CIPs) have been shown to have cavities with complementary
      shapes and also high affinities for the template cells or microorganisms.
      However, the effects of binding to CIPs on gene expression are only beginning to
      be studied. In this work, the purple bacteria Rhodobacter sphaeroides was
      employed as a model for the imprinting of microorganisms. R. sphaeroides was
      first adsorbed on a glass slide as the stamp and then microcontact-imprinted onto
      poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol), EVAL. The surfaces of the R. sphaeroides
      imprinted (RsIPs) and non-imprinted (NIPs) EVAL thin films were examined by Raman
      spectrometry and scanning electron microscopy. The expression of the nitrogenase
      (nitrogen fixation, nifH) gene of R. sphaeroides adsorbed on both the RsIPs and
      NIPs EVAL thin films was also measured by the quantitative reverse transcription
      polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR); cells grown on imprinted polymer showed
      dramatic differences in gene expression compared to controls. 

PMID- 26277715
TI  - Pluronic/gelatin composites for controlled release of actives.
AB  - This paper describes the preparation and the release properties of composite
      materials based on Pluronic F127 and gelatin hydrogels, which could be of
      interest in the field of enteral nutrition or drug administration. The composites
      were prepared by exploiting the opposite responsivity to temperature of a 20% w/w
      Pluronic F127 aqueous solution (critical gelation temperature around 23  degrees
      C) and gelatin (gel-sol temperature transition around 30  degrees C). Pluronic
      domains dispersed within a gelatin matrix were obtained by injecting cold
      Pluronic F127 solutions inside hot gelatin solutions, while homogenizing either
      with a magnetic stirrer or a high-energy mechanical disperser. Calorimetry
      indicates that the composites retain the individual gelling properties of
      Pluronic and gelatin. Different releasing properties were obtained as a function
      of the preparation protocol, the temperature and the pH. The release profiles
      have been studied by a Weibull analysis that clearly points out the dominating
      role of gelatin at 25  degrees C. At 37  degrees C the release accounts for a
      combined effect from both Pluronic F127 and gelatin, showing a more sustained
      profile with respect to gelatin hydrogels. This behavior, together with the
      ability of Pluronic F127 to upload both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs and
      flavors, makes these innovative composite materials very good candidates as FDA
      approved carriers for enteral administration.

PMID- 26277716
TI  - Enhancing the water dispersibility of paclitaxel by complexation with hydrophobic
      peptides.
AB  - The complex between paclitaxel (Ptx) and a peptide mixture (Pep) was prepared to
      enhance of the water-dispersibility of Ptx. Pep was prepared by enzymatic
      hydrolysis of casein, followed by fractionation using ammonium sulfate
      precipitation and ultrafiltration. The Ptx and Pep complex (Ptx-Pep) was prepared
      by mixing an ethanol solution of Ptx and an aqueous solution of Pep followed by
      lyophilization. The water dispersibility test of Ptx-Pep prepared using different
      fractions of Pep demonstrated that a fraction (Pep-A), containing relatively
      hydrophobic peptides with high molecular weights, was effective in enhancing the
      water dispersibility of Ptx. The sequences of the major peptides in Pep-A were
      identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight/time-of
      flight mass spectrometry with "LIFT" technique. The water dispersibility of the
      complex between Ptx and Pep-A (Ptx-Pep-A) was independent of pH, even though it
      is positively or negatively charged under strongly acidic and neutral conditions.
      As the particle size of Ptx-Pep-A in aqueous media was 147-215 nm, Ptx-Pep-A was
      present as a hydrocolloidal material in aqueous media.

PMID- 26277717
TI  - A tubular gelatin scaffold capable of the time-dependent controlled release of
      epidermal growth factor and mitomycin C.
AB  - A tubular gelatin scaffold for the time-dependent controlled release of epidermal
      growth factor (EGF) and mitomycin C (MMC) was fabricated. EGF was incorporated
      using silk fibroin carriers, and MMC was planted using polylactide (PLA)
      microspheres. The relationship between scaffold properties and crosslinking
      degrees was evaluated. As the crosslinking degree was increased from 23.7% to
      65.3%, the mechanical properties of the scaffold obviously improved, and the
      compressive modulus increased to approximately 65kPa. The mass degradation of the
      scaffold was also controlled from 9 days to approximately 1 month. In vitro
      release tests indicated that the scaffold mainly released EGF in the early period
      and MMC in the later period. Urethral epithelial cells (UECs) and urethral scar
      derived fibroblast cells (UFCs) were coseeded in the scaffold at a ratio of 1:1.
      After 9 days of coculture, immunostaining results displayed that the proportion
      of UECs continuously increased to approximately 71%. These changes in cell
      proportion were confirmed by the results of Western blot analysis. Therefore, the
      scaffold promoted the growth but inhibited the regeneration of UFCs. This
      scaffold for time-dependent controlled release of multiple biofactors may be
      potentially useful in urethral reconstruction and other tissue engineering
      studies. 

PMID- 26277718
TI  - An evaluation of the potential yield of indium recycled from end-of-life LCDs: A
      case study in China.
AB  - With the advances in electronics and information technology, China has gradually
      become the largest consumer of household appliances (HAs). Increasingly, end-of
      life (EOL) HAs are generated in China. EOL recycling is a promising strategy to
      reduce dependence on virgin production, and indium is one of the recycled
      substances. The potential yield of indium recycling has not been systematically
      evaluated in China thus far. This paper estimates the potential yield of recycled
      indium from waste liquid crystal displays (LCDs) in China during the period from
      2015 to 2030. The quantities of indium that will be used to produce LCDs are also
      predicted. The estimates focus on the following three key LCD waste sources: LCD
      TVs, desktop computers and portable computers. The results show that the demand
      for indium will be increasing in the near future. It is expected that 350 tonnes
      of indium will be needed to produce LCDs in China in 2035. The indium recycled
      from EOL LCDs, however, is much less than the demand and only accounts for
      approximately 48% of the indium demand. The sustainable index of indium is always
      less than 0.5. Therefore, future indium recycling efforts should focus on the
      development of recycling technology and the improvement of the relevant policy. 

PMID- 26277719
TI  - Withdrawal of the circular economy package: A wasted opportunity or a new
      challenge?

PMID- 26277720
TI  - Light- and temperature-regulated BjAPY2 may have a role in stem expansion of
      Brassica juncea.
AB  - Tuber mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. et Coss. var. tumida Tsen et Lee) is
      an important vegetable crop with a characteristic of expanded stem that is
      edible. The underlying molecular mechanism of the stem expansion is not well
      understood. Here, we reported that a total of 51 differentially expressed
      fragments (DEFs) with three expression patterns during stem expansion of tuber
      mustard were identified by cDNA-AFLP analysis. Among the DEFs, DEF11 with high
      homology to Arabidopsis thaliana apyrase 2 (AtAPY2) that encodes an enzyme with
      ATPase and ADPase activity was development- and tissue-specific. DEF11 was thus
      renamed as BjAPY2. The expression levels of BjAPY2 increased with the stem
      expression and were the highest at stage IV, a developmental stage at which the
      stem expanded most rapidly. In contrast, the BjAPY2 expression levels in leaves
      were much lower and remained unchanged during leaf development and expansion,
      suggesting that BjAPY2 was closely associated with the expansion of stems but not
      of leaves in the tuber mustard. Interestingly, the expression of BjAPY2 was
      higher in the mustard under short-day (SD) photoperiod (8 h/16 h) than that under
      long-day (LD) photoperiod (16 h/8 h); similarly, the transcript levels of BjAPY2
      were higher in the mustard grown at low temperature (14  degrees C/12  degrees C)
      than that at high temperature (26  degrees C /24  degrees C). The SD photoperiod
      and low temperature were two environmental conditions that favored the mustard
      stem expansion. Further cloning and analysis of the promoter region of BjAPY2
      revealed that there were indeed several types of motifs in the promoter region,
      including the light and temperature responsive elements. These results suggested
      that BjAPY2 might play an important role during the stem expansion of the tuber
      mustard.

PMID- 26277722
TI  - Germin-like protein 2 gene promoter from rice is responsive to fungal pathogens
      in transgenic potato plants.
AB  - Controlled transgene expression via a promoter is particularly triggered in
      response to pathogen infiltration. This is significant for eliciting disease
      resistant features in crops through genetic engineering. The germins and germin
      like proteins (GLPs) are known to be associated with plant and developmental
      stages. The 1107-bp Oryza sativa root GLP2 (OsRGLP2) gene promoter fused to a
      beta-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene was transformed into potato plants through
      an Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. The OsRGLP2 promoter was activated in
      response to Fusarium solani (Mart.) Sacc. and Alternaria solani Sorauer.
      Quantitative real-time PCR results revealed 4-5-fold increase in promoter
      activity every 24 h following infection. There was a 15-fold increase in OsRGLP2
      promoter activity after 72 h of F. solani (Mart.) Sacc. treatment and a 12-fold
      increase observed with A. solani Sorauer. Our results confirmed that the OsRGLP2
      promoter activity was enhanced under fungal stress. Furthermore, a
      hyperaccumulation of H2O2 in transgenic plants is a clear signal for the
      involvement of OsRGLP2 promoter region in the activation of specific genes in the
      potato genome involved in H2O2-mediated defense response. The OsRGLP2 promoter
      evidently harbors copies of GT-I and Dof transcription factors (AAAG) that act in
      response to elicitors generated in the wake of pathogen infection. 

PMID- 26277721
TI  - Caspases in plants: metacaspase gene family in plant stress responses.
AB  - Programmed cell death (PCD) is an ordered cell suicide that removes unwanted or
      damaged cells, playing a role in defense to environmental stresses and pathogen
      invasion. PCD is component of the life cycle of plants, occurring throughout
      development from embryogenesis to the death. Metacaspases are cysteine proteases
      present in plants, fungi, and protists. In certain plant-pathogen interactions,
      the PCD seems to be mediated by metacaspases. We adopted a comparative genomic
      approach to identify genes coding for the metacaspases in Viridiplantae. We
      observed that the metacaspase was divided into types I and II, based on their
      protein structure. The type I has a metacaspase domain at the C-terminus region,
      presenting or not a zinc finger motif in the N-terminus region and a prodomain
      rich in proline. Metacaspase type II does not feature the prodomain and the zinc
      finger, but has a linker between caspase-like catalytic domains of 20 kDa (p20)
      and 10 kDa (p10). A high conservation was observed in the zinc finger domain
      (type I proteins) and in p20 and p10 subunits (types I and II proteins). The
      phylogeny showed that the metacaspases are divided into three principal groups:
      type I with and without zinc finger domain and type II metacaspases. The algae
      and moss are presented as outgroup, suggesting that these three classes of
      metacaspases originated in the early stages of Viridiplantae, being the absence
      of the zinc finger domain the ancient condition. The study of metacaspase can
      clarify their assignment and involvement in plant PCD mechanisms.

PMID- 26277723
TI  - Influences on Healthy-Eating Decision Making in Latino Adolescent Children of
      Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Workers.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Latino children demonstrate high rates of unhealthy weight, and
      children of Latino migrant and seasonal agricultural workers are heavier than
      their Latino peers. METHOD: This one-group, cross-sectional, mixed-methods pilot
      study explored healthy-eating decision making with 12- to 14-year-olds recruited
      from a Midwest summer migrant education program. Demographics, decision-making,
      self-efficacy, and social support survey instruments were used, along with gender
      specific focus groups. RESULT: In the convenience sample, which included 24
      participants, students felt varying degrees of uncertainty when choosing healthy
      foods in social situations, and 67% made poor-quality decisions. Parents offered
      greater support for healthy eating compared with friends. Qualitative analyses
      identified three themes: healthy decision making includes fruits, vegetables, and
      physical activity; mothers have influence over health and healthy decisions; and
      friends encourage unhealthy food choices. DISCUSSION: Influences on healthy
      eating decision making in Latino adolescent children of migrant and seasonal
      agricultural workers, which were previously missing from the literature, were
      identified. Future research includes development of interventions to assist these
      adolescents with healthy-eating decision making.

PMID- 26277724
TI  - Testosterone replacement attenuates cognitive decline in testosterone-deprived
      lean rats, but not in obese rats, by mitigating brain oxidative stress.
AB  - Testosterone replacement improves metabolic parameters and cognitive function in
      hypogonadism. However, the effects of testosterone therapy on cognition in obese
      condition with testosterone deprivation have not been investigated. We
      hypothesized that testosterone replacement improves cognitive function in
      testosterone-deprived obese rats by restoring brain insulin sensitivity, brain
      mitochondrial function, and hippocampal synaptic plasticity. Thirty male Wistar
      rats had either a bilateral orchiectomy (ORX: O, n = 24) or a sham operation (S,
      n = 6). ORX rats were further divided into two groups fed with either a normal
      diet (NDO) or a high-fat diet (HFO) for 12 weeks. Then, ORX rats in each dietary
      group were divided into two subgroups (n = 6/subgroup) and were given either
      castor oil or testosterone (2 mg/kg/day, s.c.) for 4 weeks. At the end of this
      protocol, cognitive function, metabolic parameters, brain insulin sensitivity,
      hippocampal synaptic plasticity, and brain mitochondrial function were
      determined. We found that testosterone replacement increased peripheral insulin
      sensitivity, decreased circulation and brain oxidative stress levels, and
      attenuated brain mitochondrial ROS production in HFO rats. However, testosterone
      failed to restore hippocampal synaptic plasticity and cognitive function in HFO
      rats. In contrast, in NDO rats, testosterone decreased circulation and brain
      oxidative stress levels, attenuated brain mitochondrial ROS production, and
      restored hippocampal synaptic plasticity as well as cognitive function. These
      findings suggest that testosterone replacement improved peripheral insulin
      sensitivity and decreased oxidative stress levels, but failed to restore
      hippocampal synaptic plasticity and cognitive function in testosterone-deprived
      obese rats. However, it provided beneficial effects in reversing cognitive
      impairment in testosterone-deprived non-obese rats.

PMID- 26277726
TI  - Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring in the Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Management
      of Resistant Hypertension: Still a Matter of our Resistance?
AB  - Resistant hypertension, commonly described as the failure to achieve goal blood
      pressure (BP) despite an appropriate regimen of three antihypertensive drugs at
      the maximal tolerated doses, one of which is diuretic, is increasingly recognized
      as an important problem of public health. Large population studies with office
      measurements suggest that the prevalence of resistance hypertension is
      approximately at 6-12 % of the general hypertensive population and 8-28 % of
      treated hypertensives. However, these estimations do not take into account
      factors of pseudo-resistance, most importantly, the white-coat effect that can be
      effectively ruled out with ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). Recent
      studies have clearly shown that when ABPM is used, at least 30-35 % of patients
      labeled as "resistant hypertensives" turn out to have well-controlled BP on
      ambulatory basis, a finding changing entirely the estimates of prevalence of
      resistance hypertension and actual patient handling. Furthermore, current
      evidence suggests that ABPM is a much more accurate predictor of cardiovascular
      events in resistant hypertension compared to office BP and thus can offer a
      better risk stratification for these high-risk individuals. Finally, ABPM offers
      the potential of a better evaluation of the effect of pharmacologic and non
      pharmacologic therapeutic interventions. This review attempts to summarize recent
      evidence on the advantages of ABPM in the diagnosis, prognosis, and management of
      resistant hypertension.

PMID- 26277725
TI  - Influence of Physical Activity on Hypertension and Cardiac Structure and
      Function.
AB  - The global burden of hypertension is rising and accounts for substantial
      morbidity and mortality. Lifestyle factors such as diet and physical inactivity
      contribute to this burden, further highlighting the need for prevention efforts
      to curb this public health epidemic. Regular physical activity is associated with
      lower blood pressure, reduced cardiovascular risk, and cardiac remodeling. While
      exercise and hypertension can both be associated with the development of left
      ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), the cardiac remodeling from hypertension is
      pathologic with an associated increase in myocyte hypertrophy, fibrosis, and risk
      of heart failure and mortality, whereas LVH in athletes is generally non
      pathologic and lacks the fibrosis seen in hypertension. In hypertensive patients,
      physical activity has been associated with paradoxical regression or prevention
      of LVH, suggesting a mechanism by which exercise can benefit hypertensive
      patients. Further studies are needed to better understand the mechanisms
      underlying the benefits of physical activity in the hypertensive heart.

PMID- 26277728
TI  - Transient splenial lesion in a case with carbon monoxide poisoning: A clue
      supporting the excitotoxicity hypothesis?
AB  - Transient splenial lesions of the corpus callosum are uncommon radiologic
      findings seen in a number of clinical conditions. Awareness of these lesions is
      crucial to prevent further invasive investigation and intervention. We report a
      unique case of transient splenial lesion in a patient with carbon monoxide
      poisoning. 

PMID- 26277727
TI  - Physiological and biochemical effects of botanical extract from Piper nigrum Linn
      (Piperaceae) against the dengue vector Aedes aegypti Liston (Diptera: Culicidae).
AB  - The leaves of Piper nigrum L. (Piperaceae) were evaluated for chemical
      constituents and mosquito larvicidal activity against the larvae of Aedes
      aegypti. GC and GC-MS analyses revealed that the crude extracts contain 16
      compounds. Thymol (20.77%) and c-elemene (10.42%) were identified as the major
      constituents followed by cyclohexene, 4-ethenyl-4-methyl-3-(1-methylethenyl)-1-(1
      methylethyl)-, (3R-trans) (7.58%), 4,6-octadienoic acid, 2-acetyl-2-methyl-,
      ethyl ester (6.98), 2(3H)-furanone, 3,4-bis(1,3-benzodioxol-5-ylmethyl) dihydro-,
      (3R-trans) (6.95%), 1-naphthalenol, 1,2,3,4,4a,7,8,8a-octahydro-1,6-dimethyl-4-(1
      methylethyl)-, [1R-(1a,4a,4aa,8aa)]-(Cedreanol) (5.30%), trans-2-undecen-1-ol
      (4.48%), phytol (4.22%), 1,6-cyclodecadiene, 1-methyl-5-methylene-8-(1
      methylethyl)-,[s-(E,E)] (3.78%) and 2,6-dimethyl-3,5,7-octatriene-2-ol, Z,Z
      (2.39%). Larval mortality was observed after 3 h of exposure period. The crude
      extract showed remarkable larvicidal activity against Ae. aegypti (LC50 = 34.97).
      The larvae of Ae. aegypti exposed to the P. nigrum, significantly reduced the
      activities of alpha- and beta-carboxylesterases and superdioxide. Further, P.
      nigrum extract was severely affecting the mosquito gut cellular organelles. Based
      on the results, the chemical constituents of crude extracts of P. nigrum can be
      considered as a new source of larvicide for the control of Ae. aegypti.

PMID- 26277729
TI  - Early postoperative cartilage evaluation by magnetic resonance imaging using T2
      mapping after arthroscopic partial medial meniscectomy.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study was performed to quantitatively evaluate postoperative
      changes in cartilage by T2 mapping after arthroscopic partial medial
      meniscectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study enrolled 17 patients with 20 knees
      that underwent arthroscopic partial medial meniscectomy. MRI was performed
      preoperatively and at six months postoperatively, with subjects evaluated by T2
      mapping of the central part of the medial condyle of the femur in the sagittal
      plane. Regions of interest (ROIs) were set at 10 points between the point of
      intersection of the anatomical axis of the femur and the articular surface of the
      medial condyle and posterior area approximately 90 degrees to the anatomical
      axis. Pre- and postoperative T2 values at each ROI were evaluated. RESULTS:
      Postoperative T2 values were significantly longer than preoperative values at
      approximately 20, 30, 40, and 50 degrees to the anatomical axis of the femur. The
      maximum change between pre- and postoperative T2 values was +6.65% at 30 degrees
      to the anatomical axis. CONCLUSIONS: Mechanical stress at positions approximately
      20, 30, 40, and 50 degrees relative to the anatomical axis of the femur increased
      soon after arthroscopic medial meniscectomy. These findings indicate the start of
      degeneration, via disorganization of collagen arrays, of the articular cartilage
      and increased water content.

PMID- 26277730
TI  - Semi-automatic lung segmentation of DCE-MRI data sets of 2-year old children
      after congenital diaphragmatic hernia repair: Initial results.
AB  - In congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), lung hypoplasia and secondary pulmonary
      hypertension are the major causes of death and severe disability. Based on new
      therapeutic strategies survival rates could be improved to up to 80%. However,
      after surgical repair of CDH, long-term follow-up of these pediatric patients is
      necessary. In this, dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE
      MRI) provides insights into the pulmonary microcirculation and might become a
      tool within the routine follow-up program of CDH patients. However, whole lung
      segmentation from DCE-MRI scans is tedious and automated procedures are
      warranted. Therefore, in this study, an approach to semi-automated lung
      segmentation is presented. Segmentation of the lung is obtained by calculating
      the cross correlation and the area under curve between all voxels in the data set
      and a reference region-of-interest (ROI), here the arterial input function (AIF).
      By applying an upper and lower threshold to the obtained maps and intersecting
      these, a final segmentation is reached. This approach was tested on twelve DCE
      MRI data sets of 2-year old children after CDH repair. Segmentation accuracy was
      evaluated by comparing obtained automatic segmentations to manual delineations
      using the Dice overlap measure. Optimal thresholds for the cross correlation were
      0.5/0.95 and 0.1/0.5 for the area under curve, respectively. The ipsilateral
      (left) lung showed reduced segmentation accuracy compared to the contralateral
      (right) lung. Average processing time was about 1.4s per data set. Average Dice
      score was 0.7+/-0.1 for the whole lung. In conclusion, initial results are
      promising. By our approach, whole lung segmentation is possible and a rapid
      evaluation of whole lung perfusion becomes possible. This might allow for a more
      detailed analysis of lung hypoplasia of children after CDH. 

PMID- 26277731
TI  - Hemodynamic monitoring and mortality.

PMID- 26277732
TI  - Development and preliminary test of a new plateau hyperbaric chamber.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to validate the performance, define its
      limits, and provide details on a new plateau hyperbaric chamber at 355-, 2880-,
      and 4532-m high altitude. METHODS: A new multiplace plateau hyperbaric chamber
      was designed to satisfy the needed of patients who have acute mountain sickness.
      Tests were conducted inside the chamber at 355-, 2880-, and 4532-m high altitude.
      The safely and conveniences of the new plateau hyperbaric chamber were estimated.
      RESULTS: Minimum pressures of the main compartment can reach up to 0.029, 0.022,
      and 0.02 MPa at 355-, 2880-, and 4532-m high altitude. During pressurization,
      there was no leak of air around the chamber. The time lag of pressure
      equilibration between main and buffer compartment varies from 30.3+/-2.01 to
      200.5+/-5.44 seconds and between buffer compartment and ambient pressure varies
      from 60.2+/-4.13 to 215.9+/-6.76 seconds. CONCLUSIONS: The chamber can be
      applicated for acute mountain sickness treatment safety and convenience. However,
      further experience about animals and human within the chamber is needed to
      improve the hardware and establish conditions of effective utilization of this
      equipment in the high altitude.

PMID- 26277733
TI  - Response to letter to the editor "High prevalence of Takotsubo syndrome in
      patients admitted to the Medical Intensive Care Unit with non-cardiac illnesses"
      by John E. Madias, MD.

PMID- 26277734
TI  - Severity of polymicrobial sepsis modulates mitochondrial function in rat liver.
AB  - Mitochondrial dysfunction is assumed to be an important contributor to multi
      organ dysfunction syndrome. Here, the effects of varying degrees of sepsis on
      hepatic mitochondrial function were investigated. Moderate or more severe sepsis
      was induced in rats using a colon ascendens stent peritonitis (CASP)-model (16 G
      and 14 G stent respectively). Respiratory control ratio (RCR) was significantly
      higher in the 16 G-group and unchanged in the 14 G-group compared with healthy
      controls. The ADP/O ratio was similar in all groups. Our results indicate that
      different severities of sepsis differently influence the mitochondrial function,
      which could be a sign of adaptive reaction. 

PMID- 26277735
TI  - Dual-porosity poroviscoelasticity and quantitative hydromechanical
      characterization of the brain tissue with experimental hydrocephalus data.
AB  - Hydromechanical brain models often involve constitutive relations which must
      account for soft tissue deformation and creep, together with the interstitial
      fluid movement and exchange through capillaries. The interaction of rather
      unknown mechanisms which produce, absorb, and circulate the cerebrospinal fluid
      within the central nervous system can further add to their complexity. Once
      proper models for these phenomena or processes are selected, estimation of the
      associated parameters could be even more challenging. This paper presents the
      results of a consistent, coupled poroviscoelastic modeling and characterization
      of the brain tissue as a dual-porosity system. The model draws from Biot's theory
      of poroviscoelasticity, and adopts the generalized Kelvin's rheological
      description of the viscoelastic tissue behavior. While the interstitial space
      serves as the primary porosity through which the bulk flow of the interstitial
      fluid occurs, a secondary porosity network comprising the capillaries and venous
      system allows for its partial absorption into the blood. The correspondence
      principle is used in deriving a time-dependent analytical solution to the
      proposed model. It allows for identical poroelastic formulation of the original
      poroviscoelastic problem in the Laplace transform space. Hydrocephalus generally
      refers to a class of medical conditions which share the ventricles enlargement as
      a common feature. A set of published data from induced hydrocephalus and follow
      up perfusion of cats' brains is used for quantitative characterization of the
      proposed model. A selected portion of these data including the ventricular volume
      and rate of fluid absorption from the perfused brain, together with the forward
      model solution, is utilized via an inverse problem technique to find proper
      estimations of the model parameters. Results show significant improvement in
      model predictions of the experimental data. The convoluted and coupled solution
      results are presented through the time-dependent plots of the ventricular volume
      undergoing the perfusion experiment. The plots demonstrate the intricate
      interplay of viscous and poroelastic diffusive time scales, and their competition
      in reaching the steady state response of the system.

PMID- 26277736
TI  - Primary papillary carcinoma in thyroglossal cysts. Case reports and literature
      review.
AB  - The thyroglossal cyst can exceptionally appear as a primary cyst carcinoma. We
      discuss a series of 6 adult patients, assessed for long-lasting asymptomatic
      suprahyoid or lateral-to-larynx mass. The images showed a heterogeneous mass
      invading adjacent soft tissues. Fine needle aspiration biopsy did not contribute
      to diagnosis. We performed a Sistrunk procedure in all cases, 3 combined with
      total thyroidectomy and 1 with neck dissection. The postoperative course was
      favourable. No additional treatment was required, without evidence of recurrence
      in follow-up. The management is controversial due to the limited number of cases
      reported. Some classifications based on size and extent have been proposed to
      define the surgical treatment of such cysts. 

PMID- 26277737
TI  - Pharyngeal tuberculosis: Report of 5 cases.
AB  - Tuberculosis is a public health problem for many countries, whether rich or poor.
      Extranodal ENT locations are rare, and it prevails in the cavum in the pharyngeal
      region. Based on a 3-year retrospective study of 5 clinical cases, the authors
      aim to highlight the epidemiological, clinical, radiological, therapeutic and
      prognostic aspects of this disease. Clinical aspects are not specific and there
      is often confusion in the differential diagnosis with tumoral lesions. Positive
      diagnosis is guided by the clinical and the radiological findings, and confirmed
      by histology. 

PMID- 26277738
TI  - [Diagnostic criteria for Meniere's disease. Consensus document of the Barany
      Society, the Japan Society for Equilibrium Research, the European Academy of
      Otology and Neurotology (EAONO), the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and
      Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) and the Korean Balance Society].
AB  - This paper presents diagnostic criteria for Meniere's disease jointly formulated
      by the Classification Committee of the Barany Society, The Japan Society for
      Equilibrium Research, the European Academy of Otology and Neurotology (EAONO),
      the Equilibrium Committee of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck
      Surgery (AAO-HNS) and the Korean Balance Society. The classification includes 2
      categories: definite Meniere's disease and probable Meniere's disease. The
      diagnosis of definite Meniere's disease is based on clinical criteria and
      requires the observation of an episodic vertigo syndrome associated with low-to
      medium-frequency sensorineural hearing loss and fluctuating aural symptoms
      (hearing, tinnitus and/or fullness) in the affected ear. Duration of vertigo
      episodes is limited to a period between 20 min and 12h. Probable Meniere's
      disease is a broader concept defined by episodic vestibular symptoms (vertigo or
      dizziness) associated with fluctuating aural symptoms occurring in a period from
      20 min to 24h.

PMID- 26277739
TI  - Labyrinthine haemorrhage secondary to oral anticoagulants.

PMID- 26277740
TI  - The effect of spatio-temporal distance between visual stimuli on information
      processing in children with Specific Language Impairment.
AB  - The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether children with Specific Language
      Impairment (SLI) have a deficit in processing a sequence of two visual stimuli
      (S1 and S2) presented at different inter-stimulus intervals and in different
      spatial locations. In particular, the core of this study is to investigate
      whether S1 identification is disrupted due to a retroactive interference of S2.
      To this aim, two experiments were planned in which children with SLI and children
      with typical development (TD), matched by age and non-verbal IQ, were compared
      (Experiment 1: SLI n=19; TD n=19; Experiment 2: SLI n=16; TD n=16). Results show
      group differences in the ability to identify a single stimulus surrounded by
      flankers (Baseline level). Moreover, children with SLI show a stronger negative
      interference of S2, both for temporal and spatial modulation. These results are
      discussed in the light of an attentional processing limitation in children with
      SLI. 

PMID- 26277741
TI  - The neurotoxicology of uranium.
AB  - The brain is a target of environmental toxic pollutants that impair cerebral
      functions. Uranium is present in the environment as a result of natural deposits
      and release by human applications. The first part of this review describes the
      passage of uranium into the brain, and its effects on neurological functions and
      cognitive abilities. Very few human studies have looked at its cognitive effects.
      Experimental studies show that after exposure, uranium can reach the brain and
      lead to neurobehavioral impairments, including increased locomotor activity,
      perturbation of the sleep-wake cycle, decreased memory, and increased anxiety.
      The mechanisms underlying these neurobehavioral disturbances are not clearly
      understood. It is evident that there must be more than one toxic mechanism and
      that it might include different targets in the brain. In the second part, we
      therefore review the principal mechanisms that have been investigated in
      experimental models: imbalance of the anti/pro-oxidant system and neurochemical
      and neurophysiological pathways. Uranium effects are clearly specific according
      to brain area, dose, and time. Nonetheless, this review demonstrates the paucity
      of data about its effects on developmental processes and the need for more
      attention to the consequences of exposure during development. 

PMID- 26277742
TI  - Biosimilars in India.
AB  - Biosimilars have been defined as biotech drugs that have been shown to have
      comparable quality, safety and efficacy to the original product. The past decade
      has seen a significant increase in interest in these products from the biotech
      industry. Major developments have occurred with respect to establishing a
      regulatory path for approval of these products as well as in our understanding of
      how the different quality attributes of a biosimilar impact its safety and
      efficacy. India is globally regarded to have great potential to become a
      significant player in development and commercialization of biosimilars. This
      short communication aims to provide a brief discussion on where India is with
      respect to development and commercialization of biosimilars, major challenges it
      faces, and finally the significant role that proteomics can play in establishing
      analytical comparability of biosimilars.This article is part of a Special Issue
      entitled: Proteomics in India.

PMID- 26277744
TI  - Methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS)-based silica-iron oxide superhydrophobic
      nanocomposites.
AB  - We report a facile synthesis of superhydrophobic silica-iron oxide nanocomposites
      via a co-precursor sol-gel process. The choice of the silica precursor
      (Methyltrimethoxysilane, MTMS) in combination with iron nitrate altered the pore
      structure dramatically. The influence of iron oxide doping on the structural
      properties of pristine MTMS aerogel is discussed. 

PMID- 26277743
TI  - Dopamine D1 receptor stimulation modulates the formation and retrieval of novel
      object recognition memory: Role of the prelimbic cortex.
AB  - Previous studies have shown that dopamine D1 receptor antagonists impair novel
      object recognition memory but the effects of dopamine D1 receptor stimulation
      remain to be determined. This study investigated the effects of the selective
      dopamine D1 receptor agonist SKF81297 on acquisition and retrieval in the novel
      object recognition task in male Wistar rats. SKF81297 (0.4 and 0.8 mg/kg s.c.)
      given 15 min before the sampling phase impaired novel object recognition
      evaluated 10 min or 24 h later. The same treatments also reduced novel object
      recognition memory tested 24 h after the sampling phase and when given 15 min
      before the choice session. These data indicate that D1 receptor stimulation
      modulates both the encoding and retrieval of object recognition memory.
      Microinfusion of SKF81297 (0.025 or 0.05 MUg/side) into the prelimbic sub-region
      of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in this case 10 min before the sampling
      phase also impaired novel object recognition memory, suggesting that the mPFC is
      one important site mediating the effects of D1 receptor stimulation on visual
      recognition memory.

PMID- 26277745
TI  - Recent advancement of gelatin nanoparticles in drug and vaccine delivery.
AB  - Novel drug delivery system using nanoscale materials with a broad spectrum of
      applications provides a new therapeutic foundation for technological integration
      and innovation. Nanoparticles are suitable drug carrier for various routes of
      administration as well as rapid recognition by the immune system. Gelatin, the
      biological macromolecule is a versatile drug/vaccine delivery carrier in
      pharmaceutical field due to its biodegradable, biocompatible, non-antigenicity
      and low cost with easy availability. The surface of gelatin nanoparticles can be
      modified with site-specific ligands, cationized with amine derivatives or, coated
      with polyethyl glycols to achieve targeted and sustained release drug delivery.
      Compared to other colloidal carriers, gelatin nanoparticles are better stable in
      biological fluids to provide the desired controlled and sustained release of
      entrapped drug molecules. The current review highlights the different formulation
      aspects of gelatin nanoparticles which affect the particle characteristics like
      zeta potential, polydispersity index, entrapment efficacy and drug release
      properties. It has also given emphasis on the major applications of gelatin
      nanoparticles in drug and vaccine delivery, gene delivery to target tissues and
      nutraceutical delivery for improving the poor bioavailabity of bioactive
      phytonutrients. 

PMID- 26277746
TI  - Characterization of a new family 75 chitosanase from Aspergillus sp. W-2.
AB  - A new chitosanase gene of glycoside hydrolase (GH) family 75, csnw2, was cloned
      from an isolated strain Aspergillus sp. W-2 (CGMCC7018). The mature CsnW2
      protein, fused to His-tag at C-terminus, was expressed in Pichia pastoris X-33
      and purified with the affinity chromatography of Ni(2+)-NTA. The novel
      recombinant CsnW2 showed maximal activity with chitosan at pH 6.0 and 55 degrees
      C. Moreover, it had good pH stability and thermostability at a broad pH range of
      3.0-10.0 and a temperature range of 30-70 degrees C, respectively. The enzymatic
      activity of the CsnW2 could be significantly enhanced by Ca(2+), Mn(2+) and
      Mg(2+) at a concentration of 1mM, but strongly inhibited by Fe(2+), Zn(2+),
      Ge(2+), Ni(2+) and Cu(2+) above 1mM. The CsnW2 showed specific hydrolytic
      activity against chitosan and preferred to hydrolyze chitosan with high degree of
      deacetylation. The main products of chtiosan (92% deacetylation) were chitosan
      oligosaccharides (COS) with degree of polymerization (DP) arranging from 2 to 6.
      Combined with the hydrolysis of COS from DP2 to DP6, CsnW2 was considered to be
      an endo-acting chitosanase. 

PMID- 26277747
TI  - Antioxidant activity and optimization of extraction of polysaccharide from the
      roots of Dipsacus asperoides.
AB  - Polysaccharide extraction from Dipsacus asperoides roots (DAP) was proved to
      possess strong antioxidant activities, including 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl
      (DPPH), 2,2-Azobis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) radical
      scavenging activities, inhibiting beta-carotene bleaching and strong reducing
      power. Cell assay demonstrated that the crude DAP possessed antioxidant activity
      and were effective against H2O2-induced L02 cells injury. Then, response surface
      methodology (RSM) was applied to optimize the ultrasonic extraction of DAP. The
      optimum variables given by central composite design (CCD) were as follows: ratio
      of water to raw material, 38.61mL/g; ultrasonic power, 308.68W; extraction time,
      38.61min; and extraction temperature, 89 degrees C. Under these conditions, the
      maximum yield of DAP obtained was 7.12+/-0.45%. Moreover, high performance liquid
      chromatography (HPLC) analysis suggested that the monosaccharide compositions of
      DAP contained primarily mannose, ribose, glucose, galactose, xylose and
      arabinose, with a molar ratio of 0.22:0.48:2.29:0.34:1.39:1.41. The results of
      the present study showed that DAP could be considered as potential sources of
      natural antioxidants. 

PMID- 26277748
TI  - Characterization of Auricularia auricula polysaccharides and its antioxidant
      properties in fresh and pickled product.
AB  - The study planned to determine proximate composition, antioxidant activity and
      chemical characterization in the fruit bodies of Auricularia auricula and pickled
      product. Two polysaccharide fractions (AAPF, AAPP) were purified from the
      fruiting body of A. auricula by ethanol precipitation, deproteination and
      macroporous resins and were subsequently lyophilized. The results showed that
      AAPF consisted of five monosaccharides, including glucose, rhamnose, arabinose,
      mannose and galactose with a molar ratio of 16.74:1.0:1.18:1.0:1.0; in contrast,
      AAPP was composed of four monosaccharides, namely arabinose, mannose, galactose
      and xylose with the molar ratio of 15.59:1.52:4.76:1.0. AAPF and AAPP were
      characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), which indicated
      peaks at approximately 3500cm(-1) and 522.28cm(-1) in the carbohydrate region and
      composed of beta-glycoside linkages at the 1200-1000cm(-1) peaks. However, the
      antioxidant activity of AAPF demonstrated a significant result in scavenging free
      radicals except for DDPH. The in vitro test indicated that AAPF and AAPP have
      good antioxidant activity, demonstrating that A. auricula polysaccharide has
      immense potential as a functional food. 

PMID- 26277749
TI  - Surface morphology of chitin highly related with the isolated body part of
      butterfly (Argynnis pandora).
AB  - This study was conducted to understand the differences in the physicochemical
      properties of chitin samples isolated from the wings and the other body parts
      except the wings (OBP) of a butterfly species (Argynnis pandora). The same
      isolation method was used for obtaining chitin specimens from both types of body
      parts. The chitin content of the wings (22%) was recorded as being much higher
      than the OBP (8%). The extracted chitin samples were characterized via FT-IR,
      TGA, XRD, SEM, and elemental analysis techniques. Results of these
      characterizations revealed that the chitins from both structures (wings and OBP)
      were very similar, except for their surface morphologies. SEM results
      demonstrated one type of surface morphology for the wings and four different
      surface morphologies for the OBP. Therefore, it can be hypothesized that the
      surface morphology of the chitin is highly related with the body part. 

PMID- 26277750
TI  - Evaluation of the recombinant turkey pancreatic lipase phospholipase activity: A
      monolayer study.
AB  - Classical lipases are well known for being enzymes hydrolysing triacylglycerols
      as substrate, except the porcine pancreatic lipase (PPL) which was able to
      hydrolyze phosphatidylcholine. Amino acid sequence alignments revealed that
      Valine 260 residue in PPL lid, postulated to be responsible for the PPL
      phospholipase activity, was present in the Turkey pancreatic lipase (TPL). The
      importance of Val 260 in the phospholipase activities expression has been
      reported. To confirm this fact, Val 260 was mutated to Alanine in the TPL lid.
      Mutated protein has conserved its phospholipase activity as well as the non
      mutated TPL. Therefore, Valine 260 residue in the lid is not involved in the
      pancreatic lipases phospholipase activity. The rTPL phospholipase activity was
      also studied using monolayer technique. This avian pancreatic lipase has shown
      phospholipase activity toward differently charged phospholipids. The highest
      phospholipase activity was found on phosphatidylglycerol (negatively charged
      substrate) at a surface pressure of 20mN/m, but when a zwitterionic substrate was
      used (DLPC), a lower activity was found at a surface pressure of 10mN/m. However,
      it is worth noticing that the TPL phospholipase activity is about 100 fold lower
      than its lipase activity. GC chromatography analyses of the released fatty acids
      from the hydrolysis of 1,2-POPC have shown that rTPL hydrolyses esters bonds at
      the sn-1 as well as the sn-2 position of phospholipids. Hence, rTPL shows a low
      phospholipase activity in comparison to its activity toward triacylglycerols. 

PMID- 26277751
TI  - Role of the salt bridge between glutamate 546 and arginine 907 in preservation of
      autoinhibited form of Apaf-1.
AB  - Apaf-1, the key element of apoptotic mitochondrial pathway, normally exists in an
      auto-inhibited form inside the cytosol. WRD-domain of Apaf-1 has a critical role
      in the preservation of auto-inhibited form; however the underlying mechanism is
      unclear. It seems the salt bridges between WRD and NOD domains are involved in
      maintaining the inactive conformation of Apaf-1. At the present study, we have
      investigated the effect of E546-R907 salt bridge on the maintenance of auto
      inhibited form of human Apaf-1. E546 is mutated to glutamine (Q) and arginine
      (R). Over-expression of wild type Apaf-1 and its E546Q and E546R variants in
      HEK293T cells does not induce apoptosis unlike - HL-60 cancer cell line. In vitro
      apoptosome formation assay showed that all variants are cytochrome c and dATP
      dependent to form apoptosome and activate endogenous procaspase-9 in Apaf-1
      knockout MEF cell line. These results suggest that E546 is not a critical residue
      for preservation of auto-inhibited Apaf-1. Furthermore, the behavior of Apaf-1
      variants for in vitro apoptosome formation in HEK293T cell is similar to
      exogenous wild type Apaf-1. Wild type and its variants can form apoptosome in
      HEK293T cell with different procaspase-3 processing pattern in the presence and
      absence of exogenous cytochrome c and dATP. 

PMID- 26277752
TI  - Alyssum homolocarpum seed gum: Dilute solution and some physicochemical
      properties.
AB  - The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of various temperatures
      (25-65 degrees C) on some dilute solution properties of Alyssum homolocarpum seed
      gum (AHSG) as a novel potential source of hydrocolloid. Monosaccharide
      composition, FTIR analysis and molecular parameters were determined to provide
      more structural information. The results indicated that AHSG had a low molecular
      weight (3.66*10(5)Da), medium intrinsic viscosity (18.34dl/g) at 25 degrees C,
      relatively flexible chain with a chain flexibility parameter of 618.54, and
      activation energy of 0.51*10(7)J/kgmol. With rise in temperature from 25 to 55
      degrees C, the intrinsic viscosity decreased as well as coil radius and volume of
      AHSG. The shape factor of AHSG macromolecule was spherical at all temperatures.
      The electrostatic interaction and particle size of AHSG solution were -25.81mV
      (at neutral pH) and 225.36nm, respectively. The results revealed that AHSG had
      high total sugar content (85.33%), small amount of uronic acids (5.63%) and it is
      likely a galactan-type polysaccharide. The FTIR spectra showed that AHSG behaved
      like a typical polyelectrolyte because of the presence of carboxyl and hydroxyl
      groups. 

PMID- 26277753
TI  - A balanced JA/ABA status may correlate with adaptation to osmotic stress in Vitis
      cells.
AB  - Water-related stress is considered a major type of plant stress. Osmotic stress,
      in particular, represents the common part of all water-related stresses.
      Therefore, plants have evolved different adaptive mechanisms to cope with osmotic
      related disturbances. In the current work, two grapevine cell lines that differ
      in their osmotic adaptability, Vitis rupestris and Vitis riparia, were
      investigated under mannitol-induced osmotic stress. To dissect signals that lead
      to adaptability from those related to sensitivity, osmotic-triggered responses
      with respect to jasmonic acid (JA) and its active form JA-Ile, abscisic acid
      (ABA), and stilbene compounds, as well as the expression of their related genes
      were observed. In addition, the transcript levels of the cellular homeostasis
      gene NHX1 were examined. The data are discussed with a hypothesis suggesting that
      a balance of JA and ABA status might correlate with cellular responses, either
      guiding cells to sensitivity or to progress toward adaptation. 

PMID- 26277754
TI  - Comparison of individual and combined effects of salinity and deficit irrigation
      on physiological, nutritional and ornamental aspects of tolerance in Callistemon
      laevis plants.
AB  - The effect of water deficit, salinity and both applied simultaneously on several
      physiological and morphological parameters in the ornamental plant Callistemon
      laevis was studied to identify the tolerance mechanisms developed by this species
      to these sources of stress and to evaluate their adaptability to such conditions.
      C. laevis plants were grown in pots outdoors and subjected to four irrigation
      treatments lasting ten months: control (0.8 dS m(-1), 100% water holding
      capacity), water deficit (0.8 dS m(-1), 50% of the amount of water supplied in
      control), saline (4.0 dS m(-1), same amount of water supplied as control) and
      saline water deficit (4.0 dS m(-1), 50% of the water supplied in the control).
      Water and saline stress, when applied individually, led to a reduction of 12% and
      39% of total biomass, respectively, while overall plant quality (leaf color and
      flowering) was unaffected. However, saline water deficit affected leaf color and
      flowering and induced an excessive decrease of growth (68%) due to leaf tissue
      dehydration and a high leaf Cl and Na concentration. Biomass partitioning
      depended not only on the amount of water applied, but also on the electrical
      conductivity of the water. Water stress induced active osmotic adjustment and
      decreased leaf tissue elasticity. Although both Na and Cl concentrations in the
      plant tissues increased with salinity, Cl entry through the roots was more
      restricted. In plants submitted to salinity individually, Na tended to remain in
      the roots and stems, and little reached the leaves. However, plants
      simultaneously submitted to water and saline stress were not able to retain this
      ion in the woody parts. The decrease in stomatal conductance and photosynthesis
      was more marked in the plants submitted to both stresses, the effect of which
      decreased photosynthesis, and this together with membrane damage delayed plant
      recovery. The results show that the combination of deficit irrigation and
      salinity in C. laevis is not recommended since it magnifies the adverse effects
      of either when applied individually.

PMID- 26277755
TI  - Five new compounds from the fungus Ganoderma petchii.
AB  - The fungal species of the genus Ganoderma attracted great interest in the last
      decades. Our recent investigation on Ganoderma petchii afforded five new
      compounds, (-)-petchioics A and B (1 and 2), petchiates A and B (3 and 4),
      petchine (5), and a known compound. The structures of the new compounds were
      elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data. The absolute configurations of 1
      and 2 were assigned by computational methods. Biological activities of these
      isolates towards human cancer cells, COX-1/2, and influenza virus were evaluated.

PMID- 26277756
TI  - Does Streptococcus mitis, a neonatal oropharyngeal bacterium, influence the
      pathogenicity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa?
AB  - Microorganisms in a biofilm might promote or suppress each other. We previously
      found that Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) and the normal colonized
      bacteria in the oropharynx, Streptococcus mitis (S. mitis), were the most common
      bacteria in the biofilm found on newborns' endotracheal tubes. Here, we found
      that S. mitis enhanced the adhesion and biofilm formation of P. aeruginosa.
      Furthermore, it alleviated the immune response induced by P. aeruginosa. These
      findings remind us that we should not ignore the role of traditionally viewed non
      pathogenic bacteria in biofilms and provide new insights into exploring bacterial
      interaction mechanisms in biofilm related infections. 

PMID- 26277757
TI  - Synthesis, biological evaluation and docking study of maleimide derivatives
      bearing benzenesulfonamide as selective COX-2 inhibitors and anti-inflammatory
      agents.
AB  - A series of maleimide analogs bearing benzenesulfonamide were synthesized (4a-r).
      The anti-inflammatory activity of synthesized derivatives was evaluated using
      carrageenan induced rat paw edema model. COX-1 and COX-2 potency was evaluated
      through in vitro cyclooxygenase assays. The results revealed that, compounds 4a,
      4h, 4 j, 4 k and 4r had potent COX-2 percentage inhibition as well as in vivo
      anti-inflammatory activity. The potent compound 4 j was docked into the COX-2
      active site to determine the probable binding model. The results of in vivo and
      in vitro studies demonstrate that phenyl ring with electron withdrawing groups on
      maleimide ring would generate more potent anti-inflammatory agents. Thus, these
      compounds can serve as potential leads for further anti-inflammatory studies.

PMID- 26277758
TI  - Discovery of N-(4-aryl-5-aryloxy-thiazol-2-yl)-amides as potent RORgammat inverse
      agonists.
AB  - A novel series of N-(4-aryl-5-aryloxy-thiazol-2-yl)-amides as RORgammat inverse
      agonists was discovered. Binding mode analysis of a RORgammat partial agonist
      (2c) revealed by co-crystal structure in RORgammat LBD suggests that the inverse
      agonists do not directly interfere with the interaction between H12 and the
      RORgammat LBD. Detailed SAR exploration led to identification of potent RORgammat
      inverse agonists such as 3m with a pIC50 of 8.0. Selected compounds in the series
      showed reasonable activity in Th17 cell differentiation assay as well as low
      intrinsic clearance in mouse liver microsomes. 

PMID- 26277759
TI  - Discovery of thieno[3,2-c]pyridin-4-amines as novel Bruton's tyrosine kinase
      (BTK) inhibitors.
AB  - A novel series of BTK inhibitors bearing thieno[3,2-c]pyridin-4-amine framework
      as the core scaffold were designed, synthesized and well characterized. In this
      paper, twenty one compounds displayed variant inhibitory activities against BTK
      in vitro, and compound 14 g showed the most potent inhibitory activity against
      BTK enzyme, with the IC50 value of 12.8 nM. Moreover, compounds 14 g displayed
      relatively good kinase selectivity and was subsequently evaluated in vivo for
      profiling its PK properties. This work identified the thieno[3,2-c]pyridin-4
      amine derivatives as novel BTK inhibitors and verified the value of thieno[3,2
      c]pyridin-4-amine scaffold in drug design.

PMID- 26277760
TI  - Design, chemical synthesis and biological evaluation of 3-spiromorpholinone/3
      spirocarbamate androsterone derivatives as inhibitors of 17beta-hydroxysteroid
      dehydrogenase type 3.
AB  - 17beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 3 (17beta-HSD3) is a key enzyme involved
      in the biosynthesis of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone. These hormones are
      known to stimulate androgen-dependent prostate cancer. In order to generate
      effective inhibitors of androgen biosynthesis without androgenic effect, we
      synthesized a new family of 3-spiromorpholinone and 3-spirocarbamate androsterone
      derivatives bearing diversified hydrophobic groups. We also tested their
      inhibitory activity in a microsomal fraction of 17beta-HSD3-containing rat
      testes, and their androgenic effect on androgen-sensitive LAPC-4 cells. From our
      first structure-activity relationship (SAR) study, we noted that compound 7e
      inhibited 17beta-HSD3 (77% at 0.1 MUM) compared to our reference compound RM-532
      105 (76% at 0.1 MUM), but exhibited a residual androgenic effect. A library of 7e
      analogue compounds was next synthesized in order to generate compounds with
      reduced androgenic activity. In this new SAR study, the sulfonamide compound 7e21
      and the carboxamide compound 7e22 inhibited 17beta-HSD3 (IC50 = 28 and 88 nM,
      respectively). These two compounds were not androgenic and not cytotoxic even at
      the highest concentration tested, but their inhibitory activity decreased in
      intact LNCaP cells overexpressing 17beta-HSD3 (LNCaP[17beta-HSD3]). Structural
      modifications of these two lead compounds could however be tested to produce a
      second generation of 17beta-HSD3 inhibitors.

PMID- 26277761
TI  - Multiple metastases to vertebrae after surgical management, chemotherapy, and
      bone marrow transplantation for granulocytic sarcoma of the spine.

PMID- 26277762
TI  - Severe thoracic kyphosis.

PMID- 26277763
TI  - Changing the Carburetor Without Changing the Plugs: The Intersection of Stock Car
      Racing With Mechanically Assisted Circulation.

PMID- 26277764
TI  - Long-Term Extrapolation of Clinical Benefits Among Patients With Mild Heart
      Failure Receiving Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy: Analysis of the 5-Year
      Follow-Up From the REVERSE Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study sought to assess the lifelong extrapolated patient
      outcomes with cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in mild heart failure (HF),
      beyond the follow-up of randomized clinical trials (RCTs). BACKGROUND: RCTs have
      demonstrated short-term survival and HF hospitalization benefits of CRT in mild
      HF. We used data from the 5-year follow-up of the REVERSE (REsynchronization
      reVErses Remodeling in Systolic left vEntricular dysfunction) study to
      extrapolate survival and HF hospitalizations. We compared CRT-ON versus CRT-OFF
      and CRT defibrillators (CRT-D) versus CRT pacemakers (CRT-P). METHODS:
      Multivariate regression models were used to estimate treatment-specific all-cause
      mortality, disease progression, and HF-related hospitalization rates. Rank
      preserving structural failure time (RPSFT) models were used to adjust for
      protocol-mandated crossover in the survival analysis. RESULTS: CRT-ON was
      predicted to increase survival by 22.8% (CRT-ON 52.5% vs. CRT-OFF 29.7%; hazard
      ratio [HR]: 0.45; p = 0.21), leading to an expected survival of 9.76 years (CRT
      ON) versus 7.5 years (CRT-OFF). CRT-D showed a significant improvement in
      survival compared with CRT-P (HR: 0.47; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.25 to
      0.88; p = 0.02) and were predicted to offer 2.77 additional life-years. New York
      Heart Association (NYHA) functional class II patients had a 30.6% higher HF
      hospitalization risk than class I (I vs. II incident rate ratio [IRR]: 0.69; 95%
      CI: 0.57 to 0.85; p < 0.001) and 3 times lower rate compared with class III (III
      vs. II IRR: 2.98; 95% CI: 2.29 to 3.87; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: RPSFT estimates
      yielded results demonstrating clinically important long-term benefit of CRT in
      mild HF. CRT was predicted to reduce mortality, with CRT-D prolonging life more
      than CRT-P. NYHA functional class I/II patients were shown to have a
      significantly reduced risk of HF hospitalization compared with class III, leading
      to CRT reducing HF hospitalization rates.

PMID- 26277765
TI  - Physical Activity and Heart Failure Risk in a Prospective Study of Men.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study investigated if total physical activity, as well as
      different types of physical activity, were associated with heart failure risk.
      BACKGROUND: Physical activity has shown to be associated with reduced risks of
      coronary heart disease and stroke. Studies have also suggested that physical
      activity is associated with heart failure development. METHODS: A study
      population of 33,012 men was followed from beginning of 1998 until the end of
      2012. First event of heart failure was ascertained through linkage to the Swedish
      National Patient Register and Cause of Death Register. The data were analyzed by
      using Cox proportional hazards regression and Laplace regression. RESULTS: During
      a mean follow-up of 13 years, we ascertained a total of 3,609 first events of
      heart failure. The average age at study baseline was 60 +/- 9 years of age. When
      examining the entire study population, a U-shaped association between total
      physical activity and heart failure risk was detected, with both extremely high
      (57 metabolic equivalent [MET] h/day) and extremely low (38 MET h/day) levels of
      total physical activity associated with an increased risk of heart failure. When
      investigating different types of physical activity, we found that
      walking/bicycling at least 20 min/day was associated with 21% lower risk of heart
      failure (95% confidence interval: 0.72 to 0.87); corresponding to a median age at
      heart failure 8 months later for those who had actively walked or biked daily.
      When looking at long-term behavior of walking/bicycling, the results suggested a
      trend toward more recent active behavior being more related to heart failure
      protection than past physical activity levels. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests
      that both low levels and high levels of total physical activity, in comparison
      with moderate levels, could increase heart failure risk in men and that certain
      types of physical activity are associated with a protective effect on heart
      failure in men. When examining different types of physical activity,
      walking/bicycling at least 20 min per day was associated with the largest risk
      reduction of heart failure.

PMID- 26277766
TI  - Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy for Mild Heart Failure: Compelling Evidence of
      Long-Term Benefits.

PMID- 26277767
TI  - Green Means Go ... Physical Activity and the Prevention of Heart Failure.

PMID- 26277769
TI  - Functional characterization of a plastidal cation-dependent O-methyltransferase
      from the liverwort Plagiochasma appendiculatum.
AB  - Caffeoyl CoA O-methyltransferases (CCoAOMTs), known to be involved in
      phenylpropanoid metabolism and lignin synthesis, have been characterized from
      several higher plant species, which also harbor CCoAOMT-like enzymes responsible
      for methylation of a variety of flavonoids, anthocyanins, coumarins and
      phenylpropanoids. Here, a gene encoding a CCoAOMT (PaOMT1) was isolated from a
      sequenced cDNA library of the liverwort species Plagiochasma appendiculatum, a
      species belonging to the Family Aytoniaceae. The full-length cDNA sequence of
      PaOMT1 contains 909 bp, and is predicted to encode a protein with 302 amino
      acids. The gene products were 40-50% identical to CCoAOMT sequences of other
      plants. Experiments based on recombinant PaOMT1 showed that the enzyme was able
      to methylate phenylpropanoids, flavonoids and coumarins, with a preference for
      the flavonoid quercetin (19). Although the substrate selectivity and biochemical
      feature of PaOMT1 is similar to CCoAOMT-like enzymes, the sequence alignment
      results indicated PaOMT1 is closer to true CCoAOMT enzymes. A phylogenetic
      analysis indicated that PaOMT1 is intermediate between true CCoAOMTs and CCoAOMT
      like enzymes. The transient expression of a PaOMT1-GFP fusion in tobacco
      demonstrated that PaOMT1 is directed to the plastids. PaOMT1 may represent an
      ancestral form of higher plant true CCoAOMT and CCoAOMT-like enzymes. This is the
      first time an O-methyltransferase was characterized in liverworts.

PMID- 26277768
TI  - Further Peripheral Vascular Dysfunction in Heart Failure Patients With a
      Continuous-Flow Left Ventricular Assist Device: The Role of Pulsatility.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Using flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) and reactive hyperemia (RH),
      this study aimed to provide greater insight into left ventricular assist device
      (LVAD)-induced changes in peripheral vascular function. BACKGROUND: Peripheral
      endothelial function is recognized to be impaired in patients with heart failure
      with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), but the peripheral vascular effects of
      continuous-flow LVAD implantation, now used as either a bridge to transplantation
      or as a destination therapy, remain unclear. METHODS: Sixty-eight subjects (13
      New York Heart Association [NYHA] functional class II HFrEF patients, 19 NYHA
      functional class III/IV HFrEF patients, 20 NYHA functional class III/IV HFrEF
      patients post-LVAD implantation, and 16 healthy age-matched control subjects)
      underwent FMD and RH testing in the brachial artery with blood flow velocity,
      artery diameters, and pulsatility index (PI) assessed by ultrasound Doppler.
      RESULTS: PI was significantly lower in the LVAD group (2.0 +/- 0.4) compared with
      both the HFrEF II (8.6 +/- 0.8) and HFrEF III/IV (8.1 +/- 0.9) patients, who, in
      turn, had significantly lower PI than the control subjects (12.8 +/- 0.9).
      Likewise, LVAD %FMD/shear rate (0.09 +/- 0.01 %Delta/s(-1)) was significantly
      reduced compared with all other groups (control subjects, 0.24 +/- 0.03; HFrEF
      II, 0.17 +/- 0.02; and HFrEF III/IV, 0.13 +/- 0.02 %Delta/s(-1)), and %FMD/shear
      rate significantly correlated with PI (r = 0.45). RH was unremarkable across
      groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although central hemodynamics are improved in patients with
      HFrEF by a continuous-flow LVAD, peripheral vascular function is further
      compromised, which is likely due, at least in part, to the reduction in
      pulsatility that is a characteristic of such a mechanical assist device.

PMID- 26277770
TI  - Oxylipins in the spikemoss Selaginella martensii: Detection of divinyl ethers, 12
      oxophytodienoic acid and related cyclopentenones.
AB  - Green tissues of spikemoss Selaginella martensii Spring possessed the complex
      oxylipins patterns. Major oxylipins were the products of linoleic and alpha
      linolenic acids metabolism via the sequential action of 13-lipoxygenase and
      divinyl ether synthase (DES) or allene oxide synthase (AOS). AOS products were
      represented by 12-oxophytodienoic acid (12-oxo-PDA) isomers. Exceptionally, S.
      martensii possesses high level of 12-oxo-9(13),15-PDA, which is very uncommon in
      flowering plants. Separate divinyl ethers were purified after micro-preparative
      incubations of linoleic or alpha-linolenic acids with homogenate of S. martensii
      aerial parts. The NMR data allowed us to identify all geometric isomers of
      divinyl ethers. Linoleic acid was converted to divinyl ethers etheroleic acid,
      (11Z)-etheroleic acid and a minority of (omega5Z)-etheroleic acid. With alpha
      linolenate precursor, the specificity of divinyl ether biosynthesis was distinct.
      Etherolenic and (omega5Z)-etherolenic acids were the prevailing products while
      (11Z)-etherolenic acid was a minor one. Divinyl ethers are detected first time in
      non-flowering land plant. These are the first observations of fatty acid
      metabolism through the lipoxygenase pathway in spikemosses (Lycopodiophyta). 

PMID- 26277771
TI  - Suicide in Portugal: Spatial determinants in a context of economic crisis.
AB  - This study compares the existing statistical association between suicide
      mortality and the characteristics of places of residence (municipalities), before
      and during the current economic crisis, in Portugal. We found that (1) the
      traditional culture-based North/South pattern of suicidal behaviour has faded
      away, while the socioeconomic urban/rural divide has become more pronounced; (2)
      suicide is associated with higher levels of rurality and material deprivation;
      and (3) recent shifts in suicidal trends may result from the current period of
      crisis. Strategies targeting rural areas combined with public policies that
      address area deprivation may have important implications for tackling suicide. 

PMID- 26277772
TI  - Journeying with HIV patients across the health care spectrum - an examination of
      a seamless model of HIV Psychiatry of a large urban general hospital.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe a model of HIV psychiatry used in an urban hospital in
      Toronto and examine it against current literature. METHOD: Using a narrative
      method, we elaborate on how this model delivers care across many different
      settings and the integral roles that the HIV psychiatrist plays in each of these
      settings. This is articulated against a backdrop of existing literature regarding
      models of HIV care. RESULTS: This model is an example of an integrated model as
      opposed to a traditional consultation-liaison model and is able to deliver
      seamless care while remaining focused on patient-centric care. CONCLUSION: An HIV
      psychiatrist delivers seamless and patient-centric care by journeying with
      patients across the healthcare spectrum and playing different roles in different
      care settings.

PMID- 26277774
TI  - Single-dose serotonergic stimulation shows widespread effects on functional brain
      connectivity.
AB  - The serotonergic system is widely distributed throughout the central nervous
      system. It is well known as a mood regulating system, although it also
      contributes to many other functions. With resting state functional magnetic
      resonance imaging (RS-fMRI) it is possible to investigate whole brain functional
      connectivity. We used this non-invasive neuroimaging technique to measure acute
      pharmacological effects of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor sertraline
      (75 mg) in 12 healthy volunteers. In this randomized, double blind, placebo
      controlled, crossover study, RS-fMRI scans were repeatedly acquired during both
      visits (at baseline and 3, 5, 7 and 9h after administering sertraline or
      placebo). Within-group comparisons of voxelwise functional connectivity with ten
      functional networks were examined (p<0.005, corrected) using a mixed effects
      model with cerebrospinal fluid, white matter, motion parameters, heart rate and
      respiration as covariates. Sertraline induced widespread effects on functional
      connectivity with multiple networks; the default mode network, the executive
      control network, visual networks, the sensorimotor network and the auditory
      network. A common factor among these networks was the involvement of the
      precuneus and posterior cingulate cortex. Cognitive and subjective measures were
      taken as well, but yielded no significant treatment effects, emphasizing the
      sensitivity of RS-fMRI to pharmacological challenges. The results are consistent
      with the existence of an extensive serotonergic system relating to multiple brain
      functions with a possible key role for the precuneus and cingulate.

PMID- 26277773
TI  - Rapid multi-orientation quantitative susceptibility mapping.
AB  - Three-dimensional gradient echo (GRE) is the main workhorse sequence used for
      susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI), quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM),
      and susceptibility tensor imaging (STI). Achieving optimal phase signal-to-noise
      ratio requires late echo times, thus necessitating a long repetition time (TR).
      Combined with the large encoding burden of whole-brain coverage with high
      resolution, this leads to increased scan time. Further, the dipole kernel
      relating the tissue phase to the underlying susceptibility distribution
      undersamples the frequency content of the susceptibility map. Scans at multiple
      head orientations along with calculation of susceptibility through multi
      orientation sampling (COSMOS) are one way to effectively mitigate this issue.
      Additionally, STI requires a minimum of 6 head orientations to solve for the
      independent tensor elements in each voxel. The requirements of high-resolution
      imaging with long TR at multiple orientations substantially lengthen the
      acquisition of COSMOS and STI. The goal of this work is to dramatically speed up
      susceptibility mapping at multiple head orientations. We demonstrate highly
      efficient acquisition using 3D-GRE with Wave-CAIPI and dramatically reduce the
      acquisition time of these protocols. Using R=15-fold acceleration with Wave-CAIPI
      permits acquisition per head orientation in 90s at 1.1mm isotropic resolution,
      and 5:35min at 0.5mm isotropic resolution. Since Wave-CAIPI fully harnesses the
      3D spatial encoding capability of receive arrays, the maximum g-factor noise
      amplification remains below 1.30 at 3T and 1.12 at 7T. This allows a 30-min exam
      for STI with 12 orientations, thus paving the way to its clinical application.

PMID- 26277775
TI  - Area-level socioeconomic context, total mortality and cause-specific mortality in
      Spain: Heterogeneous findings depending on the level of geographic aggregation.
AB  - The objective of this study was to estimate the association between area-level
      socioeconomic context and mortality in Spain, using two different geographic
      aggregations. Nation-wide prospective study covering all persons living in Spain
      in 2001. Mortality was analysed in Spanish citizens by province of residence and
      in citizens of Madrid by neighbourhood of residence. Provinces and neighbourhoods
      were grouped into quartiles according to two socioeconomic indicators: percentage
      of the population with university education and unemployment rate. The measure of
      association was the rate ratio for total mortality and cause-specific mortality,
      by each socioeconomic indicator in two age groups, 25-64 years (adult population)
      and 65 years and over (elderly population). After adjustment for all individual
      socioeconomic variables, the rate ratio for total mortality among residents in
      the provinces with the worst versus best socioeconomic context was 0.92 (95% CI
      0.88-0.97) when the indicator was percentage of university population and 0.89
      (0.85-0.93) when it was unemployment rate in the adult population, and 1.05 (1.00
      1.11) and 1.08 (1.03-1.13), respectively, in the elderly population. No
      significant differences in mortality were observed between adults residing in
      neighbourhoods with the worst versus best socioeconomic context, but in the
      elderly population the mortality rate ratios for the two socioeconomic indicators
      were 1.04 (1.01-1.07) and 1.06 (1.03-1.09), respectively. Residents in provinces
      with the worst socioeconomic context had the lowest mortality from cancer and
      external causes and the highest mortality from cardiovascular diseases, while
      residents in neighbourhoods with the worst socioeconomic context had the highest
      mortality from respiratory and digestive diseases. Further research should find
      out the reasons for the lower total mortality in adult population residing in the
      Spanish provinces with the most adverse socioeconomic context and the reasons for
      excess mortality from digestive diseases and respiratory diseases among residents
      in neighbourhoods with the worst socioeconomic context. 

PMID- 26277776
TI  - A RepA-like protein from bacteriophage BFK20 is a multifunctional protein with
      primase, polymerase, NTPase and helicase activities.
AB  - Phage BFK20 replication protein gp43 comprises an N-terminal prim-pol domain and
      a C-terminal domain similar to replicative helicases. We prepared and studied two
      recombinant proteins: gp43-1 containing both prim-pol and helicase domains, and
      gp43C with the helicase domain only. A SEC-MALS analysis indicated that gp43-1
      forms a hexameric homooligomer. NTPase activity testing revealed that gp43-1 was
      able to hydrolyze a wide spectrum of NTPs, ATP the most efficiently. The ATPase
      activity of gp43-1 was strongly dependent on the presence of ssDNA in the
      reaction, but was low in the presence of dsDNA and in the absence of DNA. On the
      other hand, the ATPase activity of gp43C was very low regardless of the presence
      of DNA. The helicase activity of gp43-1 was detected using a fluorescence-based
      assay with a forked DNA substrate in the presence of ATP. However, no helicase
      activity could be detected for gp43C. We therefore conclude that the prim-pol
      domain is essential for the helicase and ssDNA-dependent ATPase activity of gp43
      1. 

PMID- 26277777
TI  - Identification of CCL2, RARRES2 and EFNB2 as host cell factors that influence the
      multistep replication of respiratory syncytial virus.
AB  - Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major causative agent of respiratory
      tract infections in children worldwide. Preterm children or those with underlying
      cardiopulmonary disorders are at particularly high risk of developing severe and
      lethal RSV respiratory tract infections; however, there are currently no
      effective vaccines or anti-viral drugs. To identify targets for the development
      of drugs to treat RSV infections, we investigated host cell factors involved in
      the replication of RSV. To this end, MDCK cells with low susceptibility to RSV
      were transfected with cDNA libraries derived from RSV-susceptible human lung or
      HeLa cells. A microarray analysis was subsequently performed on parental MDCK
      cells and MDCK cells that were converted to an RSV-susceptible form. Among the
      genes identified, chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2), retinoic acid receptor
      responder protein 2 (RARRES2) and ephrin-B2 (EFNB2) had a positive effect on RSV
      replication. Expression of these genes in MDCK cells resulted in a 10- to 100
      fold increase in RSV replication. CCL2 expression also disrupted the distribution
      of claudin-1, a tight junction protein, suggesting that CCL2 plays a role in
      claudin-based tight junction formation during RSV replication. The knockdown of
      EFNB2 and RARRES2 by siRNA in RSV-susceptible cell lines (HEp-2 and A549)
      resulted in reduced RSV replication, suggesting that EFNB2 and RARRES2
      participate in RSV replication. Together, our findings suggest that CCL2, RARRES2
      and EFNB2 are host cell factors involved in RSV replication. 

PMID- 26277778
TI  - Ex vivo modeling of feline herpesvirus replication in ocular and respiratory
      mucosae, the primary targets of infection.
AB  - Feline herpesvirus 1 (FeHV-1) is a major cause of rhinotracheitis and ocular
      diseases in cats. In the present study, the viral replication at the primary
      infection sites was studied using feline respiratory and ocular mucosa explants.
      The explants of three cats were maintained in an air-liquid culture up to 96
      hours without loss of viability. After inoculation with FeHV-1 (C27), no evidence
      of infection was noted in corneal epithelium, while plaque-wise replication was
      observed in conjunctival and tracheal mucosae beginning from 24 h post
      inoculation (hpi). The viral plaque diameters increased over time in trachea and
      conjunctiva and were larger in tracheal explants than in conjunctival explants at
      48 hpi. FeHV-1 penetrated the basement membrane in conjunctival and tracheal
      explants between 24 and 48 hpi. At 48 and 72 hpi, viral invasion was going deeper
      in tracheal explants than in conjunctival explants. Our study indicates that FeHV
      1 has a better capacity to invade the respiratory mucosa than the conjunctival
      mucosa, and prefers the conjunctiva, but not the cornea as a portal of entry
      during ocular infection.

PMID- 26277779
TI  - [Managing acute supraventricular arrhythmia in pregnancy].
AB  - Palpitations: frequent reason for referral to a cardiologist. Arrythmia: rare,
      mostly benign. Premature extra-beats and sustained tachy-arrhythmias: more
      frequent or revealed during pregnancy. Hemodynamic changes in expectant women
      favor an environment conducive to arrhythmogenesis. AF and flutter: very rare
      unless structural heart disease or hyperthyroidism. Drugs: careful monitoring of
      the patient and dose adjustments. Cardioversion: only in case of severe symptoms
      or hemodynamically unstable.

PMID- 26277780
TI  - [Translational pharmacology: Rationality or serendipity? Letter on the article
      "Endothelin: From discovery to pharmacotherapeutic innovations"].

PMID- 26277781
TI  - Does maternal race influence the short-term variation of the fetal heart rate? An
      historical cohort study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The main aim of this article was to analyze short-term variation
      (STV) of the fetal heart rate according to maternal race. The secondary aim was
      to study the baseline fetal heart rate according to this factor. STUDY DESIGN:
      This single-center historical cohort study covered the period from November 2008
      through December 2011 (n=182). The inclusion criteria were: black women from sub
      Saharan Africa or white European women, with a singleton pregnancy >=34 weeks and
      fetal heart rate recorded by computerized analysis (Oxford Sonicaid System 8002)
      at a prenatal visit. The exclusion criteria were: medication likely to modify
      fetal heart rate, abnormal fetal heart rate tracing, and being in labor. A
      multiple linear regression analysis was used to study the association between
      maternal race and STV. RESULTS: STV was lower by 2.6ms in fetuses of black women
      (n=55) compared to those of white women (n=127) (8.9+/-2.1ms vs. 11.4+/-3.4ms)
      (p<0.001). The basal fetal heart rate was higher (p=0.001), and the recording
      criteria were met less often for the black women (p=0.04). After adjustment for
      maternal age, body mass index at the beginning of pregnancy, maternal cigarette
      smoking, parity, gestational diabetes, gestational age at the time of the fetal
      heart rate recording, and the time between the last meal and the recording, mean
      STV was lower by 3.1+/-0.6ms in fetuses of black compared with white women
      (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: STV is lower in fetuses of black women compared to those
      of white women in a low-risk population. A study of black and white women with
      high-risk pregnancies is necessary to assess the impact of medical practices on
      perinatal outcome after STV analysis.

PMID- 26277782
TI  - Granulin levels in patients with idiopathic premature ovarian failure.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: With the prolongation of expected lifespan, premature ovarian failure
      (POF) has gained increased significance as a crucial female health problem. Here
      we aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of the levels of the growth factor
      Granulin, which has been associated with epithelial ovarian carcinoma, in the
      pathogenesis of POF. STUDY DESIGN: Thirty-one patients with POF and 57 patients
      as a control group were recruited for this study in a tertiary referral center in
      the capital of Turkey. Granulin levels and individual characteristics of the two
      groups were compared. RESULTS: Age and body mass indices were similar between the
      two groups. Granulin levels in patients with POF (2.94+/-1.91ng/mL) were
      significantly lower than in the control group (4.77+/-1.62ng/mL) (p<0.001).
      CONCLUSION: Future larger studies should focus on Granulin levels and its
      correlation with ovarian reserve markers, its clinical applicability, and its
      possible therapeutic value, thus providing further insight into the role of
      Granulin in the pathogenesis of POF.

PMID- 26277783
TI  - Laparoscopic salvage lateral pelvic lymph node dissection for locally recurrent
      rectal cancer.
AB  - AIM: The lateral pelvic lymph nodes are one of the major sites and sources of
      local recurrence (LR) after surgery for rectal cancer. Salvage lateral pelvic
      lymph node dissection (LPLD) is potentially curative, but the value of
      laparoscopic surgery in such cases is unknown. Our aim was to report the
      technical details of laparoscopic salvage LPLD for LR at these nodes after rectal
      cancer surgery. METHOD: The study was based on nine patients who underwent
      laparoscopic salvage LPLD for LR at the lateral pelvic lymph nodes after surgery
      for rectal cancer. The safety and feasibility of this procedure were determined.
      RESULTS: The median operation time was 381 min and the median estimated blood
      loss was 130 ml. There were no conversions. Adjacent structures removed en bloc
      were the pelvic plexus in four patients, the internal iliac artery in seven
      patients and the seminal vesicle in one patient. The median number of metastatic
      lymph nodes was 1 (range 1-11). CONCLUSION: Our novel technique of laparoscopic
      salvage LPLD for LR at the lateral pelvic lymph nodes is safe and feasible.

PMID- 26277784
TI  - Exploring teams of learners becoming "WE" in the Intensive Care Unit--a focused
      ethnographic study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Research about collaboration within teams of learners in intensive
      care is sparse, as is research on how the learners in a group develop into a
      team. The aim of this study was to explore the collaboration in teams of learners
      during a rotation in an interprofessional education unit in intensive care from a
      sociocultural learning perspective. METHODS: Focused Ethnographic methods were
      used to collect data following eight teams of learners in 2009 and 2010. Each
      team consisted of one resident, one specialist nurse student and their
      supervisors (n = 28). The material consisted of 100 hours of observations,
      interviews, and four hours of sound recordings. A qualitative analysis explored
      changing patterns of interplay through a constant comparative approach. RESULTS:
      The learners' collaboration progressed along a pattern of participation common to
      all eight groups with a chronological starting point and an end point. The
      progress consisted of three main steps where the learners' groups developed into
      teams during a week's training. The supervisors' guided the progress by gradually
      stepping back to provide latitude for critical reflection and action. CONCLUSION:
      Our main conclusion in training teams of learners how to collaborate in the
      intensive care is the crucial understanding of how to guide them to act like a
      team, feel like a team and having the authority to act as a team.

PMID- 26277785
TI  - Microvascular resistance in response to iodinated contrast media in normal and
      functionally impaired kidneys.
AB  - Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is considered to result from intrarenal
      vasoconstriction, and occurs more frequently in impaired than in normal kidneys.
      It was hypothesized that iodinated contrast media would markedly change renal
      blood flow and vascular resistance in functionally impaired kidneys. Thirty-six
      patients were enrolled (32 men; mean age, 75.3 +/- 7.6 years) undergoing
      diagnostic coronary angiography and were divided into two groups based on the
      presence of chronic kidney disease (CKD), defined as an estimated glomerular
      filtration rate (eGFR) of < 60 mL/min per 1.73 m(2) (CKD and non-CKD groups, n =
      18 in both). Average peak velocity (APV) and renal artery resistance index (RI)
      were measured by Doppler flow wire before and after administration of the
      iodinated contrast media. The APV and the RI were positively and inversely
      correlated with the eGFR at baseline, respectively (APV, R = 0.545, P = 0.001;
      RI, R = -0.627, P < 0.001). Mean RI was significantly higher (P = 0.015) and APV
      was significantly lower (P = 0.026) in the CKD than in the non-CKD group. Both
      APV (P < 0.001) and RI (P = 0.002) were significantly changed following contrast
      media administration in the non-CKD group, but not in the CKD group (APV, P =
      0.258; RI, P = 0.707). Although renal arterial resistance was higher in patients
      with CKD, it was not affected by contrast media administration, suggesting that
      patients with CKD could have an attenuated response to contrast media.

PMID- 26277786
TI  - Expression profiling of angiogenesis-related genes in brain metastases of lung
      cancer and melanoma.
AB  - Brain metastases (BM) are the most common brain tumors of adults and are
      associated with fatal prognosis. Formation of new blood vessels, named
      angiogenesis, was proposed to be the main hallmark of the growth of BM. Previous
      preclinical evidence revealed that angiogenic blockage might be considered for
      treatment; however, there were varying responses. In this study, we aimed to
      characterize the expression pattern of angiogenesis-related genes in BM of lung
      cancer and melanoma, which might be of importance for the different responses
      against anti-angiogenic treatment. Fifteen snap-frozen tissues obtained from BM
      of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), and
      melanoma patients were analyzed for angiogenesis-related genes using a
      commercially available gene expression kit. Epilepsy tissue was used as control.
      Expression values were analyzed using hierarchical clustering investigating
      relative fold changes and mapping to Omicsnet protein interaction network.
      CXCL10, CEACAM1, PECAM1, KIT, COL4A2, COL1A1, and HSPG2 genes were more than 50
      fold up-regulated in all diagnosis groups when compared to control, whereas genes
      such as ANGPT4, PDGFRB, and SERPINF1 were down-regulated only in SCLC and
      melanoma groups, respectively. Using hierarchical clustering, 12 out of 15 cases
      were allocated to the correct histological primary tumor type. We identified
      genes with consistent up-regulation in BM of lung cancer and melanoma and other
      genes with differential expression across BM of these tumor types. Our data may
      be of relevance for targeted therapy or prophylaxis of BM using anti-angiogenic
      agents. 

PMID- 26277787
TI  - miR-211 promotes non-small cell lung cancer proliferation by targeting SRCIN1.
AB  - MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs that, when dysregulated,
      are involved in the initiation and progression of various cancers, including lung
      cancer, in humans. In the current study, qRT-PCR was performed to measure miR-211
      expression in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines and tissues.
      Cell proliferation, cell cycle, colony formation, and invasion were performed to
      detect the functional role of miR-211 in human NSCLC cell line. We used
      luciferase reporter assay to find the potential target of miR-211. We found that
      miR-211 expression was upregulated in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
      cell lines and tissues. The overexpression of miR-211 enhanced NSCLC cell
      proliferation, colony formation, and invasion. SRC kinase signaling inhibitor 1
      (SRCIN1) was identified as a direct target of miR-211. SRCIN1 silencing promoted
      cell proliferation, and SRCIN1 expression was downregulated in human NSCLC cell
      lines. Thus, miR-211 may function as an oncogenic miRNA in NSCLC, partly by
      regulating SRCIN1, and the modulation of miR-211 expression represents a
      potential strategy for the treatment of NSCLC patients. 

PMID- 26277789
TI  - RETRACTED ARTICLE: Downregulation of miR-133b/miR-503 acts as efficient
      prognostic and diagnostic factors in patients with osteosarcoma and these
      predictor biomarkers are correlated with overall survival.

PMID- 26277788
TI  - Targeting polyamine biosynthetic pathway through RNAi causes the abrogation of
      MCF 7 breast cancer cell line.
AB  - The diamine putrescine and polyamines, spermidine (triamine) and spermine
      (tetraamine) are small organic polycations that play an indispensable role in key
      cellular processes such as the regulation of growth, differentiation, and
      macromolecular functions. Elevated levels of polyamines (PAs) have been shown to
      be one of the major factors involved in carcinogenesis. In this study, specific
      silencing of the expression of three genes of PA biosynthesis pathway, ornithine
      decarboxylase (ODC), S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (SAMDC), and spermidine
      synthase (SPDSYN) was achieved using RNA interference in MCF 7 breast cancer cell
      line. For optimizing the effective small interfering nucleic acid (siNA), three
      variants of ODC siNA [siRNA, locked nucleic acid (LNA)-modified siRNA, and
      siHybrid (RNA and DNA hybrid)] were used and a dose- and time-dependent study was
      conducted. The PA biosynthetic genes were targeted individually and in
      combination. RNAi-mediated reduction in the expression of PA biosynthesis genes
      resulted in distorted cell morphology, reduced cancer cell viability, and
      migration characteristic. The most promising results were observed with the
      combined treatment of siSPDSYN and siODC with 83 % cell growth inhibition. On
      analyzing the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression profile of the cell cycle and
      apoptosis-related genes, it was observed that RNAi against PA biosynthetic genes
      downregulated the expression of CDK8, CCNE2, CCNH, CCNT1, CCNT2, CCNF, PCNA,
      CCND1, and CDK2, and upregulated the expression of E2F4, BAX, FAS, TP53, CDKN1A,
      BAK1, CDKN1B, ATM, GRANB, and ATR genes when compared with control-transfected
      cells. These results suggest that the targeting polyamine biosynthesis through
      RNAi approach could be a promising strategy for breast cancer therapy and might
      be extended for therapy of other cancers. 

PMID- 26277790
TI  - Keyhole epilepsy surgery: corticoamygdalohippocampectomy for mesial temporal
      sclerosis.
AB  - Surgical approaches for medically refractory mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE)
      that previously have been reported include anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL),
      transcortical selective amygdalohippocampectomy, transsylvian
      amygdalohippocampectomy, and subtemporal amygdalohippocampectomy. Each approach
      has its advantages and potential pitfalls. The purpose of this report is to
      describe our technique of keyhole corticoamygdalohippocampectomy for patients
      with MTLE due to hippocampal sclerosis. Operations were performed through a 6-cm
      vertical linear incision and a low 2.5-cm keyhole craniotomy at the anterior
      squamous temporal bone. Resection of the anterior-most portions of the middle and
      inferior temporal gyri provided a cylinder-like corridor to the mesial temporal
      lobe. Identification of the temporal horn through a basal approach was followed
      by resection of the amygdala, uncus, and hippocampus-parahippocampal gyrus. This
      9-year series included 683 patients with a minimum follow-up duration of 2 years.
      Surgery times were short (range, 1 h 35 min to 2 h 30 min). Only a small
      percentage of patients had complications (1.76%), and the rate of Engel Class I
      seizure-free outcome was 87%. No overt speech problems or visual field deficits
      were identified. Compared with the most popular conventional trans-middle
      temporal gyrus approach, this technique can make the operation easier, safer, and
      less traumatic to functional lateral neocortex.

PMID- 26277791
TI  - Targeted Stage-Specific Inflammatory microRNA Profiling in Urine During Disease
      Progression in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis: Markers of Disease
      Progression and Drug Response.
AB  - Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been implicated in regulating neuroinflammatory
      and demyelinative responses in multiple sclerosis (MS) and its mouse model of
      experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). miRNAs have also been studied as
      biomarkers of disease pathology and drug-response in MS. However, no complete
      miRNA profiling at various stages of EAE disease has been examined, especially in
      the urine. We carried out a systematic analysis of miRNAs in the urine exosomes
      as well as in the plasma and spinal cord at pre-onset, onset and peak stages of
      EAE established in the chronic B6 mice model. For the first time, we provide
      evidence that urine exosomes can be a specific and sensitive source of miRNA
      biomarkers for all 3 stages of EAE disease. In a significant observation, we
      observed that miR-155-5p expression increased in urine exosomes, plasma and
      spinal cord 6 days before the onset of disease, suggesting its early involvement
      in the pathology of EAE disease. We also analyzed the effect of Glatiramer
      acetate (GA; copaxone) treatment, an approved treatment for MS patients, in
      modulating miRNA expression at the peak of EAE disease. We identified miR-155-5p,
      miR-27a-3p, miR-9-5p and miR-350-5p as putative GA-treatment responsive miRNA
      biomarkers. Since, EAE is a mainly CD4 cells mediated disease, we also examined
      the above set of miRNAs and found to be significantly altered in T cells
      polarized to Th1 and Th17 phenotype, similar to urine exosomes. Thus, urine
      exosome miRNAs hold the potential to be defined as novel accessible stage
      specific biomarkers of EAE (MS) disease as well as treatment response.

PMID- 26277792
TI  - Bone Imaging and Fracture Risk after Spinal Cord Injury.
AB  - Spinal cord injury (SCI) is characterized by marked bone loss and an increased
      risk of fracture with high complication rate. Recent research based on advanced
      imaging analysis, including quantitative computed tomography (QCT) and patient
      specific finite element (FE) modeling, has provided new and important insights
      into the magnitude and temporal pattern of bone loss, as well as the associated
      changes to bone structure and strength, following SCI. This work has illustrated
      the importance of early therapeutic treatment to prevent bone loss after SCI and
      may someday serve as the basis for a clinical fracture risk assessment tool for
      the SCI population. This review provides an update on the epidemiology of
      fracture after SCI and discusses new findings and significant developments
      related to bone loss and fracture risk assessment in the SCI population based on
      QCT analysis and patient-specific FE modeling.

PMID- 26277793
TI  - Interactions Between Bt-Bioinsecticides and Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas)
      (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), a Predator of Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera:
      Plutellidae).
AB  - Bioinsecticides are being increasingly used to protect vegetable crops against
      herbivores, but data on the side effects of such strategy on the third trophic
      level are still required. We investigated the influence of the Bacillus
      thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki HD-1 strain and of the commercial bioinsecticide
      Agree(r) on the biological aspects of the predator Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas)
      (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) when feeding on Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera:
      Plutellidae)-infected larvae. On average, infected larvae were consumed more
      often than the non-infected larvae throughout the predator nymphal development,
      and no effect on nymph survival was observed. Population growth parameters (R 0,
      r m, and lambda) resulting from the fertility life tables did not differ among
      treatments. The results led to the conclusion that P. nigrispinus can be used in
      combination with the product Agree(r) or the strain HD-1 for the control of P.
      xylostella. The combined use of these control agents helps to maintain the
      balance of the ecosystem and contributes for the production of food for healthy
      human consumption.

PMID- 26277794
TI  - [Reaction on 'The number of compulsory admissions continues to rise: Implications
      for the new Dutch law on obligatory mental health care'].

PMID- 26277795
TI  - Krishnan Chand Mahajan.

PMID- 26277796
TI  - The Motor Function Specialty.

PMID- 26277797
TI  - Preface: histone deacetylases as therapeutic targets.

PMID- 26277798
TI  - Chronic Q fever diagnosis- consensus guideline versus expert opinion
AB  - Chronic Q fever, caused by Coxiella burnetii, has high mortality and morbidity
      rates if left untreated. Controversy about the diagnosis of this complex disease
      has emerged recently. We applied the guideline from the Dutch Q Fever Consensus
      Group and a set of diagnostic criteria proposed by Didier Raoult to all 284
      chronic Q fever patients included in the Dutch National Chronic Q Fever Database
      during 2006-2012. Of the patients who had proven cases of chronic Q fever by the
      Dutch guideline, 46 (30.5%)would not have received a diagnosis by the alternative
      criteria designed by Raoult, and 14 (4.9%) would have been considered to have
      possible chronic Q fever. Six patients with proven chronic Q fever died of
      related causes. Until results from future studies are available, by which current
      guidelines can be modified, we believe that the Dutch literature-based consensus
      guideline is more sensitive and easier to use in clinical practice.

PMID- 26277799
TI  - The Past Is Never Dead-  Measles Epidemic, Boston, Massachusetts, 1713.

PMID- 26277800
TI  - Proceedings of the Rendez-Vous 2012 Conference: Community participation in health
      professional education, research and service, October 9-14, 2012, Thunder Bay,
      Canada.

PMID- 26277801
TI  - Influence of memory theme and posttraumatic stress disorder on memory specificity
      in British and Iranian trauma survivors.
AB  - This study investigated the influence of culture, memory theme and posttraumatic
      stress disorder (PTSD) on autobiographical memory specificity in Iranian and
      British trauma survivors. Participants completed the Autobiographical Memory Test
      and PTSD Diagnostic Scale. The results indicated that the British group provided
      significantly more personal-themed memories than the Iranian group, while the
      Iranian group provided significantly more social-themed memories than the British
      group. The British group also provided a significantly greater proportion of
      specific personal-themed and social-themed memories than the Iranian group.
      Overall, in both cultural groups memory specificity was found to be significantly
      correlated with PTSD symptoms. These findings provide further evidence that
      regardless of memory theme, specificity of autobiographical memories function to
      differentiate the self from others and reaffirm the independent self. They also
      further highlight that pan-culturally an overgeneral retrieval style may be
      employed by those with PTSD symptoms.

PMID- 26277802
TI  - In vivo Tube Assay: An Optimised Protocol of the Directed in vivo Angiogenesis
      Assay by Implementing Immunohistochemistry.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, is an essential
      process under physiological and pathological conditions. METHOD: Here, we
      improved the directed in vivo angiogenesis assay (DIVAA(r)) test, which is based
      on the usage of small Matrigel-filled tubes that are implanted into mice
      subcutaneously for a period of up to 15 days. The subsequent ex vivo assessment
      of neoangiogenesis within the silicon tubes is then achieved by fluorometry.
      RESULTS: We showed that the immunohistochemical quantification of the ingrowth of
      endothelial cells, based on CD31, was superior to the fluorometric quantification
      advised in the manufacturer's instructions. We optimised the explantation
      procedure, ensuring the complete recovery of the ingrown vessels. Using this
      modified protocol, we investigated the effect of the length of stay of the
      implanted tubes as well as of the concentration of the growth factors VEGF and
      FGF on the assay. CONCLUSION: Our improved protocol offered an effective and
      reliable alternative to the original assay, which is expected to facilitate in
      vivo research on angiogenesis and, thus, might drive the development of novel
      therapeutic agents.

PMID- 26277803
TI  - Pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with electron-ionization or
      resonance-enhanced-multi-photon-ionization for characterization of polycyclic
      aromatic hydrocarbons in the Baltic Sea.
AB  - Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), as a part of dissolved organic matter
      (DOM), are environmental pollutants of the marine compartment. This study
      investigates the origin of PAH, which is supposed to derive mainly from
      anthropogenic activities, and their alteration along the salinity gradient of the
      Baltic Sea. Pyrolysis in combination with gas chromatography and two mass
      selective detectors in one measurement cycle are utilized as a tool for an
      efficient trace analysis of such complex samples, by which it is possible to
      detect degradation products of high molecular structures. Along the north-south
      transect of the Baltic Sea a slightly rising trend for PAH is visible. Their
      concentration profiles correspond to the ship traffic as a known anthropogenic
      source, underlined by the value of special isomer ratios such as phenanthrene and
      anthracene (0.31-0.45) or pyrene and fluoranthene (0.44-0.53). The detection of
      naphthalene and the distribution of its alkylated representatives support this
      statement. 

PMID- 26277804
TI  - In ovo exposure to organophosphorous flame retardants: survival, development,
      neurochemical, and behavioral changes in white leghorn chickens.
AB  - Organophosphorous flame retardants (OPFRs) are contaminants of emerging concern.
      There is growing evidence of environmental contamination and exposures to both
      humans and wildlife. Here, the objective was to increase understanding of the
      potential neurodevelopmental effects of two relevant OPFRs, TMPP (tri
      (methylphenyl) phosphate; a non-halogen-containing OPFR) and TDCIPP (tris (1,3
      dichloro-isopropyl) phosphate; a halogen-containing OPFR) in an avian
      embryo/chick model. We injected white leghorn chicken eggs with a range of TMPP
      (0, 10, 100, and 1000 ng/g) or TDCIPP (0, 10, 100, 1000, 50,000 ng/g)
      concentrations at incubation day 0 exposing embryos throughout the ~21-day in ovo
      period. Hatching success was unaffected by TMPP, but TDCIPP-exposed chicks had
      higher early-incubation mortality in 100 and 50,000 ng/g groups. On 7-9-day-old
      chicks, we assessed behavior via tests concerning righting reflex, angled balance
      beams, gait patterns, wing flap reflex, and open field movements. Chicks exposed
      to 100 ng/g TDCIPP achieved 40% lower maximum velocity in the open field test
      than vehicle-exposed controls, while those exposed to 1000 ng/g TDCIPP achieved
      20% higher maximum velocity than vehicle-exposed controls. Chicks exposed to
      50,000 ng/g TDCIPP showed reduced righting response success. There were no dose-
      or treatment-related differences in angled beam, gait analysis, or wing flap
      reflex tests. Cerebrum hemispheres from 10-day-old chicks were examined for
      neurochemistry (acetylcholinesterase [AChE] activity and both nicotinic [nACh]
      and muscarinic [mACh] acetylcholine receptor levels) and cerebellums were
      examined for histopathology. TDCIPP-exposed chicks had reduced number of
      degenerate Purkinje cells (TDCIPP, 1000 ng/g), possibly indicating disruption of
      neurodevelopment. No neurochemical effects were found in TMPP- or TDCIPP-exposed
      chicks. In general this study shows some possible neurodevelopmental effects in
      chicks exposed to TDCIPP when levels greatly exceeded those measured in wild bird
      eggs and no clear changes in TMPP-exposed chicks. This study builds upon previous
      in vitro studies as well as work on adult birds showing that toxic responses in
      avian models can vary among species and OPFRs.

PMID- 26277805
TI  - Size Effects in the Interface Level Alignment of Dye-Sensitized TiO2 Clusters.
AB  - The efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) depends critically on the
      electronic structure of the interfaces in the active region. We employ recently
      developed dispersion-inclusive density functional theory (DFT) and GW methods to
      study the electronic structure of TiO2 clusters sensitized with catechol
      molecules. We show that the energy level alignment at the dye-TiO2 interface is
      the result of an intricate interplay of quantum size effects and dynamic
      screening effects and that it may be manipulated by nanostructuring and
      functionalizing the TiO2. We demonstrate that the energy difference between the
      catechol LUMO and the TiO2 LUMO, which is associated with the injection loss in
      DSCs, may be reduced significantly by reducing the dimensions of nanostructured
      TiO2 and by functionalizing the TiO2 with wide-gap moieties, which contribute
      additional screening but do not interact strongly with the frontier orbitals of
      the TiO2 and the dye. Precise control of the electronic structure may be achieved
      via "interface engineering" in functional nanostructures. 

PMID- 26277806
TI  - Light-Driven Hydrogen Production by Hydrogenases and a Ru-Complex inside a
      Nanoporous Glass Plate under Aerobic External Conditions.
AB  - Hydrogenases are powerful catalysts for light-driven H2 production using a
      combination of photosensitizers. However, except oxygen-tolerant hydrogenases,
      they are immediately deactivated under aerobic conditions. We report a light
      driven H2 evolution system that works stably even under aerobic conditions. A
      [NiFe]-hydrogenase from Desulfovibrio vulgaris Miyazaki F was immobilized inside
      nanoporous glass plates (PGPs) with a pore diameter of 50 nm together with a
      ruthenium complex and methyl viologen as a photosensitizer and an electron
      mediator, respectively. After immersion of PGP into the medium containing the
      catalytic components, an anaerobic environment automatically established inside
      the nanopores even under aerobic external conditions upon irradiation with solar
      simulated light; this system constantly evolved H2 with an efficiency of 3.7
      MUmol H2 m(-2) s(-1). The PGP system proposed in this work represents a promising
      first step toward the development of an O2-tolerant solar energy conversion
      system. 

PMID- 26277807
TI  - Surface Photovoltage Spectroscopy Study of Organo-Lead Perovskite Solar Cells.
AB  - The field of organo-lead perovskite absorbers for solar cells is developing
      rapidly, with open-circuit voltage of reported devices already approaching the
      maximal theoretical voltage. Obtaining such high voltages on spun-cast or
      evaporated thin films is intriguing and calls for detailed investigation of the
      source of photovoltage in those devices. We present here a study of the roles of
      the selective contacts to methylammonium lead iodide chloride (MAPbI3-xClx) using
      surface photovoltage spectroscopy. By depositing and characterizing each layer at
      a time, we show that the electron-extracting interface is more than twice as
      effective as the hole-extracting interface in generating photovoltage, for
      several combinations of electrode materials. We further observe the existence of
      an electron-injection related spectral feature at 1.1 eV, which might bear
      significance for the cell's operation. Our results illustrate the usefulness of
      SPV spectroscopy in highlighting gaps in cells efficiency and for deepening the
      understanding of charge injection processes in perovskite-based photovoltaics. 

PMID- 26277808
TI  - Direct Dynamics Studies of a Binuclear Metal Complex in Solution: The Interplay
      Between Vibrational Relaxation, Coherence, and Solvent Effects.

PMID- 26277809
TI  - Solvent Degradation in Nonaqueous Li-O2 Batteries: Oxidative Stability versus H
      Abstraction.
AB  - Developing rechargeable Li-O2 batteries hinges on identifying stable solvents
      resistant to decomposition. Here, we focus on solvent stability against
      adsorption-induced H-abstraction during discharge. Using a detailed thermodynamic
      analysis, we show that a solvent's propensity to resist H-abstraction is
      determined by its acid dissociation constant, pKa, in its own environment. Upon
      surveying hundreds of solvents for their pKa values in different media, we find
      linear correlations between the pKa values across various classes of solvents in
      any two given media. Utilizing these correlations, we choose DMSO as the common
      standard to compare the relative stability trends. We construct a stability plot
      based on the solvent's HOMO level and its pKa in DMSO, which reveals that most
      solvents obey a correlation where solvents with lower HOMO levels tend to have
      lower pKa values in DMSO. However, this is at odds with the stability requirement
      that demands deep HOMO levels and high pKa values. Thus, stable solvents need to
      be outliers to this observed correlation. 

PMID- 26277810
TI  - Acceleration of Singlet Fission in an Aza-Derivative of TIPS-Pentacene.
AB  - The influence of the carbon to nitrogen substitution on the photoinduced dynamics
      of TIPS-pentacene was investigated by ultrafast transient absorption measurements
      on spin-coated thin films in the visible and in the near-infrared spectral
      region. A global target analysis was performed to provide a detailed picture of
      the excited-state dynamics. We found that the chemical modification has a high
      impact on the triplet formation and leads to shorter dynamics; hence it speeds up
      the singlet fission process. A faster relaxation from the singlet into the
      triplet manifold implies a higher efficiency because other relaxation channels
      are avoided. The air-stable aza-derivatives have the potential to exceed the
      energy conversion efficiency of TIPS-pentacene. 

PMID- 26277811
TI  - Dynamic Nuclear Polarization NMR of Low-gamma Nuclei: Structural Insights into
      Hydrated Yttrium-Doped BaZrO3.
AB  - We demonstrate that solid-state NMR spectra of challenging nuclei with a low
      gyromagnetic ratio such as yttrium-89 can be acquired quickly with indirect
      dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) methods. Proton to (89)Y cross polarization
      (CP) magic angle spinning (MAS) spectra of Y(3+) in a frozen aqueous solution
      were acquired in minutes using the AMUPol biradical as a polarizing agent.
      Subsequently, the detection of the (89)Y and (1)H NMR signals from
      technologically important hydrated yttrium-doped zirconate ceramics, in
      combination with DFT calculations, allows the local yttrium and proton
      environments present in these protonic conductors to be detected and assigned to
      different hydrogen-bonded environments. 

PMID- 26277812
TI  - Investigating Superoxide Transfer through a MU-1,2-O2 Bridge between Nonheme
      Ni(III)-Peroxo and Mn(II) Species by DFT Methods to Bridge Theoretical and
      Experimental Views.
AB  - Previously, a fast unprecedented O2(*-) transfer reaction has been observed
      experimentally when adding a Mn(II) complex into a solution containing a Ni(III)
      peroxo complex. Due to the fast reaction rate, no intermediates were observed. We
      have investigated this reaction with density functional theory (DFT) and show
      that DFT is unusually problematic in reproducing the correct spin state for the
      investigated Ni(III)-peroxo complex, something which calls for examination of all
      previous Ni-dioxygen studies. Surprisingly, the BP86 functional is shown to yield
      energies more in agreement with known experiments than B3LYP. The calculations
      reveal for the first time an intermediate structure in a complete O2(*-) transfer
      reaction, shown here to be a short-lived bridging Ni-(MU-1,2-O2)-Mn structure. 

PMID- 26277813
TI  - Why Did You Accept My Paper?

PMID- 26277814
TI  - Phosphonic Acid Adsorbates Tune the Surface Potential of TiO2 in Gas and Liquid
      Environments.
AB  - Controlled attachment of molecules to the surface of a material can alter the
      band structure energies with respect to the surrounding environment via a
      combination of intrinsic and bonding-induced dipoles. Here, we demonstrate that
      the surface potential of an application-relevant material, anatase TiO2, can be
      tuned over a broad energy range of ~1 eV using a family of dipolar phosphonic
      acid-based adsorbates. Using TiO2 as an example, we show with photoelectron
      spectroscopy that these adsorbates are stable in a liquid environment (propylene
      carbonate). More interestingly, the tunability is substantially retained and
      follows trends in the computed bound dipole. The electrochemical surface
      potential is shown to vary over 600 meV, the highest range in electrolytes to the
      best of our knowledge. Using density functional theory calculations, we
      rationalize the measured trends and show that the effective dipole upon molecular
      adsorption and not the intrinsic dipole of the isolated molecules correlates with
      observed changes in surface potential. Control of the effective dipole, through
      judicious choice of robust surface species, can allow in situ tuning of energy
      levels and functionality at active surfaces for energy conversion and storage,
      biosensing, and molecular electronics. 

PMID- 26277815
TI  - Exploiting Hydrophobic Interactions at the Nanoscale.
AB  - Hydrophobic effects are ubiquitous and manifest themselves in everyday processes
      such as solubilizing oil, precipitating molecules, and formation of particles or
      foam. Although this phenomenon is often intuitively recognized, it is not
      straightforward to predict it and, in particular, to control it experimentally.
      Hydrophobic effects are however progressively gaining recognition as an important
      tool providing control at the nanoscale, which may ultimately lead to the design
      of responsive metamaterials with unprecedented functionalities under
      nonequilibrium conditions. 

PMID- 26277816
TI  - Excited-State Dynamics of Isolated and Microsolvated Cinnamate-Based UV-B
      Sunscreens.
AB  - Sunscreens are aimed at providing protection from solar UV radiation. However,
      the same mechanism that underlies this protection (absorption of UV radiation) is
      also responsible for their light-induced adverse effects. Here, high-resolution
      spectroscopic methods are applied to one of the most commonly used sunscreen
      chromophores to study the excited-state dynamics that determine the delicate
      balance between favorable and adverse effects. In contrast to common belief, we
      find that excitation to the "bright" pipi* state does not directly lead to
      repopulation of the electronic ground state. Instead, internal conversion to
      another electronically excited state identified as the "dark" npi* state is a
      major decay pathway that impedes fast energy dissipation. Microsolvation studies
      of sunscreen chromophores with water demonstrate that under such conditions, this
      bottleneck is no longer present. These observations could be a first step toward
      the development of sunscreens with improved photochemical properties. 

PMID- 26277817
TI  - Spectroscopic Signature of Stacking Disorder in Ice I.
AB  - There is a growing realization that the presence of stacking disorder in ice I
      strongly influences its physical and chemical properties. Using Raman
      spectroscopy, we gain new fundamental insights into the spectroscopic properties
      of ice. We show that stacking disorder can be detected and quantified by
      comparing the spectra of stacking disordered ice with spectra of the "ordinary"
      hexagonal ice Ih. The spectral signature of stacking disorder is thought to arise
      from a greater structural diversity on the local length scale, vibrational modes
      that appear due to the lower-symmetry environments, and a strengthening of the
      covalent bonds. Our findings are compared to results from diffraction and
      calorimetry, and we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the three
      techniques with respect to detecting stacking disorder in ice I. Apart from
      characterizing stacking disordered ice in the research lab, our new method is
      perfectly suited for remote or telescopic applications aiming at the
      identification of stacking disordered ice in nature. 

PMID- 26277818
TI  - Activity-Stability Trends for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction on Monometallic
      Oxides in Acidic Environments.
AB  - In the present study, we used a surface-science approach to establish a
      functional link between activity and stability of monometallic oxides during the
      OER in acidic media. We found that the most active oxides (Au ? Pt < Ir < Ru ?
      Os) are, in fact, the least stable (Au ? Pt > Ir > Ru ? Os) materials. We suggest
      that the relationships between stability and activity are controlled by both the
      nobility of oxides as well as by the density of surface defects. This
      functionality is governed by the nature of metal cations and the potential
      transformation of a stable metal cation with a valence state of n = +4 to
      unstable metal cation with n > +4. A practical consequence of such a close
      relationship between activity and stability is that the best materials for the
      OER should balance stability and activity in such a way that the dissolution rate
      is neither too fast nor too slow. 

PMID- 26277819
TI  - Investigation of the Redispersion of Pt Nanoparticles on Polyhedral Ceria
      Nanoparticles.
AB  - Redispersion of platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs) on ceria is an important route
      for catalyst regeneration and antisintering. Here, we investigate the
      redispersion of Pt on ceria nanoparticles with defined surface planes including
      cubes ({100}) and octahedra ({111}). It is observed that Pt redispersion takes
      place only on ceria cubes in an alternating oxidation and reduction atmosphere. A
      quicker alternation rate is beneficial for such redispersion. On the basis of our
      experimental results and understandings toward this process, we proposed that the
      redispersion takes place at the moment of alternation of oxidation and reduction.

PMID- 26277820
TI  - Complex and Sustained Quantum Beating Patterns in a Classic IVR System: The
      3(1)5(1) Level in S1 p-Difluorobenzene.
AB  - Using picosecond time-resolved photoelectron imaging, we have studied the
      intramolecular vibrational energy redistribution (IVR) dynamics that occur
      following the excitation of the 3(1)5(1) level, which lies 2068 cm(-1) above the
      S1 origin in p-difluorobenzene. Our technique, which has superior time resolution
      to that of earlier studies but retains sufficient energy resolution to identify
      the behavior of individual vibrational states, enables us to determine six
      distinct beating periods in photoelectron intensity, only one of which has been
      observed previously. Analysis shows that the IVR dynamics are restricted among
      only a handful of vibrational levels, despite the relatively high excitation
      energy. This is deduced to be a consequence of the high symmetry and rigid
      structure of p-difluorobenzene. 

PMID- 26277821
TI  - Ultra-Low Thermal Conductivity in Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Perovskite CH3NH3PbI3.
AB  - We report on the temperature dependence of thermal conductivity of single
      crystalline and polycrystalline organometallic perovskite CH3NH3PbI3. The
      comparable absolute values and temperature dependence of the two samples'
      morphologies indicate the minor role of the grain boundaries on the heat
      transport. Theoretical modeling demonstrates the importance of the resonant
      scattering in both specimens. The interaction between phonon waves and rotational
      degrees of freedom of CH3NH3(+) sublattice emerges as the dominant mechanism for
      attenuation of heat transport and for ultralow thermal conductivity of 0.5 W/(Km)
      at room temperature. 

PMID- 26277822
TI  - Association of interleukin 3 (IL-3) polymorphisms with schizophrenia in Han
      Chinese population.
AB  - Schizophrenia has been observed to be associated with various abnormalities in
      multiple cytokines. Recent genetic analyses showed that the interleukin 3 (IL-3)
      gene and its receptors are significantly associated with schizophrenia,
      especially in Irish populations. To examine the associations of the Irish-risk
      single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs, e.g., rs3916441) in the IL-3 gene with
      schizophrenia in Chinese population, we utilized two independent samples from
      Southwestern China, including a total 901 schizophrenia patients and 1417 healthy
      controls. However, no statistically significant differences were observed in
      allelic or genotypic frequencies of the tested 6 SNPs in IL-3 between cases and
      controls in any sample. Therefore, the results of our analyses were not able to
      confirm the association of IL-3 SNPs with schizophrenia. The absence of the IL
      3's association in Chinese population suggest a potential genetic heterogeneity
      in the susceptibility of schizophrenia on this locus and also demonstrate the
      difficulties in replicating associations of schizophrenia across different ethnic
      populations. 

PMID- 26277823
TI  - Preventive effects of ginsenoside Rg1 on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
      like behavior in male C57/B6 mice.
AB  - We investigated the preventive effects of Rg1 on a model of mouse post-traumatic
      stress disorder (PTSD) induced by electric shock combined with situation reminder
      and explored the underlying mechanism. In the experiment, before the PTSD animal
      model was developed, Rg1 (10, 5, and 2.5mg/kg) was orally administered for one
      week. After the animal model was established, PTSD-like behavior was observed
      using elevated plus maze, black and light box, and open field tests. One hour
      after the behavior test, all mice were sacrificed, and then serum corticosterone
      (CORT) and hypothalamus corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) assays were
      performed. Results showed that Rg1 (5mg/kg) treatments relieved PTSD-like
      behavior by altering elevated serum corticosterone and hypothalamus CRH levels.
      By contrast, fluoxetine (3mg/kg) treatment reversed the behavior changes and had
      no effect on increased CORT and CRH levels. These findings confirmed the
      preventive effect of Rg1 in PTSD model. Decreasing CORT and CRH levels may be one
      of the underlying mechanisms. 

PMID- 26277824
TI  - Does skin-to-skin contact and breast feeding at birth affect the rate of primary
      postpartum haemorrhage: Results of a cohort study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: to examine the effect of skin-to-skin contact and breast feeding
      within 30 minutes of birth, on the rate of primary postpartum haemorrhage (PPH)
      in a sample of women who were at mixed-risk of PPH. DESIGN: retrospective cohort
      study. SETTING: two obstetric units plus a freestanding birth centre in New South
      Wales (NSW) Australia. PARTICIPANTS: after excluding women (n=3671) who did not
      have opportunity for skin to skin and breast feeding, I analysed birth records
      (n=7548) for the calendar years 2009 and 2010. Records were accessed via the
      electronic data base ObstetriX. INTERVENTION: skin to skin contact and breast
      feeding within 30 minutes of birth. MEASURES: outcome measure was PPH i.e. blood
      loss of 500ml or more estimated at birth. Data was analysed using descriptive
      statistics and logistic regression (unadjusted and adjusted). FINDINGS: after
      adjustment for covariates, women who did not have skin to skin and breast feeding
      were almost twice as likely to have a PPH compared to women who had both skin to
      skin contact and breast feeding (aOR 0.55, 95% CI 0.41-0.72, p<0.001). This
      apparently protective effect of skin to skin and breast feeding on PPH held true
      in sub-analyses for both women at 'lower' (OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.17-0.30, p<0.001)
      and 'higher' risk (OR 0.37 95% CI 0.24-0.57), p<0.001. KEY CONCLUSIONS AND
      IMPLICATION FOR PRACTICE: this study suggests that skin to skin contact and
      breastfeeding immediately after birth may be effective in reducing PPH rates for
      women at any level of risk of PPH. The greatest effect was for women at lower
      risk of PPH. The explanation is that pronurturance promotes endogenous oxytocin
      release. Childbearing women should be educated and supported to have
      pronurturance during third and fourth stages of labour.

PMID- 26277825
TI  - Hyperglycemia is associated with simultaneous alterations in electrical brain
      activity in youths with type 1 diabetes mellitus.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between hyperglycemia and electrical brain
      activity in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). METHODS: Nine youths with T1DM were
      monitored simultaneously and continuously by EEG and continuous glucose monitor
      system, for 40 h. EEG powers of 0.5-80 Hz frequency bands in all the different
      brain regions were analyzed according to interstitial glucose concentration (IGC)
      ranges of 4-11 mmol/l, 11-15.5 mmol/l and >15.5 mmol/l. Analysis of variance was
      used to examine the differences in EEG power of each frequency band between the
      subgroups of IGC. Analysis was performed separately during wakefulness and sleep,
      controlling for age, gender and HbA1c. RESULTS: Mean IGC was 11.49 +/- 5.26
      mmol/l in 1253 combined measurements. IGC>15.5 mmol/l compared to 4-11 mmol/l was
      associated during wakefulness with increased EEG power of low frequencies and
      with decreased EEG power of high frequencies. During sleep, it was associated
      with increased EEG power of low frequencies in all brain areas and of high
      frequencies in frontal and central areas. CONCLUSIONS: Asymptomatic transient
      hyperglycemia in youth with T1DM is associated with simultaneous alterations in
      electrical brain activity during wakefulness and sleep. SIGNIFICANCE: The
      clinical implications of immediate electrical brain alterations under
      hyperglycemia need to be studied and may lead to adaptations of management.

PMID- 26277826
TI  - Effective presentation of health care performance information for consumer
      decision making: A systematic review.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This systematic review synthesizes what is known about the effective
      presentation of health care performance information for consumer decision making.
      METHODS: Six databases were searched for articles published in English between
      September 2003 and April 2014. Experimental studies comparing consumers'
      responses to performance information when one or more presentation feature was
      altered were included. A thematic analysis was performed and practical guidelines
      derived. RESULTS: All 31 articles retained, the majority which tested responses
      to various presentations of health care cost and/or quality information, found
      that consumers better understand and make more informed choices when the
      information display is less complex. Simplification can be achieved by reducing
      the quantity of choices, displaying results in a positive direction, using non
      technical language and evaluative elements, and situating results in common
      contexts. CONCLUSION: While findings do not offer a prescriptive design, this
      synthesis informs approaches to enhancing the presentation of health care
      performance information and areas that merit additional research. PRACTICE
      IMPLICATIONS: Guidelines derived from these results can be used to enhance health
      care performance reports for consumer decision making including using
      recognizable, evaluative graphics and customizable formats, limiting the amount
      of information presented, and testing presentation formats prior to use.

PMID- 26277827
TI  - Physician behavioral adaptability: A model to outstrip a "one size fits all"
      approach.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Based on a literature review, we propose a model of physician
      behavioral adaptability (PBA) with the goal of inspiring new research. PBA means
      that the physician adapts his or her behavior according to patients' different
      preferences. The PBA model shows how physicians infer patients' preferences and
      adapt their interaction behavior from one patient to the other. We claim that
      patients will benefit from better outcomes if their physicians show behavioral
      adaptability rather than a "one size fits all" approach. METHOD: This literature
      review is based on a literature search of the PsycINFO((r)) and MEDLINE((r))
      databases. RESULTS: The literature review and first results stemming from the
      authors' research support the validity and viability of parts of the PBA model.
      There is evidence suggesting that physicians are able to show behavioral
      flexibility when interacting with their different patients, that a match between
      patients' preferences and physician behavior is related to better consultation
      outcomes, and that physician behavioral adaptability is related to better
      consultation outcomes. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Training of physicians' behavioral
      flexibility and their ability to infer patients' preferences can facilitate
      physician behavioral adaptability and positive patient outcomes.

PMID- 26277828
TI  - CT26 murine colon carcinoma expressing the red fluorescent protein KillerRed as a
      highly immunogenic tumor model.
AB  - The development of tumor therapies based on the activation of antitumor immunity
      requires tumor models that are highly immunogenic. The immunologic response to
      fluorescent proteins, green fluorescent protein (GFP), or enhanced GFP (EGFP) was
      demonstrated in different cancer models. However, for live animal imaging, red
      and far-red fluorescent proteins are preferable, but their immunogenicity has not
      been studied. We assessed the immunogenicity of the red fluorescent protein,
      KillerRed (KR), in CT26 murine colon carcinoma. We showed a slower growth and a
      lower tumor incidence of KR-expressing tumors in comparison with nonexpressing
      ones. We found that KR-expressing lung metastases and rechallenged tumors were
      not formed in mice that had been surgically cured of KR-expressing primary
      tumors. The effect of low-dose cyclophosphamide (CY) treatment was also tested,
      as this is known to activate antitumor immune responses. The low-dose CY therapy
      of CT26-KR tumors resulted in inhibition of tumor growth and improved mouse
      survival. In summary, we have established a highly immunogenic tumor model that
      could be valuable for investigations of the mechanisms of antitumor immunity and
      the development of new therapeutic approaches.

PMID- 26277829
TI  - Complete pathologic response as a prognostic factor for squamous cell carcinoma
      of the oropharynx post-chemoradiotherapy.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Chemoradiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx
      (SCCO) provides good results for locoregional disease control, with high rates of
      complete clinical and pathologic responses, mainly in the neck. OBJECTIVE: To
      determine whether complete pathologic response after chemoradiotherapy is related
      to the prognosis of patients with SCCO. METHODS: Data were prospectively
      extracted from clinical records of N2 and N3 SCCO patients submitted to a planned
      neck dissection after chemoradiotherapy. RESULTS: A total of 19 patients were
      evaluated. Half of patients obtained complete pathologic response in the neck.
      Distant or locoregional recurrence occurred in approximately 42% of patients, and
      26% died. Statistical analysis showed an association between complete pathologic
      response and lower disease recurrence rate (77.8% vs. 20.8%; p=0.017) and greater
      overall survival (88.9% vs. 23.3%; p=0.049). CONCLUSION: The presence of a
      complete pathologic response after chemoradiotherapy positively influences the
      prognosis of patients with SCCO.

PMID- 26277830
TI  - Vestibular migraine: comparative analysis between diagnostic criteria.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: There is a strong association between vertigo and migraine.
      Vestibular migraine (VM) was described in 1999, and diagnostic criteria were
      proposed in 2001 and revised in 2012. OBJECTIVE: To compare the diagnostic
      criteria for VM proposed in 2001 with 2012 criteria with respect to their
      diagnostic power and therapeutic effect of VM prophylaxis. METHODS: Clinical
      chart review of patients attended to in a VM clinic. RESULTS: The 2012 criteria
      made the diagnosis more specific, restricting the diagnosis of VM to a smaller
      number of patients, such that 87.7% of patients met 2001 criteria and 77.8% met
      2012 criteria. Prophylaxis for VM was effective both for patients diagnosed by
      either set of criteria and for those who did not meet any of the criteria.
      CONCLUSIONS: The 2012 diagnostic criteria for VM limited the diagnosis of the
      disease to a smaller number of patients, mainly because of the type, intensity,
      and duration of dizziness. Patients diagnosed with migraine and associated
      dizziness demonstrated improvement after prophylactic treatment of VM, even when
      they did not meet diagnostic criteria.

PMID- 26277831
TI  - Addendum to the history of cochlear implants in Brazil.

PMID- 26277832
TI  - Accuracy of peripheral arterial tonometry in the diagnosis of obstructive sleep
      apnea.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The use of handheld devices that assess peripheral arterial
      tonometry has emerged as an auxiliary method for assessment and diagnosis of
      obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of
      peripheral arterial tonometry in the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea.
      METHODS: Contemporary cohort cross-sectional study. Thirty patients with
      suspected obstructive sleep apnea underwent peripheral arterial tonometry and
      assisted nocturnal polysomnography concomitantly. RESULTS: The mean
      apnea/hypopnea index by peripheral arterial tonometry was significantly higher
      than that by polysomnography (p<0.001), but the values of both sleep studies were
      significantly correlated (r=0.762). There was a high correlation between
      variables: minimum oxygen saturation (r=0.842, p<0.001), oxygen saturation<90%
      (r=0.799, p<0.001), and mean heart rate (r=0.951, p<0.001). Sensitivity and
      specificity were 60% and 96.2% (AUC: 0.727; p=0.113), respectively, when at a
      threshold value of 5 events/h. In severe cases (>=30 events/h), the result was a
      sensitivity of 77.8% and a specificity of 86.4% (AUC: 0.846, p=0.003).
      CONCLUSION: Peripheral arterial tonometry is a useful portable device for the
      diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea; its accuracy is higher in moderate and
      severe cases.

PMID- 26277833
TI  - Association between maternal smoking, gender, and cleft lip and palate.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) represent the most common congenital
      anomalies of the face. OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between maternal
      smoking, gender and CL/P. METHODS: This is an epidemiological cross-sectional
      study. We interviewed 1519 mothers divided into two groups: CASES: mothers of
      children with CL/P (n=843) and CONTROLS: mothers of children without CL/P
      (n=676). All mothers were classified as smoker or non-smoker subjects during the
      first trimester of pregnancy. To determine an association among maternal smoking,
      gender, and CL/P, odds ratios were calculated and the adjustment was made by a
      logistic regression model. RESULTS: An association between maternal smoking and
      the presence of cleft was observed. There was also a strong association between
      male gender and the presence of cleft (OR=3.51; 95% CI 2.83-4.37). By binary
      logistic regression analysis, it was demonstrated that both variables were
      independently associated with clefts. In a multivariate analysis, male gender and
      maternal smoking had a 2.5- and a 1.5-time greater chance of having a cleft,
      respectively. CONCLUSION: Our findings are consistent with a positive association
      between maternal smoking during pregnancy and CL/P in male gender. The results
      support the importance of smoking prevention and introduction of cessation
      programs among women with childbearing potential.

PMID- 26277834
TI  - Assessment of the light intensity of otoscopes utilized in teaching hospitals.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: To attain an accurate otoscopic diagnosis, a functioning device
      with adequate capacity must be used. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the light intensity of
      otoscopes, comparing it utilizing the batteries present at the moment of
      calibration and after new batteries were supplied. METHODS: Cross-sectional study
      of a historical cohort, which assessed 38 otoscopes, measuring the light
      intensity with the batteries present at the moment of assessment compared to the
      intensity with new batteries, as well as charge of the test batteries and the new
      batteries. RESULTS: The mean of the sum of new batteries' charge was 3.19V, and
      of the test batteries was 2.70V, representing a decrease of 18.02% in charge. The
      mean luminosity with the new batteries was 366.89lumens, whereas in the test
      batteries it was 188.32lumens, representing a decrease of 83.75% in the light
      intensity. Student's t-test was applied for data comparison, showing a
      statistical difference between the light intensity with the original batteries
      and the new batteries (p=0.0001; CI=0.95). CONCLUSION: There was a statistically
      significant difference between the proportions of light intensity in the
      otoscopes. A small variation in battery charge results in a great variation in
      light.

PMID- 26277835
TI  - Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia presenting with bilateral vestibular loss: a case
      report.

PMID- 26277836
TI  - Neonatal hearing screening in a low-risk maternity in Sao Paulo state.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The literature indicates that neonatal hearing screening should be
      universal, so a description of programs that adopt this recommendation is
      relevant. OBJECTIVE: To describe the results of newborn hearing screening and the
      profile of mothers and newborns attended to in a low-risk maternity setting, and
      to correlate the characteristics of this population with the results of transient
      evoked otoacoustic emissions. METHODS: A contemporary cross-sectional cohort
      study. The sample consisted of 670 infants and the procedures performed were
      audiological history, transient-evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE), distortion
      product-evoked otoacoustic emissions (DPEOAE), and automated-brainstem auditory
      evoked potential (ABSAEP). RESULTS: The rate of success in this program was
      98.5%, the failure rate was 0.62%, and that of non-attendance to finalize the
      diagnostic process, 0.93%. When correlating the variables studied with the
      results of transient evoked otoacoustic emissions, there was a significant
      negative correlation only for age of infant. CONCLUSION: The program of this
      maternity hospital was effective and complies with national and international
      recommendations. The population consisted of young mothers with few pregnancy
      complications and healthy infants. The only variable that influenced transient
      evoked otoacoustic emission results, after hospital discharge, was the age at
      which infants were evaluated.

PMID- 26277837
TI  - Comment on Choi et al.: High-fat diet decreases energy expenditure and expression
      of genes controlling lipid metabolism, mitochondrial function and skeletal system
      development in the adipose tissue, along with increased expression of
      extracellular matrix remodelling- and inflammation-related genes.

PMID- 26277838
TI  - Asparagine attenuates intestinal injury, improves energy status and inhibits AMP
      activated protein kinase signalling pathways in weaned piglets challenged with
      Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide.
AB  - The intestine requires a high amount of energy to maintain its health and
      function; thus, energy deficits in intestinal mucosa may lead to intestinal
      damage. Asparagine (Asn) is a precursor for many other amino acids such as
      aspartate, glutamine and glutamate, which can be used to supply energy to
      enterocytes. In the present study, we hypothesise that dietary supplementation of
      Asn could alleviate bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intestinal injury
      via improvement of intestinal energy status. A total of twenty-four weaned
      piglets were assigned to one of four treatments: (1) non-challenged control; (2)
      LPS+0 % Asn; (3) LPS+0.5 % Asn; (4) LPS+1.0 % Asn. On day 19, piglets were
      injected with LPS or saline. At 24 h post-injection, piglets were slaughtered and
      intestinal samples were collected. Asn supplementation improved intestinal
      morphology, indicated by higher villus height and villus height:crypt depth
      ratio, and lower crypt depth. Asn supplementation also increased the ratios of
      RNA:DNA and protein:DNA as well as disaccharidase activities in intestinal
      mucosa. In addition, Asn supplementation attenuated bacterial LPS-induced
      intestinal energy deficits, indicated by increased ATP and adenylate energy
      charge levels, and decreased AMP:ATP ratio. Moreover, Asn administration
      increased the activities of key enzymes involved in the tricarboxylic acid cycle,
      including citrate synthase, isocitrate dehydrogenase and alpha-ketoglutarate
      dehydrogenase complex. Finally, Asn administration decreased the mRNA abundance
      of intestinal AMP-activated protein kinase-alpha1 (AMPKalpha1), AMPKalpha2,
      silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) and PPARgamma coactivator-1alpha
      (PGC1alpha), and reduced intestinal AMPKalpha phosphorylation. Collectively,
      these results indicate that Asn supplementation alleviates bacterial LPS-induced
      intestinal injury by modulating the AMPK signalling pathway and improving energy
      status.

PMID- 26277839
TI  - Regulation of Expression of Renal Organic Anion Transporters OAT1 and OAT3 in a
      Model of Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recently, we gained evidence that impairment of rOat1 and rOat3
      expression induced by ischemic acute kidney injury (AKI) is mediated by COX
      metabolites and this suppression might be critically involved in renal damage.
      METHODS: (i) Basolateral organic anion uptake into proximal tubular cells after
      model ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) was investigated by fluorescein uptake. The
      putative promoter sequences from hOAT1 (SLC22A6) and hOAT3 (SCL22A8) were cloned
      into a reporter plasmid, transfected into HEK cells and (ii) transcriptional
      activity was determined after model ischemia and reperfusion as a SEAP reporter
      gen assay. Inhibitors or antagonists were applied with the beginning of
      reperfusion. RESULTS: By using inhibitors of PKA (H89) and PLC (U73122),
      antagonists of E prostanoid receptor type 2 (AH6809) and type 4 (L161,982), we
      gained evidence that I/R induced down regulation of organic anion transport is
      mediated by COX1 metabolites via E prostanoid receptor type 4. The latter
      signaling was confirmed by application of butaprost (EP2 agonist) or TCS2510 (EP4
      agonist) to control cells. In brief, the latter signaling was verified for the
      transcriptional activity in the reporter gen assay established. Therein,
      selective inhibitors for COX1 (SC58125) and COX2 (SC560) were also applied.
      CONCLUSION: Our data show (a) that COX1 metabolites are involved in the
      regulation of renal organic anion transport(ers) after I/R via the EP4 receptor
      and (b) that this is due to transcriptional regulation of the respective
      transporters. As the promoter sequences cloned were of human origin and expressed
      in a human renal epithelial cell line we (c) hypothesize that the regulatory
      mechanisms described after I/R is meaningful for humans as well.

PMID- 26277841
TI  - Damage to the Median and Ulnar Nerves After a Snake Bite.

PMID- 26277840
TI  - Chronic fetal exposure to caffeine altered resistance vessel functions via RyRs
      BKCa down-regulation in rat offspring.
AB  - Caffeine modifies vascular/cardiac contractility. Embryonic exposure to caffeine
      altered cardiac functions in offspring. This study determined chronic influence
      of prenatal caffeine on vessel functions in offspring. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley
      rats (5-month-old) were exposed to high dose of caffeine, their offspring (5
      month-old) were tested for vascular functions in mesenteric arteries (MA) and ion
      channel activities in smooth muscle cells. Prenatal exposure to caffeine
      increased pressor responses and vasoconstrictions to phenylephrine, accompanied
      by enhanced membrane depolarization. Large conductance Ca2(+)-activated K(+)
      (BKCa) channels in buffering phenylephrine-induced vasoconstrictions was
      decreased, whole cell BKCa currents and spontaneous transient outward currents
      (STOCs) were decreased. Single channel recordings revealed reduced voltage/Ca(2+)
      sensitivity of BKCa channels. BKCa alpha-subunit expression was unchanged, BKCa
      beta1-subunit and sensitivity of BKCa to tamoxifen were reduced in the caffeine
      offspring as altered biophysical properties of BKCa in the MA. Simultaneous
      [Ca(2+)]i fluorescence and vasoconstriction testing showed reduced Ca(2+),
      leading to diminished BKCa activation via ryanodine receptor Ca(2+) release
      channels (RyRs), causing enhanced vascular tone. Reduced RyR1 was greater than
      that of RyR3. The results suggest that the altered STOCs activity in the caffeine
      offspring could attribute to down-regulation of RyRs-BKCa, providing new
      information for further understanding increased risks of hypertension in
      developmental origins. 

PMID- 26277842
TI  - Interhemispheric Vertical Hemispherotomy: A Single Center Experience.
AB  - PURPOSE: Hemispheric epileptogenic lesions such as hemimegalencephaly often
      manifest as intractable epilepsy in early infancy. Hemispherotomy is the
      treatment of choice for controlling intractable hemispheric epilepsy. Less
      invasive procedures are desirable for surgery on infants with low body weight.
      This study compared our experience with interhemispheric vertical hemispherotomy
      (IVH) and peri-insular lateral hemispherotomy (PIH). METHODS: Thirteen
      consecutive patients underwent hemispherotomy for treatment of intractable
      epilepsy in our institution between 2001 and 2012. The etiology of epilepsy
      included hemimegalencephaly in 7 patients and cortical dysplasia in 3. PIH was
      performed on the first 5 patients and IVH on the last 8 patients. In the latter
      procedure, complete section of the corpus callosum was first performed via the
      interhemispheric approach. After removing part of the cingulate gyrus, section of
      the descending fibers was performed anterolaterally to the thalamus. Clinical
      characteristics, duration of operation and amount of blood transfusion were
      compared between the PIH and IVH groups. RESULTS: There was no difference in age
      at surgery, body weight and age of epilepsy onset between the two groups. No
      surgery-related death was observed. No patients required shunt operation. One
      patient who underwent IVH required reoperation for incomplete disconnection. The
      amount of intraoperative blood transfusion was smaller and the total duration of
      operation was shorter in the IVH group than in the PIH group. CONCLUSION: The
      interhemispheric approach minimizes cortical resection and may be less invasive
      than PIH. IVH is advantageous for treating infants with low body weight.

PMID- 26277844
TI  - Long-Term Mortality among Hospitalized Non-ICU Patients with Acute Kidney Injury
      Referred to Nephrology.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies of acute kidney injury (AKI) have focused on
      patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs), and several have studied
      hospitalized non-ICU patients, but analysis of patients referred to Nephrology is
      sparse. We analyzed factors associated with short- and long-term morbimortality
      among hospitalized non-ICU patients with AKI who were referred to Nephrology.
      METHODS: A retrospective study with data prospectively collected from 170 non-ICU
      patients, with referral to the Nephrology Unit, recruited over a 4-year period,
      was performed. AKI was classified according to the criteria based on risk,
      injury, failure, loss of kidney function and end-stage kidney disease (RIFLE).
      Risk factors that could influence prognosis of AKI and long-term mortality were
      analyzed at admission. Early on, 1- and 10-year mortalities were correlated with
      AKI RIFLE class, clinical and demographic characteristics. RESULTS: Most patients
      were >65 years, with multiple comorbidities and frequent drug intake history.
      Median Charlson score was 6. Twenty-five percent of patients with previously
      unknown chronic kidney disease (CKD) were diagnosed with CKD during the study.
      Dialysis was required in 13.5% of patients. Hospital deaths were 22.4% and
      significantly associated with older age, RIFLE class L, higher peak serum
      creatinine, oliguria and decreased serum albumin levels. One-year (38.8%) and 10
      year (68.8%) mortalities were significantly associated with age, prior
      cardiovascular disease, prior CKD and RIFLE class L. According to the Cox
      proportional hazard model, age, prior CKD and RIFLE class L were independent risk
      factors of death at 1 and 10 years. CONCLUSIONS: AKI in hospitalized non-ICU
      patients is associated with high early and late mortality. This study increases
      our understanding of AKI among this specific population and can improve their
      management.

PMID- 26277845
TI  - Criteria for Selecting an Optimal Device for the Contralateral Ear of Children
      with a Unilateral Cochlear Implant.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To identify clinical criteria for selecting the aiding device for the
      contralateral ear of children with a unilateral cochlear implant (CI). METHODS:
      Sixty-five children, including 36 bilateral CI users and 29 bimodal users,
      participated in the study. A speech perception test (monosyllabic word test) in
      noise was administered. The target speech (65 dB sound pressure level) was
      presented from the front loudspeaker, and noise (10 dB signal-to-noise ratio) was
      presented from 3 directions: from in front of the child and 90 degrees  to the
      child's right and left sides. The test was performed using the first CI alone and
      under bilateral CI or bimodal conditions. The bilateral benefits to speech
      perception in noise were compared between bilateral CI users and bimodal users.
      RESULTS: Significant benefits in speech perception in noise were evident in
      bilateral CI users in all 3 noise conditions. In bimodal users, the hearing
      threshold at low frequencies of <=1 kHz in the nonimplanted ear affected the
      bilateral benefit. Bimodal users with a low-frequency hearing threshold <=90 dB
      hearing level (HL) showed a significant bilateral benefit in various noise
      conditions. By contrast, bimodal users with a low-frequency hearing threshold >90
      dB HL showed no significant bilateral benefits in all 3 noise conditions.
      CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral CI and bimodal listening provide better speech perception
      in noise than unilateral CI alone in children. The contralateral CI is better
      than bimodal listening for children with a low-frequency hearing threshold >90 dB
      HL. A hearing threshold at low frequencies of <=1 kHz may be a good criterion for
      deciding on the type of device for the contralateral ear of children with a
      unilateral CI.

PMID- 26277846
TI  - DXA and QCT Fracture Risk Assessment Beyond BMD.

PMID- 26277847
TI  - Executive Summary of the 2015 ISCD Position Development Conference on Advanced
      Measures From DXA and QCT: Fracture Prediction Beyond BMD.
AB  - There have been many scientific advances in fracture risk prediction beyond bone
      density. The International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD) convened a
      Position Development Conference (PDC) on the use of dual-energy X-ray
      absorptiometry beyond measurement of bone mineral density for fracture risk
      assessment, including trabecular bone score and hip geometry measures.
      Previously, no guidelines for nonbone mineral density DXA measures existed.
      Furthermore, there have been advances in the analysis of quantitative computed
      tomography (QCT) including finite element analysis, QCT of the hip, DXA
      equivalent hip measurements, and opportunistic screening that were not included
      in the previous ISCD positions. The topics and questions for consideration were
      developed by the ISCD Board of Directors and the Scientific Advisory Committee
      and were designed to address the needs of clinical practitioners. Three task
      forces were created and asked to conduct comprehensive literature reviews to
      address specific questions. The task forces included participants from many
      countries and a variety of interests including academic institutions and private
      health care delivery organizations. Representatives from industry participated as
      consultants to the task forces. Task force reports with proposed position
      statements were then presented to an international panel of experts with
      backgrounds in bone densitometry. The PDC was held in Chicago, Illinois, USA,
      contemporaneously with the Annual Meeting of the ISCD, February 26 through
      February 28, 2015. This Executive Summary describes the methodology of the 2015
      PDC on advanced measures from DXA and QCT and summarizes the approved official
      positions. Six separate articles in this issue will detail the rationale,
      discussion, and additional research topics for each question the task forces
      addressed. 

PMID- 26277848
TI  - Fracture Risk Prediction by Non-BMD DXA Measures: the 2015 ISCD Official
      Positions Part 1: Hip Geometry.
AB  - Bone mineral density (BMD) measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry is the
      current imaging procedure of choice to assess fracture risk. However, BMD is only
      one of the factors that explain bone strength or resistance to fracture. Other
      factors include bone microarchitecture and macroarchitecture. We now have the
      ability to assess some of these non-BMD parameters from a dual-energy X-ray
      absorptiometry image. Available measurements include various measurements of hip
      geometry including hip structural analysis, hip axis length, and neck-shaft
      angle. At the 2015 Position Development Conference, the International Society of
      Clinical Densitometry established official positions for the clinical utility of
      measurements of hip geometry. We present the official positions approved by an
      expert panel after careful review of the recommendations and evidence prepared by
      an independent task force. Each question addressed by the task force is presented
      followed by the official position with the associated medical evidence and
      rationale. 

PMID- 26277849
TI  - Fracture Risk Prediction by Non-BMD DXA Measures: the 2015 ISCD Official
      Positions Part 2: Trabecular Bone Score.
AB  - Bone mineral density (BMD) as measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)
      is the gold standard for the diagnosis and management of osteoporosis. However,
      BMD explains only 60%-80% of bone strength, and a number of skeletal features
      other than BMD contribute to bone strength and fracture risk. Advanced imaging
      modalities can assess some of these skeletal features, but compared to standard
      DXA, these techniques have higher costs and limited accessibility. A major
      challenge, therefore, has been to incorporate in clinical practice a readily
      available, noninvasive technology that permits improvement in fracture-risk
      prediction beyond that provided by the combination of standard DXA measurements
      and clinical risk factors. To this end, trabecular bone score (TBS), a gray-level
      textural index derived from the lumbar spine DXA image, has been investigated.
      The purpose of this International Society for Clinical Densitometry task force
      was to review the evidence and develop recommendations on how to incorporate TBS
      in clinical practice. Clinical applications of TBS for fracture risk assessment,
      treatment initiation, monitoring of treatment, and use of TBS in special
      conditions related to greater fracture risk, were addressed. We present the
      official positions approved by an expert panel following careful review of the
      recommendations and evidence presented by the TBS task force. 

PMID- 26277850
TI  - Measurement of Hip Geometry-Technical Background.
AB  - Conventional dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry images display a digital projection
      of the inorganic mineral mass in a scanned region. Bone mineral density software
      generates an average of the pixels within one or more regions. Although not used
      in the conventional analysis, the images also contain dimensional information
      limited to the plane of the image. The hip structure analysis method and that of
      the similar GE, Madison, WI, algorithm Advanced Hip Analysis use both the
      dimensional information and the mineral mass data to compute the types of
      dimensional properties (i.e., geometry) that are used to evaluate mechanical
      strength in engineering analyses. This article describes the hip structure
      analysis method and a somewhat cruder geometry approximation that does not
      require a reanalysis of the image. Limitations of the methods are discussed. 

PMID- 26277851
TI  - Clinical Use of Quantitative Computed Tomography (QCT) of the Hip in the
      Management of Osteoporosis in Adults: the 2015 ISCD Official Positions-Part I.
AB  - The International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD) has developed new
      official positions for the clinical use of quantitative computed tomography of
      the hip. The ISCD task force for quantitative computed tomography reviewed the
      evidence for clinical applications and presented a report with recommendations at
      the 2015 ISCD Position Development Conference. Here, we discuss the agreed on
      ISCD official positions with supporting medical evidence, rationale, controversy,
      and suggestions for further study. Parts II and III address the advanced
      techniques of finite element analysis applied to computed tomography scans and
      the clinical feasibility of existing techniques for opportunistic screening of
      osteoporosis using computed tomography scans obtained for other diagnosis such as
      colonography was addressed. 

PMID- 26277852
TI  - Clinical Use of Quantitative Computed Tomography-Based Finite Element Analysis of
      the Hip and Spine in the Management of Osteoporosis in Adults: the 2015 ISCD
      Official Positions-Part II.
AB  - The International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD) has developed new
      official positions for the clinical use of quantitative computed tomography (QCT)
      based finite element analysis of the spine and hip. The ISCD task force for QCT
      reviewed the evidence for clinical applications and presented a report with
      recommendations at the 2015 ISCD Position Development Conference. Here we discuss
      the agreed upon ISCD official positions with supporting medical evidence,
      rationale, controversy, and suggestions for further study. Parts I and III
      address the clinical use of QCT of the hip, and the clinical feasibility of
      existing techniques for opportunistic screening of osteoporosis using CT scans
      obtained for other diagnosis such as colonography was addressed. 

PMID- 26277853
TI  - Clinical Use of Quantitative Computed Tomography-Based Advanced Techniques in the
      Management of Osteoporosis in Adults: the 2015 ISCD Official Positions-Part III.
AB  - The International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD) has developed new
      official positions for the clinical use of computed tomography (CT) scans
      acquired without a calibration phantom, for example, CT scans obtained for other
      diagnosis such as colonography. This also addresses techniques suggested for
      opportunistic screening of osteoporosis. The ISCD task force for quantitative CT
      reviewed the evidence for clinical applications of these new techniques and
      presented a report with recommendations at the 2015 ISCD Position Development
      Conference. Here we discuss the agreed upon ISCD official positions with
      supporting medical evidence, rationale, controversy, and suggestions for further
      study. Advanced techniques summarized as statistical parameter mapping methods
      were also reviewed. Their future use is promising but the clinical application is
      premature. The clinical use of QCT of the hip is addressed in part I and of
      finite element analysis of the hip and spine in part II. 

PMID- 26277854
TI  - A Long-Term Study to Evaluate Acidic Skin Care Treatment in Nursing Home
      Residents: Impact on Epidermal Barrier Function and Microflora in Aged Skin.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The pH of the stratum corneum (SC) in the elderly is elevated and
      linked to impaired SC function. Therefore, this paper addresses the question of
      whether acidic skin care generates positive clinical, biophysical, and
      microbiological effects in aged skin. METHODS: This study was performed to assess
      skin care effects in nursing home residents (aged 80-97 years). Visual,
      biophysical, and microbiological methods were used. Subjects were randomly
      assigned to 1 of 2 groups and treated over 7 weeks with skin care products
      adjusted to a pH of 4.0 (group A) or a pH of 6.0 (group B). RESULTS: Compared to
      baseline, SC integrity improved significantly in group A (p = 0.007), whereas
      there was no change in group B (p = 0.672). SC recovery 24 h after perturbation
      increased significantly in group A (p = 0.004) compared to baseline. The SC
      recovery in group B was not significant compared to baseline (p = 0.327).
      CONCLUSION: Long-term treatment with pH 4.0 skin care results in a significant
      improvement in epidermal barrier function compared to identical products with a
      pH of 6.0. In addition, effects on skin dryness and resident flora were
      demonstrated, but without significant differences, between the 2 groups. Based on
      these results, we recommend adjustment of skin care products for the elderly to a
      pH of 4.0 to maintain the health of aged skin. (c) 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.

PMID- 26277855
TI  - CT-based delineation of organs at risk in the head and neck region: DAHANCA,
      EORTC, GORTEC, HKNPCSG, NCIC CTG, NCRI, NRG Oncology and TROG consensus
      guidelines.
AB  - PURPOSE: The objective of this project was to define consensus guidelines for
      delineating organs at risk (OARs) for head and neck radiotherapy for routine
      daily practice and for research purposes. METHODS: Consensus guidelines were
      formulated based on in-depth discussions of a panel of European, North American,
      Asian and Australian radiation oncologists. RESULTS: Twenty-five OARs in the head
      and neck region were defined with a concise description of their main anatomic
      boundaries. The Supplemental material provides an atlas of the consensus
      guidelines, projected on 1mm axial slices. The atlas can also be obtained in
      DICOM-RT format on request. CONCLUSION: Consensus guidelines for head and neck
      OAR delineation were defined, aiming to decrease interobserver variability among
      clinicians and radiotherapy centers.

PMID- 26277856
TI  - Effect of MLC tracking latency on conformal volumetric modulated arc therapy
      (VMAT) plans in 4D stereotactic lung treatment.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The latency of a multileaf collimator (MLC) tracking
      system used to overcome respiratory motion causes misalignment of the treatment
      beam with respect to the gross tumour volume, which may result in reduced target
      coverage. This study investigates the magnitude of this effect. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: Simulated superior-inferior breathing motion was used to construct
      histograms of isocentre offset with respect to the gross tumour volume (GTV) for
      a variety of tracking latencies. Dose distributions for conformal volumetric
      modulated arc therapy (VMAT) arcs were then calculated at a range of offsets and
      summed according to these displacement histograms. The results were verified by
      delivering the plans to a Delta(4) phantom on a motion platform. RESULTS: In the
      absence of an internal target margin, a tracking latency of 150 ms reduces the
      GTV D95% by approximately 2%. With a margin of 2 mm, the same drop in dose occurs
      for a tracking latency of 450 ms. Lung V(13Gy) is unaffected by a range of
      latencies. These results are supported by the phantom measurements. CONCLUSIONS:
      Assuming that internal motion can be modelled by a rigid translation of the
      patient, MLC tracking of conformal VMAT can be effectively accomplished in the
      absence of an internal target margin for substantial breathing motion (4 s period
      and 20 mm peak-peak amplitude) so long as the system latency is less than 150 ms.

PMID- 26277857
TI  - Unraveling estradiol metabolism and involvement in the reproductive cycle of non
      vertebrate animals: The sea urchin model.
AB  - Estradiol (E2) is a well-known hormone in vertebrates whereas in invertebrates
      its unambiguous presence was verified only in some species. Weather this presence
      is also associated to similarly conserved roles in animal phylogeny is similarly
      uncertain. Due to their phylogenetic position, echinoderms represent ideal
      experimental models to provide evolutionary insights into estrogen appearance and
      function. Therefore, in this research, we investigated if E2 is truly present and
      has a role in the reproductive biology of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus.
      Presence of 17beta estradiol in body fluids was confirmed by liquid
      chromatography-mass spectrometry. By immunological methods (RIA) we evaluated the
      physiological circulating E2 levels of adult specimens and, on the basis of
      these, we directly administered E2 to study its metabolism and its putative
      effects on gonad development at physiological doses. Although different E2 tested
      concentrations, a correspondent dose-dependent increase of hormone levels was not
      found in both body fluids and gonads, suggesting the presence of potent
      homeostatic/detoxification mechanisms. These latter do not involve enzymes such
      as aromatase-like, sulfotransferase-like and acyltransferase-like, whose
      activities were not affected by E2 administration. Despite the increase of
      endogenous E2, the treatment did not induce significant variations in none of the
      considered reproductive parameters. Overall, this research (1) provides
      definitive evidence of E2 presence in sea urchin tissues and (2) demonstrate
      that, differently from vertebrates and starfish, E2 does not play a key role in
      sea urchins reproductive processes. Intra-phylum differences suggest the
      existence of class-specific hormonal mechanisms and highlight the risk of Phylum
      generalization. 

PMID- 26277858
TI  - World Trade Center dust-inhalation: assessing the fallout.

PMID- 26277859
TI  - Cuba's complex respiratory picture.

PMID- 26277860
TI  - Health impacts of Facebook usage and mobile texting among undergraduate dental
      students: it's time to understand the difference between usage and an excessive
      use.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Facebook and mobile texting are prevalent in the lives of almost
      every student. However, little is known about the relationship between Facebook
      usage or mobile texting and their impacts on health amongst undergraduate dental
      students. In this study, excessive Facebook use and excessive mobile texting were
      studied as they relate to impacts on health. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross
      sectional study was conducted at a private university in Malaysia. A total of 188
      undergraduate dental students were interviewed using a pre-tested and self-rated
      questionnaire. Data collected from participants were analysed using SPSS version
      18.0. Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test and multiple logistic regression
      analyses were applied to study the relationship between explanatory variables and
      excessive Facebook use and excessive mobile texting. RESULTS: The prevalence of
      excessive Facebook use and excessive mobile texting amongst undergraduate dental
      students was found to be 33.2% and 33.0%, respectively. According to a
      multivariate analysis, texting habits, such as the presence of daytime sleepiness
      after texting late at night (aOR = 2.682, 95% CI = 1.142-6.301) and the presence
      of anxious feelings if students failed to receive a timely response (aOR = 3.819,
      95% CI = 1.580-9.230), were determined to be significant predictors of excessive
      mobile texting. Excessive Facebook use was found to be significantly related to
      three variables as follows: fewer numbers of close friends (aOR = 2.275, 95% CI =
      1.057-4.898), the checking of updates on the Facebook walls of their friends (aOR
      = 2.582, 95% CI = 1.189-5.605) and the absence of active and vigorous feelings
      during Facebook use (aOR = 3.401, 95% CI = 1.233-9.434). CONCLUSIONS:
      Approximately one-third of undergraduate dental students in this study
      experienced excessive Facebook use and/or excessive mobile texting. Health
      education and promotion should be instituted to create awareness, whilst students
      should be advised to practise self-control with respect to both mobile texting
      and Facebook usage.

PMID- 26277861
TI  - Synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of group 4 post-metallocenes bearing
      (sigma-aryl)-2-phenolate-6-pyridyl and -isoquinolinyl auxiliaries.
AB  - A new series of group 4 bis(benzyl) complexes supported by (sigma-aryl)-2
      phenolate-6-pyridyl [O,C,N] ligands have been prepared, and all derivatives have
      been characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy. In the (1)H NMR spectrum of
      the Ti derivative where [N] = (ortho-F)-substituted isoquinolinyl, one of the two
      CH2 resonances is observed as a doublet of doublets (collapsing to a normal d
      upon (19)F-decoupling), whereas the [(1)H,(19)F]-HMQC correlation spectrum
      reveals a strong crosspeak for this dd resonance only, thus indicating the
      presence of intramolecular C-HF-C interactions. [(1)H,(19)F]-HMBC experiments
      have been performed which reveal a significant scalar component for this coupling
      and confirm that the interactions are genuine. The contrasting NMR spectral
      patterns for the (ortho-F)-pyridyl Hf analogue, which exhibits two sets of non
      identical doublet of doublets for the methylene resonances, have been
      rationalized. The activities of the isoquinolinyl-based Ti-[O,C,N] catalysts for
      ethylene polymerization are superior to those of pyridyl-based congeners. 

PMID- 26277862
TI  - Proven isolation of the pulmonary vein antrum with or without left atrial
      posterior wall isolation in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It is unclear whether isolation of the left atrial posterior wall
      (LAPW) offers additional benefits over pulmonary vein antrum isolation (PVAI)
      alone in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). OBJECTIVE: We sought
      to determine the impact of PVAI and LAPW isolation (PVAI+LAPW) versus PVAI alone
      on the outcome of ablation of persistent AF. METHODS: During the first procedure,
      PVAI was performed in 20 patients (group 1), whereas in 32 patients (group 2),
      PVAI was extended to the left atrial (LA) septum and coronary sinus (CS), and
      isolation of the LAPW was targeted (ePVAI+LAPW). Isolation of the superior vena
      cava was achieved in both groups. All patients, regardless of arrhythmia
      recurrence, underwent a second procedure 3 months after the first procedure. In
      patients with reconnection of pulmonary veins or LAPW, reisolation was performed,
      and a third procedure was performed 3 months later to verify isolation. Patients
      entered follow-up only after PVAI (group 1) or PVAI+LAPW (group 2) isolation was
      proven. RESULTS: At the 1-, 2-, and 3-year follow-up examinations, the rates of
      freedom from atrial tachyarrhythmia without use of an antiarrhythmic drug were
      20%, 15%, and 10% in group 1 and 65%, 50%, and 40% in group 2, respectively (log
      rank P < .001). The median recurrence-free survival time was 8.5 months
      (interquartile range 6.5-11.0) in group 1 and 28.0 months (interquartile range
      8.5-32.0) in group 2. CONCLUSION: Proven isolation of the LAPW provides
      additional benefits over PVAI alone in the treatment of persistent AF and
      improves procedural outcome at follow-up. However, the ablation strategy of
      ePVAI+LAPW is still associated with a significant high incidence of very late
      recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmia. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: "Outcome of
      Atrial Fibrillation Ablation After Permanent Pulmonary Vein Antrum Isolation With
      or Without Proven Left Atrial Posterior Wall Isolation" (LIBERATION).
      ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01660100.

PMID- 26277863
TI  - Contemporary rates of appropriate shock therapy in patients who receive
      implantable device therapy in a real-world setting: From the Israeli ICD
      Registry.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) have become the
      mainstay of preventive measures for sudden cardiac death (SCD). However, there
      are limited data on rates of appropriate life-saving ICD shock therapies in
      contemporary real-life settings. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to
      evaluate the rate of appropriate life-saving ICD shock therapies in a
      contemporary registry. METHODS: The Israeli ICD Registry includes all implants
      and other ICD operative procedures nationwide. The present study comprises 2349
      consecutive cases who were enrolled in the Registry and prospectively followed up
      for information regarding survival, hospitalizations, and ICD therapies since
      2010. RESULTS: Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the rate of appropriate
      ICD shock therapy at 30-month follow-up was 2.6% among patients who received an
      ICD for primary prevention compared with 7.4% among those who received a device
      for secondary prevention (log-rank P < .001). Rates of appropriate ICD shocks
      among primary prevention patients were 1.1% at 1-year of follow-up and 2.6% at 30
      months, whereas the corresponding rates in the secondary prevention group were
      3.8% at 1 year and 7.4% at 30 months (log-rank P < .001). A total of 253 patients
      (4.8%) died during follow-up, 65% of noncardiac causes. CONCLUSION: Rates of life
      saving appropriate ICD shock therapies among patients implanted with a
      defibrillator for the primary prevention of SCD in a contemporary real-world
      setting are lower than reported previously. These findings suggest a need for
      improved risk stratification and patient selection in this population.

PMID- 26277864
TI  - Economic losses related to internal diseases in Japanese black cattle.
AB  - The objective of this study was to estimate the direct economic losses due to the
      condemnation of the liver and large intestine because of internal diseases
      (multifocal necrosis in the liver (MNL) and inflammation of the large intestine
      (ILI)), and the indirect losses because of reductions in carcass performance from
      MNL, bovine abdominal fat necrosis (BFN) and ILI using data from 5383 Japanese
      Black cattle. Direct losses were estimated by multiplying the price of the
      condemned part by the frequency of its occurrence owing to the disease.
      Similarly, indirect losses were estimated as the product of unit carcass price
      and reduction in carcass weight (CW) due to the disease. The direct impact on the
      beef cattle industry from MNL and ILI was estimated at around $1.29 million (US$1
      = Y120) per year. A least-squares analysis showed that MNL had no influence on
      any carcass trait, whereas BFN and ILI significantly reduced CW, rib eye area and
      darkened the beef. ILI also reduced rib thickness. The indirect losses from BFN
      and ILI were estimated as a maximum of $131.7 and $256.4 per animal and around
      $6.26 million and $4.03 million for the industry, respectively, mostly because of
      the reduction in CW. 

PMID- 26277866
TI  - The SFP research priority setting process.

PMID- 26277865
TI  - Significant association between functional microRNA polymorphisms and head and
      neck cancer susceptibility: a comprehensive meta-analysis.
AB  - Molecular epidemiological studies have showed a closer association between
      microRNA polymorphisms with and head and neck cancer (HNC) risk. But the results
      of these studies were inconsistent. We performed this meta-analysis to clarify
      the associations between microRNA polymorphisms and HNC risk. Four electronic
      databases (PubMed, Embase, CNKI, and Wanfang) were searched. Odds ratios (ORs)
      with 95% confidence interval (CIs) were calculated to assess the association
      between microRNA-146a rs2910164 G > C, microRNA-196a2 rs11614913 C > T, microRNA
      149 rs2292832 C > T, microRNA-499 rs3746444 A > G polymorphisms and HNC risk.
      Heterogeneity, publication bias and sensitivity analysis were conducted to
      guarantee the statistical power. Overall, 11 selected articles involving 16100
      subjects were included in this meta-analysis. Significantly increased risk
      between microRNA-146a rs2910164 G > C polymorphism and HNC risk were observed in
      Caucasian population (GC vs. GG: OR = 1.31, 95%CI = 1.01-1.68; GC + CC vs. GG: OR
      = 1.26, 95%CI = 1.02-1.57). For microRNA-196a2 rs11614913 C > T, similarly
      increased risk were also found in Asian population (T vs. C, OR = 1.14, 95%CI =
      1.04-1.25; TT vs. CC, OR = 1.33, 95%CI = 1.09-1.61; CT + TT vs. CC OR = 1.32,
      95%CI = 0.99-1.76; TT vs. CC + CT, OR = 1.14, 95%CI = 0.99-1.33). In addition, no
      significant association was detected between microRNA-149 rs2292832 C > T and
      microRNA-499 rs3746444 A > G polymorphism and HNC risk. This meta-analysis
      demonstrates that microRNA polymorphisms are associated with HNC development
      based on ethnicity diversity.

PMID- 26277868
TI  - Functional genetic variability at promoters of pro-(IL-18) and anti-(IL-10)
      inflammatory affects their mRNA expression and survival in prostate carcinoma
      patients: Five year follow-up study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Inflammation is an important hallmark of all cancers. The net
      inflammatory response is determined by a delicate balance between pro- and anti
      inflammatory cytokines, which, in turn, is determined by the genetic make-up. The
      present study investigates the role of variations in the promoter regions of IL
      18 and IL-10 (anti-inflammatory) cytokines on mRNA expressions and survival in
      prostate cancer (PCa) patients. METHODS: The study was conducted on 584 volunteer
      males (291 patients of PCa, between 40-80 years of age. Genetic variants were
      studied by using RFLP and confirmed by probe based method. Expressions of mRNA
      were evaluated by real-time PCR (Roche light cycler 480). Relative mRNA and fold
      change gene expressions were analyzed by ([1/2] (DeltaCt) ) and (2(-DeltaDeltaCt)
      ) methods, respectively, and 5 year follow-ups were evaluated by Log-rank (Mantel
      Cox) test with Log-rank test for trends. RESULTS: IL-18 mRNA expression was
      significantly elevated in GG genotypes (at -137) of PCa with relative mRNA
      expression of 13.95, that is, 8.48 folds higher (P < 0.05) than controls; and
      showed a significant median survival of 1243 days. The CC genotypes of IL-10 at
      both loci (-819 T/C and -592C/A) showed 3.63 and 3.52 higher relative mRNA
      expressions than controls, but poor survival of 984 and 1052 days than TT of 1359
      days and AA of 1371 days. CONCLUSIONS: Genetic variants of pro-inflammatory IL-18
      which showed higher relative mRNA expressions have better survival. Genetic
      variants of anti-inflammatory IL-10 with higher relative mRNA expression showed
      decreased chances of survival.

PMID- 26277869
TI  - Validation of a score to guide endometriosis therapy for the non-specialized
      gynecologist.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To validate a tool-the ECO system-developed to guide non-specialized
      gynecologists in the treatment of patients with suspected endometriosis in
      outpatient clinics. METHODS: In a retrospective study, data were assessed from
      patients presenting to a center in Brazil or a center in Germany with suspected
      endometriosis and pelvic pain between July 2012 and June 2013. Data reviewed
      included patient complaints, clinical extent of disease, patient goals, recent
      use of medication, previous pelvic surgeries, visual analog pain scale, treatment
      provided, and histopathology after surgery. Data were transformed into a score
      according to the ECO system (0-6) indicating the suggested management, which was
      compared with the approach used in the study hospitals. RESULTS: Among 166
      patients, 78 (47.0%) were medically treated and 88 (53.0%) underwent therapeutic
      laparoscopy. All 3 patients scoring 2 had undergone hormonal treatment. Among 51
      patients scoring 3, 49 (96.1%) were clinically managed and 2 (3.9%) underwent
      surgery. Among 52 patients scoring 4, 26 (50.0%) had undergone medical treatment
      and 26 (50.0%) surgical treatment. All 56 patients who scored 5 and the four
      patients who scored 6 underwent surgery. CONCLUSION: The ECO system seems to
      effectively represent the management of patients with endometriosis in
      specialized services.

PMID- 26277870
TI  - Potential Clinical Use of Kisspeptin.
AB  - Over the last 10 years, kisspeptins--peptide products of varying lengths encoded
      by the KISS1 gene--have been found to be key regulators of normal reproductive
      function throughout life in animals and humans. By activating the kisspeptin
      receptor [previously known as orphan G protein-coupled receptor 54 (GPR54)], they
      elicit an effect on the central gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons.
      Administration of kisspeptin by either the subcutaneous or intravenous route
      potently stimulates endogenous gonadotropin hormone release in healthy men and
      women as well as in animals. Kisspeptin also stimulates endogenous release of
      gonadotropins in subfertile as well as healthy volunteers, and therefore it has
      potential as a novel therapeutic agent in reproductive disorders. Further human
      studies have shown that chronic, high-dose administration of kisspeptin causes
      desensitisation with rapid subsequent suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary
      gonadal axis, and therefore high-dose long-acting analogues may have a clinical
      role in treating sex hormone-dependent malignancies. By further elucidating the
      intricacies and mechanisms of the kisspeptin signalling system, and the tissues
      it acts on during different phases of the reproductive timeline (including during
      puberty, fertility, pregnancy and menopause), pharmacologic analogues could
      become clinically useful.

PMID- 26277871
TI  - Impaired Activity of Blood Coagulant Factor XIII in Patients with Necrotizing
      Enterocolitis.
AB  - Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the most common gastrointestinal (GI)
      medical/surgical emergency of the newborn and a leading cause of preterm neonate
      morbidity and mortality. NEC is a challenge to diagnose since it often shares
      similar clinical features with neonatal sepsis. In the present study, plasma
      protein profiling was compared among NEC, sepsis and control cohorts using gel
      electrophoresis, immunoblot and mass spectrometry. We observed significant
      impairment in the formation of fibrinogen-gamma dimers (FGG-dimer) in the plasma
      of newborns with NEC that could efficiently differentiate NEC and sepsis with a
      high level of sensitivity and specificity. Interestingly, the impaired FGG-dimer
      formation could be restored in NEC plasma by the addition of exogenous active
      factor XIII (FXIII). Enzymatic activity of FXIII was determined to be
      significantly lower in NEC subject plasma for crosslinking FGG when compared to
      sepsis. These findings demonstrate a potential novel biomarker and related
      biologic mechanism for diagnosing NEC, as well as suggest a possible therapeutic
      strategy. 

PMID- 26277872
TI  - Effects of mild hypoalbuminemia on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of
      dexmedetomidine in patients after major abdominal or thoracic surgery.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of mild hypoalbuminemia on
      pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of dexmedetomidine in patients after major
      abdominal or thoracic surgery. DESIGN: A prospective cohort study. SETTING:
      University-affiliated teaching hospital. PATIENTS: The study was performed in 30
      consecutive patients undergoing major abdominal or thoracic surgery. They were
      aged 18 to 65 years and graded as American Society of Anesthesiologists physical
      status I and II. All patients were scheduled to require more than 6 hours of
      postoperative sedation and mechanical ventilation. Nine of the patients had low
      plasma albumin levels (<35 g/L but >24 g/L; male/female, 6/3) after the
      operation, who were assigned to hypoalbuminemia group, and the remainder with
      normoalbuminemia (>35 g/L; male/female, 15/6) were assigned to normoalbuminemia
      group. INTERVENTIONS: All patients were administered a loading dose of
      dexmedetomidine 1.0 MUg/kg infused over 10 minutes after admitted into intensive
      care unit and a maintenance dose of 0.4 MUg/kg per hour followed for 6 hours.
      MEASUREMENTS: Plasma dexmedetomidine levels were determined by high performance
      liquid chromatography - mass spectrum. Sedation was evaluated using Ramsay
      sedation score. Heart rate and arterial pressures were monitored. Adverse events
      were recorded. MAIN RESULTS: Compared with patients with normoalbuminemia,
      maximum plasma concentration of dexmedetomidine decreased by 21.2% in patients
      with hypoalbuminemia (P < .01). Its volume of distribution at steady state
      increased by 40.5%; elimination half-life decreased by 33.5% (P < .01). However,
      heart rates, arterial pressures, and Ramsay sedation scores did not differ
      significantly between the 2 groups. No serious adverse events occurred in either
      the patients with hypoalbuminemia or normoalbuminemia. CONCLUSIONS: Sedation and
      adverse reactions of dexmedetomidine infusion did not differ significantly
      between patients with mild hypoalbuminemia and normoalbuminemia, although its
      volume of distribution at steady state increased and elimination half-life
      shortened in patients with hypoalbuminemia. This suggests that dexmedetomidine
      infusion can safely be used in mild hypoalbuminemia patients after major
      abdominal or thoracic surgery.

PMID- 26277873
TI  - Local anesthetic injection deep to the fascia iliaca at the level of the inguinal
      ligament: the pattern of distribution and effects on the obturator nerve.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVE: The femoral, lateral femoral cutaneous, and obturator nerves
      (ONs) can reportedly be blocked using a single-injection deep to the fascia
      iliaca (FI) at the level of the inguinal ligament. Two commonly used methods (the
      FI compartment and 3-in-1 blocks) have produced inconsistent results with respect
      to local anesthetic distribution and effect on the ON. To date, no study of
      either method has been performed using advanced imaging techniques to document
      both needle placement and local anesthetic distribution. We report the outcome of
      a series of 3-in-1 and FI blocks performed using ultrasound to guide needle
      position and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to define local anesthetic
      distribution. DESIGN: Patients were prospectively studied, and images were
      interpreted using a randomized and blinded protocol. SETTING: The study was
      performed in the perioperative area of an academic orthopedic specialty hospital.
      PATIENTS: Ten patients (ASA 1-2) having anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction
      received either 3-in-1 or FI compartment blocks for postoperative analgesia using
      the surface landmarks described for these techniques. INTERVENTIONS: Ultrasound
      was used to position the injecting needle immediately deep to the FI. Local
      anesthetic distribution was studied using MRI. MEASUREMENTS: Patients were
      examined for motor and/or sensory function of the femoral, obturator, and lateral
      femoral cutaneous nerves. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to document the
      limits of injectate distribution. MAIN RESULTS: Magnetic resonance imaging showed
      distribution of injectate over the surface of the iliacus and psoas muscles to
      the level of the retroperitoneum. No patient showed medial extension of injectate
      to the ON. At the level of the inguinal ligament, injectate extended laterally
      toward the anterior superior iliac spine and medially to the femoral vein. All
      patients had significant weakness with extension of the knee and sensory loss
      over the anterior, lateral, and medial thigh. No patient demonstrated decreased
      hip adductor strength. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound and MRI show consistent superior
      extension of local anesthetic to the level of the retroperitoneum for both
      techniques. There was reliable clinical effect on the femoral and lateral femoral
      cutaneous nerves. However, none of the injections produced evidence of ON block
      either at the level of the retroperitoneum or the inguinal ligament.

PMID- 26277874
TI  - Health-related quality of life in children with heart failure as perceived by
      children and parents.
AB  - Advancements in paediatric heart failure management have resulted in improved
      survival and a focus on long-term outcomes including health-related quality of
      life. We compared health-related quality of life in children with heart failure
      with healthy patients, children with chronic conditions, and children with
      cardiovascular disease. Families (n=63) and children (n=73) aged 2-20 years with
      heart failure were enrolled and compared with data previously published for
      healthy patients (n=5480), those with chronic conditions (n=247), and those with
      cardiovascular disease (n=347). Patients and parents completed the PedsQL 4.0 and
      the Cardiac 3.0 Module health-related quality-of-life questionnaires. PedsQL
      scores including Total, Psychosocial Health Summary, and Physical were compared
      between groups. In general, patients with heart failure had lower scores than the
      healthy population (p=0.001), and comparable scores with those with chronic
      conditions. Parents perceived no difference in physical scores for children with
      heart failure when compared with healthy children, and perceived higher scores
      for children with heart failure when compared with those with chronic conditions
      (p?0.003). Furthermore, children with heart failure had decremental health
      related quality-of-life scores as the American Heart Association stage of heart
      failure increased, such that patients with stage C heart failure had scores
      similar to children with severe cardiovascular disease. Children with heart
      failure reported significantly impaired health-related quality of life compared
      with healthy children and similar scores compared with children with chronic
      conditions. Parental perceptions appear to underestimate these impairments.
      Children with heart failure appear to have progressive impairment of health
      related quality of life with advancing stage of heart failure. 

PMID- 26277875
TI  - Delirium Tremens Leads to Poor Outcomes for Acute Coronary Syndrome.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The mortality rate for patients with delirium tremens (DT) is 5%. As
      these patients present with elevated cardiac indices, coexisting DT in acute
      coronary syndrome (ACS) likely worsens outcomes. Our aim was to examine the
      outcomes of alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) and DT in patients with ACS.
      METHODS: We used the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (2000-2009) for our study. A
      multivariable logistic regression model was used to examine the independent
      association of AWS on inhospital mortality and a multivariable linear regression
      was used to examine the effect of AWS on inpatient length of stay (LOS). RESULTS:
      An estimated 2,465,852 admissions with a primary diagnosis of ACS were analyzed.
      Of these, 4,499 patients had AWS and 3,460 patients had DT. Adjusting for age,
      gender, race, insurance, hospital characteristics, Charlson's comorbidity index,
      stent placement and year, the inhospital mortality was significant only for DT
      (OR 1.56; 95% CI 1.21-2.04). Inpatient LOS was 1.64 (95% CI 1.58-1.73) times
      higher in those with AWS and 2.33 (95% CI 2.22-2.43) times higher in DT when
      compared to nonalcoholics. Total hospital charges were higher for patients with
      AWS and DT when compared to nonalcoholics. CONCLUSIONS: Coexisting DT in ACS
      admissions is associated with increased mortality along with longer inpatient LOS
      and higher hospital costs.

PMID- 26277876
TI  - Longitudinal response of membrane thickness and ostium patency following sinus
      floor elevation: a prospective cohort study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To investigate the influence of sinus floor elevation (SFE) on sinus
      physiology, including Schneiderian membrane thickness (MT) and ostium patency,
      using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Based on pre
      established selection criteria, 53 patients in combination with 53 sinuses were
      referred for SFE with a lateral approach using deproteinized bone mineral. CBCT
      was performed prior to, immediately after surgery and before staged implant
      placement. The Schneiderian MT of the elevated region, ostium patency, and other
      clinical data was evaluated. RESULTS: The two-stage sinus augmentation technique
      was applied in 33 males and 20 females. Four membrane perforations were observed
      during the surgical procedure. The Schneiderian membrane exhibited significant
      swelling immediately after augmentation (P < 0.0001), but this difference
      disappeared after a mean healing period of 7.51 months. The corresponding changes
      were also observed for ostium patency with a tendency of transient obstruction
      after surgery. Sinuses with flat mucosal thickening or pseudocysts did not
      present a liability of perforation compared to the normal cases, and the
      augmentation procedure was not likely to deteriorate the pathology of mucosal
      thickening or pseudocysts. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that SFE with a lateral
      approach has no significant influence on MT and ostium patency after the healing
      period except for postoperative transient swelling and obstruction. Thickened
      membranes and antral pseudocysts in a small size might not be contraindications
      to SFE from the standpoint of the surgical impact on the Schneiderian membrane.

PMID- 26277877
TI  - Can the optimal cervical length for placing ultrasound-indicated cerclage be
      identified?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess a continuum of cervical length (CL) cut-offs for the
      efficacy of ultrasound-indicated cerclage in women with previous spontaneous
      preterm birth (PTB). METHODS: This was a planned secondary analysis of a
      multicenter randomized clinical trial of ultrasound-indicated cerclage for the
      prevention of PTB in high-risk women. The efficacy of cerclage for preventing
      recurrent PTB < 35, < 32 and < 24 weeks' gestation was assessed using
      multivariable logistic regression analysis. Odds ratios (ORs) and CIs were
      estimated for a range of CL cut-offs using bootstrap regression. The 2.5(th) and
      97.5(th) percentiles of bootstrapped ORs determined the CIs. Results were
      illustrated using smoothed curves superimposed on estimated ORs by CL cut-off.
      RESULTS: Of 301 women with a CL < 25 mm, 142 underwent ultrasound-indicated
      cerclage and 159 did not have cerclage placement. The few cases with CL < 10 mm
      limited the evaluation to CL cut-offs between < 10 mm and < 25 mm. For PTB < 35
      weeks, ORs in women with a cerclage and CL < 25 mm were statistically
      significantly lower than in those without cerclage, and efficacy was maintained
      at smaller CL cut-offs. Results were similar for PTB < 32 weeks. For PTB < 24
      weeks, results differed, with ORs increasing toward unity (no benefit), with wide
      CIs, for CL cut-offs between < 10 mm and < 15 mm, attributed to the small number
      of births < 24 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: The efficacy of ultrasound-indicated cerclage
      in women with previous spontaneous PTB varies by action point CL cut-off and by
      PTB gestational age of interest. Cerclage significantly reduces the risk of PTB <
      35 and < 32 weeks, at CL cut-offs between < 10 mm and < 25 mm, with the greatest
      reduction at shorter CL, affirming that women with prior spontaneous PTB and a
      short CL are appropriate candidates for ultrasound-indicated cerclage. Copyright
      (c) 2015 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

PMID- 26277878
TI  - Ultrasound assessment of congenital fetal lung masses and neonatal respiratory
      outcomes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Fetal congenital lung masses generate concern for compromised
      postnatal respiratory function. Congenital pulmonary adenomatoid malformation
      volume ratio (CVR) has been used to predict the risk of hydrops fetalis and need
      for antenatal intervention. This study investigates whether CVR could be used to
      predict neonatal respiratory outcomes. METHODS: The ultrasounds of fetuses
      diagnosed with a lung mass between 2005 and 2013 were reviewed. CVR was
      calculated at each ultrasound using the formula for a prolate ellipse divided by
      head circumference. The pregnancy outcome and information about NICU admission
      for respiratory insufficiency were collected. RESULTS: Forty-two fetuses were
      diagnosed with a lung mass during the study period. CVR prior to 24 weeks and
      between 24 and 32 weeks were associated with NICU admission (p < 0.0001 and
      <0.008, respectively). CVR increased up to 32 weeks and decreased thereafter for
      most subjects. The decrease in CVR beyond 32 weeks was larger for cases that
      required NICU admission (p = 0.002). For a CVR cut-off of <0.5, the sensitivity
      was 100%, the specificity 85.7%, and negative predictive value was 100% for
      regular nursery care. CONCLUSION: In pregnancies diagnosed with fetal lung
      masses, CVR predicted normal respiratory outcomes and need for NICU admission.
      This information may be helpful for delivery planning. (c) 2015 John Wiley &
      Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 26277879
TI  - Heart Rate Variability, Insulin Resistance, and Insulin Sensitivity in Japanese
      Adults: The Toon Health Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although impaired cardiac autonomic function is associated with an
      increased risk of type 2 diabetes in Caucasians, evidence in Asian populations
      with a lower body mass index is limited. METHODS: Between 2009-2012, the Toon
      Health Study recruited 1899 individuals aged 30-79 years who were not taking
      medication for diabetes. A 75-g oral glucose tolerance test was used to diagnose
      type 2 diabetes, and fasting and 2-h-postload glucose and insulin concentrations
      were measured. We assessed the homeostasis model assessment index for insulin
      resistance (HOMA-IR) and Gutt's insulin sensitivity index (ISI). Pulse was
      recorded for 5 min, and time-domain heart rate variability (HRV) indices were
      calculated: the standard deviation of normal-to-normal intervals (SDNN) and the
      root mean square of successive difference (RMSSD). Power spectral analysis
      provided frequency domain measures of HRV: high frequency (HF) power, low
      frequency (LF) power, and the LF:HF ratio. RESULTS: Multivariate-adjusted
      logistic regression models showed decreased SDNN, RMSSD, and HF, and increased
      LF:HF ratio were associated significantly with increased HOMA-IR and decreased
      ISI. When stratified by overweight status, the association of RMSSD, HF, and
      LF:HF ratio with decreased ISI was also apparent in non-overweight individuals.
      The interaction between LF:HF ratio and decreased ISI in overweight individuals
      was significant, with the odds ratio for decreased ISI in the highest quartile of
      LF:HF ratio in non-overweight individuals being 2.09 (95% confidence interval,
      1.41-3.10). CONCLUSIONS: Reduced HRV was associated with insulin resistance and
      lower insulin sensitivity. Decreased ISI was linked with parasympathetic
      dysfunction, primarily in non-overweight individuals.

PMID- 26277880
TI  - Tobacco Price Increase and Smoking Cessation in Japan, a Developed Country With
      Affordable Tobacco: A National Population-Based Observational Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Longitudinal assessment of the impact of tobacco price on smoking
      cessation is scarce. Our objective was to investigate the effect of a price
      increase in October 2010 on cessation rates according to gender, age,
      socioeconomic status, and level of tobacco dependence in Japan. METHODS: We used
      longitudinal data linkage of two nationally representative studies and followed
      2702 smokers for assessment of their cessation status. The odds ratios (ORs) for
      cessation were calculated using logistic regression. To estimate the impact of
      the 2010 tobacco price increase on cessation, data from 2007 were used as a
      reference category. RESULTS: Overall cessation rates significantly increased from
      2007 to 2010, from 3.7% to 10.7% for men and from 9.9% to 16.3% for women.
      Cessation rates were 9.3% for men who smoked 1-10 cigarettes per day, 2.7% for
      men who smoked 11-20 cigarettes per day, and 2.0% for men who smoked more than 20
      cigarettes per day in 2007. These rates increased to 15.5%, 10.0%, and 8.0%,
      respectively, in 2010. The impact was stronger among subjects who smoked more
      than 11 cigarettes per day than those who smoked 1-10 cigarettes per day in both
      sexes: ORs for 2010 were 4.04 for those smoking 11-20 cigarettes per day, 4.26
      for those smoking more than 20 cigarettes per day, and 1.80 for those smoking 1
      10 cigarettes per day in the main model in men. There were no obvious differences
      in the relationship between tobacco price increase and smoking cessation across
      age and household expenditure groups. CONCLUSIONS: The tobacco price increase in
      Japan had a significant impact on smoking cessation in both sexes, especially
      among heavy smokers, with no clear difference in effect by socio-demographic
      status.

PMID- 26277881
TI  - Validity of a Self-Administered Food-Frequency Questionnaire for Assessing Amino
      Acid Intake in Japan: Comparison With Intake From 4-Day Weighed Dietary Records
      and Plasma Levels.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Interest in the physiological roles of amino acids and their impact
      on health outcomes is substantial and growing. This interest has prompted
      assessment of the habitual intake of amino acids for use in epidemiologic studies
      and in clarifying the association between habitual intake and plasma levels of
      amino acids. Here, we investigated the validity of ranking individuals according
      to dietary amino acid intake as estimated using a food frequency questionnaire
      (FFQ) in comparison with intakes from dietary records (DRs) and plasma levels.
      METHODS: A total of 139 men and women selected from examinees of the cancer
      screening program at the Research Center for Cancer Prevention and Screening,
      National Cancer Center, Japan, provided 4-day weighed DRs, a semi-quantitative
      FFQ, and plasma samples. Plasma levels of amino acids were measured using the UF
      Amino Station system. RESULTS: Spearman rank correlation coefficients of energy
      adjusted intake of amino acids from the DR and FFQ ranged from 0.40 to 0.65 for
      men and from 0.35 to 0.46 for women. Correlation coefficients of energy-adjusted
      intake from the DR and plasma levels ranged from -0.40 to 0.25 for men and from 
      0.16 to 0.11 for women. Similarly, no significant positive correlation
      coefficients were observed between intake from the FFQ and plasma levels for
      either men or women. CONCLUSIONS: We confirmed that this FFQ has moderate
      validity in estimating amino acid intake when 4-day weighed DRs are used as a
      reference method, suggesting that it is suitable for ranking individuals living
      in urban areas in Japan by amino acid intake.

PMID- 26277882
TI  - The triangle zone as a femoral attachment location in medial patellofemoral
      ligament reconstruction: An in vivo three-dimensional analysis using an open MRI
      scanner.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The exact isometric points for medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL)
      fixation during MPFL reconstruction remain a matter of debate. PURPOSE: The aim
      of this study was to characterize the functional length changes of various
      patellar and femoral fixation sites using in vivo three-dimensional (3D) movement
      patterns and to determine the ideal fixation sites at which the graft remains
      largely isometric. METHODS: Twelve right knees of healthy volunteers were
      examined at early flexion angles (0 degrees , 10 degrees , 20 degrees , 30
      degrees , 40 degrees , 50 degrees , and 60 degrees ) with a horizontal-type open
      magnetic resonance scanner, and 3D models were reconstructed using the marching
      cubes algorithm. Six points on the femoral condyle and three points on the medial
      aspect of the patella were simulated. The matching points represented the MPFL,
      which crossed the bony obstacle. The MPFL length changes were analyzed at various
      flexion degrees. RESULTS: The lengths from the dome of Blumensaat's line (G), the
      point 10mm inferior to the adductor tubercle (H), to the midpoint between the
      adductor tubercle and the medial epicondyle (I) were more isometric than other
      points. The lengths between the dome of Blumensaat's line and the superior pole
      of the patella changes significantly between 20 degrees  and 60 degrees  of
      flexion (p=0.040). CONCLUSIONS: The femoral fixation site may be more accurately
      located during MPFL reconstruction at the G, H, and I points to restore the
      native biomechanical function of the MPFL. The dome of Blumensaat's line should
      be avoided during MPFL reconstruction with the superficial quad technique.
      CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A triangular region composed of the dome of Blumensaat's
      line, 10mm inferior to the adductor tubercle, and the midpoint between the
      adductor tubercle and medial epicondyle is recommended as the femoral fixation
      site.

PMID- 26277883
TI  - Association of cortical thickness and neurological soft signs in patients with
      chronic schizophrenia and healthy controls.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Neurological soft signs (NSS), i.e. subtle neurological
      abnormalities, have been frequently found in schizophrenia. Neuroimaging studies
      in schizophrenia have shown abnormal cortical thickness changes across the
      cortical mantle. However, few studies have examined relationships between NSS and
      cortical thickness abnormalities in schizophrenia. METHOD: A sample of 18
      patients with chronic schizophrenia and 20 age-matched healthy controls were
      included. Cortical thickness was assessed on high-resolution 3-tesla magnetic
      resonance imaging by using FreeSurfer software and NSS were rated on the
      Heidelberg Scale. RESULTS: Significant negative correlations between NSS and
      cortical thickness were found in the prefrontal, inferior temporal, superior
      parietal, postcentral, and supramarginal cortices in the schizophrenia patients.
      In the controls, however, this negative correlation was found in the anterior
      cingulate, pericalcarine and superior/middle temporal regions. CONCLUSION: Our
      results not only confirmed the association between NSS and cortical thickness in
      chronic schizophrenia but also indicated that patients and controls have
      different anatomical substrates of NSS.

PMID- 26277884
TI  - Cardiotoxin III Inhibits Hepatocyte Growth Factor-Induced Epithelial-Mesenchymal
      Transition and Suppresses Invasion of MDA-MB-231 Cells.
AB  - The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is the first step required for breast
      cancer to initiate metastasis. In this study, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) was
      used as a metastatic inducer of MDA-MB-231 cells. Cardiotoxin III (CTX III)
      inhibited HGF-induced morphological changes and upregulation of E-cadherin with
      the concomitant decrease in N-cadherin and Vimentin protein levels, resulting in
      inhibition of cell migration and invasion. CTX III-induced downregulation of
      transcription factors, Snail, Twist, and Slug, in MDA-MB-231 cells. CTX III
      suppressed c-Met phosphorylation and downstream activation of
      phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt and extracellular signal-regulated
      kinase (ERK)1/2. The c-Met specific inhibitor PHA665752 attenuated ERK1/2 and Akt
      phosphorylation, cell migration and invasion, as well as the expressional changes
      of EMT markers induced by HGF. Taken together, our data suggest that CTX III
      suppresses HGF/c-Met-induced cell migration and invasion by reversing EMT, which
      involves the inactivation of the HGF/c-Met-mediated ERK1/2 and PI3K/Akt pathways
      in MDA-MB-231 cells. 

PMID- 26277885
TI  - Severe pulmonary hypertension associated with COPD: hemodynamic improvement with
      specific therapy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is no recommendation for treating pulmonary hypertension (PH)
      when associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). OBJECTIVE: To
      evaluate the effect of PH-specific therapy in patients with COPD. METHODS: All
      successive patients with severe PH [mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) >=35
      mm Hg] and COPD, who received specific PH medication and who underwent right
      heart catheterization at baseline and after 3-12 months of treatment, were
      analyzed from a prospective database. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients were included
      with a median follow-up of 14 months. Mean forced expiratory volume in 1 s was 57
      +/- 20% of predicted, and mean forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital
      capacity was 47 +/- 12%. Dyspnea was New York Health Association classification
      stage (NYHA) II in 15%, NYHA III in 81% and NYHA IV in 4%. First-line treatments
      were endothelin receptor antagonists in 11 patients, phosphodiesterase-5
      inhibitors in 11 patients, calcium blocker in 1 patient, combination therapy in 3
      patients including 2 with a prostanoid. After 6 +/- 3 months, pulmonary vascular
      resistance decreased from 8.5 +/- 3 to 6.6 +/- 2 Wood units (p < 0.001), with
      significant improvement of cardiac index from 2.44 +/- 0.43 to 2.68 +/- 0.63
      liters * min * m-2 (p = 0.015) and mPAP from 48 +/- 9 to 42 +/- 10 mm Hg (p =
      0.008). There was no significant difference in dyspnea, 6-min walking distance,
      echocardiographic parameters or N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels.
      There was no significant difference in arterial oxygen saturation after 3-12
      months of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Specific PH medications may improve hemodynamic
      parameters in COPD patients with severe PH. Appropriate prospective randomized
      studies are needed to evaluate the potential long-term clinical benefit of
      treatment.

PMID- 26277886
TI  - Ultrashort Channel Length Black Phosphorus Field-Effect Transistors.
AB  - This paper reports high-performance top-gated black phosphorus (BP) field-effect
      transistors with channel lengths down to 20 nm fabricated using a facile angle
      evaporation process. By controlling the evaporation angle, the channel length of
      the transistors can be reproducibly controlled to be anywhere between 20 and 70
      nm. The as-fabricated 20 nm top-gated BP transistors exhibit respectable on-state
      current (174 MUA/MUm) and transconductance (70 MUS/MUm) at a VDS of 0.1 V. Due to
      the use of two-dimensional BP as the channel material, the transistors exhibit
      relatively small short channel effects, preserving a decent on-off current ratio
      of 10(2) even at an extremely small channel length of 20 nm. Additionally, unlike
      the unencapsulated BP devices, which are known to be chemically unstable in
      ambient conditions, the top-gated BP transistors passivated by the Al2O3 gate
      dielectric layer remain stable without noticeable degradation in device
      performance after being stored in ambient conditions for more than 1 week. This
      work demonstrates the great promise of atomically thin BP for applications in
      ultimately scaled transistors. 

PMID- 26277888
TI  - Localized Subcarinal Adenitis following Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided
      Transbronchial Needle Aspiration.
AB  - Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is a
      minimally invasive procedure for the diagnosis of mediastinal lymph nodes and
      masses. Its complications are rare and include hemorrhage, pneumothorax and
      infections such as mediastinitis. We report the case of a 51-year-old patient who
      presented with a localized subcarinal adenitis after EBUS-TBNA. Germs colonizing
      the oropharynx may have been dragged along by the echobronchoscope, inoculating
      the punctured mediastinal lymph node. 

PMID- 26277887
TI  - Efficacy and safety of pioglitazone added to alogliptin in Japanese patients with
      type 2 diabetes mellitus: a multicentre, randomized, double-blind, parallel
      group, comparative study.
AB  - A phase IV, multicentre, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, comparative
      study was conducted in Japanese subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who
      had inadequate glycaemic control, despite treatment with alogliptin in addition
      to diet and/or exercise therapy. Subjects with glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c)
      concentrations of 6.9-10.5% were randomized to receive 16 weeks' double-blind
      treatment with pioglitazone 15 mg, 30 mg once daily or placebo added to
      alogliptin 25 mg once daily. The primary endpoint was the change in HbA1c from
      baseline at the end of treatment period (week 16). Both pioglitazone 15 and 30 mg
      combination therapy resulted in a significantly greater reduction in HbA1c than
      alogliptin monotherapy [-0.80 and -0.90% vs 0.00% (the least squares mean using
      analysis of covariance model); p < 0.0001, respectively]. The overall incidence
      rates of treatment-emergent adverse events were similar among the treatment
      groups. Pioglitazone/alogliptin combination therapy was effective and generally
      well tolerated in Japanese subjects with T2DM and is considered to be useful in
      clinical settings. 

PMID- 26277889
TI  - Impact of comorbidities and gender on the use of coronary interventions in
      patients with high-risk non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To determine the impact of gender and comorbidity on use of coronary
      interventions in patients diagnosed with high-risk non-ST-segment acute coronary
      syndrome (NSTEACS). BACKGROUND: Guidelines recommend the use of coronary
      angiography for all patients diagnosed with NSTEACS with high-risk features,
      except in the presence of severe comorbidities. However, little is understood
      about the relationship between gender, comorbidity, and the use of coronary
      interventions. METHODS: Retrospective analyses of the Victorian Admitted Episodes
      Data Set (VAED) including all patients diagnosed with NSTEACS with high-risk
      features on their first admission for ACS between June 2007 and July 2009.
      Hierarchical logistic regression models and correspondence analyses were used to
      understand the relationship between gender, comorbidities, and the use of
      coronary interventions. RESULTS: Out of 16,771 NSTEACS patients with high-risk
      features, 6,338 (38%) were female. Females were older than males (aged >=75: 62%
      vs 39%, p < 0.001) and more likely to have multiple comorbidities (>=2: 66% vs
      59%, p < 0.001). After adjusting for potential confounders, females were more
      likely to receive no coronary intervention than males with a similar number of
      comorbid conditions (no comorbidities: OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.28-2.05; 1 comorbidity:
      OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.44-1.93; 2 comorbidities: OR 1.93, 95% CI 1.66-2.23; >=3
      comorbidities: OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.27-1.60). CONCLUSIONS: Lower rates of coronary
      intervention in females persisted after adjusting for number of comorbidities
      which suggests that gender may bias decisions regarding referral for coronary
      intervention in high-risk NSTEACS independent of other factors.

PMID- 26277891
TI  - Microstructural characteristics of natural gas hydrates hosted in various sand
      sediments.
AB  - Natural gas hydrates have aroused worldwide interest due to their energy
      potential and possible impact on climate. The occurrence of natural gas hydrates
      hosted in the pores of sediments governs the seismic exploration, resource
      assessment, stability of deposits, and gas production from natural gas hydrate
      reserves. In order to investigate the microstructure of natural gas hydrates
      occurring in pores, natural gas hydrate-bearing sediments were visualized using
      microfocus X-ray computed tomography (CT). Various types of sands with different
      grain sizes and wettability were used to study the effect of porous materials on
      the occurrence of natural gas hydrates. Spatial distributions of methane gas,
      natural gas hydrates, water, and sands were directly identified. This work
      indicates that natural gas hydrates tend to reside mainly within pore spaces and
      do not come in contact with adjacent sands. Such an occurring model of natural
      gas hydrates is termed the floating model. Furthermore, natural gas hydrates were
      observed to nucleate at gas-water interfaces as lens-shaped clusters. Smaller
      sand grain sizes contribute to higher hydrate saturation. The wetting behavior of
      various sands had little effect on the occurrence of natural gas hydrates within
      pores. Additionally, geometric properties of the sediments were collected through
      CT image reconstructions. These findings will be instructive for understanding
      the microstructure of natural gas hydrates within major global reserves and for
      future resource utilization of natural gas hydrates. 

PMID- 26277890
TI  - Patients' 'thingification', unexplained symptoms and response-ability in the
      clinical context: in response to 'Patients' substantialization of disease, the
      hybrid symptom and the metaphysical care', by Alexandra Parvan.
AB  - The types of diseases, or categories of suffering, referred to as medically
      unexplained symptoms or syndromes (MUS) are the focus for the following
      commentary. Such cases seem to invite reflection. The very nature of such complex
      patterns of disease and suffering raises a number of fundamental epistemological
      and ontological issues. Furthermore, such health challenges can serve as the
      basis for an exploration of how the suffering person as well as the medical
      caretaker comes to grip with disease, incapacitation or suffering. We have
      structured our comments into two parts: first, we will describe medically
      unexplained health problems as the background for an inquiry into a process
      wherein patients reify their suffering in order to meet their doctors on equal
      terms, which carries a potential for alienation. Second, we will reflect on
      Alexandra Parvan's text as regards patients' 'substantialization' of their
      disease, the resulting 'hybrid symptom' and a proposed model for care and
      healing. 

PMID- 26277892
TI  - Ligation of CD180 inhibits IFN-alpha signaling in a Lyn-PI3K-BTK-dependent manner
      in B cells.
AB  - A hallmark of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the consistent production of
      various auto-antibodies by auto-reactive B cells. Interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha)
      signaling is highly activated in SLE B cells and plays a vital role in the
      antibody response by B cells. Previous studies have shown that CD180-negative B
      cells, which are dramatically increased in SLE patients, are responsible for the
      production of auto-antibodies. However, the association between CD180 and IFN
      alpha signaling remains unknown. In the present study, we explored the effect of
      CD180 on regulating the activation of IFN-alpha signaling in B cells. We found
      that the number of CD180-negative B cells was increased in MRL/Mp-Fas(lpr/lpr)
      lupus-prone mice compared with wild-type mice. Phenotypic analysis showed that
      CD180-negative B cells comprised CD138+ plasmablast/plasma cells and GL-7+
      germinal center (GC) B cells. Notably, ligation of CD180 significantly inhibited
      the IFN-alpha-induced phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of
      transcription 2 (STAT-2) and expression of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) in a Lyn
      PI3K-BTK-dependent manner in vitro. Moreover, ligation of CD180 could also
      inhibit IFN-alpha-induced ISG expression in B cells in vivo. Furthermore, the
      Toll-like receptor 7 and Toll-like receptor 9 signaling pathways could
      significantly downregulate CD180 expression and modulate the inhibitory effect of
      CD180 signaling on the activation of IFN-alpha signaling. Collectively, our
      results highlight the close association between the increased proportion of CD180
      negative B cells and the activation of IFN-alpha signaling in SLE. Our data
      provide molecular insight into the mechanism of IFN-alpha signaling activation in
      SLE B cells and a potential therapeutic approach for SLE treatment.

PMID- 26277893
TI  - Long noncoding RNAs in innate immunity.
AB  - Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to play important roles in immune
      cell development and immune responses through different mechanisms, such as
      dosage compensation, imprinting, enhancer function, and transcriptional
      regulation. Although the functions of most lncRNAs are unclear, some lncRNAs have
      been found to control transcriptional or post-transcriptional regulation of the
      innate and adaptive immune responses via new methods of protein-protein
      interactions or pairing with DNA and RNA. Interestingly, increasing evidence has
      elucidated the importance of lncRNAs in the interaction between hosts and
      pathogens. In this review, an overview of the lncRNAs modes of action, as well as
      the important and diversified roles of lncRNAs in immunity, are provided, and an
      emerging paradigm of lncRNAs in regulating innate immune responses is
      highlighted. 

PMID- 26277894
TI  - Retinoic acid enhances lactoferrin-induced IgA responses by increasing betaglycan
      expression.
AB  - Lactoferrin (LF) and retinoic acid (RA) are enriched in colostrum, milk, and
      mucosal tissues. We recently showed that LF-induced IgA class switching through
      binding to betaglycan (transforming growth factor-beta receptor III, TbetaRIII)
      and activation of canonical TGF-beta signaling. We investigated the combined
      effect of LF and RA on the overall IgA response. An increase in IgA production by
      LF was further augmented by RA. This combination effect was also evident in Ig
      germ-line alpha (GLalpha) transcription and GLalpha promoter activity, indicating
      that LF in cooperation with RA increased IgA isotype switching. We subsequently
      found that RA enhanced TbetaRIII expression and that this increase contributed to
      LF-stimulated IgA production. In addition to the IgA response, LF and RA in
      combination also enhanced the expression of the gut-homing molecules C-C
      chemokine receptor 9 (CCR9) and alpha4beta7 on B cells. Finally, peroral
      administration of LF and RA enhanced the frequency of CCR9+IgA+ plasma cells in
      the lamina propria. Taken together, these results suggest that LF in cooperation
      with RA can contribute to the establishment of gut IgA responses.

PMID- 26277895
TI  - How regulatory T cells sense and adapt to inflammation.

PMID- 26277897
TI  - The IL-33/ST2 axis is specifically required for development of adipose tissue
      resident regulatory T cells.

PMID- 26277896
TI  - Extracellular calcium elicits feedforward regulation of the Toll-like receptor
      triggered innate immune response.
AB  - Despite the expanding knowledge on feedback regulation of Toll-like receptor
      (TLR) signaling, the feedforward regulation of TLR signaling for the proper
      innate response to invading microbes is not fully understood. Here, we report
      that extracellular calcium can coordinate the activation of the small GTPases Ras
      and Ras-proximate-1 (Rap1) upon TLR stimulation which favors activation of
      macrophages through a feedforward mechanism. We show that different doses of TLR
      agonists can trigger different levels of cytokine production, which can be
      potentiated by extracellular calcium but are impaired by the chelating reagent
      ethylene glycol tetraacetic acid (EGTA) or by knockdown of stromal interaction
      molecule 1 (STIM1). Upon TLR engagement, GTP-bound Ras levels are increased and
      GTP-bound Rap1 is decreased, which can be reversed by EGTA-mediated removal of
      extracellular calcium. Furthermore, we demonstrate that Rap1 knockdown rescues
      the inhibitory effects of EGTA on the TLR-triggered innate response. Examination
      of the TLR signaling pathway reveals that extracellular calcium may regulate the
      TLR response via feedforward activation of the extracellular signal-regulated
      kinase signaling pathway. Our data suggest that an influx of extracellular
      calcium, mediated by STIM1-operated calcium channels, may transmit the
      information about the intensity of extracellular TLR stimuli to initiate innate
      responses at an appropriate level. Our study may provide mechanistic insight into
      the feedforward regulation of the TLR-triggered innate immune response.

PMID- 26277898
TI  - The breast tumor microenvironment alters the phenotype and function of natural
      killer cells.
AB  - Natural killer (NK) cells are innate immune cells with the ability to identify
      and eliminate transformed cells. However, within tumors, many studies have
      described NK cells as non-functional. The developmental stage of tumor-associated
      NK cells and how this may relate to functionality has not been explored. We
      examined the developmental state of NK cells from polyoma middle T antigen (pyMT)
      transgenic mouse (MMTV-pMT) breast tumors. In pyMT tumors, NK cells were immature
      as evidenced by their decreased expression of DX5 and their CD27(low)CD11b(low)
      phenotype. These immature NK cells also had increased expression of NKG2A and
      expressed low levels of NKp46, perforin, and granzyme B. In contrast, splenic NK
      cells isolated from the same mice maintained their maturity and their expression
      of activation markers. To delineate whether the tumor microenvironment directly
      alters NK cells, we adoptively transferred labeled NK cells and followed their
      activation status in both the spleen and the tumor. NK cells that arrived at the
      tumor had half the expression of NKp46 within three days of transfer in
      comparison to those which arrived at the spleen. In an effort to modify the tumor
      microenvironment and assess the plasticity of intratumoral NK cells, we treated
      pyMT tumors with IL-12 and anti-TGF-beta. After one week of treatment, the
      maturity of tumor-associated NK cells was increased; thus, indicating that these
      cells possess the ability to mature and become activated. A better understanding
      of how NK cells are modified by the tumor microenvironment will help to develop
      strategies aimed at bolstering immune responses against tumors.

PMID- 26277899
TI  - Preferential loss of gut-homing alpha4beta7 CD4+ T cells and their circulating
      functional subsets in acute HIV-1 infection.
AB  - Preferential infection and depletion of gut-homing alpha4beta7 CD4+ T cells in
      the blood are observed in chronic HIV/SIV infection. The dynamic change in gut
      homing alpha4beta7 CD4+ T cells and their functional subsets during the acute
      stages of HIV-1 infection are less documented. Therefore, we conducted a cohort
      study to investigate whether acute HIV-1 infection induced abnormalities in gut
      homing alpha4beta7 CD4+ T cells and their functional subsets. We examined the
      frequency, absolute number, and functionality of gut-homing alpha4beta7 CD4+ T
      cells in 26 acute HIV-1-infected patients compared with 20 healthy individuals.
      We found that circulating gut-homing alpha4beta7 CD4+ T cells were preferentially
      depleted during acute HIV-1 infection and were positively correlated with
      absolute CD4+ T-cell count in blood. Notably, Th17 and Th1 cell subsets of gut
      homing CD4+ T cells were also decreased, which resulted in an imbalance of T
      helper cells (Th1):regulatory T cells (Treg) and Treg:Th17 ratios. Gut-homing
      Th17 and Th1 cells were also positively correlated with the absolute number of
      total CD4+ T cells and gut-homing CD4+ T cells. The gut-homing Treg:Th17 ratio
      was inversely correlated with the CD4+ T-cell count. Taken together, the analyses
      of our acute HIV-1 cohort demonstrate that gut-homing alpha4beta7 CD4+ T cells
      and their functional subsets were profoundly depleted during acute HIV-1
      infection, which may have resulted in the persistent loss of circulating CD4+ T
      cells and an imbalance of Th1:Treg and Treg:Th17 ratios and contribute to HIV-1
      disease pathogenesis.

PMID- 26277901
TI  - Thermal-induced force release in oxyhemoglobin.
AB  - Oxygen is released to living tissues via conformational changes of hemoglobin
      from R-state (oxyhemoglobin) to T-state (desoxyhemoglobin). The detailed
      mechanism of this process is not yet fully understood. We have carried out
      micromechanical experiments on oxyhemoglobin crystals to determine the behavior
      of the Young's modulus and the internal friction for temperatures between 20 
      degrees C and 70  degrees C. We have found that around 49  degrees C
      oxyhemoglobin crystal samples undergo a sudden and strong increase of their
      Young's modulus, accompanied by a sudden decrease of the internal friction. This
      sudden mechanical change (and the ensuing force release) takes place in a
      partially unfolded state and precedes the full denaturation transition at higher
      temperatures. After this transformation, the hemoglobin crystals have the same
      mechanical properties as their initial state at room temperatures. We conjecture
      that it can be relevant for explaining the oxygen-releasing function of native
      oxyhemoglobin when the temperature is increased, e.g. due to active sport. The
      effect is specific for the quaternary structure of hemoglobin, and is absent for
      myoglobin with only one peptide sequence. 

PMID- 26277900
TI  - Human dNK cell function is differentially regulated by extrinsic cellular
      engagement and intrinsic activating receptors in first and second trimester
      pregnancy.
AB  - Decidual natural killer (dNK) cells express an array of activation receptors to
      regulate placental immunity and development during early pregnancy. We
      investigated the functional character of human dNK cells during the first and
      second trimester of gestation and the interaction between dNK and trophoblast
      cells. Although the frequency of CD56+CD16- dNK among the total CD45+ leukocytes
      did not change over this period, the expression of the activating receptors,
      NKp80 and NKG2D, was greatly upregulated. We observed a significantly higher
      number of extravillous trophoblast cells in proximity to the dNK cells in the
      first trimester in comparison with the second trimester decidua. NKG2D expression
      by first trimester dNK cells was decreased when co-cultured with the HTR-8
      trophoblast cell line. In the second trimester, functional markers of dNK
      activation, i.e., angiogenic factor production (e.g., vascular endothelial growth
      factor, interleukin-8, interferon-gamma), remained stable despite an increase in
      NKp80 or NKG2D surface expression. Furthermore, the degranulation capacity of dNK
      cells, as assessed by CD107a, was decreased in the second trimester. We suggest
      that in the first trimester, trophoblast-dNK interactions generate a population
      of dNK cells with a suppressed activating phenotype. In the second trimester, the
      loss of trophoblast-dNK interactions led to the inhibition of dNK cell function,
      although their activating receptor expression was increased. We speculate that
      during pregnancy, two mechanisms operate to modulate the dNK cell
      activation:suppression of activating receptor levels in the first trimester by
      trophoblasts and disengagement of receptor-ligand coupling in the second
      trimester.

PMID- 26277902
TI  - High-Dose Benzodiazepine Use among Long-Term Users: When Will We Ever Learn?

PMID- 26277903
TI  - Improving the accuracy of the k-shell method by removing redundant links: From a
      perspective of spreading dynamics.
AB  - Recent study shows that the accuracy of the k-shell method in determining node
      coreness in a spreading process is largely impacted due to the existence of core
      like group, which has a large k-shell index but a low spreading efficiency. Based
      on the analysis of the structure of core-like groups in real-world networks, we
      discover that nodes in the core-like group are mutually densely connected with
      very few out-leaving links from the group. By defining a measure of diffusion
      importance for each edge based on the number of out-leaving links of its both
      ends, we are able to identify redundant links in the spreading process, which
      have a relatively low diffusion importance but lead to form the locally densely
      connected core-like group. After filtering out the redundant links and applying
      the k-shell method to the residual network, we obtain a renewed coreness ks for
      each node which is a more accurate index to indicate its location importance and
      spreading influence in the original network. Moreover, we find that the
      performance of the ranking algorithms based on the renewed coreness are also
      greatly enhanced. Our findings help to more accurately decompose the network core
      structure and identify influential nodes in spreading processes. 

PMID- 26277904
TI  - Health-Related Quality of Life in Children with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Factors in congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) that may affect
      quality of life (QOL) include the need for lifelong medication, the risk of
      adrenal crisis, and hyperandrogenic symptoms. The objectives were to evaluate
      health-related QOL (HRQOL) in children with CAH, and whether CAH poses an
      additional burden compared to other endocrine disorders. METHODS: The validated
      PedsQL 4.0 generic core scales were administered to subjects (8-18 years) with
      CAH and hypothyroidism and their parents. The minimal clinically important
      difference (MCID) was determined for each scale score, allowing a comparison with
      the healthy population. A score of >1 standard deviation below the population
      mean was considered at risk for impaired HRQOL. RESULTS: In CAH, the mean total
      HRQOL scores were >1 MCID below the population mean, and a higher percentage than
      expected had scores considered at risk. CONCLUSION: Compared to subjects with
      hypothyroidism, subjects with CAH self-reported lower school domain scores. CAH
      subjects more frequently reported peers not wanting to be friends.

PMID- 26277905
TI  - Predictors of consistent condom use among Portuguese women attending family
      planning clinics.
AB  - Women account for 30% of all AIDS cases reported to the Health Ministry in
      Portugal and most infections are acquired through unprotected heterosexual sex
      with infected partners. This study analyzed socio-demographic and psychosocial
      predictors of consistent condom use and the role of education as a moderator
      variable among Portuguese women attending family planning clinics. A cross
      sectional study using interviewer-administered fully structured questionnaires
      was conducted among 767 sexually active women (ages 18-65). Logistic regression
      analyses were used to explore the association between consistent condom use and
      the predictor variables. Overall, 78.7% of the women were inconsistent condom
      users. The results showed that consistent condom use was predicted by marital
      status (being not married), having greater perceptions of condom negotiation self
      efficacy, having preparatory safer sexual behaviors, and not using condoms only
      when practicing abstinence. Living with a partner and having lack of risk
      perception significantly predicted inconsistent condom use. Less educated women
      were less likely to use condoms even when they perceive being at risk. The full
      model explained 53% of the variance in consistent condom use. This study
      emphasizes the need for implementing effective prevention interventions in this
      population showing the importance of taking education into consideration. 

PMID- 26277906
TI  - Using Administrative Mental Health Indicators in Heart Failure Outcomes Research:
      Comparison of Clinical Records and International Classification of Disease
      Coding.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Use of mental indication in health outcomes research is of growing
      interest to researchers. This study, as part of a larger research program,
      quantified agreement between administrative International Classification of
      Disease (ICD-9) coding for, and "gold standard" clinician documentation of,
      mental health issues (MHIs) in hospitalized heart failure (HF) patients to
      determine the validity of mental health administrative data for use in HF
      outcomes research. METHODS: A 13% random sample (n = 504) was selected from all
      unique patients (n = 3,769) hospitalized with a primary HF diagnosis at 4 San
      Diego County community hospitals during 2009-2012. MHI was defined as ICD-9
      discharge diagnostic coding 290-319. Records were audited for clinician
      documentation of MHI. RESULTS: A total of 43% (n = 216) had mental health
      clinician documentation; 33% (n = 164) had ICD-9 coding for MHI. ICD-9 code
      bundle 290-319 had 0.70 sensitivity, 0.97 specificity, and kappa 0.69 (95%
      confidence interval 0.61-0.79). More specific ICD-9 MHI code bundles had kappas
      ranging from 0.44 to 0.82 and sensitivities ranging from 42% to 82%. CONCLUSIONS:
      Agreement between ICD-9 coding and clinician documentation for a broadly defined
      MHI is substantial, and can validly "rule in" MHI for hospitalized patients with
      heart failure. More specific MHI code bundles had fair to almost perfect
      agreement, with a wide range of sensitivities for identifying patients with an
      MHI.

PMID- 26277907
TI  - Prognostic Value of Serial Measurements of Soluble Suppression of Tumorigenicity
      2 and Galectin-3 in Ambulatory Patients With Chronic Heart Failure.
AB  - BACKGROUND: B-Type natriuretic peptides (BNP) and cardiac troponin T (cTnT)
      predict cardiovascular events in heart failure (HF) patients, but additional
      refinement in risk stratification may be possible by targeting pathways leading
      to fibrosis. We aimed to assess the value of serial measurements of soluble
      suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2) and galectin-3 to identify risk for
      adverse pathophysiologic processes. METHODS: New York Heart Association (NYHA)
      functional class III-IV HF patients (n = 180; LVEF <=40%) were prospectively
      evaluated with biomarkers collected every 3 months over 2 years and analyzed
      regarding a primary end point of death/cardiac transplantation and a secondary
      end point of HF-related hospitalization or death/transplantation. RESULTS: Time
      dependent univariate analyses demonstrated that elevations of sST2 (>=49.3 ng/mL
      male, >=33.5 ng/mL female) and galectin-3 (>=22.1 ng/mL) were predictive of the
      primary and secondary end points. In multivariate models adjusted for BNP, cTnT,
      and clinical variables, sST2 but not galectin-3 remained an independent predictor
      (hazard ratio 3.22, 95% confidence interval 1.76-5.89; P < .001). With serial
      measurements, only sST2 demonstrated incremental value in reclassifying patients
      to higher risk. CONCLUSIONS: Serial monitoring of sST2 (indicating myocardial
      fibrosis and remodeling) and cTnT (reflecting myocardial injury) identifies
      highest-risk HF outpatients and may be valuable to guide patient tailored therapy
      during follow-up evaluations. Serial galectin-3 monitoring in ambulatory HF
      patients may not be of benefit.

PMID- 26277908
TI  - Synthetic biology and biomimetic chemistry as converging technologies fostering a
      new generation of smart biosensors.
AB  - Biosensors are powerful tunable systems able to switch between an ON/OFF status
      in response to an external stimulus. This extraordinary property could be
      engineered by adopting synthetic biology or biomimetic chemistry to obtain tailor
      made biosensors having the desired requirements of robustness, sensitivity and
      detection range. Recent advances in both disciplines, in fact, allow to re-design
      the configuration of the sensing elements - either by modifying toggle switches
      and gene networks, or by producing synthetic entities mimicking key properties of
      natural molecules. The present review considered the role of synthetic biology in
      sustaining biosensor technology, reporting examples from the literature and
      reflecting on the features that make it a useful tool for designing and
      constructing engineered biological systems for sensing application. Besides, a
      section dedicated to bioinspired synthetic molecules as powerful tools to enhance
      biosensor potential is reported, and treated as an extension of the concept of
      biomimetic chemistry, where organic synthesis is used to generate artificial
      molecules that mimic natural molecules. Thus, the design of synthetic molecules,
      such as aptamers, biomimetics, molecular imprinting polymers, peptide nucleic
      acids, and ribozymes were encompassed as "products" of biomimetic chemistry. 

PMID- 26277909
TI  - Pneumoperitoneum, a urological source.

PMID- 26277910
TI  - Development of an overlapping PCR method to clone the full genome of infectious
      hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV).
AB  - Decapod Penstyldensovirus 1, previously named as infectious hypodermal and
      hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV), is an economically important pathogen that
      causes shrimp diseases worldwide. However, a rapid method for cloning full-length
      IHHNV genome sequences is still lacking, which makes it difficult to study the
      genomics and molecular epidemiology of IHHNV. Here, a novel and rapid PCR
      technique was developed to determine the complete genomic sequences of IHHNV. The
      IHHNV genome was amplified in two overlapping fragments which each yielded a 2kb
      PCR product covering the first half or the second half of IHHNV genome,
      respectively. Using this method, six complete genomic sequences of IHHNV, which
      were collected from different regions of Zhejiang province in China, were cloned
      and sequenced successfully. The new cloning method will greatly facilitate the
      study on the genomics and molecular epidemiology of IHHNV. 

PMID- 26277911
TI  - Comparison of the AdvanSureTM real-time RT-PCR and Seeplex((r)) RV12 ACE assay
      for the detection of respiratory viruses.
AB  - The AdvanSureTM RV real-time PCR kit (AdvanSure; LG Life Sciences, Korea) is
      based on multiplex real-time PCR and can simultaneously detect 14 respiratory
      viruses. We compared the performance of the AdvanSure assay with the Seeplex RV
      12 ACE detection kit (Seeplex; Seegene, Seoul, South Korea), a multiplex end
      point PCR assay. A total of 454 consecutive respiratory specimens were tested
      with both AdvanSure and Seeplex assays; AdvanSure detected 153 (33.7%) positive
      cases and Seeplex detected 145 (31.9%) positive cases. The positive percent
      agreement, negative percent agreement, and kappa value for the two assays were
      87.2% (95% CI, 80.3-92.1), 91.1% (95% CI, 87.2-93.9), and 0.77 (95% CI, 0.70
      0.83), respectively. Compared with the Seeplex assay, the AdvanSure assay had a
      shorter turnaround time (3h vs. 8h) and a shorter hands-on time (<1h vs 2h). In
      conclusion, the AdvanSure assay demonstrated comparable performance to the
      Seeplex assay. 

PMID- 26277912
TI  - Copper(I)-Catalyzed Radical Addition of Acetophenones to Alkynes in Furan
      Synthesis.
AB  - A synthesis of multisubstituted furans from readily available acetophenones and
      electron-deficient alkynes via direct C(sp(3))-H bond functionalization under
      radical reaction conditions is described. The developed transformation is
      catalyzed by copper(I) salts using di-tert-butyl peroxide as an external oxidant.
      This method offers an efficient access to biologically important scaffolds from
      simple compounds. 

PMID- 26277913
TI  - Mechanistic elucidation of C-H oxidation by electron rich non-heme iron(IV)-oxo
      at room temperature.
AB  - Non-heme iron(IV)-oxo species form iron(III) intermediates during hydrogen atom
      abstraction (HAA) from the C-H bond. While synthesizing a room temperature
      stable, electron rich, non-heme iron(IV)-oxo compound, we obtained iron(III)
      hydroxide, iron(III)-alkoxide and hydroxylated-substrate-bound iron(II) as the
      detectable intermediates. The present study revealed that a radical rebound
      pathway was operative for benzylic C-H oxidation of ethylbenzene and cumene. A
      dissociative pathway for cyclohexane oxidation was established based on UV-vis
      and radical trap experiments. Interestingly, experimental evidence including O-18
      labeling and mechanistic study suggested an electron transfer mechanism to be
      operative during C-H oxidation of alcohols (e.g. benzyl alcohol and
      cyclobutanol). The present report, therefore, unveils non-heme iron(IV)-oxo
      promoted substrate-dependent C-H oxidation pathways which are of synthetic as
      well as biological significance.

PMID- 26277914
TI  - Association of TGFB1 -509C/T polymorphism gene with clinical variability in
      cystic fibrosis patients: A case-control study.
AB  - PURPOSE: In this work, we are interested to study the implication of -509C/T
      polymorphism, located in the promoter region of TGFB1 (transforming growth factor
      beta1), in the phenotypic variability of CF patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The
      present study enrolled 111 CF patients and 100 healthy control subjects. The
      study of the -509C/T polymorphism was performed using PCR-RFLP method. RESULTS:
      We found that patients carried non-F508del homozygous mutation with TT genotype
      was associated to lung symptoms (P=0.04). This association was not found in the
      sub-groups of patients with F508del at homozygous state P=0.145. No association
      was found between this polymorphism and the variability of digestive, pancreatic
      and ileus meconial symptoms. CONCLUSION: On the basis of our results, the -509C/T
      polymorphism of the TGFB1 gene seems to be a modulator factor of cystic fibrosis.

PMID- 26277915
TI  - CXCL12 and CXCR4 as predictive biomarkers of glioma recurrence pattern after
      total resection.
AB  - PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Previous studies have shown that the pattern of recurrence
      for glioma is related to the direction of glioma cell invasion. Recent studies
      demonstrated that the CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling pathway mediates cellular invasion
      in glioma. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the possible relationship
      between CXCL12/CXCR4 expression and recurrence pattern in glioma. PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: Immunohistochemical techniques were used to assess CXCL12/CXCR4
      expression in 42 glioma tissues following total resection. According to magnetic
      resonance imaging (MRI) of gliomas, the recurrence pattern was classified as
      close or distant pattern. The relationship between recurrence pattern and
      CXCL12/CXCR4 expression were initially examined by Chi-squared analysis. The
      prognostic significance of CXCL12 and CXCR4 was determined by log-rank tests and
      COX proportional hazards model. RESULTS: CXCL12 was expressed mainly in vascular
      endothelial cells and CXCR4 was expressed mainly in tumor cells. The recurrence
      pattern was significantly related to the expression level of CXCL12 in vascular
      endothelial cells (P=0.002) and CXCR4 in tumor cells (P=0.004). However, CXCL12
      and CXCR4 were not independent prognostic factors for progression-free survival
      or overall survival in glioma patients. CONCLUSION: The glioma recurrence pattern
      is related to CXCL12 expression levels in vascular endothelial cells and CXCR4
      expression levels in tumor cells; thus, implicating the CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling
      pathway as a potential target for glioma therapy.

PMID- 26277916
TI  - Rare case of cutaneous involvement of Lennert lymphoma as an initial
      manifestation.

PMID- 26277917
TI  - Metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, and mammographic density in pre- and
      postmenopausal women.
AB  - Little is known about the association of metabolic syndrome (MetS) or insulin
      resistance (IR) with mammographic density, a strong risk factor for breast
      cancer. The goal of this study was to evaluate these associations in pre- and
      postmenopausal women. A cross-sectional study was performed in 73,974 adult women
      who underwent a comprehensive health screening examination that included a
      mammogram between 2011 and 2013 (mean age 42.6 years). MetS was defined according
      to the modified National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III.
      IR was assessed with the homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA
      IR). Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for dense
      breast were estimated using logistic regression models after adjustment for
      potential confounders. In premenopausal women, MetS and all its components except
      waist circumference were associated with dense breast. After adjustment for
      potential confounders, the OR (95% CI) for dense breast in women with MetS
      compared with those without MetS was 1.22 (1.06-1.39). In postmenopausal women,
      however, there was positive but non-significant association between MetS and
      dense breast. In both pre- and postmenopausal women, high blood glucose and IR
      were positively associated with dense breast. The OR (95% CI) for dense breast
      between the highest and lowest quartiles of HOMA-IR was 1.29 (1.20-1.39) for
      premenopausal women and 1.44 (1.05-1.97) for postmenopausal women. In a large
      sample of Korean women, MetS and IR were associated with mammographic dense
      breast, demonstrating that IR, a potentially modifiable risk factor, may increase
      breast cancer risk, possibly through high mammographic density.

PMID- 26277919
TI  - Cystoidosoma hermaphroditus sp. n., the first representative of the quill mite
      family Ascouracaridae (Acari: Astigmata: Pterolichoidea) from an owl (Aves:
      Strigiformes).
AB  - The mite family Ascouracaridae Gaud et Atyeo, 1976 contains large-sized mites
      (mostly > 1 mm) which live inside the quills of birds of several orders. To date,
      no representative of this family has been found associated with the order
      Strigiformes (owls). In this paper, a new species of this family, Cystoidosoma
      hermaphroditus sp. n., is described from the tropical screech owl, Megascops
      choliba (Vieillot) (Aves: Strigiformes) from Brazil. This species is unique in
      having an external spermaduct, a primary duct and a rudimentary bursa copulatrix
      present in males. This is the first astigmatan feather mite described from the
      order Strigiformes in this country. A key to adults of the genus Cystoidosoma
      Gaud et Atyeo, 1976 of the world is presented. 

PMID- 26277918
TI  - Multiple Comorbidities and Interest in Research Participation Among Clients of a
      Nonprofit Food Distribution Site.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Persons accessing food from nonprofit distribution sites face
      numerous challenges and typically have significant unmet health needs. However,
      given limited and intermittent healthcare system engagement, this vulnerable
      population is underrepresented in clinical research. We sought to better
      understand the health needs of a nonclinical population to inform future research
      and interventions. METHODS: Focus groups were conducted in English (n = 4) and
      Spanish (n = 4) with clients of Crossroads Community Services (CCS), the largest
      distributor of North Texas Food Bank. Discussions probed participants' health
      status, healthcare utilization, understanding and utilization of mammography, and
      attitudes toward participation in research. RESULTS: Participants included 42 CCS
      clients, primarily Hispanic or African American women. Participants reported
      multiple comorbid conditions among household members, yet utilization of health
      services was often limited by cost. The majority expressed interest in
      participating in research to communicate their health concerns and obtain
      emotional support. CONCLUSION: CCS clients represent a high-need, under-reached
      population willing to engage in health-related research that affords them
      opportunity to connect with peers in group settings and obtain information to
      improve management of daily life challenges. The Community Assistance Research
      (CARe) Initiative, a community-academic collaboration, establishes a much-needed
      opportunity for ongoing clinical research and intervention among this underserved
      population.

PMID- 26277921
TI  - Examining the preventable but predictable death of Ashley Smith.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper is to examine the fusion of psy-correctional
      discourse with the dominant risk logic to consider the implication this nexus can
      have on how self-injurious behaviour committed by women in prison is interpreted
      and responded to by the Correctional Service Canada (CSC).
      DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The central focus of the study is an in-depth case
      analysis of the carceral death of Ashley Smith, a 19-year-old woman who committed
      suicide in her segregation cell in 2007 after enduring four years of excessively
      punitive treatment aimed at controlling her self-injurious behaviour. FINDINGS:
      Findings illustrate how the fusion of these logics creates a kind of "therapeutic
      risk cloak" that reframes the behaviour as "abnormal" and "risky", which masks
      the punitivity of strip search and segregation interventions in the name of
      safety, security and treatment. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: Given that correctional
      officials knowingly failed to intervene when Smith tied the fatal ligature around
      her neck, a federal inquiry judged her death to be a homicide. By attempting to
      unveil the "therapeutic-risk cloak" the authors hope to challenge the underlying
      logic of CSC's governance and management framework, which not only denies the
      oppressive gendered carceral reality that is linked to self-injurious behaviour
      amongst women prisoners, but is also used to justify intervention responses that
      exacerbate the very behaviour this framework aims to control. Until systemic
      transformation is achieved that eradicates CSC's contradictory governance
      framework, there is no doubt that the authors will continue to see similar
      preventable deaths take place in prison.

PMID- 26277920
TI  - The effects of patient education programs on medication use among asthma and COPD
      patients: a propensity score matching with a difference-in-difference regression
      approach.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Adherence to medication is one of the critical determinants of
      successful management of chronic diseases including asthma and chronic
      obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Given that poor adherence with self
      management medication is very common among asthma and COPD patients,
      interventions that improve the use of chronic disease management medications for
      this patient group have potential to generate positive health outcomes. In an
      effort to improve asthma and COPD care, the Lung Association of Saskatchewan has
      implemented an intervention by providing access to effective and high quality
      asthma and COPD education for both patients and health care professionals along
      with increasing access to spirometry. By evaluating the impacts of this
      intervention, our purpose in this paper is to examine the effectiveness of
      spirometry use, and asthma and COPD education in primary care setting on
      medication use among asthma and COPD patients. METHODS: At the time of the
      intervention, the Lung Association of Saskatchewan has not assigned a control
      group. Therefore we used a propensity score matching to create a control group
      using administrative health databases spanning 6 years prior to the intervention.
      Using Saskatchewan administrative health databases, the impacts of the
      intervention on use of asthma and COPD medications were estimated for one to four
      years after the intervention using a difference in difference regression
      approach. RESULTS: The paper shows that overall medication use for the
      intervention group is higher than that of the control group. On average,
      intervention group uses more asthma and COPD drugs. Within the asthma and COPD
      drugs, this intervention creates a persistent effect over time in the form of
      higher utilization of chronic management drugs equivalent to $157 and $195 in a
      given year during four years after the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The study
      suggests that effective patient education and increasing access to spirometry
      increases the utilization of chronic disease management drugs among asthma and
      COPD patients. This type of interventions with patient education focus has
      potential to save healthcare dollars by providing better disease management among
      this patient group.

PMID- 26277922
TI  - Psychotherapy and despair in the prison setting.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper is to outline research which aimed to explore
      psychotherapists' experience of working with despair, in the UK prison setting,
      through a qualitative phenomenological approach. Within the forensic
      psychological literature, despair is considered a pathology, associated with
      suicide and self-harm, resulting from the prisoners histories and the coercive
      prison setting. In turn, therapeutic writings outline the importance of therapy
      in the prison setting with despair in providing coping skills, containment and
      learning opportunities for the prisoners involved. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH:
      Within the study, ten psychotherapists were interviewed as to their experience of
      working with clients in despair in the prison setting. The data were analysed via
      the phenomenological research method Empirical Phenomenological Analysis (EPA),
      and a secondary analysis through reverie. FINDINGS: Through the analysis by EPA,
      despair emerged in the prison setting as a destabilising phenomenon to which
      there was no protocol for working with it. Participants also described the
      prisoners' despair and the despairing prison setting, touching on their own sense
      of vulnerability and despair. However, drawing on the secondary analysis by
      reverie, the researcher also became aware of how the phenomenon of despair
      emerged not simply through the said, but also through the intersubjective.
      ORIGINALITY/VALUE: It was therefore through the secondary analysis by reverie
      that the importance of the attendance to aspects of intersubjectivity in prison
      research emerged. This paper contributes to the therapeutic writings on despair
      in the prison setting, alongside holding implications for qualitative research in
      the prison setting.

PMID- 26277923
TI  - Learning from peer support schemes--can prison listeners support offenders who
      self-injure in custody?
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper is to critically evaluate the current evidence
      for peer support in prisons, in particular its contribution to working with
      prisoners who self-injure and the extent to which the success of peer support
      schemes such as the prison listeners, hinges upon staff's willingness to engage
      with the initiative. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The review was constructed by
      using primary and secondary terms to search the literature. The studies focused
      on peer support in custody with reference to mental health and self-injury.
      Searches identified papers on the prison listener scheme and staff perspectives
      on prison peer support, as these formed a central focus of the review. Studies
      were excluded from the review if the participants' behaviours was explicitly
      linked to suicidal intent, as the review focused on self-injury as a coping
      strategy. FINDINGS: A total of 24 studies were selected according to specific
      inclusion criteria (six were grey literature, 18 academic literature). Of the 24
      studies ten studies focused on peer support and self-injury. Of the 24 studies
      the listener scheme was the focus of 16 studies, of these 16 studies self-injury
      and the listener scheme was a focus of eight studies. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: Evidence
      from the review suggests that prison peer support could be considered on a
      continuum depending on the different degrees of peer involvement.

PMID- 26277924
TI  - Emotional distress and sense of coherence in women completing a motivational
      program in five countries. A prospective study.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper is to investigate changes in, and associations
      between, sense of coherence (SOC) and emotional distress in women who
      participated in an accredited motivational program (VINN) in correctional
      institutions in five countries. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: A prospective study
      with a pre- and post-test design included 316 participants from Sweden, Estonia,
      Denmark, Russia and Norway. Global emotional distress was measured by the
      Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. SOC was measured using the 13-item
      Orientation to Life Questionnaire. One-way analysis of variance and multilevel
      regression models were used in the statistical analyses. FINDINGS: An increase in
      SOC was associated with a decrease in emotional distress. Emotional distress
      decreased significantly -3.80 points (95 percent CI (-4.61, -2.97)), and SOC
      significantly improved from pre- to post-measurement by 1.82 points (95 percent
      CI (0.72, 2.92)), regardless of country and correctional institution. Practical
      implications - The results add new knowledge regarding a coherent theoretical
      foundation of a motivational program for women. The ability of a program
      promoting health is important for researchers, health-care workers and
      facilitators delivering programs for women in correctional facilities. An
      increase in SOC can act as a protective factor in order to manage stressors and
      risk factors among women serving in correctional facilities. ORIGINALITY/VALUE:
      The present study indicates that enhancing women's coping resources and providing
      income alternatives to crime is fundamental to their capacity to desist from
      criminal behavior.

PMID- 26277925
TI  - Community reentry challenges after release from prison among people who inject
      drugs in St. Petersburg, Russia.
AB  - PURPOSE: Little is known about the context of the post-release risk environment
      among formerly incarcerated people who inject drugs (PWID) in Russia. The purpose
      of this paper is to explore these challenges as they relate to reentry, relapse
      to injection opioid use, and overdose. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The authors
      conducted 25 in-depth semi-structured interviews among PWID living in St
      Petersburg, Russia who had been incarcerated within the past two years.
      Participants were recruited from street outreach (n=20) and a drug treatment
      center (n=5). FINDINGS: Emergent themes related to the post-release environment
      included financial instability, negative interactions with police, return to a
      drug using community, and reuniting with drug using peers. Many respondents
      relapsed to opioid use immediately after release. Those whose relapse occurred
      weeks or months after their release expressed more motivation to resist. Alcohol
      or stimulant use often preceded the opioid relapse episode. Among those who
      overdosed, alcohol use was often reported prior to overdosing on opioids.
      PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Future post-release interventions in Russia should
      effectively link PWID to social, medical, and harm reduction services. Particular
      attention should be focussed on helping former inmates find employment and
      overdose prevention training prior to leaving prison that should also cover the
      heightened risk of concomitant alcohol use. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: In addition to
      describing a syndemic involving the intersection of incarceration, injection drug
      use, poverty, and alcohol abuse, the findings can inform future interventions to
      address these interrelated public health challenges within the Russian setting.

PMID- 26277926
TI  - Kiwifruit fibre level influences the predicted production and absorption of SCFA
      in the hindgut of growing pigs using a combined in vivo-in vitro digestion
      methodology.
AB  - Combined in vivo (ileal cannulated pig) and in vitro (faecal inoculum-based
      fermentation) digestion methodologies were used to predict the production and
      absorption of SCFA in the hindgut of growing pigs. Ileal and faecal samples were
      collected from animals (n 7) fed diets containing either 25 or 50 g/kg DM of
      kiwifruit fibre from added kiwifruit for 14 d. Ileal and faecal SCFA
      concentrations normalised for food DM intake (DMI) and nutrient digestibility
      were determined. Ileal digesta were collected and fermented for 38 h using a
      fresh pig faecal inoculum to predict SCFA production. The predicted hindgut SCFA
      production along with the determined ileal and faecal SCFA were then used to
      predict SCFA absorption in the hindgut and total tract organic matter
      digestibility. The determined ileal and faecal SCFA concentrations (e.g. 8.5 and
      4.4 mmol/kg DMI, respectively, for acetic acid for the low-fibre diet)
      represented only 0.2-3.2 % of the predicted hindgut SCFA production (e.g. 270
      mmol/kg DMI for acetic acid). Predicted production and absorption of acetic,
      butyric and propionic acids were the highest for the high-fibre diet (P0.05). In
      conclusion, determined ileal and faecal SCFA concentrations represent only a
      small fraction of total SCFA production, and may therefore be misleading in
      relation to the effect of diets on SCFA production and absorption. Considerable
      quantities of SCFA are produced and absorbed in the hindgut of the pig by the
      fermentation of kiwifruit.

PMID- 26277927
TI  - Hydrothermal Synthesis of Boron and Nitrogen Codoped Hollow Graphene Microspheres
      with Enhanced Electrocatalytic Activity for Oxygen Reduction Reaction.
AB  - Boron and nitrogen codoped hollow graphene microspheres (NBGHSs), synthesized
      from a simple template sacrificing method, have been employed as an
      electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Because of their
      specific hollow structure that consists of boron and nitrogen codoped graphene,
      the NBGHSs can exhibit even high electrocatalytic activity toward ORR than the
      commercial JM Pt/C 40 wt %. This, along with their higher stability, makes the
      NBGHSs particularly attractive as the electrocatalyst for the ORR with great
      potential to replace the commonly used noble-metal-based catalysts. 

PMID- 26277928
TI  - Expression of Antioxidant Genes in the Mouse Cochlea and Brain in Salicylate
      Induced Tinnitus and Effect of Treatment with Spirulina platensis Water Extract.
AB  - Salicylate increased manganese-superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) gene expression, but
      decreased catalase (CAT) gene expression in the cochlea and various brain regions
      of mice with tinnitus. Spirulinaplatensis water extract reduced salicylate
      induced overexpression of the Mn-SOD gene, but increased salicylate-induced
      downregulation of the CAT gene. With the exception of significantly increased SOD
      activity in the brainstem and inferior colliculus of the Spirulina group, SOD and
      CAT enzyme activities did not differ among the three groups. The tinnitus group
      had higher malondialdehyde (MDA) levels than the control group in the temporal
      and the frontal lobes. S.platensis water extract reduced salicylate-induced
      elevations of MDA levels in many brain areas. We proposed that altered expression
      of antioxidant genes may reflect states of oxidative stress associated with
      tinnitus. 

PMID- 26277929
TI  - Chromosomal Mapping of Repetitive DNAs in Characidium (Teleostei, Characiformes):
      Genomic Organization and Diversification of ZW Sex Chromosomes.
AB  - The speciose neotropical genus Characidium has proven to be a good model for
      cytogenetic exploration. Representatives of this genus often have a conserved
      diploid chromosome number; some species exhibit a highly differentiated ZZ/ZW sex
      chromosome system, while others do not show any sex-related chromosome
      heteromorphism. In this study, chromosome painting using a W-specific probe and
      comparative chromosome mapping of repetitive sequences, including ribosomal
      clusters and 4 microsatellite motifs - (CA)15, (GA)15, (CG)15, and (TTA)10 -,
      were performed in 6 Characidium species, 5 of which possessed a heteromorphic ZW
      sex chromosome system. The W-specific probe showed hybridization signals on the W
      chromosome of all analyzed species, indicating homology among the W chromosomes.
      Remarkably, a single major rDNA-bearing chromosome pair was found in all species.
      The 18S rDNA localized to the sex chromosomes in C. lanei, C. timbuiense and C.
      pterostictum, while the major rDNA localized to one autosome pair in C. vidali
      and C. gomesi. In contrast, the number of 5S rDNA-bearing chromosomes varied.
      Notably, minor ribosomal clusters were identified in the W chromosome of C.
      vidali. Microsatellites were widely distributed across almost all chromosomes of
      the karyotypes, with a greater accumulation in the subtelomeric regions. However,
      clear differences in the abundance of each motif were detected in each species.
      In addition, the Z and W chromosomes showed the differential accumulation of
      distinct motifs. Our results revealed variability in the distribution of
      repetitive DNA sequences and their possible association with sex chromosome
      diversification in Characidium species. 

PMID- 26277930
TI  - Common Variants in Serum/Glucocorticoid Regulated Kinase 1 (SGK1) and Blood
      Pressure Responses to Dietary Sodium or Potassium Interventions: A family-Based
      Association Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Serum/Glucocorticoid Regulated Kinase 1 (SGK1) plays a
      significant role in regulating renal Na(+) reabsorption, K(+) secretion, and
      blood pressure (BP). This study aimed to assess the association of common genetic
      variants in the SGK1 gene with BP responses to controlled dietary sodium or
      potassium interventions. METHODS: A total of 334 subjects from 124 families were
      recruited from the rural areas of northern China. After a three-day baseline
      observation, they were sequentially maintained a seven-day low-sodium diet
      (3g/day of NaCl or 51.3 mmol/day of sodium), a seven-day high-sodium diet (18
      g/day of NaCl or 307.8 mmol/day of sodium) and a seven-day high-sodium plus
      potassium supplementation intervention (4.5 g/day of KCl or 60 mmol/day of
      potassium). Six single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the SGK1 gene were
      selected. RESULTS: After adjustment for multiple testing, SNP rs9376026 was
      significantly associated with diastolic BP (DBP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP)
      responses to low-sodium intervention (P = 0.018 and 0.022, respectively).
      However, the associations between selected SNPs in the SGK1 gene and BP responses
      to high-sodium or high-sodium plus potassium-supplementation intervention did not
      reach statistical significance. In addition, SNP rs9389154 and two other SNPs
      (rs1763509 and rs9376026) were associated respectively with systolic BP (SBP) and
      DBP at baseline (P = 0.040, 0.032, and 0.031, respectively). SNP rs3813344 was
      significantly associated with SBP, DBP, and MAP (P = 0.049, 0.015 and 0.018,
      respectively). CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that the genetic polymorphism in
      the SGK1 gene is significantly associated with BP responses to dietary sodium
      intervention.

PMID- 26277931
TI  - Study of the True Clinical Progression of Autosomal Dominant Alport Syndrome in a
      European Population.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Autosomal dominant Alport syndrome represents 5% of all Alport
      syndrome cases. This entity presents a different clinical expression from the
      recessive inheritance pattern and the X chromosome-linked pattern, because it is
      mild and it shows a late onset, which in many cases even goes unnoticed. METHODS:
      We carried out a descriptive observational and retrospective clinical study on 19
      patients from 5 families with a clinical diagnosis of autosomal dominant Alport
      Syndrome, and we analyzed the expression of the symptoms in the different
      families, comparing the results with what has been described in the literature.
      RESULTS: Renal involvement appeared at a young age, with a progression towards
      end-stage chronic kidney disease at a median age of 31 years (20.5-36.5). Hearing
      involvement also appeared in early stages, at a median age of 28.5 years (7.5
      62.5). Also, we observed ocular lenticonus-like injuries, which until now have
      only been described in other inheritance patterns. CONCLUSIONS: Our results
      suggest that dominant patterns are accompanied by a severe clinical expression
      that can be superimposed to the recessive and X chromosome-linked patterns,
      contrary to what has been classically stated. The high phenotypic variability
      observed in the families lead to the fact that many cases go unnoticed and the
      severest cases are erroneously diagnosed as recessive, which means that the real
      prevalence of dominant forms is probably higher than the current 5%.

PMID- 26277932
TI  - Propofol Prevents Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury via Inhibiting the Oxidative
      Stress Pathways.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Renal ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) is a risk for acute
      renal failure and delayed graft function in renal transplantation and cardiac
      surgery. The purpose of this study is to determine whether propofol could
      attenuate renal IRI and explore related mechanism. METHODS: Male rat right kidney
      was removed, left kidney was subjected to IRI. Propofol was intravenously
      injected into rats before ischemia. The kidney morphology and renal function were
      analyzed. The expression of Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3, cl-caspase-3, GRP78, CHOP and
      caspase-12 were detected by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: IR rats with propofol
      pretreatment had better renal function and less tubular apoptosis than untreated
      IR rats. Propofol pretreated IR rats had lower Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and less cleaved
      caspase-3. The protein expression levels of GRP78, CHOP and caspase-12 decreased
      significantly in propofol pretreated IR rats. In vitro cell model showed that
      propofol significantly increased the viability of NRK-52E cells that were
      subjected to hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) in a dose-dependent manner. The effect
      of propofol on the expression regulation of Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3, GRP78, CHOP
      was consistent in both in vitro and in vivo models. CONCLUSION: Experimental
      results suggest that propofol prevents renal IRI via inhibiting oxidative stress.

PMID- 26277933
TI  - Twin-Twin Transfusion Syndrome in Cases with Suspected Close Proximity of
      Umbilical Cord Insertions.
AB  - We encountered 3 cases of twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), in which
      preoperative ultrasonography revealed that the cord insertion sites of the twins
      were close. Two cases were successfully treated with fetoscopic laser
      photocoagulation (FLP); however, the third case could not be treated surgically
      because fetoscopy revealed that the cord insertions formed a V-shaped joint above
      the placenta and that all chorionic vessels of the placental surface were shared
      by the twins. No residual anastomoses were detected on placental examination in
      the 2 cases treated with FLP. Our experiences indicate that the feasibility of
      FLP could be evaluated using fetoscopy, not just ultrasonography, in cases of
      TTTS accompanied by proximate umbilical cord insertion.

PMID- 26277935
TI  - Heterogeneous Reactivity of Nitric Acid with Nascent Sea Spray Aerosol: Large
      Differences Observed between and within Individual Particles.
AB  - Current climate and atmospheric chemistry models assume that all sea spray
      particles react as if they are pure NaCl. However, recent studies of sea spray
      aerosol particles have shown that distinct particle types exist (including sea
      salt, organic carbon, and biological particles) as well as mixtures of these and,
      within each particle type, there is a range of single-particle chemical
      compositions. Because of these differences, individual particles should display a
      range of reactivities with trace atmospheric gases. Herein, to address this, we
      study the composition of individual sea spray aerosol particles after
      heterogeneous reaction with nitric acid. As expected, a replacement reaction of
      chloride with nitrate is observed; however, there is a large range of
      reactivities spanning from no reaction to complete reaction between and within
      individual sea spray aerosol particles. These data clearly support the need for
      laboratory studies of individual, environmentally relevant particles to improve
      our fundamental understanding as to the properties that determine reactivity. 

PMID- 26277934
TI  - The role of semantically related distractors during encoding and retrieval of
      words in long-term memory.
AB  - We examined the influence of divided attention (DA) on recognition of words when
      the concurrent task was semantically related or unrelated to the to-be-recognised
      target words. Participants were asked to either study or retrieve a target list
      of semantically related words while simultaneously making semantic decisions
      (i.e., size judgements) to another set of related or unrelated words heard
      concurrently. We manipulated semantic relatedness of distractor to target words,
      and whether DA occurred during the encoding or retrieval phase of memory.
      Recognition accuracy was significantly diminished relative to full attention,
      following DA conditions at encoding, regardless of relatedness of distractors to
      study words. However, response times (RTs) were slower with related compared to
      unrelated distractors. Similarly, under DA at retrieval, recognition RTs were
      slower when distractors were semantically related than unrelated to target words.
      Unlike the effect from DA at encoding, recognition accuracy was worse under DA at
      retrieval when the distractors were related compared to unrelated to the target
      words. Results suggest that availability of general attentional resources is
      critical for successful encoding, whereas successful retrieval is particularly
      reliant on access to a semantic code, making it sensitive to related distractors
      under DA conditions.

PMID- 26277936
TI  - Preparation of Single-Phase Films of CH3NH3Pb(I1-xBrx)3 with Sharp Optical Band
      Edges.
AB  - Organometallic lead-halide perovskite-based solar cells now approach 18%
      efficiency. Introducing a mixture of bromide and iodide in the halide composition
      allows tuning of the optical bandgap. We prepare mixed bromide-iodide lead
      perovskite films CH3NH3Pb(I1-xBrx)3 (0 <= x <= 1) by spin-coating from solution
      and obtain films with monotonically varying bandgaps across the full composition
      range. Photothermal deflection spectroscopy, photoluminescence, and X-ray
      diffraction show that following suitable fabrication protocols these mixed lead
      halide perovskite films form a single phase. The optical absorption edge of the
      pure triiodide and tribromide perovskites is sharp with Urbach energies of 15 and
      23 meV, respectively, and reaches a maximum of 90 meV for CH3NH3PbI1.2Br1.8. We
      demonstrate a bromide-iodide lead perovskite film (CH3NH3PbI1.2Br1.8) with an
      optical bandgap of 1.94 eV, which is optimal for tandem cells of these materials
      with crystalline silicon devices. 

PMID- 26277937
TI  - Boosting the Efficiency of Suspended Photocatalysts for Overall Water Splitting.

PMID- 26277938
TI  - A Stable, Magnetic, and Metallic Li3O4 Compound as a Discharge Product in a Li
      Air Battery.
AB  - The Li-air battery with the specific energy exceeding that of a Li ion battery
      has been aimed as the next-generation battery. The improvement of the performance
      of the Li-air battery needs a full resolution of the actual discharge products.
      Li2O2 has been long recognized as the main discharge product, with which,
      however, there are obvious failures on the understanding of various experimental
      observations (e.g., magnetism, oxygen K-edge spectrum, etc.) on discharge
      products. There is a possibility of the existence of other Li-O compounds unknown
      thus far. Here, a hitherto unknown Li3O4 compound as a discharge product of the
      Li-air battery was predicted through first-principles swarm structure searching
      calculations. The new compound has a unique structure featuring the mixture of
      superoxide O2(-) and peroxide O2(2-), the first such example in the Li-O system.
      The existence of superoxide O2(-) creates magnetism and hole-doped metallicity.
      Findings of Li3O4 gave rise to direct explanations of the unresolved experimental
      magnetism, triple peaks of oxygen K-edge spectra, and the Raman peak at 1125 cm(
      1) of the discharge products. Our work enables an opportunity for the performance
      of capacity, charge overpotential, and round-trip efficiency of the Li-air
      battery. 

PMID- 26277939
TI  - Stabilized Lithium-Metal Surface in a Polysulfide-Rich Environment of Lithium
      Sulfur Batteries.
AB  - Lithium-metal anode degradation is one of the major challenges of lithium-sulfur
      (Li-S) batteries, hindering their practical utility as next-generation
      rechargeable battery chemistry. The polysulfide migration and shuttling
      associated with Li-S batteries can induce heterogeneities of the lithium-metal
      surface because it causes passivation by bulk insulating Li2S
      particles/electrolyte decomposition products on a lithium-metal surface. This
      promotes lithium dendrite formation and leads to poor lithium cycling efficiency
      with complicated lithium surface chemistry. Here, we show copper acetate as a
      surface stabilizer for lithium metal in a polysulfide-rich environment of Li-S
      batteries. The lithium surface is protected from parasitic reactions with the
      organic electrolyte and the migrating polysulfides by an in situ chemical
      formation of a passivation film consisting of mainly Li2S/Li2S2/CuS/Cu2S and
      electrolyte decomposition products. This passivation film also suppresses lithium
      dendrite formation by controlling the lithium deposition sites, leading to a
      stabilized lithium surface characterized by a dendrite-free morphology and
      improved surface chemistry. 

PMID- 26277940
TI  - Ligand-Mediated Ring -> Cube Transformation in a Catalytic Subnanocluster:
      Co4O4(MeCN)n with n = 1-6.
AB  - We studied the Co4O4 subnanocluster and its MeCN-coated species using density
      functional theory, and we found that the Co4O4 core presents distinctive
      structures in bare and ligand-coated species. We propose a possible ligand
      mediated ring -> cube transformation mechanism during the ligand-coating process
      of the Co4O4 core due to the stronger binding energies of the MeCN ligands to the
      3D distorted cube structure than to the 2D ring and ladder structures; theory
      indicates that three ligands are sufficient to stabilize the cube structure. Both
      ring and cube structures are ferromagnetic. Our finding is potentially useful for
      understanding the catalysis mechanism of Co4O4 species, which have important
      applications in solar energy conversion and water splitting; these catalysis
      reactions usually involve frequent addition and subtraction of various ligands
      and thus possibly involve core rearrangement processes similar to our findings. 

PMID- 26277941
TI  - Recent Progress in Two-Dimensional Oxide Photocatalysts for Water Splitting.
AB  - This Perspective focuses on the photocatalytic activity of two-dimensional (2D)
      oxide and nitrogen-doped oxide crystals and the effective use of 2D
      photocatalysts for understanding the mechanism of the water splitting reaction.
      Strategies for improving the activities of 2D photocatalysts are slightly
      different from those of bulk photocatalysts. Although it is well-known that a
      photocatalyst without co-catalyst loading has low activity for hydrogen
      production from water, a certain type of 2D oxide nanosheet shows high activity
      without co-catalyst loading. It is difficult to determine what factors contribute
      to this separation of oxidation and reduction sites of water because there are
      many factors on the reaction surface. A nanosheet p-n junction surface is an
      ideal surface for understanding the carrier transfer during the photocatalytic
      reaction. In this system, the driving force of the carrier transfer to the
      reaction sites was found to be the potential gradient generated by the nanosheet
      junction. 

PMID- 26277942
TI  - New Insights into the Mechanism of Visible Light Photocatalysis.
AB  - In recent years, the area of developing visible-light-active photocatalysts based
      on titanium dioxide has been enormously investigated due to its wide range of
      applications in energy and environment related fields. Various strategies have
      been designed to efficiently utilize the solar radiation and to enhance the
      efficiency of photocatalytic processes. Building on the fundamental strategies to
      improve the visible light activity of TiO2-based photocatalysts, this Perspective
      aims to give an insight into many contemporary developments in the field of
      visible-light-active photocatalysis. Various examples of advanced TiO2 composites
      have been discussed in relation to their visible light induced photoconversion
      efficiency, dynamics of electron-hole separation, and decomposition of organic
      and inorganic pollutants, which suggest the critical need for further development
      of these types of materials for energy conversion and environmental remediation
      purposes. 

PMID- 26277943
TI  - Electronic Structure of Aqueous Sulfuric Acid from First-Principles Simulations
      with Hybrid Functionals.

PMID- 26277944
TI  - Asymmetric Transport Mechanisms of Hydronium and Hydroxide Ions in Amorphous
      Solid Water: Hydroxide Goes Brownian while Hydronium Hops.
AB  - The diffusion of hydronium (H3O(+)) and hydroxide (OH(-)) ions is one of the most
      intriguing topics in aqueous chemistry. It is considered that these ions in
      aqueous solutions move via sequential proton transfer events, known as the
      Grotthuss mechanisms. Here, we present an experimental study of the diffusion and
      H/D exchange of hydronium and hydroxide ions in amorphous solid water (ASW) at
      140-180 K by using low-energy sputtering (LES) and temperature-programmed
      desorption (TPD) measurements. The study shows that the two species transport in
      ASW via fundamentally different molecular mechanisms. Whereas hydronium ions
      migrate via efficient proton transfer, hydroxide ions move via Brownian molecular
      diffusion without proton transfer. The molecular hydroxide diffusion in ASW is in
      stark contrast to the current view of the hydroxide diffusion mechanism in
      aqueous solution, which involves proton transfer. 

PMID- 26277945
TI  - Use of Isotope-Edited FTIR to Derive a Backbone Structure of a Transmembrane
      Protein.
AB  - Solving structures of membrane proteins has always been a formidable challenge,
      yet even upon success, the results are normally obtained in a mimetic environment
      that can be substantially different from a biological membrane. Herein, we use
      noninvasive isotope-edited FTIR spectroscopy to derive a structural model for the
      SARS coronavirus E protein transmembrane domain in lipid bilayers. Molecular
      dynamics-based structural refinement, incorporating the IR-derived orientational
      restraints points to the formation of a helical hairpin structure. Disulfide
      cross-linking and X-ray reflectivity depth profiling provide independent support
      of the results. The unusually short helical hairpin structure of the protein
      might explain its ability to deform bilayers and is reminiscent of other peptides
      with membrane disrupting functionalities. Taken together, we show that isotope
      edited FTIR is a powerful tool to analyze small membrane proteins in their native
      environment, enabling us to relate the unusual structure of the SARS E protein to
      its function. 

PMID- 26277946
TI  - Multiexciton Generation in Seeded Nanorods.
AB  - The stochastic formulation of multiexciton generation (MEG) rates is extended to
      provide access to MEG efficiencies in nanostructures containing thousands of
      atoms. The formalism is applied to a series of CdSe/CdS seeded nanorod
      heterostructures with different core and shell dimensions. At energies above 3Eg
      (where Eg is the band gap), the MEG yield increases with decreasing core size, as
      expected for spherical nanocrystals. Surprisingly, this behavior is reversed for
      energies below this value, and is explained by the dependence of the density of
      states near the valence band edge, which increases with the core diameter. Our
      predictions indicate that the onset of MEG can be shifted to lower energies by
      manipulating the density of states in complex nanostructure geometries. 

PMID- 26277947
TI  - Higher Excited States in Multiphoton Photochemical Reactions "Hint" Toward Rapid
      Chemistry.

PMID- 26277948
TI  - Direct Observation of Ultrafast Excimer Formation in Covalent Perylenediimide
      Dimers Using Near-Infrared Transient Absorption Spectroscopy.
AB  - Energy transfer in perylene-3,4:9,10-bis(dicarboximide) (PDI) aggregates is often
      limited by formation of a low-energy excimer state. Formation dynamics of excimer
      states are often characterized by line shape changes and peak shift dynamics in
      femtosecond visible transient absorption spectra. Femtosecond near-infrared
      transient absorption experiments reveal a unique low-energy transition that can
      be used to identify and characterize this state without overlapping excited
      singlet-state absorption. Three covalently bound PDI dimers with differing PDI
      PDI distances were studied to probe the influence of interchromophore electronic
      coupling on the PDI excimer transient spectra and dynamics. 

PMID- 26277949
TI  - Plasmon Resonance Hybridization of Gold Nanospheres and Palladium Nanoshells
      Combined in a Rattle Structure.
AB  - Gold and palladium nanoparticles are characterized by their localized surface
      plasmon resonance (LSPR). In contrast with the sharp LSPR spectrum of gold
      nanoparticles, palladium nanoparticles had a broad LSPR spectrum. Palladium-gold
      nanorattles (PdAuNRT) are an ideal system with optical properties that are a
      hybrid of gold and palladium nanoparticles. The PdAuNRTs consisted of small gold
      nanospheres (AuNSs) located inside hollow palladium nanospheres (PdHNSs) of
      larger sizes without touching each other. PdAuNRTs of various sizes were
      synthesized by systematic variation of the experimental parameters.
      Interestingly, for the PdAuNRTs, where PdHNSs and AuNSs are separated by a
      distance, it was found that the broad plasmon resonance band of the PdHNSs
      hybridizes with the sharp plasmon resonance of the AuNSs located in its center.
      This was further confirmed experimentally by optical absorption measurements and
      theoretically using discrete dipole approximation technique. The plasmon
      resonance hybridization resulted in broadening of the LSPR spectrum of the
      PdAuNRTs and the appearance of a dip due to a Fano resonance. 

PMID- 26277950
TI  - Next-Generation Epigenetic Detection Technique: Identifying Methylated Cytosine
      Using Graphene Nanopore.
AB  - DNA methylation plays a pivotal role in the genetic evolution of both embryonic
      and adult cells. For adult somatic cells, the location and dynamics of
      methylation have been very precisely pinned down with the 5-cytosine markers on
      cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) units. Unusual methylation on CpG islands is
      identified as one of the prime causes for silencing the tumor suppressant genes.
      Early detection of methylation changes can diagnose the potentially harmful
      oncogenic evolution of cells and provide promising guideline for cancer
      prevention. With this motivation, we propose a cytosine methylation detection
      technique. Our hypothesis is that electronic signatures of DNA acquired as a
      molecule translocates through a nanopore would be significantly different for
      methylated and nonmethylated bases. This difference in electronic fingerprints
      would allow for reliable real-time differentiation of methylated DNA. We
      calculate transport currents through a punctured graphene membrane while the
      cytosine and methylated cytosine translocate through the nanopore. We also
      calculate the transport properties for uracil and cyanocytosine for comparison.
      Our calculations of transmission, current, and tunneling conductance show
      distinct signatures in their spectrum for each molecular type. Thus, in this
      work, we provide a theoretical analysis that points to a viability of our
      hypothesis. 

PMID- 26277951
TI  - Two-Dimensional Anisotropy Measurements Showing Local Heterogeneity in a Polymer
      Melt.
AB  - In polymers, the rotation of a small solute is nonexponential. Either
      heterogeneity in the local friction or local anisotropy-a homogeneous process-may
      be responsible. A new, two-dimensional anisotropy experiment is demonstrated on
      this problem. In poly(dimethylsiloxane), the rotation of individual solute
      molecules is found to be exponential, and the observed rate dispersion is
      primarily due to variation in the local friction. This sample is far from its
      glass transition. Studies of rate heterogeneity associated with the glass
      transition must account for the contribution from this polymer-related mechanism.

PMID- 26277952
TI  - Gasification Mechanism of Carbon with Supercritical Water at Very High Pressures:
      Effects on H2 Production.
AB  - The scarce data concerning the gasification of carbonaceous solids with
      supercritical water (SCW) suggest the great potential of this method to produce a
      valuable green fuel such as H2. However, the extraordinary properties of SCW have
      not been properly applied to H2 production because the mechanism that governs
      gasification under these conditions remains unclear. Here, we present a study in
      which this reaction is explored within the largest pressure range ever assayed in
      this field, from 1 to 1000 bar. The amplitude of the experimental conditions
      investigated highlights the various pathways that govern gasification with steam
      and SCW. Under supercritical conditions, the clusters formed around the
      superficial groups of the solid reduce the energetic requirements for
      gasification and generate CO2 as a primary product of the reaction. Consequently,
      gasification with SCW is significantly faster than that using steam, and the
      produced gases are richer and more appropriate to obtain pure H2. 

PMID- 26277953
TI  - First-Principles Investigation of the TiO2/Organohalide Perovskites Interface:
      The Role of Interfacial Chlorine.
AB  - We investigate the prototypical interface between organohalide perovskites and
      TiO2 by first-principles electronic structure calculations. The investigated
      heterointerface is representative of conventional dye-sensitized solar cells
      based on a mesoporous TiO2 scaffold and of flat devices in which a compact TiO2
      film is used as electron selective layer. We find that the MAPbI3 and MAPbI3-xClx
      perovskites tend to grow in (110)-oriented films on TiO2, due to the better
      structural matching between rows of adjacent perovskite surface halides and TiO2
      undercoordinated titanium atoms. Interfacial chlorine atoms further stabilize the
      (110) surface, due to an enhanced binding energy. We find that the stronger
      interaction of MAPbI3-xClx with TiO2 modifies the interface electronic structure,
      leading to a stronger interfacial coupling and to a slight TiO2 conduction band
      energy upshift. Our modeling study may constitute the basis for a further
      exploitation of perovskite solar cells. 

PMID- 26277954
TI  - Influence of Step Geometry on the Reconstruction of Stepped Platinum Surfaces
      under Coadsorption of Ethylene and CO.
AB  - We demonstrate the critical role of the specific atomic arrangement at step sites
      in the restructuring processes of low-coordinated surface atoms at high adsorbate
      coverage. By using high-pressure scanning tunneling microscopy (HP-STM) and
      ambient-pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (AP-XPS), we have investigated
      the reconstruction of Pt(332) (with (111)-oriented triangular steps) and Pt(557)
      surfaces (with (100)-oriented square steps) in the mixture of CO and C2H4 in the
      Torr pressure range at room temperature. CO creates Pt clusters at the step edges
      on both surfaces, although the clusters have different shapes and densities. A
      subsequent exposure to a similar partial pressure of C2H4 partially reverts the
      clusters on Pt(332). In contrast, the cluster structure is barely changed on
      Pt(557). These different reconstruction phenomena are attributed to the fact that
      the 3-fold (111)-step sites on Pt(332) allows for adsorption of ethylidyne-a
      strong adsorbate formed from ethylene-that does not form on the 4-fold (100)-step
      sites on Pt(557). 

PMID- 26277955
TI  - Spatial Mapping of Flow-Induced Molecular Alignment in a Noncrystalline
      Biopolymer Fluid Using Double Quantum Filtered (DQF) (23)Na MRI.
AB  - Flow-induced molecular alignment was observed experimentally in a non-liquid
      crystalline bioplymeric fluid during developed tubular flow. The fluid was
      comprised of rigid rods of the polysaccharide xanthan and exhibited shear
      thinning behavior. Without a requirement for optical transparency or the need for
      an added tracer, (23)Na magic angle (MA) double quantum filtered (DQF) magnetic
      resonance imaging (MRI) enabled the mapping of the anisotropic molecular
      arrangement under flow conditions. A regional net molecular alignment was found
      in areas of high shear values in the vicinity of the tube wall. Furthermore, the
      xanthan molecules resumed random orientations after the cessation of flow. The
      observed flow-induced molecular alignment was correlated with the rheological
      properties of the fluid. The work demonstrates the ability of (23)Na MA DQF
      magnetic resonance to provide a valuable molecular-mechanical link. 

PMID- 26277956
TI  - Charge Diffusion in Semiconducting Polymers: Analytical Relation between Polymer
      Rigidity and Time Scales for Intrachain and Interchain Hopping.
AB  - We study the charge diffusion of semiconducting polymer bulk using simplified
      coarse grained models to investigate the relation between charge diffusion
      coefficient and the characteristics time of intrachain and interchain hopping,
      tau1 and tau2. We consider the process of charge diffusion in several standard
      models of polymer chains (rigid chain, Gaussian chain, worm-like chain), and we
      achieve an analytical expression for the diffusion coefficient in terms of the
      characteristic times and the geometric parameters defining the chain models. The
      diffusion depends only on the intrachain hopping for the rigid chain and on the
      geometric average of intrachain and interchain hopping times for the Gaussian
      chain (the least rigid model), with an analytical interpolation available between
      two limits. The model highlights the importance of large persistence lengths for
      improved transport properties. In all cases, it is incorrect to consider the
      slower interchain hopping as the rate-determining step for the charge transport. 

PMID- 26277957
TI  - Cage-Like Nanoclusters of ZnO Probed by Time-Resolved Photoelectron Spectroscopy
      and Theory.
AB  - Zinc oxide nanoclusters have been predicted as promising building blocks for
      cluster-assembled materials with unprecedented properties. Here, for the first
      time these clusters are probed by time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy and
      characterized in detail by density functional theory. Their validity as building
      blocks for cluster-assembled materials is confirmed via rigid cage-like
      structures facilitating three-dimensional aggregation in combination with large
      band gaps that are nevertheless significantly lower than any known ZnO polymorph.
      In addition, electron-hole pair localization in the excited state of the cluster
      anions combined with their structural rigidity leads to extraordinary long-lived
      states above the band gap virtually independent of the cluster size, defying the
      rule "every atom counts". 

PMID- 26277958
TI  - Charge Separation and Exciton Dynamics at Polymer/ZnO Interface from First
      Principles Simulations.
AB  - Charge separation and exciton dynamics play a crucial role in determining the
      performance of excitonic photovoltaics. Using time-dependent density functional
      theory with a range-separated exchange-correlation functional as well as
      nonadiabatic ab initio molecular dynamics, we have studied the formation and
      dynamics of charge-transfer (CT) excitons at polymer/ZnO interface. The
      interfacial atomic structure, exciton density of states and conversions between
      exciton species are examined from first-principles. The exciton dynamics exhibits
      both adiabatic and nonadiabatic characters. While the adiabatic transitions are
      facilitated by C?C vibrations along the polymer (P3HT) backbone, the nonadiabatic
      transitions are realized by exciton hopping between the excited states. We find
      that the localized ZnO surface states lead to localized low-energy CT states and
      poor charge separation. In contrast, the surface states of crystalline C60 are
      indistinguishable from the bulk states, resulting in delocalized CT states and
      efficient charge separation in polymer/fullerene (P3HT/PCBM) heterojunctions. The
      hot CT states are found to cool down in an ultrafast time scale and may not play
      a major role in charge separation of P3HT/ZnO. Finally we suggest that the
      dimensions of nanostructured acceptors can be tuned to obtain both efficient
      charge separation and high open circuit voltages. 

PMID- 26277959
TI  - Ultrahigh Vacuum Tip-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy with Picosecond Excitation.
AB  - Tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) provides chemical information about
      adsorbates with nanoscale spatial resolution, but developments are still required
      in order to incorporate ultrafast temporal resolution. In this Letter, we
      demonstrate that a reliable TER signal of rhodamine 6G (R6G) using picosecond
      (ps)-pulsed excitation can be obtained in ultrahigh vacuum (UHV). In contrast to
      our previous observation of irreversible signal loss in ambient TERS ( Klingsporn
      , J. M. ; Sonntag , M. D. ; Seideman , T. ; Van Duyne , R. P. J. Phys. Chem.
      Lett. 2014 , 5 , 106 - 110 ), we demonstrate that the UHV environment decreases
      irreversible signal degradation. As a complement to the TERS experiments, we
      examined the rate of surface-enhanced Raman (SER) signal decay under picosecond
      irradiation and found that it is also slowed in UHV compared to that in ambient.
      Signal decay kinetics suggest that the predominant mechanism responsible for
      signal loss in ps SERS of R6G is surface diffusion. Both diffusive and reactive
      phenomena can lead to pulsed excitation TER signal loss, and a UHV environment is
      advantageous in either scenario. 

PMID- 26277960
TI  - Extremely Slow Photoconductivity Response of CH3NH3PbI3 Perovskites Suggesting
      Structural Changes under Working Conditions.
AB  - Photoconductivity measurements of CH3NH3PbI3 deposited between two dielectric
      protected Au electrodes show extremely slow response. The CH3NH3PbI3, bridging a
      gap of ~2000 nm, was subjected to a DC bias and cycles of 5 min illumination and
      varying dark duration. The approach to steady -state photocurrent lasted tens of
      seconds with a strong dependence on the dark duration preceding the illumination.
      On the basis of DFT calculations, we propose that under light + bias the
      methylammonium ions are freed to rotate and align along the electric field, thus
      modifying the structure of the inorganic scaffold. While ions alignment is
      expected to be fast, the adjustment of the inorganic scaffold seems to last
      seconds as reflected in the extremely slow photoconductivity response. We propose
      that under working conditions a modified, photostable, perovskite structure is
      formed, depending on the bias and illumination parameters. Our findings seem to
      clarify the origin of the well-known hysteresis in perovskite solar cells. 

PMID- 26277961
TI  - First-Principles, Physically Motivated Force Field for the Ionic Liquid
      [BMIM][BF4].
AB  - Molecular simulations play an important role in establishing structure-property
      relations in complex fluids such as room-temperature ionic liquids. Classical
      force fields are the starting point when large systems or long times are of
      interest. These force fields must be not only accurate but also transferable. In
      this work, we report a physically motivated force field for the ionic liquid 1
      butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([BMIM][BF4]) based on symmetry
      adapted perturbation theory. The predictions (from molecular dynamics
      simulations) of the liquid density, enthalpy of vaporization, diffusion
      coefficients, viscosity, and conductivity are in excellent agreement with
      experiment, with no adjustable parameters. The explicit energy decomposition
      inherent in the force field enables a quantitative analysis of the important
      physical interactions in these systems. We find that polarization is crucial and
      there is little evidence of charge transfer. We also argue that the often used
      procedure of scaling down charges in molecular simulations of ionic liquids is
      unphysical for [BMIM][BF4]. Because all intermolecular interactions in the force
      field are parametrized from first-principles, we anticipate good transferability
      to other ionic liquid systems and physical conditions. 

PMID- 26277962
TI  - Phosphorene as a Superior Gas Sensor: Selective Adsorption and Distinct I-V
      Response.
AB  - Recent reports on the fabrication of phosphorene, that is, mono- or few-layer
      black phosphorus, have raised exciting prospects of an outstanding two
      dimensional (2D) material that exhibits excellent properties for nanodevice
      applications. Here, we study by first-principles calculations the adsorption of
      CO, CO2, NH3, NO, and NO2 gas molecules on a monolayer phosphorene. Our results
      predict superior sensing performance of phosphorene that rivals or even surpasses
      that of other 2D materials such as graphene and MoS2. We determine the optimal
      adsorption positions of these molecules on the phosphorene and identify molecular
      doping, that is, charge transfer between the molecules and phosphorene, as the
      driving mechanism for the high adsorption strength. We further calculated the
      current-voltage (I-V) relation using the nonequilibrium Green's function (NEGF)
      formalism. The transport features show large (1-2 orders of magnitude) anisotropy
      along different (armchair or zigzag) directions, which is consistent with the
      anisotropic electronic band structure of phosphorene. Remarkably, the I-V
      relation exhibits distinct responses with a marked change of the I-V relation
      along either the armchair or the zigzag directions depending on the type of
      molecules. Such selectivity and sensitivity to adsorption makes phosphorene a
      superior gas sensor that promises wide-ranging applications. 

PMID- 26277963
TI  - Intersystem Crossing Enables 4-Thiothymidine to Act as a Photosensitizer in
      Photodynamic Therapy: An Ab Initio QM/MM Study.
AB  - Motivated by its potential use as a photosensitizer in photodynamic therapy, we
      report the first ab initio quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) study of
      4-thiothymidine in aqueous solution. The core chromophore 4-thiothymine was
      described using the multiconfigurational CASSCF and CASPT2 QM methods, while the
      ribose and the solvent water molecules were treated at the MM level (CHARMM and
      TIP3P, respectively). The minima of the five lowest electronic states (S0, S1,
      S2, T1, and T2) and six minimum-energy intersections were fully optimized at the
      QM(CASSCF)/MM level, and their energies were further refined by single-point
      QM(CASPT2)/MM and CASPT2 calculations. The relevant spin-orbit couplings were
      also computed. We find that (1) there are three efficient photophysical pathways
      that account for the experimentally observed ultrafast formation of the lowest
      triplet state with a quantum yield of nearly unity, (2) the striking qualitative
      differences in the photophysical behavior of 4-thiothymine and thymine originate
      from the different electronic structure of their S1 states, and (3) environmental
      effects play an important role. The present QM/MM calculations provide
      mechanistic insight that may guide the design of improved photosensitizers for
      photodynamic therapy. 

PMID- 26277964
TI  - Binary Solvent Organization at Silica/Liquid Interfaces: Preferential Ordering in
      Acetonitrile-Methanol Mixtures.
AB  - Nonlinear vibrational spectroscopy experiments examined solvent organization at
      the silica/binary solvent interface where the binary solvent consisted of
      methanol and acetonitrile in varying mole fractions. Data were compared with
      surface vibrational spectra acquired from silica surfaces exposed to a vapor
      phase saturated with the same binary solvent mixtures. Changes in vibrational
      band intensities suggest that methanol ideally adsorbs to the silica/vapor
      interface but acetonitrile accumulates in excess relative to vapor-phase
      composition. At the silica/liquid interface, acetonitrile's signal increases
      until a solution phase mole fraction of ~0.85. At higher acetonitrile
      concentrations, acetonitrile's signal decreases dramatically until only a weak
      signature persists with the neat solvent. This behavior is ascribed to dipole
      paired acetonitrile forming a bilayer with the first sublayer associating with
      surface silanol groups and a second sublayer consisting of weakly associating,
      antiparallel partners. On the basis of recent simulations, we propose that the
      second sublayer accumulates in excess. 

PMID- 26277965
TI  - New Phases of Germanene.
AB  - Germanene, a graphene-like single-layer structure of Ge, has been shown to be
      stable and recently grown on Pt and Au substrates. We show that a Ge adatom
      adsorbed on germanene pushes down the host Ge atom underneath and forms a
      dumbbell structure. This exothermic process occurs spontaneously. The attractive
      dumbbell-dumbbell interaction favors high coverage of dumbbells. This Letter
      heralds stable new phases of germanene, which are constructed from periodically
      repeating coverage of dumbbell structures and display diversity of electronic and
      magnetic properties. 

PMID- 26277966
TI  - Polymorphism of Crystalline Molecular Donors for Solution-Processed Organic
      Photovoltaics.
AB  - Using ab initio calculations and classical molecular dynamics simulations coupled
      to complementary experimental characterization, four molecular semiconductors
      were investigated in vacuum, solution, and crystalline form. Independently, the
      molecules can be described as nearly isostructural, yet in crystalline form, two
      distinct crystal systems are observed with characteristic molecular geometries.
      The minor structural variations provide a platform to investigate the subtlety of
      simple substitutions, with particular focus on polymorphism and rotational
      isomerism. Resolved crystal structures offer an exact description of
      intermolecular ordering in the solid state. This enables evaluation of molecular
      binding energy in various crystallographic configurations to fully rationalize
      observed crystal packing on a basis of first-principle calculations of
      intermolecular interactions. 

PMID- 26277967
TI  - Raman Evidence for Late Stage Disproportionation in a Li-O2 Battery.
AB  - Raman spectroscopy is used to characterize the composition of toroids formed in
      an aprotic Li-O2 cell based on an activated carbon cathode. The trends in the
      Raman data as a function of discharge current density and charging cutoff voltage
      provide evidence that the toroids are made up of outer LiO2-like and inner Li2O2
      regions, consistent with a disproportionation reaction occurring in the solid
      phase. The LiO2-like component is found to be associated with a new Raman peak
      identified in the carbon stretching region at ~1505 cm(-1), which appears only
      when the LiO2 peak at 1123 cm(-1) is present. The new peak is assigned to
      distortion of the graphitic ring stretching due to coupling with the LiO2-like
      component based on density functional calculations. These new results on the LiO2
      like component from Raman spectroscopy provide evidence that a late stage
      disproportionation mechanism can occur during discharge and add new understanding
      to the complexities of possible processes occurring in Li-O2 batteries. 

PMID- 26277968
TI  - Role of Charge Transfer in Water Diffusivity in Aqueous Ionic Solutions.
AB  - We performed molecular dynamics simulations on four types of systems containing
      ion and solvating water. Two systems contained a cation (Na(+) or K(+)), and two
      other systems an anion (Cl(-) or I(-)). Classical molecular dynamics simulations
      were performed using three different force fields: a fixed charge force field, a
      polarizable force field that includes explicit polarization, and also a recently
      developed force field that includes polarization and charge transfer. These
      simulations were then compared to first-principles molecular dynamics
      simulations. While the first-principles simulations showed that the anions
      accelerated water translational diffusion, the cations slowed it down. In
      simulations with the classical force fields, only the force field that
      incorporates explicit charge transfer reproduced this ion-specific behavior.
      Additional simulations performed to understand the effect of charge transfer
      demonstrated that two competitive factors determine the behavior of water
      translational diffusion: the ions diminished charge accelerates water, while the
      net charge acquired by water either accelerates or slows down its dynamics. Our
      results show that charge transfer plays a crucial role in governing the water
      dynamics in aqueous ionic solutions. 

PMID- 26277969
TI  - Photophysics of Voltage Increase by Photoinduced Dipole Layers in Sensitized
      Solar Cells.
AB  - Significant overpotentials between the sensitizer and both the electron and hole
      conductors hamper the performance of sensitized solar cells, leading to a reduced
      photovoltage. We show that by using properly designed type-II quantum dots (QDs)
      between the sensitizer and the hole conductor in thin absorber cells, it is
      possible to increase the open circuit voltage (Voc) by more than 100 mV. This
      increase is due to the formation of a photoinduced dipole (PID) layer.
      Photogenerated holes in the type-II QDs are retained in the core for a relatively
      long time, allowing for the accumulation of a positively charged layer. Negative
      charges are, in turn, injected and accumulated in the TiO2 anode, creating a
      dipole moment, which negatively shifts the TiO2 conduction band relative to the
      electrolyte. We study this phenomenon using a unique
      TiO2/CdSe/(ZnSe:Te/CdS)/polysulfide system, where the formation of a PID depends
      on the color of the illumination. The PID concept thus introduces a new design
      strategy, where the operating parameters of the solar cell can be manipulated
      separately. 

PMID- 26277970
TI  - Calculations of Mode-Specific Tunneling of Double-Hydrogen Transfer in Porphycene
      Agree with and Illuminate Experiment.
AB  - We report a theoretical study of mode-specific tunneling splittings in double
      hydrogen transfer in trans-porphycene. We use a novel, mode-specific "Qim path
      method", in which the reaction coordinate is the imaginary-frequency normal mode
      of the saddle point separating the equivalent minima. The model considers all 108
      normal modes and uses no adjustable parameters. The method gives the ground
      vibrational-state tunneling splitting, as well the increase in the splitting upon
      excitation of certain modes, in good agreement with experiment. Interpretation of
      these results is also transparent with this method. In addition, predictions are
      made for mode excitations not investigated experimentally. Results for d1 and d2
      isotopolgues are also in agreement with experiment. 

PMID- 26277971
TI  - Role of Dispersive Interactions in Determining Structural Properties of Organic
      Inorganic Halide Perovskites: Insights from First-Principles Calculations.
AB  - A microscopic picture of structure and bonding in organic-inorganic perovskites
      is imperative to understanding their remarkable semiconducting and photovoltaic
      properties. On the basis of a density functional theory treatment that includes
      both spin-orbit coupling and dispersive interactions, we provide detailed insight
      into the crystal binding of lead-halide perovskites and quantify the effect of
      different types of interactions on the structural properties. Our analysis
      reveals that cohesion in these materials is characterized by a variety of
      interactions that includes important contributions from both van der Waals
      interactions among the halide atoms and hydrogen bonding. We also assess the role
      of spin-orbit coupling and show that it causes slight changes in lead-halide
      bonding that do not significantly affect the lattice parameters. Our results
      establish that consideration of dispersive effects is essential for understanding
      the structure and bonding in organic-inorganic perovskites in general and for
      providing reliable theoretical predictions of structural parameters in
      particular. 

PMID- 26277972
TI  - Simultaneous Determination of Structures, Vibrations, and Frontier Orbital
      Energies from a Self-Consistent Range-Separated Hybrid Functional.
AB  - A self-consistent optimally tuned range-separated hybrid density functional (scOT
      RSH) approach is developed. It can simultaneously predict accurate geometries,
      vibrational modes, and frontier orbital energies. This is achieved by optimizing
      the range-separation parameter, gamma, to both satisfy the ionization energy
      theorem and minimize interatomic forces. We benchmark our approach against an
      established hybrid functional, B3LYP, using the G2 test set. scOT-RSH greatly
      improves the accuracy of occupied frontier orbital energies, with a mean absolute
      error (MAE) of only 0.2 eV relative to experimental ionization energies compared
      to 2.96 eV with B3LYP. Geometries do not change significantly compared to those
      obtained from B3LYP, with a bond length MAE of 0.012 A compared to 0.008 A for
      B3LYP, and a 6.5% MAE for zero-point energies, slightly larger than that of B3LYP
      (3.1%). scOT-RSH represents a new paradigm in which accurate geometries and
      ionization energies can be predicted simultaneously from a single functional
      approach. 

PMID- 26277973
TI  - The Impact of Polydispersity and Molecular Weight on the Order-Disorder
      Transition in Poly(3-hexylthiophene).
AB  - Conjugated poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) chains are known to exist at least in
      two distinct conformations: a coiled phase and a better ordered aggregated phase.
      Employing steady state absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy, we measure the
      course of aggregation of P3HT in tetrahydrofuran (THF) solution within a
      temperature range of 300 K to 170 K. We show that aggregation is a temperature
      controlled process, driven by a thermodynamic order-disorder transition. The
      transition temperature increases with the molecular weight of the chains and can
      be rationalized in the theory of Sanchez. This implies a smearing out of the
      phase transition in samples with increasing polydispersity and erodes the
      signature of a first order phase transition. The detection of a hysteresis when
      undergoing cooling/heating cycles further substantiates this reasoning. 

PMID- 26277974
TI  - Interference and Molecular Transport-A Dynamical View: Time-Dependent Analysis of
      Disubstituted Benzenes.
AB  - The primary issue in molecular electronics is measuring and understanding how
      electrons travel through a single molecule strung between two electrodes. A key
      area involves electronic interference that occurs when electrons can follow more
      than one pathway through the molecular entity. When the phases developed along
      parallel pathways are inequivalent, interference effects can substantially reduce
      overall conductance. This fundamentally interesting issue can be understood using
      classical rules of physical organic chemistry, and the subject has been examined
      broadly. However, there has been little dynamical study of such interference
      effects. Here, we use the simplest electronic structure model to examine the
      coherent time-dependent transport through meta- and para-linked benzene circuits,
      and the effects of decoherence. We find that the phase-caused
      coherence/decoherence behavior is established very quickly (femtoseconds), that
      the localized dephasing at any site reduces the destructive interference of the
      meta-linked species (raising the conductance), and that thermal effects are
      essentially ineffectual for removing coherence effects. 

PMID- 26277975
TI  - Atomic-Scale Perspective of Ultrafast Charge Transfer at a Dye-Semiconductor
      Interface.
AB  - Understanding interfacial charge-transfer processes on the atomic level is
      crucial to support the rational design of energy-challenge relevant systems such
      as solar cells, batteries, and photocatalysts. A femtosecond time-resolved core
      level photoelectron spectroscopy study is performed that probes the electronic
      structure of the interface between ruthenium-based N3 dye molecules and ZnO
      nanocrystals within the first picosecond after photoexcitation and from the
      unique perspective of the Ru reporter atom at the center of the dye. A transient
      chemical shift of the Ru 3d inner-shell photolines by (2.3 +/- 0.2) eV to higher
      binding energies is observed 500 fs after photoexcitation of the dye. The
      experimental results are interpreted with the aid of ab initio calculations using
      constrained density functional theory. Strong indications for the formation of an
      interfacial charge-transfer state are presented, providing direct insight into a
      transient electronic configuration that may limit the efficiency of photoinduced
      free charge-carrier generation. 

PMID- 26277976
TI  - New Method for Double-Resonance Spectroscopy in a Cold Quadrupole Ion Trap and
      Its Application to UV-UV Hole-Burning Spectroscopy of Protonated Adenine Dimer.
AB  - A novel method for double-resonance spectroscopy in a cold quadrupole ion trap is
      presented, which utilizes dipolar resonant excitation of fragment ions in the
      quadrupole ion trap. Photofragments by a burn laser are removed by applying an
      auxiliary RF to the trap, and a probe laser detects the depletion of
      photofragments by the burn laser. By scanning the wavelength of the burn laser,
      conformation-specific UV spectrum of a cold ion is obtained. This simple and
      powerful method is applicable to any type of double-resonance spectroscopy in a
      cold quadrupole ion trap and was applied to UV-UV hole-burning spectroscopy of
      protonated adenine dimer. It was found that protonated adenine dimer has multiple
      conformers/tautomers, each with multiple excited states with drastically
      different excited state dynamics. 

PMID- 26277977
TI  - Correction to "Inapplicability of Electron-Hopping Models for the Organic
      Semiconductor Phenyl-C61-butyric Acid Methyl Ester (PCBM)".

PMID- 26277979
TI  - Diplopia and Ptosis as the Initial Manifestations of Acquired Hepatocerebral
      Degeneration.

PMID- 26277980
TI  - Do the Eyes Reveal More Than Scleral Icterus in Sickle Cell Disease?

PMID- 26277981
TI  - Knockdown of microtubule actin crosslinking factor 1 inhibits cell proliferation
      in MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells.
AB  - Microtubule actin crosslinking factor 1 (MACF1), a widely expressed cytoskeletal
      linker, plays important roles in various cells by regulating cytoskeleton
      dynamics. However, its role in osteoblastic cells is not well understood. Based
      on our previous findings that the association of MACF1 with F-actin and
      microtubules in osteoblast-like cells was altered under magnetic force
      conditions, here, by adopting a stable MACF1-knockdown MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cell
      line, we found that MACF1 knockdown induced large cells with a
      binuclear/multinuclear structure. Further, immunofluorescence staining showed
      disorganization of F-actin and microtubules in MACF1-knockdown cells. Cell
      counting revealed significant decrease of cell proliferation and cell cycle
      analysis showed an S phase cell cycle arrest in MACF1-knockdown cells. Moreover
      and interestingly, MACF1 knockdown showed a potential effect on cellular MTT
      reduction activity and mitochondrial content, suggesting an impact on cellular
      metabolic activity. These results together indicate an important role of MACF1 in
      regulating osteoblastic cell morphology and function.

PMID- 26277982
TI  - 2,3-Dimethoxy-2'-hydroxychalcone ameliorates TNF-alpha-induced ICAM-1 expression
      and subsequent monocyte adhesiveness via NF-kappaB inhibition and HO-1 induction
      in HaCaT cells.
AB  - Up-regulation of adhesion molecules plays an important role in the infiltration
      of leukocytes into the skin during the development of various inflammatory skin
      diseases, such as atopic dermatitis. In this study, we investigated the
      modulatory effects of 2,3-dimethoxy-2'-hydroxychalcone (DMHC) on tumor necrosis
      factor (TNF)-alpha-induced intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression
      and monocyte adhesiveness, as well as the molecular mechanisms underlying its
      action in the HaCaT human keratinocyte cell line. Pre-treating HaCaT cells with
      DMHC significantly suppressed TNF-alpha-induced ICAM-1 expression and subsequent
      monocyte adhesiveness. DMHC inhibited TNF-alpha-induced activation of NF-kappaB.
      In addition, DMHC induced HO-1 expression as well as NRF2 activation.
      Furthermore, HO-1 knockdown using siRNA reversed the inhibitory effect of DMHC on
      TNF-alpha-induced ICAM-1 expression and adhesion of monocytes to keratinocytes.
      These results suggest that DMHC may inhibit TNF-alpha-induced ICAM-1 expression
      and adhesion of monocytes to keratinocytes by suppressing the signaling cascades
      leading to NF-kappaB activation and inducing HO-1 expression in keratinocytes.

PMID- 26277983
TI  - Midline enhancer activity of the short gastrulation shadow enhancer is
      characterized by three unusual features for cis-regulatory DNA.
AB  - The shadow enhancer of the short gastrulation (sog) gene directs its sequential
      expression in the neurogenic ectoderm and the ventral midline of the developing
      Drosophila embryo. Here, we characterize three unusual features of the shadow
      enhancer midline activity. First, the minimal regions for the two different
      enhancer activities exhibit high overlap within the shadow enhancer, meaning that
      one developmental enhancer possesses dual enhancer activities. Second, the
      midline enhancer activity relies on five Single-minded (Sim)-binding sites, two
      of which have not been found in any Sim target enhancers. Finally, two linked
      Dorsal (Dl)- and Zelda (Zld)-binding sites, critical for the neurogenic ectoderm
      enhancer activity, are also required for the midline enhancer activity. These
      results suggest that early activation by Dl and Zld may facilitate late
      activation via the noncanonical sites occupied by Sim. We discuss a model for Zld
      as a pioneer factor and speculate its role in midline enhancer activity.

PMID- 26277984
TI  - Independent Predictors of Major Adverse Events following Coronary Stenting over
      28 Months of Follow-Up.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite recent advances in stent design and constantly improving
      protective pharmacological strategies, complications and adverse events following
      percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) are still major factors influencing
      morbidity and mortality. Therefore, predicting secondary vascular occlusions
      represents an unmet medical need. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to triage
      clinical and laboratory predictors of major adverse clinical events (MACE)
      following coronary stenting. METHODS: This was a prospective, case-controlled,
      single-center study, which included 94 consecutive patients with documented
      coronary disease who underwent PCI with drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation.
      All patients received dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel.
      Numerous clinical characteristics and laboratory biomarkers were assessed before
      stenting and were correlated with poststenting MACE over the mean follow-up of 28
      months. MACE included death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, target vessel
      revascularisation, stroke, stent thrombosis, angina recurrence and instent
      restenosis. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients experienced MACE. Independent MACE
      predictors after PCI with DES implantation were antecedent diabetes mellitus (RR
      = 0.45; 95% CI 0.20-0.97; p = 0.045), prior thrombolytic therapy (RR = 0.42; 95%
      CI 0.27-0.83; p = 0.039), baseline plasminogen activator inhibitor -1 (PAI-1; p =
      0.008) and plasma von Willebrand factor (vWF) activity (p = 0.007). Other
      clinical characteristics and laboratory indices showed no correlation with MACE.
      CONCLUSIONS: Background diabetes mellitus, prior thrombolytic therapy, PAI-1 and
      vWF prestenting activity may be useful for MACE prediction over 28 months of
      follow-up.

PMID- 26277986
TI  - Mining of luxS genes from rumen microbial consortia by metagenomic and
      metatranscriptomic approaches.
AB  - Although rumen bacterial communities vary depending on many factors such as diet,
      age and physiological conditions, a core microbiota exists within the rumen. In
      many natural environments, some bacteria use a quorum-sensing (QS) system to
      regulate their physiological activities. However, very limited information is
      available about QS systems in rumen. To investigate the autoinducer 2 (AI-2)
      mediated QS system in rumen, we detected genes (luxS) encoding the AI-2 synthase
      (LuxS), from three datasets embedded in metagenomics RAST server (MG-RAST) and
      from a metatranscriptome dataset. We collected 135 luxS genes from the
      metagenomic datasets, which were presumed to originate from Bacteroidetes,
      Firmicutes, Fusobacteria and Actinobacteria, and 34 luxS genes from the
      metatranscriptome dataset, which probably originated from Bacteroidetes,
      Firmicutes and Spirochaetes. Because the essential amino acids for LuxS activity
      were conserved in the LuxS homologues predicted from luxS gene sequences from
      both datasets, the LuxS homologues probably function in the rumen. Since the
      largest number of sequences of luxS genes were collected from the genera
      Prevotella, Ruminococcus and Eubacterium, which include many fibrolytic bacteria
      and constituent members of biofilm on feed particles, an AI-2-mediated QS system
      is likely involved in biofilm formation and fibrolytic activity in the rumen. 

PMID- 26277985
TI  - Glutamate cycling may drive organic anion transport on the basal membrane of
      human placental syncytiotrophoblast.
AB  - The organic anion transporter OAT4 (SLC22A11) and organic anion transporting
      polypeptide OATP2B1 (SLCO2B1) are expressed in the basal membrane of the
      placental syncytiotrophoblast. These transporters mediate exchange whereby uptake
      of one organic anion is coupled to efflux of a counter-ion. In placenta, these
      exchangers mediate placental uptake of substrates for oestrogen synthesis as well
      as clearing waste products and xenobiotics from the fetal circulation. However,
      the identity of the counter-ion driving this transport in the placenta, and in
      other tissues, is unclear. While glutamate is not a known OAT4 or OATP2B1
      substrate, we propose that its high intracellular concentration has the potential
      to drive accumulation of substrates from the fetal circulation. In the isolated
      perfused placenta, glutamate exchange was observed between the placenta and the
      fetal circulation. This exchange could not be explained by known glutamate
      exchangers. However, glutamate efflux was trans-stimulated by an OAT4 and OATP2B1
      substrate (bromosulphothalein). Exchange of glutamate for bromosulphothalein was
      only observed when glutamate reuptake was inhibited (by addition of aspartate).
      To determine if OAT4 and/or OATP2B1 mediate glutamate exchange, uptake and efflux
      of glutamate were investigated in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Our data demonstrate
      that in Xenopus oocytes expressing either OAT4 or OATP2B1 efflux of intracellular
      [(14)C]glutamate could be stimulated by conditions including extracellular
      glutamate (OAT4), estrone-sulphate and bromosulphothalein (both OAT4 and OATP2B1)
      or pravastatin (OATP2B1). Cycling of glutamate across the placenta involving
      efflux via OAT4 and OATP2B1 and subsequent reuptake will drive placental uptake
      of organic anions from the fetal circulation.

PMID- 26277987
TI  - Risk of cardiac disease and observations on lack of potential predictors by
      clinical history among children presenting for cardiac evaluation of mid
      exertional syncope.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the incidence of cardiac disorders among
      children with mid-exertional syncope evaluated by a paediatric cardiologist,
      determine how often a diagnosis was not established, and define potential
      predictors to differentiate cardiac from non-cardiac causes. Study design We
      carried out a single-centre, retrospective review of children who presented for
      cardiac evaluation due to a history of exertional syncope between 1999 and 2012.
      Inclusion criteria included the following: (1) age ?18 years; (2) mid-exertional
      syncope; (3) electrocardiogram, echocardiogram and an exercise stress test,
      electrophysiology study, or tilt test, with exception of long QT, which did not
      require additional testing; and (4) evaluation by a paediatric cardiologist. Mid
      exertional syncope was defined as loss of consciousness in the midst of active
      physical activity. Patients with peri-exertional syncope immediately surrounding
      but not during active physical exertion were excluded. RESULTS: A total of 60
      patients met the criteria for mid-exertional syncope; 32 (53%) were diagnosed
      with cardiac syncope and 28 with non-cardiac syncope. A majority of cardiac
      patients were diagnosed with an electrical myopathy, the most common being Long
      QT syndrome. In nearly half of the patients, a diagnosis could not be established
      or syncope was felt to be vasovagal in nature. Neither the type of exertional
      activity nor the symptoms or lack of symptoms occurring before, immediately
      preceding, and after the syncopal event differentiated those with or without a
      cardiac diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Children with mid-exertional syncope are at risk
      for cardiac disease and warrant evaluation. Reported symptoms may not
      differentiate benign causes from life-threatening disease.

PMID- 26277988
TI  - Quantification of light attenuation in optically cleared mouse brains.
AB  - Optical clearing, in combination with recently developed optical imaging
      techniques, enables visualization and acquisition of high-resolution, three
      dimensional images of biological structures deep within the tissue. Many
      different approaches can be used to reduce light absorption and scattering within
      the tissue, but there is a paucity of research on the quantification of clearing
      efficacy. With the use of a custom-made spectroscopy system, we developed a way
      to quantify the quality of clearing in biological tissue and applied it to the
      mouse brain. Three clearing techniques were compared: BABB (1:2 mixture of benzyl
      alcohol and benzyl benzoate, also known as Murray's clear), pBABB (peroxide BABB,
      a modification of BABB which includes the use of hydrogen peroxide), and passive
      CLARITY. We found that BABB and pBABB produced the highest degree of optical
      clearing. Furthermore, the approach allows regional measurement of light
      attenuation to be performed, and our results show that light is most attenuated
      in regions with high lipid content. We provide a way to choose between the
      multiple clearing protocols available, and it could prove useful for evaluating
      images that are acquired with cleared tissues.

PMID- 26277989
TI  - On the interpretation of second harmonic generation intensity profiles of
      striated muscle.
AB  - Recently, a supramolecular model was developed for predicting striated skeletal
      muscle intensity profiles obtained by label-free second harmonic generation (SHG)
      microscopy. This model allows for a quantitative determination of the length of
      the thick filament antiparallel range or M-band (M ), and results in M=0.12  MUm
      for single-band intensity profiles when fixing the A-band length (A ) to A=1.6 
      MUm , a value originating from electron microscopy (EM) observations. Using
      simulations and experimental data sets, we showed that the objective numerical
      aperture (NA) and the refractive index (RI) mismatch (Deltan=n 2omega -n omega )
      between the illumination wave (omega ) and the second harmonic wave (2omega )
      severely affect the simulated sarcomere intensity profiles. Therefore, our
      recovered filament lengths did not match with those observed by EM. For an RI
      mismatch of Deltan=0.02 and a moderate illumination NA of 0.8, analysis of single
      band SHG intensity profiles with freely adjustable A- and M-band sizes yielded
      A=1.40+/-0.04  MUm and M=0.07+/-0.05  MUm for skeletal muscle. These lower than
      expected values were rationalized in terms of the myosin density distribution
      along the myosin thick filament axis. Our data provided new and practical
      insights for the application of the supramolecular model to study SHG intensity
      profiles in striated muscl

PMID- 26277990
TI  - Maxillary gap at 11-13 weeks' gestation: marker of cleft lip and palate.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe a new sign of cleft lip and palate (CLP), the maxillary
      gap, which is visible in the mid-sagittal plane of the fetal face used routinely
      for measurement of nuchal translucency thickness. METHODS: This was a
      retrospective study of stored images of the mid-sagittal view of the fetal face
      at 11-13 weeks' gestation in 86 cases of CLP and 86 normal controls. The images
      were examined to determine if a maxillary gap was present, in which case its size
      was measured. RESULTS: In 37 (43.0%) cases of CLP the defect was isolated and in
      49 (57.0%) there were additional fetal defects. In the isolated CLP group, the
      diagnosis of facial cleft was made in the first trimester in nine (24.3%) cases
      and in the second trimester in 28 (75.7%). In the group with additional defects,
      the diagnosis of facial cleft was made in the first trimester in 46 (93.9%) cases
      and in the second trimester in three (6.1%). A maxillary gap was observed in 96%
      of cases of CLP with additional defects, in 65% of those with isolated CLP and in
      7% of normal fetuses. There was a large gap (>1.5 mm) or complete absence of
      signals from the maxilla in the midline in 69% of cases of CLP with additional
      defects, in 35% of those with isolated CLP and in none of the normal controls.
      CONCLUSIONS: The maxillary gap is a new simple marker of possible CLP, which
      could increase the detection rate of CLP, especially in isolated cases.

PMID- 26277991
TI  - Development of the Fibronectin-Mimetic Peptide KSSPHSRN(SG)5RGDSP as a Novel
      Radioprobe for Molecular Imaging of the Cancer Biomarker alpha5beta1 Integrin.
AB  - alpha5beta1 Integrin, a fibronectin receptor, is becoming a pertinent therapeutic
      target and a promising prognostic biomarker for cancer patients. The aim of this
      study was to functionalize an alpha5beta1-specific fibronectin-mimetic peptide
      sequence KSSPHSRN(SG)5RGDSP (called PR_b) as a positron emission tomography (PET)
      probe. PR_b was modified by addition of a beta-alanine residue, conjugated with 2
      S-(4-isothiocyanatobenzyl)-1,4,7-triazacyclononane-1,4,7-triacetic acid (p-SCN-Bn
      NOTA), and radiolabeled with (18)F based on the chelation of (18)F-aluminum
      fluoride. A control probe was produced by glycine to alanine substitution in the
      RGD motif of PR_b. Cell binding and blocking assays, autoradiographic evaluation
      of tissue binding and blocking, dynamic PET scans, and a biodistribution study
      were conducted using cell lines and murine tumor models with determined
      expression levels of alpha5beta1 and other related integrins. (18)F-PR_b was
      produced with a labeling yield of 22.3+/-1.9% based on (18)F-F(-), a
      radiochemical purity of >99%, and a specific activity of 30-70 GBq/umol; it
      exhibited alpha5beta1-binding activity and specificity in vitro, ex vivo, and in
      vivo, and had a rapid blood clearance and a predominant renal excretion pathway.
      In vivo alpha5beta1-positive tumors could be clearly visualized by (18)F-PR_b PET
      imaging. Both imaging and biodistribution studies suggested higher uptake of
      (18)F-PR_b in alpha5beta1-positive tumors than in alpha5beta1-negative tumors and
      higher alpha5beta1-positive tumor uptake of (18)F-PR_b than the control probe. In
      contrast, there was no significant difference seen in the contralateral muscle
      uptake. A PET radioprobe, (18)F-PR_b, was developed de novo and potentially can
      be used for noninvasive detection of alpha5beta1 expression in tumors. 

PMID- 26277992
TI  - Unraveling psychomotor slowing in bipolar disorder.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: In addition to affective and cognitive symptomatology,
      psychomotor deficits are known to be present in bipolar disorder (BD).
      Psychomotor functioning includes all of the processes necessary for completing a
      movement, from planning to initiation and execution. While these psychomotor
      symptoms have been studied extensively in schizophrenia and major depressive
      disorder, only simple measures have been conducted in BD. The present study
      examines psychomotor functioning in BD. METHODS: Twenty-two euthymic BD patients
      and 21 healthy controls performed three computerized copying tasks varying in
      cognitive load. Movement times (MT), reflecting fine motor processing, and
      initiation times (IT), reflecting cognitive processing of visual-spatial
      information, were separately measured in each group. RESULTS: The BD patients had
      longer IT but not MT in the simplest task and the opposite pattern of longer MT
      but not IT in the complex task. However, when controlling for residual mood
      symptoms, the MT were no longer significantly slower in the BD group.
      CONCLUSIONS: The longer MT and IT in BD reflect overall psychomotor slowing.
      Specifically, the results provide evidence for cognitive slowing in BD. In
      addition, the longer MT in the complex task reflect a slowed motor component of
      movement when the cognitive load is high and when depressive symptoms are
      present. These findings extend the current knowledge of the nature of psychomotor
      slowing in BD and may have important prognostic implications for patients.

PMID- 26277993
TI  - Puerarin Protects Human Neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y Cells against Glutamate-Induced
      Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Dysfunction.
AB  - Glutamate, the principal excitatory neurotransmitter, plays a central role in
      brain metabolism; however, aberrant neurotransmission of glutamate has been
      linked to neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, the effective agents that target
      at glutamate-induced cell injury will be useful for prevention and treatment of
      neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, the neuroprotective effect of
      puerarin, an active isoflavone extracted from the Chinese herb Radix puerariae,
      against glutamate-induced cell injury in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells was
      evaluated for the first time. The results showed that the pretreatment of
      puerarin could attenuate glutamate-induced cell injury in a dose-dependent
      manner. This protective effect was mediated through inhibiting reactive oxygen
      species generation, attenuating the upregulation of Bax and downregulation of Bcl
      2, preserving mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), preventing cytochrome c
      release, and reducing caspase activity. These findings may significantly
      contribute to a better understanding of the neuroprotective effect of puerarin
      and provide new insights into its application toward neurodegenerative diseases
      in the future. 

PMID- 26277994
TI  - Transparent Stretchable Self-Powered Patchable Sensor Platform with
      Ultrasensitive Recognition of Human Activities.
AB  - Monitoring of human activities can provide clinically relevant information
      pertaining to disease diagnostics, preventive medicine, care for patients with
      chronic diseases, rehabilitation, and prosthetics. The recognition of strains on
      human skin, induced by subtle movements of muscles in the internal organs, such
      as the esophagus and trachea, and the motion of joints, was demonstrated using a
      self-powered patchable strain sensor platform, composed on multifunctional
      nanocomposites of low-density silver nanowires with a conductive elastomer of
      poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrenesulfonate/polyurethane, with high
      sensitivity, stretchability, and optical transparency. The ultra-low-power
      consumption of the sensor, integrated with both a supercapacitor and a
      triboelectric nanogenerator into a single transparent stretchable platform based
      on the same nanocomposites, results in a self-powered monitoring system for skin
      strain. The capability of the sensor to recognize a wide range of strain on skin
      has the potential for use in new areas of invisible stretchable electronics for
      human monitoring. A new type of transparent, stretchable, and ultrasensitive
      strain sensor based on a AgNW/PEDOT:PSS/PU nanocomposite was developed. The
      concept of a self-powered patchable sensor system integrated with a
      supercapacitor and a triboelectric nanogenerator that can be used universally as
      an autonomous invisible sensor system was used to detect the wide range of strain
      on human skin. 

PMID- 26277996
TI  - Anti-NMDAR Encephalitis of 11 Cases in China - Detailed Clinical, Laboratory and
      Imagiological Description.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis
      is a synaptic autoimmune disorder in which the auto-antibodies target NMDARs were
      first reported in 2007. Now, anti-NMDAR encephalitis is a widely recognized
      disease in the world. Our purpose was to analyze the clinical characteristics of
      anti-NMDAR encephalitis patients in West China Hospital in China and report the
      prognosis of the patients after accepting immunotherapy. METHODS: Patients
      admitted to the West China Hospital who were diagnosed with anti-NMDAR
      encephalitis from 2013 to 2014 were retrospectively collected and their clinical
      features were analyzed. RESULTS: We ultimately included 11 anti-NMDAR
      encephalitis patients. The median age of the 11 patients was 25 years, 46%
      patients were females, 27% patients were 15-18 years, and 73% patients were over
      18 years. One of them was diagnosed with teratoma after discharging from
      hospital. The application of immunotherapy produced favorable outcomes in 67%
      patients included in our study. CONCLUSIONS: Anti-NMDAR encephalitis should be
      suspected in patients who developed a rapid change in behavior or psychosis,
      seizures, dyskinesia, and hypoventilation. Anti-NMDAR encephalitis is a kind of
      fatal but treatable disease. Timely diagnosis and treatment may yield favorable
      prognosis.

PMID- 26277997
TI  - Efficient fluorescence energy transfer system between fluorescein isothiocyanate
      and CdTe quantum dots for the detection of silver ions.
AB  - We report a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) system in which the
      fluorescent donor is fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) dye and the fluorescent
      acceptor is CdTe quantum dot (QDs). Based on FRET quenching theory, we designed a
      method to detect the concentration of silver ions (Ag(+)). The results revealed a
      good linear trend over Ag(+) concentrations in the range 0.01-8.96 nmol/L, a
      range that was larger than with other methods; the quenching coefficient is
      0.442. The FRET mechanism and physical mechanisms responsible for dynamic
      quenching are also discussed.

PMID- 26277998
TI  - The Effect of Transplacental Administration of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 on Fetal
      Lung Development in the Rabbit Model of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) increases surfactant protein
      expression in type 2 pneumocytes. Herein, we determine if transplacental GLP-1
      treatment accelerates lung growth in the fetal rabbit model of congenital
      diaphragmatic hernia (DH). METHODS: Time-mated does had an induction of DH on day
      23 followed by daily GLP-1 or placebo injection until term. At that time, the
      does were weighed, fetal blood was obtained for GLP-1 assay, and the lungs were
      dissected. Fetal outcome measures were lung-to-body-weight ratio (LBWR),
      morphometry, and Ki67 and surfactant protein B (SPB) expression. RESULTS:
      Maternal weight loss in the GLP-1 group was 7.1%. Fetal survival was lower in GLP
      1 fetuses compared to placebo controls (27/85, 32% vs. 35/57, 61%; p < 0.05).
      Fetal GLP-1 levels were increased 3.6-fold. The LBWR of GLP-1 DH fetuses fell
      within the range of DH placebo fetuses (1.166 +/- 0.207% vs. 1.312 +/- 0.418%),
      being significantly lower than that of placebo-exposed unoperated fetuses (2.280
      +/- 0.522%; p < 0.001). GLP-1 did not improve airway morphometry. GLP-1 DH lungs
      had a reduced adventitial and medial thickness within the range of controls, and
      lesser muscularization of vessels measuring 30-60 um. There were no differences
      in Ki67 and SPB expression. CONCLUSION: GLP-1 at this dosage improves peripheric
      pulmonary vessel morphology in intra-acinar vessels with no effect on airway
      morphometry but with significant maternal and fetal side effects. Thus, it is an
      unlikely medical strategy.

PMID- 26277999
TI  - Evidence-based medicine and acupuncture: old bias for new perspectives in
      clinical context.

PMID- 26278000
TI  - Clinical Methodology Matters in Epidemiology: Not All Benzodiazepines Are the
      Same.

PMID- 26278001
TI  - P-Wave Dispersion and Atrial Electromechanical Delay in Patients with
      Preeclampsia.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To investigate the duration of atrial electromechanical delay (EMD)
      and left atrial mechanical function in patients with preeclampsia. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: This study included 26 pregnant women with preeclampsia and 24 age
      matched pregnant women without preeclampsia (control group). Atrial
      electromechanical coupling (PA) and intra-atrial and interatrial EMD were
      measured using tissue Doppler echocardiography. P-wave dispersion (PWD) was
      measured via 12-lead electrocardiography. All data were analyzed using SPSS
      v.15.0 for Windows (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, Ill., USA). Differences in continuous
      variables between groups were examined using a nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test.
      Correlation analysis was performed using Spearman's coefficient of correlation.
      Categorical values were compared using a chi2 test. RESULTS: PA lateral and PA
      septal durations were significantly longer in the preeclampsia group than in the
      control group [74.6 +/- 8.1 vs. 62.3 +/- 5.3 ms (p < 0.001) and 59.7 +/- 5.3 vs.
      56.2 +/- 4.9 ms (p = 0.005), respectively]. The duration of interatrial EMD and
      intra-atrial EMD in the preeclampsia group was significantly longer than in the
      control group [25.4 +/- 4.6 vs. 13.2 +/- 3.9 ms (p < 0.001) and 10.5 +/- 1.9 vs.
      7.1 +/- 1.2 ms (p < 0.001), respectively]. PWD was significantly higher in
      patients with preeclampsia (43.1 +/- 9.1 ms) than in the controls (37.6 +/- 7.9
      ms; p = 0.008). There was a significant correlation between PWD and interatrial
      EMD and intra-atrial EMD [r = 0.46 (p < 0.001) and r = 0.39 (p < 0.001),
      respectively]. CONCLUSION: The duration of atrial EMD and PWD was prolonged in
      patients with preeclampsia.

PMID- 26278002
TI  - Adapting an evidence-based intervention for HIV to avail access to testing and
      risk-reduction counseling for female victims of sexual violence in post
      earthquake Haiti.
AB  - Haiti has the highest prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean. Before the 2010
      earthquake, Haitian women bore a disproportionate burden of HIV/AIDS, had lower
      HIV knowledge, less capacity to negotiate for safer sex, and limited access to
      HIV testing and risk-reduction (RR) counseling. Since 2010, there has been an
      increase in sexual violence against women, characterized by deliberate vaginal
      injuries by non-intimate partners, increasing victims' risk of sexually
      transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS. Needed is an adaptation of evidence
      based interventions for HIV that include HIV testing and counseling for this
      stigmatized population. We reviewed several features of Centers for Disease
      Control and Prevention's 103 evidence-based interventions for HIV (e.g., measures
      used, participant risk characteristics, theoretical framework, outcome variables,
      and evidence tier) in an attempt to seek a feasibly adaptable evidence-based
      intervention for HIV that could be used for victims of sexual violence (VOSV).
      RESPECT, one of the reviewed evidence-based HIV interventions, comprises of one
      on-one, client-focused HIV prevention/RR counseling, and RAPID HIV testing.
      Adapting RESPECT can enhance access to testing for Haitian VOSV and can influence
      their perceptions of HIV risk, and establishment of RR goals for future
      consensual intimate relations. Adapting and implementing RESPECT can increase
      uptake of evidence-based HIV interventions among Haitians and positively affect a
      region with high HIV prevalence and increased rates of sexual violence. 

PMID- 26278003
TI  - Generational increase in obesity among young women: a prospective analysis of
      mother-daughter dyads.
AB  - BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Increases in obesity in young adults over recent decades
      are shown by national survey data but have yet to be replicated using prospective
      data. We aim to quantify the increase in obesity and overweight over two
      generations of young adult women using prospective measures of body mass index
      (BMI). SUBJECTS/METHODS: Data are from the Mater University Study of Pregnancy
      (MUSP), a prospective pre-birth cohort study started in 1981 in Brisbane,
      Australia. Analyses were restricted to 992 mother-daughter dyads who were at
      similar ages at the time they were assessed and for whom measures of BMI were
      available. We also conducted an additional analysis to test whether there was a
      similar increase amongst father-son dyads. We used multinomial logistic
      regression for clustered data to compare the same prospective measures of BMI
      categories between mother and daughters. RESULTS: Controlling for a number of
      sociodemographic and lifestyle factors in the female sample, daughters had 5.04
      (3.03, 8.85) times the odds of being obese and 2.54 (1.86, 3.54) times the odds
      of being overweight compared with their mothers. A large increase in obesity was
      also observed in the male sample. CONCLUSIONS: Using a longitudinal design to
      partly account for familial confounding of obesity risk factors, this study
      confirms a large and concerning increases in obesity rates over two generations
      of young adults and suggests increases in obesity over the past 20 years may be
      greater than previously anticipated.

PMID- 26278004
TI  - Modelling the associations between fat-free mass, resting metabolic rate and
      energy intake in the context of total energy balance.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The relationship between body composition, energy expenditure and ad
      libitum energy intake (EI) has rarely been examined under conditions that allow
      any interplay between these variables to be disclosed. OBJECTIVE: The present
      study examined the relationships between body composition, energy expenditure and
      EI under controlled laboratory conditions in which the energy density and
      macronutrient content of the diet varied freely as a function of food choice.
      METHODS: Fifty-nine subjects (30 men: mean body mass index=26.7+/-4.0 kg m(-2);
      29 women: mean body mass index=25.4+/-3.5 kg m(-)(2)) completed a 14-day stay in
      a residential feeding behaviour suite. During days 1 and 2, subjects consumed a
      fixed diet designed to maintain energy balance. On days 3-14, food intake was
      covertly measured in subjects who had ad libitum access to a wide variety of
      foods typical of their normal diets. Resting metabolic rate (RMR; respiratory
      exchange), total daily energy expenditure (doubly labelled water) and body
      composition (total body water estimated from deuterium dilution) were measured on
      days 3-14. RESULTS: Hierarchical multiple regression indicated that after
      controlling for age and sex, both fat-free mass (FFM; P<0.001) and RMR (P<0.001)
      predicted daily EI. However, a mediation model using path analysis indicated that
      the effect of FFM (and fat mass) on EI was fully mediated by RMR (P<0.001).
      CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that RMR is a strong determinant of EI under
      controlled laboratory conditions where food choice is allowed to freely vary and
      subjects are close to energy balance. Therefore, the conventional adipocentric
      model of appetite control should be revised to reflect the influence of RMR.

PMID- 26278005
TI  - Effect of extended morning fasting upon ad libitum lunch intake and associated
      metabolic and hormonal responses in obese adults.
AB  - BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Breakfast omission is positively associated with obesity
      and increased risk of disease. However, little is known about the acute effects
      of extended morning fasting upon subsequent energy intake and associated
      metabolic/regulatory factors in obese adults. SUBJECTS/METHODS: In a randomised
      cross-over design, 24 obese men (n=8) and women (n=16) extended their overnight
      fast by omitting breakfast consumption or ingesting a typical carbohydrate-rich
      breakfast of 2183+/-393 kJ (521+/-94 kcal), before an ad libitum pasta lunch 3 h
      later. Blood samples were obtained throughout the day until 3 h post lunch and
      analysed for hormones implicated in appetite regulation, along with metabolic
      outcomes and subjective appetite measures. RESULTS: Lunch intake was unaffected
      by extended morning fasting (difference=218 kJ, 95% confidence interval -54 kJ,
      490 kJ; P=0.1) resulting in lower total intake in the fasting trial (difference=
      1964 kJ, 95% confidence interval -1645 kJ, -2281 kJ; P<0.01). Systemic
      concentrations of peptide tyrosine-tyrosine and leptin were lower during the
      afternoon following morning fasting (P?0.06). Plasma-acylated ghrelin
      concentrations were also lower following the ad libitum lunch in the fasting
      trial (P<0.05) but this effect was not apparent for total ghrelin (P?0.1). Serum
      insulin concentrations were greater throughout the afternoon in the fasting trial
      (P=0.05), with plasma glucose also greater 1 h after lunch (P<0.01). Extended
      morning fasting did not result in greater appetite ratings after lunch, with some
      tendency for lower appetite 3 h post lunch (P=0.09). CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate
      for the first time that, in obese adults, extended morning fasting does not cause
      compensatory intake during an ad libitum lunch nor does it increase appetite
      during the afternoon. Morning fasting reduced satiety hormone responses to a
      subsequent lunch meal but counterintuitively also reduced concentrations of the
      appetite-stimulating hormone-acylated ghrelin during the afternoon relative to
      lunch consumed after breakfast.

PMID- 26278007
TI  - Single-photon decision maker.
AB  - Decision making is critical in our daily lives and for society in general and is
      finding evermore practical applications in information and communication
      technologies. Herein, we demonstrate experimentally that single photons can be
      used to make decisions in uncertain, dynamically changing environments. Using a
      nitrogen-vacancy in a nanodiamond as a single-photon source, we demonstrate the
      decision-making capability by solving the multi-armed bandit problem. This
      capability is directly and immediately associated with single-photon detection in
      the proposed architecture, leading to adequate and adaptive autonomous decision
      making. This study makes it possible to create systems that benefit from the
      quantum nature of light to perform practical and vital intelligent functions. 

PMID- 26278006
TI  - A novel interaction between the FLJ33534 locus and smoking in obesity: a genome
      wide study of 14 131 Pakistani adults.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Obesity is a complex disease caused by the interplay of genetic and
      lifestyle factors, but identification of gene-lifestyle interactions in obesity
      has remained challenging. Few large-scale studies have reported use of genome
      wide approaches to investigate gene-lifestyle interactions in obesity. METHODS:
      In the Pakistan Risk of Myocardial Infraction Study, a cross-sectional study
      based in Pakistan, we calculated body mass index (BMI) variance estimates (square
      of the residual of inverse-normal transformed BMI z-score) in 14 131 participants
      and conducted genome-wide heterogeneity of variance analyses (GWHVA) for this
      outcome. All analyses were adjusted for age, age(2), sex and genetic ancestry.
      RESULTS: The GWHVA analyses identified an intronic variant, rs140133294, in the
      FLJ33544 gene in association with BMI variance (P-value=3.1 * 10(-8)). In
      explicit tests of gene * lifestyle interaction, smoking was found to
      significantly modify the effect of rs140133294 on BMI (Pinteraction=0.0005),
      whereby the minor allele (T) was associated with lower BMI in current smokers,
      while positively associated with BMI in never smokers. Analyses of ENCODE data at
      the FLJ33534 locus revealed features indicative of open chromatin and high
      confidence DNA-binding motifs for several transcription factors, providing
      suggestive biological support for a mechanism of interaction. CONCLUSIONS: In
      summary, we have identified a novel interaction between smoking and variation at
      the FLJ33534 locus in relation to BMI in people from Pakistan.

PMID- 26278008
TI  - An improved cucumber mosaic virus-based vector for efficient decoying of plant
      microRNAs.
AB  - We previously devised a cucumber mosaic virus (CMV)-based vector system carrying
      microRNA target mimic sequences for analysis of microRNA function in Arabidopsis
      thaliana. We describe an improved version in which target mimic cloning is
      achieved by annealing two partly-overlapping complementary DNA oligonucleotides
      for insertion into an infectious clone of CMV RNA3 (LS strain) fused to the
      cauliflower mosaic virus-derived 35S promoter. LS-CMV variants carrying mimic
      sequences were generated by co-infiltrating plants with Agrobacterium tumefaciens
      cells harboring engineered RNA3 with cells carrying RNA1 and RNA2 infectious
      clones. The utility of using agroinfection to deliver LS-CMV-derived microRNA
      target mimic sequences was demonstrated using a miR165/166 target mimic and three
      solanaceous hosts: Nicotiana benthamiana, tobacco (N. tabacum), and tomato
      (Solanum lycopersicum). In all three hosts the miR165/166 target mimic induced
      marked changes in developmental phenotype. Inhibition of miRNA accumulation and
      increased target mRNA (HD-ZIP III) accumulation was demonstrated in tomato. Thus,
      a CMV-derived target mimic delivered via agroinfection is a simple, cheap and
      powerful means of launching virus-based miRNA mimics and is likely to be useful
      for high-throughput investigation of miRNA function in a wide range of plants. 

PMID- 26278009
TI  - The ubiquity and ancestry of insect doublesex.
AB  - The doublesex (dsx) gene functions as a molecular switch at the base of the
      insect sex determination cascade, and triggers male or female somatic sexual
      differentiation in Drosophila. Having been reported from only seven current
      insect orders, the exact phylogenetic distribution of dsx within the largest
      Arthropod sub-phylum, the Hexapoda, is unknown. To understand the evolution of
      this integral gene relative to other arthropods, we tested for the presence of
      dsx within public EST and genome sequencing projects representative of all 32
      hexapod orders. We find the dsx gene to be ubiquitous, with putative orthologs
      recovered from 30 orders. Additionally, we recovered both alternatively spliced
      and putative paralogous dsx transcripts from several orders of hexapods,
      including basal lineages, indicating the likely presence of these characteristics
      in the hexapod common ancestor. Of note, other arthropods such as chelicerates
      and crustaceans express two dsx genes, both of which are shown to lack
      alternative splicing. Furthermore, we discovered a large degree of length
      heterogeneity in the common region of dsx coding sequences within and among
      orders, possibly resulting from lineage-specific selective pressures inherent to
      each taxon. Our work serves as a valuable resource for understanding the
      evolution of sex determination in insects. 

PMID- 26278010
TI  - Junction formation and current transport mechanisms in hybrid n-Si/PEDOT:PSS
      solar cells.
AB  - We investigated hybrid inorganic-organic solar cells combining monocrystalline n
      type silicon (n-Si) and a highly conductive polymer poly(3,4
      ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrene sulfonate) ( PEDOT: PSS). The build-in
      potential, photo- and dark saturation current at this hybrid interface are
      monitored for varying n-Si doping concentrations. We corroborate that a high
      build-in potential forms at the hybrid junction leading to strong inversion of
      the n-Si surface. By extracting work function and valence band edge of the
      polymer from ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy, a band diagram of the hybrid
      n-Si/ PEDOT: PSS heterojunction is presented. The current-voltage characteristics
      were analyzed using Schottky and abrupt pn-junction models. The magnitude as well
      as the dependence of dark saturation current on n-Si doping concentration proves
      that the transport is governed by diffusion of minority charge carriers in the n
      Si and not by thermionic emission of majorities over a Schottky barrier. This
      leads to a comprehensive explanation of the high observed open-circuit voltages
      of up to 634 mV connected to high conversion efficiency of almost 14%, even for
      simple planar device structures without antireflection coating or optimized
      contacts. The presented work clearly shows that PEDOT: PSS forms a hybrid
      heterojunction with n-Si behaving similar to a conventional pn-junction and not,
      like commonly assumed, a Schottky junction.

PMID- 26278011
TI  - Variants in the Regulatory Region of WNT5A Reduced Risk of Cardiac Conotruncal
      Malformations in the Chinese Population.
AB  - WNT5A is one of the most highly investigated non-canonical Wnt ligands and is
      involved in the embryonic heart development, especially in formation of the
      cardiac conotruncal region by regulating the migration and differentiation of
      cardiac neural crest (CNC) and second heart field (SHF) cells. No study to date
      has comprehensively characterized the WNT5A regulatory variants in patients with
      congenital heart malformations (CHMs). The association between regulatory
      variants of the WNT5A gene and CHMs was examined in case-control association
      study in 1,210 CHMs and 798 controls. Individuals carrying a homozygous genotype
      CC (rs524153) or GG (rs504849) had a similarly reduced risk of conotruncal
      malformations. The homozygous genotypes (CC for rs524153 and GG for rs504849)
      were associated with a lower WNT5A transcriptional level compared with the
      transcriptional level of those with wild-type genotypes. Further functional
      analysis revealed that an additional upstream single nucleotide polymorphisms
      (SNP) rs371954924 (-5244GCCA > CC) in a linkage disequilibrium (LD) block with
      the above genotyped SNPs decreased WNT5A expression through the attenuated
      binding affinity with the transcription factor SOX9. This is the first
      demonstration that genetic variants in the regulatory regions of WNT5A play a
      vital role in sporadic conotruncal malformations susceptibility through the
      changeable expression of the WNT5A gene.

PMID- 26278012
TI  - Primary breast leiomyosarcoma located in the premammary zone: a case report.
AB  - We present the case of 51-year-old woman with a primary breast leiomyosarcoma. On
      the postoperative screening after breast cancer surgery, a 4-mm-sized mass
      assessed as BI-RADS category 3 was detected on her contralateral breast. We
      recommended follow-up and observation. However, the lesion increased in size and
      became palpable. It was excised and diagnosed as primary leiomyosarcoma. We
      review the literature on imaging findings and management of breast
      leiomyosarcoma, and discuss the differential diagnoses in breast imaging. 

PMID- 26278013
TI  - Added value of morphologic characteristics on diffusion-weighted images for
      characterizing lymph nodes in primary rectal cancer.
AB  - To evaluate the added value of the morphologic features of lymph nodes (LNs) on
      diffusion-weighted images (DWI), an interval reading was performed for the T2
      weighted images (T2WI) and the combined image set (T2WI and DWI) using extracted
      imaging characteristics from 54 metastatic and 172 benign LNs in 44 patients with
      primary rectal cancer. The specificity and accuracy increased after adding DWI to
      T2WI for both readers (specificity: from 59% to 73% and from 41% to 68% for
      readers 1 and 2, respectively; accuracy: from 58% to 68% and from 44% to 64% for
      readers 1 and 2, respectively, P<.0001). 

PMID- 26278014
TI  - Predictors of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma in cirrhotic patients scanned by
      gadobenate dimeglumine-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging: diagnostic accuracy
      and confidence.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To identify predictors of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma in cirrhotic
      patients scanned by gadobenate dimeglumine (Gd-BOPTA)-enhanced magnetic resonance
      (MR) imaging. METHODS: Fifty cirrhotic patients with 120 nodules, including 10
      mass-forming intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas and two combined hepatocellular
      carcinoma-cholangiocarcinomas, were scanned by Gd-BOPTA-enhanced MR imaging.
      RESULTS: T1 hypointensity [odds ratio (OR), 20.12], peripheral hyperintense rim
      at hepatic arterial phase (OR, 13.5), and iso-hyperintensity at hepatobiliary
      phase (OR 21.32) were found to be independent predictors of intrahepatic
      cholangiocarcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: T1 hypointensity, peripheral hyperintense rim at
      hepatic arterial phase, and iso-hyperintensity at hepatobiliary phase are
      independent predictors of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma diagnosis in patients
      with liver cirrhosis.

PMID- 26278015
TI  - Curcumin treatment enhances the effect of exercise on mitochondrial biogenesis in
      skeletal muscle by increasing cAMP levels.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In response to physiologic stressors, skeletal muscle has the
      potential to elicit wide variety of adaptive responses, such as biogenesis of
      mitochondria and clearance of damaged mitochondria to promote healthy muscle. The
      polyphenol curcumin, derived from the rhizome Curcuma longa L., is a natural
      antioxidant that exhibits various pharmacological activities and therapeutic
      properties. However, the effect of curcumin on the regulation of mitochondrial
      biogenesis in skeletal muscle remains unknown. The present study aimed to examine
      the effects of combination of endurance training (eTR) and curcumin treatment on
      the expression of AMPK, SIRT1, PGC-1alpha, and OXPHOS subunits, mitochondrial DNA
      copy number, and CS activity in rat skeletal muscle. Furthermore, the present
      study also examined the effect of exercise and curcumin treatment on the levels
      of cAMP and downstream targets of PKA including phosphorylated CREB and LKB-1.
      METHODS: Ten-week-old male Wistar rats were randomly divided into non-eTR and eTR
      groups. Low doses (50 mg/kg-BW/day) or high doses (100 mg/kg-BW/day) of curcumin
      dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) were injected intraperitoneally in all
      animals for 28 days to investigate the effect of curcumin alone and the combined
      effect of curcumin with eTR. Western blotting (WB) and immunoprecipitation (IP)
      were performed to detect the presence of proteins. RESULTS: Our results
      demonstrated that combination of curcumin treatment and eTR increased the
      expression of COX-IV, OXPHOS subunits, mitochondrial DNA copy number and CS
      activity in the gastrocnemius (Gas) and soleus (Sol) muscles. In addition, this
      combination increased AMPK phosphorylation, NAD(+)/NADH ratio, SIRT1 expression,
      and PGC-1alpha deacetylation. Furthermore, curcumin treatment as well as exercise
      also increased levels of cAMP and downstream target of PKA including
      phosphorylation CREB and LKB-1 which are involved in the regulation of
      mitochondrial biogenesis. CONCLUSION: Taken together, these results suggest that
      the combination of curcumin treatment and eTR has the potential to accelerate
      mitochondrial biogenesis in skeletal muscle by increasing cAMP levels.

PMID- 26278016
TI  - Synthesis of Fluoroalkoxy Substituted Arylboronic Esters by Iridium-Catalyzed
      Aromatic C-H Borylation.
AB  - The preparation of fluoroalkoxy arylboronic esters by iridium-catalyzed aromatic
      C-H borylation is described. The fluoroalkoxy groups employed include
      trifluoromethoxy, difluoromethoxy, 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethoxy, and 2,2-difluoro
      1,3-benzodioxole. The borylation reactions were carried out neat without the use
      of a glovebox or Schlenk line. The regioselectivities available through the
      iridium-catalyzed C-H borylation are complementary to those obtained by the
      electrophilic aromatic substitution reactions of fluoroalkoxy arenes.
      Fluoroalkoxy arylboronic esters can serve as versatile building blocks. 

PMID- 26278017
TI  - Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy with cisplatin: Amifostine prevents
      acute severe renal impairment.
AB  - Surgical cytoreduction combined with intraperitoneal chemo-hyperthermia (HIPEC)
      has shown to provide survival benefits in the management of some peritoneal
      carcinomatosis. The cisplatin (CP) used in HIPEC carries a risk of renal
      impairment (RI). This risk could be reduced by administration of amifostine (A).
      The aim of our study was to assess the utility of A in preventing RI during IPCH
      with CP. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective study including patients who
      underwent HIPEC between January 2007 and June 2013. The HIPEC involved
      administration of CP and mitomycin C, between 41 and 43  degrees C. The peri
      anaesthetic management was consistent to use A after 2010. Renal function was
      assessed from the measured creatinine clearance (CreatCl) and the change between
      D0 and D4 was compared between patients who received A (group A+) and those who
      did not (group A-). Severe RI was defined as the development of a CreatCl of <30
      ml/min. The statistical analysis used a Student t-test and Fischer's exact test.
      A p-value of <0.05 was deemed to be statistically significant. RESULTS: Over the
      studied period, seventy five patients underwent HIPEC and the findings from fifty
      two patients were analysed: thirty one in group A+ and twenty one in group A-.
      The change in mean CreatCl from D0 to D4 did not differ between the two groups
      although between D1 and D4 a significantly higher percentage of severe RI was
      seen in group A-. CONCLUSIONS: This study has shown A to offer benefit in terms
      of reducing severe RI when CP is used in HIPEC. These results, however, will need
      to be confirmed in prospective series on larger numbers of patients.

PMID- 26278018
TI  - Routes to diagnosis for sarcoma - Describing the sarcoma patient journey.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Understanding the route to diagnosis for patients with cancer is
      important to improve the diagnostic pathway and therefore outcomes. We aimed to
      investigate routes to diagnosis for patients with sarcoma in England. METHODS:
      National patient level datasets relating to 7716 soft tissue and 1240 bone
      sarcoma patients diagnosed between 2006 and 2008 were analysed. Routes to
      diagnosis were defined as: "Two Week Wait Referral", "GP Referral", "Other
      Outpatient", "Inpatient Elective", "Emergency Presentation", "Death Certificate
      Only" and "Unknown". RESULTS: Patients with sarcoma are most likely to be
      diagnosed after "GP Referral" or "Emergency Presentation" and are less likely to
      be referred under a two week wait compared with other malignancies. Patients with
      bone sarcoma under 10 or over 80 years of age were more likely to present by
      emergency routes, as were patients with vertebral column, pelvis or unspecified
      site tumours and those with Ewing's sarcoma or sarcoma NOS. Patients with soft
      tissue sarcoma under 19 or over 80 years of age and patients with GI tract
      tumours were more likely to present by emergency routes. Patients presenting by
      emergency routes more often had metastases and had lower 1 year survival.
      Patients from least deprived quintiles more often presented by unknown routes:
      those from more deprived quintiles more often presented by emergency routes.
      CONCLUSION: Routes to diagnosis for sarcoma patients differ from other cancers.
      Interventions to improve the diagnostic experience should consider the very young
      and elderly, tumours in abdominal, pelvic or spinal locations and on reducing
      emergency presentations.

PMID- 26278020
TI  - Gender differences of sagittal knee and ankle biomechanics during stair-to-ground
      descent transition.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Falls on stairs often result in severe injury and occur twice as
      frequently in women. However, gender differences in kinetics and kinematics
      during stair descent are unknown. Thus, this study aimed to determine whether
      gender differences of knee and ankle biomechanics exist in the sagittal plane
      during the stair-to-ground descending transition. It was hypothesized that 1)
      women would reveal higher ground-toe-trochanter angle and lower ground-toe length
      during stair-to-ground descent transition than men; and 2) women would reveal
      lower peak knee extension moment during stair-to-ground descent transition than
      men. METHODS: Fifteen men and fifteen women were recruited and performed a stair
      descent activity. Kinetic and kinematic data were obtained using a force plate
      and motion capture system. FINDINGS: The women performed the stair descent with a
      lower peak knee extension moment and a peak knee power at the early weight
      acceptance phase. The women also revealed a higher ground-toe-trochanter angle
      and a lower ground-toe length, which indicated a more forward position of the
      lower extremity relative to the toe contact point at both the initial contact and
      at the time of peak kinematic and kinetic events. INTERPRETATION: This study
      found that knee and ankle kinematics and kinetics differed significantly between
      the genders due to differences in ground-toe-trochanter angle. Women have a
      different stair descending strategy that reduces the demand of the lower
      extremity muscle function, but this strategy seems to increase the risk of falls.

PMID- 26278021
TI  - N-glycosylation-mutated HCV envelope glycoprotein complex enhances antigen
      presenting activity and cellular and neutralizing antibody responses.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The development of an efficient vaccine and broadly cross
      neutralizing antibodies of hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains a priority. The
      heavily glycosylated viral envelope glycoprotein E1E2 complex is a candidate
      vaccine antigen. Bacteria-derived unmethylated CpG DNA, a potent stimulator of
      immune cells, is important for vaccine research. METHODS: Here, the
      immunogenicities of wild type (WT) E1E2, five N-glycosylation site mutated E1E2
      glycoproteins, and five CpG-coupled E1E2 N-glycosylation mutated glycoproteins
      were analyzed in BALB/c mice by DNA vaccination using in vivo electroporation.
      RESULTS: The E1E2 protein expression levels were examined and shown to be
      unaffected by these N-glycosylation mutations. We found that a CpG-coupled E1
      N209D-E2-N430D DNA vaccine (named CpG-E1E2-M4) induced the highest cellular
      immune response compared to the WT E1E2, CpG-E1E2, and other mutants.
      Furthermore, the CpG-E1E2-M4 anti-serum effectively neutralized the infection of
      cell-cultured HCV (HCVcc, genotype 2a)- and HCV pseudo particles (HCVpp,
      genotypes 1 to 7) to Huh-7.5.1 hepatocytes. Additionally, CpG-E1E2-M4 enhanced
      the Interleukin-12 (IL-12) production and antigen-presenting activity of CD11c(+)
      dendritic cells (DCs) by inducing CD4(+) Th1 polarization and the production of
      perforin and granzyme B (GrB) in CD8(+) T cells. CONCLUSIONS: As our knowledge
      this is the first study revealing that the naturally poor immunogenicity of E1E2
      can be enhanced by the deletion of N-glycans combined with the addition of immune
      activator CpG by DNA vaccination. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: Deletion of N-glycans can
      enhance viral immunogenicity. The selected CpG-E1E2-M4 mutant is a novel
      potential HCV DNA vaccine that elicits enhanced CD4(+) Th1 and CD8(+) T cell
      responses and neutralizing antibody production against HCV infection. This
      article is part of a Special Issue entitled "Glycans in personalised medicine"
      Guest Editor: Professor Gordan Lauc.

PMID- 26278019
TI  - The effect of EUSOMA certification on quality of breast cancer care.
AB  - AIM OF THE STUDY: The European Society of Breast Cancer Specialists (EUSOMA) has
      fostered a voluntary certification process for breast units to establish minimum
      standards and ensure specialist multidisciplinary care. In the present study we
      assess the impact of EUSOMA certification for all breast units for which
      sufficient information was available before and after certification. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: For 22 EUSOMA certified breast units data of 30,444 patients could
      be extracted from the EUSOMA database on the evolution of QI's before and after
      certification. RESULTS: On the average of all units, the minimum standard of care
      was achieved for 12/13 QI's before and after EUSOMA certification (not met for
      DCIS receiving just one operation). There was a significant improvement of 5 QI's
      after certification. The proportion of patients with invasive cancer undergoing
      an axillary clearance containing >9 lymph nodes (91.5% vs 89.4%, p 0.003) and
      patients with invasive cancer having just 1 operation (83.1% vs 80.4%, p < 0.001)
      dropped, but remained above the minimum standard. The targeted standard of breast
      care was reached for the same 4/13 QI's before and after EUSOMA certification.
      CONCLUSION: Although the absolute effect of EUSOMA certification was modest it
      further increases standards of care and should be regarded as part of a process
      aiming for excellence. Dedicated units already provide a high level of care
      before certification, but continuous monitoring and audit remains of paramount
      importance as complete adherence to guidelines is difficult to achieve.

PMID- 26278022
TI  - Mode of DNA binding with gamma-butyrolactone receptor protein CprB from
      Streptomyces coelicolor revealed by site-specific fluorescence dynamics.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) binding transcription factors in
      Streptomyces species are known for their involvement in quorum sensing where they
      control the expression of various genes initiating secondary metabolic pathways.
      The structurally characterized member of this family CprB from Streptomyces
      coelicolor had earlier been demonstrated to bind a multitude of sequences
      containing a specific binding signature. Though structural breakthrough has been
      obtained for its complex with a consensus DNA sequence there is, however a dearth
      of information regarding the overall and site specific dynamics of protein-DNA
      interaction. METHODS: To delineate the effect of CprB on the bound DNA, changes
      in motional dynamics of the fluorescent probe 2-aminopurine were monitored at
      three conserved base positions (5th, 12th and 23rd) for two DNA sequences: the
      consensus and the biologically relevant cognate element, on complex formation.
      RESULTS: The changes in lifetime and generalized order parameter revealed a
      similarity in the binding pattern of the protein to both sequences with greater
      dynamic restriction at the end positions, 5th and 23rd, as compared to the middle
      12th position. Also differences within this pattern demonstrated the influence of
      even small changes in sequence on protein interactions. CONCLUSIONS: Here the
      study of motional dynamics was instrumental in establishing a structural
      footprint for the cognate DNA sequence and explaining the dynamics for the
      consensus DNA from structural correspondence. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: Motional
      dynamics can be a powerful tool to efficiently study the mode of DNA binding to
      proteins that interact differentially with a plethora of DNA sequences, even in
      the absence of structural breakthrough.

PMID- 26278023
TI  - A taxonomy of rapid reviews links report types and methods to specific decision
      making contexts.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Describe characteristics of rapid reviews and examine the impact of
      methodological variations on their reliability and validity. STUDY DESIGN AND
      SETTING: We conducted a literature review and interviews with organizations that
      produce rapid reviews or related products to identify methods, guidance, empiric
      evidence, and current practices. RESULTS: We identified 36 rapid products from 20
      organizations (production time, 5 minutes to 8 months). Methods differed from
      systematic reviews at all stages. As time frames increased, methods became more
      rigorous; however, restrictions on database searching, inclusion criteria, data
      extracted, and independent dual review remained. We categorized rapid products
      based on extent of synthesis. "Inventories" list what evidence is available.
      "Rapid responses" present best available evidence with no formal synthesis.
      "Rapid reviews" synthesize the quality of and findings from the evidence.
      "Automated approaches" generate meta-analyses in response to user-defined
      queries. Rapid products rely on a close relationship with end users and support
      specific decisions in an identified time frame. Limited empiric evidence exists
      comparing rapid and systematic reviews. CONCLUSIONS: Rapid products have
      tremendous methodological variation; categorization based on time frame or type
      of synthesis reveals patterns. The similarity across rapid products lies in the
      close relationship with the end user to meet time-sensitive decision-making
      needs.

PMID- 26278024
TI  - Patient's satisfaction after outpatient forefoot surgery: Study of 619 cases.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The number of outpatient surgical procedures performed in France on
      the forefoot has grown rapidly in recent years. OBJECTIVES: The goal of this
      study was to evaluate experience and satisfaction of patients undergoing
      outpatient foot surgery using a telephone questionnaire developed for this
      purpose. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In 2012 and 2013, every patient who was admitted
      to the day surgery unit at our hospital for an open procedure on their forefoot
      was called the morning after the procedure. A nurse went through the 14-item
      questionnaire with the patient. The same perioperative protocol, written
      instructions and treatment were used for all patients. RESULTS: Six hundred
      nineteen patients were included. The questionnaire response rate was 89% (n=540).
      Isolated hallux valgus surgery was performed on 319 patients (61%); 107 patients
      (20%) underwent hallux valgus surgery with lateral metatarsal osteotomy; 57
      patients (10.5%) underwent first metatarsophalangeal fusion and 47 patients
      (8.5%) underwent a procedure on the lateral rays only. In the postoperative
      phase, 65% reported having satisfactory sleep quality, 32% had experienced
      nausea, 16% had experienced vomiting and 17% had experienced bleeding. Eighty
      percent of patients experienced pain (VAS >= 1); 80% of these patients had their
      pain relieved by the prescribed treatment and 4% had not taken it. Nearly all the
      patients (99%) were satisfied with the outpatient care; the overall satisfaction
      score was 9.4 out of 10. There was a significant relationship between the type of
      procedure and vomiting, pain, bleeding and fever. DISCUSSION: Outpatient care is
      becoming more common in response to economic challenges. The development of
      outpatient foot surgery appears to have satisfied the vast majority of operated
      patients. However, adjustments should be made to improve their tolerance to the
      pain management protocol. Although the logistics of performing follow-up call can
      be complicated, the patients appreciate receiving this call the next day. The
      call also seems to reassure both the patients and care providers.

PMID- 26278025
TI  - Breath hydrogen and methane are associated with intestinal symptoms in patients
      with chronic pancreatitis.
AB  - BACKGROUNDS: The bacterial overgrowth might be associated with chronic
      pancreatitis. This study was to evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of
      small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) in patients with chronic
      pancreatitis. METHODS: 36 patients with chronic pancreatitis and 49 healthy
      controls undergoing the hydrogen (H2)-methane (CH4) lactulose breath test (LBT)
      were reviewed. The LBT positivity (+) indicating the presence of SIBO, gas types,
      bowel symptom questionnaire, laboratory and radiologic results were surveyed. The
      LBT+ was (1) an increase in the breath H2 (>=20 ppm) or CH4 (>=10 ppm) over the
      baseline or (2) a baseline H2 (>=20 ppm) or CH4 (>=10 ppm) within 90 min after
      lactulose load. RESULTS: LBT+ was significantly higher in the patients (17/36)
      than in controls (13/49) (47.2% vs. 26.5%, P < 0.05). During LBT, the H2 levels
      between 0 and 105 min were significantly higher in patients than in controls.
      Among LBT+ patients, 11 (64.7%), 1 (5.9%), 5 (29.4%) were in the LBT (H2)+,
      (CH4)+, (mixed)+ groups, respectively. The LBT+ group had significantly higher
      scores of flatus than those of the LBT- group. Considering the subtypes of LBT,
      the LBT (mixed)+ group had higher symptom scores of significance or tendency in
      hard stool, strain, urgency, and flatus than LBT- group The laboratory and
      radiologic features were not significantly different between LBT+ and LBT-
      groups. CONCLUSIONS: SIBO is common in patients in chronic pancreatitis.
      Especially, excretions of mixed H2 and CH4 appear to be related with
      deterioration of intestinal symptoms.

PMID- 26278026
TI  - Patients' adherence and clinical effectiveness of a 14-day course of primaquine
      when given with a 3-day chloroquine in patients with Plasmodium vivax at the Thai
      Myanmar border.
AB  - Primaquine is the only antimalarial drug available for eradicating the hypnozoite
      stage of Plasmodium vivax to prevent the disease from recurring. However, one
      limitation of its clinical use is the long treatment course of 14 days, which may
      result in poor patients' adherence and low treatment efficacy. The aim of the
      current study was to assess patients' adherence and the clinical effectiveness of
      the unsupervised standard 14-day primaquine regimen (daily dose of 15mg base/kg
      body weight daily for 14 days) when given together with 3-day chloroquine (25mg
      base/kg body weight over 3 days). The study was conducted in 85 patients with P.
      vivax malaria in a malaria endemic area along the Thai-Myanmar border. Patients'
      adherence to primaquine therapy was assessed based on primaquine concentrations
      in finger-prick dried blood spot (DBS) samples alongside patients' self-reporting
      on drug administration and pill counting methods. Results suggest high rate of
      patients' adherence to this 14-day primaquine regimen (95-98% based on primaquine
      concentrations in DBS on days 3, 7, and 14 of treatment, and 100% based on
      patients' self-reporting and pill counting methods. Clinical effectiveness was
      100% during the 42-day follow-up. 

PMID- 26278027
TI  - 1,5-Disubstituted benzimidazoles that direct cardiomyocyte differentiation from
      mouse embryonic stem cells.
AB  - Cardiomyopathy is the leading cause of death worldwide. Despite progress in
      medical treatments, heart transplantation is one of the only current options for
      those with infarcted heart muscle. Stem cell differentiation technology may
      afford cell-based therapeutics that may lead to the generation of new, healthy
      heart muscle cells from undifferentiated stem cells. Our approach is to use small
      molecules to stimulate stem cell differentiation. Herein, we describe a novel
      class of 1,5-disubstituted benzimidazoles that induce differentiation of stem
      cells into cardiac cells. We report on the evaluation in vitro for cardiomyocyte
      differentiation and describe structure-activity relationship results that led to
      molecules with drug-like properties. The results of this study show the promise
      of small molecules to direct stem cell lineage commitment, to probe signaling
      pathways and to develop compounds for the stimulation of stem cells to repair
      damaged heart tissue. 

PMID- 26278028
TI  - Heterocyclic chalcone activators of nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2
      (Nrf2) with improved in vivo efficacy.
AB  - Nrf2 activators represent a good drug target for designing agents to treat
      diseases associated with oxidative stress. Building upon previous work, we
      designed and prepared a series of heterocyclic chalcone-based Nrf2 activators
      with reduced lipophilicity and, in some cases, greater in vitro potency compared
      to the respective carbocyclic scaffold. These changes resulted in enhanced oral
      bioavailability and a superior pharmacodynamic effect in vivo. 

PMID- 26278029
TI  - Synthesis and evaluation of arylpiperazine-reverse amides as biased dopamine D3
      receptor ligands.
AB  - The dopamine D3 receptor (D3R) preferential ligands have been universally adopted
      as a strategy for the treatment of drug addiction and other neuropsychiatric
      disorders due to fewer side effects. However, the high sequence homology between
      D3R and the D2 receptor (D2R) challenges the development of D3R-biased compounds.
      Herein, we design and synthesize a novel series of reverse amide-piperazine
      hybrid ligands and evaluate their biological affinities in vitro. Compound 4d was
      found to be the most potent D3R-selective ligand among these hybrid derivatives.
      Molecular modeling revealed that extracellular loop 1 (EL1) and loop 2 (EL2) of
      D3R together likely contribute to D3R selectivity over D2R. In particular, Gly94
      in EL1 of D3R may act as a molecular determinant for D3R specificity. 

PMID- 26278030
TI  - Journal Impact Factor: does it have an impact?

PMID- 26278031
TI  - Methodological issues for designing and conducting a multicenter, international
      clinical trial in Acute Stroke: Experience from ARTSS-2 trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We describe innovations in the study design and the efficient data
      coordination of a randomized multicenter trial of Argatroban in Combination with
      Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator for Acute Stroke (ARTSS-2). METHODS:
      ARTSS-2 is a 3-arm, multisite/multiregional randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
      of two doses of Argatroban injection (low, high) in combination with recombinant
      tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) in acute ischemic stroke patients and rt-PA
      alone. We developed a covariate adaptive randomization program that balanced the
      study arms with respect to study site as well as hemorrhage after thrombolysis
      (HAT) score and presence of distal internal carotid artery occlusion (DICAO). We
      used simulation studies to validate performance of the randomization program
      before making any adaptations during the trial. For the first 90 patients
      enrolled in ARTSS-2, we evaluated performance of our randomization program using
      chi-square tests of homogeneity or extended Fisher's exact test. We also designed
      a four-step partly Bayesian safety stopping rule for low and high dose Argatroban
      arms. RESULTS: Homogeneity of the study arms was confirmed with respect to
      distribution of study site (UK sites vs. US sites, P=0.98), HAT score (0-2 vs. 3
      5, P=1.0), and DICAO (N/A vs. No vs. Yes, P=0.97). Our stopping thresholds for
      safety of low and high dose Argatroban were not crossed. Despite challenges, data
      quality was assured. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend adaptive designs for randomization
      and Bayesian safety stopping rules for multisite Phase I/II RCTs for maintaining
      additional flexibility. Efficient data coordination could lead to improved data
      quality.

PMID- 26278032
TI  - Author's response: Ocular photodynamic therapy with verteporfin in pigmented and
      amelanotic choroidal melanoma.

PMID- 26278033
TI  - Letter to the editor.

PMID- 26278034
TI  - Retinoic acid regulates embryonic development of mammalian submandibular salivary
      glands.
AB  - Organogenesis is orchestrated by cell and tissue interactions mediated by
      molecular signals. Identification of relevant signals, and the tissues that
      generate and receive them, are important goals of developmental research. Here,
      we demonstrate that Retinoic Acid (RA) is a critical signaling molecule important
      for morphogenesis of mammalian submandibular salivary glands (SMG). By examining
      late stage RA deficient embryos of Rdh10 mutant mice we show that SMG development
      requires RA in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, we find that active RA
      signaling occurs in SMG tissues, arising earlier than any other known marker of
      SMG development and persisting throughout gland morphogenesis. At the initial bud
      stage of development, we find RA production occurs in SMG mesenchyme, while RA
      signaling occurs in epithelium. We also demonstrate active RA signaling occurs in
      glands cultured ex vivo, and treatment with an inhibitor of RA signaling blocks
      growth and branching. Together these data identify RA signaling as a direct
      regulator of SMG organogenesis.

PMID- 26278036
TI  - VEGF signals induce trailblazer cell identity that drives neural crest migration.
AB  - Embryonic neural crest cells travel in discrete streams to precise locations
      throughout the head and body. We previously showed that cranial neural crest
      cells respond chemotactically to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and
      that cells within the migratory front have distinct behaviors and gene
      expression. We proposed a cell-induced gradient model in which lead neural crest
      cells read out directional information from a chemoattractant profile and
      instruct trailers to follow. In this study, we show that migrating chick neural
      crest cells do not display distinct lead and trailer gene expression profiles in
      culture. However, exposure to VEGF in vitro results in the upregulation of a
      small subset of genes associated with an in vivo lead cell signature. Timed
      addition and removal of VEGF in culture reveals the changes in neural crest cell
      gene expression are rapid. A computational model incorporating an integrate-and
      switch mechanism between cellular phenotypes predicts migration efficiency is
      influenced by the timescale of cell behavior switching. To test the model
      hypothesis that neural crest cellular phenotypes respond to changes in the VEGF
      chemoattractant profile, we presented ectopic sources of VEGF to the trailer
      neural crest cell subpopulation and show diverted cell trajectories and stream
      alterations consistent with model predictions. Gene profiling of trailer cells
      that diverted and encountered VEGF revealed upregulation of a subset of 'lead'
      genes. Injection of neuropilin1 (Np1)-Fc into the trailer subpopulation or
      electroporation of VEGF morpholino to reduce VEGF signaling failed to alter
      trailer neural crest cell trajectories, suggesting trailers do not require VEGF
      to maintain coordinated migration. These results indicate that VEGF is one of the
      signals that establishes lead cell identity and its chemoattractant profile is
      critical to neural crest cell migration.

PMID- 26278035
TI  - Wt1 and beta-catenin cooperatively regulate diaphragm development in the mouse.
AB  - The developing diaphragm consists of various differentiating cell types, many of
      which are not well characterized during organogenesis. One important but
      incompletely understood tissue, the diaphragmatic mesothelium, is distinctively
      present from early stages of development. Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH)
      occurs in humans when diaphragm tissue is lost during development, resulting in
      high morbidity and mortality postnatally. We utilized a Wilms Tumor 1 (Wt1)
      mutant mouse model to investigate the involvement of the mesothelium in normal
      diaphragm signaling and development. Additionally, we developed and characterized
      a Wt1(CreERT2)-driven beta-catenin loss-of-function model of CDH after finding
      that canonical Wnt signaling and beta-catenin are reduced in Wt1 mutant
      mesothelium. Mice with beta-catenin loss or constitutive activation induced in
      the Wt1 lineage are only affected when tamoxifen injection occurs between E10.5
      and E11.5, revealing a critical time-frame for Wt1/ beta-catenin activity.
      Conditional beta-catenin loss phenocopies the Wt1 mutant diaphragm defect, while
      constitutive activation of beta-catenin on the Wt1 mutant background is
      sufficient to close the diaphragm defect. Proliferation and apoptosis are
      affected, but primarily these genetic manipulations appear to lead to a change in
      normal diaphragm differentiation. Our data suggest a fundamental role for
      mesothelial signaling in proper formation of the diaphragm.

PMID- 26278037
TI  - Drain Management after Pancreatoduodenectomy: Reappraisal of a Prospective
      Randomized Trial Using Risk Stratification.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A recent randomized trial used the Fistula Risk Score (FRS) to
      develop guidelines for selective drainage based on clinically relevant fistula
      (CR-POPF) risk. Additionally, postoperative day (POD) 1 drain and serum amylase
      have been identified as accurate postoperative predictors of CR-POPF. This study
      sought to identify patients who may benefit from selective drainage, as well as
      the optimal timing for drain removal after pancreatoduodenectomy. STUDY DESIGN:
      One hundred six pancreatoduodenectomies from a previously reported RCT were
      assessed using risk-adjustment. The incidence of CR-POPF was compared between FRS
      risk cohorts. Drain and serum amylase values from POD 1 were evaluated using
      receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis to establish cut-offs predictive
      of CR-POPF occurrence. A regression analysis compared drain removal
      randomizations (POD 3 vs POD 5). RESULTS: Three-quarters of patients had
      moderate/high CR-POPF risk. This group had a CR-POPF rate of 36.3% vs 7.7% among
      negligible/low risk patients (p = 0.005). The areas under the ROC curve for CR
      POPF prediction using POD 1 drain and serum amylase values were 0.800 (p =
      0.000001; 95% CI 0.70-0.90) and 0.655 (p = 0.012; 95% CI 0.55-0.77),
      respectively. No significant serum amylase cut-offs were identified.
      Moderate/high risk patients with POD 1 drain amylase <= 5,000 U/L had
      significantly lower rates of CR-POPF when randomized to POD 3 drain removal (4.2%
      vs 38.5%; p = 0.003); moreover, these patients experienced fewer complications
      and shorter hospital stays. CONCLUSIONS: A clinical care protocol is proposed
      whereby drains are recommended for moderate/high FRS risk patients, but may be
      omitted in patients with negligible/low risk. Drain amylase values in
      moderate/high risk patients should then be evaluated on POD 1 to determine the
      optimal timing for drain removal. Moderate/high risk patients with POD 1 drain
      amylase <= 5,000 U/L have lower rates of CR-POPF with POD 3 (vs POD >= 5) drain
      removal; early drain removal is recommended for these patients.

PMID- 26278038
TI  - Preoperative Tattooing for Precise and Expedient Localization of Landmark in
      Laparoscopic Liver Resection.

PMID- 26278039
TI  - Cellular and molecular remodeling of inguinal adipose tissue mitochondria by
      dietary methionine restriction.
AB  - Dietary methionine restriction (MR) produces a coordinated series of biochemical
      and physiological responses that improve biomarkers of metabolic health, increase
      energy expenditure, limit fat accretion and improve overall insulin sensitivity.
      Inguinal white adipose tissue (IWAT) is a primary target and site of action where
      the diet initiates transcriptional programs linked to enhancing both synthesis
      and oxidation of lipid. Using a combination of ex vivo approaches to assess
      dietary effects on cell morphology and function, we report that dietary MR
      produced a fourfold increase in multilocular, UCP1-expressing cells within this
      depot in conjunction with significant increases in mitochondrial content, size
      and cristae density. Dietary MR increased expression of multiple enzymes within
      the citric acid cycle, as well as respiratory complexes I, II and III. The
      physiological significance of these responses, evaluated in isolated mitochondria
      by high-resolution respirometry, was a significant increase in respiratory
      capacity measured using multiple substrates. The morphological, transcriptional
      and biochemical remodeling of IWAT mitochondria enhances the synthetic and
      oxidative capacity of this tissue and collectively underlies its expanded role as
      a significant contributor to the overall increase in metabolic flexibility and
      uncoupled respiration produced by the diet. 

PMID- 26278040
TI  - PGC Reversion to Pluripotency Involves Erasure of DNA Methylation from Imprinting
      Control Centers followed by Locus-Specific Re-methylation.
AB  - Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are fate restricted to differentiate into gametes in
      vivo. However, when removed from their embryonic niche, PGCs undergo reversion to
      pluripotent embryonic germ cells (EGCs) in vitro. One of the major differences
      between EGCs and embryonic stem cells (ESCs) is variable methylation at
      imprinting control centers (ICCs), a phenomenon that is poorly understood. Here
      we show that reverting PGCs to EGCs involved stable ICC methylation erasure at
      Snrpn, Igf2r, and Kcnqot1. In contrast, the H19/Igf2 ICC undergoes erasure
      followed by de novo re-methylation. PGCs differentiated in vitro from ESCs
      completed Snrpn ICC erasure. However, the hypomethylated state is highly
      unstable. We also discovered that when the H19/Igf2 ICC was abnormally
      hypermethylated in ESCs, this is not erased in PGCs differentiated from ESCs.
      Therefore, launching PGC differentiation from ESC lines with appropriately
      methylated ICCs is critical to the generation of germline cells that recapitulate
      endogenous ICC erasure.

PMID- 26278041
TI  - Reprogramming Roadblocks Are System Dependent.
AB  - Since the first generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), several
      reprogramming systems have been used to study its molecular mechanisms. However,
      the system of choice largely affects the reprogramming efficiency, influencing
      our view on the mechanisms. Here, we demonstrate that reprogramming triggered by
      less efficient polycistronic reprogramming cassettes not only highlights
      mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET) as a roadblock but also faces more
      severe difficulties to attain a pluripotent state even post-MET. In contrast,
      more efficient cassettes can reprogram both wild-type and Nanog(-/-) fibroblasts
      with comparable efficiencies, routes, and kinetics, unlike the less efficient
      reprogramming systems. Moreover, we attribute a previously reported variation in
      the N terminus of KLF4 as a dominant factor underlying these critical
      differences. Our data establish that some reprogramming roadblocks are system
      dependent, highlighting the need to pursue mechanistic studies with close
      attention to the systems to better understand reprogramming. 

PMID- 26278042
TI  - Cell-Cycle Control of Bivalent Epigenetic Domains Regulates the Exit from
      Pluripotency.
AB  - Here we show that bivalent domains and chromosome architecture for bivalent genes
      are dynamically regulated during the cell cycle in human pluripotent cells.
      Central to this is the transient increase in H3K4-trimethylation at developmental
      genes during G1, thereby creating a "window of opportunity" for cell-fate
      specification. This mechanism is controlled by CDK2-dependent phosphorylation of
      the MLL2 (KMT2B) histone methyl-transferase, which facilitates its recruitment to
      developmental genes in G1. MLL2 binding is required for changes in chromosome
      architecture around developmental genes and establishes promoter-enhancer looping
      interactions in a cell-cycle-dependent manner. These cell-cycle-regulated loops
      are shown to be essential for activation of bivalent genes and pluripotency exit.
      These findings demonstrate that bivalent domains are established to control the
      cell-cycle-dependent activation of developmental genes so that differentiation
      initiates from the G1 phase. 

PMID- 26278043
TI  - Effect of proton and gamma irradiation on human lung carcinoma cells: Gene
      expression, cell cycle, cell death, epithelial-mesenchymal transition and cancer
      stem cell trait as biological end points.
AB  - Proton beam therapy is a cutting edge modality over conventional gamma
      radiotherapy because of its physical dose deposition advantage. However, not much
      is known about its biological effects vis-a-vis gamma irradiation. Here we
      investigated the effect of proton- and gamma- irradiation on cell cycle, death,
      epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and "stemness" in human non-small cell
      lung carcinoma cells (A549). Proton beam (3MeV) was two times more cytotoxic than
      gamma radiation and induced higher and longer cell cycle arrest. At equivalent
      doses, numbers of genes responsive to proton irradiation were ten times higher
      than those responsive to gamma irradiation. At equitoxic doses, the proton
      irradiated cells had reduced cell adhesion and migration ability as compared to
      the gamma-irradiated cells. It was also more effective in reducing population of
      Cancer Stem Cell (CSC) like cells as revealed by aldehyde dehydrogenase activity
      and surface phenotyping by CD44(+), a CSC marker. These results can have
      significant implications for proton therapy in the context of suppression of
      molecular and cellular processes that are fundamental to tumor expansion. 

PMID- 26278044
TI  - A gold nanoparticle-based fluorescence sensor for high sensitive and selective
      detection of thiols in living cells.
AB  - A novel gold nanoparticle (AuNP)-based sensor for detecting thiols in aqueous
      solution has been developed. Due to the weak N...Au interactions, meso-(4
      pyridinyl)-substituted BODIPY (4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene) dyes
      were coordinated to AuNP surfaces, which effectively quenched the fluorescence of
      organic/inorganic hybrid systems. The fluorescent quenching mechanism was mainly
      ascribed to the highly efficient fluorescent resonance energy transfer (FRET) and
      the inner filter effect. In the presence of thiols, meso-(4-pyridinyl)
      substituted BODIPY chromophore were displaced and released from the AuNP surfaces
      and thus restored the fluorescence of BODIPY chromophore. The modulation of the
      fluorescence quenching efficiency of BODIPY-AuNPs in the presence of thiols can
      achieve a large turn-on fluorescence enhancement (40-fold) in aqueous solution.
      The new AuNP-based fluorescence sensor displayed desired properties such as high
      specificity, relatively low detection limit (30 nM for Cys), appreciable water
      solubility and rapid response time (within 2 min for Cys/Hcy). Moreover, the
      sensor has been successfully applied for monitoring and imaging of intracellular
      thiols within living HeLa cells.

PMID- 26278045
TI  - Stimulus-response mesoporous silica nanoparticle-based chemiluminescence
      biosensor for cocaine determination.
AB  - Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) based controlled release system had been
      coupled with diverse detection technologies to establish biosensors for different
      targets. Chemiluminescence (CL) system of luminol/H2O2 owns the characters of
      simplicity, low cost and high sensitivity, but the targets of which are mostly
      focused on some oxidants or which can participate in a chemical reaction that
      yields a product with a role in the CL reaction. In this study, chemiluminescent
      detection technique had been coupled with mesoporous silica-based controlled
      released system for the first time to develop a sensitive biosensor for the
      target which does not cause effect to the CL system itself. Cocaine had been
      chosen a model target, the MSN support was firstly loaded with glucose, then the
      positively charged MSN interacted with negatively charged oligonucleotides (the
      aptamer cocaine) to close the mesopores of MSN. At the present of target, cocaine
      binds with its aptamer with high affinity; the flexible linear aptamer structured
      will become stems structured through currently well-defined non-Waston-Crick
      interactions and causes the releasing of entrapped glucose into the solution.
      With the assistant of glucose oxidase (GOx), the released glucose can react with
      the dissolved oxgen to produce gluconic acid and H2O2, the latter can enhance the
      CL of luminol in the NaOH solution. The enhanced CL intensity has a relationship
      with the cocaine concentration in the range of 5.0-60MUM with the detection limit
      of 1.43MUM. The proposed method had been successfully applied to detect cocaine
      in serum samples with high selectivity. The same strategy can be applied to
      develop biosensors for different targets. 

PMID- 26278047
TI  - Structural Organization of Insulin Fibrils Based on Polarized Raman Spectroscopy:
      Evaluation of Existing Models.
AB  - Many different proteins undergo misfolding and self-assemble into amyloid
      fibrils, resulting in a range of neurodegenerative diseases. The limitations of
      conventional methods of structural biology for fibril characterization have led
      to the use of polarized Raman spectroscopy for obtaining quantitative structural
      information regarding the organization of amyloid fibrils. Herein, we report the
      orientation of selected chemical groups and secondary structure elements in
      aligned insulin fibrils, including beta-sheets, which possess a high level of
      orientation in the cross-beta core, and alpha-helices in the disordered portions
      of the fibrils. Strong orientation of disulfide bonds in amyloid fibrils was also
      revealed, indicating their association with the fibril core. The determined
      orientation of chemical groups provides strong constraints for modeling the
      overall structure of amyloid fibrils, including the core and disordered parts.
      The developed methodology allows for the validation of structural models proposed
      in the literature for amyloid fibrils. Specifically, the polarized Raman data
      obtained herein strongly agreed with two insulin fibril models (Jimenez et al.,
      Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 2002, 99, 9196-9201 and Ivanova et al., Proc.
      Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 2009, 106, 18990-18995) yet revealed significant
      qualitative and quantitative differences. This work demonstrates the great
      potential of polarized Raman spectroscopy for structural characterization of
      anisotropic biological species. 

PMID- 26278046
TI  - Escalation to High-Dose Defibrotide in Patients with Hepatic Veno-Occlusive
      Disease.
AB  - Hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD) is a serious complication of high-dose
      chemotherapy regimens, such as those used in hematopoietic cell transplantation
      recipients. Defibrotide is considered a safe and effective treatment when dosed
      at 25 mg/kg/day. However, patients who develop VOD still have increased mortality
      despite the use of defibrotide. Data are limited on the use of doses above 60
      mg/kg/day for persistent VOD. In this prospective clinical trial 34 patients
      received escalating doses of defibrotide. For patients with persistent VOD
      despite doses of 60 mg/kg/day, doses were increased to a maximum of 110
      mg/kg/day. Increased toxicity was not observed until doses rose beyond 100
      mg/kg/day. Patients receiving doses between 10 and 100 mg/kg/day experienced an
      average of 3 bleeding episodes per 100 days of treatment, whereas those receiving
      doses >100 mg/kg/day experienced 13.2 bleeding episodes per 100 days (P = .008).
      Moreover, dose reductions due to toxicity were needed at doses of 110 mg/kg/day
      more often than at lower doses. Defibrotide may be safely escalated to doses well
      above the current standard without an increase in bleeding risk. However, the
      efficacy of this dose-escalation strategy remains unclear, because outcomes were
      similar to published cohorts of patients receiving standard doses of defibrotide
      for VOD.

PMID- 26278048
TI  - Passive sinking into the snow as possible survival strategy during the off-host
      stage in an insect ectoparasite.
AB  - Abiotic and biotic factors determine success or failure of individual organisms,
      populations and species. The early life stages are often the most vulnerable to
      heavy mortality due to environmental conditions. The deer ked (Lipoptena cervi
      Linnaeus, 1758) is an invasive insect ectoparasite of cervids that spends an
      important period of the life cycle outside host as immobile pupa. During winter,
      dark-coloured pupae drop off the host onto the snow, where they are exposed to
      environmental temperature variation and predation as long as the new snowfall
      provides shelter against these mortality factors. The other possible option is to
      passively sink into the snow, which is aided by morphology of pupae. Here, we
      experimentally studied passive snow sinking capacity of pupae of L. cervi. We
      show that pupae have a notable passive snow sinking capacity, which is the most
      likely explained by pupal morphology enabling solar energy absorption and pupal
      weight. The present results can be used when planning future studies and when
      evaluating possible predation risk and overall survival of this invasive
      ectoparasite species in changing environmental conditions. 

PMID- 26278049
TI  - ER Stress and Angiogenesis.
AB  - Proper tissue vascularization is vital for cellular function as it delivers
      oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and immune cells and helps to clear cellular debris
      and metabolic waste products. Tissue angiogenesis occurs to satisfy energy
      requirements and cellular sensors of metabolic imbalance coordinate vessel
      growth. In this regard, the classical pathways of the unfolded protein response
      activated under conditions of ER stress have recently been described to generate
      angiomodulatory or angiostatic signals. This review elaborates on the link
      between angiogenesis and ER stress and discusses the implications for diseases
      characterized by altered vascular homeostasis, such as cancer, retinopathies, and
      atherosclerosis. 

PMID- 26278050
TI  - Palatability Can Drive Feeding Independent of AgRP Neurons.
AB  - Feeding behavior is exquisitely regulated by homeostatic and hedonic neural
      substrates that integrate energy demand as well as the reinforcing and rewarding
      aspects of food. Understanding the net contribution of homeostatic and reward
      driven feeding has become critical because of the ubiquitous source of energy
      dense foods and the consequent obesity epidemic. Hypothalamic agouti-related
      peptide-secreting neurons (AgRP neurons) provide the primary orexigenic drive of
      homeostatic feeding. Using models of neuronal inhibition or ablation, we
      demonstrate that the feeding response to a fast ghrelin or serotonin receptor
      agonist relies on AgRP neurons. However, when palatable food is provided, AgRP
      neurons are dispensable for an appropriate feeding response. In addition, AgRP
      ablated mice present exacerbated stress-induced anorexia and palatable food
      intake--a hallmark of comfort feeding. These results suggest that, when AgRP
      neuron activity is impaired, neural circuits sensitive to emotion and stress are
      engaged and modulated by food palatability and dopamine signaling.

PMID- 26278051
TI  - Detection and Quantitation of Circulating Human Irisin by Tandem Mass
      Spectrometry.
AB  - Exercise provides many health benefits, including improved metabolism,
      cardiovascular health, and cognition. We have shown previously that FNDC5, a type
      I transmembrane protein, and its circulating form, irisin, convey some of these
      benefits in mice. However, recent reports questioned the existence of circulating
      human irisin both because human FNDC5 has a non-canonical ATA translation start
      and because of claims that many human irisin antibodies used in commercial ELISA
      kits lack required specificity. In this paper we have identified and quantitated
      human irisin in plasma using mass spectrometry with control peptides enriched
      with heavy stable isotopes as internal standards. This precise state-of-the-art
      method shows that human irisin is mainly translated from its non-canonical start
      codon and circulates at ~ 3.6 ng/ml in sedentary individuals; this level is
      increased to ~ 4.3 ng/ml in individuals undergoing aerobic interval training.
      These data unequivocally demonstrate that human irisin exists, circulates, and is
      regulated by exercise.

PMID- 26278053
TI  - One Strike against Low-Carbohydrate Diets.
AB  - There is intense controversy over whether low-carbohydrate or low-fat diets are
      more efficacious for weight management. Using precise methodology, Hall et al.
      (2015) demonstrated that a low-carbohydrate diet promoted greater fat oxidation
      than an isocaloric low-fat diet but, in contrast to popular speculation, did not
      cause greater body fat loss.

PMID- 26278052
TI  - Calorie for Calorie, Dietary Fat Restriction Results in More Body Fat Loss than
      Carbohydrate Restriction in People with Obesity.
AB  - Dietary carbohydrate restriction has been purported to cause endocrine
      adaptations that promote body fat loss more than dietary fat restriction. We
      selectively restricted dietary carbohydrate versus fat for 6 days following a 5
      day baseline diet in 19 adults with obesity confined to a metabolic ward where
      they exercised daily. Subjects received both isocaloric diets in random order
      during each of two inpatient stays. Body fat loss was calculated as the
      difference between daily fat intake and net fat oxidation measured while residing
      in a metabolic chamber. Whereas carbohydrate restriction led to sustained
      increases in fat oxidation and loss of 53 +/- 6 g/day of body fat, fat oxidation
      was unchanged by fat restriction, leading to 89 +/- 6 g/day of fat loss, and was
      significantly greater than carbohydrate restriction (p = 0.002). Mathematical
      model simulations agreed with these data, but predicted that the body acts to
      minimize body fat differences with prolonged isocaloric diets varying in
      carbohydrate and fat.

PMID- 26278054
TI  - [Call for applications for the post of Editor of the Revista Medica de Chile].

PMID- 26278055
TI  - Roles of NGAL and MMP-9 in the tumor microenvironment and sensitivity to targeted
      therapy.
AB  - Various, diverse molecules contribute to the tumor microenvironment and influence
      invasion and metastasis. In this review, the roles of neutrophil gelatinase
      associated lipocalin (NGAL) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in the tumor
      microenvironment and sensitivity to therapy will be discussed. The lipocalin
      family of proteins has many important functions. For example when NGAL forms a
      complex with MMP-9 it increases its stability which is important in cancer
      metastasis. Small hydrophobic molecules are bound by NGAL which can alter their
      entry into and efflux from cells. Iron transport and storage are also influenced
      by NGAL activity. Regulation of iron levels is important for survival in the
      tumor microenvironment as well as metastasis. Innate immunity is also regulated
      by NGAL as it can have bacteriostatic properties. NGAL and MMP-9 expression may
      also affect the sensitivity of cancer cells to chemotherapy as well as targeted
      therapy. Thus NGAL and MMP-9 play important roles in key processes involved in
      metastasis as well as response to therapy. This article is part of a Special
      Issue entitled: Tumor Microenvironment Regulation of Cancer Cell Survival,
      Metastasis, Inflammation, and Immune Surveillance edited by Peter Ruvolo and
      Gregg L. Semenza. 

PMID- 26278056
TI  - Color-dye injection of monochorionic placentas and correlation with pregnancy
      complications.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Vascular anastomoses in monochorionic (MC) twin placenta can be
      easily identified with color-dye injection. The aim of this study is to analyze
      the relationship between different type of anastomoses and twin pregnancy
      complications. METHODS: From January 2011 to October 2014, MC placentas were
      analyzed with color-dye injection and five group of pregnancies were identified:
      those that were not complicated (NC), those complicated with selective
      intrauterine growth restriction (sIUGR), twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS),
      or twin anemia-polycitemia sequence (TAPS) and those with amniotic fluid
      discordance (AFD) between twins. Cases of TTTS treated with endoscopic laser
      coagulation of placenta anastomoses or cases with in utero death of one twin were
      excluded. RESULTS: A total of 118 MC placentas were observed, 58 (49%) NC, 35
      (30%) sIUGR, 10 (8%) TTTS, 13 (11%) AFD and 2 (2%) TAPS. The median number of
      anastomoses was 7 (range 1-15), 8 (2-18), 4 (2-11), 7 (2-13) and 1 (1-1),
      respectively. At least one artero-venous anastomoses was found in the placenta
      observed, while the prevalence of artero-arterial anastomoses was 95% for NC, 91%
      for sIUGR, 60% for TTTS, and 77% for AFD; no TAPS placenta had this type of
      anastomoses. The diameter of arteroarterial anastomoses was greater in the AFD
      group (3.3 mm), compared to the NC, sIUGR and TTTS groups (2.3, 2.5 and 1.4
      respectively, p 0.04). DISCUSSION: In this large serie of MC placenta analyzed
      with color-dye injection, a specific distribution of anastomoses emerged for
      twins with amniotic fluid discordance, which points to a need for intensive
      surveillance.

PMID- 26278058
TI  - Maternal fish consumption, fatty acid levels and angiogenic factors: The
      Generation R Study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Angiogenic factors, such as placental growth factor (PlGF) and
      soluble Flt-1 (sFlt-1), are key regulators of placental vascular development.
      Evidence from in vitro studies indicates that fatty acids can affect
      angiogenesis. We investigated the associations of maternal fish consumption and
      fatty acids levels with angiogenic factors during pregnancy, and in cord blood in
      a large population-based prospective cohort. METHODS: First trimester fish
      consumption was assessed among 3134 pregnant women using a food-frequency
      questionnaire. Plasma fatty acid levels were measured in second trimester. Plasma
      PlGF and sFlt-1 were measured in first and second trimester and in cord blood.
      Associations of fish consumption or fatty acid levels with angiogenic factors
      were assessed by multivariable linear regression analyses. RESULTS: There were no
      consistent associations of total fish or lean fish consumption with levels of
      PlGF, sFlt-1, or sFlt-1/PlGF ratio. Neither fatty fish nor shellfish were
      associated with angiogenic factors. Plasma omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids,
      which are the main type of fatty acids in fish, were inconsistently associated
      with angiogenic factors in second trimester and cord blood. Yet, higher levels of
      arachidonic acid, an omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid, were associated with
      lower levels of PlGF and sFlt-1. DISCUSSION: We found no consistent associations
      of fish consumption or fatty acids levels with angiogenic factors in a population
      with low fish consumption. Studies including populations with higher fish
      consumption are required to fully grasp the potential effects of maternal fish
      consumption on placental angiogenesis.

PMID- 26278057
TI  - Hypoplastic left heart syndrome is associated with structural and vascular
      placental abnormalities and leptin dysregulation.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is a severe cardiovascular
      malformation (CVM) associated with fetal growth abnormalities. Genetic and
      environmental factors have been identified that contribute to pathogenesis, but
      the role of the placenta is unknown. The purpose of this study was to
      systematically examine the placenta in HLHS with and without growth
      abnormalities. METHODS: HLHS term singleton births were identified from a larger
      cohort when placenta tissue was available. Clinical data were collected from
      maternal and neonatal medical records, including anthropometrics and placental
      pathology reports. Placental tissues from cases and controls were analyzed to
      assess parenchymal morphology, vascular architecture and leptin signaling.
      RESULTS: HLHS cases (n = 16) and gestational age-matched controls (n = 18) were
      analyzed. Among cases, the average birth weight was 2993 g, including 31% that
      were small for gestational age. When compared with controls, gross pathology of
      HLHS cases demonstrated significantly reduced placental weight and increased
      fibrin deposition, while micropathology showed increased syncytial nuclear
      aggregates, decreased terminal villi, reduced vasculature and increased leptin
      expression in syncytiotrophoblast and endothelial cells. DISCUSSION: Placentas
      from pregnancies complicated by fetal HLHS are characterized by abnormal
      parenchymal morphology, suggesting immature structure may be due to vascular
      abnormalities. Increased leptin expression may indicate an attempt to compensate
      for these vascular abnormalities. Further investigation into the regulation of
      angiogenesis in the fetus and placenta may elucidate the causes of HLHS and
      associated growth abnormalities in some cases.

PMID- 26278059
TI  - Feto-maternal immune regulation by TIM-3/galectin-9 pathway and PD-1 molecule in
      mice at day 14.5 of pregnancy.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Immunoregulation implies the activation of negative pathways
      leading to the modulation of specific immune responses. Co-inhibitory receptors
      (such as PD-1 and TIM-3) represent possible tools for this purpose. PD-1 and TIM
      3 have been demonstrated to be present on immune cells suggesting general
      involvement in immunosuppression such as fetomaternal tolerance. The aim of our
      study was to investigate the expression pattern of PD-1, TIM-3, and its ligand
      Gal-9 on different immune cell subsets in the peripheral blood and at the
      fetomaternal interface in pregnant mice. METHODS: TIM-3 and PD-1 expression by
      peripheral and decidual immune cells from pregnant BALB-c mice in 2 weeks of
      gestational age were measures by flow cytometry. Placental galectin-9 expression
      was determined by immunohistochemically and RT-PCR. RESULTS: Gal-9 was found to
      be present in the spongiotrophoblast layer of the haemochorial placenta. Decidual
      NK, NKT and gamma/delta T cells showed increased PD-1 expression and reduced
      cytotoxic potential when compared to the periphery. TIM-3 expression by NK cells
      and gamma/delta T cells is similar both in the periphery and in the decidua,
      notably, their relative TIM-3 expression is increased locally which is associated
      with reduced lytic activity. Decidual NKT cells exhibit a reduced TIM-3
      expression with increased relative receptor expression and a slightly increased
      cytotoxicity when compared to the periphery. DISCUSSION: Our data reveals a
      particularly complex, tissue and cell type specific immunoregulatory mechanism by
      the investigated co-inhibitory receptors at the fetomaternal interface.

PMID- 26278060
TI  - Activation of A-H bonds (A = B, C, N, O, Si) by using monovalent phosphorus
      complexes [RP->M].
AB  - The available data on the activation of A-H sigma bonds by electrophilic terminal
      phosphinidene complexes are reviewed. Theoretical computations allow us to
      rationalize the experimental results. It appears that a successful insertion
      needs an initial interaction between the phosphinidene and the A-H bond, such as
      a donor-acceptor complex with a lone pair, a Coulombic interaction due to a
      negative charge on A or H, or a proximity effect. 

PMID- 26278061
TI  - Surface effect on the electromelting behavior of nanoconfined water.
AB  - Electric field induced phase transitions of confined water have an important role
      in cryopreservation and electrocrystallization. In this study, the structural and
      dynamical properties of nano-confined water in nano-slit pores under the
      influence of an electric field varying from 0 to 10 V nm(-1) are investigated
      under ambient conditions using molecular dynamics simulations. In order to
      replicate the nature of different materials, a systematic approach is adopted,
      including pore-size and lattice constant variations in different lattice
      arrangements viz., triangular, square and hexagonal, with hydrophilic and
      hydrophobic surface-fluid interactions. The structural behavior of water is
      investigated using radial distribution functions, bond order parameters and
      hydrogen bond calculations; the dynamical properties are analyzed using lateral
      and rotational diffusivity calculations. The lateral diffusivity with increasing
      electric field E increases by order(s) of magnitude during electromelting. The
      pore-size, lattice constant, lattice arrangement and hydrophobic/hydrophilic
      nature of the pore surface strongly influence the electromelting behavior for
      E<=~7 V nm(-1). Higher values of lattice constants and/or hydrophobic pores
      enhance the electromelting behavior of nanoconfined water. 

PMID- 26278062
TI  - Heat-induced formation of one-dimensional coordination polymers on Au(111): an
      STM study.
AB  - The formation of one-dimensional coordination polymers of cyano-substituted
      porphyrin derivatives on Au(111) induced by thermal annealing is demonstrated by
      means of scanning tunnelling microscopy. The polymer is stabilised by an unusual
      threefold coordination motif mediated between an Au atom and the cyano groups of
      the porphyrin derivatives. 

PMID- 26278063
TI  - Reduction in short-acting insulin requirement accompanies improved glycemic
      control with basal insulin peglispro compared with insulin glargine in patients
      with type 1 diabetes.

PMID- 26278064
TI  - Longitudinal clines in the frequency distribution of 'super-clones' in an aphid
      crop pest.
AB  - Parthenogenesis is the main mode of reproduction of aphids. Their populations are
      therefore composed of clones whose frequency distribution varies in space and
      time. Previous population genetic studies on aphids have highlighted the
      existence of highly abundant clones ('super-clones'), distributed over large
      geographic areas and persisting over time. Whether the abundance of 'super
      clones' results from their ecological success or from stochastic forces, such as
      drift and migration, is an open question. Here, we looked for the existence of
      clines in clonal frequency along a climatic gradient in the cereal aphid
      Rhopalosiphum padi (Linnaeus, 1758) and examined the possible influence of
      geographical distance and environmental variables in the buildup and maintenance
      of such clonal clines. We investigated the spatial distribution of the commonest
      genotypes of R. padi by sampling populations along an east-west transect in maize
      fields in the northern half of France in both spring and late summer. Individual
      aphids were genotyped at several polymorphic loci, allowing the assessment of
      frequency distributions of multilocus genotypes (MLGs) across the cropping
      season. We found several MLGs showing longitudinal clines in their frequency
      distribution in both spring and summer. In particular, two dominant asexual
      genotypes of R. padi showed inverted geographical clines, which could suggest
      divergent adaptations to environmental conditions. We concluded that while the
      distribution of some 'super-clones' of R. padi seems most likely driven by the
      action of migration and genetic drift, selection could be also involved in the
      establishment of longitudinal clines of others. 

PMID- 26278065
TI  - Glucosamine condensation catalyzed by 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate:
      mechanistic insight from NMR spectroscopy.
AB  - The basic ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([C2C1Im][OAc]) could
      efficiently catalyze the conversion of 2-amino-2-deoxy-d-glucose (GlcNH2) into
      deoxyfructosazine (DOF) and fructosazine (FZ). Mechanistic investigation by NMR
      studies disclosed that [C2C1Im][OAc], exhibiting strong hydrogen bonding
      basicity, could coordinate with the hydroxyl and amino groups of GlcNH2via the
      promotion of hydrogen bonding in bifunctional activation of substrates and
      further catalyzing product formation, based on which a plausible reaction pathway
      involved in this homogeneous base-catalyzed reaction was proposed. Hydrogen
      bonding as an activation force, therefore, is responsible for the remarkable
      selectivity and rate enhancement observed. 

PMID- 26278066
TI  - A call for consensus on upper airway terminology.

PMID- 26278067
TI  - Letter to the Editor: Validation of IgG cut-off values and their association with
      survival in neonatal foals.

PMID- 26278068
TI  - Validation of IgG cut-off values and their association with survival in neonatal
      foals: a response.

PMID- 26278069
TI  - Mild hemophilia A patient with novel Pro1809Leu mutation develops an anti-C2
      antibody inhibiting allogeneic but not autologous factor VIII activity.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In mild hemophilia A (MHA) patients, the risk of inhibitor
      development is generally low, but some factor VIII (FVIII) gene missense
      mutations are associated with a higher inhibitor incidence. OBJECTIVE: To
      investigate the mechanism(s) of inhibitor development in MHA. METHODS AND
      RESULTS: A patient, HA78, with MHA with a novel P1809L missense mutation in the
      A3 domain, exhibited significant residual FVIII activity ( FVIII: C ~10 IU dL(-1)
      ), despite the development of an inhibitor (5.6 BU mL(-1) ). Purified HA78-IgG
      significantly depressed FVIII: C from normal plasma but not from patient's plasma
      without inhibitor, indicating that this IgG inhibited allogeneic but not
      autologous FVIII. The HA78-IgG blocked thrombin and FXa-catalyzed FVIII cleavage
      but had little effect on FVIII binding to von Willebrand factor and phospholipid.
      The IgG recognized a C2 epitope close or overlapping the previously described
      anti-C2 ESH8 epitope. Similarly, a recombinant FVIII-P1809L mutant was little
      inactivated by HA78-IgG. This mutant demonstrated ~3-fold lower binding
      affinities to von Willebrand factor and phospholipid compared with wild-type,
      while reactions with thrombin or FXa were not impaired. Reaction of FVIII-P1809L
      with the alternative anti-C2 ESH4 showed only an ~20% inhibition compared with
      wild-type FVIII but was similar to wild-type after incubation with ESH8. A
      surface plasmon resonance-based assay demonstrated that anti-C2 ESH4 bound to
      FVIII-P1809L with ~10(2) -fold lower affinity compared with ESH8. CONCLUSION:
      These results indicated that the P1809L mutation in A3 induced the conformational
      change in the FVIII molecule that hampered antigenic determinant(s) located in
      the C2 domain and might result in the inhibitor development.

PMID- 26278070
TI  - Responsive Stabilization of Nanoparticles for Extreme Salinity and High
      Temperature Reservoir Applications.
AB  - Colloidal stabilization of nanoparticles under extreme salinity and high
      temperature conditions is a key challenge in the development of next generation
      technologies for subsurface reservoir characterization and oil recovery.
      Polyelectrolytes have been investigated as nanoparticle stabilizers, but
      typically fail at high ionic strengths and elevated temperatures due to excessive
      charge screening and dehydration. We report an approach to nanoparticle
      stabilization that overcomes these limitations, and exploits the
      antipolyelectrolyte phenomenon, in which screening of intrachain electrostatic
      interactions causes a polyzwitterion chain to undergo a structural transition
      from a collapsed globule to a more open coil-like regime with increases in ionic
      strength and temperature. Small-angle neutron scattering on a model zwitterionic
      polymer in solution indicated an increase in both radius of gyration and excluded
      volume parameter of the polymer with increases in ionic strength and temperature.
      The model zwitterion was subsequently incorporated within a polymeric stabilizer
      for nanoparticles under harsh reservoir conditions, and used to functionalize
      hydrophilic (silica) as well as hydrophobic (polystyrene) nanoparticles. Long
      term colloidal stability was achieved at salt concentrations up to 120,000 mg/dm3
      at 90  degrees C, approximately twice the stability limit previously reported in
      the literature. The approach can be broadly generalized to a large class of
      synthetic polyzwitterions, and can be adapted to a wide variety of other
      colloidal systems in which demands placed by extreme salinity and temperature
      conditions must be met.

PMID- 26278071
TI  - Erratum.
AB  - In the article by Zhou Y, Zhang J, Zhu M, Lu R, Wang Y and Ni Z, entitled "Plasma
      pentraxin 3 is closely associated with peripheral arterial disease in
      hemodialysis patients and predicts clinical outcome: a 6-year follow-up" [Blood
      Purif 2015;39:266-273, DOI: 10.1159/000381254], the institutional affiliations
      should be corrected as follows: Yijun Zhou, Jiwei Zhang, Mingli Zhu, Renhua Lu,
      Yongmei Wang, Zhaohui Ni. Department of Nephrology, and Vascular Surgery, Ren Ji
      Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China

PMID- 26278073
TI  - IL-29 Enhances LPS/TLR4-Mediated Inflammation in Rheumatoid Arthritis.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Interleukin-29 (IL-29), a critical member of type III
      interferons (IFNs) family, has been implicated in protecting against viral
      infection and modulating autoimmune inflammation. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)
      plays a crucial role in synovial inflammation and may contribute to the
      pathogenesis of rheumatology arthritis (RA). However, little is known about the
      modifying effect of IL-29 on TLR4-mediated inflammation in RA. We aim to
      investigate the potential association between IL-29 and TLR4 in RA. METHODS:
      Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and serum from 77 patients with RA and
      70 controls were collected to determine levels of IL-29 and TLR4 mRNA by real
      time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Levels of IL-29 and TLR4 in synovial
      tissues and fluid from 25 RA patients and 24 controls were detected by enzyme
      linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or western blot assay, respectively. RAW264.7
      cells were stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and/or IL-29. The production of
      inflammatory cytokines including IL-6, IL-8 as well as TNF-alpha and the
      activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) signaling were determined.
      RESULTS: In comparison with controls, increased IL-29 was observed in PBMCs,
      synovial tissue, serum and synovial fluid of patients with RA. Besides, TLR4 was
      significantly elevated in PBMCs and synovium of RA patients. Moreover, IL-29 was
      positively associated with TLR4 in RA, suggested by Pearson's correlation
      analysis. When RAW264.7 cells were stimulated by LPS with or without IL-29 in
      vitro, IL-29 could enhance LPS-mediated TLR4 expression and the production of IL
      6, IL-8 and TNF-alpha in RAW264.7 cells via the activation of NF-kappaB
      signaling. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests, for the first time, that IL-29
      can aggravate LPS/TLR4-mediated inflammation in RA depending on NF-kappaB
      signaling activation.

PMID- 26278074
TI  - The Effect of a Complex Multi-modality Ayurvedic Treatment in a Case of Unknown
      Female Infertility.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Treatment of female infertility has been growing globally in recent
      years. In spite of improvements in medical strategies and the improved outcomes
      for infertile couples, treatment attempts remain largely unsuccessful. A growing
      number of patients pursue complementary and alternative medicine treatment
      options like Ayurveda that offers a variety of inpatient and outpatient
      treatments for infertility. CASE REPORT: A case of a 38 year-old woman with
      infertility of unknown origin is presented. She received 18 conventional
      fertility treatments in 5 different fertility centers and 3 different countries.
      After several complications, the patient quitted conventional treatment and
      admitted to an Ayurvedic outpatient clinic where she received a complex Ayurvedic
      treatment, which included botanicals, dietary and lifestyle advice, manual
      therapy, yoga, and spiritual elements. The patient then became pregnant and gave
      birth to a healthy boy in 2012. CONCLUSIONS: Ayurveda may be a useful
      complementary option in the case of futile conventional treatment attempts in
      female infertility. Nevertheless, the evidence base for Ayurvedic interventions
      remains weak and requires well-designed clinical trials. This case raises some
      questions, such as whether the exposure to a large number of assisted
      reproduction procedures can lead to more health problems than health benefits.
      The Ayurvedic approach to fertility strives first to improve the health of the
      patient leading to a higher likelihood of pregnancy. As this is a case report, we
      are not able to exclude temporal factors stimulating the pregnancy. However, the
      chronology suggests that this approach might have been an important factor in the
      eventual pregnancy.

PMID- 26278072
TI  - Global burden of disease due to smokeless tobacco consumption in adults: analysis
      of data from 113 countries.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Smokeless tobacco is consumed in most countries in the world. In view
      of its widespread use and increasing awareness of the associated risks, there is
      a need for a detailed assessment of its impact on health. We present the first
      global estimates of the burden of disease due to consumption of smokeless tobacco
      by adults. METHODS: The burden attributable to smokeless tobacco use in adults
      was estimated as a proportion of the disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) lost
      and deaths reported in the 2010 Global Burden of Disease study. We used the
      comparative risk assessment method, which evaluates changes in population health
      that result from modifying a population's exposure to a risk factor. Population
      exposure was extrapolated from country-specific prevalence of smokeless tobacco
      consumption, and changes in population health were estimated using disease
      specific risk estimates (relative risks/odds ratios) associated with it. Country
      specific prevalence estimates were obtained through systematically searching for
      all relevant studies. Disease-specific risks were estimated by conducting
      systematic reviews and meta-analyses based on epidemiological studies. RESULTS:
      We found adult smokeless tobacco consumption figures for 115 countries and
      estimated burden of disease figures for 113 of these countries. Our estimates
      indicate that in 2010, smokeless tobacco use led to 1.7 million DALYs lost and
      62,283 deaths due to cancers of mouth, pharynx and oesophagus and, based on data
      from the benchmark 52 country INTERHEART study, 4.7 million DALYs lost and
      204,309 deaths from ischaemic heart disease. Over 85 % of this burden was in
      South-East Asia. CONCLUSIONS: Smokeless tobacco results in considerable,
      potentially preventable, global morbidity and mortality from cancer; estimates in
      relation to ischaemic heart disease need to be interpreted with more caution, but
      nonetheless suggest that the likely burden of disease is also substantial. The
      World Health Organization needs to consider incorporating regulation of smokeless
      tobacco into its Framework Convention for Tobacco Control.

PMID- 26278075
TI  - Alcohol and remembering a hypothetical sexual assault: Can people who were under
      the influence of alcohol during the event provide accurate testimony?
AB  - We examined the influence of alcohol on remembering an interactive hypothetical
      sexual assault scenario in the laboratory using a balanced placebo design. Female
      participants completed a memory test 24 hours and 4 months later. Participants
      reported less information (i.e., responded "don't know" more often to questions)
      if they were under the influence of alcohol during scenario encoding. The
      accuracy of the information intoxicated participants reported did not differ
      compared to sober participants, however, suggesting intoxicated participants were
      effectively monitoring the accuracy of their memory at test. Additionally,
      peripheral details were remembered less accurately than central details,
      regardless of the intoxication level; and memory accuracy for peripheral details
      decreased by a larger amount compared to central details across the retention
      interval. Finally, participants were more accurate if they were told they were
      drinking alcohol rather than a placebo. We discuss theoretical implications for
      alcohol myopia and memory regulation, together with applied implications for
      interviewing intoxicated witnesses.

PMID- 26278076
TI  - The Role of Broken Symmetry in Solvation of a Spherical Cavity in Classical and
      Quantum Water Models.
AB  - Insertion of a hard sphere cavity in liquid water breaks translational symmetry
      and generates an electrostatic potential difference between the region near the
      cavity and the bulk. Here, we clarify the physical interpretation of this
      potential and its calculation. We also show that the electrostatic potential in
      the center of small, medium, and large cavities depends very sensitively on the
      form of the assumed molecular interactions for different classical simple point
      charge models and quantum mechanical DFT-based interaction potentials, as
      reflected in their description of donor and acceptor hydrogen bonds near the
      cavity. These differences can significantly affect the magnitude of the scalar
      electrostatic potential. We argue that the result of these studies will have
      direct consequences toward our understanding of the thermodynamics of ion
      solvation through the cavity charging process. 

PMID- 26278077
TI  - Kinetically Controlled Self-Assembly of Latex-Microgel Core-Satellite Particles.
AB  - Latex-microgel core-satellite particles were prepared by electrostatic assembly
      of negatively charged polystyrene latex and positively charged microgels of a
      poly(N-isopropylmethacrylamide) (pNIPMAM) and poly[2-methacryloyloxy)ethyl]
      trimethylammonium chloride (pMETAC) copolymer. The number of satellites per core,
      determined by scanning electron microscopy, varied from 3 to 10 depending on the
      sizes of the microgel and latex microparticles. The numbers of satellites per
      core for different size ratios were compared with the predictions for
      thermodynamically controlled (maximum packing) and kinetically controlled (random
      sequential adsorption) assembly, and it was shown that the assembly of latex and
      microgel proceeds through a random sequential adsorption mechanism. The charges
      of the microgels and latex particles were retained within the assemblies;
      therefore, the core-satellite particles have well-defined regions of positive and
      negative charge. These regions were used to direct the adsorption of gold and
      latex nanoparticles of opposite charge in order to create multicomponent
      colloids. 

PMID- 26278078
TI  - Proton-Triggered Hypsochromic Luminescence in 1,1'-(2,5-Distyryl-1,4-phenylene)
      Dipiperidine.
AB  - A proton-triggered hypsochromic luminescent chromophore 1,1'-(2,5-distyryl-1,4
      phenylene) dipiperidine (DPD) was designed and synthesized. Upon treatment by
      hydrochloric acid (HCl), the emission of DPD showed a large hypsochromic shift in
      both THF solution and microcrystals. Theoretical calculations and powder X-ray
      diffraction experiments reveal that the switchable emission of DPD originated
      from the change of the distribution and the spatial arrangement of the frontier
      molecular orbitals, and the different stacking modes of DPD in microcrystals also
      contribute to the switchable emission of DPD in aggregates. 

PMID- 26278079
TI  - Structural Evolution of Supercritical CO2 across the Frenkel Line.
AB  - Here, we study structural properties of the supercritical carbon dioxide and
      discover the existence of persistent medium-range order correlations, which make
      supercritical carbon dioxide nonuniform and heterogeneous on an intermediate
      length scale. We report on the CO2 heterogeneity shell structure where, in the
      first shell, both carbon and oxygen atoms experience gas-like-type interactions
      with short-range order correlations while within the second shell, oxygen atoms
      essentially exhibit a liquid-like type of interactions due to localization of
      transverse-like phonon packets. Importantly, we highlight a catalytic role of
      atoms inside of the nearest-neighbor heterogeneity shell in providing a mechanism
      for diffusion and proving the existence of an additional thermodynamic boundary
      in the supercritical carbon dioxide on an intermediate length scale. Finally, we
      discuss important implications for answering the intriguing question whether
      Venus may have had CO2 oceans and urge for an experimental detection of this
      persistent local-order heterogeneity. 

PMID- 26278080
TI  - Efficient Planar Heterojunction Perovskite Solar Cells Based on Formamidinium
      Lead Bromide.
AB  - The development of medium-bandgap solar cell absorber materials is of interest
      for the design of devices such as tandem solar cells and building-integrated
      photovoltaics. The recently developed perovskite solar cells can be suitable
      candidates for these applications. At present, wide bandgap alkylammonium lead
      bromide perovskite absorbers require a high-temperature sintered mesoporous TiO2
      photoanode in order to function efficiently, which makes them unsuitable for some
      of the above applications. Here, we present for the first time highly efficient
      wide bandgap planar heterojunction solar cells based on the structurally related
      formamidinium lead bromide. We show that this material exhibits much longer
      diffusion lengths of the photoexcited species than its methylammonium
      counterpart. This results in planar heterojunction solar cells exhibiting power
      conversion efficiencies approaching 7%. Hence, formamidinium lead bromide is a
      strong candidate as a wide bandgap absorber in perovskite solar cells. 

PMID- 26278081
TI  - Silicon-Chip-Based Dielectric Spectroscopy for Conductivity and Molecular
      Dynamics Studies of Organic Films.
AB  - Interdigital electrodes fabricated by standard lithography on silicon chips are
      employed to probe the dipolar molecular dynamics and electric conduction
      properties of thin rhodamine films grown with two different methods. The
      conductivity is due to electronic charge carriers, and at around room
      temperature, it is higher by 1 order of magnitude in solution-deposited films
      than in thermally evaporated ones. The organic material exhibits two intrinsic
      dynamic processes, of which the one at higher temperature is due to the
      orientational motion of the dipole moment of the rhodamine units, while the one
      at lower temperature is due to the motion of a local dipole associated with the
      chlorine counterions and is absent in thermally evaporated films. Our results
      show that thin-film dielectric spectroscopy is an easily implementable and
      versatile tool to extract valuable information on thin organic films. 

PMID- 26278082
TI  - Colloidal Quantum Dot Light-Emitting Diodes Employing Phosphorescent Small
      Organic Molecules as Efficient Exciton Harvesters.
AB  - Nonradiative energy transfer (NRET) is an alternative excitation mechanism in
      colloidal quantum dot (QD) based electroluminescent devices (QLEDs). Here, we
      develop hybrid highly spectrally pure QLEDs that facilitate energy transfer
      pumping via NRET from a phosphorescent small organic molecule-codoped charge
      transport layer to the adjacent QDs. A partially codoped exciton funnelling
      electron transport layer is proposed and optimized for enhanced QLED performance
      while exhibiting very high color purity of 99%. These energy transfer pumped
      hybrid QLEDs demonstrate a 6-fold enhancement factor in the external quantum
      efficiency over the conventional QLED structure, in which energy transfer pumping
      is intrinsically weak. 

PMID- 26278083
TI  - Mapping the Vibronic Structure of a Molecule by Few-Cycle Continuum Two
      Dimensional Spectroscopy in a Single Pulse.
AB  - Accurate mapping of the electronic and vibrational structure of a molecular
      system is a basic goal of chemistry as it underpins reactivity and function.
      Experimentally, the challenge is to uncover the intramolecular interactions and
      ensuing dynamics that define this structure. Multidimensional coherent
      spectroscopy can map such interactions analogous to the way in which nuclear
      magnetic resonance provides access to the nuclear spin structure. Here we present
      two-dimensional coherent spectra measured using few-cycle continuum light.
      Critically, our approach instantaneously maps the energy landscape of a complex
      molecular system in a single laser pulse across 350 nm of bandwidth, thereby
      making it suitable for rapid molecular fingerprinting. We envision few-cycle
      supercontinuum spectroscopy based on the nonlinear optical response as a powerful
      tool to examine molecules in the condensed phase at the extremes of time, space,
      and energy. 

PMID- 26278084
TI  - Fullerene-Free Polymer Solar Cells with Highly Reduced Bimolecular Recombination
      and Field-Independent Charge Carrier Generation.
AB  - Photogeneration, recombination, and transport of free charge carriers in all
      polymer bulk heterojunction solar cells incorporating poly(3-hexylthiophene)
      (P3HT) as donor and poly([N,N'-bis(2-octyldodecyl)-naphthelene-1,4,5,8
      bis(dicarboximide)-2,6-diyl]-alt-5,5'-(2,2'-bithiophene)) (P(NDI2OD-T2)) as
      acceptor polymer have been investigated by the use of time delayed collection
      field (TDCF) and time-of-flight (TOF) measurements. Depending on the preparation
      procedure used to dry the active layers, these solar cells comprise high fill
      factors (FFs) of up to 67%. A strongly reduced bimolecular recombination (BMR),
      as well as a field-independent free charge carrier generation are observed,
      features that are common to high performance fullerene-based solar cells.
      Resonant soft X-ray measurements (R-SoXS) and photoluminescence quenching
      experiments (PQE) reveal that the BMR is related to domain purity. Our results
      elucidate the similarities of this polymeric acceptor with the superior
      recombination properties of fullerene acceptors. 

PMID- 26278085
TI  - Excited State Dynamics of Ru10 Cluster Interfacing Anatase TiO2(101) Surface and
      Liquid Water.
AB  - Charge transfer dynamics at the interface of supported metal nanocluster and
      liquid water by GGA+U calculations combined with density matrix formalism is
      considered. The Ru10 cluster introduces new states into the band gap of TiO2
      surface, narrows the band gap of TiO2, and enhances the absorption strength. The
      H2O adsorption significantly enhances the intensity of photon absorption, which
      is due to the formation of Ti-O(water) and Ru-O(water) bonds at the interfaces.
      The Ru10 cluster promotes the dissociation of water, facilitates charge transfer,
      and increases the relaxation rates of holes and electrons. We expect that our
      results are helpful in understanding basic processes contributing to
      photoelectrochemical water splitting. 

PMID- 26278086
TI  - Reconstruction of the Molecular Structure of a Multichromophoric System Using
      Single-Molecule Defocused Wide-Field Imaging.
AB  - Single-molecule defocused wide-field imaging (DWFI) has been demonstrated to be
      useful to determine molecular structure parameters, such as the orientations of
      transition dipole moments and the angular relationships between chromophores in
      multichromophoric molecular systems. For a series of acetylene-linked perylene
      bisimide (PBI) macrocycles with different ring size comprising three to six PBI
      dyes, we reconstructed the molecular structure of the multichromophoric system
      using DWFI method. Furthermore, we revealed that the structural heterogeneities
      and distortions depend on the ring size. Our findings illustrate the use of DWFI
      to gain deeper insight into the structure-property relationships of artificial
      light-harvesting molecular systems. 

PMID- 26278087
TI  - Electron Trap to Electron Storage Center in Specially Aligned Mn-Doped CdSe d
      Dot: A Step Forward in the Design of Higher Efficient Quantum-Dot Solar Cell.
AB  - Specially aligned surface-accumulated Mn-doped CdSe (MnCdSe) quantum dots (QDs)
      have been synthesized to study the effect of dopant atom on charge-carrier
      dynamics in QD materials. EPR studies suggest that the (4)T1 state of Mn(2+) lies
      above the conduction band of CdSe, and as a result no Mn-luminescence was
      observed from MnCdSe. Femtosecond transient absorption studies suggest that Mn
      atom introduces structural defects in surface-doped CdSe, which acts as electron
      trap center in doped QD for the photoexcited electron. Bromo-pyrogallol red (Br
      PGR) were found to form strong charge-trasfer complex with both CdSe and MnCdSe
      QDs. Charge separation in both the CdSe/Br-PGR and MnCdSe/Br-PGR composites was
      found to take place in three different pathways by transferring the photoexcited
      hole of CdSe/MnCdSe QDs to Br-PGR, electron injection from photoexcited Br-PGR to
      the QDs, and direct electron transfer from the HOMO of Br-PGR to the conduction
      band of both the QDs. Hole-transfer dynamics are found to be quite similar (~1.1
      to 1.3 ps) for both of the systems and found to be independent of Mn doping.
      However, charge recombination dynamics was found to be much slower in the
      MnCdSe/Br-PGR system as compared with that in the CdSe/Br-PGR system, which
      confirms that the Mn dopant act as the electron storage center. As a consequence,
      the MnCdSe/Br-PGR system can be used as a better super sensitizer in quantum-dot
      sensitized solar cell to increase efficiency further. 

PMID- 26278088
TI  - Chemical Instability of Dimethyl Sulfoxide in Lithium-Air Batteries.
AB  - Although dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) has emerged as a promising solvent for Li-air
      batteries, enabling reversible oxygen reduction and evolution (2Li + O2 <=>
      Li2O2), DMSO is well known to react with superoxide-like species, which are
      intermediates in the Li-O2 reaction, and LiOH has been detected upon discharge in
      addition to Li2O2. Here we show that toroidal Li2O2 particles formed upon
      discharge gradually convert into flake-like LiOH particles upon prolonged
      exposure to a DMSO-based electrolyte, and the amount of LiOH detectable increases
      with increasing rest time in the electrolyte. Such time-dependent electrode
      changes upon and after discharge are not typically monitored and can explain
      vastly different amounts of Li2O2 and LiOH reported in oxygen cathodes discharged
      in DMSO-based electrolytes. The formation of LiOH is attributable to the chemical
      reactivity of DMSO with Li2O2 and superoxide-like species, which is supported by
      our findings that commercial Li2O2 powder can decompose DMSO to DMSO2, and that
      the presence of KO2 accelerates both DMSO decomposition and conversion of Li2O2
      into LiOH. 

PMID- 26278089
TI  - Synthesis and Ultrafast Carrier Dynamics of Single-Crystal Two-Dimensional
      CuInSe2 Nanosheets.
AB  - We report, for the first time, the synthesis of single-crystal two-dimensional
      (2D) CuInSe2 nanosheets and the studies of ultrafast carrier dynamics and
      transport in this 2D material. Particularly, single-crystal 2D CuInSe2 with
      various thicknesses in the nanometer regime were fabricated by a solid-state
      chemical reaction between Cu and single-crystal exfoliated In2Se3 nanosheets.
      Characteristics of transient optical reflectivity, obtained from femtosecond
      optical pump-probe measurements on single CuInSe2 nanosheets, suggest that the
      hot carrier cooling process dominates the carrier dynamics within a few
      picoseconds following the optical excitation. Spatially resolved pump-probe
      measurements, coupled to simple model calculations, were used to obtain the
      ambipolar hot carrier diffusion coefficient in single nanosheets. The dependence
      of the hot carrier diffusion coefficient on the nanosheet thickness provides
      insight into the limiting mechanisms of hot carrier transport and can be used to
      gauge the possibility of efficient hot carrier collection in nanostructured
      CuInSe2 solar cells. 

PMID- 26278090
TI  - Self-Alignment of the Methylammonium Cations in Thin-Film Organometal
      Perovskites.
AB  - A comparative study of the electronic structure of methylammonium (CH3NH3) in
      organometallic lead triiodide perovskite (CH3NH3PbI3) thin films synthesized
      using either one- or two-step deposition protocols is performed using angle
      resolved C K-edge soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and model
      calculations. We find that our XAS measurements can be accurately related to the
      ground-state unoccupied orbitals using a simple crystal field model. We further
      find that films made by the one-step deposition protocol exhibit angle-dependent
      features, indicating long-range alignment of the CH3NH3 molecules, although the
      angle-dependency decreases as the film thickness increases. No angle-dependency
      was observed in the films made via the two-step deposition method. 

PMID- 26278091
TI  - Correlated Local Bending of a DNA Double Helix and Its Effect on DNA Flexibility
      in the Sub-Persistence-Length Regime.
AB  - Mechanical characteristics of DNA in the sub-persistence-length (lP ~ 150 base
      pairs) regime are vital to many of its biological functions but not well
      understood. Recent experimental studies in this regime have shown a dramatic
      departure from the traditional worm-like chain model, which is designed for long
      DNA chains and predicts a constant flexibility at all length scales. Here, we
      report an improved model with explicit considerations of a new length scale lD ~
      10 base pairs, over which DNA local bend angles are correlated. In this
      correlated worm-like chain model, a finite length correction term is analytically
      derived, and DNA flexibility is found to be contour-length-dependent. While our
      model reduces to the traditional worm-like chain model at length scales much
      larger than lP, it predicts that DNA becomes much more flexible at shorter sizes,
      in good agreement with recent cyclization measurements of short DNA fragments
      around 100 base pairs. 

PMID- 26278093
TI  - What's in a Name?

PMID- 26278092
TI  - Chirality Discriminated by Heterodyne-Detected Vibrational Sum Frequency
      Generation.
AB  - We first demonstrated chiral vibrational sum frequency generation (VSFG) in the
      heterodyne detection, which enables us to uniquely determine chiral second-order
      nonlinear susceptibility consisting of phase and amplitude and distinguish
      molecular chirality with high sensitivity. Liquid limonene was measured to
      evaluate the heterodyne-detected chiral VSFG developed in this study. R-(+)- and
      S-(-)-limonene showed clearly opposite signs in the complex spectra of the second
      order nonlinear susceptibility in the CH stretching region. This is the first
      report of the chiral distinction by VSFG without any a priori knowledge about
      chiral and achiral spectral response. Furthermore, from the phase of the chiral
      VSFG field measured in the heterodyne detection, the origin of the chiral signal
      was ascribed to the bulk limonene. The heterodyne detection also improves
      detection limits significantly, allowing us to observe weak chiral signals in
      reflection. The heterodyne-detected chiral VSFG can provide information on
      absolute molecular configuration. 

PMID- 26278094
TI  - Insights from Placing Photosynthetic Light Harvesting into Context.
AB  - Solar-energy conversion through natural photosynthesis forms the base of
      virtually all food chains on Earth and provides fiber, materials, and fuels, as
      well as inspiration for the design of biomimetic energy-conversion systems. We
      summarize well-known as well as recently discovered feedback loops between
      natural light-harvesting systems and whole-organism function in natural settings.
      We propose that the low effective quantum yield of natural light-harvesting
      systems in high light is caused by downstream limitations rather than unavoidable
      intrinsic vulnerabilities. We evaluate potential avenues, and their costs and
      benefits, for increasing the maximal rate and photon yield of photosynthesis in
      high light in plants and photosynthetic microbes. By summarizing mechanisms
      observable only in complex systems (whole plants, algae, or, in some cases,
      intact leaves), we aim to stimulate future research efforts on reciprocal
      feedback loops between light harvesting and downstream processes in whole
      organisms and to provide additional arguments for the significance of research on
      photosynthetic light harvesting. 

PMID- 26278095
TI  - Unveiling Two Electron-Transport Modes in Oxygen-Deficient TiO2 Nanowires and
      Their Influence on Photoelectrochemical Operation.
AB  - Introducing oxygen vacancies (VO) into TiO2 materials is one of the most
      promising ways to significantly enhance light-harvesting and photocatalytic
      efficiencies of photoelectrochemical (PEC) cells for water splitting among
      others. However, the nature of electron transport in VO-TiO2 nanostructures is
      not well understood, especially in an operating device. In this work, we use the
      intensity-modulated photocurrent spectroscopy technique to study the electron
      transport property of VO-TiO2 nanowires (NWs). It is found that the electron
      transport in pristine TiO2 NWs displays a single trap-limited mode, whereas two
      electron-transport modes were detected in VO-TiO2 NWs, a trap-free transport mode
      at the core, and a trap-limited transport mode near the surface. The considerably
      higher diffusion coefficient (Dn) of the trap-free transport mode grants a more
      rapid electron flow in VO-TiO2 NWs than that in pristine TiO2 NWs. This electron
      transport feature is expected to be common in other oxygen-deficient metal
      oxides, lending a general strategy for promoting the PEC device performance. 

PMID- 26278096
TI  - Water Dynamics in Metal-Organic Frameworks: Effects of Heterogeneous Confinement
      Predicted by Computational Spectroscopy.
AB  - The behavior of water confined in MIL-53(Cr), a flexible metal-organic framework
      (MOF), is investigated through computational infrared spectroscopy. As the number
      of molecules adsorbed inside of the pores increases, the water OH stretch band of
      the linear infrared spectrum grows in intensity and approaches that of bulk
      water. To assess whether the water confined in MIL-53(Cr) becomes liquid-like,
      two-dimensional infrared spectra (2DIR) are also calculated. Confinement effects
      result in distinct chemical environments that appear as specific features in the
      2DIR spectra. The evolution of the 2DIR line shape as a function of waiting time
      is well described in terms of the orientational dynamics of the water molecules,
      with chemical exchange cross peaks appearing at a time scale similar to the
      hydrogen bond rearrangement lifetime. The confining environment considerably
      slows the hydrogen bond dynamics relative to bulk as a result of the competition
      between water-framework and water-water interactions. 

PMID- 26278097
TI  - Termination Dependence of Tetragonal CH3NH3PbI3 Surfaces for Perovskite Solar
      Cells.
AB  - We investigated the termination dependence of structural stability and electronic
      states of the representative (110), (001), (100), and (101) surfaces of
      tetragonal CH3NH3PbI3 (MAPbI3), the main component of a perovskite solar cell
      (PSC), by density functional theory calculations. By examining various types of
      PbIx polyhedron terminations, we found that a vacant termination is more stable
      than flat termination on all of the surfaces, under thermodynamic equilibrium
      conditions of bulk MAPbI3. More interestingly, both terminations can coexist
      especially on the more probable (110) and (001) surfaces. The electronic
      structures of the stable vacant and PbI2-rich flat terminations on these two
      surfaces largely maintain the characteristics of bulk MAPbI3 without midgap
      states. Thus, these surfaces can contribute to the long carrier lifetime actually
      observed for the PSCs. Furthermore, the shallow surface states on the (110) and
      (001) flat terminations can be efficient intermediates of hole transfer.
      Consequently, the formation of the flat terminations under the PbI2-rich
      condition will be beneficial for the improvement of PSC performance. 

PMID- 26278098
TI  - Imaging and Analysis of Single Optically Trapped Gold Nanoparticles Using Spatial
      Modulation Spectroscopy.
AB  - The extinction cross sections and spectra of single nanoparticles can be directly
      measured by moving the particle in and out of a tightly focused laser beam. This
      technique, known as spatial modulation spectroscopy, yields detailed information
      about the size, shape, and environment of the particles. These experiments are
      typically done on particles immobilized on a substrate. Here we demonstrate for
      the first time the use of spatial modulation spectroscopy to interrogate single,
      optically trapped nanoparticles in solution. Gold nanoparticles as small as 15 nm
      were trapped and imaged. The experiments were performed by modulating the
      position of the probe laser beam while scanning it over the trapped particle with
      a galvo-scanning mirror system. This technique opens up the possibility of
      precisely measuring the optical properties of single nanoparticles in liquid
      environments, free from the influence of a surface. 

PMID- 26278099
TI  - Dissociative Electron Attachment to Anthralin to Model Its Biochemical Reactions.
AB  - The antipsoriatic drug anthralin (dithranol) is known to be extensively
      accumulated inside mitochondria of keratinocytes and to interact with the
      electron flow of the respiratory chain. Primary products of the one-electron
      reduction of polyphenolic anthralin observed in vivo are its dehydrogenated
      anions, which are formed by H-atom abstraction. The same species are mainly
      generated at low electron energies by dissociative electron attachment (DEA) to
      anthralin molecules in vacuo. A likely mechanism for the biochemical
      transformations of anthralin under reductive conditions in vivo is hypothesized
      on the basis of its DEA properties. The involvement of excited electronic states
      generated by ultraviolet irradiation of skin is discussed. 

PMID- 26278100
TI  - Comparative analysis of microbial community between different cathode systems of
      microbial fuel cells for denitrification.
AB  - Two types of cathodic biofilm in microbial fuel cells (MFC) were established for
      comparison on their performance and microbial communities. Complete autotrophic
      simultaneous nitrification and denitrification (SND) without organics addition
      was achieved in nitrifying-MFC (N-MFC) with a total nitrogen (TN) removal rate of
      0.35 mg/(L.h), which was even higher than that in denitrifying-MFC (D-MFC) at
      same TN level. Integrated denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis based
      on both 16S rRNA and nirK genes showed that Alpha-, Gammaproteobacteria were the
      main denitrifier communities. Some potential autotrophic denitrifying bacteria
      which can use electrons and reducing power from cathodes, such as Shewanella
      oneidensis, Shewanella loihica, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Starkeya novella and
      Rhodopseudomonas palustris were identified and selectively enriched on cathode
      biofilms. Further, relative abundance of denitrifying bacteria characterized by
      nirK/16S ratios was much higher in biofilm than suspended sludge according to
      real-time polymerase chain reaction. The highest enrichment efficiency for
      denitrifiers was obtained in N-MFC cathode biofilms, which confirmed autotrophic
      denitrifying bacteria enrichment is the key factor for a D-MFC system. 

PMID- 26278101
TI  - A Pilot Study of a Computerized Decision Support System to Detect Invasive Fungal
      Infection in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Computerized decision support systems (CDSSs) can provide indication
      specific antimicrobial recommendations and approvals as part of hospital
      antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programs. The aim of this study was to assess the
      performance of a CDSS for surveillance of invasive fungal infections (IFIs) in an
      inpatient hematology/oncology cohort. METHODS: Between November 1, 2012, and
      October 31, 2013, pediatric hematology/oncology inpatients diagnosed with an IFI
      were identified through an audit of the CDSS and confirmed by medical record
      review. The results were compared to hospital diagnostic-related group (DRG)
      coding for IFI throughout the same period. RESULTS: A total of 83 patients were
      prescribed systemic antifungals according to the CDSS for the 12-month period.
      The CDSS correctly identified 19 patients with IFI on medical record review,
      compared with 10 patients identified by DRG coding, of whom 9 were confirmed to
      have IFI on medical record review. CONCLUSIONS: CDSS was superior to diagnostic
      coding in detecting IFI in an inpatient pediatric hematology/oncology cohort. The
      functionality of CDSS lends itself to inpatient infectious diseases surveillance
      but depends on prescriber adherence.

PMID- 26278102
TI  - Changes in Conjunctival Hemodynamics Predict Albuminuria in Sickle Cell
      Nephropathy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Albuminuria is an early manifestation of deterioration in renal
      function in subjects with sickle cell disease (SCD). Hyperfiltration may be an
      early mechanism for kidney damage in SCD. The purpose of the current study was to
      determine the association between conjunctival hemodynamics and albuminuria in
      SCD subjects with preserved glomerular filtration rate. METHODS: Conjunctival
      microcirculation imaging was performed to measure conjunctival diameter and axial
      blood velocity (V) in 35 SCD and 10 healthy control subjects. Albuminuria,
      defined as albumin excretion ratio (AER), was obtained from the medical charts.
      Based on the 95% CI of conjunctival V in control subjects (0.40-0.60 mm/s), SCD
      subjects were allocated to 3 groups: V1 <0.40 mm/s (n = 7), V2 of 0.40-0.60 mm/s
      (n = 18) and V3 >=0.60 mm/s (n = 10). RESULTS: Mean log(AER) measurements in the
      V1, V2 and V3 groups were 1.08 +/- 0.67, 1.39 +/- 0.59 and 2.00 +/- 0.91 mg/g
      creatinine, respectively, and followed a positive linear trend from the V1 to V3
      groups (p = 0.01). By multivariate linear regression analysis, conjunctival V
      significantly correlated with albuminuria (p = 0.01) independent of age, blood
      pressure, alpha-thalassemia, hematocrit, white blood cell count and lactate
      dehydrogenase concentration. CONCLUSIONS: Increased conjunctival V is associated
      with albuminuria in SCD subjects. Assessment of conjunctival microvascular
      hemodynamics may improve our understanding of the pathophysiology and clinical
      management of sickle cell nephropathy.

PMID- 26278103
TI  - miR-590-3p Is a Novel MicroRNA in Myocarditis by Targeting Nuclear Factor Kappa-B
      in vivo.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-954;B)-induced inflammation leads to
      myocarditis and heart dysfunction. How microRNAs (miRNAs) contribute to this
      process is poorly defined. The aim of this study was to investigate whether
      miRNAs regulate NF-954;B-induced inflammation in experimental autoimmune
      myocarditis (EAM) in vivo. METHODS AND RESULTS: NF-954;B and its related
      proinflammatory genes, including interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-a
      (TNF-a), were activated in EAM. Profiling of NF-954;B-related miRNAs revealed
      that miR-590-3p was strikingly reduced in EAM. We found IL-6-induced
      proinflammatory signaling via miR-590-3p reduction, p50 induction, NF-954;B
      activation and IL-6/TNF-a expression. Moreover, a luciferase reporter assay
      demonstrated that miR-590-3p directly interacted with the 3' UTR (untranslated
      region) of the p50 subunit, and that miR-590-3p overexpression inhibited p50
      expression. Finally, miR-590-3p transfection through adeno-associated virus
      significantly inhibited p50 expression, suppressed NF-954;B activity and blocked
      IL-6/TNF-a expression in vivo, reducing the lesion area and improving cardiac
      function in EAM. CONCLUSION: miR-590-3p is a novel NF-954;B-related miRNA that
      directly targets the p50 subunit. This may provide a novel strategy for the
      treatment of myocarditis.

PMID- 26278104
TI  - An orthotopic xenograft model with survival hindlimb amputation allows
      investigation of the effect of tumor microenvironment on sarcoma metastasis.
AB  - Overall survival rates for pediatric high-grade sarcoma have improved greatly in
      the past few decades, but prevention and treatment of distant metastasis remain
      the most compelling problems facing these patients. Traditional preclinical mouse
      models have not proven adequate to study the biology and treatment of spontaneous
      distant sarcoma metastasis. To address this deficit, we developed an orthotopic
      implantation/amputation model in which patient-derived sarcoma xenografts are
      surgically implanted into mouse hindlimbs, allowed to grow, then subsequently
      amputated and the animals observed for development of metastases. NOD/SCID/IL
      2Rgamma-null mice were implanted with either histologically intact high grade
      sarcoma patient-derived xenografts or cell lines in the pretibial space and
      affected limbs were amputated after tumor growth. In contrast to subcutaneous
      flank tumors, we were able to consistently detect spontaneous distant spread of
      the tumors using our model. Metastases were seen in 27-90 % of animals, depending
      on the xenograft, and were repeatable and predictable. We also demonstrate the
      utility of this model for studying the biology of metastasis and present
      preliminary new insights suggesting the role of arginine metabolism and
      macrophage phenotype polarization in creating a tumor microenvironment that
      facilitates metastasis. Subcutaneous tumors express more arginase than inducible
      nitric oxide synthase and demonstrate significant macrophage infiltration,
      whereas orthotopic tumors express similar amounts of inducible nitric oxide
      synthase and arginase and have only a scant macrophage infiltrate. Thus, we
      present a model of spontaneous distant sarcoma metastasis that mimics the
      clinical situation and is amenable to studying the biology of the entire
      metastatic cascade.

PMID- 26278105
TI  - The Sexualized Girl: A Within-Gender Stereotype Among Elementary School Children.
AB  - Two studies (conducted in 2013) examined whether elementary-aged children endorse
      a within-gender stereotype about sexualized girls. In Study 1, children (N = 208)
      ages 6-11 rated sexualized girls as more popular but less intelligent, athletic,
      and nice compared to nonsexualized girls. These distinctions were stronger for
      girls and older children, and in accordance with our developmental intergroup
      theoretical framework, were related to children's cognitive development and media
      exposure. Study 2 (N = 155) replicated the previous findings using more
      ecologically valid and realistic images of girls and further explored individual
      differences in the endorsement of the sexualized girl stereotype. Additional
      results indicated that the belief that girls should be appearance focused
      predicted their endorsement of the sexualized girl stereotype.

PMID- 26278107
TI  - Response to Elia et al. 'Tauroursodeoxycholic acid in the treatment of patients
      with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis'.

PMID- 26278106
TI  - DNAJC13 p.Asn855Ser mutation screening in Parkinson's disease and pathologically
      confirmed Lewy body disease patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recently, a novel mutation in exon 24 of DNAJC13 gene (p.Asn855Ser,
      rs387907571) has been reported to cause autosomal dominant Parkinson's disease
      (PD) in a multi-incident Mennonite family. METHODS: In the present study the
      mutation containing exon of the DNAJC13 gene has been sequenced in a Caucasian
      series consisting of 1938 patients with clinical PD and 838 with pathologically
      diagnosed Lewy body disease (LBD). RESULTS: Our sequence analysis did not
      identify any coding variants in exon 24 of DNAJC13. Two previously described
      variants in intron 23 (rs200204728 and rs2369796) were observed. CONCLUSION: Our
      results indicate that the region surrounding the DNAJC13 p.Asn855Ser substitution
      is highly conserved and mutations in this exon are not a common cause of PD or
      LBD among Caucasian populations.

PMID- 26278108
TI  - Reply to Dr Michaud et al.

PMID- 26278111
TI  - Dynamic path analysis - a useful tool to investigate mediation processes in
      clinical survival trials.
AB  - When it comes to clinical survival trials, regulatory restrictions usually
      require the application of methods that solely utilize baseline covariates and
      the intention-to-treat principle. Thereby, much potentially useful information is
      lost, as collection of time-to-event data often goes hand in hand with collection
      of information on biomarkers and other internal time-dependent covariates.
      However, there are tools to incorporate information from repeated measurements in
      a useful manner that can help to shed more light on the underlying treatment
      mechanisms. We consider dynamic path analysis, a model for mediation analysis in
      the presence of a time-to-event outcome and time-dependent covariates to
      investigate direct and indirect effects in a study of different lipid-lowering
      treatments in patients with previous myocardial infarctions. Further, we address
      the question whether survival in itself may produce associations between the
      treatment and the mediator in dynamic path analysis and give an argument that
      because of linearity of the assumed additive hazard model, this is not the case.
      We further elaborate on our view that, when studying mediation, we are actually
      dealing with underlying processes rather than single variables measured only once
      during the study period. This becomes apparent in results from various models
      applied to the study of lipid-lowering treatments as well as our additionally
      conducted simulation study, where we clearly observe that discarding information
      on repeated measurements can lead to potentially erroneous conclusions.

PMID- 26278110
TI  - Morphological and molecular changes in the murine placenta exposed to normobaric
      hypoxia throughout pregnancy.
AB  - Chronic hypoxia is a common complication of pregnancy, arising through
      malperfusion of the placenta or pregnancy at high altitude. The present study
      investigated the effects of hypoxia on the growth of the placenta, which is the
      organ that interfaces between the mother and her fetus. Mice were housed in an
      hypoxic environment for the whole of gestation. An atmosphere of 13% oxygen
      induced fetal growth restriction (1182 +/- 9 mg, n = 90 vs. 1044 +/- 11 mg, n =
      62, P < 0.05) but enhanced placental weight (907 +/- 11 mg, n = 90 vs. 998 +/- 15
      mg, n = 62,P < 0.05). Stereological analyses revealed an increase in the volume
      of maternal blood spaces in the placenta, consistent with increased flow. At the
      molecular level, we observed activation of the protein kinase B (Akt)-mechanistic
      target of rapamycin growth and proliferation pathway. Chronic hypoxia also
      triggered mild endoplasmic reticulum stress, a conserved homeostatic response
      that mediates translational arrest through phosphorylation of eukaryotic
      initiation factor 2 subunit alpha. Surprisingly, although subunits of the
      mitochondrial electron transport chain complexes were reduced at the protein
      level, there was no evidence of intracellular energy depletion. Finally, we
      demonstrated sex-specific placental responses to chronic hypoxia. Placentas from
      male fetuses were heavier (1082 +/- 2 mg, n = 30 vs. 928 +/- 2 mg, n = 34, P <
      0.05) and less susceptible to hypoxia-induced oxidative stress than those from
      females. Their capacity to adapt may explain why male fetuses were significantly
      less growth restricted at embryonic day 18.5 than their female counterparts.
      These findings are consistent with the concept that male fetuses are more
      aggressive with respect to their nutrient demands, which may place them at
      greater risk of adverse outcomes under limiting conditions.

PMID- 26278113
TI  - Dehydrogenative Carbon-Carbon Bond Formation Using Alkynyloxy Moieties as
      Hydrogen-Accepting Directing Groups.
AB  - In the presence of a catalyst system consisting of Pd(OAc)2 , PCy3 , and Zn(OAc)2
      , the reaction of alkynyl aryl ethers with bicycloalkenes, alpha,beta-unsaturated
      esters, or heteroarenes results in the site-selective cleavage of two C-H bonds
      followed by the formation of C-C bonds. In all cases, the alkynyloxy group acts
      as a directing group for the activation of an ortho C-H bond and as a hydrogen
      acceptor, thus rendering the use of additives such as an oxidant or base
      unnecessary.

PMID- 26278112
TI  - Aryl hydrocarbon receptor knockout rats are insensitive to the pathological
      effects of repeated oral exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin.
AB  - Sustained activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is believed to be the
      initial key event in AHR receptor-mediated tumorigenesis in the rat liver. The
      role of AHR in mediating pathological changes in the liver prior to tumor
      formation was investigated in a 4-week, repeated-dose study using adult female
      wild-type (WT) and AHR knockout (AHR-KO) rats treated with 2,3,7,8
      tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). Beginning at 8 weeks of age, AHR-KO and WT
      rats were dosed by oral gavage with varying concentrations of TCDD (0, 3, 22,
      100, 300 and 1000 ng kg(-1)  day(-1) ). Lung, liver and thymus histopathology,
      hematology, serum chemistry and the distribution of TCDD in liver and adipose
      tissue were examined. Treatment-related increases in the severity of liver and
      thymus pathology were observed in WT, but not AHR-KO rats. In the liver, these
      included hepatocellular hypertrophy, bile duct hyperplasia, multinucleated
      hepatocytes and inflammatory cell foci. A loss of cellularity in the thymic
      cortex and thymic atrophy was observed. Treatment-related changes in serum
      chemistry parameters were also observed in WT, but not AHR-KO rats. Finally, dose
      dependent accumulation of TCDD was observed primarily in the liver of WT rats and
      primarily in the adipose tissue of AHR-KO rats. The results suggest that AHR
      activation is the initial key event underlying the progression of histological
      effects leading to liver tumorigenesis following TCDD treatment. Copyright (c)
      2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. 

PMID- 26278114
TI  - Nonfunctional intra- and suprasellar tumor in a patient with visual disturbance
      and panhypopituitarism.

PMID- 26278115
TI  - Comparison of atherogenic risk factors among poorly controlled and well
      controlled adolescent phenylketonuria patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previous studies investigating the known risk factors of
      atherosclerosis in phenylketonuria patients have shown conflicting results. The
      primary aim of our study was to investigate the serum atherogenic markers in
      adolescent classical phenylketonuria patients and compare these parameters with
      healthy peers. The secondary aim was to compare these atherogenic markers in well
      controlled and poorly controlled patients. METHODS: A total of 59 patients
      (median age: 12.6 years, range: 11-17 years) and 44 healthy controls (median age:
      12.0 years, range: 11-15 years) were enrolled in our study. Phenylketonuria
      patients were divided into two groups: well-controlled (serum phenylalanine
      levels below 360 umol/L; 24 patients) and poorly controlled patients (serum
      phenylalanine levels higher than 360 umol/L). RESULTS: The mean high-density
      lipoprotein cholesterol levels of well-controlled patients (1.0+/-0.2 mmol/L)
      were significantly lower compared with poorly controlled patients and controls
      (1.1+/-0.2 mmol/L, p=0.011 and 1.4+/-0.2 mmol/L, p<0.001, respectively). Poorly
      controlled patients had lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels than
      healthy controls (p=0.003). Homocysteine levels of both well-controlled (9.8+/
      6.4 umol/L) and poorly controlled (9.2+/-5.6 umol/L) patients were higher
      compared with controls (5.8+/-1.8 umol/L, p<0.01). The mean platelet volume of
      well-controlled patients (9.5+/-1.1 fL) was higher than that of poorly controlled
      patients and controls (8.9+/-0.8 fL, p=0.024 and 7.7+/-0.6 fL, p<0.001,
      respectively). CONCLUSION: Lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and higher
      homocysteine and mean platelet volume levels were detected in phenylketonuria
      patients. In particular, these changes were more prominent in well-controlled
      patients. We conclude that phenylketonuria patients might be at risk for
      atherosclerosis, and therefore screening for atherosclerotic risk factors should
      be included in the phenylketonuria therapy and follow-up in addition to other
      parameters.

PMID- 26278117
TI  - Application of Thoracoscopic Hybrid Surgery in the Treatment of Stage III
      Tuberculous Empyema.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To investigate the efficacy and value of thoracoscopic hybrid surgery
      in the treatment of stage III chronic tuberculous empyema (CTE). METHODS: 48
      patients diagnosed as CTE with pleural thickening and encysted abscess cavity
      from were treated by hybrid operation (HO). Small incision operation was first
      used for resection of thickening pleural fibreboard and decortication of parietal
      pleura. Then, thoracoscopy was guided into chest to decorticate the visceral
      pleurali. Additional 25 patients with open operation of pleurectomy were set as
      control. RESULTS: The average operation time of HO group was 70 +/- 22 min
      compared to 130 +/- 32 min of control. The amount of bleeding, hospitalization
      time and chest tube drainage of HO group (200 +/- 55 ml, 18 +/- 1.2 days, 3.5 +/-
      1.5 days) were significantly decreased compared to control (400 +/- 45 ml, 28 +/-
      4.5 days, 6.5 +/- 2.5 days). Post operation complications occurred in 5 (10.42%)
      and 3 (12%) cases for HO group and control, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In stage
      III CTE, the small incision assisted thoracoscopic hybrid surgery help to remove
      thickening parietal pleura, promote the application of thoracoscopy, which has
      obvious advantages compared to traditional surgery.

PMID- 26278118
TI  - Multivariate analysis of single-sweep evoked brain potentials for pharmaco
      electroencephalography.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Current findings on altered evoked potentials (EPs) caused
      by morphine are based on common alterations for a group of subjects after drug
      administration. However, this ignores the analysis of individual responses, which
      may explain the clinical differences in efficacy. Therefore, we explored the
      individual responses to morphine in terms of the altered single-sweep
      characteristics in a placebo-controlled crossover study. To account for
      multifactorial mechanisms, several characteristics were assessed simultaneously
      by multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA). METHODS: EPs were recorded from 62
      channels and obtained before and after morphine and placebo administration during
      repeated electrical stimulations of the oesophagus in 12 healthy males.
      Additionally, the pain detection threshold was recorded to reflect the subjective
      analgesic effect in each subject. The characteristics of the sweeps were
      extracted by a multivariate matching pursuit algorithm with Gabor atoms
      implemented with a variable amplitude and constant phase across the sweeps. The
      single-sweep amplitudes were used as input to an MVPA algorithm to discriminate
      individual responses. The accuracy of the MVPA for each individual subject was
      used for correlation analysis of the analgesic effect. RESULTS: The mean
      classification accuracy when discriminating pre- and posttreatment morphine
      responses was 72% (p = 0.01). The individual classification accuracy was
      positively correlated to the analgesic effect of morphine (p = 0.03).
      Furthermore, the 2 posttreatment responses were classified and validated by the
      classification of the 2 pretreatment responses (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The
      alterations in the single-sweep EPs after morphine reflect the analgesic effect.
      The MVPA approach is a novel methodology for monitoring the individual efficacy
      of analgesics.

PMID- 26278116
TI  - Prospective evaluation of the fetal heart using Fetal Intelligent Navigation
      Echocardiography (FINE).
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate prospectively the performance of Fetal Intelligent
      Navigation Echocardiography (FINE) applied to spatiotemporal image correlation
      (STIC) volume datasets of the normal fetal heart. METHODS: In all women between
      19 and 30 weeks' gestation with a normal fetal heart, an attempt was made to
      acquire STIC volume datasets of the apical four-chamber view if the following
      criteria were met: (1) fetal spine located between 5- and 7-o'clock positions;
      (2) minimal or absent shadowing (including a clearly visible transverse aortic
      arch); (3) absence of fetal breathing, hiccups, or movement; and (4) adequate
      image quality. Each STIC volume successfully acquired was evaluated by STICLoopTM
      to determine its appropriateness before applying the FINE method. Visualization
      rates of fetal echocardiography views using diagnostic planes and/or Virtual
      Intelligent Sonographer Assistance (VIS-Assistance(r)) were calculated. RESULTS:
      One or more STIC volumes (365 in total) were obtained successfully in 72.5%
      (150/207) of women undergoing ultrasound examination. Of the 365 volumes
      evaluated by STICLoop, 351 (96.2%) were considered to be appropriate. From the
      351 STIC volumes, only one STIC volume per patient (n = 150) was analyzed using
      the FINE method, and consequently nine fetal echocardiography views were
      generated in 76-100% of cases using diagnostic planes only, in 98-100% of cases
      using VIS-Assistance only, and in 98-100% of cases when using a combination of
      diagnostic planes and/or VIS-Assistance. CONCLUSIONS: In women between 19 and 30
      weeks' gestation with a normal fetal heart undergoing prospective sonographic
      examination, STIC volumes can be obtained successfully in 72.5% of cases. The
      FINE method can be applied to generate nine standard fetal echocardiography views
      in 98-100% of these cases using a combination of diagnostic planes and/or VIS
      Assistance. This suggests that FINE could be implemented in fetal cardiac
      screening programs. Published 2015. This article is a U.S. Government work and is
      in the public domain in the USA.

PMID- 26278120
TI  - Frequency of Administration of Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents for the Anaemia
      of End-Stage Kidney Disease in Dialysis.

PMID- 26278121
TI  - Case of immunoglobulin M nephropathy in a patient with neurofibromatosis type 1.

PMID- 26278122
TI  - Rituximab can induce remission of nephrotic syndrome in the absence of peripheral
      B-cells.

PMID- 26278123
TI  - Membranous nephropathy and central retinal vein occlusion.

PMID- 26278124
TI  - A Randomized Comparative Study of Oral Corticosteroid Minipulse and Low-Dose Oral
      Methotrexate in the Treatment of Unstable Vitiligo.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite continued progress towards elucidation of the biochemical,
      genetic and immunopathological pathways in vitiligo, a definitive cure remains
      elusive. The initial therapy must be directed to arrest disease progression. Oral
      minipulse therapy (OMP) with betamethasone/dexamethasone has been tried and shown
      to be an effective modality to arrest the disease progression in vitiligo.
      OBJECTIVES: Methotrexate (MTX) is a time-tested effective treatment extensively
      used in various autoimmune disorders with good efficacy, safety and tolerability
      on a long-term basis. We intended to compare the efficacy of MTX with that of OMP
      in patients with unstable vitiligo vulgaris. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a
      prospective randomized open label study, 52 patients with vitiligo were divided
      into two groups. Patients in group 1 received 10 mg methotrexate weekly. Group 2
      patients received corticosteroid OMP which comprised tablets of dexamethasone 2.5
      mg (5 tablets), taken on 2 consecutive days in a week (total weekly dose of 5 mg
      dexamethasone). RESULTS: In the MTX group, among 25 patients analyzed, during the
      course of treatment for 24 weeks, overall 6 patients developed new vitiliginous
      lesions. In the OMP group, 7/25 patients developed new lesions. Statistical
      correlation between the two groups showed no significance in the number of
      patients who developed new lesions (increasing disease activity) in either of the
      groups. At the end of the study, it was demonstrated that patients in both groups
      had a similar reduction in the vitiligo disease activity score. CONCLUSION: Our
      study demonstrated that both drugs are equally effective in controlling the
      disease activity of vitiligo. MTX can be used in patients with active vitiligo,
      wherever corticosteroids are contraindicated.

PMID- 26278125
TI  - New Treatments for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: 'Die Another Day' if Diagnosed
      Early?

PMID- 26278126
TI  - Bilateral Truncal Ligation of the Inferior Thyroid Artery during Bilateral
      Subtotal Thyroidectomy Causes a Decrease in Parathormone without Clinically
      Manifest Hypoparathyroidism: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Bilateral truncal ligation (BTL) of the inferior thyroid artery (ITA)
      is frequently used during subtotal thyroidectomy to reduce the risk of post
      operative bleeding as well as to reduce the blood loss intra-operatively.
      However, its effect on parathyroid function has not been evaluated in relation to
      age, residual and resected thyroid volume. METHODS: A total of 83 patients were
      randomized to receive non-BTL or BTL. After bilateral resection, the residual
      thyroid tissue on each side was measured by intra-operative ultrasonography.
      Laboratory and clinical examinations were performed the day before operation,
      intra-operatively and on post-operative days 2 and 5. The primary outcome measure
      was the difference in intact parathormone (PTHi) on post-operative day 5.
      Secondary outcomes were laboratory-diagnosed hypocalcaemia or hypoparathyroidism
      and clinically manifest hypoparathyroidism, respectively. RESULTS: PTHi on post
      operative day 5 was significantly lower in the BTL group (29.4 vs. 34.7 ng/l in
      the non-BTL group, p = 0.033), especially in 61- to 80-year-old patients (0 vs. 
      7.91 ng/l, p = 0.029). The biggest decline in PTHi was found in the BTL group (
      14.067 ng/l PTH, p = 0.018) with a residual thyroid volume of 0.5-1.9 ml. There
      were two cases of asymptomatic hypoparathyroidism in each group (5.1 vs. 4.8%,
      respectively, p = 1.000). The only case of clinically manifest hypoparathyroidism
      was in a BTL group patient aged 64 years (2.4%, p = 1.000). CONCLUSION: BTL of
      the ITA during subtotal thyroidectomy causes a larger decrease in PTH but does
      not lead to a significantly higher rate of clinically manifest
      hypoparathyroidism. BTL of the ITA, age >61 years, and a very small thyroid
      remnant (<2 ml) may be risk factors for post-operative hypoparathyroidism.

PMID- 26278127
TI  - Safety climate in English general practices: workload pressures may compromise
      safety.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Although most health care interactions in the developed world occur
      in general practice, most of the literature on patient safety has focused on
      secondary care services. To address this issue, we have constructed a patient
      safety toolkit for English general practices. We report how practice and
      respondent characteristics affect scores on our safety climate measure, the PC
      Safequest, and address recent concerns with high levels of workload in English
      general practices. METHODS: We administered the PC-Safequest, a 30-item tool that
      was designed to measure safety climate in primary care practices, to 335 primary
      care staff members in 31 practices in England. Practice characteristics, such as
      list size and deprivation in the area the practice served, and respondent
      characteristics, such as whether the respondent was a manager, were also
      collected and used in a multilevel analysis to predict PC-Safequest scores.
      RESULTS: Managers gave their practices significantly higher safety climate scores
      than did non-managers. Respondents with more years of experience had a more
      negative perception of the level of workload in their practice. Practices with
      more registered patients and in areas of higher deprivation provided lower safety
      climate scores. CONCLUSIONS: Managers rated their practices more positively on
      our safety climate measure, so the differences between the perceptions of
      managers and other staff may need to be reduced in order to build a strong safety
      culture. Excessive workload for more experienced staff and lower safety climate
      scores for larger practices may reflect 'burnout'. Concerns that pressures in
      primary care could affect patient safety are discussed.

PMID- 26278129
TI  - The Clinical Utility of the Diagnostic Criteria for Psychosomatic Research: A
      Review of Studies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Diagnostic Criteria for Psychosomatic Research (DCPR) are a set
      of 12 psychosomatic syndromes and are provided with a reliable diagnostic
      structured interview. The DCPR have been proposed 20 years ago as an integrative
      assessment strategy that supplements the traditional psychiatric nosography for
      identifying patients within a given illness population whose psychosocial factors
      have clinical significance. This paper reviews their clinical utility, conceived
      as the degree and the amount of influence that the instrument has on multiple
      decisions and outcomes in clinical practice. METHODS: Published reports which
      involved the use of the DCPR were identified by searching electronic databases.
      Studies which best displayed the clinical utility of the DCPR system were then
      selected and reviewed. RESULTS: The DCPR system showed its clinical utility
      regarding the following clinical issues: (1) subtyping medical patients, (2)
      identifying subthreshold or undetected syndromes, (3) evaluating the burden of
      somatic syndromes, and (4) predicting treatment outcomes and identifying risk
      factors. CONCLUSIONS: The DCPR may help clinicians during the assessment process
      to recognize clinical conditions underlying symptom presentation, with important
      therapeutic and prognostic implications.

PMID- 26278128
TI  - Biological and protein-binding studies of newly synthesized polymer-cobalt(III)
      complexes.
AB  - The polymer-cobalt(III) complexes, [Co(bpy)(dien)BPEI]Cl3 . 4H2O (bpy = 2,2'
      bipyridine, dien = diethylentriamine, BPEI = branched polyethyleneimine) were
      synthesized and characterized. The interaction of these complexes with human
      serum albumin (HSA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) was investigated under
      physiological conditions using various physico-chemical techniques. The results
      reveal that the fluorescence quenching of serum albumins by polymer-cobalt(III)
      complexes took place through static quenching. The binding of these complexes
      changed the molecular conformation of the protein considerably. The polymer
      cobalt(III) complex with x = 0.365 shows antimicrobial activity against several
      human pathogens. This complex also induces cytotoxicity against MCF-7 through
      apoptotic induction. However, further studies are needed to decipher the
      molecular mode of action of polymer-cobalt(III) complex and for its possible
      utilization in anticancer therapy.

PMID- 26278130
TI  - Need for improvements in clinical practice to retain patients in pre
      antiretroviral therapy care: Data from rural clinics in North West Province,
      South Africa.
AB  - We examined current challenges with patient engagement in HIV prevention and care
      in South Africa by assessing the procedures of eight public health clinics in the
      North West Province. Procedures consisted of (1) an inventory/audit of the HIV
      Counseling and Testing, pre-antiretroviral therapy (pre-ART), and antiretroviral
      therapy (ART) patient registers; (2) extraction of data from a convenience sample
      of 39 HIV-positive patient files; and (3) 13 key informant interviews with clinic
      staff to characterize retention and re-engagement practices for patients.
      Incomplete registers revealed little evidence of follow-up services, particularly
      for pre-ART patients. The more detailed examination of patient files indicated
      substantial disparities in the proportion of pre-ART versus ART patients retained
      in care. Key informant interviews contextualized the data, with providers
      describing multiple procedures for tracking and ensuring service delivery for ART
      patients and fewer procedures to retain pre-ART patients. These findings suggest
      that enhanced strategies are needed for ensuring continued engagement in HIV
      care, with a particular emphasis on improving the retention of pre-ART patients.
      The preventive benefits of ART scale-up may not be achieved if improvements are
      not made in the proportion of earlier-stage HIV-positive patients who are
      successfully engaged in care. 

PMID- 26278131
TI  - Secreted biofilm factors adversely affect cellular wound healing responses in
      vitro.
AB  - Although most chronic wounds possess an underlying pathology, infectious agents
      also contribute. In many instances, pathogens exist as biofilms forming clusters
      surrounded by a secreted extracellular substance. We hypothesized that compounds
      secreted by biofilm bacteria may inhibit normal wound healing events including
      cell proliferation and migration. Conditioned media from two common bacterial
      species associated with chronic skin wounds and chronic tympanic membrane
      perforations, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, were evaluated
      for their capacity to affect keratinocyte proliferation and migration.
      Additionally, proteomic analysis was performed to identify proteins within the
      biofilm conditioned media that may contribute to these observed effects. Biofilm
      conditioned media from both species inhibited proliferation in human tympanic
      membrane derived keratinocytes, whereas only biofilm conditioned media from S.
      aureus inhibited migration. Human epidermal keratinocytes were found to be more
      sensitive to the effects of the conditioned media resulting in high levels of
      cell death. Heat treatment and microfiltration suggested that S. aureus activity
      was due to a protein, while P. aeruginosa activity was more likely due to a small
      molecule. Proteomic analysis identified several proteins with putative links to
      delayed wound healing. These include alpha hemolysin, alcohol dehydrogenase,
      fructose-bisphosphate aldolase, lactate dehydrogenase and epidermal cell
      differentiation inhibitor. 

PMID- 26278132
TI  - Examining the role of different age groups, and of vaccination during the 2012
      Minnesota pertussis outbreak.
AB  - There is limited information on the roles of different age groups during
      pertussis outbreaks. Little is known about vaccine effectiveness against
      pertussis infection (both clinically apparent and subclinical), which is
      different from effectiveness against reportable pertussis disease, with the
      former influencing the impact of vaccination on pertussis transmission in the
      community. For the 2012 pertussis outbreak in Minnesota, we estimated odds ratios
      for case counts in pairs of population groups before vs. after the epidemic's
      peak. We found children aged 11-12y, 13-14y and 8-10y experienced the greatest
      rates of depletion of susceptible individuals during the outbreak's ascent, with
      all ORs for each of those age groups vs. groups outside this age range
      significantly above 1, with the highest ORs for ages 11-12y. Receipt of the fifth
      dose of DTaP was associated with a decreased relative role during the outbreak's
      ascent compared to non-receipt [OR 0.16 (0.01, 0.84) for children aged 5, 0.13
      (0.003, 0.82) for ages 8-10y, indicating a protective effect of DTaP against
      pertussis infection. No analogous effect of Tdap was detected. Our results
      suggest that children aged 8-14y played a key role in propagating this outbreak.
      The impact of immunization with Tdap on pertussis infection requires further
      investigation. 

PMID- 26278133
TI  - Bacterial floc mediated rapid streamer formation in creeping flows.
AB  - One of the central puzzles concerning the interaction of low Reynolds number
      fluid transport with bacterial biomass is the formation of filamentous structures
      called streamers. In this manuscript, we report our discovery of a new kind of
      low Re bacterial streamers, which appear from pre-formed bacterial flocs. In
      sharp contrast to the biofilm-mediated streamers, these streamers form over
      extremely small timescales (less than a second). Our experiments, carried out in
      a microchannel with micropillars rely on fluorescence microscopy techniques to
      illustrate that floc-mediated streamers form when a freely-moving floc adheres to
      the micropillar wall and gets rapidly sheared by the background flow. We also
      show that at their inception the deformation of the flocs is dominated by
      recoverable large strains indicating significant elasticity. These strains
      subsequently increase tremendously to produce filamentous streamers.
      Interestingly, we find that these fully formed streamers are not static
      structures and show viscous response at time scales larger than their formation
      time scales. Finally, we show that such novel streamer formation can lead to
      rapid clogging of microfluidic devices. 

PMID- 26278134
TI  - Quantitative analysis of magnetic spin and orbital moments from an oxidized iron
      (1 1 0) surface using electron magnetic circular dichroism.
AB  - Understanding the ramifications of reduced crystalline symmetry on magnetic
      behavior is a critical step in improving our understanding of nanoscale and
      interfacial magnetism. However, investigations of such effects are often
      controversial largely due to the challenges inherent in directly correlating
      nanoscale stoichiometry and structure to magnetic behavior. Here, we describe how
      to use Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) to obtain Electron Magnetic
      Circular Dichroism (EMCD) signals as a function of scattering angle to locally
      probe the magnetic behavior of thin oxide layers grown on an Fe (1 1 0) surface.
      Experiments and simulations both reveal a strong dependence of the magnetic
      orbital to spin ratio on its scattering vector in reciprocal space. We exploit
      this variation to extract the magnetic properties of the oxide cladding layer,
      showing that it locally may exhibit an enhanced orbital to spin moment ratio.
      This finding is supported here by both spatially and angularly resolved EMCD
      measurements, opening up the way for compelling investigations into how magnetic
      properties are affected by nanoscale features. 

PMID- 26278135
TI  - Predicted versus measured resting energy expenditure in patients requiring home
      parenteral nutrition.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Guidelines from the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and
      Metabolism (ESPEN) recommend between 20 and 35 kcal/kg daily for patients
      requiring home parenteral nutrition (PN). Other guidelines use predictive
      equations. However, these equations have not been validated. Indirect calorimetry
      is recommended as the gold standard for determining resting energy expenditure
      (REE). The aim of this study was to compare the frequently used equations with
      measured REE. METHODS: Seventy-six hospitalized patients suffering from
      intestinal failure (ages 21-85 y) were enrolled between January 2012 and May
      2014. They were eligible for implementation of home parenteral nutrition (HPN)
      due to short bowel syndrome (54%), intestinal fistulae (24%), cancer obstruction
      (16%), and radiation-induced intestinal injury (6%). REE measurements were
      compared with predictive equations by Harris and Benedict (HB), Owen, Ireton
      Jones, and Mifflin, as well as recommendations from ESPEN. RESULTS: In all, 152
      calorimetry measurements (two per patient) were performed in 76 patients, after
      total PN administrations. An average result of REE measurement by indirect
      calorimetry was 1181 +/- 322 kcal/d. Variability in momentary energy expenditure
      (MEE) from one measurement to the other was 8% +/- 7%. Bland-Altman analysis
      showed a mean bias of -192 +/- 300 kcal/d between MEE and estimated energy
      expenditure using the HB equation, which means that the equation increased the
      score on average by 192 +/- 300 kcal/d. Limits of agreement (LoA) between the two
      methods was -780 to +396 kcal/d. Estimation energy expenditure using the Ireton
      Jones equation gave a mean bias of -359 +/- 335 kcal/d. LoA between the two
      methods was -1015 to +297 kcal/d. For Owen equation, Bland-Altman analysis showed
      a mean bias of -208 +/- 313 kcal/d and the LoA between the two methods was -822
      to +406 kcal/d. Using the Mifflin equation, estimation energy expenditure gave a
      mean bias of -172 +/- 312 kcal/d and the LoA between the two methods was -784 to
      +439 kcal/d. Using the ESPEN range (20-35 kcal/kg daily) analysis showed mean
      bias of -13 +/- 326 kcal/d and the LoA was -652 to +626 kcal/d for 20 kcal/kg
      daily and mean bias of -909 +/- 436 kcal/d with the LoA between the two methods 
      1764 to -54 kcal/d for 35 kcal/kg daily. CONCLUSION: If REE cannot be measured by
      indirect calorimetry in patients qualified for HPN, the Ireton-Jones equation and
      the 20 kcal/kg/d ESPEN recommendation seem to be the most appropriate ones as it
      provides results that constitute the best approximation of calorimetric
      examination results.

PMID- 26278137
TI  - Association of BCSC-1 with human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
AB  - Breast cancer suppressor candidate-1 (BCSC-1) is a newly identified candidate
      tumor suppressor gene. BCSC-1 shows decreased levels in a variety of cancer
      types. In this study, we investigated the association between BCSC-1 and human
      esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). BCSC-1 expression was detected in ESCC
      and normal tissues adjacent to tumor tissues by Western blot analysis and real
      time PCR  as well as immunohistochemistry of paraffin sections. The relationships
      between BCSC-1 expression and various clinicopathological characteristics were
      analyzed. Western blot analysis and real-time PCR showed that levels of BCSC-1
      protein and mRNA expression in ESCC significantly decreased compared with those
      in adjacent normal tissues.  Immunohistochemistry exhibited marked reduction of
      BCSC-1 in 38 of 105 ESCC specimens. Moreover, downregulation of BCSC-1 was
      associated with the grade of tumor cellular differentiation (P<0.05). These
      findings indicate that BCSC-1 downregulation in ESCC is associated with
      carcinogenesis and may play important roles during the process of ESCC cancer
      development. 

PMID- 26278138
TI  - Improved outcome for children and adolescent with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in
      the first decade of the 21st century: A report from the Slovak Republic.
AB  - Our aim was to analyze event-free (EFS) and overall survival (OS) among children
      and adolescents with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treated with
      International BFM Intercontinental trial (ALL IC 2002) therapy in the Slovak
      Republic. In total, 280 children and adolescent age 1 to 18 years were treated
      with ALL IC BFM 2002 based therapy from 2002 to 2012, which was divided into two
      periods. During 2002-2007, when patients were actively enrolled in the ALL IC-BFM
      2002 trial, and during 2008-2012 when the trial was closed and patients were
      treated with the same therapy without randomization. Five-year EFS and OS rates
      were 79% (+/- 2.6%) and 86% (+/- 2.1%), respectively, similar to results obtained
      in the ALL-BFM 95 trial, which was the basis for ALL IC BFM 2002 therapy. The EFS
      (p<0.012) and OS (p<0.003) were significantly better than the prior Slovak
      experience in 1997-2001. Survival is improved in standard and intermediate risk
      groups, including those age 1 to 6 years, and older; with B-cell or T-cell
      immunophenotype, and is also excellent for those with good early response. The
      rate of death in induction, cumulative incidence of death in complete remission
      and of relapse decreased. However, outcome was suboptimal for patients in the
      high risk group. Current EFS and OS rates for children and adolescents with ALL
      in the Slovak Republic resembled those obtained in Western Europe as a result of
      clinical trial participation, and clinical experience acquired with intensive BFM
      type treatment. 

PMID- 26278136
TI  - Histamine deficiency exacerbates myocardial injury in acute myocardial infarction
      through impaired macrophage infiltration and increased cardiomyocyte apoptosis.
AB  - Histamine is a biogenic amine that is widely distributed and has multiple
      functions, but the role it plays in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remains
      unclear. In this study, we investigated the origin and contribution of endogenous
      histamine to AMI. Histidine decarboxylase (HDC) is the unique enzyme responsible
      for histamine generation. Using HDC-EGFP bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC)
      transgenic mice in which EGFP expression is controlled by the HDC promoter, we
      identified HDC expression primarily in CD11b(+)Gr-1(+) immature myeloid cells
      (IMCs) that markedly increase in the early stages of AMI. Deficiency of histamine
      in HDC knockout mice (HDC(-/-)) reduced cardiac function and exacerbated the
      injury of infarcted heart. Furthermore, administering either an H1 receptor
      antagonist (pyrilamine) or an H2 receptor antagonist (cimetidine) demonstrated a
      protective effect of histamine against myocardial injury. The results of in vivo
      and in vitro assays showed that histamine deficiency promotes the apoptosis of
      cardiomyocytes and inhibits macrophage infiltration. In conclusion, CD11b(+)Gr
      1(+) IMCs are the predominant HDC-expressing sites in AMI, and histamine plays a
      protective role in the process of AMI through inhibition of cardiomyocyte
      apoptosis and facilitation of macrophage infiltration. 

PMID- 26278139
TI  - Allogeneic stem cell transplantation after fludarabine, melphalan and
      thymoglobulin followed by early withdrawal of prophylactic immunosuppression
      could be an effective approach to patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
AB  - Presented are results of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantations
      (HSCTs) in 13 patients with high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in the
      first complete remission after a reduced intensity conditioning combining
      fludarabine (150 mg/m2) and melphalan (140 mg/m2) with thymoglobulin (4.5 mg/kg).
      The immunosuppressive effect of T-cell depletion reducing the risk of graft
      versus-host disease (GVHD) and non-relapse mortality was compensated by early
      initiation of reduction and withdrawal of prophylactic immunosuppression aimed at
      maintaining effective immunological antileukemic control. The median post
      transplant follow-up was 23 (range, 10-65) months. Stable engraftment of donor's
      hematopoiesis was achieved in all patients. Acute GVHD was observed in two cases
      (15.4%); the chronic form was not noted. Two patients (15.4%) relapsed with ALL
      at 3 and 16 months after transplantation. During the above post-transplant follow
      up, all 13 recipients were alive, with a probability of 2-year disease-free
      survival of 76.9% (95% CI 51-100%). Although the results were obtained with a
      small pilot study group it may be assumed that, given the prognostic risk of most
      patients and the nearly 2-year median post-transplant follow-up, the approach may
      be considered as an alternative to HSCTs after traditional myeloablative or
      reduced conditioning regimens with standard GVHD prophylaxis. 

PMID- 26278140
TI  - Factors influencing circulating MicroRNA level in the studies of hepatocellular
      carcinoma biomarker.
AB  - Factors influencing circulating miRNA as a diagnostic marker of hepatocellular
      carcinoma (HCC) are still unknown. We used two kits to extract total RNA of 90
      paired serum and plasma samples of volunteers in different statuses including
      healthy, hepatitis, cirrhosis and HCC. U6, miR-183 and cel-miR-39 expression
      levels were detected by qRT-PCR. Calculate was the relative expression level of
      miR-183 and recovery of cel-miR-39 with 2-??CT method and standard curve method,
      respectively.MiRNeasy Serum/Plasma Kit was superior to miRcute miRNA Isolation
      Kit in the quality of the total RNA and the expression levels of U6 and miR-183,
      with recovery of external reference cel-miR-39 of the former in serum and plasma
      was the latter's 3.95-fold and 3.15-fold, respectively. The recovery of cel-miR
      39 was significantly higher in serum than that in plasma in all groups except the
      HCC. But the trend of U6 expression of four groups in serum was different from
      that in plasma. There were significant differences in absorbance in 260nm, the
      ratio of absorbance in 260nm and 280nm (260/280), the ratio of absorbance 260nm
      and 230nm (260/230), the ct value of U6 and the recovery of cel-miR-39 among
      groups in serum or plasma. Sensitivity and specificity of miR-183 as a diagnostic
      marker of HCC were 57.9% and 76.2% in serum, and 78.9% and 81.0% in plasma,
      respectively.Caution should be taken when comparing miRNA data generated from
      different extraction kits, sample types or disease statuses in the study of miRNA
      as a diagnostic marker of HCC. 

PMID- 26278141
TI  - Salvage chemotherapy in metastatic colorectal cancer with the combination of
      capecitabine and mitomycin C.
AB  - A significant proportion of heavily pretreated patients with metastatic
      colorectal cancer maintain good performance status (PS) and are eligible for
      further systemic treatment. Mitomycin C (MMC) combined with capecitabine can be
      considered as salvage treatment in this group of patients. To evaluate the
      efficacy and toxicity of mitomycin C and capecitabine as at least third-line
      systemic therapy (after failure of 5Fu, irinotecan, oxaliplatin-based
      chemotherapy regimens and targeted therapies) in patients with metastatic
      colorectal cancer. A total of 31 patients with a median age of 55.2 years with
      metastatic colorectal cancer received salvage chemotherapy at the Oncological
      Department of University Hospital in Krakow, Poland, between July 2011 and July
      2014. Chemotherapy consisted of intravenous MMC 6 mg/m2 on day 1 and oral
      capecitabine 1000 mg/m2 twice daily on days 1-14 followed by a 7-day treatment
      free interval. Each cycle was repeated every 3 weeks unless there was evidence of
      disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. All the31 patients were evaluable
      for response and toxicity. A total of 113 cycles were administered. Five of the
      31 (16.1%) patients had stable disease after three cycles of chemotherapy, 24
      (77.4%) patients progressed and 1 (3.2%) patient is still undergoing treatment.
      One patient (3.2%) died due to cardiac infarct 5 days after starting treatment.
      Median progression free survival (PFS) was 2.5 months. Median overall survival
      (OS) was 4.9 months. Toxicity was mild and easily manageable. Mitomycin C and
      capecitabine can be considered as salvage therapy in heavily pretreated patients
      with metastatic colorectal cancer and with good performance status. Toxicity of
      these drugs combination is moderate and easily manageable. 

PMID- 26278142
TI  - Outcomes of 167 healthy sibling donors after peripheral blood stem cell
      mobilization with G-CSF 16MUg/kg/day: efficacy and safety.
AB  - Mobilization of peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) using the granulocyte colony
      stimulating factor (G-CSF) has enabled the collection even from older donors and
      those with comorbidities. Several clinical parameters have been reported to
      predict the success of PBSC mobilization. The aim of our study was to evaluate
      the safety of PBSC donation in a cohort of 167 sibling donors after mobilization
      with G-CSF 16 MUg/kg/day for 5 days during short- and long term follow-up and to
      analyse the efficacy, toxicity and factors influencing CD34+ mobilization
      capacity. All 167 sibling donors completed the established mobilization protocol.
      The median yield was 7.9x106 CD34 cells/kg per recipient weight. The optimal
      target dose of CD34 cells >= 4.0x106/kg was achieved in 140 donors (84%). Only in
      4 donors (2%) was the CD34+ yield < 2x106/kg. No major toxicities occured.Factors
      associated with higher PBSC yields included age 51/MUL (p 45.5 x 109/L (p =
      0.003). Comorbidity score, performance status and donor weight did not
      significantly influence PBSC yields. Long-term follow-up was possible in 60%
      (101/167) of the donors. The median length of follow-up from PBSC donation was
      11.9 years. Most of these donors reported good or very good general health (91%),
      and no hematological malignancies were observed.The mobilization of PBSC in
      sibling donors with G-CSF 16 MUg/kg/day is an effective and safe procedure with
      no significant short- and long-term toxicities. 

PMID- 26278143
TI  - Results and prognostic factors of 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy and
      intensity-modulated radiotherapy for esophageal carcinoma.
AB  - The aim of this study was to summarize the outcomes and prognostic factors of 3
      dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) and intensity-modulated radiotherapy
      (IMRT) for esophageal carcinoma in our institute. Five hundred ninety-two
      patients received radiotherapy for esophageal carcinoma (123 with 3D-CRT, 469
      with IMRT) from January 2002 to March 2012. Three hundred sixty patients received
      radiotherapy alone and 232 patients received radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The
      endpoints were overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS). Kaplan
      Meier analysis was used to calculate endpoints, the log-rank test for univariate
      analysis, and multivariate analysis to identify independent prognostic factors.
      The median follow-up time was 22.6 months and the median dose was 60 Gy. The 1
      year OS, PFS were 65.3%, 52.1%; the 3-year OS, PFS were 34.0%, 28.0%; and the 5
      year OS, PFS were 23.5%, 19.6%. The median OS was 20 months (95% CI: 17.9-22.1
      months) and the median PFS was 14 months (95% CI: 11.8-16.2 months). Univariate
      analysis indicated that sex, N-stage, M-stage, TNM stage, radiotherapy dose,
      weight loss before treatment, smoking, and drinking affected OS and PFS (p < 0.05
      for all). T-stage affected OS (p = 0.042), but no significant influence on PFS (p
      = 0.101). The independent prognostic factors for better OS and PFS were early
      clinical TNM stage, high radiotherapy dose, and female sex (p < 0.05 for all).
      The results of esophageal carcinoma patients treated with 3D-CRT and IMRT with or
      without chemotherapy were promising. Clinical TNM stage, radiotherapy dose and
      sex were the independent prognostic factors for OS and PFS. 

PMID- 26278144
TI  - 53BP1 foci as a marker of tumor cell radiosensitivity.
AB  - Predicting tumor radiosensitivity has yet to be routinely integrated into
      radiotherapy. We analyzed the possibility to assess radiosensitivity of tumor
      cells based on endogenous and radiation-induced 53BP1 foci which are molecular
      markers of DNA double strand breaks (DSB). In eleven tumor cell lines of
      different origin, radiosensitivity was assessed by surviving cell fraction
      following irradiation with 2 Gy (SF2). 53BP1 foci were measured at 4 and 12 h
      post-irradiation by confocal laser microscopy and dedicated software. The
      correlation of 53BP1 foci and their post-irradiation kinetics with SF2 was
      assessed using Spearman rank test. The SF2 correlated with both excess of
      radiation-induced 53BP1 foci per cell at 4 h after irradiation and decay in
      number of 53BP1 foci from 4 to 12 h post-irradiation. The fraction of cells with
      multiple endogenous 53BP1 foci also correlated with SF2 of tumor cells. We
      conclude that the radiosensitivity of tumor cells can be predicted by kinetics of
      formation and decay of 53BP1 foci after irradiation. For the first time we report
      that the fraction of cells with multiple endogenous 53BP1 foci can be used as a
      marker of tumor cell radiosensitivity. 

PMID- 26278145
TI  - Identification of genes in ulcerative colitis associated colorectal cancer based
      on centrality analysis of co-expression network.
AB  - PreviousColorectal cancer (CRC) is a well-recognized complication of Ulcerative
      colitis (UC) and patients with UC have a higher incidence of CRC than the general
      population. Early detection and mechanism of colitis-associated colorectal cancer
      (CAC) is still challenging. The aim of present study is to identify genes
      associated with CAC by centrality analysis of co-expression networks. Co
      expression networks of CRC and UC were constructed by empirical Bayes approach
      based on top 200 gene signatures which identified by the model of genome-wide
      relative significance and genome-wide global significance across multiple
      datasets. Centrality of degree, stress centrality, betweenness centrality and
      closeness centrality of co-expression networks were selected to explore hub genes
      presented in CRC and UC. Validation of mRNA expression in CRC patients was
      conducted by real-time quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR). Pathway
      analysis was conducted based on Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes database.
      We found 21 common genes, such as SLC4A4 and AQP8, both existed in CRC and UC top
      200 genes. By accessing centralities analyses of co-expression networks, HPGD and
      AQP8 were common hub genes in CRC and UC, and various centralities analyses of
      the same gene were not consistent. Patients with alteration of AQP8 have
      significantly reduced the survival rate according to real-time qPCR results. Our
      study displayed genes associated with CAC (AQP8 and HPGD), and they might be
      reliable biomarkers for early detection and therapies of CAC. 

PMID- 26278146
TI  - Downregulation of PLK1 by RNAi attenuates the tumorigenicity of esophageal
      squamous cell carcinoma cells via promoting apoptosis and inhibiting
      angiogenesis.
AB  - Polo-like kinase 1(PLK1) is essential for the maintenance of genomic stability
      during mitosis. PLK1 has been reported to be upregulated in several solid tumors,
      including esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). However, the role of PLK1 in
      tumorigenesis of ESCC remains undetermined. We used siRNA and lentivirus-mediated
      PLK1 RNA interference to investigate the tumor suppressor function of PLK1
      reduction in ESCC cells. Flow cytometry and Terminal deoxynuleotidyl transferase
      mediated nick-end labeling assay in vitro, as well as immunohistochemitry
      analysis of Caspase-3 and CD31 in s.c. tumor tissue section, were performed.
      Knock down of PLK1 expression significantly suppressed the ability of ESCC cells
      to form colonies in plastic and soft agar. PLK1 reduction mediated by lentivirus
      caused growth suppression of ESCC in nude mice. Caspase-3 upregulation further
      indicated that dysregulated apoptosis might contribute to reduced tumorigenecity.
      In particular, downregulation of CD31 suggested that PLK1 reduction-induced
      angiogenesis inhibition may also contribute, at least in part, to attenuated
      tumorigenecity. These findings indicate that PLK1 might play roles in
      tumorigenesis of ESCC and that PLK1 might be a potential gene therapy target in
      ESCC. Apoptosis induction together with decreased angiogenesis might be involved
      in the mechanism of tumor suppressor function of RNA interference targeting PLK1.

PMID- 26278147
TI  - Rapamycin-topotecan combination exhibited enhanced antitumor efficacy compared to
      topotecan used alone in cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cells.
AB  - The present study aimed to investigate the antitumor efficacy of combination of
      topotecan with rapamycin, a mTOR inhibitor, in cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer
      cells A2780cis and COC1/DDP. Expressions of mTOR and its target molecules p70S6K
      and 4E-BP1 were determined in A2780cis and COC1/DDP and the parental cells A2780
      and COC1 that are sensitive to cisplatin using Western blotting. Cell
      proliferation was examined using MTT assay in vitro and a nude mouse model in
      vivo, respectively. Cell apoptosis and the relevant proteins were determined by
      flow cytometry and Western blotting. We found that the levels of phosphorylated
      mTOR, p70S6K, and 4E-BP1 were obviously higher in A2780cis and COC1/DDP cells
      than that in A2780 and COC1 cells. Pretreatment with rapamycin significantly
      enhanced the effects of topotecan in suppressing cell proliferation and
      soliciting cell apoptosis in A2780cis and COC1/DDP cells. Cells that were
      sequentially exposed to rapamycin and topotecan had significantly higher levels
      of cleaved caspase-8, -3, and PARP compared to those treated with topotecan
      alone. Mice co-administered rapamycin and topotecan had significantly decreased
      terminal tumor burden without additional loss of bodyweight compared to the mice
      received topotecan alone. The results suggested that rapamycin sensitized
      A2780cis and COC1/DDP cells to topotecan-induced apoptosis and rapamycin
      topotecan combination might have a value in treatment of cisplatin-resistant
      ovarian cancer. 

PMID- 26278148
TI  - Identification of potential therapeutic targets for melanoma using gene
      expression analysis.
AB  - Metastatic melanoma represents a significant cause of death in patients with
      melanoma and the frequency is increasing. The aim of this study was to identify
      potential therapeutic targets for metastatic melanoma. Gene expression profile
      GSE44660 was downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus database. A total of 22
      samples were analyzed in our study, including 3 specimens of normal melanocytes,
      12 specimens of melanoma LNM (lymph node metastasis) and 7 specimens of MBM
      (melanoma brain metastasis). DEGs (differentially expressed genes) in LNM and MBM
      were identified respectively using Limma package. GO (Gene Ontology) and KEGG
      (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) pathways analyses of common DEGs
      between two comparison groups were performed using DAVID, followed by cancer
      related genes and transcription factor analysis. PPI (protein-protein
      interaction) network was constructed by STRING, and significant key genes were
      selected. Totally, 401 common DEGs were identified. Disease analysis showed that
      ICAM1 (intercellular adhesion molecule 1) and NBN (nibrin) were related to
      melanoma. In the PPI network, BIRC5 (baculoviral IAP repeat containing 5), BUB1
      (BUB1 mitotic checkpoint serine/threonine kinase), GMNN (geminin, DNA replication
      inhibitor), AURKA (aurora kinase A), TOP2A (topoisomerase (DNA) II alpha) and
      BUB1B (BUB1 mitotic checkpoint serine/threonine kinase B) were with higher degree
      more than 50. ICAM1, NBN, BIRC5, BUB1, BUB1B, GMNN, AURKA and TOP2A may play key
      roles in the progression and development of melanoma. They may be used as
      specific therapeutic targets in the treatment of metastatic melanoma. However,
      further experiments are still needed to confirm our results. 

PMID- 26278149
TI  - Influence of different chemical agents (H2O2, t-BHP and MMS) on the activity of
      antioxidant enzymes in human HepG2 and hamster V79 cells; relationship to
      cytotoxicity and genotoxicity.
AB  - We investigated activities of antioxidant enzymes (AEs), superoxide dismutase
      (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT) in human HepG2 and hamster
      V79 cells treated with a scale of concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2),
      tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) and methyl methanesulfonate (MMS). Cytotoxicity
      and genotoxicity of these substances were evaluated simultaneously. We have found
      out that H2O2, t-BHP and MMS predictably induce significant concentration
      dependent increase of DNA lesions in both cell lines. Cytotoxicity detected in
      V79 cells with help of PE test was in a good conformity with the level of DNA
      damage. MTT test has proved unsuitable, except for MMS-treated V79 cells.
      Compared with human cells HepG2, hamster cells V79 manifested approximately
      similar levels of SOD and CAT but ten times higher activity of GPx. Across all
      concentrations tested the most significant increase of activity of the enzyme CAT
      was found in H2O2- and t-BHP-treated HepG2 cells, of the enzyme SOD in t-BHP- and
      MMS-treated V79 cells, and of the enzyme GPx in H2O2-treated V79 cells. We
      suggest that stimulation of enzyme activity by the relevant chemical compounds
      may result from transcriptional or post-transcriptional regulation of the
      expression of the genes CAT, SOD and GPx. Several authors suggest that moderate
      levels of toxic reactants can induce increase of AEs activities, while very high
      levels of reactants can induce their decrease, as a consequence of damage of the
      molecular machinery required to induce AEs. Based on a great amount of
      experiments, which were done and described within this paper, we can say that the
      above mentioned principle does not apply in general. Only the reactions of t-BHP
      affected HepG2 cells were consistent with this idea. 

PMID- 26278150
TI  - Anti-tumor immunity elicited by cross-linking vaccine heat shock protein 72 and
      alpha-fetoprotein epitope peptide.
AB  - Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies over the
      world. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is an oncofetal protein during HCC development,
      which could generate weaker and less reproducible antitumor protection, and may
      serve as a target for immunotherapy. Therefore, it is imperative to enhance its
      immunogenicity and develop therapeutic vaccines to eliminate AFP-expressing
      tumors. In this study, by using glutaraldehyde cross-linking, we constructed a
      potential therapeutic peptide vaccine, heat shock protein 72 (HSP72) and AFP
      epitope peptide (HSP72/AFP-P). ELISPOT was applied to evaluate the quantity of
      AFP-specific CD8+ T cell that secreted IFN-gamma in immunized BALB/C mice.
      Granzyme B released from natural killer cells and AFP-specific antibody responses
      in immunized mice were detected by ELISA. The anti-tumor effects were
      investigated by in vitro cytotoxic T-lymphocyte assays and in vivo tumor
      therapeutic experiments. The results showed that reconstructed HSP72 and AFP
      epitope peptide vaccine synergistically exhibited significant increases in AFP
      specific CD8+ T cells, natural killer cells responses and impressive antitumor
      effects against AFP-expressing tumors. Immunization of BALB/C mice with HSP72/AFP
      P vaccine elicited stronger T-cells responses. The numbers of IFN-gamma-producing
      CD8+ T cells from mice immunized with HSP72/AFP-P were 30 times more than those
      from mice immunized with AFP-P, HSP72 or PBS (P < 0.01). The concentration of
      granzyme B in natural killer cells from mice immunized with HSP72/AFP-P were 15
      times higher than that from other groups (P < 0.01). In vitro effector cells from
      mice immunized with HSP72/AFP-P showed much stronger cytolytic effect on H22
      target cells than those from mice vaccinated with AFP-P, HSP72 or PBS (P < 0.01).
      Priming mice with the reconstructed vaccine exhibited robust strong protective
      immunity. Mice immunized with HSP72 or AFP-P alone demonstrated higher average
      tumor volumes than mice immunized with HSP72/AFP-P (P < 0.05). Our study suggests
      that constructing a tumor vaccine by cross-linking AFP antigen epitope peptide
      and HSP72 is a promising approach for cancer therapy. 

PMID- 26278151
TI  - MicroRNA-141 regulates the tumour suppressor DLC1 in colorectal cancer.
AB  - Our previous study has showed that DLC1 acts as a functional tumor suppressor in
      colorectal cancer (CRC) cell lines. The aims of this study were to determine
      whether DLC1 is a target of MicroRNA (miRNA) regulation and to evaluate the role
      of this mechanism in CRC. By bioinformatics approach and literature, miR-141 was
      chosen for further study. The miR-141 mimic, miR-141 inhibitor were synthesized
      and transfected to Lovo cells. Cell growth was determined by MTT and in vivo
      models. The flow cytometric analysis for cell cycle determination and transwell
      assays for evaluating the cell invasion were used. Luciferase reporter assays and
      Western blots showed that DLC1 was a direct target of miR-141 in CRC. The
      expression levels of miR-141 were obviously up-regulated in CRC tissues compared
      to non-cancerous tissues, while DLC1 expression levels were down-regulated in a
      high proportion of clinical samples (14/18). In addition, correlation analyses
      revealed negative correlation between miR-141 levels and DLC1 expression levels
      in CRC tissues. MiR-141 overexpression promoted cell growth in vitro and in vivo,
      promoted cell cycle progression and invasion in Lovo cells. Furthermore, re
      introduction of DLC-1 in miR-141-overexpressing Lovo cells decreased growth rate
      of cells, increase of the percentage in G0/G1 phase and decreased the number of
      migrating cells. In conclusion, we demonstrated that miR-141 is up-regulated in
      CRC and acts as a functional oncogene by targeting DLC1. 

PMID- 26278152
TI  - Diagnostics and treatment of insulinoma.
AB  - Insulinomas are the most common functioning pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms
      (pNENs), developed mainly from pancreatic islet cells. More than 90% of
      insulinomas are sporadic, benign and small sized. Autonomous production of
      insulin results in neuroglycopenic and adrenergic symptomatology with potential
      lethality. Surgery remains the only curative treatment with a high success rate.
      Preoperative tumor localization is challenging, but important for appropriate
      surgical approach. Metastatic forms represent a challenge, mainly on the field of
      therapy, with the need of tumor burden reduction and glycemia stabilization. The
      rarity of malignant forms limits reports on therapeutic strategies and outcome.
      Authors present in this article a summarized overview of epidemiology, clinic,
      diagnostics and treatment of benign and malign forms of insulinomas. 

PMID- 26278153
TI  - Biomarkers for determination prostate cancer: implication for diagnosis and
      prognosis.
AB  - Prostate cancer (PCa) belongs to most common cancers and it is the second leading
      cause of cancer death in men. A genetic predisposition or acquired genetic and
      epigenetic changes with effect of other factors, such as advanced age, race and
      environmental factors contribute to PCa development. PCa is a very heterogeneous
      disease that is characterized by different clinical behavior, from indolent, slow
      growing tumors to aggressive, fast-growing tumors with lethal progression. Early
      diagnostics and identification of PCa type are crucial prerequisites for
      efficient treatment of patients. Recently, the diagnostics of early stages of PCa
      is based mostly on evaluation of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in serum of
      patients. Men with high levels of PSA undergo biopsy in order to determine
      histopatological grading of PCa - Gleason scoring which classifies tumors from
      most to least differentiated as well as staging - determination of the status of
      their primary tumors, with or without lymph node involvement. The results from
      this screening diagnosis lead into conventional treatment, including radical
      prostatectomy and brachytherapy. In case of advanced PCa, conventional treatment
      continues with androgen deprivation therapy. However, in many cases the cancer
      recurs. Therefore, the clinicians and researchers are forced to find more precise
      and sensitive biomarker suitable for PCa diagnostics as well as prognostics and
      therapy. This paper provides review of current most promising molecular and
      immunohistochemical biomarkers in PCa diagnosis, prognosis and clinical behavior.

PMID- 26278154
TI  - Pol zeta polymorphisms are associated with platinum based chemotherapy response
      and side effects among non-small cell lung cancer patients.
AB  - Lung cancer is the greatest contributor to tumor-derived death. Traditionally,
      platinum-based chemotherapies are the primary treatment for most patients.
      However, intrinsic drug resistance and side effects limit the efficacy of
      platinum-based chemotherapies. Previous studies demonstrated that Pol zeta can
      modulate cellular sensitivity to chemotherapy. The primary aim of this study was
      to investigate the potential role of the polymorphism of Pol zeta in platinum
      based chemotherapy tolerance and side effects. A total of 663 patients who were
      newly histologically diagnosed with advanced NSCLC were enrolled. Their treatment
      response was classified into four categories: complete response (CR), partial
      response (PR), stable disease (SD) and progressive disease (PD). The
      gastrointestinal and hematological toxicity incidence was assessed twice a week
      during the entire first line of treatment. Thirteen SNPs of REV3 and REV7 were
      genotyped. The associations between SNPs and the treatment response or toxicity
      were analyzed with a logistic regression model. We discovered that five SNPs were
      correlated with the treatment response. Specifically, rs240969 was significantly
      associated with the treatment response, after a Bonferroni correction, in smokers
      and a combined cohort (P=0.048 and P=0.0082, respectively) as well as with
      rs3218573 in smokers (P=0.036). In addition, we discovered that the incidence of
      grade 3 or 4 gastrointestinal toxicity was significantly higher in patients
      carrying a G/G genotype of rs240966 or an A allele of rs456865. We also
      identified that five SNPs, namely rs240966, rs4945880, rs465646, rs2233025 and
      rs2336030, that were correlated with an increased risk of grade 3 or grade 4
      hematologic toxicity. The REV3 and REV7 polymorphisms are in a catalytic subunit
      and an accessory subunit of Pol zeta, respectively, and participate in platinum
      chemotherapy tolerance and side effects. 

PMID- 26278155
TI  - Immunoparesis in MGUS - Relationship of uninvolved immunoglobulin pair
      suppression and polyclonal immunoglobuline levels to MGUS risk categories.
AB  - Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is an asymptomatic,
      potentially malignant condition. It has been established that annually
      approximately 1-2% of MGUS cases transforms into one of the malignant forms of
      monoclonal gammopathies. Progression risk factors include the quantity and type
      of M-protein, and namely the ratio of free light immunoglobulin chains (FLC).
      These factors, enable purposeful stratification of MGUS individuals. Some authors
      consider suppression of polyclonal immunoglobulin levels to be another
      progression factor. The aim of the study was to compare polyclonal immunoglobulin
      (PIg) levels with uninvolved heavy/light chain pair (HLC) levels in order to
      verify the degree of immunoparesis depending on MGUS risk category (0-3). The
      analyzed set consisted of 159 serum samples from MGUS patients (102 IgG, 57 IgA),
      who were stratified into 4 risk groups (0 - low, 1 - low-intermediate, 2 - high
      intermediate and 3 - high risk of transformation). The results of analysis showed
      that with increasing degree of MGUS increases risk of immune paresis defined by
      decreasing levels of polyclonal immunoglobulins, ie. IgA and IgM in the case of
      IgG MGUS, respectively, IgG and IgM in case of IgA MGUS. Significant differences
      were also found when analyzing the levels of uninvolved HLC pairs IgG kappa
      (resp. IgG lambda) in IgG lambda (IgG kappa) dominant secretion. In the case of
      MGUS with IgA isotype, the results were similar. Discovery of the connection
      between the degree of immunosuppression and the level of MGUS risk contributes to
      our understanding of the relationship between biology, development and potential
      malignant transformation of MGUS. It is apparent that uninvolved HLC pair assay
      enables more reliable identification of at-risk MGUS patients than a simple
      quantitative assay for polyclonal immunoglobulins alone. 

PMID- 26278156
TI  - A 39-gene signature is associated with early occurrence of distant metastasis in
      primary lymph-node negative breast cancers.
AB  - Risk factors of the development of distant metastasis in primary node-negative
      breast cancer patients are heterogeneous. Identification of patients at high risk
      of early distant metastasis is of important clinical significance. In the current
      study, using the already published datasets, we develop a gene signature that can
      robustly predict early distant metastasis for patients with primary node-negative
      breast cancer. We identified a 39-gene signature, which were associated with
      distant metastasis and shorter distant metastasis free survival (DMFS) in node
      negative breast cancers. Using the survival prediction analysis method in BRB
      Array tools, this signature can stratify patients into early- and late- distant
      metastasis subgroups with different DMFS in VDX training dataset (AUC=0.734, P <
      0.01). And we further validated the reliability of the prognostic value of this
      39-gene signature in another two independent breast cancer cohorts (NKI dataset,
      AUC=0.642, P<0.0167; TRANSBIG dataset, AUC=0.711, P<0.0167). Furthermore, the
      early distant metastasis subgroups defined by the 39-gene signature exhibited a
      significant association with ER negative status and more aggressive molecular
      subtypes in all three datasets, and with poor differentiation status in two
      datasets. In summary, we developed a novel distant metastasis-related gene
      signature for predicting early occurrence of distant metastasis in node-negative
      breast cancers, what might be useful in making treatment decisions for these
      early metastasis patients. 

PMID- 26278157
TI  - [Association of estrogens and selective estrogens receptors modulators: towards a
      renewal of the hormonal treatment?].
AB  - The life expectancy of women has risen in the past century from 48years to more
      than 80. The decline of endogenous estrogen production (in particular, the
      principal circulating physiological hormone, 17beta-estradiol) at menopause
      (which occurs at an average of 51years) is often accompanied by a series of
      functional disorders that affect quality of life (QoL). This estrogen deficiency
      affects different tissues and results in an increase in the prevalence of various
      disorders, including but not limited to osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease.
      Hormone therapy for menopause is a relatively recent biomedical challenge, which
      underwent a downturn after the Women Health Initiative study of older
      postmenopausal women. We will summarize the WHI findings in the first part of
      this article. At Inserm unit 1048, we are working on understanding the protective
      effects of estrogen against the development of atherosclerosis and type 2
      diabetes in murine models. We have also focused in recent years on modeling the
      impact of estrogen in thrombosis models, to attempt to clarify the complex
      relation between estrogen and thrombotic risk. In part II of this article, we
      will describe a new strategy of hormone therapy for menopause, combining
      estrogens and selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERM). We review the
      scientific underpinnings of this strategy, which may enable the renewal of
      hormone therapy for menopause.

PMID- 26278158
TI  - Identification and expression of lypc, a novel dark-inducible member of Ly6
      superfamily in zebrafish Danio rerio.
AB  - Snake venom neurotoxins and lymphocyte antigen-6 (Ly6) family members identified
      in many metazoans possess conserved LU domain containing eight or ten conserved
      cysteine residues which form 4 to 5 conserved disulfide bonds. They are found to
      execute a wide variety of biological effects, but information regarding Ly6
      superfamily in zebrafish remains rather limited. Here we identified a novel Ly6
      gene located on the chromosome 15 in zebrafish, and named it lypc highlighting
      its predominant expression in the pigment cells. Both homology modeling and
      sequence comparison revealed that lypc has features typical of Ly6 family
      members. Whole mount in situ hybridization showed that lypc was expressed in the
      trunk pigment cells and retinal pigment cells. Moreover, real-time quantitative
      PCR demonstrated that the expression of lypc was subjected to diurnal variation
      regulation, i.e. the expression of lypc displays a clear rhythmic pattern, and
      dark exposure apparently stimulated its expression. Collectively, these data
      indicate that lypc is a novel dark-inducible Ly6 member with a predominant
      expression in the pigment cells of zebrafish, laying a foundation for further
      elucidation of its functions. 

PMID- 26278159
TI  - MRS for non-invasive medulloblastoma subgrouping.

PMID- 26278160
TI  - Docetaxel for hormone-sensitive metastatic prostate cancer.

PMID- 26278161
TI  - Hypofractionated breast radiation reduces acute toxicities.

PMID- 26278162
TI  - Research funding under review in UK and USA.

PMID- 26278163
TI  - France establishes guidelines for treating neurobehavioral disorders following
      traumatic brain injury.
AB  - This paper comments on the report by a committee of La Societe Francaise de
      Medecine Physique et de Readaptation (SOFMER) in response to the Haute Autorite
      de sante in France concerning the classification and clinical management of
      disorders of comportment following moderate to severe traumatic brain injury
      (TBI). In view of the large number of patients and families affected by these
      disorders, there is a strong rationale for these guidelines to ensure that
      clinical assessment and treatment is evidence-based. The report is viewed from
      the perspective of current research on disorders of comportment and in relation
      to recent reviews and meta-analyses on this topic. Comments on the classification
      draw on pathophysiology and brain imaging in addition to the clinical literature.
      The SOFMER report and recent projects in North America are compared for trends in
      the development of recommended assessment scales and standard, evidence-based
      treatment protocols for pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions.
      Collaborative, multinational investigations of TBI are also noted, which are
      advancing progress toward guidelines for clinical management. 

PMID- 26278164
TI  - Dickkopf-3 (DKK-3) obstructs VEGFR-2/Akt/mTOR signaling cascade by interacting of
      beta2-microglobulin (beta2M) in ovarian tumorigenesis.
AB  - In this study, we investigated a possible mechanism of beta2-microglobulin
      (beta2M) function in cancer metastases in vitro, using a human ovarian carcinoma
      cell line. beta2M, a modulator acts as a cell growth-promoting and cellular
      signaling factors, was identified as a dickkopf-3 (DKK-3) interacting protein. We
      also observed that DKK-3 suppresses endothelial cell angiogenesis of beta2M
      through vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) in tumorigenesis.
      Luciferase activity was remarkably reduced by the transfection of DKK-3 in a dose
      dependent manner. In addition, over-expression of beta2M activates cell growth by
      suppressing DKK-3-induced apoptosis. The effect of beta2M on cell cycle and
      apoptosis-regulatory components was also confirmed through the silencing of
      beta2M expression. Furthermore, induction of beta2M-mediated VEGFR-2/Akt/mTOR
      phosphorylation and tumor angiogenesis was significantly suppressed by over
      expression of DKK-3. Taken together, our results suggest an underlying mechanism
      for an increase of beta2M-related activity in ovarian tumor cells. 

PMID- 26278165
TI  - The relative contributions of global and local acceleration components on speed
      perception and discriminability following adaptation.
AB  - The perception of speed is dependent on the history of previously presented
      speeds. Adaptation to a given speed regularly results in a reduction of perceived
      speed and an increase in speed discriminability and in certain circumstances can
      result in an increase in perceived speed. In order to determine the relative
      contributions of the local and global speed components on perceived speed, this
      experiment used expanding dot flow fields with accelerating (global),
      decelerating (global) and mixed accelerating/decelerating (local) speed patterns.
      Profound decreases in perceived speed are found when viewing low test speeds
      after adaptation to high speeds. Small increases in the perceived speed of high
      test speeds occur following adaptation to low speeds. There were small but
      significant differences in perceived stimulus speed after adaptation due to
      different acceleration profiles. No evidence for global modulation of speed
      discriminability following adaptation was found. 

PMID- 26278166
TI  - Representation of higher-order statistical structures in natural scenes via
      spatial phase distributions.
AB  - Natural scenes contain richer perceptual information in their spatial phase
      structure than their amplitudes. Modeling phase structure of natural scenes may
      explain higher-order structure inherent to the natural scenes, which is neglected
      in most classical models of redundancy reduction. Only recently, a few models
      have represented images using a complex form of receptive fields (RFs) and
      analyze their complex responses in terms of amplitude and phase. However, these
      complex representation models often tacitly assume a uniform phase distribution
      without empirical support. The structure of spatial phase distributions of
      natural scenes in the form of relative contributions of paired responses of RFs
      in quadrature has not been explored statistically until now. Here, we investigate
      the spatial phase structure of natural scenes using complex forms of various
      Gabor-like RFs. To analyze distributions of the spatial phase responses, we
      constructed a mixture model that accounts for multi-modal circular distributions,
      and the EM algorithm for estimation of the model parameters. Based on the
      likelihood, we report presence of both uniform and structured bimodal phase
      distributions in natural scenes. The latter bimodal distributions were symmetric
      with two peaks separated by about 180 degrees . Thus, the redundancy in the
      natural scenes can be further removed by using the bimodal phase distributions
      obtained from these RFs in the complex representation models. These results
      predict that both phase invariant and phase sensitive complex cells are required
      to represent the regularities of natural scenes in visual systems. 

PMID- 26278167
TI  - Detection of quercetin based on Al(3+)-amplified phosphorescence signals of
      manganese-doped ZnS quantum dots.
AB  - A simple phosphorescence method is proposed for quercetin detection based on
      Al(3+)-amplified room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) signals of 3
      mercaptopropionic acid (MPA)-capped Mn-doped ZnS quantum dots (QDs). The sensor
      was established based on some properties as follows. Al(3+) can interact with
      carboxyl groups on the surface of MPA-capped Mn-doped ZnS QDs via chelation,
      which will lead to the aggregation of QDs and amplification of RTP signals, After
      the addition of quercetin, it can form more stable complex with Al(3+) in
      alkaline aqueous solution and dissociate Al(3+) from the surface of Mn-doped ZnS
      QDs, which will result in significant recovery of RTP intensity of the MPA-capped
      Mn-doped ZnS-Al(3+) system. Under the optimized conditions, the change of RTP
      intensity was proportional to the concentration of quercetin in the range from
      0.1 to 6.0 mg L(-1), with a high correlation coefficient of 0.996 and a detection
      limit of 0.047 mg L(-1). The proposed method is potentially suitable for
      detection of quercetin in real samples without complicated pretreatment. 

PMID- 26278168
TI  - Synthesis and detection of N-sulfonated oversulfated chondroitin sulfate in
      marketplace heparin.
AB  - N-sulfonated oversulfated chondroitin sulfate (NS-OSCS), recently reported as a
      potential threat to the heparin supply, was prepared along with its intermediate
      derivatives. All compounds were spiked into marketplace heparin and subjected to
      United States Pharmacopeia (USP) identification assays for heparin (proton
      nuclear magnetic resonance [(1)H NMR], chromatographic identity, % galactosamine
      [%GalN], anti-factor IIa potency, and anti-factor Xa/IIa ratio). The U.S. Food
      and Drug Administration (FDA) strong-anionic exchange high-performance liquid
      chromatography (SAX-HPLC) method resolved NS-OSCS from heparin and OSCS and had a
      limit of detection of 0.26% (w/w) NS-OSCS. The %GalN test was sensitive to the
      presence of NS-OSCS in heparin. Therefore, current USP heparin monograph tests
      (i.e., SAX-HPLC and %GalN) detect the presence of NS-OSCS in heparin. 

PMID- 26278169
TI  - Interfacial electron transfer of glucose oxidase on poly(glutamic acid)-modified
      glassy carbon electrode and glucose sensing.
AB  - The interfacial electron transfer of glucose oxidase (GOx) on a poly(glutamic
      acid)-modified glassy carbon electrode (PGA/GCE) was investigated. The redox
      peaks measured for GOx and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) are similar, and the
      anodic peak of GOx does not increase in the presence of glucose in a mediator
      free solution. These indicate that the electroactivity of GOx is not the direct
      electron transfer (DET) between GOx and PGA/GCE and that the observed
      electroactivity of GOx is ascribed to free FAD that is released from GOx.
      However, efficient electron transfer occurred if an appropriate mediator was
      placed in solution, suggesting that GOx is active. The PGA/GCE-based biosensor
      showed wide linear response in the range of 0.5-5.5 mM with a low detection limit
      of 0.12 mM and high sensitivity and selectivity for measuring glucose. 

PMID- 26278170
TI  - Use of cloud-point preconcentration for spectrophotometric determination of trace
      amounts of antimony in biological and environmental samples.
AB  - This work presents a cloud-point extraction process using the micelle-mediated
      extraction method for simultaneous preconcentration and determination of Sb(III)
      and Sb(V) species in biological and environmental samples as a prior
      preconcentration step to their spectrophotometric determination. The analytical
      system is based on the selective reaction between Sb(III) and 3-dichloro-6-(3
      carboxy-2-hydroxy-1-naphthylazo)quinoxaline (DCHNAQ) in the presence of
      cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and potassium iodide at pH 4.5. Total Sb
      concentration was determined after reduction of Sb(V) to Sb(III) in the presence
      of potassium iodide and ascorbic acid. The optimal reaction conditions and
      extraction were studied, and the analytical characteristics of the method (e.g.,
      limits of detection and quantification, linear range, preconcentration,
      improvement factors) were obtained. Linearity for Sb(III) was obeyed in the range
      of 0.2-20 ng ml(-1). The detection and quantification limits for the
      determination of Sb(III) were 0.055 and 0.185 ng ml(-1), respectively. The method
      has a lower detection limit and wider linear range, inexpensive instrument, and
      low cost, and is more sensitive compared with most other methods. The
      interference effect of some anions and cations was also studied. The method was
      applied to the determination of Sb(III) in the presence of Sb(V) and total
      antimony in blood plasma, urine, biological, and water samples. 

PMID- 26278171
TI  - A luminescent assay for real-time measurements of receptor endocytosis in living
      cells.
AB  - Ligand-mediated endocytosis is a key autoregulatory mechanism governing the
      duration and intensity of signals emanating from cell surface receptors. Due to
      the mechanistic complexity of endocytosis and its emerging relevance in disease,
      simple methods capable of tracking this dynamic process in cells have become
      increasingly desirable. We have developed a bioluminescent reporter technology
      for real-time analysis of ligand-mediated receptor endocytosis using genetic
      fusions of NanoLuc luciferase with various G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs).
      This method is compatible with standard microplate formats, which should decrease
      work flows for high-throughput screens. This article also describes the
      application of this technology to endocytosis of epidermal growth factor receptor
      (EGFR), demonstrating potential applicability of the method beyond GPCRs. 

PMID- 26278172
TI  - Improvement of heme oxygenase-1-based heme sensor for quantifying free heme in
      biological samples.
AB  - We recently reported a novel heme sensor using fluorescently labeled heme
      oxygenase-1; however, its inherent enzyme activity would be a potential obstacle
      in quantifying heme in biological samples. Here, we found that mutation of the
      catalytically important residue, Asp140, with histidine in the sensor not only
      diminished the heme degradation activity but also increased heme binding
      affinity. The sensor with a visible fluorophore was also found to be beneficial
      to avoid background emission from endogenous substance in biological samples. By
      using the improved heme sensor, we succeeded in quantifying free heme in rat
      hepatic samples for the first time. 

PMID- 26278174
TI  - An Isoform-Specific Myristylation Switch Targets Type II PKA Holoenzymes to
      Membranes.
AB  - Cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) is regulated in part by N-terminal
      myristylation of its catalytic (C) subunit. Structural information about the role
      of myristylation in membrane targeting of PKA has been limited. In mammalian
      cells there are four functionally non-redundant PKA regulatory subunits (RIalpha,
      RIbeta, RIIalpha, and RIIbeta). PKA is assembled as an inactive R2C2 holoenzyme
      in cells. To explore the role of N-myristylation in membrane targeting of PKA
      holoenzymes, we solved crystal structures of RIalpha:myrC and RIIbeta2:myrC2, and
      showed that the N-terminal myristylation site in the myrC serves as a flexible
      "switch" that can potentially be mobilized for membrane anchoring of RII, but not
      RI, holoenzymes. Furthermore, we synthesized nanodiscs and showed by electron
      microscopy that membrane targeting through the myristic acid is specific for the
      RII holoenzyme. This membrane-anchoring myristylation switch is independent of A
      Kinase Anchoring Proteins (AKAPs) that target PKA to membranes by other
      mechanisms. 

PMID- 26278173
TI  - Novel Inter-Subunit Contacts in Barley Stripe Mosaic Virus Revealed by Cryo
      Electron Microscopy.
AB  - Barley stripe mosaic virus (BSMV, genus Hordeivirus) is a rod-shaped single
      stranded RNA virus similar to viruses of the structurally characterized and well
      studied genus Tobamovirus. Here we report the first high-resolution structure of
      BSMV at 4.1 A obtained by cryo-electron microscopy. We discovered that BSMV forms
      two types of virion that differ in the number of coat protein (CP) subunits per
      turn and interactions between the CP subunits. While BSMV and tobacco mosaic
      virus CP subunits have a similar fold and interact with RNA using conserved
      residues, the axial contacts between the CP of these two viral groups are
      considerably different. BSMV CP subunits lack substantial axial contacts and are
      held together by a previously unobserved lateral contact formed at the virion
      surface via an interacting loop, which protrudes from the CP hydrophobic core to
      the adjacent CP subunit. These data provide an insight into diversity in
      structural organization of helical viruses.

PMID- 26278175
TI  - A Suite of Engineered GFP Molecules for Oligomeric Scaffolding.
AB  - Applications ranging from synthetic biology to protein crystallization could be
      advanced by facile systems for connecting multiple proteins together in
      predefined spatial relationships. One approach to this goal is to engineer many
      distinct assembly forms of a single carrier protein or scaffold, to which other
      proteins of interest can then be readily attached. In this work we chose GFP as a
      scaffold and engineered many alternative oligomeric forms, driven by either
      specific disulfide bond formation or metal ion addition. We generated a wide
      range of spatial arrangements of GFP subunits from 11 different oligomeric
      variants, and determined their X-ray structures in a total of 33 distinct crystal
      forms. Some of the oligomeric GFP variants show geometric polymorphism depending
      on conditions, while others show considerable geometric rigidity. Potential
      future applications of this system are discussed. 

PMID- 26278176
TI  - GraDeR: Membrane Protein Complex Preparation for Single-Particle Cryo-EM.
AB  - We developed a method, named GraDeR, which substantially improves the preparation
      of membrane protein complexes for structure determination by single-particle cryo
      electron microscopy (cryo-EM). In GraDeR, glycerol gradient centrifugation is
      used for the mild removal of free detergent monomers and micelles from lauryl
      maltose-neopentyl glycol detergent stabilized membrane complexes, resulting in
      monodisperse and stable complexes to which standard processes for water-soluble
      complexes can be applied. We demonstrate the applicability of the method on three
      different membrane complexes, including the mammalian FoF1 ATP synthase. For this
      highly dynamic and fragile rotary motor, we show that GraDeR allows visualizing
      the asymmetry of the F1 domain, which matches the ground state structure of the
      isolated domain. Therefore, the present cryo-EM structure of FoF1 ATP synthase
      provides direct structural evidence for Boyer's binding change mechanism in the
      context of the intact enzyme. 

PMID- 26278177
TI  - Structural Insight into the Mechanism of TFIIH Recognition by the Acidic String
      of the Nucleotide Excision Repair Factor XPC.
AB  - In global genome repair (GGR), XPC detects damaged nucleotides and recruits TFIIH
      complex. The small acidic region of XPC binds to the pleckstrin homology (PH)
      domain of TFIIH subunit p62; however, the recognition mechanism remains elusive.
      Here, we use nuclear magnetic resonance to present the tertiary structure of XPC
      bound to the PH domain. The XPC acidic region forms a long string stabilized by
      insertion of Trp133 and Val136 into two separate hollows of the PH domain,
      coupled with extensive electrostatic contacts. Analysis of several XPC mutants
      revealed that particularly Trp133 is essential for binding to the PH domain. In
      cell lines stably expressing mutant XPC, alanine substitution at Trp133 or
      Trp133/Val136 compromised UV resistance, recruitment of TFIIH to DNA damage, and
      removal of UV-induced photoproducts from genomic DNA. These findings show how
      TFIIH complex is recruited by XPC to damaged DNA, advancing our understanding of
      the early stage of GGR. 

PMID- 26278178
TI  - Laser-guided magic bullets-A non-antibiotic answer to O'Neill.

PMID- 26278179
TI  - Transcriptome and proteome of the highly neurotoxic venom of Gloydius
      intermedius.
AB  - The venomics of Gloydius intermedius were investigated using expressed sequence
      tags (ESTs) analyses, 2D gel-electrophoresis combined with MALDI-TOF/TOF, and LC
      MS/MS. A total of 1920 ESTs from the venom gland cDNA library were sequenced; 74%
      of them belonged to toxin-families. The four most abundant families among the
      toxin transcripts were: serine protease (SP, 36.2%), bradykinin potentiating
      peptide (25.3%), l-amino acid oxidase (LAAO, 13.1%), and phospholipase A2 (PLA2,
      9.9%). Moreover, the full sequences of four PLA2s, eight SPs, cysteine-rich
      secretory protein (CRISP), C-type-lectin-like-protein (CTLP), hyaluronidase,
      metalloproteinase, and nerve growth factor were deduced from the cDNA sequences.
      Excluding the CRISP and hyaluronidase, most of the G. intermedius venom proteins
      bear 92-99% sequence identities to those of other pitviper venoms. The most
      abundant components are PLA2s (37%), SPs (20%) and LAAO (6%), while
      metalloproteinase, CTLP, and other components each account for <3% of the total
      venom proteins. The abundance of Gintexin (a crotoxin-like neurotoxin) and low
      levels of hemorrhagic metalloproteases, disintegrins and CTLPs highlight the
      great venom differences between G. intermedius and other hemorrhagic pitvipers.
      The bimorphism of hemorrhagic and neurotoxic venoms among Gloydius is confirmed;
      our results shed more lights on the co-evolution of both neurotoxicity and
      hypotension in some viperid venoms.

PMID- 26278181
TI  - In vitro wear testing of a contemporary design of reverse shoulder prosthesis.
AB  - Reverse shoulder arthroplasty is an increasingly common surgical intervention.
      However there are concerns and known limitations in relation to such joint
      replacement, while novel designs of reverse shoulder prostheses continue to
      appear on the market. Many claim to offer improvements over older designs but
      such assertions are difficult to validate when there is no consensus as to how
      such implants should be tested in vitro or even if such testing is necessary. In
      order to permit appropriate in vitro testing of reverse shoulder prostheses a
      unique, multi-station test rig was designed which was capable of applying motion
      in three axes to test prostheses. The shoulder simulator can apply up to 110
      degrees  of motion in the flexion-extension and abduction-adduction axes and up
      to 90 degrees  in the internal-external rotation axis. Dynamic loading of up to
      1500 N can be provided. The simulator is computer controlled so that the motions
      and loading associated with particular activities of daily living can be applied.
      A 4.5 million cycle wear test of commercially available reverse shoulder
      prostheses was undertaken using a 'mug to mouth' activity of daily living.
      Gravimetric analysis was used to characterise wear. After 4.5 million cycles of
      'mug to mouth', the average wear rate of the test components was
      14.3mm(3)/million cycles. Polyethylene test components showed a reduction in
      roughness and the median wear particle diameter was 167 nm. A three axis shoulder
      simulator has been designed and used to successfully test multiple samples of a
      commercially available reverse shoulder prosthesis.

PMID- 26278182
TI  - Intracellular and extracellular O-linked N-acetylglucosamine in the nervous
      system.
AB  - Addition of O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) to the hydroxyl group of
      serine and threonine residues (O-GlcNAcylation) is a post-translational
      modification common to multicellular eukaryotes. To date, O-GlcNAcylations have
      been divided into two categories: the first involves nucleocytoplasmic and
      mitochondrial (intracellular) O-GlcNAcylation catalyzed by O-GlcNAc transferase
      (OGT), and the second involves O-GlcNAcylation in the secretory pathways
      (extracellular) catalyzed by epidermal growth factor (EGF) domain-specific O
      GlcNAc transferase (EOGT). Intracellular O-GlcNAcylation is involved in essential
      cellular and physiological processes such as synaptic activity, neuronal
      morphogenesis, and learning and memory. Moreover, intracellular O-GlcNAc might
      have a neuroprotective effect, protecting against neurodegenerative diseases such
      as Alzheimer's disease. EGF repeats on extracellular matrix proteins and the
      extracellular region of transmembrane proteins have recently been found to be
      modified by O-GlcNAc in the mouse cerebral cortex. EOGT is responsible for Adams
      Oliver syndrome, a rare congenital disorder characterized by aplasia cutis
      congenita and terminal transverse limb defects, often accompanied by
      cardiovascular and neurological defects. Thus, a mechanistic understanding of O
      GlcNAc in the regulation of its target proteins is of importance from both a
      basic science and a clinical-translational perspective. In this review, we
      summarize the current understanding of the physiological and pathological
      significances of both types of O-GlcNAcylations found in the nervous system. 

PMID- 26278180
TI  - Structural Modeling of GR Interactions with the SWI/SNF Chromatin Remodeling
      Complex and C/EBP.
AB  - The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is a steroid-hormone-activated transcription
      factor that modulates gene expression. Transcriptional regulation by the GR
      requires dynamic receptor binding to specific target sites located across the
      genome. This binding remodels the chromatin structure to allow interaction with
      other transcription factors. Thus, chromatin remodeling is an essential component
      of GR-mediated transcriptional regulation, and understanding the interactions
      between these molecules at the structural level provides insights into the
      mechanisms of how GR and chromatin remodeling cooperate to regulate gene
      expression. This study suggests models for the assembly of the SWI/SNF-A
      (SWItch/Sucrose-NonFermentable) complex and its interaction with the GR. We used
      the PRISM algorithm (PRotein Interactions by Structural Matching) to predict the
      three-dimensional complex structures of the target proteins. The structural
      models indicate that BAF57 and/or BAF250 mediate the interaction between the GR
      and the SWI/SNF-A complex, corroborating experimental data. They further suggest
      that a BAF60a/BAF155 and/or BAF60a/BAF170 interaction is critical for association
      between the core and variant subunits. Further, we model the interaction between
      GR and CCAAT-enhancer-binding proteins (C/EBPs), since the GR can regulate gene
      expression indirectly by interacting with other transcription factors like
      C/EBPs. We observe that GR can bind to bZip domains of the C/EBPalpha homodimer
      as both a monomer and dimer of the DNA-binding domain. In silico mutagenesis of
      the predicted interface residues confirm the importance of these residues in
      binding. In vivo analysis of the computationally suggested mutations reveals that
      double mutations of the leucine residues (L317D+L335D) may disrupt the
      interaction between GR and C/EBPalpha. Determination of the complex structures of
      the GR is of fundamental relevance to understanding its interactions and
      functions, since the function of a protein or a complex is dictated by its
      structure. In addition, it may help us estimate the effects of mutations on GR
      interactions and signaling. 

PMID- 26278183
TI  - The Prototypic Cyclotide Kalata B1 Has a Unique Mechanism of Entering Cells.
AB  - Cyclotides combine the stability of disulfide-rich peptides with the
      intracellular accessibility of cell-penetrating peptides, giving them outstanding
      potential as drug scaffolds with an ability to inhibit intracellular protein
      protein interactions. To realize and optimize the application of cyclotides as a
      drug framework and delivery system, we studied the ability of the prototypic
      cyclotide, kalata B1, to enter mammalian cells. We show that kalata B1 can enter
      cells via both endocytosis and direct membrane translocation. Both pathways are
      initiated by targeting phosphatidylethanolamine phospholipids at the cell surface
      and inducing membrane curvature. This unusual approach to initiate
      internalization might be harnessed to deliver drugs into cells and, in
      particular, cancer cells, which present a higher proportion of surface-exposed
      phosphatidylethanolamine phospholipids. Our findings highlight the potential of
      these peptides as drug leads for the modulation of traditionally "undruggable"
      targets, such as intracellular protein-protein interactions. 

PMID- 26278184
TI  - The Structure and Interactions of Periplasmic Domains of Crucial MmpL Membrane
      Proteins from Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
AB  - Mycobacterium tuberculosis mycobacterial membrane protein large (MmpL) proteins
      are important in substrate transport across the inner membrane. Here, we show
      that MmpL proteins are classified into two phylogenetic clusters, where MmpL
      cluster II contains three soluble domains (D1, D2, and D3) and has two full
      length members, MmpL3 and MmpL11. Significantly, MmpL3 is currently the most
      druggable M. tuberculosis target. We have solved the 2.4-A MmpL11-D2 crystal
      structure, revealing structural homology to periplasmic porter subdomains of RND
      (multidrug) transporters. The resulting predicted cluster II MmpL membrane
      topology has D1 and D2 residing, and possibly interacting, within the periplasm.
      Crosslinking and biolayer interferometry experiments confirm that cluster II D1
      and D2 bind with weak affinities, and guided D1-D2 heterodimeric model
      assemblies. The predicted full-length MmpL3 and MmpL11 structural models reveal
      key substrate binding and transport residues, and may serve as templates to set
      the stage for in silico anti-tuberculosis drug development. 

PMID- 26278185
TI  - A General Method for Insertion of Functional Proteins within Proteins via
      Combinatorial Selection of Permissive Junctions.
AB  - A major goal of modern protein chemistry is to create new proteins with different
      functions. One approach is to amalgamate secondary and tertiary structures from
      different proteins. This is difficult for several reasons, not the least of which
      is the fact that the junctions between secondary and tertiary structures are not
      degenerate and usually affect the function and folding of the entire complex.
      Here, we offer a solution to this problem by coupling a large combinatorial
      library of about 10(7) different N- and C-terminal junctions to a powerful system
      that selects for function. Using this approach, the entire Leptin and follicle
      stimulating hormone (FSH) were inserted into an antibody. Complexes with full
      retention of function in vivo and in vitro, although rare, were found easily by
      using an autocrine selection system to search for hormonal activity. Such large
      diversity systems, when coupled to robust selection systems, should enable
      construction of novel therapeutic proteins. 

PMID- 26278186
TI  - Deaths from acute abdominal conditions and geographical access to surgical care
      in India: a nationally representative spatial analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Few population-based studies quantify mortality from surgical
      conditions and relate mortality to access to surgical care in low-income and
      middle-income countries. METHODS: We linked deaths from acute abdominal
      conditions within a nationally representative, population-based mortality survey
      of 1.1 million households in India to nationally representative facility data. We
      calculated total and age-standardised death rates for acute abdominal conditions.
      Using 4064 postal codes, we undertook a spatial clustering analysis to compare
      geographical access to well-resourced government district hospitals (24 h
      surgical and anaesthesia services, blood bank, critical care beds, basic
      laboratory, and radiology) in high-mortality or low-mortality clusters from acute
      abdominal conditions. FINDINGS: 923 (1.1%) of 86,806 study deaths at ages 0-69
      years were identified as deaths from acute abdominal conditions, corresponding to
      72,000 deaths nationally in 2010 in India. Most deaths occurred at home (71%) and
      in rural areas (87%). Compared with 567 low-mortality geographical clusters, the
      393 high-mortality clusters had a nine times higher age-standardised acute
      abdominal mortality rate and significantly greater distance to a well-resourced
      hospital. The odds ratio (OR) of being a high-mortality cluster was 4.4 (99% CI
      3.2-6.0) for living 50 km or more from well-resourced district hospitals (rising
      to an OR of 16.1 [95% CI 7.9-32.8] for >100 km). No such relation was seen for
      deaths from non-acute surgical conditions (ie, oral, breast, and uterine cancer).
      INTERPRETATION: Improvements in human and physical resources at existing
      government hospitals are needed to reduce deaths from acute abdominal conditions
      in India. Full access to well-resourced hospitals within 50 km by all of India's
      population could have avoided about 50,000 deaths from acute abdominal
      conditions, and probably more from other emergency surgical conditions. FUNDING:
      Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Canadian
      Institute of Health Research.

PMID- 26278187
TI  - A hospital too far--access to surgical facilities in India.

PMID- 26278188
TI  - Fluoride and nitrate removal from brackish groundwaters by batch-mode capacitive
      deionization.
AB  - Capacitive deionization (CDI) is an emerging water desalination technology in
      which pairs of porous electrodes are electrically charged to remove ionic species
      from water. In this work, the feasibility of fluoride and nitrate removal from
      brackish groundwaters by batch-mode CDI was investigated. Initially, the effects
      of flow rate, initial fluoride concentration, and initial coexisting NaCl
      concentration on fluoride removal were studied. The steady-state fluoride
      concentration declined as the initial fluoride concentration decreased while
      initial NaCl concentration remained constant. Due to the competitive
      electrosorption between fluoride and chloride for limited pore surface sites, a
      higher initial chloride concentration resulted in a higher equilibrium dissolved
      fluoride concentration. A simplified one-dimensional transport model for dual
      anions was developed and found to reliably describe the dynamic process of
      removal of both fluoride and chloride ions in CDI cells over a range of well
      defined operating conditions. Based on the ability of the model to describe
      fluoride removal, it was extended to description of nitrate removal from brackish
      groundwaters and also found to perform well. Thus, the approach to description of
      ion removal, at least in batch studies, appears robust and should assist in
      optimization of design and operating conditions such that optimal removal of
      trace ionic species is achieved even when high background concentrations of salt
      are present. 

PMID- 26278189
TI  - A valid option for asthma control: Clinical evidence on efficacy and safety of
      fluticasone propionate/formoterol combination in a single inhaler.
AB  - A good level of asthma control improves the quality of life of asthmatic patients
      and may prevent future risk in term of exacerbations and decline of pulmonary
      function. However, in a real-life setting, several factors contribute to
      generally low compliance to the treatment. A rapid-onset, long-lasting medication
      with few adverse effects may contribute to improve adherence to therapy, along
      with an effective patient education and a good physician-patient communication.
      Many clinical studies demonstrated the comparable efficacy of the new fluticasone
      propionate/formoterol (FP/F) combination in a single inhaler to other
      combinations of inhaled corticosteroids and beta2agonists and the superiority of
      FP/F as compared to its individual components. Also the safety profile of this
      combination was encouraging in all studies, even at higher doses. By effectively
      and safely targeting both airway inflammation and smooth muscle dysfunction, the
      two pathological facets of asthma, and allowing the patient to adapt dose
      strength, FP/F combination in a single device represents a valid option to
      improve asthma control in patients with different levels of asthma severity. 

PMID- 26278190
TI  - Roflumilast for asthma: Weighing the evidence.

PMID- 26278191
TI  - Nitrogen removal performance and microbial distribution in pilot- and full-scale
      integrated fixed-biofilm activated sludge reactors based on nitritation-anammox
      process.
AB  - Nitritation-anammox process was successfully established in pilot- and full-scale
      integrated fixed-film activated sludge (IFAS) reactors. An average nitrogen
      removal efficiency of 80% was achieved under ammonium loading rate of 0.7
      1.3kgN/(m(3)d) in the pilot-scale reactor (12m(3)). Moreover, molecular analysis
      showed that ammonium oxidizing bacteria (AOB) were more abundant in the activated
      sludge while anammox bacteria were primarily located in the biofilm. The
      segregation of AOB and anammox bacteria enhanced the nitrogen removal rate and
      operational stability. Furthermore, a full-scale IFAS reactor of 500m(3) was set
      up to treat sludge dewatering liquors. An average nitrogen removal efficiency of
      85% and a nitrogen removal rate of 0.48kgN/(m(3)d) were achieved after
      inoculation. It was noted that high influent suspended solids would seriously
      affect the performance of the IFAS system. Therefore, a pre-treatment was
      proposed to reduce suspended solid in the full-scale application.

PMID- 26278192
TI  - Non-Fullerene-Acceptor-Based Bulk-Heterojunction Organic Solar Cells with
      Efficiency over 7.
AB  - A novel perylene bisimide (PBI) dimer-based acceptor material, SdiPBI-S, was
      developed. Conventional bulk-heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells based on SdiPBI-S
      and the wide-band-gap polymer PDBT-T1 show a high power conversion efficiency
      (PCE) of 7.16% with a high open-circuit voltage of 0.90 V, a high short-circuit
      current density of 11.98 mA/cm(2), and an impressive fill factor of 66.1%.
      Favorable phase separation and balanced carrier mobilites in the BHJ films
      account for the high photovoltaic performance. The results demonstrate that fine
      tuning of PBI-based materials is a promising way to improve the PCEs of non
      fullerene BHJ organic solar cells. 

PMID- 26278193
TI  - Studies on ascaridid, oxyurid and enoplid nematodes (Nematoda) from fishes of the
      Okavango River, Botswana.
AB  - Based on light and scanning electron microscopical studies, eight species (five
      adult and three larval) of nematodes belonging to the Ascaridida, Oxyurida and
      Enoplida were collected from fishes of the Okavango River, Botswana, namely
      Falcaustra similis Moravec et Van As, 2004, Atractidae gen. sp. (only female)
      (both Cosmocercoidea), Cucullanus sp. (only female) (Seuratoidea), Cithariniella
      longicaudata sp. n., Synodontisia annulata sp. n. (both Oxyuroidea), Contracaecum
      sp. third-stage larvae, third-stage larvae of Galeiceps sp. (both Ascaridoidea)
      and Eustrongylides sp. fourth-stage larvae (Dioctophymatoidea). The new species
      Citharinella longicaudata (type host Schilbe intermedius Ruppel) is mainly
      characterised by the shape and size of cephalic papillae and the spicule 108 um
      long, and Synodontisia annulata (type host S. intermedius) by the shape of
      cephalic papillae, body length of gravid females (4.88-5.33 mm) and a short
      spicule (66 um long). The female specimen of Cucullanus sp. from Tilapia
      sparmanni Smith markedly differs from congeners parasitising inland fishes in
      Africa by the elongate pseudobuccal capsule and by the excretory pore far
      posterior to the oesophago-intestinal junction; apparently, it belongs to an
      undescribed species. Galeiceps larvae parasitising fishes are described for the
      first time. Cithariniella gonzalezi Van Waerebeke, Chabaud, Bain et Georges, 1988
      is considered a junior synonym of C. khalili Petter, Vassiliades et Troncy, 1972,
      and the previous records of Cithariniella citharini Khalil, 1964 from Synodontis
      spp. in Egypt concern, in fact, Cithariniella khalili Petter, Vassiliades et
      Troncy, 1972. The specimens of Cithariniella reported by Koubkova et al. (2010)
      from Paradistichodus dimidiatus (Pellegrin) in Senegal and misidentified as C.
      gonzalesi Van Waerebeke, Chabaud, Bain et Georges, 1988 are considered to
      represent a new species, C. koubkovae sp. n.; this is established by reference to
      the description and drawings provided by Koubkova et al. (2010). 

PMID- 26278194
TI  - Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: The rightful gold standard weight loss surgery
      procedure.

PMID- 26278195
TI  - Petersen's internal hernia complicating a laparoscopic omega loop gastric bypass.

PMID- 26278197
TI  - Complete genome sequence of Mycobacterium goodii X7B, a facultative thermophilic
      biodesulfurizing bacterium with industrial potential.
AB  - Mycobacterium goodii X7B appeared to have the ability to remove organic sulfur
      from a broad range of sulfur species in gasoline, diesel and crude oils. The
      predominant properties make it as a potential workhorse for petroleum
      biodesulfurization process. We sequenced and annotated the whole genome to serve
      as a basis for further elucidation of the genetic background of this promising
      strain, and provide opportunities for investigating the metabolic and regulatory
      mechanisms. 

PMID- 26278196
TI  - Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and risky behaviors among trauma-exposed
      inpatients with substance dependence: The influence of negative and positive
      urgency.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among inpatients with substance
      use disorders (SUDs) is associated with heightened engagement in a variety of
      risky, self-destructive, and health-compromising behaviors (e.g., risky sexual
      behavior, aggression). Extant research provides support for the role of emotion
      dysregulation in the PTSD-risky behavior relation among inpatients with SUD;
      however, this research has been limited by a focus on emotion dysregulation
      involving negative (versus positive) emotions. The goal of the current study was
      to extend past research on the PTSD-risky behavior relation by examining the
      potential mediating roles of negative and positive urgency (two domains of
      emotion dysregulation defined by the tendency to engage in risky behavior in the
      context of negative and positive emotions, respectively). METHODS: Participants
      were 158 trauma-exposed inpatients with (n=91) and without (n=67) lifetime PTSD
      consecutively admitted to a residential SUD treatment facility (M age=34.34;
      59.5% White, 50.6% female). Patients were administered diagnostic interviews and
      completed self-report questionnaires. RESULTS: Significant positive associations
      were found among lifetime PTSD symptoms, negative and positive urgency, and risky
      behaviors. Moreover, findings revealed significant indirect effects of lifetime
      PTSD symptoms on risky behaviors through the pathways of both negative and
      positive urgency. CONCLUSIONS: Results provide initial support for the mediating
      roles of both negative and positive urgency in the PTSD-risky behavior relation,
      highlighting the potential utility of teaching trauma-exposed inpatients with
      PTSD-SUD skills for tolerating negative and positive emotional states without
      engaging in maladaptive behaviors.

PMID- 26278199
TI  - Coordination structure and charge transfer in microsolvated transition metal
      hydroxide clusters [MOH](+)(H2O)1-4.
AB  - Infrared vibrational predissociation spectra of transition metal hydroxide
      clusters, [MOH](+)(H2O)1-4.D2 with M = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn, are presented
      and analyzed with the aid of density functional theory calculations. For the
      [MnOH](+), [FeOH](+), [CoOH](+) and [ZnOH](+) species, we find that the first
      coordination shell contains three water molecules and the four ligands are
      arranged in a distorted tetrahedral geometry. [CuOH](+) can have either two or
      three water molecules in the first shell arranged in a planar arrangement, while
      [NiOH](+) has an octahedral ligand geometry with the first shell likely closed
      with five water molecules. Upon closure of the first coordination shell,
      characteristic stretch frequencies of hydrogen-bonded OH in the 2500-3500 cm(-1)
      region are used to pinpoint the location of the water molecule in the second
      shell. The relative energetics of different binding sites are found to be metal
      dependent, dictated by the first-shell coordination geometry and the charge
      transfer between the hydroxide and the metal center. Finally, the frequency of
      the hydroxide stretch is found to be sensitive to the vibrational Stark shift
      induced by the charged metal center, as observed previously for the smaller
      [MOH](+)(H2O) species. Increasing solvation modulates this frequency by reducing
      the extent of the charge transfer while elongating the M-OH bond. 

PMID- 26278198
TI  - Influence of total genomic alteration and chromosomal fragmentation on response
      to a combination of azacitidine and lenalidomide in a cohort of patients with
      very high risk MDS.
AB  - We genetically analyzed a group of high risk MDS/AML patients treated by a
      combination of azacitidine and lenalidomide. In our cohort, the extent of genetic
      rearrangements was associated with outcome and response to treatment. The size of
      total genomic aberrations as defined by molecular karyotyping (SNP-array
      analysis) was a predictive marker for overall survival. TP53 mutations were
      associated with therapy refractoriness only if accompanied by heavily rearranged
      chromosomes. This study suggests a potential value of molecular karyotyping as a
      method to objectivate comprehensively the extent of genetic alterations in high
      risk patients with complex karyotypes, especially if the clinical value of the
      size of total genomic aberrations and the fragmentation status of single
      chromosomes could be evaluated in larger therapy trials. 

PMID- 26278200
TI  - P-chiral 1-phosphanorbornenes: from asymmetric phospha-Diels-Alder reactions
      towards ligand design and functionalisation.
AB  - The principle of stereotopic face differentiation was successfully applied to 2H
      phospholes which undergo a very efficient and highly stereoselective Diels-Alder
      reaction giving phosphorus-chiral 1-phosphanorbornenes with up to 87% yield. The
      observed reaction pathway has been supported by theoretical calculations showing
      that the cycloaddition reaction between 2H-phosphole 3a and the dienophile (5R)-(
      )-menthyloxy-2(5H)-furanone (8) is of normal electron demand. Optically pure
      phosphanes were obtained by separation of the single diastereomers and subsequent
      desulfurisation of the sulfur-protected phosphorus atom. Finally, divergent
      ligand synthesis is feasible by reduction of the chiral auxiliary, subsequent
      stereospecific intramolecular Michael addition, and various functionalisations of
      the obtained key compound 13a. Furthermore, the unique structural properties of
      phospanorbornenes are presented and compared to those of phosphanorbornanes. 

PMID- 26278201
TI  - Lamellar changes in the keratoconic cornea.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify ultrastructural changes
      associated with ectasia and to determine the association between lamellar count
      and corneal thinning. METHODS: Five surgically removed keratoconic corneal
      buttons and four, non-keratoconic, normal eye bank control corneas were processed
      for transmission electron microscopy using an established protocol, ensuring
      minimal tissue distortion. A sequence of overlapping digital images, spanning the
      full apical cone corneal thickness, was assembled. A seamless digital montage was
      printed at 5000* magnification. Lamellae were counted in the anterior-posterior
      orientation, along a linear line, using established criteria for identification
      of individual lamellae. RESULTS: The stromal thickness estimated as a 95%
      confidence interval for the mean, CI (0.95), in the keratoconic corneas was 372
      +/- 62 MUm, while in the normal cornea, it was 446 +/- 89 MUm. All keratoconic
      corneas showed ultrastructural evidence of lamellar splitting and a loss of
      interweaving anterior lamellae. In the keratoconic corneas, the median total
      linear stromal lamellar absolute count tangential to the corneal surface was 362,
      (25th percentile; 75th percentile) = (355; 365) lamellae and in the normal
      cornea, 246, (25th percentile; 75th percentile) = (239; 251). The linear lamellar
      density in the keratoconic corneas was estimated as CI (0.95) 117 +/- 22 and 86
      +/-19 lamellae per 100 MUm in the anterior and posterior portion of the stroma,
      respectively. In normal cornea, the linear lamellar density was estimated as CI
      (0.95) 51 +/- 8 and 80 +/- 20 lamellae per 100 MUm. The mean difference of linear
      lamellar count between the anterior and the posterior portion of the cornea was
      estimated as CI (0.95) 31 +/- 23 for keratoconic corneas and -29 +/- 28 for the
      normal corneas. CONCLUSIONS: The current morphometric analysis of ultrastructural
      changes suggests that ectasia and thinning in keratoconus is associated with
      lamellar splitting into multiple bundles of collagen fibrils and loss of anterior
      lamellae. These structural changes, possibly in addition to lateral shifting of
      lamellae due to the pressure gradient over the cornea, are a potential
      explanation to the central loss of mass.

PMID- 26278202
TI  - Identification of a point mutation in the ace1 gene of Therioaphis trifolli
      maculata and detection of insecticide resistance by a diagnostic PCR-RFLP assay.
AB  - Aphids are important agricultural pests worldwide. Their control is largely based
      on chemical insecticides. One species that shows important invasive abilities and
      host-plant-related differences is Therioaphis trifolii (Monell) (Hemiptera:
      Aphididae). T. trifolii maculata, also known as spotted alfalfa aphid (SAA), can
      be very injurious to alfalfa crops in certain regions, such as in Saudi Arabia
      for effective control it is essential to diagnose and monitor the resistance
      mechanisms in the SAA populations. In the present study, we analysed
      acetylcholinesterase (ace) target site insensitivity mechanisms. A 650 bp length
      DNA containing the putative acetylcholinesterase (ace1) precursor was obtained
      and compared with other Hemipteran species. The sequences of many individual
      aphids collected from alfalfa crops in Saudi Arabia were analysed for the
      presence of resistance mutations: no resistance mutations were found at the
      resistance mutation loci 302; however, the presence of a serine-phenylalanine
      substitution (S431F) was identified in one individual. The S431F substitution,
      has been shown to confer significant levels of both organophosphate and carbamate
      resistance in other aphid species, and is now found for the first time in T.
      trifolii. We subsequently developed a simple polymerase chain reaction
      restriction fragment length polymorphism assays for the S431F mutation, using a
      TaqI restriction site destroyed by the S431F mutation. The novel diagnostic assay
      may support the implementation of Insecticide Resistance Management strategies,
      for the control of SAA in alfalfa crops in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and other
      countries worldwide. 

PMID- 26278203
TI  - Analyzing torquoselectivity in electrocyclic ring opening reactions of trans-3,4
      dimethylcyclobutene and 3-formylcyclobutene through electronic structure
      principles.
AB  - The validity of maximum hardness, minimum electrophilicity and minimum
      polarizability principles is assessed to explain the phenomenon of
      torquoselectivity (inward and outward preference) in the conrotatory ring opening
      reactions of trans-3,4-dimethylcyclobutene into Z,Z- and E,E-butadienes and 3
      formylcyclobutene into E- and Z-2,4-pentadienals. The hardness, average
      polarizability and electrophilicity profiles are computed along the intrinsic
      reaction coordinate and divided into three relevant stages. The transition states
      involved in the unfavorable inward conrotation of trans-3,4-dimethylcyclobutene
      and in the unfavorable outward conrotation of 3-formylcyclobutene are found to be
      higher in energy, softer, more electrophilic and more polarizable than the
      transition states corresponding to the torquoselective outward and inward
      conrotations, respectively. These observations are in conformity with the maximum
      hardness, minimum electrophilicity and minimum polarizability principles. The
      sharp changes in the local reactivity descriptors are also observed around the
      transition states in their respective profiles. 

PMID- 26278204
TI  - Tuning the properties of the UiO-66 metal organic framework by Ce substitution.
AB  - Crystallisation of a mixed-metal form of the porous framework UiO-66 in which Zr
      is partially replaced by Ce produces a ligand-defective material, that contains
      some Ce(III) as well as a majority of Ce(IV). Infrared spectroscopy shows
      enhanced binding of methanol in the substituted material that leads to catalytic
      decomposition of the alcohol, which may be due to a combination of defects and
      redox activity.

PMID- 26278206
TI  - The effect of 7.2% hypertonic saline solution on echocardiographic parameters of
      healthy horses.
AB  - REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: The cardiovascular effects and duration of action
      of hypertonic saline are not yet fully understood in the horse. OBJECTIVE: To
      determine the effects of hypertonic saline on cardiac measurements derived from
      echocardiography over a period of 90 min after infusion in euvolaemic and healthy
      horses. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental study. METHODS: Five healthy conscious
      euvolaemic horses were infused with 5 ml/kg bwt hypertonic saline via a jugular
      catheter over 1 h. Immediately prior to infusion and at 0, 20, 40, 60 and 90 min
      after the completion of the infusion, echocardiographic images were obtained from
      the right parasternal window. The left ventricular internal diameter at end
      diastole and left ventricular internal diameter in peak systole were measured and
      ventricular volume measurements were calculated by the Teicholz method. Data were
      analysed using a mixed effects model, which included horse as a random effect.
      The effect of observation time was assessed accounting for correlation between
      observations. RESULTS: Fractional shortening and ejection fraction increased
      significantly 40 min after completion of infusion. Left ventricular internal
      diameter at end diastole, end diastolic volume and stroke volume all followed the
      same pattern and were increased at 20, 40 and 60 min compared to preinfusion
      values. There were also significant differences between the 0 and 40, 40 and 90,
      60 and 90 time points. Other parameters did not differ significantly between time
      points. CONCLUSIONS: Hypertonic saline increases end-diastolic and stroke volume
      for approximately 1 h after completion of a 60 min infusion in euvolaemic horses.
      This adds to the evidence available to clinicians regarding the duration of
      action of hypertonic saline.

PMID- 26278208
TI  - Dialysis Amyloid Deposition in the  Aortic Valve and Its Association with  Aortic
      Stenosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The relationship between dialysis amyloid (DA) deposition in the
      aortic valve (AV) and aortic stenosis (AS) is unknown. METHODS: This was a cross
      sectional study. AV specimens of dialysis patients (median vintage: 8.8 years)
      consecutively collected from cardiac surgeries (n = 56) or autopsies (n = 13)
      were examined by a board-certified pathologist blinded to clinical data. DAs were
      considered to be present if deposits were stained both by Congo red with apple
      green birefringence under polarized light and by anti-beta2-microblobulin
      antibody. Degree of deposition was graded as follows: Amyloid (-), no deposit;
      Amyloid (1+), occasional small deposits; Amyloid (2+), multiple small to large
      deposits or a single large deposit. Calcification was defined as a calcified
      deposit with a diameter >1 mm in the specimen. Severe AS (sAS) was defined as a
      mean gradient >50 mm Hg by echocardiogram. We examined the proportion of DAs and
      the association between DAs and the sAS. RESULTS: DAs were present in 71% (n =
      49) of specimens and primarily co-localized with calcification. Non-dialysis
      related amyloid was found in one specimen. After excluding this specimen, sAS was
      associated with 'Amyloid (1+) and Calcification >1 mm' and 'Amyloid (2+) and
      Calcification >1 mm' (vs. 'Amyloid (-) and Calcification <=1 mm', odds ratios
      (ORs): 13.5 and 34.2, respectively). Furthermore, after adjustment for
      covariates, sAS was found to be associated with 'Amyloid (2+) and Calcification
      >1 mm' (OR: 24.3). CONCLUSIONS: DA deposition in the AV was prevalent among
      dialysis patients. DA deposition with accompanying calcification might contribute
      to the severity of AS.

PMID- 26278207
TI  - Novel evidence of association with nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft
      palate was shown for single nucleotide polymorphisms in FOXF2 gene in an Asian
      population.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The forkhead box F2 gene (FOXF2) located in chromosome 6p25.3 has
      been shown to play a crucial role in palatal development in mouse and rat models.
      To date, no evidence of linkage or association has been reported for this gene in
      humans with oral clefts. METHODS: Allelic transmission disequilibrium tests were
      used to robustly assess evidence of linkage and association with nonsyndromic
      cleft lip with or without cleft palate for nine single nucleotide polymorphisms
      (SNPs) in and around FOXF2 in both Asian and European trios using PLINK. RESULTS:
      Statistically significant evidence of linkage and association was shown for two
      SNPs (rs1711968 and rs732835) in 216 Asian trios where the empiric P values with
      permutation tests were 0.0016 and 0.005, respectively. The corresponding
      estimated odds ratios for carrying the minor allele at these SNPs were 2.05 (95%
      confidence interval = 1.41, 2.98) and 1.77 (95% confidence interval = 1.26,
      2.49), respectively. CONCLUSION: Our results provided statistical evidence of
      linkage and association between FOXF2 and nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without
      cleft palate.

PMID- 26278209
TI  - Thermoelectric Properties of Ga/Ag Codoped Type-III Ba24Ge100 Clathrates with in
      Situ Nanostructures.
AB  - Because of the low thermal conductivity and high electrical conductivity, type
      III Ba24Ge100 clathrates are potentially of interest as power generation
      thermoelectric materials for midto-high temperature operations. Unfortunately,
      their too high intrinsic carrier concentration results in a quite low Seebeck
      coefficient. To reduce the carrier concentration, we prepared a series of Ga/Ag
      codoped type-III Ba24Ge100 clathrate specimens by vacuum melting and subsequently
      compacted by spark plasma sintering (SPS). Doping Ga-Ag on the sites of Ge
      reduces the concentration of electrons and, at higher concentrations, also leads
      to the in situ formation of BaGe2 nanoprecipitates detected by the
      microstructural analysis. As a result of doping, the Seebeck coefficient
      increases, the thermal conductivity decreases, and the dimensionless figure of
      merit ZT reaches a value of 0.34 at 873 K, more than three times the value
      obtained with undoped Ba24Ge100. 

PMID- 26278210
TI  - [Cosmesis and Body Image after Laparo-Endoscopic Single Site Donor Nephrectomy].
AB  - Using a questionnaire, we objectively assessed the body image of donors who
      underwent conventional laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (L-DN) or laparoscopic
      single-site donor nephrectomy (LESS-DN). Subjects were 15 patients who underwent
      an L-DN and 15 who underwent an LESS-DN. The questionnaire consisted of the Body
      Image Questionnaire (BIQ), including a Body Image Scale (BIS) and Cosmetic Scale
      (CS), and a Photo-Series Questionnaire (PSQ). A higher score indicated a more
      favorable assessment, and patient scores were compared. Subjects were also asked
      which procedure they preferred if they had to undergo donor nephrectomy again.
      Pain was assessed by comparing the number of times an analgesic was administered
      during hospitalization. The average BIS score was 18.7 points (out of 20) for
      patients who underwent an L-DN and 19.5 points for patients who underwent an LESS
      DN ; those who underwent an LESS-DN had a significantly higher score (p=0.03).
      Patients who underwent an L-DN had a median CS score of 17.5 points (out of 24)
      while patients who underwent an LESS-DN had a median CS score of 19.1 points ;
      those who underwent an LESS-DN had a higher score, but the difference in average
      CS scores was not significant (p=0.123). The average PSQ score was 7.1 points for
      patients who underwent an L-DN and 8.8 points for patients who underwent an LESS
      DN ; the higher score for LESS-patients was statistically significant (p=0.01).
      Patients who underwent an L-DN were administered an analgesic a median of 4 times
      during hospitalization (range : 3-10 times) while patients who underwent an LESS
      DN were administered an analgesic a median of 2 times (range : 0-4 times), which
      was significantly less (p=0.01). Patients who underwent LESS-DN had a better body
      image and better cosmetic appearance than those who underwent LDN, thus
      indicating the usefulness of LESS-DN. However, a more prospective larger study
      needs to be performed.

PMID- 26278211
TI  - [Epithelioid Angiomyolipoma of the Kidney: A Case Report].
AB  - Herein we report a case of epithelioid angiomyolipoma of the kidney which is a
      rare subtype of angiomyolipoma. A 68-year-old man without a history of tuberous
      sclerosis complex (TSC) was referred to our department with a 40 * 84 mm left
      renal tumor incidentally detected by computed tomography. Computed tomography
      demonstrated a left renal heterogeneous mass which was enhanced at the early
      phase and washed out at the late phase. A tumor thrombus was seen extending into
      the main renal vein. No metastatic disease was evident. Thus, on the diagnosis of
      renal cell carcinoma, the patient underwent a left radical nephrectomy.
      Pathological examination showed that this tumor was composed predominantly of
      epithelioid cells, with a few blood vessels and adipose tissue and was diagnosed
      as epithelioid angiomyolipoma. He shows no disease progression for 6 months after
      the operation.

PMID- 26278212
TI  - [A Case of Localized Amyloidosis of the Ureter Diagnosed by Ureter Biopsy Using a
      Ureteroscope].
AB  - A 42-year-old female visited our hospital with the chief complaint of
      macrohematuria and left lateroabdominal pain. Computed tomography and retrograde
      pyelogram showed left hydronephroureter and obstructive uropathy which was 20 mm
      in diameter in the middle ureter. Urine cytology was negative. Ureter biopsy
      revealed amyloidosis. Our diagnosis was localized amyloidosis of the ureter,
      because amyloid was not found in other places in her whole body inspection.
      Partial ureterectomy was performed. Left renal function was preserved. The
      patient has been free of recurrence for 18 months after surgery.

PMID- 26278213
TI  - [A Case Report of 2,8-Dihydroxyadenine Stone].
AB  - Here we report a case of a 2,8-dihydroxyadenine (2,8-DHA) stone. A 48-year-old
      woman arrived at our hospital with left flank pain. She was diagnosed with a left
      ureteral stone. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) was tried, but the
      left ureteral stone was radiolucent and ESWL was not effective. Transurethral
      ureterolithotripsy (TUL) was successful. An analysis of the stone revealed 2,8
      DHA. A 2,8-DHA stone is caused by adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT)
      deficiency. By genetic tests, she was diagnosed with APRT deficiency. 

PMID- 26278214
TI  - [Vesicoappendiceal Fistula: A Case Report].
AB  - A 65-year-old man had been aware of pieces of food occasionally in the urine
      since February 2008. In November 2010, he came to an outpatient clinic with high
      fever and cloudy urine and was diagnosed with urinary tract infection. Because he
      had fecaluria, interconnection between urinary bladder and digestive tract was
      suspected. Although excretory urography showed no remarkable findings, an outflow
      of contrast media into the appendix was demonstrated in the cystography. By
      cystoscopy, the fistula hole was confirmed on the posterior wall of the bladder
      and inflow of feces from the hole was noticed. Operation was performed under the
      diagnosis of vesicoappendiceal fistula. The appendix was adhesive to the ileum,
      the right side of the bladder and the upper side of the rectum, and an en bloc
      resection was performed. Because the fecalith existed near the fistula,
      appendicitis appeared to induce inflammatory change and abscess formation around
      the appendix, and the abscess might have perforate into the bladder.

PMID- 26278215
TI  - [An Adult Case of Transperineal Repair of Congenital Rectourethral Fistula Using
      Gracilis Muscle Flap Interposition].
AB  - A man in his 50s was referred to our hospital after recurrent severe urinary
      tract infection. He had undergone anoplasty for anorectal malformation during
      early infancy. He noticed urinary leakage from the anus for a long time. Under
      diagnosis of congenital rectourethral fistula, we performed fistula closure. The
      fistula was transsected via transperineal incision and each stump was closed. A
      gracilis muscle flap approximately 30 cm long was harvested from the left thigh,
      brought into the deepest part between the separated rectum and urethra through a
      subcutaneous tunnel and fixed there. The urinary leakage from the anus
      disappeared, and the infection resolved. Application of gracilis muscle flap for
      congenital diseases is rare, but was useful in the present case. 

PMID- 26278217
TI  - [Transvesical Removal of Seminal Vesicle Cystadenoma].
AB  - Primary tumors of the seminal vesicles are extremely rare. There have been 25
      reports of this tumor from overseas and most cases are cystadenoma. We report a
      case of seminal vesicle cystadenoma in a 70-year-old man who presented with lower
      abdominal pain and urinary frequency. A digital rectal examination detected a
      projecting and hard mass in the right side of the prostate. Magnetic resonance
      imaging (MRI) showed a 15 cm multiple cystic mass continuous with the right
      seminal vesicle. A transrectal needle biopsy revealed benign tissue. The tumor
      was resected using an open transvesical approach that enabled full exposure of
      the seminal vesicle without damaging the nerves and blood supply of the bladder.
      Pathology was consistent with a benign seminal vesicle cystadenoma. We describe
      the natural history, pathology,and surgical approach in this case. 

PMID- 26278216
TI  - [Primary Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue (MALT) Lymphoma with Large Cell
      Transformation of the Prostate : A Case Report].
AB  - Primary mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma of the prostate is
      rare. MALT lymphoma with large cell transformation like a diffuse large B-cell
      lymphoma (DLBCL) of the prostate is extremely rare. To the best of our knowledge,
      only one case has been previously reported. A 65-year-old man with difficulty on
      urination was referred to our department, in April 2014, because of abnormal
      findings of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography
      computed tomography imaging. Routine laboratory tests including prostate specific
      antigen and soluble interletkin-2 recepter were within normal limits, and the
      physical examination was unremarkable. In July 2007 and August 2009, he was
      submitted for a transrectal prostate biopsy, and then a histological examination
      for chronic prostatitis. In addition to the biopsy, transurethral resection of
      the prostate was performed. Histological examination revealed primary MALT
      lymphoma with large cell transformation of the prostate. Complete clinical
      investigation, including bone marrow biopsy, did not show any involvement of
      other sites by lymphoma, he received 3 cycles of chemotherapy consisting of
      rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP)
      followed by radiation therapy with a total dose of 46 Gy. The patient has been in
      complete remission for 6 months after the chemoradiation therapy. 

PMID- 26278218
TI  - Auditing Neonatal Intensive Care: Is PREM a Good Alternative to CRIB for
      Mortality Risk Adjustment in Premature Infants?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Comparing outcomes at different neonatal intensive care units (NICUs)
      requires adjustment for intrinsic risk. The Clinical Risk Index for Babies (CRIB)
      is a widely used risk model, but it has been criticized for being affected by
      therapeutic decisions. The Prematurity Risk Evaluation Measure (PREM) is not
      supposed to be prone to treatment bias, but has not yet been validated.
      OBJECTIVES: We aimed to validate the PREM, compare its accuracy to that of the
      original and modified versions of the CRIB and CRIB-II, and examine the
      congruence of risk categorization. METHODS: Very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants
      with a gestational age (GA) <33 weeks, who were admitted to NICUs in Baden
      Wurttemberg from 2003 to 2008, were identified from the German neonatal quality
      assurance program. CRIB, CRIB-II and PREM scores were calculated and modified.
      Omitting variables that directly reflected therapeutic decisions [the applied
      fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2)] or that may have been prone to early
      treatment bias (base excess and temperature), non-NICU-therapy-influenced scores
      were obtained. Score performance was assessed by the area under their ROC curve
      (AUC). RESULTS: The CRIB showed the largest AUC (0.89), which dropped
      significantly (to 0.85) after omitting the FiO2. The PREM birth condition model,
      PREM(bcm) (AUC 0.86), and the PREM birth model, PREM(bm) (AUC 0.82), also
      demonstrated good discrimination. PREM(bm) was superior to other non-therapy
      affected scores and to GA, particularly in infants with <750 g birth weight.
      Congruence of risk categorization was low, especially among higher-risk cases.
      CONCLUSIONS: The CRIB score had the largest AUC, resulting from its inclusion of
      FiO2. PREM(bm), as the most accurate score among those unaffected by early
      treatment, seems to be a good alternative for strict risk adjustment in NICU
      auditing. It could be useful to combine scores.

PMID- 26278219
TI  - MicroRNA-203 Regulates Growth and Metastasis of Breast Cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: MicroRNAs (MiRNAs) control many biological events and play
      critical roles in the development of tumor. Among all miRNAs, miR203 has been
      recently shown to have an inhibitory effect on prostate cancer. However, its
      involvement in the carcinogenesis of breast cancer has not been reported.
      METHODS: We examined the levels of miR203 in the breast cancer from the patients
      compared to the paired normal breast tissue. We also examined the levels of
      miR203 in several commonly used breast cancer cell lines. The effects of
      overexpression or depletion of miR203 on breast cancer cell growth were analyzed
      by a MTT assay, and on breast cancer cell invasion were examined by a scratch
      wound healing assay and a transwell cell migration assay. MiR203-targeted genes
      were analyzed by Western blot. RESULTS: We detected significantly lower levels of
      miR203 in the breast cancer from the patients compared to the paired normal
      breast tissue. Moreover, the levels of miR203 were significantly lower in breast
      cancer tissue from the patients with cancer metastasis. Decreased miR203 levels
      were detected in all examined breast cancer lines. Overexpression of miR203
      inhibited breast cancer cell growth and invasion, while antisense-mediated
      inhibition of miR203 enhanced cancer cell growth and invasion. Further analyses
      show that miR203 may inhibit cell growth through decreasing cell-cycle activator
      cyclinD2 and CDK6, increasing cell-cycle suppressor p21 and p27, and increasing
      apoptosis-associated protein Bcl-2. MiR203 may also inhibit cell metastasis
      through suppressing matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2), MMP7 and MMP9. CONCLUSION:
      Our data thus highlight miR203 as a novel therapeutic target for breast cancer.

PMID- 26278221
TI  - Adequacy of Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytology for Breast Lesions: The SurePath(r)
      Liquid-Based Technique versus Conventional Smears.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the cytological findings from fine-needle
      aspiration (FNA) of breast lesions with conventional smear (CS) and SurePath(r)
      (SP) cytology. STUDY DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional study of women who
      underwent FNA from January 2012 to June 2013 for breast lesions with benign
      ultrasonography impressions in Fortaleza, Brazil. Two groups were formed. The
      first was composed of 102 samples subjected to CS and the second of 65 samples
      subjected to SP. The number of smears, the cellularity and the diagnostic
      hypotheses were compared. Fisher's exact tests with 95% confidence intervals were
      applied. RESULTS: The women ranged in age from 22 to 75 years. SP cytology
      indicated greater cellularity than CS for the cystic lesions (p < 0.05). In the
      CS group, 72.5% of the samples required 3-4 slides, but in the SP group, only
      9.2% required a second slide. The cellularity of the cystic samples was
      significantly greater with the SP method (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: In FNA cytology
      of the breast, SP is a tool that is comparable to CS, but with the added benefits
      of better cellularity results for cystic lesions and requiring fewer slides for
      analysis.

PMID- 26278220
TI  - Progress in adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer: an overview.
AB  - Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer and cancer death worldwide.
      Although most patients present with localized breast cancer and may be rendered
      disease-free with local therapy, distant recurrence is common and is the primary
      cause of death from the disease. Adjuvant systemic therapies are effective in
      reducing the risk of distant and local recurrence, including endocrine therapy,
      anti-HER2 therapy, and chemotherapy, even in patients at low risk of recurrence.
      The widespread use of adjuvant systemic therapy has contributed to reduced breast
      cancer mortality rates. Adjuvant cytotoxic chemotherapy regimens have evolved
      from single alkylating agents to polychemotherapy regimens incorporating
      anthracyclines and/or taxanes. This review summarizes key milestones in the
      evolution of adjuvant systemic therapy in general, and adjuvant chemotherapy in
      particular. Although adjuvant treatments are routinely guided by predictive
      factors for endocrine therapy (hormone receptor expression) and anti-HER2 therapy
      (HER2 overexpression), predicting benefit from chemotherapy has been more
      challenging. Randomized studies are now in progress utilizing multiparameter gene
      expression assays that may more accurately select patients most likely to benefit
      from adjuvant chemotherapy. 

PMID- 26278222
TI  - Organized Self-Management Support Services for Chronic Depressive Symptoms: A
      Randomized Controlled Trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine whether a self-management support
      service was more effective than treatment as usual in reducing depressive
      symptoms and major depressive episodes and increasing personal recovery among
      individuals with chronic or recurrent depressive symptoms. METHODS: The study was
      a randomized controlled trial of a self-management support service consisting of
      depression self-management training, recovery coaching, and care coordination.
      The 18-month intervention included regular telephone or in-person contacts with a
      care manager and a structured group program co-led by a professional therapist
      and a trained peer specialist. Intervention (N=150) and control (N=152)
      participants ages >= 18 with chronic or recurrent depressive symptoms were
      recruited from five clinics in Seattle, Washington. Outcome measures included the
      Hopkins Symptom Checklist depression scale, the Recovery Assessment Scale, the
      Patient-Rated Global Improvement scale, and the percentage of participants with a
      major depressive episode. Interviewers were masked to treatment condition.
      RESULTS: Repeated-measures estimates of the long-term effect of the intervention
      versus usual care (average of the six-, 12-, and 18-month outcomes adjusted for
      age, gender, and site) indicated that intervention participants had less severe
      symptoms (p=.002) and higher recovery scores (p=.03), were less likely to be
      depressed (odds ratio [OR]=.52, p=.001), and were more likely to be much improved
      (OR=1.96, p=.001). CONCLUSIONS: These findings support providing regular outreach
      care management and a self-care group offering a combined behavioral and recovery
      oriented approach for people with chronic or recurrent depressive symptoms.

PMID- 26278223
TI  - Factors Associated With Civilian Employment, Work Satisfaction, and Performance
      Among National Guard Members.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Employment is a vital part of the postdeployment return to civilian
      life. This study investigated factors associated with employment-related outcomes
      (employment status, self-reported work performance, and self-reported work
      satisfaction) among National Guard members returning from Operation Enduring
      Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, or Operation New Dawn deployments. METHODS: The
      sample consisted of 1,151 National Guard service members who had returned from
      overseas deployments approximately six months earlier. Bivariate and
      multivariable analyses were performed to examine associations between predictors
      and employment-related outcome variables. RESULTS: Higher-risk alcohol use was
      associated with reduced odds of being employed as well as with lower ratings of
      work satisfaction, whereas psychiatric symptom load was associated with lower
      self-reported work performance and work satisfaction ratings. Perceived social
      resources were associated with higher self-reported work performance and work
      satisfaction, whereas better physical functioning was associated with better self
      reported work performance. CONCLUSIONS: Policy makers and clinicians may need to
      consider and assess alcohol use among unemployed National Guard members. They may
      also need to consider psychiatric symptom load and physical functioning among
      employed service members who perceive poor work performance and have low work
      satisfaction. Further research is needed on causal links between these predictors
      and employment outcomes.

PMID- 26278224
TI  - Opting Out of Medicaid Expansion: Impact on Encounters With Behavioral Health
      Specialty Staff in Community Health Centers.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study examined how state decisions not to expand Medicaid have
      affected behavioral health services utilization in health centers. Because health
      center revenues are adversely affected, the ability to provide on-site
      nonrequired services, such as specialty mental health and substance abuse
      treatment services, is compromised. METHODS: Using 2012 Uniform Data System data
      and the projected health center insurance case mix in 2020, the authors estimated
      the amount of additional revenue that could accrue to health centers if all
      states were to expand Medicaid by 2020. Using the estimated percentage of total
      revenues supporting the provision of specialty behavioral treatment services, the
      authors also estimated the number of encounters with behavioral health
      specialists that might be possible in 2020 if all states expand Medicaid by then.
      State-specific estimates are provided. RESULTS: If all states expand Medicaid by
      2020, it is estimated that nearly $230 million in additional revenue could accrue
      to health centers in states that opted out of expanding Medicaid in 2014. An
      estimated $11.3 million would likely be used for mental health services and $1.6
      million might be used to provide substance use disorder services. This translates
      to over 70,500 additional encounters that could occur with behavioral health
      specialists if all states expand Medicaid by 2020. CONCLUSIONS: On-site
      behavioral health services are needed in health centers. However, financial
      constraints might limit the ability of health centers to provide on-site
      behavioral health services, particularly in states opting out of Medicaid
      expansion.

PMID- 26278225
TI  - Growing Use of Mental and General Health Care Services Among Older Veterans With
      Mental Illness.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: National data from Veterans Health Administration (VHA) electronic
      medical records were used to examine rates of mental illness and service use
      among older veterans since mental health care transformation efforts were
      implemented in 2005. METHODS: Data were extracted from VHA electronic medical
      records for each fiscal year from 2005 through 2013 for veterans ages 65 and
      older. Among those receiving any health care services, the number and proportion
      treated for a confirmed mental illness and the utilization of non-mental health
      care services were identified. RESULTS: In 2013, 2.6 million older veterans
      utilized services in VHA, 14% of whom had a confirmed mental illness, which was a
      57% increase from 2005. Older veterans with confirmed mental illness accounted
      for a sizable and growing proportion of non-mental health service utilization.
      CONCLUSIONS: Preparing the workforce to address the mental health needs of older
      veterans and nonveterans is essential.

PMID- 26278226
TI  - Using the WHODAS 2.0 to Assess Functioning Among Veterans Seeking Compensation
      for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: One of the major changes in DSM-5 was removal of the Global Assessment
      of Functioning (GAF). To determine whether the World Health Organization
      Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0) is a suitable replacement for the
      GAF, this study compared how well the WHODAS 2.0 and the GAF measured functional
      impairment and other phenomena related to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
      among veterans applying for financial compensation (service connection) for PTSD.
      METHODS: Clinicians evaluating veteran claimants administered the Clinician
      Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) and the WHODAS 2.0 to 177 veterans during their
      evaluations. Veterans also completed the Inventory of Psychosocial Functioning
      (IPF), a self-report measure of functional impairment, and received a GAF rating
      from the examiner. Actual benefit determinations and ratings were obtained.
      RESULTS: Confirmatory factor analyses demonstrated that the WHODAS 2.0 and the
      IPF were stronger indicators of a latent variable reflecting functioning compared
      with the GAF. In receiver operating characteristic curve analyses, the WHODAS
      2.0, IPF, and GAF all displayed similar ability to identify veterans with PTSD
      related impairment assessed by the CAPS. Compared with the GAF, the WHODAS 2.0
      and IPF were less strongly related to PTSD symptom severity and disability
      ratings by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, but these variables are
      typically influenced by GAF scores. CONCLUSIONS: The WHODAS 2.0 and IPF are
      acceptable replacements for the GAF and can be used to assess functional
      impairment among veterans seeking compensation for PTSD.

PMID- 26278227
TI  - Multifamily Group Psychoeducation in New York State: Implementation and Fidelity
      Outcomes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The study examined implementation outcomes from a large state
      initiative to support dissemination of multifamily group (MFG) psychoeducation in
      outpatient mental health settings. METHODS: Thirty-one sites participated in the
      project. Baseline training in the MFG model was followed by monthly expert
      consultation delivered in either a group (16 sites) or individual format (15
      sites). Research staff assessed fidelity to the MFG model by telephone at
      baseline and 12, 18, and 24 months and documented time to completion of three key
      milestones: holding a family joining session, a family educational workshop, and
      an MFG meeting. RESULTS: Intent-to-train analyses found that 12 sites (39%)
      achieved high fidelity to the MFG model, and 20 (65%) achieved moderate or high
      fidelity. Mean scores on the Family Psychoeducation Fidelity Assessment Scale
      increased over time. Twenty-five sites (81%) conducted at least one joining
      session, and 20 (65%) conducted at least one MFG. Mean+/-SD time from baseline to
      the first group was 11.75+/-4.78 months. Programs that held the first joining
      session within four to 12 months after training were significantly more likely
      than programs that did not to conduct a group (p<.05). No significant differences
      were found by consultation format. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of moderate- to
      high-fidelity MFG programs in routine outpatient mental health settings is
      feasible. Sites that moved very quickly or very slowly in early implementation
      stages were less likely to be successful in conducting an MFG. More research on
      the efficiency and effectiveness of consultation formats is needed to guide
      future implementation efforts.

PMID- 26278228
TI  - Intensity of Offending Following State Prison Release Among Persons Treated for
      Mental Health Problems While Incarcerated.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study examined a range of demographic, clinical, and criminal
      history factors as they relate to the intensity of offending for up to two years
      postrelease. METHODS: This study drew on data from 1,438 individuals released
      from Massachusetts state prisons between 2007 and 2009 who, while incarcerated,
      received treatment from the prisons' mental health services and were followed for
      24 months postrelease. These data were used to explore predictive factors related
      to the intensity of criminal justice involvement, defined as number of arrests in
      the two-year follow-up period. RESULTS: Predictors of subsequent arrests included
      number of previous incarcerations and black race. Protective factors included
      older age, supervision by parole, and a drug-related or person-related governing
      offense on previous arrest. Clinical symptoms were not related to incidence of
      postrelease arrests. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified factors related to
      criminal history, such as type of charge, that were associated with the intensity
      of subsequent criminal justice involvement. These findings have not been reported
      in previous studies, perhaps because intensity of offending as opposed to a
      different dependent variable was used to measure criminal justice involvement.
      Further investigation should focus on whether the type of previous offense is
      related to postrelease risk factors for recidivism.

PMID- 26278229
TI  - An Examination of Eligibility Decisions in New York State's Assisted Outpatient
      Treatment.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare assisted outpatient
      treatment (AOT) eligibility characteristics among participants receiving
      community treatment through AOT and non-AOT referrals. METHODS: A total of 131
      AOT and non-AOT charts were reviewed from three sites within one treatment agency
      in New York City. Intake information was coded for AOT eligibility information,
      suicide history, and risk of future violence according to the Historical Clinical
      Risk Management-20, version 3 (HCR-20V3), instrument. RESULTS: No significant
      differences were found between groups for measurable AOT eligibility criteria.
      Compared with non-AOT participants, the participants referred through AOT scored
      significantly higher on HCR-20V3 for risk of future violence; however, most
      charts, including almost half of AOT participants, received low risk ratings.
      CONCLUSIONS: Study findings raise questions about why some individuals, and not
      others, are referred to AOT in New York City.

PMID- 26278230
TI  - Evaluating START NOW: A Skills-Based Psychotherapy for Inmates of Correctional
      Systems.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study investigated whether higher attendance in a skills-based
      group therapy program designed for inmates was associated with fewer rule
      infractions as reflected in the number of disciplinary reports received in a
      state correctional system. METHODS: Administrative data were provided by the
      Connecticut Department of Correction and Correctional Managed Health Care at
      UConn Health, the system's health care organization. This was a retrospective
      cohort analysis of START NOW program participation events from 2010 through 2013
      (N=946). Participants were adult male and female inmates, both sentenced and
      unsentenced, with and without recorded psychiatric diagnoses. The number of
      disciplinary reports was documented for up to six months after program
      participation. Incident rate ratios are presented from zero-inflated negative
      binomial regression models. Predictive margins examined variation in the effect
      of sessions attended on disciplinary reports in the postprogram period across
      security risk groups and primary psychiatric diagnosis groups. RESULTS: For each
      additional session of START NOW completed, a 5% reduction was noted in the
      incident rate of disciplinary reports. The effect of program participation was
      robust to all model considerations. Inmates with higher overall security scores
      appear to benefit most from program participation. The program was also found to
      be effective across primary psychiatric diagnosis classifications. CONCLUSIONS:
      START NOW was shown to be an effective treatment option for reducing disciplinary
      infractions by inmates.

PMID- 26278232
TI  - School-Based Behavioral Health Service Use and Expenditures for Children With
      Autism and Children With Other Disorders.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study compared use of and associated expenditures for Medicaid
      reimbursed school-based and out-of-school services for children with autism
      spectrum disorder (ASD) and those with other psychiatric disorders. METHODS:
      Philadelphia County Medicaid claims were used to identify children ages five to
      17 who received behavioral health services through Medicaid any time between
      October 2008 and September 2009 (N=24,271). Children were categorized into four
      diagnostic groups: autism spectrum disorder (ASD), conduct disorder or
      oppositional defiant disorder (conduct-ODD), attention-deficit hyperactivity
      disorder (ADHD), and other psychiatric disorders. Logistic regression analysis
      compared use of in-school and out-of-school behavioral health services between
      children with ASD and children with other psychiatric disorders. Generalized
      linear models with gamma distribution were used to estimate differences in
      Medicaid expenditures for in-school and out-of-school services and total Medicaid
      expenditures for both service types by disorder, with adjustments for age, sex,
      and race-ethnicity. RESULTS: The most common diagnosis was ADHD (40%); 35% had
      other psychiatric disorders, 21% had conduct-ODD, and 4% had ASD. A significantly
      greater proportion of children with ASD (52%) received in-school behavioral
      health services (conduct-ODD, 5%; ADHD, 8%; and other psychiatric disorders,
      1.7%) Per-child expenditures for both school-based and out-of-school behavioral
      health services were significantly higher for children with ASD than for children
      in the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: Medicaid represents an important source of in
      school and out-of-school care for children with ASD and their families. States
      that expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act should give careful
      consideration to covering school-based mental health services for children with
      ASD.

PMID- 26278233
TI  - Characteristics of Individuals With Mental Illness in Tokyo Homeless Shelters.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Japan has the largest number of psychiatric beds in the world and has
      been in the process of deinstitutionalization since 2004. The majority of
      psychiatric inpatients are elderly long-term patients, who are at risk of
      homelessness after they are discharged. There is little information about
      homeless people with mental illnesses in Japan, and the aim of this study was to
      describe characteristics of people with a mental illness in homeless shelters in
      Tokyo. METHODS: A face-to-face survey was conducted from December 2012 to March
      2013 by the staff of a nonprofit organization (NPO) that helps socially isolated
      persons. Of the 1,056 people who received help during the study period, 684
      completed the survey. RESULTS: Eighteen percent of the 684 survey participants
      had a mental illness. Of the 210 individuals who lived in shelters, one-third had
      a mental illness. The mean age of shelter users with mental illness was 64.9;
      they tended to be referred from hospitals, and their mental well-being was poorer
      than other NPO service users in the study. Among the service users with mental
      illness, those living in shelters were older than those living in the community
      and more likely to have a history of trouble with alcohol, poor family
      relationships, and impaired instrumental activities of daily living. CONCLUSIONS:
      Unmet mental health needs were noted among discharged hospital patients living in
      Tokyo homeless shelters. An integrated and community-based support system with
      more effective health care delivery, including critical time interventions, is
      needed.

PMID- 26278231
TI  - Depression Remission Rates Among Older Black and White Adults: Analyses From the
      IRL-GREY Trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study explored whether older black and white adults with major
      depressive disorder differed in rates of remission or attrition during open-label
      treatment with venlafaxine and supportive care. METHODS: A total of 47 black
      (10%) and 412 white (90%) adults age >=60 were treated with open-label
      venlafaxine extended-release (<=300 mg per day) for 12-14 weeks during the
      initial phase of an multisite, randomized, placebo-controlled augmentation trial.
      Participants were help-seeking older adults with nonpsychotic major depressive
      disorder (single or recurrent episode) referred from specialty clinics, primary
      care practices, advertisements, and research programs. Remission was defined as a
      Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale score of <=10 for two consecutive
      assessments at the end of 12 weeks. Kaplan-Meier curves displayed time to dropout
      and time to initial remission. Cox proportional hazards models assessed
      differences in attrition and remission rates. RESULTS: Black participants had
      greater baseline general medical comorbidity, worse physical health-related
      quality of life, and poorer cognitive function than white participants. White
      participants were more likely to have received an adequate trial of
      antidepressant and psychotherapy before study entry. Baseline depression
      severity, depression duration, age at onset, and recurrence history did not
      differ between groups. The groups had similar final doses of venlafaxine and
      similar rates of attrition and remission. Side-effect profiles were comparable
      between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Despite greater medical comorbidity, lower
      cognitive function, and less adequate prior exposure to antidepressant treatment
      and psychotherapy, black participants were no more likely to discontinue
      antidepressant pharmacotherapy and experienced a rate of remission comparable to
      white participants.

PMID- 26278234
TI  - Challenging the Stigma of Mental Illness: Different Agendas, Different Goals.
AB  - This Open Forum describes two agendas for addressing stigma surrounding mental
      illness: the services agenda, which aims to increase care seeking by decreasing
      stigma, and the rights agenda, which aims in the spirit of other civil rights
      efforts to eradicate the discrimination felt by people with mental illness. The
      two agendas developed independently and tend to embrace different approaches to
      effecting change in the population. These differences and directions for future
      research are described. 

PMID- 26278235
TI  - Development and Implementation of an Ambulatory Integrated Care Pathway for Major
      Depressive Disorder and Alcohol Dependence.
AB  - Integrated care pathways (ICPs) provide an approach for delivering evidence-based
      treatment in a hospital setting. This column describes the development and pilot
      implementation in a clinical setting of an ICP for patients with concurrent major
      depressive disorder and alcohol dependence at the Centre for Addiction and Mental
      Health (CAMH), an academic tertiary care hospital, in Toronto, Canada. The ICP
      methodology includes evidence reviews, knowledge translation, process
      reengineering, and change management. Pilot results indicate high patient
      satisfaction, evidence of symptom improvement, and excellent retention. 

PMID- 26278236
TI  - Ularitide: a natriuretic peptide candidate for the treatment of acutely
      decompensated heart failure.
AB  - Treatment for acutely decompensated heart failure (ADHF) has not changed much in
      the last two decades. Currently available therapies have variable efficacy and
      can be associated with adverse outcomes. Natriuretic peptides properties include
      diuresis, natriuresis, vasorelaxation, inhibition of renin-angiotensin
      aldosterone system, and are thus chosen in the treatment of ADHF. Two forms of
      natriuretic peptides are currently available for the treatment of ADHF.
      Urodilatin (INN: ularitide) represents another member of the natriuretic peptide
      family with a unique molecular structure that may provide distinct benefits in
      the treatment of ADHF. Early clinical exploratory and Phase II studies have
      demonstrated that ularitide has potential cardiovascular and renal benefits.
      Ularitide is currently being tested in the Phase III TRUE-AHF clinical study.
      TRUE-AHF has features that may be different when compared with other recent
      outcome studies in ADHF. These distinct differences aim to maximize clinical
      effects and minimize potential adverse events of ularitide. However, whether this
      rationale translates into a better outcome needs to be awaited. 

PMID- 26278237
TI  - Energy-Driven Kinetic Monte Carlo Method and Its Application in Fullerene
      Coalescence.
AB  - Mimicking the conventional barrier-based kinetic Monte Carlo simulation, an
      energy-driven kinetic Monte Carlo (EDKMC) method was developed to study the
      structural transformation of carbon nanomaterials. The new method is many orders
      magnitude faster than standard molecular dynamics or Monte Marlo (MC) simulations
      and thus allows us to explore rare events within a reasonable computational time.
      As an example, the temperature dependence of fullerene coalescence was studied.
      The simulation, for the first time, revealed that short capped single-walled
      carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) appear as low-energy metastable structures during the
      structural evolution. 

PMID- 26278238
TI  - Parameters Affecting I-V Hysteresis of CH3NH3PbI3 Perovskite Solar Cells: Effects
      of Perovskite Crystal Size and Mesoporous TiO2 Layer.
AB  - Current-voltage (I-V) characteristics of CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite solar cells are
      studied using a time-dependent current response with stepwise sweeping of the
      bias voltage. Compared with the crystalline Si solar cell showing time
      independent current at a given bias voltage, the perovskite solar cells exhibit
      time-dependent current response. The current increases with time and becomes
      steady at forward scan from short-circuit to open-circuit, whereas it is decayed
      and saturated with time at reverse scan from open-circuit to short-circuit. Time
      dependent current response eventually leads to I-V hysteresis depending on the
      scan direction and the scan rate. Crystal size of CH3NH3PbI3 and the mesoporous
      TiO2 (mp-TiO2) film are found to influence I-V hysteresis, where the I-V
      hysteresis is alleviated as crystal size increases and in the presence of mp
      TiO2. The capacitance observed at low frequency (0.1 to 1 Hz), associated with
      dipole polarization, tends to diminish as size of perovskite and mp-TiO2 layer
      thickness increases, which suggests that the origin of hysteresis correlates to
      the capacitive characteristic of CH3NH3PbI3 and the degree of hysteresis depends
      strongly on perovskite crystal size and mesoporous TiO2 layer. 

PMID- 26278239
TI  - Optical Sensitivity Gain in Silica-Coated Plasmonic Nanostructures.
AB  - Ultrathin films of silica realized by sol-gel synthesis and dip-coating
      techniques were successfully applied to predefined metal/polymer plasmonic
      nanostructures to spectrally tune their resonance modes and to increase their
      sensitivity to local refractive index changes. Plasmon resonance spectral shifts
      up to 100 nm with slope efficiencies of ~8 nm/nm for increasing layer thickness
      were attained. In the ultrathin layer regime (<10 nm), which could be reached by
      suitable dilution of the silica precursors and optimization of the deposition
      speed, the sensitivity of the main plasmonic resonance to refractive index
      changes in aqueous solution could be increased by over 50% with respect to the
      bare plasmonic chip. Numerical simulations supported experimental data and
      unveiled the mechanism responsible for the optical sensitivity gain, proving an
      effective tool in the design of high-performance plasmonic sensors. 

PMID- 26278240
TI  - Minimizing Electron-Hole Recombination on TiO2 Sensitized with PbSe Quantum Dots:
      Time-Domain Ab Initio Analysis.
AB  - TiO2 sensitized with quantum dots (QDs) gives efficient photovoltaic and
      photocatalytic systems due to high stability and large absorption cross sections
      of QDs and rapid photoinduced charge separation at the interface. The yields of
      the light-induced processes are limited by electron-hole recombination that also
      occurs at the interface. We combine ab initio nonadiabatic molecular dynamics
      with analytic theory to investigate the experimentally studied charge
      recombination at the PbSe QD-TiO2 interface. The time-domain atomistic simulation
      directly mimics the laser experiment and generates important details of the
      recombination mechanism. The process occurs due to coupling of the electronic
      subsystem to polar optical modes of the TiO2 surface. The inelastic electron
      phonon scattering happens on a picosecond time scale, while the elastic
      scattering takes 40 fs. Counter to expectations, the donor-acceptor bonding
      strengthens at an elevated temperature. An analytic theory extends the simulation
      results to larger QDs and longer QD-TiO2 bridges. It shows that the electron-hole
      recombination rate decreases significantly for longer bridges and larger dots and
      that the main effect arises due to reduced donor-acceptor coupling rather than
      changes in the donor-acceptor energy gap. The study indicates that by varying QD
      size or ligands one can reduce charge losses while still maintaining efficient
      charge separation, providing design principles for optimizing solar cell design
      and increasing photon-to-electron conversion efficiencies. 

PMID- 26278241
TI  - Chemical Reactions Triggered Using Electrons Photodetached from "Clean"
      Distributions of Anions Deposited in Cryogenic Matrices via Counterion
      Codeposition.
AB  - Application of matrix isolation spectroscopy to ionic species is typically
      complicated by the presence of neutral contaminants during matrix deposition.
      Herein we demonstrate that simultaneous deposition of balanced currents of
      counterions with mass-selected ions of interest generates "clean" distributions
      of matrix-isolated metal carbonyl anions, where the only bands appearing in the
      CO-stretching region of the vibrational spectrum arise from ions. (Neutrals are
      initially absent.) Photodetachment by mild irradiation with visible light leads
      to complete conversion of the anions into their corresponding neutral species.
      The photodetached electrons, in turn, initiate covalent chemistry, inducing C-C
      bond formation following electron-capture by CO van der Waals dimers to produce
      trans-OCCO(-). The initial clean distribution of ions enables clear connections
      to be drawn between the spectral changes occurring at each experimental step,
      thus demonstrating the potential of the counterion codeposition technique to
      facilitate detailed studies of chemistry involving ions and electron transfer in
      cryogenic matrices. 

PMID- 26278242
TI  - Assessment of Hot-Carrier Effects on Charge Separation in Type-II CdS/CdTe
      Heterostructured Nanorods.
AB  - Charge separation in semiconducting materials is an essential process that
      determines the efficiency of photovoltaic devices and photocatalysts. Herein, we
      report the charge-separation dynamics in type-II CdS/CdTe heterostructured
      nanorods revealed by femtosecond transient-absorption (TA) measurements with a
      broad-band white-light probe. Under selective excitation of the CdTe segment,
      bleaching signals at the band gap energy of CdS were clearly observed with a rise
      component on a subpicosecond time scale, which indicates efficient electron
      transfer from CdTe to CdS. The pump-energy dependence of the TA dynamics shows
      that hot electrons rapidly relax to the bottom of the conduction band of CdTe,
      and then the electrons transfer to the CdS segment. 

PMID- 26278243
TI  - Plasmonic Optical Tweezers toward Molecular Manipulation: Tailoring Plasmonic
      Nanostructure, Light Source, and Resonant Trapping.
AB  - This Perspective describes recent progress in optical trappings of nanoparticles
      based on localized surface plasmon. This plasmonic optical trapping has great
      advantages over the conventional optical tweezers, being potentially applicable
      for a molecular manipulation technique. We review this novel trapping technique
      from the viewpoints of (i) plasmonic nanostructure, (ii) the light source for
      plasmon excitation, and (iii) the polarizability of the trapping target. These
      findings give us future outlook for plasmonic optical trapping. In addition to a
      brief review, recent developments on plasmonic optical trapping of soft
      nanomaterials such as proteins, polymer chains, and DNA will be discussed to
      point out the important issue for further development on this trapping method.
      Finally, we explore new directions of plasmonic optical trapping. 

PMID- 26278244
TI  - Luminescence Properties of Compressed Tetraphenylethene: The Role of
      Intermolecular Interactions.
AB  - Mechanochromic materials with aggregation-induced enhanced emission (AIEE)
      characteristic have been intensively expanded in the past few years. In general,
      intermolecular interactions invariably alter photophysical processes, while their
      role in the luminescence properties of these AIEE-active molecules is difficult
      to fully recognize because the pressurized samples possess amorphous nature in
      many cases. We now report the high-pressure studies on a prototype AIEE-active
      molecule, tetraphenylethene, using diamond anvil cell technique with associated
      spectroscopic measurements. An unusual pressure-dependent color, intensity, and
      lifetime change in tetraphenylethene has been detected by steady-state
      photoluminescence and time-resolved emission decay measurements. The flexible
      role of the aromatic C-H...pi and C-H...C contacts in structural recovery,
      conformational modification, and emission efficiency modulation upon compression
      is demonstrated through structure and infrared analysis. 

PMID- 26278245
TI  - Studying the Dynamics of Photochemical Reactions via Ultrafast Time-Resolved
      Infrared Spectroscopy of the Local Solvent.
AB  - Conventional ultrafast spectroscopic studies on the dynamics of chemical
      reactions in solution directly probe the solute undergoing the reaction. We
      provide an alternative method for probing reaction dynamics via monitoring of the
      surrounding solvent. When the reaction exchanges the energy (in form of heat)
      with the solvent, the absorption cross sections of the solvent's infrared bands
      are sensitive to the heat transfer, allowing spectral tracking of the reaction
      dynamics. This spectroscopic technique was demonstrated to be able to distinguish
      the differing photoisomerization dynamics of the trans and cis isomers of
      stilbene in acetonitrile solution. We highlight the potential of this
      spectroscopic approach for studying the dynamics of chemical reactions or other
      heat transfer processes when probing the solvent is more experimentally feasible
      than probing the solute directly. 

PMID- 26278246
TI  - Nanomembrane Containing a Nanopore in an Electrolyte Solution: A Molecular
      Dynamics Approach.
AB  - Molecular dynamics simulation is used to acquire information about the
      characteristics of a nanographene membrane immersed in an electrolyte solution of
      KCl and subjected to an electric field. The membrane possesses one nanopore. It
      is shown that the solution contains in addition to hydrated ions, hydrated ion
      pairs, and hydrated clusters with more than two ions. The fractions of hydrated
      ions, hydrated ion pairs and hydrated clusters as well as their hydration numbers
      were also calculated. It was found that the hydration numbers remain constant at
      low electric fields but decrease at high electric fields. Under the action of an
      electric field, the K(+) and Cl(-) ions separate on the two sides of graphene,
      thus generating hydrated ion polarization layers, which result in negative charge
      density layers and positive ones on the left and right interfaces of the
      water/graphene. Thus, the neutral graphene becomes asymmetrically charged. 

PMID- 26278247
TI  - Control Mechanism of Excitation Energy Transfer in a Complex Consisting of
      Photosystem II and Fucoxanthin Chlorophyll a/c-Binding Protein.
AB  - Fucoxanthin chlorophyll (Chl) a/c-binding protein (FCP) is a unique light
      harvesting antenna in diatoms, which are photosynthesizing algae ubiquitous in
      aquatic environments. However, it is unknown how excitation energy is trapped and
      quenched in a complex consisting of photosystem II and FCP (PSII-FCPII complex).
      Here, we report the control mechanism of excitation energy transfer in the PSII
      FCPII complexes isolated from a diatom, Chaetoceros gracilis, as revealed by
      picosecond time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. The results showed that Chl
      excitation energy is harvested in low-energy Chls near/within FCPII under the 77
      K conditions, whereas most of the energy is trapped in reaction center Chls in
      PSII under the 283 K conditions. Surprisingly, excitation energy quenching was
      observed in a part of PSII-FCPII complexes with the time constants of hundreds of
      picosecond, thus indicating the large contribution of FCPII to energy trapping
      and quenching. On the basis of these results, we discuss the light-harvesting
      strategy of diatoms. 

PMID- 26278248
TI  - Dynamics of Dielectrophoretic-Force-Directed Assembly of NaYF4 Colloidal
      Nanocrystals into Tunable Multilayered Micropatterns.
AB  - The dynamics of dielectrophoretic-force-directed assembly of polarizable
      colloidal upconverting beta-NaYF4 nanocrystals into tunable multilayers on charge
      micropatterns written by atomic force microscopy is investigated. Multilayered
      nanocrystal assembly by this nanoxerography process occurs in two phases. During
      the first phase typically lasting a few minutes, the nanocrystal assemblies grow
      up to a maximum thickness under the influence of strong dielectrophoretic forces
      exerted by the charge patterns. Subsequently, the nanocrystals start to diffuse
      back into the solvent, leaving a single layer attached to the charge patterns. A
      theoretical model based on the Fokker-Planck equation is formulated to describe
      this dynamics involving an interplay of diffusive and dielectrophoretic forces.
      Being in good agreement with the experimental results, this approach may be
      reliably extended to simulate the directed assembly of other types of polarizable
      colloids from liquid phase by nanoxerography. 

PMID- 26278249
TI  - Preparation of Bi-Based Ternary Oxide Photoanodes BiVO4, Bi2WO6, and Bi2Mo3O12
      Using Dendritic Bi Metal Electrodes.
AB  - The major limitation to investigating a variety of ternary oxides for use in
      solar energy conversion is the lack of synthesis methods to prepare them as high
      quality electrodes. In this study, we demonstrate that Bi-based n-type ternary
      oxides, BiVO4, Bi2WO6, and Bi2Mo3O12, can be prepared as high-quality
      polycrystalline electrodes by mild chemical and thermal treatments of
      electrodeposited dendritic Bi films. The resulting oxide films have good
      coverage, adhesion, and electrical continuity, allowing for facile and accurate
      evaluation of these compounds for use in solar water oxidation. In particular,
      the BiVO4 electrode retained the porosity and nanocrystallinity of the original
      dendritic Bi film. This feature increased the electron-hole separation yield,
      making this compound more favorable for use as a photoanode in a
      photoelectrochemical cell. 

PMID- 26278250
TI  - Probing, Sensing, and Fluorescence Enhancement with Single Gold Nanorods.
AB  - Gold nanorods with dimensions around 10-100 nm present original optical
      properties. Their main advantages are the tunability from 600 to 1000 nm of their
      main absorption band, and its high intensity, stemming from the good conducting
      properties of gold in this spectral range. Gold nanorods have been applied to
      tracking, probing, sensing, and manipulation experiments. Here, we discuss
      experiments done with single gold nanorods with emphasis on recent results from
      our group. 

PMID- 26278251
TI  - Surface Plasmons as Versatile Analytical Tools.

PMID- 26278252
TI  - Resonance Raman Analysis of the Tryptophan Cation Radical.
AB  - Electron transfer (ET) reactions within proteins are accomplished by a broad set
      of redox-active molecules, including natural amino acids. Tryptophan participates
      in ET chemistry as both a cation and a neutral radical. Identification and
      characterization of the biologically relevant species is essential to understand
      efficient ET mechanisms in proteins. We present resonance Raman spectra and
      excitation profiles of the tryptophan cation radical generated by combining a
      strong oxidant, Ce(IV), with tryptophan model compounds in a fast-flow mixing
      device. Isotopically modified derivatives, coupled with calculations, allowed the
      assignment of the normal modes of this radical. Raman bands that are sensitive to
      protonation state and hydrogen bonding environment of the cation radical were
      identified. The present findings, along with resonance Raman spectra of the
      closed-shell and neutral radical counterparts, form a foundation for probing
      tryptophan-mediated ET reactions in proteins. 

PMID- 26278253
TI  - Molecular Theory for Electrokinetic Transport in pH-Regulated Nanochannels.
AB  - Ion transport through nanochannels depends on various external driving forces as
      well as the structural and hydrodynamic inhomogeneity of the confined fluid
      inside of the pore. Conventional models of electrokinetic transport neglect the
      discrete nature of ionic species and electrostatic correlations important at the
      boundary and often lead to inconsistent predictions of the surface potential and
      the surface charge density. Here, we demonstrate that the electrokinetic
      phenomena can be successfully described by the classical density functional
      theory in conjunction with the Navier-Stokes equation for the fluid flow. The new
      theoretical procedure predicts ion conductivity in various pH-regulated
      nanochannels under different driving forces, in excellent agreement with
      experimental data. 

PMID- 26278254
TI  - Extraction of Cations from an Ionic Liquid Droplet in a Dielectric Liquid under
      Electric Field.
AB  - Ionic liquids show great promise as excellent solvents or catalysts in energy and
      biological fields due to their unique chemical and physical properties. In this
      work, the characteristics of various ionic liquids are investigated with the
      electrophoresis of a charged droplet (ECD) method. Under normal situation, a
      charged droplet in a dielectric liquid shows back-and-forth bouncing motion
      between the positive and negative electrodes continuously. However, for some
      special ionic liquids, interesting retreating behavior of a charged droplet has
      been observed. This retreating behavior is due to the loss of positive charges of
      the droplet, and it suggests that only the positive ions are extracted from the
      droplet under the applied electric field. Based on this hypothesis of ion
      extraction, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis has been
      performed. The retreating behavior is also discussed from the intermolecular
      point of view according to the ion species. 

PMID- 26278255
TI  - Uncovering Hot Hole Dynamics in CdSe Nanocrystals.
AB  - Single and multiple exciton relaxation dynamics of CdSe/CdZnS nanocrystal quantum
      dots (QDs) monitored at the two lowest optical transitions, 1Se-1S3/2 and 1Se
      2S3/2, have been examined using ultrafast transient absorption (TA) spectroscopy.
      For the CdSe/CdZnS QDs studied, the 1Se-1S3/2 and 1Se-2S3/2 transitions are
      widely separated (~180 meV) compared to bare CdSe QDs (~50-100 meV), allowing for
      clearly distinguishable TA signals attributable to hot hole relaxation. Holes
      depopulate from the 2S3/2 state with a lifetime of 7 +/- 2 ps, which is
      consistent with the predictions for hole relaxation via a phonon coupling pathway
      to lower-energy hole states, with possible contributions from hole trapping as
      well. These results suggest that tuning the surface chemistry of semiconductor
      QDs is a viable route to measure and possibly control their hot hole relaxation
      dynamics. 

PMID- 26278256
TI  - Persistent Subdiffusive Proton Transport in Perfluorosulfonic Acid Membranes.
AB  - Proton transport (PT) in solutions of small amphiphiles in water has previously
      been shown to be subdiffusive for long times. The present study analyzes
      simulations of hydrated perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) membranes in order to
      determine whether PT is also subdiffusive in these important amphiphilic systems.
      We show that PT is indeed subdiffusive for several hundred picoseconds for all
      hydration levels examined, and the subdiffusive behavior is highly dependent on
      water concentration. We also investigate the caging of the excess proton using a
      recently developed technique and show that the excess proton exhibits caging
      effects up to at least 1 ns in PFSA systems. In order to fully characterize the
      long-time behavior of PT in PFSAs, these results demonstrate that multiple
      nanosecond trajectories are needed, well beyond the current capabilities of ab
      initio molecular dynamics. 

PMID- 26278257
TI  - alpha-Casein Inhibits Insulin Amyloid Formation by Preventing the Onset of
      Secondary Nucleation Processes.
AB  - alpha-Casein is known to inhibit the aggregation of several proteins, including
      the amyloid beta-peptide, by mechanisms that are not yet completely clear. We
      studied its effects on insulin, a system extensively used to investigate the
      properties of amyloids, many of which are common to all proteins and peptides. In
      particular, as for other proteins, insulin aggregation is affected by secondary
      nucleation pathways. We found that alpha-casein strongly delays insulin amyloid
      formation, even at extremely low doses, when the aggregation process is
      characterized by secondary nucleation. At difference, it has a vanishing
      inhibitory effect on the initial oligomer formation, which is observed at high
      concentration and does not involve any secondary nucleation pathway. These
      results indicate that an efficient inhibition of amyloid formation can be
      achieved by chaperone-like systems, by sequestering the early aggregates, before
      they can trigger the exponential proliferation brought about by secondary
      nucleation mechanisms. 

PMID- 26278258
TI  - Isotope-Dependent Rotational States Distributions Enhanced by Dynamic Resonance
      States: A Comparison Study of the F + HD -> HF(vHF = 2) + D and F + H2 -> HF(vHF
      = 2) + H Reaction.
AB  - An interesting trimodal structure in the HF (v' = 2) rotational distribution
      produced by the F + HD (v = 0, j = 0) reaction, but monomodal structure in the HF
      (v' = 2) rotational distribution produced by the F + H2 (v = 0, j = 0) reaction,
      were observed using a high-resolution crossed molecular beam apparatus. The
      rotational states of product HF (v' = 2) are much hotter in the F + HD reaction.
      It is uncovered that the observations are due to the dominant role of the
      dynamical resonance states in these two isotopic reactions. The angular potential
      well in the region of the resonance state of the F + HD reaction is much deeper
      and supports wave function with high angular kinetic energy, which in turn comes
      from different H tunneling processes in the F + HD and F + H2 reaction. 

PMID- 26278259
TI  - Rapid and Accurate Machine Learning Recognition of High Performing Metal Organic
      Frameworks for CO2 Capture.
AB  - In this work, we have developed quantitative structure-property relationship
      (QSPR) models using advanced machine learning algorithms that can rapidly and
      accurately recognize high-performing metal organic framework (MOF) materials for
      CO2 capture. More specifically, QSPR classifiers have been developed that can, in
      a fraction of a section, identify candidate MOFs with enhanced CO2 adsorption
      capacity (>1 mmol/g at 0.15 bar and >4 mmol/g at 1 bar). The models were tested
      on a large set of 292 050 MOFs that were not part of the training set. The QSPR
      classifier could recover 945 of the top 1000 MOFs in the test set while flagging
      only 10% of the whole library for compute intensive screening. Thus, using the
      machine learning classifiers as part of a high-throughput screening protocol
      would result in an order of magnitude reduction in compute time and allow
      intractably large structure libraries and search spaces to be screened. 

PMID- 26278260
TI  - Computed and Experimental Absorption Spectra of the Perovskite CH3NH3PbI3.
AB  - Electronic structure and light absorption properties of the perovskite CH3NH3PbI3
      are investigated by relativistic density functional theory with quasiparticle GW
      corrections and many-body interactions. The nature of the Wannier exciton is
      studied by solving the Bethe-Salpeter equation augmented with the analysis of a
      conceptual hydrogen-like model. The computed absorption spectrum unravels a
      remarkable absorption "gap" between the first two absorption peaks. This
      discontinuity is maintained in the calculated tetragonal structure that, however,
      is not stable at low temperature. Most importantly, the discontinuity is also
      observed in the experimental absorption spectrum of the orthorhombic single
      crystal at low temperature (4 K). However, in contrast to the single crystal, in
      a polycrystalline perovskite film at 5 K the "gap" is filled by a monotonously
      increasing absorption throughout the visible range. This feature of thin films
      points to the potential significance of defect absorption for the excellent light
      harvesting properties of perovskite-based solar cells. 

PMID- 26278261
TI  - Correction to "Bulk Liquid Water at Ambient Temperature and Pressure from MP2
      Theory".

PMID- 26278262
TI  - Host-Guest Interactions in Dealuminated HY Zeolite Probed by (13)C-(27)Al Solid
      State NMR Spectroscopy.
AB  - Host-guest interactions in dealuminated HY zeolite have been investigated by
      advanced (13)C-(27)Al solid-state NMR experiments. This analysis allows us to
      report new insights into the adsorption geometry of acetone and its interaction
      with acid sites in the zeolite channels. 

PMID- 26278263
TI  - Femtosecond Trapping of Free Electrons in Ultrathin Films of NaCl on Ag(100).
AB  - We report the excited-state electron dynamics for ultrathin films of NaCl on
      Ag(100). The first three image potential states (IPSs) were initially observed
      following excitation. The electrons in the spatially delocalized n = 1 IPS
      decayed on the ultrafast time scale into multiple spatially localized states
      lower in energy. The localized electronic states are proposed to correspond to
      electrons trapped at defects in the NaCl islands. Coverage and temperature
      dependence of the localized states support the assignment to surface trap states
      existing at the NaCl/vacuum interface. These results highlight the importance of
      electron trapping in ultrathin insulating layers. 

PMID- 26278264
TI  - Complex Absorbing Potential Equation-of-Motion Coupled-Cluster Method Yields
      Smooth and Internally Consistent Potential Energy Surfaces and Lifetimes for
      Molecular Resonances.

PMID- 26278265
TI  - The Reaction Mechanism and Capacity Degradation Model in Lithium Insertion
      Organic Cathodes, Li2C6O6, Using Combined Experimental and First Principle
      Studies.
AB  - Herein, we explore the capacity degradation of dilithium rhodizonate salt
      (Li2C6O6) in lithium rechargeable batteries based on detailed investigations of
      the lithium de/insertion mechanism in Li2C6O6 using both electrochemical and
      structural ex situ analyses combined with first-principles calculations. The
      experimental observations indicate that the LixC6O6 electrode undergoes multiple
      two-phase reactions in the composition range of 2 <= x <= 6; however, the
      transformations in the range 2 <= x <= 4 involve a major morphological change
      that eventually leads to particle exfoliation and the isolation of active
      material. Through first-principles analysis of LixC6O6 during de/lithiation, it
      was revealed that particle exfoliation is closely related to the crystal
      structural changes with lithium deinsertion from C6O6 interlayers of the LixC6O6.
      Among the lithium ions found at various sites, the extraction of lithium from
      C6O6 interlayers at 2 <= x <= 4 decreases the binding force between the C6O6
      layers, promoting the exfoliation of C6O6 layers and pulverization at the
      electrode, which degrades capacity retention. 

PMID- 26278266
TI  - Immunohistochemical study of RhoC GTPase in oral squamous cell carcinoma.
AB  - Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a disease with high mortality and
      morbidity. Metastasis is a significant prognostic factor of the OSCC patients.
      The Rho GTPases are signaling proteins that controls important cellular processes
      in various complex mechanisms involved in carcinogenesis. This study aimed to
      evaluate the expression pattern of RhoC in OSCC protein by immunohistochemistry
      in situ. Immunohistochemical reactions were performed for RhoC by the method of
      avitina-biotin-peroxidase activity in samples OSCC: well differentiated (BD,
      n=6), moderately differentiated (MD, n=24) and poorly differentiated (PD, n=13).
      The morphometry was taken by QuickScore (percentage and intensity of staining)
      and only intensity staining. There was no statistical difference (p>0.05) through
      none of the modes of morphometric analysis between BD, MD and PD. And the RhoC
      staining was not associated with the histopathologic grading (chi2 = 4.65,
      p>0.05). However, the morphological evaluation of immunostained for RhoC in cases
      BD, MD, PD OSCC, regardless of histopathologic grading. These results suggest
      that there is no correlation between the RhoC immunoexpression and
      histopathological grading of OSCC.

PMID- 26278267
TI  - Radioprotective effect of chicory seeds against genotoxicity induced by ionizing
      radiation in human normal lymphocytes.
AB  - The search for less-toxic radioprotective agents has led to a growing trend
      towards natural products. Protective effect of the methanolic extract of chicory
      seeds (MCS) was investigated against genotoxicity induced by ionizing radiation
      in human lymphocytes. Human peripheral blood samples were collected and incubated
      with MCS at different concentrations (10, 50, 100, and 200 MUg/mL) for two hours.
      The whole blood samples were exposed in vitro to X-ray at dose 2.5 Gy. Then, the
      lymphocytes were cultured with mitogenic stimulation to determine the
      micronucleus in cytokinesis blocked binucleated cell. The methanolic extract at
      all doses significantly reduced the frequency of micronuclei in binucleated
      lymphocytes, as compared with similarly irradiated lymphocytes without any
      extract treatment. The maximum protection was observed at 200 MUg/mL of MCS, it
      completely protected genotoxicity induced by ionizing radiation in human
      lymphocytes. The extract exhibited a concentration-dependent radical scavenging
      activity on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl free radicals. HPLC analysis of MCS
      showed this extract is containing chlorogenic acid as a phenolic compound. These
      data suggest that the radioprotective effect of methanolic extract of chicory
      seeds can be attributed to the presence of phenolic compounds such as chlorogenic
      acid which act as antioxidant agents.

PMID- 26278268
TI  - Mutation analysis of the CYP21A2 gene in congenital adrenal hyperplasia.
AB  - Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is an inherited autosomal recessive
      enzymatic disorder involving the synthesis of adrenal corticosteroids. 21
      Hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHD) is the most common form of the disease which is
      observed in more than 90% of patients with CAH. Early identification of mutations
      in the genes involved in this disease is critical. A marker of the disease,
      errors in the CYP21A2 gene, is thought to be part of the pathophysiology of CAH.
      Therefore, the identification of gene mutations would be very beneficial in the
      early detection of CAH. This research was a descriptive epidemiological study
      conducted on individuals elected by the inclusion criteria whom were referred to
      the Genetic Diagnosis Center of Tabriz during 2012 to 2013. After sampling and
      DNA extraction, PCR for the detection of mutations in the CYP21A2 gene was
      performed followed by sequencing. For data analysis, the results of sequencing
      were compared with the reference gene by blast, Gene Runner and MEGA-5 software.
      Obtained changes were compared with NCBI databases. The analysis of the
      sequencing determined the mutations located in Exons 6, 7, 8 and 10. The most
      frequent findings were Q318X (53%) and R356W (28%). Exon 6 cluster (7%), E431k
      (4%), V237E (2%), V281L (2%), E351K (2%), R426C (2%) were also frequent in our
      patients. The most frequent genotype was compound heterozygote, Q318X/R356W.
      Three rare mutations in our study were E431K, E351K and R426C. Observed mutation
      frequencies in this study were much higher than those reported in previous
      studies in Iranian populations. Thus, it seems that it is necessary to follow-up
      screening programs and use sequencing methods to better identify mutations in the
      development of the disease.

PMID- 26278269
TI  - Housestaff Knowledge Related to Urinary Catheter Use and Catheter-Associated
      Urinary Tract Infections.
AB  - Despite published catheter-associated urinary tract infection prevention
      guidelines, inappropriate catheter use is common. We surveyed housestaff about
      their knowledge of catheter-associated urinary tract infections at a teaching
      hospital and found most are aware of prevention guidelines; however, their
      application to clinical scenarios and catheter practices fall short of national
      goals.

PMID- 26278271
TI  - Editorial: Novel Inflammatory Biomarkers in Cardiovascular Disease: From
      Molecular Mechanisms to Therapeutic Targets (Part-II).

PMID- 26278270
TI  - Total Convection Affects Serum beta2 Microglobulin and C-Reactive Protein but Not
      Erythropoietin Requirement following Post-Dilutional Hemodiafiltration.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Inflammation and increased erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESA)
      requirement are frequently associated in patients on dialysis. On-line
      hemodiafiltration (ol-HDF), putting together high levels of diffusion, and
      convection could improve both conditions. However, it is still not known which
      depurative component plays a major role in determining this result. The aim of
      the study was to evaluate the role of convection and diffusion on long-term
      variations of serum beta2 microglobulin (Deltabeta2M), high-sensitive C-reactive
      protein (DeltahsCRP) concentrations, and ESA requirement (DeltaESA) in ol-HDF.
      METHODS: Seventy-three patients prevalent on high flux HD (hfHD) were studied.
      Thirty-eight patients were switched from hfHD to post-dilutional ol-HDF (Study
      group); the other 35 patients were considered the Control group. At 6 and 12
      months, the effects of ol-HDF and hfHD on DeltahsCRP, DeltaB2M, and DeltaESA
      (U/kg/week) were evaluated. Other variables considered were body weight (BW),
      serum albumin (sAlb), hemoglobin (Hb), and equilibrated Kt/V (eKt/V). Iron
      therapy and ESA were administered intravenously according to the K/DOQI
      guidelines in order to maintain transferrin saturation between 20 and 40%, serum
      ferritin between 150 and 500 ng/ml and Hb between 11 and 12 g/dl. Qb, treatment
      time and Qd remained constant. Ol-HDF and hfHD were performed using membranes of
      size 1.9-2.1 sqm. Ultrapure dialysate and substitution fluid were employed in
      both HDF and HD treatments. Data are expressed as mean +/- SD. Paired t test,
      Mann-Whitney U test, and simple and multiple regression analyses were employed
      for statistical evaluation. RESULTS:  STUDY GROUP: total convective volume (TCV)
      was 22.1 +/- 1.9 l/session. A significant reduction of hsCRP: from 6.8 +/- 7.1 to
      2.3 +/- 2.4 mg/dl (p < 0.001), beta2M: from 36.5 +/- 14.4 to 24.7 +/- 8.6 mg/dl
      (p < 0.0001) and ESAdose: from 107 +/- 67 to 65 +/- 44 U/kg/week (p < 0.005) was
      observed. No significant variations of Hb, BW and sAlb were seen. A significant
      inverse correlation was found between TCV and Deltabeta2M (r = -0.627; p <
      0.0001), and TCV and DeltahsCRP (r = -0.514; p < 0.0001); no correlation between
      TCV and DeltaESAdose was observed. No correlation was found between eKt/V and
      Deltabeta2M, DeltahsCRP, and DeltaESAdose. Multiple regression analysis with
      DeltaESAdose as dependent variable showed DeltahsCRP as the only significantly
      associated independent factor (p < 0.01). CONTROL GROUP: no significant
      variations of hsCRP, beta2M, and ESAdose were observed over time. CONCLUSIONS: Ol
      HDF induces a long-term significant reduction in pre-dialysis beta2M and hsCRP
      concentrations. The magnitude of reduction is directly correlated to the amount
      of TCV achieved but not on eKt/V. The observed reduction in ESAdose requirement
      is independent either on convection or diffusion, but is directly associated to
      the concomitant reduction of inflammation.

PMID- 26278272
TI  - Gender-Related Differences in Patients Presenting with Suspected Acute Coronary
      Syndromes: Clinical Presentation, Biomarkers and Diagnosis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Gender differences in patients presenting with suspected acute
      coronary syndromes (ACS) have not yet been fully characterized. The aim of this
      study was to assess gender-related disparities in clinical profiles, biomarkers
      and diagnoses of patients with suspected ACS. METHODS: This single-centre,
      prospective cohort study included 377 consecutive patients presenting with
      suspected ACS to the emergency department. Suspected ACS was defined as a request
      for conventional troponin T (c-cTnT) measurements on clinical grounds. RESULTS:
      Women were older than men (p = 0.004), and had a lower prevalence of known
      coronary artery and peripheral vascular disease (p < 0.05). c-cTnT was positive
      in 8% of female and in 14% of male patients (p = 0.16), TIMI risk score and
      cardiac biomarkers including c-cTnT, hs-cTnT, myoglobin, creatine kinase, N
      terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, myeloid-related protein 8/14 and
      pregnancy-associated plasma protein A were lower in women (p < 0.05). Women were
      less frequently diagnosed with ACS (30 vs. 51%), and were not referred for urgent
      coronary angiography as often as men (p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis,
      female gender was associated with a lower referral for coronary angiography (HR
      0.41, 95% CI 0.23-0.78, p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with suspected ACS,
      women presented with different biomarker profiles, and were less often diagnosed
      with ACS and referred to coronary angiography.

PMID- 26278273
TI  - Sluggish Cognitive Tempo and ADHD Inattention as Predictors of Externalizing,
      Internalizing, and Impairment Domains: A 2-Year Longitudinal Study.
AB  - Although sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) is distinct from attention
      deficit/hyperactivity disorder inattention (ADHD-IN), few studies have examined
      whether SCT longitudinally predicts other symptom or impairment dimensions. This
      study used 4 sources (mothers, fathers, primary teachers, and secondary teachers)
      and 3 occasions of measurement (first, second, and third grades) with 758 first
      grade (55 % boys), 718 second grade (54 % boys), and 585 third grade (53 % boys)
      children from Spain to determine SCT's and ADHD-IN's unique longitudinal
      relationships with psychopathology, academic impairment, and social impairment
      over the 1- and 2-year intervals (i.e., first to third grade, second to third
      grade). For 1- and 2-year intervals using both mothers' and fathers' ratings,
      higher levels of SCT uniquely predicted higher levels of anxiety, depression,
      academic impairment, and social impairment whereas higher levels of ADHD-IN
      uniquely predicted higher levels of ADHD-HI, ODD, and academic impairment. For 1-
      and 2-year intervals across different primary and secondary teachers (i.e.,
      first/second and third grade ratings were provided by different teachers), higher
      scores on ADHD-IN uniquely predicted poorer outcomes across domains whereas
      higher scores on SCT uniquely predicted lower levels of ADHD-HI and ODD for both
      intervals in addition to higher levels of depression (for primary teachers only),
      academic impairment (for 1-year interval only), and peer rejection (2-year
      interval only for primary teachers). Overall, SCT was significantly associated
      with important outcomes independent of ADHD-IN over 1- and 2-year intervals and
      across four different raters. This study provides further evidence for
      distinguishing between SCT and ADHD-IN in home and school settings. 

PMID- 26278274
TI  - On the relation between self-reported cognitive fatigue and the posterior
      hypothalamic-brainstem network.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Various causes have been suggested for multiple sclerosis
      (MS) related fatigue. Hypothalamus-brainstem fibres play a role in sleep-wake
      regulation and in hypothalamic deactivation during inflammatory states. Hence,
      they may play a role for experiencing fatigue by changing bottom-up hypothalamic
      activation. METHODS: Multiple sclerosis patients with and without self-reported
      cognitive fatigue and healthy controls were analysed with respect to the
      integrity of hypothalamus-brainstem fibres using diffusion-tensor imaging based
      tractography, focusing on the anterior, medial and posterior hypothalamic areas,
      controlling for clinical impairment and excluding participants with depressive
      mood. RESULTS: Multiple sclerosis patients without self-reported cognitive
      fatigue showed increased axial and radial diffusivity levels specifically for
      fibres connecting the right posterior hypothalamus with the right locus
      coeruleus, but not for the medial hypothalamus and the corpus callosum. Moreover,
      there were no differences between MS patients with and without fatigue in brain
      atrophy and lesion load, which could explain our results. CONCLUSION: Multiple
      sclerosis patients not experiencing fatigue show increased axial and radial
      diffusivity for fibres connecting the posterior hypothalamus and the brainstem,
      which might prevent bottom-up activation of the posterior hypothalamus and
      therefore downregulation of structures responsible for wakefulness and
      exploratory states of mind.

PMID- 26278275
TI  - A nonparametric fiducial interval for the Youden index in multi-state diagnostic
      settings.
AB  - The Youden index is a commonly employed metric to characterize the performance of
      a diagnostic test at its optimal point. For tests with three or more outcome
      classes, the Youden index has been extended; however, there are limited methods
      to compute a confidence interval (CI) about its value. Often, outcome classes are
      assumed to be normally distributed, which facilitates computational formulas for
      the CI bounds; however, many scenarios exist for which these assumptions cannot
      be made. In addition, many of these existing CI methods do not work well for
      small sample sizes. We propose a method to compute a nonparametric interval about
      the Youden index utilizing the fiducial argument. This fiducial interval ensures
      that CI coverage is met regardless of sample size, underlying distributional
      assumptions, or use of a complex classifier for diagnosis. Two alternate fiducial
      intervals are also considered. A simulation was conducted, which demonstrates the
      coverage and interval length for the proposed methods. Comparisons were made
      using no distributional assumptions on the outcome classes and for when outcomes
      were assumed to be normally distributed. In general, coverage probability was
      consistently met, and interval length was reasonable. The proposed fiducial
      method was also demonstrated in data examining biomarkers in subjects to predict
      diagnostic stages ranging from normal kidney function to chronic allograph
      nephropathy. Published 2015. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the
      public domain in the USA. 

PMID- 26278276
TI  - Increase in pulmonary blood flow at birth: role of oxygen and lung aeration.
AB  - Lung aeration stimulates the increase in pulmonary blood flow (PBF) at birth, but
      the spatial relationships between PBF and lung aeration and the role of increased
      oxygenation remain unclear. Using simultaneous phase-contrast X-ray imaging and
      angiography, we have investigated the separate roles of lung aeration and
      increased oxygenation in PBF changes at birth using near-term (30 days of
      gestation) rabbit kits (n = 18). Rabbits were imaged before ventilation, then the
      right lung was ventilated with 100% nitrogen (N2), air or 100% O2 (oxygen),
      before all kits were switched to ventilation in air, followed by ventilation of
      both lungs using air. Unilateral ventilation of the right lung with 100% N2
      significantly increased heart rate (from 69.4 +/- 4.9 to 93.0 +/- 15.0 bpm), the
      diameters of both left and right pulmonary axial arteries, number of visible
      vessels in both left and right lungs, relative PBF index in both pulmonary
      arteries, and reduced bolus transit time for both left and right axial arteries
      (from 1.34 +/- 0.39 and 1.81 +/- 0.43 s to 0.52 +/- 0.17 and 0.89 +/- 0.21 s in
      the left and right axial arteries, respectively). Similar changes were observed
      with 100% oxygen, but increases in visible vessel number and vessel diameter of
      the axial arteries were greater in the ventilated right lung during unilateral
      ventilation. These findings confirm that PBF increase at birth is not spatially
      related to lung aeration and that the increase in PBF to unventilated regions is
      unrelated to oxygenation, although oxygen can potentiate this increase.

PMID- 26278278
TI  - Quantitative Detection of Photothermal and Photoelectrocatalytic Effects Induced
      by SPR from Au@Pt Nanoparticles.
AB  - The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) induced photothermal and
      photoelectrocatalysis effects are crucial for catalytic reactions in many areas.
      However, it is still difficult to distinguish these two effects quantitatively.
      Here we used surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) to detect the photothermal
      and photoelectrocatalytic effects induced by SPR from Au core Pt shell
      Nanoparticles (Au@Pt NPs), and calculated the quantitative contribution of the
      ratio of the photothermal and photoelectrocatalysis effects towards the catalytic
      activity. The photothermal effect on the nanoparticle surface after illumination
      is detected by SERS. The photoelectrocatalytic effect generated from SPR is
      proved by SERS with a probe molecule of p-aminothiophenol (PATP). 

PMID- 26278277
TI  - Sensitive periods for 17beta-estradiol exposure during immune system development
      in sea bass head kidney.
AB  - An increasing body of evidence suggests that sex steroids play an important role
      in the development and regulation of vertebrate immune defense. Therefore,
      compounds with estrogenic activity may influence the immune system via receptor
      mediated pathways. The presence of estrogen receptors in immune cells and organs
      during the early stages of development may indicate that female steroid hormones
      are involved in the maturation of the fish immune system. This is of particular
      importance, as some marine fish are probably exposed to sources of exogenous
      estrogens while they reside in their estuarine nursery grounds. In this study,
      the influence of 17beta-estradiol (E2) on estrogen receptor and cytokine gene
      expression was assessed in juvenile sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) together with
      characterization of the head kidney leukocyte populations and corresponding
      phagocytic activity during organ regionalization from 98 to 239 dph. E2 exposure,
      beginning at 90 dph resulted in indirect and delayed modifications of interleukin
      1beta and estrogen receptor alpha gene expression, which may affect B-lymphocyte
      proliferation in the sea bass head kidney. The E2 treatment of 120 dph fish led
      to an increase in estrogen receptor beta2 and a decrease in transforming growth
      factor beta1 gene expression, which coincided with decreased phagocytic activity
      of head kidney lymphocytes and monocytes/macrophages. Additionally, these changes
      were observed during developmental periods described as critical phases for B
      lymphocyte development in mammals. Consequently, exogenous estrogens have the
      potential to modify the innate immune response in juvenile sea bass and to exert
      detrimental effects on head kidney development. Copyright (c) 2015 John Wiley &
      Sons, Ltd. 

PMID- 26278279
TI  - Editorial Comment to Impact of smoking on the age at diagnosis of upper tract
      urothelial carcinoma: Subanalysis of the Japanese Urological Association multi
      institutional national database.

PMID- 26278281
TI  - Regulation of GAPDH expression by treatment with the beta-adrenoceptor agonist
      isoprenaline--is GADPH a suitable loading control in immunoblot experiments?

PMID- 26278280
TI  - Macronutrient and micronutrient intakes of children in Oklahoma child-care
      centres, USA.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine macronutrients and micronutrients in foods served to and
      consumed by children at child-care centres in Oklahoma, USA and compare them with
      Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI). DESIGN: Observed lunch nutrients compared with
      one-third of the age-based DRI (for 1-3 years-olds and 4-8-year-olds). Settings
      Oklahoma child-care centres (n 25), USA. SUBJECTS: Children aged 3-5 years (n
      415). RESULTS: Regarding macronutrients, children were served 1782 (sd 686) kJ
      (426 (sd 164) kcal), 22.0 (sd 9.0) g protein, 51.5 (sd 20.4) g carbohydrate and
      30.7 (sd 8.7) % total fat; they consumed 1305 (sd 669) kJ (312 (sd 160 kcal),
      16.0 (sd 9.1) g protein, 37.6 (sd 18.5) g carbohydrate and 28.9 (sd 10.6) % total
      fat. For both age-based DRI: served energy (22-33 % of children), protein and
      carbohydrate exceeded; consumed energy (7-13 % of children) and protein exceeded,
      while carbohydrate was inadequate. Regarding micronutrients, for both age-based
      DRI: served Mg (65.9 (sd 24.7) mg), Zn (3.8 (sd 11.8) mg), vitamin A (249.9 (sd
      228.3) MUg) and folate (71.9 (sd 40.1) ug) exceeded; vitamin E (1.4 (sd 2.1) mg)
      was inadequate; served Fe (2.8 (sd 1.8) mg) exceeded only in 1-3-year-olds.
      Consumed folate (48.3 (sd 38.4) ug) met; Ca (259.4 (sd 146.2) mg) and Zn (2.3 (sd
      3.0) mg) exceeded for 1-3-year-olds, but were inadequate for 4-8-year-olds. For
      both age-based DRI: consumed Fe (1.9 (sd 1.2) mg) and vitamin E (1.0 (sd 1.7) mg)
      were inadequate; Mg (47.2 (sd 21.8) mg) and vitamin A (155.0 (sd 126.5) ug)
      exceeded. CONCLUSIONS: Lunch at child-care centres was twice the age-based DRI
      for consumed protein, while energy and carbohydrate were inadequate. Areas of
      improvement for micronutrients pertain to Fe and vitamin E for all children; Ca,
      Zn, vitamin E and folate for older pre-schoolers. Adequate nutrients are
      essential for development and the study reveals where public health nutrition
      experts, policy makers and care providers should focus to improve the nutrient
      density of foods.

PMID- 26278282
TI  - Aralia elata prevents neuronal death by downregulating tonicity response element
      binding protein in diabetic retinopathy.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: The present study addresses the role of tonicity response
      element binding protein (TonEBP) in retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death in diabetic
      retinopathy and the impact of Aralia elata extract on the TonEBP/RGC interaction.
      METHODS: Diabetes was induced in C57BL/6 mice by intraperitoneal injection of
      streptozotocin (STZ). Control mice received phosphate-buffered saline. After five
      injections of STZ or saline buffer, A. elata extract was administered by daily
      oral tube feeding for 7 weeks. All mice were killed at 2 months after the last
      injection of STZ or saline and the extent of cell death together with the protein
      expression levels of TonEBP, aldose reductase (AR) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF
      kappaB) were examined. RESULTS: Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated
      dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL)-positive signals were colocalized with TonEBP
      immunoreactive RGCs. The apoptotic cell death of RGCs and the expression levels
      of TonEBP, AR and NF-kappaB were significantly increased in the retinas of
      diabetic mice compared with controls at 2 months after the induction of diabetes.
      However, these changes were effectively blocked by the administration of A. elata
      extract. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that A. elata prevents diabetes
      induced RGC apoptosis and downregulates TonEBP expression. Therefore, A. elata
      extract may have therapeutic potential to prevent diabetes-induced retinal
      neurodegeneration in diabetic retinopathy.

PMID- 26278283
TI  - Trapped in TRAPS: Difficulty of Diagnosis due to Heterogeneity.

PMID- 26278284
TI  - Fever of Unknown Origin: Do Well-known Diseases Remain Undiagnosed?

PMID- 26278285
TI  - Association between the Postprandial Glucose Levels and Arterial Stiffness
      Measured According to the Cardio-ankle Vascular Index in Non-diabetic Subjects.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Although a relationship between post-challenge hyperglycemia and
      arterial stiffness has been reported, the relationship between the postprandial
      glucose levels and cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) in non-diabetic subjects is
      not clear. This study thus evaluated the association between the postprandial
      glucose levels after a composite meal and the degree of arterial stiffness
      measured according to CAVI in non-diabetic subjects. METHODS: The subjects
      included 1,291 individuals (655 men and 636 women; mean age, 48.6 years; range,
      23-85 years) who underwent medical examinations, including blood tests and CAVI
      assessments, between October 2005 and April 2012. The 1-hour postprandial glucose
      levels were determined after a 600-kcal traditional Japanese meal. RESULTS: The
      CAVI values were significantly higher in the subjects with higher 1-hour
      postprandial glucose levels (>=140 mg/dL in men; >=158 mg/dL in women). A simple
      regression analysis indicated that the CAVI values were significantly correlated
      with the 1-hour postprandial glucose levels in men (r=0.286, p<0.0001) and women
      (r=0.228, p<0.0001). After adjusting for age, BMI, systolic blood pressure,
      triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein
      cholesterol, 1-hour postprandial glucose, homeostatis model assessment of insulin
      resistance, estimated glemerular filtration rate, and high sensitive C-reactive
      protein, stepwise multiple regression analysis demonstrated that the 1-hour
      postprandial glucose level was an independent predictor associated with the CAVI
      in men (p=0.003) and older women 50 years of age or older (p=0.003). CONCLUSION:
      This study demonstrated that the 1-hour postprandial glucose levels are
      associated with increased CAVI values in non-diabetic men and older women 50
      years of age or older.

PMID- 26278286
TI  - Cross-sectional and Longitudinal Analyses of Factors Contributing to the
      Progressive Loss of the beta-cell Function in Type 2 Diabetes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease characterized by insulin
      resistance and insulin secretory dysfunction. In this study, we assessed the
      factors contributing to an insulin secretory defect in type 2 diabetes patients.
      METHODS: The subjects consisted of 382 patients with type 2 diabetes, aged 57+/
      13 years. We estimated the beta-cell function using 6-min post-glucagon
      increments in C-peptide (DeltaCPR). RESULTS: A significant inverse correlation
      was observed between the time since the diagnosis of diabetes and DeltaCPR. A
      simple liner regression analysis showed that DeltaCPR decreases at a rate of
      0.056 ng/mL/year. According to a multiple regression model, body mass index (BMI)
      and log (triglyceride) were positively correlated with DeltaCPR. Time since the
      diagnosis of diabetes, diabetes in 1st degree relatives, the presence of diabetic
      retinopathy, and HbA1c were inversely correlated with DeltaCPR. In 50 patients
      who underwent the glucagon stimulation test twice, the DeltaCPR decreased from
      2.27+/-1.47 to 1.72+/-1.08 ng/mL over a period of 6.5+/-0.9 years. A multiple
      regression analysis revealed the BMI and fasting plasma glucose level to be
      significant contributing factors to the decline in DeltaCPR. CONCLUSION: The
      duration of diabetes, a low BMI, genetic factors, and the presence of
      microangiopathy may be associated with beta-cell dysfunction in diabetic
      patients. The observations in this study suggest that obese subjects showed a
      rapid decline in the beta-cell function despite an initial high CPR response.
      Environmental factors causing insulin resistance and glucotoxicity may therefore
      be involved in progressive beta-cell failure.

PMID- 26278287
TI  - Feasibility of Rebiopsy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treated with Epidermal
      Growth Factor Receptor-Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Analyses of tumor biopsy samples from non-small cell lung cancer
      patients with acquired epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tyrosine kinase
      inhibitor (TKI) resistance are expected to reveal the molecular mechanisms of
      resistance. However, due to limited tissue availability, performing such analyses
      can be challenging. We herein investigated the feasibility of tumor rebiopsy in
      this patient population. METHODS: From April 2004 to March 2013, 53 consecutive
      patients were treated with EGFR-TKIs at our department. A retrospective medical
      chart review was conducted among patients with progressive disease (PD) according
      to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors criteria, as assessed
      radiographically. Sites of progression were evaluated at the time of PD. RESULTS:
      Forty patients experienced PD at the following sites: isolated central nervous
      system (CNS) in 10 patients; isolated bone in five patients; isolated lymph nodes
      in two patients; the primary lesion in 10 patients; and systemic disease in 11
      patients. Concerning the site of progression, 20 of the 40 patients had a lesion
      that could be accessed using endobronchial, transbronchial or percutaneous biopsy
      procedures. Among the 19 patients with oligoprogressive disease or CNS failure,
      the median overall survival was 24.1 months in eight patients who had received
      continuing treatment with EGFR-TKIs following radiotherapy and 16.8 months in 11
      patients who received other therapies after PD. CONCLUSION: In this study, few
      patients had a site of progression capable of being accessed using relatively
      noninvasive biopsy procedures. Further investigations are warranted to develop
      more optimal treatment strategies after PD in patients with oligoprogressive
      disease or CNS failure.

PMID- 26278288
TI  - Outcomes and Prognostic Factors in Patients with Rheumatologic Diseases Admitted
      to the ICU.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the outcomes in a large cohort of patients suffering from
      rheumatic diseases admitted to the ICU of a tertiary university medical center.
      METHODS: A retrospective chart analysis was performed in 108 patients suffering
      from various rheumatic diseases and the outcomes, including morbidity and
      mortality, were assessed in relation to the underlying diseases, treatments and
      complications. RESULTS: Overall, 48 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, five
      patients with spondyloarthritis, 14 patients with vasculitis, 30 patients with
      connective tissue diseases and 11 patients suffering from other rheumatologic
      conditions were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). The reasons for ICU
      admission included infection (30%), cardiovascular complications (22%),
      gastrointestinal problems (18%), endocrinological disorders (7%), neurological
      complications (2%) and others (3%). A total of 4% of the admitted patients
      required close monitoring and 14% suffered from acute exacerbation of the
      underlying rheumatic disease. The ICU mortality rate was 16%, whereas the overall
      hospital mortality rate was 20%. Fatal outcomes were related to exacerbation of
      the rheumatic disease in 14% of the patients, infectious complications in 46% of
      the patients and other reasons in 41% of the patients. An increased Apache II
      score, the need for mechanical ventilation, renal replacement therapy, treatment
      with vasopressor drugs and plasma exchange therapy were identified as risk
      factors for mortality. CONCLUSION: The overall outcomes of critically ill
      patients with rheumatic diseases are impaired compared to that observed in other
      patient groups. However, there were no significant differences in outcomes
      between the different rheumatic disease groups or based on the use of
      immunosuppressive therapy in this study. An increased Apache II score, the need
      for mechanical ventilation, renal replacement therapy, treatment with vasopressor
      drugs and plasma exchange therapy were identified as risk factors for mortality.

PMID- 26278289
TI  - Relationships between Causes of Fever of Unknown Origin and Inflammatory Markers:
      A Multicenter Collaborative Retrospective Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Although inflammatory markers, such as the white blood cell (WBC)
      count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and levels of C-reactive protein
      (CRP) and procalcitonin, are widely used to differentiate causes of fever of
      unknown origin (FUO), little is known about the usefulness of this approach. We
      evaluated relationships between the causes of classical FUO and the levels of
      inflammatory markers. METHODS: A nationwide retrospective study including 17
      hospitals affiliated with the Japanese Society of Hospital General Medicine was
      conducted. PATIENTS: This study included 121 patients >=18 years old diagnosed
      with "classical FUO" (axillary temperature >=38.0 degrees C at least twice over a
      >=3-week period without elucidation of the cause on three outpatient visits or
      during three days of hospitalization) between January and December 2011. RESULTS:
      The causative disease was infectious diseases in 28 patients (23.1%), non
      infectious inflammatory disease (NIID) in 37 patients (30.6%), malignancy in 13
      patients (10.7%), other in 15 patients (12.4%) and unknown in 28 patients
      (23.1%). The rate of malignancy was significantly higher for a WBC count of
      <4,000/MUL than for a WBC count of 4,000-8,000/MUL (p=0.015). Among the patients
      with a higher WBC count, the rate of FUO due to NIID tended to be higher and the
      number of unknown cases tended to be lower. All FUO patients with malignancy
      showed an ESR of >40 mm/h. A normal ESR appeared to constitute powerful evidence
      for excluding a diagnosis of malignancy. In contrast, the concentrations of both
      serum CRP and procalcitonin appeared to be unrelated to the causative disease.
      CONCLUSION: The present study identified inflammatory markers that should be
      considered in the differential diagnosis of classical FUO, providing useful
      information for future diagnosis.

PMID- 26278290
TI  - Multiple Colon Ulcers with Typical Small Intestinal Lesions Induced by Non
      Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs.
AB  - The diagnosis of NSAID-induced colon ulcers is difficult when the distribution or
      endoscopic findings are not typical. An 83-year-old woman was transferred to our
      hospital for hemorrhagic diarrhea. Colonoscopy showed multiple ulcers in the
      entire colon, particularly longitudinal ulcers in the transverse colon. These
      were unusual for NSAID-induced colopathy, although she had been on meloxicam.
      However, capsule endoscopy revealed multiple scars and erosions, characteristic
      of NSAIDs users. The final diagnosis was NSAID-induced enteropathy, and all
      lesions were in remission after meloxicam discontinuation. We herein emphasize
      the value of an endoscopic assessment of the entire digestive tract in the
      diagnosis of NSAID-induced mucosal lesions. 

PMID- 26278291
TI  - Hepatic Intracystic Organizing Hematoma Mimicking Biliary Cystadenocarcinoma in a
      Patient with Polycystic Liver Disease.
AB  - Hepatic intracystic hemorrhage is a rare complication of polycystic liver
      diseases, such as autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). A hepatic
      cyst with mural nodules and septation may suggest the presence of a cystic
      malignancy, such as biliary cystadenocarcinoma. We herein report a case of
      hepatic intracystic hematoma with a mural nodule mimicking biliary
      cystadenocarcinoma in a patient with ADPKD. Hepatic intracystic hemorrhage with a
      mural nodule is a very rare occurrence. A fat-saturated T1-weighted magnetic
      resonance image may be useful for making an accurate diagnosis of intracystic
      hematoma. 

PMID- 26278292
TI  - A Patient with Pancreatic Castleman's Disease Arising around the Main Pancreatic
      Duct.
AB  - Castleman's disease of the pancreas is extremely rare. To the best of our
      knowledge, Castleman's disease arising around the main pancreatic duct has not
      been previously reported. The patient was a 74-year-old man. Abdominal
      ultrasonography performed at a health check-up revealed a dilated main pancreatic
      duct. Pancreatic cancer was strongly suspected on various imaging studies.
      However, the results of a cytological examination of the pancreatic juice were
      negative for malignancy. The patient did not want to undergo a histological
      diagnosis by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration, thus pylorus
      preserving pancreatoduodenectomy was performed. Pancreatic Castleman's disease
      arising around the main pancreatic was diagnosed by the histopathological
      examination. 

PMID- 26278293
TI  - Association of Primary Biliary Cirrhosis-autoimmune Hepatitis Overlap Syndrome
      with Immune Thrombocytopenia and Graves' Disease.
AB  - A 54-year-old woman suffering from pruritus for five years was diagnosed to have
      Graves' disease and immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) associated with primary biliary
      cirrhosis (PBC)-autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) overlap syndrome, which was confirmed
      histologically after a prompt recovery in the platelet count number following
      steroid therapy. The association between PBC-AIH overlap syndrome and ITP has
      been rarely reported and the additional association with Graves' disease has not
      yet been reported. An underlying global derangement of autoimmunity or shared
      genetic susceptibility was suspected. 

PMID- 26278294
TI  - Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy Triggered by Influenza A Virus.
AB  - We herein report the first case of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy triggered by
      influenza A virus. Myocardial involvement in influenza virus infection has been
      described in 10% of cases. The literature has principally reported cases of acute
      myocarditis ranging from asymptomatic to fulminant heart failure and cardiac
      tamponade. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy frequently occurs in the setting of
      significant emotional or physical stress or acute medical illness, with a
      predominance in postmenopausal women. We report the diagnosis, management and
      outcomes presented in this case, with the aim of describing a new cardiovascular
      complication of influenza virus infection. 

PMID- 26278295
TI  - Infective Internal Iliac Artery Aneurysm Caused by Campylobacter fetus.
AB  - A 67-year-old man with a persistent high fever was diagnosed to have an infective
      aneurysm in his left internal iliac artery. A blood culture detected a gram
      negative spiral rod that was first identified as Campylobacter fetus subsp.
      venerealis based on a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight
      mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) analysis. However, the strain was finally
      confirmed to be Campylobacter fetus subsp. fetus based on a genetic analysis. The
      infection was successfully treated with emergency resection of the aneurysm,
      followed by 4 weeks of antibiotic therapy. Involvement of the peripheral artery
      is uncommon in cases of C. fetus-infective aneurysm. To figure out the
      epidemiology and pathogenicity of C. fetus infection, the accurate identification
      of the responsible organisms is essential. 

PMID- 26278296
TI  - Acute Multiple Arteriovenous Thromboses in a Patient with Diabetic Ketoacidosis.
AB  - Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is one of the most serious acute complications of
      diabetes mellitus. An arterial thrombotic tendency from DKA is relatively common;
      however, the occurrence of acute multiple arteriovenous thromboses is rare. We
      herein report the case of a 49-year-old man with DKA complicated by multiple
      thromboses. After transfer to our emergency room with DKA, the patient developed
      sudden abdominal pain. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed near
      complete occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery, superior mesenteric vein,
      splenic artery, and right femoral artery. This occurrence highlights the need for
      considering the risk of thrombosis during the initial treatment for DKA. 

PMID- 26278297
TI  - Primary Antiphospholipid Syndrome Associated with Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage and
      Pulmonary Thromboembolism.
AB  - Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is clinically characterized by arterial or venous
      thrombosis; however, non-thromboembolic lung manifestations, such as diffuse
      alveolar hemorrhage (DAH), have also been previously reported. DAH is relatively
      common in APS patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, although it is rare in
      primary APS. We encountered a 78-year-old man who presented with hemoptysis and
      dyspnea. Chest CT showed diffuse ground-glass opacity with pulmonary
      thromboembolism. He was successfully treated with corticosteroids and heparin;
      however, DAH recurred after the corticosteroid treatment was stopped. The
      treatment was intricate due to the concurrent bleeding and thrombotic
      manifestations. 

PMID- 26278298
TI  - Pulmonary Aluminosis Diagnosed with In-air Microparticle Induced X-ray Emission
      Analysis of Particles.
AB  - We herein present a case of pulmonary aluminosis diagnosed with in-air
      microparticle induced X-ray emission (in-air micro-PIXE) analysis. The diagnosis
      of pulmonary aluminosis was supported by the occupational exposure to aluminum,
      ground glass opacity and ill-defined centrilobular nodular opacities seen in high
      resolution CT, and respiratory bronchioles accompanied by pigmented dust by
      histological examination by in-air micro-PIXE analysis of the lung tissues. The
      possibility of developing this rare condition should not be underestimated in
      workers at high-risk jobs. This is an important report showing the usefulness of
      an in-air micro-PIXE analysis for the early diagnosis of aluminosis. 

PMID- 26278299
TI  - Mucosa-associated Lymphoid Tissue Lymphoma of the Trachea in a Patient with
      Breast Cancer.
AB  - We herein report the case of a 93-year-old woman with breast cancer on the left
      side. Preoperative computed tomography of the chest showed irregularities and
      narrowing of the mid-trachea. Bronchoscopy was performed, and the results of a
      biopsy supported a diagnosis of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT)
      lymphoma. The patient responded to treatment with prednisone alone, with a
      reduction in the size of the lesion. MALT lymphoma of the trachea is extremely
      rare, and there are only a few case reports of double cancer, i.e., MALT lymphoma
      of the trachea and breast cancer. 

PMID- 26278300
TI  - Hypertrophic Pulmonary Osteoarthropathy in Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK)
      positive Lung Cancer.
AB  - A 49-year-old man was admitted to a hospital with chest pain and polyarthralgia.
      Chest radiography showed abnormal findings, and chest computed tomography showed
      a mass in the right lung. A transbronchial lung biopsy led to a diagnosis of
      anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive adenocarcinoma. Bone scintigraphy
      revealed bilateral symmetrical accumulations of (99m)Technetium complexes in the
      long bones, suggesting co-existing hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy (HPO).
      The patient underwent four courses of chemotherapy with cisplatin plus
      pemetrexed, which led to decreased (99m)Technetium accumulations in the long
      bones. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of HPO
      associated with ALK-positive lung cancer. 

PMID- 26278301
TI  - Primary Pleural Synovial Sarcoma Treated with Pazopanib.
AB  - A 42-year-old woman presented with chest pain and breathlessness with a nodule
      measuring 2*2 cm in size at the base of the right lung. A bronchoscopic
      examination did not reveal any malignancy. However, the patient developed
      difficulty in breathing, enlargement of the nodule, and right pleural effusion 14
      days later. A video-assisted thoracic surgical biopsy specimen revealed the
      presence of pleural synovial sarcoma. The patient was treated with doxorubicin
      ifosfamide combination chemotherapy because of metastasis to the pelvis. However,
      after a transient partial clinical response, there was a relapse of refractory
      disease. Although treated with pazopanib as second-line chemotherapy, the patient
      died eight months after the initial presentation. 

PMID- 26278302
TI  - Rhabdomyolysis Caused by Candida parapsilosis in a Patient with Acute Myeloid
      Leukemia after Bone Marrow Transplantation.
AB  - Rhabdomyolysis is characterized by a marked elevation of the creatine kinase (CK)
      levels and myoglobinuria, thus leading to renal dysfunction. Various viruses or
      bacteria can be etiologic agents, but mycosis has only rarely been reported to be
      a cause of rhabdomyolysis. In this report, we describe an adolescent male with
      acute myeloid leukemia who underwent allogeneic bone marrow transplantation and
      thereafter developed rhabdomyolysis and Candida parapsilosis fungemia almost at
      the same time. Following treatment for C. parapsilosis, the transaminase and CK
      levels both satisfactorily decreased. This case illustrates that C. parapsilosis
      infection may be a causative agent of rhabdomyolysis in immunocompromised
      patients. 

PMID- 26278303
TI  - Pulmonary Extranodal Marginal Zone Lymphoma with Macroglobulinemia and Mixed
      Cryoglobulinemia Developed in a Patient with Chronic Hepatitis C.
AB  - We report a 65-year-old woman with a chronic hepatitis C virus infection who
      developed pulmonary extranodal marginal zone lymphoma (EMZL) of mucosa-associated
      lymphoid tissues complicated with macroglobulinemia and mixed cryoglobulinemia.
      She was treated with immunochemotherapy which resulted in the reduction of both
      the tumors and the serum immunoglobulin (Ig) M level. This case exemplifies an
      extensive stimulation upon immune system with derangement in the production of
      immunoglobulines associated with EMZL, and suggests that it is necessary to
      consider the possibility of B-cell lymphoma when IgM paraprotein is detected. 

PMID- 26278304
TI  - Varicella Zoster Virus Meningoencephalitis Presenting with Elsberg Syndrome
      without a Rash in an Immunocompetent Patient.
AB  - Varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection usually manifests with a skin rash. To the
      best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a case of VZV
      meningoencephalitis presenting with Elsberg syndrome without a rash in an
      immunocompetent patient. Clinicians should consider the potential for VZV
      infection as well as herpes simplex virus infection in cases of aseptic
      meningitis accompanied by bladder and rectal disturbances, even in patients
      without any rash symptoms. 

PMID- 26278305
TI  - A Case Presenting with the Clinical Characteristics of Tumor Necrosis Factor
      (TNF) Receptor-associated Periodic Syndrome (TRAPS) without TNFRSF1A Mutations
      Successfully Treated with Tocilizumab.
AB  - A 30-year-old woman had suffered from recurrent and self-limiting fevers since
      childhood. Although she had no mutations in the exons or introns of the tumor
      necrosis factor (TNF) receptor superfamily member 1A gene, her clinical
      characteristics were consistent with those of TNF receptor-associated periodic
      syndrome (TRAPS). She did not respond to treatment with etanercept, although
      tocilizumab therapy was successful, subsequently ameliorating her symptoms and
      preventing further inflammatory attacks. Interleukin-6 blocking therapy should be
      considered as a new alternative treatment in patients with TRAPS who do not
      respond to etanercept. 

PMID- 26278306
TI  - Life Threatening, Allopurinol-related Dress Syndrome as a Rare Cause of Fever of
      Unknown Origin.
AB  - Drug reaction eosinophilia with systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome is a
      potentially life threatening condition secondary to the usage of a wide type of
      drugs. A 38-year-old woman under allopurinol therapy for hyperuricemia was
      admitted in our department with fever and a diffuse cutaneous erythematous
      eruption. A few days after admission she developed rapidly progressive signs of
      acute liver and kidney failure. Subsequently, her clinical conditions shortly
      improved. The histologic findings obtained from skin and liver biopsies were
      consistent with a toxic drug reaction. The patient completely recovered and has
      been healthy for five years. 

PMID- 26278307
TI  - Decreasing Liver Stiffness Following Pericardiectomy for Constrictive
      Pericarditis.

PMID- 26278308
TI  - Massive Barium Sulfate Aspiration in the Bronchial Tree.

PMID- 26278309
TI  - Periungual Hemorrhage with Rapid Progressive Interstitial Pneumonia.

PMID- 26278310
TI  - Multiple Myeloma Mimicking Liver Metastases.

PMID- 26278311
TI  - Double Herpes Zoster in a Hemodialysis Patient.

PMID- 26278312
TI  - Yellow Nail Syndrome in Toenails.

PMID- 26278314
TI  - Nocardia farcinica Pneumonia in a Palliative Care Unit.

PMID- 26278313
TI  - Rheumatoid Vasculitis.

PMID- 26278315
TI  - Transient Eosinophilia with Catastrophic Vessel Occlusion.

PMID- 26278316
TI  - Cerebral Sinovenous Thrombosis in a Patient with Transient Eosinophilia.

PMID- 26278317
TI  - Safe staffing and the global mandate for health.

PMID- 26278318
TI  - Prenatal Exposure to Continuous Constant Light Alters Endochondral Ossification
      of the Tibiae of Rat Pups.
AB  - Clinical and experimental studies suggest that prenatal exposure to stress can
      impact the growth and development of offspring. The effect of prenatal exposure
      to constant light, applied as a chronic stressor, on endochondral ossification of
      the tibiae of 3-day-old and 15-day-old pups was histomorphometrically evaluated.
      Pregnant rats were divided into 2 groups: mothers chronically exposed to a 12:12
      hour light/light cycle (LL) and control mothers maintained on a 12:12-hour
      light/dark cycle on days 10-20 of pregnancy. On postnatal days 3 and 15, the pups
      were weighed and euthanized. The tibiae were resected and histologically
      processed to obtain sections for hematoxylin and eosin staining (HE) and tartrate
      resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) histochemistry, in order to perform
      histomorphometric determinations. The data were statistically analyzed. A
      significant decrease in hypertrophic cartilage thickness was observed in the
      tibiae of the 3-day-old (LL: 0.134 +/- 0.02 vs. CONTROLS: 0.209 +/- 0.023 mm; p <
      0.01) and 15-day-old (LL: 23.32 +/- 3.98 vs. CONTROLS: 22.96 +/- 1.93 mm; p <
      0.05) prenatally stressed pups. The subchondral bone volume was significantly
      lower in the tibiae of the 3-day-old LL pups (38.83 +/- 6.14%) than in the
      controls (62.83 +/- 10.67%; p < 0.01). The decrease in subchondral bone volume
      and hypertrophic cartilage thickness shows that the normal growth process of the
      tibia is impaired in prenatally stressed pups.

PMID- 26278319
TI  - Twenty-Five Years of Fetoscopic Laser Coagulation in Twin-Twin Transfusion
      Syndrome: A Systematic Review.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the perinatal outcome of
      pregnancies with twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) treated with laser therapy
      over the past 25 years, and in relation to different techniques used in this time
      period. METHODS: A systematic review of studies reporting on perinatal outcome
      according to the Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE)
      guidelines was conducted. The MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane Library databases were
      systematically searched. Comparisons were made in respect to time period and
      laser technique and Quintero stages. RESULTS: In total, 34 studies reporting on
      3,868 monochorionic twin pregnancies were included. The mean survival of both
      twins increased from 35 to 65% (p = 0.012) and for at least one twin from 70 to
      88% (p = 0.009) over the past 25 years. Mean gestational age at birth remained
      stable over the years at 32 weeks gestation. Also, we showed a significantly
      improved perinatal survival with the evolution of the laser technique from non
      selective to selective, selective sequential and the Solomon technique (p =
      0.010). DISCUSSION: Since the introduction of laser therapy for TTTS more than
      two decades ago, perinatal survival improved significantly. Improved outcome is
      probably associated with several factors, including evolution of the laser
      technique, learning curve effect, better referral and improved early neonatal
      care.

PMID- 26278320
TI  - Disparities in care for patients with curable hepatocellular carcinoma.

PMID- 26278321
TI  - Disparities in care for patients with curable hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is increasing, but
      surgical management continues to be underutilized. This retrospective review
      investigates treatment decisions and survival for early stage HCC. METHODS: The
      National Cancer Database (NCDB) was queried for all patients with curable HCC
      (Stage I/II) from 1998 to 2011 (n = 43 859). Patient and tumour characteristics
      were analysed to determine predictors of having surgery and of long-term
      survival. RESULTS: Only 39.7% of patients received surgery for early stage HCC.
      Surgical therapies included resection (34.6%), transplant (28.7%), radiofrequency
      ablation (27.1%) and other therapies. Surgery correlated with improved median
      survival (48.3 versus 8.4 months), but was only performed on 42% of stage I
      patients and 50% of tumours smaller than 2 cm. Patients were more likely to
      receive surgery if they were Asian or white race, had private insurance, higher
      income, better education, or treatment at an academic centre (P < 0.05). However,
      private insurance and treatment at an academic centre were the only variables
      associated with improved survival (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Fewer than half of
      patients with curable HCC receive surgery, possibly as a result of multiple
      socioeconomic variables. Past these barriers to care, survival is related to
      adequate and reliable treatment. Further efforts should address these disparities
      in treatment decisions.

PMID- 26278322
TI  - The impact of portal pedicle clamping on survival from colorectal liver
      metastases in the contemporary era of liver resection: a matched cohort study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Portal pedicle clamping (PPC) may impact micro-metastases' growth.
      This study examined the association between PPC and survival after a hepatectomy
      for colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). METHODS: A matched cohort study was
      conducted on hepatectomies for CRLM at a single institution (2003-2012). Cohorts
      were selected based on PPC use, with 1:1 matching for age, time period and the
      Clinical Risk Score. Outcomes were overall and recurrence-free survival (OS and
      RFS). Cox regression was performed to assess the association between PPC and
      survival. RESULTS: Of 481 hepatectomies, 26.9% used PPC. One hundred and ten
      pairs of patients were matched in the cohorts. There was no significant
      difference in OS [hazard ratio (HR) 1.18; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.76
      1.83], with a 5-year OS of 57.8% (95%CI: 52.4-63.2%) with PPC versus 62.3%
      (95%CI: 57.1-67.5%) without. Five-year RFS did not differ (HR 0.98; 95%CI: 0.71
      1.35) with 29.7% (95%CI: 24.9-34.5%) with PPC versus 28.0% (95%CI: 23.2-32.8%)
      without. When adjusting for extent of resection, transfusion, operative time and
      surgeon, there was no difference in OS (HR 0.91; 95%CI: 0.52-1.60) or RFS (HR:
      0.86; 95%CI: 0.57-1.30). CONCLUSIONS: PPC was not associated with a significant
      difference in OS or RFS in a hepatectomy for CRLM. PPC remains a safe technique
      during hepatectomy.

PMID- 26278323
TI  - Clinical and pathological features of intraductal papillary neoplasm of the
      biliary tract and gallbladder.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Intraductal papillary neoplasms of the biliary tract (IPNB) and
      intracholecystic papillary neoplasms (ICPN) are rare tumours characterized by
      intraluminal papillary growth that can be associated with invasive carcinoma.
      Their natural history remains poorly understood. This study examines
      clinicopathological features and outcomes. METHODS: Patients who underwent
      surgery for IPNB/ICPN (2008-2014) were identified. Descriptive statistics and
      survival data were generated. RESULTS: Of 23 patients with IPNB/ICPN, 10 were
      male, and the mean age was 68 years. The most common presentations were abdominal
      pain (n = 10) and jaundice (n = 9). Tumour locations were: intrahepatic (n = 5),
      hilar (n = 3), the extrahepatic bile duct (n = 8) and the gallbladder (n = 7).
      Invasive cancer was found in 20/23 patients. Epithelial subtypes included
      pancreatobiliary (n = 15), intestinal (n = 7) and gastric (n = 1). The median
      follow-up was 30 months. The 5-year overall (OS) and disease-free survivals (DFS)
      were 51% and 57%, respectively. Decreased OS (P = 0.09) and DFS (P = 0.05) were
      seen in patients with tumours expressing MUC1 on immunohistochemistry (IHC).
      CONCLUSION: IPNB/ICPN are rare precursor lesions that can affect the entire
      biliary epithelium. At pathology, the majority of patients have invasive
      carcinoma, thus warranting a radical resection. Patients with tumours expressing
      MUC1 appear to have worse OS and DFSs.

PMID- 26278326
TI  - Enlarged Optic Nerve Sheath in Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage despite Normal
      Intracranial Pressure.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: This study investigates the diagnostic value of optic nerve sheath
      diameter (ONSD) assessed by transorbital sonography for estimation of
      intracranial pressure (ICP) in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage
      (SAH). METHODS: Simultaneous measurements of the ONSD and ICP in 27 patients
      suffering from SAH and acute hydrocephalus after placement of an extraventricular
      drain. RESULTS: Despite normal mean ICP values ONSD was significantly higher in
      patients with SAH compared with healthy volunteers and no relevant decline of
      ONSD over time could be identified. In addition, no correlation between ONSD and
      ICP was observed. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with SAH and acute hydrocephalus after
      aneurysm rupture, the ONSD remains expanded after normalization of ICP. This is
      most likely due to an impaired retraction capability of the optic nerve sheath.
      This finding should be considered when using transorbital sonography in the
      neuromonitoring of aneurysmal SAH.

PMID- 26278327
TI  - Hypnotics and Triazolobenzodiazepines--Best Predictors of High-Dose
      Benzodiazepine Use: Results from the Luxembourg National Health Insurance
      Registry.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Benzodiazepines are not all the same concerning their risk of high
      dose use. METHODS: We studied benzodiazepine use from the Luxembourg national
      records of all insured. We calculated the 12-year prevalence from 1995 to 2007.
      Benzodiazepine users were divided into 3 groups, short-term with no longer than 3
      month intake, intermediate with multiple administration with at least a 1-year
      interruption, and continuous who never stopped. A high-dose user (HDU) was
      defined as a patient who received a higher dose than the yearly maximum usual
      therapeutic dose. RESULTS: An average of 16.0% of the adult insured population
      received at least 1 benzodiazepine annually, 42.9% were older than 50, 55.9% were
      women, and 5.4% were HDUs. We found that 32.6% were short-term users, 49.0%
      intermediate and 18.4% continuous. Compared to diazepam, hypnotics had higher
      risks for high-dose use in at least 1 age group at first-benzodiazepine intake,
      the risks being greater in elderly subjects and women, the highest risks being
      with triazolam (adjusted odds ratio = 215.85; 95% confidence interval = 133.75
      348.35) in the 69- to 105-year-old group at first-benzodiazepine intake.
      Anxiolytics had a low risk except for alprazolam and prazepam in the 69- to 105
      year-old group at first-benzodiazepine intake, clonazepam and clobazam had the
      lowest risk in 18- to 43-year-olds at first-benzodiazepine intake. Alprazolam had
      dispensed volumes increased by threefold over the 12-year period. CONCLUSION: All
      hypnotics had higher risks for high-dose use compared to diazepam in continuous
      users. Two anxiolytics, clonazepam and clobazam, had the lowest risks. Hypnotics
      and the triazolobenzodiazepines alprazolam and triazolam were most problematic.
      Elderly subjects and women are at greater risks.

PMID- 26278328
TI  - Aberrant Placental Villus Expression of miR-486-3p and miR-3074-5p in Recurrent
      Miscarriage Patients and Uterine Expression of These MicroRNAs during Early
      Pregnancy in Mice.
AB  - MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are critical regulators of gene expression; they have emerged
      as new players in the pathophysiology of reproductive disorders such as
      preeclampsia and recurrent miscarriage (RM). In this study, miRNA expression
      profiles were determined by deep sequencing analysis in placental villi obtained
      from women with RM and with gestational age-matched normal pregnancy (NP). A
      total of 69 miRNAs were found to be aberrantly expressed in RM. Five of these
      human (Homo sapiens) miRNAs (hsa-miRNAs), including hsa-miR-3074-5p, -486-3p, 
      1269b, -6765-3p and -144-3p, were validated by qRT-PCR in 12 RM and 10 NP
      placental villi. Hsa-miR-3074-5p expression was significantly higher, while hsa
      miR-486-3p expression was significantly lower, in RM compared to NP.
      Subsequently, the expression of mouse (Mus musculus) miR-486-3p (mmu-miR-486-3p)
      and mmu-miR-3074-5p, which are identical to hsa-miR-486-3p and hsa-miR-3074-5p,
      respectively, were examined by qRT-PCR in the uterus during early pregnancy. Mmu
      miR-486-3p expression was significantly increased during the peri-implantation
      period, and the levels were significantly higher at implantation than at non
      implantation sites. In contrast, the expression of mmu-miR-3074-5p was markedly
      decreased at implantation compared to non-implantation sites. These data suggest
      that miR-486-3p and miR-3074-5p may be involved in embryo implantation and that
      their aberrant expression is associated with RM. Larger studies are warranted to
      follow up this pilot study. (c) 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.

PMID- 26278329
TI  - Social networks of older adults living with HIV in Finland.
AB  - The aim of this study was to explore the social networks of older adults living
      with HIV. Interviews were conducted with nine individuals aged 50 or older living
      with HIV in Helsinki, Finland. Analysis of transcripts was analysed by inductive
      qualitative content analysis. Results indicated that these participants' networks
      tended to be large, including those both aware and unaware of the participants'
      health status. Analysis identified three main themes: large multifaceted social
      networks, importance of a support group, and downsizing of social networks.
      Support received appeared to be of great importance in coping with their health
      condition, especially since the time of diagnosis. Friends and family were the
      primary source of informal support. The majority of participants relied mostly on
      friends, some of whom were HIV-positive. Formal support came primarily from the
      HIV organisation's support group. In this study group, non-disclosure did not
      impact participants' well-being. In years to come, social networks of older
      adults living with HIV may shrink due to personal reasons other than HIV
      disclosure. What is of primary importance is that healthcare professionals become
      knowledgeable about psychosocial issues of older adults living with HIV,
      identifying latent problems and developing adequate interventions in the early
      stages of the disease; this would help prevent social isolation and foster
      successful ageing with HIV. 

PMID- 26278330
TI  - Delivery of siRNA Using CXCR4-targeted Nanoparticles Modulates Tumor
      Microenvironment and Achieves a Potent Antitumor Response in Liver Cancer.
AB  - Antiangiogenic therapy has recently emerged as a highly promising therapeutic
      strategy for treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the only
      clinically approved systemic antiangiogenic agent for advanced HCC is sorafenib,
      which exerts considerable toxicity. Moreover, acquired resistance to
      antiangiogenic therapy often develops and restricts the therapeutic efficacy of
      this treatment. Hence, in this study, we develop a CXCR4-targeted lipid-based
      nanoparticle (NP) formulation to specifically deliver vascular endothelial growth
      factor (VEGF) siRNA as an antiangiogenic substance into HCC. AMD3100, a CXCR4
      antagonist, is added into NPs to serve as both a targeting moiety and a
      sensitizer to antiangiogenic therapy. We demonstrate that AMD-modified NPs (AMD
      NPs) can efficiently deliver VEGF siRNAs into HCC and downregulate VEGF
      expression in vitro and in vivo. Despite the upregulation of the SDF1alpha/CXCR4
      axis upon the induction of hypoxia after antiangiogenic therapy, CXCR4 inhibition
      by AMD-NPs in combination with either conventional sorafenib treatment or VEGF
      siRNA prevents the infiltration of tumor-associated macrophages. These dual
      treatments also induce synergistic antiangiogenic effects and suppress local and
      distant tumor growth in HCC. In conclusion, the tumor-targeted multifunctional
      AMD-NPs that co-deliver VEGF siRNA and AMD3100 provide an effective approach for
      overcoming tumor evasion of antiangiogenic therapy, leading to delayed tumor
      progression in HCC. 

PMID- 26278331
TI  - The Role of Neutrophils in Measles Virus-mediated Oncolysis Differs Between B
      cell Malignancies and Is Not Always Enhanced by GCSF.
AB  - The mechanism by which oncolytic measles virus (MV) kills cancer cells remains
      obscure. We previously showed that neutrophils are involved in MV-mediated tumor
      regressions and become activated, upon MV infection. In the present study, we
      attempted to enhance the neutrophil response toward MV-infected tumor targets by
      generating an oncolytic MV-expressing human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor
      (MVhGCSF). Evaluating the effects in two different models of B-cell malignancy,
      we showed that depletion of neutrophils abrogated the MV therapeutic effect in an
      in vivo Raji-but not Nalm-6 tumor model. Next, we compared MVhGCSF with the
      unmodified backbone virus MVNSe. MVhGCSF enhanced the oncolytic capacity of MV in
      the Raji model in vivo, whereas in the Nalm-6 model, the opposite was
      unexpectedly the case. This finding was recapitulated by exogenously administered
      hGCSF. MVhGCSF replicated within an MV-infectable CD46 transgenic mouse model
      with detectable serum levels of hGCSF but no toxicity. Our data suggest that a
      "one-size-fits-all" model of immune response to viral oncolysis is not
      appropriate, and each tumor target will need full characterization for the
      potential of both direct and indirect, innate immune responses to generate
      benefit. 

PMID- 26278332
TI  - Nano-encapsulated PCM via Pickering Emulsification.
AB  - We designed a two-step Pickering emulsification procedure to create nano
      encapsulated phase changing materials (NEPCMs) using a method whose simplicity
      and low energy consumption suggest promise for scale-up and mass production.
      Surface-modified amphiphilic zirconium phosphate (ZrP) platelets were fabricated
      as the Pickering emulsifiers, nonadecane was chosen as the core phase change
      material (PCM), and polystyrene, the shell material. The resultant capsules were
      submicron in size with remarkable uniformity in size distribution, which has
      rarely been reported. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) characterization
      showed that the capsulation efficiency of NEPCMs, and they were found to be
      thermal stable, as characterized by the DSC data for the sample after 200 thermal
      cycles. NEPCMs exhibit superior mechanical stability and mobility when compared
      with the well-developed micro-encapsulated phase change materials (MEPCMs).
      NEPCMs find useful applications in thermal management, including micro-channel
      coolants; solar energy storage media; building temperature regulators; and
      thermal transfer fabrics. 

PMID- 26278333
TI  - Co-extinction in a host-parasite network: identifying key hosts for network
      stability.
AB  - Parasites comprise a substantial portion of total biodiversity. Ultimately, this
      means that host extinction could result in many secondary extinctions of obligate
      parasites and potentially alter host-parasite network structure. Here, we
      examined a highly resolved fish-parasite network to determine key hosts
      responsible for maintaining parasite diversity and network structure (quantified
      here as nestedness and modularity). We evaluated four possible host extinction
      orders and compared the resulting co-extinction dynamics to random extinction
      simulations; including host removal based on estimated extinction risk, parasite
      species richness and host level contributions to nestedness and modularity. We
      found that all extinction orders, except the one based on realistic extinction
      risk, resulted in faster declines in parasite diversity and network structure
      relative to random biodiversity loss. Further, we determined species-level
      contributions to network structure were best predicted by parasite species
      richness and host family. Taken together, we demonstrate that a small proportion
      of hosts contribute substantially to network structure and that removal of these
      hosts results in rapid declines in parasite diversity and network structure. As
      network stability can potentially be inferred through measures of network
      structure, our findings may provide insight into species traits that confer
      stability. 

PMID- 26278334
TI  - Hierarchical Co-based Porous Layered Double Hydroxide Arrays Derived via Alkali
      Etching for High-performance Supercapacitors.
AB  - Hierarchical nanoarchitecture and porous structure can both provide advantages
      for improving the electrochemical performance in energy storage electrodes. Here
      we report a novel strategy to synthesize new electrode materials, hierarchical Co
      based porous layered double hydroxide (PLDH) arrays derived via alkali etching
      from Co(OH)2@CoAl LDH nanoarrays. This structure not only has the benefits of
      hierarchical nanoarrays including short ion diffusion path and good charge
      transport, but also possesses a large contact surface area owing to its porous
      structure which lead to a high specific capacitance (23.75 F cm(-2) or 1734 F g(
      1) at 5 mA cm(-2)) and excellent cycling performance (over 85% after 5000
      cycles). The enhanced electrode material is a promising candidate for
      supercapacitors in future application.

PMID- 26278335
TI  - Reward feedback stimuli elicit high-beta EEG oscillations in human dorsolateral
      prefrontal cortex.
AB  - Reward-related feedback stimuli have been observed to elicit a burst of power in
      the beta frequency range over frontal areas of the human scalp. Recent
      discussions have suggested possible neural sources for this activity but there is
      a paucity of empirical evidence on the question. Here we recorded EEG from
      participants while they navigated a virtual T-maze to find monetary rewards.
      Consistent with previous studies, we found that the reward feedback stimuli
      elicited an increase in beta power (20-30 Hz) over a right-frontal area of the
      scalp. Source analysis indicated that this signal was produced in the right
      dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). These findings align with previous
      observations of reward-related beta oscillations in the DLPFC in non-human
      primates. We speculate that increased power in the beta frequency range following
      reward receipt reflects the activation of task-related neural assemblies that
      encode the stimulus-response mapping in working memory.

PMID- 26278336
TI  - Metabolic syndrome and aerobic fitness in patients with first-episode
      schizophrenia, including a 1-year follow-up.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and metabolic
      abnormalities in patients with first-episode schizophrenia (FES) with sex- and
      age-matched healthy controls; to investigate changes in MetS during 1year of
      treatment; and to investigate predictors of MetS. METHODS: Patients with FES
      (N=99) and healthy controls (N=50) were included in the study. MetS was defined
      according to IDF based on waist circumference (WC), blood pressure (BP),
      triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and fasting-glucose. Data on
      physical activity, aerobic fitness, smoking, and dietary habits, sleeping
      disturbances, psychopathology and psychotropic medication were also obtained.
      Patients were assessed at baseline and at 1year follow-up. RESULTS: Compared with
      healthy controls patients with FES had a higher baseline prevalence of MetS
      (p=.07), and metabolic abnormalities: WC (p<.01), TG (p<.01), HDL (p=.017), and
      fasting glucose (p=.04). Patients with FES had significantly increased prevalence
      of MetS (p=.03), WC (p=.04), and TG (p=.01) during the study period.
      Antipsychotics and low physical activity were significantly correlated with the
      increase in metabolic abnormalities. In multivariate analyses low aerobic fitness
      was the most consistent and significant predictor of metabolic abnormalities and
      MetS. CONCLUSION: MetS and metabolic abnormalities are highly prevalent in
      patients with FES, and both increase significantly during 1year of treatment.
      Apart from confirming the metabolic adverse effects of antipsychotics, our study
      highlights that low aerobic fitness is a significant risk factor for MetS.
      Promoting a healthier lifestyle should be part of psychiatric treatment and
      rehabilitation.

PMID- 26278337
TI  - Transfer Effect of Speech-sound Learning on Auditory-motor Processing of
      Perceived Vocal Pitch Errors.
AB  - Speech perception and production are intimately linked. There is evidence that
      speech motor learning results in changes to auditory processing of speech.
      Whether speech motor control benefits from perceptual learning in speech,
      however, remains unclear. This event-related potential study investigated whether
      speech-sound learning can modulate the processing of feedback errors during vocal
      pitch regulation. Mandarin speakers were trained to perceive five Thai lexical
      tones while learning to associate pictures with spoken words over 5 days. Before
      and after training, participants produced sustained vowel sounds while they heard
      their vocal pitch feedback unexpectedly perturbed. As compared to the pre
      training session, the magnitude of vocal compensation significantly decreased for
      the control group, but remained consistent for the trained group at the post
      training session. However, the trained group had smaller and faster N1 responses
      to pitch perturbations and exhibited enhanced P2 responses that correlated
      significantly with their learning performance. These findings indicate that the
      cortical processing of vocal pitch regulation can be shaped by learning new
      speech-sound associations, suggesting that perceptual learning in speech can
      produce transfer effects to facilitating the neural mechanisms underlying the
      online monitoring of auditory feedback regarding vocal production. 

PMID- 26278338
TI  - Performance of the Delirium Rating Scale-Revised-98 Against Different Delirium
      Diagnostic Criteria in a Population With a High Prevalence of Dementia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Delirium diagnosis in elderly is often complicated by underlying
      dementia. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated performance of the Delirium Rating Scale
      Revised-98 (DRS-R98) in patients with high dementia prevalence and also assessed
      concordance among past and current diagnostic criteria for delirium. METHODS:
      Cross-sectional analysis of newly admitted patients to a skilled nursing facility
      over 6 months, who were rated within 24-48 hours after admission. Interview for
      Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 3rd edition-R (DSM)-III-R,
      DSM-IV, DSM-5, and International Classification of Diseases 10th edition delirium
      ratings, administration of the DRS-R98, and assessment of dementia using the
      Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly were independently
      performed by 3 researchers. Discriminant analyses (receiver operating
      characteristics curves) were used to study DRS-R98 accuracy against different
      diagnostic criteria. Hanley and McNeil test compared the area under the curve for
      DRS-R98's discriminant performance for all diagnostic criteria. RESULTS: Dementia
      was present in 85/125 (68.0%) subjects, and 36/125 (28.8%) met criteria for
      delirium by at least 1 classification system, whereas only 19/36 (52.8%) did by
      all. DSM-III-R diagnosed the most as delirious (27.2%), followed by DSM-5
      (24.8%), DSM-IV-TR (22.4%), and International Classification of Diseases 10th
      edition (16%). DRS-R98 had the highest AUC when discriminating DSM-III-R delirium
      (92.9%), followed by DSM-IV (92.4%), DSM-5 (91%), and International
      Classification of Diseases 10th edition (90.5%), without statistical differences
      among them. The best DRS-R98 cutoff score was >=14.5 for all diagnostic systems
      except International Classification of Diseases 10th edition (>=15.5).
      CONCLUSIONS: There is a low concordance across diagnostic systems for
      identification of delirium. The DRS-R98 performs well despite differences across
      classification systems perhaps because it broadly assesses phenomenology, even in
      this population with a high prevalence of dementia.

PMID- 26278339
TI  - Comparison of Electronic Screening for Suicidal Risk With the Patient Health
      Questionnaire Item 9 and the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale in an
      Outpatient Psychiatric Clinic.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patient-reported data can improve clinical care, including
      identifying patients who are at risk for suicide. METHODS: In a tertiary care,
      psychiatric outpatient clinic, we compared computerized self-assessments of
      suicidal risk based on item 9 of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and an
      electronic version of the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), using
      retrospective medical record review of clinical psychiatric assessments as the
      reference standard. We also surveyed patients' attitudes about participating in
      the process. We compared prevalence of suicidal risk rates by the 3 assessment
      methods as well as their sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value. RESULTS:
      Observed prevalence of positive suicidal risk screenings differed significantly,
      ranking (1) Patient Health Questionnaire-9 item 9, 24% (343/1416; 95% CI: 22%
      26%) < (2) C-SSRS, 6.0% (85/1416; 95% CI: 5.0%-7.4%) < (3) clinical assessment,
      1.4% (20/1416; 95% CI: 0.9%-2.2%). The sensitivity of Patient Health
      Questionnaire-9 item 9 was 92% (78/85; 95% CI: 86%-98%) and the specificity was
      81% (1107/1376; 95% CI: 78%-82%). The sensitivity of the C-SSRS was 95.0% (19/20;
      95% CI: 75%-100%) and the specificity was 95% (1330/1396; 95% CI: 94%-96%). Of
      100 patients surveyed, the screening was well accepted, with some concerns about
      confidentiality and adequate clinical follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: As expected,
      Patient Health Questionnaire-9 item 9 generated much higher rates of apparently
      false-positive findings than the C-SSRS did, when compared with clinical
      assessment. C-SSRS backed with timely clinical assessment may be a useful and
      efficient method of screening for suicidal risk, provided that adequate,
      immediate clinical follow-up is available.

PMID- 26278340
TI  - Free open access medical education can help rural clinicians deliver 'quality
      care, out there'.
AB  - Rural clinicians require expertise across a broad range of specialties,
      presenting difficulty in maintaining currency of knowledge and application of
      best practice. Free open access medical education is a new paradigm in continuing
      professional education. Use of the internet and social media allows a globally
      accessible crowd-sourced adjunct, providing inline (contextual) and offline
      (asynchronous) content to augment traditional educational principles and the
      availability of relevant resources for life-long learning. This markedly reduces
      knowledge translation (the delay from inception of a new idea to bedside
      implementation) and allows rural clinicians to further expertise by engaging in
      discussion of cutting edge concepts with peers worldwide. 

PMID- 26278341
TI  - Development of a Primary Care-Based Clinic to Support Adults With a History of
      Childhood Cancer: The Tactic Clinic.
AB  - PURPOSE: Describe the development and evolution of a primary-care-based,
      multidisciplinary clinic to support the ongoing care of adult survivors of
      childhood cancer. METHODS: A consultative clinic for adult survivors of childhood
      cancer has been developed that is located in an adult, academic internal medicine
      setting and is based on a long-term follow-up clinic model available at
      Children's Hospital Colorado. RESULTS: The clinic opened in July 2008. One
      hundred thirty-five patients have been seen as of April 2014. Referrals and
      clinic capacity have gradually increased over time, and a template has been
      developed in the electronic medical record to help facilitate completion of
      individualized care plan letters. CONCLUSIONS: A primary care-based,
      multidisciplinary consultative clinic for adults with a history of childhood
      cancer survivor is feasible and actively engages adult primary care resources to
      provide risk-based care for long-term pediatric cancer survivors. This model of
      care planning can help support adult survivors of pediatric cancer and their
      primary care providers in non-academic, community settings as well.

PMID- 26278342
TI  - New Techniques in Pediatric Pain Management: Continuous Peripheral Nerve Block.

PMID- 26278343
TI  - In vivo prediction of CYP-mediated metabolic interaction potential of
      formononetin and biochanin A using in vitro human and rat CYP450 inhibition data.
AB  - Formononetin (FMN) and Biochanin A (BCA) are the principal isoflavones present in
      commercially available extracts of red clover that are widely been consumed for
      various health benefits. We investigated the in vitro effects of FMN and BCA on
      catalytic activity of human/rat cytochrome P450 enzymes to assess the drug
      interaction potential of red clover. IC50 and Ki values of FMN and BCA for CYPs
      were determined in human/rat liver microsomes. FMN and BCA showed concentration
      dependent inhibition of CYP1A2 activity with IC50 values of 13.42 and 24.98MUM in
      human liver microsomes and 38.57 and 11.86MUM in rat liver microsomes,
      respectively. The mode of inhibition of human CYP1A2 by FMN was found to be
      competitive with apparent Ki value of 10.13+/-1.96MUM. FMN also inhibited human
      CYP2D6. BCA exerted moderately inhibitory effects on human CYP2C9. The predicted
      in vivo inhibition for CYP1A2 was insignificant (R value <1.1) at hepatic level
      while at intestinal level, it was significant (R value >11). The inhibitory
      effects on other CYPs were found to be minimal. Red clover may be considered safe
      to be consumed along with co-prescribed medications; however, precaution must be
      taken while co-administering it with CYP1A2 substrates. 

PMID- 26278344
TI  - Editorial overview: Anti-infectives: Current challenges and unmet needs in
      antimicrobial therapy.

PMID- 26278345
TI  - Evolution of Hox-like genes in Cnidaria: Study of Hydra Hox repertoire reveals
      tailor-made Hox-code for Cnidarians.
AB  - Hox and ParaHox genes play decisive roles in patterning the anterior-posterior
      body axis in Bilateria. Evolutionary origin of Hox genes and primary body axis
      predate the divergence of Bilateria and Cnidaria. However, function of Cnidarian
      Hox-like genes and their regulation in axis determination is obscure due to
      studies limited to a few representative model systems. Present investigation is
      conducted using Hydra, a Hydrozoan member of phylum Cnidaria, to gain insights
      into the roles of Cnidarian Hox-like genes in primary axis formation. Here, we
      report identification of six Hox-like genes from our in-house transcriptome data.
      Phylogenetic analysis of these genes shows bilaterian counterparts of Hox1, Gsx
      and Mox. Additionally, we report CnoxB_HVUL, CnoxC2_HVUL and CnoxC3_HVUL
      belonging to two Cnidarian specific groups. In situ hybridization analysis of
      Hydra homologues provided important clues about their possible roles in pattern
      formation of polyps and bud development. Specifically, Hox1_HVUL is regulated by
      Wnt signaling and plays critical role in head formation. Collating information
      about expression patterns of different Hox-like genes from previous reports and
      this study reveals no conformity within Cnidaria. Indicating that unlike in
      Bilateria, there is no consolidated Hox-code determining primary body axis in
      Cnidaria. 

PMID- 26278346
TI  - Measurement of spatial distribution of neutrons and gamma rays for BNCT using
      multi-imaging plate system.
AB  - Quality assurance of the spatial distributions of neutrons and gamma rays was
      tried using imaging plates (IPs) and converters to enhance the beam components in
      the epithermal neutron mode of the Kyoto University Reactor. The converters used
      were 4mm thick epoxy resin with B4C at 6.85 weight-percent (wt%) (10)B for
      epithermal neutrons, and 3mm thick carbon for gamma rays. Results suggested that
      the IP signal does not need a sensitivity correction regardless of the incident
      radiation that produces it. 

PMID- 26278347
TI  - Design of photon converter and photoneutron target for High power electron
      accelerator based BNCT.
AB  - An electron accelerator, ILU-14, with current of 10 mA and 100 kW in power has
      been considered as one of the options for neutron source in Boron Neutron Capture
      Therapy (BNCT). The final design of neutron target has been obtained using MCNPX
      to optimize the neutron production. Tungsten in strip shape and D2O in
      cylindrical form have been proposed as the photon converter and the photoneutron
      target, respectively. In addition calculation of heat deposition in the photon
      target design has been considered to ensure mechanical stability of target. The
      results show that about 8.37*10(12) photoneutron/s with average energy of 615 keV
      can be produced by this neutron source design. In addition, using an appropriate
      beam shaping assembly an epithermal neutron flux of the order of 1.24*10(8) cm(
      2) s(-1) can be obtained for BNCT applications.

PMID- 26278348
TI  - Potential of boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) for malignant peripheral nerve
      sheath tumors (MPNST).
AB  - Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST) are relatively rare neoplasms
      with poor prognosis. At present there is no effective treatment for MPNST other
      than surgical resection. Nonetheless, the anti-tumor effect of boron neutron
      capture therapy (BNCT) was recently demonstrated in two patients with MPNST.
      Subsequently, tumor-bearing nude mice subcutaneously transplanted with a human
      MPNST cell line were injected with p-borono-L-phenylalanine (L-BPA) and subjected
      to BNCT. Pathological studies then revealed that the MPNST cells were selectively
      destroyed by BNCT. 

PMID- 26278349
TI  - BNCT treatment planning for superficial and deep-seated tumors: Experience from
      clinical trial of recurrent head and neck cancer at THOR.
AB  - Under the collaboration between National Tsing Hua University and Taipei Veterans
      General Hospital, clinical trial of recurrent head-and-neck cancer by Boron
      neutron capture therapy at Tsing Hua open-pool reactor started on August 11,
      2010. Up to January 2014, 17 patients were treated. Based on the treatment
      planning experiences of clinical trials using in-house designed THORplan,
      different setups should be used for superficial and deep-seated tumors.
      Superficial tumor treatment gains benefits from the use of patient collimator,
      while direct irradiation is a better choice for deep-seated tumor. 

PMID- 26278350
TI  - Country of birth modifies the association of fatty liver index with insulin
      action in Middle Eastern immigrants to Sweden.
AB  - AIMS: Non-alcohol fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a strong risk factor for insulin
      resistance and type 2 diabetes. The prevalence of NAFLD varies across populations
      of different ethnic backgrounds but the prevalence in Middle Eastern populations,
      which are at high risk of type 2 diabetes, is largely unknown. Using fatty liver
      index (FLI) as a proxy for NAFLD the aim was to calculate the odds of NAFLD
      (FLI>=70) given country of origin and further to investigate the associations
      between ISI and FLI. METHODS: In 2010-2012 we conducted a population-based study
      of individuals aged 30-75 years born in Iraq or Sweden, in whom anthropometrics,
      fasting blood samples and oral glucose tolerance tests were performed and
      sociodemography and lifestyle behaviors characterized. RESULTS: A higher
      proportion of Iraqis (N=1085) than Swedes (N=605) had a high probability of NAFLD
      (FLI>=70, 32.5 vs. 22.6%, p<0.001, age- and sex-adjusted data) and ISI was more
      severely impaired (70.7 vs. 95.9%, p<0.001). Independently of traditional risk
      factors for NAFLD, being born in Iraqi increased the risk of FLI>=70 (OR 1.59:
      95% CI 1.15, 2.20). Furthermore, country of birth presented a stronger
      association between ISI and FLI>=70 in Iraqis than in Swedes
      (P(interaction)=0.019). CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that immigrants from Iraq
      are at higher risk of NAFLD. The finding that country of birth modifies the
      relationship of FLI with ISI, suggests that liver fat may be a stronger
      determinant of impaired insulin action and increased risk of type 2 diabetes in
      Iraqis than in Swedes.

PMID- 26278351
TI  - Breastfeeding practices that support women with diabetes to breastfeed.
AB  - The aim of this literature review was to identify breastfeeding practices that
      support women with diabetes to breastfeed. A search was undertaken of CINAHL and
      Medline databases to identify studies that inform breastfeeding practice for
      women with diabetes. This resulted in 14 studies (19 records). Most studies
      focused on women with GDM and T1D with some consideration of T2D. The review has
      been organised using Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, to enable a clear focus on the
      needs of women while identifying supportive practices. The key findings of this
      review are that breastfeeding as the first feed and exclusive breastfeeding are
      beneficial to meeting physiological needs. Preparations such as having food
      nearby and having someone to call on can help meet the woman's safety and
      security needs. A sense of love and belonging is supported by the practice of an
      early first breastfeed, but antenatal breast milk expression is currently not
      recommended. The woman's self-esteem can be enhanced through informed
      multidisciplinary support. Finally, self-actualisation or success with
      breastfeeding has been achieved by women with diabetes. Common breastfeeding
      concerns rather than diabetes have been identified as reasons for cessation of
      breastfeeding. Practices that support women deal with these concerns are
      recommended. 

PMID- 26278352
TI  - Multi-locus genotyping reveals absence of genetic structure in field populations
      of the brown ear tick (Rhipicephalus appendiculatus) in Kenya.
AB  - Rhipicephalus appendiculatus is an important tick vector of several pathogens and
      parasitizes domestic and wild animals across eastern and southern Africa.
      However, its inherent genetic variation and population structure is poorly
      understood. To investigate whether mammalian host species, geographic separation
      and resulting reproductive isolation, or a combination of these, define the
      genetic structure of R. appendiculatus, we analyzed multi-locus genotype data
      from 392 individuals from 10 geographic locations in Kenya generated in an
      earlier study. These ticks were associated with three types of mammalian host
      situations; (1) cattle grazing systems, (2) cattle and wildlife co-grazing
      systems (3) wildlife grazing systems without livestock. We also analyzed data
      from 460 individuals from 10 populations maintained as closed laboratory stocks
      and 117 individuals from five other species in the genus Rhipicephalus. The
      pattern of genotypes observed indicated low levels of genetic differentiation
      between the ten field populations (FST=0.014+/-0.002) and a lack of genetic
      divergence corresponding to the degree of separation of the geographic sampling
      locations. There was also no clear association of particular tick genotypes with
      specific host species. This is consistent with tick dispersal over large
      geographic ranges and lack of host specificity. In contrast, the 10 laboratory
      populations (FST=0.248+/-0.015) and the five other species of Rhipicephalus
      (FST=0.368+/-0.032) were strongly differentiated into distinct genetic groups.
      Some laboratory bred populations diverged markedly from their field counterparts
      in spite of originally being sampled from the same geographic locations. Our
      results demonstrate a lack of defined population genetic differentiation in field
      populations of the generalist R. appendiculatus in Kenya, which may be a result
      of the frequent anthropogenic movement of livestock and mobility of its several
      wildlife hosts between different locations. 

PMID- 26278353
TI  - The busulfan metabolite EdAG irreversibly glutathionylates glutaredoxins.
AB  - The DNA alkylating agent busulfan is used to 'precondition' patients with
      leukemia, lymphomas and other hematological disorders prior to hematopoietic stem
      cell transplants. Busulfan is metabolized via conjugation with glutathione (GSH)
      followed by intramolecular rearrangement to the GSH analog gamma-glutamyl
      dehydroalanyl -glycine (EdAG). EdAG contains the electrophilic dehydroalanine,
      which is expected to react with protein nucleophiles, particularly proteins with
      GSH binding sites such as glutaredoxins (Grx's). Incubation of EdAG with human
      Grx-1 or Grx-2 results in facile adduction of cys-23 and cys-77, respectively, as
      determined by ESI-MS/MS. The resulting modified proteins are catalytically
      inactive. In contrast, the glutathione transferase A1-1 includes a GSH binding
      site with a potentially reactive tyrosinate (Tyr-9) but it does not react with
      EdAG. Similarly, Cys-112 of GSTA1-1, which lies outside the active site and is
      known to form disulfides with GSH, does not react with EdAG. The results provide
      the first demonstration of the reactivity of any busulfan metabolites with intact
      proteins, and they suggest that GSH-binding sites containing thiolates are most
      susceptible. The adduction of Grx's by EdAG suggests the possible alteration of
      proteins that are normally regulated via Grx-dependent reversible
      glutathionylation or deglutathionylation. Dysregulation of Grx-dependent
      processes could contribute to cellular toxicity of busulfan. 

PMID- 26278354
TI  - A Taiji-principle-designed magnetic porous C-doped graphitic carbon nitride for
      environment-friendly solid phase extraction of pollutants from water samples.
AB  - A new magnetic porous carbon-doped graphitic carbon nitride nanocomposite and
      experimental strategies were environment-friendly designed for solid phase
      extraction of brominated flame retardants from water sample. The easily
      synthesized and low cost nanocomposite was characterized using techniques,
      including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction
      spectrometry, elemental analysis, and transmission electron microscopy. The large
      surface area and enhanced interactions of this nanocomposite with its adsorption
      behavior in Taiji principle (a balance of hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity) in
      aqueous phase benefit the extraction. Magnetic solid phase extraction has
      advantages such as low solvent consumption and reusability of the sorbent, and
      was therefore employed in this study. In addition, a quicker and less laborious
      statistical method, known as response surface methodology, was used to
      investigate and optimize some crucial factors that affected the adsorption. The
      combined use of this new nanocomposite and experimental strategy showed excellent
      precision (2.7-5.2%) and sensitivity (limits of detection (S/N=3): 0.1-0.2 MUg L(
      1)). This method was successfully applied to the analysis of real water samples
      giving good spiked recoveries over the range of 92.4-99.8%. This research
      provides an environment-friendly strategy to prepare suitable sorbents for
      extraction or adsorption of various compounds within different matrices.

PMID- 26278355
TI  - Characterization of post-translationally modified peptides by hydrophilic
      interaction and reverse phase liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole-time-of
      flight mass spectrometry.
AB  - This work explores the use of both hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography
      (HILIC) and reverse phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) for the separation and
      subsequent characterization of bovine caseinomacropeptide (CMP) phosphopeptides
      and O-glycopeptides using a quadrupole-time-of-flight (QTOF) mass spectrometer
      with electrospray ionization. Two neutral, ethylene bridged hybrid (BEH) amide
      and polyhydroxyethyl aspartamide (PHEA), and a zwitterionic, sulfobetaine (ZIC),
      stationary phases were used for the HILIC mode, whilst an octadecylsilane (C18)
      stationary phase was employed for the RPLC separation. Overall, developed HILIC
      QTOF method using the ZIC or BEH amide stationary phases resulted to be the most
      efficient methods to separate and characterize post-translationally modified
      (PTM) peptides without the need of any previous fractionation or derivatization
      step. The separation of phosphopeptides and differently sialylated O
      glycopeptides in the ZIC stationary phase was dominated by an electrostatic
      repulsion interaction mechanism between the negatively charged phosphate groups
      or sialic acid moieties and the negatively charged terminal sulfonate group of
      the stationary phase, whereas the separation of either non-modified peptides or
      neutral O-glycopeptides both free of basic amino acids was based on a
      partitioning mechanism. In neutral amide columns, the separation was mainly
      dominated by hydrophilic partitioning, leading to a higher retention of the post
      translationally modified peptides than the unmodified counterparts due to the
      hydrophilicity provided by the phosphate groups and/or O-glycans. As a
      consequence, HILIC-ESI-QTOF MS operating in the positive ion mode is a powerful
      tool for the characterization of underivatized O-glycopeptides and
      phosphopeptides. 

PMID- 26278356
TI  - An attempt to estimate ionic interactions with phenyl and pentafluorophenyl
      stationary phases in supercritical fluid chromatography.
AB  - Pentafluorophenyl-bonded silica (PFP) phases employed in high-performance liquid
      chromatography (HPLC) often provide very different results depending on the
      column manufacturer. PFP phases also provide significantly different selectivity
      from non-fluorinated aromatic phases. As all HPLC columns can also be employed
      with carbon dioxide-based mobile phases, PFP phases can also be useful to
      supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC). However, whether they provide adequate
      retention and selectivity in SFC conditions is necessary for them to find
      applicability with this technique. In our laboratory, a column classification for
      packed column SFC was designed, based on the solvation parameter model, which
      currently comprises data for about eighty different columns. In this paper, we
      present the characterization of eleven PFP phases provided by different
      manufacturers used with carbon dioxide-methanol mobile phases. The columns are
      compared to fifteen other non-fluorinated phenyl and diphenyl phases in terms of
      their retention and separation characteristics assessed by the solvation
      parameter model with five Abraham descriptors. The latter is insufficient for an
      accurate description of retention mechanisms on the PFP phases, thus two extra
      terms accounting for ionic interactions with anions and cations (D(-) and D(+)),
      previously developed for HPLC in hydrophilic interaction mode (HILIC), are
      introduced. While some approximations are necessary regarding the true pH and pKa
      values in CO2-based mobile phases, the retention models are significantly
      improved by this addition, allowing to integrate ionizable analytes in the test
      set for evaluation of ionic interactions in the chromatographic systems. 

PMID- 26278357
TI  - Coextraction of acidic, basic and amphiprotic pollutants using multiwalled carbon
      nanotubes/magnetite nanoparticles@polypyrrole composite.
AB  - The simultaneous extraction of acidic, basic and amphiprotic pollutants from
      various samples is a considerable and disputable concept in sample preparation
      strategies. In this study, for the first time, coextraction of acidic, basic and
      amphiprotic pollutants (polar and apolar) with multiwalled carbon
      nanotubes/Fe3O4@polypyrrole (MWCNTs/Fe3O4@PPy) composite based dispersive micro
      solid phase extraction followed by high performance liquid chromatography-photo
      diode array detection was introduced. Firstly, the extraction efficiency of
      various magnetic nanosorbents including Fe3O4, MWCNTs/Fe3O4, graphene oxide/Fe3O4
      (GO/Fe3O4), Fe3O4@PPy, MWCNTs/Fe3O4@PPy and GO/Fe3O4@PPy were compared. The
      results revealed that MWCNTs/Fe3O4@PPy nanocomposite has higher extraction
      efficiency for five selected model analytes (4-nitrophenol, 3-nitroaniline, 2,4
      dichloroaniline, 3,4-dichloroaniline and 1-amino-2-naphthol). Box-Behnken design
      methodology combined with desirability function approach was applied to find out
      the optimal experimental conditions. The opted conditions were: pH of the sample,
      8.2; sorbent amount, 12 mg; sorption time, 5.5 min; salt concentration, 14% w/w;
      type and volume of the eluent, 120 MUL acetonitrile; elution time; 2 min. Under
      the optimum conditions detection limits and linear dynamic ranges were achieved
      in the range of 0.1-0.25 MUg L(-1) and 0.5-600 MUg L(-1), respectively. The
      percent of extraction recovery and relative standard deviations (n=5) were in the
      range of 45.6-82.2 and 4.0-8.5, respectively. Ultimately, the applicability of
      this method was successfully confirmed by analyzing rain, snow and river water
      samples and satisfactory results were obtained.

PMID- 26278358
TI  - Centrifugal partition chromatography in a biorefinery context: Separation of
      monosaccharides from hydrolysed sugar beet pulp.
AB  - A critical step in the bioprocessing of sustainable biomass feedstocks, such as
      sugar beet pulp (SBP), is the isolation of the component sugars from the
      hydrolysed polysaccharides. This facilitates their subsequent conversion into
      higher value chemicals and pharmaceutical intermediates. Separation methodologies
      such as centrifugal partition chromatography (CPC) offer an alternative to
      traditional resin-based chromatographic techniques for multicomponent sugar
      separations. Highly polar two-phase systems containing ethanol and aqueous
      ammonium sulphate are examined here for the separation of monosaccharides present
      in hydrolysed SBP pectin: l-rhamnose, l-arabinose, d-galactose and d-galacturonic
      acid. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was selected as an effective phase system
      modifier improving monosaccharide separation. The best phase system identified
      was ethanol:DMSO:aqueous ammonium sulphate (300gL(-1)) (0.8:0.1:1.8, v:v:v) which
      enabled separation of the SBP monosaccharides by CPC (200mL column) in ascending
      mode (upper phase as mobile phase) with a mobile phase flow rate of 8mLmin(-1). A
      mixture containing all four monosaccharides (1.08g total sugars) in the
      proportions found in hydrolysed SBP was separated into three main fractions; a
      pure l-rhamnose fraction (>90%), a mixed l-arabinose/d-galactose fraction and a
      pure d-galacturonic acid fraction (>90%). The separation took less than 2h
      demonstrating that CPC is a promising technique for the separation of these
      sugars with potential for application within an integrated, whole crop
      biorefinery. 

PMID- 26278359
TI  - Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with pattern modulation.
AB  - Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC*GC) modulators normally
      transfer primary column effluent to the head of the secondary column as a series
      of sharp pulses. Such pulses are produced with time-varying temperature gradients
      in thermal modulation or with time-varying flow patterns in flow modulation.
      Thermal modulators produce narrow peaks at optimal flow rates, but require large
      amounts of consumables or a highly engineered heating/cooling system. Flow
      modulators involve simpler hardware and no additional consumables. However, flow
      modulators require a large increase in secondary column flow or transfer only a
      small portion of the primary effluent to the secondary column. This study
      examines a new method of producing GC*GC separations with a flow modulator.
      Instead of injecting narrow pulses, the modulator transfers primary effluent to
      the secondary column in the form of an intricate injection pattern. The detector
      signal is deconvoluted and converted to a two-dimensional chromatogram. The high
      duty cycle of the technique (>50%) leads to deconvoluted peaks with twenty times
      greater intensity than those produced by conventional modulation with a Deans
      switch modulator. Pattern modulation can be produced without requiring elevated
      carrier flows. This study evaluates the efficacy of pattern modulation GC*GC by
      analyzing a standard mixture of 43 oxygenated organic compounds and an E85 fuel
      sample.

PMID- 26278360
TI  - Gas chromatographic separation of stereoisomers of non-protein amino acids on
      modified gamma-cyclodextrin stationary phase.
AB  - Stereoisomers (enantiomers and diastereoisomers) of synthetic, non-protein amino
      acids comprising alpha-, beta-, and gamma-amino acids, including alpha,alpha
      dialkyl amino acids, were converted into the respective N-trifluoroacetyl-O
      methyl esters and analyzed and resolved by gas chromatography (GC) on a
      commercial fused silica capillary column coated with the chiral stationary phase
      octakis(3-O-butyryl-2,6-di-O-pentyl)-gamma-cyclodextrin. This column is marketed
      under the trade name Lipodex((r)) E. Chromatograms, retention times, and a chart
      displaying the retention times of approximately 40 stereoisomers of amino acids
      are presented. With few exceptions, baseline or almost baseline resolution was
      achieved for enantiomers and diastereoisomers. The chromatographic method
      presented is considered to be highly suitable for the elucidation of the
      stereochemistry of non-protein amino acids, for example in natural products, and
      for evaluating the enantiopurity of genetically non-coded amino acids used for
      the synthesis and design of conformationally tailored peptides. The method is
      applicable to extraterrestrial materials or can be used in experimental work
      related to abiotic syntheses or enantioselective destruction and amplification of
      amino acids. 

PMID- 26278361
TI  - A two level hierarchical model of protein retention in ion exchange
      chromatography.
AB  - Predicting protein retention in ion exchange chromatography (IEX) from first
      principles is a fascinating perspective. In this work a two level hierarchical
      modeling strategy is proposed in order to calculate protein retention factors.
      Model predictions are tested against experimental data measured for Lysozyme and
      Chymotrypsinogen A in IEX columns as a function of ionic strength and pH. At the
      highest level of accuracy Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations in explicit water
      are used to determine the interaction free energy between each of the two
      proteins and the IEX stationary phase for a reference pH and ionic strength. At a
      lower level of accuracy a linear response model based on an implicit treatment of
      solvation and adopting a static protein structure is used to calculate
      interaction free energies for the full range of pHs and ionic strengths
      considered. A scaling coefficient, determined comparing MD and implicit solvent
      simulations, is then introduced in order to correct the linear response model for
      errors induced by the adoption of a static protein structure. The calculated free
      energies are then used to compute protein retention factors, which can be
      directly compared with experimental data. The possibility to introduce a third
      level of accuracy is explored testing the predictions of a semiempirical model. A
      quantitative agreement between the predicted and measured protein retention
      factors is obtained using the coupled MD-linear response models, supporting the
      reliability of the proposed approach. The model allows quantifying the
      electrostatic, van der Waals, and conformational contributions to the interaction
      free energies. A good agreement between experiments and model is obtained also
      using the semiempirical model that, although requiring parameterization over
      higher level models or experimental data, proves to be useful in order to rapidly
      determine protein retention factors across wide pH and ionic strength ranges as
      it is computationally inexpensive. 

PMID- 26278362
TI  - Underuse and underreporting of smoking cessation for smokers with a new urologic
      cancer diagnosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB) or upper urinary tract
      (UCUT) and renal cell carcinoma (RCC) are smoking-related genitourinary (GU)
      malignancies. A new diagnosis of smoking-related GU cancer is an opportunity when
      smoking cessation interventions may have increased effectiveness. Underuse or
      underreporting of cessation tools in this setting represents potential for
      quality improvement. We estimated the use of smoking cessation in new smoking
      related GU cancer visits based on billing claims. METHODS: From MarketScan data,
      over 34 million enrollees aged 18 to 65 years, calendar years 2007 to 2011, were
      screened for billing codes for index UCB/UCUT or RCC and tobacco use disorder.
      Qualifying individuals were assessed for claims-based pharmacologic or counseling
      smoking cessation interventions in the 12 months following diagnosis using
      Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes and International Classification of
      Diseases Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes. Multivariable logistic regression
      identified factors associated with smoking cessation intervention. RESULTS: From
      over 111,453 incident cancers, 5,777 smokers with tobacco-related GU malignancy
      were identified by billing claims (40% UCB, 46% RCC, 4.2% UCUT, and 9.8% multiple
      cancers). Claims for intervention were rare (5.3%). Among intervention
      recipients, 240 (80%) had UCB and 92% had claims for either counseling or
      medications, only 8% had both. Most claims-based interventions (61%) were within
      3 months after GU cancer diagnosis. On multivariable analysis UCB was associated
      increased odds of claims-based intervention (odds ratio [OR] = 6.27; 95% CI: 4.57
      8.60) compared with UCUT and RCC. Other significant factors included more
      comorbidities (Charlson score = 1, OR = 1.50, 95% CI: 1.06-2.13; Charlson
      score>=2, OR = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.19-3.02 compared with Charlson score = 0) and
      diagnosis in the latter half of the study period (OR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.02-1.67
      compared with earlier years). CONCLUSIONS: Although a new diagnosis of a smoking
      related GU malignancy diagnosis offers greater opportunity for provider-driven
      smoking cessation, timely multimodal claims-based cessation interventions are
      underreported or underused.

PMID- 26278363
TI  - Risk for Clostridium difficile infection after radical cystectomy for bladder
      cancer: Analysis of a contemporary series.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: This study seeks to evaluate the incidence and associated risk
      factors of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in patients undergoing radical
      cystectomy (RC) for bladder cancer. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed a single
      institution's bladder cancer database including all patients who underwent RC
      between 2010 and 2013. CDI was diagnosed by detection of Clostridium difficile
      toxin B gene using polymerase chain reaction-based stool assay in patients with
      clinically significant diarrhea within 90 days of the index operation. A
      multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify demographics and
      perioperative factors associated with developing CDI. RESULTS: Of the 552
      patients who underwent RC, postoperative CDI occurred in 49 patients (8.8%) with
      a median time to diagnosis after RC of 7 days (interquartile range: 5-19). Of the
      122 readmissions for postoperative complications, 10% (n = 12) were related to
      CDI; 2 patients died of sepsis directly related to severe CDI. On multivariate
      logistic regression, the use of chronic antacid therapy (odds ratio = 1.9, 95%
      CI: 1.02-3.68, P = 0.04) and antibiotic exposure greater than 7 days (odds ratio
      = 2.2, 95% CI: 1.11-4.44, P = 0.02) were independently associated with developing
      CDI. The use of preoperative antibiotics for positive findings on urine culture
      within 30 days before surgery was not statistically significantly associated with
      development of CDI (P = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: The development of CDI occurs in 8.8%
      of patients undergoing RC. Our study demonstrates that use of chronic antacid
      therapy and long duration of antimicrobial exposure are associated with
      development of CDI. Efforts focusing on minimizing antibiotic exposure in
      patients undergoing RC are needed, and perioperative antimicrobial prophylaxis
      guidelines should be followed.

PMID- 26278364
TI  - Renal function in patients with Wilms tumor.
AB  - Survival in patients with Wilms tumor (WT) is excellent compared with other
      pediatric malignancies and adult renal tumors. Treatment-related long-term
      morbidity and mortality in WT survivors is an area of increasing concern. Renal
      dysfunction is an example of one of the most feared long-term issues observed in
      these survivors. Direct toxicity from chemotherapy and radiation as well as
      direct nephron ablation from surgical treatment (nephrectomy) renders the kidney
      susceptible to a multitude of problems over time in patients with WT. In this
      article, we review the existing literature pertaining to renal function in these
      patients. Incidence rates, causes, and methods to mitigate renal dysfunction are
      presented in 3 distinct clinical situations: sporadic unilateral WT, syndromic
      unilateral WT, and bilateral WT. We also offer a critical lens on the current
      role of nephron-sparing surgery as a means to preserve renal function in these
      patients. Finally, we discuss potential avenues for refining renal function
      preservation in patients with WT in the future. We conclude that: (1) renal
      function in pediatric cancer survivors must be carefully ascertained
      prospectively using methods that allow diagnosis of mild cases (rather than focus
      solely on extreme cases represented by the development of end-stage renal
      disease), (2) every effort should be made to recognize subtle features of
      predisposition syndromes to avoid syndromic cases from being misclassified and
      treated as sporadic, (3) molecular stratification for disease aggressiveness as
      well as multifocality and renal dysfunction will be very important to tailor
      treatment and balance survival with preservation of renal function, and (4) the
      role and potential benefits of nephron-sparing surgery deserves careful
      exploration under well-designed protocols. 

PMID- 26278365
TI  - Urothelial carcinoma with squamous differentiation: response to chemotherapy and
      radiation.
AB  - PURPOSE: This review will summarize the literature relating urothelial carcinoma
      with squamous differentiation and its response to chemotherapy or radiation
      therapy. METHODS: The English literature in PubMED was extensively search for
      articles pertaining to urothelial carcinoma with squamous differentiation and its
      response to chemotherapy or radiation. Articles reference lists were then further
      scrutinized to ensure all relevant literature had been identified. RESULTS:
      Urothelial carcinoma with squamous differentiation is generally treated as if it
      were pure urothelial carcinoma. However, it remains unclear if such mixed
      histology portends a different prognosis for patients with bladder cancer,
      particularly regarding the response to chemotherapy and radiation. Initial
      studies suggested a worse response to such therapy in mixed histology but more
      recent data has challenged that observation. Unfortunately the literature is
      limited by the type and quality of the existent studies and mixed results among
      the data that is available. CONCLUSION: The final word on whether urothelial
      carcinoma with squamous differentiation responds differently to chemotherapy or
      radiation therapy remains uncertain. This important question warrants careful
      study in the future.

PMID- 26278366
TI  - Waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, body mass index, and prostate cancer risk:
      results from the North-American case-control study Prostate Cancer & Environment
      Study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The evidence on the association between anthropometric measures
      quantifying body fatness and prostate cancer (PCa) risk is not entirely
      consistent. Associations among waist circumference (WC), waist-hip ratio, body
      mass index (BMI), and PCa risk were assessed in a population-based case-control
      study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 1933 incident PCa cases diagnosed
      between 2005 and 2009. Population controls were 1994 age-matched (+/-5y) Montreal
      residents selected from electoral lists. Information on sociodemographics,
      medical history including PCa screening, height, weight, and waist and hip
      circumferences was collected through interviews. Logistic regression was used to
      assess odds ratios (ORs) for the association between anthropometric measures, and
      overall and grade-specific PCa. RESULTS: After adjustment for BMI, an excess risk
      of high-grade PCa (Gleason>=7) was associated with a WC >=102cm (OR = 1.47 [1.22
      1.78]) and with a waist-hip ratio >1.0 (OR = 1.20 [1.01-1.43]). Men with a
      BMI>=30kg/m(2) had a lower risk of PCa, regardless of grade. Restricting to
      subjects recently screened for PCa did not alter findings. CONCLUSION: Elevated
      BMI was associated with a lower risk of PCa, regardless of grade. Contrastingly,
      abdominal obesity, when adjusted for BMI, yielded results in the opposite
      direction. Taken together, our observations suggest that the specific body fat
      distribution (abdominal), for a given BMI, is a predictor of PCa risk, whereas
      BMI alone is not. BMI and abdominal obesity, especially when measured by the WC,
      should be examined conjointly in future studies on this issue and may require
      consideration at patient counseling.

PMID- 26278369
TI  - Challenges and opportunities of the International League of Associations for
      Rheumatology (ILAR).

PMID- 26278368
TI  - An additional cysteine in a typical 2-Cys peroxiredoxin of Pseudomonas promotes
      functional switching between peroxidase and molecular chaperone.
AB  - Peroxiredoxins (Prx) have received considerable attention during recent years.
      This study demonstrates that two typical Pseudomonas-derived 2-Cys Prx proteins,
      PpPrx and PaPrx can alternatively function as a peroxidase and chaperone. The
      amino acid sequences of these two Prx proteins exhibit 93% homology, but PpPrx
      possesses an additional cysteine residue, Cys112, instead of the alanine found in
      PaPrx. PpPrx predominates with a high molecular weight (HMW) complex and
      chaperone activity, whereas PaPrx has mainly low molecular weight (LMW)
      structures and peroxidase activity. Mass spectrometry and structural analyses
      showed the involvement of Cys112 in the formation of an inter-disulfide bond, the
      instability of LMW structures, the formation of HMW complexes, and increased
      hydrophobicity leading to functional switching of Prx proteins between peroxidase
      and chaperone. 

PMID- 26278370
TI  - Co-combustion of tannery sludge in a commercial circulating fluidized bed boiler.
AB  - Co-combusting hazardous wastes in existing fluidized bed combustors is an
      alternative to hazardous waste treatment facilities, in shortage in China.
      Tannery sludge is a kind of hazardous waste, considered fit for co-combusting
      with coal in fluidized bedboilers. In this work, co-combustion tests of tannery
      sludge and bituminous coal were conducted in a power plant in Jiaxing, Zhejiang
      province. Before that, the combustion behavior of tannery sludge and bituminous
      were studied by thermogravimetric analysis. Tannery sludge presented higher
      reactivity than bituminous coal. During the co-combustion tests, the emissions of
      harmful gases were monitored. The results showed that the pollutant emissions met
      the Chinese standard except for NOx. The Concentrations of seven trace elements
      (As, Cr, Cd, Ni, Cu, Pb, Mn) in three exit ash flows (bottom ash in bed, fly ash
      in filter, and submicrometer aerosol in flue gas) were analyzed. The results of
      mono-combustion of bituminous coal were compared with those of co-combustion with
      tannery sludge. It was found that chromium enriched in fly ash. At last, the
      leachability of fly ash and bottom ash was analyzed. The results showed that most
      species were almost equal to or below the limits except for As in bottom ashes
      and Cr in the fly ash of co-combustion test. The concentrations of Cr in
      leachates of co-combustion ashes are markedly higher than that of coal mono
      combustion ashes. 

PMID- 26278371
TI  - Recovery of glass from the inert fraction refused by MBT plants in a pilot plant.
AB  - Selective collection is a common practice in many countries. However, even in
      some of those countries there are recyclable materials, like packaging glass,
      erroneously deposited in the Mixed Municipal Solid Waste (MMSW). In the present
      paper, a solution is proposed to recover glass from the inert reject of
      Mechanical and Biological Treatment (MBT) plants treating MMSW aiming at its
      recycling. The inert reject of MBT (MBTr) plants is characterized by its small
      particle size and high heterogeneity. The study was made with three real samples
      of diverse characteristics superimposed mainly by the different upstream MBT. One
      of the samples (VN) had a high content in organics (approximately 50%) and a
      particle size smaller than 16 mm. The other two were coarser and exhibited
      similar particle size distribution but one (RE) was rich in glass (almost 70%)
      while the other (SD) contained about 40% in glass. A flowsheet was developed
      integrating drying, to eliminate moisture related with organic matter
      contamination; magnetic separation, to separate remaining small ferrous
      particles; vacuum suction, to eliminate light materials; screening, to eliminate
      the finer fraction that has a insignificant content in glass, and to classify the
      >6mm fraction in 6-16 mm and >16 mm fractions to be processed separately;
      separation by particle shape, in the RecGlass equipment specifically designed to
      eliminate stones; and optical sorting, to eliminate opaque materials. A pilot
      plant was built and the tests were conducted with the three samples separately.
      With all samples, it was possible to attain approximately 99% content in glass in
      the glass products, but the recovery of glass was related with the feed particle
      size. The finer the feed was, the lower the percentage of glass recovered in the
      glass product. The results show that each one of the separation processes was
      needed for product enrichment. The organic matter recovered in the glass product
      was high, ranging from 0.76% to 1.13%, showing that drying was not sufficient in
      the tests but that it is a key process for the success of the operation.

PMID- 26278372
TI  - Predictive models and airflow distribution associated with the zone of influence
      (ZOI) during air sparging remediation.
AB  - Laboratory two-dimensional airflow visualisation model tests were conducted to
      assess the effect of particle size and air injection pressure on airflow
      patterns, physical characteristics of the zone of influence (ZOI) and the airflow
      rate distribution within the ZOI. The results indicate that the pattern
      transitions from chamber flow to channelized flow and then to bubbly flow
      occurred at effective particle sizes (D10) in the ranges 0.22-0.42 mm and 1.42
      2.1mm, respectively. The ZOI is shaped like a conical frustum, and there exists a
      "stable ZOI" for each type of porous medium in channelised and bubbly flow during
      sparging tests. A formula for calculating the size of the ZOI radius was
      established based on the conical frustum-shaped results and the "stable ZOI", and
      comparing the calculated results with field data demonstrated that the formula
      has application value, except in large-scale heterogeneous aquifers. The
      distribution of the airflow rate within the ZOI, which is quite uneven, varies
      from the maximum rate (which occurred just above the sparger) to zero with the
      increase of the lateral distance from the sparger. Moreover, the airflow
      distribution can be fitted using a unified dimensionless Gaussian function under
      different sparging pressures for a given porous medium. All of the results
      described above provide valuable information for the design and theoretical
      modelling of air sparging for groundwater remediation.

PMID- 26278367
TI  - Genetic and Epigenetic Diversities Shed Light on Domestication of Cultivated
      Ginseng (Panax ginseng).
AB  - Chinese ginseng (Panax ginseng) is a medically important herb within Panax and
      has crucial cultural values in East Asia. As the symbol of traditional Chinese
      medicine, Chinese ginseng has been used as a herbal remedy to restore stamina and
      capacity in East Asia for thousands of years. To address the evolutionary origin
      and domestication history of cultivated ginseng, we employed multiple molecular
      approaches to investigate the genetic structures of cultivated and wild ginseng
      across their distribution ranges in northeastern Asia. Phylogenetic and
      population genetic analyses revealed that the four cultivated ginseng landraces,
      COMMON, BIANTIAO, SHIZHU, and GAOLI (also known as Korean ginseng), were not
      domesticated independently and Fusong Town is likely one of the primary
      domestication centers. In addition, our results from population genetic and
      epigenetic analyses demonstrated that cultivated ginseng maintained high levels
      of genetic and epigenetic diversity, but showed distinct cytosine methylation
      patterns compared with wild ginseng. The patterns of genetic and epigenetic
      variation revealed by this study have shed light on the domestication history of
      cultivated ginseng, which may serve as a framework for future genetic
      improvements.

PMID- 26278373
TI  - Trace elements in particulate matter from metropolitan regions of Northern China:
      Sources, concentrations and size distributions.
AB  - Public concerns over airborne trace elements (TEs) in metropolitan areas are
      increasing, but long-term and multi-site observations of size-resolved aerosol
      TEs in China are still lacking. Here, we identify highly elevated levels of
      atmospheric TEs in megacities and industrial sites in a Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei
      urban agglomeration relative to background areas, with the annual mean values of
      As, Pb, Ni, Cd and Mn exceeding the acceptable limits of the World Health
      Organization. Despite the spatial variability in concentrations, the size
      distribution pattern of each trace element was quite similar across the region.
      Crustal elements of Al and Fe were mainly found in coarse particles (2.1-9 MUm),
      whereas the main fraction of toxic metals, such as Cu, Zn, As, Se, Cd and Pb, was
      found in submicron particles (<1.1 MUm). These toxic metals were enriched by over
      100-fold relative to the Earth's crust. The size distributions of Na, Mg, K, Ca,
      V, Cr, Mn, Ni, Mo and Ba were bimodal, with two peaks at 0.43-0.65 MUm and 4.7
      5.8 MUm. The combination of the size distribution information, principal
      component analysis and air mass back trajectory model offered a robust technique
      for distinguishing the main sources for airborne TEs, e.g., soil dust, fossil
      fuel combustion and industrial emissions, at different sites. In addition, higher
      elemental concentrations coincided with westerly flow, indicating that polluted
      soil and fugitive dust were major sources of TEs on the regional scale. However,
      the contribution of coal burning, iron industry/oil combustion and non-ferrous
      smelters to atmospheric metal pollution in Northern China should be given more
      attention. Considering that the concentrations of heavy metals associated with
      fine particles in the target region were significantly higher than those in other
      Asian sites, the implementations of strict environmental standards in China are
      required to reduce the amounts of these hazardous pollutants released into the
      atmosphere.

PMID- 26278374
TI  - Dynamics and sources of reduced sulfur, humic substances and dissolved organic
      carbon in a temperate river system affected by agricultural practices.
AB  - Although reduced organic sulfur substances (RSS) as well as humic substances (HS)
      are widely suspected to play a role in, for example, metal speciation or used as
      a model of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in laboratory studies, reports of their
      quantification in natural waters are scarce. We have examined the dynamics and
      sources of reduced sulfur, HS and DOC over an annual cycle in a river system
      affected by agricultural practices. The new differential pulse cathodic stripping
      voltammetry was successfully applied to measure glutathione-like compounds
      (GSHs), thioacetamide-like compounds (TAs) and the liquid chromatography coupled
      to organic detector to analyze HS and DOC at high frequency in the Penze River
      (NW France). The streamflow-concentration patterns, principal components analysis
      and flux analysis allowed discrimination of the source of each organic compound
      type. Surprisingly, the two RSS and HS detected in all samples, displayed
      different behavior. As previously shown, manuring practice is the main source of
      DOC and HS in this watershed where agricultural activity is predominant. The HS
      were then transferred to the river systems via runoff, particularly during the
      spring and autumn floods, which are responsible of >60% of the annual flux. TAs
      had a clear groundwater source and may be formed underground, whereas GSHs
      displayed two sources: one aquagenic in spring and summer probably linked to the
      primary productivity and a second, which may be related to bacterial degradation.
      High sampling frequency allowed a more accurate assessment of the flux values
      which were 280 tC y(-1) for DOC representing 20 kg C ha(-1) y(-1). HS, TAs and
      GSHs fluxes represented 60, 13, and 4% of the total annual DOC export,
      respectively.

PMID- 26278375
TI  - Alteration in the expression of antioxidant and detoxification genes in
      Chironomus riparius exposed to zinc oxide nanoparticles.
AB  - Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) are widely used in several commercial products
      due to their unique physicochemical properties. However, their release into the
      aquatic environments through various anthropogenic activities will lead to toxic
      effect in aquatic organisms. Although several investigations have been reported
      on the effect of ZnONPs in aquatic organisms using traditional end points such as
      survival, growth, and reproduction, the molecular level end points are faster and
      sensitive. In this study, the expression of different genes involved in oxidative
      stress response, detoxification, and cellular defense was studied in an
      ecotoxicologically important bio-monitoring organism Chironomus riparius in order
      to understand the subcellular effects of ZnONPs. The fourth instar larvae were
      exposed to 0, 0.2, 2, 10, and 20 mg/L of ZnONPs and Zn ions (in the form of
      ZnSO4.7H2O) for 24 and 48 h period. The expression of CuZn superoxide dismutase,
      manganese superoxide dismutase, catalase, phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione
      peroxidase, thioredoxin reductase 1 and delta-3, sigma-4 and epsilon-1 classes of
      glutathione S-transferases, cytochrome p4509AT2, and heat shock protein 70 were
      studied using real-time polymerase chain reaction method. Gene expression results
      showed that the expression of genes related to oxidative stress response was more
      pronounced as a result of ZnONPs exposure as compared to Zn ions. The mRNA
      expression of genes involved in detoxification and cellular protection was also
      modulated. Significantly higher expression levels of oxidative stress-related
      genes shows that oxidative stress is an important mechanism of toxicity as a
      result of ZnONPs exposure in C. riparius.

PMID- 26278376
TI  - Polyphenolic Profile of Pear Leaves with Different Resistance to Pear Psylla
      (Cacopsylla pyri).
AB  - The European pear psylla, Cacopsylla pyri L. (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), is one of
      the most serious arthropod pests of pear. Since proper control of this pest is
      essential, better understanding of the complex plant-pest relationship is
      mandatory. This research deals with constitutive polyphenolic profiles in leaves
      of 22 pear cultivars of diverse origin (P. communis, P. pyrifolia, and P.
      pyrifolia * P. communis) and different resistance to psylla. The study was
      designed to show which differences in the polyphenolic profile of leaves from
      resistant and susceptible pear cultivars could be utilized as information in
      subsequent breeding programs. The results demonstrated that the leaves of
      Oriental pear cultivars contained much higher amounts of p-hydroxybenzoic acid,
      ferulic acid, aesculin, and naringin, that, together with detected 3-O-(6"-O-p
      coumaroyl)-hexoside, apigenin, apigenin 7-O-rutinoside, and hispidulin, indicated
      a clear difference between the species and might represent phenolics responsible
      for psylla resistance. 

PMID- 26278377
TI  - Autonomic and sensory nerve modulation of peristalsis in the upper urinary tract.
AB  - The primary function of the upper urinary tract is to propel urine and various
      water-soluble toxic compounds from the kidneys to the bladder for storage and
      evacuation to maintain body ionic balance and contribute to the regulation of
      blood volume and pressure. The mechanism by which the upper urinary tract propels
      urine has long been considered to be myogenic in origin as peristaltic
      contractions in vivo and in vitro (pyeloureteric peristalsis) propagate in a
      manner little affected by drugs that block nerve conduction or the sympathetic
      and parasympathetic transmission. However, it is now well established that the
      release of intrinsic prostaglandins and neuropeptides from primary sensory nerves
      (PSNs) helps to maintain pyeloureteric peristalsis. Electrical field stimulation
      of PSNs evokes species-specific positive inotropic and chronotropic effects that
      have been attributed to release of excitatory tachykinins superimposed on
      negative inotropic and chronotropic effects associated with the release of
      calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP), a rise in cellular cyclic-adenosine
      monophosphate (cAMP) and a protein kinase A-dependent activation of glibenclamide
      sensitive ATP-dependent K+ (KATP) channels. This review summarises the existing
      evidence of the nervous control of the upper urinary tract and recent evidence
      suggesting that the autonomic innervation may indirectly modulate pyeloureteric
      peristalsis via the activation of PSN nicotinic receptors and via the modulation
      of KV7 channels located on interstitial cells within the renal pelvis wall.

PMID- 26278378
TI  - Two new species of Euryhaliotrema Kritsky et Boeger, 2002 (Monogenea:
      Dactylogyridae) from Lutjanus russellii (Bleeker) and L. argentimaculatus
      (Forsskal) (Teleostei: Lutjanidae) in the South China Sea.
AB  - Euryhaliotrema russellum sp. n. and Euryhaliotrema tenuiaccessorium sp. n. are
      described from the gills of Lutjanus russellii (Bleeker) and L. argentimaculatus
      (Forsskal), respectively, in the South China Sea. Euryhaliotrema russellum sp. n.
      differs from all other members of Euryhaliotrema Kritsky et Boeger, 2002 by its
      unique male copulatory organ, a straight tube with a bulbous base and without an
      accessory piece. Euryhaliotrema tenuiaccessorium sp. n. differs from its
      congeners by having a copulatory organ with a bulbous base, a meandering
      copulatory tube with clockwise coil having less than one complete ring, and a
      slender accessory piece along the middle length of the copulatory tube. All
      species of Euryhaliotrema are listed and divided to three groups based on
      morpholgy of the male copulatory organ. 

PMID- 26278379
TI  - The evolution of emaraviruses is becoming more complex: seven segments identified
      in the causal agent of Rose rosette disease.
AB  - There are few examples of a plant disease as devastating as rose rosette, a
      disorder that could lead to total loss for the nursery industry and rosarians
      alike. Although described over 75 years ago, the causal agent of rose rosette
      remains elusive. Utilizing the bottleneck created during vector transmission and
      large scale sequencing it was determined that the causal agent of the disease is
      rose rosette virus (RRV), a member of the genus Emaravirus. The genome structure
      of emaraviruses displays significant fluidity and for this reason the genome
      composition of RRV was revisited, leading to the discovery of three additional
      segments, one of which is predicted to be bicistronic. 

PMID- 26278380
TI  - Foreword.

PMID- 26278381
TI  - Origin of colossal permittivity in (In1/2Nb1/2)TiO2via broadband dielectric
      spectroscopy.
AB  - (In1/2Nb1/2)TiO2 (IN-T) ceramics were prepared via a solid-state reaction route.
      X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy were used for the structural and
      compositional characterization of the synthesized compounds. The results
      indicated that the sintered ceramics have a single phase of rutile TiO2.
      Dielectric spectroscopy (frequency range from 20 Hz to 1 MHz and temperature
      range from 10 K to 270 K) was performed on these ceramics. The IN-T ceramics
      showed extremely high permittivities of up to ~10(3), which can be referred to as
      colossal permittivity, with relatively low dielectric losses of ~0.05. Most
      importantly, detailed impedance data analyses of IN-T demonstrated that electron
      pinned defect-dipoles, interfacial polarization and polaron hopping polarization
      contribute to the colossal permittivity at high temperatures (270 K); however,
      only the complexes (pinned electron) and polaron hopping polarization are active
      at low temperatures (below 180 K), which is consistent with UDR analysis. 

PMID- 26278382
TI  - Regeneration mechanisms of high-lithium content zirconates as CO2 capture
      sorbents: experimental measurements and theoretical investigations.
AB  - By combining TGA and XRD measurements with theoretical calculations of the
      capture of CO2 by lithium-rich zirconates (Li8ZrO6 and Li6Zr2O7), it has been
      demonstrated that the primary regeneration product during absorption/desorption
      cycling is in the form of Li2ZrO3. During absorption/desorption cycles, lithium
      rich zirconates will be consumed and will not be regenerated. This result
      indicates that among known lithium zirconates, Li2ZrO3 is the best sorbent for
      CO2 capture. 

PMID- 26278384
TI  - Emissive Ir(III) complexes bearing thienylamido groups on a 1,10-phenanthroline
      scaffold.
AB  - The synthesis, structures and photophysical properties of a series of bis
      cyclometallated Ir(iii) complexes bearing phenylpyrazole (ppz) cyclometallating
      ligands and phenanthroline-based ancillary ligands containing thienyl- and
      bithienylamido groups are reported. All complexes are emissive in solution, while
      in PMMA films strong emission is observed from the thienylamido substituted
      complex with no emission from the bithienylamido complex. The bithienylamido
      substituted complex has an excited state lifetime which is significantly longer
      than the emission lifetime, attributed to the population of non-equilibrated
      (3)MLCT and (3)LC states in this complex. This represents a rare example of this
      unusual excited state behaviour. DFT calculations show that the emitting (3)MLCT
      state and the dark (3)LC state on bithiophene are close in energy and that a
      large change in the triplet state geometry occurs upon excitation that
      effectively lowers the energy of the (3)MLCT state below that of the dark (3)LC
      state. The low quantum yield of the bithienylamido complex is attributed to a
      structural rearrangement upon relaxation back to the ground state, opening a non
      radiative decay pathway. 

PMID- 26278383
TI  - Bench-to-bedside review: the effects of hyperoxia during critical illness.
AB  - Oxygen administration is uniformly used in emergency and intensive care medicine
      and has life-saving potential in critical conditions. However, excessive
      oxygenation also has deleterious properties in various pathophysiological
      processes and consequently both clinical and translational studies investigating
      hyperoxia during critical illness have gained increasing interest. Reactive
      oxygen species are notorious by-products of hyperoxia and play a pivotal role in
      cell signaling pathways. The effects are diverse, but when the homeostatic
      balance is disturbed, reactive oxygen species typically conserve a vicious cycle
      of tissue injury, characterized by cell damage, cell death, and inflammation. The
      most prominent symptoms in the abundantly exposed lungs include
      tracheobronchitis, pulmonary edema, and respiratory failure. In addition,
      absorptive atelectasis results as a physiological phenomenon with increasing
      levels of inspiratory oxygen. Hyperoxia-induced vasoconstriction can be
      beneficial during vasodilatory shock, but hemodynamic changes may also impose
      risk when organ perfusion is impaired. In this context, oxygen may be recognized
      as a multifaceted agent, a modifiable risk factor, and a feasible target for
      intervention. Although most clinical outcomes are still under extensive
      investigation, careful titration of oxygen supply is warranted in order to secure
      adequate tissue oxygenation while preventing hyperoxic harm. 

PMID- 26278386
TI  - Role of Early Growth Response-1 in the Development of Alcohol-Induced Steatosis.
AB  - Here, we describe research on the involvement of the transcription factor, Early
      Growth Response- 1 (Egr-1) in alcohol-induced liver injury, specifically, fatty
      liver (steatosis), one of the earliest and most frequent signs of liver injury
      that occurs after heavy drinking. Egr-1 is a ubiquitous transcription factor
      found in nearly all cell types. However, because the liver is the principal site
      of ethanol oxidation, it sustains the greatest damage from alcohol abuse. Thus,
      this review focuses on how alcohol consumption causes changes in the hepatic
      expression of Egr-1, which, in turn causes downstream alterations in the
      expression of other genes to cause liver pathology. Ironically, while such
      changes in Egr-1 expression clearly favor steatosis and even fibrosis
      development, the absence of Egr-1 expression can actually exacerbate liver injury
      after excessive alcohol consumption or after exposure to other hepatotoxins. The
      existing literature on Egr-1 is extensive. Here, we confine our initial
      description of Egr-1 to its principal molecular characteristics, its biological
      functions, and its involvement in certain pathologies that are either directly or
      obliquely related to alcoholic liver disease. We describe experimental data that
      clearly implicate Egr-1 function in alcohol-induced steatosis and fibrosis,
      showing that ethanol-elicited regulation of Egr-1 expression depends on the
      generation of acetaldehyde and that the absence of Egr-1 diminishes alcohol
      induced triglyceride accumulation. Overall, the existing evidence for the
      involvement of Egr-1 as a key link in alcohol-induced liver disease is strong.
      The evidence underscores the potential role of Egr-1 and several other
      transcription factors as therapeutic targets in the alleviation of alcoholic
      liver disease, which, even after decades of treatment options, still remains
      difficult to manage in the clinic.

PMID- 26278385
TI  - The Activation and Function of Autophagy in Alcoholic Liver Disease.
AB  - Autophagy is an important lysosome-mediated intracellular degradation pathway
      required for tissue homeostasis. Dysregulation of liver autophagy is closely
      associated with different liver diseases including alcoholic liver disease.
      Studies now indicate that autophagy may be induced or suppressed depending on the
      amount and the duration of ethanol treatment. Autophagy induced by ethanol serves
      as a protective mechanism, probably by selective degradation of the damaged
      mitochondria (mitophagy) and excess lipid droplets (lipophagy) and in turn
      attenuates alcohol-induced steatosis and liver injury. However, the detailed
      molecular mechanism of selective targeting of mitochondria and lipid is still
      unclear. Autophagy may possess other functions that protect hepatocytes from
      ethanol. Understanding these molecular entities would be essential in order to
      therapeutically module autophagy for treatment of alcoholic liver disease.

PMID- 26278387
TI  - Review: Precision Cut Liver Slices for the Evaluation of Fatty Liver and
      Fibrosis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Ethanol metabolism in the liver results in oxidative stress,
      altered cytokine production and fat accumulation in the liver. Thus, it is
      thought that the accumulation of benign fat into the liver in conjunction with a
      second hit leads to liver failure. However, we have recently developed the use of
      precision-cut liver slices (PCLSs) as an in vitro culture model in which to
      investigate the pathophysiology of alcohol-induced liver injury. In this review,
      these studies will be discussed and newer data presented. METHODS: Original
      investigations into the use of PCLS were obtained from chow fed rats (200-300g).
      PCLSs were cultured 24-96h in media, 25 mM ethanol, or 25 mM ethanol and 0.5 mM 4
      methylpyrazole (4-MP). PCLSs were examined for at different times and evaluated
      for glutathione (GSH) levels, extent of lipid peroxidation (TBARS assay),
      cytokine production (ELISA and RT-PCR) and myofibroblast activation. Age-matched
      rats were fed high fat diets for 13 months, PCLSs were prepared, and evaluated as
      outlined above. In recently, human and mouse PCLSs were cut, equilibrated, and
      evaluated using the methods outlined as above. RESULTS: In these studies, it was
      shown that the PCLSs from rats, mice and human livers retained excellent
      viability over a 96 hour period of incubation. During this time period, alcohol
      dehydrogenase, aldehyde dehydrogenase, and cytochrome P4502E1 levels were viable.
      After 24 hours of ethanol exposure, fatty livers and fibrogenic responses
      developed and could be prevented/reversed with the 4-MP. In a separate study
      using overly obese rats, ethanol metabolism was decreased in PCLSs as compared to
      age-matched controls (AMC). However, higher levels of triglycerides and lipid
      peroxidation were found in PCLSs from obese rats compared to AMC. Also, increased
      concentrations of the proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha and IL-6) were found
      in the culture supernatants. In contrast, decreased levels of reduced glutathione
      (GSH) and heme oxygenase I (HO-1) levels were detected. CONCLUSION: Within 24h of
      incubation, ethanol metabolism by PCLSs initiates fat accumulation in the liver
      at which point there is an activation of myofibroblasts. Thus, fatty liver is the
      first response to ethanol and sensitizes the liver to other products of oxidative
      stress that result in inflammation and the start of liver failure ending in
      cirrhosis. Thus, from these studies it appears that PCLSs can be utilized to
      determine the mechanisms(s) by which ethanol exposure leads to the development
      and/or progression of alcoholic liver disease (ALD).

PMID- 26278388
TI  - Signal Transduction Mechanisms of Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Emer ging Role
      of Lipin-1.
AB  - Lipin-1, a mammalian phosphatidic acid phosphatase (PAP), is a bi-functional
      molecule involved in various signaling pathways via its function as a PAP enzyme
      in the triglyceride synthesis pathway and in the nucleus as a transcriptional co
      regulator. In the liver, lipin-1 is known to play a vital role in controlling the
      lipid metabolism and inflammation process at multiple regulatory levels.
      Alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD) is one of the earliest forms of liver injury
      and approximately 8-20% of patients with simple steatosis can develop into more
      severe forms of liver injury, including steatohepatitis, fibrosis/ cirrhosis, and
      eventually hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The signal transduction mechanisms for
      alcohol-induced detrimental effects in liver involves alteration of complex and
      multiple signaling pathways largely governed by a central and upstream signaling
      system, namely, sirtuin 1 (SIRT1)-AMP activated kinase (AMPK) axis. Emerging
      evidence suggests a pivotal role of lipin-1 as a crucial downstream regulator of
      SIRT1-AMPK signaling system that is likely to be ultimately responsible for
      development and progression of AFLD. Several lines of evidence demonstrate that
      ethanol exposure significantly induces lipin-1 gene and protein expression levels
      in cultured hepatocytes and in the livers of rodents, induces lipin-1-PAP
      activity, impairs the functional activity of nuclear lipin-1, disrupts lipin-1
      mRNA alternative splicing and induces lipin-1 nucleocytoplasmic shuttling. Such
      impairment in response to ethanol leads to derangement of hepatic lipid
      metabolism, and excessive production of inflammatory cytokines in the livers of
      the rodents and human alcoholics. This review summarizes current knowledge about
      the role of lipin-1 in the pathogenesis of AFLD and its potential signal
      transduction mechanisms.

PMID- 26278389
TI  - Alcoholic Liver Disease: from CYP2E1 to CYP2A5.
AB  - This article reviews recent studies on CYP2E1-mediated alcoholic liver injury,
      the induction of CYP2A5 by alcohol and the mechanism for this upregulation,
      especially the permissive role of CYP2E1 in the induction of CYP2A5 by alcohol
      and the CYP2E1-ROS-Nrf2 pathway, and protective effects of CYP2A5 against ethanol
      induced oxidative liver injury. Ethanol can induce CYP2E1, an active generator of
      reactive oxygen species (ROS), and CYP2E1 is a contributing factor for
      alcoholinduced oxidative liver injury. CYP2A5, another isoform of cytochrome
      P450, can also be induced by ethanol. Chronic feeding of ethanol to wild type
      mice increased CYP2A5 catalytic activity, protein and mRNA levels as compared to
      pair-fed controls. This induction was blunted in CYP2E1 knockout (cyp2e1-/-) mice
      but was restored when human CYP2E1 was reintroduced and expressed in cyp2e1-/-
      mice. Ethanol-induced CYP2E1 co-localized with CYP2A5 and preceded the elevation
      of CYP2A5. The antioxidants N-acetyl cysteine and vitamin C lowered the alcohol
      elevation of ROS and blunted the alcohol induction of CYP2A5, but not CYP2E1,
      suggesting ROS play a novel role in the crosstalk between CYP2E1 and CYP2A5. The
      antioxidants blocked the activation of Nrf2, a transcription factor known to
      upregulate expression of CYP2A5. When alcohol-induced liver injury was enhanced
      in Nrf2 knockout (Nrf2-/-) mice, alcohol elevation of CYP2A5 but not CYP2E1 was
      also lower in Nrf2-/- mice. CYP2A5 knockout (cyp2a5-/-) mice exhibited an
      enhanced alcoholic liver injury compared with WT mice as indicated by serum ALT,
      steatosis and necroinflammation. Alcohol-induced hyperglycemia were observed in
      cyp2a5-/- mice but not in WT mice.

PMID- 26278391
TI  - The Hepatic Lipidome: A Gateway to Understanding the Pathogenes is of Alcohol
      Induced Fatty Liver.
AB  - Chronic alcohol consumption can lead to the development of alcoholic fatty liver
      disease. The underlying pathogenic mechanisms however, have not been fully
      elucidated. Here, we review the current state of the art regarding the
      application of lipidomics to study alcohol's effect on hepatic lipids. It is
      clear that alcohol has a profound effect on the hepatic lipidome, with documented
      changes in the major lipid categories (i.e. fatty acyls, glycerolipids,
      glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids, sterol lipids and prenol lipids). Alcohol's
      most striking effect is the marked change in the hepatic fatty acyl pool. This
      effect includes increased levels of 18-carbon fatty acyl chains incorporated into
      multiple lipid species, as well as a general shift toward increased unsaturation
      of fatty acyl moieties. In addition to our literature review, we also make
      several recommendations to consider when designing lipidomic studies into
      alcohol's effects. These recommendations include integration of lipidomic data
      with other measures of lipid metabolism, inclusion of multiple experimental time
      points, and presentation of quantitative data. We believe rigorous analysis of
      the hepatic lipidome can yield new insight into the pathogenesis of alcohol
      induced fatty liver. While the existing literature has been largely descriptive,
      the field is poised to apply lipidomics to yield a new level of understanding on
      alcohol's effects on hepatic lipid metabolism.

PMID- 26278392
TI  - Role of the Wnt/beta-Catenin Pathway in the Pathogenesis of Alcoholic Liver
      Disease.
AB  - The Wnt pathway is a highly conserved signal transduction pathway that plays an
      important role in diverse aspects of hepatic physiology. The Wnt pathway,
      consisting of canonical and noncanonical arms, is composed of secreted
      glycoproteins, cell surface receptors and co-receptors, and complex intracellular
      regulatory machinery that regulate a large number of cellular functions. beta
      Catenin is the main effector of the canonical Wnt pathway and hepatocyte-specific
      loss of the protein leads to increased susceptibility to alcoholic
      steatohepatitis. Hepatocytes with disrupted beta-catenin demonstrate
      mitochondrial dysfunction, defective oxidative phosphorylation, and increased
      oxidative stress. beta- Catenin knockout mice have decreased expression of
      alcohol metabolizing enzymes and increased blood alcohol levels that along with
      hypoglycemia and hyperammonemia, lead to increased mortality upon alcohol
      exposure. Disruption of hepatic beta-catenin affects fatty acid oxidation and
      fasting ketogenesis and thereby profoundly affects systemic energy homeostasis.
      Given the combined roles of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling in hepatocellular
      bioenergetics and regeneration, the Wnt pathway also contributes to alcohol
      induced hepatic fibrogenesis and hepatocarcinogenesis. Targeting the Wnt/beta
      catenin pathway represents an attractive strategy for the treatment of alcohol
      induced liver disease.

PMID- 26278390
TI  - Structure, Function and Metabolism of Hepatic and Adipose Tissue Lipid Droplets:
      Implications in Alcoholic Liver Disease.
AB  - For more than 30 years, lipid droplets (LDs) were considered as an inert bag of
      lipid for storage of energy-rich fat molecules. Following a paradigm shift almost
      a decade ago, LDs are presently considered an active subcellular organelle
      especially designed for assembling, storing and subsequently supplying lipids for
      generating energy and membrane synthesis (and in the case of hepatocytes for VLDL
      secretion). LDs also play a central role in many other cellular functions such as
      viral assembly and protein degradation. Here, we have explored the structural and
      functional changes that occur in hepatic and adipose tissue LDs following chronic
      ethanol consumption in relation to their role in the pathogenesis of alcoholic
      liver injury.

PMID- 26278394
TI  - Editorial: New Insights into Mechanisms of Alcohol-Induced Fatty Liver.

PMID- 26278395
TI  - Recent developments in the chemistry of quinazolinone alkaloids.
AB  - Quinazolinones, an important class of fused heterocyclic alkaloids has attracted
      high attention in organic and medicinal chemistry due to their significant and
      wide range of biological activities. There are approximately 150 naturally
      occurring quinazolinone alkaloids known till 2005. Several new quinazolinone
      alkaloids (~55) have been isolated in the last decade. Natural quinazolinones
      with exotic structural features and remarkable biological activities have incited
      a lot of activities in the synthetic community towards the development of new
      synthetic strategies and approaches for the total synthesis of quinazolinone
      alkaloids. This review is focused on these advances in the chemistry of
      quinazolinone alkaloids in the last decade. This article covers the newly
      isolated quinazolinone natural products with their biological activities and the
      recently reported total syntheses of quinazolinone alkaloids from 2006 to 2015. 

PMID- 26278396
TI  - Role of a functional polymorphism in the F2R gene promoter in sarcoidosis.
AB  - Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disease of unknown aetiology
      characterized by increased inflammation, and results from gene-environment
      interactions. Proteinase-activated receptor-1 mediates the interplay between
      coagulation and inflammation. The rs2227744G > A promoter single nucleotide
      polymorphism has been linked to inflammation, cardiovascular disease and chronic
      obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations. Using a case-control study (184
      cases with sarcoidosis and 368 controls), we show that the rs2227744A allele
      significantly associates with protection from sarcoidosis (P = 0.003, OR = 0.68
      (0.52-0.88)). 

PMID- 26278397
TI  - Use of UHPLC high-resolution Orbitrap mass spectrometry to investigate the genes
      involved in the production of secondary metabolites in Aspergillus flavus.
AB  - The fungus Aspergillus flavus is known for its ability to produce the toxic and
      carcinogenic aflatoxins in food and feed. While aflatoxins are of most concern,
      A. flavus is predicted to be capable of producing many more metabolites based on
      a study of its complete genome sequence. Some of these metabolites could be of
      great importance in food and feed safety. Here we describe an analytical
      methodology based on Orbitrap HRMS technology that allows the untargeted
      determination of fungal metabolites, in support of the study of the function of
      genes involved in secondary metabolism in fungi. The applied strategy implies the
      detection and identification of differentially expressed metabolites in extracts
      of wild-type and mutant fungal strains, using Orbitrap high-resolution mass
      spectrometry (HRMS) accurate mass data. The suitability of this approach was
      demonstrated by the confirmation of previously characterised genes involved in
      the aflatoxin biosynthetic pathway, namely a polyketide synthase (pksA), an
      oxidoreductase (ordA) and a methyltransferase (omtA) gene. Subsequently, the
      proposed methodology was applied for the detection and identification of
      metabolites produced by a yet uncharacterised gene cluster in A. favus, cluster
      23. Comparative Orbitrap HRMS analysis of extracts of A. flavus wild-type strain
      and an over-expression mutant for the transcription factor of gene cluster 23
      (lepE) demonstrated that this gene cluster is responsible for the production a
      set of 2-pyridone derivatives, the leporins. Besides the known derivatives
      leporin B and leporin B precursor that could be identified by automatic de
      replication of the accurate mass data, five other compounds belonging to this
      class of fungal secondary metabolites were detected and identified for the first
      time, combining MS and multiple-stage MS data. 

PMID- 26278398
TI  - Exploring women's responses to online media coverage of weight loss surgery.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to understand the reactions of women to online news
      articles about weight loss surgery and related reader comments. Focus groups were
      conducted; open-ended questions were asked to elicit responses to existing online
      news media content related to weight loss surgery. The participants described the
      online articles as predominantly supportive of weight loss surgery and in
      response they expressed a desire to see more critical content, including
      different and competing perspectives. Participants felt the online comments
      represented extreme perspectives and were predominately negative. These were
      therefore not viewed as helpful or informative. Nevertheless, readers viewed
      comments as a form of entertainment. Because of the aggressive and anonymous
      nature of reader comments in response to online news stories, the participants
      did not feel comfortable leaving comments themselves on the news sites. Findings
      highlight the importance of gathering readers' perspectives in response to
      interactive media content and, in particular, health information. 

PMID- 26278393
TI  - Role of CYP2E1 in Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Hepatic Injury by Alcohol and Non
      Alcoholic Substances.
AB  - Alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
      (NAFLD) are two pathological conditions that are spreading worldwide. Both
      conditions are remarkably similar with regard to the pathophysiological mechanism
      and progression despite different causes. Oxidative stressinduced mitochondrial
      dysfunction through post-translational protein modifications and/or mitochondrial
      DNA damage has been a major risk factor in both AFLD and NAFLD development and
      progression. Cytochrome P450-2E1 (CYP2E1), a known important inducer of oxidative
      radicals in the cells, has been reported to remarkably increase in both AFLD and
      NAFLD. Interestingly, CYP2E1 isoforms expressed in both endoplasmic reticulum
      (ER) and mitochondria, likely lead to the deleterious consequences in response to
      alcohol or in conditions of NAFLD after exposure to high fat diet (HFD) and in
      obesity and diabetes. Whether CYP2E1 in both ER and mitochondria work
      simultaneously or sequentially in various conditions and whether mitochondrial
      CYP2E1 may exert more pronounced effects on mitochondrial dysfunction in AFLD and
      NAFLD are unclear. The aims of this review are to briefly describe the role of
      CYP2E1 and resultant oxidative stress in promoting mitochondrial dysfunction and
      the development or progression of AFLD and NAFLD, to shed a light on the function
      of the mitochondrial CYP2E1 as compared with the ER-associated CYP2E1. We finally
      discuss translational research opportunities related to this field.

PMID- 26278399
TI  - Comment on the Paper Entitled 'Effect of Erythritol and Xylitol on Dental Caries
      Prevention in Children'.

PMID- 26278400
TI  - Catecholaminergic Ventricular Tachycardia, Pregnancy and Teenager: Are They
      Compatible?
AB  - Arrhythmias in pregnancy are becoming more common given more available and
      effective medical, ablation and device treatment options. Several changes
      associated with pregnancy, increased blood volume, cardiac output, and heart rate
      secondary to an increased sympathetic state, facilitate more frequent occurrences
      of arrhythmias throughout the pregnancy and during labor and delivery. We present
      a case of successful pregnancy in a teenage female with a previous diagnosis of
      CPVT, followed by a review of the literature. 

PMID- 26278401
TI  - Relaxin-3 receptor (Rxfp3) gene deletion reduces operant sucrose- but not alcohol
      responding in mice.
AB  - The pervasive use of refined sugars in highly accessible, palatable foods and
      persistent exposure to reinforcing food-associated cues has contributed to
      overconsumption of sugar-rich diets and the current obesity epidemic in Western
      society. We have shown previously that brain relaxin-3 mRNA levels positively
      correlate with sucrose and alcohol intake, and that central antagonism of relaxin
      3 receptors (RXFP3) attenuates alcohol self-administration and alcohol-seeking in
      rats, but food-seeking behaviour and palatable food consumption in mice. To
      further examine the relationship between motivated appetitive behaviours and
      relaxin-3/RXFP3 signalling, we investigated the effect of Rxfp3 gene deletion in
      C57BL/6J mice on sucrose and alcohol self-administration and cue-induced
      reinstatement (RNST) of sucrose- and alcohol-seeking. Acquisition and maintenance
      of sucrose and alcohol self-administration was assessed in male wild-type (WT)
      and Rxfp3 knockout (KO) (C57BL/6J(RXFP3TM1) (/) (DGen) ) littermate mice using
      fixed ratio (FR) schedules of reinforcement. Mice were subsequently challenged
      with a progressive ratio (PR) test to measure motivation and, following
      extinction training, re-exposed to reward-associated cues to evaluate RNST of
      active lever-responding. Wild-type and Rxfp3 KO mice displayed similar
      acquisition of FR1 sucrose self-administration, but Rxfp3 KO mice responded less
      when the instrumental requirement was increased to FR3. These mice also showed a
      lower breakpoint for sucrose and attenuated cue-induced RNST of sucrose-seeking.
      Notably, no marked genotype differences in alcohol-responding were observed. In
      mice, endogenous relaxin-3/RXFP3 signalling promotes self-administration of
      sucrose under high response requirements and cue-induced RNST of sucrose-seeking,
      but does not apparently regulate motivation to consume alcohol or alcohol-seeking
      behaviour. 

PMID- 26278403
TI  - Predictive models of lameness in dairy cows achieve high sensitivity and
      specificity with force measurements in three dimensions.
AB  - Lameness remains a significant cause of production losses, a growing welfare
      concern and may be a greater economic burden than clinical mastitis . A growing
      need for accurate, continuous automated detection systems continues because US
      prevalence of lameness is 12.5% while individual herds may experience
      prevalence's of 27.8-50.8%. To that end the first force-plate system restricted
      to the vertical dimension identified lame cows with 85% specificity and 52%
      sensitivity. These results lead to the hypothesis that addition of transverse and
      longitudinal dimensions could improve sensitivity of lameness detection. To
      address the hypothesis we upgraded the original force plate system to measure
      ground reaction forces (GRFs) across three directions. GRFs and locomotion scores
      were generated from randomly selected cows and logistic regression was used to
      develop a model that characterised relationships of locomotion scores to the
      GRFs. This preliminary study showed 76 variables across 3 dimensions produced a
      model with greater than 90% sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver
      operating curve (AUC). The result was a marked improvement on the 52%
      sensitivity, and 85% specificity previously observed with the 1 dimensional model
      or the 45% sensitivities reported with visual observations. Validation of model
      accuracy continues with the goal to finalise accurate automated methods of
      lameness detection.

PMID- 26278405
TI  - Central tarsal bone fractures in horses not used for racing: Computed tomographic
      configuration and long-term outcome of lag screw fixation.
AB  - REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: There are no reports on the configuration of equine
      central tarsal bone fractures based on cross-sectional imaging and clinical and
      radiographic long-term outcome after internal fixation. OBJECTIVES: To report
      clinical, radiographic and computed tomographic findings of equine central tarsal
      bone fractures and to evaluate the long-term outcome of internal fixation. STUDY
      DESIGN: Retrospective case series. METHODS: All horses diagnosed with a central
      tarsal bone fracture at our institution in 2009-2013 were included. Computed
      tomography and internal fixation using lag screw technique was performed in all
      patients. Medical records and diagnostic images were reviewed retrospectively. A
      clinical and radiographic follow-up examination was performed at least 1 year
      post operatively. RESULTS: A central tarsal bone fracture was diagnosed in 6
      horses. Five were Warmbloods used for showjumping and one was a Quarter Horse
      used for reining. All horses had sagittal slab fractures that began dorsally, ran
      in a plantar or plantaromedial direction and exited the plantar cortex at the
      plantar or plantaromedial indentation of the central tarsal bone. Marked
      sclerosis of the central tarsal bone was diagnosed in all patients. At long-term
      follow-up, 5/6 horses were sound and used as intended although mild osteophyte
      formation at the distal intertarsal joint was commonly observed. CONCLUSIONS:
      Central tarsal bone fractures in nonracehorses had a distinct configuration but
      radiographically subtle additional fracture lines can occur. A chronic stress
      related aetiology seems likely. Internal fixation of these fractures based on an
      accurate diagnosis of the individual fracture configuration resulted in a very
      good prognosis.

PMID- 26278404
TI  - GacA is essential for Group A Streptococcus and defines a new class of monomeric
      dTDP-4-dehydrorhamnose reductases (RmlD).
AB  - The sugar nucleotide dTDP-L-rhamnose is critical for the biosynthesis of the
      Group A Carbohydrate, the molecular signature and virulence determinant of the
      human pathogen Group A Streptococcus (GAS). The final step of the four-step dTDP
      L-rhamnose biosynthesis pathway is catalyzed by dTDP-4-dehydrorhamnose reductases
      (RmlD). RmlD from the Gram-negative bacterium Salmonella is the only structurally
      characterized family member and requires metal-dependent homo-dimerization for
      enzymatic activity. Using a biochemical and structural biology approach, we
      demonstrate that the only RmlD homologue from GAS, previously renamed GacA,
      functions in a novel monomeric manner. Sequence analysis of 213 Gram-negative and
      Gram-positive RmlD homologues predicts that enzymes from all Gram-positive
      species lack a dimerization motif and function as monomers. The enzymatic
      function of GacA was confirmed through heterologous expression of gacA in a S.
      mutans rmlD knockout, which restored attenuated growth and aberrant cell
      division. Finally, analysis of a saturated mutant GAS library using Tn-sequencing
      and generation of a conditional-expression mutant identified gacA as an essential
      gene for GAS. In conclusion, GacA is an essential monomeric enzyme in GAS and
      representative of monomeric RmlD enzymes in Gram-positive bacteria and a subset
      of Gram-negative bacteria. These results will help future screens for novel
      inhibitors of dTDP-L-rhamnose biosynthesis. 

PMID- 26278406
TI  - A novel detection technique of polyamide binding sites by photo-induced electron
      transfer in (Br)U substituted DNA.
AB  - We report the photochemistry of (Br)U substituted DNA as a versatile platform to
      investigate the binding sites of pyrene conjugated pyrrole imidazole polyamides
      (PIPs). The results suggest that the approach can be used on a routine basis for
      the screening of polyamide binding sites. 

PMID- 26278408
TI  - Use of Plastic Needles for Early  Arteriovenous Fistula Cannulation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The native arteriovenous fistula (AVF) needs maturation before it can
      be used. Needling done before time may result in haematoma formation,
      miscannulation or even access loss. METHODS: This retrospective study included 20
      patients with AVFs punctured with fluoroplastic dialysis catheters within 30 days
      after access creation and 19 historical controls. RESULTS: The time to first
      puncture was 2-29 days for the study group and 1-26 days for the control group.
      The incidences of haematoma were 16.7 and 48 per 1,000 dialysis sessions for
      plastic and metal needles, respectively. Estimated primary functional fistula
      survival at 3, 6 and 12 months were 95, 90 and 74% for the study group and 79, 67
      and 60% for the control group (p = 0.106), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Use of
      plastic needles enables safe AVF cannulation. If applied judiciously, it can
      minimize or even avoid catheter use.

PMID- 26278407
TI  - The domain of neuronal firing on a plane of input current and conductance.
AB  - The activation of neurotransmitter receptors increases the current flow and
      membrane conductance and thus controls the firing rate of a neuron. In the
      present work, we justified the two-dimensional representation of a neuronal input
      by voltage-independent current and conductance and obtained experimentally and
      numerically a complete input-output (I/O) function. The dependence of the steady
      state firing rate on the input current and conductance was studied as a two
      parameter I/O function. We employed the dynamic patch clamp technique in slices
      to get this dependence for the whole domain of two input signals that evoke
      stationary spike trains in a single neuron (Omega-domain). As found, the Omega
      domain is finite and an additional conductance decreases the range of spike
      evoking currents. The I/O function has been reproduced in a Hodgkin-Huxley-like
      model. Among the simulated effects of different factors on the I/O function,
      including passive and active membrane properties, external conditions and input
      signal properties, the most interesting were: the shift of the right boundary of
      the Omega-domain (corresponding to the exCitation block) leftwards due to the
      decrease of the maximal potassium conductance; and the reduction of the Omega
      domain by the decrease of the maximal sodium concentration. As found in
      experiments and simulations, the Omega-domain is reduced by the decrease of
      extracellular sodium concentration, by cooling, and by adding slow potassium
      currents providing interspike interval adaptation; the Omega-domain height is
      increased by adding color noise. Our modeling data provided a generalization of
      I/O dependencies that is consistent with previous studies and our experiments.
      Our results suggest that both current flow and membrane conductance should be
      taken into account when determining neuronal firing activity. 

PMID- 26278409
TI  - Risk factors for tuberculosis in patients receiving tumour necrosis factor-alpha
      blockers: what do we really know?

PMID- 26278410
TI  - Solvent-Free Click-Mechanochemistry for the Preparation of Cancer Cell Targeting
      Graphene Oxide.
AB  - Polyethylene glycol-functionalized nanographene oxide (PEGylated n-GO) was
      synthesized from alkyne-modified n-GO, using solvent-free click-mechanochemistry,
      i.e., copper(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC). The modified n-GO
      was subsequently conjugated to a mucin 1 receptor immunoglobulin G antibody (anti
      MUC1 IgG) via thiol-ene coupling reaction. n-GO derivatives were characterized
      with Fourier-transformed infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric
      analysis (TGA), Bradford assay, sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel
      electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Cell targeting was
      confirmed in vitro in MDA-MB-231 cells, either expressing or lacking MUC1
      receptors, using flow cytometry, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and
      multiphoton (MP) fluorescence microscopy. Biocompatibility was assessed using the
      modified lactate dehydrongenase (mLDH) assay. 

PMID- 26278411
TI  - Predicting Suitable Habitats for the Vulnerable Eastern Hoolock Gibbon, Hoolock
      leuconedys, in India Using the MaxEnt Model.
AB  - The eastern hoolock gibbon, Hoolock leuconedys, is categorized as Vulnerable on
      the IUCN Red List and assessed as a Schedule I species of the Wildlife
      (Protection) Act of 1972 in India. We predict the potential habitat of H.
      leuconedys in the state of Arunachal Pradesh, India, using the Maximum Entropy
      (MaxEnt) distribution modelling algorithm. The model was developed using 90 known
      localities of H. leuconedys in the state. Nineteen environmental parameters along
      with 12 normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) layers, elevation and land
      use and land cover (LULC) were used in the modelling. Amongst the environmental
      input variables, the precipitation of the coldest quarter (BIO 19) had the
      highest contribution to the model (26.03%) and the twelve NDVI layers
      collectively contributed 60.91%. Two districts, Lower Dibang Valley and Lohit,
      which are known to contain H. leuconedys, occupied 64.75% of the predicted
      distribution area of the species. Thus, we aid in the identification of suitable
      areas for the reintroduction program of H. leuconedys that is planned by the
      Gibbon Conservation Breeding Centre, Biological Park, Itanagar, Arunachal
      Pradesh, India.

PMID- 26278412
TI  - Maternal Nicotine Exposure Induces Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Rat
      Offspring Lungs.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Maternal nicotine exposure induces lung injuries and fibrosis in rat
      offspring. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) following lung injury is a
      process in which epithelial cells mediate tissue repair. OBJECTIVE: To determine
      the effects of maternal nicotine exposure on EMT in neonatal rat lungs. METHODS:
      Nicotine was administered to pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats using a subcutaneous
      osmotic minipump that delivered a dose of 6 mg/kg/day on gestational days 7-21 or
      from gestational day 7 to postnatal day 14. A control group received an equal
      volume of saline. RESULTS: The percentage of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine-positive
      cells in nuclear staining was significantly higher, the E-cadherin protein
      expression was significantly lower, and the N-cadherin protein expression was
      significantly higher in rats born to prenatal and postnatal nicotine-treated dams
      than in those born to prenatal saline- and nicotine-treated dams on postnatal day
      7. These characteristics of EMT were associated with a significant increase in
      alpha-smooth muscle actin (SMA) expression on postnatal day 21. Rats born to
      prenatal and postnatal nicotine-treated dams showed significantly higher alpha
      SMA expression and total collagen than those born to prenatal saline- and
      nicotine-treated dams on postnatal day 21. The number of cells expressing
      fibroblast-specific protein 1 and vimentin was higher in rats born to prenatal
      and postnatal nicotine-treated dams than in those born to prenatal saline- and
      nicotine-treated dams on postnatal days 7 and 21. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal nicotine
      exposure during gestation and lactation induces EMT and contributes to lung
      fibrosis in rat offspring.

PMID- 26278413
TI  - A 10-Year Follow-Up Study of Subjects Recruited in a Health Campaign for the
      Early Diagnosis of Cutaneous Melanoma: Suggestions for the Screening Timetable.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cutaneous melanoma affects people at a relatively young age. The
      possibility of making a screening at the population level is strongly limited
      because of the high costs and the shortage of well-trained operators. OBJECTIVE:
      To evaluate the possibility of a sustainable timetable of screening examinations
      for cutaneous melanoma. METHODS: Subjects who contacted the Lega Italiana per la
      Lotta contro i Tumori (Italian League against Cancer) between January 2001 and
      December 2004 were followed up to December 2013 through linkage with the Trento
      Skin Cancer Registry. The cumulative incidence of cutaneous melanoma was
      calculated and compared with that observed in the general population. RESULTS:
      Fifteen newly diagnosed cutaneous melanomas were observed in 3,635 subjects
      during the screening phase, while 14 new cases were diagnosed within December
      2013, in the period of follow-up after the screening. The 95% confidence interval
      for the cumulative incidence of screened subjects included the cumulative
      incidence of the general population. No new cutaneous melanomas were detected in
      a 2-year period, after the first examination, 2 cases within 3 years.
      CONCLUSIONS: Based on our study, we think that in a selected population a
      screening programme can be performed every 2-3 years. This could help make a
      screening possible/sustainable for the early diagnosis of cutaneous melanoma in a
      public health context.

PMID- 26278414
TI  - Immune tolerance induction in patients with haemophilia a and inhibitors:
      effectiveness and cost analysis in an European Cohort (The ITER Study).
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Although immune tolerance induction (ITI) is considered the first
      choice treatment to eradicate inhibitors in haemophilia A patients, little is
      known about outcomes determinants and cost magnitude. AIM AND METHODS: A
      retrospective, multicentre study was conducted to assess the relationship between
      ITI outcome, clinical and treatment characteristics and cost of ITI treatment in
      haemophilia A patients. Data from 12 months before inhibitor diagnosis to 12
      months after ITI completion were collected. Treatment cost was calculated in the
      third-party perspective and expressed as mean ? per patient-month. Cox regression
      models were used to identify predictors of better outcome and the time taken to
      achieve tolerance. RESULTS: Seventy-one patients, aged 0.4-41 years (median: 3.8
      years) at ITI start, were enrolled. Undetectable inhibitor was achieved in 84.5%
      of patients and inhibitor eradication with normal factor VIII (FVIII)
      pharmacokinetics in 74.2%. Median time to successful tolerance was 10.7 months
      (range 2.0-90.0 months). Peak inhibitor level on ITI was a significant predictor
      of ITI success. Breakthrough bleeding event incidence during ITI was associated
      with time to success. The mean cost of treatment for the time period between
      inhibitor diagnosis and ITI start was ?3188 per patient-month (92.1% for
      bypassing agents), and ?60 078 during ITI (76.8% for FVIII use in ITI).
      CONCLUSION: Immune tolerance induction in this patient cohort was successful in
      84.5% of patients with a mean cost of ?60 000 per patient-month. This high cost
      is dwarfed by comparison with the prospect of lifelong care of an inhibitor
      patient, in addition to gains in life expectancy and health-related quality of
      life.

PMID- 26278415
TI  - All-trans-retinoic acid modulates nitric oxide and interleukin-17A production by
      peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common form of dementia in the
      elderly, is a neurodegenerative disorder associated with a complex
      pathophysiology. It is accepted that inflammation contributes to the pathogenesis
      of AD. All-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) is a bioactive derivative of vitamin A that
      has shown immunomodulatory effects in many immune disorders. OBJECTIVES: In our
      study, we aimed to investigate in vitro immunomodulatory effects of ATRA on
      inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression and interleukin-17A production
      during AD. METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolated from 30
      Algerian AD patients and 14 age-matched nondemented controls were treated (or
      not) with ATRA. Production of NO and IL-17A in culture media was measured by the
      modified Griess method and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively.
      Expression of iNOS in PBMCs was examined by fluorescence immunostaining. RESULTS:
      Our results showed higher spontaneous in vitro production of NO related to
      overexpression of iNOS in AD patients compared to controls. Remarkably, ATRA
      treatment showed an important downregulatory effect on NO production and iNOS
      expression in patients. This effect was associated with a reduction in IL-17A
      production and increased IL-10 release. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our results
      indicate that ATRA exerts anti-inflammatory effects in AD. Furthermore, ATRA
      represents a promising tool for monitoring inflammatory responses associated with
      disease progression.

PMID- 26278416
TI  - Effects of Astragaloside IV Against the TGF-beta1-Induced Epithelial-to
      Mesenchymal Transition in Peritoneal Mesothelial Cells by Promoting Smad 7
      Expression.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: To investigate the effect of Astragaloside IV (AS-IV) on the
      regulation of the TGF-beta1/Smad signaling pathway in peritoneal mesothelial
      cells with an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). METHODS: EMT of human
      peritoneal mesothelial cells (HMrSV5) was induced using 2 ng/ml TGF-beta1. Cells
      were randomly divided into a vehicle group, a vehicle group with AS-IV, a TGF
      beta1 treated group, and a TGF-beta1 treated group receiving varied doses of AS
      IV or NAC. Real-time quantitative PCR and western blot were used to detect the
      expression of genes and proteins associated with the TGF-beta1/Smad signaling
      pathway and EMT. DCFH-DA was used to detect the generation of ROS in HMrSV5
      cells, and a transwell migration assay was used to verify the capacity of AS-IV
      to inhibit EMT in HMrSV5 cells. Lentiviruses were used as carriers for the
      overexpression or knockdown of the Smad7 gene. RESULTS: Expression levels of E
      cadherin (epithelial marker) was decreased and vimentin, alpha-SMA (EMT markers)
      and collagen I (extracellular matrix protein) phospho-Smad2/3, Snail1 and Snail2
      was increased significantly in the TGF-beta1-treated HMrSV5 cells. AS-IV was
      associated with downregulated expression of vimentin and phospho-Smad2/3 in a
      dose-dependent manner, while the expression of Smad7 increased. Silenced or
      forced expression of Smad7 verified its role in the inhibitory effect of AS-IV on
      TGF-beta1-induced EMT in HMrSV5 cells. CONCLUSION: AS-IV effectively promotes the
      upregulation of Smad7 in the TGF-beta1/Smad signaling pathway during the EMT of
      HMrSV5 cells, indicating its potential therapeutic effect for the control of PF.

PMID- 26278417
TI  - Does CSE1L Overexpression Affect Distant Metastasis Development in Breast Cancer?
AB  - BACKGROUND: CSE1L (chromosome segregation 1-like) is the human homologue to the
      yeast gene CSE1, and is related to invasion and metastasis in cancer progression.
      The aim of this study was to investigate the potential role of CSE1L expression
      in distant metastasis of breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 71
      breast cancer patients were included in this study. Clinical characteristics and
      CSE1L status were evaluated. Immunohistochemistry was performed on formalin
      fixed, paraffin-embedded archival breast tumor tissue. The results of CSE1L
      staining were analyzed according to the percentage of immunoreactive cells.
      RESULTS: 34 patients had distant metastasis and 37 did not. The mean age of the
      patients was 50.5 +/- 12.1 years. Age, tumor size, and hormone receptor status
      were similar in patients with distant metastasis and in those without. A
      statistically significant relationship was found between nuclear CSE1L expression
      and distant metastasis of breast cancer. Lymph node metastasis and nuclear grade
      were other factors affecting distant metastasis. CONCLUSION: There is a
      relationship between nuclear CSE1L overexpression and distant metastasis in
      breast cancer. CSE1L status may therefore become a valuable prognostic tool in
      the future.

PMID- 26278418
TI  - Why gender matters in the solution towards safe sanitation? Reflections from
      rural India.
AB  - While the topic of women and water, sanitation and hygiene is a widely accepted
      concern among academics and activists, it continues to be an issue in developing
      countries with serious consequences. Based on a qualitative research conducted in
      rural Uttar Pradesh, India, the paper affirms that sanitation issues for women
      and girls are compounded by inequitable gender norms that put them at greater
      risk of experiencing violence and multiple health vulnerabilities. Women, despite
      having a high demand for safe toilet facilities, continue to practise unsafe
      sanitation. The findings highlight the role of three structural constraints as
      the key factors influencing toilet construction and use: poverty, inadequate
      sanitation policy and its implementation and gender-based power dynamics at the
      household level. The paper concludes by emphasising the relevance of engendering
      sanitation programmes and policies by involving women and girls in the planning
      process to ensure that dignified and gender-sensitive sanitation solutions are
      developed. The paper also stresses the need to have measures for strengthening
      and effectively implementing a sanitation policy for the poor and for programmes
      to work with both men and women to address gender power relations which influence
      toilet adoption and use.

PMID- 26278420
TI  - Shared decision-making, control preferences and psychological well-being in
      patients with RPE65 deficiency awaiting experimental gene therapy.
AB  - PURPOSE: Retinal gene therapy trials are currently ongoing in a small number of
      inherited retinal disorders and this number is expected to rise significantly.
      The aim of this study was to analyze the psychological aspects of patients with
      RPE65 deficiency awaiting potential enrollment in gene therapy trials. METHODS:
      Five patients with genetically proven RPE65 deficiency took part in this study.
      They were asked to complete the German versions of (i) the Patient Health
      Questionnaire (PHQ-D), (ii) the National Eye Institute Visual Function
      Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ), (iii) the Shared Decision Making Questionnaire (PEF-FB
      9), and (iv) the Autonomy Preference Index (API-Dm), and in addition they took
      part in qualitative interviews. RESULTS: The evaluations of the questionnaires
      and the interviews showed that the patients have quite high information needs and
      wish to take part in medical decisions. The perspective to participate in gene
      therapy trials does not seem to cause pronounced worries. Only the insecurity
      about if and when enrollment in a trial takes place may be burdensome.
      DISCUSSION: This study generated important data about the psychological situation
      of patients awaiting potential enrollment in clinical trials, which can be used
      to improve patient care in the increasing number of future gene therapy trials
      around the world.

PMID- 26278419
TI  - The Effect of Contact Precautions on Frequency of Hospital Adverse Events.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine whether use of contact precautions on hospital ward
      patients is associated with patient adverse events DESIGN: Individually matched
      prospective cohort study SETTING: The University of Maryland Medical Center, a
      tertiary care hospital in Baltimore, Maryland METHODS: A total of 296 medical or
      surgical inpatients admitted to non-intensive care unit hospital wards were
      enrolled at admission from January to November 2010. Patients on contact
      precautions were individually matched by hospital unit after an initial 3-day
      length of stay to patients not on contact precautions. Adverse events were
      detected by physician chart review and categorized as noninfectious, preventable
      and severe noninfectious, and infectious adverse events during the patient's stay
      using the standardized Institute for Healthcare Improvement's Global Trigger
      Tool. RESULTS: The cohort of 148 patients on contact precautions at admission was
      matched with a cohort of 148 patients not on contact precautions. Of the total
      296 subjects, 104 (35.1%) experienced at least 1 adverse event during their
      hospital stay. Contact precautions were associated with fewer noninfectious
      adverse events (rate ratio [RtR], 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.51-0.95;
      P=.02) and although not statistically significant, with fewer severe adverse
      events (RtR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.46-1.03; P=.07). Preventable adverse events did not
      significantly differ between patients on contact precautions and patients not on
      contact precautions (RtR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.59-1.24; P=.41). CONCLUSIONS: Hospital
      ward patients on contact precautions were less likely to experience noninfectious
      adverse events during their hospital stay than patients not on contact
      precautions.

PMID- 26278421
TI  - Validity of the Hochberg procedure revisited for clinical trial applications.
AB  - There is much interest in using the Hochberg procedure (HP) for statistical tests
      on primary endpoints of confirmatory clinical trials. The procedure is simple to
      use and enjoys more power than the Bonferroni and the Holm procedures. However,
      the HP is not assumption free like the other two procedures. It controls the
      familywise type I error rate when test statistics (used for statistical tests)
      are independent or if dependent satisfy a conditionally independent formulation.
      Otherwise, its properties for dependent tests at present are not fully
      understood. Consequently, its use for confirmatory trials, especially for their
      primary endpoints, remains worrisome. Confirmatory trials are typically designed
      with 1-2 primary endpoints. Therefore, a question was raised at the Food and Drug
      Administration as to whether the HP is a valid test for the simple case of
      performing treatment-to-control comparisons on two primary endpoints when their
      test statistics are not independent. Confirmatory trials for statistical tests
      normally use simple test statistics, such as the normal Z, student's t, and chi
      square. The literature does include some work on the HP for dependent cases
      covering these test statistics, but concerns remain regarding its use for
      confirmatory trials for which endpoint tests are mostly of the dependent kind.
      The purpose of this paper is therefore to revisit this procedure and provide
      sufficient details for better understanding of its performance for dependent
      cases related to the aforementioned question. Published 2015. This article is a
      U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. 

PMID- 26278422
TI  - Access to Kidney Transplantation: Is There a Potential Conflict of Interest?

PMID- 26278424
TI  - Scientific overview: CSCI-CITAC Annual General Meeting and Young Investigators'
      Forum 2014.
AB  - The Canadian Society of Clinician Investigators (CSCI) and Clinical Investigator
      Trainee Association of Canada/Association des cliniciens-chercheurs en formation
      du Canada (CITAC/ACCFC) annual general meeting (AGM) was held in Toronto during
      November 21-24, 2015 for the first time in conjunction with the University of
      Toronto Clinician-Investigator Program Research Day. The overall theme for this
      year's meeting was the role of mentorship in career development, with
      presentations from Dr. Chaim Bell (University of Toronto), Dr. Shurjeel Choudhri
      (Bayer Healthcare), Dr. Ken Croitoru (University of Toronto), Dr. Astrid Guttman
      (University of Toronto), Dr. Prabhat Jha (University of Toronto) and Dr. Sheila
      Singh (McMaster University). The keynote speakers of the 2014 AGM included Dr.
      Qutayba Hamid, who was presented with the Distinguished Scientist Award, Dr. Ravi
      Retnakaran, who was presented with the Joe Doupe Award, and Dr. Lorne Babiuk, who
      was the CSCI-RCPSC Henry Friesen Award winner. The highlight of the conference
      was, once again, the outstanding scientific presentations from the numerous
      clinician investigator (CI) trainees from across the country who presented at the
      Young Investigators' Forum. Their research topics spanned the diverse fields of
      science and medicine, ranging from basic science to cutting-edge translational
      research, and their work has been summarized in this review. Over 120 abstracts
      were presented at this year's meeting. This work was presented during two poster
      sessions, with the six most outstanding submitted abstracts presented in the form
      of oral presentations during the President's Forum.

PMID- 26278425
TI  - Rosuvastatin Lowers Systemic Inflammatory Response in Coronary Artery Bypass
      Graft Accompanied by Cardiopulmonary Bypass Surgery: A Randomized Controlled
      Study.
AB  - PURPOSE: Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is commonly associated with a systemic
      inflammatory response that may lead to severe complications. Classic signs of
      systemic inflammatory response syndrome are complement activation and changes in
      cytokine and acute phase reactant levels. The effects of rosuvastatin after CPB
      on interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), interleukin-18 (IL-18) and High
      Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP) levels were investigated. METHODS: Thirty
      seven male and thirteen female patients (total=50) aged 42 to 78 years, who had
      coronary bypass surgery due to coronary artery disease were randomly divided into
      two groups. The 25 patients in the control group were administered placebos. The
      25 in the treatment group were administered 20 mg rosuvastatin tablets daily
      between preoperative day 7 and postoperative day 28. Blood samples were taken at
      six time points; before induction of anesthesia (T1), during CPB (T2), five
      minutes after removal of cross clamp (T3), after protamine infusion (T4),
      postoperative day three (T5) and postoperative day 28 (T6). Data points were
      expressed as mean +/- standard deviation (SD). RESULTS: Rosuvastatin lowered IL-6
      levels at T4, T5 and T6 time points (T4, T5, T6 p < 0.05), and elevated IL-10
      levels at T3 and T4 (T3, T4 p < 0.05). IL-18 levels were also elevated at
      multiple time points. Rosuvastatin also lowered hs-CRP levels and cholesterol
      levels at T6 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Administering 20 mg/day of rosuvastatin
      between preoperative day 7 and postoperative day 28 may result in fewer
      complications in certain (especially intraoperative) cases of systemic
      inflammatory response caused by the CPB technique used in coronary bypass
      surgery.

PMID- 26278423
TI  - Antigen archiving by lymph node stroma: A novel function for the lymphatic
      endothelium.
AB  - Secondary lymphoid stroma performs far more functions than simple structural
      support for lymphoid tissues, providing a host of soluble and membrane-bound cues
      to trafficking leukocytes during inflammation and homeostasis. More recently it
      has become clear that stromal cells can manipulate T-cell responses, either
      through direct antigen-mediated stimulation of T cells or more indirectly through
      the retention and management of antigen after viral infection or vaccination. In
      light of recent data, this review provides an overview of stromal cell subsets
      and functions during the progression of an adaptive immune response with
      particular emphasis on antigen capture and retention by follicular dendritic
      cells as well as the recently described "antigen archiving" function of lymphatic
      endothelial cells (LECs). Given its impact on the maintenance of protective
      immune memory, we conclude by discussing the most pressing questions pertaining
      to LEC antigen capture, archiving and exchange with hematopoetically derived
      antigen-presenting cells. 

PMID- 26278426
TI  - The Effects of the Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor Enalapril and the
      Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blocker Losartan on Fracture Healing in Rats.
AB  - PURPOSE: Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) and type I angiotensin
      receptor blockers (ARB) have been shown to exert significant effects on bone
      tissue via a local renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAS). The aim of our
      study was to delineate their influences on fracture healing process. METHODS:
      Sixty adult male Wistar Albino rats were divided into three groups. After
      undergoing surgical femoral fracture and fixation, the ACEI group received 10
      mg/kg of Enalapril, the ARB group received 10 mg/kg of Losartan and the Control
      group did not receive any medication. Fracture healing was evaluated at second
      and fifth postoperative weeks by the Lane-Sandhu radiological staging system and
      by histological scoring system of Huoet al. ACE expression in fracture callus was
      studied by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Both ACEI and ARB groups showed less
      fibrous tissue in the fracture area at the second week, but the histologic score
      differences were significant only between Control and ARB groups. At the fifth
      week, however, both radiological and histological scores for the ACEI group were
      significantly higher than both ARB and Control groups, while the scores for ARB
      and Control groups were similar. The presence of ACE expression in fracture
      callus was also observed. CONCLUSION: ACEIs had significant positive effects on
      fracture repair. Losartan failed to display these stimulatory effects, which
      suggests that local RAS in bone tissue exerts its actions via alternative
      receptors or pathways than the AT1 receptor.

PMID- 26278427
TI  - Sensitivity and Specificity of Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging in
      Diagnosis of Bladder Cancers.
AB  - PURPOSE: Our study is designed to examine the diagnostic performance of diffusion
      weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) for bladder cancers (BC), and to
      determine whether DW-MRI can differentiate muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC)
      from non-MIBC (NMIBC). METHODS: A meta-analysis was performed of published
      studies that investigated the performance of DW-MRI for BC. These studies were
      retrieved from scientific literature databases using sensitive electronic search
      strategies. The STATA 12.0 and Meta-disc software were employed for statistical
      analyses of data extracted from selected studies. RESULTS: Our search initially
      returned 230 articles, of which 11 met the inclusion criteria and were enrolled
      into the final meta-analysis. Five of the included studies reported the
      diagnostic performance of DW-MRI for BC with a cumulative total of 243 BC
      patients and 82 healthy subjects. Eight studies investigated the diagnostic
      performance of DW-MRI for differentiating MIBC from NMIBC, involving 259 MIBC
      lesions and 515 NMIBC lesions. Meta-analysis results were as follows: the
      diagnostic performance of DW-MRI for BC (sensitivity: 0.95 [0.75-0.99];
      specificity: 0.85 [0.74-0.92]; positive likelihood ratio: 6.45 [3.64-11.42];
      negative likelihood ratio: 0.055 [0.009-0.333]; diagnostic odds ratio: 117.11
      [19.37-708.05]; area under the curve (AUC): 0.91); the diagnostic performance of
      DW-MRI to differentiate MIBC from NMIBC (sensitivity: 0.85 [0.76 - 0.91];
      specificity: 0.90 [0.87 - 0.93]; positive likelihood ratio:8.81[6.43 - 12.07];
      negative likelihood ratio: 0.16 [0.10 - 0.28]; diagnostic odds ratio: 53.95
      [25.68 - 113.33]; AUC: 0.92). CONCLUSION: DW-MRI has an outstanding diagnostic
      performance, with advanced sensitivity and specificity, for imaging of bladder
      cancers and for differentiating MIBC from NMIBC.

PMID- 26278429
TI  - Improving medication adherence in African-American women living with HIV/AIDS:
      Leveraging the provider role and peer involvement.
AB  - African-American women continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV-related
      morbidity and mortality. To address the burden of HIV/AIDS among this at-risk
      population, there is need to gain a better understanding of the factors that
      influence and affect their care-seeking behavior and specifically adherence to
      antiretroviral treatment. A preliminary qualitative study was conducted with a
      sample of the target population (n = 10) using grounded theory as the
      methodological approach. Similarly, 21 healthcare providers - physicians,
      pharmacists, nurses, and case managers - were then interviewed. A thematic
      analysis of the transcripts compared care-provider perceptions and narrated
      experiences with those from the patient participants. Themes related to patient
      care perceived to enhance medication adherence included (1) provider-patient
      relationship; (2) holistic and patient-centered care; (3) adequacy of patient
      education and counseling; (4) modeling adherence behavior; and (5) motivation.
      Two intervention strategies are proposed - Peer educators as an integral part of
      the care team and Patient Advisory Groups as a feedback mechanism to enhance
      effective delivery of patient care in the target population. This exploratory
      research lays a foundation for the design of targeted interventions to improve
      linkage to care and enhance medication adherence in African-American women living
      with HIV/AIDS.

PMID- 26278430
TI  - Chemometric analysis of multisensor hyperspectral images of precipitated
      atmospheric particulate matter.
AB  - The chemometric analysis of multisensor hyperspectral data allows a comprehensive
      image-based analysis of precipitated atmospheric particles. Atmospheric
      particulate matter was precipitated on aluminum foils and analyzed by Raman
      microspectroscopy and subsequently by electron microscopy and energy dispersive X
      ray spectroscopy. All obtained images were of the same spot of an area of 100 *
      100 MUm(2). The two hyperspectral data sets and the high-resolution scanning
      electron microscope images were fused into a combined multisensor hyperspectral
      data set. This multisensor data cube was analyzed using principal component
      analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis, k-means clustering, and vertex component
      analysis. The detailed chemometric analysis of the multisensor data allowed an
      extensive chemical interpretation of the precipitated particles, and their
      structure and composition led to a comprehensive understanding of atmospheric
      particulate matter. 

PMID- 26278431
TI  - Mapping the UV Photophysics of Platinum Metal Complexes Bound to Nucleobases:
      Laser Spectroscopy of Isolated Uracil.Pt(CN)4(2-) and Uracil.Pt(CN)6(2-)
      Complexes.
AB  - We report the first UV laser spectroscopic study of isolated gas-phase complexes
      of platinum metal complex anions bound to a nucleobase as model systems for
      exploring at the molecular level the key photophysical processes involved in
      photodynamic therapy. Spectra of the Pt(IV)(CN)6(2-).Ur and Pt(II)(CN)4(2-).Ur
      complexes were acquired across the 220-320 nm range using mass-selective
      photodepletion and photofragment action spectroscopy. The spectra of both
      complexes reveal prominent UV absorption bands (lambdamax = 4.90 and 4.70 eV)
      that we assign primarily to excitation of the Ur pi-pi* localized chromophore.
      Distinctive UV photofragmentation products are observed for the complexes, with
      Pt(IV)(CN)6(2-).Ur photoexcitation resulting in complex fission, while
      Pt(II)(CN)4(2-).Ur photoexcitation initiates a nucleobase proton-transfer
      reaction across 4.4-5.2 eV and electron detachment above 5.2 eV. The observed
      photofragments are consistent with ultrafast decay of a Ur localized excited
      state back to the electronic ground state followed by intramolecular vibrational
      relaxation and ergodic complex fragmentation. 

PMID- 26278432
TI  - Superatomic Orbitals under Spin-Orbit Coupling.
AB  - The Au25(SR)18(-) cluster has been the poster child of success in applying the
      superatom complex concept and remains the most studied system of all of the
      monolayer-protected metal clusters. In this Letter, we try to solve a mystery
      about this cluster: the low-temperature UV-vis absorption spectrum shows double
      peaks below 2.0 eV while simulation by scalar relativistic time-dependent density
      functional theory (TDDFT) shows only one peak in this region. Using a recently
      implemented two-component TDDFT, we show that spin-orbit coupling (SOC) leads to
      those two peaks by splitting the 1P superatomic HOMO orbitals. This work
      highlights the importance of SOC in understanding the electronic structure and
      optical absorption of thiolated gold nanoclusters, which has not been realized
      previously. 

PMID- 26278433
TI  - Toward Quantitative Measurements of Enzyme Kinetics by Dissolution Dynamic
      Nuclear Polarization.
AB  - Dissolution dynamic nuclear polarization (D-DNP) experiments enabled us to study
      the kinetics of the enzymatic phosphorylation reaction of glucose to form glucose
      6-phosphate (G6P) by hexokinase (HK), with or without the presence of an excess
      of G6P, which is known to be an inhibitor of the enzyme. Against all
      expectations, our observations demonstrate that the phosphorylation of both alpha
      and beta glucose anomers occurs with comparable kinetics. The catalytic constant
      of the reaction was estimated based on a simple kinetic model tailored for
      hyperpolarized systems. 

PMID- 26278434
TI  - Inelastic Scattering of NO by Kr: Rotational Polarization over a Rainbow.
AB  - We use molecular beams and ion imaging to determine quantum state resolved
      angular distributions of NO radicals after inelastic collision with Kr. We also
      determine both the sense and the plane of rotation (the rotational orientation
      and alignment, respectively) of the scattered NO. By full selection and then
      detection of the quantum parity of the NO molecule, our experiment is uniquely
      sensitive to quantum interference. For forward-scattered NO, we report hitherto
      unseen changes in the plane and sense of rotation with scattering angle and show,
      remarkably, that the rotation of the NO molecule after collision can be near
      maximally oriented for certain transitions and scattering angles. These effects
      are enhanced by the full parity selection in the experiment and result from the
      interplay between attractive and repulsive forces. 

PMID- 26278435
TI  - Comparison of Ag and SiO2 Nanoparticles for Light Trapping Applications in
      Silicon Thin Film Solar Cells.
AB  - Plasmonic and photonic light trapping structures can significantly improve the
      efficiency of solar cells. This work presents an experimental and computational
      comparison of identically shaped metallic (Ag) and nonmetallic (SiO2)
      nanoparticles integrated to the back contact of amorphous silicon solar cells.
      Our results show comparable performance for both samples, suggesting that minor
      influence arises from the nanoparticle material. Particularly, no additional
      beneficial effect of the plasmonic features due to metallic nanoparticles could
      be observed. 

PMID- 26278436
TI  - Correction to "Structural Evolution of Supercritical CO2 across the Frenkel
      Line".

PMID- 26278437
TI  - Monitoring the Phase Formation of Coevaporated Lead Halide Perovskite Thin Films
      by in Situ X-ray Diffraction.
AB  - Perovskite solar cells based on (CH3NH3)Pb(I,Cl)3 have recently demonstrated
      rapidly increasing cell efficiencies. Here, we show progress identifying phases
      present during the growth of (CH3NH3)Pb(I,Cl)3 perovskite thin films with the
      vacuum-based coevaporation approach using two sources under varying deposition
      conditions. With in situ X-ray diffraction, crystalline phases can be identified
      and monitored in real time. For different (CH3NH3)I-to-PbCl2 flux ratios, two
      distinct (CH3NH3)Pb(IxCl(1-x))3 phases with high (x > 0.95) and with lower (x <
      0.5) iodine content as well as a broad miscibility gap in-between were found.
      During post deposition annealing we observe recrystallization and preferential
      orientation effects and finally the decomposition of the perovskite film to PbI2
      at temperatures above 200  degrees C. 

PMID- 26278438
TI  - New Horizons for Conventional Lithium Ion Battery Technology.
AB  - Secondary lithium ion battery technology has made deliberate, incremental
      improvements over the past four decades, providing sufficient energy densities to
      sustain a significant mobile electronic device industry. Because current battery
      systems provide ~100-150 km of driving distance per charge, ~5-fold improvements
      are required to fully compete with internal combustion engines that provide >500
      km range per tank. Despite expected improvements, the authors believe that
      lithium ion batteries are unlikely to replace combustion engines in fully
      electric vehicles. However, high fidelity and safe Li ion batteries can be used
      in full EVs plus range extenders (e.g., metal air batteries, generators with ICE
      or gas turbines). This perspective article describes advanced materials and
      directions that can take this technology further in terms of energy density, and
      aims at delineating realistic horizons for the next generations of Li ion
      batteries. This article concentrates on Li intercalation and Li alloying
      electrodes, relevant to the term Li ion batteries. 

PMID- 26278439
TI  - Silicon Nanocrystals Functionalized with Pyrene Units: Efficient Light-Harvesting
      Antennae with Bright Near-Infrared Emission.
AB  - Pyrene chromophores were attached to silicon nanocrystals (SiNCs) with diameters
      of 2.6 and 5.0 nm to provide light-harvesting antennae for enhanced optical
      absorption. Efficient energy transfer from the pyrene moieties to the SiNCs was
      observed to induce bright visible (2.6 nm) or near-infrared (NIR) (5.0 nm)
      photoluminescence (PL). The 5.0 nm diameter pyrene-derivatized SiNCs exhibited
      NIR PL emission that was insensitive to dioxygen, with a 40% quantum yield and
      long lifetime (hundreds of MUs). 

PMID- 26278440
TI  - On the Solar to Hydrogen Conversion Efficiency of Photoelectrodes for Water
      Splitting.

PMID- 26278441
TI  - Direct Observation of Ferroelectric Domains in Solution-Processed CH3NH3PbI3
      Perovskite Thin Films.
AB  - A new generation of solid-state photovoltaics is being made possible by the use
      of organometal-trihalide perovskite materials. While some of these materials are
      expected to be ferroelectric, almost nothing is known about their ferroelectric
      properties experimentally. Using piezoforce microscopy (PFM), here we show
      unambiguously, for the first time, the presence of ferroelectric domains in high
      quality beta-CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite thin films that have been synthesized using a
      new solution-processing method. The size of the ferroelectric domains is found to
      be about the size of the grains (~100 nm). We also present evidence for the
      reversible switching of the ferroelectric domains by poling with DC biases. This
      suggests the importance of further PFM investigations into the local
      ferroelectric behavior of hybrid perovskites, in particular in situ photoeffects.
      Such investigations could contribute toward the basic understanding of
      photovoltaic mechanisms in perovskite-based solar cells, which is essential for
      the further enhancement of the performance of these promising photovoltaics. 

PMID- 26278442
TI  - Monitoring Cocrystal Formation via In Situ Solid-State NMR.
AB  - A detailed understanding of the mechanism of organic cocrystal formation remains
      elusive. Techniques that interrogate a reacting system in situ are preferred,
      though experimentally challenging. We report here the results of a solid-state in
      situ NMR study of the spontaneous formation of a cocrystal between a
      pharmaceutical mimic (caffeine) and a coformer (malonic acid). Using (13)C magic
      angle spinning NMR, we show that the formation of the cocrystal may be tracked in
      real time. We find no direct evidence for a short-lived, chemical shift-resolved
      amorphous solid intermediate. However, changes in the line width and line center
      of the malonic acid methylene resonance, in the course of the reaction, provide
      subtle clues to the mode of mass transfer that underlies cocrystal formation. 

PMID- 26278443
TI  - Maximizing Singlet Fission by Intermolecular Packing.
AB  - A novel nonadiabatic molecular dynamics scheme is applied to study the singlet
      fission (SF) process in pentacene dimers as a function of longitudinal and
      lateral displacements of the molecular backbones. Detailed two-dimensional
      mappings of both instantaneous and long-term triplet yields are obtained,
      characterizing the advantageous and unfavorable stacking arrangements, which can
      be achieved by chemical substitutions to the bare pentacene molecule. We show
      that the SF rate can be increased by more than an order of magnitude through
      tuning the intermolecular packing, most notably when going from cofacial to the
      slipped stacked arrangements encountered in some pentacene derivatives. The
      simulations indicate that the SF process is driven by thermal electron-phonon
      fluctuations at ambient and high temperatures, expected in solar cell
      applications. Although charge-transfer states are key to construct continuous
      channels for SF, a large charge-transfer character of the photoexcited state is
      found to be not essential for efficient SF. The reported time domain study mimics
      directly numerous laser experiments and provides novel guidelines for designing
      efficient photovoltaic systems exploiting the SF process with optimum
      intermolecular packing. 

PMID- 26278444
TI  - Maximum Theoretical Efficiency Limit of Photovoltaic Devices: Effect of Band
      Structure on Excited State Entropy.
AB  - The Shockley-Queisser analysis provides a theoretical limit for the maximum
      energy conversion efficiency of single junction photovoltaic cells. But besides
      the semiconductor bandgap no other semiconductor properties are considered in the
      analysis. Here, we show that the maximum conversion efficiency is limited further
      by the excited state entropy of the semiconductors. The entropy loss can be
      estimated with the modified Sackur-Tetrode equation as a function of the
      curvature of the bands, the degeneracy of states near the band edges, the
      illumination intensity, the temperature, and the band gap. The application of the
      second law of thermodynamics to semiconductors provides a simple explanation for
      the observed high performance of group IV, III-V, and II-VI materials with strong
      covalent bonding and for the lower efficiency of transition metal oxides
      containing weakly interacting metal d orbitals. The model also predicts efficient
      energy conversion with quantum confined and molecular structures in the presence
      of a light harvesting mechanism. 

PMID- 26278445
TI  - Wobbling and Hopping: Studying Dynamics of CO2 Adsorbed in Metal-Organic
      Frameworks via (17)O Solid-State NMR.
AB  - Knowledge of adsorbed gas dynamics within microporous solids is crucial for the
      design of more efficient gas capture materials. We demonstrate that (17)O solid
      state NMR (SSNMR) experiments allow one to obtain accurate information on CO2
      dynamics within metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), using CPO-27-M (M = Mg, Zn) as
      examples. Variable-temperature (VT) (17)O SSNMR spectra acquired from 150 to 403
      K yield key parameters defining the CO2 motions. VT (17)O SSNMR spectra of CPO-27
      Zn indicate relatively weaker metal-oxygen binding and increased CO2 dynamics.
      (17)O SSNMR is a sensitive probe of CO2 dynamics due to the presence of both the
      quadrupolar and chemical shielding interactions, and holds potential for the
      investigation of motions within a variety of microporous materials. 

PMID- 26278446
TI  - Broad-Band DREAM Recoupling Sequence.
AB  - We describe a more broad-banded version of the DREAM double-quantum dipolar
      recoupling sequence, which is devised by superimposing a phase-alternating RF
      irradiation scheme, that is, XiX pulses, on top of the original DREAM sequence.
      We call this sequence XiX(CW) DREAM. The recoupling conditions and the
      corresponding first-order effective Hamiltonian are analyzed using triple-mode
      Floquet theory. The performance of the XiX(CW) DREAM sequence is compared to the
      original DREAM sequence by numerical simulations and experiments on small model
      substances and the model protein ubiquitin. The results confirm that XiX(CW)
      DREAM shows a wider recoupling bandwidth compared to that of DREAM, therefore
      making the choice for the position of the carrier frequency less critical. 

PMID- 26278447
TI  - Vibrational Energy Relaxation of Thiocyanate Ions in Liquid-to-Supercritical
      Light and Heavy Water. A Fermi's Golden Rule Analysis.
AB  - The vibrational relaxation dynamics following an ultrafast nitrile stretching
      (nu3) excitation of thiocyanate anions dissolved in light and heavy water have
      been studied over a wide temperature and density range corresponding to the
      aqueous liquid up to the supercritical phase. In both solvents, the relaxation of
      the nu3 = 1 state of the anion leads to a direct recovery of the vibrational
      ground state and involves the resonant transfer of the excess vibrational energy
      onto the solvent. In light water, the energy-accepting states are provided by the
      bending-librational combination band (nub + nuL), while in heavy water, the
      relaxation is thermally assisted by virtual acceptor states derived from the
      stretching-librational/restricted translational hot band (nuS - nuL,T). The
      relaxation rate is found to strictly obey Fermi's Golden Rule when the density of
      resonant solvent states is estimated from the linear infrared spectra of the
      solute and the pure solvents. 

PMID- 26278448
TI  - Hydrogen Dissociation, Spillover, and Desorption from Cu-Supported Co
      Nanoparticles.
AB  - Co-Cu nanoparticles have recently been explored for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis
      (FTS) as a way to combine the long chain selectivity of Co with Cu's activity for
      alcohol formation in order to synthesize oxygenated transportation fuels.
      Depending on particle size, hydrogen dissociation can be a rate-determining step
      in cobalt-catalyzed FTS. To understand the fundamentals of uptake and release of
      hydrogen from the Co/Cu bimetallic system, we prepared well-defined Co
      nanoparticles on Cu(111). We demonstrate that hydrogen spills over from
      dissociation sites on the Co nanoparticles to the Cu(111) surface via the Co-Cu
      interface and that desorption of H occurs at a temperature that is lower than
      from Co or Cu alone, which we attribute to the Co-Cu interface sites. From this
      data, we have constructed an energy landscape for the facile dissociation,
      spillover, and desorption of hydrogen on the Co-Cu bimetallic system. 

PMID- 26278449
TI  - Ultrafast Photoinduced Electron Transfer in a pi-Conjugated Oligomer/Porphyrin
      Complex.
AB  - Controlling charge transfer (CT), charge separation (CS), and charge
      recombination (CR) at the donor-acceptor interface is extremely important to
      optimize the conversion efficiency in solar cell devices. In general, ultrafast
      CT and slow CR are desirable for optimal device performance. In this Letter, the
      ultrafast excited-state CT between platinum oligomer (DPP-Pt(acac)) as a new
      electron donor and porphyrin as an electron acceptor is monitored for the first
      time using femtosecond (fs) transient absorption (TA) spectroscopy with broad
      band capability and 120 fs temporal resolution. Turning the CT on/off has been
      shown to be possible either by switching from an organometallic oligomer to a
      metal-free oligomer or by controlling the charge density on the nitrogen atom of
      the porphyrin meso unit. Our time-resolved data show that the CT and CS between
      DPP-Pt(acac) and cationic porphyrin are ultrafast (approximately 1.5 ps), and the
      CR is slow (ns time scale), as inferred from the formation and the decay of the
      cationic and anionic species. We also found that the metallic center in the DPP
      Pt(acac) oligomer and the positive charge on the porphyrin are the keys to
      switching on/off the ultrafast CT process. 

PMID- 26278450
TI  - Introducing Article Transfer from Letters to Regular Articles.

PMID- 26278451
TI  - Evidence for the Formation of Pyrimidine Cations from the Sequential Reactions of
      Hydrogen Cyanide with the Acetylene Radical Cation.
AB  - Herein, we report the first direct evidence for the formation of pyrimidine ion
      isomers by sequential reactions of HCN with the acetylene radical cation in the
      gas phase at ambient temperature using the mass-selected variable temperature and
      pressure ion mobility technique. The formation and structures of the pyrimidine
      ion isomers are theoretically predicted via coupled cluster and density
      functional theory calculations. This ion-molecule synthesis may indicate that
      pyrimidine is produced in the gas phase in space environments before being
      incorporated into condensed-phase ices and transformed into nucleic acid bases
      such as uracil. 

PMID- 26278452
TI  - X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy of Isolated Nanoparticles.
AB  - X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is a very efficient and still progressing
      surface analysis technique. However, when applied to nano-objects, this technique
      faces drawbacks due to interactions with the substrate and sample charging
      effects. We present a new experimental approach to XPS based on coupling soft X
      ray synchrotron radiation with an in-vacuum beam of free nanoparticles, focused
      by an aerodynamic lens system. The structure of the Si/SiO2 interface was probed
      without any substrate interaction or charging effects for silicon nanocrystals
      previously oxidized in ambient air. Complete characterization of the surface was
      obtained. The Si 2p core level spectrum reveals a nonabrupt interface. 

PMID- 26278453
TI  - Infrared Pump-Probe Study of Nanoconfined Water Structure in Reverse Micelle.
AB  - The influence of nanoconfinement on water structure is studied with time- and
      frequency-resolved vibrational spectroscopy of hydrazoic acid (HN3) encapsulated
      in reverse micelle. The azido stretch mode of HN3 is found to be a promising
      infrared probe for studying the structure and local hydrogen-bond environment of
      confined and interfacial water in reverse micelle due to its narrow spectral
      bandwidth and large transition dipole moment. The results show a clear separation
      between the core and shell spectral components, making it advantageous over the
      previously studied infrared probes. The measured vibrational lifetimes appear to
      be substantially different for the interfacial and bulk-like environments but
      show no remarkable size dependency, which indicates that water structures around
      this IR probe are distinctively different in the core and shell regions. The
      influence of local hydrogen bond network in the first and higher solvation shells
      on the vibrational dynamics of HN3 is further discussed. 

PMID- 26278454
TI  - Theoretical Model of Oxidative Adsorption of Water on a Highly Reduced
      Reconstructed Oxide Surface.
AB  - Highly reduced surface reconstructions of BaTiO3 (001) have been found to be
      composed of a TiO2 surface covered with Ti adatoms occupying surface interstitial
      sites. We predict the reactivity of these highly oxophilic and reduced surface Ti
      species through density functional theory, where we calculate the adsorption of
      H2O on the (?5 * ?5)R26.6 degrees  TiO2-Ti3/5 reconstruction. H2O serves as the
      primary O source and oxidizing agent. We demonstrate that H2O oxidizes some of
      the Ti adatoms, shifting their occupied 3d states to the surface conduction band
      edge. We find that, due to the high concentration of reduced Ti species on the
      surface, a dissociative adsorption of water on the reconstructed surface can also
      lead to the formation of surface hydrides, which serve as a precursor for H2
      evolution. This suggests that the reconstructed surface may be an attractive
      single-phase hydrogen evolution catalyst. 

PMID- 26278455
TI  - Exploding Nitromethane in Silico, in Real Time.
AB  - Nitromethane (NM) is widely applied in chemical technology as a solvent for
      extraction, cleaning, and chemical synthesis. NM was considered safe for a long
      time, until a railroad tanker car exploded in 1958. We investigate the detonation
      kinetics and explosion reaction mechanisms in a variety of systems consisting of
      NM, molecular oxygen, and water vapor. Reactive molecular dynamics allows us to
      simulate reactions in time-domain, as they occur in real life. High polarity of
      the NM molecule is shown to play a key role, driving the first exothermic step of
      the reaction. Rapid temperature and pressure growth stimulate the subsequent
      reaction steps. Oxygen is important for faster oxidation, whereas its optimal
      concentration is in agreement with the proposed reaction mechanism. Addition of
      water (50 mol %) inhibits detonation; however, water does not prevent detonation
      entirely. The reported results provide important insights for improving
      applications of NM and preserving the safety of industrial processes. 

PMID- 26278456
TI  - Highly Efficient Polarization of Spin-1/2 Insensitive NMR Nuclei by Adiabatic
      Passage through Level Anticrossings.
AB  - A method is proposed to transfer spin order from para-hydrogen, that is, the H2
      molecule in its singlet state, to spin-1/2 heteronuclei of a substrate molecule.
      The method is based on adiabatic passage through nuclear spin level anticrossings
      (LACs) in the doubly rotating frame of reference; the LAC conditions are
      fulfilled by applying resonant RF excitation at the NMR frequencies of protons
      and the heteronuclei. Efficient conversion of the para-hydrogen-induced
      polarization into net polarization of the heteronuclei is demonstrated; the
      achieved signal enhancements are about 6400 for (13)C nuclei at natural
      abundance. The theory behind the technique is described; advantages of the method
      are discussed in detail. 

PMID- 26278457
TI  - Influence of Molecular Shape on Solid-State Packing in Disordered PC61BM and
      PC71BM Fullerenes.
AB  - Molecular and polymer packings in pure and mixed domains and at interfacial
      regions play an important role in the photoconversion processes occurring within
      bulk heterojunction organic solar cells (OSCs). Here, molecular dynamics
      simulations are used to investigate molecular packing in disordered (amorphous)
      phenyl-C70-butyric acid-methyl ester (PC71BM) and its C60 analogue (PC61BM), the
      two most widely used molecular-based electron-accepting materials in OSCs. The
      more ellipsoidal character of PC71BM leads to different molecular packings and
      phase transitions when compared to the more spherical PC61BM. Though electronic
      structure calculations indicate that the average intermolecular electronic
      couplings are comparable for the two systems, the electronic couplings as a
      function of orientation reveal important variations. Overall, this work
      highlights a series of intrinsic differences between PC71BM and PC61BM that
      should be considered for a detailed interpretation and modeling of the
      photoconversion process in OSCs where these materials are used. 

PMID- 26278458
TI  - Correction to "Parameters Affecting I-V Hysteresis of CH3NH3PbI3 Perovskite Solar
      Cells: Effects of Perovskite Crystal Size and Mesoporous TiO2 Layer".

PMID- 26278459
TI  - Correction to "On Universality in Sputtering Yields Due to Cluster Bombardment".

PMID- 26278460
TI  - Polydopamine Films from the Forgotten Air/Water Interface.
AB  - The formation of polydopamine under mild oxidation conditions from dopamine
      solutions with mechanical agitation leads to the formation of films that can
      functionalize all kinds of materials. In the absence of stirring of the solution,
      we report the formation of polydopamine films at the air/water interface (PDA
      A/W) and suggest that it arises from an homogeneous nucleation process. These
      films grow two times faster than in solution and can be deposited on hydrophilic
      or hydrophobic substrates by the Langmuir-Schaeffer technique. Thanks to this new
      method, porous and hydrophobic materials like polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)
      membranes can be completely covered with a 35 nm thick PDA A/W film after only 3h
      of reaction. Finally the oxidation of a monomer followed by a polymerization in
      water is not exclusive to polydopamine since we also transferred polyaniline
      functional films from the air/water interface to solid substrates. These findings
      suggest that self-assembly from a solution containing hydrophilic monomers
      undergoing a chemical transformation (here oxidation and oligomerization) could
      be a general method to produce films at the liquid/air interface. 

PMID- 26278461
TI  - Dimerization Induced Deprotonation of Water on RuO2(110).
AB  - RuO2 has proven to be indispensable as a co-catalyst in numerous systems designed
      for photocatalytic water splitting. In this study, we have carried out a detailed
      mechanistic study of water behavior on the most stable RuO2 face, RuO2(110), by
      employing variable-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy and density
      functional theory calculations. We show that water monomers adsorb molecularly on
      Ru sites, become mobile above 238 K, diffuse along the Ru rows, and form water
      dimers. The onset for dimer diffusion is observed at ~277 K, indicating a
      significantly higher diffusion barrier than that for monomers. More importantly,
      we find that water dimers deprotonate readily to form Ru-bound H3O2 and bridging
      OH species. The observed behavior is compared and contrasted with that observed
      for water on isostructural rutile TiO2(110). 

PMID- 26278463
TI  - Risk for Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Young Adults Born Preterm.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is considered the hepatic
      manifestation of metabolic syndrome. Accelerated catch-up in weight during
      infancy in subjects born at full term has been associated with increased risk for
      NAFLD in adulthood, but this association has not been studied in subjects born
      preterm. METHODS: In 162 young adults born at a gestational age <36 weeks, we
      assessed the associations between fatty liver index (FLI, 0-100) and birth weight
      standard deviation score and first-year weight gain. We performed comparisons
      between subjects with and without accelerated catch-up in weight in the first
      year after term age. An FLI score was assigned to each participant to determine
      the clinical relevance, and regression analyses were performed. RESULTS:
      Accelerated weight gain in the first 3 months after term age was associated with
      FLI as a continuous variable, whereas gestational age and low birth weight were
      not. Of the subjects with accelerated catch-up in weight-for-length after term
      age, 7.3% had a high FLI at the age of 21 years, whereas none of the subjects
      without accelerated catch-up in weight had a high FLI. CONCLUSION: Our study
      shows that accelerated weight gain after term age is associated with an increased
      risk of developing NAFLD in young adults born preterm.

PMID- 26278462
TI  - Novel Therapeutic Options for the Treatment of Mineral Metabolism Abnormalities
      in End Stage Renal Disease.
AB  - Abnormalities in mineral metabolism are a universal complication in dialysis
      patients and are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and
      mortality. Hyperphosphatemia, increased fibroblast growth factor 23 levels and
      secondary hyperparathyroidism are all strongly associated with adverse outcomes
      in end stage renal disease (ESRD) and most treatment strategies target these
      parameters. Over the past few years, new therapies have emerged for the treatment
      of abnormalities of mineral metabolism in ESRD and many are promising. This
      article will review these new therapeutic options including the potential
      advantages and disadvantages compared to existing therapies. 

PMID- 26278464
TI  - Association of gastrointestinal events and osteoporosis treatment initiation in
      newly diagnosed osteoporotic Israeli women.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The objective was to examine the association of gastrointestinal (GI)
      events and osteoporosis treatment initiation patterns among postmenopausal women
      following an osteoporosis diagnosis from an Israeli health plan. METHODS: This
      retrospective analysis of claims records included women aged >= 55 years with >=
      1 osteoporosis diagnosis (date of first diagnosis was index date). Osteoporosis
      treatment initiation was defined as use of osteoporosis therapy (oral
      bisphosphonates or other) during 12 months postindex. GI events (diagnosis of GI
      conditions) were reported for 12 months preindex and postindex (from index to
      treatment initiation or 1 year postindex, whichever occurred first). The
      association of postindex GI events (yes/no) with the initiation of osteoporosis
      treatment (yes/no) and with type of therapy initiated (oral bisphosphonate vs.
      other) were examined with logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard
      regression (as sensitivity analysis). RESULTS: Among 30,788 eligible patients,
      17.5% had preindex GI events and 13.0% had postindex GI events. About 70.6% of
      patients received no osteoporosis therapy within 1 year of diagnosis, 24.9%
      received oral bisphosphonates and 4.5% received other medications. Postindex GI
      events were associated with lower odds of osteoporosis medication initiation (85
      86% reduced likelihood; p < 0.01). Upon treatment initiation, postindex GI was
      not significantly associated with the type of osteoporosis therapy initiated,
      controlling for baseline GI events and patient characteristics. CONCLUSIONS:
      Among newly diagnosed osteoporotic women from a large Israeli health plan, 70.6%
      did not receive osteoporosis treatment within 1 year of diagnosis. The presence
      of GI events was associated with reduced likelihood of osteoporosis treatment
      initiation.

PMID- 26278465
TI  - Crystal structure of 3-acetyl-4H-chromen-4-one.
AB  - In the title compound, C11H8O3, the fused-ring system is almost planar (r.m.s.
      deviation = 0.020 A), with the largest deviation from the least-squares plane
      [0.0462 (17) A] being for a pyran C atom. The dihedral angle between the plane of
      the fused-ring system and acetyl plane is 5.149 (16) degrees . In the crystal,
      the fused rings are linked by aromatic pi-pi stacking inter-actions [centroid
      centroid distance between the benzene and pyran rings = 3.643 (6) A] and C-H?O
      hydrogen bonds, generating a three-dimensional network. 

PMID- 26278466
TI  - Machine Learning methods for Quantitative Radiomic Biomarkers.
AB  - Radiomics extracts and mines large number of medical imaging features quantifying
      tumor phenotypic characteristics. Highly accurate and reliable machine-learning
      approaches can drive the success of radiomic applications in clinical care. In
      this radiomic study, fourteen feature selection methods and twelve classification
      methods were examined in terms of their performance and stability for predicting
      overall survival. A total of 440 radiomic features were extracted from pre
      treatment computed tomography (CT) images of 464 lung cancer patients. To ensure
      the unbiased evaluation of different machine-learning methods, publicly available
      implementations along with reported parameter configurations were used.
      Furthermore, we used two independent radiomic cohorts for training (n = 310
      patients) and validation (n = 154 patients). We identified that Wilcoxon test
      based feature selection method WLCX (stability = 0.84 +/- 0.05, AUC = 0.65 +/-
      0.02) and a classification method random forest RF (RSD = 3.52%, AUC = 0.66 +/-
      0.03) had highest prognostic performance with high stability against data
      perturbation. Our variability analysis indicated that the choice of
      classification method is the most dominant source of performance variation
      (34.21% of total variance). Identification of optimal machine-learning methods
      for radiomic applications is a crucial step towards stable and clinically
      relevant radiomic biomarkers, providing a non-invasive way of quantifying and
      monitoring tumor-phenotypic characteristics in clinical practice.

PMID- 26278467
TI  - Deviant patterns of methylphenidate use in adults: a Danish nationwide registry
      based drug utilization study.
AB  - PURPOSE: Several survey studies have documented misuse of methylphenidate defined
      as the use of non-prescribed methylphenidate or use different from what was
      prescribed. We aimed to identify and characterize adults with deviant patterns of
      methylphenidate use in Denmark during 2007-2012. Further, we aimed to identify
      risk factors associated with deviant patterns of use. METHODS: Based on
      individual-level prescription data, new users of methylphenidate were followed
      for one year after filling their first prescription on methylphenidate. Adult
      patients were identified with deviant patterns of use if they had >=4 different
      prescribers and filled >=1095 defined daily doses of methylphenidate during the
      year of follow-up. Risk factors were estimated by using logistic regression.
      RESULTS: Among 20 829 new users of methylphenidate, we identified 82 (0.39%)
      patients displaying deviant patterns of use. Characteristics associated with
      deviant patterns of use included an initial prescription for extended-release
      methylphenidate (OR2 4.35), age 25-49 years at first prescription (OR2 2.49),
      general practitioners or hospital doctors as initial prescribers (OR2 3.06 and
      OR2 4.07) and prior use of drugs used in addictive disorders (OR2 2.08) or
      opioids (OR2 1.75). Sensitivity analyses revealed that the number of different
      prescribers alone does not seem to effectively identify deviant users of
      methylphenidate. CONCLUSION: We have identified characteristics associated with
      deviant patterns of methylphenidate use. Our results do not allow us to conclude
      if deviant users truly represent medical misusers.

PMID- 26278468
TI  - Synthesis of cubic ZnS microspheres exhibiting broad visible emission for
      bioimaging applications.
AB  - Biocompatible ZnS microspheres with an average diameter of 3.85 um were grown by
      solvo-hydrothermal (S-H) method using water-acetonitrile-ethylenediamine (EDA)
      solution combination. ZnS microspheres were characterized by X-ray diffraction
      (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron
      microscopy (HRTEM), Fourier transform (FT)-Raman spectroscopy and Fourier
      transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques. The broad photoluminescence
      (PL) emissions from 380-580 nm that were seen from the ZnS microspheres
      attributed to the increase in carrier concentration, as understood from the
      observed intense Raman band at 257 cm(-1). Cytotoxicity and haemocompatibility
      investigations of these ZnS microspheres revealed its biocompatibility. ZnS
      microspheres, along with biological cell lines, were giving visible light
      emission and could be used for bioimaging applications.

PMID- 26278470
TI  - Inference-Based Approach versus Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in the Treatment of
      Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder with Poor Insight: A 24-Session Randomized
      Controlled Trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) with poor insight has severe
      consequences for patients; nonetheless, no randomized controlled trial has ever
      been performed to evaluate the effectiveness of any treatment specifically for
      poor-insight OCD. A new psychotherapy for OCD, the inference-based approach
      (IBA), targets insight in OCD by strengthening normal sensory-driven reality
      testing. The goal of the present study is to compare the effectiveness of this
      new treatment to the effectiveness of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for
      patients with OCD with poor insight. METHOD: A randomized controlled trial was
      conducted, in which 90 patients with OCD with poor insight received either 24 CBT
      sessions or 24 IBA sessions. The primary outcome measure was the Yale-Brown
      Obsessive Compulsive Scale (YBOCS). Secondary outcome measures were level of
      insight, anxiety and depressive symptoms, and quality of life. Mixed-effects
      models were used to determine the treatment effect. RESULTS: In both conditions,
      a significant OCD symptom reduction was reached, but no condition effects were
      established. Post hoc, in a small subgroup of patients with the worst insight (n
      = 23), it was found that the patients treated with the IBA reached a
      significantly higher OCD symptom reduction than the patients treated with CBT
      [estimated marginal mean = -7.77, t(219.45) = -2.4, p = 0.017]. CONCLUSION:
      Patients with OCD with poor insight improve significantly after psychological
      treatment. The results of this study suggest that both CBT and the IBA are
      effective treatments for OCD with poor insight. The IBA might be more promising
      than CBT for patients with more extreme poor insight.

PMID- 26278469
TI  - Sperm navigation along helical paths in 3D chemoattractant landscapes.
AB  - Sperm require a sense of direction to locate the egg for fertilization. They
      follow gradients of chemical and physical cues provided by the egg or the
      oviduct. However, the principles underlying three-dimensional (3D) navigation in
      chemical landscapes are unknown. Here using holographic microscopy and
      optochemical techniques, we track sea urchin sperm navigating in 3D
      chemoattractant gradients. Sperm sense gradients on two timescales, which
      produces two different steering responses. A periodic component, resulting from
      the helical swimming, gradually aligns the helix towards the gradient. When
      incremental path corrections fail and sperm get off course, a sharp turning
      manoeuvre puts sperm back on track. Turning results from an 'off' Ca(2+) response
      signifying a chemoattractant stimulation decrease and, thereby, a drop in cyclic
      GMP concentration and membrane voltage. These findings highlight the
      computational sophistication by which sperm sample gradients for deterministic
      klinotaxis. We provide a conceptual and technical framework for studying
      microswimmers in 3D chemical landscapes. 

PMID- 26278471
TI  - Review of human hand microbiome research.
AB  - Recent advances have increased our understanding of the human microbiome,
      including the skin microbiome. Despite the importance of the hands as a vector
      for infection transmission, there have been no comprehensive reviews of recent
      advances in hand microbiome research or overviews of the factors that influence
      the composition of the hand microbiome. A comprehensive and systematic database
      search was conducted for skin microbiome-related articles published from January
      1, 2008 to April 1, 2015. Only primary research articles that used culture
      independent, whole community analysis methods to study the healthy hand skin
      microbiome were included. Eighteen articles were identified containing hand
      microbiome data. Most focused on bacteria, with relatively little reported on
      fungi, viruses, and protozoa. Bacteria from four phyla were found across all
      studies of the hand microbiome (most to least relative abundance): Firmicutes,
      Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes. Key factors that impacted the hand
      microbiome composition included temporal and biogeographical dynamics, as well as
      intrinsic (age, gender) and extrinsic (product use, cohabitants, pet-ownership)
      variables. There was more temporal variability in the composition of the hand
      microbiome than in other body sites, making identification of the "normal"
      microbiome of the hands challenging. The microbiome of the hands is in constant
      flux as the hands are a critical vector for transmitting microorganisms between
      people, pets, inanimate objects and our environments. Future studies need to
      resolve methodological influences on results, and further investigate factors
      which alter the hand microbiome including the impact of products applied to
      hands. Increased understanding of the hand microbiome and the skin microbiome in
      general, will open the door to product development for disease prevention and
      treatment, and may lead to other applications, including novel diagnostic and
      forensic approaches. 

PMID- 26278473
TI  - Awareness of rabies prevention and control measures among public health workers
      in Northern Vietnam.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To assess and compare rabies related knowledge and awareness of
      public health workers at provincial and district levels in the seven provinces
      with the highest number of deaths from human rabies in northern Vietnam. STUDY
      DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. METHOD: A survey was administered to a
      convenience sample of public health workers attending four workshops on rabies
      disease, control and prevention between 16 October and 21 November, 2012. Total
      knowledge scores (maximum 38 points) were categorized into: 'high' (>30 points)
      'moderate' (21-30) and 'low' (<21). The Chi-square test was used to evaluate the
      statistical significance of the differences in responses between the respondents.
      RESULTS: Of the 105 public health workers attending the workshops: 57% were male;
      76% worked at the district level compared with 24% who worked at provincial
      level; and 45% had worked in rabies control for <1 year compared with 11% who had
      worked in rabies control for >5 years. Overall knowledge was patchy and ranked as
      'moderate'. Important gaps in knowledge were identified particularly in relation
      to indications for rabies vaccine and rabies immunoglobulin, and routes of
      exposure to rabies virus. One in ten respondents did not know that rabies virus
      could be transmitted by the bite of an infected animal. When examining the
      overall mean knowledge scores, marginally significant differences were
      identified. The average scores for district level health workers (DLHW) and
      provincial level health workers (PLHW) were 28 +/- 3 and 29 +/- 3 points
      respectively (p = 0.098), which fell within the study definition of 'moderate'
      knowledge. In contrast, when 'high' knowledge scores were compared, a
      significantly greater proportion of PLHW achieved >30 points compared to DLHW
      (44.0% vs 22.5%, p = 0.044). CONCLUSIONS: Important gaps in knowledge and
      awareness of public health workers were identified particularly in relation to
      routes of exposure to rabies virus and indications for rabies vaccine and rabies
      immunoglobulin. Overall, comparison of knowledge scores revealed significant
      differences between district and provincial public health workers. The results
      obtained suggest that in order for rabies control programmes to succeed public
      health workers at all levels need to have accurate and evidence-based knowledge.
      This may be facilitated by improving the quantity and quality of their training
      and education.

PMID- 26278472
TI  - Predicting lncRNA-disease associations and constructing lncRNA functional
      similarity network based on the information of miRNA.
AB  - Accumulating experimental studies have indicated that lncRNAs play important
      roles in various critical biological process and their alterations and
      dysregulations have been associated with many important complex diseases.
      Developing effective computational models to predict potential disease-lncRNA
      association could benefit not only the understanding of disease mechanism at
      lncRNA level, but also the detection of disease biomarkers for disease diagnosis,
      treatment, prognosis and prevention. However, known experimentally confirmed
      disease-lncRNA associations are still very limited. In this study, a novel model
      of HyperGeometric distribution for LncRNA-Disease Association inference (HGLDA)
      was developed to predict lncRNA-disease associations by integrating miRNA-disease
      associations and lncRNA-miRNA interactions. Although HGLDA didn't rely on any
      known disease-lncRNA associations, it still obtained an AUC of 0.7621 in the
      leave-one-out cross validation. Furthermore, 19 predicted associations for breast
      cancer, lung cancer, and colorectal cancer were verified by biological
      experimental studies. Furthermore, the model of LncRNA Functional Similarity
      Calculation based on the information of MiRNA (LFSCM) was developed to calculate
      lncRNA functional similarity on a large scale by integrating disease semantic
      similarity, miRNA-disease associations, and miRNA-lncRNA interactions. It is
      anticipated that HGLDA and LFSCM could be effective biological tools for
      biomedical research. 

PMID- 26278474
TI  - Partnerships for community resilience: perspectives from the Los Angeles County
      Community Disaster Resilience project.

PMID- 26278475
TI  - Effects of three interventions and determinants of full vaccination among
      children aged 12-59 months in Nyanza province, Kenya.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to describe the effects of the three
      main interventions and identify the individual and community determinants of full
      vaccination coverage among children aged 12-59 months in Nyanza province, Kenya.
      STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: We utilized three datasets. One is
      the Nyanza Province County-based Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2011. The
      other two datasets are the lists of community units and health facilities in
      Nyanza Province, Kenya. A three-level multilevel logistic regression analysis was
      performed. RESULTS: In the final model, the highest wealth quintile (AOR: 2.49;
      95% CI: 1.333-4.642; P = 0.004), the community with high coverage of media
      devices (AOR: 1.50; 95% CI: 1.029-2.198; P = 0.035), the participation of mass
      immunization campaigns (AOR: 1.63; 95% CI: 1.153-2.303; P = 0.006) were the
      significant determinants of complete child vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: In
      conclusion, further implementation of mass immunization campaigns is the
      recommended intervention to increase the uptake of required vaccinations among
      children. In addition, further attention to the poor and the low coverage of
      media devices is necessary, since they are the most vulnerable population in
      terms of accessibility of vaccination services. Implementation community based
      activity, such as community health workers, would have a positive impact on
      vaccination coverage, if their performance is continuously high.

PMID- 26278477
TI  - Prevalence and covariates of food insecurity among residents of single-room
      occupancy housing in Chicago, IL, USA.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Emerging evidence suggests that food insecurity is a significant
      public health concern among people who are homeless or marginally housed. The
      present study assessed prevalence of food insecurity and its covariates among a
      group of marginally housed individuals living in single-room occupancy (SRO)
      dwellings, a population for which there is little extant health or nutrition
      research. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey incorporating the Household Food
      Insecurity Access Scale. SETTING: Ten private SRO residences in the Uptown
      neighbourhood of Chicago, IL, USA, 2013. SUBJECTS: SRO residents over 18 years of
      age who were able to communicate verbally in English (n 153). RESULTS: Food
      insecurity was widespread among SRO residents, with 75 % of the sample considered
      food insecure and 52 % meeting criteria for severe food insecurity. Bivariate
      analyses indicated that female gender, eating most meals at a soup kitchen,
      having a mental health condition, problem drinking, having at least one chronic
      health condition, and diabetes were all significantly associated with food
      insecurity. In the multivariate ordered logistic regression model, eating most
      meals at a soup kitchen remained as the only significant correlate of food
      insecurity (OR=10.13). CONCLUSIONS: SRO residents and other marginally housed
      populations face unique food access challenges. Although targeted assistance in
      the form of food stamps and congregate meal programmes remains critical, efforts
      to prevent and address food insecurity among homeless and marginally housed
      individuals should include policy interventions that recognize poverty as the
      root cause of food insecurity and aim to increase overall income and improve
      housing conditions.

PMID- 26278476
TI  - Supporting general practices to provide sexual and reproductive health services:
      protocol for the 3Cs & HIV programme.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Sexually transmitted infections, HIV and unplanned pregnancies
      continue to be a major public health problem in England, especially in young
      adults. Strengthening the provision of free condoms, HIV testing, chlamydia
      screening and contraception within primary care will contribute to reducing poor
      sexual and reproductive health outcomes. Recent research demonstrated the benefit
      for general practices of educational support visits based on behaviour change
      theory. Public Health England (PHE) has piloted an educational training programme
      to improve the delivery of sexual health services and HIV testing within general
      practice. STUDY DESIGN & METHODS: The 3Cs & HIV programme used practice based
      workshops to improve staffs' awareness and skills in order to increase
      opportunistic offers of chlamydia testing, provision of contraceptive service
      information and free condoms (the '3Cs') to 15-24 year olds and HIV testing
      according to national guidelines. The programme was based on the theory of
      planned behaviour and has been implemented using a stepped wedge design. Process
      evaluation, testing and diagnosis data, plus qualitative interviews were all used
      in the evaluation. The primary outcome measures were chlamydia testing and
      diagnosis rates. Secondary outcome measures were HIV testing and diagnoses rates
      within each practice and rates of consultations where long acting reversible
      contraceptives had been discussed. CONCLUSION: A key strength of the 3Cs & HIV
      programme has been the evidence base underpinning the development of the
      resources and the formal process evaluation of its implementation. The programme
      was designed to encourage sustainable relationships between general practice
      staff and local sexual health services as well as the knowledge, awareness and
      behaviours cultivated during the programme.

PMID- 26278478
TI  - Experimental realization of spatially separated entanglement with continuous
      variables using laser pulse trains.
AB  - Spatially separated entanglement is demonstrated by interfering two high
      repetition squeezed pulse trains. The entanglement correlation of the quadrature
      amplitudes between individual pulses is interrogated. It is characterized in
      terms of the sufficient inseparability criterion with an optimum result of in the
      frequency domain and in the time domain. The quantum correlation is also observed
      when the two measurement stations are separated by a physical distance of 4.5 m,
      which is sufficiently large to demonstrate the space-like separation, after
      accounting for the measurement time.

PMID- 26278480
TI  - [Perioperative management of patients with Parkinson's disease. Review of the
      literature].
AB  - Similarly to an increase in life expectancy, the incidence of Parkinson's disease
      increases as well. In parallel with this, more patients with Parkinson's disease
      undergo elective or urgent surgical interventions. According to recent
      statistical data, more than half of the patients with Parkinson's disease are not
      properly managed when they are hospitalized for surgical interventions. It is
      also clear that properly managed Parkinson's disease patients have an
      approximately 50% lower rate for perioperative complications. The authors aimed
      to summarize the most important complications, the updated peri- and
      intraoperative treatment and management strategies of patients with Parkinson's
      disease. They intended to underline that interdisciplinary cooperation and
      knowledge of the proper strategy may result in more successful treatment of
      Parkinson's disease patients during the perioperative period.

PMID- 26278479
TI  - Functional Ser205Leu polymorphism of the nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR) gene
      is associated with vagal autonomic dysregulation in humans.
AB  - Evidence indicates that reduced cardiac vagal (parasympathetic) tone, a robust
      cardiovascular risk factor, is a trait vulnerability marker of major depressive
      disorder (MDD). The Ser205/Ser205 genotype of the functional polymorphism
      (Ser205Leu) of the nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR), also called p75
      neurotrophin receptor (p75(NTR)), gene is reported to increase the risk of MDD.
      Here, we hypothesized that the NGFR Ser205Leu polymorphism may have an effect on
      vagal control. A sample of 810 healthy, drug-free, unrelated Han Chinese (413
      males, 397 females; mean age 35.17 +/- 8.53 years) was included in the NGFR
      genotyping. Short-term heart rate variability (HRV) was used to assess vagus
      mediated autonomic function. Potential HRV covariates, such as mood/anxiety
      status and serum metabolic parameters, were assessed. Homozygotes of the Ser205
      allele had significantly lower high frequency power and root mean square of
      successive heartbeat interval differences, both HRV indices of vagal modulation,
      compared to Leu205 allele carriers. Even after adjusting for relevant
      confounders, these associations remained significant. Further stratification by
      sex revealed that the associations were observed only in males. Our results
      implicate that decreased parasympathetic activity is associated with the NGFR
      Ser205/Ser205 genotype in a gender-specific manner, suggesting a potential role
      of NGFR polymorphism in modulating cardiac autonomic function. 

PMID- 26278481
TI  - [Outcomes of childbearing and pregnancy in women with multiple sclerosis--a
      literature review].
AB  - In the last few years more studies indicated that although sclerosis multiplex
      frequently manifests in young adulthood, it should not be considered as
      contraindication for pregnancy in women affected with the disease. In fact,
      despite controversial literature data, pregnancy appears to be a protective
      factor to the disease without a harmful effect on the fetus. However, the use of
      immunomodulatory therapy during pregnancy needs a careful evaluation process and
      experts of this field may contribute to family happiness of the affected mother.

PMID- 26278482
TI  - [Bacterial infection after orthotopic liver transplantation].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The authors reviewed the prevalence of postoperative infections,
      the results of bacterium cultures, and the incidence of multidrug resistance in
      their liver transplanted patients during a period between 2003 and 2012. AIM: The
      aim of this study was to analyse risk factors and colonisations of bacterial
      infections. METHOD: The files of 408 patients (281 bacterium cultures) were
      reviewed. RESULTS: Of the 408 patients 70 had a postoperative infection (17%); 58
      patients (14.2%) had positive and 12 patients (2.9%) negative bacterial culture
      results. Cholangitis was found in 7 cases (12.1%), abdominal infection in 17
      cases (29.3%), and pulmonary infection in 28 cases (48.3%). Postoperative
      infection was more frequent in patients with initial poor graft function, acute
      renal insufficiency, biliary complication, and in those with intraabdominal
      bleeding. The 1-, 3- and 5-year cumulative survival of patients who had infection
      was 70%, 56% and 56%, respectively, whereas the cumulative survival data of
      patients without infection was 94%, 87% and 85%, respectively (p<0.001).
      Multidrug resistance was found in 56% of the positive cultures, however, the one
      year survival was not different in patients who had multidrug resistance positive
      and negative bacterial infection (both 70.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Infection control
      must target the management of multidrug resistance microbes through encouraging
      prevention, hygienic, and isolation rules, improving the operative, transfusion,
      and antimicrobial policy in a teamwork setting.

PMID- 26278483
TI  - [Transfusiology knowledge and competence of nurses in light of a national
      survey].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: International literature data clearly show that the role of nurses
      in transfusion therapy, which needs professional knowledge and skills, continues
      to increase. AIM: The aim of the authors was to perform a national-level mapping
      of the practice of transfusion therapy including transfusion therapy-related
      knowledge of nurses and their knowledge about their competence. Further aim was
      to identify similarities and differences as referred to the requirements of the
      transfusion regulations (2008), which was valid at the time of the survey in
      Hungary. METHOD: The nationwide survey took place between November 19, 2014 and
      February 20, 2015. Data were collected using paper-form and web-based anonymous,
      self-administered questionnaire. 657 nurses who were involved in transfusion
      therapy with changing regularity in adult in-patient wards took part in the
      survey. Data were processed using descriptive statistical methods. RESULTS: It
      was found that the transfusion therapy related knowledge of nurses was very
      incomplete (50.72%), and only about half of the nurses (52.3%) systematized the
      nursing functions correctly. Significant differences were also found in the
      practice of transfusion therapy. The vast majority of the institutions had their
      own protocol, but responsible nurses assigned for transfusion care were present
      only in 23.9% of the wards. CONCLUSIONS: The authors conclude that the identified
      problems can be resolved by improving professional responsibility of nurses,
      increasing supervision by nursing leaders and appropriate transfusiology training
      and regular retrainings.

PMID- 26278484
TI  - Mediterranean diet and childhood asthma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The incidence of bronchial hyperreactivity has increased to one-third
      of the population in developed countries, which requires the adoption of
      preventive and therapeutic measures. The objective of the present study was to
      assess the effects of a traditional Mediterranean diet on patients diagnosed with
      childhood asthma and determine if there is a beneficial effect from this dietary
      intervention. METHODS: Prospective before-after comparison study of 50 girls and
      54 boys aged 1-5 years, who were enrolled in the 1-year programme "Learning to
      Eat from the Mediterranean", designed to promote the adoption of a traditional
      Mediterranean diet. We studied the clinical and therapeutic variables and
      anthropometric measurements. RESULTS: All studied symptomatic indicators (number
      and intensity of asthmatic attack, infections and hospital admissions) showed a
      positive and statistically significant evolution of bronchial hyperreactivity
      from the first weeks of the intervention onwards. Throughout the treatment, 32.2%
      of patients remained free of crisis, 35.3% of the patients only had one attack
      throughout the year and 24.9% had two episodes, compared to 4.73 episodes on
      average in the previous year. The use of inhaled corticosteroids markedly
      decreased from 3.92 +/- 1.61 to 1.11 +/- 1.09 times per patient per year
      (P<0.001) and that of inhaled bronchodilators decreased from 4.14 +/- 1.61 to
      1.12 +/- 1.40 (P<0.001). As a result, the families involved in the programme
      reported a high level of satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: The adoption of a traditional
      Mediterranean diet could contribute significantly to the improvement of patients
      diagnosed with childhood asthma.

PMID- 26278485
TI  - Patient Factors and Cost Associated with 90-Day Readmission Following Total Hip
      Arthroplasty.
AB  - This study sought to identify specific costs for 90-day readmissions following
      total hip arthroplasty in a bundled payment system. Hospital billing records
      revealed 139 readmissions (8.93%) in 1781 patients. Mean costs for surgical
      readmissions were greater (P=0.002) compared with medical reasons, but similar
      for Medicare/Medicaid and private payers (P=0.975). Costs for imaging, laboratory
      workup, medication and transfusions, and hospital cost correlated with increasing
      SOI (P<0.05). Patients transferred from outside hospitals or rehabilitation had
      higher hospital (P=0.006) and operating room costs (P=0.001) compared to patients
      admitted from ED or clinic. Hospitals that care for complex patients with
      Medicare/Medicaid may experience increased costs for unplanned 90-day
      readmissions highlighting considerations for payer mix. 

PMID- 26278486
TI  - Quantifying Gait Quality in Patients with Large-Head and Conventional Total Hip
      Arthroplasty--A Prospective Cohort Study.
AB  - We used the Gait Deviation Index (GDI) as method to compare preoperative to
      postoperative gait changes after uncemented 50 mm (median) large-head and 28/32
      mm total hip arthroplasty (THA). We also identified predictors of improvements in
      GDI. Gait analysis and patient-reported (WOMAC) data were recorded in 35 patients
      before, 2 and 6-months after treatment. Twenty age-matched adults provided
      normative gait data. Contrary to our hypothesis, patients who received large-head
      THA had less improvement in GDI compared with patients who received 28/32 mm THA.
      The preoperative GDI score was identified as a predictor of postoperative GDI
      improvement, while WOMAC, age, gender and walking speed were not. This study
      provides useful information for clinicians and rehabilitation specialists about
      gait improvement that can be expected after THA.

PMID- 26278487
TI  - Encapsulation of polyphenols into pHEMA e-spun fibers and determination of their
      antioxidant activities.
AB  - This study reports on the development of electrospun poly(2-hydroxyethyl
      methacrylate) (pHEMA) fibers loaded with synthetic and natural antioxidants in
      the form of selected types of polyphenols such as vanillic, gallic, syringic
      acids, catechin or natural spruce bark extract to investigate their release
      behavior in terms of antioxidant activities. Homogenous fiber morphologies were
      obtained at specified concentration ranges of pHEMA within the spinning
      solutions, exhibiting fiber diameters in the range from 0.5+/-0.1 MUm to 1.9+/
      0.5 MUm. The addition of polyphenols resulted in an increase of fiber diameters
      with increasing concentration of additives. This is attributed to the effect of
      hydrogen bonding between the active ingredients and the polymeric matrix,
      increasing shear viscosities and thus hindering effective drawing processes
      during fiber formation. Polyphenol release measurement gave high release rates in
      a first phase followed by a smooth release at long term. The 2,2-diphenyl-1
      picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, used to monitor antioxidant activity, showed that
      polyphenols had retained their activity after incorporation into the pHEMA
      nanofibers. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the encapsulation of
      polyphenols in pHEMA nanofibers can delay to a high extent their degradation
      induced by environmental factors.

PMID- 26278488
TI  - Migration of plasticizers from PVC medical devices: Development of an infusion
      model.
AB  - Alternatives to DEHP plasticizers are used in various PVC medical devices (MD)
      for infusion. As they are able to migrate from these MDs into infused solutions,
      they may come into contact with patient. Different and specific clinical
      parameters influence their migration in at-risk situations such as infusion. In
      contrast to the regulations for Food Contact Materials (MCDA), there is currently
      no acceptable migration limits for the use of these plasticizers in clinical
      situations. In order to assess their migration, and thus control the risks linked
      to these MDs, we developed a migration model for the plasticizers in MDs. To this
      end, we applied a cross-disciplinary methodological process similar to that used
      in the food-processing industry, taking into account the MDs' conditions of use
      in clinical practice. The simulation model is simple and includes the following
      conditions: MD should be tested with a dynamic method that respects our
      established clinical assumption (2 L of infused solutions via 13 dm(2) of
      plasticized PVC), at a temperature of 25  degrees C and during 24 h of contact,
      using a 50/50 (v/v) ethanol/water simulant. This model could be proposed as a
      tool for the safety evaluation of the patients' exposure risk to plasticizers
      from PVC medical devices for infusions.

PMID- 26278489
TI  - Delivery and therapeutic applications of gene editing technologies ZFNs, TALENs,
      and CRISPR/Cas9.
AB  - In recent years, several new genome editing technologies have been developed. Of
      these the zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs), transcription activator-like effector
      nucleases (TALENs), and the CRISPR/Cas9 RNA-guided endonuclease system are the
      most widely described. Each of these technologies utilizes restriction enzymes to
      introduce a DNA double stranded break at a targeted location with the guide of
      homologous binding proteins or RNA. Such targeting is viewed as a significant
      advancement compared to current gene therapy methods that lack such specificity.
      Proof-of-concept studies have been performed to treat multiple disorders,
      including in vivo experiments in mammals and even early phase human trials.
      Careful consideration and investigation of delivery strategies will be required
      so that the therapeutic potential for gene editing is achieved. In this review,
      the mechanisms of each of these gene editing technologies and evidence of
      therapeutic potential will be briefly described and a comprehensive list of past
      studies will be provided. The pharmaceutical approaches of each of these
      technologies are discussed along with the current delivery obstacles. The topics
      and information reviewed herein provide an outline of the groundbreaking research
      that is being performed, but also highlights the potential for progress yet to be
      made using these gene editing technologies. 

PMID- 26278490
TI  - Promoting brain remodeling to aid in stroke recovery.
AB  - Endogenous brain repair after stroke involves a set of highly interactive
      processes, such as angiogenesis, neurogenesis, oligodendrogenesis,
      synaptogenesis, and axonal outgrowth, which together orchestrate neurological
      recovery. During the past several years, there have been advances in our
      understanding of miRNAs and histone deacetylases (HDACs) in brain repair
      processes after stroke. Emerging data indicate the important role of exosomes for
      intercellular communication in promoting coupled brain remodeling processes.
      These advances will likely have a major impact on the development of restorative
      therapies for ischemic brain repair, consequently leading to improvement of
      neurological function. In this review, we provide an update on our current
      understanding of cellular and molecular mechanisms of miRNAs, exosomes, and HDACs
      in brain restorative processes after stroke. 

PMID- 26278491
TI  - [(14)C]Fluciclovine (alias anti-[(14)C]FACBC) uptake and ASCT2 expression in
      castration-resistant prostate cancer cells.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: trans-1-Amino-3-[(18)F]fluorocyclobutanecarboxylic acid
      ([(18)F]fluciclovine, also known as anti-[(18)F]FACBC), is a tracer for positron
      emission tomography (PET) imaging for detection of tumors such as prostate cancer
      (PCa). Our previous study showed that ASCT2 (Na(+)-dependent amino acid
      transporter (AAT)) mediates fluciclovine uptake in androgen-dependent PCa cells;
      its expression is influenced by androgen, a key hormone in the progression of
      primary PCa and castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). In this study, we
      investigated the uptake mechanisms and feasibility of [(18)F]fluciclovine for
      CRPC in the androgen-dependent PCa cell line LNCaP and LNCaP-derivatives LNCaP-SF
      and LN-REC4. METHODS: LNCaP-SF was established after long-term cultivation of
      LNCaP in steroid-free conditions, and LN-Pre and LN-REC4 were established from
      LNCaP inoculated in intact and castrated severe combined immunodeficient mice,
      respectively. Uptake and competitive inhibition experiments were performed with
      trans-1-amino-3-fluoro[1-(14)C]cyclobutanecarboxylic acid ([(14)C]fluciclovine)
      to characterize the involvement of AATs in androgen-dependent PCa (LNCaP and LN
      Pre) and CRPC-like (LNCaP-SF and LN-REC4) cell lines. AAT expression was analyzed
      by Western blotting, and [(14)C]fluciclovine uptake in androgen-dependent PCa and
      CRPC-like cell lines were investigated in the presence or absence of
      dihydrotestosterone (DHT). RESULTS: The contribution of Na(+)-dependent AATs to
      [(14)C]fluciclovine uptake in all cell lines was 88-98%, and [(14)C]fluciclovine
      uptake was strongly inhibited by L-glutamine and L-serine, the substrates for
      Na(+)-dependent alanine-serine-cysteine (system ASC) AATs, in the presence of
      Na(+). DHT enhanced ASCT2 expression in LNCaP, LN-Pre, and LN-REC4, but not in
      LNCaP-SF, and the responses of ASCT2 expression to DHT correlated with
      [(14)C]fluciclovine uptake. CONCLUSIONS: System ASC, especially ASCT2, could play
      a major role in [(14)C]fluciclovine uptake into CRPC-like and androgen-dependent
      PCa cells, suggesting [(18)F]fluciclovine-PET is applicable to the detection of
      CRPC as well as androgen-dependent PCa. ADVANCE IN KNOWLEDGE: [(18)F]fluciclovine
      PET may be applied for the detection of CRPC. IMPLICATION FOR PATIENT CARE:
      [(18)F]fluciclovine-PET may permit early intervention for CRPC treatment.

PMID- 26278493
TI  - Ten-Year Employment Patterns of Working Age Individuals After Moderate to Severe
      Traumatic Brain Injury: A National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation
      Research Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe the 10-year patterns of employment for individuals of
      working age discharged from a Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems (TBIMS) center
      between 1989 and 2009. DESIGN: Secondary data analysis. SETTING: Inpatient
      rehabilitation centers. PARTICIPANTS: Patients aged 16 to 55 years (N=3618) who
      were not retired at injury, received inpatient rehabilitation at a TBIMS center,
      were discharged alive between 1989 and 2009, and had at least 3 completed follow
      up interviews at postinjury years 1, 2, 5, and 10. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable.
      MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURE: Employment. RESULTS: Patterns of employment were generated
      using a generalized linear mixed model, where these patterns were transformed
      into temporal trajectories of probability of employment via random effects
      modeling. Covariates demonstrating significant relations to growth parameters
      that govern the trajectory patterns were similar to those noted in previous cross
      sectional research and included age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, preinjury
      substance misuse, preinjury vocational status, and days of posttraumatic amnesia.
      The calendar year in which the injury occurred also greatly influenced
      trajectories. An interactive tool was developed to provide visualization of all
      postemployment trajectories, with many showing decreasing probabilities of
      employment between 5 and 10 years postinjury. CONCLUSIONS: These results
      highlight that postinjury employment after moderate to severe traumatic brain
      injury (TBI) is a dynamic process, with varied patterns of employment for
      individuals with specific characteristics. The overall decline in trajectories of
      probability of employment between 5 and 10 years postinjury suggests that
      moderate to severe TBI may have unfavorable chronic effects and that employment
      outcome is highly influenced by national labor market forces. Additional research
      targeting the underlying drivers of the decline between 5 and 10 years postinjury
      is recommended, as are interventions that target influencing factors.

PMID- 26278492
TI  - Skin tissue repair: Matrix microenvironmental influences.
AB  - The process of repair of wounded skin involves intricate orchestration not only
      between the epidermal and dermal compartments but also between the resident and
      immigrant cells and the local microenvironment. Only now are we beginning to
      appreciate the complex roles played by the matrix in directing the outcome of the
      repair processes, and how this impacts the signals from the various cells. Recent
      findings speak of dynamic and reciprocal interactions that occurs among the
      matrix, growth factors, and cells that underlies this integrated process. Further
      confounding this integration are the physiologic and pathologic situations that
      directly alter the matrix to impart at least part of the dysrepair that occurs.
      These topics will be discussed with a call for innovative model systems of direct
      relevance to the human situation. 

PMID- 26278494
TI  - Age-related changes in the endocannabinoid system in the mouse hippocampus.
AB  - Previous studies have demonstrated that the endocannabinoid system significantly
      influences the progression of brain ageing, and the hippocampus is one of the
      brain regions most vulnerable to ageing and neurodegeneration. We have further
      examined age-related changes in the hippocampal endocannabinoid system by
      measuring the levels of anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) in
      young and old mice from two different mouse strains. We found a decrease in 2-AG
      but not AEA levels in aged mice. In order to identify the cause for 2-AG level
      changes, we investigated the levels of several enzymes that contribute to
      synthesis and degradation of 2-AG in the hippocampus. We found a selective
      decrease in DAGLalpha mRNA and protein levels as well as an elevated MAGL
      activity during ageing. We hypothesize that the observed decrease of 2-AG levels
      is probably caused by changes in DAGLalpha expression and MAGL activity. This
      finding can contribute to the existing knowledge about the processes underlying
      selective vulnerability of the hippocampus to ageing and age-related
      neurodegeneration. 

PMID- 26278495
TI  - An estimation of the clinical mastitis incidence per 100 cows per year based on
      routinely collected herd data.
AB  - The aim of this study was to evaluate whether it was possible to (1) estimate the
      clinical mastitis incidence rate (CMI) for all Dutch dairy herds and (2) to
      detect farms with a high CMI based on routinely collected herd data. For this
      study, 240 dairy farms with a conventional milking system that participated in
      the milk recording program every 4 to 6 wk were randomly selected and agreed to
      participate. From the initial 240 herds, data of clinical mastitis (CM)
      registrations and routinely collected herd data of 227 herds were complete and
      could be used for analysis. Routinely collected herd data consisted of
      identification and registration records, antimicrobial usage, test-day records
      from the milk recording program, bulk tank milk (BTM) somatic cell count data and
      results of diagnostic tests on BTM samples. For each of the 227 herds, the CMI
      per 100 cows per year was calculated per quarter of the year and was combined
      with the available herd data. Two models were developed to predict the CMI for
      all dairy herds and to detect individual herds that belonged to the 25% herds
      with the highest CMI. Records of 156 (67%) herds were used for development of the
      models and the remaining 71 (33%) were used for validation. The model that
      estimated the CMI in all herds consisted of 11 explanatory variables. The
      observed and predicted averages of the validation herds were not significantly
      different. The model estimated a CMI per 100 cows per year of 32.5 cases (95%
      confidence interval=30.2-34.8), whereas the farmers registered 33.4 cases (95%
      confidence interval=29.5-37.4). The model that aimed at detecting individual
      herds with a high CMI contained 6 explanatory variables and could correctly
      classify 77% of all validation herds at the quarter-year level. The most
      important variables in the model were antibiotic usage for treating CM and BTM
      somatic cell count. In conclusion, models based on routinely collected herd data
      gave an accurate prediction of CMI for all Dutch dairy herds and could detect
      individual dairy herds with a high CMI. With these models it is possible to
      periodically monitor CMI both at the herd and at the national level, which is
      valuable for monitoring purposes and can motivate farmers to continuously improve
      udder health in their herds. 

PMID- 26278496
TI  - The influence of age and weaning on permeability of the gastrointestinal tract in
      Holstein bull calves.
AB  - Fourteen Holstein bull calves were used in a randomized complete block design to
      investigate the effect of calf age and weaning on permeability of the
      gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Calves were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatments:
      (1) a weaning protocol that was initiated on d 35; WN; n=7), or (2) a control
      treatment where calves were not weaned (CON; n=7). Calves were bottle-fed milk
      replacer (150 g/L), in 3 equal portions/d targeting 15% of their body weight (BW)
      in liquid milk intake [approximately 21.1g/kg of BW/d, dry matter (DM) basis]. On
      d 35, the amount of milk replacer offered to WN calves was reduced to 7.5% of BW
      for 7 d before calves were weaned on d 42. On d 14, 28, and 42, calves were
      orally dosed with 500 mL of Cr-EDTA (179 mM Cr-EDTA solution) and housed in a
      metabolism crate to enable total urine collection and determination of total
      urinary Cr recovery as an indicator of total-tract permeability. On d 44, calves
      were killed and tissues from the rumen, omasum, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum,
      and proximal and distal colon were collected, rinsed, and transported in buffer
      solution (pH 7.4 at 38.5 degrees C). Tissues were incubated in Ussing chambers
      under short-circuit conditions with buffer solutions designed to mimic the
      mucosal and serosal energy source that would be available in vivo (glucose for
      tissues from the small intestine and short-chain fatty acids for tissues that
      would be exposed to fermentation; rumen, omasum, and large intestinal tissues).
      The serosal to mucosal flux of (14)C-mannitol and (3)H-inulin was measured for
      each region. Although we detected treatment * period interactions for BW and
      starter intake, dietary treatments did not differ within a week. Overall, the
      time that ruminal pH was <5.5 was less before weaning than after weaning. We
      observed a differential response for the appearance of Cr in urine for WN and CON
      calves, where the appearance of Cr (mg/48 h) in urine decreased for both
      treatments from d 14 to 28, but increased from d 28 to 42 for WN, whereas Cr
      appearance continued to decrease for CON. The flux of mannitol and inulin did not
      differ between treatments but did differ among region of the GIT, with rumen,
      duodenum, and jejunum having the greatest permeability. These data suggest that
      permeability of the GIT decreases with age but weaning may disrupt this process.
      The rumen, duodenum, and jejunum appear to be the regions with greatest
      permeability.

PMID- 26278497
TI  - A child with myoclonus-dystonia (DYT11) misdiagnosed as atypical opsoclonus
      myoclonus syndrome.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: DYT11 is an autosomal dominant inherited movement disorder
      characterized by myoclonus and dystonia. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: We present a case
      with atypical symptoms and with episodes of ataxia and myoclonus preceded by
      infections. Atypical presentation of opsoclonus myoclonus syndrome was suspected
      and treatment with bolus steroids and immunoglobulin were initiated with some
      response over 28 months. A re-evaluation gave suspicion of a dyskinetic disorder
      and whole exome-sequencing was performed but no causal variant was identified.
      OUTCOME: A specific analysis of the SGCE gene was subsequently initiated, which
      revealed a pathogenic aberration confirming the diagnosis of DYT11. CONCLUSION: A
      clinical DYT11 diagnosis can be difficult to establish in early childhood without
      a known family history.

PMID- 26278498
TI  - A de-novo interstitial microduplication involving 2p16.1-p15 and mirroring 2p16.1
      p15 microdeletion syndrome: Clinical and molecular analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Microdeletions of various sizes in the 2p16.1-p15 chromosomal region
      have been grouped together under the 2p16.1-p15 microdeletion syndrome. Children
      with this syndrome generally share certain features including microcephaly,
      developmental delay, facial dysmorphism, urogenital and skeletal abnormalities.
      We present a child with a de-novo interstitial 1665 kb duplication of 2p16.1-p15.
      METHODS AND RESULTS: Clinical features of this child are distinct from those of
      children with the 2p16.1-p15 microdeletion syndrome, specifically the head
      circumference which is within the normal range and mild intellectual disability
      with absence of autistic behaviors. Microduplications many times bear milder
      clinical phenotypes in comparison with corresponding microdeletion syndromes.
      Indeed, as compared to the microdeletion syndrome patients, the 2p16.1-p15
      microduplication seems to have a milder cognitive effect and no effect on other
      body systems. Limited information available in genetic databases about cases with
      overlapping duplications indicates that they all have abnormal developmental
      phenotypes. CONCLUSION: The involvement of genes in this location including
      BCL11A, USP34 and PEX13, affecting fundamental developmental processes both
      within and outside the nervous system may explain the clinical features of the
      individual described in this report.

PMID- 26278499
TI  - Strategies to improve the quality of survival for childhood brain tumour
      survivors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tumours of the central nervous system (CNS) are the most frequent
      solid tumours and the second most frequent type of cancer in children and
      adolescents. Overall survival has continuously improved in Germany, since an
      increasing number of patients have been treated according to standardised,
      multicentre, multimodal treatment recommendations, trials of the German
      Paediatric Brain Tumour Consortium (HIT-Network) or the International Society of
      Paediatric Oncology-Europe (SIOP-E) during the last decades. Today, two out of
      three patients survive. At least 8000 long-term childhood brain tumour survivors
      (CBTS) are currently living in Germany. They face lifelong disease- and treatment
      related late effects (LE) and associated socioeconomic problems more than many
      other childhood cancer survivors (CCS). METHOD: We review the LE and resulting
      special needs of this particular group of CCS. RESULTS: Despite their increasing
      relevance for future treatment optimisation, neither the diversity of chronic and
      cumulative LE nor their pertinent risk factors and subsequent impact on quality
      of survival have yet been comprehensively addressed for CBTS treated according to
      HIT- or SIOP-E-protocols. Evidence-based information to empower survivors and
      stakeholders, as well as medical expertise to manage their individual health
      care, psychosocial and educational/vocational needs must still be generated and
      established. CONCLUSION: The establishment of a long-term research- and care
      network in Germany shall contribute to a European platform, that aims at
      optimising CBTSs' transition into adulthood as resilient individuals with high
      quality of survival including optimal levels of activity, participation and
      acceptance by society.

PMID- 26278500
TI  - The effect of albumin and cholesterol on the biotribological behavior of
      hydrogels for contact lenses.
AB  - The irritation/discomfort associated with the use of contact lenses (CLs) is
      often related to the eyelid-lens friction. Although the use of such devices is
      widespread, the information about the influence of the lacrimal fluid
      biomolecules on the tribological behavior of the CLs hydrogels is scarce. In this
      work, we investigated the effect of the presence of albumin and cholesterol in
      the lubricant medium, on the frictional response of two model hydrogels for CLs:
      a hydroxyethylmethacrylate based hydrogel, HEMA/PVP, and a silicone based one,
      TRIS/NVP/HEMA. Tribological experiments were done in a nanotribometer, in water
      and in the presence of solutions of those biomolecules. It was observed a
      significant increase of the friction coefficient (MU) for HEMA/PVP when the
      lubricant contains cholesterol, and for TRIS/NVP/HEMA when it contains albumin.
      Solid-state NMR and DSC analysis revealed that HEMA/PVP hydrated in cholesterol
      solution has a lower amount of free and loosely bound water than the hydrogel
      hydrated in water. Therefore, a smaller amount of water shall be released into
      the contact region during the friction tests with cholesterol solution, leading
      to a thinner film in the contact zone, and consequently to a higher MU.
      Concerning TRIS/NVP/HEMA, QCM-D studies showed that this hydrogel adsorbs less
      albumin than HEMA/PVP and that the formed film is more rigid, which can explain
      the increase of MU. The obtained results contribute to understand the influence
      of lacrimal fluid composition on the tribological behavior of CLs materials,
      being relevant for the selection and optimization of these devices. STATEMENT OF
      SIGNIFICANCE: Understanding the tribological behavior of contact lenses (CLs)
      materials in contact with the lacrimal fluid and the role of its components is of
      major importance to optimize the comfort and overall success of these devices.
      Nevertheless, the available information on this subject in the literature is
      scarce. In this work, the effect of albumin and cholesterol (two of the main
      components of the lacrimal fluid) on the frictional response of distinct types of
      hydrogels suitable for CLs, is compared, for the first time. Significant
      differences were observed with the two molecules, depending on the material,
      stressing the need to further study this issue to understand, predict and
      optimize the in vivo performance of CLs.

PMID- 26278501
TI  - The Functional Lumen Imaging Probe Detects Esophageal Contractility Not Observed
      With Manometry in Patients With Achalasia.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: The functional lumen imaging probe (FLIP) could improve the
      characterization of achalasia subtypes by detecting nonocclusive esophageal
      contractions not observed with standard manometry. We aimed to evaluate
      esophageal contractions during volumetric distention in patients with achalasia
      using FLIP topography. METHODS: Fifty-one treatment-naive patients with
      achalasia, defined and subclassified by high-resolution esophageal pressure
      topography, and 10 asymptomatic individuals (controls) were evaluated with the
      FLIP during endoscopy. During stepwise distension, simultaneous intrabag
      pressures and 16 channels of cross-sectional areas were measured; data were
      exported to software that generated FLIP topography plots. Esophageal
      contractility was identified by noting periods of reduced luminal diameter.
      Esophageal contractions were characterized further by propagation direction,
      repetitiveness, and based on whether they were occluding or nonoccluding.
      RESULTS: Esophageal contractility was detected in all 10 controls: 8 of 10 had
      repetitive antegrade contractions and 9 of 10 had occluding contractions.
      Contractility was detected in 27% (4 of 15) of patients with type I achalasia and
      in 65% (18 of 26, including 9 with occluding contractions) of patients with type
      II achalasia. Contractility was detected in all 10 patients with type III
      achalasia; 8 of these patients had a pattern of contractility that was not
      observed in controls (repetitive retrograde contractions). CONCLUSIONS:
      Esophageal contractility not observed with manometry can be detected in patients
      with achalasia using FLIP topography. The presence and patterns of contractility
      detected with FLIP topography may represent variations in pathophysiology, such
      as mechanisms of panesophageal pressurization in patients with type II achalasia.
      These findings could have implications for additional subclassification to
      supplement prediction of the achalasia disease course.

PMID- 26278502
TI  - Liver Stem Cells: Experimental Findings and Implications for Human Liver Disease.
AB  - Evidence from human histopathology and experimental studies with rodents and
      zebrafish has shown that hepatocytes and cholangiocytes may function as
      facultative stem cells for each other in conditions of impaired regeneration. The
      interpretation of the findings derived from these studies has generated
      considerable discussion and some controversies. This review examines the evidence
      obtained from the different experimental models and considers implications that
      these studies may have for human liver disease. 

PMID- 26278504
TI  - American Gastroenterological Association Institute Technical Review on the Role
      of Upper Gastrointestinal Biopsy to Evaluate Dyspepsia in the Adult Patient in
      the Absence of Visible Mucosal Lesions.

PMID- 26278505
TI  - BioCapacitor: A novel principle for biosensors.
AB  - Studies regarding biofuel cells utilizing biocatalysts such as enzymes and
      microorganisms as electrocatalysts have been vigorously conducted over the last
      two decades. Because of their environmental safety and sustainability, biofuel
      cells are expected to be used as clean power generators. Among several principles
      of biofuel cells, enzyme fuel cells have attracted significant attention for
      their use as alternative energy sources for future implantable devices, such as
      implantable insulin pumps and glucose sensors in artificial pancreas and
      pacemakers. However, the inherent issue of the biofuel cell principle is the low
      power of a single biofuel cell. The theoretical voltage of biofuel cells is
      limited by the redox potential of cofactors and/or mediators employed in the
      anode and cathode, which are inadequate for operating any devices used for
      biomedical application. These limitations inspired us to develop a novel
      biodevice based on an enzyme fuel cell that generates sufficient stable power to
      operate electric devices, designated "BioCapacitor." To increase voltage, the
      enzyme fuel cell is connected to a charge pump. To obtain a sufficient power and
      voltage to operate an electric device, a capacitor is used to store the potential
      generated by the charge pump. Using the combination of a charge pump and
      capacitor with an enzyme fuel cell, high voltages with sufficient temporary
      currents to operate an electric device were generated without changing the design
      and construction of the enzyme fuel cell. In this review, the BioCapacitor
      principle is described. The three different representative categories of
      biodevices employing the BioCapacitor principle are introduced. Further, the
      recent challenges in the developments of self-powered stand-alone biodevices
      employing enzyme fuel cells combined with charge pumps and capacitors are
      introduced. Finally, the future prospects of biodevices employing the
      BioCapacitor principle are addressed. 

PMID- 26278503
TI  - Characterization of genetic loci that affect susceptibility to inflammatory bowel
      diseases in African Americans.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has familial aggregation in
      African Americans (AAs), but little is known about the molecular genetic
      susceptibility. Mapping studies using the Immunochip genotyping array expand the
      number of susceptibility loci for IBD in Caucasians to 163, but the contribution
      of the 163 loci and European admixture to IBD risk in AAs is unclear. We
      performed a genetic mapping study using the Immunochip to determine whether IBD
      susceptibility loci in Caucasians also affect risk in AAs and identify new
      associated loci. METHODS: We recruited AAs with IBD and without IBD (controls)
      from 34 IBD centers in the United States; additional controls were collected from
      4 other Immunochip studies. Association and admixture loci were mapped for 1088
      patients with Crohn's disease, 361 with ulcerative colitis, 62 with IBD type
      unknown, and 1797 controls; 130,241 autosomal single-nucleotide polymorphisms
      (SNPs) were analyzed. RESULTS: The strongest associations were observed between
      ulcerative colitis and HLA rs9271366 (P = 7.5 * 10(-6)), Crohn's disease and
      5p13.1 rs4286721 (P = 3.5 * 10(-6)), and IBD and KAT2A rs730086 (P = 2.3 * 10(
      6)). Additional suggestive associations (P < 4.2 * 10(-5)) were observed between
      Crohn's disease and IBD and African-specific SNPs in STAT5A and STAT3; between
      IBD and SNPs in IL23R, IL12B, and C2orf43; and between ulcerative colitis and
      SNPs near HDAC11 and near LINC00994. The latter 3 loci have not been previously
      associated with IBD, but require replication. Established Caucasian associations
      were replicated in AAs (P < 3.1 * 10(-4)) at NOD2, IL23R, 5p15.3, and IKZF3.
      Significant admixture (P < 3.9 * 10(-4)) was observed for 17q12-17q21.31 (IZKF3
      through STAT3), 10q11.23-10q21.2, 15q22.2-15q23, and 16p12.2-16p12.1. Network
      analyses showed significant enrichment (false discovery rate <1 * 10(-5)) in
      genes that encode members of the JAK-STAT, cytokine, and chemokine signaling
      pathways, as well those involved in pathogenesis of measles. CONCLUSIONS: In a
      genetic analysis of 3308 AA IBD cases and controls, we found that many variants
      associated with IBD in Caucasians also showed association evidence with these
      diseases in AAs; we also found evidence for variants and loci not previously
      associated with IBD. The complex genetic factors that determine risk for or
      protection against IBD in different populations require further study.

PMID- 26278506
TI  - Metabolic engineering of cyanobacteria for photosynthetic 3-hydroxypropionic acid
      production from CO2 using Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942.
AB  - Photosynthetic conversion of CO2 to chemicals using cyanobacteria is an
      attractive approach for direct recycling of CO2 to useful products. 3
      Hydroxypropionic acid (3 HP) is a valuable chemical for the synthesis of polymers
      and serves as a precursor to many other chemicals such as acrylic acid. 3 HP is
      naturally produced through glycerol metabolism. However, cyanobacteria do not
      possess pathways for synthesizing glycerol and converting glycerol to 3 HP.
      Furthermore, the latter pathway requires coenzyme B12, or an oxygen sensitive,
      coenzyme B12-independent enzyme. These characteristics present major challenges
      for production of 3 HP using cyanobacteria. To overcome such difficulties, we
      constructed two alternative pathways in Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942: a
      malonyl-CoA dependent pathway and a beta-alanine dependent pathway. Expression of
      the malonyl-CoA dependent pathway genes (malonyl-CoA reductase and malonate
      semialdehyde reductase) enabled S. elongatus to synthesize 3 HP to a final titer
      of 665 mg/L. beta-Alanine dependent pathway expressing S. elongatus produced 3H P
      to final titer of 186 mg/L. These results demonstrated the feasibility of
      converting CO2 into 3 HP using cyanobacteria.

PMID- 26278507
TI  - [Radiosurgery for 1-4 brain metastases: Radiosurgery alone may be the preferred
      treatment].

PMID- 26278508
TI  - Metabolism of the Fusarium Mycotoxins T-2 Toxin and HT-2 Toxin in Wheat.
AB  - To investigate the metabolic fate of HT-2 toxin (HT2) and T-2 toxin (T2) in wheat
      (Triticum aestivum L.), an untargeted metabolomics study utilizing stable
      isotopic labeling and liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry was
      performed. In total, 11 HT2 and 12 T2 derived in planta biotransformation
      products were annotated putatively. In addition to previously reported mono- and
      diglucosylated forms of HT2, evidence for the formation of HT2-malonyl-glucoside
      and feruloyl-T2, as well as acetylation and deacetylation products in wheat was
      obtained for the first time. To monitor the kinetics of metabolite formation, a
      time course experiment was conducted involving the Fusarium head blight
      susceptible variety Remus and the resistant cultivar CM-82036. Biotransformation
      reactions were observed already at the earliest tested time point (6 h after
      treatment), and formed metabolites showed different kinetic profiles. After
      ripening, less than 15% of the toxins added to the plants were determined to be
      unmetabolized. 

PMID- 26278509
TI  - Hydrogen production at high Faradaic efficiency by a bio-electrode based on TiO2
      adsorption of a new [FeFe]-hydrogenase from Clostridium perfringens.
AB  - The [FeFe]-hydrogenase CpHydA from Clostridium perfringens was immobilized by
      adsorption on anatase TiO2 electrodes for clean hydrogen production. The
      immobilized enzyme proved to perform direct electron transfer to and from the
      electrode surface and catalyses both H2 oxidation (H2 uptake) and H2 production
      (H2 evolution) with a current density for H2 evolution of about 2 mA cm(-1). The
      TiO2/CpHydA bioelectrode remained active for several days upon storage and when a
      reducing potential was set, H2 evolution occurred with a mean Faradaic efficiency
      of 98%. The high turnover frequency of H2 production and the tight coupling of
      electron transfer, resulting in a Faradaic efficiency close to 100%, support the
      exploitation of the novel TiO2/CpHydA stationary electrode as a powerful device
      for H2 production.

PMID- 26278510
TI  - The influence of latent toxoplasmosis on women's reproductive function: four
      cross-sectional studies.
AB  - Several studies have investigated the association between infection with
      Toxoplasma gondii (Nicolle et Manceaux, 1908), pregnancy and fertility, but the
      results of studies focused on the fertility are rather ambiguous. Here we report
      results of four new cross-sectional studies. The studies were performed in the
      General University Hospital, Prague (study A with n = 1 165, and study C with n =
      317), in private clinics of the Centre of Reproductive Medicine, Prague (study B
      with n = 1 016), and in a population of Czech and Slovak volunteers from the
      Facebook page 'Guinea Pigs' willing to participate in various basic science
      studies (study D with n = 524). In studies A and B, the clinical records were
      used to assess the fertility problems, whereas in studies C and D, the women were
      asked to rate their fertility problems using a six-point scale. Pregnant T.
      gondii-infected women were older than T. gondii-free women (study A: 33.1 vs
      31.2, P < 0.001; study B: 30.6 vs 29.6, P = 0.012) and more often used assisted
      reproductive technology to conceive (study A: 17.2% vs 12.4%, P = 0.041; study B:
      13.4% vs 9.2%, P = 0.317). Pregnant T. gondii-infected primiparous women were
      older than T. gondii-free primiparas (study A: 31.1 vs 29.5, P < 0.001; study B:
      29.7 vs 28.9, P = 0.064) and more often used assisted reproductive technology to
      conceive (study A: 24.7% vs 14.4%, P = 0.010; study B: 15.9% vs 15.5%, P =
      0.888). T. gondii-infected women reported to take a longer time to conceive than
      T. gondii-free women (P = 0.015). They also claimed to have more fertility
      problems than T. gondii-free women (P < 0.0001). Our results suggest that
      'asymptomatic' latent toxoplasmosis could be a more serious source of fertility
      problems and health-associated burden than more severe but far rarer congenital
      toxoplasmosis. 

PMID- 26278512
TI  - Enhanced antitumour drug delivery to cholangiocarcinoma through the apical sodium
      dependent bile acid transporter (ASBT).
AB  - Novel antitumour drugs, such as cationic tyrosine kinase inhibitors, are useful
      in many types of cancer but not in others, such as cholangiocarcinoma (CCA),
      where their uptake through specific membrane transporters, such as OCT1, is very
      poor. Here we have investigated the usefulness of targeting cytostatic bile acid
      derivatives to enhance the delivery of chemotherapy to tumours expressing the
      bile acid transporter ASBT and whether this is the case for CCA. The analysis of
      paired samples of CCA and adjacent non-tumour tissue collected from human (n=15)
      and rat (n=29) CCA revealed that ASBT expression was preserved. Moreover, ASBT
      was expressed, although at different levels, in human and rat CCA cell lines.
      Both cells in vitro and rat tumours in vivo were able to carry out efficient
      uptake of bile acid derivatives. Using Bamet-UD2 (cisplatin-ursodeoxycholate
      conjugate) as a model ASBT-targeted drug, in vitro and in vivo antiproliferative
      activity was evaluated. ASBT expression enhanced the sensitivity to Bamet-UD2,
      but not to cisplatin, in vitro. In nude mice, Bamet-UD2 (more than cisplatin)
      inhibited the growth of human colon adenocarcinoma tumours with induced stable
      expression of ASBT. As compared with cisplatin, administration of Bamet-UD2 to
      rats with CCA resulted in an efficient liver and tumour uptake but low exposure
      of extrahepatic tissues to the drug. Consequently, signs of liver/renal toxicity
      were absent in animals treated with Bamet-UD2. In conclusion, endogenous or
      induced ASBT expression may be useful in pharmacological strategies to treat
      enterohepatic tumours based on the use of cytostatic bile acid derivatives. 

PMID- 26278514
TI  - Probing structural patterns of ion association and solvation in mixtures of
      imidazolium ionic liquids with acetonitrile by means of relative (1)H and (13)C
      NMR chemical shifts.
AB  - Mixtures of ionic liquids (ILs) with polar aprotic solvents in different
      combinations and under different conditions (concentration, temperature etc.) are
      used widely in electrochemistry. However, little is known about the key
      intermolecular interactions in such mixtures depending on the nature of the
      constituents and mixture composition. In order to systematically address the
      intermolecular interactions, the chemical shift variation of (1)H and (13)C
      nuclei has been followed in mixtures of imidazolium ILs 1-n-butyl-3
      methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (BmimBF4), 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium
      hexafluorophosphate (BmimPF6), 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium
      trifluoromethanesulfonate (BmimTfO) and 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium
      bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (BmimTFSI) with molecular solvent acetonitrile
      (AN) over the entire composition range at 300 K. The concept of relative chemical
      shift variation is proposed to assess the observed effects on a unified and
      unbiased scale. We have found that hydrogen bonds between the imidazolium ring
      hydrogen atoms and electronegative atoms of anions are stronger in BmimBF4 and
      BmimTfO ILs than those in BmimTFSI and BmimPF6. Hydrogen atom at position 2 of
      the imidazolium ring is substantially more sensitive to interionic hydrogen
      bonding than those at positions 4-5 in the case of BmimTfO and BmimTFSI ILs.
      These hydrogen bonds are disrupted upon dilution in AN due to ion dissociation
      which is more pronounced at high dilutions. Specific solvation interactions
      between AN molecules and IL cations are poorly manifested. 

PMID- 26278513
TI  - Patient and Physician Perspectives on Mode of Administration of the PCSK9
      Monoclonal Antibody Alirocumab, an Injectable Medication to Lower LDL-C Levels.
AB  - PURPOSE: Clinical trials of the PCSK9 inhibitor alirocumab, an every 2 week
      injectable monoclonal antibody, have shown significant reductions in LDL
      cholesterol. However, many patients requiring lipid-lowering therapy are not
      experienced with self-injected medication. This study assessed patient and
      physician perceptions of 2 alirocumab delivery devices. METHODS: 400 participants
      (200 physicians, 200 patients) were included from 6 countries. Physicians (99
      primary care physicians [PCPs]; 101 specialists) had mean practice experience of
      17.8 years and an average of 797 hypercholesterolemic patients. Participating
      patients had LDL-C levels above their goal and at least one of the following:
      familial hypercholesterolemia, statin intolerance, high cardiovascular risk,
      and/or diabetes. Mean patient age was 58.5 years, 51% were female, and 25.5% had
      injectable medication experience. Following device instruction and demonstration,
      participants tested either a pre-filled pen or pre-filled syringe, using both 75
      and 150 mg doses of single-blinded placebo into a prosthetic pad. Data were
      collected by self-administered questionnaire. FINDINGS: Participant acceptance of
      both devices was positive, with 83-100% agreeing with ease-of-use statements.
      After testing, physicians estimated that 66% (pen) and 58% (syringe) of their
      patients would be willing to self-inject using the device (relative increases
      from pre-testing of 22% and 16%, respectively; both P<0.05). Specialist estimates
      were higher than PCP estimates: for the pen, 60% versus 47% (pre-testing),
      respectively, and 72% versus 61% (post-testing); for the syringe, 57% versus 43%
      (pre-testing), 63% versus 54% (post-testing; all P<0.05, specialist vs PCP).
      After testing, 72% (pen) and 63% (syringe) of patient-participants were very
      willing to self-inject (relative increases from pre-testing of 26% [P<0.05] and
      11%, respectively); 96% (pen) and 93% (syringe) were either very willing or
      somewhat willing to self-inject. The proportion of patients aged <60 years who
      were very willing to self-inject with either device was numerically (but not
      statistically) higher compared with those >=60 years. Initially, patients with
      injectable medication experience were generally more willing to use the pen than
      injection-naive patients; after testing there was no difference between groups.
      No significant differences were observed in responses to the 2 different doses.
      IMPLICATIONS: Responses from physicians and patients to pre-filled pen and
      syringe devices were positive. Devices were considered easy to operate, with most
      patients willing to use and accept self-injection. Patient willingness to self
      inject increased after demonstration and testing. Results suggest that, in
      clinical practice, alirocumab administration by either pre-filled pen or syringe
      would not deter most physicians from prescribing or most patients from self
      administering.

PMID- 26278515
TI  - Reactive interlayer based ultra-low moisture permeable membranes for organic
      photovoltaic encapsulation.
AB  - Reactive interlayers consisting of zero valent iron and copper nanoparticles have
      been successfully incorporated into Surlyn films to fabricate moisture barrier
      materials with reduced water vapor permeabilities. The reactive nanoparticles
      dispersed in stearic acid were employed as the interlayers due to their ability
      to react with moisture. The water vapor transmission rates through the fabricated
      barrier films with reactive iron and copper interlayers decreased by over 4
      orders of magnitude when compared to neat Surlyn. The flexibility and
      transparency of the barrier films have been evaluated by tensile and UV-visible
      experiments. Moreover, the accelerated aging studies conducted in accordance with
      the ISOS-III protocol confirmed the increased lifetimes of the organic
      photovoltaic (OPV) devices encapsulated with these reactive barrier films. 

PMID- 26278516
TI  - Fueling the Brain--a New Role in Lactate Metabolism.

PMID- 26278511
TI  - Drug transporters in tissues and cells relevant to sexual transmission of HIV:
      Implications for drug delivery.
AB  - Efflux and uptake transporters of drugs are key regulators of the
      pharmacokinetics of many antiretroviral drugs. A growing body of literature has
      revealed the expression and functionality of multiple transporters in female
      genital tract (FGT), colorectal tissue, and immune cells. Drug transporters could
      play a significant role in the efficacy of preventative strategies for HIV-1
      acquisition. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a promising strategy, which
      utilizes topically (vaginally or rectally), orally or other systemically
      administered antiretroviral drugs to prevent the sexual transmission of HIV to
      receptive partners. The drug concentration in the receptive mucosal tissues and
      target immune cells for HIV is critical for PrEP effectiveness. Hence, there is
      an emerging interest in utilizing transporter information to explain tissue
      disposition patterns of PrEP drugs, to interpret inter-individual variability in
      PrEP drug pharmacokinetics and effectiveness, and to improve tissue drug exposure
      through modulation of the cervicovaginal, colorectal, or immune cell
      transporters. In this review, the existing literature on transporter expression,
      functionality and regulation in the transmission-related tissues and cells is
      summarized. In addition, the relevance of transporter function for drug delivery
      and strategies that could exploit transporters for increased drug concentration
      at target locales is discussed. The overall goal is to facilitate an
      understanding of drug transporters for PrEP optimization. 

PMID- 26278517
TI  - Mild partial deoxygenation of esters catalyzed by an oxazolinylborate-coordinated
      rhodium silylene.
AB  - An electrophilic, coordinatively unsaturated rhodium complex supported by borate
      linked oxazoline, oxazoline-coordinated silylene, and N-heterocyclic carbene
      donors [{kappa(3)-N,Si,C-PhB(Ox(Me2))(Ox(Me2)SiHPh)Im(Mes)}Rh(H)CO][HB(C6F5)3] (,
      Ox(Me2) = 4,4-dimethyl-2-oxazoline; Im(Mes) = 1-mesitylimidazole) is synthesized
      from the neutral rhodium silyl {PhB(Ox(Me2))2Im(Mes)}RhH(SiH2Ph)CO () and
      B(C6F5)3. The unusual oxazoline-coordinated silylene structure in is proposed to
      form by rearrangement of an unobserved isomeric cationic rhodium silylene species
      [{PhB(Ox(Me2))2Im(Mes)}RhH(SiHPh)CO][HB(C6F5)3] generated by H abstraction.
      Complex catalyzes reductions of organic carbonyl compounds with silanes to give
      hydrosilylation products or deoxygenation products. The pathway to these
      reactions is primarily influenced by the degree of substitution of the
      organosilane. Reactions with primary silanes give deoxygenation of esters to
      ethers, amides to amines, and ketones and aldehydes to hydrocarbons, whereas
      tertiary silanes react to give 1,2-hydrosilylation of the carbonyl functionality.
      In contrast, the strong Lewis acid B(C6F5)3 catalyzes the complete deoxygenation
      of carbonyl compounds to hydrocarbons with PhSiH3 as the reducing agent. 

PMID- 26278519
TI  - Comparison of Cytologic Characteristics between Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma and
      Adenoid Basal Carcinoma in the Uterine Cervix.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) and adenoid basal carcinoma (ABC) are
      rare in the uterine cervix. ACC is more aggressive than ABC, thus accurate
      differential diagnosis is important. In this study, we identified cytologic
      features useful in distinguishing these two tumors for diagnosis. METHODS: Three
      cases of ACC and five cases of ABC were selected for this study. Cervicovaginal
      smear slides were reviewed retrospectively, and the area, circumference, major
      axis, and minor axis of nuclei were measured using an image analyzer. RESULTS:
      ACC displayed three-dimensional clusters with a small acini pattern. ABC
      displayed peripheral palisading without an acini pattern. The nuclei of ACC were
      more irregular and angulated than those of ABC, and the former showed a coarsely
      granular chromatin pattern. The nucleic area, circumference, major axis, and
      minor axis were 18.556+/-8.665 um(2), 23.320+/-11.412 um, 5.664+/-1.537 um, and
      4.127+/-1.107 um in ACC and 11.017+/-4.440 um(2), 15.920+/-5.664 um, 4.612+/
      1.025 um, and 3.088+/-0.762 um in the cases of ABC. All measured values showed
      statistically significant difference (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Although the nuclei
      of both of these tumor types were oval shaped, inferred from the ratio of minor
      axis to major axis (0.728 in ACC and 0.669 in ABC), the area of nuclei was
      approximately 1.7 times larger in ACC than in ABC. Distinguishing nucleic
      features, including area, morphology, and chromatin pattern, may be helpful in
      making a correct diagnosis.

PMID- 26278518
TI  - Current Issues and Clinical Evidence in Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes in Breast
      Cancer.
AB  - With the advance in personalized therapeutic strategies in patients with breast
      cancer, there is an increasing need for biomarker-guided therapy. Although the
      immunogenicity of breast cancer has not been strongly considered in research or
      practice, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are emerging as biomarkers
      mediating tumor response to treatments. Earlier studies have provided evidence
      that the level of TILs has prognostic value and the potential for predictive
      value, particularly in triple-negative and human epidermal growth factor receptor
      2-positive breast cancer. Moreover, the level of TILs has been associated with
      treatment outcome in patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy. To date, no
      standardized methodology for measuring TILs has been established. In this
      article, we review current issues and clinical evidence for the use of TILs in
      breast cancer. 

PMID- 26278520
TI  - Clustering and phase behaviour of attractive active particles with hydrodynamics.
AB  - We simulate clustering, phase separation and hexatic ordering in a monolayered
      suspension of active squirming disks subject to an attractive Lennard-Jones-like
      pairwise interaction potential, taking hydrodynamic interactions between the
      particles fully into account. By comparing the hydrodynamic case with counterpart
      simulations for passive and active Brownian particles, we elucidate the relative
      roles of self-propulsion, interparticle attraction, and hydrodynamic interactions
      in determining clustering and phase behaviour. Even in the presence of an
      attractive potential, we find that hydrodynamic interactions strongly suppress
      the motility induced phase separation that might a priori have been expected in a
      highly active suspension. Instead, we find only a weak tendency for the particles
      to form stringlike clusters in this regime. At lower activities we demonstrate
      phase behaviour that is broadly equivalent to that of the counterpart passive
      system at low temperatures, characterized by regimes of gas-liquid, gas-solid and
      liquid-solid phase coexistence. In this way, we suggest that a dimensionless
      quantity representing the level of activity relative to the strength of
      attraction plays the role of something like an effective non-equilibrium
      temperature, counterpart to the (dimensionless) true thermodynamic temperature in
      the passive system. However there are also some important differences from the
      equilibrium case, most notably with regards the degree of hexatic ordering, which
      we discuss carefully. 

PMID- 26278522
TI  - Psychosocial presentation of revisional LAGB patients: a qualitative study.
AB  - This qualitative study offers insight into the experiences, expectations,
      perceptions and beliefs that may lead to laparoscopic adjustable gastric band
      patients' failure to achieve expected weight loss and seek revisional bariatric
      surgery. The 23 participants from two sites were interviewed and data were
      analysed from a grounded theory methodology in order to build a causal model.
      Analysis of participants' reports identified 'unrealistic expectations of the
      LAGB' as the core category. Additionally, the restriction of the band had a
      negative impact on participants' social interactions, leading to feelings of
      deprivation and, thus, to a desire for reward from food choices and consequently
      an increase of consumption of high-calorie-dense foods. These foods were chosen
      because of their specific texture or ability to provide reward. The resulting
      increase in weight or failure to achieve excess weight loss, led to feelings of
      shame and loneliness and emotional eating resulting in increased the consumption
      of rewarding foods. Thus, identifying unrealistic expectations of laparoscopic
      adjustable gastric band (LAGB) and emotional eating behaviours are important in
      those who are present initially for primary bariatric and revisional bariatric
      surgery, as they may contribute specifically to these patients' weight regain and
      consequent failure to achieve excess weight loss. 

PMID- 26278521
TI  - Logistic, ethical, and political dimensions of stepped wedge trials: critical
      review and case studies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Three arguments are usually invoked in favour of stepped wedge
      cluster randomised controlled trials: the logistic convenience of implementing an
      intervention in phases, the ethical benefit of providing the intervention to all
      clusters, and the potential to enhance the social acceptability of cluster
      randomised controlled trials. Are these alleged benefits real? We explored the
      logistic, ethical, and political dimensions of stepped wedge trials using case
      studies of six recent evaluations. METHODS: We identified completed or ongoing
      stepped wedge evaluations using two systematic reviews. We then purposively
      selected six with a focus on public health in high, middle, and low-income
      settings. We interviewed their authors about the logistic, ethical, and social
      issues faced by their teams. Two authors reviewed interview transcripts,
      identified emerging issues through qualitative thematic analysis, reflected upon
      them in the context of the literature, and invited all participants to co-author
      the manuscript. RESULTS: Our analysis raises three main points. First, the phased
      implementation of interventions can alleviate problems linked to simultaneous
      roll-out, but also brings new challenges. Issues to consider include the
      feasibility of organising intervention activities according to a randomised
      sequence, estimating time lags in implementation and effects, and accommodating
      policy changes during the trial period. Second, stepped wedge trials, like
      parallel cluster trials, require equipoise: without it, randomising participants
      to a control condition, even for a short time, remains problematic. In stepped
      wedge trials, equipoise is likely to lie in the degree of effect, effectiveness
      in a specific operational milieu, and the balance of benefit and harm, including
      the social value of better evaluation. Third, the strongest arguments for a
      stepped wedge design are logistic and political rather than ethical. The design
      is advantageous when simultaneous roll-out is impractical and when it increases
      the acceptability of using counterfactuals. CONCLUSIONS: The logistic convenience
      of phased implementation is context-dependent, and may be vitiated by the
      additional requirements of phasing. The potential for stepped wedge trials to
      enhance the social acceptability of cluster randomised trials is real, but their
      ethical legitimacy still rests on demonstrating equipoise and its configuration
      for each research question and setting.

PMID- 26278523
TI  - Whole-Saliva Fluoride Levels and Saturation Indices in 65+ Elderly during Use of
      Four Different Toothpaste Regimens.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Elderly individuals suffering from subnormal saliva secretion
      combined with inadequate oral hygiene may develop rampant caries and caries in
      parts of the dentition not normally affected by caries if preventive measures are
      not undertaken. Such measures include elevating fluoride levels at the
      saliva/biofilm/tooth interface. AIM: To analyse whole-saliva fluoride levels and
      mineral saturation indices during different fluoride toothpaste regimens in home
      living elderly. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Whole saliva was collected from 27
      subjects (7 males and 20 females, mean age 73.5+/-6.1 years) at ten time points
      covering the whole day during five 2-week periods. During the first period,
      participants used their normal toothpaste without instructions (baseline). This
      was followed by TP1: 1,450-ppm NaF toothpaste; TP2: 1,450-ppm monofluorophosphate
      (MFP) toothpaste with addition of calcium; TP3: 5,000-ppm NaF toothpaste, and
      TP4: the same toothpaste with additional 'smearing' of toothpaste on the teeth,
      twice daily. During TP1-TP4, the participants were instructed to brush 3 times
      per day using 1.5 g of toothpaste without rinsing. RESULTS: Salivary fluoride
      levels increased with toothpaste fluoride content (p<0.001), although major
      interindividual and intraindividual variations were observed. The highest
      fluoride values appeared in the morning and at night (p<0.001). Saturation
      indices for calcium fluoride were affected by the fluoride content in pastes
      (p<0.05). Concerning hydroxyapatite and fluorapatite, indices were highest with
      the MFP toothpaste and extra calcium (NS to p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Use of a high
      fluoride toothpaste resulted in significantly increased fluoride levels in whole
      saliva and mineral saturation indices were indeed influenced by choice of
      toothpaste.

PMID- 26278524
TI  - Delivery systems for biopharmaceuticals. Part II: Liposomes, Micelles,
      Microemulsions and Dendrimers.
AB  - Biopharmaceuticals are a generation of drugs that include peptides, proteins,
      nucleic acids and cell products. According to their particular molecular
      characteristics (e.g. high molecular size, susceptibility to enzymatic activity),
      these products present some limitations for administration and usually parenteral
      routes are the only option. To avoid these limitations, different colloidal
      carriers (e.g. liposomes, micelles, microemulsions and dendrimers) have been
      proposed to improve biopharmaceuticals delivery. Liposomes are promising drug
      delivery systems, despite some limitations have been reported (e.g. in vivo
      failure, poor long-term stability and low transfection efficiency), and only a
      limited number of formulations have reached the market. Micelles and
      microemulsions require more studies to exclude some of the observed drawbacks and
      guarantee their potential for use in clinic. According to their peculiar
      structures, dendrimers have been showing good results for nucleic acids delivery
      and a great development of these systems during next years is expected. This is
      the Part II of two review articles, which provides the state of the art of
      biopharmaceuticals delivery systems. Part II deals with liposomes, micelles,
      microemulsions and dendrimers. 

PMID- 26278525
TI  - The Use of Nanocarriers in Acute Myeloid Leukaemia Therapy: Challenges and
      Current Status.
AB  - Chemotherapy for AML is hampered by severe side-effects and failure to eliminate
      all the blasts that eventually leads to relapse. The use of nanosized particulate
      drug carriers such as liposomes and polymeric nanoparticles has the potential to
      improve AML therapy by delivering more of the drug to the disease site, thereby
      reducing toxicity. For example, encapsulation in liposomes reduces the
      cardiotoxicity of anthracyclines, giving an improved therapeutic index. Moreover,
      when the surface properties are engineered appropriately, nanocarriers remain in
      the circulation and extravasate in tissues with sinusoidal capillaries, one of
      which is bone marrow, leading to a more favourable distribution of the associated
      drug. Drug carrier technology contributes to the development of newer drugs, such
      as nucleic acids that can be protected from degradation and delivered into cells,
      thus opening the way for gene-silencing strategies. Furthermore, carrier systems
      provide a means of dispersing poorly water-soluble molecule for in vivo
      administration and thus increase the "druggability" of new lead compounds, such
      as heat-shock protein inhibitors. Particulate carriers can transport more than
      one active agent, allowing synergistic action and theranostic strategies.
      Notably, phase I and II clinical trials are being performed with CPX-351, a
      liposomal formulation containing cytarabine and daunorubicin at an optimal ratio.
      Finally, by attaching suitable ligands to the nanocarrier surface, specific
      targeting to AML cells can be achieved. In this review, we give examples of
      successful targeting to folate and transferrin receptors against AML. 

PMID- 26278526
TI  - Practical Considerations for Omics Experiments in Biomedical Sciences.
AB  - Modern analytical techniques provide an unprecedented insight to biomedical
      samples, allowing an in depth characterization of cells or body fluids, to the
      level of genes, transcripts, peptides, proteins, metabolites, or metallic ions.
      The fine grained picture provided by such approaches holds the promise for a
      better understanding of complex pathologies, and consequently the personalization
      of diagnosis, prognosis and treatment procedures. In practice however, technical
      limitations restrict the resolution of the acquired data, and thus of downstream
      biomedical inference. As a result, the study of complex diseases like leukemia
      and other types of cancer is impaired by the high heterogeneity of pathologies as
      well as patient profiles. In this review, we propose an introduction to the
      general approach of characterizing samples and inferring biomedical results. We
      highlight the main limitations of the technique with regards to complex and
      heterogeneous pathologies, and provide ways to overcome these by improving the
      ability of experiments in discriminating samples. 

PMID- 26278527
TI  - Screening for Marine Natural Products with Potential as Chemotherapeutics for
      Acute Myeloid Leukemia.
AB  - Nature is an important source for anti-cancer therapeutics, and nearly half of
      the currently marketed cancer drugs are derived from natural products. Most of
      the therapeutic natural products are derived from terrestrial sources, such as
      paclitaxel, vincristine, epothilones, doxorubicin, etoposide and camptothecin.
      However, the oceans have received growing interest as a source for new useful
      bioactive compounds, and there are currently several drugs derived from marine
      natural products for the treatment of cancer on the market. The current
      recommended chemotherapy of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is founded on
      cytarabine, a molecule derived from a natural product isolated from a marine
      sponge. However, in order to increase the efficiency of the chemotherapy used in
      the treatment of AML, it is necessary to develop more targeted drugs with less
      pronounced side effects. In this review, we argue that marine natural products
      have many of the desired properties of such a drug, and that prefractionated
      extract libraries of marine plants, animals and microorganisms should be a part
      of the screening efforts for new AML chemotherapeutics. 

PMID- 26278528
TI  - Xenograft Models of Primary Acute Myeloid Leukemia for the Development of Imaging
      Strategies and Evaluation of Novel Targeted Therapies.
AB  - Despite the tremendous progress made in the comprehension of acute myeloid
      leukemia (AML) over the last 30 years most patients die from their disease. Our
      understanding of AML has relied on an intensive in-vitro research approach, based
      on AML cell lines as well as primary AML patient cells. However, experimental
      insight into the early events of AML leukemogenesis before they become clinically
      observable is not possible in humans. Thus, preclinical animal models have served
      the purpose to extend our knowledge of the disease as well as to develop
      innovative therapeutic strategies. Today, xenograft models using patient-derived
      neoplastic/leukemia cells represent the strategy of choice for preclinical
      studies of AML. These models exhibit several key advantages over AML cell lines.
      In fact, patient-derived cells, in contrast to AML cell lines, encompass the
      entire complexity of AML disease and can therefore provide more trustworthy
      results on the efficacy outcome of novel therapies. One other important aspect in
      the development of xenograft models of AML is the possibility to use imaging
      techniques to monitor in-vivo the progression of the disease. Imaging techniques
      also authorize the evaluation of the efficacy of an experimental treatment on
      tumor growth. This review will focus on the description of xenograft models of
      AML and will provide researchers and clinicians an overview of how these models
      have been used for the development of new therapeutic options and new imaging
      approaches to study AML in-vivo.

PMID- 26278529
TI  - Inhibition of Melanogenesis by Yeast Extracts from Cultivations of Recombinant
      Pichia pastoris Catalyzing ortho-Hydroxylation of Flavonoids.
AB  - The inhibition of melanogenesis by yeast extracts from cultivations of
      recombinant Pichia pastoris catalyzing ortho-hydroxylation of flavonoids was
      investigated. The recombinant yeast harbored a fusion gene composed of the
      CYP57B3 gene from Aspergillus oryzae and a cytochrome reductase gene from
      Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Ten flavonoids belonging to flavones, flavonols,
      flavanones, flavanols, and isoflavones were evaluated for biotransformation by
      the recombinant strain. The results showed that five flavonoids, including the
      flavone apigenin, the flavanones naringenin and liquiritigenin, and the
      isoflavones daidzein and genistein, could be biotransformed. The yeast extracts
      from the five biotransformation fermentations were then evaluated for inhibitory
      activity on melanogenesis in cultured mouse B16 melanoma cells. Three yeast
      extracts from biotransformation fermentation feeding with daidzein, genistein, or
      apigenin showed inhibitory activity on melanogenesis in the B16 cells, while the
      extract from genistein biotransformation exhibited the highest activity. The
      yeast extract from genistein biotransformation also showed inhibitory activity on
      cellular tyrosinase activity in the B16 cells. The present study shows a CYP with
      multiple flavonoid substrates for the first time and highlights the usage of
      yeast extracts from cultivations of the recombinant yeast catalyzing flavonoids'
      biotransformation in the development of skin-whitening agents. 

PMID- 26278530
TI  - Synthesis, Self-assembly, and in vitro Biocompatibility of a Novel Steroidal
      Oxime.
AB  - A novel steroidal oxime (SO) was synthesized using an economic method and then
      characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and 1H nuclear magnetic
      resonance (NMR). When dispersed in pure water, SO can self-assemble into a nano
      scale circular structure which was verified by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and
      transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The formation of SO nano aggregates may
      result from its ambiphilic characteristic which has the hydrophobic
      cholesterolbased backbone and the hydrophilic oxime head group. The prepared SO
      aggregates were then examined for its in vitro biocompatibility using the human
      keratinocytes cell line (HaCaT) as a representative skin exposure model. The
      biocompatibility was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5
      diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and cell morphology observation. The
      results showed that the nano-scale SO aggregates did not cause serious damage to
      HaCaT cells at the designed concentrations and suggested that SO could be a
      potential material for preparing cosmeceutical carrier. 

PMID- 26278531
TI  - N-(4-bromophenethyl) Caffeamide Inhibits Melanogenesis by Regulating AKT/Glycogen
      Synthase Kinase 3 Beta/Microphthalmia-associated Transcription Factor and
      Tyrosinase-related Protein 1/Tyrosinase.
AB  - Skin color is primarily produced by melanin, which is a crucial pigment that
      protects the skin from UV-induced damage and prevents carcinogenesis. However,
      accumulated melanin in the skin may cause hyperpigmentation and related
      disorders. Melanin synthesis comprises consecutive oxidative reactions, and
      tyrosinase is the enzyme that catalyzes the rate-limiting process of
      melanogenesis. In this study, tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP-1) and TRP-2
      contributed to melanin formation. N-(4-bromophenethyl) caffeamide ((E)-N-(4
      bromophenethyl)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)acrylamide; K36H), a caffeic acid phenyl
      amide derivative, inhibited alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH)
      induced melanogenesis and tyrosinase activity in B16F0 cells. In addition, K36H
      reduced the protein expression of the phospho-cAMP response element binding
      protein (p-CREB), microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF),
      tyrosinase, and TRP-1. Moreover, K36H promoted AKT and glycogen synthase kinase 3
      beta (GSK3beta) phosphorylation, thereby inhibiting MITF transcription activity.
      Thus, K36H attenuated alpha-MSH-induced cAMP pathways, contributing to
      hypopigmentation. The results of a safety assay revealed that K36H did not
      exhibit cytotoxicity or irritate the skin or eyes. According to these results,
      K36H may have the potential to be used as a whitening agent in the cosmetic and
      pharmaceutical industries. 

PMID- 26278532
TI  - A Review: Hair Health, Concerns of Shampoo Ingredients and Scalp Nourishing
      Treatments.
AB  - Human hair serves a biological purpose of protecting the scalp, as well as
      physical attractiveness to the perception of beauty. Hair loss, graying of hair,
      dandruff and other conditions affecting hair conditions can be distressing to
      patients, as hair condition is often considered important in people's own
      assessment of physical beauty. Different hair types can benefit from different
      treatment methods to promote hair health and growth. External factors like
      exposure to the sun and smoking, dietary factors including malnutrition of
      essential fatty acids and vitamins, and chemicals applied to the hair and scalp
      in shampoos and other treatments can all cause damage to existing hair and impair
      hair growth. Specific chemicals found in many shampoos, including antimicrobial
      agents, surfactants and preservatives, can all impair different aspects of hair
      health. In this review, we aim to discuss the main hair issues, such as hair
      loss, followed by the safety assessments of selected ingredients in shampoo, and
      possible nourishment for scalp improvement. This review highlights areas of
      disagreement in the existing literature, and points to new directions for future
      studies. Key conclusions include the carcinogenic chemicals to avoid,
      alternatives of such ingredients, and scalp nourishing treatments with
      micronutrients. 

PMID- 26278533
TI  - Selection and optimization of transfection enhancer additives for increased virus
      like particle production in HEK293 suspension cell cultures.
AB  - The manufacturing of biopharmaceuticals in mammalian cells typically relies on
      the use of stable producer cell lines. However, in recent years, transient gene
      expression has emerged as a suitable technology for rapid production of
      biopharmaceuticals. Transient gene expression is particularly well suited for
      early developmental phases, where several potential therapeutic targets need to
      be produced and tested in vivo. As a relatively new bioprocessing modality, a
      number of opportunities exist for improving cell culture productivity upon
      transient transfection. For instance, several compounds have shown positive
      effects on transient gene expression. These transfection enhancers either
      facilitate entry of PEI/DNA transfection complexes into the cell or nucleus or
      increase levels of gene expression. In this work, the potential of combining
      transfection enhancers to increase Gag-based virus-like particle production
      levels upon transfection of suspension-growing HEK 293 cells is evaluated. Using
      Plackett-Burman design of experiments, it is first tested the effect of eight
      transfection enhancers: trichostatin A, valproic acid, sodium butyrate, dimethyl
      sulfoxide (DMSO), lithium acetate, caffeine, hydroxyurea, and nocodazole. An
      optimal combination of compounds exhibiting the highest effect on gene expression
      levels was subsequently identified using a surface response experimental design.
      The optimal consisted on the addition of 20 mM lithium acetate, 3.36 mM valproic
      acid, and 5.04 mM caffeine which increased VLP production levels 3.8-fold, while
      maintaining cell culture viability at 94%.

PMID- 26278534
TI  - Directed evolution to produce sludge communities with improved oxygen uptake
      abilities.
AB  - Two activated sludge cultures, seeded with activated sludge from the same source,
      were cultivated for 370 days in synthetic wastewater. Both cultures were
      transferred weekly to fresh medium; one culture was operated at high dissolved
      oxygen (DO) (near saturation) and the other at low DO (0.25 mg O2/L). There were
      significant changes in the abundances of bacterial species and phyla present in
      each culture throughout the 370-day operational period. In the low DO culture,
      over time, there was a continuously increasing proportion of cells of species
      known to encode truncated hemoglobins (Hbs). These are the types of Hbs which may
      enhance delivery of oxygen to the respiratory chain, to enhance ATP production,
      especially under low aeration conditions. The levels of heme b, the heme found in
      Vitreoscilla hemoglobin, increased in parallel to the increase in Hb-encoding
      species, to much higher levels in the low DO culture than in the high DO culture.
      Specific oxygen uptake rates increased by 3 % for the high DO culture near the
      end of the 370-day period, while those for the low DO culture increased steadily
      to a level 28 % higher than that of the starting culture. Thus, imposition of low
      DO conditions may, due to selection for Hb-expressing species, be useful in
      developing bacterial communities with enhanced ability to function efficiently in
      aerobic wastewater treatment, especially under low aeration conditions. 

PMID- 26278535
TI  - Iron management and production of electricity by microorganisms.
AB  - The increasing dependency on fossil fuels has driven researchers to seek for
      alternative energy sources. Renewable energy sources such as sunlight, wind, or
      water are the most common. However, since the 1990s, other sources for energy
      production have been studied. The use of microorganisms such as bacteria or
      archaea to produce energy is currently in great progress. These present several
      advantages even when compared with other renewable energy sources. Besides the
      energy production, they are also involved in bioremediation such as the removal
      of heavy metal contaminants from soils or wastewaters. Several research groups
      have demonstrated that these organisms are able to interact with electrodes via
      heme and non-heme iron proteins. Therefore, the role of iron as well as iron
      metabolism in these species must be of enormous relevance. Recently, the
      influence of cellular iron regulation by Fur in the Geobacter sulfurreducens
      growth and ability to produce energy was demonstrated. In this review, we aim to
      briefly describe the most relevant proteins involved in the iron metabolism of
      bacteria and archaea and relate them and their biological function with the
      ability of selected organisms to produce energy. 

PMID- 26278536
TI  - Identification of the antiphagocytic trypacidin gene cluster in the human
      pathogenic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus.
AB  - The opportunistic human pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus produces numerous
      different natural products. The genetic basis for the biosynthesis of a number of
      known metabolites has remained unknown. The gene cluster encoding for the
      biosynthesis of the conidia-bound metabolite trypacidin is of particular interest
      because of its antiprotozoal activity and possible role in the infection process.
      Here, we show that the genes encoding the biosynthesis enzymes of trypacidin
      reside within an orphan gene cluster in A. fumigatus. Genome mining identified
      tynC as an uncharacterized polyketide synthase with high similarity to known
      enzymes, whose products are structurally related to trypacidin including
      endocrocin and fumicycline. Gene deletion of tynC resulted in the complete
      absence of trypacidin production, which was fully restored when the mutant strain
      was complemented with the wild-type gene. When confronted with macrophages, the
      tynC deletion mutant conidia were more frequently phagocytosed than those of the
      parental wild-type strain. This was also found for phagocytic amoebae of the
      species Dictyostelium discoideum, which showed increased phagocytosis of
      DeltatynC conidia. Both macrophages and amoebae were also sensitive to
      trypacidin. Therefore, our results suggest that the conidium-bound trypacidin
      could have a protective function against phagocytes both in the environment and
      during the infection process. 

PMID- 26278537
TI  - Cadmium resistance mechanism in Escherichia coli P4 and its potential use to
      bioremediate environmental cadmium.
AB  - A cadmium-resistant bacterium was isolated from industrial wastewater and
      identified as Escherichia coli (dubbed as P4) on the basis of morphological,
      biochemical tests and 16S rRNA ribotyping. It showed optimum growth at 30 
      degrees C and pH 7. E. coli P4 found to resist Cd(+2) (10.6 mM) as well as Zn(+2)
      (4.4 mM), Pb(+2) (17 mM), Cu(+2) (3.5 mM), Cr(+6) (4.4 mM), As(+2) (10.6 mM), and
      Hg(+2) (0.53 mM). It could remove 18.8, 37, and 56 % Cd(+2) from aqueous medium
      after 48, 96, and 144 h, respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy
      (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX)
      analysis also confirmed the biosorption of Cd(+2) by E. coli P4. However,
      temperature and pH were found to be the most critical factors in biosorption of
      Cd(+2) by E. coli P4. Cd(+2) stress altered E. coli P4 cell physiology analyzed
      by measuring glutathione (GSH) and non-protein thiol (cysteine) levels which were
      increased up to 130 and 48 %, respectively. Quantitative real-time polymerase
      chain reaction (qRT-PCR) showed alteration in the expression levels of ftsZ,
      mutS, clpB, ef-tu, and dnaK genes in the presence of Cd(+2). Total protein
      profiles of E. coli P4 in the absence and presence of Cd(+2) were compared by
      sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), which
      showed remarkable difference in the banding pattern. czcB gene, a component of
      czcCBA operon, was amplified from genomic DNA which suggested the chromosomal
      borne Cd(+2) resistance in E. coli P4. Furthermore, it harbors smtAB gene which
      plays a significant role in Cd(+2) resistance. 

PMID- 26278539
TI  - The role of mycorrhizal symbiosis in aluminum and phosphorus interactions in
      relation to aluminum tolerance in soybean.
AB  - Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi protect plants against aluminum (Al) toxicity,
      but the mechanisms of Al and phosphorus (P) interactions in relation to Al
      tolerance in mycorrhizal plants are only poorly understood. In this study,
      varying Al and P treatments were applied to soybean plants cultivated in the
      presence or absence of three different AM fungi. The results showed that plants
      in symbiotic association with Gigaspora margarita displayed higher Al tolerance
      than Rhizophagus irregularis or Glomus claroideum. The effectiveness of G.
      margarita appeared to be associated with more abundant arbuscules and less
      affected intraradical hyphae compared to no Al controls. The highest levels of Al
      toxicity mitigation were observed with the combination of high P availability and
      AM fungal inoculation, which was associated with a concomitant increase in the
      expression of the AM-inducible phosphate (Pi) transporter gene GmPT9 in soybean.
      Taken together, these results suggest that AM symbiosis can alleviate Al toxicity
      in soybean through enhanced P nutrition, as well as, the alteration of the
      abundance of mycorrhizal infection structures. These findings highlight the
      importance of P nutrition status in ameliorating Al toxicity in mycorrhizal
      plants. 

PMID- 26278540
TI  - The effects of upaB deletion and the double/triple deletion of upaB, aatA, and
      aatB genes on pathogenicity of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli.
AB  - Autotransporters (ATs) are associated with pathogenesis of Avian Pathogenic
      Escherichia coli (APEC). The molecular characterization of APEC ATs can provide
      insights about their relevance to APEC pathogenesis. Here, we characterized a
      conventional autotransporter UpaB in APEC DE205B genome. The upaB existed in 41.9
      % of 236 APEC isolates and was predominantly associated with ECOR B2 and D. Our
      studies showed that UpaB mediates the DE205B adhesion in DF-1 cells, and enhances
      autoaggregation and biofilm formation of fimbria-negative E. coli AAEC189
      (MG1655Deltafim) in vitro. Deletion of upaB of DE205B attenuates the virulence in
      duck model and early colonization in the duck lungs during APEC systemic
      infection. Furthermore, double and triple deletion of upaB, aatA, and aatB genes
      cumulatively attenuated DE205B adhesion in DF-1 cells, accompanying with
      decreased 50 % lethal dose (LD50) in duck model and the early colonization in the
      duck lungs. However, DE205BDeltaupaB/DeltaaatA/DeltaaatB might "compensate" the
      influence of gene deletion by upregulating the expression of fimbrial adhesin
      genes yqiL, yadN, and vacuolating autotransporter vat during early colonization
      of APEC. Finally, we demonstrated that vaccination with recombinant UpaB, AatA,
      and AatB proteins conferred protection against colisepticemia caused by DE205B
      infection in duck model. 

PMID- 26278538
TI  - Omics on bioleaching: current and future impacts.
AB  - Bioleaching corresponds to the microbial-catalyzed process of conversion of
      insoluble metals into soluble forms. As an applied biotechnology globally used,
      it represents an extremely interesting field of research where omics techniques
      can be applied in terms of knowledge development, but moreover in terms of
      process design, control, and optimization. In this mini-review, the current state
      of genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics of bioleaching and the major impacts of
      these analytical methods at industrial scale are highlighted. In summary,
      genomics has been essential in the determination of the biodiversity of leaching
      processes and for development of conceptual and functional metabolic models.
      Proteomic impacts are mostly related to microbe-mineral interaction analysis,
      including copper resistance and biofilm formation. Early steps of metabolomics in
      the field of bioleaching have shown a significant potential for the use of
      metabolites as industrial biomarkers. Development directions are given in order
      to enhance the future impacts of the omics in biohydrometallurgy.

PMID- 26278542
TI  - Curcumin as an anti-human papillomavirus and anti-cancer compound.

PMID- 26278541
TI  - Heat-washout measurements compared to distal blood pressure and perfusion in
      orthopaedic patients with foot ulcers.
AB  - Distal blood pressure and local skin perfusion pressure were compared to
      measurement of blood flow rate (BFR) measured by the heat-washout method in
      orthopaedic patients with and without diabetes, all with a foot ulcer in one
      foot, compared to healthy controls. The correlation was good between heat-washout
      and distal blood pressure in patients with diabetes with and without an ulcer (P
      = 0.024 and 0.059, respectively). The correlation was weak in patients without
      diabetes with and without an ulcer, most probably due to power problems (P =
      0.118 and 0.116, respectively). The correlation in the healthy controls was poor
      (P = 0.333 and 0.685 for right and left 1. Toe, respectively) probably because
      not all measurements were performed under optimal conditions with maximally
      dilated arterioles and warm hands and feet. The patients already have maximally
      dilated arterioles to extract the maximal amount of oxygen from the surrounding
      tissue, and therefore, measurements are easier made in these subjects. BFR in the
      first toe increased significantly in all patients when the foot was moved from
      heart level to 50 cm below heart level (P = between 0.03 and 0.05) as previously
      seen in patients with claudication. There was no statistical difference in the
      healthy controls, consistent with previous findings. These results may indicate
      that the heat-washout method can be used as an alternative to strain gauge blood
      pressure in the evaluation of peripheral artery disease and wound healing
      potentials. Furthermore, the heat-washout measurements can be used bedside.

PMID- 26278543
TI  - New evidence of a lateral transfer of monogenean parasite between distant fish
      hosts in Lake Ossa, South Cameroon: the case of Quadriacanthus euzeti n. sp.
AB  - Species of the monogenean genus Quadriacanthus mainly infect fish belonging to
      the Siluriformes, especially the genera Clarias, Heterobranchus or Bagrus, and
      their host specificity is strict (oioxenous) or narrow (stenoxenous). An
      examination of the gills of 19 Papyrocranus afer from Lake Ossa, South Cameroon,
      revealed for the first time the presence of a species of Quadriacanthus from a
      fish host belonging to the Notopteridae. The morphology and the size of
      sclerotized parts of haptor and the male and female copulatory complexes suggest
      that this monogenean is a new species named Quadriacanthus euzeti n. sp. The fish
      genus Papyrocranus differs taxonomically from the usual fish hosts of
      Quadriacanthus and hence the presence of a species belonging to this genus on the
      gills of this host suggests the occurrence of a lateral transfer of
      Quadriacanthus from species belonging to Clarias or Bagrus which live
      sympatrically with P. afer in Lake Ossa. 

PMID- 26278544
TI  - Dipole antennas for ultrahigh-field body imaging: a comparison with loop coils.
AB  - Although the potential of dipole antennas for ultrahigh-field (UHF) MRI is
      largely recognized, they are still relatively unknown to the larger part of the
      MRI community. This article intends to provide electromagnetic insight into the
      general operating principles of dipole antennas by numerical simulations. The
      major part focuses on a comparison study of dipole antennas and loop coils at
      frequencies of 128, 298 and 400 MHz. This study shows that dipole antennas are
      only efficient radiofrequency (RF) coils in the presence of a dielectric and/or
      conducting load. In addition, the conservative electric fields (E-fields) at the
      ends of a dipole are negligible in comparison with the induced E-fields in the
      center. Like loop coils, long dipole antennas perform better than short dipoles
      for deeply located imaging targets and vice versa. When the optimal element is
      chosen for each depth, loop coils have higher B1 (+) efficiency for shallow
      depths, whereas dipole antennas have higher B1 (+) efficiency for large depths.
      The cross-over point depth decreases with increasing frequency: 11.6, 6.2 and 5.0
      cm for 128, 298 and 400 MHz, respectively. For single elements, loop coils
      demonstrate a better B1 (+) /?SARmax ratio for any target depth and any
      frequency. However, one example study shows that, in an array setup with loop
      coil overlap for decoupling, this relationship is not straightforward. The
      overlapping loop coils may generate increased specific absorption rate (SAR)
      levels under the overlapping parts of the loops, depending on the drive phase
      settings. Copyright (c) 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 26278545
TI  - Samaras and seedlings of Acer pseudoplatanus are potential sources of hypoglycin
      A intoxication in atypical myopathy without necessarily inducing clinical signs.
AB  - REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Ingestion of sycamore seeds (Acer pseudoplatanus)
      is the likely source of hypoglycin A in atypical myopathy (AM) but ingestion of
      seedlings in spring might also contribute to intoxication. OBJECTIVES: To test
      for hypoglycin A in seeds and seedlings collected on pastures where AM cases were
      reported and compare its concentration in serum of affected and healthy horses.
      STUDY DESIGN: Field investigation of clinical cases. METHODS: Whenever present,
      samaras (the winged nuts that each contain one seed) and/or seedlings were
      collected from pastures of 8 AM cases and 5 unaffected horses from different
      premises. Two AM cases were each co-grazing with an apparently healthy horse.
      Acylcarnitines and hypoglycin A were quantified in blood samples of all horses
      involved in the study. RESULTS: Hypoglycin A was detected in serum of AM (5.47 +/
      1.60 MUmol/l) but not in healthy controls pasturing where A. pseudoplatanus
      trees were not present. However, hypoglycin A was detected at high concentrations
      (7.98 MUmol/l) in serum of a clinically healthy horse grazing a pasture with
      seedlings and samaras and also in the 2 healthy horses co-grazing with AM cases
      (0.43 +/- 0.59 MUmol/l). Hypoglycin A was detected in all samples of seeds and
      spring seedlings of A. pseudoplatanus. CONCLUSIONS: Atypical myopathy can be
      associated with the ingestion of sycamore samaras and also ingestion of
      seedlings. Hypoglycin A can be detected in the blood of horses with no detectable
      clinical signs at pasture in which there is A. pseudoplatanus. Determination of
      hypoglycin A concentration in blood is useful for screening for exposure in
      suspected cases of AM.

PMID- 26278546
TI  - Synergism of Curcumin and Cytarabine in the Down Regulation of Multi-Drug
      Resistance Genes in Acute Myeloid Leukemia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to find a role of Curcumin from natural
      source to overcome drug resistance as well as to reduce cytotoxicity profile of
      the drug in Acute Myeloid Leukemia patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Primary
      leukemic cells were obtained from AML patient's bone marrow. These cells were
      then exposed to different concentration of cytarabine and curcumin to find out
      IC50 values and also its effect on MDR genes like MDR1, BCRP, LRP and FLT3 by RT
      PCR method. RESULT & CONCLUSION: Our results suggested that curcumin down
      regulates MDR genes. Gene expression was decreased by 35.75, 31.30, 27.97 % for
      MDR1, LRP, BCRP respectively. In FLT3, it was 65.86 % for wild type and 31.79 %
      for FLT3-ITD. In addition to this, curcumin has also shown anti-proliferative
      effect as well as synergistic effect in combination with Cytarabine on primary
      leukemic cells. Thus, we can conclude that curcumin can be used as MDR modulator
      as well as chemosensitizer in combination with cytarabine, standard
      chemotherapeutic drug, to reduce the cytotoxicity profile as IC50 value decreases
      when treated in combination.

PMID- 26278547
TI  - Novel dibenzo[b,d]furan-1H-1,2,4-triazole derivatives: Synthesis and antitumor
      activity.
AB  - Twenty-four new dibenzo[b,d]furan-1H-1,2,4-triazole derivatives were synthesized
      and investigated for in vitro cytotoxic activity against five tumor cell lines.
      The results show that the substitution at 4-position of the 1,2,4-triazole with a
      benzyl, 4-bromophenacyl or naphthylacyl group could be crucial for prommoting
      cytotoxic activity. Especially, compound 28 was found to be the most powerful
      derivative with IC50 values lower than 3.50 MUM against five investigated tumor
      cell lines, while compound 19 showed selective activity against leukemia (HL-60)
      and breast carcinoma (MCF-7) cell lines with IC50 values of 0.80 and 1.76 MUM,
      respectively. Compound 19 can induce cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase and
      apoptosis in SMMC-7721 cells. 

PMID- 26278548
TI  - A peptide-based pH-sensitive drug delivery system for targeted ablation of cancer
      cells.
AB  - A peptide-guided prodrug incorporating a tumor-specific peptide, doxorubicin, and
      a pH-sensitive hydrazone bridge was developed for targeted ablation of cancer
      cells with minimal side cytotoxicity. 

PMID- 26278549
TI  - Faster Transport Status and Mortality in  Anuric Patients Undergoing Continuous 
      Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There are limited data regarding the relationship between transport
      status and mortality in anuric continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD)
      patients. METHODS: According to the dialysate to plasma creatinine ratio (D/P
      Cr), 292 anuric CAPD patients were stratified to faster (D/P Cr >=0.65) and
      slower transport groups (D/P Cr <0.65). The Cox proportional hazards models were
      used to evaluate the association of transport status with mortality. RESULTS:
      During a median follow-up of 22.1 months, 24% patients died, 61.4% of them due to
      cardiovascular disease (CVD). Anuric patients with faster transport were
      associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality (HR (95% CI) = 2.16
      (1.09-4.26)), but not cardiovascular mortality, after adjustment for confounders.
      Faster transporters with pre-existing CVD had a greater risk for death compared
      to those without any history of CVD. CONCLUSION: Faster transporters were
      independently associated with high all-cause mortality in anuric CAPD patients.
      This association was strengthened in patients with pre-existing CVD.

PMID- 26278550
TI  - Editorial for JoCI.

PMID- 26278551
TI  - Health-Related Quality of Life in Chronic Pruritus: An Analysis Related to
      Disease Etiology, Clinical Skin Conditions and Itch Intensity.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It is unknown if health-related quality of life (HRQoL) differs
      between diseases associated with chronic pruritus (CP). OBJECTIVE: To analyze
      HRQoL in relation to age, gender, skin lesions (primary vs. scratch-induced
      secondary) and itch intensity. METHODS: Consecutive patients of our itch clinic
      were assessed with the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and visual analogue
      scale (VAS). RESULTS: In 510 CP patients (282 females; median age, 61.4 years),
      DLQI scores and VAS values were highly correlated, irrespective of the type of
      skin lesion. Overall, women had a lower HRQoL compared to men (females: 10.7 +/-
      6.7, males: 8.9 +/- 6.7), but female gender was only associated with worse
      quality of life in patients <65 years old. CONCLUSION: HRQoL impairment in CP is
      highly influenced by pruritus intensity but not to the visible skin lesion or
      underlying cause. With limitations to item bias, DLQI is a suitable instrument
      for estimating quality of life impairment by CP.

PMID- 26278552
TI  - Large-Area Nano-patterning and Fabrication of Vertical Transistor Array by Non
      close-packed Polystyrene Spheres.
AB  - We demonstrated a large-area nanopatterning technique with the help of a non
      close-packed PS sphere layer over a large-area substrate. The non-close-packed PS
      sphere layer is fabricated by blade coating method. It was demonstrated that non
      close-packed PS spheres can be achieved within an area of 18 cm * 25 cm on a
      rigid glass substrate and within an area of 10 cm * 10 cm on a flexible
      substrate. We also demonstrated that the blade-coated non-close-packed PS sphere
      layer was suitable for the mass production of vertical organic transistors over a
      large area. 

PMID- 26278553
TI  - Transmission Disequilibrium Tests Based on Read Counts for Low-Coverage Next
      Generation Sequence Data.
AB  - The purpose of this paper is the introduction of new statistical methods for case
      parent trio association studies based on the read counts that can be obtained
      from next-generation sequencing (NGS) experiments. This work focuses on the
      inclusion of low-coverage data into the case-parent trio design without genotype
      classification or imputation. Two different approaches are considered: (1) a
      likelihood-based approach implementing a 15-component parametric mixture model
      and (2) a model-free approach that applies non-parametric statistical methods to
      the ratios of the read counts to coverage. Simulation studies are conducted to
      evaluate the performances of the proposed tests. In addition, the non-centrality
      parameters of the mixture likelihood-based tests are derived to determine sample
      sizes and coverage for a NGS experimental design. As an example, the sample sizes
      to maintain specified powers of a published adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS)
      study are presented. The simulation results show that the tests using the
      genotypes classified by the maximum Bayesian posterior probability have
      significantly inflated type I error rates for low-coverage data. The tests using
      the posterior probabilities instead of the classified genotypes show lower power
      than the proposed tests. Generally, power for the likelihood-based approach is
      higher than that for the non-parametric ratio-based approach. For the AIS
      example, approximately 654 trios with 4* coverage are necessary to maintain 90%
      power when detecting an association of odds ratio 2 at a locus with a minor
      allele frequency of 0.35 at the level of significance alpha = 5 * 10(-8). By
      comparison, approximately 416 trios with 25* coverage are required to maintain
      the same power with the same settings. The R and C source codes to calculate the
      proposed test statistics, the sample sizes and power can be obtained by
      contacting the author (wkim@cau.ac.kr).

PMID- 26278554
TI  - Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Preterm Pigs Is Associated with Increased Density of
      Intestinal Mucosa-Associated Bacteria Including Clostridium perfringens.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is associated with changes in the
      luminal gut microbiota. It is not known whether the mucosa-associated microbiota
      is affected by NEC and stimulates inflammatory lesions. OBJECTIVE: We
      hypothesized that the density of the mucosa-associated microbiota correlates with
      NEC severity in preterm pigs and that in vitro infection with increasing
      densities of Clostridium perfringens, which has been associated with NEC in
      preterm infants, would lead to a transcriptional response related to the
      inflammatory conditions of NEC. METHODS: First, we determined the density of
      total bacteria and C. perfringens in the distal small intestinal mucosa of 58 NEC
      and healthy preterm pigs using quantitative PCR. Next, we analyzed in IPEC-J2
      cells the effect of different infection densities of C. perfringens type A on the
      expression of genes related to intestinal function and immune response. RESULTS:
      Total bacterial and C. perfringens densities were higher in NEC versus healthy
      pigs and correlated positively with NEC severity. In IPEC-J2 cells expression
      levels of inflammation-related genes (CCL5, NFKBIA, IL8, IL1RN, and TNFAIP3)
      increased, while the expression of the sodium/glucose co-transporter (SLC5A1)
      decreased, with increasing density of C. perfringens. CONCLUSIONS: Total
      bacterial and C. perfringens densities were higher in NEC versus healthy pigs and
      correlated positively with NEC severity. In IPEC-J2 cells expression levels of
      inflammation-related genes (CCL5, NFKBIA, IL8, IL1RN, and TNFAIP3) increased,
      while the expression of the sodium/glucose co-transporter (SLC5A1) decreased,
      with increasing density of C. perfringens.

PMID- 26278555
TI  - Effects of apple pomace proportion levels on the fermentation quality of total
      mixed ration silage and its digestibility, preference and ruminal fermentation in
      beef cows.
AB  - Four Japanese black beef cows were used in a 4 * 4 Latin square to evaluate the
      fermentation quality, digestibility, ruminal fermentation and preference of total
      mixed ration (TMR) silages prepared with differing proportions of apple pomace
      (AP). Experimental treatments were the control (no AP added, CAP), 5% (low, LAP),
      10% (medium, MAP) and 20% (high, HAP) of TMR dry matter (DM) as AP. All TMR
      silages were well preserved. Ethanol was produced in silages containing AP and
      the amount increased with the proportion of AP (P < 0.05). Nutrient digestibility
      with LAP, MAP and HAP treatment was lower than that with CAP treatment (P <
      0.05). The ruminal molar proportion of acetic acid increased (P < 0.05), but the
      ruminal ammonia-N concentration decreased (P < 0.05) as the proportion of AP
      increased. The preference of the animals was highest for HAP, followed by MAP,
      CAP and LAP. This study demonstrates that decrease in nutrient digestibility
      might be related to the ethanol produced naturally from AP. Therefore, the
      proportion of AP in TMR silages should be less than 5% of dietary DM. 

PMID- 26278556
TI  - Atypical Clinical Presentation of Xeroderma Pigmentosum in a Patient Harboring a
      Novel Missense Mutation in the XPC Gene: The Importance of Clinical Suspicion.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is a genodermatosis caused by abnormal DNA
      repair. XP complementation group C (XPC) is the most frequent type in
      Mediterranean countries. We describe a case with a novel mutation in the XPC
      gene. CASE: A healthy Caucasian male patient was diagnosed with multiple primary
      melanomas. Digital follow-up and molecular studies were carried out. RESULTS:
      During digital follow-up 8 more additional melanomas were diagnosed. Molecular
      studies did not identify mutations in CDKN2A, CDK4 or MITF genes. Two
      heterozygous mutations in the XPC gene were detected: c.2287delC
      (p.Leu763Cysfs*4) frameshift and c.2212A>G (p.Thr738Ala) missense mutations.
      CONCLUSION: The p.Thr738Ala missense mutation has not been previously described.
      Missense mutations in the XPC gene may allow partial functionality that could
      explain this unusual late onset XP. Atypical clinical presentation of XPC could
      be misdiagnosed when genetic aberrations allow partial DNA repair capacity.

PMID- 26278557
TI  - Porcine recombinant factor VIII (Obizur; OBI-1; BAX801): product characteristics
      and preclinical profile.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Acquired haemophilia A (AHA) is a rare, often severe, auto-immune
      bleeding disorder caused by the development of inhibitory antibodies (inhibitors)
      to factor VIII (FVIII). Bypassing agents, recombinant activated FVII or activated
      prothrombin complex concentrate, are currently recommended as first-line
      treatments to control bleeding events in patients with AHA. AIM: A plasma-derived
      porcine FVIII (Hyate:C, Ipsen, UK) was used as a first-line treatment for AHA but
      was discontinued in 2004 due to viral safety concerns. A recombinant pFVIII
      (rpFVIII), Obizur (OBI-1; BAX801), which is expected to have a similar efficacy
      profile to Hyate:C but with a superior safety profile was developed and recently
      approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of AHA.
      METHODS: Obizur manufacturing begins with the expression of B domain deleted
      rpFVIII by genetically modified baby hamster kidney-derived cells. The final
      purified and lyophilized drug product has a negligible risk of viral
      contamination and contains no animal-derived plasma proteins. Obizur was
      evaluated for immunogenicity, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and bleeding times
      in preclinical models including in haemophiliac dogs, cynomolgus monkeys and
      FVIII-knockout mice. RESULTS: Preclinical animal studies show that the efficacy
      and immunogenicity of Obizur are similar to that of Hyate:C and that Obizur has a
      more favourable safety profile. CONCLUSIONS: Obizur is a highly purified
      recombinant porcine FVIII drug product that has been demonstrated to have a
      favourable safety and efficacy profile when compared with Hyate:C and can be a
      valuable treatment option for control of bleeding in AHA patients.

PMID- 26278559
TI  - Editorial: novel association between serum Pentraxin-2 levels and advanced
      fibrosis in well-characterised patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

PMID- 26278558
TI  - Multidisciplinary assessment of patients with musical hallucinations, tinnitus
      and hearing loss.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although auditory hallucinations are considered a psychopathological
      phenomenon, musical hallucinations have been reported in individuals without
      psychosis but with auditory symptoms (tinnitus and/or hearing loss). Thus, a
      possible different cognitive functioning may be involved in musical
      hallucinations. The aim of the study was to characterize patients with tinnitus
      and musical hallucinations through a multidisciplinary assessment, allowing a
      better understanding of these concomitant phenomena. SAMPLING AND METHODS: As
      this sample is rare to find, all consecutive patients with tinnitus, hearing loss
      and musical hallucinations were included over a 3-year period, excluding those
      unable to respond. All subjects underwent the following assessments: (1)
      otolaryngological and audiological assessment (physical examination and
      audiometry), (2) neurological assessment (cognition, electroencephalogram and
      imaging examination) and (3) psychiatric assessment (structured interview).
      RESULTS: A total of 16 patients were included (87.5% women; mean age 61.43 +/-
      15.99 years). The otolaryngological examination was normal in all cases, but
      audiometry revealed that the degree of hearing loss was severe to profound in
      68.75% of participants. Neurological assessment showed electroencephalogram
      changes in only 17.6% of cases, while 25% presented with mild attention deficit
      and 43.75% had small foci of gliosis or ischemia on the imaging examination.
      Psychiatric assessment showed that 68.75% of cases had depression, 6.25% had
      anxiety disorder and 25% had no psychiatric conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Musical
      hallucinations were strongly associated with female elderly adults and with mood
      disorders. Thus, in contrast to common auditory hallucinations, patients with
      musical hallucinations associated with tinnitus and hearing loss should be
      offered a more multidisciplinary assessment.

PMID- 26278560
TI  - Editorial: novel association between serum Pentraxin-2 levels and advanced
      fibrosis in well-characterised patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease-
      authors' reply.

PMID- 26278561
TI  - Editorial: predicting response to a low FODMAP diet in children.

PMID- 26278562
TI  - Editorial: predicting response to a low FODMAP diet in children--authors' reply.

PMID- 26278563
TI  - Letter: acute cholangitis--understanding predictors of outcome.

PMID- 26278564
TI  - Letter: acute cholangitis: understanding predictors of outcome--authors' reply.

PMID- 26278565
TI  - Letter: possible association between PPI use and spontaneous bacterial
      peritonitis.

PMID- 26278566
TI  - Letter: possible association of PPI use and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis-
      authors' reply.

PMID- 26278567
TI  - Letter: therapeutic trial is more informative than SeHCAT to diagnose bile acid
      malabsorption.

PMID- 26278568
TI  - Letter: therapeutic trial is more informative than SeHCAT to diagnose bile acid
      malabsorption--authors' reply.

PMID- 26278569
TI  - MiR-761 Promotes Progression and Metastasis of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer by
      Targeting ING4 and TIMP2.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of microRNA
      miR-761 in the progression and metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC),
      and the mechanisms by which miR-761 regulates cell proliferation and metastatic
      activity of NSCLC cell lines. METHODS: Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was
      used to assess miR-761 expression in NSCLC serum and tissue. MTT, wound healing,
      and transwell assays were performed to examine the role of miR-761 in regulation
      of cell proliferation and metastatic activity in NSCLC cell lines. In addition,
      the correlations of miR-761 expression with clinical-pathologic factors were
      statistically analyzed. Finally, we investigated whether miR-761 promotes
      proliferation and metastasis in NSCLC cell lines by targeting ING4 (inhibitor of
      growth family, member 4) and TIMP2 (tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2).
      RESULTS: MiR-761 was significantly upregulated in both NSCLC serum and tissues as
      compared to normal participants and paired noncancerous tissues respectively.
      Ectopic expression of miR-761 promoted cell proliferation and metastasis in H460
      cells, while miR-761 inhibitor reduced proliferation rates and metastasis in H23
      cells. Furthermore, luciferase reporter assay and functional analyses indicated
      that miR-761 directly targeted ING4 and TIMP2. CONCLUSION: miR-761 promotes
      progression and metastasis of NSCLC by targeting ING4 and TIMP2.

PMID- 26278570
TI  - Deletion 18p11.32p11.31 in a Child with Global Developmental Delay and Atypical,
      Drug-Resistant Absence Seizures.
AB  - We report the first case of an 18p11.32 deletion, detected by array CGH,
      associated with a drug-resistant form of atypical absence epilepsy, global
      developmental delay and no signs of holoprosencephaly (HPE). In particular, this
      region encompasses 19 genes, and none of these genes have been strictly
      associated with epilepsy. Among these, TGIF1 is expressed in the fetal and adult
      nervous system, and its deletion has been related to central nervous system
      diseases. TGIF1 deletions have previously been reported in patients with a
      comparable phenotype as seen in our case and in children whose neurological signs
      and symptoms were considerable, but not epileptiform. Mutations and deletions
      involving the TGIF1 gene have been described in patients with HPE in an autosomal
      dominant model of inheritance. However, TGIF1 mutations have also been reported
      in normal individuals and in patients with mental retardation or showing a very
      mild phenotype, suggesting the characteristic of incomplete penetrance and
      variable expressivity. Therefore, a TGIF1 deletion may not be always related to
      HPE, and it may have a link to the development of epilepsy. 

PMID- 26278571
TI  - Editors' note.

PMID- 26278576
TI  - Ertapenem Prophylaxis Associated With an Increased Risk of Clostridium difficile
      Infection Among Surgical Patients.
AB  - A case-control study was conducted to determine risk factors for hospital-onset
      Clostridium difficile infection among patients admitted to 2 surgical units.
      Ertapenem prophylaxis was significantly associated with C. difficile infection
      risk (odds ratio, 3.13 [95% CI, 1.13-8.68], P=.028) and may offer an
      antimicrobial stewardship target among surgical patients.

PMID- 26278577
TI  - Second-Line Chemotherapy in Recurrent Glioblastoma--Still Controversial.

PMID- 26278578
TI  - Second-Line Chemotherapy in Recurrent Glioblastoma: A 2-Cohort Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Glioblastoma (GB) is the most common malignant primary central
      nervous system tumor in adults. Standard-of-care therapy includes surgical
      resection, radiotherapy and temozolomide, but nearly all patients experience
      disease progression. The purpose of this study was to describe 2 cohorts of
      patients with recurrent GB submitted to second-line treatment with
      procarbazine/lomustine/vincristine (PCV) or bevacizumab/irinotecan (BI). MATERIAL
      AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of GB patients treated in our center with PCV
      or BI, after progression with temozolomide, between 2004 and 2012. RESULTS: Among
      60 patients, 41 were treated with BI and 19 with PCV. According to the Macdonald
      criteria, the overall response rate in the BI group was 66% (n = 27) while it was
      11% (n = 2) in the PCV group. The median progression-free survival was 5 and 3
      months in the BI and PCV group, respectively. The median overall survival (OS)
      since second-line chemotherapy was 9 months in the BI group and 5 months in the
      PCV group. The latter group had a worse toxicity profile (grade 3-4: 52.6% vs.
      22.0%; grade 1-2: 89.5% vs. 68.3%). CONCLUSIONS: The BI cohort had higher
      response rates, almost twice the OS and a lower degree of toxicity in contrast to
      the PCV group. The small number of patients and historical cohorts limits these
      comparisons.

PMID- 26278579
TI  - The German Version of the Herth Hope Index (HHI-D): Development and Psychometric
      Properties.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The importance of hope is evident in clinical oncological care. Hope
      is associated with psychological and also physical functioning. However, there is
      still a dearth of empirical research on hope as a multidimensional concept. The
      Herth Hope Index is a reliable and valid instrument for the measurement of hope
      and is available in many languages. Until now no authorized German translation
      has been published and validated. METHODS: After translation, the questionnaire
      was completed by 192 patients with different tumor entities in radiation therapy.
      Reliability, concurrent validity, and factor structure of the questionnaire were
      determined. RESULTS: Correlations were high with depression and anxiety as well
      as optimism and pessimism. As expected, correlations with coping styles were
      moderate. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were satisfactory. We
      could not replicate the original 3-factor model. Application of the scree plot
      criterion in an exploratory factor analysis resulted in a single-factor
      structure. CONCLUSIONS: The Herth Hope Index - German Version (HHI-D) is a short,
      reliable, and valid instrument for the assessment of hope in patient populations.
      We recommend using only the HHI-D total score until further research gives more
      insights into possible factorial solutions and subscales.

PMID- 26278580
TI  - GAS5 Inhibits Gastric Cancer Cell Proliferation Partly by Modulating CDK6.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: As it is not clear whether growth arrest-specific 5 (GAS5) inhibits
      gastric cancer (GC) cell proliferation by regulating cell cycle, we analyzed the
      effect of GAS5 on cell cycle regulation of GC cells and explored the underlying
      mechanism. METHODS: We measured GAS5 levels in GC tissues and corresponding
      normal tissues, and analyzed the role of GAS5 in regulation of cell proliferation
      and cell cycle in GC cells using CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry. We also measured
      the expression of P21 and CDK6 proteins after transfection of AGS and MGC-803
      cells with pLJM-GAS5 and GAS5 siRNA, respectively, by western blotting. RESULTS:
      GAS5 expression was significantly lower in GC tissues relative to normal tissues,
      and its lower expression was correlated with larger tumor size and a more
      advanced clinical stage of GC. GAS5 induced growth arrest of GC cells through
      inhibition of G1-S phase translation. The action of GAS5 may be mediated by
      upregulation of P21 and suppression of CDK6. CONCLUSION: These data enhance our
      understanding of the important role that GAS5 plays in the molecular etiology of
      GC and suggest a potential of GAS5 as a new therapeutic target for GC treatment.

PMID- 26278581
TI  - A Systematic Review of Adjuvant Interventions for Radioiodine in Patients with
      Thyroid Cancer.
AB  - AIMS: The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of adjuvant
      interventions for radioiodine in patients with thyroid cancer. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: A systematic search was undertaken on July 9, 2014. RevMan 5 software
      was used to synthesize data. RESULTS: 13 randomized controlled trials were
      included. The pooled risk ratio of 0.99 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.96-1.02,
      p = 0.58) indicated no significant difference in successful thyroid remnant
      ablation between recombinant human thyroid-stimulating hormone (rhTSH) and
      thyroid hormone withdrawal in 7 trials. The percentage of patients who had
      successful ablation was significantly higher in the oral-lithium group than in
      the control group (p = 0.017). A computerized decision aid improves informed
      decision-making in patients with early-stage papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) who
      are considering adjuvant radioiodine treatment (p < 0.001). Amifostine
      pretreatment did not prevent parenchymal damage to the major salivary gland
      function after radioiodine treatment (p = 0.2461). CONCLUSIONS: The present
      systematic review suggests that rhTSH, lithium, and computerized decision aids
      maybe act as beneficial adjuvant interventions for radioiodine in patients with
      thyroid cancer; however, amifostine does not exhibit helpful effects in thyroid
      cancer patients treated with radioiodine.

PMID- 26278582
TI  - Pretherapeutic Plasma Fibrinogen Level is an Independent Survival Predictor in
      Renal Cell Carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Systematic inflammatory responses such as the elevated C-reactive
      protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and lymphocyte-monocyte ratio have been
      found to have significant prognostic value in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The
      purpose of this study was to identify the impact of pretherapeutic plasma
      fibrinogen levels on survival for RCC patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We
      retrospectively reviewed 126 RCC patients who were treated at our institution.
      The median follow-up period was 30.8 months. 116 patients underwent nephrectomy.
      RESULTS: The 3-year overall survival rates in patients with non-metastatic or
      metastatic RCC were 91.9% and 14.3%, respectively (p < 0.001). Pretherapeutic
      plasma fibrinogen levels in the metastatic group were significantly higher than
      those in the non-metastatic group (p < 0.001). In the non-metastatic group,
      multivariate analysis revealed that the pathological T stage (p = 0.008), lactate
      dehydrogenase (p = 0.007) and fibrinogen (p = 0.036) were independent prognostic
      factors for survival. Overall survival rates in patients with low fibrinogen
      levels (< 399 mg/dl) were significantly higher than in those with high fibrinogen
      levels (>= 399 mg/dl). CONCLUSION: Pretherapeutic high plasma fibrinogen levels
      are associated with disease progression in patients with RCC of all stages. We
      propose that pretherapeutic plasma fibrinogen levels may become a useful
      biomarker, and could be helpful for decision making in the management of RCC.

PMID- 26278583
TI  - Disappearance of Upper Urinary Tract Urothelial Carcinoma after Treatment of a
      Borderline Brenner Tumor: Case Report and Literature Review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Brenner tumors are relatively rare ovarian neoplasms with very few
      reported cases associating these tumors and urothelial carcinomas with different
      characteristics and particularities. CASE REPORT: We report an unusual clinical
      case of borderline unilateral Brenner tumor of the ovary associated with a highly
      recurrent diffuse low-grade papillary urothelial carcinoma of the upper and lower
      urinary tract. The patient received a total cystectomy and resection of the
      Brenner tumor. Her clinical response was marked by the absence of recurrence of
      the urothelial carcinoma and the disappearance of an untreated tumor of the upper
      urinary tract. The available literature on the association between these tumors
      was reviewed and their histologic appearance analyzed. CONCLUSION: The good
      prognosis of urothelial carcinoma in patients with Brenner tumors suggests
      different risk factors, physiopathologic features, and carcinogenesis than with
      typical urothelial carcinoma.

PMID- 26278584
TI  - Lack of Association between MDR1 G2677T/A Polymorphism and Leukemia Risk: An
      Updated Meta-Analysis.

PMID- 26278586
TI  - A new phylogenetic test for comparing multiple high-dimensional evolutionary
      rates suggests interplay of evolutionary rates and modularity in lanternfishes
      (Myctophiformes; Myctophidae).
AB  - The interplay between evolutionary rates and modularity influences the evolution
      of organismal body plans by both promoting and constraining the magnitude and
      direction of trait response to ecological conditions. However, few studies have
      examined whether the best-fit hypothesis of modularity is the same as the shape
      subset with the greatest difference in evolutionary rate. Here, we develop a new
      phylogenetic comparative method for comparing evolutionary rates among high
      dimensional traits, and apply this method to analyze body shape evolution in
      bioluminescent lanternfishes. We frame the study of evolutionary rates and
      modularity through analysis of three hypotheses derived from the literature on
      fish development, biomechanics, and bioluminescent communication. We show that a
      development-informed partitioning of shape exhibits the greatest evolutionary
      rate differences among modules, but that a hydrodynamically informed partitioning
      is the best-fit modularity hypothesis. Furthermore, we show that bioluminescent
      lateral photophores evolve at a similar rate as, and are strongly integrated
      with, body shape in lanternfishes. These results suggest that overlapping life
      history constraints on development and movement define axes of body shape
      evolution in lanternfishes, and that the positions of their lateral photophore
      complexes are likely a passive outcome of the interaction of these ecological
      pressures. 

PMID- 26278585
TI  - Dialysis Facility Transplant Philosophy and Access to Kidney Transplantation in
      the Southeast.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Little is known about the impact of dialysis facility treatment
      philosophy on access to transplant. The aim of our study was to determine the
      relationship between the dialysis facility transplant philosophy and facility
      level access to kidney transplant waitlisting. METHODS: A 25-item questionnaire
      administered to Southeastern dialysis facilities (n = 509) in 2012 captured the
      facility transplant philosophy (categorized as 'transplant is our first choice',
      'transplant is a great option for some', and 'transplant is a good option, if the
      patient is interested'). Facility-level waitlisting and facility characteristics
      were obtained from the 2008-2011 Dialysis Facility Report. Multivariable logistic
      regression was used to examine the association between the dialysis facility
      transplant philosophy and facility waitlisting performance (dichotomized using
      the national median), where low performance was defined as fewer than 21.7% of
      dialysis patients waitlisted within a facility. RESULTS: Fewer than 25% (n = 124)
      of dialysis facilities reported 'transplant is our first option'. A total of 131
      (31.4%) dialysis facilities in the Southeast were high-performing facilities with
      respect to waitlisting. Adjusted analysis showed that facilities who reported
      'transplant is our first option' were twice (OR 2.0; 95% CI 1.0-3.9) as likely to
      have high waitlisting performance compared to facilities who reported that
      'transplant is a good option, if the patient is interested'. CONCLUSIONS:
      Facilities with staff who had a more positive transplant philosophy were more
      likely to have better facility waitlisting performance. Future prospective
      studies are needed to further investigate if improving the kidney transplant
      philosophy in dialysis facilities improves access to transplantation.

PMID- 26278587
TI  - Inference on cancer screening exam accuracy using population-level administrative
      data.
AB  - This paper develops a model for cancer screening and cancer incidence data,
      accommodating the partially unobserved disease status, clustered data structures,
      general covariate effects, and dependence between exams. The true unobserved
      cancer and detection status of screening participants are treated as latent
      variables, and a Markov Chain Monte Carlo algorithm is used to estimate the
      Bayesian posterior distributions of the diagnostic error rates and disease
      prevalence. We show how the Bayesian approach can be used to draw inferences
      about screening exam properties and disease prevalence while allowing for the
      possibility of conditional dependence between two exams. The techniques are
      applied to the estimation of the diagnostic accuracy of mammography and clinical
      breast examination using data from the Ontario Breast Screening Program in
      Canada.

PMID- 26278588
TI  - Platelets: Small in Size But Essential in the Regulation of Vascular Homeostasis 
      Translation From Basic Science to Clinical Medicine.
AB  - Platelets are small blood cells that adhere to the site of vessel injury where
      von Willebrand factor (VWF) is expressed. Platelets bind to VWF through
      interaction with a membrane protein, glycoprotein (GP) Ibalpha. Next, the
      accumulated platelets are activated to change their morphological and biochemical
      characteristics. Various vasoactive substances, such as immune-regulatory CD40
      ligand, are released locally from activated platelet cells to maintain
      homeostasis of the vascular system. Major roles played by platelets in the
      regulation of hemostasis and thrombus formation include local activation of the
      coagulation cascade. Translocation of negatively charged phospholipids to the
      surface of activated platelets helps in the formation of prothrombinase complex,
      which efficiently produces thrombin. Thrombin produces fibrin around the
      activated platelets and further activates the platelets through thrombin receptor
      stimulation. Of the various platelet-stimulating receptors and activation
      signals, cyclo-oxygenase-1, P2Y12 adenosine 5'-diphosphate receptor, and thrombin
      receptor (protease activated receptor)-1 blockers are used clinically as
      antiplatelet agents. In the future, precise understanding of the quantitative
      contribution of platelet function in hemostasis and pathological thrombus
      formation should lead to the development of effective antithrombotic agents
      without increasing the risk of serious bleeding complications.

PMID- 26278589
TI  - Correlates of women's knowledge of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and its
      prevention in Tanzania: a population-based study.
AB  - Studies that explored women's knowledge on mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of
      HIV and its prevention (PMTCT) in the general population are currently lacking.
      This paper examined factors associated with having adequate knowledge of MTCT of
      HIV and PMTCT among a nationally representative sample of women in Tanzania. We
      conducted a cross-sectional analysis including 10,299 women from the 2011-2012
      Tanzania HIV/AIDS and Malaria Indicator Survey. The outcome of interest was the
      presence of adequate knowledge on MTCT and PMTCT of HIV. We used multivariable
      logistic regression to identify factors associated with having adequate knowledge
      on MTCT and PMTCT of HIV. Results revealed that the overall prevalence of having
      adequate knowledge on MTCT and PMTCT of HIV was low (46%). We found a
      statistically significant difference in the proportions of having adequate
      knowledge between HIV-negative and HIV-positive women (45% vs. 56%; p < .0001),
      although knowledge of the transplacental route of transmission did not differ by
      HIV serostatus. Overall, having adequate knowledge on MTCT and PMTCT of HIV was
      positively associated with experiencing at least one pregnancy, having some
      education, having higher household wealth, residing in urban area, being exposed
      to HIV education, having tested for HIV, knowing a place to get HIV test, and
      having comprehensive knowledge on HIV and AIDS. Among HIV-seropositive women,
      experiencing at least one pregnancy and having comprehensive knowledge on HIV and
      AIDS were strongly associated with having adequate knowledge on MTCT and PMTCT of
      HIV (Adjusted odds ratio: aOR 2.78, 95% CI 1.21, 6.37 and aOR 1.71, 95% CI 1.15,
      2.73, respectively). Further efforts are needed to enhance HIV/AIDS education
      among women of childbearing age and strengthen PMTCT services in Tanzania. 

PMID- 26278590
TI  - Focused upon hybridization: rapid and high sensitivity detection of DNA using
      isotachophoresis and peptide nucleic acid probes.
AB  - We present a novel assay for rapid and high sensitivity detection of nucleic
      acids without amplification. Utilizing the neutral backbone of peptide nucleic
      acids (PNA), our method is based on the design of low electrophoretic mobility
      PNA probes, which do not focus under isotachophoresis (ITP) unless bound to their
      target sequence. Thus, background noise associated with free probes is entirely
      eliminated, significantly improving the signal-to-noise ratio while maintaining a
      simple single-step assay requiring no amplification steps. We provide a detailed
      analytical model and experimentally demonstrate the ability to detect targets as
      short as 17 nucleotides (nt) and a limit of detection of 100 fM with a dynamic
      range of 5 decades. We also demonstrate that the assay can be successfully
      implemented for detection of DNA in human serum without loss of signal. The assay
      requires 15 min to complete, and it could potentially be used in applications
      where rapid and highly sensitive amplification-free detection of nucleic acids is
      desired. 

PMID- 26278591
TI  - Phosphate Binders and Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Stage 5D Chronic Kidney
      Disease.
AB  - Knowledge informing the prescription and the choice of phosphate binders in end
      stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients has a weak evidentiary base. To date, no
      placebo-controlled trial based on meaningful clinical endpoints (death,
      cardiovascular events, bone fractures) has been performed to test the efficacy of
      these drugs. By the same token, we still lack solid proof that noncalcium binders
      afford better clinical outcomes as compared with calcium-based binders. Without
      proper trials, clinical decisions about the treatment of hyperphosphatemia rest
      on experience and contingent clinical judgment. The use of huge doses of calcium
      based binders typically prescribed in the nineties now appears unwarranted. The
      relationship between phosphate and the risk of death is U shaped and moderate
      hyperphosphatemia carries just a mild-to-moderate risk excess and may not be seen
      as a compelling indication for the prescription of phosphate binders. Placebo
      controlled randomized clinical trials assessing whether non-calcium and calcium
      based binders reduce the risk of death and cardiovascular disease events in ESKD
      patients remain a public health priority.

PMID- 26278592
TI  - Impact of Intermolecular Distance on Singlet Fission in a Series of TIPS
      Pentacene Compounds.
AB  - Singlet fission has attracted considerable interest for its potential application
      in organic photovoltaics. However, the underlying microscopic mechanism is not
      well understood and the molecular parameters that govern SF efficiency remain
      unclear. We herein study the primary exciton photogeneration and evolution in the
      thin film of a series of pentacene derivatives (TIPS-Pn and ADPD-Pn) using
      femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy. With a favorable "long-edge on"
      packing motif, the singlet-excited slip-stacked TIPS-Pn and ADPD-Pn molecules
      undergo ultrafast fission to produce triplet excitonic states with time constants
      of ~0.3 ps. More importantly, the ADPD-Pn compound features a considerably higher
      triplet yield than TIPS-Pn (162 +/- 10% vs 114 +/- 15%). The enhanced electronic
      coupling as a result of closer interchromophore distance (3.33 A for ADPD-Pn vs
      3.40 A for TIPS-Pn) is suggested to account for the much higher triplet yield for
      ADPD-Pn relative to that for TIPS-Pn, proving SF can be readily modulated by
      adjusting the intermolecular distance. 

PMID- 26278593
TI  - Iron-Treated NiO as a Highly Transparent p-Type Protection Layer for Efficient Si
      Based Photoanodes.
AB  - Sputter deposition of 50 nm thick NiO films on p(+)-n-Si and subsequent treatment
      in an Fe-containing electrolyte yielded highly transparent photoanodes capable of
      water oxidation (OER) in alkaline media (1 M KOH) with high efficiency and
      stability. The Fe treatment of NiO thin films enabled Si-based photoanode
      assemblies to obtain a current density of 10 mA/cm(2) (requirement for >10%
      efficient devices) at 1.15 V versus RHE (reversible hydrogen electrode) under red
      light (38.6 mW/cm(2)) irradiation. Thus, the photoanodes were harvesting ~80 mV
      of free energy (voltage), which places them among the best-performing Si-based
      photoanodes in alkaline media. The stability was proven by chronoamperometry at
      1.3 V versus RHE for 300 h. Furthermore, measurements with electrochemical quartz
      crystal microbalances coupled with ICP-MS showed minor corrosion under dark
      operation. Extrapolation of the corrosion rate showed stability for more than
      2000 days of continuous operation. Therefore, protection by Fe-treated NiO films
      is a promising strategy to achieve highly efficient and stable photoanodes. 

PMID- 26278594
TI  - Nonlinear Density Dependence of Singlet Fission Rate in Tetracene Films.
AB  - Singlet fission holds the potential to dramatically improve the efficiency of
      solar energy conversion by creating two triplet excitons from one photoexcited
      singlet exciton in organic semiconductors. It is generally assumed that the
      singlet-fission rate is linearly dependent on the exciton density. Here we
      experimentally show that the rate of singlet fission has a nonlinear dependence
      on the density of photoexcited singlet excitons in tetracene films with small
      crystalline grains. We disentangle the spectrotemporal features of singlet and
      triplet dynamics from ultrafast spectroscopic data with the algorithm of singular
      value decomposition. The correlation between their temporal dynamics indicates a
      superlinear dependence of fission rate on the density of singlet excitons, which
      may arise from excitonic interactions. 

PMID- 26278595
TI  - Porous Metal-Organic Frameworks for Gas Storage and Separation: What, How, and
      Why?
AB  - Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been emerging as promising multifunctional
      materials and have shown particularly useful applications for gas storage and
      separation. We have briefly outlined the early development of this very active
      research field to provide us a clear picture on what are MOFs and how the
      research endeavor has been initiated and explored. Following that, we have
      demonstrated why MOFs are so unique for gas storage and separation: high
      porosities, tunable framework structures, and immobilized functional sites to
      fully make use of pore space for gas storage, to optimize their sieving effects,
      and to differentiate their interactions with gas molecules. Finally, we have
      provided a perspective on further development of porous MOFs for gas storage and
      separation. 

PMID- 26278596
TI  - Quantum Dynamics of a Photochemical Bond Cleavage Influenced by the Solvent
      Environment: A Dynamic Continuum Approach.
AB  - In every day chemistry, solvents are used to influence the outcome of chemical
      synthesis. Electrostatic effects stabilize polar configurations during the
      reaction and in addition dynamic solvent effects can emerge. How the dynamic
      effects intervene on the ultrafast time scale is in the focus of this theoretical
      study. We selected the photoinduced bond cleavage of Ph2CH-PPh3(+) for which the
      electrostatic interactions are negligible. Elaborate ultrafast pump-probe studies
      already exist and serve as a reference. We compared quantum dynamical simulations
      with and without environment and noticed the necessity to model the influence of
      the solvent cage on the reactive motions of the solute. The frictional force
      induced by the dynamic viscosity of the solvent is implemented in the quantum
      mechanical formalism with a newly developed approach called the dynamic continuum
      ansatz. Only when the environment is included are the experimentally observed
      products reproduced on the subpicosecond time scale. 

PMID- 26278597
TI  - Kinetics of Oxygen Reduction in Aprotic Li-O2 Cells: A Model-Based Study.
AB  - A comprehensive and general kinetic model is developed for the oxygen reduction
      reaction in aprotic Li-O2 cells. The model is based on the competitive uptake of
      lithium superoxide by the surface and solution. A demonstrative kinetic study is
      provided to demystify the origin of curvature in Tafel plots as well as the
      current dependency and aberrant diversity of the nature and morphology of
      discharge products in these systems. Our results are general and extend to any
      system where solubilization of superoxide is favored, such as where phase
      transfer catalysts play an important role. 

PMID- 26278598
TI  - Does the 18-Electron Rule Apply to CrSi12?
AB  - Understanding the bonding between silicon and transition metals is valuable for
      devising strategies for incorporating magnetic species into silicon. CrSi12 is
      the standard example of a cluster whose apparent high stability has been
      explained by the 18-electron rule. We critically examine the bonding and nature
      of stability of CrSi12 and show that its electronic structure does not conform to
      the 18-electron rule. Through theoretical studies, we find that CrSi12 has 16
      effective valence electrons assigned to the Cr atom and an unoccupied 3dz(2)
      orbital. We demonstrate that the cluster's apparent stability is rooted in a
      crystal field-like splitting of the 3d orbitals analogous to that of square
      planar complexes. CrSi14 is shown to follow the 18-electron rule and exhibits all
      conventional markers characteristic of a magic cluster. 

PMID- 26278599
TI  - Correction to "Get the Basics Right: Jacobian Conversion of Wavelength and Energy
      Scales for Quantitative Analysis of Emission Spectra".

PMID- 26278600
TI  - Photoinduced Ultrafast Heterogeneous Electron Transfer at Molecule-Semiconductor
      Interfaces.
AB  - This Perspective discusses recent developments in ultrafast electron transfer
      dynamics at interfaces between organic and inorganic materials. Heterogeneous
      electron transfer (HET) is a key process in important fields like catalysis and
      solar energy conversion. Furthermore, the solid state nature of the systems gives
      control over relevant parameters and allows for investigating excited state
      dynamics and electron transfer processes in unprecedented detail. Progress in
      synthesis, sample preparation, and instrumentation makes it possible to provide
      experimental proof of recent prediction from theory concerning the adiabaticity
      of the reaction and the influence of coherence. A short recapitulation of the
      field is followed by a discussion of recent experimental efforts that allowed for
      studying HET, particularly focusing on the influence of energetics and
      vibrational dynamics. 

PMID- 26278602
TI  - Mastering the Art of Scientific Publication.

PMID- 26278601
TI  - Quasiclassical Trajectory Calculations of the N((2)D) + H2O Reaction Elucidating
      the Formation Mechanism of HNO and HON Seen in Molecular Beam Experiments.
AB  - The N((2)D) + H2O is a reaction with competitive product channels, passing
      through several intermediates. Dynamics of this reaction had been investigated by
      two of the present authors at two collision energies, Ec, using the crossed
      molecular beams mass spectrometric method ( Faraday Discuss. 2001 , 119 , 27 - 49
      ). The complicated mechanism of this reaction and puzzling results encouraged us
      to investigate the reaction in a joint experimental/theoretical study.
      Quasiclassical trajectory (QCT) calculations on an ab initio potential energy
      surface describing all channels of the title reaction are done with a focus on
      the N/H exchange channels. Interesting results of QCT calculations, in very good
      agreement with experimental data, reveal subtle details of the reaction dynamics
      of the title reaction to HNO/HON + H exit channels by disentangling the different
      routes to formation of the two possible HNO/HON isomers and therefore assisting
      in a critical manner the derivation of the reaction mechanism. Results of the
      present study show that the nonstatistical HNOH intermediate governs exit
      channels; therefore, the HON channel is as important as that of HNO. The study
      also confirms that the H2 + NO molecular channel is negligible even though the
      barrier to its formation is calculated to be well below the reactant asymptote. 

PMID- 26278603
TI  - Hole Mobility in Nanocrystal Solids as a Function of Constituent Nanocrystal
      Size.
AB  - Solids of semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) are semiconductors in which the band
      gap can be controlled by changing the size of the constituent NCs. To date,
      nontrivial dependencies of the carrier mobility on the NC size have been
      reported. We use the time-of-flight (TOF) technique to measure the carrier
      mobility as a function of the NC size and find that the hole mobility of the NC
      solid increases dramatically with decreasing NC radius. We show that this result
      is in agreement with an analytic model for carrier mobility in NC solids. We
      further implement Monte Carlo simulations to aid in understanding the transient
      measurements in the context of models of dispersive transport. This work
      highlights that changing NC size in a device has important implications for
      charge transport. 

PMID- 26278604
TI  - Intramolecular H/D Exchange of Ethanol Catalyzed by Acidic OH Groups on H-ZSM-5
      Zeolite.
AB  - IR observation of ethanol adsorption clarified the presence of the apparent
      intramolecular isotope exchange from CD3CH2OH to CHD2CH2OD on acidic OH groups of
      H-ZSM-5 zeolite. This reaction did not proceed with CD3OH nor CH3CD2OH, implying
      that the beta-hydrogen of alcohol had interaction with the lattice oxygen
      adjacent to Al and that the reaction was mediated by isotope exchange of CD3
      groups of ethanol and OH groups on zeolite. 

PMID- 26278605
TI  - Elusive Presence of Chloride in Mixed Halide Perovskite Solar Cells.
AB  - The role of chloride in the MAPbI3-xClx perovskite is still limitedly understood,
      albeit subjected of much debate. Here, we present a combined angle-resolved X-ray
      photoelectron spectroscopy (AR-XPS) and first-principles DFT modeling to
      investigate the MAPbI3-xClx/TiO2 interface. AR-XPS analyses carried out on ad hoc
      designed bilayers of MAPbI3-xClx perovskite deposited onto a flat TiO2 substrate
      reveal that the chloride is preferentially located in close proximity to the
      perovskite/TiO2 interface. DFT calculations indicate the preferential location of
      chloride at the TiO2 interface compared to the bulk perovskite due to an
      increased chloride-TiO2 surface affinity. Furthermore, our calculations clearly
      demonstrate an interfacial chloride-induced band bending, creating a directional
      "electron funnel" that may improve the charge collection efficiency of the device
      and possibly affecting also recombination pathways. Our findings represent a step
      forward to the rationalization of the peculiar properties of mixed halide
      perovskite, allowing one to further address material and device design issues. 

PMID- 26278607
TI  - Effects of Electromagnetic Coupling on Conductance Switching of a Gated Tunnel
      Junction.

PMID- 26278606
TI  - Electrochemical Measurements of Single H2 Nanobubble Nucleation and Stability at
      Pt Nanoelectrodes.
AB  - Single H2 nanobubble nucleation is studied at Pt nanodisk electrodes of radii
      less than 50 nm, where H2 is produced through electrochemical reduction of
      protons in a strong acid solution. The critical concentration of dissolved H2
      required for nanobubble nucleation is measured to be ~0.25 M. This value is ~310
      times larger than the saturation concentration at room temperature and pressure
      and was found to be independent of acid type (e.g., H2SO4, HCl, and H3PO4) and
      nanoelectrode size. The effects of different surfactants on H2 nanobubble
      nucleation are consistent with the classic nucleation theory. As the surfactant
      concentration in H2SO4 solution increases, the solution surface tension
      decreases, resulting in a lower nucleation energy barrier and consequently a
      lower supersaturation concentration required for H2 nanobubble nucleation.
      Furthermore, amphiphilic surfactant molecules accumulate at the H2/solution
      interface, hindering interfacial H2 transfer from the nanobubble into the
      solution; consequently, the residual current decreases with increasing surfactant
      concentration. 

PMID- 26278608
TI  - Concerted Thermal-Plus-Electronic Nonlocal Desorption of Chlorobenzene from
      Si(111)-7 * 7 in the STM.
AB  - The rate of desorption of chemisorbed chlorobenzene molecules from the Si(111)-7
      * 7 surface, induced by nonlocal charge injection from an STM tip, depends on the
      surface temperature. Between 260 and 313 K, we find an Arrhenius thermal
      activation energy of 450 +/- 170 meV, consistent with the binding energy of
      physisorbed chlorobenzene on the same surface. Injected electrons excite the
      chlorobenzene molecule from the chemisorption state to an intermediate
      physisorption state, followed by thermal desorption. We find a second thermal
      activation energy of 21 +/- 4 meV in the lower temperature region between 77 and
      260 K, assigned to surface phonon excitation. 

PMID- 26278609
TI  - Probing the Nature of Charge Transfer at Nano-Bio Interfaces: Peptides on Metal
      Oxide Nanoparticles.
AB  - Characterizing the nano-bio interface has been a long-standing endeavor in the
      quest for novel biosensors, biophotovoltaics, and biocompatible electronic
      devices. In this context, the present computational work on the interaction of
      two peptides, A6K (Ac-AAAAAAK-NH2) and A7 (Ac-AAAAAAA-NH2) with semiconducting
      TiO2 nanoparticles is an effort to understand the peptide-metal oxide
      nanointerface. These investigations were spurred by recent experimental
      observations that nanostructured semiconducting metal oxides templated with A6K
      peptides not only stabilize large proteins like photosystem-I (PS-I) but also
      exhibit enhanced charge-transfer characteristics. Our results indicate that alpha
      helical structures of A6K are not only energetically more stabilized on TiO2
      nanoparticles, but the resulting hybrids also exhibit enhanced electron transfer
      characteristics. This enhancement can be attributed to substantial changes in the
      electronic characteristics at the peptide-TiO2 interface. Apart from
      understanding the mechanism of electron transfer (ET) in peptide-stabilized PS-I
      on metal oxide nanoparticles, the current work also has implications in the
      development of novel solar cells and photocatalysts. 

PMID- 26278610
TI  - Breaking Force and Conductance of Gold Nanojunctions: Effect of Humidity.
AB  - Forces acting on elongated gold nanojunctions and their electric conductance were
      simultaneously measured by current-sensing force spectroscopy in an atmosphere
      with controlled humidity. The breaking force of "thick" nanojunctions with
      conductance >20G0 is not affected by the environmental humidity. The presence of
      ambient water stabilizes "thin" nanojunctions with conductance <15G0, whose
      breaking force of 10-15 nN was higher than that in a dry atmosphere due to the
      capillary forces. The observed effect of humidity would not be possible to
      distinguish by techniques measuring only forces or only conductance in
      nanojunctions. 

PMID- 26278611
TI  - Conditions for Directional Charge Transfer in CdSe Quantum Dots Functionalized by
      Ru(II) Polypyridine Complexes.
AB  - Thermodynamic conditions governing the charge transfer direction in CdSe quantum
      dots (QD) functionalized by either Ru(II)-trisbipyridine or black dye are studied
      using density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TDDFT). Compared to
      the energy offsets of the isolated QD and the dye, QD-dye interactions strongly
      stabilize dye orbitals with respect to the QD states, while the surface chemistry
      of the QD has a minor effect on the energy offsets. In all considered QD/dye
      composites, the dyes always introduce unoccupied states close to the edge of the
      conduction band and control the electron transfer. Negatively charged ligands and
      less polar solvents significantly destabilize the dye's occupied orbitals
      shifting them toward the very edge of the valence band, thus, providing favorite
      conditions for the hole transfer. Overall, variations in the dye's ligands and
      solvent polarity can progressively adjust the electronic structure of QD/dye
      composites to modify conditions for the directed charge transfer. 

PMID- 26278612
TI  - Determination of Adsorbate Structures from 1,4-Phenylene Diisocyanide on Gold.
AB  - The structure of the 1-D oligomer chains that form on a Au(111) surface following
      adsorption of 1,4-phenylene diisocyanide (PDI) is explored using reflection
      absorption infrared spectroscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). The
      experimental work is complemented by first-principles density functional theory
      calculations, which indicate that the previously proposed gold-PDI oligomer
      chains in which the PDI molecule bridged gold adatoms are thermodynamically
      stable. In addition, the calculated vibrational modes for this structure are in
      excellent agreement with the experimental infrared data. The linkage of the PDI
      units by gold adatoms is confirmed by comparing STM images collected as a
      function of tip bias with images for the calculated structure by the Bardeen
      method. 

PMID- 26278613
TI  - Modification of Hematite Electronic Properties with Trimethyl Aluminum to Enhance
      the Efficiency of Photoelectrodes.
AB  - The electronic properties of hematite were investigated by means of synchrotron
      radiation photoemission (SR-PES) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS).
      Hematite samples were exposed to trimethyl aluminum (TMA) pulses, a widely used
      Al-precursor for the atomic layer deposition (ALD) of Al2O3. SR-PES and XAS
      showed that the electronic properties of hematite were modified by the
      interaction with TMA. In particular, the hybridization of O 2p states with Fe 3d
      and Fe 4s4p changed upon TMA pulses due to electron inclusion as polarons. The
      change of hybridization correlates with an enhancement of the photocurrent
      density due to water oxidation for the hematite electrodes. Such an enhancement
      has been associated with an improvement in charge carrier transport. Our findings
      open new perspectives for the understanding and utilization of electrode
      modifications by very thin ALD films and show that the interactions between metal
      precursors and substrates seem to be important factors in defining their
      electronic and photoelectrocatalytic properties. 

PMID- 26278614
TI  - Resonantly Enhanced Multiphoton Ionization Spectrum of the Neutral Green
      Fluorescent Protein Chromophore.
AB  - The photophysics of the green fluorescent protein is governed by the electronic
      structure of the chromophore at the heart of its beta-barrel protein structure.
      We present the first two-color, resonance-enhanced, multiphoton ionization
      spectrum of the isolated neutral chromophore in vacuo with supporting electronic
      structure calculations. We find the absorption maximum to be 3.65 +/- 0.05 eV
      (340 +/- 5 nm), which is blue-shifted by 0.5 eV (55 nm) from the absorption
      maximum of the protein in its neutral form. Our results show that interactions
      between the chromophore and the protein have a significant influence on the
      electronic structure of the neutral chromophore during photoabsorption and
      provide a benchmark for the rational design of novel chromophores as fluorescent
      markers or photomanipulators. 

PMID- 26278615
TI  - Resolving Internal Motional Correlations to Complete the Conformational Entropy
      Meter.
AB  - Conformational entropy (SOmega) has long been used to theoretically characterize
      the dynamics of proteins, DNA, and other polymers. Though recent advances enabled
      its calculation also from simulations and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)
      relaxation experiments, correlated molecular motion has hitherto greatly hindered
      both numerical and experimental determination, requiring demanding empirical and
      computational calibrations. Herein, we show that these motional correlations can
      be estimated directly from the temperature-dependent SOmega series that reveal
      effective persistence lengths of the polymers, which we demonstrate by measuring
      SOmega of amphiphilic molecules in model lipid systems by spin-labeling electron
      paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. We validate our correlation-corrected
      SOmega meter against the basic biophysical interactions underlying biomembrane
      formation and stability, against the changes in enthalpy and diffusion
      coefficients upon phase transitions, and against the energetics of fatty acid
      dissociation. As the method can be directly applied to conformational analysis of
      proteins and other polymers, as well as adapted to NMR or polarized fluorescence
      techniques, we believe that the approach can greatly enrich the scope of
      experimentally available statistical thermodynamics, offering new physical
      insights into the behavior of biomolecules. 

PMID- 26278616
TI  - Spectroscopic Demonstration of Exciton Dynamics and Excimer Formation in a
      Sterically Controlled Perylene Bisimide Dimer Aggregate.
AB  - Although it is commonly known that H-type PBI aggregates give rise to a broad,
      red-shifted excimer fluorescence with considerably longer fluorescence lifetimes
      than observed for the monomers, the underlying mechanisms of excimer formation
      and other relevant exciton dynamics in such pi-stacked systems are still far from
      being understood. In this context, we demonstrate a thorough spectroscopic
      investigation on the exciton relaxation pathways, including excimer formation, in
      a perylene-3,4:9,10-bis(dicarboximide) (PBI) dimer aggregate 1 by using time
      resolved fluorescence and transient absorption spectroscopy combined with
      excitation-power and polarization dependence. It was found that the excited dimer
      formation process followed by structural rearrangement is approximately two times
      faster than observed within larger PBI aggregates. Excitation-power-dependent
      transient absorption decay profiles revealed the fully delocalized nature of
      excitons in the dimer as opposed to larger stacks. 

PMID- 26278617
TI  - A successful helium-neon laser and topical tacrolimus combination therapy in one
      child with vitiligo.

PMID- 26278618
TI  - The Difference in Maximum Standardized Uptake Value among Lung Adenocarcinomas
      Located at the Upper and Lower Zone on PET/CT.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Findings on 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission
      tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) are surrogate markers of malignancy in
      lung adenocarcinoma. Breathing during PET/CT can substantially reduce the maximum
      standardized uptake value (maxSUV) of lung tumors when they are located at the
      lower zone (LZ). OBJECTIVES: We assessed whether lung cancer location influences
      the malignancy predicted by maxSUV. METHODS: 608 patients with clinical stage IA
      lung adenocarcinoma had been preoperatively examined by PET/CT and high
      resolution computed tomography (HRCT). We evaluated the clinicopathological
      characteristics of these patients and the accuracy of precognition obtained by
      maxSUV between the upper zone (UZ, n = 395) and the LZ (n = 213). maxSUV was also
      analyzed for matched pairs between the two groups. RESULTS: The mean maxSUV in
      the LZ group was significantly lower than that in the UZ group (1.98 +/- 1.73 vs.
      2.44 +/- 2.43, respectively; p = 0.0145). The receiver operating characteristics
      curve of maxSUV for predicting high-grade malignancy (lymphatic, vascular,
      pleural invasion, or lymph node metastasis) was larger for the UZ group than for
      the LZ group [0.89, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.86-0.93, vs. 0.82, 95% CI 0.76
      0.88]. Analysis for maxSUV of 213 pairs matched for the solid component size on
      HRCT, pathological characteristics, and gender revealed that maxSUV in the LZ
      group was significantly lower than that in the UZ group (1.98 +/- 1.73 vs. 2.47
      +/- 2.39, respectively; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: maxSUV of a tumor in the LZ
      group is apparently lower than the value which reflects the potential malignancy
      of a tumor. We have to carefully consider these facts when selecting the
      appropriate surgical procedure for lung cancer with PET/CT and HRCT.

PMID- 26278619
TI  - Generation of Subwavelength Plasmonic Nanovortices via Helically Corrugated
      Metallic Nanowires.
AB  - We demonstrate that plasmonic helical gratings consisting of metallic nanowires
      imprinted with helical grooves or ridges can be used efficiently to generate
      plasmonic vortices with radius much smaller than the operating wavelength. In our
      proposed approach, these helical surface gratings are designed so that plasmon
      modes with different azimuthal quantum numbers (topological charge) are phase
      matched, thus allowing one to generate optical plasmonic vortices with arbitrary
      topological charge. The general principles for designing plasmonic helical
      gratings that facilitate efficient generation of such plasmonic vortices are
      derived and their applicability to the conversion of plasmonic vortices with zero
      angular momentum into plasmonic vortices with arbitrary angular momentum is
      illustrated in several particular cases. Our analysis, based both on the exact
      solutions for the electromagnetic field propagating in the helical plasmonic
      grating and a coupled-mode theory, suggests that even in the presence of metal
      losses the fundamental mode with topological charge m = 0 can be converted to
      plasmon vortex modes with topological charge m = 1 and m = 2 with a conversion
      efficiency as large as 60%. The plasmonic nanovortices introduced in this study
      open new avenues for exciting applications of orbital angular momentum in the
      nanoworld.

PMID- 26278620
TI  - In vitro sliding-driven morphological changes in representative esthetic NiTi
      archwire surfaces.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the effects of sliding on the ultrastructure
      of three representative esthetic superelastic 0.014 inch nickel-titanium (NiTi)
      archwires. METHODS: Atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and
      light microscopy were used to estimate the surface roughness of archwires and
      bracket systems. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy was used to estimate the
      molecular differences between coated and uncoated areas. A combination of four
      different types of 0.014 inch metallic wires and two different types of 0.022
      inch * 0.028 inch conventional brackets were evaluated by in vitro sliding tests
      using a novel self-made tensile-strength tester with a miniature load cell and
      syringe pump. The NiTi wires included an uncoated NiTi archwire (CO group), epoxy
      resin-coated NiTi archwire (ER group), Teflon((r)) -coated NiTi archwire (TF
      group), and Ag/biopolymer-coated NiTi archwire (AG group). The brackets included
      contained stainless steel (SS) and ceramic (CE) brackets. RESULTS: Both ER and TF
      wire groups exhibited less surface roughness than CO wire groups. The AG group
      showed the highest surface roughness compared with the others because of its
      silver particles (P<0.001, ANOVA test). In vitro sliding tests led to a
      significant increase (P < 0.001, ANOVA test) in the surface roughness of all
      0.014 inch NiTi wires regardless of bracket type. The wire groups combined with
      SS brackets were rougher than those of CE brackets regardless of the coating
      materials because of exfoliation of the coating materials. The TF-SS group showed
      the highest increase (fivefold) in surface roughness compared to the others,
      while the ER groups showed the lowest increase (1.4-fold) in surface roughness
      compared with the others (P < 0.001, ANOVA test). CONCLUSIONS: The results
      suggested that the sliding-driven surface roughness of superelastic NiTi
      archwires is directly affected by coating materials. Although the efficiency of
      orthodontic treatment was affected by various factors, epoxy resin-coated
      archwires were best for both esthetics and tooth movement when only considering
      surface roughness.

PMID- 26278621
TI  - Investigation of UV-emitting Gd(3+)-doped LiCaBO3 phosphor.
AB  - Incorporating the Gd(3+) rare earth ion in the LiCaBO3 host lattice resulted in
      narrow-band UV-B emission peaking at 315 nm, with excitation at 274 nm. The
      LiCaBO3:Gd(3+) phosphor was synthesized via the solid-state diffusion method. The
      structural, morphological and luminescence properties of this phosphor were
      characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, scanning electron microscopy
      (SEM) and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. Electron paramagnetic resonance
      (EPR) characterization of the as-prepared phosphors is also reported here. XRD
      studies confirmed the crystal formation and phase purity of the prepared
      phosphors. A series of different dopant concentrations was synthesized and the
      concentration-quenching effect was studied. Critical energy transfer distance
      between activator ions was determined and the mechanism governing the
      concentration quenching is also reported in this paper.

PMID- 26278623
TI  - The Effect of Telephone-Based Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy on Postnatal
      Depression: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective
      interventions for postnatal depression. However, few studies have evaluated the
      effect of CBT delivered via telephone for newborn mothers. The purpose of this
      study was to evaluate the efficacy of telephone-based CBT for postnatal
      depression at 6 weeks and 6 months postpartum. METHODS: A multisite randomized
      controlled trial was conducted in the postnatal units at 3 regional hospitals in
      Hong Kong. A total of 397 women with an Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale
      (EPDS) score >=10 on the second or third day postpartum were randomized to
      receive telephone-based CBT (n = 197) or standard care (n = 200). Primary outcome
      was the total EPDS score. A cutoff score of 9/10 on the EPDS was used to define
      women at risk of postnatal depression. RESULTS: Telephone-based CBT was
      associated with significantly lower depressive symptoms compared with standard
      care, when assessed at 6 weeks postpartum in the subgroups of mothers with minor
      depression (EPDS 10-12; difference = 1.90, 95% CI: 0.72-3.08; p = 0.002) and
      major depression (EPDS >=13; difference = 5.00, 95% CI: 3.12-6.88; p < 0.001).
      The effect was sustained at 6 months postpartum in the subgroup with minor
      depression (difference = 1.20, 95% CI: 0.09-2.32; p = 0.034) but not significant
      in the subgroup with major depression (difference = 1.69, 95% CI: -0.10-3.47; p =
      0.064). The proportion of women who satisfied our definition of postnatal
      depression was significantly lower in the intervention group at 6 weeks
      (difference = 23.3%, 95% CI: 13.7-33.0%; p < 0.001) and 6 months postpartum
      (difference = 11.4%, 95% CI: 1.9-20.8%; p = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: Telephone-based
      CBT produced a significantly greater reduction in depressive symptoms than
      standard care during the postpartum period.

PMID- 26278622
TI  - Batf is important for IL-4 expression in T follicular helper cells.
AB  - Apart from T helper (Th)-2 cells, T follicular helper (Tfh) cells are a major
      class of IL-4-producing T cells, required for regulation of type 2 humoral
      immunity; however, transcriptional control of IL-4 production in Tfh cells
      remains mainly unknown. Here, we show that the basic leucine zipper transcription
      factor ATF-like, Batf is important for IL-4 expression in Tfh cells rather than
      in canonical Th2 cells. Functionally, Batf in cooperation with interferon
      regulatory factor (IRF) 4 along with Stat3 and Stat6 trigger IL-4 production in
      Tfh cells by directly binding to and activation of the CNS2 region in the IL-4
      locus. In addition, Batf-to-c-Maf signalling is an important determinant of IL-4
      expression in Tfh cells. Batf deficiency impairs the generation of IL-4-producing
      Tfh cells that results in protection against allergic asthma. Our results thus
      indicate a positive role of Batf in promoting the generation of pro-allergic IL-4
      producing Tfh cells. 

PMID- 26278625
TI  - Drift of dislocation tripoles under ultrasound influence.
AB  - Numerical simulations of dynamics of different stable dislocation tripoles under
      influence of monochromatic standing sound wave were performed. The basic
      conditions necessary for the drift and mutual rearrangements between dislocation
      structures were investigated. The dependence of the drift velocity of the
      dislocation tripoles as a function of the frequency and amplitude of the external
      influence was obtained. The results of the work can be useful in analysis of
      motion and self-organization of dislocation structure under ultrasound influence.

PMID- 26278624
TI  - Association of p21 3' UTR gene polymorphism with cancer risk: Evidence from a
      meta-analysis.
AB  - Numerous studies have investigated the risk of cancer associated with the
      polymorphism of p21 3' UTR (rs1059234 C > T), but results have been inconsistent.
      We performed this meta-analysis to drive a more precise estimation of the
      association between this polymorphism and risk of cancer. A comprehensive search
      was conducted to identify all case-control studies of the rs1059234 C > T
      polymorphism of p21 3' UTR and cancer susceptibility. A total of eleven eligible
      studies, including 3,099 cases and 4,354 controls, relating to the rs1059234
      polymorphism of p21 3' UTR to the risk of cancer were identified. Multivariate
      and univariate methods revealed no association between this polymorphism and
      cancer risk. However, subgroup analysis by cancer type suggested that rs1059234 C
      > T polymorphism was associated with increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma of
      the head and neck (SCCHN) (dominant model CT + TT vs. CC: OR = 1.51, 95% CI =
      1.17-1.94). No significant association was found in other subgroup analyses. This
      meta-analysis suggested that rs1059234 polymorphism of p21 3' UTR may be
      associated with increased SCCHN risk. And larger scale primary studies are
      required to further evaluate the interaction of p21 3' UTR rs1059234 polymorphism
      and cancer risk in specific populations.

PMID- 26278627
TI  - Results of the market-oriented reform in the Netherlands: a review.
AB  - The market-oriented reform in the Dutch health care system is now in its 10th
      year. This article offers a concise overview of some of its effects thus far on
      health insurance, healthcare purchasing and healthcare provision. Furthermore,
      attention is given to its impact on healthcare expenditures, power and trust
      relationships as well as the relationship between the Minister of Health and the
      Dutch Healthcare Authority. The reform triggered various alterations in Dutch
      health care some occurring quickly (e.g. health insurance), others taking longer
      (e.g. purchasing). These developments suggest a process of gradual
      transformation. The reform has instigated controversy which is increasingly
      framed as a power conflict between insurers and providers. Weakened consumer
      trust in insurers threatens the legitimacy of the reform. The relationship
      between Minister and Healthcare Authority appears to be more intimate than the
      formal independent status of this regulatory agency would suggest. 

PMID- 26278626
TI  - Point mutations in KAL1 and the mitochondrial gene MT-tRNA(cys) synergize to
      produce Kallmann syndrome phenotype.
AB  - Kallmann syndrome (KS) is an inherited developmental disorder defined as the
      association of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and anosmia or hyposmia. KS has been
      shown to be a genetically heterogeneous disease with different modes of
      inheritance. However, variants in any of the causative genes identified so far
      are only found in approximately one third of KS patients, thus indicating that
      other genes or pathways remain to be discovered. Here, we report a large Han
      Chinese family with inherited KS which harbors two novel variants, KAL1 c.146G>T
      (p.Cys49Phe) and mitochondrial tRNA(cys) (m.5800A>G). Although two variants can't
      exert obvious effects on the migration of GnRH neurons, they show the synergistic
      effect, which can account for the occurrence of the disorder in this family.
      Furthermore, the disturbance of the mitochondrial cysteinyl-tRNA pathway can
      significantly affect the migration of GnRH cells in vitro and in vivo by
      influencing the chemomigration function of anosmin-1. Our work highlights a new
      mode of inheritance underlay the genetic etiology of KS and provide valuable
      clues to understand the disease development. 

PMID- 26278628
TI  - Separability criteria via sets of mutually unbiased measurements.
AB  - Mutually unbiased measurements (MUMs) are generalized from the concept of
      mutually unbiased bases (MUBs) and include the complete set of MUBs as a special
      case, but they are superior to MUBs as they do not need to be rank one
      projectors. We investigate entanglement detection using sets of MUMs and derive
      separability criteria for multipartite qudit systems, arbitrary high-dimensional
      bipartite systems of a d1-dimensional subsystem and a d2-dimensional subsystem,
      and multipartite systems of multi-level subsystems. These criteria are of the
      advantages of more effective and wider application range than previous criteria.
      They provide experimental implementation in detecting entanglement of unknown
      quantum states. 

PMID- 26278629
TI  - Little evidence for morphological change in a resilient endemic species following
      the introduction of a novel predator.
AB  - Human activities, such as species introductions, are dramatically and rapidly
      altering natural ecological processes and often result in novel selection
      regimes. To date, we still have a limited understanding of the extent to which
      such anthropogenic selection may be driving contemporary phenotypic change in
      natural populations. Here, we test whether the introduction of the piscivorous
      Nile perch, Lates niloticus, into East Africa's Lake Victoria and nearby lakes
      coincided with morphological change in one resilient native prey species, the
      cyprinid fish Rastrineobola argentea. Drawing on prior ecomorphological research,
      we predicted that this novel predator would select for increased allocation to
      the caudal region in R. argentea to enhance burst-swimming performance and hence
      escape ability. To test this prediction, we compared body morphology of R.
      argentea across space (nine Ugandan lakes differing in Nile perch invasion
      history) and through time (before and after establishment of Nile perch in Lake
      Victoria). Spatial comparisons of contemporary populations only partially
      supported our predictions, with R. argentea from some invaded lakes having larger
      caudal regions and smaller heads compared to R. argentea from uninvaded lakes.
      There was no clear evidence of predator-associated change in body shape over time
      in Lake Victoria. We conclude that R. argentea have not responded to the presence
      of Nile perch with consistent morphological changes and that other factors are
      driving observed patterns of body shape variation in R. argentea.

PMID- 26278630
TI  - A lady with NASH and choreoathetosis.
AB  - We describe a case of acquired hepatocerebral degeneration (AHD) presenting with
      confusion and worsening memory problems since her discharge from the
      gastroenterology units. Cases of AHD are rare and are frequently confused with
      hepatic encephalopathy and Wilson's disease. There are no proven pharmacological
      therapies for AHD. Information regarding the effect of orthotopic liver
      transplant on AHD is limited and conflicting. Most patients eventually die from
      the systemic complications of cirrhotic liver failure including infection,
      hepatic coma and hepatocellular carcinoma. 

PMID- 26278631
TI  - The Changing Face of Survival in Rett Syndrome and MECP2-Related Disorders.
AB  - PURPOSE: Survival in Rett syndrome remains unclear. Although early estimates were
      grim, more recent data suggest that survival into adulthood is typical. We aimed
      to define survival in Rett syndrome more clearly and identify risk factors for
      early death. METHODS: Participants with clinical Rett Syndrome or methyl-CpG
      binding protein 2 mutations without clinical RTT were recruited through the Rett
      Syndrome Natural History study from 2006 to 2015. Clinical details were
      collected, and survival was determined using the Kaplan-Meier estimator. Risk
      factors were assessed using Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: Among 1189
      valid participants, 51 died (range 3.9-66.6 years) during the 9-year follow-up
      period. Those who died included 36 (3.9%) classic Rett syndrome females, 5 (5.9%)
      atypical severe Rett syndrome females, 1 (2.4%) non-Rett syndrome female, the
      single atypical severe male, 6 (30%) non-Rett syndrome males, and 2 (7.1%) methyl
      CpG-binding protein 2 duplication syndrome males. All atypical mild Rett syndrome
      females, methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 duplication syndrome females, and the
      single classic Rett syndrome male remain alive. Most deaths were due to
      cardiorespiratory issues. Only one died from severe malnutrition, scoliosis, and
      extreme frailty. Survival for classic and atypical Rett syndrome was greater than
      70% at 45 years. Overall severity and several modifiable risk factors, including
      ambulation, weight, and seizures, were associated with mortality in classic Rett
      syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Survival into the fifth decade is typical in Rett
      syndrome, and death due to extreme frailty has become rare. Although the leading
      cause of death remains cardiorespiratory compromise, many risk factors for early
      death are modifiable. Intense therapeutic interventions could further improve the
      prognosis for individuals with Rett syndrome.

PMID- 26278632
TI  - Neonatal Gabapentin Withdrawal Syndrome.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Gabapentin, an anticonvulsant, neuroleptic, and pain medication, is
      widely used in both adults and children for management of epilepsy, bipolar
      illness, and neuropathic pain. Gabapentin use has also been recommended for
      hyperemesis gravidarum and restless leg syndrome in pregnant mothers. OBJECTIVE:
      Although gabapentin use is deemed safe during pregnancy, no clinical reports of
      gabapentin withdrawal syndrome in a neonate have been described. RESULTS: We
      present a newborn who showed signs of withdrawal after prolonged in utero
      exposure to gabapentin. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Clinicians should be aware of
      possible withdrawal symptoms from drugs such as gabapentin, administered to
      mothers during pregnancy. We also encourage the gradual tapering of gabapentin in
      neonates over weeks to months similar to the adult population.

PMID- 26278633
TI  - Age-Related Ultrasound Changes in Muscle Quantity and Quality in Women.
AB  - This study investigated the age-related changes in muscle quantity and quality in
      the trunk and limbs of women. A total of 128 females were divided into four age
      groups: young, middle-aged, young-old and old-old. Muscle thickness (MT) and echo
      intensity (EI) of the biceps brachii, quadriceps femoris, rectus abdominis,
      external oblique, internal oblique and transversus abdominis were measured using
      B-mode ultrasonography. The EIs of the biceps brachii, quadriceps femoris and
      transversus abdominis were significantly higher in the middle-aged group than in
      the young group; however, there were no significant differences in MT. Compared
      with the young group, all other groups had significant changes in both MT and EI
      of the rectus abdominis, external oblique and internal oblique muscles. Thus,
      qualitative changes in muscle may occur earlier than quantitative changes, and
      loss of muscle mass may occur earlier in the superficial abdominal muscles than
      in the other muscles.

PMID- 26278635
TI  - Assessment of the Cervix in Pregnant Women Using Shear Wave Elastography: A
      Feasibility Study.
AB  - The quantitative assessment of the cervix is crucial for the estimation of pre
      term delivery risk and the prediction of the success of labor induction. We
      conducted a cross-sectional study using shear wave elastography based on the
      supersonic shear imaging technique. The shear wave speed (SWS) of the lower
      anterior part of the cervix was quantified over an 8-mm region of interest in 157
      pregnant women. Cervical SWS is slightly but significantly reduced in patients
      diagnosed with pre-term labor and in patients who actually delivered pre-term.

PMID- 26278634
TI  - 4-D Assessment of Endometrial Vascularity Using Spatiotemporal Image Correlation:
      A Study Comparing Spherical Sampling and Whole-Tissue Analysis.
AB  - Our aim in the study described here was to assess the feasibility of
      spatiotemporal image correlation power Doppler quantification of the endometrium
      with two techniques: spherical samples and whole tissue. We scanned 51 women in
      the midluteal phase of the menstrual cycle: STIC assessment of the whole
      endometrium was not possible in 10% of cases, whereas spherical analysis was
      possible in all. The time taken for data set analysis was much longer for the
      whole endometrium compared with spherical analysis (1478.9 +/- 291 s vs. 266.8 +/
      39.3 s, p < 0.05). Intra-class correlation coefficients for the vascularization
      flow index (VFI) were similar for both methods. Volumetric vascularity indices
      were higher when spherical sampling was conducted. Significant cycle-to-cycle
      variability in the vascularity indices was present, with coefficients of
      variation exceeding 20% for both techniques. We found that STIC power Doppler
      quantification of the whole endometrium is possible in the majority of cases,
      however, it is time consuming and limited by significant cycle-to-cycle
      variability.

PMID- 26278636
TI  - Oncology nurses' communication challenges with patients and families: A
      qualitative study.
AB  - The benefits of effective communication in an oncology setting are multifold and
      include the overall well-being of patients and health professionals, adherence to
      treatment regimens, psychological functioning, and improvements in quality of
      life. Nevertheless, there are substantial barriers and communication challenges
      reported by oncology nurses. This study was conducted to present a summary of
      communication challenges faced by oncology nurses. From November 2012 to March
      2014, 121 inpatient nurses working in the oncology setting participated in an
      online pre-training qualitative survey that asked nurses to describe common
      communication challenges in communicating empathy and discussing death, dying,
      and end-of-life (EOL) goals of care. The results revealed six themes that
      describe the challenges in communicating empathically: dialectic tensions, burden
      of carrying bad news, lack of skills for providing empathy, perceived
      institutional barriers, challenging situations, and perceived dissimilarities
      between the nurse and the patient. The results for challenges in discussing
      death, dying and EOL goals of care revealed five themes: dialectic tensions,
      discussing specific topics related to EOL, lack of skills for providing empathy,
      patient/family characteristics, and perceived institutional barriers. This study
      emphasizes the need for institutions to provide communication skills training to
      their oncology nurses for navigating through challenging patient interactions. 

PMID- 26278637
TI  - Analysis of plasma microRNA expression profiles in male textile workers with
      noise-induced hearing loss.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) have attracted interests as non
      invasive biomarkers of physiological and pathological conditions, which may be
      applied in noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). However, no epidemiology studies
      have yet examined the potential effects of NIHL or noise exposure on miRNA
      expression profiles. OBJECTIVES: We sought to identify permanent NIHL-related
      miRNAs and to predict the biological functions of the putative genes encoding the
      indicated miRNAs. METHODS: In the discovery stage, we used a microarray assay to
      detect the miRNA expression profiles between pooled plasma samples from 10 noise
      exposed individuals with normal hearing and 10 NIHL patients. In addition, we
      conducted a preliminary validation of six candidate miRNAs in the same 20
      workers. Subsequently, three miRNAs were selected for expanded validation in 23
      non-exposed individuals with normal hearing and 46 noise-exposed textile workers
      which including 23 noise-exposed workers with normal hearing and 23 NIHL
      patients. Moreover, we predicted the biological functions of the putative target
      genes using a Gene Ontology (GO) function enrichment analysis. RESULTS: In the
      discovery stage, compared with the noise exposures with normal hearing, 73 miRNAs
      demonstrated at least a 1.5-fold differential expression in the NIHL patients. In
      the preliminary validation, compared with the noise exposures, the plasma levels
      of miR-16-5p, miR-24-3p, miR-185-5p and miR-451a were all upregulated (P < 0.001)
      in the NIHL patients. In the expanded validation stage, compared with the non
      exposures, the plasma levels of miR-24, miR-185-5p and miR-451a were all
      significantly downregulated (P < 0.001) in the exposures. And compared with the
      noise exposures, the plasma levels of miR-185-5p and miR-451a were slightly
      elevated (P < 0.001) in the NIHL patients, which were consistent with the results
      of preliminary validation and microarray analysis. CONCLUSION: The two indicated
      plasma miRNAs may be biomarkers of indicating responses to noise exposure.
      However, further studies are necessary to prove the causal association between
      miRNAs changes and noise exposure, and to determine whether these two miRNAs are
      clear biomarkers to noise exposure.

PMID- 26278638
TI  - Protective role of edaravone against cisplatin-induced ototoxicity in an auditory
      cell line.
AB  - Edaravone is a neuroprotective agent with a potent free radical scavenging and
      antioxidant actions. In the present study we investigated the influence of
      edaravone on cisplatin ototoxicity in auditory cells. Cell viability was
      determined using a 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazoliumbromide
      cell proliferation assay. Oxidative stress and apoptosis were assessed by
      reactive oxygen species (ROS) measurement, Hoechst 33258 staining, caspase-3
      activity assay, and immunoblotting of PARP. Pretreatment with 100 MUM of
      edaravone prior to application of 15 MUM of cisplatin increased cell viability
      after 48 h of incubation in HEI-OC1 cells (from 51.9% to 64. 6% viability) and
      also, attenuated the cisplatin-induced increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS)
      (from 2.3 fold to 1.9 fold). Edaravone also decreased the activation of caspase-3
      and reduced levels of cleaved poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP). We propose that
      edaravone protects against cisplatin-induced ototoxicity by preventing apoptosis,
      and limiting ROS production in HEI-OC1 cells.

PMID- 26278639
TI  - Models of care involving district hospitals: a rapid review to inform the
      Australian rural and remote context.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Distnct hospitals are important symbolic structures in rural and
      remote communities; however, little has been published on the role, function or
      models of care of district hospitals in rural and remote Australia. The aim of
      the present study was to identify models of care that incorporate district
      hospitals and have relevance to the Australian rural and remote context. METHODS:
      A systematic, rapid review was conducted of published peer-reviewed and grey
      literature using CINAHL, Medline, PsychInfo, APAIS-Health, ATSI health, Health
      Collection, Health & Society, Meditext, RURAL, PubMed and Google Scholar. Search
      terms included 'rural', 'small general and district hospitals', 'rural health
      services organisation & administration', 'medically underserved area', 'specific
      conditions, interventions, monitoring and evaluation', 'regional, rural and
      remote communities', 'NSW', 'Australia' and 'other OECD countries' between 2002
      and 2013. Models of teaching and education, multipurpose services centres,
      recruitment and/or retention were excluded. RESULTS: The search yielded 1626
      articles and reports. Following removal of duplicates, initial screening and full
      text screening, 24 data sources remained: 21 peer-reviewed publications and three
      from the grey literature. Identified models of care related specifically to
      maternal and child health, end-of-life care, cancer care services, Aboriginal
      health, mental health, surgery and emergency care. CONCLUSION: District hospitals
      play an important role in the delivery of care, particularly at key times in a
      person's life (birth, death, episodes of illness). They enable people to remain
      in or near their own community with support from a range of services. They also
      play an important role in the essential fabric of the community and the vertical
      integration of the health services.

PMID- 26278640
TI  - Oleuropein aglycone in lipid bilayer membranes. A molecular dynamics study.
AB  - Olive oil has been recognized to possess many therapeutic applications. Its
      beneficial effects arise from many causes, but one of them lies on the presence
      of oleuropein aglycone (OA). OA presents a plethora of pharmacological beneficial
      properties. Although there is a great research going on the effect of polyphenols
      and their derivatives on different aspects of health, much less knowledge is
      available of the molecular basis of their beneficial effects. Due to the
      prominent hydrophobic character of OA and its high phospholipid/water partition
      coefficient, some of its possible effects on biological systems might be related
      to its capacity to interact with and locate into the membrane. In this work we
      have aimed to locate the molecule of OA in two membrane model systems, i.e.,
      POPC/Chol and POPC/POPG/Chol. OA locates in between the hydrocarbon acyl chains
      of the phospholipids but its specific location and molecular interactions differ
      depending on the lipid system. OA is nearer to the membrane surface in the
      POPC/Chol system but it is located at a deeper position in the POPC/POPG/Chol
      system. Furthermore, OA seems to interact stronger with POPG than with POPC,
      implying the existence of specific interactions with negatively-charged
      phospholipids. Some of the biological effects of OA could be due to its
      preferential location in the membrane depending on the membrane lipid composition
      as well as the existence of specific interactions with specific phospholipids. 

PMID- 26278641
TI  - Pore-forming activity of clostridial binary toxins.
AB  - Clostridial binary toxins (Clostridium perfringens Iota toxin, Clostridium
      difficile transferase, Clostridium spiroforme toxin, Clostridium botulinum C2
      toxin) as Bacillus binary toxins, including Bacillus anthracis toxins consist of
      two independent proteins, one being the binding component which mediates the
      internalization into cell of the intracellularly active component. Clostridial
      binary toxins induce actin cytoskeleton disorganization through mono-ADP
      ribosylation of globular actin and are responsible for enteric diseases.
      Clostridial and Bacillus binary toxins share structurally and functionally
      related binding components which recognize specific cell receptors, oligomerize,
      form pores in endocytic vesicle membrane, and mediate the transport of the
      enzymatic component into the cytosol. Binding components retain the global
      structure of pore-forming toxins (PFTs) from the cholesterol-dependent cytotoxin
      family such as perfringolysin. However, their pore-forming activity notably that
      of clostridial binding components is more related to that of heptameric PFT
      family including aerolysin and C. perfringens epsilon toxin. This review focuses
      upon pore-forming activity of clostridial binary toxins compared to other related
      PFTs. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Pore-Forming Toxins
      edited by Mauro Dalla Serra and Franco Gambale. 

PMID- 26278642
TI  - Insight and analysis problem solving in microbes to machines.
AB  - A key feature for obtaining solutions to difficult problems, insight is
      oftentimes vaguely regarded as a special discontinuous intellectual process
      and/or a cognitive restructuring of problem representation or goal approach.
      However, this nearly century-old state of art devised by the Gestalt tradition to
      explain the non-analytical or non-trial-and-error, goal-seeking aptitude of
      primate mentality tends to neglect problem-solving capabilities of lower animal
      phyla, Kingdoms other than Animalia, and advancing smart computational
      technologies built from biological, artificial, and composite media. Attempting
      to provide an inclusive, precise definition of insight, two major criteria of
      insight, discontinuous processing and problem restructuring, are here reframed
      using terminology and statistical mechanical properties of computational
      complexity classes. Discontinuous processing becomes abrupt state transitions in
      algorithmic/heuristic outcomes or in types of algorithms/heuristics executed by
      agents using classical and/or quantum computational models. And problem
      restructuring becomes combinatorial reorganization of resources, problem-type
      substitution, and/or exchange of computational models. With insight bounded by
      computational complexity, humans, ciliated protozoa, and complex technological
      networks, for example, show insight when restructuring time requirements,
      combinatorial complexity, and problem type to solve polynomial and
      nondeterministic polynomial decision problems. Similar effects are expected from
      other problem types, supporting the idea that insight might be an epiphenomenon
      of analytical problem solving and consequently a larger information processing
      framework. Thus, this computational complexity definition of insight improves the
      power, external and internal validity, and reliability of operational parameters
      with which to classify, investigate, and produce the phenomenon for computational
      agents ranging from microbes to man-made devices. 

PMID- 26278643
TI  - Dynamics of P53 in response to DNA damage: Mathematical modeling and perspective.
AB  - Cells are constantly challenged by intrinsic and extrinsic signals. DNA damage
      denotes a serious threat to cellular survival due to its extensive destroy to
      genomic integrity. Appropriate dynamic responses to changing signals are
      essential for homeostasis. The tumor suppressor p53 can respond to DNA damage and
      elicit diverse dynamical patterns. How signals and information are encoded and
      decoded in p53 network under DNA damaging stimuli are not fully understood. From
      theoretical perspective, we focus on the dynamical patterns of p53 and how such
      complex dynamics relate to cell fate leading to a better knowledge about its
      regulation and function. 

PMID- 26278644
TI  - Mathematics and mysticism.
AB  - Is there a world of mathematics above and beyond ordinary reality, as Plato
      proposed? Or is mathematics a cultural construct? In this short article we
      speculate on the place of mathematical reality from the perspective of the
      mystical cosmologies of the ancient traditions of meditation, psychedelics, and
      divination. 

PMID- 26278645
TI  - The mysterious connection between mathematics and physics.
AB  - The essay is in the form of a dialogue between the two authors. We take John
      Wheeler's idea of "It from Bit" as an essential clue and we rework the structure
      of the bit not to the qubit, but to a logical particle that is its own anti
      particle, a logical Marjorana particle. This is our key example of the amphibian
      nature of mathematics and the external world. We emphasize that mathematics is a
      combination of calculation and concept. At the conceptual level, mathematics is
      structured to be independent of time and multiplicity. Mathematics in this way
      occurs before number and counting. From this timeless domain, mathematics and
      mathematicians can explore worlds of multiplicity and infinity beyond the
      apparent limitations of the physical world and see that among these possible
      worlds there are coincidences with what is observed. 

PMID- 26278646
TI  - The influence of prior novel androgen receptor targeted therapy on the efficacy
      of cabazitaxel in men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The treatment armamentarium for metastatic castration-resistant
      prostate cancer (mCRPC) has expanded with the introduction of several new
      therapies. In this treatment continuum, it is unclear whether the efficacy of
      cabazitaxel is affected by prior novel androgen receptor targeted therapies (ART)
      such as abiraterone and enzalutamide. In this study, we investigated the
      influence of prior ART on the efficacy of cabazitaxel in men with mCRPC. PATIENTS
      AND METHODS: Data from an ongoing multicentre, phase II trial were used
      comprising 114 men with mCRPC treated with cabazitaxel in the post-docetaxel
      setting. The primary endpoints of the current analysis were prostate-specific
      antigen (PSA) response (? 50%), and overall survival (OS). Univariate and
      multivariable analyses were conducted to investigate the influence of prior ART
      on the efficacy of cabazitaxel. RESULTS: From the 114 patients included in this
      analysis, 44 men received prior ART and 70 men did not receive prior ART before
      treatment with cabazitaxel. PSA response rates while on cabazitaxel treatment
      were similar in patients with and without prior ART (34% versus 40%,
      respectively, P = 0.53). Likewise, median OS was not significantly different
      between men with and without prior ART (13.0 versus 14.0 months, respectively,
      logrank P = 0.65). In multivariable analysis, the only variables significantly
      associated with OS were performance status, serum albumin and alkaline
      phosphatase. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that prior treatment with ART may not
      influence the efficacy of cabazitaxel in men with mCRPC. With emerging evidence
      of cross-resistance in the treatment of mCRPC, cabazitaxel provides a good
      treatment option irrespective of prior ART.

PMID- 26278647
TI  - Non-invasive, serum DNA pregnancy testing leading to incidental discovery of
      cancer: a good thing?
AB  - Cell-free DNA for perinatal screening is a growing industry. Non-invasive
      prenatal testing (NIPT) is based on the premise that foetal DNA is able to cross
      the placental barrier and enter the mother's circulation, where it can be
      examined for chromosomal abnormalities, such as trisomy 13, 18 or 21. Such tests
      are expected to be widely used by pregnant women, with the annual market expected
      to surpass $1 billion. Recently, a number of case reports have emerged in the
      haematology-oncology literature. The routine use of NIPT has led to the discovery
      of maternal neoplasms. Most writers have concluded that this is yet another
      benefit of the test; however, a closer examination of the cases reveals that this
      incidental detection may not improve patient outcomes. In some cases, early
      detection provides lead time bias, but does not change the ultimate clinical
      outcome, and in other cases, detection constitutes earlier knowledge of a cancer
      whose natural history cannot be altered. Here, we explore in detail cases where
      cancer was incidentally discovered among women undergoing routine non-invasive
      pregnancy testing, and investigate whether or not these women were benefitted by
      the discovery.

PMID- 26278648
TI  - Uveal Melanoma UK National Guidelines.
AB  - The United Kingdom (UK) uveal melanoma guideline development group used an
      evidence based systematic approach (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network
      (SIGN)) to make recommendations in key areas of uncertainty in the field
      including: the use and effectiveness of new technologies for prognostication, the
      appropriate pathway for the surveillance of patients following treatment for
      primary uveal melanoma, the use and effectiveness of new technologies in the
      treatment of hepatic recurrence and the use of systemic treatments. The
      guidelines were sent for international peer review and have been accredited by
      NICE. A summary of key recommendations is presented. The full documents are
      available on the Melanoma Focus website.

PMID- 26278649
TI  - High subcutaneous adipose tissue predicts the prognosis in metastatic castration
      resistant prostate cancer patients in post chemotherapy setting.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cancer studies have shown that body mass index (BMI), skeletal muscle
      mass (SMM) and adipose tissue indexes are linked to overall survival (OS) and
      progression-free survival (PFS). New treatments (abiraterone acetate,
      enzalutamide cabazitaxel, radium-223, sipuleucel-T) have improved patient
      outcomes in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Our
      objective was to analyse whether body composition parameters exert a prognostic
      role in mCRPC patients treated with next generation of androgen receptor (AR)
      axis inhibitors (abiraterone and enzalutamide). METHODS: All mCRPC patients from
      our institution who were enrolled in two prospective trials, assessing the
      efficacy of abiraterone acetate and the efficacy of enzalutamide, were selected.
      SMM, visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) indexes were assessed with
      computed tomography imaging by measuring cross-sectional areas of the tissues.
      RESULTS: In the 120 patients with available data, median OS and PFS were
      respectively: 16 months (95% confidence interval [CI] = 12-19) and 4 months (95%
      [CI] = 3-6). OS was associated with the SAT index: median survival was 15 months
      (95% [CI] 9-18) for patients with a SAT index < median value and 18 months (95%
      [CI] 13-30) for patients with a SAT index above (P = 0.008). In multivariate
      analyses, only the occurrence of visceral metastasis (P = 0.004), pain (P =
      0.015) and SAT index (P = 0.036) were statistically significant predictors of OS.
      From baseline to 3 months, the SMM index loss was 2.49 +/- 0.44 cm(2)/m(2) (P <
      0.001) corresponding to nearly 3.4 kg of muscle loss. CONCLUSIONS: High volume of
      SAT is independently associated with overall survival in mCRPC patients treated
      with next generation AR axis inhibitors.

PMID- 26278650
TI  - Prevalence and molecular typing of Giardia duodenalis in wildlife from eastern
      Poland.
AB  - Faecal samples from 162 wild animals were collected from 32 distinct sites of
      Leczynsko-Wlodawskie Lakeland (eastern Poland). The presence of Giardia
      duodenalis (Stiles, 1902) was assessed by a Direct Fluorescence Assay (DFA) and
      by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and sequencing of a fragment of the beta
      giardin gene. DFA showed the presence of cysts of G. duodenalis in 12 of 162
      faecal samples (7%), namely in four wild boars (15%), four foxes (19%), two roe
      deer (4%), and two wolves (29%). PCR identified 34 of the 162 (21%) samples as
      positive, including 11 wild boars (41%), five red deer (18%), 11 roe deer (23%),
      four moose (17%), two wolves (29%) and a single sample from the European badger.
      Thus, PCR detected a significantly higher number of infection than DFA (P =
      0.0005). However, 14 of 34 PCR products could not be sequenced because of their
      insufficient amount; the low number of cysts, poor conservation of the faeces or
      presence of PCR inhibitors may have contributed to weak DNA amplification.
      Sequence analysis of the remaining 20 products showed the presence of assemblage
      B in wild boars, red deer and roe deer, whereas samples from wolves were
      identified as assemblage D. This is the first detection of assemblage B in wild
      boars and deer. As assemblage B has zoonotic potential, wild animals from eastern
      Poland may act as reservoirs of cysts of G. duodenalis infectious for humans. 

PMID- 26278651
TI  - Diagnostic accuracy of pace spikes in the electrocardiogram to diagnose paced
      rhythm.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine how often cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) pacing
      systems generate visible pace spikes in the electrocardiogram (ECG). METHODS: In
      46 patients treated with CRT pacing systems, we recorded ECGs during intrinsic
      rhythm, atrial pacing and ventricular pacing. ECGs were analysed for atrial and
      ventricular pace spikes by two experienced ECG readers blinded to the pacing
      therapy and to the study purpose. RESULTS: Atrial pacing generated visible pace
      spikes in less than 70% of the ECGs, whereas ventricular pacing generated visible
      pace spikes in about 90% of ECGs. The sensitivity of manual ECG interpretation
      for pace spikes was low for atrial pacing (Reader 1: 0.62 [95% confidence
      interval (CI) 0.50-0.74]; Reader 2: 0.65 [95% CI 0.53-0.77]) and moderate for
      ventricular pacing (Reader 1: 0.88 [95% CI 0.81-0.93]; Reader 2: 0.93 [95% CI
      0.87-0.97]). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with CRT pacing systems, the absence of
      visible pace spikes in the ECG does not rule out paced rhythm.

PMID- 26278652
TI  - Direct endoscopic necrosectomy in retroflexion when using a lumen-apposing
      transmural covered metal stent.

PMID- 26278653
TI  - Drainage of obstructed gallbladder with use of lumen-apposing metal stent.

PMID- 26278654
TI  - EUS-guided liver biopsy for parenchymal disease: a comparison of diagnostic yield
      between two core biopsy needles.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: EUS-guided biopsy of the liver has a variable diagnostic
      accuracy and specimen adequacy. A new core biopsy needle has been developed that
      may improve performance. The objective of this study was to compare the
      diagnostic yield of a new core biopsy needle with the previous standard needle.
      METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, consecutive patients who underwent EUS
      guided core liver biopsy over a 7-year period for suspected parenchymal disease
      were prospectively evaluated. Between 2007 and 2011, all biopsies were performed
      with a 19-gauge Tru-cut biopsy needle (Quick-core [QC]), whereas a novel reverse
      bevel needle (PC) was used exclusively from 2011 to 2014. All specimens were
      examined by 1 of 3 experienced, blinded pathologists for the following: presence
      of visible core, aggregate specimen length, number of complete portal tracts, and
      specimen adequacy. RESULTS: A total of 75 patients (mean age 51 years, 51 female)
      underwent liver biopsy by using the QC (n = 45) or PC (n = 30) needle. The QC and
      PC groups had similar demographics, indications for EUS, indications for liver
      biopsy, and liver findings on EUS. Compared with those of the QC, biopsies with
      the PC required fewer passes (median 2 vs 3; P < .0001) but produced longer
      aggregate length (median 20 mm vs 9 mm; P < .0001) with more complete portal
      tracts (median 5 vs 2; P = .0003) and adequate specimens (P < .01). Two patients
      had abdominal pain after liver biopsy with the QC needle. CONCLUSIONS: Compared
      with the QC needle, EUS-guided core liver biopsy with the PC needle produced
      longer aggregate length, more complete portal tracts, and more adequate specimens
      despite fewer passes (Clinical trial registration number: NCT00586313.).

PMID- 26278655
TI  - Endoscopic management of simultaneous Boerhaave's syndrome and malignant gastric
      outlet obstruction.

PMID- 26278656
TI  - Incision therapy for an unusual esophageal stricture.

PMID- 26278657
TI  - Suture Coding: A Novel Educational Guide for Suture Patterns.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aims to provide a helpful guide to perform tissue suturing
      successfully using suture coding-a method for identification of suture patterns
      and techniques by giving full information about the method of application of each
      pattern using numbers and symbols. Suture coding helps construct an
      infrastructure for surgical suture science. It facilitates the easy understanding
      and learning of suturing techniques and patterns as well as detects the
      relationship between the different patterns. METHODS: Guide points are fixed on
      both edges of the wound to act as a guideline to help practice suture pattern
      techniques. The arrangement is fixed as 1-3-5-7 and a-c-e-g on one side (whether
      right or left) and as 2-4-6-8 and b-d-f-h on the other side. Needle placement
      must start from number 1 or letter "a" and continue to follow the code till the
      end of the stitching. Some rules are created to be adopted for the application of
      suture coding. A suture trainer containing guide points that simulate the coding
      process is used to facilitate the learning of the coding method. RESULTS: (120)
      Is the code of simple interrupted suture pattern; (ab210) is the code of vertical
      mattress suture pattern, and (013465)2/3 is the code of Cushing suture pattern.
      (0A1) Is suggested as a surgical suture language that gives the name and type of
      the suture pattern used to facilitate its identification. All suture patterns
      known in the world should start with (0), (A), or (1). There is a relationship
      between 2 or more surgical patterns according to their codes. CONCLUSIONS: It can
      be concluded that every suture pattern has its own code that helps in the
      identification of its type, structure, and method of application. Combination
      between numbers and symbols helps in the understanding of suture techniques
      easily without complication. There are specific relationships that can be
      identified between different suture patterns. Coding methods facilitate suture
      patterns learning process. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The use of suture coding can be a
      good approach to the construction of an infrastructure of surgical suture science
      and the facilitation of the understanding and learning of suture pattern
      techniques.

PMID- 26278658
TI  - Tunable electronic and magnetic properties of monolayer MoS2 on decorated AlN
      nanosheets: a van der Waals density functional study.
AB  - In this study, structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of monolayer MoS2
      on decorated AlN nanosheets have been systematically investigated using density
      functional theory with van der Waals corrections. The results indicate that the
      surface microstructure of the AlN substrate and stacking patterns significantly
      affect the electronic and magnetic properties of heterostructures. Moreover, the
      n type semiconductor to p type semiconductor to metal transition accompanied with
      the nonmagnetic to magnetic transfer can be achieved for monolayer MoS2. The
      diverse electronic and magnetic properties highlight the potential of MoS2
      nanosheets for applications in electronics and spintronics. 

PMID- 26278659
TI  - Intranasal immunization with protective antigen of Bacillus anthracis induces a
      long-term immunological memory response.
AB  - Although intranasal vaccination has been shown to be effective for the protection
      against inhalational anthrax, establishment of long-term immunity has yet to be
      achieved. Here, we investigated whether intranasal immunization with recombinant
      protective antigen (rPA) of Bacillus anthracis induces immunological memory
      responses in the mucosal and systemic compartments. Intranasal immunization with
      rPA plus cholera toxin (CT) sustained PA-specific antibody responses for 6 months
      in lung, nasal washes, and vaginal washes as well as serum. A significant
      induction of PA-specific memory B cells was observed in spleen, cervical lymph
      nodes (CLNs) and lung after booster immunization. Furthermore, intranasal
      immunization with rPA plus CT remarkably generated effector memory CD4(+) T cells
      in the lung. PA-specific CD4(+) T cells preferentially increased the expression
      of Th1- and Th17-type cytokines in lung, but not in spleen or CLNs. Collectively,
      the intranasal immunization with rPA plus CT promoted immunologic memory
      responses in the mucosal and systemic compartments, providing long-term immunity.

PMID- 26278660
TI  - Evaluation of Homobivalent Carbolines as Designed Multiple Ligands for the
      Treatment of Neurodegenerative Disorders.
AB  - Neurodegenerative diseases represent a challenge for biomedical research due to
      their high prevalence and lack of mechanism-based treatments. Because of the
      complex pathology of neurodegenerative disorders, multifunctional drugs have been
      increasingly recognized as potential treatments. We identified homobivalent gamma
      carbolinium salts as potent inihitors of both cholinesterases, N-methyl-D
      aspartate receptors, and monoamine oxidases. Homobivalent gamma-carbolines
      displayed similar structure-activity relationships on all tested targets and may
      present promising designed multiple ligands for the treatment of
      neurodegenerative disorders.

PMID- 26278661
TI  - Prophylactic laparoscopic cholecystectomy in adult sickle cell disease patients
      with cholelithiasis: A prospective cohort study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Prophylactic laparoscopic cholecystectomy remains controversial and
      has been discussed for selected subgroups of patients with asymptomatic
      cholelithiasis who are at high risk of developing complications such as chronic
      haemolytic conditions. Cholelithiasis is a frequent condition for patients with
      sickle cell disease (SCD). Complications from cholelithiasis may dramatically
      increase morbidity for these patients. Our objective was to evaluate the
      effectiveness of prophylactic cholecystectomy in SCD patients with asymptomatic
      gallbladder stones. METHODS: From January 2000 to June 2014, we performed 103
      laparoscopic cholecystectomies on SCD patients. Fifty-two patients had
      asymptomatic cholelithiasis. The asymptomatic patients were prospectively
      enrolled in this study, and all underwent a prophylactic cholecystectomy with an
      intraoperative cholangiography. The symptomatic patients were retrospectively
      studied. Upon admission, all patients were administered specific perioperative
      management including intravenous hydration, antibiotic prophylaxis, oxygenation,
      and intravenous painkillers, as well as the subcutaneous administration of low
      molecular-weight heparin. During the same period, 51 patients with SCD underwent
      a cholecystectomy for symptomatic cholelithiasis. We compared these 2 groups in
      terms of postoperative mortality, morbidity, and hospital stay. RESULTS: There
      were no postoperative deaths or injuries to the bile ducts in either group. In
      the asymptomatic group, we observed 6 postoperative complications (11.5%), and in
      the symptomatic group, there were 13 (25.5%) postoperative complications.
      DISCUSSION: Regarding the SCD complications, we observed 1 case (2%) of acute
      chest syndrome in an asymptomatic cholelithiasis patient, while there were 3
      cases (6%) in the symptomatic group. Vaso-occlusive crisis was observed in 1
      patient (2%) with asymptomatic cholelithiasis, and in 4 patients (8%) in the
      other group. The mean hospital stay averaged 5.8 (4-17) days for prophylactic
      cholecystectomy and 7.96 (4-18) days for the comparative symptomatic group.
      CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative complications related to SCD were less frequent for
      asymptomatic patients who had a laparoscopic prophylactic cholecystectomy. This
      intervention, if performed with perioperative specific management, is safe and
      helps avoid emergency operations for acute complications including cholecystitis,
      choledocholithiasis, and cholangitis. For SCD patients, a prophylactic
      cholecystectomy reduces hospital stays.

PMID- 26278662
TI  - Adult liver transplantation in the congenital absence of inferior vena cava.
AB  - Whereas congenital absence of inferior vena cava observed in paediatric
      population more often than not, as an isolated or syndromic variety, this is
      seldom encountered in adult liver transplant recipients. There appear few
      sporadic reports in the literature on experience of such anomaly in adults. Given
      the rarity of situation, surprising encounters of such anomalies may pose
      challenge to the unprepared transplant surgeon and unfavourable outcomes may even
      have resulted in under-reportage of this condition. In this brief report we
      document our recent experience with two such cases and this is supplemented with
      extensive reference to the literature on classification of such anomalies with
      the endeavour to document implications of such in the adult liver transplant
      setting. 

PMID- 26278663
TI  - Current status of pig lung xenotransplantation.
AB  - Human organ transplantation has improved duration and quality of life for many
      people, but its full potential is critically limited by short supply of available
      organs. One solution is xenotransplantation, although this comes with its own set
      of challenges. Lungs in particular are highly sensitive to injury, during the
      transplantation process generally, and to multiple immune rejection mechanisms.
      Using pig lung donors, our lab has been working on lung transplants into baboons
      as a surrogate for a human recipient. Several ex vivo human blood perfusion
      models have also proven useful. The combination of these experiments allows us to
      test large animal models as well as whole organ or isolated endothelial reactions
      to perfusion with human blood. We have found that a multi-modality therapeutic
      approach to prevent various pathogenic cascades - such as antibody-driven
      complement activation, other immune pathway activation, thrombosis, and tissue
      ischemia-reperfusion injury - has met with progressively greater success to
      protect the xeno lung from injury. Pig gene knockout and human gene transfer has
      been perhaps the greatest contributor. This review will discuss mechanisms of
      xeno lung injury, relevant experimental models, as well as recent results and
      future targets for research. 

PMID- 26278664
TI  - Does single-port laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy result in improved short-term
      perioperative outcomes compared to conventional multi-port laparoscopic sleeve
      gastrectomy?
AB  - A best evidence topic in bariatric surgery was written according to a structured
      protocol. The question asked whether single-port laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy
      produces better short-term perioperative outcomes compared to the conventional
      multi-port laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in the treatment of morbid obesity. A
      Pubmed search generated 82 papers, 6 of which represented the best evidence to
      answer the clinical question. Of the 6, 1 paper was an updated analysis of the
      same patient cohort. The evidence on this subject is good. Five papers were level
      III, nonrandomized studies, 2 of which were prospective and 3 were retrospective
      cohort studies. The sixth paper was a level II, randomized, prospective study. We
      conclude that single-port laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy results in less use of
      postoperative analgesia and better cosmetic satisfaction compared to multi-port
      laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in the short-term. The two groups showed
      comparable results in terms of mean operative time, mean hospitalization, and
      percentage excess weight loss. There was no difference in rate of postoperative
      complications including trocar site incisional hernia, staple line leaks, and
      bleeding. 

PMID- 26278665
TI  - Evaluation of central pancreatectomy and pancreatic enucleation as pancreatic
      resections--A comparison.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: For minor pancreatic resection such as enucleation (PE) and central
      pancreatectomy (CP) comparative data are rare. These techniques provide
      parenchyma-sparing alternatives to major resections (e.g.
      pancreaticoduodenectomy) for neuroendocrine tumors, cystic tumors or metastases.
      This study retrospectively compares the morbidity and mortality of both
      techniques, with special regard to the formation of postoperative pancreatic
      fistulas (POPF). METHODS: Between December 1996 and November 2013 the
      postoperative events and clinical outcomes of 17 patients after pancreatic
      enucleation and 26 patients after central pancreatectomy were retrospectively
      analyzed from a prospectively collected database. RESULTS: Perioperative
      mortality was 0% in both groups. There was no significant difference in the
      overall peri-operative morbidity (CP 80.8% vs. PE 82.4%). The major cause of the
      high morbidity was the formation of a POPF with 26.9% of the patients after CP
      and 35.3% after PE. Univariate analysis showed a BMI over 30 kg/m(2) in the CP
      group to be an independent risk factor. Additional minor complications, e.g.
      urinary tract infection, pleural effusion, etc. furthermore contributed to the
      perioperative morbidity. CONCLUSION: PE and central CP are feasible techniques
      for selected patients, but the indications are limited. Morbidity after these
      resections is high with the major cause being the development of a POPF.

PMID- 26278666
TI  - Technical feasibility of sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with ipsilateral
      breast tumor recurrence and previous axillary surgery.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The role of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in patients with
      ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR) remains to be elucidated. The aim of
      this study was to evaluate feasibility and validity of SLNB in patients with
      IBTR. METHODS: A prospective database of 1172 patients with clinically node
      negative breast cancer who underwent SLNB from January 2005 to December 2013 at
      Keio University Hospital was analyzed and 35 patients with IBTR underwent SLNB.
      Sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) were detected using a combined method of blue dye and
      radioisotope or indocyanine green fluorescence in cases with failure of
      identification by blue dye and radioisotope. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients had
      previous SLNB, eight had previous axillary lymph node dissection (ALND), and five
      had no previous axillary surgery. Overall, SLNs were successfully identified in
      28 (80.0%) of 35 patients. The identification rate in patients with previous
      SLNB, ALND and no axillary surgery was 81.8% (18/22), 75% (6/8) and 80% (4/5),
      respectively (P = 0.52). Aberrant drainage outside the ipsilateral axilla was
      found more frequently in patients with previous ALND compared with SLNB and no
      axillary treatment (37.5% vs. 4.5% vs. 0%, P = 0.048). No axillary recurrence was
      observed after median follow-up of 40.3 months from the second surgery for IBTR.
      CONCLUSIONS: SLNB is a technically feasible and valid procedure for staging and
      treatment of regional lymph nodes in patients with IBTR.

PMID- 26278667
TI  - Analysis and reporting of stepped wedge randomised controlled trials: synthesis
      and critical appraisal of published studies, 2010 to 2014.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Stepped wedge cluster randomised trials introduce interventions to
      groups of clusters in a random order and have been used to evaluate interventions
      for health and wellbeing. Standardised guidance for reporting stepped wedge
      trials is currently absent, and a range of potential analytic approaches have
      been described. METHODS: We systematically identified and reviewed recently
      published (2010 to 2014) analyses of stepped wedge trials. We extracted data and
      described the range of reporting and analysis approaches taken across all
      studies. We critically appraised the strategy described by three trials chosen to
      reflect a range of design characteristics. RESULTS: Ten reports of completed
      analyses were identified. Reporting varied: seven of the studies included a
      CONSORT diagram, and only five also included a diagram of the intervention
      rollout. Seven assessed the balance achieved by randomisation, and there was
      considerable heterogeneity among the approaches used. Only six reported the trend
      in the outcome over time. All used both 'horizontal' and 'vertical' information
      to estimate the intervention effect: eight adjusted for time with a fixed effect,
      one used time as a condition using a Cox proportional hazards model, and one did
      not account for time trends. The majority used simple random effects to account
      for clustering and repeat measures, assuming a common intervention effect across
      clusters. Outcome data from before and after the rollout period were often
      included in the primary analysis. Potential lags in the outcome response to the
      intervention were rarely investigated. We use three case studies to illustrate
      different approaches to analysis and reporting. CONCLUSIONS: There is
      considerable heterogeneity in the reporting of stepped wedge cluster randomised
      trials. Correct specification of the time-trend underlies the validity of the
      analytical approaches. The possibility that intervention effects vary by cluster
      or over time should be considered. Further work should be done to standardise the
      reporting of the design, attrition, balance, and time-trends in stepped wedge
      trials.

PMID- 26278668
TI  - Cholinergic activation of the murine trachealis muscle via non-vesicular
      acetylcholine release involving low-affinity choline transporters.
AB  - In addition to quantal, vesicular release of acetylcholine (ACh), there is also
      non-quantal release at the motor endplate which is insufficient to evoke
      postsynaptic responses unless acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is inhibited. We here
      addressed potential non-quantal release in the mouse trachea by organ bath
      experiments and (immuno)histochemical methods. Electrical field stimulation (EFS)
      of nerve terminals elicited tracheal constriction that is largely due to ACh
      release. Classical enzyme histochemistry demonstrated acetylcholinesterase (AChE)
      activity in nerve fibers in the muscle and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activity
      in the smooth muscle cells. Acute inhibition of both esterases by eserine
      significantly raised tracheal tone which was fully sensitive to atropine. This
      effect was reduced, but not abolished, in AChE, but not in BChE gene-deficient
      mice. The eserine-induced increase in tracheal tone was unaffected by vesamicol
      (10(-5)M), an inhibitor of the vesicular acetylcholine transporter, and by
      corticosterone (10(-4)M), an inhibitor of organic cation transporters.
      Hemicholinium-3, in low concentrations an inhibitor of the high-affinity choline
      transporter-1 (CHT1), completely abrogated the eserine effects when applied in
      high concentrations (10(-4)M) pointing towards an involvement of low-affinity
      choline transporters. To evaluate the cellular sources of non-quantal ACh release
      in the trachea, expression of low-affinity choline transporter-like family (CTL1
      5) was evaluated by RT-PCR analysis. Even though these transporters were largely
      abundant in the epithelium, denudation of airway epithelial cells had no effect
      on eserine-induced tracheal contraction, indicating a non-quantal release of ACh
      from non-epithelial sources in the airways. These data provide evidence for an
      epithelium-independent non-vesicular, non-quantal ACh release in the mouse
      trachea involving low-affinity choline transporters. 

PMID- 26278669
TI  - Risk factors for bloodstream infections due to colistin-resistant KPC-producing
      Klebsiella pneumoniae: results from a multicenter case-control-control study.
AB  - The increasing prevalence of colistin resistance (ColR) Klebsiella pneumoniae
      carbapenemase (KPC)-producing K. pneumoniae (Kp) is a matter of concern because
      of its unfavourable impact on mortality of KPC-Kp bloodstream infections (BSI)
      and the shortage of alternative therapeutic options. A matched case-control
      control analysis was conducted. The primary study end point was to assess risk
      factors for ColR KPC-Kp BSI. The secondary end point was to describe mortality
      and clinical characteristics of these infections. To assess risk factors for
      ColR, 142 patients with ColR KPC-Kp BSI were compared to two controls groups: 284
      controls without infections caused by KPC-Kp (control group A) and 284 controls
      with colistin-susceptible (ColS) KPC-Kp BSI (control group B). In the first
      multivariate analysis (cases vs. group A), previous colistin therapy, previous
      KPC-Kp colonization, >=3 previous hospitalizations, Charlson score >=3 and
      neutropenia were found to be associated with the development of ColR KPC-Kp BSI.
      In the second multivariate analysis (cases vs. group B), only previous colistin
      therapy, previous KPC-Kp colonization and Charlson score >=3 were associated with
      ColR. Overall, ColR among KPC-Kp blood isolates increased more than threefold
      during the 4.5-year study period, and 30-day mortality of ColR KPC-Kp BSI was as
      high as 51%. Strict rules for the use of colistin are mandatory to staunch the
      dissemination of ColR in KPC-Kp-endemic hospitals. 

PMID- 26278670
TI  - Sarcoptes scabiei mites in humans are distributed into three genetically distinct
      clades.
AB  - Scabies is an ectoparasitic infestation caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei.
      Currently, S. scabiei is taxonomically divided into different varieties on the
      basis of host origin. Genetics-based research on scabies has been conducted, but
      the data on genetic diversity of populations of this mite in humans in Europe are
      lacking. We evaluated the genetic diversity of populations of S. scabiei. A large
      series of mites obtained from humans in France and the data of mites from various
      hosts and geographical areas retrieved from GenBank were included to investigate
      whether mites are divided into distinct populations. The study of cytochrome c
      oxidase subunit 1 gene polymorphisms were found to be best suited for
      phylogenetic analysis. S. scabiei mites were distributed into three genetically
      distinct clades, with most mites clustering in clades B and C. The Fst value and
      the Nm value calculated for mites included in clades B and C indicated a strong
      population structure and a very low gene flow between mites of those clades. The
      results of the present study not only support the rejection of the hypothesis of
      panmixia for S. scabiei in humans but also suggest that mites belonging to
      different clades are genetically isolated. Moreover, the results suggest that the
      subdivision of S. scabies in varieties according to animal or human hosts is not
      warranted. In conclusion, S. scabiei mites in humans do not constitute a
      homogeneous population. Further investigations are now required to assess whether
      different clinical forms of scabies are associated with particular haplotypes or
      clades. 

PMID- 26278671
TI  - Diuretic effects of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor in patients with
      type 2 diabetes mellitus and heart failure.

PMID- 26278672
TI  - Effects of feeding omega-3-fatty acids on fatty acid composition and quality of
      bovine sperm and on antioxidative capacity of bovine seminal plasma.
AB  - The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of feeding alpha
      linolenic (ALA) acid on fatty acid composition and quality of bovine sperm and on
      antioxidative capacity of seminal plasma. Nine bulls (ALA bulls) were fed with
      800 g rumen-resistant linseed oil with a content of 50% linolenic acid and eight
      bulls with 400 g palmitic acid (PA bulls). Sperm quality was evaluated for plasma
      membrane and acrosome intact sperm (PMAI), the amount of membrane lipid
      peroxidation (LPO), and the percentage of sperm with a high DNA fragmentation
      index (DFI). Fatty acid content of sperm was determined using gas chromatography.
      Total antioxidant capacity, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase
      activity were determined in seminal plasma. Feeding ALA increased (P < 0.05) the
      docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) content in bulls whereas in PA bulls did not change.
      PMAI increased after cryopreservation in ALA bulls as well as in PA bulls during
      the experiment period (P < 0.005). LPO of sperm directly after thawing did not
      change during the study period in ALA group, but decreased in PA group (P <
      0.006). After 3h of incubation LPO increased in the ALA group (P < 0.02), while
      LPO did not differ between phases within groups. In conclusion, feeding of
      neither saturated nor polyunsaturated fatty acids affect the antioxidant levels
      in seminal plasma. Both saturated as well as polyunsaturated fatty acids had
      positive effects on quality of cryopreserved bovine sperm, although the content
      of docosahexaenoic acid in sperm membranes increased only in ALA bulls.

PMID- 26278673
TI  - Phenotypic and functional heterogeneity of cancer-associated fibroblast within
      the tumor microenvironment.
AB  - Cancer microenvironment is created not only by malignant epithelial cells, but
      also by several kinds of stromal cells. Since Paget proposed the "seed and soil"
      hypothesis, the biological importance of the cancer microenvironment has come to
      be widely accepted. The main compartment of host stromal cells are fibroblasts
      (Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts; CAFs), which are the main source of the collagen
      producing cells. CAFs directly communicate with the cancer cells and other types
      of stromal cells to acquire a specific biological phenotype. CAFs play important
      roles in several aspects of the tumor progression process and the
      chemotherapeutic process. However, CAFs have heterogeneous origins, phenotypes,
      and functions under these conditions. A crucial challenge is to understand how
      much of this heterogeneity serves different biological responses to cancer cells.
      In this review, we highlight the issue of how diverse and heterogeneous functions
      given by CAFs can exert potent influences on tumor progression and therapeutic
      response. Furthermore, we also discuss the current advances in the development of
      novel therapeutic strategies against CAFs. 

PMID- 26278674
TI  - Long-term follow-up of primary total hip arthroplasty with the Alloclassic
      Variall system.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical and
      radiographic results of primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) performed with the
      Alloclassic Variall system (a modified version of the Alloclassic Zweymuller
      system) and to compare them with those in the literature for the original system.
      METHODS: Between January 2001 and December 2002, 273 consecutive primary THAs
      were performed in 259 patients at a single centre with the study system, using
      ceramic-on-ceramic (81.7 %) or ceramic-on-highly-crosslinked-polyethylene (18.3
      %) articulations. RESULTS: At the time of this study, 28 patients (29 hips; 10.6
      %) had died and 40 (43 hips; 15.8 %) were lost to follow-up. Seventeen patients
      (19 hips; 7.0 %) could be reached only by telephone. There were four revisions in
      four patients (1.5 %), all involving only the femoral component. Ten-year Kaplan
      Meier survival with revision of any component for any reason as the endpoint was
      98.4 % (95 % confidence interval: 96.9-100 %; 30 hips remained 'at risk'). A
      total of 170 unrevised patients (178 hips; 65.2 %) were assessed clinically and
      radiographically at a median follow-up of 9.3 years (interquartile range [IQR]
      8.8-9.8 years). The median Harris hip score (HHS) was 99.9 points (IQR 97.7-100).
      The score did not differ significantly between the two articulations. There was
      no sign of radiographic loosening. CONCLUSIONS: The ten-year implant survival and
      the HHS score outcomes for THAs performed with the novel system were in line with
      those documented in the literature for its predecessor.

PMID- 26278676
TI  - Periprosthetic fractures and complicated arthroplasties.

PMID- 26278675
TI  - Closed suction drainage has no benefits in revision total hip arthroplasty: a
      randomized controlled trial.
AB  - PURPOSE: Several studies have failed to show significant benefits of closed
      suction drainage (CSD) in routine primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). However,
      blood loss, haematoma formation and wound complications are generally much
      greater in revision THA as compared to primary THA. The purpose of this study was
      to determine if CSD is beneficial for revision THA patients. METHODS: We
      conducted a prospective, randomized, controlled trial at our institution between
      July 2013 and July 2014. Eighty-eight patients undergoing revision THA were
      enrolled and randomly assigned to receive a CSD (n = 44) or to not receive a CSD
      (n = 44). All first-stage revision surgeries for infection were excluded. Primary
      outcomes were haemoglobin loss and number of patients transfused. Secondary
      outcomes included functional outcome evaluated with Harris hip score (HHS), pain
      evaluated with visual analogue scale (VAS), and length of hospital stay. RESULTS:
      There were significantly more patients in the CSD group that required blood
      transfusions (20/44 as compared to 11/44, p = 0.04). Patients in the no CSD group
      were discharged earlier than patients in the CSD group (4.3 days as compared to
      5.4 days, p = 0.002). No statistical significant difference was found in the HHS
      or pain VAS between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study did not demonstrate any
      benefit with the use of CSD for revision THA with regard to wound related
      complications, infection or early functional outcome. Post-operative blood loss,
      transfusion rate, and length of hospital stay may be higher with CSD.

PMID- 26278677
TI  - Rodentolepis straminea (Cestoda: Hymenolepididae) in an urban population of
      Apodemus sylvaticus in the UK.
AB  - The presence of the cyclophyllidean cestode Rodentolepis straminea (Cestoda:
      Hymenolepididae), was confirmed by molecular DNA analysis from a wood mouse
      (Apodemus sylvaticus) population inhabiting urban woodland in Salford, Greater
      Manchester (UK) with a prevalence of 27.8%. It would appear that the only
      previously published record of this species in A. sylvaticus in the British Isles
      is that from south-west Ireland, where 24% of the wood mice examined were
      infected with R. straminea. This species has been recorded in studies on A.
      sylvaticus in continental Europe. The current report represents a new record for
      R. straminea on mainland Britain and a first study of helminth parasites in an
      urban wood mouse population. 

PMID- 26278678
TI  - Effects of pharmaceuticals present in aquatic environment on Phase I metabolism
      in fish.
AB  - The fate of pharmaceuticals in aquatic environments is an issue of concern.
      Current evidence indicates that the risks to fish greatly depend on the nature
      and concentrations of the pharmaceuticals and might be species-specific.
      Assessment of risks associated with the presence of pharmaceuticals in water is
      hindered by an incomplete understanding of the metabolism of these
      pharmaceuticals in aquatic species. In mammals and fish, pharmaceuticals are
      primarily metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP450). Thus, CYP450 activity
      is a crucial factor determining the detoxification abilities of organisms.
      Massive numbers of toxicological studies have investigated the interactions of
      human pharmaceuticals with detoxification systems in various fish species. In
      this paper, we review the effects of pharmaceuticals found in aquatic
      environments on fish hepatic CYP450. Moreover, we discuss the roles of nuclear
      receptors in cellular regulation and the effects of various groups of chemicals
      on fish, presented in the recent literature. 

PMID- 26278680
TI  - Generic model for tunable colloidal aggregation in multidirectional fields.
AB  - Based on Brownian Dynamics computer simulations in two dimensions we investigate
      aggregation scenarios of colloidal particles with directional interactions
      induced by multiple external fields. To this end we propose a model which allows
      continuous change in the particle interactions from point-dipole-like to patchy
      like (with four patches). We show that, as a result of this change, the non
      equilibrium aggregation occurring at low densities and temperatures transforms
      from conventional diffusion-limited cluster aggregation (DLCA) to slippery DLCA
      involving rotating bonds; this is accompanied by a pronounced change of the
      underlying lattice structure of the aggregates from square-like to hexagonal
      ordering. Increasing the temperature we find a transformation to a fluid phase,
      consistent with results of a simple mean-field density functional theory. 

PMID- 26278679
TI  - Synergistic effect of curcumin and piperine in suppression of DENA-induced
      hepatocellular carcinoma in rats.
AB  - Curcumin has been reported to suppress different types of clinical and
      experimentally-induced tumors, but due to less absorption and quick metabolism it
      show poor bioavailability. The present study was envisaged to investigate the
      possible synergistic effect of combined treatment of curcumin with piperine in
      suppression of diethylnitrosamine (DENA)-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
      in rats, owing to permeability enhancing effect of latter. HCC was induced by
      supplying DENA (0.01%) in drinking water for 10 weeks. The rats were treated with
      curcumin (100mg/kg; p.o.) per se and curcumin along with piperine (20mg/kg; p.o.)
      for 4 weeks post HCC induction. The combined treatment significantly attenuated
      the morphological, histopathological, biochemical, apoptotic and proliferative
      changes in the liver and serum in comparison to curcumin per se and vehicle
      control group. The results of present study concluded that curcumin in
      combination with piperine shows better suppression of DENA-induced HCC in
      contrast to curcumin per se. 

PMID- 26278681
TI  - Correction: The strength and directionality of a halogen bond are co-determined
      by the magnitude and size of the sigma-hole.
AB  - Correction for 'The strength and directionality of a halogen bond are co
      determined by the magnitude and size of the sigma-hole' by Michal Kolaret al.,
      Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2014, 16, 9987-9996. 

PMID- 26278683
TI  - Age-related changes in male forearm skin-to-fat tissue dielectric constant at 300
      MHz.
AB  - Prior research suggests that tissue dielectric constant (TDC) values are useful
      to assess localized skin water in females for early diagnosing breast cancer
      treatment-related lymphoedema and TDC values in young adults have shown gender
      differences. However, no TDC data are available for older males nor have ageing
      effects been studied despite known shifts in water state and other skin age
      related changes. Thus our goals were to (i) characterize TDC values at various
      skin depths in young and older males, (ii) determine the dependence of these
      values on body composition parameters and (iii) establish inter-arm TDC ratios
      for use as normal male reference values. TDC measurements were made to depths of
      0.5, 1.5, 2.5 and 5.0 mm bilaterally on volar forearm skin in 60 males in three
      groups of 20 that had mean ages +/- SD of 24.0 +/- 0.9, 40.0 +/- 12.9 and 71.0 +/
      8.0 years. Total body fat and water percentages were determined via bioimpedance
      at 50 KHz. Results showed that (i) for all age groups TDC values decreased with
      increasing depth, (ii) TDC values were not statistically different among age
      groups except at a depth of 0.5 mm, (iii) TDC values were highly negatively
      correlated with total body fat and (iv) inter-arm ratios varied little among age
      groups and depths. It is concluded that (i) age-related larger TDC values at only
      the shallowest depth is consistent with skin water shifting state from bound to
      more mobile in the oldest group and (ii) inter-arm ratios at any depth provide a
      basis to test for unilateral oedema.

PMID- 26278682
TI  - Adolescent drinking and brain morphometry: A co-twin control analysis.
AB  - Developmental changes in structure and functioning are thought to make the
      adolescent brain particularly sensitive to the negative effects of alcohol.
      Although alcohol use disorders are relatively rare in adolescence, the initiation
      of alcohol use, including problematic use, becomes increasingly prevalent during
      this period. The present study examined associations between normative drinking
      (alcohol initiation, binge drinking, intoxication) and brain morphometry in a
      sample of 96 adolescent monozygotic twins. A priori regions of interest included
      11 subcortical and 20 cortical structures implicated in the existing empirical
      literature as associated with normative alcohol use in adolescence. In addition,
      co-twin control analyses were used to disentangle risk for alcohol use from
      consequences of alcohol exposure on the developing brain. Results indicated
      significant associations reflecting preexisting vulnerability toward problematic
      alcohol use, including reduced volume of the amygdala, increased volume of the
      cerebellum, and reduced cortical volume and thickness in several frontal and
      temporal regions, including the superior and middle frontal gyri, pars
      triangularis, and middle and inferior temporal gyri. Results also indicated some
      associations consistent with a neurotoxic effect of alcohol exposure, including
      reduced volume of the ventral diencephalon and the middle temporal gyrus.

PMID- 26278684
TI  - Chiral template induced homochiral MOFs built from achiral components: SHG
      enhancement and enantioselective sensing of chiral alkamines by ion-exchange.
AB  - A pair of chiral template induced anionic homochiral frameworks constructed from
      achiral components has been synthesized. Ion-exchange of counter cations with
      polar or chiral organic cations enhances the SHG efficiency of the frameworks.
      The enantioselective sensing of chiral alkamines can be achieved by the SHG
      response. 

PMID- 26278685
TI  - Effect of an Experimental Paste with Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles and Fluoride on
      Dental Demineralisation and Remineralisation in situ.
AB  - This study evaluated the effect of an experimental paste containing
      hydroxyapatite in nanoparticles (nano-HA)/fluoride on dental de-remineralisation
      in situ. Thirteen subjects took part in this crossover/randomised/double-blind
      study performed in 4 phases (14 days each). Four sound and 4 pre-demineralised
      specimens were worn intraorally at each phase corresponding to the following
      treatments: Nanop Plus (10% HA, 0.2% NaF, nano-HA/fluoride), MI Paste Plus
      (casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate, 0.2% NaF), F (0.2% NaF) and
      placebo. Two-hundred and forty enamel and 240 dentine specimens were selected by
      using surface microhardness; half of them were subjected to pre-demineralisation
      and the other half remained sound. Sound specimens were further exposed to severe
      cariogenic challenge (20% sucrose in biofilm) in situ, while pre-demineralised
      specimens were not. All specimens were exposed to fluoride dentifrice slurry 2*1
      min/day. Thereafter, the treatments were done for 4 min. The de-remineralisation
      was quantified by transversal microradiography. The data were statistically
      analysed by repeated-measures ANOVA/Tukey's tests (p<0.05). Generally, no huge
      differences were found among the treatments. However, Nanop Plus was the only
      treatment able to significantly reduce dentine demineralisation (x0394;Z,
      integrated mineral loss) and to improve enamel remineralisation (x0394;x0394;Z,
      integrated mineral uptake) compared to placebo. No treatments were able to reduce
      enamel demineralisation, while for dentine remineralisation all treatments were
      similarly effective in improving x0394;x0394;Z compared to placebo. Nanop Plus
      seems to have a positive influence on dental de-remineralisation, which should be
      further confirmed.

PMID- 26278686
TI  - Quantitative pulsed CEST-MRI using Omega-plots.
AB  - Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) allows the indirect detection of
      dilute metabolites in living tissue via MRI of the tissue water signal. Selective
      radio frequency (RF) with amplitude B1 is used to saturate the magnetization of
      protons of exchanging groups, which transfer the saturation to the abundant water
      pool. In a clinical setup, the saturation scheme is limited to a series of short
      pulses to follow regulation of the specific absorption rate (SAR). Pulsed
      saturation is difficult to describe theoretically, thus rendering quantitative
      CEST a challenging task. In this study, we propose a new analytical treatment of
      pulsed CEST by extending a former interleaved saturation-relaxation approach.
      Analytical integration of the continuous wave (cw) eigenvalue as a function of
      the RF pulse shape leads to a formula for pulsed CEST that has the same structure
      as that for cw CEST, but incorporates two form factors that are determined by the
      pulse shape. This enables analytical Z-spectrum calculations and permits deeper
      insight into pulsed CEST. Furthermore, it extends Dixon's Omega-plot method to
      the case of pulsed saturation, yielding separately, and independently, the
      exchange rate and the relative proton concentration. Consequently, knowledge of
      the form factors allows a direct comparison of the effect of the strength and B1
      dispersion of pulsed CEST experiments with the ideal case of cw saturation. The
      extended pulsed CEST quantification approach was verified using creatine phantoms
      measured on a 7 T whole-body MR tomograph, and its range of validity was assessed
      by simulations.

PMID- 26278687
TI  - Practical management of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.
AB  - Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is relentless progressive interstitial lung
      disease (ILD) of unknown etiology. Main pathogenesis is aberrant recovery of
      epithelial injury and collagen deposition. Majority of IPF patients have been
      elderly men with smokers. However, there are important differential diagnosis
      such as fibrotic non-specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP), Connective Tissue
      Disease (CTD) associated ILD, chronic hypersensitivity pneumonia (CHP). Clinical
      point of view, non-productive cough and progressive exertional dyspnea are main
      symptoms. In addition, scalene muscle hypertrophy, fine crackles and finger
      clubbing are key findings. Serum marker such as lactate deydrogenase (LDH), Krebs
      von den Lungeng-6 (KL-6) are sensitive for ILD detection and activity. Pulmonary
      function test and 6 minute walk test (6MWT) are quite meaningful physiological
      examination. Serial change of forced vital capacity 6MWT distance predict
      mortality of IPF. International IPF guideline published recently and highlighted
      on the importance of high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings. Key
      findings of IPF are honeycombing, traction bronchiectasis and subpleural
      reticular opacity. IPF is chronic progressive disease. Therefore, tracing disease
      behavior is crucial and unifying clinical, physiological, imaging information
      over time provide useful information for physicians.In management, many candidate
      agent failed to have positive result. Pirfenidone which is anti-fibrotic agent
      showed to slow the decline of vital capacity and prevent of acute exacerbation.
      Molecular agent such as nintedanib is promising agent for prevention of
      progression of IPF. In this review, we review the clinical information of IPF and
      IPF guideline. Lastly, we show the clinical algorithm of this devastated disease.

PMID- 26278688
TI  - Serum levels of soluble CD163 as a specific marker of macrophage/monocyte
      activity in sarcoidosis patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Monocyte-macrophage lineage cells are the main immunocompetent cells
      in sarcoidosis. The main cellular elements of sarcoidal granulomas are
      epithelioid cells and multinucleated giant cells (MGC). MGC are also produced in
      vitro by human blood monocytes following various stimuli. The in vitro formation
      of MGC is a useful tool for understanding granulomas. CD163, a scavenger receptor
      for the hemoglobin-haptoglobin complex, is expressed on monocytes/macrophages and
      shed into blood in a soluble form (sCD163) after stimulation from Toll-like
      receptors and oxidative stress. sCD163 serum levels have been reported to
      increase in inflammatory or infectious conditions. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the
      present study was to examine the relationship between serum levels of sCD163 and
      the conventional disease markers of sarcoidosis, and also to evaluate sCD163
      levels in culture supernatants following the formation of MGC by human peripheral
      monocytes in vitro. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty sarcoidosis patients and twenty
      healthy subjects were enrolled in the study. sCD163 serum levels were evaluated
      using sCD163 ELISA. MGC were formed from peripheral blood monocytes by treatment
      with supernatant of concanavalin A-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells,
      and sCD163 levels in the culture supernatants were measured by ELISA. RESULTS:
      sCD163 serum levels were significantly higher in sarcoidosis patients than in
      healthy controls and correlated with ACE and soluble interleukin-2 receptor serum
      levels. sCD163 levels in culture supernatants increased with the production of
      MGC. CONCLUSIONS: sCD163 may be used as a favorable specific marker of
      macrophage/monocyte activity in order to more clearly understand the disease
      activity of sarcoidosis.

PMID- 26278689
TI  - Placenta-derived mesenchymal-like cells (PDA-001) as therapy for chronic
      pulmonary sarcoidosis: a phase 1 study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Placental derived mesenchymal-like cells have been found to have
      immunosuppressive effects on T cell function. We studied mesenchymal-like cells
      as immunomodulators in chronic pulmonary sarcoidosis. METHODS: PDA-001 cells were
      culture-expanded in vitro as a plastic-adherent, undifferentiated cell population
      that expresses the nominal phenotype CD34-, CD10+, CD105+ and CD200+. Four
      patients with refractory pulmonary sarcoidosis received two infusions of 150
      million PDA-001 cells in 240 ml dextran-40 solution one week apart. During and
      for two hours after the first infusion, the pulmonary artery pressure was
      monitored. Prior to first infusion and within 24 hours after the second infusion,
      bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) were performed. Patients underwent
      initial and serial pulmonary function testing and were followed for two years.
      RESULTS: After the first infusion, all patients had a mild, non-clinically
      significant increase in mean pulmonary artery pressure, but none exhibited right
      heart failure or volume overload. In the year following treatment, there was no
      significant change in the FVC, but two patients had improvement in their chest x
      ray and had prednisone withdrawn. BAL samples after the second infusion were
      sufficiently viable to undergo FACS analysis in three cases and in two patients,
      CD10+CD49c+C105+ cells (indicative of PDA-001 cells) were found. CONCLUSION: The
      use of placental derived mesenchymal-like cells led to a mild increase in
      pulmonary artery pressure. In some cases, these cells were found in the BAL 24
      hours after the second dose. Two of four patients demonstrated some steroid
      sparing benefit, including one patient with prolonged remission.

PMID- 26278690
TI  - What comorbidities accompany sarcoidosis? A large cohort (n=1779) patients
      analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous multiorgan disease with the
      most common manifestation is in the chest, although the granulomas can also
      involve all other organs causing variety of symptoms mimicking different
      diseases. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the incidence of comorbidity in a large group
      of patients with sarcoidosis diagnosed or followed in referral center for lung
      diseases in Poland. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis
      in a group of 1779 patients discharged with the final diagnosis "sarcoidosis"
      (ICD-10: D86) from January 2008 to October 2011. RESULTS: The majority (79.2%)
      were diagnosed as pulmonary and/or lymph node sarcoidosis (D86.0, D86.1, D86.2).
      Sarcoidosis of other and combined sites (D86.8) were diagnosed in 15.8% and
      unspecified (D86.9) in 5.0% of patients. At least one comorbid condition was
      noted in 54% of the patients, most frequently arterial hypertension (22.4%),
      thyroid disorders (5.6%), diabetes mellitus (5.0%), COPD (4.3%) and obesity
      (3.3%). Using linear regression models, the associations between the number of
      comorbidities and age and extent of the disease were found (p<0.001). Patients
      with multiorgan sarcoidosis were more likely to have a comorbid condition.
      CONCLUSIONS: More than half of patients with sarcoidosis have a comorbid
      condition, which is more likely in older patients and those with multiorgan
      involvement.

PMID- 26278691
TI  - A score for estimating survival in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis with rest
      SpO2>88.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Prediction models for survival at baseline evaluation have been
      proposed in IPF but some are difficult to use. The aim of present study was to
      develop a new mortality risk scoring system for patients with IPF at initial
      evaluation. METHODS: One hundred twenty with definitive IPF were selected through
      a review of standardized medical records for interstitial lung diseases. Patients
      with resting SpO2<89% were excluded. Significant individual predictors we derived
      by a Cox proportional hazards model and transformed in categorical data according
      to cut-off points. Beta coefficients for each predictor were similar, so a score
      was created considering the sum of dichotomic (0 or 1) transformed variables.
      FINDINGS: Median follow-up time was 37.5 months. At the end of follow-up, 80
      patients had died. Independent predictors of mortality by multivariate analysis
      included dyspnea (at rest or to light or moderate activities),
      FVC<70%,FEV1/FVC>0.89 and DLCO <= 40%. Resting SpO2 and ExSpO2 were excluded in
      final analysis. The hazard ratios ranged from 1.95 for dyspnoea to 2.30 for DLCO.
      When the total score was 0 (Stage I, n=28), median survival time was 68 months;
      when 1 or 2 (Stage II, n=69), it was 45 months; and when 3 or 4 (Stage III,
      n=23), it was 19 months (log rank= 60.44, p<0.001). INTERPRETATION: The score can
      separate IPF patients with high, intermediate and low survival.

PMID- 26278692
TI  - Comparison of clinical characteristics and outcomes between combined pulmonary
      fibrosis and emphysema associated with usual interstitial pneumonia pattern and
      non-usual interstitial pneumonia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recently, combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE) has been
      recognized worldwide. However, actually CPFE had a variety of extent of emphysema
      or pulmonary fibrosis. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to compare
      the clinical characteristics and outcomes between CPFE associated with usual
      interstitial pneumonia pattern (UIP) and CPFE with non-UIP divided based on chest
      high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) images, as well as to elucidate
      prognostic factors. METHODS: A cohort of 57 CPFE and 64 IPF patients at a single
      institution was analyzed retrospectively. The HRCT imaging patterns of definite
      UIP pattern and possible UIP pattern were defined as UIP, and inconsistent with
      UIP pattern as non-UIP. Clinical characteristics and outcomes were compared in 3
      subgroups with CPFE/UIP, CPFE/non-UIP, and IPF alone, respectively. The
      prognostic factors were performed using Cox proportional hazards. RESULTS: The
      incidences of primary lung cancer and acute exacerbation (AE) were 10.4%/10.9% in
      CPFE/UIP, 0%/27.3% in CPFE/non-UIP, and 6.3%/35.9% in IPF, respectively. The
      survival in CPFE/UIP had significantly worse than that in other 2 subgroups
      (CPFE/non-UIP, IPF) (P = 0.011, P = 0.043). The multivariate Cox regression model
      showed that the prognostic factors of CPFE were UIP pattern and high-composite
      physiologic index (CPI). CPI thresholds of 45 provided the greatest prognostic
      separation in patients with CPFE. CPFE/UIP with high-CPI (CPI >= 45) had a worst
      prognosis compared with the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated
      that the presence of UIP pattern and high-CPI in CPFE patients were associated
      with poorer mortality.

PMID- 26278694
TI  - Estimation using the impulse oscillation system in patients with pulmonary
      sarcoidosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Limitations in airflow are detected in some patients with sarcoidosis
      in association with a poor prognosis. The impulse oscillation system (IOS) is
      used to treat patients with obstructive lung disease, as it can sensitively
      detect increased airway resistance. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the
      characteristics of parameters obtained with IOS in patients with sarcoidosis.
      METHODS: Forty-six pulmonary sarcoidosis patients at Chiba University Hospital
      and 20 healthy controls were enrolled. The subjects underwent IOS, pulmonary
      function testing and multidetector computed tomography. We evaluated the
      correlations between these indices in the pulmonary sarcoidosis patients and
      compared the pulmonary sarcoidosis patients with the healthy controls. RESULTS:
      The ratio of V50/V25, percentage of wall area (WA%), resistance at 5 Hz (R5) and
      difference between the R5 and R20 (R5-R20) values of the patients with pulmonary
      sarcoidosis were significantly increased compared to those observed in the
      controls. Inverse weak correlations were observed between the R5-R20 values and
      the forced expiratory volume in one second (r = -0.56; p <0.001). The R5-R20
      values were correlated with the V50/V25 (r = 0.42; p < 0.005) and WA% (r = 0.43;
      p < 0.05) values. The WA% values were also significantly correlated with the
      V50/V25 (r = 0.32; p < 0.05) and R5 (r = 0.33; p < 0.05) values. CONCLUSIONS: IOS
      parameters were found to be significantly correlated with pulmonary function
      parameters and the airway wall thickness in pulmonary sarcoidosis patients. IOS
      is considered to be useful for detecting early manifestations of airflow
      limitation in pulmonary sarcoidosis patients.

PMID- 26278693
TI  - Cigarette smoking and male sex are independent and age concomitant risk factors
      for the development of ocular sarcoidosis in a New Orleans sarcoidosis
      population.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Sarcoidosis is a multi-organ system granulomatous disease of
      unknown origin with an incidence of 1-40/100,000. Though pulmonary manifestations
      are predominant, ocular sarcoidosis (OS) affects 25-50% of patients with
      sarcoidosis and can lead to blindness. METHODS: A retrospective, single-center
      chart review of sarcoidosis cases investigated variables associated with the
      development of OS. Inclusion criteria were biopsy-proven sarcoidosis, disease
      duration greater than 1 year, documented smoking status on chart review and
      documentation of sarcoid-related eye disease. Multivariate analysis identified
      independent risk factors for OS. RESULTS: Of 269 charts reviewed, 109 patients
      met inclusion criteria. The OS group had a significantly higher proportion of
      smokers (71.4%) than without OS (42.0%, p=0.027) with no difference (p=0.61) in
      median number of pack years. Male sex was significantly higher in the OS group
      (57.1% versus 26.1%, p=0.009). Median duration of sarcoidosis was higher in the
      OS group (10 versus 4 years, p=0.031). Multivariate regression identified tobacco
      exposure (OR=5.25, p=0.007, 95% CI 1.58-17.41), male sex (OR=7.48, p=0.002, 95%
      CI 2.15-26.01), and age (OR=1.114, p=0.002, 95% CI 1.04-1.19) as concomitant risk
      factors for the development of OS. CONCLUSION: To date, there are few dedicated
      investigations of risk factors for OS, especially smoking. This investigation
      identified male sex, age, and tobacco exposure as independent risk factors for
      OS. Though disease duration did not withstand regression analysis in this
      moderately sized group, age at chart review suggests screening for OS should not
      remit but rather intensify in aging patients with sarcoidosis.

PMID- 26278695
TI  - Bone mineral density in patients with interstitial lung disease.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of low bone mineral density (BMD) and the
      risk factors for osteoporosis in patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD).
      METHODS: Consecutive newly diagnosed ILD patients (n=196) were included in the
      study. Detailed demographic and clinical data were collected at the time of
      diagnosis, along with BMD measurements. Univariate and multivariate logistic
      regression analyses were used to determine the risk factors for osteoporosis.
      RESULTS: Forty-four percent of the patients had osteoporosis, and 36% had
      osteopenia. The diagnosis of usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) was more
      frequently observed in the patients with osteoporosis than in those without
      osteoporosis (67 vs. 47%, respectively; p=0.005). The univariate analyses
      identified the following five variables that were associated with an increased
      risk of osteoporosis at any site: older age (odds ratios [OR], 1.06; 95%
      confidence intervals [CI], 1.04 - 1.09; p<0.0001), UIP diagnosis (OR, 2.39; 95%
      CI, 1.33 - 4.30; p=0.003), higher partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) (OR,
      1.08; 95% CI, 1.01 - 1.14; p=0.01), hypertension (OR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.05 - 3.49;
      p=0.033) and diabetes mellitus (OR, 2.38; 95% CI, 1.25 - 4.56; p=0.008). However,
      older age was the only independent predictor of osteoporosis (adjusted OR, 1.05;
      95% CI, 1.02 to 1.08; p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We observed a high prevalence of
      osteoporosis and osteopenia among newly diagnosed ILD patients. Our findings
      suggest that there is a substantially increased risk of osteoporosis and that
      early screening and aggressive treatment with various anti-bone resorptive
      therapies are necessary in ILD patients.

PMID- 26278696
TI  - Significance of granulomatous inflammation in usual interstitial pneumonia.
AB  - Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disease of unclear etiology with
      characteristic pulmonary lesions. We describe 2 unique cases of sarcoidosis where
      after approximately 20 years of clinical quiescence, patients developed
      interstitial opacities on chest CT scan and an increase in shortness of breath.
      With lack of therapeutic response to a course of prednisone, both patients
      underwent a surgical lung biopsy that revealed a pattern consistent with Usual
      Interstitial Pneumonia (UIP) with honeycombing and fibroblastic foci.
      Postoperatively, the course of the disease was consistent with what would be
      expected in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. Ultimately the disease progressed with
      one patient needed lung transplantation and the other requiring high-flow oxygen
      supplementation. In conclusion, we present two patients in whom a diagnosis of
      sarcoidosis preceded the diagnosis of UIP by 20 years or more. The subsequent
      course of disease in both patients was consistent with Idiopathic Pulmonary
      Fibrosis.

PMID- 26278697
TI  - Near fatal desquamative interstitial pneumonia with bilateral recurrent tension
      pneumothorax.
AB  - Desquamative interstitial pneumonia (DIP) is an uncommon form of interstitial
      lung disease demonstrating good response to corticosteroid therapy and favorable
      prognosis. In rare cases, patients with DIP fail to respond to corticosteroid
      therapy, and may progress to end-stage fibrotic lung disease with respiratory
      failure. For such patients, well defined treatment regimen does not exist until
      now. We report a rare case of near fatal DIP with recurrent bilateral tension
      pneumothorax despite of corticosteroid maintenance therapy. Clinical and
      radiological findings improved with surgical intervention in addition to
      combination therapy with prednisolone and clarithromycin. The patient has
      remained in an improved state and has been receiving prednisolone and
      clarithromycin for 9 months.

PMID- 26278698
TI  - Acute eosinophilic pneumonia associated with glyphosate-surfactant exposure.
AB  - We report a case of a female patient who developed acute eosinophilic pneumonia
      (AEP) after recent onset of smoking and exposure to glyphosate-surfactant.The
      additional exposure associated with the recent start of smoking may have
      contributed to the development and/or severity of AEP.A clinical relapse after re
      challenge four years later both with smoking and glyphosate-surfactant made the
      association highly likely.Respiratory distress is a factor of poor outcome and
      mortality after ingestion of glyphosate-surfactant.This case highlights the
      importance of a thorough exposure history e.g., possible occupational and
      environmental exposures together with drug-intake.Genotyping should be considered
      in cases of severe unexplained pulmonary damage.

PMID- 26278699
TI  - Increased liver stiffness in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a pilot study.
AB  - PURPOSE: There is evidence that pulmonary, hepatic and renal fibrosis may share
      common pathogenetic pathways. Aim of our study was to measure liver stiffness in
      patients affected by clinically stable idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).
      METHODS: Twenty-nine cases (24 M; mean age+/-SD: 67+/-8.3 yrs; 19 ex-smokers)
      along with fifteen age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers were enrolled. Liver
      conventional ultrasound examination and transient ultrasound elastography (TUE)
      were realized by two independent operators. RESULTS: Mild/moderate steatosis was
      identified in 1 control and 8 IPF cases (6.6% and 27.5%); severe steatosis in 2
      IPF patients (7%). Mean TUE measurements were increased in 11 IPF cases (38%) as
      compared to controls (6.4+/-2.2 kPa vs 5.2+/-0.4 kPa; p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: To
      our knowledge, this is the first report suggesting that liver stiffness is
      increased in more than one-third of IPF patients. Application of novel
      methodologies should be encouraged for investigating further IPF.

PMID- 26278700
TI  - Seroprevalence and factors associated with seropositivity to equine arteritis
      virus in Spanish Purebred horses in Spain.
AB  - REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Equine viral arteritis (EVA), a disease caused by
      infection with the equine arteritis virus (EAV), is present in many European
      countries. In Spain, the last confirmed outbreak was reported in 1992 and there
      is a paucity of seroprevalence studies. The disease has a major impact on the
      equine breeding industry, which is mainly represented by Spanish Purebred (SP)
      horses in Spain. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the seroprevalence of EAV in the
      breeding SP horse population in central Spain and identify potential horse and
      studfarm level factors associated with seropositivity to EAV. STUDY DESIGN: Cross
      sectional study. METHODS: Individual serum samples from 555 SP horses, collected
      between September 2011 and November 2013 at 35 studfarms, were tested using a
      commercially available EAV antibody ELISA and seroneutralisation as the World
      Organisation for Animal Health reference confirmation test for samples with
      positive and equivocal results. Data on factors putatively associated with
      seropositivity to EAV were collected via a questionnaire and examined using
      random effects logistic regression for analysis of clustered data. RESULTS:
      Equine arteritis virus seroprevalence in the SP breeding population in central
      Spain standardised for the sex distribution of the reference horse population,
      was estimated to be 16.8% (95% confidence interval 5.2-28.5%). Increasing numbers
      of breeding mares on the studfarm and increasing percentage of mares with
      reproductive problems during the last 12 months were identified as being
      positively associated with EAV seropositivity. Mares vaccinated against Equine
      herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) and/or -4 (EHV-4) were also positively associated with EAV
      seropositivity. CONCLUSIONS: These findings are of importance to ensure
      appropriate biosecurity measures for studfarms are carried out and may help
      facilitate the development of an EVA surveillance programme in the SP breeding
      horse population.

PMID- 26278701
TI  - Synthetic Biology: A New Tool for the Trade.
AB  - Protein-protein interactions are fundamental to many biological processes. Yet,
      the weak and transient noncovalent bonds that characterize most protein-protein
      interactions found in nature impose limits on many bioengineering experiments.
      Here, a new class of genetically encodable peptide-protein pairs--isopeptag
      N/pilin-N, isopeptag/pilin-C, and SpyTag/SpyCatcher--that interact through
      autocatalytic intermolecular isopeptide bond formation is described. Reactions
      between peptide-protein pairs are specific, robust, orthogonal, and able to
      proceed under most biologically relevant conditions both in vitro and in vivo. As
      fusion constructs, they provide a handle on molecules of interest, both organic
      and inorganic, that can be grasped with an iron grip. Such stable interactions
      provide robust post-translational control over biological processes and open new
      opportunities in synthetic biology for engineering programmable and self
      assembling protein nanoarchitectures.

PMID- 26278702
TI  - Clinical implications of intratumoral heterogeneity of HER2 gene amplification in
      locally advanced HER2-positive breast cancer patients.

PMID- 26278703
TI  - Protein A-Based Immunoadsorption Is More  Efficient Than Conventional Plasma
      Exchange  to Remove Circulating Anti-HLA Antibodies.
AB  - We retrospectively evaluated the ability of protein-A immunoadsorption (IA) as
      compared to that of conventional plasma exchanges (PE) in reducing the mean
      fluorescence intensity (MFI) of anti-HLA antibodies assessed by the single
      antigen assay in sensitized renal transplant recipients. Change in MFI of 441
      anti-HLA antibodies was measured after 1 single session of IA or after 3
      consecutive daily PE sessions. While both strategies were able to significantly
      lower the amount of anti-HLA antibodies, the relative reduction in MFI was higher
      after IA as compared to PE (-69 vs. -58%, respectively, p = 0.003). This better
      efficacy of IA was observed despite a lower total volume of treated plasma (105
      +/- 6 vs. 160 +/- 16 ml/kg after IA and after PE, respectively). Our data suggest
      a higher efficiency of IA over conventional PE sessions to remove anti-HLA
      antibodies and call for a larger evaluation of IA to confirm its potential added
      value in desensitization protocols.

PMID- 26278705
TI  - Vasospasm Is a Consistent Finding in Pernio (Chilblains) and a Possible Clue to
      Pathogenesis.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Pernio (chilblains) is an inflammatory condition classically
      characterized by localized erythema and swelling of acral sites upon exposure to
      cool and damp conditions. We sought to determine whether cold-induced vasospasm
      has a role in the development of pernio. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 5
      patients with pernio who were seen at our institution between January 1, 2000 and
      December 31, 2011, and had undergone a noninvasive arterial vascular study of the
      upper extremities that corresponded to a site of clinical involvement of pernio
      and who had also undergone vasospastic testing and ice water immersion as part of
      the noninvasive arterial vascular study protocol. RESULTS: Vascular testing in
      all patients (mean age 37.8 years; 4 women) demonstrated vasospasm with ice water
      immersion. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that vasospasm likely has a role in
      the pathophysiology of pernio and may also provide a rationale for the
      pharmacological treatment of vasospasm in patients with pernio.

PMID- 26278704
TI  - Rocuronium: automatic infusion versus manual administration with TOF
      monitorisation.
AB  - TOF (train-of-four) monitoring provides objective data in application of
      neuromuscular blocking agent. Thus, applicator-based differences are eliminated
      and optimum muscle relaxation is maintained during operation. In the present
      study, we aimed to compare the effects of target-controlled infusion system and
      standard TOF monitoring, on use of rocuronium. ASA I-II patients, who were aged
      between 18 and 75 years and scheduled for elective abdominal surgery at
      Haydarpasa Numune Training and Research Hospital, were enrolled in the study. In
      order to evaluate neuromuscular blockade, the patients in Group 1 were connected
      to the acceleromyography device of the target-controlled infusion pump (Veryark
      CLMRIS-I-China) while the ones in Group 2 were connected to the routinely used
      acceleromyography device (TOF Watch SX). There was no significant difference
      between groups regarding patient characteristics, the durations of anaesthesia
      and surgery, quality of intubation, time to extubation and time to recovery (TOF
      ratio of 0.9). Intubation time was significantly longer in Group 1 (Automated
      group) as compared to Group 2 (Control group) (p < 0.05). The total rocuronium
      amount used in Group 1 was found to be significantly higher than the amount used
      in Group 2 (p < 0.05). There was no clinical evidence of residual neuromuscular
      blockage or reoccurrence of neuromuscular blockage in any patient in either
      group. Both methods can be used for administration of neuromuscular blocker agent
      during moderate time anesthesia. No advantage was noted when rocuronium was
      administered via automatical infusion pump during anaesthesia. 

PMID- 26278706
TI  - Comparative Pharmacokinetics, Tissue Distribution, Excretion of Recombinant Liver
      Targeting Interferon with IFN alpha2b Administered Intramuscular in Rats.
AB  - Interferon alpha2b (IFN alpha2b) is the first cytokine, which has been approved
      by FDA to treat chronic hepatitis B. However, it has no organ or tissue
      selectivity effect, and will be rapidly cleared out in the liver after the
      administration treatment. In our previous study, a novel liver-targeting fusion
      interferon (IFN-CSP) was constructed by recombining human IFN alpha2b with a CSP
      region I-plus peptide. The purpose of this study is to compare pharmacokinetics,
      tissue distribution, excretion of recombinant liver-targeting interferon IFN-CSP
      with IFN alpha2b following intramuscular administration in rats and estimate
      whether the fusion protein recombinant liver-targeting interferon has liver
      targeting effect. Serum, tissue, urinary, fecal, and biliary concentrations of
      the drug were measured at various time points after administration using ELISA
      test. The pharmacokinetic character of IFN-CSP and IFNalpha2b was described using
      a non-compartmental model after a single intramuscular administration. Our
      results showed that there were no significant differences between these two drugs
      in pharmacokinetic and elimination. However, drug concentration of recombinant
      liver-targeting IFN was higher than IFN alpha2b in the liver after intramuscular
      administration in rats at different time points. It was increased in the spleen
      but not apparently, and decreased in the heart, lung and kidney. In conclusion,
      compared with traditional IFN alpha2b, the novel recombinant liver-targeting IFN
      will be more accumulated in the liver tissue. With this excellent property, IFN
      CSP shows a great application prospect in clinical treatment, although further
      investigation is still needed. 

PMID- 26278707
TI  - The Role of Bacteria in Necrotizing Enterocolitis: Understanding the Forest for
      the Trees.

PMID- 26278708
TI  - Effects of dietary supplementation of emulsifier and carbohydrase on the growth
      performance, serum cholesterol and breast meat fatty acids profile of broiler
      chickens.
AB  - A total of 540 2-day-old male Ross 308 broilers were used in a 35-day experiment
      and were randomly divided into five treatments: (i) NC (low energy); (ii) PC
      (high energy diet); (iii) P1 (NC + 0.1% carbohydrases); (iv) P2 (NC + 0.05%
      emulsifier); and (v) P3 (NC + 0.1% carbohydrases + 0.05% emulsifier). From days 0
      to 21, body weight gain in PC and P3 treatments increased (P < 0.05) compared
      with NC treatment. The chicks fed PC, P1, P2 and P3 improved (P < 0.05) feed
      conversion ratio compared with the NC treatment throughout the whole experiment.
      Abdominal fat weight was heavier (P < 0.05) in PC, P2 and P3 treatments than in
      NC and P1 treatments. On day 35, serum total cholesterol and low density
      lipoprotein cholesterol concentration were higher (P < 0.05) and high-density
      lipoprotein cholesterol was lower (P < 0.05) in NC and P2 treatments than in PC,
      P1 and P3 treatments. The concentration of oleic acid, linoleic acid and total
      unsaturated fatty acids were highest (P < 0.05) in PC than in the other
      treatments. In conclusion, the results indicate that low energy density diet had
      lower growth performance, while the inclusion of emulsifier and carbohydrases in
      low energy diets can partially improve growth performance. 

PMID- 26278709
TI  - Worsening of respiratory status during neutropenia recovery in noncritically ill
      hematological patients: results of a prospective multicenter study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Neutropenia recovery (NR) has been associated with worsening
      preexisting lung injury in up to 50% of critically ill cancer patients. However,
      only limited relevant data exist in the general population of hematological
      patients. OBJECTIVES: To assess the incidence of acute respiratory deterioration
      during NR in patients with hematological malignancies. METHODS: Adult patients
      with neutropenia expected to last more than 7 days were included. Worsening of
      respiratory status (WRS) was defined as a decrease in oxygen saturation of >=5%,
      the need for oxygen therapy for >=24 h, an increase in oxygen flow of >=50% in
      patients previously treated with oxygen, or the need for mechanical ventilation.
      NR was defined as the 3 days preceding or following a neutrophil count of >0.5 *
      109/l. RESULTS: A total of 16 of 50 patients included in this pilot study
      experienced WRS during NR (32%), and 13 patients had WRS during neutropenia
      (26%). The incidence density of WRS was 0.53 (+/-0.79) episodes per 10 days
      during NR and 0.20 (+/-0.39) episodes per 10 days during neutropenia (p = 0.004).
      Sepsis, stem cell transplantation, preexisting pneumonia, or the use of
      granulocyte colony-stimulating factor were not associated with WRS during NR.
      CONCLUSION: Up to one third of noncritically ill hematological patients with
      expected neutropenia of more than 7 days experience WRS during NR. Clinical
      consequences and risk factors for WRS during NR remain to be evaluated.

PMID- 26278710
TI  - A European curriculum for nurses working in haemophilia.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Currently, there is no consensus on education required to develop
      haemophilia nursing. The aim was to develop a curriculum for haemophilia nurses
      that could be used as a resource in Europe. This could form a basis for
      continuous professional development and used in the preparation of specialized
      educational programmes. METHODS: The EAHAD nurses working group set out to
      describe the skills and knowledge needed for a nurse to work in this specialty.
      This was considered at two levels: basic requirements and at a more advanced
      level. The working group acted as a focus group for this project drawing on
      existing specialist training, national role definitions, competencies and results
      of the EAHAD Nurses survey (2012). A template was populated with the knowledge
      base and the skills required. RESULTS: Themes were analysed and information
      generated organized into domains: content of curriculum; learning outcomes,
      defined in terms of knowledge, skills, behaviour and attitudes; and suggestions
      for teaching methods. For curriculum content the following domains were
      identified: Applied biological science; treatment and management of haemophilia
      and associated disorders; genetic practice; care management of affected carriers
      and women; the impact of living with bleeding disorders; evidence base and
      applied research in haemophilia practice; and, the specialist role of the
      haemophilia nurse. Examples are given for teaching and learning process.
      CONCLUSION: This curriculum is intended for use as a strategic resource to
      outline education for the haemophilia nurse and contribute to the standardization
      and benchmarking of haemophilia nursing care and thus to improvement in the
      quality of patient care.

PMID- 26278711
TI  - Signal transduction in Acute Myeloid Leukemia - Implications for Novel
      Therapeutic Concepts.
AB  - Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is a highly aggressive clonal hematopoietic disorder
      that has been managed with largely unchanged treatment protocols for the past
      decades. Although conventional chemotherapy bears the potential to cure some AML
      patients, the course of the disease is frequently fatal despite treatment
      highlighting the need for novel therapeutic concepts. Recent progress in genetic
      technologies significantly furthered our understanding of the molecular events
      leading to the disease, but these advances have not yet been successfully
      translated into improved treatment outcomes. Here, we review some of the new
      promising targets expressed by leukemic blasts, including important signaling
      pathways involved in AML stem/progenitor cell maintenance and drug resistance. We
      furthermore discuss novel targeted therapies in pre-clinical and clinical
      development thereby focusing on new compounds targeting receptor and non-receptor
      tyrosine kinases, farnesyltransferase proteins, and epigenetic modifiers. 

PMID- 26278712
TI  - Nab-Paclitaxel in Metastatic Breast Cancer: Defining the Best Patient Profile.
AB  - Around 40% of patients with breast cancer will present with a recurrence of the
      disease. Chemotherapy is recommended for patients with recurrent hormone
      independent or hormone-refractory breast cancer and almost all patients with
      metastatic breast cancer (MBC) receive chemotherapy during their medical history.
      Nanoparticle albuminbound (nab)-paclitaxel is a solvent-free, 130-nanometer
      particle formulation of paclitaxel. Nab-paclitaxel can be administered to all
      patients for whom the treatment choice is a taxane. In this review, 6 patient
      profiles for which nabpaclitaxel may be particularly useful are described and
      analyzed: (i) as first-line treatment of MBC, (ii) as second-line treatment of
      MBC after oral chemotherapy, (iii) after a standard taxane, (iv) as third-line
      treatment after a standard taxane and oral chemotherapy, (v) for patients with
      HER2-positive MBC and (vi) for patients with intolerance to standard taxanes. Nab
      paclitaxel is a rational treatment choice for patients with MBC in different
      settings, as well as for those with prior exposure to a standard taxane.

PMID- 26278714
TI  - Epigallocatechin-3-gallate Increases RXRgamma-mediated Pro-apoptotic and Anti
      invasive Effects in Gastrointestinal Cancer Cell Lines.
AB  - Molecules with synergistic effects often enhance the benefits of cancer therapy.
      We observed that the major catechin of green tea, (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate
      (EGCG), induced retinoid X receptor-gamma (RXRgamma) expression in the SK-Ch-A1
      cholangiocarcinoma cell line and in two colon carcinoma cell lines (LoVo and the
      derivative multi-drug resistant LoVoMDR). On this basis, we analyzed the effects
      of EGCG in combination with an RXRgamma ligand, 6-OH-11-O-hydroxyphenantrene
      (IIF), or with a ligand of retinoic acid receptor, all-trans-retinoic acid (RA).
      IIF alone and in combination with EGCG activated the retinoic X response elements
      and induced the germ cell nuclear factor. In parallel, EGCG induced 67 kDa
      laminin receptor expression alone and in combination with IIF. We observed a
      synergistic growth inhibition with EGCG and IIF in combination at lower doses.
      These effects were accompanied by apoptosis activation through the mitochondrial
      pathway. Moreover, in LoVo cell line we observed an induction of Forkhead box O3
      expression, another molecule involved in apoptosis activation. Finally,
      metalloproteinase activity and extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer
      (EMMPRIN) expression were inhibited and tumor cell invasion was strongly reduced
      in the SK-Ch-A1 cell line after treatment with EGCG and IIF. In conclusion, the
      use of specific RXR ligands in combination with catechins could open a new
      perspective in gastrointestinal tumor chemoprevention. 

PMID- 26278713
TI  - Old Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors and Newcomers in Gastrointestinal Cancer
      Treatment.
AB  - Gastrointestinal cancer treatment is based more on molecular biology that has
      provided increasing knowledge about cancer pathogenesis on which targeted therapy
      is being developed. Precisely, targeted therapy is defined as a "type of
      treatment that uses drugs, such as monoclonal antibodies or tyrosine kinase
      inhibitors, to identify and attack specific cancer cells". Nowadays, the United
      States Food and Drug Administration has approved many targeted therapies for
      gastrointestinal cancer treatment, as many are in various phases of development
      as well. In a previous review we discussed the main monoclonal antibodies used
      and studied in gastrointestinal cancer. In addition to monoclonal antibodies,
      tyrosine kinase inhibitors represent another class of targeted therapy and
      following the approval of imatinib for gastrointestinal stromal tumours, other
      tyrosine kinase inhibitors have been approved for gastrointestinal cancers
      treatment such as sunitinib, regoragenib, sorafenib and erlotinib. Moving
      forward, the purpose of this review is to focus on the efficacy data of main
      tyrosine kinase inhibitors commonly used in the personalized treatment of each
      gastrointestinal tumour and to provide a comprehensive overview about
      experimental targeted therapies ongoing in this setting. 

PMID- 26278716
TI  - Pemphigoid Diseases as a Sign of Active Psoriasis: A Case Report and Brief
      Review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Overlap of bullous pemphigoid (BP) with chronic psoriatic plaques
      (CPP) is a common condition. However, the association of BP with pustular
      psoriasis (PP) is uncommon. Moreover, perilesional erythema and pustular lesions
      on CPP are accepted as a sign of unstable psoriasis. Unstable psoriasis could be
      triggered by certain irritant topical treatments against psoriasis. These
      chemical agents could also induce a localized pattern of generalized PP. Here, we
      describe BP and PP collision in unstable CPP. OBJECTIVE: By this observation we
      suggest that BP could be a sign of active psoriasis. Presumably, psoriasis
      induced BP is an inflammation activity-dependent condition. METHODS: This study
      is a case report and literature review. RESULTS: The dramatic response of bullo
      pustular lesions to short-term methotrexate (MTX) treatment suggests the rule of
      'no psoriasis, no BP'. Presumably, MTX supressed the active inflammation of CPP
      and BP disappeared following CPP control. CONCLUSION: BP can be a sign of active
      psoriasis in the present case.

PMID- 26278717
TI  - Role for HIF-1alpha and Downstream Pathways in Regulating Neuronal Injury after
      Intracerebral Hemorrhage in Diabetes.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: HIF-1alpha is accumulated in the cellular nucleus and cytoplasm
      under conditions of oxygen deprivation and engaged in pathophysiologic changes of
      homeostasis by modulating the expression of several target genes. As an
      endogenous signaling protein, HIF-1alpha contributes to in neuroprotection,
      erythropoiesis, and apoptosis modulation. The purpose of this study was to
      examine the role played by HIF-1alpha in regulating neurological injury evoked by
      intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) through its downstream product, namely vascular
      endothelial growth factor (VEGF). In particular, we examined the effects of
      diabetic hyperglycemia on HIF-1alpha response in the processing of ICH. METHODS:
      ELISA was used to measure HIF-1alpha and VEGF; and Western Blot analysis to
      examine the protein expression of VEGFR-2 and Caspase-3. Neurological Severity
      Score and brain water content were used to indicate neurological function and
      brain edema. RESULTS: HIF-1alpha and VEGF were significantly increased in the
      brain after induction of ICH in non-diabetic control rats and diabetic rats;
      however, the amplified levels of HIF-1alpha and VEGF were attenuated in diabetic
      rats (P<0.05 vs. non-diabetic rats) as compared with non-diabetic rats. Also, the
      protein expression of VEGF receptor subtype 2 was significantly less in the brain
      of diabetic rats (P<0.05 vs. non-diabetic rats). Further, cerebral infusion of
      HIF-1 activator stabilized VEGF levels, attenuated Caspase-3 and improved
      neurological deficits induced by ICH and the effects are smaller in diabetic
      animals. CONCLUSION: HIF-1alpha activated by ICH likely plays a beneficial role
      via VEGF mechanisms and response of HIF-1alpha is largely impaired in diabetes.
      This has pharmacological implications to target specific HIF-1alpha and VEGF
      pathway for neuronal dysfunction and vulnerability related to ICH.

PMID- 26278718
TI  - 22q11.21 Deletion Syndromes: A Review of Proximal, Central, and Distal Deletions
      and Their Associated Features.
AB  - Chromosome 22q11.21 contains a cluster of low-copy repeats (LCRs), referred to as
      LCR22A-H, that mediate meiotic non-allelic homologous recombination, resulting in
      either deletion or duplication of various intervals in the region. The deletion
      of the DiGeorge/velocardiofacial syndrome interval LCR22A-D is the most common
      recurrent microdeletion in humans, with an estimated incidence of ~1:4,000
      births. Deletion of other intervals in 22q11.21 have also been described, but the
      literature is often confusing, as the terms 'proximal', 'nested', 'distal', and
      'atypical' have all been used to describe various of the other intervals.
      Individuals with deletions tend to have features with widely variable
      expressivity, even among families. This review concisely delineates each interval
      and classifies the reported literature accordingly. 

PMID- 26278719
TI  - Serum S100A12: A Risk Marker or Risk Factor of Vascular Calcification in Chronic
      Kidney Disease.

PMID- 26278720
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 26278721
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 26278722
TI  - Paper Records of Patients in Isolation for Colonization or Infection With Special
      Organisms: A Potential Fomite?

PMID- 26278723
TI  - Effects of CO2 Pneumoperitoneum on the Cognitive Function of Patients Undergoing
      Gynecologic Laparoscopy.
AB  - AIM: To evaluate the effects of CO2 pneumoperitoneum during gynecologic
      laparoscopy on patients' postoperative cognitive function. METHODS: This
      prospective clinical study included 225 adult female patients with American
      Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I or II. Patients underwent
      conventional open surgery (group I, n = 115) or gynecologic laparoscopy using
      abdominal insufflation with CO2 to an intra-abdominal pressure of 15 mm Hg (group
      II, n = 110). Serum S100beta and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) concentrations
      were measured, both immediately before surgery and before the patient awoke after
      surgery. The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was administered 1 day before
      surgery as well as 1, 6, 12, 24 and 72 h after surgery and before discharge.
      RESULTS: MMSE scores were significantly lower relative to baseline at 1, 6 and 12
      h post surgery, but returned to baseline by 48 h (group I) or 72 h (group II)
      post surgery. One hour after surgery, S100beta serum levels were higher in group
      II than in group I (p < 0.05). NSE levels did not differ between the groups. In
      group II, the MMSE score significantly correlated with serum S100beta or NSE
      concentrations. CONCLUSION: CO2 pneumoperitoneum influences postoperative
      cognitive function in patients undergoing gynecologic laparoscopy.

PMID- 26278725
TI  - Terminating observation within matched pairs of subjects in a matched cohort
      analysis: a Monte Carlo simulation study.
AB  - Matched cohort analyses are becoming increasingly popular for estimating
      treatment effects in observational studies. However, in the applied biomedical
      literature, analysts and authors are inconsistent regarding whether to terminate
      follow-up among members of a matched set once one member is no longer under
      observation. This paper focused on time-to-event outcomes and used Monte Carlo
      simulation methods to determine the optimal approach. We found that the bias of
      the estimated treatment effect estimate was negligible under both approaches and
      that the percentage of censoring had no discernible effect on the magnitude of
      bias. The mean model-based standard error of the treatment estimate was
      consistently higher when we terminated observation within matched pairs.
      Furthermore, the type 1 error rate was consistently lower when we did not
      terminate follow-up within matched pairs. In conclusion, when the focus was on
      time-to-event outcomes, we demonstrated that there was no advantage to
      terminating follow-up within matched pairs. Continuing follow-up on each subject
      until their observation was naturally complete was superior compared with
      terminating a subject's observation time once its matched pair had ceased to be
      under observation. Given the frequency with which these analyses are conducted in
      the applied literature, our results provide important guidance to analysts and
      applied researchers as to the preferred analytic approach.

PMID- 26278724
TI  - On the front line of HIV virological monitoring: barriers and facilitators from a
      provider perspective in resource-limited settings.
AB  - Scale-up of viral load (VL) monitoring for HIV-infected patients on
      antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a priority in many resource-limited settings, and
      ART providers are critical to effective program implementation. We explored
      provider-perceived barriers and facilitators of VL monitoring. We interviewed all
      providers (n = 17) engaged in a public health evaluation of dried blood spots for
      VL monitoring at five ART clinics in Malawi. All ART clinics were housed within
      district hospitals. We grouped themes at patient, provider, facility, system, and
      policy levels. Providers emphasized their desire for improved ART monitoring
      strategies, and frustration in response to restrictive policies for determining
      which patients were eligible to receive VL monitoring. Although many providers
      pled for expansion of monitoring to include all persons on ART, regardless of
      time on ART, the most salient provider-perceived barrier to VL monitoring
      implementation was the pressure of work associated with monitoring activities.
      The work burden was exacerbated by inefficient data management systems,
      highlighting a critical interaction between provider-, facility-, and system
      level factors. Lack of integration between laboratory and clinical systems
      complicated the process for alerting providers when results were available, and
      these communication gaps were intensified by poor facility connectivity.
      Centralized second-line ART distribution was also noted as a barrier: providers
      reported that the time and expenses required for patients to collect second-line
      ART frequently obstructed referral. However, provider empowerment emerged as an
      unexpected facilitator of VL monitoring. For many providers, this was the first
      time they used an objective marker of ART response to guide clinical management.
      Providers' knowledge of a patient's virological status increased confidence in
      adherence counseling and clinical decision-making. Results from our study provide
      unique insight into provider perceptions of VL monitoring and indicate the
      importance of policies responsive to individual and environmental challenges of
      VL monitoring program implementation. Findings may inform scale-up by helping
      policy-makers identify strategies to improve feasibility and sustainability of VL
      monitoring. 

PMID- 26278726
TI  - Synthesis of Ultrathin and Thickness-Controlled Cu2-xSe Nanosheets via Cation
      Exchange.
AB  - We demonstrate the use of cation exchange to synthesize ultrathin and thickness
      controlled Cu2-xSe nanosheets (NSs) beginning with CdSe NSs. In this manner,
      extremely thin (i.e., 1.6 nm thickness) Cu2-xSe NSs, beyond which can be made
      directly, have been obtained. Furthermore, they represent the thinnest NSs
      produced via cation exchange. Notably, the exchange reaction preserves the
      starting morphology of the CdSe sheets and also retains their cubic crystal
      structure. The resulting nonstoichiometric and cubic Cu2-xSe NSs are stable and
      do not exhibit any signs of Cu or Se oxidation after exposure to air for 2 weeks.
      Resulting NSs also show the existence of a localized surface plasmon resonance in
      the infrared due to the presence of copper vacancies. Efforts to isolate
      intermediates during the cation exchange reaction show that it occurs via a
      mechanism where entire sheets are rapidly converted into the final product once
      the exchange reaction commences, precluding the isolation of alloyed species. 

PMID- 26278727
TI  - Large-Scale Density Functional Theory Transition State Searching in Enzymes.
AB  - Linear-scaling quantum mechanical density functional theory calculations have
      been applied to study the rearrangement of chorismate to prephenate in large
      scale models of the Bacillus subtilis chorismate mutase enzyme. By treating up to
      2000 atoms at a consistent quantum mechanical level of theory, we obtain an
      unbiased, almost parameter-free description of the transition state geometry and
      energetics. The activation energy barrier is calculated to be lowered by 10.5
      kcal mol(-1) in the enzyme, compared with the equivalent reaction in water, which
      is in good agreement with experiment. Natural bond orbital analysis identifies a
      number of active site residues that are important for transition state
      stabilization in chorismate mutase. This benchmark study demonstrates that linear
      scaling density functional theory techniques are capable of simulating entire
      enzymes at the ab initio quantum mechanical level of accuracy. 

PMID- 26278728
TI  - Complete Quantum State Selectivity in Cold Molecular Beams Using Deflection
      Resistant Dark States in a STIRAP Configuration.
AB  - One of the main goals of chemical dynamics is the creation of molecular beams
      composed of a single (vibrational, rotational, and magnetic) quantum state of
      choice. In this Letter, we propose a method to achieve complete quantum state
      selectivity by producing resistance to electromagnetically induced deflection
      (EID) and that the state to be selected can be "dialed in" at will. We illustrate
      the method by showing in detail how to purify thermal beams of the LiRb and IF
      molecules to yield molecular beams composed of a variety of prechosen single
      internal quantum states and/or superpositions of such states. We expect that this
      method will be implemented in all subsequent explorations of the fundamentals of
      chemical reactions and their control and the use of cold molecules as a vehicle
      for studying some of the most profound issues of quantum dynamics. 

PMID- 26278729
TI  - Anomalous Alloy Properties in Mixed Halide Perovskites.
AB  - Engineering halide perovskite through mixing halogen elements, such as CH3NH3PbI3
      xClx and CH3NH3PbI3-xBrx, is a viable way to tune its electronic and optical
      properties. Despite many emerging experiments on mixed halide perovskites, the
      basic electronic and structural properties of the alloys have not been understood
      and some crucial questions remain, for example, how much Cl can be incorporated
      into CH3NH3PbI3 is still unclear. In this Letter, we chose CsPbX3 (X = I, Br, Cl)
      as an example and use a first-principle calculation together with cluster
      expansion methods to systematically study the structural, electronic, and optical
      properties of mixed halide perovskites and find that unlike conventional
      semiconductor alloys, they exhibit many anomalous alloy properties such as small
      or even negative formation energies at some concentrations and negligible or even
      negative band gap bowing parameters at high temperature. We further show that
      mixed-(I,Cl) perovskite is hard to form at temperature below 625 K, whereas
      forming mixed-(Br,Cl) and (I,Br) alloys are easy at room temperature. 

PMID- 26278730
TI  - Spectroscopic Study of Anisotropic Excitons in Single Crystal Hexacene.
AB  - The linear optical response of hexacene single crystals over a spectral range of
      1.3-1.9 eV was studied using polarization-resolved reflectance spectroscopy at
      cryogenic temperatures. We observe strong polarization anisotropy for all optical
      transitions. Pronounced deviations from the single-molecule, solution-phase
      spectra are present, with a measured Davydov splitting of 180 meV, indicating
      strong intermolecular coupling. The energies and oscillator strengths of the
      relevant optical transitions and polarization-dependent absorption coefficients
      are extracted from quantitative analysis of the data. 

PMID- 26278731
TI  - Optical Properties of Triangular Molybdenum Disulfide Nanoflakes.
AB  - The results from calculations of optical and electronic properties of triangular
      MoS2 nanoflakes with edge lengths ranging from 1.6 to 10.4 nm are presented. The
      optical spectra were calculated using the time-dependent extension of the density
      functional tight-binding method (TD-DFTB). The size effect in the optical
      absorption spectra is clearly visible. With decreasing length of the nanoflakes
      edges, the long-wavelength absorption in the range of visible light is shifted
      toward short-wavelength absorption, confirming a quantum-confinement-like
      behavior of these flakes. In contrast, the edges of the nanoflakes exhibit a
      distinct metallic-like behavior. The relation of the absorption properties to the
      observed photoluminescence of MoS2 nanoflakes is discussed in a qualitative
      manner. 

PMID- 26278732
TI  - A Signature of Roaming Dynamics in the Thermal Decomposition of Ethyl Nitrite:
      Chirped-Pulse Rotational Spectroscopy and Kinetic Modeling.
AB  - Chirped-pulse (CP) Fourier transform rotational spectroscopy is uniquely suited
      for near-universal quantitative detection and structural characterization of
      mixtures that contain multiple molecular and radical species. In this work, we
      employ CP spectroscopy to measure product branching and extract information about
      the reaction mechanism, guided by kinetic modeling. Pyrolysis of ethyl nitrite,
      CH3CH2ONO, is studied in a Chen type flash pyrolysis reactor at temperatures of
      1000-1800 K. The branching between HNO, CH2O, and CH3CHO products is measured and
      compared to the kinetic models generated by the Reaction Mechanism Generator
      software. We find that roaming CH3CH2ONO -> CH3CHO + HNO plays an important role
      in the thermal decomposition of ethyl nitrite, with its rate, at 1000 K,
      comparable to that of the radical elimination channel CH3CH2ONO -> CH3CH2O + NO.
      HNO is a signature of roaming in this system. 

PMID- 26278733
TI  - Computational and Experimental Investigation of Ti Substitution in Li1(NixMnxCo1
      2x-yTiy)O2 for Lithium Ion Batteries.
AB  - Aliovalent substitutions in layered transition-metal cathode materials has been
      demonstrated to improve the energy densities of lithium ion batteries, with the
      mechanisms underlying such effects incompletely understood. Performance
      enhancement associated with Ti substitution of Co in the cathode material
      Li1(NixMnxCo1-2x)O2 were investigated using density functional theory
      calculations, including Hubbard-U corrections. An examination of the structural
      and electronic modifications revealed that Ti substitution reduces the structural
      distortions occurring during delithiation due to the larger cation radius of
      Ti(4+) relative to Co(3+) and the presence of an electron polaron on Mn cations
      induced by aliovalent Ti substitution. The structural differences were found to
      correlate with a decrease in the lithium intercalation voltage at lower lithium
      concentrations, which is consistent with quasi-equilibrium voltages obtained by
      integrating data from stepped potential experiments. Further, Ti is found to
      suppress the formation of a secondary rock salt phase at high voltage. Our
      results provide insights into how selective substitutions can enhance the
      performance of cathodes, maximizing the energy density and lifetime of current Li
      ion batteries. 

PMID- 26278734
TI  - Ultrafast Terahertz Photoconductivity of Photovoltaic Polymer-Fullerene Blends: A
      Comparative Study Correlated with Photovoltaic Device Performance.
AB  - Ultrafast photoinduced carrier dynamics in prototypical low band gap
      polymer:fullerene photovoltaic blend films PTB7:PC70BM and P3HT:PC70BM is
      investigated using ultrafast terahertz (THz) spectroscopy. The subpicosecond and
      few-picosecond decays of THz-probed photoconductivities for both compounds are
      observed, attributed to the rapid formation of polaron pairs by exciton-exciton
      annihilation and subsequent polaron pair annihilation, respectively. The
      transient THz photoconductivity spectra of PTB7:PC70BM are well described by the
      Drude-Smith (DS) model, directly yielding the important charge transport
      parameters such as charge carrier density, momentum scattering time, and
      effective localization. By comparison with P3HT:PC70BM, we find that in
      PTB7:PC70BM the mobile charge carrier photoconductivity is significantly enhanced
      by a factor of 1.8 and prevails for longer times after charge formation, due to
      both improved mobile charge carrier yield and lower charge localization. In
      PTB7:PC70BM, a strong dependency of electron momentum scattering time on electron
      density was found, well parametrized by the empirical Caughey-Thomas model. The
      difference in ultrafast photoconductivities of both P3HT:PC70BM and PTB7:PC70BM
      is found to correlate very well with the performance of photovoltaic devices
      based on those materials. 

PMID- 26278735
TI  - Correlating Non-Geminate Recombination with Film Structure: A Comparison of
      Polythiophene: Fullerene Bilayer and Blend Films.
AB  - The morphology of the active layer in polymer:fullerene solar cells is a key
      parameter in determining their performance. In this study we monitor the charge
      carrier dynamics in bilayers of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and [6,6]-phenyl
      C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) (fabricated by sequential spin coating and
      vacuum deposition) before and after thermal annealing, and compare these against
      conventional solution processed bulk heterojunction (BHJ) blend films.
      Transmission electron microscopy images, supported by field effect mobility data
      show that while not-annealed P3HT/PC61BM bilayers possess a sharp interface,
      intermixing proceeds upon annealing. Transient absorption studies indicate that
      the not-annealed bilayer yields fewer, but longer lived, charge carriers compared
      to the BHJ. Monte Carlo (MC) simulations further suggest that the difference in
      non-geminate recombination dynamics observed for the BHJ and bilayer films could
      be related to the confinement of charge carriers to the interface, with the lower
      dimensionality for the flat interface bilayer films relative to the intercalated
      donor-acceptor network BHJ films leading to lower recombination. 

PMID- 26278736
TI  - Exploring Strategies for High Dielectric Constant and Low Loss Polymer
      Dielectrics.
AB  - Polymer dielectrics having high dielectric constant, high temperature capability,
      and low loss are attractive for a broad range of applications such as film
      capacitors, gate dielectrics, artificial muscles, and electrocaloric cooling.
      Unfortunately, it is generally observed that higher polarization or dielectric
      constant tends to cause significantly enhanced dielectric loss. It is therefore
      highly desired that the fundamental physics of all types of polarization and loss
      mechanisms be thoroughly understood for dielectric polymers. In this Perspective,
      we intend to explore advantages and disadvantages for different types of
      polarization. Among a number of approaches, dipolar polarization is promising for
      high dielectric constant and low loss polymer dielectrics, if the dipolar
      relaxation peak can be pushed to above the gigahertz range. In particular,
      dipolar glass, paraelectric, and relaxor ferroelectric polymers are discussed for
      the dipolar polarization approach. 

PMID- 26278737
TI  - The Strongest Particle: Size-Dependent Elastic Strength and Debye Temperature of
      PbS Nanocrystals.
AB  - We investigated the elastic compressibility of PbS nanocrystals (NCs) pressurized
      in a diamond anvil cell and simultaneously probed the structure using synchrotron
      based X-ray diffraction. The compressibility of PbS NCs exhibits bimodal size
      dependence. The elastic modulus of small NCs increases with increasing diameter
      and peaks near a particle diameter of approximately 7 nm. For large NCs the
      elastic modulus decreases toward the bulk value with increasing NC diameter. We
      explain the bimodal size-dependence of the elastic modulus in terms of a core
      shell model based on distinct elasticity of the crystal near the surface and in
      the core of the particle. We combined insights into the size-dependent elasticity
      and lattice spacing to determine the Debye temperature of PbS NCs as a function
      of particle diameter. Understanding the size-dependent elasticity of defect-free
      colloidal NCs provides new insights into their crystal structure and mechanical
      properties. 

PMID- 26278738
TI  - Rational Codoping as a Strategy to Improve Optical Properties of Doped
      Semiconductor Quantum Dots.
AB  - Doping is a powerful and convenient technique for rationally altering the
      electronic, magnetic, and optical properties of materials including nanomaterials
      such as quantum dots (QDs) or nanocrystals (NCs). Most doping involves
      introduction of an impurity element or ion, into the crystal lattice of the host
      material, which tends to result in lattice distortion and/or charge imbalance
      when the dopant charge does not match the charge of the host ion replaced. One
      solution to such problems is codoping with another element or ion that helps to
      reduce lattice distortion or charge imbalance, which can stabilize the primary
      dopant in the host lattice and substantially improve the photoluminescence (PL)
      of the primary dopant. Furthermore, interaction between the codopant and primary
      dopant can be used to tune the PL properties by altering energy levels related to
      donor-acceptor pair recombination. 

PMID- 26278739
TI  - Spatial Mapping of Sub-Bandgap States Induced by Local Nonstoichiometry in
      Individual Lead Sulfide Nanocrystals.
AB  - The properties of photovoltaic devices based on colloidal nanocrystals are
      strongly affected by localized sub-bandgap states associated with surface
      imperfections. A correlation between their properties and the atomic-scale
      structure of chemical imperfections responsible for their appearance must be
      established to understand the nature of such surface states. Scanning tunneling
      spectroscopy is used to visualize the manifold of electronic states in annealed
      ligand-free lead sulfide nanocrystals supported on the Au(111) surface.
      Delocalized quantum-confined states and localized sub-bandgap states are
      identified, for the first time, via spatial mapping. Maps of the sub-bandgap
      states show localization on nonstoichiometric adatoms self-assembled on the
      nanocrystal surfaces. The present model study sheds light onto the mechanisms of
      surface state formation that, in a modified form, may be relevant to the more
      general case of ligand-passivated nanocrystals, where under-coordinated surface
      atoms exist due to the steric hindrance between passivating ligands attached to
      the nanocrystal surface. 

PMID- 26278740
TI  - Quantum Nonlinear Optics with Polar J-Aggregates in Microcavities.
AB  - We predict that an ensemble of organic dye molecules with permanent electric
      dipole moments embedded in a microcavity can lead to strong optical
      nonlinearities at the single-photon level. The strong long-range electrostatic
      interaction between chromophores due to their permanent dipoles introduces the
      desired nonlinearity of the light-matter coupling in the microcavity. We develop
      a semiclassical model to obtain the absorption spectra of a weak probe field
      under the influence of strong exciton-photon coupling with the cavity field.
      Using realistic parameters, we demonstrate that a cavity field with an average
      photon number near unity can significantly modify the absorptive and dispersive
      response of the medium to a weak probe field at a different frequency. Finally,
      we show that the system is in the regime of cavity-induced transparency with a
      broad transparency window for dye dimers. We illustrate our findings using
      pseudoisocyanine chloride (PIC) J-aggregates in currently available optical
      microcavities. 

PMID- 26278741
TI  - Defining the Proton Topology of the Zr6-Based Metal-Organic Framework NU-1000.
AB  - Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) constructed from Zr6-based nodes have recently
      received considerable attention given their exceptional thermal, chemical, and
      mechanical stability. Because of this, the structural diversity of Zr6-based MOFs
      has expanded considerably and in turn given rise to difficulty in their precise
      characterization. In particular it has been difficult to assign where protons
      (needed for charge balance) reside on some Zr6-based nodes. Elucidating the
      precise proton topologies in Zr6-based MOFs will have wide ranging implications
      in defining their chemical reactivity, acid/base characteristics, conductivity,
      and chemical catalysis. Here we have used a combined quantum mechanical and
      experimental approach to elucidate the precise proton topology of the Zr6-based
      framework NU-1000. Our data indicate that a mixed node topology, [Zr6(MU3-O)4(MU3
      OH)4(OH)4 (OH2)4](8+), is preferred and simultaneously rule out five alternative
      node topologies. 

PMID- 26278742
TI  - Nanotubes from Misfit Layered Compounds: A New Family of Materials with Low
      Dimensionality.
AB  - Nanotubes that are formed from layered materials have emerged to be exciting one
      dimensional materials in the last two decades due to their remarkable structures
      and properties. Misfit layered compounds (MLC) can be produced from alternating
      assemblies of two different molecular slabs with different periodicities with the
      general formula [(MX)1+x]m[TX2]n (or more simply MS-TS2), where M is Sn, Pb, Bi,
      Sb, rare earths, T is Sn, Nb, Ta, Ti, V, Cr, and so on, and X is S, Se. The
      presence of misfit stresses between adjacent layers in MLC provides a driving
      force for curling of the layers that acts in addition to the elimination of
      dangling bonds. The combination of these two independent forces leads to the
      synthesis of misfit layered nanotubes, which are newcomers to the broad field of
      one-dimensional nanostructures and nanotubes. The synthesis, characterization,
      and microscopic details of misfit layered nanotubes are discussed, and directions
      for future research are presented. 

PMID- 26278743
TI  - Quantifying Surfactant Alkyl Chain Orientation and Conformational Order from Sum
      Frequency Generation Spectra of CH Modes at the Surfactant-Water Interface.
AB  - We combine second-order nonlinear vibrational spectroscopy and quantum-chemical
      calculations to quantify the molecular tilt angle and the structural variation of
      a decanoic acid surfactant monolayer on water. We demonstrate that there is a
      remarkable degree of delocalization of the vibrational modes along the backbone
      of the amphiphilic molecule. A simulation-based on modeled sum frequency
      generation (SFG) spectra offers quantitative insights into the disorder of
      surfactant monolayers at the water-air interface. It is shown that an average of
      one gauche defect in the alkyl chain suffices to give rise to the methylene
      stretch intensity similar in magnitude to the methyl stretch. 

PMID- 26278744
TI  - Experimental Measurement of the Binding Configuration and Coverage of Chirality
      Sorting Polyfluorenes on Carbon Nanotubes.
AB  - Poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene-2,7-diyl) (PFO) exhibits exceptional (n,m) chirality and
      electronic-type selectivity for near-armchair semiconducting carbon nanotubes. To
      better understand and control the factors governing this behavior, we
      experimentally determine the surface coverage and binding configuration of PFO on
      nanotubes in solution using photoluminescence energy transfer and anisotropy
      measurements. The coverage increases with PFO concentration in solution,
      following Langmuir-isotherm adsorption behavior with cooperativity. The
      equilibrium binding constant (PFO concentration in solution at half coverage),
      KA, depends on (n,m) and is 1.16 +/- 0.30, 0.93 +/- 0.12, and 1.13 +/- 0.26 mg
      mL(-1) for the highly selected (7,5), (8,6), and (8,7) species, respectively, and
      the corresponding PFO wrapping angle at low coverage is 12, 17, and 14 +/- 2
      degrees , respectively. In contrast, the inferred KA for metallic nanotubes is
      nearly an order of magnitude greater, indicating that the semiconducting
      selectivity increases with decreasing PFO concentration. This understanding will
      quantitatively guide future experimental and computational efforts on electronic
      type-sorting carbon nanotubes. 

PMID- 26278745
TI  - Analyzing Structural Changes of Fe-N-C Cathode Catalysts in PEM Fuel Cell by
      Mobetabauer Spectroscopy of Complete Membrane Electrode Assemblies.
AB  - The applicability of analyzing by Mobetabauer spectroscopy the structural changes
      of Fe-N-C catalysts that have been tested at the cathode of membrane electrode
      assemblies in proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells is demonstrated. The
      Mobetabauer characterization of powders of the same catalysts was recently
      described in our previous publication. A possible change of the iron species upon
      testing in fuel cell was investigated here by Mobetabauer spectroscopy, energy
      dispersive X-ray cross-sectional imaging, and neutron activation analysis. Our
      results show that the absorption probability of gamma rays by the iron nuclei in
      Fe-N-C is strongly affected by the presence of Nafion and water content. A
      detailed investigation of the effect of an oxidizing treatment (1.2 V) of the non
      noble cathode in PEM fuel cell indicates that the observed activity decay is
      mainly attributable to carbon oxidation causing a leaching of active iron sites
      hosted in the carbon matrix. 

PMID- 26278746
TI  - Isolation and Tandem Mass Spectrometric Identification of a Stable Monolayer
      Protected Silver-Palladium Alloy Cluster.
AB  - A selenolate-protected Ag-Pd alloy cluster was synthesized using a one-pot
      solution-phase route. The crude product upon chromatographic analyses under
      optimized conditions gave three distinct clusters with unique optical features.
      One of these exhibits a molecular peak centered at m/z 2839, in its negative ion
      mass spectrum assigned to Ag5Pd4(SePh)12(-), having an exact match with the
      corresponding calculated spectrum. Tandem mass spectrometry of the molecular ion
      peak up to MS(9) was performed. Complex isotope distributions in each of the mass
      peaks confirmed the alloy composition. We find the Ag3Pd3(-) core to be highly
      stable. The composition was further supported by scanning electron microscopy,
      energy-dispersive spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. 

PMID- 26278747
TI  - 8.6% Efficient CZTSSe Solar Cells Sprayed from Water-Ethanol CZTS Colloidal
      Solutions.
AB  - Copper zinc tin sulfide-selenide, Cu2ZnSn(S1-xSex)4 (CZTSSe), thin film
      photovoltaic devices were fabricated using a fast and environmentally friendly
      preparation method, consisting of the following steps: An instantaneous synthesis
      of a Cu-Zn-Sn-S (no Se) colloid, a nonpyrolytic spray of a dispersion of this
      colloid in a water-ethanol mixture, and a sequential annealing first in a N2
      atmosphere and second in a Se atmosphere. The achievement of cell efficiencies up
      to 8.6% under AM1.5G (cell area 0.25 cm(2)) and without antireflecting coating
      indicates that this method can compete with other vacuum-based or more complex
      wet deposition methods. 

PMID- 26278748
TI  - Dissociation Pathways of Benzylpyridinium "Thermometer" Ions Depend on the
      Activation Regime: An IRMPD Spectroscopy Study.
AB  - The dissociation of benzylpyridinium "thermometer" ions is widely used to
      calibrate the internal energy of ions produced in mass spectrometry. The
      fragmentation mechanism is usually believed to yield a benzylium cation, although
      recent studies suggest the possibility of a rearrangement leading to the
      tropylium isomer, which would compromise the accuracy of energy calibrations. In
      this study, we used IRMPD spectroscopy to probe the dissociation pathways of the
      p-(tert-butyl)benzylpyridinium ion. Our results show that the formation of both
      benzylium and tropylium products is feasible depending on the activation regime
      and on the reaction time scale. Varying the trapping delays in the hexapole gives
      insight into a rearrangement mechanism occurring through consecutive reactions
      with an isomerization from benzylium to tropylium. Our work provides experimental
      validations for the established calibration procedure and highlights the adequacy
      of IRMPD spectroscopy to qualitatively resolve gas-phase rearrangement kinetics. 

PMID- 26278749
TI  - The Power of Two: Covalent Coupling of Photostabilizers for Fluorescence
      Applications.
AB  - Fluorescence is a versatile tool for spectroscopic investigations and imaging of
      dynamic processes and structures across various scientific disciplines. The
      photophysical performance, that is, signal stability and signal duration, of the
      employed fluorophores is a major limiting factor. In this Letter, we propose a
      general concept to covalently link molecules, which are known for their positive
      effect in photostabilization, to form a combined photostabilizer with new
      properties. The direct linkage of two (or more) photostabilizers will allow one
      to obtain combined or synergetic effects in fluorophore stabilization and can
      simplify the preparation of imaging buffers that would otherwise require a
      mixture of photostabilizers for optimal performance. This concept was explored by
      synthesizing a molecule with a reducing and oxidizing moiety that is referred to
      as internal ROXS or "iROXS". Using single-molecule fluorescence microscopy, inter
      and intramolecular healing of iROXS was observed, that is, strongly reduced
      blinking and increased photostability of the cyanine fluorophore Cy5. Moreover,
      it is shown that a covalently coupled photostabilizer can replace a mixture of
      molecules needed to make a functional photostabilizing ROXS buffer and might
      hence represent the new standard for defined and reproducible imaging conditions
      in single-molecule experiments. In self-healing fluorophores with intramolecular
      triplet-state quenching, an unprecedented photostability increase of >100-fold
      was obtained when using iROXS, which is even competitive with solution-based
      healing. Control experiments show that the oxidizing part of the iROXS molecule,
      an aromatic nitro group, dominates the healing process. The suggested synthetic
      concept and the proof-of-concept experiments represent the starting point for the
      quest to identify optimal combinations of linked photostabilizers for various
      fluorescence applications. 

PMID- 26278750
TI  - Transition Ion Strikes Back: Large Magnetic Susceptibility Anisotropy in
      Cobalt(II) Clathrochelates.
AB  - Transition-metal complexes are rarely considered as paramagnetic tags for NMR
      spectroscopy due to them generally having relatively low magnetic anisotropy.
      Here we report cobalt(II) cage complexes with the largest (among the transition
      metal complexes) axial anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility, reaching as high as
      12.6 * 10(-32) m(3) at room temperature. This remarkable anisotropy, which
      results from an unusual trigonal prismatic geometry of the complexes and
      translates into large negative value of the zero-field splitting energy, is high
      enough to promote reliable paramagnetic pseudocontact shifts at the distance
      beyond 2 nm. Our finding paves the way toward the applications of cobalt(II)
      clathrochelates as future paramagnetic tags. Given the incredible stability and
      functionalization versatility of clathrochelates, the fine-tuning of the caging
      ligand may lead to new chemically stable mononuclear single-molecule magnets, for
      which magnetic anisotropy is of importance. 

PMID- 26278751
TI  - Connecting the Water Phase Diagram to the Metastable Domain: High-Pressure
      Studies in the Supercooled Regime.
AB  - Pressure is extremely efficient to tune intermolecular interactions, allowing the
      study of the mechanisms regulating, at the molecular level, the structure and
      dynamics of condensed phases. Among the simplest molecules, water represents in
      many respects a mystery despite its primary role in ruling most of the
      biological, physical, and chemical processes occurring in nature. Here we report
      a careful characterization of the dynamic regime change associated with low
      density and high-density forms of liquid water by measuring the line shape of the
      OD stretching mode of HOD in liquid water along different isotherms as a function
      of pressure. Remarkably, the high-pressure studies have been here extended down
      to 240 K, well inside the supercooled regime. Supported by molecular dynamics
      simulations, a correlation among amorphous and crystalline solids and the two
      different liquid water forms is attempted to provide a unified picture of the
      metastable and thermodynamic regimes of water. 

PMID- 26278753
TI  - Tailoring the Inherent Optical and Electrical Properties of Nanostructures.

PMID- 26278752
TI  - Donor-to-Donor vs Donor-to-Acceptor Interfacial Charge Transfer States in the
      Phthalocyanine-Fullerene Organic Photovoltaic System.
AB  - Charge transfer (CT) states formed at the donor/acceptor heterointerface are key
      for photocurrent generation in organic photovoltaics (OPV). Our calculations show
      that interfacial donor-to-donor CT states in the phthalocyanine-fullerene OPV
      system may be more stable than donor-to-acceptor CT states and that they may
      rapidly recombine, thereby constituting a potentially critical and thus far
      overlooked loss mechanism. Our results provide new insight into processes that
      may compete with charge separation, and suggest that the efficiency for charge
      separation may be improved by destabilizing donor-to-donor CT states or
      decoupling them from other states. 

PMID- 26278754
TI  - Thermal Conductivity of Supercooled Water: An Equilibrium Molecular Dynamics
      Exploration.
AB  - The thermal conductivity of both supercooled and ambient-temperature water at
      atmospheric pressure has been computed over the 140-270 K temperature range for
      three popular water models via equilibrium molecular dynamics in the Green-Kubo
      setting. No strong temperature dependence of thermal conductivity was observed.
      The underlying phonon modes contributing to thermal conduction processes have
      been examined in the present work, and it has been established that
      (translational) acoustic modes dominate in supercooled water. 

PMID- 26278755
TI  - Diffusion of Drug Delivery Nanoparticles into Biogels Using Time-Resolved
      MicroMRI.
AB  - Nanoparticle-based therapeutic agents can in some cases provide selective
      delivery to tumors, yet this field would greatly benefit from more detailed
      understanding of particle transport into and within tumor tissue. To provide
      fundamental information for optimizing interstitial transport of polymeric
      nanoparticles, we have developed a quantitative approach employing real-time
      analysis of nanoparticle diffusion into bulk biological hydrogels using microMRI.
      We use two distinct imaging approaches to probe the migration of two novel
      "theranostic" polymeric agents (combining drug delivery and contrast agent
      functions) into bulk hydrogels. Theranostic agent diffusion measured using time
      resolved MRI agrees well with diffusion measured for simple probe particles using
      fluorescence spectroscopies. Furthermore, compared with established fluorescence
      techniques, which are restricted by sample thickness, our approach provides a
      three-dimensional diffusion rate and concentration distribution of nanoparticles
      over macroscopic distances in biological media. These results carry implications
      for in vivo tracking of theranostic nanoparticles into tumor interstitium. 

PMID- 26278756
TI  - Mechanical Model of DNA Allostery.
AB  - The importance of allosteric effects in DNA is becoming increasingly appreciated,
      but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this work, we propose
      a general modeling framework to study DNA allostery. We describe DNA in a coarse
      grained manner by intra-base pair and base pair step coordinates, complemented by
      groove widths. Quadratic deformation energy is assumed, yielding linear relations
      between the constraints and their effect. Model parameters are inferred from
      standard unrestrained, explicit-solvent molecular dynamics simulations of naked
      DNA. We applied the approach to study minor groove binding of diamidines and
      pyrrole-imidazole polyamides. The predicted DNA bending is in quantitative
      agreement with experiment and suggests that diamidine binding to the alternating
      TA sequence brings the DNA closer to the A-tract conformation, with potentially
      important functional consequences. The approach can be readily applied to other
      allosteric effects in DNA and generalized to model allostery in various molecular
      systems. 

PMID- 26278757
TI  - The Impact of the Crystallization Processes on the Structural and Optical
      Properties of Hybrid Perovskite Films for Photovoltaics.
AB  - We investigate the relationship between structural and optical properties of
      organo-lead mixed halide perovskite films as a function of the crystallization
      mechanism. For methylammonium lead tri-iodide, the organic cations rearrange
      within the inorganic cage, moving from crystals grown in a mesoporous scaffold to
      larger, oriented crystals grown on a flat substrate. This reduces the strain felt
      by the bonds forming the cage and affects the motion of the organic cation in it,
      influencing the electronic transition at the onset of the optical absorption
      spectrum of the semiconductor. Moreover, we demonstrate that in mixed-halide
      perovskite, though Cl(-) ions are not present in a detectable concentration in
      the unit cell, they drive the crystallization dynamics. This induces a
      preferential order during crystallization, from a molecular, i.e., organic
      inorganic moieties arrangement, to a nano-mesoscopic level, i.e., larger crystals
      with anisotropic shape. Finally, we show that while Cl is mainly expelled from
      flat films made of large crystals, in the presence of an oxide mesoporous
      scaffold they are partially retained in the composite. 

PMID- 26278758
TI  - Quantum Tunneling Hydrogenation of Solid Benzene and Its Control via Surface
      Structure.
AB  - Despite the rapid accumulation of structural information about organic materials,
      the correlation between the surface structure of these materials and their
      chemical properties, a potentially important aspect of their chemistry, is not
      fully understood. Here, we show that the amorphous or crystalline structure of a
      solid benzene surface controls its chemical reactivity toward hydrogen. In situ
      infrared spectroscopy revealed that cold hydrogen atoms can add to an amorphous
      benzene surface at 20 K to form cyclohexane by tunneling. However, hydrogenation
      is greatly reduced on crystalline benzene. We suggest that the origin of the high
      selectivity of this reaction is the large difference in geometric constraints
      between the amorphous and the crystalline surfaces. The present findings can lead
      us to a more complete understanding of heterogeneous reaction systems, especially
      those involving tunneling, as well as to the possibility of nonenergetic surface
      chemical modification without undesired side reactions or physical processes. 

PMID- 26278759
TI  - Morphology and Carrier Extraction Study of Organic-Inorganic Metal Halide
      Perovskite by One- and Two-Photon Fluorescence Microscopy.
AB  - The past two years have seen the uniquely rapid emergence of a new class of solar
      cell-based on mixed organic-inorganic halide perovskite. In this work, we
      demonstrate a promising technique for studying the morphology of perovskite and
      its impact on carrier extraction by carrier transport layer using one-photon and
      two-photon fluorescence imaging in conjunction with time-resolved
      photoluminescence. This technique is not only effective in separating surface and
      bulk effects but it also allows the determination of lifetimes in localized
      regions and local carrier extraction efficiency. The difference in sensitivities
      of transport materials to grain boundaries and film uniformity is highlighted in
      this study. It is shown that the PCBM fabricated in this work is more sensitive
      to film nonuniformity, whereas spiro-OMeTAD is more sensitive to grain boundaries
      in terms of effective carrier extraction. 

PMID- 26278760
TI  - Dynamics of the Dissociating Uracil Anion Following Resonant Electron Attachment.
AB  - We report a combined experimental and theoretical investigation of dissociative
      electron attachment (DEA) to the nucleobase uracil. Using ion momentum imaging
      experiments employing a DEA reaction microscope we have measured 3-dimensional
      momentum distributions of specific anionic fragments following DEA to uracil by 6
      eV electrons. From the measured anion fragment kinetic energy we determine the
      possible dissociation pathways and the total kinetic energy release. We employ
      electronic structure and electron scattering calculations to determine the
      probability for electron attachment in the molecular frame. Combining these
      calculations with the imaging measurements, we reveal several key features of the
      coupled electronic and nuclear dynamics of DEA. 

PMID- 26278761
TI  - Efficient Calculation of Microscopic Dissolution Rate Constants: The Aspirin
      Water Interface.
AB  - We present a molecular simulation approach to efficiently determine quantitative
      rate constants for rare dissolution events from organic crystals. Metadynamics is
      employed to generate a tailored bias potential that accelerates the escape from
      the bound state in subsequent hyperdynamics simulations. The robustness and
      acceleration obtained in the application to kink site dissolution at the
      aspirin(001)/water interface suggests this technique as a suitable tool to
      unravel the atomic-scale mechanisms of crystal dissolution. 

PMID- 26278762
TI  - Photoinduced Dynamics in Carbon Nanotube Aggregates Steered by Dark Excitons.
AB  - Only optically active excitons can be identified by transient absorption
      spectroscopy, and the actual mechanisms of exciton relaxation in nanoscale
      systems remain unknown as dipole-forbidden transitions and charge-transfer states
      are not accounted for. Focusing on interacting (6,4) and (8,4) carbon nanotubes
      (CNTs), we show that dark excitons largely determine the relaxation pathways for
      photogenerated excitons in CNT bundles. New channels appear involving asymmetric
      electron-hole excitations within the same CNT and charge-transfer states, in
      which the electron and hole are confined to separate CNTs. The energy and charge
      transfers are facilitated by coupling to both low- and high-frequency phonons.
      Radial breathing modes are particularly important because they distort the CNT
      geometry, induce crossings of electronic states, and modulate coupling between
      CNTs. The time domain simulations reported herein uncover the quantum states and
      phonon modes that contribute to exciton relaxation in a CNT cluster, elucidating
      the complete relaxation mechanism. The established role of optically dark states
      pertains to nonequilibrium dynamics in nanoscale materials in general. 

PMID- 26278763
TI  - Imaging the Stereodynamics of Cl + CH4(nu3 = 1): Polarization Dependence on the
      Rotational Branch and the Hyperfine Depolarization.
AB  - The transition state in the Cl + CH4 reaction is of Cl-H-C collinear geometry,
      which serves as the bottleneck to reaction. When the reactant CH4 is
      antisymmetrically stretch-excited to nu3 = 1 by absorbing a linearly polarized
      photon, all four C-H bonds are collectively excited, and any one of the H atoms
      could be attacked by the Cl atom. At first sight, it is not obvious how an
      excited spherical-top molecule like CH4 is aligned and what consequences will be
      on chemical reactivity by polarizing the CH4 reagents. As shown here, an enormous
      steric effect on reactivity is observed, which depends sensitively on the
      selected rotational states. By exploiting various rotational branches in optical
      excitation, we quantify the degree of stereospecificity for a few lowest
      rovibrational states of the aligned CH4(nu3 = 1) reagents, as well as account for
      the hyperfine depolarization factor. This information lays the foundation for a
      full stereorequirement study of the Cl + CH4(nu3 = 1) reaction. 

PMID- 26278764
TI  - Understanding the Reactivity of Layered Transition-Metal Sulfides: A Single
      Electronic Descriptor for Structure and Adsorption.
AB  - Density functional theory is used to investigate the adsorption and structural
      properties of layered transition-metal sulfide (TMS) catalysts. We considered
      both the (1010) M-edge and (1010) S-edge terminations for a wide range of pure
      and doped TMSs, determined their sulfur coverage under realistic operating
      conditions (i.e, steady-state structures), and calculated an extensive set of
      chemisorption energies for several important reactions. On the basis of these
      results, we show that the d-band center, epsilond, of the edge-most metal site at
      0 ML sulfur coverage is a general electronic descriptor for both structure and
      adsorption energies, which are known to describe catalytic activity. A negative
      linear correlation between adsorbate-S binding and S-metal binding allows
      epsilond to describe the adsorption of species on both metal and sulfur sites.
      Our results provide a significant simplification in the understanding of
      structure-activity relationships in TMSs and provides guidelines for the rational
      design and large-scale screening of these catalysts for various processes. 

PMID- 26278765
TI  - Thermal Dihydrogen Activation by a Closed-Shell AuCeO2(+) Cluster.
AB  - Laser-ablation-generated AuCeO2(+) and CeO2(+) oxide clusters were mass-selected
      using a quadrupole mass filter and reacted with H2 in an ion trap reactor at
      ambient conditions. The reactions were characterized by mass spectrometry and
      density functional theory calculations. The gold-cerium bimetallic oxide cluster
      AuCeO2(+) is more reactive in H2 activation than the pure cerium oxide cluster
      CeO2(+). The gold atom is the active adsorption site and facilitates the
      heterolytic cleavage of H2 in collaboration with the separated O(2-) ion of the
      CeO2 support. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of thermal
      H2 activation by a closed-shell atomic cluster, which provides molecular-level
      insights into the single gold atom catalysis over metal oxide supports. 

PMID- 26278766
TI  - Intramolecular Interactions of Highly pi-Conjugated Perylenediimide Oligomers
      Probed by Single-Molecule Spectroscopy.
AB  - Highly pi-conjugated perylenediimide (PDI) oligomers are promising low band gap
      organic materials for various applications in optoelectronics. In this work,
      individual fluorescence dynamics of ethynylene- and butadiynylene-bridged dimeric
      and trimeric PDIs (PEP, PBP, and PEPEP) were monitored and analyzed by single
      molecule fluorescence spectroscopy to gain information on the degree of extension
      of pi-conjugation through the acetylene bridge in PDI multichromophores. The
      simultaneous measurements of fluorescence intensity, lifetime, and spectrum
      indicate a sequential decrease in pi-conjugation upon photobleaching of PDI
      monomer units. Furthermore, Huang-Rhys (HR) factors, S, are obtained to evaluate
      the degree of electronic coupling in view of pi-conjugation and overall rigidity
      between the PDI units in PDI oligomers at the single-molecule level. In addition,
      butadiynylene-bridged dimeric PDI (PBP) reveals conformational heterogeneity due
      to the long butadiynylene linker. These results suggest a new way to control the
      photophysical properties of the PDI multichromophoric system by expansion of pi
      conjugation and modification with different linker groups. 

PMID- 26278767
TI  - Enhancing the Charge Separation in Nanocrystalline Cu2ZnSnS4 Photocathodes for
      Photoelectrochemical Application: The Role of Surface Modifications.
AB  - Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) colloidal inks were employed to prepare thin-film photocathodes
      that served as a model system to interrogate the effect of different surface
      treatments, viz. CdS, CdSe, and ZnSe buffer layers along with methylviologen (MV)
      adsorption, on the photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance using aqueous Eu(3+)
      redox electrolyte. PEC experiments revealed that ZnSe and CdSe overlayers
      outperform traditional CdS, and the additional surface modification with MV was
      found to further boost the charge extraction. By analyzing the photocurrent onset
      behavior and measuring the open circuit photopotentials, insights are gained into
      the nature of the observed improvements. While a more favorable conduction band
      offset rationalizes the improvement offered by CdSe, charge transfer through
      midgap states is invoked for ZnSe. Improvement offered by MV treatment is clearly
      caused by both the shifting of the flat-band potential and a charge-transfer
      mediation effect. Overall, this work suggests promising alternative surface
      treatments for CZTS photocathodes for PEC energy conversion. 

PMID- 26278768
TI  - Multiple Energy Exciton Shelves in Quantum-Dot-DNA Nanobioelectronics.
AB  - Quantum dots (QDs) are semiconductor nanocrystallites with multiple size
      dependent quantum-confined states that are being explored for utilizing broadband
      radiation. While DNA has been used for the self-assembly of nanocrystals, it has
      not been investigated for the formation of simultaneous conduction pathways for
      transporting multiple energy charges or excitons. These exciton shelves can be
      formed by coupling the conduction band, valence band, and hot-carrier states in
      QDs with different HOMO-LUMO levels of DNA nucleobases, resulting from varying
      degrees of conjugation in the nucleobases. Here we present studies on the
      electronic density of states in four naturally occurring nucleobases (guanine,
      thymine, cytosine, and adenine), which energetically couple to quantized states
      in semiconductor QDs. Using scanning tunneling spectroscopy of single
      nanoparticle-DNA constructs, we demonstrate composite DOS of chemically coupled
      DNA oligonucleotides and cadmium chalcogenide QDs (CdS, CdSe, CdTe). While
      perfectly aligned CdTe QD-DNA states lead to exciton shelves for multiple energy
      charge transport, mismatched energy levels in CdSe QD-DNA introduce intrabandgap
      states that can lead to charge trapping and recombination. Although further
      investigations are required to study the rates of charge transfer, recombination,
      and back-electron transfer, these results can have important implications for the
      development of a new class of nanobioelectronics and biological transducers. 

PMID- 26278769
TI  - Ballistic Evaporation and Solvation of Helium Atoms at the Surfaces of Protic and
      Hydrocarbon Liquids.
AB  - Atomic and molecular solutes evaporate and dissolve by traversing an atomically
      thin boundary separating liquid and gas. Most solutes spend only short times in
      this interfacial region, making them difficult to observe. Experiments that
      monitor the velocities of evaporating species, however, can capture their final
      interactions with surface solvent molecules. We find that polarizable gases such
      as N2 and Ar evaporate from protic and hydrocarbon liquids with Maxwell-Boltzmann
      speed distributions. Surprisingly, the weakly interacting helium atom emerges
      from these liquids at high kinetic energies, exceeding the expected energy of
      evaporation from salty water by 70%. This super-Maxwellian evaporation implies in
      reverse that He atoms preferentially dissolve when they strike the surface at
      high energies, as if ballistically penetrating into the solvent. The evaporation
      energies increase with solvent surface tension, suggesting that He atoms require
      extra kinetic energy to navigate increasingly tortuous paths between surface
      molecules. 

PMID- 26278770
TI  - Adsorption and Deposition of Li2O2 on TiC{111} Surface.
AB  - A recent experimental study from Bruce's group demonstrated the feasibility of
      TiC as a cathode material for Li air battery. We investigate Li2O2 adsorption and
      deposition on TiC{111} surface by periodic density functional theory calculation.
      The results showed that, upon interaction with Ti-terminated TiC{111} surface,
      Li2O2 clusters reassembled into a saturated periodic two atomic layer coating in
      which each O atom was bonded to three Ti atoms to form a O layer equivalent to
      the layer formed by O2 surface oxidation, and the Li atoms sat on the top. The
      atomic arrangement of O and Li layers is the same as that of O2Li1 layers normal
      to ?0001? direction in Li2O2 crystal structure. Interface models constructed
      based on this lead showed that the growth of Li2O2 can be continued through a
      surface conduction mechanism to form Li2O2 coating with lattice parameters almost
      identical to those of the standard Li2O2 unit cell. The results support the
      experimental discovery from Bruce's group. 

PMID- 26278771
TI  - Influence of Tetraalkylammonium Cation Chain Length on Gold and Glassy Carbon
      Electrode Interfaces for Alkali Metal-Oxygen Batteries.
AB  - Fundamental studies of dioxygen electrochemistry relevant to metal-air batteries
      commonly require conductive supporting salts, such as tetraalkylammonium, to
      sustain redox processes in nonaqueous electrolytes. Electrochemical analysis of
      the formation and oxidation of superoxide on glassy carbon and gold working
      electrodes has shown a decrease in reversibility and lowering of the oxygen
      reduction rate constant when tetraalkylammonium cation alkyl chain length is
      increased. Probing interfacial regions on Au using in situ surface enhanced Raman
      spectroscopy (SERS) provides evidence that this is caused by the changing
      adsorption characteristics of tetralkylammonium cations under negative
      potentials. These effects are heightened with longer alkyl chain lengths,
      therefore reducing the reversibility of superoxide formation and dioxygen
      evolution. From these observations it can be established that shorter chain
      tetraalkylammonium cations while retaining necessary conductive support: (1)
      enhance reversibility and rate of superoxide formation and oxidation and (2) for
      in situ SERS, have lower preference for adsorption, thus improving experimental
      detection of superoxide at the Au electrode interface. 

PMID- 26278772
TI  - Strong Photocurrent Amplification in Perovskite Solar Cells with a Porous TiO2
      Blocking Layer under Reverse Bias.
AB  - We investigate two different types of TiO2 blocking layer (BL) deposition
      techniques commonly used in solid-state methylammonium lead triiodide perovskite
      (MaPbI3)-based solar cells. Although these BLs lead to similar photovoltaic
      device performance, their structure and blocking capability is actually very
      different. In one case, the "blocking" layer is porous, allowing an intimate
      contact of the perovskite with the fluorine-doped tin-dioxide (FTO)-covered glass
      substrate serving as transparent electron collector. This interface between the
      perovskite and the FTO shows rectifying behavior. Reverse biasing of such a solar
      cell allows the determination of the valence-band position of the MaPbI3 and the
      theoretical maximum attainable photovoltage. We show that under reverse bias
      strong photocurrent amplification is observed, permitting the cell to work as a
      high-gain photodetector at low voltage. Without BL, the solar-cell performance
      decreased, but the photocurrent amplification increased. At 1 V reverse bias, the
      photocurrent amplification is above a factor of 10 for AM 1.5 solar light and
      over 100 for lower light intensities. 

PMID- 26278773
TI  - Hysteresis Analysis Based on the Ferroelectric Effect in Hybrid Perovskite Solar
      Cells.
AB  - The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of CH3NH3PbX3 (X = I, Br, Cl) perovskite
      solar cells has been developed rapidly from 6.5 to 18% within 3 years. However,
      the anomalous hysteresis found in I-V measurements can cause an inaccurate
      estimation of the efficiency. We attribute the phenomena to the ferroelectric
      effect and build a model based on the ferroelectric diode to explain it. The
      ferroelectric effect of CH3NH3PbI3-xClx is strongly suggested by characterization
      methods and the E-P (electrical field-polarization) loop. The hysteresis in I-V
      curves is found to greatly depend on the scan range as well as the velocity,
      which is well explained by the ferroelectric diode model. We also find that the
      current signals show exponential decay in ~10 s under prolonged stepwise
      measurements, and the anomalous hysteresis disappears using these stabilized
      current values. The experimental results accord well with the model based on
      ferroelectric properties and prove that prolonged stepwise measurement is an
      effective way to evaluate the real efficiency of perovskite solar cells. Most
      importantly, this work provides a meaningful perspective that the ferroelectric
      effect (if it really exists) should be paid special attention in the optimization
      of perovskite solar cells. 

PMID- 26278774
TI  - Anti-tumour necrosis factor treatment of severe psoriasis complicated by Epstein
      Barr Virus hepatitis and subsequently by chronic hepatitis.
AB  - A case is described of severe acute hepatitis in 47-year-old woman with chronic
      psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis treated with infliximab. Although clinical,
      serological and laboratory results were compatible with acute EBV hepatitis, it
      was difficult to differentiate between EBV infection and other non-infectious
      causes of hepatitis. The patient gradually developed chronic hepatitis with liver
      steatosis and efficient treatment with adalimumab had to be stopped. This case
      presents an uncommon complication that may arise from the use of biologic therapy
      and calls for caution in long-term management of psoriatic patients with internal
      comorbidities. 

PMID- 26278775
TI  - Long-Lasting and Efficient Tumor Imaging Using a High Relaxivity Polysaccharide
      Nanogel Magnetic Resonance Imaging Contrast Agent.
AB  - Clinically approved small-molecule magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast
      agents are all rapidly cleared from the body and offer weak signal enhancement.
      To avoid repeated administration of contrast agent and improve signal-to-noise
      ratios, agents with stronger signal enhancement and better retention in tumors
      are needed. Therefore, we focused on hydrogels because of their excellent water
      accessibility and biodegradability. Gadolinium (Gd)-chelating cross-linkers were
      incorporated into self-assembled pullulan nanogels to both impart magnetic
      properties and to stabilize this material that has been extensively studied for
      medical applications. We show that these Gd-chelating pullulan nanogels (Gd
      CHPOA) have the highest reported relaxivity for any hydrogel-based particles and
      accumulate in the 4T1 tumors in mice at high levels 4 h after injection. This
      combination offers high signal enhancement and lasts up to 7 days to delineate
      the tumor clearly for longer imaging time scales. Importantly, this long-term
      accumulation does not cause any damage or toxicity in major organs up to three
      months after injection. Our work highlights the clinical potential of Gd-CHPOA as
      a tumor-imaging MRI contrast agent, permitting tumor identification and
      assessment with a high signal-to-background ratio. 

PMID- 26278776
TI  - Conservation of Mass: An Important Tool in Renal Research.
AB  - The dialytic treatment of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients is based on
      control of solute concentrations and management of fluid volume. The application
      of the principal of conservation of mass, or mass balance, is fundamental to the
      study of such treatment and can be extended to chronic kidney disease (CKD) in
      general. This review discusses the development and use of mass conservation and
      transport concepts, incorporated into mathematical models. These concepts, which
      can be applied to a wide range of solutes of interest, represent a powerful tool
      for quantitatively guided studies of dialysis issues currently and into the
      future. Incorporating these quantitative concepts in future investigations is key
      to achieving positive control of known solutes, and in the analysis of such
      studies; to relate future research to known results of prior studies; and to help
      in the understanding of the obligatory physiological perturbations that result
      from dialysis therapy.

PMID- 26278777
TI  - Independent risk factors for mortality in patients with chronic obstructive
      pulmonary disease who undergo comprehensive cardiac evaluations.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death in chronic
      obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the impact of cardiovascular
      comorbidities on the prognosis of COPD is not well known. OBJECTIVES: This study
      was performed to investigate the effects of cardiovascular comorbidities on the
      prognosis of COPD. METHODS: We enlisted 229 patients with COPD who underwent
      comprehensive cardiac evaluations including coronary angiography and
      echocardiography at Ajou University Hospital between January 2000 and December
      2012. Survival analyses were performed in this retrospective cohort. RESULTS:
      Kaplan-Meier analyses showed that COPD patients without left heart failure (mean
      survival = 12.5 +/- 0.7 years) survived longer than COPD patients with left heart
      failure (mean survival = 6.7 +/- 1.4 years; p = 0.003), and the survival period
      of nonanemic COPD patients (mean survival = 13.8 +/- 0.8 years) was longer than
      that of anemic COPD patients (mean survival = 8.3 +/- 0.8 years; p < 0.001). The
      survival period in COPD with coronary artery disease (CAD; mean survival = 11.37
      +/- 0.64 years) was not different from that in COPD without CAD (mean survival =
      11.98 +/- 0.98 years; p = 0.703). According to a multivariate Cox regression
      model, a lower hemoglobin level, a lower left ventricular ejection fraction, and
      the forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) were independently associated with
      higher mortality in the total COPD group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Hemoglobin
      levels and left ventricular ejection fraction along with a lower FEV1 were
      identified as independent risk factors for mortality in COPD patients who
      underwent comprehensive cardiac evaluations, suggesting that multidisciplinary
      approaches are required in the care of COPD.

PMID- 26278778
TI  - Genome-wide DNA polymorphisms in low Phosphate tolerant and sensitive rice
      genotypes.
AB  - Soil Phosphorus (P) deficiency is one of the major challenges to rice crop world
      wide. Modern rice genotypes are highly P-responsive and rely on high input of P
      fertilizers. However, low P tolerant traditional cultivars and landraces have
      genetic potential to sustain well under low P. Identification of high resolution
      DNA polymorphisms (SNPs and InDels) in such contrasting genotypes is largely
      missing for low P response at gene levels. Here, we report high quality DNA
      polymorphisms in low P sensitive genotype, PB1 and tolerant traditional genotype,
      Dular. We performed whole genome resequencing using Illumina NGS platform and
      identified a total of 5,157,939 sequence variants in PB1 and Dular with reference
      to Nipponbare genome. We have identified approximately 2.3 million and 2.9
      million high quality polymorphisms in PB1 and Dular, respectively, with an
      average read depth of >=24X. We further mapped several DNA polymorphisms (non
      synonymous and regulatory variants) having potential functional significance to
      key Phosphate Starvation Responsive (PSR) and root architecture genes in Dular
      and Kasalath using a compiled list of low P responsive genes. These identified
      variants can serve as a useful source of genetic variability for improving low P
      tolerance and root architecture of high yielding modern genotypes. 

PMID- 26278779
TI  - Increasing microscopy resolution with photobleaching and intensity cumulant
      analysis.
AB  - Super-resolution fluorescence microscopy and its applications for analysis of
      biological structures are evolving rapidly field. A number of approaches aimed at
      overcoming the fundamental limit imposed by diffraction have been proposed in
      recent years. Here we present a modification of super-resolution optical
      fluctuation imaging (SOFI), a technique based on spatio-temporal evaluation of
      the optical signal from independently fluctuating emitters. Instead of rapid,
      reversible photoswitching, photobleaching is used to produce irreversible
      transitions between emitting and nonemitting states of the fluorochrome
      molecules. Simulated images are used to demonstrate that, in the absence of
      noise, the proposed SOFI modification increases the efficiency of transfer of
      high spatial frequencies in a fluorescence microscope. Correspondingly, a
      decrease of the point spread function (PSF) width is obtained. Moreover, the
      modified SOFI algorithm is capable of resolving point emitters in the presence of
      simulated noise. Using real biological images we demonstrate that an increase of
      resolution is obtained in 2D optical sections through densely packed chromatin in
      cell nuclei and lamin layer at the nuclear envelope. Finally, the approach is
      extended to 3D wide-field microscopy, allowing reduction of out-of-focus image
      blurring.

PMID- 26278780
TI  - A 1-Year Clinical and Radiographic Study on Hydrophilic Dental Implants Placed
      with and without Bone Augmentation Procedures.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of the present 1-year clinical and radiographic study was to
      evaluate a hydrophilic dental implant when used in everyday cases in one clinic.
      The purpose was also to compare augmented with nonaugmented sites. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: The study group consisted of 50 consecutive patients treated with 159
      dental implants (Proactive, Neoss Ltd, Harrogate, UK) in both mandibles and
      maxillae. Ninety-two implants were placed with adjunct bone augmentation
      procedures, whereas 40 implants were placed in augmented maxillary sinus sites. A
      two-stage procedure was used for 84 implants and a one-stage procedure for 47
      implants. Twenty-eight implants were immediately loaded. Implant stability was
      measured with resonance frequency analysis (RFA) at placement and at prosthesis
      delivery. The patients were scheduled for checkups after 6 and 12 months in
      function with clinical and radiographic examinations. Marginal bone level
      measurements were performed in baseline and follow-up intraoral radiographs.
      RESULTS: Two implant failures in two patients were experienced after 1 year of
      loading, giving a survival rate of 98.7%. One implant in nonaugmented sites and
      one implant in conjunction with an augmentation procedure (sinus lift), giving a
      survival rate of 98.5% and 98.9% for healed and augmented sites, respectively
      (NS). RFA measurements showed 70.2 +/- 9.5 ISQ at placement and 76.5 +/- 5.9 ISQ
      (p <= 0.001) after a mean healing time of 5.6 +/- 1.6 months. The marginal bone
      loss amounted to 0.7 +/- 0.7 mm after 1 year of loading. Frequency distribution
      showed bone gain or less than 1 mm bone loss for the majority of implants
      (69.3%), whereas 25.7% showed 1.1 to 2 mm, 5.0% more than 2 mm and no implants
      more than 3 mm of bone loss. CONCLUSIONS: The use of Neoss Proactive implants for
      prosthetic rehabilitation of consecutive patients resulted in predictable
      clinical and radiographic outcomes after 1 year of loading with no differences
      between augmented and nonaugmented sites.

PMID- 26278782
TI  - The dopamine D3 receptor: From preclinical studies to the treatment of
      psychiatric disorders.

PMID- 26278783
TI  - Erratum.
AB  - Use of probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (pCLE) in gastrointestinal
      applications. A consensus report based on clinical evidence by Galmiche et al.,
      United European Gatroenterology Journal June 2015; 3: 230-254, doi:
      10.1177/2050640614566066. 

PMID- 26278781
TI  - Cell shape dynamics during the staphylococcal cell cycle.
AB  - Staphylococcus aureus is an aggressive pathogen and a model organism to study
      cell division in sequential orthogonal planes in spherical bacteria. However, the
      small size of staphylococcal cells has impaired analysis of changes in morphology
      during the cell cycle. Here we use super-resolution microscopy and determine that
      S. aureus cells are not spherical throughout the cell cycle, but elongate during
      specific time windows, through peptidoglycan synthesis and remodelling. Both
      peptidoglycan hydrolysis and turgor pressure are required during division for
      reshaping the flat division septum into a curved surface. In this process, the
      septum generates less than one hemisphere of each daughter cell, a trait we show
      is common to other cocci. Therefore, cell surface scars of previous divisions do
      not divide the cells in quadrants, generating asymmetry in the daughter cells.
      Our results introduce a need to reassess the models for division plane selection
      in cocci. 

PMID- 26278784
TI  - The Effectiveness of a Patient-Centred Assessment with a Solution-Focused
      Approach (DIALOG+) for Patients with Psychosis: A Pragmatic Cluster-Randomised
      Controlled Trial in Community Care.
AB  - BACKGROUND: DIALOG+ was developed as a computer-mediated intervention, consisting
      of a structured assessment of patients' concerns combined with a solution-focused
      approach to initiate change. This study tested the effectiveness of DIALOG+ in
      the community treatment of patients with psychosis. METHOD: This was a pragmatic,
      exploratory, parallel-group, cluster-randomised controlled trial. Clinicians
      within community teams - along with patients with psychosis under their care -
      were randomised to use DIALOG+ once per month for 6 months or an active control.
      The primary outcome (subjective quality of life, SQOL) and secondary outcomes
      were assessed after 3, 6 and 12 months by blinded assessors and analysed using
      mixed-effect models. RESULTS: A total of 49 clinicians and 179 patients were
      randomised. Implementation of DIALOG+ was variable, with an average of 1.8
      sessions (SD = 1.6) in the first 3 months and 1.1 (SD = 1.2) in the following 3
      months. Patients in the DIALOG+ arm had better SQOL at 3, 6 and 12 months (p =
      0.035, 0.058 and 0.014, respectively; Cohen's d = 0.29-0.34). They also had
      significantly fewer unmet needs at 3 and 6 months, fewer general
      psychopathological symptoms at all time points and better objective social
      outcomes at 12 months, with no significant differences in other outcomes. Overall
      care costs were lower in the intervention group. CONCLUSION: Despite variable
      implementation, DIALOG+ is a beneficial intervention for community patients with
      psychosis. As a non-expensive and potentially cost-saving, generic intervention,
      DIALOG+ may be widely used and may improve the effectiveness of community
      treatment. Further trials should test DIALOG+ in different patient groups and
      contexts.

PMID- 26278785
TI  - What is being measured, and by whom? Facilitation of communication on technical
      measures amongst competent authorities in the implementation of the European
      Union Broiler Directive (2007/43/EC).
AB  - The European Union (EU) Broiler Directive (2007/43/EC) is unique amongst current
      EU Directives, which address animal welfare, in that it uses outcome data
      collected at abattoirs and on farm to monitor on-farm broiler welfare and vary
      the maximum permitted stocking density on farm. In this study, we describe how,
      by bringing together personnel from the competent authorities in 22 member states
      (MSs) who have responsibility for implementing the Directive, and engaging in
      exchange of information and technical methods regarding the Broiler Directive, it
      has been possible to identify differences in approach with regard to 'what data
      is being collected, and by whom' across EU MSs. Online questionnaires and
      workshop exercises enabled us to identify priority areas for knowledge transfer
      and training. For example, foot pad dermatitis, hock burn, dead on arrival and
      total rejections (birds rejected as unfit for human consumption by the meat
      inspection staff at slaughter) were identified by the MSs as measures of medium
      to-low priority in terms of knowledge transfer because there are assessment
      methods for these conditions that are already well accepted by competent
      authorities. On the other hand, breast lesions, cellulitis, emaciation, joint
      lesions, respiratory problems, scratches, wing fractures and a number of
      environmental measures were identified as having high priority in terms of
      knowledge transfer. The study identified that there is significant variability in
      the stage of implementation between MSs, and responses from the participating MSs
      indicated that sharing of guidance and technical information between MSs may be
      of value in the future set-up process for those MSs engaged in implementation of
      the Directive. 

PMID- 26278787
TI  - Moire induced organization of size-selected Pt clusters soft landed on epitaxial
      graphene.
AB  - Two-dimensional hexagonal arrays of Pt nanoparticles (1.5 nm diameter) have been
      obtained by deposition of preformed and size selected Pt nanoparticles on
      graphene. This original self-organization is induced, at room temperature, by the
      2D periodic undulation (the moire pattern) of graphene epitaxially grown on the
      Ir(111) surface. By means of complementary techniques (scanning tunneling
      microscopy, grazing incidence X ray scattering), the Pt clusters shapes and
      organization are characterized and the structural evolution during annealing is
      investigated. The soft-landed clusters remain quasi-spherical and a large
      proportion appears to be pinned on specific moire sites. The quantitative
      determination of the proportion of organized clusters reveals that the obtained
      hexagonal array of the almost spherical nanoparticles is stable up to 650 K,
      which is an indication of a strong cluster-surface interaction.

PMID- 26278786
TI  - Moyamoya disease susceptibility gene RNF213 links inflammatory and angiogenic
      signals in endothelial cells.
AB  - Moyamoya disease (MMD) is a cerebrovascular disorder characterized by occlusive
      lesions of the circle of Willis. To date, both environmental and genetic factors
      have been implicated for pathogenesis of MMD. Allelic variations in RNF213 are
      known to confer the risk of MMD; however, functional roles of RNF213 remain to be
      largely elusive. We herein report that pro-inflammatory cytokines, IFNG and TNFA,
      synergistically activated transcription of RNF213 both in vitro and in vivo.
      Using various chemical inhibitors, we found that AKT and PKR pathways contributed
      to the transcriptional activation of RNF213. Transcriptome-wide analysis and
      subsequent validation with quantitative PCR supported that endogenous expression
      of cell cycle-promoting genes were significantly decreased with knockdown of
      RNF213 in cultured endothelial cells. Consistently, these cells showed less
      proliferative and less angiogenic profiles. Chemical inhibitors for AKT
      (LY294002) and PKR (C16) disrupted their angiogenic potentials, suggesting that
      RNF213 and its upstream pathways cooperatively organize the process of
      angiogenesis. Furthermore, RNF213 down-regulated expressions of matrix
      metalloproteases in endothelial cells, but not in fibroblasts or other cell
      types. Altogether, our data illustrate that RNF213 plays unique roles in
      endothelial cells for proper gene expressions in response to inflammatory signals
      from environments. 

PMID- 26278789
TI  - Outside In: Sequencing the Lung Microbiome.

PMID- 26278788
TI  - DKK1 rescues osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells isolated from
      periodontal ligaments of patients with diabetes mellitus induced periodontitis.
AB  - Multiple studies have shown that diabetes mellitus is an established risk factor
      for periodontitis. Recently mesenchymal stem cells derived from periodontal
      ligament (PDLSCs) have been utilized to reconstruct tissues destroyed by chronic
      inflammation. However, impact of periodontitis with diabetes mellitus on PDLSCs
      and mechanisms mediating effects of complex microenvironments remain poorly
      understood. In this study, we found multiple differentiation potential of PDLSCs
      from chronic periodontitis with diabetes mellitus donors (D-PDLSCs) was damaged
      significantly. Inhibition of NF-kappaB signaling could rescue osteogenic
      potential of PDLSCs from simple chronic periodontitis patients (P-PDLSCs),
      whereas did not promote D-PDLSCs osteogenesis. In addition, we found expression
      of DKK1 in D-PDLSCs did not respond to osteogenic signal and decreased osteogenic
      potential of D-PDLSCs treated with DKK1 could be reversed. To further elucidate
      different character between P-PDLSCs and D-PDLSCs, we treated PDLSCs with TNF
      alpha and advanced glycation end products (AGEs), and find out AGEs which enhance
      effect of TNF-alpha in PDLSCs might mediate special personality of D-PDLSCs. The
      adverse effect of AGEs in PDLSCs could be reversed when PDLSCs were treated with
      DKK1. These results suggested DKK1 mediating WNT signaling might be a therapy
      target to rescue potential of PDLSCs in periodontitis with diabetes mellitus. 

PMID- 26278790
TI  - The Implications of a Tracheostomy for Discharge Destination.

PMID- 26278791
TI  - Ultrathin Is In: A New Option for Peripheral Pulmonary Nodules.

PMID- 26278792
TI  - Upper Room Germicidal Ultraviolet Systems for Air Disinfection Are Ready for Wide
      Implementation.

PMID- 26278793
TI  - Diagnosis of Tuberculosis in Children Using Mycobacteria-Specific Cytokine
      Responses. Are There Reasons for Hope?

PMID- 26278794
TI  - Tuberculosis and World War I.

PMID- 26278795
TI  - Update in Sleep Medicine 2014.

PMID- 26278797
TI  - Isolated Unilateral Absence of the Pulmonary Artery.

PMID- 26278796
TI  - An Official American Thoracic Society Research Statement: A Research Framework
      for Pulmonary Nodule Evaluation and Management.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pulmonary nodules are frequently detected during diagnostic chest
      imaging and as a result of lung cancer screening. Current guidelines for their
      evaluation are largely based on low-quality evidence, and patients and clinicians
      could benefit from more research in this area. METHODS: In this research
      statement from the American Thoracic Society, a multidisciplinary group of
      clinicians, researchers, and patient advocates reviewed available evidence for
      pulmonary nodule evaluation, characterized six focus areas to direct future
      research efforts, and identified fundamental gaps in knowledge and strategies to
      address them. We did not use formal mechanisms to prioritize one research area
      over another or to achieve consensus. RESULTS: There was widespread agreement
      that novel tests (including novel imaging tests and biopsy techniques,
      biomarkers, and prognostic models) may improve diagnostic accuracy for
      identifying cancerous nodules. Before they are used in clinical practice,
      however, better evidence is needed to show that they improve more distal outcomes
      of importance to patients. In addition, the pace of research and the quality of
      clinical care would be improved by the development of registries that link
      demographic and nodule characteristics with patient-level outcomes. Methods to
      share data from registries are also necessary. CONCLUSIONS: This statement may
      help researchers to develop impactful and innovative research projects and enable
      funders to better judge research proposals. We hope that it will accelerate the
      pace and increase the efficiency of discovery to improve the quality of care for
      patients with pulmonary nodules.

PMID- 26278798
TI  - Preterm Birth with Childhood Asthma: The Role of Degree of Prematurity and Asthma
      Definitions.

PMID- 26278800
TI  - Antipsychotic Agents and Delirium.

PMID- 26278799
TI  - A Step toward an Optimized Rifampin Dose Completed.

PMID- 26278802
TI  - Echocardiographic Air Bubbles. Early Sign of Intestinal Pneumatosis.

PMID- 26278801
TI  - Reply: Antipsychotic Agents and Delirium.

PMID- 26278803
TI  - PATIENT EDUCATION | INFORMATION SERIES. Sleep Studies: In the Sleep Laboratory
      and in the Home.

PMID- 26278804
TI  - A Stepping Stone Toward Personalized Oncology: Genomic Analysis of Circulating
      Tumor Cells to Guide Management of Metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate
      Cancer.

PMID- 26278806
TI  - Three Genes to Predict Response to Chemotherapy for Bladder Cancer:
      Individualised Cancer Care at the Doorstep.

PMID- 26278807
TI  - Intra- and inter-observer variability of uterine measurements with three
      dimensional ultrasound and implications for clinical practice.
AB  - Despite the emergence of new classifications, the best way to measure and
      differentiate between the most common congenital uterine anomalies remains
      debatable. The aim of this study was to test the intra- and inter-observer
      variability of the different three-dimensional ultrasound (3DUS) uterine
      measurements described to date. Twenty consecutive women underwent 3DUS in a
      standardized manner. Two observers analysed each volume three times to assess the
      interostial distance, indentation distance, indentation angle, percentage of
      indentation, fundal wall thickness, and lateral wall thickness. Intra- and inter
      class correlation coefficients (intra- and inter-CC), limits of agreement (LOA)
      and repeatability coefficients were estimated. For observers 1 and 2, the intra
      observer reproducibility was the lowest for the left lateral wall thickness
      (intra-CC 0.91 [LOA -6.54 to 7.10] and 0.58 [LOA -6.58 to 6.94], respectively)
      and right lateral wall thickness (intra-CC 0.92 [LOA -5.68 to 4.74] and 0.56 [LOA
      -6.79 to 5.59], respectively). The inter-observer reproducibility was also the
      lowest for both these measurements (inter-CC 0.74 [LOA -4.01 to 6.09] and 0.72
      [LOA -3.33 to 5.83], respectively). The remaining measurements showed high levels
      of intra- and inter-observer reproducibility (intra- and inter-CC >=0.95). It is
      evident that not all uterine measurements are equally reproducible on 3DUS. 

PMID- 26278805
TI  - Genomic Characterization of Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite a similar histologic appearance, upper tract urothelial
      carcinoma (UTUC) and urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB) tumors have
      distinct epidemiologic and clinicopathologic differences. OBJECTIVE: To
      investigate whether the differences between UTUC and UCB result from intrinsic
      biological diversity. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Tumor and germline DNA
      from patients with UTUC (n=83) and UCB (n=102) were analyzed using a custom next
      generation sequencing assay to identify somatic mutations and copy number
      alterations in 300 cancer-associated genes. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL
      ANALYSIS: We described co-mutation patterns and copy number alterations in UTUC.
      We also compared mutation frequencies in high-grade UTUC (n=59) and high-grade
      UCB (n=102). RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Comparison of high-grade UTUC and UCB
      revealed significant differences in the prevalence of somatic alterations. Genes
      altered more commonly in high-grade UTUC included FGFR3 (35.6% vs 21.6%;
      p=0.065), HRAS (13.6% vs 1.0%; p=0.001), and CDKN2B (15.3% vs 3.9%; p=0.016).
      Genes less frequently mutated in high-grade UTUC included TP53 (25.4% vs 57.8%;
      p<0.001), RB1 (0.0% vs 18.6%; p<0.001), and ARID1A (13.6% vs 27.5%; p=0.050).
      Because our assay was restricted to genomic alterations in a targeted panel, rare
      mutations and epigenetic changes were not analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: High-grade UTUC
      tumors display a spectrum of genetic alterations similar to high-grade UCB.
      However, there were significant differences in the prevalence of several
      recurrently mutated genes including HRAS, TP53, and RB1. As relevant targeted
      inhibitors are being developed and tested, these results may have important
      implications for the site-specific management of patients with urothelial
      carcinoma. PATIENT SUMMARY: Comparison of next-generation sequencing of upper
      tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) with urothelial bladder cancer identified that
      similar mutations were present in both cancer types but at different frequencies,
      indicating a potential need for unique management strategies. UTUC tumors were
      found to have a high rate of mutations that could be targeted with novel
      therapies.

PMID- 26278808
TI  - Combination of ovarian tissue harvesting and immature oocyte collection for
      fertility preservation increases preservation yield.
AB  - The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of combined ovarian
      tissue cryopreservation and oocyte aspiration just before ovarian tissue
      cryobanking. A retrospective cohort study of fertility preservation patients
      treated in 2007-2013 in one tertiary centre was performed. A total of 255 cancer
      patients were admitted for fertility preservation: 142 patients underwent ovarian
      tissue cryopreservation only (OTC), 56 underwent OTC plus oocyte retrieval from
      ovarian tissue (OTIVM), nine underwent oocyte aspiration and in-vitro maturation
      (AIVM) and 48 underwent all three procedures. The total number of oocytes, total
      number of metaphase II (MII) oocytes, maturation rate, fertilization rate and
      total number of cryopreserved oocytes between groups were compared. The study
      found significantly more oocytes (P < 0.001), more MII oocytes (P < 0.001),
      better maturation rate (P < 0.01) and more cryopreserved oocytes (P < 0.05) with
      all three compared with OTIVM or OTC. No adverse outcome was observed by
      performing oocyte retrieval before ovarian resection for cryopreservation. In
      conclusion, oocyte aspiration just before ovarian tissue cryobanking is safe and
      gains more oocytes with a better maturation rate than ovarian tissue oocyte
      cryobanking alone. Better results were obtained with 3 days of stimulation before
      oocyte retrieval. 

PMID- 26278809
TI  - Sperm DNA fragmentation is related to sperm morphological staining patterns.
AB  - In this prospective comparative study, sperm DNA fragmentation (sDNAfrag) was
      compared at each step of a sequential semen preparation, with semen parameters
      according to their degree of severity. At each step (fractions) of the sequential
      procedure, sDNAfrag was determined: fresh (Raw), after gradient centrifugation,
      washing, and swim-up (SU) for 70 infertile men enrolled in intracytoplasmic sperm
      injection cycles. sDNAfrag significantly (P = 0.04; P < 0.0001) decreased
      throughout the steps of semen preparation, with centrifugation and washing not
      increasing it. A negative correlation to sperm motility was observed in Raw and
      SU fractions, and a higher sDNAfrag was observed in samples with lower semen
      quality. Our results confirm that the steps of the sequential procedure do not
      compromise sperm DNA integrity and progressively decreased sDNAfrag regardless of
      the sperm abnormality and that semen parameters with lower quality present higher
      sDNAfrag. Four distinct patterns were observed, of which the entire sperm head
      staining was the pattern most expressed in all studied fractions. Additionally,
      the sperm head gene-rich region staining pattern was reduced by the procedure.
      This suggests that pattern quantification might be a useful adjunct when
      performing sDNAfrag testing for male infertility. 

PMID- 26278810
TI  - 'By the work, one knows the workman': the practice and profession of the
      embryologist and its translation to quality in the embryology laboratory.
AB  - The embryologist presides over the fulfillment of a patient's treatment in the
      laboratory for IVF through use of assisted reproduction techniques, and is in a
      unique position to impart quality to the process. Although the technical skill of
      the embryologist is critical, the embryologist's contribution to quality is
      equally conveyed through a knowledge of reproductive biology, keen observation
      and judgment, astute decision-making, the 'grit' to work under pressure and time
      constraints, and a sense of mission in the provision and continual development of
      a safe and effective laboratory. The embryologist also ensures that the
      laboratory complies with the regulations of federal, state, local and
      institutional authorities and the recommendations and guidelines of professional
      associations. In these roles, the embryologist assumes unique responsibilities
      counterbalanced by the unique rewards of assisting patients in having a family.
      This article aspires to illuminate this singular profession for those who may be
      contemplating a career in embryology and act as a resource for those who seek
      insight into this amalgam of basic science, technical proficiency, and managerial
      skill and acumen that characterize the practice of clinical embryology and the
      myriad of ways that practitioners contribute to the quality of assisted
      reproduction techniques and patient care. 

PMID- 26278811
TI  - In vitro genotoxicity tests point to an unexpected and harmful effect of a
      Magnolia and Aristolochia association.
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: in the 1990s, a Belgian cohort of more than 100
      patients reported cases of Aristolochic Acid Nephropathy (AAN). This progressive
      renal and interstitial fibrosis, frequently associated with urothelial
      malignancies, was consecutive to the Chinese-herbs based slimming capsules intake
      where a plant Stephania tetrandra S. Moore was replaced by a highly genotoxic
      Aristolochia species. 70% of the Belgian patients evolved into end-stage renal
      disease, requiring dialysis or renal transplantation. Furthermore the prevalence
      of upper urinary tract carcinoma was found alarmingly high in these patients. The
      Aristolochia adulteration was blamed for the intoxication cases and, to the best
      of our knowledge, the prescription itself has not been further investigated. AIM
      OF THE STUDY: This work proposes to evaluate the in vitro cytotoxicity and
      genotoxicity of Aristolochia and Magnolia traditional aqueous decoctions and
      their association. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cytotoxicity of extracts has been
      assessed by a MTT cell proliferation assay and the genotoxicity by measuring the
      presence of gamma-H2AX, a phosphorylated histone associated with DNA damages.
      RESULTS: Treating cells for 24h with a mixture 1:1 of Magnolia officinalis and
      Aristolochia baetica decoctions led to an increase in the production of gamma
      H2AX. CONCLUSIONS: This genotoxic potentiation warrants further studies but may
      lead to an explanatory factor for the "Chinese herb nephropathy" cases.

PMID- 26278812
TI  - Ethnomedicinal plants of Aydincik District of Mersin, Turkey.
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: This survey presents crucial ethnopharmacological
      data on medicinal plants used by indigenous people who live in the Aydincik
      district of Mersin in Turkey. AIM OF THE STUDY: To provide a knowledge base of
      herbal therapies from the Aydincik region with their traditional use, plant parts
      and administration methods besides computing some statistical values. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: Plant samples that have been collected by spice-sellers or residents
      from Aydincik for therapeutic purposes were recorded by visiting the villages
      during the study period, and then brought to the laboratory to diagnose the taxa.
      In addition, the relative frequency citation (RFC), use values (UV), informant
      consensus factor (ICF) and fidelity level (FL) were computed. RESULTS: In this
      research conducted between 2013 and 2015, 91 taxa associated with 41 families,
      including 1 fern & 2 gymnosperms were defined they have been used for centuries
      in terms of the healing by visiting 10 villages & 5 spice-sellers in Aydincik.
      Lamiaceae, Rosaceae, Araceae, Asteraceae, Cupressaceae, Orchidaceae and Pinaceae
      have been determined as the most used families for therapeutic purposes. The
      study revealed that most of the locals concurred on the use of Juniperus
      oxycedrus fruits & leaves to cure gastro-intestinal diseases that demonstrated
      the highest fidelity level (0.98). 22 taxa have not matched with any studies
      conducted in and around the region. CONCLUSION: The light of the information
      obtained during the investigation demonstrates that the medicinal plants have
      been mostly utilized as analgesics (0.78 ICF). The most data were acquired from
      the mountain villagers & Yuruk nomads, having average ages of 65. From the
      viewpoint of ethnobotany, the district has remained valuable due to the winding
      roads, ongoing hundreds of kilometers over the mountains and along the coast is
      very difficult to drive making Aydincik too far from large cities and mass
      tourism centers.

PMID- 26278813
TI  - The Middle East respiratory syndrome puzzle: A familiar virus, a familiar
      disease, but some assembly still required.

PMID- 26278814
TI  - Who is less likely to die in association with improved National Emergency Access
      Target (NEAT) compliance for emergency admissions in a tertiary referral
      hospital?
AB  - Objective The aim of the present study was to identify patient and non-patient
      factors associated with reduced mortality among patients admitted from the
      emergency department (ED) to in-patient wards in a major tertiary hospital that
      had previously reported a near halving in mortality in association with a
      doubling in National Emergency Access Target (NEAT) compliance over a 2-year
      period from 2012 to 2014. Methods We retrospectively analysed routinely collected
      data from the Emergency Department Information System (EDIS) and hospital
      discharge abstracts on all emergency admissions during calendar years 2011 (pre
      NEAT interventions) and 2013 (post-NEAT interventions). Patients admitted to
      short-stay wards and then discharged home, as well as patients dying in the ED,
      were excluded. Patients included in the study were categorised according to age,
      time and day of arrival to the ED, mode of transport to the ED, emergency triage
      category, type of clinical presentation and major diagnostic codes. Results The
      in-patient mortality rate for emergency admissions decreased from 1.9%
      (320/17022) in 2011 to 1.2% (202/17162) in 2013 (P<0.001). There was no change
      from 2011 to 2013 in the percentage of deaths in the ED (0.19% vs 0.17%) or those
      coded as in-patient palliative care (17.9% vs 22.2%). Although deaths were not
      associated with age by itself, the mortality rate of older patients admitted to
      medical wards decreased significantly from 3.5% to 1.7% (P=0.011). A higher
      mortality rate was seen among patients presenting to ED triage between midnight
      and 12 noon than at other times in 2011 (2.5% vs 1.5%; P<0.001), but this
      difference disappeared by 2013 (1.3% vs 1.1%; P=0.150). A similar pattern was
      seen among patients presenting on weekends versus weekdays: 2.2% versus 1.7%
      (P=0.038) in 2011 and 1.3% versus 1.1% (P=0.150) in 2013. Fewer deaths were noted
      among patients with acute cardiovascular or respiratory disease in 2013 than in
      2011 (1.7% vs 3.6% and 1.5% vs 3.4%, respectively; P<0.001 for both comparisons).
      Mode of transport to the ED or triage category was not associated with changes in
      mortality. These analyses took account of any possible confounding resulting from
      differences over time in emergency admission rates. Conclusions Improved NEAT
      compliance as a result of clinical redesign is associated with improved in
      patient mortality among particular subgroups of emergency admissions, namely
      older patients with complex medical conditions, those presenting after hours and
      on weekends and those presenting with time-sensitive acute cardiorespiratory
      conditions. What is known about the topic? Clinical redesign aimed at improving
      compliance with NEAT and reducing time spent within the ED of acutely admitted
      patients has been associated with reduced mortality. To date, no study has
      attempted to identify subgroups of patients who potentially derive the greatest
      benefit from improved NEAT compliance in terms of reduced risk of in-patient
      death. It also remains unclear as to what extent non-patient factors (e.g.
      admission practices and differences in coding of palliative care patients) affect
      or confound this reduced risk. What does this paper add? The present study is the
      first to reveal that enhanced NEAT compliance is associated with lower mortality
      among particular subgroups of emergency patients admitted to in-patient wards.
      These include older patients with complex medical conditions, those presenting
      after hours or on weekends or those with time-sensitive acute cardiorespiratory
      conditions. These results took account of any possible confounding resulting from
      differences over time in emergency admission rates, deaths in the ED, numbers of
      short-stay ward admissions and coding of palliative care deaths. What are the
      implications for practitioners? Efforts aimed at improving NEAT compliance and
      efficiencies at the ED-in-patient interface appear to be worthwhile in reducing
      in-patient mortality among particular subgroups of emergency admissions at high
      risk. More research is urgently needed in identifying patient- and system-level
      factors that predispose to higher mortality rates in such populations, but are
      potentially amenable to focused interventions aimed at optimising transitions of
      care at the ED-in-patient interface and increasing NEAT compliance for patients
      admitted to in-patient wards from the ED.

PMID- 26278815
TI  - Detection of mitotic figures in thin melanomas--immunohistochemistry does not
      replace the careful search for mitotic figures in hematoxylin-eosin stain.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The mitotic rate is an important prognostic criterion in patients
      with thin melanoma <= 1 mm. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate
      the reproducibility of the mitotic rate in thin melanoma in hematoxylin-eosin
      (H&E) stain and compare it with the detection of mitotic figures by
      immunohistochemistry. METHODS: The number of mitoses stated in the routine
      diagnostic report in 190 pT1 melanomas was compared with the number gained from
      re-evaluation of H&E sections and the number detected after staining with the
      mitotic marker, phosphohistone H3 (PHH3). Two different approaches were used for
      choosing the "hot spot" for evaluation (dermal vs epidermal/dermal). RESULTS:
      Comparing routine H&E-stained slides with re-evaluation slides, the number of
      mitotic figures was slightly variable. However, findings did not result in a
      change of the tumor stage. In 34% of the tumors with dermal mitotic figures on
      H&E, mitoses could not be found in the corresponding PHH3 slide anymore. In 4% of
      the cases, stage relevant mitoses could only be found by PHH3
      immunohistochemistry. LIMITATION: This is a single center study. CONCLUSION:
      Immunohistochemical staining for mitotic figures does not replace a careful
      evaluation of H&E-stained slides. Immunohistochemical detection of mitosis is
      only an additional tool; the time-saving effect is therefore negligible.

PMID- 26278816
TI  - Expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha ameliorate myocardial ischemia in
      rat.
AB  - Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1a), the upstream regulator of Vascular
      endothelial growth factor (VEGF), is the vital hypoxia related gene expression
      control factor. To evaluate HIF-1a therapeutic efficacy to acute myocardial
      infarction, the HIF-1a expressing recombinant Adeno-associated virus (rAAV) was
      constructed. The Wistar rat ischemic heart animal model was established with left
      anterior descending coronary artery ligation. The ischemic rats were treated with
      HIF-1a expressing and GFP expressing rAAVs respectively. Four weeks post the
      injection, the cardiac function of treated rat was compared by TM_WAVE system;
      size of infracted area was calculated by Evan's blue stain and capillary density
      was determined by CD31 immunohistochemical staining. Compare to the control
      group, the rats received HIF-1a expressing rAAV have smaller infracted heart
      size, the better heart function and higher capillary density than vehicle control
      group. The results show that the injection of HIF1a expressing rAAV can improve
      cardiac function and ameliorate acute myocardial ischemia (AMI) in rats.

PMID- 26278817
TI  - Plasma membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase is a novel target for ketamine action.
AB  - Ketamine, a high affinity uncompetitive antagonist of voltage-dependent NMDA
      receptor, has been used for years as a dissociative anesthetic. Although the drug
      is considered as safe and well-tolerable, it is now evident that it can exert
      dose-dependent multidirectional effects acting on different cellular targets and
      pathways. The latest clinical studies also demonstrated its promising
      antidepressant action. However, the widespread use of this drug in humans is
      largely limited by a broad range of cognitive adverse effects that resemble some
      core symptoms of schizophrenia. In line with the hypothesis of unifying role of
      calcium in schizophrenia symptomology, we used ketamine-induced rat model of
      experimental psychosis to study the effect of 5-day ketamine treatment (30 mg/kg,
      ip) on the activity of plasma membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase. Whereas no change in a
      total amount of the enzyme in cortical synaptosomal membranes was observed, a
      decrease by ~50% in hydrolytic activity, as well as lowered phosphointermediate
      formation were detected. Moreover, ketamine action appeared to be isoform
      independent. The experiments on intact Ca(2+)-ATPase purified from vehicle
      treated rat cortex revealed dose-dependent inhibition of enzymatic activity.
      Furthermore, ketamine decreased, but not eliminated, the stimulation by
      calmodulin. The inhibitory effect, although much weaker, was also evident for
      truncated form of calcium pump obtained following digestion by trypsin. Our
      results indicate that plasma membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase is a novel target for
      ketamine and putative interaction sites may involve central catalytic loop and
      calmodulin-binding domain. 

PMID- 26278818
TI  - A tryptophan derivative TD-26 attenuates thrombus formation by inhibiting both
      PI3K/Akt signaling and binding of fibrinogen to integrin alphaIIbbeta3.
AB  - The incidence and mortality of thrombotic disorders are rapidly increasing
      worldwide. The existing antithrombotic drugs, however, are associated with side
      effects, especially bleeding complications. Therefore, there remains a need for
      the development of more effective and safer antithrombotic agents. In this study,
      we discovered a new synthetic tryptophan derivative TD-26, producing potent
      inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation while without causing obvious bleeding
      risk. It has been shown that TD-26 inhibited platelet aggregation induced by ADP,
      thrombin, U46619 and collagen in vitro and suppressed the platelet aggregation
      induced by ADP ex vivo. Mechanism studies indicated that TD-26 inhibited platelet
      adhesion to fibrinogen-coated surfaces, blocked the binding of fibrinogen to
      integrin alphaIIbbeta3 and reduced Akt(Ser473) phosphorylation in platelet
      phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling. Furthermore, TD-26 exhibited
      potent antithrombotic activity in vivo. In animal models, it decreased death of
      mice with acute pulmonary thrombosis by 90% and attenuated thrombosis weight by
      60.3%, both at a dose of 3 mg/kg. Additionally, TD-26 did not obviously prolong
      bleeding time in mice. Taken together, our results reveal that TD-26 is a novel
      antithrombotic compound exhibiting both integrin alphaIIbbeta3 inhibition and
      PI3K signaling blockage, with a low bleeding risk.

PMID- 26278819
TI  - Autophagy inhibition sensitizes KU-0063794-mediated anti-HepG2 hepatocellular
      carcinoma cell activity in vitro and in vivo.
AB  - Recent studies have indicated that mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling
      has a critical role in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In the
      current study, we investigated the activity of KU-0063794, a novel mTOR kinase
      inhibitor, against HepG2 HCC cells. Our results demonstrated that KU-0063794
      blocked mTOR complex 1/2 (mTORC1/2) activation, and downregulated mTOR-regulated
      genes (Cyclin D1 and hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha) in HepG2 cells.
      Consequently, KU-0063794 induced significant anti-survival and pro-apoptotic
      activities against HepG2 cells. When analyzing the possible KU-0063794-resistance
      factors, we showed that KU-0063794 induced cyto-protective autophagy activation
      in HepG2 cells, evidenced by GFP-light chain 3B (LC3B) puncta formation, p62
      degradation, Beclin-1 expression and LC3B-I to LC3B-II conversion.
      Correspondingly, autophagy inhibitors, including bafliomycin A1, 3-methyladenine
      (3-MA) and chloroquine, dramatically enhanced KU-0063794-induced cytotoxicity
      against HepG2 cells. Further, RNAi knockdown of Beclin-1 also increased KU
      0063794 sensitivity in HepG2 cells. In vivo, oral administration of KU-0063794
      repressed HepG2 xenograft growth in severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice,
      and its activity was further enhanced with co-administration of the autophagy
      inhibitor 3-MA. In summary, KU-0063794 inhibits HepG2 cell growth in vitro and in
      vivo, its activity could be further enhanced with autophagy inhibition. 

PMID- 26278820
TI  - One-step extraction of functional recombinant aquaporin Z from inclusion bodies
      with optimal detergent.
AB  - Aquaporins are integral membrane channel proteins found in all kingdoms of life.
      The Escherichia coli aquaporin Z (AqpZ) has been shown to solely conduct water at
      high permeability. Functional AqpZ is generally purified from the membrane
      fraction. However, the quantity of the purified protein is limited. In this
      study, a new method is developed to achieve high yield of bioactive AqpZ protein.
      A mild detergent n-dodecyl-beta-D-maltopyranoside (DDM) was used to solubilize
      the over-expressed insoluble AqpZ from inclusion bodies without a refolding
      process. The recovered AqpZ protein showed high water permeability comparable
      with AqpZ obtained from the membrane fraction. In this way, the total yield of
      bioactive AqpZ has been increased greatly, which will facilitate the structural
      and functional characterization and future applications of AqpZ.

PMID- 26278821
TI  - Isoform separation of proteins by mixed-mode chromatography.
AB  - Mixed-mode chromatography uses a multimodal functional resin, mainly composed of
      electrostatic and aromatic/hydrophobic groups. Here we have tested 2 mixed-mode
      resins, anion-exchange Capto adhere and cation-exchange Capto MMC, using 2 model
      proteins, i.e., an Fc-fusion etanercept, and bovine serum albumin (BSA). When
      etanercept was produced in Chinese hamster ovary cells, a large amount of
      misfolded species was generated. A novel technology to achieve effective
      separation of the misfolded or aggregated species has been developed in this
      study using these mixed-mode columns and elution conditions that combine pH
      change and NaCl or arginine at different concentrations. Etanercept, which has
      been purified by Protein-A chromatography, was bound to the Capto MMC or Capto
      adhere columns under various conditions and eluted by modulating the pH and salt
      or arginine concentration. The misfolded species occurred in the fractions at
      higher salt or arginine concentrations, most likely reflecting stronger
      electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions of the misfolded species with these
      mixed-mode resins. Another model protein, BSA, containing several oligomeric
      species, was also subjected to Capto adhere or Capto MMC chromatography using
      either NaCl or arginine gradient elution, with a greater recovery by arginine
      gradient. The oligomers were effectively separated on these mixed-mode columns
      using either gradient elution, eluting in later fractions similar to etanercept
      misfolded species. 

PMID- 26278822
TI  - Testicular Cystic Walthard Cell Nest in a 7-Month-Old.
AB  - Walthard cell nests have previously been reported arising from paratesticular
      structures; however, this is the first reported case of an intratesticular
      Walthard cell nest. We report our experience with this lesion which is
      interesting not only because of its extreme rarity but also because of the
      proposed histogenesis of such lesions. 

PMID- 26278823
TI  - Outcomes of Microscopic Subinguinal Varicocelectomy With and Without the
      Assistance of Doppler Ultrasound: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the surgical outcomes and complications between microscopic
      subinguinal varicocelectomy (MV) and intraoperative vascular Doppler ultrasound
      assisted microscopic subinguinal varicocelectomy (IVDU-MV) for infertile patients
      with varicoceles. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred seventy-two infertile
      patients with varicoceles were randomly divided into IVDU-MV group (n = 85) and
      MV group (n = 87). We assessed patients' operative and postoperative parameters,
      semen parameters, and the pregnancy rate. The mean follow-up period was 21 months
      (range, 13-34 months). RESULTS: The operative time was significantly shorter in
      the IVDU-MV group than MV group (41.9 +/- 13.6 vs 52.7 +/- 14.1 minutes, P <.05).
      The number of intraoperative arteries spared was significantly greater in the
      IVDU-MV group than the MV group (1.9 +/- 0.8 vs 1.3 +/- 0.7, P <.05). In
      addition, the average number of spermatic veins ligated was significantly greater
      in the IVDU-MV group (7.8 +/- 2.1 vs 7.0 +/- 1.9, P <.05). Lymphatic spared
      showed no significant difference (P >.05). The postoperative hospital stay showed
      no significant difference. Sperm concentration, sperm motility, and the
      percentage of grade a+b sperm were significantly increased in both groups at 3,
      6, and 12 months after surgery (P <.05), and the sperm motility was higher in
      IVDU-MV than MV group (43.98 +/- 7.64 vs 36.98 +/- 5.10, P <.05) in 12 months
      after surgery. Sperm morphology was comparable between the 2 groups. The
      pregnancy rate showed no significant difference (36.8% of the MV vs 34.1% of the
      IVDU-MV, P >.05). CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that both MV and IVDU-MV are
      effective methods for the improvement of semen parameters in infertile men with
      varicocele, with a natural conception rate of 35% over a mean follow-up of 21
      months. Compared with MV, IVDU-MV is superior in shortening operative time,
      increasing the number of spermatic arteries spared, spermatic veins ligated, and
      sperm motility after surgery. IVDU should be routinely used as an effective tool
      to improve outcomes and safety of varicocelectomy.

PMID- 26278824
TI  - Strangulated Internal Hernia Behind the Common Iliac Artery Following Pelvic
      Lymph Node Dissection.
AB  - We report a rare case of a strangulated internal hernia behind the common iliac
      artery after robot-assisted pelvic lymph node dissection. Internal hernias
      involving the retroperitoneal vascular axis have been reported four times in
      medical literature. This is the first time it has been seen after robotic
      surgery. 

PMID- 26278825
TI  - Efficacy of Phosphodiesterase-5 Inhibitor in Men With Premature Ejaculation: A
      New Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To clarify the efficacy of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor (PDE5i) in
      men with premature ejaculation (PE). METHODS: We searched the PubMed, Embase, and
      Cochrane Library databases to identify all randomized controlled trials and
      compared results, including intravaginal ejaculation latency time, satisfaction,
      side effects, and others, after treatment with PDE5i vs placebo, PDE5i vs
      selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), or combined use of PDE5i with SSRI
      vs SSRI alone for treating PE. RESULTS: The study inclusion criteria were met by
      10 studies (10 randomized controlled trials with 3 crossover studies) involving
      775 patients. The data synthesized from these studies indicated that the efficacy
      of PDE5i was better than that of placebo; however, more patients had side effects
      while taking PDE5i. The efficacy of PDE5i was better than that of SSRIs, and no
      significant difference was observed in the frequency of side effects. The
      efficacy of the combined treatment was significantly better than that of SSRI
      alone; however, more patients had side effects from the combined treatment. The
      major limitations of this meta-analysis were that there is no universally agreed
      definition of PE, and the types of medications differed among the studies
      evaluated. CONCLUSION: PDE5i was significantly more effective than a placebo or
      SSRI for treating PE; however, it had more side effects than placebo. The
      combined treatment of PDE5i and SSRI had better efficacy but more side effects
      than the use of SSRI alone.

PMID- 26278826
TI  - Tinea incognito in an old patient with bullous pemphigoid receiving topical high
      potency steroids.

PMID- 26278827
TI  - Knowledge, evidence, practice and power.

PMID- 26278828
TI  - Farewell, but not goodbye!!

PMID- 26278829
TI  - Historical note: How bringing women's health advocacy groups to WHO helped change
      the research agenda.
AB  - The politics of population control and its sometimes coercive methods in
      developing countries documented during the 1960s, 70s and 80s, gave rise to
      strong opposition by women's groups, and put into question the safety of
      contraceptive methods that were being developed and introduced into countries. In
      1991, the Special Programme on Human Reproduction at the World Health
      Organization, a research programme focused on development of new methods and
      safety assessments of existing fertility regulation methods, started a process of
      "dialogue" meetings between scientists and women's health advocacy groups which
      lasted for nearly a decade. This paper describes the process of these meetings
      and what they achieved in terms of bringing new or different research topics into
      the agenda, and some of the actions taken as a result. 

PMID- 26278830
TI  - Speaking of sex workers: How suppression of research has distorted the United
      States' domestic HIV response.
AB  - Sex workers remain a vulnerable population at risk for HIV acquisition and
      transmission. Research suggests that interventions at the individual level, such
      as condom distribution, are less effective in preventing HIV among sex workers
      than structural changes such as allowing safer work settings and reducing the
      harassment and abuse of sex workers by clients and police. In the US, HIV
      incidence has not declined in the last decade. This may be due in part to its
      policy of wilful ignorance about sex work, but the data to resolve the question
      simply do not exist. Political actions such as PEPFAR's prostitution pledge and a
      congressional campaign against "waste, fraud and abuse" in research are products
      of an ideological environment that suppresses research on HIV prevention and
      treatment needs of sex workers. Even basic prevalence data are missing because
      there is no "sex worker" category in the US National HIV Behavior Surveillance
      System. However, international efforts are taking a public health approach and
      are calling for decriminalization of sex work, as the most effective public
      health strategy for reducing HIV incidence among sex workers. Although such an
      approach is not yet politically feasible in the US, some urgent practical policy
      changes can be implemented to improve data collection and generation of evidence
      to support HIV prevention and treatment programs targeting sex workers. 

PMID- 26278831
TI  - Fertility-related research needs among women at the margins.
AB  - Fertility-related research encompasses fertility intentions, preconception care,
      research amongst pregnant women, and post-partum outcomes of mothers and
      children. However, some women remain under-represented within this domain of
      study. Women frequently missing within fertility-related research include those
      who are already the most vulnerable to health disparities, including female sex
      workers, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender women, women living with HIV,
      and women who use drugs. Yet characterization of the needs of these women is
      important, given their unique fertility-related concerns, including risks and
      barriers to care emanating from social stigmas and discrimination. This synthesis
      provides an overview of fertility-related evidence, highlighting where there are
      clear research gaps among marginalized women and the potential implications of
      these data shortfalls. Overall, research among marginalized women to date has
      addressed pregnancy prevention and in some cases fertility intentions, but the
      majority of studies have focused on post-conception pregnancy safety and the well
      being of the child. However, among female sex workers specifically, data on
      pregnancy safety and the well-being of the child are largely unavailable. Within
      each marginalized group, preconception care and effectiveness of conception
      methods are consistently understudied. Ultimately, the absence of epidemiologic,
      clinical and programmatic evidence limits the availability and quality of
      reproductive health services for all women and prevents social action to address
      these gaps. 

PMID- 26278832
TI  - Safe abortion information hotlines: An effective strategy for increasing women's
      access to safe abortions in Latin America.
AB  - This paper describes the implementation of five Safe Abortion Information
      Hotlines (SAIH), a strategy developed by feminist collectives in a growing number
      of countries where abortion is legally restricted and unsafe. These hotlines have
      a range of goals and take different forms, but they all offer information by
      telephone to women about how to terminate a pregnancy using misoprostol. The
      paper is based on a qualitative study carried out in 2012-2014 of the structure,
      goals and experiences of hotlines in five Latin American countries: Argentina,
      Chile, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela. The methodology included participatory
      observation of activities of the SAIH, and in-depth interviews with feminist
      activists who offer these services and with 14 women who used information
      provided by these hotlines to induce their own abortions. The findings are also
      based on a review of materials obtained from the five hotline collectives
      involved: documents and reports, social media posts, and details of public
      demonstrations and statements. These hotlines have had a positive impact on
      access to safe abortions for women whom they help. Providing these services
      requires knowledge and information skills, but little infrastructure. They have
      the potential to reduce the risk to women's health and lives of unsafe abortion,
      and should be promoted as part of public health policy, not only in Latin America
      but also other countries. Additionally, they promote women's autonomy and right
      to decide whether to continue or terminate a pregnancy. 

PMID- 26278833
TI  - Emergency contraceptive use in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Challenging common
      assumptions about young people's contraceptive practices.
AB  - Drawing on an ethnographic case study of young people's (aged 18-29) use of
      emergency contraceptives (ECs) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, this article highlights
      areas of disconnect between how reproductive health experts envision EC use and
      local meanings ascribed to ECs by young people. ECs - designed by reproductive
      health experts to be used only in case of emergency - were preferred by study
      participants over other contraceptive methods because of their ease of use,
      discreetness, perceived minimal side effects on beauty and future fertility, and
      usefulness in navigating reproductive intentions. The findings point to features
      that young people find desirable when it comes to contraceptive methods and
      suggest that common assumptions of reproductive health experts about young
      people's contraceptive practices need to be reconsidered, namely: 1) that young
      people can plan for prevention of unwanted pregnancy by buying a contraceptive
      method in advance; 2) that existing contraceptive technologies are appropriate
      for young people; 3) that young people prefer to use modern contraceptive
      methods; and 4) that young people in premarital relationships aim to prevent
      unplanned pregnancy. 

PMID- 26278834
TI  - Reasons for routine episiotomy: A mixed-methods study in a large maternity
      hospital in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
AB  - First documented in 1741, the practice of episiotomy substantially increased
      worldwide during the 20th century. However, research shows that episiotomy is not
      effective in reducing severe perineal trauma and may be harmful. Using a mixed
      methods approach, we conducted a study in 2013-14 on why obstetricians and
      midwives in a large maternity hospital in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, still do routine
      episiotomies. The study included the extent of the practice, based on medical
      records; a retrospective analysis of the delivery notes of a random sample of 365
      patients; and 22 in-depth interviews with obstetricians, midwives and recently
      delivered women. Of the 365 women, 345 (94.5%, 95% CI: 91.7-96.6) had had an
      episiotomy. Univariate analysis showed that nulliparous women underwent
      episiotomy more frequently than multiparous women (OR 7.1, 95% CI 2.0-24.7). The
      reasons given for this practice by midwives and obstetricians were: fear of
      perineal tears, the strong belief that Asian women have a shorter and harder
      perineum than others, lack of time in overcrowded delivery rooms, and the belief
      that Cambodian women would be able to have a tighter and prettier vagina through
      this practice. A restrictive episiotomy policy and information for pregnant women
      about birthing practices through antenatal classes should be implemented as soon
      as possible. 

PMID- 26278835
TI  - New actors, financial mechanisms and reformed aid reporting: What role for SRHR
      in post-2015 financing for development?
AB  - As governments around the world prepare to adopt a new development framework and
      supportive financial flows, the OECD Development Assistance Committee is
      exploring new ways of measuring and reporting on resource flows enabling
      development, including population assistance. These changes will affect the
      evidence base, discourse about and donor incentives related to sexual and
      reproductive health and rights (SRHR). They may lead to: i) reduction of grant
      aid in favour of instruments that are less suitable for SRHR, like loans and
      market-like instruments; ii) expansion of the range of development stakeholders
      to include those with market power that can steer the discussion away from the
      needs of the most under-served populations; and iii) diversion of attention and
      resources away from SRHR. The discourse over how to provide, incentivize and
      report on development assistance in the new framework demonstrates the crucial
      relationship between knowledge, evidence, practice and power in relation to
      funding for SRHR in developing countries. With all that is at stake, although the
      OECD debate on the future of the development finance measurement system may seem
      highly abstract, this is a high-stakes game that SRHR advocates need to have a
      hand in. Those who seek to improve SRHR are well served to engage in these
      discussions as early and often as possible before the momentous decisions over
      the coming months. 

PMID- 26278836
TI  - Radical or routine? Nurse practitioners, nurse-midwives, and physician assistants
      as abortion providers.
AB  - In 2013 California passed legislation that expanded the pool of eligible
      aspiration abortion providers to include advanced practice nurses, nurse
      midwives, and physician-assistants. This law, enacted in 2014, is based on
      evidence generated by the Health Workforce Pilot Project #171, which examined the
      safety and effectiveness of aspiration abortion care provided by these clinicians
      as well as patient acceptability and satisfaction. This evidence and the
      resulting policy change build on international research and established workforce
      strategies used to expand access to safe abortion services for women worldwide,
      representing a radical departure from the legislative trend of constricting
      access in the United States. 

PMID- 26278837
TI  - Sexual and reproductive health and rights and mHealth in policy and practice in
      South Africa.
AB  - Information and Communications Technology (ICT) offers enormous opportunity and
      innovation to improve public health and health systems.This paper explores the
      intersections between mHealth and sexual and reproductive health and rights in
      both policy and practice. It is a qualitative study, informed by policy review
      and key informant interviews. Three case studies provide evidence of what is
      happening on the ground in relation to ICTs and reproductive health and rights.
      We argue that in terms of policy, there is little overlap between health rights
      and communication technology. In the area of practice, however, significant
      interventions address aspects of reproductive health. At present, the extent to
      which mHealth addresses the full range of reproductive justice and sexual and
      reproductive health and rights is limited, particularly in terms of government
      initiatives. The paper argues that mHealth projects tend to avoid contentious
      aspects of sexual health, while addressing favourable topics such as pregnancy
      and motherhood. The ways in which information is framed in mHealth mirrors
      current gaps within sexual and reproductive health and rights, where a limited
      and conservative lens predominates, and which may result in narrow programming
      and implementation of services. 

PMID- 26278838
TI  - From Project to Program: Tupange's Experience with Scaling Up Family Planning
      Interventions in Urban Kenya.
AB  - This paper describes how the Urban Reproductive Health Initiative in Kenya, the
      Tupange Project (2010-2015), successfully applied the ExpandNet approach to
      sustainably scale up family planning interventions, first in Machakos and
      Kakamega, and subsequently also in its three core cities, Nairobi, Kisumu and
      Mombasa. This new focus meant shifting from a "project" to a "program" approach,
      which required paying attention to government leadership and ownership, limiting
      external inputs, institutionalizing interventions in existing structures and
      emphasizing sustainability. The paper also highlights the project's efforts to
      prepare for the future scale up of Tupange's interventions in other counties to
      support continuing and improved access to family planning services in the new
      context of devolution (decentralization) in Kenya. 

PMID- 26278839
TI  - "If a woman has even one daughter, I refuse to perform the abortion": Sex
      determination and safe abortion in India.
AB  - In India, safe abortion services are sought mainly in the private sector for
      reasons of privacy, confidentiality, and the absence of delays and coercion to
      use contraception. In recent years, the declining sex ratio has received much
      attention, and implementation of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic
      Techniques (PCPNDT) Act (2003) has become stringent. However, rather than
      targeting sex determination, many inspection visits target abortion services.
      This has led to many private medical practitioners facing negative media
      publicity, defamation and criminal charges. As a result, they have started
      turning women away not only in the second trimester but also in the first.
      Samyak, a Pune-based, non-governmental organization, came across a number of
      cases of refusal of abortion services during its work and decided to explore the
      experiences of private medical practitioners with the regulatory mechanisms and
      what happened to the women. The study showed that as a fallout from the manner of
      implementation of the PCPNDT Act, safe abortion services were either difficult
      for women to access or outright denied to them. There is an urgent need to
      recognize this impact of the current regulatory environment, which is forcing
      women towards illegal and unsafe abortions. 

PMID- 26278840
TI  - From unwanted pregnancy to safe abortion: Sharing information about abortion in
      Asia through animation.
AB  - Although unsafe abortion continues to be a leading cause of maternal mortality in
      many countries in Asia, the right to safe abortion remains highly stigmatized
      across the region. The Asia Safe Abortion Partnership, a regional network
      advocating for safe abortion, produced an animated short film entitled From
      Unwanted Pregnancy to Safe Abortion to show in conferences, schools and meetings
      in order to share knowledge about the barriers to safe abortion in Asia and to
      facilitate conversations on the right to safe abortion. This paper describes the
      making of this film, its objectives, content, dissemination and how it has been
      used. Our experience highlights the advantages of using animated films in
      addressing highly politicized and sensitive issues like abortion. Animation
      helped to create powerful advocacy material that does not homogenize the
      experiences of women across a diverse region, and at the same time emphasize the
      need for joint activities that express solidarity. 

PMID- 26278841
TI  - Using photovoice to examine community level barriers affecting maternal health in
      rural Wakiso district, Uganda.
AB  - Uganda continues to have poor maternal health indicators including a high
      maternal mortality ratio. This paper explores community level barriers affecting
      maternal health in rural Wakiso district, Uganda. Using photovoice, a community
      based participatory research approach, over a five-month period, ten young
      community members aged 18-29 years took photographs and analysed them, developing
      an understanding of the emerging issues and engaging in community dialogue on
      them. From the study, known health systems problems including inadequate
      transport, long distance to health facilities, long waiting times at facilities
      and poor quality of care were confirmed, but other aspects that needed to be
      addressed were also established. These included key gender-related determinants
      of maternal health, such as domestic violence, low contraceptive use and early
      teenage pregnancy, as well as problems of unclean water, poor sanitation and
      women's lack of income. Community members appreciated learning about the research
      findings precisely hence designing and implementing appropriate solutions to the
      problems identified because they could see photographs from their own local area.
      Photovoice's strength is in generating evidence by community members in ways that
      articulate their perspectives, support local action and allow direct
      communication with stakeholders. 

PMID- 26278842
TI  - Statement on the 48th Session of the UN Commission on Population and Development,
      27 April 2015.

PMID- 26278843
TI  - WHO Statement on caesarean section rates.

PMID- 26278844
TI  - Small bowel sarcoma: Tumor biology and advances in therapeutics.
AB  - Spindle cell neoplasms are rare mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract.
      GIST (Gastrointestinal stromal tumor) and leiomyosarcoma share similar clinical
      presentations, gross and microscopic characteristics making distinction difficult
      in the absence of immunohistochemical (IHC) studies. A multidisciplinary approach
      is required for treatment planning and ensuring best outcomes. Surgery remains
      the mainstay of curative treatment for both tumors. Significant advances in
      targeted molecular therapies have occurred in the past decade in the treatment of
      GIST with improvement in morbidity and mortality. Similar newer discoveries for
      treatment of leiomyosarcoma have failed to show any significant survival benefits
      as yet. Early diagnosis and R0 surgical resection offers the best long term
      outcome for leiomyosarcoma. Here in we review and discuss the concepts of genetic
      alterations, newer markers, possible cancer pathways and advances in treatment
      strategies for these sarcomas. 

PMID- 26278845
TI  - Seroprevalence of antibodies of Neospora spp. and Toxoplasma gondii in horses
      from southern Italy.
AB  - The consumption of horse meat has been epidemiologically linked to clinical
      toxoplasmosis in humans and neosporosis that may cause clinical illness in
      horses. Here we determined seroprevalence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii
      Nicolle et Manceaux, 1908 and species of Neospora Dubey, Carpenter, Speer, Topper
      et Uggla, 1988 in horses from Italy. Blood samples were collected from 643
      apparently healthy horses from 60 farms of 51 municipalities in southern Italy.
      The presence of antibodies against T. gondii and Neospora spp. were detected by
      indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT); a titre >= 50 was considered
      positive. The same sera were also tested for antibodies against Neospora spp. by
      a competitive-inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA); samples with
      >= 30% inhibition were considered positive. Antibodies against T. gondii and
      Neospora spp. were detected in 19 (3.0%) and 15 (2.3%) horses by IFAT,
      respectively, without statistical difference between gender, age and breeds (p
      value >= 0.05). Antibodies against species of Neospora were detected in 70
      (10.9%) horses by cELISA with statistical difference in gender (6.0-18.5%, p
      value >= 0.05) and breeds (0-19.4%, p-value >= 0.05). Although T. gondii
      infection rates were low, the risk of human infection should not be dismissed,
      particularly in Italy where consumption of raw or undercooked horse meat has a
      long tradition. 

PMID- 26278846
TI  - Vaginocervical stimulation attenuates the sensitization of appetitive sexual
      behaviors by estradiol benzoate in the ovariectomized rat.
AB  - The acute administration of estradiol benzoate (EB) to the ovariectomized (OVX)
      rat induces low levels of lordosis while sexually appetitive behaviors (e.g.,
      hops, darts, solicitations) are absent, yet the repeated administration of EB
      results in a behavioral sensitization in which lordosis is potentiated and
      sexually appetitive behaviors are induced. We have shown that repeated copulation
      attenuates the sensitization of appetitive sexual behaviors. Here, we assessed
      which component of male stimulation during copulation is involved in the
      attenuation. On 8 occasions, sexually experienced OVX Long-Evans rats were
      treated with 10MUgEB and 48h later assigned to one of six groups that differed in
      their experience on intermediates tests (2-7). One was given repeated access to a
      male (EB/Male), and another was placed in the copulation chamber alone (EB/Alone)
      on intermediate tests. Three groups were given one of three somatosensory stimuli
      by the experimenter: manual flank stimulation (FLS), clitoral stimulation (CLS),
      or vaginocervical stimulation (VCS). Finally, the control group was left
      undisturbed in the animal care facility (ACF). Sexual behaviors were measured on
      Tests 1 and 8. VCS received from the experimenter (VCS) or from the male during
      copulation (EB/Male) attenuated the magnitude of the sensitization of appetitive
      sexual behaviors compared with those that were not brought to the testing rooms
      (ACF), and the effect was most pronounced on sexual solicitations. These results
      suggest that VCS received during penile intromission inhibits the sensitization
      of sexually appetitive behaviors by repeated administration of EB. As such,
      repeated administration of EB may oppose those mechanisms that induce estrous
      termination, perhaps by sensitizing inhibitory processes within the ventromedial
      hypothalamus that typically prevent the display of sexual behaviors (i.e., by
      facilitating disinhibition). 

PMID- 26278847
TI  - Are stabilizing osmolytes preferentially excluded from the protein surface? FTIR
      and MD studies.
AB  - Interactions between osmolytes and hen egg white lysozyme in aqueous solutions
      were studied by means of FTIR spectroscopy and molecular dynamics. A combination
      of difference spectra method and chemometric analysis of spectroscopic data was
      used to determine the number of osmolyte molecules interacting with the protein,
      and the preferential interaction coefficient in presented systems. Both osmolytes
      -l-proline and trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) - belong to a group of stabilizing
      osmolytes, and according to the preferential exclusion/hydration hypothesis, both
      should be excluded from the vicinity of the protein backbone and surface. We
      provide experimental and computational evidence that although TMAO behaves
      according to the hypothesis, proline does not. Our results suggest that
      preferential exclusion is not a universal property of stabilizing osmolytes. 

PMID- 26278848
TI  - Letter From the Editors.

PMID- 26278849
TI  - Letter from the Guest Editor: Pitfalls and Limitations of Radionuclide and Hybrid
      Imaging--Part I.

PMID- 26278850
TI  - Pitfalls and Limitations of Radionuclide Planar and Hybrid Bone Imaging.
AB  - The radionuclide (99m)Tc-MDP bone scan is one of the most commonly performed
      nuclear medicine studies and helps in the diagnosis of different pathologies
      relating to the musculoskeletal system. With its increasing utility in clinical
      practice, it becomes more important to be aware of various limitations of this
      imaging modality to avoid false interpretation. It is necessary to be able to
      recognize various technical, radiopharmaceutical, and patient-related artifacts
      that can occur while carrying out a bone scan. Furthermore, several normal
      variations of tracer uptake may mimic pathology and should be interpreted
      cautiously. There is an important limitation of a bone scan in metastatic disease
      evaluation as the inherent mechanism of tracer uptake is not specific for tumor
      but primarily relies on an osteoblastic response. Thus, it is crucial to keep in
      mind uptake in benign lesions, which can resemble malignant pathologies. The
      utility of a planar bone scan in benign orthopedic diseases, especially at sites
      with complex anatomy, is limited owing to lack of precise anatomical information.
      SPECT/CT has been significantly helpful in these cases. With wider use of PET/CT
      and reintroduction of the (18)F-fluoride bone scan, increasing knowledge of
      potential pitfalls on an (18)F-fluoride bone scan and (18)F-FDG-PET/CT will help
      in improving the accuracy of clinical reports. 

PMID- 26278851
TI  - Artifacts and Anatomical Variants Affecting Ventilation and Perfusion Lung
      Imaging.
AB  - Ventilation and perfusion lung imaging continues to be an important technique in
      the investigation of lung disease, particularly pulmonary emboli. For the most
      accurate interpretation, a solid understanding of the agents available,
      underlying physiology, and normal variants is required. A number of ventilation
      agents are available ranging from true gases to aqueous aerosols and carbon
      nanoparticles. The addition in recent years of SPECT imaging, although improving
      the technique, has added to the range of artifacts and variants to be
      appreciated. In addition, there are uncommon conditions that can affect the scan
      appearance. A selection of these variants and artifacts is discussed in this
      article. 

PMID- 26278852
TI  - Pitfalls and Limitations of Radionuclide and Hybrid Cardiac Imaging.
AB  - Radionuclide myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) is an important technique for
      evaluating the presence and severity of ischemic coronary heart disease that is
      widespread in the United States and much of the world. This widely used test has
      excellent diagnostic accuracy and strong risk-stratification utility and plays an
      important role in guiding patient management. As with all testing modalities, the
      clinical utility of MPI relies on proper procedure performance as improper
      techniques can lead to incorrect test interpretation, and thus misdiagnosis with
      potential adverse effects on patient management and outcome. A variety of
      potential pitfalls must be understood and recognized. These include minimizing
      referral of "rarely appropriate" patients for testing, selecting the best imaging
      procedure for each patient, properly preparing a patient for the test to be
      performed, skillful performance of stress testing and image acquisition, careful
      image processing, understanding the strengths and weaknesses of different image
      display options, recognition of common artifacts that can lead to misdiagnoses,
      distinguishing normal anatomy from true pathology, recognizing noncoronary
      cardiac disease, and not missing extracardiac pathology. It is important that
      physicians who perform and interpret radionuclide MPI be well versed in published
      guidelines and potential pitfalls to proper test performance and interpretation. 

PMID- 26278853
TI  - Pitfalls and Limitations of Radionuclide Renal Imaging in Pediatrics.
AB  - The article presents common pitfalls encountered in pediatric radionuclide
      renography, illustrated with clinical cases. It is important to recognize normal
      variants. A good acquisition technique is essential. Correlation with other
      imaging techniques, with the clinical background and symptoms, is critical. A
      clear clinical question is essential: based on the question and knowing the
      strengths and weaknesses of each test, the test which can best answer the
      question can be selected. Awareness of the pitfalls of radionuclide renography
      helps avoid errors of interpretation and allows the selection of the most helpful
      test for clinical management. 

PMID- 26278854
TI  - Pitfalls and Limitations of Radionuclide Renal Imaging in Adults.
AB  - To understand pitfalls and limitations in adult renography, it is necessary to
      understand firstly the physiology of the kidney, especially the magnitude and
      control of renal blood flow, glomerular filtration rate and tubular fluid flow
      rate, and secondly the pharmacokinetics and renal handling of the three most
      often used tracers, Tc-99m-mercaptoacetyltriglycine (MAG3), Tc-99m-diethylene
      triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) and Tc-99m-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA). The
      kidneys may be imaged dynamically with Tc-99m-MAG3 or Tc-99m-DTPA, with or
      without diuretic challenge, or by static imaging with Tc-99m-DMSA. Protocols are
      different according to whether the kidney is native or transplanted. Quantitative
      analysis of dynamic data includes measurement of renal vascularity (important for
      the transplanted kidney), absolute tracer clearance rates, differential renal
      function (DRF) and response to diuretic challenge. Static image reveals
      functional renal parenchymal damage, both focal and global, is useful in the
      clinical management of obstructive uropathy, renal stone disease and hypertension
      (under angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition), and is the preferred technique
      for determining DRF. Diagnosis based on morphological appearances is important in
      transplant management. Even though nuclear medicine is now in the era of hybrid
      imaging, renal imaging remains an important subspecialty in nuclear medicine and
      requires a sound basing in applied physiology, the classical supporting
      discipline of nuclear medicine. 

PMID- 26278855
TI  - Pitfalls and Limitations of Radionuclide Imaging in Endocrinology.
AB  - Several different techniques, radiopharmaceuticals, and imaging modalities are
      commonly used in nuclear medicine for studies of endocrine organs. Nuclear
      medicine is used in the management of benign and malignant thyroid, parathyroid,
      and neuroendocrine disorders. Thus, it is essential to acknowledge pitfalls and
      the limitations of nuclear medicine imaging for accurate diagnosis and patient
      management. 

PMID- 26278856
TI  - Artifacts and Incidental Findings Encountered on Dual-Energy X-Ray
      Absorptiometry: Atlas and Analysis.
AB  - Bone mineral densitometry (BMD) using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) has
      been widely adopted as the standard method of assessing bone density. Although
      not intended to be a primary imaging modality, the technique generates
      attenuation map images that are used to guide region-of-interest placement.
      Artifacts and incidental findings are frequently encountered on the DEXA images,
      some of which directly affect BMD values and others that are only of incidental
      importance to clinical practice. We systematically review a variety of artifacts
      and incidental findings that may be encountered on DEXA, illustrated by a
      collection of findings from our own practice. Being cognizant of these unexpected
      abnormalities, and understanding their etiology, will prepare the reader to more
      readily appreciate significance of these findings when seen in clinical practice.

PMID- 26278857
TI  - Pitfalls and Limitations of SPECT, PET, and Therapeutic Radiopharmaceuticals.
AB  - Radiopharmaceuticals are widely accepted to be a very safe class of drugs, with
      very few adverse reactions and unexpected biodistributions. However, problems can
      arise because of technical issues in manufacture or reconstitution, patient
      preparation, or drug administration. This review presents highlights of issues
      that have arisen in the newer classes of radiopharmaceuticals in the last 20
      years and expands the scope of the previous report to include PET and therapeutic
      radiopharmaceuticals. Variations in the "quality" of the eluate of a
      (99)Mo/(99m)Tc generator remain a major issue. Several of the newer (99m)Tc
      tracers require a heating step in preparation that can also lead to unacceptably
      low radiochemical purity. Radiolytic breakdown can be a problem with all classes
      of radiopharmaceuticals. Many of the newer radiopharmaceuticals localize by
      receptor- or transporter-mediated processes and thus can be affected by other
      drugs, making patient preparation more important than ever. Therapeutic
      radiopharmaceuticals may require coadministration of radioprotectant regimens,
      such as the use of lysine-arginine infusions with radiopeptide therapy.
      Extravasation can have serious consequences with therapeutic
      radiopharmaceuticals. Adverse reactions to newer radiopharmaceuticals remain
      rare, though may increase because of coadministration of agents such as contrast
      media. However, there is known to be underreporting of minor adverse reactions.
      Knowledge of the pitfalls that can occur with radiopharmaceuticals is important
      in the interpretation of nuclear medicine images and optimal patient care. 

PMID- 26278858
TI  - Atopic Keratoconjunctivitis in Children: Clinical Features and Diagnosis.

PMID- 26278859
TI  - Incidence, Risk Factors, and Impact of Age on Retinal Detachment after Cataract
      Surgery in France: A National Population Study.
AB  - PURPOSE: To assess the incidence, risk factors, and impact of age on retinal
      detachment (RD) after cataract surgery. DESIGN: Cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: All
      patients older than 40 years of age who underwent a primary cataract surgery in
      France between January 2009 and December 2012. METHODS: A Cox proportional-hazard
      regression model was used to analyze risk factors of RD after cataract surgery.
      MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Risk factors of RD after cataract surgery. RESULTS: Over 4
      years, 2680167 eyes in 1787021 patients (59.4% women; mean age, 73.9+/-9.5 years)
      underwent cataract surgery. A total of 11 424 patients experienced RD after
      cataract surgery, with an estimated risk of 0.99% at 4 years after surgery. The
      odds ratio associated with increased risk of RD was 3.87 (95% confidence interval
      [CI], 3.79-3.95) for cataract surgery itself. The multiadjusted hazard ratio (HR)
      associated with increased risk of RD was 5.22 (95% CI, 5.05-5.39) for patients 40
      to 54 years of age, 3.69 (95% CI, 3.60-3.79) for those 55 to 64 years of age, and
      1.98 (95% CI, 1.93-2.03) for those 65 to 74 years of age as compared with those
      75 years of age or older. Retinal detachment was associated with high myopia (HR,
      6.12; 95% CI, 5.84-6.41), vitrectomy for perioperative capsular rupture (HR,
      4.36; 95% CI, 4.07-4.68), history of eye trauma (HR, 3.98; 95% CI, 3.69-4.30),
      extracapsular extraction (HR, 3.11; 95% CI, 2.94-3.30), male gender (HR, 2.39;
      95% CI, 2.35-2.44), and history of diabetes (HR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.15-1.21). In
      myopic patients, the multiadjusted HR associated with increased risk of RD was
      25.02 (95% CI, 24.76-25.18) for patients 40 to 54 years of age, 20.37 (95% CI,
      20.21-20.53) for those 55 to 64 years of age, and 17.05 (95% CI, 16.85-17.25) for
      those 65 to 74 years of age as compared with nonmyopic patients 75 years of age
      or older. CONCLUSIONS: We provide a hierarchy of risk factors for RD onset: high
      myopia, young age, capsular rupture, history of eye trauma, extracapsular
      extraction technique, male gender, and diabetes. Young age was an additional risk
      factor in myopic patients.

PMID- 26278860
TI  - Automated Detection of Hemifield Difference across Horizontal Raphe on Ganglion
      Cell--Inner Plexiform Layer Thickness Map.
AB  - PURPOSE: A MATLAB-based (The MathWorks, Inc, Natick, MA) computer program (the
      ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer [GCIPL] hemifield test) for automated
      detection of GCIPL thickness difference across the horizontal raphe was
      developed, and its glaucoma diagnostic performance was assessed. DESIGN: Cross
      sectional study. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 65 eyes of normal, healthy subjects
      along with 162 eyes of patients with glaucoma (79 preperimetric and 83 early
      perimetric). METHODS: Cirrus high-definition optical coherence tomography (HD
      OCT) (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA) was used to scan all of the subjects'
      macular and optic discs. A positive (i.e., "outside normal limits") GCIPL
      hemifield test result was declared if the following 3 conditions were all met:
      (1) The reference line (a horizontal line dividing the superior and inferior
      hemifields) is continuously detected for longer than one-half of the distance
      from the temporal inner elliptical annulus to the outer elliptical annulus; (2)
      the average GCIPL thickness difference within 10 pixels of the reference line,
      both above and below, is >=5 MUm; and (3) the average RGB color ranges of the 10
      pixels above and below the reference line display blue in 1 hemifield and
      red/yellow/white in the other hemifield. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Comparison of
      diagnostic ability using the areas under the receiver operating characteristic
      curves (AUCs). RESULTS: A positive GCIPL hemifield test result was observed more
      frequently in the glaucomatous eyes (74/79 preperimetric, 78/83 early perimetric)
      than in the normal eyes (1/65). In the preperimetric group, the AUC of the GCIPL
      hemifield test (0.967; sensitivity 94.94%, specificity 98.46%) was greater than
      that of the minimum GCIPL thickness (0.933), the inferotemporal GCIPL thickness
      (0.907), and the average GCIPL thickness (0.899) (P=0.09, 0.06, and 0.03,
      respectively). In the early perimetric group, the AUC of the GCIPL hemifield test
      (0.962; sensitivity 93.98%, specificity 96.46%) was greater than that of the
      inferotemporal GCIPL thickness (0.938), the minimum GCIPL thickness (0.919), and
      the average GCIPL thickness (0.912) (P=0.38, 0.17, and 0.11, respectively).
      CONCLUSIONS: For discrimination of early glaucomatous structural loss, most
      notably in preperimetric glaucoma cases, identification of the GCIPL thickness
      difference across the horizontal raphe was effective.

PMID- 26278861
TI  - Prevalence of Amblyopia in School-Aged Children and Variations by Age, Gender,
      and Ethnicity in a Multi-Country Refractive Error Study.
AB  - PURPOSE: To estimate the age-, gender-, and ethnicity-specific prevalence of
      amblyopia in children aged 5 to 15 years using data from the multi-country
      Refractive Error Study in Children (RESC). DESIGN: Population-based, cross
      sectional study. PARTICIPANTS: Among 46 260 children aged 5 to 15 years who were
      enumerated from 8 sites in the RESC study, 39 551 had a detailed ocular
      examination and a reliable visual acuity (VA) measurement in 1 or both eyes.
      Information on ethnicity was available for 39 321 of these participants. This
      study focused on findings from the 39 321 children. METHODS: The examination
      included VA measurements, evaluation of ocular alignment and refractive error
      under cycloplegia, and examination of the external eye, anterior segment, media,
      and fundus. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The proportion of children aged 5 to 15 years
      with amblyopia in different ethnic cohorts. Amblyopia was defined as best
      corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of <=20/40 in either eye, with tropia,
      anisometropia (>=2 spherical equivalent diopters [D]), or hyperopia (>=+6
      spherical equivalent D), after excluding children with fundus or anterior segment
      abnormalities. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of amblyopia was 0.74% (95%
      confidence interval, 0.64-0.83) with significant (P < 0.001) variation across
      ethnic groups: 1.43% in Hispanic, 0.93% in Chinese, 0.62% in Indian, 0.52% in
      Malay, 0.35% in Nepali, and 0.28% in African children. Amblyopia was not
      associated with age or gender. The most common cause of amblyopia was
      anisometropia. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the prevalence of amblyopia varied
      with ethnicity and was highest in Hispanic children and lowest in African
      children. Most cases were unilateral and developed before the age of 5 years. The
      impact of changes of definitions on prevalence estimates is discussed.

PMID- 26278862
TI  - High Prevalence of Untreated Depression in Patients Accessing Low-Vision
      Services.

PMID- 26278863
TI  - Effect of Prior Anti-VEGF Injections on the Risk of Retained Lens Fragments and
      Endophthalmitis after Cataract Surgery in the Elderly.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of prior intravitreal anti-vascular
      endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections on surgical and postoperative
      complication rates associated with cataract surgery in a nationally
      representative longitudinal sample of elderly persons. DESIGN: Retrospective,
      longitudinal cohort analysis. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 203 643 Medicare
      beneficiaries who underwent cataract surgery from January 1, 2009, to December
      31, 2013. METHODS: By using the 5% sample of Medicare claims data, the study
      assessed risks of 3 adverse outcomes after receipt of cataract surgery for
      beneficiaries with a history of intravitreal injections. Risks of these outcomes
      in beneficiaries with a history of intravitreal injections relative to those
      without were calculated using the Cox proportional hazard model. MAIN OUTCOME
      MEASURES: The primary outcome was the risk of subsequent removal of retained lens
      fragments (RLFs) within 28 days after cataract surgery. Secondary outcomes were a
      new diagnosis of acute (<40 days) or delayed-onset (40+ days) endophthalmitis and
      risk of a new primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) diagnosis within 365 days after
      cataract surgery. RESULTS: Prior intravitreal anti-VEGF injections were
      associated with a significantly increased risk of subsequent RLF removal within
      28 days after cataract surgery (hazard ratio [HR], 2.26; 95% confidence interval
      [CI], 1.19-4.30). Prior injections were also associated with increased risk of
      both acute (HR, 2.29; 95% CI, 1.001-5.22) and delayed-onset endophthalmitis (HR,
      3.65; 95% CI, 1.65-8.05). Prior injections were not a significant indicator of
      increased risk of a new POAG diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: A history of intravitreal
      injections may be a risk factor for cataract surgery-related intraoperative
      complications and endophthalmitis. Given the frequency of intravitreal injections
      and cataract surgery, increased preoperative assessment, additional
      intraoperative caution, and postoperative vigilance are recommended in patients
      with a history of intravitreal injections undergoing cataract extraction.

PMID- 26278864
TI  - Utility of Preoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging Coregistered with
      Intraoperative Computed Tomographic Scan for the Resection of Complex Tumors of
      the Spine.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Complete surgical resection is known to provide the best prognosis
      when treating complex tumors of the spine. The anatomy of the cervical spine and
      the extensive involvement often present by the time these lesions are discovered
      can make total resection challenging. A novel technique combining preoperative
      and intraoperative imaging for intraoperative navigation can serve as an
      additional tool for facilitating tumor resection. METHODS: Preoperative MRI was
      coregistered with intraoperative CT for accurate, real-time, intraoperative
      navigation for complete resection of complex tumors of the cervical spine. This
      new technique is demonstrated. The potential advantages and challenges are
      discussed. RESULTS: Preoperative MRI coregistered and merged with intraoperative
      CT allows for accurate visualization of tumor boundaries, osseous anatomy, and
      surrounding soft tissue structures. Total resection of extensive spinal tumors
      involving the anterior and posterior elements can be facilitated with this
      technique. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative MRI coregistered and merged with
      intraoperative CT may serve as a useful intraoperative imaging modality for
      facilitating safe and complete resection of complex spine tumors.

PMID- 26278865
TI  - Rational Approach to Understanding and Preventing Sports-Related Traumatic Brain
      Injuries.

PMID- 26278866
TI  - Mass Effect Due to Hypertrophic Pericranial Flap in the Reconstruction of Dural
      Defect.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To present a case of symptomatic mass effect caused by engorgement of
      a vascularized pericranial flap in the repair of dural defect secondary to
      parasagittal meningioma surgical excision, in order to expose a potential
      complication from this reconstruction technique. CASE: A 62-year-old man with a
      left medial-third type 1 of Sindou's classification parasagittal meningioma
      underwent complete Simpson 1 surgical excision. For the reconstruction of the
      dural defect, a vascularized pericranial flap was sutured using water-sealed
      technique. On postsurgical day 2, the patient developed progressive neurologic
      impairment characterized by stupor. Magnetic resonance imaging stroke sequence
      revealed what appears to be an extradural collection not visualized on an
      immediate postsurgical computed tomographic scan. In surgical reexploration, we
      found an engorged pericranial flap causing direct compression to the parenchyma
      without the presence of additional hematoma in the surgical field. RESOLUTION:
      The pericranial flap needed to be excised, and the dural defect was repaired
      using synthetic material. No permanent neurologic deficit was documented at 6
      month follow-up. CONCLUSION: We hypothesized that pericranial flap was
      strangulated because of final bone flap replacement so that venous outflow was
      compromised. This complication can be prevented if adequate drilling of the inner
      table at the edge of the craniotomy and at the outer table of the bone flap is
      performed just at the entry zone of pericranium flap pedicle to avoid a 90
      degrees  angle of entry resulting in vascular congestion.

PMID- 26278867
TI  - Neurosurgical Care for One--Neurosurgical Care for All: Global Neurosurgical Care
      Has Global Benefits!

PMID- 26278868
TI  - Effects of Clot Removal by Meticulous Irrigation and Continuous Low-Dose
      Intravenous Nicardipine on Symptomatic Cerebral Vasospasm in Patients with
      Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Treated by Clipping.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Symptomatic cerebral vasospasm (SCV) is the second most common of
      morbidity and mortality in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) after
      rebleeding. Blood breakdown products are one of the leading causes of vasospasm.
      We hypothesized that meticulous subarachnoid clot removal in addition to
      continuous low-dose intravenous nicardipine (CLIN) could reduce the incidence of
      SCV. METHODS: SCV was defined as new focal neurologic signs, consciousness
      deterioration, or both when the cause was believed to be ischemia attributable to
      vasospasm after other possible causes of worsening were excluded. Initial brain
      damage was defined as continued consciousness disturbance after clipping without
      acute hydrocephalus, ischemic lesions, or focal sign before clipping. Poor
      outcome was defined as a Glasgow Outcome Scale score of 3-5 at 30 days. We
      compared the variables for 460 aSAH patients with and without SCV, and with and
      without poor outcome by multivariate analysis. RESULTS: All patients underwent
      clipping with meticulous irrigation for clot removal, and SCV was observed in 56
      patients (12%). SCV was observed in 2 patients (2.9%) among 70 patients treated
      with CLIN. There was a higher proportion of patients who were older than 65 years
      (P = 0.032) and female (P = 0.038), and a lower proportion of patients with CLIN
      (P = 0.026) among patients with SCV. The outcomes for 109 patients (27%) were
      poor; age greater than 65 years (P < 0.0001) and initial brain damage (P = 0.008)
      were related to the poor outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed that
      meticulous irrigation for clot removal and CLIN might reduce the incidence of SCV
      in patients with aSAH.

PMID- 26278869
TI  - Thinking from the Heart: Neurocristopathy, Aortic Abnormalities, and Intracranial
      Aneurysms.

PMID- 26278870
TI  - Role of Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy in the Management of Myelomeningocele
      Related Hydrocephalus: A Retrospective Study in a Single French Institution.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Treatment of hydrocephalus related to myelomeningocele (MM) is
      debated. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) has been proposed with
      contrasting results. We report our experience in the management of hydrocephalus
      related to MM and the advantages of ETV. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From 1994 to 2012,
      we treated 97 patients with MM. Seventy patients developed a hydrocephalus
      needing a surgical treatment. Three types of procedures were used: ETV with
      concomitant choroid plexus coagulation (CPC), ETV with concomitant
      ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS), or VPS. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients had an ETV
      with CPC, 20 patients had an ETV and a concomitant VPS, and 18 patients had a
      VPS. No perioperative complications were reported. Fifty-two patients underwent
      an ETV. The overall success rate of ETV was approximately 70%. DISCUSSION: VPS in
      patients with MM leads to complications. Two common arguments are reported
      against ETV. The first is the variability of the anatomy of the ventricle leading
      to possible operative complications. The second is the immaturity of the
      Pacchioni granulations. For us, the modified anatomy does not prevent performing
      ETV. Regarding the issue of cerebrospinal fluid absorption in failed ETV, the
      adjunction of a shunt helps to control hydrocephalus until the maturation of the
      Pacchioni system. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative imaging helps the surgical decision
      to predict in which patients the ETV can be realized without risks. ETV in
      patients with MM is a secure procedure with low rates of failure and no
      mortality, and it reduces the rate of shunt implantation.

PMID- 26278871
TI  - Chemosensory impairment does not diminish eating pleasure and appetite in
      independently living older adults.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the impact of chemosensory impairment on
      diminished eating pleasure and appetite in independently living Italian older
      adults. STUDY DESIGN: 239 individuals (65 to 101 years old, 157 women), with no
      severe medical conditions and good cognitive performance were recruited.
      Olfactory and gustatory functions were measured using a short version of Sniffin'
      Sticks and Taste Strips tests (Burghart). Information about socio-demographic
      characteristics, health, perceived smell and taste impairment, diminished eating
      pleasure and appetite were obtained with a specially designed questionnaire.
      RESULTS: Prevalence of chemosensory impairment detected in this sample is high,
      being 41% for taste and 33% for olfaction. However, the frequency of self
      reported impairment is consistently lower than the measured one, especially in
      men and in older subjects. Measured chemosensory impairment is not significantly
      related with eating pleasure and appetite. On the other hand, factors
      significantly influencing decline of eating pleasure are: living alone, dietary
      restriction and perceived taste impairment. Meanwhile, a significant influence of
      dietary restriction, dentures and subjective health status on appetite decline is
      observed. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show that chemosensory
      impairment may not be related with diminished eating pleasure and appetite, while
      other non-physiological factors such as loneliness, dietary restrictions and
      subjective health should be taken more into account in order to develop effective
      strategies to counteract malnutrition in the elderly. In addition, low awareness
      of chemosensory impairment among this sample highlights the importance of
      measuring sensory acuity rather than asking by questionnaire or interview, in
      order to obtain reliable data.

PMID- 26278872
TI  - Tooth loss and bone mineral density in postmenopausal South Korean women: The
      2008-2010 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
AB  - PURPOSE: The current study aimed to investigate the association between the
      number of remaining teeth and bone mineral density (BMD) using data from the
      Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2008-2010.
      METHODS: This study enrolled 7315 Korean subjects (3364 men over 50 years of age
      and 3951 postmenopausal women). BMD was measured using dual-energy X-ray
      absorptiometry at three sites: the total femur (TF), femur neck (FN), and lumbar
      spine (LS). The number of teeth present was categorized into four groups (<=10,
      11-20, 21-25, and >=26 teeth). RESULTS: More remaining teeth were significantly
      associated with a higher BMD at the TF, FN, and LS in postmenopausal women after
      adjusting for all the covariates, but not in elderly men. In both sexes, subjects
      with a normal BMD tended to have more remaining teeth than those who were
      diagnosed with osteopenia and osteoporosis. A lower prevalence of osteoporosis
      was also significantly associated with more remaining teeth (number of teeth
      >=26) in postmenopausal women. This trend was statistically significant in
      osteoporosis at the FN (p for trend=0.019). CONCLUSION: The number of remaining
      teeth was associated with osteoporosis, especially at the FN, in postmenopausal
      women.

PMID- 26278873
TI  - Menopause prediction and potential implications.
AB  - Reproductive ageing in women is characterized by a decline in both the quantity
      and quality of oocytes. Menopause is reached upon exhaustion of the resting
      primordial follicle pool, occurring on average at 51 years of age (range 40-60
      years). The mean global age at natural menopause (ANM) appears robust, suggesting
      a distinct genetic control. Accordingly, a strong correlation in ANM is observed
      between mothers and daughters. Few specific genetic determinants of ANM have been
      identified. Substantial efforts have been made to predict ANM by using anti
      Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels. AMH serum concentrations at reproductive age
      predict ANM, but precision is currently limited. Early ANM is associated with
      early preceding fertility loss, whereas late menopause is associated with reduced
      morbidity and mortality later in life. Menopause affects various women's health
      aspects, including bone density, breast, the cardiovascular system,
      mood/cognitive function and sexual well-being. If the current trend of increasing
      human life expectancy persists, women will soon spend half their life
      postmenopause. Unfortunately, increased longevity does not coincide with an equal
      increase in years spend in good health. Future research should focus on
      determinants of long term health effects of ANM, and efforts to improve women's
      postmenopausal health and quality of life. 

PMID- 26278874
TI  - The controversial existence and functional potential of oogonial stem cells.
AB  - The regenerative potential of the mammalian ovary has been a controversial area
      over the last decade. Isolation of cells, termed oogonial stem cells (OSCs), from
      adult rodent and human ovaries has been reported, with these cells exhibiting
      both germ and stem cell markers in culture. When re-introduced into an ovarian
      somatic environment these cells have generated follicles capable of producing
      healthy offspring in rodents, and there is some evidence of human OSCs being able
      to form oocyte-like structures in a xenotransplant model. Importantly, there are
      no data on their potential physiological role within the ovary, and specifically
      no evidence that they contribute to the primordial follicle pool and thus to
      later stages of follicle development. The cues required for oocyte
      differentiation from these cells are not well understood either in vivo or in
      vitro, and these will need to be further elucidated to maximise their potential
      for therapeutic intervention. OSCs may also be of value as a model to investigate
      normal human germ cell differentiation. It is likely that their interactions with
      ovarian somatic cells and/or extracellular signals will be important in these
      processes. This review summarises our current knowledge on the isolation and
      characterisation of mammalian oogonial stem cells. 

PMID- 26278875
TI  - Does better for the environment mean less tasty? Offering more climate-friendly
      meals is good for the environment and customer satisfaction.
AB  - Food consumption comprises a significant portion of the total environmental
      impact of households. One way to reduce this impact may be to offer consumers
      more climate-friendly meal choices, such as when eating out. However, the
      environmental benefits of such an intervention will depend on not only consumers'
      liking of the climate-friendlier meals, but also on the perceived environmental
      impact. We therefore investigated the relationship between the global warming
      potential (GWP) of and consumers' liking of meals in two field studies in the
      same restaurant. Visitors to the restaurant were asked to rate the taste of the
      meal they had just consumed. These taste ratings were then related to the meals'
      GWP and number of purchases. In the second study, an intervention was tested
      consisting of a climate-friendly choice label and information posters. Contrary
      to expectations, it was found in both studies that the GWP of the meals was
      unrelated to the taste or the number of purchases. Offering more climate-friendly
      meals did not change consumer satisfaction. As expected, the introduction of the
      climate-friendly choice label increased the number of climate-friendly meal
      purchases. Therefore, offering more climate-friendly meals with a climate
      friendly choice label can affect consumers' meal choices, but not their
      preferences or satisfaction, which is beneficial for the climate, consumers and
      gastronomic establishments. 

PMID- 26278876
TI  - Potential problems with increasing serving sizes on the Nutrition Facts label.
AB  - The United States Food and Drug Administration recently announced that the
      serving sizes on the Nutrition Facts labels for many products will be increased,
      but the effect of these increases remains unclear. The present research examined
      consumers' interpretation of the meaning of serving size information (study 1)
      and tested whether exposing consumers to the increased serving sizes of the
      proposed Nutrition Facts label leads consumers to serve and purchase more food
      for themselves and others (studies 2-4). Study 1 (N = 101; 44.7% female) tested
      what consumers believe the serving sizes on Nutrition Facts labels refer to, and
      the majority of participants (over 78%) incorrectly believed that the serving
      sizes refer to how much food can or should be consumed in one sitting as part of
      a healthy diet. Study 2 (N = 51; 41.2% female) tested how exposure to the current
      versus proposed Nutrition Facts label influences the amount of food that
      consumers serve themselves, and studies 3 (N = 60; 46.7% female) and 4 (N = 61;
      48.2% female) assessed how exposure to the current versus proposed label
      influences the amount of food that people serve and purchase for others. In
      studies 2-4, the proposed label (vs. the current label) led consumers to serve
      themselves 41% more cookies (study 2); serve 27% more cheese crackers to another
      person (study 3); and buy 43% more lasagnas for others and divide a lasagna into
      22% larger slices (study 4). The results suggest that the proposed Nutrition
      Facts label's increased serving sizes may lead people who use this information as
      a reference to serve more food to themselves and others.

PMID- 26278877
TI  - Rectal cancer patients after neoadjuvant radiotherapy (30Gy/10f) with negative
      lymph node may not benefit from postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy: a
      retrospective study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether adjuvant chemotherapy
      could bring oncologic benefit to all patients who underwent neoadjuvant
      radiotherapy (30Gy/10f). METHODS: Rectal cancer patients receiving preoperative
      radiotherapy between July 2002 and April 2009 were retrospectively identified.
      RESULTS: A total of 225 patients were enrolled in this study. One hundred thirty
      one patients received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy, and 94 patients did
      not. The 120 ypN+ and 105 ypN- patients were divided into chemo and non-chemo
      groups. Two groups of patients did not show any significant difference in terms
      of gender, age, ypT stage, preoperative serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)
      level, differentiation, circumferential margin (CRM), lymphovascular invasion
      (LVI), surgical approach, local recurrence, and distant metastasis (P > 0.05).
      Survival analysis showed that in ypN+ patients, the 5-year overall survival (OS)
      rate and 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) rate in chemo group were both
      significantly higher than non-chemo group (P < 0.05). In ypN- patients, the 5
      year OS rate and 5-year DFS rate did not show any significant difference in the
      two groups (P > 0.05). Subgroup analysis showed that the 5-year OS rate and 5
      year DFS rate in ypT0-2 N- patients (P > 0.05) and ypT3-4 N- patients (P > 0.05)
      did not show any significant difference, either. CONCLUSIONS: Based on a Chinese
      protocol, patients with ypN- stage may not benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy,
      regardless of the ypT stage, while the ypN+ patients may benefit from adjuvant
      chemotherapy. More randomized clinical trials are needed in the future.

PMID- 26278878
TI  - Impact of sphincter invasion on T stage definition in rectal cancer.

PMID- 26278879
TI  - Magnet compression technique: a novel method for rectovaginal fistula repair.

PMID- 26278880
TI  - Morphometrics and levels of infections of digeneans in belonid fish species off
      the coast of Tunisia.
AB  - Three species of belonid fish, Belone belone gracilis Lowe, 1839, Belone
      svetovidovi Collette & Parin, 1970 and Tylosurus acus imperialis (Rafinesque,
      1810), caught off the eastern Tunisian coast were infected with eight species of
      Digenea. Among these, four species were commonly found in B. b. gracilis and are
      new host records for B. svetovidovi. They are: Lecithostaphylus retroflexus
      (Molin, 1859), Tergestia acanthocephala (Stossich, 1887) Stossich, 1899 and
      Aponurus laguncula Looss, 1907 in the intestine, and the metacercaria
      Condylocotyla pilodora Pearson and Prevot, 1985 in the pericardial sac. Four
      other digenean species were recorded from T. a. imperialis: Lecithostaphylus
      tylosuri Chaari et al., 2013 and Tetrochetus coryphaenae Yamaguti, 1934 in the
      intestine, Oesophagotrema mediterranea Chaari et al., 2011 in the oesophagus and
      vomer teeth, and Sclerodistomoides pacificus Kamegai, 1971 in the gall bladder.
      Tetrochetus coryphaenae and S. pacificus represent new host and geographical
      records. The spatial variation of digenean parasites within belonid host species
      is discussed. 

PMID- 26278881
TI  - Stepped wedge randomised controlled trials: systematic review of studies
      published between 2010 and 2014.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In a stepped wedge, cluster randomised trial, clusters receive the
      intervention at different time points, and the order in which they received it is
      randomised. Previous systematic reviews of stepped wedge trials have documented a
      steady rise in their use between 1987 and 2010, which was attributed to the
      design's perceived logistical and analytical advantages. However, the
      interventions included in these systematic reviews were often poorly reported and
      did not adequately describe the analysis and/or methodology used. Since 2010, a
      number of additional stepped wedge trials have been published. This article aims
      to update previous systematic reviews, and consider what interventions were
      tested and the rationale given for using a stepped wedge design. METHODS: We
      searched PubMed, PsychINFO, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health
      Literature (CINAHL), the Web of Science, the Cochrane Library and the Current
      Controlled Trials Register for articles published between January 2010 and May
      2014. We considered stepped wedge randomised controlled trials in all fields of
      research. We independently extracted data from retrieved articles and reviewed
      them. Interventions were then coded using the functions specified by the
      Behaviour Change Wheel, and for behaviour change techniques using a validated
      taxonomy. RESULTS: Our review identified 37 stepped wedge trials, reported in 10
      articles presenting trial results, one conference abstract, 21 protocol or study
      design articles and five trial registrations. These were mostly conducted in
      developed countries (n = 30), and within healthcare organisations (n = 28). A
      total of 33 of the interventions were educationally based, with the most commonly
      used behaviour change techniques being 'instruction on how to perform a
      behaviour' (n = 32) and 'persuasive source' (n = 25). Authors gave a wide range
      of reasons for the use of the stepped wedge trial design, including ethical
      considerations, logistical, financial and methodological. The adequacy of
      reporting varied across studies: many did not provide sufficient detail regarding
      the methodology or calculation of the required sample size. CONCLUSIONS: The
      popularity of stepped wedge trials has increased since 2010, predominantly in
      high-income countries. However, there is a need for further guidance on their
      reporting and analysis.

PMID- 26278883
TI  - Diffusive dynamics of nanoparticles in ultra-confined media.
AB  - Differential dynamic microscopy (DDM) was used to investigate the diffusive
      dynamics of nanoparticles of diameter 200-400 nm that were strongly confined in a
      periodic square array of cylindrical nanoposts. The minimum distance between
      posts was 1.3-5 times the diameter of the nanoparticles. The image structure
      functions obtained from the DDM analysis were isotropic and could be fit by a
      stretched exponential function. The relaxation time scaled diffusively across the
      range of wave vectors studied, and the corresponding scalar diffusivities
      decreased monotonically with increased confinement. The decrease in diffusivity
      could be described by models for hindered diffusion that accounted for steric
      restrictions and hydrodynamic interactions. The stretching exponent decreased
      linearly as the nanoparticles were increasingly confined by the posts. Together,
      these results are consistent with a picture in which strongly confined
      nanoparticles experience a heterogeneous spatial environment arising from
      hydrodynamics and volume exclusion on time scales comparable to cage escape,
      leading to multiple relaxation processes and Fickian but non-Gaussian diffusive
      dynamics. 

PMID- 26278882
TI  - Ab initio and density functional theory calculations of molecular structure and
      vibrational spectra of 4-(2-Hydroxyethyl) piperazine-1-ethanesulfonic acid.
AB  - The FTIR and FT-Raman spectra of 4-(2-Hydroxyethyl) piperazine-1-ethanesulfonic
      acid were recorded and the structural and spectroscopic data of the molecule in
      the ground state were calculated using Hartree-Fock and Density Functional Method
      (B3LYP). The most stable conformer was optimized and the structural and
      vibrational parameters were determined. With the observed FTIR and FT-Raman data,
      a complete vibrational band assignment and analysis of the fundamental modes of
      the compound were carried out. Thermodynamic properties, Mulliken and natural
      atomic charge distribution were calculated using both Hartree-Fock and Density
      Functional Method and compared. UV-Visible and HOMO-LUMO analysis were carried
      out. (1)H and (13)C NMR chemical shifts of the molecule were calculated using
      gauge including atomic orbital method and were compared with experimental
      results. Stability of the molecule arising from hyperconjugative interactions and
      charge delocalization has been analyzed using natural bond orbital analysis. The
      first order hyperpolarizability (beta) and molecular electrostatic potential of
      the molecule was computed using DFT calculations. The electron density based
      local reactivity descriptor such as Fukui functions were calculated to explain
      the chemically reactive site in the molecule.

PMID- 26278884
TI  - Carbohydrate nanocarriers in biomedical applications: functionalization and
      construction.
AB  - The specific targeting of either tumor cells or immune cells in vivo by carefully
      designed and appropriately surface-functionalized nanocarriers may become an
      effective therapeutic treatment for a variety of diseases. Carbohydrates, which
      are prominent biomolecules, have shown their outstanding ability in balancing the
      biocompatibility, stability, biodegradability, and functionality of nanocarriers.
      The recent applications of sugar (mono/oligosaccharides and/or polysaccharides)
      for the development of nanomedicines are summarized in this review, including the
      application of carbohydrates for the surface-functionalization of various
      nanocarriers and for the construction of the nanocarrier itself. Current problems
      and challenges are also addressed. 

PMID- 26278885
TI  - Regeneration of glass nanofluidic chips through a multiple-step sequential
      thermochemical decomposition process at high temperatures.
AB  - Due to the lack of regeneration methods, the reusability of nanofluidic chips is
      a significant technical challenge impeding the efficient and economic promotion
      of both fundamental research and practical applications on nanofluidics. Herein,
      a simple method for the total regeneration of glass nanofluidic chips was
      described. The method consists of sequential thermal treatment with six well
      designed steps, which correspond to four sequential thermal and thermochemical
      decomposition processes, namely, dehydration, high-temperature redox chemical
      reaction, high-temperature gasification, and cooling. The method enabled the
      total regeneration of typical 'dead' glass nanofluidic chips by eliminating
      physically clogged nanoparticles in the nanochannels, removing chemically reacted
      organic matter on the glass surface and regenerating permanent functional
      surfaces of dissimilar materials localized in the nanochannels. The method
      provides a technical solution to significantly improve the reusability of glass
      nanofluidic chips and will be useful for the promotion and acceleration of
      research and applications on nanofluidics. 

PMID- 26278887
TI  - Magnesium-catalysed hydroboration of isonitriles.
AB  - A beta-diketiminato magnesium alkyl complex is shown to be an effective pre
      catalyst for the first reported catalytic hydroboration of organic isonitriles,
      RNC, with HBpin. The reaction proceeds under mild conditions when R = alkyl and
      provides access to the corresponding 1,2-diborylated amine products. 

PMID- 26278886
TI  - Chemotherapy in the oldest old: The feasibility of delivering cytotoxic therapy
      to patients 80 years old and older.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Cancer is predominantly a disease of the elderly. While "older"
      patients are frequently considered for chemotherapy, little data exist in the
      population 80 years and older (80+). We investigated outcomes of patients 80+ who
      received chemotherapy at our institution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective
      chart review of patients 80+ initiating chemotherapy for malignant solid tumors
      from 2005 to 2010 was performed. Baseline demographics, cancer type and
      chemotherapy data were collected. Primary outcome was the rate of discontinuation
      due to toxicity. Secondary outcomes included the rate of dose
      reduction/omission/delay (ROD), hospitalization and blood transfusion. RESULTS:
      Chemotherapy was initiated in 318 patients. Baseline demographics included the
      following: median age 82 years (80-92 years), 56% male, 55% ECOG PS 0-1, 43%
      Charlson index score of 0-1; 38% were taking >= 6 prescription medications.
      Common malignancies were colorectal (32%), lung (20%), and breast (12%). Most
      patients (68%) had metastatic disease or received palliative intent therapy
      (71%). Treatment was first line in 89% of patients, and an up front dose
      reduction was ordered in 41%. Toxicity caused therapy discontinuation in 32% of
      cases, while 52% experienced dose ROD. Hospitalization occurred in 32%; 18%
      required blood transfusions. Baseline polypharmacy was associated with increased
      hospitalization risk (OR 2.28, 95% CI 1.34-3.88, p=0.002), but dose adjustments
      were not correlated with any outcome. CONCLUSION: In this study, we observed a
      high risk of hospitalization or treatment discontinuation due to toxicity,
      despite frequent dose modifications. As the cancer population ages, validated
      tools are needed to better select patients for therapy.

PMID- 26278888
TI  - Common genetic risk factors for coronary artery disease: new opportunities for
      prevention?
AB  - Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of mortality and
      morbidity worldwide, with coronary artery disease (CAD) being the single leading
      cause of death. Better control of risk factors, enhanced diagnostic techniques
      and improved medical therapies have all substantially decreased the mortality of
      CAD in developed countries. However, CAD and other forms of atherosclerotic CVD
      are projected to remain the leading cause of death by 2030 and we face a number
      of challenges if the outcomes of CAD are to be further improved. The fact that a
      substantial fraction of high-risk subjects do not reach treatment goals for
      important risk factors is one of these challenges. At the same time, there is
      also a non-negotiable fraction of 'concealed' high-risk subjects who are not
      detected by current risk algorithms and diagnostic modalities. In recent years,
      we have started to rapidly increase our knowledge of the framework of common
      genetics underlying CAD and atherosclerotic CVD in the population. In conjunction
      with modern diagnostic and therapeutic options, this new genetic knowledge may
      provide a valuable tool for further improvements in prevention. This review
      summarizes the recent findings from the search for common genetic risk factors
      for CAD. Furthermore, the author discusses how such recent findings could
      potentially be used in a number of clinical applications within CAD prevention,
      including in clinical risk stratification, in prediction of drug treatment
      response and in the search for targets for novel preventive therapies.

PMID- 26278889
TI  - Serum REG3alpha and C-Reactive Protein Levels in Crohn's Disease Patients
      Undergoing Immunoablation and Autologous Hemopoetic Stem Cell Transplantation in
      the ASTIC Trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: REG3alpha has been recently shown to be a highly accurate biomarker
      for graft-versus-host-disease (GvHD). Given the unmet need of such biomarkers in
      Crohn's disease (CD) and the similarities between CD and GvHD, we aimed at
      investigating the role of serum REG3alpha as a diagnostic and prognostic
      biomarker in CD patients undergoing autologous hemopoetic stem cell
      transplantation (HSCT) in the multicenter Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation
      International Crohn's Disease (ASTIC) trial and to compare it to C-reactive
      protein (CRP). METHODS: Stored serum samples from the ASTIC trial were analyzed
      using a commercially available human PAP1 ELISA-kit to measure REG3alpha levels.
      CRP was available from prior analysis in the ASTIC trial. These levels were
      correlated with clinical and endoscopic disease activity as well as overall
      clinical and endoscopic outcome 1 year after autologous HSCT. RESULTS: One
      hundred thirty two serum samples were available for analysis. The mean
      concentration of REG3alpha was 101.8 ng/ml (95% CI 22.6-258.3). No significant
      elevation of REG3alpha was found among patients with active disease compared to
      those in remission (106.3 vs. 91.4). Patients with moderate to severe endoscopic
      disease activity showed substantially, although not significantly elevated
      REG3alpha levels compared to those in remission (95.4 vs. 52.4, p = 0.052).
      Baseline serum REG3alpha levels of patients without clinical or endoscopic
      remission 1 year after HSCT were not elevated compared to those in remission
      (63.1 vs. 66.9, and 68.4 vs. 59.2, respectively). In contrast, CRP was
      significantly elevated in patients with active disease compared to patients in
      remission (14.1 vs. 6.0 mg/dl, p = 0.032). In addition, CRP was elevated,
      although not significantly, in patients with severe endoscopic disease compared
      to those in endoscopic remission (18.7 vs. 4.1, p = 0.062). Furthermore, baseline
      CRP was reduced in patients with clinical and endoscopic remission after HSCT
      compared to those without remission, although not significantly (8.8 vs. 21.4,
      n.s. and 8.1 vs. 12.4, n.s.). CONCLUSION: Given the divergent findings compared
      to GvHD, we conclude that serum REG3alpha is not an accurate diagnostic and
      predictive biomarker in CD patients undergoing HSCT. In contrast, CRP is a
      valuable biomarker in order to differentiate active disease from remission.
      However, CRP does not seem to be of prognostic value for HSCT outcome.

PMID- 26278890
TI  - Total Knee Arthroplasty Failure Induced by Metal Hypersensitivity.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Metal hypersensitivity is an uncommon complication after total knee
      arthroplasty (TKA) that can lead to significant functional impairment and aseptic
      prosthesis failure. CASE REPORT: We describe a 70-year-old patient who presented
      with persistent pain, swelling, and instability 2 years after a primary TKA. The
      patient had a history of metal hypersensitivity following bilateral metal-on
      metal total hip arthroplasty (THA) that was revised to ceramic-on-polyethylene
      implants. Knee radiographs showed severe osteolysis with implant loosening. Serum
      cobalt was elevated and serum chromium was significantly elevated, while joint
      aspiration and inflammatory marker levels ruled out a periprosthetic infection.
      Revision TKA was performed, with intraoperative tissue pathology and
      postoperative leukocyte transformation testing confirming metal hypersensitivity
      as the cause for aseptic implant failure. CONCLUSIONS: This case report
      demonstrates the clinical and laboratory signs that suggest metal
      hypersensitivity in total knee arthroplasty and the potential for joint function
      restoration with revision surgery.

PMID- 26278891
TI  - Effect of emptying the vasculature before performing regional limb perfusion with
      amikacin in horses.
AB  - REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Emptying the vasculature with an Esmarch bandage
      before i.v. regional anaesthesia is commonly performed in human patients to
      prevent leakage of the solution under the tourniquet but there is no evidence for
      its efficacy in horses for antimicrobial i.v. regional limb perfusion (IV-RLP).
      OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect on synovial fluid concentration of amikacin
      of emptying the vasculature before performing IV-RLP. STUDY DESIGN: Crossover
      experiment. METHODS: Eight clinically healthy horses underwent 2 IV-RLP with
      amikacin in a randomised, crossover design. Horses received an IV-RLP with
      amikacin with or without exsanguination before applying a pneumatic tourniquet at
      the level of the forearm. Blood was collected from the jugular vein (before
      tourniquet removal) and synovial fluid from the radiocarpal and
      metacarpophalangeal joints (5 min after tourniquet removal and at 24 h) for
      amikacin determination. The procedure was video recorded to assess horse
      movement. RESULTS: There was no difference in amikacin concentrations in the
      plasma or synovial fluid from the radiocarpal joint between groups. There was a
      higher concentration of amikacin in the synovial fluid from the
      metacarpophalangeal joint immediately after tourniquet removal in the group with
      exsanguination of the limb prior to IV-RLP (mean +/- s.d.: no exsanguination 49.7
      +/- 53.7 MUg/ml, exsanguination 257.4 +/- 149.7 MUg/ml, P = 0.04). Horse movement
      did not differ significantly between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Emptying the
      vasculature with an Esmarch bandage before IV-RLP can improve amikacin
      concentrations in the metacarpophalangeal joint of horses with no effect on the
      levels of amikacin in the radiocarpal joint.

PMID- 26278893
TI  - Is dasatinib-related pulmonary hypertension a clinical concern?

PMID- 26278892
TI  - The Cremeomycin Biosynthetic Gene Cluster Encodes a Pathway for Diazo Formation.
AB  - Diazo groups are found in a range of natural products that possess potent
      biological activities. Despite longstanding interest in these metabolites, diazo
      group biosynthesis is not well understood, in part because of difficulties in
      identifying specific genes linked to diazo formation. Here we describe the
      discovery of the gene cluster that produces the o-diazoquinone natural product
      cremeomycin and its heterologous expression in Streptomyces lividans. We used
      stable isotope feeding experiments and in vitro characterization of biosynthetic
      enzymes to decipher the order of events in this pathway and establish that diazo
      construction involves late-stage N-N bond formation. This work represents the
      first successful production of a diazo-containing metabolite in a heterologous
      host, experimentally linking a set of genes with diazo formation. 

PMID- 26278894
TI  - Acute Silent Brain Infarction in Monocular Visual Loss of Ischemic Origin.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Non-arteritic branch/central retinal artery occlusions
      (BRAO/CRAO) and amaurosis fugax (AF) are predominantly caused by embolism.
      Additionally, transported embolic material could cause ischemic stroke. The aim
      of the study was to investigate the prevalence, pattern and underlying cause of
      concurrent acute brain infarctions in unselected patients with RAO and AF.
      METHODS: A total of 213 consecutive patients with BRAO (20.7%), CRAO (47.4%), or
      AF (31.9%) were retrospectively studied from 2008 to 2013. Magnetic resonance
      imaging (MRI) was used to detect acute brain infarctions and a cardiovascular
      workup was performed to detect underlying etiologies according to the Trial of
      Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Management (TOAST). RESULTS: MRI was obtained after
      23.78 (+/-32.26) hours from the time of symptom onset. Acute brain infarctions
      were detected in 49 patients (23%); 44 of them (89.8%) did not experience any
      additional neurological symptoms. Older age (p < 0.001/p < 0.001), hypertension
      (p = 0.01/p = 0.03), atrial fibrillation (p = 0.006/p = 0.03) and type of RAO (p
      = 0.02/p = 0.016) were associated with total/silent stroke, respectively. In
      multivariate analysis, only age and type of occlusion remained positive
      predictors for silent stroke. Etiology of BRAO/CRAO and AF remained undetermined
      in 124 patients (58.2%). This rate was lower in patients with acute stroke (40.8
      vs. 63.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Silent brain infarction is a frequent finding in
      unselected patients with BRAO/CRAO and AF. Etiology remains undetermined in
      approximately every second case. Because silent brain infarctions bear a high
      risk of future stroke, patients with BRAO/CRAO and AF should undergo prompt
      neuroimaging and cardiovascular checkup, preferably on a stroke unit.

PMID- 26278895
TI  - Assessment of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels in Patients with Resistant Hypertension.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the possible correlation between serum 25
      hydroxyvitamin D levels and resistant hypertension (RH). SUBJECTS AND METHODS:
      Patients who had undergone ambulatory blood pressure measurements (ABPM) during
      outpatient controls were enrolled. Fifty subjects with RH, 50 with controlled
      hypertension (CHT) and 50 normotensive subjects (NT) were included in the study.
      RH was defined as 'suboptimal blood pressure control despite using 3
      antihypertensive agents including a diuretic or need for 4 or more drugs to
      control blood pressure'. The 25-hydroxyvitamin D and parathormone levels were
      compared between the groups. Pearson's correlation coefficient test was applied
      to assess the correlation between 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and office blood
      pressure (BP) and ABPM. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the
      independent correlates of RH. RESULTS: The 25-hydroxyvitamin D level was
      significantly lower in the RH group (17.02 +/- 5.4 ng/ml) compared to the CHT
      (24.9 +/- 4.8 ng/ml) and NT groups (28.0 +/- 5.7 ng/ml, p < 0.001). In univariate
      correlation analysis, 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels had a significant negative
      correlation with office systolic BP (r = -0.329, p < 0.001), office diastolic BP
      (r = -0.395, p < 0.001), systolic ambulatory BP (r = -0.844, p = 0.004), and
      diastolic ambulatory BP (r = -0.567, p = 0.005). ROC analysis revealed that 25
      hydroxyvitamin D levels <21.50 ng/ml predicted the presence of RH with a
      sensitivity of 78% and a specificity of 79% (AUC = 0.89, 95% CI 0.83-0.94). In
      the multivariate logistic regression analysis, 25-hydroxyvitamin D level was
      independently correlated with the presence of RH (beta 0.660, 95% CI 0.572-0.760,
      p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: There was an independent correlation between lower 25
      hydroxyvitamin D levels and presence of RH.

PMID- 26278896
TI  - Quality of the Solimoes River water for domestic use by the riverine community
      situated in Manacapuru-Amazonas-Brazil.
AB  - The Amazon has the largest watershed in the world, with abundant fresh water
      reserves. Such abundance contrasts with the quality of the water consumed in the
      riverine communities. This work highlights the importance of assessing the
      quality of water of the Solimoes River in the stretch situated opposite the
      Community Nossa Senhora das Gracas-Costa do Pesqueiro, in front of the town of
      Manacapuru-Amazonas-Brazil. The research aimed to evaluate environmental
      indicators for the quality of the river water as well as in households in this
      community, according to the regional seasonality. The monitored parameters such
      as conductivity, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, color, pH, nitrate, nitrite, and
      sulfate were compared with the water quality standards in force in Brazil. Values
      well above the maximum level allowed (MLA) for color and turbidity parameters
      were found in some households, indicating that the water collected from the river
      is not getting appropriate treatment. The analysis of the correlation matrix of
      the parameters in the flood period of the river evidenced high correlation among
      dissolved oxygen (D.O), NO3 (-), Cl(-), SO4 (2-), and color. In this study, by
      principal component analysis (PCA), it was observed that the characteristics of
      the water, obtained from the river to be consumed in the households, in the flood
      period showed similarities with the river water samples, indicating absence of
      efficient treatment for human consumption. 

PMID- 26278897
TI  - Abiotic reductive dechlorination of cis-DCE by ferrous monosulfide mackinawite.
AB  - Cis-1,2,-dichloroethylene (cis-DCE) is a toxic, persistent contaminant occurring
      mainly as a daughter product of incomplete degradation of perchloroethylene (PCE)
      and trichloroethylene (TCE). This paper reports on abiotic reductive
      dechlorination of cis-DCE by mackinawite (FeS1-x), a ferrous monosulfide, under
      variable geochemical conditions. To assess in situ abiotic cis-DCE dechlorination
      by mackinawite in the field, mackinawite suspensions prepared in a field
      groundwater sample collected from a cis-DCE contaminated field site were used for
      dechlorination experiments. The effects of geochemical variables on the
      dechlorination rates were monitored. A set of dechlorination experiments were
      also carried out in the presence of aquifer sediment from the site over a range
      of pH conditions to better simulate the actual field situations. The results
      showed that the suspensions of freshly prepared mackinawite reductively
      transformed cis-DCE to acetylene, whereas the conventionally prepared powder form
      of mackinawite had practically no reactivity with cis-DCE under the same
      experimental conditions. Significant cis-DCE degradation by mackinawite has not
      been reported prior to this study, although mackinawite has been shown to
      reductively transform PCE and TCE. This study suggests feasibility of using
      mackinawite for in situ remediation of cis-DCE-contaminated sites with high S
      levels such as estuaries under naturally achieved or stimulated sulfate-reducing
      conditions.

PMID- 26278898
TI  - Diazotrophic bacterial community variability in a subtropical deep reservoir is
      correlated with seasonal changes in nitrogen.
AB  - Nitrogen-fixing microorganisms (diazotrophs) play important roles in aquatic
      biogeochemistry and ecosystem functioning. However, little is known about the
      spatiotemporal variation of diazotrophic microbial communities in deep
      subtropical reservoirs. In this study, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis
      (DGGE), clone libraries, quantitative PCR, and quantitative reverse transcription
      (RT)-PCR were used together to examine the vertical and seasonal patterns of
      diazotrophic microbial communities based on nitrogenase (nifH) gene sequences in
      the Dongzhen Reservoir, China, across time (every 3 months for 1 year) and space
      (five different water depths). In general, the numbers of DGGE bands increased
      with water depth during the stratification seasons (spring, summer, and autumn),
      with the clone-library-based operational taxonomic unit (OTU) number and nifH
      gene diversity being highest in autumn (6 OTUs at depth 0 m; 15 OTUs at 33 m) and
      winter (12 OTUs at 0 m, 13 OTUs at 33 m) but decreasing drastically in spring (2
      OTUs at 0 m, 3 OTUs at 33 m) and summer (3 OTUs at 0 m, 2 OTUs at 33 m). The nifH
      gene abundance was lowest in the water mixing season (winter average, 5.17 *
      10(7) copies/L) but increased in the three other seasons (9.03 * 10(9) copies/L).
      Cyanobacteria (dominated by filamentous thermophilic cyanobacteria and
      Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii) were the most dominant diazotrophic group at all
      depths and seasons, while both alphaproteobacteria and gammaproteobacteria were
      co-dominant in the bottom waters in autumn and winter. The distinct seasonal and
      spatial patterns in diazotrophic communities were significantly related to total
      nitrogen (TN) and ammonium nitrogen (NH4-N) in the reservoir (P < 0.01). Further,
      TN showed a significant positive correlation with nifH RNA copy number (P < 0.05)
      and DGGE band number (P < 0.01), whereas the NH4-N was negatively correlated with
      nifH DNA copy number (P < 0.01) and positively with both RNA/DNA ratio (P < 0.01)
      and DGGE band number (P < 0.01). Our data indicated that water stratification,
      mixing, and nitrogen might drive the diazotrophic community structure and
      activity in complex ways, thereby influencing the aquatic nitrogen cycle.
      Therefore, adaptive reservoir management strategies should carefully consider the
      effects of water stratification for protecting drinking water quality and for
      controlling the potential for diazotrophic cyanobacteria blooms.

PMID- 26278899
TI  - Effect of pectin on adsorption of Cu(II) by two variable-charge soils from
      southern China.
AB  - The influence of pectin on Cu(II) adsorption by two variable-charge soils (an
      Oxisol and an Ultisol) was investigated. Pectin increased the adsorption, and the
      extent of adsorption increased linearly with the dose of pectin, being greater in
      the Oxisol than that in the Ultisol because the adsorption of pectin by the
      Oxisol was greater. Both Langmuir and Freundlich equations fitted the adsorption
      isotherms of Cu(II) for both soils well. The fitting parameters of both equations
      indicated that pectin increased not only the adsorption capacity of the soils for
      Cu(II) but also the adsorption strength of Cu(II). The effect of pectin decreased
      with rising pH in the pH range 3.5-6.0, although the extent of electrostatic
      adsorption of Cu(II) by both soils was markedly greater over the pH range.
      Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy analysis and zeta potential measurement
      of soil colloids indicated that adsorption of pectin by the soils made the
      negative charge on both soils more negative, which was responsible for the
      increase in the electrostatic adsorption of Cu(II) induced by the addition of
      pectin. In conclusion, pectin-enhanced adsorption of Cu(II) especially at low pH
      would be beneficial to the soils as it would decrease the activity and mobility
      of Cu(II) in acidic variable-charge soils. 

PMID- 26278900
TI  - Effects of imidacloprid on soil microbial communities in different saline soils.
AB  - The effects of imidacloprid in the soil environment are a worldwide concern.
      However, the impact of imidacloprid on soil microorganisms under salt stress is
      almost unknown. Therefore, an indoor incubation test was performed, and the
      denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) approach was used to determine the
      response of different saline soil bacterial and fungal community structures to
      the presence of imidacloprid (0.4, 2, 10 mg kg(-1)). The results showed that the
      soil bacterial diversity slightly declined with increasing imidacloprid
      concentration in soils with low salinity. In moderately saline soils, a new band
      in the DGGE profile suggested that imidacloprid could improve the soil bacterial
      diversity to some degree. An analysis of variance indicated that the measured
      soil bacterial diversity parameters were significantly affected by dose and
      incubation time. Compared with the control, the soil fungal community structure
      showed no obvious changes in low and moderately saline soils treated with
      imidacloprid. The results of these observations provide a basic understanding of
      the potential ecological effects of imidacloprid on different microorganisms in
      saline soils.

PMID- 26278901
TI  - Co-occurrence of arsenic and fluoride in the groundwater of Punjab, Pakistan:
      source discrimination and health risk assessment.
AB  - The present study discusses elevated groundwater arsenic (As) and fluoride (F(-))
      concentrations in Mailsi, Punjab, Pakistan, and links these elevated
      concentrations to health risks for the local residents. The results indicate that
      groundwater samples of two areas of Mailsi, Punjab were severely contaminated
      with As (5.9-507 ppb) and F(-) (5.5-29.6 ppm), as these values exceeded the
      permissible limits of World Health Organization (10 ppb for As and 1.5 ppm for F(
      )). The groundwater samples were categorized by redox state. The major process
      controlling the As levels in groundwater was the adsorption of As onto PO4 (3-)
      at high pH. High alkalinity and low Ca(2+) and Mg(2+) concentrations promoted the
      higher F(-) and As concentrations in the groundwater. A positive correlation was
      observed between F(-) and As concentrations (r = 0.37; n = 52) and other major
      ions found in the groundwater of the studied area. The mineral saturation indices
      calculated by PHREEQC 2.1 suggested that a majority of samples were oversaturated
      with calcite and fluorite, leading to the dissolution of fluoride minerals at
      alkaline pH. Local inhabitants exhibited arsenicosis and fluorosis after exposure
      to environmental concentration doses of As and F(-). Estimated daily intake (EDI)
      and target hazard quotient (THQ) highlighted the risk factors borne by local
      residents. Multivariate statistical analysis further revealed that both geologic
      origins and anthropogenic activities contributed to As and F(-) contamination in
      the groundwater. We propose that pollutants originate, in part, from coal
      combusted at brick factories, and agricultural activities. Once generated, these
      pollutants were mobilized by the alkaline nature of the groundwater.

PMID- 26278902
TI  - Fine and ultrafine particles in small cities. A case study in the south of
      Europe.
AB  - Ultrafine particles, PM2.5 and PM10 mass concentration, NO(x), Ozone, SO2, back
      trajectories of air masses and meteorological parameters were studied in a small
      city over the period February, 2013 to June, 2014. The profiles of PM2.5 and PM10
      particles are provided, showing averaged values of 16.6 and 21.6 MUg m(-3),
      respectively. The average number concentration of particles in the range of
      diameters 5.6-560 nm was 1.2 * 10(4)#/ cm(3) with contributions of 42, 51 and 7%
      from the nucleation, Aitken, and accumulation modes, respectively. The average
      number concentration of ultrafine particles was 1.1 * 10(4)#/ cm(3). The results
      obtained are evidence for some differences in the pollution of ambient air by
      particles in the studied town in comparison to bigger cities. Nucleation events
      due to emissions from the city were not observed, and traffic emissions amount to
      a small contribution to PM2.5 and PM10 particles which are mainly due to crustal
      origin from the arid surroundings and long-range transport from the Sahara
      Desert.

PMID- 26278903
TI  - Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in air and fallouts from an e-waste polluted
      region in southeast China: insight into levels, compositional profiles, and
      seasonal variation.
AB  - Air and fallout samples were collected seasonally in an e-waste polluted region
      in southeast of China in 2013-2014. The annual polybrominated diphenyl ethers
      (PBDEs) concentrations in air and fallout samples were 200 +/- 162 pg m(-3) and
      320 +/- 255 ng g(-1), respectively. The deposition flux calculated from the
      fallout concentration was 110 +/- 77.3 ng m(-2) day(-1). The PBDE levels and
      deposition fluxes of the samples deployed within the e-waste central area were
      three to four times higher than those in the surrounding area. The congener
      profiles in the air samples could be commonly found in commercial penta-BDE
      mixtures. BDE209 was the most dominant congener in fallout samples. Debromination
      processes were confirmed to occur both in the air and fallouts due to the minor
      amounts or inexistence of some congeners in technical PBDE products. The highest
      gaseous PBDE concentration was found during the summer while lowest during the
      autumn. PBDE concentration in fallouts turned up higher in the cold months while
      lower in the warm months. The similarity of deposition fluxes at sites in the e
      waste central area indicated a steady PBDE emission source, whereas the
      significant relationship between deposition fluxes and particle weights at sites
      in the e-waste surrounding area suggested the scavenging of PBDEs in this area
      was largely associated with particles.

PMID- 26278904
TI  - Hydrolysis mechanism of methyl parathion evidenced by Q-Exactive mass
      spectrometry.
AB  - Organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs), a kind of widely used pesticides, are
      currently attracting great attention due to their adverse effects on human
      central nervous systems, particularly in children. Although the hydrolysis
      behavior of OPPs has been studied well, its hydrolysis mechanism remained
      controversial, especially at various pH conditions, partly due to their
      relatively complex structures and abundant moieties that were prone to be
      attacked by nucleophiles. The Q-Exactive mass spectrometer, part of those hybrid
      high-resolution mass spectrometers (HRMS), was used to determine hydrolysis
      products of methyl parathion (MP), a kind of OPPs in situ buffer aqueous solution
      with pH ranging from 1 to 13 in this study. Most of the complex hydrolysis
      products of MP were identified due to the high sensitivity and accuracy of HRMS.
      The results demonstrated that the hydrolysis rate and pathway of MP were strong
      pH dependent. With the increase of pH, the hydrolysis rate of MP increased, and
      two different reaction mechanisms were identified: SN (2)@P pathway dominated the
      hydrolysis process at high pH (e.g., pH >= 11) while SN (2)@C was the main
      behavior at low pH (e.g., pH <= 9). This study helps understand the hydrolysis
      mechanism of OPPs at various pH and extends the use of Q-Exactive mass
      spectrometry in identifying organic pollutants and their degradation products in
      environmental matrices. 

PMID- 26278905
TI  - Comparison of oxytetracycline degradation behavior in pig manure with different
      antibiotic addition methods.
AB  - Using manure collected from swine fed with diet containing antibiotics and
      antibiotic-free swine manure spiked with antibiotics are the two common methods
      of studying the degradation behavior of veterinary antibiotic in manure in the
      environment. However, few studies had been conducted to co-compare these two
      different antibiotic addition methods. This study used oxytetracycline (OTC) as a
      model antibiotic to study antibiotic degradation behavior in manure under the
      above two OTC addition methods. In addition, the role of microorganisms present
      in the manure on degradation behavior was also examined. The results showed that
      degradation half-life of OTC in manure from swine fed OTC (9.04 days) was
      significantly shorter than that of the manure directly treated with OTC (9.65
      days). Concentration of 4-epi-OTC in manure from swine fed OTC peaked earlier
      than that in manure spiked with OTC, and the degradation rates of 4-epi-OTC and
      alpha-apo-OTC in the manure from swine fed OTC were faster, but the peak
      concentrations were lower, than those in manure spiked with OTC. Bacterial
      diversity and relative abundance of Bacillus cereus data demonstrated that
      sterilization of the manure before experiment significantly decreased OTC
      degradation rate in both of the addition methods. Results of the present study
      demonstrated that the presence of the metabolites (especially 4-epi-OTC) and
      microorganisms had significant influence on OTC degradation. 

PMID- 26278906
TI  - The occurrence of UV filters in natural and drinking water in Sao Paulo State
      (Brazil).
AB  - Ultraviolet (UV) filters are widely used in the formulation of personal care
      products (PCPs) to prevent damage to the skin, lips, and hair caused by excessive
      UV radiation. Therefore, large amounts of these substances are released daily
      into the aquatic environment through either recreational activities or the
      release of domestic sewage. The concern regarding the presence of such substances
      in the environment and the exposure of aquatic organisms is based on their
      potential for bioaccumulation and their potential as endocrine disruptors.
      Although there are several reports regarding the occurrence and fate of UV
      filters in the aquatic environment, these compounds are still overlooked in
      tropical areas. In this study, we investigated the occurrence of the organic UV
      filters benzophenone-3 (BP-3), ethylhexyl salicylate (ES), ethylhexyl
      methoxycinnamate (EHMC), and octocrylene (OC) in six water treatment plants in
      various cities in Southeast Brazil over a period of 6 months to 1 year. All of
      the UV filters studied were detected at some time during the sampling period;
      however, only EHMC and BP-3 were found in quantifiable concentrations, ranging
      from 55 to 101 and 18 to 115 ng L(-1), respectively. Seasonal variation of BP-3
      was most clearly noticed in the water treatment plant in Araraquara, Sao Paulo,
      where sampling was performed for 12 months. BP-3 was not quantifiable in winter
      but was quantifiable in summer. The levels of BP-3 were in the same range in raw,
      treated and chlorinated water, indicating that the compound was not removed by
      the water treatment process. 

PMID- 26278907
TI  - Is gene transcription in mussel gills altered after exposure to Ag nanoparticles?
AB  - Nanotechnology is a rapid field of development with the enhancement of the
      production of different types of nanoparticles (NPs) applied in several
      industrial and commercial applications which increase the risk of their presence
      in the aquatic environment. Ag NPs have a wide application in everyday life
      products. However, there is concern about the exposure effects on aquatic
      organisms to these NPs. Therefore, this study aims to assess gene transcription
      alterations in mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis gills exposed for 2 weeks to Ag
      NPs (42 +/- 10 nm, 10 MUg.L(-1)). The genes were selected based on previous
      biomarkers and proteomic results and included superoxide dismutase (SOD),
      catalase (CAT), glutathione transferase (GST), caspase 3/7-1 (CAS), cathepsin L
      (CATH), heat-shock protein 70 (HSP 70), cytochrome P450 4YA (CYP 4YA), the
      elongation factor (EF1), actin and alpha- tubulin. No significant changes in gene
      transcription profiles were observed after exposure of M. galloprovincialis to Ag
      NPs for 15 days. The lack of significant gene transcription responses is in light
      with previous results obtained for mussels exposed to these NPs and may be
      related to the fact that enzyme kinetics and relative abundance of proteins
      (increase of antioxidant enzymes and metalllothioneins (MTs) with the time of
      exposure) do not always directly reflect their relative mRNA levels.
      Nevertheless, their overall expression maintenance may signify that, at end of
      the exposure period (15 days), the transcription of the respective genes is no
      longer required, pointing out to a possible adaptation effect to nanoparticles or
      due to the levels of Ag NPs accumulated in this tissue at this exposure time.
      This study highlights that gene transcription application and role as an
      additional and/or alternative end point approach is important to understand the
      mode of action of these emergent contaminants in aquatic organisms. However, in
      future studies, the time window needs to be adjusted, as genes are likely to
      respond earlier to the nanoparticle exposure.

PMID- 26278909
TI  - Overlap between autism spectrum disorder and bipolar affective disorder.
AB  - BACKGROUND: At present there is a substantial uncertainty regarding the extent
      and nature of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and bipolar affective disorder
      (BPAD) co-occurrence due to disparate findings in previous studies. This paper
      aimed to find and review original studies on co-occurrence rates of ASD with
      BPAD, assess them, synthesize the findings in a systematic way, present an
      overview and make recommendations for future research. METHODS: Systematic
      literature searches were performed using several databases. Selected articles had
      to describe an original study that provided prevalence and/or incidence analysis
      on ASD co-occurring together with BPAD. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: A significant
      minority of patients (7%) with ASD suffers from BPAD. An accurate detection of co
      occurring ASD and BPAD can lead to a more targeted treatment and improve the
      patients' functioning and quality of life.

PMID- 26278908
TI  - The endocrine-disrupting effect and other physiological responses of municipal
      effluent on the clam Ruditapes decussatus.
AB  - In order to document the potential endocrine disrupting and toxic effect of the
      municipal wastewater effluents discharged into the Sfax coastal area (South of
      Tunisia), specimens of clam R. decussatus were collected from a reference site
      and were in vivo exposed to treated sewage effluent for 30 days. To this end,
      estrogenic and androgenic activities were measured in the gills to assess
      potential accumulation and regulation of active compounds. After effluent
      exposure androgenic activity in organic extracts increased up to fivefold
      compared to controls and remained elevated, while estrogenic activity was not
      significantly affected by exposure. As a consequence, remarkable disruptions in
      the gametogenesis activity, glycogen content, and Vitellogenin-like protein
      levels in male clams were observed. A parallel analysis of heavy metals in clam
      tissues was determined. A significant uptake of Ni, Zn, and Pb in soft tissues of
      exposed clams was observed. The significant increase of malondialdehyde (MDA)
      concentrations as a function of exposure time implies that clams have been
      exposed to an oxidative stress probably due to the presence of high metal
      concentrations in sewage effluent. Correlation analysis has revealed a
      statistically significant and positive relationship between MDA levels and metal
      concentrations in clams' tissues. The acetylcholinesterase activity was not
      significantly affected by exposure. Altogether, these results showed that a short
      term exposure to a mixture of chemical compounds released by the Sfax wastewater
      treatment plant induce adverse physiological and reproductive effects in R.
      decussatus. Further studies are underway in order to evaluate its long-term
      impacts on aquatic wildlife in the gulf of Gabes area.

PMID- 26278910
TI  - Effects of grass forage species and long-term period of low quality forage diet
      feeding on growth performance, nutrient utilization and microbial nitrogen yield
      in growing wether lambs.
AB  - Six growing lambs were used to evaluate the feeding value of two forage-based
      diets in a long-term feeding period by measuring body weight (BW) gain,
      digestibility, nitrogen (N) retention and microbial N (MBN) yield. The animals
      were fed imported low-quality timothy hay (TH) with concentrate diet (THD) or
      imported low-quality Italian ryegrass straw (IR) with concentrate diet (IRD) for
      9 months. The forages were offered at 2% BW, and concentrate was fed at 40% of
      forage intake. The BW gain averaged 82.6 and 66.2 g/day for THD and IRD,
      respectively, without showing significant difference. Average forage intake (%
      BW) was significantly greater for IR than for TH, although it was not affected by
      feeding periods. The digestibility did not differ between diets or periods. The
      numerically greater (P = 0.06) ratio of retained N to absorbed N for IRD than
      that for THD was prominent. Neither diet nor period had significant effect on MBN
      supply and efficiency of MBN synthesis. The results suggest that the IR-based
      diet can be also used for long-term periods of feeding to growing ruminant
      animals as a grass hay-based diet without any detrimental effects on nutrient
      utilization and growth performance. 

PMID- 26278911
TI  - Erythropoietin for the Repair of Cerebral Injury in Very Preterm Infants
      (EpoRepair).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Preterm infants suffering from intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) are
      at increased risk for neurodevelopmental impairment. Observational data suggest
      that recombinant human erythropoietin (rEPO) improves long-term cognitive outcome
      in infants with IVH. Recent studies revealed a beneficial effect of early high
      dose rEPO on white matter development in preterm infants determined by magnetic
      resonance imaging (MRI). OBJECTIVES: To summarize the current evidence and to
      delineate the study protocol of the EpoRepair trial (Erythropoietin for the
      Repair of Cerebral Injury in Very Preterm Infants). METHODS: The study involves a
      review of the literature and the design of a double-blind, placebo-controlled,
      multicenter trial of repetitive high-dose rEPO administration, enrolling 120 very
      preterm infants with moderate-to-severe IVH diagnosed by cranial ultrasound in
      the first days of life, qualitative and quantitative MRI at term-equivalent age
      and long-term neurodevelopmental follow-up until 5 years of age. RESULTS AND
      CONCLUSIONS: The hypothesis generated by observational data that rEPO may improve
      long-term cognitive outcomes of preterm infants suffering from IVH are to be
      confirmed or refuted by the randomized controlled trial, EpoRepair.

PMID- 26278912
TI  - Peri-operative anaphylaxis: beyond drugs and latex.

PMID- 26278913
TI  - Skin Cancer Prevention, Tanning and Vitamin D: A Content Analysis of Print Media
      in Germany and Switzerland.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Print media are a major source of health information. OBJECTIVES: To
      analyse press coverage related to skin cancer prevention. METHODS: We conducted a
      content analysis of print media articles pertaining to skin cancer prevention,
      solaria and vitamin D published in Germany and Switzerland over a 1-year period
      between 2012 and 2013. RESULTS: Overall, 2,103 articles were analysed. Applying
      sunscreen was by far the most common sun protection recommendation. A
      considerable number of articles on solaria and vitamin D advocated exposure to
      ultraviolet radiation to enhance physical appearance and vitamin D
      photosynthesis, often without mentioning any precaution measures. In total, 26.8%
      of the articles contained misleading or erroneous statements mostly related to
      sunscreen use and vitamin D issues. CONCLUSIONS: Print media can serve as
      powerful education tools to foster skin cancer prevention. However, misleading or
      erroneous reports may negatively impact sun-safe behaviour.

PMID- 26278914
TI  - Regulation of Proteasomal Degradation by Modulating Proteasomal Initiation
      Regions.
AB  - Methods for regulating the concentrations of specific cellular proteins are
      valuable tools for biomedical studies. Artificial regulation of protein
      degradation by the proteasome is receiving increasing attention. Efficient
      proteasomal protein degradation requires a degron with two components: a
      ubiquitin tag that is recognized by the proteasome and a disordered region at
      which the proteasome engages the substrate and initiates degradation. Here we
      show that degradation rates can be regulated by modulating the disordered
      initiation region by the binding of modifier molecules, in vitro and in vivo.
      These results suggest that artificial modulation of proteasome initiation is a
      versatile method for conditionally inhibiting the proteasomal degradation of
      specific proteins. 

PMID- 26278915
TI  - Spectrum of mutations in Indian patients with fibrinogen disorders and its
      application in genetic diagnosis of the affected families.

PMID- 26278916
TI  - Leap of Faith: Does Serum Luteinizing Hormone Always Accurately Reflect Central
      Reproductive Neuroendocrine Activity?
AB  - The function of the central aspects of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis
      has been assessed in a number of ways including direct measurements of the
      hypothalamic output and indirect measures using gonadotropin release from the
      pituitary as a bioassay for reproductive neuroendocrine activity. Here, methods
      for monitoring these various parameters are briefly reviewed and then examples
      presented of both concordance and discrepancy between central and peripheral
      measurements, with a focus on situations in which elevated gonadotropin-releasing
      hormone neurosecretion is not reflected accurately by pituitary luteinizing
      hormone release. Implications for the interpretation of gonadotropin data are
      discussed.

PMID- 26278918
TI  - Hierarchical likelihood inference on clustered competing risks data.
AB  - The frailty model, an extension of the proportional hazards model, is often used
      to model clustered survival data. However, some extension of the ordinary frailty
      model is required when there exist competing risks within a cluster. Under
      competing risks, the underlying processes affecting the events of interest and
      competing events could be different but correlated. In this paper, the
      hierarchical likelihood method is proposed to infer the cause-specific hazard
      frailty model for clustered competing risks data. The hierarchical likelihood
      incorporates fixed effects as well as random effects into an extended likelihood
      function, so that the method does not require intensive numerical methods to find
      the marginal distribution. Simulation studies are performed to assess the
      behavior of the estimators for the regression coefficients and the correlation
      structure among the bivariate frailty distribution for competing events. The
      proposed method is illustrated with a breast cancer dataset.

PMID- 26278917
TI  - The Inhibition of Oxidised Low-Density Lipoprotein-Induced Apoptosis of
      Macrophages by Recombinant Human Brain Natriuretic Peptide and the Underlying
      Mechanism.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Macrophage apoptosis plays a key role in atherosclerotic plaque
      rupture. This study investigated the effects of recombinant human brain
      natriuretic peptide (BNP) on oxidised low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-induced
      macrophage apoptosis and explored the underlying mechanism. METHODS: A model of
      ox-LDL-induced macrophage injury was established to evaluate the role of BNP.
      Flow cytometry was employed to detect apoptosis and changes in mitochondrial
      membrane potential (x0394;x03A8;m), and confocal microscopy was used to determine
      cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Additionally, reverse
      transcription-polymerase chain reaction and colourimetry were used to detect the
      mRNA expression and activity, respectively, of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and
      malondialdehyde (MDA). RESULTS: Ox-LDL induced macrophage apoptosis in a
      concentration-dependent manner, and maximum apoptosis occurred at 100 MUg/ml ox
      LDL (45.62 +/- 2.76 vs. 6.84 +/- 1.94%; p < 0.05). Conversely, BNP suppressed
      macrophage apoptosis, with a maximal effect at 10-9 mol/l (18.56 +/- 1.79%; p <
      0.05). Compared with the control group, intracellular ROS levels increased,
      x0394;x03A8;m decreased, SOD mRNA expression and activity decreased and MDA mRNA
      expression and content increased in the 100-MUg/ml ox-LDL group (527.30 +/- 36.20
      vs. 100.00 +/- 0.00%, 3.01 +/- 0.52 vs. 9.67 +/- 0.51%, 0.53 +/- 0.18 vs. 1.00 +/
      0.00, 256.6 +/- 8.20 vs. 355.8 +/- 9.58 U/ml, 1.59 +/- 0.23 vs. 1.00 +/- 0.00
      and 29.4 +/- 1.68 vs. 5.94 +/- 0.51 nmol/ml; p < 0.05); these effects were
      significantly counteracted by 10-9 mol/l BNP (237.30 +/- 30.62%, 6.55 +/- 1.57%,
      0.90 +/- 0.07, 310.4 +/- 2.97 U/ml, 1.14 +/- 0.10, 20.54 +/- 1.55 nmol/ml; p <
      0.05). CONCLUSION: BNP attenuates ox-LDL-induced macrophage apoptosis by
      suppressing oxidative stress and preventing x0394;x03A8;m loss.

PMID- 26278919
TI  - Continuous Positive Airway Pressure in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea and
      Resistant Hypertension: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
AB  - This study aimed to analyze the effect of continuous positive airway pressure
      (CPAP) on blood pressure (BP) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and
      resistant hypertension. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the
      effect of CPAP on BP in patients with OSA and resistant hypertension, indexed in
      MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library from inception until March 20, 2015,
      were included in the meta-analysis. A total of five RCTs were identified to meet
      the inclusion criteria. The pooled changes after CPAP treatment for 24-hour
      ambulatory systolic BP and diastolic BP (DBP) were -4.78 mm Hg (95% confidence
      interval [CI], -7.95 to -1.61) and -2.95 mm Hg (95% CI, -5.37 to -0.53) in favor
      of the CPAP group. CPAP was also associated with reduction in nocturnal DBP (mean
      difference, -1.53 mm Hg, 95% CI, -3.07 to 0). The results indicated a favorable
      reduction in BP with CPAP treatment in patients with OSA and resistant
      hypertension. 

PMID- 26278920
TI  - Laser processing of polymer constructs from poly(3-hydroxybutyrate).
AB  - CO2 laser radiation was used to process poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) constructs -
      films and 3D pressed plates. Laser processing increased the biocompatibility of
      unperforated films treated with moderate uniform radiation, as estimated by the
      number and degree of adhesion of NIH 3T3 mouse fibroblast cells. The
      biocompatibility of perforated films modified in the pulsed mode did not change
      significantly. At the same time, pulsed laser processing of the 3D plates
      produced perforated scaffolds with improved mechanical properties and high
      biocompatibility with bone marrow-derived multipotent, mesenchymal stem cells,
      which show great promise for bone regeneration. 

PMID- 26278921
TI  - Durable remission of folliculotropic mycosis fungoides achieved with a combined
      topical treatment with cytarabine and carmustine.
AB  - Folliculotropic mycosis fungoides (MF) is an uncommon subtype of MF which has a
      more aggressive natural history and is more resistant to treatment than other
      forms of MF. In this article, an innovative method of treatment is presented. We
      describe a successful use of topical cytarabine combined with topical carmustine
      in a patient with a folliculotropic MF. Based on our patient history we suggest
      this method as an effective therapy option for patients with folliculotropic MF
      unresponsive to other forms of treatment. 

PMID- 26278922
TI  - Serum S100A12 and Progression of Coronary Artery Calcification Over 4 Years in
      Hemodialysis Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: Vascular calcification is common and contributes to increased
      cardiovascular mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients. In this prospective
      study, we aimed to investigate the associations of serum S100A12 in the presence
      of severe coronary artery calcification (CAC) and the progression of CAC in HD
      patients. METHODS: Sixty maintenance HD patients and 30 controls were enrolled.
      Serum S100A12 levels were measured using ELISA. CAC scores (CACs) were measured
      twice at a 4-year interval using multislice spiral CT. The HD patients were
      classified as rapid progressors or slow progressors according to the change in
      the CACs across these 2 measurements (x0394;CACs). RESULTS: The incidences of
      rapid progression of CAC in patients with baseline CACs <=10, CACs >10 and CACs
      >400 were 12.5, 40.0 and 64.3%, respectively. Both baseline and 4-year serum
      S100A12 levels were significantly higher in the rapid progressors than in the
      slow progressors (medians of 45.6 vs. 30.2 ng/ml, p < 0.001 and 62.3 vs. 39.4
      ng/ml, p = 0.002, respectively). The serum S100A12 levels were significantly
      correlated with baseline CACs (r = 0.466, p < 0.001), 4-year CACs (r = 0.440, p <
      0.001) and x0394;CACs (r = 0.392, p < 0.001). Importantly, the x0394;CACs were
      significantly correlated with x0394;S100A12 levels (r = 0.396, p < 0.001).
      Logistic regression analysis revealed that the serum S100A12 level was as an
      independent determinant of the presence of severe CAC and that the increment in
      the serum S100A12 level was a factor that was significantly independently
      associated with the progression of CAC. CONCLUSIONS: Serum S100A12 levels were
      significantly associated with the presence of severe CAC, and the increment in
      serum S100A12 levels was an independent determinant of the progression of CAC.

PMID- 26278923
TI  - Recent Advancement in the Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases: Conventional
      Therapy to Nanotechnology.
AB  - Cardiovascular disease (CVD), accounting around 30% of deaths worldwide,
      collectively comprised of disorders affecting the heart and blood vessels as well
      as their associated adverse conditions. Despite outstanding progress in the area
      of the treatments of CVDs, significant challenges remain in designing of
      efficient delivery systems for myocardial therapy. Moreover, current therapy for
      CVDs is limited due to various clinical complications such as systemic toxicity,
      stent thrombosis, etc. Molecular and nanotechnology approaches provide the tools
      to explore such frontiers of biomedical science at the cellular level and thus
      offer unique features for potential application in the field of cardiac therapy.
      In this review, recent advances in CVD related risk factors, chronic
      inflammation, and their therapeutic modalities such as stem cell therapy, gene
      delivery, tissue factor (TF) inhibitors, miRNAs, leukotriene modifiers,
      thrombolytic agents etc., in modern molecular aspects are discussed. Moreover,
      nanoparticle based drug delivery, nanocarriers as molecular imaging, and the
      various challenges of myocardial tissue engineering aspects have been summarized.
      All these aspects may provide additional therapeutic substitutes in clinical
      trials for the registration of new drugs. 

PMID- 26278924
TI  - Behavioral evidence for an impairment of affective theory of mind capabilities in
      chronic depression.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The only treatment specifically developed for chronic depression, the
      Cognitive Behavioral Analysis System of Psychotherapy (CBASP), is based amongst
      others on the hypothesis that chronically depressed patients (CD) show
      considerable deficits of affective theory of mind (ToM) capabilities. Data are
      scarce, however, and it remains unclear if ToM deficits are specific or if they
      arise from global cognitive deficits associated with depression. This study
      investigates the specific deficits of affective ToM abilities in CD. SAMPLING AND
      METHODS: ToM abilities were assessed in 26 medication-free CD and 26 matched
      healthy controls (HC) by means of a previously established false-belief ToM
      cartoon task. Since the task allowed an intern control for cognitive factors -
      operationalized in a visuospatial ToM task - it was possible to investigate
      specific affective ToM deficits. RESULTS: As hypothesized, the CD showed a
      significant specific slowdown of affective ToM compared to cognitive ToM (3rd
      person perspective) when compared to HC. Simultaneously, we observed a general
      deterioration of all ToM functions in CD. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides
      evidence that CD have a mentalization deficit, specifically for affective ToM
      functions. This deficit is combined with a general deterioration of ToM
      functions, most likely attributable to frequently described cognitive deficits in
      depression.

PMID- 26278925
TI  - Longitudinal dose and type of immunosuppression in a national cohort of
      Australian liver, heart, and lung transplant recipients, 1984-2006.
AB  - Unconfounded comparative data on the type and dose of immunosuppressive agents
      among solid organ transplant recipients are sparse, as are data on longitudinal
      immunosuppressive therapy since transplantation. We addressed this issue in a
      population-based cohort of Australian liver (n = 1895), heart (n = 1220), and
      lung (n = 1059) transplant recipients, 1984-2006. Data on immunosuppressive
      therapy were retrospectively collected at discharge, three months, and one, five,
      10, and 15 yr after first transplant. We computed unadjusted and adjusted
      estimates for the association between the type and dose of immunosuppressive
      therapy and organ type. After adjustment for confounders, use of induction
      antibody and maintenance corticosteroids was more common in heart and lung
      compared to liver recipients (p < 0.001), and antibody therapy for rejection more
      common in liver recipients (p < 0.001). Liver recipients were more likely to
      receive calcineurin inhibitor monotherapy, with or without corticosteroids,
      compared to heart and lung recipients (p < 0.001). Liver recipients consistently
      received lower doses of azathioprine than heart and lung recipients (p < 0.001).
      These differences in immunosuppression may partly explain variations in
      immunosuppression-related morbidity by transplanted organ, for example,
      malignancy risk. Longitudinal changes in the type and the dose of
      immunosuppressive therapy over time since transplantation also demonstrate the
      need for time-dependent data in observational research.

PMID- 26278927
TI  - Anion-pi Interactions with Fluoroarenes.

PMID- 26278926
TI  - Rapid and efficient one-step generation of paired gRNA CRISPR-Cas9 libraries.
AB  - The CRISPR-Cas9 system is a powerful tool to edit eukaryotic genomes that has
      recently been adapted for functional screens. Several of its applications-
      including the disruption of genes using Cas9-nickase and the generation of large
      deletions--require co-expression of two distinct guide RNAs (gRNAs). However, the
      lack of experimental approaches to generate pools of paired gRNA vectors prevents
      these applications from being scalable. Here we report a simple, inexpensive, one
      step method that allows for the rapid and efficient cloning of gRNA pairs into
      expression vectors. We show that this method can be used to generate pooled
      libraries and is therefore suitable for in vivo and in vitro functional screens.

PMID- 26278928
TI  - The Therapeutic Alliance Predicts Outcomes of Cognitive Behavior Therapy but Not
      of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depressive Symptoms.

PMID- 26278929
TI  - Multi-dimensional Reduction and Transfer Function Design using Parallel
      Coordinates.
AB  - Multi-dimensional transfer functions are widely used to provide appropriate data
      classification for direct volume rendering. Nevertheless, the design of a multi
      dimensional transfer function is a complicated task. In this paper, we propose to
      use parallel coordinates, a powerful tool to visualize high-dimensional geometry
      and analyze multivariate data, for multi-dimensional transfer function design.
      This approach has two major advantages: (1) Combining the information of spatial
      space (voxel position) and parameter space; (2) Selecting appropriate high
      dimensional parameters to obtain sophisticated data classification. Although
      parallel coordinates offers simple interface for the user to design the high
      dimensional transfer function, some extra work such as sorting the coordinates is
      inevitable. Therefore, we use a local linear embedding technique for dimension
      reduction to reduce the burdensome calculations in the high dimensional parameter
      space and to represent the transfer function concisely. With the aid of parallel
      coordinates, we propose some novel high-dimensional transfer function widgets for
      better visualization results. We demonstrate the capability of our parallel
      coordinates based transfer function (PCbTF) design method for direct volume
      rendering using CT and MRI datasets.

PMID- 26278931
TI  - Endocasts and brain evolution in Anthracotheriidae (Artiodactyla,
      Hippopotamoidea).
AB  - Anthracotheres are a fossil family of 'Suiformes' from the Old World, North and
      Central America. They are known from the middle Eocene to the late Pliocene, and
      are suggested to be the stem group of Hippopotamidae. Yet, their soft anatomy
      remains poorly known. In this study we describe the virtual endocast of the late
      Oligocene anthracothere Microbunodon minimum, reconstructed using
      microtomography, as well as the natural endocast of Merycopotamus medioximus from
      the late Miocene. These are the first anthracothere endocasts ever described.
      Particular attention is given to the relative proportions of the brain, the
      neocortex, the cerebellum and the olfactory bulbs. The 'backward shift' of the
      pituitary of M. minimum, and the possible presence of a K lobe in M. medioximus,
      is discussed. Previous statements that some endocranial characters were subject
      to convergence among mammals are also corroborated.

PMID- 26278930
TI  - The human brain and face: mechanisms of cranial, neurological and facial
      development revealed through malformations of holoprosencephaly, cyclopia and
      aberrations in chromosome 18.
AB  - The study of inborn genetic errors can lend insight into mechanisms of normal
      human development and congenital malformations. Here, we present the first
      detailed comparison of cranial and neuro pathology in two exceedingly rare human
      individuals with cyclopia and alobar holoprosencephaly (HPE) in the presence and
      absence of aberrant chromosome 18 (aCh18). The aCh18 fetus contained one normal
      Ch18 and one with a pseudo-isodicentric duplication of chromosome 18q and partial
      deletion of 18p from 18p11.31 where the HPE gene, TGIF, resides, to the p
      terminus. In addition to synophthalmia, the aCh18 cyclopic malformations included
      a failure of induction of most of the telencephalon - closely approximating
      anencephaly, unchecked development of brain stem structures, near absence of the
      sphenoid bone and a malformed neurocranium and viscerocranium that constitute the
      median face. Although there was complete erasure of the olfactory and superior
      nasal structures, rudiments of nasal structures derived from the maxillary bone
      were evident, but with absent pharyngeal structures. The second non-aCh18
      cyclopic fetus was initially classified as a true Cyclops, as it appeared to have
      a proboscis and one median eye with a single iris, but further analysis revealed
      two eye globes as expected for synophthalmic cyclopia. Furthermore, the proboscis
      was associated with the medial ethmoid ridge, consistent with an incomplete
      induction of these nasal structures, even as the nasal septum and paranasal
      sinuses were apparently developed. An important conclusion of this study is that
      it is the brain that predicts the overall configuration of the face, due to its
      influence on the development of surrounding skeletal structures. The present data
      using a combination of macroscopic, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic
      resonance imaging (MRI) techniques provide an unparalleled analysis on the extent
      of the effects of median defects, and insight into normal development and
      patterning of the brain, face and their skeletal support. 

PMID- 26278932
TI  - Musculoskeletal anatomy and feeding performance of pre-feeding engyodontic larvae
      of the European eel (Anguilla anguilla).
AB  - Being part of the elopomorph group of fishes, Anguillidae species show a
      leptocephalus larval stage. However, due to largely unknown spawning locations
      and habitats of their earliest life stages, as well as their transparency, these
      Anguilla larvae are rarely encountered in nature. Therefore, information
      regarding the early life history of these larvae, including their exogenous
      feeding strategy and feeding performance, is rather scarce. To better understand
      the structural basis and functional performance of larval feeding in captivity,
      the functional morphology of the cranial musculoskeletal system in pre- and first
      feeding engyodontic leptocephali of the European eel (Anguilla anguilla) was
      studied. A 3D reconstruction of the feeding apparatus (head of the leptocephali <
      1 mm) was used to visualize and describe the musculoskeletal changes throughout
      these stages. To analyze the ontogenetic changes in the functionality of the
      feeding apparatus towards the active feeding phase, 3D data of joints, levers and
      muscles derived from the reconstructions were used to estimate bite and joint
      reaction forces (JRFs). Observing a maximum estimated bite force of about 65 MUN
      (and corresponding JRFs of 260 MUN), it can be hypothesized that leptocephalus
      larvae are functionally constrained to feed only on soft food particles.
      Additionally, potential prey items are size delimited, based on the theoretically
      estimated average gape of these larvae of about 100 MUm. This hypothesis appears
      to be in line with recent observations of a diet consisting of small and/or
      gelatinous prey items (Hydrozoa, Thaliacea, Ctenophora, Polycystenia) found in
      the guts of euryodontic leptocephalus larvae.

PMID- 26278934
TI  - Theoretical Prediction of Carrier Mobility in Few-Layer BC2N.
AB  - An ideal semiconducting material should simultaneously hold a considerable direct
      band gap and a high carrier mobility. A 2D planar compound consisting of zigzag
      chains of C-C and B-N atoms, denoted as BC2N, would be a good candidate. It has a
      direct band gap of 2 eV, which can be further tuned by changing the layer number.
      At the same time, our first-principles calculations show that few-layer BC2N
      possesses a high carrier mobility. The carrier mobility of around one million
      sqaure centimeters per volt-second is obtained at its three-layer. As our study
      demonstrated, few-layer BC2N has potential applications in nanoelectronics and
      optoelectronics. 

PMID- 26278935
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 26278936
TI  - Formation of Helices in Graphene Nanoribbons under Torsion.
AB  - We use objective boundary conditions and self-consistent charge density
      functional-based tight-binding to simulate at the atomistic scale the formation
      of helices in narrow graphene nanoribbons with armchair edges terminated with
      fluorine and hydrogen. We interpret the microscopic data using an inextensible,
      unshearable elastic rod model, which considers both bending and torsional
      strains. When fitted to the atomistic data, the simple rod model uses closed-form
      solutions for a cubic equation to predict the strain energy and morphology at a
      given twist angle and the crossover point between pure torsion and a helix. Our
      modeling and simulation bring key insights into the origin of the helical
      graphene morphologies stored inside of carbon nanotubes. They can be useful for
      designing chiral nanoribbons with tailored properties. 

PMID- 26278933
TI  - Time course and side-by-side analysis of mesodermal, pre-myogenic, myogenic and
      differentiated cell markers in the chicken model for skeletal muscle formation.
AB  - The chicken is a well-established model for amniote (including human) skeletal
      muscle formation because the developmental anatomy of chicken skeletal muscle
      matches that of mammals. The accessibility of the chicken in the egg as well as
      the sequencing of its genome and novel molecular techniques have raised the
      profile of this model. Over the years, a number of regulatory and marker genes
      have been identified that are suited to monitor the progress of skeletal
      myogenesis both in wildtype and in experimental embryos. However, in the various
      studies, differing markers at different stages of development have been used.
      Moreover, contradictory results on the hierarchy of regulatory factors are now
      emerging, and clearly, factors need to be able to cooperate. Thus, a reference
      paper describing in detail and side-by-side the time course of marker gene
      expression during avian myogenesis is needed. We comparatively analysed onset and
      expression patterns of the key markers for the chicken immature paraxial
      mesoderm, for muscle-competent cells, for cells committed to myogenesis and for
      cells entering terminal differentiation. We performed this analysis from stages
      when the first paraxial mesoderm is being laid down to the stage when mesoderm
      formation comes to a conclusion. Our data show that, although the sequence of
      marker gene expression is the same at the various stages of development, the
      timing of the expression onset is quite different. Moreover, marker gene
      expression in myogenic cells being deployed from the dorsomedial and
      ventrolateral lips of the dermomyotome is different from those being deployed
      from the rostrocaudal lips, suggesting different molecular programs. Furthermore,
      expression of Myosin Heavy Chain genes is overlapping but different along the
      length of a myotube. Finally, Mef2c is the most likely partner of Mrf proteins,
      and, in contrast to the mouse and more alike frog and zebrafish fish, chicken
      Mrf4 is co-expressed with MyoG as cells enter terminal differentiation. 

PMID- 26278937
TI  - Controlling the Catalytic Efficiency on the Surface of Hollow Gold Nanoparticles
      by Introducing an Inner Thin Layer of Platinum or Palladium.
AB  - The efficiency of heterogeneous catalysis of electron-transfer reactions on the
      surface of gold nanoshells was changed by adding an inner platinum or palladium
      nanoshell in the double-shell nanocatalysts. The reduction of 4-nitrothiophenol
      (4NTP) by borohydride was studied as a model reaction. To confirm the
      heterogeneous catalytic mechanism, the nanocatalysts were assembled into a
      monolayer on the surface of a quartz substrate using the Langmuir-Blodgett
      technique, and the 4NTP was allowed to bind to the surface of gold through a
      strong thiol bond. The stages of the reduction reaction of 4NTP on the surface of
      gold were successfully followed by time-resolved surface-enhanced Raman
      spectroscopy. Palladium was found to increase the catalytic efficiency of the
      gold surface due to the presence of a new Fermi level of the palladium-gold
      alloy, while platinum decreased its catalytic efficiency due to the electron
      withdrawing effect of platinum atoms, which resulted from the difference in their
      electrochemical reduction potentials. 

PMID- 26278938
TI  - Ionic Liquid Adsorption and Nanotribology at the Silica-Oil Interface: Hundred
      Fold Dilution in Oil Lubricates as Effectively as the Pure Ionic Liquid.
AB  - The remarkable physical properties of ionic liquids (ILs) make them potentially
      excellent lubricants. One of the challenges for using ILs as lubricants is their
      high cost. In this article, atomic force microscopy (AFM) nanotribology
      measurements reveal that a 1 mol % solution of IL dissolved in an oil lubricates
      the silica surface as effectively as the pure IL. The adsorption isotherm shows
      that the IL surface excess need only be approximately half of the saturation
      value to prevent surface contact and effectively lubricate the sliding surfaces.
      Using ILs in this way makes them viable for large-scale applications. 

PMID- 26278939
TI  - Direct Observation of Gigahertz Coherent Guided Acoustic Phonons in Free-Standing
      Single Copper Nanowires.
AB  - We report on gigahertz acoustic phonon waveguiding in free-standing single copper
      nanowires studied by femtosecond transient reflectivity measurements. The results
      are discussed on the basis of the semianalytical resolution of the Pochhammer and
      Chree equation. The spreading of the generated Gaussian wave packet of two
      different modes is derived analytically and compared with the observed
      oscillations of the sample reflectivity. These experiments provide a unique way
      to independently obtain geometrical and material characterization. This direct
      observation of coherent guided acoustic phonons in a single nano-object is also
      the first step toward nanolateral size acoustic transducer and comprehensive
      studies of the thermal properties of nanowires. 

PMID- 26278940
TI  - Magneto-Optical Properties of CuInS2 Nanocrystals.
AB  - We compare the absorption, photoluminescence, and magneto-optical properties of
      colloidal CuInS2 (CIS) nanocrystals with two closely related and well-understood
      binary analogs: Cu-doped ZnSe nanocrystals and CdSe nanocrystals. In contrast
      with conventional CdSe, both CIS and Cu-doped ZnSe nanocrystals exhibit a
      substantial energy separation between emission and absorption peaks (Stokes
      shift) and a marked asymmetry in the polarization-resolved low-temperature
      magneto-photoluminescence, both of which point to the role of localized
      dopant/defect states in the forbidden gap. Surprisingly, we find evidence in CIS
      nanocrystals of spin-exchange coupling between paramagnetic moments in the
      nanocrystal and the conduction/valence bands of the host lattice, a behavior also
      observed in Cu-doped ZnSe nanocrystals, where the copper atoms incorporate as
      paramagnetic Cu(2+) ions. 

PMID- 26278941
TI  - Synergistic Effects of Alloying and Thiolate Modification in Furfural
      Hydrogenation over Cu-Based Catalysts.
AB  - Control of bimetallic surface composition and surface modification with self
      assembled monolayers (SAMs) represent two methods for modifying catalyst activity
      and selectivity. However, possible synergistic effects of employing these
      strategies in concert have not been previously explored. We investigated the
      effects of modifying Cu/Al2O3 catalysts by alloying with Ni and modifying with
      octadecanethiol (C18) SAMs, using furfural hydrogenation as a probe reaction.
      Incorporation of small amounts of Ni (Cu4Ni) improved catalytic activity while
      slightly reducing hydrogenation selectivity. Further incorporation of Ni resulted
      in high rates for decarbonylation and ring-opening. Modification of the Cu4Ni
      catalyst with C18-SAMs resulted in improvement in both the activity and
      hydrogenation selectivity. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy experiments on
      bimetallic thin films and density functional theory calculations revealed that
      the C18-SAM kinetically stabilized Cu at the surface under hydrogenation
      conditions. These results indicate that thiolate monolayers can be used to
      control surface bimetallic composition to improve catalytic performance. 

PMID- 26278942
TI  - On the Uniqueness of Ideality Factor and Voltage Exponent of Perovskite-Based
      Solar Cells.
AB  - Perovskite-based solar cells have attracted much recent research interest with
      efficiency approaching 20%. While various combinations of material parameters and
      processing conditions are attempted for improved performance, there is still a
      lack of understanding in terms of the basic device physics and functional
      parameters that control the efficiency. Here we show that perovskite-based solar
      cells have two universal features: an ideality factor close to two and a space
      charge-limited current regime. Through detailed numerical modeling, we identify
      the mechanisms that lead to these universal features. Our model predictions are
      supported by experimental results on solar cells fabricated at five different
      laboratories using different materials and processing conditions. Indeed, this
      work unravels the fundamental operation principle of perovskite-based solar
      cells, suggests ways to improve the eventual performance, and serves as a
      benchmark to which experimental results from various laboratories can be
      compared. 

PMID- 26278943
TI  - Periodic MP2, RPA, and Boundary Condition Assessment of Hydrogen Ordering in Ice
      XV.
AB  - Ice XV is the hydrogen-ordered form of the ice VI phase whose structure was
      predicted to be Cc and ferroelectric using periodic DFT approaches. However,
      neutron diffraction and Raman spectroscopy data show the structure to have P1
      symmetry and to be antiferroelectric. Recent work1 using fragment-based MP2 and
      CCSD(T) approaches predicts the experimental structure as the ground state. We
      have reconsidered this problem using fully periodic MP2 and RPA approaches and
      find that the ferroelectric Cc structure is the lowest energy configuration.
      However, ubiquitously employed tinfoil boundary conditions stabilize polar
      structures. We suggest that ferroelectric Cc crystals can grow within a
      paraelectric ice VI matrix but may become unstable once a fraction of the matrix
      has become hydrogen-ordered. The reduction in dielectric constant causes P1 and
      other structures with small polarization to become favored, providing a possible
      resolution between observation and theoretical predictions. 

PMID- 26278944
TI  - Control of Carbon Nanotube Electronic Properties by Lithium Cation Intercalation.
AB  - We show that the electronic properties of single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs)
      can be tuned continuously from semiconducting to metallic by varying the location
      of ions inside the tubes. Focusing on the Li(+) cation inside the (26,0) zigzag
      semiconducting and (15,15) armchair metallic SWCNTs, we found that the Li(+)
      SWCNT interaction is attractive. The interaction is stronger for the metallic
      SWCNT, indicating in particular that metallic tubes can enhance performance of
      lithium-ion batteries. The electronic properties of the metallic SWCNT are
      virtually independent of the presence of ions: Li(+) creates an energy level in
      the valence band slightly below the Fermi energy. On the contrary, the
      semiconducting SWCNT can be made metallic by placing ions close to the tube axis:
      Li(+) generates a new bottom of the conduction band. Letting the ions approach
      SWCNT walls recovers the semiconducting behavior. 

PMID- 26278945
TI  - Recent Progress in the Functionalization Methods of Thiolate-Protected Gold
      Clusters.
AB  - Nanomaterials that exhibit both stability and functionality are currently
      considered to hold great promise as components of nanotechnology devices.
      Thiolate-protected gold clusters (Aun(SR)m) have long attracted attention as
      functional nanomaterials. Magic Aun(SR)m clusters are an especially stable group
      of thiolate-protected clusters that have particularly high potential as
      functional materials. Although numerous application experiments have been
      conducted for magic Aun(SR)m clusters, it is important that functionalization
      methods are also established to allow for effective utilization of these
      materials. The results of recent research on heteroatom doping and the use of
      other chalcogenide ligands strongly suggest that these strategies are promising
      as functionalization methods of magic Aun(SR)m clusters. In this Perspective, we
      focus on studies relating to three representative types of magic clusters
      Au25(SR)18, Au38(SR)24, and Au144(SR)60-and discuss the recent progress and
      future issues. 

PMID- 26278946
TI  - Ion-Solvation-Induced Molecular Reorganization in Liquid Water Probed by Resonant
      Inelastic Soft X-ray Scattering.
AB  - The molecular structure of liquid water is susceptible to changes upon admixture
      of salts due to ionic solvation, which provides the basis of many chemical and
      biochemical processes. Here we demonstrate how the local electronic structure of
      aqueous potassium chloride (KCl) solutions can be studied by resonant inelastic
      soft X-ray scattering (RIXS) to monitor the effects of the ion solvation on the
      hydrogen-bond (HB) network of liquid water. Significant changes in the oxygen K
      edge emission spectra are observed with increasing KCl concentration. These
      changes can be attributed to modifications in the proton dynamics, caused by a
      specific coordination structure around the salt ions. Analysis of the spectator
      decay spectra reveals a spectral signature that could be characteristic of this
      structure. 

PMID- 26278947
TI  - Unique Advantages of Exfoliated 2D Nanosheets for Tailoring the Functionalities
      of Nanocomposites.
AB  - Hybridization with exfoliated two-dimensional (2D) nanosheets provides a very
      effective and powerful way not only to control the physicochemical properties of
      hybridized species but also to explore nanocomposites with novel functionalities.
      Deliberate coupling between the hybridized species is critically important in
      maximizing the effect of hybridization on the physicochemical properties and
      functionality of hybridized components. The very small thickness and extremely
      large surface of exfoliated 2D nanosheets render these materials ideal candidates
      for achieving a strong coupling with diverse guest species. This Perspective
      focuses on the unique characteristics of exfoliated 2D nanosheets as building
      blocks for designing hybrid materials. Several intriguing examples of strong
      interaction between exfoliated 2D nanosheets and hybridized species are
      summarized with an emphasis on the effective control of electronic, optical,
      structural, and morphological characteristics. An outlook on the future research
      directions is provided along with new strategies to maximize the coupling in the
      2D nanosheet-based hybrid materials. 

PMID- 26278949
TI  - Emergence of New Materials for Light-Energy Conversion: Perovskites, Metal
      Clusters, and 2-D Hybrids.

PMID- 26278948
TI  - New Insights into the Electronic Transport of Reduced Graphene Oxide Using
      Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy.
AB  - The present work investigates the electronic conduction of reduced graphene oxide
      flakes and the coupling between flakes through a combined SECM (scanning
      electrochemical microscopy), AFM, and SEM analysis. Images of individual and
      interconnected flakes directly reveal the signature of the contact resistance
      between flakes in a noncontact and substrate-independent way. Quantitative
      evaluation of the parameters is achieved with the support of numerical
      simulations to interpret the experimental results. The interflakes contact
      resistance importantly impacts the transport of electrons, which can be
      anticipated as a key parameter in r-GO-based materials used in fuel cells,
      lithium batteries, supercapacitors, and organic electronic devices. 

PMID- 26278950
TI  - Microalloying Boron Carbide with Silicon to Achieve Dramatically Improved
      Ductility.
AB  - Boron carbide (B4C) is a hard material whose value for extended engineering
      applications such as body armor; is limited by its brittleness under impact. To
      improve the ductility while retaining hardness, we used density functional theory
      to examine modifying B4C ductility through microalloying. We found that replacing
      the CBC chain in B4C with Si-Si, denoted as (B11Cp)-Si2, dramatically improves
      the ductility, allowing a continuous shear to a large strain of 0.802 (about
      twice of B4C failure strain) without brittle failure. Moreover, (B11C)-Si2
      retains low density and high hardness. This ductility improvement arises because
      the Si-Si linkages enable the icosahedra accommodate additional shear by rotating
      instead of breaking bonds. 

PMID- 26278951
TI  - Solution Chemistry Engineering toward High-Efficiency Perovskite Solar Cells.
AB  - Organic and inorganic hybrid perovskites (e.g., CH3NH3PbI3) have emerged as a
      revolutionary class of light-absorbing semiconductors that has demonstrated a
      rapid increase in efficiency within a few years of active research. Controlling
      perovskite morphology and composition has been found critical to developing high
      performance perovskite solar cells. The recent development of solution chemistry
      engineering has led to fabrication of greater than 15-17%-efficiency solar cells
      by multiple groups, with the highest certified 17.9% efficiency that has
      significantly surpassed the best-reported perovskite solar cell by vapor-phase
      growth. In this Perspective, we review recent progress on solution chemistry
      engineering processes and various control parameters that are critical to the
      success of solution growth of high-quality perovskite films. We discuss the
      importance of understanding the impact of solution-processing parameters and
      perovskite film architectures on the fundamental charge carrier dynamics in
      perovskite solar cells. The cost and stability issues of perovskite solar cells
      will also be discussed. 

PMID- 26278952
TI  - Nonchaos-Mediated Mixed-Mode Oscillations in an Enzyme Reaction System.
AB  - We report numerical evidence of a new type of wide-ranging organization of mixed
      mode oscillations (MMOs) in a model of the peroxidase-oxidase reaction, in the
      control parameter plane defined by the supply of the reactant NADH and the pH of
      the medium. In classic MMOs, the intervals of distinct periodic oscillations are
      always separated from each other by windows of chaos. In contrast, in the new
      unfolding, such windows of chaos do not exist. Chaos-mediated and nonchaos
      mediated MMO phases are separated by a continuous transition boundary in the
      control parameter plane. In addition, for low pH values, we find an exceptionally
      wide and intricate mosaic of MMO phases that is described by a detailed phase
      diagram. 

PMID- 26278953
TI  - Effect of Amine Surface Coverage on the Co-Adsorption of CO2 and Water: Spectral
      Deconvolution of Adsorbed Species.
AB  - Three primary amine materials functionalized onto mesoporous silica with low,
      medium, and high surface amine coverages are prepared and evaluated for binary
      CO2/H2O adsorption under dilute conditions. Enhancement of amine efficiency due
      to humid adsorption is most pronounced for low surface amine coverage materials.
      In situ FT-IR spectra of adsorbed CO2 on these materials suggest this enhancement
      may be associated with the formation of bicarbonate species during adsorption on
      materials with low surface amine coverage, though such species are not observed
      on high surface coverage materials. On the materials with the lowest amine
      loading, bicarbonate is observed on longer time scales of adsorption, but only
      after spectral contributions from rapidly forming alkylammonium carbamate species
      are removed. This is the first time that direct evidence for bicarbonate
      formation, which is known to occur in liquid aqueous amine solutions, has been
      presented for CO2 adsorption on solid amine adsorbents. 

PMID- 26278954
TI  - Curvature and Lipid Packing Modulate the Elastic Properties of Lipid Assemblies:
      Comparing HII and Lamellar Phases.
AB  - Accumulating evidence indicates that membrane reshaping and fusion processes, as
      well as regulation of membrane protein function, depend on lipid composition.
      Although it is widely accepted that cell membranes are under considerable stress
      and frustration and can be locally highly curved, experimental approaches to
      determine the material properties of lipids usually rely on their study in a
      relaxed environment or in flat bilayers. Here, we propose a computational method
      to determine the elastic properties of lipid assemblies of arbitrarily shaped
      interfaces and apply it to lipidic mixtures in the inverted hexagonal and
      lamellar phases. We find that the bending rigidity critically depends on the
      geometry of the system and correlates with the changes in lipid chain order
      imposed by the specific environment. Our results are relevant for resolving local
      lipid properties of deformed, stressed, or frustrated membranes that notably
      emerge around integral membrane proteins or during different membrane remodeling
      processes. 

PMID- 26278955
TI  - Enhanced Hole Extraction in Perovskite Solar Cells Through Carbon Nanotubes.
AB  - Here, we report the use of polymer-wrapped carbon nanotubes as a means to enhance
      charge extraction through undoped spiro-OMeTAD. With this approach a good solar
      cell performance is achieved without the implementation of conventional doping
      methods. We demonstrate that a stratified two-layer architecture of sequentially
      deposited layers of carbon nanotubes and spiro-OMeTAD, outperforms a conventional
      blend of the hole-conductor and the carbon nanotubes. We also provide insights
      into the mechanism of the rapid hole extraction observed in the two-layer
      approach. 

PMID- 26278956
TI  - Relevance of the Channel Leading to Formaldehyde + Triplet Ethylidene in the
      O((3)P) + Propene Reaction under Combustion Conditions.
AB  - Comprehension of the detailed mechanism of O((3)P) + unsaturated hydrocarbon
      reactions is complicated by the existence of many possible channels and
      intersystem crossing (ISC) between triplet and singlet potential energy surfaces
      (PESs). We report synergic experimental/theoretical studies of the O((3)P) +
      propene reaction by combining crossed molecular beams experiments using mass
      spectrometric detection at 9.3 kcal/mol collision energy (Ec) with high-level ab
      initio electronic structure calculations of the triplet PES and RRKM/master
      equation computations of branching ratios (BRs) including ISC. At high Ec's and
      temperatures higher than 1000 K, main products are found to be formaldehyde
      (H2CO) and triplet ethylidene ((3)CH3CH) formed in a reaction channel that has
      never been identified or considered significant in previous kinetics studies at
      300 K and that, as such, is not included in combustion kinetics models. Global
      and channel-specific rate constants were computed and are reported as a function
      of temperature and pressure. This study shows that BRs of multichannel reactions
      useful for combustion modeling cannot be extrapolated from room-temperature
      kinetics studies. 

PMID- 26278957
TI  - Stress Test for Quantum Dynamics Approximations: Deep Tunneling in the Muonium
      Exchange Reaction D + HMu -> DMu + H.
AB  - Quantum effects play a crucial role in chemical reactions involving light atoms
      at low temperatures, especially when a light particle is exchanged between two
      heavier partners. Different theoretical methodologies have been developed in the
      last decades attempting to describe zero-point energy and tunneling effects
      without abandoning a classical or semiclassical framework. In this work, we have
      chosen the D + HMu -> DMu + H reaction as a stress test system for three well
      established methods: two representative versions of transition state theory
      (TST), canonical variational theory and semiclassical instanton, and ring polymer
      molecular dynamics (RPMD). These calculations will be compared with accurate
      quantum mechanical results. Despite its apparent simplicity, the exchange of the
      extremely light muonium atom (0.114 u) becomes a most challenging reaction for
      conventional methods. The main result of this work is that RPMD provides an
      overall better performance than TST-based methods for such a demanding reaction.
      RPMD might well turn out to be a useful tool beyond TST applicability. 

PMID- 26278958
TI  - Positively Charged Phosphorus as a Hydrogen Bond Acceptor.
AB  - Phosphorus (P) is an element that is essential to the life of all organisms, and
      the atmospheric detection of phosphine suggests the existence of a volatile
      biogeochemical P cycle. Here, we investigate the ability of P to participate in
      the formation of OH...P hydrogen bonds. Three bimolecular alcohol
      trimethylphosphine complexes have been detected. Initially, the complexes were
      detected using matrix isolation spectroscopy, which favors complex formation.
      Subsequently, the fundamental OH-stretching vibration was observed in room
      temperature gas-phase spectra. On the basis of our measured OH-stretching
      frequency red shifts and quantum chemical calculations, we find that P is an
      acceptor atom similar in strength to O and S and that all three P, O, and S atoms
      are weaker acceptors than N. The quantum chemical calculations show that both H
      and P in the OH...P hydrogen bond have partial positive charges, as expected from
      their electronegativities. However, the electrostatic potentials show a negative
      potential area on the electron density surface around P that facilitates
      formation of hydrogen bonds. 

PMID- 26278959
TI  - Duration of dual antiplatelet therapy after drug-eluting stent implantation: Meta
      analysis of large randomised controlled trials.
AB  - Patients receive dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) for 6-12 months after drug
      eluting stents (DES) implantation. The efficacy and safety of prolonged DAPT has
      been questioned. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis on randomised trials
      comparing different DAPT durations. Literature was searched on trials comparing
      different DAPT durations. For inclusion, reports must report frequency of
      cardiovascular and bleeding events. Ten trials were included. Compared to 12
      months, DAPT beyond 12 months was associated with fewer myocardial infarctions
      (OR 0.58 95%CI: 0.40-0.84) and stent thrombosis (OR 0.35 95%CI: 0.20-0.62), but
      more major bleeds (OR 1.60 95%CI: 1.22-2.11) and all-cause (OR 1.30 95%CI: 1.02
      1.66) mortality. There was no significant alteration in risk of stroke (OR 0.93
      95%CI: 0.66-1.31) or cardiac (OR 1.12 95%CI: 0.73-1.71) mortality. Compared to
      less than 12 months DAPT, 12 months DAPT did not reduce risk of myocardial
      infarction, stent thrombosis, strokes, cardiac or all-cause mortality, but
      increased the risk of major bleeds (OR 1.60 95%CI: 1.22-2.11). DAPT beyond 12
      months reduce risk of myocardial infarction and stent thrombosis, but there is
      substantial increase in major bleeding risk and all-cause mortality which need to
      be addressed. DAPT beyond 12 months does not appear to alter the risk of stroke. 

PMID- 26278960
TI  - Electrocardiogram before starting stimulant medications: to order or not?
AB  - D is an 8-year-old boy brought to his paediatrician for evaluation. His mother is
      concerned as his teacher has been frequently complaining that he is very restless
      and often disturbs the rest of the class by getting up on some pretext or the
      other. He is unable to concentrate on his work and gets distracted very easily.
      He makes many careless mistakes and can hardly finish his tasks on time. He is
      frequently reprimanded for talking during class. He often answers out of turn or
      before the question has been completed; however, so far, he has been managing to
      get passing grades. At home, he is constantly on the go while he is awake. If he
      is forced to sit, like at mealtimes, he fidgets a lot. He also needs to be
      constantly nagged to do everything, even his daily activities such as brushing
      his teeth, or he forgets to do them or leaves them incomplete. He takes ages to
      finish his food. It is a major job to get him to do his homework. His mother says
      that at home he has been like that since the last 2 to 3 years, but now she is
      concerned because of the difficulties he is experiencing at school as well. After
      obtaining his medical history, examination, and getting response from parents and
      teachers--using Vanderbuilt Assessment Scales--the paediatrician diagnoses him to
      have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Besides behavioural interventions,
      he considers medications for his management. The paediatrician is debating the
      merits of performing electrocardiogram and/or referring the boy to a cardiologist
      before starting stimulant medications. If you were caring for this patient, how
      would you proceed?

PMID- 26278962
TI  - Role of cholesterol crystals in atherosclerosis is unmasked by altering tissue
      preparation methods.
AB  - Standard tissue preparation for light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) uses
      ethanol as a dehydrating agent but that can also dissolve cholesterol crystals
      (CC) leaving behind empty tissue imprints or "clefts". Cholesterol crystals may
      contribute to plaque rupture by their sharp tips that can tear membranes and
      trigger inflammation. Therefore, use of ethanol in tissue processing can mask the
      pathological role of CC. Here we evaluated the amount of cholesterol dissolved
      from CC with single and complete series of standard graded ethanol concentrations
      (25-100%) used in tissue preparation. Also, solubility of CC in ethanol at
      physiological levels was measured. Furthermore, we compared the effect of ethanol
      on CC in fresh human atherosclerotic plaques to matched segments dehydrated using
      vacuum (-1 atm, 12h). Tissue crystal density ranging from 0 to +3 was measured
      semi-quantitatively by SEM. For CC exposed to 25% and 100% ethanol for 10 min
      each, 0.38% and 95% of CC were dissolved respectively. Also, increase in CC
      solubility was significant at physiological levels of ethanol (0.16%) compared to
      water (43.4 +/- 18.0 ng/mL vs. 30.9 +/- 13.9 ng/mL; p < 0.05). We speculate that
      this could represent a potential mechanism of cardio-protective effects of
      alcohol consumption. In atherosclerotic plaques, CC density was lower in ethanol
      vs. saline treatment (+1.2 vs. +2.8; P < 0.01) with visible dissolving noted by
      SEM. Ethanol has been used for centuries in tissue preparation for microscopy.
      Here we demonstrate how current tissue preparation methods greatly alter
      histological findings with SEM by masking the potential mechanism of plaque
      rupture.

PMID- 26278961
TI  - Label-free quantitative phosphoproteomics with novel pairwise abundance
      normalization reveals synergistic RAS and CIP2A signaling.
AB  - Hyperactivated RAS drives progression of many human malignancies. However,
      oncogenic activity of RAS is dependent on simultaneous inactivation of protein
      phosphatase 2A (PP2A) activity. Although PP2A is known to regulate some of the
      RAS effector pathways, it has not been systematically assessed how these proteins
      functionally interact. Here we have analyzed phosphoproteomes regulated by either
      RAS or PP2A, by phosphopeptide enrichment followed by mass-spectrometry-based
      label-free quantification. To allow data normalization in situations where
      depletion of RAS or PP2A inhibitor CIP2A causes a large uni-directional change in
      the phosphopeptide abundance, we developed a novel normalization strategy, named
      pairwise normalization. This normalization is based on adjusting phosphopeptide
      abundances measured before and after the enrichment. The superior performance of
      the pairwise normalization was verified by various independent methods.
      Additionally, we demonstrate how the selected normalization method influences the
      downstream analyses and interpretation of pathway activities. Consequently,
      bioinformatics analysis of RAS and CIP2A regulated phosphoproteomes revealed a
      significant overlap in their functional pathways. This is most likely
      biologically meaningful as we observed a synergistic survival effect between
      CIP2A and RAS expression as well as KRAS activating mutations in TCGA pan-cancer
      data set, and synergistic relationship between CIP2A and KRAS depletion in colony
      growth assays. 

PMID- 26278964
TI  - Diabetes Care Provided to Children Displaced by Hurricane Katrina.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Although previous studies have examined the impact of Hurricane
      Katrina on adults with diabetes, less is known about the effects on children with
      diabetes and on those displaced by the storm. We analyzed individual-level
      enrollment and utilization data of children with diabetes who were displaced from
      Louisiana and were enrolled in the Texas Medicaid Hurricane Katrina emergency
      waiver (TexKat). METHODS: We compared the utilization and outcomes of children
      displaced from Louisiana with those of children who lived in areas less affected
      by Hurricane Katrina. Data from both before and after the storm were used to
      calculate difference-in-difference estimates of the effects of displacement on
      the children. We analyzed 4 diabetes management procedures (glycated hemoglobin
      [HbA1C] tests, eye exams, microalbumin tests, and thyroid tests) and a
      complication from poor diabetes management (diabetic ketoacidosis). RESULTS:
      Children enrolled in the waiver generally did not experience a decrease in care
      relative to the control group while the waiver program was in effect. After the
      waiver ended, however, we observed a drop in care and an increase in
      complications relative to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Although the waiver
      appeared to have been largely successful immediately following Katrina, future
      waivers may be improved by ensuring that enrollees continue to receive care after
      the waivers expire.

PMID- 26278963
TI  - Discovery of a drug targeting microenvironmental support for lymphoma cells by
      screening using patient-derived xenograft cells.
AB  - Cell lines have been used for drug discovery as useful models of cancers;
      however, they do not recapitulate cancers faithfully, especially in the points of
      rapid growth rate and microenvironment independency. Consequently, the majority
      of conventional anti-cancer drugs are less sensitive to slow growing cells and do
      not target microenvironmental support, although most primary cancer cells grow
      slower than cell lines and depend on microenvironmental support. Here, we
      developed a novel high throughput drug screening system using patient-derived
      xenograft (PDX) cells of lymphoma that maintained primary cancer cell phenotype
      more than cell lines. The library containing 2613 known pharmacologically active
      substance and off-patent drugs were screened by this system. We could find many
      compounds showing higher cytotoxicity than conventional anti-tumor drugs.
      Especially, pyruvinium pamoate showed the highest activity and its strong anti
      tumor effect was confirmed also in vivo. We extensively investigated its
      mechanism of action and found that it inhibited glutathione supply from stromal
      cells to lymphoma cells, implying the importance of the stromal protection from
      oxidative stress for lymphoma cell survival and a new therapeutic strategy for
      lymphoma. Our system introduces a primary cancer cell phenotype into cell-based
      phenotype screening and sheds new light on anti-cancer drug development. 

PMID- 26278965
TI  - CmpacC regulates mycoparasitism, oxalate degradation and antifungal activity in
      the mycoparasitic fungus Coniothyrium minitans.
AB  - The PacC/Rim101 pH-responsive transcription factor is an important pathogenicity
      element for many plant-pathogenic fungi. In this study, we investigated the roles
      of a PacC homologue, CmpacC, in the mycoparasitic fungus Coniothyrium minitans.
      CmpacC was confirmed to have the transcriptional activation activity by the
      transcriptional activation test in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Disruption of CmpacC
      resulted in impaired fungal responses to ambient pH. Compared to the wild-type,
      the CmpacC-disruption mutant DeltaCmpacC-29 was significantly suppressed for
      activities of chitinase and beta-1,3-glucanase at pH 5 and 7, consistent with
      reduced expression levels of Cmch1 and Cmg1 coding for the two enzymes
      respectively. However, the mutant displayed acidity-mimicking phenotypes such as
      improved oxalate degradation and increased antifungal activity at pH 6 or higher.
      Improved efficacy in oxalate degradation by DeltaCmpacC-29 was consistent with
      the enhanced expression level of Cmoxdc1 coding for oxalate decarboxylase. CmpacC
      transcriptional activation of Cmch1 and Cmg1 and repression of Cmoxdc1 were
      verified by the presence of the PacC/Rim101 consensus binding-motifs in gene
      promoter regions and by the promoter DNA-binding assays. This study suggests that
      CmpacC plays an activator role in regulation of C. minitans mycoparasitism,
      whereas plays a repressor role in regulation of oxalate degradation and possibly
      antifungal activity of C. minitans. 

PMID- 26278966
TI  - Hemostasis and thrombosis beyond biochemistry: roles of geometry, flow and
      diffusion.
AB  - An important trend in the modern concept of blood coagulation is the growing
      agreement that, in order to understand regulation of coagulation in vivo and
      disorders of its function, it is essential to take into account its spatial
      heterogeneity, diffusion, and flow. In a way, this suggests that the idea of the
      "coagulation cascade" itself becomes increasingly misleading because there is no
      such place in an organism where reactions of this cascade really co-exist:
      activation, propagation and termination of coagulation are regulated by different
      subsets of chemical reactions that have different spatial localization and depend
      on cofactors expressed by different cell types in different tissues, so that only
      diffusion and flow can link these distinct "compartments" together into the one
      functional system. Here we review the last two decades of evidence obtained from
      in vitro, in vivo and computational systems biology approaches. When combined,
      the data comprise into an adequately comprehensive picture of the spatial
      regulation and organization of blood coagulation. In addition to the basic
      insights into the regulatory mechanisms, these approaches provided interesting
      results in the fields of coagulation diagnostics and other applications. Finally,
      the remaining unresolved and conflicting issues in the spatiotemporal regulation
      of coagulation are discussed. 

PMID- 26278967
TI  - A family having type 2B von Willebrand disease with a novel VWF p.R1308S
      mutation: Detection of characteristic platelet aggregates on peripheral blood
      smears as the key aspect of diagnosis.
AB  - Type 2B von Willebrand disease (VWD) is frequently associated with distinct
      platelet morphology. Here we present a familial case of type 2B VWD with a novel
      VWF mutation (p.R1308S), which caused neonatal thrombocytopenia. The mother had
      been treated for refractory immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) for more than 20years.
      The most important hematological features of this case were large platelets and
      platelet aggregates detected on peripheral blood smears. Hemostatic tests showed
      enhanced ristocetin-induced platelet agglutination at low-ristocetin
      concentrations, absence of high-molecular weight von Willebrand factor (VWF)
      multimers, and low VWF cofactor activity/antigen ratio. In patients with
      intractable ITP, family history of ITP and consecutive neonatal thrombocytopenia,
      the differential diagnosis of congenital thrombocytopenia is mandatory. For this
      purpose, the identification of large platelets and platelet aggregates on
      peripheral blood smears is the key aspect of type 2B VWD diagnosis. 

PMID- 26278968
TI  - Quantum Simulator for Transport Phenomena in Fluid Flows.
AB  - Transport phenomena still stand as one of the most challenging problems in
      computational physics. By exploiting the analogies between Dirac and lattice
      Boltzmann equations, we develop a quantum simulator based on pseudospin-boson
      quantum systems, which is suitable for encoding fluid dynamics transport
      phenomena within a lattice kinetic formalism. It is shown that both the streaming
      and collision processes of lattice Boltzmann dynamics can be implemented with
      controlled quantum operations, using a heralded quantum protocol to encode non
      unitary scattering processes. The proposed simulator is amenable to realization
      in controlled quantum platforms, such as ion-trap quantum computers or circuit
      quantum electrodynamics processors. 

PMID- 26278969
TI  - Quantitative T2 mapping after reperfusion therapy in patients with acute
      myocardial infarction: A comparison with late gadolinium enhancement and cine MR
      imaging.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study evaluates myocardial edema by quantitative T2 mapping in
      patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and compares the lateral extent
      of myocardial edema with those of infarcted and dysfunctional myocardium.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cardiac magnetic resonance images (MRIs) of 31 patients
      (M:F=29:2, mean age: 52.5+/-10.8years) with AMI were reviewed. On cine-MRI, all
      short axis images of the left ventricle (LV) were divided into 60 sectors. The
      regional wall motion of each sector was calculated as follows: systolic wall
      thickening (SWT, %)=[(LV wall thicknessES-LV wall thicknessED)/LV wall
      thicknessED]*100. Dysfunctional myocardium was defined as sectors with decreased
      SWT lower than 40%. On LGE-images, myocardial infarction was defined as an area
      of hyper-enhancement more than 5 SDs from the remote myocardium. On T2 map,
      myocardial edema was defined as an area in which T2 values were at least 2 SDs
      higher than those from remote myocardium. The lateral extents of infarcted
      myocardium, myocardial edema, and dysfunctional myocardium were calculated as the
      percentage of central angles ((central angle of the involved myocardium/360)*100
      (%)) and then compared. RESULTS: The lateral extent of myocardial edema was
      slightly larger than that of infarcted myocardium (37.4+/-13.3% vs. 35+/-12.9%,
      p<0.01). The lateral extent of dysfunctional myocardium (50.6+/-15.3%) was
      significantly larger than that of infarcted myocardium or myocardial edema
      (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The lateral extent of myocardial edema beyond the
      infarcted myocardium might be narrow, but the dysfunctional myocardium could be
      significantly larger than myocardial edema, suggesting stunned myocardium without
      edema.

PMID- 26278970
TI  - Acoustic-integrated dynamic MR imaging for a patient with obstructive sleep
      apnea.
AB  - Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is caused by multi-level upper airway
      obstruction. Anatomic changes at the sites of obstruction may modify the physical
      or acoustic properties of snores. The surgical success of OSA depends upon
      precise localization of obstructed levels. We present a case of OSAS who received
      simultaneous dynamic MRI and snore acoustic recordings. The synchronized image
      and acoustic information successfully characterize the sites of temporal
      obstruction during sleep-disordered breathing events. 

PMID- 26278971
TI  - Application of Organ Clearance to Estimation of the In Vivo Hepatic Extraction
      Ratio.
AB  - Organ clearance, which has been derived from the organ blood flow and extraction
      ratio (E), has been extensively used by clinical pharmacologists to explain the
      pharmacokinetics of many drugs in health and disease. For example, the extent of
      hepatic clearance or E (Eh) of drugs would determine their response to changes in
      the liver blood flow and/or activities of the metabolizing enzymes. Although Eh
      may be obtained directly by cannulating internal blood vessels, the method is
      invasive. Therefore, indirect methods have been used to estimate Eh from the
      peripheral blood concentration-time data after intravascular administration of
      drugs. Additionally, these indirect methods require an estimate of the liver
      blood flow in the patients or animals. However, some investigators use plasma
      concentrations and/or liver plasma flow for the estimation of Eh, which could
      potentially result in significant errors. It is shown here that when plasma
      concentrations are used along with liver blood flow, an overestimation or
      underestimation of the true value will result if the blood: plasma concentration
      (B:P) ratio is >1 or < 1, respectively, with the estimated Eh being different
      from the true value by a factor equal to the B:P ratio. On the other hand, the
      use of plasma concentrations and plasma liver flow will always result in an
      overestimation of the true Eh unless the drug does not penetrate the red blood
      cells. It is concluded that for the accurate estimation of Eh from the in vivo
      data, the blood concentration and blood flow should be used. 

PMID- 26278972
TI  - Enzyme function is regulated by its localization.
AB  - To better understand how enzyme localization affects enzyme activity we studied
      the cellular localization of the glycosyltransferase MurG, an enzyme necessary
      for cell wall synthesis at the spore during sporulation in the bacterium Bacillus
      subtilis. During sporulation MurG was gradually enriched to the membrane at the
      forespore and point mutations in a MurG helical domain disrupting its
      localization to the membrane caused severe sporulation defects, but did not
      affect localization nor caused detectable defects during exponential growth. We
      found that this localization is dependent on the phospholipid cardiolipin, as in
      strains where the cardiolipin-synthesizing genes were deleted, MurG levels were
      diminished at the forespore. Furthermore, in this cardiolipin-less strain, MurG
      localization during sporulation was rescued by external addition of purified
      cardiolipin. These results support localization as a critical factor in the
      regulation of proper enzyme function and catalysis. 

PMID- 26278973
TI  - Molecular docking study of natural alkaloids as multi-targeted hedgehog pathway
      inhibitors in cancer stem cell therapy.
AB  - Cancer is responsible for millions of deaths throughout the world every year.
      Increased understanding as well as advancements in the therapeutic aspect seems
      suboptimal to restrict the huge deaths associated with cancer. The major cause
      responsible for this is high resistance as well as relapse rate associated with
      cancers. Several evidences indicated that cancer stem cells (CSC) are mainly
      responsible for the resistance and relapses associated with cancer. Furthermore,
      agents targeting a single protein seem to have higher chances of resistance than
      multitargeting drugs. According to the concept of network model, partial
      inhibition of multiple targets is more productive than single hit agents. Thus,
      by fusing both the premises that CSC and single hit anticancer drugs, both are
      responsible for cancer related resistances and screened alkaloids for the search
      of leads having CSC targeting ability as well as the capability to modulating
      multiple target proteins. The in silico experimental data indicated that emetine
      and cortistatin have the ability to modulate hedgehog (Hh) pathway by binding to
      sonic hedgehog (Hh), smoothened (Smo) and Gli protein, involved in maintenance
      CSCs. Furthermore, solamargine, solasonine and tylophorine are also seems to be
      good lead molecules targeting towards CSCs by modulating Hh pathway. Except
      solamargine and solasonine, other best lead molecules also showed acceptable in
      silico ADME profile. The predicted lead molecules can be suitably modified to get
      multitargeting CSC targeting agent to get rid of associate resistances.

PMID- 26278974
TI  - Reconstructing gene regulatory networks from knock-out data using Gaussian Noise
      Model and Pearson Correlation Coefficient.
AB  - A gene regulatory network (GRN) is a large and complex network consisting of
      interacting elements that, over time, affect each other's state. The dynamics of
      complex gene regulatory processes are difficult to understand using intuitive
      approaches alone. To overcome this problem, we propose an algorithm for inferring
      the regulatory interactions from knock-out data using a Gaussian model combines
      with Pearson Correlation Coefficient (PCC). There are several problems relating
      to GRN construction that have been outlined in this paper. We demonstrated the
      ability of our proposed method to (1) predict the presence of regulatory
      interactions between genes, (2) their directionality and (3) their states
      (activation or suppression). The algorithm was applied to network sizes of 10 and
      50 genes from DREAM3 datasets and network sizes of 10 from DREAM4 datasets. The
      predicted networks were evaluated based on AUROC and AUPR. We discovered that
      high false positive values were generated by our GRN prediction methods because
      the indirect regulations have been wrongly predicted as true relationships. We
      achieved satisfactory results as the majority of sub-networks achieved AUROC
      values above 0.5. 

PMID- 26278975
TI  - Placental 11B-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 2 mRNA Levels in Intrauterine
      Growth Restriction versus Small-for-Gestational-Age Fetuses.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to evaluate placental 11B
      hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11B-HSD-2) mRNA levels in intrauterine
      growth-restricted fetuses (IUGR) as compared with small-for-gestational-age (SGA)
      fetuses according to clinical criteria. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Placental levels of
      11B-HSD-2 mRNA levels were measured in SGA (birth weight <10th centile) and
      gestational-age-matched, appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) births. SGA was
      classified as IUGR (birth weight <3rd centile or <10th percentile with abnormal
      uterine artery Doppler or cerebroplacental ratio) or non-IUGR SGA. After RNA
      extraction, mRNA levels were determined by reverse transcription and quantitative
      PCR. RESULTS: A total of 38 placentas were analyzed (20 AGA and 18 SGA). Among
      the SGA pregnancies, 13 qualified as IUGR. The activity of 11B-HSD-2 in IUGR
      pregnancies [0.105 (SD 0.328)] was significantly reduced compared to non-IUGR SGA
      [0.304 (SD 0.261); p = 0.018] and AGA [0.294 (SD 0.328); p = 0.001]. These
      differences remained significant after adjusting for potential confounders (such
      as smoking or maternal cortisol levels). Activity levels did not significantly
      differ between non-IUGR SGA and AGA. DISCUSSION: IUGR fetuses had reduced 11B-HSD
      2 activity in comparison with SGA and normally grown fetuses. This finding
      provides opportunities to develop new placental biomarkers for the phenotypic
      characterization of fetal smallness.

PMID- 26278976
TI  - Challenges in the Biomedical Research Enterprise in the 21st century: Antecedents
      in the writings of David Triggle.
AB  - David Triggle's career as an educator, researcher, essayist and ethicist in many
      ways has paralleled the post WWII emergence of the "biomedical research
      ecosystem" that originated in the concept of the "Endless Frontier". In the
      ensuing 70 years biomedical research has irreparably changed the nature of
      society with vaccines, the birth control pill and new generations of drugs and
      biologics to treat infections, sexually transmitted diseases, psychiatric
      disorders and cardiovascular diseases. These have led to a shift in the
      population demographic to the elderly and the chronically sick leading to major
      issues in the provision of effective and affordable healthcare for much of the
      world's population. In the present article, in addition to providing a brief
      biography and an appreciation of David Triggle's contributions to science, the
      authors expand on three topics in which he has had a major interest: improving
      the quality, reproducibility and relevance of basic biomedical research;
      declining career opportunities for graduates in an era of decreased funding-the
      end of the "Endless Frontier"; and the dynamic between the provision for
      universal healthcare and the dysfunctional, wasteful and politicized systems of
      the current medical-industrial complex in delivering healthcare. 

PMID- 26278977
TI  - alpha5-Integrin-mediated cellular signaling contributes to the myogenic response
      of cerebral resistance arteries.
AB  - The myogenic response of resistance arterioles and small arteries involving
      constriction in response to intraluminal pressure elevation and dilation on
      pressure reduction is fundamental to local blood flow regulation in the
      microcirculation. Integrins have garnered considerable attention in the context
      of initiating the myogenic response, but evidence indicative of
      mechanotransduction by integrin adhesions, for example established changes in
      tyrosine phosphorylation of key adhesion proteins, has not been obtained to
      substantiate this interpretation. Here, we evaluated the role of integrin
      adhesions and associated cellular signaling in the rat cerebral arterial myogenic
      response using function-blocking antibodies against alpha5beta1-integrins,
      pharmacological inhibitors of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and Src family kinase
      (SFK), an ultra-high-sensitivity western blotting technique, site-specific
      phosphoprotein antibodies to quantify adhesion and contractile filament protein
      phosphorylation, and differential centrifugation to determine G-actin levels in
      rat cerebral arteries at varied intraluminal pressures. Pressure-dependent
      increases in the levels of phosphorylation of FAK (FAK-Y397, Y576/Y577), SFK (SFK
      Y416; Y527 phosphorylation was reduced), vinculin-Y1065, paxillin-Y118 and
      phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C-gamma1 (PLCgamma1)-Y783 were detected.
      Treatment with alpha5-integrin function-blocking antibodies, FAK inhibitor FI-14
      or SFK inhibitor SU6656 suppressed the changes in adhesion protein
      phosphorylation, and prevented pressure-dependent phosphorylation of the myosin
      targeting subunit of myosin light chain phosphatase (MYPT1) at T855 and 20kDa
      myosin regulatory light chains (LC20) at S19, as well as actin polymerization
      that are necessary for myogenic constriction. We conclude that
      mechanotransduction by integrin adhesions and subsequent cellular signaling play
      a fundamental role in the cerebral arterial myogenic response. 

PMID- 26278978
TI  - Simplified dietary acute tryptophan depletion: effects of a novel amino acid
      mixture on the neurochemistry of C57BL/6J mice.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Diet and nutrition can impact on the biological processes
      underpinning neuropsychiatric disorders. Amino acid (AA) mixtures lacking a
      specific neurotransmitter precursor can change the levels of brain serotonin (5
      HT) or dopamine (DA) in the central nervous system. The availability of these
      substances within the brain is determined by the blood-brain barrier (BBB) that
      restricts the access of peripheral AA into the brain. AA mixtures lacking
      tryptophan (TRP) compete with endogenous TRP for uptake into the brain across the
      BBB, which in turn leads to a decrease in central nervous 5-HT synthesis.
      OBJECTIVE: The present study compared the effects of a simplified acute
      tryptophan depletion (SATD) mixture in mice on blood and brain serotonergic and
      dopaminergic metabolites to those of a commonly used acute tryptophan depletion
      mixture (ATD Moja-De) and its TRP-balanced control (BAL). DESIGN: The SATD
      formula is composed of only three large neutral AAs: phenylalanine (PHE), leucine
      (LEU), and isoleucine (ILE). BAL, ATD Moja-De, or SATD formulas were delivered to
      adult male C57BL/6J mice by gavage. TRP, monoamines, and their metabolites were
      quantified in blood and brain regions (hippocampus, frontal cortex, amygdala,
      caudate putamen, and nucleus accumbens). RESULTS: Both ATD Moja-De and SATD
      significantly decreased levels of serum and brain TRP, as well as brain 5-HIAA
      and 5-HT compared with BAL. SATD reduced HVA levels in caudate but did not alter
      total DA levels or DOPAC. SATD decreased TRP and serotonergic metabolites
      comparably to ATD Moja-De administration. CONCLUSION: A simplified and more
      palatable combination of AAs can manipulate serotonergic function and might be
      useful to reveal underlying monoamine-related mechanisms contributing to
      different neuropsychiatric disorders.

PMID- 26278979
TI  - Automatic estimation and correction of anisotropic magnification distortion in
      electron microscopes.
AB  - We demonstrate a significant anisotropic magnification distortion, found on an
      FEI Titan Krios microscope and affecting magnifications commonly used for data
      acquisition on a Gatan K2 Summit detector. We describe a program
      (mag_distortion_estimate) to automatically estimate anisotropic magnification
      distortion from a set of images of a standard gold shadowed diffraction grating.
      We also describe a program (mag_distortion_correct) to correct for the estimated
      distortion in collected images. We demonstrate that the distortion present on the
      Titan Krios microscope limits the resolution of a set of rotavirus VP6 images to
      ~7 A, which increases to ~3 A following estimation and correction of the
      distortion. We also use a 70S ribosome sample to demonstrate that in addition to
      affecting resolution, magnification distortion can also interfere with the
      classification of heterogeneous data. 

PMID- 26278980
TI  - CTFFIND4: Fast and accurate defocus estimation from electron micrographs.
AB  - CTFFIND is a widely-used program for the estimation of objective lens defocus
      parameters from transmission electron micrographs. Defocus parameters are
      estimated by fitting a model of the microscope's contrast transfer function (CTF)
      to an image's amplitude spectrum. Here we describe modifications to the algorithm
      which make it significantly faster and more suitable for use with images
      collected using modern technologies such as dose fractionation and phase plates.
      We show that this new version preserves the accuracy of the original algorithm
      while allowing for higher throughput. We also describe a measure of the quality
      of the fit as a function of spatial frequency and suggest this can be used to
      define the highest resolution at which CTF oscillations were successfully
      modeled. 

PMID- 26278981
TI  - Multi-scale simulation of plant stem reinforcement by brachysclereids: A case
      study in apple fruit peduncles.
AB  - Sclereid formation in addition to or in gaps of fragmented fibre rings is common
      in dicotyledonous plant stems. Whether this sclereid formation is force-triggered
      remains open so far. In fruit peduncles of several Malus species as modified
      plant stems, for example, the persistent fibre ring is displaced to the centre by
      formation of cortex parenchyma during growth. Parenchyma cells subsequently
      differentiate into an additional layer of brachysclereids, previously interpreted
      as an adaptation to continuously rising fruit loads. The present study pursues a
      multi-scale numerical modelling approach, to verify the important effect for
      different cellular architectures in both sclerenchyma categories on the stiffness
      of these tissues and the entire peduncle. First, different material properties
      are simulated analogue to plant tissues on the basis of three cell types. A
      regular three-dimensional and a random Voronoi microstructure combined with
      various mechanical cell wall parameters are applied. Using homogenisation
      simulations based on HILL's principle, numerical calculations predict a lower
      effective homogenised tissue stiffness of isodiametric brachysclereids compared
      to those of fibres, confirming experimentally obtained data from Malus fruit
      peduncles. Furthermore, a curved peduncle model with a complex arrangement of
      different material layers is generated. Diverse material sets are tested under
      three representative loadings, using an adaptive diffuse domain approach (AMDiS).
      The model explains the function of sclereids as considerable contributors to the
      stiffness against bending and tensile deformations, as well as torsion,
      especially in consequence of superimposed load conditions in the case of a curved
      plant stem. 

PMID- 26278982
TI  - Polyglucosan storage myopathies.
AB  - Polyglucosan is an amylopectin-like polysaccharide associated with defective
      glycogen metabolism and, unlike normal glycogen, it is to some extent resistant
      to alpha-amylase digestion. It also has a characteristic fibrillar appearance
      under the electron microscope. Polyglucosan may aggregate into dense inclusions
      known as polyglucosan bodies. Its accumulation can be found in various tissues to
      some degree in normal ageing, but it is also the hallmark of some diseases
      associated with defects in glycogen metabolism. These diseases frequently involve
      both skeletal and cardiac muscle tissue, causing myopathy with muscle weakness
      and wasting, and cardiomyopathy with arrhythmia, conduction block, and cardiac
      failure. Mutations in eight human genes are known to be associated with
      polyglucosan storage involving muscle, namely GYG1, GBE1, RBCK1 (HOIL-1), PFKM,
      EPM2A, EPM2B (NHLRC1), PRDM8, and PRKAG2. There is also a common equine
      polysaccharide storage myopathy belonging to this group of diseases involving the
      GYS1 gene. The pathogenic mechanisms that cause the abnormal glycogen
      accumulation appearing as polyglucosan have been studied in some of these
      diseases. In most cases the pathogenesis is largely unknown. In this review, we
      summarize the polyglucosan storage diseases from a clinical, morphological, and
      genetic standpoint. We also identify some important similarities and differences
      regarding the morphological appearance of polyglucosan accumulation and discuss
      pathogenic pathways. 

PMID- 26278983
TI  - Getting a handle on glycogen synthase - Its interaction with glycogenin.
AB  - Glycogen is a polymer of glucose that serves as a major energy reserve in
      eukaryotes. It is synthesized through the cooperative action of glycogen synthase
      (GS), glycogenin (GN) and glycogen branching enzyme. GN initiates the first
      enzymatic step in the glycogen synthesis process by self glucosylation of a short
      8-12 glucose residue primer. After interacting with GN, GS then extends this
      sugar primer to form glycogen particles of different sizes. We discuss recent
      developments in the structural biology characterization of GS and GN enzymes,
      which have contributed to a better understanding of how the two proteins interact
      and how they collaborate to synthesize glycogen particles. 

PMID- 26278985
TI  - [Clinical and paraclinical follow-up after radiotherapy for head and neck
      cancer].
AB  - Head and neck cancer management often involves heavy multimodal treatments
      including radiotherapy. Despite the improvement of intensity-modulated radiation
      therapy, acute and late toxicities remain important. After such treatment,
      patients have to face different potential problems, depending on the post
      therapeutic delay. In this way, short-term follow-up permits to appreciate the
      healing of acute toxicities and response to treatment. Long-term follow-up aims
      to recognize second primitive tumours and distant failure, and to detect and
      manage late toxicities. Medical and psychosocial supportive cares are essential,
      even after several years of complete remission. The objective of this article is
      to review the modalities of short-term and long-term follow-up of patients who
      receive a radiotherapy for head and neck cancer. 

PMID- 26278984
TI  - Glycogen phosphorylation and Lafora disease.
AB  - Covalent phosphorylation of glycogen, first described 35 years ago, was put on
      firm ground through the work of the Whelan laboratory in the 1990s. But glycogen
      phosphorylation lay fallow until interest was rekindled in the mid 2000s by the
      finding that it could be removed by a glycogen-binding phosphatase, laforin, and
      that mutations in laforin cause a fatal teenage-onset epilepsy, called Lafora
      disease. Glycogen phosphorylation is due to phosphomonoesters at C2, C3 and C6 of
      glucose residues. Phosphate is rare, ranging from 1:500 to 1:5000
      phosphates/glucose depending on the glycogen source. The mechanisms of glycogen
      phosphorylation remain under investigation but one hypothesis to explain C2 and
      perhaps C3 phosphate is that it results from a rare side reaction of the normal
      synthetic enzyme glycogen synthase. Lafora disease is likely caused by over
      accumulation of abnormal glycogen in insoluble deposits termed Lafora bodies in
      neurons. The abnormality in the glycogen correlates with elevated phosphorylation
      (at C2, C3 and C6), reduced branching, insolubility and an enhanced tendency to
      aggregate and become insoluble. Hyperphosphorylation of glycogen is emerging as
      an important feature of this deadly childhood disease. 

PMID- 26278986
TI  - [Radiotherapy for gliomas in adults: What are the stakes of the follow-up?].
AB  - Linked to the difference of prognosis, the terms and conditions of the follow-up
      of low-grade and high-grade gliomas treated by irradiation differ highly.
      Patients treated for a low-grade glioma have prolonged survival. In this case,
      monitoring of toxicities linked to the treatment is a major objective.
      Opportunistic infections and depression are corticosteroids side effects widely
      underestimated. Radionecrosis search and differentiation with recurrent disease
      are done by MRI. Perfusion and spectroscopy showing a choline/creatine ratio
      increase are in favour of disease recurrence. Cognitive status and quality of
      life must be evaluated during the follow-up. They have to be evaluated by adapted
      scales. Cognitive rehabilitation improves interestingly the post-treatment
      cognitive status. Pseudoprogression rates for high-grade gliomas are near 20%.
      MRI is the benchmark imaging for its diagnosis. Diffusion weight imaging and
      spectroscopy are actually the most interesting techniques. 

PMID- 26278987
TI  - [Current status of hypofractionated external beam radiotherapy for early-stage
      breast cancer].
AB  - The benefits of adjuvant radiotherapy following lumpectomy for early-stage breast
      cancer are well established. The most widely used method consists of roughly
      twenty-five fractions of whole-breast irradiation. In recent years, there has
      been a growing trend towards hypofractionated external beam radiotherapy
      regimens. Many of these techniques have been shown to be equivalent in terms of
      tumor control and cosmetic results while minimizing inconvenience and costs both
      to the patient and health care system. Here, we present the various
      hypofractionation modalities, patient selection criteria, consensus guideline
      recommendations and a look at future indications.

PMID- 26278988
TI  - Hypofractionated radiation therapy for prostate cancer: The McGill University
      Health Center experience.
AB  - PURPOSE: In 2002, at the McGill University Health Centre, we began a program of
      hypofractionated radiotherapy for patients with low risk prostate cancer as an
      alternative to conventionally fractionated radiotherapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS:
      Our initial hypofractionation regimen was 66 Gy given in 22 fractions, prescribed
      to the isocenter, delivered with 3D-conformal radiotherapy plan. The clinical
      target volume was the prostate gland and the planning target volume consisted of
      the clinical target volume plus a 7-mm margin in all directions. Hormonal therapy
      was not given to any patient. RESULTS: The long-term results for this group of
      patients confirmed the feasibility, good tolerance and excellent disease control
      of the regimen with the extra-benefit of being convenient to both patients and
      the health system by shortening treatment duration. The outcomes of this approach
      stimulated us to use hypofractionation in patients with intermediate-risk.
      Analysis of 100 intermediate-risk patients receiving our hypofractionated
      radiotherapy regimen (no hormones) shows, at median follow-up of 75 months, 8
      year biochemical recurrence free and cancer specific survival rates of 90% and
      95%, respectively, with acceptable toxicity. DISCUSSION: Our technique changed
      from 3D to intensity modulated radiotherapy with the dose adjusted to 60 Gy in 20
      fractions. Lastly, we have expanded the program to high-risk patients where IMRT
      treatments are given to the pelvic nodes (44 Gy in 20 fractions) with a
      simultaneous integrated boost delivery to the prostate (60 Gy in the same 20
      fractions). Our long-term results have shown that moderate hypofractionated
      radiotherapy for prostate cancer is safe and provides good tumor control
      comparable to high-dose conventionally fractionated radiotherapy. This
      hypofractionated regimen has been routinely used in our institution.

PMID- 26278989
TI  - [Surveillance after prostate cancer radiotherapy: Evaluation and management of
      toxicity and relapse].
AB  - Prostate cancer is the most frequent cancer among European males with a high
      survival rate. The economic impact of treatments and follow-up are significant.
      The objectives of the follow-up after prostate radiotherapy is multiple:
      diagnosis and treatment of side-effects, early detection of biochemical
      recurrence, with the aim of proposing a second local treatment to improve quality
      of life or overall survival and feedback of the treatment results to better
      inform patients at the beginning of the disease. This article reports incidence
      of main side-effects (digestive, urinary and sexual) with their treatments and
      guidelines for clinical and biological follow-up with strategies of imaging
      studies and salvage treatments. 

PMID- 26278990
TI  - [Organ preserving strategies for rectal cancer treatment].
AB  - For rectal cancers, the current standard of care consists of chemoradiation
      followed by radical surgery with total mesorectal excision. Oncologic results are
      good, especially regarding local recurrence rates, but at the cost of high
      morbidity rates and poor anorectal, urinary and sexual function results. Since
      chemoradiation yields 15 to 25% pathological complete response, the role of
      radical surgery is questioned for patients presenting with good response after
      chemoradiation and two organ preservation strategies have been offered: watch and
      wait strategy and local excision strategy. The aim of this review is to give the
      results of organ preservation after chemoradiotherapy series and to highlight
      different questions regarding initial patient's selection, complete clinical
      response definition, risk of mesorectal nodal involvement, follow-up modalities
      as well as oncologic and functional results. 

PMID- 26278991
TI  - [Implementing new technology in radiation oncology: The French agency for nuclear
      safety (ASN) report].
AB  - In August 2013, the French nuclear safety agency (ASN) requested the permanent
      group of experts in radiation protection in medicine (GPMED) to propose
      recommendations on the implementation of new technology and techniques in
      radiation oncology. These recommendations were finalized in February 2015 by the
      GPMED. In April 2015, the ASN sent a letter to the French ministry of health
      (DGS/DGOS), and its national health agencies (ANSM, INCa, HAS). In these letters,
      ASN proposed that, from the 12 recommendations made by the GPMED, an action plan
      should be established, whose control could be assigned to the French national
      cancer institute (INCa), as a pilot of the national committee for radiotherapy
      and that this proposal has to be considered at the next meeting of the national
      committee of radiotherapy.

PMID- 26278992
TI  - Micro-intestinal robot with wireless power transmission: design, analysis and
      experiment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Video capsule endoscopy is a useful tool for noninvasive intestinal
      detection, but it is not capable of active movement; wireless power is an
      effective solution to this problem. METHODS: The research in this paper consists
      of two parts: the mechanical structure which enables the robot to move smoothly
      inside the intestinal tract, and the wireless power supply which ensures
      efficiency. First, an intestinal robot with leg architectures was developed based
      on the Archimedes spiral, which mimics the movement of an inchworm. The spiral
      legs were capable of unfolding to an angle of approximately 155 degrees , which
      guaranteed stability of clamping, consistency of surface pressure, and avoided
      the risk of puncturing the intestinal tract. Secondly, the necessary power to
      operate the robot was far beyond the capacity of button batteries, so a wireless
      power transmission (WPT) platform was developed. The design of the platform
      focused on power transfer efficiency and frequency stability. In addition, the
      safety of human tissue in the alternating electromagnetic field was also taken
      into consideration. Finally, the assembled robot was tested and verified with the
      use of the WPT platform. RESULTS: In the isolated intestine, the robot system
      successfully traveled along the intestine with an average speed of 23 mm per
      minute. The obtained videos displayed a resolution of 320 * 240 and a
      transmission rate of 30 frames per second. The WPT platform supplied up to 500 mW
      of energy to the robot, and achieved a power transfer efficiency of 12%.
      CONCLUSION: It has been experimentally verified that the intestinal robot is safe
      and effective as an endoscopy tool, for which wireless power is feasible.
      Proposals for further improving the robot and wireless power supply are provided
      later in this paper.

PMID- 26278993
TI  - Singlet oxygen photogeneration from X-O2 van der Waals complexes: double spin
      flip vs. charge-transfer mechanism.
AB  - The channel of singlet oxygen O2((1)Deltag) photogeneration from van der Waals
      complexes of oxygen X-O2 has been investigated to discriminate between two
      possible mechanisms based on charge-transfer (CT) or double spin-flip (DSF)
      transitions. The results obtained in this work for complexes with X = ethylene
      C2H4, 1,3-butadiene C4H6, deuterated methyl iodide CD3I, benzene C6H6 and water
      H2O and for those investigated previously indicate the DSF mechanism as a source
      of singlet oxygen. The formation of O2((1)Deltag) is observed only when the
      energy of exciting quantum is sufficient for DSF transition. Universally detected
      low vibrational excitation of O2((1)Deltag) arising in the photodissociation of
      van der Waals complexes X-O2 indicates the DSF mechanism as its source. For
      complex of ethylene C2H4-O2ab initio calculations of vertical energy DeltaE(vert)
      for DSF and CT transitions have been carried out. The positive results of singlet
      oxygen formation from C2H4-O2 can be explained by the DSF but not by the CT
      mechanism.

PMID- 26278994
TI  - Optimization of hydrolysis and volatile fatty acids production from sugarcane
      filter cake: Effects of urea supplementation and sodium hydroxide pretreatment.
AB  - Different methods for optimization the anaerobic digestion (AD) of sugarcane
      filter cake (FC) with a special focus on volatile fatty acids (VFA) production
      were studied. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) pretreatment at different concentrations
      was investigated in batch experiments and the cumulative methane yields fitted to
      a dual-pool two-step model to provide an initial assessment on AD. The effects of
      nitrogen supplementation in form of urea and NaOH pretreatment for improved VFA
      production were evaluated in a semi-continuously operated reactor as well. The
      results indicated that higher NaOH concentrations during pretreatment accelerated
      the AD process and increased methane production in batch experiments. Nitrogen
      supplementation resulted in a VFA loss due to methane formation by buffering the
      pH value at nearly neutral conditions (~ 6.7). However, the alkaline pretreatment
      with 6g NaOH/100g FCFM improved both the COD solubilization and the VFA yield by
      37%, mainly consisted by n-butyric and acetic acids.

PMID- 26278995
TI  - Behavior of CMPCs in unidirectional constrained and stress-free 3D hydrogels.
AB  - Cardiomyocyte progenitor cells (CMPCs) are a candidate cell source for cardiac
      regenerative therapy. However, like other stem cells, after transplantation in
      the heart, cell retention and differentiation capacity of the CMPCs are low.
      Combining cells with biomaterials might overcome this problem. By serving as a
      (temporal) environment, the biomaterial can retain the cells and provide signals
      that enhance survival, proliferation and differentiation of the cells. To gain
      more insight into the effect that the encapsulation of CMPCs in a biomaterial has
      on their behavior, we cultured CMPCs in unidirectional constrained and stress
      free collagen/Matrigel hydrogels. CMPCs cultured in 3D hydrogels stay viable and
      keep their cardiomyogenic profile independent of the application of strain.
      Moreover, the increased expression of Nkx2.5, myocardin and cTnT in 3D hydrogels
      compared to 2D cultures, suggests enhanced cardiomyogenic differentiation
      capacity of cells in 3D. Furthermore, increased expression of collagen I,
      collagen III, elastin and fibronectin and of the matrix remodeling enzymes MMP-1,
      MMP-2, MMP-9, and TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in the 3D hydrogels is indicative of an
      enhanced matrix remodeling capacity of CMPCs in a 3D environment, independent of
      the application of strain. Interestingly, the additional application of static
      strain to the 3D hydrogels, as imposed by hydrogel constrainment, stabilized CMPC
      viability and proliferation, resulted in enhanced cardiac marker protein
      expression and appeared crucial for cellular organization and morphology. More
      specifically, CMPCs cultured in 3D collagen/Matrigel constrained hydrogels became
      readily mechanosensitive, had a rod-shaped morphology, and responded to the
      applied strain by orienting in the direction of the constraint. Overall, our data
      demonstrate the applicability of CMPCs in a 3D environment since encapsulation of
      CMPCs may stabilize survival and proliferation, can enhance the differentiation
      and remodeling capacity of the cells, and could induce cellular re-organization,
      which all may contribute to an improved efficiency of cardiac stem cell therapy. 

PMID- 26278996
TI  - A pathological study of the salivary glands of rabid dogs in the Philippines.
AB  - Rabies is a zoonotic disease caused by the rabies virus. While the salivary
      glands are important as exit and propagation sites for the rabies virus, the
      mechanisms of rabies excretion remain unclear. Here, we investigated the
      histopathology of the salivary glands of rabid dogs and analyzed the mechanism of
      excretion into the oral cavity. Mandibular and parotid glands of 22 rabid dogs
      and three control dogs were used. Mild to moderate non-suppurative sialadenitis
      was observed in the mandibular glands of 19 of the 22 dogs, characterized by loss
      of acinar epithelium and infiltration by lymphoplasmacytic cells. Viral antigens
      were detected in the mucous acinar epithelium, ganglion neurons and
      myoepithelium. Acinar epithelium and lymphocytes were positive for anti-caspase-3
      antibodies and TUNEL staining. In contrast, no notable findings were observed in
      the ductal epithelial cells and serous demilune. In the parotid gland, the acinar
      cells, myoepithelium and ductal epithelium all tested negative. These findings
      confirmed the path through which the rabies virus descends along the facial nerve
      after proliferation in the brain to reach the ganglion neurons of the mandibular
      gland, subsequently traveling to the acinar epithelium via the salivary gland
      myoepithelium. Furthermore, the observation that nerve endings passing through
      the myoepithelium were absent from the ductal system suggested that viral
      proliferation and cytotoxicity could not occur there, ensuring that secretions
      containing the virus are efficiently excreted into the oral cavity. 

PMID- 26278997
TI  - Thalamic Dysmetria.

PMID- 26278998
TI  - CARF (Collaborator of ARF) overexpression in p53-deficient cells promotes
      carcinogenesis.
AB  - Collaborator of ARF (CARF), initially identified as a binding partner of ARF
      (Alternate Reading Frame), has been shown to activate ARF-p53 pathway by multiple
      ways including stabilization of ARF and p53 tumor suppressor proteins, and
      transcriptional repression of a p53 antagonist, HDM2. Level of CARF expression
      was shown to determine fate of cells. Whereas its knockdown caused apoptosis, its
      over- and super-expressions caused senescence and increase in malignant
      properties of cancer cells, respectively, and were closely linked to increase and
      decrease in p53 activity. Using p53-compromised cancer cells, we demonstrate that
      CARF induces growth arrest when wild type p53 is present and in p53-absence, it
      promotes carcinogenesis. Biochemical analyses on CARF-induced molecular signaling
      revealed that in p53-null cells, it caused transcriptional repression of
      p21(WAF1) leading to increase in CDK4, CDK6, pRb and E2F1 resulting in continued
      cell cycle progression. Furthermore, it instigated increase in migration and
      invasion of cancer cells that was marked by upregulation of MMP2, MMP3, MMP9,
      uPA, several interleukins and VEGF expression. Consistent with these findings, we
      found that human clinical samples of epithelial and glial cancers (frequently
      marked by loss of p53 function) possessed high level of CARF expression showing a
      relationship with cancer aggressiveness. The data demonstrated that CARF could be
      considered as a diagnostic marker and a therapeutic target in p53-compromised
      malignancies. 

PMID- 26278999
TI  - A study of MRI changes in Wilson disease and its correlation with clinical
      features and outcome.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the sensitivity of different MRI sequences in Wilson
      disease (WD) with neurological manifestations and its correlation with clinical
      features and outcome. METHODS: 34 WD patients with neurological manifestation
      with a median age of 14 years were included. Their Mini Mental State Examination
      (MMSE) score, movement disorders and laboratory findings were noted. Cranial MRI
      in T1, T2, FLAIR and DW sequences were done. Outcome at 6 months was categorized
      into improved (>1 grade improvement), static or worsening. RESULTS: MRI was
      abnormal in all and revealed involvement of putamen in 29 (85.3%), caudate in 23
      (67.6%), brainstem and globus pallidus in 21 (61.8%) each, thalamus in 20
      (58.8%), cerebral cortex in 9 (26.5%), subcortical white matter in 8 (23.5%), and
      cerebellum in 2 (5.9%) patients. The overall sensitivity of T2 and FLAIR was
      97.1% each, DWI 38.2% and T1 31.4%. None had contrast enhancement and 4 had
      reduced ADC value. Choreoathetosis correlated with thalamic, pallidal and
      putaminal lesions; MMSE with subcortical white mater. MRI load correlated with
      age, tremor, psychiatric disorder, choreoathetosis, and severity of WD. At 6
      months 9 (26.5%) patients improved, 18 (52.9%) remained static and 6 (17.6%)
      deteriorated. CONCLUSION: In neurologic WD, putaminal involvement is the
      commonest; T2 and FLAIR sequences have similar sensitivity and number of MRI
      lesions correlated with disease severity but not with outcome.

PMID- 26279001
TI  - Revision of the opinion on hydrolysed wheat proteins - Sensitisation only.

PMID- 26279002
TI  - Antibiotic susceptibility of Neochlamydia hartmanellae and Parachlamydia
      acanthamoebae in amoebae.
AB  - Parachlamydia acanthamoebae and Neochlamydia hartmanellae are Chlamydia-related
      bacteria naturally infecting free-living amoebae. These strict intracellular
      bacteria might represent emerging pathogens. Recent studies report an association
      with lower respiratory tract infections, especially with pneumonia where they
      have been identified as a potential causative agent in 1-2% of cases. In this
      study, we defined the antibiotic susceptibility of N. hartmanellae, two strains
      of P. acanthamoebae and two yet unclassified Parachlamydiaceae strains using a
      quantitative approach. We confirmed the results obtained earlier for P.
      acanthamoebae strain Bn9 in an observational study. Macrolides (MICs < 0.06-0.5
      MUg/ml), rifampicin (MICs 0.25-2) and doxycycline (2-4 MUg/ml) were active
      against P. acanthamoebae strains and Neochlamydia. All strains were resistant to
      amoxicillin, ceftriaxone and imipenem (MIC >=32 MUg/ml). Similarly to other
      Chlamydia-related bacteria, all investigated Parachlamydiaceae were resistant to
      quinolones (MICs >= 16 MUg/ml). Therefore, we recommend a treatment with
      macrolides for Parachlamydia-associated pneumonia. 

PMID- 26279004
TI  - Swedish Interactive Threshold Algorithm for central visual field defects
      unrelated to nerve fiber layer.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the characteristic appearance of induced central visual
      field defects unrelated to the nerve fiber layer on standard automated perimetry
      using the Swedish Interactive Threshold Algorithm (SITA), and to compare the
      findings to the appearance on existing Full Threshold (FT) and FASTPAC (FP)
      algorithms. METHODS: Thirty right eyes of 30 healthy young participants were
      examined using four Humphrey 24-2 program algorithms: FT, FP, SITA-Standard (SS),
      and SITA-Fast (SF). Central visual field defects were induced using a high
      density white opacity filter centered on a plano lens. The test duration, fovea
      threshold, mean sensitivity (MS), mean deviation (MD), pattern standard deviation
      (PSD), visual field index (VFI), and defect size and depth were compared among
      all algorithms. RESULTS: The mean test duration was 21 % to 71 % shorter (p <
      0.01), the fovea threshold 0.9 to 2.6 dB higher (p < 0.05), MS 1.1 to 1.7 dB
      higher (p < 0.05), MD 0.84 to 1.48 dB higher, PSD 0.33 to 0.60 lower, and VFI 2 %
      higher (p < 0.05) on SS and SF than on FT and FP. The defect size was
      approximately four points larger and the defect depth 127 to 156 dB shallower on
      SS and SF than on FT and FP (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Central visual field defects
      unrelated to the nerve fiber layer were wider and shallower and global indices
      were higher on SITA than on conventional FT and FP. These findings indicate that
      careful attention is required when converting from FT and FP to SITA.

PMID- 26279005
TI  - The life cycle of Hexangium sigani Goto & Ozaki, 1929 (Digenea:
      Microscaphidiidae) from the Red Sea.
AB  - The microscaphidiid Hexangium sigani Goto & Ozaki, 1929 was found in the
      intestine of Siganus rivulatus, a siganid fish permanently resident in a lagoon
      within the mangrove swamps on the Egyptian coast of the Gulf of Aqaba. Intra
      molluscan stages of this trematode (mother sporocysts, rediae and cercariae) were
      found in the gonads and digestive gland of Nassarius pullus (Gastropoda:
      Nassariidae), a common snail in the same lagoon. Consequently, the life cycle of
      H. sigani was elucidated under natural conditions: eggs are directly ingested by
      the snail; mother sporocysts and rediae reach maturity 5-7 and 16-17 weeks post
      infection; rediae contain 18-26 developing cercariae; fully developed cercariae
      are monostome, without penetration glands, emerge from the snail during the night
      18-19 weeks post-infection and rapidly encyst on aquatic vegetation (there is no
      second intermediate host); encysted metacercariae are not progenetic; 2-day-old
      metacercariae encysted on filamentous algae fed to S. rivulatus developed into
      fully mature worms 5-6 weeks post-infection. The cycle was completed in about 24
      weeks. The intra-molluscan stages are very similar to those of Dictyangium
      chelydrae Stunkard, 1943, the only described intra-molluscan stages of any
      microscaphidiid. However, they are also similar to those of the family
      Mesometridae. The present study of H. sigani describes the first complete
      microscaphidiid life cycle, and implicitly supports the phylogenetic relationship
      of this family with the Mesometridae inferred from molecular phylogenetic
      studies. 

PMID- 26279003
TI  - Elevated vitreous body glial fibrillary acidic protein in retinal diseases.
AB  - PURPOSE: Increased expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is a
      characteristic of gliotic activation (Muller cells and astrocytes) in the retina.
      This study assessed vitreous body GFAP levels in various forms of retinal
      pathology. METHODS: This prospective study included 82 patients who underwent
      vitrectomy (46 retinal detachments (RDs), 13 macular hole (MHs), 15 epiretinal
      glioses (EGs), 8 organ donors). An established enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
      (ELISA, SMI26) was used for quantification of GFAP. RESULTS: The highest
      concentration of vitreous body GFAP in organ donors was 20 pg/mL and it was used
      as the cutoff. A significant proportion of patients suffering from RD (65 %) to
      EG (53 %) had vitreous body GFAP levels above this cutoff when compared to organ
      donors (0 %, p < 0.0001, p = 0.0194, respectively, Fisher's exact test) and MH (8
      %, p < 0.0001, p = 0.0157, respectively). In RD and EG, vitreous body GFAP levels
      were correlated with axial length (R = 0.69, R = 0.52, p < 0.05 for both).
      CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that human vitreous body GFAP is a protein
      biomarker for glial activation in response to retinal pathologies. Vitreous body
      GFAP levels may be of interest as a surrogate outcome for experimental treatment
      strategies in translational studies.

PMID- 26279006
TI  - Analysis of phospholipids in bio-oils and fats by hydrophilic interaction liquid
      chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.
AB  - A new, sensitive and selective liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization
      tandem mass spectrometric (LC-ESI-MS/MS) method was developed for the analysis of
      Phospholipids (PLs) in bio-oils and fats. This analysis employs hydrophilic
      interaction liquid chromatography-scheduled multiple reaction monitoring (HILIC
      sMRM) with a ZIC-cHILIC column. Eight PL class selective internal standards
      (homologs) were used for the semi-quantification of 14 PL classes for the first
      time. More than 400 scheduled MRMs were used for the measurement of PLs with a
      run time of 34min. The method's performance was evaluated for vegetable oil,
      animal fat and algae oil. The averaged within-run precision and between-run
      precision were <=10% for all of the PL classes that had a direct homologue as an
      internal standard. The method accuracy was generally within 80-120% for the
      tested PL analytes in all three sample matrices. 

PMID- 26279007
TI  - Comparison of a stable isotope labeled (SIL) peptide and an extended SIL peptide
      as internal standards to track digestion variability of an unstable signature
      peptide during quantification of a cancer biomarker, human osteopontin, from
      plasma using capillary microflow LC-MS/MS.
AB  - Human osteopontin (hOPN) is a secreted plasma protein which is elevated in
      various cancers and is indicative of poor prognosis. Here we describe
      investigations involving an extended peptide internal standard to track an
      unstable signature peptide followed by further method development and validation
      for quantitative measurement of hOPN from plasma using microflow liquid
      chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (MFLC-MS/MS). A biologically relevant
      tryptic peptide 'GDSVVYGLR' was used as a signature peptide for this method. The
      optimized method involved immunocapture of the analyte protein using hOPN
      specific antibodies followed by trypsin digestion to obtain the signature
      peptide. Analysis was carried out on a Waters IonKey/MS system using a flow rate
      of 2.5MUL/min. Immunocapture buffer was used as a surrogate matrix for the
      validation studies. The method was validated over a range of 25-600ng/mL. Intra
      assay and inter-assay accuracies were within +/-13%. Intra-assay and inter-assay
      precision were within 17%. A stable isotope labeled (SIL) peptide GDSVVYGLR* and
      an extended SIL peptide TYDGRGDSVV*YGLRSKSKKF were evaluated as internal
      standards (IS) to account for signature peptide digestion instability and
      variability. Inherent digestion variability i.e., under controlled conditions,
      was within +/-20% with both IS peptides. In digestion variability studies, where
      trypsin activity was varied (20-180%), the use of the extended SIL peptide as an
      internal standard limited the variability to within +/-30% of the normalized
      response. Alternatively, when the SIL peptide was used as the internal standard,
      the variability ranged from -67.4% to 50.6% of the normalized response. The
      applicability of the validated method was demonstrated by quantification of OPN
      from plasma samples obtained from 10 healthy individuals and 10 breast cancer
      patients. The plasma OPN concentrations in healthy individuals ranged from 38 to
      85ng/mL with a mean concentration of 55.4+/-15.3ng/mL. A 1.5-12 fold increase in
      OPN concentrations, ranging from 85 to 637ng/mL, was seen in breast cancer
      patient samples. 

PMID- 26279008
TI  - Capillary ion chromatography-mass spectrometry for simultaneous determination of
      glucosylglycerol and sucrose in intracellular extracts of cyanobacteria.
AB  - A capillary ion chromatography-mass spectrometry (MS) method was proposed to
      determine glucosylglycerol (GG), sucrose, and five other carbohydrates. MS
      conditions and make-up flow parameters were optimized. This method is accurate
      and sensitive for simultaneous analysis of carbohydrates, with mean correlation
      coefficients of determination greater than 0.99, relative standard deviation of
      0.91-2.81% for eight replicates, and average spiked recoveries of 97.3-104.9%.
      Limits of detection of sodium adduct were obtained with MS detection in selected
      ion mode for GG (0.006mg/L), sucrose (0.02mg/L), and other carbohydrates
      (0.03mg/L). This method was successfully applied to determine GG and sucrose in
      intracellular extracts of salt-stressed cyanobacteria. 

PMID- 26279009
TI  - Development, validation and application of the liquid chromatography tandem mass
      spectrometry method for simultaneous quantification of azilsartan medoxomil (TAK
      491), azilsartan (TAK-536), and its 2 metabolites in human plasma.
AB  - Azilsartan medoxomil potassium salt (TAK-491) is an orally administered
      angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker for the treatment of hypertension and is
      an ester-based prodrug that is rapidly hydrolyzed to the pharmacologically active
      moiety, azilsartan (TAK-536), during absorption. TAK-536 is biotransformed to the
      2 metabolites M-I by decarboxylation and M-II by dealkylation. In this study, we
      developed and validated a LC/MS/MS method which can simultaneously determine 4
      analytes, TAK-491, TAK-536, M-I and M-II. The bioanalytical method can be
      outlined as follows: two structural analogues are used as the internal standards.
      The analytes and the IS are extracted from human plasma using solid phase
      extraction. After evaporating, the residue is reconstituted and injected into a
      LC/MS/MS system with an ESI probe and analyzed in the positive ion mode.
      Separation is performed through a conventional reversed-phase column with a
      mobile phase of water/acetonitrile/acetic acid (40:60:0.05, v/v/v) mixture at a
      flow rate of 0.2mL/min. The total run time is 8.5min. The calibration range is 1
      2500ng/mL in human plasma for all the analytes. Instability issues of the
      prodrug, TAK-491, were overcome and all the validation results met the acceptance
      criteria in accordance with the regulatory guideline/guidance. As a result of the
      clinical study, the human PK profiles of TAK-536, M-I and M-II were successfully
      obtained and also it was confirmed that TAK-491 was below the LLOQ (1ng/mL) in
      the human plasma samples. 

PMID- 26279010
TI  - Development of a stable isotope dilution LC-MS assay for the quantitation of
      multiple polyethylene glycol (PEG) homologues to be used in permeability studies.
AB  - A new quantitation method based on a multiple stable isotope dilution assay
      (SIDA) was developed for polyethylene glycol (PEG) homologues from PEG mixtures
      with average molecular weights (MW) of 400, 1500, 3000 and 4000Da in urine. Seven
      [(13)C4(2)H4] and two [(13)C8(2)H8]PEG homologues were synthesized and served as
      labelled internal standards for SIDA. PEG oligomers were resolved by reversed
      phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) coupled to mass
      spectrometry (MS) in multiple ion (MI) scan modus. Very low limits of detection
      (LODs) in a range of 0.4-12ng/mL were achieved for the single homologues. Higher
      PEG homologues showed increased LODs and LOQs and less effective recovery (77
      87%) than PEG with lower molecular masses (95-121%). Precision (relative standard
      deviation) varied between 3 and 13% and showed no dependence of the chain length.
      The method was successfully applied to human and mice urine samples. Beside an
      accurate quantitation of single PEG homologues it was possible to show an
      alteration in the MW distribution in urine samples compared to the dosed PEG
      solutions. The highest MW, with which a PEG can pass the intestinal wall (so
      called "cut off") for humans appeared to be higher than for mice. 

PMID- 26279011
TI  - Trains, tails and loops of partially adsorbed semi-flexible filaments.
AB  - Polymer adsorption is a fundamental problem in statistical mechanics that has
      direct relevance to diverse disciplines ranging from biological lubrication to
      stability of colloidal suspensions. We combine experiments with computer
      simulations to investigate depletion induced adsorption of semi-flexible polymers
      onto a hard-wall. Three dimensional filament configurations of partially adsorbed
      F-actin polymers are visualized with total internal reflection fluorescence
      microscopy. This information is used to determine the location of the
      adsorption/desorption transition and extract the statistics of trains, tails and
      loops of partially adsorbed filament configurations. In contrast to long flexible
      filaments which primarily desorb by the formation of loops, the desorption of
      stiff, finite-sized filaments is largely driven by fluctuating filament tails.
      Simulations quantitatively reproduce our experimental data and allow us to
      extract universal laws that explain scaling of the adsorption-desorption
      transition with relevant microscopic parameters. Our results demonstrate how the
      adhesion strength, filament stiffness, length, as well as the configurational
      space accessible to the desorbed filament can be used to design the
      characteristics of filament adsorption and thus engineer properties of composite
      biopolymeric materials. 

PMID- 26279012
TI  - 3D liver models on a microplatform: well-defined culture, engineering of liver
      tissue and liver-on-a-chip.
AB  - The liver, the largest organ in the human body, is a multi-functional organ with
      diverse metabolic activities that plays a critical role in maintaining the body
      and sustaining life. Although the liver has excellent regenerative and
      recuperative properties, damages caused by chronic liver diseases or viral
      infection may lead to permanent loss of liver functions. Studies of liver disease
      mechanism have focused on drug screening and liver tissue engineering techniques,
      including strategies based on in vitro models. However, conventional liver models
      are plagued by a number of limitations, which have motivated the development of
      'liver-on-a-chip' and microplatform-based bioreactors that can provide well
      defined microenvironments. Microtechnology is a promising tool for liver tissue
      engineering and liver system development, as it can mimic the complex in vivo
      microenvironment and microlevel ultrastructure, by using a small number of human
      cells under two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) culture conditions.
      These systems provided by microtechnology allow improved liver-specific functions
      and can be expanded to encompass diverse 3D culture methods, which are critical
      for the maintenance of liver functions and recapitulation of the features of the
      native liver. In this review, we provide an overview of microtechnologies that
      have been used for liver studies, describe biomimetic technologies for
      constructing microscale 2D and 3D liver models as well as liver-on-a-chip systems
      and microscale bioreactors, and introduce applications of liver microtechnology
      and future trends in the field. 

PMID- 26279013
TI  - Five questions to consider before conducting a stepped wedge trial.
AB  - Researchers should consider five questions before starting a stepped wedge trial.
      Why are you planning one? Researchers sometimes think that stepped wedge trials
      are useful when there is little doubt about the benefit of the intervention being
      tested. However, if the primary reason for an intervention is to measure its
      effect, without equipoise there is no ethical justification for delaying
      implementation in some clusters. By contrast, if you are undertaking pragmatic
      research, where the primary reason for rolling out the intervention is for it to
      exert its benefits, and if phased implementation is inevitable, a stepped wedge
      trial is a valid option and provides better evidence than most non-randomized
      evaluations. What design will you use? Two common stepped wedge designs are based
      on the recruitment of a closed or open cohort. In both, individuals may
      experience both control and intervention conditions and you should be concerned
      about carry-over effects. In a third, continuous-recruitment, short-exposure
      design, individuals are recruited as they become eligible and experience either
      control or intervention condition, but not both. How will you conduct the primary
      analysis? In stepped wedge trials, control of confounding factors through secular
      variation is essential. 'Vertical' approaches preserve randomization and compare
      outcomes between randomized groups within periods. 'Horizontal' approaches
      compare outcomes before and after crossover to the intervention condition. Most
      analysis models used in practice combine both types of comparison. The
      appropriate analytic strategy should be considered on a case-by-case basis. How
      large will your trial be? Standard sample size calculations for cluster
      randomized trials do not accommodate the specific features of stepped wedge
      trials. Methods exist for many stepped wedge designs, but simulation-based
      calculations provide the greatest flexibility. In some scenarios, such as when
      the intracluster correlation coefficient is moderate or high, or the cluster size
      is large, a stepped wedge trial may require fewer clusters than a parallel
      cluster trial. How will you report your trial? Stepped wedge trials are currently
      challenging to report using CONSORT principles. Researchers should consider how
      to demonstrate balance achieved by randomization and how to describe trends for
      outcomes in both intervention and control clusters. 

PMID- 26279014
TI  - Photocatalytic oxidation of TMB with the double stranded DNA-SYBR Green I complex
      for label-free and universal colorimetric bioassay.
AB  - We report here the newly discovered photocatalytic activity of the dsDNA-SYBR
      Green I (SG) complex, which can catalyze the oxidation of 3,3',5,5'
      tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) under light irradiation corresponding to the
      excitation of the dsDNA-SG complex. The most appealing feature of the
      photocatalytic system here is that it can be obtained using random DNA sequences
      that can form a duplex. Considering the universality of the photooxidase, a label
      free and universal platform was proposed for highly sensitive visual bioassays. 

PMID- 26279015
TI  - Breast Radiation Therapy--Sometimes Less May Be More.

PMID- 26279016
TI  - The Red Journal's Top Downloads of 2014.

PMID- 26279017
TI  - Thoracic Radiation Therapy in Extensive Disease Small Cell Lung Cancer.

PMID- 26279018
TI  - Extensive-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer: Is Consolidative Thoracic Radiation
      Therapy Really a New Standard of Care?

PMID- 26279019
TI  - "Feeding the Beast" Is Not the Road to Value.

PMID- 26279020
TI  - Prospective Longitudinal Assessment of Quality of Life for Liver Cancer Patients
      Treated With Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate quality of life (QoL), an important outcome owing to poor
      long-term survival, after stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) to the
      liver. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Patients (n=222) with hepatocellular carcinoma
      (HCC), liver metastases, or intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and Child-Pugh A
      liver function received 24-60 Gy of 6-fraction image-guided SBRT. Prospective QoL
      assessment was completed with the European Organization for Research and
      Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core-30 (QLQ-C30) and/or
      Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Hepatobiliary (FACT-Hep, version 4)
      questionnaires at baseline and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment. Ten HCC
      patients with Child-Pugh B liver function were also treated. RESULTS: The QLQ-C30
      was available for 205 patients, and 196 completed the FACT-Hep. No difference in
      baseline QoL (P = .17) or overall survival (P = .088) was seen between the HCC,
      liver metastases, and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma patients. Appetite loss and
      fatigue measured by the QLQ-C30 clinically and statistically worsened by 1 month
      after treatment but recovered by 3 months. At 3 and 12 months after treatment,
      respectively, the FACT-Hep score had improved relative to baseline in 13%/19%,
      worsened in 36%/27%, and remained stable in 51%/54%. Using the QLQ-C30 Global
      Health score, QoL improved in 16%/23%, worsened in 34%/39%, and remained stable
      in 50%/38% at 3 and 12 months, respectively. Median survival was 17.0 months (95%
      confidence interval [CI] 12.3-19.8 months). Higher baseline scores on both FACT
      Hep and QLQ-C30 Global Health were associated with improved survival. Hazard
      ratios for death, per 10-unit decrease in QoL, were 0.90 (95% CI 0.83-0.98; P =
      .001) and 0.88 (95% CI 0.82-0.95; P = .001), respectively. Tumor size was
      inversely correlated with survival. CONCLUSIONS: Liver SBRT temporarily worsens
      appetite and fatigue, but not overall QoL. Stereotactic body radiation therapy is
      well tolerated and warrants comparison against other liver-directed therapies.

PMID- 26279021
TI  - Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for Liver Cancer: Effective Therapy With
      Minimal Impact on Quality of Life.

PMID- 26279022
TI  - COSMIC: A Regimen of Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy Plus Dose-Escalated,
      Raster-Scanned Carbon Ion Boost for Malignant Salivary Gland Tumors: Results of
      the Prospective Phase 2 Trial.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of intensity modulated radiation therapy
      (IMRT) and dose-escalated carbon ion (C12) therapy in adenoid cystic carcinoma
      (ACC) and other malignant salivary gland tumors (MSGTs) of the head and neck.
      PATIENTS AND METHODS: COSMIC (combined treatment of malignant salivary gland
      tumors with intensity modulated radiation therapy and carbon ions) is a
      prospective phase 2 trial of 24 Gy(RBE) C12 followed by 50 Gy IMRT in patients
      with pathologically confirmed MSGT. The primary endpoint is mucositis Common
      Terminology Criteria grade 3; the secondary endpoints are locoregional control
      (LC), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and toxicity.
      Toxicity was scored according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse
      Events version 3; treatment response was scored according to Response Evaluation
      Criteria in Solid Tumors 1.1. RESULTS: Between July 2010 and August 2011, 54
      patients were accrued, and 53 were available for evaluation. The median follow-up
      time was 42 months; patients with microscopically incomplete resections (R1, n =
      20), gross residual disease (R2, n = 17), and inoperable disease (n = 16) were
      included. Eighty-nine percent of patients had ACC, and 57% had T4 tumors. The
      most common primary sites were paranasal sinus (34%), submandibular gland, and
      palate. At the completion of radiation therapy, 26% of patients experienced grade
      3 mucositis, and 20 patients reported adverse events of the ear (38%). The most
      common observed late effects were grade 1 xerostomia (49%), hearing impairment
      (25%, 2% ipsilateral hearing loss), and adverse events of the eye (20%), but no
      visual impairment or loss of vision. Grade 1 central nervous system necrosis
      occurred in 6%, and 1 grade 4 ICA hemorrhage without neurologic sequelae. The
      best response was 54% (complete response/partial remission). At 3 years, the LC,
      PFS, and OS were 81.9%, 57.9%, and 78.4%, respectively. No difference was found
      regarding resection status. The most common site of failure was distant (55%).
      Local relapse was predominantly in field (79%). CONCLUSION: Treatment was
      tolerated, with moderate acute and late toxicity. The LC at 3 years was
      promising. No significant difference could be shown regarding resection status;
      hence, extensive and mutilating surgical procedures should be rediscussed.
      Further dose escalation may be limited in view of potential vascular adverse
      events.

PMID- 26279023
TI  - Pulmonary Function After Treatment for Embryonal Brain Tumors on SJMB03 That
      Included Craniospinal Irradiation.
AB  - PURPOSE: The treatment of children with embryonal brain tumors (EBT) includes
      craniospinal irradiation (CSI). There are limited data regarding the effect of
      CSI on pulmonary function. METHODS: Protocol SJMB03 enrolled patients 3 to 21
      years of age with EBT. Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) (forced expiratory volume
      in 1 second [FEV1] and forced vital capacity [FVC] by spirometry, total lung
      capacity [TLC] by nitrogen washout or plethysmography, and diffusing capacity of
      the lung for carbon monoxide corrected for hemoglobin [DLCO(corr)]) were
      obtained. Differences between PFTs obtained immediately after the completion of
      CSI and 24 or 60 months after the completion of treatment (ACT) were compared
      using exact Wilcoxon signed-rank tests and repeated-measures models. RESULTS:
      Between June 24, 2003, and March 1, 2010, 303 eligible patients (spine dose: <=
      2345 cGy, 201; >2345 cGy, 102; proton beam, 20) were enrolled, 260 of whom had at
      least 1 PFT. The median age at diagnosis was 8.9 years (range, 3.1-20.4 years).
      The median thoracic spinal radiation dose was 23.4 Gy (interquartile range [IQR],
      23.4-36.0 Gy). The median cyclophosphamide dose was 16.0 g/m(2) (IQR, 15.7-16.0
      g/m(2)). At 24 and 60 months ACT, DLCO(corr) was <75% predicted in 23% (27/118)
      and 25% (21/84) of patients, FEV1 was <80% predicted in 20% (34/170) and 29%
      (32/109) of patients, FVC was <80% predicted in 27% (46/172) and 28% (30/108) of
      patients, and TLC was <75% predicted in 9% (13/138) and 11% (10/92) of patients.
      DLCO(corr) was significantly decreased 24 months ACT (median difference [MD] in %
      predicted, 3.00%; P = .028) and 60 months ACT (MD in % predicted, 6.00%; P =
      .033) compared with the end of radiation therapy. These significant decreases in
      DLCO(corr) were also observed in repeated-measures models (P = .011 and P = .032
      at 24 and 60 months ACT, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: A significant minority of
      EBT survivors experience PFT deficits after CSI. Continued monitoring of this
      cohort is planned.

PMID- 26279024
TI  - Imaging Changes in Pediatric Intracranial Ependymoma Patients Treated With Proton
      Beam Radiation Therapy Compared to Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy.
AB  - PURPOSE: The clinical significance of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) changes
      after radiation therapy (RT) in children with ependymoma is not well defined. We
      compared imaging changes following proton beam radiation therapy (PBRT) to those
      after photon-based intensity modulated RT (IMRT). METHODS AND MATERIALS: Seventy
      two patients with nonmetastatic intracranial ependymoma who received
      postoperative RT (37 PBRT, 35 IMRT) were analyzed retrospectively. MRI images
      were reviewed by 2 neuroradiologists. RESULTS: Sixteen PBRT patients (43%)
      developed postradiation MRI changes at 3.8 months (median) with resolution by 6.1
      months. Six IMRT patients (17%) developed changes at 5.3 months (median) with 8.3
      months to resolution. Mean age at radiation was 4.4 and 6.9 years for PBRT and
      IMRT, respectively (P = .06). Age at diagnosis (>3 years) and time of radiation
      (>=3 years) was associated with fewer imaging changes on univariate analysis
      (odds ratio [OR]: 0.35, P = .048; OR: 0.36, P = .05). PBRT (compared to IMRT) was
      associated with more frequent imaging changes, both on univariate (OR: 3.68, P =
      .019) and multivariate (OR: 3.89, P = .024) analyses. Seven (3 IMRT, 4 PBRT) of
      22 patients with changes had symptoms requiring intervention. Most patients were
      treated with steroids; some PBRT patients also received bevacizumab and
      hyperbaric oxygen therapy. None of the IMRT patients had lasting deficits, but 2
      patients died from recurrent disease. Three PBRT patients had persistent
      neurological deficits, and 1 child died secondarily to complications from
      radiation necrosis. CONCLUSIONS: Postradiation MRI changes are more common with
      PBRT and in patients less than 3 years of age at diagnosis and treatment. It is
      difficult to predict causes for development of imaging changes that progress to
      clinical significance. These changes are usually self-limiting, but some require
      medical intervention, especially those involving the brainstem.

PMID- 26279025
TI  - Effects of Surgery and Proton Therapy on Cerebral White Matter of
      Craniopharyngioma Patients.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine radiation dose effect on the
      structural integrity of cerebral white matter in craniopharyngioma patients
      receiving surgery and proton therapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Fifty-one patients
      (2.1-19.3 years of age) with craniopharyngioma underwent surgery and proton
      therapy in a prospective therapeutic trial. Anatomical magnetic resonance images
      acquired after surgery but before proton therapy were inspected to identify white
      matter structures intersected by surgical corridors and catheter tracks.
      Longitudinal diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was performed to measure
      microstructural integrity changes in cerebral white matter. Fractional anisotropy
      (FA) derived from DTI was statistically analyzed for 51 atlas-based white matter
      structures of the brain to determine radiation dose effect. FA in surgery
      affected regions in the corpus callosum was compared to that in its intact
      counterpart to determine whether surgical defects affect radiation dose effect.
      RESULTS: Surgical defects were seen most frequently in the corpus callosum
      because of transcallosal resection of tumors and insertion of ventricular or cyst
      catheters. Longitudinal DTI data indicated reductions in FA 3 months after
      therapy, which was followed by a recovery in most white matter structures. A
      greater FA reduction was correlated with a higher radiation dose in 20 white
      matter structures, indicating a radiation dose effect. The average FA in the
      surgery-affected regions before proton therapy was smaller (P=.0001) than that in
      their non-surgery-affected counterparts with more intensified subsequent
      reduction of FA (P=.0083) after therapy, suggesting that surgery accentuated the
      radiation dose effect. CONCLUSIONS: DTI data suggest that mild radiation dose
      effects occur in patients with craniopharyngioma receiving surgery and proton
      therapy. Surgical defects present at the time of proton therapy appear to
      accentuate the radiation dose effect longitudinally. This study supports
      consideration of pre-existing surgical defects and their locations in proton
      therapy planning and studies of treatment effect.

PMID- 26279026
TI  - Precision Hypofractionated Radiation Therapy in Poor Performing Patients With Non
      Small Cell Lung Cancer: Phase 1 Dose Escalation Trial.
AB  - PURPOSE: Treatment regimens for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer
      (NSCLC) give suboptimal clinical outcomes. Technological advancements such as
      radiation therapy, the backbone of most treatment regimens, may enable more
      potent and effective therapies. The objective of this study was to escalate
      radiation therapy to a tumoricidal hypofractionated dose without exceeding the
      maximally tolerated dose (MTD) in patients with locally advanced NSCLC. METHODS
      AND MATERIALS: Patients with stage II to IV or recurrent NSCLC and Eastern
      Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 2 or greater and not candidates
      for surgical resection, stereotactic radiation, or concurrent chemoradiation were
      eligible. Highly conformal radiation therapy was given to treat intrathoracic
      disease in 15 fractions to a total of 50, 55, or 60 Gy. RESULTS: Fifty-five
      patients were enrolled: 15 at the 50-Gy, 21 at the 55-Gy, and 19 at the 60-Gy
      dose levels. A 90-day follow-up was completed in each group without exceeding the
      MTD. With a median follow-up of 12.5 months, there were 93 grade >= 3 adverse
      events (AEs), including 39 deaths, although most AEs were considered related to
      factors other than radiation therapy. One patient from the 55- and 60-Gy dose
      groups developed grade >= 3 esophagitis, and 5, 4, and 4 patients in the
      respective dose groups experienced grade >= 3 dyspnea, but only 2 of these AEs
      were considered likely related to therapy. There was no association between
      fraction size and toxicity (P = .24). The median overall survival was 6 months
      with no significant differences between dose levels (P = .59). CONCLUSIONS:
      Precision hypofractionated radiation therapy consisting of 60 Gy in 15 fractions
      for locally advanced NSCLC is generally well tolerated. This treatment regimen
      could provide patients with poor performance status a potent alternative to
      chemoradiation. This study has implications for the cost effectiveness of lung
      cancer therapy. Additional studies of long-term safety and efficacy of this
      therapy are warranted.

PMID- 26279027
TI  - Utilization and Outcomes of Breast Brachytherapy in Younger Women.
AB  - PURPOSE: To directly compare (1) radiation treatment utilization patterns; (2)
      risks of subsequent mastectomy; and (3) costs of radiation treatment in patients
      treated with brachytherapy versus whole-breast irradiation (WBI), in a national,
      contemporary cohort of women with incident breast cancer, aged 64 years and
      younger. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Using MarketScan health care claims data, we
      identified 45,884 invasive breast cancer patients (aged 18-64 years), treated
      from 2003 to 2010 with lumpectomy, followed by brachytherapy (n = 3134) or whole
      breast irradiation (n = 42,750). We stratified patients into risk groups
      according to age (Age < 50 vs Age >= 50) and endocrine therapy status (Endocrine-
      vs Endocrine+). "Endocrine+" patients filled an endocrine therapy prescription
      within 1 year after lumpectomy. Pathologic hormone receptor status was not
      available in this dataset. In brachytherapy versus WBI patients, utilization
      trends and 5-year subsequent mastectomy risks were compared. Stratified, adjusted
      subsequent mastectomy risks were calculated using proportional hazards
      regression. RESULTS: Brachytherapy utilization increased from 2003 to 2010: in
      patients Age < 50, from 0.6% to 4.9%; patients Age >= 50 from 2.2% to 11.3%;
      Endocrine- patients, 1.3% to 9.4%; Endocrine+ patients, 1.9% to 9.7%. Age
      influenced treatment selection more than endocrine status: 17% of brachytherapy
      patients were Age < 50 versus 32% of WBI patients (P < .001); whereas 41% of
      brachytherapy patients were Endocrine-versus 44% of WBI patients (P = .003).
      Highest absolute 5-year subsequent mastectomy risks occurred in Endocrine-/Age <
      50 patients (24.4% after brachytherapy vs 9.0% after WBI (hazard ratio [HR] 2.18,
      95% confidence interval [CI] 1.37-3.47); intermediate risks in Endocrine-/Age >=
      50 patients (8.6% vs 4.9%; HR 1.76, 95% CI 1.26-2.46); and lowest risks in
      Endocrine+ patients of any age: Endocrine+/Age < 50 (5.5% vs 4.5%; HR 1.18, 95%
      CI 0.61-2.31); Endocrine+/Age >= 50 (4.2% vs 2.4%; HR 1.71, 95% CI 1.16-2.51).
      CONCLUSION: In this younger cohort, endocrine status was a valuable
      discriminatory factor predicting subsequent mastectomy risk after brachytherapy
      versus WBI and therefore may be useful for selecting appropriate younger
      brachytherapy candidates.

PMID- 26279028
TI  - Role of Ultrasonography of Regional Nodal Basins in Staging Triple-Negative
      Breast Cancer and Implications For Local-Regional Treatment.
AB  - PURPOSE: We sought to determine the rate at which regional nodal ultrasonography
      would increase the nodal disease stage in patients with triple-negative breast
      cancer (TNBC) beyond the clinical stage determined by physical examination and
      mammography alone, and significantly affect the treatments delivered to these
      patients. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of women
      with stages I to III TNBC who underwent physical examination, mammography, breast
      and regional nodal ultrasonography with needle biopsy of abnormal nodes, and
      definitive local-regional treatment at our institution between 2004 and 2011. The
      stages of these patients' disease with and without ultrasonography of the
      regional nodal basins were compared using the Pearson chi(2) test. Definitive
      treatments of patients whose nodal disease was upstaged on the basis of
      ultrasonographic findings were compared to those of patients whose disease stage
      remained the same. RESULTS: A total of 572 women met the study requirements. In
      111 (19.4%) of these patients, regional nodal ultrasonography with needle biopsy
      resulted in an increase in disease stage from the original stage by physical
      examination and mammography alone. Significantly higher percentages of patients
      whose nodal disease was upstaged by ultrasonographic findings compared to that in
      patients whose disease was not upstaged underwent neoadjuvant systemic therapy
      (91.9% and 51.2%, respectively; P<.0001), axillary lymph node dissection (99.1%
      and 34.5%, respectively; P<.0001), and radiation to the regional nodal basins
      (88.2% and 29.1%, respectively; P<.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Regional nodal
      ultrasonography in TNBC frequently changes the initial clinical stage and plays
      an important role in treatment planning.

PMID- 26279030
TI  - Interval From Imaging to Treatment Delivery in the Radiation Surgery Age: How
      Long Is Too Long?
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate workflow and patient outcomes
      related to frameless stereotactic radiation surgery (SRS) for brain metastases.
      METHODS AND MATERIALS: We reviewed all treatment demographics, clinical outcomes,
      and workflow timing, including time from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI),
      computed tomography (CT) simulation, insurance authorization, and consultation to
      the start of SRS for brain metastases. RESULTS: A total of 82 patients with 151
      brain metastases treated with SRS were evaluated. The median times from
      consultation, insurance authorization, CT simulation, and MRI for treatment
      planning were 15, 7, 6, and 11 days to SRS. Local freedom from progression (LFFP)
      was lower in metastases with MRI >= 14 days before treatment (P = .0003, log
      rank). The 6- and 12-month LFFP rate were 95% and 75% for metastasis with
      interval of <14 days from MRI to treatment compared to 56% and 34% for metastases
      with MRI >= 14 days before treatment. On multivariate analysis, LFFP remained
      significantly lower for lesions with MRI >= 14 days at SRS (P = .002, Cox
      proportional hazards; hazard ratio: 3.4, 95% confidence interval: 1.6-7.3).
      CONCLUSIONS: Delay from MRI to SRS treatment delivery for brain metastases
      appears to reduce local control. Future studies should monitor the timing from
      imaging acquisition to treatment delivery. Our experience suggests that the time
      from MRI to treatment should be <14 days.

PMID- 26279029
TI  - Impact of Pretreatment Combined (18)F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission
      Tomography/Computed Tomography Staging on Radiation Therapy Treatment Decisions
      in Locally Advanced Breast Cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: To assess the diagnostic performance of pretreatment (18)F
      fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography ((18)F-FDG
      PET/CT) and its impact on radiation therapy treatment decisions in patients with
      locally advanced breast cancer (LABC). METHODS AND MATERIALS: Patients with LABC
      with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status <2 and no
      contraindication to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, surgery, and adjuvant radiation
      therapy were enrolled on a prospective trial. All patients had pretreatment
      conventional imaging (CI) performed, including bilateral breast mammography and
      ultrasound, bone scan, and CT chest, abdomen, and pelvis scans performed.
      Informed consent was obtained before enrolment. Pretreatment whole-body (18)F-FDG
      PET/CT scans were performed on all patients, and results were compared with CI
      findings. RESULTS: A total of 154 patients with LABC with no clinical or
      radiologic evidence of distant metastases on CI were enrolled. Median age was 49
      years (range, 26-70 years). Imaging with PET/CT detected distant metastatic
      disease and/or locoregional disease not visualized on CI in 32 patients (20.8%).
      Distant metastatic disease was detected in 17 patients (11.0%): 6 had bony
      metastases, 5 had intrathoracic metastases (pulmonary/mediastinal), 2 had distant
      nodal metastases, 2 had liver metastases, 1 had pulmonary and bony metastases,
      and 1 had mediastinal and distant nodal metastases. Of the remaining 139
      patients, nodal disease outside conventional radiation therapy fields was
      detected on PET/CT in 15 patients (10.8%), with involvement of ipsilateral
      internal mammary nodes in 13 and ipsilateral level 5 cervical nodes in 2.
      CONCLUSIONS: Imaging with PET/CT provides superior diagnostic and staging
      information in patients with LABC compared with CI, which has significant
      therapeutic implications with respect to radiation therapy management. Imaging
      with PET/CT should be considered in all patients undergoing primary staging for
      LABC.

PMID- 26279031
TI  - Urinary and Rectal Toxicity Profiles After Permanent Iodine-125 Implant
      Brachytherapy in Japanese Men: Nationwide J-POPS Multi-institutional Prospective
      Cohort Study.
AB  - PURPOSE: To assess, in a nationwide multi-institutional cohort study begun in
      2005 and in which 6927 subjects were enrolled by 2010, the urinary and rectal
      toxicity profiles of subjects who enrolled during the first 2 years, and evaluate
      the toxicity profiles for permanent seed implantation (PI) and a combination
      therapy with PI and external beam radiation therapy (EBRT). METHODS AND
      MATERIALS: Baseline data for 2339 subjects out of 2354 patients were available
      for the analyses. Toxicities were evaluated using the National Cancer Institute's
      Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, and the International Prostate
      Symptom Scores were recorded prospectively until 36 months after radiation
      therapy. RESULTS: Grade 2+ acute urinary toxicities developed in 7.36% (172 of
      2337) and grade 2+ acute rectal toxicities developed in 1.03% (24 of 2336) of the
      patients. Grade 2+ late urinary and rectal toxicities developed in 5.75% (133 of
      2312) and 1.86% (43 of 2312) of the patients, respectively. A higher incidence of
      grade 2+ acute urinary toxicity occurred in the PI group than in the EBRT group
      (8.49% vs 3.66%; P<.01). Acute rectal toxicity outcomes were similar between the
      treatment groups. The 3-year cumulative incidence rates for grade 2+ late urinary
      toxicities were 6.04% versus 4.82% for the PI and the EBRT groups, respectively,
      with no significant differences between the treatment groups. The 3-year
      cumulative incidence rates for grade 2+ late rectal toxicities were 0.90% versus
      5.01% (P<.01) for the PI and the EBRT groups, respectively. The mean of the
      postimplant International Prostate Symptom Score peaked at 3 months, but it
      decreased to a range that was within 2 points of the baseline score, which was
      observed in 1625 subjects (69.47%) at the 1-year follow-up assessment.
      CONCLUSIONS: The acute urinary toxicities observed were acceptable given the
      frequency and retention, and the late rectal toxicities were more favorable than
      those of other studies.

PMID- 26279033
TI  - Carbon-Ion Irradiation Suppresses Migration and Invasiveness of Human Pancreatic
      Carcinoma Cells MIAPaCa-2 via Rac1 and RhoA Degradation.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the mechanisms underlying the inhibition of cancer cell
      migration and invasion by carbon (C)-ion irradiation. METHODS AND MATERIALS:
      Human pancreatic cancer cells MIAPaCa-2, AsPC-1, and BxPC-3 were treated by x-ray
      (4 Gy) or C-ion (0.5, 1, 2, or 4 Gy) irradiation, and their migration and
      invasion were assessed 2 days later. The levels of guanosine triphosphate (GTP)
      bound Rac1 and RhoA were determined by the active GTPase pull-down assay with or
      without a proteasome inhibitor, and the binding of E3 ubiquitin ligase to GTP
      bound Rac1 was examined by immunoprecipitation. RESULTS: Carbon-ion irradiation
      reduced the levels of GTP-bound Rac1 and RhoA, 2 major regulators of cell
      motility, in MIAPaCa-2 cells and GTP-bound Rac1 in AsPC-1 and BxPC-3 cells.
      Proteasome inhibition reversed the effect, indicating that C-ion irradiation
      induced Rac1 and RhoA degradation via the ubiquitin (Ub)-proteasome pathway. E3
      Ub ligase X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP), which directly targets
      Rac1, was selectively induced in C-ion--irradiated MIAPaCa-2 cells and
      coprecipitated with GTP-bound Rac1 in C-ion--irradiated cells, which was
      associated with Rac1 ubiquitination. Cell migration and invasion reduced by C-ion
      radiation were restored by short interfering RNA--mediated XIAP knockdown,
      indicating that XIAP is involved in C-ion--induced inhibition of cell motility.
      CONCLUSION: In contrast to x-ray irradiation, C-ion treatment inhibited the
      activity of Rac1 and RhoA in MIAPaCa-2 cells and Rac1 in AsPC-1 and BxPC-3 cells
      via Ub-mediated proteasomal degradation, thereby blocking the motility of these
      pancreatic cancer cells.

PMID- 26279032
TI  - Indirect Tumor Cell Death After High-Dose Hypofractionated Irradiation:
      Implications for Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy and Stereotactic Radiation
      Surgery.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to reveal the biological mechanisms
      underlying stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) and stereotactic radiation
      surgery (SRS). METHODS AND MATERIALS: FSaII fibrosarcomas grown subcutaneously in
      the hind limbs of C3H mice were irradiated with 10 to 30 Gy of X rays in a single
      fraction, and the clonogenic cell survival was determined with in vivo--in vitro
      excision assay immediately or 2 to 5 days after irradiation. The effects of
      radiation on the intratumor microenvironment were studied using
      immunohistochemical methods. RESULTS: After cells were irradiated with 15 or 20
      Gy, cell survival in FSaII tumors declined for 2 to 3 days and began to recover
      thereafter in some but not all tumors. After irradiation with 30 Gy, cell
      survival declined continuously for 5 days. Cell survival in some tumors 5 days
      after 20 to 30 Gy irradiation was 2 to 3 logs less than that immediately after
      irradiation. Irradiation with 20 Gy markedly reduced blood perfusion, upregulated
      HIF-1alpha, and increased carbonic anhydrase-9 expression, indicating that
      irradiation increased tumor hypoxia. In addition, expression of VEGF also
      increased in the tumor tissue after 20 Gy irradiation, probably due to the
      increase in HIF-1alpha activity. CONCLUSIONS: Irradiation of FSaII tumors with 15
      to 30 Gy in a single dose caused dose-dependent secondary cell death, most likely
      by causing vascular damage accompanied by deterioration of intratumor
      microenvironment. Such indirect tumor cell death may play a crucial role in the
      control of human tumors with SBRT and SRS.

PMID- 26279034
TI  - Accuracy and Utility of Deformable Image Registration in (68)Ga 4D PET/CT
      Assessment of Pulmonary Perfusion Changes During and After Lung Radiation
      Therapy.
AB  - PURPOSE: Measuring changes in lung perfusion resulting from radiation therapy
      dose requires registration of the functional imaging to the radiation therapy
      treatment planning scan. This study investigates registration accuracy and
      utility for positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) perfusion
      imaging in radiation therapy for non-small cell lung cancer. METHODS: (68)Ga 4
      dimensional PET/CT ventilation-perfusion imaging was performed before, during,
      and after radiation therapy for 5 patients. Rigid registration and deformable
      image registration (DIR) using B-splines and Demons algorithms was performed with
      the CT data to obtain a deformation map between the functional images and
      planning CT. Contour propagation accuracy and correspondence of anatomic features
      were used to assess registration accuracy. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to
      determine statistical significance. Changes in lung perfusion resulting from
      radiation therapy dose were calculated for each registration method for each
      patient and averaged over all patients. RESULTS: With B-splines/Demons DIR,
      median distance to agreement between lung contours reduced modestly by 0.9/1.1
      mm, 1.3/1.6 mm, and 1.3/1.6 mm for pretreatment, midtreatment, and posttreatment
      (P < .01 for all), and median Dice score between lung contours improved by
      0.04/0.04, 0.05/0.05, and 0.05/0.05 for pretreatment, midtreatment, and
      posttreatment (P < .001 for all). Distance between anatomic features reduced with
      DIR by median 2.5 mm and 2.8 for pretreatment and midtreatment time points,
      respectively (P = .001) and 1.4 mm for posttreatment (P > .2). Poorer
      posttreatment results were likely caused by posttreatment pneumonitis and tumor
      regression. Up to 80% standardized uptake value loss in perfusion scans was
      observed. There was limited change in the loss in lung perfusion between
      registration methods; however, Demons resulted in larger interpatient variation
      compared with rigid and B-splines registration. CONCLUSIONS: DIR accuracy in the
      data sets studied was variable depending on anatomic changes resulting from
      radiation therapy; caution must be exercised when using DIR in regions of low
      contrast or radiation pneumonitis. Lung perfusion reduces with increasing
      radiation therapy dose; however, DIR did not translate into significant changes
      in dose-response assessment.

PMID- 26279035
TI  - Treatment Modalities Should Be Based Upon Efficacy and Cost: Early Stage NSCLC, a
      Case in Point.

PMID- 26279036
TI  - Treatment Costs of Early-Stage Lung Cancers Detected by Low-Dose Computed
      Tomography Screening.

PMID- 26279037
TI  - Maintenance of Certification: From Realism to Skepticism.

PMID- 26279038
TI  - In Reply to Wang et al.

PMID- 26279039
TI  - Personalized imaging in radiation oncology: In Regard to Zhang et al.

PMID- 26279040
TI  - In Reply to Govardhan et al.

PMID- 26279041
TI  - Chemoradiation followed by surgery for advanced cervical cancer: In Regard to
      Ferrandina et al.

PMID- 26279042
TI  - Regional lymph node radiation and lymphedema. In Regard to Chandra et al.

PMID- 26279043
TI  - In Reply to Lawrence.

PMID- 26279044
TI  - Charged particle with helium ion versus iodine-125 plaque therapy: In Regard to
      Mishra et al.

PMID- 26279045
TI  - In Reply to Kamrava and McCannel.

PMID- 26279046
TI  - Radiation as a foundation for glioblastoma therapy in elderly patients. In Regard
      to Arvold et al.

PMID- 26279047
TI  - In Reply to Levra et al.

PMID- 26279048
TI  - Stereotactic radiosurgery with or without WBRT for brain metastases: In Regard to
      Sahgal et al.

PMID- 26279049
TI  - In Regard to Sahgal et al.

PMID- 26279050
TI  - Appendicular lean mass and site-specific muscle loss in the extremities correlate
      with dynamic strength.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previous studies have reported the non-homogenous loss of muscle mass
      (site-specific muscle loss) with ageing, but this relationship to the loss of
      strength is not totally understood. PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship
      between maximal dynamic strength and site-specific muscle mass of the thigh and
      upper arm. METHODS: Thirty-five recreationally active men were separated into
      young-aged (YG, 20-39 years, n = 12), middle-aged (MG, 40-59 years, n = 13) and
      old-aged groups (OG, 60-75 years, n = 10). One-repetition maximum strength (1-RM;
      leg press, chest press, knee flexion, lat pull-down, and knee extension), muscle
      thickness (MTH, anterior and posterior thigh and upper arm) and appendicular lean
      mass (aLM) index were obtained from participants. Site-specific thigh MTH ratio
      was determined by dividing anterior thigh MTH (50% of thigh length) by posterior
      thigh MTH (50% of thigh length). RESULTS: aLM index was not significantly
      different between age groups, but a significantly smaller site-specific MTH thigh
      ratio was found in the OG. Collapsed across age groups both site-specific thigh
      MTH ratio and aLM index were significantly correlated with leg press, knee
      extension and knee flexion1-RM strength (r = 0.390-0.699), but not with knee
      extension: knee flexion (KE:KF) 1-RM strength ratios (r = 0.037-0.081). Separated
      by age groups only aLM index was correlated with KE:KF 1-RM ratio for the OG (r =
      0.780). CONCLUSIONS: Site-specific thigh MTH ratio may be an important assessment
      tool in older individuals as it is different among age groups and is
      significantly related to dynamic maximal strength. However, maximal dynamic
      strength ratios appear to be less sensitive to differences in site-specific MTH
      ratios.

PMID- 26279051
TI  - Novel Prokinetic Acotiamide Reduces Transient Lower Esophageal Sphincter
      Relaxation in Healthy Subjects.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Currently, there is no study evaluating the effect of acotiamide
      on transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations (TLESRs). The aim of this
      study was to evaluate the effect of acotiamide on TLESRs using simultaneous high
      resolution manometry (HRM) and impedance-pH monitoring. METHODS: Ten healthy
      subjects were enrolled. On day 1, subjects underwent HRM and impedance-pH
      recordings as a baseline. Subjects ate a 750-kcal liquid meal; recording was
      continued for 2 h while the subjects were in a sitting position. After the
      administration of acotiamide 100 mg three times a day for 1 week, subjects
      underwent HRM and impedance-pH recording under the same protocol. RESULTS: A
      total of 208 TLESRs were identified at baseline. Acotiamide decreased the total
      number of TLESRs from 208 to 143 (p < 0.05). The rate of reflux events during
      TLESRs after acotiamide administration was similar to that at baseline (57% after
      acotiamide vs. 58% at baseline). Bolus clearance time was significantly reduced
      by acotiamide. CONCLUSIONS: Acotiamide was believed to have the potential for
      reducing TLESRs and for enhancing esophageal bolus clearance in healthy
      volunteers. Future research is needed to determine whether the effects of
      acotiamide that reduce TLESRs and enhance esophageal motility could improve
      symptoms in patients with refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease.

PMID- 26279053
TI  - Combination of European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE)
      and Cardiac Surgery Score (CASUS) to Improve Outcome Prediction in Cardiac
      Surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND We hypothesized that the combination of a preoperative and a
      postoperative scoring system would improve the accuracy of mortality prediction
      and therefore combined the preoperative 'additive EuroSCORE' (European system for
      cardiac operative risk evaluation) with the postoperative 'additive CASUS'
      (Cardiac Surgery Score) to form the 'modified CASUS'. MATERIAL AND METHODS We
      included all consecutive adult patients after cardiac surgery during January 2007
      and December 2010 in our prospective study. Our single-centre study was conducted
      in a German general referral university hospital. The original additive and the
      'modified CASUS' were tested using calibration and discrimination statistics. We
      compared the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver characteristic curves
      (ROC) by DeLong's method and calculated overall correct classification (OCC)
      values. RESULTS The mean age among the total of 5207 patients was 67.2 +/- 10.9
      years. Whilst the ICU mortality was 5.9% we observed a mean length of ICU stay of
      4.6 +/- 7.0 days. Both models demonstrated excellent discriminatory power (mean
      AUC of 'modified CASUS': >= 0.929; 'additive CASUS': >= 0.920), with no
      significant differences according to DeLong. Neither model showed a significant p
      value (<0.05) in calibration. We detected the best OCC during the 2nd day
      (modified: 96.5%; original: 96.6%). CONCLUSIONS Our 'additive' and 'modified'
      CASUS are reasonable overall predictors. We could not detect any improvement in
      the accuracy of mortality prediction in cardiac surgery by combining a
      preoperative and a postoperative scoring system. A separate calculation of the
      two individual elements is therefore recommended.

PMID- 26279054
TI  - Self-Assembled Multimetallic/Peptide Complexes: Structures and Unimolecular
      Reactions of [Mn (GlyGly-H)2n-1 ](+) and Mn+1 (GlyGly-H2n ](2+) Clusters in the
      Gas Phase.
AB  - The unimolecular chemistry and structures of self-assembled complexes containing
      multiple alkaline-earth-metal dications and deprotonated GlyGly ligands are
      investigated. Singly and doubly charged ions [Mn (GlyGly-H)n-1 ](+) (n=2-4),
      [Mn+1 (GlyGly-H)2n ](2+) (n=2,4,6), and [M(GlyGly-H)GlyGly](+) were observed. The
      losses of 132 Da (GlyGly) and 57 Da (determined to be aminoketene) were the major
      dissociation pathways for singly charged ions. Doubly charged Mg(2+) clusters
      mainly lost GlyGly, whereas those containing Ca(2+) or Sr(2+) also underwent
      charge separation. Except for charge separation, no loss of metal cations was
      observed. Infrared multiple photon dissociation spectra were the most consistent
      with the computed IR spectra for the lowest energy structures, in which
      deprotonation occurs at the carboxyl acid groups and all amide and carboxylate
      oxygen atoms are complexed to the metal cations. The N-H stretch band, observed
      at 3350 cm(-1) , is indicative of hydrogen bonding between the amine nitrogen
      atoms and the amide hydrogen atom. This study represents the first into large
      self-assembled multimetallic complexes bound by peptide ligands. 

PMID- 26279055
TI  - Preliminary data on ASP2215: tolerability and efficacy in acute myeloid leukemia
      patients.
AB  - Claire Thom speaks to Gemma Westcott, Commissioning Editor: Claire Thom joined
      Astellas in 2013 as the Therapeutic Area Head for Oncology in Global Development.
      In that role, she also serves as the STAR leader for Oncology for Astellas. Prior
      to Astellas, she spent 12 years with Takeda. Her last position was Senior Vice
      President, Portfolio Management, Drug Development Management and Medical
      Informatics and Strategic Operations within the Medical Division (the Division
      within Millennium responsible for oncology clinical drug development within
      Takeda). During her 4 years at Millennium, at various times, she had
      responsibility within the Medical Division for leading portfolio management,
      business operations (medical finance, annual and mid-range financial planning,
      space planning and operations, headcount resourcing, development goals process),
      clinical development operations (clinical operations, programming, data
      management, statistics, medical writing, clinical outsourcing), drug development
      management (project management), medical informatics (technology support for the
      division) and the strategic project management office for the division. Prior to
      joining Millennium, Claire Thom spent 18 months working in Osaka, Japan, during
      which she was responsible for developing the oncology strategy for Takeda that
      culminated in the acquisition of Millennium. Before going to Japan, she held
      positions of varying responsibility within the Takeda US development organization
      including the management of regulatory affairs, safety, biometrics and data
      management, clinical research and quality assurance. Claire Thom has particular
      expertise in organizational design and efficiency; she has successfully worked
      through integrations across multiple functions and redesigned business processes.
      She has a PharmD from University of Illinois (IL, USA) and over 20 years of
      pharmaceutical experience including positions in medical affairs and new product
      planning (over 11 years at Searle) and drug development (over 12 years at
      Takeda/Millennium). 

PMID- 26279056
TI  - Plasma Biomarkers of Inflammation, Endothelial Function and Hemostasis in
      Cerebral Small Vessel Disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The cause of lacunar ischemic stroke, a clinical feature of cerebral
      small vessel disease (SVD), is largely unknown. Inflammation and endothelial
      dysfunction have been implicated. Plasma biomarkers could provide mechanistic
      insights but current data are conflicting. White matter hyperintensities (WMHs)
      are an important imaging biomarker of SVD. It is unknown if plasma biomarkers add
      predictive capacity beyond age and vascular risk factors in explaining WMH.
      METHODS: We prospectively recruited patients presenting with non-disabling
      ischemic stroke, classifying them clinically and with the help of MRI as lacunar
      or cortical. We measured biomarkers of inflammation, endothelial dysfunction and
      hemostasis for >1 month after stroke and compared biomarker levels between stroke
      subtypes. We quantitatively calculated WMH. We used multiple linear regression
      analysis to model WMH as a function of age, sex, hypertension and smoking (the
      baseline model). We fitted exploratory models using plasma biomarkers as
      predictor variables to assess model improvement over baseline. RESULTS: We
      recruited 125 patients. The lacunar group (n = 65) had lower tissue plasminogen
      activator (t-PA) levels in unadjusted (7.39 vs. 8.59 ng/ml, p = 0.029) and
      adjusted (p = 0.035) analyses compared with the cortical group (n = 60). There
      were no significant differences in the other plasma biomarkers. The results for t
      PA were consistent with an updated meta-analysis, although the effect remains non
      significant (standardized mean difference -0.08 (95% CI -0.25 to 0.09)). The
      baseline regression model explained 29% of the variance in quantitative WMH (R2
      0.289). Inflammatory biomarkers showed minor improvement over baseline (R2
      0.291), but the other plasma biomarkers did not improve the baseline model.
      CONCLUSION: Plasma t-PA levels appear to differ between lacunar and cortical
      stroke subtypes, late after stroke, independent of age, sex and vascular risk
      factors and may reflect endothelial dysfunction. Except for a minor additional
      predictive effect of inflammatory markers, plasma biomarkers do not relate to WMH
      severity in this small stroke population.

PMID- 26279057
TI  - Perception, illusions and Bayesian inference.
AB  - Descriptive psychopathology makes a distinction between veridical perception and
      illusory perception. In both cases a perception is tied to a sensory stimulus,
      but in illusions the perception is of a false object. This article re-examines
      this distinction in light of new work in theoretical and computational
      neurobiology, which views all perception as a form of Bayesian statistical
      inference that combines sensory signals with prior expectations. Bayesian
      perceptual inference can solve the 'inverse optics' problem of veridical
      perception and provides a biologically plausible account of a number of illusory
      phenomena, suggesting that veridical and illusory perceptions are generated by
      precisely the same inferential mechanisms.

PMID- 26279058
TI  - Sleep Disorders Among People With Schizophrenia: Emerging Research.
AB  - Up to 80 % of individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders experience sleep
      disturbances, which impact physical and mental health, as well as quality of
      life. In this paper, we review and integrate emerging literature, published
      between 2012 and 2014, regarding approaches to diagnosis and treatment of major
      sleep disorders for people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders, including
      insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), circadian rhythm dysfunction, and
      restless legs syndrome (RLS). We advocate for (1) the need to evaluate the
      utility of nonpharmacological approaches in people with schizophrenia spectrum
      disorders; (2) documentation of guidelines to assist providers in clinically
      tailoring such interventions when their clients experience positive, negative,
      and/or cognitive symptoms; (3) research on the best ways providers can capitalize
      on clients' self-identified needs and motivation to engage in sleep treatments
      through shared decision making; and (4) the importance of investigating whether
      and how mental health and sleep treatment services should be better connected to
      facilitate access for people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Assessment
      and tailored treatment of sleep disorders within mental health treatment settings
      has the potential to reduce sleep problems and improve functioning, quality of
      life, and recovery of this population. 

PMID- 26279059
TI  - Predictive Factors for Time to Progression after Hyperthermic Mitomycin C
      Treatment for High-Risk Non-Muscle Invasive Urothelial Carcinoma of the Bladder:
      An Observational Cohort Study of 97 Patients.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Hyperthermic mitomycin (HM) is a novel treatment modality for
      selected patients with high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). We
      sought to determine predictors of response to this therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS:
      A longitudinal, cohort study of 97 patients with high-risk NMIBC treated with >=4
      HM instillations on a prophylactic schedule was conducted. The primary outcome
      was time-to-progression survival; secondary outcomes were overall survival,
      cancer-specific survival, and adverse events. Descriptive statistics, Kaplan
      Meier survival analyses, Cox proportional hazards modelling, and univariate and
      multivariable regression were performed. RESULTS: The presence of initial
      complete response (CR; no evidence of disease at first check video-cystoscopy and
      urine cytology) post-HM treatment was an independent predictor of good response
      to HM. Female patients and those without carcinoma in situ (CIS) also appeared to
      respond better to the intervention. The overall bladder preservation rate at a
      median of 27 months was 81.4%; 17/97 (17.5%) patients died during the course of
      the study. CONCLUSIONS: High-risk NMIBC patients can be safely treated with HM
      and have good oncological outcome. However, those without an initial CR have a
      poor prognosis and should be counselled towards adopting other treatment
      methodologies such as cystectomy. Female gender and lack of CIS may be good
      prognostic indicators for response to HM.

PMID- 26279060
TI  - Pathophysiological evaluation of subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) by continuous
      ruminal pH monitoring.
AB  - Evaluation of the radio-transmission pH-measurement system for monitoring the
      ruminal pH and subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) in cattle is described. This is
      done in order to reveal the possible application of this system for detection and
      pathophysiological research of SARA by continuous ruminal pH measurement. The
      possibility of using this system for assessment of the ruminal pH in SARA cattle,
      and the presence of negative correlation between the ruminal pH and ruminal
      temperature in heathy and SARA cattle were determined. In addition, the 16S rRNA
      gene pyrosequencing analysis showed that the ruminal microbial community was
      simpler in SARA cattle, and the bacterial numbers in SARA cattle were lower than
      those in healthy hay-fed cattle. Concentrate feeding might have reduced the
      diversity of the ruminal microbial community. Changes in the ruminal microbial
      community of SARA cattle might be related to the changes in ruminal pH followed
      by the decrease in the number of some bacteria. Continuous monitoring of the
      ruminal pH using the radio-transmission pH-measurement system would be applied
      for detection and prevention of SARA in the field and pathophysiological research
      of SARA, including ruminal zymology and bacteriology, which have been determined
      previously by sampling of the ruminal fluid and measuring of ruminal pH. 

PMID- 26279061
TI  - Early Upregulation of NLRP3 in the Brain of Neonatal Mice Exposed to Hypoxia
      Ischemia: No Early Neuroprotective Effects of NLRP3 Deficiency.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The NLRP3 inflammasome acts as an early mediator of inflammation by
      cleaving and releasing IL-1beta and IL-18 from their proforms. OBJECTIVE: The aim
      of this study was to describe NLRP3 activation and evaluate whether deficiency of
      NLRP3 protects against neonatal hypoxic ischemic brain damage. METHODS: C57BL/6
      and NLRP3-/- mice at P9 were subjected to unilateral common carotid ligation
      followed by hypoxia. RT-PCR was used on mRNA in five different subregions of the
      brain. Brain infarction was evaluated by histopathology and 2,3,5
      triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. Plasma levels of IL-18 were measured by
      ELISA. Double labeling immunohistochemistry was used to examine cell-specific
      NLRP3 expression. RESULTS: NLRP3 was upregulated 24 h after hypoxia-ischemia (HI)
      in the hippocampus (2.6-fold), striatum (2.2-fold) and thalamus (2.3-fold). Brain
      infarction volumes were not statistically significantly different in NLRP3-/-
      mice compared to WT mice 24 h after HI, accompanied by no significant changes in
      plasma IL-18 levels. Three hours after HI, NLRP3 expression occurred in
      astrocytes located in the hippocampus and habenular nucleus of the thalamus.
      Microglia only showed scarce expression at this time point, but prominent NLRP3
      expression 72 h after HI. CONCLUSION: Astrocytes are early mediators of NLRP3
      activity. No early neuroprotective effect of NLRP3 deficiency in neonatal HI
      brain damage was shown.

PMID- 26279063
TI  - When the 'Ugly Duckling' Loses Brothers, It Becomes the 'Only Son of a Widowed
      Mother'.

PMID- 26279062
TI  - Comparison of microneedles and adhesive-tape stripping in skin preparation for
      epicutaneous allergen delivery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Epicutaneous immunotherapy targets the network of dendritic cells in
      the epidermis. Allergen exposure of the dermal layers should be limited as these
      contain mast cells and blood vessels, which increases the risk for local and
      systemic allergic reactions. METHODS: This intraindividually controlled trial
      included 20 subjects with birch pollen allergy. Three areas of the volar forearms
      were treated by repeated adhesive-tape stripping, single-prick lancet piercing
      and microneedle array application. Four 10-fold dilutions of allergen extract
      were applied to each area and the IgE-mediated immediate-phase reactions and cell
      mediated eczema were assessed. RESULTS: Allergen application after tape stripping
      led to an immediate-phase reaction in 2 subjects (10%) at the highest allergen
      concentration of 10 HEP/ml. Both prick needle and microneedle pretreatment
      resulted in immediate-phase reactions in all subjects (100%). The reactivity
      pattern, however, differed significantly: 95% of the reactions after pricking
      occurred at concentrations of <=0.1 HEP/ml, whereas 50% of the reactions after
      microneedle preparation were noted at >=1 HEP/ml. In 3 subjects (15%), eczema was
      observed on the microneedle-treated skin area. No serious adverse events
      occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Microneedles enhance stratum corneum penetration when
      compared to tape stripping. However, they do not resolve the problem of mast cell
      mediated local reactions, possibly due to diffusion into the dermis. The
      occurrence of eczema after the microneedle treatment suggests induction of
      dendritic cell-mediated T cell responses. Therefore, skin preparation with
      microneedles may be a promising method for epicutaneous allergen immunotherapy.

PMID- 26279064
TI  - Optimized Plk1 PBD Inhibitors Based on Poloxin Induce Mitotic Arrest and
      Apoptosis in Tumor Cells.
AB  - Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) is a central regulator of mitosis and has been
      validated as a target for antitumor therapy. The polo-box domain (PBD) of Plk1
      regulates its kinase activity and mediates the subcellular localization of Plk1
      and its interactions with a subset of its substrates. Functional inhibition of
      the Plk1 PBD by low-molecular weight inhibitors has been shown to represent a
      viable strategy by which to inhibit the enzyme, while avoiding selectivity issues
      caused by the conserved nature of the ATP binding site. Here, we report structure
      activity relationships and mechanistic analysis for the first reported Plk1 PBD
      inhibitor, Poloxin. We present the identification of the optimized analog Poloxin
      2, displaying significantly improved potency and selectivity over Poloxin.
      Poloxin-2 induces mitotic arrest and apoptosis in cultured human tumor cells at
      low micromolar concentrations, highlighting it as a valuable tool compound for
      exploring the function of the Plk1 PBD in living cells. 

PMID- 26279066
TI  - Mitral valve repair in a Jehovah's witness with haemophilia A with high-titre
      inhibitor.

PMID- 26279065
TI  - NEURAPRO-E study protocol: a multicentre randomized controlled trial of omega-3
      fatty acids and cognitive-behavioural case management for patients at ultra high
      risk of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.
AB  - AIM: Recent research has indicated that preventative intervention is likely to
      benefit patients 'at-risk' for psychosis, both in terms of symptom reduction and
      delay or prevention of onset of threshold psychotic disorder. The strong
      preliminary results for the effectiveness of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids
      (PUFAs), coupled with the falling transition rate in ultra high-risk (UHR)
      samples, mean that further study of such benign, potentially neuroprotective
      interventions is clinically and ethically required. Employing a multicentre
      approach, enabling a large sample size, this study will provide important
      information with regard to the use of omega-3 PUFAs in the UHR group. METHODS:
      This trial is a 6-month, double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial of 1.4
      g day-1 omega-3 PUFAs in UHR patients aged between 13 and 40 years. The primary
      hypothesis is that UHR patients receiving omega-3 PUFAs plus cognitive
      behavioural case management (CBCM) will be less likely to transition to psychosis
      over a 6-month period compared to treatment with placebo plus CBCM. Secondary
      outcomes will examine symptomatic and functional changes, as well as examine if
      candidate risk factors predict response to omega-3 PUFA treatment in the UHR
      group. CONCLUSION: This is the protocol of the NeuraproE study. Utilizing a large
      sample, results from this study will be important in informing indicated
      prevention strategies for schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, which may
      be the strongest avenue for reducing the burden, stigmatization, disability and
      economic consequences of these disorders.

PMID- 26279067
TI  - Gene Therapy for Retinal Disease: What Lies Ahead.
AB  - Gene therapy in simple terms can be defined as a medical treatment that exerts
      its effects using molecules of DNA or RNA within cells. Most traditional drugs
      act by mechanisms that include binding to cell surface receptors, inhibiting
      enzymes in intracellular pathways or by modifying transcription. These approaches
      rely to some extent on a normal genetic make-up of the cell in the final common
      pathway, which raises significant challenges in diseases that are caused by
      specific gene mutations. An alternative gene therapy approach to change the
      behaviour of cells at the most fundamental level by one single genetic
      modification is therefore potentially very powerful and wide ranging. This paper
      presents an overview of retinal gene therapy at the current time and highlights
      the future therapeutic potential for a number of diseases that are currently
      incurable. 

PMID- 26279068
TI  - Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1: Actions beyond Matrix Metalloproteinase
      Inhibition.

PMID- 26279069
TI  - Room for caring: patients' experiences of well-being, relief and hope during
      serious illness.
AB  - AIM: This study explores how seriously ill hospitalized patients' experience and
      assign meaning to their patient room. BACKGROUND: Modern hospitals and the
      rational underlying care and treatment of today have their emphasis on diagnosis,
      cure and treatment. Consequently, aesthetics in the patient rooms such as a view
      of nature or natural light entering the room are often neglected in caring for
      these patients. METHOD: A phenomenological-hermeneutic study design was applied
      and data was collected through multiple qualitative interviews combined with
      observations at a teaching hospital in Denmark. Twelve patients participated.
      FINDINGS: The findings show that a view of nature and natural light in the form
      of sunlight or daylight in the patient room play a significant role in creating
      positive and supportive thoughts and emotions in the seriously ill patients.
      Three themes were identified: (i) Experiencing inner peace and an escape from
      negative thoughts, (ii) Experiencing a positive mood and hope and (iii)
      Experiencing good memories. CONCLUSION: Our findings highlight aesthetic sensory
      impressions in the form of nature sights and natural light in the patient room as
      a powerful source of well-being, relief and hope for the patients during serious
      illness. Therefore, these sensory impressions should be thought of as holding
      palliative potential and should be included as a part of caring for the seriously
      ill patients.

PMID- 26279071
TI  - HIV risk and sense of community: French gay male discourses on barebacking.
AB  - This paper analyses the use of the concept of 'barebacking' as a risk category in
      the discourses of French gay men. It discusses how the rise and spread of the
      term barebacking contributes to reframing gay men's personal experiences of HIV
      prevention and their sense of belonging (or a lack thereof) to a gay community.
      The study is based on 30 qualitative interviews with French gay men conducted
      between 2005 and 2008. An import from the USA, the term barebacking emerged
      publicly in France in the late-1990s and was first used to describe intentionally
      unprotected sexual practices. Debates surrounding this risk category were marked
      by violent controversy over its use and its definition among HIV prevention
      actors. There remains a general lack of consensus on the definition of the term,
      despite its use by activists, in porn culture and in the daily discourses of gay
      men. By focusing on the relational roots of risk perception, I consider how uses
      of the term barebacking invoke a moral framework around risk taking. 

PMID- 26279070
TI  - White-Coat Effect Among Older Adults: Data From the Jackson Heart Study.
AB  - Many adults with elevated clinic blood pressure (BP) have lower BP when measured
      outside the clinic. This phenomenon, the "white-coat effect," may be larger among
      older adults, a population more susceptible to the adverse effects of low BP. The
      authors analyzed data from 257 participants in the Jackson Heart Study with
      elevated clinic BP (systolic/diastolic BP [SBP/DBP] >=140/90 mm Hg) who underwent
      ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM). The white-coat effect for SBP was larger for
      participants 60 years and older vs those younger than 60 years in the overall
      population (12.2 mm Hg, 95% confidence interval [CI], 9.2-15.1 mm Hg and 8.4 mm
      Hg, 95% CI, 5.7-11.1, respectively; P=.06) and among those without diabetes or
      chronic kidney disease (15.2 mm Hg, 95% CI, 10.1-20.2 and 8.6 mm Hg, 95% CI, 5.0
      12.3, respectively; P=.04). After multivariable adjustment, clinic SBP >=150 mm
      Hg vs <150 mm Hg was associated with a larger white-coat effect. Studies are
      needed to investigate the role of ABPM in guiding the initiation and titration of
      antihypertensive treatment, especially among older adults. 

PMID- 26279072
TI  - The efficacy of 308 nm UV excimer light as monotherapy and combination therapy
      with topical khellin 4% and/or tacrolimus 0.1% in the treatment of vitiligo.

PMID- 26279073
TI  - Chromium Supplementation and the Effects on  Metabolic Status in Women with
      Polycystic Ovary  Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-Blind,  Placebo-Controlled
      Trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the beneficial effects
      of chromium intake on markers of insulin metabolism and lipid profiles in women
      with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: In a prospective, randomized,
      double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 64 women with PCOS were randomized to
      receive 200 ug chromium picolinate supplements (n = 32) or placebo (n = 32) for 8
      weeks. Fasting blood samples were obtained at baseline and 8 weeks after the
      intervention to quantify markers of insulin metabolism and lipid concentrations.
      RESULTS: Chromium supplementation in women with PCOS resulted in significant
      decreases in serum insulin levels (-3.6 +/- 7.4 vs. +3.6 +/- 6.2 uIU/ml, p <
      0.001), homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR; -0.8 +/- 1.6
      vs. +0.9 +/- 1.5, p < 0.001), homeostatic model assessment-beta cell function
      (HOMA-B; -15.5 +/- 32.3 vs. +13.6 +/- 23.1, p < 0.001), and a significant
      increase in quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) score (+0.02 +/
      0.03 vs. -0.008 +/- 0.02, p = 0.001) compared with the placebo. In addition, a
      trend toward a significant effect of chromium supplementation on decreasing serum
      triglycerides (-12.4 +/- 74.4 vs. +15.2 +/- 32.4 mg/dl, p = 0.05), very low
      density lipoprotein-cholesterol (-2.5 +/- 14.9 vs. +3.0 +/- 6.5 mg/dl, p = 0.05),
      and cholesterol concentrations (-8.6 +/- 21.9 vs. +0.7 +/- 22.4 mg/dl, p = 0.09)
      was seen. CONCLUSIONS: Eight weeks of chromium supplementation among PCOS women
      had favorable effects on markers of insulin metabolism.

PMID- 26279074
TI  - Motional narrowing under diffusion of two spin sub-lattices in LiNaSO4.
AB  - An expression for the dipolar correlation function characterizing the
      fluctuations of the Hamiltonian under uncorrelated diffusion of two cationic sub
      lattices in a solid has been obtained. A corresponding formula, which can be used
      for fitting the two-step temperature dependencies of the NMR line width, has been
      deduced. We also considered the case of a distribution of correlation times and
      deduced a corresponding analytical fitting function. Elaborated expressions have
      been applied to the NMR line width analysis of LiNaSO4 in the temperature range
      295-788 K.

PMID- 26279075
TI  - Retrospective Rescreening of Negative Cervical Cytology Samples Preceding
      Histologically Proven CIN2-3 and Squamous Cell Carcinoma: An Educational
      Opportunity to Understand and Prevent Laboratory Errors.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We aimed to analyze the false-negative (FN) liquid-based cytology
      diagnoses from the 5 years preceding all the 2013 histologically proven cervical
      intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)2-3 and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and to
      propose corrective actions. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective, blinded
      rescreening ('5-year look-back') of liquid-based cytology samples with negative
      categorizations, which occurred before histologically proven CIN2-3 and SCC.
      RESULTS: The FN rate was 7.8% (21/256 samples preceding CIN2-3 and 0/13 samples
      preceding SCC). Slides confirmed as 'negative', 'interpretation error' and
      'screening error', respectively, were 3.3% (9/269), 2.6% (7/269) and 1.9%
      (5/269). In 9/12 cases, error was associated with small atypical cells. In 7/12
      cases, these diagnostic cells were less than 5/10 HPF. Inflammation and prominent
      reactive changes were present in 5/12 cases. Five patients had a positive
      clinical history. In 2 cases, there were multiple-cell-layer artifacts. Dense
      groups of small blue atypical cells were missed in 2 other cases. Dotting was
      imprecise in 6/7 samples. CONCLUSION: Considering the above results, we
      specifically reoriented our continuous education activities, focusing rapid
      rescreening on scanty, isolated, small, atypical cells and dense cell groups.
      Prior to final diagnosis, pathologists should systematically review the entire
      surface of the dotted slides, with special attention being devoted to slides with
      multiple cell layers and tridimensional groups.

PMID- 26279077
TI  - Influences of Different Doses of Midazolam on Mother and Fetus in Fetoscopic
      Surgery for Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We observed influences of different doses of intravenous midazolam on
      mother and fetus in fetoscopic surgery for twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome
      (TTTS). METHODS: A total of 18 pregnant women with TTTS were randomly divided
      into groups M1 and M2 according to differing doses of midazolam. Some parameters
      were respectively recorded as prior to administration of midazolam (T0),
      instantly after anesthesia induction (T1), at incision (T2), instantly after
      laser coagulation (T3) and at the end of surgery (T4). RESULTS: There was no
      statistical difference in oxygen saturation and respiratory rate between groups
      M1 and M2 (all p > 0.05); but mean arterial pressure, heart rate, anxiety visual
      analog test, Observer's Assessment of Alertness/Sedation scale values and Kreb's
      scores were significantly lower in group M2 than in group M1 from T1 to T4 (all p
      < 0.05). In both groups, there was no fetal movement during laser coagulation.
      CONCLUSION: We propose that the appropriate dose for midazolam be 0.02 mg/kg in
      fetoscopic surgery for TTTS.

PMID- 26279080
TI  - Well-Being Therapy in the Netherlands.

PMID- 26279078
TI  - Intergenerational Transmission of Stress in Humans.
AB  - The hypothesis that offspring are affected by parental trauma or stress exposure,
      first noted anecdotally, is now supported empirically by data from Holocaust
      survivor offspring cohorts and other populations. These findings have been
      extended to less extreme forms of stress, where differential physical,
      behavioral, and cognitive outcomes are observed in affected offspring. Parental
      stress-mediated effects in offspring could be explained by genetics or social
      learning theory. Alternatively, biological variations stemming from stress
      exposure in parents could more directly have an impact on offspring, a concept we
      refer to here as 'intergenerational transmission', via changes to gametes and the
      gestational uterine environment. We further extend this definition to include the
      transmission of stress to offspring via early postnatal care, as animal studies
      demonstrate the importance of early maternal care of pups in affecting
      offsprings' long-term behavioral changes. Here, we review clinical observations
      in offspring, noting that offspring of stress- or trauma-exposed parents may be
      at greater risk for physical, behavioral, and cognitive problems, as well as
      psychopathology. Furthermore, we review findings concerning offspring biological
      correlates of parental stress, in particular, offspring neuroendocrine,
      epigenetic, and neuroanatomical changes, in an attempt to determine the extent of
      parental stress effects. Although understanding the etiology of effects in
      offspring is currently impeded by methodological constraints, and limitations in
      our knowledge, we summarize current information and conclude by presenting
      hypotheses that have been prompted by recent studies in the field. 

PMID- 26279079
TI  - Bidirectional Modulation of Alcohol-Associated Memory Reconsolidation through
      Manipulation of Adrenergic Signaling.
AB  - Alcohol addiction is a problem of great societal concern, for which there is
      scope to improve current treatments. One potential new treatment for alcohol
      addiction is based on disrupting the reconsolidation of the maladaptive Pavlovian
      memories that can precipitate relapse to drug-seeking behavior. In alcohol self
      administering rats, we investigated the effects of bidirectionally modulating
      adrenergic signaling on the strength of a Pavlovian cue-alcohol memory, using a
      behavioral procedure that isolates the specific contribution of one maladaptive
      Pavlovian memory to relapse, the acquisition of a new alcohol-seeking response
      for an alcohol-associated conditioned reinforcer. The beta-adrenergic receptor
      antagonist propranolol, administered in conjunction with memory reactivation,
      persistently disrupted the memory that underlies the capacity of a previously
      alcohol-associated cue to act as a conditioned reinforcer. By contrast,
      enhancement of adrenergic signaling by administration of the adrenergic prodrug
      dipivefrin at reactivation increased the strength of the cue-alcohol memory and
      potentiated alcohol seeking. These data demonstrate the importance of adrenergic
      signaling in alcohol-associated memory reconsolidation, and suggest a
      pharmacological target for treatments aiming to prevent relapse through the
      disruption of maladaptive memories. 

PMID- 26279081
TI  - Strategies to Improve Bioavailability and In Vivo Efficacy of the Endogenous
      Opioid Peptides Endomorphin-1 and Endomorphin-2.
AB  - Morphine and the other alkaloids found in the opium poppy plant still represent
      the preferred therapeutic tools to treat severe pain in first aid protocols, as
      well as chronic pain. The use of the opiate alkaloids is accompanied by several
      unwanted side effects; additionally, some forms of pain are resistant to standard
      treatments (e.g. neuropathic pain from cancer). For these reasons, there is
      currently renewed interest in the design and assay of modified versions of the
      potent endogenous opioid peptides endomorphin-1 and endomorphin-2. This review
      presents a selection of the strategies directed at preparing highly stable
      peptidomimetics of the endomorphins, and of the strategies aimed at improving
      central nervous system bioavailability, for which increased in vivo
      antinociceptive efficacy was clearly demonstrated. 

PMID- 26279082
TI  - Improving Peptide Applications Using Nanotechnology.
AB  - Peptides are being successfully used in various fields including therapy and drug
      delivery. With advancement in nanotechnology and targeted delivery carrier
      systems, suitable modification of peptides has enabled achievement of many
      desirable goals over-riding some of the major disadvantages associated with the
      delivery of peptides in vivo. Conjugation or physical encapsulation of peptides
      to various nanocarriers, such as liposomes, micelles and solid-lipid
      nanoparticles, has improved their in vivo performance multi-fold. The amenability
      of peptides to modification in chemistry and functionalization with suitable
      nanocarriers are very relevant aspects in their use and have led to the use of
      'smart' nanoparticles with suitable linker chemistries that favor peptide
      targeting or release at the desired sites, minimizing off-target effects. This
      review focuses on how nanotechnology has been used to improve the number of
      peptide applications. The paper also focuses on the chemistry behind peptide
      conjugation to nanocarriers, the commonly employed linker chemistries and the
      several improvements that have already been achieved in the areas of peptide use
      with the help of nanotechnology. 

PMID- 26279083
TI  - Conformal Visualization for Partially-Immersive Platforms.
AB  - Current immersive VR systems such as the CAVE provide an effective platform for
      the immersive exploration of large 3D data. A major limitation is that in most
      cases at least one display surface is missing due to space, access or cost
      constraints. This partially-immersive visualization results in a substantial loss
      of visual information that may be acceptable for some applications, however it
      becomes a major obstacle for critical tasks, such as the analysis of medical
      data. We propose a conformal deformation rendering pipeline for the visualization
      of datasets on partially-immersive platforms. The angle-preserving conformal
      mapping approach is used to map the 360 degrees 3D view volume to arbitrary
      display configurations. It has the desirable property of preserving shapes under
      distortion, which is important for identifying features, especially in medical
      data. The conformal mapping is used for rasterization, realtime raytracing and
      volume rendering of the datasets. Since the technique is applied during the
      rendering, we can construct stereoscopic images from the data, which is usually
      not true for image-based distortion approaches. We demonstrate the stereo
      conformal mapping rendering pipeline in the partially-immersive 5-wall Immersive
      Cabin (IC) for virtual colonoscopy and architectural review.

PMID- 26279084
TI  - Bioinformatics Annotation of Human Y Chromosome-Encoded Protein Pathways and
      Interactions.
AB  - We performed a comprehensive analysis of human Y chromosome-encoded proteins,
      their pathways, and their interactions using bioinformatics tools. From the NCBI
      annotation release 107 of human genome, we retrieved a total of 66 proteins
      encoded on Y chromosome. Most of the retrieved proteins were also matched with
      the proteins listed in the core databases of the Human Proteome Project including
      neXtProt, PeptideAtlas, and the Human Protein Atlas. When we examined the
      pathways of human Y-encoded proteins through KEGG database and Pathway Studio
      software, many of proteins fall into the categories related to cell signaling
      pathways. Using the STRING program, we found a total of 49 human Y-encoded
      proteins showing strong/medium interaction with each other. While using the
      Pathway studio software, we found that a total of 16 proteins interact with other
      chromosome-encoded proteins. In particular, the SRY protein interacted with 17
      proteins encoded on other chromosomes. Additionally, we aligned the sequences of
      human Y-encoded proteins with the sequences of chimpanzee and mouse Y-encoded
      proteins using the NCBI BLAST program. This analysis resulted in a significant
      number of orthologous proteins between human, chimpanzee, and mouse.
      Collectively, our findings provide the scientific community with additional
      information on the human Y chromosome-encoded proteins. 

PMID- 26279085
TI  - The growth scale and kinetics of WS2 monolayers under varying H2 concentration.
AB  - The optical and electronic properties of tungsten disulfide monolayers (WS2) have
      been extensively studied in the last few years, yet growth techniques for WS2
      remain behind other transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) such as MoS2. Here
      we demonstrate chemical vapor deposition (CVD) growth of continuous monolayer WS2
      films on mm(2) scales and elucidate effects related to hydrogen (H2) gas
      concentration during growth. WS2 crystals were grown by reduction and
      sulfurization of WO3 using H2 gas and sulfur evaporated from solid sulfur powder.
      Several different growth formations (in-plane shapes) were observed depending on
      the concentration of H2. Characterization using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and
      scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed etching of the SiO2 substrate at low
      concentrations of H2 and in the presence of an Ar carrier gas. We attribute this
      to insufficient reduction of WO3 during growth. High H2 concentrations resulted
      in etching of the grown WS2 crystals after growth. The two dimensional X-ray
      diffraction (2D XRD) pattern demonstrates that the monolayer WS2 was grown with
      the (004) plane normal to the substrate, showing that the WS2 conforms to the
      growth substrate. 

PMID- 26279086
TI  - Pictorial review. Magnetic resonance for radiotherapy management and treatment
      planning in prostatic carcinoma.
AB  - MRI has an important role for radiotherapy (RT) treatment planning in prostate
      cancer (PCa) providing accurate visualization of the dominant intraprostatic
      lesion (DIL) and locoregional anatomy, assessment of local staging and depiction
      of implanted devices. MRI enables the radiation oncologist to optimize RT
      planning by better defining target tumour volumes (thereby increasing local
      tumour control), as well as decreasing morbidity (by minimizing the dose to
      adjacent normal structures). Using MRI, radiation oncologists can define the DIL
      for delivery of boost doses of RT using a variety of techniques including:
      stereotactic body radiotherapy, intensity-modulated radiotherapy, proton RT or
      brachytherapy to improve tumour control. Radiologists require a familiarity with
      the different RT methods used to treat PCa, as well as an understanding of the
      advantages and disadvantages of the various MR pulse sequences available for RT
      planning in order to provide an optimal multidisciplinary RT treatment approach
      to PCa. Understanding the expected post-RT appearance of the prostate and typical
      characteristics of local tumour recurrence is also important because MRI is
      rapidly becoming an integral component for diagnosis, image-guided histological
      sampling and treatment planning in the setting of biochemical failure after RT or
      surgery. 

PMID- 26279087
TI  - Development of a low-dose protocol for cone beam CT examinations of the anterior
      maxilla in children.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to develop a low-dose protocol suitable for
      cone beam CT (CBCT) examination of an impacted maxillary canine in children by
      using a combination of dosimetry with subjective and objective image quality
      assessment. METHODS: Radiation dose and image quality measurements were made
      using a dental CBCT machine. An image quality phantom was used to investigate the
      relationship between objective image quality and dose-area product (DAP) for a
      broad range of exposure settings. Subjective image quality assessment was
      achieved using a paediatric skull phantom submerged in a water bath for the same
      range of exposure settings. Eight clinicians assessed each CBCT data set for nine
      aspects of image quality using a five-point rating scale of agreement. RESULTS:
      Acceptable image quality, defined using subjective judgements by the clinicians
      of the skull phantom images, was achievable with DAP values of 127 mGy cm(2) or
      greater and a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of 4.8
      or greater. A cautious choice was made to recommend a low-dose protocol of 80 kV
      and 3 mA for implementation into clinical practice, corresponding to a DAP value
      of 146 mGy cm(2) and a PTFE CNR of 5.0. CONCLUSION: A low-dose protocol for this
      particular CBCT machine was established which represents as much as a 50%
      reduction compared with manufacturer's recommendations. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: To
      the authors' best knowledge, this is the first study that addresses dose
      optimization in paediatric clinical protocols in dental CBCT. Furthermore, this
      study explores the relationship between radiation dose, objective and subjective
      image quality.

PMID- 26279088
TI  - Recurrent takotsubo cardiomyopathy in a child.
AB  - Takotsubo cardiomyopathy or transient apical ballooning syndrome very rarely
      presents in children. In all patients with takotsubo, it is estimated that only
      3.5% will have recurrence. In this study, we describe a case of recurrent
      takotsubo cardiomyopathy in a child, likely triggered by status epilepticus. 

PMID- 26279089
TI  - Claudin 1 Promotes Migration and Increases Sensitivity to Tamoxifen and
      Anticancer Drugs in Luminal-like Human Breast Cancer Cells MCF7.
AB  - Downregulation of claudin 1, a critical tight junction protein, has been
      correlated with increased invasiveness in breast cancer. However, recent studies
      suggest that claudin 1 contributes to the progression of some molecular subtypes
      of breast cancer. In this study, claudin 1 promotes migration in luminal-like
      MCF7 human breast cancer cells and increases their sensitivity to tamoxifen,
      etoposide, and cisplatin. We also observed an inverse relationship between
      upregulation of claudin 1 and TGFbeta. Collectively, our results suggest that
      claudin 1 has the potential to be used as a predictive marker for treatment
      efficacy for specific breast cancer patient subgroups.

PMID- 26279090
TI  - Magma injection beneath the urban area of Naples: a new mechanism for the 2012
      2013 volcanic unrest at Campi Flegrei caldera.
AB  - We found the first evidence, in the last 30 years, of a renewed magmatic activity
      at Campi Flegrei caldera from January 2012 to June 2013. The ground deformation,
      observed through satellite interferometry and GPS measurements, have been
      interpreted as the effect of the intrusion at shallow depth (3090 +/- 138 m) of
      0.0042 +/- 0.0002 km(3) of magma within a sill. This interrupts about 28 years of
      dominant hydrothermal activity and occurs in the context of an unrest phase which
      began in 2005 and within a more general ground uplift that goes on since 1950.
      This discovery has implications on the evaluation of the volcanic risk and in the
      volcanic surveillance of this densely populated area.

PMID- 26279091
TI  - Effect of in-office bleaching with 35% hydrogen peroxide with and without
      addition of calcium on the enamel surface.
AB  - This study aimed to evaluate effectiveness and effects of bleaching with 35%
      hydrogen peroxide with and without calcium on color, micromorphology, and the
      replacement of calcium and phosphate on the enamel surface. Thirty bovine enamel
      blocks (5.0 * 5.0 mm) were placed into the following groups: G1: artificial
      saliva (control); G2: 35% hydrogen peroxide gel without calcium (Whiteness HP
      Maxx-FGM); and G3: 35% hydrogen peroxide gel with calcium (Whiteness HP Blue
      FGM). Three color measurements were performed with a spectrophotometer: untreated
      (baseline), after performing staining, and after application of bleaching agents.
      Calcium deposition on the enamel was evaluated before and after the application
      of bleaching agents using energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry. The enamel
      surface micromorphology was observed under scanning electron microscopy. The pH
      of each product was measured. The data were subjected to one-factor analysis of
      variance (ANOVA), and any differences were analyzed using Tukey's test (P <
      0.05). G3 showed greater variation in total color after the experiment than G2
      and G1; there was no significant difference in calcium or phosphorus
      concentration before and after the experimental procedures; morphological changes
      were observed only in G2 and G3; and the pH values of the Whiteness HP Maxx and
      Whiteness HP Blue bleaching agents were 5.77 and 7.79, respectively. The 35%
      hydrogen peroxide with calcium showed greater bleaching potential, but the
      addition of calcium had no effect in terms of reducing morphological changes or
      increasing the calcium concentration on the enamel surface.

PMID- 26279092
TI  - R2O3 (R = La, Y) modified erbium activated germanate glasses for mid-infrared 2.7
      MUm laser materials.
AB  - Er(3+) activated germanate glasses modified by La2O3 and Y2O3 with good thermal
      stability were prepared. 2.7 MUm fluorescence was observed and corresponding
      radiative properties were investigated. A detailed discussion of J-O parameters
      has been carried out based on absorption spectra and Judd-Ofelt theory. The peak
      emission cross sections of La2O3 and Y2O3 modified germanate glass are (14.3 +/-
      0.10) * 10(-21) cm(2) and (15.4 +/- 0.10) * 10(-21) cm(2), respectively. Non
      radiative relaxation rate constants and energy transfer coefficients of (4)I11/2
      and (4)I13/2 levels have been obtained and discussed to understand the 2.7 MUm
      fluorescence behavior. Moreover, the energy transfer processes of (4)I11/2 and
      (4)I13/2 level were quantitatively analyzed according to Dexter's theory and
      Inokuti-Hirayama model. The theoretical calculations are in good agreement with
      the observed 2.7 MUm fluorescence phenomena. Results demonstrate that the Y2O3
      modified germanate glass, which possesses more excellent spectroscopic properties
      than La2O3 modified germanate glass, might be an attractive candidate for mid
      infrared laser.

PMID- 26279093
TI  - Developing a Tabletop Exercise to Test Community Resilience: Lessons from the Los
      Angeles County Community Disaster Resilience Project.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We aimed to develop and test a community resilience tabletop exercise
      to assess progress in community resilience and to provide an opportunity for
      quality improvement and capacity building. METHODS: A tabletop exercise was
      developed for the Los Angeles County Community Disaster Resilience (LACCDR)
      project by using an extended heat wave scenario with health and infrastructure
      consequences. The tabletop was administered to preparedness only (control) and
      resilience (intervention) coalitions during the summer of 2014. Each exercise
      lasted approximately 2 hours. The coalitions and LACCDR study team members
      independently rated each exercise to assess 4 resilience levers (partnership,
      engagement, self-sufficiency, and education). Resilience coalitions received more
      detailed feedback in the form of recommendations for improvement. RESULTS: The
      resilience coalitions performed the same or better than the preparedness
      coalitions on the partnership and self-sufficiency levers. Most coalitions did
      not have enough (both quantity and type) of the partner organizations needed for
      an escalating heat wave or changing conditions or enough engagement of
      organizations representing at-risk populations. Coalitions also lacked
      educational materials to cover topics as far ranging as heat to power outages to
      psychological impacts of disaster. CONCLUSION: A tabletop exercise can be used to
      stress and test resilience-based capacities, with particular attention to a
      community's ability to leverage a range of partnerships and other assets to
      confront a slowly evolving but multifactorial emergency.

PMID- 26279094
TI  - Metagenomic and metaproteomic analyses of Accumulibacter phosphatis-enriched
      floccular and granular biofilm.
AB  - Biofilms are ubiquitous in nature, forming diverse adherent microbial communities
      that perform a plethora of functions. Here we operated two laboratory-scale
      sequencing batch reactors enriched with Candidatus Accumulibacter phosphatis
      (Accumulibacter) performing enhanced biological phosphorus removal. Reactors
      formed two distinct biofilms, one floccular biofilm, consisting of small, loose,
      microbial aggregates, and one granular biofilm, forming larger, dense, spherical
      aggregates. Using metagenomic and metaproteomic methods, we investigated the
      proteomic differences between these two biofilm communities, identifying a total
      of 2022 unique proteins. To understand biofilm differences, we compared protein
      abundances that were statistically enriched in both biofilm states. Floccular
      biofilms were enriched with pathogenic secretion systems suggesting a highly
      competitive microbial community. Comparatively, granular biofilms revealed a high
      stress environment with evidence of nutrient starvation, phage predation
      pressure, and increased extracellular polymeric substance and cell lysis.
      Granular biofilms were enriched in outer membrane transport proteins to scavenge
      the extracellular milieu for amino acids and other metabolites, likely released
      through cell lysis, to supplement metabolic pathways. This study provides the
      first detailed proteomic comparison between Accumulibacter-enriched floccular and
      granular biofilm communities, proposes a conceptual model for the granule
      biofilm, and offers novel insights into granule biofilm formation and stability.

PMID- 26279096
TI  - Good News for Valve-Sparing Surgery in Marfan Syndrome.

PMID- 26279097
TI  - Multiple Arterial Coronary Bypass Grafting: Likely Better, But Not Yet a Mandate.

PMID- 26279095
TI  - A combination hydrogel microparticle-based vaccine prevents type 1 diabetes in
      non-obese diabetic mice.
AB  - Targeted delivery of self-antigens to the immune system in a mode that stimulates
      a tolerance-inducing pathway has proven difficult. To address this hurdle, we
      developed a vaccine based-approach comprised of two synthetic controlled-release
      biomaterials, poly(lactide-co-glycolide; PLGA) microparticles (MPs) encapsulating
      denatured insulin (key self-antigen in type 1 diabetes; T1D), and PuraMatrix(TM)
      peptide hydrogel containing granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM
      CSF) and CpG ODN1826 (CpG), which were included as vaccine adjuvants to recruit
      and activate immune cells. Although CpG is normally considered pro-inflammatory,
      it also has anti-inflammatory effects, including enhancing IL-10 production.
      Three subcutaneous administrations of this hydrogel (GM-CSF/CpG)/insulin-MP
      vaccine protected 40% of NOD mice from T1D. In contrast, all control mice became
      diabetic. In vitro studies indicate CpG stimulation increased IL-10 production,
      as a potential mechanism. Multiple subcutaneous injections of the insulin
      containing formulation resulted in formation of granulomas, which resolved by 28
      weeks. Histological analysis of these granulomas indicated infiltration of a
      diverse cadre of immune cells, with characteristics reminiscent of a tertiary
      lymphoid organ, suggesting the creation of a microenvironment to recruit and
      educate immune cells. These results demonstrate the feasibility of this
      injectable hydrogel/MP based vaccine system to prevent T1D. 

PMID- 26279098
TI  - Malignant Middle Cerebral Artery Infarction Resulting from Dissection of Middle
      Cerebral Artery.
AB  - A 30-year-old man presented with headache, left hemiparesis, and uncal
      herniation. Magnetic resonance imaging showed acute infarction in the right
      middle cerebral artery (MCA). Lifesaving craniotomy proceeded because of the
      uncal herniation. Assessment of brain tissue led to a diagnosis of MCA
      dissection. His skin biopsy showed ultrastructural abnormalities of dermal
      connective tissue. This is the unique case that dissection was diagnosed from
      both a biopsy specimen of the MCA and the dermal connective tissue. 

PMID- 26279099
TI  - E-Cigarettes: Youth and Trends in Vaping.

PMID- 26279100
TI  - Testicular hypertrophy as a predictor for contralateral monorchism: Retrospective
      review of prospectively recorded data.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Testicular hypertrophy has previously been evaluated as a predictor
      of monorchism. However, its implication in clinical practice is not well
      evaluated. The aim of the present study was to examine its value in planning the
      operative time. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Medical charts of prospectively recorded
      data of 76 consecutive patients with unilateral impalpable testis from 2011 to
      2014 were reviewed at the present institute. Inclusion criteria included
      prepubertal patients with non-palpable testes by examination under anesthesia.
      Contralateral testes were prospectively measured using a Takihara orchidometer.
      Orchiectomy or orchiopexy was performed according to the viability of the
      undescended testis (UDT). Collected data included age of surgery, contralateral
      testicular size, surgical time and laparoscopic findings. A ROC curve was used to
      define the best cut-off volume of the contralateral testis that can predict
      ipsilateral testicular viability. The Student's t-test was used to examine if
      this cut-off volume would be useful in allocating the operative time. RESULTS: Of
      76 patients, four palpable testes by examination under anesthesia were excluded.
      The remaining 72 patients were included in the study. Ipsilateral normal viable
      testes were found in 26 (36.1%) patients, while 46 (63.9%) had non-viable testes
      (testicular nubbins or vanishing testes) (Figure). A contralateral testicular
      volume > 2 ml was significantly predictive for monorchism with 71.7% sensitivity
      and 100% specificity (P < 0.001). The mean operative time for management of UDT
      with a contralateral size >2 ml was 50 min, which was significantly shorter than
      that for UDT with a contralateral size <= 2 ml, which was 88 min (P < 0.001).
      DISCUSSION: In previously published reports, the cut-off value for testicular
      hypertrophy that predicts monorchism greatly varied. This is likely due to the
      different methods used for testicular measurements that make it impractical to
      make a direct comparison. The usefulness of predicting monorchism before surgery
      has not previously been used as a guide for allocating operative time in the
      management of a unilateral non-palpable testicle. This study had some
      limitations, including a relatively small sample size and involvement of
      different surgeons, which may have affected the operative time. CONCLUSION: Using
      the cut-off volume of a contralateral testis >2 ml as a predictor for monorchism
      can reduce the allocated operative time by approximately one third.

PMID- 26279101
TI  - Is renal scintigraphy necessary after heminephrectomy in children?
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Heminephrectomy remains an excellent option for a poorly
      functioning moiety in a duplicated collecting system. A primary concern during
      heminephrectomy is the potential for a significant functional loss in the
      remaining ipsilateral moiety. As the gold standard for the assessment of
      differential renal function, renal scintigraphy is often used in the
      postoperative evaluation of children undergoing heminephrectomy. However, this
      imaging modality is costly, invasive, and associated with exposure to radiation.
      Doppler renal ultrasound (RUS) avoids these concerns and is able to evaluate for
      structural and functional abnormalities. OBJECTIVE: The present study sought to
      compare Doppler RUS to renal scintigraphy in determining the viability of the
      remaining ipsilateral moiety in children who underwent heminephrectomy for a
      poorly functioning moiety in a duplicated collecting system. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: The institutional database of children who underwent open
      heminephrectomy for a poorly functioning moiety in a duplicated collecting system
      between 2006 and 2013 was reviewed. Only children who underwent both a
      postoperative Doppler RUS and renal scan were included. A blinded pediatric
      radiologist independently reviewed all Doppler RUS. Vascular flow on Doppler RUS
      was correlated with the preservation of renal function in the remaining
      ipsilateral moiety on renal scintigraphy. RESULTS: A total of 29 children were
      identified for inclusion. Demographic and operative data are provided in Table.
      The average pre-operative and postoperative differential renal function in the
      ipsilateral kidney was 41.6% and 38% on renal scintigraphy, respectively, for an
      average decrease of 3.6% (-18% to +12%). Doppler RUS demonstrated the presence of
      vascular flow to the remaining ipsilateral moieties of all children after
      heminephrectomy. Renal scintigraphy confirmed the viability of these moieties in
      all children. DISCUSSION: The first study comparing Doppler RUS to renal
      scintigraphy was performed to determine the viability of the remaining
      ipsilateral moiety after heminephrectomy. While no cases of complete functional
      loss were observed, an average decrease of 3.6% in the ipsilateral renal function
      favorably compared with other series of children undergoing open heminephrectomy.
      The limitations of the study included its retrospective design at a single
      institution. The interpretation of Doppler RUS by an individual pediatric
      radiologist may also have lead to interobserver variability and impacted the
      reproducibility of the study, while the absence of any cases of complete
      functional loss may have impacted its generalizability. CONCLUSIONS: Doppler RUS
      is an accurate imaging modality for determining the viability of the remaining
      ipsilateral moiety after heminephrectomy and may obviate the need for renal
      scintigraphy.

PMID- 26279102
TI  - Proximal hypospadias: A persistent challenge. Single institution outcome analysis
      of three surgical techniques over a 10-year period.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The optimal treatment of proximal hypospadias remains
      controversial. Several techniques have been described, but the best approach
      remains unsettled. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the complication rates of
      proximal hypospadias with and without ventral curvature (VC), according to three
      different surgical techniques: tubularized incised plate (TIP) uretroplasty,
      dorsal inlay graft TIP (DIG), and staged preputial repair (SR). It was
      hypothesized that SR performs better than TIP and DIG for proximal hypospadias.
      METHODS: Single-center, retrospective chart review of all patients with primary
      proximal hypospadias reconstructed between 2003 and 2013. The DIG was selectively
      employed in cases with narrow urethral plate (UP) and deficient spongiosum.
      Extensive urethral plate (UP) mobilization (UPM), dorsal plication (DP) and/or
      deep transverse incisions of tunica albuginea (DTITA) were selectively performed
      when attempting to spare transecting the UP. Division of UP and SR was favored in
      cases with severe VC (>50 degrees ), which was often concurrently managed with
      DTITA if intrinsic curvature was present. For SR, tubularization of the graft was
      performed 6 months later. RESULTS: A total of 140 patients were included.
      Tubularized incised plate (TIP), DIG, and SR techniques were performed in 57, 23,
      and 60 patients, respectively. The TIP and DIG techniques achieved similar
      success rates, although DIG was performed in cases of narrow and spongiosum
      deficient plates. Reoperation rates with TIP and DIG techniques was 52.6% and
      52.1% (NS). Urethro-cutaneous fistulas were seen in 31.5% and 13% of TIP and DIG
      techniques, respectively. Staged repair accomplished better results than both TIP
      and DIG techniques, despite being performed in the most unfavorable cases
      (reoperation rate 28%). After technical modifications, the DIG technique achieved
      similar outcomes of SR. CONCLUSIONS: Proximal hypospadias remains challenging,
      regardless of the technique utilized for its repair. Urethro-cutaneous fistulas
      were more commonly seen after long TIP repairs. Approximately half of the
      patients undergoing long TIP and DIG procedures needed re-intervention, although
      the percentage decreased significantly with late modifications in the DIG group.
      Recurrence of VC after TIP and DIG techniques seemed to be a significant and
      under-reported complication. Staged repairs, despite being performed for the most
      severe cases, resulted in overall better outcomes.

PMID- 26279103
TI  - Response to commentary to "27 years of experience with the comprehensive surgical
      management of prune belly syndrome".

PMID- 26279104
TI  - Transcutaneous posterior tibial nerve stimulation in pediatric overactive
      bladder: A preliminary report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Non-neurogenic overactive bladder (OAB) is a common problem in
      children that may affect their quality of life. Various methods of
      neuromodulation have been reported to treat refractory lower urinary tract
      dysfunction. Since most of these techniques are invasive, they are less
      applicable in children. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of transcutaneous
      PTNS in treatment of OAB in children, in a randomized clinical setting. STUDY
      DESIGN: This study was single-blinded, prospective, sham controlled randomized
      trial. 40 children with non-neurogenic OAB refractory to behavioural and
      anticholinergic therapy were randomized either to test group or sham group.
      Neuromodulation was performed using two self-adhesive electrodes cephalad to
      medial malleolus. In test group the stimulation was given with voltage pulse
      intensity of 0 to 10 mA, pulse width of 200 MUs and frequency of 20 Hz. In sham
      group patch electrodes were applied to simulate the test group but no stimulation
      was given. In both groups, weekly session of 30 min was given for a period of 12
      weeks. The OAB symptoms, severity of incontinence, number of voids daily (NV),
      average voided volume (AVV) and maximum voided volume (MVV) were evaluated before
      and after treatment. RESULTS: On assessment of subjective improvement of OAB
      symptoms, 66.66% patients reported cure and 23.81% patients reported significant
      improvement of symptoms in test group whereas in sham group only 6.25% patients
      reported significant improvement. In test group 71.42% patients reported complete
      improvement in incontinence whereas in sham group only 12.5% patient reported
      complete improvement. The AVV, MVV and NV improved significantly in test group (p
      <0.001) as compared to sham group (Table). DISCUSSION: The present study is
      unique as none of the earlier studies in children were sham controlled. It is
      also first PTNS study in which patch electrodes were used; therefore it is
      completely noninvasive. This technique provides better patient acceptability and
      compliance. This study proved that, there is a definite effect of PTNS as
      compared to placebo because when patients from sham group were treated actively,
      they responded well. The present study has few limitations as it has relatively
      short follow-up period of 12 weeks. Relapse of OAB symptoms and maintenance
      schedule of PTNS need to be assessed further. CONCLUSION: Transcutaneous PTNS is
      superior to placebo in treatment of non-neurogenic overactive bladder in
      children. In view of its effectiveness and acceptability we believe that
      transcutaneous PTNS should be part of pediatric urology armamentarium for
      treatment of OAB.

PMID- 26279105
TI  - Effect of Falls on Frequency of Atrial Fibrillation and Mortality Risk (from the
      REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke Study).
AB  - It is unclear if patients who have atrial fibrillation (AF) have a greater fall
      risk compared with those in the general population and if falls increase
      mortality beyond that observed in AF. A total of 24,117 (mean age 65 +/- 9.3
      years; 55% women; 38% black) participants from the REasons for Geographic And
      Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study were included. AF was identified
      from baseline electrocardiogram data and by self-reported history. Falls were
      considered present if participants reported >=2 falls within the year before the
      baseline examination. Logistic regression was used to examine the relationship
      between prevalent AF and falls. Cox regression was used to examine the risk of
      death in those with AF and falls, separately and in combination, compared with
      those without either condition. A total of 2,007 participants (8.3%) had baseline
      AF and 1,655 (6.7%) reported falls. A higher prevalence of falls was reported in
      those with AF (n = 209; 10%) than those without AF (n = 1,446; 6.5%; p <0.0001).
      After adjustment for fall risk factors, AF was significantly associated with
      falls (odds ratio 1.22, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04 to 1.44). Compared with
      no history of AF or falls, the concomitant presence of AF and falls (hazard ratio
      [HR] 2.12, 95% CI 1.64 to 2.74) was associated with a greater risk of death than
      AF (HR 1.44, 95% CI 1.28 to 1.62) or falls (HR 1.61, 95% CI 1.42 to 1.82). In
      conclusion, patients with AF are more likely to report a history of falls in
      REGARDS. Additionally, participants with AF who report falls have an increased
      risk of death than those with either condition in isolation. 

PMID- 26279106
TI  - Effectiveness and Safety of Anakinra for Management of Refractory Pericarditis.
AB  - Recurrent pericarditis is a debilitating condition that can be recalcitrant to
      conventional therapy with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, colchicine, and
      glucocorticoids. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic role of
      the recombinant interleukin-1 receptor antagonist anakinra in a series of adult
      patients with recurrent pericarditis refractory to conventional therapy. We
      retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 13 consecutive patients with
      treatment-refractory recurrent pericarditis who received anakinra for management
      of their disease. None of the patients had an identified systemic inflammatory
      rheumatic disease. The primary end points were symptom resolution and
      glucocorticoid discontinuation. Thirteen patients (10 women) treated with
      anakinra were followed for a median (range) of 16.8 months (1.3 to 24). All
      patients had chest pain. Total duration of symptoms before initiation of anakinra
      was 3 years (1.1 to 6.0). Pericardial thickening was detected by echocardiography
      in 9 patients (69%). All 13 patients (100%) experienced at least a partial and,
      most, a complete resolution of symptoms. Response to therapy was rapid, within 2
      to 5 days. At last follow-up, 11 patients (84%) had successfully discontinued
      concomitant nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent, colchicine, and glucocorticoid
      therapy; 11 patients remained on anakinra at the end of the follow-up period. The
      only side effect was transient injection site reaction in 4 patients (31%). In
      conclusion, anakinra may be an effective alternative agent for the management of
      glucocorticoid-dependent recurrent pericarditis. Side effects were minor. A
      formal clinical trial to evaluate the usefulness of this agent should be
      considered. 

PMID- 26279107
TI  - Usefulness of Left Atrial Reservoir Size and Left Ventricular Untwisting Rate for
      Predicting Outcome in Primary Mitral Regurgitation.
AB  - The present study proposed to evaluate whether analysis of cardiac mechanics
      through speckle-tracking imaging is useful for risk stratification in
      asymptomatic patients with chronic primary mitral regurgitation (MR). We
      prospectively enrolled 67 patients (mean age 57 +/- 18 years) and followed them
      over time. MR was mild in 20 patients (30%), moderate in 24 (36%), and severe in
      23 (34%). After a mean time of 24.8 +/- 17 months, 34 patients (51%) remained
      asymptomatic, whereas 33 (49%) developed events (19 underwent mitral valve
      surgery, 9 required hospitalization for acute heart failure, and 5 patients
      died). Compared to asymptomatic patients, those with events at baseline showed
      more severe MR, larger and spherical ventricles, diastolic dysfunction, and
      greater systolic pulmonary arterial pressure. Moreover, patients with events had
      decreased left atrial (LA) reservoir (p <0.001) and left ventricular (LV)
      untwisting rate (p <0.001). On univariate Cox regression analysis, effective
      regurgitant orifice area (p <0.001), vena contracta (p <0.001), systolic
      pulmonary arterial pressure (p = 0.003), LV end-systolic diameter (p <0.001),
      E/E' ratio (p = 0.004), LA volume (p = 0.001), LA reservoir (p <0.001), and LV
      untwisting rate (p <0.001) were associated with an increased risk of events. On
      multivariate analysis, only LA reservoir (p = 0.013) and LV untwisting rate were
      independent predictors (p = 0.017) of outcome. Moreover, LA reservoir evaluation
      significantly improved (p = 0.013) risk stratification compared to recommended
      parameters. In conclusion, impaired cardiac mechanics is more closely associated
      than severity of MR with the occurrence of events in asymptomatic chronic primary
      MR. 

PMID- 26279108
TI  - Outpatient Use of Focused Cardiac Ultrasound to Assess the Inferior Vena Cava in
      Patients With Heart Failure.
AB  - Accurate assessment of volume status is critical in the management of patients
      with heart failure (HF). We studied the utility of a pocket-sized ultrasound
      device in an outpatient cardiology clinic as a tool to guide volume assessment.
      Inferior vena cava (IVC) size and collapsibility were assessed in 95 patients by
      residents briefly trained in focused cardiac ultrasound (FCU). Cardiologist
      assessment of volume status and changes in diuretic medication were also
      recorded. Patients were followed for occurrence of 30-day events. There was a 94%
      success rate of obtaining IVC size and collapsibility, and agreement between
      visual and calculated IVC parameters was excellent. Most patients were euvolemic
      by both FCU IVC and clinical bedside assessment (51%) and had no change in
      diuretic dose. Thirty-two percent had discrepant FCU IVC and clinical volume
      assessments. In clinically hypervolemic patients, the FCU evaluation of the IVC
      suggested that the wrong diuretic management plan might have been made 46% of the
      time. At 30 days, 14 events occurred. The incidence of events increased
      significantly with FCU IVC imaging categorization, from 11% to 23% to 36% in
      patients with normal, intermediate, and plethoric IVCs. By comparison, when
      grouped in a binary manner, there was no significant difference in event rates
      for patients who were deemed to be clinically volume overloaded. Assessment of
      volume status in an outpatient cardiology clinic using FCU imaging of the IVC is
      feasible in a high percentage of patients. A group of patients were identified
      with volume status discordant between FCU IVC and routine clinic assessment,
      suggesting that IVC parameters may provide a valuable supplement to the in-office
      physical examination. 

PMID- 26279109
TI  - Nationwide Trends in Reported Incidence of Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy from 2006 to
      2012.
AB  - Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) is believed to be an increasingly diagnosed
      syndrome; however, data on its incidence are limited. The purpose of this study
      was to determine the reported incidence of TC in the United States and to examine
      its trend over several years. Data was obtained from the Nationwide Inpatient
      Sample, created by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, for each of
      the years from 2006 to 2012. Hospital discharges with principal diagnosis of TC,
      identified using Internal Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, code
      429.83, were included. We tabulated estimated total numbers of discharges,
      incidence per 100,000 persons, mean length of stay, inhospital death rates, and
      diagnoses stratified by age group and gender. The reported incidence of TC based
      on principal diagnosis at hospital discharge increased significantly over the
      study period, with 315 cases +/- 43 (standard error) in 2006 and 6,230 cases +/-
      232 (standard error) in 2012 (p <0.001 for trend). Mean length of hospital stay
      was stable over the study period (3.4 days in 2006 vs 3.6 days in 2012; p = 0.74
      for trend). The diagnosis was most frequent in patients aged 65 to 84 years (50%
      of all diagnoses in 2012), followed by those aged 45 to 64 years (39% of all
      diagnoses in 2012). Women accounted for >90% of diagnoses throughout the study
      period. In conclusion, the reported incidence of TC has increased significantly
      from 2006 to 2012, most likely because of increasing recognition of the syndrome.

PMID- 26279110
TI  - Prevalence and Implications of Subclinical Coronary Artery Disease in Patients
      With Atrial Fibrillation.
AB  - The objective of this study was to examine prevalence and clinical implications
      of subclinical coronary artery disease (CAD) detected by coronary artery calcium
      score (CACS) testing in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). CACS was assessed
      in patients without history of CAD undergoing catheter ablation of AF. Age- and
      gender-matched patients with normal sinus rhythm (NSR) presenting with chest pain
      served as controls. Predicted arterial age using the Multi-Ethnic Study of
      Atherosclerosis registry was also compared to the chronologic age. A total of 860
      patients (430 AF and 430 NSR, age 63 +/- 10 years, 65% men) were included.
      Subclinical CAD prevalence (CACS >0) was 74% (319 of 430) in the AF group.
      Compared to the patients with NSR, patients with AF had higher prevalence of
      Subclinical CAD (74% vs 63%; p <0.001). In multivariate analysis, AF was
      independently associated with Subclinical CAD (hazard ratio 1.60; p = 0.002) but
      only with persistent AF (hazard ratio 2.28; p <0.001). Predicted arterial age was
      greater than chronologic age in patients with AF (69 +/- 12 vs 64 +/- 9 years).
      CACS-diagnosed subclinical CAD identified new potential candidates for statin
      therapy (12%; 33 of 267) and for oral anticoagulation (19%; 40 of 206) by
      addition of subclinical CAD to the CHA2DS2-VASc scores. In conclusion, in
      patients without known history of CAD, prevalence of subclinical CAD was
      significantly higher in those with persistent AF than those with NSR. AF was
      associated with subclinical CAD independently and complimentarily to clinical
      risk factors. Identifying subclinical CAD has potential clinical indications for
      prevention of CAD progression and stroke. 

PMID- 26279111
TI  - Levothyroxine Treatment of Euthyroid Children with Autoimmune Hashimoto
      Thyroiditis: Results of a Multicenter, Randomized, Controlled Trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Levothyroxine (L-T4) treatment of euthyroid children with Hashimoto
      thyroiditis (HT) is a controversial issue. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a
      prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial. Out of 79 identified
      euthyroid patients, 59 started the study; 25 patients (21 female, 4 male; age:
      11.8 +/- 2.3 years) received L-T4 at a mean dose of 1.6 ug/kg (SD, 0.8) daily,
      and 34 (27 female, 7 male; age: 12.6 +/- 1.2 years) were not treated. Patients
      developing subclinical hypothyroidism during follow-up (n = 13) were treated with
      L-T4 and removed from the observation group. As the main outcome measures,
      thyroid gland volume (determined by ultrasound) as well as serum levels of TSH,
      free T4, and antibodies against thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin were
      assessed every 6 months for 36 months. RESULTS: At the start, the mean thyroid
      volume (standard deviation score, SDS) was 2.5 in the treatment group and 1.6 in
      the observation group. There was a constant decline in mean thyroid volume (SDS)
      from 2.13 (month 12) to 1.12 (month 30) in the treated group, with a delta
      thyroid volume of -1.01 SDS. In the observation group, the mean delta thyroid
      volume increased to +0.27 SDS. The change of the delta thyroid volume was
      statistically significantly different between both groups during the 12- and 30
      month time points (p < 0.05). L-T4 had no effect on thyroid function and serum
      thyroid antibodies. CONCLUSIONS: L-T4 treatment can decrease the thyroid volume
      in euthyroid children with HT, but the effect is limited to a definite time
      period.

PMID- 26279112
TI  - ERP evidence for hemispheric asymmetries in exemplar-specific explicit memory
      access.
AB  - The right cerebral hemisphere (RH) appears to be more effective in representing
      visual objects as distinct exemplars than the left hemisphere (LH) which is
      presumably biased towards coding objects at the level of abstract prototypes. As
      of yet, relatively little is known about the role that asymmetries in exemplar
      specificity play at the level of explicit memory retrieval. In the present study,
      we addressed this issue by examining hemispheric asymmetries in the putative
      event-related potential (ERP) correlates of familiarity (FN400) and recollection
      (LPC). In an incidental study phase, pictures of familiar objects were presented
      centrally. At test, participants performed a memory inclusion task on identical
      repetitions and different exemplars of study items as well as new items which
      were presented in only one visual hemifield using the divided visual field
      technique. With respect to familiarity, we observed exemplar-specific FN400
      old/new effects that were more pronounced for identical repetitions than
      different exemplars, irrespective of the hemisphere governing initial stimulus
      processing. In contrast, LPC old/new effects were subject to some hemispheric
      asymmetries indicating that exemplar-specific recollection was more extensive in
      the RH than in the LH. This further corroborates the idea that hemispheric
      asymmetries should not be generalized but need to be distinguished not only in
      different domains but also at different levels of processing. 

PMID- 26279113
TI  - Intranasal administration of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells
      conditioned medium enhances vascular remodeling after stroke.
AB  - Stem cell-based treatments have been reported to be a potential strategy for
      stroke. However, tumorigenic potential and low survival rates of transplanted
      cells could attenuate the efficacy of the stem cell-based treatments. The
      application of stem cell-condition medium (CM) may be a practicable approach to
      conquer these limitations. In this study, we investigated whether intranasal
      administration of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs)-CM has
      the therapeutic effects in rats after stroke. Adult male rats were subjected to
      middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) and were treated by intranasal routine
      with or without hUCMSCs-CM (1 ml/kg/d), starting 24h after MCAo and daily for 14
      days. Neurological functional tests, blood brain barrier (BBB) leakage, were
      measured. Angiogenesis and angiogenic factor expression were measured by
      immunohistochemistry, and Western blot, respectively. hUCMSCs-CM treatment of
      stroke by intranasal routine starting 24h after MCAo in rats significantly
      enhances BBB functional integrity and promotes functional outcome but does not
      decrease lesion volume compared to rats in DMEM/F12 medium control group and
      saline control group. Treatment of ischemic rats with hUCMSCs-CM by intranasal
      routine also significantly decreases the levels of Ang2 and increases the levels
      of both Ang1 and Tie2 in the ischemic brain. To take together, increased
      expression of Ang1 and Tie2 and decreased expression of Ang2, induced by hUCMSCs
      CM treatment, contribute to vascular remodeling in the ischemic brain which plays
      an important role in functional outcome after stroke.

PMID- 26279114
TI  - Framingham risk score can predict cognitive decline progression in Alzheimer's
      disease.
AB  - The role of vascular factors in influencing cognitive decline has been
      extensively investigated, and some difficulties in defining their weight in
      dementia pathogenesis have emerged. The aim of the study was to investigate the
      relevance of the Framingham cardiovascular risk profile (FCRP) in influencing
      cognitive deterioration in a population of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. Two
      hundred eighty-four consecutive AD patients were enrolled. For each patient, FCRP
      score was calculated. We did a 1-year follow-up to quantify the cognitive decline
      by recording changes in the Clinical Dementia Rating score. The FCRP score
      predicted cognitive deterioration with an area under the curve of 0.63 (95%
      confidence interval: 0.57-0.69; p < 0.0001). In the subpopulation of patients
      with a genetic increased predisposition to develop cognitive deterioration and
      with an advanced vascular impairment, the FCRP predictive value significantly
      increased with an area under the curve of 0.77 (95% confidence interval: 0.52
      0.93; p < 0.05). Our findings show that FCRP can predict the progression of
      deterioration in AD patients. This was particularly evident in patients with
      major genetic and atherosclerotic risk factors. 

PMID- 26279116
TI  - Attempts on producing lymphoid cell line from Penaeus monodon by induction with
      SV40-T and 12S EIA oncogenes.
AB  - In an attempt of in vitro transformation, transfection mediated expression of
      Simian virus-40 (T) antigen (SV40-T) and transduction mediated expression of
      Adenovirus type 12 early region 1A (12S E1A) oncogene were performed in Penaeus
      monodon lymphoid cells. pSV3-neo vector encoding SV40-T oncogene and a
      recombinant baculovirus BacP2-12S E1A-GFP encoding 12S E1A oncogene under the
      control of hybrid promoters were used. Electroporation and lipofection mediated
      transformation of SV40-T in lymphoid cells confirmed the transgene expression by
      phenotypic variation and the expression of GFP in co-transfection experiment. The
      cells transfected by lipofection (>= 5%) survived for 14 days with lower toxicity
      (30%), whilst on electroporation, most of the cells succumbed to death (60%) and
      survived cells lived up to 7 days. Transduction efficiency in primary lymphoid
      cells was more than 80% within 14 days of post-transduction, however, an
      incubation period of 7 days post-transduction was observed without detectable
      expression of 12S E1A. High level of oncogenic 12S E1A expression were observed
      after 14 day post-transduction and the proliferating cells survived for more than
      90 days with GFP expression, however, without in vitro transformation and
      immortalization. The study put forth the requirement of transduction mediated
      'specific' oncogene expression along with telomerase activation and epigenetic
      induction for the immortalization and establishment of shrimp cell line.

PMID- 26279115
TI  - Trajectories of peripheral interleukin-6, structure of the hippocampus, and
      cognitive impairment over 14 years in older adults.
AB  - We aimed to investigate if trajectory components (baseline level, slope, and
      variability) of peripheral interleukin-6 (IL-6) over time were related to
      cognitive impairment and smaller hippocampal volume and if hippocampal volume
      explained the associations between IL-6 and cognitive impairment. Multivariable
      regression models were used to test the association between IL-6 trajectory
      components with change in neuroimaging measures of the hippocampus and with
      cognitive impairment among 135 older adults (70-79 years at baseline) from the
      Healthy Brain Project over 14 years. IL-6 variability was positively associated
      with cognitive impairment (odds ratio [OR] = 5.86, 95% confidence interval [CI]:
      1.24, 27.61) and with greater decrease per year of gray matter volume of the
      hippocampus (beta = -0.008, standard error = 0.004, p = 0.03). After adjustment
      for hippocampal volume, the OR of cognitive impairment decreased for each unit of
      IL-6 variability and CIs widened (OR = 4.36, 95% CI: 0.67, 28.29). Neither
      baseline levels nor slopes of IL-6 were related to cognitive impairment or
      hippocampal volume. We believe this has potential clinical and public health
      implications by suggesting adults with stable levels of peripheral IL-6 may be
      better targets for intervention studies for slowing or preventing cognitive
      decline. 

PMID- 26279117
TI  - Nanostructured Lipid Carriers: A Novel Platform for Chemotherapeutics.
AB  - Cancer is a disease manifested as abnormal cells division without control. If it
      is not detected and cured very timely, it can invade other healthy tissues
      resulting in metastasis. Chemotherapy is the first line treatment for cancer, but
      due to lack of specificity of most of the anticancer drugs, is associated with
      side effects that affect the quality of life. Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC)
      are one of the promising nano-carriers for the development of effective targeted
      therapies for cancer chemotherapeutics. These bio-compatible and/or bio
      degradable lipids based nanoparticles are composed of solid and liquid lipids as
      a core matrix dispersed in surfactant solution. NLC improve the aqueous
      solubility of most of the hydrophobic cancer therapeutics. Their surface
      modification can be used for overcoming drug resistance in cancer chemotherapy,
      to achieve site specific targeting for better efficacy and reduced dose related
      toxicity. The present review is an attempt to contemplate their pharmaceutical,
      biopharmaceutical aspects and application in cell targeting, gene delivery and in
      theranostics. 

PMID- 26279118
TI  - Efficient Transfection of Phosphorothioate Oligodeoxyribonucleotides by
      lipofectamine2000 into Different Bacteria.
AB  - Antisense technology has been a promising strategy for combating infectious
      diseases caused by multi-drug resistant bacterial strains, but the poor cellular
      uptake and transfection efficiency of these "antisense antibiotics" is strangling
      the development of antisense RNA therapeutics. This study was aimed at evaluating
      the cellular uptake characteristics and transfection efficiency of antisense
      phosphorothioate oligodeoxyribonucleotides (PS-ODN) in bacterial cells mediated
      by LipofectamineTM 2000 (LF2000). The size and surface morphology of LF2000/ODN
      nanoparticle were determined by dynamic light scattering and transmission
      electron microscope. Then the characteristics of cellular uptake were studied by
      flow cytometry analysis, and antibacterial efficacy of LF2000/ODN nanoparticle
      targeting rpoD, an RNA polymerase primary sigma70, was tested by analyzing the
      growth inhibition of targeted bacteria and by RT-PCR analysis of the target
      genes. And the results indicated that the size of the spherical nanoparticle
      obtained was about 120 nm with a zeta potential about -5 mV, and the
      encapsulation efficiency of PS-ODN was about 95%. The cellular uptake
      efficiencies of LF2000/ODN nanoparticle by extended-spectrum beta -lactamase
      producing Escherichia coli (ESBLs-E. coli) and E. coli were 40.1% and 48.5% in a
      time-independent manner, while 76.7% and 79.3% by meticillin-resistant
      Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and S. aureus in a time-dependent manner.
      Interestingly, the uptake process was not altered by the incubation temperature.
      After being incubated with LF2000/ODN, the growth of tested bacteria were
      significantly retarded and the transcription of rpoD was inhibited. Our research
      not only provided a basis for further studies on delivery systems for antisense
      antibiotics, but also highlighted a novel cellular uptake mechanism of
      nanoparticle. 

PMID- 26279119
TI  - Efficient siRNA Delivery Using PEG-conjugated PAMAM Dendrimers Targeting Vascular
      Endothelial Growth Factor in a CoCl2-induced Neovascularization Model in Retinal
      Endothelial Cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Choroidal neovascularization (CNV), also known as subretinal
      neovascularization, causes serious damage to the central vision as it happens
      more commonly in macula. The most important factor involved in angiogenesis is
      vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). By an RNAi technique, VEGF gene
      knockdown can be used to treat CNV. PEG-conjugated poly (amidoamine) (PEGPAMAM)
      dendrimers as a new type of synthetic polymers are very promising to be gene
      delivery carriers. METHODS: To investigate siRNA delivery efficacy of PEG-PAMAM
      dendrimers, we prepared dendriplexes of PEG-PAMAM dendrimers with a fluorescence
      labelled siRNA (PEG-PAMAM/FAM siRNA) or VEGF siRNA (PEG-PAMAM/VEGF siRNA), and
      studied transfection and downregulation efficacy of the dendriplexes in a cobalt
      chloride (CoCl2)-induced neovascularization model in retinal vascular endothelial
      cells (RF/6A). RESULTS: Our results demonstrate that PEG-PAMAM dendrimers had
      significantly higher transfection efficiency to FAM siRNA than a commercial
      transfection reagent PEI (1.4-fold, P<0.001) measured by flow cytometry. Compared
      to the PEI/VEGF siRNA polyplexes, the dendriplexes of the PEG-PAMAM/VEGF siRNA
      more significantly downregulated VEGF gene expression (P < 0.01) at both mRNA and
      protein expression level. A tube formation assay also proved that the PEG
      PAMAM/VEGF siRNA dendriplexes more significantly inhibited vascular-like
      formation than PEI/VEGF siRNA did (P < 0.001) in RF/6A. CONCLUSION: This study
      demonstrated that G5-PEG was more efficient than PEI in facilitating siRNA
      delivery, downregulating VEGF expression and inhibiting vascular-like formation
      on RF/6A.

PMID- 26279120
TI  - Implementation of "Quality by Design (QbD)" Approach for the Development of 5
      Fluorouracil Loaded Thermosensitive Hydrogel.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate Quality by Design (QbD)
      principle for the preparation of hydrogel products to prove both practicability
      and utility of executing QbD concept to hydrogel based controlled release
      systems. Product and process understanding will help in decreasing the
      variability of critical material and process parameters, which give quality
      product output and reduce the risk. This study includes the identification of the
      Quality Target Product Profiles (QTPPs) and Critical Quality Attributes (CQAs)
      from literature or preliminary studies. METHODS: To identify and control the
      variability in process and material attributes, two tools of QbD was utilized,
      Quality Risk Management (QRM) and Experimental Design. Further, it helps to
      identify the effect of these attributes on CQAs. Potential risk factors were
      identified from fishbone diagram and screened by risk assessment and optimized by
      3-level 2- factor experimental design with center points in triplicate, to
      analyze the precision of the target process. This optimized formulation was
      further characterized by gelling time, gelling temperature, rheological
      parameters, in-vitro biodegradation and in-vitro drug release. RESULTS: Design
      space was created using experimental design tool that gives the control space and
      working within this controlled space reduces all the failure modes below the risk
      level. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, QbD approach with QRM tool provides potent and
      effectual pyramid to enhance the quality into the hydrogel.

PMID- 26279121
TI  - Algorithm to design inhibitors using stereochemically mixed l,d polypeptides:
      Validation against HIV protease.
AB  - Polypeptides have potential to be designed as drugs or inhibitors against the
      desired targets. In polypeptides, every chiral alpha-amino acid has enantiomeric
      structural possibility to become l or d amino acids and can be used as design
      monomer. Among the various possibilities, use of stereochemistry as a design tool
      has potential to determine both functional specificity and metabolic stability of
      the designed polypeptides. The polypeptides with mixed l,d amino acids are a
      class of peptidomimitics, an attractive drug like molecules and also less
      susceptible to proteolytic activities. Therefore in this study, a three step
      algorithm is proposed to design the polypeptides against desired drug targets.
      For this, all possible configurational isomers of mixed l,d polyleucine (Ac-Leu8
      NHMe) structure were randomly modeled with simulated annealing molecular dynamics
      and the resultant library of discrete folds were scored against HIV protease as a
      model target. The best scored folds of mixed l,d structures were inverse
      optimized for sequences in situ and the resultant sequences as inhibitors were
      validated for conformational integrity using molecular dynamics. This study
      presents and validates an algorithm to design polypeptides of mixed l,d
      structures as drugs/inhibitors by inverse fitting them as molecular ligands
      against desired target. 

PMID- 26279122
TI  - GAPDH-silence preserves H9C2 cells from acute hypoxia and reoxygenation injury.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Acute hypoxia and reoxygenation injury, as a common environmental
      stress condition, is a basic condition of most pathophysiological processes. It
      has been approve that autophagy and oxidant stress could contribute to acute
      hypoxia and reoxygenation injury. This study is aimed to examine the effect of
      glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) silence on cell injury with
      acute hypoxia and reoxygenation injury by autophagy and antioxidant stress
      pathway. METHODS: GAPDH expression was silenced by siRNA in H9C2 cardiomyoblasts
      with acute hypoxia and reoxygenation injury. Autophagy was detected by western
      blot for autophagy proteins and monodansylcadaverine (MDC) staining for acidic
      substances. Pro-apoptosis protein and flow cytometry were used to assess cell
      apoptosis and death and intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) relative
      concentration was measured. Oxidant stress was assessed by measuring 2'-7'
      dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA), thiobarbituric acid reactive
      substances (TBARS), glutathione (GSH) and super oxide dismutase (SOD). RESULTS:
      In this study, GAPDH-silence enhanced autophagy in H9C2 cells with acute hypoxia
      and reoxygenation injury, decreased oxidant stress and increased antioxidant
      pathways; and reduced cell apoptosis and death. However, GAPDH-silence had no
      significant effect on cell energy. CONCLUSION: GAPDH pre-silence by siRNA reduces
      H9C2 cell death occurring via autophagy and anti-oxidative stress pathway in
      acute hypoxia and reoxygenation injury. This study enriches the understanding of
      GAPDH pathophysiology role, and provides potential new therapeutic targets for
      cardiac disease states characterized by oxidative stress.

PMID- 26279123
TI  - Estimating height from the first and second cervical vertebrae in a Spanish
      population.
AB  - One of the roles of forensic anthropology is the identification of skeletal
      remains and over the years many methods have been developed to obtain specific
      details of a corpse such as an estimation of age and height. The femur and tibia
      are ideal for this purpose but unfortunately they are often missing or badly
      fragmented. For this reason, in this present study, we used the smaller bones of
      the first and second cervical vertebrae, which are often better preserved than
      the long bones. Direct measurement of these bones has been found to be
      misleading, largely due to the remains of a covering of soft tissue, and to
      overcome this all measurements were taken from tomographic images. The aim of
      this study is to provide an auxiliary diagnostic method to evaluate the
      association of different anthropometric measurements taken with tomographic
      imagery of both the first cervical and second cervical vertebra with body height
      within a sample of the Spanish population. Measurements were taken from
      tomographic images taken with a dental CT of 203 healthy individuals from a
      Spanish population. The best correlation was obtained in the case of unknown sex
      using four measurements: two of the first cervical vertebra and two of the second
      vertebra using the following regression formula S=49.02+1.02O+1.58DO+0.49V+0.67I.
      All formulae provided statistically significant results and can be applied to any
      skeletal remains belonging to a Spanish population.

PMID- 26279124
TI  - Short report: Functional somatic symptoms are associated with perfectionism in
      adolescents.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of perfectionism
      on functional somatic symptoms (FSSs) in adolescents. It was hypothesized that
      perfectionism predicts higher levels of FSSs cross-sectionally and
      longitudinally, and that anxiety and depression mediate this relationship.
      DESIGN: This prospective population-based study was part of the Dutch Tracking
      Adolescents' Individual Lives Survey (N=2230; 50.8% girls). Data from 1878
      participants attending the third (T3) or fourth (T4) assessment wave were used
      (mean age T3: 16.2 (SD:0.7); mean age T4: 19.0 (SD:0.6)). Multiple regression and
      mediation analyses were performed in Mplus. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: FSSs,
      perfectionism (i.e. the feeling one has to be perfect), anxiety and depression
      were assessed with the Youth Self-Report at the third and fourth wave. RESULTS:
      Perfectionism was associated with a higher level of FSSs in adolescents, both
      cross-sectionally (B=0.11, 95%-CI: 0.08-0.14) and longitudinally (B=0.05, 95%-CI:
      0.02-0.08). There was a small indirect effect of perfectionism on FSSs trough
      anxiety and depression (B=0.02, 95%-CI: 0.003-0.03, k(2)=0.02). CONCLUSION: The
      results suggest that perfectionism predicts the course of FSSs with a small
      indirect effect of perfectionism on FSSs trough anxiety and depression. Further
      research is needed to clarify which aspects of perfectionism are particularly
      responsible for this effect.

PMID- 26279125
TI  - The spectral relaxation dynamics and the molecular crowding effect of silver
      nanoclusters synthesized in the polymer scaffold.
AB  - We have performed a comprehensive study on the spectral relaxation dynamics of
      silver nanoclusters (AgNCs) synthesized in poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA). In
      different polymer conformations and solvents, the spectral relaxation dynamics of
      PMAA-AgNCs can be globally fitted by a bi-exponential decay, the short component
      is about 0.2-0.3 ns, whereas the long component is in the range 1-3 ns. The
      spectral relaxation is associated with the energy transfer dynamics and the
      excitation of multiple emissive AgNCs. In this study, we have demonstrated the
      feasibility of using AgNCs as a fluorescent probe for fluorescence anisotropy
      studies. Meanwhile, the molecular crowding effects of the PMAA-AgNCs were
      addressed using the Triton X-100 reverse micelles. The results indicate that the
      fluorescence quantum yield of the AgNCs will be significantly increased under
      crowded conditions, which is beneficial for their usage in intracellular imaging
      studies. 

PMID- 26279126
TI  - Daytime intrusive thoughts and subjective insomnia symptoms.
AB  - Insomnia is increasingly recognised as a 24h complaint that is associated with an
      increased risk of mood and anxiety disorders. However, the effects of insomnia
      symptoms on maladaptive daytime patterns of thinking are poorly understood. We
      examined the relationship between subjective insomnia symptoms, attentional
      control and negative thought intrusions during daytime in a large sample of
      undergraduates experiencing poor sleep. A total of 109 participants completed
      self-report measures of sleep quality, current sleepiness, anxiety and
      attentional control. A behavioural measure of intrusive thought required
      participants to control their attention during two focus periods separated by a
      5min period of self-referential worry. Thought intrusions were sampled throughout
      the pre- and post-worry periods. Perceived insomnia severity was associated with
      the reduced ability to focus attention and uniquely associated with increased
      negative thought intrusions in the pre-worry period. These results support
      suggestions that acute episodes of poor sleep can dysregulate key networks
      involved in attentional control and emotion regulation, and that promote negative
      cognitive activity. 

PMID- 26279127
TI  - Parameters of glucose and lipid metabolism at the fasted state in drug-naive
      first-episode patients with psychosis: Evidence for insulin resistance.
AB  - Diabetes and dyslipidemia are common in patients with psychosis; this association
      may be partly related to adverse metabolic effects of antipsychotic medications.
      We assessed glucose and lipid metabolism during the fasted state in drug-naive
      patients with psychosis. Fasting serum concentrations of total cholesterol,
      triglycerides, high density lipoprotein (HDL), glucose, insulin, connecting
      peptide (C-peptide), homeostatic model assessment index (HOMA-IR), glycated
      hemoglobin (HbA1C) and serum cortisol were compared between a group of 40 newly
      diagnosed drug-naive, first-episode patients with psychosis and a group of 40
      healthy controls, matched for age, sex and BMI. Total cholesterol, triglycerides
      and fasting glucose levels were similar, whereas insulin and C-peptide levels
      were higher and HDL marginally lower in the patients' group compared to those in
      healthy controls. Drug-naive patients with psychosis were more insulin resistant
      (as assessed by the HOMA-R index) compared to healthy controls. Serum cortisol
      did not differ between the two groups. There is evidence that drug-naive, first
      episode patients with psychosis are more insulin resistant compared to healthy
      controls. 

PMID- 26279128
TI  - History of sexual, emotional or physical abuse and psychiatric comorbidity in
      substance-dependent patients.
AB  - Sexual, emotional or physical abuse history is a risk factor for mental disorders
      in addicted patients. However, the relationship between addiction and abuse
      lifespan is not well known. This study aims to compare clinical and
      psychopathological features of addicted patients according to the experience of
      abuse and to the number of different types of abuse suffered. Bivariate and
      multivariate analyses were conducted. 512 addicted patients seeking treatment
      were included, 45.9% reported abuse throughout life (38.9% emotional, 22.3%
      physical and 13.5% sexual abuse). It was found that female gender; depressive
      symptoms and borderline personality disorder were independently associated with
      history of any abuse throughout life. As well, it was found that 14% have been
      suffered from all three types of abuse (sexual, emotional and physical), 34.5%
      from two and 55.5% from one type. Female gender and borderline personality
      disorder were independently associated independently with a greater number of
      different types of abuse. Results suggest that history of abuse is frequent among
      substance-dependent patients and these experiences are more prevalent in women
      and are associated with more psychiatric comorbidity. 

PMID- 26279129
TI  - Asking patients about their general level of functioning: Is IT worth IT for
      common mental disorders?
AB  - Functional disability (FD) is a diagnostic criterion for the psychiatric
      diagnosis of many mental disorders (e.g. generalized anxiety disorder (GAD);
      major depressive episode (MDE)). We aimed to assess the contribution of measuring
      FD to diagnosing GAD and MDE using clinical (Global Assessment of Functioning,
      GAF) and self-reported methods (Analog scale of functioning, ASF and World Health
      Organization Disability Assessment Schedule WHODAS 2.0). Patients seeking
      professional help for mood/anxiety symptoms (N=244) were evaluated. The MINI
      interview was used to determine the presence of common mental disorders. Symptoms
      were assessed with two short checklists. Logistic and hierarchical logistic
      models were used to determine the diagnostic accuracy and the added diagnostic
      value of FD assessment in detecting GAD and MDE. For GAD, FD alone had a
      diagnostic accuracy of 0.79 (GAF), 0.79 (ASF) and 0.78 (WHODAS) and for MDE of
      0.83, 0.84 and 0.81, respectively. Self-reported measures of FD improved the
      diagnostic performance of the number of symptoms (4% AUC increase) for GAD, but
      not for MDE. If assessed before symptom evaluation, FD can discriminate well
      between patients with and without GAD/MDE. When assessed together with symptoms,
      self-reported methods improve GAD detection rates. 

PMID- 26279130
TI  - The VA augmentation and switching treatments for improving depression outcomes
      (VAST-D) study: Rationale and design considerations.
AB  - Because two-thirds of patients with Major Depressive Disorder do not achieve
      remission with their first antidepressant, we designed a trial of three "next
      step" strategies: switching to another antidepressant (bupropion-SR) or
      augmenting the current antidepressant with either another antidepressant
      (bupropion-SR) or with an atypical antipsychotic (aripiprazole). The study will
      compare 12-week remission rates and, among those who have at least a partial
      response, relapse rates for up to 6 months of additional treatment. We review
      seven key efficacy/effectiveness design decisions in this mixed "efficacy
      effectiveness" trial. 

PMID- 26279131
TI  - Clinical usefulness and relevance of intermediate endpoints for cytotoxic
      neoadjuvant therapy.
AB  - Intermediate endpoints are surrogate markers of treatment efficacy assessed
      earlier than the true outcome of interest. Tumor response after systemic
      neoadjuvant therapy is considered a suitable intermediate endpoint, especially
      for specific breast cancer subtypes. Response can be evaluated either after only
      1 cycle of treatment by clinical evaluation or at the end of the planned
      neoadjuvant treatment by histomorphologic examination of all surgically removed
      tissues from the breast and regional nodes. Although several meta-analyses showed
      a lower risk of death among patients who attain a pathologic complete response
      (pCR) compared with patients with residual tumor in breast and/or lymph nodes
      after neoadjuvant therapy, a statistically significant linkage between increased
      pCR rate by a specific treatment and improvement of survival by the same
      treatment has not been demonstrated yet. Therefore, formal surrogacy of pCR is
      not established. Moreover, the better definition of pCR is still an open issue: a
      large pooled analysis demonstrated that patients who attained ypT0 ypN0 (no
      invasive or non-invasive residual cancer in breast and nodes) experienced longer
      DFS (p < 0.001) compared with patients who attained ypTis ypN0 (no invasive
      residual in breast and nodes irrespective of residual non-invasive disease).
      Nevertheless, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently allowed using pCR
      as a surrogate endpoint for accelerated approval process. Several meta-analyses
      demonstrated the greatest prognostic value of pCR in more aggressive breast
      cancer subtypes (i.e. triple-negative, HER2-positive, or high grade breast
      cancer). Usefulness of an earlier intermediate endpoints was prospectively
      demonstrated in the GeparTrio trial in which patients showing an early response
      achieved 4-times more frequently a pCR than those without early response.

PMID- 26279132
TI  - Prognostic features of breast cancer differ between women in the Democratic
      Republic of Congo and Belgium.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Compared to European women, breast cancers in African women present
      at a younger age, with a higher tumor grade and are more often estrogen receptor
      (ER)/progesterone receptor (PR) negative. We here investigate the
      histopathological and immunohistochemical characteristics (ER, PR and human
      epidermal growth receptor 2 (HER2)) and the proportion of triple negative (Tneg)
      invasive breast cancers from an unselected series of patients diagnosed in
      Kinshasa, and compare them to a population of Caucasian women with a palpable
      breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2010 till 2013, during the first
      breast cancer awareness campaign, organized in Kinshasa, 87 patients were
      diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. Diagnose was based on core biopsy. The
      control group consisted of Caucasian women (University Hospitals of Leuven,
      Belgium) with a palpable mass, diagnosed between 2000 till 2009, treated with
      surgery of which the histopathological and immunohistochemical characteristics
      were collected on excision specimens. Each patient in the Kinshasa group was
      matched based on age and tumor size to one or more patients of the Leuven
      database. Differences between both groups with respect to hormone receptors (ER,
      PR, HER2, Tneg) or grade are presented as relative risks (RR). The analysis is
      based on a log-binomial model accounting for clustering through matching by a
      random intercept for cluster. Differences between both groups with respect to
      hormone receptors correcting for grade is performed by the inclusion of grade as
      a covariate in the model. RESULTS: After adjusting for age, tumor volume and
      tumor grade, ER was more frequently negative (RR = 0.71, p < 0.001), with a trend
      in the same direction for PR (RR = 0.87, p = 0.057), and HER2 more often positive
      (RR = 1.60, p = 0.015) compared to the group from the University Hospitals of
      Leuven. There was no difference in the proportion of breast cancers being triple
      negative. Sub-analysis showed that the higher HER2 positive rate was only
      observed in older patients (>=50y: RR = 2.07, p = 0.007) whereas no difference in
      HER2 positive rate was found in younger patients (<50y: RR = 1.30, p = 0.358). A
      higher ER negative rate was observed in both age groups, however more pronounced
      in older patients (>=50y: RR = 0.64, p = 0.001; <50y: RR = 0.79, p = 0.018).
      CONCLUSION: Breast cancer in women of Kinshasa presents at younger age and is
      more aggressive (more frequently ER negative and HER2 positive) compared to
      Caucasian women and this is more pronounced in older women (>50y). Only the ER
      results were concordant with the results of two similar studies (comparing an
      African with a European group), but were different when compared to studies on
      African-American women with breast cancer. This information is very important
      considering the treatment option: as more tumors are ER negative, endocrine
      therapy cannot be given while chemotherapy is often too expensive.

PMID- 26279133
TI  - Adjuvant endocrine therapy for postmenopausal women: Type and duration.
AB  - Postmenopausal women with ER positive breast cancers benefit from adjuvant
      endocrine therapy. Most such patients should consider aromatase inhibitor therapy
      at some point in their treatment course as there are modest additional risk
      reductions over tamoxifen therapy, alone. Longer durations of therapy - beyond
      five years of tamoxifen - with either ongoing tamoxifen or an AI also improve
      cancer outcomes. Markers of risk for early recurrence are the same as those for
      late recurrence. Decisions regarding the optimal type and duration of therapy
      reflect patient preferences in light of well described side effects of tamoxifen
      and AI therapy, tolerability of treatment, and established clinical, pathological
      and genomic markers of risk.

PMID- 26279134
TI  - In silico epitope analysis of unique and membrane associated proteins from
      Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis for immunogenicity and vaccine
      evaluation.
AB  - Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) is the etiologic agent of
      paratuberculosis disease affecting ruminants worldwide. The aim of this study was
      to identify potential candidate antigens and epitopes by bio and immuno
      informatic tools which could be later evaluated as vaccines and/or diagnosis. 110
      protein sequences were selected from MAP K-10 genome database: 48 classified as
      putative enzymes involved in surface polysaccharide and lipopolysaccharide
      synthesis, as membrane associated and secreted proteins, 32 as conserved membrane
      proteins, and 30 as absent from other mycobacterial genomes. These 110 proteins
      were preliminary screened for Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) class II
      affinity and promiscuity using ProPred program. In addition, subcellular
      localization and host protein homology was analyzed. From these analyses, 23 MAP
      proteins were selected for a more accurate inmunoinformatic analysis (i.e. T cell
      and B cell epitopes analysis) and for homology with mycobacterial proteins.
      Finally, eleven MAP proteins were identified as potential candidates for further
      immunogenic evaluation: six proteins (MAP0228c, MAP1239c, MAP2232, MAP3080,
      MAP3131 and MAP3890) were identified as presenting potential T cell epitopes,
      while 5 selected proteins (MAP0232c, MAP1240c, MAP1738, MAP2239 and MAP3641c)
      harbored a large numbers of epitopes predicted to induce both cell- and antibody
      mediated immune responses. Moreover, immunogenicity of selected epitopes from
      MAP1239c were evaluated in IFN-gamma release assay. In summary, eleven M. avium
      subsp. paratuberculosis proteins were identified by in silico analysis and need
      to be further evaluated for their immunodiagnostic and vaccine potential in field
      and mice model. 

PMID- 26279135
TI  - Evaluation of a portable test system for assessing endotoxin activity in raw
      milk.
AB  - The aim of the present study was to compare endotoxin activities detected in raw
      milk samples obtained from cattle by a commercially available portable test
      system (PTS) and traditional microplate limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL)-based
      assay, which determined activities using a kinetic turbidimetric (KT) assay. Raw
      milk samples were obtained from 53 and 12 dairy cattle without and with clinical
      mastitis, respectively. Comparison between the KT and PTS was performed by the
      Friedman test. The Pearson product moment correlation coefficients were
      calculated to evaluate associations between any two continuous variables. Linear
      regression model analysis was also performed to obtain the equation describing
      the relationship between PTS and KT assay. The endotoxin activities detected in
      200- or 400-fold diluted milk samples were similar between PTS and KT assay,
      whereas a significant difference was observed in 100-fold diluted milk (P<0.001).
      The results obtained from 200- (r(2)=0.778, P<0.001) and 400-fold diluted milk
      samples (r(2)=0.945, P<0.001) using PTS correlated with those using KT assay. The
      median milk endotoxin activities in Gram-positive and Gram-negative clinical
      mastitis cows were 0.655 and 11,523.5 EU/ml, respectively. The results of the
      present study suggest that PTS as a simple and easy test to assess endotoxin
      activity in raw milk is efficient, simple and reproducible. 

PMID- 26279136
TI  - Elevated serum interleukin-1beta levels and interleukin-1beta-to-interleukin-1
      receptor antagonist ratio 1 week after embryo transfer are associated with
      ectopic pregnancy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and interleukin-1
      receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) serum levels in the early luteal phase differ in IVF
      cycles that result in an ectopic pregnancy (EP) when compared with other
      outcomes. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort. SETTING: Not applicable. PATIENT(S): A
      total of 307 women whose serum samples were available, with the following IVF
      outcomes: 103 live births, 80 negative pregnancy tests, 52 biochemical
      pregnancies, 47 EPs, and 25 miscarriages. INTERVENTION(S): Serum samples were
      obtained on cycle days 24 and 28 (cycle day 14 = day of egg retrieval). Levels of
      IL-1beta and IL-1RA were determined by quantitative ELISA performed by blinded
      personnel. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): IL-1beta and IL-1RA levels, IL-1beta-to-IL
      1RA ratio versus cycle outcome. RESULT(S): The IL-1beta levels were predictive of
      an EP. At cycle days 24 and 28 the mean IL-1beta levels were higher in patients
      with an EP (127.1 pg/mL and 166.9 pg/mL, respectively) than in women with any
      other IVF outcome (15.8-55.3 pg/mL and 14.8-75.5 pg/mL, respectively). At cycle
      day 24 the IL-1beta-to-IL-1RA ratio was 0.18 in the ectopic group versus 0.01
      0.09 in the other groups. CONCLUSION(S): Elevated IL-1beta levels and IL-1beta-to
      IL-1RA ratio as early as 4 days before the first pregnancy test are associated
      with an EP. If confirmed by prospective studies, clinical application of these
      findings could potentially improve EP detection.

PMID- 26279138
TI  - Effect of a D3 receptor antagonist on context-induced reinstatement of nicotine
      seeking.
AB  - Despite the existence of several treatment options for smoking cessation, the
      rate of relapse after treatment is very high. We and others have proposed that
      targeting the dopamine D3 receptor (DRD3) may be a good strategy for treatment of
      nicotine dependence. In human participants, reintroduction to an environment
      previously associated with drug-taking may induce relapse. In animals, such
      phenomenon can be studied using the context-induced reinstatement paradigm. As
      the role of DRD3 in context-induced reinstatement of nicotine-seeking has not yet
      been explored, we investigated the effects of different doses of the selective
      DRD3 antagonist SB-277011-A on this reinstatement. Sprague-Dawley adult rats were
      first trained to self-administer nicotine and subsequently underwent extinction
      in a second context for 5-7 days. We evaluated the effect of 1, 3 or 10mg/kg of
      SB-277011-A administered prior to the reintroduction to the training context. We
      used two different designs: 1) a between-subjects design with a unique
      reinstatement test; and 2) a counterbalanced within-subjects design, with 4
      reinstatement tests. Our findings indicate that, in the within-subjects design,
      the magnitude of responding induced by the context-induced reinstatement of
      nicotine seeking was robust during the first reinstatement test, but
      significantly decreased with repeated testing. SB-277011-A (10mg/kg) blocked
      context-induced reinstatement of nicotine-seeking at first exposure to the
      context (between-subjects design), but not after repeated context exposure which
      produced weaker reinstatement over days. Our results support a role for DRD3
      mediating context-induced reinstatement of nicotine seeking, but these effects
      may not be sustained over time. Further studies should explore this in human
      participants for validation.

PMID- 26279137
TI  - Rapid modification of the bone microenvironment following short-term treatment
      with Cabozantinib in vivo.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Bone metastasis remains incurable with treatment restricted to
      palliative care. Cabozantinib (CBZ) is targeted against multiple receptor
      tyrosine kinases involved in tumour pathobiology, including hepatocyte growth
      factor receptor (MET) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR
      2). CBZ has demonstrated clinical activity in advanced prostate cancer with
      resolution of lesions visible on bone scans, implicating a potential role of the
      bone microenvironment as a mediator of CBZ effects. We characterised the effects
      of short-term administration of CBZ on bone in a range of in vivo models to
      determine how CBZ affects bone in the absence of tumour. METHODS: Studies were
      performed in a variety of in vivo models including male and female BALB/c nude
      mice (age 6-17-weeks). Animals received CBZ (30 mg/kg, 5* weekly) or sterile H2O
      control for 5 or 10 days. Effects on bone integrity (MUCT), bone cell activity
      (PINP, TRAP ELISA), osteoblast and osteoclast number/mm trabecular bone surface,
      area of epiphyseal growth plate cartilage, megakaryocyte numbers and bone marrow
      composition were assessed. Effects of longer-term treatment (15-day & 6-week
      administration) were assessed in male NOD/SCID and beige SCID mice. RESULTS: CBZ
      treatment had significant effects on the bone microenvironment, including reduced
      osteoclast and increased osteoblast numbers compared to control. Trabecular bone
      structure was altered after 8 administrations. A significant elongation of the
      epiphyseal growth plate, in particular the hypertrophic chondrocyte zone, was
      observed in all CBZ treated animals irrespective of administration schedule. Both
      male and female BALB/c nude mice had increased megakaryocyte numbers/mm(2) tissue
      after 10-day CBZ treatment, in addition to vascular ectasia, reduced bone marrow
      cellularity and extravasation of red blood cells into the extra-vascular bone
      marrow. All CBZ-induced effects were transient and rapidly lost following
      cessation of treatment. CONCLUSION: Short-term administration of CBZ induces
      rapid, reversible effects on the bone microenvironment in vivo highlighting a
      potential role in mediating treatment responses.

PMID- 26279139
TI  - Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the lung: CT and FDG PET findings.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the CT and (18)fluorine FDG PET findings of large cell
      neuroendocrine carcinomas (LCNECs) of the lung and to evaluate whether CT and FDG
      PET findings can help predict the clinical outcome. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty
      one patients (Male:Female=29:2; mean age, 69 years) who underwent surgical
      resection of an LCNEC of the lung were included in this retrospective study. The
      tumours were assessed with respect to morphologic characteristics and the maximum
      standardised uptake value (SUVmax) on pre-operative CT and FDG PET. For patients
      undergoing curative resection (n=26), disease-free survival was evaluated using
      the Kaplan-Meier test. The prognostic significance was assessed using a
      multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. RESULTS: The mean
      tumour diameter was 3.8 +/- 2.1cm. Eight tumours (25.8%) were located centrally
      in the lung, and 23 (74.2%) were located peripherally. The margins were lobulated
      in 29 patients (93.5%) and well defined in 20 (64.5%). The mean SUVmax was 9.0 +/
      3.8. The five-year disease-free survival rate was 46.3%. The shorter disease
      free survival was related to the TNM stage greater than stage I, no lobulated
      margin of a tumour, a SUVmax >12.9 of a tumour, a long diameter >5.6 cm of a
      tumour, or female gender (P=0.115, P=0.134, P=0.056, P=0.168, P=0.113,
      respectively). The multivariate analysis indicated that a long diameter >5.6 cm
      (hazard ratio, 9.265; 90% confidence interval (CI), 1.996-42.992; P=0.017),
      female gender (hazard ratio, 5.579; 90% CI, 1.398-22.264; P=0.041), no lobulated
      margin (hazard ratio, 9.955; 90% CI, 1.433-69.136; P=0.051), and SUVmax >12.9
      (hazard ratio, 4.062; 90% CI, 1.235-13.368; P=0.053) were independent predictors
      of shorter disease-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: LCNECs of the lung more commonly
      occurred peripherally and exhibited well-defined and lobulated margins on CT. The
      mean SUVmax was consistent with malignant tumours. Female gender, a larger tumour
      diameter, no lobulated margin, and higher SUVmax were poor prognostic factors.

PMID- 26279140
TI  - Identification of critical regions within the TIR domain of IL-1 receptor type I.
AB  - Interleukin-1 receptor type I (IL-1RI) belongs to a superfamily of proteins
      characterized by an intracellular Toll/IL-1 receptor (TIR) domain. This domain
      harbors three conserved regions called boxes 1-3 that play crucial roles in
      mediating IL-1 responses. Boxes 1 and 2 are considered to be involved in binding
      of adapter molecules. Amino acids possibly crucial for IL-1RI signaling were
      predicted via homology models of the IL-1RI TIR domain based on the crystal
      structure of IL-1RAPL. The role of ten of these residues was investigated by site
      directed mutagenesis and a functional luciferase assay reflecting NF-kappaB
      activity in transiently transfected Jurkat cells. In particular, the mutants
      E437K/D438K, E472A/E473A and S465A/S470A/S471A/E472A/E473A showed decreased and
      the mutant E437A/D438A increased IL-1 responsiveness compared to the mouse IL-1RI
      wild type. In conclusion, the alphaC' helix (Q469-E473 in mouse IL-1RI) is
      probably involved in heterotypic interactions of IL-1RI with IL-1RAcP or MyD88. 

PMID- 26279141
TI  - The influence of porosity on the hemocompatibility of polyhedral oligomeric
      silsesquioxane poly (caprolactone-urea) urethane.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The physio-chemical properties of blood contacting biomaterials play
      an important role in determining their hemocompatibility. It is shown in
      literature that surface roughness and porosity have significant effect on
      hemocompatibility. In this study, we use a biocompatible, low thrombogenic
      nanocomposite polymer called POSS-PCU to test this hypothesis: would porosity
      compromise the hemocompatibility of POSS-PCU. We compared the hemocompatibility
      of POSS-PCU films of various pore sizes with PTFE, which is a commercially
      available material used in most blood contacting devices. METHODS: Sterilized
      POSS-PCU films with different size pores were prepared as samples and porous PTFE
      film were selected as control. And all samples were subjected to SEM for
      topograpgy, mechanical test for characterization and hemocompatibility tests to
      evaluate contact activation, platelet adhesion and activation, as well as whole
      blood clotting response to the samples. RESULTS: WCA significantly increased with
      the pore size of POSS-PCU film, whereas both tensile stress and strain decreased
      significantly as the sizes of pores increased. However, when compared to PTFE
      film with same size pores, POSS-PCU films showed both higher tensile stress and
      strain. Pore size had little impact over POSS-PCU's surface chemistry groups as
      tested by FTIR analysis. Contact activation and platelet adhesion essay also
      showed no significant difference between different POSS-PCU samples. However, in
      whole blood reactions, POSS-PCU with pores size around 2-5MUm showed higher BCI
      than plain films and those with pores size around 35-45MUm. POSS-PCU showed lower
      thrombogencity and higher hemocompatibility comparing with porous PTFE on the
      aspects of platelet activation, adhesion and whole blood reaction. SUMMARY AND
      CONCLUSIONS: POSS-PCU polymer films as a biomaterial in chronic blood contacting
      implants show significant lower thrombogencity and higher hemocompatibility than
      porous PTFE film. It is desirable as a coating or covering material in small
      diameter stents for treating cardiovascular diseases, cerebral vascular diseases
      and peripheral arterial diseases.

PMID- 26279142
TI  - Regulation of Lactobacillus plantarum contamination on the carbohydrate and
      energy related metabolisms of Saccharomyces cerevisiae during bioethanol
      fermentation.
AB  - During the industrial bioethanol fermentation, Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells are
      often stressed by bacterial contaminants, especially lactic acid bacteria.
      Generally, lactic acid bacteria contamination can inhibit S. cerevisiae cell
      growth through secreting lactic acid and competing with yeast cells for
      micronutrients and living space. However, whether are there still any other
      influences of lactic acid bacteria on yeast or not? In this study, Lactobacillus
      plantarum ATCC 8014 was co-cultivated with S. cerevisiae S288c to mimic the L.
      plantarum contamination in industrial bioethanol fermentation. The contaminative
      L. plantarum-associated expression changes of genes involved in carbohydrate and
      energy related metabolisms in S. cerevisiae cells were determined by quantitative
      real-time polymerase chain reaction to evaluate the influence of L. plantarum on
      carbon source utilization and energy related metabolism in yeast cells during
      bioethanol fermentation. Contaminative L. plantarum influenced the expression of
      most of genes which are responsible for encoding key enzymes involved in glucose
      related metabolisms in S. cerevisiae. Specific for, contaminated L. plantarum
      inhibited EMP pathway but promoted TCA cycle, glyoxylate cycle, HMP, glycerol
      synthesis pathway, and redox pathway in S. cerevisiae cells. In the presence of
      L. plantarum, the carbon flux in S. cerevisiae cells was redistributed from
      fermentation to respiratory and more reducing power was produced to deal with the
      excess NADH. Moreover, L. plantarum contamination might confer higher ethanol
      tolerance to yeast cells through promoting accumulation of glycerol. These
      results also highlighted our knowledge about relationship between contaminative
      lactic acid bacteria and S. cerevisiae during bioethanol fermentation. 

PMID- 26279143
TI  - YB-1 gene expression is kept constant during myocyte differentiation through
      replacement of different transcription factors and then falls gradually under the
      control of neural activity.
AB  - We have previously reported that translation of acetylcholine receptor alpha
      subunit (AChR alpha) mRNA in skeletal muscle cells is regulated by Y-box binding
      protein 1 (YB-1) in response to neural activity, and that in the postnatal mouse
      developmental changes in the amount of YB-1 mRNA are similar to those of AChR
      alpha mRNA, which is known to be regulated by myogenic transcription factors.
      Here, we examined transcriptional regulation of the YB-1 gene in mouse skeletal
      muscle and differentiating C2C12 myocytes. Although neither YB-1 nor AChR alpha
      was detected at either the mRNA or protein level in adult hind limb muscle, YB-1
      expression was transiently activated in response to denervation of the sciatic
      nerve and completely paralleled that of AChR alpha, suggesting that these genes
      are regulated by the same transcription factors. However, during differentiation
      of C2C12 cells to myotubes, the level of YB-1 remained constant even though the
      level of AChR alpha increased markedly. Reporter gene, gel mobility shift and
      ChIP assays revealed that in the initial stage of myocyte differentiation,
      transcription of the YB-1 gene was regulated by E2F1 and Sp1, and was then
      gradually replaced under the control of both MyoD and myogenin through an E-box
      sequence in the proximal region of the YB-1 gene promoter. These results suggest
      that transcription factors for the YB-1 gene are exchanged during skeletal muscle
      cell differentiation, perhaps playing a role in translational control of mRNAs by
      YB-1 in both myotube formation and the response of skeletal muscle tissues to
      neural stimulation. 

PMID- 26279144
TI  - p27(Kip1) signaling: Transcriptional and post-translational regulation.
AB  - p27(Kip1) is an inhibitor of a broad spectrum of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs),
      and the loss of a single p27(Kip1) allele is thereby sufficient to increase tumor
      incidence via CDK-mediated cell cycle entry. As such, down-regulation of
      p27(Kip1) protein levels, in particular nuclear expressed p27(Kip1), is
      implicated in both disease progression and poor prognosis in a variety of
      cancers. p27(Kip1) expression is positively regulated by the transcription factor
      MENIN, and inhibited by oncogenic transcription factors MYC and PIM. However,
      regulation of p27(Kip1) protein expression and function is predominantly through
      post-translational modifications that alter both the cellular localization and
      the extent of E3 ubiquitin ligase-mediated degradation. Phosphorylation of
      p27(Kip1) at Thr(187) and Ser(10) is a prerequisite for its degradation via the
      E3 ubiquitin ligases SKP2 (nuclear) and KPC (cytoplasmic), respectively.
      Additionally, Ser(10) phosphorylated p27(Kip1) is predominantly localized in the
      cytoplasm due to the nuclear export protein CRM1. Another E3 ubiquitin ligase,
      PIRH2, degrades p27(Kip1) in both the cytoplasm and nucleus independent of
      phosphorylation state. As such, inhibition of cell cycle entry and progression in
      a variety of cancers may be achieved with therapies designed to correct p27(Kip1)
      localization and/or block its degradation. 

PMID- 26279145
TI  - Tracheostomy in neurologically compromised paediatric patients: role of
      starplasty.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Starplasty tracheostomy is an alternative to traditional
      tracheostomy. This paper reviews neurologically compromised paediatric patients
      with tracheostomies and discusses the role of starplasty tracheostomy. METHOD: A
      retrospective review was conducted of paediatric patients with a neurological
      disorder who underwent tracheostomy between 1997 and 2011. RESULTS: Forty-eight
      patients, with an average age of 7.3 years, were identified. The most common
      indications for tracheostomy were: ventilator dependence (39.6 per cent), an
      inability to tolerate secretions or recurrent aspiration pneumonia (33.3 per
      cent), and upper respiratory obstruction or hypotonia (12.5 per cent). The most
      common underlying neurological diagnosis was cerebral palsy. There were no early
      complications. Eighteen (43 per cent) of 42 patients with follow up experienced
      at least 1 delayed complication. Only 12 patients (28.6 per cent) were
      decannulated. CONCLUSION: Patients with primary neurological diagnoses have low
      rates of decannulation; starplasty tracheostomy should be considered for these
      patients. Patients with seizure disorder or acute neurological injury tended to
      have a higher short-term decannulation rate; traditional tracheostomy is
      recommended in these patients.

PMID- 26279146
TI  - Fertility preservation in young cancer patients--too little, too late?
AB  - Fertility is an important concern for many younger women with cancer; however,
      evidence suggests that these matters are often inadequately addressed,
      potentially with long-term implications for quality of life. Increased confidence
      in discussing fertility-related matters and an emphasis on early discussion and
      referral are needed to improve current practice. Further work is needed to better
      assess current practice and to explore how barriers to discussion about fertility
      preservation may be best overcome. 

PMID- 26279147
TI  - Taxane-induced peripheral sensorial neuropathy in cancer patients is associated
      with duration of diabetes mellitus: a single-center retrospective study.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether the presence of
      diabetes mellitus (DM) influences the incidence and severity of peripheral
      sensory neuropathy (PSN) in patients using taxane therapy. METHODS: A
      retrospective single-center analysis was conducted: Patients with PSN at baseline
      were excluded. The incidence of PSN was evaluated retrospectively in patient
      subgroups who received taxane arm and taxane-plus-platinum-agents combination arm
      with or without known DM at baseline. RESULTS: Three hundred seventy-four
      patients were enrolled in this study, 81 (21.6%) of patients had DM at baseline.
      The incidence of grade 1 PSN (non-DM/DM) in patients receiving taxane-based
      chemotherapy was 33.4/25.9% and more than grade 2 PSN (non-DM/DM) was 15/34.6%.
      The rate of neuropathy of non-diabetic patients was 48.8%, while the rate of
      diabetic patients was 52.8 and 75% in DM duration below 5 years and above 5 years
      group, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective analysis indicates that
      taxane-based therapy in DM patients whose disease duration is above 5 years
      appears to affect the incidence and severity of PSN without known baseline
      neuropathy. The probability of PSN with taxane-based therapy was similar in DM
      duration below 5 years and non-DM patients.

PMID- 26279148
TI  - Venous access: the patient experience.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The evolution of venous access via peripheral cannulation,
      particularly in relation to the risks and the benefits of this procedure, is
      reported widely in the literature. However, there is limited research specific to
      the patient experience of undergoing venous access. AIM: The intent of this
      qualitative study was to understand patients' experience of venous access, with
      the aim of bringing forth their voices about the experiences of repeated venous
      access/cannulation attempts. METHODOLOGY: This qualitative study used a
      hermeneutic phenomenological approach to explore the experiences of 15
      participants in two rural oncology units in Australia. The participants had
      experienced repeated peripheral cannulation in order to receive chemotherapy.
      Study participants were asked to describe what it was like for them to be
      repeatedly cannulated. Data were collected via audiotaped individual interviews,
      the participants' stories were transcribed and analysed thematically. OUTCOMES:
      Themes emerged from the participants' stories that provided insights into their
      perceptions of the experience of being cannulated and the decision-making
      processes regarding how and where the procedure occurred. The findings suggest
      that a holistic approach to care was often missing causing the participants to
      feel vulnerable. Gaining insight into their experiences led to a greater
      understanding of the impact of this procedure on patients and the need to improve
      care through encouraging more collaborative decision-making processes between
      clinicians and patients. CONCLUSION: The implications for policy and practice
      focus on improving patient outcomes via procedural governance and education, with
      the intent of translating the findings from this research into evidence-based
      practice.

PMID- 26279149
TI  - Supercoiling transformation of chemical gels.
AB  - The swelling/deswelling behavior of chemical gels has been an unsolved problem
      disputed over for a long time. The Obukhov-Rubinstein-Colby model depicts the
      influence that swelling/deswelling has on elasticity, but its physical picture is
      too complicated to be sufficiently validated by experiment. In this study, we use
      molecular dynamics simulation to verify the validity of the molecular picture of
      network strands predicted by the Obukhov-Rubinstein-Colby model. We conclude that
      the physical picture of the Obukhov-Rubinstein-Colby model is reasonable, and
      furthermore the simulation can reveal the details of conformational changes in
      network strands during the supercoiling transformation. Our findings not only
      reveal the validity, but also give a better understanding of the dynamics of the
      swelling/deswelling behavior of chemical gels. 

PMID- 26279150
TI  - Steering liquid metal flow in microchannels using low voltages.
AB  - Liquid metals based on gallium, such as eutectic gallium indium (EGaIn) and
      Galinstan, have been integrated as static components in microfluidic systems for
      a wide range of applications including soft electrodes, pumps, and stretchable
      electronics. However, there is also a possibility to continuously pump liquid
      metal into microchannels to create shape reconfigurable metallic structures.
      Enabling this concept necessitates a simple method to control dynamically the
      path the metal takes through branched microchannels with multiple outlets. This
      paper demonstrates a novel method for controlling the directional flow of EGaIn
      liquid metal in complex microfluidic networks by simply applying a low voltage to
      the metal. According to the polarity of the voltage applied between the inlet and
      an outlet, two distinct mechanisms can occur. The voltage can lower the
      interfacial tension of the metal via electrocapillarity to facilitate the flow of
      the metal towards outlets containing counter electrodes. Alternatively, the
      voltage can drive surface oxidation of the metal to form a mechanical impediment
      that redirects the movement of the metal towards alternative pathways. Thus, the
      method can be employed like a 'valve' to direct the pathway chosen by the metal
      without mechanical moving parts. The paper elucidates the operating mechanisms of
      this valving system and demonstrates proof-of-concept control over the flow of
      liquid metal towards single or multiple directions simultaneously. This method
      provides a simple route to direct the flow of liquid metal for applications in
      microfluidics, optics, electronics, and microelectromechanical systems. 

PMID- 26279151
TI  - Redox cycling-amplified enzymatic Ag deposition and its application in the highly
      sensitive detection of creatine kinase-MB.
AB  - This communication reports a novel enzymatic Ag-deposition scheme combined with
      chemical-chemical redox cycling by reduced beta-nicotinamide adenine
      dinucleotide. This novel scheme allows a higher Ag-deposition rate than a scheme
      using only enzymatic Ag deposition. Therefore, it can be applied for the highly
      sensitive detection of a cardiac biomarker, creatine kinase-MB. 

PMID- 26279152
TI  - Current Topics of Strategy of NSAID-Induced Small Intestinal Lesions.
AB  - Small intestinal mucosal injuries have been recently recognized as common
      complications associated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
      because video capsule endoscopy and balloon enteroscopy are now available for the
      detection of small intestinal lesions. Small intestinal injury occurs not in an
      acid-dependent mechanism but by various factors such as enteric bacteria, bile
      acids, prostaglandin (PG) deficiency and topical factors (abnormal intestinal
      mucosal permeability, mitochondrial dysfunction, reactive oxygen species,
      endoplasmic reticulum stress and so on), and there is no well-established
      prophylactic approach. Several experimental and clinical studies found the
      effectiveness of some of the mucoprotective drugs, PG analogs, but not that of
      acid suppressants. Considering the effect of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for
      upper gastrointestinal (GI) disease and in the small intestine, the following 2
      kinds of strategies against NSAID-induced GI injuries may be recommended. In
      patients with a high risk of upper GI disease (peptic ulcer etc.), simultaneous
      administration of a PPI (for upper GI disease) and a mucoprotective drug (for
      small intestine) is needed to prevent NSAID-induced GI injury. In other cases, an
      effective mucoprotective drug is enough for the protection of the entire
      digestive tract, that is, starting from the esophagus to the small intestine.
      These strategies may fulfill both economical and curative effects. 

PMID- 26279153
TI  - Retrospective analysis for treatment of naive canine multicentric lymphoma with a
      15-week, maintenance-free CHOP protocol.
AB  - Standard of care treatment of dogs with multicentric lymphoma includes
      combination chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and
      prednisone (CHOP); however, owners may be hesitant to commit the resources
      necessary to complete a lengthy, multi-drug protocol. One hundred thirty-four
      client-owned dogs with multicentric lymphoma were treated with a 15-week CHOP
      chemotherapy protocol. The overall response rate was 98% with 104 dogs
      experiencing a complete response (CR). The median progression-free survival (PFS)
      time for all dogs was 176 days, and the median disease-specific overall survival
      time was 311 days. Prognostic factors identified on multivariate analysis as
      significant for PFS included substage, immunophenotype, hospitalization for
      adverse events, need for dose reduction, presence of neutrophilia at diagnosis,
      presence of anemia and experiencing a CR as best response to therapy. In
      conclusion, this protocol may be a viable alternative to CHOP protocols using a
      larger number of treatments. 

PMID- 26279154
TI  - Designing a stepped wedge trial: three main designs, carry-over effects and
      randomisation approaches.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is limited guidance on the design of stepped wedge cluster
      randomised trials. Current methodological literature focuses mainly on trials
      with cross-sectional data collection at discrete times, yet many recent stepped
      wedge trials do not follow this design. In this article, we present a typology to
      characterise the full range of stepped wedge designs, and offer guidance on
      several other design aspects. METHODS: We developed a framework to define and
      report the key characteristics of a stepped wedge trial, including cluster
      allocation and individual participation. We also considered the relative
      strengths and weaknesses of trials according to this framework. We classified
      recently published stepped wedge trials using this framework and identified
      illustrative case studies. We identified key design choices and developed
      guidance for each. RESULTS: We identified three main stepped wedge designs: those
      with a closed cohort, an open cohort, and a continuous recruitment short exposure
      design. In the first two designs, many individuals experience both control and
      intervention conditions. In the final design, individuals are recruited in
      continuous time as they become eligible and experience either the control or
      intervention condition, but not both, and then provide an outcome measurement at
      follow-up. While most stepped wedge trials use simple randomisation,
      stratification and restricted randomisation are often feasible and may be useful.
      Some recent studies collect outcome information from individuals exposed a long
      time before or after the rollout period, but this contributes little to the
      primary analysis. Incomplete designs should be considered when the intervention
      cannot be implemented quickly. Carry-over effects can arise in stepped wedge
      trials with closed and open cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: Stepped wedge trial designs
      should be reported more clearly. Researchers should consider the use of
      stratified and/or restricted randomisation. Trials should generally not commit
      resources to collect outcome data from individuals exposed a long time before or
      after the rollout period. Though substantial carry-over effects are uncommon in
      stepped wedge trials, researchers should consider their possibility before
      conducting a trial with closed or open cohorts.

PMID- 26279155
TI  - Landmark studies on the glucagon subfamily of GPCRs: from small molecule
      modulators to a crystal structure.
AB  - The glucagon subfamily of class B G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) has been
      proposed to be a crucial drug target for the tretmaent of type 2 diabetes. The
      challenges associated with determining the crystal structures of class B GPCRs
      relate to their large amino termini and the lack of available small molecule
      ligands to stabilize the receptor proteins. Following our discovery of non
      peptidic agonists for glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) that have
      therapeutic effects, we initiated collaborative efforts in structural biology and
      recently solved the three-dimensional (3D) structure of the human glucagon
      receptor (GCGR) 7-transmembrane domain, providing in-depth information about the
      underlying signaling mechanisms. In this review, some key milestones in this
      endeavor are highlighted, including discoveries of small molecule ligands, their
      roles in receptor crystallization, conformational changes in transmembrane
      domains (TMDs) upon activation and structure-activity relationship analyses. 

PMID- 26279156
TI  - Policresulen, a novel NS2B/NS3 protease inhibitor, effectively inhibits the
      replication of DENV2 virus in BHK-21 cells.
AB  - AIM: Dengue is a severe epidemic disease caused by dengue virus (DENV) infection,
      for which no effective treatment is available. The protease complex, consisting
      of nonstructural protein 3 (NS3) and its cofactor NS2B, plays a pivotal role in
      the replication of DENV, thus may be a potential target for anti-DENV drugs.
      Here, we report a novel inhibitor of DENV2 NS2B/NS3 protease and its antiviral
      action. METHODS: An enzymatic inhibition assay was used for screening DENV2
      NS2B/NS3 inhibitors. Cytotoxicity to BHK-21 cells was assessed with MTT assay.
      Antiviral activity was evaluated in BHK-21 cells transfected with Rlu-DENV-Rep.
      The molecular mechanisms of the antiviral action was analyzed using surface
      plasmon resonance, ultraviolet-visible spectral analysis and differential
      scanning calorimetry assays, as well as molecular docking analysis combined with
      site-directed mutagenesis. RESULTS: In our in-house library of old drugs (~1000
      compounds), a topical hemostatic and antiseptic 2-hydroxy-3,5-bis[(4-hydroxy-2
      methyl-5-sulfophenyl)methyl]-4-methyl-benzene-sulfonic acid (policresulen) was
      found to be a potent inhibitor of DENV2 NS2B/NS3 protease with IC50 of 0.48
      MUg/mL. Furthermore, policresulen inhibited DENV2 replication in BHK-21 cells
      with IC50 of 4.99 MUg/mL, whereas its IC50 for cytotoxicity to BHK-21 cells was
      459.45 MUg/mL. Policresulen acted as a competitive inhibitor of the protease, and
      slightly affected the protease stability. Using biophysical technology-based
      assays and molecular docking analysis combined with site-directed mutagenesis, we
      demonstrated that the residues Gln106 and Arg133 of DENV2 NS2B/NS3 protease
      directly interacted with policresulen via hydrogen bonding. CONCLUSION:
      Policresulen is a potent inhibitor of DENV2 NS2B/NS3 protease that inhibits DENV2
      replication in BHK-21 cells. The binding mode of the protease and policresulen
      provides useful hints for designing new type of inhibitors against the protease.

PMID- 26279158
TI  - Structural basis for 18-beta-glycyrrhetinic acid as a novel non-GSH analog
      glyoxalase I inhibitor.
AB  - AIM: Glyoxalase I (GLOI), a glutathione (GSH)-dependent enzyme, is overexpressed
      in tumor cells and related to multi-drug resistance in chemotherapy, making GLOI
      inhibitors as potential anti-tumor agents. But the most studied GSH analogs
      exhibit poor pharmacokinetic properties. The aim of this study was to discover
      novel non-GSH analog GLOI inhibitors and analyze their binding mechanisms.
      METHODS: Mouse GLOI (mGLOI) was expressed in BL21 (DE3) pLysS after induction
      with isopropyl-beta-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside and purified using AKTA FPLC
      system. An in vitro mGLOI enzyme assay was used to screen a small pool of
      compounds containing carboxyl groups. Crystal structure of the mGLOI-inhibitor
      complex was determined at 2.3 A resolution. Molecular docking study was performed
      using Discovery Studio 2.5 software package. RESULTS: A natural compound 18-beta
      glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) and its derivative carbenoxolone were identified as
      potent competitive non-GSH analog mGLOI inhibitors with Ki values of 0.29 MUmol/L
      and 0.93 MUmol/L, respectively. Four pentacyclic triterpenes (ursolic acid,
      oleanolic acid, betulic acid and tripterine) showed weak activities (mGLOI
      inhibition ratio <25% at 10 MUmol/L) and other three (maslinic acid, corosolic
      acid and madecassic acid) were inactive. The crystal structure of the mGLOI-GA
      complex showed that the carboxyl group of GA mimicked the gamma-glutamyl residue
      of GSH by hydrogen bonding to the glutamyl sites (residues Arg38B, Asn104B and
      Arg123A) in the GSH binding site of mGLOI. The extensive van der Waals
      interactions between GA and the surrounding residues also contributed greatly to
      the binding of GA and mGLOI. CONCLUSION: This work demonstrates a carboxyl group
      to be an important functional feature of non-GSH analog GLOI inhibitors.

PMID- 26279157
TI  - Physical performance and life quality in postmenopausal women supplemented with
      vitamin D: a two-year prospective study.
AB  - AIM: To investigate the effects of calcium and vitamin D supplementation on bone
      turnover marker levels, muscle strength and quality of life in postmenopausal
      Chinese women. METHODS: A total of 485 healthy postmenopausal Chinese women
      (63.44+/-5.04 years) were enrolled in this open-label, 2-year, prospective,
      community-based trial. The participants were divided into group A, B, C, which
      were treated with calcium (600 mg/d) alone, calcium (600 mg/d) and
      cholecalciferol (800 IU/d) or calcium (600 mg/d) and calcitriol (0.25 MUg/d),
      respectively, for 2 years. Serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, parathyroid
      hormone, beta-CTX and P1NP were measured, and the muscle strength and quality of
      life were assessed at baseline and at 12- and 24-month follow-ups. RESULTS: Four
      hundred and sixty one participants completed this study. Serum levels of 25
      hydroxyvitamin D were significantly increased in group C, but not changed in
      groups A and B at 24-month follow-up. Serum levels of parathyroid hormone, bone
      turnover marker beta-CTX and bone formation marker P1NP were significantly
      decreased in group C, while serum levels of beta-CTX were increased in group A at
      24-month follow-up. The participants in group C maintained the grip strength,
      while those in groups A and B exhibited decreased grip strength at 24-month
      follow-up. The quality of life for the participants in groups B and C remained
      consistent, but that in group A was deteriorated at 24-month follow-up.
      CONCLUSION: Supplementation with calcitriol and calcium modifies the bone
      turnover marker levels, and maintains muscle strength and quality of life in
      postmenopausal Chinese women, whereas supplementation with cholecalciferol and
      calcium prevents aging-mediated deterioration in quality of life.

PMID- 26279159
TI  - Ultrasound Characteristics of Symptomatic Carotid Plaques: A Systematic Review
      and Meta-Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ultrasound is the most commonly used imaging modality for assessing
      carotid artery stenosis. A number of studies have demonstrated that surface
      irregularities, heterogeneous echotexture and hypoechoic plaques are risk factors
      for acute ischemic stroke. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of
      the literature to better define the risk of stroke based on the sonographic
      characteristics of carotid plaques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a
      comprehensive search for studies reporting imaging findings of symptomatic and
      asymptomatic carotid plaques on ultrasound using MEDLINE and EMBASE. We included
      both case-control and cohort studies examining the relationship between complex
      plaque and acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack. Complex plaque was
      defined as plaque that had any of the following characteristics: heterogeneous
      echogenicity, echolucency, neovascularization, surface irregularity, ulceration,
      and intraplaque motion. Meta-analyses using the random-effects model were
      performed for complex plaque and each of the individual complex plaque
      characteristics. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. We explored
      the impact of publication bias by constructing funnel plots and testing their
      symmetry. We conducted the meta-analysis using Comprehensive Meta-analysis
      version 2.2, Englewood, N.J., USA. RESULTS: A total of 1,013 articles were
      screened and 23 studies with 6,706 carotid plaques were included. Ultrasound
      plaque characteristics with a higher prevalence in individuals with symptomatic
      compared to asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis included plaque neovascularity
      (OR = 19.68, 95% CI = 3.14-123.16), complex plaque (OR = 5.12, 95% CI = 3.42
      7.67), plaque ulceration (OR = 3.58, 95% CI = 1.66-7.71), plaque echolucency (OR
      = 3.99, 95% CI = 3.06-5.19) and intraplaque motion (OR = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.02
      2.41). Variables not associated with symptom status included heterogenous
      echotexture (OR = 2.68, 95% CI = 0.56-12.80) and surface irregularity without
      ulceration (OR = 2.38, 95% CI = 0.70-8.11). No evidence of publication bias was
      observed based on Eggers test (p value of 0.05 for complex plaque and 0.53 for
      plaque echolucency). The remaining plaque features had insufficient data to
      assess for publication bias. CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis and systematic review
      of the literature demonstrated that plaques with complex features, particularly
      those with echolucency, neovascularization, ulceration and intraplaque motion are
      associated with ischemic symptoms. Assessment of carotid plaque on ultrasound may
      provide stroke risk information beyond measurement of luminal stenosis. Thus,
      sonographic evaluation of carotid artery stenosis should focus on the detection
      of these plaque characteristics in addition to quantifying the degree of
      stenosis.

PMID- 26279160
TI  - Prenatal Stress Alters Hippocampal Neuroglia and Increases Anxiety in Childhood.
AB  - Prenatal stress has been associated with detrimental outcomes of pregnancy,
      including altered brain development leading to behavioural pathologies. The
      neurosteroid allopregnanolone has been implicated in mediating some of these
      adverse outcomes following prenatal stress due to its potent inhibitory and
      anxiolytic effects on the brain. The aims of the current study were to
      characterise key markers for brain development as well as behavioural parameters,
      adrenocortical responses to handling and possible neurosteroid influences towards
      outcomes in guinea pig offspring in childhood. Pregnant guinea pig dams were
      exposed to strobe light for 2 h (9-11 a.m.) on gestational days 50, 55, 60, and
      65 and were left to deliver spontaneously at term and care for their litter.
      Behavioural testing (open-field test, object exploration test) of the offspring
      was performed at postnatal day 18 (with salivary cortisol and DHEA measured), and
      brains were collected at post-mortem on day 21. Markers of brain development
      myelin basic protein (MBP) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were
      assessed via immunohistochemistry, and the neurosteroid allopregnanolone and its
      rate-limiting enzymes 5alpha-reductase types 1 and 2 (5alphaR1/2) were measured
      in neonatal brains by radioimmunoassay, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain
      reaction (RT-PCR), and Western blot, respectively. Brain-derived neurotrophic
      factor protein was measured as a marker of synaptic plasticity, and GABAA
      receptor subunit expression was also assessed using RT-PCR. Neonates born from
      mothers stressed during late pregnancy showed a reduction in both MBP (p < 0.01)
      and GFAP (p < 0.05) expression in the CA1 region of the hippocampus at 21 days of
      age. Pups of prenatally stressed pregnancies also showed higher levels of anxiety
      and neophobic behaviours at the equivalent of childhood (p < 0.05). There were no
      significant changes observed in allopregnanolone levels, 5alphaR1/2 expression,
      or GABAA receptor subunit expression in prenatally stressed neonates compared to
      controls. This study shows alterations in markers of myelination and reactive
      astrocytes in the hippocampus of offspring exposed to prenatal stress. These
      changes are also observed in offspring that show increased anxiety behaviours at
      the equivalent of childhood, which indicates ongoing structural and functional
      postnatal changes after prenatal stress exposure. 

PMID- 26279162
TI  - Critical Analyses of the Introduction of Liquid-Based Cytology in a Public Health
      Service of the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the performance of the current
      conventional Pap smear with liquid-based cytology (LBC) preparations. STUDY
      DESIGN: Women routinely undergoing their cytopathological and histopathological
      examinations at Fundacao Oncocentro de Sao Paulo (FOSP) were recruited for LBC.
      Conventional smears were analyzed from women from other areas of the State of Sao
      Paulo with similar sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS: A total of 218,594
      cases were analyzed, consisting of 206,999 conventional smears and 11,595 LBC.
      Among the conventional smears, 3.0% were of unsatisfactory preparation;
      conversely, unsatisfactory LBC preparations accounted for 0.3%. The ASC-H
      (atypical squamous cells - cannot exclude high-grade squamous intraepithelial
      lesion) frequency did not demonstrate any differences between the two methods. In
      contrast, the incidence of ASC-US (atypical squamous cells of undetermined
      significance) was almost twice as frequent between LBC and conventional smears,
      at 2.9 versus 1.6%, respectively. An equal percentage of high-grade squamous
      intraepithelial lesions were observed for the two methods, but not for low-grade
      squamous intraepithelial lesions, which were more significantly observed in LBC
      preparations than in conventional smears (2.2 vs. 0.7%). The index of positivity
      was importantly enhanced from 3.0% (conventional smears) to 5.7% (LBC).
      CONCLUSIONS: LBC performed better than conventional smears, and we are truly
      confident that LBC can improve public health strategies aimed at reducing
      cervical lesions through prevention programs.

PMID- 26279163
TI  - Effect of dexamethasone on the expression of atrogin-1/MAFbx in chick skeletal
      muscle.
AB  - Expression of atrogin-1/MAFbx, a muscle-specific E3 ubiquitin ligase, is high
      under catabolic conditions, that result in muscle atrophy. Messenger RNA (mRNA)
      expression of atrogin-1/MAFbx is increased by the glucocorticoid dexamethasone in
      mammalian skeletal muscle. This study investigated the effects of dexamethasone
      on expression of atrogin-1/MAFbx in skeletal muscle of neonatal chicks and in
      chick myotubes. Chicks were given a single intraperitoneal injection of
      dexamethasone at a concentration of 10 mg/kg body weight. Twenty-four hours after
      dexamethasone administration, the Pectoralis muscle weight of chicks was
      decreased. mRNA expression of atrogin-1/MAFbx in skeletal muscle of chicks was
      significantly increased by dexamethasone administration. Expression of other
      proteolytic-related genes (20S proteasome C2 subunit, m-calpain large subunit,
      and cathepsin B) in skeletal muscle of chicks was not increased by dexamethasone
      administration. Chick myotubes were incubated with dexamethasone (1, 10 or 100
      umol/L) for 6 h. Expression of atrogin-1/MAFbx mRNA in chick myotubes was
      increased in the presence of all concentrations of dexamethasone. However,
      expression of other proteolytic-related genes (20S proteasome C2 subunit, m
      calpain large subunit and cathepsin B) in chick myotubes was not affected by
      dexamethasone treatment. These results indicate that dexamethasone enhances
      atrogin-1/MAFbx expression in chick skeletal muscle, resulting in increased
      muscle atrophy. 

PMID- 26279161
TI  - Current position of TNF-alpha in melanomagenesis.
AB  - Melanoma is one of the most heterogeneous and immunogenic forms of cancer. Both
      tumor and stroma cells synthesize many cytokines involved in rapid development
      and metastasis. One of these cytokines from the tumor milieu is tumor necrosis
      factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), which seems to have an intricate role in
      melanomagenesis. Initially, it was found that TNF-alpha can induce apoptosis of
      tumor cells through both extrinsic and intrinsic pathways, in contrast with later
      studies that revealed its protumoral activity. TNF-alpha is involved in
      inflammation, inducing the secretion of survival molecules like antiapoptotic
      proteins, proangiogenetic factors and metastasis markers. Although there are many
      therapeutic strategies against melanoma, the prognosis of advanced stages remains
      poor, due to several tumor resistance mechanisms. TNF seems to be a negative
      prognostic factor in melanoma surgery and correlates with chemotherapy
      resistance. However, high intratumoral levels of TNF-alpha might be beneficial
      for immunotherapy. Researchers may redirect their studies in the future by double
      activating of the proinflammatory molecule TNF-alpha and the immune cells in
      order to obtain an antitumoral response in metastatic melanoma.

PMID- 26279165
TI  - Xenopus in Space and Time: Fossils, Node Calibrations, Tip-Dating, and
      Paleobiogeography.
AB  - Published data from DNA sequences, morphology of 11 extant and 15 extinct frog
      taxa, and stratigraphic ranges of fossils were integrated to open a window into
      the deep-time evolution of Xenopus. The ages and morphological characters of
      fossils were used as independent datasets to calibrate a chronogram. We found
      that DNA sequences, either alone or in combination with morphological data and
      fossils, tended to support a close relationship between Xenopus and Hymenochirus,
      although in some analyses this topology was not significantly better than the
      Pipa + Hymenochirus topology. Analyses that excluded DNA data found strong
      support for the Pipa + Hymenochirus tree. The criterion for selecting the maximum
      age of the calibration prior influenced the age estimates, and our age estimates
      of early divergences in the tree of frogs are substantially younger than those of
      published studies. Node-dating and tip-dating calibrations, either alone or in
      combination, yielded older dates for nodes than did a root calibration alone. Our
      estimates of divergence times indicate that overwater dispersal, rather than
      vicariance due to the splitting of Africa and South America, may explain the
      presence of Xenopus in Africa and its closest fossil relatives in South America.

PMID- 26279164
TI  - Potentially Inappropriate Prescribing in Disabled Older Patients with Chronic
      Diseases: A Screening Tool of Older Persons' Potentially Inappropriate
      Prescriptions versus Beers 2012 Criteria.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prescription of potentially inappropriate medications
      (PIM), using the Screening Tool of Older Persons' potentially inappropriate
      Prescriptions (STOPP) and Beers criteria, to disabled older people. SUBJECTS AND
      METHODS: One hundred and forty-one patients aged >=65 years with Barthel scale
      scores <=60 and a regular intake of medication for chronic diseases at Chung Shan
      Medical University Hospital from July to December 2012 were included, and their
      medical records were reviewed. Comprehensive patient information was extracted
      from the patients' medical notes. The STOPP and Beers 2012 criteria were used
      separately to identify PIM, and logistic regression analyses were performed to
      identify risk factors for PIM. The optimal cutoff for the number of medications
      prescribed for predicting PIM was estimated using the Youden index. RESULTS: Of
      the 141 patients, 94 (66.7%) and 94 (66.7%) had at least one PIM identified by
      the STOPP and Beers criteria, respectively. In multivariate analysis, PIM
      identified by the Beers criteria were associated with the prescription of
      multiple medications (p = 0.013) and the presence of psychiatric diseases (p <
      0.001), whereas PIM identified by the STOPP criteria were only associated with
      the prescription of multiple medications (p = 0.008). The optimal cutoff for the
      number of medications prescribed for predicting PIM by using the STOPP or Beers
      criteria was 6. After adjustment for covariates, patients prescribed >=6
      medications had a significantly higher risk of PIM, identified using the STOPP or
      Beers criteria, compared to patients prescribed <6 medications (both p < 0.05).
      CONCLUSION: This study revealed a high frequency of PIM in disabled older
      patients with chronic diseases, particularly those prescribed >=6 medications.

PMID- 26279166
TI  - Net ecosystem exchange of CO2 with rapidly changing high Arctic landscapes.
AB  - High Arctic landscapes are expansive and changing rapidly. However, our
      understanding of their functional responses and potential to mitigate or enhance
      anthropogenic climate change is limited by few measurements. We collected eddy
      covariance measurements to quantify the net ecosystem exchange (NEE) of CO2 with
      polar semidesert and meadow wetland landscapes at the highest latitude location
      measured to date (82 degrees N). We coupled these rare data with ground and
      satellite vegetation production measurements (Normalized Difference Vegetation
      Index; NDVI) to evaluate the effectiveness of upscaling local to regional NEE.
      During the growing season, the dry polar semidesert landscape was a near-zero
      sink of atmospheric CO2 (NEE: -0.3 +/- 13.5 g C m(-2) ). A nearby meadow wetland
      accumulated over 300 times more carbon (NEE: -79.3 +/- 20.0 g C m(-2) ) than the
      polar semidesert landscape, and was similar to meadow wetland NEE at much more
      southerly latitudes. Polar semidesert NEE was most influenced by moisture, with
      wetter surface soils resulting in greater soil respiration and CO2 emissions. At
      the meadow wetland, soil heating enhanced plant growth, which in turn increased
      CO2 uptake. Our upscaling assessment found that polar semidesert NDVI measured on
      site was low (mean: 0.120-0.157) and similar to satellite measurements (mean:
      0.155-0.163). However, weak plant growth resulted in poor satellite NDVI-NEE
      relationships and created challenges for remotely detecting changes in the
      cycling of carbon on the polar semidesert landscape. The meadow wetland appeared
      more suitable to assess plant production and NEE via remote sensing; however,
      high Arctic wetland extent is constrained by topography to small areas that may
      be difficult to resolve with large satellite pixels. We predict that until summer
      precipitation and humidity increases enough to offset poor soil moisture
      retention, climate-related changes to productivity on polar semideserts may be
      restricted. 

PMID- 26279167
TI  - The Long-Term Influence of Tissue Inhibitor of Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 in
      Patients with Mild to Moderate Coronary Artery Lesions in a Chinese Population: A
      7-Year Follow-Up Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), tissue inhibitor of matrix
      metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) and their ratio (MMP-9/TIMP-1) are involved in
      multiple processes that are associated with coronary heart disease and are
      especially associated with cardiovascular events. However, few long-term
      population-based clinical studies have evaluated the role of these factors in
      cardiovascular events in a Chinese population. METHODS: A prospective study was
      performed on 560 patients with mild to moderate coronary artery lesions. MMP-9,
      TIMP-1 and their ratio were determined. RESULTS: A total of 522 of patients
      completed the follow-up. The median follow-up time was 64 months. Kaplan-Meier
      analysis demonstrated a clear increase of the incidence of major adverse cardiac
      events (MACEs) during the follow-up period in subjects with above-median levels
      of TIMP-1 (p = 0.033), whereas there was no association with either MMP-9 (p =
      0.199) or MMP-9/TIMP-1 (p = 0.631). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards
      analysis showed the same results after further adjustment for covariates.
      Patients with above-median levels of TIMP-1 were more likely to suffer from
      adverse outcomes than patients with below-median levels of TIMP-1. However, the
      lack of relationship of MACEs with MMP-9 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 remained. CONCLUSIONS:
      Higher circulating TIMP-1 concentrations were associated with cardiovascular
      events during long-term follow-up of Chinese patients with mild to moderate
      coronary artery lesions.

PMID- 26279169
TI  - Athletic performance and recovery-stress factors in cycling: An ever changing
      balance.
AB  - We sought to examine whether the relationship between recovery-stress factors and
      performance would differ at the beginning (Stage 1) and the end (Final Stage) of
      a multi-stage cycling competition. Sixty-seven cyclists with a mean age of 21.90
      years (SD = 1.60) and extensive international experience participated in the
      study. The cyclists responded to the Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for Athletes
      (RESTQ-Sport) and rated their performance (1 = extremely poor to 10 = excellent)
      in respect to the first and last stage. Two step-down multiple regression models
      were used to estimate the relationship among recovery (nine factors; e.g.
      Physical Recovery, Sleep Quality) and stress factors (10 factors; e.g. Lack of
      Energy, Physical Complaints), as assessed by the RESTQ-Sport and in relation to
      performance. Model 1 pertained to Stage 1, whereas Model 2 used data from the
      Final Stage. The final Model 1 revealed that Physical Recovery (beta = .46, p =
      .01), Injury (beta = -.31, p = .01) and General Well-being (beta = -.26, p = .04)
      predicted performance in Stage 1 (R(2) = .21). The final Model 2 revealed a
      different relationship between recovery-stress factors and performance.
      Specifically, being a climber (beta = .28, p = .01), Conflicts/Pressure (beta =
      .33, p = .01), and Lack of Energy (beta = -.37, p = .01) were associated with
      performance at the Final Stage (R(2) = .19). Collectively, these results suggest
      that the relationship among recovery and stress factors changes greatly over a
      relatively short period of time, and dynamically influences performance in multi
      stage competitions.

PMID- 26279168
TI  - Hypertension Control and Its Correlates Among Adults Attending a Hypertension
      Clinic in Tanzania.
AB  - Hypertension control rates are low in sub-Saharan Africa. Population-specific
      determinants of blood pressure (BP) control have not been adequately described.
      The authors measured BP and conducted interviews to determine factors associated
      with BP control among adults attending a hypertension clinic in Tanzania. Three
      hundred adults were enrolled. BP was controlled in 47.7% of patients at the study
      visit but only 28.3% over three consecutive visits. Demographic and socioeconomic
      factors were not associated with control. Obesity and higher medication cost were
      associated with decreased control. Their effect was mediated through adherence.
      Good knowledge of (odds ratio [OR], 2.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0-6.1;
      P=.047), attitudes towards (OR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.0-7.1; P=.04), and practices
      concerning (OR, 5.4; 95% CI, 2.3-13.0; P<.001) hypertension were independently
      associated with increased control, even after adjusting for mediation through
      adherence. Good adherence had the strongest association with control (OR, 14.6;
      95% CI, 5.8-37.0; P<.001). Strategies to reduce hypertension-related morbidity
      and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa should target these factors. Interventional
      studies of such strategies are needed.

PMID- 26279170
TI  - Clinical evaluation of the efficacy and safety of fractional bipolar
      radiofrequency for the treatment of moderate to severe acne scars.
AB  - Several treatment modalities are used for the treatment of acne scars with
      variable results. Recent studies showed that fractional radiofrequency may be an
      effective treatment modality for acne scars. The objective of this study was to
      assess the efficacy, safety, tolerability and patient satisfaction of fractional
      bipolar radiofrequency (RF), the eTwoTM system (Syneron Candela Ltd., Yokneam,
      Israel) for treating acne scars. Twelve patients with moderate to severe acne
      scars received 3-5 treatments with the Sublative fractionated bipolar RF
      applicator of the eTwo device at 1-month intervals. Patients were evaluated
      clinically and photographically at each visit and 3 months after the final
      treatment. Very good improvement (at least one scale) was seen after completing
      the five treatments. The patient satisfaction survey (Global Aesthetic
      Improvement Scale scores) revealed that half (6 out of 12) of the patients
      reported to be satisfied with treatment results, while the other half reported to
      be very satisfied. Beyond the expected erythema and minimal scab formation in the
      treated areas, which was mild and transient, none of the participants reported
      any adverse events. The data presented here support the high efficacy and safety
      of fractionated bipolar RF for the aesthetic improvement of moderate to severe
      acne scars. 

PMID- 26279171
TI  - Gestational Weight Gain and Offspring  Longitudinal Growth in Early Life.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) increases the risk of
      childhood obesity, but little is known about its association with infant growth
      patterns. AIM: The aim of this study was to examine the association between GWG
      and infant growth patterns. METHODS: Pregnant women (n = 743) self-reported GWG
      at delivery, which we classified as inadequate, adequate or excessive based on
      the current guidelines. Offspring weight-for-age z-score (WAZ), length-for-age z
      score (LAZ (with height-for-age (HAZ) in place of length at 36 months)) and body
      mass index z-score (BMIZ) were calculated at birth, 8, 18 and 36 months using the
      2006 World Health Organization growth standards. Linear mixed models estimated
      the change in z-score from birth to 36 months by GWG. RESULTS: The mean (SD) WAZ
      was -0.22 (1.20) at birth. Overall, WAZ and BMIZ increased from birth to,
      approximately, 24 months and decreased from 24 to 36 months, while LAZ/HAZ
      decreased from birth through 36 months. Excessive GWG was associated with higher
      offspring WAZ and BMIZ at birth, 8 and 36 months, and higher HAZ at 36 months,
      compared with adequate GWG. Compared with the same referent, inadequate GWG was
      associated with smaller WAZ and BMIZ at birth and 8 months. CONCLUSION: Excessive
      GWG may predispose infants to obesogenic growth patterns, while inadequate GWG
      may not have a lasting impact on infant growth.

PMID- 26279172
TI  - Home-based virtual reality balance training and conventional balance training in
      Parkinson's disease: A randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Virtual reality has the advantage to provide rich sensory
      feedbacks for training balance function. This study tested if the home-based
      virtual reality balance training is more effective than the conventional home
      balance training in improving balance, walking, and quality of life in patients
      with Parkinson's disease (PD). METHODS: Twenty-three patients with idiopathic PD
      were recruited and underwent twelve 50-minute training sessions during the 6-week
      training period. The experimental group (n = 11) was trained with a custom-made
      virtual reality balance training system, and the control group (n = 12) was
      trained by a licensed physical therapist. Outcomes were measured at Week 0
      (pretest), Week 6 (posttest), and Week 8 (follow-up). The primary outcome was the
      Berg Balance Scale. The secondary outcomes included the Dynamic Gait Index, timed
      Up-and-Go test, Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire, and the motor score of the
      Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale. RESULTS: The experimental and control
      groups were comparable at pretest. After training, both groups performed better
      in the Berg Balance Scale, Dynamic Gait Index, timed Up-and-Go test, and
      Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire at posttest and follow-up than at pretest.
      However, no significant differences were found between these two groups at
      posttest and follow-up. CONCLUSION: This study did not find any difference
      between the effects of the home-based virtual reality balance training and
      conventional home balance training. The two training options were equally
      effective in improving balance, walking, and quality of life among community
      dwelling patients with PD.

PMID- 26279173
TI  - Fibrosis index based on four factors better predicts advanced fibrosis or
      cirrhosis than aspartate aminotransferase/platelet ratio index in chronic
      hepatitis C patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Liver biopsy is the gold standard to determine the severity
      of hepatic fibrosis despite its risk and invasiveness. The aspartate
      aminotransferase/platelet ratio index (APRI) could noninvasively predict the
      severity of hepatic fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients. Whether
      fibrosis index based on four factors (FIB-4) could better predict the severity of
      hepatic fibrosis than APRI in CHC patients remains inconclusive. METHODS: This
      retrospective study enrolled 1473 CHC patients (784 men and 689 women) with liver
      biopsy and clinical data including age, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine
      aminotransferase, and platelet count. FIB-4 and APRI were calculated with a
      formula using the four clinical parameters. Hepatic fibrosis was staged using the
      Metavir classification system. RESULTS: The areas under the receiver operating
      characteristics of FIB-4 for the diagnosis of significant fibrosis (>= F2),
      advanced fibrosis (>= F3), and cirrhosis (F4) were 0.816 [95% confidence interval
      (CI), 0.795-0.836], 0.827 (95% CI, 0.806-0.849), and 0.849 (95% CI, 0.830-0.867),
      respectively, compared with those of APRI-0.799 (95% CI, 0.778-0.819), 0.791 (95%
      CI, 0.770-0.812), and 0.802 (95% CI, 0.781-0.922). In addition, the areas under
      the receiver operating characteristics of FIB-4 were significantly greater than
      those of APRI for patients with advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis, respectively (p
      < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: FIB-4 could predict hepatic fibrosis in CHC patients. By
      adding two parameters (age and alanine aminotransferase), FIB-4 better predicts
      advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis than APRI in CHC patients.

PMID- 26279174
TI  - Risk factors of suicide mortality among multiple attempters: A national registry
      study in Taiwan.
AB  - BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Little is known about the risk factors of suicide mortality
      among multiple attempters. This study aims to investigate the predictors of
      suicidal mortality in a prospective cohort of attempters in Taiwan, focusing on
      the time interval and suicide method change between the last two nonfatal
      attempts. METHODS: The representative data retrieved from the National Suicide
      Surveillance System (NSSS) was linked with National Mortality Database to
      identify the causes of death in multiple attempters during 2006-2008. Cox
      proportional hazard models were applied to calculate the hazard ratios for the
      predictors of suicide. RESULTS: Among the 55,560 attempters, 6485 (11.7%) had
      survived attempts ranging from one to 11 times; 861 (1.5%) eventually died by
      suicide. Multiple attempters were characterized by female (OR = 1.56, p <
      0.0001), nonrecipient of national aftercare service (OR = 1.62, p < 0.0001), and
      current contact with mental health services (OR = 3.17, p < 0.0001). Most
      multiple attempters who survived from hanging (68.1%) and gas poisoning (61.9%)
      chose the same method in the following fatal episode. Predictors of suicidal
      death were identified as male, older age (>= 45 years), shorter interval and not
      maintaining methods of low lethality in the last two nonfatal attempts. Receipt
      of nationwide aftercare was associated with lower risk of suicide but the effect
      was insignificant. CONCLUSION: The time interval of the last two nonfatal
      attempts and alteration in the lethality of suicide method were significant
      factors for completed suicide. Risk assessment involving these two factors may be
      necessary for multiple attempters in different clinical settings. Effective
      strategies for suicide prevention emphasizing this high risk population should be
      developed in the future.

PMID- 26279175
TI  - The Impact of the in utero and Early Postnatal Environments on Grey and White
      Matter Volume: A Study with Adolescent Monozygotic Twins.
AB  - Prenatal and early postnatal adversities have been shown to be associated with
      brain development. However, we do not know how much of this association is
      confounded by genetics, nor whether the postnatal environment can moderate the
      impact of in utero adversity. This study used a monozygotic (MZ) twin design to
      assess (1) the association between birth weight (BW) and brain volume in
      adolescence, (2) the association between within-twin-pair BW discordance and
      brain volume discordance in adolescence, and (3) whether the association between
      BW and brain volume in adolescence is mediated or moderated by early negative
      maternal parenting behaviours. These associations were assessed in a sample of
      108 MZ twins followed longitudinally since birth and scanned at age 15. The total
      grey matter (GM) and white matter (WM) volumes were obtained using the
      Diffeomorphic Anatomical Registration Through Exponentiated Lie Algebra (DARTEL)
      toolbox in the Statistical Parametric Mapping version 8 (SPM8). We found that the
      BW was significantly associated with the total GM and WM volumes, particularly in
      the superior frontal gyrus and thalamus. Within-twin-pair discordance in BW was
      also significantly associated with within-pair discordance in both the GM and the
      WM volumes, supporting the hypothesis that the specific in utero environment is
      associated with brain development independently of genetics. Early maternal
      hostile parenting behaviours and depressive symptoms were associated with total
      GM volume but not WM volume. Finally, greater early maternal hostility may
      moderate the association between the BW and GM volume in adolescence, since the
      positive association between the BW and total GM volume appeared stronger at
      higher levels of maternal hostility (trend). Together, these findings support the
      importance of the in utero and early environments for brain development. 

PMID- 26279176
TI  - Low-Dose Atypical Antipsychotic Risperidone Improves the 5-Year Outcome in
      Alzheimer's Disease Patients with Sleep Disturbances.
AB  - Sleep disturbances (SD) accelerate the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD)
      and increase the stress of caregivers. However, the long-term outcome of
      disturbed nocturnal sleep/wake patterns in AD and on increased stress of spousal
      caregivers is unclear. This study assessed the 5-year effect of nocturnal SD on
      the long-term outcome in AD patients. A total of 156 donepezil-treated mild
      moderate AD patients (93 AD + SD and 63 AD - SD as a control group) were
      recruited. The AD + SD patients were formed into 4 subgroups according to the
      preferences of spousal caregivers for treatment with atypical antipsychotics (0.5
      1 mg risperidone, n = 22), non-benzodiazepine hypnotic (5-10 mg zolpidem
      tartrate, n = 33), melatonin (2.55 mg, n = 9), or no-drug treatment (n = 29). SD
      were evaluated by polysomnography, sleep scale, and cognitive scale examinations.
      Moreover, all spousal caregivers of AD patients were assessed using a series of
      scales, including sleep, anxiety, mood, and treatment attitude scales. Our data
      showed that nocturnal sleep/wake disturbances were significantly associated with
      lower 5-year outcomes for AD patients, earlier nursing home placement, and more
      negative emotions of spousal caregivers. Treatment with low-dose atypical
      antipsychotic risperidone improved the 5-year outcome in AD + SD patients. In
      conclusion, low-dose atypical antipsychotic risperidone improves the 5-year
      outcome in AD patients with SD. Moreover, improvement of nocturnal sleep problems
      in AD patients will also bring better emotional stability for AD caregivers. 

PMID- 26279177
TI  - An audience with...Gloria Maldonado.

PMID- 26279178
TI  - Well-Being Therapy in a Patient with Panic Disorder Who Failed to Respond to
      Paroxetine and Cognitive Behavior Therapy.

PMID- 26279180
TI  - Dielectric Breakdown of Single-Crystal Strontium Titanate.
AB  - Measurements of the intrinsic dielectric breakdown strength of single-crystal
      strontium titanate over a temperature range from -195 degrees  to + 100 degrees C
      and under both pulse and dc conditions are described; dc breakdown at + 100
      degrees C is thermal in origin. At room temperature and at -40 degrees C the
      breakdown strength is independent of duration of applied field and of sample
      configuration and hence may properly be termed intrinsic. At -80 degrees  and 
      195 degrees C, both the values of breakdown strength and the scatter of the data
      depend strongly on sample configuration. The breakdown strength unexpectedly
      decreases with increasing temperature. Current-voltage curves show an anomalous
      saturation effect at low temperature. These effects may be qualitatively
      explained by postulating that the high electrostrictive stress causes the
      creation of electron trapping centers.

PMID- 26279179
TI  - The stool microbiota of insulin resistant women with recent gestational diabetes,
      a high risk group for type 2 diabetes.
AB  - The gut microbiota has been linked to metabolic diseases. However, information on
      the microbiome of young adults at risk for type 2 diabetes (T2D) is lacking. The
      aim of this cross-sectional analysis was to investigate whether insulin resistant
      women with previous gestational diabetes (pGDM), a high risk group for T2D,
      differ in their stool microbiota from women after a normoglycemic pregnancy
      (controls). Bacterial communities were analyzed by high-throughput 16S rRNA gene
      sequencing using fecal samples from 42 pGDM and 35 control subjects 3-16 months
      after delivery. Clinical characterization included a 5-point OGTT,
      anthropometrics, clinical chemistry markers and a food frequency questionnaire.
      Women with a Prevotellaceae-dominated intestinal microbiome were overrepresented
      in the pGDM group (p < 0.0001). Additionally, the relative abundance of the
      phylum Firmicutes was significantly lower in women pGDM (median 48.5 vs. 56.8%; p
      = 0.013). Taxa richness (alpha diversity) was similar between the two groups and
      with correction for multiple testing we observed no significant differences on
      lower taxonomic levels. These results suggest that distinctive features of the
      intestinal microbiota are already present in young adults at risk for T2D and
      that further investigations of a potential pathophysiological role of gut
      bacteria in early T2D development are warranted.

PMID- 26279181
TI  - Comparison of coping strategies and supports between aboriginal and non
      aboriginal people living with HIV in Ontario.
AB  - Complex historical and cultural factors have contributed to the HIV epidemic
      among Aboriginal populations in Canada. This study assesses social supports,
      adaptive and maladaptive coping mechanisms, stress, and mastery of Canadian-born
      Aboriginal and Canadian-born Caucasian people living with HIV in Ontario and
      posits that coping and social support are important micro- and meso-level factors
      associated with the epidemic. This cross-sectional analysis included
      questionnaire data collected from 2007 to 2011 at HIV clinics in Toronto.
      Categorical and continuous variables were compared using chi-square and Wilcoxon
      rank sum tests, respectively. Correlates of social support and coping were
      determined using univariate and multivariable linear regression. The analysis
      included 70 Aboriginal and 665 Caucasian participants. Aboriginal participants
      had lower levels of employment, education, and annual household income.
      Aboriginal participants reported more overall (7 vs. 4, p = 0.0003), ongoing (4
      vs. 2, p = 0.0004), and early childhood (2 vs. 1, p = 0.02) stressors.
      Maladaptive coping, adaptive coping, and mastery scores were similar between
      Aboriginal and Caucasian participants. In multivariable analysis, injection drug
      use and lower education levels were significant correlates of higher maladaptive
      coping and lower overall support scores. Despite numerous socioeconomic
      challenges and personal stressors, Aboriginal people living with HIV who are
      accessing care exhibited comparable coping and mastery scores to Canadian-born
      Caucasian people living with HIV, suggesting remarkable strengths within
      Aboriginal people living with HIV and their communities. 

PMID- 26279182
TI  - RG7112, a Small-Molecule Inhibitor of MDM2, Enhances Trabectedin Response in Soft
      Tissue Sarcomas.
AB  - MDM2 is a critical negative regulator of the p53 tumor suppressor protein.
      Selected sarcoma subtypes are being treated with Trabectedin in second line,
      which promotes DNA damage and p53-dependent apoptosis. The aim of this study was
      to evaluate the improvement of Trabectedin response with MDM2 inhibitors in soft
      tissue sarcomas. The antitumor effects of Trabectedin, Nutlin-3A and RG7112 as
      single agents or in combination were examined in vitro. RG7112 significantly
      synergized with Trabectedin in MDM2-amplified liposarcoma cells, representing a
      promising new therapeutic strategy for the treatment of sarcomas with MDM2
      amplification.

PMID- 26279183
TI  - Application of Hybrid Fillers for Improving the Through-Plane Heat Transport in
      Graphite Nanoplatelet-Based Thermal Interface Layers.
AB  - The in-plane alignment of graphite nanoplatelets (GNPs) in thin thermal interface
      material (TIM) layers suppresses the though-plane heat transport thus limiting
      the performance of GNPs in the geometry normally required for thermal management
      applications. Here we report a disruption of the GNP in-plane alignment by
      addition of spherical microparticles. The degree of GNP alignment was monitored
      by measurement of the anisotropy of electrical conductivity which is extremely
      sensitive to the orientation of high aspect ratio filler particles. Scanning
      Electron Microscopy images of TIM layer cross-sections confirmed the suppression
      of the in-plane alignment. The hybrid filler formulations reported herein
      resulted in a synergistic enhancement of the through-plane thermal conductivity
      of GNP/Al2O3 and GNP/Al filled TIM layers confirming that the control of GNP
      alignment is an important parameter in the development of highly efficient GNP
      and graphene-based TIMs. 

PMID- 26279184
TI  - Editorial: Alzheimer's Disease - Mechanisms, Drug Targets and Alternative
      Treatments.

PMID- 26279185
TI  - Transcriptomic Analysis of the Regulation of Rhizome Formation in Temperate and
      Tropical Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera).
AB  - Rhizome is the storage organ of lotus derived from modified stems. The
      development of rhizome is a complex process and depends on the balanced
      expression of the genes that is controlled by environmental and endogenous
      factors. However, little is known about the mechanism that regulates rhizome
      girth enlargement. In this study, using RNA-seq, transcriptomic analyses were
      performed at three rhizome developmental stages-the stolon, middle swelling and
      later swelling stage -in the cultivars 'ZO' (temperate lotus with enlarged
      rhizome) and 'RL' (tropical lotus with stolon). About 348 million high-quality
      reads were generated, and 88.5% of the data were mapped to the reference genome.
      Of 26783 genes identified, 24069 genes were previously predicted in the
      reference, and 2714 genes were novel transcripts. Moreover, 8821 genes were
      differentially expressed between the cultivars at the three stages. Functional
      analysis identified that these genes were significantly enriched in pathways
      carbohydrate metabolism and plant hormone signal transduction. Twenty-two genes
      involved in photoperiod pathway, starch metabolism and hormone signal
      transduction were candidate genes inducing rhizome girth enlargement. Comparative
      transcriptomic analysis detected several differentially expressed genes and
      potential candidate genes required for rhizome girth enlargement, which lay a
      foundation for future studies on molecular mechanisms underlying rhizome
      formation. 

PMID- 26279186
TI  - Lignin-modifying processes in the rhizosphere of arid land grasses.
AB  - Genes associated with elevated oxidative enzyme activities in arid systems have
      not been well characterized. To link measured oxidative activities with specific
      enzymes, we assembled protein-coding reads from the rhizospheres (RHZ) of two
      arid land grasses. Targeted gene scans for open reading frames, encoding genes
      potentially involved in lignin modification, resulted in 127 distinct assembly
      products. The putative genes included those significantly similar to Class II
      secretory fungal peroxidases. These genes are expressed at sufficiently high
      levels for assembly, annotation and differentiation across experimental
      conditions, and they demonstrate the interplay of root systems, environment and
      plant microbiomes. The genes assembled also included copper-dependent lytic
      polysaccharide monooxygenases. We detail the enzymes in the host grass RHZs and
      present a preliminary taxonomic microhabitat characterization. Our findings
      provide support for biologically mediated Fenton chemistry in the root zones of
      desert grasses, and provide insight into arid land carbon flow. These results
      also demonstrate a hyperdiverse microbial community. Both ribosomal RNA and
      messenger RNA sequences were dominated by bacteria, followed by fungal sequence
      abundance. Among the notable fungal sequences were those from the members of the
      arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Glomeromycota), which though abundant in this
      study, we rarely observed in previous PCR-based surveys. 

PMID- 26279187
TI  - Sex differences in the early life correlates of natural antibody concentrations.
AB  - Innate-like B1a lymphocytes arise from long-lived progenitors produced
      exclusively by fetal stem cells. Any insults coinciding with this early
      lymphopoietic wave could have a permanent impact on the B1a population and its
      unique protein products, the natural antibodies (NAb). We investigated early life
      nutritional influences on NAb concentrations of pre-adolescent children (n=290)
      in rural Nepal for whom we had extensive information on exposures from pregnancy
      and early infancy. Infant size and growth were strongly associated with NAb
      concentrations at 9-13 years of age among males (e.g., for neonatal weight:
      betaBOYS=0.43; P<0.001), but not females (e.g., for neonatal weight: betaGIRLS=
      0.16; P=0.26). In females, season of birth was associated with NAb
      concentrations, with marked reductions among girls born during the pre-monsoon
      (March-May; betaGIRLS=-0.39; P=0.01) and pre-harvest (September-November;
      betaGIRLS=-0.35; P=0.03) seasons. Our findings suggest that nutritional or other
      environmental influences on immune development may vary by sex, with potential
      consequences for immune function during infancy and long-term risk of immune
      mediated disease. 

PMID- 26279188
TI  - PAF1, a Molecular Regulator of Promoter-Proximal Pausing by RNA Polymerase II.
AB  - The control of promoter-proximal pausing and the release of RNA polymerase II
      (Pol II) is a widely used mechanism for regulating gene expression in metazoans,
      especially for genes that respond to environmental and developmental cues. Here,
      we identify that Pol-II-associated factor 1 (PAF1) possesses an evolutionarily
      conserved function in metazoans in the regulation of promoter-proximal pausing.
      Reduction in PAF1 levels leads to an increased release of paused Pol II into gene
      bodies at thousands of genes. PAF1 depletion results in increased nascent and
      mature transcripts and increased levels of phosphorylation of Pol II's C-terminal
      domain on serine 2 (Ser2P). These changes can be explained by the recruitment of
      the Ser2P kinase super elongation complex (SEC) effecting increased release of
      paused Pol II into productive elongation, thus establishing PAF1 as a regulator
      of promoter-proximal pausing by Pol II. 

PMID- 26279189
TI  - Rational Design of an Epstein-Barr Virus Vaccine Targeting the Receptor-Binding
      Site.
AB  - Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) represents a major global health problem. Though it is
      associated with infectious mononucleosis and ~200,000 cancers annually worldwide,
      a vaccine is not available. The major target of immunity is EBV glycoprotein
      350/220 (gp350) that mediates attachment to B cells through complement receptor 2
      (CR2/CD21). Here, we created self-assembling nanoparticles that displayed
      different domains of gp350 in a symmetric array. By focusing presentation of the
      CR2-binding domain on nanoparticles, potent neutralizing antibodies were elicited
      in mice and non-human primates. The structurally designed nanoparticle vaccine
      increased neutralization 10- to 100-fold compared to soluble gp350 by targeting a
      functionally conserved site of vulnerability, improving vaccine-induced
      protection in a mouse model. This rational approach to EBV vaccine design
      elicited potent neutralizing antibody responses by arrayed presentation of a
      conserved viral entry domain, a strategy that can be applied to other viruses.

PMID- 26279190
TI  - Macrophage-Induced Blood Vessels Guide Schwann Cell-Mediated Regeneration of
      Peripheral Nerves.
AB  - The peripheral nervous system has remarkable regenerative capacities in that it
      can repair a fully cut nerve. This requires Schwann cells to migrate collectively
      to guide regrowing axons across a 'bridge' of new tissue, which forms to
      reconnect a severed nerve. Here we show that blood vessels direct the migrating
      cords of Schwann cells. This multicellular process is initiated by hypoxia,
      selectively sensed by macrophages within the bridge, which via VEGF-A secretion
      induce a polarized vasculature that relieves the hypoxia. Schwann cells then use
      the blood vessels as "tracks" to cross the bridge taking regrowing axons with
      them. Importantly, disrupting the organization of the newly formed blood vessels
      in vivo, either by inhibiting the angiogenic signal or by re-orienting them,
      compromises Schwann cell directionality resulting in defective nerve repair. This
      study provides important insights into how the choreography of multiple cell
      types is required for the regeneration of an adult tissue. 

PMID- 26279191
TI  - Sinus bradycardia, junctional rhythm, and low-rate atrial fibrillation in Short
      QT syndrome during 20 years of follow-up: three faces of the same genetic
      problem.
AB  - We describe the case of an asymptomatic girl with sinus bradycardia and short QT
      interval at birth, junctional bradycardia in infancy requiring single-chamber
      pacemaker, atrial fibrillation in adolescence, and V141M mutation in the KCNQ1
      gene. Atrial fibrillation recurred and became unresponsive to electrical or anti
      arrhythmic therapy. During 20 years of follow-up, a progressive evolution from
      sinus node dysfunction to low-rate atrial fibrillation was observed. 

PMID- 26279192
TI  - Continuum in the X-Z---Y weak bonds: Z= main group elements.
AB  - The Continuum in the variation of the X-Z bond length change from blue-shifting
      to red-shifting through zero- shifting in the X-Z---Y complex is inevitable. This
      has been analyzed by ab-initio molecular orbital calculations using Z= Hydrogen,
      Halogens, Chalcogens, and Pnicogens as prototypical examples. Our analysis
      revealed that, the competition between negative hyperconjugation within the donor
      (X-Z) molecule and Charge Transfer (CT) from the acceptor (Y) molecule is the
      primary reason for the X-Z bond length change. Here, we report that, the proper
      tuning of X- and Y-group for a particular Z- can change the blue-shifting nature
      of X-Z bond to zero-shifting and further to red-shifting. This observation led to
      the proposal of a continuum in the variation of the X-Z bond length during the
      formation of X-Z---Y complex. The varying number of orbitals and electrons
      available around the Z-atom differentiates various classes of weak interactions
      and leads to interactions dramatically different from the H-Bond. Our
      explanations based on the model of anti-bonding orbitals can be transferred from
      one class of weak interactions to another. We further take the idea of continuum
      to the nature of chemical bonding in general.

PMID- 26279194
TI  - Comparison of virulence factors and biofilm formation among Staphylococcus aureus
      strains isolated from human and bovine infections.
AB  - The aim of this study was to find different prevalence of genes involved in the
      biofilm formation process and to assess the phenotypic and genotypic markers of
      biofilm formation among Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from human and
      bovine infections. In this study, 215 S. aureus strains were collected from human
      and dairy cow's infections. The biofilm forming capacity of the strains was
      evaluated using a colorimetric microtiter plate assay. The genes encoding
      microbial surface components, recognizing adhesive matrix molecules (MSCRAMMs)
      (ebpS, eno, fib, fnbA, fnbB, cna and bap), and the intracellular adhesion (ica)
      genes (icaA, and icaD) were targeted by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based
      method. Approximately 70% of the isolates produced biofilm. Among these, 59.3%
      were producers of weakly adherent biofilms while 34.8% and 5.8% produced moderate
      and strong biofilms, respectively. The most prevalent gene was icaD found in
      88.4% of the isolates, followed by icaA, fib and eno found in 87.9%, 75.8% and
      75.3% of the isolates, respectively. The bap gene was not detected in any of the
      isolates. The prevalence of ebpS and fnbA genes among bovine isolates were
      significantly higher than those in human isolates, whilst the prevalence of cna
      gene was significantly higher in the human isolates. In this study, a high
      prevalence of biofilm production was found among S. aureus strains isolated from
      human and bovine infections. Most biofilm producing isolates were positive for
      MSCRAMM, icaA, and icaD genes.

PMID- 26279193
TI  - Seeing Central African forests through their largest trees.
AB  - Large tropical trees and a few dominant species were recently identified as the
      main structuring elements of tropical forests. However, such result did not
      translate yet into quantitative approaches which are essential to understand,
      predict and monitor forest functions and composition over large, often poorly
      accessible territories. Here we show that the above-ground biomass (AGB) of the
      whole forest can be predicted from a few large trees and that the relationship is
      proved strikingly stable in 175 1-ha plots investigated across 8 sites spanning
      Central Africa. We designed a generic model predicting AGB with an error of 14%
      when based on only 5% of the stems, which points to universality in forest
      structural properties. For the first time in Africa, we identified some dominant
      species that disproportionally contribute to forest AGB with 1.5% of recorded
      species accounting for over 50% of the stock of AGB. Consequently, focusing on
      large trees and dominant species provides precise information on the whole forest
      stand. This offers new perspectives for understanding the functioning of tropical
      forests and opens new doors for the development of innovative monitoring
      strategies. 

PMID- 26279195
TI  - Detection of bacteria and fungi and assessment of the molecular aspects and
      resistance of Escherichia coli isolated from confiscated passerines intended for
      reintroduction programs.
AB  - Many native bird species are currently considered rare in Brazil because they
      have been indiscriminately collected by animal traffickers and commercialized,
      leading to dwindling numbers in their natural habitats. Confiscated animals are
      at times destined for reintroduction programs that must ensure these animals do
      not pose a risk to native populations. Healthy or sick wild passerines may carry
      a great diversity of microorganisms. Therefore, knowledge of the sanitary status
      of confiscated animals destined for reintroduction is critical to assess whether
      these animals act as microorganism carriers and to investigate the epidemiology
      of transmissible diseases, a crucial aspect for animal and human health
      preservation. This study examined the occurrence of aerobic and facultative
      anaerobic bacteria and fungi in cloacal swabs collected from wild confiscated
      passerines intended for reintroduction programs. In vitro susceptibility tests of
      the most frequent isolates as well as studies of the molecular aspects of
      Escherichia coli isolates were also performed. There was microorganism growth in
      62.5% of 253 samples. The microorganisms that were most frequently isolated were
      Staphylococcus spp. (15.0%), Micrococcus spp. (11.5%), E. coli (10.7%) and
      Klebsiella spp. (10.7%). Fifteen bacteria genera and seven fungi genera were
      isolated. Multidrug-resistance to antimicrobials was observed in Staphylococcus
      spp., Micrococcus spp., E. coli and Klebsiella spp. isolates. The high occurrence
      of Enterobacteria observed is possibly related to the sanitary conditions in
      which confiscated animals are usually kept. One E. coli sample (out of 27
      isolates) was positive for the S-fimbrial adhesion encoding gene (sfa).
      Considering the low occurrence of genes that encode virulence factors,
      confiscated passerines may represent a low risk for the potential transmission of
      EPEC, APEC, UPEC and NMEC isolates to other animals or humans. The potential risk
      of intra- or inter-specific transmission of multidrug-resistant isolates and the
      introduction of these microorganisms into the environment must be considered,
      although there are still therapeutic alternatives for treatment of these animals
      among the antimicrobials which were tested. The stress and poor hygiene
      conditions imposed on animals during trafficking may have caused their
      contamination by multidrug-resistant agents transmitted by humans or by the
      precarious environment to which they were subjected. Risks related to the
      dissemination of Salmonella spp., Cryptococcus spp. and Candida spp. are low when
      reintroduction programs are considered.

PMID- 26279196
TI  - Effects of complementary whole-body vibration training in patients after lung
      transplantation: A randomized, controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In recent years, some studies have shown that whole-body vibration
      training (WBVT) may be a beneficial training mode in patients with chronic
      obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the effects of WBVT in patients
      after lung transplantation (LTx) have not yet been investigated. METHODS: Eighty
      three LTx patients (56 +/- 7 years of age, 51% male, 10 +/- 12 weeks post-LTx,
      forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1] 68 +/- 20 percent predicted [% pred],
      baseline 6-minute walk distance [6MWD] 350 +/- 120 meters) admitted to a 4-week
      inpatient multidisciplinary program of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) performed
      supervised endurance and strength training on 5 days per week. In addition,
      patients were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 supervised intervention groups on 3
      days/week: (1) 4 * 2 minutes of bilateral dynamic squat exercises on a side
      alternating vibration platform at 24 to 26 Hz (WBVT); and (2) a control group
      (CON) with the same amount of exercise time on the floor. RESULTS: Seventy
      patients completed the study (WBVT: n = 34; CON: n = 36). Improvement in 6MWD was
      significantly (p = 0.029) higher in the WBVT group (83.5 meters [95% CI 65.4 to
      101.7]) compared with the CON group (55.2 m [95% CI 37.5 to 72.8]). Also, peak
      work rate increased significantly (p = 0.042) more in the WBVT group (16.8 W [95%
      CI 13.5 to 20.5]) than in the CON group (12.6 W [95% CI 9.0 to 16.1]). No adverse
      events related to the intervention occurred during the study. CONCLUSIONS: A
      complementary WBVT on top of conventional endurance and strength training seems
      to be a feasible and safe exercise modality in patients after LTx. Furthermore,
      it may even enhance the benefits of a comprehensive PR on exercise capacity.

PMID- 26279197
TI  - Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease in heart and lung transplantation:
      Defining risk and prognostic factors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Heart and lung transplant recipients have among of the highest
      incidence rates of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD). Despite
      this, there is a paucity of data specific to this group. We collated data on
      heart, lung and heart-lung transplant recipients with PTLD to identify disease
      features and prognostic factors unique to this group of patients. METHODS:
      Seventy cases of PTLD were identified from a single institution (41 heart, 22
      lung, 6 heart-lung and 1 heart-kidney transplant) from 1984 to 2013.
      Demographics, immunosuppression, treatment, response, complications and survival
      data were analyzed. Uni- and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed
      to identify prognostic factors. RESULTS: The incidence of PTLD was 7.59% in heart
      lung, 5.37% in heart and 3.1% in lung transplant recipients. Extranodal disease
      (82%) with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (72%) was the most common presentation.
      Bone marrow involvement (13%) and central nervous system disease (3%) were
      uncommon. Heart transplant recipients had later onset of PTLD (>1 year post
      transplant), with less allograft involvement, compared with lung and heart-lung
      recipients. Poor prognostic markers were bone marrow involvement (HR 6.75, p <
      0.001) and serum albumin <30 g/liter (HR 3.18, p = 0.006). Improved survival was
      seen with a complete response within 3 months of treatment (HR 0.08, p < 0.001).
      Five-year overall survival was 29%. CONCLUSION: This analysis is the largest to
      date on PTLD in heart and lung transplant recipients. It provides a detailed
      analysis of the disease in this group of patients and identifies unique
      prognostic features to aid risk stratification and guide treatment allocation.

PMID- 26279198
TI  - Internally-represented space and its mirror-reversed image of the visuospatial
      representation: A possible association.
AB  - The cognitive capacity for number representation is thought to be a functional
      isomorphism of space representation. Numbers are represented in a left-to-right
      oriented mental number line and hemispatial neglect patients consistently
      demonstrate rightward midline shift of visuospace, the internal space and number
      representation. However, patients with pathologic pain in one limb showed a
      negative correlation between midline shift of the visuospace and number
      representation. The purpose of the present study is to ascertain whether such
      dissociation in accessing space and number representation is observed in another
      neuropathic pain condition, and then to propose a theoretical model regarding an
      intimate relationship between visuospace and internal space representations.
      Using patients with deafferentation pain caused by a nerve lesion in a limb, we
      investigated whether number representation is closely linked to space
      representation by evaluating visual subjective body-midline judgments in dark and
      light conditions (egocentric- and allocentric-spaces, respectively). We also used
      a number-interval-bisection task to analyze this question. All of the patients
      perceived allocentric-space accurately. Respective patients showed perceptual
      shifts in egocentric-space and number representation, however they did not
      demonstrate any trend of the shifted-direction. Direct comparison revealed that
      number representation is negatively correlated with not allocentric-space but
      egocentric-space: a leftward midline-shift of egocentric-space was linked with a
      rightward midline-shift of number bisection, and vice-versa. Internally
      represented space demonstrated a mirror-reversed image of the visuospatial
      representation, similar to our previous finding. To explain the inverted
      representation, we can propose a theoretical model that spacing between mentally
      aligned numbers in a left-to-right sequential line is anisometric. 

PMID- 26279199
TI  - A proposed bio-panel to predict risk for spontaneous preterm birth among African
      American women.
AB  - Preterm birth (PTB), or birth prior to 37 weeks gestation, impacts 11.5% of U.S.
      deliveries. PTB results in significant morbidity and mortality among affected
      children and imposes a large societal financial burden. Racial disparities in PTB
      are alarming. African American women are at more than 1.5 times the risk for PTB
      than white women. Unfortunately, the medical community's ability to predict who
      is at risk for PTB is extremely limited. History of a prior PTB remains the
      strongest predictor during a singleton gestation. Cervical length and fetal
      fibronectin measurement are helpful tools. However, usefulness is limited,
      particularly among the 95% of U.S. women currently pregnant and lacking a history
      of PTB. Therefore, preventive therapies do not reach a great number of women who
      may benefit from them. This manuscript, in response to the pressing need for
      predictors of PTB risk and elimination of racial disparities in PTB, presents a
      proposed bio-panel for use in predicting risk for spontaneous PTB among African
      American women. This bio-panel, measured each trimester, includes stimulated
      production of interleukin (IL)-1beta, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, IL-1
      receptor antagonist (Ra), soluble(s) TNF receptor(R) 1, and sTNFR2, and cortisol
      responsiveness. We hypothesize that greater IL-1beta and TNF-alpha production,
      decreased IL-1Ra, sTNFR1, and sTNFR2 production, and decreased cortisol
      responsiveness at each time point as well as a more expedient alignment with this
      unfavorable profile over time will be associated with PTB. The choice to focus on
      inflammatory parameters is supported by data highlighting a crucial role for
      inflammation in labor. Specific inflammatory mediators have been chosen due to
      their potential importance in preterm labor among African American women. The bio
      panel also focuses on inflammatory regulation (i.e., cytokine production upon ex
      vivo stimulation), which is hypothesized to provide insight into potential in
      vivo leukocyte responses and potential for initiation of a preterm inflammatory
      cascade. Production of receptor antagonists is also considered, as pro
      inflammatory mediator effects can be greatly influenced by their balance with
      respective antagonists. Finally, leukocyte responsiveness to cortisol is included
      as a measure of cortisol's ability to convey anti-inflammatory signals. The
      development of a bio-panel predictive of risk for spontaneous PTB among African
      American women would represent a significant advancement. Available preventive
      therapies, namely progesterone supplementation, could be delivered to women
      deemed at risk. Further, the identification of biological predictors of PTB may
      uncover novel targets for preventive therapies.

PMID- 26279200
TI  - Characteristics of patients who are acutely admitted to hospital under surgical
      care and do not have a surgical procedure - Is there an alternative to admission?
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Previous work has shown that 56% of all acute surgical admissions
      in Ireland in 2012 did not have a formal surgical procedure. In light of the
      pressures on health systems internationally and the lack of relevant data on this
      topic in the literature, we examined the characteristics of this cohort of
      patients in Ireland. METHODS: Discharge data on acutely admitted patients who did
      not undergo a surgical procedure was extracted from the Hospital Inpatient
      Enquiry (HIPE) database for the year 2013. These were analysed by age, sex,
      diagnoses, procedures performed and length of stay in hospital. RESULTS: In 2013,
      63,079 patients were admitted acutely under surgical care and then discharged
      without undergoing a formal surgical procedure compared to 49,903 who had a
      surgical procedure. Most of the discharges not having formal surgery were treated
      by general surgical specialities (n = 41,434) and the average length of stay was
      4.8 days. Approximately half of these patients (n = 32,194) did not have any HIPE
      coded procedure, surgical or otherwise, during their admission into hospital.
      CONCLUSIONS: A considerable number of patients were admitted to Irish surgical
      units in 2013 and were discharged again without any formal surgical intervention.
      We postulate that some of these patients may not require admission to hospital
      and outline mechanisms which may prevent admissions Such mechanisms could allow
      for greater capacity for scheduled patients in currently overstrained surgical
      units.

PMID- 26279201
TI  - Isolated Roux-en-Y reconstruction versus conventional reconstruction after
      pancreaticoduodenectomy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pancreatic fistula (PF) is the major cause for morbidity and
      mortality following pancreaticoduodenectomy. The primary aim of this study was to
      compare the occurrence rate of postoperative PF between isolated Roux-en-Y
      reconstruction (RYR) and conventional reconstruction (CR) after
      pancreaticoduodenectomy. METHODS: Data of 43 patients who underwent RYC were
      compared with those of a pair-matched equal number of patients undergoing CR. We
      also performed a meta-analysis of comparative studies of the two procedures.
      RESULTS: The case-matched analysis showed no significant difference in PF
      occurrence between RYR and CR groups (23.3% versus 25.6%; P = 0.80). Meta
      analysis of 1498 patients further confirmed this finding, showing a pooled odds
      ratio of 1.14 (95% confidence intervals, 0.82-1.58; P = 0.43). CONCLUSION: The
      use of RYR for pancreaticojejunostomy does not seem to decrease the occurrence
      rate of postoperative PF in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy.

PMID- 26279202
TI  - Patient awareness and sun protection behaviour following excision of basal cell
      carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Limited information is available regarding disease awareness and sun
      protection behaviour in patients previously treated for non-melanoma skin cancer.
      METHODS: Using a telephone-administered questionnaire, we investigated these
      characteristics in 250 patients in the west of Ireland who had undergone excision
      of basal cell carcinomas between January 2011 and December 2012. RESULTS: Only
      28.8% of respondents knew that the lesion they had excised was a BCC and
      understood that there was a significant chance of developing another similar
      lesion in the next 3 years. Women and patients under age 65 were significantly
      better informed about their diagnosis than men (p = 0.021 and 0.000
      respectively). The majority of patients (71.2%) knew that the overall effect of
      UV radiation on the skin was harmful and did employ some form of sun protection
      (avoid midday sun 72%; stay in shade 74%; wear hat 73.6%; wear sunscreen 72.8%).
      Females were statistically more likely to exercise better sun-protection
      behaviour (p = 0.002). While 76.8% of patients undertook some form of outdoor
      activity every day, only 22.8% wore sunscreen every day. CONCLUSIONS: Greater
      efforts should be made to communicate disease details and sun protection
      implications associated with basal cell carcinoma, especially to male patients.
      Improved population specific skin cancer awareness may lead to earlier detection
      and thus decrease both the patient morbidity and economic burden associated with
      locally advanced basal cell carcinoma.

PMID- 26279203
TI  - Lateral X-ray for proximal femoral fractures - Is it really necessary?
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Historically routine work up of a patient with a proximal femoral
      fracture always included anterior-posterior (AP) and a lateral film of the hip.
      The aim was to define the role of the lateral X-ray in the assessment and
      surgical planning of proximal femur fractures. METHODS: Radiographs of 320
      consecutive patients with proximal femoral fractures who were admitted over a 12
      months period were divided into lateral and AP views. Two blinded reviewers
      independently assessed the AP view alone and then the AP plus the lateral view.
      Fracture classification was noted for each X-ray and then compared with
      intraoperative diagnosis which was our study's gold standard. A 2 * 2 contingency
      square table and Pearson's x(2) test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS:
      The rate of correct classification by the reviewers enhanced by the assessment of
      the lateral X-ray in addition to the AP view for intracapsular fractures (p =
      0.018) but not for extracapsular fractures (p = 0.29). Operative management did
      not change for intracapsular fractures which appeared displaced on initial AP
      view after reviewing the lateral X-ray. The only advantage of obtaining a lateral
      view in intracapsular fracture was the detection of displacement were the
      fracture appeared to be undisplaced on initial AP view. CONCLUSIONS: This study
      provides statistical evidence that one view is adequate and safe for majority of
      proximal femoral fractures. The lateral radiograph should not be performed on a
      routine basis thus making considerable saving in time and money, and avoiding
      unnecessary radiation exposure and discomfort to the patient.

PMID- 26279204
TI  - A Point Mutation in PDGFRB Causes Autosomal-Dominant Penttinen Syndrome.
AB  - Penttinen syndrome is a distinctive disorder characterized by a prematurely aged
      appearance with lipoatrophy, epidermal and dermal atrophy along with hypertrophic
      lesions that resemble scars, thin hair, proptosis, underdeveloped cheekbones, and
      marked acro-osteolysis. All individuals have been simplex cases. Exome sequencing
      of an affected individual identified a de novo c.1994T>C p.Val665Ala variant in
      PDGFRB, which encodes the platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta. Three
      additional unrelated individuals with this condition were shown to have the
      identical variant in PDGFRB. Distinct mutations in PDGFRB have been shown to
      cause infantile myofibromatosis, idiopathic basal ganglia calcification, and an
      overgrowth disorder with dysmorphic facies and psychosis, none of which overlaps
      with the clinical findings in Penttinen syndrome. We evaluated the functional
      consequence of this causative variant on the PDGFRB signaling pathway by
      transfecting mutant and wild-type cDNA into HeLa cells, and transfection showed
      ligand-independent constitutive signaling through STAT3 and PLCgamma. Penttinen
      syndrome is a clinically distinct genetic condition caused by a PDGFRB gain-of
      function mutation that is associated with a specific and unusual perturbation of
      receptor function. 

PMID- 26279206
TI  - Beneficial Effect of Growth Hormone Treatment on Health-Related Quality of Life
      in Children with Prader-Willi Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial and
      Longitudinal Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Growth hormone (GH) treatment is beneficial for children with
      Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), but data about health-related quality of life
      (HRQOL) and effects of GH treatment are scarce. We, therefore, investigated the
      effects of GH treatment on HRQOL in PWS children. METHODS: In a randomized
      controlled GH trial including 26 PWS children and during an 11-year longitudinal
      GH study in 76 children, we annually assessed HRQOL recorded by patients and
      parents, using a generic questionnaire (DUX25), containing 4 subdomains
      (Physical, Home, Social, and Emotional) and a PWS-specific questionnaire (DUXPW).
      RESULTS: At baseline, PWS children rated HRQOL similar to or higher than healthy
      and obese children. GH-treated children reported an increase in HRQOL in the
      Physical and Social subdomains and the DUXPW compared to untreated children.
      Parents reported an increase in the Physical and Emotional subdomains and
      borderline in the total DUX25 compared to parents of untreated children. During
      the 11 years of GH treatment, the Physical subdomain continued to improve,
      according to parents, whereas the Home, Social and Emotional subdomains, the
      total DUX25, and the DUXPW remained similar, according to children and parents.
      CONCLUSIONS: PWS children rated HRQOL equally to or better than healthy and obese
      children. HRQOL increased during GH treatment, in contrast to HRQOL of untreated
      children. This effect was sustained during long-term GH treatment. PWS children
      consider themselves quite happy, despite some difficulties related to the
      syndrome.

PMID- 26279207
TI  - First reported case of a corneal abscess caused by Massilia timonae.

PMID- 26279205
TI  - Haploinsufficiency of the NF-kappaB1 Subunit p50 in Common Variable
      Immunodeficiency.
AB  - Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), characterized by recurrent infections,
      is the most prevalent symptomatic antibody deficiency. In ~90% of CVID-affected
      individuals, no genetic cause of the disease has been identified. In a Dutch
      Australian CVID-affected family, we identified a NFKB1 heterozygous splice-donor
      site mutation (c.730+4A>G), causing in-frame skipping of exon 8. NFKB1 encodes
      the transcription-factor precursor p105, which is processed to p50 (canonical NF
      kappaB pathway). The altered protein bearing an internal deletion
      (p.Asp191_Lys244delinsGlu; p105DeltaEx8) is degraded, but is not processed to
      p50DeltaEx8. Altered NF-kappaB1 proteins were also undetectable in a German CVID
      affected family with a heterozygous in-frame exon 9 skipping mutation
      (c.835+2T>G) and in a CVID-affected family from New Zealand with a heterozygous
      frameshift mutation (c.465dupA) in exon 7. Given that residual p105 and p50
      translated from the non-mutated alleles-were normal, and altered p50 proteins
      were absent, we conclude that the CVID phenotype in these families is caused by
      NF-kappaB1 p50 haploinsufficiency.

PMID- 26279208
TI  - Management of Infection and Febrile Neutropenia in Patients with Solid Cancer.
AB  - A group of experts from the Spanish Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical
      Microbiology (SEIMC) and the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM) have
      reviewed in this paper the main aspects to be considered in the evaluation of
      patients with solid cancer and infectious diseases. They have established a
      series of recommendations on the prevention of the most prevalent infections in
      these patients, the use of vaccines, the control measures of vascular catheter
      infection and prevention of infections before certain surgical procedures. Also
      the criteria for management of febrile neutropenia and the use of colony
      stimulating factors were revised. Finally they provide a series of
      recommendations for the treatment of cancer patients with severe infection. The
      document is completed with a series of measures for the control of hospital
      infection.

PMID- 26279209
TI  - Observing accidental and intentional unusual actions is associated with different
      subregions of the medial frontal cortex.
AB  - The literature on action observation revealed contradictory results regarding the
      activation of different subregions of the medial prefrontal cortex when observing
      unusual behaviour. Error observation research has shown that the posterior part
      of the medial prefrontal cortex is more active when observing unusual behaviour
      compared to usual behaviour while action understanding research has revealed some
      mixed results concerning the role of the anterior part of the medial prefrontal
      cortex during the observation of unusual actions. Here, we resolve this
      discrepancy in the literature by showing that different parts of the medial
      prefrontal cortex are active depending on whether an observed unusual behaviour
      is intentional or not. While the posterior medial prefrontal cortex is more
      active when we observe unusual accidental actions compared to unusual intentional
      actions, a more anterior part of the medial prefrontal cortex is more active when
      we observe unusual intentional actions compared to unusual accidental actions. 

PMID- 26279210
TI  - Brain imaging signatures of the relationship between epidermal nerve fibers and
      heat pain perception.
AB  - Although the small-diameter primary afferent fibers in the skin promptly respond
      to nociceptive stimuli and convey sensory inputs to the central nervous system,
      the neural signatures that underpin the relationship between cutaneous afferent
      fibers and pain perception remain elusive. We combined skin biopsy at the lateral
      aspect of the distal leg, which is used to quantify cutaneous afferent fibers,
      with fMRI, which is used to assess brain responses and functional connectivity,
      to investigate the relationship between cutaneous sensory nerves and the
      corresponding pain perception in the brain after applying heat pain stimulation
      to the dorsum of the right foot in healthy subjects. During painful stimulation,
      the degree of cutaneous innervation, as measured by epidermal nerve fiber
      density, was correlated with individual blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD)
      signals of the posterior insular cortex and of the thalamus, periaqueductal gray,
      and rostral ventromedial medulla. Pain perception was associated with the
      activation of the anterior insular cortex and with the functional connectivity
      from the anterior insular cortex to the primary somatosensory cortex during
      painful stimulation. Most importantly, both epidermal nerve fiber density and
      activity in the posterior insular cortex showed a positive correlation with the
      strength of coupling under pain between the anterior insular cortex and the
      primary somatosensory cortex. Thus, our findings support the notion that the
      neural circuitry subserving pain perception interacts with the cerebral
      correlates of peripheral nociceptive fibers, which implicates an indirect role
      for skin nerves in human pain perception. 

PMID- 26279212
TI  - Neural correlates of psychological resilience and their relation to life
      satisfaction in a sample of healthy young adults.
AB  - Psychological resilience refers to the ability to thrive in the face of risk and
      adversity, which is crucial for individuals' mental and physical health. However,
      its precise neural correlates are still largely unknown. Here we used resting
      state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) to identify the brain
      regions underlying this construct by correlating individuals' psychological
      resilience scores with the regional homogeneity (ReHo) and then examined how
      these resilience-related regions predicted life satisfaction in a sample of
      healthy young adults. We found that the ReHo in the bilateral insula, right
      dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) and right rostral ACC (rACC) negatively
      predicted individual differences in psychological resilience, revealing the
      critical role of the salience network (SN) in psychological resilience.
      Crucially, the ReHo in the dACC within the SN mediated the effects of
      psychological resilience on life satisfaction. In summary, these findings suggest
      that spontaneous activity of the human brain reflect the efficiency of
      psychological resilience and highlight the dACC within the SN as a neural
      substrate linking psychological resilience and life satisfaction. 

PMID- 26279211
TI  - Microscale spatiotemporal dynamics during neocortical propagation of human focal
      seizures.
AB  - Some of the most clinically consequential aspects of focal epilepsy, e.g. loss of
      consciousness, arise from the generalization or propagation of seizures through
      local and large-scale neocortical networks. Yet, the dynamics of such neocortical
      propagation remain poorly understood. Here, we studied the microdynamics of focal
      seizure propagation in neocortical patches (4*4 mm) recorded via high-density
      microelectrode arrays (MEAs) implanted in people with pharmacologically resistant
      epilepsy. Our main findings are threefold: (1) a newly developed stage
      segmentation method, applied to local field potentials (LFPs) and multiunit
      activity (MUA), revealed a succession of discrete seizure stages, each lasting
      several seconds. These different stages showed characteristic evolutions in
      overall activity and spatial patterns, which were relatively consistent across
      seizures within each of the 5 patients studied. Interestingly, segmented seizure
      stages based on LFPs or MUA showed a dissociation of their spatiotemporal
      dynamics, likely reflecting different contributions of non-local synaptic inputs
      and local network activity. (2) As previously reported, some of the seizures
      showed a peak in MUA that happened several seconds after local seizure onset and
      slowly propagated across the MEA. However, other seizures had a more complex
      structure characterized by, for example, several MUA peaks, more consistent with
      the succession of discrete stages than the slow propagation of a simple wavefront
      of increased MUA. In both cases, nevertheless, seizures characterized by spike
      wave discharges (SWDs, ~2-3 Hz) eventually evolved into patterns of phase-locked
      MUA and LFPs. (3) Individual SWDs or gamma oscillation cycles (25-60 Hz),
      characteristic of two different types of recorded seizures, tended to propagate
      with varying degrees of directionality, directions of propagation and speeds,
      depending on the identified seizure stage. However, no clear relationship was
      observed between the MUA peak onset time (in seizures where such peak onset
      occurred) and changes in MUA or LFP propagation patterns. Overall, our findings
      indicate that the recruitment of neocortical territories into ictal activity
      undergoes complex spatiotemporal dynamics evolving in slow discrete states, which
      are consistent across seizures within each patient. Furthermore, ictal states at
      finer spatiotemporal scales (individual SWDs or gamma oscillations) are organized
      by slower time scale network dynamics evolving through these discrete stages.

PMID- 26279213
TI  - Phospholipase A(2) enhances the endothelial cell detachment effect of a snake
      venom metalloproteinase in the absence of catalysis.
AB  - Microvessel disruption leading to hemorrhage stands among the most dangerous
      consequences of envenomings by snakes of the family Viperidae. A PIII
      metalloproteinase (SVMP), balteragin, purified from the venom of the snake
      Bothrops alternatus, displays a potent hemorrhagic effect, and a moderate
      myotoxicity in vivo. Previous studies described the ability of this SVMP to
      induce the detachment of C2C12 myoblasts in culture, without causing cytolysis.
      Surprisingly, a purified acidic phospholipase A2 (PLA2) from the same venom was
      found to increase this detaching activity of the SVMP on myoblasts. Since
      endothelial cells are a natural target of SVMPs in vivo, the possibility that
      this synergistic effect is also observed on this cell type was explored in the
      present work. In addition, a first approach of the mechanism of action of this
      effect was studied. Results clearly confirm that the acidic PLA2, despite lacking
      toxicity towards endothelial cells, significantly enhances the detaching effect
      of the SVMP even at a concentration as low as 1 MUg/mL. Inhibition of enzymatic
      activity of the PLA2 by chemical modification with p-bromophenacyl bromide did
      not affect the synergistic activity, suggesting that this effect is not dependent
      on phospholipase enzymatic activity and may instead be the consequence of an
      interaction of the PLA2 with endothelial cell plasma membrane. To our knowledge,
      this is the first report of a synergistic action of a non toxic PLA2 in enhancing
      the detachment of endothelial cells induced by a metalloproteinase. 

PMID- 26279214
TI  - Bioactivation of luteolin by tyrosinase selectively inhibits glutathione S
      transferase.
AB  - Glutathione S-transferase (GST) plays a significant role in the metabolism and
      detoxification of drugs used in treatment of melanoma, resulting in a decrease in
      drug efficacy. Tyrosinase is an abundant enzyme found in melanoma. In this study,
      we used a tyrosinase targeted approach to selectively inhibit GST. In the
      presence of tyrosinase, luteolin (10 MUM) showed 87% GST inhibition; whereas in
      the absence of tyrosinase, luteolin led to negligible GST inhibition. With
      respect to GSH, both luteolin-SG conjugate and luteolin-quinone inhibited >=90%
      of GST activity via competitive reversible and irreversible mixed mechanisms with
      Ki of 0.74 MUM and 0.02 MUM, respectively. With respect to CDNB, the luteolin-SG
      conjugate inhibited GST activity via competitive reversible mechanism and
      competitively with Ki of 0.58 MUM, whereas luteolin-quinone showed irreversible
      mixed inhibition of GST activity with Ki of 0.039 MUM. Luteolin (100 MUM)
      inhibited GST in mixed manner with Ki of 53 MUM with respect to GSH and non
      competitively with respect to CDNB with Ki of 38 MUM. Luteolin, at a
      concentration range of 5-80 MUM, exhibited 78-99% GST inhibition in human SK-MEL
      28 cell homogenate. Among the 3 species of intact luteolin, luteolin-SG
      conjugate, and luteoline-quinone, only the latter two have potential as drugs
      with Ki < 1 MUM, which is potentially achievable in-vivo as therapeutic agents.
      The order of GST inhibition was luteolin-quinone >> luteolin-SG conjugate >>>
      luteolin. In summary, our results suggest that luteolin was bioactivated by
      tyrosinase to form a luteolin-quinone and luteolin-glutathione conjugate, which
      inhibited GST. For the first time, in addition to intracellular GSH depletion, we
      demonstrate that luteolin acts as a selective inhibitor of GST in the presence of
      tyrosinase. Such strategy could potentially be used to selectively inhibit GST, a
      drug detoxifying enzyme, in melanoma cells. 

PMID- 26279215
TI  - Ternary Inclusion Complexes of Rifaximin with beta-Cyclodextrin and Sodium
      Deoxycholate for Solubility Enhancement.
AB  - Rifaximin is a rifamycin derivative, having extremely poor aqueous solubility.
      The objective of present study was to improve dissolution and solubility of drug
      using beta-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes and also to evaluate the effect of
      presence of sodium deoxycholate on solubilization efficiency of beta
      cyclodextrin. The stochiometry of inclusion complexes of binary (drug
      cyclodextrin) and ternary system (drug-cyclodextrin-sodium deoxycholate) were
      determined by phase solubility studies at 25  degrees C. The stability constants
      (K1:2) calculated from phase solubility analysis were 126 M(-1) and 267 M(-1) for
      binary and ternary systems respectively. The inclusion complexes were prepared by
      solvent evaporation method with the inclusion efficiency of 43% and 56.9% for
      binary and ternary systems followed by their characterization using fourier
      transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry, differential scanning
      calorimetry and in-vitro antibacterial activity. The solubility of drug was
      improved by 4.3 and 11.9 folds in binary and ternary inclusion complexes,
      respectively. Therefore, it can be concluded that the ternary inclusion
      complexation having better solubilization efficiency as compared to binary
      complexation.

PMID- 26279216
TI  - Identification and expression modulation of a C-type lectin domain family 4
      homologue that is highly expressed in monocytes/macrophages in rainbow trout
      (Oncorhynchus mykiss).
AB  - The C-type lectin domain containing (CLEC) receptors including CD209 are
      expressed in vivo by monocytes, monocyte-derived macrophages and dendritic cells
      and by in vitro generated monocyte-derived cells. This paper reports the cloning
      and sequencing of a lectin molecule, CLEC4T1, in rainbow trout that is a
      homologue of the CLEC4 family. The expression pattern of the CLEC4T1 was
      investigated in vivo after infection with a bacterial pathogen and in cultured
      macrophages after modulation with microbial mimics. Trout CLEC4T1 was highly
      expressed in spleen and head kidney following infection with Yersinia ruckeri.
      Expression could also be induced in macrophage cultures by LPS but not by Poly
      I:C, and suggests that the regulation of CLEC4T1 expression in trout varies
      according to the nature of the stimulant. A polyclonal CLEC4T1 antibody was
      generated and validated by Western blotting for use in evaluation of CLEC4T1(+)
      cells by flow cytometry analysis. Freshly isolated adherent trout head kidney
      cultures, potentially containing macrophages and dendritic cell precursors,
      showed an increase of CLEC4T1(+) cells (assessed by flow cytometry) upon
      stimulation with recombinant interleukin-4/13A. The results suggest that CLEC4T1
      is a useful marker for further characterisation of monocyte derived antigen
      presenting cells in fish.

PMID- 26279217
TI  - Immune response and survival of Circulifer haematoceps to Spiroplasma citri
      infection requires expression of the gene hexamerin.
AB  - Spiroplasma citri is a cell wall-less bacterium that infects plants. It is
      transmitted by the leafhopper Circulifer haematoceps, which hosts this bacterium
      in the haemocel and insect tissues. Bacterial factors involved in spiroplasma
      colonization of the insect host have been identified, but the immune response of
      the leafhopper to S. citri infection remains unknown. In this study, we showed
      that C. haematoceps activates both humoral and cellular immune responses when
      challenged with bacteria. When infected by S. citri, C. haematoceps displayed a
      specific immune response, evidenced by activation of phagocytosis and
      upregulation of a gene encoding the protein hexamerin. S. citri infection also
      resulted in decreased phenoloxidase-like activity. Inhibition of hexamerin by RNA
      interference resulted in a significant reduction in phenoloxidase-like activity
      and increased mortality of infected leafhoppers. Therefore, the gene hexamerin is
      involved in S. citri control by interfering with insect phenoloxidase activity. 

PMID- 26279218
TI  - Bilingual advantages in executive control - A Loch Ness Monster case or an
      instance of neural plasticity?

PMID- 26279219
TI  - Are we at a socio-political and scientific crisis?

PMID- 26279220
TI  - Only With a New Ruler Do You Realize the Value of the Old.

PMID- 26279221
TI  - Initial Experience With a Percutaneous Approach to Redo Mitral Valve Surgery:
      Management and Procedural Success.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to report the anesthetic management and
      immediate procedural success in the initial 20 patients undergoing percutaneous
      transapical mitral valve replacement. DESIGN: Retrospective review of collected
      data. SETTING: University-affiliated heart center. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty patients
      with mitral regurgitation or stenosis due to a degenerated valve or ring in the
      mitral position. INTERVENTIONS: TEE-guided transapical mitral valve replacement
      under general anesthesia and early extubation by means of an established fast
      track protocol. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN METHODS: Twenty patients underwent
      transapical mitral valve replacement by a beating heart procedure, avoiding
      cardiopulmonary bypass. The valve was either deployed due to a previously
      implanted bioprosthetic valve (valve-in-valve group), which degenerated, or a
      ring (valve-in-ring group), which predominantly showed regurgitation. There was a
      significant increase in the mitral valve opening area in stenosed valve pathology
      from 1.3-1.9 sq. cm (p = 0.004), and an increase in ejection fraction from 40% to
      45% (p = 0.52). In the valve-in-ring group, valve area increased from 2.0 sq. cm
      to 2.6 sq. cm (p = 0.21), with an increase in ejection fraction from 30% to 35%
      (p = 0.18). Eighteen patients underwent successful deployment of the valve. The
      anesthesia duration for the procedure lasted 185.5 +/- 25.4 minutes. CONCLUSIONS:
      There was a significant increase in opening area of the valve and improvement in
      ejection fraction in this patient group. TEE and fluoroscopy-guided imaging is
      necessary for the procedure's success and is an evolving alternative treatment
      for high-risk mitral valve patients who would otherwise be considered inoperable
      for routine surgery using sternotomy.

PMID- 26279223
TI  - Transcardiopulmonary Thermodilution-Calibrated Arterial Waveform Analysis: A
      Primer for Anesthesiologists and Intensivists.

PMID- 26279222
TI  - Nutrition and the Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Unit Patient--An Update.

PMID- 26279224
TI  - Pro: Focused Cardiac Ultrasound Should be an Integral Component of Anesthesiology
      Residency Training.

PMID- 26279225
TI  - Con: Perioperative Transthoracic Echocardiography Should Not Be an Integral Part
      of the Anesthesiology Residency Core Curriculum.

PMID- 26279226
TI  - Temperature Management Guidelines.

PMID- 26279227
TI  - The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, The Society of Cardiovascular
      Anesthesiologists, and The American Society of ExtraCorporeal Technology:
      Clinical Practice Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Bypass--Temperature Management
      During Cardiopulmonary Bypass.
AB  - In order to improve our understanding of the evidence-based literature supporting
      temperature management during adult cardiopulmonary bypass, The Society of
      Thoracic Surgeons, the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiology and the American
      Society of ExtraCorporeal Technology tasked the authors to conduct a review of
      the peer-reviewed literature, including: 1) optimal site for temperature
      monitoring, 2) avoidance of hyperthermia, 3) peak cooling temperature gradient
      and cooling rate, and 4) peak warming temperature gradient and rewarming rate.
      Authors adopted the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association
      method for development clinical practice guidelines, and arrived at the following
      recommendations: CLASS I RECOMMENDATIONS: a)The oxygenator arterial outlet blood
      temperature is recommended to be utilized as a surrogate for cerebral temperature
      measurement during CPB. (Class I, Level C) b)To monitor cerebral perfusate
      temperature during warming, it should be assumed that the oxygenator arterial
      outlet blood temperature under-estimates cerebral perfusate temperature. (Class
      I, Level C) c)Surgical teams should limit arterial outlet blood temperature to<37
      degrees C to avoid cerebral hyperthermia. (Class 1, Level C) d)Temperature
      gradients between the arterial outlet and venous inflow on the oxygenator during
      CPB cooling should not exceed 10 degrees C to avoid generation of gaseous emboli.
      (Class 1, Level C) e)Temperature gradients between the arterial outlet and venous
      inflow on the oxygenator during CPB rewarming should not exceed 10 degrees C to
      avoid out-gassing when blood is returned to the patient. (Class 1, Level C) CLASS
      IIa RECOMMENDATIONS: a)Pulmonary artery or nasopharyngeal temperature recording
      is reasonable for weaning and immediate post-bypass temperature measurement.
      (Class IIa, Level C)b)Rewarming when arterial blood outlet temperature >=30
      degrees  C: i.To achieve the desired temperature for separation from bypass, it
      is reasonable to maintain a temperature gradient between arterial outlet
      temperature and the venous inflow of<=4 degrees C. (Class IIa, Level B) ii.To
      achieve the desired temperature for separation from bypass, it is reasonable to
      maintain a rewarming rate<=0.5 degrees C/min. (Class IIa, Level B) NO
      RECOMMENDATION: No recommendation for a guideline is provided concerning optimal
      temperature for weaning from CPB due to insufficient published evidence.

PMID- 26279228
TI  - A retrospective study of 23 cases with subacute combined degeneration.
AB  - PURPOSE: To study retrospectively the diverse presentations, ancillary tests and
      neuroimaging in patients with subacute combined degeneration (SCD). METHODS:
      Twenty-three Chinese patients with SCD were included in this study. The clinical
      presentations and laboratory data including comprehensive metabolic panel, serum
      folic acid, vitamin B12 levels, gastroscopy and images of spinal cord on magnetic
      resonance imaging (MRI) were evaluated. Rating scales for localizations of
      lesions and functional disabilities were used to define the severity of
      neurological impairment. RESULTS: No difference was found between men and women
      in the age of disease onset. For most of the patients, sensory symptoms,
      oftentimes as initial symptoms, occurred earlier than motor symptoms. The signs
      of the disease were more obvious than the symptoms. Six patients had sensory
      deficit levels mimicking transverse myelopathy. Anemia was not always detected in
      our patients with SCD. Normal or even elevated serum levels of vitamin B12 were
      found in seven patients. Spinal cord lesions on MRI were observed in six patients
      and the clinical and neuroimaging findings were not necessarily consistent.
      CONCLUSIONS: The sensory symptoms occur earlier than the motor symptoms in SCD
      patients. SCD patients may have sensory deficit level. Normal or even elevated
      serum levels of vitamin B12 may occur in patients with SCD.

PMID- 26279229
TI  - Olfaction Modulates Reproductive Plasticity through Neuroendocrine Signaling in
      Caenorhabditis elegans.
AB  - Reproductive plasticity describes the ability of organisms to adjust parameters
      such as volume, rate, or timing of progeny production in order to maximize
      successful reproduction under different environmental conditions. Reproductive
      plasticity in response to environmental variation has been observed in a wide
      range of animals; however, the mechanisms involved in translating environmental
      cues into reproductive outcomes remain unknown. Here, we show that olfaction
      modulates reproductive timing and senescence through neuroendocrine signaling in
      Caenorhabditis elegans. On their preferred diet, worms demonstrate an increased
      rate of reproduction and an early onset of reproductive aging. Perception of the
      preferred diet's odor by AWB olfactory neurons elicits these adjustments by
      increasing germline proliferation, and optogenetic stimulation of AWB neurons is
      sufficient to accelerate reproductive timing in the absence of dietary inputs.
      Furthermore, AWB neurons act through neuropeptide signaling to regulate
      reproductive rate and senescence. These findings reveal a neuroendocrine nexus
      linking olfactory sensation and reproduction in response to environmental
      variation and indicate the significance of olfaction in the regulation of
      reproductive decline during aging.

PMID- 26279231
TI  - Distributed Attention Is Implemented through Theta-Rhythmic Gamma Modulation.
AB  - When subjects monitor a single location, visual target detection depends on the
      pre-target phase of an ~8 Hz brain rhythm. When multiple locations are monitored,
      performance decrements suggest a division of the 8 Hz rhythm over the number of
      locations, indicating that different locations are sequentially sampled. Indeed,
      when subjects monitor two locations, performance benefits alternate at a 4 Hz
      rhythm. These performance alternations were revealed after a reset of attention
      to one location. Although resets are common and important events for attention,
      it is unknown whether, in the absence of resets, ongoing attention samples
      stimuli in alternation. Here, we examined whether spatially specific attentional
      sampling can be revealed by ongoing pre-target brain rhythms. Visually induced
      gamma-band activity plays a role in spatial attention. Therefore, we hypothesized
      that performance on two simultaneously monitored stimuli can be predicted by a 4
      Hz modulation of gamma-band activity. Brain rhythms were assessed with
      magnetoencephalography (MEG) while subjects monitored bilateral grating stimuli
      for a unilateral target event. The corresponding contralateral gamma-band
      responses were subtracted from each other to isolate spatially selective, target
      related fluctuations. The resulting lateralized gamma-band activity (LGA) showed
      opposite pre-target 4 Hz phases for detected versus missed targets. The 4 Hz
      phase of pre-target LGA accounted for a 14.5% modulation in performance. These
      findings suggest that spatial attention is a theta-rhythmic sampling process that
      is continuously ongoing, with each sampling cycle being implemented through gamma
      band synchrony.

PMID- 26279230
TI  - Toll-like Receptor Signaling Promotes Development and Function of Sensory Neurons
      Required for a C. elegans Pathogen-Avoidance Behavior.
AB  - Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play critical roles in innate immunity in many animal
      species. The sole TLR of C. elegans--TOL-1--is required for a pathogen-avoidance
      behavior, yet how it promotes this behavior is unknown. We show that for pathogen
      avoidance TOL-1 signaling is required in the chemosensory BAG neurons, where it
      regulates gene expression and is necessary for their chemosensory function.
      Genetic studies revealed that TOL-1 acts together with many conserved components
      of TLR signaling. BAG neurons are activated by carbon dioxide (CO2), and we found
      that this modality is required for pathogen avoidance. TLR signaling can
      therefore mediate host responses to microbes through an unexpected mechanism: by
      promoting the development and function of chemosensory neurons that surveil the
      metabolic activity of environmental microbes.

PMID- 26279232
TI  - Bears Show a Physiological but Limited Behavioral Response to Unmanned Aerial
      Vehicles.
AB  - Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have the potential to revolutionize the way
      research is conducted in many scientific fields. UAVs can access remote or
      difficult terrain, collect large amounts of data for lower cost than traditional
      aerial methods, and facilitate observations of species that are wary of human
      presence. Currently, despite large regulatory hurdles, UAVs are being deployed by
      researchers and conservationists to monitor threats to biodiversity, collect
      frequent aerial imagery, estimate population abundance, and deter poaching.
      Studies have examined the behavioral responses of wildlife to aircraft (including
      UAVs), but with the widespread increase in UAV flights, it is critical to
      understand whether UAVs act as stressors to wildlife and to quantify that impact.
      Biologger technology allows for the remote monitoring of stress responses in free
      roaming individuals, and when linked to locational information, it can be used to
      determine events or components of an animal's environment that elicit a
      physiological response not apparent based on behavior alone. We assessed effects
      of UAV flights on movements and heart rate responses of free-roaming American
      black bears. We observed consistently strong physiological responses but
      infrequent behavioral changes. All bears, including an individual denned for
      hibernation, responded to UAV flights with elevated heart rates, rising as much
      as 123 beats per minute above the pre-flight baseline. It is important to
      consider the additional stress on wildlife from UAV flights when developing
      regulations and best scientific practices.

PMID- 26279234
TI  - Attentive Tracking of Sound Sources.
AB  - Auditory scenes often contain concurrent sound sources, but listeners are
      typically interested in just one of these and must somehow select it for further
      processing. One challenge is that real-world sounds such as speech vary over time
      and as a consequence often cannot be separated or selected based on particular
      values of their features (e.g., high pitch). Here we show that human listeners
      can circumvent this challenge by tracking sounds with a movable focus of
      attention. We synthesized pairs of voices that changed in pitch and timbre over
      random, intertwined trajectories, lacking distinguishing features or linguistic
      information. Listeners were cued beforehand to attend to one of the voices. We
      measured their ability to extract this cued voice from the mixture by
      subsequently presenting the ending portion of one voice and asking whether it
      came from the cued voice. We found that listeners could perform this task but
      that performance was mediated by attention-listeners who performed best were also
      more sensitive to perturbations in the cued voice than in the uncued voice.
      Moreover, the task was impossible if the source trajectories did not maintain
      sufficient separation in feature space. The results suggest a locus of attention
      that can follow a sound's trajectory through a feature space, likely aiding
      selection and segregation amid similar distractors. 

PMID- 26279233
TI  - Phenotypic Diversity as a Mechanism to Exit Cellular Dormancy.
AB  - Microorganisms can facilitate their survival in stressful environments by
      entering a state of metabolic inactivity or dormancy. However, this state impairs
      the function of the very sensory systems necessary to detect favorable growth
      conditions. Thus, how can a metabolically quiescent cell accurately monitor
      environmental conditions in order to best decide when to exit dormancy? One
      strategy employed by microbes to deal with changing environments is the
      generation of phenotypes that may be less well adapted to a current condition but
      might confer an advantage in the future. This bet-hedging depends on phenotypic
      diversity in the population, which itself can derive from naturally occurring
      stochastic differences in gene expression. In the case of metabolic dormancy, a
      bet-hedging strategy that has been proposed is the "scout model" where cells
      comprising a fraction of the dormant population reinitiate growth stochastically,
      independent of environmental cues. Here, we provide experimental evidence that
      such a mechanism exists in dormant spores produced by the ubiquitous soil
      bacterium Bacillus subtilis. We observe that these spores reinitiate growth at a
      low but measureable frequency even in the absence of an inducing signal. This
      phenomenon is the result of phenotypic variation in the propensity of individual
      spores to reinitiate growth spontaneously. Since this bet-hedging mechanism
      produces individuals that will either grow under favorable conditions or die
      under unfavorable conditions, a population can properly respond to environmental
      changes despite the impaired sensory ability of individual cells.

PMID- 26279235
TI  - Contrasting "Fish" Diversity Dynamics between Marine and Freshwater Environments.
AB  - Two theoretical models have been proposed to describe long-term dynamics of
      diversification: the equilibrium model considers the Earth as a closed system
      with a fixed maximum biological carrying capacity, whereas the expansion model
      hypothesizes a continuously increasing diversification of life. Based on the
      analysis of the fossil record of all organisms, Benton suggested contrasting
      models of diversity dynamics between marine and continental realms. Diversity in
      marine environments is characterized by phases of rapid diversification followed
      by plateaux, i.e., an equilibrium model directly derived from insular
      biogeography theories, whereas diversity in continental environments is
      characterized by exponential growth. Previous studies that aimed at testing these
      models with empirical data were based on datasets extracted directly from the
      reading of the vagaries of the raw fossil record, without correcting for common
      fossil record biases (preservation and sampling). Although correction of datasets
      for the incompleteness of the fossil record is now commonly performed for
      addressing long-term biodiversity variations, only a few attempts have been made
      to produce diversity curves corrected by phylogenetic data from extant and
      extinct taxa. Here we show that phylogenetically corrected diversity curves for
      "fish" (actinopterygians and elasmobranchs) during the last 200 million years fit
      an equilibrium model in the marine realm and an expansion model in the freshwater
      realm. These findings demonstrate that the rate of diversification has decreased
      for marine fish over the Cenozoic but is in sharp expansion for freshwater fish.

PMID- 26279236
TI  - Suprapubic single-incision versus conventional laparoscopic appendectomy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Suprapubic single-incision laparoscopic appendectomy (SSILA), a
      promising new approach with potential benefits such as improved cosmetic results,
      has been preliminarily shown to be safe and feasible in previous single-arm
      studies. This study used a propensity-matched analysis to compare SSILA and
      conventional laparoscopic appendectomy (CLA). METHODS: Patients undergoing SSILA
      between March 2012 and November 2013 were matched with patients undergoing CLA
      during the same period at a single institution. These patient groups were
      compared using a propensity score analysis. The model covariates for the
      propensity scores included gender, age, body mass index, American Society of
      Anesthesiologists score, history of abdominal operation, and pathology of the
      resected appendix. The clinical outcomes were compared between the two groups,
      and the cosmetic results were evaluated via a patient scar assessment
      questionnaire and an objective scar evaluation scale. RESULTS: No patient in
      either group required additional port placement or conversion to open surgery.
      One patient in the SSILA group developed a wound infection, and one patient in
      the CLA group developed a postoperative intra-abdominal abscess. No significant
      differences were observed between the groups with respect to the length of
      hospital stay, time to semi-liquid diet, time to first flatus or hospital cost.
      The operative time and the number of patients requiring postoperative analgesics
      were greater with SSILA. Compared with CLA, SSILA was associated with better
      scores in the patient scar assessment questionnaire consciousness subscale and
      with similar scores in the appearance, satisfaction with appearance and
      satisfaction with symptoms subscales. The two approaches yielded similar results
      for the objective scar evaluation scale. CONCLUSIONS: SSILA is a feasible and
      safe approach with similar outcomes as CLA. SSILA results in reduced scar
      consciousness at the expense of relatively longer operative times and more
      postoperative analgesic use.

PMID- 26279237
TI  - Numerical Investigation of the Residual Stress Distribution of Flat-Faced and
      Convexly Curved Tablets Using the Finite Element Method.
AB  - The stress distribution of tablets after compression was simulated using a finite
      element method, where the powder was defined by the Drucker-Prager cap model. The
      effect of tablet shape, identified by the surface curvature, on the residual
      stress distribution was investigated. In flat-faced tablets, weak positive shear
      stress remained from the top and bottom die walls toward the center of the
      tablet. In the case of the convexly curved tablet, strong positive shear stress
      remained on the upper side and in the intermediate part between the die wall and
      the center of the tablet. In the case of x-axial stress, negative values were
      observed for all tablets, suggesting that the x-axial force always acts from the
      die wall toward the center of the tablet. In the flat tablet, negative x-axial
      stress remained from the upper edge to the center bottom. The x-axial stress
      distribution differed between the flat and convexly curved tablets. Weak stress
      remained in the y-axial direction of the flat tablet, whereas an upward force
      remained at the center of the convexly curved tablet. By employing multiple
      linear regression analysis, the mechanical properties of the tablets were
      predicted accurately as functions of their residual stress distribution. However,
      the multiple linear regression prediction of the dissolution parameters of
      acetaminophen, used here as a model drug, was limited, suggesting that the
      dissolution of active ingredients is not a simple process; further investigation
      is needed to enable accurate predictions of dissolution parameters. 

PMID- 26279238
TI  - A Spectrum: Nephrocalcinosis-Nephrolithiasis.

PMID- 26279239
TI  - Sometimes a Simple Old-Fashioned and Low Cost Pathological Parameter Can be
      Useful.

PMID- 26279241
TI  - Ileal Conduits--Are They a Poor Last Resort?

PMID- 26279242
TI  - Salvage Surgery after Failure of Urethroplasty for Stricture Disease.

PMID- 26279243
TI  - Strategies for optimizing the performance of carbazole thiophene appended
      unsymmetrical squaraine dyes for dye-sensitized solar cells.
AB  - Unsymmetrical squaraine dyes (CTSQ-1 and CTSQ-2) with carbazole thiophene donor
      units were synthesized, characterized and used as sensitizers in dye-sensitized
      solar cells (DSSCs). These squaraines exhibited intense absorption in the near IR
      visible region of the solar spectrum both in solution and on TiO2 surface. The
      LUMO level of the parent sensitizer (CTSQ-2) was positioned at a potential much
      close to the conduction band of TiO2 resulting in lack of enough driving force
      for electron injection which was modulated by structurally changing the donor
      carbazole moiety (CTSQ-1), pushing the LUMO more positive thereby enhancing the
      driving force. Theoretical calculations were carried out in order to have a
      better understanding of the electron density distribution in CTSQ-1 and CTSQ-2.
      Electron injection dynamics in CTSQ-1 was studied in detail by changing the Li(+)
      concentration and its effects on photovoltaic parameters were discussed with the
      help of JV, IPCE, lifetime and EIS measurements. 

PMID- 26279244
TI  - Electrochemical Potential Stabilization of Reconstructed Au(111) Structure by
      Monolayer Coverage with Graphene.
AB  - The electrochemical properties of a monolayer graphene grown on a Au(111)
      electrode were studied using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical scanning
      tunneling microscopy (EC-STM). CV and EC-STM measurements in 0.1 M H2SO4 aqueous
      solution revealed that graphene grown on the reconstructed (22 * ?3) Au(111)
      structure effectively inhibited potential-induced structural transitions between
      reconstructed (22 * ?3) and unreconstructed (1 * 1), and the
      adsorption/desorption of SO4(2-) ions, which are intrinsic behavior of the bare
      Au(111) surface. The underlying reconstructed structure was significantly
      stabilized by covering with monolayer graphene over a wide potential range
      between -0.2 V and +1.35 V vs Ag/AgCl (saturated KCl), which is much wider than
      that for bare Au(111) (-0.2 to + 0.35 V vs Ag/AgCl (saturated KCl)). Such high
      stability has not been reported to date; therefore, these results are considered
      to be important for understanding the fundamentals of surface reconstruction and
      also serve to open a new branch of electrochemistry related to graphene/metal
      electrolyte interfaces. 

PMID- 26279245
TI  - Innovation in abutment-free bone-anchored hearing devices in children: Updated
      results and experience.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Bone-anchored hearing devices are an accepted treatment option for
      hearing restoration in various types of hearing loss. Traditional devices have a
      percutaneous abutment for attachment of the sound processor that contributes to a
      high complication rate. Previously, our institution reported on the Sophono
      (Boulder, CO, USA) abutment-free system that produced similar audiologic results
      to devices with abutments. Recently, Cochlear Americas (Centennial, CO, USA)
      released an abutment-free bone-anchored hearing device, the BAHA Attract. In
      contrast to the Sophono implant, the BAHA Attract utilizes an osseointegrated
      implant. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to demonstrate patient benefit abutment-free
      devices, compare the results of the two abutment-free devices, and examine
      complication rates. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted for the
      first eleven Sophono implanted patients and for the first six patients implanted
      with the BAHA Attract at our institution. Subsequently, we analyzed patient
      demographics, audiometric data, clinical course and outcomes. RESULTS: Average
      improvement for the BAHA Attract in pure-tone average (PTA) and speech reception
      threshold (SRT) was 41dB hearing level (dBHL) and 56dBHL, respectively.
      Considering all frequencies, the BAHA Attract mean improvement was 39dBHL (range
      32-45dBHL). The Sophono average improvement in PTA and SRT was 38dBHL and 39dBHL,
      respectively. The mean improvement with Sophono for all frequencies was 34dBHL
      (range 24-43dBHL). CONCLUSION: Significant improvements in both pure-tone
      averages and speech reception threshold for both devices were achieved. In direct
      comparison of the two separate devices using the chi-square test, the PTA and SRT
      data between the two devices do not show a statistically significant difference
      (p-value 0.68 and 0.56, respectively). The complication rate for these abutment
      free devices is lower than that of those featuring the transcutaneous abutment,
      although more studies are needed to further assess this potential advantage.

PMID- 26279246
TI  - Congenital aplasia/hypoplasia of the Epiglottis-A case report and a review of the
      literature.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: There are two clinically significant congenital anomalies of the
      epiglottis, aplasia and hypoplasia. Early mortality in aplasia is significantly
      higher than in hypoplasia. Early aggressive intervention may improve outcomes. An
      approach to diagnosis, treatment and outcomes is discussed. METHODS: A case of
      congenital aplasia of the epiglottis and a review of the literature of all the
      cases previously described is presented. OBSERVATIONS: A male newborn underwent
      microlaryngotracheobronchoscopy (MLTB) due to stridor and difficulty in
      establishing oral feeds and was diagnosed with congenital aplasia of the
      epiglottis. He has not required tracheostomy and at 11 months of follow-up is
      gastrostomy fed and thriving. 9 cases of aplasia and 19 cases of hypoplasia have
      been described previously. The difference between aplasia and hypoplasia is
      established based on the clinical appearance at endoscopic examination.
      CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Congenital aplasia and hypoplasia of the epiglottis
      are rare congenital laryngeal anomalies and the majority are associated with a
      syndrome. Early diagnosis and management in the form of
      fundoplication/gastrostomy and tracheotomy when required may improve outcomes.

PMID- 26279247
TI  - Mutation in PCDH15 may modify the phenotypic expression of the 7511T>C mutation
      in MT-TS1 in a Chinese Han family with maternally inherited nonsyndromic hearing
      loss.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Mutations in MT-TS1 have been found to be associated with
      nonsyndromic sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). PCDH15 codes for protocadherin
      15, a member of the cadherin superfamily of calcium-dependent cell-cell adhesion
      molecules. In this study, we analyzed the correlation of both MT-TS1 and PCDH15
      mutations in a Chinese Han family segregating maternally inherited nonsyndromic
      SNHL. METHODS: We ascertained a Chinese Han family segregating maternally
      inherited nonsyndromic sensorineural hearing loss. Eight of 10 maternal members
      in this family exhibited late-onset, progressive hearing impairment. Mutation
      screening of 79 known deafness genes was performed for the proband by targeted
      next-generation sequencing. RESULTS: A total of 651 variants were detected in
      this individual. Among them, a homoplasmic 7511T>C variant in MT-TS1, the
      mitochondrial tRNA (Ser(UCN)) gene, and a heterozygous p.Asp1010Gly variant in
      PCDH15 were more likely to be pathogenic. Consistent with the matrilineal
      inheritance with reduced penetrance, the 7511T>C variant in MT-TS1 was found in
      all 10 maternal members and an additional heterozygous p.Asp1010Gly variant in
      PCDH15 cosegregated with the hearing loss in this family. CONCLUSION: Our results
      suggested that the PCDH15 p.Asp1010Gly variant probably modified the phenotypic
      expression of the 7511T>C mutation in MT-TS1.

PMID- 26279248
TI  - Management challenges of congenital & early onset childhood hearing loss in a sub
      Saharan African country.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hearing impairment is a hidden human disability with potentially
      catastrophic and age long consequences. This study highlighted the challenges
      associated with the management of congenital and early onset childhood hearing
      loss in a sub-Saharan African country. METHODS: A retrospective descriptive study
      of children seen between January 2008 and December 2013 RESULT: A total of 223
      children consisting of 124 (55.6%) males with (M:F) of 1.3:1. Age ranged 1-15
      years (mean+/-SD; 6.39+/-4.37 years) and age group 1-5 years constituted the
      largest proportion (56.5%). Congenital causes, febrile illness and hypoxia were
      the leading causes of HI. Over 93% had moderately severe to profound hearing loss
      and 64.6% had delayed speech development. Majority (99.3%) with
      congenital/perinatal onset of HL had significantly delayed speech development and
      99.3% of HL due to ototoxicity and infective causes had peri/post lingual speech
      impairment. Larger percentage of patients presented late; 16.6% of patients with
      congenital/perinatal onset of HL presented within the first year, >41% presented
      after the fifth year. Less than 5% had hearing aid fitted and patients with
      profound hearing impairment were referred for cochlear implant CONCLUSION: The
      burden of congenital and early onset hearing impairment is high and management
      outcomes are unsatisfactory in our locality, Challenges associated with managing
      such children were discussed, and suggestions/strategies for better management
      and outcome were made.

PMID- 26279249
TI  - The assessment of children with suspected laryngopharyngeal reflux: An
      Otorhinolaringological perspective.
AB  - The assessment of pediatric laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is controversial.
      Otorhinolaryngologists may play a role in the evaluation of children with
      suspected LPR detecting typical airway endoscopic findings and/or associated
      diseases and may help in the selection of children to be subjected to further
      instrumental tests. In this perspective the present review aims at examining the
      available evidence in the literature regarding the assessment of LPR in children.
      After careful literature search there are no current validated symptoms
      assessment questionnaires for LPR evaluation in children; flexible fiberoptic
      nasopharyngolaryngoscopy remains controversial as a diagnostic tool in suspect
      LPR cases; even though the multichannel intraluminal impedance with pH monitoring
      has been proposed as the instrumental gold standard, further evidence need to be
      found for validation in children with typical features of LPR. 

PMID- 26279250
TI  - A novel mutation in the PAX3 gene causes Waardenburg syndrome type I in an
      Iranian family.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Sensorineural hearing impairment (HI) is one of the most frequent
      congenital defects, with a prevalence of 1 in 500 among neonates. Although there
      are over 400 syndromes involving HI, most cases of HI are nonsyndromic (70%), 20%
      of which follow autosomal dominant mode of inheritance. Waardenburg syndrome (WS)
      ranks first among autosomal dominant syndromic forms of HI. WS is characterized
      by sensorineural hearing impairment, pigmentation abnormalities of hair and skin
      and hypoplastic blue eyes or heterochromia iridis. WS is subdivided into four
      major types, WS1-WS4. WS1 is diagnosed by the presence of dystopia canthorum and
      PAX3 is the only gene involved. This study aims to determine the pathogenic
      mutation in a large Iranian pedigree affected with WS1 in order to further
      confirm the clinical diagnosis. METHODS: In the present study, a family
      segregating HI was ascertained in a genetic counseling center. Upon clinical
      inspection, white forelock, dystopia canthorum, broad high nasal root and
      synophrys, characteristic of WS1 were evident. In order to clarify the genetic
      etiology and confirm the clinical data, primers were designed to amplify exons
      and exon-intron boundaries of the responsible gene, PAX3 with 10 exons, followed
      by the Sanger DNA sequencing method. RESULTS: Genetic analysis of PAX3 revealed a
      novel mutation in PAX3 (c.1024_1040 del AGCACGATTCCTTCCAA). Our data provide
      genotype-phenotype correlation for the mutation in PAX3 and WS1 in the studied
      family, with implications for genetic counseling, which necessitates detailed
      clinical inspection of HI patients to distinguish syndromic HI from the more
      common non-syndromic cases. CONCLUSION: Our results reveal the value of phenotype
      directed genetic analysis and could further expand the spectrum of PAX3
      mutations.

PMID- 26279251
TI  - The effectiveness of mentoring speech and language pathology students when they
      face patients with cleft palate.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Mentoring programs can boost Speech & Language (SL) pathologists'
      satisfaction about their clinical skills, increasing their professional
      competence. A quality induction program provides a bridge for an efficient and
      comfortable transition between theoretical knowledge and clinical practice in
      front of clients. This transition can be especially difficult when the SL
      pathologist confronts patients with cleft palate. OBJECTIVE: To study whether a
      mentoring program can improve SL Pathology students' performance for treating
      patients with cleft palate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 18 SL Pathology students
      coursing the third year of a SL Pathology graduate program volunteered for
      participating in the study. The students were divided in two groups. All SL
      students from both groups were equally supervised. The students were followed for
      two semesters during their participation in the SL Pathology intervention for
      patients with cleft palate. The only difference between the students from each
      group was that one group (active group) was mentored by an experienced SLP who
      had previously received specific training to become a mentor. All SL students
      were assessed at the onset and at the end of the study. The assessment was
      performed through an analysis according to a previously validated scale (Learning
      Continuum of Speech & Language pathologists). RESULTS: A Wilcoxon test
      demonstrated a significant improvement (P<0.05) in the levels of The Learning
      Continuum of Speech & Language Pathologists at the end of the follow-up period in
      both groups of students. When the levels of performance at the end were compared
      between groups, a Mann Whitney test demonstrated a significant difference
      (P<0.05). The students included in the active group who were receiving additional
      mentoring besides the usual clinical supervision, showed a greater improvement as
      compared with the students from the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Learning how to
      conduct an adequate and effective intervention in cleft palate patients from an
      integral stand point is not easy for SL students. The support and guidance of an
      experienced mentor seems to enhance self-confidence and improve students'
      performance confronting patients with cleft palate.

PMID- 26279252
TI  - Publication of statistically significant research findings in prosthodontics &
      implant dentistry in the context of other dental specialties.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To assess the hypothesis that there is excessive reporting of
      statistically significant studies published in prosthodontic and implantology
      journals, which could indicate selective publication. METHODS: The last 30 issues
      of 9 journals in prosthodontics and implant dentistry were hand-searched for
      articles with statistical analyses. The percentages of significant and non
      significant results were tabulated by parameter of interest.
      Univariable/multivariable logistic regression analyses were applied to identify
      possible predictors of reporting statistically significance findings. The results
      of this study were compared with similar studies in dentistry with random-effects
      meta-analyses. RESULTS: From the 2323 included studies 71% of them reported
      statistically significant results, with the significant results ranging from 47%
      to 86%. Multivariable modeling identified that geographical area and involvement
      of statistician were predictors of statistically significant results. Compared to
      interventional studies, the odds that in vitro and observational studies would
      report statistically significant results was increased by 1.20 times (OR: 2.20,
      95% CI: 1.66-2.92) and 0.35 times (OR: 1.35, 95% CI: 1.05-1.73), respectively.
      The probability of statistically significant results from randomized controlled
      trials was significantly lower compared to various study designs (difference:
      30%, 95% CI: 11-49%). Likewise the probability of statistically significant
      results in prosthodontics and implant dentistry was lower compared to other
      dental specialties, but this result did not reach statistical significant
      (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of studies identified in the fields of
      prosthodontics and implant dentistry presented statistically significant results.
      The same trend existed in publications of other specialties in dentistry.

PMID- 26279253
TI  - Establishment and development of Echinococcus multilocularis metacestodes in the
      common vole (Microtus arvalis) after oral inoculation with parasite eggs.
AB  - Transmission of the zoonotic tapeworm, Echinococcus multilocularis mainly occurs
      between the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and various species of vole. Microtus arvalis
      is considered one of the key intermediate hosts in Europe. We infected 21 M.
      arvalis aged 35 days (n=2), 56 days (n=6), 84 days (n=4) and 263 days (n=9) with
      100 E. multilocularis eggs. Four voles aged 263 days were euthanized at 6 weeks
      post inoculation (wpi) with the remainder euthanized 10 wpi for analysis of
      metacestode growth and protoscolex development. Eight C57BL/6j mice (age 35-231
      days) were included as controls for egg viability (they have been shown to
      exhibit visible infection after 4 wpi) and dissected at 6 (n=2) and 10 (n=6) wpi.
      M. arvalis had significantly higher metacestode establishment (p=0.008) 6 wpi
      with 27.5+/-6.63S.D. compared to C57BL/6j with 15.5+/-0.71S.D. Multivesiculation
      precluded enumeration at 10 wpi in M. arvalis. No protoscolices were found in
      metacestodes in M. arvalis 6 wpi or C57BL/6j at any time point but were found in
      all infected voles 10 wpi (48,056+/-52,574 S.D.). It has been reported that
      glucocorticoid (GC) profile can affect E. multilocularis establishment. This was
      assessed by measuring corticosterone in rodent hair to determine if parasite
      establishment or fertility was related to this stress hormone. No significant
      differences were found. Data presented here provides, for the first time, a
      protoscolex development window in this species that has the potential to shed
      light on the epizootiology of this parasite.

PMID- 26279254
TI  - Changes of soluble CD40 ligand in the progression of acute myocardial infarction
      associate to endothelial nitric oxide synthase polymorphisms and vascular
      endothelial growth factor but not to platelet CD62P expression.
AB  - Reported in vitro data implicated soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) in endothelial
      dysfunction and angiogenesis. However, whether sCD40L could exert that influence
      in endothelial dysfunction and angiogenesis after injury in acute myocardial
      infarction (AMI) patients remains unclear. In the present study, we evaluated the
      association of sCD40L with markers of platelet activation, endothelial, and
      vascular function during a recovery period early after AMI. To achieve this goal,
      the time changes of soluble, platelet-bound, and microparticle-bound CD40L levels
      over 1 month were assessed in AMI patients and correlated with endothelial nitric
      oxide synthase (eNOS) polymorphisms, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)
      concentrations, and platelet expression of P-selectin (CD62P). The association of
      soluble form, platelet-bound, and microparticle-bound CD40L with CD62P expression
      on platelets, a marker of platelet activation, was also assessed to evaluate the
      role of CD40L in the thrombosis, whereas the association with eNOS and VEGF was
      to evaluate the role of CD40L in vascular dysfunction. This work shows for the
      first time that time changes of sCD40L over 1 month after myocardial infarct
      onset were associated with G894T eNOS polymorphism and with the VEGF
      concentrations, but not to the platelet CD62P expression. These results indicate
      that, in terms of AMI pathophysiology, the sCD40L cannot be consider just as
      being involved in thrombosis and inflammation but also as having a relevant role
      in vascular and endothelial dysfunction.

PMID- 26279255
TI  - Antibodies to high-density lipoproteins are associated with inflammation and
      cardiovascular disease in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
AB  - Several lines of evidence suggest that chronic inflammation and immune
      dysregulation are related to altered lipid profiles in rheumatoid arthritis (RA),
      but the actual mechanisms are still unclear. We wondered whether the development
      of antibodies against high-density lipoprotein (HDL) can be found in RA patients
      linked to clinical and cardiovascular (CV) risk factors. To this end,
      immunoglobulin G (IgG) anti-HDL antibodies and total IgG serum levels were
      quantified in 212 RA patients, 131 sex- and age-matched healthy controls (HC),
      and 52 subjects with traditional CV risk factors (tCVRs). A subgroup of 13 RA
      patients was prospectively followed on TNFalpha-blockade. TNFalpha, interferon
      (IFN)alpha, MIP1alpha, IFNgamma, IL-8, VEGF, GM-CSF, IL-17, MCP-1, SDF-1alpha,
      resistin, and leptin serum levels were quantified by immunoassays. IgG anti-HDL
      levels were higher in RA patients compared with HC (P < 0.0001) and tCVR subjects
      (P = 0.015). Differences with HC remained after correction for total IgG levels
      (P < 0.003). Anti-HDL/IgG were negatively associated with HDL levels in RA (
      1.182 [-1.823 to -0.541], P = 0.0003) after adjusting for demographical,
      clinical, inflammatory parameters, and treatments. RA patients with high levels
      of anti-HDL/IgG (n = 40, 18.8%) were more likely to have experienced a CV event
      (P < 0.0001) and exhibited increased levels of several proinflammatory mediators
      (C-reactive protein, IFNalpha, MIP1alpha, IFNgamma, IL-8, GM-CSF, IL-17 and MCP
      1). Finally, change in anti-HDL antibodies on TNFalpha-blockade was independently
      associated with increasing HDL levels. Overall, IgG anti-HDL antibodies are
      increased in RA independently of tCVRs and associated with a proinflammatory
      milieu and impaired lipid blood profile, which may contribute to the increased
      rate of CV events in these patients.

PMID- 26279256
TI  - Evaluation and comparison of type I tympanoplasty efficacy and histopathological
      changes to the tympanic membrane in dry and wet ear: a prospective study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the success rate of type I tympanoplasty
      in active (wet) and inactive (dry) mucosal chronic otitis media. METHODS: A
      prospective study was performed of 35 patients each with dry ear and wet ear
      undergoing type I tympanoplasty in the Otolaryngology Department, Postgraduate
      Institute of Medical Education and Research, India. All patients underwent type I
      tympanoplasty between January 2010 and June 2011 by the post-auricular approach.
      Samples of the remnant tympanic membrane were sent for histopathological
      examination. RESULTS: After a minimum follow up of one year, the success rate was
      88.6 per cent for dry ears and 80 per cent for wet ears. Neither the type (p =
      0.526) nor the presence (p = 0.324) of discharge influenced the success rate.
      Histopathological examination of the tympanic membrane margins was performed for
      46 patients: of these, 19 showed evidence of vascularity and 27 did not. There
      was no significant difference in success rate between groups (p = 0.115).
      CONCLUSION: The success rate was not influenced by the presence of ear discharge
      at the time of surgery, and tympanic membrane vascularity did not influence graft
      uptake.

PMID- 26279257
TI  - Neuroendocrine tumor of the appendix inside an incarcerated Amyand's hernia.
AB  - Amyand's hernia is a rare type of hernia where the vermiform appendix is within
      an inguinal hernia sac. Tumors of the appendix are quite uncommon. The
      coincidence of an Amyand's hernia with neuroendocrine tumor of the appendix, as
      in our case, is even more rarely reported. We report the case of an 81-year-old
      male who presented with an incarcerated right inguinal hernia. After
      resuscitation, the clinical diagnosis was confirmed by computed tomography. It
      showed an incarcerated right inguinal hernia which contained the distal ileum,
      cecum, thickened appendix, as well as a small amount of fluid. Subsequently, the
      patient was prepared for emergency surgery. During the operation, the hernia sac
      was found and opened. The appendix was swollen. Therefore, appendectomy was
      performed. The inguinal defect was repaired using the Modified Bassini Technique.
      The patient had an uneventful postoperative recovery and surprisingly the
      histopathology of the appendix revealed a 1.5cm well-differentiated low grade
      neuroendocrine tumor (carcinoid) of the appendix tip. An incidental finding of
      neuroendocrine tumor of the appendix in a patient with s hernia is extremely
      rare. A high index of suspicion is the key to diagnose such a coincidence in
      order to safely and optimally treat such a condition. 

PMID- 26279258
TI  - Delayed bile leak in a patient with grade IV blunt liver trauma: A case report
      and review of the literature.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Delayed bile leak following blunt liver trauma is not common.
      PRESENTATION OF CASE: We presented a case report and literature review of delayed
      bile leak in a young male patient who presented with grade IV blunt liver injury
      following a motor vehicle collision; he was a restrained driver who hit a fixed
      object. Physical examination was unremarkable except for revelaed tachycardia,
      right upper quadrant abdominal tenderness, and open left knee fracture. A
      diagnosis of grade IV multiple liver lacerations with large hemo-peritoneum was
      made and urgent exploratory laparotomy was performed. The patient developed a
      biloma collection post- operatively. He underwent endoscopic retrograde
      cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and common bile duct stenting. His recovery was
      uneventful, and he was discharged home after 1 month. DISCUSSION: This is a rare
      case with no intra or extra hepatic biliary radicle injury seen on magnetic
      resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and no evidence of leak by ERCP. A
      review of the literature to highlight the incidence of delayed bile leak revealed
      only few reported cases. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate the need for prompt
      diagnosis and treatment of delayed bile leak in blunt liver injuries. When these
      principles are followed, a successful outcome is possible.

PMID- 26279259
TI  - Trans-thoracic peri-oesophageal adjustable band for intractable reflux.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Gastric bands for obesity have the beneficial side-effect of
      improving reflux symptoms in patients; however placement of these on patients
      with multiple prior abdominal surgeries can be challenging. PRESENTATION OF CASE:
      We present two cases where gastric bands were placed in a peri-oesophageal
      position via a left thoracotomy due to multiple previous abdominal surgeries in
      an attempt to treat their intractable reflux. DISCUSSION: At three month follow
      up, both patients have reported improvement in their symptoms of GORD.
      CONCLUSION: A peri-oesophageal position adjustable gastric band is a possible
      solution for patients with intractable reflux and hostile abdomens.

PMID- 26279260
TI  - Successful primary staple-repair of thoracic oesophagus after delayed
      presentation of a spontaneous perforation.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Spontaneous perforation of the oesophagus is diagnosed late in over
      50% of cases. Misdiagnosis may be due to atypical presentations. Primary repair
      is technically demanding in this setting and the risk of failure is high.
      PRESENTATION OF CASE: An 85 year-old lady presented with an atypical cohort of
      mild nonspecific symptoms in spite of a pleuro-mediastinal purulent collection
      secondary to an undiagnosed spontaneous perforation of the oesophagus occurred
      seven days before. Despite the extent of perforation (3cm in length), the late
      diagnosis and the necrosis of the muscular wall, the oesophagus was successfully
      repaired by means of a stapler. DISCUSSION: The mechanism of the atypical
      presentation is discussed and possible modalities of treatment of delayed
      oesophageal perforations are reviewed, with particular reference to primary
      repair and to the possible use of staplers within this setting. CONCLUSION: Even
      large spontaneous perforations of the oesophagus can result in a contained
      abscess, with no frank sepsis. Diagnosis can be missed for days in these cases.
      The attempt at primary repair of the oesophagus is still indicated. The use of a
      stapler is preferable in such cases as a perfect mucosal approximation is
      provided with minimal manipulation and with the use of inert, well tolerated
      material, which does not tend to become infected.

PMID- 26279261
TI  - Bony mallet finger without epiphyseal plate injury in childhood.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: It is commonly thought that Salter-Harris type I or II appears in
      mallet fingers in childhood, with S-H type III appearing in adolescence.
      PRESENTATION OF CASE: We present a case of bony mallet finger in childhood.
      Radiographs showed a small fragment above the distal interphalangeal joint, and
      this fragment was separated from the dorsal epiphysis without injury to the
      epiphyseal plate. Open reduction and fixation were performed and bone union was
      achieved without complications. DISCUSSION: Bony mallet finger in childhood
      manifests as S-H types I, II, and III in typical cases. However, it depends on
      narrowing of the epiphysis and the strength of the axial forces on the tip of the
      distal phalanx. In the case of epiphysis narrowing and only small forces
      affecting the region, an avulsion fracture without injury to the epiphyseal plate
      will occur in rare cases. CONCLUSION: We presented here a rare case of a bony
      mallet finger in childhood without epiphyseal plate injury.

PMID- 26279262
TI  - Smart surfaces based on thermo-responsive polymer brushes prepared from L-alanine
      derivatives for cell capture and release.
AB  - Two novel thermo-responsive polymer brushes were prepared from L-alanine
      derivatives using the surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI
      ATRP) technique. The temperature-induced cell capture and release on both polymer
      brush modified substrates were further explored.

PMID- 26279263
TI  - Blue-green emitting cationic iridium complexes with 1,3,4-oxadiazole
      cyclometallating ligands: synthesis, photophysical and electrochemical
      properties, theoretical investigation and electroluminescent devices.
AB  - Two cationic iridium complexes, namely [Ir(dph-oxd)2(bpy)]PF6 (1) and [Ir(dph
      oxd)2(pzpy)]PF6 (2), using 2,5-diphenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole (dph-oxd) as the
      cyclometallating ligand and 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy) or 2-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)pyridine
      (pzpy) as the ancillary ligands, have been synthesized, and their photophysical
      and electrochemical properties have been comprehensively investigated. In
      solution, both complexes emit efficient blue-green light. For complex 1, the
      light emission in a neat film is remarkably red-shifted; in solid state, it gives
      an intriguing piezochromic phenomenon. Compared with archetype [Ir(ppy)2(bpy)]PF6
      (ppy is 2-phenylpyridine), complex 1 shows a largely stabilized HOMO (highest
      occupied molecular orbital) level, induced by the electron-deficient 1,3,4
      oxadiazole (oxd) heterocycle of dph-oxd, which results in an enlarged energy gap
      and blue-shifted emission. Compared with complex 1, complex 2 shows an enhanced
      LUMO (lowest unoccupied molecular orbital) level, caused by the electron-rich
      pzpy ancillary ligand, but they exhibit similar emission energy in solution. For
      both complexes, theoretical calculations reveal that their blue-green emission in
      solution arises primarily from the (3)pi-pi* states centered on dph-oxd;
      moreover, complex 1 bears close-lying (3)pi-pi* and (3)CT (charge-transfer)
      states, underlying its remarkably red-shifted emission in the neat film and
      unique piezochromic behavior in the solid state. Solid state light emitting
      electrochemical cells (LECs) based on complexes 1 and 2 give efficient yellow and
      green-blue light, with peak current efficiencies of 18.3 and 5.2 cd A(-1),
      respectively. It is demonstrated that oxd-type cyclometallating ligands are
      promising as an avenue to stabilize the HOMOs and tune emission properties of
      cationic iridium complexes to a large extent. 

PMID- 26279264
TI  - HOXC10 up-regulation contributes to human thyroid cancer and indicates poor
      survival outcome.
AB  - HOX genes have been well described as important players in development and
      morphogenesis, and more recently, in carcinogenesis. The role and clinical
      implication of homeodomain-containing gene 10 (HOXC10) in human thyroid cancer is
      poorly understood. Real-time PCR and bioinformatics analysis were used to detect
      the expression of HOXC10 in normal and human thyroid cancer samples from Shanghai
      General Hospital (also known as Shanghai First People's Hospital) and the TCGA
      dataset. The survival time of patients with human thyroid cancer was also
      detected. Cell Count Kit-8 (CCK8) analysis was used to detect cell proliferation,
      and the cell cycle was assessed by flow cytometry. Migration and invasion were
      detected by transwell analysis. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was used to
      explore the correlation of HOXC10 with signaling pathways. Real-time PCR and
      Western blot analysis were used to detect the expression of signaling pathway
      related genes in human thyroid cancer cells. HOXC10 expression in Shanghai
      General Hospital and the TCGA dataset revealed a significant increase in human
      thyroid cancer tissues and its expression was positively correlated with the
      advanced age, poor pathologic stage, and poor prognosis. HOXC10 knockdown by
      shRNA conferred cell cycle blocking and inhibition of migration and invasion.
      GSEA in the TCGA datasets revealed that HOXC10 expression was positively
      correlated with cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction and chemokine signaling
      pathways. Our data suggest that inhibition of HOXC10 may be a therapeutic
      strategy for human thyroid cancer treatment. This study investigates the role and
      clinical implication of HOXC10 in human thyroid cancer. 

PMID- 26279265
TI  - Spontaneous symmetry breaking of Co(II) metal-organic frameworks from achiral
      precursors via asymmetrical crystallization.
AB  - The racemic conglomerate (1P-NH3 + 1M-NH3) and enantioenriched bulk samples (1P
      H2O or 1M-NH3) of Co(II) metal-organic frameworks were obtained from achiral
      precursors under different solvothermal conditions. The bulk homochirality was
      generated through asymmetrical crystallization in the absence of any chiral
      additives confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction and CD spectroscopy.

PMID- 26279266
TI  - Human Neuropsychiatric Disease Modeling using Conditional Deletion Reveals
      Synaptic Transmission Defects Caused by Heterozygous Mutations in NRXN1.
AB  - Heterozygous mutations of the NRXN1 gene, which encodes the presynaptic cell
      adhesion molecule neurexin-1, were repeatedly associated with autism and
      schizophrenia. However, diverse clinical presentations of NRXN1 mutations in
      patients raise the question of whether heterozygous NRXN1 mutations alone
      directly impair synaptic function. To address this question under conditions that
      precisely control for genetic background, we generated human ESCs with different
      heterozygous conditional NRXN1 mutations and analyzed two different types of
      isogenic control and NRXN1 mutant neurons derived from these ESCs. Both
      heterozygous NRXN1 mutations selectively impaired neurotransmitter release in
      human neurons without changing neuronal differentiation or synapse formation.
      Moreover, both NRXN1 mutations increased the levels of CASK, a critical synaptic
      scaffolding protein that binds to neurexin-1. Our results show that,
      unexpectedly, heterozygous inactivation of NRXN1 directly impairs synaptic
      function in human neurons, and they illustrate the value of this conditional
      deletion approach for studying the functional effects of disease-associated
      mutations. 

PMID- 26279268
TI  - A Quantified Scoring System for Postoperative Complication Severity Compared to
      the Clavien-Dindo Classification.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Esophagectomies are associated with high morbidity. To assess
      the complication severity, the Clavien-Dindo classification (CDC) grades the most
      severe complication. However, it ignores additional complications that are equal
      or less severe. The comprehensive complication index (CCI) incorporates all
      complication severities. It might therefore be a better system to assess the
      severities. The aim of this study was to validate the CCI compared to the CDC.
      METHODS: A prospective database was used to analyze 621 patients, who underwent
      an esophagectomy between 1993 and 2005. The CCI was calculated and the relation
      with traditional parameters was assessed and compared to the relation of the CDC
      with these parameters. RESULTS: Complications occurred in 429 patients (69.1%).
      The correlation between the CCI and the CDC was r = 0.987, p < 0.01. The relation
      of the CCI with 3 out of 7 parameters was not significantly different compared to
      the relation of the CDC (p > 0.05). There was a significantly stronger relation
      (p < 0.05) of the CCI with length of stay (LOS) (r = 0.663 vs. 0.646), a
      prolonged LOS (r = 0.542 vs. 0.530), reintervention, (r = 0.437 vs. 0.422) and
      reoperation rate (0.489 vs. 0.471) than the CDC. CONCLUSION: Therefore, the CCI
      could be a promising scoring system that could be used to identify risks in
      surgical patient groups.

PMID- 26279269
TI  - Corticosteroids and occurrence of and mortality from infections in severe
      alcoholic hepatitis: a meta-analysis of randomized trials.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Prednisolone is the first-line therapy for severe alcoholic
      hepatitis (AH). Patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis often develop severe
      infections that negatively impact short-term prognosis. METHODS: We performed
      this meta-analysis to assess the effect of corticosteroids on the occurrence of
      and mortality from infections in patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis.
      Randomized controlled trials examining the use of corticosteroids in severe
      alcoholic hepatitis and reporting data on infection rates and mortality were
      included. Random effects model was used to pool the data comparing arms with and
      without steroids for the occurrence of infection, 28-day mortality and cause
      specific mortality. RESULTS: Of 1062 patients (528 steroids treated) without
      infection at baseline from 12 studies, infection was reported in 213 (113
      steroids treated) patients without differences comparing arms with and without
      steroids (OR: 0.98; CI: 0.49-1.94). However, frequency was higher for occurrence
      of fungal infections among steroid-treated patients (eight of 528 vs. one of 534;
      P = 0.02). Steroids provided mortality benefit at 28 days (OR: 0.55; CI: 0.34
      0.90) mainly for liver failure-related death (OR: 0.46; CI: 0.24-0.87) without
      differences on mortality from infection (OR: 1.19; CI: 0.38-3.73) or
      gastrointestinal bleeding (OR: 0.90; CI: 0.43-1.87). Three of nine patients with
      fungal infections died, all in corticosteroid arm. CONCLUSIONS: Corticosteroids
      do not increase occurrence of or mortality from bacterial infections in patients
      with severe alcoholic hepatitis. Further studies are needed to develop strategies
      of reducing the risk of fungal infection with use of steroids for patients with
      severe alcoholic hepatitis.

PMID- 26279267
TI  - A TIM-3/Gal-9 Autocrine Stimulatory Loop Drives Self-Renewal of Human Myeloid
      Leukemia Stem Cells and Leukemic Progression.
AB  - Signaling mechanisms underlying self-renewal of leukemic stem cells (LSCs) are
      poorly understood, and identifying pathways specifically active in LSCs could
      provide opportunities for therapeutic intervention. T-cell immunoglobin mucin-3
      (TIM-3) is expressed on the surface of LSCs in many types of human acute myeloid
      leukemia (AML), but not on hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Here, we show that
      TIM-3 and its ligand, galectin-9 (Gal-9), constitute an autocrine loop critical
      for LSC self-renewal and development of human AML. Serum Gal-9 levels were
      significantly elevated in AML patients and in mice xenografted with primary human
      AML samples, and neutralization of Gal-9 inhibited xenogeneic reconstitution of
      human AML. Gal-9-mediated stimulation of TIM-3 co-activated NF-kappaB and beta
      catenin signaling, pathways known to promote LSC self-renewal. These changes were
      further associated with leukemic transformation of a variety of pre-leukemic
      disorders and together highlight that targeting the TIM-3/Gal-9 autocrine loop
      could be a useful strategy for treating myeloid leukemias. 

PMID- 26279270
TI  - Effects of muscle composition and architecture on specific strength in obese
      older women.
AB  - NEW FINDINGS: What is the central question of this study? Do obesity-specific
      factors affect skeletal muscle performance in older individuals? What is the main
      finding and its importance? Older obese women have a larger quadriceps femoris
      size but develop lower tension per unit of skeletal muscle than their normal
      weight counterparts. Muscle impairment and excess body mass are very common among
      older people. Given that the effect of obesity on strength production has
      scarcely been studied in older individuals, we analysed functional and structural
      characteristics of quadriceps femoris (QF) in obese (OB) and normal-weight (NW)
      older women with comparable habitual physical activity. In five OB (body mass
      index 36.8 +/- 1.9 kg m(-2), age 72.4 +/- 2.3 years) and six NW well-functioning
      older women (body mass index 24.3 +/- 1.8 kg m(-2), age 72.7 +/- 1.9 years), peak
      knee-extension torque (KET) was measured in isometric (90 deg knee flexion) and
      isokinetic conditions (240, 180, 120 and 60 deg s(-1)). Mid-thigh QF cross
      sectional area (CSA) and muscle tissue fat content (MF%) were determined with
      magnetic resonance imaging (Dixon sequence). Muscle fascicle length and pennation
      angle (PA) were assessed with ultrasonography for each muscle belly of the QF
      (vastus lateralis, vastus intermedius, rectus femoris and vastus intermedius).
      Despite similar values of KET, CSA was 17.0% larger in OB than in NW women (P <
      0.05), so that KET/CSA was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in OB women. Compared
      with NW women, OB women had 28.7% higher MF% (P < 0.05) and 24.9% higher average
      PA (P < 0.05), while fascicle length was similar. Overall, isometric KET/CSA was
      negatively affected by both MF% (P < 0.05) and PA (P < 0.05), while isokinetic
      KET/CSA was negatively affected only by MF% (P < 0.01). Muscle composition and
      architecture seem to be important determinants of KET/CSA in elderly women. In
      fact, owing to the effect of obesity overload, OB women have a larger QF size
      than NW women, but unfavourable muscle composition and architecture. The higher
      MF% and steeper PA observed in OB women are associated with reduced levels of
      muscle specific strength.

PMID- 26279271
TI  - The effect of kinesiotape on dynamic balance following muscle fatigue in
      individuals with chronic ankle instability.
AB  - This study aimed to evaluate the effect of kinesiotape (KT) on dynamic stability
      following ankle muscle fatigue among individuals with chronic ankle instability
      (CAI). Twenty participants with CAI participated in the study. Participants were
      tested under three conditions: KT, non-elastic tape, and no tape pre- and post
      fatigue of the ankle muscles. Ankle muscles fatigue was induced using an
      isokinetic apparatus, activity of the fibularis muscle was recorded using one
      channel vibromyography (VMG), and dynamic balance and neuromuscular control were
      assessed using the Y-Balance Test. Following fatigue exercises, the VMG signal
      significantly decreased in all groups (p < 0.01), without differences between
      groups. No significant difference in dynamic balance test scores was found
      between the pre- and post-fatigue condition for each group and between groups.
      Our results demonstrate that KT had no significant effects on dynamic balance and
      muscle activity following ankle muscle fatigue among individuals with CAI.

PMID- 26279272
TI  - Place of family in recovery models for those with a mental illness.
AB  - Within the context of mental illness, there is an acknowledgement that the social
      environment is critical to recovery. Nonetheless, how family roles and
      interactions are presented in recovery frameworks is unclear. This systematic
      review sought to: (i) identify how family is defined in recovery models, and (ii)
      synthesize how family relationships and roles are incorporated into recovery
      models for those with a mental illness. A systematic search of electronic
      databases was conducted for peer reviewed, English language papers published
      between 1980 to April 2013, from Ovid MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Proquest, CINAHL plus
      and Web of Knowledge. Studies were included if they presented a recovery
      framework and include primary data from people with a mental illness where family
      was incorporated. A narrative thematic analysis was conducted on the eligible 31
      studies, using inductive, open coding techniques. Eight studies did not define
      what was meant by 'family' while 10 studies focused exclusively on an
      individual's relationships with parents; six papers collected parenting
      demographics. Family roles included being a (adult) child, parent, spouse and
      being part of a 'family'. Family interactions involved being passive recipients
      of family support, caring for elderly parents and children and reciprocal, give
      and take relationships. Family interactions and roles offer the opportunity to
      both facilitate and impede recovery. 

PMID- 26279273
TI  - Protein kinase C delta null mice exhibit structural alterations in articular
      surface, intra-articular and subchondral compartments.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Structural alterations in intra-articular and subchondral
      compartments are hallmarks of osteoarthritis, a degenerative disease that causes
      pain and disability in the aging population. Protein kinase C delta (PKC-delta)
      plays versatile functions in cell growth and differentiation, but its role in the
      articular cartilage and subchondral bone is not known. METHODS: Histological
      analysis including alcian blue, safranin O staining and fluorochrome labeling
      were used to reveal structural alterations at the articular cartilage surface and
      bone-cartilage interface in PKC-delta knockout (KO) mice. The morphology and
      organization of chondrocytes were studied using confocal microscopy.
      Glycosaminoglycan content was studied by micromass culture of chondrocytes of PKC
      delta KO mice. RESULTS: We uncovered atypical structural demarcation between
      articular cartilage and subchondral bone of PKC-delta KO mice. Histology analyses
      revealed a thickening of the articular cartilage and calcified bone-cartilage
      interface, and decreased safranin O staining accompanied by an increase in the
      number of hypertrophic chondrocytes in the articular cartilage of PKC-delta KO
      mice. Interestingly, loss of demarcation between articular cartilage and bone was
      concomitant with irregular chondrocyte morphology and arrangement. Consistently,
      in vivo calcein labeling assay showed an increased intensity of calcein labeling
      in the interface of the growth plate and metaphysis in PKC-delta KO mice.
      Furthermore, in vitro culture of chondrocyte micromass showed a decreased alcian
      blue staining of chondrocyte micromass in the PKC-delta KO mice, indicative of a
      reduced level of glycosaminoglycan production. CONCLUSIONS: Our data imply a role
      for PKC-delta in the osteochondral plasticity of the interface between articular
      cartilage and the osteochondral junction.

PMID- 26279274
TI  - A new member of MocR/GabR-type PLP-binding regulator of D-alanyl-D-alanine ligase
      in Brevibacillus brevis.
AB  - The Brevibacillus brevis BBR47_28440 gene (referred to as ddlR) encodes an
      MocR/GabR family transcriptional regulator consisting of an N-terminal helix-turn
      helix DNA binding domain and a C-terminal aminotransferase-like domain. The ddlR
      gene is located just upstream of the d-alanyl-d-alanine ligase gene (ddl) in the
      B. brevis genome, and these two genes form an operon. Gel-shift assays indicated
      that purified DdlR binds specifically to the DNA region that includes putative 
      35 and -10 regions of the ddlR promoter. A 6-bp inverted repeat that overlaps the
      -10 region of the ddlR promoter was found to be important for the binding. In
      vivo reporter assays confirmed that DdlR is an activator of the ddlR-ddl operon.
      Spectroscopic analyses indicated that purified DdlR is a pyridoxal 5'-phosphate
      binding transcriptional regulator that has dipeptide binding ability for d-alanyl
      d-alanine, the enzymatic product of Ddl, and glycylglycine. DdlR is capable of
      forming a dipeptide-pyridoxal 5'-phosphate external aldimine, but it lacks
      aminotransferase activity. Bioinformatic analyses suggest that DdlR-mediated
      transcriptional regulation of ddlR and ddl may occur in multiple bacterial
      systems such as Actinobacteria and Bacillus species. 

PMID- 26279275
TI  - Intrapleural Trastuzumab Therapy for Malignant Pleural Effusion from HER2
      Overexpression in Metastatic Gastric Cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is an extremely common problem
      affecting cancer patients with advanced disease. The current therapy for MPE is
      local treatment, such as thoracentesis, chemical pleurodesis, intracavitary
      administration of anticancer drugs and systemic therapy. However, the management
      of MPE is still unsatisfactory. CASE: We report a case of MPE secondary to human
      epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive gastric cancer that was
      successfully treated with intrapleural trastuzumab. A 52-year-old male with
      metastatic HER2-positive gastric cancer received chemotherapy (FOLFOX4 regimen)
      plus trastuzumab; after 11 courses of chemotherapy, he developed right MPE
      refractory to systemic treatment and pleurodesis. A pleural biopsy performed
      during thoracoscopy showed pleural metastasis from HER2-positive gastric cancer.
      The patient received 2 courses of intrapleuric trastuzumab. After the second
      course, the MPE disappeared, and he continued systemic therapy with trastuzumab
      and docetaxel. CONCLUSION: The safety was good, no local or systemic
      complications occurred, and the dyspnea secondary to MPE improved and
      subsequently disappeared. To our knowledge, this case is the first report on
      intrapleuric trastuzumab use to treat refractory MPE secondary to metastasis from
      HER2-positive gastric cancer. The treatment was well-tolerated and efficacious.

PMID- 26279276
TI  - Treatments for breast abscesses in breastfeeding women.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The benefits of breastfeeding are well known, and the World Health
      Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life
      and continuing breastfeeding to age two. However, many women stop breastfeeding
      due to lactational breast abscesses. A breast abscess is a localised accumulation
      of infected fluid in breast tissue. Abscesses are commonly treated with
      antibiotics, incision and drainage (I&D) or ultrasound-guided needle aspiration,
      but there is no consensus on the optimal treatment. OBJECTIVES: To assess the
      effects of different treatments for the management of breast abscesses in
      breastfeeding women. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and
      Childbirth Group's Trial Register (27 February 2015). In addition we searched
      African Journals Online (27 February 2015), Google Scholar (27 February 2015),
      ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Databases (27 February 2015) and the WHO
      International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) search portal (27
      February 2015). We also checked reference lists of retrieved studies and
      contacted experts in the field as well as relevant pharmaceutical companies.
      SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) investigating any
      intervention for treating lactational breast abscesses compared with any other
      intervention. Studies published in abstract form, quasi-RCTs and cluster-RCTs
      were not eligible for inclusion. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors
      independently assessed studies for inclusion, assessed risk of bias and extracted
      data. Data were checked for accuracy. MAIN RESULTS: We included six studies.
      Overall, trials had an unclear risk of bias for most domains due to poor
      reporting. Two studies did not stratify data for lactational and non-lactational
      breast abscesses, and these studies do not contribute to the results. This review
      is based on data from four studies involving 325 women. Needle aspiration (with
      and without ultrasound guidance) versus incision and drainage (I&D) Mean time
      (days) to complete resolution of breast abscess (three studies) - there was
      substantial heterogeneity among these data (Tau(2) = 47.63, I(2) = 97%) and a
      clear difference between subgroups (with or without ultrasound guidance; Chi(2) =
      56.88, I(2) = 98.2%, P = < 0.00001). We did not pool these data in a meta
      analysis. Two studies excluded women who had treatment failure when they
      calculated the mean time to complete resolution. One study found that the time to
      complete resolution of breast abscess favoured needle aspiration over I&D (mean
      difference (MD) -6.07; 95% confidence interval (CI) -7.81 to -4.33; n = 36), but
      excluded 9/22 (41%) women in the needle aspiration group due to treatment
      failure. Another study reported faster resolution in the needle aspiration group
      (MD -17.80; 95% CI -21.27 to -14.33; n = 64) but excluded 6/35 (17%) women in the
      needle aspiration group due to treatment failure. A third study also reported
      that needle aspiration was associated with a shorter time to complete resolution
      of breast abscess (MD -16.00; 95%CI -18.73 to -13.27; n = 60); however, the
      authors did not indicate the number of women who were lost to follow-up for
      either group, and it is unclear how many women contributed to this result.
      Considering the limitations of the available data, we do not consider the results
      to be informative. Continuation of breastfeeding, after treatment (success):
      results favoured the needle aspiration group, but we did not pool data from the
      two studies because of substantial unexplained heterogeneity (I(2) = 97%). One
      study reported that women in the needle aspiration group were more likely to
      continue breastfeeding (risk ratio (RR) 2.89; 95% CI 1.64 to 5.08; n = 60),
      whereas the other study found no clear difference (RR 1.09; 95% CI 0.97 to 1.22 n
      = 70). Treatment failure was more common among women treated with needle
      aspiration compared to those who underwent I&D (RR 16.12; 95% CI 2.21 to 117.73;
      two studies, n = 115, low quality evidence). In one study, treatment with needle
      aspiration failed in 9/22 women who subsequently underwent I&D to treat their
      breast abscess. In another study, treatment with needle aspiration failed in 6/35
      women, who subsequently underwent I&D. All abscesses in the I&D group were
      successfully treated.The included studies provided limited data for the review's
      secondary outcomes. No data were reported for adverse events. One study (60
      women) reported that women in the needle aspiration group were more satisfied
      with their treatment than women who received I&D to treat their breast abscesses.
      Incision and drainage (I&D) with or without antibioticsOne study (150 women)
      compared the value of adding a broad-spectrum cephalosporin (single dose or a
      course of treatment) to women who underwent I&D for breast abscesses.The mean
      time to resolution of breast abscess was reported as being similar in all groups
      (although women with infection were excluded). Mean time to resolution for women
      who received a course of antibiotics was reported as 7.3 days, 6.9 days for women
      who received a single dose of antibiotics and 7.4 days for women who did not
      receive antibiotics. Standard deviations, P values and CIs were not reported and
      prevented further analysis. No data were reported for any continuation of
      breastfeeding after treatment (success). For treatment failure, there was no
      clear difference between the groups of women who received antibiotics (either a
      single dose or a course of antibiotics) and those who did not (RR 1.00; 95% CI
      0.36 to 2.76).Included studies rarely reported this review's secondary outcomes
      (including adverse events). For post-operative complications/morbidity, there was
      no difference in the risk of wound infections between the antibiotics and no
      antibiotics groups (RR 0.58; 95% CI 0.29 to 1.17), irrespective of whether women
      received a single dose or a course of antibiotics. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: There is
      insufficient evidence to determine whether needle aspiration is a more effective
      option to I&D for lactational breast abscesses, or whether an antibiotic should
      be routinely added to women undergoing I&D for lactational breast abscesses. We
      graded the evidence for the primary outcome of treatment failure as low quality,
      with downgrading based on including small studies with few events and unclear
      risk of bias.

PMID- 26279277
TI  - Development of the Avian Dorsal Thalamus: Patterns and Gradients of Neurogenesis.
AB  - The dorsal thalamus is a region of the diencephalon that relays sensory and motor
      information between areas of the brain stem and the telencephalon. Although a
      dorsal thalamic region is recognized in all vertebrates and believed to be
      homologous, little is known about how the regions within it evolved and whether
      some or all regions within the dorsal thalamus are homologous among different
      vertebrate species. To characterize the gradients and patterns of neurogenesis of
      the avian dorsal thalamus, a single application of a low dose of
      bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) was delivered to each chick between embryonic day (E)3
      and E8 (stages 21 and 34), and chicks were followed up to E8 or E10 (stage 34 or
      36). Comparisons of anti-BrdU labeling patterns across the different injection
      days suggest that nearly all dorsal thalamic neurons are born early in chick
      embryogenesis, between E3 and E8. Furthermore, neurons in the lateral, dorsal,
      and posterior parts of the dorsal thalamus are generally born earlier than those
      in the medial, ventral, and anterior parts. Analyses of the birth dates for nine
      regions show that the general pattern of neurogenesis in the avian dorsal
      thalamus resembles that of homologous regions within the rodent thalamus, with
      the exception of the auditory region, the nucleus ovoidalis, which is born later
      than the mammalian auditory medial geniculate nucleus. The similar pattern of
      neurogenesis in birds and mammals may represent a highly conserved developmental
      pattern that was present in the common ancestor of living birds and mammals, or
      may represent independently derived states. Additional studies in reptiles and
      amphibians are needed to distinguish between these evolutionary histories. 

PMID- 26279278
TI  - Low Treatment Adherence in Pubertal Children Treated with Thyroxin or Growth
      Hormone.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Treatment outcome depends largely on treatment adherence (TA).
      However, studies analyzing TA in chronic endocrine diseases are scarce and
      controversial in childhood. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied TA in 103 children
      treated subcutaneously with growth hormone (GH) and 97 children treated orally
      with thyroxin. TA was calculated based on the prescription refill rates. The
      number of GH injections was recorded by an autoinjector device in 23 children
      treated with GH. RESULTS: The correlation between recorded TA and calculated TA
      based on prescription refill rates was very good (p < 0.001, r = 0.83). TA was
      lower (p < 0.01) in pubertal children compared to prepubertal children and in
      children self-administering their medication compared to those whose drug was
      administered by their parents, both in GH- and thyroxin-treated children.
      Overall, 67% of the pubertal children treated with GH and 58% of the pubertal
      children treated with thyroxin missed at least 1 dose per week. TA was higher (p
      < 0.001) in children with thyroxin treatment compared to children treated with
      recombinant human GH (8 vs. 26% missed >3 doses/week). DISCUSSION: Puberty and
      self-administration of drugs were negative predictors of TA. Therefore, in
      puberty, prevention and treatment efforts should be undertaken to improve TA,
      especially when adolescents administer their drugs themselves.

PMID- 26279279
TI  - Change of fatty acid composition of the lumbar longissimus during the final stage
      of fattening in the Japanese Black cattle.
AB  - Consideration of the shortened fattening period seems to be worthwhile for the
      realization of profitable beef production. In this study, change of fatty acid
      composition of the lumbar longissimus during the final stage of fattening was
      investigated in Japanese Black cattle. Each of 110 fattening animals was sampled
      three times: the initial two samples were taken by biopsy (25.7 months and 27.5
      months on average) and the final one was from carcasses (29.9 months on average).
      Preliminary analysis indicated that removing muscle tissues from the constant
      body position of the living animals should be essential for sampling. Average
      monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) at three sampling points were 58.1%, 58.5% and
      60.5%, and the differences of the third sampling with the first and second
      samplings were significant. Both in steers and heifers, MUFA also increased as
      the fattening stage proceeded, and MUFA of the heifers at all the sampling points
      were significantly higher than those of the steers. The increasing rate of MUFA
      rose from 0.21 percentage points (pp)/month at period 1 (from the first sampling
      to the second sampling) to 0.84 pp/month at period 2 (from the second sampling to
      the slaughter). 

PMID- 26279280
TI  - Relationship between plasma homovanillic acid and outcome in patients with
      psychosis spectrum disorders.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Psychosis spectrum disorders, especially schizophrenia, have been
      linked to disturbed dopaminergic activity in the brain. Plasma homovanillic acid
      (pHVA) levels partly represent dopaminergic metabolism in the central nervous
      system. In the present study associations between (changes in) pHVA levels,
      symptom severity and symptomatic improvement in patients with psychoses were
      investigated. METHODS: From a total of 80 patients, 58 fulfilled all inclusion
      criteria and their symptom profile and severity were assessed by means of the
      Comprehensive Assessment of Symptoms and History (CASH), the Positive and
      Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the Clinical Global Impression Scale for
      Severity and Improvement (CGI-S/CGI-I) at baseline and after 6 weeks of
      antipsychotic treatment. After inclusion, all patients were prescribed first- or
      second-generation antipsychotics by their treating psychiatrist. A total of 12
      patients had first-episode psychosis (FEP). At both time points, pHVA levels were
      measured. Subsequently, pHVA levels were compared with an age-matched control
      sample and changes in pHVA levels (DeltapHVA) after treatment were associated
      with clinical parameters. RESULTS: Before analyses, data were scrutinized for
      possible confounders, particularly gender, smoking, medication status (including
      antipsychotic class), and recent drug use. The pHVA levels in patients were not
      different from those in controls. Treatment resulted in a significant decrease of
      all parameters. Symptomatic improvement as well as DeltapHVA was most pronounced
      in FEP patients. CONCLUSION: These findings show that patients with FEP have a
      more favourable outcome than non-FEP patients and that greater DeltapHVA also
      suggests that FEP patients still have the capacity to adjust dopaminergic
      neurotransmission.

PMID- 26279281
TI  - Partial Sequence of a Novel Virus Isolated from Pelodiscus sinensis Hemorrhagic
      Disease.
AB  - Outbreaks of hemorrhagic syndrome-like disease with high mortality rates have
      frequently occurred in Pelodiscus sinensis farms. The purpose of this study was
      to investigate the pathogen through challenge infection assays and partial
      sequencing of the genome of the pathogen. A 453-bp amplicon was obtained by
      random PCR using the nucleic acid extracted from the tissue homogenate filtrate
      and showed 32% identity at the amino acid level with the replicase polyprotein of
      the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus by Blastx. Multiple
      alignments indicated the putative protein sequence has some similarities to the
      replicase polyprotein of Arteriviridae, and the phylogenetic tree showed it was
      closely related to equine arteritis virus. This sequence was found in the lung of
      the diseased P. sinensis by in situ hybridization. Dot blot hybridization and
      quantitative RT-PCR showed that the lung had the highest content of virus. The
      peak replication of P. sinensis hemorrhagic syndrome virus (TSHSV) in the lung
      occurred 4 days after infection. The ribonucleic nature of the viral genome was
      confirmed by RNase A or DNase I treatments. We named the virus TSHSV in this
      study as P. sinensis is also known as Trionyx sinensis. These results provide a
      fundamental basis for further understanding the biology and the molecular
      mechanisms of TSHSV. 

PMID- 26279282
TI  - Environmental factors that distinguish between clinical and healthy samples with
      childhood experiences of abuse and neglect.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Childhood maltreatment is associated with a wide range of problems in
      adulthood. However, specific environmental factors (either positive or negative)
      influence mental health outcomes in maltreated children. The present study
      investigated the effect of environmental factors by comparing a group of clinical
      participants with experiences of abuse/neglect with a healthy group with similar
      patterns of experiences. Environmental factors selected were: separation from
      parents, financial hardship, parental psychiatric disorders, and low social
      involvement. METHOD: The study included 55 mixed clinical participants and 23
      healthy participants. All participants were investigated using the Childhood
      Experience of Care and Abuse (CECA) interview. The two groups were specifically
      matched with regard to patterns of childhood maltreatment. RESULTS: The findings
      indicated that psychopathological outcome was associated with a greater presence
      of negative environmental factors (p < 0.001). In particular, lack of social
      support seemed to be the only one predictor (OR = 27.86). CONCLUSION: This study
      is the first to investigate the influence of specific environmental factors in
      two groups with similar childhood experiences of abuse/neglect but different
      mental health outcomes. These findings suggest that efforts should be made to
      incorporate both familial and external sources of social support in promoting
      mental health for maltreated children.

PMID- 26279283
TI  - Differences in omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid consumption in
      people at ultra-high risk of psychosis, first-episode schizophrenia, and in
      healthy controls.
AB  - AIM: Supplementation with omega-3 PUFA showed efficacy in reducing the risk of
      transition into psychosis in UHR individuals. It is uncertain whether dietary
      patterns can be partly responsible for n-3 deficiencies observed in susceptible
      participants before the diagnosis of schizophrenia. The study was designed to
      assess differences in omega-3 and omega-6 PUFA consumption in healthy controls
      (HC), UHR participants and FES patients as well as to verify the hypothesis that
      dietary changes in PUFA consumption are present before active psychosis develops,
      that is, in UHR individuals. METHODS: Dietary habits during the previous year
      were assessed in 34 patients at UHR of psychosis, 33 patients diagnosed with FES
      and 33 HC participants using a validated Food-Frequency Questionnaire and the
      Polish Food Composition Tables. RESULTS: Significant differences in omega-3 and
      omega-6 PUFA intake were observed between study groups. UHR and FES groups
      reported significantly higher consumption of omega-6 PUFA in comparison with HC.
      FES patients also reported a higher consumption of alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3)
      in comparison with HC. No significant differences were seen in consumption of
      long-chain marine PUFA. CONCLUSIONS: Differences in omega-6 and omega-3 PUFA
      consumption exist before development of psychotic symptoms, fulfilling the
      criteria of schizophrenia.

PMID- 26279284
TI  - Streptozocin and 5-Fluorouracil for the Treatment of Pancreatic Neuroendocrine
      Tumors: Efficacy, Prognostic Factors and Toxicity.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In our center, the combination of streptozocin (STZ) and 5
      fluorouracil (5-FU) has been used as the first-line treatment in the majority of
      patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs) over the past few decades.
      The objective of the current study was to assess the efficacy, prognostic factors
      and safety of the combination of STZ and 5-FU. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Medical
      records and radiological reports of 133 patients with pNETs who received the
      combination of STZ and 5-FU during the period 1981-2014 were retrospectively
      evaluated. RESULTS: The median survival from the start of treatment was 51.9
      months in the whole group. In the radiologically evaluable patients (n = 100),
      progression-free survival was 23 months. Complete response was reached in 3
      patients (3%), partial response in 25 patients (25%), 64 patients (64%) had
      stable disease, and 8 patients (8%) had progressive disease. In a multivariate
      analysis, surgery of the primary tumor and having a G3 tumor were significant
      positive and negative prognostic factors of survival from the start of treatment,
      respectively. Having either a G3 tumor or a stage IV tumor were significant
      prognostic factors for a shorter progression-free survival. Chemotherapy had to
      be discontinued in 29 patients due to side effects, of which kidney toxicity
      (mainly grades 1-2) was the most frequent. CONCLUSION: As shown in recent
      reports, the combination of STZ and 5-FU is effective in the treatment of pNETs
      in terms of survival and radiological response and has an acceptable toxicity
      profile.

PMID- 26279285
TI  - Responses of wheat and rice to factorial combinations of ambient and elevated CO2
      and temperature in FACE experiments.
AB  - Elevated CO2 and temperature strongly affect crop production, but understanding
      of the crop response to combined CO2 and temperature increases under field
      conditions is still limited while data are scarce. We grew wheat (Triticum
      aestivum L.) and rice (Oryza sativa L.) under two levels of CO2 (ambient and
      enriched up to 500 MUmol mol(-1) ) and two levels of canopy temperature (ambient
      and increased by 1.5-2.0  degrees C) in free-air CO2 enrichment (FACE) systems
      and carried out a detailed growth and yield component analysis during two growing
      seasons for both crops. An increase in CO2 resulted in higher grain yield,
      whereas an increase in temperature reduced grain yield, in both crops. An
      increase in CO2 was unable to compensate for the negative impact of an increase
      in temperature on biomass and yield of wheat and rice. Yields of wheat and rice
      were decreased by 10-12% and 17-35%, respectively, under the combination of
      elevated CO2 and temperature. The number of filled grains per unit area was the
      most important yield component accounting for the effects of elevated CO2 and
      temperature in wheat and rice. Our data showed complex treatment effects on the
      interplay between preheading duration, nitrogen uptake, tillering, leaf area
      index, and radiation-use efficiency, and thus on yield components and yield.
      Nitrogen uptake before heading was crucial in minimizing yield loss due to
      climate change in both crops. For rice, however, a breeding strategy to increase
      grain number per m(2) and % filled grains (or to reduce spikelet sterility) at
      high temperature is also required to prevent yield reduction under conditions of
      global change. 

PMID- 26279286
TI  - Temporal Trends in Bleeding among Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients: Is It Going
      Up or Down? Does It Matter?

PMID- 26279287
TI  - Increased exhaled breath condensate 8-isoprostane after a swimming session in
      competitive swimmers.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the levels of 8-isoprostane (8-IsoP) in
      the airways of competitive swimmers at baseline and after a swimming session
      according to their airway responsiveness. METHODS: Twenty-three swimmers and six
      lifeguards had a baseline spirometry and bronchoprovocative challenges. During a
      second visit, swimmers performed a usual swimming session while lifeguards stayed
      in the same pool environment for the same time period. Forced expiratory volume
      in one second (FEV1) was measured before and 5 min after the end of the session.
      Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) was sampled before and 10 min after the session
      and EBC 8-IsoP levels were analysed by enzyme immunoassay. Change in EBC 8-IsoP
      from baseline to post-swimming session was calculated. RESULTS: We observed no
      relationships between airway hyper-responsiveness and 8-IsoP values before or
      after swimming in swimmers. The levels of 8-IsoP were significantly higher after
      the training session (mean value 2.9, s = 0.5 pg mL(-1)) than at baseline (mean
      value 1.9, s = 0.4 pg mL(-1)) in swimmers only (p = .012). EBC 8-IsoP levels
      after the swimming session significantly correlated with the percent change in
      FEV1 after swimming. CONCLUSIONS: EBC 8-IsoP levels were increased after training
      in swimmers but not in lifeguards, suggesting that exercise-induced hyperpnoea in
      a chlorinated pool environment increases airways oxidative stress.

PMID- 26279288
TI  - Cutaneous melanoma: how to improve the quality of diagnosis and treatment - a
      regional experience.

PMID- 26279289
TI  - T-cell homeostasis in chronic HCV-infected patients treated with interferon and
      ribavirin or an interferon-free regimen.
AB  - Direct-acting antiviral has replaced pegylated interferon-alpha and ribavirin
      based treatment in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.
      While interferon-alpha is immune modulating and causes lymphopenia, interferon
      free regimens seem to be well-tolerated. This study aimed to compare T-cell
      homeostasis before, during, and after HCV treatment with or without interferon
      alpha in patients with chronic HCV infection. A total of 20 patients with chronic
      HCV infection were treated with pegylated interferon-alpha and ribavirin, and six
      patients were treated with an interferon-free regimen. All patients were treated
      for a minimum of 12 weeks. Interferon-alpha treatment caused an increase in the
      density of the receptor for IL-7 (IL-7Ralpha) during treatment, while interferon
      free regimens caused a decrease in IL-7Ralpha density. After a sustained viral
      response, proportions of IL-7Ralpha+ T cells and IL-7Ralpha density decreased
      compared to prior treatment values. Finally, a proportion of CD8+ effector memory
      was lower while proportion of apoptotic T cells was higher after sustained
      virologic response compared to prior treatment. Despite lymphopenia during
      interferon, alterations in T-cell homeostasis during treatment were relatively
      similar in patients receiving interferon-based treatment and in patients
      receiving interferon-free treatment, and alterations during and after treatment
      seem to illustrate a reduced need for high levels of T cells aimed at controlling
      infection. 

PMID- 26279290
TI  - Dietary Fiber Consumption Decreases the  Risks of Overweight and
      Hypercholesterolemia  in Japanese Children.
AB  - AIMS: It remains inconclusive whether high dietary fiber intake decreases the
      risk of obesity, hypercholesterolemia or high blood pressure during childhood.
      Therefore, this study investigated the relationships of dietary fiber intake with
      weight status and related clinical parameters among Japanese children. METHODS:
      We analyzed the data of 5,600 subjects aged 10-11 years, between 2006 and 2010.
      Fiber intake was assessed using the Brief-type Diet History Questionnaire. Body
      height and weight and blood pressure were measured. Serum levels of total
      cholesterol, low- and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides were
      analyzed. Fiber intake was categorized into quintiles, and multivariate models
      were used to adjust for lifestyle factors. RESULTS: Total fiber intake decreased
      the risks of overweight and high total cholesterol (OR Quintile 5 vs. Quintile 1
      overweight: 0.71 for boys, 0.40 for girls; total cholesterol: 0.60 for boys, 0.66
      for girls). Water-soluble fiber intake was associated with a lower risk of high
      blood pressure, although the ORs were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing
      the dietary fiber intake in Japanese children may have favorable effects on
      overweight and hypercholesterolemia.

PMID- 26279292
TI  - Population based ranking of frameless CT-MRI registration methods.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Clinical practice often requires simultaneous information obtained by
      two different imaging modalities. Registration algorithms are commonly used for
      this purpose. Automated procedures are very helpful in cases when the same kind
      of registration has to be performed on images of a high number of subjects.
      Radiotherapists would prefer to use the best automated method to assist therapy
      planning, however there are not accepted procedures for ranking the different
      registration algorithms. PURPOSE: We were interested in developing a method to
      measure the population level performance of CT-MRI registration algorithms by a
      parameter of values in the [0,1] interval. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pairs of CT and
      MRI images were collected from 1051 subjects. Results of an automated
      registration were corrected manually until a radiologist and a neurosurgeon
      expert both accepted the result as good. This way 1051 registered MRI images were
      produced by the same pair of experts to be used as gold standards for the
      evaluation of the performance of other registration algorithms. Pearson
      correlation coefficient, mutual information, normalized mutual information,
      Kullback-Leibler divergence, L1 norm and square L2 norm (dis)similarity measures
      were tested for sensitivity to indicate the extent of (dis)similarity of a pair
      of individual mismatched images. RESULTS: The square Hellinger distance proved
      suitable to grade the performance of registration algorithms at population level
      providing the developers with a valuable tool to rank algorithms. CONCLUSIONS:
      The developed procedure provides an objective method to find the registration
      algorithm performing the best on the population level out of newly constructed or
      available preselected ones.

PMID- 26279291
TI  - Intermediate Diastolic Velocity as a Parameter of Cardiac Dysfunction in Growth
      Restricted Fetuses.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the intermediate intracardiac diastolic velocities in
      fetuses with growth restriction. METHODS: Doppler waveforms of the two
      atrioventricular valves were obtained. Peak velocities of the E (early) and A
      (atrial) components, and the lowest intermediate velocity (IDV) between them,
      were measured in 400 normally grown and in 100 growth-restricted fetuses. The
      prevalence of abnormal IDV, E/IDV, and A/IDV ratios in fetuses presenting with
      perinatal death or acidemia at birth (pH <=7.1) was estimated. RESULTS: IDV was
      significantly lower and E/IDV ratios significantly higher in the two ventricles
      of growth-restricted fetuses with reduced diastolic velocities in the umbilical
      artery (p < 0.05). In 13 fetuses presenting with perinatal death or acidemia at
      birth, 11 (85%) had either an E/IDV or A/IDV ratio >95th percentile, whereas 5
      (38%) showed absent or reversed atrial velocities in the ductus venosus (DV-ARAV;
      p < 0.04). Fetuses without DV-ARAV but with elevated E/IDV ratios in either
      ventricle were nearly 7-fold more likely to have perinatal demise or acidemia at
      birth (OR 6.9, 95% CI 1.4-34) than those with E/IDV ratios <95th percentile.
      CONCLUSION: The E/IDV and A/IDV ratios in the two cardiac ventricles might
      provide information about the risk of perinatal demise or acidemia in growth
      restricted fetuses.

PMID- 26279293
TI  - ITPA and SLC29A1 Genotyping for the Prediction of Ribavirin Dose Reduction in
      Anti-HCV Triple Therapy with Protease Inhibitors.
AB  - Chronic hepatitis C is one of the most important causes of liver disease, leading
      to cirrhosis, hepatic decompensation and hepatocellular carcinoma. Recently some
      important advances in therapy have been achieved with the introduction of first
      wave, first generation direct acting antiviral agents (DAAs) such as boceprevir
      (BOC), in combination with pegylated interferon (Peg-IFN) and ribavirin (RBV).
      The superior rate of sustained virological response with this treatment is
      accompanied by an elevated frequency of anaemia. Several studies have evidenced
      the importance of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in inosine
      triphosphatase (ITPA) and solute carrier family 29, member 1 (SLC29A1) genes in
      the development of this adverse event. Here, we investigated haemoglobin levels
      and the best-known functional SNPs in ITPA and SLC29A1 genes in 22 patients
      treated with triple therapy with BOC/Peg-IFN/RBV. The identification of ITPA
      protective and SLC29A1 risk genotypes still appears to be a current methodology
      in RBV dosing during hepatitis C virus therapy with DAAs. 

PMID- 26279294
TI  - Comparing Short- and Long-Term Group Therapy: Seven-Year Follow-Up of a
      Randomized Clinical Trial.

PMID- 26279295
TI  - Targeted inhibition of metastatic melanoma through interference with Pin1-FOXM1
      signaling.
AB  - Melanoma is the most lethal form of skin cancer and successful treatment of
      metastatic melanoma remains challenging. BRAF/MEK inhibitors only show a
      temporary benefit due to rapid occurrence of resistance, whereas immunotherapy is
      mainly effective in selected subsets of patients. Thus, there is a need to
      identify new targets to improve treatment of metastatic melanoma. To this extent,
      we searched for markers that are elevated in melanoma and are under regulation of
      potentially druggable enzymes. Here, we show that the pro-proliferative
      transcription factor FOXM1 is elevated and activated in malignant melanoma. FOXM1
      activity correlated with expression of the enzyme Pin1, which we found to be
      indicative of a poor prognosis. In functional experiments, Pin1 proved to be a
      main regulator of FOXM1 activity through MEK-dependent physical regulation during
      the cell cycle. The Pin1-FOXM1 interaction was enhanced by BRAF(V600E), the
      driver oncogene in the majority of melanomas, and in extrapolation of the
      correlation data, interference with? Pin1 in BRAF(V600E)-driven metastatic
      melanoma cells impaired both FOXM1 activity and cell survival. Importantly, cell
      permeable Pin1-FOXM1-blocking peptides repressed the proliferation of melanoma
      cells in freshly isolated human metastatic melanoma ex vivo and in three
      dimensional-cultured patient-derived melanoids. When combined with the
      BRAF(V600E)-inhibitor PLX4032 a robust repression in melanoid viability was
      obtained, establishing preclinical value of patient-derived melanoids for
      prognostic use of drug sensitivity and further underscoring the beneficial effect
      of Pin1-FOXM1 inhibitory peptides as anti-melanoma drugs. These proof-of-concept
      results provide a starting point for development of therapeutic Pin1-FOXM1
      inhibitors to target metastatic melanoma.

PMID- 26279296
TI  - Myeloid-specific TGF-beta signaling in bone promotes basic-FGF and breast cancer
      bone metastasis.
AB  - Breast cancer (BCa) bone metastases cause osteolytic bone lesions, which result
      from the interactions of metastatic BCa cells with osteoclasts and osteoblasts.
      Osteoclasts differentiate from myeloid lineage cells. To understand the cell
      specific role of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) in the myeloid
      lineage, in BCa bone metastases, MDA-MB-231 BCa cells were intra-tibially or
      intra-cardially injected into LysM(Cre)/Tgfbr2(floxE2/floxE2) knockout
      (LysM(Cre)/Tgfbr2 KO) or Tgfbr2(floxE2/floxE2) mice. Metastatic bone lesion
      development was compared by analysis of both lesion number and area. We found
      that LysM(Cre)/Tgfbr2 knockout significantly decreased MDA-MB-231 bone lesion
      development in both the cardiac and tibial injection models. LysM(Cre)/Tgfbr2
      knockout inhibited the tumor cell proliferation, angiogenesis and
      osteoclastogenesis of the metastatic bones. Cytokine array analysis showed that
      basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) was downregulated in MDA-MB-231-injected
      tibiae from the LysM(Cre)/Tgfbr2 KO group, and intravenous injection of the
      recombinant bFGF to LysM(Cre)/Tgfbr2 KO mice rescued the inhibited metastatic
      bone lesion development. The mechanism by which bFGF rescued the bone lesion
      development was by promotion of tumor cell proliferation through the downstream
      mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-extracellular signal-regulated kinase
      (ERK)-cFos pathway after binding to the FGF receptor 1 (FGFR1). Consistent with
      animal studies, we found that in human BCa bone metastatic tissues, TGF-beta type
      II receptor (TbetaRII) and p-Smad2 were expressed in osteoclasts and tumor cells,
      and were correlated with the expression of FGFR1. Our studies suggest that
      myeloid-specific TGF-beta signaling-mediated bFGF in the bone promotes BCa bone
      metastasis.

PMID- 26279297
TI  - PKCiota promotes ovarian tumor progression through deregulation of cyclin E.
AB  - The high frequency of relapse of epithelial ovarian tumors treated with standard
      chemotherapy has highlighted the necessity to identify targeted therapies that
      can improve patient outcomes. The dynamic relationship between cyclin E and
      PKCiota frequent overexpression in high-grade ovarian tumors poses a novel
      pathway for therapeutic investigation. We hypothesized that a phosphoinositide 3
      kinase (PI3K)-dependent signaling pathway activating PKCiota perpetuates cyclin E
      deregulation during ovarian tumorigenesis. We observed a positive correlation
      between PKCiota and cyclin E in a panel of 19 ovarian cancer cell lines.
      Modulation of cyclin E had no effect on PKCiota knockdown/overexpression;
      however, PKCiota differentially regulated cyclin E expression. In the serous
      ovarian cancer cells (IGROV and OVCAR-3), shPKCiota decreased proliferation,
      caused a G1 arrest and significantly prolonged overall survival in xenograft
      mouse models. In vitro, shPKCiota decreased the ability of IGROV cells to grow
      under anchorage-independent conditions and form aberrant acini, which was
      dependent on Ad-cyclin E or Ad-LMW-E expression. Reverse-phase protein array
      analysis of PKCiota wild-type, catalytic active, dominant-negative protein
      isoforms strengthened the association between phospho-PKCiota levels and PI3K
      pathway activation. Inhibitors of PI3K coordinately decreased phospho-PKCiota and
      cyclin E protein levels. In conclusion, we have identified a PI3K/PKCiota/cyclin
      E signaling pathway as a therapeutic target during ovarian tumorigenesis.

PMID- 26279298
TI  - Regulation of c-Myc expression by the histone demethylase JMJD1A is essential for
      prostate cancer cell growth and survival.
AB  - The histone demethylase JMJD1A, which controls gene expression by epigenetic
      regulation of H3K9 methylation marks, functions in diverse activities, including
      spermatogenesis, metabolism and stem cell self-renewal and differentiation. Here,
      we found that JMJD1A knockdown in prostate cancer cells antagonizes their
      proliferation and survival. Profiling array analyses revealed that JMJD1A
      dependent genes function in cellular growth, proliferation and survival, and
      implicated that the c-Myc transcriptional network is deregulated following JMJD1A
      inhibition. Biochemical analyses confirmed that JMJD1A enhances c-Myc
      transcriptional activity by upregulating c-Myc expression levels.
      Mechanistically, JMJD1A activity promoted recruitment of androgen receptor (AR)
      to the c-Myc gene enhancer and induced H3K9 demethylation, increasing AR
      dependent transcription of c-Myc mRNA. In parallel, we found that JMJD1A
      regulated c-Myc stability, likely by inhibiting HUWE1, an E3 ubiquitin ligase
      known to target degradation of several substrates including c-Myc. JMJD1A (wild
      type or mutant lacking histone demethylase activity) bound to HUWE1, attenuated
      HUWE1-dependent ubiquitination and subsequent degradation of c-Myc, increasing c
      Myc protein levels. Furthermore, c-Myc knockdown in prostate cancer cells
      phenocopied effects of JMJD1A knockdown, and c-Myc re-expression in JMJD1A
      knockdown cells partially rescued prostate cancer cell growth in vitro and in
      vivo. c-Myc protein levels were positively correlated with those of JMJD1A in a
      subset of human prostate cancer specimens. Collectively, our findings identify a
      critical role for JMJD1A in regulating proliferation and survival of prostate
      cancer cells by controlling c-Myc expression at transcriptional and post
      translational levels.

PMID- 26279299
TI  - Onco-exaptation of an endogenous retroviral LTR drives IRF5 expression in Hodgkin
      lymphoma.
AB  - The transcription factor interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5) is upregulated in
      Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and is a key regulator of the aberrant transcriptome
      characteristic of this disease. Here we show that IRF5 upregulation in HL is
      driven by transcriptional activation of a normally dormant endogenous retroviral
      LOR1a long terminal repeat (LTR) upstream of IRF5. Specifically, through
      screening of RNA-sequencing libraries, we detected LTR-IRF5 chimeric transcripts
      in multiple HL cell lines but not in normal B-cell controls. In HL, the LTR was
      in an open and hypomethylated epigenetic state, and we further show the LTR is
      the site of transcriptional initiation. Among HL cell lines, usage of the LTR
      promoter strongly correlates with overall levels of IRF5 mRNA and protein,
      indicating that LTR transcriptional awakening is a major contributor to IRF5
      upregulation in HL. Taken together, oncogenic IRF5 overexpression in HL is the
      result of a specific LTR transcriptional activation. We propose that such LTR
      derepression is a distinct mechanism of oncogene activation ('onco-exaptation'),
      and that such a mechanism warrants further investigation in molecular and cancer
      research.

PMID- 26279300
TI  - Apolipoprotein A-I inhibits experimental colitis and colitis-propelled
      carcinogenesis.
AB  - In both humans with long-standing ulcerative colitis and mouse models of colitis
      associated carcinogenesis (CAC), tumors develop predominantly in the distal part
      of the large intestine but the biological basis of this intriguing pathology
      remains unknown. Herein we report intrinsic differences in gene expression
      between proximal and distal colon in the mouse, which are augmented during
      dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)/azoxymethane (AOM)-induced CAC. Functional
      enrichment of differentially expressed genes identified discrete biological
      pathways operating in proximal vs distal intestine and revealed a cluster of
      genes involved in lipid metabolism to be associated with the disease-resistant
      proximal colon. Guided by this finding, we have further interrogated the
      expression and function of one of these genes, apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I), a
      major component of high-density lipoprotein. We show that ApoA-I is expressed at
      higher levels in the proximal compared with the distal part of the colon and its
      ablation in mice results in exaggerated DSS-induced colitis and disruption of
      epithelial architecture in larger areas of the large intestine. Conversely,
      treatment with an ApoA-I mimetic peptide ameliorated the phenotypic,
      histopathological and inflammatory manifestations of the disease. Genetic
      interference with ApoA-I levels in vivo impacted on the number, size and
      distribution of AOM/DSS-induced colon tumors. Mechanistically, ApoA-I was found
      to modulate signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and
      nuclear factor-kappaB activation in response to the bacterial product
      lipopolysaccharide with concomitant impairment in the production of the
      pathogenic cytokine interleukin-6. Collectively, these data demonstrate a novel
      protective role for ApoA-I in colitis and CAC and unravel an unprecedented link
      between lipid metabolic processes and intestinal pathologies.

PMID- 26279301
TI  - Ras association domain family member 10 suppresses gastric cancer growth by
      cooperating with GSTP1 to regulate JNK/c-Jun/AP-1 pathway.
AB  - The Ras association domain family (RASSF) encodes several members with tumor
      suppressive potentials. We aimed to investigate the biological function and
      clinical implication of RASSF10 in gastric cancer (GC). We found that RASSF10 was
      silenced in six of seven GC cell lines and in primary GC tissues, but was highly
      expressed in normal gastric tissues. The silence of RASSAF10 was mediated by
      promoter methylation as evaluated by bisulfite genomic sequencing. RASSF10
      expression could be restored by demethylation treatment. A negative correlation
      between methylation and mRNA expression of RASSF10 was observed in 223 gastric
      samples of The Cancer Genome Atlas study (P<0.0001). Re-expression of RASSF10 in
      GC cell lines (AGS and MKN45) significantly suppressed cell viability, colony
      formation, migration and invasion, reduced cells in S phase, accumulated cells in
      G2 phase and induced cell apoptosis in vitro, and inhibited tumorigenicity in
      nude mice. These were confirmed by decreased expression of proliferation markers
      (proliferating cell nuclear antigen, p-CDC2 and p-CDC25) and increased apoptotic
      cascades (cleaved caspases-9, -8, -3 and cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase).
      Conversely, RASSF10 knockdown in normal gastric cell line yielded an opposing
      effect. Co-immunoprecipitation combined with mass spectrometry analyses were
      performed to reveal the downstream effectors of RASSF10. The result revealed that
      glutathione S-transferase Pi 1 (GSTP1) was a direct cooperator of RASSF10. The
      tumor-suppressive effect of RASSF10 was partially mediated by cooperating with
      GSTP1 to deregulate Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)/c-Jun/AP-1 pathway. Importantly,
      RASSF10 methylation was detected in 56.6% (98/173) of primary GCs and is an
      independent risk factor for poor survival of GC patients (P=0.001). In
      conclusions, RASSF10 functions as a tumor suppressor by cooperating with GSTP1 to
      deregulate JNK/c-Jun/AP-1 pathway in GC. Promoter methylation of RASSF10 is
      associated with poor survival of GC patients.

PMID- 26279302
TI  - Lunatic Fringe is a potent tumor suppressor in Kras-initiated pancreatic cancer.
AB  - Notch controls pancreatic differentiation during development and is reactivated
      in pancreatic cancer. In recent years, the importance of Notch signaling in
      pancreatic tumorigenesis has become increasingly evident; however, it remains
      unclear how Notch activities are regulated in this context. Here we report
      differential regulation of Notch receptors by Lunatic Fringe (Lfng), which
      encodes an O-fucosylpeptide 3-beta-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase known to
      modify epidermal growth factor repeats in the Notch extracellular domain, during
      pathogenesis of Kras-induced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). We show
      that Lfng is uniquely expressed in a subset of acinar cells in the adult
      pancreas. Deletion of Lfng in the Kras(LSL-G12D/+);Pdx1-Cre mouse model caused
      increased activation of Notch3 throughout PDAC initiation and progression, and
      Notch1 after the onset of disease, associated with marked upregulation of Notch
      target gene Hes1. Deletion of Lfng also resulted in accumulation of Aldh1
      positive cell population. We found that loss of Lfng significantly accelerated
      Kras-initiated PDAC development and shortened survival of the PDAC mice.
      Interestingly, Lfng-deficient tumors showed a propensity for a poorly
      differentiated state with features of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition.
      Likewise, knockdown of LFNG in human PDAC cell lines caused elevated Notch
      activation, associated with either accelerated cell proliferation or expanded
      Aldh1-positive cell population. Deletion of Lfng resulted in downregulation of
      Tgfb1, Tgfb2 and Tgfbr2 expression in the wild-type pancreas at all ages
      examined, and in the Kras(LSL-G12D/+);Pdx1-Cre pancreas after PDAC onset, as well
      as reduced phospho-Smad2 levels in pancreatic tumors. We provide evidence that
      Lfng regulates transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta signaling through Notch
      mediated transcriptional repression of TGF-beta pathway genes. Taken together,
      our results reveal a potent tumor-suppressive function for Lfng and crosstalk
      between Notch and TGF-beta pathways in the pancreas, which provides new insight
      into initiation of PDAC and signals involved in disease progression.

PMID- 26279303
TI  - PTEN activation through K163 acetylation by inhibiting HDAC6 contributes to
      tumour inhibition.
AB  - Phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN), an important
      tumour-suppressor gene, is mutated, downregulated or dysfunctional in many
      tumours. The phosphatase activity of PTEN depends on membrane translocation
      (activation). As promising anti-cancer agents, histone deacetylase (HDAC)
      inhibitors, particularly trichostatin A (TSA), can promote PTEN membrane
      translocation, but the underlying mechanism remains unknown. In this study, we
      revealed that non-selective HDAC inhibitors, namely, TSA or suberoylanilide
      hydroxamic acid (SAHA), induced PTEN membrane translocation through PTEN
      acetylation at K163 by inhibiting HDAC6. K163 acetylation inhibited the
      interaction of the PTEN C-tail with the remaining part of PTEN, resulting in PTEN
      membrane translocation. Overexpression of wild-type PTEN, but not K163-mutated
      PTEN, facilitated the inhibition of cell proliferation, migration and invasion,
      as well as xenograft tumour growth, induced by SAHA or tubastatin A, an HDAC6
      specific inhibitor. These results indicated that PTEN activation by inhibiting
      HDAC6 significantly contributed to tumour inhibition. Therefore, non-selective
      HDAC or HDAC6-specific inhibitors may be more clinically suitable to treat
      tumours without PTEN mutations or deletions.

PMID- 26279305
TI  - Fullerene-Structured MoSe2 Hollow Spheres Anchored on Highly Nitrogen-Doped
      Graphene as a Conductive Catalyst for Photovoltaic Applications.
AB  - A conductive catalyst composed of fullerene-structured MoSe2 hollow spheres and
      highly nitrogen-doped graphene (HNG-MoSe2) was successfully synthesized via a wet
      chemical process. The small molecule diethylenetriamine, which was used during
      the process, served as a surfactant to stabilize the fullerene-structured MoSe2
      hollow spheres and to provide a high content of nitrogen heteroatoms for graphene
      doping (ca. 12% N). The superior synergistic effect between the highly nitrogen
      doped graphene and the high surface-to-volume ratio MoSe2 hollow spheres afforded
      the HNG-MoSe2 composite high conductivity and excellent catalytic activity as
      demonstrated by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and
      Tafel measurements. A dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) prepared with HNG-MoSe2 as
      a counter electrode exhibited a conversion efficiency of 10.01%, which was close
      to that of a DSSC with a Pt counter electrode (10.55%). The synergy between the
      composite materials and the resulting highly efficient catalysis provide
      benchmarks for preparing well-defined, graphene-based conductive catalysts for
      clean and sustainable energy production.

PMID- 26279304
TI  - Oncoprotein ZNF322A transcriptionally deregulates alpha-adducin, cyclin D1 and
      p53 to promote tumor growth and metastasis in lung cancer.
AB  - ZNF322A encoding a classical Cys2His2 zinc finger transcription factor was
      previously revealed as a potential oncogene in lung cancer patients. However, the
      oncogenic role of ZNF322A and its underlying mechanism in lung tumorigenesis
      remain elusive. Here we show ZNF322A protein overexpression in 123 Asian and 74
      Caucasian lung cancer patients. Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated
      that ZNF322A was an independent risk factor for a poor outcome in lung cancer,
      corroborating the Kaplan-Meier results that patients with ZNF322A protein
      overexpression had significantly poorer overall survival than other patients.
      Overexpression of ZNF322A promoted cell proliferation and soft agar growth by
      prolonging cell cycle in S phase in multiple lung cell lines, including the
      immortalized lung cell BEAS-2B. In addition, ZNF322A overexpression enhanced cell
      migration and invasion, whereas knockdown of ZNF322A reduced cell growth,
      invasion and metastasis abilities in vitro and in vivo. Quantitative proteomic
      analysis revealed potential ZNF322A-regulated downstream targets, including alpha
      adducin (ADD1), cyclin D1 (CCND1), and p53. Using luciferase promoter activity
      assay combined with site-directed mutagenesis and sequential chromatin
      immunoprecipitation-PCR assay, we found that ZNF322A could form a complex with c
      Jun and cooperatively activate ADD1 and CCND1 but repress p53 gene transcription
      by recruiting differential chromatin modifiers, such as histone deacetylase 3, in
      an AP-1 element dependent manner. Reconstitution experiments indicated that CCND1
      and p53 were important to ZNF322A-mediated promotion of cell proliferation,
      whereas ADD1 was necessary for ZNF322A-mediated cell migration and invasion. Our
      results provide compelling evidence that ZNF322A overexpression transcriptionally
      dysregulates genes involved in cell growth and motility therefore contributes to
      lung tumorigenesis and poor prognosis.

PMID- 26279306
TI  - BCR-ABL Mutations in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Treated With Tyrosine Kinase
      Inhibitors and Impact on Survival.
AB  - This is the largest Latin American study of BCR-ABL mutations in chronic myeloid
      leukemia (CML) patients, resistant to imatinib (IM). In 195/467 (41%) patients,
      mutations were detected. The most frequent mutation was T315I (n = 31, 16%).
      Progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) at 5 years were lower in
      patients with BCR-ABL mutations (43% vs. 65%, p = 0.07 and 47% vs. 72%, p = 0.03,
      respectively) and in those with the T315I mutation (p = 0.003 and p = 0.03). OS
      and PFS were superior in subgroup who switched to second generation inhibitors
      (SGIs) after IM failure (OS: 50% vs. 39% p = 0.01; PFS: 48% vs. 30% p = 0.02).
      BCR-ABL mutations conferred a significant poor prognosis in CML patients.

PMID- 26279307
TI  - Development of PD-1/PD-L1 Pathway in Tumor Immune Microenvironment and Treatment
      for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.
AB  - Lung cancer is currently the leading cause of cancer-related death in worldwide,
      non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for about 85% of all lung cancers.
      Surgery, platinum-based chemotherapy, molecular targeted agents and radiotherapy
      are the main treatment of NSCLC. With the strategies of treatment constantly
      improving, the prognosis of NSCLC patients is not as good as before, new sort of
      treatments are needed to be exploited. Programmed death 1 (PD-1) and its ligand
      PD-L1 play a key role in tumor immune escape and the formation of tumor
      microenvironment, closely related with tumor generation and development.
      Blockading the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway could reverse the tumor microenvironment and
      enhance the endogenous antitumor immune responses. Utilizing the PD-1 and/or PD
      L1 inhibitors has shown benefits in clinical trials of NSCLC. In this review, we
      discuss the basic principle of PD-1/PD-L1 pathway and its role in the
      tumorigenesis and development of NSCLC. The clinical development of PD-1/PD-L1
      pathway inhibitors and the main problems in the present studies and the research
      direction in the future will also be discussed. 

PMID- 26279308
TI  - Disparities in attention to HIV-prevention information.
AB  - Compared to European-Americans, African-Americans have greater probability of
      becoming infected with HIV, as well as worse outcomes when they become infected.
      Therefore, adequate health communications should ensure that they capture the
      attention of African-Americans and do not perpetuate disadvantages relative to
      European-Americans. The objective of this report was to examine if racial
      disparities in attention to health information parallel racial disparities in
      health outcomes. Participants were clients of a public health clinic (Study 1 n =
      64; Study 2 n = 55). Unobtrusive observation in a public health waiting room,
      message reading times, and response-time on a modified flanker task were used to
      examine attention to HIV- and flu-information across racial groups. In Study 1,
      participants were observed for the duration of their time in a public health
      clinic waiting room (average duration: 31 min). In Study 2, participants
      completed tasks in a private room at the public health clinic (average duration:
      21 min). Across all attention measures, results suggest an interaction between
      race and information type on attention to health information. In particular,
      African-Americans differentially attended to information as a function of
      information type, with decreased attention to HIV- versus flu-information. In
      contrast, European-Americans attended equally to both HIV- and flu-information.
      As such, disparities in attention yielded less access to certain health
      information for African- than European-Americans in a health setting. The
      identified disparities in attention are particularly problematic because they
      disadvantage African-Americans at a time of great effort to correct racial
      disparities. Modifying the framing of health information in ways that ensure
      attention by all racial groups may be a strategy to increase attention, and
      thereby reduce disparities in health outcomes. Future research should find
      solutions that increase attentional access to health communications for all
      groups. 

PMID- 26279309
TI  - Assessing hippocampal development and language in early childhood: Evidence from
      a new application of the Automatic Segmentation Adapter Tool.
AB  - Volumetric assessments of the hippocampus and other brain structures during
      childhood provide useful indices of brain development and correlates of cognitive
      functioning in typically and atypically developing children. Automated methods
      such as FreeSurfer promise efficient and replicable segmentation, but may include
      errors which are avoided by trained manual tracers. A recently devised automated
      correction tool that uses a machine learning algorithm to remove systematic
      errors, the Automatic Segmentation Adapter Tool (ASAT), was capable of
      substantially improving the accuracy of FreeSurfer segmentations in an adult
      sample [Wang et al., 2011], but the utility of ASAT has not been examined in
      pediatric samples. In Study 1, the validity of FreeSurfer and ASAT corrected
      hippocampal segmentations were examined in 20 typically developing children and
      20 children with autism spectrum disorder aged 2 and 3 years. We showed that
      while neither FreeSurfer nor ASAT accuracy differed by disorder or age, the
      accuracy of ASAT corrected segmentations were substantially better than
      FreeSurfer segmentations in every case, using as few as 10 training examples. In
      Study 2, we applied ASAT to 89 typically developing children aged 2 to 4 years to
      examine relations between hippocampal volume, age, sex, and expressive language.
      Girls had smaller hippocampi overall, and in left hippocampus this difference was
      larger in older than younger girls. Expressive language ability was greater in
      older children, and this difference was larger in those with larger hippocampi,
      bilaterally. Overall, this research shows that ASAT is highly reliable and useful
      to examinations relating behavior to hippocampal structure.

PMID- 26279310
TI  - Herd-level bovine tuberculosis risk factors: assessing the role of low-level
      badger population disturbance.
AB  - Bovine TB (bTB) is endemic in Irish cattle and has eluded eradication despite
      considerable expenditure, amid debate over the relative roles of badgers and
      cattle in disease transmission. Using a comprehensive dataset from Northern
      Ireland (>10,000 km(2); 29,513 cattle herds), we investigated interactions
      between host populations in one of the first large-scale risk factor analyses for
      new herd breakdowns to combine data on both species. Cattle risk factors
      (movements, international imports, bTB history, neighbours with bTB) were more
      strongly associated with herd risk than area-level measures of badger social
      group density, habitat suitability or persecution (sett disturbance). Highest
      risks were in areas of high badger social group density and high rates of
      persecution, potentially representing both responsive persecution of badgers in
      high cattle risk areas and effects of persecution on cattle bTB risk through
      badger social group disruption. Average badger persecution was associated with
      reduced cattle bTB risk (compared with high persecution areas), so persecution
      may contribute towards sustaining bTB hotspots; findings with important
      implications for existing and planned disease control programmes. 

PMID- 26279311
TI  - Review of the importance of nutrition during the first 1000 days: maternal
      nutritional status and its associations with fetal growth and birth, neonatal and
      infant outcomes among African women.
AB  - Maternal nutritional status (MNS) is a strong predictor of growth and development
      in the first 1000 days of life and may influence susceptibility to non
      communicable diseases in adulthood. However, the role of nutrition during this
      window of developmental plasticity in Africa is unclear. This paper reviews
      published data to address whether maternal nutrition during the first 1000 days
      is important for Africa, with a focus on MNS and its associations with fetal
      growth and birth, neonatal and infant outcomes. A systematic approach was used to
      search the following databases: Medline, EMBASE, Web of Science, Google Scholar,
      ScienceDirect, SciSearch and Cochrane Library. In all, 26 studies met the
      inclusion criteria for the specific objectives. MNS in Africa showed features
      typical of the epidemiological transition: higher prevalences of maternal
      overweight and obesity and lower underweight, poor diet quality 1 and high
      anaemia prevalence. Maternal body mass index and greater gestational weight gain
      (GWG) were positively associated with birth weight; however, maternal overweight
      and obesity were associated with increased risk of macrosomia and intrauterine
      growth restriction. Maternal anaemia was associated with lower birth weight.
      Macro- and micronutrient supplementation during pregnancy were associated with
      improvements in GWG, birth weight and mortality risk. Data suggest poor MNS in
      Africa and confirms the importance of the first 1000 days as a critical period
      for nutritional intervention to improve growth, birth outcomes and potential
      future health risk. However, there is a lack of data beyond birth and a need for
      longitudinal data through infancy to 2 years of age. 

PMID- 26279313
TI  - Heart rate and heart rate variability in pregnant dairy cows and their fetuses
      determined by fetomaternal electrocardiography.
AB  - In this study, fetomaternal electrocardiograms were recorded once weekly in
      cattle during the last 14 weeks of gestation. From the recorded beat-to-beat (RR)
      intervals, heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV) variables standard
      deviation of the RR interval (SDRR) and root mean square of successive RR
      differences (RMSSD) were calculated. To differentiate between effects of
      lactation and gestation, pregnant lactating (PL) cows (n = 7) and pregnant
      nonlactating (PNL) heifers (n = 8) were included. We hypothesized that lactation
      is associated with stress detectable by HRV analysis. We also followed the
      hypothesis that heart rate and HRV are influenced by growth and maturation of the
      fetus toward term. Maternal heart rate changed over time in both groups, and in
      PL cows, it decreased with drying-off. During the last 5 weeks of gestation,
      maternal heart rate increased in both groups but was lower in PL cows than in PNL
      heifers. Maternal HRV did not change over time, but SDRR was significantly higher
      in PL cows than in PNL heifers, and significant interactions of group * time
      existed. On the basis of HRV, undisturbed pregnancies are thus no stressor for
      the dam in cattle. Fetal heart rate decreased from week 14 to week 1 before birth
      with no difference between groups. Gestational age thus determines heart rate in
      the bovine fetus. The HRV variables SDRR and RMSSD increased toward the end of
      gestation in fetuses carried by cows but not in those carried by heifers. The
      increase in HRV indicates maturation of fetal cardiac regulation which may be
      overrun by high sympathoadrenal activity in fetuses carried by heifers as
      suggested by their low HRV. 

PMID- 26279312
TI  - In vitro bovine embryo production in a synthetic medium: embryo development,
      cryosurvival, and establishment of pregnancy.
AB  - The aim of this study was to develop an in vitro embryo culture medium without
      either fetal calf serum or BSA, using various growth factors and cytokines (GFs
      CYKs; IGF-I, IGF-II, bFGF, LIF, GM-CSF, TGF-beta1, and PDGF-BB), and other
      molecules with surfactant and embryotrophic properties, such as recombinant
      albumin (RA) and hyaluronan (HA). The first part of the study was dedicated to
      define the best combination of GFs-CYKs + RA + HA for optimal embryonic
      development. Next, we compared development rates and embryo quality (inner cell
      mass [ICM]-to-total cell number [TCN] ratio), and postthaw survival and hatching
      rates using this synthetic medium (T1) and a control medium: synthetic oviduct
      fluid + BSA + ITS (insulin, transferrin, and selenium). The blastocyst rates were
      significantly higher with T1 than those with the control at 7 and 8 days after
      fertilization. There was no significant difference in TCN or the ICM/TCN ratio
      between the two treatments. Survival and hatching rates 48 hours after thawing
      were similar for both treatments. Finally, nine embryo transfers were conducted
      using fresh and previously frozen Day-7 blastocysts to evaluate the in vivo
      viability of embryos produced in this synthetic medium; four gestations were
      obtained from six fresh embryos and one gestation from three frozen embryos. In
      conclusion, the fetal calf serum and BSA-free medium, supplemented with GFs-CYKs
      + RA + HA, improved embryo development and gave comparable ICM/TCN ratios and
      postthaw survival rates to the control with BSA. Fresh and frozen embryos
      produced in this medium are viable for embryo transfer. This fully synthetic
      method of embryo culture is a useful means of reducing the risk of disease
      transmission via embryo transfer.

PMID- 26279315
TI  - Influence of agricultural practice on mobile bla genes: IncI1-bearing CTX-M, SHV,
      CMY and TEM in Escherichia coli from intensive farming soils.
AB  - Many calls have been made to address antibiotic resistance in an environmental
      perspective. With this study, we showed the widespread presence of high-level
      antibiotic resistant isolates on a collection of non-susceptible Gram-negative
      bacteria (n = 232) recovered from soils. Bacteria were selected using
      amoxicillin, cefotaxime and imipenem, from sites representing different
      agricultural practices (extensive, intensive and organic). Striking levels of non
      susceptibility were noticed in intensive soils for norfloxacin (74%),
      streptomycin (50.7%) and tetracycline (46.6%); indeed, the exposure to intensive
      agricultural practices constituted a risk factor for non-susceptibility to many
      antibiotics, multidrug resistance and production of extended-spectrum beta
      lactamases (ESBL). Analyses of non-susceptibility highlighted that environmental
      and clinical bacteria from the same species might not share the same intrinsic
      resistance patterns, raising concerns for therapy choices in environment-borne
      infections. The multiple sequence-type IncI1-driven spread of penicillinases
      (blaTEM-1, blaTEM-135), ESBL (blaSHV-12 and blaCTX-M-1) and plasmid-mediated AmpC
      beta-lactamases (blaCMY-2), produced by isolates that share their molecular
      features with isolates from humans and animals, suggests contamination of
      agricultural soils. This is also the first appearance of IncI1/ST28-harbouring
      blaCTX-M-1, which should be monitored to prevent their establishment as
      successfully dispersed plasmids. This research may help disclose paths of
      contamination by mobile antibiotic resistance determinants and the risks for
      their dissemination.

PMID- 26279314
TI  - Histone-lysine N-methyltransferase SETDB1 is required for development of the
      bovine blastocyst.
AB  - Transcripts derived from select clades of transposable elements are among the
      first to appear in early mouse and human embryos, indicating transposable
      elements and the mechanisms that regulate their activity are fundamental to the
      establishment of the founding mammalian lineages. However, the mechanisms by
      which these parasitic sequences are involved in directing the developmental
      program are still poorly characterized. Transposable elements are regulated
      through epigenetic means, where combinatorial patterns of DNA methylation and
      histone 3 lysine 9 trimethylation (H3K9me3) suppress their transcription. From
      studies in rodents, SET domain bifurcated 1 (SETDB1) has emerged as the core
      methyltransferase responsible for marking transposable elements with H3K9me3 and
      temporally regulating their transcriptional activity. SETDB1 loss of function
      studies in mice reveal that although extraembryonic tissues do not require this
      methyltransferase, establishment of the embryo proper fails without it. As the
      bovine embryo initiates the processes of epigenetic programming earlier in the
      preimplantation phase, we sought to determine whether suppressing SETDB1 would
      block the formation of the inner cell mass. We report here that bovine SETDB1
      transcripts are present throughout preimplantation development, and RNA
      interference-based depletion blocks embryo growth at the morula stage of
      development. Although we did not observe alterations in global histone
      methylation or transposable element transcription, we did observe increased
      global levels of H3K27 acetylation, an epigenetic mark associated with active
      enhancers. Our observations suggest that SETDB1 might interact with the
      epigenetic machinery controlling enhancer function and that suppression of this
      methyltransferase may disrupt the bovine developmental program. 

PMID- 26279316
TI  - Low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and secondary hyperparathyroidism in Fontan
      patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Limited data exist on the vitamin D status in Fontan patients. We
      determined the prevalence and potential risk factors of vitamin D deficiency in
      this patient subset. Methods and results Data were collected from 27 Fontan
      patients (55.6% male, mean age 8.1+/-5.3 years). Protein-losing enteropathy was
      diagnosed in six patients (22.2%). Vitamin D deficiency was defined as a serum 25
      hydroxyvitamin D level of <20 ng/ml. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, a marker
      of systemic inflammation, was calculated. Associations between laboratory
      measurements and patient characteristics were explored. Mean serum 25
      hydroxyvitamin D level was 14.1+/-10.4 ng/ml. Vitamin D deficiency was found in
      19/27 patients (70.3%). Only skin type was associated with vitamin D deficiency
      (p=0.04). Hyperparathyroidism was present in 5/21 (23.8%) patients, and was more
      prevalent in patients with protein-losing enteropathy (p<0.001). Parathyroid
      hormone levels correlated with parameters of systemic inflammation (neutrophil-to
      lymphocyte ratio: r=0.484, p=0.026; relative lymphocyte count: r=-0.635,
      p=0.002). Vitamin D supplementation significantly increased serum 25
      hydroxyvitamin D levels (p<0.0001), and was accompanied by a reduction in
      parathyroid hormone concentrations (p=0.032). CONCLUSIONS: A high prevalence of
      vitamin D deficiency was found among Fontan patients, independent of age, time
      after Fontan procedure, ventricular morphology, and presence of protein-losing
      enteropathy. A potentially important link between parathyroid hormone levels and
      systemic inflammation is suggested.

PMID- 26279317
TI  - Crack formation and prevention in colloidal drops.
AB  - Crack formation is a frequent result of residual stress release from colloidal
      films made by the evaporation of colloidal droplets containing nanoparticles.
      Crack prevention is a significant task in industrial applications such as
      painting and inkjet printing with colloidal nanoparticles. Here, we illustrate
      how colloidal drops evaporate and how crack generation is dependent on the
      particle size and initial volume fraction, through direct visualization of the
      individual colloids with confocal laser microscopy. To prevent crack formation,
      we suggest use of a versatile method to control the colloid-polymer interactions
      by mixing a nonadsorbing polymer with the colloidal suspension, which is known to
      drive gelation of the particles with short-range attraction. Gelation-driven
      crack prevention is a feasible and simple method to obtain crack-free, uniform
      coatings through drying-mediated assembly of colloidal nanoparticles. 

PMID- 26279318
TI  - Midwives and information on prenatal testing with focus on Down syndrome.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate midwives' knowledge of prenatal diagnosis especially
      Down syndrome, information given by midwives to parents, expectant parents'
      requests for information and how midwives perceive their own competence to give
      information. METHOD: A cross-sectional, prospective study with a questionnaire
      was completed by 64 out of 70 midwives working in the outpatient antenatal care
      in Uppsala County, Sweden. RESULTS: The midwives had varying and in some areas
      low levels of knowledge about Down syndrome. Information about Down syndrome was
      most often given only when asked for or when there was an increased probability
      of a Down syndrome pregnancy. The most common questions from expectant parents
      concerned test methods and risk assessments while questions regarding symptoms of
      Down syndrome and consequences of having a child with Down syndrome were
      uncommon. The majority (83-89%) had insufficient or no education regarding
      different prenatal tests. Only two midwives (3%) had received education about
      Down syndrome, and 9% felt they had sufficient knowledge to inform about the
      syndrome. More education about prenatal tests and Down syndrome was desired by
      94%. CONCLUSION: It is important to ensure that midwives in antenatal care have
      sufficient knowledge to inform expectant parents about the conditions screened
      for. (c) 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 26279319
TI  - Increased oxidative stress and apoptosis in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of
      fructose-fed rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Measuring of oxidative stress in peripheral blood mononuclear cells
      is a suitable model of dietary induced systemic oxidative stress. Thus, we aimed
      to evaluate whether a chronic high fructose intake could induce oxidative damage
      in peripheral blood and bone marrow mononuclear cells of rats. METHODS: Animals
      were randomly assigned to the following groups: Control group (standard rat chow
      and tap water n=8), and Fructose group (standard rat chow and a 10% fructose
      solution in the drinking water n=8). Reactive oxygen species and cytokines were
      measure using flow cytometry in peripheral blood and bone-marrow mononuclear
      cells. Apoptotic cell death and the advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP)
      were also determined. RESULTS: We observed a significant increase in ROS
      production in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of fructose group as compared to
      control rats. Apoptosis and the AOPP were higher in those animals underwent high
      fructose intake. Serum levels of IL-6 and IL-12 were also increased after 12
      weeks of high fructose intake. CONCLUSION: We concluded that fructose intake
      leads to systemic oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory condition which affect
      peripheral blood mononuclear cells and bone-marrow mononuclear cells viability.

PMID- 26279320
TI  - Retrospective analysis of safety and efficacy of liraglutide monotherapy and
      sulfonylurea-combination therapy in Japanese type 2 diabetes: Association of
      remaining beta-cell function and achievement of HbA1c target one year after
      initiation.
AB  - AIMS: The GLP-1 receptor agonist liraglutide improves impaired pancreatic beta
      cell function, thereby exerting glucose-lowering effects. However, the
      association of remaining beta-cell function with long-term therapeutic efficacy
      of liraglutide remains largely unknown. METHODS: Patients with type 2 diabetes
      who started liraglutide as monotherapy or sulfonylurea-combination therapy were
      retrospectively analyzed to identify possible associations of indices related to
      beta-cell function including increments of C-peptide immunoreactivity in glucagon
      stimulation test (GST-DeltaCPR) with achievement of HbA1c <7.0% at 54weeks after
      liraglutide initiation. RESULTS: Among 165 subjects continuing liraglutide for
      54weeks, 66 received additional oral anti-diabetic drugs (OADs) during the
      period. Of those continuing liraglutide without receiving additional OADs, 41
      subjects achieved HbA1c <7.0% at 54weeks, while 49 subjects did not. Subjects
      achieving HbA1c <7.0% showed higher values of GST-DeltaCPR. Receiver-operating
      analysis revealed 2.34ng/mL as the cut-off value for HbA1c <7.0% achievement in
      these subjects. Subjects with GST-DeltaCPR >2.34ng/mL showed continuous and
      substantial HbA1c reduction throughout the 54weeks. In Kaplan-Meier analysis,
      subjects with GST-DeltaCPR >2.34ng/mL showed longer therapeutic durability of
      initial liraglutide therapy with no additional OADs or insulin. CONCLUSIONS:
      Despite numerous limitations, these results indicate that long-term efficacy of
      liraglutide is associated with remaining beta-cell function at initiation.

PMID- 26279321
TI  - The frequency and impact of hypoglycemia among hospitalized patients with
      diabetes: A population-based study.
AB  - We aimed to evaluate the frequency of hypoglycemia and its impact on the length
      of stay and all-cause in-hospital mortality in hospitalized patients with
      diabetes. We used data from the Basic Minimum Data Set of the Spanish National
      Health System. Hypoglycemia was defined as having an ICD-9-CM code 250.8, 251.0,
      251.1, and 251.2, and categorized as primary if it was the main cause of
      admission and secondary if it occurred during the hospital stay. The association
      between hypoglycemia and the study outcomes was evaluated in two cohorts - with
      and without secondary hypoglycemia - matched by propensity scores and using
      multivariate models. Among the 5,447,725 discharges with a diagnosis of diabetes
      recorded from January 1997 to December 2010, there were 92,591 (1.7%) discharges
      with primary hypoglycemia and 154,510 (2.8%) with secondary hypoglycemia. The
      prevalence of secondary hypoglycemia increased from 1.1% in 1997 to a peak of
      3.8% in 2007, while the prevalence of primary hypoglycemia remained fairly
      stable. Primary hypoglycemia was associated with reduced in-hospital mortality
      (Odds ratio [OR] 0.06; 95% Confidence interval [CI], 0.03-0.10) and a significant
      decrease in time to discharge (Hazard ratio [HR] 2.53; 95% CI, 2.30-2.76), while
      secondary hypoglycemia was associated with an increased likelihood of in-hospital
      mortality (OR 1.12; 95% CI, 1.09-1.15) and a significant increase in time to
      discharge (HR 0.80; 95% CI, 0.79-0.80). In conclusion, the prevalence of
      secondary hypoglycemia is increasing in patients with diabetes and is associated
      with an increased likelihood of in-hospital mortality and a longer hospital stay.

PMID- 26279322
TI  - Vocal Tract Discomfort and Risk Factors in University Teachers.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To characterize the presence of and risk factors for throat pain or
      irritation among male and female university teachers in private institutions
      within the city of Sao Paulo. STUDY DESIGN: This is a cross-sectional survey.
      METHODS: Voice self-evaluation forms prepared by the Brazilian Ministry of Labor
      were administered to 846 university teachers in a private institution in the city
      of Sao Paulo, Brazil. RESULTS: The prevalence of throat pain or irritation was
      50.8% and was higher in the women (62.7%) than in the men (43.5%). The prevalence
      of throat pain or irritation was higher among professionals <=60 years old and
      among those who spent most of their time teaching compared with those who spent
      most of their time performing other professional activities. Other factors, such
      as noise and sound competition, air pollution, stress and anxiety, personal
      habits, and lifestyle/quality of life, were related to the presence of throat
      pain or irritation. CONCLUSIONS: University teachers demonstrated a high
      prevalence of throat pain or irritation. Factors such as age <=60 years, female
      gender, time-consuming professional activities, noise and sound competition in
      the work environment, stress and anxiety, air pollution, access to water,
      personal habits, and lifestyle/quality of life were related to the presence of
      throat pain or irritation.

PMID- 26279323
TI  - Early-Stage Classic Hodgkin Lymphoma: The Utilization of Radiation Therapy and
      Its Impact on Overall Survival.
AB  - PURPOSE: To examine the association between radiation therapy (RT) utilization
      and overall survival (OS) for patients with early-stage Hodgkin lymphoma (HL).
      METHODS AND MATERIALS: Using the National Cancer Database, we evaluated clinical
      features and survival outcomes among patients diagnosed with stage I/II HL from
      1998 to 2011. The association between RT use, covariables, and outcome was
      assessed in a Cox proportional hazards regression model. Propensity score
      matching was performed to balance observed confounding factors. Survival was
      estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Among the 41,943 patients in
      the National Cancer Database with stage I/II HL, 29,752 patients were analyzed
      for this study. Radiation therapy use was associated with younger age (<=40
      years), favorable insured status, higher socioeconomic status (income,
      education), and treatment at comprehensive community cancer centers (all P<.05).
      Five-year OS for patients receiving RT was 94.5%, versus 88.9% for those not
      receiving RT (P<.01). Radiation therapy use was a significant predictor of OS in
      the "As-Treated" cohort (hazard ratio 0.53, 95% confidence interval 0.49-0.58,
      P<.01) and intention-to-treat analysis (P<.01). After propensity score matching
      based on clinicopathologic characteristics, RT use remained associated with
      improved OS (hazard ratio 0.46, 95% confidence interval 0.38-0.56, P<.01). Over
      the study period, RT utilization for this cohort decreased from 55% to 44%, most
      commonly because it was not part of the planned initial treatment strategy.
      CONCLUSIONS: Consolidation RT was associated with improved OS for patients with
      early-stage classic HL. We also have identified patient-specific variations in
      the use of RT that may be targeted to improve patient access to care.

PMID- 26279324
TI  - Adverse Outcomes After Palliative Radiation Therapy for Uncomplicated Spine
      Metastases: Role of Spinal Instability and Single-Fraction Radiation Therapy.
AB  - PURPOSE: Level I evidence demonstrates equivalent pain response after single
      fraction (SF) or multifraction (MF) radiation therapy (RT) for bone metastases.
      The purpose of this study is to provide additional data to inform the incidence
      and predictors of adverse outcomes after RT for spine metastases. METHODS AND
      MATERIALS: At a single institution, 299 uncomplicated spine metastases (without
      cord compression, prior RT, or surgery) treated with RT from 2008 to 2013 were
      retrospectively reviewed. The spinal instability neoplastic score (SINS) was used
      to assess spinal instability. The primary outcome was time to first spinal
      adverse event (SAE) at the site, including symptomatic vertebral fracture,
      hospitalization for site-related pain, salvage surgery, interventional procedure,
      new neurologic symptoms, or cord compression. Fine and Gray's multivariable model
      assessed associations of the primary outcome with SINS, SF RT, and other
      significant baseline factors. Propensity score matched analysis further assessed
      the relationship of SF RT to first SAEs. RESULTS: The cumulative incidence of
      first SAE after SF RT (n=66) was 6.8% at 30 days, 16.9% at 90 days, and 23.6% at
      180 days. For MF RT (n=233), the incidence was 3.5%, 6.4%, and 9.2%,
      respectively. In multivariable analysis, SF RT (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.8, 95%
      confidence interval [CI] 1.5-5.2, P=.001) and SINS >= 11 (HR=2.5 , 95% CI 1.3
      4.9, P=.007) were predictors of the incidence of first SAE. In propensity score
      matched analysis, first SAEs had developed in 22% of patients with SF RT versus
      6% of those with MF RT cases (HR=3.9, 95% CI 1.6-9.6, P=.003) at 90 days after
      RT. CONCLUSION: In uncomplicated spinal metastases treated with RT alone, spinal
      instability with SINS >= 11 and SF RT were associated with a higher rate of SAEs.

PMID- 26279325
TI  - Myeloperoxidase Inhibitors as Potential Drugs.
AB  - Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is an important member of the haem peroxidase -
      cyclooxygenase superfamily. This enzyme is physiologically expressed in
      circulating neutrophils, monocytes and some tissue macrophages including
      microglia. MPO plays an essential role in the antimicrobial and antiviral system
      of humans. The microbicidal activity of MPO exists due to its capability to
      oxidize halide and pseudohalide ions (CI(-), Br(-), I(-) and SCN(-)) by H2O2,
      thereby producing respective hypohalous acids (HOX). During the phagocytosis of
      pathogens, azurophilic granules release their content together with MPO into
      phagolysosomes. On the other hand, MPO can be discharged outside the phagocytes.
      Due to this, tissue damage during inflammation is greatly promoted by MPO-derived
      oxidants. Regarding its activity, MPO is a key factor in a great number of
      conditions within the group of cardiovascular diseases, inflammatory diseases,
      neurodegenerative diseases, kidney diseases and immune-mediated diseases.
      Therefore, MPO and its downstream inflammatory pathways might be attractive
      targets for both prognostic and therapeutic intervention in the prophylaxis of
      all mentioned illnesses. Nowadays, structure and reaction mechanism of MPO are
      known, which enable rational strategy in the development of specific MPO
      inhibitors that still preserve MPO activity during host defense from bacteria,
      but hinder pathophysiologically persistent activation of MPO. Various methods for
      MPO activity inhibition and unfavorable effects of MPO-derived oxidants
      remodeling will be discussed. Emphasis will be put on various known inhibitors,
      as well as on newly investigated natural products, which can also inhibit MPO
      activity. 

PMID- 26279326
TI  - Applications of Metabonomics in Pesticide Toxicology.
AB  - Metabonomic studies quantitatively measure the small molecule metabolites and
      their intermediates in the biological samples (serum, urine or tissue extracts)
      and have gained wide applications in many fields, especially in toxicology.
      Pesticides are extensively used around the world and pesticide toxicity has
      become a serious threat to human health. Metabonomic approach has been applied in
      many aspects of pesticide toxicology research such as eco-environmental toxicity
      studies, biomarker identification, and mechanism of toxicity studies. Both whole
      organism animal models and cell culture models are used for metabonomic studies
      on pesticide toxicology. In the literature, metabonomic analyses on the toxicity
      of over thirty common pesticides, including insecticides, herbicides and
      fungicides, have been carried out using magnetic resonance spectroscopy or mass
      spectrometry. The combined toxicity of pesticides or pesticide with heavy metals
      was also investigated with metabonomic approach. In this article, recent
      progresses made in applying metabonomic approach in pesticide toxicology are
      thoroughly reviewed and the challenges with application of this approach are also
      discussed.

PMID- 26279327
TI  - Lipid-Based Formulations for Oral Drug Delivery: Effects on Drug Absorption and
      Metabolism.
AB  - The application of lipid-based drug delivery systems on the industrial scale has
      successfully demonstrated their therapeutic and manufacturing advantages.
      Recently, various lipid-based formulations were successfully prepared for oral
      delivery of compounds that are difficult to administer. Nevertheless, an improved
      understanding of how these formulations affect drug absorption and metabolism is
      required to support the rapid and successful completion of drug development
      programs. In this review, we report the detailed mechanisms whereby lipids and
      lipid-based excipients affect drug absorption and metabolism, and summarize the
      capacity of lipids and lipid-based formulations to improve drug absorption by
      improving drug solubility, mucosa penetration, lymphatic transport, and hepatic
      metabolism. Finally, we discuss the progress made toward the use of novel lipid
      formulations to enhance oral absorption by surmounting specific absorption
      barriers.

PMID- 26279328
TI  - Submicron Lipid Emulsions: A Versatile Platform for Drug Delivery.
AB  - Lipid emulsions have turned out to be a versatile tool for systemic delivery of
      poorly soluble drugs and cytotoxic drugs. Currently, the majority of marketed or
      developing drugs are recognized as BCS II and IV ones. How to solve the
      solubility and systemic administration that enables them access to clinical
      application is arising a great challenge in drug delivery systems. The key
      considerations for lipid emulsions are how to enhance the drug load, stability
      and reproducibility. Formulation and manufacture technique play the leading role
      in development of lipid emulsions. Understanding the biofate and characterization
      in vitro/vivo is suggestive to exploit the potential of lipid emulsions. This
      review discussed the manufacture techniques and in vivo behavior of lipid
      emulsions. Momentous interests were focused on their applications in drug
      delivery as well as the future evolution. Finally, we appreciated the
      methodologies of quality control and systemic risks associated with lipid
      emulsions. 

PMID- 26279330
TI  - Callosal disconnection syndrome in symptomatic female carrier of Pelizaeus
      Merzbacher disease.

PMID- 26279331
TI  - Neuroprotective effect of nicorandil through inhibition of apoptosis by the
      PI3K/Akt1 pathway in a mouse model of deep hypothermic low flow.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Nicorandil exerts a protective effect on ischemia-reperfusion (I/R)
      injury in the brain and kidney through anti-apoptotic mechanisms. However, the
      mechanism by which nicorandil protects against I/R injury induced by deep
      hypothermic low flow (DHLF) remains unclear. METHODS: We used a cerebral I/R
      model induced by DHLF to determine the neuroprotective effects and possible
      mechanisms of nicorandil. RESULTS: Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and in situ
      terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase UTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay were
      used to detect changes in cell morphology and the number of apoptotic cells in
      hippocampus, respectively. The apoptotic regulators including Bcl-2, Bax, Akt,
      and p-Akt (the active, phosphorylated form of Akt) were examined by Western blot
      (WB). Histopathological findings showed that nicorandil significantly alleviated
      morphological damage in hippocampal and reduced the number of TUNEL-positive
      nuclei induced by DHLF. Nicorandil also increased the expression of Bcl-2 and
      decreased the expression of Bax, while increasing p-Akt level. Consistent with
      these results, nicorandil-mediated neuroprotection was reduced in the Akt1+/-
      mutant mice and inhibited by LY294002, a PI3K inhibitor. CONCLUSIONS: These
      findings showed that nicorandil provides a neuroprotective role in DHLF-induced
      I/R injury by inhibiting apoptosis via activation of the PI3K/Akt1 signaling
      pathway.

PMID- 26279332
TI  - Pitfalls in the diagnosis of leprous neuropathy: lessons learnt from a University
      hospital in an endemic zone.

PMID- 26279333
TI  - Long-term enzyme-replacement therapy (ERT) with alglucosidase alfa: Evolution of
      two siblings with juvenile late-onset Pompe disease.

PMID- 26279334
TI  - Iranian nursing students' preparedness for clinical training: A qualitative
      study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Clinical training plays a fundamental role in nursing students'
      acquisition of professional capabilities. Students' preparedness for learning in
      clinical setting is one of the most important factors that determine the quality
      of clinical training. Different studies indicate the nursing students'
      unpreparedness for entering clinical environment. AIM: The aim of this study was
      to explore Iranian nursing students' preparedness for clinical training. METHOD:
      This research is a qualitative research using content analysis approach. The
      participants consisted of seventeen nursing students, three nursing educators and
      one nurse, selected through the purposive sampling method and questioned in semi
      structured interviews. The acquired data was analyzed by qualitative content
      analysis approach. RESULTS: Two main themes were captured in this study;
      including: 1) rejection of the profession and 2) fear and anxiety CONCLUSION: The
      findings indicated that the nursing students are not psychologically prepared for
      internship in clinical settings. Therefore we recommend in the first place
      reducing students' fear and anxiety of facing the reality and preparing them for
      a better beginning through conducting workshops in retraining and practicing
      clinical skills along with a course of visiting the hospital for students'
      confrontation and familiarization with real environment immediately before
      entering into the clinical setting. In addition, after the students' entrance to
      the setting the clinical educators should strive to heed students' level of
      preparedness especially their psychological needs and condition including the
      extent to which they accept their profession.

PMID- 26279335
TI  - Characteristics and values of a British military nurse. International
      implications of War Zone qualitative research.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Between 2001 and 2014, British military nurses served in Afghanistan
      caring for both Service personnel and local nationals of all ages. However, there
      have been few research studies assessing the effectiveness of the military
      nurses' operational role and no papers naming the core values and
      characteristics. This paper is from the only qualitative nursing study completed
      during this period where data was collected in the War Zone. OBJECTIVE: To
      explore the characteristics and values that are intrinsic to military nurses in
      undertaking their operational role. DESIGN: A constructivist grounded theory was
      utilised. The authors designed the interview schedule, and then following a pilot
      study, conducted and transcribed the discussions. Informed consent and UK
      Ministry of Defence Research Ethical Committee approval was obtained. SETTING:
      Camp Bastion Hospital, Afghanistan, in 2013. METHOD: Semi-structured interviews
      were conducted with 18 British Armed Forces nurses. RESULTS: A theoretical model
      was developed that identifies the intrinsic characteristics and values required
      to be a military nurse. Nursing care delivered within the operational environment
      was perceived as outstanding. Nurses consciously detached themselves from any
      legal processes and treated each casualty as a vulnerable patient, resulting in
      care, compassion and dignity being provided for all patients, irrespective of
      their background, beliefs or affiliations. CONCLUSION: The study findings provide
      military nurses with a framework for a realistic personal development plan that
      will allow them to build upon their strengths as well as to identify and
      ameliorate potential areas of weakness. Placing nurses first, with a model that
      focusses on the requirements of a good nurse has the potential to lead to better
      patient care, and improve the quality of the tour for defence nurses. These
      findings have international implications and have the potential for
      transferability to any level of military or civilian nursing practice.

PMID- 26279336
TI  - Using Facebook to enhance commencing student confidence in clinical skill
      development: A phenomenological hermeneutic study.
AB  - AIM: The purpose of this study was to explore commencing nursing students'
      experience of Facebook as an adjunct to on-campus course delivery to determine
      its impact as a learning strategy for improving confidence in clinical skill
      development. BACKGROUND: Approaches supporting nursing students in the
      development of clinical skills have relied on 'real-life' clinical placements and
      simulated on-campus clinical laboratories. However students continue to report a
      lack of confidence in their clinical skills for practice. Social networking sites
      including Facebook are being used as a learning strategy to stimulate active and
      collaborative learning approaches. DESIGN: A hermeneutic phenomenological
      approach was used to provide an understanding of the experience of confidence in
      clinical skills development for nursing students. METHODS: Data were collected
      through in-depth interviews with commencing students about their experience as
      learners using Facebook and their perceptions of the impact on their clinical
      skill development. SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANTS: Ten first-year student nurses at
      one university in south-east Queensland, Australia. FINDINGS: Four themes emerged
      from the data including: 'We're all in this together'; 'I can do this'; 'This is
      about my future goals and success'; and, 'Real time is not fast enough!'. These
      themes provide new meaningful insights demonstrating students' sense of
      confidence in clinical skills was increased through engagement with a dedicated
      Facebook page. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study have relevance to
      academics in the design of learning strategies for clinical courses to further
      support student confidence and engagement through peer collaboration and active
      learning processes.

PMID- 26279337
TI  - Gender Specific Association between Serum Fibroblast Growth Factor 23/alpha
      Klotho and Coronary Artery and Aortic Valve Calcification.
AB  - AIM: Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) and alpha-Klotho have been recently
      identified to play a crucial role in calcium/phosphate metabolism. We herein
      investigated the possible relation between serum FGF23/alpha-Klotho levels and
      coronary artery calcification (CAC) and aortic valve calcification (AVC).
      METHODS: Among subjects with diagnosed or suspected coronary artery disease
      (CAD), CAC and AVC were estimated via the Agatston score of 320-detector computed
      tomography images, and serum FGF23 and alpha-Klotho levels were measured.
      RESULTS: In total, 157 subjects were enrolled (75 women and 82 men). We performed
      logistic regression using CAC as a dependent variable; the highest FGF23 tertile
      (> 52.5 pg/mL) was significantly positively associated with CAC with an odds
      ratio of 6.61 versus the lowest FGF23 tertile (< 35.3 pg/mL) in women after the
      adjustment for potential confounding variables including age, renal function,
      hypertension, statin use, diuretic use, and calcium/phosphate metabolism related
      factors. In addition, the highest alpha-Klotho tertile (> 561 pg/mL) was
      significantly associated with AVC with an odds ratio of 6.31 versus the lowest
      alpha-Klotho tertile (< 306 pg/mL) in men after adjusting for the same variables.
      On the other hand, the association between FGF23 and CAC/AVC in men or that
      between alpha-Klotho and CAC/AVC in women was nonsignificant. CONCLUSION: Among
      subjects with diagnosed or suspected CAD, serum FGF23 was positively associated
      with CAC in women and serum alpha-Klotho was positively associated with AVC in
      men independent of the confounding variables, including the renal function and
      calcium/phosphate metabolism-related factors.

PMID- 26279338
TI  - Development of an APC-targeted multivalent E2-based vaccine against Bovine Viral
      Diarrhea Virus types 1 and 2.
AB  - The aim of this study was to develop and test a multivalent subunit vaccine
      against Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) based on the E2 virus glycoprotein
      belonging to genotypes 1a, 1b and 2a, immunopotentiated by targeting these
      antigens to antigen-presenting cells. The E2 antigens were expressed in insect
      cells by a baculovirus vector as fusion proteins with a single chain antibody,
      named APCH I, which recognizes the beta-chain of the MHC Class II antigen. The
      three chimeric proteins were evaluated for their immunogenicity in a guinea pig
      model as well as in colostrum-deprived calves. Once the immune response in
      experimentally vaccinated calves was evaluated, immunized animals were challenged
      with type 1b or type 2b BVDV in order to study the protection conferred by the
      experimental vaccine. The recombinant APCH I-tE21a-1b-2a vaccine was immunogenic
      both in guinea pigs and calves, inducing neutralizing antibodies. After BVDV type
      1b and type 2 challenge of vaccinated calves in a proof of concept, the type 1b
      virus could not be isolated in any animal; meanwhile it was detected in all
      challenged non-vaccinated control animals. However, the type 2 BVDV was isolated
      to a lesser extent compared to unvaccinated animals challenged with type 2 BVDV.
      Clinical signs associated to BVDV, hyperthermia and leukopenia were reduced with
      respect to controls in all vaccinated calves. Given these results, this
      multivalent vaccine holds promise for a safe and effective tool to control BVDV
      in herds.

PMID- 26279339
TI  - Lot-to-lot consistency of a tetravalent dengue vaccine in healthy adults in
      Australia: a randomised study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The recombinant yellow fever-17D-dengue virus, live, attenuated,
      tetravalent dengue vaccine (CYD-TDV) has undergone extensive clinical trials.
      Here safety and consistency of immunogenicity of phase III manufacturing lots of
      CYD-TDV were evaluated and compared with a phase II lot and placebo in a dengue
      naive population. METHODS: Healthy 18-60 year-olds were randomly assigned in a
      3:3:3:3:1 ratio to receive three subcutaneous doses of either CYD-TDV from any
      one of three phase III lots or a phase II lot, or placebo, respectively in a 0,
      6, 12 month dosing schedule. Neutralising antibody geometric mean titres (PRNT50
      GMTs) for each of the four dengue serotypes were compared in sera collected 28
      days after the third vaccination-equivalence among lots was demonstrated if the
      lower and upper limits of the two-sided 95% CIs of the GMT ratio were >=0.5 and
      <=2.0, respectively. RESULTS: 712 participants received vaccine or placebo and
      614 (86%) completed the study; 17 (2.4%) participants withdrew after adverse
      events. Equivalence of phase III lots was demonstrated for 11 of 12 pairwise
      comparisons. One of three comparisons for serotype 2 was not statistically
      equivalent. GMTs for serotype 2 in phase III lots were close to each other (65.9,
      44.1 and 58.1, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Phase III lots can be produced in a
      consistent manner with predictable immune response and acceptable safety profile
      similar to previously characterised phase II lots. The phase III lots may be
      considered as not clinically different as statistical equivalence was shown for
      serotypes 1, 3 and 4 across the phase III lots. For serotype 2, although
      equivalence was not shown between two lots, the GMTs observed in the phase III
      lots were consistently higher than those for the phase II lot. As such, in our
      view, biological equivalence for all serotypes was demonstrated.

PMID- 26279340
TI  - An Intron 9 CYP19 Gene Variant (IVS9+5G>A), Present in an Aromatase-Deficient
      Girl, Affects Normal Splicing and Is Also Present in Normal Human Steroidogenic
      Tissues.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Splicing CYP19 gene variants causing aromatase deficiency in
      46,XX disorder of sexual development (DSD) patients have been reported in a few
      cases. A misbalance between normal and aberrant splicing variants was proposed to
      explain spontaneous pubertal breast development but an incomplete sex maturation
      progress. The aim of this study was to functionally characterize a novel CYP19A1
      intronic homozygote mutation (IVS9+5G>A) in a 46,XX DSD girl presenting
      spontaneous breast development and primary amenorrhea, and to evaluate similar
      splicing variant expression in normal steroidogenic tissues. METHODS: Genomic DNA
      analysis, splicing prediction programs, splicing assays, and in vitro protein
      expression and enzyme activity analyses were carried out. CYP19A1 mRNA expression
      in human steroidogenic tissues was also studied. RESULTS: A novel IVS9+5G>A
      homozygote mutation was found. In silico analysis predicts the disappearance of
      the splicing donor site in intron 9, confirmed by patient peripheral leukocyte
      cP450arom and in vitro studies. Protein analysis showed a shorter and inactive
      protein. The intron 9 transcript variant was also found in human steroidogenic
      tissues. CONCLUSIONS: The mutation IVS9+5G>A generates a splicing variant that
      includes intron 9 which is also present in normal human steroidogenic tissues,
      suggesting that a misbalance between normal and aberrant splicing variants might
      occur in target tissues, explaining the clinical phenotype in the affected
      patient.

PMID- 26279341
TI  - Automatic segmentation of the lateral geniculate nucleus: Application to control
      and glaucoma patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) is a key relay center of the
      visual system. Because the LGN morphology is affected by different diseases, it
      is of interest to analyze its morphology by segmentation. However, existing LGN
      segmentation methods are non-automatic, inefficient and prone to experimenters'
      bias. NEW METHOD: To address these problems, we proposed an automatic LGN
      segmentation algorithm based on T1-weighted imaging. First, the prior information
      of LGN was used to create a prior mask. Then region growing was applied to
      delineate LGN. We evaluated this automatic LGN segmentation method by (1)
      comparison with manually segmented LGN, (2) anatomically locating LGN in the
      visual system via LGN-based tractography, (3) application to control and glaucoma
      patients. RESULTS: The similarity coefficients of automatic segmented LGN and
      manually segmented one are 0.72 (0.06) for the left LGN and 0.77 (0.07) for the
      right LGN. LGN-based tractography shows the subcortical pathway seeding from LGN
      passes the optic tract and also reaches V1 through the optic radiation, which is
      consistent with the LGN location in the visual system. In addition, LGN asymmetry
      as well as LGN atrophy along with age is observed in normal controls. The
      investigation of glaucoma effects on LGN volumes demonstrates that the bilateral
      LGN volumes shrink in patients. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS: The automatic
      LGN segmentation is objective, efficient, valid and applicable. CONCLUSIONS:
      Experiment results proved the validity and applicability of the algorithm. Our
      method will speed up the research on visual system and greatly enhance studies of
      different vision-related diseases.

PMID- 26279342
TI  - A novel approach for monitoring writing interferences during navigated
      transcranial magnetic stimulation mappings of writing related cortical areas.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It has recently been shown that navigated repetitive transcranial
      magnetic stimulation (nTMS) is useful in preoperative neurosurgical mapping of
      motor and language brain areas. In TMS mapping of motor cortices the evoked
      responses can be quantitatively monitored by electromyographic (EMG) recordings.
      No such setup exists for monitoring of writing during nTMS mappings of writing
      related cortical areas. NEW METHOD: We present a novel approach for monitoring
      writing during nTMS mappings of motor writing related cortical areas. COMPARISON
      WITH EXISTING METHOD(S): To our best knowledge, this is the first demonstration
      of quantitative monitoring of motor evoked responses from hand by EMG, and of pen
      related activity during writing with our custom made pen, together with the
      application of chronometric TMS design and patterned protocol of rTMS. RESULTS:
      The method was applied in four healthy subjects participating in writing during
      nTMS mapping of the premotor cortical area corresponding to BA 6 and close to the
      superior frontal sulcus. The results showed that stimulation impaired writing in
      all subjects. The corresponding spectra of measured signal related to writing
      movements was observed in the frequency band 0-20 Hz. Magnetic stimulation
      affected writing by suppressing normal writing frequency band. CONCLUSION: The
      proposed setup for monitoring of writing provides additional quantitative data
      for monitoring and the analysis of rTMS induced writing response modifications.
      The setup can be useful for investigation of neurophysiologic mechanisms of
      writing, for therapeutic effects of nTMS, and in preoperative mapping of language
      cortical areas in patients undergoing brain surgery.

PMID- 26279343
TI  - What's wrong with my mouse cage? Methodological considerations for modeling
      lifestyle factors and gene-environment interactions in mice.
AB  - The mechanistic understanding of lifestyle contributions to disease has been
      largely driven by work in laboratory rodent models using environmental
      interventions. These interventions show an array of methodologies and sometimes
      unclear collective conclusions, hampering clinical interpretations. Here we
      discuss environmental enrichment, exercise and stress interventions to illustrate
      how different protocols can affect the interpretations of environmental factors
      in disease. We use Huntington's disease (HD) as an example because its mouse
      models exhibit excellent validity and HD was the first genetic animal model in
      which environmental stimulation was found to be beneficial. We make a number of
      observations and recommendations. Firstly, environmental enrichment and voluntary
      exercise generally show benefits across laboratories and mouse models. However,
      the extent to which these environmental interventions have beneficial effects
      depends on parameters such as the structural complexity of the cage in the case
      of enrichment, the timing of the intervention and the nature of the control
      conditions. In particular, clinical interpretations should consider deprived
      control living conditions and the ethological relevance of the enrichment.
      Secondly, stress can have negative effects on the phenotype in mouse models of HD
      and other brain disorders. When modeling stress, the effects of more than one
      type of experimental stressor should be investigated due to the heterogeneity and
      complexity of stress responses. With stress in particular, but ideally in all
      studies, both sexes should be used and the randomized group sizes need to be
      sufficiently powered to detect any sex effects. Opportunities for clinical
      translation will be guided by the 'environmental construct validity' of the
      preclinical data, including the culmination of complementary protocols across
      multiple animal models. Environmental interventions in mouse models of HD provide
      illustrative examples of how valid preclinical studies can lead to conclusions
      relevant to clinical populations.

PMID- 26279344
TI  - A system to measure the Optokinetic and Optomotor response in mice.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Visually evoked compensatory head movements (Optomotor responses) or
      eye movements (Optokinetic responses) are extensively used in experimental mouse
      models for developmental defects, pathological conditions, and testing the
      efficacy of therapeutic manipulations. NEW METHOD: We present an automated system
      to measure Optomotor and Optokinetic responses under identical stimulation
      conditions, enabling a direct comparison of the two reflexes. A semi-automated
      calibration procedure and a commercial eye tracker are used to record angular eye
      velocity in the restrained animal. Novel video tracking algorithms determine the
      location of the mouse head in real time and allow repositioning of the stimulus
      relative to the mouse head. RESULTS: Optomotor and Optokinetic responses yield
      comparable results with respect to determining visual acuity in mice. Our new
      head tracking algorithms enable a far more accurate analysis of head angle
      determination, and reveal individual head retractions, analogous to saccadic eye
      movements observed during Optokinetic Nystagmus. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING
      METHODS: To our knowledge this is the first apparatus allowing the direct
      comparison of Optomotor and Optokinetic responses in mice. Our tracking
      algorithms, which allow an objective determination of head movements are a
      significant increment over existing systems which rely on subjective human
      observation. The increased accuracy of the novel algorithms increases the
      robustness of automated Optomotor response determinations and reveals novel
      aspects of this reflex. CONCLUSIONS: We provide the blueprints for inexpensive
      hardware, and release open source software for our system, and describe an
      accurate and accessible method for Optomotor and Optokinetic response
      determination in mice.

PMID- 26279345
TI  - ddRAD-seq phylogenetics based on nucleotide, indel, and presence-absence
      polymorphisms: Analyses of two avian genera with contrasting histories.
AB  - Genotype-by-sequencing (GBS) methods have revolutionized the field of molecular
      ecology, but their application in molecular phylogenetics remains somewhat
      limited. In addition, most phylogenetic studies based on large GBS data sets have
      relied on analyses of concatenated data rather than species tree methods that
      explicitly account for genealogical stochasticity among loci. We explored the
      utility of "double-digest" restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (ddRAD-seq)
      for phylogenetic analyses of the Lagonosticta firefinches (family Estrildidae)
      and the Vidua brood parasitic finches (family Viduidae). As expected, the number
      of homologous loci shared among samples was negatively correlated with genetic
      distance due to the accumulation of restriction site polymorphisms. Nonetheless,
      for each genus, we obtained data sets of ~3000 loci shared in common among all
      samples, including a more distantly related outgroup taxon. For all samples
      combined, we obtained >1000 homologous loci despite ~20my divergence between
      estrildid and parasitic finches. In addition to nucleotide polymorphisms, the
      ddRAD-seq data yielded large sets of indel and locus presence-absence
      polymorphisms, all of which had higher consistency indices than mtDNA sequence
      data in the context of concatenated parsimony analyses. Species tree methods,
      using individual gene trees or single nucleotide polymorphisms as input,
      generated results broadly consistent with analyses of concatenated data,
      particularly for Lagonosticta, which appears to have a well resolved, bifurcating
      history. Results for Vidua were also generally consistent across methods and data
      sets, although nodal support and results from different species tree methods were
      more variable. Lower gene tree congruence in Vidua is likely the result of its
      unique evolutionary history, which includes rapid speciation by host shift and
      occasional hybridization and introgression due to incomplete reproductive
      isolation. We conclude that ddRAD-seq is a cost-effective method for generating
      robust phylogenetic data sets, particularly for analyses of closely related
      species and genera.

PMID- 26279346
TI  - Molecular systematics and biogeography of the circumglobally distributed genus
      Seriola (Pisces: Carangidae).
AB  - The genus Seriola includes several important commercially exploited species and
      has a disjunct distribution globally; yet phylogenetic relationships within this
      genus have not been thoroughly investigated. This study reports the first
      comprehensive molecular phylogeny for this genus based on mitochondrial (Cytb)
      and nuclear gene (RAG1 and Rhod) DNA sequence data for all extant Seriola species
      (nine species, n=27). All species were found to be monophyletic based on Maximum
      parsimony, Maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference. The closure of the Tethys
      Sea (12-20 MYA) coincides with the divergence of a clade containing ((S. fasciata
      and S. peruana), S. carpenteri) from the rest of the Seriola species, while the
      formation of the Isthmus of Panama (+/-3 MYA) played an important role in the
      divergence of S. fasciata and S. peruana. Furthermore, factors such as climate
      and water temperature fluctuations during the Pliocene played important roles
      during the divergence of the remaining Seriola species. 

PMID- 26279347
TI  - Oxygen saturation, red blood cell tissue fraction and speed resolved perfusion -
      A new optical method for microcirculatory assessment.
AB  - We have developed a new fiber-optic system that combines diffuse reflectance
      spectroscopy (DRS) and laser Doppler Flowmetry (LDF) for a multi-modal assessment
      of the microcirculation. Quantitative data is achieved with an inverse Monte
      Carlo algorithm based on an individually adaptive skin model. The output
      parameters are calculated from the model and given in absolute units: hemoglobin
      oxygen saturation (%), red blood cell (RBC) tissue fraction (%), and the speed
      resolved RBC perfusion separated into three speed regions; 0-1mm/s, 1-10mm/s and
      above 10mm/s (% mm/s). The aim was to explore microcirculatory parameters using
      the new optical method, integrating DRS and LDF in a joint skin model, during
      local heating of the dorsal foot and venous and arterial occlusion of the forearm
      in 23 healthy subjects (age 20-28years). There were differences in the three
      speed regions in regard to blood flow changes due to local heating, where
      perfusion for high speeds increased the most. There was also a high correlation
      between changes in oxygenation and changes in perfusion for higher speeds. Oxygen
      saturation at baseline was 44% on foot, increasing to 83% at plateau after
      heating. The larger increase in perfusion for higher speeds than for lower speeds
      together with the oxygenation increase during thermal provocation, shows a local
      thermoregulatory blood flow in presumably arteriolar dermal vessels. In
      conclusion, there are improved possibilities to assess microcirculation using
      integrated DRS and LDF in a joint skin model by enabling both oxygenation and
      speed resolved blood flow assessment simultaneously and in the same skin site.
      Output parameters in absolute units may also yield new insights about the
      microcirculatory system. 

PMID- 26279348
TI  - Cryoablation for managing Barrett's esophagus refractory to radiofrequency
      ablation? Don't embrace the cold too soon!

PMID- 26279349
TI  - Duodenoscope reprocessing: risk and options coming into view.

PMID- 26279350
TI  - Position change during colonoscopy: the oldest and best trick in the book.

PMID- 26279351
TI  - Measuring the quality of colonoscopy: Where are we now and where are we going?

PMID- 26279352
TI  - Method for assessing the microbial contamination of GI endoscopes.

PMID- 26279353
TI  - Response.

PMID- 26279354
TI  - Response.

PMID- 26279355
TI  - Factors affecting bowel preparation and adenoma detection: patient or the doctor.

PMID- 26279356
TI  - Diagnosing adult celiac disease: A case for being less random with duodenal
      biopsies?

PMID- 26279357
TI  - A rare adverse event resulting from the use of a lumen-apposing metal stent for
      drainage of a pancreatic fluid collection: "the buried stent".

PMID- 26279358
TI  - EUS-guided transesophageal drainage of peripancreatic fluid collections in
      children.

PMID- 26279359
TI  - The investigation of EEG specificity in epileptic children during Depakine
      therapy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Antiepileptic drug (AED) therapy in epileptic children can be
      optimized via an anticipation of AED efficacy during early stages of therapy. We
      hypothesize that the comprehensive EEG evaluation can determine AED efficacy in
      epileptic children. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the alteration of
      characteristics of interictal EEG during AED therapy. METHODS: Forty-three
      children aged 3-9 were investigated. EEGs were recorded three times: prior to
      Valproic Acid-Depakin (Dep) monotherapy and twice under Dep therapy (at three and
      six/eight months). Baseline EEG was analyzed for quantitative characteristics of
      interictal EEG such as absolute values of the power (AVP) spectra and EEG
      topography/Brain Mapping. The study involved epileptiform EEG and clinical
      condition assessments. RESULTS: Dep decreased AVP spectra in a low-frequency
      range, suppressed spontaneous epileptic discharge, and spike-wave complex 3/s.
      Dep partially decreased spikes-polyspikes, sharp waves, and generalized
      paroxysmal bursts during functional trials. Dep did not diminish rhythmic
      monomorphic theta-waves (RMT) of tempo-parietal localization observed by Brain
      Mapping. The presence of RMT correlated with the reocurrence of seizures if Dep
      was withdrawn. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study suggest that the presence
      of RMT with tempo-parietal localization on the interictal EEG can anticipate
      reocurrence of seizures if Dep dose will be reduced or withdrawn. The efficacy of
      AED-therapy can be revealed via reduction of low-frequency waves and suppression
      of epileptiform EEG elements parallel to clinical improvement. Thus, optimal
      treatment strategies can be tailored based on the evaluation of background EEG
      characteristics using spectral analysis, EEG mapping and the quantitative EEG
      approach.

PMID- 26279360
TI  - Interleukin 35: Critical regulator of immunity and lymphocyte-mediated diseases.
AB  - Cytokines coordinate the activities of innate and adaptive immune systems and the
      Interleukin 12 (IL-12) family of cytokines has emerged as critical regulators of
      immunity in infectious and autoimmune diseases. While some members (IL-12 and IL
      23) are associated with the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory diseases, others
      (IL-27 and IL-35) mitigate autoimmune diseases. Unlike IL-12, IL-23 and IL-27
      that are produced mainly by antigen presenting cells, IL-35 is predominantly
      secreted by regulatory B (i35-Bregs) and T (iTR35) cells. The discovery that IL
      35 can induce the conversion or expansion of lymphocytes to regulatory B and T
      cells has considerable implications for therapeutic use of autologous regulatory
      B and T cells in human diseases. Although our current understanding of the
      immunobiology of IL-35 or its subunits (p35 and Ebi3) is still rudimentary, our
      goal in this review is to summarize what we know about this enigmatic cytokine
      and its potential clinical use, particularly in the treatment of CNS autoimmune
      diseases. 

PMID- 26279361
TI  - (1)H NMR-based urine metabolic profile of IUGR, LGA, and AGA newborns in the
      first week of life.
AB  - Under conditions of non-optimal supply of nutrients, maternal diet during
      gestation can alter the balance between anabolic and catabolic pathways of fetus
      and triggers an effect of programming to the metabolic syndrome. Metabolomics is
      an analytical technique that has been recently attracting increasing interest for
      the identification of biomarkers of dietary exposure. In this study, a NMR-based
      metabolomic approach was employed for an explorative analysis of the time-related
      urinary metabolic profiles of three groups of newborns receiving a different
      fetal nutrition: adequate for gestational age (AGA), with intrauterine growth
      retardation (IUGR), and large for gestational age (LGA). Urine samples were
      collected over the first week of life. Application of Orthogonal Partial Least
      Squares Discriminant Analysis (OPLS-DA) evidenced similar time-related
      modifications in the metabolic profiles of the three classes of infants,
      consisting mainly of changes in levels of taurine, creatinine, betaine, and
      glycine. Furthermore, alterations in the content of citrate and myo-inositol were
      found to be characteristic of IUGR and LGA, whole levels were higher with respect
      to controls, while higher contents of betaine and succinate were noted in AGA.
      Our results positively support the application of the metabolomic approach in the
      study of the metabolic pathways associated to fetal malnutrition. 

PMID- 26279362
TI  - Leptin in Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of progressive dementia in the
      elderly population. AD is histologically characterized by accumulation of amyloid
      beta protein (Abeta) on extracellular plaques and deposition of
      hyperphosphorylated tau protein in intracellular neurofibrillary tangles. Several
      studies have shown that obesity may precede dementia and that lifestyle factors
      play a critical role in the onset of AD. Furthermore, accumulating evidence
      indicates that obesity is an independent risk factor for developing AD. In this
      scenario, the understanding of the role of adipose tissue in brain health is
      essential to clarify the establishment of demential processes. The objective of
      this work was to review studies regarding leptin, an anorexigenic peptide hormone
      synthesized in adipocytes, in the context of dementia. Some authors proposed that
      leptin evaluation might be a better predictor of dementia than traditional
      anthropometric measures. Leptin, once established as a biomarker, could enhance
      the understanding of late-onset AD risk over the life course, as well as the
      clinical progression of prodromal state to manifested AD. Other studies have
      proposed that leptin presents neuroprotective activities, which could be
      explained by inhibiting the amyloidogenic process, reducing the levels of tau
      protein phosphorylation and improving the cognitive function. 

PMID- 26279363
TI  - Evaluation of the Caprini Model for Venothromboembolism in Esophagectomy
      Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing esophagectomy for cancer are in the highest-risk
      group for venous thromboembolism, with a 7.3% incidence reported by the National
      Surgical Quality Improvement Program. Venothromboembolism (VTE) doubles
      esophagectomy mortality. The Caprini risk assessment model (RAM) is a method to
      stratify postoperative thromboembolism risk for consideration of prolonged
      preventive anticoagulation in higher-risk patients. Our aim was to examine the
      potential use of this model for reducing the VTE incidence in esophagectomy
      patients. METHODS: The records of patients who underwent an esophagectomy by the
      thoracic surgery service at our institution between June 2005 and June 2013 were
      reviewed. The inclusion criteria were a diagnosis of esophageal cancer treated
      with esophagectomy (any approach) and with available 60-day postoperative follow
      up. Exclusion criteria were the presence of an inferior vena cava filter or
      chronic anticoagulation therapy. The Caprini risk score and the number of VTE
      events were recorded retrospectively for each patient. RESULTS: Seventy patients
      satisfied eligibility criteria. The VTE incidence was 14.3%. Patients with
      esophageal thromboembolism had a higher Caprini score distribution than patients
      without thromboembolism (p < 0.001). Adjusted logistic regression analysis
      demonstrated increased odds of VTE with increasing score (p < 0.05), with good
      discrimination. CONCLUSIONS: In this first report examining the Caprini model
      categories in an esophagectomy population, the VTE incidence in true high-risk
      patients was high. From this retrospective calculation of risk and events,
      patients in the highest-risk Caprini group may benefit from an enhanced course of
      postoperative anticoagulation.

PMID- 26279364
TI  - Impact of Intrauterine Growth Restriction on Cardiac Surgical Outcomes and
      Resource Use.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We sought to evaluate outcomes of congenital heart operations and
      resource use in patients with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). METHODS:
      This was a retrospective matched case-control study of 41 consecutive patients
      with IUGR matched 1:2 with a comparison cohort of 82 contemporaneous patients
      without IUGR who underwent congenital heart operations during the interval from
      January 1, 2000 to January 1, 2012. Matching was based on the Risk Adjustment for
      Congenital Heart Surgery (RACHS)-1 risk category, diagnostic category, age at
      operation, and gestational age. RESULTS: Operative mortality (6 of 41 cases
      [14.6%] for the study group versus 5 of 82 cases [6.1%] for controls) and any
      major adverse event (14 of 41 cases [34.2%] for the study group versus 23 of 82
      cases [28%] for controls) occurred in a higher percentage of study patients, with
      insignificant p values. Important differences in secondary outcomes included the
      following: mean total length of stay (56.3 days versus 28.0 days for controls; p
      < 0.0001), postoperative days of mechanical ventilation (25.8 days versus 5.4
      days for controls; p = 0.002), postoperative cardiopulmonary arrest (7 of 41
      cases [17.1%] versus 4 of 82 cases [4.9%] for controls; p = 0.03), and
      postoperative infection (13 of 41 cases [31.7%] versus 13 of 81 cases [16.1%] for
      controls; p = 0.04). The mean charge for the study group was considerably higher
      than that for the control group: $493,915 versus $175,144; p < 0.0001.
      CONCLUSIONS: IUGR is associated with a substantially increased length of hospital
      stay, postoperative morbidity, and resource use. These findings are relevant to
      risk stratification, prognosis, and potentially to contracting and reimbursement.
      IUGR merits further attention as an important risk factor in congenital heart
      operations.

PMID- 26279365
TI  - Pure Bilateral Internal Thoracic Artery Grafting in Diabetic Patients With Triple
      Vessel Disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite the documented superior long-term patency of bilateral
      internal thoracic artery (BITA) grafting, use of BITAs remains low, especially in
      diabetic patients. We analyzed the results of pure BITA grafting to determine
      whether the potential survival advantage outweighs the risk of wound infection in
      diabetic patients. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 791
      consecutive patients (389 diabetic, 402 nondiabetic) with triple-vessel disease
      who underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass using only skeletonized BITAs from
      2001 to 2010. We used propensity score matching to match 315 nondiabetic patients
      with diabetic patients. RESULTS: The groups did not differ significantly
      regarding 10-year survival (diabetic, 84.2% +/- 4.5%; nondiabetic, 80.8% +/-
      4.7%; p = 0.828) or freedom from major adverse cardiovascular events (diabetic,
      73.5% +/- 5.2%; nondiabetic, 71.8% +/- 5.3%; p = 0.431). Diabetes was not
      predictive of deep sternal infection (odds ratio, 1.11; 95% confidence interval,
      0.23 to 5.31; p = 0.895). Results of stratified competing risks regression
      analysis showed that the risk of target vessel revascularization in diabetic
      patients was similar to that of nondiabetic patients (subdistribution hazard
      ratio, 0.67; 95% confidence interval, 0.16 to 2.80; p = 0.585). CONCLUSIONS: Off
      pump coronary artery bypass grafting using pure BITAs produced excellent clinical
      outcomes in both diabetic and nondiabetic patients. This strategy did not
      increase the incidence of deep sternal infection in diabetic patients. We
      recommend BITA grafting, which has proven long-term patency, as a strategy of
      choice in diabetic patients.

PMID- 26279366
TI  - Ventricular Function Before and After Surgery for Isolated and Combined
      Regurgitation in the Young.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic mitral and aortic regurgitation (MR and AR) are associated
      with progressive contractile dysfunction. In the young, the risk of left
      ventricle (LV) dysfunction after operation for isolated and combined AR and MR is
      poorly defined. We aimed to compare LV mechanics in children and young adults
      with isolated and combined AR and MR, and identify risk factors for LV
      dysfunction after valve surgery. METHODS: Echocardiograms from children and young
      adults undergoing surgery for isolated severe AR (group I, n = 14), MR (group II,
      n = 21), or combined AR and MR (group III, n = 13), before and up to 18 months
      after surgery were compared with a normal population (n = 89). Normalized
      measures of LV geometry and mechanics were expressed as z scores. RESULTS: Before
      surgery all groups had LV dilatation, while groups I and III had afterload
      elevation and LV dysfunction. After operation LV dysfunction was more common in
      group III than in groups I and II (11 [84.5%] vs 5 [35.7%] vs 12 [57.1%], p =
      0.04). The preoperative end-systolic volume z score predicted LV dysfunction
      after surgery in group I and II patients (p = 0.047, area under the curve = 0.75)
      but not in group III, where moderate LV dysfunction was related to the
      preoperative stress velocity index (-2.6 with vs -1.1 without, p = 0.04).
      CONCLUSIONS: Left ventricular mechanics in combined AR and MR closely resemble
      those of AR. End-systolic volume predicts postoperative LV dysfunction in
      patients with isolated valve regurgitation, while those with combined disease
      were at high risk of postoperative LV dysfunction.

PMID- 26279367
TI  - Clinical Prediction of Pathologic Complete Response in Superior Sulcus Non-Small
      Cell Lung Cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Management of superior sulcus non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
      continues to evolve, with preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CXRT) followed by
      surgical intervention supported by several studies. Rates of pathologic complete
      response (pCR) have varied, and previous attempts to identify clinical predictors
      of pCR have been unsuccessful. We analyzed our experience with resected superior
      sulcus NSCLC to elucidate clinical features suggestive of pCR among patients
      after preoperative treatment. METHODS: A multiinstitutional retrospective review
      was performed in patients who underwent resection for superior sulcus NSCLC
      between January 1988 and July 2013. Data pertaining to comorbidities, staging,
      therapy, imaging, and outcomes were collected. Logistic regression was performed
      to identify predictors of survival and pCR. RESULTS: During the study, 102
      patients underwent preoperative therapy, consisting of CXRT in 75 (73.5%),
      chemotherapy in 15 (14.7%), and radiotherapy in 12 (11.8%). After median follow
      up of 18.0 months, overall and disease-free survivals were 51.0% and 45.1%,
      respectively. On multivariate regression, independent predictors of survival
      included pCR (p = 0.001; hazard ratio [HR], 0.243; 95% confidence interval [CI],
      0.106-0.555) and age (p = 0.007; HR, 1.049; CI, 1.013-1.085). Among those who
      received CXRT, 24 of 75 (32%) achieved pCR. Multivariate regression analysis of
      the CXRT group revealed that pCR was independently predicted by extent of size
      reduction on imaging (p = 0.015; HR, 1.042; CI, 1.008-1.078), with histologic
      examination showing a trend toward significance (p = 0.073). CONCLUSIONS:
      Preoperative chemoradiation frequently resulted in pCR, and treatment response on
      imaging was associated with the likelihood of achieving pCR. Future
      investigations are warranted to further predict pCR from preoperative clinical
      variables such as symptom resolution, as identification of accurate predictors
      may ultimately permit the application of selective surgical intervention in
      superior sulcus NSCLC.

PMID- 26279368
TI  - Pharmacokinetics in rats and tissue distribution in mouse of berberrubine by UPLC
      MS/MS.
AB  - Berberrubine is an isoquinoline alkaloid isolated from Berberis vulgaris L, and
      it is readily derived from berberine. In this study, a sensitive and selective
      ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS)
      method for the determination of berberrubine in rat plasma and mouse tissue has
      been developed. Magnoflorine was employed as an internal standard (IS), and
      liquid-liquid extraction by ethyl acetate was used for sample preparation.
      Chromatographic separation was achieved on a UPLC BEH C18 column (2.1mm*100mm,
      1.7MUm) with 0.1% formic acid and acetonitrile as the mobile phase with gradient
      elution. An electrospray ionization source was applied and operated in positive
      ion mode; multiple reactions monitoring (MRM) mode was used for quantification
      using target fragment ions m/z 322.0->307.0 for berberrubine and m/z 342.8->298.2
      for IS. Calibration plots were linear in the range of 2-2000ng/mL for
      berberrubine in rat plasma and mouse tissue. Mean recoveries of berberrubine in
      rat plasma ranged from 79.6% to 84.8%. Intra-day and inter-day precision were
      less than 11%. The accuracy ranged from 93.6% to 106.8%. The method has also been
      successfully applied in pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution study of
      berberrubine. The absolute bioavailability of berberrubine was determined to be
      31.6%. The results also show that berberrubine is rapidly absorbed and widely
      distributed in various tissues. The level of berberrubine in liver is highest,
      and followed by kidney, spleen and heart. Furthermore, the concentration of
      berberrubine in various tissues could also be predicted by a BP-ANN model.

PMID- 26279369
TI  - Forced degradation of fingolimod: effect of co-solvent and characterization of
      degradation products by UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS and 1H NMR.
AB  - Fingolimod (FGL), an immunomodulator drug for treating multiple sclerosis, was
      subjected to hydrolysis (acidic, alkaline and neutral), oxidation, photolysis and
      thermal stress, as per International Conference on Harmonization specified
      conditions. The drug showed extensive degradation under base hydrolysis, however,
      it was stable under all other conditions. A total of three degradation products
      (DPs) were observed. The chromatographic separation of the drug and its
      degradation products was achieved on a Fortis C18 (100*2.1mm, 1.7MUm) column with
      a mobile phase composed of 0.1% formic acid (Solvent A) and acetonitrile (Solvent
      B) in gradient mode. All the DPs were identified and characterized by liquid
      chromatography-quadrupole time of flight-mass spectrometry (LC-Q-TOF-MS) in
      combination with accurate mass measurements. The major DP was isolated and
      characterized by Nuclear Magnetic resonance spectroscopy. This is a typical case
      of degradation where acetonitrile used as co-solvent in stress studies, reacts
      with FGL in base hydrolytic conditions to produce acetylated DPs. Hence, it can
      be suggested that acetonitrile is not preferable as a co-solvent for stress
      degradation of FGL. The developed UHPLC method was validated as per ICH
      guidelines.

PMID- 26279370
TI  - Metabolic characterization of natural and cultured Ophicordyceps sinensis from
      different origins by 1H NMR spectroscopy.
AB  - Ophicordyceps sinensis is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine and cultured
      mycelium is a substitute for wild O. sinensis. Metabolic profiles of wild O.
      sinensis from three geographical locations and cultivated mycelia derived from
      three origins were investigated using (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)
      analysis combined with multivariate statistical analysis. A total of 56 primary
      metabolites were identified and quantified from O. sinensis samples. The
      principle component analysis (PCA) showed significant differences between natural
      O. sinensis and fermentation mycelia. Seven metabolites responsible for
      differentiation were screened out by orthogonal partial least squares
      discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). The concentrations of mannitol, trehalose,
      arginine, trans-4-hydroxyproline, alanine and glucitol were significantly
      different between wild and cultured groups. The variation in metabolic profiling
      among artificial mycelia was greater than that among wild O. sinensis.
      Furthermore, wild samples from different origins were clearly distinguished by
      the levels of mannitol, trehalose and some amino acids. This study indicates that
      (1)H NMR-based metabolomics is useful for fingerprinting and discriminating O.
      sinensis of different geographical regions and cultivated mycelia of different
      strains. The present study provided an efficient approach for investigating
      chemical compositions and evaluating the quality of medicine and health food
      derived from O. sinensis.

PMID- 26279371
TI  - Development of a nucleotide sugar purification method using a mixed mode column &
      mass spectrometry detection.
AB  - Analysis of nucleotide sugars, nucleoside di- and triphosphates and sugar
      phosphates is an essential step in the process of understanding enzymatic
      pathways. A facile and rapid separation method was developed to analyze these
      compounds present in an enzymatic reaction mixture utilized to produce nucleotide
      sugars. The Primesep SB column explored in this study utilizes hydrophobic
      interactions as well as electrostatic interactions with the phosphoric portion of
      the nucleotide sugars. Ammonium formate buffer was selected due to its
      compatibility with mass spectrometry. Negative ion mode mass spectrometry was
      adopted for detection of the sugar phosphate (fucose-1-phophate), as the compound
      is not amenable to UV detection. Various mobile phase conditions such as pH,
      buffer concentration and organic modifier were explored. The semi-preparative
      separation method was developed to prepare 30mg of the nucleotide sugar. (19)F
      NMR was utilized to determine purity of the purified fluorinated nucleotide
      sugar. The collected nucleotide sugar was found to be 99% pure.

PMID- 26279372
TI  - Mechanisms of BMP-Receptor Interaction and Activation.
AB  - Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), together with the eponymous transforming
      growth factor (TGF) beta and the Activins form the TGFbeta superfamily of
      ligands. This protein family comprises more than 30 structurally highly related
      proteins, which determine formation, maintenance, and regeneration of tissues and
      organs. Their importance for the development of multicellular organisms is
      evident from their existence in all vertebrates as well as nonvertebrate animals.
      From their highly specific functions in vivo either a strict relation between a
      particular ligand and its cognate cellular receptor and/or a stringent regulation
      to define a distinct temperospatial expression pattern for the various ligands
      and receptor is expected. However, only a limited number of receptors are found
      to serve a large number of ligands thus implicating highly promiscuous ligand
      receptor interactions instead. Since in tissues a multitude of ligands are often
      found, which signal via a highly overlapping set of receptors, this raises the
      question how such promiscuous interactions between different ligands and their
      receptors can generate concerted and highly specific cellular signals required
      during embryonic development and tissue homeostasis. 

PMID- 26279373
TI  - The Bone Morphogenetic Proteins and Their Antagonists.
AB  - The bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and the growth and differentiation factors
      comprise a single family of some 20 homologous, dimeric cytokines which share the
      cystine-knot domain typical of the TGF-beta superfamily. They control the
      differentiation and activity of a range of cell types, including many outside
      bone and cartilage. They serve as developmental morphogens, but are also
      important in chronic pathologies, including tissue fibrosis and cancer. One
      mechanism for enabling tight spatiotemporal control of their activities is
      through a number of antagonist proteins, including Noggin, Follistatin, Chordin,
      Twisted gastrulation (TSG), and the seven members of the Cerberus and Dan family.
      These antagonists are secreted proteins that bind selectively to particular BMPs
      with high affinity, thereby blocking receptor engagement and signaling. Most of
      these antagonists also possess a TGF-beta cystine-knot domain. Here, we discuss
      current knowledge and understanding of the structures and activities of the BMPs
      and their antagonists, with a particular focus on the latter proteins. Recent
      advances in structural biology of BMP antagonists have begun the process of
      elucidating the molecular basis of their activity, displaying a surprising
      variety between the modes of action of these closely related proteins. We also
      discuss the interactions of the antagonists with the glycosaminoglycan heparan
      sulfate, which is found ubiquitously on cell surfaces and in the extracellular
      matrix. 

PMID- 26279374
TI  - BMP-7 Signaling and its Critical Roles in Kidney Development, the Responses to
      Renal Injury, and Chronic Kidney Disease.
AB  - Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant health problem that most commonly
      results from congenital abnormalities in children and chronic renal injury in
      adults. The therapeutic potential of BMP-7 was first recognized nearly two
      decades ago with studies demonstrating its requirement for kidney development and
      ability to inhibit the pathogenesis of renal injury in models of CKD. Since this
      time, our understanding of CKD has advanced considerably and treatment strategies
      have evolved with the identification of many additional signaling pathways, cell
      types, and pathologic processes that contribute to disease progression. The
      purpose of this review is to revisit the seminal studies that initially
      established the importance of BMP-7, highlight recent advances in BMP-7 research,
      and then integrate this knowledge with current research paradigms. We will
      provide an overview of the evolutionarily conserved roles of BMP proteins and the
      features that allow BMP signaling pathways to function as critical signaling
      nodes for controlling biological processes, including those related to CKD. We
      will discuss the multifaceted functions of BMP-7 during kidney development and
      the potential for alterations in BMP-7 signaling to result in congenital
      abnormalities and pediatric kidney disease. We will summarize the renal
      protective effects of recombinant BMP-7 in experimental models of CKD and then
      propose a model to describe the potential physiological role of endogenous BMP-7
      in the innate repair mechanisms of the kidneys that respond to renal injury.
      Finally, we will highlight emerging clinical approaches for applying our
      knowledge of BMP-7 toward improving the treatment of patients with CKD. 

PMID- 26279375
TI  - The Role of BMP Signaling and NF-kappaB Signaling on Osteoblastic
      Differentiation, Cancer Development, and Vascular Diseases--Is the Activation of
      NF-kappaB a Friend or Foe of BMP Function?
AB  - Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), members of the transforming growth factor
      beta family, were first identified as potent inducers of ectopic bone formation
      when implanted into muscle tissue. Subsequent studies have demonstrated that BMPs
      play important roles during developmental processes, including cell
      proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Furthermore, recent studies have
      shown that BMPs are also involved in the initiation and/or progression of various
      diseases, such as skeletal diseases, cancer, and vascular diseases. Nuclear
      factor kappa light-chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-kappaB) was originally
      identified as a transcription factor that bound to the enhancer region of the
      immunoglobulin kappa light-chain promoter in B cells. A wide range of stimuli,
      including inflammatory cytokines and bacterial and viral products, activate the
      NF-kappaB pathway, leading to the expression of NF-kappaB target genes. NF-kappaB
      also has functions in multiple biological processes, such as immune and
      inflammatory responses, cell differentiation, cellular stress responses, and
      cancer development. Recent findings have demonstrated that BMP and NF-kappaB
      signaling agonistically or antagonistically regulate bone development, cancer
      development, and vascular diseases. This review describes the role of BMPs and NF
      kappaB in bone development, cancer development, and vascular diseases with
      special attention given to concepts that have emerged in recent years. 

PMID- 26279376
TI  - Bone Morphogenetic Protein Signaling Regulates Development and Activation of
      CD4(+) T Cells.
AB  - Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are growth factors belonging to the TGF-beta
      (transforming growth factor beta) superfamily. BMPs were found to regulate
      multiple cell processes such as proliferation, survival, differentiation, and
      apoptosis. They were originally described to play a pivotal role in inducing
      bone, cartilage, ligament, and tendon formation at both heterotopic and
      orthotopic sites but were found to play a significant role in embryogenesis and
      development of multiple tissues and organs. Activities of BMPs are regulated by a
      number of secreted proteins, which modulate their availability to bind cellular
      receptors. The functions of individual BMPs are highly redundant due to binding
      the same receptors and inducing overlapping signal transduction pathways.
      Recently, BMPs were found to regulate cells of the innate and adaptive immune
      system. BMPs are involved in thymic development of T cells at the early, double
      negative, as well as later, double positive, stages of thymopoesis. They
      specifically modulate thymic development of regulatory T cells (T(reg)). In the
      periphery, BMPs affect T cell activation, promoting generation of T(reg) cells.
      We found that mice deficient for one of the receptors activated by BMPs
      demonstrated slower growth of transplantable melanoma tumors.

PMID- 26279378
TI  - Bone Morphogenetic Proteins in Preimplantation Embryos.
AB  - The bone morphogenetic proteins' (BMPs) pathway is one of the evolutionarily
      oldest used by animal embryos and is required for dorsal-ventral patterning of
      the early embryo of both vertebrates and invertebrates. Nevertheless, the role of
      this system in preimplantation embryo development has not been extensively
      studied yet. Taking into account that the preimplantation period is different
      among species though the BMP system is conserved, information regarding
      comparative embryo development and the role of BMPs in different mammalian models
      is revised and discussed in this chapter. BMP system is expressed by maternal
      tissues (the ovary, the oviduct, and the uterus) as well as by the embryo and
      extraembryonic tissues. The reviewed information demonstrates a very important
      role for BMP signaling system at different stages of embryo preimplantation
      development from acquisition of gamete competence to regulation of trophoblast
      development and differentiation in mice as well as in ungulates. 

PMID- 26279377
TI  - Bone Morphogenetic Proteins: Inhibitors of Myelination in Development and
      Disease.
AB  - Myelin, the lipid membrane that surrounds axons, is critical for the propagation
      of nervous impulses and axonal maintenance. The destruction of myelin or lack of
      myelin formation due to disease or injury causes severe motor and cognitive
      disability. Regeneration of myelin is theoretically possible but rarely happens.
      Myelin is synthesized as the plasma membrane of the oligodendrocyte in the
      central nervous system. During development, myelin and oligodendrocytes are
      generated from oligodendrocyte progenitors through a process modulated by
      extrinsic growth factors signaling to cell-intrinsic proteins. Among the key
      extrinsic factors are the bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), potent inhibitors
      of oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelin protein expression, likely serving
      to regulate myelination temporally and spatially. BMPs also promote astrocyte
      generation. Given the inhibitory role of BMP in oligodendrogliogenesis during
      development, the expression of BMP during demyelinating disease or injury was
      investigated, as was whether BMP upregulation could serve to prevent regeneration
      by both direct inhibition of myelination and increases in astrogliosis. BMPs,
      predominantly BMP4, were increased in animal models of spinal cord injury,
      stroke, multiple sclerosis, and perinatal white matter injury. A number of
      studies inhibited BMP signaling by infusing the injury site with the BMP-specific
      inhibitor noggin or transplanting stem cells engineered to secrete noggin. In
      most cases, noggin increased the numbers of mature oligodendrocytes and decreased
      numbers of astrocytes. Some studies also showed functional improvement. BMP is
      one of several inhibitory growth factors that now appear to inhibit myelin
      regeneration. Common downstream mechanisms among these factors are likely to be
      identified. 

PMID- 26279379
TI  - Strategies of Manipulating BMP Signaling in Microgravity to Prevent Bone Loss.
AB  - Bone structure and function is shaped by gravity. Prolonged exposure to
      microgravity leads to 1-2% bone loss per month in crew members compared to 1%
      bone loss per year in postmenopausal women. Exercise countermeasures developed to
      date are ineffective in combating bone loss in microgravity. The search is on for
      alternate therapies to prevent bone loss in space. Microgravity is an ideal
      stimulus to understand bone interactions at different levels of organizations.
      Spaceflight experiments are limited by high costs and lack of opportunity. Ground
      based microgravity analogs have proven to simulate biological responses in space.
      Mice experiments have given important signaling clues in microgravity-associated
      bone loss, but are restricted by numbers and human application. Cell-based
      systems provide initial clues to signaling changes; however, the information is
      simplistic and limited to the cell type. There is a need to integrate information
      at different levels and provide a complete picture which will help develop a
      unique strategy to prevent bone weakening. Limited exposure to simulated
      microgravity using random positioning machine induces proliferation and
      differentiation of bipotential murine oval liver stem cells. Bone morphogenetic
      proteins (BMPs) are the prototypal osteogenic signaling molecule with multitude
      of bone protective functions. In this chapter, we discuss the basic BMP
      structure, its significance in bone repair, and stem cell differentiation in
      microgravity. Based on the current information, we propose a model for BMP
      signaling in space. Development of new technologies may help osteoporosis
      patients, bedridden people, spinal injuries, or paralytic patients. 

PMID- 26279380
TI  - Bmpr1a Signaling in Cartilage Development and Endochondral Bone Formation.
AB  - The type IA bone morphogenetic protein receptor (Bmpr1a), encoded by 11 exons and
      spanning about 40 kb on chromosome 14 in mice and chromosome 10 in human (Derynck
      & Feng, 1997; Mishina, Hanks, Miura, Tallquist, & Behringer, 2002), is an
      essential receptor for BMP signaling. This chapter focuses on the current
      understanding of the role of Bmpr1a in cartilage development and endochondral
      ossification, including formation of the mesenchymal condensation, chondrocyte
      differentiation and maturation, and endochondral bone development.

PMID- 26279381
TI  - Bone Morphogenetic Proteins: Promising Molecules for Bone Healing,
      Bioengineering, and Regenerative Medicine.
AB  - Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), glycoproteins secreted by some cells, are
      members of the TGF-beta superfamily that have been implicated in a wide variety
      of roles. Currently, about 20 different BMPs have been identified and grouped
      into subfamilies, according to similarities with respect to their amino acid
      sequences. It has been shown that BMPs are secreted growth factors involved in
      mesenchymal stem cell differentiation, also being reported to control the
      differentiation of cancer stem cells. BMPs initiate signaling from the cell
      surface by binding to two different receptors (R: Type I and II). The
      heterodimeric formation of type I R and II R may occur before or after BMP
      binding, inducing signal transduction pathways through SMADs. BMPs may also
      signal through SMAD-independent pathways via mitogen-activated protein kinases
      (ERK, p38MAPKs, JNK). BMPs may act in an autocrine or paracrine manner, being
      regulated by specific antagonists, namely: noggin and chordin. Genetic
      engineering allows the production of large amounts of BMPs for clinical use, and
      clinical trials have shown the benefits of FDA-approved recombinant human BMPs 2
      and 7. Several materials from synthetic to natural sources have been tested as
      BMP carriers, ranging from hydroxyapatite, and organic polymers to collagen.
      Bioactive membranes doped with BMPs are promising options, acting to accelerate
      and enhance osteointegration. The development of smart materials, mainly based on
      biopolymers and bone-like calcium phosphates, appears to provide an attractive
      alternative for delivering BMPs in an adequately controlled fashion. BMPs have
      revealed a promising future for the fields of Bioengineering and Regenerative
      Medicine. In this chapter, we review and discuss the data on BMP structure,
      mechanisms of action, and possible clinical applications. 

PMID- 26279382
TI  - Bone Morphogenic Protein. Preface.

PMID- 26279383
TI  - Roaming as the dominant mechanism for molecular products in the photodissociation
      of large aliphatic aldehydes.
AB  - Photodissociation of isobutyraldehyde (C3H7CHO) at 248 nm is investigated using
      time-resolved Fourier-transform infrared emission spectroscopy to demonstrate the
      growing importance of the roaming pathway with increasing molecular size of
      aliphatic aldehydes. Each acquired CO rotational distribution from v = 1 to 4 is
      well characterized by a single Boltzmann rotational temperature from 637 to 750
      K, corresponding to an average rotational energy of 5.9 +/- 0.6 kJ mol(-1). The
      roaming signature that shows a small fraction of CO rotational energy disposal
      accompanied by a vibrationally hot C3H8 co-fragment is supported by theoretical
      prediction. The energy difference between the tight transition state (TS) and the
      roaming saddle point (SP) is found to be -27, 4, 15, 22, and 30 kJ mol(-1) for
      formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde, isobutyraldehyde, and 2,2-dimethyl
      propanal, respectively. The roaming SP is stabilized by a larger alkyl moiety. It
      is suggested that the roaming photodissociation rate of aldehydes increasingly
      exceeds those via the tight TS, resulting in the dominance of the CO + alkane
      products, as the size of aldehydes becomes larger. Along with formaldehyde,
      acetaldehyde, and propionaldehyde, in this work isobutyraldehyde is further
      demonstrated that this aldehyde family with special functional group is the first
      case in the organic compound to follow predominantly a roaming dissociation
      pathway, as the molecular size becomes larger. 

PMID- 26279384
TI  - Reframing and understanding the HIV epidemic in MSM: masculinity, racism, and
      homophobia.

PMID- 26279386
TI  - Meaning of care for terminally Ill HIV-infected patients by HIV-infected peer
      caregivers in a simulation-based training program in South Korea.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to develop a simulation-based training program for
      people living with HIV (PLWH) as peer caregivers who would take care of
      terminally ill, HIV-infected patients. We used qualitative research methods and
      standardized patients to explore the meaning of caring for patients as peer
      caregivers. Study participants included 32 patients registered as PLWH at the
      South Korea Federation for HIV/AIDS. The meanings of peer caregiving were
      categorized into four dimensions: physical, psychological, relational, and
      economic. Our study had benefits in knowledge acquisition for caregivers as well
      as care recipients, empathy with HIV-infected care recipients, improvement in
      self-esteem and social participation, and financial self-sufficiency to enable
      independent living for caregivers. The simulation training program for PLWH peer
      caregivers for terminally ill HIV-infected patients demonstrated value, for both
      PLWH caregivers and terminally ill HIV-infected patients in South Korea, to
      improve the quality of care. 

PMID- 26279385
TI  - Provider perspectives regarding the health care needs of a key population: HIV
      infected prisoners after incarceration.
AB  - During incarceration, many HIV-infected prisoners receive care and are adherent
      to medication. However, following release, many have difficulty engaging in HIV
      care and remaining on antiretroviral therapy. Community-based service providers
      for HIV-infected releasees have a deep understanding of the health needs and
      challenges these individuals face on community re-entry. We conducted in-depth
      qualitative interviews with 38 health care and service professionals in two
      southern U.S. states regarding the barriers releasees faced in meeting their
      health needs, including HIV care and treatment post release. Individual,
      community, and organization-level barriers to HIV care and treatment adherence
      post release were identified, and offered unique insight into the ways that these
      multilevel obstacles affect HIV-infected former prisoners' abilities to engage in
      care and access necessary social services. Provider perspectives should be
      considered when designing interventions to support HIV care after release. 

PMID- 26279387
TI  - Applying qualitative data derived from a Rapid Assessment and Response (RAR)
      approach to develop a community-based HIV prevention program for adolescents in
      Thailand.
AB  - HIV education programs are needed to address risk-taking behavior for
      adolescents. The purpose of our study was to use the World Health Organization's
      Rapid Assessment and Response (RAR) method to design a community-based, cultural-
      and age-appropriate HIV prevention program for adolescents in Bangkok, Thailand.
      Adolescent single-gender-specific focus groups (n = 3; 28 participants) were used
      to gather reactions/ideas about program topics/approaches. An adult, mixed-gender
      group was held to review information identified by adolescents. Sessions were
      audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. Themes regarding HIV content and the process
      of implementation emerged from a qualitative content analysis of the data.
      Community representatives recommended incorporation of HIV information and risk
      prevention skills. Information delivery suggestions included small group
      discussions, interactive games/role-playing, program materials/terminology, and
      HIV-infected program facilitators. Community members provided critical input
      toward an HIV prevention program tailored to meet adolescents' unique
      needs/interests. The RAR model provides opportunities to engage communities in
      developing health-related interventions. 

PMID- 26279388
TI  - Are psychological interventions effective for the management of neck pain and
      whiplash-associated disorders? A systematic review by the Ontario Protocol for
      Traffic Injury Management (OPTIMa) Collaboration.
AB  - BACKGROUND CONTEXT: In 2008, the lack of published evidence prevented the Bone
      and Joint Decade 2000-2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders
      (Neck Pain Task Force [NPTF]) from commenting on the effectiveness of
      psychological interventions for the management of neck pain. PURPOSE: This study
      aimed to update findings of the NPTF and evaluate the effectiveness of
      psychological interventions for the management of neck pain and associated
      disorders (NAD) or whiplash-associated disorders (WAD). STUDY DESIGN/SETTING:
      This study used systematic review and best-evidence synthesis. SAMPLE: Randomized
      controlled trials, cohort studies, and case-control studies comparing
      psychological interventions to other non-invasive interventions or no
      intervention were the samples used in this study. OUTCOME MEASURES: The outcome
      measures are (1) self-rated recovery; (2) functional recovery; (3) clinical
      outcomes; (4) administrative outcomes; and (5) adverse effects. METHODS: We
      searched six databases from 1990 to 2015. Randomized controlled trials, cohort
      studies, and case-control studies meeting our selection criteria were eligible
      for critical appraisal. Random pairs of independent reviewers used the Scottish
      Intercollegiate Guidelines Network criteria to critically appraise eligible
      studies. Studies with a low risk of bias were synthesized following best evidence
      synthesis principles. This study was funded by the Ontario Ministry of Finance.
      RESULTS: We screened 1,919 articles, 19 were eligible for critical appraisal and
      10 were judged to have low risk of bias. We found no clear evidence supporting
      relaxation training or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for persistent grades I
      III NAD for reducing pain intensity or disability. Similarly, we did not find
      evidence to support the effectiveness of biofeedback or relaxation training for
      persistent grade II WAD, and there is conflicting evidence for the use of CBT in
      this population. However, adding a progressive goal attainment program to
      functional restoration physiotherapy may benefit patients with persistent grades
      I-III WAD. Furthermore, Jyoti meditation may help reduce neck pain intensity and
      bothersomeness in patients with persistent NAD. CONCLUSIONS: We did not find
      evidence for or against the use of psychological interventions in patients with
      recent onset NAD or WAD. We found evidence that a progressive goal attainment
      program may be helpful for the management of persistent WAD and that Jyoti
      meditation may benefit patients with persistent NAD. The limited evidence of
      effectiveness for psychological interventions may be due to several factors, such
      as interventions that are ineffective, poorly conceptualized, or poorly
      implemented. Further methodologically rigorous research is needed.

PMID- 26279390
TI  - A trajectory towards partnership in care--Patient experiences of autonomy in
      intensive care: A qualitative study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe and elucidate patient
      experiences of autonomy in an intensive care context from a caring perspective.
      BACKGROUND: Patients in intensive care units (ICUs) are critically ill and in a
      dependent and vulnerable position. There is thus a risk of staff taking command
      not only of the patients' vital functions but also of their decision-making.
      METHODS: A qualitative design was selected. Individual interviews were conducted
      with 11 adult patients with an intensive care episode of two days or more at six
      Swedish ICUs. The data were analysed using Inductive Content Analysis. FINDINGS:
      Patient autonomy in intensive care was shown to be 'A trajectory towards
      partnership in care depending on state of health and mutual understanding'. It
      was experienced through acknowledged dependence, being recognised as a person,
      invited participation and becoming a co-partner in care. CONCLUSION: Patients in
      need of intensive care wanted to be involved in making decisions about their care
      as this creates a trusting and healthy care environment. Greater awareness is
      required about the ICU patient not only being a passive care recipient but also
      an active agent and where involvement in decision-making and participation in
      care are crucial.

PMID- 26279389
TI  - Patient and family/friend satisfaction in a sample of Jordanian Critical Care
      Units.
AB  - AIM: The aim of the study was to assess the validity of family members/friends as
      proxies by comparing perceptions of satisfaction with care and decision making
      between critically ill patients and their family/friends. DESIGN: A comparative,
      descriptive cross-sectional study. SETTING: Seven Critical Care Units across four
      public and military hospitals in the centre and southern regions of Jordan.
      METHODS: A modified version of the Family Satisfaction-ICU (FS-ICU) questionnaire
      was distributed to Critical Care Unit (CCU) patients before hospital discharge.
      In addition, up to two family members/close friends were also asked to complete
      the questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 213 patients (response rate 72%) and 246
      family members/friends (response rate 79%) completed and returned the
      questionnaire. Although the majority of family members/friends and patients were
      satisfied with overall care, patients were generally significantly less satisfied
      (mean (SD) care subscale 75.6 (17.8) and 70.9 (17.3), respectively, (p=0.005).
      When individual items were examined, significant differences in nursing care
      (family/friends 80.1 (20.7) versus patient 75.9 (22.2), p=0.038) and inclusion in
      decision making (family/friends 53.9 (33.2) versus patient 62.0 (34.2), p=0.010)
      were found. CONCLUSION: The study showed a degree of congruence between patients
      and their family members/friends in relation to their satisfaction with the CCU
      experience. Thus, views of family/friends may serve as a proxy in assessing care
      and decision making processes of critically ill patients. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL
      PRACTICE: Appropriate training of the critical care team and provision of
      strategies to address the concerns of patients' families are needed to improve
      overall patient satisfaction.

PMID- 26279391
TI  - Diffuse triple-vessel coronary spasm as a cause of asystole and syncope.
AB  - Vasospasm plays an important role in the pathogenesis of ischemic heart disease,
      including unstable angina, myocardial infarction, and sudden death. Coronary
      artery spasm rarely involves different coronaries in the same time. Three-vessel
      spasm may be accompanied by ST-segment elevation, lethal arrhythmias, and syncope
      due to the wide extent of ischemia. In the present case, a patient with syncope
      secondary to documented diffuse vasospasm involving 3 major coronary arteries was
      reported. This case report indicated that in case of unexplained syncope,
      asystole secondary to coronary artery spasm should be considered as a possible
      cause.

PMID- 26279392
TI  - The ability of renal ultrasound and ureteral jet evaluation to predict 30-day
      outcomes in patients with suspected nephrolithiasis.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVE: We sought to identify findings on bedside renal ultrasound that
      predicted need for hospitalization in patients with suspected nephrolithiasis.
      METHODS: A convenience sample of patients with suspected nephrolithiasis was
      prospectively enrolled and underwent bedside ultrasound of the kidneys and
      bladder to determine the presence and degree of hydronephrosis and ureteral jets.
      Sonologists were blinded to any other laboratory and imaging data. Patients were
      followed up at 30 days by phone call and review of medical records. RESULTS:
      Seventy-seven patients with suspected renal colic were included in the analysis.
      Thirteen patients were admitted. Reasons for admission included intractable pain,
      infection, or emergent urologic intervention. All 13 patients requiring admission
      had hydronephrosis present on initial bedside ultrasound. Patients with moderate
      hydronephrosis had a higher admission rate (36%) than those with mild
      hydronephrosis (24%), P<.01. Of patients without hydronephrosis, none required
      admission within 30 days. The sensitivity and specificity of hydronephrosis for
      predicting subsequent hospitalization were 100% and 44%, respectively. Loss of
      the ipsilateral ureteral jet was not significantly associated with subsequent
      hospital admission and did not improve the predictive value when used in
      combination with the degree of hydronephrosis. CONCLUSIONS: No patients with
      suspected renal colic and absence of hydronephrosis on bedside ultrasound
      required admission within 30 days. Ureteral jet evaluation did not help in
      prediction of 30-day outcomes and may not be useful in the emergency department
      management of renal colic.

PMID- 26279393
TI  - Predictors of patient adherence to follow-up recommendations after an ED visit.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It is unclear whether factors identified during the emergency
      department (ED) visit predict noncompliance with ED recommendations. STUDY
      OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine predictors of adherence to medical
      recommendations after an ED visit. METHODS: We conducted a prospective,
      observational study at a single urban medical center. Eligible ED patients
      provided baseline demographic data as well as information regarding insurance
      status, whether they had a primary care physician (PCP), and the impact of cost
      of care on their ability to follow medical recommendations. Patients were
      contacted at least 1 week after the ED visit and answered questions regarding
      adherence to medical recommendations. RESULTS: Four hundred twenty-two patients
      agreed to participate in the study. At follow-up, 89.7% of patients reported that
      they had complied with recommendations made during the ED visit. Patients who
      were adherent to follow-up recommendations were more likely to have a primary
      care provider (odds ratio [OR], 2.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-6.1), have
      an annual income of greater than $35000 (OR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.2-7.2), and report a
      non-Hispanic ethnicity or race (OR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.1-7.1). Individuals who
      reported that cost "sometimes" or "always" impacts their ability to follow their
      physician's recommendations were significantly less likely to comply with ED
      recommendations (OR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.3-5.6). CONCLUSION: Individuals who reported
      that cost affects their ability to follow their physician's recommendations and
      those who did not have a PCP were less likely to follow ED recommendations.
      Identification of predictors of noncompliance during the ED visit may aid in
      ensuring compliance with ED recommendations.

PMID- 26279394
TI  - Xenotransplantation of human adipose-derived stem cells in the regeneration of a
      rabbit peripheral nerve.
AB  - Adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AdMSCs) are useful in the
      regeneration of neural tissues. Furthermore, xenotransplantation of human adipose
      tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hAdMSCs) into animal models has already
      been tested and the results encouraged us to study peripheral nerve regeneration
      in rabbits, in order to test the feasibility of a xenotransplantation of hAdMSCs.
      ANIMALS AND METHOD: To promote end-to-end nerve fiber contacts of a 4-cm gap in
      the peroneal nerve of white New Zealand rabbits, an autologous vein conduit was
      used and three groups of animals were evaluated. In Group I, the gap was repaired
      with a vein conduit refilled with fibrin. Group II was similar, but the animals
      were treated with cyclosporine A. In Group III, a fibrin scaffold with hAdMSCs
      was placed inside the autologous vein conduit, and animals were treated with
      cyclosporine A. Neurofilament immunohistochemistry results showed 100% nerve
      regeneration at the vein guidance channel 90 days after the surgery in the hAdMSC
      transplanted group but lesser neural regeneration in the neurofilaments of groups
      I and II. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) test showed statistically significant
      differences among all groups (p < 0.04). Group III exclusively tested positive
      for human monoclonal anti-mitochondrial antibody. Electron microscopy images
      showed tiny bundles, with a predominance of nonmyelinated axons. Myelinated axons
      caused irregular thickness of the myelin sheath, which was especially observed in
      group III. CONCLUSIONS: Xenotransplantation of hAdMSCs into a fibrin scaffold
      promoted nerve regeneration through a vein conduit that connected a 4-cm gap
      created at the peroneal nerve of rabbits. Animals treated with hAdMSCs presented
      negative inflammatory response at the regenerated nerve gaps, but it was
      demonstrated that hAdMSCs were incorporated to the new nerve creating neural
      tissue and endothelial cells. However, hAdMSCs required immunosuppression with
      cyclosporine A to achieve axonal regeneration.

PMID- 26279395
TI  - Factors associated with low femoral neck bone mineral density in very elderly
      Chinese males.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to identify factors associated with the
      femoral neck bone mineral density (FNBMD) of the very elderly (aged 80 or more)
      Chinese males. METHODS: A total of 1177 very elderly Chinese males were recruited
      into the study, and subjected to FNBMD, biochemical parameters, bone turnover
      markers, and serum sex steroids assays. Univariate and multivariate regression
      analyses were performed to identify factors independently related to FNBMD.
      RESULTS: It was demonstrated that age (beta=-0.003, P=0.035), concomitant chronic
      obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD, beta=-0.027, P=0.009), serum beta-C
      telopeptide of type 1 collagen (beta-CTX, beta=-0.097, P<0.001), and parathyroid
      hormone (PTH, beta=-0.001, P=0.004) were negatively correlated with the FNBMD,
      while body mass index (BMI, beta=0.009, P<0.001), and serum estradiol
      (beta=0.001, P=0.038) were positively related to FNBMD in very elderly Chinese
      males. CONCLUSION: An integrated intervention should be implemented to increase
      the BMD of the very elderly males, with special attention to preventing and
      curing COPD, reducing serum beta-CTX and PTH levels, as well as keeping a proper
      BMI and serum estradiol level.

PMID- 26279396
TI  - Ghrelin regulates GLP-1 production through mTOR signaling in L cells.
AB  - Glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1), an intestinal incretin produced in L-cells and
      released in response to meal intake, functions to promote insulin secretion and
      to decrease plasma glucose. Ghrelin is an orexigenic hormone critical for glucose
      homeostasis. The molecular mechanism by which ghrelin alters GLP-1 production
      remains largely unknown. Here we showed that ghrelin attenuates GLP-1 production
      through mTOR signaling. In GHSR1a null mice, ileal mTOR signaling, proglucagon
      and circulating GLP-1 were significantly increased. Antagonism of the GHSR1a by D
      Lys-3-GHRP-6 increased GLP-1 synthesis and release in STC-1 cells. Treatment of
      STC-1 cells with ghrelin decreased the production of GLP-1. This effect was
      associated with a significant inhibition of mTOR signaling. Overexpression of
      ghrelin inhibited proglucagon promoter activity and GLP-1 production. Inhibition
      of mTOR activity by mTOR siRNA blocked D-Lys-3-GHRP-6 induced GLP-1 production in
      STC-1 cells. Our results suggest that mTOR signaling mediates the inhibitory
      effect of ghrelin on GLP-1 production. 

PMID- 26279397
TI  - Piezotronic-Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Reactions in Ni(OH)2-Decorated ZnO
      Photoanodes.
AB  - Controlling the interface electronic band structure in heterostructures is
      essential for developing highly efficient photoelectrochemical (PEC) photoanodes.
      Here, we presented an enhanced oxygen evolution reaction (OER) by introducing the
      piezotronics concept, i.e., piezoelectric polarization (Ppz)-induced band
      engineering. In a Ni(OH)2-decorated ZnO photoanode system, appreciably improved
      photocurrent density of sulfite (SO3(2-)) and hydroxyl (OH(-)) oxidation
      reactions were obtained by physically deflecting the photoanode. Both theoretical
      and experimental results suggested that the performance enhancement was a result
      of the piezoelectric Ppz-endowed enlargement of the built-in electric field at
      the ZnO/Ni(OH)2 interface, which could drive an additional amount of photoexcited
      charges from ZnO toward the interface for OER. This strategy demonstrates a new
      route for improving the performance of inexpensive catalysts-based solar-to-fuel
      production. 

PMID- 26279398
TI  - Chiral dopants and the twist-bend nematic phase--induction of novel mesomorphic
      behaviour in an apolar bimesogen.
AB  - Herein we report studies on a bimesogen that exhibits a chiral twist bend nematic
      phase when doped with small weight percentages of a chiral material and a partial
      phase diagram constructed. At low concentrations a wide temperature range blue
      phase is observed, whereas at higher concentrations an additional 'nematic-like'
      mesophase was discovered at a lower temperature than the twist-bend nematic
      phase. In addition to an apparent isotropic-"isotropic" transition, the doped
      materials also exhibited a weakly birefringent phase upon annealing in the
      isotropic liquid phase, implying pretransitional behaviour in the same vein as
      that seen for TGB phases. When confined in a planar aligned cell, the NTB phase
      exhibited two domains that alternated between light and dark with rotation of the
      sample stage, as well as the application of an external electric field. Upon the
      addition of a chiral dopant one of these domains was eliminated, leading to their
      assignment as twist domains of opposite handedness. 

PMID- 26279399
TI  - Intracellular expression profile and clinical significance of the CCR9-CCL25
      chemokine receptor complex in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the association of C-C chemokine
      receptor type 9 (CCR9) and C-C motif chemokine 25 (CCL25) expression levels with
      clinical and tumour-node-metastasis stage in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. METHODS: A
      total of 42 nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients (nasopharyngeal carcinoma group)
      and 18 patients with a normal nasopharynx (control group) were included in this
      study. Tissues were collected during surgery and medical examinations. The CCR9
      and CCL25 messenger RNA and protein levels were measured using quantitative
      reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting and
      immunohistochemical analysis. RESULTS: CCR9 and CCL25 messenger RNA and protein
      levels were significantly increased in the nasopharyngeal carcinoma group
      compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Both CCR9 and CCL25 messenger RNA and
      protein levels were significantly higher in advanced-stage nasopharyngeal
      carcinoma (stages III and IV) patients compared with early-stage nasopharyngeal
      carcinoma (stages I and II) patients (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The extent of CCR9
      and CCL25 upregulation in nasopharyngeal carcinoma correlates with the tumour
      node-metastasis stage.

PMID- 26279401
TI  - Using data sources beyond PubMed has a modest impact on the results of systematic
      reviews of therapeutic interventions.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Searching multiple sources when conducting systematic reviews is
      considered good practice. We aimed to investigate the impact of using sources
      beyond PubMed in systematic reviews of therapeutic interventions. STUDY DESIGN
      AND SETTING: We randomly selected 50 Cochrane reviews that searched the PubMed
      (or MEDLINE) and EMBASE databases and included a meta-analysis of >=10 studies.
      We checked whether each eligible record in each review (n = 2,700) was
      retrievable in PubMed and EMBASE. For the first-listed meta-analysis of >=10
      studies in each review, we examined whether excluding studies not found in PubMed
      affected results. RESULTS: A median of one record per review was indexed in
      EMBASE but not in PubMed; a median of four records per review was not indexed in
      PubMed or EMBASE. Meta-analyses included a median of 13.5 studies; a median of
      zero studies per meta-analysis was indexed in EMBASE but not in PubMed; a median
      of one study per meta-analysis was not indexed in PubMed or EMBASE. Meta-analysis
      using only PubMed-indexed vs. all available studies led to a different conclusion
      in a single case (on the basis of conventional criteria for statistical
      significance). In meta-regression analyses, effects in PubMed- vs. non-PubMed
      indexed studies were statistically significantly different in a single data set.
      CONCLUSION: For systematic reviews of the effects of therapeutic interventions,
      gains from searching sources beyond PubMed, and from searching EMBASE in
      particular are modest.

PMID- 26279402
TI  - Re: "Zinc lozenges and vitamin C for the common cold are not examples of placebo
      effect in action".

PMID- 26279400
TI  - Assessment of vibration of effects due to model specification can demonstrate the
      instability of observational associations.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Model specification-what adjusting variables are analytically modeled
      may influence results of observational associations. We present a standardized
      approach to quantify the variability of results obtained with choices of
      adjustments called the "vibration of effects" (VoE). STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: We
      estimated the VoE for 417 clinical, environmental, and physiological variables in
      association with all-cause mortality using National Health and Nutrition
      Examination Survey data. We selected 13 variables as adjustment covariates and
      computed 8,192 Cox models for each of 417 variables' associations with all-cause
      mortality. RESULTS: We present the VoE by assessing the variance of the effect
      size and in the -log10(P-value) obtained by different combinations of
      adjustments. We present whether there are multimodality patterns in effect sizes
      and P-values and the trajectory of results with increasing adjustments. For 31%
      of the 417 variables, we observed a Janus effect, with the effect being in
      opposite direction in the 99th versus the 1st percentile of analyses. For
      example, the vitamin E variant alpha-tocopherol had a VoE that indicated higher
      and lower risk for mortality. CONCLUSION: Estimating VoE offers empirical
      estimates of associations are under different model specifications. When VoE is
      large, claims for observational associations should be very cautious.

PMID- 26279403
TI  - Public titles of clinical trials should have ethics review.
AB  - A key aspect to guarantee that research with human subjects is ethical is being
      overlooked. Ethics review committees invest great effort examining the informed
      consent documents of research protocols to ensure that potential participants can
      provide consent validly and are not deluded into thinking that the experimental
      intervention they may sign up for is already known to be therapeutic. However,
      these efforts to avoid what is called the "therapeutic misconception" might be in
      vain if the title with which the studies are being introduced to the potential
      participants escapes ethics review. Research participants might be deceived by
      clinical trials entitled "novel therapy" when the point of the trial is precisely
      to find out whether the intervention at stake is therapeutic or not. Providing
      potential research participants with such misleading information hampers their
      ability to make informed decisions. The well-established scrutiny that ethics
      review committees exercise with regard to consent forms is limited if the
      registration of clinical trials, for which a public title is chosen, constitutes
      a process that is independent from the ethics review. In this article, we examine
      this problem, assess recent measures to integrate clinical trial registration
      with ethics review processes, and provide specific recommendations to solve the
      problem and ultimately enhance the accountability, transparency, and ethics of
      research with human subjects. 

PMID- 26279404
TI  - Human genes with a greater number of transcript variants tend to show biological
      features of housekeeping and essential genes.
AB  - Alternative splicing is a process observed in gene expression that results in a
      multi-exon gene to produce multiple mRNA variants which might have different
      functions and activities. Although physiologically important, many aspects of
      genes with different number of transcript variants (or splice variants) still
      remain to be characterized. In this study, we provide bioinformatic evidence that
      genes with a greater number of transcript variants are more likely to play
      functionally important roles in cells, compared with those having fewer
      transcript variants. Among 21,983 human genes, 3728 genes were found to have a
      single transcript, and the remaining genes had 2 to 77 transcript variants. The
      genes with more transcript variants exhibited greater frequencies of acting as
      housekeeping and essential genes rather than tissue-selective and non-essential
      genes. They were found to be more conserved among 64 vertebrate species as
      orthologs, subjected to regulations by transcription factors and microRNAs, and
      showed hub node-like properties in the human protein-protein interaction network.
      These findings were also confirmed by metabolic simulations of 60 cancer
      metabolic models. All these results indicate that genes with a greater number of
      transcript variants play biologically more fundamental roles.

PMID- 26279405
TI  - Enhancing Anger Perception With Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation
      Induced Gamma Oscillations.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In recent years a variety of neuroimaging studies have highlighted a
      role of neural oscillations in perception and cognition. However, surprisingly
      little is known about oscillatory activity underlying facial emotion perception.
      The limited number of studies that have addressed this question indicate that
      gamma oscillations are one mechanism underlying this process. OBJECTIVE: The
      present study aimed to further elucidate the role of neural oscillations within
      the gamma range in facial emotion perception in healthy adults by using
      transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS). METHODS: To that effect we
      carried out three experiments with separate groups of participants using tACS to
      modulate occipital oscillations while participants completed facial anger and
      facial identity tasks. RESULTS: The results of these experiments indicated that
      modulating occipital gamma with 40 Hz tACS enhances facial anger perception.
      CONCLUSION: This finding implicates an important role of occipital gamma
      oscillations in facial emotion perception.

PMID- 26279406
TI  - Increased Reliance on Value-based Decision Processes Following Motor Cortex
      Disruption.
AB  - BACKGROUND: During motor decision making, the neural activity in primary motor
      cortex (M1) encodes dynamically the competition occurring between potential
      action plans. A common view is that M1 represents the unfolding of the outcome of
      a decision process taking place upstream. Yet, M1 could also be directly involved
      in the decision process. OBJECTIVE: Here we tested this hypothesis by assessing
      the effect of M1 disruption on a motor decision-making task. METHODS: We applied
      continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) to inhibit either left or right M1 in
      different groups of subjects and included a third control group with no
      stimulation. Following cTBS, participants performed a task that required them to
      choose between two finger key-presses with the right hand according to both
      perceptual and value-based information. Effects were assessed by means of
      generalized linear mixed models and computational simulations. RESULTS: In all
      three groups, subjects relied both on perceptual (P < 0.0001) and value-based
      information (P = 0.003) to reach a decision. Yet, left M1 disruption led to an
      increased reliance on value-based information (P = 0.03). This result was
      confirmed by a computational model showing an increased weight of the valued
      based process on the right hand finger choices following left M1 cTBS (P < 0.01).
      CONCLUSION: These results indicate that M1 is involved in motor decision making,
      possibly by weighting the final integration of multiple sources of evidence
      driving motor behaviors.

PMID- 26279407
TI  - Left Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex Anodal tDCS Effects on Negative Symptoms in
      Schizophrenia.

PMID- 26279409
TI  - Risk Factors for Postoperative Intra-Abdominal Abscess after Laparoscopic
      Appendectomy: Analysis for Consecutive 1,817 Experiences.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Possible risk factors for postoperative intra-abdominal abscess (IAA)
      formation after laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) remain controversial. A perforated
      appendicitis, diabetes mellitus, peritoneal irrigation, obesity and age are
      considered to be possible risk factors for postoperative IAA, but the existing
      evidence is insufficient. This study aimed to identify the risk factors for IAA
      formation in patients receiving LA. METHODS: Between January 2010 and December
      2013, 1,817 patients who underwent 3-port LA were enrolled in this study.
      Patients were classified into 2 groups according to the development of
      postoperative IAA, and the differences between the groups were analyzed. RESULTS:
      The incidence of IAA after LA was 1.5%, and the only identified risk factor for
      IAA was peritoneal irrigation. On logistic regression analysis of those patients
      who received peritoneal irrigation, suppurative appendicitis and non-placement of
      the peritoneal drain were found to be significant risk factors for the
      development of IAA. CONCLUSIONS: Peritoneal irrigation in a case of abdomen
      contamination was shown to be a risk factor for the development of postoperative
      IAA after LA. When peritoneal irrigation is performed, surgeons should consider
      using peritoneal drainage and postoperative antibiotics (including anti-anaerobic
      antibiotics) to prevent postoperative IAA formation.

PMID- 26279408
TI  - The Homeostatic Interaction Between Anodal Transcranial Direct Current
      Stimulation and Motor Learning in Humans is Related to GABAA Activity.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The relative timing of plasticity-induction protocols is known to be
      crucial. For example, anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS),
      which increases cortical excitability and typically enhances plasticity, can
      impair performance if it is applied before a motor learning task. Such timing
      dependent effects have been ascribed to homeostatic plasticity, but the specific
      synaptic site of this interaction remains unknown. OBJECTIVE: We wished to
      investigate the synaptic substrate, and in particular the role of inhibitory
      signaling, underpinning the behavioral effects of anodal tDCS in homeostatic
      interactions between anodal tDCS and motor learning. METHODS: We used
      transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to investigate cortical excitability and
      inhibitory signaling following tDCS and motor learning. Each subject participated
      in four experimental sessions and data were analyzed using repeated measures
      ANOVAs and post-hoc t-tests as appropriate. RESULTS: As predicted, we found that
      anodal tDCS prior to the motor task decreased learning rates. This worsening of
      learning after tDCS was accompanied by a correlated increase in GABAA activity,
      as measured by TMS-assessed short interval intra-cortical inhibition (SICI).
      CONCLUSION: This provides the first direct demonstration in humans that
      inhibitory synapses are the likely site for the interaction between anodal tDCS
      and motor learning, and further, that homeostatic plasticity at GABAA synapses
      has behavioral relevance in humans.

PMID- 26279410
TI  - Use of rotational angiography in assessing relationship of the airway to
      vasculature during cardiac catheterization.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We are the first to describe the use of three-dimensional rotational
      angiography (3DRA) in creating multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) and volume
      rendering, in the catheterization suite, of airways at risk for compression by
      adjacent cardiac structures. BACKGROUND: 3DRA has emerged as a promising tool for
      improved visualization of cardiac and vascular structures in congenital heart
      disease. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of all available cases at our
      institution in which MPR from 3DRA was used to assess airways in relation to
      surrounding cardiovascular structures. RESULTS: Eight cases were reviewed from
      January 1, 2011 to November 30, 2013. Seven children had complex biventricular
      anatomy, including repaired truncus arteriosus, repaired absent pulmonary valve,
      repaired double outlet right ventricle, and vascular rings. One child had double
      inlet left ventricle and had undergone a hybrid procedure (stenting of the patent
      ductus arteriosus and banding of bilateral pulmonary arteries) before the Glenn
      procedure. Six of these cases involved distortion or stenosis of the pulmonary
      conduit or branch pulmonary arteries. In all cases, the trachea and the main
      bronchi were clearly visualized using MPR. Management was affected by the
      visualization of the airways during the catheterization procedure in seven of
      eight cases. Four cases had intraprocedural bronchoscopy that confirmed airway
      findings seen by MPR. In one case, computed tomography confirmed left bronchial
      compression seen by MPR. CONCLUSIONS: 3DRA can visualize airway anatomy and its
      relationship to the vasculature accurately. This has significant implications for
      preinterventional planning, intraprocedural management, as well as postprocedural
      recovery.

PMID- 26279411
TI  - Comparison between transdermal nitroglycerin and sildenafil citrate in
      intrauterine growth restriction: effects on uterine, umbilical and fetal middle
      cerebral artery pulsatility indices.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of transdermal nitroglycerin (GTN) and
      sildenafil citrate on Doppler velocity waveforms of the uterine (UtA), umbilical
      (UA) and fetal middle cerebral (MCA) arteries in pregnancies with intrauterine
      growth restriction (IUGR). METHODS: This was a prospective study of 35 singleton
      pregnancies (gestational age, 24-31 weeks) with IUGR and abnormal UtA and UA
      Doppler waveforms. We compared maternal arterial blood pressure and Z-scores of
      the pulsatility index (PI) of UtA, UA and fetal MCA before and after application
      of a transdermal GTN patch (average dose, 0.4 mg/h), oral sildenafil citrate (50
      mg) or placebo. Statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA for paired samples.
      RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in UtA-PI after application of GTN
      (21.0%) and sildenafil citrate (20.4%). A significant reduction in UA-PI was also
      observed for both GTN (19.1%) and sildenafil citrate (18.2%). There was no
      difference in UtA- and UA-PI when the GTN and sildenafil groups were compared. No
      changes in Doppler velocimetry were observed in the placebo group and no
      significant change in MCA-PI was observed in any group. Maternal arterial blood
      pressure decreased with administration of both GTN and sildenafil citrate in
      those with pre-eclampsia. CONCLUSION: The use of transdermal GTN or sildenafil
      citrate in pregnancies with IUGR is associated with a significant reduction in
      both UtA and UA Doppler PI, as well as maternal arterial blood pressure. Neither
      drug affected the MCA-PI. Copyright (c) 2015 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley &
      Sons Ltd.

PMID- 26279412
TI  - Insights into the growth of bismuth nanoparticles on 2D structured BiOCl
      photocatalysts: an in situ TEM investigation.
AB  - The synthetic techniques for novel photocatalytic crystals had evolved by a trial
      and-error process that spanned more than two decades, and an insight into the
      photocatalytic crystal growth process is a challenging area and prerequisite for
      achieving an excellent photoactivity. Bismuth nanoparticle based hybrids, such as
      Bi/BiOCl composites, have recently been investigated as highly efficient
      photocatalytic systems because of the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR)
      of nanostructured bismuth. In this work, the observation towards the formation
      and growth of bismuth nanoparticles onto 2D structured BiOCl photocatalysts has
      been performed using a transmission electron microscope (TEM) directly in real
      time. The growth of bismuth nanoparticles on BiOCl nanosheets can be emulated and
      speeded up driven by the electron beam (e(-) beam) in TEM. The crystallinity,
      growth and the elemental evolution during the formation of bismuth nanoparticles
      have also been probed in this work. 

PMID- 26279413
TI  - Waist:height ratio, waist circumference and metabolic syndrome abnormalities in
      Colombian schooled adolescents: a multivariate analysis considering located
      adiposity.
AB  - Very few large studies in Latin America have evaluated the association between
      waist:height ratio (W-HtR) and cardiometabolic risk in children and adolescents.
      Further, multivariable analyses verifying the independence of located
      subcutaneous fat have not been conducted so far. The aim of this study was to
      evaluate the associations of W-HtR and waist circumference (WC) with metabolic
      syndrome abnormalities and high LDL-cholesterol levels in schooled adolescents
      before and after adjusting for trunk skinfolds and BMI. The sample consisted of
      831 boys and 841 girls aged 10-17 years. Biochemical, blood pressure and
      anthropometrical variables were measured. Age- and sex-specific quartiles of W
      HtR and WC were used in Poisson regression models to evaluate the associations.
      High WC values (highest quartile v. quartiles 1-3) were associated with high TAG
      levels in both sexes (prevalence ratio, boys: 2.57 (95 % CI 1.91, 3.44); girls:
      1.92 (95 % CI 1.49, 2.47); P0.05). High W-HtR (highest quartile v. quartiles 1-3)
      was only independently associated with high TAG in female adolescents (1.99 (95 %
      CI 1.55, 2.56); P<0.05). In conclusion, WC showed better association with
      cardiometabolic risk than W-HtR in the children of this study. This observation
      does not support W-HtR as a relevant adiposity marker for cardiovascular and
      metabolic risk in adolescence. 

PMID- 26279414
TI  - General Erectile Functioning among Young, Heterosexual Men Who Do and Do Not
      Report Condom-Associated Erection Problems (CAEP).
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Condom-associated erection problems (CAEP) are an underestimated
      factor related to inconsistent or incomplete male condom use. The underlying
      mechanisms of CAEP are not understood, and whether men who report these
      difficulties are also likely to experience erectile problems in situations when
      condoms are not used has not been studied. AIM: The aim of the study was to
      investigate, in a sample of condom-using young, heterosexual men (aged 18-24
      years), whether men who report CAEP are more likely to (i) have erection problems
      when not using condoms and (ii) meet criteria for erectile dysfunction. METHODS:
      A total of 479 men recruited online completed the International Index of Erectile
      Function (IIEF-5) and answered questions about erection problems experienced when
      using and not using condoms during the last 90 days. Demographic, sexual
      experience, and health status variables were investigated as correlates. MAIN
      OUTCOME MEASURES: Self-reported frequency of erection loss during condom
      application or during penile-vaginal intercourse (PVI) in the past 90 days and
      IIEF-5 scores. RESULTS: Of the men, 38.4% were classified in the no CAEP group,
      13.8% as having CAEP during condom application, 15.7% as having CAEP during PVI,
      and 32.2% as having CAEP during both condom application and PVI. Men reporting
      any form of CAEP were significantly more likely than men reporting no CAEP to
      also report erection difficulties during sexual activity when not using condoms.
      Men who reported CAEP during PVI only or during both application and PVI scored
      significantly lower on the IIEF-5 than men without CAEP. CONCLUSION: The findings
      suggest that men who report CAEP are also more likely to experience more
      generalized erection difficulties. Clinicians should assess whether men using
      condoms experience CAEP and where appropriate, refer for psychosexual therapy or
      provide condom skills education.

PMID- 26279415
TI  - Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytology of Metastatic Plasmacytoid Urothelial Carcinoma:
      Report of Four Cases Including a Case of Mixed Plasmacytoid and Micropapillary
      Morphology.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to report a small series of fine-needle
      aspiration (FNA) cytology of the plasmacytoid variant of urothelial carcinoma
      (PVUC). STUDY DESIGN: A computerized search of our laboratory information system
      was performed for the 5-year period between January 2008 and January 2013 to
      identify all FNA cases in which the corresponding surgical pathology cases were
      diagnosed as PVUC. RESULTS: The 4 cases identified were from 2 men (aged 56 and
      64 years) and 2 women (aged 72 and 46 years). The FNA smears demonstrated low-to
      moderate cellularity and consisted predominantly of single and dyshesive, medium
      sized tumor cells with eccentrically located nuclei and a moderate-to-abundant
      dense cytoplasm. The nuclei were oval with slightly irregular nuclear membranes
      and contained coarse granular chromatin with inconspicuous or small nucleoli.
      There was moderate nuclear variation in size. The nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratio
      ranged from <1 to 3. Binucleation, cytoplasmic vacuoles, and perinuclear hof were
      occasionally seen. CONCLUSIONS: FNA cytology of PVUC shares features with plasma
      cell neoplasms, lobular carcinoma of the breast, and signet ring cell carcinoma
      of the stomach. Being aware of the patient's clinical history and the potential
      diagnostic pitfall of this rare variant of urothelial carcinoma is important for
      an accurate diagnosis on FNA biopsy.

PMID- 26279416
TI  - Renal Tumor in Pregnancy: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.
AB  - The authors present their renal tumor cases observed during pregnancy and review
      the literature related to this topic. Between January 1, 2000 and January 1,
      2015, altogether 3 patients were treated for renal tumor during pregnancy. Two of
      them had surgery performed during pregnancy, while in the other, premature birth
      of the baby preceded surgery. In the first case, a laparoscopic tumor resection
      was performed in the 29th week of the patient's pregnancy. In the second case, a
      transperitoneal radical nephrectomy was carried out during the 10th week of
      pregnancy. In the case of the third patient, a caesarean section was performed
      during the 32nd week of gestation, and then followed later by surgery for the
      metastatic renal tumor. However, the tumor was found to be inoperable.

PMID- 26279417
TI  - Could MicroRNAs be Regulators of Gout Pathogenesis?
AB  - MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of noncoding RNAs that mainly negatively regulate
      gene expression. miRNAs have important roles in many diseases, including
      inflammatory diseases. Gout is a common arthritis caused by deposition of
      monosodium urate crystals within joints. Recent studies suggested that miRNAs may
      be involved in the development of inflammatory arthritis, including acute gouty
      arthritis. In the present review, we systemically discuss relevant publications
      in order to provide a better understanding on the possible role of miRNAs in
      gout. miRNAs may act as regulators of gout pathogenesis via several pathways.
      Targeting miRNAs may be a promisingstrategy in the treatment of gout.

PMID- 26279418
TI  - Transcription Factor Egr1 is Involved in High Glucose-Induced Proliferation and
      Fibrosis in Rat Glomerular Mesangial Cells.
AB  - Backgroud: Diabetic nephropathy is one of the most frequent causes of end-stage
      renal disease and is associated with proliferation of glomerular mesangial cells
      (MCs) and excessive production of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Several studies
      have shown that early growth response factor 1 (Egr1) plays a key role in renal
      fibrosis by regulating the expression of genes encoding ECM components. However,
      whether Egr1 also contributes to diabetic nephropathy is unclear. METHODS: In the
      present study, we compared the expression of Egr1 in kidneys from OLETF rats with
      spontaneous type 2 diabetes and healthy LETO rats. We also examined whether high
      glucose and TGF-beta1 signaling up-regulated Egr1 expression in cultured MCs, and
      whether Egr1 expression influenced MC proliferation and expression of ECM genes.
      RESULTS: We found that higher expression of Egr1 and TGF-beta1, at both the mRNA
      and protein levels, the kidneys from OLETF rats vs. LETO rats. High glucose or
      TGF-beta1 signaling rapidly up-regulated expression of Egr1 mRNA and protein in
      cultured MCs. Overexpressing Egr1 in MCs by transfection with M61-Egr1 plasmid or
      treatment with high glucose up-regulated expression of fibronectin, type IV
      collagen and TGF-beta1, and promoted MC proliferation. Conversely, siRNA-mediated
      silencing of Egr1 expression down-regulated these genes and inhibited MC
      proliferation. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays revealed that Egr1
      bound to the TGF-beta1 promoter. CONCLUSION: Our results provide strong evidence
      that Egr1 contributes to diabetic nephropathy by enhancing MC proliferation and
      ECM production, in part by interacting with TGF-beta1.

PMID- 26279419
TI  - Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Protects Vascular Endothelial Cells from Oxidative
      Stress by Apoptosis Inhibition, Cell Survival Signalling Activation and
      Mitochondrial Function Protection.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: Previous reports have made it hypothetically possible that human
      chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) could protect against the onset of pregnancy-related
      pathological conditions by acting as an antioxidant. In the present study we
      planned to examine the effects of hCG against oxidative stress in human umbilical
      vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). METHODS: HUVEC were subjected to peroxidation by
      hydrogen peroxide. The modulation of nitric oxide (NO) release by hCG and its
      effects on cell viability, glutathione (GSH) levels, mitochondrial membrane
      potential and mitochondrial transition pore opening (MPTP) were examined by
      specific dyes. Endothelial and inducible NO synthase (eNOS and iNOS), Akt and
      extracellular -signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) activation and markers of
      apoptosis were analyzed by Western Blot. RESULTS: In HUVEC, hCG reduced NO
      release by modulating eNOS and iNOS. Moreover, hCG protected HUVEC against
      oxidative stress by preventing GSH reduction and apoptosis, by maintaining Akt
      and ERK1/2 activation and by keeping mitochondrial function. CONCLUSION: The
      present results have for the first time shown protective effects exerted by hCG
      on vascular endothelial function, which would be achieved by modulation of NO
      release, antioxidant and antiapoptotic actions and activation of cell survival
      signalling. These findings could have clinical implications in the management of
      pregnancy-related disorders.

PMID- 26279420
TI  - Sodium Ferulate Prevents Daunorubicin--Induced Apoptosis in H9c2 Cells via
      Inhibition of the ERKs Pathway.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Daunorubicin (DNR)-induced cardiotoxicity, which is closely
      associated with cardiomyocyte apoptosis, limits the drug's clinical application.
      The activation of the extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERKs) pathway is
      responsible for the pro-apoptosis effect of DNR Sodium ferulate (SF) has recently
      been found to attenuate both DNR-induced cardiotoxicity and mitochondrial
      apoptosis in juvenile rats. Nonetheless, the precise mechanism underlying SF
      induced cardio-protection remains unclear. METHODS: The DNR-injured H9c2 cell
      model was prepared by incubating the cells in 1 uM DNR for 24 h. Amounts of 15.6,
      31.3 or 62.5 uM SF were simultaneously added to the cells. The effect of SF on
      the cytotoxic and apoptotic parameters of the cells was studied by monitoring
      apoptosis regulation via the ERKs pathway. RESULTS: SF attenuated DNR-induced
      cell death (particularly apoptotic death), cTnI and beta-tubulin degradation, and
      cellular morphological changes. SF reduced mitochondrial membrane potential
      depolarization, cytochrome c leakage, and caspase-9 and caspase-3 activation. SF
      also decreased ERK1/2, phospho-ERK1/2, p53 and Bax expression and increased Bcl-2
      expression. These effects were similar to the results observed when using the
      pharmacological ERKs phosphorylation inhibitor, AZD6244. CONCLUSION: We
      determined that SF protects H9c2 cells from DNR-induced apoptosis through a
      mechanism that involves the interruption of the ERKs signaling pathway.

PMID- 26279421
TI  - RP105 Protects Against Apoptosis in Ischemia/Reperfusion-Induced Myocardial
      Damage in Rats by Suppressing TLR4-Mediated Signaling Pathways.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Myocardial apoptosis is heavily implicated in the myocardial damage
      caused by ischemia-reperfusion (I/R). Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is a potent
      inducer of these apoptotic cascades. In contrast, the radioprotective 105 kDa
      protein (RP105) is a specific negative regulator of TLR4 signaling pathways.
      However, the precise mechanisms by which RP105 inhibits myocardium apoptosis via
      TLR4-associated pathways during I/R is not fully understood. METHODS: We utilized
      a rat model of myocardial ischemic reperfusion injury (MIRI). Animals were pre
      treated with Ad-EGFP adenovirus, Ad-EGFP-RP105 adenovirus, saline, or nothing
      (sham). After three days, rats underwent a 30min left anterior descending
      coronary artery occlusion and a 4h reperfusion. Mycardial tissue was assessed by
      immunohistochemistry, TUNEL-staining, Western blot, quantitative RT-PCR, and a
      morphometric assay. RESULTS: RP105 overexpression resulted in a reduction in
      infarct size, fewer TUNEL-positive cardiomyocytes, and a reduction in
      mitochondrial-associated apoptosis cascade activity. Further, RP105
      overexpression repressed I/R-induced myocardial injury by attenuating myocardial
      apoptosis. This was mediated by inhibiting TLR4 activation and the
      phosphorylation of P38MAPK and the downstream transcription factor AP-1.
      CONCLUSION: RP105 overexpression leads to the de-activation of TLR4, P38MAPK, and
      AP-1 signaling pathways, and subsequently represses apoptotic cascades and
      ensuing damage of myocardial ischemic reperfusion. These findings may become the
      basis of a novel therapeutic approach for reducing of cardiac damage caused by
      MIRI.

PMID- 26279422
TI  - Moderate Hypoxia Down-Regulates Interleukin-6 Secretion and TLR4 Expression in
      Human Sw.71 Placental Cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: The placenta is a vital organ for pregnancy. Many in vitro
      placental experiments are conducted under 21% O2; however, O2 tension could
      influence cellular functions, including cytokine secretion. We investigated the
      effects of oxygen tension between moderate hypoxia (5% O2) and normoxia (21% O2)
      by testing the hypothesis that moderate hypoxia regulates cellular phenotypes
      differently from normoxia in human trophoblast cells. METHODS AND RESULTS: Sw.71
      trophoblast cells were incubated under normoxic or moderately hypoxic conditions.
      Cells were also treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as a Toll-like receptor 4
      (TLR4) ligand inducing inflammation. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) as an inflammatory
      cytokine was determined, and TLR4, hypoxia-induced factor-1alpha (HIF1alpha), and
      reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were detected. Moderate hypoxia
      increased HIF1alpha expression and cell proliferation and acted by two different
      mechanisms to decrease IL-6 secretion compared with normoxia: it limits the TLR4
      expression and ROS production. Treatment with cobalt chloride as an HIF1
      activator inhibited IL-6 secretion and TLR4 expression; this effect was reversed
      on treatment with PX-12 as an HIF1 suppressor. CONCLUSION: IL-6 secretion, TLR4
      expression, and ROS production, classical markers of inflammation, are down
      regulated by moderate hypoxia, and HIF1alpha and ROS have a potential to regulate
      these responses in human trophoblast cells.

PMID- 26279423
TI  - B10 Cells Ameliorate the Progression of Lupus Nephritis by Attenuating Glomerular
      Endothelial Cell Injury.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: B10 cells are generally considered to inhibit the kidney injury
      in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) mouse models, but recently this function of
      B10 cells was denied by the lineage-specific deletion of IL-10 from B cells.
      Thus, this study aimed to determine whether and how B10 cells play a protective
      role in lupus nephritis (LN). METHODS: LN and non-LN SLE patients without
      receiving any treatments were recruited, and the percentages of circulating B10
      cell were determined. Furthermore, the purified B10 cells were transferred into
      MRL/lpr SLE mice, and the exact effects of B10 cells on LN progression were
      investigated. RESULTS: The percentage of circulating B10 cells was significantly
      higher in patient than in healthy controls, while they were fewer in LN patients
      than non-LN SLE patients. Moreover, B10 cells rather than plasma IL-10 levels
      were negatively correlated with disease severity especially with kidney injury in
      LN patients. In animal experiments, the glomerular injuries including the
      proteinuria and pathological scores were significantly attenuated in SLE mice
      transferred with B10 cells, accompanied by the decreased glomerular endothelial
      cell CD54/CD106 expression, and glomerular p38 phosphorylation as well as
      increased SOCS3 expression. At the same time, the serum anti-dsDNA autoantibody,
      TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma levels were also reduced, while there were no changes in
      serum IL-10 and IL-17 levels in B10 cell transferred mice. CONCLUSION: These
      findings suggest that B10 cells could - independent from IL-10 - ameliorate
      glomerular injury in LN through protection of glomerular endothelial cells.

PMID- 26279424
TI  - Tempol, a Superoxide Dismutase-Mimetic Drug, Ameliorates Progression of Renal
      Disease in CKD Mice.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic
      kidney disease (CKD) and antioxidants may ameliorate disease progression. We
      investigate the beneficial effect of Tempol, a superoxide dismutase-mimetic drug,
      on progression of disease in a mouse model of CKD. METHODS: CKD was surgically
      induced in c57BL/6 mice by 5/6 nephrectomy. Mice were randomly divided into 3
      groups: sham group, 5/6 nephrectomized group (Nx) and Nx+Tempol (2 mmol/l in
      drinking water). Mice were sacrificed at the end of 12 weeks. Renal function,
      structure as well as expression of key molecules involved in the pathogenesis of
      inflammation, fibrosis and progression in mice were measured. RESULTS: Reduced
      body weight and impaired renal function (elevation on serum creatinine, blood
      urea nitrogen, urine albumin, segmental sclerosis and tubulointerstitial damage)
      was demonstrated in Nx mice but was significantly improved by Tempol
      administration. Nx animals exhibited significantly elevated proinflammatory and
      profibrotic factors, activation of NF-kappaB, increased expression of NADPH
      oxidase related subunits (p47phox, p67phox, gp91phox), and elevated activation of
      TGF-beta/Smad3, EGFR, MAPK signaling pathway. Tempol inhibited NF-kappaB mediated
      inflammation, TGF-beta/Smad3-induced renal fibrosis as well as EGFR and MAPK
      signaling pathway activation. CONCLUSIONS: Tempol administration attenuated renal
      injury in CKD mice through NF-kappaB, TGF-beta/Smad3, redox-senstive EGFR
      activation and c-Raf/MEK/ERK pathways.

PMID- 26279425
TI  - Heat Shock Protein 70 and CHIP Promote Nox4 Ubiquitination and Degradation within
      the Losartan Antioxidative Effect in Proximal Tubule Cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Angiotensin II/Angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) effects are
      dependent on ROS production stimulated by NADPH oxidase activation. Hsp70
      regulates a diverse set of signaling pathways through their interactions with
      proteins. CHIP is a E3 ubiquitin ligase that targets proteins for
      polyubiquitination and degradation. AIM: We study whether Hsp70/CHIP contribute
      to the negative regulation of Nox4 after AT1R blockage. METHODS/RESULTS: Primary
      culture of proximal tubule epithelial cells (PTCs) from SHR and WKY were
      stimulated with Angiotensin II (AII) or treated with Losartan (L) or Losartan
      plus Angiotensin II (L+AII). Losartan decreased AT1R and Nox4 while enhancing
      caveolin-1 and Hsp70 protein expression in SHR PTCs. Immunoprecipitation and
      immunofluorescence proved interaction and colocalization of increased Hsp70/CHIP
      with decreased Nox4 in SHR PTCs (L) vs (All). Hsp72 knockdown resulted in
      enhanced Nox4 protein levels, NADPH oxidase activity and ROS generation in
      (L+AII) revealing that Losartan was unable to abrogate AII effects on Nox4
      expression and oxidative activity. Moreover, MG132 exposed PTCs (L) demostrated
      blocked ubiquitinated Nox4 degradation and increased colocalization of
      Nox4/Ubiquitin by inmunofluorescence. Conversely, Hsp72 depletion reduced
      Nox4/Ubiquitin colocalization causing Nox4 upregulation due to proteosomal
      degradation inhibition, although Losartan treatment. CONCLUSION: Our study
      demonstrates that Hsp70 and CHIP mediates the ubiquitination and proteasomal
      degradation of Nox4 as part of the antioxidative effect of Losartan in SHR.

PMID- 26279426
TI  - Interleukin-1beta Promotes Epithelial-Derived Alveolar Elastogenesis via
      alphavbeta6 Integrin-Dependent TGF-beta Activation.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: IL-1beta creates persistent pulmonary inflammation accompanied
      by elevated transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta levels and is associated
      with abnormal elastogenesis, which is observed in bronchopulmonary dysplasia
      (BPD). Although progress has been made in this field, the mechanisms underlying
      this process remain only partially understood. METHODS: We assessed aberrant
      elastin localization-associated signaling in mouse pups exposed to 85% O2 treated
      with either IL-1Ra or 1D11, using morphometric analyses, quantitative RT-PCR,
      immunostaining, and ELISA. We also evaluated the derivation of elastin-producing
      cells using dual marker tracking. The regulatory mechanisms of IL-1beta were
      investigated in vitro in lung epithelial and mesenchymal cells. RESULTS: Elevated
      levels of IL-1beta, alphavbeta6 and TGF-beta1 were each associated with aberrant
      elastin production in O2-exposed lungs. IL-1Ra abolished TGF-beta1 activation and
      alphavbeta6 upregulation, which occurred as a result of exposure to hyperoxia,
      whereas 1D11 had no discernible effect on the expression of either alphavbeta6 or
      IL-1beta even following O2-exposure, suggesting that IL-1beta was initially
      induced. Additionally, double staining revealed the presence of epithelium
      derived elastin-producing cells, which was confirmed via in vitro IL-1beta stress
      induced epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) morphological and molecular
      marker changes, which may explain the altered lung elastin deposition and
      defective septation observed in BPD. CONCLUSIONS: These data support the
      hypothesis that IL-1beta was initially induced by hyperoxia; alphavbeta6
      subsequently interacted with and activated TGF-beta1, acting as an
      epithelial/mesenchymal signaling molecule that contributed to excessive alveolar
      elastogenesis, the primary pathological feature of BPD.

PMID- 26279427
TI  - PRDX6 Protects ARPE-19 Cells from Oxidative Damage via PI3K/AKT Signaling.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Oxidative stress that damages cells of the retinal pigment
      epithelium (RPE) can cause the development of hereditary retinal disease (HRD).
      PRDX6, which is a member of the PRDX family, is essential for removing metabolic
      free radicals from the body. However, the effect of PRDX6 on oxidative stress in
      HRD remains unknown. In this study, we sought to investigate the role of PRDX6 in
      oxidative stress-induced HRD in ARPE-19 cells and the molecular mechanism
      involved. METHODS: ARPE-19 cells were used in the current study. Intracellular
      ROS levels were determined by flow cytometry. Lipid peroxidation was measured
      using a commercial MDA assay kit. Cellular variability was determined by MTT
      assay. Apoptosis was determined using an Annexin V-FITC Apoptosis Detection Kit.
      mRNA and protein expression levels were detected by real-time PCR and western
      blot analysis, respectively. RESULTS: We found that H2O2 and blue light could
      induce significant oxidative stress damage and cell death in ARPE-19 cells.
      Furthermore, we found that PRDX6 levels significantly decreased after H2O2
      treatment. PRDX6 overexpression protected ARPE-19 cells from H2O2- and blue light
      induced oxidative damage, while PRDX6 knockdown enhanced oxidative damage in
      these cells. Mechanistically, we found that PRDX6 prevented oxidative damage and
      promoted ARPE-19 cell survival through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
      CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, these results suggest that PRDX6 protects ARPE-19
      cells from H2O2-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis and that this protection
      is mediated at least partially through the PI3K/AKT pathway.

PMID- 26279428
TI  - Lumbar Disc Degeneration is Facilitated by MiR-100-Mediated FGFR3 Suppression.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: The pathogenesis of lumbar disc degeneration (LDD) involved
      activation of matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13) by differential expression of
      fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) and FGFR3. Nevertheless, the
      molecular regulation of FGFR1 and FGFR3 in the lumber disc cells remains elusive.
      METHODS: We examined the FGFR1 and FGFR3 levels and microRNAs (miRNAs) levels in
      the resected LDD discs, compared to the traumatized, non-LDD discs. We analyzed
      the binding of miR-100 to the 3'UTR of FGFR3 mRNA and its effects on FGFR3
      translation by bioinformatics analysis and by luciferase-reporter assay,
      respectively. We modified miR-100 levels in a human nucleus pulposus SV40 cell
      line (HNPSV), and examined the effects on the expression of FGFR3 and MMP13, by
      RT-qPCR, Western blot and ELISA. RESULTS: The levels of FGFR1 and miR-100 were
      significantly higher, while the levels of FGFR3 were significantly lower, in LDD
      discs, compared to the control non-LDD discs. The levels of FGFR3, but not the
      levels of FGFR1, inversely correlated with the levels of miR-100. Moreover, miR
      100 was found to bind to the 3'UTR of FGFR3 mRNA to prevent its translation. In
      miR-100-modified HNPSV cells, we found that miR-100 decreased FGFR3 levels, and
      increased MMP13 levels. CONCLUSION: miR-100 may activate MMP13 through 3'UTR
      suppressoin of FGFR3 mRNA to facilitate development of LDD.

PMID- 26279429
TI  - Impact of p38 MAP Kinase Inhibitors on LPS-Induced Release of TNF-alpha in Whole
      Blood and Primary Cells from Different Species.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Inhibition of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) is
      promising for the treatment of inflammatory disorders, however, the efficacy of
      p38 MAPK inhibitors in clinical trials is limited so far. Since functional
      sensitivity of p38 MAPK is commonly predicted by preclinical species, we
      systematically investigated interspecies differences including human tissue.
      METHODS: Ex vivo test models were established using whole blood and primary cells
      from different species such as mice, rats, pigs and humans to compare LPS-induced
      TNF-alpha inhibition of four different p38 MAPK reference inhibitors SB 203580,
      BIRB-796, Pamapimod, and a Losmapimod analogue as well as a proprietary imidazole
      based p38 MAPK Inhibitor. RESULTS: All analysed p38 MAPK inhibitors resulted in
      significant inhibition of LPS-induced TNF-alpha release but with high
      interspecies differences for dose sensitivity. IC50 values from human whole blood
      and PBMC showed significant higher sensitivity towards p38 MAPK inhibition
      compared with data from pig and rat. CONCLUSION: Inhibition of TNF-alpha release
      by p38 MAPK inhibitors can be reliably identified in well-established laboratory
      species such as rat or mouse. However, our data indicate that animal models
      appear to be limited for valid prediction of the inhibitory potential for TNF
      alpha release in humans. Thus, human tissues should be considered early in the
      drug development process of p38 MAPK inhibitors.

PMID- 26279430
TI  - De Novo Mutation in the SCN5A Gene Associated with Brugada Syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Brugada syndrome (BrS) is a genetically determined cardiac electrical
      disorder, characterized by typical electrocardiography (ECG) alterations, and it
      is an arrhythmogenic syndrome that may lead to sudden cardiac death. The most
      common genotype found among BrS patients is caused by mutations in the SCN5A
      gene, which lead to a loss of function of the cardiac sodium (Na(+)) channel
      (Nav1.5) by different mechanisms. METHODS: The assay of confocal laser microscopy
      and western blot were used to identify the expression and location of L812Q at
      the cell surface. Characterization of Nav1.5 L812Q mutant Na(+) channels was text
      by patch-clamp recordings, and the PHYRE2 server was used to build a model for
      human Nav1.5 channel. RESULTS: Here, we report that a novel missense SCN5A
      mutation, L812Q, localized in the DII-S4 transmembrane region of the Nav1.5
      channel protein, was identified in an index patient who showed a typical BrS type
      1 ECG phenotype. The mutation was absent in the patient's parents and brother.
      Heterologous expression of the wild-type (WT) and L812Q mutant Nav1.5 channels in
      human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293 cells) reveals that the mutation results in
      a reduction of Na(+) current density as well as ~20 mV hyperpolarizing shift of
      the voltage dependence of inactivation. The voltage dependence of activation and
      the time course for recovery from inactivation are not affected by the mutation.
      The hyperpolarizing shift of the voltage dependence of inactivation caused a
      reduction of the Na(+) window current as well. In addition, western blot and
      confocal laser microscopy imaging experiments showed that the mutation causes
      fewer channel to be expressed at the membrane than WT channel. A large proportion
      of the mutant channels are retained in the cytoplasm, probably in the endoplasmic
      reticulum. CONCLUSION: The decrease of channel expression, hyperpolarizing shift
      of voltage dependence of inactivation, and a decline of Na(+) window current
      caused by L812Q mutation lead to a reduction of Na(+) current during the upstroke
      and the repolarization phases of cardiac action potential, which contribute to
      the development of BrS.

PMID- 26279431
TI  - Low Expression of miR-491 Promotes Esophageal Cancer Cell Invasion by Targeting
      TPX2.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have a key role in carcinogenesis and cancer
      development, but the role of miRNAs in the progression of esophageal cancer (EC)
      remains unclear. METHODS: The TE-1 and Eca-109 EC cell lines were used. The
      expression of miR-491 and candidate gene TPX2 in EC samples (n=99) were detected
      by RT-PCR. The cells invasive ability was determined by transwell assay. The
      luciferase reporter assay was used to confirm the regulation mechanism. RESULTS:
      A decreased expression of miR-491 was detected in the EC clinical samples
      compared with the corresponding adjacent tumor tissues. Aberrant expression of
      miR-491 regulated cells invasion and EMT markers. Furthermore, we verified that
      TPX2 was a target gene of miR-491. CONCLUSIONS: miR-491 may play a critical role
      in EC.

PMID- 26279432
TI  - beta-Elemene Reverses Chemoresistance of Breast Cancer Cells by Reducing
      Resistance Transmission via Exosomes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Currently, exosomes that act as mediators of intercellular
      communication are being researched extensively. Our previous studies confirmed
      that these exosomes contain microRNAs (miRNAs) that could alter chemo
      susceptibility, which is partly attributed to the successful intercellular
      transfer of multidrug resistance (MDR)-specific miRNAs. We also confirmed that
      beta-elemene could influence MDR-related miRNA expression and regulate the
      expression of the target genes PTEN and Pgp, which may lead to the reversal of
      the chemoresistant breast cancer (BCA) cells. We are the first to report these
      findings, and we propose the following logical hypothesis: beta-elemene can
      mediate MDR-related miRNA expression in cells, thereby affecting the exosome
      contents, reducing chemoresistance transmission via exosomes, and reversing the
      drug resistance of breast cancer cells. METHODS: MTT-cytotoxic, miRNA microarray,
      real-time quantitative PCR, Dual Luciferase Activity Assay, and Western blot
      analysis were performed to investigate the impact of beta-elemene on the
      expression of chemoresistance specific miRNA and PTEN as well as Pgp in
      chemoresistant BCA exosomes. RESULTS: Drug resistance can be reversed by beta
      elemene related to exosomes. There were 104 differentially expressed miRNAs in
      the exosomes of two chemoresistant BCA cells: adriacin (Adr) - resistant MCF-7
      cells (MCF-7/Adr) and docetaxel (Doc) - resistant MCF-7 cells (MCF-7/Doc) that
      underwent treatment. Of these, 31 miRNAs were correlated with the constant
      changes in the MDR. The expression of miR-34a and miR-452 can lead to changes in
      the characteristics of two chemoresistant BCA exosomes: MCF-7/Adr exosomes
      (A/exo) and MCF-7/Doc exosomes (D/exo). The PTEN expression affected by beta
      elemene was significantly increased, and the Pgp expression affected by beta
      elemene was significantly decreased in both cells and exosomes. beta-elemene
      induced a significant increase in the apoptosis rate in both MCF-7/Doc and MCF
      7/Adr cells. CONCLUSIONS: Drug resistance can be reversed by beta-elemene, which
      can alter the expression of some MDR-related miRNAs, including PTEN and Pgp in
      MCF-7/Adr and MCF-7/Doc in cells. It can therefore affect the exosome contents
      and induce the reduction of resistance transmission via exosomes.

PMID- 26279433
TI  - Impact of Janus Kinase 3 on Cellular Ca Release, Store Operated Ca(2+) Entry and
      Na(+)/Ca(2+) Exchanger Activity in Dendritic Cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Janus kinase 3 (JAK3), a tyrosine kinase mainly expressed in
      hematopoietic cells, participates in the signaling stimulating cell
      proliferation. The kinase is expressed in dendritic cells (DCs), antigen
      presenting cells involved in the initiation and regulation of antigen-specific T
      cell responses. Dendritic cell function is regulated by cytosolic Ca(2+) activity
      ([Ca(2+)]i). Mediators increasing [Ca(2+)]i in DCs include ATP and the chemokine
      receptor CXCR4 ligand CXCL12. The present study explored, whether JAK3
      participates in the regulation of [Ca(2+)]i in DCs. METHODS: Fura-2 fluorescence
      was employed to determine [Ca(2+)]i, and whole cell patch clamp to decipher
      electrogenic transport in immature DCs isolated from bone marrow of JAK3-knockout
      (jak3(-/-)) or wild-type mice (jak3(+/+)). RESULTS: Without treatment, [Ca(2+)]i
      was similar in jak3(-/-) and jak3(+/+) DCs. Addition of ATP (100 uM) was followed
      by transient increase of [Ca(2+)]i reflecting Ca(2+) release from intracellular
      stores, an effect significantly less pronounced in jak3(-/-) DCs than in
      jak3(+/+) DCs. CXCL12 administration was followed by a sustained increase of
      [Ca(2+)]i reflecting receptor operated Ca(2+) entry, an effect significantly less
      rapid in jak3(-/-) DCs than in jak3(+/+) DCs. In addition, the Ca(2+) release
      activated Ca(2+) channel (CRAC) current triggered by IP3-induced Ca(2+) store
      depletion and CXCL12 was significantly higher in DCs from jak3(+/+) mice than in
      jak3(-/-) mice. Inhibition of sarcoendoplasmatic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA)
      by thapsigargin (1 uM) in the absence of extracellular Ca(2+) was followed by a
      transient increase of [Ca(2+)]i reflecting Ca(2+) release from intracellular
      stores, and subsequent readdition of extracellular Ca(2+) in the continued
      presence of thapsigargin was followed by a sustained increase of [Ca(2+)]i
      reflecting store operated Ca(2+) entry (SOCE). Both, Ca(2+) release from
      intracellular stores and SOCE were again significantly lower in jak3(-/-) DCs
      than in jak3(+/+) DCs. Pretreatment of jak3(+/+) DCs with JAK inhibitor WHI-P154
      (22 uM, 10 minutes or 24 hours) significantly blunted both thapsigargin induced
      Ca(2+) release and subsequent SOCE. Abrupt replacement of Na(+) containing (130
      mM) and Ca(2+) free (0 mM) extracellular bath by Na(+) free (0 mM) and Ca(2+)
      containing (2 mM) extracellular bath increased [Ca(2+)]i reflecting Na(+)/Ca(2+)
      exchanger activity, an effect again significantly less pronounced in jak3(-/-)
      DCs than in jak3(+/+) DCs. CONCLUSIONS: JAK3 deficiency is followed by down
      regulation of cytosolic Ca(2+) release, receptor and store operated Ca(2+) entry
      and Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger activity in DCs.

PMID- 26279434
TI  - Comparative Proteomic Profile of the Human Umbilical Cord Blood Exosomes between
      Normal and Preeclampsia Pregnancies with High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Exosomes are extracellular vesicles that are involved in several
      biological processes. The roles of proteins from human umbilical cord blood
      exosomes in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia remains poorly understood. METHODS:
      In this study, we used high-resolution LC-MS/MS technologies to construct a
      comparative proteomic profiling of human umbilical cord blood exosomes between
      normal and preeclamptic pregnancies. RESULTS: A total of 221 proteins were
      detected in human umbilical cord blood exosomes, with 14 upregulated and 15
      downregulated proteins were definitively identified between preeclamptic and
      control pregnancies. Further bioinformatics analysis (Gene ontology and Kyoto
      Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis) indicated that these
      differentially expressed proteins correlate with enzyme regulator activity,
      binding, extracellular region, cell part, biological regulation, cellular process
      and complement and coagulation cascades occurring during pathological changes of
      preeclampsia. CONCLUSION: Our results show significantly altered expression
      profiles of proteins in human umbilical cord blood exosomes between normal and
      preeclampsia pregnancies. These proteins may be involved in the etiology of
      preeclampsia.

PMID- 26279435
TI  - Effect of the Total Extract of Averrhoacarambola (Oxalidaceae) Root on the
      Expression Levels of TLR4 and NF-kappaB in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Mice.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Averrhoacarambola L., which is a folk medicine used in diabetes
      mellitus (DM) in ancient China, has been reported to have anti-diabetic efficacy.
      AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the hypoglycemic effect of the
      extract of Averrhoacarambola L. root (EACR) on the regulation of the Toll-like
      receptor 4 (TLR4)-Nuclear-factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) pathway in B) pathway in
      streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice. METHODS: the mice were injected with
      STZ (120 mg/kg body weight) via a tail vein. After 72 h, the mice with FBG >=
      11.1 mmol/L were confirmed as having diabetes. Subsequently, the mice were
      treated intragastrically with EACR (300, 600, 1200 mg/kg body weight/d) and
      metformin (320 mg/kg body weight/d) for 14 days. RESULTS: As a result the serum
      fasting blood glucose (FBG), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha
      (TNF-alpha) levels were decreased following EACR administration.
      Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the pancreatic tissue expression
      levels of TLR4 and NF-kappaB were downregulated after EACR administration. EACR
      suppressed pancreatic mRNA expression level of TLR4 and blocked the downstream NF
      kappaB pathway in the pancreas. According to Western blot analysis EACR
      suppressed pancreatic TLR4 and NF-kappaB protein expression levels.
      Histopathological examination of the pancreas showed that STZ-induced pancreas
      lesions were alleviated by the EACR treatment. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest
      that the modulation of the IL-6 and TNF-alpha inflammatory cytokines and the
      suppression of the TLR4-NF-kappaB pathway are most likely involved in the anti
      hyperglycemic effect of EACR in STZ-induced diabetic mice.

PMID- 26279436
TI  - An Integrated Approach for the Identification of HNF4alpha-Centered
      Transcriptional Regulatory Networks During Early Liver Regeneration.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hepatocyte nuclear factor-4alpha (HNF4alpha), the liver enriched
      transcription factor (TF), is one of the major regulators of hepatocyte
      differentiation and proliferation. However, how HNF4alpha participate in liver
      regeneration after partial hepatectomy (PH) remains largely unknown. In order to
      identify the HNF4alpha-centered regulatory network, we applied an integrated
      analytic strategy, in which, TF array, mRNA microarray, bioinformatic analysis
      and ChIP-on-chip assays were integrated. METHODS/RESULTS: The TF signatures from
      MOUSE OATFA (TF-array) platform revealed that the activity of HNF4alpha was
      significantly reduced and 17 other TFs showed increased activity at 4 h post PH.
      Then the ChIP-on-chip analysis on HNF4alpha were combined with mRNA expression
      profiling to select the possible HNF4alpha target genes during early liver
      regeneration, which were then sub-grouped according to their signaling pathways.
      More specifically, the HNF4alpha target genes with the gene ontology (GO) terms
      of cytokine-cytokine receptor, Jak-STAT, MAPK, toll-like receptor and insulin
      signaling pathways were further analyzed with an advanced bioinformatics tool
      named oPOSSUM to identify TF binding sites occupancy and predict the co
      regulatory relationship between TFs and targets. Furthermore, we identified that
      repressed HNF4alpha during the early phase of liver regeneration may contribute
      cooperatively to the induction of immediate early genes, such as, c-fos, c-jun
      and stat3. CONCLUSION: our data indicate that HNF4alpha may play an inhibitory
      role on the induction of specific promitogenic genes and liver regeneration
      initiation. The integrated approach of mRNA/OATFA/ChIP-DSL/oPOSSUM analysis may
      help us better characterize the target genes and co-regulatory network of
      HNF4alpha during the early stage of liver regeneration.

PMID- 26279437
TI  - Andrographolide Exerts Pro-Osteogenic Effect by Activation of Wnt/beta-Catenin
      Signaling Pathway in Vitro.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Osteoporosis is a metabolic bone disorders that tortures about
      millions of people worldwide. Recent studies showed that Andrographolide (AP) is
      a promising natural compound for the treatment of osteoclast-related bone
      diseases. However, its potential in treatment of osteoporosis has not been fully
      explored. METHODS: In this study, the effect of AP on osteoblasts metabolism was
      investigated via the detection of cell proliferation, cell viability, ALP
      activity, the expression of osteogenic specific genes including runt-related
      transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), bone sialoprotein (BSP), osteocalcin (OCN), Bone
      morphogenic protein-2 (BMP2) and Alkaline phosphatase(ALP) for 3, 5 and 7 days
      respectively. Further exploration of the association of AP with WNT/beta-catenin
      signaling pathway was performed by examination of the expression of WNT related
      genes and proteins. RESULTS: Results showed that AP of 4.46 and 8.92 uM,
      especially 8.92 uM was beneficial to osteogenic differentiation by upregulating
      ALP activity and expression of osteogenic related genes (P<0.05). Pathway
      analyses identify canonical WNT/beta-catenin pathway as an important mediator in
      AP-induced osteogenesis. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that AP exerts its pro
      osteogenic potential via activation of the WNT/beta-catenin in osteoblasts and
      thus may represent a candidate of therapeutic agent for osteoporosis.

PMID- 26279438
TI  - Interleukin-17 Stimulates STAT3-Mediated Endothelial Cell Activation for
      Neutrophil Recruitment.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Interleukin-17 (IL-17) is a major pro-inflammatory cytokine that
      initiates and maintains inflammation. However, the molecular mechanisms as to how
      IL-17 influences endothelial cells to promote neutrophil recruitment are not
      fully understood. METHODS: Human endothelial cells (HMECs) were stimulated with
      IL-17, and investigated for proliferation, migration, and tubule formation
      activities. Transwell chemotaxis and adhesion assays were performed to assess
      neutrophil recruitment. Cytokine production was measured by Cytokine Array Chip
      and ELISA. Western blotting and immunofluorescent analysis were used to detect
      the phosphorylation and translocation of STAT3. Specific inhibitors, small
      interfering RNA, and phosphorylation mutants were used to confirm that IL-17
      induced STAT3 activation via IL-17RA signaling. RESULTS: Activation of HMECs with
      IL-17 induced STAT3 phosphorylation and nuclear translocation, which were
      associated with induction of GRO-alpha, GM-CSF and IL-8, and neutrophil
      recruitment. Phosphorylation of STAT3 was identified mainly at the tyrosine in
      position 705 (Y705), and the Y705F mutants attenuated IL-17-mediated STAT3
      activation. Moreover, specific inhibitors, FLLL31, or siRNA silencing of STAT3
      attenuated HMECs activation, resulting in inhibition of GRO-alpha, GM-CSF, IL-8
      production, and neutrophil recruitment. Furthermore, phosphorylation of STAT3 was
      identified as downstream of IL-17RA signaling. CONCLUSIONS: IL-17 induced STAT3
      activation as a necessary step in endothelial cell activation and neutrophil
      recruitment.

PMID- 26279439
TI  - MiR-499-5p Contributes to Hepatic Insulin Resistance by Suppressing PTEN.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes afflicts 95% of diabetes patients. Recent data
      suggest that miRNAs play a key role in insulin production, secretion and
      function. This study aims to explore the specific role of miR-499-5p in hepatic
      insulin resistance. METHODS: The miRNA expression levels in the livers of db/db
      mice were analyzed using miRNA chips and were verified by real-time PCR. miR-499
      5p mimics and an inhibitor were transfected into NCTC1469 cells. Then, the
      PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and glycogen level were determined. The target genes
      of miR-499-5p were predicted by bioinformatics and then confirmed by dual
      luciferase reporter assay and Western blot. To establish an insulin resistance
      (IR) animal model, C57BL/6 mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD). The level of miR
      499-5p in the livers of HFD-fed mice was upregulated through tail vein injection
      of adenovirus vectors (ad) containing miR-499-5p mimics. The glucose tolerance
      test (GTT) and insulin tolerance test (ITT) were used to determine glucose
      tolerance and insulin tolerance, respectively. RESULTS: MicroRNA chips and qPCR
      showed that miR-499-5p was significantly decreased in the livers of db/db mice.
      Downregulation of miR-499-5p impaired the insulin signaling pathway and glycogen
      synthesis, whereas upregulation of miR-499-5p promoted the insulin signaling
      pathway and glycogen synthesis in NCTC1469 cells. The dual luciferase reporter
      assay and Western blot demonstrated that PTEN was the target gene of miR-499-5p.
      Compared with the control group, miR-499-5p was increased 2.1-fold in the livers
      of HFD-fed mice. By tail vein injection of adenovirus vector containing miR-499
      5p mimics, GTT and ITT were improved in HFD-fed mice. CONCLUSION: Downregulation
      of the miR-499-5p level impaired the PI3K/AKT/GSK signaling pathway and glycogen
      synthesis by targeting PTEN.

PMID- 26279440
TI  - The Neuroprotective Effect of Liraglutide is Mediated by Glucagon-Like Peptide 1
      Receptor-Mediated Activation of cAMP/PKA/CREB Pathway.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)-based drugs are being used to
      achieve better glucose control in patients with type 2 diabetes, and GLP-1
      mimetics such as liraglutide have shown therapeutic potential in preventing
      diabetes-related microvascular and macrovascular complications as well as
      comorbidities such as neurodegenerative disorders. In the present study, we
      investigated the effects of liraglutide on primary rat cortical astrocytes
      treated with advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). METHODS: Gene and protein
      expression was analyzed by quantitative real time PCR, western blots, and enzyme
      linked immunosorbent assay. The caspase-3 activity was assessed using a caspase-3
      colorimetric assay kit. The ROS production was measured with CM-H2DCFDA staining.
      The cell viability of rat astrocytes was determined using MTT assay. RESULTS:
      Liraglutide ameliorated AGEs-induced oxidative stress, inflammatory cytokine
      secretion, caspase activation, and cell death in astrocytes, and reversed the
      AGEs mediated reduction in intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels, protein kinase
      A (PKA) activity, and the phosphorylation of the cAMP response element-binding
      (CREB) protein. The protective effects of liraglutide against AGEs-mediated
      toxicity were abolished by GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) knockdown or pretreatment of
      cells with the adenylyl cyclase inhibitor SQ22536 or the PKA inhibitor Rp-cAMP.
      CONCLUSIONS: Liraglutide exerts its neuroprotective effects via the GLP-1R
      mediated activation of the cAMP/PKA/CREB pathway. The results of the present
      study support the therapeutic potential of liraglutide for the treatment of
      neurodegenerative disorders.

PMID- 26279442
TI  - Circulating Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells are Characterized by CXCR4 and MMP26.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is highly invasive, and
      often results in an early distal metastasis resulting in poor prognosis and
      therapeutic outcome. Cancer cells disseminating from the tumor and entering
      circulation are termed circulating tumor cells (CTCs). Although substantial
      progress has been made to identify those CTCs in HCC, no good marker (cocktail)
      has so far been identified. METHODS: Since only tumorigenic CTCs form metastatic
      tumor in distal organs, we thus compared the HCC cells that form tumor spheres in
      culture to those that do not. We transduced HCC cells with a RFP reporter under
      MMP26 promoter and purified MMP26+CXCR4+ HCC cells. We examined tumor sphere
      formation in culture, presence of tumor cells in the circulation as well as
      capability of developing metastatic tumor after transplantation of MMP26+CXCR4+
      HCC cells into nude mice, compared to other populations in HCC. RESULTS: Sphere
      forming HCC cells expressed high levels of MMP26 and CXCR4. MMP26+CXCR4+ HCC
      cells formed significantly more tumor spheres in culture, compared to MMP26-CXCR4
      , MMP26-CXCR4+ or MMP26+CXCR4- HCC cells. Moreover, tumor cells were more
      frequently detected in the circulation when MMP26+CXCR4+ HCC cells were
      subcutaneously transplanted. Further, subcutaneous transplantation of
      MMP26+CXCR4+ HCC cells, but not transplantation of MMP26-CXCR4-, MMP26-CXCR4+ or
      MMP26+CXCR4-HCC cells significantly developed distal metastatic tumors.
      CONCLUSION: MMP26+CXCR4+ cells may be CTCs in HCC. Selective elimination of
      MMP26+CXCR4+ cells may substantially reduce HCC metastasis after primary tumor
      resection.

PMID- 26279441
TI  - Virus-Induced Type I Interferon Deteriorates Control of Systemic Pseudomonas
      Aeruginosa Infection.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Type I interferon (IFN-I) predisposes to bacterial superinfections,
      an important problem during viral infection or treatment with interferon-alpha
      (IFN-alpha). IFN-I-induced neutropenia is one reason for the impaired bacterial
      control; however there is evidence that more frequent bacterial infections during
      IFN-alpha-treatment occur independently of neutropenia. METHODS: We analyzed in a
      mouse model, whether Pseudomonas aeruginosa control is influenced by co-infection
      with the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV). Bacterial titers, numbers of
      neutrophils and the gene-expression of liver-lysozyme-2 were determined during a
      24 hours systemic infection with P. aeruginosa in wild-type and Ifnar(-/-) mice
      under the influence of LCMV or poly(I:C). RESULTS: Virus-induced IFN-I impaired
      the control of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This was associated with neutropenia and
      loss of lysozyme-2-expression in the liver, which had captured P. aeruginosa. A
      lower release of IFN-I by poly(I:C)-injection also impaired the bacterial control
      in the liver and reduced the expression of liver-lysozyme-2. Low concentration of
      IFN-I after infection with a virulent strain of P. aeruginosa alone impaired the
      bacterial control and reduced lysozyme-2-expression in the liver as well.
      CONCLUSION: We found that during systemic infection with P. aeruginosa Kupffer
      cells quickly controlled the bacteria in cooperation with neutrophils. Upon LCMV
      infection this cooperation was disturbed.

PMID- 26279443
TI  - Lipopolysaccharide Induces Autophagic Cell Death through the PERK-Dependent
      Branch of the Unfolded Protein Response in Human Alveolar Epithelial A549 Cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Alveolar epithelial cell death plays a critical role in the
      pathogenesis of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury. Increased
      autophagy has a dual effect on cell survival. However, it is not known whether
      autophagy promotes death or survival in human alveolar epithelial cells exposed
      to LPS. METHODS: Genetic and pharmacological approaches were used to evaluate the
      effect of autophagy on A549 cell viability upon LPS exposure. The endoplasmic
      reticulum (ER) stress and unfolded protein response (UPR) pathways were examined
      with immunoblotting studies to further explore underlying mechanisms. RESULTS:
      Treatment with LPS (50 ug/ml) led to autophagy activation and decreased cell
      viability in A549 cells. Blocking autophagy via short interfering RNA or
      inhibitor significantly decreased, whereas rapamycin increased, the LPS-induced
      effect on viability. ER stress was activated in LPS-stimulated A549 cells, and ER
      stress inhibitor reduced LPS-induced autophagy. LPS activated only the PERK
      pathway and had rarely effect on the ATF6 and IRE1 branches of the UPR in A549
      cells. Moreover, the knockdown of PERK and ATF4 attenuated LPS-induced autophagy
      and promoted cell survival. CONCLUSION: In human alveolar epithelial A549 cells,
      LPS induces autophagic cell death that depends on the activation of the PERK
      branch of the UPR upon ER stress.

PMID- 26279444
TI  - The Roles of p38 MAPK and ERK1/2 in Coplanar Polychlorinated Biphenyls-Induced
      Apoptosis of Human Extravillous Cytotrophoblast-Derived Transformed Cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships
      among exposure to coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (Co-PCBs), the expression of
      gC1qR and the underlying intracellular apoptotic signaling pathways of human
      extravillous cytotrophoblast (EVCT)-derived transformed cells (HTR-8/SVneo and
      HPT-8). METHODS: Apoptosis in HTR-8/SVneo and HPT-8 cells was assessed using flow
      cytometric analysis. gClqR expression was examined in the HTR-8/SVneo and HPT-8
      cells using real-time qPCR and western blot analyses. The phosphorylations of p38
      mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) (Thr180/Tyr182) and extracellular
      signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 (Thr202/Thr204) were detected using western
      blot analyses. RESULTS: The HTR-8/SVneo and HPT-8 cells treated with Co-PCBs
      exhibited significantly increased gClqR expression, p38 MAPK/ERK activation and
      an up-regulation of cellular apoptosis. These effects were abrogated by the
      application of gC1qR small interfering RNA (siRNA). Furthermore, apoptosis in HTR
      8/SVneo and HPT-8 cells was observed upon treatment with Co-PCBs, and these
      effects were reversed by the p38 MAPK pathway inhibitor SB203580 or the ERK1/2
      pathway inhibitor PD098059. CONCLUSION: These data support a mechanism wherein
      gC1qR plays a crucial p38 MAPK/ERK signaling pathway-dependent role in Co-PCBs
      induced apoptosis of human EVCT-derived transformed cells.

PMID- 26279445
TI  - Eruberin A, a Natural Flavanol Glycoside, Exerts Anti-Fibrotic Action on
      Pancreatic Stellate Cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Eruberin A (2, 3-dehydroflavonoid), a flavanol glycoside isolated
      from Pronephrium penangianum, has been used as a blood-nourishing folk medicine
      for centuries; however, it indeed possesses a variety of other health-promoting
      benefits including anti-fibrotic bioactivity. Activation of pancreatic stellate
      cells (PSCs) is the key initiating step in pancreatic fibrosis, which is a
      characteristic feature associated with chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic
      adenocarcinoma. METHODS: The anti-fibrotic effect of eruberin A and the
      underlying mechanisms of its anti-fibrotic action in LTC-14 cells, which retained
      essential characteristics and morphological features of primary PSCs, were
      examined by means of real-time polymerase chain reactions, Western blotting and
      immunostaining. RESULTS: The application of eruberin A (20 MUg/ml) effectively
      inhibited the expression levels of fibrotic mediators namely alpha-smooth muscle
      actin, fibronectin and type I-collagen, so as the sonic hedgehog signaling
      pathway components post transforming growth factor-beta (5 ng/ml) stimulation.
      Eruberin A treatment also led to a notable decrease in the activation of nuclear
      factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and the phosphorylation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase
      (PI3K)/serine-threonine kinase (AKT). CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated that
      eruberin A significantly suppressed the expression levels of fibrotic mediators
      in PSCs, and we suggest that its anti-fibrotic mechanism was associated with an
      attenuation of the PI3K/AKT/NF-kappaB signaling pathway.

PMID- 26279446
TI  - Lgr5-Positive Cells are Cancer-Stem-Cell-Like Cells in Gastric Cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Effective treatment of gastric cancer (GC) requires better
      understanding of the molecular regulation of its carcinogenesis. Identification
      of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in GC appears to be a critical question. METHODS: We
      analyzed Lgr5 expression in GC specimen. We used an adeno-associated virus (AAV)
      that carries diphtheria toxin fragment A (DTA) under the control of Lgr5 promoter
      (AAV-pLgr5-DTA) to transduce human GC cells. The growth of GC cells with/without
      depletion of Lgr5-positive cells was studied in vitro in an MTT assay, and in
      vivo by analyzing bioluminescence levels. RESULTS: A portion of GC cells in the
      resected specimen expressed Lgr5. GC cells that formed tumor spheres expressed
      high Lgr5. Selective depletion of Lgr5-positive GC cells resulted in significant
      growth inhibition of GC cells in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSION: Lgr5-positive
      cells may be CSCs-like cells in GC and may play a pivotal role in the
      tumorigenesis of GC. Treating Lgr5-positive GC cells may substantially improve
      the therapeutic outcome.

PMID- 26279447
TI  - Lactoferrin Inhibits IL-1beta-Induced Chondrocyte Apoptosis Through AKT1-Induced
      CREB1 Activation.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Chondrocyte apoptosis is largely responsible for cartilage
      degeneration in osteoarthritis (OA). Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta) is widely used
      as a chondrocyte apoptosis-inducing agent, while lactoferrin (LF) is an anabolic
      reagent which has the potential to inhibit chondrocyte apoptosis. We assessed the
      effects of LF on cartilage degeneration in IL-1beta-induced chondrocytes and in a
      rat model of OA, and explored the potential molecular mechanisms involved.
      METHODS: Human articular chondrocytes (HACs) were treated with IL-1beta alone or
      in combination with LF. MTT and flow cytometric assays were used to detect
      changes after treatment with LF. Western blotting was used to examine the
      relevant molecules regulating apoptosis. RESULTS: We found that IL-1beta reduced
      the viability of HACs, whereas 200 MUg/mL of LF significantly counteracted the
      inhibitory effect of IL-1beta. LF significantly inhibited IL-1beta-induced HAC
      apoptosis. The protein expression of the apoptotic markers Caspase-3 and PARP was
      also significantly reduced in the LF treatment group when analyzed by western
      blotting. Furthermore, we found that LF triggered CREB1 phosphorylation in IL
      1beta-induced HAC apoptosis through AKT1 signaling. In addition, LF promoted the
      repair of articular cartilage damage in a rat OA model with elevated p-CREB
      levels. CONCLUSIONS: These studies suggest that LF has an anti-apoptotic effect
      on IL-1beta-induced chondrocytes, and thus may be a promising novel therapeutic
      agent for OA.

PMID- 26279448
TI  - Effect of Salusin-beta on Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Gene
      Expression in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and its Possible Mechanism.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: salusin-beta is considered to be a potential pro-atherosclerotic
      factor. Regulation and function of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are
      important in the progression of atherosclerosis. Peroxisome proliferator
      activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) exerts a vascular protective role beyond its
      metabolic effects. Salusin-beta has direct effects on VSMCs. The aim of the
      present study was to assess the effect of salusin-beta on PPARgamma gene
      expression in primary cultured rat VSMCs. METHODS: Western blotting analysis,
      real-time PCR and transient transfection approach were used to determine
      expression of target proteins. Specific protein knockdown was performed with
      siRNA transfection. Cell proliferation was determined by 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine
      incorporation. The levels of inflammation indicators interleukin-6 (IL-6) and
      tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were determined using enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Salusin-beta negatively regulated PPARgamma gene
      expression at protein, mRNA and gene promoter level in VSMCs. The inhibitory
      effect of salusin-beta on PPARgamma gene expression contributed to salusin-beta
      induced VSMCs proliferation and inflammation in vitro. IkappaBalpha-NF-kappaB
      activation, but not NF-kappaB p50 or p65, mediated the salusin-beta-induced
      inhibition of PPARgamma gene expression. Salusin-beta induced nuclear
      translocation of histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3). HDAC3 siRNA prevented salusin
      beta-induced PPARgamma reduction. Nuclear translocation of HDAC3 in response to
      salusin-beta was significantly reversed by an IkappaBalpha inhibitor BAY 11-7085.
      Furthermore, IkappaBalpha-HDAC3 complex was present in the cytosol of VSMCs but
      interrupted after salusin-beta treatment. CONCLUSION: IkappaBalpha-HDAC3 pathway
      may contribute to salusin-beta-induced inhibition of PPARgamma gene expression in
      VSMCs.

PMID- 26279449
TI  - Osthole Inhibits Proliferation and Induces Catabolism in Rat Chondrocytes and
      Cartilage Tissue.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: Cartilage destruction is thought to be the major mediator of
      osteoarthritis. Recent studies suggest that inhibition of subchrondral bone loss
      by anti-osteoporosis (OP) drug can protect cartilige erosion. Osthole, as a
      promising agent for treating osteoporosis, may show potential in treating
      osteoarthritis. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether Osthole
      affects the proliferation and catabolism of rat chondrocytes, and the
      degeneration of cartilage explants. METHODS: Rat chondrocytes were treated with
      Osthole (0 MUM, 6.25 MUM, 12.5 MUM, and 25 MUM) with or without IL1-beta
      (10ng/ml) for 24 hours. The expression levels of type II collagen and MMP13 were
      detected by western Blot. Marker genes for chondrocytes (A-can and Sox9), matrix
      metalloproteinases (MMPs), aggrecanases (ADAMTS5) and genes implicated in
      extracellular matrix catabolism were evaluated by qPCR. Cell proliferation was
      assessed by measuring proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression and
      fluorescence activated cell sorter. Wnt7b/beta-catenin signaling was also
      investigated. Cartilage explants from two-week old SD rats were cultured with IL
      1beta, Osthole and Osthole plus IL-1beta for four days and glycosaminoglycan
      (GAG) synthesis was assessed with toluidine blue staining and Safranine O/Fast
      Green FCF staining, collagen type II expression was detected by
      immunofuorescence. RESULTS: Osthole reduced expression of chondrocyte markers and
      increased expression of MMP13, ADAMTS5 and MMP9 in a dose-dependent manner.
      Catabolic gene expression levels were further improved by Osthole plus IL-1beta.
      Osthole inhibited chondrocyte proliferation. GAG synthesis and type II collagen
      were decreased in both the IL-1beta groups and the Osthole groups, and
      significantly reduced by Osthole plus IL-1beta. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggested
      that Osthole increases the catabolism of rat chondrocytes and cartilage explants,
      this effect might be mediated through inhibiting Wnt7b/beta-catenin pathway.

PMID- 26279450
TI  - N1-Guanyl-1,7-Diaminoheptane Sensitizes Estrogen Receptor Negative Breast Cancer
      Cells to Doxorubicin by Preventing Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition through
      Inhibition of Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 5A2 Activation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Approximately 30% of breast cancer does not express the estrogen
      receptor (ER), which is necessary for endocrine-based therapy approaches. Many
      studies demonstrated that eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A2 (eIF5A2)
      serves as a proliferation-related oncogene in tumorigenic processes. METHODS: The
      present study used cell viability assays, EdU incorporation assays, western blot,
      and immunofluorescence to explore whether N1-guanyl-1,7-diaminoheptane (GC7),
      which inhibits eIF5A2 activation, exerts synergistic cytotoxicity with
      doxorubicin in breast cancer. RESULTS: We found that GC7 enhanced doxorubicin
      cytotoxicity in ER-negative HCC1937 cells but had little effect in ER-positive
      MCF-7 and Bcap-37 cells. Administration of GC7 reversed the doxorubicin-induced
      epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in ER-negative breast cancer cells.
      Knockdown of eIF5A2 by siRNA inhibited the doxorubicin-induced EMT in ER-negative
      HCC1937 cells. CONCLUSION: These data demonstrated that GC7 combination therapy
      may enhance the therapeutic efficacy of doxorubicin in estrogen negative breast
      cancer cells by preventing EMT through inhibition of eIF5A2 activation.

PMID- 26279451
TI  - Carbon isotope ratios of human tooth enamel record the evidence of terrestrial
      resource consumption during the Jomon period, Japan.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Archaeological remains strongly suggest that the Holocene Japanese
      hunter-gatherers, the Jomon people, utilized terrestrial plants as their primary
      food source. However, carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis of bone collagen
      indicates that they primarily exploited marine resources. We hypothesize that
      this inconsistency stems from the route of protein synthesis and the different
      proportions of protein-derived carbon in tooth enamel versus bone collagen.
      Carbon isotope ratios from bone collagen reflect that of dietary protein and may
      provide a biased signal of diet, whereas isotope ratios from tooth enamel reflect
      the integrated diet from all macronutrients (carbohydrates, lipids, and
      proteins). METHODS: In order to evaluate the differences in inferred diet between
      the archaeological evidence and bone collagen isotope data, this study
      investigated carbon isotopes in Jomon tooth enamel from four coastal sites of the
      Middle to Late-Final Jomon period (5,000-2,300 years BP). RESULTS: Carbon isotope
      ratios of human teeth are as depleted as coeval terrestrial mammals, suggesting
      that C3 plants and terrestrial mammals were major dietary resources for the Jomon
      people. Dietary dependence on marine resources calculated from enamel was
      significantly lower than that calculated from bone collagen. The discrepancy in
      isotopic ratios between enamel and collagen and the nitrogen isotope ratio in
      collagen shows a negative correlation on individual and population levels,
      suggesting diets with variable proportions of terrestrial and marine resources.
      CONCLUSION: This study highlights the usefulness of coupling tooth enamel and
      bone collagen in carbon isotopic studies to reconstruct prehistoric human diet.
      Am J Phys Anthropol 158:300-311, 2015. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 26279452
TI  - Variation in the TAS1R2 Gene, Sweet Taste Perception and Intake of Sugars.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: To determine whether variation in the TAS1R2 gene affects
      sucrose taste perception and sugar intake. METHODS: Participants were men (n =
      238) and women (n = 458) aged 20-29 years. A subset (n = 95) with body mass index
      (BMI) data available completed a sensory analysis study. A food frequency
      questionnaire assessed dietary intake, and eight polymorphisms were genotyped
      (rs12033832, rs12137730, rs35874116, rs3935570, rs4920564, rs4920566, rs7513755
      and rs9701796). Sucrose taste thresholds were determined by staircase procedure
      (solutions: 9 * 10-6 to 0.5 mol/l). Suprathreshold sensitivity to 0.01-1.0 mol/l
      sucrose solutions was assessed using general Labeled Magnitude Scales. RESULTS: A
      significant genotype-BMI interaction was observed for rs12033832 (G>A) for
      suprathreshold sensitivity (p = 0.01) and sugar intake (p = 0.003). Among
      participants with a BMI >=25, G allele carriers had lower sensitivity ratings
      (mean incremental area under the taste sensitivity curve +/- SE; GG/GA 54.4 +/-
      4.1 vs. AA 178.5 +/- 66.6; p = 0.006), higher thresholds (GG/GA 9.3 +/- 1.1 vs.
      AA 4.4 +/- 4.3 mmol/l; p = 0.004) and consumed more sugars (GG/GA 130 +/- 4 vs.
      AA 94 +/- 13 g/day; p = 0.009). G allele carriers with a BMI <25 had lower
      thresholds (GG/GA 8.6 +/- 0.5 vs. AA 16.7 +/- 5.7 mmol/l; p = 0.02) and consumed
      less sugars (GG/GA 122 +/- 2 vs. AA 145 +/- 8 g/day; p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: The
      rs12033832 single nucleotide polymorphism in TAS1R2 is associated with sucrose
      taste and sugar intake, but the effect differs depending on BMI.

PMID- 26279453
TI  - Distribution of radioactive cesium and its seasonal variations in cattle living
      in the "difficult-to-return zone" of the Fukushima nuclear accident.
AB  - The amount of radioactive cesium in various tissues of cattle which lived in the
      highly contaminated area designated as the "difficult-to-return zone", was
      measured in May and December of 2014. The average concentration of radioactive
      cesium in the skeletal muscles ranged from 3900 to 5500 Bq/kg, and there was no
      significant difference between May and December. The sirloin (in December),
      tenderloin and top round (in May and December) showed significantly higher
      concentrations of cesium than the neck muscle, which is generally used for the
      radioactivity inspection. The Longus colli muscle, which is also used for the
      inspection in some institutions, showed the same radioactivity as the neck
      muscle. Study results indicated that relative cesium concentrations in internal
      organs were higher in May compared to December. There were high correlations of
      cesium concentration between the blood and other tissues. However, regression
      coefficients between the blood and muscles were significantly higher in December
      than those in May. When radioactivity in the neck or Longus colli muscles between
      50 to 100 Bq/kg is detected, the slaughtered cattle should be re-inspected using
      another muscle, such as top round or sirloin, to prevent marketing of meat that
      violates the criteria of the Food Sanitation Act.

PMID- 26279454
TI  - Schizophrenia-like symptoms in narcolepsy type 1: shared and distinctive clinical
      characteristics.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: The occurrence of psychotic symptoms in narcolepsy type 1 (NT1)
      has been reported as responsible for delayed diagnosis due to the misdiagnosis of
      schizophrenia. This study aimed to identify shared and distinctive clinical
      characteristics between NT1 and schizophrenia, with the focus on psychotic
      symptoms. METHODS: A total of 28 NT1 and 21 schizophrenia patients were included.
      Hallucination characteristics and PANSS (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale),
      HRSD (Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression), DES (Dissociative Experiences
      Scale), and STAI (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) scores were collected. Symptom
      overlap was investigated by chi(2), Fisher's or t tests and multiple logistic
      regression models. RESULTS: Hallucinations and illusions frequently occurred in
      both diseases. Unimodal hallucinations were more common in schizophrenia (p =
      6.30e-07) and multimodal hallucinations in NT1, but no clear difference was
      identified in their sensory modality. Hypnagogic/hypnopompic hallucinations were
      typical of NT1 (p = 5.22e-07), and 25% of NT1 patients exhibited some degree of
      insight deficit. Hypnagogic/hypnopompic hallucinations, unimodal hallucinations
      and PANSS score were the most distinctive clinical characteristics. Clinical
      overlap was found in the dissociative and anxiety domains, while higher
      depressive scores were observed in schizophrenia. CONCLUSION: The overlap between
      NT1 and schizophrenia should be further investigated under a clinical and
      pathogenetic point of view to improve diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

PMID- 26279455
TI  - Efficacy and safety of diagnostic thoracoscopy in undiagnosed pleural effusions.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The differential diagnosis of pleural effusions can present a
      considerable challenge, and the etiology of pleural effusions varies depending on
      the population studied. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the efficacy and
      safety of medical thoracoscopy in the diagnosis of patients with undiagnosed
      pleural effusions in a Chinese population. METHODS: Between July 2005 and June
      2014, medical thoracoscopy (MT) using the semirigid instrument was performed in
      833 patients with pleural effusions of unknown etiology in our Institute, where
      diagnostic thoracocentesis or/and blind pleural biopsy had failed to yield an
      answer. Demographic, radiographic, procedural, and histological data were
      recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: During this 9-year study, satisfactory pleural
      biopsy samples were obtained in 833 patients, and MT revealed malignant pleural
      effusion in 342 (41.1%) patients, benign pleural effusion in 429 (51.5%)
      patients, and 62 (7.4%) patients could not get definite diagnoses. The overall
      diagnostic efficiency of MT was 92.6% (771/833). After MT, the only severe
      complication was empyema, seen in 3 patients (0.4%). The most common minor
      complication was transient chest pain (44.1%) from the indwelling chest tube.
      CONCLUSIONS: MT is an effective and safe procedure for diagnosing pleural
      effusions of undetermined causes. In areas with high tuberculosis prevalence, MT
      should be particularly helpful in the differential diagnosis of tuberculous
      pleural effusion.

PMID- 26279456
TI  - Photovoltaic Effect and Evidence of Carrier Multiplication in Graphene Vertical
      Homojunctions with Asymmetrical Metal Contacts.
AB  - Graphene exhibits exciting potentials for high-speed wideband photodetection and
      high quantum efficiency solar energy harvest because of its broad spectral
      absorption, fast photoelectric response, and potential carrier multiplication.
      Although photocurrent can be generated near a metal-graphene interface in lateral
      devices, the photoactive area is usually limited to a tiny one-dimensional line
      like interface region. Here, we report photoelectric devices based on vertical
      graphene two-dimensional homojunction, which is fabricated via vertically
      stacking four graphene monolayers with asymmetric metal contacts. The devices
      show excellent photovoltaic output with excitation wavelength ranging from
      visible light to mid-infrared. The wavelength dependence of the internal quantum
      efficiency gives direct evidence of the carrier multiplication effect in
      graphene. The simple fabrication process, easy scale-up, large photoresponsive
      active area, and broadband response of the vertical graphene device are very
      promising for practical applications in optoelectronics and photovoltaics. 

PMID- 26279457
TI  - Impact of epidermal growth factor receptor and transforming growth factor-alpha
      on hepatitis C virus-induced hepatocarcinogenesis.
AB  - Epidermal growth factor receptor system plays a central hepato-protective and pro
      regenerative role in liver. Transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) is an
      important autocrine growth regulator of hepatocytes that plays a role in
      development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) among patients with chronic
      hepatitis C (CHC). This study was done on 40 core liver biopsies from patients
      with CHC, 20 liver specimens from HCC cases on top of CHC as well as five normal
      controls. All were immunohistochemically stained with epidermal growth factor
      receptor (EGFR) and TGF-alpha antibodies. Some selected HCC cases were submitted
      for FISH technique to detect EGFR gene alteration. By immunohistochemistry EGFR
      and TGF-alpha were overexpressed in HCC and cirrhotic cases compared to CHC cases
      without cirrhosis. Also, their expression was stronger in CHC cases with higher
      grades of activity and stages of fibrosis compared to lower ones. FISH positive
      results for EGFR were detected in 33.3% of the examined HCC cases. EGFR and TGF
      alpha can be used as predictive markers for activity, fibrosis, and
      carcinogenesis in CHC patients. Overexpression of EGFR in HCC patients can be
      promising in selecting those who can get benefit from anti-EGFR target therapy. 

PMID- 26279458
TI  - The impact of persistence with bisphosphonates on health resource utilization and
      fracture risk in the UK: a study of patient records from the UK Clinical Practice
      Research Datalink.
AB  - RATIONALE, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Clinical trial data suggest that patients who
      have received bisphosphonates continue to benefit from them after
      discontinuation. However, data from real-world clinical practice are
      inconclusive. We assessed the impact of persistence and discontinuation on health
      resource utilization (HRU) and fracture rate in women who were prescribed oral
      bisphosphonates. METHOD: The study used data from the UK Clinical Practice
      Research Datalink. Women aged 50 years or older with a first prescription of oral
      bisphosphonate therapy between January 2000 and December 2007 were included.
      Multivariate modelling compared rate ratios for fracture and HRU between patients
      who had discontinued medication (shorter persistence group) and patients who took
      their medication for longer (longer persistence group). The interactions of
      elapsed time (measured as 6-month intervals) with HRU and with fracture rate for
      all patients within paired groups were also assessed. RESULTS: Overall, 36 320
      patients were included. Pairwise comparisons showed that HRU and fracture rates
      were lower in longer persistence groups than in shorter persistence groups.
      Analysis by 6-month interval showed that, across all patients in persistence
      group pairs, HRU significantly increased for each additional 6 months elapsed;
      trends towards increased risk of fracture were also seen. CONCLUSION: In contrast
      to results from clinical trials, in this patient population the protective effect
      of oral bisphosphonates after discontinuation was not sufficient to reduce HRU
      and fracture rates to the levels that would be seen if patients had continued on
      therapy. Reducing the rate of treatment discontinuation may decrease the burden
      that osteoporosis places on both patients and health care systems.

PMID- 26279459
TI  - Temporal Trends and Outcomes Associated with Major Bleeding in Acute Coronary
      Syndromes: A Decade-Long Perspective from the Acute Coronary Syndrome Israeli
      Surveys 2000-2010.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The implementation of an early invasive approach and the increased
      use of potent anti-thrombotic drugs have resulted in higher rates of major
      bleeding events (MBE) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). There are
      limited data on the temporal trends for the rates of MBE over the last decade and
      associated outcomes. METHODS: Rates, characteristics, risk factors and clinical
      outcomes associated with MBE were assessed among 11,538 patients enrolled in the
      biennial Acute Coronary Syndrome Israeli Surveys (ACSIS) 2000-2010. RESULTS: A
      total of 143 patients (1.2%) experienced MBE during the index hospitalization for
      ACS. There was a significant increase in the risk of MBE in the late (2006-2010)
      versus the early (2000-2004) surveys (0.9 and 1.6% respectively, adjusted OR
      1.86, p < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, factors independently associated
      with a significant increase in the risk of MBE included undergoing primary
      percutaneous coronary intervention (OR 2.21, p < 0.005), experiencing renal
      failure (OR 4.19, p < 0.001) and systolic blood pressure level at admission (OR
      1.12, per 10- mm Hg decrement, p = 0.011). Patients who experienced MBE had a
      >3.5-fold increased risk for 1-year mortality (adjusted HR = 3.52, p < 0.001).
      Interestingly, the mortality risk associated with MBE was evident only among
      those who experienced non-access-site bleeding (HR = 1.9; p = 0.001).
      CONCLUSIONS: In the past decade, there has been a significant increase in the
      rate of MBE. However, we found that only major bleeding that was not related to
      the vascular access site affected subsequent mortality.

PMID- 26279460
TI  - De novo congenital malignant melanoma: whats new in diagnosis and treatment?

PMID- 26279461
TI  - Pap smear screening, pap smear abnormalities and psychosocial risk factors among
      women in a residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation facility.
AB  - AIM: To compare rates of late- screening, abnormal Pap smears and prevalence of
      psychosocial factors for cervical cancer between women in the community and women
      attending a residential drug and alcohol facility. BACKGROUND: Women with drug
      and alcohol addiction experience higher rates of abnormal Pap smears, late- or
      under- screening and psychosocial risk factors including domestic violence and
      sexual assault. DESIGN: A descriptive cross-sectional study of women attending
      publically funded women's health clinics in the community or in a live-in
      residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility. METHODS: The study was
      approved in May 2012. Data were collected between October 2012-December 2013
      using standardized women's health questionnaires, domestic violence screening
      tools and Pap smear tests. RESULTS: Women attending the rehabilitation facility
      had higher rates of abnormal Pap smears (16.7% vs. 1.6%) and self-reported
      history of abnormal Pap smears (44.4% vs. 20.6%). They also reported higher rates
      of smoking (72.2% vs. 29.2%), experience of sexual assault (44.1% vs. 16.9%),
      experience of domestic violence (65.7% vs. 10.9%) and other psychosocial risk
      factors, than women living in the general community. Unexpectedly, women in the
      rehabilitation facility reported similar levels of late screening as women in the
      community (52.8% vs. 55.4%). CONCLUSION: Women with drug and alcohol addiction
      have significantly higher incidence of risk factors for cervical cancer and
      abnormal Pap smears. Provision of opportunistic cervical cancer screening during
      residential treatment appears to reduce incidence of late-screening. Roles of
      Women's Health Nurses in providing services to vulnerable women should be
      explored further.

PMID- 26279462
TI  - Von Hippel-Lindau Syndrome.
AB  - Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease is a hereditary cancer syndrome characterized by
      the development of multiple vascular tumours. The syndrome is caused by
      inactivation of the VHL protein (pVHL) and increased production of VEGF, PDGF,
      and TGF-alpha. The course of VHL syndrome is associated with the development of
      multiple vascular tumours. Most frequently, these include retinal and central
      nervous system haemangioblastomas, clear cell renal cell carcinoma,
      phaeochromocytomas, pancreatic islet tumours, endolymphatic sac tumours, and
      additionally, renal and pancreatic cystadenomas and epididymal cystadenomas in
      men. VHL syndrome is a highly complex disease; hence, the diagnosis is often
      difficult. The diagnosis of any of the characteristic tumours, particularly in
      children, is an implicit indication for the necessity of diagnosis and genetic
      tests in the patient and family members and for intensive supervision of carriers
      of the mutated gene, thereby improving early diagnosis and successful treatment
      of the malignancies. 

PMID- 26279463
TI  - Prenatal Exposure to Maternal Obesity Alters Anxiety and Stress Coping Behaviors
      in Aged Mice.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is growing evidence that maternal obesity and prenatal exposure
      to a high-fat diet program fetal development to regulate the physiology and
      behavior of the offspring in adulthood. Yet the extent to which the maternal
      dietary environment contributes to adult disease vulnerability remains unclear.
      In the current study we tested whether prenatal exposure to maternal obesity
      increases the offspring's vulnerability to stress-related psychiatric disorders.
      METHODS: We used a mouse model of maternal diet-induced obesity to investigate
      whether maternal obesity affects the response to adult chronic stress exposure in
      young adult (3-month-old) and aged adult (12-month-old) offspring. RESULTS: Long
      lasting, delayed impairments to anxiety-like behaviors and stress coping
      strategies resulted on account of prenatal exposure to maternal obesity. Although
      maternal obesity did not change the offspring's behavioral response to chronic
      stress per se, we demonstrate that the behavioral outcomes induced by prenatal
      exposure to maternal obesity parallel the deleterious effects of adult chronic
      stress exposure in aged male mice. We found that the glucocorticoid receptor (GR,
      Nr3c1) is upregulated in various hypothalamic nuclei on account of maternal
      obesity. In addition, gene expression of a known regulator of the GR, FKBP51, is
      increased specifically within the paraventricular nucleus. CONCLUSIONS: These
      findings indicate that maternal obesity parallels the deleterious effects of
      adult chronic stress exposure, and furthermore identifies GR/FKBP51 signaling as
      a novel candidate pathway regulated by maternal obesity.

PMID- 26279464
TI  - Association of Controlled and Uncontrolled Hypertension With Workplace
      Productivity.
AB  - The authors estimated the lost productive time (LPT) due to absenteeism and
      presenteeism among employees at the Group Health Cooperative with controlled and
      uncontrolled hypertension compared with normotensive patients. The patients
      responded to a survey inquiring about health behaviors with links to their
      medical record to identify diagnoses, blood pressure measurement, and
      prescription drug dispenses. Individuals with controlled hypertension were more
      likely to report any LPT relative to individuals with uncontrolled hypertension
      (40.6% vs 32.6%, P<.05). There were no significant differences in the average
      hours of LPT due to presenteeism among individuals regardless of their
      hypertension status but individuals with hypertension were more likely to report
      hours of LPT due to absenteeism compared with normotensive individuals (1.04 vs
      0.59 hours; P=.001). Individuals with uncontrolled hypertension were more likely
      to report LPT due to absenteeism compared with individuals with controlled
      hypertension (1.35 vs 0.72 hours; P=.001). There were no significant differences
      between individuals with hypertension whose blood pressure was controlled and
      normotensive individuals with respect to the likelihood of reporting any LPT or
      in the amounts of absenteeism and presenteeism.

PMID- 26279465
TI  - Assessment of the Combined Treatment with Umbelliferone and Four Classical
      Antiepileptic Drugs Against Maximal Electroshock-Induced Seizures in Mice.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of
      umbelliferone (7-hydroxycoumarin; UMB) on the anticonvulsant potency of four
      classical antiepileptic drugs (carbamazepine (CBZ), phenytoin (PHT),
      phenobarbital (PB) and valproate (VPA)) in the mouse maximal electroshock-induced
      seizure (MES) model. RESULTS: UMB administered systemically intraperitoneally
      (ip) in a dose of 150 mg/kg significantly elevated the threshold for maximal
      electroconvulsions (p < 0.05) in mice. Moreover, UMB (150 mg/kg) co-administered
      with PB and VPA significantly enhanced the anticonvulsant potency of these drugs
      by reducing their median effective doses (ED50 values) from 35.39 to 21.78 mg/kg
      (p < 0.01) for PB, and from 281.4 to 215.5 mg/kg (p < 0.01) for VPA. In contrast,
      UMB (150 mg/kg, ip) had no significant effect on the antiseizure activity of CBZ
      and PHT in the mouse MES model. Neither total brain PB, nor total brain VPA
      concentrations were altered after ip administration of UMB, indicating a
      pharmacodynamic nature of interactions between the tested drugs. CONCLUSIONS: The
      selective potentiation of the anticonvulsant potency of PB and VPA by UMB, and
      lack of any pharmacokinetic interactions between drugs, make the combinations of
      UMB with PB or VPA worthy of consideration for epileptic patients who are
      refractory to standard antiepileptic treatment.

PMID- 26279466
TI  - A scenario for magnonic spin-wave traps.
AB  - Spatially resolved measurements of the magnetization dynamics on a thin CoFeB
      film induced by an intense laser pump-pulse reveal that the frequencies of
      resulting spin-wave modes depend strongly on the distance to the pump center.
      This can be attributed to a laser generated temperature profile. We determine a
      shift of 0.5 GHz in the spin-wave frequency due to the spatial thermal profile
      induced by the femtosecond pump pulse that persists for up to one nanosecond.
      Similar experiments are presented for a magnonic crystal composed of a CoFeB-film
      based antidot lattice with a Damon Eshbach mode at the Brillouin zone boundary
      and its consequences are discussed.

PMID- 26279467
TI  - Investigating the cytotoxicity of iron oxide nanoparticles in in vivo and in
      vitro studies.
AB  - In recent years, iron oxide nanorods find a lot of applications including drug
      delivery, cell separation, hyperthermia and magnetic resonance imaging. In this
      study the cytotoxicity of iron oxide nanorods was evaluated based on mouse
      fibroblast cell behavior and wistar rat's liver and kidney function. At first for
      modification, nanorods were added to Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM)
      which contained a lot of sources of vitamins, amino acids, proteins in Fetal
      Bovine Serum (FBS). The MTT assay was employed for evaluating the toxic effects
      of 200 and 400 MUg/mL modified and non-modified iron oxide nanorods on L929 mouse
      fibroblast cells in a 24h period. Changes in cell granularity and size as well as
      cell cycle were investigated using flow cytometry. Moreover liver and kidney
      function test and serum iron level measurement were performed 24h after the
      injection of modified iron oxide nanorods via the tail peripheral vein of wistar
      rats. Results indicated that greater concentration of modified iron oxide
      nanorods had no significant effect on cell viability while greater concentration
      of non-modified iron oxide nanorods significantly decreased cell viability.
      Modified iron oxide nanorods did not have significant effects on cell cycle. The
      results of liver and kidney function tests did not differ significantly while a
      significant increase in serum iron level was observed. After H&E staining of
      slices, there were no changes on morphology of rat's kidney and liver cells. This
      study suggests that short-time use of 200 and 400 MUg/mL iron oxide nanorods are
      probably safe. Further studies are needed for investigation of toxic effects of
      different concentrations, coatings, and exposure time periods of iron oxide
      nanorods.

PMID- 26279468
TI  - Major depressive disorder: reification and (maybe) rheostasis.
AB  - The heterogeneity of clinical syndromes subsumed by diagnostic criteria for major
      depressive disorder (MDD) is regarded by some as a reason to abandon or modify
      the criteria. However, heterogeneity may be unavoidable because of the
      biopsychosocial complexity of depression. MDD may be characterised by
      complexities that cannot be distilled down to any brief set of diagnostic
      criteria. Psychiatrists and psychiatric epidemiologists may need to revise their
      expectations of this diagnosis in order to avoid over-estimating its ability to
      guide the selection of treatments and prediction of prognosis. An opposing
      perspective is that of reification, in which the diagnosis is viewed as being
      more real than it really is. The concept of rheostasis may help to explain some
      features of this condition, such as why major depressive episodes sometimes seem
      understandable or even adaptive (e.g. in the context of bereavement) whereas at
      other times such episodes are inexplicable and maladaptive. 

PMID- 26279469
TI  - Start me up! Recurrent ventricular tachydysrhythmias following intentional
      concentrated caffeine ingestion.
AB  - CONTEXT: Nearly pure caffeine is sold as a "dietary supplement," with
      instructions to ingest 1/64th to 1/16th of one teaspoon (50-200 mg). We report a
      patient with refractory cardiac dysrhythmias treated with defibrillation, beta
      adrenergic blockade, and hemodialysis to highlight concentrated caffeine's
      dangers. CASE DETAILS: A 20-year-old woman presented with severe agitation,
      tremor, and vomiting approximately 1-2 h after suicidal ingestion of concentrated
      caffeine (powder and tablets). Within minutes, ventricular fibrillation
      commenced. Defibrillation, intubation, and amiodarone administration achieved
      return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Shortly thereafter, she developed
      pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VTach), with ROSC after defibrillation and
      lidocaine. She subsequently experienced 23 episodes of pulseless VTach, each
      responsive to defibrillation. Activated charcoal was administered via orogastric
      tube. An esmolol infusion was started. Hemodialysis was initiated once she was
      hemodynamically stable. She was extubated the following day, continued on oral
      metoprolol, and transferred to psychiatry on hospital day seven, achieving full
      neurological recovery. Serum caffeine concentrations performed approximately six
      and 18 h post-ingestion (pre/post-dialysis) were 240.8 mcg/mL and 150.7 mcg/mL.
      DISCUSSION: Severe caffeine toxicity can produce difficult to treat, life
      threatening dysrhythmias. Concentrated caffeine, marketed for dietary
      supplementation, presents a substantial public health risk that demands action to
      limit consumer availability.

PMID- 26279471
TI  - A qualitative exploration of parental experiences of stigma while living with HIV
      in Bangladesh.
AB  - With much of the focus on the "risk" groups, families have often been less
      studied in HIV research. Further, because of a focus on the aetiology and
      epidemiology of HIV, the social impacts associated with HIV on families and
      neighbours are sometimes overlooked. This study examined parental experiences of
      stigma and discrimination while living with HIV within a family context in
      Bangladesh. A qualitative research design using a grounded theory approach was
      used for this research. Data was collected through in-depth interviews with 19
      HIV-positive parents, recruited with the support of two self-help groups of HIV
      positive people, in two settings namely Khulna and Dhaka in Bangladesh. The
      findings indicate that HIV-positive parents held the view that they continue to
      experience significant stigma and their narratives clearly show how this affected
      them and their children. A range of informal practices were enacted in everyday
      contexts by extended family and community members to identify, demarcate and
      limit the social interaction of HIV-positive parents. Parents highlighted a
      number of factors including negative thoughts and behaviours, rejection,
      isolation and derogatory remarks as manifestations of stigma and discrimination,
      impacting upon them and their children because of their association with HIV. 

PMID- 26279470
TI  - Photodynamic activation as a molecular switch to promote osteoblast cell
      differentiation via AP-1 activation.
AB  - In photodynamic therapy (PDT), cells are impregnated with a photosensitizing
      agent that is activated by light irradiation, thereby photochemically generating
      reactive oxygen species (ROS). The amounts of ROS produced depends on the PDT
      dose and the nature of the photosensitizer. Although high levels of ROS are
      cytotoxic, at physiological levels they play a key role as second messengers in
      cellular signaling pathways, pluripotency, and differentiation of stem cells. To
      investigate further the use of photochemically triggered manipulation of such
      pathways, we exposed mouse osteoblast precursor cells and rat primary mesenchymal
      stromal cells to low-dose PDT. Our results demonstrate that low-dose PDT can
      promote osteoblast differentiation via the activation of activator protein-1 (AP
      1). Although PDT has been used primarily as an anti-cancer therapy, the use of
      light as a photochemical "molecular switch" to promote differentiation should
      expand the utility of this method in basic research and clinical applications. 

PMID- 26279472
TI  - In vivo micro-scale tomography of ciliary behavior in the mammalian oviduct.
AB  - Motile cilia in the mammalian oviduct play a key role in reproduction, such as
      transporting fertilized oocytes to the uterus for implantation. Due to their
      small size (~5-10 MUm in length and ~300 nm in diameter), live visualization of
      cilia and their activity in the lumen of the oviduct through tissue layers
      represents a major challenge not yet overcome. Here, we report a functional low
      coherence optical imaging technique that allows in vivo depth-resolved mapping of
      the cilia location and cilia beat frequency (CBF) in the intact mouse oviduct
      with micro-scale spatial resolution. We validate our approach with widely-used
      microscopic imaging methods, present the first in vivo mapping of the oviduct CBF
      in its native context, and demonstrate the ability of this approach to
      differentiate CBF in different locations of the oviduct at different post
      conception stages. This technique opens a range of opportunities for live studies
      in reproductive medicine as well as other areas focused on cilia activity and
      related ciliopathies.

PMID- 26279473
TI  - Arid1a inactivation in an Apc- and Pten-defective mouse ovarian cancer model
      enhances epithelial differentiation and prolongs survival.
AB  - Inactivation of the ARID1A tumour suppressor gene is frequent in ovarian
      endometrioid (OEC) and clear cell (OCCC) carcinomas, often in conjunction with
      mutations activating the PI3K-AKT and/or canonical Wnt signalling pathways. Prior
      work has shown that conditional bi-allelic inactivation of the Apc and Pten
      tumour suppressor genes in the mouse ovarian surface epithelium (OSE) promotes
      outgrowth of tumours that reflect the biological behaviour and gene expression
      profiles of human OECs harbouring comparable Wnt and PI3K-AKT pathway defects,
      although the mouse tumours are more poorly differentiated than their human tumour
      counterparts. We found that conditional inactivation of one or both Arid1a
      alleles in OSE concurrently with Apc and Pten inactivation unexpectedly prolonged
      the survival of tumour-bearing mice and promoted striking epithelial
      differentiation of the cancer cells, resulting in morphological features akin to
      those in human OECs. Enhanced epithelial differentiation was linked to reduced
      expression of the mesenchymal markers N-cadherin and vimentin, and increased
      expression of the epithelial markers Crb3 and E-cadherin. Global gene expression
      profiling showed enrichment for genes associated with mesenchymal-epithelial
      transition in the Arid1a-deficient tumours. We also found that an activating
      (E545K) Pik3ca mutation, unlike Pten inactivation or Pik3ca H1047R mutation,
      cannot cooperate with Arid1a loss to promote ovarian cancer development in the
      mouse. Our results indicate that the Arid1a tumour suppressor gene has a key role
      in regulating OEC differentiation, and paradoxically the mouse cancers with more
      initiating tumour suppressor gene defects had a less aggressive phenotype than
      cancers arising from fewer gene alterations. Microarray data have been deposited
      in NCBI's Gene Expression Omnibus (GSE67695).

PMID- 26279474
TI  - Dynamics of a deep-water seagrass population on the Great Barrier Reef: annual
      occurrence and response to a major dredging program.
AB  - Global seagrass research efforts have focused on shallow coastal and estuarine
      seagrass populations where alarming declines have been recorded. Comparatively
      little is known about the dynamics of deep-water seagrasses despite evidence that
      they form extensive meadows in some parts of the world. Deep-water seagrasses are
      subject to similar anthropogenic threats as shallow meadows, particularly along
      the Great Barrier Reef lagoon where they occur close to major population centres.
      We examine the dynamics of a deep-water seagrass population in the GBR over an 8
      year period during which time a major capital dredging project occurred. Seasonal
      and inter-annual changes in seagrasses were assessed as well as the impact of
      dredging. The seagrass population was found to occur annually, generally present
      between July and December each year. Extensive and persistent turbid plumes from
      a large dredging program over an 8 month period resulted in a failure of the
      seagrasses to establish in 2006, however recruitment occurred the following year
      and the regular annual cycle was re-established. Results show that despite
      considerable inter annual variability, deep-water seagrasses had a regular annual
      pattern of occurrence, low resistance to reduced water quality but a capacity for
      rapid recolonisation on the cessation of impacts. 

PMID- 26279476
TI  - Keap1-Nrf2 regulated redox signaling in utero: Priming of disease susceptibility
      in offspring.
AB  - Intrauterine exposure to gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia or intrauterine
      growth restriction alters the redox status of the developing fetus. Such
      pregnancy-related diseases in most cases do not have a readily identifiable
      genetic cause, and epigenetic 'priming' mechanisms in utero may predispose both
      mother and child to later-life onset of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.
      The concept of 'fetal programing' or 'developmental priming' and its association
      with an increased risk of disease in childhood or adulthood has been reviewed
      extensively. This review focuses on adaptive changes in the in utero redox
      environment during normal pregnancy and the consequences of alterations in redox
      control associated with pregnancies characterized by oxidative stress. We
      evaluate the evidence that the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway is important for protecting the
      fetus against adverse conditions in utero and may itself be subject to epigenetic
      priming, potentially contributing to an increased risk of vascular disease and
      insulin resistance in later life. 

PMID- 26279475
TI  - Multimodal Chemosensory Circuits Controlling Male Courtship in Drosophila.
AB  - Throughout the animal kingdom, internal states generate long-lasting and self
      perpetuating chains of behavior. In Drosophila, males instinctively pursue
      females with a lengthy and elaborate courtship ritual triggered by activation of
      sexually dimorphic P1 interneurons. Gustatory pheromones are thought to activate
      P1 neurons but the circuit mechanisms that dictate their sensory responses to
      gate entry into courtship remain unknown. Here, we use circuit mapping and in
      vivo functional imaging techniques to trace gustatory and olfactory pheromone
      circuits to their point of convergence onto P1 neurons and reveal how their
      combined input underlies selective tuning to appropriate sexual partners. We
      identify inhibition, even in response to courtship-promoting pheromones, as a key
      circuit element that tunes and tempers P1 neuron activity. Our results suggest a
      circuit mechanism in which balanced excitation and inhibition underlie
      discrimination of prospective mates and stringently regulate the transition to
      courtship in Drosophila.

PMID- 26279477
TI  - Determination of Specificity and Biochemical Characteristics of Neutral Protease
      Isolated from Myceliophthora thermophila.
AB  - Proteases hydrolyze polypeptides to release peptides and/or amino acids. This
      subclass of enzymes is among those with the most sales worldwide, particularly
      those produced by microorganisms. Proteases may be applied in the several
      industries, including the food industry, leather, detergents, and bioremediation.
      Myceliophthora thermophila protease was produced by a submerged bioprocess and
      then purified 185-fold by anion exchange and hydrophobic chromatography with a
      37% yield. The molecular mass was estimated at 36.2 kDa, and mass spectrometry
      identified two sequences: GVVANMSLGGSYSASINNAAAALVR and STGNAAITGVPSGTTNR. The
      isolated protein was characterized biochemically, showed an optimum pH of 6.5 and
      optimum temperature of 45  degrees C, and stability at wide range of pH and
      temperatures and in the presence of reducing agents and some surfactants. Kinetic
      assays for this enzyme showed a greater catalytic efficiency when the substrate
      had alanine at position P'2. The protease presented characteristics that may be
      of interest to many industrial areas. 

PMID- 26279478
TI  - Theoretical Study of Large-Angle Bending Transport of Microparticles by 2D
      Acoustic Half-Bessel Beams.
AB  - Conventional microparticle transports by light or sound are realized along a
      straight line. Recently, this limit has been overcome in optics as the growing up
      of the self-accelerating Airy beams, which are featured by many peculiar
      properties, e.g., bending propagation, diffraction-free and self-healing.
      However, the bending angles of Airy beams are rather small since they are only
      paraxial solutions of the two-dimensional (2D) Helmholtz equation. Here we
      propose a novel micromanipulation by using acoustic Half-Bessel beams, which are
      strict solutions of the 2D Helmholtz equation. Compared with that achieved by
      Airy beams, the bending angle of the particle trajectory attained here is much
      steeper (exceeding 90(o)). The large-angle bending transport of microparticles,
      which is robust to complex scattering environment, enables a wide range of
      applications from the colloidal to biological sciences. 

PMID- 26279479
TI  - Management of Teeth with Persistent Apical Periodontitis after Root Canal
      Treatment Using Regenerative Endodontic Therapy.
AB  - Regenerative endodontic therapy (RET) is currently used to treat immature teeth
      with necrotic pulp and/or apical periodontitis. However, recently RET has been
      used to treat mature teeth with necrotic pulp and/or apical periodontitis and
      resulted in regression of clinical signs and/or symptoms and resolution of apical
      periodontitis. The purpose of this case report was to describe the potential of
      using RET to treat 2 mature teeth with persistent apical periodontitis after root
      canal therapy using RET. Two male patients, one 26-year old and another 12-year
      old, presented for retreatment of persistent apical periodontitis after root
      canal treatment of 2 mature teeth (#9 and #19). The gutta-percha fillings in the
      canals of teeth #9 and #19 were removed with Carvene gutta-percha solvent
      (Prevest DenPro, Jammu, India) and ProTaper Universal rotary retreatment files
      (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland). The canals of both teeth were
      further chemomechanically debrided with rotary retreatment files and copious
      amounts of sodium hypochlorite irrigation and dressed with Metapaste (Meta
      Biomed, Chungbuk, Korea). RET was performed on teeth #9 and #19. Periapical
      bleeding was provoked into the disinfected root canals. The blood clots were
      covered with mineral trioxide aggregate plugs, and the access cavities were
      restored with intermediate restorative material. Teeth #9 and #19 showed
      regression of clinical signs and/or symptoms and healing of apical periodontitis
      after 13-month and 14-month follow-ups, respectively. Tooth #9 revealed narrowing
      of the canal space and apical closure by deposition of hard tissue. RET has the
      potential to be used to retreat teeth with persistent apical periodontitis after
      root canal therapy. 

PMID- 26279480
TI  - Instrumental variable methods in clinical research.

PMID- 26279481
TI  - Percutaneous aortic and mitral valve implantation. Is it ready to match the
      results of contemporary surgical valve replacement?

PMID- 26279482
TI  - Comparison of basal insulin therapies with regard to the risk of acute myocardial
      infarction in patients with type 2 diabetes: an observational cohort study.
AB  - AIMS: To assess the risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in patients with
      type 2 diabetes mellitus treated with long-acting insulin analogues in comparison
      with other basal insulin therapy. METHODS: We used German insurance claims data
      from the years 2004-2009 to conduct a study in a retrospective cohort of patients
      with type 2 diabetes. Naive insulin users were defined as patients who had an
      insulin-free history before the first prescription of long-acting analogue
      insulin, human NPH insulin or premixed insulin and who were pretreated with oral
      antidiabetic drugs. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) of AMI and corresponding 95%
      confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using sex-stratified Cox models.
      Propensity-score-matched analyses were conducted as sensitivity analyses.
      RESULTS: We identified 21,501 new insulin users. Patients treated with premixed
      insulin were older than patients treated with analogue or NPH insulin (mean age
      70.7 vs. 64.1 and 61.6 years, respectively) and had more comorbidities. Regarding
      the risk of AMI, adjusted HRs showed no statistically significant difference
      between NPH and analogue insulin (HR 0.94, 95% CI 0.74-1.19), but a higher risk
      for premixed than for analogue insulin (HR 1.27, 95% CI 1.02-1.58). Contrary to
      the primary analysis, the propensity-score-matched analysis did not show an
      increased risk for premixed insulin. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to a former
      database study, no difference was observed for the risk of AMI between long
      acting analogue and NPH insulin in this study. Neither long-acting analogue
      insulin nor premixed insulin appears to be associated with AMI in patients with
      type 2 diabetes.

PMID- 26279483
TI  - Fetal anemia caused by the Guadalajara variant of G6PD deficiency.

PMID- 26279484
TI  - Genetic analysis in retinoblastoma and peripheral blood correlation.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the importance of intratumoral genetic analysis in the
      diagnosis of germ-line mutations in patients with retinoblastoma. To underline
      the importance of performing these genetic tests in every case of retinoblastoma.
      METHOD: Intratumoral genetic analysis of RB1 mutation was performed on 17
      enucleated eyes that were non-responsive to conservative treatment. Patients had
      no family history of retinoblastoma, and lesions were always single. The
      identified mutations were then also studied in peripheral blood analysis.
      RESULTS: There were 12 (70.6%) cases with positive results in intratumoral
      analysis. In 8 cases (47.1%) mutation of both RB1 alelli were detected, and in 4
      (23.5%) cases only one allele was found mutated. In 5 patients (29.4%) no
      mutation was identified. In the first hit, mutations comprised 7 frameshift or
      nonsense and 2 splice, whereas in the second hit, one splice mutation, 2 nonsense
      and 8 loss of heterozygosity were identified. Among 6 patients where intratumoral
      analysis detected a single mutation associated with a loss of heterozygosity, the
      peripheral blood analysis was able to detect the same mutation in 3 cases (50%).
      CONCLUSIONS: Intratumoral genetic analysis of sporadic retinoblastoma can detect
      germ-line mutations. These patients are at higher risk of bilateralization and
      development of second tumors or trilateral retinoblastoma. Genetic screening is
      recommended in every patient diagnosed with retinoblastoma.

PMID- 26279485
TI  - Maternal piRNAs Are Essential for Germline Development following De Novo
      Establishment of Endo-siRNAs in Caenorhabditis elegans.
AB  - The Piwi-piRNA pathway represents a germline-specific transposon-defense system.
      C. elegans Piwi, prg-1, is a non-essential gene and triggers a secondary RNAi
      response that depends on mutator genes, endo-siRNAs (22G-RNAs), and the 22G-RNA
      binding Argonaute protein HRDE-1. Interestingly, silencing of PRG-1 targets can
      become PRG-1 independent. This state, known as RNAe, is heritable and depends on
      mutator genes and HRDE-1. We studied how the transgenerational memory of RNAe and
      the piRNA pathway interact. We find that maternally provided PRG-1 is required
      for de novo establishment of 22G-RNA populations, especially those targeting
      transposons. Strikingly, attempts to re-establish 22G-RNAs in absence of both PRG
      1 and RNAe memory result in severe germline proliferation defects. This is
      accompanied by a disturbed balance between gene-activating and -repressing 22G
      RNA pathways. We propose a model in which CSR-1 prevents the loading of HRDE-1
      and in which both PRG-1 and HRDE-1 help to keep mutator activity focused on the
      proper targets.

PMID- 26279486
TI  - Cortical Tension Allocates the First Inner Cells of the Mammalian Embryo.
AB  - Every cell in our body originates from the pluripotent inner mass of the embryo,
      yet it is unknown how biomechanical forces allocate inner cells in vivo. Here we
      discover subcellular heterogeneities in tensile forces, generated by actomyosin
      cortical networks, which drive apical constriction to position the first inner
      cells of living mouse embryos. Myosin II accumulates specifically around
      constricting cells, and its disruption dysregulates constriction and cell fate.
      Laser ablations of actomyosin networks reveal that constricting cells have higher
      cortical tension, generate tension anisotropies and morphological changes in
      adjacent regions of neighboring cells, and require their neighbors to coordinate
      their own changes in shape. Thus, tensile forces determine the first spatial
      segregation of cells during mammalian development. We propose that, unlike more
      cohesive tissues, the early embryo dissipates tensile forces required by
      constricting cells via their neighbors, thereby allowing confined cell
      repositioning without jeopardizing global architecture.

PMID- 26279487
TI  - piRNAs and piRNA-Dependent siRNAs Protect Conserved and Essential C. elegans
      Genes from Misrouting into the RNAi Pathway.
AB  - piRNAs silence foreign genes, such as transposons, to preserve genome integrity,
      but they also target endogenous mRNAs by mechanisms that are poorly understood.
      Caenorhabditis elegans piRNAs interact with both transposon and nontransposon
      mRNAs to initiate sustained silencing via the RNAi pathway. To assess the
      dysregulation of gene silencing caused by lack of piRNAs, we restored RNA
      silencing in RNAi-defective animals in the presence or absence of piRNAs. In the
      absence of piRNAs and a cellular memory of piRNA activity, essential and
      conserved genes are misrouted into the RNAi pathway to produce siRNAs that bind
      the nuclear Argonaute HRDE-1, resulting in dramatic defects in germ cell
      proliferation and function such that the animals are sterile. Inactivation of
      RNAi suppresses sterility, indicating that aberrant siRNAs produced in the
      absence of piRNAs target essential genes for silencing. Thus, by reanimating
      RNAi, we uncovered a role for piRNAs in protecting essential genes from RNA
      silencing. 

PMID- 26279488
TI  - Evaluation of tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion measured with cardiac
      MRI in children with tetralogy of Fallot.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Aneurysmal dilation of the right ventricular outflow tract
      complicates assessment of right ventricular function in patients with repaired
      tetralogy of Fallot. Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion is commonly used
      to estimate ejection fraction. We hypothesised that tricuspid annular plane
      systolic excursion measured by cardiac MRI approximates global and segmental
      right ventricular function, specifically right ventricular sinus ejection
      fraction, in children with repaired tetralogy of Fallot. METHODS: Tricuspid
      annular plane systolic excursion was measured retrospectively on cardiac MRIs in
      54 patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot. Values were compared with right
      ventricular global, sinus, and infundibular ejection fractions. Tricuspid annular
      plane systolic excursion was indexed to body surface area, converted into a
      fractional value, and converted into published paediatric Z-scores. RESULTS:
      Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion measurements had good agreement
      between observers. Right ventricular ejection fraction did not correlate with the
      absolute or indexed tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion and correlated
      weakly with fractional tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (r=0.41 and
      p=0.002). Segmental right ventricular function did not appreciably improve
      correlation with any of the tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion measures.
      Paediatric Z-scores were unable to differentiate patients with normal and
      abnormal right ventricular function. CONCLUSIONS: Tricuspid annular plane
      systolic excursion measured by cardiac MRI correlates poorly with global and
      segmental right ventricular ejection fraction in children with repaired tetralogy
      of Fallot. Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion is an unreliable
      approximation of right ventricular function in this patient population.

PMID- 26279489
TI  - Correlation Between Tinnitus and Petrotympanic Fissure Status Among Patients With
      Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction.
AB  - PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the correlation between
      tinnitus and petrotympanic fissure (PTF) subtypes in patients diagnosed with
      temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred
      patients with TMD (50 with tinnitus, 50 without tinnitus) were evaluated
      retrospectively using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). CBCT images were
      analyzed according to PTF subtype diagnosis (types 1 to 3). PTF structure was
      classified as type 1 (wide tubular formation), type 2 (double conical structure),
      or type 3 (single conical structure). RESULTS: Although there was a negative
      correlation between tinnitus and PTF type (P < .001), there was no correlation
      between age and tinnitus or between age and subtype of PTF. There was no
      significant association between gender and tinnitus or PTF type (P > .05).
      CONCLUSIONS: A short, wide PTF (type 1) might be associated with an increased
      incidence of tinnitus in patients with TMD.

PMID- 26279490
TI  - McGrath Video Laryngoscopy Facilitates Routine Nasotracheal Intubation in
      Patients Undergoing Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: A Comparison With Macintosh
      Laryngoscopy.
AB  - PURPOSE: The McGrath video laryngoscope (VL) offers excellent laryngoscopic views
      and increases the success rate of orotracheal intubation in patients with normal
      and difficult airways. The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to
      compare the McGrath VL with the Macintosh laryngoscope to investigate the
      efficacy of the McGrath VL for routine nasotracheal intubation in patients with
      an expected normal airway. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To address the research
      purpose, the efficacy of the McGrath VL for routine nasotracheal intubation was
      compared with that of the Macintosh laryngoscope. The predictor variable was the
      laryngoscopic technique (McGrath VL vs Macintosh laryngoscope). The outcome
      variables were the time to successful intubation, laryngoscopic views before and
      after optimal external laryngeal manipulation (OELM), use of Magill forceps, ease
      of intubation, and severity of oropharyngeal bleeding. RESULTS: Data from 35
      patients undergoing oral and maxillofacial surgery were assessed. The time to
      intubation was 10.5 seconds shorter in the McGrath group than in the Macintosh
      group (34.4 +/- 13.7 vs 44.9 +/- 15.6 seconds; P = .004). The incidence of grade
      1 glottic view before OELM was higher in the McGrath group than in the Macintosh
      group (83 vs 57%; P = .019). The frequency of Magill forceps use was lower in the
      McGrath group than in the Macintosh group (6 vs 34%; P = .003). CONCLUSION:
      McGrath VL facilitates routine nasotracheal intubation in expected normal airways
      by providing a shorter intubation time and better laryngoscopic views compared
      with the Macintosh laryngoscope.

PMID- 26279491
TI  - What do mathematical models tell us about killing rates during HIV-1 infection?
AB  - Over the past few decades the extent to which cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs)
      control human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) replication has been studied
      extensively, yet their role and mode of action remain controversial. In some
      studies, CTLs were found to kill a large fraction of the productively infected
      cells relative to the viral cytopathicity, whereas in others CTLs were suggested
      to kill only a small fraction of infected cells. In this review, we compile
      published estimates of CTL-mediated death rates, and examine whether these
      studies permit determining the rate at which CTLs kill HIV-1 infected cells. We
      highlight potential misinterpretations of the CTL-killing rates from the escape
      rates of mutants, and from perturbations of the steady state viral load during
      chronic infection. Our major conclusion is that CTL-mediated killing rates remain
      unknown. But contrary to current consensus, we argue that killing rates higher
      than one per day are perfectly consistent with the experimental data, which would
      imply that the majority of the productively infected cells could still die from
      CTL-mediated killing rather than from viral cytopathicity. 

PMID- 26279492
TI  - Forkhead box O transcription factors as possible mediators in the development of
      major depression.
AB  - Forkhead box O (FoxO) transcription factors play important roles in cellular
      physiology and biology. Recent findings indicate that FoxOs are also involved in
      the development of major depressive disorder. Alterations in the upstream
      molecules of FoxOs, such as brain derived neurotrophic factor or protein kinase
      B, have been linked to depression. Antidepressants, such as imipramine and
      venlafaxine, modify the FoxOs phosphorylation. Furthermore, FoxOs could be
      regulated by serotonin and norepinephrine receptor signaling as well as the
      hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, all of which are involved in the
      pathogenesis of depression. FoxOs also regulate neuronal morphology,
      synaptogenesis and adult hippocampal neurogenesis, which are viewed as candidate
      mechanisms for the etiology of depression. In this review, we emphasize the
      possible roles of FoxOs during the development of depression and make some
      strategic recommendations for future research. We propose that FoxOs and its
      signaling pathways may constitute potential therapeutic targets in the treatment
      of depression. 

PMID- 26279493
TI  - The Effect of Exercise on Vascular Function and Stiffness in Type 2 Diabetes: A
      Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
AB  - Deterioration of the structure and function of the vascular system is the
      underlying feature in cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is the highest cause of
      mortality in type 2 diabetes (T2D). Studies assessing the effect of exercise on
      vascular function and stiffness have used different measurement techniques and
      small cohorts, making it difficult to conclude on the overall efficacy of
      exercise on these outcomes. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of
      exercise on vascular function and stiffness in T2D. Electronic database searches
      were performed in AMED, MEDLINE, MEDLINE Daily Update, PREMEDLINE, SPORTDiscus,
      CINAHL, EMBASE and Web of Science. The effect size (ES), and 95% confidence
      intervals (CIs) of eligible studies were calculated. Pooled estimates of the
      effect of aerobic exercise (AEx) on vascular function and stiffness, using ES,
      were obtained. Results show that AEx led to a near-significant reduction in PWV
      (ES = -0.472; 95% CI: -0.949 to 0.005; P = 0.052), a significant reduction in EID
      (ES = 0.416, 95% CI: 0.062 to 0.769; P= 0.021), and a non-significant benefit in
      FMD measures. There were limited studies using resistance training or in
      combination with aerobic exercise, to assess a pooled effect on vascular function
      or stiffness. These data suggest that aerobic exercise training should be used as
      a primary treatment strategy for improving vascular smooth muscle function as
      measured by EID in individuals with T2D. There is currently insufficient evidence
      concerning the efficacy of regular exercise for improving vascular function and
      stiffness as measured by FMD and PWV.

PMID- 26279494
TI  - The function of the self-attention network.
AB  - This commentary links Humphrey and Sui's proposed Self-attention Network (SAN) to
      the memory advantage associated with self-relevant information (i.e., the self
      reference effect). Articulating this link elucidates the functional quality of
      the SAN in ensuring that information of potential importance to self is not lost.
      This adaptive system for self-processing mirrors the cognitive response to threat
      stimuli, which also elicit attentional biases and produce characteristically
      enhanced, episodic representations in memory. Understanding the link between the
      SAN and memory is key to comprehending more broadly the operation of the self in
      cognition. 

PMID- 26279495
TI  - Animal models of erectile dysfunction.
AB  - Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a prevalent male sexual dysfunction with profound
      adverse effects on the physical and the psychosocial health of men and,
      subsequently, on their partners. The expanded use of various types of rodent
      models has produced some advances in the study of ED, and neurophysiological
      studies using various animal models have provided important insights into human
      sexual dysfunction. At present, animal models play a key role in exploring and
      screening novel drugs designed to treat ED. 

PMID- 26279496
TI  - Biomarkers to assess donor-reactive T-cell responses in kidney transplant
      patients.
AB  - Different to antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR), T-cell mediated rejection (TCMR)
      still unpredictably occurs after kidney transplantation in a great part because
      of a poor immunologic evaluation of the cellular allogeneic immune response.
      However, in the last years, important efforts have focused on the development of
      novel and more sensitive assays to monitor T-cell alloimmune responses at
      different biological levels that may improve the understanding of the functional
      status of the cellular immune compartment in patients undergoing organ
      transplantation. In this direction, immune assays evaluating T-cell
      proliferation, intracellular ATP release, multiparameter flow cytometry,
      profiling T-cell receptor repertoires and measurements of frequencies of cytokine
      producing T-cells using an IFN-gamma enzyme-linked immunospot assay (IFN-gamma
      ELISPOT) have been reported showing interesting associations between the cellular
      alloimmune response and kidney transplant outcomes. In summary, an important
      progress has been made in the assessment of alloreactive T-cell responses in the
      context of organ transplantation using novel immune assays at different
      biological levels. However, there is an urgent need for prospective, randomized
      clinical studies to validate these encouraging preliminary data to ultimately
      introduce them in current clinical practice for refining current immune-risk
      stratification in kidney transplantation. 

PMID- 26279497
TI  - Exposure to unwanted intrusions, neutralizing and their effects on self-worth and
      obsessive-compulsive phenomena.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although there is a growing body of literature to support the
      importance of understanding self processes in the experience of obsessive
      compulsive disorder (OCD), no experimental research has directly examined the
      relationship between self-construals and phenomena central to OCD. The current
      study examined the effect that unwanted intrusions and neutralizing responses
      have on self-worth, distress and urge to neutralize. METHODS: After listening to
      repeated audio recordings of idiosyncratic unwanted intrusions, a combined
      nonclinical and clinical OCD sample were asked to respond with either their
      chosen neutralizing strategy (experimental) or a refocus counting strategy
      (control). Each condition comprised of a 12-min responding period (respond)
      followed by an equivalent non-response period (listen). Participants completed
      each condition, and were randomly allocated into the condition completed first.
      Ratings of discomfort, urge to neutralize, and self-worth were measured
      throughout. RESULTS: Neutralizing and refocussing responses were both associated
      with decreases in discomfort and higher self-worth. The expected rebound effect
      for discomfort and urge to neutralize for the listen period after neutralizing
      was found. LIMITATIONS: Methodological problems lead to missing data, although
      this was corrected with the use of Multi Level Modelling (MLM) analysis on a
      combined sample. The small clinical sample meant that comparison between the two
      populations was not possible. CONCLUSIONS: Findings support cognitive accounts
      that neutralizing is involved in the development and maintenance of OCD, and
      suggest that neutralizing is a purposeful response aimed to help reinstate self
      worth. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.

PMID- 26279498
TI  - Precipitation and surface adsorption of metal complexes during electropolishing.
      Theory and characterization with X-ray nanotomography and surface tension
      isotherms.
AB  - Electropolishing of metals often leads to supersaturation conditions resulting in
      precipitation of complex compounds. The solubility diagrams and Gibbs adsorption
      isotherms of the electropolishing products are thus very important to understand
      the thermodynamic mechanism of precipitation of reaction products.
      Electropolishing of tungsten wires in aqueous solutions of potassium hydroxide is
      used as an example illustrating the different thermodynamic scenarios of
      electropolishing. Electropolishing products are able to form highly viscous films
      immiscible with the surrounding electrolyte or porous shells adhered to the wire
      surface. Using X-ray nanotomography, we discovered a gel-like phase formed at the
      tungsten surface during electropolishing. The results of these studies suggest
      that the electropolishing products can form a rich library of compounds. The
      surface tension of the electrolyte depends on the metal oxide ions and alkali
      metal complexes. 

PMID- 26279499
TI  - Leukocyte esterase in the diagnosis of shoulder periprosthetic joint infection.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Shoulder periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is difficult to
      diagnose with traditional methods. Leukocyte esterase (LE) has recently proven to
      be reliable in knee arthroplasty; however, its value in the shoulder has not been
      explored. We hypothesized that LE would display high sensitivity and specificity
      in shoulder PJI. METHODS: Two groups were prospectively evaluated: 45 primary and
      40 revision shoulder arthroplasties. Synovial fluid and soft tissue cultures were
      obtained at surgery. Synovial fluid was evaluated with LE test strips. Any
      aspiration that contained erythrocytes was centrifuged and retested. Shoulder PJI
      was defined by modified Musculoskeletal Infection Society (MSIS) criteria.
      RESULTS: Of 5 primaries with positive tissue cultures (11%), only 1 was positive
      for LE. Of 16 revisions with positive cultures (40%), 4 had positive LE results.
      Among all patients with bacterial isolates, 6 aspirates were not interpretable
      (29%), despite centrifugation. LE had sensitivity of 25% and specificity of 75%
      to predict positive cultures in revisions. Ten revision patients met modified
      MSIS criteria for PJI. The sensitivity of LE in these patients was 30%, and the
      specificity was 67% (positive predictive value, 43%; negative predictive value,
      83%). If bloody aspirates were considered positive, LE sensitivity in MSIS PJI
      increased to 60%, but the positive predictive value fell to 37.5%. CONCLUSION: LE
      is an unreliable diagnostic measure in shoulder PJI. The presence of erythrocytes
      within aspirates further decreased its accuracy. We conclude that LE should not
      be used for the routine identification of shoulder PJI.

PMID- 26279500
TI  - Risk factor detection for heart disease by applying text analytics in electronic
      medical records.
AB  - In the United States, about 600,000 people die of heart disease every year. The
      annual cost of care services, medications, and lost productivity reportedly
      exceeds 108.9 billion dollars. Effective disease risk assessment is critical to
      prevention, care, and treatment planning. Recent advancements in text analytics
      have opened up new possibilities of using the rich information in electronic
      medical records (EMRs) to identify relevant risk factors. The 2014 i2b2/UTHealth
      Challenge brought together researchers and practitioners of clinical natural
      language processing (NLP) to tackle the identification of heart disease risk
      factors reported in EMRs. We participated in this track and developed an NLP
      system by leveraging existing tools and resources, both public and proprietary.
      Our system was a hybrid of several machine-learning and rule-based components.
      The system achieved an overall F1 score of 0.9185, with a recall of 0.9409 and a
      precision of 0.8972.

PMID- 26279501
TI  - Awake right hemisphere brain surgery.
AB  - We report the indications and outcomes of awake right hemispheric brain surgery,
      as well as a rare patient with crossed aphasia. Awake craniotomies are often
      performed to protect eloquent cortex. We reviewed the medical records for 35 of
      96 patients, in detail, who had awake right hemisphere brain operations.
      Intraoperative cortical mapping of motor and/or language function was performed
      in 29 of the 35 patients. A preoperative speech impairment and left hand
      dominance were the main indicators for awake right-sided craniotomies in patients
      with right hemisphere lesions. Four patients with lesion proximity to eloquent
      areas underwent awake craniotomies without cortical mapping. In addition, one
      patient had a broncho-pulmonary fistula, and another had a recent major cardiac
      procedure that precluded awake surgery. An eloquent cortex representation was
      identified in 14 patients (48.3%). Postoperatively, seven of 17 patients (41.1%)
      who presented with weakness, experienced improvements in their motor functions,
      11 of 16 (68.7%) with seizures became seizure-free, and seven of nine (77.7%)
      with moderate to severe headaches and one of two with a visual field deficit
      improved significantly. There were also improvements in speech and language
      functions in all patients who presented with speech difficulties. A right sided
      awake craniotomy is an excellent option for left handed patients, or those with
      right sided cortical lesions that result in preoperative speech impairments. When
      combined with intraoperative cortical mapping, both speech and motor function can
      be well preserved. 

PMID- 26279503
TI  - First in human nanotechnology doxorubicin delivery system to target epidermal
      growth factor receptors in recurrent glioblastoma.
AB  - There are limited treatment options for patients with recurrent glioblastoma
      (GBM). The EnGeneIC delivery vehicle (EDV) is a novel nanocellular (minicell)
      compound which packages theoretically effective concentrations of
      chemotherapeutic drugs that are designed to target tumors via minicell-surface
      attached bispecific proteins (EnGeneIC, Lane Cove West, NSW, Australia).
      Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is overexpressed in 40-50% of patients
      with GBM and is a promising target for new therapeutics. (V)EDVDox contains
      doxorubicin (Dox) within the minicells and targets EGFR through Vectibix (V;
      Amgen Biologicals, Thousand Oaks, CA, USA). We conducted a first in human Phase I
      study of (V)EDVDox in adults with recurrent GBM expressing EGFR on
      immunohistochemistry, following standard therapy including radiation and
      temozolomide, to establish a safe maximum tolerated dose and determine a
      recommended Phase II dose (RPTD). (V)EDVDox was administered weekly in an 8week
      cycle, with dose escalation in successive cohorts of patients using a standard
      3+3 design. In total, 14 patients were treated at three dose levels, and the RPTD
      was identified as 5*10(9)(V)EDVDox. Overall (V)EDVDox was well tolerated, with no
      dose limiting toxicity and no withdrawals from the study due to adverse events.
      The most common adverse events were nausea, fever, and chills or rigors,
      experienced in seven, five and five patients, respectively. Transient
      uncomplicated hypophosphatemia was seen in seven patients and was not dose
      related. Our results demonstrate that (V)EDVDox, up to a dose of 5*10(9)(V)EDVDox
      weekly, is well tolerated in patients with recurrent GBM. 

PMID- 26279502
TI  - The kynurenine to tryptophan ratio as a prognostic tool for glioblastoma patients
      enrolling in immunotherapy.
AB  - We hypothesized that peripheral tryptophan (Trp) and/or kynurenine (Kyn) levels
      would provide prognostic value for physicians planning to enroll glioblastoma
      multiforme (GBM) patients in immunotherapy. GBM is the most common form of
      malignant glioma in adults. Despite aggressive surgical resection, irradiation
      and chemotherapy, patients with GBM have a median survival of only 14.6 months
      after diagnosis. This poor outcome has led to the search for more effective
      treatments, including immunotherapy. However, the identification of parameters
      that proactively stratify GBM patients who have the potential for therapeutic
      benefit has been challenging. Given recent observations demonstrating high
      indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) expression in GBM, the immunosuppressive
      impact of IDO1-mediated Trp catabolism, as well as active transport of Trp and
      the IDO1-downstream Trp catabolite, Kyn, across the blood brain barrier, we
      hypothesized that peripheral blood analysis of this pathway would provide
      diagnostic utility. When comparing individuals without tumors to GBM patients
      prior to surgical resection, or at the 48 hour (48 h) and ?10 week (10 w+)
      postoperative time points, Trp levels were significantly decreased (p<0.0002).
      Similarly, Kyn levels were decreased in the pre- and 48 h postoperative GBM
      patients (p<0.0001), while there was no difference between individuals without
      tumors and 10 w+ GBM patients. Interestingly, those 10 w+ patients with a high
      Kyn/Trp ratio (?9.5) had a mean overall survival (OS) of 23.6 +/- a standard
      error of 6.8 months, compared to an OS of 38.7 +/- 4.9 months for patients with
      lower Kyn/Trp values. Since the 10 w+ blood draw and analyses occurred prior to
      patient enrollment in the heat shock protein peptide complex-96 clinical trial,
      these novel data suggest that the late Kyn/Trp index may be a relevant clinical
      benchmark, providing prognostic value for GBM patients who are enrolled in
      immunotherapeutic regimens.

PMID- 26279504
TI  - Sister Mary Joseph's Nodule.

PMID- 26279505
TI  - Visual Diagnosis: Intraperitoneal Cerebrospinal Fluid Pseudocyst in an Adult
      Patient.

PMID- 26279506
TI  - Re: Not Another Boring Lecture: Let's Be the Guide on the Side.

PMID- 26279507
TI  - Endowed Faculty Positions in Academic Emergency Medicine: One Decade Later.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In 2004 and 2009, we examined the number of endowed faculty positions
      in academic departments of Emergency Medicine (ADEMs). OBJECTIVE: We sought to
      survey ADEMs regarding the number of endowed faculty positions and compare the
      results to the 2004 and 2009 studies. METHODS: A survey was e-mailed to the
      chairs of all ADEMs belonging to the Association of Academic Chairs of Emergency
      Medicine. We requested information on the following: the number of endowed chair
      and professorship positions; the amount required to fund; the amount allowed to
      be spent annually; the date established; and the source of funding. RESULTS:
      Eighty-nine chairs responded (100% response rate). Nineteen chairs reported 1
      endowed chair position. One chair reported 2 such positions, and 2 chairs
      reported 3 positions. One chair reported 4 positions. In total, 23 ADEMs (25.8%)
      reported 31 endowed chair positions. For endowed professorships, 8 chairs
      reported 1 professorship each. Four chairs replied that they had 2 positions each
      and 2 chairs reported 3 positions each. A total of 14 ADEMS (15.7%) reported
      having 22 endowed professorships. The most common amount required to fund an
      endowed chair position was $2 million, and $1 million for an endowed
      professorship. The majority of ADEMs were allowed to spend 4% to 5% of the value
      of the endowment annually. CONCLUSION: Thirty ADEMs (33.7%) currently have an
      endowed position, compared to only 19 (26%) 5 years ago. Emergency Medicine now
      has a total of 53 endowed positions, compared to only 25 such positions in 2009
      and just 9 endowed positions in 2004.

PMID- 26279508
TI  - Adrenal Mass Causing Secondary Hypertension.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Most hypertensive patients have essential (primary) hypertension;
      only 5% to 10% have a secondary cause. Two clinical characteristics suggestive of
      secondary hypertension are early onset (< 30 years of age) and severe
      hypertension (>180/110 mm Hg). When faced with these findings, clinicians should
      consider a secondary cause of hypertension. CASE REPORT: A 22-year-old woman
      being evaluated for asthma exacerbation in the emergency department was noted to
      have severe persistent hypertension. Additional evaluation revealed severe
      hypokalemia, metabolic alkalosis, and hypernatremia. The patient was admitted to
      the hospital for blood pressure management, electrolyte replacement, and further
      evaluation of presumed hyperaldosteronism. Diagnostic imaging revealed a large
      adrenal mass. Surgical resection was performed, leading to a diagnosis of
      hyperaldosteronism caused by adrenal carcinoma. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN
      BE AWARE OF THIS?: Secondary hypertension is far less common than essential
      hypertension; however, considering the large volume of patients seen in emergency
      departments, it is likely that some will have secondary hypertension. Emergency
      physicians should be aware of the clinical characteristics that suggest secondary
      hypertension so that the appropriate diagnostic and treatment pathways can be
      pursued.

PMID- 26279509
TI  - Regarding: Emergency Physicians May See Corneal Clouding Complicating a Corneal
      Transplant.

PMID- 26279510
TI  - Emergency Physicians May See Corneal Clouding Complicating a Corneal Transplant.

PMID- 26279511
TI  - "I'm Peeing Blood": A Case of Traumatic Kidney Laceration.

PMID- 26279512
TI  - A Young Man with Abdominal Trauma and Inability to Void.

PMID- 26279513
TI  - Falcine and Tentorial Subdural Hematomas May Not Routinely Require Transfer to a
      Tertiary Care Center.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients with subdural hematomas (SDH) are frequently transferred to
      tertiary care centers. Although many prognostic factors, treatment strategies,
      and outcomes for convexity SDH have been reported, little is known about falcine
      and tentorial SDH. OBJECTIVES: To describe features and outcomes of isolated
      falcine and tentorial SDH. METHODS: We reviewed clinical/radiographic findings,
      treatment, length of stay (LOS), and outcome of adult patients transferred to a
      tertiary care center for acute SDH. Characteristics of patients with isolated
      falcine/tentorial SDH and outcomes (favorable [discharge to home/acute
      rehabilitation] vs. unfavorable [death/hospice/skilled nursing facility/long term
      care]) were assessed with univariate analyses. RESULTS: Of 210 patients with SDH,
      mean age was 69.5 years; 117 were male; 98 (47%) underwent surgical SDH
      evacuation. Twenty-seven patients had isolated falcine or tentorial SDH, with
      known traumatic etiology in 23. None of the falcine/tentorial SDH patients
      required surgery or intubation. Compared with convexity SDH, patients with
      falcine/tentorial SDH were younger (59.7 vs. 70.9 years, p = 0.01), had higher
      admission Glasgow Coma Scale scores at the referring (p = 0.01) and receiving
      facility (p = 0.004), and shorter median intensive care unit LOS (1 vs. 3, p <
      0.0001). All patients (100%) with falcine/tentorial SDH had favorable outcome vs.
      68% with convexity SDH (p = 0.0005). CONCLUSION: Isolated tentorial/falcine SDH
      without associated neurological deficits represent a benign entity among acute
      SDH, with no need for surgical intervention, short LOS, and favorable outcome.
      Our data indicate that for these patients, in the absence of complicating
      factors, transfer to a tertiary care center may not be routinely indicated.

PMID- 26279514
TI  - Emergency Department Crowding in Relation to In-hospital Adverse Medical Events:
      A Large Prospective Observational Cohort Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Emergency department (ED) crowding has been linked with adverse
      medical events. However, this association was inadequately controlled for
      potential confounding variables. OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether ED crowding
      is independently associated with risk of in-hospital death and morbidity, and
      longer total hospital stay. METHODS: Prospective observational cohort study of
      all patients (>= 18 years) presenting to the ED of an academic teaching hospital
      in Leuven, Belgium from June 21, 2010 to July 20, 2012. Multivariate logistic
      regression and proportional hazard analysis was used to control for risk factors.
      ED occupancy was determined for 108,229 included patients and labeled "ED
      crowding" when occupancy was within the highest quartile of occupancy. Outcomes
      within 10 days of ED admission included in-hospital death, hospital-acquired
      morbidities, and total hospital stay. RESULTS: During ED crowding, a median of 58
      (interquartile range 55-63) patients were present for 40 licensed treatment bays.
      After controlling for all baseline risk factors and as compared with the lowest
      quartile of ED occupancy (30 [26-32] patients), ED crowding was not independently
      associated with mortality (odds ratio [OR] 0.94, 95% confidence interval [CI]
      0.74-1.19; p = 0.6), but tended to be associated with higher incidence of
      hospital-acquired pneumonia (OR 1.24, 95% CI 0.96-1.62; p = 0.09). CONCLUSIONS:
      Failing to control for baseline risk factors may have led to false-positive
      associations between ED crowding and mortality in previous studies. After
      controlling for risk factors, we showed that ED crowding was associated with
      longer hospital stays but not with increased mortality.

PMID- 26279516
TI  - Meta-analysis of congenitally missing teeth in the permanent dentition:
      Prevalence, variations across ethnicities, regions and time.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Congenitally missing teeth (CMT) are of concern to many fields of
      dentistry. Only a few reviews have been published in this regard. AIM: The aim
      was to analyze the literature on CMT in the permanent dentition, excluding the
      third molars, and to identify potential links with ethnicity, geographical
      regions, and time. METHODS: A total of 118 reports on CMT were collected by two
      authors by interrogating databases. Sample homogeneity, publication bias,
      publication year (in Caucasian and Mongoloid samples, and in general),
      ethnicities, and geography of CMT prevalence were statistically analyzed using a
      Q-test, Egger regression, linear regression, a Spearman coefficient, Kruskal
      Wallis, a Dunn post-hoc (alpha = 0.05), and a Mann-Whitney U test (alpha =
      0.0125, alpha = 0.0071). RESULTS: The mean CMT prevalence was 6.53% +/- 3.33%.
      There were significant geographic differences in CMT rates (P = 0.0001, Kruskal
      Wallis) and between ethnicities (P = 0.0002, Kruskal-Wallis). According to the
      Mann-Whitney U test (alpha = 0.0071), eastern Asians (P = 0.0008) and Europeans
      (marginally significant, P = 0.0128) showed an elevated prevalence, while Western
      Asians (P = 0.0001) and Americans (marginally significant, P = 0.0292) had lower
      prevalence rates. Compared with other ethnicities, Mongoloids showed higher
      prevalence (P = 0.0009) while Asian Caucasians showed lower rates (P = 0.0005,
      Mann-Whitney U, alpha = 0.0125). The year of publication was not significantly
      correlated with any of the subsamples studied (P > 0.3, linear regression).
      CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians should be vigilant in the assessment of CMT in
      Mongoloids. No increase of this condition was detected during the last century.

PMID- 26279517
TI  - European College of Orthodontics: Commission of Affiliation and Titularisation.
AB  - Date of birth: 15 April 1999; sex: female. A. PRETREATMENT RECORDS: 11 years 6
      months; 10/2010. DIAGNOSIS: Angle Class I; Tooth-arch discrepancy; Teeth missing
      prior to treatment: none. TREATMENT PLAN: Correction of the tooth-arch
      discrepancy by extraction of 14, 24, 34, and 44; Appliances and devices:
      Bimaxillary vestibular multibracket appliances; Start of treatment: 11 years 6
      months; 10/2010. B. POST-TREATMENT RECORDS: 1/2013; 13 years 9 months. DURATION
      OF ACTIVE TREATMENT: 27 months. RETENTION: Maxillary: Hawley retainer worn at
      night; Mandibular: bonded wire from 35 to 45. C. POST-RETENTION RECORDS: (1 year
      minimum): 2/2014; 14 years 10 months.

PMID- 26279519
TI  - An economy of scales: A selective review of obesity's economic causes,
      consequences, and solutions.
AB  - This paper reviews the economic research on obesity, covering topics such as the
      measurement of, and trends in, obesity, the economic causes of obesity (e.g. the
      monetary price and time cost of food, food assistance programs, income,
      education, macroeconomic conditions, and peer effects), and the economic
      consequences of obesity (e.g. lower wages, a lower probability of employment, and
      higher medical care costs). It also examines the extent to which obesity imposes
      negative externalities, and economic interventions that could potentially
      internalize such externalities, such as food taxes, subsidies for school-based
      physical activity programs, and financial rewards for weight loss. It discusses
      other economic rationales for government intervention with respect to obesity,
      such as imperfect information, time inconsistent preferences, and irrational
      behavior. It concludes by proposing a research agenda for the field. Overall, the
      evidence suggests that there is no single dominant economic cause of obesity; a
      wide variety of factors may contribute a modest amount to the risk. There is
      consistent evidence regarding the economic consequences of obesity, which are
      lower wages and higher medical care costs that impose negative externalities
      through health insurance. Studies of economic approaches to preventing obesity,
      such as menu labeling, taxes on energy-dense foods, and financial rewards for
      weight loss find only modest effects on weight and thus a range of policies may
      be necessary to have a substantial effect on the prevalence of obesity. 

PMID- 26279520
TI  - Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders: from epidemiology to pathogenesis
      driven treatment.
AB  - Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLDs) represent the most severe
      complication of both solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The
      Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) is the main driver of PTLD, particularly those occurring
      early after transplantation. EBV-driven malignancies are associated with
      selective expression of latent viral proteins, but uncontrolled lytic replication
      may favor early phases of cell transformation. Besides immunodepression,
      persistent immune activation and chronic inflammation play an important role in
      both virus reactivation and expansion of EBV-infected B cells. EBV-induced
      immortalization requires the expression of telomerase. TERT, the rate-limiting
      component of the telomerase complex, is central in the switch from the lytic to
      the latent viral program, and TERT inhibition induces the EBV lytic cycle and
      cell death. Immunotherapy and combination of EBV lytic cycle inducers with
      antiviral drugs are promising strategies to improve the treatment of PTLD
      patients. This review is aimed at providing an update on the intriguing
      association between EBV and PTLD, mainly focusing on cases arising after kidney
      and liver transplantation, which account for the vast majority of transplants. 

PMID- 26279521
TI  - The molecular signature of AML mesenchymal stromal cells reveals candidate genes
      related to the leukemogenic process.
AB  - Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous disease characterized by myeloid
      precursor proliferation in the bone marrow, apoptosis reduction and
      differentiation arrest. Although there are several studies in this field, events
      related to disease initiation and progression remain unknown. The malignant
      transformation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) is thought to generate leukemic
      stem cells, and this transformation could be related to changes in mesenchymal
      stromal cell (hMSC) signaling. Thus, the aim of this work was to analyze the gene
      expression profile of hMSC from AML patients (hMSC-AML) compared to healthy
      donors hMSCs (hMSC-HD). The results showed a common molecular signature for all
      hMSC-AML. Other assays were performed with a large number of patients and the
      results confirmed a molecular signature that is capable of distinguishing hMSC
      AML from hMSC-HD. Moreover, CCL2 and BMP4 genes encode secreted proteins that
      could affect HSCs. To verify whether these proteins are differentially expressed
      in AML patients, ELISA was performed with plasma samples. CCL2 and BMP4 proteins
      are differentially expressed in AML patients, indicating changes in hMSC-AML
      signaling. Altogether, hMSCs-AML signaling alterations could be an important
      factor in the leukemic transformation process. 

PMID- 26279522
TI  - The influence of the hexopyranose ring geometry on the conformation of glycosidic
      linkages investigated using molecular dynamics simulations.
AB  - The conformation of the carbohydrate molecules is a subject of many theoretical
      and experimental studies. The different timescales associated with the particular
      degrees of freedom hinder the progress in both those fields. The present paper
      reports the results of computational studies aimed at elucidating and
      characterizing the potential correlations between the two main structural
      determinants of the carbohydrate structure, i.e. the ring conformation and the
      orientation of the glycosidic bonds (expressed in terms of the phi and psi
      glycosidic dihedral angles). The free energy landscapes computed for 16 different
      oligomers composed of unsubstituted, 1,4-linked hexopyranose residues allowed for
      a detailed insight into how the ring geometry affects the glycosidic linkage
      conformation. The factor of main importance appeared to be the local changes of
      the chain length induced by the ring conformational rearrangements. This effect
      is important mainly for the carbohydrate chains exploiting the glycosidic bonds
      of uniform orientation with respect to the ring (i.e. either exclusively axially
      or exclusively equatorially oriented). The shape of the ring may affect the
      (phi,psi) free energy maps but only if the population of the alternative ring
      conformers is relatively high and (at the same time) the presence of such
      conformers is associated with the significant shifts of the favorable phi and psi
      values. 

PMID- 26279523
TI  - Ferrier reaction in a deep eutectic solvent.
AB  - A mild and efficient synthesis of 2,3-unsaturated sugar derivatives has been
      achieved by conducting the Ferrier reaction in a deep eutectic solvent (DES). A
      wide range of alcohols including primary, secondary, benzylic, and sugar-derived
      primary alcohols can be used. Advantages include good yields, shorter reaction
      times and recyclability of DES. 

PMID- 26279524
TI  - Identification, biochemical characterization, and in-vivo expression of the
      intracellular invertase BfrA from the pathogenic parasite Leishmania major.
AB  - The parasitic life cycle of Leishmania includes an extracellular promastigote
      stage that occurs in the gut of the insect vector. During that period, the
      sucrose metabolism and more specifically the first glycosidase of this pathway
      are essential for growth and survival of the parasite. We investigated the
      expression of the invertase BfrA in the promastigote and amastigote stages of
      three parasite species representative of the three various clinical forms and of
      various geographical areas, namely Leishmania major, L. donovani and L.
      braziliensis. Thereafter, we cloned, overexpressed and biochemically
      characterized this invertase BfrA from L. major, heterologously expressed in both
      Escherichia coli and L. tarentolae. For all species, expression levels of BfrA
      mRNA were correlated to the time of the culture and the parasitic stage
      (promastigotes > amastigotes). BfrA exhibited no activity when expressed as a
      glycoprotein in L. tarentolae but proved to be an invertase when not
      glycosylated, yet owing low sequence homology with other invertases from the same
      family. Our data suggest that BfrA is an original invertase that is located
      inside the parasite. It is expressed in both parasitic stages, though to a higher
      extent in promastigotes. This work provides new insight into the parasite sucrose
      metabolism.

PMID- 26279525
TI  - S-Ribosylhomocysteine analogs containing a [4-thio]ribose ring.
AB  - The [4-thio]-S-ribosylhomocysteine (SRH) analogs containing substitution of a
      sulfur atom for the endocyclic oxygen were synthesized by coupling of the 4
      thioribose substrates with a thiolate generated from the protected homocysteine.
      Coupling of the protected 1-deoxy-5-O-mesyl-S-oxo-4-thio-D-ribofuranose with
      homocysteinate salt gave the C4 epimers of [4-thio]-SRH at the sulfoxide
      oxidation level lacking a hydroxyl group at anomeric carbon. Treatment of these
      sulfoxides with BF3?Et2O/NaI affected simultaneous reduction to sulfide and
      global deprotection affording 1-deoxy-4-thio-SRH analog. Treatment of the
      protected 1-deoxy-S-oxo-4-thio-D-ribofuranose sulfoxide with DAST/SbCl3 resulted
      in the fluoro-Pummerer rearrangement to give 4-thio-beta-D-ribofuranosyl
      fluoride. Mesylation of the latter at 5-hydroxyl position followed by coupling
      with homocysteinate salt and subsequent global deprotection with trifluoroacetic
      acid afforded [4-thio]-SRH thiohemiacetal. 

PMID- 26279526
TI  - Comparison of polysaccharides of Haliotis discus hannai and Volutharpa ampullacea
      perryi by PMP-HPLC-MS(n) analysis upon acid hydrolysis.
AB  - Haliotis discus hannai Ino (Haliotis) is a highly valued marine shellfish, and it
      is sometimes replaced by another cheaper Gastropoda mollusk, Volutharpa
      ampullacea perryi (Volutharpa). Polysaccharides from pleopods, viscera and gonads
      of these two gastropods were compared by analyzing the mono- and di-saccharides
      in their acid hydrolysates using high performance liquid chromatography-mass
      spectrometry (HPLC-MS(n)) after 1-phenyl-3-methyl-5-pyrazolone (PMP)
      derivatization. Disaccharide analysis revealed the distribution of uronic acid
      containing polysaccharides (UACPs) in the biological samples. GlcA-(1 -> 2)-Man,
      GlcA-(1 -> 3)-GalN, and another disaccharide consisting of a hexuronic acid
      linked to a hexose were found in the hydrolysates, which indicated the existence
      of AGSP (abalone gonad sulfated polysaccharide) with the backbone composed of ->
      2)-alpha-Man(1 -> 4)-beta-GlcA(1 -> repeating unit, AAP (abalone
      glycosaminoglycan-like polysaccharide) with the backbone of -> 3)-GalNAc-(1 -> 2)
      GlcA-(1 -> 3)-GalNAc-(1 -> 4)-GlcA-(1 -> repeating unit, and unidentified DS1P
      containing a hexuronic acid linked to a hexose unit, respectively. As shown by
      extracted ion chromatograms (XICs), AAP was the only UACP found in pleopods of
      the two gastropods; gonads and viscera of Haliotis contained DS1P and AGSP, while
      those of Volutharpa contained DS1P, AGSP as well as AAP. Monosaccharides in the
      acid hydrolysates were demonstrated in XICs by extracting their corresponding PMP
      derivative quasi-molecular ions one by one, and the results indicated the similar
      conclusion to the disaccharide analysis. Therefore, it could be concluded that
      polysaccharides from pleopods of the two gastropods are very similar, while those
      from their viscera and gonads differ greatly.

PMID- 26279527
TI  - Pilot use of a novel smartphone application to track traveller health behaviour
      and collect infectious disease data during a mass gathering: Hajj pilgrimage
      2014.
AB  - This study examines the feasibility of using a smartphone application (app) to
      conduct surveys among travellers during the Hajj pilgrimage, where the use of
      apps has not been evaluated for infectious disease surveillance. A longitudinal
      study was conducted among pilgrims at the Hajj 2014 using an iPhone app with
      separate questionnaires for three study phases covering before, during, and after
      Hajj. Forty-eight pilgrims from 13 countries downloaded the app. Respondents were
      aged between 21 and 61 (median 36) years and 58.5% (24/41) were male. Of these,
      85% (41/48) completed the first phase, 52% (25/41) completed both the second and
      third phases, and 25 of these reported meningococcal vaccination, with 36% (9/25)
      receiving other vaccines. All (25) reported hand hygiene use and 64% (16/25) wore
      a facemask at some point during the pilgrimage. Four (6%) reported close contact
      with camels. Respiratory symptoms commenced from the 4th day of Hajj, with sore
      throat (20%) and cough (12%) being the most common. Three participants (12%)
      reported respiratory symptoms after returning home. Conducting a prospective
      survey using a smartphone app to collect data on travel-associated infections and
      traveller compliance to prevention is feasible at mass gatherings and can provide
      useful data associated with health-related behaviour.

PMID- 26279528
TI  - A novel technique for spreader graft placement without dorsum resection during
      septoplasty.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This paper presents a novel method for spreader graft placement
      without dorsum resection in patients who have a deviated septum with a narrow
      internal nasal valve angle. METHODS: A Killian incision was used for the
      endonasal septoplasty, and all spreader grafts were harvested from excised
      deviated septal cartilages. Procedures were conducted under general anaesthesia
      at the same centre by the same surgical team that performed the endonasal
      procedure. Successful placement of spreader grafts was achieved endonasally.
      CONCLUSION: Although the endonasal placement of spreader grafts seems to be more
      difficult than placement conducted by an open approach technique, an endonasal
      procedure has many advantages. Our technique provides surgeons with the
      opportunity to shorten operation time, obtain autologous septal graft material
      and secure the columellar architecture. Surgeons familiar with the classical
      (endonasal) septoplasty procedure can easily apply this technique to widen a
      narrow internal nasal valve angle, without corrupting nasal integrity.

PMID- 26279529
TI  - Structure-Photoluminescence Correlation for Two Crystalline Polymorphs of a
      Thiophene-Phenylene Co-Oligomer with Bulky Terminal Substituents.
AB  - Two crystal polymorphs of a thiophene-phenylene hexamer with bulky terminal
      substituents are characterized by different molecular conformations and parallel
      versus herringbone packing. Irrespective of their similar emissive spectra and
      common H-aggregate features, evidenced by crystal structure analysis and
      confirmed by solid-phase and excited-state first-principles calculations, their
      luminescence is relatively high and, for one form, nearly double than that for
      the other. Interaromatic packing energy contributions are established by quantum
      chemical calculations and can be compared quantitatively as the same species in
      different crystal environments is examined. The different luminescence efficiency
      of the two phases highlights the crucial role of the interaromatic packing for
      the luminescence properties of polyaromatic oligomers. 

PMID- 26279530
TI  - Terahertz Dynamics in Human Cells and Their Chromatin.
AB  - The terahertz dynamics of human cells of the U937 line and their chromatin has
      been investigated by high-resolution inelastic X-ray scattering. To highlight its
      dynamical features in situ, nuclear DNA has been stained by uranyl-acetate salt.
      The general behavior of the collective dynamics of the whole cell is quite
      similar to that of bulk water, with a nearly wavevector-independent branch
      located at about 5 meV and a propagating mode with a linear trend corresponding
      to a speed of sound of 2900 +/- 100 m/s. We provide the first experimental
      evidence for the existence of two branches also in the dispersion curves of
      chromatin. The high-energy mode displays an acoustic-like behavior with a sound
      velocity similar to unstained cells, but in this case the branch likely
      originates from the superposition of intramolecular DNA optic modes. A low-energy
      optic-like branch, distinctive of the chromatin moiety, is found at about 2.5
      meV. 

PMID- 26279531
TI  - Unwinding Au(+)...Au(+) Bonded Filaments in Ligand-Supported Gold(I) Polymer
      under Pressure.
AB  - The ultimately thin single-strand gold filaments, of Au(+)...Au(+) bonded gold(I)
      diethyldithiocarbamate polymer, AuEt2DTC, can be transformed depending on
      pressure and solvate contents. When synthesized in the presence of CH2Cl2, it
      crystallizes into a tetragonal AuEt2DTC.xCH2Cl2 phase alpha with ligand-supported
      and unsupported Au(+)...Au(+) bonded filaments modulated into molecular Au8-pitch
      helices. Low contents of CH2Cl2 favors the beta phase of significantly reduced
      volume and orthorhombic space group Fddd. The alpha-AuEt2DTC.xCH2Cl2 crystal
      exhibits a highly unusual negative-area compressibility, due to the spring-like
      compression of helices. Above 0.05 GPa, the crystal transforms to phase beta,
      where the Au16-pitch helices partly unwind their turns, which relaxes the tension
      generated by external pressure between neighboring helices of the opposite
      handedness. This is a unique observation of atomic-scale helical filaments
      transformation, which otherwise is a universal process analogous to the helix
      reversal between DNA forms B and Z, and in macroscopic world it is similar to
      nonperiodic unwind kinks in grapevine tendrils and telephone cords. Pressure also
      reduces the differences between the ligand-supported and unsupported
      Au(+)...Au(+) bonds. 

PMID- 26279532
TI  - Thermally Activated Exciton Dissociation and Recombination Control the Carrier
      Dynamics in Organometal Halide Perovskite.
AB  - Solar cells based on organometal halide perovskites have seen rapidly increasing
      efficiencies, now exceeding 15%. Despite this progress, there is still limited
      knowledge on the fundamental photophysics. Here we use microwave photoconductance
      and photoluminescence measurements to investigate the temperature dependence of
      the carrier generation, mobility, and recombination in (CH3NH3)PbI3. At
      temperatures maintaining the tetragonal crystal phase of the perovskite, we find
      an exciton binding energy of about 32 meV, leading to a temperature-dependent
      yield of highly mobile (6.2 cm(2)/(V s) at 300 K) charge carriers. At higher
      laser intensities, second-order recombination with a rate constant of gamma = 13
      * 10(-10) cm(3) s(-1) becomes apparent. Reducing the temperature results in
      increasing charge carrier mobilities following a T(-1.6) dependence, which we
      attribute to a reduction in phonon scattering (SigmaMU = 16 cm(2)/(V s) at 165
      K). Despite the fact that SigmaMU increases, gamma diminishes with a factor six,
      implying that charge recombination in (CH3NH3)PbI3 is temperature activated. The
      results underline the importance of the perovskite crystal structure, the exciton
      binding energy, and the activation energy for recombination as key factors in
      optimizing new perovskite materials. 

PMID- 26279533
TI  - Kinetic Charging Inversion in Ionic Liquid Electric Double Layers.
AB  - The charging kinetics of electric double layers (EDLs) has a pivotal role in the
      performance of a wide variety of nanostructured devices. Despite the prevalent
      use of ionic liquids as the electrolyte, relatively little is known on the
      charging behavior from a microscopic perspective. Here, we study the charging
      kinetics of ionic liquid EDLs using a classical time-dependent density functional
      theory that captures the molecular excluded volume effects and electrostatic
      correlations. By examining variations of the ionic density profiles and the
      charging density in response to an electrode voltage, we find that at certain
      conditions, the electrode charge shows a rapid surge in its initial response,
      rises quickly to the maximum, and then slowly decays toward equilibrium. The
      electrode charge and voltage may have opposite signs when the cell width is
      commensurate with the layer-by-layer ionic distributions. This unusual charging
      behavior can be explained in terms of the oscillatory structure of ionic liquids
      near the electrodes. 

PMID- 26279534
TI  - Chirped-Pulse Fourier Transform Microwave Spectroscopy Coupled with a Flash
      Pyrolysis Microreactor: Structural Determination of the Reactive Intermediate
      Cyclopentadienone.
AB  - Chirped-pulse Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy (CP-FTMW) is combined with
      a flash pyrolysis (hyperthermal) microreactor as a novel method to investigate
      the molecular structure of cyclopentadienone (C5H4?O), a key reactive
      intermediate in biomass decomposition and aromatic oxidation. Samples of C5H4?O
      were generated cleanly from the pyrolysis of o-phenylene sulfite and cooled in a
      supersonic expansion. The (13)C isotopic species were observed in natural
      abundance in both C5H4?O and in C5D4?O samples, allowing precise measurement of
      the heavy atom positions in C5H4?O. The eight isotopomers include: C5H4?O,
      C5D4?O, and the singly (13)C isotopomers with (13)C substitution at the C1, C2,
      and C3 positions. Microwave spectra were interpreted by CCSD(T) ab initio
      electronic structure calculations and an re molecular structure for C5H4?O was
      found. Comparisons of the structure of this "anti-aromatic" molecule are made
      with those of comparable organic molecules, and it is concluded that the
      disfavoring of the "anti-aromatic" zwitterionic resonance structure is consistent
      with a more pronounced C?C/C-C bond alternation. 

PMID- 26279535
TI  - Rainbow Emission from an Atomic Transition in Doped Quantum Dots.
AB  - Although semiconductor quantum dots are promising materials for displays and
      lighting due to their tunable emissions, these materials also suffer from the
      serious disadvantage of self-absorption of emitted light. The reabsorption of
      emitted light is a serious loss mechanism in practical situations because most
      phosphors exhibit subunity quantum yields. Manganese-based phosphors that also
      exhibit high stability and quantum efficiency do not suffer from this problem but
      in turn lack emission tunability, seriously affecting their practical utility.
      Here, we present a class of manganese-doped quantum dot materials, where strain
      is used to tune the wavelength of the dopant emission, extending the otherwise
      limited emission tunability over the yellow-orange range for manganese ions to
      almost the entire visible spectrum covering all colors from blue to red. These
      new materials thus combine the advantages of both quantum dots and conventional
      doped phosphors, thereby opening new possibilities for a wide range of
      applications in the future. 

PMID- 26279536
TI  - Ultralow Threshold One-Photon- and Two-Photon-Pumped Optical Gain Media of Blue
      Emitting Colloidal Quantum Dot Films.
AB  - Colloidal quantum dots (QDs) offer advantageous properties as an optical gain
      media for lasers. Optical gain in the QDs has been shown in the whole visible
      spectrum, yet it has been intrinsically challenging to realize efficient
      amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) and lasing in the blue region of the visible
      spectrum. Here, we synthesize large-sized core/gradient shell CdZnS/ZnS QDs as an
      efficient optical gain media in the blue spectral range. In this Letter, we
      demonstrate for the first time that two-photon-absorption-pumped ASE from the
      blue-emitting QD is achievable with a threshold as low as 6 mJ/cm(2). Utilizing
      these QDs, we also report one-photon-absorption-pumped ASE at an ultralow
      threshold of ~60 MUJ/cm(2), which is comparable to the state-of-the-art red
      emitting QD-based gain media. This one-photon-pumped ASE threshold is an order of
      magnitude better than that of the previously reported best blue-emitting QD-based
      gain media. 

PMID- 26279537
TI  - Direct Evidence for Transient Pair Formation between a Solvated Electron and
      H3O(+) Observed by Picosecond Pulse Radiolysis.
AB  - The reaction between the solvated electron and hydronium cation H3O(+) in water
      constitutes a fundamental reaction in chemistry. Due to significant rearrangement
      of solvent molecules around both the electron and H3O(+), the reaction rate of
      this process is not controlled by diffusion. The presence of a reaction barrier
      suggests the formation of an intermediate that has so far not been observed.
      Here, the time-resolved visible absorption spectra in three concentrated acid
      solutions, perchloric, sulfuric, and phosphoric, at various concentrations are
      recorded by the picosecond pulse radiolysis method. In contrast to previous
      reports, a strong blue shift of the absorption band of the solvated electron in
      acidic solutions compared to neat water is clearly observed, consistent with
      formation of a pair between the solvated electron and hydronium cation. 

PMID- 26279538
TI  - Direct Determination of the Simplest Criegee Intermediate (CH2OO) Self Reaction
      Rate.
AB  - The rate of self-reaction of the simplest Criegee intermediate, CH2OO, is of
      importance in many current laboratory experiments where CH2OO concentrations are
      high, such as flash photolysis and alkene ozonolysis. Using laser flash
      photolysis while simultaneously probing both CH2OO and I atom by direct
      absorption, we can accurately determine absolute CH2OO concentrations as well as
      the UV absorption cross section of CH2OO at our probe wavelength (lambda = 375
      nm), which is in agreement with a recently published value. Knowing absolute
      concentrations we can accurately measure kself = 6.0 +/- 2.1 * 10(-11)cm(3)
      molecule(-1) s(-1) at 297 K. We are also able to put an upper bound on the rate
      coefficient for CH2OO + I of 1.0 * 10(-11) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1). Both of
      these rate coefficients are at least a factor of 5 smaller than other recent
      measurements of the same reactions. 

PMID- 26279539
TI  - Are Hot Spots between Two Plasmonic Nanocubes of Silver or Gold Formed between
      Adjacent Corners or Adjacent Facets? A DDA Examination.
AB  - Of all the plasmonic solid nanoparticles, single Ag or Au nanocubes are known to
      be plasmonic nanoparticles with strong plasmonic fields, which are concentrated
      around their corners. However, when nanoparticles aggregate, they do so in a face
      to face arrangement. The formation of hot spots between plasmonic nanoparticles
      in close proximity to each other is known to greatly enhance their plasmonic
      fields which are important in the field of imaging. Thus, what is the structural
      development of hot spots between two nanocubes in a dimer? Do they form between
      the corners or are they between the adjacent facets, and what does this depend
      on? A detailed discrete dipole approximation (DDA) simulation of Au-Au and Ag-Ag
      dimers suggests that there is a competition between their formation in these two
      locations, which depends on the polarization direction of the exciting light
      (with respect to the interparticle axis in the dimer), its intensity and the
      wavelength as well as the interparticle separation of the dimer. 

PMID- 26279540
TI  - Aqueous Cation-Amide Binding: Free Energies and IR Spectral Signatures by Ab
      Initio Molecular Dynamics.
AB  - Understanding specific ion effects on proteins remains a considerable challenge.
      N-methylacetamide serves as a useful proxy for the protein backbone that can be
      well characterized both experimentally and theoretically. The spectroscopic
      signatures in the amide I band reflecting the strength of the interaction of
      alkali cations and alkaline earth dications with the carbonyl group remain
      difficult to assign and controversial to interpret. Herein, we directly compute
      the infrared (IR) shifts corresponding to the binding of either sodium or calcium
      to aqueous N-methylacetamide using ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. We
      show that the two cations interact with aqueous N-methylacetamide with different
      affinities and in different geometries. Because sodium exhibits a weak
      interaction with the carbonyl group, the resulting amide I band is similar to an
      unperturbed carbonyl group undergoing aqueous solvation. In contrast, the
      stronger calcium binding results in a clear IR shift with respect to N
      methylacetamide in pure water. 

PMID- 26279541
TI  - Mid-Infrared Time-Resolved Frequency Comb Spectroscopy of Transient Free
      Radicals.
AB  - We demonstrate time-resolved frequency comb spectroscopy (TRFCS), a new broadband
      absorption spectroscopy technique for the study of trace free radicals on the
      microsecond timescale. We apply TRFCS to study the time-resolved, mid-infrared
      absorption of the deuterated hydroxyformyl radical trans-DOCO, an important short
      lived intermediate along the OD + CO reaction path. Directly after photolysis of
      the chemical precursor acrylic acid-d1, we measure absolute trans-DOCO product
      concentrations with a sensitivity of 5 * 10(10) cm(-3) and observe its subsequent
      loss with a time resolution of 25 MUs. The multiplexed nature of TRFCS allows us
      to detect simultaneously the time-dependent concentration of several other
      photoproducts and thus unravel primary and secondary chemical reaction pathways. 

PMID- 26279542
TI  - Effects of Zero-Point Delocalization on the Vibrational Frequencies of Mixed HCl
      and Water Clusters.
AB  - We demonstrate the significant effect that large-amplitude zero-point vibrational
      motion can have on the high-frequency fundamental vibrations of molecular
      clusters, specifically small (HCl)n-(H2O)m clusters. Calculations were conducted
      on a many-body potential, constructed from a mix of new and previously reported
      semiempirical and high-level ab initio potentials. Diffusion Monte Carlo
      simulations were performed to determine ground-state wave functions.
      Visualization of these wave functions indicates that the clusters exhibit
      delocalized ground states spanning multiple stationary point geometries. The
      ground states are best characterized by planar ring configurations, despite the
      clusters taking nonplanar configurations at their global minima. Vibrational
      calculations were performed at the global minima and the Diffusion Monte Carlo
      predicted configurations and also using an approach that spans multiple
      stationary points along a rectilinear normal-mode reaction path. Significantly
      better agreement was observed between the calculated vibrational frequencies and
      experimental peak positions when the delocalized ground state was accounted for. 

PMID- 26279543
TI  - Long-Lived Charge Separated State in NiO-Based p-Type Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells
      with Simple Cyclometalated Iridium Complexes.
AB  - Three new cyclometalated iridium complexes were prepared and investigated on
      nanocrystalline NiO cathodes. Nanosecond transient absorption spectroscopy
      experiments show they present a surprisingly slow geminate charge recombination
      upon excitation on NiO, representing thus the first examples of simple
      sensitizers with such feature. These complexes were used in dye-sensitized solar
      cells using nanocrystalline NiO film as semiconductor. The long-lived charge
      separated state of these Ir complexes make them compatible with other redox
      mediators than I3(-)/I(-), such as a cobalt electrolyte and enable to reach
      significantly high open circuit voltage. 

PMID- 26279544
TI  - Explicit Differentiation of G-Quadruplex/Ligand Interactions: Triplet Excited
      States as Sensitive Reporters.
AB  - We report a new transient spectral method utilizing triplet excited state as
      sensitive reporters to monitor and differentiate the multiplex G
      quadruplex/ligand interactions in a single assay, which is a difficult task and
      usually requires a combination of several techniques. From a systematic study on
      the interactions of porphyrin (TMPyP4) with each telomeric G-quadruplex:
      AG3(T2AG3)3, G2T2G2TGTG2T2G2, (G4T4G4)2, and (TG4T)4, it is convincingly shown
      that the ligand triplet decay lifetimes are sensitive to the local bound
      microenvironment within G-quadruplexes, from which the coexisting binding modes
      of end-stacking, intercalation, and sandwich are distinguished and their
      respective contribution are determined. The complete scenario of mixed
      interaction modes is thus revealed, shedding light on the past controversial
      issues. Additional control experiments demonstrate the sensitivity of this
      triplet reporter method, which can even capture the binding behavior change as
      the G-quadruplex structures are adjusted by Na(+) or K(+). 

PMID- 26279545
TI  - Theoretical Prediction of Isotope Effects on Charge Transport in Organic
      Semiconductors.
AB  - We suggest that the nuclear tunneling effect is important in organic
      semiconductors, which we showed is absent in both the widely employed Marcus
      theory and the band-like transport as described by the deformation potential
      theory. Because the quantum nuclear tunneling tends to favor electron transfer
      while heavier nuclei decrease the quantum effect, there should occur an isotope
      effect for carrier mobility. For N,N'-n-bis(n-hexyl)-naphthalene diimide,
      electron mobility of all-deuteration on alkyls and all (13)C-substitution on the
      backbone decrease ~18 and 7%, respectively. Similar isotope effects are found in
      the N,N'-n-bis(n-octyl)-perylene diimide. However, there is nearly no isotope
      effect for all-deuterated rubrene or tetracene. We have found that the isotopic
      effect only occurs when the substituted nuclei contribute actively to vibrations
      with appreciable charge reorganization energy and coupling with carrier motion.
      Thus, this prediction can shed light on the current dispute over the hopping
      versus band-like mechanisms in organic semiconductors. 

PMID- 26279546
TI  - Direct Measurement of Energy Migration in Supramolecular Carbocyanine Dye
      Nanotubes.
AB  - Exciton transport lengths in double-walled and bundled cylindrical 3,3'-bis- (2
      sulfopropyl)-5,5',6,6'-tetrachloro-1,1'-dioctylbenzimida-carbocyanine (C8S3) J
      aggregates were measured using direct imaging of fluorescence from individual
      aggregates deposited on solid substrates. Regions identified in confocal images
      were excited with a focused laser spot, and the resulting fluorescence emission
      was imaged onto an electron multiplying charged coupled device camera. A two
      dimensional Gaussian fitting scheme was used to quantitatively compare the
      excitation beam profile to the broadened aggregate emission profiles. The double
      walled tubes exhibit average exciton transport lengths of 140 nm, while exciton
      transport in the bundled nanotubes was found to be remarkably long, with
      distances reaching many hundreds of nanometers. A steady-state one-dimensional
      diffusion model for the broadening of the emission profiles yields diffusion
      coefficients of 120 nm(2) ps(-1) for the nanotubes and 7000 nm(2) ps(-1) for the
      aggregate bundles. The level of structural hierarchy dramatically affects the
      exciton transport capabilities in these artificial light-harvesting systems, and
      energy migration is not limited to a single dimension in J-aggregate bundles. 

PMID- 26279547
TI  - How to Draw Energy Level Diagrams in Excitonic Solar Cells.
AB  - Emerging photovoltaic devices based on molecular and nanomaterials are mostly
      excitonic in nature. The initial absorption of a photon in these materials
      creates an exciton that can subsequently dissociate in each material or at their
      interfaces to give charge carriers. Any attempt at mechanistic understanding of
      excitonic solar cells must start with drawing energy level diagrams. This
      seemingly elementary exercise, which is described in textbooks for inorganic
      solar cells, has turned out to be a difficult subject in the literature. The
      problem stems from conceptual confusion of single-particle energy with quasi
      particle energy and the misleading practice of mixing the two on the same energy
      level diagram. Here, I discuss how to draw physically accurate energy diagrams in
      excitonic solar cells using only single-particle energies (ionization potentials
      and electron affinities) of both ground and optically excited states. I will
      briefly discuss current understanding on the electronic energy landscape
      responsible for efficient charge separation in excitonic solar cells. 

PMID- 26279548
TI  - Toward a Quantitative Understanding of the Electric Field in Thermal Metal
      Oxidation and a Self-Consistent Wagner Theory.
AB  - The electric field in the growing oxide film is important to the kinetics and
      mechanism of metal oxidation. However, understanding of the essential
      characteristics of the electric field during oxidation remains insufficient. A
      special-case analytical model is presented that provides a unified understanding
      for the electric field from the viewpoints of kinetics and thermodynamics. More
      general cases are studied by computer simulations that show similar
      characteristics in the electric field. In particular, simulations indicate that
      in many situations, the electrostatic potential drop across the bulk oxide is
      limited to ~kBT/e, which means that the total electrostatic potential drop across
      the oxide film, if on the order of 1 V by rough estimation, should have
      contributions mostly from the electrified interfaces. Finally, regarding the
      Gibbs-Duhem relation, the commonly used isobaric assumption for the diffusing
      species is refuted. The results contained herein also provide a self-consistent
      understanding of Wagner's oxidation theory. 

PMID- 26279549
TI  - Effect of Ag(+) on the Excited-State Properties of a Gas-Phase (Cytosine)2Ag(+)
      Complex: Electronic Transition and Estimated Lifetime.
AB  - Recently, DNA molecules have received great attention because of their potential
      applications in material science. One interesting example is the production of
      highly fluorescent and tunable DNA-Agn clusters with cytosine (C)-rich DNA
      strands. Here, we report the UV photofragmentation spectra of gas-phase
      cytosine...Ag(+)...cytosine (C2Ag(+)) and cytosine...H(+)...cytosine (C2H(+))
      complexes together with theoretical calculations. In both cases, the excitation
      energy does not differ significantly from that of isolated cytosine or protonated
      cytosine, indicating that the excitation takes place on the DNA base. However,
      the excited-state lifetime of the C2H(+) (tau = 85 fs), estimated from the
      bandwidth of the spectrum, is at least 2 orders of magnitude shorter than that of
      the C2Ag(+) (tau > 5000 fs). The increased excited-state lifetime upon silver
      complexation is quite unexpected, and it clearly opens the question about what
      factors are controlling the nonradiative decay in pyrimidine DNA bases. This is
      an important result for the expanding field of metal-mediated base pairing and
      may also be important to the photophysical properties of DNA-templated
      fluorescent silver clusters. 

PMID- 26279550
TI  - Radical Ions of Cycloparaphenylenes: Size Dependence Contrary to the Neutral
      Molecules.
AB  - Cycloparaphenylenes (CPPs) have attracted wide attention because of their
      interesting properties owing to distorted and strained aromatic systems and
      radially oriented p orbitals. For application of CPPs, information on their
      charged states (radical cation and radical anion) is essential. Here, we measured
      absorption spectra of the radical cations and the radical anions of CPPs with
      various ring sizes over a wide spectral region by means of radiation chemical
      methods. The peak position of the near-IR bands for both the radical cation and
      the radical anion shifted to lower energies with an increase in the ring size.
      This trend is contrary to what is observed for transitions between the HOMO and
      LUMO of the neutral CPP. The observed spectra of the CPP radical ions were
      reasonably assigned based on time-dependent density functional theory. These
      results indicate that the next HOMO and the next LUMO levels are important in the
      electronic transitions of radical ions. 

PMID- 26279551
TI  - Multifunctional Sn- and Fe-Codoped In2O3 Colloidal Nanocrystals: Plasmonics and
      Magnetism.
AB  - We prepared Fe- and Sn-codoped colloidal In2O3 nanocrystals (~6 nm). Sn doping
      provides free electrons in the conduction band, originating localized surface
      plasmon resonance (LSPR) and electrical conductivity. The LSPR band can be tuned
      between 2000 and >3000 nm, depending on the extent and kind of dopant ions. Fe
      doping, on the other hand, provides unpaired electrons, resulting in weak
      ferromagnetism at room temperature. Fe doping shifts the LSPR band of 10% Sn
      doped In2O3 nanocrystals to a longer wavelength along with a reduction in
      intensity, suggesting trapping of charge carriers around the dopant centers,
      whereas Sn doping increases the magnetization of 10% Fe-doped In2O3 nanocrystals,
      probably because of the free electron mediated interactions between distant
      magnetic ions. The combination of plasmonics and magnetism, in addition to
      electronic conductivity and visible-light transparency, is a unique feature of
      our colloidal codoped nanocrystals. 

PMID- 26279552
TI  - Singlet Fission: From Coherences to Kinetics.
AB  - Singlet fission, in which an initially excited singlet state spontaneously splits
      into a pair of triplet excitons, is a process that can potentially boost the
      efficiency of solar energy conversion. The separate electronic bands in organic
      semiconductors make them especially useful for dividing a high-energy singlet
      exciton into a pair of lower-energy triplet excitons. Recent experiments
      illustrate the role of spin coherence in fission, while kinetic models are used
      to describe how triplet and singlet states interact on longer time scales.
      Despite insights gained from recent experiments, the detailed structure and
      dynamics of the electronic states involved in the initial step of singlet fission
      remain active areas of investigation. On longer time scales, finding ways to
      efficiently harvest the triplet excitons will be an important challenge for
      making devices based on this phenomenon. A full understanding of singlet fission
      requires consideration of a sequence of photophysical events (decoherence,
      relaxation, and diffusion) occurring on different time scales. 

PMID- 26279553
TI  - Adjusting the Local Arrangement of pi-Stacked Oligothiophenes through Hydrogen
      Bonds: A Viable Route to Promote Charge Transfer.
AB  - We show that substituting quaterthiophene cores with strong H-bond aggregators,
      such as urea groups, provides an efficient way to adjust the mutual in-plane
      displacements of the semiconducting units and promote charge transfer. Our 2-D
      structure-property mapping reveals that the insertion of substituents induces up
      to 2.0 A longitudinal and transversal displacements between the pi-conjugated
      moieties. Some of these relative displacements lead to improved cofacial orbital
      overlaps that are otherwise inaccessible due to Pauli repulsion. Our results also
      emphasize that the fine-tuning of in-plane displacements is more effective than
      achieving "tighter" packing to promote charge-transfer properties. 

PMID- 26279554
TI  - Ultrafast, Multidimensional Attenuated Total Reflectance Spectroscopy of
      Adsorbates at Metal Surfaces.
AB  - Ultrafast dynamics of molecules at solid-liquid interfaces are of outstanding
      importance in chemistry and physics due to their involvement in processes of
      heterogeneous catalysis. We present a new spectroscopic approach to resolve
      coherent, time-resolved, 2D vibrational spectra as well as ultrafast vibrational
      relaxation dynamics of molecules adsorbed on metallic thin films in contact with
      liquids. The setup is based on the technique of attenuated total reflectance
      (ATR) spectroscopy, which is used at interfaces between materials that exhibit
      different refractive indices. As a sample molecule, we consider carbon monoxide
      adsorbed in different binding configurations on different metals and resolve its
      femtosecond vibrational dynamics. It is presented that mid-infrared,
      multidimensional ATR spectroscopy allows for obtaining a surface-sensitive
      characterization of adsorbates' vibrational relaxation, spectral diffusion
      dynamics, and sample inhomogeneity on the femtosecond time scale. 

PMID- 26279555
TI  - Effects of Oxygen-Containing Functional Groups on Supercapacitor Performance.
AB  - Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the interface between graphene and the
      ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate (BMIM OTf)
      were carried out to gain molecular-level insights into the performance of
      graphene-based supercapacitors and, in particular, determine the effects of the
      presence of oxygen-containing defects at the graphene surface on their integral
      capacitance. The MD simulations predict that increasing the surface coverage of
      hydroxyl groups negatively affects the integral capacitance, whereas the effect
      of the presence of epoxy groups is much less significant. The calculated
      variations in capacitance are found to be directly correlated to the interfacial
      structure. Indeed, hydrogen bonding between hydroxyl groups and SO3 moieties
      prevents BMIM(+) and OTf(-) ions from interacting favorably in the interfacial
      layer and restrains the orientation and mobility of OTf(-) ions, thereby reducing
      the interfacial permittivity of the ionic liquid. The results of the simulations
      can facilitate the rational design of electrode materials for supercapacitors. 

PMID- 26279556
TI  - Local Orientational Structure of a P3HT pi-pi Conjugated Network Investigated by
      X-ray Nanodiffraction.
AB  - We employed nanobeam X-ray diffraction using an X-ray spot size of 150 nm to
      investigate the local structure of P3HT thin films. We derived nanoscale real
      space maps of the X-ray diffraction properties at the pi-pi (020) diffraction
      peak. The X-ray data reveal a complex nanoscale structure of the polymer network
      with strong local variation where some areas of the film display a rather high
      degree of angular order. We quantify both the magnitude and direction of the
      angular order. Our results provide new insights into the local structural
      properties and connectivity of P3HT films. 

PMID- 26279557
TI  - Advances in Photofunctional Dendrimers for Solar Energy Conversion.
AB  - Dendrimers are regularly and hierarchically branched synthetic macromolecules
      with numerous chain ends all emanating from a single core, which makes them
      attractive candidates for energy conversion applications. During photosynthesis
      and photocatalysis, photoinduced electron transfer and energy transfer are the
      main processes involved. Studies on these processes in dendritic systems are
      critical for the future applications of dendrimers in photochemical energy
      conversion and other optoelectronic devices. In this Perspective, the recent
      advances of photofunctional dendrimers in energy conversion based on light
      harvesting systems, solar cells, and photochemical production of hydrogen will be
      discussed. The electron-transfer and energy-transfer characteristics in light
      harvesting photofunctional dendrimers and the regulation of the electron-transfer
      process and the stabilization of the charge separation state in hydrogen
      photoproduction are emphasized. 

PMID- 26279558
TI  - Evaluation of the Time-Derivative Coupling for Accurate Electronic State
      Transition Probabilities from Numerical Simulations.
AB  - Spikes in the time-derivative coupling (TDC) near surface crossings make the
      accurate integration of the time-dependent Schrodinger equation in nonadiabatic
      molecular dynamics simulations a challenge. To address this issue, we present an
      approximation to the TDC based on a norm-preserving interpolation (NPI) of the
      adiabatic electronic wave functions within each time step. We apply NPI and two
      other schemes for computing the TDC in numerical simulations of the Landau-Zener
      model, comparing the simulated transfer probabilities to the exact solution.
      Though NPI does not require the analytical calculation of nonadiabatic coupling
      matrix elements, it consistently yields unsigned population transfer probability
      errors of ~0.001, whereas analytical calculation of the TDC yields errors of 0.0
      1.0 depending on the time step, the offset of the maximum in the TDC from the
      beginning of the time step, and the coupling strength. The approximation of
      Hammes-Schiffer and Tully yields errors intermediate between NPI and the
      analytical scheme. 

PMID- 26279559
TI  - Slow Dynamic Processes in Lead Halide Perovskite Solar Cells. Characteristic
      Times and Hysteresis.
AB  - Characteristic times of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have been measured by
      different techniques: transient photovoltage decay, transient photoluminescence,
      and impedance spectroscopy. A slow dynamic process is detected that shows
      characteristic times in the seconds to milliseconds scale, with good quantitative
      agreement between transient photovoltage decay and impedance spectroscopy. Here,
      we show that this characteristic time is related with a novel slow dynamic
      process caused by the peculiar structural properties of lead halide perovskites
      and depending on perovskite crystal size and organic cation nature. This new
      process may lie at the basis of the current-voltage hysteresis reported for PSCs
      and could have important implications in PSC performance because it may give rise
      to distinct dynamical behavior with respect to other classes of photovoltaic
      devices. Furthermore, we show that low-frequency characteristic time, commonly
      associated with electronic carrier lifetime in other photovoltaic devices, cannot
      be attributed to a recombination process in the case of PSCs. 

PMID- 26279560
TI  - High-Level, First-Principles, Full-Dimensional Quantum Calculation of the Ro
      vibrational Spectrum of the Simplest Criegee Intermediate (CH2OO).
AB  - The ro-vibrational spectrum of the simplest Criegee intermediate (CH2OO) has been
      determined quantum mechanically based on nine-dimensional potential energy and
      dipole surfaces for its ground electronic state. The potential energy surface is
      fitted to more than 50 000 high-level ab initio points with a root-mean-square
      error of 25 cm(-1), using a recently proposed permutation invariant polynomial
      neural network method. The calculated rotational constants, vibrational
      frequencies, and spectral intensities of CH2OO are in excellent agreement with
      experiment. The potential energy surface provides a valuable platform for
      studying highly excited vibrational and unimolecular reaction dynamics of this
      important molecule. 

PMID- 26279561
TI  - Electrochemical Synthesis of Spinel Type ZnCo2O4 Electrodes for Use as Oxygen
      Evolution Reaction Catalysts.
AB  - A new electrochemical synthesis route was developed to prepare spinel-type
      ZnCo2O4 and Co3O4 as high quality thin film-type electrodes for use as
      electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Whereas Co3O4 contains
      Co(2+) in the tetrahedral sites and Co(3+) in the octahedral sites in the spinel
      structure, ZnCo2O4 contains only Co(3+) in the octahedral sites; Co(2+) in the
      tetrahedral sites is replaced by Zn(2+). Therefore, by comparing the catalytic
      properties of ZnCo2O4 and Co3O4 electrodes prepared with comparable surface
      morphologies and thicknesses, it was possible to examine whether Co(2+) in Co3O4
      is catalytically active for OER. The electrocatalytic properties of ZnCo2O4 and
      Co3O4 for OER in both 1 M KOH (pH 13.8) and 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH 7)
      solutions were investigated and compared. The results suggest that the Co(2+) in
      Co3O4 is not catalytically critical for OER and ZnCo2O4 can be a more economical
      and environmentally benign replacement for Co3O4 as an OER catalyst. 

PMID- 26279562
TI  - Surface Isotope Segregation as a Probe of Temperature in Water Nanoclusters.
AB  - Using ring polymer molecular dynamics simulations, we examine equilibrium and
      dynamical characteristics of solid-like, aqueous clusters that combine isotopic
      mixtures of HDO dilute in H2O, at temperatures intermediate between 50 and 175 K.
      In particular, we focus attention on the relative thermodynamic stabilities of
      the two isotopes at dangling hydrogen bond sites. The water octamer is analyzed
      as a reference system. For this aggregate, decreasing temperature yields a
      gradual stabilization of the light isotope at dangling sites in molecules acting
      as single-donor-double-acceptors of hydrogen bonds. At T ~ 50 K, the imbalance
      between the corresponding quantum kinetic energies leads to a free energy
      difference between dangling and hydrogen bonded sites of the order of ~2kBT.
      Similar free energy differences were found at dangling sites in Nw = 50 water
      clusters. The extent of the H/D segregation can be adequately monitored by
      modifications in the peak intensity of the high frequency shoulder of the
      stretching band of the infrared spectrum. These signals, in turn, represent a
      potential experimental signature of the elusive temperature of clusters in
      molecular beams. 

PMID- 26279563
TI  - Managing Complex Photophysical Pathways for Solar Energy Conversion.

PMID- 26279564
TI  - Cu Doping in Ligand Free CdS Nanocrystals: Conductivity and Electronic Structure
      Study.
AB  - Ligand-free Cu-doped CdS nanocrystals (NCs) have been synthesized to elucidate
      their surface electronic structure. The Cu-doped ligand-free NCs unlike their
      undoped counterparts are shown to be luminescent. We used this Cu-related
      emission as a probe to study the nature of the surface trap states that results
      in negligible luminescence in the undoped NCs. The concentration of the sulfide
      ligands is shown to play a crucial role in the surface passivation of the NCs.
      Electrical conductivity of these NCs was also studied, and they were shown to
      exhibit significant conductivity of ~10(-4) S cm(-1). Further we have shown that
      the electrical conductivity is closely correlated to the surface charge and hence
      the trap states of the individual NCs have far-reaching consequences in the
      device optimization. 

PMID- 26279565
TI  - Photoinduced Giant Dielectric Constant in Lead Halide Perovskite Solar Cells.
AB  - Organic-inorganic lead trihalide perovskites have emerged as an outstanding
      photovoltaic material that demonstrated a high 17.9% conversion efficiency of
      sunlight to electricity in a short time. We have found a giant dielectric
      constant (GDC) phenomenon in these materials consisting on a low frequency
      dielectric constant in the dark of the order of epsilon0 = 1000. We also found an
      unprecedented behavior in which epsilon0 further increases under illumination or
      by charge injection at applied bias. We observe that epsilon0 increases nearly
      linearly with the illumination intensity up to an additional factor 1000 under 1
      sun. Measurement of a variety of samples of different morphologies, compositions,
      and different types of contacts shows that the GDC is an intrinsic property of
      MAPbX3 (MA = CH3NH3(+)). We hypothesize that the large dielectric response is
      induced by structural fluctuations. Photoinduced carriers modify the local unit
      cell equilibrium and change the polarizability, assisted by the freedom of
      rotation of MA. The study opens a way for the understanding of a key aspect of
      the photovoltaic operation of high efficiency perovskite solar cells. 

PMID- 26279566
TI  - Genome-wide Reconstruction of OxyR and SoxRS Transcriptional Regulatory Networks
      under Oxidative Stress in Escherichia coli K-12 MG1655.
AB  - Three transcription factors (TFs), OxyR, SoxR, and SoxS, play a critical role in
      transcriptional regulation of the defense system for oxidative stress in
      bacteria. However, their full genome-wide regulatory potential is unknown. Here,
      we perform a genome-scale reconstruction of the OxyR, SoxR, and SoxS regulons in
      Escherichia coli K-12 MG1655. Integrative data analysis reveals that a total of
      68 genes in 51 transcription units (TUs) belong to these regulons. Among them, 48
      genes showed more than 2-fold changes in expression level under single-TF
      knockout conditions. This reconstruction expands the genome-wide roles of these
      factors to include direct activation of genes related to amino acid biosynthesis
      (methionine and aromatic amino acids), cell wall synthesis (lipid A biosynthesis
      and peptidoglycan growth), and divalent metal ion transport (Mn(2+), Zn(2+), and
      Mg(2+)). Investigating the co-regulation of these genes with other stress
      response TFs reveals that they are independently regulated by stress-specific
      TFs. 

PMID- 26279567
TI  - GRK2 Fine-Tunes Circadian Clock Speed and Entrainment via Transcriptional and
      Post-translational Control of PERIOD Proteins.
AB  - The pacemaker properties of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) circadian clock are
      shaped by mechanisms that influence the expression and behavior of clock
      proteins. Here, we reveal that G-protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2)
      modulates the period, amplitude, and entrainment characteristics of the SCN. Grk2
      deficient mice show phase-dependent alterations in light-induced entrainment,
      slower recovery from jetlag, and longer behavioral rhythms. Grk2 ablation
      perturbs intrinsic rhythmic properties of the SCN, increasing amplitude and
      decreasing period. At the cellular level, GRK2 suppresses the transcription of
      the mPeriod1 gene and the trafficking of PERIOD1 and PERIOD2 proteins to the
      nucleus. Moreover, GRK2 can physically interact with PERIOD1/2 and promote
      PERIOD2 phosphorylation at Ser545, effects that may underlie its ability to
      regulate PERIOD1/2 trafficking. Together, our findings identify GRK2 as an
      important modulator of circadian clock speed, amplitude, and entrainment by
      controlling PERIOD at the transcriptional and post-translational levels. 

PMID- 26279568
TI  - Intramolecular C2 Domain-Mediated Autoinhibition of Protein Kinase C betaII.
AB  - The signaling output of protein kinase C (PKC) is exquisitely controlled, with
      its disruption resulting in pathophysiologies. Identifying the structural basis
      for autoinhibition is central to developing effective therapies for cancer, where
      PKC activity needs to be enhanced, or neurodegenerative diseases, where PKC
      activity should be inhibited. Here, we reinterpret a previously reported crystal
      structure of PKCbetaII and use docking and functional analysis to propose an
      alternative structure that is consistent with previous literature on PKC
      regulation. Mutagenesis of predicted contact residues establishes that the Ca(2+)
      sensing C2 domain interacts intramolecularly with the kinase domain and the
      carboxyl-terminal tail, locking PKC in an inactive conformation. Ca(2+)-dependent
      bridging of the C2 domain to membranes provides the first step in activating PKC
      via conformational selection. Although the placement of the C1 domains remains to
      be determined, elucidation of the structural basis for autoinhibition of
      PKCbetaII unveils a unique direction for therapeutically targeting PKC. 

PMID- 26279569
TI  - Cuticular Hydrocarbon Pheromones for Social Behavior and Their Coding in the Ant
      Antenna.
AB  - The sophisticated organization of eusocial insect societies is largely based on
      the regulation of complex behaviors by hydrocarbon pheromones present on the
      cuticle. We used electrophysiology to investigate the detection of cuticular
      hydrocarbons (CHCs) by female-specific olfactory sensilla basiconica on the
      antenna of Camponotus floridanus ants through the utilization of one of the
      largest family of odorant receptors characterized so far in insects. These
      sensilla, each of which contains multiple olfactory receptor neurons, are
      differentially sensitive to CHCs and allow them to be classified into three broad
      groups that collectively detect every hydrocarbon tested, including queen and
      worker-enriched CHCs. This broad-spectrum sensitivity is conserved in a related
      species, Camponotus laevigatus, allowing these ants to detect CHCs from both
      nestmates and non-nestmates. Behavioral assays demonstrate that these ants are
      excellent at discriminating CHCs detected by the antenna, including enantiomers
      of a candidate queen pheromone that regulates the reproductive division of labor.

PMID- 26279570
TI  - BDNF Reduces Toxic Extrasynaptic NMDA Receptor Signaling via Synaptic NMDA
      Receptors and Nuclear-Calcium-Induced Transcription of inhba/Activin A.
AB  - The health of neurons is critically dependent on the relative signaling
      intensities of survival-promoting synaptic and death-inducing extrasynaptic NMDA
      receptors. Here, we show that BDNF is a regulator of this balance and promotes
      neuroprotection by reducing toxic NMDA receptor signaling. BDNF acts by
      initiating synaptic NMDA-receptor/nuclear-calcium-driven adaptogenomics, leading
      to increased expression of inhibin beta-A (inhba). Inhibin beta-A (its homodimer
      is known as activin A) in turn reduces neurotoxic extrasynaptic NMDA-receptor
      mediated calcium influx, thereby shielding neurons against mitochondrial
      dysfunction, a major cause of excitotoxicity. Thus, BDNF induces acquired
      neuroprotection by enhancing synaptic activity and lowering extrasynaptic NMDA
      receptor death signaling through a nuclear calcium-inhibin beta-A pathway. This
      process, which confers protection against ischemic brain damage in a mouse stroke
      model, may be compromised in Huntington's disease, Alzheimer's disease, or aging
      related neurodegenerative conditions that are associated with reduced BDNF levels
      and/or enhanced extrasynaptic NMDA receptor signaling. 

PMID- 26279571
TI  - Amyloid-beta Oligomers May Impair SNARE-Mediated Exocytosis by Direct Binding to
      Syntaxin 1a.
AB  - Alzheimer's disease (AD) is closely associated with synaptic dysfunction, and
      thus current treatments often aim to stimulate neurotransmission to improve
      cognitive impairment. Whereas the formation of the soluble N-ethylmaleimide
      sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) complex is essential for
      synaptic transmission, the correlation between SNAREs and AD neuropathology is
      unknown. Here, we report that intracellular amyloid-beta (Abeta) oligomers
      directly inhibit SNARE-mediated exocytosis by impairing SNARE complex formation.
      We observe abnormal reduction of SNARE complex levels in the brains of APP/PS1
      transgenic (TG) mice compared to age-matched wild-types. We demonstrate that
      Abeta oligomers block SNARE complex assembly through the direct interaction with
      a target membrane (t)-SNARE syntaxin 1a in vitro. Furthermore, the results of the
      in vitro single-vesicle content-mixing assay reveal that Abeta oligomers inhibit
      SNARE-mediated fusion pores. Thus, our study identifies a potential molecular
      mechanism by which intracellular Abeta oligomers hamper SNARE-mediated
      exocytosis, likely leading to AD-associated synaptic dysfunctions. 

PMID- 26279573
TI  - Sox9 Activation Highlights a Cellular Pathway of Renal Repair in the Acutely
      Injured Mammalian Kidney.
AB  - After acute kidney injury (AKI), surviving cells within the nephron proliferate
      and repair. We identify Sox9 as an acute epithelial stress response in renal
      regeneration. Translational profiling after AKI revealed a rapid upregulation of
      Sox9 within proximal tubule (PT) cells, the nephron cell type most vulnerable to
      AKI. Descendants of Sox9(+) cells generate the bulk of the nephron during
      development and regenerate functional PT epithelium after AKI-induced
      reactivation of Sox9 after renal injury. After restoration of renal function post
      AKI, persistent Sox9 expression highlights regions of unresolved damage within
      injured nephrons. Inactivation of Sox9 in PT cells pre-injury indicates that Sox9
      is required for the normal course of post-AKI recovery. These findings link Sox9
      to cell intrinsic mechanisms regulating development and repair of the mammalian
      nephron. 

PMID- 26279572
TI  - Intestinal Monocyte-Derived Macrophages Control Commensal-Specific Th17
      Responses.
AB  - Generation of different CD4 T cell responses to commensal and pathogenic bacteria
      is crucial for maintaining a healthy gut environment, but the associated cellular
      mechanisms are poorly understood. Dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages (Mfs)
      integrate microbial signals and direct adaptive immunity. Although the role of
      DCs in initiating T cell responses is well appreciated, how Mfs contribute to the
      generation of CD4 T cell responses to intestinal microbes is unclear. Th17 cells
      are critical for mucosal immune protection and at steady state are induced by
      commensal bacteria, such as segmented filamentous bacteria (SFB). Here, we
      examined the roles of mucosal DCs and Mfs in Th17 induction by SFB in vivo. We
      show that Mfs, and not conventional CD103(+) DCs, are essential for the
      generation of SFB-specific Th17 responses. Thus, Mfs drive mucosal T cell
      responses to certain commensal bacteria. 

PMID- 26279574
TI  - MIWI2 and MILI Have Differential Effects on piRNA Biogenesis and DNA Methylation.
AB  - In developing male germ cells, prospermatogonia, two Piwi proteins, MILI and
      MIWI2, use Piwi-interacting RNA (piRNA) guides to repress transposable element
      (TE) expression and ensure genome stability and proper gametogenesis. In addition
      to their roles in post-transcriptional TE repression, both proteins are required
      for DNA methylation of TE sequences. Here, we analyzed the effect of Miwi2
      deficiency on piRNA biogenesis and transposon repression. Miwi2 deficiency had
      only a minor impact on piRNA biogenesis; however, the piRNA profile of Miwi2
      knockout mice indicated overexpression of several LINE1 TE families that led to
      activation of the ping-pong piRNA cycle. Furthermore, we found that MILI and
      MIWI2 have distinct functions in TE repression in the nucleus. MILI is
      responsible for DNA methylation of a larger subset of TE families than MIWI2 is,
      suggesting that the proteins have independent roles in establishing DNA
      methylation patterns. 

PMID- 26279575
TI  - Amino Acid Activation of mTORC1 by a PB1-Domain-Driven Kinase Complex Cascade.
AB  - The mTORC1 complex is central to the cellular response to changes in nutrient
      availability. The signaling adaptor p62 contributes to mTORC1 activation in
      response to amino acids and interacts with TRAF6, which is required for the
      translocation of mTORC1 to the lysosome and the subsequent K63 polyubiquitination
      and activation of mTOR. However, the signal initiating these p62-driven processes
      was previously unknown. Here, we show that p62 is phosphorylated via a cascade
      that includes MEK3/6 and p38delta and is driven by the PB1-containing kinase
      MEKK3. This phosphorylation results in the recruitment of TRAF6 to p62, the
      ubiquitination and activation of mTOR, and the regulation of autophagy and cell
      proliferation. Genetic inactivation of MEKK3 or p38delta mimics that of p62 in
      that it leads to inhibited growth of PTEN-deficient prostate organoids. Analysis
      of human prostate cancer samples showed upregulation of these three components of
      the pathway, which correlated with enhanced mTORC1 activation. 

PMID- 26279577
TI  - cis Determinants of Promoter Threshold and Activation Timescale.
AB  - Although the relationship between DNA cis-regulatory sequences and gene
      expression has been extensively studied at steady state, how cis-regulatory
      sequences affect the dynamics of gene induction is not known. The dynamics of
      gene induction can be described by the promoter activation timescale (AcTime) and
      amplitude threshold (AmpThr). Combining high-throughput microfluidics with
      quantitative time-lapse microscopy, we control the activation dynamics of the
      budding yeast transcription factor, Msn2, and reveal how cis-regulatory motifs in
      20 promoter variants of the Msn2-target-gene SIP18 affect AcTime and AmpThr. By
      modulating Msn2 binding sites, we can decouple AmpThr from AcTime and switch the
      SIP18 promoter class from high AmpThr and slow AcTime to low AmpThr and either
      fast or slow AcTime. We present a model that quantitatively explains gene
      induction dynamics on the basis of the Msn2-binding-site number, TATA box
      location, and promoter nucleosome organization. Overall, we elucidate the cis
      regulatory logic underlying promoter decoding of TF dynamics. 

PMID- 26279576
TI  - Deregulation of the Ras-Erk Signaling Axis Modulates the Enhancer Landscape.
AB  - Unrestrained receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling and epigenetic deregulation
      are root causes of tumorigenesis. We establish linkage between these processes by
      demonstrating that aberrant RTK signaling unleashed by oncogenic HRas(G12V) or
      loss of negative feedback through Sprouty gene deletion remodels histone
      modifications associated with active typical and super-enhancers. However,
      although both lesions disrupt the Ras-Erk axis, the expression programs, enhancer
      signatures, and transcription factor networks modulated upon HRas(G12V)
      transformation or Sprouty deletion are largely distinct. Oncogenic HRas(G12V)
      elevates histone 3 lysine 27 acetylation (H3K27ac) levels at enhancers near the
      transcription factor Gata4 and the kinase Prkcb, as well as their expression
      levels. We show that Gata4 is necessary for the aberrant gene expression and
      H3K27ac marking at enhancers, and Prkcb is required for the oncogenic effects of
      HRas(G12V)-driven cells. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that dynamic
      reprogramming of the cellular enhancer landscape is a major effect of oncogenic
      RTK signaling. 

PMID- 26279579
TI  - Tuning of the excitation wavelength in Eu(3+)-aminophenyl based polyfluorinated
      beta-diketonate complexes: a red-emitting Eu(3+)-complex encapsulated in a
      silica/polymer hybrid material excited by blue light.
AB  - We describe herein the synthesis, characterization and photophysical properties
      of a series of europium complexes based on three aminophenyl based
      polyfluorinated beta-diketonates, namely, 1-(4-aminophenyl)-4,4,5,5,5-pentafluoro
      3-hydroxypent-2-en-1-one, 1-(4-(dimethylamino)phenyl)-4,4,5,5,5-pentafluoro-3
      hydroxypent-2-en-1-one and 1-(4-(diphenylamino)phenyl)-4,4,5,5,5-pentafluoro-3
      hydroxypent-2-en-1-one, and an ancillary ligand, 4,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)-9,9
      dimethylxanthene oxide. The results demonstrated that the triphenylamine based
      polyfluorinated Eu(3+)-beta-diketonate complexes dramatically red-shifted the
      excitation maximum to the visible region (lambdaex, max = 400 nm) with an
      impressive quantum yield (40%) as compared to the simple Eu(3+)-aminophenyl-beta
      diketonate complexes (lambdaex, max = 370 nm). This can be explained on the basis
      of the conjugation between nitrogen lone pair electrons and the phenyl pi
      electrons in the beta-diketonate ligand system. On the other hand, the electron
      donating dimethylamino group (Hammett constant: sigmap = -0.83) containing Eu(3+)
      beta-diketonate complexes moderately shifted the excitation maximum in the UV
      region from 370 to 380 nm as compared to unsubstituted aminophenyl (Hammett
      constant: sigmap = -0.66) Eu(3+) complexes. The displacement of water molecules
      in aminophenyl based Eu(3+)-beta-diketonate binary complexes by a rigid phosphine
      oxide ligand richly enhances the photoluminescence quantum yields as well as the
      excited state lifetime values of the corresponding ternary complexes. As an
      integral part of this work, hybrid materials have been developed through a sol
      gel route by encapsulating a ternary Eu(3+) compound in a silica/polymer hybrid
      for high performance luminescence applications. In addition, a bright red
      emitting diode was fabricated by coating the designed hybrid material onto a 400
      nm emitting InGaN chip and the photoluminescence was examined. Notably, the
      current study clearly shows that the developed triphenylamine based Eu(3+)-beta
      diketonate complex is an interesting red-emitting material excited by blue light
      and therefore may find potential applications in the fields of biological and
      materials science. 

PMID- 26279578
TI  - Lactobacilli Modulate Epithelial Cytoprotection through the Nrf2 Pathway.
AB  - An optimal gut microbiota influences many beneficial processes in the metazoan
      host. However, the molecular mechanisms that mediate and function in symbiont
      induced host responses have not yet been fully characterized. Here, we report
      that cellular ROS enzymatically generated in response to contact with
      lactobacilli in both mice and Drosophila has salutary effects against exogenous
      insults to the intestinal epithelium via the activation of Nrf2 responsive
      cytoprotective genes. These data show that the xenobiotic-inducible Nrf2 pathway
      participates as a signaling conduit between the prokaryotic symbiont and the
      eukaryotic host. Indeed, our data imply that the capacity of lactobacilli to
      induce redox signaling in epithelial cells is a highly conserved hormetic
      adaptation to impel cellular conditioning to exogenous biotic stimuli. These data
      also highlight the role the microbiota plays in eukaryotic cytoprotective
      pathways and may have significant implications in the characterization of a
      eubiotic microbiota. 

PMID- 26279580
TI  - Acute consumption of a caffeinated energy drink enhances aspects of performance
      in sprint swimmers.
AB  - This study investigated the effect of a caffeinated energy drink on various
      aspects of performance in sprint swimmers. In a randomised and counterbalanced
      order, fourteen male sprint swimmers performed two acute experimental trials
      after the ingestion of a caffeinated energy drink (3 mg/kg) or after the
      ingestion of the same energy drink without caffeine (0 mg/kg; placebo). After 60
      min of ingestion of the beverages, the swimmers performed a countermovement jump,
      a maximal handgrip test, a 50 m simulated competition and a 45 s swim at maximal
      intensity in a swim ergometer. A blood sample was withdrawn 1 min after the
      completion of the ergometer test. In comparison with the placebo drink, the
      intake of the caffeinated energy drink increased the height in the
      countermovement jump (49.4 (SD 5.3) v. 50.9 (SD 5.2) cm, respectively; P<0.05)
      and maximal force during the handgrip test with the right hand (481 (SD 49) v.
      498 (SD 43) N; P<0.05). Furthermore, the caffeinated energy drink reduced the
      time needed to complete the 50 m simulated swimming competition (27.8 (SD 3.4) v.
      27.5 (SD 3.2) s; P<0.05), and it increased peak power (273 (SD 55) v. 303 (SD 49)
      W; P <0.05) and blood lactate concentration (11.0 (SD 2.0) v. 11.7 (SD 2.1) mM;
      P<0.05) during the ergometer test. The caffeinated energy drink did not modify
      the prevalence of insomnia (7 v. 7%), muscle pain (36 v. 36%) or headache (0 v.
      7%) during the hours following its ingestion (P>0.05). A caffeinated energy drink
      increased some aspects of swimming performance in competitive sprinters, whereas
      the side effects derived from the intake of this beverage were marginal at this
      dosage.

PMID- 26279582
TI  - RANZCOG CREI Consensus Statement on treatment of Ovarian Hyperstimulation
      Syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is an uncommon but important
      iatrogenic condition associated with considerable morbidity and a small risk of
      mortality. This document gathers the consensus of a group of fertility
      subspecialists to aid health professionals in the development of protocols and
      guidelines for the management of women with OHSS. AIM: To produce evidence-based
      consensus statements on the treatment of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
      (OHSS). METHODS: The CREI Consensus Group met in 2013 and 2014 and identified
      issues for inclusion and review. Review of the available evidence was conducted
      and consensus statements prepared. Areas of dissent of expert opinion and for
      further research were noted. RESULTS: There is a paucity of good data regarding
      the treatment of this condition, and much of the treatment is supportive in
      nature. Most of the management recommendations are based on good clinical
      practice points, rather than evidence from randomised trials. CONCLUSION: OHSS is
      an uncommon but serious condition for which there are a number of proven
      preventative strategies. Once OHSS is present, the treatment of OHSS is mainly
      supportive, and more research is required to elucidate treatment options targeted
      specifically at the main causative factors, to better treat the condition.

PMID- 26279583
TI  - Approaching the Hole Mobility Limit of GaSb Nanowires.
AB  - In recent years, high-mobility GaSb nanowires have received tremendous attention
      for high-performance p-type transistors; however, due to the difficulty in
      achieving thin and uniform nanowires (NWs), there is limited report until now
      addressing their diameter-dependent properties and their hole mobility limit in
      this important one-dimensional material system, where all these are essential
      information for the deployment of GaSb NWs in various applications. Here, by
      employing the newly developed surfactant-assisted chemical vapor deposition, high
      quality and uniform GaSb NWs with controllable diameters, spanning from 16 to 70
      nm, are successfully prepared, enabling the direct assessment of their growth
      orientation and hole mobility as a function of diameter while elucidating the
      role of sulfur surfactant and the interplay between surface and interface
      energies of NWs on their electrical properties. The sulfur passivation is found
      to efficiently stabilize the high-energy NW sidewalls of (111) and (311) in order
      to yield the thin NWs (i.e., <40 nm in diameters) with the dominant growth
      orientations of ?211? and ?110?, whereas the thick NWs (i.e., >40 nm in
      diameters) would grow along the most energy-favorable close-packed planes with
      the orientation of ?111?, supported by the approximate atomic models.
      Importantly, through the reliable control of sulfur passivation, growth
      orientation and surface roughness, GaSb NWs with the peak hole mobility of ~400
      cm(2)V s(-1) for the diameter of 48 nm, approaching the theoretical limit under
      the hole concentration of ~2.2 * 10(18) cm(-3), can be achieved for the first
      time. All these indicate their promising potency for utilizations in different
      technological domains. 

PMID- 26279584
TI  - Intrasexual selection drives sensitivity to pitch, formants and duration in the
      competitive calls of fallow bucks.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mammal vocal parameters such as fundamental frequency (or pitch; f o
      ) and formant dispersion often provide information about quality traits of the
      producer (e.g. dominance and body size), suggesting that they are sexually
      selected. However, little experimental evidence exists demonstrating the
      importance of these cues in intrasexual competition, particularly f o . Male
      Fallow deer (bucks) produce an extremely low pitched groan. Bucks have a
      descended larynx and generate f o well below what is expected for animals of
      their size. Groan parameters are linked to caller dominance, body size and
      condition, suggesting that groans are the product of sexual selection. Using a
      playback experiment, we presented bucks with groans that had been manipulated to
      alter vocal cues to these male characteristics and compared the response to the
      same, non-modified (natural) groans. RESULTS: We experimentally examined the
      ability of bucks to utilise putative cues to dominance (f o ), body size (formant
      frequencies) and condition (groan duration), when assessing competitors. We found
      that bucks treated groans with lowered f o (more dominant), and lowered formant
      frequencies (larger caller) as more threatening. By contrast, groans with raised
      formant frequencies (smaller caller), and shorter durations (more fatigued
      caller) were treated as less threatening. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that
      intrasexual selection is driving groans to concurrently convey caller dominance,
      body size and condition. They represent the first experimental demonstration of
      the importance of f o in male competition in non-human mammals, and show that
      bucks have advanced perception abilities that allow them to extract information
      based on relatively small changes in key parameters.

PMID- 26279586
TI  - 27.6. A 0.7pF-to-10nF Fully Digital Capacitance-to-Digital Converter Using
      Iterative Delay-Chain Discharge.

PMID- 26279585
TI  - Shades of Decay: The Meanings of Tooth Discoloration and Deterioration to Mexican
      Immigrant Caregivers of Young Children.
AB  - The objective of this article is to investigate parental understanding of tooth
      discoloration and decay and their related care seeking for young, Mexican
      American children. The research design entailed semi-structured, face-to-face
      interviews conducted in Spanish with a convenience sample of 37 Mexican immigrant
      mothers of young children in a low-income urban neighborhood. Five major color
      terms - white, off-white, yellow, brown, and black - were used to describe tooth
      discoloration, the causes of which were mainly unrecognized or attributed to poor
      oral hygiene and exposure to sweet substances. Mothers also described three major
      levels of deterioration of the structural integrity of teeth due to caries, from
      stains to decayed portions to entirely rotten. A trend was observed between use
      of darker discoloration terms and extensive carious lesions. Teeth described as
      both dark in color and structurally damaged resulted in seeking of professional
      care. The paper concludes with the finding that Spanish terms used to describe
      tooth discoloration and carious lesions are broad and complex. Mexican immigrant
      mothers' interpretations of tooth discoloration and decay may differ from dental
      professionals' and result in late care seeking. Increased understanding between
      dental practitioners and caregivers is needed to create educational messages
      about the early signs of tooth decay.

PMID- 26279587
TI  - Low Academic Competence in First Grade as a Risk Factor for Depressive Cognitions
      and Symptoms in Middle School.
AB  - The present study investigated the role of low academic competence in the
      emergence of depressive cognitions and symptoms. Structural equation modeling was
      conducted on a longitudinal sample of African American boys (n = 253) and girls
      (n = 221). Results supported the hypothesized path models from academic
      competence in 1st grade to depressive symptoms in 7th grade, controlling for a
      host of correlated constructs (conduct problems, inattention, social problems).
      Perceived control in 6th grade mediated the effect of academic competence on
      depressive symptoms. Although the models fit the data well for both boys and
      girls, the path coefficients were notably larger for girls; in particular,
      multiple-group analysis revealed a statistically stronger effect of low academic
      competence on perceptions of control for girls. The study and findings fit well
      with counseling psychologists' commitment to prevention activities and to culture
      specific research. Implications for designing interventions and prevention
      strategies for children with early academic problems are discussed.

PMID- 26279588
TI  - Preparation of fluorinated RNA nucleotide analogs potentially stable to enzymatic
      hydrolysis in RNA and DNA polymerase assays.
AB  - Analogs of ribonucleotides (RNA) stable to enzymatic hydrolysis were prepared and
      characterized. Computational investigations revealed that this class of compounds
      with a modified triphosphate exhibits the correct polarity and minimal steric
      effects compared to the natural molecule. Non-hydrolysable properties as well as
      the ability of the modified nucleotide to be recognized by enzymes were probed by
      performing single-turnover gap filling assays with T7 RNA polymerase and DNA
      polymerase beta.

PMID- 26279589
TI  - Classifier Design Given an Uncertainty Class of Feature Distributions via
      Regularized Maximum Likelihood and the Incorporation of Biological Pathway
      Knowledge in Steady-State Phenotype Classification.
AB  - Contemporary high-throughput technologies provide measurements of very large
      numbers of variables but often with very small sample sizes. This paper proposes
      an optimization-based paradigm for utilizing prior knowledge to design better
      performing classifiers when sample sizes are limited. We derive approximate
      expressions for the first and second moments of the true error rate of the
      proposed classifier under the assumption of two widely-used models for the
      uncertainty classes; epsilon-contamination and p-point classes. The applicability
      of the approximate expressions is discussed by defining the problem of finding
      optimal regularization parameters through minimizing the expected true error.
      Simulation results using the Zipf model show that the proposed paradigm yields
      improved classifiers that outperform traditional classifiers that use only
      training data. Our application of interest involves discrete gene regulatory
      networks possessing labeled steady-state distributions. Given prior operational
      knowledge of the process, our goal is to build a classifier that can accurately
      label future observations obtained in the steady state by utilizing both the
      available prior knowledge and the training data. We examine the proposed paradigm
      on networks containing NF-kappaB pathways, where it shows significant improvement
      in classifier performance over the classical data-only approach to classifier
      design. Companion website:
      http://gsp.tamu.edu/Publications/supplementary/shahrokh12a.

PMID- 26279590
TI  - Defining Success in Adult Basic Education Settings: Multiple Stakeholders,
      Multiple Perspectives.
AB  - This study employed quantitative and qualitative research approaches to
      investigate what constitutes "success" in Adult Basic Education (ABE) programs
      from the perspectives of multiple educational stakeholders: the state funding
      agency, the teachers, and the students. Success was defined in multiple ways. In
      the quantitative section of the study, we computed classroom value-added scores
      (used as a metric of the state's definition of success) to identify more and less
      effective ABE classrooms in two Florida counties. In the qualitative section of
      the study, we observed and conducted interviews with teachers and students in the
      selected classrooms to investigate how these stakeholders defined success in ABE.
      Iterative consideration of the qualitative data revealed three principal markers
      of success: (a) instructional strategies and teacher-student interactions; (b)
      views on standardized testing; and (c) student motivational factors. In general,
      classrooms with higher value-added scores were characterized by multiple
      instructional approaches, positive and collaborative teacher-student
      interactions, and students engaging in goal setting and citing motivational
      factors such as family and personal fulfillment. The implications for ABE
      programs are discussed.

PMID- 26279591
TI  - Branched/linear selectivity in palladium-catalyzed allyl-allyl cross-couplings:
      The role of ligands.
AB  - While Pd-catalyzed allyl-allyl cross-couplings in the presence of small-bite
      angle bidentate ligands reliably furnish the branched regioisomer with high
      levels of selectivity, cross-couplings in the presence of large-bite-angle
      bidentate ligands give varying, often unpredictable, levels of selectivity. In a
      combined computational and experimental study, we probe the underlying features
      that govern the regioselectivity in these metal-catalyzed cross-couplings.

PMID- 26279592
TI  - Understanding Racial Differences in Deceased-Donor Kidney Transplantation:
      Geography, Poverty, Language, and Health Insurance Coverage.
AB  - Despite the continued growth of diverse populations on dialysis, no prior studies
      have comprehensively compared the barriers to kidney transplantation among
      different racial and ethnic groups. This brief review summarizes key findings
      from a recent study that examined specific determinants of diminished access to,
      or delayed completion of, deceased-donor kidney transplantation among major
      racial-ethnic groups in the United States. In particular, we focus on the
      relative influence on transplantation rates of clinical factors, such as
      histocompatibility, residential geography, health insurance coverage, poverty,
      and other socioeconomic factors according to patient race or ethnicity.

PMID- 26279593
TI  - On the Estimation of Disability-Free Life Expectancy: Sullivan' Method and Its
      Extension.
AB  - A rapidly aging population, such as the United States today, is characterized by
      the increased prevalence of chronic impairment. Robust estimation of disability
      free life expectancy (DFLE), or healthy life expectancy, is essential for
      examining whether additional years of life are spent in good health and whether
      life expectancy is increasing faster than the decline of disability rates. Over
      30 years since its publication, Sullivan's method remains the most widely used
      method to estimate DFLE. Therefore, it is surprising to note that Sullivan did
      not provide any formal justification of his method. Debates in the literature
      have centered around the properties of Sullivan's method and have yielded
      conflicting results regarding the assumptions required for Sullivan's method. In
      this article we establish a statistical foundation of Sullivan's method. We prove
      that, under stationarity assumptions, Sullivan's estimator is unbiased and
      consistent. This resolves the debate in the literature, which has generally
      concluded that additional assumptions are necessary. We also show that the
      standard variance estimator is consistent and approximately unbiased. Finally, we
      demonstrate that Sullivan's method can be extended to estimate DFLE without
      stationarity assumptions. Such an extension is possible whenever a cohort life
      table and either consecutive cross-sectional disability surveys or a longitudinal
      survey are available. Our empirical analysis of the 1907 and 1912 U.S. birth
      cohorts suggests that while mortality rates remain approximately stationary,
      disability rates decline during this time period.

PMID- 26279594
TI  - A Two-Sample Test for Equality of Means in High Dimension.
AB  - We develop a test statistic for testing the equality of two population mean
      vectors in the "large-p-small-n" setting. Such a test must surmount the rank
      deficiency of the sample covariance matrix, which breaks down the classic
      Hotelling T2 test. The proposed procedure, called the generalized component test,
      avoids full estimation of the covariance matrix by assuming that the p components
      admit a logical ordering such that the dependence between components is related
      to their displacement. The test is shown to be competitive with other recently
      developed methods under ARMA and long-range dependence structures and to achieve
      superior power for heavy-tailed data. The test does not assume equality of
      covariance matrices between the two populations, is robust to heteroscedasticity
      in the component variances, and requires very little computation time, which
      allows its use in settings with very large p. An analysis of mitochondrial
      calcium concentration in mouse cardiac muscles over time and of copy number
      variations in a glioblastoma multiforme data set from The Cancer Genome Atlas are
      carried out to illustrate the test.

PMID- 26279595
TI  - Anticipating Their Future: Adolescent Values for the Future Predict Adult
      Behaviors.
AB  - Adolescent future values - beliefs about what will matter to them in the future -
      may shape their adult behavior. Utilizing a national longitudinal British sample,
      this study examined whether adolescent future values in six domains (i.e., family
      responsibility, full-time job, personal responsibility, autonomy, civic
      responsibility, and hedonistic privilege) predicted adult social roles, civic
      behaviors, and alcohol use. Future values positively predicted behaviors within
      the same domain; fewer cross-domain associations were evident. Civic
      responsibility positively predicted adult civic behaviors, but negatively
      predicted having children. Hedonistic privilege positively predicted adult
      alcohol use and negatively predicted civic behaviors. Results suggest that
      attention should be paid to how adolescents are thinking about their futures due
      to the associated links with long-term social and health behaviors.

PMID- 26279596
TI  - The Impact of Social Security on Return Migration among Latin American Elderly in
      the U.S.
AB  - International migration has long been considered the preserve of working-age
      adults. However, the rapid diversification of the elderly population calls for
      increased attention to the migration patterns of this group and its possible
      motivations. This study examines whether Latin American immigrants who are
      primary Social Security beneficiaries are more likely to return to their home
      countries during later life if they receive lower Social Security benefits. Using
      a regression discontinuity approach on restricted data from the U.S. Social
      Security Administration (N=1,515), this study presents the results of a natural
      experiment whereby the Social Security Administration unexpectedly lowered the
      Social Security benefits of the 1917-1921 birth cohorts due to a miscalculation
      in the benefit-calculation formula. Results suggest that approximately 10% of
      primary Social Security beneficiaries from Latin America born close to these
      dates return migrated, the probability of which was not affected by Social
      Security benefit levels.

PMID- 26279597
TI  - Quantitative ethnographic study of physician workflow and interactions with
      electronic health record systems.
AB  - This study explores the relationship between primary care physicians'
      interactions with health information technology and primary care workflow.
      Clinical encounters were recorded with high-resolution video cameras to capture
      physicians' workflow and interaction with two objects of interest, the electronic
      health record (EHR) system, and their patient. To analyze the data, a coding
      scheme was developed based on a validated list of primary care tasks to define
      the presence or absence of a task, the time spent on each task, and the sequence
      of tasks. Results revealed divergent workflows and significant differences
      between physicians' EHR use surrounding common workflow tasks: gathering
      information, documenting information, and recommend/discuss treatment options.
      These differences suggest impacts of EHR use on primary care workflow, and
      capture types of workflows that can be used to inform future studies with larger
      sample sizes for more effective designs of EHR systems in primary care clinics.
      Future research on this topic and design strategies for effective health
      information technology in primary care are discussed.

PMID- 26279598
TI  - Boy or Girl? Maternal Psychological Correlates of Knowing Fetal Sex.
AB  - Ultrasound provides a reliable, convenient way to determine fetal sex, but not
      all expectant mothers pursue this knowledge. We used logistic regression to
      investigate whether maternal personality, parenting perfectionism, and gender
      role beliefs were associated with knowing fetal sex in a recent sample of first
      time expectant mothers. We also tested whether conscientiousness and extraversion
      moderated the association between gender role beliefs and knowing fetal sex.
      Mothers who were more open to experience were less likely to know fetal sex,
      whereas mothers high in parenting perfectionism were more likely to know fetal
      sex. Conscientious mothers who espoused more egalitarian gender role beliefs were
      less likely to know fetal sex.

PMID- 26279599
TI  - Perceptual asymmetry and youths' responses to stress: Understanding vulnerability
      to depression.
AB  - This research examined the hypothesis that reduced posterior right hemisphere
      activity interferes with the regulation of emotions and behavior in response to
      stress, creating vulnerability to depression. Consistent with a diathesis-stress
      model, we predicted that youth with a reduced posterior right hemisphere bias in
      emotional processing would engage in less adaptive responses to stress, which
      would be associated with depressive symptoms in those who reported the recent
      experience of high, but not low, levels of stress. Participants were 510 4th
      through 8th graders who completed the Chimeric Faces Task and measures of
      responses to stress and depressive symptoms. Results supported the idea that
      responses to stress account for the association between reduced posterior right
      hemisphere activity and depressive symptoms in youth who report high, but not
      low, levels of stress. This study provides insight into one process through which
      reduced posterior right hemisphere activity may confer vulnerability to
      depressive symptoms, and implicates responses to stress as a target for
      intervention.

PMID- 26279600
TI  - Needle path planning and steering in a three-dimensional non-static environment
      using two-dimensional ultrasound images.
AB  - Needle insertion is commonly performed in minimally invasive medical procedures
      such as biopsy and radiation cancer treatment. During such procedures, accurate
      needle tip placement is critical for correct diagnosis or successful treatment.
      Accurate placement of the needle tip inside tissue is challenging, especially
      when the target moves and anatomical obstacles must be avoided. We develop a
      needle steering system capable of autonomously and accurately guiding a steerable
      needle using two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound images. The needle is steered to a
      moving target while avoiding moving obstacles in a three-dimensional (3D) non
      static environment. Using a 2D ultrasound imaging device, our system accurately
      tracks the needle tip motion in 3D space in order to estimate the tip pose. The
      needle tip pose is used by a rapidly exploring random tree-based motion planner
      to compute a feasible needle path to the target. The motion planner is
      sufficiently fast such that replanning can be performed repeatedly in a closed
      loop manner. This enables the system to correct for perturbations in needle
      motion, and movement in obstacle and target locations. Our needle steering
      experiments in a soft-tissue phantom achieves maximum targeting errors of 0.86 +/
      0.35 mm (without obstacles) and 2.16 +/- 0.88 mm (with a moving obstacle).

PMID- 26279601
TI  - Thermal thresholds of the predatory mite Balaustium hernandezi.
AB  - The lower and upper thermal activity thresholds of adult and larval Balaustium
      hernandezi von Heyden (Acari: Erythraeidae) are compared with those of its prey
      Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae). Adult female B. hernandezi
      retain ambulatory function (CTmin) and movement of appendages (chill coma) at
      significantly lower temperatures (5.9 and -2.1  degrees C, respectively) than
      those of larval B. hernandezi (8.1 and -1.7  degrees C) and T. urticae (10.6 and
      10.3  degrees C). There is no significant difference between the temperature at
      which adult and larval B. hernandezi and T. urticae cease walking as the
      temperature is raised (CTmax) (46.7, 46.3 and 47.3  degrees C, respectively).
      However, both life stages of B. hernandezi cease movement (heat coma) below the
      upper locomotory limits of T. urticae (46.8, 46.7 and 48.7  degrees C,
      respectively). Adult B. hernandezi have significantly faster walking speeds than
      larvae and T. urticae across a range of temperatures. The lower thermal activity
      threshold data indicate that B. hernandezi would make an effective biological
      control agent in temperate climates; however, the extent of the low temperature
      tolerances of the species suggests the potential to establish in a northern
      European climate.

PMID- 26279602
TI  - A tale of two haplotype groups: Evaluating the New World Junonia ring species
      hypothesis using the distribution of divergent COI haplotypes.
AB  - The New World Junonia butterflies are a possible ring species with a circum
      Caribbean distribution. Previous reports suggest a steady transition between
      North and South American forms in Mesoamerica, but in Cuba the forms were thought
      to co-exist without interbreeding representing the overlapping ends of the ring.
      Three criteria establish the existence of a ring species: a ring-shaped
      geographic distribution, gene flow among intervening forms, and genetic isolation
      in the region of range overlap. We evaluated mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I
      haplotypes in Junonia from 9 species in the Western Hemisphere to test the
      Junonia ring species hypothesis. Junonia species are generally not monophyletic
      with respect to COI haplotypes, which are shared across species. However, two
      major COI haplotype groups exist. Group A predominates in South America, and
      Group B predominates in North and Central America. Therefore, COI haplotypes can
      be used to assess the degree of genetic influence a population receives from each
      continent. Junonia shows a ring-shaped distribution around the Caribbean, and
      evidence is consistent with gene flow among forms of Junonia, including those
      from Mesoamerica. However, we detected no discontinuity in gene flow in Cuba or
      elsewhere in the Caribbean consistent with genetic isolation in the region of
      overlap. Though sampling is still very limited in the critical region, the only
      remaining possiblity for a circum-Caribbean discontinuity in gene flow is at the
      Isthmus of Panama, where there may be a transition from 98% Group B haplotypes in
      Costa Rica to 85-100% Group A haplotypes in South America.

PMID- 26279603
TI  - In Vitro and in Vivo Anti-Diabetic Effects of Anthocyanins from Maqui Berry
      (Aristotelia chilensis).
AB  - We used a murine model of type II diabetes, which reproduces the major features
      of the human disease, and a number of cellular models to study the antidiabetic
      effect of ANC, a standardised anthocyanin-rich formulation from maqui berry
      (Aristotelia chilensis). We also isolated delphinidin 3-sambubioside-5-glucoside
      (D3S5G), a characteristic anthocyanin from maqui berry, and studied its
      antidiabetic properties. We observed that oral administration of ANC improved
      fasting blood glucose levels and glucose tolerance in hyperglycaemic obese
      C57BL/6J mice fed a high fat diet. In H4IIE rat liver cells, ANC decreased
      glucose production and enhanced the insulin-stimulated down regulation of the
      gluconeogenic enzyme, glucose-6-phosphatase. In L6 myotubes ANC treatment
      increased both insulin and non-insulin mediated glucose uptake. As with the ACN,
      oral administration of pure D3S5G dose-dependently decreased fasting blood
      glucose levels in obese C57BL/6J mice, and decreased glucose production in rat
      liver cells. D3S5G also increased glucose uptake in L6 myotubes and is at least
      partially responsible for ANC's anti-diabetic properties.

PMID- 26279604
TI  - Cofoundress relatedness and group productivity in colonies of social Dunatothrips
      (Insecta: Thysanoptera) on Australian Acacia.
AB  - Facultative joint colony founding by social insects provides opportunities to
      analyze the roles of genetic and ecological factors in the evolution of
      cooperation. Although cooperative nesting is observed in range of social insect
      taxa, the most detailed studies of this behavior have been conducted with
      Hymenoptera (ants, bees, and wasps). Here, we show that foundress associations in
      the haplodiploid social thrips Dunatothrips aneurae (Insecta: Thysanoptera) are
      most often comprised of close relatives (sisters), though groups with unrelated
      foundresses are also found. Associations among relatives appear to be facilitated
      by limited female dispersal, which results in viscous population structure. In
      addition, we found that per capita productivity declined with increasing group
      size, sex ratios were female-biased, and some female offspring apparently
      remained in their natal domicile for some time following eclosion. D. aneurae
      thus exhibits a suite of similarities with eusocial Hymenoptera, providing
      evidence for the convergent evolution of associated social and life-history
      traits in Hymenoptera and Thysanoptera.

PMID- 26279605
TI  - Trading or coercion? Variation in male mating strategies between two communities
      of East African chimpanzees.
AB  - Across taxa, males employ a variety of mating strategies, including sexual
      coercion and the provision, or trading, of resources. Biological market theory
      (BMT) predicts that trading of commodities for mating opportunities should exist
      only when males cannot monopolize access to females and/or obtain mating by
      force, in situations where power differentials between males are low; both
      coercion and trading have been reported for chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). Here,
      we investigate whether the choice of strategy depends on the variation in male
      power differentials, using data from two wild communities of East African
      chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii): the structurally despotic Sonso
      community (Budongo, Uganda) and the structurally egalitarian M-group (Mahale,
      Tanzania). We found evidence of sexual coercion by male Sonso chimpanzees, and of
      trading-of grooming for mating-by M-group males; females traded sex for neither
      meat nor protection from male aggression. Our results suggest that the despotism
      egalitarian axis influences strategy choice: male chimpanzees appear to pursue
      sexual coercion when power differentials are large and trading when power
      differentials are small and coercion consequently ineffective. Our findings
      demonstrate that trading and coercive strategies are not restricted to particular
      chimpanzee subspecies; instead, their occurrence is consistent with BMT
      predictions. Our study raises interesting, and as yet unanswered, questions
      regarding female chimpanzees' willingness to trade sex for grooming, if doing so
      represents a compromise to their fundamentally promiscuous mating strategy. It
      highlights the importance of within-species cross-group comparisons and the need
      for further study of the relationship between mating strategy and dominance
      steepness.

PMID- 26279606
TI  - Affect, Behavior, Cognition, and Desire in the Big Five: An Analysis of Item
      Content and Structure.
AB  - Personality psychology is concerned with affect (A), behavior (B), cognition (C)
      and desire (D), and personality traits have been defined conceptually as
      abstractions used to either explain or summarize coherent ABC (and sometimes D)
      patterns over time and space. However, this conceptual definition of traits has
      not been reflected in their operationalization, possibly resulting in theoretical
      and practical limitations to current trait inventories. Thus, the goal of this
      project was to determine the affective, behavioral, cognitive and desire (ABCD)
      components of Big-Five personality traits. The first study assessed the ABCD
      content of items measuring Big-Five traits in order to determine the ABCD
      composition of traits and identify items measuring relatively high amounts of
      only one ABCD content. The second study examined the correlational structure of
      scales constructed from items assessing ABCD content via a large, web-based
      study. An assessment of Big-Five traits that delineates ABCD components of each
      trait is presented, and the discussion focuses on how this assessment builds upon
      current approaches of assessing personality.

PMID- 26279607
TI  - Viral evolution and epidemiology.
AB  - This review highlights recent research on viral evolution and its use towards
      understanding disease pathogenesis and epidemiology. The development of
      techniques such as enzymatic amplification of viral genomes and automated
      sequencing has led to a dramatic increase in the amount of sequence information
      from clinical samples. These sequences (RNA or DNA, or the amino acids they
      encode) have been compared by complex computer algorithms to generate
      evolutionary trees or phylogenies of natural virus variants, which can sometimes
      be used to correlate viral genotype with phenotype. Understanding the rates and
      types of evolution that occur during the transmission of viruses has considerable
      impact on the design of methods for the control of virus diseases.

PMID- 26279608
TI  - Brain-Body Pathways Linking Psychological Stress and Physical Health.
AB  - Psychological stress is thought to arise from appraisal processes that ascribe
      threat-related meaning to experiences that tax or exceed our coping ability.
      Neuroimaging research indicates that these appraisal processes originate in brain
      systems that also control physiological stress reactions in the body. Separate
      lines of research in health psychology and behavioral medicine indicate that
      these physiological stress reactions confer risk for physical disease.
      Accordingly, integrative research that cuts across historically separated
      disciplines may help to define the brain-body pathways linking psychological
      stress to physical health. We describe recent studies aimed at this goal,
      focusing on studies of the brain bases of stressor-evoked cardiovascular system
      reactions and heart disease risk. We also outline an interpretive framework for
      these studies, as well as needs for next-generation models and metrics to better
      understand how the brain encodes and embodies stress in relation to health.

PMID- 26279609
TI  - Toward Defining, Measuring, and Evaluating LGBT Cultural Competence for
      Psychologists.
AB  - A central part of providing evidence-based practice is appropriate cultural
      competence to facilitate psychological assessment and intervention with diverse
      clients. At a minimum, cultural competence with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and
      transgender (LGBT) people involves adequate scientific and supervised practical
      training, with increasing depth and complexity across training levels. In order
      to further this goal, we offer 28 recommendations of minimum standards moving
      toward ideal training for LGBT-specific cultural competence. We review and
      synthesize the relevant literature to achieve and assess competence across the
      various levels of training (doctoral, internship, post-doctoral, and beyond) in
      order to guide the field towards best practices. These recommendations are
      aligned with educational and practice guidelines set forth by the field and
      informed by other allied professions in order to provide a roadmap for programs,
      faculty, and trainees in improving the training of psychologists to work with
      LGBT individuals.

PMID- 26279610
TI  - When they listen and when they watch: Pianists' use of nonverbal audio and visual
      cues during duet performance.
AB  - Nonverbal auditory and visual communication helps ensemble musicians predict each
      other's intentions and coordinate their actions. When structural characteristics
      of the music make predicting co-performers' intentions difficult (e.g., following
      long pauses or during ritardandi), reliance on incoming auditory and visual
      signals may change. This study tested whether attention to visual cues during
      piano-piano and piano-violin duet performance increases in such situations.
      Pianists performed the secondo part to three duets, synchronizing with recordings
      of violinists or pianists playing the primo parts. Secondos' access to incoming
      audio and visual signals and to their own auditory feedback was manipulated.
      Synchronization was most successful when primo audio was available, deteriorating
      when primo audio was removed and only cues from primo visual signals were
      available. Visual cues were used effectively following long pauses in the music,
      however, even in the absence of primo audio. Synchronization was unaffected by
      the removal of secondos' own auditory feedback. Differences were observed in how
      successfully piano-piano and piano-violin duos synchronized, but these effects of
      instrument pairing were not consistent across pieces. Pianists' success at
      synchronizing with violinists and other pianists is likely moderated by piece
      characteristics and individual differences in the clarity of cueing gestures
      used.

PMID- 26279612
TI  - Modified Dendrogram of High-dimensional Feature Space for Transfer Function
      Design.
AB  - We introduce a modified dendrogram (MD) (with sub-trees to represent the feature
      space clusters) and display it in continuous space for multi-dimensional transfer
      function (TF) design and modification. Such a TF for direct volume rendering
      often employs a multi-dimensional feature space. In an n-dimensional (nD) feature
      space, each voxel is described using n attributes and represented by a vector of
      n values. The MD reveals the hierarchical structure information of the high
      dimensional feature space clusters. Using the MD user interface (UI), the user
      can design and modify the TF in 2D in an intuitive and informative manner instead
      of designing it directly in multi-dimensional space where it is complicated and
      harder to understand the relationship of the feature space vectors. In addition,
      we provide the capability to interactively change the granularity of the MD. The
      coarse-grained MD shows primarily the global information of the feature space
      while the fine-grained MD reveals the finer details, and the separation ability
      of the high-dimensional feature space is completely preserved in the finest
      granularity. With the so called multi-grained method, the user can efficiently
      create a TF using the coarse-grained MD, then fine tune it with the finer-grained
      MDs to improve the quality of the volume rendering. Furthermore, we propose a
      fast interactive hierarchical clustering (FIHC) algorithm for accelerating the MD
      computation and supporting the interactive multi-grained TF design. In the FIHC,
      the finest-grained MD is established by linking the feature space vectors, then
      the feature space vectors being the leaves of this tree are clustered using a
      hierarchical leaf clustering (HLC) algorithm forming a leaf vector hierarchical
      tree (LVHT). The granularity of the MD can be changed by setting the precision of
      the LVHT. Our method is independent on the type of the attributes and supports
      arbitrary-dimension feature space.

PMID- 26279611
TI  - Income Generation in Recovering Heroin Users: A Comparative Analysis of Legal and
      Illegal Earnings.
AB  - Research has shown employment to be a central mediator to sustained recovery and
      community reentry for substance abusers; however, heroin users have lower
      employment rates and report lower mean incomes than other drug users. The authors
      of the present study assessed income generating behaviors of substance users
      recruited from substance abuse treatment facilities (N=247). Heroin users had
      higher mean incomes from illegal sources. Further, logistic regression analysis
      found heroin use to increase the likelihood of engagement in illegal income
      generating behaviors. As these results increase the likelihood of involvement in
      the criminal justice system, the implications for heroin specific treatment and
      rehabilitation are discussed.

PMID- 26279613
TI  - Conformal Magnifier: A Focus+Context Technique with Minimal Distortion.
AB  - We present the conformal magnifier, a novel interactive Focus+Context
      visualization technique to magnify a region of interest (ROI) using conformal
      mapping. Our framework allows the user to design an arbitrary magnifier to
      enlarge the features of interest while deforming part of the remaining areas
      without any cropping. By using conformal mapping, the ROI is magnified with
      minimal distortion, while the transition region is a smooth and continuous
      deformation between the focus and context regions. An interactive interface is
      designed for the user to select important features, design focus models of
      arbitrary shape and set deformation constraints to satisfy his/her specified
      requirements. We demonstrate the effectiveness, robustness and efficiency of our
      method using several applications: texts, maps, geographic images, data
      structures and multi-media visualization.

PMID- 26279615
TI  - Family Background, School-Age Trajectories of Activity Participation, and
      Academic Achievement at the Start of High School.
AB  - Applying latent class and regression techniques to data from the NICHD Study of
      Early Child Care and Youth Development (n = 997), this study explored the
      potential academic advantages of time spent in out-of-school activities. Of
      particular interest was how these potential advantages played out in relation to
      the timing and duration of activity participation and the family contexts in
      which it occurred. Participation closer to the start of high school-including
      consistent participants and latecomers-was associated with higher grades at the
      transition into high school, especially for youth from low-income families.
      Sensitivity analyses indicated that this link between school-age activity
      participation and adolescent academic progress was unlikely to be solely a
      function of selection. It also tended to be more pronounced among youth from
      lower-income families, although without varying by other aspects of family status
      or process.

PMID- 26279614
TI  - "Knowing That You're Not the Only One": Perspectives on Group-Based Cognitive
      Behavioral Therapy for Adherence and Depression (CBT-AD) in Adults With Type 1
      Diabetes.
AB  - Depression and illness-specific distress are more common among adults with Type 1
      diabetes (T1DM) than the general population and have been associated with poorer
      control of blood glucose and increased risk for serious diabetes-related
      complications. Treatment nonadherence has also been associated with depressive
      symptoms and diabetes-related distress, and has repeatedly been suggested as an
      important modifiable behavioral pathway linking depression and diabetes outcomes.
      The present study reports on the feasibility and acceptability of a pilot
      intervention using group-based cognitive-behavioral therapy to improve treatment
      adherence among adults with T1DM and elevated levels of diabetes-related distress
      or depressive symptoms. We describe the components of the intervention and
      utilize qualitative data along with descriptive outcome data. Our findings
      suggest that participation in the group was acceptable and associated with
      reductions in depressive symptoms and diabetes-specific distress. Challenges to
      feasibility and future directions are discussed.

PMID- 26279616
TI  - Class-Wide Function-Related Intervention Teams "CW-FIT" Efficacy Trial Outcomes.
AB  - The purpose of the study was to determine the efficacy of the Class-wide Function
      related Intervention Teams (CW-FIT) program for improving students' on-task
      behavior, and increasing teacher recognition of appropriate behavior. The
      intervention is a group contingency classroom management program consisting of
      teaching and reinforcing appropriate behaviors (i.e., getting the teacher's
      attention, following directions, and ignoring inappropriate behaviors of peers).
      Seventeen elementary schools, the majority in urban and culturally diverse
      communities, participated in a randomized trial with 86 teachers (classrooms)
      assigned to CW-FIT, and 73 teachers (classrooms) assigned to the comparison
      group. Class-wide student on-task behavior improved over baseline levels in the
      intervention classes. Teachers were able to implement the intervention with high
      fidelity overall, as observed in adherence to 96% of the fidelity criteria on
      average. Teacher praise and attention to appropriate behaviors increased, and
      reprimands decreased. These effects were replicated in new classrooms each of the
      4 years of the study, and for all years combined.

PMID- 26279617
TI  - A Visualization Tool for Calculating the Genetic Substitution Patterns Between
      Two Different Groups.
AB  - We developed simulation tool for influenza virus variation (SimFluVar), an
      analytics software for calculating genomic variation among members of the
      influenza virus group. This study is related to computational evolutionary
      biology and evolutionary bioinformatics. SimFluVar is an analytical tool that can
      be used to calculate codon substitution patterns of viral genes. Designed to
      compare a large number of nucleotide sequences, SimFluVar provides precise
      patterns of codon variations between two viral groups, especially for the
      influenza virus. SimFluVar also provides useful functions, such as editing and
      visualization of the result matrix. This new tool can be used to analyze codon
      variation patterns over time as well as to analyze the genomic differences
      between viruses obtained from different geographical locations. SimFluVar is
      developed in C++, and Java RCP is used as a distribution package. SimFluVar,
      including the associated documentation, manuals, and examples, is publicly
      available at http://lcbb.snu.ac.kr/simfluvar. 

PMID- 26279618
TI  - A Single-Array-Based Method for Detecting Copy Number Variants Using Affymetrix
      High Density SNP Arrays and its Application to Breast Cancer.
AB  - Cumulative evidence has shown that structural variations, due to insertions,
      deletions, and inversions of DNA, may contribute considerably to the development
      of complex human diseases, such as breast cancer. High-throughput genotyping
      technologies, such as Affymetrix high density single-nucleotide polymorphism
      (SNP) arrays, have produced large amounts of genetic data for genome-wide SNP
      genotype calling and copy number estimation. Meanwhile, there is a great need for
      accurate and efficient statistical methods to detect copy number variants. In
      this article, we introduce a hidden-Markov-model (HMM)-based method, referred to
      as the PICR-CNV, for copy number inference. The proposed method first estimates
      copy number abundance for each single SNP on a single array based on the raw
      fluorescence values, and then standardizes the estimated copy number abundance to
      achieve equal footing among multiple arrays. This method requires no between
      array normalization, and thus, maintains data integrity and independence of
      samples among individual subjects. In addition to our efforts to apply new
      statistical technology to raw fluorescence values, the HMM has been applied to
      the standardized copy number abundance in order to reduce experimental noise.
      Through simulations, we show our refined method is able to infer copy number
      variants accurately. Application of the proposed method to a breast cancer
      dataset helps to identify genomic regions significantly associated with the
      disease. 

PMID- 26279619
TI  - Secondary Data Analytics of Aquaporin Expression Levels in Glioblastoma Stem-Like
      Cells.
AB  - Glioblastoma is the most common brain tumor in adults in which recurrence has
      been attributed to the presence of cancer stem cells in a hypoxic
      microenvironment. On the basis of tumor formation in vivo and growth type in
      vitro, two published microarray gene expression profiling studies grouped nine
      glioblastoma stem-like (GS) cell lines into one of two groups: full (GSf) or
      restricted (GSr) stem-like phenotypes. Aquaporin-1 (AQP1) and aquaporin-4 (AQP4)
      are water transport proteins that are highly expressed in primary glial-derived
      tumors. However, the expression levels of AQP1 and AQP4 have not been previously
      described in a panel of 92 glioma samples. Therefore, we designed secondary data
      analytics methods to determine the expression levels of AQP1 and AQP4 in GS cell
      lines and glioblastoma neurospheres. Our investigation also included a total of
      2,566 expression levels from 28 Affymetrix microarray probe sets encoding 13
      human aquaporins (AQP0-AQP12); CXCR4 (the receptor for stromal cell derived
      factor-1 [SDF-1], a potential glioma stem cell therapeutic target]); and PROM1
      (gene encoding CD133, the widely used glioma stem cell marker). Interactive
      visual representation designs for integrating phenotypic features and expression
      levels revealed that inverse expression levels of AQP1 and AQP4 correlate with
      distinct phenotypes in a set of cell lines grouped into full and restricted stem
      like phenotypes. Discriminant function analysis further revealed that AQP1 and
      AQP4 expression are better predictors for tumor formation and growth types in
      glioblastoma stem-like cells than are CXCR4 and PROM1. Future investigations are
      needed to characterize the molecular mechanisms for inverse expression levels of
      AQP1 and AQP4 in the glioblastoma stem-like neurospheres. 

PMID- 26279620
TI  - Applications of iPSCs in Cancer Research.
AB  - Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from reprogrammed somatic cells
      are emerging as one of the most versatile tools in biomedical research and
      pharmacological studies. Oncogenic transformation and somatic cell reprogramming
      are multistep processes that share some common features, and iPSCs generated from
      cancerous cells can help us better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying
      the initiation and progression of human cancers and overcome them. Aside from the
      mechanistic modeling of human tumorigenesis, immediate applications of this
      technology in cancer research include high-throughput drug screening,
      toxicological testing, early biomarker identification, and bioengineering of
      replacement tissues. Here, we review the current advances in generating iPSCs
      from cancer cell lines and patient-derived primary cancer tissues, and discuss
      their potential applications. 

PMID- 26279621
TI  - Spectrophotometric Determination of Cefixime Trihydrate in Pharmaceutical
      Formulations Based on Ion-Pair Reaction with Bromophenol Blue.
AB  - Cefixime trihydrate is a broad spectrum cephalosporin antibiotic, effective
      against gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial infections. Simple and rapid
      method has been developed for the determination of cefixime trihydrate in bulk
      and pharmaceutical formulations. This method was based on the formation of bluish
      green ion-pair complex of cefixime trihydrate with bromophenol blue in dimethyl
      sulfoxide (DMSO)-acetonitrile medium. Different parameters were studied and
      optimized. A 2:1 complex was formed between the drug and reagent almost
      instantaneously at room temperature which has lambdamax of 610 nm. Under optimum
      conditions, calibration curve was found to be linear over the range of 10-130 MUg
      mL(-1). The method was subjected to analytical quality control. The limit of
      detection was found to be 1.08 MUg mL(-1). Recovery studies and interference
      studies were carried out. The proposed method was successfully applied to the
      determination of cefixime trihydrate in bulk and pharmaceutical formulations with
      high precision and accuracy. 

PMID- 26279622
TI  - Correction to "Safety and Efficacy of Gadobutrol for Contrast-enhanced Magnetic
      Resonance Imaging of the Central Nervous System: Results from a Multicenter,
      Double-blind, Randomized, Comparator Study".

PMID- 26279623
TI  - Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms Caused by Assembly Errors.
AB  - We compare the results of three different assembler programs, Celera, Phrap and
      Mira2, for the same set of about a hundred thousand Sanger reads derived from an
      unknown bacterial genome. In difference to previous assembly comparisons we do
      not focus on speed of computation and numbers of assembled contigs but on how the
      different sequence assemblies agree by content. Threefold consistently assembled
      genome regions are identified in order to estimate a lower bound of erroneously
      identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) caused by nothing but the
      process of mathematical sequence assembly. We identified 509 sequence triplets
      common to all three de-novo assemblies spanning only 34% (3.3 Mb) of the
      bacterial genome with 175 of these regions (~1.5 Mb) including erroneous SNPs and
      insertion/deletions. Within these triplets this on average leads to one error per
      7,155 base pairs. Replacing the assembler Mira2 by the most recent version Mira3,
      the letter number even drops to 5,923. Our results therefore suggest that a
      considerably high number of erroneous SNPs may be present in current sequence
      data and mathematicians should urgently take up research on numerical stability
      of sequence assembly algorithms. Furthermore, even the latest versions of
      currently used assemblers produce erroneous SNPs that depend on the order reads
      are used as input. Such errors will severely hamper molecular diagnostics as well
      as relating genome variation and disease. This issue needs to be addressed
      urgently as the field is moving fast into clinical applications. 

PMID- 26279624
TI  - Design, Construction and Validation of Targeted BAC Array-Based CGH Test for
      Detecting the Most Commons Chromosomal Abnormalities.
AB  - We designed a targeted-array called GOLD (Gain or Loss Detection) Chip consisting
      of 900 FISH-mapped non-overlapping BAC clones spanning the whole genome to
      enhance the coverage of 66 unique human genomic regions involved in well known
      microdeletion/microduplication syndromes. The array has a 10 Mb backbone to
      guarantee the detection of the aneuploidies, and has an implemented resolution
      for telomeres, and for regions involved in common genomic diseases. In order to
      evaluate clinical diagnostic applicability of GOLDChip, analytical validity was
      carried-out via retrospective analysis of DNA isolated from a series of
      cytogenetically normal amniocytes and cytogenetically abnormal DNA obtained from
      cultured amniocytes, peripheral blood and/or cell lines. We recruited 47 DNA
      samples corresponding to pathologies with significant frequencies (Cri du Chat
      syndrome, Williams syndrome, Prader Willi/Angelman syndromes, Smith-Magenis
      syndrome, DiGeorge syndrome, Miller-Dieker syndrome, chromosomes 13, 18 and 21
      trisomies). We set up an experimental protocol that allowed to identify
      chromosomal rearrangements in all the DNA samples analyzed. Our results provide
      evidence that our targeted BAC array can be used for the identification of the
      most common microdeletion syndromes and common aneuploidies. 

PMID- 26279625
TI  - Efficacy of Single-stage Revision with Aggressive Debridement Using Intra
      articular Antibiotics in the Treatment of Infected Joint Prosthesis.
AB  - Prosthetic joint infections (PJI) of the hip and knee are uncommon, but result in
      significant morbidity and mortality when they do occur. Current management
      consists of a combination of either single- or two-stage exchange of the
      prosthesis and/or exchange of polymer components with intravenous (IV)
      antibiotics (4-6 weeks) and intraoperative debridement of the joint prior to
      reimplantation. However, failure rate, morbidity, and expense associated with
      current management are high, especially if the infection involves resistant
      pathogens and/or osteomyelitis. Also, the current use of systemic antibiotics
      does not allow for high local concentrations of the drug and biofilm penetration
      of the infected prosthesis. To overcome these difficulties, we examined the
      outcomes of aggressive operative debridement of the infected prosthesis. This was
      achieved through the use of a single-stage revision and administration of high
      concentrations of local intra-articular antibiotics via Hickman catheters. We
      present 57 patients with PJI who were treated with intra-articular antibiotics
      and single-stage revisions. Minimal systemic toxicity was observed along with a
      100% microbiologic cure rate and 89% without relapse at 11-month follow-up
      despite isolation of multidrug resistant pathogens. This is the largest study to
      date using this method in the treatment of PJI. 

PMID- 26279626
TI  - DNA Sequence Signatures for Rapid Detection of Six Target Bacterial Pathogens
      Using PCR Assays.
AB  - Using Streptococcus pyogenes as a model, we previously established a stepwise
      computational workflow to effectively identify species-specific DNA signatures
      that could be used as PCR primer sets to detect target bacteria with high
      specificity and sensitivity. In this study, we extended the workflow for the
      rapid development of PCR assays targeting Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus
      faecium, Clostridium perfringens, Clostridium difficile, Clostridium tetani, and
      Staphylococcus aureus, which are of safety concern for human tissue intended for
      transplantation. Twenty-one primer sets that had sensitivity of detecting 5-50 fg
      DNA from target bacteria with high specificity were selected. These selected
      primer sets can be used in a PCR array for detecting target bacteria with high
      sensitivity and specificity. The workflow could be widely applicable for the
      rapid development of PCR-based assays for a wide range of target bacteria,
      including those of biothreat agents. 

PMID- 26279627
TI  - Molecular Heterogeneity in Primary Breast Carcinomas and Axillary Lymph Node
      Metastases Assessed by Genomic Fingerprinting Analysis.
AB  - Molecular heterogeneity within primary breast carcinomas and among axillary lymph
      node (LN) metastases may impact diagnosis and confound treatment. In this study,
      we used short tandem repeated sequences to assess genomic heterogeneity and to
      determine hereditary relationships among primary tumor areas and regional
      metastases from 30 breast cancer patients. We found that primary carcinomas were
      genetically heterogeneous and sampling multiple areas was necessary to adequately
      assess genomic variability. LN metastases appeared to originate at different time
      periods during disease progression from different sites of the primary tumor and
      the extent of genomic divergence among regional metastases was associated with a
      less favorable patient outcome (P = 0.009). In conclusion, metastasis is a
      complex process influenced by primary tumor heterogeneity and variability in the
      timing of dissemination. Genomic variation in primary breast tumors and regional
      metastases may negatively impact clinical diagnostics and contribute to
      therapeutic resistance. 

PMID- 26279629
TI  - New Insight on the Role of Plasminogen Receptor in Cancer Progression.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Plasminogen system plays a crucial role in physiological and
      pathological events related to tissue regeneration, wound healing, immune
      response, angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis. It gets activated when
      plasminogen associates with its cell surface receptors. Latest information on
      some of the well-explored plasminogen receptors such as annexin II-S100A10,
      cytokeratin 8, alpha-enolase, plasminogen receptor (KT) (Plg-R(KT)) and histone
      H2B has been discussed in the present review. These receptors can pave the way
      for effective new therapeutic and diagnostic strategies to counteract malignant
      diseases. CONCLUSION: The present review concludes the key role of plasminogen
      receptors in extracellular matrix degradation, infiltration into surrounding
      tissues, neovascularization, invasion, metastasis and drug resistance. This
      review also discusses the possible effect of blocking these plasminogen receptors
      with monoclonal antibodies and DNA-based vaccination or silencing plasminogen
      receptor gene using small interfering RNA or short hairpin RNA to counteract
      cancer invasion and metastasis.

PMID- 26279630
TI  - Are Motor Skills and Motor Inhibitions Impaired in Tourette Syndrome? A Review.
AB  - Tourette syndrome (TS) is a neurodevelopmental motor disorder described as an
      inability to inhibit unwanted motor movements. This article reviews research on
      the execution and inhibition of voluntary motor movements in TS. Over last two
      decades, a number of studies have addressed the structural and functional
      deficits associated with this syndrome. Only a limited number of studies have
      assessed the motor skills in these patients but have failed to reach any
      conclusive outcome. In the domain of response inhibition also, studies have
      reported arguable impairments in these patients. It is suggested that these
      conflicting results can be attributed to co-occurring comorbid conditions, the
      constraints posed by variable age groups, lack of control measures, and lack of
      specificity of domains addressed. This review will describe a way in which future
      research can be directed to increase our knowledge of this otherwise complex
      spectrum of disorders. 

PMID- 26279628
TI  - Pattern Recognition Receptors in Cancer Progression and Metastasis.
AB  - The innate immune system is an integral component of the inflammatory response to
      pathophysiological stimuli. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and inflammasomes are the
      major sensors and pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) of the innate immune
      system that activate stimulus (signal)-specific pro-inflammatory responses.
      Chronic activation of PRRs has been found to be associated with the
      aggressiveness of various cancers and poor prognosis. Involvement of PRRs was
      earlier considered to be limited to infection- and injury-driven carcinogenesis,
      where they are activated by pathogenic ligands. With the recognition of damage
      associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) as ligands of PRRs, the role of PRRs in
      carcinogenesis has also been implicated in other non-pathogen-driven neoplasms.
      Dying (apoptotic or necrotic) cells shed a plethora of DAMPs causing persistent
      activation of PRRs, leading to chronic inflammation and carcinogenesis. Such
      chronic activation of TLRs promotes tumor cell proliferation and enhances tumor
      cell invasion and metastasis by regulating pro-inflammatory cytokines,
      metalloproteinases, and integrins. Due to the decisive role of PRRs in
      carcinogenesis, targeting PRRs appears to be an effective cancer-preventive
      strategy. This review provides a brief account on the association of PRRs with
      various cancers and their role in carcinogenesis. 

PMID- 26279631
TI  - Safety and Feasibility of a KineSpring Knee System for the Treatment of
      Osteoarthritis: A Case Series.
AB  - The treatment gap between conservative management and total knee arthroplasty may
      leave patients with moderate cases of knee osteoarthritis (OA) without an ideal
      treatment option. The KineSpring((r)) Knee Implant System may be a viable
      treatment option to fill the treatment gap for patients with knee OA who are not
      willing or inappropriate candidates for total knee arthroplasty, yet do not
      demonstrate relief with conservative treatments. This current paper reports a
      series of patients who received the KineSpring System and were followed for five
      years. Twelve patients were included in the case series. All 12 patients were
      diagnosed with symptomatic OA of the medial compartment of the knee. Pain and
      functional problems associated with OA improved with treatment using the
      KineSpring System. Furthermore, these improvements were seen over the course of
      five years. The findings of this study show the KineSpring System as a promising
      intervention for early-onset OA and warrant further investigation regarding its
      effectiveness. 

PMID- 26279632
TI  - Dasatinib Induced Avascular Necrosis of Femoral Head in Adult Patient with
      Chronic Myeloid Leukemia.
AB  - Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by
      the presence of the Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome resulting from the reciprocal
      translocation t(9;22)(q34;q11). The molecular consequence of this translocation
      is the generation of the BCR-ABL fusion gene, which encodes a constitutively
      active protein tyrosine kinase. The oncogenic protein tyrosine kinase, which is
      located in the cytoplasm, is responsible for the leukemia phenotype through the
      constitutive activation of multiple signaling pathways involved in the cell cycle
      and in adhesion and apoptosis. Avascular necrosis of the femoral head (AVNFH) is
      not a specific disease. It occurs as a complication or secondary to various
      causes. These conditions probably lead to impaired blood supply to the femoral
      head. The diagnosis of AVNFH is based on clinical findings and is supported by
      specific radiological manifestations. We reported a case of a 34-year-old
      Sudanese female with CML who developed AVNFH after receiving dasatinib as a
      second-line therapy. Though the mechanism by which dasatinib can cause avascular
      necrosis (AVN) is not clear, it can be postulated because of microcirculatory
      obstruction of the femoral head. To the best of our knowledge and after extensive
      literature search, this is the first reported case of AVNFH induced by dasatinib
      in a patient with CML. 

PMID- 26279633
TI  - Anti-Inflammatory Diet for Atherosclerosis and Coronary Artery Disease:
      Antioxidant Foods.
AB  - Oxidative stress plays a role in atherosclerotic diseases such as coronary artery
      disease (CAD), and much attention has been paid to antioxidant foods. The
      relationships between the consumption of vegetables and fruits and
      atherosclerotic diseases have been reported in many epidemiological studies
      showing a reduced risk of such diseases. In addition to the antioxidant vitamins
      C and E, green and yellow vegetables contain abundant quantities of carotenoids
      and polyphenols. The consumption of carotenoids and vitamins C and E has been
      shown to be inversely associated with CAD. However, supplementation with beta
      carotene and vitamins C and E shows no beneficial effect, but rather mortality is
      increased with beta-carotene and vitamin E supplements. Therefore, it is
      recommended to consume vegetables and fruits, but vitamin supplementation is not
      recommended. Many epidemiological studies also report that higher consumption of
      fish, rich in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), is associated with a lower
      risk of CAD and stroke. Antiatherosclerotic effects of n-3 PUFAs include reduced
      platelet aggregation, triglyceride-lowering effect, anti-inflammatory effect, and
      plaque stabilization, but the anti-inflammatory effect is principally responsible
      for preventing atherosclerosis. It is recommended to consume fish at least twice
      a week in patients without CAD and to consider n-3 PUFA supplements in patients
      with documented CAD. Regarding soy products, soy protein consumption reduces low
      density-lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Isoflavone, a polyphenol
      contained in soybeans, has antiatherosclerotic property because it has a
      structure similar to that of estrogen and bonds with estrogen receptors. High
      consumption of isoflavone has been reported to be associated with a reduced risk
      of CAD and stroke only in women, but the preventative effect of soy products in
      the general population has not yet been clarified. Thus, many epidemiological
      studies report the promising effects of antioxidant foods, but there are many
      unclear points remaining with regard to the contribution of the nutritional
      elements found in antioxidant foods to the prevention of atherosclerotic
      diseases. 

PMID- 26279634
TI  - An International Observational Prospective Survey Assessing the Control of Atrial
      Fibrillation in Asia-Pacific: Results of the Record-AFAP Registry.
AB  - A prospective 1-year observational survey was designed to assess the management
      and control of atrial fibrillation (AF) in eight countries within the Asia
      Pacific region. Patients (N = 2,604) with recently diagnosed AF or a history of
      AF <=1 year were included. Clinicians chose the treatment strategy (rhythm or
      rate control) according to their standard practice and medical discretion. The
      primary endpoint was therapeutic success. At baseline, rhythm- and rate-control
      strategies were applied to 35.7% and 64.3% of patients, respectively. At 12
      months, therapeutic success was 43.2% overall. Being assigned to rhythm-control
      strategy at baseline was associated with a higher therapeutic success (46.5% vs
      41.4%; P = 0.0214) and a lower incidence of clinical outcomes (10.4% vs 17.1% P <
      0.0001). Patients assigned to rate-control strategies at baseline had higher
      cardiovascular morbidities (history of heart failure or valvular heart disease).
      Cardiovascular outcomes may be less dependent on the choice of treatment strategy
      than cardiovascular comorbidities. 

PMID- 26279635
TI  - Accidental Rivaroxaban Overdose in a Patient with Pulmonary Embolism: Some
      Lessons for Managing New Oral Anticoagulants.
AB  - Rivaroxaban is an orally active direct factor Xa inhibitor used to treat venous
      thromboembolism with approved starting dose of 15 mg twice-daily. We present a
      case of an accidental overdose in a patient with pulmonary thromboembolism, when
      the patient received two 150 mg doses of rivaroxaban, instead of 15 mg as
      prescribed, given 12 hours apart. This error was recognised ten minutes after the
      second dose, when 50 gm oral activated charcoal was given. Rivaroxaban was
      stopped and rivaroxaban concentrations, INR, and APTT were monitored. The
      overdose was uncomplicated and 15 mg twice-daily rivaroxaban was restarted on day
      two. Apparently unlikely and potentially hazardous dispensing errors do happen.
      Each oral anticoagulant has a different dosing schedule. In our patient, the
      prescription for 15 mg twice-daily rivaroxaban was misread as 150 mg twice-daily
      (a correct dose for dabigatran in atrial fibrillation). Such errors are
      preventable. Prompt administration of activated charcoal under monitoring of a
      specific rivaroxaban assay can greatly help management of unusual situations like
      this one. 

PMID- 26279637
TI  - Treatment of Myasthenia Gravis in Patients with Elderly Onset at Advanced Age.
AB  - The number of patients with late-onset myasthenia gravis (MG) among patients >=50
      years has been increasing recently. We encountered three patients who developed
      elderly-onset MG at a particularly advanced age (>=80 years). All were female and
      positive for anti-acetylcholine receptor antibodies. About 4 years have passed
      since MG onset in all three patients and symptoms have been controlled without
      recurrence using a combination of oral low-dose prednisolone and tacrolimus. As
      many cases of elderly-onset MG do not require strong immunosuppression, we
      recommend minimum immunosuppressive treatment to avoid adverse events,
      particularly in patients at an advanced age of >=80 years. 

PMID- 26279636
TI  - Recent Treatment of Interstitial Lung Disease with Idiopathic Inflammatory
      Myopathies.
AB  - Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a prognostic factor for poor outcome in
      polymyositis (PM)/dermatomyositis (DM). The appropriate management of ILD is very
      important to improve the prognosis of patients with PM/DM. ILD activity and
      severity depend on the disease subtype. Therefore, clinicians should determine
      therapeutic strategies according to the disease subtype in each patient with
      PM/DM. Anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 antibody and
      hyperferritinemia predict the development and severity of rapidly progressive
      (RP) ILD, particularly in East Asian patients. Combination therapy with
      corticosteroids, intravenous cyclophosphamide pulse, and calcineurin inhibitors
      should be administered in RP-ILD. In contrast, patients with anti-aminoacyl-tRNA
      synthetase (ARS) show better responses to corticosteroids alone. However, ILDs
      with anti-ARS often display disease recurrence or become refractory to
      corticosteroid monotherapy. Recent studies have demonstrated that the
      administration of tacrolimus or rituximab in addition to corticosteroids may be
      considered in ILD patients with anti-ARS. Large-scale, multicenter randomized
      clinical trials should be conducted in the future to confirm that the
      aforementioned agents exhibit efficacy in ILD patients with PM/DM. The
      pathophysiology of ILD with PM/DM should also be elucidated in greater detail to
      develop effective therapeutic strategies for patients with ILD in PM/DM. 

PMID- 26279638
TI  - Coordinating Chiral Ionic Liquids: Design, Synthesis, and Application in
      Asymmetric Transfer Hydrogenation under Aqueous Conditions.
AB  - Hydrophilic coordinating chiral ionic liquids with an amino alcohol substructure
      were developed and efficiently applied to the asymmetric reduction of ketones.
      Their careful design and adaptability to the desired reaction conditions allow
      for these chiral ionic liquids to be used as the sole source of chirality in a
      ruthenium-catalyzed transfer hydrogenation reaction of aromatic ketones. When
      used in this reaction system, these chiral ionic liquids afforded excellent
      yields and high enantioselectivities.

PMID- 26279639
TI  - Effects of the aqueous extract of a Tibetan herb, Rhodiola algida var. tangutica
      on proliferation and HIF-1alpha, HIF-2alpha expression in MCF-7 cells under
      hypoxic condition in vitro.
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Rhodiola algida var. tangutica is a traditional
      Tibetan herb. Its root and rhizome have been successfully used as an effective
      clinical remedy for the prevention and treatment of cancer and high-altitude
      sickness. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Rhodiola algida var.
      tangutica on hypoxic MCF-7 breast cancer cells and the underlying mechanisms.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: The antiproliferative effects of R. algida on MCF-7 breast
      cancer cells were compared in vitro under hypoxic and normal conditions by using
      MTT analysis. The influence of R. algida on cancer cell apoptosis was determined
      by flow cytometry. The expression levels of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1alpha
      and HIF-2alpha were evaluated by western blot analysis. RESULTS: R. algida
      inhibited the proliferation of MCF-7 breast cancer cells in a dose- and time
      dependent manner. The results of flow cytometry indicated that the
      antiproliferative effect of R. algida was mediated by apoptosis induction.
      Pretreatment with R. algida significantly suppressed the hypoxia-induced
      proliferation and expression of HIF-1alpha and HIF-2alpha in MCF-7 breast cancer
      cells. CONCLUSIONS: R. algida might exert an anti-carcinogenic effect on MCF-7
      breast cancer cells by decreasing the protein levels of HIF-1alpha and HIF
      2alpha, which are overexpressed under hypoxic conditions. This effect might be
      elicited by inhibiting the hypoxia-induced proliferation of MCF-7 breast cancer
      cells.

PMID- 26279640
TI  - Proteome analysis of shell matrix proteins in the brachiopod Laqueus rubellus.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The calcitic brachipod shells contain proteins that play pivotal
      roles in shell formation and are important in understanding the evolution of
      biomineralization. Here, we performed a large-scale exploration of shell matrix
      proteins in the brachiopod Laqueus rubellus. RESULTS: A total of 40 proteins from
      the shell were identified. Apart from five proteins, i.e., ICP-1, MSP130, a
      cysteine protease, a superoxide dismutase, and actin, all other proteins
      identified had no homologues in public databases. Among these unknown proteins,
      one shell matrix protein was identified with a domain architecture that includes
      a NAD(P) binding domain, an ABC-type transport system, a transmembrane region,
      and an aspartic acid rich region, which has not been detected in other
      biominerals. We also identified pectin lyase-like, trypsin inhibitor, and saposin
      B functional domains in the amino acid sequences of the shell matrix proteins.
      The repertoire of brachiopod shell matrix proteins also contains two basic amino
      acid-rich proteins and proteins that have a variety of repeat sequences.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests an independent origin and unique mechanisms for
      brachiopod shell formation.

PMID- 26279641
TI  - Psychotherapy for Bipolar Disorder in Adults: A Review of the Evidence.
AB  - Although pharmacotherapy is the mainstay of treatment for bipolar disorder,
      medication offers only partial relief for patients. Treatment with pharmacologic
      interventions alone is associated with disappointingly low rates of remission,
      high rates of recurrence, residual symptoms, and psychosocial impairment. Bipolar
      specific therapy is increasingly recommended as an essential component of illness
      management. This review summarizes the available data on psychotherapy for adults
      with bipolar disorder. We conducted a search of the literature for outcome
      studies published between 1995 and 2013 and identified 35 reports of 28
      randomized controlled trials testing individual or group psychosocial
      interventions for adults with bipolar disorder. These reports include systematic
      trials investigating the efficacy and effectiveness of individual
      psychoeducation, group psychoeducation, individual cognitive-behavioral therapy,
      group cognitive-behavioral therapy, family therapy, interpersonal and social
      rhythm therapy, and integrated care management. The evidence demonstrates that
      bipolar disorder-specific psychotherapies, when added to medication for the
      treatment of bipolar disorder, consistently show advantages over medication alone
      on measures of symptom burden and risk of relapse. Whether delivered in a group
      or individual format, those who receive bipolar disorder-specific psychotherapy
      fare better than those who do not. Psychotherapeutic strategies common to most
      bipolar disorder-specific interventions are identified.

PMID- 26279642
TI  - Asymptotically Optimal Motion Planning for Learned Tasks Using Time-Dependent
      Cost Maps.
AB  - : In unstructured environments in people's homes and workspaces, robots executing
      a task may need to avoid obstacles while satisfying task motion constraints,
      e.g., keeping a plate of food level to avoid spills or properly orienting a
      finger to push a button. We introduce a sampling-based method for computing
      motion plans that are collision-free and minimize a cost metric that encodes task
      motion constraints. Our time-dependent cost metric, learned from a set of
      demonstrations, encodes features of a task's motion that are consistent across
      the demonstrations and, hence, are likely required to successfully execute the
      task. Our sampling-based motion planner uses the learned cost metric to compute
      plans that simultaneously avoid obstacles and satisfy task constraints. The
      motion planner is asymptotically optimal and minimizes the Mahalanobis distance
      between the planned trajectory and the distribution of demonstrations in a
      feature space parameterized by the locations of task-relevant objects. The motion
      planner also leverages the distribution of the demonstrations to significantly
      reduce plan computation time. We demonstrate the method's effectiveness and speed
      using a small humanoid robot performing tasks requiring both obstacle avoidance
      and satisfaction of learned task constraints. NOTE TO PRACTITIONERS: Motivated by
      the desire to enable robots to autonomously operate in cluttered home and
      workplace environments, this paper presents an approach for intuitively training
      a robot in a manner that enables it to repeat the task in novel scenarios and in
      the presence of unforeseen obstacles in the environment. Based on user-provided
      demonstrations of the task, our method learns features of the task that are
      consistent across the demonstrations and that we expect should be repeated by the
      robot when performing the task. We next present an efficient algorithm for
      planning robot motions to perform the task based on the learned features while
      avoiding obstacles. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our motion planner for
      scenarios requiring transferring a powder and pushing a button in environments
      with obstacles, and we plan to extend our results to more complex tasks in the
      future.

PMID- 26279645
TI  - High-Frequency Replanning Under Uncertainty Using Parallel Sampling-Based Motion
      Planning.
AB  - As sampling-based motion planners become faster, they can be re-executed more
      frequently by a robot during task execution to react to uncertainty in robot
      motion, obstacle motion, sensing noise, and uncertainty in the robot's kinematic
      model. We investigate and analyze high-frequency replanning (HFR), where, during
      each period, fast sampling-based motion planners are executed in parallel as the
      robot simultaneously executes the first action of the best motion plan from the
      previous period. We consider discrete-time systems with stochastic nonlinear (but
      linearizable) dynamics and observation models with noise drawn from zero mean
      Gaussian distributions. The objective is to maximize the probability of success
      (i.e., avoid collision with obstacles and reach the goal) or to minimize path
      length subject to a lower bound on the probability of success. We show that, as
      parallel computation power increases, HFR offers asymptotic optimality for these
      objectives during each period for goal-oriented problems. We then demonstrate the
      effectiveness of HFR for holonomic and nonholonomic robots including car-like
      vehicles and steerable medical needles.

PMID- 26279644
TI  - Effects of oral phosphatidic acid feeding with or without whey protein on muscle
      protein synthesis and anabolic signaling in rodent skeletal muscle.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Phosphatidic acid (PA) is a diacyl-glycerophospholipid that acts as a
      signaling molecule in numerous cellular processes. Recently, PA has been proposed
      to stimulate skeletal muscle protein accretion, but mechanistic studies are
      lacking. Furthermore, it is unknown whether co-ingesting PA with other leucine
      containing ingredients can enhance intramuscular anabolic signaling mechanisms.
      Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine if oral PA feeding acutely
      increases anabolic signaling markers and muscle protein synthesis (MPS) in
      gastrocnemius with and without whey protein concentrate (WPC). METHODS: Overnight
      fasted male Wistar rats (~250 g) were randomly assigned to four groups: control
      (CON, n = 6-13), PA (29 mg; n = 8), WPC (197 mg; n = 8), or PA + WPC (n = 8).
      Three hours post-feeding, gastrocnemius muscle was removed for markers of Akt
      mTOR signaling, gene expression patterns related to skeletal muscle mass
      regulation and metabolism, and MPS analysis via the SUnSET method. RESULTS:
      Compared to CON rats, PA, WPC and PA + WPC resulted in a significant elevation in
      the phosphorylation of mTOR (Ser2481) and rps6 (Ser235/236) (p < 0.05) in the
      gastrocnemius though there were no differences between the supplemented groups.
      MPS levels in the gastrocnemius were significantly (p < 0.05) elevated in WPC
      versus CON rats, and tended to be elevated in PA versus CON rats (p = 0.08),
      though MPS was less in PA + WPC versus WPC rats (p < 0.05) in spite of robust
      increases in mTOR pathway activity markers in the former group. C2C12 myoblast
      data agreed with the in vivo data herein showing that PA increased MPS levels 51%
      (p < 0.001) phosphorylated p70s6k (Thr389) levels 67% (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS:
      Our results are the first in vivo evidence to demonstrate that PA tends to
      increases MPS 3 h post-feeding, though PA may delay WPC-mediated MPS kinetics
      within a 3 h post-feeding window.

PMID- 26279643
TI  - PEYRONIE'S DISEASE: A REVIEW OF ETIOLOGY, DIAGNOSIS, AND MANAGEMENT.
AB  - Peyronie's Disease (PD) is a superficial fibrosing disorder of the penis
      resulting in plaque formation and penile deformity. Once considered rare, PD has
      more recently been found in up to 13% of men, and can negatively affect sexual
      and psychosocial function of both patients and their partners. While the etiology
      of PD is unclear, it is thought to result from an inciting traumatic event
      followed by aberrant fibrosis or dysregulated wound healing. The evaluation of
      men presenting with PD includes a detailed history and physical exam, focusing on
      the penis in both the flaccid and erect states. PD is often associated with
      erectile dysfunction (ED), as well as several other comorbidities. Laboratory
      testing is not needed to diagnose PD, although given the associations between PD
      and systemic diseases including hypogonadism, diabetes, and cardiovascular
      disease, screening and work-up for these conditions in men with PD may be
      warranted. Treatment modalities for PD are diverse and include oral, topical,
      intralesional, mechanical, and surgical therapies. Oral, topical, and mechanical
      therapies generally have little evidence supporting their efficacy. Several
      intralesional therapies, including interferon alpha2b and collagenase Clostridium
      hystiolyticum have demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of PD. Surgical
      treatment, indicated in men with significant, stable deformity, includes
      plication of the tunica albuginea, plaque incision/excision and grafting, and
      placement of inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) with or without additional
      maneuvers to achieve desired results, and has high success rates.

PMID- 26279646
TI  - Acute behavioral interventions and outpatient treatment strategies with suicidal
      adolescents.
AB  - Despite the prevalence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors among adolescents,
      there is limited knowledge of effective interventions to use with this
      population. This paper reviews the findings of studies on behavioral
      interventions for adolescents who are at acute suicide risk, as well as
      outpatient treatment and risk management strategies with suicidal adolescents.
      The importance of addressing comorbid behaviors and enhancing protective factors
      are discussed. Cultural considerations in working with suicidal adolescents and
      strategies for conducting culturally competent treatment are explored.

PMID- 26279648
TI  - Gene Fusion due to Chromosome Misconnection May Seriously Affect Your Health.

PMID- 26279649
TI  - MAN1B1 Mutation Leads to a Recognizable Phenotype: A Case Report and Future
      Prospects.
AB  - Intellectual disability (ID) is one of the most common reasons for referral to
      genetic counseling. Nevertheless, in over 50% of the cases no diagnosis can be
      made. Here, we present how exome sequencing in combination with medical genetics
      evaluation led to the identification of a known pathogenic homozygous mutation in
      MAN1B1 in a consanguineous Turkish family. The phenotype comprised mild ID,
      truncal obesity and facial dysmorphism, comparable to that of the patients in the
      3 recent publications on mutations in this gene. Clinically, the majority of
      patients in the literature showed congenital disorder of glycosylation syndrome
      type 2. In this study, we summarize the current knowledge about MAN1B1 mutations
      from the literature as well as databases and suggest that exome sequencing should
      be implemented in a larger scale in routine diagnostics, since autosomal
      recessive ID has proven to be extremely heterogeneous. Even syndromic patterns
      may only become recognizable retrospectively. 

PMID- 26279647
TI  - Blood-based lung cancer biomarkers identified through proteomic discovery in
      cancer tissues, cell lines and conditioned medium.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Support for early detection of lung cancer has emerged from the
      National Lung Screening Trial (NLST), in which low-dose computed tomography
      (LDCT) screening reduced lung cancer mortality by 20 % relative to chest x-ray.
      The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recently recommended annual
      screening for the high-risk population, concluding that the benefits (life years
      gained) outweighed harms (false positive findings, abortive biopsy/surgery,
      radiation exposure). In making their recommendation, the USPSTF noted that the
      moderate net benefit of screening was dependent on the resolution of most false
      positive results without invasive procedures. Circulating biomarkers may serve as
      a valuable adjunctive tool to imaging. RESULTS: We developed a broad-based
      proteomics discovery program, integrating liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry
      (LC/MS) analyses of freshly resected lung tumor specimens (n = 13), lung cancer
      cell lines (n = 17), and conditioned media collected from tumor cell lines (n =
      7). To enrich for biomarkers likely to be found at elevated levels in the
      peripheral circulation of lung cancer patients, proteins were prioritized based
      on predicted subcellular localization (secreted, cell-membrane associated) and
      differential expression in disease samples. 179 candidate biomarkers were
      identified. Several markers selected for further validation showed elevated
      levels in serum collected from subjects with stage I NSCLC (n = 94), relative to
      healthy smoker controls (n = 189). An 8-marker model was developed (TFPI, MDK,
      OPN, MMP2, TIMP1, CEA, CYFRA 21-1, SCC) which accurately distinguished subjects
      with lung cancer (n = 50) from high risk smokers (n = 50) in an independent
      validation study (AUC = 0.775). CONCLUSIONS: Integrating biomarker discovery from
      multiple sample types (fresh tissue, cell lines and conditioned medium) has
      resulted in a diverse repertoire of candidate biomarkers. This unique collection
      of biomarkers may have clinical utility in lung cancer detection and diagnoses.

PMID- 26279650
TI  - Two New Cases of 1p21.3 Deletions and an Unbalanced Translocation t(8;12) among
      Individuals with Syndromic Obesity.
AB  - Obesity is a highly heritable but genetically heterogeneous disorder. Various
      well-known microdeletion syndromes (e.g. 1p36, 2q37, 6q16, 9q34, 17p11.2) can
      cause this phenotype along with intellectual disability (ID) and other findings.
      Chromosomal microarrays have identified 'new' microdeletion/duplication syndromes
      often associated with obesity. We report on 2 unrelated patients with an
      overlapping region of deletion at 1p21.3p21.2, and a third patient with a de novo
      recurrent unbalanced translocation der(8)t(8;12)(p23.1;p13.31), detected by 180K
      array CGH in a prospective cohort of syndromic obesity patients. Deletion of
      1p21.3 is a rare condition, and there have been only 11 cases of the same
      recurrent translocation between chromosomes 8 and 12 [t(8;12)] reported to date.
      The former has been associated with ID, autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) and mild
      dysmorphic features, and in 4 patients who were obese or had a tendency to
      obesity, a minimal overlapping region of 2 genes, DPYD and MIR137, was detected;
      t(8;12) has recently been recognized to cause a childhood obesity syndrome due to
      duplication of the GNB3 gene. Thus, our findings add to the existing literature
      on the clinical description of these new syndromes, providing additional support
      that these loci are associated with syndromic obesity. We suggest that
      heterozygous loss of MIR137 may contribute to obesity as well as ID and ASD. 

PMID- 26279651
TI  - Phenotypic Variability Associated with a Large Recurrent 1q21.1 Microduplication
      in a Three-Generation Family.
AB  - Recurrent copy number variants of the q21.1 region of chromosome 1 have been
      associated with variable clinical features, including developmental delay, mild
      to moderate intellectual disability, psychiatric and behavioral problems,
      congenital heart malformations, and craniofacial abnormalities. A subset of
      individuals is clinically unaffected. We describe a unique 3-generation family
      with a large recurrent 1q21.1 microduplication (BP2-BP4). Our observations
      underline the incomplete penetrance and phenotypic variability of this
      rearrangement. We also confirm the association with congenital heart
      malformations, chronic depression, and anxiety. Furthermore, we report a broader
      range of dysmorphic features. The extreme phenotypic heterogeneity observed in
      this family suggests that additional factors modify the clinical phenotype. 

PMID- 26279652
TI  - Novel Mutation and Structural RNA Analysis of the Noncoding RNase MRP Gene in
      Cartilage-Hair Hypoplasia.
AB  - Cartilage-hair hypoplasia (CHH) is an autosomal recessive disorder which is
      characterized by bone metaphysis anomalies with manifestations that include short
      stature, defective cellular immunity, and predisposition to several cancers. It
      is caused by mutations in RMRP, which is transcribed as an RNA component of the
      mitochondrial RNA-processing ribonuclease. We report the clinical and molecular
      data of a Moroccan patient with CHH. Sequencing of RMRP identified 2 mutations in
      the patient: the known mutation g.97G>A and the variation g.27G>C, which has not
      been reported previously. Given the high mutational heterogeneity, the high
      frequency of variations in the region, and the fact that RMRP is a non-coding
      gene, assigning the pathogenicity to RMRP mutations remains a difficult task.
      Therefore, we compared the characteristics of the primary and secondary
      structures of mutated RMRP sequences. The location of our mutations within the
      secondary structure of the RMRP molecule revealed that the novel g.27G>C mutation
      causes a disruption in the Watson-Crick base pairing, which results in an
      impairment of a highly conserved P3 domain. Our work prompts considering the
      consequences of novel RMRP nucleotide variations on conserved RNA structures to
      gain insights into the pathogenicity of mutations. 

PMID- 26279653
TI  - Cleidocranial Dysplasia with Normal Clavicles: A Report of a Novel Genotype and a
      Review of Seven Previous Cases.
AB  - We report an unusual combination of features comprising delayed tooth eruption
      and closure of the anterior fontanel as the sole presenting features in a child
      with cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD). Radiological survey revealed the presence of
      wormian bones in the skull, pseudoepiphysis at the base of the bilateral second
      metacarpal, and midline ossification defects at pubic symphysis in the presence
      of essentially normal clavicles. DNA sequencing of the RUNX2 gene detected a
      novel nonsense mutation in exon1 (c.166C>T; p.Q56X) in its glutamine-alanine
      (Q/A) repeat domain. The genotypes of all published cases of CCD with normal
      clavicles were reviewed. Additional dental and otolaryngological features were
      enlisted. Three cases with a milder dental phenotype and normal clavicles were
      associated with a mutation in the Q/A domain. Collectively, we found a novel CCD
      causing nonsense mutation p.Q56X in the Q/A domain of the RUNX2 gene. 

PMID- 26279654
TI  - Intragenic Deletion in the LIFR Gene in a Long-Term Survivor with Stuve-Wiedemann
      Syndrome.
AB  - Stuve-Wiedemann syndrome (SWS, OMIM 601559) is a rare autosomal recessive bent
      bone dysplasia, caused by loss-of-function mutations in the leukemia inhibitory
      factor receptor (LIFR) gene, which usually leads to early death. Only few
      patients with long-term survival have been described in the literature. We report
      on a 5-year-old boy from a consanguineous marriage with molecular analysis for
      the LIFR gene. Sanger and next-generation sequencing (NGS) of LIFR were
      performed. Copy number variation analysis with NGS showed a novel mutation as the
      cause for the syndrome: an intragenic homozygous deletion in LIFR, involving
      exons 15-20. Bridging PCR was carried out to confirm the intragenic deletion.
      This is the first description of a large deletion in LIFR, broadening the
      spectrum of mutations in SWS. Besides the reported allelic heterogeneity, further
      studies such as exome sequencing are required to identify a novel gene in order
      to confirm the locus heterogeneity in SWS. 

PMID- 26279655
TI  - Recurrent Nonconvulsive Status Epilepticus in a Patient with Coffin-Lowry
      Syndrome.
AB  - Coffin-Lowry syndrome (CLS) is a rare neurodevelopmental condition caused by
      heterogeneous mutations in the RPS6KA3 gene on the X chromosome, leading to
      severe intellectual disability and dysmorphism in men, while women are carriers
      and only weakly affected. CLS is well known for stimulus-induced drop episodes;
      however, epilepsy is not commonly reported in this condition. We report on a CLS
      patient presenting with recurrent episodes of nonconvulsive status epilepticus
      (NCSE) with generalized epileptic activity, for which investigations did not find
      any other cause than the patient's genetic condition. This case underlines that
      the possibility of nonconvulsive epileptic seizures and status epilepticus
      should, therefore, be considered in those patients. The treatable diagnosis of
      NCSE may easily be overlooked, as symptoms can be unspecific. 

PMID- 26279656
TI  - Exome Sequencing Identification of EP300 Mutation in a Proband with Coloboma and
      Imperforate Anus: Possible Expansion of the Phenotypic Spectrum of Rubinstein
      Taybi Syndrome.
AB  - Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome (RSTS) is a multisystem developmental disorder
      characterized by facial dysmorphisms, broad thumbs and halluces, growth
      retardation, and intellectual disability. In about 8% of RSTS cases, mutations
      are found in EP300. Previously, the EP300 mutation has been shown to cause the
      highly variable RSTS phenotype. Using exome sequencing, we identified a de novo
      EP300 frameshift mutation in a proband with coloboma, facial asymmetry and
      imperforate anus with minimal RSTS features. Previous molecular studies have
      demonstrated the importance of EP300 in oculogenesis, supporting the possibility
      that EP300 mutation may cause ocular coloboma. Since a wide phenotypic spectrum
      is well known in EP300-associated RSTS cases, the atypical phenotype identified
      in our proband may be an example of rare manifestations of RSTS. 

PMID- 26279657
TI  - Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke: Considerations from Recent
      Randomized Trials.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite increasing use of intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen
      activator therapy, the large number of patients ineligible for treatment or for
      whom treatment is ineffective has become problematic. SUMMARY: The number of
      endovascular treatments for acute ischemic stroke is increasing each year. This
      treatment provides higher recanalization rates for occluded vessels but may lead
      to hemorrhagic complications such as subarachnoid hemorrhage. Results were
      announced for three randomized controlled trials in 2013, with all failing to
      show the superiority of endovascular treatment. These results have had a major
      negative impact, but a new randomized controlled trial, the Multicenter
      Randomized CLinical trial of Endovascular treatment for Acute ischemic stroke in
      the Netherlands (MR CLEAN), showed that acute endovascular treatment was superior
      to standard medical treatment in terms of clinical outcomes. With this positive
      result, interim analyses from other randomized trials appear likely to show the
      effectiveness of endovascular treatment. KEY MESSAGE: Clinical evidence of acute
      stroke intervention using mechanical devices might be established in the near
      future.

PMID- 26279658
TI  - Spontaneous Thrombosis of a Ruptured Brain Arteriovenous Malformation: The
      Argument for Early Conservative Management.
AB  - Generally, definitive treatment of brain arteriovenous malformations (BAVM)
      presenting with hemorrhage is recommended to prevent recurrent hemorrhage. The
      risk of craniotomy and resection of BAVM has been well described using the
      Spetzler-Martin grading scale; however, the optimal timing for the definitive
      treatment of ruptured BAVM remains unclear. We report an interesting case of
      spontaneous BAVM thrombosis in which the patient presented with right occipital
      intracerebral hemorrhage caused by ruptured right occipital micro-BAVM. A
      preoperative angiogram 4 months later demonstrated spontaneous thrombosis of the
      AVM. Despite the risk of re-bleeding, the decision to defer treatment in the
      acute stage of illness in this case was based on the absence of high-risk
      angioarchitectural features in the arteriovenous malformations (AVM). It is
      important to emphasize the potential benefits of early conservative management,
      particularly in patients with low-risk angiographic features. We also review the
      literature of spontaneous BAVM thrombosis and discuss the potential benefit of
      early conservative management. 

PMID- 26279659
TI  - Comparison of Intraoperative Indocyanine Green Angiography and Digital
      Subtraction Angiography for Clipping of Intracranial Aneurysms.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Residual aneurysm after microsurgical clipping carries a risk of
      aneurysm growth and rupture. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) remains the
      standard to determine the adequacy of clipping. Intraoperative indocyanine green
      (ICG) angiography is increasingly utilized to confirm optimal clip positioning
      across the neck and to evaluate the adjacent vasculature. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated
      the correlation between ICG and DSA in clipped intracranial aneurysms. METHODS: A
      retrospective study of patients who underwent craniotomy and microsurgical
      clipping of intracranial aneurysms with ICG for 2 years. Patient characteristics,
      presentation details, operative reports, and pre- and postclipping angiographic
      images were reviewed to determine the adequacy of the clipping. RESULTS: Forty
      seven patients underwent clipping with ICG and postoperative DSA: 57 aneurysms
      were clipped; 23 patients (48.9%) presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage. Nine
      aneurysms demonstrated a residual on DSA not identified on ICG (residual sizes
      ranged from 0.5 to 4.3 mm; average size: 1.8 mm). Postoperative DSA demonstrated
      no branch occlusions. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative ICG is useful in the clipping of
      intracranial aneurysms to ensure a gross patency of branch vessels; however, the
      presence of residual aneurysms and subtle changes in flow in branch vessels is
      best seen by DSA. This has important clinical implications with regard to follow
      up imaging and surgical/endovascular management.

PMID- 26279660
TI  - Coil Embolization of Wide-Neck Bifurcation Aneurysms Using a Single-Balloon
      Microcatheter.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Coil embolization of wide-neck cerebral aneurysms frequently requires
      stent or balloon assistance. Such approaches to coil embolization increase the
      procedural complexity, adding risk and cost. OBJECTIVE: To describe a series of
      coil embolization procedures performed using a single-balloon microcatheter to
      treat wide-neck aneurysms and establish the safety, feasibility and efficacy of
      this technique. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed to identify cases
      in which the Ascent balloon (Codman Neurovascular, Raynham, Mass., USA) was used
      as a single-balloon microcatheter for aneurysm coil embolization at two
      institutions. Clinical, demographic and angiographic data were obtained, and
      aneurysm volumes as well as packing densities (PD) were calculated. RESULTS:
      Eight cerebral aneurysms were treated using this technique. Six of these were
      unruptured. The aneurysms had an average neck diameter of 3.7 mm, and the maximum
      dimension ranged from 5 to 11 mm, with a mean of 7.5 mm. The mean aspect ratio
      was 2.07. The mean volume of the aneurysms was 180.38 mm(3). The average PD
      achieved in these 8 aneurysms was 41.79%. Complete occlusion with coil
      embolization [Raymond-Roy Occlusion Classification (RROC) 1] was achieved in all
      cases except one, where a small residual was left deliberately and the occlusion
      grade was RROC 2. There were no intraprocedural complications. CONCLUSION: This
      initial experience demonstrates the feasibility and immediate outcomes of a
      single-balloon microcatheter technique in coil embolization of wide-neck cerebral
      aneurysms. This technique may be used to achieve a high PD, comparable to that
      obtained with stent-assisted coiling or coiling alone, while avoiding permanent
      stent placement and potentially reducing thromboembolic complications.

PMID- 26279661
TI  - Ipsilateral Infarct in Newly Diagnosed Cervical Internal Carotid Artery
      Atherosclerotic Occlusion.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine factors associated with recent infarct (RI) in
      patients with newly identified atherosclerotic cervical internal carotid artery
      occlusion (CICAO). METHODS: This was a retrospective review of consecutive
      patients who underwent cervical CT angiography from 2002 to 2006 at a single
      tertiary center. RI was defined by positive diffusion-weighted imaging/apparent
      diffusion coefficient magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the correspondent CICAO
      territory. Subjects were dichotomized into those with a RI versus patients with
      no RI (No-RI). RESULTS: Of 2,459 patients with cervical CT angiograms in the
      study period, 108 (4.4%) had complete medical records and brain MRI and were
      included. The mean age was 64 +/- 13 years, 58% were men, and 62 (57%) had a RI.
      The demographics of the RI and No-RI patients were comparable, with the exception
      that those with RI had a lower frequency of coronary artery disease (CAD, 13 vs.
      54%; p < 0.01) and dyslipidemia (38 vs. 69%; p < 0.01). The use of antiplatelets
      was not statistically different between the groups (56 vs. 71%; p = 0.1).
      Subjects with RI were less likely on statins (21 vs. 56%; p < 0.01) and
      antihypertensives (9 vs. 71%; p < 0.01). Multivariate regression revealed that
      CAD, the use of statins, and the use of antihypertensives were associated with No
      RI CICAO presentation. CONCLUSION: The use of statins and antihypertensives is
      associated with a decreased risk of RI atherosclerotic CICAO.

PMID- 26279662
TI  - Safety and Efficacy of Mechanical Thrombectomy Using Stent Retrievers in the
      Endovascular Treatment of Acute Ischaemic Stroke: A Systematic Review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The treatment of choice for acute ischaemic stroke is the intravenous
      administration of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator within 3-4.5 h of
      symptom onset. However, the use of a thrombolytic would be limited by its narrow
      therapeutic window and contraindications. As a result, in recent years,
      techniques such as mechanical thrombectomy have emerged, which employ thrombus
      retrieval devices, such as stent retrievers (SolitaireTM, Trevo(r) or ReviveTM),
      whose safety and efficacy in the endovascular treatment of acute ischaemic stroke
      is analysed in this article. METHODS: A systematic literature search was
      undertaken until March 2015. The quality of evidence was assessed according to
      the GRADE methodology. A meta-analysis of the results of randomised controlled
      trials (RCTs) was performed, and the weighted average for the case series' sample
      size was calculated (Review Manager v5.2 and SPSS v19). RESULTS: Seventeen
      primary studies (2 RCTs, SolitaireTM and Trevo(r) vs. Merci(r), and 15 case
      series) were selected. The RCT results show that stent retrievers have a safety
      profile similar to the Merci(r) device. However, both SolitaireTM and Trevo(r)
      achieved a higher recanalisation success rate (OR, 4.56; 95% CI, 2.63-7.90; p <
      0.00001) and appropriate clinical outcome at 90 days (OR, 2.54; 95% CI, 1.52
      4.25; p < 0.0004), although the 90-day mortality rate was similar in both groups
      (OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.17-3.37; p = 0.70). CONCLUSIONS: Stent retrievers appear to
      be safe and effective devices, achieving high recanalisation rates and good
      clinical outcomes in the endovascular treatment of patients with acute ischaemic
      stroke due to the occlusion of intracranial arteries in comparison with the clot
      retriever Merci(r).

PMID- 26279663
TI  - Demographic and Technical Risk Factors of 30-Day Stroke, Myocardial Infarction,
      and/or Death in Standard- and High-Risk Patients Who Underwent Carotid
      Angioplasty and Stenting.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS) is an accepted treatment to
      prevent stroke in patients with carotid artery stenosis. The purpose of this
      study is to identify risk factors for major complications after CAS. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: This is a prospective study that was conducted at Shiraz University
      of Medical Sciences in southern Iran from March 2011 to June 2014. Consecutive
      patients undergoing CAS were enrolled. Both standard- and high-risk patients for
      endarterectomy were enrolled. Demographic data, atherosclerotic risk factors,
      site of stenosis, degree of stenosis, and data regarding technical factors were
      recorded. Thirty-day stroke, myocardial infarction, and/or death were considered
      as the composite primary outcomes of the study. RESULTS: A total of 251 patients
      were recruited (mean age: 71.1 +/- 9.6 years; male: 65.3%). Of these, 178 (70.9%)
      were symptomatic, 73 (29.1%) were diabetic, 129 (51.4%) were hyperlipidemic, 165
      (65.7%) were hypertensive, and 62 (24.7%) patients were smokers. CAS was
      performed for left internal carotid artery (ICA) in 113 (45.4%) patients.
      Fourteen (5.6%) patients had sequential bilateral stenting. Mean stenosis of
      operated ICA was 80.2 +/- 13.8%. An embolic protection device was used in 203
      (96.2%) patients. Pre- and postdilation were performed in 39 (18.5%) and 182
      (86.3%) patients, respectively. Composite outcomes were observed in 3.6% of
      patients (3.2% stroke, 0% myocardial infarction, and 1.2% death). Left-sided
      lesions and the presence of diabetes mellitus were significantly associated with
      poor short-term outcome (p = 0.025 and p = 0.020, respectively). CONCLUSION:
      There was a higher risk of short-term major complications in diabetic patients
      and for left carotid artery intervention.

PMID- 26279664
TI  - Early Experience with the TransFormTM Occlusion Balloon Catheter: A Single-Center
      Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Balloon-assisted coil embolization has become an
      important adjunct in the endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms. The
      management of broad-necked cerebral aneurysms is technically perplexed due to a
      variety of factors, which include the difficulty in defining the aneurysm-parent
      vessel interface angiographically and problems in achieving complete aneurysmal
      occlusion. This could later predispose to regrowth or recanalization. We sought
      to determine the safety and efficacy of the TransFormTM occlusion balloon
      catheter (TOBC) for the coiling of intracranial aneurysms at our institute.
      METHODS: A retrospective review was performed to identify TOBC cases between May
      1, 2013, and April 30, 2014. RESULTS: A total of 24 TOBC cases were identified.
      In 23 cases, the TOBC was used for balloon-remodeled coil embolization, and in 1
      case, it was used for vasospasm treatment alone. Out of the total 24 cases in
      which the TOBC was used, 16 (66.6%) were ruptured aneurysms. Stents were used in
      6/23 (26%) cases. In all cases, the balloon could be placed as intended. The
      inflation and deflation times ranged from 3 to 4 s. No serious complications were
      noted. In the experience of the authors, the balloon performed the intended role
      in most cases. CONCLUSIONS: This series shows that the TOBC is feasible, safe and
      useful in the treatment of cerebral aneurysms. The balloon was traceable to the
      intended site and the preparation, inflation and deflation times were short. We
      believe that the TOBC has effective utility in treating broad-necked and small
      aneurysms.

PMID- 26279665
TI  - Neurointerventional Stenting and Antiplatelet Function Testing: To Do or Not to
      Do?
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Platelet function testing in neurointerventional (NI)
      procedures is still controversial. We compared the clinical outcomes between
      antiplatelet responders and nonresponders based on the results of the VerifyNow
      (VN) testing method. METHODS: This is a retrospective single-center analysis of
      all consecutive patients who underwent NI stenting procedures from January 2007
      through July 2013 and had documented preprocedural aspirin (ASA) and clopidogrel
      VN assays. Patients were divided into two groups based on their responsiveness to
      antiplatelet. Baseline characteristics, good functional outcome measured by the
      modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 90 days, combined procedural complication rate
      defined as postprocedural stroke, in-stent thrombosis, and intraoperative rupture
      were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Our cohort included 37 patients:
      26 were in the responder group (RG) and 11 were in the nonresponder group (NRG).
      Baseline characteristics were similar between the two groups. Even though the
      combined complication rate was similar between the two groups [NRG: 2/11 (18%)
      vs. RG: 2/26 (7%); p = 0.33], there was a trend for a higher rate of good
      functional outcome (90-day mRS: 0-2) in the RG (22/22, 100%) as compared to the
      NRG (8/10, 80%) (p = 0.0907). CONCLUSION: Overall, utilizing the VN antiplatelet
      function testing did not significantly change the clinical outcome after the NI
      procedures. Larger randomized trials are warranted to provide a better
      understanding of the utility of the antiplatelet testing in NI stenting
      procedures.

PMID- 26279666
TI  - Bayesian Small Area Estimates of Diabetes Incidence by United States County,
      2009.
AB  - In the United States, diabetes is common and costly. Programs to prevent new
      cases of diabetes are often carried out at the level of the county, a unit of
      local government. Thus, efficient targeting of such programs requires county
      level estimates of diabetes incidence-the fraction of the non-diabetic population
      who received their diagnosis of diabetes during the past 12 months. Previously,
      only estimates of prevalence-the overall fraction of population who have the
      disease-have been available at the county level. Counties with high prevalence
      might or might not be the same as counties with high incidence, due to spatial
      variation in mortality and relocation of persons with incident diabetes to
      another county. Existing methods cannot be used to estimate county-level diabetes
      incidence, because the fraction of the population who receive a diabetes
      diagnosis in any year is too small. Here, we extend previously developed methods
      of Bayesian small-area estimation of prevalence, using diffuse priors, to
      estimate diabetes incidence for all U.S. counties based on data from a survey
      designed to yield state-level estimates. We found high incidence in the
      southeastern United States, the Appalachian region, and in scattered counties
      throughout the western U.S. Our methods might be applicable in other
      circumstances in which all cases of a rare condition also must be cases of a more
      common condition (in this analysis, "newly diagnosed cases of diabetes" and
      "cases of diabetes"). If appropriate data are available, our methods can be used
      to estimate proportion of the population with the rare condition at greater
      geographic specificity than the data source was designed to provide.

PMID- 26279667
TI  - Duplicate analysis method: a cheaper alternative to commercial IQC materials in
      limited resource settings for monitoring CD4 testing.
AB  - BACKGROUND: India has a large number of HIV infected patients being followed up
      at anti-retroviral therapy (ART) centers. The patients are regularly offered CD4
      count estimation for deciding their eligibility for ART initiation as well as for
      monitoring response to ART, making CD4 count estimation a very critical test.
      Hence, quality control of CD4 testing is utmost important for ultimate success of
      ART program. As the commercial controls are very expensive, internal quality
      control (IQC), at present, is being done by duplicate analysis method using
      previous day samples in most of the laboratories. Hence the study was undertaken
      to review performance of duplicate analysis method for monitoring daily IQC.
      METHODS: Quality control (QC) data from 11 Indian laboratories using duplicate
      analysis and/or commercial controls for IQC of CD4 testing was collected for
      reviewing information on QC parameters such as precision, accuracy and trend
      monitoring. Precision was determined by r(2) values and mean % variation for
      duplicate analysis and coefficient of variation (% CV) for commercial controls.
      Accuracy was monitored by rate of QC failures for both the types of control and
      trend monitoring was done by plotting LJ charts for commercial controls and by
      plotting daily % variation for duplicate analysis. RESULTS: The laboratories
      using duplicate analysis for IQC showed good precision with mean % variation
      ranging from 0.5 to 7.2. There was good match between r(2) values and % CV of the
      laboratories performing both the types of QC methods. Rates of QC failures were
      2.3 for duplicate analysis and 3 per laboratory-year for IMMUNO-TROL controls.
      Daily trend monitoring showed fluctuation of daily counts around mean in LJ
      charts and of percent variation around 0% in duplicate analysis method.
      Commercially available controls showed limitations such as altered specimen
      quality leading to difficulties in manual gating and issues with the
      establishment of laboratory range. CONCLUSION: Duplicate analysis can serve as a
      cheaper alternative to commercially available controls for IQC of CD4 testing
      especially when supplemented with other QC measures for controlling variations
      caused by reagent, equipment, staff and environment in addition to the successful
      participation in External Quality Assurance programme.

PMID- 26279668
TI  - Impact of highly active antiretroviral therapy on hematological indices among HIV
      1 infected children at Kenyatta National Hospital-Kenya: retrospective study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: HIV infected children experience a range of hematological
      complications which show marked improvement within 6 months of initiating anti
      retroviral therapy. The Objectives of the study was to describe the changes in
      hematological indices of HIV-1 infected children following 6 months of treatment
      with first line antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) regimen. METHODS: A retrospective
      study was conducted between September and November 2008. During this period
      medical records of children attending Comprehensive Care Clinic at Kenyatta
      National hospital were reviewed daily. HIV infected children aged 5-144 months
      were enrolled if they had received antiretroviral drugs for at least 6 months
      with available and complete laboratory results. RESULTS: Medical records of 337
      children meeting enrollment criteria were included in the study. The median age
      was 63 months with equal male to female ratio. Following 6 months of HAART,
      prevalence of anemia (Hemoglobin (Hb) <10 g/dl) declined significantly from 35.9
      to 16.6 % a nearly 50 % reduction in the risk of anemia RR = 0.56 [(95 % CI 0.44,
      0.70) p < 0.001]. There was significant increase in Hb, mean corpuscular volume
      (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and platelets above the baseline
      measurements (p < 0.0001) and a significant decline in total white blood cell
      counts >11,000 cell/mm(3) but a none significant decrease in red blood cells
      (RBC). Pre-HAART, World Health Organization (WHO) stage 3 and 4 was associated
      with a ten-fold increased likelihood of anemia. Chronic malnutrition was
      associated with anemia but not wasting and immunologic staging of disease.
      CONCLUSION: Hematological abnormalities changed significantly within 6 months of
      antiretroviral therapy with significant increase in hemoglobin level, MCV, MCH
      and platelet and decrease in WBC and RBC.

PMID- 26279669
TI  - HIV-1 protease inhibitor drug resistance in Kenyan antiretroviral treatment-naive
      and -experienced injection drug users and non-drug users.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although injection drug use drives antiretroviral drug resistance,
      the prevalence of protease inhibitor (PI) resistance among Kenyan IDUs remains
      undetermined. We, therefore, explored PI resistance mutations and their
      association with viral load and CD4+ T cell counts in HIV-1 infected IDUs (ART
      naive, n = 32; and -experienced, n = 47) and non-drug users (ART-naive, n = 21;
      and -experienced, n = 32) naive for PI treatment from coastal Kenya. RESULTS:
      Only IDUs harboured major PI resistance mutations consisting of L90M, M46I and
      D30 N among 3 (6.4 %) ART-experienced and 1 (3.1 %) -naive individuals. Minor PI
      mutations including A71T, G48E, G48R, I13V, K20I, K20R, L10I, L10V, L33F, L63P,
      T74S, V11I, and V32L were detected among the ART-experienced (36.2 vs. 46.9 %)
      and -naive (43.8 vs. 66.7 %) IDUs and non-drug users, respectively. All the four
      IDUs possessing major mutations had high viral load while three presented with
      CD4+ T cell counts of <500 cells/ml. Among the ART-naive non-drug users, CD4+ T
      cell counts were significantly lower in carriers of minor mutations compared to
      non-carriers (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Transmitted drug resistance may occur in
      IDUs underscoring the need for genotyping resistance before initiating PI
      treatment.

PMID- 26279670
TI  - Scoliosis-Specific exercises can reduce the progression of severe curves in adult
      idiopathic scoliosis: a long-term cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Scoliosis fusion surgery is generally considered the only means to
      stop the progression of adult idiopathic scoliosis (ADIS), but for patients
      refusing surgery there is lack of evidence in favour of conservative treatment.
      The aim of the present study was to verify the possible effectiveness of
      scoliosis-specific exercises when facing ADIS progression. METHODS: We designed a
      retrospective cohort study. We included 34 ADIS patients in treatment at our
      Institute (5 males and 29 females, mean age was 38.0 +/- 11.0), exclusively
      treated with specific Scoliosis Specific SEAS exercises. INSTRUMENTATION: SEAS
      exercises are scoliosis-specific exercises. In adult patients they are aimed to
      recover postural collapse, postural control and vertebral stability through an
      active self-correction. Postural integration is a key element, including the
      neuromotor integration of correct postures and an ergonomic education program.
      Therapy includes at least two weekly exercise sessions each lasting 45 min.
      OUTCOME MEASURES: Radiographic progression was the main outcome and it was
      analysed as a continuous variable. STATISTICS: One way ANOVA and paired t-test
      were applied for continuous data, while chi-square test was applied for
      categorical data. Alpha was set at 0.05. RESULTS: The mean Cobb angle of the
      patients included into the present study, was 55.8 +/- 13.2  degrees . Fifteen
      patients had previous x-rays testifying scoliosis progression: the average curve
      progression (worsening) was 9.8 +/- 6.6  degrees  at a median of 25 (range 17-48)
      years. The remaining were characterized by more severe curves, exceeding 40 
      degrees  Cobb (mean curvature 50.9 +/- 13.6) but it was not possible to prove
      that the curves had progressed in these cases. After an average period of 2 years
      of treatment (range 1-18y), 68 % of the patients experienced an improvement in
      their scoliosis. However in one patient (3 %) the scoliosis worsened by 5 
      degrees  in 18 years (progression rate reduced from 0.5  degrees  to 0.27 
      degrees  per year). Patients improved 4.6 +/- 5.0  degrees  Cobb (P < 0.05), with
      no differences based on the localization of the curve, gender, age, length of
      treatment, Cobb degrees at the start of observation or treatment. CONCLUSIONS:
      Scoliosis Specific SEAS Exercises proved to be superior to natural history in
      ADIS, at least in individual cases and should be considered as a first line
      treatment especially in patients refusing scoliosis surgery.

PMID- 26279671
TI  - Research quality in scoliosis conservative treatment: state of the art.
AB  - The publication of research in the field of conservative treatment of scoliosis
      is increasing after a long period of progressive decline. In 2014, three high
      quality and scientifically sound papers gave new strength to the conservative
      scoliosis approach. The efficacy of treatment over observation was demonstrated
      by two RCTs for bracing, and one for scoliosis-specific exercises provided by a
      physical therapist. It is difficult to design strong studies in this field due to
      the long time needed for follow up and the challenge of recruiting patients and
      families willing to be involved in the decision process. Nevertheless, the main
      methodological errors are not related to the study design but rather on the way
      it is performed, which very frequently affects the reliability of results. The
      most common errors are: selection bias, with many studies including functional
      rather than a true structural scoliosis; inappropriate outcome measures,
      utilizing parameters not related to scoliosis progression or quality of life;
      inappropriate follow up, reporting only immediate results and not addressing end
      of growth results; an incorrect interpretation of findings, with an
      overestimation of results; and missing the evaluation of skeletal maturity,
      without which results cannot be considered stable. Being aware of these errors is
      extremely important both for authors and for readers in order to avoid
      questionable practices based on inconclusive studies that could harm patients. 

PMID- 26279672
TI  - Trauma resuscitation requiring massive transfusion: a descriptive analysis of the
      role of ratio and time.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate whether early administration of high plasma to
      red blood cells ratios influences outcomes in injured patients who received
      massive transfusion protocol (MTP). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was
      conducted at the only level 1 national trauma center in Qatar for all adult
      patients(>=18 years old) who received MTP (>=10 units) of packed red blood cell
      (PRBC) during the initial 24 h post traumatic injury. Data were analyzed with
      respect to FFB:PRBC ratio [(high >= 1:1.5) (HMTP) vs. (low < 1:1.5) (LMTP)] given
      at the first 4 h post-injury and also between (>4 and 24 h). Mortality,
      multiorgan failure (MOF) and infectious complications were studied as well.
      RESULTS: During the study period, a total of 4864 trauma patients were admitted
      to the hospital, 1.6 % (n = 77) of them met the inclusion criteria. Both groups
      were comparable with respect to initial pH, international normalized ratio,
      injury severity score, revised trauma score and development of infectious
      complications. However, HMTP was associated with lower crude mortality (41.9 vs.
      78.3 %, p = 0.001) and lower rate of MOF (48.4 vs. 87.0 %, p = 0.001). The number
      of deaths was 3 times higher in LMTP in comparison to HMTP within the first 30
      days (36 vs. 13 cases). The majority of deaths occurred within the first 24 h
      (80.5 % in LMTP and 69 % in HMTP) and particularly within the first 6 h (55 vs.
      46 %). CONCLUSIONS: Aggressive attainment of high FFP/PRBC ratios as early as 4 h
      post-injury can substantially improve outcomes in trauma patients.

PMID- 26279674
TI  - Chemistry Central Journal themed issue: Dial-a-Molecule.

PMID- 26279673
TI  - IROA: the International Register of Open Abdomen.: An international effort to
      better understand the open abdomen: call for participants.
AB  - Actually the most common indications for Open Abdomen (OA) are trauma, abdominal
      sepsis, severe acute pancreatitis and more in general all those situations in
      which an intra-abdominal hypertension condition is present, in order to prevent
      the development of an abdominal compartment syndrome. The mortality and morbidity
      rate in patients undergone to OA procedures is still high. At present many
      studies have been published about the OA management and the progresses in
      survival rate of critically ill trauma and septic surgical patients. However
      several issues are still unclear and need more extensive studies. The definitions
      of indications, applications and methods to close the OA are still matter of
      debate. To overcome this lack of high level of evidence data about the OA
      indications, management, definitive closure and follow-up, the World Society of
      Emergency Surgery (WSES) promoted the International Register of Open Abdomen
      (IROA). The register will be held on a web platform (Clinical Registers(r))
      through a dedicated web site: www.clinicalregisters.org. This will allow to all
      surgeons and physicians to participate from all around the world only by having a
      computer and a web connection. The IROA protocol has been approved by the
      coordinating center Ethical Committee (Papa Giovanni XXIII hospital, Bergamo,
      Italy). IROA has also been registered to ClinicalTrials.gov (ClinicalTrials.gov
      Identifier: NCT02382770). 

PMID- 26279675
TI  - Validation of the CogState battery for rapid neurocognitive assessment in Ugandan
      school age children.
AB  - BACKGROUND: CogState is a widely used computer-based cognitive test whose
      validity has not been addressed in resource poor settings. We examined the
      construct, concurrent and convergent validity of CogState, test-retest
      reliability and the effect of sociodemographic variables on CogState outcomes in
      school age children. METHODS: Two hundred and thirty Ugandan children (54% male)
      with mean age 6.99 years (SD = 1.67, range 5-13 years) were assessed using
      CogState, the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children, 2nd edition (KABC-II) and
      the Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA) at baseline and 8 weeks later.
      Correlations were run between CogState and the KABC-II and TOVA to evaluate its
      concurrent and convergent validity. Factor analysis was used to evaluate
      construct validity of CogState. Correlations between baseline and 8 weeks
      CogState scores were used to determine the test-retest reliability while general
      linear models were used to assess associations with sociodemographic factors.
      RESULTS: Significant correlations were observed between CogState's One Card
      Learning, One Back Memory and Card Detection with the TOVA and between CogState's
      Maze Chase and One Back Memory with KABC-II's Simultaneous Processing. CogState
      had a three factor structure with Processing Speed, Processing Accuracy and Maze
      Chase and Maze Learning. CogState had low to moderate test-retest reliability in
      Ugandan children with correlations ranging from 0.32 to 0.57. Age, sex and
      education were associated with CogState outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: CogState is a
      valid and reliable test battery for rapid computer-based neurocognitive
      assessment in Ugandan children and can thus be used in this cultural context.

PMID- 26279677
TI  - Evaluating the effects of biocompatible cholinium ionic liquids on microbial
      lipid production by Trichosporon fermentans.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Microbial lipid is a potential raw material for large-scale biodiesel
      production and lignocellulosic hydrolysate has been considered as promising low
      cost substrate for lipid fermentation. Lignocellulosic biomass needs to be
      pretreated before enzymatic hydrolysis, and biocompatible cholinium ionic liquids
      (ILs) have been demonstrated to be highly efficient for pretreatment. However,
      the impact of these ILs residues in hydrolysates on downstream biotransformation
      remains unknown. Therefore, the influence of three typical cholinium ILs on the
      lipid production by Trichosporon fermentans was first investigated. RESULTS: The
      cell growth of T. fermentans was stimulated in the presence of cholinium lysine
      ([Ch][Lys]) and cholinium serine ([Ch][Ser]), while the lipid accumulation was
      inhibited by [Ch][Lys]) and [Ch][Ser]. Both cell growth and lipid accumulation of
      T. fermentans were inhibited in the presence of cholinium acetate ([Ch][OAc]).
      Despite the reduction in lipid content, the lipid production by T. fermentans was
      improved in the presence of low concentrations of [Ch][Lys] (<=30 mM) and
      [Ch][Ser] (<=20 mM) due to the remarkable increase of biomass. It was found that
      cholinium cation had minor influence on lipid production. However, the anions of
      [Ch][Lys] and [Ch][Ser] could be assimilated as nitrogen source by T. fermentans
      and the reduced C/N ratio accounts for the inhibition of lipid accumulation,
      which could be alleviated by improving C/N ratio of medium. In addition, the
      anion of [Ch][OAc] could be metabolized by T. fermentans, leading to a rapid
      alkaline-pH shift and strong inhibition of lipid production. And this inhibitory
      effect on lipid production could be significantly reduced by controlling culture
      pH. CONCLUSIONS: The anions of [Ch][Lys], [Ch][Ser] and [Ch][OAc] play an
      important role in affecting the cell growth and lipid accumulation of T.
      fermentans, and the inhibition of these three ILs on lipid production can be
      alleviated by careful fermentation condition control. Hence, T. fermentans is a
      promising strain for microbial lipid production from cholinium ILs-pretreated
      lignocellulosic hydrolysates.

PMID- 26279676
TI  - Insertion of a xylanase in xylose binding protein results in a xylose-stimulated
      xylanase.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Product inhibition can reduce catalytic performance of enzymes used
      for biofuel production. Different mechanisms can cause this inhibition and, in
      most cases, the use of classical enzymology approach is not sufficient to
      overcome this problem. Here we have used a semi-rational protein fusion strategy
      to create a product-stimulated enzyme. RESULTS: A semi-rational protein fusion
      strategy was used to create a protein fusion library where the Bacillus subtilis
      GH11 xylanase A (XynA) was inserted at 144 surface positions of the Escherichia
      coli xylose binding protein (XBP). Two XynA insertions at XBP positions 209
      ([209]XBP-Xyn-XBP) and 262 ([262]XBP-Xyn-XBP) showed a 20% increased xylanolytic
      activity in the presence of xylose, conditions where native XynA is inhibited.
      Random linkers of 1-4 Gly/Ala residues were inserted at the XynA N- and C-termini
      in the [209]XBP and [262]XBP, and the chimeras 2091A and 2621B were isolated,
      showing a twofold increased xylanolytic activity in the presence of xylose and k
      cat values of 200 and 240 s(-1) in the 2091A and 2621B, respectively, as compared
      to 70 s(-1) in the native XynA. The xylose affinity of the XBP was unchanged in
      the chimeras, showing that the ~3- to 3.5-fold stimulation of catalytic
      efficiency by xylose was the result of allosteric coupling between the XBP and
      XynA domains. Molecular dynamics simulations of the chimeras suggested
      conformation alterations in the XynA on xylose binding to the XBP resulted in
      exposure of the catalytic cavity and increased mobility of catalytic site
      residues as compared to the native XynA. CONCLUSIONS: These results are the first
      report of engineered glycosyl hydrolase showing allosteric product stimulation
      and suggest that the strategy may be more widely employed to overcome enzyme
      product inhibition and to improve catalytic performance. Graphical
      abstractProtein fusion of a GH11 xylanase (in red) and a xylose binding protein
      (XBP, in blue) results in a xylanase-XBP chimera that presents allosteric
      activation of the xylanase activity by xylose (shown as a space-filled molecule
      bound to the xylanase-XBP chimera).

PMID- 26279678
TI  - Cellobionic acid utilization: from Neurospora crassa to Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Economical production of fuels and chemicals from plant biomass
      requires the efficient use of sugars derived from the plant cell wall. Neurospora
      crassa, a model lignocellulosic degrading fungus, is capable of breaking down the
      complex structure of the plant cell wall. In addition to cellulases and
      hemicellulases, N. crassa secretes lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs),
      which cleave cellulose by generating oxidized sugars-particularly aldonic acids.
      However, the strategies N. crassa employs to utilize these sugars are unknown.
      RESULTS: We identified an aldonic acid utilization pathway in N. crassa,
      comprised of an extracellular hydrolase (NCU08755), cellobionic acid transporter
      (CBT-1, NCU05853) and cellobionic acid phosphorylase (CAP, NCU09425).
      Extracellular cellobionic acid could be imported directly by CBT-1 or cleaved to
      gluconic acid and glucose by a beta-glucosidase (NCU08755) outside the cells.
      Intracellular cellobionic acid was further cleaved to glucose 1-phosphate and
      gluconic acid by CAP. However, it remains unclear how N. crassa utilizes
      extracellular gluconic acid. The aldonic acid pathway was successfully
      implemented in Saccharomyces cerevisiae when N. crassa gluconokinase was co
      expressed, resulting in cellobionic acid consumption in both aerobic and
      anaerobic conditions. CONCLUSIONS: We successfully identified a branched aldonic
      acid utilization pathway in N. crassa and transferred its essential components
      into S. cerevisiae, a robust industrial microorganism.

PMID- 26279679
TI  - De novo microduplication of CHL1 in a patient with non-syndromic developmental
      phenotypes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The CHL1 gene codes for a member of the L1 family of neural cell
      adhesion molecules. It is highly expressed in the central and peripheral nervous
      system playing an important role in the building and functioning on the brain.
      CHL1 proteins are also involved in axonal migration, synaptic formation and
      plasticity. In mice, functional studies showed that the haploinsufficiency of
      Chl1 gene in the developing brain results in cognitive deficits suggesting that
      the CHL1 gene at 3p26.3 is a candidate for an autosomal form of intellectual
      disability. Furthermore, in humans deletions of CHL1 have been described in
      patients with neurodevelopmental delay characterized by learning and language
      difficulties, seizures. Less is known about the potential effect of CHL1
      overexpression, and microduplications of CHL1 have been rarely identified. CASE
      PRESENTATION: In this report, we describe a male patient with a phenotype
      characterized by developmental delay, symptoms of hyperactivity, short attention
      span and speech delay. In addition, minor facial dysmorphic features have been
      observed. Chromosomal microarray analysis revealed a rare de novo 0.85 Mb
      microduplication on the short arm (p26.3) of chromosome 3, encompassing a single
      gene, CHL1. To the best of our knowledge, duplication of chromosome 3p26.3,
      including only the CHL1 gene, has been described in only one intellectually
      disabled girl with epilepsy. The duplication described here is the smallest
      reported so far. In addition, this is the first report describing a patient in
      which the CHL1 duplication is a de novo event. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical and
      molecular findings reported here are useful to provide further evidence that CHL1
      is a dosage sensitive gene suggesting that not only the deletion but also its
      duplication can cause non-syndromic neurodevelopmental phenotypes.

PMID- 26279680
TI  - Parent-to-Child Transition in Managing Cystic Fibrosis: A Research Synthesis.
AB  - Although parents and children must adhere to five primary treatments for cystic
      fibrosis (CF), and their roles transition over time, the scope of CF studies
      often has been limited to one treatment regimen or to children within a specified
      age range. The purpose of this mixed research synthesis study is to integrate
      findings from qualitative and quantitative studies addressing the transition of
      CF management from parent to child, as well as factors related to adherence
      across treatments and over time. An existing grounded theory was used as a
      framework to synthesize findings in 17 reports from 16 studies. The results
      confirm the theory and posit three additional factors that may influence parent
      to-child transition of care management.

PMID- 26279681
TI  - Role of Ccr4-Not complex in heterochromatin formation at meiotic genes and
      subtelomeres in fission yeast.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Heterochromatin is essential for chromosome segregation, gene
      silencing and genome integrity. The fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe
      contains heterochromatin at centromeres, subtelomeres, and mating type genes, as
      well as at small islands of meiotic genes dispersed across the genome. This
      heterochromatin is generated by partially redundant mechanisms, including the
      production of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) that are incorporated into the RITS
      protein complex (RNAi-Induced Transcriptional Silencing). The assembly of
      heterochromatin islands requires the function of the RNA-binding protein Mmi1,
      which recruits RITS to its mRNA targets and to heterochromatin islands. In
      addition, Mmi1 directs its targets to an exosome-dependent RNA elimination
      pathway. RESULTS: Ccr4-Not is a conserved multiprotein complex that regulates
      gene expression at multiple levels, including RNA degradation and translation. We
      show here that Ccr4-Not is recruited by Mmi1 to its RNA targets. Surprisingly,
      Ccr4 and Caf1 (the mRNA deadenylase catalytic subunits of the Ccr4-Not complex)
      are not necessary for the degradation or translation of Mmi1 RNA targets, but are
      essential for heterochromatin integrity at Mmi1-dependent islands and,
      independently of Mmi1, at subtelomeric regions. Both roles require the
      deadenylase activity of Ccr4 and the Mot2/Not4 protein, a ubiquitin ligase that
      is also part of the complex. Genetic evidence shows that Ccr4-mediated silencing
      is essential for normal cell growth, indicating that this novel regulation is
      physiologically relevant. Moreover, Ccr4 interacts with components of the RITS
      complex in a Mmi1-independent manner. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our results
      demonstrate that the Ccr4-Not complex is required for heterochromatin integrity
      in both Mmi1-dependent and Mmi1-independent pathways.

PMID- 26279684
TI  - Genome architecture of Lactobacillus plantarum PS128, a probiotic strain with
      potential immunomodulatory activity.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Clinical and preclinical observations indicate that Lactobacillus
      plantarum has anti-inflammatory activity and may regulate the immune responses of
      its hosts when ingested. Recently, modification of teichoic acids (TAs) produced
      by L. plantarum was reported as a key to regulating the systemic immune response
      in mice. However, data linking TA-related genetic determinants and the
      immunomodulatory effect are limited. To provide genomic information for
      elucidating the underlying mechanism of immunomodulation by L. plantarum, we
      sequenced the genome of L. plantarum strain PS128. RESULTS: The PS128 genome
      contains 11 contigs (3,325,806 bp; 44.42% GC content) after hybrid assembly of
      sequences derived with Illumina MiSeq and PacBio RSII systems. The most abundant
      functions of the protein-coding genes are carbohydrate, amino acid, and protein
      metabolism. The 16S rDNA sequences of PS128 are closest to the sequences of L.
      plantarum WCFS1 and B21; these three strains form a distinct clade based on 16S
      rDNA sequences. PS128 shares core genes encoding the metabolism, transport, and
      modification of TAs with other sequenced L. plantarum strains. Compared with the
      TA-related genes of other completely sequenced L. plantarum strains, the PS128
      contains more lipoteichoic acid exporter genes. CONCLUSIONS: We determined the
      draft genome sequence of PS128 and compared its TA-related genes with those of
      other L. plantarum strains. Shared genomic features with respect to TA-related
      subsystems may be important clues to the mechanism by which L. plantarum
      regulates its host immune responses, but unique TA-related genetic determinants
      should be further investigated to elucidate strain-specific immunomodulatory
      effects.

PMID- 26279683
TI  - Prevalence and microbiological characteristics of clinically infected foot-ulcers
      in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a retrospective exploratory study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The prevalence of foot ulcers in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
      (RA) has been reported at almost 10 %. These foot ulcers often occur at multiple
      sites and are reoccurring, with the potential risk of infection increased due to
      RA diagnosis and disease modifying medications. The objective of this study was
      to estimate the prevalence of clinical infection in foot-ulcers of patients with
      RA; describe the microbiological characteristics and investigate risk factors.
      METHODS: Retrospective clinical data was collected for all patients attending a
      rheumatology foot ulcer clinic between 1st May 2012 and 1st May 2013: wound swab
      data was collected from those with clinical infection. RESULTS: Twenty-eight
      patients with RA and foot-ulcers were identified; eight of these patients had
      clinical infection and wound swabs taken (29 %). Of these eight patients there
      were equal men and women, with median age 74 years, and average disease duration
      22 years. Cardiovascular disease/peripheral-vascular disease (CVD/PVD) were
      reported in six patients, diabetes in two patients. Six patients were treated
      with disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs); three were on biologic
      medications and two on steroids. Five wound swabs cultured skin flora, one
      staphylococcus aureus, one had no growth after culture; and one was rejected due
      to labelling error. CONCLUSION: Almost a third of people with RA and foot ulcers
      attending clinic over one year had clinical infection, however microbiological
      analysis failed to isolate pathogens in six of seven wound swabs. This may be due
      to inaccurate diagnosis of ulcer infection or to issues with sampling,
      collection, transport, analysis or reporting. There was insufficient data to
      relate risk of clinical infection with risk factors. Further research is required
      to identify the most appropriate techniques for infection diagnosis, wound
      sampling and processing. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Ethical approval was obtained from
      University of Leeds, Faculty of Medicine and Health (Reference number:
      SHREC/RP/349).

PMID- 26279682
TI  - Non-surgical treatment of pain associated with posterior tibial tendon
      dysfunction: study protocol for a randomised clinical trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Symptoms associated with pes planovalgus or flatfeet occur
      frequently, even though some people with a flatfoot deformity remain
      asymptomatic. Pes planovalgus is proposed to be associated with foot/ankle pain
      and poor function. Concurrently, the multifactorial weakness of the tibialis
      posterior muscle and its tendon can lead to a flattening of the longitudinal arch
      of the foot. Those affected can experience functional impairment and pain. Less
      severe cases at an early stage are eligible for non-surgical treatment and foot
      orthoses are considered to be the first line approach. Furthermore, strengthening
      of arch and ankle stabilising muscles are thought to contribute to active
      compensation of the deformity leading to stress relief of soft tissue structures.
      There is only limited evidence concerning the numerous therapy approaches, and so
      far, no data are available showing functional benefits that accompany these
      interventions. METHODS: After clinical diagnosis and clarification of inclusion
      criteria (e.g., age 40-70, current complaint of foot and ankle pain more than
      three months, posterior tibial tendon dysfunction stage I & II, longitudinal arch
      flattening verified by radiography), sixty participants with posterior tibial
      tendon dysfunction associated complaints will be included in the study and will
      be randomly assigned to one of three different intervention groups: (i) foot
      orthoses only (FOO), (ii) foot orthoses and eccentric exercise (FOE), or (iii)
      sham foot orthoses only (FOS). Participants in the FOO and FOE groups will be
      allocated individualised foot orthoses, the latter combined with eccentric
      exercise for ankle stabilisation and strengthening of the tibialis posterior
      muscle. Participants in the FOS group will be allocated sham foot orthoses only.
      During the intervention period of 12 weeks, all participants will be encouraged
      to follow an educational program for dosed foot load management (e.g., to stop
      activity if they experience increasing pain). Functional impairment will be
      evaluated pre- and post-intervention by the Foot Function Index. Further outcome
      measures include the Pain Disability Index, Visual Analogue Scale for pain, SF
      12, kinematic data from 3D-movement analysis and neuromuscular activity during
      level and downstairs walking. Measuring outcomes pre- and post-intervention will
      allow the calculation of intervention effects by 3*3 Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)
      with repeated measures. DISCUSSION: The purpose of this randomised trial is to
      evaluate the therapeutic benefit of three different non-surgical treatment
      regimens in participants with posterior tibial tendon dysfunction and
      accompanying pes planovalgus. Furthermore, the analysis of changes in gait
      mechanics and neuromuscular control will contribute to an enhanced understanding
      of functional changes and eventually optimise conservative management strategies
      for these patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Protocol Registration
      System: ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT01839669.

PMID- 26279685
TI  - The evolving role of the pathologist in the management of lung cancer.
AB  - Major advances in pathology, molecular biology, patient diagnosis and care, as
      well as the advent of personalized therapy, have resulted in a greatly increased
      role for the pathologist, who has emerged as a key member of the lung cancer
      management team. A new multidisciplinary, clinically relevant classification of
      pulmonary adenocarcinoma has resulted in a paradigm shift in how we view and
      practice lung cancer pathology. In the future, the role of the pathologist will
      continue to grow and become fully integrated with clinical care.

PMID- 26279686
TI  - Work-related road safety in Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States
      of America: an overview of regulatory approaches and recommendations to enhance
      strategy and practice.
AB  - Work-related travel and transport by road is fundamental for industry, government
      and organisations. Traditionally, road safety interventions at societal level
      have focussed on improving road and vehicle engineering and changing road-user
      behaviour through transport laws and safety campaigns. Crash data indicate that
      significant numbers of road-user fatalities occur while driving to or for work.
      Therefore, workplace initiatives can improve both road and worker safety. This
      paper reviews regulatory approaches to work-related road safety (WRRS) in
      Australia, the United Kingdom and United States, identifying significant and
      consistent gaps in policy, management and research. In all three countries,
      responsibility for managing and regulating WRRS is spread across government
      agencies, without a single coordinating body. This paper makes the case that
      integrating management of WRRS into regulatory and non-regulatory occupational
      health and safety (OHS) initiatives would foster and support collaboration
      between research and practice communities, ensuring a comprehensive evidence base
      for future programs.

PMID- 26279687
TI  - MassCascade: Visual Programming for LC-MS Data Processing in Metabolomics.
AB  - Liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-MS) is commonly applied to
      investigate the small molecule complement of organisms. Several software tools
      are typically joined in custom pipelines to semi-automatically process and
      analyse the resulting data. General workflow environments like the Konstanz
      Information Miner (KNIME) offer the potential of an all-in-one solution to
      process LC-MS data by allowing easy integration of different tools and scripts.
      We describe MassCascade and its workflow plug-in for processing LC-MS data. The
      Java library integrates frequently used algorithms in a modular fashion, thus
      enabling it to serve as back-end for graphical front-ends. The functions
      available in MassCascade have been encapsulated in a plug-in for the workflow
      environment KNIME, allowing combined use with e.g. statistical workflow nodes
      from other providers and making the tool intuitive to use without knowledge of
      programming. The design of the software guarantees a high level of modularity
      where processing functions can be quickly replaced or concatenated. MassCascade
      is an open-source library for LC-MS data processing in metabolomics. It embraces
      the concept of visual programming through its KNIME plug-in, simplifying the
      process of building complex workflows. The library was validated using open data.

PMID- 26279688
TI  - The Importance of Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry for the Development of Nuclear
      Medicine: a Message from the Associate Editor.

PMID- 26279689
TI  - Future Perspectives of Radionanomedicine Using the Novel Micelle-Encapsulation
      Method for Surface Modification.
AB  - The emerging radionanomedicine has multifunctional and theranostic purposes. For
      these purposes, radionanomedicine should achieve the efficient and specific
      delivery of therapeutic agents by multifunctional characteristics, using low
      amounts of nanomaterials in vivo. Recent research on radiolabeled micelle
      encapsulated nanomaterials has been made on the their efficacy and safety using a
      one-step surface modification method (Jeong's method). This one-step
      multifunctional approach to the nanoparticle can be the important challenge in
      producing effective nanoplatforms for cancer imaging and therapy. 

PMID- 26279690
TI  - Radioiodine Scan Index: A Simplified, Quantitative Treatment Response Parameter
      for Metastatic Thyroid Carcinoma.
AB  - PURPOSE: We aimed to develop and validate a simplified, novel quantification
      method for radioiodine whole-body scans (WBSs) as a predictor for the treatment
      response in differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) patients with distant
      metastasis. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed serial WBSs after radioiodine
      treatment from 2008 to 2011 in patients with metastatic DTC. For standardization
      of TSH simulation, only a subset of patients whose TSH level was fully enhanced
      (TSH > 80 mU/l) was enrolled. The radioiodine scan index (RSI) was calculated by
      the ratio of tumor-to-brain uptake. We compared correlations between the RSI and
      TSH-stimulated serum thyroglobulin (TSH_s_Tg) level and between the RSI and Tg
      reduction rate of consecutive radioiodine treatments. RESULTS: A total of 30
      rounds of radioiodine treatment for 15 patients were eligible. Tumor histology
      was 11 papillary and 4 follicular subtypes. The TSH_s_Tg level was mean 980 ng/ml
      (range, 0.5-11,244). The Tg reduction rate after treatment was a mean of -7 %
      (range, -90 %-210 %). Mean RSI was 3.02 (range, 0.40-10.97). RSI was positively
      correlated with the TSH_s_Tg level (R(2) = 0.3084, p = 0.001) and negatively
      correlated with the Tg reduction rate (R(2) = 0.2993, p = 0.037). The regression
      equation to predict treatment response was as follows: Tg reduction rate = 
      14.581 * RSI + 51.183. CONCLUSIONS: Use of the radioiodine scan index derived
      from conventional WBS is feasible to reflect the serum Tg level in patients with
      metastatic DTC, and it may be useful for predicting the biologic treatment
      response after radioiodine treatment.

PMID- 26279691
TI  - Imaging Findings and Literature Review of (18)F-FDG PET/CT in Primary Systemic AL
      Amyloidosis.
AB  - PURPOSE: Although several case reports and case series have described (18)F-FDG
      PET/CT in amyloidosis, the value of (18)F-FDG PET/CT for diagnosing amyloidosis
      has not been clarified. We investigated the imaging findings of (18)F-FDG PET/CT
      in patients with primary systemic AL amyloidosis. METHODS: Subjects were 15
      patients (M:F = 12:3; age, 61.5 +/- 7.4 years) with histologically confirmed
      primary systemic AL amyloidosis who underwent pretreatment (18)F-FDG PET/CT to
      rule out the possibility of malignancy or for initial workup of alleged cancer.
      For involved organs, visual and semiquantitative analyses were performed on (18)F
      FDG PET/CT images. In total, 22 organs (10 hearts, 5 kidneys, 2 stomachs, 2
      colons, 1 ileum, 1 pancreas, and 1 liver) were histologically confirmed to have
      primary systemic AL amyloidosis. RESULTS: F-FDG uptake was significantly
      increased in 15 of the 22 organs (68.2 %; 10 hearts, 2 kidneys, 1 colon, 1 ileum,
      and 1 liver; SUVmax = 7.0 +/- 3.2, range 2.1-14.1). However, in 11 of 15 PET
      positive organs (78.6 %; 10 hearts and the ileum), it was difficult to
      differentiate pathological uptake from physiological uptake. Definitely abnormal
      (18)F-FDG uptake was found in only 4 of the 22 organs (18.2 %; 2 kidneys, 1
      colon, and the liver). (18)F-FDG uptake was negative for pancreas and gastric
      lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Although (18)F-FDG PET/CT showed high uptake in two-thirds
      of the organs involving primary systemic AL amyloidosis, its sensitivity appeared
      to be low to make differentiation of pathological uptake from physiological
      uptake. However, due to the small number of cases, further study for the role of
      (18)F-FDG PET/CT in amyloidosis will be warranted.

PMID- 26279692
TI  - Evaluation of Selective Arterial Embolization Effect by Chitosan Micro-Hydrogels
      in Hindlimb Sarcoma Rodent Models Using Various Imaging Modalities.
AB  - PURPOSE: Embolization is mainly used to reduce the size of locally advanced
      tumors. In this study, selective arterial catheterization with chitosan micro
      hydrogels (CMH) into the femoral artery was performed and the therapeutic effect
      was validated using different imaging methods. METHODS: Male SD rats (n = 18, 6
      weeks old) were randomly assigned into three groups: Group 1 as control, Group 2
      without any ligation of distal femoral artery, and Group 3 with temporary
      ligation of the distal femoral artery. RR1022 sarcoma cell lines were inoculated
      into thigh muscle. After 1 week, CMH was injected into the proximal femoral
      artery. Different imaging modalities were performed during a 3-week follow-up.
      RESULTS: The tumor size was significantly (P < 0.001) decreased in both Group 2
      and Group 3 (P < 0.001) after selective arterial embolization therapy. (18)F-FDG
      PET/CT revealed decreased intensity of (18)F-FDG uptake in tumors. The
      accumulation status of (125)I-CMH near the tumor was verified by gamma camera.
      CONCLUSIONS: Appropriate selective arterial embolization therapy with CMH was.

PMID- 26279693
TI  - Synthesis and Evaluation of (99m)Tc-Labeled Folate-Tripeptide Conjugate as a
      Folate Receptor-Targeted Imaging Agent in a Tumor-Bearing Mouse Model.
AB  - PURPOSE: The folate receptor (FR) is an attractive molecular target since it is
      overexpressed in a variety of human tumors. The purpose of the present study was
      to synthesize and evaluate the feasibility of a novel (99m)Tc-ECG-EDA (Glu-Cys
      Gly-ethylenediamine)-folate as an FR-positive tumor imaging agent in a mouse
      tumor model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: ECG-EDA-folate was synthesized using solid
      phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) and radiolabeled with (99m)Tc using tripeptide ECG
      as a chelator. FR-positive KB cells were inoculated in athymic nude mice.
      Following injection of (99m)Tc-ECG-EDA-folate, serial scintigraphy and micro
      SPECT/CT imaging were performed at various time points with and without pre
      administration of excess free folate. Mean count densities (MCD) for regions of
      interest drawn on KB tumors and major normal organs at each time point were
      measured, and uptake ratios of tumor to normal organs were calculated. RESULTS:
      ECG-EDA-folate was labeled with (99m)Tc with high radiolabeling efficiency and
      stability (>96 %). FR-positive tumors were clearly visualized on both
      scintigraphy and micro-SPECT/CT images and the tumor uptake of (99m)Tc-ECG-EDA
      folate was markedly suppressed with faint visualization of tumors by pre
      administration of excess free folate on serial planar scintigraphy, indicating FR
      specific binding of the agent. Furthermore, semiquantitative analysis of MCD data
      showed again that both tumor MCD and tumor-to-normal organ ratios decreased
      considerably by pre-administration of excess free folate, supporting FR-specific
      tumor uptake. Tumor-to-normal organ ratios approximately increased with time
      after injection until 4 h. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that
      (99m)Tc-ECG-EDA-folate can bind specifically to FR with clear visualization of FR
      positive tumors in a mouse tumor model.

PMID- 26279694
TI  - Preparation and Evaluation of (68)Ga-ECC as a PET Renal Imaging Agent.
AB  - PURPOSE: Development of a gallium-68-labeled renal tracer can be a good
      substitute for Tc-99m, a known SPECT tracer. In this study, effort was made to
      develop (68)Ga-ethylenecysteamine cysteine ((68)Ga-ECC). METHODS: Ga-ECC was
      prepared using generator-based (68)GaCl3 and ethylenecysteamine cysteine (ECC) at
      optimized conditions. Stability of the complex was checked in human serum
      followed by partition coefficient determination of the tracer. The
      biodistribution of the tracer in rats was studied using tissue counting and
      PET/CT imaging up to 120 min. RESULTS: Ga-ECC was prepared at optimized
      conditions in 15 min at 90  degrees C (radiochemical purity ~97 +/- 0.88 % ITLC,
      >99 % HPLC, specific activity: 210 +/- 5 GBq/mM). (68)Ga-ECC was a water-soluble
      complex based on partition coefficient data (log P; -1.378) and was stable in the
      presence of human serum for 2 h at 37  degrees C. The biodistribution of the
      tracer demonstrated high kidney excretion of the tracer in 10-20 min. The SUVmax
      ratios of the liver to left kidney were 0.38 and 0.39 for 30 and 90 min,
      respectively, indicating high kidney uptake. CONCLUSION: Initial biodistribution
      results showed significant kidney and urinary excretion of the tracer comparable
      to that of the homologous (99m)Tc compound. The complex could be a possible PET
      kidney imaging agent with a fast imaging time.

PMID- 26279695
TI  - Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Metastasis to the Lumbar Spine Masquerading as a
      Schmorl's Node.
AB  - A Schmorl's node is a common incidental finding encountered during radiologic
      imaging. Despite the vertebral body being a common site of metastatic disease, a
      lytic lesion adjacent to an endplate with typical imaging features can often
      confidently be called a Schmorl's node. This is a case report of a patient with a
      single well-defined FDG-avid papillary thyroid carcinoma metastasis to the spine
      that had imaging findings characteristic of a Schmorl's node on CT and MRI. This
      case is important to consider as it demonstrates that the imaging characteristics
      of metastatic disease and Schmorl's nodes can overlap. 

PMID- 26279696
TI  - The Challenges of Treating Paraganglioma Patients with (177)Lu-DOTATATE PRRT:
      Catecholamine Crises, Tumor Lysis Syndrome and the Need for Modification of
      Treatment Protocols.
AB  - PURPOSE: A high percentage of paragangliomas express somatostatin receptors that
      can be utilized for targeted radioisotope therapy. The aim of this study was to
      describe and discuss the challenges of treating these tumors with (177)Lu
      [DOTA(0),Tyr(3)]octreotate (DOTATATE) radioisotope therapy using established
      protocols. METHODS AND RESULTS: Three paraganglioma patients were treated with 4
      5 cycles of (177)Lu-DOTATATE and were evaluated for side effects and response to
      therapy. Two of the three patients developed severe adverse reactions following
      their first (177)Lu-DOTATATE treatment. One patient developed a catecholamine
      crisis and tumor lysis syndrome within hours of treatment, requiring intensive
      care unit (ICU) support, and another developed a catecholamine crisis 3 days
      after treatment, requiring hospitalization. The treatment protocols at our
      institution were subsequently modified by increasing the radioisotope infusion
      time from 15 to 30 min, as recommended in the literature, to 2-4 h and by
      reducing the administered dose of (177)Lu-DOTATATE. Subsequent (177)Lu-DOTATATE
      treatments utilizing the modified protocols were well tolerated, and response to
      therapy was achieved in all three patients, resulting in significantly improved
      quality of life. CONCLUSION: (177)Lu-DOTATATE is an exciting new therapeutic
      option in the management of paragangliomas; however, current treatment protocols
      described in the literature may need to be modified by lengthening the infusion
      time and/or lowering the initial treatment dose to prevent or reduce the severity
      of adverse reactions.

PMID- 26279697
TI  - Ga68-DOTA Peptide PET/CT to Detect Occult Mesenchymal Tumor-Inducing
      Osteomalacia: A Case Series of Three Patients.
AB  - Tumor-induced osteomalacia (TIO) is a rare disease that manifests with
      paraneoplasic syndrome and overproduction of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23),
      leading to renal phosphate wasting and hyperphosphaturia, eventually leading to
      acquired hypophosphatemic osteomalacia. Diagnosis of this disease is often
      challenging because of the small size of the lesion, which can be localized in
      bone or soft tissue anywhere in the body. Detecting these occult mesenchymal
      tumors (OMT) is of great importance as they are potentially curable after tumor
      resection. The purpose of this case series is to provide some insight into the
      diagnosis and localization of OMT associated with osteomalacia, particularly
      using functional imaging with Ga68-DOTA peptide PET/CT scans. 

PMID- 26279698
TI  - FDG-PET/CT in a Patient with Poor-Risk Non-Seminoma Testis with Mature Teratoma
      and Secondary Gliosarcoma: Multimodality Imaging for Guiding Multimodality
      Treatment.
AB  - The value of F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed
      tomography (FDG-PET/CT) in detecting viable tumours in patients with metastasised
      non-seminomatous testicular cancer and residual and new masses post chemotherapy
      remains to be determined. We describe the case of a 41-year-old patient with
      metastasised non-seminomatous testicular cancer, with both retroperitoneal and
      extra-retroperitoneal residual masses post chemotherapy, for whom FDG-PET/CT
      guided major treatment decisions. FDG-PET/CT correctly identified the locations
      of viable tumour, as was proved by histology, and successfully guided surgery. In
      conclusion, in selected cases surveillance of patients with non-seminomatous
      testicular cancer with FDG-PET/CT can guide major treatment decisions when
      considering surgery for metastatic disease. 

PMID- 26279699
TI  - Brain Metastasis from Neuroblastoma Depicted by (18)F-DOPA PET/CT.

PMID- 26279700
TI  - Single Pulmonary Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis Mimicking Metastasis in Lung
      Cancer: Imaging with (18)F-FDG PET/CT.

PMID- 26279701
TI  - A Rare Case of Isolated Pericardial Effusion Detected by SPECT/CT on a Post
      Therapeutic Radioiodine Whole-Body Scan.
AB  - We reported a rare finding of isolated pericardial uptake detected by SPECT/CT on
      posttherapeutic radioiodine whole body scan. This case highlights the usefulness
      of hybrid SPECT/CT, with subsequent correlation with biochemical results, in
      ruling out metastatic pericardial effusion in the postsurgical radioiodine
      remnant ablation setting. The effusion was resolved after reinstituted thyroid
      replacement therapy. Recombinant thyrotropin is recommended to avoid such rare
      but life-threatening complication. 

PMID- 26279702
TI  - Influence of parameter values on the oscillation sensitivities of two p53-Mdm2
      models.
AB  - Biomolecular networks that present oscillatory behavior are ubiquitous in nature.
      While some design principles for robust oscillations have been identified, it is
      not well understood how these oscillations are affected when the kinetic
      parameters are constantly changing or are not precisely known, as often occurs in
      cellular environments. Many models of diverse complexity level, for systems such
      as circadian rhythms, cell cycle or the p53 network, have been proposed. Here we
      assess the influence of hundreds of different parameter sets on the sensitivities
      of two configurations of a well-known oscillatory system, the p53 core network.
      We show that, for both models and all parameter sets, the parameter related to
      the p53 positive feedback, i.e. self-promotion, is the only one that presents
      sizeable sensitivities on extrema, periods and delay. Moreover, varying the
      parameter set values to change the dynamical characteristics of the response is
      more restricted in the simple model, whereas the complex model shows greater
      tunability. These results highlight the importance of the presence of specific
      network patterns, in addition to the role of parameter values, when we want to
      characterize oscillatory biochemical systems. 

PMID- 26279703
TI  - Variation of swimming speed enhances the chemotactic migration of Escherichia
      coli.
AB  - Studies on chemotaxis of Escherichia coli have shown that modulation of tumble
      frequency causes a net drift up the gradient of attractants. Recently, it has
      been demonstrated that the bacteria is also capable of varying its runs speed in
      uniform concentration of attractant. In this study, we investigate the role of
      swimming speed on the chemotactic migration of bacteria. To this end, cells are
      exposed to gradients of a non-metabolizable analogue of glucose which are sensed
      via the Trg sensor. When exposed to a gradient, the cells modulate their tumble
      duration, which is accompanied with variation in swimming speed leading to drift
      velocities that are much higher than those achieved through the modulation of the
      tumble duration alone. We use an existing intra-cellular model developed for the
      Tar receptor and incorporate the variation of the swimming speed along with
      modulation of tumble frequency to predict drift velocities close to the measured
      values. The main implication of our study is that E. coli not only modulates the
      tumble frequency, but may also vary the swimming speed to affect chemotaxis and
      thereby efficiently sample its nutritionally rich environment. 

PMID- 26279704
TI  - Knowledge-based discovery for designing CRISPR-CAS systems against invading
      mobilomes in thermophiles.
AB  - Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPRs) are direct
      features of the prokaryotic genomes involved in resistance to their bacterial
      viruses and phages. Herein, we have identified CRISPR loci together with CRISPR
      associated sequences (CAS) genes to reveal their immunity against genome invaders
      in the thermophilic archaea and bacteria. Genomic survey of this study implied
      that genomic distribution of CRISPR-CAS systems was varied from strain to strain,
      which was determined by the degree of invading mobiloms. Direct repeats found to
      be equal in some extent in many thermopiles, but their spacers were differed in
      each strain. Phylogenetic analyses of CAS superfamily revealed that genes cmr,
      csh, csx11, HD domain, devR were belonged to the subtypes of cas gene family. The
      members in cas gene family of thermophiles were functionally diverged within
      closely related genomes and may contribute to develop several defense strategies.
      Nevertheless, genome dynamics, geological variation and host defense mechanism
      were contributed to share their molecular functions across the thermophiles. A
      thermophilic archaean, Thermococcus gammotolerans and thermophilic bacteria,
      Petrotoga mobilis and Thermotoga lettingae have shown superoperons-like
      appearance to cluster cas genes, which were typically evolved for their defense
      pathways. A cmr operon was identified with a specific promoter in a thermophilic
      archaean, Caldivirga maquilingensis. Overall, we concluded that knowledge-based
      genomic survey and phylogeny-based functional assignment have suggested for
      designing a reliable genetic regulatory circuit naturally from CRISPR-CAS
      systems, acquired defense pathways, to thermophiles in future synthetic biology. 

PMID- 26279705
TI  - Quantification of the gene silencing performances of rationally-designed
      synthetic small RNAs.
AB  - Small RNAs (sRNAs) are genetic tools for the efficient and specific tuning of
      target genes expression in bacteria. Inspired by naturally occurring sRNAs,
      recent works proposed the use of artificial sRNAs in synthetic biology for
      predictable repression of the desired genes. Their potential was demonstrated in
      several application fields, such as metabolic engineering and bacterial
      physiology studies. Guidelines for the rational design of novel sRNAs have been
      recently proposed. According to these guidelines, in this work synthetic sRNAs
      were designed, constructed and quantitatively characterized in Escherichia coli.
      An sRNA targeting the reporter gene RFP was tested by measuring the specific gene
      silencing when RFP was expressed at different transcription levels, under the
      control of different promoters, in different strains, and in single-gene or
      operon architecture. The sRNA level was tuned by using plasmids maintained at
      different copy numbers. Results demonstrated that RFP silencing worked as
      expected in an sRNA and mRNA expression-dependent fashion. A mathematical model
      was used to support sRNA characterization and to estimate an efficiency-related
      parameter that can be used to compare the performance of the designed sRNA. Gene
      silencing was also successful when RFP was placed in a two-gene synthetic operon,
      while the non-target gene (GFP) in the operon was not considerably affected.
      Finally, silencing was evaluated for another designed sRNA targeting the
      endogenous lactate dehydrogenase gene. The quantitative study performed in this
      work elucidated interesting performance-related and context-dependent features of
      synthetic sRNAs that will strongly support predictable gene silencing in
      disparate basic or applied research studies. 

PMID- 26279706
TI  - Design principles for robust oscillatory behavior.
AB  - Oscillatory responses are ubiquitous in regulatory networks of living organisms,
      a fact that has led to extensive efforts to study and replicate the circuits
      involved. However, to date, design principles that underlie the robustness of
      natural oscillators are not completely known. Here we study a three-component
      enzymatic network model in order to determine the topological requirements for
      robust oscillation. First, by simulating every possible topological arrangement
      and varying their parameter values, we demonstrate that robust oscillators can be
      obtained by augmenting the number of both negative feedback loops and positive
      autoregulations while maintaining an appropriate balance of positive and negative
      interactions. We then identify network motifs, whose presence in more complex
      topologies is a necessary condition for obtaining oscillatory responses. Finally,
      we pinpoint a series of simple architectural patterns that progressively render
      more robust oscillators. Together, these findings can help in the design of more
      reliable synthetic biomolecular networks and may also have implications in the
      understanding of other oscillatory systems. 

PMID- 26279707
TI  - Marriage, Social Networks, and Health at Older Ages.

PMID- 26279708
TI  - The role of single instillation chemotherapy in patients who receive subsequent
      bacillus Calmette-Guerin: A retrospective single centre study, and systematic
      review of the literature.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: This retrospective study was undertaken to evaluate the combined
      effect of immediate intravesical chemotherapy and subsequent bacillus Calmette
      Guerin (BCG) therapy. METHODS: The study population consisted of 207 intermediate
      or high-risk patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer who underwent an
      induction course of BCG between 1993 and 2007. We introduced single immediate
      instillation of 50 mg epirubicin for all cases in 2004, and thus earlier cases
      could be considered as historical controls. The primary endpoint was recurrence
      free survival (RFS). For cumulative analysis, we systematically reviewed studies
      indexed in databases. Including ours, the records of 856 patients from a total of
      7 studies, including ours, were finally analyzed. RESULTS: In our cohort, the 5
      year RFS in patients who received the combination therapy was 66.2%, compared to
      55.2% in the BCG alone group (p = 0.149). Multivariate analysis on tumour
      recurrence showed that patients with the combination therapy had a hazard ratio
      (HR) of 0.74 (p = 0.189). A subsequent literature review revealed that RFS rates
      in the combination groups were higher than those in the corresponding BCG alone
      groups in 4/7 studies (p = 0.02-0.15), and lower in 1 study (p = 0.51). We
      identified 5 studies which examined a HR for combination therapy, and performed a
      cumulative analysis. Adding a single chemo-instillation prior to BCG resulted in
      a significant reduction in tumour recurrence (summary HR 0.69, p = 0.010).
      CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis suggested that the combination of single chemo
      instillation with subsequent BCG therapy exhibited an additive effect against
      potential tumour recurrence.

PMID- 26279709
TI  - Factors predicting prolonged operative time for individual surgical steps of
      robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP): A single surgeon's experience.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: We evaluated the average time required to complete individual steps
      of robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) by an expert RARP surgeon. The
      intent is to help establish a time-based benchmark to aim for during
      apprenticeship. In addition, we aimed to evaluate preoperative patient factors,
      which could prolong the operative time of these individual steps. METHODS: We
      retrospectively identified 247 patients who underwent RARP, performed by an
      experienced robotic surgeon at our institution. Baseline patient characteristics
      and the duration of each step were recorded. Multivariate analysis was performed
      to predict factors of prolonged individual steps. RESULTS: In multivariable
      analysis, obesity was a significant predictor of prolonged operative time of:
      docking (odds ratio [OR] 1.96), urethral division (OR 3.13), and vesico-urethral
      anastomosis (VUA) (OR 2.63). Prostate volume was also a significant predictor of
      longer operative time in dorsal vein complex ligation (OR 1.02), bladder neck
      division (OR 1.03), pedicle control (OR 1.04), urethral division (OR 1.02), and
      VUA (OR 1.03). A prolonged bladder neck division was predicted by the presence of
      a median lobe (OR 5.03). Only obesity (OR 2.56) and prostate volume (OR 1.04)
      were predictors of a longer overall operative time. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity and
      prostate volume are powerful predictors of longer overall operative time.
      Furthermore, both can predict prolonged time of several individual RARP steps.
      The presence of a median lobe is a strong predictor of a longer bladder neck
      division. These factors should be taken into consideration during RARP training.

PMID- 26279710
TI  - Sexual function after surgical treatment for penile cancer: Which organ-sparing
      approach gives the best results?
AB  - INTRODUCTION: We compared the postoperative sexual function of patients who
      underwent wide local excision (WLE) and glansectomy with urethral glanduloplasty
      for penile cancer. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed clinical data of 41
      patients affected by superficial, localized penile cancer (<=cT2a) between 2006
      and 2013. Patients with severe erectile dysfunction and not interested in
      resuming an active sexual life were selected for penile partial amputation.
      Patients with preoperative satisfying erectile function and concerned about the
      preservation of their sexual potency were scheduled for WLE (Group A) or
      glansectomy with urethral glanduloplasty (Group B). Sexual function was assessed
      with the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire and the
      Sex Encounter Profile (SEP). At 1 year, patients were asked to complete the
      questionnaires again and were questioned about their genital sensibility and
      ejaculatory reflex persistence. Postoperative complications were reported
      according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. Statistical analysis was performed
      by two-tailed test: Student t-test and chi-square. RESULTS: Among the 41 patients
      enrolled, 12 underwent WLE (29.2%), 23 glansectomy with urethral glanduloplasty
      (56%) and 6 with penile partial amputation (14.6%). A decrease in postoperative
      IIEF was recorded in both groups, but was statistically significant only in Group
      B (p = 0.003). As for the SEP, while no significant changes were recorded
      postoperatively in Group A, a marked reduction was reported for Group B, with a
      statistically significant decrease in the possibility of achieving penetrative
      intercourse (p = 0.006) and in the perceived satisfaction during sexual activity
      (p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: WLE lead to better sexual outcomes and less
      postoperative complications as compared to glansectomy with urethral
      glanduloplasty.

PMID- 26279711
TI  - The relative contribution of urine extravasation to elevate plasma creatinine
      levels in acute unilateral ureteral obstruction.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Rising levels of plasma creatinine in the setting of acute
      unilateral ureteral obstruction (AUUO) often reflects acute renal failure,
      mandating kidney drainage. We hypothesize that re-absorption of peri-renal urine
      extravasation (PUE), a common result of UUO, contributes significantly to the
      elevation in plasma creatinine, rendering the latter an inaccurate benchmark for
      renal function. We explored this hypothesis in a rat model of AUUO and PUE.
      METHODS: In total, 20 rats were equally divided into 4 groups. Groups 1 and 2
      underwent unilateral ligation of the ureter with infiltration of rat's urine
      (index group) or saline (control) into the peri-renal space. Two additional
      control groups underwent peri-renal injection of either urine or saline without
      AUUO. Plasma creatinine levels were determined immediately prior to the procedure
      (T0), and hourly for 3 hours (T1, T2 and T3). Renal histology was investigated
      after 3 hours. RESULTS: Rats in the index group had a significantly greater
      increase in plasma creatinine levels over 3 hours compared to all other groups (p
      < 0.05). At T3, average plasma creatinine levels for the index group increased by
      96% (0.49 +/- 0.18 mg/dL) compared to 46% (0.23 +/- 0.06 mg/dL increase) in the
      AUUO and saline group, and less than 15% rise in both the non-obstructed control
      groups. Our study limitations includes lack of spontaneous PUE and
      intraperitoneal surgical approach. CONCLUSIONS: Absorption of peri-renal urine in
      the presence of AUUO is a significant contributor to rising plasma creatinine
      levels, beyond those attributable to the obstruction alone, and may overestimate
      the extent of the true renal functional impairment.

PMID- 26279712
TI  - Prevalence and risk factors of contralateral extraprostatic extension in men
      undergoing radical prostatectomy for unilateral disease at biopsy: A global multi
      institutional experience.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: We assessed the incidence of contralateral prostate cancer (cPCa),
      contralateral EPE (cEPE) and contralateral positive surgical margins (cPSM) in
      patients diagnosed preoperatively with unilateral prostate cancer and evaluated
      risk factors predictive of contralateral disease extension. METHODS: The
      occurrence of cPCa, cEPE and cPSM and the side-specific nerve-sparing technique
      performed were collected postoperatively from 327 men diagnosed with unilateral
      prostate cancer at biopsy. Parameters, such as the localization, proportion, and
      percentage of cancer in positive cores, were prospectively collected. RESULTS:
      Overall, 50.5% of patients had bilateral disease, and were at higher risk when
      associated with a positive biopsy core at the apex (p = 0.016). The overall
      incidence of ipsilateral EPE and cEPE were 21.4% and 3.4%, respectively (p <
      0.001). Compared to cPCa, ipsilateral disease was at an almost 4-fold higher risk
      of extending out of the prostate (p < 0.001). None of the criteria tested were
      identified as useful predictors for cEPE. The low incidence of cEPE in our cohort
      could limit our ability to detect significance. The overall incidence of
      ipsilateral PSM and cPSM were 15.3% and 5.8%, respectively (p < 0.001). More
      aggressive nerve-sparing was not associated with a higher incidence of PSM.
      Prostate sides selected for more aggressive nerve-sparing were associated with
      younger patients (p < 0.001), a smaller prostate (p = 0.006), and a lower
      percentage of cancer in biopsy material (p = 0.008). CONCLUSION: Although the
      risk of cPCa is high in patients diagnosed with unilateral prostate cancer at
      biopsy, the risk of cEPE and cPSM is low, yet not insignificant. Contralateral
      aggressive nerve-sparing should be used with caution and should not compromise
      oncological outcome.

PMID- 26279713
TI  - Few modifiable factors predict readmission following radical cystectomy.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: We sought to determine the patient and provider-related factors
      associated with readmission after radical cystectomy (RC) for bladder cancer. In
      this era of healthcare reform, hospital performance measures, such as
      readmission, are beginning to affect provider reimbursement. Given its high
      readmission rate, RC could be a target for quality improvement. METHODS: We
      reviewed bladder cancer patients who underwent RC in California's State Inpatient
      Database (2005-2009) of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project. We examined
      patient-(e.g., race, discharge disposition) and provider-related factors (e.g.,
      volume) and evaluated their association with 30-day readmission. Multivariable
      logistic regression was used to examine associations of interest. RESULTS:
      Overall, 22.8% (n = 833) of the 3649 patients who underwent RC were readmitted
      within 30 days. Regarding disposition, 34.8%, 50.8%, and 12.2% were discharged
      home, home with home healthcare, and to a post-acute care facility (PACF),
      respectively. Within 30 days, 20.3%, 20.9%, and 42.3% were discharged home, home
      with home healthcare, and to a PACF were readmitted, respectively. African
      Americans (odds ratio [OR] 1.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07-2.50), having
      >=2 comorbidities (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.06-1.91), receiving a neobladder (OR 1.45,
      95% CI 1.09-1.93), and discharged to a PACF (OR 3.79, 95% CI 2.88-4.98) were
      independent factors associated with readmission. Hospital stays >=15 days were
      associated with less readmission (OR 0.43, 95% CI 0.27-0.67, p = 0.0002).
      Procedure volume was not associated with complication, in-hospital mortality, or
      readmission. CONCLUSIONS: About one-fifth of patients undergoing RC are
      readmitted. Patients who are discharged to a PACF, African American, and who have
      more extensive comorbidities tend to experience more readmissions. Increased
      efforts with care coordination among these patients may help reduce readmissions.

PMID- 26279714
TI  - A report on the clinical efficacy of a new Bougie-internal urethrectomy.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: We compare the clinical efficacy of the new bougie-internal
      urethrectomy (BIU) with internal urethrotomy and urethroplasty to treat urethral
      stricture disease. METHODS: We prospectively studied 186 people with urethral
      stricture disease. Of these, 84 were identified for urethroplasty and 102 for
      internal urethrotomy (endoscopic urethrotomy). Among the 84 identified for
      urethroplasty, 52 received BIU (Group 1) and the remaining 32 received
      urethroplasty. Among the 102 identified for internal urethrotomy, 58 received BIU
      (Group 2) and the remaining 44 received the internal urethrotomy. After surgery,
      we evaluated the clinical efficacy of the BIU (operative invasions, voiding flow
      rates, complications, sequelae) compared with the endoscopic treatment and
      urethroplasty. RESULTS: Patient age ranged from 20 to 70 years. The follow-up
      period was 2 years. In the BIU Group 1, the BIU Group 2, and the internal
      urethrotomy (endoscopic treatment), the length of strictures were 2.9 +/- 1.5,
      2.8 +/- 1.3, 1.6 +/- 0.7, and 1.5 +/- 0.6, respectively. In the BIU Group 1, the
      urethroplasty, the BIU Group 2, and the internal urethrotomy (endoscopic
      treatment), the amount of bleeding was 34.1 +/- 17.1, 172.2 +/- 29.8, 28.5 +/-
      9.8, and 49.7 +/- 13.6 mL, respectively. In the BIU Group 1, the urethroplasty,
      the BIU Group 2, and the internal urethrotomy, the recurrence rates were 5.8%,
      86%, 6.8% and 25%, and the average flow rates were 18.1 +/- 4.8, 13.1 +/- 3.9,
      18.2 +/- 3.6, 10.1 +/- 3.1 mL/s, respectively. There was no sequealae (sexual
      dysfunction, penile change) in both BIU groups. CONCLUSIONS: The new BIU could be
      considered first-line treatment in all patients with indications for visual
      internal urethrotomy and urethroplasty.

PMID- 26279715
TI  - Impact of drainage technique on pediatric pyeloplasty: Comparative analysis of
      externalized uretero-pyelostomy versus double-J internal stents.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Pediatric pyeloplasty with double J (DJ) stent drainage requires
      manipulation of the uretero-vesical junction (UVJ) and a second anesthetic for
      removal. Externalized uretero-pyelostomy (EUP) stents avoid these issues. We
      report outcomes of laparoscopic and open pyeloplasty with EUP compared to DJ
      stents in children. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 76 consecutive children
      who underwent pyeloplasty for ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction over a 1
      year period by 5 pediatric urologists at a single institution. The exclusion
      criteria included patients with concomitant urological procedures, other urinary
      drainage strategies, "stentless" pyeloplasty or patients without follow-up data.
      Based on surgeon preference, 24 patients had a EUP stent and 38 had a DJ stent
      placed. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 23.8 +/- 10.9 months and 21.1 +/- 11.1
      months for the EUP and DJ stent groups, respectively (p = 0.32). The mean age was
      40 +/- 54 months and 80 +/- 78 months for the EUP and DJ groups, respectively (p
      = 0.04). The EUP group had a greater proportion of open pyeloplasties (n = 17,
      71%) versus the DJ group (n = 16, 42%; p = 0.04). There were no statistically
      significant differences in operative time, length of stay, and overall
      complication rate between groups. Complications were divided by timing of
      complication (intraoperative, before and after 3 months) and according to the
      Clavien Classification system. There were no statistically significant
      differences between these subgroups. The limitations of this study include small
      sample size, potential selection bias, and heterogeneity between both study
      groups. CONCLUSIONS: Pyeloplasty using EUP stents does not incur prolonged
      operative time, longer length of stay or higher complication rate when compared
      to DJ stents. Within the limitations of this study, EUP stents may be a safe
      alternative to DJ stents.

PMID- 26279716
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 26279717
TI  - A critical review of recent clinical practice guidelines on the diagnosis and
      treatment of non-neurogenic male lower urinary tract symptoms.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: We provide an overview of the quality of recent clinical clinical
      practice guidelines (CPGs) for non-neurogenic male lower urinary tract symptoms
      (LUTS) and summarize the recommendations for their diagnosis, assessment, and
      treatment. METHODS: We systematically searched recent (2008-2013) CPGs for non
      neurogenic male LUTS. Eligible CPGs were assessed and appraised using Appraisal
      of Guidelines, Research and Evaluation II (AGREE II) tool by a CPG-appraisal
      group. The appraisal scores for each guideline were summarized according to each
      domain and in total. A recommendation summary was made across the guidelines for
      diagnostics, conservative management, medical, minimally invasive therapy, and
      surgical management. RESULTS: A total of 8 guidelines were considered. According
      to AGREE II appraisal of guidelines, the National Institute for Health and
      Clinical Excellence (NICE), American Urological Association (AUA) and European
      Association of Urology (EAU) consistently scored high on the guideline domains
      assessed. Recommendations on diagnostics, conservative management, medical, and
      surgical management were consistent among the top 3 guidelines. However, we noted
      a discrepancy in recommending minimally invasive therapy as an alternative
      management of moderate to severe or bothersome non-neurogenic male LUTS secondary
      to benign prostatic enlargement (BPE); the NICE guideline, in particular, does
      not recommend using minimally invasive therapy. CONCLUSION: The quality of recent
      CPGs on non-neurogenic male LUTS was appraised and summarized. The guidelines
      from NICE, AUA and EAU were considered highly compliant to the AGREE II
      proposition for guideline formation and development.

PMID- 26279718
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 26279719
TI  - Experience with sliding-clip splenorrhaphy for splenic injury during radical
      nephrectomy.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: We report our experience with sliding-clip splenorrhaphy (SCS), a
      novel splenic conservation technique, for iatrogenic splenic injury (ISI) during
      a left radical nephrectomy (RN). We also reviewed the literature on ISI. METHODS:
      We retrospectively reviewed data from patients who had RN between January 2005
      and December 2013 at our institution. The technique used was similar to sliding
      clip renorrhaphy. Our Medline literature identified articles containing "splenic
      injury during nephrectomy," "iatrogenic splenic injury." "iatrogenic
      splenectomy," and "splenorrhaphy." Our primary outcome measures included
      incidence of splenic injury and splenic conservation rate and splenectomy.
      RESULTS: Among the 370 RN, 140 were left sided. ISI injury occurred in 6 left RN
      (incidence 1.6% for all nephrectomies, 4.2% for left-sided nephrectomies). All 6
      cases had open procedure and for the left-sided procedure. Splenic conservation
      was attempted in 4 patients using SCS and 3 out of 4 were successfully repaired.
      Altogether 3 patients had splenectomy (incidence 0.8% for all nephrectomies, 2.1%
      for left-sided nephrectomies). Our literature review revealed that the incidence
      of iatrogenic splenectomy during left nephrectomy varies from 1.3% to 13.2%.
      CONCLUSIONS: SCS is an acceptable novel splenic conservation technique due to its
      ease of use and success in selected patients with ISI. There is little evidence
      on the true incidence of ISI especially on splenic conservation during
      nephrectomy. Every attempt at splenic conservation is likely to improve immediate
      and long-term patient outcomes.

PMID- 26279720
TI  - Emphysematous pyelonephritis: Our experience in managing these cases.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) is a rare acute necrotising
      infection of renal parenchyma. We discuss clinical details and treatment
      strategies of 8 patients with EPN followed at our clinic. METHODS: We
      retrospectively reviewed the clinical, laboratory, radiological findings and
      treatment modalities of 8 patients with EPN followed at our urology clinic
      between 2012 and 2015. RESULTS: The mean patient age (female: 5; male: 3) was 62
      (range: 51-82) years. Based on computed tomographic findings, EPN was classified
      as class 1 (n = 3), class 2 (n = 3) and class 3a (n = 2). All patients had fever,
      flank pain, nausea, and vomiting. Five patients had type 2 diabetes mellitus and
      3 diabetic patients also had renal stones. Escherichia coli (n = 6), Klebsiella
      species (n = 1), and Proteus species (n = 1) were grown in urine cultures. All
      patients had unilateral involvement. Increased white blood cell counts,
      sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein levels were detected in all cases. In
      addition to medical treatment, 2 patients underwent a nephrostomy catheter
      placement and another 2 patients underwent nephrectomy upon deterioration of her
      general health state. After achieving clinical stabilization with medical
      treatment, 1 patient underwent endoscopic ureteral stone treatment. The remaining
      3 cases were treated only with antibiotherapy. All patients were discharged with
      clinical cure. CONCLUSION: Mortality rates of EPN are gradually decreasing.
      Preservation of renal reserve is possible due to early diagnosis, appropriate
      antibiotherapy, and drainage.

PMID- 26279721
TI  - Genitourinary tuberculosis in North America: A rare clinical entity.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Although tuberculosis (TB) is the most common cause of mortality
      from infectious diseases worldwide, genitourinary TB in North America is rare. We
      review 3 cases of genitourinary TB diagnosed within the last 5 years. CASES: The
      first case is that of a 76-year-old African-Canadian woman who was referred for
      percutaneous nephrolithotomy of right lower pole renal stones. Although renal TB
      was suspected, her initial urinary TB culture was negative. On follow-up imaging,
      she developed bilateral ureteral thickening and ureteroscopic biopsy confirmed
      necrotizing granulomata. Repeat urine cultures were positive for M. tuberculosis.
      The second case is a 73-year-old Italian-Canadian woman who was referred for
      ureteroscopic biopsy of left thickened ureter to rule out urothelial carcinoma.
      Initial urine TB cultures were negative, despite biopsies confirming
      granulomatous inflammation. She was closely followed with urine cytologies and TB
      cultures. Repeat urine culture was positive for M. tuberculosis. Both patients
      were treated with a course of anti-tuberculous agents and indwelling ureteral
      stents to relieve ureteral obstruction. The third case is a 70-year-old Cree
      woman who was referred for percutaneous nephrolithotomy of a left "staghorn
      stone" in an atrophic left kidney. Thirty years earlier she had been treated for
      pulmonary TB in addition to ileocystoplasty for a "thimble" bladder. A computed
      tomography scan showed autonephrectomized left kidney. Her urine TB cultures were
      negative. She was placed on prophylactic antibiotics for her recurrent bacterial
      urinary tract infections. CONCLUSION: Genitourinary TB may present in various
      subtle ways, and the astute clinician must have a high index of suspicion for
      this disease in patients with atypical clinical and radiologic findings. In
      addition, TB urine cultures should be repeated when there is high index of
      suspicion.

PMID- 26279722
TI  - Technical feasibility of robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy in
      renal transplant recipients: Results of a series of 12 consecutive cases.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: We evaluate the technical feasibility of robotic prostatectomy in
      renal transplant recipients. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed preoperative
      and perioperative settings, as well as functional and oncologic results of 12
      patients operated on between 2009 and 2013. Prostatectomy was performed via a
      transperitoneal approach without any changing in the ports position. The average
      age was 61.92 +/- 2.98 years. The period between transplant and the diagnosis of
      adenocarcinoma was 79.7 months. The mean PSA was 7.34 ng/mL (range: 4.9-11).
      RESULTS: The operative time was 241.3 +/- 35.6 minutes with only one conversion
      and one transfusion. The intervention was difficult due to adhesions on the side
      of the graft in 50% of cases. There was a case of obstructive acute renal failure
      resulting from a hematoma of the Retzius treated by percutaneous nephrostomy at
      D20. There was a majority of pT2c (72.7%), including 3 positive margins (27.3%)
      and 2 biochemical relapses treated with radiotherapy and hormonotherapy,
      respectively. The end point prostate-specific antigen was undetectable. There was
      no significant difference between preoperative and J7 creatinine (p = 0. 22).
      CONCLUSIONS: Robotic prostatectomy in renal transplant recipients is a safe
      technique with no serious effects on the allograft.

PMID- 26279723
TI  - Prone split-leg position to manage encrusted ureteral stents in a single-stage
      procedure in women: Step-by-step surgical technique.
AB  - The management of encrusted ureteral stents is costly, time consuming and may be
      risky for the patient and challenging for the urologist. Treatment modalities for
      encrusted stents include extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, cystolithopaxy,
      rigid or flexible ureteroscopy with intracorporeal lithotripsy, percutaneous
      nephrolithotomy, open surgery, and a combination of those methods. In this study
      we describe the management of severe forgotten encrusted ureteral stents in 3
      female patients using a prone split-leg position. This position allows us to
      effectively treat any site and degree of stent encrustation in a single-session
      approach with the patient in the same position during the whole procedure. All
      patients were rendered stent and stone free. No complications occurred. 

PMID- 26279724
TI  - Feasibility and safety of radical cystectomy under combined spinal and epidural
      anesthesia in octogenarian patients with ASA score >=3: A case series.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: This study evaluated the feasibility and safety of open radical
      cystectomy (RC) under combined regional anesthesia (CRA) in high-risk
      octogenarian patients. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the medical records
      of high-risk, octogenarian bladder cancer patients submitted to open RC with CRA.
      Demographic and clinical data, intraoperative parameters and perioperative and
      postoperative complications were recorded using the Clavien-Dindo classification.
      RESULTS: In total, 14 male and 4 female patients, with a median age of 82.5 years
      were enrolled. Ureterocutaneostomy was performed in 15 patients and Bricker ileal
      conduit in the remaining 3. Operative time ranged from 97 to 184 minutes. Five
      patients were transfused and no major intraoperative complications occurred.
      Postoperative complications 30 days later included ileus (Grade II) in 3
      patients, surgical trauma infection in 1 patient (Grade II), respiratory
      infection in 2 patients (Grade III), and hydronephrosis with concurrent urinary
      tract infection in 3 patients (Grade III). No deaths occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Our
      study showed that octogenarian, high-risk bladder cancer patients with
      indications for RC can safely undergo the surgical procedure under CRA, without
      apparent increase in major complications.

PMID- 26279725
TI  - Localized prostate cancer presenting as a renal pseudo-tumour.
AB  - Malignant obstructive uropathy can be a result of common genitourinary
      malignancies (i.e., ureter, prostate, bladder, or kidney) or extrinsic processes,
      such as colon and ovarian tumours. We present a case of uropathy caused by
      prostatic obstruction, which initially presented as a renal psuedo-tumour. We
      also review the relevant literature. 

PMID- 26279726
TI  - Composite renal cell carcinoma and angiomyolipoma in a patient with Tuberous
      sclerosis: A diagnostic dilemma.
AB  - Tuberous sclerosis (TS) is an autosomal dominant disorder associated with various
      renal pathologies, including angiomyolipoma (AML). Renal cell carcinoma (RCC)
      with concomitant AML is rare. We report a case of composite RCC and AML in a
      young male with TS. This 25-year-old male presented with an abdominal mass. The
      abdominal computed tomography scan revealed RCC in the left kidney and AML in
      right kidney. A left radical nephrectomy was performed. Microscopy showed a
      tumour composed of closely intermingled RCC and AML components.
      Immunohistochemistry was performed for confirmation. A diagnosis of composite
      tumour with clear cell RCC and AML was made. Though the coexistence of RCC with
      AML is rare, and the composite variant is even rarer, one must be aware of this
      entity to prevent misdiagnosis as well as upstaging of RCC, and also to avoid
      missing areas of RCC within a large AML, especially in TS patients. 

PMID- 26279727
TI  - Endourological treatment of bilateral ureteral stones in bilateral ureteral
      duplication with right ureterocele.
AB  - Bilateral collecting system duplication is a very rare abnormality, including the
      splitting of the ureteric bud. Complete ureteral duplication with two separate
      openings in the urinary bladder is also extremely rare. To the best of our
      knowledge, we present the first case of bilateral ureteral stones in bilateral
      duplicated collecting system. 

PMID- 26279728
TI  - Bladder leiomyosarcoma in a patient with chronic ketamine abuse: A case report.
AB  - Bladder leiomyosarcoma is a rare mesenchymal tumour, accounting for less than
      0.5% of all primary bladder malignancies. Adult women of reproductive age have
      the higher incidence of bladder leiomyosarcoma. Exposure to local pelvic
      radiotherapy or systemic chemotherapy, especially cyclophosphamide therapy, is
      also a significant risk factor. We describe a case of a 31-year-old male who
      developed urinary bladder leiomyosarcoma. The patient had no history of
      radiotherapy, systemic chemotherapy, or other significant event, except a 5-year
      history of ketamine abuse. The tumour was found on the left bladder wall and was
      definitively diagnosed by transurethral resection of the bladder tumour. A
      partial cystectomy was performed. There are no known reports of urinary bladder
      leiomyosarcoma associated with chronic ketamine abuse; therefore, we speculate
      that chronic ketamine abuse may be a factor in the development of this infrequent
      bladder malignancy. 

PMID- 26279729
TI  - Renal vein leiomyosarcoma and renal cell carcinoma presenting together: A case
      report and discussion on the follow-up.
AB  - Leiomyosarcoma affecting the renal vein is rare, with about 30 documented cases
      in the English literature. The appearance on computed tomography can be difficult
      to interpret and is often confused with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC). This
      confusion can have implications on the perioperative care of patients presenting
      with this disease. We report a case with an usual radiological appearance of a
      renal vein leiomyosarcoma, alongside a separate RCC. This case highlights the
      need for a high index of suspicion in radiological reporting and provides a
      dilemma in regards to postoperative surveillance. 

PMID- 26279730
TI  - Laparoscopic simple nephrectomy patient with situs inversus totalis and left
      renal hypoplasia: A case report.
AB  - Situs inversus totalis (SIT) is a relatively rare anatomical condition
      characterized by the transposition of thoracic and abdominal organs from the
      normal side to the opposite position. Most reports of laparoscopic procedures in
      patients with SIT cite technical difficulties and longer operative times due to
      disorientation because of the reversed abdominal organs and necessary
      modification of the surgeon's movements and techniques. We present a case of a
      patient with SIT in whom a transperitoneal laparoscopic simple nephrectomy was
      performed. 

PMID- 26279731
TI  - Coincident detection of lung metastasis of prostate cancer and primary lung
      cancer: A case report.
AB  - We report an extremely rare case of 79-year-old man, who was discovered with
      coincidental lung metastasis of prostate cancer and primary lung cancer. The
      patient presented with low prostate-specific antigen and two lung lesions: one in
      the right lower lobe, and one in the right upper lobe, 3 years after he was
      treated with external beam radiotherapy for Gleason score 4+3=7, cT3aN0M0
      prostate cancer. A computed tomography-guided needle biopsy of a nodule in the
      right lower lobe revealed suspicious metastasis of prostate cancer. Thoracoscopic
      excisions of both lesions were performed, and each lung lesion was diagnosed as
      being metastatic prostate cancer and primary lung cancer. 

PMID- 26279732
TI  - Liposarcoma of the spermatic cord: A case report.
AB  - Spermatic cord liposarcoma is very rare and characterized by a painless inguinal
      or scrotal mass. This is a case report of a 66-year-old man presenting with a
      mass in his left scrotum. Inguinal orchiectomy was performed and the
      histopathological examination revealed a liposarcoma of the spermatic cord. 

PMID- 26279733
TI  - Spontaneous rupture of adult Wilms' tumor: A case report and review of the
      literature.
AB  - Wilms' tumour is rare in adults, and spontaneous rupture with retroperitoneal
      hemorrhage as the presenting sign of renal tumour is also uncommon. We present a
      case of a 20-year-old woman with spontaneous rupture of Wilms' tumour by
      describing the course of diagnosis and treatment. The patient underwent an open
      left radical nephrectomy, and was treated with 18 weeks of adjuvant chemotherapy
      with vincristine and actinomycin D. The follow-up of 12 months demonstrated no
      recurrence. We also reviewed the limited number of related reports. These suggest
      that the preoperative diagnosis of adult Wilms' tumour is very difficult, and
      radical nephrectomy and postoperative comprehensive therapy are equally important
      in the treatment of these patients. Factors of prognosis for adults with Wilms'
      tumour include tumour stage, histopathology, and time and type of therapy. 

PMID- 26279734
TI  - It's not always varicocele: A strange case of Zinner syndrome.
AB  - A 42-year-old man presented with a huge varicocele. The patient was completely
      asymptomatic and he did not complain of dysuria, perineal discomfort, or
      ejaculatory pain. During the visit, the mass mimicked a varicocele and during the
      Valsalva maneuver a reflux was documented by colour Doppler ultrasound and an
      abdominal ultrasound revealed an agenesis of the right kidney and a 4.5-cm
      diameter intra-prostatic cyst. An abdominal and pelvis magnetic resonance imaging
      was then performed, which confirmed the right renal agenesis, with an epididymal
      enlargement in the body and tail. This is a unique case of Zinner syndrome in
      which the patient presented with a paratesticular mass mimicking a varicocele. 

PMID- 26279735
TI  - Incidental retroperitoneal paraganglioma in patient candidate to radical
      prostatectomy: Concurrent surgical treatments by robotic approach.
AB  - We report a case of a 75-year-old male with biopsy-proven prostate cancer and
      candidate for radical prostatectomy. The patient's medical history includes
      hypertension and atrial fibrillation in prophylactic treatment; however, he was
      suffering from recurrent paroxysmal episodes of supraventricular tachycardia.
      Abdominal magnetic resonance performed for prostate cancer staging detected a non
      lymphatic inter-cavo-aortic mass of 42 * 37 * 43 cm. Results of biochemical
      screening confirmed the clinical diagnosis of symptomatic paraganglioma. The
      patient was subjected in a single robotic session for concurrent excision of the
      inter-aortocaval mass and radical prostatectomy with bilateral pelvic lymph-node
      dissection. During the procedure, there were no anesthesiological or surgical
      complications. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was
      discharged on postoperative day 5. Six months after surgery, his prostate
      specific antigen level was undetectable and the abdominal magnetic resonance
      imaging was negative for local recurrence or metastasis of paraganglioma. No more
      episodes of tachycardia were reported or antihypertensive therapy was necessary. 

PMID- 26279736
TI  - Malignant epitheloid angiomyolipoma of the kidney in a child treated with
      sunitinib, everolimus and axitinib.
AB  - The malignant variant of epithelioid angiomyolipoma (EAML) of the kidney is
      uncommon, extremely aggressive and behaves like a renal cell carcinoma. We
      present a case of a 12-year-old male with malignant EAML who was treated
      according to adult treatment protocols. To our knowledge, axitinib has not been
      used before in children. We conclude that adult protocols, in this rare case,
      could be safely used in rare childhood malignancies. 

PMID- 26279737
TI  - Computationally efficient confidence intervals for cross-validated area under the
      ROC curve estimates.
AB  - In binary classification problems, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) is commonly
      used to evaluate the performance of a prediction model. Often, it is combined
      with cross-validation in order to assess how the results will generalize to an
      independent data set. In order to evaluate the quality of an estimate for cross
      validated AUC, we obtain an estimate of its variance. For massive data sets, the
      process of generating a single performance estimate can be computationally
      expensive. Additionally, when using a complex prediction method, the process of
      cross-validating a predictive model on even a relatively small data set can still
      require a large amount of computation time. Thus, in many practical settings, the
      bootstrap is a computationally intractable approach to variance estimation. As an
      alternative to the bootstrap, we demonstrate a computationally efficient
      influence curve based approach to obtaining a variance estimate for cross
      validated AUC.

PMID- 26279738
TI  - Risk Behaviors Among Suburban Women who Use Methamphetamine: Social Harms and
      Social Solutions.
AB  - We propose that female methamphetamine users who live in suburbia experience
      risks for disease transmission stemming from their social environment that remain
      under the radar of public health surveillance networks. The data analyzed in this
      paper were collected from 2007 to 2011 and were drawn from two sequential studies
      on methamphetamine use. The studies were conducted in the suburbs of a
      southeastern United States metropolis. We analyzed a total of 65 qualitative
      interviews with former and active methamphetamine-using women. Data from focus
      groups also were included in the analysis. The participants' ages ranged from 18
      to 51 years. We identified three major themes with regards to risk behaviors and
      transmission of infectious diseases: (1) setting risk behaviors, such as sharing
      syringes and homelessness, lack of transportation and unemployment; (2) sexual
      risk behaviors such as condom use and having multiple partners; and (3) service-
      related risks, such as risk awareness and prevention behaviors as well as
      utilization of social services and healthcare. Our findings point to the
      pervasive nature of social influences on the risk for infectious disease
      transmission. We suggest that harm reduction programs be implemented in suburban
      communities to increase access to these services. Secondly, our data support the
      concept of social recovery for drug users to better their health and social lives
      holistically.

PMID- 26279740
TI  - Spontaneous Arterial Hemorrhage of the Hand Resulting in Compartment Syndrome.

PMID- 26279739
TI  - Cody.
AB  - Advances in burn management over the past 2 decades have resulted in improved
      survival and reduced morbidity. The treatment of a single patient following a 90%
      total body surface area injury illustrates the intensity of labour and
      coordinated hospital care required for such catastrophically injured patients.
      Data were extracted from the medical records and from personal recollections of
      the individual members of the multidisciplinary team as well as from the patient.
      The clinical course and management of complications are described chronologically
      as a series of overlapping phases from admission to discharge. 

PMID- 26279741
TI  - Leech (Hirudo medicinalis) Therapy for the Treatment of Nipple-Areolar Complex
      Congestion Following Breast Reduction.

PMID- 26279742
TI  - Estimating beta-mixing coefficients.
AB  - The literature on statistical learning for time series assumes the asymptotic
      independence or "mixing" of the data-generating process. These mixing assumptions
      are never tested, and there are no methods for estimating mixing rates from data.
      We give an estimator for the beta-mixing rate based on a single stationary sample
      path and show it is L1-risk consistent.

PMID- 26279743
TI  - Mixed LICORS: A Nonparametric Algorithm for Predictive State Reconstruction.
AB  - We introduce mixed LICORS, an algorithm for learning nonlinear, high-dimensional
      dynamics from spatio-temporal data, suitable for both prediction and simulation.
      Mixed LICORS extends the recent LICORS algorithm (Goerg and Shalizi, 2012) from
      hard clustering of predictive distributions to a non-parametric, EM-like soft
      clustering. This retains the asymptotic predictive optimality of LICORS, but, as
      we show in simulations, greatly improves out-of-sample forecasts with limited
      data. The new method is implemented in the publicly-available R package LICORS.

PMID- 26279744
TI  - Extracorporeal shock wave effectively attenuates brain infarct volume and
      improves neurological function in rat after acute ischemic stroke.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To investigate the effect of shock wave (SW) on brain-infarction
      volume (BIV) and neurological function in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) by left
      internal carotid artery occlusion in rats. METHODS AND RESULTS: SD rats (n=48)
      were divided into group 1 [sham-control (SC)], group 2 [SC-ECSW (energy dosage of
      0.15 mJ/mm(2)/300 impulses)], group 3 (AIS), and group 4 (AIS-ECSW) and
      sacrificed by day 28 after IS induction. In normal rats, caspase-3, Bax and TNF
      alpha biomarkers did not differ between animals with and without ECSW therapy,
      whereas Hsp70 was activated post-ECSW treatment. By day 21 after AIS,
      Sensorimotor-functional test identified a higher frequency of turning movement to
      left in group 3 than that in group 4 (P<0.05). By day 28, brain MRI demonstrated
      lager BIV in group 3 than that in group 4 (P<0.001). Angiogenesis biomarkers at
      cellular (CD31, alpha-SMA+) and protein (eNOS) levels and number of neuN+ cells
      were higher in groups 1 and 2 than those in groups 3 and 4, and higher in group 4
      than those in group 3, whereas VEGF and Hsp70 levels were progressively increased
      from groups 1 and 2 to group 4 (all P<0.001). Protein expressions of apoptosis
      (Bax, caspase 3, PARP), inflammation (MMP-9, TNF-alpha), oxidative stress (NOX-1,
      NOX-2, oxidized protein) and DNA-damage marker (gamma-H2AX), and expressions of
      gamma-H2AX+, GFAP+, AQP-4+ cells showed an opposite pattern compared to that of
      angiogenesis among the four groups (all P<0.001). CONCLUSION: ECSW therapy was
      safe and effective in reducing BIV and improved neurological function.

PMID- 26279745
TI  - Pancreatic and duodenal homeobox gene 1 (Pdx1) down-regulates hepatic
      transcription factor 1 alpha (HNF1alpha) expression during reprogramming of human
      hepatic cells into insulin-producing cells.
AB  - Ectopic expression of Pdx1 triggers rapid hepatocyte dedifferentiation by down
      regulating liver-enriched transcription factors and liver-specific functional
      genes such as hepatic nuclear factor-1alpha (HNF1alpha), albumin, and AAT.
      However, the links between Pdx1 over-expression and hepatic gene down-regulation
      are incompletely understood. HNF1alpha and HNF4alpha are important transcription
      factors that establish and maintain the hepatocyte phenotype. The human HNF4alpha
      gene contains two promoters (P1 and P2) that drive expression of P1-(HNF4alpha 1
      6) or P2-(HNF4alpha 7-9)-derived isoforms, which are used in different tissues
      and at different times during development. We hypothesized that the relative
      expression of HNF1alpha and HNF4alpha following ectopic Pdx1 expression may
      promote hepatic cell dedifferentiation and transdifferentiation toward pancreatic
      beta-cells. We produced lentiviruses expressing Pdx1, Pdx1-VP16, and Ngn3, along
      with dual-color reporter genes to indicate hepatic and pancreatic beta-cell
      phenotype changes. Using these PTF alone or in combinations, we demonstrated that
      Pdx1 not only activates specific beta-cell genes but down-regulates HNF1alpha.
      Pdx1-mediated reduction of HNF1alpha is accompanied by altered expression of its
      major activator, HNF4alpha isoforms, down-regulating hepatic genes ALB and AAT.
      Pdx1 up-regulates HNF4alpha via the P2 promoter. These P2-driven isoforms compete
      with P1-driven isoforms to suppress target gene transcription. In Huh7 cells, the
      AF-1 activation domain is more important for transactivation, whereas in INS1
      cells, the F inhibitory domain is more important. The loss and gain of functional
      activity strongly suggests that Pdx1 plays a central role in reprogramming
      hepatocytes into beta-cells by suppressing the hepatic phenotype. 

PMID- 26279746
TI  - Phosphorylation of EZH2 at T416 by CDK2 contributes to the malignancy of triple
      negative breast cancers.
AB  - Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), which is closely related to basal-like
      breast cancer, is a highly aggressive subtype of breast cancer that initially
      responds to chemotherapy but eventually develops resistance. This presents a
      major clinical challenge as there are currently no effective targeted therapies
      available due to its lack of HER2 and estrogen receptor expression. Here, we show
      that cyclin E and the enhancer of zeste 2 (EZH2) are closely co-expressed in TNBC
      patients, and cyclin E/CDK2 phosphorylates EZH2 at T416 (pT416-EZH2) in vivo.
      Phosphorylation of EZH2 at T416 enhances the ability of EZH2 to promote TNBC cell
      migration/invasion, tumorsphere formation, and in vivo tumor growth. In addition,
      high pT416-EZH2 correlates with poorer survival in TNBC patients. These findings
      suggest that pT416 has the potential to serve as a therapeutic biomarker for the
      aggressive forms of breast cancer and provide a rationale for the use of CDK2
      inhibitors to treat TNBC. 

PMID- 26279747
TI  - Angiotensin II in atrial structural remodeling: the role of Ang II/JAK/STAT3
      signaling pathway.
AB  - Ang II/JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway is known to be involved in atrial remodeling
      associated with development and progression of atrial fibrillation. In the
      present study, we used in vivo animal model and human atrial specimens to further
      characterize the role of this pathway in the atrial structural remodeling. We
      observed an elevated level of Ang II in the atrial samples of AF patients. This
      increase in Ang II was accompanied by increased expression of collagens I and
      III, MMP1, MMP2 and elevated phosphorylation of STAT3. Using rat models, we
      demonstrated that Ang II infusion induced profound changes in the level of
      apoptosis, expression of collagen subtypes I and III, caspase-3, caspase-8, MMP1,
      MMP2 and redistribution of cytochrome C. The data further support the key role of
      Ang II in the development of AF and highlight the specific mechanisms and changes
      associated with this process. 

PMID- 26279749
TI  - Transplantation of bradykinin-preconditioned human endothelial progenitor cells
      improves cardiac function via enhanced Akt/eNOS phosphorylation and angiogenesis.
AB  - This study determines whether preconditioning (PC) of human endothelial
      progenitor cells (hEPCs) with bradykinin promotes infarcted myocardium repair via
      enhanced activation of B2 receptor (B2R)-dependent Akt/eNOS and increased
      angiogenesis. hEPCs with or without bradykinin preconditioning (BK-PC) were
      transplanted into a nude mouse model of acute myocardial infarction. Survival of
      transplanted cells was assessed using DiD-labeled hEPCs. Infarct size, cardiac
      function, and angiogenesis were measured 10 d after transplantation. Akt, eNOS,
      and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expressions in cardiac tissues were
      detected by western blotting, and NO production was determined using an NO assay
      kit. The cell migration and tube formation in cultured hEPCs were determined
      using transwell chamber and matrigel tube formation assays, respectively. The
      VEGF levels in the cell supernatant were measured using an enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay kit. BK-PC-hEPCs improved cardiac function, decreased infarct
      size, and promoted neovascularization 10 d following transplantation. PC
      increased Akt and eNOS phosphorylation, VEGF expression, and NO production in the
      ischemic myocardium. The effects of BK-PC were abrogated by HOE140 (B2R
      antagonist) and LY294002 (Akt antagonist). PC increased hEPC migration, tube
      formation, and VEGF levels in vitro. Activation of B2R-dependent Akt/eNOS
      phosphorylation by BK-PC promotes hEPC neovascularization and improves cardiac
      function following transplantation. 

PMID- 26279748
TI  - Cisplatin induced sensory neuropathy is prevented by vascular endothelial growth
      factor-A.
AB  - Increased patient survival is a mark of modern anti-cancer therapy success.
      Unfortunately treatment side-effects such as neurotoxicity are a major long term
      concern. Sensory neuropathy is one of the common toxicities that can arise during
      platinum based chemotherapy. In many cases the current poor understanding of the
      neurological degeneration and lack of suitable analgesia has led to high
      incidences of patient drop out of treatment. VEGF-A is a prominent
      neuroprotective agent thus it was hypothesised to prevent cisplatin induced
      neuropathy. Systemic cisplatin treatment (lasting 3 weeks biweekly) resulted in
      mechanical allodynia and heat hyperalgesia in mice when compared to vehicle
      control. PGP9.5 sensory nerve fibre innervation was reduced in the plantar skin
      in the cisplatin treated group versus vehicle control mice. The cisplatin induced
      sensory neurodegeneration was associated with increased cleaved caspase 3
      expression as well as a reduction in Activating Transcription Factor 3 and pan
      VEGF-A expression in sensory neurons. VEGF-A165b expression was unaltered between
      vehicle and cisplatin treatment. rhVEGF-A165a and rhVEGF-A165b both prevented
      cisplatin induced sensory neurodegeneration. Cisplatin exposure blunts the
      regenerative properties of sensory neurons thus leading to sensory neuropathy.
      However, here it is identified that administration of VEGF-A isoform subtypes
      induce regeneration and prevent cell death and are therefore a possible adjunct
      therapy for chemotherapy induced neuropathy. 

PMID- 26279750
TI  - Intravenous administration of atorvastatin-pretreated mesenchymal stem cells
      improves cardiac performance after acute myocardial infarction: role of CXCR4.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The interaction between stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) and its
      receptor CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) plays an important role in mesenchymal
      stem cells (MSCs) migration and engraftment. Statins can increase the survival of
      MSCs. However, whether statins could enhance MSCs migration and engraftment is
      still unknown. Therefore, we designed the study to investigate whether
      atorvastatin (ATV) could enhance CXCR4 expression of MSCs and promote them homing
      toward the injured myocardium. METHODS AND RESULTS: Expression of CXCR4 was
      evaluated by flow cytometry and real time PCR. A transwell system was used to
      assess MSCs migration ability. Recruitment of systematically delivered MSCs to
      the infarcted heart was evaluated in Sprague-Dawley rats with acute myocardial
      infarction (AMI). ATV pretreatment enhanced the expression of CXCR4 and
      stimulated MSCs migration in vitro. However, the effect was largely abolished by
      CXCR4 neutralizing antibody. In AMI models, we found much more ATV-pretreated
      MSCs homing toward the infarcted myocardium than non-treated cells and this was
      accompanied by improved cardiac performance. CONCLUSIONS: ATV increases the
      migration ability of MSCs and improves cardiac performance due to up-regulated
      expression of CXCR4. These results suggest that ATV pretreatment of donor MSCs is
      an effective way to promote cell therapeutic potential for AMI.

PMID- 26279751
TI  - Effect of laminin-binding BDNF on induction of recurrent laryngeal nerve
      regeneration by miR-222 activation of mTOR signal pathway.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: Recurrent laryngeal nerve injury is a common severe
      complication in neck surgery, which can cause varying degrees of vocal fold
      paralysis and respiratory tract problems. In present study, the effects of
      laminin-binding brain derived neurotrophic factor (LBD-BDNF) on recurrent
      laryngeal nerve regeneration were explored and its possible mechanism was
      investigated. METHODS: LBD-BDNF or NAT-BDNF (BDNF without LBD binding) treatment
      was performed in laryngeal nerve injured rabbits for sixteen weeks. The laryngeal
      nerve was removed, and histological examination as well as laryngeal
      electromyography was employed to evaluate its morphology and function of
      conduction. PC12 cells were cultured to investigate the mechanisms underlying the
      effects of LBD-BDNF. Neurite outgrowth, proliferation and migration were
      determined in nerve cells. The expression of miRNAs and protein of mTOR was
      quantified by real-time PCR and western blotting respectively. RESULTS: In vivo
      experiments, LBD-BDNF significantly improved the histological structure and
      function of recurrent laryngeal nerve compared with NAT-BDNF. LBD-BDNF also
      markedly promoted neurite outgrowth, proliferation and migration in PC12 cells in
      vitro experiments. The levels of miR-222 and p-mTOR were up-regulated by LBD-BDNF
      treatment in both in vivo and in vitro experiments. miR-222 inhibitor attenuated
      the expression of phosphorylated mTOR and miR-222 mimic enhanced its expression
      in PC12 cells. In addition, the improved nerve conduction by LBD-BDNF was
      canceled by miR-222 inhibitor, and the mTOR inhibitor reversed the effects of miR
      222 inhibitor on LBD-BDNF treated cells. CONCLUSIONS: The present study revealed
      that LBD-BDNF promoted the recurrent laryngeal nerve regeneration in laryngeal
      nerve injured rabbits. The underlying mechanism was closely related to activation
      of p-mTOR by miR-222.

PMID- 26279752
TI  - Antimicrobial peptide LL-37 along with peptidoglycan drive monocyte polarization
      toward CD14(high)CD16(+) subset and may play a crucial role in the pathogenesis
      of psoriasis guttata.
AB  - The human cathelicidin LL-37 peptide is overexpressed in psoriasis and has been
      demonstrated to be a multifunctional modulator of innate immune response
      elements, including monocytes. Monocytes, categorized into three populations
      based on the cell surface expression of CD14 and CD16, are activated in psoriasis
      guttate and are commonly triggered by streptococcal infections. Peptidoglycan
      (PGN) is a major cell-wall component of streptococcus, and an increasing number
      of PGN-containing cells have been detected in psoriasis. Since there are
      independent reports of both PGN and LL-37 influencing monocytes, we tried to
      evaluate the effect of human LL-37 on PGN-induced monocyte activity and
      differentiation and subsequently studied their correlation with the pathogenesis
      of psoriasis guttate. The results revealed that monocytes from the peripheral
      blood of healthy individuals resulted in their polarization toward the
      CD14(high)CD16(+) subset, when cultured with PGN in the presence of the LL-37
      peptide. This peptide further induced PGN-driven differentiated monocytes into
      immature dendritic cells (iDC), as evident by the increased expression of CD1a,
      CD86, and HLA-DR markers, resulting in the induction of T cell proliferation and
      Th17 polarization. Furthermore, our data suggested that psoriasis guttata
      patients have significantly higher percentages of CD14(high)CD16(+) monocytes as
      well as circulating levels of LL-37, soluble form of triggering receptor
      expressed on myeloid cells (sTREM-1) levels, and anti-streptolysin O (ASO)
      levels, as compared to healthy controls. Psoriasis guttata patients also showed a
      positive correlation between the percentage of CD14(high)CD16(+) monocytes and
      the serum levels of sTREM-1 as well as the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index
      (PASI) scores. Therefore, we concluded that LL-37 in synergy with PGN directs
      monocyte polarization and differentiation into a proinflammatory phenotype, which
      might play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. 

PMID- 26279753
TI  - LTPB2 acts as a prognostic factor and promotes progression of cervical
      adenocarcinoma.
AB  - Latent transforming growth factor-beta-1 binding protein-2 (LTBP-2) is a member
      of the fibrillin/LTBP super family of extracellular matrix proteins, found to be
      overexpressed in certain malignant tumors. However, the clinical significance and
      biological role of LTBP-2 in cervical adenocarcinoma has remains unclear. We
      found that the expression of LTBP2 was higher in cervical adenocarcinoma than in
      normal cervical epithelial tissue as assessed by immunohistochemistry. Expression
      of LTBP2 is related to clinical stage, cervical tumor size, depth of cervical
      stromal invasion and lymph node metastasis. Knockdown of LTBP2 expression can
      inhibit the proliferation and migration of HeLa cells. Moreover, LTBP2 knockdown
      affected multiple tumor-related pathway genes including: the MAPK signaling
      pathway, the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway, receptor tyrosine kinase signaling and
      the P53 pathway. Taken together, this work suggests that LTBP2 may promote the
      development of cervical adenocarcinoma and serve as a prognostic factor in the
      clinical evaluation of patients with cervical adenocarcinoma. Our findings
      provide a new strategy for the diagnosis and treatment of cervical
      adenocarcinoma. 

PMID- 26279754
TI  - Angiogenesis effect of therapeutic ultrasound on HUVECs through activation of the
      PI3K-Akt-eNOS signal pathway.
AB  - Therapeutic angiogenic effects of low-intensity ultrasound have been reported in
      endothelial cells and animal models of hind limb ischemia. It has been shown that
      the proliferation, migration, and tube formation of endothelial cells play
      critical roles in angiogenesis. The purpose of this study was to determine the
      underlying mechanism of low-intensity continuous therapeutic ultrasound on
      angiogenesis in endothelial cells. In the present study, human umbilical vein
      endothelial cells (HUVECs) were simulated of low-intensity therapeutic ultrasound
      (TUS, 1 MHz, 0.3 W/cm(2), 9 minute per day) for 3 days, and we observed
      migration, tube formation, and expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase
      (eNOS) and serine/threonine kinase (Akt) in HUVECs. Specific inhibitors of eNOS
      and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) were added to the culture medium and TUS
      induced changes in the pathways that mediate angiogenesis were investigated.
      After exposure to TUS, HUVECs tube formation and migration were significantly
      promoted, which was blocked by the eNOS inhibitor Immunofluorescence assay and
      Western blotting analysis demonstrated that eNOS expression in the HUVECs was
      significantly increased after TUS exhibition. Proteins of phosphorylated eNOS and
      Akt were both up-regulated after TUS stimulation. However, the specific inhibitor
      of PI3K not only significantly decreased the expression of p-Akt, but also down
      regulated the p-eNOS. This suggested that the PI3K/Akt signal pathway might
      participate in modulating the activity of eNOS. In short, TUS therapy promotes
      angiogenesis through activation of the PI3K-Akt-eNOS signal cascade in HUVECs. 

PMID- 26279755
TI  - Different localization and expression of protein kinase C-beta in kidney cortex
      of diabetic nephropathy mice and its role in telmisartan treatment.
AB  - AIM: This study aims to investigate the localization and expression of protein
      kinase C-beta I and beta II in kidney cortex of diabetic nephropathy mice and
      their roles in telmisartan treatment. METHODS: 18 mice were randomly divided into
      three groups: normal group, diabetic nephropathy group and telmisartan-treated
      group. The localization and expression of protein kinase C-beta I and beta II
      were measured with confocal immunofluorescence laser scanning microscopy,
      immunohistochemistry and western blotting. The expression of transforming growth
      factor-beta 1 and vascular endothelial growth factor in glomeruli was detected by
      immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Compared to the normal mice, the expression and
      localization of protein kinase C-beta I and beta II are differed in diabetic
      nephropathy mice, with increased expression of protein kinase C-beta I but
      decreased level of protein kinase C-beta II. Meanwhile, the expression of
      transforming growth factor-beta 1 and vascular endothelial growth factor showed
      increase in the glomeruli of diabetic nephropathy, compared to the controls.
      Also, protein kinase C-beta I exhibited a positive correlation to transforming
      growth factor-beta 1 (r = 0.649, P = 0.030), but no correlation to vascular
      endothelial growth factor (r = 0.387, P = 0.079). Telmisartan treatment exercised
      significant beneficial role in diabetic nephropathy, which is associated with
      protein kinase C-beta I, but not beta II. CONCLUSIONS: The expression and
      localization of protein kinase C-beta I and beta II differ in the diabetic
      nephropathy, and such difference is associated with the pathogeneses of diabetic
      nephropathy.

PMID- 26279756
TI  - Clinical significance of coexpression of L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1)
      and ASC amino acid transporter 2 (ASCT2) in lung adenocarcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1) and ASC amino acid transporter
      2 (ASCT2) have been associated with tumor growth and progression. However, the
      clinical significance of LAT1 and ASCT2 coexpression in the prognosis of patients
      with lung adenocarcinoma remains unclear. METHODS: In total, 222 patients with
      surgically resected lung adenocarcinoma were investigated retrospectively. Tumor
      sections were stained immunohistochemically for LAT1, ASCT2, CD98, phosphorylated
      mammalian target-of-rapamycin (p-mTOR), and Ki-67, and microvessel density (MVD)
      was determined by staining for CD34. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)
      mutation status was also examined. RESULTS: LAT1 and ASCT2 were positively
      expressed in 22% and 40% of cases, respectively. Coexpression of LAT1 and ASCT2
      was observed in 12% of cases and was associated significantly with disease stage,
      lymphatic permeation, vascular invasion, CD98, Ki-67, and p-mTOR. Only LAT1 and
      ASCT2 coexpression indicated a poor prognosis for lung adenocarcinoma.
      Furthermore, this characteristic was recognized in early-stage patients,
      especially those who had wild-type, rather than mutated, EGFR. Multivariate
      analysis confirmed that the coexpression of LAT1 and ASCT2 was an independent
      factor for predicting poor outcome. CONCLUSIONS: LAT1 and ASCT2 coexpression is
      an independent prognostic factor for patients with lung adenocarcinoma,
      especially during the early stages, expressing wild-type EGFR.

PMID- 26279757
TI  - DLAT subunit of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex is upregulated in gastric
      cancer-implications in cancer therapy.
AB  - An iTRAQ-based tandem mass spectrometry approach was employed to relatively
      quantify proteins in the membrane proteome of eleven gastric cancer cell lines
      relative to a denominator non-cancer gastric epithelial cell line HFE145. Of the
      882 proteins detected, 57 proteins were found to be upregulated with > 1.3-fold
      change in at least 6 of the 11 cell lines. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that
      these proteins are significantly associated with cancer, cell growth and
      proliferation, death, survival and cell movement. The catalogue of membrane
      proteins presented that are potential regulators/effectors of gastric cancer
      progression has implications in cancer therapy. DLAT, a subunit of the pyruvate
      dehydrogenase complex, was selected as a candidate protein for further studies as
      its function in gastric cancer has yet to be established. SiRNA studies supported
      a role of DLAT in gastric cancer cell proliferation and carbohydrate metabolism,
      reprogramming of which is a hallmark of cancer. Our study contributes to recent
      interest and discussion in cancer energetics and related phenomena such as the
      Warburg and Reverse Warburg effects. Future mechanistic studies should lead to
      the elucidation of the mode of action of DLAT in human gastric cancer and
      establish DLAT as a viable drug target. 

PMID- 26279758
TI  - Epigenetic regulation of traf2- and Nck-interacting kinase (TNIK) in polycystic
      ovary syndrome.
AB  - Emerging evidence has led to considerable interest in the role of Traf2- and Nck
      interacting kinase (TNIK) in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) development.
      However, the epigenetic mechanism regulating TNIK transcription remains largely
      unknown. Here, we show that (i) TNIK mRNA expression is significantly increased
      in PCOS ovarian tissues, compared to normal ovarian tissues; (ii) PCOS ovarian
      tissues exhibit a hypermethylation pattern at the cg10180092 site, (iii) and
      cg10180092 is the critical site for the transcriptional regulation of TNIK.
      Mechanistically, hypermethylated cg10180092 site-mediated loss of holocarboxylase
      synthetase (HLCS)-related H3K9me enrichment activated TNIK transcription in PCOS
      ovarian tissues. Notably, a substantial body of evidence indicates that DNA
      hypermethylation is an alternative mechanism for gene inactivation, and a new
      role for DNA hypermethylationmediated TNIK activating was observed in this study.
      This may improve our understanding of divergent transcriptional regulation in the
      initiation and progression of TNIK-related PCOS. 

PMID- 26279759
TI  - Prognostic significance of L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1) expression in
      patients with ovarian tumors.
AB  - AIM: Amino acid transporters are essential for the growth, progression and the
      pathogenesis of various cancers. However, it remains obscure about the
      clinicopathological significance of L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1) and
      system ASC amino acid transporter 2 (ASCT2) for patients with human ovarian
      tumors. The aim of this study is to elucidate the prognostic role of these amino
      acid transporters in ovarian tumor. METHODS: One-hundred forty-two patients with
      surgically resected ovarian tumors were analyzed by immunohistochemistry.
      Expression of LAT1, ASCT2, CD98, Ki-67 and microvessel density (MVD) determined
      by CD34 were evaluated using specimens of the resected tumors. RESULTS: LAT1 and
      ASCT2 were positively expressed in 39% and 53%, respectively, of ovarian tumors
      (n=142) and 50% and 57%, respectively, of epidermal ovarian cancers (n=107). A
      positive LAT1 expression was closely correlated with the expression for ASCT2 and
      CD98, and cell proliferation (Ki-67) in ovarian cancer. By multivariate analysis,
      LAT1 was clarified as a significant independent marker for predicting a poor
      overall survival (OS). The expression of LAT1 could clearly discriminate between
      epidermal ovarian cancer and borderline malignancy. The expression level of LAT1
      within ovarian cancer cells varied among serous adenocarcinoma, endometrioid
      adenocarcinoma, clear cell adenocarcinoma and mucinous adenocarcinoma and we
      found LAT1 expression was higher in clear cell adenocarcinoma than other
      histological types. CONCLUSIONS: LAT1 is highly expressed in various ovarian
      tumors and a positive LAT1 expression can serve as a significant independent
      factor for predicting a poor OS in patients with epidermal ovarian cancer.

PMID- 26279760
TI  - VSIG4 is highly expressed and correlated with poor prognosis of high-grade glioma
      patients.
AB  - The high-grade glioma (HGG) remains as the greatest challenge for cancer
      management worldwide. Identification of novel therapeutics and diagnostic method
      is in urgent need. The V-set and immunoglobulin domain-containing protein 4
      (VSIG4) is a complement receptor for C3b/iC3b and inhibits cytotoxic T
      lymphocytes activation, which may play important roles in glioma oncogenesis. In
      this study, we performed immunohistochemistry in tissue microarray to determine
      the expression of VSIG4 in malignant glioma and normal brain. We then applied
      univariate and multivariate analyses to evaluate the expression of VSIG4 and
      correlated with prognosis of glioma patients. We have shown that VSIG4 was
      significantly elevated in high-grade glioma compared with those of normal brain
      tissues (P<0.001). We have also found that high VSIG4 expression was an
      independent prognostic factor for a shorter progression-free survival (PFS) and
      overall survival (OS) in high-grade glioma patients [hazard ratio (HR) =1.786,
      P=0.011 and HR=2.199, P=0.001, respectively]. Patients with low VSIG4 expression
      had a significantly longer median OS and PFS than those with high VSIG4
      expression. Subgroup analysis stratifying HGG patients by both VSIG4 expression
      and tumor grade further confirmed the independent prognostic role of VSIG4 in HGG
      patients, while no adjuvant radiotherapy, small extent of resection and higher
      tumor grade were other three independent risk factors for HGG poor prognosis.
      Similar findings were also obtained using data from Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA).
      Together, our results support that VISG4 can be used as a prognostic factor and
      potentially an immunotherapeutic target for glioma. 

PMID- 26279762
TI  - Is There a Role for Spin Doctors in Med Ed Research?

PMID- 26279761
TI  - CD39 is a promising therapeutic antibody target for the treatment of soft tissue
      sarcoma.
AB  - Soft tissue sarcoma (STS) is a heterogenous tumor arising from the embryonic
      mesoderm represented by approximately 50 histological subtypes. Effective
      therapeutic intervention is lacking for recurrent, late stage and metastatic
      disease. CD39, a cell-surface ectonucleotidase, has previously been shown to be
      upregulated in hematological malignancies and various epithelial tumors, but not
      in STS. Here, we show by mass spectrometry and immunohistochemistry that CD39 is
      highly expressed in primary patient sarcoma samples. Moreover, CD39 nucleotidase
      activity is enhanced in fibrosarcoma compared with normal control cells. We
      demonstrate that an inhibitory monoclonal anti-CD39 antibody, abrogates CD39
      enzymatic activity significantly and prolongs survival in a lethal metastatic
      patient-derived sarcoma model. Taken together, the data suggest CD39 is a novel
      therapeutic target for the treatment of STS. 

PMID- 26279763
TI  - Gamification: Implications for Curricular Design.

PMID- 26279764
TI  - From the Desk of the Program Director: Show Me the Rankings!

PMID- 26279765
TI  - Instinctive Clinical Teaching: Erasing the Mental Boundary Between Clinical
      Education and Patient Care to Promote Natural Learning.
AB  - Effective clinical teaching is essential in physician education, yet faculty
      members rarely receive formal training in clinical teaching. Formal models for
      training clinical educators are often tedious and require significant time and
      effort. Instinctive clinical teaching allows clinicians to seamlessly integrate
      and promote effective teaching into their clinical practice. The approach is
      guided by similarities between the components of Kolb's experiential learning
      cycle-concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualization,
      and active experimentation-and the elements of the patient care process-history
      and physical, initial assessment, differential, hypothesis, final diagnosis,
      management, and follow-up. Externalization of these clinical thought processes
      allows for inclusion of learners and promotes effective clinical teaching. 

PMID- 26279766
TI  - Impact of the Affordable Care Act on Grant-Supported Primary Care Faculty
      Development.
AB  - Health reform requires well-trained primary care physicians with new skills.
      Teaching faculty need to develop proficiency to deliver care in new models and
      systems, to lead change, and to teach these skills to the next generation of
      clinicians. Title VII Section 747 of the Public Health Service Act, modified and
      reauthorized under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), is the
      only federal program that specifically supports the professional development of
      primary care faculty. We analyzed the effect of the modifications under the ACA
      on a funding opportunity announcement addressing faculty development needs and
      attributes of funded applications, including geographic regions. The data offer
      useful insights to programs interested in tapping sources of support for primary
      care faculty development. The data also show that targeted federal funding can
      bring about changes that contribute to an up-to-date, responsive primary care
      workforce. Title VII programs, as amended by the ACA, focus on curriculum
      development, teaching in community-based settings, and integrating patient
      centered medical home concepts and interprofessional education and practice into
      the training of the next generation of physicians. These strategies drive change
      and improve the quality of care and patient outcomes. 

PMID- 26279767
TI  - Expertise, Time, Money, Mentoring, and Reward: Systemic Barriers That Limit
      Education Researcher Productivity-Proceedings From the AAMC GEA Workshop.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To further evolve in an evidence-based fashion, medical education
      needs to develop and evaluate new practices for teaching, learning, and
      assessment. However, educators face barriers in designing, conducting, and
      publishing education research. OBJECTIVE: To explore the barriers medical
      educators face in formulating, conducting, and publishing high-quality medical
      education research, and to identify strategies for overcoming them. METHODS: A
      consensus workshop was held November 5, 2013, at the Association of American
      Medical Colleges annual meeting. A working group of education research experts
      and educators completed a preconference literature review focusing on barriers to
      education research. During the workshop, consensus-based and small group
      techniques were used to refine the broad themes into content categories.
      Attendees then ranked the most important barriers and strategies for overcoming
      them with the highest potential impact. RESULTS: Barriers participants faced in
      conducting quality education research included lack of (1) expertise, (2) time,
      (3) funding, (4) mentorship, and (5) reward. The strategy considered most
      effective in overcoming these barriers involved building communities of education
      researchers for collaboration and networking, and advocating for education
      researchers' interests. Other suggestions included trying to secure increased
      funding opportunities, developing mentoring programs, and encouraging mechanisms
      to ensure protected time. CONCLUSIONS: Barriers to education research
      productivity clearly exist. Many appear to result from feelings of isolation that
      may be overcome with systemic efforts to develop and enable communities of
      practice across institutions. Finally, the theme of "reward" is novel and complex
      and may have implications for education research productivity.

PMID- 26279768
TI  - Impact of Global Health Experiences During Residency on Graduate Practice
      Location: A Multisite Cohort Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The impact of global health experiences on practice location is not
      clear. OBJECTIVE: We studied whether participants in global health tracks (GHTs)
      and global health electives (GHEs) were more likely to practice in underserved
      areas. METHODS: Our study used the 2010 American Medical Association Masterfile
      to evaluate the practice location of 999 graduates (1980-2009) from 5 family
      medicine programs. The variable of interest was participation in a GHT or GHE.
      Outcome measures were percentage of graduates practicing in (1) health
      professional shortage areas, (2) medically underserved areas or populations, (3)
      rural areas, (4) areas of dense poverty, and (5) any rural or underserved area.
      We also examined whether availability of a GHT or GHE in the program affected
      nonparticipants' practice location. RESULTS: Sixty-four percent (112 of 174) of
      participants practiced in areas of dense poverty compared with 56% (463 of 825)
      of nonparticipants (P  =  .04). Those graduating after GHT implementation were
      more likely to practice in a rural or underserved area compared with those
      graduating before implementation. After controlling for potential confounders,
      GHT participants were not more likely to work in an underserved area.
      CONCLUSIONS: Graduates of programs with global health experiences were more
      likely to practice in an underserved or rural area. Making these experiences
      available may affect participants and nonparticipants.

PMID- 26279769
TI  - Recognizing and Alleviating Moral Distress Among Obstetrics and Gynecology
      Residents.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Obstetrics and gynecology residents face difficult clinical
      situations and decisions that challenge their moral concepts. OBJECTIVE: We
      examined how moral and nonmoral judgments about patients are formulated,
      confirmed, or modified and how moral distress may be alleviated among obstetrics
      gynecology residents. METHODS: Three focus groups, guided by open-ended interview
      questions, were conducted with 31 obstetrics-gynecology residents from 3 academic
      medical institutions in northeast Ohio. Each focus group contained 7 to 14
      participants and was recorded. Two investigators independently coded and
      thematically analyzed the transcribed data. RESULTS: Our participants struggled
      with 3 types of patients perceived as difficult: (1) patients with chronic pain,
      including patients who abuse narcotics; (2) demanding and entitled patients; and
      (3) irresponsible patients. Difficult clinical encounters with such patients
      contribute to unalleviated moral distress for residents and negative, and often
      inaccurate, judgment made about patients. The residents reported that they were
      able to prevent stigmatizing judgments about patients by keeping an open mind or
      recognizing the particular needs of patients, but they still felt unresolved
      moral distress. CONCLUSIONS: Moral distress that is not addressed in residency
      education may contribute to career dissatisfaction and ineffective patient care.
      We recommend education and research on pedagogical approaches in residency
      education in a model that emphasizes ethics and professional identity development
      as well as the recognition and alleviation of moral distress.

PMID- 26279770
TI  - Using Simulation Education With Deliberate Practice to Teach Leadership and
      Resource Management Skills to Senior Resident Code Leaders.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cardiopulmonary arrests are rare, high-stakes events that benefit
      from using crisis resource management (CRM). Simulation-based education with
      deliberate practice can promote skill acquisition. OBJECTIVE: We assessed whether
      using simulation-based education to teach CRM would lead to improved performance,
      compared to a lecture format. METHODS: We tested third-year internal medicine
      residents in simulated code scenarios. Participants were randomly assigned to
      simulation-based education with deliberate practice (SIM) group or lecture (LEC)
      group. We created a checklist of CRM critical actions (which includes announcing
      the diagnosis, asking for help/suggestions, and assigning tasks), and reviewed
      videotaped performances, using a checklist of skills and communications patterns
      to identify CRM skills and communication efforts. Subjects were tested in
      simulated code scenarios 6 months after the initial assessment. RESULTS: At
      baseline, all 52 subjects recognized distress, and 92% (48 of 52) called for
      help. Seventy-eight percent (41 of 52) did not succeed in resuscitating the
      simulated patient or demonstrate the CRM skills. After intervention, both groups
      (n  =  26 per group) improved. All SIM subjects announced the diagnosis compared
      to 65% LEC subjects (17 of 26, P  =  .01); 77% (20 of 26) SIM and 19% (5 of 26)
      LEC subjects asked for suggestions (P < .001); and 100% (26 of 26) SIM and 27% (7
      of 26) LEC subjects assigned tasks (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The SIM intervention
      resulted in significantly improved team communication and cardiopulmonary arrest
      management. During debriefing, participants acknowledged the benefit of the SIM
      sessions.

PMID- 26279771
TI  - Determinants of Patient Satisfaction in Internal Medicine Resident Continuity
      Clinics: Findings of the Educational Innovations Project Ambulatory
      Collaborative.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Many internal medicine programs have reorganized their resident
      continuity clinics to improve the ambulatory care experience for residents. The
      effect of this redesign on patient satisfaction is largely unknown. METHODS: Our
      multi-institutional, cross-sectional study included 569 internal medicine
      residents from 11 programs participating in the Educational Innovations Project
      Ambulatory Collaborative. An 11-item patient satisfaction survey from the
      Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems was used to assess
      patient satisfaction, comparing patient satisfaction in traditional models of
      weekly continuity clinic with 2 new clinic models. We then examined the
      relationship between patient satisfaction and other practice variables. RESULTS:
      Patient satisfaction responses related to resident listening and communication
      skills, knowledge of medical history, perception of adequate visit time, overall
      rating, and willingness to refer to family and friends were significantly better
      in the traditional and block continuity models than the combination model. Higher
      ambulatory workload was associated with reduced patient perception of respect
      shown by the physician. The percentage of diabetic patients with glycated
      hemoglobin < 8% was positively correlated with number of visits, knowledge of
      medical history, perception of respect, and higher scores for recommending the
      physician to others. The percentage of diabetic patients with low density
      lipoprotein < 100 mg/dL was positively correlated with the physician showing
      respect. CONCLUSIONS: Patient satisfaction was similar in programs using block
      design and traditional models for continuity clinic, and both outperformed the
      combination model programs. There was a delicate balance between workload and
      patient perception of the physician showing respect. Care outcome measures for
      diabetic patients were associated with aspects of patient satisfaction.

PMID- 26279772
TI  - Relationship Between Postinterview Correspondence From Residency Program
      Applicants and Subsequent Applicant Match Outcomes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Studies show postinterview communication from applicants may affect
      their placement on the program's National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) rank
      order list. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether postinterview correspondence from
      applicants to a residency program is associated with the applicant's subsequent
      position on the program's rank list. METHODS: During 2 recruitment seasons, we
      collected postinterview correspondence from applicants to 1 residency program.
      Applicant characteristics and the content and timing of correspondence were
      compared with the applicant's position on the program's rank list. Data were
      analyzed using the Pearson chi(2) test. RESULTS: Of 470 applicants interviewed,
      290 (61.7%) sent unsolicited correspondence to the program after interviewing.
      Ten percent (29 of 290) stated they planned to rank the program first, 11.7% (34
      of 290) that they planned to rank it highly, and 78.3% (227 of 290) gave no
      indication of ranking intentions. Applicants who corresponded were no more likely
      to be ranked in the top 2 quartiles on the rank list than those who did not (P  =
      .32) nor were applicants who communicated plans to rank the program "first" or
      "highly" ranked higher than other corresponding applicants (P  =  .34). Of the 16
      applicants who planned to rank the program "first" and who were ranked in the
      program's match range, 5 did not match with the program, suggesting they may have
      misled the program. CONCLUSIONS: Postinterview correspondence by applicants was
      not associated with position on the rank order list. Correspondence does not
      benefit the applicant and can lead to misleading statements, which may violate
      the NRMP participation agreement.

PMID- 26279773
TI  - Brand Name Statin Prescribing in a Resident Ambulatory Practice: Implications for
      Teaching Cost-Conscious Medicine.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Several national initiatives aim to teach high-value care to
      residents. While there is a growing body of literature on cost impact of
      physicians' therapeutic decisions, few studies have assessed factors that
      influence residents' prescribing practices. OBJECTIVE: We studied factors
      associated with intensive health care utilization among internal medicine
      residents, using brand name statin prescribing as a proxy for higher-cost care.
      METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of statin
      prescriptions by residents at an urban academic internal medicine program, using
      electronic health record data between July 1, 2010, and June 30, 2011. RESULTS:
      For 319 encounters by 90 residents, patients were given a brand name statin in
      50% of cases. When categorized into quintiles, the bottom quintile of residents
      prescribed brand name statins in 2% of encounters, while the top quintile
      prescribed brand name statins in 98% of encounters. After adjusting for potential
      confounders, including patient characteristics and supervising attending, being
      in the primary care track was associated with lower odds (odds ratio [OR], 0.38;
      P  =  .02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.16-0.86), and graduating from a
      medical school with an above-average hospital care intensity index was associated
      with higher odds of prescribing brand name statins (OR, 1.70; P  =  .049; 95% CI,
      1.003-2.88). CONCLUSIONS: We found considerable variation in brand name statin
      prescribing by residents. Medical school attended and residency program type were
      associated with resident prescribing behavior. Future interventions should raise
      awareness of these patterns in an effort to teach high-value, cost-conscious care
      to all residents.

PMID- 26279774
TI  - Construct Validity and Generalizability of Simulation-Based Objective Structured
      Clinical Examination Scenarios.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It is not known if construct-related validity (progression of scores
      with different levels of training) and generalizability of Objective Structured
      Clinical Examination (OSCE) scenarios previously used with non-US graduating
      anesthesiology residents translate to a US training program. OBJECTIVE: We
      assessed for progression of scores with training for a validated high-stakes
      simulation-based anesthesiology examination. METHODS: Fifty US anesthesiology
      residents in postgraduate years (PGYs) 2 to 4 were evaluated in operating room,
      trauma, and resuscitation scenarios developed for and used in a high-stakes
      Israeli Anesthesiology Board examination, requiring a score of 70% on the
      checklist for passing (including all critical items). RESULTS: The OSCE error
      rate was lower for PGY-4 than PGY-2 residents in each field, and for most
      scenarios within each field. The critical item error rate was significantly lower
      for PGY-4 than PGY-3 residents in operating room scenarios, and for PGY-4 than
      PGY-2 residents in resuscitation scenarios. The final pass rate was significantly
      higher for PGY-3 and PGY-4 than PGY-2 residents in operating room scenarios, and
      also was significantly higher for PGY-4 than PGY-2 residents overall. PGY-4
      residents had a better error rate, total scenarios score, general evaluation
      score, critical items error rate, and final pass rate than PGY-2 residents.
      CONCLUSIONS: The comparable error rates, performance grades, and pass rates for
      US PGY-4 and non-US (Israeli) graduating (PGY-4 equivalent) residents, and the
      progression of scores among US residents with training level, demonstrate the
      construct-related validity and generalizability of these high-stakes OSCE
      scenarios.

PMID- 26279775
TI  - Assessing Family Medicine Residents' Communication Skills From the Patient's
      Perspective: Evaluating the Communication Assessment Tool.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Communication Assessment Tool (CAT), a paper-based patient
      survey, is 1 method to assess residents' interpersonal and communication skills.
      To further enhance the interpretation of the CAT, benchmark data are needed.
      OBJECTIVE: We sought to expand upon initial benchmarking data for the use of the
      CAT as an evaluation tool in family medicine residency programs. METHODS: Data
      were collected on 120 residents from 7 family medicine residency programs.
      Following an appointment with a resident, 1703 patients completed the CAT.
      RESULTS: The overall mean percentage of items rated as excellent was 73%.
      Significant differences were found in the overall percentage of items rated as
      "excellent" based on location of training (78% US graduate versus 71%
      international medical graduate) and native language of the resident (76% English
      speaking versus 69% non-English speaking). There were no significant differences
      found in the overall percentage of items rated as excellent based on the year of
      training or sex of the residents. CONCLUSIONS: These benchmarking data allow
      family medicine residency programs to compare the performance of their residents
      with other programs. The CAT can be used as an evaluation and a learning tool in
      family medicine and may be applicable to other specialties.

PMID- 26279776
TI  - Use of the Electronic Health Record to Track Continuity of Care in Neurological
      Surgery Residency.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Continuity of care in neurological surgery includes preoperative
      planning, technical and cognitive operative experience, and postoperative follow
      up. Determining the extent of continuity of care with duty hour limits is
      problematic. OBJECTIVE: We used electronic health record data to track continuity
      of care in a neurological surgery program and to assess changes in rotation
      requirements. METHODS: The electronic health record was surveyed for all dictated
      resident-neurological surgery patient encounters (excluding progress notes),
      discharge summaries, and bedside procedures (July 2009-November 2011). Encounters
      were designated as preoperative, operative, or postoperative and were grouped by
      postgraduate year (PGY)-1 through PGY-6. RESULTS: A total of 6382 dictations were
      reviewed, with 5231 (82.0%) pertinent to neurological surgery. Of the 1469
      operative notes, 303 (20.6%) had a record of an encounter with the operating
      resident in either a postoperative or preoperative setting. Preoperative
      encounters totaled 10.1% (148 of 1469); postoperative, 5.1% (75 of 1469); and
      encounters with both were 5.4% (80 of 1469). Continuity of care was as follows:
      PGY-1, 13.8% (4 of 29); PGY-2, 17.4% (26 of 149); PGY-3, 29.0% (36 of 124); PGY
      4, 24.8% (73 of 294); PGY-5, 28.8% (109 of 379); and PGY-6, 11.1% (55 of 494).
      One of the highest continuity rates was observed in a rotation specifically
      constructed to enhance continuity of care. CONCLUSIONS: The electronic health
      record can be used to track resident continuity of care in neurological surgery.
      The primary operating resident saw the patient in nonoperative settings, such as
      general admission, clinic visitation, or consultation in 20.6% (303 of 1469) of
      cases.

PMID- 26279777
TI  - Continuity of Care in the Training Environment: Anesthesiology Residency in the
      Ambulatory Surgery Setting.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Anesthesiology residents acquire clinical skills and acumen primarily
      from experience providing anesthesia for procedural cases, with prior preparation
      maximizing learning. Ambulatory surgery and associated management styles create
      fluid anesthesiology staffing-reducing predictability for learners and disrupting
      continuity of care. OBJECTIVE: This prospective, observational study aimed to
      quantify anesthesia personnel changes in the operating rooms of a single teaching
      hospital. METHODS: For a 5-week period, Monday through Friday, we recorded the
      surgical schedule on the prior evening. After the day of surgery, tracking
      software provided a list of cases performed. We completed electronic health
      record review for each case, recorded the actual anesthesiology personnel
      involved, and compared that to the personnel originally scheduled. We also
      recorded the occurrence of any permanent transitions of care within a case, the
      type of operation, and the anesthesia start and end times. RESULTS: Anesthesia
      providers included 47 residents and 32 attending physicians. The study period
      included 1285 scheduled cases, 55% (n  =  711) of which were started and finished
      by the originally scheduled resident and attending physician. Including canceled
      cases (126 of 1285, 10%) and added cases (207 of 1366, 15%), residents started
      anesthetics on patients and with attending physicians assigned to them from the
      day before 54% of the time. Transitions of care occurred in 19% (260 of 1366) of
      the cases. CONCLUSIONS: Anesthesiology residents prepare for many procedures that
      do not eventuate and frequently start other cases without prior opportunity for
      preparation and study. Transitions of care further reduce continuity of care and
      fragment supervision.

PMID- 26279778
TI  - International Residency Program Evaluation: Assessing the Reliability and Initial
      Validity of the ACGME-I Resident Survey in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Educators agree on the importance of assessing the quality of
      graduate medical education. In the United States, the Accreditation Council for
      Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) resident survey is an important part of the
      accreditation process, yet some studies have questioned its validity. OBJECTIVE:
      We assessed the reliability and acceptance of the ACGME-International (ACGME-I)
      resident survey in the culturally distinct, nonnative English-speaking resident
      population of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. METHODS: A total of 158
      residents in ACGME-I accredited institutions in Abu Dhabi received an online link
      to the ACGME-I survey. Reliability analysis was conducted using the Cronbach
      alpha. A focus group was then held with a convenience sample of 25 residents from
      different institutions and specialties to understand potential challenges
      encountered by survey participants. RESULTS: Completed surveys were received from
      116 residents (73.4%). The 39 items in the survey demonstrated high reliability,
      with a Cronbach alpha of 0.918. Of the 5 subscales, 4 demonstrated acceptable to
      very good reliability, ranging from 0.72 to 0.888. The subscale "resources" had
      lower reliability at 0.584. Removal of a single item increased the Cronbach alpha
      to a near-acceptable score of 0.670. Focus group results indicated that the
      survey met standards for readability, length, and time for completion.
      CONCLUSIONS: The ACGME-I resident survey demonstrates acceptable reliability and
      validity for measuring the perceptions of residents in an international residency
      program. The data derived from the survey can offer an important set of metrics
      for educational quality improvement in the United Arab Emirates.

PMID- 26279779
TI  - Assessing Effectiveness of a Geriatrics Rotation for Second-Year Internal
      Medicine Residents.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Residents need to acquire an understanding of the biopsychosocial
      aspects of caring for older adults with chronic illness, along with effective use
      of interdisciplinary services inside and outside of the hospital. OBJECTIVE: We
      expanded the geriatric medicine experience for second-year internal medicine
      residents and present the results of the first year's experience. METHODS: We
      paired a mandatory rotation for postgraduate year-2 internal medicine residents
      (2 weeks of day and 1 week of night inpatient experience in the Acute Care for
      Elders Unit), and a 1-week outpatient systems-based practice experience with
      online modules and readings. Evaluation included a case presentation, an oral
      examination, a written questionnaire for all residents, and a global assessment
      of the residents' performance on the geriatrics portion of the 2012 In-Training
      Examination (ITE). RESULTS: All residents passed their oral examination; there
      was little difference between classes in systems-based practice knowledge. More
      than 90% (21 of 23) of the residents who took the rotation reported that it left
      a lasting impression on how they would care for their patients. Mean ITE scores
      in geriatrics for all residents increased from 53% (versus 61% overall) in 2010
      to 87% (versus 81%) in 2012, although they dropped to 69% (versus 82%) in 2013.
      CONCLUSIONS: A rotation in geriatrics that is highly rated and covers both acute
      care and systems-based practice concepts is feasible for internal medicine
      residents. Residents did not learn detailed knowledge about specific programs for
      older adults, but clinical geriatrics knowledge improved.

PMID- 26279780
TI  - Assessing and Documenting the Cognitive Performance of Family Medicine Residents
      Practicing Outpatient Medicine.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Development of cognitive skills for competent medical practice is a
      goal of residency education. Cognitive skills must be developed for many
      different clinical situations. INNOVATION: We developed the Resident Cognitive
      Skills Documentation (CogDoc) as a method for capturing faculty members' real
      time assessment of residents' cognitive performance while they precepted them in
      a family medicine office. The tool captures 3 dimensions of cognitive skills:
      medical knowledge, understanding, and its application. This article describes
      CogDoc development, our experience with its use, and its reliability and
      feasibility. METHODS: After development and pilot-testing, we introduced the
      CogDoc at a single training site, collecting all completed forms for 14 months to
      determine completion rate, competence development over time, consistency among
      preceptors, and resident use of the data. RESULTS: Thirty-eight faculty members
      completed 5021 CogDoc forms, documenting 29% of all patient visits by 33
      residents. Competency was documented in all entrustable professional activities.
      Competence was statistically different among residents of different years of
      training for all 3 dimensions and progressively increased within all residency
      classes over time. Reliability scores were high: 0.9204 for the medical knowledge
      domain, 0.9405 for understanding, and 0.9414 for application. Almost every
      resident reported accessing the individual forms or summaries documenting their
      performance. CONCLUSIONS: The CogDoc approach allows for ongoing assessment and
      documentation of resident competence, and, when compiled over time, depicts a
      comprehensive assessment of residents' cognitive development and ability to make
      decisions in ambulatory medicine. This approach meets criteria for an acceptable
      tool for assessing cognitive skills.

PMID- 26279781
TI  - Workplace-Based Assessment of Internal Medicine Resident Diagnostic Accuracy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Making an accurate diagnosis is a core skill residents must develop.
      Assessments of this skill and decisions to grant residents clinical independence
      often are based on global impressions. A workplace-based assessment of diagnostic
      accuracy could be a useful part of a competency-based assessment program and
      could inform decisions about granting residents independence. INNOVATION: We
      developed a method for measuring diagnostic accuracy that was integrated into the
      workflow of internal medicine residents and attending physicians. METHODS: Four
      senior medical residents and 6 attending physicians working in the internal
      medicine clinical teaching unit of a tertiary hospital participated in this
      study. To determine their diagnostic accuracy, residents documented a leading
      diagnosis for each patient they evaluated in the emergency department. After
      reviewing each case with the resident and after examining the patient, the
      resident's attending physician documented the diagnosis. Discharge diagnosis was
      determined by retrospective chart review to allow determination of resident and
      attending physician diagnostic accuracy. Data were collected for 240 consecutive
      patients referred for a medicine consultation. RESULTS: Resident diagnostic
      accuracy was 66% (95% CI 60-72), whereas attending physician accuracy was
      significantly higher at 79% (95% CI 74-84, P < .001). By logistic regression, the
      accuracy of the attending physician was found to be influenced by the accuracy of
      the resident. Participants felt this process motivated them to improve their
      clinical reasoning. CONCLUSIONS: Measuring resident diagnostic accuracy provides
      information that could be used in a competency-based assessment program to
      provide feedback and motivation to stimulate performance improvement.

PMID- 26279782
TI  - A Novel Approach to Practice-Based Learning and Improvement Using a Web-Based
      Audit and Feedback Module.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Systematically engaging residents in large programs in quality
      improvement (QI) is challenging. OBJECTIVE: To coordinate a shared QI project in
      a large residency program using an online tool. METHODS: A web-based QI tool
      guided residents through a 2-phase evaluation of performance of foot examinations
      in patients with diabetes. In phase 1, residents completed reviews of health
      records with online data entry. Residents were then presented with personal
      performance data relative to peers and were prompted to develop improvement
      plans. In phase 2, residents again reviewed personal performance. Rates of
      performance were compared at the program and clinic levels for each phase, with
      data presented for residents. Acceptability was measured by the number of
      residents completing each phase. Feasibility was measured by estimated faculty,
      programmer, and administrator time and costs. RESULTS: Seventy-nine of 86
      eligible residents (92%) completed improvement plans and reviewed 1471 patients
      in phase 1, whereas 68 residents (79%) reviewed 1054 patient charts in phase 2.
      Rates of performance of examination increased significantly between phases (from
      52% to 73% for complete examination, P < .001). Development of the tool required
      130 hours of programmer time. Project analysis and management required 6 hours of
      administrator and faculty time monthly. CONCLUSIONS: An online tool developed and
      implemented for program-wide QI initiatives successfully engaged residents to
      participate in QI activities. Residents using this tool demonstrated improvement
      in a selected quality target. This tool could be adapted by other graduate
      medical education programs or for faculty development.

PMID- 26279783
TI  - Expanding Health Policy and Advocacy Education for Graduate Trainees.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Education in health policy and advocacy is recognized as an important
      component of health professional training. To date, curricula have only been
      assessed at the medical school level. OBJECTIVE: We sought to address the gap in
      these curricula for residents and other health professionals in primary care.
      INNOVATION: We created a health policy and advocacy curriculum for the VA
      Connecticut Healthcare System, Center of Excellence in Primary Care Education, an
      interprofessional, ambulatory-based, training program that includes internal
      medicine residents, nurse practitioner fellows, health psychology fellows, and
      pharmacy residents. The policy module focuses on health care finance and
      delivery, and the advocacy module emphasizes negotiation skills and opinion-based
      writing. Trainee attitudes were surveyed before and after the course, and using
      the Wilcoxon signed rank test, relative change was determined. Knowledge
      acquisition was evaluated with precourse and postcourse examinations using a
      paired sample t test. RESULTS: From July 2011 through June 2013, 16 trainees
      completed the course. In the postcourse survey, trainees demonstrated improved
      comfort with understanding health law and the American health care system (Likert
      mean increased from 2.1 to 3.0, P  =  .01), as well as with associated advocacy
      skills (Likert mean increased from 2.0 to 2.9, P  =  .04). Knowledge-based test
      scores also showed significant improvement (increasing from 55% to 78% correct, P
      <= .001). CONCLUSIONS: Our curriculum integrating core health policy knowledge
      with advocacy skills represents a novel approach in postgraduate health
      professional education and resulted in sustained improvement in knowledge and
      comfort with health policy and advocacy.

PMID- 26279784
TI  - The Milestones Passport: A Learner-Centered Application of the Milestone
      Framework to Prompt Real-Time Feedback in the Emergency Department.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In July 2013, emergency medicine residency programs implemented the
      Milestone assessment as part of the Next Accreditation System. OBJECTIVE: We
      hypothesized that applying the Milestone framework to real-time feedback in the
      emergency department (ED) could affect current feedback processes and culture. We
      describe the development and implementation of a Milestone-based, learner
      centered intervention designed to prompt real-time feedback in the ED. METHODS:
      We developed and implemented the Milestones Passport, a feedback intervention
      incorporating subcompetencies, in our residency program in July 2013. Our primary
      outcomes were feasibility, including faculty and staff time and costs, number of
      documented feedback encounters in the first 2 months of implementation, and user
      reported time required to complete the intervention. We also assessed learner and
      faculty acceptability. RESULTS: Development and implementation of the Milestones
      Passport required 10 hours of program coordinator time, 120 hours of software
      developer time, and 20 hours of faculty time. Twenty-eight residents and 34
      faculty members generated 257 Milestones Passport feedback encounters. Most
      residents and faculty reported that the encounters required fewer than 5 minutes
      to complete, and 48% (12 of 25) of the residents and 68% (19 of 28) of faculty
      reported satisfaction with the Milestones Passport intervention. Faculty
      satisfaction with overall feedback in the ED improved after the intervention (93%
      versus 54%, P  =  .003), whereas resident satisfaction with feedback did not
      change significantly. CONCLUSIONS: The Milestones Passport feedback intervention
      was feasible and acceptable to users; however, learner satisfaction with the
      Milestone assessment in the ED was modest.

PMID- 26279785
TI  - ACGME Duty Hour Revisions and Self-Reported Intern ICU Sleep Schedules.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education duty hour
      standards restrict continuous duty for postgraduate year (PGY)-1 residents to 16
      hours. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the relationship between a duty hour
      compliant schedule and resident sleep. METHODS: To comply with 2011 duty hour
      limits, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center restructured its intensive care unit
      call model for internal medicine PGY-1 residents from a traditional shift model
      to an overlapping shorter-duration shift model with preserved educational
      periods. Before and after schedule changes, we used daily surveys of PGY-1
      residents to collect self-reported data on quantity and quality of sleep and
      quality of education. RESULTS: A total of 1162 surveys were sent to 43 interns
      before scheduling changes, and 1305 were sent to 41 interns after the changes.
      Response rate was 31.2% (362 of 1161) before and 22.2% (290 of 1305) after.
      Before changes, 57.7% (209 of 362) reported receiving 6 hours or more of sleep in
      a 24-hour period compared to 72.4% (210 of 290) after the changes (adjusted
      relative risk, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.15-1.53), with an adjusted difference of 0.83
      hours of sleep per 24 hours (95% CI, 0.28-1.38). After the intervention, on a 5
      point Likert scale, residents reported higher quality of sleep (odds ratio [OR],
      1.62; 95% CI, 1.01-2.60) and greater satisfaction with their education (OR, 2.59;
      95% CI, 1.40-4.81). CONCLUSIONS: Following conversion to a duty hour-compliant
      model with preserved didactic time, PGY-1 residents reported minor increases in
      quantity and quality of sleep per 24-hour period, and increased satisfaction with
      the educational experience.

PMID- 26279786
TI  - Assessing the Value of Work Done by an Orthopedic Resident During Call.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Medicare funding for graduate medical education may be cut in the
      next federal budget. OBJECTIVE: We quantified the value of work that 1 orthopedic
      surgery resident performs on call and compare it to Medicare educational funding
      received by the hospital for each resident. METHODS: A single orthopedic
      resident's on-call emergency department and inpatient consults were collected
      during a 2-year call period at a large, tertiary, level-1 trauma center. Patient
      charts were reviewed; ICD-9 codes, evaluation and management, and procedural
      treatment were recorded. Codes were converted into work relative value units. The
      number of work relative value units was multiplied by the 2012 Medicare rate of
      $34.03 per relative value units to calculate the monetary value of resident work.
      RESULTS: Of 120 resident call shifts, 115 call sheets (95.8%) were available for
      review, and 1160 patients were seen (average  =  10.09 consults/call). A total of
      4688 work relative value units were generated (average  =  40.76 per night), and
      the total dollar value generated was $159,561 ($1,387 per call) during the 2
      years of call (average  =  $79,780 annually). Evaluation and management codes
      generated 2340 work relative value units, with a calculated dollar amount of
      $79,648, and procedural codes generated 2348 work relative value units, with a
      calculated dollar amount of $79,913. CONCLUSIONS: Our institution estimated
      Medicare direct medical education support per resident at $40,000/y, and total
      funding was $130,000/resident. At our tertiary care institution, the unbilled
      work of 1 orthopedic resident on call amounts to more than 60% of Medicare direct
      medical education and indirect medical education funding annually.

PMID- 26279787
TI  - A Military Transitional Year Professionalism Curriculum.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Development of professionalism is a critical component of a military
      transitional year residency. Little published research exists to guide programs
      in meeting this challenge. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: After significant concerns
      regarding resident professionalism were raised by Tripler Army Medical Center
      faculty, a novel transitional residency professionalism curriculum was conceived
      and implemented. Universal expectations of physician professionalism, as
      perceived by various stakeholders (patients, parents, faculty, and nurses), were
      explored using a small group, discussion-based curriculum. This was combined with
      a small group, discussion-based, lessons-learned project and a military-unique
      curriculum. RESULTS: Since implementation, the curriculum has had 100%
      satisfaction on the part of the faculty and 80% to 100% on the part of the
      residents, as measured by annual review surveys. Although resident
      professionalism scores on evaluations did not change significantly, the number of
      adverse actions because of professionalism lapses has decreased steadily in the 4
      years since inception, and the program has been without any such actions for the
      past 18 months. CONCLUSIONS: Our novel transitional residency professionalism
      curriculum has been successful in a military residency program.

PMID- 26279788
TI  - Educational Conference Scheduling, Patient Discharge Time, and Resident
      Satisfaction.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Limits on resident duty hours instituted in 2003 and 2011 have
      compressed medical resident daily workload. Despite this compression, residents
      must gain competence to practice medicine without supervision. OBJECTIVE: We
      sought to determine whether moving the time our educational conference is
      scheduled affects the time when patient discharges are completed on an internal
      medicine teaching service. METHODS: The study was conducted at a county hospital
      within a large internal medicine residency program. During the 4-month study
      period, the morning report conference for internal medicine residents was shifted
      from 8:30 am to 2 pm. Patient discharge times, defined as the time the discharge
      order set was signed, were obtained for the service via the electronic health
      record. The outcomes measured were patient discharge time variation and internal
      medicine resident preference for conference time. RESULTS: Survey response rate
      was 82% (42 of 51). Of the residents who responded, 64% (27 of 42) preferred the
      8:30 am report time, and 74% (31 of 42) felt the 8:30 am time was also better for
      education and timing of teaching rounds. There was no difference in discharge
      times for 2999 patients on the medicine teaching service, whether educational
      case conference morning report occurred at 8:30 am or at 2 pm. CONCLUSIONS:
      Medical patient average discharge time was not influenced by time of educational
      conference. Factors other than the timing of educational conference appear to
      influence hospital discharge times on an inpatient internal medicine service.

PMID- 26279789
TI  - Evaluation of Documentation Patterns of Trainees and Supervising Physicians Using
      Data Mining.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The electronic health record (EHR) includes a rich data set that may
      offer opportunities for data mining and natural language processing to answer
      questions about quality of care, key aspects of resident education, or attributes
      of the residents' learning environment. OBJECTIVE: We used data obtained from the
      EHR to report on inpatient documentation practices of residents and attending
      physicians at a large academic medical center. METHODS: We conducted a
      retrospective observational study of deidentified patient notes entered over 7
      consecutive months by a multispecialty university physician group at an urban
      hospital. A novel automated data mining technology was used to extract patient
      note-related variables. RESULTS: A sample of 26 802 consecutive patient notes was
      analyzed using the data mining and modeling tool Healthcare Smartgrid. Residents
      entered most of the notes (33%, 8178 of 24 787) between noon and 4 pm and 31%
      (7718 of 24 787) of notes between 8 am and noon. Attending physicians placed
      notes about teaching attestations within 24 hours in only 73% (17 843 of 24 443)
      of the records. Surgical residents were more likely to place notes before noon (P
      < .001). Nonsurgical faculty were more likely to provide attestation of resident
      notes within 24 hours (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Data related to patient note entry
      was successfully used to objectively measure current work flow of resident
      physicians and their supervising faculty, and the findings have implications for
      physician oversight of residents' clinical work. We were able to demonstrate the
      utility of a data mining model as an assessment tool in graduate medical
      education.

PMID- 26279790
TI  - Using Twitter in Clinical Education and Practice.

PMID- 26279791
TI  - Moral Distress and Moral Disorientation in the Context of Social Accountability.

PMID- 26279792
TI  - Does "Quality Time" Improve the Quality of Care?

PMID- 26279793
TI  - Teaching Wisely.

PMID- 26279794
TI  - Milestones: Not Millstones but Stepping Stones.

PMID- 26279795
TI  - Comments: Response to Defining Scholarly Activity.

PMID- 26279797
TI  - Observations: What Does "Proficient" in Quality Improvement and Patient Safety
      Look Like?

PMID- 26279796
TI  - Comments: The Milestones Hypothesis.

PMID- 26279799
TI  - Memoirs of an ACGME Resident Member.

PMID- 26279798
TI  - Comments: ACGME Response.

PMID- 26279800
TI  - The Power of Collaboration: Experiences From the Educational Innovations Project
      and Implications for the Next Accreditation System.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Internal Medicine Educational Innovations Project (EIP) is a 10
      year pilot project for innovating in accreditation, which involves annual
      reporting of information and less-restrictive requirements for a group of high
      performing programs. The EIP program directors' experiences offer insight into
      the benefits and challenges of innovative approaches to accreditation as the
      Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education transitions to the Next
      Accreditation System. OBJECTIVE: We assessed participating program directors'
      perceptions of the EIP at the midpoint of the project's 10-year life span.
      METHODS: We conducted telephone interviews with 15 of 18 current EIP programs
      (83% response rate) using a 19-item, open-ended, structured survey. Emerging
      themes were identified with content analysis. RESULTS: Respondents identified a
      number of the benefits from the EIP, most prominent among them, collaboration
      between programs (87%, 13 of 15) and culture change around quality improvement
      (47%, 7 of 15). The greatest benefit for residents was training in quality
      improvement methods (53%, 8 of 15), enhancing those residents' ability to become
      change agents in their future careers. Although the requirement for annual data
      reporting was identified by 60% (9 of 15) of program directors as the biggest
      challenge, respondents also considered it an important element for achieving
      progress on innovations. Program directors unanimously reported their ability to
      sustain innovation projects beyond the 10-year participation in EIP. CONCLUSIONS:
      The work of EIP was not viewed as "more work," but as "different work," which
      created a new mindset of continuous quality improvement in residency training.
      Lessons learned offer insight into the value of collaboration and opportunities
      to use accreditation to foster innovation.

PMID- 26279801
TI  - Residents' Perspectives on Patient Safety in University and Community Teaching
      Hospitals.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patient safety is an important concept in resident education. To
      date, few studies have assessed resident perceptions of patient safety across
      different specialties. OBJECTIVE: The study explored residents' views on patient
      safety across the specialties of internal medicine, general surgery, and
      diagnostic radiology, focusing on common themes and differences. METHODS: In fall
      2012, interviews of small groups of senior residents in internal medicine,
      general surgery, and diagnostic radiology were conducted at 3 academic medical
      centers and 3 community teaching hospitals in 3 major US metropolitan areas. In
      total, 33 residents were interviewed. Interviews used interactive discussion to
      explore multiple facets of patient safety. RESULTS: Residents identified lack of
      information, common errors, volume and acuity of patients, and inadequate
      supervision as major risks to patient safety. Specific threats to patient safety
      included communication problems, transitions of care, information technology
      interface issues, time constraints, and work flow. Residents disclosed that
      reporting safety issues was viewed as burdensome and carrying some degree of
      risk. There was variability as to whether residents would report safety threats
      they encountered. CONCLUSIONS: Residents are aware of threats to patient safety
      and have a unique perspective compared with other health care professionals.
      Transitions of care and communication problems were the most common safety
      threats identified by the residents interviewed.

PMID- 26279802
TI  - Introducing the CLER Pathways to Excellence: A New Way of Viewing Clinical
      Learning Environments.

PMID- 26279803
TI  - CLER Pathways to Excellence: Expectations for an Optimal Clinical Learning
      Environment (Executive Summary).

PMID- 26279805
TI  - Erratum.
AB  - [This corrects the article on p. 243 in vol. 6, PMID: 24701287.]. 

PMID- 26279804
TI  - A Practical Guide to the ACGME Self-Study.

PMID- 26279807
TI  - Pedicle Screw Placement in the Thoracolumbar Spine Using a Novel, Simple, Safe,
      and Effective Guide-Pin : A Computerized Tomography Analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To improve pedicle screw placement accuracy with minimal radiation and
      low cost, we developed specially designed K-wire with a marker. To evaluate the
      accuracy of thoracolumbar pedicle screws placed using the novel guide-pin and
      portable X-rays. METHODS: Observational cohort study with computerized tomography
      (CT) analysis of in vivo and in vitro pedicle screw placement. Postoperative CT
      scans of 183 titanium pedicle screws (85 lumbar and 98 thoracic from T1 to L5)
      placed into 2 cadavers and 18 patients were assessed. A specially designed guide
      pin with a marker was inserted into the pedicle to identify the correct starting
      point (2 mm lateral to the center of the pedicle) and aiming point (center of the
      pedicle isthmus) in posteroanterior and lateral X-rays. After radiographically
      confirming the exact starting and aiming points desired, a gearshift was inserted
      into the pedicle from the starting point into the vertebral body through the
      center of pedicle isthmus. RESULTS: Ninety-nine percent (181/183) of screws were
      contained within the pedicle (total 183 pedicle screws : 98 thoracic pedicle
      screws and 85 lumbar screws). Only two of 183 (1.0%) thoracic pedicle screws
      demonstrated breach (1 lateral in a patient and 1 medial in a cadaver specimen).
      None of the pedicle breaches were associated with neurologic or other clinical
      sequelae. CONCLUSION: A simple, specially designed guide-pin with portable X-rays
      can provide correct starting and aiming points and allows for accurate pedicle
      screw placement without preoperative CT scan and intraoperative fluoroscopic
      assistance.

PMID- 26279806
TI  - Recent Advancements of Treatment for Leptomeningeal Carcinomatosis.
AB  - Treatment of Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis (LMC) from solid cancers has not
      advanced noticeably since the introduction of intra-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
      chemotherapy in the 1970's. The marginal survival benefit and difficulty of
      intrathecal chemotherapy injection has hindered its wide spread use. Even after
      the introduction of intraventricular chemotherapy with Ommaya reservoir, frequent
      development of CSF flow disturbance, manifested as increased intracranial
      pressure (ICP), made injected drug to be distributed unevenly and thus, the
      therapy became ineffective. Systemic chemotherapy for LMC has been limited as
      effective CSF concentration can hardly be achieved except high dose methotrexate
      (MTX) intravenous administration. However, the introduction of small molecular
      weight target inhibitors for primary cancer treatment has changed the old concept
      of 'blood-brain barrier' as the ultimate barrier to systemically administered
      drugs. Conventional oral administration achieves an effective concentration at
      the nanomolar level. Furthermore, many studies report that a combined treatment
      of target inhibitor and intra-CSF chemotherapy significantly prolongs patient
      survival. Ventriculolumbar perfusion (VLP) chemotherapy has sought to increase
      drug delivery to the subarachnoid CSF space even in patients with disturbed CSF
      flow. Recently authors performed phase 1 and 2 clinical trial of VLP chemotherapy
      with MTX, and 3/4th of patients with increased ICP got controlled ICP and the
      survival was prolonged. Further trials are required with newly available drugs
      for CSF chemotherapy. Additionally, new LMC biologic/pharmacodynamic markers for
      early diagnosis and monitoring of the treatment response are to be identified
      with the help of advanced molecular biology techniques. 

PMID- 26279808
TI  - The Effect of Early Intervention and Rehabilitation in the Expression of
      Aquaporin-4; and Ultrastructure Changes on Rat's Offspring's Damaged Brain Caused
      by Intrauterine Infection.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of early intervention and rehabilitation in the
      expression of aquaporin-4 and ultrastructure changes on cerebral palsy pups model
      induced by intrauterine infection. METHODS: 20 pregnant Wistar rats were
      consecutively injected with lipopolysaccharide intraperitoneally. 60 Pups born
      from lipopolysaccharide group were randomly divided into intervention group
      (n=30) and non-intervention group (n=30); intervention group further divided into
      early intervention and rehabilitation group (n=10), acupuncture group (n=10) and
      consolidate group (n=10). Another 5 pregnant rats were injected with normal
      saline intraperitoneally; 30 pups born from the normal saline group were taken as
      control group. The intervention group received early intervention, rehabilitation
      and acupuncture treatment. The motor functions of all pups were assessed via
      suspension test and modified BBB locomotor score. Aquaporin-4 expression in brain
      tissue was studied through immunohistochemical and western-blot analysis.
      Ultrastructure changes in damaged brain and control group were studied electron
      microscopically. RESULTS: The scores of suspension test and modified BBB
      locomotor test were significantly higher in the control group than the
      intervention and non intervention group (p<0.01); higher in the intervention
      group than the non-intervention group (p<0.01). The expression of Aquaporin-4 was
      lower in intervention and non intervention group than in the control group
      (p<0.01); also lower in non-intervention group than the intervention group
      (p<0.01). Marked changes were observed in ultrastructure of cortex and
      hippocampus CAI in brain damaged group. CONCLUSION: Early intervention and
      rehabilitation training can improve the motor function in offspring with brain
      injury and reduce the expression of aquaporin-4 in damaged brain.

PMID- 26279809
TI  - Cognitive Dysfunction and Hippocampal Damage Induced by Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain
      Injury and Prolonged Febrile Convulsions in Immature Rats.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Perinatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and prolonged febrile
      seizures (pFS) are common neurologic problems that occur during childhood.
      However, there is insufficient evidence from experimental studies to conclude
      that pFS directly induces hippocampal injury. We studied cognitive function and
      histological changes in a rat model and investigated which among pFS, HIE, or a
      dual pathologic effect is most detrimental to the health of children. METHODS: A
      rat model of HIE at postnatal day (PD) 7 and a pFS model at PD10 were used.
      Behavioral and cognitive functions were investigated by means of weekly open
      field tests from postnatal week (PW) 3 to PW7, and by daily testing with the
      Morris water maze test at PW8. Pathological changes in the hippocampus were
      observed in the control, pFS, HIE, and HIE+pFS groups at PW9. RESULTS: The HIE
      priming group showed a seizure-prone state. The Morris water maze test revealed a
      decline in cognitive function in the HIE and HIE+pFS groups compared with the pFS
      and control groups. Additionally, the HIE and HIE+pFS groups showed significant
      hippocampal neuronal damage, astrogliosis, and volume loss, after maturation. The
      pFS alone induced minimal hippocampal neuronal damage without astrogliosis or
      volume loss. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that pFS alone causes no
      considerable memory or behavioral impairment, or cellular change. In contrast,
      HIE results in lasting memory impairment and neuronal damage, gliosis, and tissue
      loss. These findings may contribute to the understanding of the developing brain
      concerning conditions caused by HIE or pFS.

PMID- 26279810
TI  - Clinical Neuropathological Analysis of 10 Cases of Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy
      Related Cerebral Lobar Hemorrhage.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The clinical and pathological characteristics of 10 cases of cerebral
      amyloid angiopathy (CAA)-related cerebral lobar hemorrhage (CLH) that was
      diagnosed at autopsy were investigated to facilitate the diagnosis of this
      condition. METHODS: The clinical characteristics of 10 cases of CAA-related CLH
      were retrospectively reviewed, and a neuropathological examination was performed
      on autopsy samples. RESULTS: The 10 cases included two with a single lobar
      hemorrhage and eight with multifocal lobar hemorrhages. In all of the cases, the
      hemorrhage bled into the subarachnoid space. Pathological examinations of the 10
      cases revealed microaneurysms in two, double barrel-like changes in four,
      multifocal arteriolar clusters in five, obliterative onion skin-like intimal
      changes in four, fibrinoid necrosis of the vessels in seven, neurofibrillary
      tangles in eight, and senile plaques in five cases. CONCLUSION: CAA-related CLHs
      were located primarily in the parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes. These
      hemorrhages normally consisted of multiple repeated CLHs that frequently bled
      into the subarachnoid space. CAA-associated microvascular lesions may be the
      pathological factor underlying CLH.

PMID- 26279811
TI  - Modified Graded Repair of Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks in Endoscopic Endonasal
      Transsphenoidal Surgery.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Complete sellar floor reconstruction is critical to avoid
      postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage during transsphenoidal surgery.
      Recently, the pedicled nasoseptal flap has undergone many modifications and
      eventually proved to be valuable and efficient. However, using these nasoseptal
      flaps in all patients who undergo transsphenoidal surgery, including those who
      had none or only minor CSF leakage, appears to be overly invasive and time
      consuming. METHODS: Patients undergoing endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal
      tumor surgery within a 5 year-period were reviewed. Since 2009, we classified the
      intraoperative CSF leakage into grades from 0 to 3. Sellar floor reconstruction
      was tailored to each leak grade. We did not use any tissue grafts such as
      abdominal fat and did not include any procedures of CSF diversions such as lumbar
      drainage. RESULTS: Among 200 cases in 188 patients (147 pituitary adenoma and 41
      other pathologies), intraoperative CSF leakage was observed in 27.4% of 197 cases
      : 14.7% Grade 1, 4.6% Grade 2a, 3.0% Grade 2b, and 5.1% Grade 3. Postoperative
      CSF leakage was observed in none of the cases. Septal bone buttress was used for
      Grade 1 to 3 leakages instead of any other foreign materials. Pedicled nasoseptal
      flap was used for Grades 2b and 3 leakages. Unused septal bones and nasoseptal
      flaps were repositioned. CONCLUSION: Modified classification of intraoperative
      CSF leaks and tailored repair technique in a multilayered fashion using an en
      bloc harvested septal bone and vascularized nasoseptal flaps is an effective and
      reliable method for the prevention of postoperative CSF leaks.

PMID- 26279812
TI  - The Change of Sagittal Alignment of the Lumbar Spine after Dynesys Stabilization
      and Proposal of a Refinement.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Dynesys(r) is one of the pedicle-based dynamic lumbar stabilization
      systems and good clinical outcome has been reported. However, the cylindrical
      spacer between the heads of the screws undergoes deformation during assembly of
      the system. The pre-strain probably change the angle of instrumented spine with
      time and oblique-shaped spacer may reduce the pre-strain. We analyzed patients
      with single-level stabilization with Dynesys(r) and simulated oblique-shaped
      spacer with finite element (FE) model analysis. METHODS: Consecutive 14 patients,
      who underwent surgery for single-level lumbar spinal stenosis and were followed
      up more than 24 months (M : F=6 : 8; age, 58.7+/-8.0 years), were analyzed.
      Lumbar lordosis and segmental angle at the index level were compared between
      preoperation and postoperative month 24. The von Mises stresses on the obliquely
      cut spacer (5 degrees , 10 degrees , 15 degrees , 20 degrees , 25 degrees , and
      30 degrees ) were calculated under the compressive force of 400 N and 10 Nm of
      moment with validated FE model of the L4-5 spinal motion segment with segmental
      angle of 16 degrees . RESULTS: Lumbar lordosis was not changed, while segmental
      angle was changed significantly from -8.1+/-7.2 degrees  to -5.9+/-6.7 degrees 
      (p<0.01) at postoperative month 24. The maximum von Mises stresses were markedly
      decreased with increased angle of the spacer up to 20 degrees . The stress on the
      spacer was uneven with cylindrical spacer but it became even with the 15 degrees 
      oblique spacer. CONCLUSION: The decreased segmental lordosis may be partially
      related to the pre-strain of Dynesys. Further clinical and biomechanical studies
      are required for relevant use of the system.

PMID- 26279813
TI  - Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Treatment by a Korean Neurosurgeon: The Changing
      Role for Neurosurgeons.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate radiographic/clinical
      outcomes of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients treated by a Korean
      neurosurgeon. METHODS: Ten AIS patients were treated by a single neurosurgeon
      between January 2011 and September 2013 utilizing segmental instrumentation with
      pedicle screws. Basic demographic information, curve pattern by Lenke
      classification, number of levels treated, amount of correction achieved,
      radiographic/clinical outcomes [by Scolisis Resarch Society (SRS-22r)
      questionnaire] and complications were evaluated to determine the surgical
      results. Pulmonary function test was utilized to assess forced vital capacity
      (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) before and after surgery.
      RESULTS: The average percentage of correction of the major structural curve was
      73.6% (ranged from 64% to 81.5%). Preoperative and final postoperative absolute
      FVC averaged 3.03 L and 3.76 L (0.73 L increase, p=0.046), and absolute FEV1
      averaged 2.63 L and 3.49 L (0.86 L increase, p=0.021). Preoperative and final
      postoperative average self-image and function scores of SRS-22r were, 2.6+/-0.5,
      3.3+/-0.1, 4.0+/-0.5, and 4.6+/-0.0, respectively. There was a significant
      improvement of the self-image and function scores of SRS-22r questionnaires
      before and after surgery (p<0.05). There was no case of neurological deficit,
      infection and revision for screw malposition. One patient underwent a fusion
      extension surgery for shoulder asymmetry. CONCLUSION: Radiographic/clinical
      outcomes of AIS patients treated by a Korean neurosurgeon were acceptable.
      Fundamental understanding of pediatric spinal deformity is essential for the
      practice of AIS surgery.

PMID- 26279814
TI  - Bone Cement-Augmented Percutaneous Short Segment Fixation: An Effective Treatment
      for Kummell's Disease?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the efficacy of bone
      cement-augmented percutaneous short segment fixation for treating Kummell's
      disease accompanied by severe osteoporosis. METHODS: From 2009 to 2013, ten
      patients with single-level Kummell's disease accompanied by severe osteoporosis
      were enrolled in this study. After postural reduction for 1-2 days, bone cement
      augmented percutaneous short segment fixation was performed at one level above,
      one level below, and at the collapsed vertebra. Clinical results, radiological
      parameters, and related complications were assessed preoperatively and at 1 month
      and 12 months after surgery. RESULTS: Prior to surgery, the mean pain score on
      the visual analogue scale was 8.5+/-1.5. One month after the procedure, this
      score improved to 2.2+/-2.0 and the improvement was maintained at 12 months after
      surgery. The mean preoperative vertebral height loss was 48.2+/-10.5%, and the
      surgical procedure reduced this loss to 22.5+/-12.4%. In spite of some recurrent
      height loss, significant improvement was achieved at 12 months after surgery
      compared to preoperative values. The kyphotic angle improved significantly from
      22.4+/-4.9 degrees  before the procedure to 10.1+/-3.8 degrees  after surgery and
      the improved angle was maintained at 12 months after surgery despite a slight
      correction loss. No patient sustained adjacent fractures after bone cement
      augmented percutaneous short segment fixation during the follow-up period.
      Asymptomatic cement leakage into the paravertebral area was observed in one
      patient, but no major complications were seen. CONCLUSION: Bone cement-augmented
      percutaneous short segment fixation can be an effective and safe procedure for
      Kummell's disease.

PMID- 26279815
TI  - The Incidence and Management of Dural Tears and Cerebrospinal Fluid Leakage
      during Corrective Osteotomy for Ankylosing Spondylitis with Kyphotic Deformity.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To present the incidence and management of dural tears and
      cerebrospinal fluid leakage during corrective osteotomy [Pedicle Subtraction
      Osteotomy (PSO) or Smith-Petersen Osteotomy (SPO)] for ankylosing spondylitis
      with kyphotic deformity. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed for
      ankylosing spondylitis patients with fixed sagittal imbalance, who had undergone
      corrective osteotomy (PSO or SPO) at lumbar level. 87 patients were included in
      this study. 55 patients underwent PSO, 32 patients underwent SPO. The mean age of
      the patients at the time of surgery was 41.7 years (21-70 years). Of the 87
      patients, 15 patients had intraoperative dural tears. RESULTS: The overall
      incidence of dural tears was 17.2%. The incidence of dural tears during PSO was
      20.0%, SPO was 12.5%. There was significant difference in the incidence of dural
      tears based on surgical procedures (PSO vs. SPO) (p<0.05). The dural tears ranged
      in size from 12 to 221 mm(2). A nine of 15 patients had the relatively small
      dural tears, underwent direct repair via watertight closure. The remaining 6
      patients had the large dural tears, consequently direct repair was impossible.
      The large dural tears were repaired with an on-lay graft of muscle, fascia or fat
      harvested from the adjacent operation site. All patients had a successful repair
      with no patient requiring reoperation for the cerebrospinal fluid leak.
      CONCLUSION: The overall incidence of dural tears during PSO or SPO for ankylosing
      spondylitis with kyphotic deformity was 17.2%. The risk factor of dural tears was
      complexity of surgery. All dural tears were repaired primarily using direct
      suture, muscle, fascia or fat graft.

PMID- 26279816
TI  - Limited Unilateral Decompression and Pedicle Screw Fixation with Fusion for
      Lumbar Spinal Stenosis with Unilateral Radiculopathy: A Retrospective Analysis of
      25 Cases.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Lumbar spinal stenosis is conventionally treated with surgical
      decompression. However, bilateral decompression and laminectomy is more invasive
      and may not be necessary for lumbar stenosis patients with unilateral
      radiculopathy. We aimed to report the outcomes of unilateral laminectomy and
      bilateral pedicle screw fixation with fusion for patients with lumbar spinal
      stenosis and unilateral radiculopathy. METHODS: Patients with lumbar spinal
      stenosis with unilateral lower extremity radiculopathy who received limited
      unilateral decompression and bilateral pedicle screw fixation were included and
      evaluated using visual analog scale (VAS) pain and the Oswestry Disability Index
      (ODI) scores preoperatively and at follow-up visits. Ligamentum flavum thickness
      of the involved segments was measured on axial magnetic resonance images.
      RESULTS: Twenty-five patients were included. The mean preoperative VAS score was
      6.6+/-1.6 and 4.6+/-3.1 for leg and back pain, respectively. Ligamentum flavum
      thickness was comparable between the symptomatic and asymptomatic side (p=0.554).
      The mean follow-up duration was 29.2 months. The pain in the symptomatic side
      lower extremity (VAS score, 1.32+/-1.2) and the back (VAS score, 1.75+/-1.73)
      significantly improved (p=0.000 vs. baseline for both). The ODI improved
      significantly postoperatively (6.60+/-6.5; p=0.000 vs. baseline). Significant
      improvement in VAS pain and ODI scores were observed in patients receiving single
      or multi-segment decompression fusion with fixation (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Limited
      laminectomy and unilateral spinal decompression followed by bilateral pedicle
      screw fixation with fusion achieves satisfactory outcomes in patients with spinal
      stenosis and unilateral radiculopathy. This procedure is less damaging to
      structures that are important for maintaining posterior stability of the spine.

PMID- 26279817
TI  - Thoracic Extradural Cavernous Hemangioma Mimicking a Dumbbell-Shaped Tumor.
AB  - Dumbbell-shaped spinal extradural cavernous hemangioma is rare. The differential
      diagnosis of dumbbell-shaped spinal tumors based on magnetic resonance imaging
      includes schwannoma and lymphoma. Here, we report a dumbbell-shaped spinal
      extradural cavernous hemangioma with intrathoracic growth on T2-3 in a 64-year
      old man complaining of right side infrascapular area back pain with no neurologic
      deficit. The cavernous hemangioma was resected through combined video-assisted
      thoracoscopy and laminectomy without a fusion procedure. The patient had
      tolerable operative wound pain with no neurologic deficit after surgery. Based on
      magnetic resonance imaging findings and a review of the literature, we discuss
      cavernous hemangioma among the differential diagnosis of paravertebral dumbbell
      shaped spinal tumors and the importance of complete resection. 

PMID- 26279818
TI  - Unexpected Severe Cerebral Edema after Cranioplasty : Case Report and Literature
      Review.
AB  - This report details a case of unexpected, severe post-operative cerebral edema
      following cranioplasty. We discuss the possible pathological mechanisms of this
      complication. A 50-year-old female was admitted to our department with sudden
      onset of stuporous consciousness. A brain computed tomography (CT) revealed a
      subarachnoid hemorrhage with intracranial hemorrhage and subdural hematoma.
      Emergency decompressive craniectomy and aneurysmal neck clipping were performed.
      Following recovery, the decision was made to proceed with an autologous
      cranioplasty. The cranioplasty procedure was free of complications. An epidural
      drain was placed and connected to a suction system during skin closure to avoid
      epidural blood accumulation. However, following the procedure, the patient had a
      seizure in the recovery room. An emergency brain CT scan revealed widespread
      cerebral edema, and the catheter drain was clamped. The increased intracranial
      pressure and cerebral edema were controlled with osmotic diuretics,
      corticosteroids, and antiepileptic drugs. The edema slowly subsided, but new low
      density areas were noted in the brain on follow-up CT 1 week later. We speculated
      that placing the epidural drain on active suction may have caused an acute
      decrease in intracranial pressure and subsequent rapid expansion of the brain,
      which impaired autoregulation and led to reperfusion injury. 

PMID- 26279819
TI  - Cranioplasty Using a Modified Split Calvarial Graft Technique in Cleidocranial
      Dysplasia.
AB  - Cleidocranial dysplasia is a well-documented rare autosomal dominant skeletal
      dysplasia characterized by hypoplastic/aplastic clavicles, brachycephalic skull,
      patent sutures and fontanelles, midface hypoplasia, and abnormalities of
      dentition. Patients with cleidocranial dysplasia often complain about undesirable
      esthetic appearance of their forehead and skull. Notwithstanding many studies of
      molecular, genetics and skeletal abnormalities of this congenial disorder, there
      have been very few written reports of cranioplasty involving cleidocranial
      dysplasia. Thus, we report a rare case of successful cranioplasty using a
      modified split calvarial graft technique in patient with cleidocranial dysplasia.

PMID- 26279820
TI  - Growing Organized Hematomas Following Gamma Knife Radiosurgery for Cerebral
      Arteriovenous Malformation : Five Cases of Surgical Excision.
AB  - Organized hematoma is a rare complication that can develop following gamma knife
      radiosurgery (GKS) for cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM). Here, we
      describe 5 patients with growing organized hematomas that developed from
      completely obliterated AVMs several years after GKS. The patients were 15, 16,
      30, 36, and 38 years old at the time of GKS, respectively, and 3 patients were
      female. Four AVMs were located in the lobe of the brain, and the remaining AVM
      were in the thalamus. Between 2-12 years after GKS, patients developed
      progressive symptoms such intractable headache or hemiparesis and enhancing mass
      lesions were identified. Follow-up visits revealed the slow expansion of the
      hematomas and surrounding edema. Steroids were ineffective, and thus surgery was
      performed. Histology revealed organized hematomas with a capsule, but there was
      no evidence of residual AVMs or vascular malformation. After surgery, the
      neurological symptoms of all patients improved and the surrounding edema
      resolved. However, the hematoma continued to expand and intraventricular
      hemorrhage developed in 1 patient whose hematoma was only partially removed. GKS
      for cerebral AVM can be complicated by growing, organized hematomas that develop
      after complete obliteration. Growing hematomas should be surgically evacuated if
      they are symptomatic. Radical resection of the hematoma capsule is also strongly
      recommended. 

PMID- 26279821
TI  - Successful Treatment of Occipital Radiating Headache Using Pulsed Radiofrequency
      Therapy.
AB  - Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease involving multiple
      joints. The cervical spine is often affected, and cases involving atlantoaxial
      joint can lead to instability. Anterior atlantoaxial subluxation in RA patients
      can lead to posterior neck pain or occipital headache because of compression of
      the C2 ganglion or nerve. Here, we report the successful treatment of a RA
      patient with occipital radiating headache using pulsed radiofrequency therapy at
      the C2 dorsal root ganglion. 

PMID- 26279822
TI  - Management of neurogenic bladder.

PMID- 26279823
TI  - Urologic robotic surgery in Korea: past and present.
AB  - Since 2005 when the da Vinci surgical system was approved as a medical device by
      the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare, 51 systems have been installed in 40
      institutions as of May 2015. Although robotic surgery is not covered by the
      national health insurance service in Korea, it has been used in several urologic
      fields as a less invasive surgery. Since the first robotic-assisted laparoscopic
      radical prostatectomy in 2005, partial nephrectomy, radical cystectomy,
      pyeloplasty, and other urologic surgeries have been performed. The following
      should be considered to extend the indications for robotic surgery: training
      systems including accreditation, operative outcomes from follow-up results, and
      cost-effectiveness. In this review, the history and current status of robotic
      surgeries in Korea are presented.

PMID- 26279824
TI  - New and contemporary markers of prognosis in nonmuscle invasive urothelial
      cancer.
AB  - Nonmuscle invasive (NMI) urothelial cancer (UC) is associated with varied
      biological potential. It is characterized by frequent recurrence and progression,
      which thus worsens the oncological outcome. Nearly three-quarters of NMI UCs
      recur within 5 years, whereas half can progress during follow-up. Progression is
      particularly seen in T1 and carcinoma in situ (CIS). Undoubtedly, NMI UC is one
      of the most expensive cancers to manage. The European Organisation for Research
      and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) risk calculator is a commonly used tool for
      assessing the recurrence and progression potential of a newly diagnosed cancer.
      The parameters used in the assessment are tumor size and number, pathological
      stage and grade of the cancer, presence of CIS, and prior recurrence rate. The
      main advantages of the EORTC tool are its ease of use and the lack of need to run
      expensive molecular tests. However, reproducibility of pathologic stage and grade
      is modest, which is a concern to clinicians. Molecular markers have potential for
      predicting the clinical outcome of NMI UC, given that clinico-pathologic
      variables are not sufficient for prediction of prognosis in an individual.
      Significant work has been done in the past 2 decades in understanding the
      molecular biology of bladder cancer; however, the translational value of this
      knowledge remains poor. The role for molecular markers in predicting recurrence
      seems limited because multifocal disease and incomplete treatment are probably
      more important for recurrence than the molecular features of a resected tumor.
      Urinary markers have very limited value in prognostication of bladder cancer and
      are used (mainly as an adjunct to cytology) for detection and surveillance of
      urothelial cell cancer recurrence. Prediction of progression with molecular
      markers holds considerable promise. Nevertheless, the contemporary value of
      molecular markers over clinico-pathologic indexes is limited.

PMID- 26279825
TI  - Clinical features and prognosis of prostate cancer with high-grade prostatic
      intraepithelial neoplasia.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical features and biochemical recurrence (BCR) in
      prostate cancer (PCa) with high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia
      (HGPIN). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records
      of 893 patients who underwent a radical prostatectomy for PCa between 2011 and
      2012 at Asan Medical Center; 752 of these patients who did not receive
      neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy and were followed up for more than 1 year were
      included. The cohort was divided into two groups-patients with and without HGPIN
      and their characteristics were compared. The Cox proportional hazards model was
      used to analyze factors affecting BCR. RESULTS: In total, 652 study patients
      (86.7%) had HGPIN. There were no significant differences in preoperative factors
      between the two groups, including age (p=0.369) and preoperative prostate
      specific antigen concentration (p=0.234). Patients with HGPIN had a higher
      Gleason score (p=0.012), more frequent multiple tumor (p=0.013), and more
      perineural invasion (p=0.012), but no other postoperative pathologic
      characteristics were significantly different between the two groups. There were
      no significant differences in BCR (13.0% vs. 11.5%, p=0.665) and HGPIN was not
      associated with BCR (p=0.745). In multivariate analysis, only the T stage
      (p<0.001) was associated with BCR. CONCLUSIONS: PCa patients with HGPIN have a
      higher Gleason score, more frequent multiple tumors, and more perineural invasion
      than those without HGPIN. The presence of HGPIN is not an independent predictor
      of BCR.

PMID- 26279826
TI  - Comparative analysis of oncologic outcomes for open vs. robot-assisted radical
      prostatectomy in high-risk prostate cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the oncologic outcomes of robot-assisted radical
      prostatectomy (RARP) in high-risk prostate cancer (PCa), we compared the surgical
      margin status and biochemical recurrence-free survival (BCRFS) rates between
      retropubic radical prostatectomy (RRP) and RARP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A
      comparative analysis was conducted of high-risk PCa patients who underwent RRP or
      RARP by a single surgeon from 2007 to 2013. High-risk PCa was defined as clinical
      stage>=T3a, biopsy Gleason score 8-10, or prostate-specific antigen>20 ng/mL.
      Propensity score matching was performed to minimize selection bias, and all
      possible preoperative and postoperative confounders were matched. A Kaplan-Meier
      analysis was performed to assess the 5-year BCRFS, and Cox regression models were
      used to evaluate the effect of the surgical approach on biochemical recurrence.
      RESULTS: A total of 356 high-risk PCa patients (106 [29.8%] RRP and 250 [70.2%]
      RARP) were included in the final cohort analyzed. Before adjustment, the mean
      percentage of positive cores on biopsy and pathologic stage were poorer for RRP
      versus RARP (p=0.036 vs. p=0.054, respectively). The unadjusted 5-year BCRFS
      rates were better for RARP than for RRP (RRP vs. RARP: 48.1% vs. 64.4%, p=0.021).
      After adjustment for preoperative variables, the 5-year BCRFS rates were similar
      between RRP and RARP patients (48.5% vs. 59.6%, p=0.131). The surgical approach
      did not predict biochemical recurrence in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS:
      Five-year BCRFS rates of RARP are comparable to RRP in high-risk PCa. RARP is a
      feasible treatment option for high-risk PCa.

PMID- 26279827
TI  - Clinical effect of abiraterone acetate in Korean patients with metastatic
      castration-resistant prostate cancer according to duration of androgen
      deprivation therapy.
AB  - PURPOSE: Few data are available concerning the clinical outcome of abiraterone
      acetate treatment in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate
      cancer (mCRPC) in terms of the duration of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT)
      before diagnosis of CRPC. We investigated the clinical efficacy of abiraterone
      acetate according to the duration of ADT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the
      medical records of 20 patients with mCRPC who received abiraterone acetate after
      failure of docetaxel chemotherapy from May 2012 to March 2014 at Seoul National
      University Bundang Hospital. Clinical factors including prostate-specific antigen
      (PSA) nadir level, time to PSA nadir, PSA doubling time, PSA response, and modes
      of progression (PSA, radiologic, clinical) were analyzed. Disease progression was
      classified according to the Prostate Cancer Working Group 2 criteria. RESULTS:
      The mean age and PSA value of the entire cohort were 76.0+/-7.2 years and 158.8+/
      237.9 ng/mL, respectively. The median follow-up duration was 13.4+/-6.7 months.
      There were no statistically significant differences in clinical characteristics
      between patients who received abiraterone acetate with ADT duration<35 months and
      those who received abiraterone acetate with ADT duration>=35 months. There were
      also no significant differences in terms of PSA progression-free survival,
      radiologic progression-free survival, and clinical progression-free survival
      between patients with ADT duration<35 months and those with ADT duration >=35
      months. CONCLUSIONS: Although this was a retrospective study with a small sample
      size, we did not observe any statistically significant differences in the
      clinical response to abiraterone acetate between mCRPC patients with long ADT
      duration and those with short ADT duration in terms of disease progression-free
      survival.

PMID- 26279828
TI  - Evaluation of low-dose dual energy computed tomography for in vivo assessment of
      renal/ureteric calculus composition.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess the accuracy of low-dose dual-energy computed
      tomography (DECT) in predicting the composition of urinary calculi. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: A total of 52 patients with urinary calculi were scanned with a 128
      slice dual-source DECT scanner by use of a low-dose protocol. Dual-energy (DE)
      ratio, weighted average Hounsfield unit (HU) of calculi, radiation dose, and
      image noise levels were recorded. Two radiologists independently rated study
      quality. Stone composition was assessed after extraction by Fourier transform
      infrared spectroscopy (FTIRS). Analysis of variance was used to determine if the
      differences in HU values and DE ratios between the various calculus groups were
      significant. Threshold cutoff values to classify the calculi into separate groups
      were identified by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. RESULTS: A
      total of 137 calculi were detected. FTIRS analysis differentiated the calculi
      into five groups: uric acid (n=17), struvite (n=3), calcium oxalate monohydrate
      and dihydrate (COM-COD, n=84), calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM, n=28), and
      carbonate apatite (n=5). The HU value could differentiate only uric acid calculi
      from calcified calculi (p<0.001). The DE ratio could confidently differentiate
      uric acid, struvite, calcium oxalate, and carbonate apatite calculi (p<0.001)
      with cutoff values of 1.12, 1.34, and 1.66, respectively, giving >80% sensitivity
      and specificity to differentiate them. The DE ratio could not differentiate COM
      from COM-COD calculi. No study was rated poor in quality by either of the
      observers. The mean radiation dose was 1.8 mSv. CONCLUSIONS: Low-dose DECT
      accurately predicts urinary calculus composition in vivo while simultaneously
      reducing radiation exposure without compromising study quality.

PMID- 26279830
TI  - Letter to the editor: predictive value of the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and
      mean platelet volume in testicular torsion.

PMID- 26279829
TI  - Inpatients hypospadias care: trends and outcomes from the American nationwide
      inpatient sample.
AB  - PURPOSE: Hypospadias is the most common congenital penile anomaly. Information
      about current utilization patterns of inpatient hypospadias repair as well as
      complication rates remain poorly evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Nationwide
      Inpatient Sample was used to identify all patients undergoing inpatient
      hypospadias repair between 1998 and 2010. Patient and hospital characteristics
      were attained and outcomes of interest included intra- and immediate
      postoperative complications. Utilization was evaluated temporally and also
      according to patient and hospital characteristics. Predictors of complications
      and excess length of stay were evaluated by logistic regression models. RESULTS:
      A weighted 10,201 patients underwent inpatient hypospadias repair between 1998
      and 2010. Half were infants (52.2%), and were operated in urban and teaching
      hospitals. Trend analyses demonstrated a decline in incidence of inpatient
      hypospadias repair (estimated annual percentage change, -6.80%; range, -0.51% to 
      12.69%; p=0.037). Postoperative complication rate was 4.9% and most commonly
      wound-related. Hospital volume was inversely related to complication rates.
      Specifically, higher hospital volume (>31 cases annually) was the only variable
      associated with decreased postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: Inpatient
      hypospadias repair have substantially decreased since the late 1990's. Older age
      groups and presumably more complex procedures constitute most of the inpatient
      procedures nowadays.

PMID- 26279831
TI  - The authors reply: Predictive role of hematologic parameters in testicular
      torsion.

PMID- 26279832
TI  - Atypical emotional anticipation in high-functioning autism.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Understanding and anticipating others' mental or emotional states
      relies on the processing of social cues, such as dynamic facial expressions.
      Individuals with high-functioning autism (HFA) may process these cues differently
      from individuals with typical development (TD) and purportedly use a
      'mechanistic' rather than a 'mentalistic' approach, involving rule- and
      contingency-based interpretations of the stimuli. The study primarily aimed at
      examining whether the judgments of facial expressions made by individuals with TD
      and HFA would be similarly affected by the immediately preceding dynamic
      perceptual history of that face. A second aim was to explore possible differences
      in the mechanisms underpinning the perceptual judgments in the two groups.
      METHODS: Twenty-two adults with HFA and with TD, matched for age, gender and IQ,
      were tested in three experiments in which dynamic, 'ecologically valid' offsets
      of happy and angry facial expressions were presented. Participants evaluated the
      expression depicted in the last frame of the video clip by using a 5-point scale
      ranging from slightly angry via neutral to slightly happy. Specific experimental
      manipulations prior to the final facial expression of the video clip allowed
      examining contributions of bottom-up mechanisms (sequential contrast/context
      effects and representational momentum) and a top-down mechanism (emotional
      anticipation) to distortions in the perception of the final expression. RESULTS:
      In experiment 1, the two groups showed a very similar perceptual bias for the
      final expression of joy-to-neutral and anger-to-neutral videos (overshoot bias).
      In experiment 2, a change in the actor's identity during the clip removed the
      bias in the TD group, but not in the HFA group. In experiment 3, neutral-to
      joy/anger-to-neutral sequences generated an undershoot bias (opposite to the
      overshoot) in the TD group, whereas no bias was observed in the HFA group.
      CONCLUSIONS: We argue that in TD individuals the perceptual judgments of other's
      facial expressions were underpinned by an automatic emotional anticipation
      mechanism. In contrast, HFA individuals were primarily influenced by visual
      features, most notably the contrast between the start and end expressions, or
      pattern extrapolation. We critically discuss the proposition that automatic
      emotional anticipation may be induced by motor simulation of the perceived
      dynamic facial expressions and discuss its implications for autism.

PMID- 26279834
TI  - Effects of dietary protein/energy ratio on growth performance, carcass trait,
      meat quality, and plasma metabolites in pigs of different genotypes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The protein/energy ratio is important for the production performance
      and utilization of available feed resources by animals. Increased protein
      consumption by mammals leads to elevated feed costs and increased nitrogen
      release into the environment. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary
      protein/energy ratio on the growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality, and
      plasma metabolites of pigs of different genotypes. METHODS: Bama mini-pigs and
      Landrace pigs were randomly assigned to two dietary treatment groups (Chinese
      conventional diet with low protein/energy ratio or National Research Council diet
      with high protein/energy ratio; n = 24 per treatment) in a 2 * 2 factorial
      arrangement. Blood and muscle samples were collected at the end of the nursery,
      growing, and finishing phases. RESULTS: We observed significant interactions (P <
      0.05) between breed and diet for total fat percentage, intramuscular fat (IMF)
      content, protein content in biceps femoris (BF) muscle, and plasma urea nitrogen
      (UN) concentration in the nursery phase; for average daily gain (ADG), average
      daily feed intake (ADFI), dry matter, IMF content in psoas major (PM) muscle, and
      plasma total protein and albumin concentrations in the growing phase; and for
      drip loss and plasma UN concentration in the finishing phase. Breed influenced (P
      < 0.05) growth performance, carcass traits, and meat quality, but not plasma
      metabolites. Throughout the trial, Landrace pigs showed significantly higher (P <
      0.05) ADG, ADFI, dressing percentage, lean mass rate, and loin-eye area than did
      Bama mini-pigs, but significantly lower (P < 0.05) feed/gain ratio, fat
      percentage, backfat thickness, and IMF content. Dietary protein/energy ratio
      influenced the pH value, chemical composition of BF and PM muscles, and plasma
      activities of glutamic-pyruvic transaminase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase,
      and plasma concentration of UN. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with Landrace pigs, Bama
      mini-pigs showed slower growth and lower carcass performance, but had better meat
      quality. Moreover, unlike Landrace pigs, the dietary protein/energy ratio did not
      affect the growth performance of Bama mini-pigs. These results suggest that, in
      swine production, low dietary protein/energy ratio may be useful for reducing
      feed costs and minimizing the adverse effects of ammonia release into the
      environment.

PMID- 26279835
TI  - Hypo-endemic onchocerciasis hotspots: defining areas of high risk through micro
      mapping and environmental delineation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Onchocerciasis (river blindness) caused by the parasite
      Onchocercavolvulus and transmitted by riverine Simulium spp. (Black flies) is
      targeted for elimination in Africa. This is a significant change in strategy from
      the 'control' of meso- and hyper-endemic areas through mass drug administration
      (MDA) with Mectizan(r) (ivermectin), to the 'elimination' in all endemic areas
      where a range of interventions may be required. The most significant challenges
      of elimination in low transmission or hypo-endemic areas are two-fold. First,
      there are vast remote areas where the focality of low transmission is relatively
      undefined. Second, the treatment with ivermectin increases the risk of serious
      adverse events (SAEs) in individuals with high parasitaemias of Loa loa, a
      filarial parasite widespread in Central and West Africa, which causes Tropical
      eye worm and transmitted by Chrysops spp. (Deer flies). DISCUSSION: We therefore
      propose novel mapping approaches using remote sensing satellite and modelled
      environmental data to be used in combination with rapid field surveys to help
      resolve the problems of targeting the expansion of onchocerciasis elimination
      activities in L. loa co-endemic areas. First, we demonstrate that micro
      stratification overlap mapping (MOM) of available onchocerciasis and loiasis
      prevalence maps can be used to identify 12 key high risk areas, where low O.
      volvulusand high L. loa transmission overlap, which we define as "hypo-endemic
      hotspots". Second we show that integrated micro-mapping of prevalence data, and
      the use of environmental data to delineate riverine and forest risk factors
      associated with Simulium spp. and Chrysops spp. vector habitats can further help
      to define target intervention areas i.e. secondary hotspots within hotspots, to
      help avoid the risk of SAEs. SUMMARY: These mapping examples demonstrate the
      value of bringing prevalence, entomological and ecological information together
      to develop maps for planned implementation and targeted strategies. This is
      critical as better mapping may the reduce costs and lower the L. loa associated
      risks, especially if there are extensive areas of low endemicity that may require
      treatment with ivermectin or alternative strategies. Novel cost-effective
      approaches are necessary if elimination of O.volvulus transmission in Africa is
      to be achieved in an efficient and safe way by the goal of 2025.

PMID- 26279833
TI  - Sex differences in the brain: a whole body perspective.
AB  - Most writing on sexual differentiation of the mammalian brain (including our own)
      considers just two organs: the gonads and the brain. This perspective, which
      leaves out all other body parts, misleads us in several ways. First, there is
      accumulating evidence that all organs are sexually differentiated, and that sex
      differences in peripheral organs affect the brain. We demonstrate this by
      reviewing examples involving sex differences in muscles, adipose tissue, the
      liver, immune system, gut, kidneys, bladder, and placenta that affect the nervous
      system and behavior. The second consequence of ignoring other organs when
      considering neural sex differences is that we are likely to miss the fact that
      some brain sex differences develop to compensate for differences in the internal
      environment (i.e., because male and female brains operate in different bodies,
      sex differences are required to make output/function more similar in the two
      sexes). We also consider evidence that sex differences in sensory systems cause
      male and female brains to perceive different information about the world; the two
      sexes are also perceived by the world differently and therefore exposed to
      differences in experience via treatment by others. Although the topic of sex
      differences in the brain is often seen as much more emotionally charged than
      studies of sex differences in other organs, the dichotomy is largely false. By
      putting the brain firmly back in the body, sex differences in the brain are
      predictable and can be more completely understood. 

PMID- 26279836
TI  - International training programs on eating disorders for professionals,
      caregivers, and the general public: A scoping review.
AB  - This review identified and synthesized published training programs on eating
      disorders (ED) (anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa) for professionals, natural
      supporters of people with ED, or the public. A scoping review using the Arksey
      and O'Malley (2005) framework was conducted. Four data bases were searched, for
      all years, and manual searches from three additional sources were also conducted.
      Experts on ED were consulted for validation of the identified studies. A
      narrative synthesis was performed. A total of 20 evaluation studies from five
      countries were identified, and reviewed in relation to 14 ED training programs.
      Characteristics of the training programs, and study characteristics, were highly
      diverse, as shown on Table 1 which compiles results from the charted data.
      Evaluations were equally divided between training for healthcare and education
      professionals (9), and training for families or other carers of people with ED
      (10). One study evaluated ED training for the general public. We found that
      training orientation varies with the interests and needs of different trainee
      groups. While most studies assessed trainee outcomes, future research needs to
      give greater consideration to patient perspectives, and to the relationship
      between training and evaluation approaches, improved knowledge, and better care. 

PMID- 26279837
TI  - Religiosity, spirituality in relation to disordered eating and body image
      concerns: A systematic review.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This systematic review aims to critically examine the existing
      literature that has reported on the links between aspects of religiosity,
      spirituality and disordered eating, psychopathology and body image concerns.
      METHOD: A systematic search of online databases (PsycINFO, Medline, Embase and
      Web of Science) was conducted in December 2014. A search protocol was designed to
      identify relevant articles that quantitatively explored the relationship between
      various aspects of religiosity and/or spirituality and disordered eating,
      psychopathology and/or body image concerns in non-clinical samples of women and
      men. RESULTS: Twenty-two studies were identified to have matched the inclusion
      criteria. Overall, the main findings to emerge were that strong and internalised
      religious beliefs coupled with having a secure and satisfying relationship with
      God were associated with lower levels of disordered eating, psychopathology and
      body image concern. Conversely, a superficial faith coupled with a doubtful and
      anxious relationship with God were associated with greater levels of disordered
      eating, psychopathology and body image concern. DISCUSSION: While the studies
      reviewed have a number of evident limitations in design and methodology, there is
      sufficient evidence to make this avenue of enquiry worth pursuing. It is hoped
      that the direction provided by this review will lead to further investigation
      into the protective benefits of religiosity and spirituality in the development
      of a clinical eating disorder. Thus a stronger evidence base can then be utilised
      in developing community awareness and programs which reduce the risk.

PMID- 26279838
TI  - Application of the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer therapeutic strategy and impact
      on survival.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) classification of
      hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has proved useful in the management of HCC
      patients. However, BCLC-recommended first-line treatment is not always applicable
      in clinical practice. OBJECTIVE: We performed a multicentre retrospective
      analysis of reasons for deviation from first-line treatment in 2008-2012.
      METHODS: One to three-year survival data were analysed using Kaplan-Meier method.
      RESULTS: A total of 407 consecutive HCC patients (66.6 +/- 3 years, 83% male)
      with cirrhosis were included. Tumours were detected during surveillance in 53% of
      patients, grouped as Child-Pugh A (67%), B (25%) and C (8%); and BCLC A
      (including stage 0, 44%), B (26%), C (15%) and D (15%). In 31% of patients, first
      line treatment was not feasible (51% in early stages) due to: technical reasons
      (74%); patient non-conformity (20%); medical decision (3%); and disease
      progression (3%). One to three-year survival of patients not receiving the
      recommended first-line treatment was similar to that of patients treated
      according to BCLC recommendations (log-rank, p = 0.229). CONCLUSION: In real-life
      practice one-third of HCC patients could not receive first-line BCLC treatment.
      In our cohort of patients, similar short and medium-term survival was observed.
      Long-term prospective studies are required to determine the best alternative
      treatment option when BCLC first-line treatment is not feasible.

PMID- 26279839
TI  - Emerging indications of endoscopic radiofrequency ablation.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a well-validated treatment of
      dysplastic Barrett's esophagus. Other indications of endoscopic RFA are under
      evaluation. RESULTS: Four prospective studies (total 69 patients) have shown that
      RFA achieved complete remission of early esophageal squamous intra-epithelial
      neoplasia at a rate of 80%, but with a substantial risk of stricture. In the
      setting of gastric antral vascular ectasia, two prospective monocenter studies,
      and a retrospective multicenter study, (total 51 patients), suggest that RFA is
      efficacious in terms of reducing transfusion dependency. In the setting of
      chronic hemorrhagic radiation proctopathy, a prospective monocenter study and a
      retrospective multicenter study (total 56 patients) suggest that RFA is an
      efficient treatment. A retrospective comparative study (64 patients) suggests
      that RFA improves stents patency in malignant biliary strictures. CONCLUSIONS:
      Endoscopic RFA is an upcoming treatment modality in early esophageal squamous
      intra-epithelial neoplasia, as well as in gastric, rectal, and biliary diseases.

PMID- 26279840
TI  - Systematic review and meta-analysis: Efficacy and safety of POEM for achalasia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Peroral endoscopic esophageal myotomy (POEM) represents a less
      invasive alternative, as compared with conventional laparoscopic Heller myotomy
      for treating achalasia patients. In the last years, a number of prospective and
      retrospective experiences with POEM use for achalasia have been published.
      METHODS: Relevant publications in which patients affected by achalasia underwent
      POEM treatment were identified by PubMed databases for the period 2010 - 2013.
      From each study, we extracted the number and type of major complications (defined
      as those requiring any additional medical or surgical intervention). Data were
      pooled, using random-effects models. Heterogeneity among studies was assessed by
      using Cochran's Q and the I (2) statistic. RESULTS: We found 16 studies that
      provided data on 551 patients. The median surveillance period was 6 months
      (range: 3-12). The median of mean POEM duration was 156 minutes (range: 42-112).
      Median myotomy length was 10 cm (range: 6-14). Technical and clinical success
      were reported in 97% (95% CI: 94-98%) and 93% (407/428; 95% CI: 90-95%). No
      heterogeneity (I (2 )= 0%) or publication bias was present in both estimates.
      When limiting the analysis only to adverse events that require medical or
      surgical interventions, major adverse events occurred in 14% (95% CI: 11-17%);
      however, only one patient needed post-POEM surgery (0.2%; 95% CI: 0-0.5%).
      CONCLUSIONS: POEM appeared to be a highly feasible and effective endoscopic
      treatment for achalasia. Despite POEM being apparently associated with relatively
      high morbidity, most patients are successfully managed conservatively, so that
      POEM appears as a very safe procedure; however, POEM should only be performed in
      centers able to treat POEM complications, such as pneumothorax or
      pneumoperitoneum.

PMID- 26279841
TI  - IBD-related work disability in the community: Prevalence, severity and predictive
      factors. A cross-sectional study.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Data on the prevalence of work disability in patients with
      inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are heterogeneous. As most studies have been
      performed in selected, often severe, IBD patients, the true prevalence of
      disability in the community remains controversial. The aim of this cross
      sectional study was to evaluate the prevalence and severity of disability and its
      predictive factors in a community-based IBD population. PATIENTS AND METHODS:
      Patients recorded in the community-based IBD register at the Hospital
      Universitario de Burgos were contacted. After informed consent they completed a
      set of questionnaires including demographic, clinical, disability and quality of
      life data. The statistical study was performed using SPSS 21. RESULTS: A total of
      293 patients were included - 151 Crohn's disease (CD), 142 ulcerative colitis
      (UC), 137 female, mean age: 45 +/- 11 years, mean time since diagnosis: 10.6 +/-
      11 years. Twelve patients (4.1%) had a work-disability pension. In addition, 93
      (32%) of all patients had an officially recognized disability degree, which was
      generally moderate (n = 73, 25%) or severe (N = 16, 5%). Age, time since IBD
      diagnosis, CD, perianal disease, incontinence, active disease, the need for anti
      TNF or psychological treatment, previous surgeries and the number of diagnostic
      tests and medical visits in the previous year were predictors of disability.
      Major predictors of qualifying for a disability pension were age, IBD activity,
      incontinence, need for biological drugs and ostomy. CONCLUSION: Mild to moderate
      work disability is frequent in IBD. However, only a minority of patients develop
      severe disability qualifying them for a pension.

PMID- 26279842
TI  - Comparison of 22G reverse-beveled versus standard needle for endoscopic
      ultrasound-guided sampling of solid pancreatic lesions.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) using
      standard needles has a high diagnostic value in the evaluation of solid
      pancreatic masses. Fenestrated needles have been developed to improve the quality
      of EUS-guided tissue sampling by providing core biopsies (FNB). METHODS: Patients
      with solid pancreatic masses of >2 cm were prospectively included in our study
      and randomized to receive EUS sampling, using either a standard 22G FNA or a 22G
      Procore(r) FNB needle. The main study endpoint was the number of needle passes
      required to obtain a diagnosis in more than 90% of cases. RESULTS: We included
      100 patients (male = 63, female = 37; mean age = 68.4 years) in our study. We
      found that 88% of the lesions were malignant, with a mean size of 32 mm. A sample
      adequate for diagnosis was obtained in more than 90% of cases after the second
      needle pass in the FNB group, versus the third needle pass in the FNA group.
      Slide cellularity and presence of tissue microfragments were significantly higher
      in the FNB group. Sensitivity for the diagnosis of malignancy was 88.4% versus
      97.8% for the EUS-FNA and EUS-FNB group, respectively, while specificity for both
      techniques was 100%. No complications were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: Although the
      accuracy of both needle types for proving malignancy was similar, a lower number
      of passes was required with the FNB needles to achieve the same contributive
      sample rate as with the FNA needles. FNB also improved the histopathological
      quality of specimens, suggesting an overall superiority of FNB sampling.

PMID- 26279843
TI  - Is there a proximal shift in the distribution of colorectal adenomas?
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Several studies have shown a proximal shift of colorectal cancer
      (CRC) during the last decades. However, few have analyzed the changing
      distribution of adenomas over time. AIM: The aim of this study was to compare the
      site and the characteristics of colorectal adenomas, in a single center, during
      two periods. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, observational study in a
      single hospital of adenomas removed during a total colonoscopy in two one-year
      periods: 2003 (period 1) and 2012 (period 2). Patients with inflammatory bowel
      disease, familial adenomatous polyposis, hereditary non-polyposis colorectal
      cancer syndrome, or history of CRC were excluded from the study. The chi(2)
      statistical test was performed. P values less than 0.05 were considered
      statistically significant. RESULTS: During the two considered periods, a total of
      864 adenomas from 2394 complete colonoscopies were analyzed: 333 adenomas from
      998 colonoscopies during period 1 and 531 adenomas from 1396 colonoscopies during
      period 2. There was a significant increase in the proportion of adenomatous
      polyps in the proximal colon from period 1 to 2 (30.6% to 38.8% (p = 0.015)).
      Comparing the advanced features of adenomas between the two periods, it was noted
      that in period 2, the number of adenomas with size >=1 cm (p = 0.001), high-grade
      dysplasia (p = 0.001), and villous features (p < 0.0001) had a significant
      increase compared to period 1. CONCLUSION: Incidence of adenomatous polyps in the
      proximal colon as well as adenomas with advanced features has increased in the
      last years. This finding may have important implications regarding methods of CRC
      screening.

PMID- 26279844
TI  - The safety of same-day CT colonography following incomplete colonoscopy with
      polypectomy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Concerns about the risk of bowel perforation for same-day computed
      tomography colonography (CTC) following an incomplete colonoscopy with
      polypectomy may lead to unnecessarily postponing the CTC. OBJECTIVE: The
      objective of this article is to describe the complications including colon
      perforations associated with same-day CTC in a cohort who had polypectomies but
      an incomplete colonoscopy. DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective study. SETTING:
      Our study took place in a single, tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: We studied
      consecutive patients who had CTC the same day as an incomplete colonoscopy with
      polypectomy. INTERVENTIONS: Interventions included optical colonoscopy (OC),
      endoscopic polypectomies, and same-day CTC. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Our main
      outcome measurements included perforation rate with long-term follow-up. RESULTS:
      A total of 3% of patients undergoing colonoscopy from January 2008 to December
      2012 had same-day CTC following incomplete OC, and 72 polypectomies were
      performed in 34 (or 17%) of these patients. Incomplete colonoscopies were due to
      colon tortuosity and looping (25), severe angulations (five), colon mass (two),
      colon stenosis (one), bradycardia (one). Fifty-three percent of the OCs were
      screening for colon neoplasia, 29% diagnostic and 18% were surveillance of colon
      polyps. Most polyps were <= 5 mm, and found in the left colon. There were no
      reported complications or perforations associated with same-day CTCs during short
      and long-term follow-up. LIMITATIONS: Limitations of our analysis included
      retrospective single-center design, small number of patients for the occurrence,
      referral to same-day CTC was not standardized, inability to establish safety of
      CTC for specific scenarios such as after complex polypectomies, strictures, or
      advanced IBD. CONCLUSIONS: Radiologists' apprehension to perform a CTC the same
      day as an incomplete colonoscopy following polypectomies because of perceived
      risk of perforation may be unfounded. More data are needed to determine the
      safety of same-day CTC in patients with high-risk findings during colonoscopy
      such as a stricture, severe IBD, and after complex polypectomies.

PMID- 26279845
TI  - Screening for hepatitis C in average and high-risk populations of Qatar using
      rapid point-of-care testing.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Screening for hepatitis C has been found to be beneficial in high
      risk individuals and 'baby boomers'. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to screen for
      hepatitis C in average and high-risk individuals and compare the disease
      characteristics and response to treatment among the screened group (SG) and non
      screened group (NSG). METHOD: Community-based screening for hepatitis C was done
      in the average and high-risk populations of Qatar. Screening was done using rapid
      point-of-care testing. All patients with stage 1 fibrosis on liver biopsy were
      treated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. RESULTS: In total, 13,704 people
      were screened and 272 (2%, 95% CI (1.8-2.2%) had positive antibodies to hepatitis
      C. During the same period, 237 non-screened patients (NSG) with hepatitis C were
      referred for treatment. Alanine and aspartate aminotransferases (ALT, AST) and
      overall fibrosis were significantly lower in the SG as compared with the NSG (p =
      0.04, 0.04 and 0.01, respectively). The response to treatment was similar in the
      SG as compared with the NSG (sustained viral response 61.7 % versus 69.1%, p =
      0.55). Average-risk patients had significantly lower ALT levels (p = 0.04) but
      had similar response to treatment as the high-risk individuals (sustained viral
      response 63.2 % versus 61%, p = 0.87). CONCLUSION: Screening detects hepatitis C
      with lesser fibrosis but does not result in better response to pegylated
      interferon and ribavirin as compared with non-screened patients.

PMID- 26279846
TI  - Management of Crohn's disease - are guidelines transferred to clinical practice?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Management of Crohn's disease (CD) is a clinical challenge. In terms
      of an evidence-based approach, clinical guidelines help to deal with this
      challenge. However, little is known about guideline adherence concerning the
      management of CD in Germany. OBJECTIVE: To survey German gastroenterologists with
      regards to their guideline adherence in daily clinical care. METHOD: A web-based
      national survey was conducted among German gastroenterologists. RESULTS: A total
      of 175 inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) practitioners responded to the survey.
      Overall, in the different clinical situations covered in the questionnaire
      guideline adherence is good. However, the 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA)
      prescribing habits represent a striking exception. About 10-36% use 5-ASA as mono
      therapy in CD, depending on the clinical scenario. Predominantly it is used in
      mild CD and in colonic involvement. To maintain a surgically achieved remission,
      therapeutic decisions broadly rely on individual approaches with azathioprine and
      5-ASA being used by about 30% of the respondents. Cessation of smoking as a
      "therapeutic" strategy of maintenance therapy is used by only half of the
      surveyed physicians. CONCLUSION: Amongst German IBD practitioners, the guideline
      adherence is good overall. Reflecting ongoing uncertainty about the efficacy of
      mesalazine, its use in Crohn's disease is still heterogeneous.

PMID- 26279847
TI  - Are the definitions for chronic diarrhoea adequate? Evaluation of two different
      definitions in patients with chronic diarrhoea.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The classical definition of chronic diarrhoea is >=3 defecations/day,
      with a stool weight of more than 200 g and duration of >=4 weeks. However, with
      this definition many patients with substantial symptoms and pathology will be
      excluded from further investigations. As a consequence other definitions have
      been proposed, mainly based on evaluation of the stool form. OBJECTIVE: To
      evaluate the accuracy of the classic criteria for diarrhoea in comparison with a
      definition based on stool consistency, using the Bristol Stool Form Scale.
      METHODS: All patients were investigated with laboratory tests, upper and lower
      gastrointestinal endoscopy with biopsies, and SeHCAT test. They were asked to
      complete a diary recording stool frequency and consistency during a week, as well
      as other gastrointestinal symptoms (pain, bloating and gas). RESULTS: One hundred
      and thirty-nine subjects were eligible for analysis. Ninety-one had an organic
      cause of diarrhoea. Fifty-three patients had >=3 loose stools/day, whereas 86
      reported <3 stools/day. Ninety had a median stool consistency that was mushy or
      loose and 49 had harder stools. A higher proportion of subjects with an organic
      cause of their diarrhoea compared with subjects with a functional bowel disorder
      had >=3 loose stools/day, 43/91 (47%) vs. 10/48 (21%) (p < 0.01). Similarly, more
      subjects with an organic cause of their diarrhoea versus patients with a
      functional bowel disorder had a median stool consistency that was mushy or
      watery, 73/91 (80%) vs. 17/48 (35%), p < 0.0001. When diarrhoea was defined
      according to stool form, more patients were classified correctly as having a
      functional disorder or organic disorder, compared with the classical definition
      (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Loose stools defined according to the Bristol Stool Form
      scale seem to be the best predictor of having an organic cause of the diarrhoea.

PMID- 26279848
TI  - Risk factors for polyp retrieval failure in colonoscopy.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Colonoscopy is able to diagnose, resect and retrieve colonic
      polyps. Although retrieval of resected polyps is still globally advised, it is
      not always successful. We aimed to define the risk factors for polyp retrieval
      failure in colonoscopy. METHODS: A single-center, retrospective study assessed
      3507 consecutive and non-urgent colonoscopies, performed between September 2011
      and December 2012. Colonoscopies were included in our analysis if the diagnosis
      of at least one polyp was established, and one or more snare polypectomies were
      performed. Demographic and technical data were collected according to the
      patient's endoscopy report. RESULTS: A total of 1109 polyps were analyzed,
      corresponding to 496 colonoscopies from 483 different patients. We found that 53
      (4.8%) of the resected polyps were not retrieved. In a univariate analysis, the
      factors associated with polyp retrieval failure were: age, polyp size, resection
      technique, bowel preparation, location and the presence of a previous colorectal
      surgery (p < 0.05). In the multivariate analysis, a previous colorectal surgery,
      resection by cold snare, location in the right colon, inadequate bowel
      preparation and a polyp size up to 5 mm were independently associated with higher
      polyp retrieval failure (p < 0.05). DISCUSSION: Different and well-defined
      factors were associated with polyp retrieval failure. Because bowel preparation
      was the only modifiable factor identified, a special focus should be given to
      this topic.

PMID- 26279849
TI  - Aseptic non-touch technique and catheter-related bloodstream infection in
      children receiving parenteral nutrition at home.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Parenteral nutrition (PN) at home is an acceptable form of delivering
      long-term PN for children with intestinal failure. Catheter-related bloodstream
      infection (CRBSI) is one of the serious complications of long-term PN and can
      lead to increasing morbidity and mortality. Using aseptic non-touch technique
      (ANTT) was proven to decrease the incidence of CRBSI in hospital patients. In
      this study we aimed to review the incidence of CRBSI in children receiving PN at
      home in our institution using the ANTT and a simplified training programme for
      parents and carers. METHODS: We retrospectively collected clinical and
      microbiological data on all children with intestinal failure (IF) who were on
      treatment with PN at home under our specialist IF rehabilitation service between
      November 2012 and November 2013. RESULTS: Thirty-five children were included, 16
      of whom did not have any infection recorded during the study period. The overall
      CRBSI rate was 1.3 infections per 1000 line-days, with Staphylococcus being the
      commonest organism. Twenty-one children did not require catheter change and the
      overall catheter changes were 1.8 per 1000 line-days. CONCLUSION: In this
      article, we report a low incidence of CRBSI in a single institution by using the
      principle of ANTT for accessing central venous catheters combined with a
      simplified, nurse-led, two-week standardised training programme for parents of
      children going home on PN.

PMID- 26279850
TI  - Automated telemetry reveals age specific differences in flight duration and speed
      are driven by wind conditions in a migratory songbird.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Given that winds encountered on migration could theoretically double
      or half the energy expenditure of aerial migrants, there should be strong
      selection on behaviour in relation to wind conditions aloft. However, evidence
      suggests that juvenile songbirds are less choosy about wind conditions at
      departure relative to adults, potentially increasing energy expenditure during
      flight. To date, there has yet to be a direct comparison of flight efficiency
      between free-living adult and juvenile songbirds during migration in relation to
      wind conditions aloft, likely because of the challenges of following known aged
      individual songbirds during flight. We used an automated digital telemetry array
      to compare the flight efficiency of adult and juvenile Savannah sparrows
      (Passerculus sandwichensis) as they flew nearly 100 km during two successive
      stages of their fall migration; a departure flight from their breeding grounds
      out over the ocean and then a migratory flight along a coast. Using a multilevel
      path modelling framework, we evaluated the effects of age, flight stage, tailwind
      component, and crosswind component on flight duration and groundspeed. RESULTS:
      We found that juveniles departed under wind conditions that were less supportive
      relative to adults and that this resulted in juveniles taking 1.4 times longer to
      complete the same flight trajectories as adults. We did not find an effect of age
      on flight duration or groundspeed after controlling for wind conditions aloft,
      suggesting that both age groups were flying at similar airspeeds. We also found
      that groundspeeds were 1.7 times faster along the coast than over the ocean given
      more favourable tailwinds along the coast and because birds appeared to be
      climbing in altitude over the ocean, diverting some energy from horizontal to
      vertical movement. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide the first evidence that adult
      songbirds have considerably more efficient migratory flights than juveniles, and
      that this efficiency is driven by the selection of more supportive tailwind
      conditions aloft. We suggest that the tendency for juveniles to be less choosy
      about wind conditions at departure relative to adults could be adaptive if the
      benefits of having a more flexible departure schedule exceed the time and energy
      savings realized during flight with more supportive winds.

PMID- 26279851
TI  - A case of thyroid storm complicated by acute hepatitis due to propylthiouracil
      treatment.
AB  - A 57-year-old female presented 17 days after treatment with radioactive iodine
      (RAI) for difficult-to-control hyperthyroidism. She was febrile, had a sinus
      tachycardia, and was clinically thyrotoxic. Her thyroid function tests showed a
      suppressed TSH <0.02 mU/l, with free thyroxine (FT4) >75 pmol/l and total
      triiodothyronine (TT3) 6.0 nmol/l. She was diagnosed with thyroid storm and was
      managed with i.v. fluids, propylthiouracil (PTU) 200 mg four times a day,
      prednisolone 30 mg once daily and propanolol 10 mg three times a day. She
      gradually improved over 2 weeks and was discharged home on PTU with beta
      blockade. On clinic review 10 days later, it was noted that, although she was
      starting to feel better, she had grossly abnormal liver function (alanine
      transaminase (ALT) 852 U/l, bilirubin 46 MUmol/l, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) 303
      U/l, international normalized ratio (INR) 0.9, platelets 195*10(9)/l). She was
      still mildly thyrotoxic (TSH <0.02 mU/l, FT4 31 pmol/l, TT3 1.3 nmol/l). She was
      diagnosed with acute hepatitis secondary to treatment with PTU. Ultrasound showed
      mild hepatic steatosis. PTU was stopped and she was managed with fluids and
      prednisolone 60 mg once daily and continued beta blockade. Her liver function
      gradually improved over 10 days (bilirubin 9 MUmol/l, ALT 164 U/l, ALP 195 U/l,
      INR 0.9, platelets 323*10(9)/l) with conservative management and had normalised
      by clinic review 3 weeks later. This case highlights the potentially fatal, but
      rare, complications associated with both RAI and PTU, namely, thyroid storm and
      acute hepatitis respectively. LEARNING POINTS: Thyroid storm is an important,
      albeit rare, endocrinological emergency.Thyroid storm following RAI treatment is
      extremely rare.Management is with i.v. fluids, beta blockade, anti-thyroid drugs
      and steroids.High dose glucocorticoid steroids can block the peripheral
      conversion of T4 to active T3.Liver dysfunction, acute hepatitis and potential
      hepatic failure are significant adverse drug reactions known to occur with PTU
      treatment. Supervising clinicians should be vigilant for evidence of this
      developing and intervene accordingly.Clinicians need to be aware of possible
      interactions between regular paracetamol use and PTU in predisposing to liver
      impairment.

PMID- 26279852
TI  - Pituitary hyperplasia: an uncommon presentation of a common disease.
AB  - A 21-year-old woman presented with amenorrhea, bilateral galactorrhea and
      fatigue. Visual acuity and visual fields were normal. Laboratory examination
      demonstrated hyperprolactinemia. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the
      pituitary showed a 19*17*12-mm sellar mass with supra- and parasellar extension,
      causing compression of the pituitary stalk and optic chiasm. Further examinations
      confirmed mild hyperprolactinemia, strongly elevated TSH (>500 mU/l), low free
      thyroxine (FT4), hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and secondary adrenal
      insufficiency. Hydrocortisone and l-T4 replacement therapy was started. Three
      months later, the galactorrhea had disappeared, thyroid function was normalized
      and MRI revealed regression of the pituitary enlargement, confirming the
      diagnosis of pituitary hyperplasia (PH) due to primary hypothyroidism.
      Subsequently, the menstrual cycle returned and the hypocortisolism normalized.
      This case demonstrates that severe primary hypothyroidism may have an unusual
      presentation and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pituitary
      enlargement associated with moderate hyperprolactinemia. LEARNING POINTS: One
      should always try to find one etiology as the common cause of all the clinical
      findings in a pathologic process.Amenorrhea, galactorrhea and fatigue may be the
      only presenting clinical manifestations of primary hypothyroidism.Not every
      patient with galactorrhea, hyperprolactinemia and a pituitary mass has a
      prolactinoma.Primary hypothyroidism should always be considered in the
      differential diagnosis of hyperprolactinemia associated with pituitary
      enlargement and pituitary hormone(s) deficiency(ies).When PH due to primary
      hypothyroidism is suspected, thyroid hormone replacement should be started and
      only regression of pituitary enlargement on MRI follow-up can confirm the
      diagnosis.Examination of thyroid function in patients with a pituitary mass may
      avoid unnecessary surgery.

PMID- 26279853
TI  - Physician smoking cessation counseling and adherence to a clinical practice
      guideline.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The U.S. Public Health Service Clinical Practice Guideline recommends
      that physicians provide tobacco cessation interventions to their patients at
      every visit. While many studies have examined the extent to which physicians
      implement the guideline's "5 A's", few studies have examined the extent to which
      physicians implement the guideline's "5 R's" which are to be used in a
      Motivational Interviewing (MI) consistent style with smokers not ready to quit.
      This study examined the extent to which physicians in usual practice and without
      specific training administered the 5 R's including the use of an MI style.
      METHODS: Thirty-eight physicians were audio recorded during their routine
      clinical practice conversations with smokers.Recordings were coded by independent
      raters on the implementation of each of the 5 A's, 5 R's and MI counseling style.
      RESULTS: Results revealed that for patients not ready to quit smoking, physicians
      most frequently discussed the patient's personal relevance for quitting and the
      risks of smoking. Roadblocks and rewards were discussed relatively infrequently.
      MI skill code analyses revealed that physicians, on average, had moderate scores
      for acceptance and autonomy support, a low to moderate score for collaboration
      and low scores for empathy and evocation. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that for
      the Clinical Guideline to be implemented appropriately physicians will need
      specialized training or will need to be able to refer patients to counselors with
      the necessary expertise. Counseling efforts could increase providers' willingness
      to implement guideline recommendations and therefore to enhance the person
      centeredness of clinical care.

PMID- 26279854
TI  - Crystal structure of (E)-N'-(5-bromo-2-hy-droxy-benzyl-idene)nicotinohydrazide
      monohydrate.
AB  - In the title compound, C13H10BrN3O2.H2O, the conformation about the azomethine
      double bond is E. The mol-ecule exists in the amido form with a C=O bond length
      of 1.229 (2) A. There is an intra-molecular O-H?N hydrogen bond forming an S(6)
      ring motif. The whole mol-ecule is almost planar, with an r.m.s. deviation of
      0.021 A for all non-H atoms, and the dihedral angle between the planes of the
      pyridine and benzene rings is 0.74 (12) degrees . In the crystal, the water mol
      ecule of crystallization links the organic mol-ecules via Ow-H?O, Ow-H?N and N
      H?Ow hydrogen bonds and short C-H?Ow contacts, forming sheets lying parallel to
      (100). Within the sheets there is a weak pi-pi inter-action involving the
      pyridine and benzene rings [centroid-to-centroid distance = 3.8473 (15) A]. The
      sheets are linked via C-H?Br inter-actions, forming a three-dimensional network. 

PMID- 26279855
TI  - Crystal structure of the co-crystalline adduct 1,3,6,8-tetra-aza-tri-cyclo
      [4.4.1.1(3,8)]dodecane (TATD)-4-chloro-3,5-di-methyl-phenol (1/1).
AB  - In the crystal of the title co-crystalline adduct, C8H16N4.C8H9ClO, (I), prepared
      by solid-state reaction, the mol-ecules are linked by inter-molecular O-H?N
      hydrogen bonds, forming a D motif. The aza-adamantane structure in (I) is
      slightly distorted, with N-CH2-CH2-N torsion angles of 10.4 (3) and -9.0 (3)
      degrees . These values differ slightly from the corresponding torsion angles in
      the free aminal cage (0.0 degrees ) and in related co-crystalline adducts, which
      are not far from a planar geometry and consistent with a D 2d mol-ecular symmetry
      in the tetra-aza-tri-cyclo structure. The structures also differ in that there is
      a slight elongation of the N-C bond lengths about the N atom that accepts the
      hydrogen bond in (I) compared with the other N-C bond lengths. In the crystal,
      the two mol-ecules are not only linked by a classical O-H?N hydrogen bond but are
      further connected by weak C-H?pi inter-actions, forming a two-dimensional supra
      molecular network parallel to the bc plane. 

PMID- 26279856
TI  - Crystal structure of methyl (S)-2-{(R)-4-[(tert-but-oxy-carbon-yl)amino]-3-oxo
      1,2-thia-zolidin-2-yl}-3-methyl-butano-ate: a chemical model for oxidized protein
      tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B).
AB  - The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C14H24N2O5S, contains two independent
      mol-ecules (A and B). In each mol-ecule, the iso-thia-zolidin-3-one ring adopts
      an envelope conformation with the methyl-ene C atom as the flap. In the crystal,
      the A mol-ecules are linked to one another by N-H?O hydrogen bonds, forming
      columns along [010]. The B mol-ecules are also linked to one another by N-H?O
      hydrogen bonds, forming columns along the same direction, i.e. [010]. Within the
      individual columns, there are also C-H?S and C-H?O hydrogen bonds present. The
      columns of A and B mol-ecules are linked by C-H?O hydrogen bonds, forming sheets
      parallel to (10-1). The absolute structure was determined by resonant scattering
      [Flack parameter = 0.00 (3)]. 

PMID- 26279857
TI  - Crystal structures of 4-chloro-phenyl N-(3,5-di-nitro-phen-yl)carbamate and
      phenyl N-(3,5-di-nitro-phen-yl)carbamate.
AB  - The title compounds, C13H8ClN3O6, (I), and C13H9N3O6, (II), differ in the
      orientation of the two aromatic rings. In (I), they are essentially coplanar,
      making a dihedral angle of 8.2 (1) degrees , while in (II), they are inclined to
      one another by 76.2 (1) degrees . The two nitro groups are essentially coplanar
      with the attached benzene rings, as indicated by the dihedral angles of 1.4 (2)
      and 2.3 (2) degrees  in (I), and 4.96 (18) and 5.4 (2) degrees  in (II). The
      carbamate group is twisted slightly from the attached benzene ring, with a C-N-C
      O torsion angle of -170.17 (15) degrees  for (I) and 168.91 (13) degrees  for
      (II). In the crystals of of both compounds, mol-ecules are linked via N-H?O
      hydrogen bonds, forming chains propagating along [010]. In (I), C-H?O hydrogen
      bonds also link mol-ecules within the chains. The crystal packing in (I) also
      features a very weak pi-pi inter-action [centroid-centroid distance = 3.7519 (9)
      A]. 

PMID- 26279858
TI  - Crystal structure of tetra-methyl-tetra-thia-fulvalenium (1S)-camphor-10
      sulfonate dihydrate.
AB  - Electro-oxidation of tetra-methyl-tetra-thia-fulvalene (TMTTF) in the presence of
      the chiral anion (1S)-camphor-10-sulfonate (S-camphSO3 (-)) in tetra-hydro
      furan/water medium afforded a 1/1 salt formulated as TMTTF.S-camphSO3.2H2O or 2
      (4,5-dimethyl-1,3-di-thiol-2-yl-idene)-4,5-dimethyl-1,3-di-thiole radical ion
      (1+) [(1S)-7,7-dimethyl-2-oxobi-cyclo-[2.2.1]heptan-1-yl]methane-sulfonate
      dihydrate, C10H12S4 (+).C10H15O4S(-).2H2O. In this salt, two independent TMTTF
      units are present but, in both cases, the observed bond lengths and especially
      the central C=C distance [1.392 (6) and 1.378 (6) A] are in agreement with a
      complete oxidation of TMTTF which is thus present as TMTTF (.) (+) radical
      cations. These cations form one-dimensional stacks in which they are associated
      two by two, forming dimers with short [3.472 (1) to 3.554 (2) A] S?S contacts.
      The two S-camphSO3 anions present also form stacks and are connected with each
      other via the water mol-ecules with many O-H?O hydrogen bonds ranging from 1.86
      (3) to 2.15 (4) A; the O-H?O hydrogen-bonding network can be described as being
      constituted of C 2 (2)(6) chains bearing R 3 (3)(11) lateral rings. On the other
      hand, the columns of cations and anions are connected through C-H?O hydrogen
      bonds, forming a system expanding in three directions; finally, the result is a
      three-dimensional network of O-H?O and C-H?O hydrogen bonds. 

PMID- 26279859
TI  - Different hydrogen-bonded chains in the crystal structures of three alkyl N-[(E)
      1-(2-benzyl-idene-1-methyl-hydrazin-yl)-3-hy-droxy-1-oxopropan-2-yl]carbamates.
AB  - The crystal structures of three methyl-ated hydrazine carbamate derivatives
      prepared by multi-step syntheses from l-serine are presented, namely benzyl N
      {(E)-1-[2-(4-cyanobenzylidene)-1-methylhydrazinyl]-3-hydroxy-1-oxopro-pan-2
      yl}carbamate, C20H20N4O4, tert-butyl N-{(E)-1-[2-(4-cyanobenzylidene)-1
      methylhydrazinyl]-3-hydroxy-1-oxopropan-2-yl}carbamate, C17H22N4O4, and tert
      butyl N-[(E)-1-(2-benzylidene-1-methylhydrazinyl)-3-hydroxy-1-oxopro-pan-2
      yl]carbamate, C16H23N3O4. One of them shows that an unexpected racemization has
      occurred during the mild-condition methyl-ation reaction. In each crystal
      structure, the mol-ecules are linked into chains by O-H?O hydrogen bonds, but
      with significant differences between them. 

PMID- 26279860
TI  - Crystal structure of N,N-dimethyl-2-[(4-methyl-benz-yl)sulfon-yl]ethanamine.
AB  - In the crystal, the title compound, C12H19NO2S, has a disordered structure with
      two equally populated conformations of the amine fragment. A pair of weak C-H?O
      inter-molecular inter-actions between the CH2 and SO2 groups gives a one
      dimensional supra-molecular structure that propagates through translation along
      the a-axis direction. 

PMID- 26279861
TI  - Crystal structure of Sc1.91In1.39Mo15Se19, containing Mo6 and Mo9 clusters.
AB  - The structure of scandium indium penta-deca-molybdenum nona-deca-selenide,
      Sc1.91In1.39Mo15Se19, is isotypic with In2.9Mo15Se19 [Gruttner et al. (1979 ?).
      Acta Cryst. B35, 285-292]. It is characterized by two cluster units Mo6Se (i) 8Se
      (a) 6 and Mo9Se (i) 11Se (a) 6 (where i represents inner and a apical atoms) that
      are present in a 1:1 ratio. The cluster units are centered at Wyckoff positions
      2b and 2c and have point-group symmetry -3 and -6, respectively. The clusters are
      inter-connected through additional Mo-Se bonds. Sc-Se and In-Se bonds complete
      the structural set-up. In the title compound, the Sc(3+) cations replace the
      trivalent indium atoms present in In2.9Mo15Se19, and a deficiency is observed at
      the monovalent indium site. One Mo, one Se and the Sc atom are situated on mirror
      planes, whereas two other Se atoms and the In atom are situated on threefold
      rotation axes. 

PMID- 26279862
TI  - Crystal structure of 3-(thio-phen-2-yl)-5-p-tolyl-4,5-di-hydro-1H-pyrazole-1
      carbo-thio-amide.
AB  - In the title compound, C15H15N3S2, the central pyrazole ring adopts a twisted
      conformation on the -CH-CH2- bond. Its mean plane makes dihedral angles of 7.19
      (12) and 71.13 (11) degrees  with those of the thio-phene and toluene rings,
      respectively. The carbothi-amide group [C(=S)-N] is inclined to the pyrazole ring
      mean plane by 16.8 (2) degrees . In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked by N-H?S
      hydrogen bonds, forming chains propagating along [010]. Within the chains, there
      are N-H?pi inter-actions present. Between the chains there are weak parallel
      slipped pi-pi inter-actions involving inversion-related thio-phene and pyrazole
      rings [inter-centroid distance = 3.7516 (14) A; inter-planar distance = 3.5987
      (10) A; slippage = 1.06 A]. 

PMID- 26279863
TI  - Crystal structures of two 6-(2-hy-droxy-benzo-yl)-5H-thia-zolo[3,2-a]pyrimidin-5
      ones.
AB  - The title compounds, 6-(2-hy-droxy-benz-yl)-5H-thia-zolo[3,2-a]pyrimidin-5-one,
      C13H8N2O3S, (1), and 6-(2-hy-droxy-benz-yl)-3-methyl-5H-thia-zolo[3,2-a]pyrimidin
      5-one, C14H10N2O3S, (2), were synthesized when a chromone-3-carb-oxy-lic acid,
      activated with (benzotriazol-1-yl-oxy)tripyrrolidinyl-phospho-nium hexa-fluorido
      phosphate (PyBOP), was reacted with a primary heteromamine. Instead of the
      expected amidation, the unusual title thia-zolo-pyrimidine-5-one derivatives were
      obtained serendipitously and a mechanism of formation is proposed. Both compounds
      present an intra-molecular O-H?O hydrogen bond, which generates an S(6) ring. The
      dihedral angles between the heterocyclic moiety and the 2-hydroxybenzoyl ring are
      55.22 (5) and 46.83 (6) degrees  for (1) and (2), respectively. In the crystals,
      the mol-ecules are linked by weak C-H?O hydrogen bonds and pi-pi stacking inter
      actions. 

PMID- 26279864
TI  - Crystal structure of a mono-bridged calix[4]arene.
AB  - The title compound, 5(2)-[(5-bromo-pent-yl)-oxy]-1(2),1(14),3(5),5(5)-tetra-tert
      butyl-1(7),1(8),1(9),1(10)-tetra-hydro-1(6) H,1(16) H-1(4,12)
      dibenzo[b,e][1,7]dioxa-cyclo-dodecina-3,5(1,3)-dibenzena-cyclo-hexa-phan-3(2)-ol,
      C54H73BrO4, was synthesized from the reaction of tert-butyl-calix[4]arene with
      1,5-di-bromo-pentane using K2CO3 in CH3CN. The structure consists of a calixarene
      unit with a five-carbon bridge connecting two proximal phenolic O atoms, and with
      a bromo-pent-oxy chain on one of the remaining phenolic O atoms. The calixarene
      unit was found to have a flattened cone conformation with no solvent (or other
      guest) mol-ecule observed in the cavity. Two of the opposite phenyl rings lean
      outwards with fold angles of 136.2 (1) and 133.0 (1) degrees  between the rings
      and the plane of the bridging methyl-ene C atoms, while the other two opposite
      rings form fold angles of 83.27 (9) and 105.46 (9) degrees . There is
      considerable disorder in this mol-ecule. One of the tert-butyl groups is
      disordered over two conformations with occupancies of 0.527 (5) and 0.473 (5).
      The bromo-pent-oxy chain is disordered over three configurations with occupancies
      of 0.418, 0.332 and 0.250. The five-carbon bridge connecting two proximal
      phenolic O atoms is disordered over two conformations with occupancies of 0.537
      (7) and 0.463 (7). 

PMID- 26279865
TI  - Crystal structure of high-spin tetra-aqua-bis-(2-chloro-pyrazine-kappaN
      (4))iron(II) bis-(4-methyl-benzene-sulfonate).
AB  - The title salt, [Fe(II)(C4H3ClN2)2(H2O)4](C7H7O3S)2, contains a complex cation
      with point group symmetry 2/m. The high-spin Fe(II) cation is hexa-coordinated by
      four symmetry-related water and two N-bound 2-chloro-pyrazine mol-ecules in a
      trans arrangement, forming a distorted FeN2O4 octa-hedron. The three-dimensional
      supra-molecular structure is supported by inter-molecular O-H?O hydrogen bonds
      between the complex cations and tosyl-ate anions, and additional pi-pi inter
      actions between benzene and pyrazine rings. The methyl H atoms of the tosyl-ate
      anion are equally disordered over two positions. 

PMID- 26279867
TI  - Crystal structure of 1,10-phenanthrolinium 3-hy-droxy-2,4,6-tri-nitro-phenolate.
AB  - In the title molecular salt, C12H9N2 (+).C6H2N3O8 (-), the cation and anion are
      connected by an N-H?O hydrogen bond. In the anion, an intra-molecular O-H?O
      hydrogen bond with an S(6) ring motif is observed. The planes of two of the nitro
      groups are approximately parallel to the plane of the benzene ring, making
      dihedral angles of 3.9 (2) and 15.3 (2) degrees , while the third nitro group is
      almost perpendicular to the benzene ring, with a dihedral angle of 78.6 (3)
      degrees . In the crystal, cation-anion pairs related by an n-glide plane are
      connected by C-H?O hydrogen bonds, forming a chain structure along [101].
      Sensitivity tests and thermal testing indicate that the title salt is an
      insensitive high-energy-density material (IHEDM). 

PMID- 26279870
TI  - Crystal structure of (E)-N-{2-[2-(2-chloro-benzyl-idene)hydrazin-1-yl]-2-oxoeth
      yl}-4-methyl-benzamide monohydrate.
AB  - The title compound, C17H16ClN3O2.H2O, an acyl-hydrazone derivative, contains a
      glycine moiety and two substituted benzene rings on either end of the chain. It
      crystallized as a monohydrate. The mol-ecules adopt an E conformation with
      respect to the C=N double bond, as indicated by the N-N=C-C torsion angle of
      179.38 (14) degrees . The mol-ecule is twisted in such a way that the almost
      planar Car-C(=O)-N(H)-C(H2) and C(H2)-C(=O)N(H)-N=C-Car [r.m.s deviations = 0.009
      and 0.025 A, respectively] segments are inclined to on another by 77.36 (8)
      degrees , while the benzene rings are normal to one another, making a dihedral
      angle of 89.69 (9) degrees . In the crystal, the water mol-ecule links three mol
      ecules through two O-H?O and one N-H?O hydrogen bonds. The mol-ecules are linked
      via pairs of N-H?O hydrogen bonds, forming inversion dimers with an R 2 (2)(14)
      ring motif. The dimers are linked by O-H?O hydrogen bonds, involving two mol
      ecules of water, forming chains along [100], enclosing R 2 (2)(14) and R 2
      (2)(18) ring motifs. The chains are linked through C-H?O inter-actions, forming
      sheets parallel to (010). Within the sheets, there are C-H?pi and parallel
      slipped pi-pi stacking inter-actions present [inter-centroid distance = 3.6458
      (12) A]. 

PMID- 26279868
TI  - Double salt crystal structure of nona-sodium dihydrogen nona-vanadoplatinate(IV)
      tri-hydrogen nona-vanadoplatinate(IV) tetra-contahydrate: stepwise-protonated
      nona-vanadoplatinate(IV).
AB  - Nonavanadoplatinate [Pt(IV)V9O28](7-), which is the first heteropolyoxovanadate
      in the deca-vanadate framework, [V10O28](6-), has been investigated
      crystallographically. The title compound,
      Na9[H2Pt(IV)V9O28][H3Pt(IV)V9O28].40H2O, was obtained by a hydro-thermal reaction
      at pH = 2. This compound contains two different protonated
      heteropolyoxovanadates, [H2Pt(IV)V9O28](5-) [polyanion (A)] and [H3Pt(IV)V9O28](7
      ) [polyanion (B)]. The locations of the H atoms on the protonated O atoms were
      observed in difference Fourier maps and confirmed by the inter-polyanion hydrogen
      bonds, bond-length elongation and bond-valence-sum (VBS) analysis. The two (Pt
      and V)-bound MU2-O atoms are protonated in both polyanions. The position of the
      third protonated O atom in polyanion (B) is an inter-esting feature of the
      structure, being located on one (V2)-bound MU2-O atom. The discrete
      heteropolyanions form a dimer, {H5[PtV9O28]2}(9-), through five inter-polyanion
      hydrogen bonds. Additional O-H?O hydrogen bonds and interactions between Na(+)
      cations and water molecules as well as terminal O atoms of one of the polyanions
      consolidate the crystal packing. 

PMID- 26279871
TI  - Crystal structures of deuterated sodium molybdate dihydrate and sodium tungstate
      dihydrate from time-of-flight neutron powder diffraction.
AB  - Time-of-flight neutron powder diffraction data have been measured from ~90 mol%
      deuterated isotopologues of Na2MoO4.2H2O and Na2WO4.2H2O at 295 K to a resolution
      of sin (theta)/lambda = 0.77 A(-1). The use of neutrons has allowed refinement of
      structural parameters with a precision that varies by a factor of two from the
      heaviest to the lightest atoms; this contrasts with the X-ray based refinements
      where precision may be > 20* poorer for O atoms in the presence of atoms such as
      Mo and W. The accuracy and precision of inter-atomic distances and angles are in
      excellent agreement with recent X-ray single-crystal structure refinements whilst
      also completing our view of the hydrogen-bond geometry to the same degree of
      statistical certainty. The two structures are isotypic, space-group Pbca, with
      all atoms occupying general positions, being comprised of edge- and corner
      sharing NaO5 and NaO6 polyhedra that form layers parallel with (010) inter-leaved
      with planes of XO4 (X = Mo, W) tetra-hedra that are linked by chains of water mol
      ecules along [100] and [001]. The complete structure is identical with the
      previously described molybdate [Capitelli et al. (2006 ?). Asian J. Chem. 18,
      2856-2860] but shows that the purported three-centred inter-action involving one
      of the water mol-ecules in the tungstate [Farrugia (2007 ?). Acta Cryst. E63,
      i142] is in fact an ordinary two-centred 'linear' hydrogen bond. 

PMID- 26279866
TI  - Crystal structure of trans-(1,8-dibutyl-1,3,6,8,10,13-hexa-aza-cyclo-tetra-decane
      kappa(4) N (3),N (6),N (10),N (13))bis-(thio-cyanato-kappaN)nickel(II) from
      synchrotron data.
AB  - The crystal structure of the title compound, [Ni(NCS)2(C16H38N6)], has been
      determined from synchrotron data. The asymmetric unit consists of two halves of
      the complex mol-ecules which have their Ni(II) atoms located on inversion
      centres. The Ni(II) ions show a tetra-gonally distorted octa-hedral coordination
      geometry, with four secondary amine N atoms of the aza-macrocyclic ligand in the
      equatorial plane and two N atoms of the thio-cyanate anions in the axial
      positions. The average equatorial Ni-N bond length [2.070 (5) A] is shorter than
      the average axial Ni-N bond length [2.107 (18) A]. Only half of the macrocyclic
      ligand N-H groups are involved in hydrogen bonding. The complex mol-ecules are
      connected via inter-molecular N-H?S hydrogen bonds into two symmetry-independent
      one-dimensional polymeric structures extending along the b-axis direction. One of
      the n-butyl substituents of the macrocycle exhibits conformational disorder with
      a refined occupancy ratio of 0.630:0.370. 

PMID- 26279872
TI  - 'Pd20Sn13' revisited: crystal structure of Pd6.69Sn4.31.
AB  - The crystal structure of the title compound was previously reported with
      composition 'Pd20Sn13' [Sarah et al. (1981 ?). Z. Metallkd, 72, 517-520]. For the
      original structure model, as determined from powder X-ray data, atomic
      coordinates from the isostructural compound Ni13Ga3Ge6 were transferred. The
      present structure determination, resulting in a composition Pd6.69Sn4.31, is
      based on single crystal X-ray data and includes anisotropic displacement
      parameters for all atoms as well as standard uncertainties for the atomic
      coordinates, leading to higher precision and accuracy for the structure model.
      Single crystals of the title compound were obtained via a solid-state reaction
      route, starting from the elements. The crystal structure can be derived from the
      AlB2 type of structure after removing one eighth of the atoms at the boron
      positions and shifting adjacent atoms in the same layer in the direction of the
      voids. One atomic site is partially occupied by both elements with a Pd:Sn ratio
      of 0.38 (3):0.62 (3). One Sn and three Pd atoms are located on special positions
      with site symmetry 2. (Wyckoff letter 3a and 3b). 

PMID- 26279869
TI  - Crystal structure of a mixed-ligand dinuclear Ba-Zn complex with 2-meth-oxy
      ethanol having tri-phenyl-acetate and chloride bridges.
AB  - The dinuclear barium-zinc complex, MU-chlorido-1:2kappa(2) Cl:Cl-chlorido
      2kappaCl-bis-(2-meth-oxy-ethanol-1kappaO)bis-(2-meth-oxy-ethanol-1kappa(2)
      O,O')bis-(MU-tri-phenyl-acetato-1:2kappa(2) O:O')bariumzinc,
      [BaZn(C20H15O2)2Cl2(C3H8O2)4], has been synthesized by the reaction of barium tri
      phenyl-acetate, anhydrous zinc chloride and 2-meth-oxy-ethanol in the presence of
      toluene. The barium and zinc metal cations in the dinuclear complex are linked
      via one chloride anion and carboxyl-ate O atoms of the tri-phenyl-acetate
      ligands, giving a Ba?Zn separation of 3.9335 (11) A. The irregular nine
      coordinate BaO8Cl coordination centres comprise eight O-atom donors, six of them
      from 2-meth-oxy-ethanol ligands (four from two bidentate O,O'-chelate inter
      actions and two from monodentate inter-actions), two from bridging tri-phenyl
      acetate ligands and one from a bridging Cl donor. The distorted tetra-hedral
      coordination sphere of zinc comprises two O-atom donors from the tri-phenyl
      acetate ligands and two Cl donors (one bridging and one terminal). In the
      crystal, O-H?Cl, O-H?O and C-H?Cl inter-molecular inter-actions form a layered
      structure, lying parallel to (001). 

PMID- 26279873
TI  - Crystal structure of metronidazolium tetra-chlorido-aurate(III).
AB  - Metronidazole (MET) [systematic names: 1-(2-hy-droxy-eth-yl)-2-methyl-5-nitro-1H
      imidazole and 2-(2-methyl-5-nitro-1H-imidazol-1-yl)ethanol] is a medication that
      is used to treat infections from a variety of anaerobic organisms. As with other
      imidazole derivatives, metronidazole is also susceptible to protonation. However,
      there are few reports of the structures of metronidazolium derivatives. In the
      title compound, (C6H10N3O3)[AuCl4] [systematic name: 1-(2-hy-droxy-eth-yl)-2
      methyl-5-nitro-1H-imidazol-3-ium tetra-chlorido-aur-ate(III)], the asymmetric
      unit consists of a metronidazolium cation, [H(MET)](+), and a tetra-chlorido
      aurate(III) anion, [AuCl4](-), in which the Au(III) ion is in a slightly
      distorted square-planar coordination environment. In the cation, the nitro group
      is essentially coplanar with the imidazole ring, as indicated by an O N-C=C
      torsion angle of -0.2 (4) degrees , while the hy-droxy-ethyl group is in a coiled
      conformation, with an O(H)-C-C-N torsion angle of 62.3 (3) degrees . In the
      crystal, the anion and cation are linked by an inter-molecular O-H?Cl hydrogen
      bond. In addition, the N-H group of the metronidazolium ion serves as a hydrogen
      bond donor to the O atom of the hy-droxy-ethyl group of a symmetry-related mol
      ecule, leading to the formation of chains along [010]. 

PMID- 26279877
TI  - Crystal structure of 2-(4-tert-butyl-phen-yl)-3-hydroxy-4H-chromen-4-one.
AB  - Yellow-green fluorescent crystals of the title compound, C19H18O3, were obtained
      by the reaction of hy-droxy-aceto-phenone and 4-tert-butyl-benzaldehyde with
      hydrogen peroxide as oxidant. The plane of the benzene ring is slightly twisted
      to the mean plane of the 4H-chromene-4-one moiety (r.m.s. deviation = 0.0191 A)
      by 10.53 (8) degrees . In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked by pairs of O-H?O
      hydrogen bonds, forming inversion dimers with an R 2 (2)(10) ring motif. The
      dimers are linked via C-H?pi inter-actions, forming sheets parallel to (10-1). 

PMID- 26279878
TI  - Crystal structures of two triazola-dioxola-benzena-cyclo-nona-phanes.
AB  - In the title compounds, C25H29BrN5O7, (I) [systematic name: (Z)-1(5)-bromo
      3(2),3(2)-dimethyl-2(1)-nitro
      2(2),2(3),2(5),2(6),2(7),2(7a),3(3a),3(5),3(6),3(6a)-deca-hydro-2(1) H,6(1) H-4,9
      dioxa-2(3,2)-pyrrolizina-6(4,1)-triazola-3(5,6)-furo[2,3-d][1,3]dioxola-1(1,2)
      benzena-cyclo-nona-phane], and C24H29N5O7S, (II) [systematic name: (Z)-3(2),3(2)
      dimethyl-2(7)-nitro-2(5),2(6),2(7),2(7a),3(3a),3(5),3(6),3(6a)-octa-hydro-2(1)
      H,2(3) H,6(1) H-4,9-dioxa-2(5,6)-pyrrolo-[1,2-c]thia-zola-6(4,1)-triazola-3(5,6)
      furo[2,3-d][1,3]dioxola-1(1,2)-benzena-cyclo-nona-phane], the triazole rings
      adopt almost planar conformations. In (I), the fused pyrrolidine rings adopt
      envelope conformations with the C atoms opposite the fused N-C bond as the flap
      in each ring, and their mean planes are inclined to one another by 52.8 (3)
      degrees . In (II), the pyrrolidine and thia-zole rings are both twisted on the
      fused N-C bond, and their mean planes are inclined to one another by 70.8 (2)
      degrees . In both (I) and (II), the furan ring adopts an envelope conformation
      with the adjacent C atom of the macrocycle as the flap. In the crystal of (I),
      mol-ecules are linked via C-H?N and C-H?O hydrogen bonds, forming sheets parallel
      to (10-1), while in (II), mol-ecules are linked via C-H?N and C-H?O hydrogen
      bonds, forming helical chains propagating along [010], which are linked via C-H?S
      hydrogen bonds, forming slabs parallel to (001). 

PMID- 26279876
TI  - Crystal structure of ethyl 6-chloro-methyl-2-oxo-4-(2,3,4-tri-meth-oxy-phen-yl)
      1,2,3,4-tetra-hydro-pyrimidine-5-carboxyl-ate.
AB  - In the title compound, C17H21ClN2O6, the di-hydro-pyrimidine ring adopts a
      flattened envelope conformation, with the sp (3)-hybridized C atom forming the
      flap. The dihedral angle between the least-squares planes of the benzene and di
      hydro-pyrimidine rings is 88.09 (6) degrees . An intra-molecular C-H?O hydrogen
      bond generates an S(6) ring. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked via pairs of N
      H?O hydrogen bonds, forming inversion dimers with an R 2 (2)(8) ring motif, and
      the dimers are linked via further pairs of N-H?O hydrogen bonds, forming R 2
      (2)(14) rings and chains of mol-ecules along [111]. Pairs of inversion-related
      chains are linked via weak C-H?pi inter-actions. 

PMID- 26279875
TI  - Crystal structure of 4,4'-diethynylbiphen-yl.
AB  - The title compound, C16H10, crystallizes with four unique mol-ecules, designated
      1-4, in the asymmetric unit of the monoclinic unit cell. None of the mol-ecules
      is planar, with the benzene rings of mol-ecules 1-4 inclined to one another at
      angles of 42.41 (4), 24.07 (6), 42.59 (4) and 46.88 (4) degrees , respectively.
      In the crystal, weak C-H?pi(ring) interactions, augmented by even weaker C C
      H?pi(alkyne) contacts, generate a three-dimensional network structure with inter
      linked columns of mol-ecules formed along the c-axis direction. 

PMID- 26279882
TI  - Crystal structure of cis-2-(2-carb-oxy-cyclo-prop-yl)glycine (CCG-III)
      monohydrate.
AB  - The title compound, C6H9NO4.H2O [systematic name: (alphaR,1R,2S)-rel-alpha-amino
      2-carb-oxy-cyclo-propane-acetic acid monohydrate], crystallizes with two organic
      mol-ecules and two water mol-ecules in the asymmetric unit. The space group is
      P21 and the organic mol-ecules are enanti-omers, thus this is an example of a
      'false conglomerate' with two mol-ecules of opposite handedness in the asymmetric
      unit (r.m.s. overlay fit = 0.056 A for one mol-ecule and its inverted partner).
      Each mol-ecule exists as a zwitterion, with proton transfer from the amino acid
      carb-oxy-lic acid group to the amine group. In the crystal, the components are
      linked by N-H?O and O-H?O hydrogen bonds, generating (100) sheets.
      Conformationally restricted glutamate analogs are of inter-est due to their
      selective activation of different glutamate receptors, and the naturally
      occurring (+)-CCG-III is an inhibitor of glutamate uptake and the key geometrical
      parameters are discussed. 

PMID- 26279880
TI  - Crystal structure of bis-(N-methyl-N-phenyl-amino)-tris-ulfane.
AB  - The title compound, C14H16N2S3, crystallized with two independent mol-ecules [(1
      a ) and (1 b )] in the asymmetric unit. Both mol-ecules display a pseudo-trans
      conformation. The two consecutive S-S bond lengths of the tris-ulfane unit of mol
      ecule (1 a ) are 2.06 (3) and 2.08 (3) A, and 2.08 (3) and 2.07 (2) A for mol
      ecule (1 b ). Torsion angles about each of the two S-S bonds are 86.6 (2) and
      87.0 (2) degrees  for (1 a ), and -84.6 (2) and -85.9 (2) degrees  for (1 b ).
      The core atoms, viz. the N-S-S-S-N moiety, of the two mol-ecules superimpose well
      if one is inverted on the other, but the phenyl groups do not. Thus, the two
      units are essentially conformational enanti-omers. In mol-ecule (1 a ), the two
      phenyl rings are inclined to one another by 86.7 (3) degrees , and in mol-ecule
      (1 b ), by 81.1 (3) degrees . In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked via C-H?pi
      inter-actions, forming sheets lying parallel to (010). 

PMID- 26279884
TI  - Crystal structures of 4-chloro-pyridine-2-carbo-nitrile and 6-chloro-pyridine-2
      carbo-nitrile exhibit different inter-molecular pi-stacking, C-H?Nnitrile and C
      H?Npyridine inter-actions.
AB  - The two title compounds are isomers of C6H3ClN2 containing a pyridine ring, a
      nitrile group, and a chloro substituent. The mol-ecules of each compound pack
      together in the solid state with offset face-to-face pi-stacking, and inter
      molecular C-H?Nnitrile and C-H?Npyridine inter-actions. 4-Chloro-pyridine-2-carbo
      nitrile, (I), exhibits pairwise centrosymmetric head-to-head C-H?Nnitrile and C
      H?Npyridine inter-actions, forming one-dimensional chains, which are pi-stacked
      in an offset face-to-face fashion. The inter-molecular packing of the isomeric 6
      chloro-pyridine-2-carbo-nitrile, (II), which differs only in the position of the
      chloro substituent on the pyridine ring, exhibits head-to-tail C-H?Nnitrile and C
      H?Npyridine inter-actions, forming two-dimensional sheets which are pi-stacked in
      an offset face-to-face fashion. In contrast to (I), the offset face-to-face pi
      stacking in (II) is formed between mol-ecules with alternating orientations of
      the chloro and nitrile substituents. 

PMID- 26279879
TI  - Crystal structure of a new homochiral one-dimensional zincophosphate containing l
      me-thio-nine.
AB  - catena-Poly[[(l-me-thio-nine-kappaO)zinc]-MU3-(hydrogen phosphato)-kappa(3)
      O:O':O''], [Zn{PO3(OH)}(C5H11NO2S)] n , a new one-dimensional homochiral
      zincophos-phate, was hydro-thermally synthesized using l-me-thio-nine as a
      structure-directing agent. The compound consists of a network of ZnO4 and (HO)PO3
      tetra-hedra that form ladder-like chains of edge-fused Zn2P2O4 rings propagating
      parallel to [100]. The chains are decorated on each side by zwitterionic l-me
      thio-nine ligands, which inter-act with the inorganic framework via Zn-O
      coordination bonds. The structure displays inter-chain N-H?O and O-H?S hydrogen
      bonds. 

PMID- 26279881
TI  - Crystal structure of 5-amino-4H-1,2,4-triazol-1-ium pyrazine-2-carboxyl-ate: an
      unexpected salt arising from the deca-rboxylation of both precursors.
AB  - Both the 3-amino-2H,4H-1,2,4-triazolium cation and the pyrazine-2-carboxyl-ate
      anion in the title salt, C2H5N4 (+).C5H3N2O2 (-), were formed by an unexpected
      deca-rboxylation reaction, from 5-amino-1H-1,2,4-triazole-3-carb-oxy-lic acid and
      pyrazine-2,3-di-carb-oxy-lic acid, respectively. The dihedral angle between the
      pyrazine ring (r.m.s. deviation = 0.008 A) and the carboxyl-ate group in the
      anion is 3.7 (3) degrees . The extended structure of the salt contains a supra
      molecular zigzag tape in which cations and anions are engaged in strong and
      highly directional N-H?N,O hydrogen bonds, forming R 2 (2)(8) and R 2 (2)(9)
      graph-set motifs. The packing between the tapes is mediated by pi-pi stacking
      inter-actions between the triazole and pyrazine rings. 

PMID- 26279885
TI  - Crystal structure of 6-bromo-7-fluoro-4-oxo-4H-chromene-3-carbaldehyde.
AB  - In the title compound, C10H4BrFO3, a brominated and fluorinated 3-formyl-chromone
      derivative, all atoms are essentially coplanar (r.m.s. deviation of 0.025 A for
      the non-H atoms), with the largest deviation from the least-squares plane [0.050
      (6) A] being for a benzene-ring C atom. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked
      through stacking inter-actions [centroid-centroid distance between the benzene
      and pyran rings = 3.912 (4) A], C-H?O hydrogen bonds and short C?O contacts
      [2.865 (7) A]. Unsymmetrical halogen?halogen inter-actions between the bromine
      and fluorine atoms [Br?F = 3.116 (4) A, C-Br?F = 151.8 (2), C-F?Br = 154.1 (4)
      degrees ] are also formed, giving a meandering two-dimensional network
      propagating in the (041) plane. A comparison with related structures is made and
      the various types of weak inter-actions are ranked in importance. 

PMID- 26279883
TI  - Crystal structure of ortho-rhom-bic {bis-[(pyridin-2-yl)meth-yl](3,5,5,5-tetra
      chloro-pent-yl)amine-kappa(3) N,N',N''}chlorido-copper(II) perchlorate.
AB  - In the title compound, [CuCl(C17H19Cl4N3)]ClO4, the Cu(II) ion adopts a distorted
      square-planar geometry defined by one chloride ligand and the three nitro-gen
      atoms from the bis-[(pyridin-2-yl)meth-yl](3,5,5,5-tetra-chloro-pent-yl)amine
      ligand. The perchlorate counter-ion is disordered over three sets of sites with
      refined occupancies 0.0634 (17), 0.221 (16) and 0.145 (7). In addition, the
      hetero-scorpionate arm of the bis-[(pyridin-2-yl)meth-yl](3,5,5,5-tetra-chloro
      pent-yl)amine ligand is disordered over two sets of sites with refined
      occupancies 0.839 (2) and 0.161 (2). In the crystal, weak Cu?Cl inter-actions
      between symmetry-related mol-ecules create a dimerization with a chloride
      occupying the apical position of the square-pyramidal geometry typical of many
      copper(II) chloride hetero-scorpionate complexes. 

PMID- 26279888
TI  - Crystal structure of catena-poly[[tetra-aqua-magnesium]-MU-(di-hydrogen
      hypodiphosphato)-kappa(2) O:O'].
AB  - The crystal structure of the title compound, [Mg(H2P2O6)(H2O)4] n , is built up
      from (H2P2O6)(2-) anions bridging Mg(2+) cations into chains extending parallel
      to [011]. The Mg(2+) ion is located on an inversion centre and is octa-hedrally
      coordinated by the O atoms of two (H2P2O6)(2-) anions and four water mol-ecules.
      The centrosymmetric (H2P2O6)(2-) anion has a staggered conformation whereby the
      tetra-valent phospho-rus atom is surrounded tetra-hedrally by three O atoms and
      by one symmetry-related P atom. A three-dimensional O-H?O hydrogen-bonded network
      of medium strength involving the P-OH group of the anion and the water mol-ecules
      is present. 

PMID- 26279886
TI  - Crystal structure of 4-hy-droxy-pyridin-1-ium 3,5-di-carb-oxy-benzoate.
AB  - The structure of the title salt, C5H6NO(+).C9H5O6 (-), (I), shows that 4-hy-droxy
      pyridine has abstracted an H atom from benzene-1,3,5-tri-carb-oxy-lic acid,
      yielding a pyridinium cation and carboxyl-ate anion. The two ions form an
      extensive three-dimensional hydrogen-bonded network throughout the crystal. The
      hydrogen bonds that comprise the core of the network are considered strong, with
      O-H?O and N-H?O donor-to-acceptor distances ranging from 2.533 (2) to 2.700 (2)
      A. Packing is further enhanced by pi-stacking of the cations and anions with like
      species [centroid-centroid distance = 3.6206 (13) A]. 

PMID- 26279887
TI  - Crystal structure of 4-({5-[(E)-(3,5-di-fluoro-phen-yl)diazen-yl]-2-hy-droxy
      benzyl-idene}amino)-2,2,6,6-tetra-methyl-piperidin-1-ox-yl.
AB  - The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C22H25F2N4O2, contains two
      crystallographically independent mol-ecules. In one mol-ecule, the two benzene
      rings are oriented at a dihedral angle of 1.93 (10) degrees  and in the other mol
      ecule the corresponding dihedral angle is 7.19 (9) degrees . The piperidine rings
      in the two mol-ecules adopt a similar distorted chair conformation, and both have
      pseudo-mirror planes passing through the N-O bonds. An intra-molecular O-H?N
      hydrogen bond between the hy-droxy group and the imine N atom is observed in both
      mol-ecules. In the crystal, weak C-H?O and C-H?F hydrogen bonds, enclosing R 2
      (2)(6) ring motifs, and weak pi-pi stacking inter-actions link the mol-ecules
      into a three-dimensional supra-molecular network, with centroid-to-centroid
      distances between the nearly parallel phenyl and benzene rings of adjacent mol
      ecules of 3.975 (2) and 3.782 (2) A. 

PMID- 26279874
TI  - Crystal structure of alluaudite-type NaMg3(HPO4)2(PO4).
AB  - The title compound, sodium trimagnesium bis-(hydrogen phosphate) phosphate, was
      obtained under hydro-thermal conditions. In the crystal, two types of [MgO6] octa
      hedra, one with point group symmetry 2, share edges to build chains extending
      parallel to [10-1]. These chains are linked together by two kinds of phosphate
      tetra-hedra, HPO4 and PO4, the latter with point group symmetry 2. The three
      dimensional framework delimits two different types of channels extending along
      [001]. One channel hosts the Na(+) cations (site symmetry 2) surrounded by eight
      O atoms, with Na-O bond lengths varying between 2.2974 (13) and 2.922 (2) A. The
      OH group of the HPO4 tetra-hedron points into the other type of channel and
      exhibits a strong hydrogen bond to an O atom of the PO4 tetra-hedron on the
      opposite side. 

PMID- 26279889
TI  - The crystal structure of 4'-{4-[(2,2,5,5-tetra-methyl-N-oxyl-3-pyrrolin-3
      yl)ethyn-yl]phen-yl}-2,2':6',2''-terpyridine.
AB  - The terpyridine group of the title compound, C31H27N4O, assumes an all-transoid
      conformation and is essentially planar with the dihedral angles between the mean
      planes of the central pyridine and the two outer rings amounting to 3.87 (5) and
      1.98 (5) degrees . The pyrroline-N-oxyl group commonly seen in such nitroxyls is
      found in the title structure and the mean plane of the pyrroline ring subtends a
      dihedral angle of 88.44 (7) degrees  to the mean plane of the central pyridine
      ring. The intra-molecular separation between the nitrogen atom of the central
      pyridine unit of the terpyridine group and the nitroxyl group is 14.120 (2) A. In
      the crystal, the mol-ecules are arranged in layers stacked along [001]. Slipped
      face-to-face pi-pi inter-actions between the pyridine rings are observed along
      this direction with the shortest centroid-centroid distances amounting to 3.700
      (1) and 3.781 (1) A. Furthermore, edge-on C-H?pi inter-actions between the phenyl
      ene rings of neighbouring mol-ecules are observed along this direction. A two
      dimensional C-H?O hydrogen-bonded network is formed within the (010) plane. The
      shortest O?O separation between neighbouring mol-ecules is 5.412 (3) A. 

PMID- 26279890
TI  - Crystal structure of catena-poly[[[tri-aqua-strontium]-di-MU2-glycinato]
      dibromide].
AB  - In the title coordination polymer, {[Sr(C2H5NO2)2(H2O)3]Br2} n , the Sr(2+) ion
      and one of the water mol-ecules are located on twofold rotation axes. The
      alkaline earth ion is nine-coordinated by three water O atoms and six O atoms of
      the carboxyl-ate groups of four glycine ligands, two in a chelating mode and two
      in a monodentate mode. The glycine mol-ecule exists in a zwitterionic form and
      bridges the cations into chains parallel to [001]. The Br(-) counter-anions are
      located between the chains. Inter-molecular hydrogen bonds are formed between the
      amino and carboxyl-ate groups of neighbouring glycine ligands, generating a head
      to-tail sequence. Adjacent head-to-tail sequences are further inter-connected by
      inter-molecular N-H?Br hydrogen-bonding inter-actions into sheets parallel to
      (100). O-H?Br and O-H?O hydrogen bonds involving the coordinating water mol
      ecules are also present, consolidating the three-dimensional hydrogen-bonding
      network. 

PMID- 26279892
TI  - Crystal structure of a second polymorph of 2-cyclo-penta-dienyl-1,7-dicarba-2
      cobalta-closo-dodeca-borane(11).
AB  - A new polymorph of the title compound 2-(eta-C5H5)-2,1,7-closo-CoC2B9H11,
      [Co(C5H5)(C2H11B9)], in the space group P21/n has been characterized, including
      the unambiguous location of both cage C atoms. The precision of this study is an
      order of magnitude greater than that of the first polymorph [C2/c; Lopez et al.
      (2010). Collect. Czech. Chem. Commun. 75, 853-869]. 

PMID- 26279893
TI  - Crystal structure of [NaZn(BTC)(H2O)4].1.5H2O (BTC = benzene-1,3,5-tri-carb-oxy-l
      ate): a heterometallic coordination compound.
AB  - The title coordination polymer, poly[[MU-aqua-tri-aqua-(MU3-benzene-1,3,5-tri
      carboxyl-ato)sodiumzinc] sesquihydrate], {[NaZn(C9H3O6)(H2O)4].1.5H2O} n , was
      obtained in ionic liquid microemulsion at room temperture by the reaction of
      benzene-1,3,5-tri-carb-oxy-lic acid (H3BTC) with Zn(NO3)2.6H2O in the presence of
      NaOH. The asymmetric unit comprises two Na(+) ions (each located on an inversion
      centre), one Zn(2+) ion, one BTC ligand, four coordinating water mol-ecules and
      two solvent water molecules, one of which is disordered about an inversion centre
      and shows half-occupation. The Zn(2+) cation is five-coordinated by two carboxyl
      ate O atoms from two different BTC ligands and three coordinating H2O mol-ecules;
      the Zn-O bond lengths are in the range 1.975 (2)-2.058 (3) A. The Na(+) cations
      are six-coordinated but have different arrangements of the ligands: one is bound
      to two carboxyl-ate O atoms of two BTC ligands and four O atoms from four
      coordinating H2O mol-ecules while the other is bound by four carboxyl-ate O atoms
      from four BTC linkers and two O atoms of coordinating H2O mol-ecules. The
      completely deprotonated BTC ligand acts as a bridging ligand binding the Zn(2+)
      atom and Na(+) ions, forming a layered structure extending parallel to (100). An
      intricate network of O-H?O hydrogen bonds is present within and between the
      layers. 

PMID- 26279895
TI  - Crystal structure of 1-[(2,4,6-triiso-propyl-phen-yl)sulfon-yl]aziridine.
AB  - The title compound, C17H27NO2S, exhibits a distorted geometry of the aromatic
      ring with elongated bonds at the ipso-C atom. The S atom deviates from the
      aromatic ring plane by 0.393 (4) A. Similar to this, the adjacent isopropyl
      groups are bent out of the aromatic ring plane by -0.125 (4) and -0.154 (4) A.
      Even the distant isopropyl group in para-position to the sulfonyl moiety shows a
      slight deviation from the ring plane of 0.111 (5) A. These distortions, which are
      caused by the bulky substituents, can also be observed in related sulfonyl
      aziridine structures. 

PMID- 26279891
TI  - Redetermination of the crystal structure of beta-zinc molybdate from single
      crystal X-ray diffraction data.
AB  - The crystal structure of the beta-polymorph of ZnMoO4 was re-determined on the
      basis of single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. In comparison with previous
      powder X-ray diffraction studies [Katikaneani & Arunachalam (2005 ?). Eur. J.
      Inorg. Chem. pp. 3080-3087; Cavalcante et al. (2013 ?). Polyhedron, 54, 13-25],
      all atoms were refined with anisotropic displacement parameters, leading to a
      higher precision with respect to bond lengths and angles. beta-ZnMoO4 adopts the
      wolframite structure type and is composed of distorted ZnO6 and MoO6 octa-hedra,
      both with point group symmetry 2. The distortion of the octa-hedra is reflected
      by variation of bond lengths and angles from 2.002 (3)-2.274 (4) A, 80.63 (11)
      108.8 (2) degrees  for equatorial and 158.4 (2)- 162.81 (14) degrees  for axial
      angles (ZnO6), and of 1.769 (3)-2.171 (3) A, 73.39 (16)-104.7 (2), 150.8 (2)
      164.89 (15) degrees  (MoO6), respectively. In the crystal structure, the same
      type of MO6 octa-hedra share edges to built up zigzag chains extending parallel
      to [001]. The two types of chains are condensed by common vertices into a
      framework structure. The crystal structure can alternatively be described as
      derived from a distorted hexa-gonally closed packed arrangement of the O atoms,
      with Zn and Mo in half of the octa-hedral voids. 

PMID- 26279894
TI  - Crystal structure of catena-poly[[di-aqua-cobalt(II)]-bis-[MU-5-(4-carb-oxy-ylato
      phenyl)picolinato]-kappa(3) N,O (2):O (5);kappa(3) O (5):N,O (2)-[di-aqua
      cobalt(II)]-MU-1-[4-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)phen-yl]-1H-imidazole-kappa(2) N (3):N
      (3')].
AB  - The asymmetric unit of the title polymeric Co(II) complex,
      [Co2(C13H7NO4)2(C12H10N4)(H2O)4] n , contains a Co(II) cation, a 5-(4-carboxyl
      atophen-yl)picolinate dianion, two coordination water mol-ecules and half of 1-[4
      (1H-imidazol-1-yl)phen-yl]-1H-imidazole ligand. The Co(II) cation is coordinated
      by two picolinate dianions, two water mol-ecules and one 1-[4-(1H-imidazol-1
      yl)phen-yl]-1H-imidazole mol-ecule in a distorted N2O4 octa-hedral coordination
      geometry. The two picolinate dianions are related by an inversion centre and link
      two Co(II) cations, forming a binuclear unit, which is further bridged by the
      imidazole mol-ecules, located about an inversion centre, into the polymeric chain
      propagating along the [-1-11] direction. In the crystal, the three-dimensional
      supra-molecular architecture is constructed by O-H?O hydrogen bonds between the
      coordinating water mol-ecules and the non-coordinating carboxyl-ate O atoms of
      adjacent polymeric chains. 

PMID- 26279898
TI  - Crystal structure of ethyl 4-(2-meth-oxy-phen-yl)-6-methyl-2-sulfanyl-idene
      1,2,3,4-tetra-hydro-pyrimidine-5-carboxyl-ate.
AB  - In the title compound, C15H18N2O3S, the hydro-pyrimidine ring adopts a sofa
      conformation with the methine C atom as the flap. The benzene ring is almost
      perpendicular to the mean plane of the hydro-pyrimidine ring, making a dihedral
      angle of 85.51 (8) degrees , and the meth-oxy O atom lies over the centre of the
      pyrimidine ring. In the crystal, weak N-H?S inter-actions form a zigzag chain
      running along the b-axis direction. 

PMID- 26279899
TI  - Crystal structure of 3,4-di-chloro-anilinium hydrogen phthalate.
AB  - In the title salt, C6H6Cl2N(+).C8H5O4 (-), the carb-oxy-lic acid and carboxyl-ate
      groups of the anion form dihedral angles of 20.79 (19) and 74.76 (14) degrees ,
      respectively, with the plane of the benzene ring. In the crystal, mol-ecules are
      assembled into a two-dimensional polymeric network parallel to (100) via N-H?O
      and O-H?O hydrogen bonds. In addition, within the layer, there are pi-pi stacking
      inter-actions between the benzene rings of the cation and the anion [centroid
      centroid distance = 3.6794 (17) A]. A weak C-H?O interaction is also observed. 

PMID- 26279900
TI  - Crystal structure of benzyl 3-oxo-2-oxa-5-aza-bicyclo-[2.2.1]heptane-5-carboxyl
      ate.
AB  - The title compound, C13H13NO4 (also known as N-benzyl-oxycarbonyl-4-hy-droxy-l
      proline lactone), crystallizes with two mol-ecules in the asymmetric unit. They
      have slightly different conformations: the fused ring systems almost overlap, but
      different C-O-C-C torsion angles for the central chains of -155.5 (2) and -178.6
      (2) degrees  lead to different twists for the terminal benzene ring. In the
      crystal, the mol-ecules are linked by C-H?O inter-actions, generating a three
      dimensional network. The absolute structure was established based on an
      unchanging chiral centre in the synthesis. 

PMID- 26279903
TI  - Cystal structure of N-[2-(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-yl)eth-yl]-4-methyl-benzene
      sulfonamide.
AB  - In the title compound, C16H17NO4S, the heterocyclic ring is almost planar (r.m.s.
      deviation = 0.007A) and the dihedral angle between the benzene rings is 28.18
      (10) degrees . The N-C-C-C torsion angle for the central chain is 62.4 (3)
      degrees : overall, the mol-ecule has a Z-shape. In the crystal, inversion dimers
      linked by pairs of N-H?O hydrogen bonds generate R 2 (2)(8) loops. 

PMID- 26279897
TI  - Redetermined structure of gossypol (P3 polymorph).
AB  - An improved crystal structure of the title compound, C30H30O8 (systematic name:
      1,1',6,6',7,7'-hexa-hydroxy-5,5'-diisopropyl-3,3'-dimeth-yl[2,2'-bi-naphthalene]
      8,8'-dicarbaldehyde), was determined based on modern CCD data. Compared to the
      previous structure [Talipov et al. (1985). Khim. Prirod. Soedin. (Chem. Nat.
      Prod.), 6, 20-24], geometrical precision has been improved (typical C-C bond
      distance s.u. = 0.002 A in the present structure compared to 0.005 A in the
      previous structure) and the locations of several H atoms have been corrected. The
      gossypol mol-ecules are in the aldehyde tautomeric form and the dihedral angle
      between the naphthyl fragments is 80.42 (4) degrees . Four intra-molecular O-H?O
      hydrogen bonds are formed. In the crystal, inversion dimers with graph-set motif
      R 2 (2)(20) are formed by pairs of O-H?O hydrogen bonds; another pair of O-H?O
      hydrogen bonds with the same graph-set motif links the dimers into [001] chains.
      The packing of such chains in the crystal leads to the formation of channels
      (diameter = 5-8 A) propagating in the [101] direction. The channels presumably
      contain highly disordered solvent mol-ecules; their contribution to the
      scattering was removed with the SQUEEZE [Spek (2015). Acta Cryst. C71, 9-18]
      routine in PLATON and the stated mol-ecular mass, density etc., do not take them
      into account. 

PMID- 26279896
TI  - Crystal structure of (4Z)-4-[(di-methyl-amino)-methyl-idene]-3,5-dioxo-2-phenyl
      pyrazolidine-1-carbaldehyde.
AB  - In the title compound, C13H13N3O3, the pyrazolidine ring adopts a shallow
      envelope conformation, with the carbonyl C atom closest to the benzene ring as
      the flap [deviation of 0.126 (1) A from the plane through the remaining atoms
      (r.m.s. deviation = 0.011 A)]. The dihedral angle between the pyrazolidine ring
      (all atoms) and the benzene ring is 51.09 (4) degrees . An extremely short (2.08
      A) intra-molecular C-H?O contact is seen. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked
      by C-H?O bonds, generating [010] chains. Extremely weak C-H?pi inter-actions are
      also observed. 

PMID- 26279902
TI  - Crystal structure of 2-methyl-3-nitro-benzoic anhydride.
AB  - The title mol-ecule, C16H12N2O7, lies on a twofold rotation axis which bis-ects
      the central O atom. The dihedral angle between two symmetry-related benzene rings
      is 48.54 (9) degrees . In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked by weak C-H?O
      hydrogen bonds which generate C(13) chains running parallel to [31-1]. 

PMID- 26279901
TI  - Crystal structure of (1R,4R)-tert-butyl 3-oxo-2-oxa-5-aza-bicyclo-[2.2.2]octane-5
      carboxyl-ate.
AB  - In the title compound, C11H17NO4, commonly known as N-tert-but-oxy-carbonyl-5-hy
      droxy-d-pipecolic acid lactone, the absolute configuration is (1R,4R) due to the
      enantiomeric purity of the starting material which remains unchanged during the
      course of the reaction. In the crystal there no inter-molecular hydrogen bonds. 

PMID- 26279905
TI  - Crystal structure of 2-cyano-N-(furan-2-ylmeth-yl)acetamide.
AB  - In the title compound, C8H8N2O2, the acetamide unit is inclined to the furan ring
      by 76.7 (1) degrees . In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked by N-H?O and C-H?O
      hydrogen bonds, generating C(4) chains along [100]. The carbonyl O atom is a
      bifurcated acceptor and an R (1) 2(6) ring is formed. 

PMID- 26279907
TI  - Crystal structure of (E)-1,2-bis-(4-bromo-2,6-di-fluoro-phen-yl)diazene.
AB  - In the crystal, mol-ecules of the centrosymmetric title compound, C12H4Br2F4N2,
      are linked into strands along [011] by weak C-H?F contacts. Furthermore, the mol
      ecules are pi-pi stacked with perpendicular ring distances of 3.4530 (9) A. 

PMID- 26279904
TI  - Crystal structure of 6-amino-4-(3-bromo-4-meth-oxy-phen-yl)-3-methyl-2,4-di-hydro
      pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazole-5-carbo-nitrile dimethyl sulfoxide monosolvate.
AB  - In the pyrazole mol-ecule of the title solvate, C15H13BrN4O2.C2H6OS, the dihedral
      angle between the benzene ring and the mean plane of the di-hydro-pyrano[2,3
      c]pyrazole ring system [r.m.s deviation = 0.031 (2) A] is 86.71 (14) degrees . In
      the crystal, the pyrazole mol-ecules are linked by N-H?N hydrogen bonds, forming
      a layer parallel to (10-1). The pyrazole and dimethyl sulfoxide mol-ecules are
      connected by an N-H?O hydrogen bond. 

PMID- 26279906
TI  - Crystal structure of obscurine: a natural product isolated from the stem bark of
      B. obscura.
AB  - The title compound, C24H31NO3 {systematic name: (E)-3-[(1R*,2S*,4aS*,8aR*)-2
      (benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-yl)-1,2,4a,5,6,7,8,8a-octa-hydro-naphthalen-1-yl]-N-iso
      butyl-acryl-amide}, is a natural product isolated from the stem bark of B.
      obscura. It is composed of an octa-hydro-naphthalene ring system substituted with
      an essentially planar benzodioxole ring system [r.m.s. deviation = 0.012 A] and
      an extended iso-butyl-acryl-amide group. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked by
      N-H?O hydrogen bonds, forming chains propagating along [100]. The chains are
      linked by pairs of C-H?O hydrogen bonds, involving inversion-related benzodioxole
      ring systems, forming ribbons lying parallel to (010). There are also C-H?pi
      inter-actions present within the ribbons. 

PMID- 26279908
TI  - Crystal structure of pymetrozine.
AB  - The title compound, C10H11N5O {systematic name: 6-methyl-4-[(E)-(pyridin-3-yl
      methyl-idene)amino]-4,5-di-hydro-1,2,4-triazin-3(2H)-one}, C10H11N5O, is used as
      an anti-feedant in pest control. The asymmetric unit comprises two independent
      mol-ecules, A and B, in which the dihedral angles between the pyridinyl and
      triazinyl ring planes [r.m.s. deviations = 0.0132 and 0.0255 ] are 11.60 (6) and
      18.06 (4) degrees , respectively. In the crystal, N-H?O, N-H?N, C-H?N and C-H?O
      hydrogen bonds, together with weak pi-pi inter-actions [ring-centroid separations
      = 3.5456 (9) and 3.9142 (9) A], link the pyridinyl and triazinyl rings of A mol
      ecules, generating a three-dimensional network. 

PMID- 26279909
TI  - Crystal structure of the pyridine-diiodine (1/1) adduct.
AB  - In the title adduct, C5H5N.I2, the N-I distance [2.424 (8) A] is remarkably
      shorter than the sum of the van der Waals radii. The line through the I atoms
      forms an angle of 78.39 (16) degrees  with the normal to the pyridine ring. 

PMID- 26279910
TI  - Crystal structure of 16-hy-droxy-4,4,10,13,14-penta-methyl-17-(6-methyl-hept-5-en
      2-yl)-4,5,6,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17-dodeca-hydro-1H-cyclo-penta-[a]phenanthren
      3(2H)-one.
AB  - The title compound, C30H48O2, contains a fused four-ring triterpenoid system. In
      the mol-ecule, the two cyclo-hexane rings adopt a chair conformation and a twist
      boat conformation, respectively, the central cyclo-hexene ring adopts a half
      chair conformation whereas the five membered ring adopts an envelope
      conformation. In the crystal, O-H?O hydrogen bonds between the hy-droxy and
      carbonyl groups of adjacent mol-ecules link the mol-ecules into supra-molecular
      chains propagating along the b-axis direction. 

PMID- 26279911
TI  - Crystal structure of 2-{[2-meth-oxy-5-(tri-fluoro-meth-yl)phen-yl]iminomethyl}-4
      nitro-phenol.
AB  - In the title compound, C15H11F3N2O4, the N=C bond of the central imine group
      adopts an E conformation. The dihedral angle between two benzene rings is 6.2 (2)
      degrees . There is an intra-molecular bifurcated O-H?(N,O) hydrogen bond with
      S(6) and S(9) ring motifs. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked by C-H?O
      hydrogen bonds into a helical chain along the 31 screw axis parallel to c. The 
      CF3 group shows rotational disorder over two sites, with occupancies of 0.39 (2)
      and 0.61 (2). 

PMID- 26279912
TI  - Crystal structure of 3-amino-1-(4-meth-oxy-phen-yl)-1H-benzo[f]chromene-2-carbo
      nitrile.
AB  - In the title compound, C21H16N2O2, the meth-oxy-benzene ring is almost
      perpendicular to the mean plane of the naphthalene ring system, making a dihedral
      angle of 83.62 (5) degrees . The 4H-pyran ring fused with the naphthalene ring
      system is almost planar [maximum deviation = 0.033 (1) A]. In the crystal, mol
      ecules are linked into inversion dimers by pairs of N-H?N hydrogen bonds. N-H?O
      hydrogen bonds connect the dimers, forming a helical supra-molecular chain along
      the a-axis direction. The crystal packing also features C-H?pi inter-actions. 

PMID- 26279914
TI  - Crystal structure of cis-anti-cis-di-cyclo-hexane-18-crown-6 aceto-nitrile
      disolvate.
AB  - The title compound (systematic name: cis-anti-cis-2,5,8,15,18,21-hexa-oxatri
      cyclo-[20.4.0.0(9,14)]hexa-cosane aceto-nitrile disolvate), C20H36O6.2CH3CN,
      crystallizes from an aceto-nitrile solution of di-cyclo-hexane-18-crown-6 on
      evaporation. The mol-ecule is arranged around a center of symmetry with half the
      crown ether mol-ecule and one mol-ecule of aceto-nitrile symmetry independent.
      All O-C-C-O torsion angles are gauche while all C-O-C-C angles are trans. The
      sequence of torsion angles is [(tg(+)t)(tg(-)t)]3; the geometry of oxygen atoms
      is close to pseudo-D 3d with three atoms below and three atoms above the mean
      plane, with an average deviation of +/-0.16 (1) A from the mean plane. This
      geometry is identical to that observed in metal ion complexes of di-cyclo-hexane
      18-crown-6 but differs significantly from the conformation of a free unsolvated
      mol-ecule. Each aceto-nitrile mol-ecule connects to a crown ether mol-ecule via
      two of its methyl group H atoms (C-H?O). Weaker inter-actions exist between the
      third H atom of the aceto-nitrile methyl group and an O atom of a neighbouring
      crown ether mol-ecule (C-H?O); and between the N atom of the aceto-nitrile mol
      ecule and a H atom of another neighbouring crown ether mol-ecule. All these inter
      molecular inter-actions create a three-dimensional network stabilizing the
      disolvate. 

PMID- 26279913
TI  - Crystal structure of azimsulfuron.
AB  - The title compound {systematic name: 1-(4,6-di-meth-oxy-pyrimidin-2-yl)-3-[1
      methyl-4-(2-methyl-2H-tetra-zol-5-yl)pyrazol-5-ylsulfon-yl]urea}, C13H16N10O5S,
      is a sulfonyl-urea herbicide. In this compound, the dihedral angles between the
      planes of the central pyrazole and the terminal di-meth-oxy-pyrimidine and tetra
      zole rings are 79.10 (8) and 17.21 (16) degrees , respectively. In the crystal, N
      H?O hydrogen bonds link adjacent mol-ecules, forming R 2 (2)(8) inversion dimers.
      In addition, weak C-H?O and C-H?N hydrogen bonds and weak pi-pi inter-actions
      [ring centroid separation = 3.8255 (12) A] are present, resulting in a three
      dimensional architecture. 

PMID- 26279915
TI  - Crystal structure of 3-acet-oxy-2-methyl-benzoic acid.
AB  - In the title mol-ecule, C10H10O4, the carb-oxy-lic acid group is twisted by 11.37
      (15) degrees  from the plane of the benzene ring and the acet-oxy group is
      twisted from this plane by 86.60 (17) degrees . In the crystal, mol-ecules are
      linked by pairs of O-H?O hydrogen bonds, forming inversion dimers with the
      expected R 2 (2)(8) graph-set motif. 

PMID- 26279916
TI  - Crystal structure of 4-methyl-benzyl N'-[(thio-phen-2-yl)methyl
      idene]hydrazinecarbodi-thio-ate.
AB  - In the title compound, C15H16N2S3 {systematic name: [({[(4-methyl-phen-yl)meth
      yl]sulfan-yl}methane-thio-yl)amino][1-(thio-phen-2-yl)ethyl-idene]amine}, the
      central CN2S2 residue is almost planar (r.m.s. deviation = 0.0061 A) and forms
      dihedral angles of 7.39 (10) and 64.91 (5) degrees  with the thienyl and p-tolyl
      rings, respectively; the dihedral angle between these rings is 57.52 (6) degrees
      . The non-thione S atoms are syn, and with respect to the thione S atom, the
      benzyl group is anti. In the crystal, centrosymmetrically related mol-ecules self
      associate via eight-membered {?HNCS}2 synthons. The dimeric aggregates stack
      along the a axis and are are consolidated into a three-dimensional architecture
      via methyl-C-H?pi(benzene) and benzene-C-H?pi(thien-yl) inter-actions. 

PMID- 26279917
TI  - Crystal structure of ethyl 2-acetyl-3,7-dimethyl-5-(thio-phen-2-yl)-5H-thia
      zolo[3,2-a]pyrimidine-6-carboxyl-ate.
AB  - In the title compound, C17H18N2O3S2, the pyrimidine ring adopts a shallow sofa
      conformation, with the C atom bearing the axially-oriented thio-phene ring as the
      flap [deviation = 0.439 (3) A]. The plane of the thio-phene ring lies almost
      normal to the pyrimidine ring, making a dihedral angle of 79.36 (19) degrees . In
      the crystal, pairs of very weak C-H?O hydrogen bonds link the mol-ecules related
      by twofold rotation axes, forming R 2 (2)(18) rings, which are in turn linked by
      another C-H?O inter-action, forming chains of rings along [010]. In addition,
      weak C-H?pi(thio-phene) inter-actions link the chains into layers parallel to
      [001] and pi-pi inter-actions with a centroid-centroid distance of 3.772 (10) A
      connect these layers into a three-dimensional network. 

PMID- 26279918
TI  - Crystal structure of 2-amino-4,6-di-meth-oxy-pyrimidinium thio-phene-2-carboxyl
      ate.
AB  - In the title salt, C6H10N3O2 (+).C5H3O2S(-), the 2-amino-4,6-di-meth-oxy
      pyrimidinium cation inter-acts with the carboxyl-ate group of the thio-phene-2
      carboxyl-ate anion through a pair of N-H?O hydrogen bonds, forming an R 2 (2)(8)
      ring motif. These motifs are centrosymmetrically paired via N-H?O hydrogen bonds,
      forming a complementary DDAA array. The separate DDAA arrays are linked by pi-pi
      stacking inter-actions between the pyrimidine rings, as well as by a number of
      weak C-H?O and N-H?O inter-actions. In the anion, the dihedral angle between the
      ring plane and the CO2 group is 11.60 (3) degrees . In the cation, the C atoms of
      methoxy groups deviate from the ring plane by 0.433 (10) A. 

PMID- 26279919
TI  - Crystal structure of 3-amino-1-(4-chloro-phen-yl)-1H-benzo[f]chromene-2-carbo
      nitrile.
AB  - In the title compound, C20H13ClN2O, the chloro-benzene ring is almost
      perpendicular to the mean plane of the naphthalene ring system, making a dihedral
      angle of 81.26 (8) degrees . The 4H-pyran ring fused with the naphthalene ring
      system has a flattened boat conformation. In the crystal, N-H?N hydrogen bonds
      generate chains along the b-axis direction. Further N-H?N hydrogen bonds link
      these chains into sheets parallel to (010). The crystal packing also features C
      H?pi inter-actions. The crystal studied was an inversion twin with a 0.557
      (16):0.443 (16) domain ratio. 

PMID- 26279920
TI  - Crystal structure of 15,16-ep-oxy-7beta,9alpha-di-hydroxy-labdane-13(16),14-dien
      6-one.
AB  - In the title mol-ecule, C20H30O4, both cyclo-hexane rings adopt chair
      conformations. In the crystal, mol-ecules are connected by O-H?O hydrogen bonds
      forming chains along [100]. In addtion, an intra-molecular O-H?O hydrogen bond
      forms an S(5) ring. 

PMID- 26279921
TI  - Crystal structure of (E)-5,5-dimethyl-2-[3-(4-nitro-phen-yl)allyl-idene]cyclo
      hexane-1,3-dione.
AB  - In the title compound, C17H17NO4, the cylohexane-1,3-dione ring adopts an
      envelope conformation with the dimethyl-subsituted C atom as the flap. Its mean
      plane is inclined to the benzene ring by 7.99 (19) degrees . The mol-ecule has a
      trans conformation about the bridging C=C bonds of the ally-idene chain. In the
      crystal, mol-ecules are linked via pairs of C-H?O hydrogen bonds, forming
      inversion dimers. The dimers are linked by further C-H..O hydrogen bonds, forming
      sheets lying parallel to (10-1). 

PMID- 26279922
TI  - Crystal structure of 1,2-di-benzoyl-ace-naphthyl-ene.
AB  - The title mol-ecule, C26H16O2, crystallizes as a mol-ecular crystal with no
      strong inter-molecular inter-actions (the shortest C-H?O contact is longer than
      3.4 A). Two flat ace-naphthyl-ene groups of neigboring 1,2-di-benzoyl-ace
      naphthyl-ene mol-ecules are related by a crystallographic center of symmetry and
      are stacked with the distance between their mean planes of 3.37 (1) A, apparently
      making an optimal close packing for these bulky aromatic moieties. Both carbonyl
      groups are oriented towards the same side of the planar ace-naphthyl-ene. The
      angles between the flat ace-naphthyl-ene group and the benzoyl groups are 62.6
      (1) and 57.8 (1) degrees . Because rotation of the benzoyl groups is sterically
      hindered, we expect that the mol-ecules will remain locked in this 'pseudo-cis'
      orientation in solution. As a result, reduction of 1,2-di-benzoyl-ace-naphthyl
      ene at low temperature with sodium di-thio-nite yields the cis-isomer of 1,2
      dibenzoyl-1,2-di-hydro-ace-naphthyl-ene, which is sterically favorable. This
      isomer is thermodynamically less favorable than the trans isomer, but it converts
      to the more stable isomer only on long-term heating (Greenberg & Schenendorf
      (1980 ?). 

PMID- 26279924
TI  - Crystal structure of 2-diazo-imidazole-4,5-dicarbo-nitrile.
AB  - In the title compound, C5N6, all the atoms are approximately coplanar. In the
      crystal, mol-ecules are packed with short contact distances of 2.885 (2) (between
      the diazo N atom connected to the ring and a cyano N atom on a neighboring mol
      ecule) and 3.012 (2) A (between the terminal diazo N atom and an N atom of a
      neighboring imidazole ring). 

PMID- 26279923
TI  - Crystal structure of (6-bromo-2-oxo-2H-chromen-4-yl)methyl morpholine-4-carbodi
      thio-ate.
AB  - In the title compound, C15H14BrNO3S2, the 2H-chromene ring system is nearly
      planar, with a maximum deviation of 0.034 (2) A, and the morpholine ring adopts a
      chair conformation. The dihedral angle between best plane through the 2H-chromene
      ring system and the morpholine ring is 86.32 (9) degrees . Intra-molecular C-H?S
      hydrogen bonds are observed. In the crystal, inversion-related C-H?S and C-H?O
      inter-actions generate R 2 (2)(10) and R 2 (2)(8) rings patterns, respectively.
      In addition, the crystal packing features pi-pi inter-actions between fused
      benzene rings [centroid-centroid distance = 3.7558 (12) A]. 

PMID- 26279925
TI  - Crystal structure of 5-(1-benzo-furan-2-yl)-3-(4-methyl-phen-yl)-4,5-di-hydro-1,2
      oxazol-5-ol.
AB  - In the title compound, C18H15NO3, the isoxazole moiety adopts a shallow envelope
      conformation, with the C atom bearing the OH group displaced by 0.148 (1) A from
      the mean plane through the other four atoms. The mean plane of this ring (all
      atoms) subtends dihedral angles of 87.19 (6) and 15.51 (7) degrees  with the
      benzo-furan ring system (r.m.s. deviation = 0.007 A) and the 4-methylphenyl ring,
      respectively. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked by O-H?N hydrogen bonds,
      generating [001] C(5) chains, with adjacent mol-ecules in the chain related by c
      glide symmetry. Weak C-H?O inter-actions link the chains into a three-dimensional
      network. 

PMID- 26279926
TI  - Crystal structure of oxadiarg-yl.
AB  - In the title compound {systematic name: 5-tert-butyl-3-[2,4-di-chloro-5-(prop-2
      yn-yloxy)phen-yl]-1,3,4-oxa-diazol-2(3H)-one}, C15H14Cl2N2O3, which is an oxa
      diazo-lone herbicide, the dihedral angle between the planes of the oxa-diazo-lone
      and benzene rings is 65.84 (6) degrees . In the crystal, weak inter-molecular
      Cl?Cl [3.3600 (7) A] short contacts link adjacent mol-ecules, forming chains
      along the b-axis direction. These chains are linked by C-H?O, C-H?N and C-H?Cl
      hydrogen bonds, generating a three-dimensional network. Weak C-H?pi inter-actions
      are also present. 

PMID- 26279927
TI  - Crystal structure of 3-(hy-droxy-meth-yl)chromone.
AB  - In the title compound, C10H8O3 (systematic name 3-hy-droxy-methyl-4H-chromen-4
      one), the fused-ring system is slightly puckered [dihedral angle between the
      rings = 3.84 (11) degrees ]. The hy-droxy O atom deviates from the heterocyclic
      ring by 1.422 (1) A. In the crystal, inversion dimers linked by pairs of O-H?O
      hydrogen bonds generate R 2 (2)(12) loops. The dimers are linked by aromatic pi
      pi stacking [shortest centroid-centroid distance = 3.580 (3) A], and C-H?O
      hydrogen bonds, generating a three-dimensional network. 

PMID- 26279928
TI  - Crystal structure of (E)-1-{[(3,5-di-methyl-phen-yl)imino]-meth-yl}naphthalen-2
      ol.
AB  - The title compound, C19H17NO, has an E conformation about the N=C bond. The mol
      ecule is relatively planar, with the benzene ring and naphthalene ring plane
      being inclined to one another by 4.28 (10) degrees . There is an intra-molecular
      O-H?N hydrogen bond generating an S(6) ring motif. In the crystal, mol-ecules are
      linked via C-H?O hydrogen bonds, forming chains propagating along [100]. Within
      the chains there are pi-pi inter-actions involving the benzene ring and the
      naphthalene ring system of an adjacent mol-ecule [inter-centroid distance =
      3.6405 (14) A]. 

PMID- 26279929
TI  - Crystal structure of N-[(morpholin-4-yl)(thio-phen-2-yl)meth-yl]benzamide.
AB  - In the title compound, C16H18N2O2S, the morpholine ring adopts a chair
      conformation. The thio-phene ring makes a dihedral angle of 63.54 (14) degrees 
      with the mean plane of the four C atoms [maximum deviation = 0.010 (3) A] of the
      morpholine ring. The benzamide ring is disordered, with four C atoms occupying
      two sets of sites, with a refined occupancy ratio of 0.502 (4):0.498 (4). These
      two rings are inclined to one another by 85.2 (4) degrees  and to the thio-phene
      ring by 72.7 (3) and 13.0 (3) degrees  for the major and minor components,
      respectively. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked via N-H?O hydrogen bonds,
      forming chains along [001]. 

PMID- 26279930
TI  - Crystal structure of (E)-4,4'-(but-2-ene-1,4-di-yl)bis-(2-meth-oxy-phenol).
AB  - The title compound, C18H20O4, was synthesized via the ruthenium-catalyzed alkene
      methathesis dimerization of eugenol. The whole mol-ecule is generated by
      inversion symmetry; the center of inversion being located at the mid-point of the
      trans C=C bond. The phenol ring is inclined to the mean plane of the central C
      C=C-C unit (r.m.s. deviation = 0.014 A) by 68.83 (16) degrees . In the crystal,
      mol-ecules are linked via O-H?O hydrogen bonds, involving the hy-droxy and meth
      oxy groups, forming undulating sheets parallel to (010). 

PMID- 26279931
TI  - Crystal structure of (2-hy-droxy-5-methyl-phen-yl)(3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazolo
      [3,4-b]pyridin-5-yl)methanone.
AB  - In the title compound, C21H17N3O2, the 2-hy-droxy-5-methyl-phenyl ring and the
      phenyl ring are inclined to the mean plane of the pyrazolo-pyridine moiety
      (r.m.s. deviation = 0.013 A) by 52.89 (9) and 19.63 (8) degrees , respectively,
      and to each other by 42.83 (11) degrees . In the mol-ecule, there are intra
      molecular O-H?O and C-H?N hydrogen bonds, both enclosing an S(6) ring motif. In
      the crystal, mol-ecules stack along the c-axis direction, forming columns within
      which there are a number of pi-pi inter-actions [the inter-centroid distances
      vary from 3.5278 (10) to 3.8625 (10) A]. The columns are linked by C-H?pi inter
      actions, forming slabs parallel to (100). 

PMID- 26279932
TI  - Crystal structure of (E)-5-di-ethyl-amino-2-({[4-(di-methyl-amino)-phen-yl]imino}
      meth-yl)phenol.
AB  - The title Schiff base compound, C19H25N3O, is approximately planar, with a
      dihedral angle of 9.03 (13) degrees  between the planes of the aromatic rings,
      and has an E conformation about the N=C bond. The mol-ecular structure is
      stabilized by an intra-molecular O-H?N hydrogen bond, with an S(6) ring motif. In
      the crystal, mol-ecules are linked by C-H?pi inter-actions, forming sheets
      parallel to the bc plane. 

PMID- 26279933
TI  - Crystal structure of 1,4-dieth-oxy-9,10-anthra-quinone.
AB  - The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C18H16O4, contains two
      crystallographically independent mol-ecules. The anthra-quinone ring systems are
      slightly bent with dihedral angles of 2.33 (8) and 13.31 (9) degrees  between the
      two terminal benzene rings. In the crystal, the two independent mol-ecules adopt
      slipped-parallel pi-overlap with an average inter-planar distance of 3.45 A,
      forming a dimer; the centroid-centroid distances of the pi-pi inter-actions are
      3.6659 (15)-3.8987 (15) A. The mol-ecules are also linked by C-H?O inter-actions,
      forming a tape structure along the a-axis direction. The crystal packing is
      characterized by a dimer-herringbone pattern. 

PMID- 26279934
TI  - Crystal structure of 1,2-bis-(2,6-di-methyl-phen-yl)-3-phenyl-guanidine.
AB  - In the title compound, C23H25N3, the dihedral angles between the planes of the
      benzene ring and the two substituent di-methyl-phenyl rings are 60.94 (7) degrees
      and 88.08 (7) degrees , and the dihedral angle between the planes of the two di
      methyl-phenyl rings is 58.01 (7) degrees . In the crystal, weak C-H?N inter
      actions exist between adjacent mol-ecules. One of the di-methyl-phenyl rings has
      a small amount of pi-pi overlap with the phenyl ring of an adjacent mol-ecule
      [centroid-to-centroid distance = 3.9631 (12) A]. 

PMID- 26279935
TI  - Crystal structure of N-[(naphthalen-1-yl)carbamo-thio-yl]cyclo-hexa
      necarboxamide.
AB  - The title compound, C18H20N2OS, displays whole-mol-ecule disorder over two
      adjacent sets of sites with an occupancy ratio of 0.630 (11):0.370 (11). In each
      disorder component, the cyclo-hexyl ring shows a chair conformation with the
      exocyclic C-C bond in an equatorial orientation. The dihedral angles between the
      cyclo-hexyl ring (all atoms) and the naphthyl ring system are 36.9 (6) for the
      major component and 20.7 (12) degrees  for the minor component. Each component
      features an intra-molecular N-H?O hydrogen bond, which closes an S(5) ring. In
      the crystal, inversion dimers linked by pairs of N-H?S hydrogen bonds generate R
      (2) 2(8) loops for both components. Aromatic pi-pi stacking inter-actions
      [shortest centroid-centroid separation = 3.593 (9) A] and a C-H?pi inter-action
      are also observed. 

PMID- 26279936
TI  - Crystal structure of 1'-(prop-2-yn-1-yl)-1,4-di-hydro-spiro-[benzo[d][1,3]oxazine
      2,3'-indolin]-2'-one.
AB  - In the title compound, C18H14N2O2, the six-membered oxazine ring adopts a half
      chair conformation and its mean plane makes a dihedral angle of 83.23 (7) degrees
      with the pyrrolidine ring of the indoline ring system. In the crystal, mol
      ecules are linked via N-H?O hydrogen bonds, forming chains along [100]. The
      chains are linked by C-H?pi inter-actions, forming slabs parallel to (001). 

PMID- 26279937
TI  - Crystal structure of 4-(6-chloro-4-oxo-4H-chromen-3-yl)-2-methyl-amino-3-nitro
      4H,5H-pyrano[3,2-c]chromen-5-one chloro-form monosolvate.
AB  - In the title compound, C23H14Cl4N2O7, the pyran ring has an envelope conformation
      with the methine C atom as the flap. The chromene rings are almost planar (r.m.s.
      deviations of 0.027 and 0.018 A) and their mean planes are inclined to one
      another by 85.61 (10) degrees . The mean planes of the pyran ring and the
      chromene ring fused to it are inclined to one another by 7.41 (13) degrees . The
      mol-ecular structure is stabilized by an intra-molecular N-H?O hydrogen bond,
      generating an S(6) ring motif. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked by pairs of
      N-H?O hydrogen bonds, forming inversion dimers with an R (2) 2(12) ring motif.
      The dimers are linked by pairs of C-H?O hydrogen bonds, enclosing R (2) 2(18)
      ring motifs, forming chains along [010]. Within the chains there are C-H?pi inter
      actions. The chains are linked via slipped parallel pi-pi inter-actions, forming
      a three-dimensional structure [the shortest inter-centroid distance is 3.7229
      (19) A]. 

PMID- 26279938
TI  - Crystal structure of ethyl 2-(2,4,5-tri-meth-oxy-phen-yl)quinoline-4-carboxyl
      ate.
AB  - In the title compound, C21H21NO5, the dihedral angle between the quinoline ring
      system (r.m.s. deviation = 0.028 A) and the tri-meth-oxy-benzene ring is 43.38
      (5) degrees . The C atoms of the meth-oxy groups deviate from their attached
      benzene ring by -0.396 (2), -0.049 (2) and 0.192 (2) A for the ortho-, meta- and
      para-substituents, respectively. The pendant ethyl chain is disordered over two
      orientations in a 0.527 (5):0.473 (5) ratio. A short intra-molecular C-H?O
      contact closes an S(6) ring. In the crystal, inversion dimers linked by pairs of
      weak C-H?O inter-actions generate R 2 (2)(6) loops. The dimers are linked by
      further C-H?O inter-actions to generate [1-10] chains. 

PMID- 26279939
TI  - Crystal structure of 2-amino-4-phenyl-4H-benzo[h]chromene-3-carbo-nitrile.
AB  - In the title compound, C20H14N2O, the plane of the phenyl ring is almost normal
      to that of the naphthalene ring system, forming a dihedral angle of 83.15 (8)
      degrees . The 4H-pyran ring fused with the naphthalene ring system has a
      flattened boat conformation. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked by pairs of N
      H?N hydrogen bonds, forming inversion dimers with an R 2 (2)(12) ring motif. The
      dimers are connected by C-H?pi inter-actions, forming supra-molecular chains
      along [010]. 

PMID- 26279940
TI  - Crystal structure of 4alpha-hy-droxy-5alpha,8beta(H)-eudesm-7(11)-en-8,12-olide
      monohydrate.
AB  - The title compound, C15H22O3.H2O, is a natural producr isolated from Chloranthus
      japonicus, which is a eudesmane sesquiterpenoid. The two trans-fused six-membered
      rings have chair confomations. In the crystal, O-H?O hydrogen bonds link the
      components into corrugated layers parallel to the bc plane. There are C-H?O inter
      actions present within and between the layers. 

PMID- 26279941
TI  - Crystal structure of ethyl (4R)-2-amino-7-hy-droxy-4-phenyl-4H-chromene-3
      carboxyl-ate.
AB  - In the title compound, C18H17NO4, the dihedral angle between the phenyl ring and
      the fused six-membered ring is 77.65 (4) degrees . The conformation of the mol
      ecule is determined in part by an intra-molecular N-H?O hydrogen bond between the
      amino H atom and the carbonyl O atom, forming an S(6) motif. In the crystal, mol
      ecules are linked into N-H?O hydrogen-bonded inversion dimers which are then
      connected into chains along [001], forming a two-dimensional network parallel to
      (100) via O-H?O hydrogen bonds. C-H?O interactions further contribute to the
      crystal stability. The ethyl group is disordered over two sets of sites in a
      0.801 (5):0.199 (5) ratio. 

PMID- 26279942
TI  - Crystal structure of 11-[4-(hex-yloxy)phen-yl]-1,2,4-triazolo[4,3
      a][1,10]phenanthroline.
AB  - The title compound, C25H24N4O, was prepared from 2-chloro-phenanthroline and
      hexyl-oxyphenyl-tetra-zole. The main difference between the two independent mol
      ecules (A and B) in the asymmetric unit is the orientation of the all-anti
      configured hex-yloxy chain: in A the C-O-C-C torsion angle is 175.9 (2) degrees 
      whereas it is -88.3 (3) degrees  in B. The benzene substitution in the bay of the
      triazolophenanthroline results in a helical distorsion of the heterocyclic core,
      the dihedral angles between the mean planes formed by quinoline and benzotriazole
      ring systems are 13.73 (9) for mol-ecule A and 14.87 (8) degrees  for B. The
      dihedral angles between the triazole ring and the attached benzene ring are 45.87
      (15) in A and 53.93 (14) degrees  in B. The angular annulation of four rings and
      the benzene substituent results in a helical distortion of the aromatic
      framework. The crystal is formed from layers composed of centrosymmetric pairs of
      A 2, B 2 mol-ecules with inter-digitating alkyl chains. 

PMID- 26279943
TI  - Crystal structure of 3-bromo-2-hy-droxy-benzo-nitrile.
AB  - The crystal structure of the title compound, C7H4BrNO, has been determined,
      revealing a partial mol-ecular packing disorder such that a 180 degrees  rotation
      of the mol-ecule about the phenol C-O bond results in disorder of the bromine and
      nitrile groups. The disorder has been parameterized as a disorder of only the
      bromine and nitrile substituents on a unique phenol ring. An intra-molecular O
      H?Br contact occurs. In the crystal, O-H?Br/O-H?Nnitrile hydrogen bonding is
      present between the disordered bromine and nitrile substituents and the phenol
      group, forming a spiral chain about a twofold screw axis extending parallel to
      the b-axis direction. Within this spiral chain, the mol-ecules also inter-act,
      forming offset face-to-face pi-stacking inter-actions with plane-to-centroid
      distance of 3.487 (1) A. 

PMID- 26279944
TI  - Crystal structure of 3,9,9-trimethyl-2,3,3a,4,9,9a-hexa-hydro-1H-cyclo
      penta[b]quinolin-4-ium chloride.
AB  - The title mol-ecular salt, C15H22N(+).Cl(-), arose as an unexpected product of
      the reaction between aniline and melanol in the presence of HCl. The central
      heterocyclic ring has a half-chair conformation and the five-membered ring has an
      envelope conformation, with the C atom linked to the N atom as the flap. In the
      crystal, the ions are linked by N-H?Cl hydrogen bonds, generating chains
      propagating in the [100] direction. The crystal studied was a merohedral twin
      with a 0.64 (3):0.36 (3) domain ratio. 

PMID- 26279945
TI  - Crystal structure of (E)-dodec-2-enoic acid.
AB  - The crystal structure of (E)-dodec-2-enoic acid, C12H22O2, an alpha,beta
      unsaturated carb-oxy-lic acid with a melting point (295 K) near room temperature,
      is characterized by carb-oxy-lic acid inversion dimers linked by pairs of O-H?O
      hydrogen bonds. The carb-oxy-lic acid group and the following three carbon atoms
      of the chain of the (E)-dodec-2-enoic acid mol-ecule lie almost in one plane
      (r.m.s. deviation for the four C atoms and two O atoms = 0.012 A), whereas the
      remaining carbon atoms of the hydro-carbon chain adopt a nearly fully staggered
      conformation [moduli of torsion angles vary from 174.01 (13) to 179.97 (13)
      degrees ]. 

PMID- 26279946
TI  - Crystal structure of [(E)-({2-[3-(2-{(1E)-[(carbamo-thioyl-amino)-imino]-meth
      yl}phen-oxy)prop-oxy]phen-yl}methyl-idene)amino]-thio-urea with an unknown
      solvate.
AB  - The title mol-ecule, C19H22N6O2S2, has crystallographically imposed C 2 symmetry,
      with the central C atom lying on the rotation axis. The O-C-C-C torsion angle for
      the central chain is -59.22 (16) degrees  and the dihedral angle between the
      planes of the benzene rings is 75.20 (7) degrees . In the crystal, N-H?O and N
      H?S inter-actions link the mol-ecules, forming a three-dimensional network
      encompassing channels running parallel to the c axis, which account for about 20%
      of the unit-cell volume. The contribution to the scattering from the highly
      disordered solvent mol-ecules in these channels was removed with the SQUEEZE
      routine [Spek (2015). Acta Cryst. C71, 9-18] in PLATON. The stated crystal data
      for M r, MU etc. do not take these into account. 

PMID- 26279947
TI  - Histone deacetylase inhibition protects hearing against acute ototoxicity by
      activating the Nf-kappaB pathway.
AB  - Auditory hair cells have repeatedly been shown to be susceptible to ototoxicity
      from a multitude of drugs including aminoglycoside antibiotics. Here, we found
      that systemic HDAC inhibition using suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) on
      adult mice offers almost complete protection against hair cell loss and hearing
      threshold shifts from acute ototoxic insult from kanamycin potentiated with
      furosemide. We also found that the apparent lack of hair cell loss was completely
      independent of spontaneous or facilitated (ectopic Atoh1 induction) hair cell
      regeneration. Rather, SAHA treatment correlated with RelA acetylation (K310) and
      subsequent activation of the Nf-kappaB pro-survival pathway leading to expression
      of pro-survival genes such as Cflar (cFLIP) and Bcl2l1 (Bcl-xL). In addition, we
      also detected increased expression of pro-survival genes Cdkn1a (p21) and Hspa1a
      (Hsp70), and decreased expression of the pro-apoptosis gene Bcl2l11 (Bim). These
      data combined provide evidence that class I HDACs control the transcriptional
      activation of pro-survival pathways in response to ototoxic insult by regulating
      the acetylation status of transcription factors found at the crossroads of cell
      death and survival in the mammalian inner ear.

PMID- 26279949
TI  - Value of Analog in Medicine: Digital Compromise to Teach Old-Timer New Trick.

PMID- 26279948
TI  - The Role of Community Health Workers in the Re-Engineering of Primary Health Care
      in Rural Eastern Cape.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Primary Health Care in South Africa is being re-engineered to create
      a model of integrated care across different levels of the health care system.
      From hospitals to clinics, in the community and in the home, health care will
      focus more on prevention, health-promotion and advocacy for healthy lifestyles
      and wellbeing, in addition to clinical services. We provide a best practise model
      of integrating community health workers (CHWs) trained as generalists into a
      multi-level health system in the Oliver Tambo district of the rural Eastern Cape.
      METHODS: Based at Zithulele Hospital, a health care network between the hospital,
      13 clinics, and 50 CHWs has been created. The functions of each tier of care are
      different and complementary. This article describes the recruitment, training,
      supervision, monitoring, and outcomes when CHWs who deliver maternal, child
      health, nutrition and general care through home visits. RESULTS: CHWs, especially
      in rural settings, can find and refer new TB/HIV cases, ill children and at-risk
      pregnant women; rehabilitate malnourished children at home; support TB and HIV
      treatment adherence; treat diarrhoea, worm infestation and skin problems; and,
      distribute Vitamin A. CHWs provide follow-up after clinic and hospital care,
      support families to apply health information, problem-solve the health and social
      challenges of daily living, and assist in accessing social grants. Case examples
      of how this model functions are provided. CONCLUSION: This generalist CHW home
      intervention is a potential model for the re-engineering of the primary health
      care system in South Africa.

PMID- 26279950
TI  - Current National Approach to Healthcare ICT Standardization: Focus on Progress in
      New Zealand.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Many countries try to efficiently deliver high quality healthcare
      services at lower and manageable costs where healthcare information and
      communication technologies (ICT) standardisation may play an important role. New
      Zealand provides a good model of healthcare ICT standardisation. The purpose of
      this study was to review the current healthcare ICT standardisation and progress
      in New Zealand. METHODS: This study reviewed the reports regarding the healthcare
      ICT standardisation in New Zealand. We also investigated relevant websites
      related with the healthcare ICT standards, most of which were run by the
      government. Then, we summarised the governance structure, standardisation
      processes, and their output regarding the current healthcare ICT standards status
      of New Zealand. RESULTS: New Zealand government bodies have established a set of
      healthcare ICT standards and clear guidelines and procedures for healthcare ICT
      standardisation. Government has actively participated in various enactments of
      healthcare ICT standards from the inception of ideas to their eventual
      retirement. Great achievements in eHealth have already been realized, and various
      standards are currently utilised at all levels of healthcare regionally and
      nationally. Standard clinical terminologies, such as International Classification
      of Diseases (ICD) and Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine - Clinical Terms
      (SNOMED-CT) have been adopted and Health Level Seven (HL7) standards are actively
      used in health information exchanges. CONCLUSIONS: The government to New Zealand
      has well organised ICT institutions, guidelines, and regulations, as well as
      various programs, such as e-Medications and integrated care services. Local
      district health boards directly running hospitals have effectively adopted
      various new ICT standards. They might already be benefiting from improved
      efficiency resulting from healthcare ICT standardisation.

PMID- 26279952
TI  - Conformance Analysis of Clinical Pathway Using Electronic Health Record Data.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to confirm the conformance rate of
      the actual usage of the clinical pathway (CP) using Electronic Health Record
      (EHR) log data in a tertiary general university hospital to improve the CP by
      reflecting real-world care processes. METHODS: We analyzed the application and
      matching rates of clinicians' orders with predefined CP order sets based on data
      from 164 inpatients who received appendectomies out of all patients who were
      hospitalized from August 2013 to June 2014. We collected EHR log data on patient
      information, medication orders, operation performed, diagnosis, transfer, and CP
      order sets. The data were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The average value of
      the actual application rate of the prescribed CP order ranged from 0.75 to 0.89.
      The application rate decreased when the order date was factored in along with the
      order code and type. Among CP pre-operation, intra-operation, post-operation,
      routine, and discharge orders, orders pertaining to operations had higher
      application rates than other types of orders. Routine orders and discharge orders
      had lower application rates. CONCLUSIONS: This analysis of the application and
      matching rates of CP orders suggests that it is possible to improve these rates
      by updating the existing CP order sets for routine discharge orders to reflect
      data-driven evidence. This study shows that it is possible to improve the
      application and matching rates of the CP using EHR log data. However, further
      research should be performed to analyze the effects of these rates on care
      outcomes.

PMID- 26279951
TI  - Review of Social and Organizational Issues in Health Information Technology.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This paper reviews organizational and social issues (OSIs) in health
      information technology (HIT). METHODS: A review and synthesis of the literature
      on OSIs in HIT was conducted. RESULTS: Five overarching themes with respect to
      OSIs in HIT were identified and discussed: scope and frameworks for defining OSIs
      in HIT, context matters, process immaturity and complexity, trade-offs will
      happen and need to be discussed openly, and means of studying OSIs in HIT.
      CONCLUSIONS: There is a wide body of literature that provides insight into OSIs
      in HIT, even if many of the studies are not explicitly labelled as such. The two
      biggest research needs are more explicit and theoretical studies of OSI in HITs
      and more research on integrating micro and macro perspectives of HIT use in
      organizations.

PMID- 26279953
TI  - Data-Mining-Based Coronary Heart Disease Risk Prediction Model Using Fuzzy Logic
      and Decision Tree.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The importance of the prediction of coronary heart disease (CHD) has
      been recognized in Korea; however, few studies have been conducted in this area.
      Therefore, it is necessary to develop a method for the prediction and
      classification of CHD in Koreans. METHODS: A model for CHD prediction must be
      designed according to rule-based guidelines. In this study, a fuzzy logic and
      decision tree (classification and regression tree [CART])-driven CHD prediction
      model was developed for Koreans. Datasets derived from the Korean National Health
      and Nutrition Examination Survey VI (KNHANES-VI) were utilized to generate the
      proposed model. RESULTS: The rules were generated using a decision tree
      technique, and fuzzy logic was applied to overcome problems associated with
      uncertainty in CHD prediction. CONCLUSIONS: The accuracy and receiver operating
      characteristic (ROC) curve values of the propose systems were 69.51% and 0.594,
      proving that the proposed methods were more efficient than other models.

PMID- 26279954
TI  - Diffusion of Electronic Medical Record Based Public Hospital Information Systems.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to evaluate the adoption behavior of a newly
      developed Electronic Medical Record (EMR)-based information system (IS) at three
      public hospitals in Korea with a focus on doctors and nurses. METHODS: User
      satisfaction scores from four performance layers were analyzed before and two
      times after the newly develop system was introduced to evaluate the adoption
      process of the IS with Rogers' diffusion theory. RESULTS: The 'intention to use'
      scores, the most important indicator for determining whether or not to adopt the
      IS in Rogers' confirmation stage for doctors, were very high in the third survey
      (4.21). In addition, the scores for 'reduced medication errors', which is the key
      indicator for evaluating the success of the IS, increased in the third survey for
      both doctors and nurses. The factors influencing 'intention to use' with a high
      odds ratio (>1.5) were the 'frequency of attendance of user training sessions',
      'mandatory use of system', 'reduced medication errors', and 'reduced medical
      record documentation time' for both doctors and nurses. CONCLUSIONS: These
      findings show that the new EMR-based IS was well accepted by doctors. Both
      doctors and nurses also positively considered the effects of the new IS on their
      clinical environments.

PMID- 26279955
TI  - Healthcare Utilization Monitoring System in Korea.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: It is important to monitor the healthcare utilization of patients at
      the national level to make evidence-based policy decisions and manage the
      nation's healthcare sector. The Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service
      (HIRA) has run a Healthcare Utilization Monitoring System (HUMS) since 2008. The
      objective of this paper is to introduce HIRA's HUMS. METHODS: This study
      described the HUMS's system structure, capacity, functionalities, and output
      formats run by HIRA in the Republic of Korea. Regarding output formats, this
      study extracted diabetes related health insurance claims through the HUMS from
      August 1, 2014 to May 31, 2015. RESULTS: The HUMS has kept records of health
      insurance claim data for 4 years. It has a 14-terabyte hardware capacity and
      employs several easy-to-use programs for maintenance of the system, such as MSTR,
      SAS, etc. Regarding functionalities, users should input diseases codes, target
      periods, facility types, and types of attributes, such as the number of
      healthcare utilizations or healthcare costs. It also has a functionality to
      predict healthcare utilization and costs. When this study extracted diabetes
      related data, it was found that the trend of healthcare costs for the treatment
      of diabetes and the number of patients with diabetes were increasing.
      CONCLUSIONS: HIRA's HUMS works well to monitor healthcare utilization of patients
      at the national level. The HUMS has a high-capacity hardware infrastructure and
      several operational programs that allows easy access to summaries as well as
      details to identify contributing factors for abnormality, but it has a limitation
      in that there is often a time lag between the provision of healthcare to patients
      and the filing of health claims.

PMID- 26279956
TI  - Usability of Academic Electronic Medical Record Application for Nursing Students'
      Clinical Practicum.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Nursing curricula for undergraduate nursing students need to reflect
      the information technology used in current nursing practice. A smart-device
      Academic Electronic Medical Record (AEMR) application can help nursing students
      access and document records for the clinical practicum. We conducted a pilot
      study to evaluate the usability of an AEMR application before applying it to the
      clinical nursing practicum. METHODS: A previously developed EMR application was
      modified as an AEMR to access patient information at bedside and to practice
      documentation. We added several features to the current EMR application to create
      an AEMR environment. We created a series of document forms and several useful
      scales on an external application, which included nursing admission notes, vital
      signs, and intake/output. The case scenarios and tasks were created by a research
      team to evaluate aspects of AEMRs, including their usability and functionality.
      Five nursing students completed 15 tasks using a think-aloud method with a tablet
      device. RESULTS: Minor usability issues were identified and rectified. All
      participants indicated that they became familiar with the application with little
      effort. They said that the application icons were intuitive, which helped them
      find patient information more quickly and accurately. CONCLUSIONS: The
      application will improve timely access to patient data and documentation for
      nursing students. We are confident that this AEMR application will enhance
      nursing students' experience with their clinical practicum, and help them to
      better understand patient conditions and document them with ideal accessibility.

PMID- 26279957
TI  - Application of Telemedicine System to Prehospital Medical Control.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Although ambulance-based telemedicine has been reported to be safe
      and feasible, its clinical usefulness has not been well documented, and different
      prehospital management systems would yield different results. The authors
      evaluated the feasibility and usefulness of telemedicine-assisted direct medical
      control in the Korean emergency medical service system. METHODS: Twenty
      ambulances in the Busan area were equipped with a telemedicine system. Three-lead
      electrocardiogram, blood pressure, and pulse oximetry data from the patient and
      audiovisual input from the scene were transferred to a server. Consulting
      physicians used desktop computers and the internet to connect to the server. Both
      requesting emergency medical service (EMS) providers and consulting physicians
      were asked to fill out report forms and submit them for analysis. RESULTS: In the
      41 cases in which telemedicine equipment was used, cellular phones were
      concomitantly used in 28 cases (68.35%) to compensate for the poor audio quality
      provided by the equipment. The EMS providers rated the video transmission quality
      with a 4-point average score (interquartile range [IQR] 2-5) on a 5-point scale,
      and they rated the biosignal transmission quality as 4 (IQR 3-5). The consulting
      physicians rated the video quality as 4 (IQR 2.5-4) and the biosignal quality as
      4 (IQR 3-4). The physicians' ratings for usefulness for making diagnosis or
      treatment decisions did not differ significantly in relation to the method of
      communication used. CONCLUSIONS: Our study did not find any significant advantage
      of implementing telemedicine over the use of voice calls in delivering on-line
      medical control. More user-friendly, smaller devices with clear advantages over
      voice communication would be required before telemedicine can be successfully
      implemented in prehospital patient care.

PMID- 26279958
TI  - Clinical Application of Solid Model Based on Trabecular Tibia Bone CT Images
      Created by 3D Printer.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this work is to use a 3D solid model to predict the
      mechanical loads of human bone fracture risk associated with bone disease
      conditions according to biomechanical engineering parameters. METHODS: We used
      special image processing tools for image segmentation and three-dimensional (3D)
      reconstruction to generate meshes, which are necessary for the production of a
      solid model with a 3D printer from computed tomography (CT) images of the human
      tibia's trabecular and cortical bones. We examined the defects of the mechanism
      for the tibia's trabecular bones. RESULTS: Image processing tools and
      segmentation techniques were used to analyze bone structures and produce a solid
      model with a 3D printer. CONCLUSIONS: These days, bio-imaging (CT and magnetic
      resonance imaging) devices are able to display and reconstruct 3D anatomical
      details, and diagnostics are becoming increasingly vital to the quality of
      patient treatment planning and clinical treatment. Furthermore, radiographic
      images are being used to study biomechanical systems with several aims, namely,
      to describe and simulate the mechanical behavior of certain anatomical systems,
      to analyze pathological bone conditions, to study tissues structure and
      properties, and to create a solid model using a 3D printer to support surgical
      planning and reduce experimental costs. These days, research using image
      processing tools and segmentation techniques to analyze bone structures to
      produce a solid model with a 3D printer is rapidly becoming very important.

PMID- 26279959
TI  - Correction: Effects of Health Information Technology on Malpractice Insurance
      Premiums.
AB  - [This corrects the article on p. 118 in vol. 21, PMID: 25995964.]. 

PMID- 26279960
TI  - Continuous Shape Estimation of Continuum Robots Using X-ray Images.
AB  - We present a new method for continuously and accurately estimating the shape of a
      continuum robot during a medical procedure using a small number of X-ray
      projection images (e.g., radiographs or fluoroscopy images). Continuum robots
      have curvilinear structure, enabling them to maneuver through constrained spaces
      by bending around obstacles. Accurately estimating the robot's shape continuously
      over time is crucial for the success of procedures that require avoidance of
      anatomical obstacles and sensitive tissues. Online shape estimation of a
      continuum robot is complicated by uncertainty in its kinematic model, movement of
      the robot during the procedure, noise in X-ray images, and the clinical need to
      minimize the number of X-ray images acquired. Our new method integrates
      kinematics models of the robot with data extracted from an optimally selected set
      of X-ray projection images. Our method represents the shape of the continuum
      robot over time as a deformable surface which can be described as a linear
      combination of time and space basis functions. We take advantage of probabilistic
      priors and numeric optimization to select optimal camera configurations, thus
      minimizing the expected shape estimation error. We evaluate our method using
      simulated concentric tube robot procedures and demonstrate that obtaining between
      3 and 10 images from viewpoints selected by our method enables online shape
      estimation with errors significantly lower than using the kinematic model alone
      or using randomly spaced viewpoints.

PMID- 26279961
TI  - Use of Pearson's Chi-Square for Testing Equality of Percentile Profiles across
      Multiple Populations.
AB  - In large sample studies where distributions may be skewed and not readily
      transformed to symmetry, it may be of greater interest to compare different
      distributions in terms of percentiles rather than means. For example, it may be
      more informative to compare two or more populations with respect to their within
      population distributions by testing the hypothesis that their corresponding
      respective 10th, 50th, and 90th percentiles are equal. As a generalization of the
      median test, the proposed test statistic is asymptotically distributed as Chi
      square with degrees of freedom dependent upon the number of percentiles tested
      and constraints of the null hypothesis. Results from simulation studies are used
      to validate the nominal 0.05 significance level under the null hypothesis, and
      asymptotic power properties that are suitable for testing equality of percentile
      profiles against selected profile discrepancies for a variety of underlying
      distributions. A pragmatic example is provided to illustrate the comparison of
      the percentile profiles for four body mass index distributions.

PMID- 26279962
TI  - Lemierre's Syndrome Caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae in a Diabetic Patient: A Case
      Report and Review of the Literature.
AB  - Lemierre's syndrome is characterized by an oropharyngeal infection with internal
      jugular vein thrombosis followed by metastatic infections in other organs. This
      infection is usually caused by Fusobacterium spp. In this report, we present a
      rare case of Klebsiella pneumoniae-associated Lemierre's syndrome in a patient
      with poorly-controlled diabetes mellitus. The infection was complicated by septic
      emboli in many organs, which led to the patient's death, despite combined
      antibiotics, anticoagulant therapy, and surgical intervention. Therein, a
      literature review was performed for reported cases of Lemierre's syndrome caused
      by Klebsiella pneumoniae and the results are summarized here.

PMID- 26279963
TI  - Improving the Utilization of Human Papillomavirus and Cervical Cytology Co
      testing for Cervical Cancer Screening in an Obstetrics and Gynecology Resident
      Clinic.
AB  - Human Papillomavirus (HPV) testing in combination with cervical cytology (HPV co
      testing) has been recommended for cervical cancer screening for women 30 to 65
      years of age. In several studies, HPV co-testing increased sensitivity for
      detecting high grade dysplasia and resulted in cost-savings. This retrospective
      cohort study assessed the prevalence of HPV co-testing in an obstetrics and
      gynecology resident clinic before and after a brief educational intervention
      which was designed to reinforce current cervical cancer screening
      recommendations. The intervention consisted of a short presentation that was
      given to all residents and medical assistants in October 2011. The proportion of
      women age 30-65 years of age who had cervical cancer screening with HPV co
      testing as compared to cervical cytology alone was compared before and after the
      intervention using chi-square tests. The goal of the intervention was to increase
      the percentage of patients receiving co-testing from 0.5% to 7.8%. Each arm (pre-
      and post-intervention) required 130 subjects to achieve 80% power with a
      significance of P = .05. No significant differences in demographics including
      age, insurance type, and cytology were noted. HPV co-testing increased from 0% to
      55% (P < .001). Of the 72 subjects who had co-testing, 58 (80%) will not need
      cervical cancer screening for another 5 years. HPV co-testing represents an
      underutilized cervical cancer screening modality for women 30 years and older.
      This brief educational intervention, adaptable to any clinical setting,
      significatnly increased co-testing at the clinical site.

PMID- 26279964
TI  - Autoimmune Hepatitis in Hawai'i.
AB  - Autoimmune Hepatitis (AIH) is a poorly understood disease. There has been a
      paucity of reports on the epidemiology and clinical course of AIH in multiethnic
      populations. The aim of this study is to examine the clinical and serologic
      features of AIH in the multiethnic population of Hawai'i. This was a
      retrospective, cross-sectional study of a cohort of patients seen between 2010
      2013 in a tertiary referral center in Hawai'i. All 32 patients were diagnosed
      according to International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group (IAIHG) criteria. The mean
      (SD) age of diagnosis was 49.4 (17.5) years, 75% of patients were female, 72%
      were Asian, 19% were Caucasian, 6% were Pacific Islander, and 3% were African
      American. When compared to Caucasians, Asians had lower transaminase levels and
      international normalized ratio (INR), and were more likely to have anti-nuclear
      antibody (ANA) seropositivity at presentation. Asians were also older at
      diagnosis and more likely to achieve complete or partial remission. Patients
      diagnosed before the age of 40 had higher levels of total bilirubin at
      presentation compared to those diagnosed after the age of 40. No significant
      differences were observed between genders. Asian patients with type I AIH present
      later in life with more favorable laboratory values, and have a superior
      treatment response compared to Caucasians. Diagnosis before the age of 40 is
      associated with less favorable laboratory values at diagnosis. Further studies
      are necessary to validate these findings and determine the reason for the ethnic
      differences.

PMID- 26279965
TI  - Medical School Hotline: Celebrating 15 Years of the Area Health Education Center
      at the John A. Burns School of Medicine.

PMID- 26279966
TI  - Insights in Public Health: Protecting Public Health Through Governmental
      Transparency: How the Hawai'i Department of Health's New "Stoplight" Placarding
      Program is Attempting to Influence Behavioral Change in Hawai'i's Food Industry.
AB  - Reducing the occurrence of and influencing the rapid correction of food illness
      risk factors is a common goal for all governmental food regulatory programs
      nationwide. Foodborne illness in the United States is a major cause of personal
      distress, preventable illness, and death. To improve public health outcomes,
      additional workforce was required due to long standing staffing shortages and was
      obtained partially through consolidation of the Hawai'i Department of Health's
      (HDOH) two food safety programs, the Sanitation Branch, and the Food & Drug
      Branch in July 2012, and through legislation that amended existing statutes
      governing the use of food establishment permit fees. Additionally, a more
      transparent food establishment grading system was developed after extensive work
      with industry partners based on three possible placards issued after routine
      inspections: green, yellow, and red. From late July 2014 to May 2015, there were
      6,559 food establishments inspected statewide using the placard system with 79%
      receiving a green, 21% receiving a yellow, and no red placards issued. Sufficient
      workforce to allow timely inspections, continued governmental transparency, and
      use of new technologies are important to improve food safety for the public.

PMID- 26279968
TI  - Expression of synaptophysin protein in different dopaminergic cell lines.
AB  - Synaptophysin is a specific presynaptic marker for neurons. Loss of synaptophysin
      occurs in Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies and other
      neurodegenerative diseases. In vitro studies on synaptophysin are important to
      understand both the function of the protein itself and its implication in the
      pathogenesis of neurological diseases. In this study, we determined synaptophysin
      protein expression by Western analysis in 6 different dopaminergic cell lines
      including one human (SH-SY5Y), two rat (PC12 and N27) and 3 mouse (MN9D, Cath.a
      and CAD) cell lines. We found that synaptophysin protein is richly expressed in
      PC12 cells, but much less in other cells we studied. The order of synaptophysin
      expression from high to low for the other 5 cell lines was CAD> SH-SY5Y> MN9D>
      Cath.a = N27 cells, with Cath.a and N27 cells expressing almost undetectable
      content of synaptophysin protein. These data may be useful to other researchers
      in choosing a dopaminergic cell line as a model system to study the
      pathophysiology of neuron terminal loss.

PMID- 26279969
TI  - Histoplasmosis infections worldwide: thinking outside of the Ohio River valley.
AB  - In the United States, histoplasmosis is generally thought to occur mainly in the
      Ohio and Mississippi River Valleys, and the classic map of histoplasmosis
      distribution reflecting this is second nature to many U.S. physicians. With the
      advent of the HIV pandemic reports of patients with progressive disseminated
      histoplasmosis and AIDS came from regions of known endemicity, as well as from
      regions not thought to be endemic for histoplasmosis throughout the world. In
      addition, our expanding armamentarium of immunosuppressive medications and
      biologics has increased the diagnosis of histoplasmosis worldwide. While our
      knowledge of areas in which histoplasmosis is endemic has improved, it is still
      incomplete. Our contention is that physicians should consider histoplasmosis with
      the right constellations of symptoms in any febrile patient with immune
      suppression, regardless of geographic location or travel history.

PMID- 26279970
TI  - Cryptococcal Meningitis: Diagnosis and Management Update.
AB  - Recent advances in the diagnosis and management of cryptococcal meningitis are
      promising and have been improving long-term survival. Point of care testing has
      made diagnosing cryptococcal meningitis rapid, practical, and affordable.
      Targeted screening and treatment programs for cryptococcal antigenemia are a cost
      effective method for reducing early mortality on antiretroviral therapy (ART).
      Optimal initial management with amphotericin and flucytosine improves survival
      against alternative therapies, although amphotericin is difficult to administer
      and flucytosine is not available in middle or low income countries, where
      cryptococcal meningitis is most prevalent. Controlling increased intracranial
      pressure with serial therapeutic lumbar punctures has a proven survival benefit.
      Delaying ART initiation for 4 weeks after the diagnosis of cryptococcal
      meningitis is associated with improved survival. Fortunately, new approaches have
      been leading the way toward improving care for cryptococcal meningitis patients.
      New trials utilizing different combinations of antifungal therapy are reviewed,
      and we summarize the efficacy of different regimens.

PMID- 26279971
TI  - Systemic and Mucosal Immune Responses to Cryptosporidium-Vaccine Development.
AB  - Cryptosporidium spp is a major cause of diarrheal disease worldwide, particularly
      in malnourished children and untreated AIDS patients in developing countries in
      whom it can cause severe, chronic and debilitating disease. Unfortunately, there
      is no consistently effective drug for these vulnerable populations and no
      vaccine, partly due to a limited understanding of both the parasite and the host
      immune response. In this review, we will discuss our current understanding of the
      systemic and mucosal immune responses to Cryptosporidium infection, discuss the
      feasibility of developing a Cryptosporidium vaccine and evaluate recent advances
      in Cryptosporidium vaccine development strategies.

PMID- 26279972
TI  - Recent Patents Pertaining to Immune Modulation and Musculoskeletal Regeneration
      with Wharton's Jelly Cells.
AB  - Umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal cells (UCMSCs) are isolated from Wharton's
      jelly in the umbilical cord at birth, and offer advantages over adult mesenchymal
      stromal cells (MSCs) such as highly efficient isolation, faster proliferation in
      vitro, a broader differentiation potential, and non-invasive harvesting
      procedure. Their expansion and differentiation potential renders them a promising
      cell source for tissue engineering and clinical applications. This review
      discusses recent updates on the differentiation strategies for musculoskeletal
      tissue engineering including cartilage, bone, and muscle. In addition to tissue
      engineering applications, UCMSCs can be utilized to support hematopoiesis and
      modulate immune response. We review the patents relevant to the application of
      MSCs including UCMSCs in hematopoiesis and immune modulation. Finally, the
      current hurdles in the clinical translation of UCMSCs are discussed. During
      clinical translation, it is critical to develop large-scale manufacturing of
      UCMSCs as well as the composition of expansion and differentiation media. Four
      clinical trials to date have examined the safety and efficacy of UCMSCs. Once
      public banking of UCMSCs is available to supply matched allogeneic units and once
      UCMSC manufacturing is standardized, we anticipate that UCMSCs will be more
      widely used in clinical trials.

PMID- 26279973
TI  - A Longitudinal Analysis of the Effects of Socioeconomic Factors, Foreign Media,
      and Attitude toward Appearance on General and Central Adiposity in Chinese
      Adolescents.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This paper explores the longitudinal effects of socioeconomic factors
      (i.e., parent education and family income level), foreign media, and attitude
      toward appearance on general and central adiposity among Chinese adolescents.
      METHOD: A longitudinal analysis was performed using data from the China Seven
      Cities Study, a health promotion and smoking prevention study conducted in seven
      cities across Mainland China between 2002 and 2005. Participants included 5,020
      middle and high school students and their parents. Explanatory variables included
      foreign media exposure, attitude toward appearance, parent education, and family
      income. Three-level, random-effect models were used to predict general adiposity
      (i.e., body mass index) and central adiposity (i.e., waist circumference). The
      Generalized Estimating Equation approach was utilized to determine the effect of
      explanatory variables on overweight status. RESULTS: Among girls, foreign media
      exposure was significantly negatively associated with general adiposity over time
      (beta=-0.06, p=0.01 for middle school girls; beta=-0.06, p=0.03 for high school
      girls). Attitude toward appearance was associated with lesser odds of being
      overweight, particularly among high school girls (OR=0.86, p<0.01). Among boys,
      parental education was significantly positively associated with general adiposity
      (beta=0.62, p<0.01 for middle school boys; beta=0.37, p=0.02 for high school
      boys) and associated with greater odds of being overweight (OR=1.55, p<0.01 for
      middle school boys; OR=1.26, p=0.04 for high school boys). Across all gender and
      grade levels, family income was significantly negatively associated with central
      adiposity over time. CONCLUSION: Interventions addressing Chinese adolescent
      overweight/obesity should consider these factors as potential focus areas.

PMID- 26279974
TI  - New p-Substituted Salicylaldehyde Phenylhydrazone Derivatives: Synthesis,
      Characterization, and Antioxidant Activities.
AB  - A series of new p-nitrophenylhydrazone derivatives 3a-f were synthesized,
      characterized, and investigated for their antioxidant activities. These compounds
      have been synthesized by refluxing (p-nitrophenyl)hydrazine with 4-sub-stituted
      salicylaldehydes. The structures of the compounds were established by IR, (1)H-
      and (13)C-NMR, and MS data. The antioxidant activities (free radical-scavenging
      activity, reducing power, metal chelating activity, and total anti-oxidant
      activity) of the hydrazone compounds were evaluated. All of the compounds
      exhibited significant activities, while compound 3a, with the shortest chain,
      showed the highest antioxidant activity in all of the tests.

PMID- 26279975
TI  - Stability-Indicating RP-HPLC Method for the Determination of Ambrisentan and
      Tadalafil in Pharmaceutical Dosage Form.
AB  - A simple, rapid, and highly selective RP-HPLC method was developed for the
      simultaneous determination of Ambrisentan (AMB) and Tadalafil (TADA) drug
      substances in the fixed dosage strength of 10 mg and 40 mg, respectively.
      Effective chromatographic separation was achieved using a Hypersil GOLD C18
      column (150 mm * 4.6 mm internal diameter, 5 MUm particle size) with a mobile
      phase composed of methanol, water, and acetonitrile in the ratio of 40:40:20 (by
      volume). The mobile phase was pumped using a gradient HPLC system at a flow rate
      of 0.5 mL/min, and quantification of the analytes was based on measuring their
      peak areas at 260 nm. The retention times for Ambrisentan and Tadalafil were
      about 2.80 and 7.10 min, respectively. The reliability and analytical performance
      of the proposed HPLC procedure were statistically validated with respect to
      system suitability, linearity, ranges, precision, accuracy, specificity,
      robustness, detection, and quantification limits. Calibration curves were linear
      in the ranges of 1-20 MUg/mL for Ambrisentan and 4-80 MUg/mL for Tadalafil with
      correlation coefficients >0.990. The proposed method proved to be selective and
      stability-indicating by the resolution of the two analytes from the forced
      degradation (hydrolysis, oxidation, and photolysis) products. The validated HPLC
      method was successfully applied to the analysis of AMB and TADA in pharmaceutical
      dosage form.

PMID- 26279976
TI  - Low Density Lipid Nanoparticles for Solid Tumor Targeting.
AB  - One of the most significant characteristics of cancer cells is their rapid
      dividing ability and overexpression of LDL receptors, which offers an opportunity
      for the selective targeting of these cells. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU)-encapsulated
      low density lipid nanoparticles (LDLN) were prepared by the emulsion congealing
      method which mimics the plasma-derived LDL by acquiring the apolipoprotein B-100
      from the blood. The average particle size, transmission electron microscope
      (TEM), and drug content of the prepared LDLN dispersion were found to be 161+/
      3.5 nm, with spherical shape, and 0.370+/-0.05 mg/mL, respectively. In vitro
      release studies revealed a sustained profile which decreased with a lapse of
      time. In vivo studies of 5-FU serum concentration and biodistribution revealed a
      5-FU serum concentration of 8.5% in tumor cells and about 2.1% in the liver at
      the end of 24 hr from LDLN. Tumor growth suppression studies showed 185.42%
      average tumor growth and 89.76% tumor height as compared to the control
      exhibiting tumor growth at 1166.47% and tumor height at 176.07%. On the basis of
      these collective data, it is suggested that a higher accumulation of LDLN, when
      given as an IV, in solid tumors is attributed to the active uptake of LDLN via
      LDL receptors via apolipoprotein B-100.

PMID- 26279977
TI  - Novel antigen delivery systems.
AB  - Vaccines represent the most relevant contribution of immunology to human health.
      However, despite the remarkable success achieved in the past years, many vaccines
      are still missing in order to fight important human pathologies and to prevent
      emerging and re-emerging diseases. For these pathogens the known strategies for
      making vaccines have been unsuccessful and thus, new avenues should be
      investigated to overcome the failure of clinical trials and other important
      issues including safety concerns related to live vaccines or viral vectors, the
      weak immunogenicity of subunit vaccines and side effects associated with the use
      of adjuvants. A major hurdle of developing successful and effective vaccines is
      to design antigen delivery systems in such a way that optimizes antigen
      presentation and induces broad protective immune responses. Recent advances in
      vector delivery technologies, immunology, vaccinology and system biology, have
      led to a deeper understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which
      vaccines should stimulate both arms of the adaptive immune responses, offering
      new strategies of vaccinations. This review is an update of current strategies
      with respect to live attenuated and inactivated vaccines, DNA vaccines, viral
      vectors, lipid-based carrier systems such as liposomes and virosomes as well as
      polymeric nanoparticle vaccines and virus-like particles. In addition, this
      article will describe our work on a versatile and immunogenic delivery system
      which we have studied in the past decade and which is derived from a non
      pathogenic prokaryotic organism: the "E2 scaffold" of the pyruvate dehydrogenase
      complex from Geobacillus stearothermophilus. 

PMID- 26279978
TI  - Can antiretroviral therapy be tailored to each human immunodeficiency virus
      infected individual? Role of pharmacogenomics.
AB  - Pharmacogenetics refers to the effect of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)
      within human genes on drug therapy outcome. Its study might help clinicians to
      increase the efficacy of antiretroviral drugs by improving their pharmacokinetics
      and pharmacodynamics and by decreasing their side effects. HLAB*5701 genotyping
      to avoid the abacavir-associated hypersensitivity reaction (HSR) is a cost
      effective diagnostic tool, with a 100% of negative predictive value, and,
      therefore, it has been included in the guidelines for treatment of human
      immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. HALDRB*0101 associates with nevirapine
      induced HSR. CYP2B6 SNPs modify efavirenz plasma levels and their genotyping help
      decreasing its central nervous system, hepatic and HSR toxicities. Cytokines SNPs
      might influence the development of drug-associated lipodystrophy. APOA5, APOB,
      APOC3 and APOE SNPs modify lipids plasma levels and might influence the coronary
      artery disease risk of HIV-infected individuals receiving antiretroviral therapy.
      UGT1A1*28 and ABCB1 (MDR1) 3435C > T SNPs modify atazanavir plasma levels and
      enhance hyperbilirubinemia. Much more effort needs to be still devoted to
      complete large prospective studies with multiple SNPs genotyping in order to
      reveal more clues about the role played by host genetics in antiretroviral drug
      efficacy and toxicity. 

PMID- 26279980
TI  - Middle-East respiratory syndrome coronavirus: Is it worth a world panic?
AB  - In 2012 Middle-East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) was evolved in
      the Arabian Peninsula. Tremendous and successful efforts have been conducted to
      discover the genome structure, epidemiology, clinical signs, pathogenesis,
      diagnosis and antiviral therapy. Taphozous perforatus bats are the incriminated
      reservoir host and camels are the currently confirmed animal linker. The virus
      resulted in less than 1000 infected cases and 355 deaths. The case fatality rate
      of the MERS-CoV is high, however, many survivors of MERS-CoV infection showed
      inapparent infections and, in several cases, multiple co-infecting agents did
      exist. Although MERS-CoV appears to be a dangerous disease, it is argued here
      that a full assessment of current knowledge about the disease does not suggest
      that it is a truly scary killer. 

PMID- 26279979
TI  - Is the use of IL28B genotype justified in the era of interferon-free treatments
      for hepatitis C?
AB  - In 2009, several groups reported that interleukin-28B (IL28B) genotypes are
      associated with the response to peginterferon plus ribavirin therapy for chronic
      hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in a genome-wide association study, although
      the mechanism of this association is not yet well understood. However, in recent
      years, tremendous progress has been made in the treatment of HCV infection. In
      Japan, some patients infected with HCV have the IL28B major genotype, which may
      indicate a favorable response to interferon-including regimens; however, certain
      patients within this group are also interferon-intolerant or ineligible. In
      Japan, interferon-free 24-wk regimens of asunaprevir and daclatasvir are now
      available for HCV genotype 1b-infected patients who are interferon-intolerant or
      ineligible or previous treatment null-responders. The treatment response to
      interferon-free regimens appears better, regardless of IL28B genotype. Maybe
      other interferon-free regimens will widely be available soon. In conclusion,
      although some HCV-infected individuals have IL28B favorable alleles, importance
      of IL28B will be reduced with availability of oral interferon free regimen. 

PMID- 26279981
TI  - Prion-induced neurotoxicity: Possible role for cell cycle activity and DNA damage
      response.
AB  - Protein misfolding neurodegenerative diseases arise through neurotoxicity induced
      by aggregation of host proteins. These conditions include Alzheimer's disease,
      Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, motor neuron disease, tauopathies and
      prion diseases. Collectively, these conditions are a challenge to society because
      of the increasing aged population and through the real threat to human food
      security by animal prion diseases. It is therefore important to understand the
      cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie protein misfolding-induced
      neurotoxicity as this will form the basis for designing strategies to alleviate
      their burden. Prion diseases are an important paradigm for neurodegenerative
      conditions in general since several of these maladies have now been shown to
      display prion-like phenomena. Increasingly, cell cycle activity and the DNA
      damage response are recognised as cellular events that participate in the
      neurotoxic process of various neurodegenerative diseases, and their associated
      animal models, which suggests they are truly involved in the pathogenic process
      and are not merely epiphenomena. Here we review the role of cell cycle activity
      and the DNA damage response in neurodegeneration associated with protein
      misfolding diseases, and suggest that these events contribute towards prion
      induced neurotoxicity. In doing so, we highlight PrP transgenic Drosophila as a
      tractable model for the genetic analysis of transmissible mammalian prion
      disease. 

PMID- 26279982
TI  - Pharmacogenetics as a tool to tailor antiretroviral therapy: A review.
AB  - Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has substantially changed human
      immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection from an inexorably fatal condition into a
      chronic disease with a longer life expectancy. This means that HIV patients
      should receive antiretroviral drugs lifelong, and the problems concerning with a
      chronic treatment (tolerability, side effects, adherence to treatment) have now
      become dominant. In this context, strategies for the treatment personalization
      have taken a central role in optimizing the therapeutic response and prevention
      of adverse drug reactions. In this setting, the study of pharmacogenetics
      features could be a very useful tool in clinical practice; moreover, nowadays the
      study of genetic profiles allows optimizations in the therapeutic management of
      People Living With HIV (PLWH) through the use of test introduced into clinical
      practice and approved by international guidelines for the adverse effects
      prevention such as the genetic test HLA-B*5701 to detect hypersensitivity to
      Abacavir. For other tests further studies are needed: CYP2B6 516 G > T testing
      may be able to identify patients at higher risk of Central Nervous System side
      effects following standard dosing of Efavirenz, UGT1A1*28 testing before
      initiation of antiretroviral therapy containing Atazanavir may aid in identifying
      individuals at risk of hyperbilirubinaemia. Pharmacogenetics represents a
      research area with great growth potential which may be useful to guide the
      rational use of antiretrovirals. 

PMID- 26279983
TI  - Non-AIDS definings malignancies among human immunodeficiency virus-positive
      subjects: Epidemiology and outcome after two decades of HAART era.
AB  - Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for human immunodeficiency virus
      (HIV) infection has been widely available in industrialized countries since 1996;
      its widespread use determined a dramatic decline in acquired immunodeficiency
      syndrome (AIDS)-related mortality, and consequently, a significant decrease of
      AIDS-defining cancers. However the increased mean age of HIV-infected patients,
      prolonged exposure to environmental and lifestyle cancer risk factors, and
      coinfection with oncogenic viruses contributed to the emergence of other
      malignancies that are considered non-AIDS-defining cancers (NADCs) as a relevant
      fraction of morbidity and mortality among HIV-infected people twenty years after
      HAART introduction. The role of immunosuppression in the pathogenesis of NADCs is
      not well defined, and future researches should investigate the etiology of NADCs.
      In the last years there is a growing evidence that intensive chemotherapy
      regimens and radiotherapy could be safely administrated to HIV-positive patients
      while continuing HAART. This requires a multidisciplinary approach and a close co
      operation of oncologists and HIV-physicians in order to best manage compliance of
      patients to treatment and to face drug-related side effects. Here we review the
      main epidemiological features, risk factors and clinical behavior of the more
      common NADCs, such as lung cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, colorectal cancer
      and anal cancer, Hodgkin's lymphoma and some cutaneous malignancies, focusing
      also on the current therapeutic approaches and preventive screening strategies. 

PMID- 26279985
TI  - Women's willingness to be tested for human immunodeficiency virus during
      pregnancy: A review.
AB  - Mother-to-child-transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a primary
      cause of pediatric infections with HIV. Many of these infections involve women
      who were not tested early enough in pregnancy, or who did not receive prevention
      services. HIV testing of pregnant women is considered to be one of the key
      strategies for preventing mother-to-child-transmission of HIV, but HIV testing
      rates among pregnant women in various countries remain suboptimal. Understanding
      the factors relating to women's willingness to be tested for HIV during pregnancy
      is critical for developing strategies to increase HIV testing rates among
      pregnant women. Extensive research points to various factors relating to women's
      willingness to be tested for HIV during pregnancy, and various recommendations
      aimed at improving testing rates among pregnant women have been suggested based
      on the research. In light of the goals set by the United Nations to reduce the
      rate of infants infected with HIV, it is necessary to summarize what is currently
      known regarding factors related to women's willingness to be tested for HIV
      during pregnancy. The purpose of this review is therefore to examine factors
      related to women's willingness to be tested for HIV during pregnancy, and to
      summarize recommendations for practice and further research. 

PMID- 26279986
TI  - Insights into human immunodeficiency virus-hepatitis B virus co-infection in
      India.
AB  - Shared routes of transmission lead to frequent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
      hepatitis B virus (HBV) co-infection in a host which results in about 10% of HIV
      positive individuals to have chronic hepatitis B infection worldwide. In post
      antiretroviral therapy era, liver diseases have emerged as the leading cause of
      morbidity and mortality in HIV-infected individuals and HBV co-infection have
      become the major health issue among this population particularly from the regions
      with endemic HBV infection. In setting of HIV-HBV co-infection, HIV significantly
      impacts the natural history of HBV infection, its disease profile and the
      treatment outcome in negative manner. Moreover, the epidemiological pattern of
      HBV infection and the diversity in HBV genome (genotypic and phenotypic) are also
      varied in HIV co-infected subjects as compared to HBV mono-infected individuals.
      Several reports on the abovementioned issues are available from developed parts
      of the world as well as from sub-Saharan African countries. In contrast, most of
      these research areas remained unexplored in India despite having considerable
      burden of HIV and HBV infections. This review discusses present knowledge from
      the studies on HIV-HBV co-infection in India and relevant reports from different
      parts of the world. Issues needed for the future research relevant to HIV-HBV co
      infection in India are also highlighted here, including a call for further
      investigations on this field of study. 

PMID- 26279984
TI  - Post-transcriptional gene silencing, transcriptional gene silencing and human
      immunodeficiency virus.
AB  - While human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) infection is controlled through
      continuous, life-long use of a combination of drugs targeting different steps of
      the virus cycle, HIV-1 is never completely eradicated from the body. Despite
      decades of research there is still no effective vaccine to prevent HIV-1
      infection. Therefore, the possibility of an RNA interference (RNAi)-based cure
      has become an increasingly explored approach. Endogenous gene expression is
      controlled at both, transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels by non-coding
      RNAs, which act through diverse molecular mechanisms including RNAi. RNAi has the
      potential to control the turning on/off of specific genes through transcriptional
      gene silencing (TGS), as well as fine-tuning their expression through post
      transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS). In this review we will describe in detail
      the canonical RNAi pathways for PTGS and TGS, the relationship of TGS with other
      silencing mechanisms and will discuss a variety of approaches developed to
      suppress HIV-1 via manipulation of RNAi. We will briefly compare RNAi strategies
      against other approaches developed to target the virus, highlighting their
      potential to overcome the major obstacle to finding a cure, which is the specific
      targeting of the HIV-1 reservoir within latently infected cells. 

PMID- 26279987
TI  - Next-generation sequencing in clinical virology: Discovery of new viruses.
AB  - Viruses are a cause of significant health problem worldwide, especially in the
      developing nations. Due to different anthropological activities, human
      populations are exposed to different viral pathogens, many of which emerge as
      outbreaks. In such situations, discovery of novel viruses is utmost important for
      deciding prevention and treatment strategies. Since last century, a number of
      different virus discovery methods, based on cell culture inoculation, sequence
      independent PCR have been used for identification of a variety of viruses.
      However, the recent emergence and commercial availability of next-generation
      sequencers (NGS) has entirely changed the field of virus discovery. These
      massively parallel sequencing platforms can sequence a mixture of genetic
      materials from a very heterogeneous mix, with high sensitivity. Moreover, these
      platforms work in a sequence-independent manner, making them ideal tools for
      virus discovery. However, for their application in clinics, sample preparation or
      enrichment is necessary to detect low abundance virus populations. A number of
      techniques have also been developed for enrichment or viral nucleic acids. In
      this manuscript, we review the evolution of sequencing; NGS technologies
      available today as well as widely used virus enrichment technologies. We also
      discuss the challenges associated with their applications in the clinical virus
      discovery. 

PMID- 26279988
TI  - Perinatally infected adolescents living with human immunodeficiency virus
      (perinatally human immunodeficiency virus).
AB  - The availability of highly potent antiretroviral treatment during the last
      decades has transformed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection into a
      chronic disease. Children that were diagnosed during the first months or years of
      life and received treatment, are living longer and better and are presently
      reaching adolescence and adulthood. Perinatally HIV-infected adolescents (PHIV)
      and young adults may present specific clinical, behavior and social
      characteristics and demands. We have performed a literature review about
      different aspects that have to be considered in the care and follow-up of PHIV.
      The search included papers in the MEDLINE database via PubMed, located using the
      keywords "perinatally HIV-infected" AND "adolescents". Only articles published in
      English or Portuguese from 2003 to 2014 were selected. The types of articles
      included original research, systematic reviews, and quantitative or qualitative
      studies; case reports and case series were excluded. Results are presented in the
      following topics: "Puberal development and sexual maturation", "Growth in weight
      and height", "Bone metabolism during adolescence", "Metabolic complications",
      "Brain development, cognition and mental health", "Reproductive health", "Viral
      drug resistance" and "Transition to adult outpatient care". We hope that this
      review will support the work of pediatricians, clinicians and infectious diseases
      specialists that are receiving these subjects to continue treatment. 

PMID- 26279989
TI  - Purinergic signaling and human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency
      syndrome: From viral entry to therapy.
AB  - Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a serious condition associated to
      severe immune dysfunction and immunodeficiency. Mechanisms involved in HIV
      associated immune activation, inflammation and loss of CD4+ T cells have been
      extensively studied, including those concerning purinergic signaling pathways.
      Purinergic signaling components are involved in viral entry and replication and
      disease progression. Research involving the participation of purinergic signaling
      in HIV infection has been not only important to elucidate disease mechanisms but
      also to introduce new approaches to therapy. The involvement of purinergic
      signaling in the pathogenesis of HIV infection and its implications in the
      control of the HIV infection are reviewed in this paper. 

PMID- 26279991
TI  - Associations among depression, suicidal behavior, and quality of life in patients
      with human immunodeficiency virus.
AB  - AIM: To investigate the potential associations among major depression, quality of
      life, and suicidal behavior in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients.
      METHODS: A detailed MEDLINE search was carried out to identify all articles and
      book chapters in English published from January 1995 to January 2015. RESULTS:
      Based on the main findings, the prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD)
      ranged from 14.0% to 27.2%. Furthermore, the prevalence of suicidal ideation
      varied from 13.6% to 31.0% whereas, attempted suicides were reported to range
      from 3.9% to 32.7%. Interestingly, various associated risk factors for both
      depression and suicide were identified in HIV patients. Finally, consistent
      associations were reported among MDD, suicidal ideation, and poor quality of life
      in individuals living with HIV. CONCLUSION: Although additional studies are
      needed to elucidate this complex association, our results suggest the importance
      of early detection of both MDD and suicidality in patients living with HIV.

PMID- 26279990
TI  - Diagnostic assays developed for the control of foot-and-mouth disease in India.
AB  - Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious and economically devastating
      disease of livestock, primarily affecting cattle, buffalo and pigs. FMD virus
      serotypes O, A and Asia1 are prevalent in India and systematic efforts are on to
      control and eventually eradicate the disease from the country. FMD epidemiology
      is complex due to factors like co-circulation, extinction, emergence and re
      emergence of genotypes/lineages within the three serotypes, animal movement,
      diverse farm practices and large number of susceptible livestock in the country.
      Systematic vaccination, prompt diagnosis, strict biosecurity measures, and
      regular monitoring of vaccinal immunity and surveillance of virus circulation are
      indispensible features for the effective implementation of the control measures.
      Availability of suitable companion diagnostic tests is very important in this
      endeavour. In this review, the diagnostic assays developed and validated in India
      and their contribution in FMD control programme is presented. 

PMID- 26279992
TI  - High-Resolution Melting Is a Sensitive, Cost-Effective, Time-Saving Technique for
      BRAF V600E Detection in Thyroid FNAB Washing Liquid: A Prospective Cohort Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The diagnostic accuracy of thyroid fine needle aspiration biopsy
      (FNAB) can be improved by the combination of cytological and molecular analysis.
      In this study, washing liquids of FNAB (wFNAB) were tested for the BRAF V600E
      mutation, using the sensitive and cost-effective technique called high-resolution
      melting (HRM). The aim was to demonstrate the feasibility of BRAF analysis in
      wFNAB and its diagnostic utility, combined with cytology. DESIGN: Prospective
      cohort study. METHODS: 481 patients, corresponding to 648 FNAB samples, were
      subjected to both cytological (on cells smeared onto a glass slide) and molecular
      analysis (on fluids obtained washing the FNAB needle with 1 ml of saline) of the
      same aspiration. BRAF V600E analysis was performed by HRM after methodological
      validation for application to wFNAB (technique sensitivity: 5.4%). RESULTS: The
      cytological results of the FNAB were: 136 (21%) nondiagnostic (THY1); 415 (64%)
      benign (THY2); 80 (12.4%) indeterminate (THY3); 9 (1.4%) suspicious for
      malignancy (THY4); 8 (1.2%) diagnostic of malignancy (THY5). The BRAF V600E
      mutation was found in 5 THY2, 2 THY3, 6 THY4 and 6 THY5 samples. Papillary
      carcinoma diagnosis was histologically confirmed in all BRAF+ thyroidectomized
      patients. BRAF combined with cytology improved the diagnostic value compared to
      cytology alone in a subgroup of 74 operated patients. CONCLUSIONS: HRM was
      demonstrated to be a feasible method for BRAF analysis in wFNAB. Thanks to its
      sensitivity and cost-effectiveness, it might be routinely used on a large scale
      in clinical practice. In perspective, standby wFNAB samples could be analyzed a
      posteriori in case of indeterminate cytology and/or suspicious findings on
      ultrasound.

PMID- 26279993
TI  - Radioiodine Treatment and Thyroid Hormone Suppression Therapy for Differentiated
      Thyroid Carcinoma: Adverse Effects Support the Trend toward Less Aggressive
      Treatment for Low-Risk Patients.
AB  - Over the past decades, the incidence of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC)
      has steadily increased, with especially a growing number of low-risk patients.
      Whereas DTC used to be treated rather aggressively, it is now acknowledged that
      aggressive treatment does not affect outcome for low-risk patients and that it
      can induce adverse effects. In this review an overview of the most clinically
      relevant adverse effects of radioiodine treatment and thyroid hormone suppression
      therapy (THST) is presented, and the trend toward less aggressive treatment for
      low-risk patients is outlined. Salivary gland dysfunction occurs in roughly 30%
      of patients, and is probably due to the concentration of radioiodine in the
      salivary glands by the sodium/iodide symporter. Beta radiation from radioiodine
      can result in sialoadenitis and eventually fibrosis and loss of salivary
      function. Furthermore, patients can experience bone marrow dysfunction following
      radioiodine treatment. Although this is in general subclinical and transient,
      patients that receive very high cumulative radioiodine doses may be at risk for
      more severe bone marrow dysfunction. THST can induce adverse cardiovascular
      effects in patients with DTC, such as diastolic and systolic dysfunction, and
      also adverse vascular and prothrombotic effects have been described. Finally, the
      effects of THST on bone formation and resorption are outlined; especially
      postmenopausal women with DTC on THST seem to be at risk of bone loss. In the
      past years, advances have been made in preventing low-risk patients from being
      overtreated. Improved biomarkers are still needed to further optimize risk
      stratification and personalize medicine. 

PMID- 26279994
TI  - A Prospective Investigation of Graves' Disease and Selenium: Thyroid Hormones,
      Auto-Antibodies and Self-Rated Symptoms.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In Graves' thyrotoxicosis tachycardia, weight loss and mental
      symptoms are common. Recovery takes time and varies between patients. Treatment
      with methimazole reduces thyroid hormone levels. According to previous research,
      this reduction has been faster if selenium (Se) is added. OBJECTIVE: The
      objective was to investigate whether supplementing the pharmacologic treatment
      with Se could change the immune mechanisms, hormone levels and/or depression and
      anxiety. METHODS: We prospectively investigated 38 patients with initially
      untreated thyrotoxicosis by measuring the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free
      thyroxine (FT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3), thyroid receptor antibodies and
      thyroid peroxidase auto-antibodies before medication and at 6, 18 and 36 weeks
      after commencing treatment with methimazole and levo-thyroxine, with a randomized
      blinded oral administration of 200 ug Se/day or placebo. The selenoprotein P
      concentration was determined in plasma at inclusion and after 36 weeks. The
      patients were also assessed with questionnaires about depression, anxiety and
      self-rated symptoms before medication was started and after 36 weeks. RESULTS:
      FT4 decreased more in the Se group at 18 weeks (14 vs. 17 pmol/l compared to the
      placebo group, p = 0.01) and also at 36 weeks (15 vs. 18 pmol/l, p = 0.01). The
      TSH increased more in the Se group at 18 weeks (0.05 vs. 0.02 mIU/l, p = 0.04).
      The depression and anxiety scores were similar in both groups. In the Se group,
      the depression rates correlated negatively with FT3 and positively with TSH. This
      was not seen in the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS: Se supplementation can enhance
      biochemical restoration of hyperthyroidism, but whether this could shorten
      clinical symptoms of thyrotoxicosis and reduce mental symptoms must be
      investigated further.

PMID- 26279995
TI  - Assessment of the Effect of Two Distinct Restricted Iodine Diet Durations on
      Urinary Iodine Levels (Collected over 24 h or as a Single-Spot Urinary Sample)
      and Na(+)/I(-) Symporter Expression.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: A restricted iodine diet (RID) may be recommended for depletion of
      the whole-body iodine pool in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer
      referred for radioiodine treatment or a whole-body scan. Evaluation of the iodine
      pool is possible through urinary iodide (UI) measurements, which can be collected
      in 24-hour (24U) or spot urinary (sU) samples. However, the minimum period
      required for an RID to lower the iodine pool, the measurement of iodine in sU
      samples as a iodine pool marker, and the influence of the iodine pool on Na(+)/I(
      ) symporter (NIS) expression are debatable in the literature. OBJECTIVES: To
      compare the effects of 15- and 30-day RID on UI measurements in 24U and sU
      samples and the impact of RID on NIS expression. METHODS: Thyroidectomized
      patients went on a 15- or 30-day RID and collected 24U and sU samples before and
      after the RID. Twenty healthy individuals were evaluated for mRNA NIS expression
      before and after the RID. RESULTS: Of 306 patients, only 125 properly complied
      with both the RID and 24U collection. We observed a correlation between sU and
      24U UI before the RID (n = 306, rho = 0.47, p < 0.001), after a 15-day RID (n =
      79, rho = 0.49, p < 0.001), and after a 30-day RID (n = 46, rho = 0.73, p <
      0.001). There was a significant decrease in UI after the RID. The median UI
      measurement was 275 MUg/l at baseline and 99 and 80 MUg/l after a 15- and 30-day
      RID, respectively. There was a significant increase in NIS expression after a 15
      day RID. CONCLUSIONS: A 15-day RID is sufficient to deplete the iodine pool. sU
      can replace 24U UI as a marker for assessing the iodine pool. NIS expression was
      increased after a 15-day RID.

PMID- 26279996
TI  - Evaluation of Thyroid Bed Nodules on Ultrasonography after Total Thyroidectomy:
      Risk for Loco-Regional Recurrence of Thyroid Cancer.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients with
      differentiated thyroid cancer who underwent total thyroidectomy to examine the
      correlation of the persistence of thyroid bed nodules seen on ultrasonography
      with subsequent loco-regional recurrence. METHODS: A total of 60 patients with
      differentiated thyroid cancer were identified who underwent total thyroidectomy,
      received (131)I therapy and had thyroid bed nodules on postoperative surveillance
      ultrasonography. The ultrasonographic features of the thyroid bed nodules and
      their progression over time along with serum thyroglobulin (Tg) levels were
      monitored. Those patients who demonstrated no evidence of recurrence were
      compared to patients who had recurrence. RESULTS: Of the 60 patients, 25% had
      documented cancer recurrence. Sixty percent of the patients in the recurrence
      group had an increase in the size of bed nodules as compared to only 7% of the
      patients in the group without recurrence. An increase in serum Tg of more than 2
      fold was seen in 80% of the patients with recurrence and in only 13% (6/45) of
      the patients without cancer recurrence. The odds of identifying recurrent thyroid
      cancer in patients with more than a 2-fold increase in serum Tg were 80.5 greater
      than in patients with a less than 2-fold increase in serum Tg. The odds of
      identifying recurrent thyroid cancer in patients with the presence of any
      suspicious thyroid bed nodule were 31.5 times greater than in patients without
      suspicious thyroid bed nodules. CONCLUSIONS: Thyroid bed nodules on surveillance
      ultrasound warrant fine-needle aspiration cytology if they increase in size and
      number, are persistent and associated with suspicious sonographic features.

PMID- 26279997
TI  - Incidence and Significance of Incidental Focal Thyroid Uptake on (18)F-FDG PET
      Study in a Large Patient Cohort: Retrospective Single-Centre Experience in the
      United Kingdom.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence and pathological nature of incidental focal
      thyroid uptake on (18)F-FDG (2-[(18)F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose) PET (positron
      emission tomography) and examine the role of the maximum standardised uptake
      value (SUVmax) to differentiate benign from malignant thyroid pathology. MATERIAL
      AND METHODS: (18)F-FDG PET reports were retrospectively reviewed. Incidental
      focal tracer uptake in the thyroid was noted in 147 patients (0.5%). Patients
      with known primary thyroid malignancy were excluded. The final diagnosis was made
      following ultrasonography of the neck, fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) or
      histopathology of the surgically resected specimen where surgery was indicated. A
      Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the SUVmax of benign and malignant
      thyroid pathology. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed
      to identify an SUVmax cutoff in differentiating benign from malignant pathology.
      RESULTS: A final diagnosis was achieved in 47/147 (32%) of the patients. The
      diagnoses included benign lesions in 36 patients and malignancy in 9 patients. In
      2 patients, FNAC demonstrated indeterminate follicular lesions; however, surgical
      excision was not performed. There was a highly significant difference in the mean
      SUVmax of malignant focal thyroid uptake (15.7 +/- 5.9) compared to that of
      benign lesions (7.1 +/- 6.8) with a p value of 0.000123. An SUVmax of 9.1
      achieved a sensitivity of 81.6%, specificity of 100% and area under the curve of
      0.915 in the ROC analysis differentiating benign from malignant disease.
      CONCLUSION: The malignancy potential of incidental focal thyroid uptake remains
      high and warrants prompt and appropriate follow-up by the clinician. The SUVmax
      may aid in further characterisation of the lesion and its management.

PMID- 26279998
TI  - Prevalence of Cancer in Patients with Thyroid Nodules in the Island of Cyprus:
      Predictive Value of Ultrasound Features and Thyroid Autoimmune Status.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of thyroid
      carcinoma in patients who underwent ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration
      biopsy (USgFNA) of thyroid nodules in the island of Cyprus. Ultrasound features
      as well as the presence of autoimmune thyroid disease were evaluated as risk
      factors for malignancy. METHODS: 322 consecutively examined patients (272
      females/50 males, age 13-81) underwent USgFNA of thyroid nodules in a referral
      endocrine clinic between July 2007 and July 2009. The ultrasonographic
      characteristics examined were: echogenicity, margin irregularity, composition,
      calcifications, presence of increased vasculature and nodule size. The presence
      or absence of autoimmune thyroid disease was recorded. RESULTS: From the 548
      nodules examined, 74 (13.6%) were classified as THY3, 4 or 5. 75 patients (123
      nodules) underwent surgical resection. 46 patients (64 nodules) proved to have
      thyroid carcinoma by histology. There was a significant correlation of
      suspicious/malignant cytology with solid composition, hypoechogenicity, irregular
      margins and the presence of calcifications. A significant association was also
      noted between the presence of positive antithyroglobulin antibodies (p < 0.05)
      and Graves' disease (p = 0.01) with suspicious/malignant cytology. CONCLUSION:
      The overall prevalence of thyroid cancer was 14.3%. Ultrasound characteristics
      were highly predictive of thyroid malignancy. Thyroid autoimmunity should be
      considered as a risk factor.

PMID- 26279999
TI  - Nonthyroidal Illness Syndrome in Cardiac Illness Involves Elevated Concentrations
      of 3,5-Diiodothyronine and Correlates with Atrial Remodeling.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although hyperthyroidism predisposes to atrial fibrillation, previous
      trials have suggested decreased triiodothyronine (T3) concentrations to be
      associated with postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF). Therapy with thyroid
      hormones (TH), however, did not reduce the risk of POAF. This study reevaluates
      the relation between thyroid hormone status, atrial electromechanical function
      and POAF. METHODS: Thirty-nine patients with sinus rhythm and no history of
      atrial fibrillation or thyroid disease undergoing cardiac surgery were
      prospectively enrolled. Serum concentrations of thyrotropin, free (F) and total
      (T) thyroxine (T4) and T3, reverse (r)T3, 3-iodothyronamine (3-T1AM) and 3,5
      diiodothyronine (3,5-T2) were measured preoperatively, complemented by evaluation
      of echocardiographic and electrophysiological parameters of cardiac function.
      Holter-ECG and telemetry were used to screen for POAF for 10 days following
      cardiac surgery. RESULTS: Seven of 17 patients who developed POAF demonstrated
      nonthyroidal illness syndrome (NTIS; defined as low T3 and/or low T4 syndrome),
      compared to 2 of 22 (p < 0.05) patients who maintained sinus rhythm. In patients
      with POAF, serum FT3 concentrations were significantly decreased, but still
      within their reference ranges. 3,5-T2 concentrations directly correlated with rT3
      concentrations and inversely correlated with FT3 concentrations. Furthermore, 3,5
      T2 concentrations were significantly elevated in patients with NTIS and in
      subjects who eventually developed POAF. In multivariable logistic regression FT3,
      3,5-T2, total atrial conduction time, left atrial volume index and Fas ligand
      were independent predictors of POAF. CONCLUSION: This study confirms reduced FT3
      concentrations in patients with POAF and is the first to report on elevated 3,5
      T2 concentrations in cardiac NTIS. The pathogenesis of NTIS therefore seems to
      involve more differentiated allostatic mechanisms.

PMID- 26280000
TI  - Do Not Forget Nephrotic Syndrome as a Cause of Increased Requirement of
      Levothyroxine Replacement Therapy.
AB  - Nephrotic syndrome increases L-thyroxine requirements because of urinary loss of
      free and protein-bound thyroid hormones. We report 2 hypothyroid patients
      referred to us because of high serum TSH, even though the L-thyroxine daily dose
      was maintained at appropriate levels or was increased. The cause of nephrotic
      syndrome was multiple myeloma in one patient and diabetic glomerulosclerosis in
      the other patient. As part of the periodic controls for diabetes, urinalysis was
      requested only in the second patient so that proteinuria could be detected.
      However, as in the first patient, facial puffiness and body weight increase were
      initially attributed to hypothyroidism, which was poorly compensated by L
      thyroxine therapy. In the first patient, the pitting nature of the pedal edema
      was missed at the initial examination. An endocrinologist consulted over the
      phone by the practitioner hypothesized some causes of intestinal malabsorption of
      L-thyroxine. This diagnosis would have been accepted had the patient continued
      taking a known sequestrant of L-thyroxine, i.e. calcium carbonate. The diagnostic
      workup of patients with increasing requirements of L-thyroxine replacement
      therapy should not be concentrated on the digestive system alone. Careful history
      taking and physical examination need to be thorough. Endocrinologists should not
      forget nephrotic syndrome that, in turn, can be secondary to serious diseases. 

PMID- 26280001
TI  - Biomarkers and Personalized Sorafenib Therapy.

PMID- 26280003
TI  - Alteration of Epigenetic Profile in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Its
      Clinical Implications.
AB  - Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common cancer worldwide and develops against
      a background of chronic liver damage. A variety of HCC-related genes are known to
      be altered by genetic and epigenetic mechanisms. Therefore, information regarding
      alteration of the genetic and epigenetic profiles in HCC is essential for
      understanding the biology of this type of tumor. Methylation at CpG sites in gene
      promoters is known to affect the transcription of the corresponding genes.
      Abnormal regional hypermethylation is observed in the 5' region of several tumor
      suppressor genes (TSGs) in HCC, and this hypermethylation may promote
      carcinogenesis through the transcriptional inactivation of downstream TSGs. The
      DNA damage induced by oxidation is a trigger of abnormal DNA methylation and
      inactivation of TSGs through recruitment of the polycomb repressive complex to
      the promoter sequence. Thus, oxidative stress may be responsible for the
      emergence of HCC from chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis through the
      epigenetic alteration of TSGs. There have been several attempts to apply
      epigenetic information to the diagnosis and treatment of HCC. The predictive
      value of selected methylation events on survival in HCC patients has been
      reported, and the methylation profile of background liver could be associated
      with recurrence-free survival of HCC patients who have undergone hepatectomy.
      Another study detected methylated DNA from HCC cells in serum, and the
      circulating tumor DNA was regarded as a potential tumor marker. In addition,
      several trials of HCC therapy have targeted the epigenetic machinery and were
      based upon comprehensive analyses of DNA methylation of this type of tumor. Here,
      we present an overview of research regarding DNA methylation status in human HCC
      and describe the clinical application of epigenetic information to HCC. 

PMID- 26280002
TI  - Multimodality Management for Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer Stage C Hepatocellular
      Carcinoma.
AB  - This review summarizes the contents of a workshop on multimodality management for
      Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage C hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) held
      on July 6, 2013, under the auspices of the 4th Asia-Pacific Primary Liver Cancer
      Expert Meeting Scientific Advisory Committee. BCLC stage C HCC represents a
      varied disease spectrum and, therefore, further stratification of BCLC stage C
      should be explored. Although sorafenib is currently the standard treatment for
      BCLC stage C HCC, the survival benefits are modest and new treatment strategies
      are still needed. Based on the opinions of Asian experts, there are numerous
      alternative options aside from sorafenib for the treatment of BCLC stage C HCC,
      including surgical resection, hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy,
      transarterial chemoembolization, and external radiotherapy. Moreover, there are
      several studies on the multimodality management of BCLC stage C HCC, mainly in
      the form of retrospective studies and a few phase I and II trials. Multimodality
      management with combinations of various locoregional therapies or locoregional
      therapies with systemic targeted therapy using sorafenib needs to be actively
      investigated. The Asia-Pacific clinical practice guidelines on multimodality
      management for BCLC stage C HCC need recommendations based on the level of
      evidence, the strength of the data, and the strength of recommendations of
      previously reported systems. 

PMID- 26280005
TI  - Using Modified RECIST and Alpha-Fetoprotein Levels to Assess Treatment Benefit in
      Hepatocellular Carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Assessing treatment responses in hepatocellular carcinoma
      (HCC) is challenging, and alternative radiologic methods of measuring treatment
      response are required. Modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors
      (mRECIST) for HCC and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels were assessed in a post hoc
      analysis of a phase II study of brivanib, a selective dual inhibitor of
      fibroblast growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor signaling.
      METHODS: HCC patients were treated with first-line (cohort A; n = 55) or second
      line (cohort B; n = 46) brivanib alaninate 800 mg once daily. Outcomes were
      compared between World Health Organization (WHO) criteria and (retrospectively
      by) mRECIST by independent review. The relationship between on-study AFP changes
      and outcome was analyzed in patients with elevated AFP at baseline. RESULTS:
      Response rates were higher with mRECIST versus WHO criteria in cohorts A (25.5%
      vs. 7.3%) and B (10.9% vs. 4.3%). Progressive disease (PD) as assessed by mRECIST
      was associated with a very short median overall survival (OS; cohort A, 2.8
      months; cohort B, 5.3 months); PD as assessed by WHO criteria reflected a mixed
      population of patients with better outcomes. mRECIST responders tended to have
      a>50% AFP decrease during therapy. In cohorts A and B pooled, an early AFP
      response (>20%or >50% decline from baseline within the first 4 weeks) was not
      associated with longer median OS. CONCLUSIONS: Tumor response as assessed by
      mRECIST differed from that by WHO criteria, with mRECIST possibly identifying
      true nonresponders with a poor prognosis. Many patients had AFP decreases
      correlating with tumor shrinkage, yet an association with long-term benefit was
      unclear. mRECIST and on-treatment AFP levels are being explored further with
      brivanib in HCC.

PMID- 26280004
TI  - Management of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Cirrhotic Patients with Portal
      Hypertension: Relevance of Hagen-Poiseuille's Law.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hepatic decompensation in cirrhosis heralds an accelerated course
      with poor survival. An increase in hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG),
      rather than surrogate tests of liver function, appears to be the sole predictor
      of decompensation after surgical resection. We propose that hepatic sinusoidal
      walls become less elastic as cirrhosis progresses. Decompensation signals the
      development of increased vessel wall rigidity. The pressure-flow characteristics
      then become subject to Hagen-Poiseuille's law, which applies only to rigid,
      cylindrical vessels. Thereafter, HVPG rises exponentially (by a factor inversely
      proportional to the fourth power of the net radius of functional sinusoidal
      vessels, 1/r(4), at any given hepatic blood flow rate. This review attempts to
      correlate liver stiffness, risk of decompensation and outcomes from
      hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with cirrhosis. SUMMARY: We compare
      the complexity of autoregulation in the normal elastic liver, which has a unique
      dual blood supply, with that in the rigid cirrhotic liver. We also review, in the
      context of background liver cirrhosis, the management of HCC which is in essence,
      a solid mass of unorganized cells that exacerbates liver stiffness. We discuss
      the differential effects of various therapeutic modalities such as liver
      transplantation, loco-regional therapy and drugs on HCC outcomes, based on their
      effects on HVPG. KEY MESSAGES: Increased hepatic artery supply, or the hepatic
      artery buffer response, may be the only available method for autoregulation or
      maintenance of hepatic blood flow in the cirrhotic liver. In HCC, loco-regional
      therapies, including partial resection of the cirrhotic liver, can exacerbate
      portal hypertension by increasing blood flow within the remnant organ. We
      conclude that studies of HVPG reduction as part of HCC management may be
      beneficial and are warranted.

PMID- 26280006
TI  - Overexpression of Leucine-Rich Repeat-Containing G Protein-Coupled Receptor 5
      (LGR5) Represents a Typical Wnt/beta-Catenin Pathway-Activated Hepatocellular
      Carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common and most
      frequently lethal cancers worldwide. Although many advances have been made in the
      analysis of multistage hepatocarcinogenesis, we still lack information to guide
      adequate clinical management options for HCC. A large number of genetic
      alterations occur during hepatocarcinogenesis, and many genetic studies have
      indicated that one of the most frequently mutated oncogenes found in HCC is beta
      catenin. SUMMARY: Molecular subclassification of HCC based on gene expression
      signatures has identified a typical hepatocyte-like subclass of HCC harboring
      beta-catenin mutations; this subclass is characterized by better histological
      differentiation and a less aggressive nature. We previously identified
      overexpression of the leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptor 5
      (LGR5), also known as GPR49, in HCC with beta-catenin mutations. LGR5 has been
      indicated as one of the downstream target genes of the Wnt signaling pathway;
      however, the functional role of LGR5 in cancer is largely unknown. We
      demonstrated that HCC cells transfected with LGR5 exhibited higher colony forming
      activity and were more resistant to a cytotoxic drug than the control HCC cells
      were. Overexpression of LGR5 also retarded cell migration. LGR5-transfected HCC
      cells formed nodule-type tumors in the livers of immunodeficient mice, whereas
      control cells formed more invasive tumors. Results of our recent research suggest
      that aberrant expression of LGR5 could regulate the epithelial cell phenotype and
      promotes HCC cell survival. HCC cells overexpressing LGR5 seem to represent a
      typical phenotype of a less aggressive HCC. KEY MESSAGES: Recent efforts on the
      molecular classification of HCC have led us to new strategies for dealing with
      HCC. These specific signatures may predict the risk of recurrence or the patient
      survival rate, which affect the outlook and may suggest treatment strategies for
      HCC patients.

PMID- 26280008
TI  - The association between periodontal disease and metabolic syndrome among
      outpatients with diabetes in Jordan.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To date, conflicting results have been reported about the association
      between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and periodonttitis. METHODS: Two hundred and
      eighty patients with type 2 diabetes were recruited from outpatients visiting
      diabetes clinics in Islamic Hospital, Amman-Jordan. The oral hygiene and the
      periodontal status of all teeth, excluding third molars, were assessed using the
      plaque index of Silness and Loe, the gingival index of Loe and Silness, probing
      pocket depth (PPD), and clinical attachment level (CAL). Data were analyzed using
      the general linear model multivariate procedure with average PPD, average CAL,
      percent of teeth with CAL >=3 mm, and percent of teeth with PPD >=3 mm as outcome
      variables and diabetes, MetS and its individual components as predictors.
      RESULTS: Overall, 83.2 % of patients with diabetes had MetS. In the multivariate
      analysis, patients with MetS had a significantly more severe periodontitis, as
      measured by average PPD and average CAL (P < 0.005). The extent of periodontitis,
      as measured by the percent of teeth with CAL >=3 mm and the percent of teeth with
      PPD >=3 mm, was also significantly greater among patients with MetS (P < 0.005).
      As the number of metabolic components additional to diabetes increased, the odds
      of having periodontitis increased, and the odds were greatest when all the
      components additional to diabetes were present (OR = 10.77, 95 % CI: 2.23 
      51.95). CONCLUSION: Patients with MetS displayed more severe and extensive
      periodontitis. Having other MetS components additional to diabetes increased the
      odds of having periodontitis.

PMID- 26280007
TI  - JSH Consensus-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of
      Hepatocellular Carcinoma: 2014 Update by the Liver Cancer Study Group of Japan.
AB  - The Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
      proposed by the Japan Society of Hepatology was updated in June 2014 at a
      consensus meeting of the Liver Cancer Study Group of Japan. Three important items
      have been updated: the surveillance and diagnostic algorithm, the treatment
      algorithm, and the definition of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE)
      failure/refractoriness. The most important update to the diagnostic algorithm is
      the inclusion of gadolinium-ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid
      enhanced magnetic resonance imaging as a first line surveillance/diagnostic tool.
      Another significant update concerns removal of the term "lipiodol" from the
      definition of TACE failure/refractoriness. 

PMID- 26280009
TI  - Assessment of functional improvement with temporalis myofascial flap after
      condylectomy in elderly patients with anterior disc displacement without
      reduction and an erosive condylar surface.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the functional effects
      of temporalis myofascial flap after condylectomy, with or without disc removal,
      in elderly patients with anterior disc displacement (ADD) without reduction and
      an erosive condylar surface of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). METHODS: A
      total of 15 joints from 11 elderly patients (71-78 years old) were included. The
      patients had pain, mandibular dysfunction symptoms, and unilateral or bilateral
      ADD as well as an erosive condylar surface of the TMJ. All patients underwent
      temporalis myofascial flap reconstruction after condylectomy, with or without
      disc removal. If the maximal mouth opening (MMO) remained <35 mm after
      condylectomy, coronoidotomy was also performed. Self-assessed pain and mandibular
      function, including MMO and protrusive and lateral movements, were evaluated.
      RESULTS: No patient experienced serious complications. Most measurements improved
      significantly after surgery compared to preoperatively. Most patients achieved
      nearly-normal mouth opening at 4 weeks after surgery. Although most patients felt
      discomfort during active postoperative physiotherapy, no patient reported serious
      pain during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: Although nonsurgical therapy is
      often the first treatment choice for ADD without reduction of the TMJ, surgical
      intervention involving condylectomy and temporalis myofascial flap reconstruction
      may be a reasonable first option for elderly patients with an erosive condylar
      surface of the TMJ.

PMID- 26280010
TI  - A quantitative, surface plasmon resonance-based approach to evaluating DNA
      binding by the c-Myc oncoprotein and its disruption by small molecule inhibitors.
AB  - The use of small molecules to interfere with protein-protein interactions has
      tremendous therapeutic appeal and is an area of intense interest. Numerous
      techniques exist to assess these interactions and their disruption. Many,
      however, require large amounts of protein, do not allow interactions to be
      followed in real time, are technically demanding or require large capital
      expenditures and high levels of expertise. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR)
      represents a convenient alternative to these techniques with virtually none of
      their disadvantages. We have devised an SPR-based method that allows the
      heterodimeric association between the c-Myc (Myc) oncoprotein and its obligate
      partner Max to be quantified in a manner that agrees well with values obtained by
      other methods. We have adapted it to examine the ability of previously validated
      small molecules to interfere with Myc-Max heterodimerization and DNA binding.
      These inhibitors comprised two distinct classes of molecules that inhibit DNA
      binding by preventing Myc-Max interaction or distorting pre-formed heterodimers
      and rendering them incapable of DNA binding. Our studies also point out several
      potential artifacts and pitfalls to be considered when attempting to employ
      similar SPR-based methods. This technique should be readily adaptable to the
      study of other protein-protein interactions and their disruption by small
      molecules.

PMID- 26280011
TI  - Fatal Granulomatous Amoebic Encephalitis Caused by Acanthamoeba in a Patient With
      Kidney Transplant: A Case Report.
AB  - Granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE) due to Acanthamoeba is almost a
      uniformly fatal infection in immune-compromised hosts despite multidrug
      combination therapy. We report a case of GAE in a female who received a deceased
      donor kidney graft. She was treated with a combination of miltefosine,
      pentamidine, sulfadiazine, fluconazole, flucytosine, and azithromycin. 

PMID- 26280012
TI  - The first anniversary issue.

PMID- 26280013
TI  - Unique invariant CD8(+) T cell population persists in MS.

PMID- 26280014
TI  - CSF cytokine profile distinguishes multifocal motor neuropathy from progressive
      muscular atrophy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We aimed to compare the cytokine and chemokine profiles of patients
      with multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) with those of patients with progressive
      muscular atrophy (PMA) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) to investigate
      immunologic differences in the CNS. METHODS: CSF from 12 patients with MMN, 8
      with PMA, 26 with sporadic ALS, and 10 with other noninflammatory neurologic
      disorders was analyzed for 27 cytokines and chemokines using the multiplex bead
      array assay. Cytokine titers of the 4 groups were compared, and correlations
      between the titers of relevant cytokines and clinical parameters were evaluated.
      RESULTS: There were no obvious intrathecal changes except for interleukin (IL)-1
      receptor antagonist in patients with MMN. In contrast, IL-4, IL-7, IL-17,
      eotaxin/CCL11, fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2), granulocyte colony-stimulating
      factor (G-CSF), and platelet-derived growth factor BB titers were significantly
      elevated in patients with PMA and ALS; of these, FGF-2 and G-CSF titers were
      elevated compared with those in patients with MMN. IL-4 and IL-10 titers were
      high in patients with ALS, particularly patients with possible ALS presenting
      with a slowly progressive course or mild symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The CSF cytokine
      profile of patients with MMN is distinct from that of patients with PMA and ALS.
      The similarity of the cytokine profiles between patients with PMA and ALS
      suggests that PMA shares common immunologic features with ALS in the CNS, even
      without clinical evidence of upper motor neuron involvement.

PMID- 26280015
TI  - Macrophage migration inhibitory factor promotes resistance to glucocorticoid
      treatment in EAE.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Glucocorticoids (GCs) are used as standard treatment for acute attacks
      of multiple sclerosis (MS). However, GCs eventually lose efficacy and do not
      prevent disease progression. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is the
      only known proinflammatory cytokine induced by GCs that inhibits their anti
      inflammatory effects. Therefore, we investigated whether MIF plays a role in
      resistance to GC treatment in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an
      animal model of MS. METHODS: EAE was induced in wild-type (Wt) and MIF knockout
      (MIF(-/-)) mice followed by treatment with dexamethasone (Dex) before or upon
      disease onset. Splenocytes and brain mononuclear cells were harvested for
      cytokine ELISPOT assay and flow cytometry analysis. RESULTS: Treatment of EAE
      with Dex was substantially more efficacious in MIF(-/-) mice than Wt mice. Dex
      treatment decreased MOG35-55-induced cytokine production by Wt or MIF(-/-) CD4(+)
      T cells only at the onset of EAE but inhibited upregulation of T-bet during acute
      and chronic phases of disease, particularly in MIF(-/-) mice. Furthermore,
      passive EAE induced by adoptive transfer of T cells showed that Dex was highly
      effective in ameliorating disease induced by MIF(-/-) CD4(+) T cells but not by
      Wt CD4(+) T cells. The expression of T-bet and VLA-4 was decreased in CD4(+) T
      cells in MIF(-/-) mice compared with Wt mice. CONCLUSIONS: Our data establish MIF
      as a key molecule in resistance of pathogenic CD4(+) T cells to GC treatment in
      EAE and as a potential target to enhance the effectiveness of steroid treatment
      in neuroinflammatory disorders.

PMID- 26280016
TI  - Migration, sexual behaviour, and HIV risk: a general  population cohort in rural
      South Africa.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Increased sexual risk behaviour and HIV prevalence have been reported
      in migrants compared with nonmigrants in sub-Saharan Africa. We investigated the
      association of residential and migration patterns with sexual HIV risk behaviours
      and HIV prevalence in an open, general population cohort in rural KwaZulu-Natal,
      South Africa. METHODS: In a mainly rural demographic surveillance area in
      northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, we collected longitudinal demographic,
      migration, sexual behaviour, and HIV status data through household surveillance
      twice per year and individual surveillance once per year. All resident household
      members and a sample of non-resident household members (stratified by sex and
      migration patterns) were eligible for participation. Participants reported sexual
      risk behaviours, including data for multiple, concurrent, and casual sexual
      partners and condom use, and gave a dried blood spot sample via fingerprick for
      HIV testing. We investigated population-level differences in sexual HIV risk
      behaviours and HIV prevalence with respect to migration indicators using logistic
      regression models. FINDINGS: Between Jan 1, 2005, and Dec 31, 2011, the total
      eligible population at each surveillance round ranged between 21 129 and 22 726
      women (aged 17-49 years) and between 20 399 and 22 100 men (aged 17-54 years).
      The number of eligible residents in any round ranged from 24 395 to 26 664 and
      the number of eligible non-residents ranged from 17 002 to 18 891 between rounds.
      The stratified sample of non-residents included between 2350 and 3366 individuals
      each year. Sexual risk behaviours were significantly more common in non-residents
      than in residents for both men and women. Estimated differences in sexual risk
      behaviours, but not HIV prevalence, varied between the migration indicators:
      recent migration, mobility, and migration type. HIV prevalence was significantly
      increased in current residents with a recent history of migration compared with
      other residents in the study area in men(adjusted odds ratio 1.19, 95% CI 1.07
      1.33) and in women (1.18, 1.10-1.26). INTERPRETATION: Local information about
      migrants and highly mobile individuals could help to target intervention
      strategies that are based on the identification of transmission hotspots.Funding
      Wellcome Trust.

PMID- 26280017
TI  - New agents for the treatment of lymphoid leukemia and lymphoma: focus on recent
      FDA approvals.
AB  - Leukemia and lymphoma are systemic malignancies that represent half of all
      childhood cancers, though 90% occur in adults. Various treatment options are
      available, but therapy is mainly systemic chemotherapy plus appropriate
      monoclonal antibodies. In certain situations radiotherapy and bone marrow
      transplantation play a role. Some types/subtypes of these diseases are
      potentially curable, yet many leukemias and lymphomas do not properly respond to
      current therapies. Although the FDA (US Food and Drugs Administration) approvals
      of new drugs have shown a small increasing trend between 2007-2012, overall, the
      trend of new approvals remains relatively steady between 2006-2013, with a peak
      of 39 new drugs approved in 2012 and a drop in the new FDA drug approvals in
      2013, to 27. Drugs approved for cancer treatment have shown a similar trend.
      Between 2006-2013, at least one drug was approved every year for the treatment of
      particular types of lymphoma or leukemia, except in 2010, with a peak of 5 new
      approvals in 2012. Between January 2013-March 2014, several important new
      approvals were made: ibrutinib for the treatment of CLL and mantle cell lymphoma
      (MCL), obinutuzumab for the treatment of CLL (in combination with chlorambucil),
      and lenalidomide for the treatment of mantle cell lymphoma. The results,
      importance, adverse effects and mechanisms of action of these agents are
      discussed in this review. These results held promise and their discovery and
      approval for the treatment of CLL and MCL is a major step forward. However, the
      emergence of resistance and the lack of cures need to be addressed by rational
      development of combination therapy, as well as development of novel drugs with
      enhanced potency or different mechanism of action, to achieve better overall and
      complete response rates with decreased toxicity.

PMID- 26280018
TI  - PLK1 is a binding partner and a negative regulator of FOXO3 tumor suppressor.
AB  - FOXO family members (FOXOs: FOXO1, FOXO3, FOXO4 and FOXO6) are important
      transcription factors and tumor suppressors controlling cell homeostasis and cell
      fate. They are characterized by an extraordinary functional diversity, being
      involved in regulation of cell cycle, proliferation, apoptosis, DNA damage
      response, oxidative detoxification, cell differentiation and stem cell
      maintenance, cell metabolism, angiogenesis, cardiac and other organ's
      development, aging, and other critical cellular processes. FOXOs are tightly
      regulated by reversible phosphorylation, ubiquitination, acetylation and
      methylation. Interestingly, the known kinases phosphorylate only a small
      percentage of the known or predicted FOXOs phosphorylation sites, suggesting that
      additional kinases that phosphorylate and control FOXOs activity exist. In order
      to identify novel regulators of FOXO3, we have employed a proteomics screening
      strategy. Using HeLa cancer cell line and a Tandem Affinity Purification followed
      by Mass Spectrometry analysis, we identified several proteins as binding partners
      of FOXO3. Noteworthy, Polo Like Kinase 1 (PLK1) proto-oncogene was one of the
      identified FOXO3 binding partners. PLK1 plays a critical role during cell cycle
      (G2-M transition and all phases of mitosis) and in maintenance of genomic
      stability. Our experimental results presented in this manuscript demonstrate that
      FOXO3 and PLK1 exist in a molecular complex through most of the phases of the
      cell cycle, with a higher occurrence in the G2-M cell cycle phases. PLK1 induces
      translocation of FOXO3 from the nucleus to the cytoplasm and suppresses FOXO3
      activity, measured by the decrease in the pro-apoptotic Bim protein levels and in
      the cell cycle inhibitor protein p27. Furthermore, PLK1 can directly
      phosphorylate FOXO3 in an in vitro kinase assay. These results present the
      discovery of PLK1 proto-oncogene as a binding partner and a negative regulator of
      FOXO3 tumor suppressor.

PMID- 26280019
TI  - Biomimetic Material-Assisted Delivery of Human Embryonic Stem Cell Derivatives
      for Enhanced In Vivo Survival and Engraftment.
AB  - The ability of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and their derivatives to
      differentiate and contribute to tissue repair has enormous potential to treat
      various debilitating diseases. However, improving the in vivo viability and
      function of the transplanted cells, a key determinant of translating cell-based
      therapies to the clinic, remains a daunting task. Here, we develop a hybrid
      biomaterial consisting of hyaluronic acid (HA) grafted with 6-aminocaproic acid
      moieties (HA-6ACA) to improve cell delivery and their subsequent in vivo function
      using skeletal muscle as a model system. Our findings show that the biomimetic
      material-assisted delivery of hESC-derived myogenic progenitor cells into
      cardiotoxin-injured skeletal muscles of NOD/SCID mice significantly promotes
      survival and engraftment of transplanted cells in a dose-dependent manner. The
      donor cells were found to contribute to the regeneration of damaged muscle fibers
      and to the satellite cell (muscle specific stem cells) compartment. Such
      biomimetic cell delivery vehicles that are cost-effective and easy-to-synthesize
      could play a key role in improving the outcomes of other stem cell-based
      therapies.

PMID- 26280021
TI  - 3D Face Hallucination from a Single Depth Frame.
AB  - We present an algorithm that takes a single frame of a person's face from a depth
      camera, e.g., Kinect, and produces a high-resolution 3D mesh of the input face.
      We leverage a dataset of 3D face meshes of 1204 distinct individuals ranging from
      age 3 to 40, captured in a neutral expression. We divide the input depth frame
      into semantically significant regions (eyes, nose, mouth, cheeks) and search the
      database for the best matching shape per region. We further combine the input
      depth frame with the matched database shapes into a single mesh that results in a
      highresolution shape of the input person. Our system is fully automatic and uses
      only depth data for matching, making it invariant to imaging conditions. We
      evaluate our results using ground truth shapes, as well as compare to state-of
      the-art shape estimation methods. We demonstrate the robustness of our local
      matching approach with high-quality reconstruction of faces that fall outside of
      the dataset span, e.g., faces older than 40 years old, facial expressions, and
      different ethnicities.

PMID- 26280020
TI  - High and low molecular weight hyaluronic acid differentially influence macrophage
      activation.
AB  - Macrophages exhibit phenotypic diversity permitting wide-ranging roles in
      maintaining physiologic homeostasis. Hyaluronic acid, a major glycosaminoglycan
      of the extracellular matrix, has been shown to have differential signaling based
      on its molecular weight. With this in mind, the main objective of this study was
      to elucidate the role of hyaluronic acid molecular weight on macrophage
      activation and reprogramming. Changes in macrophage activation were assessed by
      activation state selective marker measurement, specifically quantitative real
      time polymerase chain reaction, and cytokine enzyme-linked immunoassays, after
      macrophage treatment with differing molecular weights of hyaluronic acid under
      four conditions: the resting state, concurrent with classical activation, and
      following inflammation involving either classically or alternatively activated
      macrophages. Regardless of initial polarization state, low molecular weight
      hyaluronic acid induced a classically activated-like state, confirmed by up
      regulation of pro-inflammatory genes, including nos2, tnf, il12b, and cd80, and
      enhanced secretion of nitric oxide and TNF-alpha. High molecular weight
      hyaluronic acid promoted an alternatively activated-like state, confirmed by up
      regulation of pro-resolving gene transcription, including arg1, il10, and mrc1,
      and enhanced arginase activity. Overall, our observations suggest that
      macrophages undergo phenotypic changes dependent on molecular weight of
      hyaluronan that correspond to either (1) pro-inflammatory response for low
      molecular weight HA or (2) pro-resolving response for high molecular weight HA.
      These observations bring significant further understanding of the influence of
      extracellular matrix polymers, hyaluronic acid in particular, on regulating the
      inflammatory response of macrophages. This knowledge can be used to guide the
      design of HA-containing biomaterials to better utilize the natural response to
      HAs.

PMID- 26280022
TI  - Can Speed of Processing Training Ameliorate Depressive Symptomatology in Adults
      with HIV?
AB  - Despite advances in combination Antiretroviral Therapy (cART), adults with HIV
      continue to experience cognitive impairments. In addition to these cognitive
      impairments, research suggests as many as 40% and 20% of adults with HIV are
      diagnosed with depression and anxiety, respectively. The impact of these
      cognitive and emotional deficits increases caregiver burden, impairs occupational
      and driving performance, contributes to poor emotional processing, increases
      cognitive complaints, and reduces quality of life. Fortunately, cognitive
      remediation therapy improves targeted cognitive abilities along with general
      cognitive processes. Speed of processing training, a type of cognitive
      remediation therapy, has been shown to improve cognitive performance on measures
      of visual attention, speed of processing, and timed-task performances.
      Furthermore, studies suggest that speed of processing training could also enhance
      neuromodulatory systems which have direct implications for improving mood
      functions (depression and anxiety). The benefits of the improvement in these
      cognitive and emotional systems are a decrease or slowing in cognitive decline
      along with the potential to protect against clinically significant depressive
      symptoms. Studies support the need for deeper investigation into the short-term
      and long-term benefits of speed of processing training as a behavioral adjunct
      for the pharmacologically-burdened HIV population.

PMID- 26280023
TI  - The Vanishing Clot.

PMID- 26280025
TI  - Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy: A Hidden Risk for IV Thrombolysis?
AB  - Recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) is the only FDA approved therapy
      for acute ischemic stroke. Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) or cerebral amyloid
      angiopathy (CAA) are currently not contraindications, however, data regarding
      this complex issue are limited. We report 2 cases of fatal intracerebral
      hemorrhage (sICH) after IV t-PA, each with evidence of CAA. Patients with CAA may
      have increased risk for IV thrombolysis-associated sICH. We highlight the severe
      and catastrophic pattern of ICH, which may be a defining characteristic, and
      discuss the limitations of our current understanding of the risk of thrombolysis
      associated ICH in patients with CAA and/or CMBs.

PMID- 26280026
TI  - Epidemiological Modeling of Bovine Brucellosis in India.
AB  - The study objective is to develop an epidemiological model of brucellosis
      transmission dynamics among cattle in India and to estimate the impact of
      different prevention and control strategies. The prevention and control
      strategies are test-and-slaughter, transmission rate reduction, and mass
      vaccination. We developed a mathematical model based on the susceptible
      infectious-recovered epidemic model to simulate brucellosis transmission
      dynamics, calibrated to the endemically stable levels of bovine brucellosis
      prevalence of cattle in India. We analyzed the epidemiological benefit of
      different rates of reduced transmission and vaccination. Test-and-slaughter is an
      effective strategy for elimination and eradication of brucellosis, but socio
      cultural constraints forbid culling of cattle in India. Reducing transmission
      rates lowered the endemically stable levels of brucellosis prevalence
      correspondingly. One-time vaccination lowered prevalence initially but increased
      with influx of new susceptible births. While this epidemiological model is a
      basic representation of brucellosis transmission dynamics in India and
      constrained by limitations in surveillance data, this study illustrates the
      comparative epidemiological impact of different bovine brucellosis prevention and
      control strategies.

PMID- 26280024
TI  - A Review of the CD4+ T Cell Contribution to Lung Infection, Inflammation and
      Repair with a Focus on Wheeze and Asthma in the Pediatric Population.
AB  - Childhood asthma and wheezing are very common, especially in those born preterm.
      Genetic and environmental factors are associated with developing asthma and
      wheezing. Respiratory syncytial virus and rhinovirus infections have been
      implicated in playing a causal role in the development of childhood asthma and
      wheezing, perhaps by altering the development of the immune system. Several
      subtypes of asthma and wheezing have been described which involve different
      mechanisms of pathophysiology. Much of the recent work in the field of asthma
      research has focused on describing unique aspects of these disease subtypes,
      which could lead to new drug targets. Alterations in CD4+ T cells have been
      described with alterations in the T helper 1, 2, 17 and regulatory cell balance
      could provide valuable targets for the development of new treatment strategies
      for the various subtypes of disease. This review article focuses on factors
      involved in childhood asthma and wheeze and potential drug targets.

PMID- 26280027
TI  - Novel ynamide structural analogues and their synthetic transformations.
AB  - This Highlight accounts for a recent phenomenon in which a series of novel
      ynamide structural analogues have emerged and caught the attention of the
      synthetic community. Preparations and reactions of these de novo ynamide variants
      are delineated here to demonstrate their accessibility as well as their
      reactivity. This Highlight should help reveal that these unique N-containing
      alkynes can become highly versatile building blocks in organic syntheses.

PMID- 26280028
TI  - Dielectric spectroscopy for monitoring human pancreatic islet differentiation
      within cell-seeded scaffolds in a perfusion bioreactor system.
AB  - The long-term in vitro culture and differentiation of human pancreatic islets is
      still hindered by the inability to emulate a suitable microenvironment mimicking
      physiological extracellular matrix (ECM) support and nutrient/oxygen perfusion.
      This is further amplified by the current lack of a non-invasive and rapid
      monitoring system to readily evaluate cellular processes. In this study, we
      realized a viable method for non-invasively monitoring isolated human pancreatic
      islets in vitro. Islets are induced to dedifferentiate into proliferative duct
      like structures (DLS) in preparation for potential and subsequent re
      differentiation into functional islet-like structures (ILS) in a process
      reminiscent of islet regeneration strategies. This long-term in vitro process is
      conducted within a three-dimensional microenvironment involving islets embedded
      in an optimized ECM gel supported by microfabricated three-dimensional scaffolds.
      The islet-scaffold is then housed and continuously perfused within chambers of a
      bioreactor platform. The process in its entirety is monitored through dielectric
      spectroscopy measurements, yielding an accurate representation of cellular
      morphology, functionality, and volume fraction. This non-invasive and real-time
      monitoring tool can be further manipulated to elucidate important information
      about the optimized cellular microenvironment required for maintaining long-term
      culture and achieve efficient differentiation for islet regeneration. 

PMID- 26280029
TI  - Novel bamboo leaf shaped CuO nanorod@hollow carbon fibers derived from plant
      biomass for efficient and nonenzymatic glucose detection.
AB  - The present paper reports on the preparation of novel bamboo leaf shaped CuO
      nanorod dispersed hollow carbon fibers (denoted as CuO NR@PCFs). Specially, the
      new-type hollow carbon fibers (containing abundant micro/meso/macropores and a
      large specific surface area) were prepared only by simple and fast pyrolysis of
      the natural product catkins without using any template or surfactant. Meanwhile,
      a facile method was used to prepare the bamboo leaf shaped CuO nanorod covered
      PCFs. Thanks to the abundant micro/meso/macropores, large specific surface area,
      and excellent electrical conduction efficiency of the PCF matrix, the as-prepared
      CuO NR@PCFs could also afford more catalytic sites, show more excellent reactant
      transport efficiency, and display more excellent electron transport rates
      compared with those for the pure CuO balls. Above all, these advantages will
      result in the excellent oxidation and detection efficiency of the CuO NR@PCF
      sample to glucose. Electrochemical measurements reveal that the CuO NR@PCF
      modified electrode can directly catalyze glucose oxidation and display an
      enhanced current response compared with the pure CuO balls (such as a response
      time within 4 s, wide linear ranges of 5 * 10(-3)-0.8 mM and 0.8-8.5 mM, good
      reproducibility, considerable stability, and excellent anti-interference to
      electroactive molecules and Cl(-)). The superior catalytic activity and
      selectivity make the CuO NR@PCF catalyst very promising for application in direct
      detection of glucose. 

PMID- 26280030
TI  - A polyvinyl alcohol-coated silica gel stationary phase for hydrophilic
      interaction chromatography.
AB  - Multiple layers of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) coating are generated onto silica gel
      by thermal immobilization to form a stationary phase applied for hydrophilic
      interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC). It offers an easy way to manipulate
      the thickness of PVA coating and the obtained stationary phase demonstrated high
      efficiency and high chemical stability. 

PMID- 26280031
TI  - Lipid-conjugated fluorescent pH sensors for monitoring pH changes in
      reconstituted membrane systems.
AB  - Accurate real-time measurements of the dynamics of proton concentration gradients
      are crucial for detailed molecular studies of proton translocation by membrane
      bound enzymes. To reduce complexity, these measurements are often carried out
      with purified, reconstituted enzyme systems. Yet the most paramount problem to
      detect pH changes in reconstituted systems is that soluble pH reporters leak out
      of the vesicle system during the reconstitution procedure. This requires loading
      of substantial amounts of pH-sensors into the lumen of unilamellar liposomes
      during reconstitution. Here, we report the synthesis and detailed
      characterisation of two lipid-linked pH sensors employing amine-reactive forms of
      seminaphthorhodafluors (SNARF(r)-1 dye) and rhodamine probes (pHrodoTM Red dye).
      Lipid-conjugation of both dyes allowed for efficient detergent-based
      reconstitution of these pH indicators into liposomes. Vesicle-embedded pHrodoTM
      displayed excellent photostability and an optimal pH-response between 4 and 7.
      The suitability of the lipid-linked pHrodoTM probe as a pH reporter was
      demonstrated by assaying the activity of a plant plasma membrane H(+)-ATPase
      (proton pump) reconstituted in proteoliposomes. 

PMID- 26280032
TI  - Exploring silver ionic liquids for reaction-based gas sensing on a quartz crystal
      microbalance.
AB  - Reaction-based, sensitive sensing of aldehyde and ketone gases in real time was
      effectively achieved on QCM chips thin-coated with silver ionic liquids and ,
      respectively. The method platform developed in this work involves straightforward
      synthesis of functional silver ionic liquids in water, and is label-free and
      highly chemoselective with superior gas reactivity for and and, most
      significantly, totally insensitive to moisture. 

PMID- 26280033
TI  - Rhodium-catalysed alkoxylation/acetalization of diazo compounds: one-step
      synthesis of highly functionalised quaternary carbon centres.
AB  - An intermolecular tandem reaction for the rapid build-up of densely
      functionalised alpha-alkoxy-beta-oxo-esters has been developed. This novel
      process applies the easy to handle trimethyl orthoformate as a C1-building block
      in the rhodium(II)-catalysed alkoxylation/acetalization of donor-acceptor
      substituted diazo compounds. The concomitant C-O/C-C bond formation reaction
      gives products with unique quaternary carbon centers, substituted by groups of
      different oxidation level (ester, protected aldehyde and alkoxide).

PMID- 26280034
TI  - Light-responsive peptide [2]rotaxanes as gatekeepers of mechanised
      nanocontainers.
AB  - Novel mechanized silica nanoparticles incorporating a peptide-based molecular
      shuttle as a photo-responsive interlocked gatekeeper of nanocontainers are
      described including the uptake and delivery studies of a model cargo. 

PMID- 26280035
TI  - The long underestimated carbonyl function of carbohydrates - an organocatalyzed
      shot into carbohydrate chemistry.
AB  - The aggressive and strong development of organocatalysis provides several
      protocols for the convenient utilization of the carbonyl function of unprotected
      carbohydrates in C-C-bond formation processes. These amine-catalyzed mechanisms
      enable multiple cascade-protocols for the synthesis of a wide range of
      carbohydrate-derived compound classes. Several, only slightly different
      protocols, have been developed for the application of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds in
      the stereoselective chain-elongation of unprotected carbohydrates and the
      synthesis of highly functionalized C-glycosides of defined configuration. In
      addition, C-glycosides can also be accessed by amine-catalyzed reactions with
      methyl ketones. By a one-pot cascade reaction of isocyanides with unprotected
      aldoses and amino acids access to defined configured glycopeptide mimetics is
      achieved. Depending on the reaction conditions different origins to control the
      installation of configuration during the bond-formation process were observed. 

PMID- 26280036
TI  - Alcohol research and eHealth technology.

PMID- 26280037
TI  - [Editorial -- we are better off than 20 years ago, and for the better].

PMID- 26280038
TI  - [Is the Adenoma detection rate really of comparable quality parameters?].

PMID- 26280039
TI  - [German Society of Neurosurgery and Motility -- MAGDA -- innformation forum for
      gastrointestinal disease].

PMID- 26280040
TI  - [Hepatic encephalopathy -- flicker frequency analysis as the focal point for a
      structured treatment].

PMID- 26280041
TI  - Preface.

PMID- 26280043
TI  - [Reply].

PMID- 26280044
TI  - Glyco-Engineering. Preface.

PMID- 26280045
TI  - Proceedings and abstracts of the 15th European Meeting on Complement in Human
      Disease 2015, June 27-30, 2015, Uppsala, Sweden.

PMID- 26280047
TI  - Proceedings of the Asian Congress of Biotechnology, December 2013, New Delhi,
      India.

PMID- 26280046
TI  - Ben van der Veken honor issue.

PMID- 26280048
TI  - Response to Fang Fang, MB, PhD, John E. Sanderson, MD, Cheuk-man Yu, MD.

PMID- 26280049
TI  - Response to Ivan A. Arenas, MD, PhD, Jason Jacobson, MD, Gervasio A. Lamas, MD.

PMID- 26280050
TI  - In response.

PMID- 26280052
TI  - Proceedings of the The International Joint Meeting "GEMGERLI - From Membranes to
      Pathologies", November, 2013, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, France.

PMID- 26280051
TI  - Special issue in honor of Jun Haginaka.

PMID- 26280053
TI  - Special Issue: Dedicated to Arthur A. Spector, M.D.

PMID- 26280054
TI  - Proceedings of the Initial Meeting of the Society of Hematologic Oncology 2013,
      September 18-21, 2013, Houston, Texas.

PMID- 26280055
TI  - Special issue honoring the Life and Work of Robert B. Edgerton.

PMID- 26280056
TI  - Proceedings from the 34th Annual Conference of the International Society for
      Clinical Biostatistics, August 25-29, 2013, Munich, Germany.

PMID- 26280058
TI  - Proceedings of Thirteenth International Conference on Bioinformatics (InCoB2014),
      31 July - 2 August, 2014, Sydney, Australia.

PMID- 26280057
TI  - Special issue honoring Mostafa El-Sayed.

PMID- 26280059
TI  - Proceedings of Thirteenth International Conference on Bioinformatics (InCoB2014),
      31 July - 2 August, 2014, Sydney, Australia.

PMID- 26280060
TI  - Handling Parameter Uncertainty   in Cost-Effectiveness Models   Simply and
      Responsibly.

PMID- 26280061
TI  - William Earnshaw.

PMID- 26280062
TI  - Endovascular Embolization of Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations: Results of the
      Japanese Registry of Neuroendovascular Therapy (JR-NET) 1 and 2.
AB  - This retrospective study constitutes a part of the Japanese Registry of
      Neuroendovascular Therapy (JR-NET) 1 and 2. Its purpose is to evaluate the
      feasibility, safety, and outcome of endovascular embolization for cerebral
      arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) in Japan. Nine hundred and eighty-seven
      embolization procedures were registered with JR-NET 1 and 2 (424 procedures in
      122 institutions with JRNET 1 and 563 procedures in 150 institutions with JRNET
      2). In total, 790 patients (80.1%) had favourable clinical outcomes defined as
      modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores 0-2 at 30 days after embolization. Complete
      AVM obliteration by embolization alone was achieved in 90 procedures (9.1%). The
      procedural morbidity and mortality rate was 2.5% and 0.3% per procedure,
      respectively. In the multivariate logistic regression models, deep venous
      drainage and embolization of four or more feeding pedicles per session were
      significantly associated with any treatment-related complications (P=0.02 and
      P=0.003, respectively). About 6 cm or more in maximum nidus diameter had a
      negative correlation with complications (P=0.003). Our study shows that
      embolization of cerebral AVMs was performed with a high degree of safety and a
      low rate of symptomatic complications in Japan.

PMID- 26280063
TI  - Endovascular Embolization of Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations: Results of the
      Japanese Registry of Neuroendovascular Therapy (JR-NET) 1 and 2.
AB  - This retrospective study constitutes a part of the Japanese Registry of
      Neuroendovascular Therapy (JR-NET) 1 and 2. Its purpose is to evaluate the
      feasibility, safety, and outcome of endovascular embolization for cerebral
      arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) in Japan. Nine hundred and eighty-seven
      embolization procedures were registered with JR-NET 1 and 2 (424 procedures in
      122 institutions with JRNET 1 and 563 procedures in 150 institutions with JRNET
      2). In total, 790 patients (80.1%) had favourable clinical outcomes defined as
      modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores 0-2 at 30 days after embolization. Complete
      AVM obliteration by embolization alone was achieved in 90 procedures (9.1%). The
      procedural morbidity and mortality rate was 2.5% and 0.3% per procedure,
      respectively. In the multivariate logistic regression models, deep venous
      drainage and embolization of four or more feeding pedicles per session were
      significantly associated with any treatment-related complications (P=0.02 and
      P=0.003, respectively). About 6 cm or more in maximum nidus diameter had a
      negative correlation with complications (P=0.003). Our study shows that
      embolization of cerebral AVMs was performed with a high degree of safety and a
      low rate of symptomatic complications in Japan.

PMID- 26280064
TI  - Importance of polypyrrole in constructing 3D hierarchical carbon nanotube@MnO2
      perfect core-shell nanostructures for high-performance flexible supercapacitors.
AB  - This study reports the preparation of 3D hierarchical carbon nanotube (CNT) @MnO2
      core-shell nanostructures under the assistance of polypyrrole (PPy). The as
      prepared CNT@PPy@MnO2 core-shell structures show a perfect coating of MnO2 on
      each CNT and, more importantly, a robust bush-like pseudocapacitive shell to
      effectively increase the specific surface area and enhance the ion accessibility.
      As expected, a high specific capacity of 490-530 F g(-1) has been achieved from
      CNT@PPy@MnO2 single electrodes. And about 98.5% of the capacity is retained after
      1000 charge/discharge cycles at a current density of 5 A g(-1). Furthermore, the
      assembled asymmetric CNT@PPy@MnO2//AC capacitors show the maximum energy density
      of 38.42 W h kg(-1) (2.24 mW h cm(-3)) at a power density of 100 W kg(-1) (5.83
      mW cm(-3)), and they maintain 59.52% of the initial value at 10,000 W kg(-1)
      (0.583 W cm(-3)). In addition, the assembled devices show high cycling
      stabilities (89.7% after 2000 cycles for asymmetric and 87.2% for symmetric), and
      a high bending stability (64.74% after 200 bending tests). This ability to obtain
      high energy densities at high power rates while maintaining high cycling
      stability demonstrates that this well-designed structure could be a promising
      electrode material for high-performance supercapacitors.

PMID- 26280065
TI  - On-Surface Synthesis of BN-Substituted Heteroaromatic Networks.
AB  - We report on the bottom-up fabrication of BN-substituted heteroaromatic networks
      achieved by surface-assisted polymerization and subsequent cyclodehydrogenation
      of specifically designed BN-substituted precursor monomers based on a borazine
      core structural element. To get insight into the cyclodehydrogenation pathway and
      the influence of molecular flexibility on network quality, two closely related
      precursor monomers with different degrees of internal cyclodehydrogenation have
      been employed. Scanning tunneling microscopy shows that, for both monomers,
      surface-assisted cyclodehydrogenation allows for complete monomer cyclization and
      the formation of covalently interlinked BN-substituted polyaromatic hydrocarbon
      networks on the Ag(111) surface. In agreement with experimental observations,
      density functional theory calculations reveal a significantly lower energy
      barrier for the cyclodehydrogenation of the conformationally more rigid precursor
      monomer, which is also reflected in a higher degree of long-range order of the
      obtained heteroaromatic network. Our proof-of-concept study will allow for the
      fabrication of atomically precise substitution patterns within BNC
      heterostructures. 

PMID- 26280066
TI  - Artificial Life Art, Creativity, and Techno-hybridization (editor's
      introduction).
AB  - Artists and engineers have devised lifelike technology for millennia. Their
      ingenious devices have often prompted inquiry into our preferences, prejudices,
      and beliefs about living systems, especially regarding their origins, status,
      constitution, and behavior. A recurring fabrication technique is shared across
      artificial life art, science, and engineering. This involves aggregating
      representations or re-creations of familiar biological parts-techno-hybridization
      but the motives of practitioners may differ markedly. This article, and the
      special issue it introduces, explores how ground familiar to contemporary
      artificial life science and engineering has been assessed and interpreted in
      parallel by (a) artists and (b) theorists studying creativity explicitly. This
      activity offers thoughtful, alternative perspectives on artificial life science
      and engineering, highlighting and sometimes undermining the fields' underlying
      assumptions, or exposing avenues that are yet to be explored outside of art.
      Additionally, art has the potential to engage the general public, supporting and
      exploring the findings of scientific research and engineering. This adds
      considerably to the maturity of a culture tackling the issues the discipline of
      artificial life raises. 

PMID- 26280067
TI  - Emergence, Agency, and Interaction-Notes from the Field.
AB  - This article describes the development of several interactive installations and
      robotic artworks developed through the 1990s and the technological, theoretical,
      and discursive context in which those works arose. The main works discussed are
      Petit Mal (1989-1995), Sympathetic Sentience (1996-1997), Fugitive I (1996-1997),
      Traces (1998-1999), and Fugitive II (2001-2004)-full documentation at (
      www.simonpenny.net/works ). These works were motivated by a critical analysis of
      cognitivist computer science, which contrasted with notions of embodied
      experience arising from the arts. The works address questions of agency and
      interaction, informed by cybernetics and artificial life. 

PMID- 26280068
TI  - The Life of the Mimetic Starfish, 2000-2012.
AB  - This article is written from the perspective of the artist, programmer, and
      exhibitor of the Mimetic Starfish, a gestural responsive ALife artwork first
      created for the Millennium Dome in 2000 and recently exhibited at the Emocao
      Art.ficial in Brazil in 2012. The author concludes with the suggestion that
      despite the advances in technology and the ubiquitous presence of touch and
      gestural interfaces, it is the underlying aesthetic and socially engaging
      qualities of the Mimetic Starfish that ensure its currency, presence, relevance,
      and continuing exhibition. 

PMID- 26280069
TI  - You Pretty Little Flocker: Exploring the Aesthetic State Space of Creative
      Ecosystems.
AB  - Artificial life models constitute a rich compendium of tools for the generative
      arts; complex, self-organizing, emergent behaviors have great interactive and
      generative potential. But how can we go beyond simply visualizing scientific
      simulations and manipulate these models for use in design and creative art
      contexts? You Pretty Little Flocker is a proof-of-concept study in expanding and
      exploring the aesthetic state space of a model for generative design. A modified
      version of Reynolds' flocking algorithm (1987) is described in which the space of
      possible images is extended and navigable in a way that at once provides user
      control and maintains generative autonomy. 

PMID- 26280070
TI  - Ant- and Ant-Colony-Inspired ALife Visual Art.
AB  - Ant- and ant-colony-inspired ALife art is characterized by the artistic
      exploration of the emerging collective behavior of computational agents,
      developed using ants as a metaphor. We present a chronology that documents the
      emergence and history of such visual art, contextualize ant- and ant-colony
      inspired art within generative art practices, and consider how it relates to
      other ALife art. We survey many of the algorithms that artists have used in this
      genre, address some of their aims, and explore the relationships between ant- and
      ant-colony-inspired art and research on ant and ant colony behavior. 

PMID- 26280071
TI  - Accretor: Generative Materiality in the Work of Driessens and Verstappen.
AB  - Accretor, by the Dutch artists Erwin Driessens and Maria Verstappen, is a
      generative artwork that adopts and adapts artificial life techniques to produce
      intricate three-dimensional forms. This article introduces and analyzes Accretor,
      considering the enigmatic quality of the generated objects and in particular the
      role of materiality in this highly computational work. Accretor demonstrates a
      tangled continuity between digital and physical domains, where the constraints
      and affordances of matter inform both formal processes and aesthetic
      interpretations. Drawing on Arp's notion of the concrete artwork and McCormack
      and Dorin's notion of the computational sublime, the article finally argues that
      Accretor demonstrates what might be called a processual sublime, evoking
      expansive processes that span both computational and non-computational systems. 

PMID- 26280072
TI  - Living Poetry.
AB  - We introduce three of our interactive artworks that translate text into
      artificial creatures or creatures into text by means of user interaction. These
      installations make use of experimental literature, media archaeology, surrealism,
      artificial life, and algorithmic methods. 

PMID- 26280073
TI  - On Writing and Reading Artistic Computational Ecosystems.
AB  - We study the use of the generative systems known as computational ecosystems to
      convey artistic and narrative aims. These are virtual worlds running on
      computers, composed of agents that trade units of energy and emulate cycles of
      life and behaviors adapted from biological life forms. In this article we propose
      a conceptual framework in order to understand these systems, which are involved
      in processes of authorship and interpretation that this investigation analyzes in
      order to identify critical instruments for artistic exploration. We formulate a
      model of narrative that we call system stories (after Mitchell Whitelaw),
      characterized by the dynamic network of material and conceptual processes that
      define these artefacts. They account for narrative constellations with multiple
      agencies from which meaning and messages emerge. Finally, we present three case
      studies to explore the potential of this model within an artistic and generative
      domain, arguing that this understanding expands and enriches the palette of the
      language of these systems. 

PMID- 26280074
TI  - Performative Apparatus and Diffractive Practices: An Account of Artificial Life
      Art.
AB  - Drawing on our own art/science practices and a series of interviews with
      artificial life practitioners, we explore the entanglement of developments at the
      artistic edges of artificial life. We start by defining key terms from Karen
      Barad's agential realism. We then diffractively read artificial life together
      with agential realism to discuss the potential for interventions in the field.
      Through a discussion of artificial life computer simulations, ideas of agency are
      problematized, and artificial life's single purposeful actor, the agent, is
      replaced by agential, an adjective denoting a relationship rather than a subject
      object duality. We then seek to reinterpret the difficult-to-define term
      "emergence." Agency in artificial life emerges through what Barad calls
      entanglement, in this case between observers and their apparatus, a perpetual
      engagement between observations of a system and their interpretations. The
      article explores the differences that this diffractive perspective makes to
      artificial life and accounts of its materialization. 

PMID- 26280075
TI  - Theater and ALife Art: Modeling Open and Closed Systems.
AB  - The live art of theater remains curiously missing from ALife art history, despite
      the fact that its very existence is poised on the cusp of the living and the
      artificial, and on the modeling of life as artefact-what can be called the
      containment-versus-continuity dilemma. How far one seeks to affirm autonomy of
      the creative artwork or, in contrast, how far one seeks to affirm its continuity
      with its supposed real-life contexts is a question that has forever haunted
      theater, and that has naturally come to haunt ALife and ALife arts. Investigation
      of the boundary separating observers from modeled systems is as core to research
      into the live art of theater as to ALife research. This brief article seeks to
      open up discussion on links between ALife, ALife art, and the live art of
      theater, through key thematic threads that traverse these domains: their modeling
      of universes, the open or closed nature of the resultant modeled systems, and
      their implications with respect to observers, definitions, and instantiations of
      life regarding non-life or death as well as attributions of liveness to emergent
      synthetic biology and metamaterials. 

PMID- 26280076
TI  - Creativity and ALife.
AB  - Three forms of creativity are exemplified in biology and studied in ALife.
      Combinational creativity exists as the first step in genetic algorithms.
      Exploratory creativity is seen in models using cellular automata or evolutionary
      programs. Transformational creativity can result from evolutionary programming.
      Even radically novel forms can do so, given input from outside the program
      itself. Transformational creativity appears also in reaction-diffusion models of
      morphogenesis. That there are limits to biological creativity is suggested by
      ALife work bearing on instances of biological impossibility. 

PMID- 26280077
TI  - Computational Social Creativity.
AB  - This article reviews the development of computational models of creativity where
      social interactions are central. We refer to this area as computational social
      creativity. Its context is described, including the broader study of creativity,
      the computational modeling of other social phenomena, and computational models of
      individual creativity. Computational modeling has been applied to a number of
      areas of social creativity and has the potential to contribute to our
      understanding of creativity. A number of requirements for computational models of
      social creativity are common in artificial life and computational social science
      simulations. Three key themes are identified: (1) computational social creativity
      research has a critical role to play in understanding creativity as a social
      phenomenon and advancing computational creativity by making clear epistemological
      contributions in ways that would be challenging for other approaches; (2) the
      methodologies developed in artificial life and computational social science carry
      over directly to computational social creativity; and (3) the combination of
      computational social creativity with individual models of creativity presents
      significant opportunities and poses interesting challenges for the development of
      integrated models of creativity that have yet to be realized. 

PMID- 26280078
TI  - Studying Collective Human Decision Making and Creativity with Evolutionary
      Computation.
AB  - We report a summary of our interdisciplinary research project "Evolutionary
      Perspective on Collective Decision Making" that was conducted through close
      collaboration between computational, organizational, and social scientists at
      Binghamton University. We redefined collective human decision making and
      creativity as evolution of ecologies of ideas, where populations of ideas evolve
      via continual applications of evolutionary operators such as reproduction,
      recombination, mutation, selection, and migration of ideas, each conducted by
      participating humans. Based on this evolutionary perspective, we generated
      hypotheses about collective human decision making, using agent-based computer
      simulations. The hypotheses were then tested through several experiments with
      real human subjects. Throughout this project, we utilized evolutionary
      computation (EC) in non-traditional ways-(1) as a theoretical framework for
      reinterpreting the dynamics of idea generation and selection, (2) as a
      computational simulation model of collective human decision-making processes, and
      (3) as a research tool for collecting high-resolution experimental data on actual
      collaborative design and decision making from human subjects. We believe our work
      demonstrates untapped potential of EC for interdisciplinary research involving
      human and social dynamics. 

PMID- 26280079
TI  - Toxicity mechanisms of ionic silver and polymer-coated silver nanoparticles with
      interactions of functionalized carbon nanotubes on early development stages of
      sea urchin.
AB  - Exposures of aquatic organisms to multiple contaminants are likely to take place
      in estuarine and coastal areas and combined effects on early life stages have to
      be examined. Among emerging contaminants, ionic silver (Ag(+)) and silver
      nanoparticles (AgNps) have demonstrated contrasting effects on marine
      invertebrates, but their interactions with functionalized carbon nanotubes (f
      SWCNTs) have not yet been investigated in details. In order to observe the
      impacts and understand the toxicity mechanism of Ag(+) and polymer-coated AgNps,
      and their combined effects with f-SWCNTs, successive development stages of
      embryos of sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis, were exposed to Ag(+),
      AgNps and f-SWCNTs, separately and in mixtures using moderate environmental
      concentrations. We also assessed long-term effects of treatments under recovery
      conditions. Morphological endpoints such as archenteron elongation, primary and
      secondary mesenchyme cells fate, pigment cells migration, spiculogenic cells and
      gut development indicated different effects of silver and nanosilver forms during
      successive development stages. Whereas Ag(+) induced vegetalization and extrusion
      of mesenchyme cells on early embryos; f-SWCNTs+Ag(+) strongly interfered with gut
      regionalization in late larvae. Sensitive blastocoelar cells got vacuolized and
      shapeless with AgNps, but not with mixtures with f-SWCNTs. Increased
      concentrations of Ag(+) and f-SWCNTs+Ag(+) led to the most disruptive effects
      during development, but f-SWCNTs+Ag(+) caused the highest mortality rate during
      the recovery period, which indicated far-reaching effects driven by f-SWCNTs and
      their ability to keep silver more available during exposure period. 

PMID- 26280080
TI  - Assessment of hematologic parameters before and after bimaxillary orthognathic
      surgery.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to evaluate changes of hematologic
      parameters in bimaxillary surgery. METHODS: Fifty-three patients were
      prospectively evaluated and divided into groups based on the surgical procedure
      and sex (predictor variables). Hemoglobin, red blood cells, hematocrit, and
      platelet were the primary outcome variables, operation time the secondary
      outcome, and the patients' age and weight the other variables. TRIAL
      REGISTRATION: NCT02364765 (U.S. National Institutes of Health,
      clinicaltrials.gov). RESULTS: There was statistically significant difference
      between all hematologic parameters before and after surgery, for both men and
      women, and for all surgical groups. There was a positive correlation between
      operative time and the decrease (in %) of the hematologic parameters. Linear
      regression analysis suggested that the Hb values decrease 0.083 % for every
      minute increase in the operation time, and 0.066, 0.066, and 0.010 % for RBC,
      Hct, and platelet count, respectively. There was a negative correlation between
      weight and all hematologic parameters. Correlations between age and hematologic
      parameters were not statistically significant. Almost all correlations between
      age, weight, sex, and the surgery group and the hematologic parameters were
      considered as very weak. Only one patient was transfused. CONCLUSIONS: It is
      suggested that operation time and patient's weight play a bigger role than
      patient's age and sex in the decrease of hematologic parameters after bimaxillary
      surgery.

PMID- 26280081
TI  - BTK gene targeting by homologous recombination using a helper-dependent
      adenovirus/adeno-associated virus hybrid vector.
AB  - X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) is one of the most common humoral
      immunodeficiencies, which is caused by mutations in Bruton's tyrosine kinase
      (BTK) gene. To examine the possibility of using gene therapy for XLA, we
      constructed a helper-dependent adenovirus/adeno-associated virus BTK targeting
      vector (HD-Ad.AAV BTK vector) composed of a genomic sequence containing BTK exons
      6-19 and a green fluorescence protein-hygromycin cassette driven by a
      cytomegalovirus promoter. We first used NALM-6, a human male pre-B acute
      lymphoblastic leukemia cell line, as a recipient to measure the efficiency of
      gene targeting by homologous recombination. We identified 10 clones with the
      homologous recombination of the BTK gene among 107 hygromycin-resistant stable
      clones isolated from two independent experiments. We next used cord blood CD34+
      cells as the recipient cells for the gene targeting. We isolated colonies grown
      in medium containing cytokines and hygromycin. We found that the targeting of the
      BTK gene occurred in four of the 755 hygromycin-resistant colonies. Importantly,
      the gene targeting was also observed in CD19+ lymphoid progenitor cells that were
      differentiated from the homologous recombinant CD34+ cells during growth in
      selection media. Our study shows the potential for the BTK gene therapy using the
      HD-Ad.AAV BTK vector via homologous recombination in hematopoietic stem cells.

PMID- 26280082
TI  - The targeted inhibitory effects of human amniotic fluid stem cells carrying CXCR4
      promoter and DAL-1 on non-small cell lung carcinoma growth.
AB  - The differentially expressed in adenocarcinoma of the lung-1 (DAL-1) protein has
      been demonstrated to be suppressive to various types of tumors including lung
      cancer. This study aimed to determine the targeted effects of human amniotic
      fluid stem cells (hAFS cells) carrying CXCR4 promoter driven conditionally
      replicable adenovirus vector overexpressing DAL-1 (Ad-CXCR4-DAL-1) on non-small
      cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) growth. The apoptotic effects of virus vectors were
      assessed using flow cytometry, and the cytotoxicity analyzed by CCK-8 assay. In
      vivo imaging system was used to determine the homing capability of hAFS cells.
      A549 cell xenograft mouse model was created to assess the in vivo effect of DAL-1
      overexpression on NSCLC growth. We found that infection of Ad-CXCR4-DAL-1
      increased the apoptosis of A549 NSCLC cells but not 16HBE normal human bronchial
      epithelial cells. Ad-CXCR4-DAL-1 administered via intratumoral injection led to
      significant reduced growth and greater necrosis of A549 xenograft tumors
      comparing to null vector treated animals. When infused via tail vein, hAFS cells
      carrying Ad-CXCR4-DAL-1 homed to lung cancer xenografts, caused virus replication
      and DAL-1 overexpression, and led to significant lower growth and greater
      necrosis of A549 cell xenografts comparing to non-treatment control. In
      conclusion, hAFS cells are capable of carrying Ad-CXCR4-DAL-1 vectors,
      specifically targeting to lung cancer, and causing oncolytic effects when
      administered in vivo. 

PMID- 26280083
TI  - MTBP Promotes the Invasion and Metastasis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma by
      Enhancing the MDM2-Mediated Degradation of E-Cadherin.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Emerging evidence suggests that MTBP plays a role in cancer
      development and possibly progression, but its influence on hepatocellular
      carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear. METHODS: We used real-time PCR and Western
      blotting to investigate MTBP expression in four HCC cell lines, 120 pairs of
      tumor and corresponding paracarcinomatous tissues from HCC patients.
      Immunohistochemistry was performed to examine MTBP expression in HCC and
      corresponding paracarcinomatous tissues from 120 patients. E-cadherin was only
      examined in HCC tissues of patients mentioned above. Statistical analyses were
      applied to evaluate the prognostic value and associations of MTBP expression with
      clinical parameters. Furthermore, the MTBP gene was overexpressed in HepG2 cell
      and silenced by siRNA in Hu7 cell, and cell migration and invasion were detected
      in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, the molecular mechanism of E-cadherin regulation
      by MTBP was explored. RESULTS: In this study, we first showed that MTBP protein
      expression is positively correlated with distant metastasis and poor prognosis in
      HCC patients. We also found that MTBP expression was increased in metastatic cell
      lines when compared with nonmetastatic cell lines. Consistent with these
      findings, enhanced expression of MTBP promoted HCC cell invasiveness and
      metastasis both in vitro and in vivo, whereas the knockdown of MTBP with small
      interfering RNA resulted in reduced HCC migration and invasion. Ectopic
      expression of MTBP in HCC cells induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition,
      whereas the silencing of MTBP had the opposite effect. Furthermore, our results
      show that MTBP and E-cadherin protein expression are inversely correlated in
      primary HCC tissues. Moreover, our findings indicate that MTBP overexpression
      decreases E-cadherin expression through the modulation of Mdm2 ubiquitination
      degradation. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that MTBP aggravates the invasion and
      metastasis of HCC by promoting the MDM2-mediated degradation of E-cadherin.

PMID- 26280084
TI  - Gastric Electric Stimulation for Refractory Gastroparesis: A Prospective Analysis
      of 151 Patients at a Single Center.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Gastric electric stimulation (GES) is used to treat patients with
      refractory gastroparesis symptoms. However, the effectiveness of GES in clinical
      practice and the effect of GES on specific symptoms of gastroparesis are not well
      delineated. AIMS: To determine the effectiveness of GES for treatment for
      refractory symptoms of gastroparesis, the improvement in specific symptoms of
      gastroparesis, and clinical factors impacting on outcome. METHODS: Enterra GES
      was used to treat refractory gastroparesis symptoms. Patients filled out a
      symptom severity questionnaire (PAGI-SYM) prior to insertion. At each follow-up
      visit, the patient filled out PAGI-SYM and assessed their therapeutic response
      using the Clinical Patient Grading Assessment Scale (CPGAS). RESULTS: One hundred
      and fifty-one patients (120 females) with refractory gastroparesis (72 diabetic,
      73 idiopathic, 6 other) underwent GES. Of the 138 with follow-up (1.4 +/- 1.0
      years), the average CPGAS was 2.4 +/- 0.3 (SEM): 104 patients (75 %) improved
      (CPGAS > 0) and 34 (25 %) did not (CPGAS <= 0). Sixty patients (43 %) were at
      least moderately improved (CPGAS score >=4). Clinical improvement was seen in
      both diabetic and idiopathic patients with the CPGAS in diabetic patients (3.5 +/
      0.3) higher in idiopathic patients (1.5 +/- 0.5; p < 0.05). Symptoms
      significantly improving the most included nausea, loss of appetite, and early
      satiety. Vomiting improved in both diabetic and idiopathic patients although the
      diabetic subgroup experienced a significantly greater reduction in vomiting than
      the idiopathic subgroup. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort of patients with refractory
      gastroparesis, GES improved symptoms in 75 % of patients with 43 % being at least
      moderately improved. Response in diabetics was better than in nondiabetic
      patients. Nausea, loss of appetite, and early satiety responded the best.

PMID- 26280085
TI  - Gastric Electrical Stimulation and Sacral Electrical Stimulation: A Long-Term
      Follow-Up Study of Dual-Device Treatment.
AB  - AIMS: The objective of this study was to investigate sacral electrical
      stimulation (SES) and gastric electrical stimulation (GES) by comparing upper and
      lower gastrointestinal (GI) and genitourinary (GU) symptoms and quality of life,
      before treatment and in the long term after treatment. We hypothesized that dual
      device treatment would greatly improve upper and lower gastrointestinal and
      genitourinary symptoms, as well as quality of life. METHODS: Fifty-four patients
      who underwent dual-device treatment (GES and SES) were enrolled in this study.
      Patients who had surpassed 24 months since the second-device insertion were
      included. Patients were evaluated before and after both devices were implanted
      and given a symptom questionnaire regarding their upper GI, lower GI, and GU
      symptoms and their quality of life. RESULTS: With combined treatment, a
      statistically significant improvement was seen in upper GI, lower GI, and GU
      symptoms and quality of life. However, fecal incontinence and fecal urgency
      improvements did not reach statistical significance, likely due to the small
      sample size. CONCLUSION: The implantation of two stimulators appears to be safe
      and effective to improve patients' quality of life for those with upper GI
      symptoms, bowel problems, and bladder dysfunction.

PMID- 26280086
TI  - Genetic characterization of livestock and human hydatid cyst isolates from
      northwest Iran, using the mitochondrial cox1 gene sequence.
AB  - Cystic echinococcosis (CE), caused by larval stages of the tapeworm Echinococcus
      granulosus, is one of the most important zoonoses distributed worldwide. Genotype
      analysis of the parasite isolates from various hosts is required to better
      understand the host specificity and transmission routes. The aim of this study
      was to identify the genotypes of E. granulosus isolated from humans and domestic
      animals from northwest of Iran (Zanjan Province) using the mitochondrial cox1
      gene sequence. A total of 86 hydatid cysts including 49 sheep and 28 cattle
      isolates from the slaughterhouse and nine human isolates from surgical wards of
      local hospitals were collected. The isolates were subjected to DNA extraction,
      PCR amplification, and sequence. Eighty-two (95.35 %) isolates, including 47
      sheep, 26 cattle, and all nine human isolates, were determined as G1 genotype,
      and the remaining four (4.65 %), including two sheep and two cattle isolates,
      were identified as G3 genotype. From the cox1 sequence data, 13 different
      haplotypes (10 G1s and three G3s) were detected and named as EGH1-EGH13 (GenBank
      accession numbers, KP859559-KP859571). EGH1 was the major variant among the
      haplotypes, and it was identified in 46 (53.49 %) isolates (31 sheep, 14 cattle,
      and one human). Alignment of the partial cox1 sequences showed 12 point mutations
      including seven (58.3 %) synonymous and five (41.7 %) non-synonymous
      substitutions. Based on the results, G1 was the major genotype of E. granulosus
      in northwest of Iran affecting sheep, cattle, and humans. In addition, a minor
      group of G3 genotype was found to be circulating in this region. 

PMID- 26280088
TI  - [Understanding more from the ECG].

PMID- 26280087
TI  - Extended O-GlcNAc on HLA Class-I-Bound Peptides.
AB  - We report unexpected mass spectrometric observations of glycosylated human
      leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I-bound peptides. Complemented by molecular
      modeling, in vitro enzymatic assays, and oxonium ion patterns, we propose that
      the observed O-linked glycans carrying up to five monosaccharides are extended O
      GlcNAc's rather than GalNAc-initiated O-glycans. A cytosolic O-GlcNAc
      modification is normally terminal and does not extend to produce a
      polysaccharide, but O-GlcNAc on an HLA peptide presents a special case because
      the loaded HLA class I complex traffics through the endoplasmic reticulum and
      Golgi apparatus on its way to the cell membrane and is hence exposed to
      glycosyltransferases. We also report for the first time natural HLA class I
      presentation of O- and N-linked glycopeptides derived from membrane proteins. HLA
      class I peptides with centrally located oligosaccharides have been shown to be
      immunogenic and may thus be important targets for immune surveillance. 

PMID- 26280089
TI  - O,N,B-Containing eight-membered heterocycles by ring expansion of boroles with
      nitrones.
AB  - By a ring expansion reaction of boroles with nitrones a straightforward route to
      eight-membered O,N,B-containing ring systems was developed, which present a new
      structural motif in heterocyclic chemistry. Formally, these compounds can be
      considered as BN-analogues of eight-membered ring ethers containing three double
      bonds. The X-ray crystallographic data of a series of these oxazaborocine
      derivatives show that they adopt a boat conformation in the solid state. 

PMID- 26280090
TI  - The effects of Kv1.3 and IKCa1 channel inhibition on cytokine production and
      calcium influx of T lymphocytes in rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing
      spondylitis.
AB  - Kv1.3 and IKCa1 lymphocyte potassium channels have been implicated as important
      targets of selective immunomodulation. We compared the alterations in cytokine
      production upon selective inhibition of Kv1.3 or IKCa1 channels (by MGTX and
      TRAM, respectively) in healthy donors (HD), RA and AS patients. We also
      determined calcium influx kinetics and its sensitivity to Kv1.3 and IKCa1 channel
      inhibition following PHA activation in CD4, Th1, Th2 and CD8 cells as well as
      monocytes. The application of TRAM resulted in a lower production of TNF-a and
      IL1-RA in all three study groups. Inhibition by TRAM had contrary effects on the
      production of IL-1b and IL-5: While their production was increased by PBMCs of RA
      patients, this effect was not observed in HD and AS PBMCs. While treatment with
      MGTX resulted in a similar decrease in calcium influx in the CD4 and Th2 subsets
      across all study groups, TRAM treatment had opposite effects on RA and HD
      samples: It decreased calcium influx in the Th2 and CD8 subsets in RA, while only
      Th1 cells were affected in HDs. The effects of IKCa1 channel inhibition are
      controversial in samples of RA and AS patients, since it shifts the inflammatory
      balance into the pro-inflammatory direction. 

PMID- 26280091
TI  - A diagnosis of the microbiological quality of dehydrated bee-pollen produced in
      Brazil.
AB  - Bee-pollen is an apicultural product with potential for medical and nutritional
      applications; therefore, its microbiology quality should be monitored. In this
      context, the objective of this study was to diagnose the microbiological quality
      of 45 dehydrated bee-pollen samples collected from November 2011 to December 2013
      in nine Brazilian States. All the samples were negative for sulphite-reducing
      Clostridium spores, Salmonella, coagulase-positive Staphylococcus and Escherichia
      coli, which are micro-organisms of public health concern. Total aerobic
      mesophilic micro-organism counts ranged from <10 to 1.10 * 10(4) CFU g(-1) , with
      psychrotroph counts ranging from <10 to 1.12 * 10(3) CFU g(-1) and total
      coliforms from <10 to 2.80 * 10(3) CFU g(-1) , while the values for yeasts and
      moulds were between <10 to 7.67 * 10(3) CFU g(-1) . According to the literature,
      the microbiota observed in this study were typical; however, it is important to
      consider that these micro-organisms may cause spoilage and diminish shelf life,
      reason by which quality control programs should be implemented. SIGNIFICANCE AND
      IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Contamination of bee-pollen can occur during production,
      collection and processing, but there are few studies of the microbiological
      quality of this product. Brazil is an important producer of dehydrated bee
      pollen, therefore, a diagnosis of the microbiological status is important to
      ensure the safety of many consumers. Salmonella sp., genus Clostridium, coagulase
      positive Staphylococcus, Escherichia coli and even some yeast species are micro
      organisms of public health concern and their presence must be monitored.
      Furthermore, the determination of spoilage micro-organisms indicates whether the
      production and the processing practices carried out by beekeepers and warehouses
      were adequate.

PMID- 26280092
TI  - Effect of Florida's Prescription Drug Monitoring Program and Pill Mill Laws on
      Opioid Prescribing and Use.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) and pill mill laws are
      among the principal means states use to reduce prescription drug abuse and
      diversion, yet little high-quality evidence exists regarding their effect.
      OBJECTIVE: To quantify the effect of Florida's PDMP and pill mill laws on overall
      and high-risk opioid prescribing and use. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: We
      applied comparative interrupted time-series analyses to IMS Health LifeLink LRx
      data to characterize the effect of PDMP and pill mill law implementation on a
      closed cohort of prescribers, retail pharmacies, and patients from July 2010
      through September 2012 in Florida (intervention state) compared with Georgia
      (control state). We conducted sensitivity analyses, including varying length of
      observation and modifying requirements for continuous observation of individuals
      throughout the study period. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Total opioid volume,
      mean morphine milligram equivalent (MME) per transaction, mean days' supply per
      transaction, and total number of opioid prescriptions dispensed. Analyses were
      conducted per prescriber and per patient, in aggregate and after stratifying by
      volume of baseline opioid prescribing for prescribers and use for patients.
      RESULTS: From July 2010 through September 2012, a cohort of 2.6 million patients,
      431,890 prescribers, and 2829 pharmacies was associated with approximately 480
      million prescriptions in Florida and Georgia, 7.7% of which were for opioids.
      Total monthly opioid volume, MME per transaction, days' supply, and prescriptions
      dispensed were higher in Florida than Georgia before implementation. Florida's
      laws were associated with statistically significant declines in opioid volume
      (2.5 kg/mo, P<.05; equivalent to approximately 500,000 5-mg tablets of
      hydrocodone bitartrate per month) and MME per transaction (0.45 mg/mo, P<.05),
      without any change in days' supply. Twelve months after implementation, the
      policies were associated with approximately a 1.4% decrease in opioid
      prescriptions, 2.5% decrease in opioid volume, and 5.6% decrease in MME per
      transaction. Reductions were limited to prescribers and patients with the highest
      baseline opioid prescribing and use. Sensitivity analyses, varying time windows,
      and enrollment criteria supported the main results. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE:
      Florida's PDMP and pill mill laws were associated with modest decreases in opioid
      prescribing and use. Decreases were greatest among prescribers and patients with
      the highest baseline opioid prescribing and use.

PMID- 26280093
TI  - Development of Smart Semisolid Formulations to Enhance Retinoic Acid Topical
      Application.
AB  - Retinoids play a very important role in the topical treatment of acne vulgaris.
      However, their use is restricted because of the limited photostability
      responsible for local adverse effects as erythema, dryness, itching, and
      stinging. In this way, the therapeutic efficacy of such molecules is strongly
      reduced, resulting, at the same time, harmful for the patient upon light
      exposure. Thus, a suitable technological strategy is necessary to increase
      retinoid stability in order to have a product both safe and efficacious. With
      this aim, new inorganic-organic hybrids based on tretinoin (retinoic acid, RET)
      and hydrotalcite-like compounds (HTlc) have been prepared and well characterized
      by X-ray powder diffraction, inductively coupled plasma spectrometry, thermal
      analyses, scanning electron microscopy, and UV-Vis spectrophotometric
      measurements. Such hybrids, namely, ZnAl-HTlc-RET and MgAl-HTlc-RET, were
      formulated as simple gels for topical use and submitted to further studies in
      order to evaluate their rheological properties, photostability, and RET release
      capability. The RET photostability resulted improved upon intercalation into
      HTlc, both in MgAl-HTlc and ZnAl-HTlc, as proved by the data acquired during
      irradiation of the sample at 366 nm. This strategy is suitable for the
      realization of safe, efficacious, and compliant topical formulations for acne
      treatment.

PMID- 26280094
TI  - Improving Dermatological Care for Elderly People Living in Permanent Healthcare
      Institutions: Suggestions from Dutch Dermatologists.

PMID- 26280095
TI  - Continuous feelings of love? The parental bond from pregnancy to toddlerhood.
AB  - Both prenatal and postnatal parental bonding (i.e., the affective tie from parent
      to child) have important effects on parental and child functioning. However,
      research on the continuity and correlates of parental bonding is lacking.
      Therefore, the goal of the present study was to examine the stability of bonding
      levels and to explore distinct bonding patterns with a latent class analysis.
      Moreover, the correlates of these bonding patterns in the parental-, child-, and
      contextual domain were studied. Levels of maternal (N = 370) and paternal (N =
      292) bonding and potential correlates were assessed at 26 weeks of pregnancy, 6
      months, and 24 months postpartum. Results showed moderate stability of bonding
      from pregnancy to toddlerhood. For both mothers and fathers, 4 distinct bonding
      patterns were found. Parents with low bonding patterns were characterized by
      increased anxiety and parenting stress, less partner support, less adaptive
      personality profiles, and children with difficult temperament. These findings
      indicate the importance of monitoring young children's parents with poor levels
      of bonding as their bonding patterns remain stable from pregnancy until
      toddlerhood and because those parents experience problems in multiple domains.

PMID- 26280096
TI  - Bile canalicular dynamics in hepatocyte sandwich cultures.
AB  - Many substances are hepatotoxic due to their ability to cause intrahepatic
      cholestasis. Therefore, there is a high demand for in vitro systems for the
      identification of cholestatic properties of new compounds. Primary hepatocytes
      cultivated in collagen sandwich cultures are known to establish bile canaliculi
      which enclose secreted biliary components. Cholestatic compounds are mainly known
      to inhibit bile excretion dynamics, but may also alter canalicular volume, or
      hepatocellular morphology. So far, techniques to assess time-resolved
      morphological changes of bile canaliculi in sandwich cultures are not available.
      In this study, we developed an automated system that quantifies dynamics of bile
      canaliculi recorded in conventional time-lapse image sequences. We validated the
      hepatocyte sandwich culture system as an appropriate model to study bile
      canaliculi in vitro by showing structural similarity measured as bile canaliculi
      length per hepatocyte to that observed in vivo. Moreover, bile canalicular
      excretion kinetics of CMFDA (5-chloromethylfluorescein diacetate) in sandwich
      cultures resembled closely the kinetics observed in vivo. The developed
      quantification technique enabled the quantification of dynamic changes in
      individual bile canaliculi. With this technique, we were able to clearly
      distinguish between sandwich cultures supplemented with dexamethasone and insulin
      from control cultures. In conclusion, the automated quantification system offers
      the possibility to systematically study the causal relationship between disturbed
      bile canalicular dynamics and cholestasis. 

PMID- 26280097
TI  - Pretreatment by NaOH swelling and then HCl regeneration to enhance the acid
      hydrolysis of cellulose to glucose.
AB  - A simple pretreatment method, NaOH swelling at a low temperature and then HCl
      regeneration, was developed for depolymerization of cellulose to glucose.
      Cellulose was transformed into amorphous hydrogel during the treatment; and due
      to the easy diffusion of H(+) and Cl(-) ions into the cellulose hydrogel network
      as well as the strong ability of Cl(-) to disrupt the massive hydrogen bond, the
      hydrolysis rate was greatly enhanced. The method is effective for alpha
      cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, filter paper, ramie fiber and absorbent
      cotton. Even at a high alpha-cellulose concentration of 50g/L, 29.1% yield of
      glucose was still obtained within 10min at 160 degrees C under microwave
      irradiation, where up to 16.2g/L of glucose solution was given. The influence of
      NaOH concentration, HCl concentration, hydrolysis temperature and time on the
      hydrolysis rate was investigated. The structure of cellulose hydrogel was also
      studied to confirm the reaction mechanism.

PMID- 26280098
TI  - Exploration of using stripped ammonia and ash from poultry litter for the
      cultivation of the cyanobacterium Arthrospira platensis and the green microalga
      Chlorella vulgaris.
AB  - Herein a new approach of exploiting poultry litter (PL) is demonstrated. The
      suggested method includes drying of PL with simultaneously striping and recovery
      of ammonia, followed by the direct combustion of dried PL. The generated ash
      after the combustion, and the striped ammonia consequently, could be used as
      nutrient source for the cultivation of microalgae or cyanobacteria to produce
      feed additives. The present study explored the application of PL ash and
      recovered ammonia for the cultivation of Arthrospira platensis and Chlorella
      vulgaris. For a simultaneously 90% dissolution of ash potassium and phosphorus, a
      ratio of acid to ash of 0.02mol-H(+)/g was required. The optimum mass of ash
      required was 0.07-0.08g/g dry biomass, while the addition of ammoniac nitrogen of
      8-9mgN per g of dry biomass per day was adequate for a satisfactory production of
      A. platensis and C. vulgaris.

PMID- 26280099
TI  - Application of orange peel waste in the production of solid biofuels and
      biosorbents.
AB  - This work aimed to study the potential use of pyrolyzed orange peels as solid
      biofuels and biosorption of heavy metals. The dry biomass and the biofuel showed
      moderate levels of carbon (44-62%), high levels of oxygen (30-47%), lower levels
      of hydrogen (3-6%), nitrogen (1-2.6%), sulfur (0.4-0.8%) and ash with a maximum
      of 7.8%. The activation energy was calculated using Kissinger method, involving a
      3 step process: volatilization of water, biomass degradation and volatilization
      of the degradation products. The calorific value obtained was 19.3MJ/kg. The
      studies of metal biosorption based on the Langmuir model obtained the best
      possible data fits. The results obtained in this work indicated that the
      potential use of waste orange peel as a biosorbent and as a solid biofuel are
      feasible, this product could be used in industrial processes, favoring the world
      economy.

PMID- 26280100
TI  - Biorefineries based on coffee cut-stems and sugarcane bagasse: furan-based
      compounds and alkanes as interesting products.
AB  - This work presents a techno-economic and environmental assessment for a
      biorefinery based on sugarcane bagasse (SCB), and coffee cut-stems (CCS). Five
      scenarios were evaluated at different levels, conversion pathways, feedstock
      distribution, and technologies to produce ethanol, octane, nonane, furfural, and
      hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). These scenarios were compared between each other
      according to raw material, economic, and environmental characteristics. A single
      objective function combining the Net Present Value and the Potential
      Environmental Impact was used through the Analytic Hierarchy Process approach to
      understand and select the best configurations for SCB and CCS cases. The results
      showed that the configuration with the best economic and environmental
      performance for SCB and CCS is the one that considers ethanol, furfural, and
      octane production (scenario 1). The global economic margin was 62.3% and 61.6%
      for SCB and CCS respectively. The results have shown the potential of these types
      of biomass to produce fuels and platform products.

PMID- 26280101
TI  - Rapid and Quantitative Detection of Avian Influenza A(H7N9) Virions in Complex
      Matrices Based on Combined Magnetic Capture and Quantum Dot Labeling.
AB  - Avian influenza A(H7N9) virus, which emerged in China in the spring of 2013, has
      infected hundreds of people and resulted in many deaths. Herein, a rapid and
      quantitative assay is proposed for the one-step detection of H7N9 virions.
      Immunomagnetic nanospheres (IMNs) and antibody-conjugated quantum dots (Ab-QDs)
      are simultaneously employed to capture and identify the target virus, leading to
      a high efficiency, good specificity, and strong anti-interference ability.
      Moreover, this reliable detection assay, which combines the efficient magnetic
      enrichment and the unique photophysical properties of QDs, can achieve a high
      sensitivity for a low detection limit. At the same time, this detection strategy
      shows great flexibility for employment in a variety of fluorescence detectors,
      including fluorescence spectrometry, microscope assays, and handheld UV lamp
      tests. Furthermore, our one-step detection strategy induces very little change in
      the integrity of the vulnerable virions, which enables additional genotyping
      testing following the fluorescence detection. The present study, thus, reports a
      rapid and quantitative approach for the detection of H7N9 virions based on
      simultaneous magnetic capture and QD labeling, thereby providing a higher
      probability for detection and therefore faster diagnosis of H7N9-infected
      patients. 

PMID- 26280104
TI  - Unusual Intramolecular Hydrogen Transfer in 3,5-Di(triphenylethylenyl) BODIPY
      Synthesis and 1,2-Migratory Shift in Subsequent Scholl Type Reaction.
AB  - The straightforward synthesis of 3,5-di(triphenylethylenyl) BODIPYs 1-3 from the
      condensation of 2-(triphenylethylenyl) pyrrole with aryl aldehydes are
      surprisingly found to produce side products that are hydrogenated at one of the
      two triphenylethylene substituents. It was also observed that the subsequent
      Scholl type reaction of 1 resulted in a "1,2-migratory shift" of one
      triphenylethylene substituent in addition to a ring closing reaction. Preliminary
      investigations, including DFT calculations and isolation of intermediates, were
      conducted to study these unusual observations on BODIPY chemistry. 

PMID- 26280103
TI  - A Systematic Research Review Assessing the Effectiveness of Pursuit Interventions
      in Spatial Neglect Following Stroke.
AB  - Rehabilitation after stroke is imperative for patients with spatial neglect as it
      can help improve behavioural, social and cognitive outcomes in these patients,
      and therefore reduce the financial burden on public health services. The main aim
      of this review is to investigate the effectiveness of active pursuit eye
      movements for rehabilitation interventions in patients with spatial neglect
      following stroke. Potential papers for inclusion were gathered by searching key
      terms in four main databases (AMED, Global Health, PubMed/Medline and PsychInfo)
      in addition to screening relevant reference lists. Two reviewers independently
      selected papers for inclusion based on agreed inclusion criteria (n = 9 with 147
      participants). Risk of bias was assessed using the QUADAS-2 tool. All papers
      reported a statistically significant result in patients who received an
      intervention which used pursuit eye movements, and this was reported both as a
      short-term (immediate) effect and as a sustained effect up to 8 weeks after
      treatment. These effects were also reported in comparison with interventions
      using saccadic eye movements. One study also reported increased neural activity
      in a number of brain regions following pursuit-based intervention. Overall, there
      is good evidence in support of pursuit intervention used in the rehabilitation of
      stroke and spatial neglect over and above traditional interventions based on
      saccadic eye movements. Future research should aim to increase sample sizes,
      provide information on statistical power, record accurate eye movement responses
      and use randomised designs to reduce selection bias.

PMID- 26280105
TI  - Life Stressors and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in a Seriously Mentally Ill Jail
      Population.
AB  - Inmates represent a vulnerable population with increased rates of trauma and
      posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, little is known about the rates of
      trauma and PTSD among male inmates with acute psychiatric illness. This
      prospective, randomized study was conducted to assess the current rates of trauma
      and PTSD in this population. The sample consisted of 48 patients admitted to a
      hospital jail psychiatry service in New York City. Subjects were administered the
      Life Stressor Checklist-Revised and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV
      TR Disorders, PTSD Module (SCID-I). The rate of PTSD diagnosis via SCID-I was
      46.2% as compared to 2.1% diagnosis via clinical interview. All participants
      reported a history of at least one stressful and/or traumatic event, and many of
      these events occurred during incarceration. These results demonstrate that a
      great deal of trauma and PTSD goes unrecognized and untreated in this population,
      indicating the need for more effective treatment interventions. 

PMID- 26280106
TI  - Fluorescent Properties of 8-Substituted BODIPY Dyes: Influence of Solvent
      Effects.
AB  - Three boron-dipyrrine (BODIPY) based dyes with bulky substituents in 8-position
      of dipyrrin ligand have been synthesized and characterized. Photophysical
      properties of the obtained compounds have been investigated in different
      individual solvents and solvent mixtures. Investigated compounds was found to be
      intensive fluorescent molecular rotors. The influence of different solvent
      parameters and the substituent nature on rotor characteristics have been observed
      and discussed. Minor changes in the nature of 8-substituent does not influence
      the spectral properties, but the presence of nitrogen donor atom in the phenyl
      substituent could be used for the sensing of the donor-acceptor interactions with
      solvent or dissolved compounds. The new approach of spectral properties
      correlation with solvent parameters was proposed, the viscosity parameter should
      be taken into account in case of BODIPYs with bulky substituents. The intensity
      of fluorescence molecular rotor properties decrease gradually with the viscosity
      increase above 1 cP.

PMID- 26280107
TI  - Identification of cardiac stem cells within mature cardiac myocytes.
AB  - Cardiac stem cells are described in a number of mammalian species including
      humans. Cardiac stem cell clusters consisting of both lineage-negative and
      partially committed cells are generally identified between contracting cardiac
      myocytes. In the present study, c-kit(+), Sca(+), and Isl1(+) stem cells were
      revealed to be located inside the sarcoplasm of cardiac myocytes in myocardial
      cell cultures derived from newborn, 20-, and 40-day-old rats. Intracellularly
      localized cardiac stem cells had a coating or capsule with a few pores that
      opened into the host cell sarcoplasm. The similar structures were also identified
      in the suspension of freshly isolated myocardial cells (ex vivo) of 20- and 40
      day-old rats. The results from this study provide direct evidence for the
      replicative division of encapsulated stem cells, followed by their partial
      cardiomyogenic differentiation. The latter is substantiated by the release of
      multiple transient amplifying cells following the capsule rupture. In conclusion,
      functional cardiac stem cells can reside not only exterior to but also within
      cardiomyocytes. 

PMID- 26280102
TI  - Comparison of Visual and Quantitative Florbetapir F 18 Positron Emission
      Tomography Analysis in Predicting Mild Cognitive Impairment Outcomes.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: The applicability of beta-amyloid peptide (Abeta) positron emission
      tomography (PET) as a biomarker in clinical settings to aid in selection of
      individuals at preclinical and prodromal Alzheimer disease (AD) will depend on
      the practicality of PET image analysis. In this context, visual-based Abeta PET
      assessment seems to be the most feasible approach. OBJECTIVES: To determine the
      agreement between visual and quantitative Abeta PET analysis and to assess the
      ability of both techniques to predict conversion from mild cognitive impairment
      (MCI) to AD. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A longitudinal study was
      conducted among the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) sites in
      the United States and Canada during a 1.6-year mean follow-up period. The study
      was performed from September 21, 2010, to August 11, 2014; data analysis was
      conducted from September 21, 2014, to May 26, 2015. Participants included 401
      individuals with MCI receiving care at a specialty clinic (219 [54.6%] men; mean
      [SD] age, 71.6 [7.5] years; 16.2 [2.7] years of education). All participants were
      studied with florbetapir F 18 [18F] PET. The standardized uptake value ratio
      (SUVR) positivity threshold was 1.11, and one reader rated all images, with a
      subset of 125 scans rated by a second reader. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES:
      Sensitivity and specificity of positive and negative [18F] florbetapir PET
      categorization, which was estimated with cerebrospinal fluid Abeta1-42 as the
      reference standard. Risk for conversion to AD was assessed using Cox proportional
      hazards regression models. RESULTS: The frequency of Abeta positivity was 48.9%
      (196 patients; visual analysis), 55.1% (221 patients; SUVR), and 64.8% (166
      patients; cerebrospinal fluid), yielding substantial agreement between visual and
      SUVR data (kappa = 0.74) and between all methods (Fleiss kappa = 0.71). For
      approximately 10% of the 401 participants in whom visual and SUVR data disagreed,
      interrater reliability was moderate (kappa = 0.44), but it was very high if
      visual and quantitative results agreed (kappa = 0.92). Visual analysis had a
      lower sensitivity (79% vs 85%) but higher specificity (96% vs 90%), respectively,
      compared with SUVR. The conversion rate was 15.2% within a mean of 1.6 years, and
      a positive [18F] florbetapir baseline scan was associated with a 6.91-fold (SUVR)
      or 11.38-fold (visual) greater hazard for AD conversion, which changed only
      modestly after covariate adjustment for apolipoprotein epsilon4, concurrent
      fludeoxyglucose F 18 PET scan, and baseline cognitive status. CONCLUSIONS AND
      RELEVANCE: Visual and SUVR Abeta PET analysis may be equivalently used to
      determine Abeta status for individuals with MCI participating in clinical trials,
      and both approaches add significant value for clinical course prognostication.

PMID- 26280108
TI  - Cross-Contamination of Residual Emerging Contaminants and Antibiotic Resistant
      Bacteria in Lettuce Crops and Soil Irrigated with Wastewater Treated by
      Sunlight/H2O2.
AB  - The sunlight/H2O2 process has recently been considered as a sustainable
      alternative option compared to other solar driven advanced oxidation processes
      (AOPs) in advanced treatment of municipal wastewater (WW) to be reused for crop
      irrigation. Accordingly, in this study sunlight/H2O2 was used as
      disinfection/oxidation treatment for urban WW treatment plant effluent in a
      compound parabolic collector photoreactor to assess subsequent cross
      contamination of lettuce and soil by contaminants of emerging concern (CECs)
      (determined by QuEChERS extraction and LC-QqLIT-MS/MS analysis) and antibiotic
      resistant (AR) bacteria after irrigation with treated WW. Three CECs
      (carbamazepine (CBZ), flumequine (FLU), and thiabendazole (TBZ) at 100 MUg L(-1))
      and two AR bacterial strains (E. coli and E. faecalis, at 10(5) CFU mL(-1)) were
      spiked in real WW. A detection limit (DL) of 2 CFU mL(-1) was reached after 120
      min of solar exposure for AR E. coli, while AR E. faecalis was more resistant to
      the disinfection process (240 min to reach DL). CBZ and TBZ were poorly removed
      after 90 min (12% and 50%, respectively) compared to FLU (94%). Lettuce was
      irrigated with treated WW for 5 weeks. CBZ and TBZ were accumulated in soil up to
      472 ng g(-1) and 256 ng g(-1) and up-taken by lettuce up to 109 and 18 ng g(-1),
      respectively, when 90 min treated WW was used for irrigation; whereas no bacteria
      contamination was observed when the bacterial density in treated WW was below the
      DL. A proper treatment time (>90 min) should be guaranteed in order to avoid the
      transfer of pathogens from disinfected WW to irrigated crops and soil. 

PMID- 26280109
TI  - Quantitative Targeted Proteomics of Pancreatic Cancer: Deoxycytidine Kinase
      Protein Level Correlates to Progression-Free Survival of Patients Receiving
      Gemcitabine Treatment.
AB  - The purpose of the present study is to identify the determinant(s) of gemcitabine
      (dFdC)-sensitivity in pancreatic cancer tissues of patients treated with dFdC
      alone and in pancreatic cancer cell lines exposed to dFdC in vitro. Protein
      expression levels of 12 enzymes and 13 transporters potentially involved in
      transport and metabolism of dFdC in pancreatic cancer cell lines and tissues were
      quantified by means of our LC-MS/MS-based quantitative targeted proteomics
      technology. Protein expression levels of deoxycytidine kinase (dCK), uridine
      monophosphate-cytidine monophosphate (UMP-CMP) kinase, cytosolic nucleotidase III
      (cN-III), and equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (ENT1) were significantly
      correlated with IC50 or 1/IC50 in five cell lines with different sensitivities to
      dFdC (p < 0.05). Expression levels of the selected proteins in pancreatic cancer
      tissues of 10 patients with different progression-free survival (PFS) (49-955
      days) were quantified, and their relationship with PFS was examined. Only the
      protein expression level of dCK was significantly correlated with PFS (p < 0.05).
      Multiple regression analysis was also performed, and combinations of ENT1, UMP
      CMP kinase, CTPS1, and dCK were highly correlated with PFS. Our results indicate
      that the protein expression level of dCK in pancreatic cancer tissue is a good
      predictor of PFS, and thus dCK may be the best biomarker of dFdC sensitivity in
      pancreatic cancer patients treated with dFdC, although other proteins would also
      contribute to dFdC-sensitivity at the cellular level in vivo and in vitro. 

PMID- 26280111
TI  - Severe developmental delay and complete agenesis of corpus callosum in a Noonan
      syndrome patient with SOS1 mutation.

PMID- 26280110
TI  - Effects of Statin Treatment on Inflammation and Cardiac Function in Heart
      Failure: An Adjusted Indirect Comparison Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Statins are known to prevent heart failure (HF). However, it is
      unclear whether statins as class or type (lipophilic or hydrophilic) improve
      outcomes of established HF. AIMS: The current meta-analysis was performed to
      compare the treatment effects of lipophilic and hydrophilic statins on
      inflammation and cardiac function in HF. Outcomes were indicators of cardiac
      function [changes in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and B-type
      natriuretic peptide (BNP)] and inflammation [changes in highly sensitive C
      reactive protein (hsCRP) and interluekin-6 (IL-6)]. METHOD: We conducted a search
      of PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane databases until December 31, 2014 for
      randomized control trials (RCTs) of statin versus placebo in patients with HF.
      RCTs with their respective extracted information were dichotomized into statin
      type evaluated and analyzed separately. Outcomes were pooled with random effect
      approach, producing standardized mean differences (SMD) for each statin type.
      Using these pooled estimates, we performed adjusted indirect comparisons for each
      outcome. RESULTS: Data from 6214 patients from 19 trials were analyzed.
      Lipophilic statin was superior to hydrophilic statin treatment regarding follow
      up LVEF (SMD, 4.54; 95% CI, 4.16-4.91; P < 0.001), BNP (SMD, -1.60; 95% CI, -2.56
      to -0.65; P < 0.001), hsCRP (SMD, -1.13; 95% CI, -1.54 to -0.72; P < 0.001), and
      IL-6 (SMD, -3.75; 95% CI, -4.77 to -0.72; P < 0.001) in HF. CONCLUSIONS:
      Lipophilic statin produces greater treatment effects on cardiac function and
      inflammation compared with hydrophilic statin in patients with HF. Until data
      from adequately powered head-to-head trial of the statin types are available, our
      meta-analysis brings clinicians and researchers a step closer to the quest on
      which statin--lipophilic or hydrophilic--is associated with better outcomes in
      HF.

PMID- 26280116
TI  - Deep Brain Stimulation of Heschl Gyrus: Implantation Technique, Intraoperative
      Localization, and Effects of Stimulation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tinnitus is a source of considerable morbidity, and neuromodulation
      has been shown to be a potential treatment option. However, the location of the
      primary auditory cortex within Heschl gyrus in the temporal operculum presents
      challenges for targeting and electrode implantation. OBJECTIVE: To determine
      whether anatomic targeting with intraoperative verification using evoked
      potentials can be used to implant electrodes directly into the Heschl gyrus (HG).
      METHODS: Nine patients undergoing stereo-electroencephalogram evaluation for
      epilepsy were enrolled. HG was directly targeted on volumetric magnetic resonance
      imaging, and framed stereotaxy was used to implant an electrode parallel to the
      axis of the gyrus by using an oblique anterolateral-posteromedial trajectory.
      Intraoperative evoked potentials from auditory stimuli were recorded from
      multiple electrode contacts. Postoperatively, stimulation of each electrode was
      performed and participants were asked to describe the percept. Audiometric
      analysis was performed for 2 participants during subthreshold stimulation.
      RESULTS: Sounds presented to the contralateral and ipsilateral ears produced
      evoked potentials in HG electrodes in all participants intraoperatively.
      Stimulation produced a reproducible sensation of sound in all participants with
      perceived volume proportional to amplitude. Four participants reported distinct
      sounds when different electrodes were stimulated, with more medial contacts
      producing tones perceived as higher in pitch. Stimulation was not associated with
      adverse audiometric effects. There were no complications of electrode
      implantation. CONCLUSION: Direct anatomic targeting with physiological
      verification can be used to implant electrodes directly into primary auditory
      cortex. If deep brain stimulation proves effective for intractable tinnitus, this
      technique may be useful to assist with electrode implantation. ABBREVIATIONS:
      DBS, deep brain stimulatorEEG, electroencephalographyHG, Heschl gyrus.

PMID- 26280118
TI  - CUR-65 Score for Community-Acquired Pneumonia Predicted Mortality Better Than
      CURB-65 Score in Low-Mortality Rate Settings.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It is not clear whether low-blood pressure criterion could be removed
      from CURB-65 (confusion, urea >7 mmol/L, respiratory rate >=30/min, low blood
      pressure and age >=65 years) score to orchestrate an improvement in identifying
      patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in low-mortality rate settings.
      METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of 1,230 CAP patients was performed to
      simplify the CURB-65 scoring system by excluding low-blood pressure variable. The
      simplification was validated in a prospective 2-center cohort of 1,409 adults
      with CAP. RESULTS: The hospital mortalities were 1.3% and 3.8% in the
      retrospective and prospective cohorts, respectively. The mortality rates in the 2
      cohorts increased directly with the increasing scores, showing significant
      increased odds ratios for mortality. The pattern of sensitivity, specificity,
      positive predictive value and Youden's index of a CUR-65 (Confusion, Urea >7
      mmol/L, Respiratory rate >=30/min and age >=65 years) score of >=2 for prediction
      of mortality was better than that of a CURB-65 score of >=3 in the retrospective
      cohort. Higher values of corresponding indices were confirmed in the validation
      cohort. The higher accuracy of CUR-65 score for predicting mortality was
      illustrated by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of
      0.937, compared with 0.915 for CURB-65 score in the retrospective cohort (P =
      0.0073). The validation cohort confirmed a similar paradigm (0.953 versus 0.907,
      P = 0.0002). CONCLUSIONS: CURB-65 score could be simplified by removing low blood
      pressure to orchestrate an improvement in predicting mortality in CAP patients
      who have a low risk of death. A CUR-65 score of >=2 might be a more valuable
      cutoff value for severe CAP.

PMID- 26280117
TI  - Elevated Baseline C-Reactive Protein as a Predictor of Outcome After Aneurysmal
      Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Data From the Simvastatin in Aneurysmal Subarachnoid
      Hemorrhage (STASH) Trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There remains a proportion of patients with unfavorable outcomes
      after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, of particular relevance in those who
      present with a good clinical grade. A forewarning of those at risk provides an
      opportunity towards more intensive monitoring, investigation, and prophylactic
      treatment prior to the clinical manifestation of advancing cerebral injury.
      OBJECTIVE: To assess whether biochemical markers sampled in the first days after
      the initial hemorrhage can predict poor outcome. METHODS: All patients recruited
      to the multicenter Simvastatin in Aneurysmal Hemorrhage Trial (STASH) were
      included. Baseline biochemical profiles were taken between time of ictus and day
      4 post ictus. The t-test compared outcomes, and a backwards stepwise binary
      logistic regression was used to determine the factors providing independent
      prediction of an unfavorable outcome. RESULTS: Baseline biochemical data were
      obtained in approximately 91% of cases from 803 patients. On admission, 73% of
      patients were good grade (World Federation of Neurological Surgeons grades 1 or
      2); however, 84% had a Fisher grade 3 or 4 on computed tomographic scan. For
      patients presenting with good grade on admission, higher levels of C-reactive
      protein, glucose, and white blood cells and lower levels of hematocrit, albumin,
      and hemoglobin were associated with poor outcome at discharge. C-reactive protein
      was found to be an independent predictor of outcome for patients presenting in
      good grade. CONCLUSION: Early recording of C-reactive protein may prove useful in
      detecting those good grade patients who are at greater risk of clinical
      deterioration and poor outcome.

PMID- 26280119
TI  - Glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor-related protein co
      stimulation facilitates tumor regression by inducing IL-9-producing helper T
      cells.
AB  - T cell stimulation via glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor
      (TNFR)-related protein (GITR) elicits antitumor activity in various tumor models;
      however, the underlying mechanism of action remains unclear. Here we demonstrate
      a crucial role for interleukin (IL)-9 in antitumor immunity generated by the GITR
      agonistic antibody DTA-1. IL-4 receptor knockout (Il4ra(-/-)) mice, which have
      reduced expression of IL-9, were resistant to tumor growth inhibition by DTA-1.
      Notably, neutralization of IL-9 considerably impaired tumor rejection induced by
      DTA-1. In particular, DTA-1-induced IL-9 promoted tumor-specific cytotoxic T
      lymphocyte (CTL) responses by enhancing the function of dendritic cells in vivo.
      Furthermore, GITR signaling enhanced the differentiation of IL-9-producing CD4(+)
      T-helper (TH9) cells in a TNFR-associated factor 6 (TRAF6)- and NF-kappaB
      dependent manner and inhibited the generation of induced regulatory T cells in
      vitro. Our findings demonstrate that GITR co-stimulation mediates antitumor
      immunity by promoting TH9 cell differentiation and enhancing CTL responses and
      thus provide a mechanism of action for GITR agonist-mediated cancer
      immunotherapies. 

PMID- 26280120
TI  - In vivo imaging and tracking of host-microbiota interactions via metabolic
      labeling of gut anaerobic bacteria.
AB  - The intestine is densely populated by anaerobic commensal bacteria. These
      microorganisms shape immune system development, but understanding of host
      commensal interactions is hampered by a lack of tools for studying the anaerobic
      intestinal environment. We applied metabolic oligosaccharide engineering and
      bioorthogonal click chemistry to label various commensal anaerobes, including
      Bacteroides fragilis, a common and immunologically important commensal. We
      studied the dissemination of B. fragilis after acute peritonitis and
      characterized the interactions of the intact microbe and its polysaccharide
      components in myeloid and B cell lineages. We were able to assess the
      distribution and colonization of labeled B. fragilis along the intestine, as well
      as niche competition after coadministration of multiple species of the
      microbiota. We also fluorescently labeled nine additional commensals (eight
      anaerobic and one microaerophilic) from three phyla common in the gut-
      Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes and Proteobacteria--as well as one aerobic pathogen
      (Staphylococcus aureus). This strategy permits visualization of the anaerobic
      microbial niche by various methods, including intravital two-photon microscopy
      and non-invasive whole-body imaging, and can be used to study microbial
      colonization and host-microbe interactions in real time.

PMID- 26280123
TI  - A brief psychological intervention to protect subjective well-being in a
      community sample.
AB  - PURPOSE: Governments are using measures of subjective well-being in preference to
      more objective measures of social progress (e.g., gross domestic product), yet
      interventions to address well-being are often costly. The present study tests the
      ability of a brief psychological intervention based on self-affirmation theory
      (Steele in Advances in experimental social psychology, Academic Press, New York,
      1988) to protect subjective well-being among a community sample likely to have
      diminished well-being (i.e., women aged 46 years and older, Inglehart in Int J
      Comp Sociol 43: 391-408, 2002. doi: 10.1177/002071520204300309). METHODS: One
      hundred and forty women aged 46 years and older completed baseline measures of
      subjective well-being, interpersonal feelings and self-esteem at baseline before
      being randomized to a self-affirmation or control group. Subjective well-being,
      interpersonal feelings and self-esteem were assessed again at follow-up. RESULTS:
      Results showed that, controlling for baseline subjective well-being, the well
      being of women who had self-affirmed was significantly higher at follow-up than
      those in the control condition. Affirming the self did not significantly
      influence interpersonal feelings or self-esteem, compared with the control
      condition. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that a low-cost brief psychological
      intervention based on self-affirmation theory, with potentially large public
      health "reach," could be used to protect subjective well-being-a key aim of
      government policies.

PMID- 26280124
TI  - The economic case for low carbon waste management in rapidly growing cities in
      the developing world: The case of Palembang, Indonesia.
AB  - The provision of appropriate waste management is not only an indicator of
      development but also of broader sustainability. This is particularly relevant to
      expanding cities in developing countries faced with rising waste generation and
      associated environmental health problems. Despite these urgent issues, city
      authorities often lack the evidence required to make well-informed decisions.
      This study evaluates the carbon and economic performance of low-carbon measures
      in the waste sector at a city level, within the context of a developing country.
      Palembang in Indonesia is used as a case of a medium-sized city in a newly
      industrialized country, with relevance to other similar cities in the developing
      world. Evidence suggests that the waste sector can achieve substantial carbon
      emission reductions, and become a carbon sink, in a cost effective way. Hence
      there is an economic case for a low carbon development path for Palembang, and
      possibly for other cities in developing and developed countries facing similar
      challenges. 

PMID- 26280121
TI  - Tumor necrosis factor-alpha confers cardioprotection through ectopic expression
      of keratins K8 and K18.
AB  - Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), one of the major stress-induced
      proinflammatory cytokines, is upregulated in the heart after tissue injury, and
      its sustained expression can contribute to the development of heart failure.
      Whether TNF-alpha also exerts cytoprotective effects in heart failure is not
      known. Here we provide evidence for a cardioprotective function of TNF-alpha in a
      genetic heart failure model, desmin-deficient mice. The cardioprotective effects
      of TNF-alpha are a consequence of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB)-mediated
      ectopic expression in cardiomyocytes of keratin 8 (K8) and keratin 18 (K18), two
      epithelial-specific intermediate filament proteins. In cardiomyocytes, K8 and K18
      (K8/K18) formed an alternative cytoskeletal network that localized mainly at
      intercalated discs (IDs) and conferred cardioprotection by maintaining normal ID
      structure and mitochondrial integrity and function. Ectopic induction of K8/K18
      expression in cardiomyocytes also occurred in other genetic and experimental
      models of heart failure. Loss of the K8/K18 network resulted in a maladaptive
      cardiac phenotype following transverse aortic constriction. In human failing
      myocardium, where TNF-alpha expression is upregulated, K8/K18 were also
      ectopically expressed and localized primarily at IDs, which did not contain
      detectable amounts of desmin. Thus, TNF-alpha- and NF-kappaB-mediated formation
      of an alternative, stress-induced intermediate filament cytoskeleton has
      cardioprotective function in mice and potentially in humans. 

PMID- 26280125
TI  - A universal calibrated model for the evaluation of surface water and groundwater
      quality: Model development and a case study in China.
AB  - Water quality evaluation is an important issue in environmental management.
      Various methods have been used to evaluate the quality of surface water and
      groundwater. However, all previous studies have used different evaluation models
      for surface water and groundwater, and the models must be recalibrated due to
      changes in monitoring indicators in each evaluation. Water quality managers would
      benefit from a universal and effective model based on a simple expression that
      would be suitable for all cases of surface water and groundwater, and which could
      therefore serve as a standard method for a region or country. To meet this
      requirement, we attempted to develop a universal calibrated model based on the
      radial basis function neural network. In the new model, the units and values of
      the evaluation indicators for surface water and groundwater are normalized
      simultaneously to make the data directly comparable. The model's training inputs
      comprise the normalized value in each of a water quality indicator's grades
      (e.g., the nitrate contents defined in a regulatory standard for grades I to V)
      for all evaluation indicators. The central vector of the Gaussian function is
      used as the average of the evaluation indicators' normalized standard values for
      the five grades. The final calibrated model is expressed as an equation rather
      than in a programming language, and is therefore easier to use. We used the model
      in a Chinese case study, and found that the model was feasible (it compared well
      with the results of other models) and simple to use for the evaluation of surface
      water and groundwater quality. 

PMID- 26280122
TI  - APP intracellular domain-WAVE1 pathway reduces amyloid-beta production.
AB  - An increase in amyloid-beta (Abeta) production is a major pathogenic mechanism
      associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD), but little is known about possible
      homeostatic control of the amyloidogenic pathway. Here we report that the amyloid
      precursor protein (APP) intracellular domain (AICD) downregulates Wiskott-Aldrich
      syndrome protein (WASP)-family verprolin homologous protein 1 (WAVE1 or WASF1) as
      part of a negative feedback mechanism to limit Abeta production. The AICD binds
      to the Wasf1 promoter, negatively regulates its transcription and downregulates
      Wasf1 mRNA and protein expression in Neuro 2a (N2a) cells. WAVE1 interacts and
      colocalizes with APP in the Golgi apparatus. Experimentally reducing WAVE1 in N2a
      cells decreased the budding of APP-containing vesicles and reduced cell-surface
      APP, thereby reducing the production of Abeta. WAVE1 downregulation was observed
      in mouse models of AD. Reduction of Wasf1 gene expression dramatically reduced
      Abeta levels and restored memory deficits in a mouse model of AD. A decrease in
      amounts of WASF1 mRNA was also observed in human AD brains, suggesting clinical
      relevance of the negative feedback circuit involved in homeostatic regulation of
      Abeta production. 

PMID- 26280126
TI  - CT of gastro-duodenal obstruction.
AB  - Gastro-duodenal obstruction encompasses a spectrum of benign and malignant
      disease. Historically, chronic peptic ulcer disease was the main cause of gastro
      duodenal obstruction, whereas now malignant cause with gastric carcinomas for
      gastric obstruction and pancreatic tumors for duodenal obstruction predominate.
      This paper reviews the role of CT in diagnosing gastro-duodenal obstruction, its
      level, its cause by identifying intraluminal, parietal, or extrinsic process, and
      the presence of complication. 

PMID- 26280127
TI  - Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: correlation between histogram analysis of
      apparent diffusion coefficient maps and tumor grade.
AB  - PURPOSE: To explore the role of histogram analysis of apparent diffusion
      coefficient (ADC) MRI maps based on entire tumor volume data in determining
      pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (PNT) grade. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Retrospective
      evaluation of 22 patients with PNTs included low-grade (G1; n = 15), intermediate
      grade (G2; n = 4), and high-grade (G3; n = 3) tumors. Regions of interest
      containing the lesion were drawn on every section of the ADC map containing the
      tumor and summated to obtain histograms for entire tumor volume. Calculated
      histographic parameters included mean ADC (mADC), 5th percentile ADC, 10th
      percentile ADC, 25th percentile ADC, 50th percentile ADC, 75th percentile ADC
      (ADC75), 90th percentile ADC (ADC90) and 95th percentile ADC (ADC95), skewness
      and kurtosis. Histogram parameters were correlated with tumor grade by repeated
      measures analysis of variance with Tukey-Kramer post hoc comparisons. RESULTS:
      The mADC, ADC75, ADC90, and ADC95 were significantly higher in G1 tumors (1283 +/
      267; 1404 +/- 300; 1495 +/- 318; 1562 +/- 347 * 10(-6) mm(2)/s) compared to G2
      (892 +/- 390; 952 +/- 381; 1036 +/- 384; 1072 +/- 374 * 10(-6) mm(2)/s) and to G3
      tumors (733 +/- 225; 864 +/- 284; 1008 +/- 288; 1152 +/- 192 * 10(-6) mm(2)/s) (p
      value <0.05). Skewness and kurtosis were significantly different between G1
      (0.041 +/- 0.466; 2.802 +/- 0.679) and G3 (1.01 +/- 1.140; 5.963 +/- 4.008)
      tumors (p value <0.05). Tumor volume (mL) was significantly higher on G3 (55 +/-
      15.7) compared to G1 (1.9 +/- 2.7) and G2 (4.5 +/- 3.6) tumors (p value <0.05).
      In this small sample size, we did not detect statistically significant parameters
      between G2 (n = 4) and G3 (n = 3) tumors. CONCLUSIONS: Histographic analysis of
      ADC maps on the basis of the entire tumor volume can be useful in differentiating
      histologic grades of PNTs.

PMID- 26280128
TI  - Diets Containing alpha-Linolenic (omega3) or Oleic (omega9) Fatty Acids Rescues
      Obese Mice From Insulin Resistance.
AB  - Subclinical systemic inflammation is a hallmark of obesity and insulin
      resistance. The results obtained from a number of experimental studies suggest
      that targeting different components of the inflammatory machinery may result in
      the improvement of the metabolic phenotype. Unsaturated fatty acids exert
      antiinflammatory activity through several distinct mechanisms. Here, we tested
      the capacity of omega3 and omega9 fatty acids, directly from their food matrix,
      to exert antiinflammatory activity through the G protein-coupled receptor
      (GPR)120 and GPR40 pathways. GPR120 was activated in liver, skeletal muscle, and
      adipose tissues, reverting inflammation and insulin resistance in obese mice.
      Part of this action was also mediated by GPR40 on muscle, as a novel mechanism
      described. Pair-feeding and immunoneutralization experiments reinforced the
      pivotal role of GPR120 as a mediator in the response to the nutrients. The
      improvement in insulin sensitivity in the high-fat substituted diets was
      associated with a marked reduction in tissue inflammation, decreased macrophage
      infiltration, and increased IL-10 levels. Furthermore, improved glucose
      homeostasis was accompanied by the reduced expression of hepatic gluconeogenic
      enzymes and reduced body mass. Thus, our data indicate that GPR120 and GPR40 play
      a critical role as mediators of the beneficial effects of dietary unsaturated
      fatty acids in the context of obesity-induced insulin resistance. 

PMID- 26280129
TI  - Bile Acids Trigger GLP-1 Release Predominantly by Accessing Basolaterally Located
      G Protein-Coupled Bile Acid Receptors.
AB  - Bile acids are well-recognized stimuli of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)
      secretion. This action has been attributed to activation of the G protein-coupled
      bile acid receptor GPBAR1 (TGR5), although other potential bile acid sensors
      include the nuclear farnesoid receptor and the apical sodium-coupled bile acid
      transporter ASBT. The aim of this study was to identify pathways important for
      GLP-1 release and to determine whether bile acids target their receptors on GLP-1
      secreting L-cells from the apical or basolateral compartment. Using transgenic
      mice expressing fluorescent sensors specifically in L-cells, we observed that
      taurodeoxycholate (TDCA) and taurolithocholate (TLCA) increased intracellular
      cAMP and Ca(2+). In primary intestinal cultures, TDCA was a more potent GLP-1
      secretagogue than taurocholate (TCA) and TLCA, correlating with a stronger Ca(2+)
      response to TDCA. Using small-volume Ussing chambers optimized for measuring GLP
      1 secretion, we found that both a GPBAR1 agonist and TDCA stimulated GLP-1
      release better when applied from the basolateral than from the luminal direction
      and that luminal TDCA was ineffective when intestinal tissue was pretreated with
      an ASBT inhibitor. ASBT inhibition had no significant effect in nonpolarized
      primary cultures. Studies in the perfused rat gut confirmed that vascularly
      administered TDCA was more effective than luminal TDCA. Intestinal primary
      cultures and Ussing chamber-mounted tissues from GPBAR1-knockout mice did not
      secrete GLP-1 in response to either TLCA or TDCA. We conclude that the action of
      bile acids on GLP-1 secretion is predominantly mediated by GPBAR1 located on the
      basolateral L-cell membrane, suggesting that stimulation of gut hormone secretion
      may include postabsorptive mechanisms. 

PMID- 26280130
TI  - Protective Hematopoietic Effect of Estrogens in a Mouse Model of Thrombosis:
      Respective Roles of Nuclear Versus Membrane Estrogen Receptor alpha.
AB  - We recently reported that chronic 17beta-estradiol (E2) treatment in mice
      decreases platelet responsiveness, prolongs the tail-bleeding time and protects
      against acute thromboembolism via the hematopoietic estrogen receptor alpha
      (ERalpha), and independently of ERbeta. Here, we have explored the respective
      roles of membrane vs nuclear actions of ERalpha in this process, using: 1) the
      selective activator of membrane ERalpha: estrogen dendrimer conjugate, and 2)
      mouse models with mutations in ERalpha. The selective targeting of activation
      function 2 of ERalpha provides a model of nuclear ERalpha loss-of-function,
      whereas mutation of the ERalpha palmitoylation site leads to a model of membrane
      ERalpha deficiency. The combination of pharmacological and genetic approaches
      including hematopoietic chimera mice demonstrated that absence of either membrane
      or nuclear ERalpha activation in bone marrow does not prevent the prolongation of
      the tail-bleeding time, suggesting a redundancy of these two functions for this
      E2 effect. In addition, although hematopoietic membrane ERalpha is neither
      sufficient nor necessary to protect E2-treated mice from collagen/epinephrine
      induced thromboembolism, the protection against death-induced thromboembolism is
      significantly reduced in the absence of hematopoietic nuclear ERalpha activation.
      Overall, this study emphasizes that hematopoietic cells (likely megakaryocytes
      and possibly immune cells) constitute an important target in the antithrombotic
      effects of estrogens, and delineate for the first time in vivo the respective
      roles of membrane vs nuclear ERalpha effects, with a prominent role of the
      latter. 

PMID- 26280131
TI  - Bioinspired Nonheme Iron Catalysts for C-H and C?C Bond Oxidation: Insights into
      the Nature of the Metal-Based Oxidants.
AB  - Recent efforts to design synthetic iron catalysts for the selective and efficient
      oxidation of C-H and C?C bonds have been inspired by a versatile family of
      nonheme iron oxygenases. These bioinspired nonheme (N4)Fe(II) catalysts use H2O2
      to oxidize substrates with high regio- and stereoselectivity, unlike in Fenton
      chemistry where highly reactive but unselective hydroxyl radicals are produced.
      In this Account, we highlight our efforts to shed light on the nature of
      metastable peroxo intermediates, which we have trapped at -40  degrees C, in the
      reactions of the iron catalyst with H2O2 under various conditions and the high
      valent species derived therefrom. Under the reaction conditions that originally
      led to the discovery of this family of catalysts, we have characterized
      spectroscopically an Fe(III)-OOH intermediate (EPR g(max) = 2.19) that leads to
      the hydroxylation of substrate C-H bonds or the epoxidation and cis
      dihydroxylation of C?C bonds. Surprisingly, these organic products show
      incorporation of (18)O from H2(18)O, thereby excluding the possibility of a
      direct attack of the Fe(III)-OOH intermediate on the substrate. Instead, a water
      assisted mechanism is implicated in which water binding to the iron(III) center
      at a site adjacent to the hydroperoxo ligand promotes heterolytic cleavage of the
      O-O bond to generate an Fe(V)(O)(OH) oxidant. This mechanism is supported by
      recent kinetic studies showing that the Fe(III)-OOH intermediate undergoes
      exponential decay at a rate enhanced by the addition of water and retarded by
      replacement of H2O with D2O, as well as mass spectral evidence for the
      Fe(V)(O)(OH) species obtained by the Costas group. The nature of the peroxo
      intermediate changes significantly when the reactions are carried out in the
      presence of carboxylic acids. Under these conditions, spectroscopic studies
      support the formation of a (kappa(2)-acylperoxo)iron(III) species (EPR g(max) =
      2.58) that decays at -40  degrees C in the absence of substrate to form an
      oxoiron(IV) byproduct, along with a carboxyl radical that readily loses CO2. The
      alkyl radical thus formed either reacts with O2 to form benzaldehyde (as in the
      case of PhCH2COOH) or rebounds with the incipient Fe(IV)(O) moiety to form phenol
      (as in the case of C6F5COOH). Substrate addition leads to its 2-e(-) oxidation
      and inhibits these side reactions. The emerging mechanistic picture, supported by
      DFT calculations of Wang and Shaik, describes a rather flat reaction landscape in
      which the (kappa(2)-acylperoxo)iron(III) intermediate undergoes O-O bond
      homolysis reversibly to form an Fe(IV)(O)((*)OC(O)R) species that decays to
      Fe(IV)(O) and RCO2(*) or isomerizes to its Fe(V)(O)(O2CR) electromer, which
      effects substrate oxidation. Another short-lived S = 1/2 species just discovered
      by Talsi that has much less g-anisotropy (EPR g(max) = 2.07) may represent either
      of these postulated high-valent intermediates.

PMID- 26280133
TI  - Plastic responses in the metabolome and functional traits of maize plants to
      temperature variations.
AB  - Environmentally inducible phenotypic plasticity is a major player in plant
      responses to climate change. However, metabolic responses and their role in
      determining the phenotypic plasticity of plants that are subjected to temperature
      variations remain poorly understood. The metabolomic profiles and metabolite
      levels in the leaves of three maize inbred lines grown in different temperature
      conditions were examined with a nuclear magnetic resonance metabolomic technique.
      The relationship of functional traits to metabolome profiles and the metabolic
      mechanism underlying temperature variations were then explored. A comparative
      analysis showed that during heat and cold stress, maize plants shared common
      plastic responses in biomass accumulation, carbon, nitrogen, sugars, some amino
      acids and compatible solutes. We also found that the plastic response of maize
      plants to heat stress was different from that under cold stress, mainly involving
      biomass allocation, shikimate and its aromatic amino acid derivatives, and other
      non-polar metabolites. The plastic responsiveness of functional traits of maize
      lines to temperature variations was low, while the metabolic responsiveness in
      plasticity was high, indicating that functional and metabolic plasticity may play
      different roles in maize plant adaptation to temperature variations. A linear
      regression analysis revealed that the maize lines could adapt to growth
      temperature variations through the interrelation of plastic responses in the
      metabolomes and functional traits, such as biomass allocation and the status of
      carbon and nitrogen. We provide valuable insight into the plastic response
      strategy of maize plants to temperature variations that will permit the
      optimisation of crop cultivation in an increasingly variable environment. 

PMID- 26280132
TI  - Health, work and working conditions: a review of the European economic
      literature.
AB  - Economists have traditionally been very cautious when studying the interaction
      between employment and health because of the two-way causal relationship between
      these two variables: health status influences the probability of being employed
      and, at the same time, working affects the health status. Because these two
      variables are determined simultaneously, researchers control endogeneity skews
      (e.g., reverse causality, omitted variables) when conducting empirical analysis.
      With these caveats in mind, the literature finds that a favourable work
      environment and high job security lead to better health conditions. Being
      employed with appropriate working conditions plays a protective role on physical
      health and psychiatric disorders. By contrast, non-employment and retirement are
      generally worse for mental health than employment, and overemployment has a
      negative effect on health. These findings stress the importance of employment and
      of adequate working conditions for the health of workers. In this context, it is
      a concern that a significant proportion of European workers (29 %) would like to
      work fewer hours because unwanted long hours are likely to signal a poor level of
      job satisfaction and inadequate working conditions, with detrimental effects on
      health. Thus, in Europe, labour-market policy has increasingly paid attention to
      job sustainability and job satisfaction. The literature clearly invites employers
      to take better account of the worker preferences when setting the number of hours
      worked. Overall, a specific "flexicurity" (combination of high employment
      protection, job satisfaction and active labour-market policies) is likely to have
      a positive effect on health. 

PMID- 26280134
TI  - Autistic Traits Moderate the Impact of Reward Learning on Social Behaviour.
AB  - A deficit in empathy has been suggested to underlie social behavioural
      atypicalities in autism. A parallel theoretical account proposes that reduced
      social motivation (i.e., low responsivity to social rewards) can account for the
      said atypicalities. Recent evidence suggests that autistic traits modulate the
      link between reward and proxy metrics related to empathy. Using an evaluative
      conditioning paradigm to associate high and low rewards with faces, a previous
      study has shown that individuals high in autistic traits show reduced spontaneous
      facial mimicry of faces associated with high vs. low reward. This observation
      raises the possibility that autistic traits modulate the magnitude of evaluative
      conditioning. To test this, we investigated (a) if autistic traits could modulate
      the ability to implicitly associate a reward value to a social stimulus (reward
      learning/conditioning, using the Implicit Association Task, IAT); (b) if the
      learned association could modulate participants' prosocial behaviour (i.e.,
      social reciprocity, measured using the cyberball task); (c) if the strength of
      this modulation was influenced by autistic traits. In 43 neurotypical
      participants, we found that autistic traits moderated the relationship of social
      reward learning on prosocial behaviour but not reward learning itself. This
      evidence suggests that while autistic traits do not directly influence social
      reward learning, they modulate the relationship of social rewards with prosocial
      behaviour.

PMID- 26280136
TI  - Fluoride: The Family Physician's Role.

PMID- 26280137
TI  - Primary Care Physicians Are More Likely to Participate in Medicare EHR Incentives
      than Other Eligible Physicians.

PMID- 26280139
TI  - Rosacea: Diagnosis and Treatment.
AB  - Rosacea is a chronic facial skin condition of unknown cause. It is characterized
      by marked involvement of the central face with transient or persistent erythema,
      telangiectasia, inflammatory papules and pustules, or hyperplasia of the
      connective tissue. Transient erythema, or flushing, is often accompanied by a
      feeling of warmth. It usually lasts for less than five minutes and may spread to
      the neck and chest. Less common findings include erythematous plaques, scaling,
      edema, phymatous changes (thickening of skin due to hyperplasia of sebaceous
      glands), and ocular symptoms. The National Rosacea Society Expert Committee
      defines four subtypes of rosacea (erythematotelangiectatic, papulopustular,
      phymatous, and ocular) and one variant (granulomatous). Treatment starts with
      avoidance of triggers and use of mild cleansing agents and moisturizing regimens,
      as well as photoprotection with wide-brimmed hats and broad-spectrum sunscreens
      (minimum sun protection factor of 30). For inflammatory lesions and erythema, the
      recommended initial treatments are topical metronidazole or azelaic acid. Once
      daily brimonidine, a topical alpha-adrenergic receptor agonist, is effective in
      reducing erythema. Papulopustular rosacea can be treated with systemic therapy
      including tetracyclines, most commonly subantimicrobial-dose doxycycline.
      Phymatous rosacea is treated primarily with laser or light-based therapies.
      Ocular rosacea is managed with lid hygiene, topical cyclosporine, and topical or
      systemic antibiotics. 

PMID- 26280140
TI  - Management of Spontaneous Vaginal Delivery.
AB  - Most of the nearly 4 million births in the United States annually are normal
      spontaneous vaginal deliveries. In the first stage of labor, normal birth
      outcomes can be improved by encouraging the patient to walk and stay in upright
      positions, waiting until at least 6 cm dilation to diagnose active stage arrest,
      providing continuous labor support, using intermittent auscultation in low-risk
      deliveries, and following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
      guidelines for group B streptococcus prophylaxis. Most women with a low
      transverse uterine incision are candidates for a trial of labor after cesarean
      delivery and should be counseled accordingly. Pain management during labor
      includes complementary modalities and systemic opioids, epidural anesthesia, and
      pudendal block. Outcomes in the second stage of labor can be improved by using
      warm perineal compresses, allowing women more time to push before intervening,
      and offering labor support. Delayed pushing increases the length of the second
      stage of labor and does not affect the rate of spontaneous vaginal delivery. A
      tight nuchal cord can be clamped twice and cut before delivery of the shoulders,
      or the baby may be delivered using a somersault maneuver in which the cord is
      left nuchal and the distance from the cord to placenta minimized by pushing the
      head toward the maternal thigh. After delivery, skin-to-skin contact with the
      mother is recommended. Beyond 35 weeks' gestation, there is no benefit to bulb
      suctioning the nose and mouth. Postpartum maternal and neonatal outcomes can be
      improved through delayed cord clamping, active management to prevent postpartum
      hemorrhage, careful examination for external anal sphincter injuries, and use of
      absorbable synthetic suture for second-degree perineal laceration repair.
      Practices that will not improve outcomes and may result in negative outcomes
      include discontinuation of epidurals late in labor and routine episiotomy. 

PMID- 26280141
TI  - Common Skin Rashes in Children.
AB  - Because childhood rashes may be difficult to differentiate by appearance alone,
      it is important to consider the entire clinical presentation to help make the
      appropriate diagnosis. Considerations include the appearance and location of the
      rash; the clinical course; and associated symptoms, such as pruritus or fever. A
      fever is likely to occur with roseola, erythema infectiosum (fifth disease), and
      scarlet fever. Pruritus sometimes occurs with atopic dermatitis, pityriasis
      rosea, erythema infectiosum, molluscum contagiosum, and tinea infection. The key
      feature of roseola is a rash presenting after resolution of a high fever, whereas
      the distinguishing features in pityriasis rosea are a herald patch and a
      bilateral and symmetric rash in a Christmas tree pattern. The rash associated
      with scarlet fever usually develops on the upper trunk, then spreads throughout
      the body, sparing the palms and soles. Impetigo is a superficial bacterial
      infection that most commonly affects the face and extremities of children.
      Erythema infectiosum is characterized by a viral prodrome followed by the
      "slapped cheek" facial rash. Flesh-colored or pearly white papules with central
      umbilication occur with molluscum contagiosum, a highly contagious viral
      infection that usually resolves without intervention. Tinea is a common fungal
      skin infection in children that affects the scalp, body, groin, feet, hands, or
      nails. Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory skin condition that
      may present with a variety of skin changes. 

PMID- 26280142
TI  - Beyond Meaningful Use: Reconciling Medications.

PMID- 26280143
TI  - Hyperpigmented Plaques on the Feet.

PMID- 26280149
TI  - Tap Water vs. Sterile Saline for Wound Irrigation.

PMID- 26280150
TI  - Rosacea.

PMID- 26280151
TI  - Perceived Stress and Elder Abuse: A Population-Based Study of Adult Protective
      Services Cases in Chicago.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To characterize the relationship between perceived stress and Adult
      Protective Services (APS) elder abuse cases in a population-based sample. DESIGN:
      Cross-sectional. SETTING: Chicago. PARTICIPANTS: community-dwelling, older adults
      (N = 8,558; mean age 74 +/- 7, 62% female, 64% African American). MEASUREMENTS:
      Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), APS database linkage. RESULTS: Bivariate and
      adjusted analyses showed that perceived stress was significantly higher in APS
      clients than in participants without any APS interaction for various subtypes of
      abuse (e.g., abuse from a perpetrator and self-neglect). This relationship was
      strongest for those with a confirmed history of abuse from a perpetrator, with a
      medium-large effect size (t = -5.8, P < .001, Cohen D = -0.6). Those in the
      highest stress tertile had a likelihood of having confirmed history of abuse from
      a perpetrator that was nearly three times as great as that of those in lower
      stress tertiles (odds ratio = 2.7, 95% confidence interval = 1.2-6.2). Analyses
      of individual PSS items revealed a robust relationship between distress items and
      APS involvement. Items reflecting coping were inconsistently associated with
      elder abuse. CONCLUSION: Clients of APS have higher levels of perceived stress,
      and abuse from a perpetrator strengthens this relationship. Therefore, victims of
      abuse from a perpetrator may be at the highest risk of stress-related
      consequences and should be targeted for intervention efforts that enhance
      empowerment and effective coping strategies.

PMID- 26280152
TI  - Accelerated Submonomer Solid-Phase Synthesis of Peptoids Incorporating Multiple
      Substituted N-Aryl Glycine Monomers.
AB  - N-Aryl glycines are a chemically diverse class of peptoid monomers that have
      strong structure-inducing propensities. Yet their use has been limited due to the
      sluggish reactivity of the weakly nucleophilic aniline submonomers. Here, we
      report up to a 76-fold rate acceleration of the displacement reaction using
      aniline submonomers in solid-phase peptoid synthesis. This is achieved by adding
      halophilic silver salts to the displacement reaction, facilitating bromide
      abstraction and AgBr precipitation. Mechanistic insight derived from analysis of
      a series of 15 substituted anilines reveals that the silver-mediated reaction
      proceeds through a transition state that has considerably less positive charge
      buildup on the incoming nucleophile and an enhanced leaving group. This
      straightforward enhancement to the submonomer method enables the rapid room
      temperature synthesis of a wide variety of N-aryl glycine-rich peptoid oligomers,
      possessing both electron-withdrawing and -donating substituents, in good yields. 

PMID- 26280154
TI  - Polymorphisms at IL28B gene as predictors of viral relapse in genotype 4 Egyptian
      hepatitis C patients.
AB  - Chronic HCV is one of the commonest causes of chronic liver disease worldwide
      with about 15% of population infected in Egypt. Certain single nucleotide
      polymorphisms (SNPs) lying near the IL28B gene were found to affect the
      spontaneous clearance as well as treatment outcome of HCV. To examine the
      association between different IL28B variants and the relapse of HCV infection
      after combined therapy with ribavirin and pegylated interferon (pegIFN). Hundered
      HCV genotype four patients received 1.5 mg/kg/week peginterferon alfa-2b plus 800
      1400 mg/d ribavirin (weight-adjusted) for 48 weeks. IL28B polymorphisms
      (rs12980275, rs12979860, and 1 rs8099917) were studied in responders and
      relapsers at week 72. Out of 69 patients receiving treatment, 13 (18.8%) were
      relapsers. By stratifying patients on the basis of the IL-28/60 genotype (CC vs.
      CT/TT), CC patients showed lower relapse rates (2.3%) compared with CT/TT
      patients (46.2%) (P < 0.001). On the basis of the IL-28/75 genotype (GG vs.
      GA/AA), the GG patients achieved higher relapse rates (62.5%) compared with GA/AA
      patients (13.1%) (P = 0.004). Moreover, no statistical significant difference was
      observed between the TT patients compared with GG/GT patients on the basis of the
      IL-28/17 genotype. SNPs at IL-28/60 and IL-28/75 are possible predictors of
      relapse in patients receiving dual treatment.

PMID- 26280153
TI  - Dementia with Lewy bodies can be well-differentiated from Alzheimer's disease by
      measurement of brain acetylcholinesterase activity-a [11C]MP4A PET study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the diagnostic performance of brain
      acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity measurement using N-[(11) C]-methyl-4
      piperidyl acetate (MP4A) and PET in patients with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB)
      and Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHODS: Participants were 14 DLB patients, 25 AD
      patients and 18 age-matched healthy controls (HC). All subjects underwent PET
      scans and MP4A to measure regional brain AChE activity. We performed anatomical
      standardization of each brain image, and k3 values, an index of AChE activity, in
      each voxel were estimated by nonlinear least squares analysis. Volumes of
      interest (VOIs) were identified on parametric k3 images in frontal, temporal,
      parietal and occipital cortices, and in anterior and posterior cingulate gyri
      (ACG and PCG). In each VOI, the differential diagnostic performance between AD
      and DLB of k3 values was assessed by area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver
      operating characteristic. Voxel-based statistical analyses were also performed.
      RESULTS: Mean cortical AChE activities in AD patients (-8.2% compared with normal
      mean) and DLB patients (-27.8%) were lower than HCs (p < 0.05, p < 0.001,
      respectively). There was a significant difference in mean cortical AChE
      activities between AD and DLB patients (p < 0.001). All regional brain AChE
      activities of defined VOIs except ACG were able to well discriminate DLB from AD,
      and notably performance was the most significant in PCG (AUC = 0.989, 95% CI:
      0.965-1.000). CONCLUSIONS: Brain cholinergic deficit is consistently prominent in
      DLB compared with AD. PET measurement of brain AChE activity may be useful for
      the differential diagnosis between DLB and AD.

PMID- 26280155
TI  - Reply to it is not all black and white: Future incidence of stomach cancer will
      be substantially higher than projected due to the effects of immigration and
      increasing Hispanic and Asian populations in the United States.

PMID- 26280156
TI  - Continuous vs. tapering application of the potent topical corticosteroid
      mometasone furoate in the treatment of vulvar lichen sclerosus: results of a
      randomized trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Topical corticosteroids are the first-line treatment for vulvar
      lichen sclerosus (VLS). However, evidence on the most appropriate treatment
      regimen is lacking. OBJECTIVES: To compare the effectiveness and tolerability of
      tapering vs. continuous application of mometasone furoate (MMF) 0.1% ointment in
      the treatment of active VLS. METHODS: Sixty-four patients with VLS who enrolled
      in a 12-week active treatment phase were randomized to apply MMF either (i) once
      daily for 5 days per week for 4 weeks, then on alternate days for 4 weeks, then
      twice weekly for 4 weeks (group A) or (ii) for five consecutive days per week for
      the entire treatment duration (group B). The efficacy parameters were the
      response rate, the proportion of patients achieving an improvement from baseline
      of >= 75% in subjective and objective scores, and the mean reduction in
      subjective and objective scores. RESULTS: By the end of the active treatment
      phase, 27 patients (84%) were considered to be responders in group A, and 25
      patients (78%) in group B; 69% and 47% of patients in group A and 62% and 28% in
      group B achieved >= 75% improvement in subjective and objective scores,
      respectively. The decreases in mean symptom and sign scores were significant
      compared with baseline with both regimens. No significant differences were found
      in any of the assessed efficacy end points between the two treatment protocols.
      Both regimens were well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: Both tapering and continuous
      application of MMF showed similar efficacy and tolerability in the treatment of
      active VLS, without any difference in patient adherence to therapy.

PMID- 26280157
TI  - An Evaluation of Educational Neurological Eye Movement Disorder Videos Posted on
      Internet Video Sharing Sites.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Internet video sharing sites allow the free dissemination of
      educational material. This study investigated the quality and educational content
      of videos of eye movement disorders posted on such sites. METHODS: Educational
      neurological eye movement videos were identified by entering the titles of the
      eye movement abnormality into the search boxes of the video sharing sites. Also,
      suggested links were followed from each video. The number of views, likes, and
      dislikes for each video were recorded. The videos were then rated for their
      picture and sound quality. Their educational value was assessed according to
      whether the video included a description of the eye movement abnormality, the
      anatomical location of the lesion (if appropriate), and the underlying diagnosis.
      RESULTS: Three hundred fifty-four of these videos were found on YouTube and
      Vimeo. There was a mean of 6,443 views per video (range, 1-195,957). One hundred
      nineteen (33.6%) had no form of commentary about the eye movement disorder shown
      apart from the title. Forty-seven (13.3%) contained errors in the title or in the
      text. Eighty (22.6%) had excellent educational value by describing the eye
      movement abnormality, the anatomical location of the lesion, and the underlying
      diagnosis. Of these, 30 also had good picture and sound quality. The videos with
      excellent educational value had a mean of 9.84 "likes" per video compared with
      2.37 for those videos without a commentary (P < 0.001). The videos that combined
      excellent educational value with good picture and sound quality had a mean of
      10.23 "likes" per video (P = 0.004 vs videos with no commentary). There was no
      significant difference in the mean number of "dislikes" between those videos that
      had no commentary or which contained errors and those with excellent educational
      value. CONCLUSIONS: There are a large number of eye movement videos freely
      available on these sites; however, due to the lack of peer review, a significant
      number have poor educational value due to having no commentary or containing
      errors. The number of "likes" can help to identify videos with excellent
      educational value but the number of "dislikes" does not help in discerning which
      videos have poor educational value.

PMID- 26280158
TI  - Laser Fabrication of Polymer Ferroelectric Nanostructures for Nonvolatile Organic
      Memory Devices.
AB  - Polymer ferroelectric laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) have been
      prepared on ferroelectric thin films of a poly(vinylidene fluoride
      trifluoroethylene) copolymer. Although this copolymer does not absorb light at
      the laser wavelength, LIPSS on the copolymer can be obtained by forming a bilayer
      with other light-absorbing polymers. The ferroelectric nature of the structured
      bilayer was proven by piezoresponse force microscopy measurements. Ferroelectric
      hysteresis was found on both the bilayer and the laser-structured bilayer. We
      show that it is possible to write ferroelectric information at the nanoscale. The
      laser-structured ferroelectric bilayer showed an increase in the information
      storage density of an order of magnitude, in comparison to the original bilayer. 

PMID- 26280159
TI  - Roma Women's Perspectives on End-of-Life Decisions.
AB  - Spain's Roma community has its own cultural and moral values. These values
      influence the way in which end-of-life decision-making is confronted. The
      objective of this study was to explore the perspective of Roma women on end-of
      life decision-making. It was a qualitative study involving thirty-three Roma
      women belonging to groups for training and social development in two
      municipalities. We brought together five focus groups between February and
      December 2012. Six mediators each recruited five to six participants. We
      considered age and care role to be the variables that can have the most influence
      on opinion regarding end-of-life decision-making. We considered the discussion
      saturated when the ideas expressed were repeated. Data analysis was carried out
      according to five steps: describing, organizing, connecting,
      corroborating/legitimating, and representing the account. The main ideas gleaned
      from the data were as follows: (1) the important role of the family in end-of
      life care, especially the role of women; (2) the large influence of community
      opinion over personal or family decisions, typical of closed societies; (3) the
      different preferences women had for themselves compared to that for others
      regarding desired end-of-life care; (4) unawareness or rejection of advance
      directives. Roma women wish for their healthcare preferences to be taken into
      account, but "not in writing." The study concluded that the success of end-of
      life healthcare in Roma families and of their involvement in the making of
      healthcare decisions depends upon considering and respecting their idiosyncrasy. 

PMID- 26280160
TI  - Psychophysiological evidence for the role of emotion in adaptive memory.
AB  - Studies demonstrating a mnemonic benefit for encoding words in a survival
      scenario have revived interest in how human memory is shaped by evolutionary
      pressures. Prior work on the survival-processing advantage has largely examined
      cognitive factors as potential proximate mechanisms. The current study, by
      contrast, focused on the role of perceived threat. Guided by the idea that a
      survival scenario implies threat, we combined measures of heart rate (HR) with
      affective ratings to probe the potential presence of fear bradycardia as a marker
      of freezing--a parasympathetically dominated HR deceleration that reflects the
      initial stage of the defensive engagement. We replicated the mnemonic advantage
      in behavior and found that the survival scenario was rated higher in perceived
      negative arousal than a commonly used control scenario. Critically, words
      encountered in the survival scenario were associated with more extensive HR
      deceleration, and this effect was directly related to subsequent recall
      performance. Our findings point to a role for the involvement of neurobiological
      fear responses in producing the survival processing advantage, as well as
      potential links between autonomic changes and cognitive processing in adaptive
      memory.

PMID- 26280161
TI  - Post-Traumatic Neuroma After Hair Transplantation.

PMID- 26280162
TI  - A New Tool to Maximize Donor Harvesting With Safer Closure.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Scalp laxity is a major factor in achieving the maximum number of
      grafts in donor harvesting during hair restoration surgery. Proper assessment is
      important for each individual but especially so in patients presenting tight
      scalp. OBJECTIVE: To validate cross beam laser (CBL) for scalp laxity assessment
      in comparison with Mayer elasticity scale (MES). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a
      retrospective study of 165 patients, both CBL and MES were used to evaluate scalp
      laxity in vertical plane at the center and lateral area before surgery. The real
      width (RW) of donor strip during surgery was considered the gold standard.
      RESULTS: Spearman correlation coefficient revealed that the CBL width was
      significantly correlated with the MES width in the following subgroups: (1)
      subjects undergoing their first session, (2) subsequent session patients, and (3)
      patients who required maximum number of grafts. Although the CBL width was
      statistically significant when compared with the RW in certain areas, whereas the
      MES width was statistically significant in all areas, the differences between the
      CBL width and the RW were minimal and clinically insignificant. CONCLUSION: The
      accuracy of scalp laxity measurements using the CBL procedure establishes CBL as
      a reliable tool for hair restoration surgery.

PMID- 26280163
TI  - Poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)-assisted hydrothermal synthesis and enhanced visible
      light photocatalytic performance of oxygen-rich bismuth oxychlorides.
AB  - A series of novel oxygen-rich bismuth oxychloride (Bi12O17Cl2) were synthesized
      through a facile poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP)-assisted hydrothermal route. These
      obtained Bi12O17Cl2 samples were characterized by various physicochemical
      techniques. It was found that a proper addition amount of PVP could promote the
      transformation of Bi12O17Cl2 morphology from irregular clusters to three
      dimensional hierarchical flower-like microspheres that were nominated as sample
      BP2. As-synthesized samples were subjected to a photocatalytic degradation of dye
      Rhodamine B (RhB) or 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) under visible light. Among all
      candidates, the sample BP2 with a hierarchical flower-like morphology showed the
      best degradation efficiency for RhB and 2,4-DCP. The apparent rate constant of
      sample BP2 in terms of degradation of RhB was nearly 5.7 and 45 times that of
      unmodified BP0 and N-TiO2. The enhanced photocatalytic performance could be
      ascribed to synergetic effects including unique hierarchical morphologies, large
      specific surface area, small particle size, good crystallinity, and suitable band
      structures. A possible mechanism of catalytic degradation was finally proposed
      basing upon the active species trapping experiments.

PMID- 26280164
TI  - Moving Forward with School Nutrition Policies: A Case Study of Policy Adherence
      in Nova Scotia.
AB  - Many Canadian school jurisdictions have developed nutrition policies to promote
      health and improve the nutritional status of children, but research is needed to
      clarify adherence, guide practice-related decisions, and move policy action
      forward. The purpose of this research was to evaluate policy adherence with a
      review of online lunch menus of elementary schools in Nova Scotia (NS) while also
      providing transferable evidence for other jurisdictions. School menus in NS were
      scanned and a list of commonly offered items were categorized, according to
      minimum, moderate, or maximum nutrition categories in the NS policy. The results
      of the menu review showed variability in policy adherence that depended on food
      preparation practices by schools. Although further research is needed to clarify
      preparation practices, the previously reported challenges of healthy food
      preparations (e.g., cost, social norms) suggest that many schools in NS are
      likely not able to use these healthy preparations, signifying potential
      noncompliance to the policy. Leadership and partnerships are needed among
      researchers, policy makers, and nutrition practitioners to address the complexity
      of issues related to food marketing and social norms that influence school food
      environments to inspire a culture where healthy and nutritious food is available
      and accessible to children. 

PMID- 26280165
TI  - Body Mass Index, High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein and Mortality in Chinese
      with Coronary Artery Disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To investigate single and joint associations of body mass index (BMI)
      and serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) with death. METHODS: The
      study included 1871 coronary artery disease (CAD) patients aged 40-85 year-old
      recruited from 2008 to 2011. Cox regression models were used to estimate the
      association of BMI and hsCRP with mortality. The data was analyzed in 2014.
      RESULTS: During 3.1 years follow-up, 141 deaths were recorded, 110 died of
      cardiovascular disease (CVD). After adjustment of major CVD risk factors, there
      was a J-shaped association between BMI and all-cause and CVD mortality, and a
      positive association between hsCRP and mortality. The J-shaped association of BMI
      with mortality was present among patients who never smoked or with elevated hsCRP
      (>=3.0 mg/L). Compared with overweight (BMI 24-27.9 kg/m2) patients with normal
      hsCRP (<3.0 mg/L), obese patients (BMI>=28 kg/m2) with elevated hsCRP had a 3.41
      fold risk of all-cause mortality (95% CI 1.49-7.80) and a 3.50-fold risk of CVD
      mortality (1.40-8.75), lean patients (BMI<24 kg/m2) with elevated hsCRP
      concentration had a 2.54-fold risk of all-cause mortality (1.36-4.74) and a 2.36
      fold risk of CVD mortality (1.19-4.70). CONCLUSIONS: The association pattern
      between baseline BMI and mortality changed among different baseline hsCRP
      concentrations, indicating that low-grade inflammation may be related to BMI and
      secondary prognosis of CAD.

PMID- 26280166
TI  - Species Delimitation in the Genus Moschus (Ruminantia: Moschidae) and Its High
      Plateau Origin.
AB  - The authenticity of controversial species is a significant challenge for
      systematic biologists. Moschidae is a small family of musk deer in the
      Artiodactyla, composing only one genus, Moschus. Historically, the number of
      species in the Moschidae family has been debated. Presently, most musk deer
      species were restricted in the Tibetan Plateau and surrounding/adjacent areas,
      which implied that the evolution of Moschus might have been punctuated by the
      uplift of the Tibetan Plateau. In this study, we aimed to determine the
      evolutionary history and delimit the species in Moschus by exploring the complete
      mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) and other mitochondrial gene. Our study demonstrated
      that six species, M. leucogaster, M. fuscus, M. moschiferus, M. berezovskii, M.
      chrysogaster and M. anhuiensis, were authentic species in the genus Moschus.
      Phylogenetic analysis and molecular dating showed that the ancestor of the
      present Moschidae originates from Tibetan Plateau which suggested that the
      evolution of Moschus was prompted by the most intense orogenic movement of the
      Tibetan Plateau during the Pliocene age, and alternating glacial-interglacial
      geological eras.

PMID- 26280167
TI  - Prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and management practices of acute
      coronary syndrome in a tertiary care hospital.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A prospective study of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS),
      who met the inclusion criteria, was carried out. It was conducted in the
      cardiology department of tertiary care referral hospital in Kerala. An attempt
      was made to identify and determine the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors
      in patients presenting with ACS and to evaluate the current treatment practice
      pattern of ACS and to compare it with standard treatment guidelines, thereby
      improving the quality of life of patients. METHODS: Data of patients who met the
      inclusion criteria were collected in specially designed data collection form. The
      form included the patient data such as demographics, risk factors, procedures
      performed during the hospital stay, and in-hospital and discharge drug therapy.
      Patients with ACS included those with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI),
      non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), and unstable angina (UA).
      Descriptive statistics were performed. All statistical analysis was done using
      Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 16.0. RESULTS: A
      total of 100 patients were studied having mean age of 62.57 years+/-12.18 years.
      Fifty-one percent were having NSTEMI, 33% were having STEMI, and 16% were having
      UA. Hypertension (63%) and diabetes (51%) were more prevalent in both men and
      women. Smoking among males was consistently high (48.6%), being highest among
      adults. Cardiac procedures performed include percutaneous transluminal coronary
      angioplasty (PTCA) in 45%, coronary angiogram (CAG) in 20%, and coronary artery
      bypass graft surgery (CABG) in 7%. In-hospital medications were antiplatelets
      (100%), thrombolytics (28%), statins (97%), anticoagulants (80%), nitrates (73%),
      beta-blocker (32%), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (6%), angiotensin
      receptor blocker (9%), potassium opener (7%), vasodilator (1%), calcium channel
      blocker (9%), alpha-blocker (7%), and alpha+beta blocker (7%). CONCLUSIONS: The
      contemporary profile of treatment patterns for patients with ACS indicates an
      improved adherence to the guidelines. The alarmingly high rate of modifiable risk
      factors remains a cause of concern and a challenge that needs to be tackled, as
      better control of cardiovascular risk factors is expected to have a favorable
      impact on the incidence of ACS.

PMID- 26280168
TI  - Neuroprotective effect of hydroxy safflor yellow A against cerebral ischemia
      reperfusion injury in rats: putative role of mPTP.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hydroxy safflor yellow A (HSYA) has been translated clinically for
      cardiovascular diseases. HSYA is also greatly acknowledged for its protective
      effects against cerebral ischemic-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Although the precise
      mechanism of cerebral I/R injury is not fully understood, oxygen-derived free
      radicals and mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening during I/R
      injury are widely recognized as an important contributor to neuronal injury.
      Thus, we speculated that the neuroprotective effects of HSYA against cerebral I/R
      injury may be associated with mPTP modulation. METHODS: Induction of I/R injury
      was achieved by 60 min of middle cerebral artery occlusion, followed by
      reperfusion for 24 h. For behavior and cognitive assessment, neurological scoring
      (NSS), rotarod, and Y-maze task were performed. Oxidative damage was measured in
      terms of markers such as malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione, and catalase
      levels and cerebral infarct volumes were quantified using 2,3,5-triphenyl
      tetrazolinium chloride staining. I/R injury-induced inflammation was determined
      using tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels. RESULTS: Animals exposed to
      I/R injury showed neurological severity, functional and cognitive disability,
      elevated oxidative markers, and TNF-alpha levels along with large infarct
      volumes. HSYA treatment during onset of reperfusion ameliorated performance in
      NSS, rotarod and Y-maze attenuated oxidative damage, TNF-alpha levels, and
      infarction rate. However, treatment with carboxyatractyloside, an mPTP opener, 20
      min before HSYA, attenuated the protective effect of HSYA. CONCLUSIONS: Our study
      confirmed that protective effect of HSYA may be conferred through its free
      radical scavenger action followed by inhibiting the opening of mPTP during
      reperfusion and HSYA might act as a promising therapeutic agent against cerebral
      I/R injury.

PMID- 26280169
TI  - Immune response modulatory effect of Emilia sonchifolia (L.) DC: an in vivo
      experimental study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study was performed in order to provide a scientific basis for
      the conventional use of Emilia sonchifolia in the traditional Indian Ayurvedic
      medicine possibly through modulation of the host immune defense. METHODS: Emilia
      sonchifolia methanolic extract (25 mg/kg body weight) was administered
      intraperitoneally in mice, and hematological parameters, relative organ weights,
      bone marrow cellularity, and alpha-esterase activity were assessed. Humoral
      immune response was evaluated by hemagglutinating antibody (HA) titer and plaque
      forming cell (PFC) assay. Blastogenesis assays of lymphoid organs were done in
      the presence and absence of various mitogens such as phytohemagglutinin,
      concanavalin A, pokeweed mitogen, and lipopolysaccharide. Cytotoxic T lymphocyte
      (CTL) production was assessed by Winn's neutralization test. The levels of
      cytokines interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) were evaluated by
      ELISA. RESULTS: Emilia sonchifolia significantly enhanced the total white blood
      cell count (9995+/-535 cells/mm3), bone marrow cellularity, alpha-esterase
      activity, and weight of lymphoid organs (p<0.001). The effect on humoral immune
      response was evident from the enhanced HA titer and increased number of PFCs
      (p<0.001). The blastogenic effects of mitogens were also stimulated to
      significant levels by E. sonchifolia treatment. Emilia sonchifolia treatment
      augmented cell-mediated immune response by enhancing the killing activity of CTLs
      and by enhanced production of IL-2 and IFN-gamma. CONCLUSIONS: From these
      results, it was very evident that E. sonchifolia, an indigenous medicinal plant,
      is a potent immune response modulator, and the present report is so far the first
      study to demonstrate the immunoregulatory activity of E. sonchifolia.

PMID- 26280170
TI  - Protective effect of dietary fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) seeds and
      garlic (Allium sativum) on induced oxidation of low-density lipoprotein in rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Dietary fenugreek seeds (Trigonella foenum-graecum) and garlic
      (Allium sativum) have been previously observed to have cardioprotective influence
      in experimentally induced myocardial infarction in rats. Since low-density
      lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation is a key factor in the arteriosclerotic process, we
      evaluated their potential in minimizing the LDL oxidation in rats. METHODS:
      Fenugreek seeds, garlic, and their combination were included along with a high
      cholesterol diet for 8 weeks. RESULTS: Iron-induced oxidation of LDL in vivo was
      considerably lowered by dietary fenugreek and garlic. The extent of copper
      induced oxidation of isolated LDL in vitro was also significantly lesser in
      fenugreek-fed or fenugreek+garlic-fed rats. Anodic electrophoretic mobility of
      the oxidized LDL on agarose gel in case of spice-fed animals was decreased and
      hence consistent with the observed protective influence on LDL oxidation. Dietary
      fenugreek, garlic, and their combination significantly lowered lipid peroxide
      levels in plasma, liver, and heart in iron (II)-administered rats. The results
      suggest that these two dietary spices have protective effect on LDL oxidation
      under normal situation as well as in hypercholesterolemic situation. The
      protective effect of the combination of dietary fenugreek and garlic on LDL
      oxidation both in vivo and in vitro was greater than that of the individual
      spices. CONCLUSIONS: The protective effect of dietary fenugreek and garlic on LDL
      oxidation both in vivo and in vitro as evidenced in the present study is
      suggestive of their cardioprotective potential since LDL oxidation is a key
      factor in the arteriosclerotic process.

PMID- 26280171
TI  - The emerging role of the endocannabinoid system in the pathogenesis and treatment
      of kidney diseases.
AB  - Endocannabinoids (eCBs) are endogenous lipid ligands that bind to cannabinoid
      receptors that also mediate the effects of marijuana. The eCB system is comprised
      of eCBs, anandamide, and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol, their cannabinoid-1 and
      cannabinoid-2 receptors (CB1 and CB2, respectively), and the enzymes involved in
      their biosynthesis and degradation. It is present in both the central nervous
      system and peripheral organs including the kidney. The current review focuses on
      the role of the eCB system in normal kidney function and various diseases, such
      as diabetes and obesity, that directly contributes to the development of renal
      pathologies. Normally, activation of the CB1 receptor regulates renal vascular
      hemodynamics and stimulates the transport of ions and proteins in different
      nephron compartments. In various mouse and rat models of obesity and type 1 and 2
      diabetes mellitus, eCBs generated in various renal cells activate CB1 receptors
      and contribute to the development of oxidative stress, inflammation, and renal
      fibrosis. These effects can be chronically ameliorated by CB1 receptor blockers.
      In contrast, activation of the renal CB2 receptors reduces the deleterious
      effects of these chronic diseases. Because the therapeutic potential of globally
      acting CB1 receptor antagonists in these conditions is limited due to their
      neuropsychiatric adverse effects, the recent development of peripherally
      restricted CB1 receptor antagonists may represent a novel pharmacological
      approach in treating renal diseases. 

PMID- 26280172
TI  - Human Vection Perception Using Inertial Nulling and Certainty Estimation: The
      Effect of Migraine History.
AB  - Vection is an illusory perception of self-motion that can occur when visual
      motion fills the majority of the visual field. This study examines the effect of
      the duration of visual field movement (VFM) on the perceived strength of self
      motion using an inertial nulling (IN) and a magnitude estimation technique based
      on the certainty that motion occurred (certainty estimation, CE). These
      techniques were then used to investigate the association between migraine
      diagnosis and the strength of perceived vection. Visual star-field stimuli
      consistent with either looming or receding motion were presented for 1, 4, 8 or
      16s. Subjects reported the perceived direction of self-motion during the final 1s
      of the stimulus. For the IN method, an inertial nulling motion was delivered
      during this final 1s of the visual stimulus, and subjects reported the direction
      of perceived self-motion during this final second. The magnitude of inertial
      motion was varied adaptively to determine the point of subjective equality (PSE)
      at which forward or backward responses were equally likely. For the CE trials the
      same range of VFM was used but without inertial motion and subjects rated their
      certainty of motion on a scale of 0-100. PSE determined with the IN technique
      depended on direction and duration of visual motion and the CE technique showed
      greater certainty of perceived vection with longer VFM duration. A strong
      correlation between CE and IN techniques was present for the 8s stimulus. There
      was appreciable between-subject variation in both CE and IN techniques and
      migraine was associated with significantly increased perception of self-motion by
      CE and IN at 8 and 16s. Together, these results suggest that vection may be
      measured by both CE and IN techniques with good correlation. The results also
      suggest that susceptibility to vection may be higher in subjects with a history
      of migraine. 

PMID- 26280173
TI  - A Longitudinal Study of Disability, Cognition and Gray Matter Atrophy in Early
      Multiple Sclerosis Patients According to Evidence of Disease Activity.
AB  - New treatment options may make "no evidence of disease activity" (NEDA: no
      relapses or disability progression and no new/enlarging MRI lesions, as opposed
      to "evidence of disease activity" (EDA) with at least one of the former), an
      achievable goal in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). The objective
      of the present study was to determine whether early RRMS patients with EDA at one
      year follow-up had different disability, cognition, treatment and gray matter
      (GM) atrophy rates from NEDA patients and healthy controls (HC). RRMS patients
      (mean age 34 years, mean disease duration 2.2 years) were examined at baseline
      and one-year follow-up with neurological (n = 72), neuropsychological (n = 56)
      and structural MRI (n = 57) examinations. Matched HC (n = 61) were retested after
      three years. EDA was found in 46% of RRMS patients at follow-up. EDA patients
      used more first line and less second line disease modifying treatment than NEDA
      (p = 0.004). While the patients groups had similar disability levels at baseline,
      they differed in disability at follow-up (p = 0.010); EDA patients progressed
      (EDSS: 1.8-2.2, p = 0.010), while NEDA patients improved (EDSS: 2.0-1.7,
      p<0.001). Cognitive function was stable in both patient groups. Subcortical GM
      atrophy rates were higher in EDA patients than HC (p<0.001). These results
      support the relevance of NEDA as outcome in RRMS and indicate that pathological
      neurodegeneration in RRMS mainly occur in patients with evidence of disease
      activity. 

PMID- 26280174
TI  - Electronic Properties of Chlorine, Methyl, and Chloromethyl as Substituents to
      the Ethylene Group--Viewed from the Core of Carbon.
AB  - "Substituent effects" is an important and useful concept in organic chemistry.
      Although there are many approaches to parametrizing the electronic and steric
      effects of substituents, the physical basis for the parameters is often unclear.
      The purpose of the present work is to explore the properties of chemical shifts
      in carbon 1s energies as a well-defined basis for characterizing substituents to
      an ethylene C?C moiety. To this end, high-resolution carbon 1s photoelectron
      spectra of six chloro-substituted ethenes and seven chloro-substituted propenes
      have been measured in the gas phase. Site-specific adiabatic ionization energies
      have been determined from the spectra using theoretical ab initio calculations to
      predict the vibrational structures. For two molecules, 3-chloropropene and 2,3
      dichloropropene, the spectral analyses give quantitative results for the
      conformer populations. The observed shifts have been analyzed in terms of initial
      state (potential) and relaxation effects, and charge relaxation has also been
      analyzed by means of natural resonance theory. On the basis of core-level
      spectroscopy and models, chlorine, methyl, and chloromethyl have been
      characterized in terms of their effect on the carbon to which they are attached
      (alpha site) as well as the neighboring sp(2) carbon (beta site). The derived
      spectroscopic substituent parameters are characterized by both inductive
      (electronegativity) effects and the ability of each substituent to engage in
      electron delocalization via the pi system. Moreover, the adopted approach is
      extended to include substituent-substituent interaction parameters. 

PMID- 26280175
TI  - Visually induced motion sickness when viewing visual oscillations of different
      frequencies along the fore-and-aft axis: keeping velocity versus amplitude
      constant.
AB  - Exposure to visual oscillations (VOs) can lead to visually induced motion
      sickness (VIMS). The level of VIMS among viewers has been shown to vary when the
      frequency of the VOs is changed either by manipulating their amplitude or
      velocity. The present study investigates whether the level of VIMS would change
      if we keep the root mean square (rms) velocity or amplitude of VOs constant while
      manipulating the VO frequency. A total of 25 individuals were exposed to random
      dot and checkerboard VOs along the fore-and-aft axis in two experiments. Changing
      the amplitude (or frequency) of VOs while keeping the rms velocity constant did
      not affect the level of VIMS; however, increasing the rms velocity (or frequency)
      of VOs while keeping the amplitude constant made VIMS significantly worse.
      Practitioner Summary: Exposure to VOs of the same frequency can cause different
      levels of nausea depending on the combination of oscillation amplitude and
      velocity. Results suggest an opportunity for game designers to reduce symptoms of
      game sickness by using the correct combinations of velocity and amplitude of the
      visual motions. 

PMID- 26280176
TI  - Impact of Depression on Risk of Myocardial Infarction, Stroke and Cardiovascular
      Death in Patients with Psoriasis: A Danish Nationwide Study.
AB  - Psoriasis is associated with depression, myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke.
      Patients with depression have increased cardiovascular risk. However, the link
      between psoriasis, depression and cardiovascular disease is unclear. This link
      was investigated in a nationwide Danish cohort of patients with psoriasis (n =
      29,406). Incidence rates were calculated, and incidence rate ratios (IRRs)
      adjusted for age, gender, socio-economic status, medication and comorbidity were
      estimated by Poisson regression models. Risk of MI (IRR 1.57, 95% confidence
      interval (95% CI) 1.07-2.29), stroke (IRR 1.95, 95% CI 1.43-2.66), and
      cardiovascular death (IRR 2.24, 95% CI 1.53-3.26) were increased significantly
      during acute depression, and risk of stroke (IRR 1.51, 95% CI 1.19-1.90) was
      increased significantly in chronic depression. During remission from depression,
      only the risk of stroke was increased. In conclusion, in patients with psoriasis,
      depression is associated with increased risk of MI, stroke and cardiovascular
      death, especially during acute depression. 

PMID- 26280178
TI  - Analysis of a cancer dormancy model and control of immuno-therapy.
AB  - The goal of this paper is to analyze a model of cancer-immune system interactions
      from [16], and to show how the introduction of control in this model can
      dramatically improve the hypothetical patient response and in effect prevent the
      cancer from growing. We examine all the equilibrium points of the model and
      classify them according to their stability properties. We identify an equilibrium
      point corresponding to a survivable amount of cancer cells which are exactly
      balanced by the immune response. This situation corresponds to cancer dormancy.
      By using Lyapunov stability theory we estimate the region of attraction of this
      equilibrium and propose two control laws which are able to stabilize the system
      effectively, improving the results of [16]. Ultimately, the analysis presented in
      this paper reveals that a slower, continuous introduction of antibodies over a
      short time scale, as opposed to mere inoculation, may lead to more efficient and
      safer treatments. 

PMID- 26280177
TI  - Caregiver responses to early cleft palate care: A mixed method approach.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study sought to understand caregivers' (CGs') responses to early
      cleft lip/palate care for their infants. METHOD: A prospective, mixed methods
      multicenter longitudinal study was conducted among CGs (N = 118) seeking
      treatment for their infants' cleft lip and palate or cleft lip only at 1 of 6
      cleft treatment centers in the United States. Participants were in 1 of 2
      treatment groups: traditional care only or nasoalveolar molding (NAM) plus
      traditional care. The CGs completed semistructured interviews and standardized
      questionnaires assessing psychosocial well-being and family impact at 3 time
      points: the beginning of treatment (~1 month of age), prelip surgery (~3-5 months
      of age), and postpalate surgery (~12-13 months of age). Multilevel modeling was
      used to longitudinally assess CGs' psychosocial outcomes. RESULTS: Although the
      first year was demanding for all CGs, NAM onset and the child's lip surgery were
      particularly stressful times. CGs used optimism, problem-solving behavior, and
      social support to cope with this stress. Qualitatively, CGs' ability to balance
      cleft treatment demands with their psychosocial resources and coping strategies
      influenced family adaptation. Qualitative and quantitative results indicated CGs
      of NAM-treated infants experienced more rapid declines in anxiety and depressive
      symptoms and better coping skills over time than CGs whose infants had
      traditional care. CONCLUSION: CGs of NAM-treated infants experienced more
      positive psychosocial outcomes than CGs whose infants had traditional care.
      Results from the mixed model support the family adjustment and adaptation
      response model as used in pediatric chronic condition research.

PMID- 26280179
TI  - Ebola outbreak in West Africa: real-time estimation and multiple-wave prediction.
AB  - Based on the reported data until 18 March 2015 and numerical fitting via a simple
      formula of cumulative case number, we provide real-time estimation on basic
      reproduction number, inflection point, peak time and final outbreak size of
      ongoing Ebola outbreak in West Africa. From our simulation, we conclude that the
      first wave has passed its inflection point and predict that a second epidemic
      wave may appear in the near future. 

PMID- 26280180
TI  - Combining robust state estimation with nonlinear model predictive control to
      regulate the acute inflammatory response to pathogen.
AB  - The inflammatory response aims to restore homeostasis by means of removing a
      biological stress, such as an invading bacterial pathogen. In cases of acute
      systemic inflammation, the possibility of collateral tissue damage arises, which
      leads to a necessary down-regulation of the response. A reduced ordinary
      differential equations (ODE) model of acute inflammation was presented and
      investigated in [10]. That system contains multiple positive and negative
      feedback loops and is a highly coupled and nonlinear ODE. The implementation of
      nonlinear model predictive control (NMPC) as a methodology for determining proper
      therapeutic intervention for in silico patients displaying complex inflammatory
      states was initially explored in [5]. Since direct measurements of the bacterial
      population and the magnitude of tissue damage/dysfunction are not readily
      available or biologically feasible, the need for robust state estimation was
      evident. In this present work, we present results on the nonlinear reachability
      of the underlying model, and then focus our attention on improving the
      predictability of the underlying model by coupling the NMPC with a particle
      filter. The results, though comparable to the initial exploratory study, show
      that robust state estimation of this highly nonlinear model can provide an
      alternative to prior updating strategies used when only partial access to the
      unmeasurable states of the system are available. 

PMID- 26280181
TI  - Parameters identification for a model of T cell homeostasis.
AB  - In this study, we consider a model of T cell homeostasis based on the Smith
      Martin model. This nonlinear model is structured by age and CD44 expression.
      First, we establish the mathematical well-posedness of the model system. Next, we
      prove the theoretical identifiability regarding the up-regulation of CD44, the
      proliferation time phase and the rate of entry into division, by using the
      experimental data. Finally, we compare two versions of the Smith-Martin model and
      we identify which model fits the experimental data best. 

PMID- 26280182
TI  - Stochastic modelling of PTEN regulation in brain tumors: A model for glioblastoma
      multiforme.
AB  - This work is the outcome of the partnership between the mathematical group of
      Department DISBEF and the biochemical group of Department DISB of the University
      of Urbino "Carlo Bo" in order to better understand some crucial aspects of brain
      cancer oncogenesis. Throughout our collaboration we discovered that biochemists
      are mainly attracted to the instantaneous behaviour of the whole cell, while
      mathematicians are mostly interested in the evolution along time of small and
      different parts of it. This collaboration has thus been very challenging.
      Starting from [23,24,25], we introduce a competitive stochastic model for post
      transcriptional regulation of PTEN, including interactions with the miRNA and
      concurrent genes. Our model also covers protein formation and the backward
      mechanism going from the protein back to the miRNA. The numerical simulations
      show that the model reproduces the expected dynamics of normal glial cells.
      Moreover, the introduction of translational and transcriptional delays offers
      some interesting insights for the PTEN low expression as observed in brain tumor
      cells. 

PMID- 26280183
TI  - Order reduction for an RNA virus evolution model.
AB  - A mathematical or computational model in evolutionary biology should necessary
      combine several comparatively fast processes, which actually drive natural
      selection and evolution, with a very slow process of evolution. As a result,
      several very different time scales are simultaneously present in the model; this
      makes its analytical study an extremely difficult task. However, the significant
      difference of the time scales implies the existence of a possibility of the model
      order reduction through a process of time separation. In this paper we conduct
      the procedure of model order reduction for a reasonably simple model of RNA virus
      evolution reducing the original system of three integro-partial derivative
      equations to a single equation. Computations confirm that there is a good fit
      between the results for the original and reduced models. 

PMID- 26280184
TI  - Change detection in the dynamics of an intracellular protein synthesis model
      using nonlinear Kalman filtering.
AB  - A method for early diagnosis of parametric changes in intracellular protein
      synthesis models (e.g. the p53 protein - mdm2 inhibitor model) is developed with
      the use of a nonlinear Kalman Filtering approach (Derivative-free nonlinear
      Kalman Filter) and of statistical change detection methods. The intracellular
      protein synthesis dynamic model is described by a set of coupled nonlinear
      differential equations. It is shown that such a dynamical system satisfies
      differential flatness properties and this allows to transform it, through a
      change of variables (diffeomorphism), to the so-called linear canonical form. For
      the linearized equivalent of the dynamical system, state estimation can be
      performed using the Kalman Filter recursion. Moreover, by applying an inverse
      transformation based on the previous diffeomorphism it becomes also possible to
      obtain estimates of the state variables of the initial nonlinear model. By
      comparing the output of the Kalman Filter (which is assumed to correspond to the
      undistorted dynamical model) with measurements obtained from the monitored
      protein synthesis system, a sequence of differences (residuals) is obtained. The
      statistical processing of the residuals with the use of x2 change detection
      tests, can provide indication within specific confidence intervals about
      parametric changes in the considered biological system and consequently
      indications about the appearance of specific diseases (e.g. malignancies). 

PMID- 26280185
TI  - Heteroclinic bifurcation for a general predator-prey model with Allee effect and
      state feedback impulsive control strategy.
AB  - In this paper, we analyze a general predator-prey model with state feedback
      impulsive harvesting strategies in which the prey species displays a strong Allee
      effect. We firstly show the existence of order-1 heteroclinic cycle and order-1
      positive periodic solutions by using the geometric theory of differential
      equations for the unperturbed system. Based on the theory of rotated vector
      fields, the order-1 positive periodic solutions and heteroclinic bifurcation are
      studied for the perturbed system. Finally, some numerical simulations are
      provided to illustrate our main results. All the results indicate that the
      harvesting rate should be maintained at a reasonable range to keep the
      sustainable development of ecological systems. 

PMID- 26280186
TI  - Global stability of a multi-group model with vaccination age, distributed delay
      and random perturbation.
AB  - A multi-group epidemic model with distributed delay and vaccination age has been
      formulated and studied. Mathematical analysis shows that the global dynamics of
      the model is determined by the basic reproduction number R0: the disease-free
      equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable if R0 <= 1, and the endemic
      equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable if R0 > 1. Lyapunov functionals are
      constructed by the non-negative matrix theory and a novel grouping technique to
      establish the global stability. The stochastic perturbation of the model is
      studied and it is proved that the endemic equilibrium of the stochastic model is
      stochastically asymptotically stable in the large under certain conditions. 

PMID- 26280187
TI  - Cilium height difference between strokes is more effective in driving fluid
      transport in mucociliary clearance: A numerical study.
AB  - Mucociliary clearance is the first line of defense in our airway. The purpose of
      this study is to identify and study key factors in the cilia motion that
      influence the transport ability of the mucociliary system. Using a rod-propel
      fluid model, we examine the effects of cilia density, beating frequency,
      metachronal wavelength, and the extending height of the beating cilia. We first
      verify that asymmetry in the cilia motion is key to developing transport in the
      mucus flow. Next, two types of asymmetries between the effective and recovery
      strokes of the cilia motion are considered, the cilium beating velocity
      difference and the cilium height difference. We show that the cilium height
      difference is more efficient in driving the transport, and the more bend the
      cilium during the recovery stroke is, the more effective the transport would be.
      It is found that the transport capacity of the mucociliary system increases with
      cilia density and cilia beating frequency, but saturates above by a threshold
      value in both density and frequency. The metachronal wave that results from the
      phase lag among cilia does not contribute much to the mucus transport, which is
      consistent with the experimental observation of Sleigh (1989). We also test the
      effect of mucus viscosity, whose value is found to be inversely proportional to
      the transport ability. While multiple parts have to interplay and coordinate to
      allow for most effective mucociliary clearance, our findings from a simple model
      move us closer to understanding the effects of the cilia motion on the efficiency
      of this clearance system. 

PMID- 26280188
TI  - Thermal detection of a prevascular tumor embedded in breast tissue.
AB  - This paper presents a mathematical model of heat transfer in a prevascular breast
      tumor. The model uses the steady state temperature of the breast at the skin
      surface to determine whether there is an underlying tumor and if so, verifies
      whether the tumor is growing or dormant. The model is governed by the Pennes
      equations and we present numerical simulations for versions of the model in two
      and three dimensions. 

PMID- 26280190
TI  - Multi-host transmission dynamics of schistosomiasis and its optimal control.
AB  - In this paper we formulate a dynamical model to study the transmission dynamics
      of schistosomiasis in humans and snails. We also incorporate bovines in the model
      to study their impact on transmission and controlling the spread of Schistosoma
      japonicum in humans in China. The dynamics of the model is rigorously analyzed by
      using the theory of dynamical systems. The theoretical results show that the
      disease free equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable if R0 < 1, and if R0 >
      1 the system has only one positive equilibrium. The local stability of the unique
      positive equilibrium is investigated and sufficient conditions are also provided
      for the global stability of the positive equilibrium. The optimal control theory
      are further applied to the model to study the corresponding optimal control
      problem. Both analytical and numerical results suggest that: (a) the infected
      bovines play an important role in the spread of schistosomiasis among humans, and
      killing the infected bovines will be useful to prevent transmission of
      schistosomiasis among humans; (b) optimal control strategy performs better than
      the constant controls in reducing the prevalence of the infected human and the
      cost for implementing optimal control is much less than that for constant
      controls; and 

PMID- 26280189
TI  - Uncertainty quantification in modeling HIV viral mechanics.
AB  - We consider an in-host model for HIV-1 infection dynamics developed and validated
      with patient data in earlier work [7]. We revisit the earlier model in light of
      progress over the last several years in understanding HIV-1 progression in
      humans. We then consider statistical models to describe the data and use these
      with residual plots in generalized least squares problems to develop accurate
      descriptions of the proper weights for the data. We use recent parameter subset
      selection techniques [5,6] to investigate the impact of estimated parameters on
      the corresponding selection scores. Bootstrapping and asymptotic theory are
      compared in the context of confidence intervals for the resulting parameter
      estimates. 

PMID- 26280191
TI  - The Electronic Influence of Abasic Sites in DNA.
AB  - Abasic sites in DNA are prevalent as both naturally forming defects and as
      synthetic inclusions for biosensing applications. The electronic impact of these
      defects in DNA sensor and device configurations has yet to be clarified. Here we
      report the effect of an abasic site on the rate and yield of charge transport
      through temperature-controlled analysis of DNA duplex monolayers on multiplexed
      devices. Transport yield through the abasic site monolayer strongly increases
      with temperature, but the yield relative to an undamaged monolayer decreases with
      temperature. This is opposite to the increasing relative yield with temperature
      from a mismatched base pair, and these effects are accounted for by the unique
      structural impact of each defect. Notably, the effect of the abasic site is
      nearly doubled when heated from room temperature to 37  degrees C. The rate of
      transport is largely unaffected by the abasic site, showing Arrhenius-type
      behavior with an activation energy of ~300 meV. Detailed abasic site
      investigation elucidates the electrical impact of these biologically spontaneous
      defects and aids development of biological sensors. 

PMID- 26280192
TI  - Correction to Impact of Coordination Geometry, Bite Angle, and Trans Influence on
      Metal-Ligand Covalency in Phenyl-Substituted Phosphine Complexes of Ni and Pd.

PMID- 26280193
TI  - 3D Band Diagram and Photoexcitation of 2D-3D Semiconductor Heterojunctions.
AB  - The emergence of a rich variety of two-dimensional (2D) layered semiconductor
      materials has enabled the creation of atomically thin heterojunction devices.
      Junctions between atomically thin 2D layers and 3D bulk semiconductors can lead
      to junctions that are fundamentally electronically different from the covalently
      bonded conventional semiconductor junctions. Here we propose a new 3D band
      diagram for the heterojunction formed between n-type monolayer MoS2 and p-type
      Si, in which the conduction and valence band-edges of the MoS2 monolayer are
      drawn for both stacked and in-plane directions. This new band diagram helps
      visualize the flow of charge carriers inside the device in a 3D manner. Our
      detailed wavelength-dependent photocurrent measurements fully support the
      diagrams and unambiguously show that the band alignment is type I for this 2D-3D
      heterojunction. Photogenerated electron-hole pairs in the atomically thin
      monolayer are separated and driven by an external bias and control the "on/off"
      states of the junction photodetector device. Two photoresponse regimes with fast
      and slow relaxation are also revealed in time-resolved photocurrent measurements,
      suggesting the important role played by charge trap states. 

PMID- 26280194
TI  - What Keeps Them Together? Insights into Sex Offender Couples Using Qualitative
      Content Analyses.
AB  - Research on sex offenders' relationships is scarce. The aim of this qualitative
      study was to investigate sex offenders' relationships as well as their female
      partners' adjustment strategies by means of interview analysis. Both partners
      profit from the relationship in terms of mutual support and acceptance. The
      sexual offense is a taboo subject, and the female partners were found to
      demonstrate cognitive distortions. The imbalance of power found in the sex
      offenders' relationships is discussed, as is the finding that those sexual
      offenders interviewed live out their need for dominance and sometimes their
      aggression. The women interviewed were found to cling to their partners as a
      result of their insecure attachment style. We discuss couples counseling and
      therapy as possibilities for addressing the imbalance of power and casting light
      upon the sexual aspect of the relationship. 

PMID- 26280195
TI  - Hannelore Wass: Death Education--An Enduring Legacy.
AB  - Hannelore Wass's enduring contribution to the field of thanatology focused on
      death education In addition to developing a journal initially focused on that
      topic, Wass also created one of the first text books in the field. This article
      explores the factors that caused death education to emerge in the late 1960s as
      well as issues that death education still faces as it continues to evolve. 

PMID- 26280196
TI  - The expanding territories of condensin II.

PMID- 26280197
TI  - The use of dialdehyde starch derivatives in the phytoremediation of soils
      contaminated with heavy metals.
AB  - Products of the reaction between dialdehyde starch and Y-NH2 compounds (e.g.
      semicarbazide or hydrazine) are effective ligands for metal ions. The usefulness
      of these derivatives was tested in the experiment, both in terms of the
      immobilization of heavy metal ions in soil and the potential application in
      phytoextraction processes. The experimental model comprised maize and the ions of
      such metals as: Zn(II), Pb(II), Cu(II), Cd(II), and Ni(II). The amount of maize
      yield, as well as heavy metal content and uptake by the aboveground parts and
      roots of maize, were studied during a three-year pot experiment. The results of
      the study indicate the significant impact of heavy metals on reduced yield and
      increased heavy metal content in maize. Soil-applied dialdehyde starch
      derivatives resulted in lower yields, particularly disemicarbazone (DASS), but in
      heavy metal-contaminated soils they largely limited the negative impact of these
      metals both on yielding and heavy metal content in plants, particularly
      dihydrazone (DASH). It was demonstrated that the application of dihydrazone
      (DASH) to a soil polluted with heavy metals boosted the uptake of Zn, Pb, Cu, and
      Cd from the soil, hence there is a possibility to use this compound in the
      phytoextraction of these metals from the soil. Decreased Ni uptake was also
      determined, hence the possibility of using this compound in the immobilization of
      this metal. The study showed that dialdehyde starch disemicarbazone was
      ineffective in the discussed processes. 

PMID- 26280198
TI  - Crystal Structures of Escherichia coli Branching Enzyme in Complex with Linear
      Oligosaccharides.
AB  - Branching enzyme is responsible for all branching of glycogen and starch. It is
      an unusual member of the alpha-amylase family because it has both alpha-1,4
      amylase activity and alpha-1,6-transferase activity [Drummond, G. S., et al.
      (1972) Eur. J. Biochem. 26, 168-176]. It also does not react with shorter
      glucans, though it will bind much longer substrates and substrate mimics
      [Binderup, K., et al. (2002) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 397, 279-285]. In an effort
      to better understand how branching enzyme interacts with its polymeric substrate,
      we have determined the structure of Delta112 Escherichia coli branching enzyme
      bound to maltoheptaose and maltohexaose. Together, these structures define six
      distinct oligosaccharide binding sites on the surface of E. coli branching
      enzyme. Most of these binding sites surround the edge of the beta-barrel domain
      and are quite far from the active site. Surprisingly, there is no evidence of
      oligosaccharide binding in the active site of the enzyme. The closest bound
      oligosaccharide resides almost 18 A from the active site. Mutations to conserved
      residues in binding sites I and VI had a debilitating effect on the activity of
      the enzyme. 

PMID- 26280199
TI  - Self-aligned placement and detection of quantum dots on the tips of individual
      conical plasmonic nanostructures.
AB  - Hybrid structures of few or single quantum dots (QDs) coupled to single optical
      antennas are of prime interest for nano-optical research. The photoluminescence
      (PL) signal from single nanoemitters, such as QDs, can be enhanced, and their
      emission characteristics modified, by coupling them to plasmonic nanostructures.
      Here, a self-aligned technique for placing nanoscale QDs with about 10 nm lateral
      accuracy and well-defined molecular distances to the tips of individual nanocones
      is reported. This way the QDs are positioned exactly in the high near-field
      region that can be created near the cone apex. The cones are excited in the focus
      of a radially polarized laser beam and the PL signal of few or single QDs on the
      cone tips is spectrally detected. 

PMID- 26280200
TI  - Intriguing multichannel photoinduced electron transfer in lanthanide(iii)
      diphenylamine systems.
AB  - Photoinduced electron transfer (PET) and charge transfer (CT) interactions of
      trivalent lanthanide ions (Ln(3+)) with a fluorogenic diphenylamine (DPA) donor
      in aqueous solution have been investigated. Present donor-acceptor systems have a
      relevance to the leaching out and mitigation of lanthanide ions in the
      geoenvironment where DPA finds its presence as industrial and agricultural waste.
      The formation of weak ground state CT complexes in the present systems is
      confirmed from ground state absorption studies. There is no emissive exciplex
      formation as evidenced from steady-state (SS) fluorescence measurements. SS
      fluorescence quenching results, however, indicate substantial static quenching,
      attributed to ground state complex formation. Time-resolved (TR) fluorescence
      quenching results show a quite efficient dynamic quenching process. It is
      established that the TR fluorescence quenching of DPA by lanthanide ions is not
      due to energy transfer but due to PET from excited DPA to Ln(3+). Direct evidence
      for the PET mechanism is obtained from laser flash photolysis measurements where
      a transient absorption band at around 670 nm for the DPA cation is clearly
      evident. The time constant for DPA cation growth confirms that PET occurs from
      the excited S1 state of DPA to lanthanide ions. No correlation is, however,
      observed for the estimated quenching constants with the free energy changes of
      the PET reactions, due to the participation of multiple PET channels involving
      vacant electronic states of lanthanide ions. As realized, lanthanide ions are
      complex electron acceptors in the PET reactions and many extensive follow up
      studies are expected to understand the details of the multichannel PET in these
      geologically important redox systems. 

PMID- 26280202
TI  - ADIPOSITY-RELATED CANCER AND FUNCTIONAL IMAGING OF BROWN ADIPOSE TISSUE.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is involved in energy dissipation and
      cytokine production and is potentially beneficial for the human body. The aim of
      the paper is to review the literature on adiposity-related cancer and functional
      imaging of BAT. METHODS: We performed a review on adiposity-related cancer and
      functional imaging of BAT. We extensively researched papers for information on
      BAT molecular biology, as well as functional imaging modalities. RESULTS: Adipose
      tissue is linked to the development of many cancers. Multiple drugs including
      fenofibrate, spironolactone, and other substances, as well as experimental agents
      like beta-3 receptor agonists, caffeine, green tea extract, medium chain
      triglycerides (MCTs), and adenosine are known to stimulate and activate BAT.
      However, cold and nonshivering thermogenesis are the main activators of BAT. BAT
      has been detected on both magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and 18F
      fluorodexoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG-PET)-based imaging in
      multiple studies. Different methods of cold stimulation and static and dynamic
      protocols have been used to detect and image BAT. Factors like sex, fasting or
      fed state, surface skin temperature, and/or body mass index (BMI) may influence
      PET-based BAT detection. BAT has also been detected using MRI, (99m)Technetium
      (Tc)-sestamibi, and 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine single-photon emission computed
      tomography/computed tomography (MIBG SPECT/CT). CONCLUSIONS: Stimulation of BAT
      offers promise in the management of obesity-related conditions. Tracers like
      [(15)O]-H2O, [(11)C] acetate, and 18F-fluoro-6-thia-heptadecanoic acid (18F-FTHA)
      that measure BAT blood flow, oxygen utilization, and nonessential fatty acid
      (NEFA) uptake, respectively, have been studied in humans. Future studies should
      focus on BAT tissue generation by altering the genetic pathways of adiposity
      linked genes.

PMID- 26280203
TI  - SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF A PERI-OPERATIVE PROTOCOL FOR PATIENTS WITH DIABETES
      TREATED WITH CONTINUOUS SUBCUTANEOUS INSULIN INFUSION WHO ARE ADMITTED FOR SAME
      DAY SURGERY.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The number of people with diabetes using continuous subcutaneous
      insulin infusions (CSII) with an insulin pump has risen dramatically, creating
      new challenges when these patients are admitted to the hospital for surgical or
      other procedures. There is limited literature guiding CSII use during surgical
      procedures. METHODS: The study was carried out in a large, urban, tertiary care
      hospital. We enrolled 49 patients using insulin pump therapy presenting for 57
      elective surgeries. We developed a CSII peri-operative glycemic management
      protocol (PGMP) to standardize insulin pump management in patients admitted to a
      same-day surgery unit (SDSU). The purpose was evaluate the safety (% capillary
      blood glucose (CBG) <70 mg/dL and/or pump incidents) and efficacy (first
      postoperative CBG <=200 mg/dL) of the CSII PGMP. We determine the contribution of
      admission CBG, type of anesthesia, surgery length, and peri-operative steroid use
      on postoperative glycemic control. RESULTS: Overall, 63% of patients treated
      according to the CSII PGMP had a first postoperative CBG <=200 mg/dL. There were
      no episodes of intra- or postoperative hypoglycemia. For patients treated with
      the CSII PGMP, the mean postoperative CBG was lower in patients with anticipated
      or actual surgical length <=120 minutes (158.1 +/- 53.9 vs. 216 +/- 77.7 mg/dL,
      P<.01). No differences were observed with admission CBG, type of anesthesia, or
      steroid use. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that a CSII PGMP is both safe
      and effective for patients admitted for elective surgical procedures and provides
      an example of a standardized protocol for use in clinical practice.

PMID- 26280204
TI  - Expression of TNFR2 by regulatory T cells in peripheral blood is correlated with
      clinical pathology of lung cancer patients.
AB  - CD4(+)FoxP3(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) represent a major cellular mediator of
      cancer immune evasion. The expression of tumor necrosis factor receptor type II
      (TNFR2) on Tregs is reported to identify the maximally suppressive Treg
      population in both mice and human. We therefore investigated the phenotype and
      function of TNFR2(+) Tregs present in the peripheral blood (PB) of 43 lung cancer
      patients. Further, the association of TNFR2 expression on Tregs with
      clinicopathological factors was analyzed. The results showed that in the PB of
      lung cancer patients, Tregs expressed markedly higher levels of TNFR2 than
      conventional T cells (Tconvs). Expression of TNFR2 appeared to correlate better
      than CD25(+) and CD127(-) with FoxP3 expression. PB TNFR2(+) Tregs in lung cancer
      patients were more proliferative and expressed higher levels of the
      immunosuppressive molecule CTLA-4, and consequently more potently suppressed
      IFNgamma production by cocultured CD8 CTLs. More importantly, higher TNFR2
      expression levels on Tregs were associated with lymphatic invasion, distant
      metastasis and more advanced clinical stage of lung cancer patients. Therefore,
      our study suggests that TNFR2(+) Tregs play a role in promoting tumor progressive
      metastasis and expression of TNFR2 by PB Tregs may prove to be a useful
      prognostic marker in lung cancer patients.

PMID- 26280205
TI  - Development of sensitive direct chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay for the
      determination of dihydroartemisinin in plasma.
AB  - Despite significant progress in prevention and therapy, malaria is still one of
      the world's leading major diseases due to its high morbidity and mortality.
      Recommended treatments by the World Health Organization include the use of
      artemisinin and artemisinin derivative-based combination therapies. To allow
      efficient patient monitoring during antimalarial therapy without the use of
      expensive apparatus, we developed a sensitive direct chemiluminescent enzyme
      immunoassay for the determination of dihydroartemisinin in biological fluids. To
      produce specific antibodies against dihydroartemisinin (DHA), a synthetic DHA
      derivative was coupled to bovine serum albumin as the immunogen. In parallel, a
      new, rapid, and efficient procedure to covalently link glycoprotein to all amine
      containing molecules has been established and the enzyme tracer was prepared by
      chemically coupling the DHA derivative in combination with SBP rather than the
      more commonly used HRP. It allowed us to develop, after optimization of the
      luminescent reagent, a sensitive and stable luminescent EIA, with a LLOQ of 90 pg
      mL(-1). This assay compares favorably with the most efficient HPLC methods
      previously reported with a LLOQ close to 1 ng mL(-1) and shows good precision and
      efficiency since recovery from human plasma spiked with DHA ranged between 91 and
      103%, with coefficients of variation of <13%. To date, no immunoassay for DHA has
      been applied to plasma analysis and this EIA should be very useful in all
      clinical laboratories for rapid and cost-effective analysis.

PMID- 26280206
TI  - Simultaneous determination of ten anticoagulant rodenticides in tissues by column
      switching UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS.
AB  - This paper describes the development of a method for the simultaneous
      determination of ten anticoagulant rodenticides (coumafuryl, warfarin, pindone,
      coumatetralyl, coumachlor, difenacoum, bromadiolone, brodifacoum, chlorophacinone
      and flocoumafen) in the liver and kidney based on column-switching liquid
      chromatography coupled with heated electrospray ionization tandem mass
      spectrometry. The simple sample preparation includes extraction with methanol. A
      C18 trapping column was used for online solid-phase extraction before analytical
      separation with the mobile phase comprising a mixture of 0.1% formic acid in
      water, methanol and acetonitrile. Chromatographic separation was achieved using a
      Thermo Hypersil ultra high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) C18 column
      with the mobile phase consisting of 5 mM ammonium formate buffer (pH = 9) and
      methanol. The column-switching procedure ensured no matrix effects during
      electrospray ionization (ESI). Extraction recoveries ranged between 91 and 100%
      for liver and between 89 and 97% for kidney. The method showed good linearity up
      to 750 ng g(-1). The limit of detection ranged between 0.001 and 0.022 ng g(-1)
      for liver and between 0.001 and 0.028 ng g(-1) for kidney. The developed method
      was successfully used in several animal poisoning cases.

PMID- 26280207
TI  - Quantitative determination of five hydroxy acids, precursors of relevant wine
      aroma compounds in wine and other alcoholic beverages.
AB  - A method for the quantitative determination of 2-hydroxy-2-methylbutanoic
      (2OH2MB), 2-hydroxy-3-methylbutanoic (2OH3MB), 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutanoic
      (3OH3MB), 2-hydroxy-4-methylpentanoic (2OH4MP) and 3-hydroxybutanoic (3OHB) acids
      has been optimized, validated and applied to a set of wines and other alcoholic
      beverages. The analytes were preconcentrated in a solid phase extraction
      cartridge and derivatized with 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzyl bromide at room
      temperature for 30 min, followed by GC-MS analysis. Detection limits were between
      0.5 and 29 MUg L(-1), and linearity was maintained up to 3 or 12 mg L(-1),
      depending on the analyte. Recovery values were between 85 and 106 %, and
      reproducibility was better than 12 % RSD in most cases. The first specific study
      of these analytes in wine and other alcoholic beverages is herein reported.
      Concentrations ranged from the method detection limits to 7820, 519, 8510, 3470
      and 2500 MUg L(-1) for 2OH2MB, 2OH3MB, 3OH3MB, 2OH4MP and 3OHB, respectively,
      which may have relevant sensory effects. These products were not found in
      distillates (except 3OHB) but were all present in beer. 2OH2MB, 3OH3MB and 3OHB
      were found in unfermented grape derivatives. Sherry wines had the highest levels
      of all except for 3OHB. 

PMID- 26280208
TI  - Duration of protective immunity after a single vaccination with a live attenuated
      bivalent bluetongue vaccine.
AB  - The prevention of bluetongue is typically achieved with mono- or polyvalent
      modified- live-attenuated virus (MLV) vaccines. MLV vaccines typically elicit a
      strong antibody response that correlates directly with their ability to replicate
      in the vaccinated animal. They are inexpensive, stimulate protective immunity
      after a single inoculation, and have been proven effective in preventing clinical
      bluetongue disease. In this study, we evaluated the safety, immunogenicity, and
      efficacy of a bluetongue vaccine against Bluetongue virus serotypes 4 and 16 in
      sheep. All the animals remained clinically healthy during the observation period.
      The vaccinated animals showed no clinical signs except fever (>40.8  degrees C)
      for 2-4 days. Rapid seroconversion was observed in the sheep, with the
      accumulation of high antibody titers in the vaccinated animals. No animal became
      ill after the challenge, indicating that effective protection was achieved.
      Therefore, this vaccine, prepared from attenuated bluetongue virus strains, is
      safe, immunogenic, and efficacious.

PMID- 26280210
TI  - Comparative Immunogenicity of TNF Inhibitors: Impact on Clinical Efficacy and
      Tolerability in the Management of Autoimmune Diseases. A Systematic Review and
      Meta-Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors are a mainstay in the
      treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), as well as in the management of
      spondyloarthritis (SpA) and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Unfortunately, a
      portion of patients taking these drugs require escalating doses within the
      approved label to achieve response, while others lose response altogether. This
      may be due to the development of antibodies against TNFi agents. OBJECTIVES: Our
      objective was to examine the immunogenicity of TNF inhibitors (adalimumab,
      infliximab, etanercept, golimumab, and certolizumab) in RA, SpA, and IBD, and to
      examine the potential effect of anti-drug antibodies (ADABs) on the loss of
      clinical response through a systematic literature review and meta-analysis.
      METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive literature search using three databases
      (PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane library) to identify studies examining
      the immunogenicity of TNF inhibitors in autoimmune diseases between 1966 and 31
      December 2013. Inclusion criteria required that studies be in English, be
      randomized controlled trials, observational studies, or case reports involving
      more than five patients, and that the patients be aged 18 years or older. Studies
      were excluded if they were strictly genetic with no clinical correlate, if the
      patients had concomitant cancer within 5 years of the study, or if the patients
      had a renal disease requiring dialysis. Double extraction was followed by a third
      extraction if needed. Consensus was reached by discussion when disagreements
      occurred. Random-effect models were generated for the meta-analysis of 68 studies
      to estimate the odds ratio (OR) of the ADAB effects on TNF inhibitor response.
      Regression analysis was used to compare among the drugs and diseases. RESULTS: A
      total of 68 studies (14,651 patients) matched the inclusion/exclusion criteria.
      Overall, the cumulative incidence of ADABs was 12.7 % [95 % confidence interval
      (CI) 9.5-16.7]. Of the patients using infliximab, 25.3 % (95 % CI 19.5-32.3)
      developed ADABs compared with 14.1 % (95 % CI 8.6-22.3) using adalimumab, 6.9 %
      (95 % CI 3.4-13.5) for certolizumab, 3.8 % (95 % CI 2.1-6.6) for golimumab, and
      1.2 % (95 % CI 0.4-3.8) for etanercept. ADABs reduced the odds of clinical
      response by 67 % overall, although most of the data were derived from articles
      involving infliximab (nine) and adalimumab (eight). The summary effect for
      infliximab yielded an estimated OR (with ADABs vs. without) of 0.42 (95 % CI 0.30
      0.58); the summary effect for adalimumab yielded an estimated OR (as above) of
      0.13 (95 % CI 0.08-0.22); and the OR (as above) for golimumab was 0.42 (95 % CI
      0.22-0.81). All figures were statistically significant. ADABS decreased response
      by 27 % in RA and 18 % in SpA, both of which were statistically significant.
      However, the effect of ADABS on response was not statistically significant for
      IBD when we only included the studies that reported the duration of exposure in
      the regression analysis. The use of concomitant immunosuppressives (methotrexate,
      6-mercaptopurine, azathioprine, and others) reduced the odds of ADAB formation in
      all patients by 74 %. The OR for risk with immunosuppressives versus without was
      0.26 (95 % CI 0.21-0.32). CONCLUSION: ADABs developed in 13 % of patients. All
      five TNF inhibitors were associated with ADABs, but to varying degrees depending
      on the specific TNF inhibitor and the disease. ADABs are associated with reduced
      clinical response and an increased incidence of infusion reactions and injection
      site reactions. Concomitant use of immunosuppressives can reduce ADAB formation.

PMID- 26280209
TI  - Intraoperative indocyanine green fluorescence angiography to predict wound
      complications in complex ventral hernia repair.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Complex ventral hernia repair (VHR) is associated with a greater
      than 30% wound complication rate. Perfusion mapping using indocyanine green
      fluorescence angiography (ICG-FA) has been demonstrated to predict skin and soft
      tissue necrosis in many reconstructive procedures; however, it has yet to be
      evaluated in VHR. METHODS: Patients undergoing complex VHR involving component
      separation and/or extensive subcutaneous advancement flaps were included in a
      prospective, blinded study. Patients with active infection were excluded. ICG-FA
      was performed prior to incision and prior to closure, but the surgeon was not
      allowed to view it. An additional blinded surgeon documented wound complications
      and evaluated postoperative photographs. The operative ICG-FA was reviewed
      blinded, and investigators were then unblinded to determine its ability to
      predict wound complications. RESULTS: Fifteen consecutive patients were enrolled
      with mean age of 56.1 years and average BMI of 34.9, of which 60% were female.
      Most (73.3%) had prior hernia repairs (average of 1.8 prior repairs). Mean defect
      area was 210.4 cm2, mean OR time was 206 min, 66.6% of patients underwent
      concomitant panniculectomy, and 40% had component separation. Mean follow-up was
      7 months. Two patients developed wound breakdown requiring reoperation, while 1
      had significant fat necrosis and another a wound infection, requiring operative
      intervention. ICG-FA was objectively reviewed and predicted all 4 wound
      complications. Of the 12 patients without complications, 1 had an area of low
      perfusion on ICG-FA. This study found a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of
      90.9% for predicting wound complications using ICG-FA. CONCLUSION: In complex VHR
      patients, subcutaneous perfusion mapping with ICG-FA is very sensitive and has
      the potential to reduce cost and improve patient quality of life by reducing
      wound complications and reoperation.

PMID- 26280211
TI  - Predictors of Obesity in a Cohort of Children Enrolled in WIC as Infants and
      Retained to 3 Years of Age.
AB  - This longitudinal study of children enrolled as infants in the New York State
      (NYS) Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children
      (WIC) examined predictors of obesity (body mass index >= 95th percentile) at 3
      years of age. NYS WIC administrative data which included information from parent
      interviews and measured heights and weights for children were used. All 50,589
      children enrolled as infants in WIC between July to December 2008 and July to
      December 2009 and retained in WIC through age three were included. At 3 years of
      age, 15.1% of children were obese. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed
      that children of mothers who received the Full Breastfeeding Food Package when
      their infant was enrolled in WIC (adjusted OR = 0.52) and children with <=2 h
      screen time daily at age 3 (adjusted OR = 0.88) were significantly less likely to
      be obese (p < 0.001) controlling for race/ethnicity, birth weight, and
      birthplace. In this cohort of NYS WIC participants, maternal receipt of the Full
      Breastfeeding Food Package (a surrogate measure of exclusive breastfeeding) is
      associated with lower levels of obesity in their children at age 3. The
      relationships between participation in WIC, exclusive breastfeeding, and obesity
      prevention merit further study.

PMID- 26280212
TI  - Ulcerative colitis in a patient with non-small-cell lung cancer receiving
      bevacizumab.
AB  - Bevacizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody against vascular endothelial growth
      factor, is anticipated to prolong survival with inhibition of angiogenesis in
      patients with non-small-cell lung cancer. Rare life-threatening adverse events
      affecting the digestive tract have been reported, such as gastrointestinal
      hemorrhage and bowel perforation. A 62-year-old Japanese woman who was diagnosed
      as having stage IIIB (cT4N2M0) lung adenocarcinoma received chemotherapy with
      bevacizumab, pemetrexed and carboplatin every 3 weeks for four cycles, which
      resulted in a partial response, and then continued with maintenance bevacizumab
      monotherapy. Fourteen days after completion of the seventh cycle of bevacizumab
      maintenance therapy, the patient developed sudden abdominal pain with more than
      10 episodes of hematochezia per day. On the basis of colonoscopic and
      pathological findings, ulcerative colitis (UC) with severe pancolitis was
      diagnosed. This case was unresponsive to medical treatment and required subtotal
      colectomy for management of the ulcerative colitis. This is the first reported
      case of ulcerative colitis occurring during bevacizumab therapy. The anti
      angiogenesis activity of bevacizumab may have been involved in the development
      and exacerbation of UC in this patient. 

PMID- 26280214
TI  - Isobutanol production from an engineered Shewanella oneidensis MR-1.
AB  - Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 is one of the most well-known metal-reducing bacteria
      and it has been extensively studied for microbial fuel cell and bioremediation
      aspects. In this study, we have examined S. oneidensis MR-1 as an isobutanol
      producing host by assessing three key factors such as isobutanol synthetic genes,
      carbon sources, and electron supply systems. Heterologous Ehrlich pathway genes,
      kivD encoding ketoisovalerate decarboxylase and adh encoding alcohol
      dehydrogenase, were constructed in S. oneidensis MR-1. Among the composition of
      carbon sources examined, 2% of N-acetylglucosamine, 1.5% of pyruvate and 2% of
      lactate were found to be the most optimal nutrients and resulted in 10.3 mg/L of
      isobutanol production with 48 h of microaerobic incubation. Finally, the effects
      of metal ions (electron acceptor) and direct electron transfer systems on
      isobutanol production were investigated, and Fe(2+) ions increased the isobutanol
      production up to 35%. Interestingly, deletion of mtrA and mtrB, genes responsible
      for membrane transport systems, did not have significant impact on isobutanol
      production. Finally, we applied engineered S. oneidensis to a bioelectrical
      reactor system to investigate the effect of a direct electron supply system on
      isobutanol production, and it resulted in an increased growth and isobutanol
      production (up to 19.3 mg/L). This report showed the feasibility of S. oneidensis
      MR-1 as a genetic host to produce valuable biochemicals and combine an electron
      supplying system with biotechnological applications.

PMID- 26280215
TI  - Purification, biochemical characterization and antifungal activity of a novel
      Aspergillus tubingensis glucose oxidase steady on broad range of pH and
      temperatures.
AB  - This study was carried out to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo antifungal
      efficiency of Aspergillus tubingensis CTM 507 glucose oxidase (GOD) against plant
      pathogenic fungi. GOD displayed a wide inhibitory spectrum toward different fungi
      at a concentration of 20 AU. The GOD had a strong inhibitor effect on mycelia
      growth and spore germination of Pythium ultimum. Interestingly, the GOD exhibited
      a potent in vivo antifungal effect against P. ultimum responsible for potato
      plants disease. The antifungal GOD was purified 13-fold with 27 % yield and a
      specific activity of 3435 U/mg. The relative molecular mass of the GOD was 180
      kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The
      GOD activity was optimum at pH 4.5 and 60  degrees C. It was found to be stable
      over a large pH range (3-9). It also displayed a marked thermostability with a 50
      min half-life at 65  degrees C. The 10 residues of the N-terminal sequence of the
      purified GOD (S-K-G-S-A-V-T-T-P-D) showed no homology to the other reported GOD,
      identifying a novel GOD. FTIR spectroscopic analysis revealed the presence of C-O
      and C=O groups corresponding to a D-glucono-lactone. The findings indicated that
      GOD is the first A. tubingensis-produced fungicide ever reported to exhibit such
      promising biological properties. It could become a natural alternative to
      synthetic fungicides to control certain important plant microbial diseases. 

PMID- 26280213
TI  - Expression Patterns of TRPC1 in Cortical Lesions from Patients with Focal
      Cortical Dysplasia.
AB  - Focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) is known as a common cause of chronic refractory
      epilepsy, but the underlying mechanisms of the factors that lead to FCD-related
      epilepsy are unclear. Previous studies have shown that canonical transient
      receptor potential channels (TRPCs) might be involved in the process of
      epileptogenesis. Canonical transient receptor potential channel 1 (TRPC1), which
      is ubiquitously expressed in the brain, has been shown to be involved in
      epileptiform bust firing in knockout mice. In this study, we examined the
      expression of TRPC1 in FCD type Ia (FCDIa), FCD type IIa (FCDIIa), and FCD type
      IIb (FCDIIb) surgical specimens from patients and age-matched autopsy control
      samples. Real-time quantitative PCR and western blotting indicated that TRPC1
      mRNA and protein levels were increased in FCDIa, FCDIIa, and FCDIIb samples
      compared to control samples. Immunohistochemistry results revealed that TRPC1 was
      mainly distributed in microcolumns, dysmorphic neurons, and balloon cells.
      Further double immunofluorescent staining showed that TRPC1 was co-localized with
      glutamatergic and GABAergic markers. Taken together, our results demonstrate that
      the overexpression and specific cellular location of TRPC1 might be related to
      the epileptogenesis of FCD. 

PMID- 26280216
TI  - Postural change in volunteers: sympathetic tone determines microvascular response
      to cardiac preload and output increases.
AB  - PURPOSE: Microvascular perfusion may be a non-invasive indicator of fluid
      responsiveness. We aimed to investigate which of the microvascular perfusion
      parameters truly reflects fluid responsiveness independent of sympathetic
      reflexes. METHODS: Fifteen healthy volunteers underwent a postural change from
      head up tilt (HUT) to the supine position, diminishing sympathetic tone, followed
      by a 30 degrees  passive leg raising (PLR) with unaltered tone. Prior to and
      after the postural changes, stroke volume (SV) and cardiac output (CO) were
      measured, as well as sublingual microcirculatory perfusion (sidestream dark field
      imaging), skin perfusion, and oxygenation (laser Doppler flowmetry and
      reflectance spectroscopy). RESULTS: In responders (subjects with >10 % increase
      in CO), the HUT to supine change increased CO, SV, and pulse pressure, while
      heart rate, systemic vascular resistance, and mean arterial pressure decreased.
      Additionally, microvascular flow index, laser Doppler flow, and microvascular
      hemoglobin oxygen saturation and concentration also increased. CONCLUSION: When
      preload and forward flow increase in association with a decrease in sympathetic
      activity, microvascular blood flow increases in the skin and in the sublingual
      area. When preload and forward flow increase with little to no change in
      sympathetic activity, only sublingual functional capillary density increases.
      Therefore, our results indicate that sublingual functional capillary density is
      the best parameter to use when evaluating fluid responsiveness independent of
      changes in sympathetic tone.

PMID- 26280217
TI  - Cerebral blood flow during HUTT in young patients with orthostatic intolerance.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate patterns of change in cerebral perfusion during head-up
      tilt testing (HUTT) in children and young adults with autonomic dysfunction.
      METHODS: We utilized near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to estimate bilateral
      cerebral perfusion patterns during HUTT in 71 adolescents and young adults with a
      diagnosis of autonomic dysfunction. In addition, we used transthoracic impedance
      to measure cardiac stroke volume and thus infer autonomic tone, heart rate, and
      blood pressure during the test. Cerebral blood-flow wave-patterns were then
      visually analyzed and associated with clinical symptoms and measures of
      cardiovascular and autonomic function. RESULTS: Visual analysis of contour
      changes in head NIRS values during phases of HUTT revealed variable patterns of
      cerebral blood flow, some specifically associated with severe symptomatology
      (i.e., syncope). We also observed an inequality in blood flow of the cerebral
      hemispheres in many patients. Finally, we observed changes in cardiac stroke
      volume during HUTT, as previously reported, that related to changes in head NIRS.
      CONCLUSION: These results confirm a decrease in cerebral blood flow during HUTT
      as assessed by head NIRS in patients with autonomic dysfunction. Specifically, we
      have profiled the cerebral blood flow contours throughout the phases of HUTT,
      which add insight into the clinical spectrum of the disorder and may correlate
      with clinical severity.

PMID- 26280219
TI  - Prevention of recurrent autonomic dysreflexia: a survey of current practice.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: There is a dearth of literature on the treatment of chronic recurrent
      autonomic dysreflexia (AD), a well-known complication of spinal cord injury that
      can have life-threatening implications. This study sought to identify clinical
      practices regarding the treatment of AD, both acute and recurrent, in patients
      with spinal cord injury (SCI). METHODS: Online survey regarding AD management in
      SCI composed of 11 questions designed to obtain information on respondent
      characteristics, AD treatment options, and causes of AD. SETTING: Veterans
      Administration health care system. PARTICIPANTS: Veterans Health Administration
      National SCI Staff Physicians were sent an electronic email to participate in the
      anonymous web-based survey. INTERVENTION: None applicable. RESULTS: The response
      rate was 52%. The most commonly prescribed medications for minor and severe acute
      manifestations of AD were nitrates. For recurrent AD, clonidine was the most
      commonly prescribed medication. INTERPRETATION: Anti-hypertensive medications
      continue to be the mainstay in the management of both acute and chronic recurrent
      AD. Current literature is lacking in prospective randomized controlled trials
      investigating the relative efficacy of AD interventions. Evidence-based practice
      guidelines are necessary to improve clinical care.

PMID- 26280218
TI  - Association between cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity and baseline cerebral
      perfusion of the hippocampus.
AB  - PURPOSE: A failure to control perfusion pressure due to impaired baroreflex
      sensitivity (BRS) could potentially cause chronic brain hypoperfusion, leading to
      cognitive dysfunction. The primary aim of this study was to determine whether BRS
      was associated with regional cerebral blood flow as measured by MRI arterial spin
      labeling (ASL) technique. METHODS: Baroreflex sensitivity was measured using the
      Valsalva maneuver technique in 52 middle-aged normotensive adults (49 +/- 1
      years), and phase IV of the Valsalva maneuver was used for analyses. Cerebral
      perfusion was measured using the ASL MRI technique in 10 pre-determined brain
      regions of interest. RESULTS: Hippocampal perfusion was correlated with BRS (R
      (2) = 0.17, P = 0.01). No association was observed between BRS and cerebral
      perfusion in the other brain regions of interest. Partial correlational analyses
      revealed that BRS was an important predictor of hippocampal perfusion, explaining
      11 % of the variability independent of other covariates. When participants were
      divided into tertiles of BRS (11.8 +/- 1.9 and 3.5 +/- 0.1 ms/mmHg for the
      highest and lowest tertiles), regional cerebral perfusion of the hippocampus was
      significantly lower in the lowest BRS tertile than in the highest tertile (39.1
      +/- 4.3 and 60.5 +/- 8.4 ml/100 g/min). CONCLUSIONS: Baroreflex sensitivity in
      midlife is positively associated with regional cerebral perfusion of the
      hippocampus, and impaired BRS appears to be related to brain hypoperfusion even
      in apparently healthy middle-aged adults. Future longitudinal studies based on
      the present cross-sectional findings may help to further define the relationship
      between BRS to cognitive dysfunction.

PMID- 26280220
TI  - Characterization and pharmacologic targeting of EZH2, a fetal retinal protein and
      epigenetic regulator, in human retinoblastoma.
AB  - Retinoblastoma (RB) is the most common primary intraocular cancer in children,
      and the third most common cancer overall in infants. No molecular-targeted
      therapy for this lethal tumor exists. Since the tumor suppressor RB1, whose
      genetic inactivation underlies RB, is upstream of the epigenetic regulator EZH2,
      a pharmacologic target for many solid tumors, we reasoned that EZH2 might
      regulate human RB tumorigenesis. Histologic and immunohistochemical analyses were
      performed using an EZH2 antibody in sections from 43 samples of primary, formalin
      fixed, paraffin-embedded human RB tissue, cryopreserved mouse retina, and in
      whole cell lysates from human RB cell lines (Y79 and WERI-Rb1), primary human
      fetal retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and fetal and adult retina, mouse retina
      and embryonic stem (ES) cells. Although enriched during fetal human retinal
      development, EZH2 protein was not present in the normal postnatal retina.
      However, EZH2 was detected in all 43 analyzed human RB specimens, indicating that
      EZH2 is a fetal protein expressed in postnatal human RB. EZH2 expression marked
      single RB cell invasion into the optic nerve, a site of invasion whose
      involvement may influence the decision for systemic chemotherapy. To assess the
      role of EZH2 in RB cell survival, human RB and primary RPE cells were treated
      with two EZH2 inhibitors (EZH2i), GSK126 and SAH-EZH2 (SAH). EZH2i impaired
      intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, an indicator of cell
      viability, in a time and dose-dependent manner, but did not affect primary human
      fetal RPE. Thus, aberrant expression of a histone methyltransferase protein is a
      feature of human RB. This is the first time this mechanism has been implicated
      for an eye, adnexal, or orbital tumor. The specificity of EZH2i toward human RB
      cells, but not RPE, warrants further in vivo testing in animal models of RB,
      especially those EZH2i currently in clinical trials for solid tumors and
      lymphoma. 

PMID- 26280221
TI  - Novel regenerative peptide TP508 mitigates radiation-induced gastrointestinal
      damage by activating stem cells and preserving crypt integrity.
AB  - In recent years, increasing threats of radiation exposure and nuclear disasters
      have become a significant concern for the United States and countries worldwide.
      Exposure to high doses of radiation triggers a number of potentially lethal
      effects. Among the most severe is the gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity syndrome
      caused by the destruction of the intestinal barrier, resulting in bacterial
      translocation, systemic bacteremia, sepsis, and death. The lack of effective
      radioprotective agents capable of mitigating radiation-induced damage has
      prompted a search for novel countermeasures that can mitigate the effects of
      radiation post exposure, accelerate tissue repair in radiation-exposed
      individuals, and prevent mortality. We report that a single injection of
      regenerative peptide TP508 (rusalatide acetate, Chrysalin) 24 h after lethal
      radiation exposure (9 Gy, LD100/15) appears to significantly increase survival
      and delay mortality by mitigating radiation-induced intestinal and colonic
      toxicity. TP508 treatment post exposure prevents the disintegration of GI crypts,
      stimulates the expression of adherens junction protein E-cadherin, activates
      crypt cell proliferation, and decreases apoptosis. TP508 post-exposure treatment
      also upregulates the expression of DCLK1 and LGR5 markers of stem cells that have
      been shown to be responsible for maintaining and regenerating intestinal crypts.
      Thus, TP508 appears to mitigate the effects of GI toxicity by activating
      radioresistant stem cells and increasing the stemness potential of crypts to
      maintain and restore intestinal integrity. These results suggest that TP508 may
      be an effective emergency nuclear countermeasure that could be delivered within
      24 h post exposure to increase survival and delay mortality, giving victims time
      to reach clinical sites for advanced medical treatment. 

PMID- 26280223
TI  - Large-area high-quality 2D ultrathin Mo2C superconducting crystals.
AB  - Transition metal carbides (TMCs) are a large family of materials with many
      intriguing properties and applications, and high-quality 2D TMCs are essential
      for investigating new physics and properties in the 2D limit. However, the 2D
      TMCs obtained so far are chemically functionalized, defective nanosheets having
      maximum lateral dimensions of ~10 MUm. Here we report the fabrication of large
      area high-quality 2D ultrathin alpha-Mo2C crystals by chemical vapour deposition
      (CVD). The crystals are a few nanometres thick, over 100 MUm in size, and very
      stable under ambient conditions. They show 2D characteristics of superconducting
      transitions that are consistent with Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless behaviour
      and show strong anisotropy with magnetic field orientation; moreover, the
      superconductivity is also strongly dependent on the crystal thickness. Our
      versatile CVD process allows the fabrication of other high-quality 2D TMC
      crystals, such as ultrathin WC and TaC crystals, which further expand the large
      family of 2D materials. 

PMID- 26280222
TI  - Partial denervation of sub-basal axons persists following debridement wounds to
      the mouse cornea.
AB  - Although sensory reinnervation occurs after injury in the peripheral nervous
      system, poor reinnervation in the elderly and those with diabetes often leads to
      pathology. Here we quantify sub-basal axon density in the central and peripheral
      mouse cornea over time after three different types of injury. The mouse cornea is
      highly innervated with a dense array of sub-basal nerves that form a spiral
      called the vortex at the corneal center or apex; these nerves are readily
      detected within flat mounted corneas. After anesthesia, corneal epithelial cells
      were removed using either a dulled blade or a rotating burr within an area
      demarcated centrally with a 1.5 mm trephine. A third wound type, superficial
      trephination, involved demarcating the area with the 1.5 mm trephine but not
      removing cells. By 7 days after superficial trephination, sub-basal axon density
      returns to control levels; by 28 days the vortex reforms. Although axon density
      is similar to control 14 days after dulled blade and rotating burr wounding,
      defects in axon morphology at the corneal apex remain. After 14 days, axons
      retract from the center leaving the sub-basal axon density reduced by 37.2 and
      36.8% at 28 days after dulled blade and rotating burr wounding, respectively,
      compared with control. Assessment of inflammation using flow cytometry shows that
      persistent inflammation is not a factor in the incomplete reinnervation.
      Expression of mRNAs encoding 22 regeneration-associated genes involved in axon
      targeting assessed by QPCR reveals that netrin-1 and ephrin signaling are altered
      after wounding. Subpopulations of corneal epithelial basal cells at the corneal
      apex stop expressing ki67 as early as 7 days after injury and by 14 and 28 days
      after wounding, many of these basal cells undergo apoptosis and die. Although sub
      basal axons are restored to their normal density and morphology after superficial
      trephination, sub-basal axon recovery is partial after debridement wounds. The
      increase in corneal epithelial basal cell apoptosis at the apex observed at 14
      days after corneal debridement may destabilize newly reinnervated sub-basal axons
      and lead to their retraction toward the periphery. 

PMID- 26280224
TI  - Orientational order of motile defects in active nematics.
AB  - The study of liquid crystals at equilibrium has led to fundamental insights into
      the nature of ordered materials, as well as to practical applications such as
      display technologies. Active nematics are a fundamentally different class of
      liquid crystals, driven away from equilibrium by the autonomous motion of their
      constituent rod-like particles. This internally generated activity powers the
      continuous creation and annihilation of topological defects, which leads to
      complex streaming flows whose chaotic dynamics seem to destroy long-range order.
      Here, we study these dynamics in experimental and computational realizations of
      active nematics. By tracking thousands of defects over centimetre-scale distances
      in microtubule-based active nematics, we identify a non-equilibrium phase
      characterized by a system-spanning orientational order of defects. This emergent
      order persists over hours despite defect lifetimes of only seconds. Similar
      dynamical structures are observed in coarse-grained simulations, suggesting that
      defect-ordered phases are a generic feature of active nematics. 

PMID- 26280225
TI  - Design principles for solid-state lithium superionic conductors.
AB  - Lithium solid electrolytes can potentially address two key limitations of the
      organic electrolytes used in today's lithium-ion batteries, namely, their
      flammability and limited electrochemical stability. However, achieving a Li(+)
      conductivity in the solid state comparable to existing liquid electrolytes (>1 mS
      cm(-1)) is particularly challenging. In this work, we reveal a fundamental
      relationship between anion packing and ionic transport in fast Li-conducting
      materials and expose the desirable structural attributes of good Li-ion
      conductors. We find that an underlying body-centred cubic-like anion framework,
      which allows direct Li hops between adjacent tetrahedral sites, is most desirable
      for achieving high ionic conductivity, and that indeed this anion arrangement is
      present in several known fast Li-conducting materials and other fast ion
      conductors. These findings provide important insight towards the understanding of
      ionic transport in Li-ion conductors and serve as design principles for future
      discovery and design of improved electrolytes for Li-ion batteries. 

PMID- 26280227
TI  - Chemical vapour deposition: Transition metal carbides go 2D.

PMID- 26280226
TI  - Phage-mediated counting by the naked eye of miRNA molecules at attomolar
      concentrations in a Petri dish.
AB  - The ability to count biomolecules such as cancer-biomarker miRNAs with the naked
      eye is seemingly impossible in molecular diagnostics. Here, we show an
      ultrasensitive naked-eye-counting strategy for quantifying miRNAs by employing T7
      phage-a bacteria-specific virus nanoparticle-as a surrogate. The phage is
      genetically engineered to become fluorescent and capable of binding a miRNA
      capturing gold nanoparticle (GNP) in a one-to-one manner. Target miRNAs crosslink
      the resultant phage-GNP couple and miRNA-capturing magnetic microparticles,
      forming a sandwich complex containing equimolar phage and miRNA. The phage is
      then released from the complex and developed into one macroscopic fluorescent
      plaque in a Petri dish by plating it in a host bacterial medium. Counting the
      plaques by the naked eye enables the quantification of miRNAs with detection
      limits of ~3 and ~5 aM for single-target and two-target miRNAs, respectively.
      This approach offers ultrasensitive and convenient quantification of disease
      biomarkers by the naked eye. 

PMID- 26280228
TI  - Clinical Spectrum of Encephalitis Associated With Antibodies Against the alpha
      Amino-3-Hydroxy-5-Methyl-4-Isoxazolepropionic Acid Receptor: Case Series and
      Review of the Literature.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: The clinical features of autoimmune encephalitis associated with
      antibodies against the alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid
      receptor (AMPAR-Abs) remain poorly defined. OBJECTIVES: To describe 7 patients
      with encephalitis and AMPAR-Abs and to provide a review of the literature on this
      disease entity. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: The setting was the Centre
      National de Reference pour les Syndromes Neurologiques Paraneoplasiques (Lyon,
      France), and participants were 7 consecutive patients diagnosed as having
      encephalitis and AMPAR-Abs between January 1, 2010, and December 1, 2014.
      Patients' clinical data were analyzed, with a median follow-up period of 12
      months (range, 2-31 months). Relevant articles were identified in the MEDLINE
      database using the keywords autoimmune encephalitis and AMPA receptor antibodies
      until February 15, 2015. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Modes of onset, full
      clinical presentations, and cancer prevalence. RESULTS: The patients included 4
      women and 3 men (median age, 56 years). Four main modes of encephalitis onset
      were observed, including confusion (3 patients), epileptic (1 patient), amnestic
      (1 patient), and a severe form of fulminant encephalitis (2 patients). In
      contrast with previous reports, we observed only 1 patient with seizures. Two
      patients had cancer (1 lung carcinoma and the other thymic carcinoma). Analysis
      of the literature identified 35 published cases of encephalitis and AMPAR-Abs,
      including 18 with clinical data. The same modes of encephalitis onset were
      observed, including confusion (12 patients), epileptic (1 patient), amnestic (3
      patients), and fulminant encephalitis (2 patients). Eleven patients were
      initially seen with a neoplasm (lung, breast, thymoma, or ovary). CONCLUSIONS AND
      RELEVANCE: The clinical spectrum of AMPAR encephalitis is variable. Cancer was
      found in 13 of 27 patients (48%) with known cancer status. Most patients are seen
      with symptoms suggestive of autoimmune limbic encephalitis, although they can be
      paucisymptomatic or may manifest severe panencephalitis that evolves to a
      minimally conscious state and diffuse cortical atrophy. Patients suspected of
      having autoimmune encephalitis should undergo screening for serum and
      cerebrospinal fluid AMPAR-Abs.

PMID- 26280230
TI  - Global Health: It Matters Now More Than Ever.

PMID- 26280231
TI  - Diagnosis and Management of Osteoporosis.
AB  - Osteoporosis-related fractures affect approximately one in two white women and
      one in five white men in their lifetime. The impact of fractures includes loss of
      function, significant costs, and increased mortality. The U.S. Preventive
      Services Task Force recommends using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry to screen
      all women 65 years and older, and younger women who have an increased fracture
      risk as determined by the World Health Organization's FRAX Fracture Risk
      Assessment Tool. Although guidelines are lacking for rescreening women who have
      normal bone mineral density on initial screening, intervals of at least four
      years appear safe. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force found insufficient
      evidence to recommend screening for osteoporosis in men; other organizations
      recommend screening all men 70 years and older. In patients with newly diagnosed
      osteoporosis, suggested laboratory tests to identify secondary causes include
      serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, calcium, creatinine, and thyroid-stimulating hormone.
      First-line treatment to prevent fractures consists of fall prevention, smoking
      cessation, moderation of alcohol intake, and bisphosphonate therapy. Clinicians
      should consider discontinuing bisphosphonate therapy after five years in women
      without a personal history of vertebral fractures. Raloxifene, teriparatide, and
      denosumab are alternative effective treatments for certain subsets of patients
      and for those who are unable to take or whose condition does not respond to
      bisphosphonates. The need for follow-up bone mineral density testing in patients
      receiving treatment for osteoporosis is uncertain. 

PMID- 26280232
TI  - Counseling on Early Childhood Concerns: Sleep Issues, Thumb-Sucking, Picky
      Eating, School Readiness, and Oral Health.
AB  - Family physicians are often a source of information and advice on early childhood
      concerns regarding sleep, thumb-sucking/pacifier use, picky eating, school
      readiness, and oral health. Evidence indicates that family variables are
      important in the genesis of sleep difficulties, and that traditional behavioral
      methods are not as effective as previously thought. Attention to family
      psychosocial well-being, especially maternal functioning, is important in
      addressing childhood sleep difficulties. Thumb-sucking and pacifier use may be
      associated with negative consequences if they persist, and referral is
      recommended after four years of age if appropriate behavioral interventions are
      ineffective. Picky eating is heavily influenced by environmental factors, and
      food neophobia is a normal stage of development. The main approaches to childhood
      eating problems include social modeling of normal eating behaviors, repeated
      exposures to new foods, and positive mealtime experiences. School readiness
      focuses on supporting the psychosocial variables that are associated with school
      success. Reading with the child enhances literacy skills. Quality early childhood
      education programs are also effective in enhancing school success. Delaying
      school entry is not beneficial and may be detrimental. School readiness includes
      the schools' role in supporting the learning needs of all children regardless of
      their abilities and skills. Oral health is increasingly recognized as an
      important contributor to overall health. Oral health should be incorporated into
      well-child visits beginning at the eruption of the first tooth. 

PMID- 26280233
TI  - Sexual Dysfunction in Women: A Practical Approach.
AB  - Sexual dysfunction in women is a common and often distressing problem that has a
      negative impact on quality of life and medication compliance. The problem is
      often multifactorial, necessitating a multidisciplinary evaluation and treatment
      approach that addresses biological, psychological, sociocultural, and relational
      factors. Criteria for sexual interest/arousal disorder require the presence of at
      least three specific symptoms lasting for at least six months. Lifelong
      anorgasmia may suggest the patient is unfamiliar or uncomfortable with self
      stimulation or sexual communication with her partner. Delayed or less intense
      orgasms may be a natural process of aging due to decreased genital blood flow and
      dulled genital sensations. Genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder includes fear
      or anxiety, marked tightening or tensing of the abdominal and pelvic muscles, or
      actual pain associated with attempts toward vaginal penetration that is
      persistent or recurrent for at least six months. Treatment depends on the
      etiology. Estrogen is effective for the treatment of dyspareunia associated with
      genitourinary syndrome of menopause. Testosterone, with and without concomitant
      use of estrogen, is associated with improvements in sexual functioning in
      naturally and surgically menopausal women, although data on long-term risks and
      benefits are lacking. Bupropion has been shown to improve the adverse sexual
      effects associated with antidepressant use; however, data are limited.
      Psychotherapy or sex therapy is useful for management of the psychological,
      relational, and sociocultural factors impacting a woman's sexual function.
      Clinicians can address many of these issues in addition to providing education
      and validating women's sexual health concerns. 

PMID- 26280234
TI  - Discoloration in the Hands.

PMID- 26280235
TI  - Screening for Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Nonpregnant Adolescents and Adults.

PMID- 26280236
TI  - Vorapaxar (Zontivity) for the Prevention of Thrombotic Cardiovascular Events.

PMID- 26280239
TI  - Screening for Speech and Language Delay and Disorders in Children Aged 5 Years or
      Younger: Recommendation Statement.

PMID- 26280240
TI  - When Knowing More About a Patient Enables Us to Do Less.

PMID- 26280241
TI  - One-Pot Selective Homodimerization/Hydrogenation Strategy for Sequential Dicarba
      Bridge Formation.
AB  - The installation of interlocked dicarba bridges into peptide sequences requires
      the development of a regioselective and chemoselective methodology. This
      manuscript describes a one-pot, chemoselective synthesis of three 2,7
      diaminosuberic acid derivatives from an alkyne, a cobalt-carbonyl protected
      alkyne, and an alkene using metathesis and homogeneous hydrogenation catalysis. 

PMID- 26280242
TI  - Are preoperative blood neutrophil-to-lymphocyte and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratios
      useful in predicting malignancy in surgically-treated mucin-producing pancreatic
      cystic neoplasms?
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to determine if neutrophil-to-lymphocyte
      ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were predictive of malignancy
      in mucin-producing pancreatic cystic neoplasms (MpPCN). METHODS: One hundred and
      twenty patients with MpPCN were retrospectively reviewed. Malignant neoplasms
      were defined as neoplasms harbouring invasive carcinoma or high grade dysplasia.
      A high NLR and PLR were defined as >=2.551 and >=208.1, respectively. RESULTS:
      High NLR was significantly associated with symptomatic tumors, larger tumors,
      solid component, main-duct IPMN, and Sendai high risk category. High PLR was
      significantly associated with jaundice and Sendai high risk category. On
      univariate analyses, symptomatic tumors, jaundice, solid component, dilated
      pancreatic duct, and both a high NLR and PLR were significant predictors of
      malignant and invasive MpPCN. On multivariate analyses, solid component and
      dilated pancreatic duct were independent predictors of malignant and invasive
      MpPCN. PLR was an independent predictor for invasive MpPCN. When MpPCN were
      stratified by the Fukuoka and Sendai Guidelines, both a high NLR and PLR were
      significantly associated with malignant neoplasms within the high risk
      categories. CONCLUSIONS: PLR is an independent predictor of invasive carcinoma.
      The addition of PLR as a criterion to the FCG and SCG significantly improved the
      predictive value of these guidelines in detecting invasive neoplasms.

PMID- 26280243
TI  - Exploring the Impacts of Ordinary Laboratory Alterations During Forensic DNA
      Processing on Peak Height Variation, Thresholds, and Probability of Dropout.
AB  - Impacts of validation design on DNA signal were explored, and the level of
      variation introduced by injection, capillary changes, amplification, and kit lot
      was surveyed by examining a set of replicate samples ranging in mass from 0.25 to
      0.008 ng. The variations in peak height, heterozygous balance, dropout
      probabilities, and baseline noise were compared using common statistical
      techniques. Data indicate that amplification is the source of the majority of the
      variation observed in the peak heights, followed by capillary lots. The use of
      different amplification kit lots did not introduce variability into the peak
      heights, heterozygous balance, dropout, or baseline. Thus, if data from case
      samples run over a significant time period are not available during validation,
      the validation must be designed to, at a minimum, include the amplification of
      multiple samples of varying quantity, with known genotype, amplified and run over
      an extended period of time using multiple pipettes and capillaries.

PMID- 26280244
TI  - Non-Saccharomyces yeasts protect against epithelial cell barrier disruption
      induced by Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium.
AB  - The human gastrointestinal epithelium makes up the largest barrier separating the
      body from the external environment. Whereas invasive pathogens cause epithelial
      barrier disruption, probiotic micro-organisms modulate tight junction regulation
      and improve epithelial barrier function. In addition, probiotic strains may be
      able to reduce epithelial barrier disruption caused by pathogenic species. The
      aim of this study was to explore non-Saccharomyces yeast modulation of epithelial
      cell barrier function in vitro. Benchmarking against established probiotic
      strains, we evaluated the ability of four nonpathogenic yeast species to modulate
      transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) across a monolayer of differentiated
      human colonocytes (Caco-2 cells). Further, we assessed yeast modulation of a
      Salmonella Typhimurium-induced epithelial cell barrier function insult. Our
      findings demonstrate distinct patterns of non-Saccharomyces yeast modulation of
      epithelial cell barrier function. While the established probiotic yeast
      Saccharomyces boulardii increased TER across a Caco-2 monolayer by 30%,
      Kluyveromyces marxianus exhibited significantly stronger properties of TER
      enhancement (50% TER increase). In addition, our data demonstrate significant
      yeast-mediated modulation of Salmonella-induced epithelial cell barrier
      disruption and identify K. marxianus and Metschnikowia gruessii as two non
      Saccharomyces yeasts capable of protecting human epithelial cells from pathogen
      invasion. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study demonstrates distinct
      patterns of non-Saccharomyces yeast modulation of epithelial cell barrier
      function in vitro. Further, our data demonstrate significant yeast-mediated
      modulation of Salmonella Typhimurium-induced epithelial cell barrier disruption
      and identify Kluyveromyces marxianus and Metschnikowia gruessii as two non
      Saccharomyces yeasts capable of protecting human epithelial cells from pathogen
      invasion. This study is the first to demonstrate significant non-Saccharomyces
      yeast-mediated epithelial cell barrier protection from Salmonella invasion, thus
      encouraging future efforts aimed at confirming the observed effects in vivo and
      driving further strain development towards novel yeast probiotics.

PMID- 26280245
TI  - Facile Synthesis of Au Nanoparticles Embedded in an Ultrathin Hollow Graphene
      Nanoshell with Robust Catalytic Performance.
AB  - Au nanoparticles (NPs) uniformly embedded into an ultrathin hollow graphene
      nanoshell (Au@HGN) are synthesized using a facile template-based procedure. The
      obtained Au@HGN catalyst exhibits robust and stable catalytic performance in the
      reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol, compared with that of traditional
      Au/TiO2 and previously reported Au- and Ag-based catalysts. 

PMID- 26280246
TI  - CHARACTERIZATION AND FUNCTIONAL STUDY OF A PUTATIVE JUVENILE HORMONE DIOL KINASE
      IN THE COLORADO POTATO BEETLE Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say).
AB  - Juvenile hormone diol kinase (JHDK) is an enzyme involved in JH degradation. In
      the present article, a putative JHDK cDNA (LdJHDK) was cloned from the Colorado
      potato beetle Leptinotarsa decemlineata. The cDNA consists of 814 bp, containing
      a 555 bp open reading frame encoding a 184 amino acid protein. LdJHDK reveals a
      high degree of identity to the previously reported insect JHDKs. It possesses
      three conserved purine nucleotide-binding elements, and contains three EF-hand
      motifs (helix-loop-helix structural domains). LdJHDK mRNA was mainly detected in
      hindgut and Malpighian tubules. Besides, a trace amount of LdJHDK mRNA was also
      found in thoracic muscles, brain-corpora cardiaca-corpora allata complex,
      foregut, midgut, ventral ganglia, fat body, epidermis, and hemocytes. Moreover,
      LdJHDK was expressed throughout all developmental stages. Within the first,
      second, and third larval instar, the expression levels of LdJHDK were higher just
      before and right after the molt, and were lower in the intermediate instar. In
      the fourth larval instar, the highest peak of LdJHDK occurred 56 h after ecdysis.
      Ingestion of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) against LdJHDK successfully knocked down
      the target gene, increased JH titer, and significantly upregulated LdKr-h1 mRNA
      level. Knockdown of LdJHDK significantly impaired adult emergence. Thus, we
      provide a line of experimental evidence in L. decemlineata to support that LdJHDK
      encodes function protein involved in JH degradation. 

PMID- 26280247
TI  - The Effect of a Cardiovascular Polypill Strategy on Pill Burden.
AB  - AIMS: Recent trials of cardiovascular polypills in high-risk populations show
      improvements in the use of cardiovascular preventive treatments, compared to
      usual care. We describe patterns of pill burden in Australian practice, define
      the impact of polypill therapy on pill burden, and explore how physicians add
      medication to polypill therapy. METHODS: The Kanyini Guidelines Adherence with
      the Polypill Study was an open-label trial involving 623 participants in
      Australia which randomized participants to a polypill strategy (containing a
      statin, antiplatelet agent, and two blood-pressure-lowering medications) or usual
      care. Participants either had established cardiovascular disease or were at high
      calculated risk (>=15% over 5 years). Current medications, daily pill burden, and
      self-reported use of combination treatment were recorded prior to randomization
      and at study end. Median pill burden at baseline and study end was compared in
      both arms. Subgroup analysis of the polypill strategy on trial primary outcomes
      was conducted by pill burden at baseline. RESULTS: Median total and
      cardiovascular pill burdens of the polypill group decreased from 7 to 5 and from
      4 to 2, respectively (median change -2; IQR -3, 0), with no change in the usual
      care group (comparison of change; P < 0.001). No change was seen for
      noncardiovascular medications. Of those still using the polypill at study end,
      43.8% were prescribed additional medications; 84.5% of these additional
      medications were blood-pressure-lowering medications. Within the polypill group,
      lower pill burden at baseline was associated with greater increases in the use of
      indicated cardiovascular preventive medications at study end compared to those
      with higher pill burdens. No trend was observed between the level of baseline
      pill burden and the effect of poylpill treatment on systolic blood pressure or
      total cholesterol. CONCLUSION: A cardiovascular polypill in contemporary
      Australian practice reduces cardiovascular and total pill burdens, despite
      frequent prescription of additional medications.

PMID- 26280248
TI  - Preserving the peritoneal membrane in long-term peritoneal dialysis patients.
AB  - WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) has been widely used by
      patients with end-stage renal disease. However, chronic exposure of the
      peritoneal membrane to bioincompatible PD solutions, and peritonitis and uraemia
      during long-term dialysis result in peritoneal membrane injury and thereby
      contribute to membrane changes, ultrafiltration (UF) failure, inadequate dialysis
      and technical failure. Therefore, preserving the peritoneal membrane is important
      to maintain the efficacy of PD. This article reviews the current literature on
      therapeutic agents for preserving the peritoneal membrane. METHODS: A literature
      search of PubMed was conducted using the search terms peritoneal fibrosis,
      peritoneal sclerosis, membrane, integrity, preserve, therapy and peritoneal
      dialysis, but not including peritonitis. Published clinical trials, in vitro
      studies, experimental trials in animal models, meta-analyses and review articles
      were identified and reviewed for relevance. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: We focus on
      understanding how factors cause peritoneal membrane changes, the characteristics
      and mechanisms of peritoneal membrane changes in patients undergoing PD and the
      types of therapeutic agents for peritoneal membrane preservation. There have been
      many investigations into the preservation of the peritoneal membrane, including
      PD solution improvement, the inhibition of cytokine and growth factor expression
      using renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) blockade, glycosaminoglycans
      (GAGs), L-carnitine and taurine additives. In addition, there are potential
      future therapeutic agents that are still in experimental investigations. WHAT IS
      NEW AND CONCLUSION: The efficacy of many of the therapeutic agents is uncertain
      because there are insufficient good-quality clinical studies. Overall membrane
      preservation and patient survival remain unproven in using more biocompatible PD
      solutions. With RAAS blockade, results are still inconclusive, as many of the
      clinical studies were retrospective. With GAGs, L-carnitine and taurine
      additives, there is no sufficiently long follow-up clinical study with a large
      sample size to support its efficacy. Therefore, better quality clinical studies
      within this area should be performed.

PMID- 26280249
TI  - Decomposition of Organometal Halide Perovskite Films on Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles.
AB  - Solution processed zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) with excellent electron
      transport properties and a low-temperature process is a viable candidate to
      replace titanium dioxide (TiO2) as electron transport layer to develop high
      efficiency perovskite solar cells on flexible substrates. However, the number of
      reported high-performance perovskite solar cells using ZnO-NPs is still limited.
      Here we report a detailed investigation on the chemistry and crystal growth of
      CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite on ZnO-NP thin films. We find that the perovskite films
      would severely decompose into PbI2 upon thermal annealing on the bare ZnO-NP
      surface. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results show that the hydroxide
      groups on the ZnO-NP surface accelerate the decomposition of the perovskite
      films. To reduce the decomposition, we introduce a buffer layer in between the
      ZnO-NPs and perovskite layers. We find that a commonly used buffer layer with
      small molecule [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PC61BM) can slow down
      but cannot completely avoid the decomposition. On the other hand, a polymeric
      buffer layer using poly(ethylenimine) (PEI) can effectively separate the ZnO-NPs
      and perovskite, which allows larger crystal formation with thermal annealing. The
      power conversion efficiencies of perovskite photovoltaic cells are significantly
      increased from 6.4% to 10.2% by replacing PC61BM with PEI as the buffer layer. 

PMID- 26280254
TI  - Depression as a risk factor for cognitive impairment in later life: the Health In
      Men cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Depression is an established risk factor for dementia in later life,
      but it is unclear if this relationship is causal. This study aimed to determine
      if clinically significant depressive symptoms are likely to be causally related
      to cognitive impairment in later life. METHODS: Observational cohort study of
      4568 men aged 70-89 years living in Perth, Western Australia, who were free of
      cognitive impairment at the beginning of follow-up. Current clinically
      significant depressive symptoms were defined by a score of 7 or more on the
      Geriatric Depression Scale 15 items. Past depression was ascertained via
      electronic medical records, by self-report or use of antidepressants. A score of
      27 or less on the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status modified or a recorded
      diagnosis of dementia in electronic medical records established the presence of
      cognitive impairment. RESULTS: During the 5-year follow-up, 534 men developed
      cognitive impairment, 811 died and 1455 were lost. The presence of clinically
      significant depressive symptoms at study entry was associated with increased risk
      rate (RR) of cognitive impairment (RR = 2.59, 95% confidence interval: 95%CI =
      1.57-4.27), death (RR = 5.07, 95%CI = 3.32-7.75) and loss to follow-up (RR =
      2.03, 95%CI = 1.32-3.13). These associations remained statistically significant
      after adjustment for age, country of birth, education, smoking history, and
      prevalence hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart disease and stroke. History of
      past clinically significant depressive symptoms was not associated with incident
      cognitive impairment (RR = 1.09, 95%CI = 0.78-1.52). CONCLUSIONS: The lack of
      association between past depression and cognitive impairment suggests that the
      link between depression and cognitive impairment is not causal and that the
      presence of clinically significant depressive symptoms in later life may herald
      the onset of cognitive impairment in at least some people.

PMID- 26280255
TI  - Lateralization of Brain Networks and Clinical Severity in Toddlers with Autism
      Spectrum Disorder: A HARDI Diffusion MRI Study.
AB  - Recent diffusion tensor imaging studies in adolescents and children with Autism
      Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have reported a loss or an inversion of the typical left
      right lateralization in fronto-temporal regions crucial for sociocommunicative
      skills. No studies explored atypical lateralization in toddlers and its
      correlation with clinical severity of ASD. We recruited a cohort of 20 subjects
      aged 36 months or younger receiving a first clinical diagnosis of ASD (15 males;
      age range 20-36 months). Patients underwent diffusion MRI (High-Angular
      Resolution Diffusion Imaging protocol). Data from cortical parcellation were
      combined with tractography to obtain a connection matrix and diffusion indexes
      (DI ) including mean fractional anisotropy (DFA ), number of tracts (DNUM ), and
      total tract length (DTTL ). A laterality index was generated for each measure,
      and then correlated with the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Generic (ADOS
      G) total score. Laterality indexes of DFA were significantly correlated with ADOS
      G total scores only in two intrafrontal connected areas (correlation was positive
      in one case and negative in the other). Laterality indexes of DTTL and DNUM
      showed significant negative correlations (P < 0.05) in six connected areas,
      mainly fronto-temporal. This study provides first evidence of a significant
      correlation between brain lateralization of diffusion indexes and clinical
      severity in toddlers with a first diagnosis of ASD. Significant correlations
      mainly involved regions within the fronto-temporal circuits, known to be crucial
      for sociocommunicative skills. It is of interest that all correlations but one
      were negative, suggesting an inversion of the typical left-right asymmetry in
      subjects with most severe clinical impairment.

PMID- 26280253
TI  - Cost-effectiveness analysis of papillary thyroid cancer surveillance.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The recent overdiagnosis of subclinical, low-risk papillary thyroid
      cancer (PTC) coincides with a growing national interest in cost-effective health
      care practices. The aim of this study was to measure the relative cost
      effectiveness of disease surveillance of low-risk PTC patients versus
      intermediate- and high-risk patients in accordance with American Thyroid
      Association risk categories. METHODS: Two thousand nine hundred thirty-two
      patients who underwent thyroidectomy for differentiated thyroid cancer between
      2000 and 2010 were identified from the institutional database; 1845 patients were
      excluded because they had non-PTC cancer, underwent less than total
      thyroidectomy, had a secondary cancer, or had <36 months of follow-up. In total,
      1087 were included for analysis. The numbers of postoperative blood tests,
      imaging scans and biopsies, clinician office visits, and recurrence events were
      recorded for the first 36 months of follow-up. Costs of surveillance were
      determined with the Physician Fee Schedule and Clinical Lab Fee Schedule of the
      Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. RESULTS: The median age was 44 years
      (range, 7-83 years). In the first 36 months after thyroidectomy, there were 3,
      44, and 22 recurrences (0.8%, 7.8%, and 13.4%) in the low-, intermediate-, and
      high-risk categories, respectively. The cost of surveillance for each recurrence
      detected was US $147,819, US $22,434, and US $20,680, respectively. CONCLUSIONS:
      The cost to detect a recurrence in a low-risk patient is more than 6 and 7 times
      greater than the cost for intermediate- and high-risk PTC patients. It is
      difficult to justify this allocation of resources to the surveillance of low-risk
      patients. Surveillance strategies for the low-risk group should, therefore, be
      restructured.

PMID- 26280256
TI  - The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension Diet and New and Recurrent Root
      Caries Events in Men.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To examine the effect of overall dietary quality on number of teeth
      with new or recurrent root caries events during follow-up (root caries
      increment). DESIGN: Prospective study with dental examinations approximately
      every 3 years over 20 years. SETTING: Veterans Affairs Dental Longitudinal Study
      in greater Boston, Massachusetts, area. PARTICIPANTS: Men aged 47 to 90 (N =
      533). MEASUREMENTS: A single calibrated examiner assessed root caries and
      restorations, calculus, probing pocket depth, and attachment loss on each tooth
      at each examination. The adjusted root caries increment (root-ADJCI) was computed
      from new and recurrent root caries events on teeth with recession of 2 mm or
      more. Dietary information was obtained from food frequency questionnaires. An
      adherence score was computed by comparing consumption frequency of 10 food groups
      (fruits, vegetables, total dairy, low-fat dairy, meat, total grains, high-fiber
      grains, legumes, fats, sweets) from the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension
      (DASH) diet guidelines. Mean root-ADJCIs were compared according to DASH
      adherence score quartile using generalized linear negative binomial regression
      models, controlling for age, number of teeth at risk of root caries, time at risk
      of root caries, calculus, presence of removable denture, history of dental
      prophylaxis, body mass index, and smoking status. RESULTS: Men with DASH
      adherence scores in the highest quartile had a 30% lower mean root-ADJCI (1.86
      teeth) than those in the lowest quartile (2.68 teeth) (P = .03). Root-ADJCI was
      lower with greater adherence to recommendations for vegetables and total grains
      and greater with greater sugar-sweetened carbonated beverage consumption. Root
      caries incidence rate did not vary significantly between quartiles. CONCLUSION: A
      higher-quality diet may reduce root caries risk in older men.

PMID- 26280257
TI  - Traumatic Brain Injury: A Major Medical Problem That Could Be Treated Using
      Transcranial, Red/Near-Infrared LED Photobiomodulation.

PMID- 26280258
TI  - Impact of antipsoriatic therapy on endothelial function.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Endothelial function (EF) impairment is one of the first events in
      the process of atherosclerosis, which is known to be associated with psoriasis.
      Nevertheless, the effect of antipsoriatic treatments, some of them with
      atherogenic risks, on cardiovascular morbidity and EF is still unclear.
      OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of short-term antipsoriatic treatments on
      EF values as a potential marker of their effect on cardiovascular morbidity.
      METHODS: EF was evaluated in 26 patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis by
      measuring microvascular blood flow, expressed as the reactive hyperaemia index
      (RHI), before and after phototherapy (8 weeks) or systemic antipsoriatic
      treatment (12 weeks). RESULTS: Antipsoriatic intervention was effective (46%
      achieving >= 75% improvement in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index), while the
      average RHI did not improve during the study (1.73 +/- 0.48. vs. 1.66 +/- 0.35,
      average difference -0.12 +/- 0.43, not significant). Patients with baseline
      preserved EF exhibited a decline in RHI (difference -0.2 +/- 0.4, P = 0.053),
      while patients with abnormal baseline RHI presented nonsignificant RHI
      improvement (RHI difference 0.1 +/- 0.2). CONCLUSIONS: There was no positive
      effect on EF of short-term antipsoriatic treatment. It is possible that a longer
      period of treatment and EF evaluation would uncover a positive endothelial
      effect, especially in patients with baseline abnormal EF.

PMID- 26280259
TI  - The vista paradox: Framing or contrast?
AB  - The vista paradox is the illusion in which an object seen through a window
      appears to shrink in apparent size (and appears farther away) as the observer
      approaches the window. Paradoxically, the distal object appears smaller as its
      visual angle increases. We investigated the effect in four experiments varying
      object size, distance, point of fixation, and texture of the frame and of the
      object. In the first experiment, we tried to confirm the illusion and to test the
      robustness of the phenomenon. In the second experiment, we manipulated where
      subjects fixated (on the frame or on the object) as well as the texture of the
      object and the frame. Fixation was essential for the illusion: fixating the frame
      led to an apparent shrinking of the object, whereas fixation on the object did
      not. Texture of the frame intensified the apparent shrinking of the object. In a
      third experiment, we separated the point of fixation from the frame in a between
      subjects design. Finally, in Experiment 4, we showed that the paradox does not
      require a frame, but it requires a fixation on a location different from the
      object. That is, the window or frame is dispensable for the vista paradox, but
      fixation is critical.

PMID- 26280260
TI  - Fearful faces have a sensory advantage in the competition for awareness.
AB  - Only a subset of visual signals give rise to a conscious percept. Threat signals,
      such as fearful faces, are particularly salient to human vision. Research
      suggests that fearful faces are evaluated without awareness and preferentially
      promoted to conscious perception. This agrees with evolutionary theories that
      posit a dedicated pathway specialized in processing threat-relevant signals. We
      propose an alternative explanation for this "fear advantage." Using
      psychophysical data from continuous flash suppression (CFS) and masking
      experiments, we demonstrate that awareness of facial expressions is predicted by
      effective contrast: the relationship between their Fourier spectrum and the
      contrast sensitivity function. Fearful faces have higher effective contrast than
      neutral expressions and this, not threat content, predicts their enhanced access
      to awareness. Importantly, our findings do not support the existence of a
      specialized mechanism that promotes threatening stimuli to awareness. Rather, our
      data suggest that evolutionary or learned adaptations have molded the fearful
      expression to exploit our general-purpose sensory mechanisms.

PMID- 26280261
TI  - Probability shapes perceptual precision: A study in orientation estimation.
AB  - Probability is known to affect perceptual estimations, but an understanding of
      mechanisms is lacking. Moving beyond binary classification tasks, we had naive
      participants report the orientation of briefly viewed gratings where we
      systematically manipulated contingent probability. Participants rapidly developed
      faster and more precise estimations for high-probability tilts. The shapes of
      their error distributions, as indexed by a kurtosis measure, also showed a
      distortion from Gaussian. This kurtosis metric was robust, capturing probability
      effects that were graded, contextual, and varying as a function of stimulus
      orientation. Our data can be understood as a probability-induced reduction in the
      variability or "shape" of estimation errors, as would be expected if probability
      affects the perceptual representations. As probability manipulations are an
      implicit component of many endogenous cuing paradigms, changes at the perceptual
      level could account for changes in performance that might have traditionally been
      ascribed to "attention."

PMID- 26280262
TI  - Attentional orienting to social and nonsocial cues in early deaf adults.
AB  - In 2 experiments we investigated attentional orienting to nonpredictive social
      and nonsocial cues in deaf observers. In Experiment 1a, 22 early deaf adults and
      23 hearing controls performed a peripheral shape-discrimination task, while
      uninformative central gaze cues validly and invalidly cued the location of the
      target. As an adaptation to the lack of audition, we expected deaf adults to show
      a larger impact of gaze cuing on attentional orienting compared with hearing
      controls. However, contrary to our predictions, deaf participants did not respond
      faster to cued compared with uncued targets (gaze-cuing effect; GCE), and this
      behavior partly correlated with early sign language acquisition. Experiment 1b
      showed a reliable GCE in 13 hearing native signers, thus excluding a key role of
      early sign language acquisition in explaining the lack of GCE in the response
      times of deaf participants. To test whether the resistance to uninformative
      central cues extends to nonsocial cues, in Experiment 2 nonpredictive arrow cues
      were presented to 14 deaf and 14 hearing participants. Both groups of
      participants showed a comparable arrow-cuing effect. Together, our findings
      suggest that deafness may selectively limit attentional-orienting triggered by
      central irrelevant gaze cues. Possible implications for plasticity related to
      deafness are discussed.

PMID- 26280263
TI  - Decreasing auditory Simon effects across reaction time distributions.
AB  - The Simon effect for left-right visual stimuli previously has been shown to
      decrease across the reaction time (RT) distribution. This decrease has been
      attributed to automatic activation of the corresponding response, which then
      dissipates over time. In contrast, for left-right tone stimuli, the Simon effect
      has not been found to decrease across the RT distribution but instead tends to
      increase. It has been proposed that automatic activation occurs through
      visuomotor information transmission, whereas the auditory Simon effect reflects
      cognitive coding interference and not automatic activation. In 4 experiments, we
      examined distributions of the auditory Simon effect for RT, percentage error
      (PE), and an inverse efficiency score [IES = RT/(1 - PE)] as a function of tone
      frequency and duration to determine whether the activation-dissipation account is
      also applicable to auditory stimuli. Consistent decreasing functions were found
      for the RT Simon effect distribution with short-duration tones of low frequency
      and for the PE and IES Simon effect distributions for all durations and frequency
      sets. Together, these findings provide robust evidence that left and right
      auditory stimuli also produce decreasing Simon effect distribution functions
      suggestive of automatic activation and dissipation of the corresponding response.

PMID- 26280264
TI  - Sleep and native language interference affect non-native speech sound learning.
AB  - Adults learning a new language are faced with a significant challenge: non-native
      speech sounds that are perceptually similar to sounds in one's native language
      can be very difficult to acquire. Sleep and native language interference, 2
      factors that may help to explain this difficulty in acquisition, are addressed in
      3 studies. Results of Experiment 1 showed that participants trained on a non
      native contrast at night improved in discrimination 24 hr after training, while
      those trained in the morning showed no such improvement. Experiments 2 and 3
      addressed the possibility that incidental exposure to perceptually similar native
      language speech sounds during the day interfered with maintenance in the morning
      group. Taken together, results show that the ultimate success of non-native
      speech sound learning depends not only on the similarity of learned sounds to the
      native language repertoire, but also to interference from native language sounds
      before sleep.

PMID- 26280265
TI  - Illumination frame of reference in the object-reviewing paradigm: A case of
      luminance and lightness.
AB  - The present study combines the object-reviewing paradigm (Kahneman, Treisman, &
      Gibbs, 1992) with the checkershadow illusion (Adelson, 1995) to contrast the
      effects of objects' luminance versus lightness on the object-specific preview
      benefit. To this end, we manipulated objects' luminance and the amount of
      illumination given by an informative background scene in experiments. In line
      with previous studies (Moore, Stephens, & Hein, 2010), there was no object
      specific preview benefit when objects were presented on a uniformly colored
      background and luminance switched between objects. In contrast, when objects were
      presented on the checkershadow illusion background which provided an explanation
      for the luminance switch, a reliable object-specific preview benefit was
      observed. This suggests that object correspondence as measured by the object
      reviewing paradigm can be influenced by scene-induced, perceived lightness of
      objects' surfaces. We replicated this finding and moreover showed that the scene
      context only influences the object-specific preview benefit if the objects are
      perceived as part of the background scene.

PMID- 26280266
TI  - Towards a resolution of the attentional-capture debate.
AB  - The relative contributions of stimulus-driven and goal-directed control of
      attention have been extensively studied by investigating which irrelevant stimuli
      capture attention. Although much of this research has focused on color-singleton
      distractors, the circumstances under which these capture attention remain
      controversial. In search for a target with a unique known color (known-singleton
      search), whether singletons in an irrelevant color can be successfully ignored is
      a hotly debated issue. In search for a target that is not a singleton (feature
      search), no capture by irrelevant-color singletons is typically observed, but a
      reverse cueing effect was occasionally reported in the spatial-cueing paradigm.
      In 3 experiments, we resolve these controversies, by showing that the net spatial
      effect observed in the spatial-cueing paradigm reflects the sum of 3 separate
      effects. (a) A same-location benefit, which is determined by the match between
      the cue and the target colors and indexes contingent attentional capture. (b) A
      same-location cost, which is also determined by the match between the cue and the
      target colors, but occurs after selection and indexes processes related to visual
      working memory; and (c) task-dependent capture by singletons that occurs only
      when the target is consistently a singleton. Crucially, we show that the same
      location cost is strongly determined by cue exposure duration, which explains
      previous failures to isolate it. The implications of these findings for the
      attentional capture debate are discussed.

PMID- 26280267
TI  - Grasping the sound: Auditory pitch influences size processing in motor planning.
AB  - Growing evidence shows that individuals consistently match auditory pitch with
      visual size. For instance, high-pitched sounds are perceptually associated with
      smaller visual stimuli, whereas low-pitched sounds with larger ones. The present
      study explores whether this crossmodal correspondence, reported so far for
      perceptual processing, also modulates motor planning. To address this issue, we
      carried out a series of kinematic experiments to verify whether actions implying
      size processing are affected by auditory pitch. Experiment 1 showed that grasping
      movements toward small/large objects were initiated faster in response to
      high/low pitches, respectively, thus extending previous findings in the
      literature to more complex motor behavior. Importantly, auditory pitch influenced
      the relative scaling of the hand preshaping, with high pitches associated with
      smaller grip aperture compared with low pitches. Notably, no effect of auditory
      pitch was found in case of pointing movements (no grasp implied, Experiment 2),
      as well as when auditory pitch was irrelevant to the programming of the grip
      aperture, that is, in case of grasping an object of uniform size (Experiment 3).
      Finally, auditory pitch influenced also symbolic manual gestures expressing
      "small" and "large" concepts (Experiment 4). In sum, our results are novel in
      revealing the impact of auditory pitch on motor planning when size processing is
      required, and shed light on the role of auditory information in driving actions.

PMID- 26280268
TI  - Dimension-based statistical learning of vowels.
AB  - Speech perception depends on long-term representations that reflect regularities
      of the native language. However, listeners rapidly adapt when speech acoustics
      deviate from these regularities due to talker idiosyncrasies such as foreign
      accents and dialects. To better understand these dual aspects of speech
      perception, we probe native English listeners' baseline perceptual weighting of 2
      acoustic dimensions (spectral quality and vowel duration) toward vowel
      categorization and examine how they subsequently adapt to an "artificial accent"
      that deviates from English norms in the correlation between the 2 dimensions. At
      baseline, listeners rely relatively more on spectral quality than vowel duration
      to signal vowel category, but duration nonetheless contributes. Upon encountering
      an "artificial accent" in which the spectral-duration correlation is perturbed
      relative to English language norms, listeners rapidly down-weight reliance on
      duration. Listeners exhibit this type of short-term statistical learning even in
      the context of nonwords, confirming that lexical information is not necessary to
      this form of adaptive plasticity in speech perception. Moreover, learning
      generalizes to both novel lexical contexts and acoustically distinct altered
      voices. These findings are discussed in the context of a mechanistic proposal for
      how supervised learning may contribute to this type of adaptive plasticity in
      speech perception.

PMID- 26280270
TI  - A dynamic neural field model of temporal order judgments.
AB  - Temporal ordering of events is biased, or influenced, by perceptual organization
      figure-ground organization-and by spatial attention. For example, within a region
      assigned figural status or at an attended location, onset events are processed
      earlier (Lester, Hecht, & Vecera, 2009; Shore, Spence, & Klein, 2001), and offset
      events are processed for longer durations (Hecht & Vecera, 2011; Rolke, Ulrich, &
      Bausenhart, 2006). Here, we present an extension of a dynamic field model of
      change detection (Johnson, Spencer, Luck, & Schoner, 2009; Johnson, Spencer, &
      Schoner, 2009) that accounts for both the onset and offset performance for
      figural and attended regions. The model posits that neural populations processing
      the figure are more active, resulting in a peak of activation that quickly builds
      toward a detection threshold when the onset of a target is presented. This same
      enhanced activation for some neural populations is maintained when a present
      target is removed, creating delays in the perception of the target's offset. We
      discuss the broader implications of this model, including insights regarding how
      neural activation can be generated in response to the disappearance of
      information.

PMID- 26280269
TI  - New perspectives on the measurement and time course of auditory enhancement.
AB  - A target sound can become more audible and may "pop out" from a simultaneously
      presented masker if the masker is presented first by itself, as a precursor. This
      phenomenon, known as auditory enhancement, may reflect the general perceptual
      principle of contrast enhancement, which facilitates adaptation to ongoing
      acoustic conditions and the detection of new events. Little is known about the
      mechanisms underlying enhancement, and potential confounding factors have made
      the size of the effect and its time course a point of contention. Here we
      measured enhancement as a function of precursor duration and delay between
      precursor offset and target onset, using 2 single-interval pitch comparison
      tasks, which involve either same-different or up-down judgments, to avoid the
      potential confounds of earlier studies. Although these 2 tasks elicit different
      levels of performance and may reflect different underlying mechanisms, they
      produced similar amounts of enhancement. The effect decreased with decreasing
      precursor duration, but remained present for precursors as short as 62.5 ms, and
      decreased with increasing gap between the precursor and target, but remained
      measurable 1 s after the precursor. Additional conditions, examining the effect
      of precursor/masker similarity and the possible role of grouping and cueing,
      suggest multiple sources of auditory enhancement.

PMID- 26280271
TI  - Retraction of Anderson et al. (2013).
AB  - Reports the retraction of "Selection and storage of perceptual groups is
      constrained by a discrete resource in working memory" by David E. Anderson,
      Edward K. Vogel and Edward Awh (Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human
      Perception and Performance, 2013[Jun], Vol 39[3], 824-835). At the request of the
      authors, the following article from the June 2013 issue is being retracted. (The
      following abstract of the original article appeared in record 2012-27552-001.)
      Perceptual grouping can lead observers to perceive a multielement scene as a
      smaller number of hierarchical units. Past work has shown that grouping enables
      more elements to be stored in visual working memory (WM). Although this may
      appear to contradict so-called discrete resource models that argue for fixed item
      limits in WM storage, it is also possible that grouping reduces the effective
      number of "items" in the display. To test this hypothesis, we examined how
      mnemonic resolution declined as the number of items to be stored increased.
      Discrete resource models predict that precision will reach a stable plateau at
      relatively early set sizes, because no further items can be stored once putative
      item limits are exceeded. Thus, we examined whether the precision by set size
      function was bilinear when storage was enhanced via perceptual grouping. In line
      with the hypothesis that each perceptual group counted as a single "item,"
      precision still reached a clear plateau at a set size determined by the number of
      stored groups. Moreover, the maximum number of elements stored was doubled, and
      electrophysiological measures showed that selection and storage-related neural
      responses were the same for a single element and a multielement perceptual group.
      Thus, perceptual grouping allows more elements to be held in working memory while
      storage is still constrained by a discrete item limit. (PsycINFO Database Record 

PMID- 26280272
TI  - MiR-133b-5p regulates the expression of the heat shock protein 70 during rat
      neuronal cell apoptosis induced by the gp120 V3 loop peptide.
AB  - Neuronal cell dysfunction and apoptosis, the main causes of HIV-associated
      dementia, and its underlying mechanism are important unsolved health problems.
      Many research reports suggest that miRNAs regulate HIV-1-induced apoptosis. We
      used the HIV-1 gp120 V3 Loop peptide to induce primary rat cortical neurons
      apoptosis. Next, we used a microRNA microarray to identify the significant
      changes of miRNA in the rat cortical neurons treated with the gp120 V3 loop
      peptide. We used western blot and real-time PCR to measure the regulation of heat
      shock protein 70 by rno-miR-133b-5p. In response to the gp120 V3 loop peptide
      treatment, rat cortical neurons exhibited 11 up-regulated and 21 down-regulated
      miRNAs. We further examined miR-133b-5p, a microRNA that was up-regulated more
      than 118-fold. In addition, both HSP70 mRNA and protein expression were dose
      dependent in rats cortical neurons treated with gp120 V3 loop peptide for 48 hr.
      MiR-133b-5p could regulate heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) at both transcription
      and translation levels. Rno-miR-133b-5p might be less significant for the gp120
      V3 loop peptide induced neuron apoptosis. Thus, we discovered a potential new
      target for the regulation of HIV-1 gp120- induced apoptosis.

PMID- 26280273
TI  - Intermittent claudication due to peripheral artery disease: best modern medical
      and endovascular therapeutic approaches.
AB  - Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is ubiquitous in the USA and is associated with a
      high burden of morbidity and mortality. Clinical manifestations of PAD are broad
      and range from the asymptomatic patient to intermittent claudication (IC) to
      critical limb ischemia (CLI). The efficacy of non-invasive treatment strategies
      for PAD has been well documented. These include smoking cessation, supervised
      exercise programs, and medical therapy. Strategies for invasive management of PAD
      are more controversial due to variability in the manifestations of PAD including
      lesion length, location, severity, and clinical presentation. This has made
      formal comparative effectiveness of interventional therapies in PAD challenging.
      The current review aims to summarize the most recent clinical research in the
      field of PAD in patients with IC, with a focus on the latest studies regarding
      risk factor modification and endovascular revascularization therapies. 

PMID- 26280274
TI  - Examining the Cultural Competence of Third- and Fourth-Year Nutrition Students: A
      Pilot Study.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to provide preliminary Canadian research assessing
      nutrition students' cultural competence and to identify areas for future
      education initiatives in dietetic education that could ultimately improve
      dietitians' cultural competence. A mixed-methods study was conducted using a 24
      item questionnaire that was administered to students enrolled in third- and
      fourth-year undergraduate nutrition classes (n = 133). In total, 115
      questionnaires were analyzed for quantitative data, and 109 were analyzed for
      qualitative data. The students scored an overall medium-high level of cultural
      competence. Out of the 5 areas examined (skills, attitudes, awareness, desires,
      knowledge), students' multicultural knowledge scores were the lowest. It was
      found that a lower number of barriers to learning about other cultures were
      significantly associated with a higher overall cultural competence score, and
      taking a course in cultural foods significantly increased the students' knowledge
      and overall cultural competence (P <= 0.05). The qualitative data found that
      students felt the cultural competence curriculum had gaps and identified several
      ideas for improvement. In conclusion, this research data provides novel insights
      into the cultural competence of Canadian dietetic students and additionally
      supports future research and curriculum development to enhance cultural
      competence. 

PMID- 26280275
TI  - The rostral prefrontal cortex underlies individual differences in working memory
      capacity: An approach from the hierarchical model of the cognitive control.
AB  - Neuroimaging and behavioral evidence has suggested that the lateral prefrontal
      cortex is involved in individual differences in working memory capacity (WMC).
      However, few studies have localized the neural structures that differentiate high
      and low WMC individuals, considering the functional architecture of the
      prefrontal cortex. The present study aimed to identify a frontal region that
      underlies individual differences from the perspective of the hierarchical
      architecture of the frontal cortex. By manipulating an episodic factor of
      cognitive control (control in selecting an appropriate task set according to a
      temporal context) and using a parametric modulation analysis, we found that both
      high- and low- WMC individuals have similar activation patterns in the premotor
      cortex (BA6, 8), caudal prefrontal cortex (BA44, 45), and frontopolar cortex
      (BA10, 11), but differed in the rostral part of the prefrontal cortex (BA46/47);
      high WMC individuals showed greater activation in the higher episodic control
      condition, whereas low WMC individuals showed reduced activation when episodic
      control was required. Similar patterns of activation were found in the right
      inferior parietal and middle/inferior temporal cortices. These results indicate
      that the rostral prefrontal cortex, which supports episodic cognitive control,
      possibly by sending a weighting signal toward the inferior parietal and
      middle/inferior temporal cortices that modulate saliency and sensory processing,
      underlies individual differences in WMC. Episodic control account, which
      considers the organization of the prefrontal cortex, fits well with previous
      findings of individual differences in WMC. 

PMID- 26280276
TI  - Nrf2 activity as a potential biomarker for the pan-epigenetic anticancer agent,
      RRx-001.
AB  - Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a master regulatory
      transcription factor that plays an important role in the antioxidant response
      pathway against anticancer drug-induced cytotoxic effects. RRx-001 is a new
      anticancer agent that generates reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, and leads
      to epigenetic alterations in cancer cells. Here we report the RRx-001 mediated
      nuclear translocation of Nrf2 and the activation of expression of its downstream
      enzymes HO-1 and NQO1 in tumor cells. Inhibition of intrinsic Nrf2 expression by
      Nrf2-specific siRNA increased cell sensitivity to RRx-001. Molecular imaging of
      tumor cells co-expressing pARE-Firefly luciferase and pCMV-Renilla luciferase
      mRFP in vitro and in vivo in mice revealed that RRx-001 significantly increased
      ARE-FLUC signal in cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner, suggesting that
      RRx-001 is an effective activator of the Nrf2-ARE signaling pathway. The pre
      treatment level of ARE-FLUC signal in cells, reflecting basal activity of Nrf2,
      negatively correlated with the tumor response to RRx-001. The results support the
      concept that RRx-001 activates Nrf2-ARE antioxidant signaling pathways in tumor
      cells. Hence measurement of Nrf2-mediated activation of downstream target genes
      through ARE signaling may constitute a useful molecular biomarker for the early
      prediction of response to RRx-001 treatment, and thereby guide therapeutic
      decision-making. 

PMID- 26280278
TI  - Quantitative characterization of the interface roughness of (GaIn)As quantum
      wells by high resolution STEM.
AB  - The physical properties of semiconductor quantum wells (QW), like (GaIn)As/GaAs,
      are significantly influenced by the interface morphology. In the present work,
      high angle annular dark field imaging in (scanning) transmission electron
      microscopy ((S)TEM), in combination with contrast simulation, is used to address
      this question at atomic resolution. The (GaIn)As QWs were grown with metal
      organic vapor phase epitaxy on GaAs (001) substrates under different, precisely
      controlled conditions. In order to be able to compare different samples, a
      carefully applied method to gain reliable results from high resolution STEM
      micrographs was used. The thickness gradient of the TEM samples, caused by sample
      preparation, was compensated by the intensity of group V atomic columns, where no
      alloying takes place. After that, the In concentration map was plotted for the
      investigated regions based on the intensity of the group III atomic columns. The
      composition maps show that the Indium distribution across the quantum well is not
      homogeneous. The growth temperature of the QW can greatly influence the
      composition fluctuation and the interface morphology, with higher growth
      temperature resulting in larger composition fluctuations in the QWs and slightly
      wider interfaces, i.e. larger In-segregation. Growth interruptions are shown to
      significantly homogenize the elemental depth profile especially along the
      (GaIn)As/GaAs interface and hence have a positive effect on interface smoothness.

PMID- 26280277
TI  - Going viral: a review of replication-selective oncolytic adenoviruses.
AB  - Oncolytic viruses have had a tumultuous course, from the initial anecdotal
      reports of patients having antineoplastic effects after natural viral infections
      a century ago to the development of current cutting-edge therapies in clinical
      trials. Adenoviruses have long been the workhorse of virotherapy, and we review
      both the scientific and the not-so-scientific forces that have shaped the
      development of these therapeutics from wild-type viral pathogens, turning an old
      foe into a new friend. After a brief review of the mechanics of viral replication
      and how it has been modified to engineer tumor selectivity, we give particular
      attention to ONYX-015, the forerunner of virotherapy with extensive clinical
      testing that pioneered the field. The findings from those as well as other
      oncolytic trials have shaped how we now view these viruses, which our immune
      system has evolved to vigorously attack, as promising immunotherapy agents.

PMID- 26280279
TI  - Differentiating characteristic microstructural features of cancerous tissues
      using Mueller matrix microscope.
AB  - Polarized light imaging can provide rich microstructural information of samples,
      and has been applied to the detections of various abnormal tissues. In this
      paper, we report a polarized light microscope based on Mueller matrix imaging by
      adding the polarization state generator and analyzer (PSG and PSA) to a
      commercial transmission optical microscope. The maximum errors for the absolute
      values of Mueller matrix elements are reduced to 0.01 after calibration. This
      Mueller matrix microscope has been used to examine human cervical and liver
      cancerous tissues with fibrosis. Images of the transformed Mueller matrix
      parameters provide quantitative assessment on the characteristic features of the
      pathological tissues. Contrast mechanism of the experimental results are backed
      up by Monte Carlo simulations based on the sphere-cylinder birefringence model,
      which reveal the relationship between the pathological features in the cancerous
      tissues at the cellular level and the polarization parameters. Both the
      experimental and simulated data indicate that the microscopic transformed Mueller
      matrix parameters can distinguish the breaking down of birefringent normal
      tissues for cervical cancer, or the formation of birefringent surrounding
      structures accompanying the inflammatory reaction for liver cancer. With its
      simple structure, fast measurement and high precision, polarized light microscope
      based on Mueller matrix shows a good diagnosis application prospect. 

PMID- 26280280
TI  - Solvation-Dependent Latency of Photoacid Dissociation and Transient IR Signatures
      of Protonation Dynamics.
AB  - We elucidate the characteristic proton pathways and the transient infrared
      signatures of intermediate complexes during the first picoseconds of photoinduced
      protonation dynamics of a photoacid (N-methyl-6-hydroxyquinolinium) in aqueous
      solution from first-principles molecular dynamics simulations. Our results
      indicate that the typical latency time between photoexcitation and proton
      dissociation ranges from 1 ps to longer time time scales (~100 ps). The rate
      limiting step for the actual dissociation of the proton into the solvent is the
      solvation structure of the first accepting water molecule. The nature of the
      proton pathway in water (stepwise or concerted) is not unique but determined by
      the coordination number of the accepting water molecules along the hydrogen bond
      chain. We find a characteristic uncommon infrared mode at ~1300 cm(-1) of the
      transient photobase-Eigen cation complex immediately after photodissociation that
      we predict to be observable experimentally in time-resolved IR spectroscopy. A
      broad continuous absorption band from 1500 to 2000 cm(-1) arises from the acidic
      proton imminently before dissociation. 

PMID- 26280281
TI  - Development of an LC-MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of memantine and
      donepezil in rat plasma and its application to pharmacokinetic study.
AB  - Recently, a fixed dose combination (FDC) of memantine (MM) and donepezil (DPZ)
      has been approved for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In the present
      work, a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the
      simultaneous determination of MM and DPZ was developed and validated in rat
      plasma over the linearity range of 0.2-400ng/mL using amantadine (AM) as an
      internal standard. Both the analytes and IS were extracted using one step liquid
      liquid extraction procedure. The analytes were separated on C18 reversed phase
      column with mobile phase consisting of a mixture of methanol and 10mM ammonium
      acetate, pH 5 (92:8 v/v) at a flow rate of 0.7mL/min. The detection of the
      analytes was done on triple quadrupole mass spectrometer operated in positive
      electrospray ionization mode (ESI) and quantified using multiple reaction
      monitoring (MRM). The method was fully validated in terms of linearity, accuracy,
      precision, recovery, matrix effect, dilution integrity, carry-over effect and
      stability. The within- and between-run precisions were <10% and accuracy was all
      within +/-10%. The mean recovery of MM and DPZ was found to be greater than 80%.
      The % RSD value at higher as well as lower concentration was well within the
      acceptable range (+/-15%) in all the stability experiments. The method was
      successfully applied to the oral pharmacokinetics and drug-drug interaction study
      of MM and DPZ in male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. 

PMID- 26280282
TI  - Development of reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography methods for
      quantification of two isomeric flavones and the application of the methods to
      pharmacokinetic studies in rats.
AB  - Isomers 5,7-dihydroxy-3,6,8-trimethoxy-2-phenyl-4H-chromen-4-one (5,7-dihydroxy
      3,6,8 trimethoxy flavone) (flavone A) and 3,5-dihydroxy-6,7,8-trimethoxy-2-phenyl
      4H-chromen-4-one (3,5-dihydroxy-6,7,8-trimethoxy flavone) (flavone B) have
      recently demonstrated differential antineoplastic activities against pancreatic
      cancer in vitro. These studies also indicated that these compounds target highly
      tumorigenic cells while sparing normal cells. The in vivo antitumor activities of
      these flavones have not been determined, and detection protocols for these
      compounds are needed to conduct pre-clinical assays following intravenous dosing.
      Here, we report methods developed using acetonitrile to extract two flavone
      isomers and corresponding internal standards, celecoxib and diclofenac, from rat
      plasma. Separation was achieved using a Shimadzu liquid chromatography system
      with a C18 column and mobile phase acetonitrile/water (60:40 and 70:30 for
      flavones A and B, respectively) containing 0.2% acetic acid and 0.05%
      triethylamine at a flow rate of 0.4mL/min and detection at 245nm. Calibration
      curves ranging from 250 to 2500ng/mL and 2500 to 100,000ng/mL for both flavones
      were linear (r(2)>=0.99) with the lower limits of quantification being 250ng/mL.
      Recovery of concentrations 250, 1000, 2500, 5000, and 100,000ng/mL ranged from 87
      to 116% and 84 to 103% (n=3) for flavone A and B, respectively. Stability of both
      flavones after a freezing/thawing cycle yielded a mean peak ratio >=0.92 when
      compared to freshly extracted samples. Intravenous administration of a 20mg/kg
      dose in rats yielded half-lives of 83.68+/-56.61 and 107.45+/-53.31min with
      clearance values of 12.99+/-13.78 and 80.79+/-35.06mL/min/kg for flavones A and
      B, respectively. 

PMID- 26280283
TI  - The study of grinding patterns and factors influencing the grinding areas during
      sleep bruxism.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the grinding patterns and
      discuss the factors influencing the position relationship between intercuspal
      position (ICP) and grinding area during sleep bruxism. METHODS: Lateral condylar
      inclination, inclination of lateral incisal path and freedom in long centric of
      thirty subjects were measured. The grinding patterns during sleep bruxism were
      recorded with a bruxism recording device, BruxChecker. The position relationship
      between ICP and the grinding area was examined. Spearman's rank correlation
      coefficient was used for correlation analysis between grinding area and free
      factors (grinding patterns, freedom in long centric and discrepancy between
      lateral condylar inclination and inclination of lateral incisal path). RESULTS:
      All 12 subjects with 0mm-freedom in long centric exhibited that ICP of both sides
      located within the grinding areas. 4 subjects showed that ICP of both sides
      located outside the grinding areas. There is a significant correlation between
      0mm-freedom in long centric and ICP within the grinding areas (p <0.01).
      CONCLUSIONS: Freedom in long centric has a significant effect on position
      relationship between intercuspal position and the grinding area.

PMID- 26280284
TI  - Halo traction, single-segment circumferential fixation treating cervical
      tubercular spondylitis with kyphosis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and feasibility of twenty patients
      with cervical tubercular spondylitis with kyphosis (CTSK) treated by halo
      traction, single-segment circumferential instrumented fusion combined anterior
      debridement, decompression and bone grafting. METHODS: Retrospective review of
      data on twenty patients who suffered from CTSK admitted to our hospital between
      January 2007 and December 2012. All of them were performed by halo traction,
      single-segment circumferential instrumented fusion (anterior titanium plate and
      posterior pedicle or lateral mass fixation) combined anterior debridement,
      decompression and titanium mesh cage (TMC) filled with allograft bone particles.
      X-ray and computed tomographic (CT) images were used to determined sagittal
      balance and bone fusion. The clinical efficacy was evaluated using statistical
      analysis about the visual analogue scale (VAS) scores of pain, neurological
      status according to the Frankel classification and erythrocyte sedimentation rate
      (ESR), which were collected at certain time. RESULTS: The average follow-up
      period was 34.1 +/- 7.0 months (24-48 months). In the 20 cases, no obvious
      postoperative complications related to instrumentation and bone grafting and
      neurologic function was improved in various degrees. The average pretreatment ESR
      was 46.4 +/- 21.7 mm/h, which got normal within 3 months in all patients. The
      average VAS on admission was 6.7 +/- 1.7, which decreased to 1.6 +/- 1.1
      postoperatively. All patients got bony fusion within 3.4-5.5 months after
      surgery. The Cobb angle of 30.8 +/- 10.5 degrees  on admission reduced to 2.9 +/-
      3.9 degrees  performed by preoperative halo traction, became to -5.1 +/- 4.0
      degrees  after operation and remained at -4.3 +/- 3.8 degrees , with 0.9 +/- 0.7
      degrees  of correction loss. CONCLUSIONS: Halo traction, single-segment
      circumferential instrumented fusion combined anterior debridement, decompression
      and TMC can be an effective and safe treatment method for the treatment of
      cervical tubercular spondylitis with kyphosis and the preoperative halo traction
      should be laid on much emphasis.

PMID- 26280286
TI  - Chronic Kidney Disease and Carotid Atherosclerosis in Patients With Acute Stroke.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasingly recognized
      as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and stroke. Our aim was
      to examine the association between estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)
      and carotid plaques, stenosis and occlusions, and to assess whether CKD and its
      severity affect carotid atherosclerosis in a cohort of unselected patients with
      acute stroke. METHODS: A total of 249 consecutive patients with acute stroke
      (ischemic or hemorrhagic) were included in this study and baseline eGFR, carotid
      intima-media thickness (cIMT), and carotid stenosis were evaluated. The eGFR was
      calculated using the modified Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation,
      which was adjusted for data from Chinese CKD patients. An eGFR rate of <60
      mL/min/1.73 m was defined as CKD. The cIMT and carotid plaques were detected by
      carotid ultrasound. RESULTS: CKD, defined as eGFR<60 mL/min/1.73 m, was found in
      66 individuals (26.50%). Among the 5 subtypes, the level of low-density
      lipoprotein cholesterol was significantly higher in the moderate and severe
      stenosis groups compared with the normal, elevated cIMT and mild stenosis groups
      (P<0.01). The value of eGFR gradually decreased with increasing degree of carotid
      stenosis, and the differences between the groups were statistically significant
      (P<0.01). On linear regression analysis, eGFR was negatively correlated with the
      degree of carotid stenosis (r=0.03; P<0.05). On ordinal logistic regression
      analysis, eGFR was an independent risk factor associated with carotid
      atherosclerosis (1.05; 95% confidence interval, 0.47-1.63). CONCLUSIONS: There
      was a significant burden of atherosclerosis among individuals with CKD. CKD is an
      independent predictor of carotid plaques, stenoses, and occlusions in patients
      with acute stroke.

PMID- 26280285
TI  - Inactivation of Byssochlamys nivea ascospores in strawberry puree by high
      pressure, power ultrasound and thermal processing.
AB  - Byssochlamys nivea is a mold that can spoil processed fruit products and produce
      mycotoxins. In this work, high pressure processing (HPP, 600 MPa) and power
      ultrasound (24 kHz, 0.33 W/mL; TS) in combination with 75 degrees C for the
      inactivation of four week old B. nivea ascospores in strawberry puree for up to
      30 min was investigated and compared with 75 degrees C thermal processing alone.
      TS and thermal processing can activate the mold ascospores, but HPP-75 degrees C
      resulted in 2.0 log reductions after a 20 min process. For a 10 min process, HPP
      75 degrees C was better than 85 degrees C alone in reducing B. nivea spores (1.4
      vs. 0.2 log reduction), demonstrating that a lower temperature in combination
      with HPP is more effective for spore inactivation than heat alone at a higher
      temperature. The ascospore inactivation by HPP-thermal, TS and thermal processing
      was studied at different temperatures and modeled. Faster inactivation was
      achieved at higher temperatures for all the technologies tested, indicating the
      significant role of temperature in spore inactivation, alone or combined with
      other physical processes. The Weibull model described the spore inactivation by
      600 MPa HPP-thermal (38, 50, 60, 75 degrees C) and thermal (85, 90 degrees C)
      processing, whereas the Lorentzian model was more appropriate for TS treatment
      (65, 70, 75 degrees C). The models obtained provide a useful tool to design and
      predict pasteurization processes targeting B. nivea ascospores.

PMID- 26280287
TI  - Which Comorbidities and Complications Predict Ischemic Stroke Recovery and Length
      of Stay?
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Stroke is the second most common cause of death worldwide and can
      lead to significant disability and long-term costs. Length of stay (LOS) is the
      most predictive factor in determining inpatient costs. In the present study,
      factors that affect disability and LOS among ischemic stroke patients admitted to
      an urban community hospital and 2 university-based teaching hospitals were
      assessed. METHODS: Data for consecutive patients with acute ischemic strokes were
      collected, by reviewing discharge diagnosis International Classification of
      Diseases codes. A data mining process was used to analyze admission data. Data
      regarding comorbidities and complications were abstracted by mining the secondary
      diagnoses for their respective International Classification of Diseases-9 codes.
      The primary outcome was LOS, calculated from the dates of admission and dates of
      discharge. The second outcome of interest was disability, which was evaluated by
      the modified Rankin score at the time of discharge. RESULTS: LOS progressively
      increased with greater disability. Greater age and higher National Institute of
      Health Stroke Scale at admission were associated with both higher disability and
      longer LOS. Presence of congestive heart failure or chronic kidney disease,
      atrial fibrillation, other arrhythmias (preexisting or new onset), and
      development of acute renal failure were associated with greater LOS but not
      greater disability status. Patients with a previous stroke and those that
      developed urinary tract infection as a complication had higher disability.
      CONCLUSIONS: Greater age and higher National Institute of Health Stroke Scale at
      admission were associated with both higher disability and longer LOS. Congestive
      heart failure, CRF, presence of arrhythmias, and development of acute renal
      failure were associated with greater LOS. The development of urinary tract
      infection caused higher disability.

PMID- 26280288
TI  - Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder Associated With Autoimmune Hemolytic
      Anemia and Lymphoma.
AB  - Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an inflammatory demyelinating disorder
      characterized by monophasic or recurrent attacks of optic neuritis (ON) and
      transverse myelitis. NMO spectrum disorders include patients who are seropositive
      for NMO-IgG antibody and have experienced at least 1 demyelinating attack. NMO
      has been associated with other autoimmune conditions. We describe a patient
      diagnosed with autoimmune hemolytic anemia and marginal zone lymphoma, who later
      developed NMO-IgG seropositive ON. The coexistence of multiple immunologic
      abnormalities in this patient points to a generalized dysfunction of the humoral
      immune system. History of autoimmunity should alert the clinician to the
      possibility of NMO spectrum disorder in a patient presenting with isolated ON.

PMID- 26280289
TI  - Contrasts Between Patients With Lewy Body Dementia Syndromes and APOE
      epsilon3/epsilon3 Patients With Late-onset Alzheimer Disease Dementia.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Neuropsychiatric and epidemiological patterns may compensate for
      insufficient specificity of diagnostic criteria of Lewy body dementia (LBD)
      syndromes in differential analysis with Alzheimer disease (AD) dementia. We aimed
      to compare and distinguish demographic and neuropsychiatric features between LBD
      and APOE-epsilon3/epsilon3 late-onset AD. METHODS: A total of 39 consecutive
      patients with Parkinson disease dementia or dementia with Lewy bodies were
      matched with 39 APOE-epsilon3/epsilon3 patients with late-onset AD according to
      sex and Mini-Mental State Examination scores, and evaluated for education, age at
      disease onset, lifetime sanitary conditions, anthropometric measures, alcohol
      use, smoking, history of head trauma or bacterial infections, family history of
      neurodegenerative diseases, caregiver burden, functional independence, cognitive
      decline, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and pharmacological treatment. RESULTS:
      Family history of parkinsonism and worse motor performance were more prevalent in
      Parkinson disease dementia, also impacting sleep satisfaction and physical self
      maintenance. Patients with AD had higher systolic blood pressure, were more
      independent, and had better performance in visuospatial tasks and calculations,
      whereas patients with LBD were more oriented and previously lived longer in rural
      areas without sanitation. Among neuropsychiatric symptoms, hallucinations,
      apathy, dysphoria, anxiety, and aberrant motor behavior were the most significant
      for discrimination amidst dementia diagnoses. CONCLUSIONS: Functional
      performance, visuospatial skills, and behavioral symptoms are helpful for
      differential diagnoses between LBD and AD. Cerebrovascular risk might be more
      important for AD pathogenesis, whereas environmental factors might impact
      development of LBD.

PMID- 26280290
TI  - Risk of Gastrointestinal Events During Vandetanib Therapy in Patients With
      Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Clinical Trials.
AB  - Vandetanib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor used as an anticancer therapeutic agent,
      has adverse events associated with treatment resulting in noncompliance and
      withdrawal from the therapy. Here, we performed meta-analysis of published
      clinical trials to determine relative risk (RR) and incidence of gastrointestinal
      events during vandetanib therapy in patients with cancer. A comprehensive
      literature search was performed and summary incidence, RR, and 95% confidence
      intervals (CIs) were calculated employing fixed- or random-effects models,
      depending on the heterogeneity of trials. Twenty-two trials with 6382 patients
      were included summary incidences of all-grade gastrointestinal events in patients
      with cancer were anorexia 24% (95% CI, 20%-28%), constipation 17% (95% CI, 13%
      20%), diarrhea 46% (95% CI, 40%-53%), nausea 29% (95% CI, 25%-33%), and vomiting
      17% (95% CI, 14%-21%). Incidences of vandetanib-associated gastrointestinal
      events stratified by tumor histology were statistically insignificant. Vandetanib
      was associated with a significant risk of all-grade diarrhea (RR 1.75, 95% CI,
      1.42-2.16) and high-grade diarrhea (RR 1.94, 95% CI, 1.43-2.64) and significantly
      decreased risk of all-grade constipation (RR 0.80, 95% CI, 0.71-0.91). Summary RR
      showed a significant risk of vandetanib-associated constipation (RR 0.82, 95% CI,
      0.72-0.93) and diarrhea (all-grade: RR 1.68, 95% CI, 1.31-2.14 and high-grade: RR
      1.57, 95% CI, 1.14-2.17) in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer. This study
      revealed a significantly increased risk of diarrhea and a reduced risk of
      constipation in patients with cancer receiving vandetanib, suggesting that
      appropriate and frequent clinical monitoring should be emphasized.

PMID- 26280291
TI  - Etanercept for the Treatment of Transplantation-Related Lung Injury After
      Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.
AB  - Although some data suggest favorable outcomes with use of etanercept for
      treatment of transplantation-related lung injury, concerns, such as development
      of new infections, still exist. The objective of this study was to describe the
      usage of etanercept at our institution and to evaluate the efficacy and safety of
      etanercept for this indication. Adult patients receiving at least one dose of
      etanercept for the treatment of pulmonary complications in patients after
      hematopoietic stem cell transplant from January 2005 to December 2010 were
      retrospectively evaluated. Outcomes included hospital mortality, incidence of new
      infection after etanercept administration, and time from administration of first
      dose of etanercept to infection. Seventeen patients who received etanercept at
      our institution from January 2005 to December 2010 were included. Four patients
      (24%) survived their hospital stay, and 3 patients (18%) were alive at both 100
      days and 1 year from the initiation of etanercept therapy. Four patients (24%)
      developed at least one confirmed new infection after the initiation of etanercept
      therapy. Both moderate and long-term survival in our cohort was low. Caution and
      careful assessment of the risks and benefits of therapy should be taken before
      initiation of etanercept for transplantation-related lung injury.

PMID- 26280292
TI  - Preadmission Use of Calcium Channel Blockers and Outcomes After Hospitalization
      With Pneumonia: A Retrospective Propensity-Matched Cohort Study.
AB  - In sepsis, an overwhelming immune response, as mediated by the release of various
      inflammatory mediators, can lead to shock, multiple organ damage, and even death.
      Pneumonia is the leading cause of sepsis. In animal septic models, sepsis could
      induce uncontrolled calcium (Ca) leaking, raising cytosolic Ca to a toxic level,
      causing irreversible cellular injuries and organ failure. All types of calcium
      channel blockers (CCBs), by inhibiting Ca influx, have been shown to decrease
      overall mortality in various septic animal models. However, to our best
      knowledge, no clinical study had been conducted to investigate the beneficial
      effect(s) of CCBs in sepsis. We conducted a retrospective propensity-matched
      cohort study after screening 2214 patients hospitalized for pneumonia from year
      2012 to 2014 at our institution. We identified 387 preadmission CCB users and 387
      nonusers by propensity score matching. Logistic regression analysis was then used
      to determine the association between preadmission CCB use and outcomes in
      pneumonia. Our study showed that the odds for development of severe sepsis was
      significantly lower in the CCB user group [odds ratio (OR), 0.466; 95% confidence
      interval (CI), 0.311-0.697; P = 0.002]. Preadmission CCB use was associated with
      a lower risk of contracting bacteremia (OR, 0.498; 95% CI, 0.262-0.99; P =
      0.0327), lower risk of acute respiratory insufficiency (OR, 0.573; 95% CI, 0.412
      0.798; P = 0.001), lower risk of intensive care unit admission (OR, 0.602; 95%
      CI, 0.432-0.840; P = 0.0028). In conclusion, our study suggested preadmission CCB
      use was associated with a reduction in the risks of development of respiratory
      insufficiency, bacteremia, and severe sepsis in patients admitted to the hospital
      with pneumonia.

PMID- 26280293
TI  - Operative Intervention of Supracondylar Humerus Fractures More Complicated in
      July: Analysis of the July Effect.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The "July Effect" involves the influx of new interns and residents
      early in the academic year (July and August), which may have greater potential
      for poorer patient outcomes. Current orthopaedic literature does not demonstrate
      the validity of this concept in arthroplasty, spine, hand, and arthroscopy. No
      study has investigated the possibility of this effect on common pediatric
      orthopaedic procedures, such as closed reduction and percutaneous pin fixation of
      supracondylar humerus fractures. METHODS: A retrospective review of all type II
      or III supracondylar humerus fractures that underwent primary closed reduction
      and percutaneous pin fixation (CPT code 24538) at a single pediatric level 1
      trauma center from July 2009 to June 2013. Patients were grouped according to
      time in the academic year: early (July and August) and late (May and June).
      Demographic data included length of follow-up, age at surgery, sex, side of
      injury, and Wilkin's modified Gartland classification. Outcomes included length
      of operation, number of pins used, length of stay, complications, and the need
      for repeat surgery. RESULTS: There were 245 patients, 101 in the early and 144 in
      the late group. There was no increase in surgical time [33.32+/-24.74 (early) vs.
      28.63+/-10.06 (late) min, P=0.07) or complication rates [7.0% (early) vs. 2.1%
      (late), P=0.06) between the early and the late groups. Cases performed with
      junior residents demonstrated longer operative (31.72+/-17.07 vs. 28.96+/-18.71
      min, P=0.02) and fluoroscopy (48.63+/-30.96 vs. 34.12+/-27.38 s, P=0.01) times.
      CONCLUSIONS: The academic orthopaedic surgeon must ensure the education of
      residents, while providing the highest level of safety to patients. Our study
      shows that education of young residents early in the academic year results in no
      increase in operative times, radiation exposure, or complications. LEVEL OF
      EVIDENCE: Level III.

PMID- 26280294
TI  - The Fate of DDH Hips Showing Cartilaginous or Fibrous Tissue-filled Joint Spaces
      Following Primary Reduction.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Because the use of magnetic resonance imaging is still not universal
      for the patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip patients, orthopaedists
      do not generally distinguish widened joint spaces which are "empty" after primary
      treatment (and therefore still reducible), from those which are filled and much
      more difficult to treat. To date no studies have focused on the latter hips. We
      treated and observed the outcomes for 19 hips which showed filled joint spaces
      after primary treatment. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 19 cases of
      developmental dysplasia of the hip: (1) who showed a widened joint space on
      radiographs after primary treatment; and (2) whose magnetic resonance imaging
      showed that the widened joint space was accompanied by acetabular cartilage
      hypertrophy and/or was filled with fibrous tissues. All patients were over 1 year
      old at the time of primary reduction (reduction was closed in 4 patients, open in
      6, and open with pelvic osteotomy in 9). Thirteen patients received at least 1
      secondary treatment. Final results were classified using a modified Severin
      classification. RESULTS: Final outcomes were satisfactory in 10 (52.6%) and
      unsatisfactory in 9 (47.4%). The widened joint spaces gradually filled with bone,
      resulting in a shallow acetabulum in the patients with unsatisfactory results. Of
      9 patients who underwent combined pelvic osteotomy at the time of primary
      reduction, results were satisfactory in 6 (66.7%), whereas all patients who had
      only closed or open primary reduction had unsatisfactory results. CONCLUSIONS:
      Combined pelvic osteotomy at the time of primary reduction is advisable in hips
      with widened joint spaces. However, hips with filled joint spaces after primary
      treatment often have unsatisfactory results even after additional pelvic and/or
      femoral osteotomy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV-prognostic study.

PMID- 26280295
TI  - The Use of an "Internal Fixator Technique" to Stabilize Pathologic Fractures
      Developing Secondary to Osteomyelitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is no consensus on the materials and the techniques to use in
      fixing pathologic fractures secondary to osteomyelitis. This study reports the
      results of the fixation of pathologic fractures secondary to osteomyelitis using
      the "internal fixator technique." METHODS: The internal fixator technique was
      performed on 11 children and adolescents with fractures secondary to
      osteomyelitis between 2003 and 2010. A retrospective chart review was conducted
      to record the following: age, sex, the anatomic region of infection, the time
      delay from symptom onset to fracture, the classification of chronic
      osteomyelitis, the Cierny-Mader classification, the causative organism,
      surgeries, the length of hospitalization, the location and the pattern of
      fracture, the duration of infection, the length of follow-up, and complications.
      RESULTS: The patients included 7 male and 4 female patients with a mean age of
      8.7 (range, 6 to 13) years. Pathologic fractures were as follows: 7 femur and 4
      tibia. Nine of them were in the metaphysis and 2 others were located in the
      diaphysis. The time delay from symptom onset to fracture was 3.36 (1 to 9)
      months. The anatomic region of infection was the diaphysis in 2 cases and the
      metaphysis in 9 cases. Fractures patterns were short oblique and transverse. The
      length of hospitalization was a mean of 7 days. The duration of infection ranged
      from 1 to 12 (mean, 4.38) months. The mean duration of follow-up was 57.09
      (range, 36 to 73) months from the initial presentation. Only 2 patients developed
      shortening, for which no additional intervention was performed. CONCLUSIONS: This
      case series demonstrates that the "internal fixator technique" is an acceptable
      alternative to the management of pathologic fractures of the femur or the tibia
      in children and adolescents with unresolved acute and chronic osteomyelitis.
      Infections were resolved in all cases and fractures were sufficiently stabilized
      to allow union with a low complication rate. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV
      therapeutic.

PMID- 26280296
TI  - Predicting the Need for Surgical Intervention in Patients With Idiopathic
      Clubfoot.

PMID- 26280297
TI  - Thermal and cardiovascular strain imposed by motorcycle protective clothing under
      Australian summer conditions.
AB  - Motorcycle protective clothing can be uncomfortably hot during summer, and this
      experiment was designed to evaluate the physiological significance of that
      burden. Twelve males participated in four, 90-min trials (cycling 30 W) across
      three environments (25, 30, 35  degrees C [all 40% relative humidity]). Clothing
      was modified between full and minimal injury protection. Both ensembles were
      tested at 25  degrees C, with only the more protective ensemble investigated at
      30 and 35  degrees C. At 35  degrees C, auditory canal temperature rose at 0.02 
      degrees C min(-1) (SD 0.005), deviating from all other trials (p < 0.05). The
      thresholds for moderate (>38.5  degrees C) and profound hyperthermia (>40.0 
      degrees C) were predicted to occur within 105 min (SD 20.6) and 180 min (SD
      33.0), respectively. Profound hyperthermia might eventuate in ~10 h at 30 
      degrees C, but should not occur at 25  degrees C. These outcomes demonstrate a
      need to enhance the heat dissipation capabilities of motorcycle clothing designed
      for summer use in hot climates, but without compromising impact protection.
      Practitioner's Summary: Motorcycle protective clothing can be uncomfortably hot
      during summer. This experiment was designed to evaluate the physiological
      significance of this burden across climatic states. In the heat, moderate (>38.5 
      degrees C) and profound hyperthermia (>40.0  degrees C) were predicted to occur
      within 105 and 180 min, respectively. 

PMID- 26280299
TI  - Distinct processing of social and monetary rewards in late adolescents with trait
      anhedonia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Anticipatory and consummatory dissociation of hedonic experience may
      manifest as trait anhedonia in healthy and clinical populations. It is still
      unclear whether the underlying neural mechanisms of the monetary-based and affect
      based incentive delay paradigms are distinct from each other. The present study
      aimed to examine the similarities and differences between the Affect Incentive
      Delay (AID) and the Monetary Incentive Delay (MID) imaging paradigms in relation
      to brain activations. METHOD: We administered the AID and the MID imaging tasks
      to 28 adolescent participants. A cue signaling the type of forthcoming feedback
      (reward or punishment) was displayed to the participants, followed by a target
      hit task with corresponding reward or punishment. RESULTS: The striatal and
      limbic regions were activated during the anticipatory phase of MID, while there
      was no brain activation during the anticipatory phase of AID. In the consummatory
      phase, the MID task activated the medial frontal cortex, while the AID task
      activated the frontal and dorsal limbic regions. We further found that the
      anhedonic group exhibited significant hypoactivation than the nonanhedonic group
      at the left pulvinar, the left claustrum and the left insula to positive cues in
      the anticipatory phase of the AID task. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the
      AID and the MID tasks have unique activation patterns. Our findings also suggest
      that the AID task may be more sensitive in detecting anhedonia in people with
      trait anhedonia.

PMID- 26280298
TI  - Reduced immune responses in chimeric mice engrafted with bone marrow cells from
      mice with airways inflammation.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: During respiratory inflammation, it is generally assumed that
      dendritic cells differentiating from the bone marrow are immunogenic rather than
      immunoregulatory. Using chimeric mice, the outcomes of airways inflammation on
      bone marrow progenitor cells were studied. METHODS: Immune responses were
      analyzed in chimeric mice engrafted for >16 weeks with bone marrow cells from
      mice with experimental allergic airways disease (EAAD). RESULTS: Responses to
      sensitization and challenge with the allergen causing inflammation in the bone
      marrow-donor mice were significantly reduced in the chimeric mice engrafted with
      bone marrow cells from mice with EAAD (EAAD-chimeric). Responses to intranasal
      LPS and topical fluorescein isothiocyanate (non-specific challenges) were
      significantly attenuated. Fewer activated dendritic cells from the airways and
      skin of the EAAD-chimeric mice could be tracked to the draining lymph nodes, and
      may contribute to the significantly reduced antigen/chemical-induced hypertrophy
      in the draining nodes, and the reduced immune responses to sensitizing allergens.
      Dendritic cells differentiating in vitro from the bone marrow of >16 weeks
      reconstituted EAAD-chimeric mice retained an ability to poorly prime immune
      responses when transferred into naive mice. CONCLUSIONS: Dendritic cells
      developing from bone marrow progenitors during airways inflammation are altered
      such that daughter cells have reduced antigen priming capabilities.

PMID- 26280300
TI  - Executive functions and the contribution of short-term memory span in children
      with specific language impairment.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: An increasing number of results show that specific language impairment
      (SLI) is often associated with impairments in executive functions (EF), but the
      nature, extent, and generality of these deficits is yet unclear. The aim of the
      paper is to present results from verbal and nonverbal tasks examining EF in
      children with SLI and their age-matched typically developing (TD) peers. METHOD:
      31 children with SLI were tested on verbal and nonverbal versions of simple and
      complex span, fluency, N-back, and Stroop tasks. Their performance was compared
      with 31 TD children matched on age and nonverbal IQ. The design allows us to
      examine whether executive functions are similarly affected in SLI in verbal and
      nonverbal tasks. RESULTS: The SLI group showed difficulties in verbal versions of
      complex span (listening span task) and fluency but not in inhibition (Stroop
      tasks) relative to TD age-matched children. Including simple verbal span (digit
      span) as a covariate eliminated group differences on both verbal tasks.
      CONCLUSIONS: Children with SLI were found to be impaired on several verbal
      measures of EF, but these differences were largely due to more fundamental
      deficits in verbal short-term span.

PMID- 26280301
TI  - Distinguishing Alzheimer's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies using cognitive
      and olfactory measures.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Given poor sensitivity of the diagnostic criteria in identifying
      dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), the use of cognitive and olfactory measures to
      distinguish Alzheimer's disease (AD) from DLB was assessed. METHOD: Twenty-six
      patients with DLB and 60 patients with AD were administered several cognitive
      measures and the Brief Smell Identification Task (BSIT). RESULT: Patients with
      DLB performed significantly worse on the BSIT and visuoconstruction tasks than
      patients with AD, but significantly better on delayed recall of a word list.
      Sensitivity and specificity of these measures in identifying DLB are presented
      for each of these tasks alone and in combination. The best balance of sensitivity
      and specificity was found with a combination of the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test
      and BSIT (81% sensitivity, 90% specificity). CONCLUSIONS: These data have
      practical implications by providing cut scores than can be used to emphasize
      either specificity or sensitivity in identifying patients with DLB.

PMID- 26280302
TI  - Inhibition of Cancer-Associated Mutant Isocitrate Dehydrogenases by 2
      Thiohydantoin Compounds.
AB  - Somatic mutations of isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) at R132 are frequently
      found in certain cancers such as glioma. With losing the activity of wild-type
      IDH1, the R132H and R132C mutant proteins can reduce alpha-ketoglutaric acid
      (alpha-KG) to d-2-hydroxyglutaric acid (D2HG). The resulting high concentration
      of D2HG inhibits many alpha-KG-dependent dioxygenases, including histone
      demethylases, to cause broad histone hypermethylation. These aberrant epigenetic
      changes are responsible for the initiation of these cancers. We report the
      synthesis, structure-activity relationships, enzyme kinetics, and binding
      thermodynamics of a novel series of 2-thiohydantoin and related compounds, among
      which several compounds are potent inhibitors of mutant IDH1 with Ki as low as
      420 nM. X-ray crystal structures of IDH1(R132H) in complex with two inhibitors
      are reported, showing their inhibitor-protein interactions. These compounds can
      decrease the cellular concentration of D2HG, reduce the levels of histone
      methylation, and suppress the proliferation of stem-like cancer cells in BT142
      glioma with IDH1 R132H mutation. 

PMID- 26280303
TI  - Validating psychological classification criteria in the context of somatoform
      disorders: A one- and four-year follow-up.
AB  - When revising the former somatoform diagnoses to somatic symptom disorders, DSM-5
      introduced psychological classification criteria in addition to somatic symptoms.
      The authors investigated the relevance of these and further cognitive, affective,
      and behavioral features as well as their predictive value concerning (a) somatic
      symptoms that are not better explained by a general medical condition (MUS) and
      somatoform disorders (SD), (b) impairment, and (c) health care utilization. A
      general population sample of 321 participants (M = 47.0 years, 63% women) was
      interviewed at baseline and reinterviewed 1 year (N = 244) and 4 years (N = 219)
      later. The authors assessed a list of 49 somatic complaints including medical
      causes, the symptom-related subjective impairment, doctor visits during the
      previous 12 months, depressive/anxiety disorders (SCID), and 9 psychological
      features with potential use for classification. Most psychological features were
      more frequent in subjects with SD compared to nonsufferers. Reassurance seeking,
      body checking, a self-concept of bodily weakness, catastrophizing of physical
      sensations, avoidance of physical activities, and negative affectivity
      incrementally predicted medium- and long-term standard deviation: The odds ranged
      from 2.4 to 9.8 (95% confidence intevals: [1.1, 5.0], [1.7-57.9]), with up to 90%
      correct predictions for the overall model. Lower somatic symptom attribution and
      higher health anxiety were incremental predictors of the number of MUS after 4
      years. Long-term impairment and health care use were not incrementally predicted
      by psychological features. To conclude, psychological criteria showed relevance
      and predictive value for the classification of somatoform symptoms. Therefore,
      the inclusion seems warranted, although the DSM-5 selection of psychological
      features needs further investigation.

PMID- 26280304
TI  - Unique Optical Oxygen-Sensing Performance of [Ru(IP)2(HNAIP)](2+) during the
      Groove-Binding-Induced B-to-Z DNA Conformational Transition.
AB  - The oxygen-sensing performance of [Ru(IP)2(HNAIP)](2+) (Ru1, IP = imidazo[4,5
      f][1,10]phenanthroline and HNAIP = 2-(2-hydroxy-1-naphthyl)imidazo [4,5
      f][1,10]phenanthroline) in the presence of DNA conformational transition has been
      investigated by means of absorption spectroscopy, steady-state and time-resolved
      fluorescence spectroscopies, and circular dichroism spectroscopy. Ru1 shows a
      good linear response toward oxygen between pure nitrogen and pure oxygen with an
      on-off emission intensity ratio (I0/I100) of up to 9.3 via a dynamic quenching
      mechanism. Compared with [Ru(IP)2(DHPIP)](2+) (Ru2, DHPIP = 2-(2,4
      dihydroxyphenyl)imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline, I0/I100 = 5.8), the HNAIP
      ligand endows Ru1 with favorable oxygen binding sites to achieve larger energy
      and electron transfer rates. Simultaneously, Ru1 can induce the B-to-Z DNA
      conformational transition via a groove interaction with an intrinsic binding
      constant (K(b)) of 7.9 * 10(4) M(-1), whereas there is no same phenomenon for Ru2
      intercalated into DNA (Kb = 3.3 * 10(5) M(-1)). Furthermore, the B-to-Z DNA
      conformational transition is interestingly found to decrease the Ru1-based oxygen
      sensing rate by about 33%.

PMID- 26280305
TI  - Broadband High-Performance Infrared Antireflection Nanowires Facilely Grown on
      Ultrafast Laser Structured Cu Surface.
AB  - Infrared antireflection is an essential issue in many fields such as thermal
      imaging, sensors, thermoelectrics, and stealth. However, a limited antireflection
      capability, narrow effective band, and complexity as well as high cost in
      implementation represent the main unconquered problems, especially on metal
      surfaces. By introducing precursor micro/nano structures via ultrafast laser
      beforehand, we present a novel approach for facile and uniform growth of high
      quality oxide semiconductor nanowires on a Cu surface via thermal oxidation.
      Through the enhanced optical phonon dissipation of the nanowires, assisted by
      light trapping in the micro structures, ultralow total reflectance of 0.6% is
      achieved at the infrared wavelength around 17 MUm and keeps steadily below 3%
      over a broad band of 14-18 MUm. The precursor structures and the nanowires can be
      flexibly tuned by controlling the laser processing procedure to achieve desired
      antireflection performance. The presented approach possesses the advantages of
      material simplicity, structure reconfigurability, and cost-effectiveness for mass
      production. It opens a new path to realize unique functions by integrating
      semiconductor nanowires onto metal surface structures. 

PMID- 26280306
TI  - Introduction to the Special Issue. Festschrift for Hannelore Wass, Founding
      Editor of Death Studies.

PMID- 26280307
TI  - The long-term variation of Cd and Zn hyperaccumulation by Noccaea spp and
      Arabidopsis halleri plants in both pot and field conditions.
AB  - Three Cd and Zn hyperaccumulating plant species Noccaea caerulescens Noccaea
      praecox and Arabidopsis halleri (Brassicacceae) were cultivated in seven
      subsequent vegetation seasons in both pot and field conditions in soil highly
      contaminated with Cd, Pb, and Zn. The results confirmed the hyperaccumulation
      ability of both plant species, although A. halleri showed lower Cd uptake
      compared to N. caerulescens. Conversely, Pb phytoextraction was negligible for
      both species in this case. Because of the high variability in plant yield and
      element contents in the aboveground biomass of plants, great variation in Cd and
      Zn accumulation was observed during the experiment. The extraction ability in
      field conditions varied in the case of Cd from 0.2 to 2.9 kg ha(-1) (N.
      caerulescens) and up to 0.15 kg ha(-1) (A. halleri), and in the case of Zn from
      0.2 to 6.4 kg ha(-1) (N. caerulescens) and up to 13.8 kg.ha(-1) (A. halleri).
      Taking into account the 20 cm root zone of the soil, the plants were able to
      extract up to 4.1% Cd and 0.2% Zn in one season. However, cropping measures
      should be optimized to improve and stabilize the long-term phytoextraction
      potential of these plants.

PMID- 26280309
TI  - A new approach to the 8b-azaacenaphthylene ring system.
AB  - A stereoselective approach to the 8b-azaacenaphthylene ring system is described.
      This new route features a dichloroketene-enol ether [2 + 2] cycloaddition, a
      vinylogous Mannich reaction, and an aza-Prins cyclization as key stereoselective
      transformations. 

PMID- 26280308
TI  - Improved age determination of blood and teeth samples using a selected set of DNA
      methylation markers.
AB  - Age estimation from DNA methylation markers has seen an exponential growth of
      interest, not in the least from forensic scientists. The current published
      assays, however, can still be improved by lowering the number of markers in the
      assay and by providing more accurate models to predict chronological age. From
      the published literature we selected 4 age-associated genes (ASPA, PDE4C, ELOVL2,
      and EDARADD) and determined CpG methylation levels from 206 blood samples of both
      deceased and living individuals (age range: 0-91 years). This data was
      subsequently used to compare prediction accuracy with both linear and non-linear
      regression models. A quadratic regression model in which the methylation levels
      of ELOVL2 were squared showed the highest accuracy with a Mean Absolute Deviation
      (MAD) between chronological age and predicted age of 3.75 years and an adjusted
      R(2) of 0.95. No difference in accuracy was observed for samples obtained either
      from living and deceased individuals or between the 2 genders. In addition, 29
      teeth from different individuals (age range: 19-70 years) were analyzed using the
      same set of markers resulting in a MAD of 4.86 years and an adjusted R(2) of
      0.74. Cross validation of the results obtained from blood samples demonstrated
      the robustness and reproducibility of the assay. In conclusion, the set of 4 CpG
      DNA methylation markers is capable of producing highly accurate age predictions
      for blood samples from deceased and living individuals.

PMID- 26280310
TI  - The Kra Isthmus Canal: A New Strategic Solution for China's Energy Consumption
      Scenario?
AB  - This paper is a conceptual study that examines the viability of the construction
      of the Kra Isthmus within the context of the five dimensions of megaproject
      success of Sovacool and Cooper (The governance of energy megaprojects: politics,
      hubris, and energy security, 2013)-social (governance), technological (systems),
      democratic (politics), externalities (economics, ecology), and risks assessments
      (accountability), and its possible impact on China's strategic energy supply
      chain. One of the objectives of this study is also to discuss the current
      impacts, perceived benefits, and risks of China's dependence on its multinational
      and transnational pipelines. China could see the construction of Kra Canal as an
      alternative option for its strategic sourcing activities especially crude oil and
      gas at much lower costs. The megaproject would become a passageway that connects
      the Indian Ocean, Andaman Sea, and the Gulf of Siam at the choke point of Isthmus
      region in Thailand. However, this megaproject could also trigger the internal
      conflicts of Thailand, and affect the ASEAN countries' political and economic
      relationships. 

PMID- 26280311
TI  - Does Place Attachment Predict Wildfire Mitigation and Preparedness? A Comparison
      of Wildland-Urban Interface and Rural Communities.
AB  - Wildfires are a common occurrence in many countries and are predicted to increase
      as we experience the effects of climate change. As more people are expected to be
      affected by fires, it is important to increase people's wildfire mitigation and
      preparation. Place attachment has been theorized to be related to mitigation and
      preparation. The present study examined place attachment and wildfire mitigation
      and preparation in two Australian samples, one rural and one on the wildland
      urban interface. The study consisted of 300 participants who responded to
      questionnaires about their place attachment to their homes and local areas, as
      well as describing their socio-demographic characteristics and wildfire
      mitigation and preparedness. Hierarchical regression showed that place attachment
      to homes predicted wildfire mitigation and preparedness in the rural sample but
      not in the wildland-urban interface sample. The results suggest that place
      attachment is a motivator for mitigation and preparation only for people living
      rurally. Reminding rural residents of their attachment to home at the beginning
      of wildfire season may result in greater mitigation and preparedness. Further
      research focusing on why attachment does not predict mitigation and preparedness
      in the wildland-urban interface is needed. 

PMID- 26280312
TI  - Scaling properties of the shear modulus of polyelectrolyte complex coacervates: a
      time-pH superposition principle.
AB  - We analyze the scaling properties of pH-dependent shear modulus spectra of
      complex coacervates made of weak polyanions and strong polycations. For the first
      time, we report on a "time-pH superposition principle". This principle implies
      that the charge density in complex coacervates made of not fully charged polyions
      only influences the time scale of the relaxation dynamics, but not the mechanisms
      of the underlying dynamics. 

PMID- 26280313
TI  - "Unfocus" on foc.us: commercial tDCS headset impairs working memory.
AB  - In this study, we tested whether the commercial transcranial direct current
      stimulation (tDCS) headset foc.us improves cognitive performance, as advertised
      in the media. A single-blind, sham-controlled, within-subject design was used to
      assess the effect of online and off-line foc.us tDCS-applied over the prefrontal
      cortex in healthy young volunteers (n = 24) on working memory (WM) updating and
      monitoring. WM updating and monitoring, as assessed by means of the N-back task,
      is a cognitive-control process that has been shown to benefit from interventions
      with CE-certified tDCS devices. For both online and off-line stimulation
      protocols, results showed that active stimulation with foc.us, compared to sham
      stimulation, significantly decreased accuracy performance in a well-established
      task tapping WM updating and monitoring. These results provide evidence for the
      important role of the scientific community in validating and testing far-reaching
      claims made by the brain training industry. 

PMID- 26280314
TI  - Temporal and spatial constraints of action effect on sensory binding.
AB  - Previous studies have shown that asynchrony in perceived changes in the visual
      attributes of an object is attenuated when the object is the target of a manual
      reaching action (e.g. Corveleyn et al. in J Vis, 2012. doi: 10.1167/12.11.20 ).
      In the present study, we examined the temporal and spatial constraints associated
      with the effect of action on sensory binding. Participants performed a temporal
      order judgment task which required them to judge which changed first, the
      position or the colour of a visual stimulus, either while performing a concurrent
      motor task (manual acquisition of a visual target) or not (perceptual task). In
      Experiment 1, the fixed-attribute change (colour or position) occurred 0, 250,
      500 or 1000 ms following the end of the motor action or the presentation of an
      auditory cue, while the variable-attribute change (position or colour) occurred
      randomly within an interval of +/-200 ms from the fixed-attribute change. In
      Experiment 2, the visual stimulus was presented at a distance of 0, 2, 4 or 8 cm
      from a central fixation cross which was the target in the motor task. The fixed
      attribute (colour or position) changed 700 ms after an auditory cue (perceptual
      task) or when the hand reached the visual target (motor task). The variable
      attribute change (position or colour) again occurred within an interval of +/-200
      ms from the fixed-attribute change. Statistical analysis of the point of
      subjective simultaneity revealed that performing a motor action reduced the
      perceived temporal asynchrony in the perceptual task, but only when the visual
      changes occurred less than 500 ms (for the fixed attribute) following movement
      execution (Exp. 1) and at a distance of less than 4 cm from the movement endpoint
      (Exp. 2). These results indicate that action-induced sensory binding requires
      temporal contiguity and spatial congruency between the endpoint of the action and
      its visual consequences. 

PMID- 26280315
TI  - Relative errors can cue absolute visuomotor mappings.
AB  - When repeatedly switching between two visuomotor mappings, e.g. in a reaching or
      pointing task, adaptation tends to speed up over time. That is, when the error in
      the feedback corresponds to a mapping switch, fast adaptation occurs. Yet, what
      is learned, the relative error or the absolute mappings? When switching between
      mappings, errors with a size corresponding to the relative difference between the
      mappings will occur more often than other large errors. Thus, we could learn to
      correct more for errors with this familiar size (Error Learning). On the other
      hand, it has been shown that the human visuomotor system can store several
      absolute visuomotor mappings (Mapping Learning) and can use associated contextual
      cues to retrieve them. Thus, when contextual information is present, no error
      feedback is needed to switch between mappings. Using a rapid pointing task, we
      investigated how these two types of learning may each contribute when repeatedly
      switching between mappings in the absence of task-irrelevant contextual cues.
      After training, we examined how participants changed their behaviour when a
      single error probe indicated either the often-experienced error (Error Learning)
      or one of the previously experienced absolute mappings (Mapping Learning).
      Results were consistent with Mapping Learning despite the relative nature of the
      error information in the feedback. This shows that errors in the feedback can
      have a double role in visuomotor behaviour: they drive the general adaptation
      process by making corrections possible on subsequent movements, as well as serve
      as contextual cues that can signal a learned absolute mapping. 

PMID- 26280316
TI  - Comparison and preparation of multilayered polylactic acid fabric strengthen
      calcium phosphate-based bone substitutes for orthopedic applications.
AB  - An attempt to maintain the three-dimensional space into restorative sites through
      the conveniently pack porous fillers are general used strategy. Advancement in
      the manufacturing protective shells in the scaffolds, which would be filled with
      brittle ceramic grafts for the development of highly connective pores provides
      the approach to solve crack problem for generating the tissues. Therefore,
      multilayered braided and alkalized poly(lactic acid) (PLA) composites with
      calcium phosphate bone cement (CPC) were synthesized and compared. The PLA/CPC
      composites were divided into various groups according to a series of heat
      treatment temperatures (100-190  degrees C) and periods (1-3 h) and then
      characterized. The effects of 24-h immersion on the strength decay resistance of
      the samples were compared. Results showed that the residual oil capped on the
      surfaces of alkalized PLA braid was removed, and the structure was unaltered.
      However, the reduced tensile stress of alkalized PLA braids was due to ester
      group formation by hydrolysis. Mechanical test results of PLA/CPC composites
      showed that the strength significantly increased after heat treatment, except
      when the heating temperature was higher than the PLA melting point at
      approximately 160-170  degrees C. The degree of PLA after recrystallization
      became higher than that of unheated composites, thereby leading to reduced
      strength and toughness of the specimen. Braiding fibers of biodegradable PLA
      reinforced and toughened the structure particularly of the extra-brittle material
      of thin-sheet CPC after implantation. 

PMID- 26280317
TI  - Adaptive correlation dimension method for analysing heart rate variability during
      the menstrual cycle.
AB  - Correlation dimension (CD) is used for analysing the chaotic behaviour of the
      nonlinear heart rate variability (HRV) time series. In CD, the autocorrelation
      function is used to calculate the time delay. However, it does not provide
      optimum values of time delays, which leads to an inaccurate estimation of the HRV
      between phases of the menstrual cycle. Thus, an adaptive CD method is presented
      here to calculate the optimum value of the time delay based upon the information
      content in the HRV signal. In the proposed method, the first step is to divide
      the HRV signal into overlapping windows. Afterwards, the time delay is calculated
      for each window based on the features of the signal. This procedure of finding
      the optimum time delay for each window is known as adaptive autocorrelation.
      Then, the CD for each window is calculated using optimum time delays. Finally,
      adaptive CD is calculated by averaging the CD of all windows. The proposed method
      is applied on two data sets: (i) the standard Physionet dataset and (ii) the
      dataset acquired using BIOPAC((r))MP150. The results show that the proposed
      method can accurately differentiate between normal and diseased subjects.
      Further, the results prove that the proposed method is more accurate in detecting
      HRV variations during the menstrual cycles of 74 young women in lying and
      standing postures. Three statistical parameters are used to find the
      effectiveness of adaptive autocorrelation in calculating time delays. The
      comparative analysis validates the superiority of the proposed method over
      detrended fluctuation analyses and conventional CD. 

PMID- 26280319
TI  - The correlation of resistance exercise-induced myostatin with insulin resistance
      and plasma cytokines in healthy young men.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study was designed to examine the correlation of resistance
      exercise (RE)-induced myostatin (MSTN) with insulin resistance and plasma
      cytokines in healthy young men. METHODS: Twenty-four healthy men were randomly
      divided into RE (n = 12) and control (n = 12) group. After a session of
      familiarization, one repetition maximum (1-RM) was calculated. Circuit RE program
      involved 3 sets of 15 repetitions at 55 % of 1-RM. Blood samples were collected
      before and 24 h after the exercise. Paired t test, independent t test, and
      Pearson's correlation were used for analyzing data. RESULTS: A significant
      decrease in plasma level of MSTN, glucose, insulin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and
      homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and a significant
      increase in plasma interleukin-10 (IL-10) were found in RE group 24 h post
      exercise versus pre-exercise (p < 0.05). Furthermore, except plasma IL-10, a
      significant decrease in metabolic variables was found in RE group versus control
      group (p < 0.05). A significantly positive correlation of plasma MSTN with HOMA
      IR and plasma IL-6 and a significantly negative correlation of plasma MSTN with
      plasma IL-10 were found in RE group versus control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS:
      It seems that a circuit RE bout by reducing HOMA-IR and changing plasma cytokines
      (decreased IL-6 and increased IL-10) can decrease plasma level of MSTN in healthy
      young men. In other word, the beneficial effect of acute RE may be reflected by
      changes in MSTN in healthy young individuals.

PMID- 26280318
TI  - Improving the diagnosis of 11beta-hydroxylase deficiency using home-made MLPA
      probes: identification of a novel chimeric CYP11B2/CYP11B1 gene in a Sicilian
      patient.
AB  - PURPOSE: 11beta-Hydroxylase deficiency (11OHD) represents the second most common
      cause of congenital adrenal hyperplasia. It is caused by mutations in the CYP11B1
      gene localized about 40 kb from the CYP11B2 gene with which it shares a homology
      of 95 %. The asymmetric recombination of these two genes is involved both in
      11OHD and in glucocorticoid-remediable aldosteronism (GRA). Our objective was to
      set up an easy and rapid method to detect these hybrid genes and other kinds of
      deletions, to improve the molecular diagnosis of 11OHD. METHODS: A set of 8
      specific probes for both the CYP11B1 and the CYP11B2 genes to be used for
      multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) analysis was designed to
      detect rearrangements of these genes. RESULTS: The method developed was tested on
      15 healthy controls and was proved to be specific and reliable; it led us to
      identify a novel chimeric CYP11B2/CYP11B1 gene in one patient that carried the
      known A306V mutation on the other allele. Specific amplification and sequencing
      of the hybrid gene confirmed the breakpoint localization in the second intron.
      CONCLUSIONS: The MLPA kit developed enables the detection of deletions,
      duplications or chimeric genes and represents an optimal supplement to DNA
      sequence analysis in patients with 11OHD. In addition, it can also be used to
      show the presence of the opposite chimaera associated with GRA.

PMID- 26280320
TI  - Comparison of histopathological features and prognosis of classical and
      follicular variant papillary thyroid carcinoma.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare the histopathological features and the outcomes of the
      follicular variant and classical variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma. MATERIAL
      AND THE METHODS: Demographic data, histopathological features (tumor size,
      thyroid capsule invasion, extrathyroidal extension, vascular invasion and
      multicentricity), lymph node metastasis, local recurrence, distant metastasis and
      mortality during the follow-up of 258 C-PTC and 153 FVPTC patients who underwent
      total thyroidectomy were compared. The dynamic risk assessment system was used to
      refine postoperative risk estimates based on the assessment of response to
      initial treatment. RESULTS: The demographic data showed no significant difference
      between the two groups. The mean tumor size showed no significant difference
      between the two groups. The rate of thyroid capsule invasion, extrathyroidal
      extension, and lymph node metastasis was significantly higher in C-PTC than in
      FVPTC group, whereas multicentricity and bilobar involvement were significantly
      higher in FVPTC group than in C-PTC group. Central lymph node metastasis was
      significantly more frequent in patients with C-PTC than in those with FVPTC (p <
      0.0001). Local recurrence was found in 22 (5.3 %) patients overall and was
      significantly more common in C-PTC group than in FVPTC group. In patients >=45
      years, the local recurrence rate was significantly higher in patients with CPTC
      than in those with FVPTC. The local recurrence rate in patients <45 years was not
      significantly different between the two groups of patients. The multicentricity
      rate was significantly higher in the FVPTC group for both age groups. Dynamic
      risk assessment showed that the rate of intermediate- and high-risk groups showed
      no significant difference between C-PTC and FVPTC patients but the rate of low
      risk patients was higher in FVPTC group than in C-PTC group (p = 0.04). The
      recurrence rate in low-risk group was found higher in C-PTC compared to FVPTC
      patients (4.7 vs. 0.7 %, p = 0.04, respectively). The recurrence rate showed no
      significant difference in both intermediate- and high-risk groups in C-PTC and
      FVPTC patients. During the follow-up, the rate of distant metastasis and disease
      specific mortality was not significantly different between the two groups (p =
      0.25). CONCLUSION: FVPTC is a common subtype of PTC and has a higher rate of
      multicentricity with bilobar involvement. Although aggressive histopathologic
      features, such as thyroid capsule invasion, extrathyroidal extension, and lymph
      node metastasis, are significantly more frequent in CPTC than in FVPTC, the long
      term outcome is similar in both subtypes after appropriate initial surgery and
      postoperative RAI ablation treatment.

PMID- 26280322
TI  - Key Agreement Schemes in Wireless Body Area Networks: Taxonomy and State-of-the
      Art.
AB  - Advances in wearable and implantable biosensors have enabled the applicability
      and usability of wireless body area networks (WBANs). A WBAN allows biosensors to
      collect and communicate human physiological data using wireless communication.
      The communication security of the collected data in WBAN is a major concern.
      Because of the dependability of cryptographic schemes for key management, these
      have become an important aspect of this security. However, the extremely
      constrained nature of biosensors has made designing key management schemes a
      challenging task. For this reason, many lightweight key management schemes have
      been proposed to overcome these constraints. In this article, we present a review
      of the state of the art of these solutions. We classify the WBAN schemes into
      three classes and evaluate them based on adequate metrics for key management in
      WBAN. 

PMID- 26280321
TI  - The impact of the presence of antithyroid antibodies on pregnancy outcome
      following intracytoplasmatic sperm injection-ICSI and embryo transfer in women
      with normal thyreotropine levels.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of our study was to investigate the impact of anti-thyroid
      peroxidase antibodies (Anti-TPO) on pregnancy outcome following the in vitro
      fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) in general groups and in subgroups
      divided according to AMH level and age. METHODS: A total of 114 patients positive
      for anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies (Anti-TPO+ group) and 495 infertile women
      negative for anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies (Anti-TPO- group) undergoing IVF
      with ICSI from April 2010 to April 2012 were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS:
      There were no significant differences in age, BMI, basal FSH, LH, AMH levels and
      duration of infertility between the two main groups. No significant differences
      in terms of the days of ovarian stimulation, estradiol level in day 8, total
      gonadotropin dose, number of oocytes retrieved, available embryos and
      blastocysts, number of embryos transferred nor in rates of fertilization,
      implantation, clinical pregnancy, live birth and abortion rate between two main
      groups were found. The only statistically significant difference among the groups
      with different anti-TPO antibodies levels was found in basal FSH concentration
      and BMI. Among the clinical outcomes of IVF with respect to the different anti
      TPO levels, the only significant difference was found for the number of oocytes
      retrieved. Analysis of the baseline parameters in relationship to age categories
      and AMH levels found significant differences between women positive and negative
      for thyroid antibodies with respect to basal FSH and LH levels for women >37
      years and for basal FSH in AMH <0.6 subgroup. CONCLUSIONS: The present study
      reveals that patients with anti-TPO antibodies showed no significant differences
      in fertilization, implantation, pregnancy rates, live birth rates and no higher
      risk for miscarriage following IVF-ET when compared with those negative for anti
      thyroid antibodies.

PMID- 26280323
TI  - Informativeness of minisatellite and microsatellite markers for genetic analysis
      in papaya.
AB  - The objective of this study was to evaluate information on minisatellite and
      microsatellite markers in papaya (Carica papaya L.). Forty minisatellites and 91
      microsatellites were used for genotyping 24 papaya accessions. Estimates of
      genetic diversity, genetic linkage and analyses of population structure were
      compared. A lower average number of alleles per locus was observed in
      minisatellites (3.10) compared with microsatellites (3.57), although the
      minisatellites showed rarer alleles (18.54 %) compared with microsatellite (13.85
      %). Greater expected (He = 0.52) and observed (Ho = 0.16) heterozygosity was
      observed in the microsatellites compared with minisatellites (He = 0.42 and Ho =
      0.11), possibly due to the high number of hermaphroditic accessions, resulting in
      high rates of self-fertilization. The polymorphic information content and Shannon
      Wiener diversity were also higher for microsatellites (from 0.47 to 1.10,
      respectively) compared with minisatellite (0.38 and 0.85, respectively). The
      probability of paternity exclusion was high for both markers (>0.999), and the
      combined probability of identity was from 1.65(-13) to 4.33(-38) for mini- and
      micro-satellites, respectively, which indicates that both types of markers are
      ideal for genetic analysis. The Bayesian analysis indicated the formation of two
      groups (K = 2) for both markers, although the minisatellites indicated a
      substructure (K = 4). A greater number of accessions with a low probability of
      assignment to specific groups were observed for microsatellites. Collectively,
      the results indicated higher informativeness of microsatellites. However, the
      lower informative power of minisatellites may be offset by the use of larger
      number of loci. Furthermore, minisatellites are subject to less error in
      genotyping because there is greater power to detect genotyping systems when
      larger motifs are used.

PMID- 26280324
TI  - Cloning and Overexpression of the als, pflA, and adhB Genes in Streptococcus
      thermophilus and Their Effects on Metabolite Formation.
AB  - Streptococcus thermophilus is a lactic acid bacterium and used as starter culture
      in the dairy industry, mainly in the manufacture of yoghurt, with Lactobacillus
      delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus. It produces lactic acid as a major fermentation
      end product and some carbonyl compounds through sugar metabolism. The level of
      metabolites could be improved using molecular biotechnology. The genes of als,
      encoding alpha-acetolactate synthase (Als), the pflA, encoding pyruvate-formate
      lyase activating enzyme (PflA), and the adhB which encodes alcohol dehydrogenase
      (AdhB) of S. thermophilus NCFB2393 strain were amplified by polymerase chain
      reaction and separately cloned into the overexpression vector pNZ276 under the
      control of the lacA promoter. The strains were transformed individually with the
      constructed plasmids. Their abilities to generate important metabolites such as
      pyruvate, lactate, formate, acetaldehyde, acetoin, ethanol, and 2,3-butanediol in
      LM17 medium were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography. High
      level of 2,3-butanediol was obtained by overexpressing the als gene. The level of
      formate increased slightly by overexpressing the pflA gene. The overexpression of
      the adhB gene, on the other hand, resulted in a significant increase in the
      ethanol level. 

PMID- 26280325
TI  - Prevalence of microorganisms co-infections in human papillomaviruses infected
      women in Northern China.
AB  - PURPOSE: Due to scarce data on the prevalence of genital microorganism infections
      among individuals with human papillomavirus (HPV) infections, the present study
      aimed to evaluate microorganism co-infections and associated risk factors in HPV
      infected women in Northern China. METHODS: Cervical samples of 4290 enrolled
      female patients were collected to detect HPV, bacterial and yeast infections in
      gynecologic outpatients. Serum samples collected were analyzed for the presence
      of serological markers for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B (HBV)
      and hepatitis C (HCV) and Treponema pallidum infections. HPV typing was carried
      out by polymerase chain reaction and flow-through hybridization on cervical brush
      specimens. Chlamydia trachomatis was identified by strand displacement
      amplification, and other microorganisms were detected by conventional methods.
      Odds ratio of co-infection was assessed between HPV-positive and -negative
      patients. RESULTS: Overall, co-infections among HPV-infected patients showed a
      trend for risk compared with HPV-negative patients. In this cross-sectional study
      on 4290 female outpatients, statistical analyses revealed a significant
      association between HPV and detection of anti-HBV antibodies, bacterial
      vaginosis, C. trachomatis and Ureaplasma urealyticum; no correlation was found
      between HPV infection and anti-HIV, anti-HCV, T. pallidum, Trichomonas vaginalis
      and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which were detected only in few cases among either HPV
      positive or -negative patients. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated a significant
      association between HPV and HBV, bacterial vaginosis, C. trachomatis and U.
      urealyticum. The study results suggest that it may be important to screen for the
      simultaneous presence of different microorganism co-infections with HPV that may
      have synergistic pathological effects.

PMID- 26280326
TI  - Assessment of uterine enhancement rate after abdominal radical trachelectomy
      using dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess uterine enhancement rate after
      abdominal radical trachelectomy (ART) using dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE)
      magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. METHODS: Ten patients with early uterine
      cervical cancer, who were treated by ART, were included in this study. Each
      patient underwent DCE MR imaging using a 3 T unit to assess uterine enhancement
      rate at three times (before surgery and 1 and 3 months after surgery). The
      radiologist calculated mean signal intensities of the anterior and posterior
      myometrium and also measured the signal intensities of the urine in the bladder
      on the same image, which was expressed as the myometrium-to-urine signal
      intensity ratio. In the time-intensity ratio curve, enhancement parameters (peak
      signal intensity ratio and peak time) of the uterine body were compared across
      the three MR examinations. RESULTS: The peak signal intensity ratio was 6.96 +/-
      0.98 on MR examinations before surgery, 6.14 +/- 0.81 1 month after surgery, and
      6.26 +/- 0.63 3 months after surgery (p = 0.069). The peak time was 57.6 +/- 3.4
      s on MR examinations before surgery, 56.4 +/- 4.4 s 1 month after surgery, and
      53.2 +/- 8.0 s 3 months after surgery (p = 0.304). No significant differences
      were found in either the peak signal intensity ratio or peak time across the
      three MR examinations. CONCLUSIONS: That no significant decrease of uterine
      enhancement rate was found after surgery suggests the uterine function and
      fertility may be preserved after ART.

PMID- 26280327
TI  - Thoughts in space: the impact of environmental surround on cognitive processing.
AB  - The embodied cognition perspective has provided a formalization of the idea that
      the motor state is a characteristic of being that permeates all of human
      processing. We review this perspective and experimental evidence supporting its
      claim. It is further considered that the motor behaving human moves within
      various spaces, each affording different actions. To this end, it is proposed
      that the environmental surround is a critical variable in the embodied cognition
      perspective. Thoughts, inasmuch as they may be grounded in simulation of motor
      behavioural responses, require time but also space. We suggest that these time
      space considerations occur within a proposed concept of the potentiated state. 

PMID- 26280328
TI  - EMRinger: side chain-directed model and map validation for 3D cryo-electron
      microscopy.
AB  - Advances in high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) require the
      development of validation metrics to independently assess map quality and model
      geometry. We report EMRinger, a tool that assesses the precise fitting of an
      atomic model into the map during refinement and shows how radiation damage alters
      scattering from negatively charged amino acids. EMRinger
      (https://github.com/fraser-lab/EMRinger) will be useful for monitoring progress
      in resolving and modeling high-resolution features in cryo-EM. 

PMID- 26280329
TI  - Ultrahigh-throughput single-molecule spectroscopy and spectrally resolved super
      resolution microscopy.
AB  - By developing a wide-field scheme for spectral measurement and implementing
      photoswitching, we synchronously obtained the fluorescence spectra and positions
      of ~10(6) single molecules in labeled cells in minutes, which consequently
      enabled spectrally resolved, 'true-color' super-resolution microscopy. The
      method, called spectrally resolved stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy
      (SR-STORM), achieved cross-talk-free three-dimensional (3D) imaging for four dyes
      10 nm apart in emission spectrum. Excellent resolution was obtained for every
      channel, and 3D localizations of all molecules were automatically aligned within
      one imaging path. 

PMID- 26280330
TI  - Wirelessly powered, fully internal optogenetics for brain, spinal and peripheral
      circuits in mice.
AB  - To enable sophisticated optogenetic manipulation of neural circuits throughout
      the nervous system with limited disruption of animal behavior, light-delivery
      systems beyond fiber optic tethering and large, head-mounted wireless receivers
      are desirable. We report the development of an easy-to-construct, implantable
      wireless optogenetic device. Our smallest version (20 mg, 10 mm(3)) is two orders
      of magnitude smaller than previously reported wireless optogenetic systems,
      allowing the entire device to be implanted subcutaneously. With a radio-frequency
      (RF) power source and controller, this implant produces sufficient light power
      for optogenetic stimulation with minimal tissue heating (<1  degrees C). We show
      how three adaptations of the implant allow for untethered optogenetic control
      throughout the nervous system (brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerve endings)
      of behaving mice. This technology opens the door for optogenetic experiments in
      which animals are able to behave naturally with optogenetic manipulation of both
      central and peripheral targets. 

PMID- 26280331
TI  - ChIPmentation: fast, robust, low-input ChIP-seq for histones and transcription
      factors.
AB  - Chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing (ChIP-seq) is widely used to
      map histone marks and transcription factor binding throughout the genome. Here we
      present ChIPmentation, a method that combines chromatin immunoprecipitation with
      sequencing library preparation by Tn5 transposase ('tagmentation'). ChIPmentation
      introduces sequencing-compatible adaptors in a single-step reaction directly on
      bead-bound chromatin, which reduces time, cost and input requirements, thus
      providing a convenient and broadly useful alternative to existing ChIP-seq
      protocols. 

PMID- 26280332
TI  - Superconductivity: Extraordinarily conventional.

PMID- 26280333
TI  - Conventional superconductivity at 203 kelvin at high pressures in the sulfur
      hydride system.
AB  - A superconductor is a material that can conduct electricity without resistance
      below a superconducting transition temperature, Tc. The highest Tc that has been
      achieved to date is in the copper oxide system: 133 kelvin at ambient pressure
      and 164 kelvin at high pressures. As the nature of superconductivity in these
      materials is still not fully understood (they are not conventional
      superconductors), the prospects for achieving still higher transition
      temperatures by this route are not clear. In contrast, the Bardeen-Cooper
      Schrieffer theory of conventional superconductivity gives a guide for achieving
      high Tc with no theoretical upper bound--all that is needed is a favourable
      combination of high-frequency phonons, strong electron-phonon coupling, and a
      high density of states. These conditions can in principle be fulfilled for
      metallic hydrogen and covalent compounds dominated by hydrogen, as hydrogen atoms
      provide the necessary high-frequency phonon modes as well as the strong electron
      phonon coupling. Numerous calculations support this idea and have predicted
      transition temperatures in the range 50-235 kelvin for many hydrides, but only a
      moderate Tc of 17 kelvin has been observed experimentally. Here we investigate
      sulfur hydride, where a Tc of 80 kelvin has been predicted. We find that this
      system transforms to a metal at a pressure of approximately 90 gigapascals. On
      cooling, we see signatures of superconductivity: a sharp drop of the resistivity
      to zero and a decrease of the transition temperature with magnetic field, with
      magnetic susceptibility measurements confirming a Tc of 203 kelvin. Moreover, a
      pronounced isotope shift of Tc in sulfur deuteride is suggestive of an electron
      phonon mechanism of superconductivity that is consistent with the Bardeen-Cooper
      Schrieffer scenario. We argue that the phase responsible for high-Tc
      superconductivity in this system is likely to be H3S, formed from H2S by
      decomposition under pressure. These findings raise hope for the prospects for
      achieving room-temperature superconductivity in other hydrogen-based materials.

PMID- 26280334
TI  - Structural insights into the bacterial carbon-phosphorus lyase machinery.
AB  - Phosphorus is required for all life and microorganisms can extract it from their
      environment through several metabolic pathways. When phosphate is in limited
      supply, some bacteria are able to use phosphonate compounds, which require
      specialized enzymatic machinery to break the stable carbon-phosphorus (C-P) bond.
      Despite its importance, the details of how this machinery catabolizes
      phosphonates remain unknown. Here we determine the crystal structure of the 240
      kilodalton Escherichia coli C-P lyase core complex (PhnG-PhnH-PhnI-PhnJ;
      PhnGHIJ), and show that it is a two-fold symmetric hetero-octamer comprising an
      intertwined network of subunits with unexpected self-homologies. It contains two
      potential active sites that probably couple phosphonate compounds to ATP and
      subsequently hydrolyse the C-P bond. We map the binding site of PhnK on the
      complex using electron microscopy, and show that it binds to a conserved
      insertion domain of PhnJ. Our results provide a structural basis for
      understanding microbial phosphonate breakdown. 

PMID- 26280335
TI  - An atomic structure of human gamma-secretase.
AB  - Dysfunction of the intramembrane protease gamma-secretase is thought to cause
      Alzheimer's disease, with most mutations derived from Alzheimer's disease mapping
      to the catalytic subunit presenilin 1 (PS1). Here we report an atomic structure
      of human gamma-secretase at 3.4 A resolution, determined by single-particle cryo
      electron microscopy. Mutations derived from Alzheimer's disease affect residues
      at two hotspots in PS1, each located at the centre of a distinct four
      transmembrane segment (TM) bundle. TM2 and, to a lesser extent, TM6 exhibit
      considerable flexibility, yielding a plastic active site and adaptable
      surrounding elements. The active site of PS1 is accessible from the convex side
      of the TM horseshoe, suggesting considerable conformational changes in nicastrin
      extracellular domain after substrate recruitment. Component protein APH-1 serves
      as a scaffold, anchoring the lone transmembrane helix from nicastrin and
      supporting the flexible conformation of PS1. Ordered phospholipids stabilize the
      complex inside the membrane. Our structure serves as a molecular basis for
      mechanistic understanding of gamma-secretase function. 

PMID- 26280337
TI  - Multimetallic catalysed cross-coupling of aryl bromides with aryl triflates.
AB  - The advent of transition-metal catalysed strategies for forming new carbon-carbon
      bonds has revolutionized the field of organic chemistry, enabling the efficient
      synthesis of ligands, materials, and biologically active molecules. In cases
      where a single metal fails to promote a selective or efficient transformation,
      the synergistic cooperation of two distinct catalysts--multimetallic catalysis-
      can be used instead. Many important reactions rely on multimetallic catalysis,
      such as the Wacker oxidation of olefins and the Sonogashira coupling of alkynes
      with aryl halides, but this approach has largely been limited to the use of
      metals with distinct reactivities, with only one metal catalyst undergoing
      oxidative addition. Here, we demonstrate that cooperativity between two group 10
      metal catalysts--(bipyridine)nickel and (1,3
      bis(diphenylphosphino)propane)palladium--enables a general cross-Ullmann reaction
      (the cross-coupling of two different aryl electrophiles). Our method couples aryl
      bromides with aryl triflates directly, eliminating the use of arylmetal reagents
      and avoiding the challenge of differentiating between multiple carbon-hydrogen
      bonds that is required for direct arylation methods. Selectivity can be achieved
      without an excess of either substrate and originates from the orthogonal
      reactivity of the two catalysts and the relative stability of the two arylmetal
      intermediates. While (1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane)palladium reacts
      preferentially with aryl triflates to afford a persistent intermediate,
      (bipyridine)nickel reacts preferentially with aryl bromides to form a transient,
      reactive intermediate. Although each catalyst forms less than 5 per cent cross
      coupled product in isolation, together they are able to achieve a yield of up to
      94 per cent. Our results reveal a new method for the synthesis of biaryls,
      heteroaryls, and dienes, as well as a general mechanism for the selective
      transfer of ligands between two metal catalysts. We anticipate that this reaction
      will simplify the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, many of which are currently made
      with pre-formed organometallic reagents, and lead to the discovery of new
      multimetallic reactions.

PMID- 26280338
TI  - Substance Abuse and Other Adverse Outcomes for Military-Connected Youth in
      California: Results From a Large-Scale Normative Population Survey.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Military families and military-connected youth exhibit significant
      strengths; however, a sizeable proportion of these families appear to be
      struggling in the face of war-related stressors. Understanding the consequences
      of war is critical as a public health concern and because additional resources
      may be needed to support military families. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether rates
      of adverse outcomes are higher for military-connected adolescents during war
      compared with nonmilitary peers. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This study is
      a secondary data analysis of a large, normative, and geographically comprehensive
      administrative data set (2013 California Healthy Kids Survey) to determine
      whether military-connected youth are at risk for adverse outcomes, including
      substance use, experiencing violence and harassment, and weapon carrying, during
      wartime. These outcomes are of particular concern because they affect
      socioemotional adjustment and academic success. Data were collected in March and
      April 2013 and participants included 54,679 military-connected and 634,034
      nonmilitary-connected secondary school students from public civilian schools in
      every county and almost all school districts in California. MAIN OUTCOMES AND
      MEASURES: Outcomes included lifetime and recent use of alcohol, tobacco,
      marijuana, prescription medications, and other drugs, as well as experiences of
      physical and nonphysical violence and harassment and weapon carrying during the
      last year. RESULTS: Multivariable logistic regression models indicated that
      military-connected youth had greater odds of substance use, experience of
      physical violence and nonphysical harassment, and weapon carrying. For example,
      military-connected youth had 73% greater odds of recent other drug use (eg,
      cocaine and lysergic acid diethylamide; odds ratio [OR], 1.73; 95% CI, 1.66-1.80)
      and twice the odds of bringing a gun to school (OR, 2.20; 95% CI, 2.10-2.30)
      compared with nonmilitary-connected peers. Their odds of being threatened with a
      weapon or being in a fight were also significantly higher than their civilian
      counterparts (OR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.80-1.95 and OR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.62-1.71,
      respectively). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Most military-connected youth
      demonstrate resilience. However, results suggest that during wartime, military
      connected youth are at increased risk for adverse outcomes. Further, when
      compared with data from 2011, the rates of these negative outcomes appear to be
      increasing. These findings suggest a need to identify and intervene with military
      connected adolescents and reflect a larger concern regarding the well-being of
      military families during wartime.

PMID- 26280336
TI  - Architecture of the synaptotagmin-SNARE machinery for neuronal exocytosis.
AB  - Synaptotagmin-1 and neuronal SNARE proteins have central roles in evoked
      synchronous neurotransmitter release; however, it is unknown how they cooperate
      to trigger synaptic vesicle fusion. Here we report atomic-resolution crystal
      structures of Ca(2+)- and Mg(2+)-bound complexes between synaptotagmin-1 and the
      neuronal SNARE complex, one of which was determined with diffraction data from an
      X-ray free-electron laser, leading to an atomic-resolution structure with
      accurate rotamer assignments for many side chains. The structures reveal several
      interfaces, including a large, specific, Ca(2+)-independent and conserved
      interface. Tests of this interface by mutagenesis suggest that it is essential
      for Ca(2+)-triggered neurotransmitter release in mouse hippocampal neuronal
      synapses and for Ca(2+)-triggered vesicle fusion in a reconstituted system. We
      propose that this interface forms before Ca(2+) triggering, moves en bloc as
      Ca(2+) influx promotes the interactions between synaptotagmin-1 and the plasma
      membrane, and consequently remodels the membrane to promote fusion, possibly in
      conjunction with other interfaces. 

PMID- 26280339
TI  - Metabolic Syndrome: Foreword.

PMID- 26280340
TI  - Metabolic Syndrome: Insulin Resistance and Prediabetes.
AB  - Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that synergistically increase the
      risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and premature mortality. The
      components are abdominal obesity, impaired glucose metabolism, dyslipidemia, and
      hypertension. Prediabetes, which is a combination of excess body fat and insulin
      resistance, is considered an underlying etiology of metabolic syndrome.
      Prediabetes manifests as impaired fasting glucose and/or impaired glucose
      tolerance. Impaired fasting glucose is defined as a fasting blood glucose level
      of 100 to 125 mg/dL; impaired glucose tolerance requires a blood glucose level of
      140 to 199 mg/dL 2 hours after a 75-g oral intake of glucose. In patients with
      prediabetes, the rate of progression to diabetes within 3 years can be decreased
      by approximately 58% with lifestyle modifications. These include weight loss
      through exercise (30 minutes or more of moderate physical activity on most,
      preferably all, days of the week) and dietary modifications. Recommended diets
      are high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fish. Consumption of sweetened
      beverages, including diet soda, should be avoided. For patients who do not
      achieve goals with lifestyle modifications, metformin can be considered. Weight
      loss drugs and bariatric surgery are appropriate for select patients.
      Hypertension and dyslipidemia should be managed according to current guidelines. 

PMID- 26280341
TI  - Metabolic Syndrome: Hyperlipidemia.
AB  - Metabolic syndrome is associated with an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease
      and premature mortality. When metabolic syndrome includes lipid abnormalities,
      management goals are weight loss and cardiovascular risk management through
      lifestyle modifications (eg, diet, exercise), and, when appropriate, lowering of
      lipid levels with pharmacotherapy. Healthy diets are recommended, particularly
      the Mediterranean diet. Patients also should set a goal of at least 30 minutes of
      moderate to vigorous exercise on most, preferably all, days of the week.
      Guidelines provide criteria for statin treatment based on overall cardiovascular
      risk. High-intensity statin treatment (eg, rosuvastatin 20 to 40 mg, atorvastatin
      40 to 80 mg) typically is recommended unless the patient cannot tolerate therapy.
      Approximately 5% of patients experience statin-induced myalgia, in which case
      moderate-intensity treatment can be tried. Lipid levels should be reevaluated 4
      to 12 weeks after initiating therapy; lipid levels can be measured without
      fasting. A lack of improvement often indicates nonadherence. Bile acid
      sequestrants, fibric acids, and niacin can be used if other drugs are not
      tolerated. The evidence to support use of integrative medicine is limited, but
      the strongest evidence of benefit is for garlic (Allium sativum). 

PMID- 26280342
TI  - Metabolic Syndrome: Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.
AB  - Although nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is not one of the defining
      criteria for metabolic syndrome, it is a common hepatic manifestation. NAFLD
      includes a spectrum of histologic findings ranging from simple steatosis, known
      as nonalcoholic fatty liver, to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). To make the
      diagnosis of NAFLD, other etiologies of steatosis or hepatitis, such as
      hepatotoxic drugs, excessive alcohol intake, congenital errors of metabolism, or
      viral hepatitis, must be ruled out. After ruling out other conditions, the
      diagnosis of NAFLD often is made clinically, but a definitive diagnosis of NASH
      requires liver biopsy. As with other complications of metabolic syndrome, insulin
      resistance is thought to be an underlying etiology of NAFLD. Management
      strategies attempt to reverse or improve insulin resistance while minimizing
      liver damage. The strongest evidence supports lifestyle modifications with weight
      loss, but there is some evidence to support bariatric surgery, medical therapy
      with insulin-sensitizing agents, and/or pharmacotherapy to promote weight loss.
      Cardiovascular disease is the major cause of mortality in patients with NAFLD, so
      management must include modification of cardiovascular risk factors. 

PMID- 26280343
TI  - Metabolic Syndrome: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
AB  - Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous condition characterized by
      androgen excess, ovulatory dysfunction, and polycystic ovaries. It is the most
      common endocrinopathy among women of reproductive age, affecting between 6.5% and
      8% of women, and is the most common cause of infertility. Insulin resistance is
      almost always present in women with PCOS, regardless of weight, and they often
      develop diabetes and metabolic syndrome. The Rotterdam criteria are widely used
      for diagnosis. These criteria require that patients have at least two of the
      following conditions: hyperandrogenism, ovulatory dysfunction, and polycystic
      ovaries. The diagnosis of PCOS also requires exclusion of other potential
      etiologies of hyperandrogenism and ovulatory dysfunction. The approach to PCOS
      management differs according to the presenting symptoms and treatment goals,
      particularly the patient's desire for pregnancy. Weight loss through dietary
      modifications and exercise is recommended for patients with PCOS who are
      overweight. Oral contraceptives are the first-line treatment for regulating
      menstrual cycles and reducing manifestations of hyperandrogenism, such as acne
      and hirsutism. Clomiphene is the first-line drug for management of anovulatory
      infertility. Metformin is recommended for metabolic abnormalities such as
      prediabetes, and a statin should be prescribed for cardioprotection if the
      patient meets standard criteria for statin therapy. 

PMID- 26280344
TI  - Obstacles to Developing Cost-Lowering Health Technology: The Inventor's Dilemma.

PMID- 26280345
TI  - Sleep Deprivation Is Associated with Bicycle Accidents and Slip and Fall Injuries
      in Korean Adolescents.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study sought to evaluate associations between sleep time and
      bicycle accidents, falls under various circumstances, and dental injuries in
      adolescents. METHODS: A total of 61,696 participants ranging from 12 to 18 years
      of age who completed the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey (KYRBWS) in
      2013 were enrolled in this study. Bicycle riding accidents were analyzed for
      17,232 bicycle-riding participants. Data were collected regarding the weekday
      sleep duration for the most recent 7 days, which was categorized as < 5.5 h, 5.5
      6.5 h, 6.5-7.5 h, or >= 7.5 h per day, and the incidence of bicycle accidents,
      slips and falls under various circumstances, and dental injuries in the most
      recent 12 months. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) were calculated among sleep groups
      for bicycle accidents, slips and falls, and dental injuries using simple and
      multiple logistic regression analyses with complex sampling. RESULTS: Bicycle
      riding accidents and slips and falls in classrooms, corridors, the ground,
      toilets, stairs, and other unspecified situations showed positive correlations
      with sleep deprivation. Comparisons of groups with >= 7.5 h sleep, < 5.5 h, 5.5
      6.5 h sleep, and 6.5-7.5 h sleep revealed increased associations with slips and
      falls under various circumstances. In particular, the aORs were higher in the
      groups with less sleep (aOR of the 5.5 h group > the 5.5-6.5 h group > the 6.5
      7.5 h group). There was no significant relationship between sleep deprivation and
      dental injury. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that sleep deprivation among
      Korean adolescents was associated with bicycle accidents and falls at home and
      school. Thus, adequate sleep may be needed to prevent accidents and falls.

PMID- 26280347
TI  - Stereoselective Synthesis of 4-Substituted Cyclic Sulfamidate-5-Phosphonates by
      Using Rh-Catalyzed, Asymmetric Transfer Hydrogenation with Accompanying Dynamic
      Kinetic Resolution.
AB  - Dynamic kinetic resolution driven, asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of 4
      substituted cyclic sulfamidate imine-5-phosphonates produces the corresponding
      cyclic sulfamidate-5-phosphonates. The process employs a HCO2H/Et3N mixture as
      the hydrogen source and the chiral Rh catalysts, (R,R)- or (S,S)-Cp*RhCl(TsDPEN),
      and it takes place at room temperature within 1 h with high yields and high
      levels of stereoselectivity. 

PMID- 26280346
TI  - Higher Matrix Stiffness Upregulates Osteopontin Expression in Hepatocellular
      Carcinoma Cells Mediated by Integrin beta1/GSK3beta/beta-Catenin Signaling
      Pathway.
AB  - Increased stromal stiffness is associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
      development and progression. However, the molecular mechanism by which matrix
      stiffness stimuli modulate HCC progress is largely unknown. In this study, we
      explored whether matrix stiffness-mediated effects on osteopontin (OPN)
      expression occur in HCC cells. We used a previously reported in vitro culture
      system with tunable matrix stiffness and found that OPN expression was remarkably
      upregulated in HCC cells with increasing matrix stiffness. Furthermore, the
      phosphorylation level of GSK3beta and the expression of nuclear beta-catenin were
      also elevated, indicating that GSK3beta/beta-catenin pathway might be involved in
      OPN regulation. Knock-down analysis of integrin beta1 showed that OPN expression
      and p-GSK3beta level were downregulated in HCC cells grown on high stiffness
      substrate compared with controls. Simultaneously, inhibition of GSK-3beta led to
      accumulation of beta-catenin in the cytoplasm and its enhanced nuclear
      translocation, further triggered the rescue of OPN expression, suggesting that
      the integrin beta1/GSK-3beta/beta-catenin pathway is specifically activated for
      matrix stiffness-mediated OPN upregulation in HCC cells. Tissue microarray
      analysis confirmed that OPN expression was positively correlated with the
      expression of LOX and COL1. Taken together, high matrix stiffness upregulated OPN
      expression in HCC cells via the integrin beta1/GSK-3beta/beta-catenin signaling
      pathway. It highlights a new insight into a pathway involving physical mechanical
      signal and biochemical signal molecules which contributes to OPN expression in
      HCC cells.

PMID- 26280348
TI  - Radiation-Induced Glycogen Accumulation Detected by Single Cell Raman
      Spectroscopy Is Associated with Radioresistance that Can Be Reversed by
      Metformin.
AB  - Altered cellular metabolism is a hallmark of tumor cells and contributes to a
      host of properties associated with resistance to radiotherapy. Detection of
      radiation-induced biochemical changes can reveal unique metabolic pathways
      affecting radiosensitivity that may serve as attractive therapeutic targets.
      Using clinically relevant doses of radiation, we performed label-free single cell
      Raman spectroscopy on a series of human cancer cell lines and detected radiation
      induced accumulation of intracellular glycogen. The increase in glycogen post
      irradiation was highest in lung (H460) and breast (MCF7) tumor cells compared to
      prostate (LNCaP) tumor cells. In response to radiation, the appearance of this
      glycogen signature correlated with radiation resistance. Moreover, the buildup of
      glycogen was linked to the phosphorylation of GSK-3beta, a canonical modulator of
      cell survival following radiation exposure and a key regulator of glycogen
      metabolism. When MCF7 cells were irradiated in the presence of the anti-diabetic
      drug metformin, there was a significant decrease in the amount of radiation
      induced glycogen. The suppression of glycogen by metformin following radiation
      was associated with increased radiosensitivity. In contrast to MCF7 cells,
      metformin had minimal effects on both the level of glycogen in H460 cells
      following radiation and radiosensitivity. Our data demonstrate a novel approach
      of spectral monitoring by Raman spectroscopy to assess changes in the levels of
      intracellular glycogen as a potential marker and resistance mechanism to
      radiation therapy.

PMID- 26280349
TI  - Regret Expression and Social Learning Increases Delay to Sexual Gratification.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Modification and prevention of risky sexual behavior is important to
      individuals' health and public health policy. This study employed a novel sexual
      discounting task to elucidate the effects of social learning and regret
      expression on delay to sexual gratification in a behavioral task. METHODS: Amazon
      Mechanical Turk Workers were assigned to hear one of three scenarios about a
      friend who engages in similar sexual behavior. The scenarios included a positive
      health consequence, a negative health consequence or a negative health
      consequence with the expression of regret. After reading one scenario,
      participants were asked to select from 60 images, those with whom they would have
      casual sex. Of the selected images, participants chose one image each for the
      person they most and least want to have sex with and person most and least likely
      to have a sexually transmitted infection. They then answered questions about
      engaging in unprotected sex now or waiting some delay for condom-protected sex in
      each partner condition. RESULTS: Results indicate that the negative health
      outcome scenario with regret expression resulted in delayed sexual gratification
      in the most attractive and least STI partner conditions, whereas in the least
      attractive and most STI partner conditions the negative health outcome with and
      without regret resulted in delayed sexual gratification. CONCLUSIONS: Results
      suggest that the sexual discounting task is a relevant laboratory measure and the
      framing of information to include regret expression may be relevant for
      prevention of risky sexual behavior.

PMID- 26280350
TI  - Voice disorders in the elderly: A national database study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To determine the type, frequency, and factors associated
      with voice disorders in the elderly. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of data
      from a large national administrative US claims database. METHODS: Elderly
      outpatients (>65 years old) with a laryngeal/voice disorder (LVD) diagnosis based
      on International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical
      Modification codes from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2008, seen by an
      otolaryngologist or primary care physician (PCP) were included. Data regarding
      age, gender, comorbid conditions, geographic location, employment history, and
      type of physician providing the diagnosis were collected, and multiple logistic
      regression was used to determine the influence of these factors in
      otolaryngologist-determined LVD diagnoses. RESULTS: Of the almost 55 million
      individuals in the database, 60,773 unique patients (mean age = 74.9 years,
      standard deviation = 6.6 years, range = 65-105 years) had an encounter with a PCP
      or otolaryngologist and received an LVD diagnosis. The most frequent diagnoses
      overall were acute and chronic laryngitis, nonspecific dysphonia, and benign
      vocal fold lesions. PCPs more commonly diagnosed acute laryngitis, whereas
      otolaryngologists more commonly diagnosed nonspecific dysphonia and laryngeal
      changes/lesions. In the otolaryngology group, odds of nonspecific dysphonia and
      vocal fold paralysis/paresis diagnoses increased with advancing age, whereas
      benign laryngeal pathology, and acute and chronic laryngitis decreased. As
      compared to men, women had lower odds of paralysis/paresis and laryngeal cancer
      but higher odds of acute laryngitis and nonspecific dysphonia. Odds of specific
      LVDs also varied depending upon comorbid conditions and geographic location.
      CONCLUSIONS: Age, gender, comorbid conditions, geographic location, and physician
      type were significantly associated with specific LVD diagnoses within the
      elderly. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

PMID- 26280351
TI  - Determination of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis prevalence and antimicrobial
      susceptibility pattern of isolates from lymph nodes of sheep and goats at an
      organic export abattoir, Modjo, Ethiopia.
AB  - Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis is the causative agent of caseous
      lymphadenitis, a suppurative abscessation in the superficial and internal lymph
      nodes and internal organs of small ruminants. This study was conducted on the
      superficial lymph nodes and carcasses of 768 small ruminants slaughtered at a
      slaughterhouse during the study period; 82 had abscesses or caseous
      lymphadenitis. The most frequent sites of abscesses in goats were the prescapular
      (34, 5.54%) and prefemoral lymph nodes (24, 3.91%) respectively. Similar patterns
      were observed in sheep. The prevalence of caseous lymphadenitis was found to be
      significantly higher in adult than in young animals, in both species (P < 0.05).
      The age-wise prevalence rates of lesions on post-mortem inspection, at 95% CI,
      were 2.7% (2.3-3.1%) and 3.1% (2.8-3.4%) in young sheep and goats, respectively,
      and 24.4% (17.4-31.4%) and 27.5% (23.8-31.2%) in adult sheep and goats
      respectively. Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis isolates were recovered from 72%
      (59/82) of animals found to have post-mortem evidence of abscesses. The Coryne.
      pseudotuberculosis isolates were susceptible to the antibiotics norfloxacin,
      tetracycline, doxycyline HCl and kanamycine; however, resistance was observed
      against ampicillin, clindamycin and doxycyline HCl. In conclusion, this study
      reported the magnitude of the problem in the country for the first time and the
      authors recommend a thorough investigation of wider study areas. SIGNIFICANCE AND
      IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This work presents data on the prevalence of caseous
      lymphadenitis in slaughtered sheep and goats as well as the isolation and
      antibiotic susceptibility pattern of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis for the
      first time in Ethiopia. The carcasses of small ruminants are the major livestock
      product exported from the country and serves as an important source of foreign
      currency. Assessing the impact of diseases such as caseous lymphadenitis in the
      industry would be of great significance. This work forms initial data that call
      for further wider investigations to gain complete understanding of its impact in
      the country.

PMID- 26280352
TI  - Transient State Machine Enabled from the Colliding and Coalescence of a Swarm of
      Autonomously Running Liquid Metal Motors.
AB  - Internally triggered motion of an object owns important potential in diverse
      application areas ranging from micromachines, actuator or sensor, to self
      assembly of superstructures. A new conceptual liquid metal machine style has been
      presented here: the transient state machine that can work as either a large size
      robot, partial running elements, or just divide spontaneously running swarm of
      tiny motors. According to need, the discrete droplet machines as quickly
      generated through injecting the stream of a large liquid metal machine can
      combine back again to the original one. Over the process, each tiny machine just
      keeps its running, colliding, bouncing, or adhesion states until finally
      assembling into a single machine. Unlike the commonly encountered rigid machines,
      such transient state system can be reversible in working shapes. Depending on
      their surface tension, the autonomously traveling droplet motors can experience
      bouncing and colliding before undergoing total coalescence, arrested coalescence,
      or total bounce. This finding would help mold unconventional robot in the sense
      of transient state machine that could automatically transform among different
      geometries such as a single or swarm, small or large size, assembling and
      interaction, etc. It refreshes people's basic understandings on machines, liquid
      metal materials, fluid mechanics, and micromotors. 

PMID- 26280353
TI  - First Study on Phosphonite-Coordinated Ruthenium Sensitizers for Efficient
      Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution.
AB  - For the first time we report the design and syntheses of phosphonite coordinated
      ruthenium(II) sensitizers bearing CNN ligand and/or terpyridine derivatives
      carboxylate anchor (GS11, GS12. and GS13) and its application for hydrogen
      production over Pt-TiO2 system. These heteroleptic complexes exhibit broad metal
      to-ligand charge transfer transition band over the whole visible regime extending
      up to 900 nm. DFT calculations of these complexes show that the HOMO is
      distributed over the Ru and Cl atom whereas; LUMO is localized on the
      polypyridile ligand, which are anchored on TiO2 surface. Among the sensitizers
      tested for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution, GS12 exhibited a maximum turnover
      number (TON) 8605 (for 8 h), which is very high compared to the reference
      sensitizer (N719) with TON 163 under similar evaluation condition. The dependence
      of the hydrogen evolution rate at different pH using GS11, GS12, GS13, and DX-1
      sensitized Pt-TiO2 has been studied and the maximum H2 production yield was
      obtained at pH 7 for all sensitizers.

PMID- 26280354
TI  - Colorectal Polyps Missed with Optical Colonoscopy Despite Previous Detection and
      Localization with CT Colonography.
AB  - PURPOSE: To retrospectively evaluate and characterize nondiminutive colorectal
      polyps prospectively detected by using computed tomographic (CT) colonography but
      not confirmed with subsequent nonblinded optical colonoscopy (OC). MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: This study was institutional review board approved; the need for signed
      informed consent was waived. Over 113 months, 9336 adults (mean age, 57.1 years)
      underwent CT colonography, which yielded 2606 nondiminutive (>=6 mm) polyps. Of
      1731 polyps that underwent subsequent nonblinded OC (ie, endoscopists provided
      advanced knowledge of specific polyp size, location, and morphologic appearance
      at CT colonography), 181 (10%) were not confirmed with initial endoscopy (ie,
      discordant), of which 37 were excluded (awaiting or lost to follow-up). After
      discordant polyp review, 66 of the 144 lesions were categorized as likely CT
      colonography false-positive findings (no further action) and 78 were categorized
      as potential OC false-negative (FN) findings. RESULTS: Thirty-one of 144 (21.5%)
      of all discordant lesions were confirmed as FN findings at OC, including 40% (31
      of 78) of those with OC and/or CT colonography follow-up. OC FN lesions were an
      average of 8.5 mm +/- 3.3 in diameter and were identified with higher confidence
      at prospective CT colonography (on a 3-point confidence scale: mean, 2.8 vs 2.3;
      P = .001). OC FN findings were more likely than concordant polyps to be located
      in the right colon (respectively, 71% [22 of 31] vs 47% [723 of 1535]; P = .010).
      Most (81% [21 of 26]) OC FN lesions that were ultimately resected were neoplastic
      (adenomas or serrated lesions), of which 43% (nine of 21) were characterized as
      advanced lesions, and 89% (eight of nine) of advanced lesions occurred in the
      right colon. CONCLUSION: In clinical practice, polyps prospectively identified
      with CT colonography but not confirmed with subsequent nonblinded (ie, despite a
      priori knowledge of the CT colonography findings) OC require additional review
      because a substantial proportion may be FN findings. Most FN findings found with
      OC demonstrated clinically significant histopathologic results, and a majority of
      advanced lesions occurred in the right colon.

PMID- 26280355
TI  - Category cued recall evokes a generate-recognize retrieval process.
AB  - The experiments reported here were designed to replicate and extend McCabe,
      Roediger, and Karpicke's (2011) finding that retrieval in category cued recall
      involves both controlled and automatic processes. The extension entailed
      identifying whether distinctive encoding affected 1 or both of these 2 processes.
      The first experiment successfully replicated McCabe et al., but the second, which
      added a critical baseline condition, produced data inconsistent with a 2
      independent process model of recall. The third experiment provided evidence that
      retrieval in category cued recall reflects a generate-recognize strategy, with
      the effect of distinctive processing being localized to recognition. Overall, the
      data suggest that category cued recall evokes a generate-recognize retrieval
      strategy and that the subprocesses underlying this strategy can be dissociated as
      a function of distinctive versus relational encoding processes.

PMID- 26280356
TI  - Chemicals on plant surfaces as a heretofore unrecognized, but ecologically
      informative, class for investigations into plant defence.
AB  - Plants produce and utilize a great diversity of chemicals for a variety of
      physiological and ecological purposes. Many of these chemicals defend plants
      against herbivores, pathogens and competitors. The location of these chemicals
      varies within the plant, some are located entirely within plant tissues, others
      exist in the air- (or water-) space around plants, and still others are secreted
      onto plant surfaces as exudates. I argue herein that the location of a given
      defensive chemical has profound implications for its ecological function;
      specifically, I focus on the characteristics of chemical defences secreted onto
      plant surfaces. Drawing from a broad literature encompassing ecology, evolution,
      taxonomy and physiology, I found that these external chemical defences (ECDs) are
      common and widespread in plants and algae; hundreds of examples have been
      detailed, yet they are not delineated as a separate class from internal chemical
      defences (ICDs). I propose a novel typology for ECDs and, using existing
      literature, explore the ecological consequences of the hypothesized unique
      characteristics of ECDs. The axis of total or proportional investment in ECDs
      versus ICDs should be considered as one axis of investment by a plant, in the
      same way as quantitative versus qualitative chemical defences or induced versus
      constitutive defences is considered. The ease of manipulating ECDs in many plant
      systems presents a powerful tool to help test plant defence theory (e.g. optimal
      defence). The framework outlined here integrates various disciplines of botany
      and ecology and suggests a need for further examinations of exudates in a variety
      of contexts, as well as recognition of the effects of within-plant localization
      of defences.

PMID- 26280357
TI  - Mass spectrometry in the pharmacokinetic studies of anticancer natural products.
AB  - In the history of medicine, nature has represented the main source of medical
      products. Indeed, the therapeutic use of plants certainly goes back to the
      Sumerian and Hippocrates and nowadays nature still represents the major source
      for new drugs discovery. Moreover, in the cancer treatment, drugs are either
      natural compounds or have been developed from naturally occurring parent
      compounds firstly isolated from plants and microbes from terrestrial and marine
      environment. A critical element of an anticancer drug is represented by its
      severe toxicities and, after administration, the drug concentrations have to
      remain in an appropriate range to be effective. Anyway, the drug dosage defined
      during the clinical studies could be inappropriate for an individual patient due
      to differences in drug absorption, metabolism and excretion. For this reason,
      personalized medicine, based on therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM), represents one
      of most important challenges in cancer therapy. Mass spectrometry sensitivity,
      specificity and fastness lead to elect this technique as the Golden Standard for
      pharmacokinetics and drug metabolism studies therefore for TDM. This review
      focuses on the mass spectrometry-based methods developed for pharmacokinetic
      quantification in human plasma of anticancer drugs derived from natural sources
      and already used in clinical practice. Particular emphasis was placed both on the
      pre-analytical and analytical steps, such as: sample preparation procedures,
      sample size required by the analysis and the limit of quantification of drugs and
      metabolites to give some insights on the clinical practice applicability. (c)
      2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Mass Spec Rev. 36:213-251, 2017.

PMID- 26280358
TI  - Live-Cell Labeling of Specific Protein Glycoforms by Proximity-Enhanced
      Bioorthogonal Ligation.
AB  - Reagents for detecting post-translational modifications in the context of their
      protein scaffold are powerful tools, but are challenging to develop for
      glycosylated epitopes. We describe a strategy for detecting protein-specific
      glycosylation through the use of cyclooctyne-aptamer conjugates. These molecules
      selectively ligate to azidosugar-labeled glycans exclusively on a target protein
      on live cells. We characterized aptamer conjugates against two different cell
      surface glycoproteins and show that these reagents are amenable to detecting
      protein sialoforms by mass spectrometry, Western blotting, and flow cytometry.
      Given the abundance of aptamers that bind cell surface targets, we expect this
      technology will be a useful platform for investigating the roles of protein
      specific glycosylation in various cellular contexts. 

PMID- 26280359
TI  - Incidence of testicular germ cell tumors among US men by census region.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The incidence of testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) in the United
      States is notably higher among white men versus other men. Previously, however,
      it was reported that rates were rising among Hispanics in certain areas. To
      determine whether this finding was evident in a wider area of the United States,
      data from 39 US cancer registries were examined. METHODS: Racial/ethnic-specific
      incidence rates per 100,000 man-years were calculated overall and by census
      region for the period of 1998-2011. Annual percentage changes (APCs) were
      estimated, and joinpoint models were fit. Differences in incidence by region were
      examined with the Wald test. RESULTS: From 1998 to 2011, 88,993 TGCTs were
      recorded. The TGCT incidence was highest among non-Hispanic whites (6.57 per
      100,000), who were followed by Hispanics (3.88), American Indians/Alaska Natives
      (2.88), Asians/Pacific Islanders (A/PIs; 1.60), and non-Hispanic blacks (1.20).
      The incidence significantly increased among Hispanics (APC, 2.31; P < .0001),
      with rates rising in all regions except the South. Rates rose slightly among non
      Hispanic whites (APC, 0.51; P = .0076). Significant differences in rates by
      region were seen for Hispanics (P = .0001), non-Hispanic whites (P < .0001), and
      A/PIs (P < .0001), with the highest rates among Hispanics in the West and with
      the highest rates among non-Hispanic whites and A/PIs in the Northeast.
      CONCLUSIONS: Although the incidence of TGCTs remained highest among non-Hispanic
      whites between 1998 and 2011, the greatest increase was experienced by Hispanics.
      Rising rates of TGCTs among Hispanics in the United States suggest that future
      attention is warranted. Reasons for the increase may include variability in
      birthplace, changing exposures, genetic susceptibility, and the length of US
      residence.

PMID- 26280360
TI  - Slowed Search in the Context of Unimpaired Grouping in Autism: Evidence from
      Multiple Conjunction Search.
AB  - In multiple conjunction search, the target is not known in advance but is defined
      only with respect to the distractors in a given search array, thus reducing the
      contributions of bottom-up and top-down attentional and perceptual processes
      during search. This study investigated whether the superior visual search skills
      typically demonstrated by individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) would
      be evident in multiple conjunction search. Thirty-two children with ASD and 32
      age- and nonverbal IQ-matched typically developing (TD) children were
      administered a multiple conjunction search task. Contrary to findings from the
      large majority of studies on visual search in ASD, response times of individuals
      with ASD were significantly slower than those of their TD peers. Evidence of
      slowed performance in ASD suggests that the mechanisms responsible for superior
      ASD performance in other visual search paradigms are not available in multiple
      conjunction search. Although the ASD group failed to exhibit superior
      performance, they showed efficient search and intertrial priming levels similar
      to the TD group. Efficient search indicates that ASD participants were able to
      group distractors into distinct subsets. In summary, while demonstrating grouping
      and priming effects comparable to those exhibited by their TD peers, children
      with ASD were slowed in their performance on a multiple conjunction search task,
      suggesting that their usual superior performance in visual search tasks is
      specifically dependent on top-down and/or bottom-up attentional and perceptual
      processes.

PMID- 26280361
TI  - A NONOVARY-SPECIFIC VITELLOGENIN RECEPTOR FROM THE ORIENTAL FRUIT FLY, Bactrocera
      dorsalis (HENDEL).
AB  - The yolk protein precursor, vitellogenin (Vg), is absorbed into growing oocytes
      via receptor-mediated endocytosis for embryonic development. In this study, a Vg
      receptor (VgR) cDNA of the oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel) was
      cloned via RT-PCR and RACE (GenBank accession no. KR535603) and its expression
      analyzed. The BdVgR cDNA has a length of 6,585 bp encoding 1,923 amino acids. It
      has a conserved motif arrangement with other insect VgRs, and showed high
      identity to the B. cucurbitae VgR (91.4%). The expression of BdVgR mRNA and
      proteins was shown in both ovary and fat body. This is the first report on a
      nonovary-specific VgR from a nonsocial insect. In ovary, the expression of BdVgR
      mRNA and proteins was inconsistent, with the transcription, but not protein,
      level high on D0. In fat body, the expression levels of BdVgR mRNA and proteins
      were high on days 5 and 6. The function of BdVgR in the fat body is not clear.
      However, it may be involved in reuptake of yolk proteins from the hemolymph as an
      amino acid reservoir or as autocrine regulation of yolk protein expression. 

PMID- 26280362
TI  - Parametrization of macrolide antibiotics using the force field toolkit.
AB  - Macrolides are an important class of antibiotics that target the bacterial
      ribosome. Computer simulations of macrolides are limited as specific force field
      parameters have not been previously developed for them. Here, we determine CHARMM
      compatible force field parameters for erythromycin, azithromycin, and
      telithromycin, using the force field toolkit (ffTK) plugin in VMD. Because of
      their large size, novel approaches for parametrizing them had to be developed.
      Two methods for determining partial atomic charges, from interactions with TIP3P
      water and from the electrostatic potential, as well as several approaches for
      fitting the dihedral parameters were tested. The performance of the different
      parameter sets was evaluated by molecular dynamics simulations of the macrolides
      in ribosome, with a distinct improvement in maintenance of key interactions
      observed after refinement of the initial parameters. Based on the results of the
      macrolide tests, recommended procedures for parametrizing very large molecules
      using ffTK are given.

PMID- 26280363
TI  - Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor-Coated Stents Inhibit Restenosis in a Rabbit
      Carotid Artery Model.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Our aim was to study the efficacy and safety of tissue factor
      pathway inhibitor (TFPI)-coated stents in inhibiting restenosis in a rabbit
      carotid artery model. METHODS: Subculture was conducted in aorta smooth muscle
      cell, which was taken from male Wistar rat, and the 3-5-generation cells were
      taken for plasmid transfection and cytotoxicity experiment. TFPI microspheres
      were made of a TFPI plasmid which was enwrapped by poly-l-glutamic acid (PLGA).
      TFPI-coated stents (n = 7) and bare metal stents (n = 6) were implanted into
      prepared carotid artery stenosis model of New Zealand white rabbits. The
      transfection efficiency of TFPI gene and its influence on animal tissue,
      restenosis inhibition, and biochemical indicator were observed. RESULT: Tissue
      factor pathway inhibitor microspheres can transfect successfully into cells, and
      present no cytotoxicity. Autopsy results showed no pathological changes in liver
      and spleen of rabbits after implanting TFPI-coated stents. TFPI gene could
      transfect and express successfully in vessel wall cells, and thrombus was found
      in some lumens of bare metal stents group after 7 day, while no such thrombus was
      observed in coated stents group. Degree of hyperplasia of coronary endarterectomy
      in bare metal stents group was evidently higher than those in coated stents
      group. Obvious stent restenosis was discovered only in one case in bare metal
      stents group (diameter stenosis >=50%). However, no case in coated stents group
      showed with stent restenosis. CONCLUSION: Tissue factor pathway inhibitor-coated
      stents could successfully transfect TFPI gene into vessel wall cells, thereby
      inhibiting restenosis without obvious side effect in the rabbit carotid artery
      model.

PMID- 26280365
TI  - Systematic review on the maintenance of response during systemic antipsoriatic
      therapy.
AB  - As a chronic disease psoriasis often requires long-term treatment. Successful
      continuation of therapy during a maintenance phase is therefore important. A
      systematic review was performed on the efficacy of psoriasis drugs during
      maintenance treatment in patients who had achieved sufficient treatment success
      during the induction period. Maintenance therapy is defined as treatment during
      the period after successful induction therapy. Inclusion criteria were
      prospective studies with systemic therapies recommended by the 2009 European
      psoriasis guidelines (plus ustekinumab), and a study population that had achieved
      a defined treatment response criterion after induction therapy within a period of
      >= 6 months. Maintenance studies on conventional treatments were identified for
      ciclosporin (CSA) only (no studies investigating acitretin, methotrexate or
      ustekinumab were found). Compared with placebo, CSA was shown to be effective in
      maintenance therapy, yet CSA 1.5 mg kg(-1) seems to be insufficient to maintain
      disease control. Based on the evidence, it is uncertain whether there is any
      difference between daily or intermittent treatment. For biologics, maintenance
      data were available for adalimumab, etanercept and infliximab. No differences in
      75% improvement in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI 75) response were
      identified between adalimumab 40 mg once and twice a month. Continuous infliximab
      treatment was shown to be superior to as-needed treatment. For etanercept, only
      observational postrandomized controlled trial data were available, indicating a
      maintained PASI 75 response in approximately three-quarters of patients during
      long-term treatment. Only limited evidence is available for a conclusion on how
      patients with an adequate response should be optimally treated during the
      maintenance period. A clear ranking of the available treatments is not yet
      possible. 

PMID- 26280366
TI  - Where Should We Eat? Lunch Source and Dietary Measures Among Youth During the
      School Week.
AB  - PURPOSE: To examine lunch sources during the school week among students and the
      associations with fruits and vegetable (F&V) and sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB)
      consumption. METHODS: Students (n = 23 680) from 43 Ontario, Canada, secondary
      schools completed a health behaviour survey in the Year 1 COMPASS study. Analysis
      used generalized linear mixed effects models. RESULTS: The most frequently
      reported lunch source was home (2.9 days per school week), then the school
      cafeteria (1.1) and fast-food places or restaurants (FFRs) (0.9). Eating a home
      lunch was associated with having less spending money, white ethnicity, and
      females; whereas cafeteria lunch was associated with more spending money, lower
      school grade, and females. A FFR lunch was associated with males, more spending
      money, and higher physical activity. Greater frequency of a home lunch was
      associated with greater F&V consumption. Greater frequency of a FFR lunch was
      associated with more frequent SSB consumption. Cafeteria lunches were associated
      with increases in both SSB and F&V. CONCLUSIONS: Eating a lunch obtained from
      outside of the home is a regular behaviour among students. Sources of school-week
      lunches may have an important influence on dietary intake among youth. These
      findings reinforce the need for strategies to promote healthier lunch sources and
      healthier food options.

PMID- 26280364
TI  - Mechanisms of Beta Cell Dysfunction Associated With Viral Infection.
AB  - Type 1 diabetes (T1D) results from genetic predisposition and environmental
      factors leading to the autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells. Recently,
      a rapid increase in the incidence of childhood T1D has been observed worldwide;
      this is too fast to be explained by genetic factors alone, pointing to the
      spreading of environmental factors linked to the disease. Enteroviruses (EVs) are
      perhaps the most investigated environmental agents in relationship to the
      pathogenesis of T1D. While several studies point to the likelihood of such
      correlation, epidemiological evidence in its support is inconclusive or in some
      instances even against it. Hence, it is still unknown if and how EVs are involved
      in the development of T1D. Here we review recent findings concerning the biology
      of EV in beta cells and the potential implications of this knowledge for the
      understanding of beta cell dysfunction and autoimmune destruction in T1D. 

PMID- 26280367
TI  - Combined Effects from gamma Radiation and Fluoranthene Exposure on Carbon
      Transfer from Phytoplankton to Zooplankton.
AB  - Risk assessment does not usually take into account mixtures of contaminants, thus
      potentially under- or overestimating environmental effects. We investigated how
      the transfer of carbon between a primary producer, Pseudokirchneriella
      subcapitata, and a consumer, Daphnia magna, is affected by acute exposure of
      gamma radiation (GR) in combination with the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon
      fluoranthene (FA). We exposed D. magna to five concentrations of FA and five
      acute doses of GR as single contaminants and in nine binary combinations. We
      compared the observed data for three end points (incorporation of carbon by D.
      magna, D. magna ingestion rates, and growth) to the predicted joint effects of
      the mixed stressors based on the independent action (IA) concept. There were
      deviations from the IA predictions, especially for ingestion rates and carbon
      incorporation by D. magna, where antagonistic effects were observed at the lower
      doses, while synergism was seen at the highest doses. Our results highlight the
      importance of investigating the effects of exposure to GR in a multistressor
      context. In mixtures of GR and FA, the IA-predicted effects seem to be
      conservative as antagonism between the two stressors was the dominant pattern,
      possibly due to stimulation of cellular antioxidative stress mechanisms. 

PMID- 26280369
TI  - Occurrence, fluxes and sources of perfluoroalkyl substances with isomer analysis
      in the snow of northern China.
AB  - In this study, perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and the isomers of
      perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) were analyzed in
      fresh snow samples collected from 19 cities in northern China, 2013. The levels
      of total PFASs in the snow samples were 33.5-229 ng/L, suggesting heavy
      atmospheric pollution of PFASs in northern China. PFOA (9.08-107 ng/L), PFOS
      (3.52-54.3 ng/L), perfluoroheptanoate (PFHpA) (3.66-44.8 ng/L), and
      perfluorohexanoate (PFHxA) (3.21-23.6 ng/L) were predominant with a summed
      contribution of 82% to the total PFASs. The particulate matters (PMs) associated
      PFASs contributed 21.5-56.2% to the total PFASs in the snow, suggesting PMs are
      vital for the transport and deposition of airborne PFASs. Partitioning of PFASs
      between PM and dissolved phases was dependent on the carbon chain length and end
      functional groups. Isomer profiles of PFOA and PFOS in the snow were in agreement
      with the signature of the historical 3M electrochemical fluorination (ECF)
      products, suggesting that the ECF products were still produced and used in China.
      Further source analysis showed that the airborne PFASs in urban area were mainly
      due to direct release rather than degradation of their precursors.

PMID- 26280368
TI  - Replacement of dietary soy- with air classified faba bean protein concentrate
      alters the hepatic transcriptome in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) parr.
AB  - The production of carnivorous fish such as Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) is
      dependent on the availability of high quality proteins for feed formulations. For
      a number of nutritional, strategic and economic reasons, the use of plant
      proteins has steadily increased over the years, however a major limitation is
      associated with the presence of anti-nutritional factors and the nutritional
      profile of the protein concentrate. Investigating novel raw materials involves
      understanding the physiological consequences associated with the dietary
      inclusion of protein concentrates. The primary aim of the present study was to
      assess the metabolic response of salmon to increasing inclusion of air-classified
      faba bean protein concentrate (BPC) in feeds as a replacement for soy protein
      concentrate (SPC). Specifically, we tested treatments with identical contents of
      fishmeal (222.4gkg(-1)) and progressively higher inclusion of BPC (0gkg(-1),
      111.8gkg(-1), 223.6gkg(-1), 335.4gkg(-1), 447.2gkg(-1)) substituting SPC. This
      study demonstrated a dose-dependent metabolic response to a plant ingredient and
      was the first to compare the nutrigenomic transcriptional responses after
      substitution of terrestrial feed ingredients such as BPC and SPC without
      withdrawal of marine ingredients. It was found that after eight weeks a major
      physiological response in liver was only evident above 335.4gkg(-1) BPC and
      included decreased expression of metabolic pathways, and increased expression of
      genes regulating transcription and translation processes and the innate immune
      response. Furthermore, we showed that the nutritional stress caused by BPC
      resembled, at least at hepatic transcriptional level, that caused by soybean meal
      (included as a positive control in our experimental design). The outcomes of the
      present study suggested that Atlantic salmon parr might efficiently utilize
      moderate substitution of dietary SPC with BPC, with the optimum inclusion level
      being around 120gkg(-1)in the type of feeds tested here. 

PMID- 26280370
TI  - Arsenic and lead uptake by Brassicas grown on an old orchard site.
AB  - Arugula (Eruca sativa) and collards (Brassica oleracea var. acephala), were grown
      at a former orchard where soils had been variably contaminated by lead arsenate
      pesticides. To test for the effect of compost on As and Pb transfer into plants,
      compost was added (0, 5, and 10% DW) to five plots representing a wide range of
      soil Pb and As. Arugula accumulated about 5 times higher As concentrations in
      above-ground tissues than collards, with high variability in individual plant
      concentrations. Soil to arugula transfer (uptake) coefficients were higher for As
      than for Pb, and increased with soil As. Crop concentrations of Pb varied widely
      within replicate samples of both arugula and collards. Arugula contamination by
      Pb was significantly correlated to soil total Pb, but collard contamination was
      not. Evidence was found using Al as an indicator of soil particle contamination
      of plant tissues that Pb in arugula was primarily due to soil particle deposition
      on foliar surfaces. Compost amendments reduced 0.01 M CaCl2 -extractable Pb but
      increased extractable As in the orchard soils. However, compost had the
      beneficial effect of reducing both As and Pb concentrations in harvested arugula
      grown on most of the plots.

PMID- 26280371
TI  - Investigation on the efficiency and mechanism of Cd(II) and Pb(II) removal from
      aqueous solutions using MgO nanoparticles.
AB  - In this study, the removal of Cd(II) and Pb(II) from aqueous solutions using MgO
      nanoparticles prepared by a simple sol-gel method was investigated. The
      efficiency of Cd(II) and Pb(II) removal was examined through batch adsorption
      experiments. For the single adsorption of Cd(II) and Pb(II), The adsorption
      kinetics and isotherm data obeyed well Pseudo-second-order and Langmuir models,
      indicating the monolayer chemisorption of heavy metal ions. The maximum
      adsorption capacities calculated by Langmuir equation were 2294 mg/g for Cd(II)
      and 2614 mg/g for Pb(II), respectively. The adsorption process was controlled
      simultaneously by external mass transfer and intraparticle diffusion. In the
      binary system, a competitive adsorption was observed, showing preference of
      adsorption followed Pb(II) >Cd(II). Significantly, the elution experiments
      confirmed that neither Cd(II) nor Pb(II) could be greatly desorbed after water
      washing even for five times. XRD and XPS measurements revealed the mechanism of
      Cd(II) and Pb(II) removal by MgO nanoparticles was mainly involved in
      precipitation and adsorption on the surface of MgO, resulting from the
      interaction between active sites of MgO and heavy metal ions. Easy preparation,
      remarkable removal efficiency and firmly adsorptive ability make the MgO
      nanoparticles to be an efficient material in the treatment of heavy metal
      contaminated water.

PMID- 26280372
TI  - Effect of cations in the background electrolyte on the adsorption kinetics of
      copper and cadmium and the isoelectric point of imogolite.
AB  - Modification of surface charge and changes in the isoelectric point (IEP) of
      synthetic imogolite were studied for various cations in the background
      electrolyte (K(+), NH4(+), Mg(2+), and Ca(2+)). From the electrophoretic mobility
      data, it was established that the K(+) (KCl) concentration does not affect the
      IEP of imogolite; therefore, KCl is a suitable background electrolyte. In terms
      of the magnitude of changes in the IEP and surface charge, the cations may be
      ranked in the following order: Mg(2+)~Ca(2+)>>NH4(+)>>K(+). Four different
      kinetic models were used to evaluate the influence of Mg(2+), Ca(2+), NH4(+), and
      K(+) on the adsorption of Cd and Cu on synthetic imogolite. When adsorption
      occurs in the presence of cations with the exception of K(+), the kinetics of the
      process is well described by the pseudo-first order model. On the other hand,
      when adsorption is conducted in the presence of K(+), the adsorption kinetics is
      well described by the pseudo-second order, Elovich, and Weber-Morris models. From
      the surface charge measurements, the affinity between imogolite and the cations
      and their effect on the adsorption of trace elements, namely Cu and Cd, were
      established. 

PMID- 26280374
TI  - Higher serum total testosterone levels correlate with increased risk of
      depressive symptoms in Caucasian women through the entire menopausal transition.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite the high prevalence of depressive symptoms in women, the
      precise role of sex hormones in mood changes during the menopausal transition is
      unclear. Previous studies have been inconsistent with regard to identifying the
      association of androgens, namely total testosterone, with depressive symptoms.
      OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to evaluate changes in serum total
      testosterone levels and depressive symptoms during the entire menopausal
      transition, and examine the impact of covariates on the association between
      concurrent serum total testosterone levels and depressive symptoms during this
      time period. METHODS: A longitudinal cohort study (428 women at baseline with
      3634 repeated measures) using data from the Penn Ovarian Aging Study, a
      population-based cohort of late reproductive-aged women, followed through the
      menopausal transition. Serum hormone parameters and depression scores using the
      Center for Epidemiological Studies of Depression scale (CES-D) were measured at
      each annual visit over a 14-year period. General linear (for testosterone) and a
      generalized negative-binomial model (for depressive symptoms) for repeated
      measures were used for analysis. RESULTS: Serum total testosterone levels
      increased progressively over the study period and were significantly associated
      with older age and with current smoking (p<0.001, respectively). In the post
      menopause total testosterone levels were significantly higher in African
      Americans compared to Caucasians (p=0.012). The proportion of women with CES-D
      >=16 significantly decreased with increasing age and in the post-menopausal
      period, and were higher in women with a history of depression and hot flashes
      (p<0.001). The association between concurrent testosterone levels and high
      depressive symptoms (CES-D >=16) differed by race (p=0.008). In Caucasians, but
      not African Americans, higher serum testosterone levels were associated with
      increased depressive symptoms after controlling for several variables including
      age, obesity status, hot flashes and menopausal status (RR 1.09, 95% CI 1.00
      1.17, p=0.042). CONCLUSION: In our cohort, testosterone levels were low but
      progressively increased from premenopause through post menopause. In addition to
      age and history of depression, we identified race to have a significant
      interaction between the association of testosterone levels and depressive
      symptoms. This study further supports the associations between sex hormones and
      increased risk of having depressive symptoms, although the precise underlying
      mechanisms for this association remain unclear.

PMID- 26280373
TI  - Expression profiling of nuclear receptors in breast cancer identifies TLX as a
      mediator of growth and invasion in triple-negative breast cancer.
AB  - The Nuclear Receptor (NR) superfamily of transcription factors comprises 48
      members, several of which have been implicated in breast cancer. Most important
      is estrogen receptor-alpha (ERalpha), which is a key therapeutic target. ERalpha
      action is facilitated by co-operativity with other NR and there is evidence that
      ERalpha function may be recapitulated by other NRs in ERalpha-negative breast
      cancer. In order to examine the inter-relationships between nuclear receptors,
      and to obtain evidence for previously unsuspected roles for any NRs, we undertook
      quantitative RT-PCR and bioinformatics analysis to examine their expression in
      breast cancer. While most NRs were expressed, bioinformatic analyses
      differentiated tumours into distinct prognostic groups that were validated by
      analyzing public microarray data sets. Although ERalpha and progesterone receptor
      were dominant in distinguishing prognostic groups, other NR strengthened these
      groups. Clustering analysis identified several family members with potential
      importance in breast cancer. Specifically, RORgamma is identified as being co
      expressed with ERalpha, whilst several NRs are preferentially expressed in
      ERalpha-negative disease, with TLX expression being prognostic in this subtype.
      Functional studies demonstrated the importance of TLX in regulating growth and
      invasion in ERalpha-negative breast cancer cells. 

PMID- 26280375
TI  - Unconscious biases in task choices depend on conscious expectations.
AB  - Recent studies highlight the influence of non-conscious information on task-set
      selection. However, it has not yet been tested whether this influence depends on
      conscious settings, as some theoretical models propose. In a series of three
      experiments, we explored whether non-conscious abstract cues could bias choices
      between a semantic and a perceptual task. In Experiment 1, we observed a non
      conscious influence on task-set selection even when perceptual priming and cue
      target compound confounds did not apply. Experiments 2 and 3 showed that, under
      restrictive conditions of visibility, cues only biased task selection when the
      conscious task-setting mindset led participants to search for information during
      the time period of the cue. However, this conscious strategy did not modulate the
      effect found when a subjective measure of consciousness was used. Altogether, our
      results show that the configuration of the conscious mindset determines the
      potential bias of non-conscious information on task-set selection. 

PMID- 26280376
TI  - Expand Your Horizon: A programme that improves body image and reduces self
      objectification by training women to focus on body functionality.
AB  - This study tested Expand Your Horizon, a programme designed to improve body image
      by training women to focus on the functionality of their body using structured
      writing assignments. Eighty-one women (Mage=22.77) with a negative body image
      were randomised to the Expand Your Horizon programme or to an active control
      programme. Appearance satisfaction, functionality satisfaction, body
      appreciation, and self-objectification were measured at pretest, posttest, and
      one-week follow-up. Following the intervention, participants in the Expand Your
      Horizon programme experienced greater appearance satisfaction, functionality
      satisfaction, and body appreciation, and lower levels of self-objectification,
      compared to participants in the control programme. Partial eta-squared effect
      sizes were of small to medium magnitude. This study is the first to show that
      focusing on body functionality can improve body image and reduce self
      objectification in women with a negative body image. These findings provide
      support for addressing body functionality in programmes designed to improve body
      image. 

PMID- 26280378
TI  - Impact of residential schooling and of child abuse on substance use problem in
      Indigenous Peoples.
AB  - Residential schools were the institutions, in operation from the 19th century to
      the late 20th century, which Indigenous children in Canada were forced to attend.
      The literature shows that many young people who attended these institutions were
      victims of neglect and abuse. Negative psychological effects resulting from child
      abuse have been amply documented. However, very few studies on this subject have
      been carried out among Canada's Indigenous Peoples. The objective of this study
      is to evaluate, for an Indigenous population in Quebec (Canada), the impact of
      residential schooling as well as self-reported experiences of sexual and physical
      abuse during childhood on the development of alcohol and drug use problems in
      adulthood. A total of 358 Indigenous participants were interviewed (164 men
      [45.8%] and 194 women [54.2%]). Alcoholism was evaluated using the Michigan
      Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST). Drug abuse was assessed with the Drug Abuse
      Screening Test-20 (DAST). Child abuse and residential schooling were assessed
      with dichotomous questions (yes/no). Among the participants, 28.5% (n=102) had
      attended residential schools, 35.2% (n=121) reported having experienced sexual
      abuse, and 34.1% (n=117) reported having experienced physical abuse before
      adulthood. Results of the exact logistic regression analyses indicated that
      residential school attendance was linked to alcohol problems, while child abuse
      was related to drug use problems. The results of this study highlight the
      importance of considering the consequences of historical traumas related to
      residential schools to better understand the current situation of Indigenous
      Peoples in Canada. 

PMID- 26280377
TI  - All physical activity may not be associated with a lower likelihood of adolescent
      smoking uptake.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Research has documented that physical activity is associated with a
      lower risk of adolescent smoking uptake, yet it is unclear whether this
      relationship exists for all types of physical activity. We sought to determine
      whether certain types of physical activity are associated with a decreased or an
      increased risk of adolescent smoking uptake. METHODS: In this longitudinal cohort
      study, adolescents (n=1356) were surveyed every six months for four years (age 14
      18years old). Smoking and physical activity were measured at each of the eight
      time-points. Physical activity that was negatively associated with smoking across
      the eight waves was considered positive physical activities (i.e., PPA; linked to
      not smoking such as racquet sports, running, and swimming laps). Physical
      activity that was positively associated with smoking across the eight waves were
      considered negative physical activities (i.e., NPA; linked to smoking such as
      skating, walking, bicycling, sport fighting, and competitive wrestling). RESULTS:
      Associative Processes Latent Growth Curve Modeling revealed that each 30-minute
      increase in NPA per week at baseline was associated with a 4-fold increased odds
      of smoking progression (OR=4.10, 95% CI=2.14, 7.83). By contrast, each 30-minute
      increase in PPA at baseline was associated with a 51% decrease in the odds of
      smoking progression (OR=.49, 95% CI=.25, .93). CONCLUSIONS: The type of physical
      activity that an adolescent engages appears to be important for the uptake of
      cigarette smoking among adolescents. These associative relationships warrant
      consideration in interventions to increase overall physical activity and those
      promoting physical activity to prevent smoking uptake.

PMID- 26280379
TI  - Cognitive and Functional Correlates of NPI-Q Scores and Symptom Clusters in
      Mildly Demented Alzheimer Patients.
AB  - Previous research has demonstrated an association between the emotional and
      behavioral symptoms of dementia, known as neuropsychiatric symptoms, and
      cognitive and functional decline among patients with Alzheimer disease (AD). The
      present study aimed to identify associations between neuropsychiatric symptoms as
      measured by the Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Questionnaire (NPI-Q) and cognitive
      and functional performance. Participants were 256 AD patients enrolled in the
      Alzheimer's Disease and Memory Disorders Center at Baylor College of Medicine. An
      exploratory factor analysis of the NPI-Q indicated a 2-factor structure
      consisting of Negative/Oppositional and Anxiety/Restlessness factors. Regression
      analyses revealed significant associations between greater total severity of
      neuropsychiatric symptoms and poorer performance on basic and Instrumental
      Activities of Daily Living. Greater severity of Anxiety/Restlessness symptoms was
      associated with poor performance on measures of visuospatial functioning and
      basic and instrumental activities of daily living. The Negative/Oppositional
      factor was not related to cognition or functioning. In summary, neuropsychiatric
      symptoms (particularly Anxiety/Restlessness symptoms) were related to cognition
      and everyday functioning. Proper assessment and treatment of these symptoms is
      essential for improving cognition and functioning in AD patients.

PMID- 26280381
TI  - Predictive discomfort of supine humans in whole-body vibration and shock
      environments.
AB  - This work presents a predictive model to evaluate discomfort associated with
      supine humans during transportation, where whole-body vibration and repeated
      shock are predominant. The proposed model consists of two parts: (i) static
      discomfort resulting from body posture, joint limits and ambient discomfort; and
      (ii) dynamic discomfort resulting from the relative motion between the body
      segments as a result of transmitted vibration. Twelve supine subjects were
      exposed to single and 3D random vibrations and 3D shocks mixed with vibrations.
      The subjects' reported discomfort and biodynamic response were analysed under
      different support conditions, including a rigid surface, a stretcher and a
      stretcher with a spinal backboard. The results demonstrated good correlations
      between the predictive discomfort and the reported discomfort for the different
      conditions under consideration, with R(2) = 0.69-0.94 for individual subjects and
      R(2) = 0.94 for the group mean. The results also indicated a strong relationship
      between the head-neck and trunk angular velocities and discomfort during supine
      transportation. Practitioner Summary: The quantification of discomfort of supine
      humans under vibration and shocks by using a predictive model is an important
      contribution to this field, whereby the efficacy of different transport systems
      can be compared. The predictive discomfort model can be used as design criteria
      for ergonomic enhancement in supine transportation of humans. 

PMID- 26280380
TI  - Impact of Gender-Specific Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Recommendations on Uptake
      of Other Adolescent Vaccines: Analysis of the NIS-Teen (2008-2012).
AB  - In the United States, human papillomavirus vaccination was routinely recommended
      for adolescent females in 2006 and provisionally recommended for adolescent males
      in 2009. We evaluated the hypothesis that gender-specific human papillomavirus
      vaccination recommendations would impact gender-specific uptake of other vaccines
      using National Immunization Survey-Teen public use data sets (2008-2012). Female
      adolescents had higher coverage than males of at least 1 other adolescent vaccine
      in 2008 (3.0% higher) and 2009 (4.3% higher). Gender differences abated in 2010,
      2011, and 2012 (0.2%, 0.9%, and 0.4%, respectively). To evaluate unintended
      consequences of gender-based recommendations, countries with female-only human
      papillomavirus vaccination recommendations should evaluate gender-specific uptake
      of other adolescent vaccines.

PMID- 26280382
TI  - Tractography of Association Fibers Associated with Language Processing.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Several major association fiber tracts are known to be part of the
      language processing system. There is evidence that high angular diffusion-based
      MRI is able to separate these fascicles in a constant way. In this study, we
      wanted to proof this thesis using a novel whole brain "global tracking" approach
      and to test for possible lateralization. METHODS: Global tracking was performed
      in six healthy right-handed volunteers for the arcuate fascicle (AF), the medial
      longitudinal fascicle (MdLF), the inferior fronto-occipital fascicle (IFOF), and
      the inferior longitudinal fascicle (ILF). These fiber tracts were characterized
      quantitatively using the number of streamlines (SL) and the mean fractional
      anisotropy (FA). RESULTS: We were able to characterize the AF, the MdLF, the
      IFOF, and the ILF consistently in six healthy volunteers using global tracking. A
      left-sided dominance (LI > 0.2) for the AF was found in all participants. The
      MdLF showed a left-sided dominance in four participants (one female, three male).
      Regarding the FA, no lateralization (LI > 0.2) could be shown in any of the
      fascicles. CONCLUSION: Using a novel global tracking algorithm we confirmed that
      the courses of the primary language processing associated fascicles can
      consistently be differentiated. Additionally we were able to show a streamline
      based left-sided lateralization in the AF of all right-handed healthy subjects.

PMID- 26280384
TI  - Age differences in experiential and deliberative processes in unambiguous and
      ambiguous decision making.
AB  - Older adults experience declines in deliberative decisional capacities, while
      their affective or experiential abilities tend to remain intact (Peters & Bruine
      de Bruin, 2012). The current study used this framework to investigate age
      differences in description-based and experience-based decision-making tasks.
      Description-based tasks emphasize deliberative processing by allowing decision
      makers to analyze explicit descriptions of choice-reward information. Experience
      based tasks emphasize affective or experiential processing because they lack the
      explicit choice-reward information, forcing decision makers to rely on feelings
      and information derived from past experiences. This study used the Columbia Card
      Task (CCT) as a description-based task where probability information is provided
      and the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) as an experience-based task, where it is not. As
      predicted, compared to younger adults (N = 65), older adults (N = 65) performed
      more poorly on the CCT but performed similarly on the IGT. Deliberative
      capacities (i.e., executive control and numeracy abilities) explained the
      relationship between age and performance on the CCT, suggesting that age-related
      differences in description-based decision-making tasks are related to declines in
      deliberative capacities. However, deliberative capacities were not associated
      with performance on the IGT for either older or younger adults. Nevertheless, on
      the IGT, older adults reported more use of affect-based strategies versus
      deliberative strategies, whereas younger adults reported similar use of these
      strategies. This finding offers partial support for the idea that decision-making
      tasks that rely on deliberate processing are more likely to demonstrate age
      effects than those that are more experiential.

PMID- 26280383
TI  - The STEP model: Characterizing simultaneous time effects on practice for flight
      simulator performance among middle-aged and older pilots.
AB  - Understanding the possible effects of the number of practice sessions (practice)
      and time between practice sessions (interval) among middle-aged and older adults
      in real-world tasks has important implications for skill maintenance. Prior
      training and cognitive ability may impact practice and interval effects on real
      world tasks. In this study, we took advantage of existing practice data from 5
      simulated flights among 263 middle-aged and older pilots with varying levels of
      flight expertise (defined by U.S. Federal Aviation Administration proficiency
      ratings). We developed a new Simultaneous Time Effects on Practice (STEP) model:
      (a) to model the simultaneous effects of practice and interval on performance of
      the 5 flights, and (b) to examine the effects of selected covariates (i.e., age,
      flight expertise, and 3 composite measures of cognitive ability). The STEP model
      demonstrated consistent positive practice effects, negative interval effects, and
      predicted covariate effects. Age negatively moderated the beneficial effects of
      practice. Additionally, cognitive processing speed and intraindividual
      variability (IIV) in processing speed moderated the benefits of practice and/or
      the negative influence of interval for particular flight performance measures.
      Expertise did not interact with practice or interval. Results indicated that
      practice and interval effects occur in simulated flight tasks. However,
      processing speed and IIV may influence these effects, even among high-functioning
      adults. Results have implications for the design and assessment of training
      interventions targeted at middle-aged and older adults for complex real-world
      tasks.

PMID- 26280385
TI  - How your executive functioning impacts me: Findings from a normative sample of
      older couples.
AB  - Although executive functioning (EF) has implications for one's emotional
      functioning and interpersonal behavior, and EF skills become more variable as we
      age, little research has investigated whether normative age-related changes in EF
      impact social-emotional outcomes in close others. The current study used a dyadic
      approach to examine the impact of individual differences in core aspects of EF on
      indices of well-being in 91 married or cohabiting couples aged 55 years and
      older. Participants in each dyad completed EF tasks of inhibition, working
      memory, and task switching, control tasks of language and short-term memory (STM)
      in which EF demands were comparatively minimal, and self-report measures of
      depression and quality of life. Dyadic analyses showed that individuals with
      lower levels of EF self-reported more depressive symptoms, though there was no
      significant association between an individual's EF and their partner's self
      reported mood. Conversely, individuals with lower levels of EF had partners who
      endorsed a lower quality of life, though there was no significant association
      between an individual's EF and their own quality of life ratings. Control tasks
      did not predict either aspect of well-being in either member of the dyad. Taken
      together, these findings highlight EF-and not simply cognition in general-as a
      potential determinant of well-being in oneself and one's partner among aging
      couples.

PMID- 26280387
TI  - Platinum(II) Complexes with O,S Bidentate Ligands: Biophysical Characterization,
      Antiproliferative Activity, and Crystallographic Evidence of Protein Binding.
AB  - We recently characterized a series of novel platinum(II) compounds bearing a
      conserved O,S binding moiety as a bifunctional ligand and evaluated their
      solution behavior and antiproliferative properties in vitro against a
      representative cancer cell line. On the whole, those platinum compounds showed an
      appreciable stability in mixed dimethyl sulfoxide-aqueous buffers and promising
      in vitro cytotoxic effects; yet they manifested a rather limited solubility in
      aqueous media making them poorly suitable for further pharmaceutical development.
      To overcome this drawback, four new derivatives of this series were prepared and
      characterized based on a careful choice of substituents on the O,S bidentate
      ligand. The solubility and stability profile of these novel compounds in a
      reference buffer was determined, as well as the ligands' log P(o/w) value (P(o/w)
      = n-octanol-water partition coefficient) as an indirect measure for the
      complexes' lipophilicity. The antiproliferative properties were comparatively
      evaluated in a panel of three cancer cell lines. The protein binding properties
      of the four platinum compounds were assessed using the model protein hen egg
      white lysozyme (HEWL), and the molecular structures of two relevant HEWL
      metallodrug adducts were solved. Overall, it is shown that a proper choice of the
      substituents leads to a higher solubility and enables a selective fine-tuning of
      the antiproliferative properties. The implications of these results are
      thoroughly discussed.

PMID- 26280388
TI  - Measurement Back-Action in Stacked Graphene Quantum Dots.
AB  - We present an electronic transport experiment in graphene where both classical
      and quantum mechanical charge detector back-action on a quantum dot are
      investigated. The device consists of two stacked graphene quantum dots separated
      by a thin layer of boron nitride. This device is fabricated by van der Waals
      stacking and is equipped with separate source and drain contacts to both dots. By
      applying a finite bias to one quantum dot, a current is induced in the other
      unbiased dot. We present an explanation of the observed measurement-induced
      current based on strong capacitive coupling and energy dependent tunneling
      barriers, breaking the spatial symmetry in the unbiased system. This is a special
      feature of graphene-based quantum devices. The experimental observation of
      transport in classically forbidden regimes is understood by considering higher
      order quantum mechanical back-action mechanisms. 

PMID- 26280386
TI  - Novel Pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines as Translocator Protein 18 kDa (TSPO) Ligands:
      Synthesis, in Vitro Biological Evaluation, [(18)F]-Labeling, and in Vivo
      Neuroinflammation PET Images.
AB  - A series of novel pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines, closely related to N,N-diethyl-2-(2
      (4-(2-fluoroethoxy)phenyl)-5,7-dimethylpyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl)acetamide
      (2, DPA-714), were synthesized and biologically in vitro evaluated for their
      potential to bind the translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO), a protein today
      recognized as an early biomarker of neuroinflammatory processes. This series is
      composed of fluoroalkyl- and fluoroalkynyl- analogues, prepared from a common
      iodinated intermediate via Sonogashira coupling reactions. All derivatives
      displayed subnanomolar affinity for the TSPO (0.37 to 0.86 nM), comparable to
      that of 2 (0.91 nM). Two of them were radiolabeled with fluorine-18, and their
      biodistribution was investigated by in vitro autoradiography and positron
      emission tomography (PET) imaging on a rodent model of neuroinflammation. Brain
      uptake and local accumulation of both compounds in the AMPA-mediated lesion
      confirm their potential as in vivo PET-radiotracers. In particular, [(18)F]23
      exhibited a significantly higher ipsi- to contralateral ratio at 60 min than the
      parent molecule [(18)F]2 in vivo. 

PMID- 26280389
TI  - Asia-Pacific women's experiences of stillbirth: A metasynthesis of qualitative
      literature.
AB  - Literature related to Asia-Pacific women's lived experiences of stillbirth was
      reviewed through metasynthesis of selected empirical studies. An overarching
      construct of "interconnectedness" between complex experiences influenced by
      cultural and systemic factors became apparent. Four experiential themes emerged:
      "acts of accusation," "rocky relationships," "entangled emotions," and "routines
      of reconciliation." These were influenced by two systemic factors: "contexts of
      culture" and "health care matters." Women's sociocultural experiences and their
      engagement with health care systems influenced how they managed and reconciled
      their loss. This study contributes to the literature on women's experiences of
      stillbirth, furthering theory creation and generating future research agendas.

PMID- 26280390
TI  - Chronic Disease and Chemical Dependency Treatment in Primary Care Patients With
      Problem Drug Use.
AB  - This article examines whether chronic disease is associated with chemical
      dependency treatment in primary care patients with problem drug use. Chronic
      disease was common in 781 disadvantaged individuals who had problem drug use and
      were seen in primary care clinics affiliated with a public safety-net hospital.
      Individuals had, on average, 5.4 chronic medical conditions, and overall 57% had
      low severity chronic disease. In the year following enrollment, 14% had chemical
      dependency treatment. Severity of chronic disease was not associated with
      chemical dependency treatment (p = .26). In summary, chronic disease neither
      hindered chemical dependency treatment, nor did it facilitate such treatment. 

PMID- 26280392
TI  - Lead removal by Spirulina platensis biomass.
AB  - In this investigation, we report on the biosorption of Pb (II) from aqueous
      solutions by the nonliving biomass of the micro-alga (cyanobacterium) Spirulina
      platensis. Propagation of the micro-alga was carried out in outside oblong
      raceway ponds. The biomass was cleaned, dried and used for the investigation. The
      effects of pH, adsorbent dose, temperature, initial concentration of Pb (II), and
      contact time on the adsorption of lead by the dry biomass were studied. The
      experiments were carried out in 250 ml conical flasks containing 100 ml of test
      solutions using an orbital incubator at 150 rpm. Concentrations of the metal
      before and after the experiments were measured using Atomic Absorption
      Spectrophotometer. Very high levels of Pb (II) removal (>91%) were obtained. The
      optimum conditions for maximal adsorption by S. platensis were found to be pH 3;
      2 g of adsorbent dose; incubation at 26 degrees C; 100 mg/l of lead initial
      concentration and 60 minutes of contact time. The experimental data fitted well
      with Freundlich isotherm equation with R(2) values greater than 0.97. Based on
      our results, we recommend the utilization of S. platensis biomass for heavy metal
      removal from aqueous solutions.

PMID- 26280391
TI  - Principles of protein targeting to the nucleolus.
AB  - The nucleolus is the hallmark of nuclear compartmentalization and has been shown
      to exert multiple roles in cellular metabolism besides its main function as the
      place of rRNA synthesis and assembly of ribosomes. Nucleolar proteins dynamically
      localize and accumulate in this nuclear compartment relative to the surrounding
      nucleoplasm. In this study, we have assessed the molecular requirements that are
      necessary and sufficient for the localization and accumulation of peptides and
      proteins inside the nucleoli of living cells. The data showed that positively
      charged peptide entities composed of arginines alone and with an isoelectric
      point at and above 12.6 are necessary and sufficient for mediating significant
      nucleolar accumulation. A threshold of 6 arginines is necessary for peptides to
      accumulate in nucleoli, but already 4 arginines are sufficient when fused within
      15 amino acid residues of a nuclear localization signal of a protein. Using a pH
      sensitive dye, we found that the nucleolar compartment is particularly acidic
      when compared to the surrounding nucleoplasm and, hence, provides the ideal
      electrochemical environment to bind poly-arginine containing proteins. In fact,
      we found that oligo-arginine peptides and GFP fusions bind RNA in vitro.
      Consistent with RNA being the main binding partner for arginines in the
      nucleolus, we found that the same principles apply to cells from insects to man,
      indicating that this mechanism is highly conserved throughout evolution. 

PMID- 26280393
TI  - Discovering functional, non-proteinogenic amino acid containing, peptides using
      genetic code reprogramming.
AB  - The protein synthesis machinery of the cell, the ribosome and associated factors,
      is able to accurately follow the canonical genetic code, that which maps RNA
      sequence to protein sequence, to assemble functional proteins from the twenty or
      so proteinogenic amino acids. A number of innovative methods have arisen to take
      advantage of this accurate, and efficient, machinery to direct the assembly of
      non-proteinogenic amino acids. We review and compare these routes to 'reprogram
      the genetic code' including in vitro translation, engineered aminoacyl tRNA
      synthetases, and RNA 'flexizymes'. These studies show that the ribosome is highly
      tolerant of unnatural amino acids, with hundreds of unusual substrates of varying
      structure and chemistries being incorporated into protein chains. We also discuss
      how these methods have been coupled to selection techniques, such as phage
      display and mRNA display, opening up an exciting new avenue for the production of
      proteins and peptides with properties and functions beyond that which is possible
      using proteins composed entirely of the proteinogenic amino acids. 

PMID- 26280394
TI  - Progress towards high-power Li/CFx batteries: electrode architectures using
      carbon nanotubes with CFx.
AB  - Carbon monofluoride (CFx) has a high energy density, exceeding 2000 W h kg(-1),
      yet its application in primary lithium batteries is limited by its power
      capability. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are appealing additives for high
      power batteries, due to their outstanding electronic transport properties, high
      aspect ratio necessitating low volume fraction for percolation, and high tensile
      strength. This perspective describes the current state of the art in lithium
      carbon monofluoride (Li/CFx) batteries and highlights the opportunities for the
      development of high-power Li/CFx batteries via utilization of carbon nanotubes.
      In this report, we generated several electrode architectures using CFx/CNT
      combinations, and demonstrated the effectiveness of CNTs in enhancing the rate
      capability and energy density of Li/CFx batteries. First, we investigated the
      resistivity of CFx combined with CNTs and compared the CFx/CNT composites with
      conventional carbon additives. Second, we built CFx-CNT electrodes without
      metallic current collectors using CNTs as substrates, and compared their
      electrochemical performance with conventional CFx electrodes using aluminum foil
      as a current collector. Furthermore, we fabricated multi-layered CNT-CFx-CNT
      composite electrodes (sandwich electrodes) and studied the impact of the
      structure on the performance of the electrode. Our work demonstrates some of the
      opportunities for utilization of CNTs in CFx electrodes and the resultant
      implementation of CFx as a battery cathode in next-generation high-power
      batteries. 

PMID- 26280395
TI  - Liposomal cytarabine in prophylaxis or curative treatment of central nervous
      system involvement in Burkitt leukemia/lymphoma.
AB  - In recent years, the outcome of Burkitt leukemia/lymphoma (BL) has improved
      significantly. Central nervous system (CNS) involvement continues to be a poor
      prognostic indicator. High doses of intravenous polychemotherapy, intrathecal
      chemotherapy, and cranio-spinal radiation therapy are used by numerous groups.
      Majority of patients are cured after this strategy. The next challenge is to
      decrease toxicities of treatment, including long-term toxicities secondary to
      cranio-spinal radiation therapy observed in these cured patients. Liposomal
      cytarabine could be a good alternative to cranio-spinal radiation therapy as
      already reported in acute lymphoblastic leukemia. We report here eleven patients
      treated in our center for BL, with liposomal cytarabine instead of cranio-spinal
      radiation therapy as prophylactic or curative treatment for CNS involvement.
      Treatment was safe with no short-term grade >3 adverse events. Moreover, no long
      term side effects and no impact on outcome were observed. We conclude that LC
      could be a good option to decrease short/long-term side effects of cranio-spinal
      radiation therapy in BL and could be evaluated in a future clinical trial. 

PMID- 26280396
TI  - Effects of Ni stress on the uptake and translocation of Ni and other mineral
      nutrition elements in mature wheat grown in sierozems from northwest of China.
AB  - Effects of heavy metal on uptake of mineral nutrition elements in plants have
      attracted widespread interest and been widely explored. This paper reports the
      translocation and accumulation behaviors of Ni in the organs of mature wheat
      plants by means of pot experiment using the sierozem collected from northwestern
      China as experimental soil. Effect of Ni on accumulation of Cu, Mn, Ca, and Mg is
      also demonstrated. It was found that influence of Ni on wheat plants differed
      greatly at different Ni levels. Ni content in the organs of wheat plants
      increased with the increase in Ni level, and the increasing rate decreased when
      the Ni level was higher than 400 mg/kg. Ni was mainly accumulated in the roots
      and less distributed in the shoots, shells, and grains. When the Ni level was
      lower than 400 mg/kg, the bioconcentration factor (BCF) of the roots was higher
      than 1, suggesting that Ni was taken in against a concentration gradient. The
      average translocation factor (TF) of wheat plants was 0.221, indicating the weak
      ability of wheat plants in translocating Ni toward the aboveground parts. Since
      Ni is readily accumulated in the grains of wheat plants at lower Ni level,
      concerns in health risks might be raised. Excess Ni in wheat plants could inhibit
      the transfer of Cu, Mn, and Mg to grains, leading to the accumulation of Ca, Mg,
      and Mn in the shoots and shells of wheat plants. The increase in Ni content can
      disturb the uptake and distribution of mineral nutrition elements in the organs
      of plants, resulting in the toxic effect of Ni on wheat plants. Results from this
      study provide a scientific support to prevent or control heavy metal pollution in
      an arid region.

PMID- 26280399
TI  - Antibacterial effects and action modes of asiatic acid.
AB  - In this study, the antibacterial effects and action modes of asiatic acid against
      the foodborne bacterial pathogens Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella
      Typhimurium DT104, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus
      aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, and Bacillus cereus were examined. Minimal
      inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of asiatic acid against these bacteria were in
      the range of 20-40 MUg/mL. Minimum bactericidal concentrations of asiatic acid
      were in the range of 32-52 MUg/mL. Asiatic acid at 2X MIC effectively reduced
      bacterial numbers from 6 log10 to < 2 log10 in all test bacteria within 6 h (P <
      0.05). The antibacterial activity of asiatic acid was not affected by heat
      treatments from 25 to 100 degrees C. Asiatic acid at 1 or 2X MICs caused 40-56%
      and 71-89% membrane damage in test bacteria within 2 h, respectively In addition,
      asiatic acid at 1 or 2X MICs led to 1.5-2.4 ppm and 2.9-4.1 ppm K(+) release
      within 2 hr, respectively. Asiatic acid treatments dose-dependently increased
      bacterial nucleotide leakage (P < 0.05). After 3 days of storage at 25 degrees C,
      the addition of asiatic acid dose-dependently inhibited the growth of test
      bacteria in ground beef (P < 0.05), in which 8 mg asiatic acid treatments led to
      bacterial levels (log CFU/g) in said ground beef lower than 2. These findings
      suggest that asiatic acid might be a potent antibacterial agent to prevent food
      contamination. 

PMID- 26280398
TI  - Using gastric juice lncRNA-ABHD11-AS1 as a novel type of biomarker in the
      screening of gastric cancer.
AB  - Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play vital roles in tumorigenesis. However, the
      diagnostic values of most lncRNAs are largely unknown. To investigate whether
      gastric juice lncRNA-ABHD11-AS1 can be a potential biomarker in the screening of
      gastric cancer, 173 tissue samples and 130 gastric juice from benign lesion,
      gastric dysplasia, gastric premalignant lesions, and gastric cancer were
      collected. ABHD11-AS1 levels were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase
      chain reaction. Then, the relationships between ABHD11-AS1 levels and
      clinicopathological factors of patients with gastric cancer were investigated.
      The results showed that ABHD11-AS1 levels in gastric cancer tissues were
      significantly higher than those in other tissues. Its levels in gastric juice
      from gastric cancer patients were not only significantly higher than those from
      cases of normal mucosa or minimal gastritis, atrophic gastritis, and gastric
      ulcers but also associated with gender, tumor size, tumor stage, Lauren type, and
      blood carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels. More importantly, when using gastric
      juice ABHD11-AS1 as a marker, the positive detection rate of early gastric cancer
      patients was reached to 71.4 %. Thanks to the special origin of gastric juice,
      these results indicate that gastric juice ABHD11-AS1 may be a potential biomarker
      in the screening of gastric cancer. 

PMID- 26280397
TI  - Pharmacological Inhibition of Protein Lipidation.
AB  - Lipid modifications of mammalian proteins are widespread, modifying thousands of
      targets involved in all aspects of cellular physiology cellular physiology.
      Broadly, lipidations serve to increase protein hydrophobicity and association
      with cellular membranes. Often, these modifications are absolutely essential for
      protein stability and localization, and serve critical roles in dynamic
      regulation of protein function. A number of lipidated proteins are associated
      with diseases, including parasite infections, neurological diseases, diabetes,
      and cancer, suggesting that lipid modifications represent potentially attractive
      targets for pharmacological intervention. This review briefly describes the
      various types of posttranslational protein lipid modifications, proteins modified
      by them, and the enzymatic machinery associated with these. We then discuss
      several case studies demonstrating successful development of lipidation
      inhibitors of potential (and more rarely, realized) clinical value. Although this
      field remains in its infancy, we believe these examples demonstrate the potential
      utility of targeting protein lipidation as a viable strategy for inhibiting the
      function of pathogenic proteins.

PMID- 26280400
TI  - Developmental Trajectories of Youth Character: A Five-Wave Longitudinal Study of
      Cub Scouts and Non-Scout Boys.
AB  - Youth development programs, such as the Boy Scouts of America, aim to develop
      positive attributes in youth (e.g., character virtues, prosocial behaviors, and
      positive civic actions), which are necessary for individuals and societies to
      flourish. However, few developmental studies have focused on how specific
      positive attributes develop through participation in programs such as the Boy
      Scouts of America. As part of the Character and Merit Project, this article
      examined the developmental trajectories of character and other positive
      attributes, which are of focal concern of the Boy Scouts of America and the
      developmental literature. Data were collected from 1398 Scouts (M = 8.59 years,
      SD = 1.29 years, Range 6.17-11.92 years) and 325 non-Scout boys (M = 9.06 years,
      SD = 1.43 years, Range 6.20-11.81 years) over five waves of testing across a two
      and-half-year period. Latent growth-curve analyses of self-report survey data
      examined the developmental trajectories of the attributes. Older youth rated
      themselves lower than younger participants on helpfulness, reverence,
      thriftiness, and school performance. However, all youth had moderately high self
      ratings on all the attributes. Across waves, Scouts' self-ratings increased
      significantly for cheerfulness, helpfulness, kindness, obedience,
      trustworthiness, and hopeful future expectations. Non-Scout boys' self-ratings
      showed no significant change for any attributes except for a significant decrease
      in religious reverence among non-Scout boys from religious institutions. We
      discuss implications for positive youth development and for the role of the Boy
      Scouts of America programming in character development.

PMID- 26280402
TI  - Evidence-based recommendations of postoperative radiotherapy in lung cancer from
      Oncologic Group for the Study of Lung Cancer (Spanish Radiation Oncology
      Society).
AB  - Locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a diversified illness in
      which postoperative radiation therapy (PORT) for complete resection with positive
      hiliar (pN1) and/or mediastinal (pN2) lymph nodes is controversial. Although
      several studies have shown that PORT has beneficial effects, randomized trials
      are needed to demonstrate its impact on overall survival. In this review, the
      Spanish Radiation Oncology Group for Lung Cancer describes the most relevant
      literature on PORT in NSCLC patients stage pN1-2. In addition, we have outlined
      the current recommendations of different national and international clinical
      guidelines and have also specified practical issues regarding treatment volume
      definition, doses and fractionation. 

PMID- 26280401
TI  - Predictors of Age of Diagnosis for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: The
      Role of a Consistent Source of Medical Care, Race, and Condition Severity.
AB  - Having a consistent source of medical care may facilitate diagnosis of autism
      spectrum disorders (ASD). This study examined predictors of age of ASD diagnosis
      using data from the 2011-2012 National Survey of Children's Health. Using
      multiple linear regression analysis, age of diagnosis was predicted by race, ASD
      severity, having a consistent source of care (CSC), and the interaction between
      these variables after controlling for birth cohort, birth order, poverty level,
      parental education, and health insurance. While African American children were
      diagnosed earlier than Caucasians, this effect was moderated by ASD severity and
      CSC. Having a CSC predicted earlier diagnosis for Caucasian but not African
      American children. Both physician and parent behaviors may contribute to
      diagnostic delays in minority children. 

PMID- 26280403
TI  - Role of SPECT-CT in breast cancer sentinel node biopsy when internal mammary
      chain drainage is observed.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: SPECT-CT in the detection of the sentinel lymph node (SLN) of
      breast cancer offers known advantages over conventional planar
      lymphoscintigraphy. Sometimes, it shows atypical findings like mediastinal
      lymphatic drainage. We have evaluated these atypical findings showed by SPECT-CT
      performed in patients with migration to the internal mammary chain (IMC) and
      their roles in the management of the patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed
      the 56 lymphoscintigraphies (planar and SPECT-CT) of 56 women (average age: 55
      years) diagnosed with breast cancer with IMC migration observed in the planar
      images. We compared the two techniques, obtaining the number of depicted nodes,
      atypical locations, their exact anatomical location and their role in the
      management of the patient. RESULTS: Planar images showed a total number of 81 IMC
      nodes. SPECT-CT showed 74 nodes in the IMC territory and 14 mediastinal lymphatic
      nodes in 6 patients. Out of the 81 IMC nodes reported by planar images, seven
      corresponded to mediastinal nodes. Planar and hybrid images showed 110 and 130
      axillary nodes, respectively. SPECT-CT showed additional findings in five
      patients: three infraclavicular and two supraclavicular nodes that were exactly
      located. One intramammary node was discarded by the SPECT-CT as a focal skin
      contamination. CONCLUSION: Mediastinal nodes are unexpected, but not uncommon
      findings that are important in the planning of SLN biopsy. SPECT-CT found more
      nodes than planar images, being able to separate mediastinal and IMC nodes,
      helping to exactly depict the SLN and its relations with anatomical structures.

PMID- 26280405
TI  - Objective Measurement of Cough Frequency During COPD Exacerbation Convalescence.
AB  - Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of morbidity and
      mortality worldwide. Cough and sputum production are associated with adverse
      outcomes in COPD and are common during COPD exacerbation (AE-COPD). This study of
      objective cough monitoring using the Hull Automated Cough Counter and Leicester
      Cough Monitor software confirms that this system has the ability to detect a
      significant decrease in cough frequency during AE-COPD convalescence. The ability
      to detect clinically meaningful change indicates a potential role in home
      monitoring of COPD patients. 

PMID- 26280404
TI  - Reversal of muscle atrophy by Zhimu and Huangbai herb pair via activation of IGF
      1/Akt and autophagy signal in cancer cachexia.
AB  - PURPOSE: Muscle atrophy is the prominent clinical feature of cancer-induced
      cachexia. Zhimu and Huangbai herb pair (ZBHP) has been used since ancient China
      times and have been phytochemically investigated for constituents that might
      cause anti-cancer, diabetes, and their complication. In this study, the effects
      and mechanisms of ZBHP on reversal of muscle atrophy were explored. METHODS:
      C57BL/6 mice implanted with colon-26 adenocarcinoma were chosen to develop cancer
      cachexia for evaluating the effects of ZBHP on reversal of muscle atrophy. The
      body weight, survival time, inflammatory cytokines, and pathological changes of
      muscle were monitored. In addition, IGF-1/Akt and autophagy pathway members were
      analyzed to interpret the mechanism of drug response. RESULTS: The function and
      morphology of skeletal muscle in cachexia model were significantly disturbed, and
      the survival time was shortened. Consistently, inflammatory cytokines and muscle
      atrophy-related atrogin-1, MuRF1, and FOXO3 were significantly increased, and IGF
      1/Akt and autophagy signal pathways were depressed. Treatment with ZBHP
      significantly alleviated tumor-free body weight reduction and cachexia-induced
      changes in cytokines and prolonged survival. ZBHP treatment not only inhibited
      the muscle atrophy-related genes but also activated the IGF-1/Akt and autophagy
      signal pathways to facilitate the protein synthesis. CONCLUSIONS: The results
      revealed that ZBHP treatment could inhibit the muscle atrophy induced by cancer
      cachexia and prolong the survival time, and ZBHP may be of value as a
      pharmacological alternative in treatment of cancer cachexia.

PMID- 26280406
TI  - Biosensors: Microcantilevers to lift biomolecules.

PMID- 26280407
TI  - Three-terminal energy harvester with coupled quantum dots.
AB  - Rectification of thermal fluctuations in mesoscopic conductors is the key idea
      behind recent attempts to build nanoscale thermoelectric energy harvesters to
      convert heat into useful electric power. So far, most concepts have made use of
      the Seebeck effect in a two-terminal geometry, where heat and charge are both
      carried by the same particles. Here, we experimentally demonstrate the working
      principle of a new kind of energy harvester, proposed recently, using two
      capacitively coupled quantum dots. We show that, due to the novel three-terminal
      design of our device, which spatially separates the heat reservoir from the
      conductor circuit, the directions of charge and heat flow become decoupled. This
      enables us to manipulate the direction of the generated charge current by means
      of external gate voltages while leaving the direction of heat flow unaffected.
      Our results pave the way for a new generation of multi-terminal nanoscale heat
      engines. 

PMID- 26280408
TI  - Information storage and retrieval in a single levitating colloidal particle.
AB  - The binary switch is a basic component of digital information. From phase-change
      alloys to nanomechanical beams, molecules and atoms, new strategies for
      controlled bistability hold great interest for emerging technologies. We present
      a generic methodology for precise and parallel spatiotemporal control of
      nanometre-scale matter in a fluid, and demonstrate the ability to attain digital
      functionalities such as switching, gating and data storage in a single colloid,
      with further implications for signal amplification and logic operations. This
      fluid-phase bit can be arrayed at high densities, manipulated by either
      electrical or optical fields, supports low-energy, high-speed operation and marks
      a first step toward 'colloidal information'. The principle generalizes to any
      system where spatial perturbation of a particle elicits a differential response
      amenable to readout. 

PMID- 26280409
TI  - Decoupling competing surface binding kinetics and reconfiguration of receptor
      footprint for ultrasensitive stress assays.
AB  - Cantilever arrays have been used to monitor biochemical interactions and their
      associated stress. However, it is often necessary to passivate the underside of
      the cantilever to prevent unwanted ligand adsorption, and this process requires
      tedious optimization. Here, we show a way to immobilize membrane receptors on
      nanomechanical cantilevers so that they can function without passivating the
      underlying surface. Using equilibrium theory, we quantitatively describe the
      mechanical responses of vancomycin, human immunodeficiency virus type 1 antigens
      and coagulation factor VIII captured on the cantilever in the presence of
      competing stresses from the top and bottom cantilever surfaces. We show that the
      area per receptor molecule on the cantilever surface influences ligand-receptor
      binding and plays an important role on stress. Our results offer a new way to
      sense biomolecules and will aid in the creation of ultrasensitive biosensors. 

PMID- 26280410
TI  - Effect of Early Adversity and Childhood Internalizing Symptoms on Brain Structure
      in Young Men.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Early adversity is an important risk factor that relates to
      internalizing symptoms and altered brain structure. OBJECTIVE: To assess the
      direct effects of early adversity and child internalizing symptoms (ie,
      depression, anxiety) on cortical gray matter (GM) volume, as well as the extent
      to which early adversity associates with variation in cortical GM volume
      indirectly via increased levels of internalizing symptoms. DESIGN, SETTING, AND
      PARTICIPANTS: A prospective investigation of associations between adversity
      within the first 6 years of life, internalizing symptoms during childhood and
      early adolescence, and altered brain structure in late adolescence (age, 18-21
      years) was conducted in a community-based birth cohort in England (Avon
      Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children). Participants from the cohort
      included 494 mother-son pairs monitored since the mothers were pregnant
      (estimated date of delivery between April 1, 1991, and December 31, 1992). Data
      collection for the present study was conducted between April 1, 1991, and
      November 30, 2010; the neuroimaging data were collected between September 1,
      2010, and November 30, 2012, and data analyses for the present study occurred
      between January 25, 2013, and February 15, 2015. Risk factors were adversity
      within the first 6 years of the child's life (including prenatal exposure) and
      the child's internalizing symptoms between age 7 and 13 years. EXPOSURES: Early
      childhood adversity. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The main outcome was GM volume
      of cortical regions previously associated with major depression measured through
      T1-weighted magnetic resonance images collected in late adolescence. RESULTS:
      Among 494 young men included in this analysis, early adversity was directly
      associated with lower GM volumes in the anterior cingulate cortex (beta = -.18; P
      = .01) and higher GM volume in the precuneus (beta = .18; P = .009). Childhood
      internalizing symptoms were associated with lower GM volume in the right superior
      frontal gyrus (beta = -.20; P = .002). Early adversity was also associated with
      higher levels of internalizing symptoms (beta = .37; P < .001), which, in turn,
      were associated with lower superior frontal gyrus volume (ie, an indirect effect)
      (beta = -.08; 95% CI, -0.14 to -0.01; P = .02). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE:
      Adversity early in life was associated with higher levels of internalizing
      symptoms as well as with altered brain structure. Early adversity was related to
      variation in brain structure both directly and via increased levels of
      internalizing symptoms. These findings may suggest that some of the structural
      variation often attributed to depression might be associated with early adversity
      in addition to the effect of depression.

PMID- 26280411
TI  - Massively parallel high-order combinatorial genetics in human cells.
AB  - The systematic functional analysis of combinatorial genetics has been limited by
      the throughput that can be achieved and the order of complexity that can be
      studied. To enable massively parallel characterization of genetic combinations in
      human cells, we developed a technology for rapid, scalable assembly of high-order
      barcoded combinatorial genetic libraries that can be quantified with high
      throughput sequencing. We applied this technology, combinatorial genetics en
      masse (CombiGEM), to create high-coverage libraries of 1,521 two-wise and 51,770
      three-wise barcoded combinations of 39 human microRNA (miRNA) precursors. We
      identified miRNA combinations that synergistically sensitize drug-resistant
      cancer cells to chemotherapy and/or inhibit cancer cell proliferation, providing
      insights into complex miRNA networks. More broadly, our method will enable high
      throughput profiling of multifactorial genetic combinations that regulate
      phenotypes of relevance to biomedicine, biotechnology and basic science. 

PMID- 26280412
TI  - High-throughput phosphoproteomics reveals in vivo insulin signaling dynamics.
AB  - Mass spectrometry has enabled the study of cellular signaling on a systems-wide
      scale, through the quantification of post-translational modifications, such as
      protein phosphorylation. Here we describe EasyPhos, a scalable phosphoproteomics
      platform that now allows rapid quantification of hundreds of phosphoproteomes in
      diverse cells and tissues at a depth of >10,000 sites. We apply this technology
      to generate time-resolved maps of insulin signaling in the mouse liver. Our
      results reveal that insulin affects ~10% of the liver phosphoproteome and that
      many known functional phosphorylation sites, and an even larger number of unknown
      sites, are modified at very early time points (<15 s after insulin delivery). Our
      kinetic data suggest that the flow of signaling information from the cell surface
      to the nucleus can occur on very rapid timescales of less than 1 min in vivo.
      EasyPhos facilitates high-throughput phosphoproteomics studies, which should
      improve our understanding of dynamic cell signaling networks and how they are
      regulated and dysregulated in disease.

PMID- 26280414
TI  - Treatment of blood cholesterol to reduce risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular
      disease: grand rounds discussion from the beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
AB  - In November 2013, the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart
      Association released a clinical practice guideline on the treatment of blood
      cholesterol to reduce atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk in
      adults. The recommendation identifies 4 patient groups with strong evidence that
      the benefits of reduction in ASCVD events from statin therapy exceed adverse
      events. For these patients, initiating statin therapy of an appropriate intensity
      to reduce ASCVD risk and minimize adverse effects is recommended. A new risk
      estimator based on a pooled cohort equation is presented for estimating 10-year
      ASCVD risk. There is also a recommendation to engage in a clinician-patient
      discussion before initiating a statin, especially for primary prevention of
      ASCVD. This paper summarizes a discussion between a cardiologist and an internist
      about how each clinician would balance these factors and what treatment they
      would suggest for an individual patient. 

PMID- 26280413
TI  - Overexpression of receptor-like kinase ERECTA improves thermotolerance in rice
      and tomato.
AB  - The detrimental effects of global warming on crop productivity threaten to reduce
      the world's food supply. Although plant responses to changes in temperature have
      been studied, genetic modification of crops to improve thermotolerance has had
      little success to date. Here we demonstrate that overexpression of the
      Arabidopsis thaliana receptor-like kinase ERECTA (ER) in Arabidopsis, rice and
      tomato confers thermotolerance independent of water loss and that Arabidopsis er
      mutants are hypersensitive to heat. A loss-of-function mutation of a rice ER
      homolog and reduced expression of a tomato ER allele decreased thermotolerance of
      both species. Transgenic tomato and rice lines overexpressing Arabidopsis ER
      showed improved heat tolerance in the greenhouse and in field tests at multiple
      locations in China during several seasons. Moreover, ER-overexpressing transgenic
      Arabidopsis, tomato and rice plants had increased biomass. Our findings could
      contribute to engineering or breeding thermotolerant crops with no growth
      penalty. 

PMID- 26280417
TI  - Aggressive case finding: a clinical strategy for the documentation of thyroid
      dysfunction.

PMID- 26280418
TI  - Celebrating the ACP centennial: from the annals archive-non-A, non-B hepatitis.

PMID- 26280419
TI  - On being a doctor: shining a light on the dark side.

PMID- 26280420
TI  - Our family secrets.

PMID- 26280421
TI  - Type 2 diabetes.

PMID- 26280422
TI  - Type 2 diabetes.

PMID- 26280423
TI  - Firearm-related injury and death in the United States.

PMID- 26280424
TI  - Firearm-related injury and death in the United States.

PMID- 26280425
TI  - Firearm-related injury and death in the United States.

PMID- 26280426
TI  - Firearm-related injury and death in the United States.

PMID- 26280427
TI  - Reducing firearm-related harms.

PMID- 26280428
TI  - Reducing firearm-related harms.

PMID- 26280429
TI  - What should we regard as an "elevated" C-reactive protein level?

PMID- 26280430
TI  - Insurance plan presentation and decision support on HealthCare.gov and state
      based web sites created for the Affordable Care Act.

PMID- 26280431
TI  - Web Exclusives. The consult guys - shoot from the hip? surgery with aortic
      stenosis.

PMID- 26280432
TI  - ACP Journal Club: in early septic shock, early goal-directed therapy did not
      reduce 90-day mortality.

PMID- 26280433
TI  - ACP Journal Club: anatomical and functional testing did not differ for reducing
      CV events in suspected obstructive CAD.

PMID- 26280434
TI  - ACP Journal Club: baseline plus 1-hour high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T
      improved early rule-out and rule-in of acute MI.

PMID- 26280435
TI  - ACP Journal Club: in hospital rehabilitation units, adding individualized fall
      prevention education to usual care reduced falls.

PMID- 26280436
TI  - ACP Journal Club: review: ambulatory blood pressure monitoring predicts
      cardiovascular events.

PMID- 26280437
TI  - ACP Journal Club: David Lawrence Sackett, MD, MSc (Epidemiology), 1934-2015.

PMID- 26280438
TI  - ACP Journal Club: transcatheter and surgical aortic valve replacement did not
      differ for mortality in severe aortic stenosis.

PMID- 26280439
TI  - ACP Journal Club: transcatheter aortic valve replacement reduced mortality more
      than usual care in inoperable severe aortic stenosis.

PMID- 26280440
TI  - ACP Journal Club: adding neurovascular thrombectomy to IV t-PA reduced disability
      in acute ischemic stroke.

PMID- 26280441
TI  - ACP Journal Club: review: in lacunar stroke, single antiplatelet therapy reduces
      recurrent stroke more than placebo.

PMID- 26280442
TI  - ACP Journal Club: in palliative care, discontinuation of statins did not differ
      from continuation for mortality.

PMID- 26280443
TI  - ACP Journal Club: review: some commercial or proprietary weight-loss programs
      increase weight loss.

PMID- 26280444
TI  - ACP Journal Club: combination intensive DMARD therapy is noninferior to TNF
      inhibitors for reducing disability in active RA.

PMID- 26280445
TI  - Synthesis of Allenyl Sulfones via a TBHP/TBAI-Mediated Reaction of Propargyl
      Alcohols with Sulfonyl Hydrazides.
AB  - A new TBHP/TBAI-mediated reaction of propargyl alcohols with sulfonyl hydrazides
      in the presence of HOAc has been established, in which a wide variety of allenyl
      sulfones were obtained in moderate to excellent yields. Mechanistic studies
      indicate that this transformation involves HOAc-promoted sulfonohydrazide
      intermediate formation, sequential C-O, C-N, and N-S bond cleavage, and C-S bond
      formation. Significantly, this sulfonohylation proceeds in a radical process and
      shows highly functional group compatibility and excellent regioselectivity, with
      a short reaction time and inexpensive reagents. 

PMID- 26280446
TI  - Modelling mesoporous alumina microstructure with 3D random models of platelets.
AB  - This work focuses on a mesoporous material made up of nanometric alumina
      'platelets' of unknown shape. We develope a 3D random microstructure to model the
      porous material, based on 2D transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images,
      without prior knowledge on the spatial distribution of alumina inside the
      material. The TEM images, acquired on samples with thickness 300 nm, a scale much
      larger than the platelets's size, are too blurry and noisy to allow one to
      distinguish platelets or platelets aggregates individually. In a first step, the
      TEM images correlation function and integral range are estimated. The presence of
      long-range fluctuations, due to the TEM inhomogeneous detection, is detected and
      corrected by filtering. The corrected correlation function is used as a
      morphological descriptor for the model. After testing a Boolean model of
      platelets, a two-scale model of microstructure is introduced to replicate the
      statistical dispersion of platelets observed on TEM images. Accordingly, a set of
      two-scale Boolean models with varying physically admissible platelets shapes is
      proposed. Upon optimization, the model takes into account the dispersion of
      platelets in the microstructure as observed on TEM images. Comparing it to X-ray
      diffraction and nitrogen porosimetry data, the model is found to be in good
      agreement with the material in terms of specific surface area. 

PMID- 26280447
TI  - LCZ696 (Valsartan/Sacubitril)--A Possible New Treatment for Hypertension and
      Heart Failure.
AB  - The aim of this MiniReview was to introduce the newly invented dual-acting drug
      valsartan/sacubitril (LCZ696), which combines an angiotensin receptor blocker
      (valsartan) with sacubitril, a specific inhibitor of the neutral endopeptidase
      (NEP) that degrades vasoactive peptides, including natriuretic peptides ANP and
      BNP, but also glucagon, enkephalins and bradykinin, among others. The MiniReview
      presents the data of four available trials NCT01193101, NCT00549770, NCT00887588
      and NCT01035255 and provides the current knowledge about LCZ696 effects in
      patients with hypertension and heart failure. Presently, patients suffering from
      hypertension and heart failure are treated with ACE inhibitors or angiotensin
      receptor antagonists often in combination with other drugs. These current
      medications lead to a reduction in blood pressure in hypertensive patients and a
      decreased mortality and morbidity in patients with heart failure with reduced
      ejection fraction, but not in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection
      fraction. LCZ696 had been tested to utilize the beneficial properties of
      natriuretic peptides in combination with angiotensin receptor antagonism. It
      induces even greater blood pressure reductions and decreased mortality and
      morbidity in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, while
      patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction show lowered blood
      pressure and decreased NT-pro-BNP levels. Although long-term studies remain to be
      performed, these initial data suggest that there is a potential clinical benefit
      of LCZ696 in the treatment of hypertension and heart failure. 

PMID- 26280448
TI  - Fabrication of Polystyrene/ZnO Micronano Hierarchical Structure Applied for Light
      Extraction of Light-Emitting Devices.
AB  - Polystyrene(PS)/ZnO micronano hierarchical structures were fabricated on a flat
      surface by depositing ZnO nanoparticles from a cluster beam at oblique incidence
      on the surface predeposited with PS microspheres. The hierarchical structure was
      composed of submicron-sized PS particle layers covered with dense films of
      columnar ZnO nanoparticle piles separated with nanoscale pores. It was
      demonstrated that the cooperative effect that combines the microlens function of
      the PS microspheres and the enhanced Rayleigh scattering of the ZnO nanoparticle
      porous layers can be used to greatly reduce the total internal reflection at the
      medium-air interface. The PS/ZnO hierarchical structures were fabricated on the
      surface of GaN-based light-emitting diode (LED) chips to enhance the light
      extraction efficiency. A 77.7% improvement on the light-output power was
      realized, which was much greater than that obtained with the PS microstructures
      alone. 

PMID- 26280449
TI  - When Eating Right, Is Measured Wrong! A Validation and Critical Examination of
      the ORTO-15 Questionnaire in German.
AB  - The characteristic trait of individuals developing a pathological obsession and
      preoccupation with healthy foods and a restrictive and avoidant eating behavior
      is described as orthorexia nervosa (ON). For ON, neither universal diagnosis
      criteria nor valid tools for large-scale epidemiologic assessment are available
      in the literature. The aim of the current study is to analyze the psychometric
      properties of a translated German version of the ORTO-15 questionnaire. The
      German version of the ORTO-15, a eating behavior and dieting habits questionnaire
      were completed by 1029 German-speaking participants (74.6% female) aged between
      19 and 70 years (M = 31.21 +/- 10.43 years). Our results showed that after
      confirmatory factor analysis, the best fitting model of the original version is a
      single-factor structure (9-item shortened version: ORTO-9-GE). The final model
      showed only moderate internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = .67), even after
      omitting 40% of the original question. A total of 69.1% participants showed
      orthorectic tendencies. Orthorectic tendencies are associated with special eating
      behavior features (dieting frequency, vegetarian and vegan diet). Education level
      did not influence ON tendency and nutritional students did not show higher ON
      tendency compared to students from other disciplines. This study is the first
      attempt to translate and to evaluate the psychometric properties of a German
      version of the ORTO-15 questionnaire. The ORTO-9-GE questionnaire, however, is
      only a mediocre tool for assessing orthorectic tendencies in individuals and
      shows moderate reliability and internal consistency. Our research suggests, that
      future studies are needed to provide more reliable and valid assessment tools to
      investigate orthorexia nervosa. 

PMID- 26280450
TI  - JMS: An Open Source Workflow Management System and Web-Based Cluster Front-End
      for High Performance Computing.
AB  - Complex computational pipelines are becoming a staple of modern scientific
      research. Often these pipelines are resource intensive and require days of
      computing time. In such cases, it makes sense to run them over high performance
      computing (HPC) clusters where they can take advantage of the aggregated
      resources of many powerful computers. In addition to this, researchers often want
      to integrate their workflows into their own web servers. In these cases, software
      is needed to manage the submission of jobs from the web interface to the cluster
      and then return the results once the job has finished executing. We have
      developed the Job Management System (JMS), a workflow management system and web
      interface for high performance computing (HPC). JMS provides users with a user
      friendly web interface for creating complex workflows with multiple stages. It
      integrates this workflow functionality with the resource manager, a tool that is
      used to control and manage batch jobs on HPC clusters. As such, JMS combines
      workflow management functionality with cluster administration functionality. In
      addition, JMS provides developer tools including a code editor and the ability to
      version tools and scripts. JMS can be used by researchers from any field to build
      and run complex computational pipelines and provides functionality to include
      these pipelines in external interfaces. JMS is currently being used to house a
      number of bioinformatics pipelines at the Research Unit in Bioinformatics (RUBi)
      at Rhodes University. JMS is an open-source project and is freely available at
      https://github.com/RUBi-ZA/JMS.

PMID- 26280451
TI  - Diversity and antimicrobial activity of endophytic fungi isolated from
      Cephalotaxus hainanensis Li, a well-known medicinal plant in China.
AB  - About 1051 endophytic fungi were isolated from leaves, branches, barks and stems
      of Cephalotaxus hainanensis Li from four sites in Hainan, China. The fungi were
      identified as 21 genera by morphology and ITS sequences. One dominant species was
      Phomopsis quercella in Hainan Tropical Botanical Garden and Bawangling Nature
      Reserve, with relative frequency of 42.06 and 34.88% respectively. Another
      dominant species was Colletotrichum boninense in Wuzhishan and Jianfengling
      Nature Reserves, with relative frequency of 36.84 and 46.97% respectively. Among
      the selected 21 endophytic fungi, 17 strains (80.95%) had activity against at
      least one pathogenic bacteria, and 14 strains (66.67%) exhibited activity against
      at least one fungal pathogens. Neonectria macroconidialis showed strong
      inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus (inhibition zone being 20 mm), Bacillus
      subtilis (14 mm) and Streptococcus agalactiae (28 mm). Xylaria sp. showed strong
      inhibition against Escherichia coli (20 mm), Rhizoctonia solani (20 mm) and
      Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (17 mm). Verticillium bulbillosum showed great activity
      against Strep. agalactiae (32 mm) and Fusarium oxysporum (22 mm). These
      endophytic fungi showed potentials in medicine development. SIGNIFICANCE AND
      IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Endophytic fungi from medicinal plants are an important
      source of novel and viable drugs. Cephalotaxus hainanensis Li is well known for
      leukaemia treatment and its endophytic fungi were isolated to investigate the
      diversity and antimicrobial activity. It was found that Ce. hainanensis Li had
      rich endophytic fungi, and some fungi showed strong antimicrobial activity
      against certain pathogens. These fungi can be used in medicine development.

PMID- 26280452
TI  - Task-specific kinetic finger tremor affects the performance of carrom players.
AB  - We aimed to determine the effect of task-specific kinetic finger tremor, as
      indexed by surface electromyography (EMG), on the accuracy of a carrom stroke.
      Surface EMG of extensor digitorum communis muscle of the playing arm was recorded
      during rest, isometric contraction and stroke execution in 17 male carrom players
      with clinically observed finger tremor and 18 skill- and age-matched controls.
      Log-transformed power spectral densities (LogPSDs) of surface EMG activity
      (signifying tremor severity) at a 1-s pre-execution period correlated with
      angular error of the stroke. LogPSDs in 4-10 Hz range were higher in players with
      tremor than controls during pre-execution (P < 0.001), but not during the resting
      state (P = 0.067). Pre-execution tremor amplitude correlated with angular
      deviation (r = 0.45, P = 0.007). For the first time, we document a task-specific
      kinetic finger tremor in carrom players. This finger tremor during the immediate
      pre-execution phase appears to be a significant determinant of stroke accuracy. 

PMID- 26280453
TI  - Structural Determinants for the Binding of Morphinan Agonists to the MU-Opioid
      Receptor.
AB  - Atomistic descriptions of the MU-opioid receptor (MUOR) noncovalently binding
      with two of its prototypical morphinan agonists, morphine (MOP) and hydromorphone
      (HMP), are investigated using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Subtle
      differences between the binding modes and hydration properties of MOP and HMP
      emerge from the calculations. Alchemical free energy perturbation calculations
      show qualitative agreement with in vitro experiments performed in this work:
      indeed, the binding free energy difference between MOP and HMP computed by
      forward and backward alchemical transformation is 1.2+/-1.1 and 0.8+/-0.8
      kcal/mol, respectively, to be compared with 0.4+/-0.3 kcal/mol from experiment.
      Comparison with an MD simulation of MUOR covalently bound with the antagonist
      beta-funaltrexamine hints to agonist-induced conformational changes associated
      with an early event of the receptor's activation: a shift of the transmembrane
      helix 6 relative to the transmembrane helix 3 and a consequent loss of the key
      R165-T279 interhelical hydrogen bond. This finding is consistent with a previous
      proposal suggesting that the R165-T279 hydrogen bond between these two helices
      indicates an inactive receptor conformation.

PMID- 26280454
TI  - Do rural and urban women experience differing rates of maternal
      rehospitalizations?
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Conditions such as postpartum complications and mental disorders of
      new mothers contribute to a relatively large number of maternal
      rehospitalizations and even some deaths. Few studies have examined rural-urban
      differences in hospital readmissions, and none of them have addressed maternal
      readmissions. This research directly compares readmissions for patients who
      delivered in rural versus urban hospitals. METHODS: The data for this cross
      sectional study were drawn from the 2011 California Healthcare Cost and
      Utilization Project. Readmission rates were reported to demonstrate rural-urban
      differences. Generalized estimating equation models were also used to estimate
      the likelihood of a new mother being readmitted over time. RESULTS: The 323 051
      women who delivered with minor assistance and 158 851 women who delivered by
      cesarean section (C-section) were included in this study. Of those, seven
      maternal mortalities occurred after vaginal deliveries and 14 occurred after C
      section procedures. Fewer than 1% (0.98% or 3171) women with normal deliveries
      were rehospitalized. The corresponding number for women delivering via C-section
      was 1.41% (2243). For both types of deliveries, women giving birth in a rural
      hospital were more likely to be readmitted. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study
      examining rural-urban differences in maternal readmissions. The results indicate
      the importance of monitoring and potentially improving the quality of maternal
      care, especially when the delivery involves a C-section. More studies
      investigating rural health disparities in women's health are clearly necessary.

PMID- 26280456
TI  - Localization of the bioluminescence system in the pileus of Mycena chlorophos.
AB  - Mycena chlorophos, which is primarily distributed in Southeast Asia, is a
      luminous fungus that emits a bright green light from its pileus for about 2 days
      at approximately 20 degrees C and high relative humidity. The distribution of
      bioluminescent tissues in the whole pileus and its sections was heterogeneous.
      The light intensity in the cap and the upper region of the gill was greater than
      that in the lower region of the gill. At the microscopic level, the light was
      predominantly emitted from the membranes of hymenium and basidia cells on the
      gill. The emission was both cell and region specific. The luminescence system was
      localized in the cell membrane, and a part of the system was on the cell membrane
      surface.

PMID- 26280455
TI  - Combined Salvianolic Acid B and Ginsenoside Rg1 Exerts Cardioprotection against
      Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Rats.
AB  - Lack of pharmacological strategies in clinics restricts the patient prognosis
      with myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. The aim of this study was to
      evaluate the cardioprotection of combined salvianolic acid B (SalB) and
      ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1) against myocardial I/R injury and further investigate the
      underlying mechanism. I/R injury was induced by coronary artery ligation for
      Wistar male rats and hypoxia/reoxygenation injury was induced on H9c2 cells.
      Firstly, the best ratio between SalB and Rg1was set as 2:5 based on their effects
      on heart function detected by hemodynamic measurement. Then SalB-Rg1 (2:5) was
      found to maintain mitochondrial membrane potential and resist apoptosis and
      necrosis in H9c2 cell with hypoxia/reoxygenation injury. Companying with same
      dose of SalB or Rg1 only, SalB-Rg1 showed more significant effects on down
      regulation of myocardial infarct size, maintenance of myocardium structure,
      improvement on cardiac function, decrease of cytokine secretion including TNF
      alpha, IL-1beta, RANTES and sVCAM-1. Finally, the SalB-Rg1 improved the viability
      of cardiac myocytes other than cardiac fibroblasts in rats with I/R injury using
      flow cytometry. Our results revealed that SalB-Rg1 was a promising strategy to
      prevent myocardial I/R injury. 

PMID- 26280458
TI  - High-quality digital photomicrography utilizing a smartphone without adapter.

PMID- 26280459
TI  - Gene Expression of Monocarboxylate Transporters and Oocyte-secreted Factors in
      Bovine Cumulus-oocyte Complexes Selected by Brilliant Cresyl Blue.
AB  - Oocyte selection based on the brilliant cresyl blue (BCB) staining test has been
      successfully used to differentiate between competent and incompetent bovine
      oocytes. Here, the expression of genes involved in transport of monocarboxylates
      (Mct1-4) and oogenesis specific genes (Bmp15, Gdf9 and Has2) in BCB+ and BCB-
      selected immature and mature bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC) was evaluated.
      In order to find specific molecular markers to characterize successful oocyte
      maturation, our study was also aimed at identifying the expression of Mcts and
      oogenesis specific genes in denuded oocytes and cumulus cells. Immature COCs
      morphological appropriate were (i) stained with 26 mm BCB for 90 min before IVM,
      (ii) exposed to same incubation conditions as stained COCs, but without BCB
      (holding group) or (iii) transferred into a maturation medium immediately after
      morphological selection (control group). mRNA expression was investigated by RT
      PCR in COCs before and after IVM. No relationship was observed in the relative
      expression of Has2, Gdf9, Bmp15 or Mct1, 2 and 4 transcripts between BCB+ and BCB
      COCs. Transcripts analysis showed that Gdf9 and Bmp15 in BCB+, BCB- and holding
      groups were up-regulated (p < 0.05) before IVM, while Has2 was up-regulated (p <
      0.01) after IVM in the control group. Other genes remained stable during
      maturation (Mct1, 2 and 4). Our results showed, for the first time, Mct1, 2 and 4
      expression in bovine COCs. Mct1 and Mct4 transcripts were present in denuded
      oocytes and cumulus cell, while Mct2 was detected only in cumulus cells. These
      differences between the three isoforms in localization suggest unique roles for
      each in monocarboxylate transport during maturation. 

PMID- 26280460
TI  - Long-term visual outcome after chemotherapy for optic pathway glioma in children:
      Site and age are strongly predictive.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Optic pathway gliomas (OPGs) are commonly noted in pediatric oncology
      services. Radiotherapy is effective at controlling tumors, but has many
      undesirable late effects, especially in patients with neurofibromatosis.
      Chemotherapy is commonly used to preserve vision and delay or eliminate the need
      for radiotherapy. Despite visual threat being a common reason to initiate
      chemotherapy in patients with OPG, reports of visual outcome after chemotherapy
      are not common and reports of long-term visual outcome are even scarcer. METHODS:
      In a single institution, all patients with OPG who had received chemotherapy or
      radiotherapy between 1996 and 2013 were identified from hospital databases.
      Visual, treatment, and radiological data were recorded. Categorized visual acuity
      was the primary outcome measure. RESULTS: Of 43 patients identified, visual data
      were available for 42 patients. Approximately 14% of patients experienced an
      improvement in visual acuity during therapy, 9% of patients experienced a
      deterioration, and the remainder were stable. At a mean follow-up of 78 months,
      26% of patients were legally blind. Children aged <2 years and patients with a
      chiasmatic/hypothalamic tumor site were overrepresented in this category. An
      intraconal location was predictive of poor visual outcome for that eye but was
      unilateral with normal vision in the contralateral eye. CONCLUSIONS: Risk factors
      for long-term visual deterioration are young age, chiasmatic/hypothalamic tumor
      site, and intraconal tumor site for the involved eye. The most common visual
      outcome for children with OPG after treatment with chemotherapy is stability.
      This stability is maintained over the long term for >90% of children without
      these risk factors.

PMID- 26280461
TI  - Transcriptome analysis of Streptococcus gordonii Challis DL1 indicates a role for
      the biofilm-associated fruRBA operon in response to Candida albicans.
AB  - Multiple levels of interkingdom signaling have been implicated in maintaining the
      ecological balance between Candida albicans and commensal streptococci to assure
      a state of oral health. To better understand the molecular mechanisms involved in
      the initial streptococcal response to the presence of C. albicans that can
      initiate oral surface colonization and biofilm formation, hypha-forming cells
      were incubated with Streptococcus gordonii cells for 30 min to assess the
      streptococcal transcriptome response. A genome-wide microarray analysis and
      quantitative polymerase chain reaction validation of S. gordonii transcripts
      identified a number of genes, the majority of which were involved in metabolic
      functions that were differentially expressed in the presence of hyphae. The fruR,
      fruB, and fruA genes encoding the transcriptional regulator, fructose-1-phosphate
      kinase, and fructose-specific permease, respectively, of the phosphoenolpyruvate
      dependent fructose phosphotransferase system, were consistently upregulated. An
      S. gordonii mutant in which these genes were deleted by allelic replacement
      formed an architecturally distinct, less robust biofilm with C. albicans than did
      parental strain cells. Complementing the mutant with plasmid borne fruR, fruB,
      and fruA genes caused phenotype reversion, indicating that the genes in this
      operon played a role in dual-species biofilm formation. This genome-wide analysis
      of the S. gordonii transcriptional response to C. albicans has identified several
      genes that have potential roles in interkingdom signaling and responses.

PMID- 26280462
TI  - "Best Case/Worst Case": Qualitative Evaluation of a Novel Communication Tool for
      Difficult in-the-Moment Surgical Decisions.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate a communication tool called "Best Case/Worst Case"
      (BC/WC) based on an established conceptual model of shared decision-making.
      DESIGN: Focus group study. SETTING: Older adults (four focus groups) and surgeons
      (two focus groups) using modified questions from the Decision Aid Acceptability
      Scale and the Decisional Conflict Scale to evaluate and revise the communication
      tool. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals aged 60 and older recruited from senior centers
      (n = 37) and surgeons from academic and private practices in Wisconsin (n = 17).
      MEASUREMENTS: Qualitative content analysis was used to explore themes and
      concepts that focus group respondents identified. RESULTS: Seniors and surgeons
      praised the tool for the unambiguous illustration of multiple treatment options
      and the clarity gained from presentation of an array of treatment outcomes.
      Participants noted that the tool provides an opportunity for in-the-moment,
      preference-based deliberation about options and a platform for further discussion
      with other clinicians and loved ones. Older adults worried that the format of the
      tool was not universally accessible for people with different educational
      backgrounds, and surgeons had concerns that the tool was vulnerable to
      physicians' subjective biases. CONCLUSION: The BC/WC tool is a novel decision
      support intervention that may help facilitate difficult decision-making for older
      adults and their physicians when considering invasive, acute medical treatments
      such as surgery.

PMID- 26280464
TI  - SCC-DFTB parameters for simulating hybrid gold-thiolates compounds.
AB  - We present a parametrization of a self-consistent charge density functional-based
      tight-binding scheme (SCC-DFTB) to describe gold-organic hybrid systems by adding
      new Au-X (X = Au, H, C, S, N, O) parameters to a previous set designed for
      organic molecules. With the aim of describing gold-thiolates systems within the
      DFTB framework, the resulting parameters are successively compared with density
      functional theory (DFT) data for the description of Au bulk, Aun gold clusters (n
      = 2, 4, 8, 20), and Aun SCH3 (n = 3 and 25) molecular-sized models. The
      geometrical, energetic, and electronic parameters obtained at the SCC-DFTB level
      for the small Au3 SCH3 gold-thiolate compound compare very well with DFT results,
      and prove that the different binding situations of the sulfur atom on gold are
      correctly described with the current parameters. For a larger gold-thiolate
      model, Au25 SCH3 , the electronic density of states and the potential energy
      surfaces resulting from the chemisorption of the molecule on the gold aggregate
      obtained with the new SCC-DFTB parameters are also in good agreement with DFT
      results.

PMID- 26280463
TI  - Validation of a contemporary adherence measure for children with Type 1 diabetes:
      the Diabetes Management Questionnaire.
AB  - AIMS: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Diabetes Management
      Questionnaire, a brief, self-report measure of adherence to contemporary diabetes
      management for young people with Type 1 diabetes and their caregivers. METHODS: A
      total of 273 parent-child dyads completed parallel versions of the Diabetes
      Management Questionnaire. Eligible children (aged 8-18 years) had Type 1 diabetes
      for >=1 year. A multidisciplinary team designed the Diabetes Management
      Questionnaire as a brief, self-administered measure of adherence to Type 1
      diabetes management over the preceding month; higher scores reflect greater
      adherence. Psychometrics were evaluated for the entire sample and according to
      age of the child. RESULTS: The children (49% female) had a mean +/- sd (range)
      age 13.3 +/- 2.9 (8-18) years and their mean +/- sd HbA1c was 71 +/- 15 mmol/mol
      (8.6 +/- 1.4%). Internal consistency was good for parents (alpha = 0.83) and
      children (alpha = 0.79). Test-retest reliability was excellent for parents
      (intraclass correlation coefficient =0.83) and good for children (intraclass
      correlation coefficient = 0.65). Parent and child scores had moderate agreement
      (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.54). Diabetes Management Questionnaire
      scores were inversely associated with HbA1c (parents: r = -0.41, P < 0.0001;
      children: r = -0.27, P < 0.0001). Psychometrics were stronger in the children
      aged >=13 years compared with those aged < 13 years, but were acceptable in both
      age groups. Mean +/- sd Diabetes Management Questionnaire scores were higher
      among children who were receiving insulin pump therapy (n = 181) than in children
      receiving multiple daily injections (n = 92) according to parent (75.9 +/- 11.8
      vs. 70.5 +/- 15.5; P = 0.004) and child report (72.2 +/- 12.1 vs. 67.6 +/- 13.9;
      P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: The Diabetes Management Questionnaire is a brief, valid
      self-report measure of adherence to contemporary diabetes self-management for
      people aged 8-18 years who are receiving either multiple daily injections or
      insulin pump therapy.

PMID- 26280465
TI  - Incomplete erythropoietic protoporphyria caused by a splice site modulator
      homozygous IVS3-48C polymorphism in the ferrochelatase gene.
AB  - Erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) is an inherited cutaneous porphyria caused by
      both the partial deficiency of ferrochelatase (FECH) and the existence of
      cytosine at IVS3-48 in trans to a mutated FECH allele. However, physicians
      occasionally encounter patients with EPP with a mild phenotype associated with a
      slight increase in the erythrocyte-free protoporphyrin concentration and no FECH
      gene mutations. In this study, genetic analyses were performed on three patients
      with a mild phenotype of EPP, with photosensitivity, slightly increased
      erythrocyte-free protoporphyrin concentrations and only a few fluorocytes in the
      peripheral blood. After obtaining the patients' and their parents' informed
      consent, a direct sequence analysis of the FECH gene and a restriction fragment
      length polymorphism analysis were performed on samples from the patients. The
      FECH gene mutation was not detected in the direct sequence analyses in any of the
      patients. However, all three patients had the homozygous IVS3-48C polymorphism.
      These findings suggest that homozygous IVS3-48C polymorphism of the FECH gene is
      associated with a slight elevation of the protoporphyrin level in erythrocytes,
      resulting in a mild EPP phenotype. 

PMID- 26280467
TI  - How do Student Clients of a University-based Food Bank Cope with Food Insecurity?
AB  - PURPOSE: To describe the food security status, food insecurity coping strategies,
      characteristics, and experiences of student clients of the Campus Food Bank (CFB)
      at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. METHODS: A convenience
      sample of 58 students completed a survey from April 2013 to April 2014. Food
      security status was determined using the "Adult Food Security Survey Module".
      RESULTS: Ninety percent of CFB student clients who participated in this study
      were food insecure, which included both moderately and severely food insecure
      groups. The most prevalent coping strategies for food insecurity included
      applying for a loan or bursary (86.2%), seeking employment or working more hours
      (84.5%), and purchasing food using a credit card (77.6%). Participants were a
      diverse mix of students, including graduate students (50.0%), international
      students (46.6%), and caregivers of children (24.1%). The most common primary
      sources of income were government student loans (29.3%) and research
      assistantships (20.7%). Most participants (82.8%) liked the food they received
      from the food bank. CONCLUSIONS: Food insecurity is highly prevalent among
      student clients of this university-based food bank. Students used a variety of
      coping strategies to increase their disposable income, highlighting the need for
      additional strategies to alleviate food insecurity among vulnerable students.

PMID- 26280466
TI  - The Current and Potential Clinical Relevance of Heart Failure Biomarkers.
AB  - Heart failure is a growing epidemic, and our understanding of the intricacies of
      its pathophysiology continues to evolve. Over the last decade, biomarkers of
      heart failure have been extensively investigated, particularly for diagnosis and
      risk stratification. While the natriuretic peptides remain the gold standard
      heart failure biomarker, they are plagued by their non-specific nature;
      furthermore, the strategy of natriuretic peptide-guided care remains elusive.
      Multiple candidate markers indicative of other physiologic aspects of heart
      failure have been identified and studied, including soluble ST2, galectin-3, and
      high-sensitivity cardiac troponins. Each of these biomarkers has the potential to
      provide unique therapeutically relevant information. Ultimately, a multi-marker
      approach may be applied to improve care of patients with heart failure.
      Definitive clinical trials and the use of advanced statistical analytic
      techniques are needed to truly determine the optimal strategy of biomarker
      assisted diagnosis, prognostication, and management of patients who suffer from
      this devastating condition. 

PMID- 26280468
TI  - The role of vaccinia termination factor and cis-acting elements in vaccinia virus
      early gene transcription termination.
AB  - Vaccinia virus early gene transcription termination requires the virion form of
      the viral RNA polymerase (vRNAP), Nucleoside Triphosphate Phosphohydrolase I
      (NPHI), ATP, the vaccinia termination factor (VTF), and a U5NU termination signal
      in the nascent transcript. VTF, also the viral mRNA capping enzyme, binds U5NU,
      and NPHI hydrolyzes ATP to release the transcript. NPHI can release transcripts
      independent of VTF and U5NU if vRNAP is not actively elongating. However, VTF and
      U5NU are required for transcript release from an elongating vRNAP, suggesting
      that the function of VTF and U5NU may be to stall the polymerase. Here we
      demonstrate that VTF inhibits transcription elongation by enhancing vRNAP
      pausing. Hence VTF provides the connection between the termination signal in the
      RNA transcript and viral RNA polymerase to initiate transcription termination. We
      also provide evidence that a second cis-acting element downstream of U5NU
      influences the location and efficiency of early gene transcription termination. 

PMID- 26280470
TI  - Nutrient database improvement project: Separable components and proximate
      composition of raw and cooked retail cuts from the beef loin and round.
AB  - Beef nutrition research has become increasingly important domestically and
      internationally for the beef industry and its consumers. The objective of this
      study was to analyze the nutrient composition of ten beef loin and round cuts to
      update the nutrient data in the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard
      Reference. Seventy-two carcasses representing a national composite of Yield
      Grade, Quality Grade, sex classification, and genetic type were identified from
      six regions across the U.S. Beef short loins, strip loins, tenderloins, inside
      rounds, and eye of rounds (NAMP # 173, 175, 190A, 169A, and 171C) were collected
      from the selected carcasses and shipped to three university meat laboratories for
      storage, retail fabrication, and raw/cooked analysis of nutrients. Sample
      homogenates from each animal were analyzed for proximate composition. These data
      provide updated information regarding the nutrient status of beef, in addition,
      to determining the influence of Quality Grade, Yield Grade, and sex
      classification on nutrient composition. 

PMID- 26280471
TI  - Adsorption and degradation processes of tributyltin and trimethyltin in landfill
      leachates treated with iron nanoparticles.
AB  - Biotic and abiotic degradation of toxic organotin compounds (OTCs) in landfill
      leachates is usually not complete. In this work adsorption and degradation
      processes of tributyltin (TBT) and trimethyltin (TMeT) in leachate sample treated
      with different iron nanoparticles (FeNPs): Fe(0) (nZVI), FeO and Fe3O4 were
      investigated to find conditions for their efficient removal. One sample aliquot
      was kept untreated (pH 8), while to the others (pH 8) FeNPs dispersed with
      tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide (TMAH) or by mixing were added and samples shaken
      under aerated conditions for 7 days. The same experiments were done in leachates
      in which the pH was adjusted to 3 with citric acid. Size distribution of TBT and
      TMeT between particles >5 um, 0.45-5 um, 2.5-0.45 um, and <2.5 nm was determined
      by sequential filtration and their concentrations in a given fraction by gas
      chromatography coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (GC-ICP
      MS). Results revealed that most of the TBT or TMeT was present in fractions with
      particles >2.5 or <2.5 nm, respectively. At pH 8 adsorption of TBT to FeNPs
      prevailed, while at pH 3, the Fenton reaction provoked degradation of TBT by
      hydroxyl radicals. TBT was the most effectively removed (96%) when sequential
      treatment of leachate with nZVI (dispersed by mixing) was applied first at pH 8,
      followed by nZVI treatment of the aqueous phase, previously acidified to pH 3
      with citric acid. Such treatment less effectively removed TMeT (about 40%). It
      was proven that TMAH provoked methylation of tin, so mixing was recommended for
      dispersion of nZVI.

PMID- 26280469
TI  - Variation in interferon sensitivity and induction between Usutu and West Nile
      (lineages 1 and 2) viruses.
AB  - Given the pivotal role of monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs) in determining
      the magnitude of the antiviral innate immune response, we sought to determine
      whether Usutu virus (USUV) and West Nile virus (WNV) lineages (L)1 and L2 can
      infect DCs and affect the rate of type I interferon (IFN) activation. The
      sensitivity of these viruses to types I and III IFNs was also compared. We found
      that USUV can infect DCs, induce higher antiviral activities, IFN alpha subtypes
      and the IFN stimulated gene (ISG)15 pathway, and is more sensitive to types I and
      III IFNs than WNVs. In contrast, we confirmed that IFN alpha/beta subtypes were
      more effective against WNV L2 than WNV L1. However, the replication kinetics,
      induction of IFN alpha subtypes and ISGs in DCs and the sensitivity to IFN lambda
      1-3 did not differ between WNV L1 and L2. 

PMID- 26280472
TI  - Dynamic Distraction External Fixation for Contracture of the Metacarpophalangeal
      Joint.
AB  - Metacarpophalangeal (MP) joint contractures are common after traumatic injury,
      and can be difficult to manage. After surgical capsulectomy, it remains
      challenging to maintain motion that was obtained at the time of surgery. Our
      group uses a novel, prefabricated digital external fixator to provide both
      distraction, and motion therapy across the MP joint after surgical treatment of
      MP contracture. The purpose of this technique is to demonstrate the effectiveness
      of an adjunctive dynamic distraction external fixator for the maintenance of
      joint motion after surgical treatment of MP contractures of the border digits. 

PMID- 26280473
TI  - Neosaxitoxin in Rat Sciatic Block: Improved Therapeutic Index Using Combinations
      with Bupivacaine, with and without Epinephrine.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Neosaxitoxin (NeoSTX) is a site-1 sodium channel blocker undergoing
      clinical trials as a prolonged-duration local anesthetic. Rat sciatic block and
      intravenous infusion models were used to assess efficacy and local and systemic
      toxicities for NeoSTX in saline (NeoSTX-Saline), bupivacaine (Bup), and their
      combination (NeoSTX-Bup). Exploratory studies evaluated the effects of addition
      of epinephrine to NeoSTX-Bup (NeoSTX-Bup-Epi). METHODS: Rats received
      percutaneous sciatic blocks with escalating doses of NeoSTX-Saline or NeoSTX-Bup.
      Sensory-nocifensive block was assessed using modified hotplate and Von Frey
      filaments. Motor-proprioceptive function was assessed by extensor postural
      thrust. Nerves were examined histologically after 7 days and scored on the Estebe
      Myers scale. Median lethal dose was estimated for NeoSTX-Saline and in
      combinations. Accidental intravenous overdose was simulated in isoflurane
      anesthetized, spontaneously breathing rats receiving NeoSTX-Saline (n = 6), Bup
      (n = 7), or NeoSTX-Bup (n = 13), with respiratory, hemodynamic, and
      electrocardiographic endpoints. Additional groups received blocks with NeoSTX-Bup
      Epi (n = 80). Investigators were blinded for behavioral and histologic studies.
      RESULTS: NeoSTX-Bup produced more prolonged sensory and motor block compared with
      NeoSTX-Saline or Bup. NeoSTX-Bup-Epi further prolonged median time to near
      complete recovery for 3 MUg/kg NeoSTX-Bup (hotplate: 48 vs. 6 h, P < 0.001). With
      sciatic injections, addition of Bup did not worsen the systemic toxicity (median
      lethal dose) compared with NeoSTX-Saline. Intravenous NeoSTX-Saline infusion had
      significantly longer times to apnea, first arrhythmia, and asystole compared with
      Bup (P < 0.001 for each). Histologic injury scores overall were low for all
      groups, with median scores of 0 (interquartile range, 0 to 0) on a 5-point scale.
      CONCLUSION: NeoSTX-Bup and NeoSTX-Bup-Epi hold promise for prolonged-duration
      local anesthesia.

PMID- 26280474
TI  - Computed Tomography Screening for Lung Cancer in the National Lung Screening
      Trial: A Cost-effectiveness Analysis: Erratum.

PMID- 26280485
TI  - Early Periimplant Tissue Healing on 1-Piece Implants With a Concave Transmucosal
      Design: A Histomorphometric Study in Dogs.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The purpose of our study was to investigate the early healing phase
      of marginal bone and soft tissues around unloaded 1-piece implants with a concave
      transmucosal design, in a dog model. METHODS: Twenty-four 1-piece implants with a
      concave transmucosal neck were inserted 1 mm subcrestally in the mandibular ridge
      of 8 beagle dogs. Four animals were sacrificed after 3 and 12 weeks of healing.
      Histomorphometric analysis was performed to measure the height of the periimplant
      tissues. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The overall height of the periimplant mucosa
      was, respectively, 2.67 and 2.52 mm, after 3 and 12 weeks. In the connective
      tissue, a soft tissue O-ring seal was observed in the healing area provided by
      the transmucosal concavity, after 12 weeks. The location of the first bone-to
      implant contact facing the implant shoulder was 0.00 and +0.18 mm, respectively,
      after 3 and 12 weeks of healing. Some bone apposition occurred on the implant
      shoulder during the healing. CONCLUSION: Within the limits of the present study,
      a concave transmucosal design in 1-piece implants was associated with a short
      vertical value of biological width and promoted a mechanical interlocking of the
      implant body at the connective tissue and marginal bone levels.

PMID- 26280486
TI  - Emergency resuscitative thoracotomy performed in European civilian trauma
      patients with blunt or penetrating injuries: a systematic review.
AB  - PURPOSE: Emergency resuscitative thoracotomy (ERT) is a lifesaving procedure in
      selected patients. Indications are still being debated, but outcome in blunt
      trauma is believed to be poor. Recent reports from European populations, where
      blunt trauma predominates, have suggested favorable outcome also in blunt trauma.
      Our aim was to identify all European studies reported over the last decade and
      compare reported outcomes to existing knowledge. METHODS: We performed a
      systematic literature search according to PRISMA guidelines (January 1st, 2004 to
      December 31st, 2014). The "grey literature" was included by searching Google
      Scholar. Qualitative comparison of studies and outcomes was done. RESULTS: A
      total of 8 articles from Europe were included originating from Croatia, Norway (n
      = 2), Denmark, Iceland, the Netherlands, Scotland, and Switzerland. Of 376
      resuscitative thoracotomies, 193 (51.3 %) were for blunt trauma. Male:female
      distribution was 3.5:1. The collectively reported overall survival was 42.8 % (n
      = 161), with 25.4 % (49 of 193) blunt trauma and 61.2 % (112 of 183) penetrating
      injuries. When strictly including those ERTs designated as done in the emergency
      department for blunt mechanism (n = 139) only, a total of 18 patients survived
      (12.9 %). Survival after EDTs for penetrating trauma was 41.6 % (37 of 89).
      Neurological outcome (reported in 5 of 8 studies) reported favorable neurological
      long-term outcome in the majority of survivors, even after blunt trauma. None
      referred to Glasgow Outcome Score. Heterogeneity in the studies prevented outcome
      analyses by formal quantitative meta-analysis. CONCLUSION: The reported outcome
      after ERT in European civilian trauma populations is favorable, with one in every
      four ERTs in the ED surviving. Notably, outcome is at variance with previously
      reported collective data, in particular for blunt trauma. Multicenter,
      prospective, observational data are needed to validate the modern role of ERT in
      blunt trauma.

PMID- 26280488
TI  - How differentiated do children experience affect? An investigation of the within-
      and between-person structure of children's affect.
AB  - Research on the structure of children's affect is limited. It is possible that
      children's perception of their own affect might be less differentiated than that
      of adults. Support for the 2-factor model of positive and negative affect and the
      pleasure-arousal model suggests that children in middle childhood can distinguish
      positive and negative affect as well as valence and arousal. Whether children are
      able to differentiate further aspects of affect, as proposed by the 3-dimensional
      model of affect (good-bad mood, alertness-tiredness, calmness-tension), is an
      unresolved issue. The aim of our study was the comparison of these 3 affect
      models to establish how differentiated children experience their affect and which
      model best describes affect in children. We examined affect structures on the
      between- and within-person level, acknowledging that affect varies across time
      and that no valid interpretation of either level is feasible if both are
      confounded. For this purpose, 214 children (age 8-11 years) answered affect items
      once a day for 5 consecutive days on smartphones. We tested all affect models by
      means of 2-level confirmatory factor analysis. Although all affect models had an
      acceptable fit, the 3-dimensional model best described affect in children on both
      the within- and between-person level. Thus, children in middle childhood can
      already describe affect in a differentiated way. Also, affect structures were
      similar on the within- and between-person level. We conclude that in order to
      acquire a thorough picture of children's affect, measures for children should
      include items of all 3 affect dimensions. (PsycINFO Database Record

PMID- 26280487
TI  - Development and validation of the Acculturative Stress Scale for Chinese College
      Students in the United States (ASSCS).
AB  - Chinese students are the biggest ethnic group of international students in the
      United States. This study aims to develop a reliable and valid scale to
      accurately measure their acculturative stress. A 72-item pool was sent online to
      Chinese students and a five-factor scale of 32 items was generated by exploratory
      factor analysis. The five factors included language insufficiency, social
      isolation, perceived discrimination, academic pressure, and guilt toward family.
      The Acculturative Stress Scale for Chinese Students demonstrated high reliability
      and initial validity by predicting depression and life satisfaction. It was the
      first Chinese scale of acculturative stress developed and validated among a
      Chinese student sample in the United States. In the future, the scale can be used
      as a diagnostic tool by mental health professionals and a self-assessment tool by
      Chinese students.

PMID- 26280489
TI  - Psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior
      Scale: A Rasch rating scale analysis and confirmatory factor analysis.
AB  - The present study was aimed at determining the psychometric properties of the
      Spanish version of the UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale in a sample of college
      students. Participants were 318 college students (36.2% men; mean age = 20.9
      years, SD = 6.4 years). The psychometric properties of this Spanish version were
      analyzed using the Rasch model, and the factor structure was examined using
      confirmatory factor analysis. The verification of the global fit of the data
      showed adequate indexes for persons and items. The reliability estimates were
      high for both items and persons. Differential item functioning across gender was
      found for 23 items, which likely reflects known differences in impulsivity levels
      between men and women. The factor structure of the Spanish version of the UPPS-P
      replicates previous work with the original UPPS-P Scale. Overall, results suggest
      that test scores from the Spanish version of the UPPS-P show adequate
      psychometric properties to accurately assess the multidimensional model of
      impulsivity, which represents the most exhaustive measure of this construct.

PMID- 26280490
TI  - Development of N-(Functionalized benzoyl)-homocycloleucyl-glycinonitriles as
      Potent Cathepsin K Inhibitors.
AB  - Cathepsin K is a major drug target for osteoporosis and related-bone disorders.
      Using a combination of virtual combinatorial chemistry, QSAR modeling, and
      molecular docking studies, a series of cathepsin K inhibitors based on N
      (functionalized benzoyl)-homocycloleucyl-glycinonitrile scaffold was developed.
      In order to avoid previous problems of cathepsin K inhibitors associated with
      lysosomotropism of compounds with basic character that resulted in off-target
      effects, a weakly- to nonbasic moiety was incorporated into the P3 position.
      Compounds 5, 6, and 9 were highly selective for cathepsin K when compared with
      cathepsins L and S, with the Ki values in the 10-30 nM range. The kinetic studies
      revealed that the new compounds exhibited reversible tight binding to cathepsin
      K, while the X-ray structural studies showed covalent and noncovalent binding
      between the nitrile group and the catalytic cysteine (Cys25) site. 

PMID- 26280491
TI  - Interest in spiritually integrated psychotherapy among acute psychiatric
      patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Spiritually integrated psychotherapy (SIP) is increasingly common,
      though systematic assessment of interest in such treatments, and predictors of
      such interest, has not yet been conducted among acute psychiatric patients.
      METHODS: We conducted a survey with 253 acute psychiatric patients (95-99%
      response rate) at a private psychiatric hospital in Eastern Massachusetts to
      assess for interest in SIP, religious affiliation, and general spiritual or
      religious involvement alongside clinical and demographic factors. RESULTS: More
      than half (58.2%) of patients reported "fairly" or greater interest in SIP, and
      17.4% reported "very much" interest. Demographic and clinical factors were not
      significant predictors except that current depression predicted greater interest.
      Religious affiliation and general spiritual or religious involvement were
      associated with more interest; however, many affiliated patients reported low or
      no interest (42%), and conversely many unaffiliated patients reported "fairly" or
      greater interest (37%). CONCLUSIONS: Many acute psychiatric patients,
      particularly individuals with major depression, report interest in integrating
      spirituality into their mental health care. Assessment of interest in SIP should
      be considered in the context of clinical care.

PMID- 26280493
TI  - In-Plane Anisotropy in Mono- and Few-Layer ReS2 Probed by Raman Spectroscopy and
      Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy.
AB  - Rhenium disulfide (ReS2) is a semiconducting layered transition metal
      dichalcogenide that exhibits a stable distorted 1T phase. The reduced symmetry of
      this system leads to in-plane anisotropy in various material properties. Here, we
      demonstrate the strong anisotropy in the Raman scattering response for linearly
      polarized excitation. Polarized Raman scattering is shown to permit a
      determination of the crystallographic orientation of ReS2 through comparison with
      direct structural analysis by scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM).
      Analysis of the frequency difference of appropriate Raman modes is also shown to
      provide a means of precisely determining layer thickness up to four layers. 

PMID- 26280494
TI  - K2Ca4[(UO2)(Si2O7)2]: A Uranyl Silicate with a One-Dimensional Chain Structure.
AB  - A new uranyl silicate, K2Ca4[(UO2)(Si2O7)2], with a 1D chain structure has been
      synthesized from a solution of mixed alkali- and alkaline-earth-metal cations
      under hydrothermal conditions at 550  degrees C and 1400 bar and characterized by
      single-crystal X-ray diffraction and photoluminescence spectroscopy. It
      crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1 (No. 2) with a = 6.6354(2) A, b =
      6.6791(2) A, c = 9.6987(3) A, alpha = 98.324(2) degrees , beta = 93.624(2)
      degrees , gamma = 112.310(2) degrees , and Z = 1. Its crystal structure consists
      of a 1D chain of uranyl disilicate formed of corner-sharing UO6 tetragonal
      bipyramids and Si2O7 double groups. The adjacent chains are separated by K(+) and
      Ca(2+) cations. It is the first example of uranyl silicate with a 1D chain
      structure. 

PMID- 26280492
TI  - The mental health of sexual minority adults in and out of the closet: A
      population-based study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Previous studies have found that sexual orientation concealment
      affords escape from stigma and discrimination but also creates a psychological
      toll. While disclosure alleviates the mental burden of concealment, it invites
      the stress of navigating a new public identity. Population-based samples that
      include both "in" and "out" sexual minorities provide an ideal opportunity to
      resolve limitations and inconsistencies of previous nonprobability investigations
      into the mental health correlates of concealment and disclosure. METHOD: Sexual
      minority participants in the California Quality of Life Survey (n = 2,083)
      indicated whether and when they first disclosed their sexual orientation to
      others. Prevalence of 1-year major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety
      disorder was derived from the Composite International Diagnostic Interview-Short
      Form. RESULTS: Closeted men (n = 84) were less likely to be depressed than out
      men, n = 1,047; odds ratio (OR) = 0.41; 95% CI [0.17, 0.996]. Men who were
      recently out (n = 201) experienced higher odds of major depressive disorder, OR =
      6.21; 95% CI [1.53, 24.47], and generalized anxiety disorder, OR = 5.51; 95% CI
      [1.51, 20.13], as compared to closeted men. Men who were distantly out (n = 846)
      also experienced higher odds of major depressive disorder than men who were
      closeted, OR = 2.91; 95% CI [1.10, 7.69]. Recently out women (n = 243)
      experienced lower odds of depression than closeted women, n = 63; OR = 0.21; 95%
      CI [0.05, 0.96]. CONCLUSION: Whether being in or out of the closet is associated
      with depression and anxiety largely depends on gender. Clinical and policy
      implications are discussed in terms of the unique stressors facing men and women
      both in and out of the closet.

PMID- 26280495
TI  - News From the International Council on Women's Health Issues.

PMID- 26280496
TI  - Exploring the functional locus of language switching: evidence from a PRP
      paradigm.
AB  - To identify the stages of language processing at which language switching takes
      place, we examined the effect of partially temporally overlapping language
      processing on language switch costs in a dual-task study, in which we varied the
      stimulus onset asynchrony (SOA), the language (German-English), and the language
      sequence (language repetition trials and language switch trials). Using language
      comprehension tasks, the data revealed an effect of SOA (i.e., the "PRP" effect)
      and language switch costs. However, we did not find any influence of SOA on
      language switch costs, which suggests that language switches occur at the stages
      of lexical selection or post-selection processing. Thus, the findings of the
      present study provide evidence for models that assume language control to occur
      during or after lexical selection. 

PMID- 26280497
TI  - Retrieval monitoring is influenced by information value: the interplay between
      importance and confidence on false memory.
AB  - The perceived value of information can influence one's motivation to successfully
      remember that information. This study investigated how information value can
      affect memory search and evaluation processes (i.e., retrieval monitoring). In
      Experiment 1, participants studied unrelated words associated with low, medium,
      or high values. Subsequent memory tests required participants to selectively
      monitor retrieval for different values. False memory effects were smaller when
      searching memory for high-value than low-value words, suggesting that people more
      effectively monitored more important information. In Experiment 2, participants
      studied semantically-related words, and the need for retrieval monitoring was
      reduced at test by using inclusion instructions (i.e., endorsement of any word
      related to the studied words) compared with standard instructions. Inclusion
      instructions led to increases in false recognition for low-value, but not for
      high-value words, suggesting that under standard-instruction conditions retrieval
      monitoring was less likely to occur for important information. Experiment 3
      showed that words retrieved with lower confidence were associated with more
      effective retrieval monitoring, suggesting that the quality of the retrieved
      memory influenced the degree and effectiveness of monitoring processes.
      Ironically, unless encouraged to do so, people were less likely to carefully
      monitor important information, even though people want to remember important
      memories most accurately. 

PMID- 26280498
TI  - How do Young Adults View 12-Step Programs? A Qualitative Study.
AB  - Given the limited research on young adults' reactions to 12-step programs, the
      purpose of this study was to explore young adults' views of Alcoholics Anonymous
      and Narcotics Anonymous. Qualitative interviews with 26 young adults who had
      attended Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous were conducted. Most
      participants viewed 12-step programs favorably, reporting that the programs
      provided hope and emotional support. Participants who rejected the programs often
      refused to accept the concepts of powerlessness and a higher power. Many
      participants who rejected Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous were
      unaware of some of the key tenets of the programs, suggesting that 12-step
      facilitation would benefit this population. 

PMID- 26280500
TI  - Following up on ISBER 2015: Call for Environmental Biobanking Papers.

PMID- 26280499
TI  - Nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of tRNAs and implication of the cytosolic Hsp70
      system in tRNA import.
AB  - tRNAs, a class of non-coding RNAs essential for translation, are unique among
      cytosolic RNA species in that they shuttle between the nucleus and cytoplasm
      during their life. Although their export from the nucleus has been studied in
      detail, limited information on import machinery was available. Our group recently
      reported that Ssa2p, one of major cytosolic Hsp70s in Saccharomyces cerevisiae,
      acts as a crucial factor for tRNA import upon nutrient starvation. Ssa2p can bind
      tRNAs and a nucleoporin directly in an ATP-sensitive manner, suggesting that it
      acts as a nuclear import carrier for tRNAs, like importin-beta proteins. In vitro
      assays revealed that Ssa2p binds tRNA specifically but has preference for loosely
      folded tRNAs. In this Extra View, these features of Ssa2p as a new import factor
      is discussed with other recent findings related to nucleocytoplasmic transport of
      tRNAs reported from other groups. 

PMID- 26280501
TI  - Cryopreservation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Clinical Applications:
      Current Methods and Challenges.
AB  - Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) hold many advantages over embryonic stem cells
      (ESCs) and other somatic cells in clinical applications. MSCs are multipotent
      cells with strong immunosuppressive properties. They can be harvested from
      various locations in the human body (e.g., bone marrow and adipose tissues).
      Cryopreservation represents an efficient method for the preservation and pooling
      of MSCs, to obtain the cell counts required for clinical applications, such as
      cell-based therapies and regenerative medicine. Upon cryopreservation, it is
      important to preserve MSCs functional properties including immunomodulatory
      properties and multilineage differentiation ability. Further, a biosafety
      evaluation of cryopreserved MSCs is essential prior to their clinical
      applications. However, the existing cryopreservation methods for MSCs are
      associated with notable limitations, leading to a need for new or improved
      methods to be established for a more efficient application of cryopreserved MSCs
      in stem cell-based therapies. We review the important parameters for
      cryopreservation of MSCs and the existing cryopreservation methods for MSCs.
      Further, we also discuss the challenges to be addressed in order to preserve MSCs
      effectively for clinical applications. 

PMID- 26280502
TI  - Banking Brain Tumor Specimens Using a University Core Facility.
AB  - Within the past three decades, the significance of banking human cancer tissue
      for the advancement of cancer research has grown exponentially. The purpose of
      this article is to detail our experience in collecting brain tumor specimens in
      collaboration with the University of Miami/Sylvester Tissue Bank Core Facility
      (UM-TBCF), to ensure the availability of high-quality samples of central nervous
      system tumor tissue for research. Successful tissue collection begins with
      obtaining informed consent from patients following institutional IRB and federal
      HIPAA guidelines, and it needs a well-trained professional staff and continued
      maintenance of high ethical standards and record keeping. Since starting in 2011,
      we have successfully banked 225 brain tumor specimens for research. Thus far, the
      most common tumor histology identified among those specimens has been
      glioblastoma (22.1%), followed by meningioma (18.1%). The majority of patients
      were White, non-Hispanics accounting for 45.1% of the patient population;
      Hispanic/Latinos accounted for 23%, and Black/African Americans accounted for
      14%, which represent the particular population of the State of Florida according
      to the 2010 census data. The most common tumors found in each subgroup were as
      follows: Black/African American, glioblastoma and meningioma; Hispanic,
      metastasis and glioblastoma; White, glioblastoma and meningioma. The UM-TBCF is a
      valuable repository, offering high-quality tumor samples from a unique patient
      population. 

PMID- 26280503
TI  - Optimized Treatment of Heparinized Blood Fractions to Make Them Suitable for
      Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It has been known for decades that many cytokines, such as IL-2, IL
      6, and IL-12, bind to heparin. Even though some enzyme-linked immunosorbent
      assays (ELISA) use antibody-recognizing epitopes not affected by this binding,
      ELISA manufacturers often warn that heparinized plasma or serum fractions
      containing more than 3 IU (international units)/mL of heparin should not be used
      in assays so as to prevent heparin interference in the reaction. In addition,
      enzyme-based nucleic acid amplifications from heparinized samples have been shown
      defective by several research groups. The aim of this study was to determine
      optimal degradation and/or removal of heparin from heparinized blood samples to
      best turn them into fractions for appropriate ELISA and RT-PCR analysis. METHODS
      AND RESULTS: A colorimetric reporter assay based on the metachromatic effect of
      the binding of heparin to toluidine blue was shown to be a low-cost effective
      method to discriminate assay compatible blood fractions with heparin levels below
      3 IU/mL. Heparin removal from human blood fractions was best achieved by
      treatment with either Bacteroides Heparinase II or the less expensive Heparinase
      I at a final concentration of 0.1 U/MUL and incubations at 30 degrees C for a
      period between 30 min and 4 h, or by adsorption to Ecteola slurries at a
      concentration of 20 mg/mL for 20 min at room temperature (RT). The fact that both
      enzymatic and resin-based optimized treatments allowed for replication of the
      readings obtained with heparin-free equivalent fractions in both ELISA and RT-PCR
      assays indicates they should be appropriate for quantitative studies such as
      expression profiling at both the protein and nucleic acid level. CONCLUSIONS: The
      cost-effective protocols developed in this study could make heparinized,
      otherwise unusable, blood-derived collections suitable for analysis by ELISA and
      RT-PCR amplifications, among other analyses, enhancing the possibilities for
      studying valuable bio-banked heparinized human samples.

PMID- 26280504
TI  - The Bank of Biological Material (BBM) of the First Faculty of Medicine of Charles
      University in Prague, Czech Republic.

PMID- 26280505
TI  - The EUPRIM-Net Primates Biobank.

PMID- 26280508
TI  - Synthesis of quinoxalines or quinolin-8-amines from N-propargyl aniline
      derivatives employing tin and indium chlorides.
AB  - Pyrazino compounds such as quinoxalines are 1,4-diazines with widespread
      occurrence in nature. Quinolin-8-amines are isomerically related and valuable
      scaffolds in organic synthesis. Herein, we present intramolecular main group
      metal Lewis acid catalyzed formal hydroamination as well as hydroarylation
      methodology using mono-propargylated aromatic ortho-diamines. The annulations can
      be conducted utilizing equal aerobic conditions with either stannic chloride or
      indium(iii) chloride and represent primary examples for main group metal
      catalyzed 6-exo-dig and 6-endo-dig, respectively, cyclizations in such settings.
      Both types of reactions can also be utilized in a one-pot manner starting from
      ortho-nitro N-propargyl anilines using stoichiometric amounts SnCl2.2H2O or In
      powder. Mechanistic considerations are presented regarding the substituent
      depending regioselectivity. 

PMID- 26280510
TI  - Whole-Genome Sequencing of Growth Hormone (GH)-Secreting Pituitary Adenomas.
AB  - CONTEXT: The somatic landscape of pituitary adenomas is largely unknown.
      Identification of somatic alterations aims at better understanding of tumor
      pathology. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was a genome-wide
      characterization of somatic single-nucleotide variants, structural variants, and
      copy-number aberrations in somatotropinomas. DESIGN AND SETTING: Whole-genome
      sequencing and single-nucleotide polymorphism array analyses were performed on 12
      fresh-frozen somatotropinomas and their corresponding blood samples. All the
      coding somatic variants were confirmed by Sanger sequencing. PATIENTS: Studied
      tumors were somatotropinomas. Apart from one AIP mutation-positive patient, all
      cases were mutation negative for the established germline mutations associated
      with pituitary adenomas. INTERVENTION(S): There were no interventions. MAIN
      OUTCOME MEASURES: Somatic variants were identified with an established
      computational pipeline and filtered against germline data. Somatic copy number
      alteration analyses were performed using segmentation-based approaches. RESULTS:
      A genome-wide analysis revealed on average 129 somatic single-nucleotide variants
      per tumor. Further analysis of coding regions showed on average 2.3 single
      nucleotide variants per tumor. The only recurrent somatic events were the
      oncogenic GNAS mutation (p.Arg201Cys) and shared chromosome losses (chromosomes
      1, 6, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 22). Analysis of somatic structural variants revealed
      one tumor with a complex chromosomal rearrangement. CONCLUSIONS: Somatotropinomas
      showed a low number of somatic genetic alterations. Whereas no novel recurrently
      mutated genes could be identified, the somatic landscape has potential to affect
      the Ca(2+) and ATP pathways known to be involved in the pituitary tumorigenesis.
      Further studies, eg, methylome and transcriptome analyses, are needed to
      investigate possible interplay between the recurrent chromosome losses and
      epigenetic factors.

PMID- 26280509
TI  - alpha-Klotho Expression in Human Tissues.
AB  - CONTEXT: alpha-Klotho has emerged as a powerful regulator of the aging process.
      To date, the expression profile of alpha-Klotho in human tissues is unknown, and
      its existence in some human tissue types is subject to much controversy.
      OBJECTIVE: This is the first study to characterize systemwide tissue expression
      of transmembrane alpha-Klotho in humans. We have employed next-generation
      targeted proteomic analysis using parallel reaction monitoring in parallel with
      conventional antibody-based methods to determine the expression and spatial
      distribution of human alpha-Klotho expression in health. RESULTS: The
      distribution of alpha-Klotho in human tissues from various organ systems,
      including arterial, epithelial, endocrine, reproductive, and neuronal tissues,
      was first identified by immunohistochemistry. Kidney tissues showed strong alpha
      Klotho expression, whereas liver did not reveal a detectable signal. These
      results were next confirmed by Western blotting of both whole tissues and primary
      cells. To validate our antibody-based results, alpha-Klotho-expressing tissues
      were subjected to parallel reaction monitoring mass spectrometry (data deposited
      at ProteomeXchange, PXD002775) identifying peptides specific for the full-length,
      transmembrane alpha-Klotho isoform. CONCLUSIONS: The data presented confirm alpha
      Klotho expression in the kidney tubule and in the artery and provide evidence of
      alpha-Klotho expression across organ systems and cell types that has not
      previously been described in humans.

PMID- 26280511
TI  - [Tumor-associated macrophages: Function and differentiation].
AB  - Macrophages are important factors in the pathogenesis and prognosis of malignant
      tumors and represent a possible target for therapeutic intervention. Depending on
      the tumor entity and the prevalent polarization status, macrophages can be
      associated with a favorable or unfavorable clinical outcome. It is becoming
      clear, however, that the conventional definitions of M1 polarized tumor
      inhibitory and M2 polarized tumor promoting macrophages do not adequately reflect
      the heterogeneity and plasticity of macrophages. Macrophages can support tumor
      growth through direct interactions with the neoplastic cells, by promoting tissue
      remodeling and angiogenesis and by inhibiting local immune reactions. To achieve
      comparability of clinical studies, it will be necessary to reach a consensus
      nomenclature of macrophage polarization. Furthermore, methods for the
      quantitative characterization of macrophage populations in malignant tumors will
      have to be standardized. It is unlikely that single marker immunohistochemistry
      will be adequate in this context. In any case it is necessary to provide
      unequivocal information regarding the markers or marker combinations used. 

PMID- 26280514
TI  - Retinal shows its true colours: photoisomerization action spectra of mobility
      selected isomers of the retinal protonated Schiff base.
AB  - Retinal is one of Nature's most important and widespread chromophores, exhibiting
      remarkable versatility in its function and spectral response, depending on its
      protein environment. Reliable spectroscopic and photochemical data for the
      isolated retinal molecule are essential for calibrating theoretical approaches
      that seek to model retinal's behaviour in complex protein environments. However,
      due to low densities and possible co-existence of multiple isomers, retinal is a
      challenging target for gas-phase investigations. Here, the photoisomerization
      behaviour of the trans isomer of the retinal protonated Schiff base (RPSB) is
      investigated in the gas phase by irradiating mobility-selected RPSB ions with
      tunable light in a tandem ion mobility spectrometer. trans RPSB ions are
      converted to single cis isomers and also more compact isomers through irradiation
      with visible light. The S1<- S0 photoisomerization action spectrum of trans RPSB,
      obtained by monitoring production of cis isomers as a function of wavelength,
      exhibits a single well-defined peak with a maximum at 618 +/- 5 nm. Corresponding
      action spectra of cis RPSB isomers exhibit broader peaks, conclusively
      demonstrating an isomeric dependence for the RPSB spectrum in the gas phase. 

PMID- 26280513
TI  - Acute effects of ethanol on action potential and intracellular Ca(2+) transient
      in cardiac ventricular cells: a simulation study.
AB  - Alcohol consumption may result in electrocardiographic changes and arrhythmias,
      at least partly due to effects of ethanol on cardiac ionic currents.
      Contractility and intracellular Ca(2+) dynamics seem to be altered as well. In
      this study, we integrated the available (mostly animal) experimental data into
      previously published models of the rat and human ventricular myocytes to assess
      the share of ionic current components in ethanol-induced changes in AP
      configuration and cytosolic Ca(2+) transient in ventricular cardiomyocytes. The
      rat model reproduced well the experimentally observed changes in AP duration
      (APD) under ethanol (slight prolongation at 0.8 mM and shortening at >=8 mM).
      These changes were almost exclusively caused by the ethanol-induced alterations
      of I K1. The cytosolic Ca(2+) transient decreased gradually with the increasing
      ethanol concentration as a result of the ethanol-induced inhibition of I Ca. In
      the human model, ethanol produced a dose-dependent APD lengthening, dominated by
      ethanol effect on I Kr, the key repolarising current in human ventricles. This
      effect might contribute to the clinically observed proarrhythmic effects of
      ethanol in predisposed individuals.

PMID- 26280512
TI  - Sound transmission in porcine thorax through airway insonification.
AB  - Many pulmonary injuries and pathologies may lead to structural and functional
      changes in the lungs resulting in measurable sound transmission changes on the
      chest surface. Additionally, noninvasive imaging of externally driven mechanical
      wave motion in the chest (e.g., using magnetic resonance elastography) can
      provide information about lung structural property changes and, hence, may be of
      diagnostic value. In the present study, a comprehensive computational simulation
      (in silico) model was developed to simulate sound wave propagation in the
      airways, lung, and chest wall under normal and pneumothorax conditions.
      Experiments were carried out to validate the model. Here, sound waves with
      frequency content from 50 to 700 Hz were introduced into airways of five porcine
      subjects via an endotracheal tube, and transmitted waves were measured by
      scanning laser Doppler vibrometry at the chest wall surface. The computational
      model predictions of decreased sound transmission with pneumothorax were
      consistent with experimental measurements. The in silico model can also be used
      to visualize wave propagation inside and on the chest wall surface for other
      pulmonary pathologies, which may help in developing and interpreting diagnostic
      procedures that utilize sound and vibration. 

PMID- 26280515
TI  - Arterial spin-labeling MR imaging of cerebral hemorrhages.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study is to identify the characteristics of
      brain perfusion measured by arterial spin-labeling magnetic resonance imaging
      (ASL-MRI) in cerebral hemorrhages. METHODS: Brain blood flow values (CBF-ASL
      values) for cerebral and cerebellar hemispheres and segmented cerebral regions
      were measured by ASL-MRI in 19 putaminal hemorrhage patients and 20 thalamic
      hemorrhage patients in acute or subacute stages. We assessed the lateralities of
      CBF-ASL values and the relationships between CBF-ASL values and other imaging
      findings and clinical manifestations. RESULTS: Both the 19 putaminal hemorrhage
      patients and the 20 thalamic hemorrhage patients had significantly low CBF-ASL
      values of the contralateral cerebellum in subacute stage, suggesting that ASL-MRI
      might delineate crossed cerebellar diaschisis (CCD). Ipsilateral low CBF-ASL
      values were observed in frontal lobes and thalami with a putaminal hemorrhage and
      lentiform nuclei, temporal lobes, and parietal lobes with a thalamic hemorrhage,
      suggesting that ASL-MRI showed the ipsilateral cerebral diaschisis (ICD). In the
      putaminal hemorrhage patients, the hematoma volume negatively affected both the
      bilateral cerebellar and cerebral hemispheric CBF-ASL values. In the thalamic
      hemorrhage patients, a concomitant intraventricular hemorrhage caused low
      cerebral hemispheric CBF-ASL values. CONCLUSION: The use of ASL-MRI is sensitive
      to the perfusion abnormalities and could thus be helpful to estimate functional
      abnormalities in cerebral hemorrhage patients.

PMID- 26280516
TI  - MR image features predicting hemorrhagic transformation in acute cerebral
      infarction: a multimodal study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The aims of this study were to observe magnetic resonance imaging
      (MRI) features and the frequency of hemorrhagic transformation (HT) in patients
      with acute cerebral infarction and to identify the risk factors of HT. METHODS:
      We first performed multimodal MRI (anatomical, diffusion weighted, and
      susceptibility weighted) scans on 87 patients with acute cerebral infarction
      within 24 hours after symptom onset and documented the image findings. We then
      performed follow-up examinations 3 days to 2 weeks after the onset or whenever
      the conditions of the patients worsened within 3 days. We utilized univariate
      statistics to identify the correlations between HT and image features and used
      multivariate logistical regression to correct for confounding factors to
      determine relevant independent image features of HT. RESULTS: HT was observed in
      17 out of total 87 patients (19.5 %). The infarct size (p = 0.021), cerebral
      microbleeds (CMBs) (p = 0.004), relative apparent diffusion (rADC) (p = 0.023),
      and venous anomalies (p = 0.000) were significantly related with HT in the
      univariate statistics. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that CMBs (odd ratio
      (OR) = 0.082; 95 % confidence interval (CI) = 0.011-0.597; p = 0.014), rADC (OR =
      0.000; 95 % CI = 0.000-0.692; p = 0.041), and venous anomalies (OR = 0.066; 95 %
      CI = 0.011-0.403; p = 0.003) were independent risk factors for HT. CONCLUSIONS:
      The frequency of HT is 19.5 % in this study. CMBs, rADC, and venous anomalies are
      independent risk factors for HT of acute cerebral infarction.

PMID- 26280517
TI  - Comparative proteomic analysis of silkworm fat body after knocking out fibroin
      heavy chain gene: a novel insight into cross-talk between tissues.
AB  - Cross-talk between tissues plays key roles in development of organisms; however,
      there are few researches on cross-talk between tissues in insects. Our previous
      studies showed that the pupal body weight was elevated after knocking out the
      fibroin heavy chain gene (BmFib-H), whereas the gene specifically expressed in
      silk glands of silkworm. Hence, the mutant is a good material for studying the
      cross-talk between tissues. It is considered that the fat body of silkworm during
      larval stage is used to store nutrients for pupal development. Herein,
      comparative proteomic of fat body on the 5th day of fifth instar was performed
      between BmFib-H gene knock-out Bombyx mori line (FGKO) and its wide-type Dazao.
      These results revealed that a single gene knock-out in silk gland triggered large
      scale metabolic pathways changes in fat body. The levels of proteins involved in
      glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, pentose phosphate pathway, and glycine-serine
      biosynthetic pathway were down-regulated in the FGKO fat body. In contrast, the
      abundances of many proteins participating in protein synthesis, including
      ribosomal proteins, eukaryotic translation initiation factor, and elongation
      factor, were up-regulated. Moreover, the concentrations of glycogen and proteins
      in the FGKO fat body were greatly increased. These findings provided a novel
      insight into the cross-talk between silk gland and fat body in silkworm, and the
      presence of cross-talk between silk gland and fat body could regulate the
      redistribution of nutrients in the FGKO fat body leading to the increase of the
      pupal weight. 

PMID- 26280518
TI  - MmoSTI restriction endonuclease, isolated from Morganella morganii infecting a
      tropical moth, Actias selene, cleaving 5'-|CCNGG-3' sequences.
AB  - A type II restriction endonuclease, MmoSTI, from the pathogenic bacterium
      Morganella morganii infecting a tropical moth, Actias selene, has been detected
      and biochemically characterized, as a potential etiological differentiation
      factor. The described REase recognizes interrupted palindromes, i.e., 5'-CCNGG-3'
      sequences and cleaves DNA leaving 5-nucleotide (nt) long, single-stranded (ss),
      5'-cohesive ends, which was determined by three complementary methods: (i)
      cleavage of custom and standard DNA substrates, (ii) run-off sequencing of
      cleavage products, and (iii) shotgun cloning and sequencing of bacteriophage
      lambda (lambda) DNA digested with MmoSTI. MmoSTI, the first 5'-CCNGG-3' REase
      characterized from M. morganii, is a neoschizomer of ScrFI, which cleaves DNA
      leaving 1-nt long, ss, 5'-cohesive ends. It is a high-frequency cutter and can be
      isolated from easily cultured bacteria, thus it can potentially serve as a tool
      for DNA manipulations.

PMID- 26280519
TI  - An Experience with Auricular Free Flap Epiglottis Reconstruction after
      Supraglottic Laryngectomy.

PMID- 26280520
TI  - Decellularized Nerves for Upper Limb Nerve Reconstruction: A Systematic Review of
      Functional Outcomes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This is a systematic review for evaluating the evidence for
      functional outcomes after decellularized nerve use in clinical setting.
      Decellularized nerves are allografts whose antigenic components have been
      removed, leaving only a scaffold that promotes the full regeneration of axons.
      METHODS: Literature research was performed using the PubMed/MEDLINE database for
      English language studies with the keywords "decellularized nerve" and "processed
      nerve allograft." Inclusion criteria were prospective and retrospective case
      reviews in clinical settings. Exclusion criteria were case reports and case
      series. RESULTS: We retrieved six level VIII studies and one level VI study
      (classified according to the Jovell and Navarro-Rubio scale) with a total of 131
      reconstructions. The basic data ranges of the studies were as follows: patient
      age, 18 to 86 years; duration between initial injury and nerve reconstruction
      procedure, 8 hours to 4 years; and follow-up period, 40 days to 2 years. The
      maximum lengths of the nerve gap for chemically washed decellularized nerves and
      cryopreserved decellularized nerves were 50 and 100 mm, respectively.
      Quantitatively, the functional outcome ranges were as follows: static two-point
      discrimination, 3 to 5 mm; and moving two-point discrimination, 2 to 15 mm. For
      motor assessment, all patients had a > M3 Medical Research Council score. It is
      also important to notice that a large variability occurs in almost every factor
      in the reviewed studies. CONCLUSION: Our study is the first to summarize the
      clinical results of decellularized nerves. Decellularized nerves have been used
      to bridge nerve gaps ranging from 5 to 100 mm with associated satisfactory
      outcomes in static and moving two-point discriminations.

PMID- 26280521
TI  - Use of Polymethyl Methacrylate-Based Cement for Cosmetic Correction of Donor-Site
      Defect following Transposition of Temporalis Myofascial Flap and Evaluation of
      Results after Adjuvant Radiotherapy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Temporalis myofascial flap is a versatile flap for reconstruction of
      the oral cavity defects, but results in an esthetically compromised deformity at
      the donor site. We used polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) cement to correct the
      volume loss defect caused by temporalis myofascial flap and evaluated its results
      before and after adjuvant radiotherapy. METHODS: We discuss our experience of
      using PMMA cement to augment donor-site deformity in 25 patients (17 males, 8
      females) between years 2005 and 2009. The primary defect was a result of the
      ablative surgery for squamous cell carcinoma of the upper alveolar and the
      buccoalveolar sulcus. A modified curved hemicoronal incision was used as an
      access for better cosmetic outcome. The volume of cement required was decided
      during the surgery. RESULTS: All patients are in regular follow-up, alive and
      free of complications at implant site, except one patient who developed wound
      dehiscence. The condition of the implant was evaluated by postoperative computed
      tomographic scan, repeated after adjuvant radiotherapy in cases required. There
      were no radiation-induced changes in the contour and volume of the implants.
      Cosmetic result of the implant was reported satisfactory by the patients
      postoperatively. CONCLUSION:  Restoration of the temporal area defect after the
      temporalis myofascial flap harvest with the use of PMMA cement is an easy and
      safe method, with excellent esthetic results. The implant is stable and resistant
      to any changes in contour and loss of volume even after adjuvant radiotherapy,
      with no added morbidity to the patients.

PMID- 26280523
TI  - Interleukin 28B.rs12979860 genotype does not affect hepatitis C viral load in
      Egyptians with genotype 4 chronic infection.
AB  - Several host and viral factors affect the natural history of Hepatitis C Virus
      (HCV) infection. Interleukin 28B (IL28B).rs12979860 single nucleotide
      polymorphism (SNP) was found to predict viral clearance with and without therapy.
      Subjects with the CC (favorable) genotype of IL28B.rs12979860 were more likely to
      spontaneously clear the infection and respond favorably to therapy. These data
      suggest that subjects with the "favorable" CC genotype might have a lower viral
      load when compared to those with the "unfavorable" TT genotype. Therefore, we
      examined the effect of IL28B.rs12979860 SNP on HCV viral load and clearance among
      HCV-infected Egyptians. This cross sectional study was conducted on 375 HCV
      antibody-positive subjects. Detection and quantification of HCV-RNA was
      determined by RT-PCR. IL28B.rs12979860 genotyping was performed using SYBR green
      real-time PCR and specific primers. Of 375 HCV-antibody positive subjects, 239
      (63.7%) had chronic HCV infection while the remaining 136 (36.3%) subjects had
      spontaneously cleared the virus. The frequency of IL28-B CC, CT, and TT genotypes
      among spontaneous resolvers were 54.4%, 39.0%, and 6.6% while among the
      chronically infected subjects, they were 31.4%, 49.8%, and 18.8%, respectively.
      As expected, IL28 genotype predicted spontaneous HCV clearance (p < 0.001). The
      average HCV viral loads were 1.5 +/- 0.69 x 10(6), 0.62 +/- 0.11 x 10(6) and 0.51
      +/- 0.14 x 10(6) IU/ml among chronic subjects with the IL28B.rs12979860 CC, CT
      and TT genotypes, respectively (p > 0.05). In conclusion, our results show that
      IL28B.rs12979860 genotype does not affect viral load among chronic HCV infected
      Egyptians. These findings further confirm the complexity of viral host
      interactions in determining HCV infection outcome.

PMID- 26280524
TI  - Development of novel antibodies against non-structural proteins nsP1, nsP3 and
      nsP4 of chikungunya virus: potential use in basic research.
AB  - Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) has reemerged recently as an important pathogen,
      causing several large epidemics worldwide. This necessitates the development of
      better reagents to understand its biology and to establish effective and safe
      control measures. The present study describes the development and
      characterization of polyclonal antibodies (pAbs) against synthetic peptides of
      CHIKV non-structural proteins (nsPs; nsP1, nsP3 and nsP4). The reactivity of
      these pAbs was demonstrated by ELISA and Western blot. Additionally, in vitro
      infection studies in a mammalian system confirmed that these pAbs are highly
      sensitive and specific for CHIKV nsPs, as these proteins were detected very early
      during viral replication. Homology analysis of the selected epitope sequences
      revealed that they are conserved among all of the CHIKV strains of different
      genotypes, while comparison with other alphavirus sequences showed that none of
      them are 100% identical to the epitope sequences (except Onyong-nyong and Igbo
      Ora viruses, which show 100% identity to the nsP4 epitope). Interestingly, two
      different forms of CHIKV nsP1 and three different forms of nsP3 were detected in
      Western blot analysis during infection; however, further experimental
      investigations are required to confirm their identity. Also, the use of these
      antibodies demonstrated faster and enhanced expression profiles of all CHIKV nsPs
      in 2006 Indian outbreak strains when compared to the CHIKV prototype strain,
      suggesting the epidemic potential of the 2006 isolate. Accordingly, it can be
      suggested that the pAbs reported in this study can be used as sensitive and
      specific tools for experimental investigations of CHIKV replication and
      infection.

PMID- 26280522
TI  - Neuroprotective efficacy of naringin on 3-nitropropionic acid-induced
      mitochondrial dysfunction through the modulation of Nrf2 signaling pathway in
      PC12 cells.
AB  - Oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction are implicated in neuronal
      apoptosis associated with Huntington's disease. Naringin is the flavanone present
      in grapefruit and related citrus species possess diverse pharmacological and
      therapeutic properties including antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and neuroprotective
      properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of
      naringin on 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP)-induced neurotoxicity in
      pheochromocytoma cells (PC12) cells and to explore its mechanism of action.
      Naringin protects PC12 cells from 3-NP neurotoxicity, as evaluated the by cell
      viability assays. The lactate dehydrogenase release was decreased upon naringin
      treatment in 3-NP-induced PC12 cells. Naringin treatment enhances the antioxidant
      defense by increasing the activities of enzymatic antioxidants and the level of
      reduced glutathione. The increase in levels of reactive oxygen species and lipid
      peroxidation induced by 3-NP were significantly decreased by naringin. PC12 cells
      induced with 3-NP showed decrease in the mitochondrial membrane potential and
      mitochondrial respiratory complex enzymes, succinate dehydrogenase and cytochrome
      c oxidase activities, and it was significantly altered to near normal upon
      naringin treatment. Naringin reduced the 3-NP-induced apoptosis through the
      modulation in expressions of B-cell lymphoma 2 and Bcl-2-associated X protein.
      Further, naringin enhances the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 and induces the
      NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase-1 and Heme oxygenase-1 expressions through the
      phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway. Taken together, the
      above findings suggest that naringin augments cellular antioxidant defense
      capacity and reduces the 3-NP-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells through the PI
      3K/Akt-dependent Nrf2 activation in PC12 cells.

PMID- 26280525
TI  - Novel method for genotyping clinical herpes simplex virus type 1 isolates.
AB  - Up to now, three distinct genotypes, A, B and C, of herpes simplex virus type 1
      (HSV-1), based on polymorphisms in the US4 and US7 genes, have been reported.
      Here, we propose to include an additional polymorphism of the US2 gene. The
      refined genotyping method was validated using 423 clinical isolates from patients
      with different HSV-1 diseases. The proportions of three US2 genotypes were A,
      46.6%; B, 23.2%; and C, 30.2 %. Genotype A of US2 and US4/US7 showed a highly
      significant correlation. In addition, the frequency of genotype A was
      significantly higher in women than in men with herpes labialis.

PMID- 26280526
TI  - Sewage surveillance reveals the presence of canine GVII norovirus and canine
      astrovirus in Uruguay.
AB  - Canine norovirus (NoV) and astrovirus (AstV) were studied in 20 domestic sewage
      samples collected in two cities in Uruguay. Four samples were characterized as
      canine AstV after phylogenetic analysis clustering with strains detected in Italy
      and Brazil in 2008 and 2012, respectively. One sample was characterized as canine
      NoV and clustered with a strain detected in Hong Kong and recently classified as
      GVII. This study shows the occurrence of a canine NoV GVII strain for the first
      time in the American continent and also warns about possible zoonotic infection,
      since canine strains were detected in domestic sewage. 

PMID- 26280527
TI  - Investigating the optimal preconception TSH range for patients undergoing IVF
      when controlling for embryo quality.
AB  - PURPOSE: The ideal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) range for infertile women
      attempting conception has not been determined. Current recommendations include
      optimizing the preconception TSH value to <=2.5 mIU/L, which is the established
      goal for pregnant women. The aim of this study was to determine if there is a
      distinct range of TSH <=2.5 mIU/L for infertile women undergoing in vitro
      fertilization (IVF) that improves reproductive outcomes. METHODS: One thousand
      five hundred ninety-nine euploid blastocyst transfer cycles were evaluated in
      which TSH measurements were obtained 8 days after embryo transfer. Only euploid
      embryo transfers were included in an effort to control for embryo quality.
      Patients were separated into TSH groups utilizing 0.5 mIU/L increments.
      Implantation, live birth, and miscarriage rates among the TSH groups were
      compared. Outcomes for individuals on thyroid hormone supplementation and those
      not requiring supplementation were evaluated. RESULTS: There was no difference in
      implantation (p = 0.56), live birth (p = 0.36), or miscarriage rates (p = 0.10)
      between TSH groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves for
      implantation, live birth, and miscarriage approached the line of no
      discrimination, signifying that there is no value of TSH within the recommended
      range for pregnancy (<=2.5 mIU/L) that predicts IVF outcomes better than other
      values in this range. Live birth rates for patients requiring thyroid hormone
      supplementation and those not on medication were similar (p = 0.86). CONCLUSIONS:
      The recommended TSH range for pregnancy (<=2.5 mIU/L) may be applied to infertile
      patients attempting conception without a need for further adjustment.

PMID- 26280528
TI  - Solid-state NMR sequential assignments of the N-terminal domain of HpDnaB
      helicase.
AB  - We present solid-state NMR assignments of the N-terminal domain of the DnaB
      helicase from Helicobacter pylori (153 residues) in its microcrystalline form. We
      use a sequential resonance assignment strategy based on three-dimensional NMR
      experiments. The resonance assignments obtained are compared with automated
      resonance assignments computed with the ssFLYA algorithm. An analysis of the
      (13)C secondary chemical shifts determines the position of the secondary
      structure elements in this alpha-helical protein. 

PMID- 26280529
TI  - Sequence-specific 1H, 15N, and 13C resonance assignments of the autophagy-related
      protein LC3C.
AB  - Autophagy is a versatile catabolic pathway for lysosomal degradation of
      cytoplasmic material. While the phenomenological and molecular characteristics of
      autophagic non-selective (bulk) decomposition have been investigated for decades,
      the focus of interest is increasingly shifting towards the selective mechanisms
      of autophagy. Both, selective as well as bulk autophagy critically depend on
      ubiquitin-like modifiers belonging to the Atg8 (autophagy-related 8) protein
      family. During evolution, Atg8 has diversified into eight different human genes.
      While all human homologues participate in the formation of autophagosomal
      membrane compartments, microtubule-associated protein light chain 3C (LC3C)
      additionally plays a unique role in selective autophagic clearance of
      intracellular pathogens (xenophagy), which relies on specific protein-protein
      recognition events mediated by conserved motifs. The sequence-specific (1)H,
      (15)N, and (13)C resonance assignments presented here form the stepping stone to
      investigate the high-resolution structure and dynamics of LC3C and to delineate
      LC3C's complex network of molecular interactions with the autophagic machinery by
      NMR spectroscopy. 

PMID- 26280530
TI  - Alcohol Expectancies and Inhibition Conflict as Moderators of the Alcohol
      Unprotected Sex Relationship: Event-Level Findings from a Daily Diary Study Among
      Individuals Living with HIV in Cape Town, South Africa.
AB  - Literature from sub-Saharan Africa and elsewhere supports a global association
      between alcohol and HIV risk. However, more rigorous studies using multiple event
      level methods find mixed support for this association, suggesting the importance
      of examining potential moderators of this relationship. The present study
      explores the assumptions of alcohol expectancy theory and alcohol myopia theory
      as possible moderators that help elucidate the circumstances under which alcohol
      may affect individuals' ability to use a condom. Participants were 82 individuals
      (58 women, 24 men) living with HIV who completed daily phone interviews for 42
      days which assessed daily sexual behavior and alcohol consumption. Logistic
      generalized estimating equation models were used to examine the potential
      moderating effects of inhibition conflict and sex-related alcohol outcome
      expectancies. The data provided some support for both theories and in some cases
      the moderation effects were stronger when both partners consumed alcohol.

PMID- 26280532
TI  - Recruitment and activation of the ATM kinase in the absence of DNA-damage
      sensors.
AB  - Two kinases, ATM and DNA-PKcs, control rapid responses to DNA double-strand
      breaks (DSBs). The paradigm for ATM control is recruitment and activation by the
      Mre11-Rad50-NBS1 (MRN) sensor complex, whereas DNA-PKcs requires the sensor Ku
      (Ku70-Ku80). Using mouse cells containing targeted mutant alleles of Mre11
      (Mre11a) and/or Ku70 (Xrcc6), together with pharmacologic kinase inhibition, we
      demonstrate that ATM can be activated by DSBs in the absence of MRN. When MRN is
      deficient, DNA-PKcs efficiently substitutes for ATM in facilitating local
      chromatin responses. In the absence of both MRN and Ku, ATM is recruited to
      chromatin, where it phosphorylates H2AX and triggers the G2-M cell-cycle
      checkpoint, but the DNA-repair functions of MRN are not restored. These results
      suggest that, in contrast to straightforward recruitment and activation by MRN, a
      complex interplay between sensors has a substantial role in ATM control. 

PMID- 26280533
TI  - Recognition of the bacterial alarmone ZMP through long-distance association of
      two RNA subdomains.
AB  - The bacterial alarmone 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside 5'-triphosphate
      (AICAR triphosphate or ZTP), derived from the monophosphorylated purine precursor
      ZMP, accumulates during folate starvation. ZTP regulates genes involved in purine
      and folate metabolism through a cognate riboswitch. The linker connecting this
      riboswitch's two subdomains varies in length by over 100 nucleotides. We report
      the cocrystal structure of the Fusobacterium ulcerans riboswitch bound to ZMP,
      which spans the two subdomains whose interface also comprises a pseudoknot and
      ribose zipper. The riboswitch recognizes the carboxamide oxygen of ZMP through an
      unprecedented inner-sphere coordination with a Mg(2+) ion. We show that the
      affinity of the riboswitch for ZMP is modulated by the linker length. Notably,
      ZMP can simultaneously bind to the two subdomains even when they are synthesized
      as separate RNAs. The ZTP riboswitch demonstrates how specific small-molecule
      binding can drive association of distant noncoding-RNA domains to regulate gene
      expression. 

PMID- 26280531
TI  - Structure and mechanism of activity-based inhibition of the EGF receptor by Mig6.
AB  - Mig6 is a feedback inhibitor that directly binds, inhibits and drives
      internalization of ErbB-family receptors. Mig6 selectively targets activated
      receptors. Here we found that the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)
      phosphorylates Mig6 on Y394 and that this phosphorylation is primed by prior
      phosphorylation of an adjacent residue, Y395, by Src. Crystal structures of human
      EGFR-Mig6 complexes reveal the structural basis for enhanced phosphorylation of
      primed Mig6 and show how Mig6 rearranges after phosphorylation by EGFR to
      effectively irreversibly inhibit the same receptor that catalyzed its
      phosphorylation. This dual phosphorylation site allows Mig6 to inactivate EGFR in
      a manner that requires activation of the target receptor and that can be
      modulated by Src. Loss of Mig6 is a driving event in human cancer; analysis of
      1,057 gliomas reveals frequent focal deletions of ERRFI1, the gene that encodes
      Mig6, in EGFR-amplified glioblastomas. 

PMID- 26280534
TI  - Iron Supplementation in Iron-Replete and Nonanemic Pregnant Women in Tanzania: A
      Randomized Clinical Trial.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Anemia is common in pregnancy and increases the risk of adverse
      outcomes. Iron deficiency is a leading cause of anemia in sub-Saharan Africa, and
      iron supplementation is the standard of care during pregnancy; however, recent
      trials among children have raised concerns regarding the safety of iron
      supplementation in malaria-endemic regions. There is limited evidence on the
      safety of iron supplementation during pregnancy in these areas. OBJECTIVE: To
      evaluate the safety and efficacy of iron supplementation during pregnancy in a
      malaria-endemic region. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: We conducted a
      randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial among pregnant women
      presenting for antenatal care in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, from September 28,
      2010, through October 4, 2012. Iron-replete, nonanemic women were eligible if
      they were uninfected with human immunodeficiency virus, primigravidae or
      secundigravidae, and at or before 27 weeks of gestation. Screening of 21,316
      women continued until the target enrollment of 1500 was reached. Analyses
      followed the intent-to-treat principle and included all randomized participants.
      INTERVENTIONS: Participants were randomized to receive 60 mg of iron or placebo,
      returning every 4 weeks for standard prenatal care, including malaria screening,
      prophylaxis with the combination of sulfadoxine and pyrimethamine, and treatment,
      as needed. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary outcomes were placental
      malaria, maternal hemoglobin level at delivery, and birth weight. RESULTS: Among
      1500 study participants (750 randomized for each group), 731 in iron group and
      738 in placebo group had known birth outcomes and 493 in iron group and 510 in
      placebo group had placental samples included in the analysis. Maternal
      characteristics were similar at baseline in the iron and placebo groups, and 1354
      (91.7%) used malaria control measures. The risk of placental malaria was not
      increased by maternal iron supplementation (relative risk [RR], 1.03; 95% CI,
      0.65-1.65), and iron supplementation did not significantly affect birth weight
      (3155 vs 3137 g, P = .89). Compared with placebo, iron supplementation
      significantly improved the mean increase from baseline to delivery for hemoglobin
      (0.1 vs -0.7 g/dL, P < .001) and serum ferritin (41.3 vs 11.3 ug/L, P < .001).
      Iron supplementation significantly decreased the risk of anemia at delivery by
      40% (RR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.51-0.71) but not severe anemia (RR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.41
      1.14). Iron supplementation significantly reduced the risk of maternal iron
      deficiency at delivery by 52% (RR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.32-0.70) and the risk of iron
      deficiency anemia by 66% (RR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.19-0.62). CONCLUSIONS AND
      RELEVANCE: Prenatal iron supplementation among iron-replete, nonanemic women was
      not associated with an increased risk of placental malaria or other adverse
      events in the context of good malaria control. Participants receiving
      supplementation had improved hematologic and iron status at delivery compared
      with the placebo group. These findings provide support for continued
      administration of iron during pregnancy in malaria-endemic regions. TRIAL
      REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01119612.

PMID- 26280536
TI  - Deubiquitylase OTUD3 regulates PTEN stability and suppresses tumorigenesis.
AB  - PTEN is one of the most frequently mutated tumour suppressors and reduction in
      PTEN protein stability also plays a role in tumorigenesis. Although several
      ubiquitin ligases for PTEN have been identified, the deubiquitylase for de
      polyubiquitylation and stabilization of PTEN is less defined. Here, we report
      OTUD3 as a deubiquitylase of PTEN. OTUD3 interacts with, de-polyubiquitylates and
      stabilizes PTEN. Depletion of OTUD3 leads to the activation of Akt signalling,
      induction of cellular transformation and cancer metastasis. OTUD3 transgenic mice
      exhibit higher levels of the PTEN protein and are less prone to tumorigenesis.
      Reduction of OTUD3 expression, concomitant with decreased PTEN abundance,
      correlates with human breast cancer progression. Furthermore, we identified loss
      of-function OTUD3 mutations in human cancers, which either abolish OTUD3
      catalytic activity or attenuate the interaction with PTEN. These findings
      demonstrate that OTUD3 is an essential regulator of PTEN and that the OTUD3-PTEN
      signalling axis plays a critical role in tumour suppression. 

PMID- 26280535
TI  - mTOR regulates MAPKAPK2 translation to control the senescence-associated
      secretory phenotype.
AB  - Senescent cells secrete a combination of factors collectively known as the
      senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). The SASP reinforces senescence
      and activates an immune surveillance response, but it can also show pro
      tumorigenic properties and contribute to age-related pathologies. In a drug
      screen to find new SASP regulators, we uncovered the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin as
      a potent SASP suppressor. Here we report a mechanism by which mTOR controls the
      SASP by differentially regulating the translation of the MK2 (also known as
      MAPKAPK2) kinase through 4EBP1. In turn, MAPKAPK2 phosphorylates the RNA-binding
      protein ZFP36L1 during senescence, inhibiting its ability to degrade the
      transcripts of numerous SASP components. Consequently, mTOR inhibition or
      constitutive activation of ZFP36L1 impairs the non-cell-autonomous effects of
      senescent cells in both tumour-suppressive and tumour-promoting contexts.
      Altogether, our results place regulation of the SASP as a key mechanism by which
      mTOR could influence cancer, age-related diseases and immune responses. 

PMID- 26280537
TI  - Secreted and O-GlcNAcylated MIF binds to the human EGF receptor and inhibits its
      activation.
AB  - Activation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which occurs in many types
      of tumour, promotes tumour progression. However, no extracellular antagonist of
      human EGFR has been identified. We found that human macrophage migration
      inhibitory factor (MIF) is O-GlcNAcylated at Ser 112/Thr 113 at its carboxy
      terminus. The naturally secreted and O-GlcNAcylated MIF binds to EGFR, thereby
      inhibiting the binding of EGF to EGFR and EGF-induced EGFR activation,
      phosphorylation of ERK and c-Jun, cell invasion, proliferation and brain tumour
      formation. Activation of EGFR through mutation or its ligand binding enhances the
      secretion of MMP13, which degrades extracellular MIF, and results in abrogation
      of the negative regulation of MIF on EGFR. The finding that EGFR activation
      downregulates its antagonist in the tumour microenvironment represents an
      important feedforward mechanism for human tumour cells to enhance EGFR signalling
      and promote tumorigenesis.

PMID- 26280539
TI  - Spectral wide-field microscopic fluorescence resonance energy transfer imaging in
      live cells.
AB  - With its precise, sensitive, and nondestructive features, spectral unmixing-based
      fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) microscopy has been widely applied
      to visualize intracellular biological events. In this report, we set up a
      spectral wide-field microscopic FRET imaging system by integrating a varispec
      liquid crystal tunable filter into a wide-field microscope for quantitative FRET
      measurement in living cells. We implemented a representative emission-spectral
      unmixing-based FRET measurement method on this platform to simultaneously acquire
      pixel-to-pixel images of both FRET efficiency (E ) and acceptor-to-donor
      concentration ratio (R C ) in living HepG2 cells expressing fusion proteins in
      the presence or absence of free donors and acceptors and obtained consistent
      results with other instruments and methods. This stable and low-cost spectral
      wide-field microscopic FRET imaging system provides a new toolbox for imaging
      molecular events with high spatial resolution in living cells.

PMID- 26280538
TI  - Distinct regulatory mechanisms governing embryonic versus adult adipocyte
      maturation.
AB  - Pathological expansion of adipose tissue contributes to the metabolic syndrome.
      Distinct depots develop at various times under different physiological
      conditions. The transcriptional cascade mediating adipogenesis is established in
      vitro, and centres around a core program involving PPARgamma and C/EBPalpha. We
      developed an inducible, adipocyte-specific knockout system to probe the
      requirement of key adipogenic transcription factors at various stages of
      adipogenesis in vivo. C/EBPalpha is essential for all white adipogenic conditions
      in the adult stage, such as adipose tissue regeneration, adipogenesis in muscle
      and unhealthy expansion of white adipose tissue during high-fat feeding or due to
      leptin deficiency. Surprisingly, terminal embryonic adipogenesis is fully
      C/EBPalpha independent, but does however depend on PPARgamma; cold-induced beige
      adipogenesis is also C/EBPalpha independent. Moreover, C/EBPalpha is not vital
      for adipocyte survival in the adult stage. We reveal a surprising diversity of
      transcriptional signals required at different stages of adipogenesis in vivo. 

PMID- 26280540
TI  - Three-dimensional image analytical detection of intussusceptive pillars in murine
      lung.
AB  - A variety of diseases can lead to loss of lung tissue. Currently, this can be
      treated only symptomatically. In mice, a complete compensatory lung growth within
      21 days after resection of the left lung can be observed. Understanding and
      transferring this concept of compensatory lung growth to humans would greatly
      improve therapeutic options. Lung growth is always accompanied by a process
      called angiogenesis forming new capillary blood vessels from preexisting ones.
      Among the processes during lung growth, the formation of transluminal tissue
      pillars within the capillary vessels (intussusceptive pillars) is observed.
      Therefore, pillars can be understood as an indicator for active angiogenesis and
      microvascular remodelling. Thus, their detection is very valuable when aiming at
      characterization of compensatory lung growth. In a vascular corrosion cast, these
      pillars appear as small holes that pierce the vessels. So far, pillars were
      detected visually only based on 2D images. Our approach relies on high-resolution
      synchrotron microcomputed tomographic images. With a voxel size of 370 nm we
      exploit the spatial information provided by this imaging technique and present
      the first algorithm to semiautomatically detect intussusceptive pillars. An at
      least semiautomatic detection is essential in lung research, as manual pillar
      detection is not feasible due to the complexity and size of the 3D structure.
      Using our algorithm, several thousands of pillars can be detected and
      subsequently analysed, e.g. regarding their spatial arrangement, size and shape
      with an acceptable amount of human interaction. In this paper, we apply our novel
      pillar detection algorithm to compute pillar densities of different specimens.
      These are prepared such that they show different growing states. Comparing the
      corresponding pillar densities allows to investigate lung growth over time. 

PMID- 26280541
TI  - Concurrent Use of Low-Dose Aspirin and Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Risk of Upper
      Gastrointestinal Complications: A Cohort Study with Nested Case-Control Analysis.
AB  - The risk of upper gastrointestinal complications (UGIC) due to low-dose aspirin
      (LDA) can be further increased by the concurrent exposure to other antithrombotic
      agents. Little is known on the combined therapy with LDA and medications
      containing omega-3 (OM3) fatty acids, which also exert antiplatelet activity. The
      aim of this study was to investigate the risk of UGIC in patients exposed to LDA
      OM3 combination. The Italian Health Search IMS Health Longitudinal Patients
      Database was used to perform a population-based cohort study. Patients aged >=18
      years with cardio- or cerebrovascular ischaemic disease recorded between 2002 and
      2012 (cohort entry) were selected. All UGIC cases (index date) observed up to
      December 2013 were identified. According to a nested case-control analysis, up to
      10 controls were matched to each case on age, sex and calendar period. The risk
      of UGIC was investigated among current (up to 30 days preceding index date),
      recent (31-60 days) and past users (61-365 days) of the LDA-OM3 combination.
      Exposure assessment was lagged by 30 days to minimize reverse causation.
      Additionally, a duration-response analysis was performed. Odds ratios (OR) and
      95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using conditional logistic
      regression. Non-users of the LDA-OM3 combination were the reference category.
      Current (OR = 0.66; 95% CI: 0.44-1.00), recent (OR = 0.83; 95% CI: 0.52-1.33) and
      past users (OR = 0.81; 95% CI: 0.57-1.15) did not statistically significantly
      increase the risk of UGIC. No duration-response relationship was found. Our
      results suggest that LDA-OM3 combination therapy does not affect the UGIC risk in
      patients with cardio- or cerebrovascular ischaemic diseases. Given the novelty of
      these findings, further studies are needed.

PMID- 26280542
TI  - Computational Study and Kinetic Analysis of the Aminolysis of Thiolactones.
AB  - The aminolysis of three differently alpha-substituted gamma-thiolactones
      (C4H5OSX, X = H, NH2, and NH(CO)CH3) is modeled based on CBS-QB3 calculated free
      energies corrected for solvation using COSMO-RS. For the first time, quantitative
      kinetic and thermodynamic data are provided for the concerted path and the
      stepwise path over a neutral tetrahedral intermediate. These paths can take place
      via an unassisted, an amine-assisted, or a thiol-assisted mechanism. Amine
      assistance lowers the free energy barriers along both paths, while thiol
      assistance only lowers the formation of the neutral tetrahedral intermediate.
      Based on the ab initio calculated rate coefficients, a kinetic model is
      constructed that is able to reliably describe experimental observations for the
      aminolysis of N-acetyl-dl-homocysteine thiolactone with n-butylamine in THF and
      CHCl3. Reaction path analysis shows that for all conditions relevant for
      applications in polymer synthesis and postpolymer modification, an assisted
      stepwise mechanism is operative in which the formation of the neutral tetrahedral
      intermediate is rate-determining and which is mainly amine-assisted at low
      conversions and thiol-assisted at high conversions. 

PMID- 26280543
TI  - Comparative analysis of virulence genes, antibiotic resistance and gyrB-based
      phylogeny of motile Aeromonas species isolates from Nile tilapia and domestic
      fowl.
AB  - The nucleotide sequence analysis of the gyrB gene indicated that the fish
      Aeromonas spp. isolates could be identified as Aeromonas hydrophila and Aeromonas
      veronii biovar sobria, whereas chicken Aeromonas spp. isolates identified as
      Aeromonas caviae. PCR data revealed the presence of Lip, Ser, Aer, ACT and CAI
      genes in fish Aer. hydrophila isolates, ACT, CAI and Aer genes in fish Aer.
      veronii bv sobria isolates and Ser and CAI genes in chicken Aer. caviae isolates.
      All chicken isolates showed variable resistance against all 12 tested antibiotic
      discs except for cefotaxime, nitrofurantoin, chloramphenicol and ciprofloxacin,
      only one isolate showed resistance to chloramphenicol and ciprofloxacin. Fish
      Aeromonads were sensitive to all tested antibiotic discs except amoxicillin,
      ampicillin-sulbactam and streptomycin. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Many
      integrated fish farms depend on the application of poultry droppings/litter which
      served as a direct feed for the fish and also acted as pond fertilizers. The
      application of untreated poultry manure exerts an additional pressure on the
      microbial world of the fish's environment. Aeromonas species are one of the
      common bacteria that infect both fish and chicken. The aim of this study was to
      compare the phenotypic traits and genetic relatedness of aeromonads isolated from
      two diverse hosts (terrestrial and aquatic), and to investigate if untreated
      manure possibly enhances Aeromonas dissemination among cohabitant fish with
      special reference to virulence genes and antibiotic resistant traits.

PMID- 26280545
TI  - Fabrication of Collagen Gel Hollow Fibers by Covalent Cross-Linking for
      Construction of Bioengineering Renal Tubules.
AB  - Collagen, the most used natural biomacromolecule, has been extensively utilized
      to make scaffolds for cell cultures in tissue engineering, but has never been
      fabricated into the configuration of a hollow fiber (HF) for cell culture due to
      its poor mechanical properties. In this study, renal tubular cell-laden collagen
      hollow fiber (Col HF) was fabricated by dissolving sacrificial Ca-alginate cores
      from collagen shells strengthened by carbodiimide cross-linking. The inner/outer
      diameters of the Col HF were precisely controlled by the flow rates of core
      alginate/shell collagen solution in the microfluidic device. As found, the renal
      tubular cells self-assembled into renal tubules with diameters of 50-200 MUm post
      to the culture in Col HF for 10 days. According to the 3D reconstructed confocal
      images or HE staining, the renal cells appeared as a tight tubular monolayer on
      the Col HF inner surface, sustaining more 3D cell morphology than the cell layer
      on the 2D flat collagen gel surface. Moreover, compared with the cultures in
      either a Transwell or polymer HF membrane, the renal tubules in Col HF exhibited
      at least 1-fold higher activity on brush border enzymes of alkaline phosphatase
      and gamma-glutamyltransferase, consistent with their gene expressions. The
      enhancement occurred similarly on multidrug resistance protein 2 and glucose
      uptake. Such bioengineered renal tubules in Col HF will present great potential
      as alternatives to synthetic HF in both clinical use and pharmaceutical
      investigation. 

PMID- 26280544
TI  - Allergens in veterinary medicine.
AB  - Allergic diseases in animals are increasingly gaining importance in veterinary
      practice and as research models. For intradermal testing and allergen
      immunotherapy, a good knowledge of relevant allergens for the individual species
      is of great importance. Currently, the knowledge about relevant veterinary
      allergens is based on sensitization rates identified by intradermal testing or
      serum testing for allergen-specific IgE; crude extracts are the basis for most
      evaluations. Only a few studies provide evidence about the molecular structure of
      (particularly) dust mite, insect and mould allergens in dogs and horses,
      respectively. In those species, some major allergens differ from those in humans.
      This position paper summarizes the current knowledge about relevant allergens in
      dogs, cats and horses. 

PMID- 26280546
TI  - Tongue Volume Influences Lowest Oxygen Saturation but Not Apnea-Hypopnea Index in
      Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to identify correlations between sleep
      apnea severity and tongue volume or posterior airway space measured via three
      dimensional reconstruction of volumetric computerized tomography (CT) images in
      patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) for use in predicting OSA severity
      and in surgical treatment. We also assessed associations between tongue volume
      and Mallampati score. METHODS: Snoring/OSA male patients (n = 64) who underwent
      polysomnography, cephalometry, and CT scans were enrolled in this retrospective
      study. OSA was diagnosed when the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was greater than 5
      (mild 5-14; moderate 15-29; severe>30). The patients were also categorized into
      the normal-mild group (n = 22) and the moderate-severe group (n = 42). Using
      volumetric CT images with the three-dimensional reconstruction technique, the
      volume of the tongue, posterior airway space volume, and intra-mandibular space
      were measured. The volumes, polysomnographic parameters, and physical examination
      findings were compared, and independent factors that are related to OSA were
      analysed. RESULTS: No associations between tongue volume or posterior airway
      space and the AHI were observed. However, multivariate linear analyses showed
      that tongue volume had significantly negative association with lowest O2
      saturation (r = 0.365, p = 0.027). High BMI was related to an increase in tongue
      volume. Modified Mallampati scores showed borderline significant positive
      correlations with absolute tongue volume (r = 0.251, p = 0.046) and standardized
      tongue volume (absolute tongue volume / intramandibular area; r = 0.266, p =
      0.034). Between the normal-mild and moderate-severe groups, absolute tongue
      volumes were not different, although the standardized tongue volume in the
      moderate-severe group was significantly higher. CONCLUSION: Absolute tongue
      volume showed stronger associations with lowest O2 saturation during sleep than
      with the severity of AHI. We also found that high BMI was a relevant factor for
      an increase in absolute tongue volume and modified Mallampati grading was a
      useful physical examination to predict tongue size.

PMID- 26280547
TI  - Multivariate analysis of ball possessions effectiveness in elite futsal.
AB  - The aim of the present study was to identify the importance of ball possessions
      effectiveness in elite futsal according to space- and task-related indicators and
      situational variables. The sample was composed of 2327 ball possessions,
      corresponding to 9 close matches (1 goal of score difference) and selected from
      the playoff matches of the Spanish Futsal League (2012-2013). The binary logistic
      regression and classification tree (Exhaustive-Chi-squared Automatic Interaction
      Detection) multivariate models were used to identify the best predictor variables
      on the most successful ball possessions. Results from binomial logistic
      regression emphasised the relationships of ending in the goalkeeper's area and
      half-court defensive pressure with effectiveness. The individual defence, set
      play, and 0-3 passes used were found to be related to unsuccessful ball
      possessions. The classification tree results identified higher effectiveness
      during stopped balls or during set play that ended in zones 80, 60, 41, 20 and
      10, and used more than 4 passes. Additionally, negative effects were observed in
      set plays that used less than 4 passes, individual defences and ended in zones
      90, 70, 61, 40 and 30. The identified trends allow coaches to improve strategic
      plans that involve selecting the most appropriate offensive and defensive
      approaches when performing ball possessions in futsal.

PMID- 26280548
TI  - A High Burden Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Tuberculosis Resource Limited
      Setting, Gains from Including Xpert MTB/RIF in the Diagnostic Algorithm of Fluid
      Specimens Submitted for Exclusion of Lymphoma by Immunophenotypic Analysis.
AB  - This study investigated the benefit of incorporating Xpert MTB/RIF into the
      diagnostic algorithm of fluid specimens received for immunophenotypic analysis to
      exclude lymphoma. It was found that in a high burden HIV/TB setting, like South
      Africa, 130/229 (57%) of fluid specimens referred for immunophenotypic analysis
      to exclude lymphoma are not referred for concurrent MTBC liquid culture testing
      by the treating clinician. Of 99/229 (43%) specimens with corresponding culture
      results, Xpert sensitivity and specificity were 50% (CI:26-75%) and 99% (CI:91
      100%) respectively. This demonstrates that incorporation of Xpert into the
      laboratory diagnostic algorithm in the immunophenotypic laboratory would improve
      patient work-up and care. 

PMID- 26280554
TI  - A new silver nanochain SERS analytical platform to detect trace hexametaphosphate
      with a rhodamine S molecular probe.
AB  - Using AgNO3 as the precursor, stable silver nanochain (AgNC) sols, orange-red in
      color, were prepared using hydrazine hydrate. A strong surface plasmon resonance
      Rayleigh scattering (RRS) peak occurred at 420 nm plus two surface plasmon
      resonance (SPR) absorption peaks at 410 nm and 510 nm. Rhodamine S (RhS) cationic
      dye was absorbed on the as-prepared AgNC substrate to obtain a RhS-AgNC surface
      enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) nanoprobe that exhibited a strong SERS peak at
      1506 cm(-1) and a strong RRS peak at 375 nm. Upon addition of the analyte sodium
      hexametaphosphate (HP), it reacted with RhS, which resulted in a decrease in the
      SERS and RRS peaks that was studied in detail. The decreased SERS and RRS
      intensities correlated linearly with HP concentration in the range of 0.0125-0.3
      umol/L and 0.05-1.0 umol/L, with a detection limit of 6 nmol/L and 20 nmol/L HP
      respectively. Due to advantages of high sensitivity, good selectivity and simple
      operation, the RhS molecular probes were used to determine HP concentration in
      real samples.

PMID- 26280555
TI  - Minimization of Synthetic Polymer Ligands for Specific Recognition and
      Neutralization of a Toxic Peptide.
AB  - Synthetic polymer ligands (PLs) that recognize and neutralize specific
      biomacromolecules have attracted attention as stable substitutes for ligands such
      as antibodies and aptamers. PLs have been reported to strongly interact with
      target proteins and can be prepared by optimizing the combination and relative
      proportion of functional groups, by molecular imprinting polymerization, and/or
      by affinity purification. However, little has been reported about a strategy to
      prepare PLs capable of specifically recognizing a peptide from a group of targets
      with similar molecular weight and amino acid composition. In this study, we show
      that such PLs can be prepared by minimization of molecular weight and density of
      functional units. The resulting PLs recognize the target toxin exclusively and
      with 100-fold stronger affinity from a mixture of similar toxins. The target
      toxin is neutralized as a result. We believe that the minimization approach will
      become a valuable tool to prepare "plastic aptamers" with strong affinity for
      specific target peptides. 

PMID- 26280556
TI  - Abnormal resting-state functional connectivity of the nucleus accumbens in multi
      year abstinent heroin addicts.
AB  - Functional neuroimaging studies suggest that abnormal brain functional
      connectivity may be the neural underpinning of addiction to illicit drugs and of
      relapse after successful cessation therapy. Aberrant brain networks have been
      demonstrated in addicted patients and in newly abstinent addicts. However, it is
      not known whether abnormal brain connectivity patterns persist after prolonged
      abstinence. In this cross-sectional study, whole-brain resting-state functional
      magnetic resonance images (8 min) were collected from 30 heroin-addicted
      individuals after a long period of abstinence (more than 3 years) and from 30
      healthy controls. We first examined the group differences in the resting-state
      functional connectivity of the nucleus accumbens (NAc), a brain region implicated
      in relapse-related processes, including craving and reactivity to stress
      following acute and protracted withdrawal from heroin. We then examined the
      relation between the duration of abstinence and the altered NAc functional
      connectivity in the heroin group. We found that, compared with controls, heroin
      dependent participants exhibited significantly greater functional connectivity
      between the right ventromedial prefrontal cortex and the NAc and weaker
      functional connectivity between the NAc and the left putamen, left precuneus, and
      supplementary motor area. However, with longer abstinence time, the strength of
      NAc functional connectivity with the left putamen increased. These results
      indicate that dysfunction of the NAc functional network is still present in long
      term-abstinent heroin-dependent individuals.

PMID- 26280557
TI  - How the Plant Temperature Links to the Air Temperature in the Desert Plant
      Artemisia ordosica.
AB  - Plant temperature (Tp) is an important indicator of plant health. To determine
      the dynamics of plant temperature and self-cooling ability of the plant, we
      measured Tp in Artemisia ordosica in July, in the Mu Us Desert of Northwest
      China. Related factors were also monitored to investigate their effects on Tp,
      including environmental factors, such as air temperature (Ta), relative humidity,
      wind speed; and physiological factors, such as leaf water potential, sap flow,
      and water content. The results indicate that: 1) Tp generally changes in
      conjunction with Ta mainly, and varies with height and among the plant organs. Tp
      in the young branches is most constant, while it is the most sensitive in the
      leaves. 2) Correlations between Tp and environmental factors show that Tp is
      affected mainly by Ta. 3) The self-cooling ability of the plant was effective by
      midday, with Tp being lower than Ta. 4) Increasing sap flow and leaf water
      potential showed that transpiration formed part of the mechanism that supported
      self-cooling. Increased in water conductance and specific heat at midday may be
      additional factors that contribute to plant cooling ability. Therefore, our
      results confirmed plant self-cooling ability. The response to high temperatures
      is regulated by both transpiration speed and an increase in stem water
      conductance. This study provides quantitative data for plant management in terms
      of temperature control. Moreover, our findings will assist species selection with
      taking plant temperature as an index. 

PMID- 26280558
TI  - Does Clinical Treatment with Phenylbutazone and Meloxicam in the Pre-ovulatory
      Period Influence the Ovulation Rate in Mares?
AB  - The presence of anovulatory haemorrhagic follicles during the oestrous cycle of
      mares causes financial impacts, slowing conception and increasing the number of
      services per pregnancy. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as
      meloxicam and phenylbutazone are used in the treatment of several disorders in
      mares, and these drugs can impair the formation of prostaglandins (PGs) and
      consequently interfere with reproductive activity. This study aimed to evaluate
      the effects of treatment with NSAIDs on the development of pre-ovulatory
      follicles in mares. In total, 11 mares were studied over three consecutive
      oestrous cycles, and gynaecological and ultrasound examinations were performed
      every 12 h. When 32-mm-diameter follicles were detected, 1 mg of deslorelin was
      administered to induce ovulation. The first cycle was used as a control, and the
      mares received only a dose of deslorelin. In the subsequent cycles, in addition
      to receiving the same dose of deslorelin, each mare was treated with NSAIDs. In
      the second cycle, 4.4 mg/kg of phenylbutazone was administered, and in the third
      cycle, 0.6 mg/kg of meloxicam was administered once a day until ovulation or the
      beginning of follicular haemorrhage. All of the mares ovulated between 36 and 48
      h after the induction in the control cycle. In the meloxicam cycle, 10 mares
      (92%) did not ovulate, while in the phenylbutazone cycle, nine mares (83%) did
      not ovulate. In both treatments, intrafollicular hyperechoic spots indicative of
      haemorrhagic follicles were observed on ultrasound. Thus, our results suggested
      that treatment with meloxicam and phenylbutazone at therapeutic doses induced
      intrafollicular haemorrhage and luteinization of anovulatory follicles.

PMID- 26280560
TI  - Response to "Is the Reg3alpha (HIP/PAP) Protein Really an Obesogenic Factor?".

PMID- 26280559
TI  - Addition of radiotherapy to adjuvant chemotherapy is associated with improved
      overall survival in resected pancreatic adenocarcinoma: An analysis of the
      National Cancer Data Base.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The optimal treatment for resected pancreatic cancer is controversial
      because direct comparisons of adjuvant chemotherapy (CT) alone and chemotherapy
      and radiotherapy (CRT) are limited. This study assessed outcomes of CT versus CRT
      in a national cohort to provide a modern estimate of comparative effectiveness.
      METHODS: Patients with pT1-3N0-1M0 pancreatic adenocarcinoma after pancreatectomy
      were identified in the National Cancer Data Base. Overall survival (OS) was
      compared for CT and CRT groups with Cox regression and propensity score matching.
      Subset analyses by clinicopathologic characteristics were performed. RESULTS:
      This study identified 6165 patients treated with CT (n = 2334 or 38%) or CRT (n =
      3831 or 62%). Most were classified as pT3 (72%), pN1 (67%), and status-post R0
      resection (84%). For CRT patients, the median radiotherapy dose was 50.4 Gy.
      Compared with CT, CRT was associated with improved OS in a univariate analysis
      (median, 20.0 vs 22.3 months; at 5 years, 16.5% vs 19.6%; P < .001) and a
      multivariate analysis (hazard ratio [HR], 0.893; 95% confidence interval [CI],
      0.837-0.953; P = .001). CRT remained associated with improved OS after propensity
      score matching (HR, 0.851; 95% CI, 0.793-0.913; P < .001). Subset analyses showed
      that CRT was associated with improved OS among patients with pT3 (HR, 0.892; 95%
      CI, 0.828-0.962; P = .003) or pN1 disease (HR, 0.856; 95% CI, 0.793-0.924; P <
      .001) and both R0 resection (HR, 0.901; 95% CI, 0.839-0.969; P = .005) and R1
      resection (HR, 0.842; 95% CI, 0.722-0.983; P = .030). CONCLUSIONS: CRT was
      independently associated with improved OS after the resection of pancreatic
      adenocarcinoma in a large national cohort and particularly among patients with R1
      resection and pN1 disease. Well-designed randomized comparisons of CRT and CT are
      urgently needed.

PMID- 26280562
TI  - Age- and Functional Status-Dependent Association Between Blood Pressure and
      Cognition: The Milan Geriatrics 75+ Cohort Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether the relationship between blood pressure (BP)
      measures and cognitive function is different according to age and functional
      status in older outpatients. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Outpatient
      hospital-based Milan Geriatrics 75+ Cohort Study. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals aged
      75 and older (N = 1,540). MEASUREMENTS: Blood pressure, Mini-Mental State
      Examination (MMSE), basic activities of daily living (ADLs), and instrumental
      activities of daily living (IADLs) were assessed. Associations between BP
      measures and MMSE score were first analyzed in the total population using linear
      regression models and were then further examined according to strata of age,
      ADLs, and IADLs. All analyses were adjusted for sociodemographic factors and
      presence of comorbidities. RESULTS: In the total population, higher systolic BP
      (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), pulse pressure (PP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP)
      were all associated with higher MMSE score (all P < .05). Each 10-mmHg higher SBP
      and DBP was associated with a 0.26- and 0.55-point higher MMSE score,
      respectively. The associations between MMSE score and SBP, DBP, and MAP differed
      materially according to strata of age and functioning and were most pronounced in
      those aged 85 and older, with ADL impairments, and with IADL impairments.
      CONCLUSION: Higher BP is associated with better cognitive function in the oldest
      old and in those with impaired functional status.

PMID- 26280561
TI  - Surface display of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans autotransporter Aae and
      dispersin B hybrid act as antibiofilm agents.
AB  - Among the various proteins expressed by the periodontopathogen Aggregatibacter
      actinomycetemcomitans, two proteins play important roles for survival in the oral
      cavity. The autotransporter Aae facilitates the attachment of the pathogen to
      oral epithelial cells, which act as a reservoir, while the biofilm-degrading
      glycoside hydrolase dispersin B facilitates the movement of daughter cells from
      the mature biofilm to a new site. The objective of this study was to use the
      potential of these two proteins to control biofilms. To this end, we generated a
      hybrid construct between the Aae C-terminal translocating domain and dispersin B,
      and mobilized it into Escherichia coli Rosetta (DE3) pLysS cells.
      Immunofluorescence analysis of the modified E. coli cells confirmed the presence
      of dispersin B on the surface. Further, the membrane localization of the
      displayed dispersin B was confirmed with Western blot analysis. The integrity of
      the E. coli cells displaying the dispersin B was confirmed through FACS analysis.
      The hydrolytic activity of the surface-displayed dispersin B was confirmed by
      using 4-methylumbelliferyl-beta-d-glucopyranoside as the substrate. The
      detachment ability of the dispersin B surface-displaying E. coli cells was shown
      using Staphylococcus epidermidis and Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae biofilms in
      a microtiter assay. We concluded that the Aae beta-domain is sufficient to
      translocate foreign enzymes in the native folded form and that the method of Aae
      mediated translocation of surface displayed enzymes might be useful for control
      of biofilms.

PMID- 26280564
TI  - Binding affinities by alchemical perturbation using QM/MM with a large QM system
      and polarizable MM model.
AB  - The most general way to improve the accuracy of binding-affinity calculations for
      protein-ligand systems is to use quantum-mechanical (QM) methods together with
      rigorous alchemical-perturbation (AP) methods. We explore this approach by
      calculating the relative binding free energy of two synthetic disaccharides
      binding to galectin-3 at a reasonably high QM level (dispersion-corrected density
      functional theory with a triple-zeta basis set) and with a sufficiently large QM
      system to include all short-range interactions with the ligand (744-748 atoms).
      The rest of the protein is treated as a collection of atomic multipoles (up to
      quadrupoles) and polarizabilities. Several methods for evaluating the binding
      free energy from the 3600 QM calculations are investigated in terms of stability
      and accuracy. In particular, methods using QM calculations only at the endpoints
      of the transformation are compared with the recently proposed non-Boltzmann
      Bennett acceptance ratio (NBB) method that uses QM calculations at several stages
      of the transformation. Unfortunately, none of the rigorous approaches give
      sufficient statistical precision. However, a novel approximate method, involving
      the direct use of QM energies in the Bennett acceptance ratio method, gives
      similar results as NBB but with better precision, ~3 kJ/mol. The statistical
      error can be further reduced by performing a greater number of QM calculations.

PMID- 26280565
TI  - Developing and Pilot Testing the Readiness and Motivation Interview for Families
      in Pediatric Weight Management.
AB  - Clinical acumen is often used to assess families' motivation prior to initiating
      pediatric obesity management due to a lack of available tools. The purpose of
      this pilot study was to (i) develop and (ii) pilot test the "Readiness and
      Motivation Interview for Families" (RMI-Family) in pediatric weight management.
      We conducted 5 focus groups with parents (n = 15), youth with obesity (n = 11),
      and health care providers (n = 8) to explore perceptions of barriers to making
      healthy behaviour changes, which led to the creation of the RMI-Family as a semi
      structured interview. Five domains (treat foods, overeating, emotional eating,
      total physical activity, and screen time) emerged from the focus groups to inform
      the development of the RMI-Family, which was then pilot tested with a sample of
      youth with obesity and their parents (n = 11 dyads). Interviewers administered
      the RMI-Family to youth (age 12.8 +/- 1.7 years; body mass index [BMI] z-score:
      2.71 +/- 0.43) and parents (age 47.1 +/- 3.7 years; BMI: 33.5 +/- 10.1 kg/m(2)).
      The RMI-Family was feasible to administer, easily understood by families, and may
      be a useful tool for assessing families' motivation. Research is underway to
      determine the psychometric properties and utility of the RMI-Family in predicting
      clinical outcomes in pediatric weight management. 

PMID- 26280566
TI  - Environment learning using descriptions or navigation: The involvement of working
      memory in young and older adults.
AB  - This study examined age-related differences between young and older adults in the
      involvement of verbal and visuo-spatial components of working memory (WM) when
      paths are learned from verbal and visuo-spatial inputs. A sample of 60 young
      adults (20-30 years old) and 58 older adults (60-75 years old) learned two paths
      from the person's point of view, one displayed in the form of a video showing the
      path, the other presenting the path in a verbal description. During the learning
      phase, participants concurrently performed a verbal task (articulatory
      suppression, AS group), or a visuo-spatial task (spatial tapping, ST group), or
      no secondary task (control, C group). After learning each path, participants
      completed tasks that involved the following: (1) recalling the sequential order
      and the location of landmarks; and (2) judging spatial sentences as true or false
      (verification test). The results showed that young adults outperformed older
      adults in all recall tasks. In both age groups performance in all types of task
      was worse in the AS and ST groups than in the C group, irrespective of the type
      of input. Overall, these findings suggest that verbal and visuo-spatial
      components of WM underpin the processing of environmental information in both
      young and older adults. The results are discussed in terms of age-related
      differences and according to the spatial cognition framework.

PMID- 26280567
TI  - Validation of a combined autosomal/Y-chromosomal STR approach for analyzing
      typical biological stains in sexual-assault cases.
AB  - DNA testing is an established part of the investigation and prosecution of sexual
      assault. The primary purpose of DNA evidence is to identify a suspect and/or to
      demonstrate sexual contact. However, due to highly uneven proportions of female
      and male DNA in typical stains, routine autosomal analysis often fails to detect
      the DNA of the assailant. To evaluate the forensic efficiency of the combined
      application of autosomal and Y-chromosomal short tandem repeat (STR) markers, we
      present a large retrospective casework study of probative evidence collected in
      sexual-assault cases. We investigated up to 39 STR markers by testing
      combinations of the 16-locus NGMSElect kit with both the 23-locus PowerPlex Y23
      and the 17-locus Yfiler kit. Using this dual approach we analyzed DNA extracts
      from 2077 biological stains collected in 287 cases over 30 months. To assess the
      outcome of the combined approach in comparison to stand-alone autosomal analysis
      we evaluated informative DNA profiles. Our investigation revealed that Y-STR
      analysis added up to 21% additional, highly informative (complete, single-source)
      profiles to the set of reportable autosomal STR profiles for typical stains
      collected in sexual-assault cases. Detection of multiple male contributors was
      approximately three times more likely with Y-chromosomal profiling than with
      autosomal STR profiling. In summary, 1/10 cases would have remained inconclusive
      (and could have been dismissed) if Y-STR analysis had been omitted from DNA
      profiling in sexual-assault cases. 

PMID- 26280568
TI  - Effect of multiple allelic drop-outs in forensic RMNE calculations.
AB  - Technological advances such as massively parallel sequencing enable increasing
      amounts of genetic information to be obtained from increasingly challenging
      samples. Certainly on low template, degraded and multi-contributor samples, drop
      outs will increase in number for many profiles simply by analyzing more loci,
      making it difficult to probabilistically assess how many drop-outs have occurred
      and at which loci they might have occurred. Previously we developed a Random Man
      Not Excluded (RMNE) method that can take into account allelic drop-out while
      avoiding detailed estimations of the probability that drop-outs have occurred,
      nor making assumptions about at which loci these drop-outs might have occurred.
      The number of alleles that have dropped out, does not need to be exactly known.
      Here we report a generic Python algorithm to calculate the RMNE probabilities for
      any given number of loci. The number of allowed drop-outs can be set between 0
      and twice the number of analyzed loci. The source code has been made available on
      https://github.com/fvnieuwe/rmne. An online web-based RMNE calculation tool has
      been made available on http://forensic.ugent.be/rmne. The tool can calculate
      these RMNE probabilities from a custom list of probabilities of the observed and
      non-observed alleles from any given number of loci. Using this tool, we explored
      the effect of allowing allelic drop-outs on the evidential value of random
      forensic profiles with a varying number of loci. Our results give insight into
      how the number of allowed drop-outs affects the evidential value of a profile and
      how drop-out can be managed in the RMNE approach. 

PMID- 26280570
TI  - Generating the Nighttime Light of the Human Settlements by Identifying Periodic
      Components from DMSP/OLS Satellite Imagery.
AB  - Nighttime lights of the human settlements (hereafter, "stable lights") are seen
      as a valuable proxy of social economic activity and greenhouse gas emissions at
      the subnational level. In this study, we propose an improved method to generate
      the stable lights from Defense Meteorological Satellite Program/Operational
      Linescan System (DMSP/OLS) daily nighttime light data for 1999. The study area
      includes Japan, China, India, and other 10 countries in East Asia. A noise
      reduction filter (NRF) was employed to generate a stable light from DMSP/OLS time
      series daily nighttime light data. It was found that noise from amplitude of the
      1-year periodic component is included in the stable light. To remove the
      amplitude of the 1-year periodic component noise included in the stable light,
      the NRF method was improved to extract the periodic component. Then, new stable
      light was generated by removing the amplitude of the 1-year periodic component
      using the improved NRF method. The resulting stable light was evaluated by
      comparing it with the conventional nighttime stable light provided by the
      National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration/National Geophysical Data Center
      (NOAA/NGDC). It is indicated that DNs of the NOAA stable light image are lower
      than those of the new stable light image. This might be attributable to the
      influence of attenuation effects from thin warm water clouds. However, due to
      overglow effect of the thin cloud, light area in new stable light is larger than
      NOAA stable light. Furthermore, the cumulative digital numbers (CDNs) and number
      of light area pixels (NLAP) of the generated stable light and NOAA/NGDC stable
      light were applied to estimate socioeconomic variables of population, electric
      power consumption, gross domestic product, and CO2 emissions from fossil fuel
      consumption. It is shown that the correlations of the population and CO2FF with
      new stable light data are higher than those in NOAA stable light data;
      correlations of the EPC and GDP with NOAA stable light data are higher those in
      the new stable light data. 

PMID- 26280569
TI  - Posttraumatic Headache: Clinical Characterization and Management.
AB  - Headache is the most common symptom after traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBI has
      become a global health concern with an estimated 2.5 million reported TBIs per
      year in the USA alone. Recent longitudinal studies of posttraumatic headache
      (PTH) show a high cumulative incidence of 71 % after moderate or severe TBI and
      an even higher cumulative incidence of 91 % after mild TBI (mTBI) at 1 year after
      injury. Prevalence remains high at over 44 % throughout the year after moderate
      or severe TBI and over 54 % after mTBI. A prior history of headache is associated
      with a higher risk for PTH, whereas older age appears to be protective. Gender
      does not appear to be a risk factor for PTH. Most PTH has clinical diagnostic
      criteria meeting that of migraine or probable migraine when primary headache
      disorder classification criteria are used, followed by tension-type headache.
      There are no evidence-based treatment guidelines for PTH management; however,
      expert opinion has suggested treating the PTH using primary headache disorder
      treatment recommendations according to its type. 

PMID- 26280571
TI  - Ag-Decorated ATaO3 (A = K, Na) Nanocube Plasmonic Photocatalysts with Enhanced
      Photocatalytic Water-Splitting Properties.
AB  - Tantalate semiconductor nanocrystals have been at the forefront of the
      photocatalytic conversion of solar energy to supply hydrogen owing to their
      favorable and tunable optical and electronic properties as well as advances in
      their synthesis. However, a narrow band gap is required for response to improve
      the efficiency of the photocatalysts. Here we propose an efficient enhancement of
      the H2 generation under simulated sunlight and visible light irradiation by a
      dispersion of Ag-decorated KTaO3 and NaTaO3 nanocubes. X-ray diffraction and UV
      vis diffuse reflectance spectra are used to characterize the products.
      Transmission electron microscope (TEM) and high-resolution high-angle annular
      dark-field scanning TEM (HAADF-STEM) images show that the Ag nanoparticles (NPs)
      are uniformly loaded on the surfaces of KTaO3 and NaTaO3. The photocatalytic
      water-splitting results over Ag-decorated KTaO3 and NaTaO3 show that the rate for
      H2 evolution from aqueous CH3OH solutions is up to 185.60 and 3.54 MUmol/h.g
      under simulated sunlight and the rate for H2 evolution is more than 2 times than
      that of pure NaTaO3 and KTaO3 materials. However, under purely visible light
      illumination the highest H2 evolution of 25.94 and 0.83 MUmol/h.g is observed in
      the case of Ag-decorated KTaO3 and NaTaO3 nanocubes. To the best of our
      knowledge, this is the first time that the photocatalytic water-splitting
      activity of the prepared Ag-decorated KTaO3 and NaTaO3 nanocubes has been
      reported. 

PMID- 26280572
TI  - Tuning the Electronic Structure of Graphene by Molecular Dopants: Impact of the
      Substrate.
AB  - A combination of ultraviolet and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray
      absorption spectroscopy, and first principle calculations was used to study the
      electronic structure at the interface between the strong molecular acceptor
      1,3,4,5,7,8-hexafluorotetracyano-naphthoquinodimethane (F6TCNNQ) and a graphene
      layer supported on either a quartz or a copper substrate. We find evidence for
      fundamentally different charge redistribution mechanisms in the two ternary
      systems, as a consequence of the insulating versus metallic character of the
      substrates. While electron transfer occurs exclusively from graphene to F6TCNNQ
      on the quartz support (p-doping of graphene), the Cu substrate electron reservoir
      induces an additional electron density flow to graphene decorated with the
      acceptor monolayer. Remarkably, graphene on Cu is n-doped and remains n-doped
      upon F6TCNNQ deposition. On both substrates, the work function of graphene
      increases substantially with a F6TCNNQ monolayer atop, the effect being more
      pronounced (~1.3 eV) on Cu compared to quartz (~1.0 eV) because of the larger
      electrostatic potential drop associated with the long-distance graphene-mediated
      Cu-F6TCNNQ electron transfer. We thus provide a means to realize high work
      function surfaces for both p- and n-type doped graphene. 

PMID- 26280573
TI  - Experimental and Theoretical Investigations of Infrared Multiple Photon
      Dissociation Spectra of Glutamine Complexes with Zn(2+) and Cd(2.).
AB  - Complexes of glutamine (Gln) cationized with Zn(2+) and Cd(2+) were examined by
      infrared multiple photon dissociation (IRMPD) action spectroscopy using light
      generated from a free-electron laser. Electrospray ionization yielded complexes
      of deprotonated Gln with Zn(2+), [Zn(Gln-H)](+), and intact Gln with CdCl(+),
      CdCl(+)(Gln). For each complex, the spectra obtained were compared with those for
      low-energy conformers found using quantum chemical calculations to identify the
      structures present experimentally. Calculations were performed at the B3LYP/6
      311+G(d,p) level for [Zn(Gln-H)](+) and at the B3LYP/def2-TZVP level with an SDD
      effective core potential on cadmium for CdCl(+)(Gln). The main binding motif
      observed for the Cd(2+) complex was a charge-solvated, tridentate [N,CO,COsc]
      structure in which the metal binds to the backbone amino group and the carbonyl
      oxygens of the carboxylic acid and side-chain amide groups. The Zn(2+) system
      similarly preferred a [N,CO(-),COsc] binding motif, where binding was observed at
      the carboxylate site along with the backbone amino and side-chain carbonyl
      groups. In both cases, the theoretically determined lowest-energy conformers
      explain the experimental [Zn(Gln-H)](+) and CdCl(+)(Gln) spectra well. 

PMID- 26280574
TI  - Mucosally transplanted mesenchymal stem cells stimulate intestinal healing by
      promoting angiogenesis.
AB  - Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy is an emerging field of regenerative
      medicine; however, it is often unclear how these cells mediate repair. Here, we
      investigated the use of MSCs in the treatment of intestinal disease and modeled
      abnormal repair by creating focal wounds in the colonic mucosa of prostaglandin
      deficient mice. These wounds developed into ulcers that infiltrated the outer
      intestinal wall. We determined that penetrating ulcer formation in this model
      resulted from increased hypoxia and smooth muscle wall necrosis. Prostaglandin I2
      (PGI2) stimulated VEGF-dependent angiogenesis to prevent penetrating ulcers.
      Treatment of mucosally injured WT mice with a VEGFR inhibitor resulted in the
      development of penetrating ulcers, further demonstrating that VEGF is critical
      for mucosal repair. We next used this model to address the role of transplanted
      colonic MSCs (cMSCs) in intestinal repair. Compared with intravenously injected
      cMSCs, mucosally injected cMSCs more effectively prevented the development of
      penetrating ulcers, as they were more efficiently recruited to colonic wounds.
      Importantly, mucosally injected cMSCs stimulated angiogenesis in a VEGF-dependent
      manner. Together, our results reveal that penetrating ulcer formation results
      from a reduction of local angiogenesis and targeted injection of MSCs can
      optimize transplantation therapy. Moreover, local MSC injection has potential for
      treating diseases with features of abnormal angiogenesis and repair.

PMID- 26280575
TI  - SLFN14 mutations underlie thrombocytopenia with excessive bleeding and platelet
      secretion defects.
AB  - Inherited thrombocytopenias are a group of disorders that are characterized by a
      low platelet count and are sometimes associated with excessive bleeding that
      ranges from mild to severe. We evaluated 36 unrelated patients and 17 family
      members displaying thrombocytopenia that were recruited to the UK Genotyping and
      Phenotyping of Platelets (GAPP) study. All patients had a history of excessive
      bleeding of unknown etiology. We performed platelet phenotyping and whole-exome
      sequencing (WES) on all patients and identified mutations in schlafen 14 (SLFN14)
      in 12 patients from 3 unrelated families. Patients harboring SLFN14 mutations
      displayed an analogous phenotype that consisted of moderate thrombocytopenia,
      enlarged platelets, decreased ATP secretion, and a dominant inheritance pattern.
      Three heterozygous missense mutations were identified in affected family members
      and predicted to encode substitutions (K218E, K219N, and V220D) within an ATPase
      AAA-4, GTP/ATP-binding region of SLFN14. Endogenous SLFN14 expression was reduced
      in platelets from all patients, and mutant SLFN14 expression was markedly
      decreased compared with that of WT SLFN14 when overexpressed in transfected
      cells. Electron microscopy revealed a reduced number of dense granules in
      affected patients platelets, correlating with a decreased ATP secretion observed
      in lumiaggregometry studies. These results identify SLFN14 mutations as cause for
      an inherited thrombocytopenia with excessive bleeding, outlining a fundamental
      role for SLFN14 in platelet formation and function. 

PMID- 26280578
TI  - All the Good People.

PMID- 26280577
TI  - Sex ratio following preconception low-dose aspirin in women with prior pregnancy
      loss.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Several lines of evidence suggest that male embryos may have greater
      vulnerability than female embryos to disordered inflammation; therefore,
      antiinflammatory drugs, such as low-dose aspirin (LDA), may alter the sex ratio.
      Here, we assessed the effect of LDA on male live birth and male offspring,
      incorporating pregnancy losses (n = 56) via genetic assessment, as part of a
      parallel-design, block-randomized, placebo-controlled trial of preconception LDA.
      METHODS: Participants (615 treated with LDA, 613 treated with placebo) ranged in
      age from 18 to 40 years of age, with 1 to 2 prior pregnancy losses. We estimated
      the intention-to-treat (ITT) risk ratio (RR) and 95% CI and assessed interaction
      with baseline high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) serum concentration - a
      marker of systemic inflammation. RESULTS: Among the 1,078 women who completed
      follow-up (535 treated with LDA, 543 treated with placebo), the male live birth
      ITT RR equaled 1.31 (95% CI: 1.07-1.59). With increasing tertile of hsCRP, the
      proportion of males at birth decreased in the placebo group, and the effect of
      LDA on male live birth increased (first tertile: 48% male in LDA vs. 52% in
      placebo, ITT RR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.70-1.35; second tertile: 57% male in LDA vs.
      43% in placebo, ITT RR = 1.36, 95% CI: 0.98-1.90; third tertile: 53% male in LDA
      vs. 35% in placebo, ITT RR = 1.70, 95% CI: 1.13-2.57; P interaction = 0.03).
      Analysis of pregnancy with male offspring yielded similar results. CONCLUSION:
      Initiation of LDA prior to conception restored numbers of male live births and
      pregnancy with male offspring among women with 1 to 2 prior pregnancy losses.
      Moreover, our data suggest that LDA modulates inflammation that would otherwise
      reduce the conception or survival of male embryos. TRIAL REGISTRATION:
      ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00467363. FUNDING: Intramural Research Program of the
      Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development,
      National Institutes of Health.

PMID- 26280576
TI  - HDAC inhibitor-dependent transcriptome and memory reinstatement in cognitive
      decline models.
AB  - Aging and increased amyloid burden are major risk factors for cognitive diseases
      such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Effective therapies for these diseases are
      lacking. Here, we evaluated mouse models of age-associated memory impairment and
      amyloid deposition to study transcriptome and cell type-specific epigenome
      plasticity in the brain and peripheral organs. We determined that aging and
      amyloid pathology are associated with inflammation and impaired synaptic function
      in the hippocampal CA1 region as the result of epigenetic-dependent alterations
      in gene expression. In both amyloid and aging models, inflammation was associated
      with increased gene expression linked to a subset of transcription factors, while
      plasticity gene deregulation was differentially mediated. Amyloid pathology
      impaired histone acetylation and decreased expression of plasticity genes, while
      aging altered H4K12 acetylation-linked differential splicing at the intron-exon
      junction in neurons, but not nonneuronal cells. Furthermore, oral administration
      of the clinically approved histone deacetylase inhibitor vorinostat not only
      restored spatial memory, but also exerted antiinflammatory action and reinstated
      epigenetic balance and transcriptional homeostasis at the level of gene
      expression and exon usage. This study provides a systems-level investigation of
      transcriptome plasticity in the hippocampal CA1 region in aging and AD models and
      suggests that histone deacetylase inhibitors should be further explored as a cost
      effective therapeutic strategy against age-associated cognitive decline. 

PMID- 26280579
TI  - Introduction of Francis S. Collins.

PMID- 26280582
TI  - Placental Sonolucencies in the First Trimester: Incidence and Clinical
      Significance.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to determine the incidence of placental
      sonolucencies on first-trimester screening sonograms in a general obstetric
      population and assess whether these findings are associated with adverse
      obstetric outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective cohort analysis of 201 pregnant
      patients screened at a high-risk prenatal diagnostic center was conducted with
      first-trimester cine clips reviewed by 2 radiologists. Placental sonolucencies
      were defined as intraplacental anechoic or heterogeneous areas 0.7 cm or greater.
      Obstetric and neonatal outcomes were collected by chart review. RESULTS:
      Placental sonolucencies 0.7 cm or greater were seen in 45 (22.4%) of first
      trimester ultrasound examinations. The ultrasonographic presence of a placenta
      previa, marginal sinus, and subchorionic hemorrhage was not more common in those
      with placental sonolucencies 0.7 cm or greater (P > 0.05). Sonolucencies were not
      associated with prior cesarean deliveries (P > 0.05). Both the groups with and
      without sonolucencies 0.7 cm or greater had similar rates of antepartum
      hemorrhage, preeclampsia, preterm delivery, cesarean delivery, postpartum
      hemorrhage, and delivery of small-for-gestational-age infants. One placenta
      accreta and no fetal demises occurred in the study population. CONCLUSIONS:
      Placental sonolucencies detected on first-trimester screening sonograms in the
      general obstetric population are not predictive of poor obstetric outcomes.

PMID- 26280581
TI  - Analysis of conditional heterozygous STXBP1 mutations in human neurons.
AB  - Heterozygous mutations in the syntaxin-binding protein 1 (STXBP1) gene, which
      encodes Munc18-1, a core component of the presynaptic membrane-fusion machinery,
      cause infantile early epileptic encephalopathy (Ohtahara syndrome), but it is
      unclear how a partial loss of Munc18-1 produces this severe clinical
      presentation. Here, we generated human ES cells designed to conditionally express
      heterozygous and homozygous STXBP1 loss-of-function mutations and studied
      isogenic WT and STXBP1-mutant human neurons derived from these conditionally
      mutant ES cells. We demonstrated that heterozygous STXBP1 mutations lower the
      levels of Munc18-1 protein and its binding partner, the t-SNARE-protein Syntaxin
      1, by approximately 30% and decrease spontaneous and evoked neurotransmitter
      release by nearly 50%. Thus, our results confirm that using engineered human
      embryonic stem (ES) cells is a viable approach to studying disease-associated
      mutations in human neurons on a controlled genetic background, demonstrate that
      partial STXBP1 loss of function robustly impairs neurotransmitter release in
      human neurons, and suggest that heterozygous STXBP1 mutations cause early
      epileptic encephalopathy specifically through a presynaptic impairment. 

PMID- 26280580
TI  - RAP1-mediated MEK/ERK pathway defects in Kabuki syndrome.
AB  - The genetic disorder Kabuki syndrome (KS) is characterized by developmental delay
      and congenital anomalies. Dominant mutations in the chromatin regulators lysine
      (K)-specific methyltransferase 2D (KMT2D) (also known as MLL2) and lysine (K)
      specific demethylase 6A (KDM6A) underlie the majority of cases. Although the
      functions of these chromatin-modifying proteins have been studied extensively,
      the physiological systems regulated by them are largely unknown. Using whole
      exome sequencing, we identified a mutation in RAP1A that was converted to
      homozygosity as the result of uniparental isodisomy (UPD) in a patient with KS
      and a de novo, dominant mutation in RAP1B in a second individual with a KS-like
      phenotype. We elucidated a genetic and functional interaction between the
      respective KS-associated genes and their products in zebrafish models and patient
      cell lines. Specifically, we determined that dysfunction of known KS genes and
      the genes identified in this study results in aberrant MEK/ERK signaling as well
      as disruption of F-actin polymerization and cell intercalation. Moreover, these
      phenotypes could be rescued in zebrafish models by rebalancing MEK/ERK signaling
      via administration of small molecule inhibitors of MEK. Taken together, our
      studies suggest that the KS pathophysiology overlaps with the RASopathies and
      provide a potential direction for treatment design. 

PMID- 26280583
TI  - Application of Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System in the Ultrasound
      Assessment of Thyroid Nodules According to Physician Experience.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the diagnostic
      performances of the Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TIRADS) in
      differentiating benign and malignant thyroid nodules according to the level of
      physician experience. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March to October 2013, 1102
      patients with 1128 thyroid nodules who underwent initial ultrasound-guided fine
      needle aspiration were included in this study. Thyroid nodules were categorized
      according to TIRADS. Diagnostic performances of ultrasound were compared
      according to performer experience using the chi test or Fisher exact test.
      RESULTS: Of 1128 thyroid nodules, 281 were malignant, and 847 were benign. The
      risk of malignancy of each TIRADS category by the experienced and less
      experienced physicians were as follows: category 3 (0.9% vs 0%), category 4a
      (3.5% vs 1.3%), category 4b (7.3% vs 12.1%), category 4c (67.5% vs 44.9%), and
      category 5 (97.7% vs 76.5%). Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive
      predictive value, and negative predictive value were 99.1%, 35.9%, 52.5%, 35.5%,
      and 99.1%, respectively, for experienced physicians and 100%, 20.9%, 37.6%,
      35.2%, and 100%, respectively, for less experienced physicians. Specificity,
      accuracy, and positive predictive value were statistically higher for experienced
      physicians than those for less experienced physicians (P < 0.001, 0.001, and
      0.004). There was a significant difference in areas under the curve between the 2
      groups (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the diagnostic performance of the
      stratification of malignancy risk according to TIRADS categories was comparable
      between the experienced and less experienced physician groups. The application of
      TIRADS is reproducible, and it was easy to predict the probability of thyroid
      malignancy in both the experienced and less experienced physician groups.

PMID- 26280584
TI  - Comparison of U(VI) adsorption onto nanoscale zero-valent iron and red soil in
      the presence of U(VI)-CO3/Ca-U(VI)-CO3 complexes.
AB  - The influence of U(VI)-CO3 and Ca-U(VI)-CO3 complexes on U(VI) adsorption onto
      red soil and nanoscale zero-valent iron (NZVI) was investigated using batch
      adsorption and fixed-bed column experiments to simulate the feasibility of NZVI
      as the reactive medium in permeable- reactive barriers (PRB) for in situ
      remediation of uranium-contaminated red soils. The adsorption capacity (qe) and
      distribution constant (Kd) of NZVI and red soil decreased with increasing pH,
      dissolved carbonate and calcium concentrations, but the qe and Kd values of NZVI
      were 5-10 times higher than those of red soil. The breakthrough pore volume (PV)
      values increased with the decrease of pH, dissolved carbonate and calcium
      concentration; however, the breakthrough PV values of the PRB column filled with
      5% NZVI were 2.0-3.5 times higher than the 100% red soil column. The U(VI)-CO3
      complexes adsorbed onto the surface of red soil/NZVI (=SOH) to form SO-UO2CO3(-)
      or SO-UO2 (CO3)2(3-). XPS and XRD analysis further confirmed the reduction of
      U(VI) to U(IV) and the formation of FeOOH on NZVI surfaces. The findings of this
      study are significant to the remediation of uranium-contaminated red soils and
      the consideration of practical U(VI) species in the natural environment.

PMID- 26280586
TI  - Role of Postoperative Radiotherapy in Nonlocalized Thymoma: Propensity-Matched
      Analysis of Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Database.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Because of a lack of randomized trials, the role of postoperative
      radiotherapy (PORT) in thymomas has not been established. This study evaluated
      the prognostic impact of the adjuvant treatment in surgically resected
      nonlocalized thymomas. METHODS: Patients diagnosed between 2000 and 2010 were
      identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (1973
      2011 registry). Cases with localized or organ-confined tumors were not included.
      Propensity-matched analysis was conducted considering baseline characteristics.
      RESULTS: A total of 529 patients were identified. The median age was 57 years
      (range, 18-86), and 345 (65%) patients received PORT. Before and after propensity
      score matching, overall survival (OS; p = 0.018 and 0.008, respectively) and
      disease-specific survival (DSS; p = 0.007 and 0.008, respectively) were better in
      the PORT group. In multivariate analyses of the matched population, no receipt of
      PORT induced poorer OS (hazard ratio [HR], 1.98; 95% confidence interval [CI],
      1.27-3.09) and DSS (HR, 2.64; 95% CI, 1.32-5.29). Primary tumor extensions of
      adjacent organs or structures and further contiguous extensions also resulted in
      worse outcomes (p < 0.001 and equal to 0.039 for OS; p = 0.006 and 0.009 for DSS,
      respectively). In the subgroup analyses, PORT was associated with favorable OS in
      stages III and IV (p = 0.049 and 0.012, respectively) and DSS in stage III (p =
      0.005). CONCLUSION: Regarding the independent prognostic significance of PORT,
      this population-based analysis demonstrates the survival benefits of PORT in
      relation to nonlocalized thymomas. We recommend consideration of PORT in the poor
      prognostic subset of stages III to IV in the contemporary era.

PMID- 26280585
TI  - The Antinociceptive and Antiinflammatory Properties of 3-furan-2-yl-N-p-tolyl
      acrylamide, a Positive Allosteric Modulator of alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine
      Receptors in Mice.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) facilitate endogenous
      neurotransmission and/or enhance the efficacy of agonists without directly acting
      on the orthosteric binding sites. In this regard, selective alpha7 nicotinic
      acetylcholine receptor type II PAMs display antinociceptive activity in rodent
      chronic inflammatory and neuropathic pain models. This study investigates whether
      3-furan-2-yl-N-p-tolyl-acrylamide (PAM-2), a new putative alpha7-selective type
      II PAM, attenuates experimental inflammatory and neuropathic pains in mice.
      METHODS: We tested the activity of PAM-2 after intraperitoneal administration in
      3 pain assays: the carrageenan-induced inflammatory pain, the complete Freund
      adjuvant-induced inflammatory pain, and the chronic constriction injury-induced
      neuropathic pain in mice. We also tested whether PAM-2 enhanced the effects of
      the selective alpha7 agonist choline in the mouse carrageenan test given
      intrathecally. Because the experience of pain has both sensory and affective
      dimensions, we also evaluated the effects of PAM-2 on acetic acid-induced
      aversion by using the conditioned place aversion test. RESULTS: We observed that
      systemic administration of PAM-2 significantly reversed mechanical allodynia and
      thermal hyperalgesia in inflammatory and neuropathic pain models in a dose- and
      time-dependent manner without motor impairment. In addition, by attenuating the
      paw edema in inflammatory models, PAM-2 showed antiinflammatory properties. The
      antinociceptive effect of PAM-2 was inhibited by the selective competitive
      antagonist methyllycaconitine, indicating that the effect is mediated by alpha7
      nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Furthermore, PAM-2 enhanced the antiallodynic
      and antiinflammatory effects of choline, a selective alpha7 agonist, in the mouse
      carrageenan test. PAM-2 was also effective in reducing acetic acid-induced
      aversion in the conditioned place aversion assay. CONCLUSIONS: These findings
      suggest that the administration of PAM-2, a new alpha7-selective type II PAM,
      reduces the neuropathic and inflammatory pain sensory and affective behaviors in
      the mouse. Thus, this drug may have therapeutic applications in the treatment and
      management of chronic pain.

PMID- 26280587
TI  - Community Health Workers Promoting Physical Activity: Targeting Multiple Levels
      of the Social Ecological Model.
AB  - The effectiveness of community health workers (CHWs) as health educators and
      health promoters among Latino populations is widely recognized. The Affordable
      Care Act created important opportunities to increase the role of CHWs in
      preventive health. This article describes the implementation of CHW-led,
      culturally specific, faith-based program to increase physical activity among
      churchgoing Latinas. This study augments previous research by describing the
      recruitment, selection, training, and evaluation of CHWs for a physical activity
      intervention targeting multiple levels of the Social Ecological Model. 

PMID- 26280588
TI  - [Delayed indications for additive ventral treatment of thoracolumbar burst
      fractures : What correction loss is to be expected].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: There is a general consensus that unstable vertebral body fractures
      of the thoracolumbar junction with a B type fracture or a high load shear index
      need to be surgically stabilized, primarily by a dorsal approach. The authors
      believe that there are indications for an additional ventral spondylodesis in
      cases of reduction loss or a relevant intervertebral disc lesion in magnetic
      resonance imaging (MRI) 6 weeks after dorsal stabilization. However, in cases of
      unstable vertebral fractures it remains unclear if a delayed anterior
      spondylodesis will lead to unacceptable loss of initial reduction. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: A total of 59 patients were included in this study during 2013 and 2014.
      All patients suffered from a traumatic vertebral fracture of the thoracolumbar
      junction and were initially treated with a dorsal short segment stabilization.
      All vertebral body fractures had a load shear index of at least 5 or were B type
      fractures. An x-ray control was carried out after 2 and 6 weeks and MRI was
      additionally performed after 6 weeks. An additional ventral spondylodesis was
      recommended in patients showing a reduction loss of at least 5 degrees  and in
      patients with relevant intervertebral disc lesions. The extent of the reduction
      loss was analyzed. Other parameters of interest were the fracture level, fracture
      classification, patient age and surgical technique (e.g. implant, index screw,
      laminectomy and cement augmentation). RESULTS: The patient collective consisted
      of 23 women and 36 men (average age 51 years +/- 17 years). The mean reduction
      loss was 5.1 degrees  (+/- 5.2 degrees ) after a mean follow-up of 60 days (+/-
      56 days). The reduction loss was significantly higher when polyaxial implants
      were used compared to monoaxial dorsal fixators (10.8 degrees  versus 4.0 degrees
      , p < 0.001). There was a significantly higher reduction loss in those patients
      who received a laminectomy (11.3 degrees  versus 4.3 degrees , p = 0.01) but
      there were no significant differences if an index screw was used (4.5 degrees 
      versus 5.3 degrees ). Additionally, there was a significantly lower reduction in
      the subgroup of patients 60 years or older who were stabilized using cement
      augmented screws (3.9 degrees  versus 11.3 degrees , p = 0.02). The mean
      reduction loss was 2.8 degrees  (+/- 2.5 degrees ) in patients treated with a
      monoaxial implant, cement-augmented if 60 years or older and without laminectomy
      (n = 39). There was no significant correlation between reduction loss and the
      other parameters of interest, such as fracture morphology with classification
      according to the working group on questions of osteosynthesis (AO) and McCormack
      or fracture level. CONCLUSION: Delayed indications for an additional ventral
      spondylodesis in patients with unstable thoracolumbar vertebral fractures and
      initial dorsal stabilization will cause no relevant reduction loss if monoaxial
      implants are used and laminectomy can be avoided. Additionally, cement
      augmentation of the pedicle screws seems to be beneficial in patients 60 years of
      age or older.

PMID- 26280589
TI  - Contingency management for cigarette smokers with depressive symptoms.
AB  - Despite depressive symptoms being very common among smokers from the general
      population, few studies have examined the effects of depressive symptoms on
      smoking treatment outcomes, and even less research has been carried out in the
      context of contingency management (CM). The authors conducted a secondary
      analysis to assess the interrelation between treatment condition, depressive
      symptoms and treatment outcomes among treatment-seeking smokers. The sample was
      made up of 147 treatment-seeking smokers who were randomly allocated 2 treatment
      conditions: cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT; n = 74), or CBT + CM (n = 73).
      CBT was applied in 1-hr group-based sessions over 6 weeks. The CM protocol was
      voucher-based with maximum earnings of ?300 (US$339). Depressive symptoms were
      assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory-II. Smoking abstinence was verified
      though cotinine and carbon monoxide. Several analyses were conducted to explore
      the effect of treatment condition and baseline depressive symptoms on treatment
      outcomes, as well as the effect of treatment condition and smoking status on
      depressive symptoms. The CBT + CM condition was more effective than CBT,
      independent of depressive symptoms. The presence of depressive symptoms decreased
      the number of days of continuous smoking abstinence. Participants with a greater
      number of days of continuous smoking abstinence had fewer depressive symptoms
      than those with fewer days of continuous smoking abstinence. Findings suggest
      that health care providers should consider encouraging their patients with
      depressive symptoms to seek smoking cessation services that include both smoking
      cessation protocols and behavioral activation for mood management, thus
      maximizing both smoking and depressive outcomes.

PMID- 26280590
TI  - Experimental study on the effects of anxiety sensitivity and somatosensory
      amplification on the response to the 35% CO2 challenge in abstinent smokers.
AB  - The relationship between nicotine abstinence and panic onset is still not well
      understood and the role of catastrophic misinterpretation, as possible moderator
      or mediator of this relationship, is unknown. We tested whether nicotine
      abstinence influences the response to a CO2 panic challenge and whether
      catastrophic misinterpretation (measured via the Anxiety Sensitivity [ASI] and
      the SomatoSensory Amplification Scale [SSAS]) exerts a moderating or mediating
      effect on the relationship between nicotine abstinence and panic. Eighty regular
      smokers underwent a 35% CO2 challenge after the transdermal administration of
      nicotine or placebo. Physiological and psychological variables were measured at
      baseline, directly before and after the challenge. Fear reactivity to the
      challenge was similar in both conditions. ASI (post-Test Visual Analogous Scale
      of Fear: DeltaR2 = 0.043, p < .05) and SSAS (post-Test Visual Analogous Scale of
      Anxiety: DeltaR2 = 0.036, p < .05; post-Test Panic Symptom List: DeltaR2 = 0.035,
      p < .05) influenced anxiety as response to the challenge. We found no support for
      the moderational and the mediational hypotheses. The findings regarding fear
      reactivity when group status is considered partly confirm the literature. The
      positive findings observed for ASI and SSAS as factors influencing the response
      to the challenge, together with the lack of evidence for a moderational and a
      mediational hypothesis, confirm that anxiety sensitivity and somatosensory
      amplification are independent constructs and suggest that they directly influence
      the response to the challenge.

PMID- 26280591
TI  - A modified exponential behavioral economic demand model to better describe
      consumption data.
AB  - Behavioral economic demand analyses that quantify the relationship between the
      consumption of a commodity and its price have proven useful in studying the
      reinforcing efficacy of many commodities, including drugs of abuse. An
      exponential equation proposed by Hursh and Silberberg (2008) has proven useful in
      quantifying the dissociable components of demand intensity and demand elasticity,
      but is limited as an analysis technique by the inability to correctly analyze
      consumption values of zero. We examined an exponentiated version of this equation
      that retains all the beneficial features of the original Hursh and Silberberg
      equation, but can accommodate consumption values of zero and improves its fit to
      the data. In Experiment 1, we compared the modified equation with the unmodified
      equation under different treatments of zero values in cigarette consumption data
      collected online from 272 participants. We found that the unmodified equation
      produces different results depending on how zeros are treated, while the
      exponentiated version incorporates zeros into the analysis, accounts for more
      variance, and is better able to estimate actual unconstrained consumption as
      reported by participants. In Experiment 2, we simulated 1,000 datasets with
      demand parameters known a priori and compared the equation fits. Results
      indicated that the exponentiated equation was better able to replicate the true
      values from which the test data were simulated. We conclude that an exponentiated
      version of the Hursh and Silberberg equation provides better fits to the data, is
      able to fit all consumption values including zero, and more accurately produces
      true parameter values.

PMID- 26280592
TI  - A feasibility study of home-based contingency management with adolescent smokers
      of rural Appalachia.
AB  - Cigarette smoking among adolescents remains a significant public health concern.
      This problem is compounded in regions such as rural Appalachia where rates of
      smoking are consistently higher than national averages and access to treatments
      is limited. The current research evaluated a home-based contingency management
      program completed over the Internet with adolescent smokers recruited from rural
      Appalachia. Participants (N = 62) submitted 3 video recordings per day showing
      their breath carbon monoxide (CO) levels using a handheld CO monitor.
      Participants were assigned to either an active treatment condition (AT; n = 31)
      in which reductions in breath CO were reinforced or a control treatment condition
      (CT; n = 31) in which providing timely video recordings were reinforced with no
      requirement to reduce breath CO. Results revealed that participants in the AT
      condition reduced their breath CO levels significantly more so during treatment
      than participants in the CT condition. Within-group comparisons revealed that
      participants in both conditions significantly reduced their breath CO, self
      reported smoking, and nicotine dependence ratings during treatment. However, only
      participants in the AT condition significantly reduced urinary cotinine levels
      during treatment, and only participants in this condition maintained all
      reductions until 6-week post treatment. Participants in the CT condition only
      maintained self-reported smoking reductions until posttreatment assessments.
      These results support the feasibility and initial efficacy of this incentive
      based approach to smoking cessation with adolescent smokers living in rural
      locations.

PMID- 26280593
TI  - An event-level investigation of hangovers' relationship to age and drinking.
AB  - Animal and human data suggest that adolescents experience hangover effects that
      are distinct from adults. The present study used ecological momentary assessment
      (EMA) methods to examine the temporal relationships between drinking and
      hangovers, and how this varied by age and sex. We hypothesized that alcohol's
      dose-dependent effects on hangover severity are more pronounced among adolescents
      and young adults than older drinkers. We also explored whether greater hangover
      severity would lead to a lower likelihood and volume of alcohol use later the
      same day. Data were pooled from 4 studies of drinkers (N = 274; ages 15 to 66
      years) who completed a 4- to 14-day (M = 7.46, SD = 1.13) EMA monitoring period.
      Each morning, participants recorded how much alcohol they consumed the day before
      and rated their hangover severity. Participants who consumed a greater quantity
      of alcohol the prior day reported more severe hangover symptoms; however, there
      was an interaction between drinking volume and age, such that hangover was more
      severe among younger drinkers, especially at higher drinking levels. More severe
      hangover symptoms did not predict the likelihood of drinking later that day;
      however, on drinking days, more severe hangover symptoms predicted lower
      quantities of alcohol use later that day. This event-level effect did not vary as
      a function of age. Study outcomes did not vary by sex. Our findings suggest that
      younger drinkers experience more severe hangovers, and that greater hangover
      results in lighter drinking later that same day regardless of age.

PMID- 26280594
TI  - Upregulation of Collagen Expression via PPARbeta/delta Activation in Aged Skin by
      Magnesium Lithospermate B from Salvia miltiorrhiza.
AB  - This study investigated the agonistic activity of magnesium lithospermate B (1),
      isolated from Salvia miltiorrhiza, on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor
      (PPARbeta/delta) and the expressions of collagen genes (COL1A1 and COL3A1) and
      transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) in models of skin aging. The action
      of compound 1 as a PPARbeta/delta agonist was determined by reporter gene assay,
      immunostaining, and Western blotting. To determine the antiaging effects of
      compound 1 on skin, aged Sprague-Dawley rat skin and ultraviolet B (UVB)
      irradiated human skin fibroblasts were used. The results show that 1 presented a
      marked enhancement of both nuclear protein levels and activity of PPARbeta/delta
      in fibroblasts. In addition, 1 prevented downregulation of PPARbeta/delta
      activity in aged rat skin and UVB-induced fibroblasts. Furthermore, 1 increased
      the expressions of COL1A1, COL3A1, and TGF-beta1 in vivo and in a cell culture
      system. Therefore, the present study shows that compound 1 prevents collagen
      degradation in aged rat skin and UVB-exposed fibroblasts through PPARbeta/delta
      activation. The therapeutic and cosmetic applications of compound 1 need further
      investigation. 

PMID- 26280595
TI  - Asymmetries of amyloid-beta burden and neuronal dysfunction are positively
      correlated in Alzheimer's disease.
AB  - Clinical Alzheimer's disease affects both cerebral hemispheres to a similar
      degree in clinically typical cases. However, in atypical variants like logopenic
      progressive aphasia, neurodegeneration often presents asymmetrically. Yet, no in
      vivo imaging study has investigated whether lateralized neurodegeneration
      corresponds to lateralized amyloid-beta burden. Therefore, using combined (11)C
      Pittsburgh compound B and (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography,
      we explored whether asymmetric amyloid-beta deposition in Alzheimer's disease is
      associated with asymmetric hypometabolism and clinical symptoms. From our
      database of patients who underwent positron emission tomography with both (11)C
      Pittsburgh compound B and (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (n = 132), we included all
      amyloid-positive patients with prodromal or mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease
      (n = 69). The relationship between (11)C-Pittsburgh compound B binding potential
      and (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake was assessed in atlas-based regions of
      interest covering the entire cerebral cortex. Lateralizations of amyloid-beta and
      hypometabolism were tested for associations with each other and with type and
      severity of cognitive symptoms. Positive correlations between asymmetries of
      Pittsburgh compound B binding potential and hypometabolism were detected in 6 of
      25 regions (angular gyrus, middle frontal gyrus, middle occipital gyrus, superior
      parietal gyrus, inferior and middle temporal gyrus), i.e. hypometabolism was more
      pronounced on the side of greater amyloid-beta deposition (range: r = 0.41 to
      0.53, all P < 0.001). Stronger leftward asymmetry of amyloid-beta deposition was
      associated with more severe language impairment (P < 0.05), and stronger
      rightward asymmetry with more severe visuospatial impairment (at trend level, P =
      0.073). Similarly, patients with predominance of language deficits showed more
      left-lateralized amyloid-beta burden and hypometabolism than patients with
      predominant visuospatial impairment and vice versa in several cortical regions.
      Associations between amyloid-beta deposition and hypometabolism or cognitive
      impairment were predominantly observed in brain regions with high amyloid-beta
      load. The relationship between asymmetries of amyloid-beta deposition and
      hypometabolism in cortical regions with high amyloid-beta load is in line with
      the detrimental effect of amyloid-beta burden on neuronal function. Asymmetries
      were also concordant with lateralized cognitive symptoms, indicating their
      clinical relevance. 

PMID- 26280596
TI  - GABAergic inhibition shapes interictal dynamics in awake epileptic mice.
AB  - Epilepsy is characterized by recurrent seizures and brief, synchronous bursts
      called interictal spikes that are present in-between seizures and observed as
      transient events in EEG signals. While GABAergic transmission is known to play an
      important role in shaping healthy brain activity, the role of inhibition in these
      pathological epileptic dynamics remains unclear. Examining the microcircuits that
      participate in interictal spikes is thus an important first step towards
      addressing this issue, as the function of these transient synchronizations in
      either promoting or prohibiting seizures is currently under debate. To identify
      the microcircuits recruited in spontaneous interictal spikes in the absence of
      any proconvulsive drug or anaesthetic agent, we combine a chronic model of
      epilepsy with in vivo two-photon calcium imaging and multiunit extracellular
      recordings to map cellular recruitment within large populations of CA1 neurons in
      mice free to run on a self-paced treadmill. We show that GABAergic neurons, as
      opposed to their glutamatergic counterparts, are preferentially recruited during
      spontaneous interictal activity in the CA1 region of the epileptic mouse
      hippocampus. Although the specific cellular dynamics of interictal spikes are
      found to be highly variable, they are consistently associated with the activation
      of GABAergic neurons, resulting in a perisomatic inhibitory restraint that
      reduces neuronal spiking in the principal cell layer. Given the role of GABAergic
      neurons in shaping brain activity during normal cognitive function, their
      aberrant unbalanced recruitment during these transient events could have
      important downstream effects with clinical implications. 

PMID- 26280597
TI  - Rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) adaptively adjust information seeking in response
      to information accumulated.
AB  - Metacognition consists of monitoring and control processes. Monitoring has been
      inferred when nonhumans use a "decline test" response to selectively escape
      difficult test trials. Cognitive control has been inferred from selective
      information-seeking behavior by nonhumans ignorant of needed knowledge. Here we
      describe a computerized paradigm that extends previous work and assesses dynamic
      interactions between monitoring and control. Monkeys classified images as
      containing birds, fish, flowers, or people. To-be-classified images were
      initially masked, and monkeys were trained to gradually reveal the images by
      touching a "reveal button." Monkeys could choose to classify images at any time
      or to reveal more of the images. Thus, they had the opportunity to assess when
      enough of an image had been revealed to support accurate classification. In
      Experiment 1, monkeys made more reveal responses before classifying when smaller
      amounts of the image were revealed by each button touch. In Experiment 2, to-be
      classified images were shrunk and covered by 1 critical blocker among other
      blockers that did not provide information when removed. Monkeys made more reveal
      responses as the critical blocker was removed later in the trial. In Experiment
      3, monkeys were presented with previously classified images with either more or
      fewer blockers obscuring the image than was the case when they chose to classify
      that image previously. Monkeys made more reveal responses when information was
      insufficient than when it was excessive. These results indicate that monkeys
      dynamically monitor evolving decision processes and adaptively collect
      information as necessary to maintain accuracy.

PMID- 26280598
TI  - Quantitative fluorine NMR to determine carbohydrate density on glyconanomaterials
      synthesized from perfluorophenyl azide-functionalized silica nanoparticles by
      click reaction.
AB  - A quantitative fluorine NMR ((19)F qNMR) method was developed to determine the
      carbohydrate density on glyconanomaterials. Mannose (Man)- and galactose (Gal)
      conjugated silica nanoparticles (SNPs) were synthesized from perfluorophenyl
      azide (PFPA)-functionalized SNPs and propargylated Man or Gal by copper-catalyzed
      azide-alkyne cycloaddition (click reaction). After treating PFPA-SNPs or Man-SNPs
      with hydrofluoric acid followed by lyophilization, the remaining residues were
      directly subjected to (19)F NMR analysis. The density of PFPA on PFPA-SNP was
      determined to be 7.7 +/- 0.2 * 10(-16) nmol/nm(2) and Man on Man-SNP to be 6.4 +/
      0.2 * 10(-16) nmol/nm(2) giving a yield of ~83% for the click coupling reaction.
      The apparent dissociation constant (Kd) of Man-SNPs with fluorescein
      isothiocyanate (FITC)-concanavalin A (Con A) was determined using a fluorescence
      competition assay to be 0.289 +/- 0.003 MUM, which represents more than 3 orders
      of magnitude affinity increase compared to free Man with Con A. 

PMID- 26280599
TI  - Speciation of the Potential Antitumor Agent Vanadocene Dichloride in the Blood
      Plasma and Model Systems.
AB  - The speciation of the potential antitumor agent vanadocene dichloride ([Cp2VCl2],
      abbreviated with VDC) in the blood plasma was studied by instrumental (EPR, ESI
      MS, MS-MS, and electronic absorption spectroscopy) and computational (DFT)
      methods. The behavior of VDC at pH 7.4 in aqueous solution, the interaction with
      the most important bioligands of the plasma (oxalate, carbonate, phosphate,
      lactate, citrate, histidine, and glycine among those with low molecular mass and
      transferrin and albumin between the proteins) was evaluated. The results suggest
      that [Cp2VCl2] transforms at physiological pH to [Cp2V(OH)2] and that only
      oxalate, carbonate, phosphate, and lactate are able to displace the two OH(-)
      ions to yield [Cp2V(ox)], [Cp2V(CO3)], [Cp2V(lactH(-1))], and [Cp2V(HPO4)]. The
      formation of the adducts with oxalate, carbonate, lactate, and hydrogen phosphate
      was confirmed also by ESI-MS and MS-MS spectra. The stability order is [Cp2V(ox)]
      ? [Cp2V(CO3)] > [Cp2V(lactH(-1))] > [Cp2V(HPO4)]. No interaction between VDC and
      plasma proteins was detected under our experimental conditions. Several model
      systems containing the bioligands (bL) in the same relative ratio as in the blood
      samples were also examined. Finally, the speciation of VDC in the plasma was
      studied. The results obtained show that the model systems behave as the blood
      plasma and indicate that when V concentration is low (10 MUM) VDC is transported
      in the bloodstream as [Cp2V(ox)]; when V concentration is high (100 MUM) oxalate
      binds only 9.2 MUM of [Cp2V](2+), whereas the remaining part distributes between
      [Cp2V(CO3)] (main species) and [Cp2V(lactH(-1))] (minor species); and when V
      concentration is in the range 10-100 MUM [Cp2V](2+) distributes between
      [Cp2V(ox)] and [Cp2V(CO3)].

PMID- 26280600
TI  - International consensus on periprosthetic joint infection.

PMID- 26280601
TI  - International consensus on periprosthetic joint infection.
AB  - The purpose of this manuscript is to document results and complications of use of
      a regenerative dermal matrix skin substitute for coverage of extremity wounds. A
      retrospective review at 3 institutions identified 28 patients and 34 wounds who
      had undergone use of this material (Integra). Complications included failure in
      two patients (4 wounds). However, overall "take" of the regenerative matrix was
      86.1%. In most cases, a split thickness skin graft was applied on average at 25
      days following the initial procedure. Failures were associated with infection and
      irradiation of the surgical field. In this series, use of the dermal regenerative
      matrix was associated with a high rate of success for wound coverage, obviating
      the need for flap coverage or prolonged dressing changes in most cases. Further
      series are likely to refine the known indications and contraindications to use of
      this method. 

PMID- 26280602
TI  - Evaluation of prominence of straight plates and precontoured clavicle plates
      using automated plate-to-bone alignment.
AB  - Hardware prominence after plate fixation for clavicle fracture is a common
      complication. The aim of the study was to perform a 3D analysis of the prominence
      of different types of superior clavicle plates. An automated fitting of 3
      straight and 10 precontoured plates was performed on 52 3D-CT-scan reconstructed
      cadaver clavicles. The mean and maximum bone-plate distance and maximum
      prominence was significant higher with the straight plates compared to the
      precontoured plates. The mean and maximum boneplate distance was significant
      higher with the precontoured DePuy-Synthes plates compared to the precontoured
      Acumed plates but when evaluating the maximum prominence there was no significant
      difference between the most commonly used 8-holes plates. To conclude,
      precontoured plates of the clavicula diminish significantly hardware prominence.
      There exists a difference in hardware prominence between different brands of
      precontoured plates but this difference is limited and in most cases not
      significant. 

PMID- 26280604
TI  - Reversed Revised: What to do when it goes wrong?
AB  - Reversed total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) has well known indications and good
      to excellent results are described in the literature. When the arthroplasty fails
      however, revision remains a technical challenge with many questions unanswered.
      To analyse retrospectively and consecutively the indications and results of
      primary RTSA-revision. All patients that underwent revision RTSA between 2004 and
      2009 were included. Indications for surgery, surgical details and clinical
      evaluation with the preand postoperative Constant-score (CS) were analyzed. 37
      Revisions (37 patients) of RTSA were analysed with an average follow up of 41.2
      months (24-84). Indications were infection (23), glenoid loosening (9),
      instability (2) malpositioning (2) and suprascapular nerve irritation (1). 25
      patients obtained a one-stage conversion to a new reversed prosthesis; 4 patients
      obtained a two-stage revision; 8 patients got a megahead prosthesis. No
      difference in reinfection rate is seen between one- and two stage techniques. An
      overall lower CS is seen for the mega-head prosthesis. CONCLUSIONS: The main
      indication for revision was infection. Revision of RTSA to a new reversed
      prosthesis is to prefer even when several procedures are necessary in one
      patient. When this is impossible, a mega-head prosthesis is to consider and gives
      reasonable results.

PMID- 26280603
TI  - Reduction and internal fixation for acute midshaft clavicular fractures by mini
      incision using cannulated screws.
AB  - Open reduction and internal fixation of fracture clavicle has typically been done
      by variable types of plates. Plates carry the disadvantages of longer incisions,
      prominence of the plates and wound complications. The purpose of this study is to
      present an alternative surgical technique for acute midshaft clavicular fracture
      using cannulated 6.5 screws with minimal incision over the fracture site. Twenty
      seven adult patients with acute midshaft clavicular fractures were surgically
      treated with mini open technique using 6.5mm cannulated screws. The modified
      shoulder rating scale by Chuang was used for outcome evaluation. Union occurred
      in a mean of 8.3 weeks range 6-12 weeks. Restoration of clavicular length was
      achieved in all cases. Twenty-four patients experienced no pain on all activity
      at latest follow-up. All patients expressed their willingness to have the surgery
      again should they have the same problem. One patient stated that she would not
      have the surgery again. CONCLUSION: reduction and internal fixation with a
      cannulated screw is an alternative economic technique for the treatment of acute
      midshaft clavicular fractures that is useful in selected cases where surgery is
      indicated.

PMID- 26280605
TI  - Evaluating the success of preoperative imaging for diagnosing rotator cuff tears
      in a regional centre.
AB  - To review the diagnostic performance of ultrasonography (US) and magnetic
      resonance imaging (MRI) for the detection of rotator-cuff tears, we performed a
      retrospective audit of patients who underwent shoulder arthroscopy at
      Hinchingbrooke hospital. The diagnostic accuracies of US for full and partial
      thickness tears were 82% and 28% respectively. Those of MRI were 82% and 81%
      respectively. These were lower than expected from the literature. This
      discrepancy is likely to be the consequence of over-diagnosis in imaging and
      under-diagnosis at arthroscopy. 

PMID- 26280606
TI  - Carpal Tunnel Syndrome etiology update: where do we stand?

PMID- 26280607
TI  - Cup positioning in total hip arthroplasty.
AB  - The "optimal" positioning of the cup in total hip arthroplasty can improve hip
      function and reduce wear, impingement and dislocation. The cup position is
      described as the spatial relation between the hip rotation centre and the pelvis
      and, as the cup orientation around the rotation centre. The first parameter
      affects hip balance and, if not managed properly, might result in poor function
      and leg length discrepancy. The second parameter is often "silent", unless
      impingement or dislocation occurs. However, inappropriate cup orientation can
      accelerate wear and cause early failure. As such, it is mandatory to get both
      right, taking into account multiple parameters: the stem position, the approach,
      the bearing surface, the cup coverage and the pelvic orientation during loading.
      In most cases a "standard" cup position is adequate. However, specific anatomic
      features might require an individualized approach. This paper aims at reviewing
      the parameters that impact on the optimal cup position. This should allow for
      more judicious choices in those particular cases. 

PMID- 26280608
TI  - Total hip arthroplasty in Belgium: the contribution of a social health insurer to
      the debate.
AB  - This study describes current clinical practice and outcomes of Total Hip
      Arthroplasty in Belgian hospitals. Orthopaedic registries concentrate on implant
      related analyses and sometimes on patient reported outcomes. Our aim was to
      describe the extent and to generate hypotheses about the determinants of the
      variability of health care practices and of prosthesis survival in Belgium. Only
      unilateral elective primary Total Hip Arthroplasties were included. Length of
      stay, costs, transfusion rates and other care activities were analysed over 2008
      and 2009 together. Prosthesis survival was studied using Kaplan-Meier and Cox
      regression hazard ratio computations over the period 2000-2009. 36798 elective
      Total Hip Arthroplasties have been included in a study of all members of the
      Belgian Christian Sickness Fund. The non-standardised ten year Total Hip
      Arthroplasty survival rate is 93% (Kaplan-Meier). Quality has progressed notably
      compared with 10 years earlier. Important variations still persist though between
      hospitals, for all studied indicators. 

PMID- 26280609
TI  - Re-revision of failed revision Total Hip Arthroplasty acetabular components.
AB  - While revision of total hip arthroplasty (THA) is being performed with increasing
      frequency, outcomes of repeated revisions have been rarely reported in the
      literature. The purpose of this study was to report mid-term outcomes of re
      revision of failed revision THA acetabular components. We performed at least two
      revisions of the failed acetabular component in 57 patients (57 hips) between
      August 1996 and April 2008. Of these, 15 patients with infection were excluded
      and one died before 4-year evaluation. The final study cohort consisted of 41
      patients (41 hips) with a mean age of 55.5 years (range, 37 to 82). Preoperative
      acetabular bone defects was classified as Paprosky Type IIA in 4 hips, Type IIB
      in 6, Type IIC in 9, Type IIIA in 16, and Type IIIB in 6. The mean duration of
      follow-up was 7.2 years (range, 4 to 15). Mean Harris hip score improved 45
      points preoperatively to 83 points postoperatively. Six hips (14.6%) required
      additional revision procedure: 3 for aseptic loosening, 2 for deep infection, and
      1 for recurrent instability. Complications included 2 dislocations and 1 peroneal
      nerve palsy. Kaplan-Meier survivorship with an end point of reoperation for any
      reason was 88.5% (95% CI, 78.0% to 100%) at 7.2 years. For aseptic loosening of
      the acetabular component, the survival was 91.8% (95% CI, 80.8% to 100%) at 7.2
      years. Rerevision with contemporary uncemented cup or antiprotrusio cage for
      failed revision THA acetabular components showed encouraging mid-term outcomes
      for this technically challenging condition. 

PMID- 26280610
TI  - Shape memory embracing fixator for Vancouver type B and type C periprosthetic
      femoral fractures.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to analyze clinical and radiographical results of a
      group of patients with periprosthetic femoral fractures treated with the shape
      memory embracing fixator. We retrospectively reviewed twelve patients in whom a
      total of twelve periprosthetic femoral fractures were treated with the shape
      memory embracing fixator between August 2004 and February 2013. The patients were
      3 men and 9 women (mean age, 69.9 years; range 42-92 years). The average duration
      of follow-up was 39.3 months (range 4-103 months). In one case, bone grafting was
      used. Postoperative evaluation was based on radiographs and Harris hip scores.
      All fractures healed at on average 4.4 months (range: 3 to 6 months) after
      surgery. None of the patients developed nonunion or malunion during the follow
      up. And there was no implant failure and no infection during follow up. The
      average Harris hip score at the final follow-up examination was 84.8 points.
      Results show that the shape memory embracing fixator is a safe and effective
      means for Vancouver type B and type C periprosthetic femoral fractures following
      hip arthroplasty. 

PMID- 26280611
TI  - Primary total hip arthroplasty with hydroxyapatite coated titanium femoral stems.
      Does design philosophy influence long term outcome?: Results of a prospective
      randomised controlled trial with follow-up of 10-15 years.
AB  - We present results of a prospective randomised controlled trial examining two
      cohorts of patients treated with proximally (Group A) and fully coated (Group B)
      femoral components with long term follow up. Patients were reviewed
      preoperatively and 6, 12, 26 and 52 weeks post operatively then annually. The
      Merle d'Aubigne Postel (MDP) hip score was used to assess clinical outcome. A
      Visual Analog Score (VAS) was also recorded. Statistical calculation was
      performed using the student's t- test and Kaplan Meier survival analysis. One
      hundred and four patients were included in group A and 103 patients in group B.
      Mean age was 60.4 years and 60.8 years respectively. Mean follow- up was 12.9
      years. Mean pre-operative MDP scores were 8.8 and 9.5 in Groups A and B
      respectively. Mean pre-operative VAS score 7.8 and 7.4 respectively. At final
      follow up mean MDP and VAS were 16.9, 16.6 and 2.1, 2.4 respectively. Three
      femoral revisions occurred in Group A. Seven revisions occurred in Group B.
      Survival of the femoral component with revision for any reason as the end point
      was 96% in Group A and 94.8% in Group B. Both components produced symptomatic
      relief and similar revision rates. Thigh pain occurred only in Group A. 

PMID- 26280612
TI  - Treatment of distal femur fractures with locking plates: Comparison of
      periprosthetic fractures above total knee arthroplasty and non-periprosthetic
      fractures.
AB  - The purpose of the present study was to compare the results and plate fit of
      periprosthetic and non-periprosthetic distal femur fractures fixed with locking
      plates. Twenty-one periprosthetic fractures above a TKA and 27 non-periprosthetic
      fractures were retrospectively reviewed. The primary healing rate, bone union
      time, clinical and radiographic results, complications, and additional surgeries
      were compared between the two groups. The quality of the plate fit on the bone
      was also compared. There were no differences in the primary healing rate, bone
      union time, clinical and radiographic results between the two groups. The
      incidence of overall complication and additional surgeries did not differ (3/21
      vs. 5/27, 1/21 vs. 4/27). Plate fit trouble was observed more frequently in
      periprosthetic fractures (10/21 vs. 1/27, p = 0.004). Fixation of distal femur
      fractures with locking plates provided satisfactory results with a low risk of
      complications and additional surgeries in both periprosthetic and non
      periprosthetic fractures. 

PMID- 26280613
TI  - Can anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction be performed routinely in day
      clinic?
AB  - Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is performed as an outpatient procedure
      in selected cases. Whether it can be safely performed on a routine basis in day
      clinic remains unclear. Our hypothesis was that routinely performing outpatient
      anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction would be equally safe as compared to
      inpatient procedures. A cohort of 355 patients who underwent outpatient primary
      reconstruction was analysed at an average follow-up of 3.8 years. Four patients
      (1.1%) could not be discharged or were readmitted within 24 hours. The 1-month
      readmission rate was 1.4%. The overall complication rate was 12.1% (43 cases) of
      which 4.2% (15 patients) occurred within the first 30 days. Performing anterior
      cruciate ligament reconstructions routinely in day clinic is associated with
      almost negligible readmission rates and has similar complication rates as for
      standard in-hospital anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions. Outpatient
      anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions can therefore be safely performed
      without specific preoperative patient selection protocols. 

PMID- 26280614
TI  - Hip resurfacing arthroplasty: A new method to assess and quantify learning phase.
AB  - Hip resurfacing had initially gained acceptance and popularity as it helps
      preserve femoral bone stock. In this study we tried to answer the following
      questions; 1. Whether there is a learning curve for hip resurfacing? 2. Is it
      present in surgeons from non-developer centres? 3. Is it present in surgeons from
      developer centres as well? The Oswestry outcome centre was setup to serve an
      independent international registry for collecting, analysing and reporting
      outcomes following hip resurfacing. Over a 10 year period, 4535 patients (5000
      hips) were recruited from different countries and within the UK from different
      centres in this study by 139 surgeons from 37 different countries. Our study has
      shown that function can be used to assess the level of surgical competence. The
      results from this multilevel analysis have helped to answer the questions posed
      in the introduction. Hip resurfacing is a surgical procedure with a learning
      phase and this learning effect is more pronounced in non-developer surgeons as
      compared to developer surgeons. Hip scores can be used to assess proficiency and
      competence of surgeons undertaking hip resurfacing arthroplasty. 

PMID- 26280615
TI  - Meniscal transplantation: still experimental surgery? A review.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The objective of this review is to give a state of affairs of
      meniscal transplantation, with the accent on preservation and surgical
      techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All articles were selected by performing a
      search on the literature by using relevant keywords. The most relevant articles
      were selected with close attention to the publication date. RESULTS: When a
      meniscal tear is diagnosed, suture can be an option in the vascular zone, whereas
      the more frequently affected avascular zone heals poorly. A meniscectomy however
      is not without consequences, wherefore meniscal transplantation can be seen as a
      therapeutic option for pain reduction and improvement of function when the
      meniscus is lost. The meniscal scaffold, allograft and autograft can be currently
      withheld as possible grafts, where the meniscal scaffolds hold great promise as
      an alternative to the allograft. Various fixation techniques are therefore
      developed, where viable, deep frozen as well as cryopreservated allografts seem
      to give the most promising short term results. The transplantation can be
      performed using an open as well as an arthroscopic technique, using soft tissue
      fixation, bone plugs or blocks. De primacy of one technique can't be proven. In
      general meniscal transplantation can be considered as an acceptable procedure.
      DISCUSSION: Since the outcomes of different studies are difficult to compare, an
      attempt should be made to limit new studies to the comparison of one aspect. We
      can conclude that larger, more comparative randomised controlled long-term
      studies are necessary to resolve which techniques can give the best long-term
      results.

PMID- 26280616
TI  - Medial malleolar screw hemiepiphysiodesis for ankle valgus in children with spina
      bifida.
AB  - Medial malleolar screw hemiepiphysiodesis has been shown to be an effective
      procedure for the treatment of ankle valgus in children with spina bifida. The
      purpose of this study was to highlight the guided growth technique and discuss
      its efficacy. We retrospectively reviewed 10 spina bifida patients with 18 ankle
      valgus deformities treated with medial malleolar screw hemiepiphysiodesis.
      Medical reports were obtained to document age at surgery, gender, concurrent
      operative procedures and postoperative early and late complications.
      Anteroposterior and lateral weight bearing radiographs of both ankles were
      evaluated using the tibiotalar angle, pre and postoperatively. The average age at
      operation was 10.05 years. Average follow up was 15.33 months (11-21 months).
      During follow-up, the average preoperative distal tibiotalar angle of 16.27
      degrees improved to an average of 2.88 degrees with statistical significance (p <
      0.05). No major complications were detected. In conclusion, hemiepiphysiodesis is
      a safe and sufficient method to correct ankle valgus deformity in children with
      spina bifida, with a low incidence. 

PMID- 26280617
TI  - The role of Taylor Spatial Frame for the treatment of acquired and congenital
      tibial deformities in children.
AB  - This study evaluates the use of the Taylor Spatial Frame (TSF) for the correction
      of acquired and congenital tibial deformities in children. The purpose is to
      underline problems, obstacles and complications that can be observed during
      treatment to reveal the learning curve and potential risk factors and to propose
      solutions to avoid difficulties during its use 86 tibia deformities were
      corrected in 66 children during a period of 7 years and were classified according
      to anatomical and dominant type of deformity. Follow up was 54.2 months. Gradual
      correction was performed according to the individualized time schedule. We faced
      42 difficulties: 29 problems, 10 obstacles and 3 complications, distributed
      across all years. Significant correlation was found between patient's age and
      number of difficulties. The incidence of the difficulties was equally spread over
      the different etiologies, but it was statistically significant across the years.
      Proximal tibia and complex multi-plane deformities seem to be related to an
      increased incidence of postoperative difficulties. TSF can yield accurate
      results, is easy to handle and provides an excellent concomitant 3-direction
      correction. 

PMID- 26280619
TI  - The management of myxofibrosarcoma - a ten-year experience in a single specialist
      centre.
AB  - The aim of this study was to assess the management of myxofibrosarcoma in a
      single specialist centre, and examine factors contributing to local recurrence,
      metastasis and patient survival. Retrospective analysis of the referral,
      diagnosis, and management were obtained. Outcome measures including local
      recurrence, metastasis and death were recorded. 30 patients (mean age of 65.8
      years) were treated for myxofibrosarcoma with limb salvage surgery between
      January 2003 and July 2012. 25 patients were treated for primary disease. Mean
      follow-up was 49 months (range 10-122). Larger tumours were most likely to
      metastasise (p = 0.041). Tumour size, resection margin and grade did not predict
      local recurrence or death. Local recurrence developed in eight patients (26.7%)
      with six subsequently requiring amputation, and four patients (16.7%) developed
      metastasis. Our results regarding local control and patient survival compare with
      that of the literature regarding limb salvage for primary disease, but amputation
      may be required for recurrent disease. 

PMID- 26280618
TI  - The treatment of infected tibial nonunion by bone transport using the Ilizarov
      external fixator and a systematic review of infected tibial nonunion treated by
      Ilizarov methods.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of the
      treatment of infected tibial nonunion by bone transport using the Ilizarov
      external fixator. We retrospectively reviewed 66 patients with infected tibial
      nonunion treated by bone transport using the Ilizarov external fixator. Our study
      included 62 males and 4 females with a mean of age 37.06 years. The average
      length of the bone defects after radical debridement was 6.27 cm (range 3-13 cm).
      The mean follow-up after removal of the apparatus was 25.91 months (18-46
      months). 6 patients were lost to follow-up. All the patients achieved bone union
      and no recurrence of infection was observed. The mean external fixation index was
      1.38 months/cm (range 1.15-1.58 months/cm). According to Association for the
      Study and Application of the Method of Ilizarov (ASAMI) classification, bone
      results were excellent in 44, good in 15, fair in 5 and poor in 2; functional
      results were excellent in 24, good in 26, fair in 10 and no poor. CONCLUSIONS: 
      CONCLUSIONS: Our study and the current evidence suggested that Ilizarov methods
      in the treatment of infected tibial nonunion acquired satisfied effects in bone
      results and functional results. Radical debridement is the key step to control
      bone infection.

PMID- 26280620
TI  - Drugging the Ral GTPase.
AB  - The RAL GTPases have emerged as important drivers of tumor growth and metastasis
      in lung, colon, pancreatic and other cancers. We recently developed the first
      small molecule inhibitors of RAL that exhibited antitumor activity in human lung
      cancer cell lines. These compounds are non-competitive inhibitors that bind to
      the allosteric site of GDP-bound RAL. The RAL inhibitors have the potential to be
      used in combination therapy with other inhibitors of the RAS signaling pathway.
      They also provide insights toward directly targeting other GTPases. 

PMID- 26280622
TI  - Guiding of Electrons in a Few-Mode Ballistic Graphene Channel.
AB  - In graphene, the extremely fast charge carriers can be controlled by electron
      optical elements, such as waveguides, in which the transmissivity is tuned by the
      wavelength. In this work, charge carriers are guided in a suspended ballistic few
      mode graphene channel, defined by electrostatic gating. By depleting the channel,
      a reduction of mode number and steps in the conductance are observed, until the
      channel is completely emptied. The measurements are supported by tight-binding
      transport calculations including the full electrostatics of the sample. 

PMID- 26280621
TI  - Materials from Mussel-Inspired Chemistry for Cell and Tissue Engineering
      Applications.
AB  - Current advances in biomaterial fabrication techniques have broadened their
      application in different realms of biomedical engineering, spanning from drug
      delivery to tissue engineering. The success of biomaterials depends highly on the
      ability to modulate cell and tissue responses, including cell adhesion, as well
      as induction of repair and immune processes. Thus, most recent approaches in the
      field have concentrated on functionalizing biomaterials with different
      biomolecules intended to evoke cell- and tissue-specific reactions. Marine
      mussels produce mussel adhesive proteins (MAPs), which help them strongly attach
      to different surfaces, even under wet conditions in the ocean. Inspired by mussel
      adhesiveness, scientists discovered that dopamine undergoes self-polymerization
      at alkaline conditions. This reaction provides a universal coating for metals,
      polymers, and ceramics, regardless of their chemical and physical properties.
      Furthermore, this polymerized layer is enriched with catechol groups that enable
      immobilization of primary amine or thiol-based biomolecules via a simple dipping
      process. Herein, this review explores the versatile surface modification
      techniques that have recently been exploited in tissue engineering and summarizes
      polydopamine polymerization mechanisms, coating process parameters, and effects
      on substrate properties. A brief discussion of polydopamine-based reactions in
      the context of engineering various tissue types, including bone, blood vessels,
      cartilage, nerves, and muscle, is also provided. 

PMID- 26280624
TI  - Arginine-glycine-aspartic acid functional branched semi-interpenetrating
      hydrogels.
AB  - For the first time a series of functional hydrogels based on semi
      interpenetrating networks with both branched and crosslinked polymer components
      have been prepared and we show the successful use of these materials as
      substrates for cell culture. The materials consist of highly branched poly(N
      isopropyl acrylamide)s with peptide functionalised end groups in a continuous
      phase of crosslinked poly(vinyl pyrrolidone). Functionalisation of the end groups
      of the branched polymer component with the GRGDS peptide produces a hydrogel that
      supports cell adhesion and proliferation. The materials provide a new synthetic
      functional biomaterial that has many of the features of extracellular matrix, and
      as such can be used to support tissue regeneration and cell culture. This class
      of high water content hydrogel material has important advantages over other
      functional hydrogels in its synthesis and does not require post-processing
      modifications nor are functional-monomers, which change the polymerisation
      process, required. Thus, the systems are amenable to large scale and bespoke
      manufacturing using conventional moulding or additive manufacturing techniques.
      Processing using additive manufacturing is exemplified by producing tubes using
      microstereolithography. 

PMID- 26280626
TI  - Samuel Baron (1928-2015).

PMID- 26280625
TI  - Biomaterials for mRNA delivery.
AB  - Messenger RNA (mRNA) has recently emerged with remarkable potential as an
      effective alternative to DNA-based therapies because of several unique
      advantages. mRNA does not require nuclear entry for transfection activity and has
      a negligible chance of integrating into the host genome which excludes the
      possibility of potentially detrimental genomic alternations. Chemical
      modification of mRNA has further enhanced its stability and decreased its
      activation of innate immune responses. Additionally, mRNA has been found to have
      rapid expression and predictable kinetics. Nevertheless, the ubiquitous
      application of mRNA remains challenging given its unfavorable attributes, such as
      large size, negative charge and susceptibility to enzymatic degradation. Further
      refinement of mRNA delivery modalities is therefore essential for its development
      as a therapeutic tool. This review provides an exclusive overview of current
      state-of-the-art biomaterials and nanotechnology platforms for mRNA delivery, and
      discusses future prospects to bring these exciting technologies into clinical
      practice. 

PMID- 26280627
TI  - Case-based update: primary intraventricular brain abscess in a 10-year-old child.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Intraventricular abscesses are very rare and usually result from
      secondary rupture of a brain abscess. In the few published cases, clinical
      presentation was subacute and different pathogens were found. The diagnosis might
      be mistaken as an intraventricular tumor. CASE REPORT: This is a case of a 10
      year-old girl suffering from cyanotic heart disease that was presented with
      subacute onset of headache, vomiting, and some signs of inflammation. Symptoms
      lead to early brain imaging (CT/MRI) demonstrating left ventricular horn lesion
      affecting adjacent brain structures. Neuroradiologists suspected an
      intraventricular tumor, but cardiac history and signs of inflammation led to
      lumbar puncture and evidence of CNS infection, and intraventricular abscess was
      suspected. Navigated aspiration was performed, and multi-sensitive Eikenella
      corrodens was cultivated. Broad antibiotic treatment and dexamethasone were
      initiated, and symptoms disappeared. Follow-up imaging demonstrated gradual
      regression of the intraventricular abscess. The girl underwent regular
      professional teeth cleaning which was discussed as possible cause of infection.
      CONCLUSIONS: Although an isolated intraventricular abscess is a very rare event,
      typical predisposing cardiac history together with central nervous symptoms and
      an intracranial contrasting mass should always lead to the differential diagnosis
      of a brain abscess and be biopsied first. E. corrodens is a typical organism of
      the mouth flora, but a rare cause for a brain abscess. Harmless teeth cleaning
      procedures may cause hematogenic spread and lead to CNS infections, e.g., in
      patients with predisposing diseases. To our knowledge, there are only six
      previous reports of primary intraventricular brain abscess.

PMID- 26280628
TI  - Pre-operative evaluation in pediatric patients with cortical dysplasia.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) is an important cause of refractory
      seizures and catastrophic epilepsy in infants and children who had epilepsy
      surgery. AIMS OF THE REVIEW: This manuscript will discuss age-related unique
      clinical characteristics in evaluation of infants and young children because the
      understanding of these age-related features is critical in selecting children who
      can benefit from epilepsy surgery. In addition, we will review the non-invasive
      tools available for the presurgical evaluation of children with FCD and their
      individual contribution to the formulation of the presurgical hypothesis.

PMID- 26280629
TI  - The human occipital bone: review and update on its embryology and molecular
      development.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The formation of the occipital bone is intricate and has been
      extensively studied with many controversial conclusions, but with minimal effort
      being focused on the genes and molecular interactions necessary for its
      formation. A better understanding of this bone of the calvarial and skull base
      may shed light on pathologies where the occiput is often considered the offending
      entity. METHODS: A review of the germane medical literature using textbooks and
      standard search engines was performed to gather information about previous
      conclusions as it pertains to the embryology and ossification of the occipital
      bone. RESULTS: The occipital bone has both membranous and cartilaginous origin
      with ossification occurring as early as week 9 of fetal gestation. Its formations
      is dependent on complex interacts between genes and molecules with pathologies
      resulting from disruption of this delicate process. CONCLUSION: There has been
      much controversy in the past in regards to the development and ossification
      process necessary for occipital bone formation, which has only recently been
      clarified with documentation of the genes and molecular interactions necessary
      for its formation. Lastly, this improved knowledge might improve our
      understanding of such congenital derailments as the Chiari malformations.

PMID- 26280630
TI  - Perineal pain secondary to tethered cord syndrome: retrospective review of single
      institution experience.
AB  - OBJECT: Tethered cord syndrome (TCS) encompasses a spectrum of neurological
      dysfunction related to excessive tension on the distal spinal cord resulting in
      anatomic deformation and metabolic disturbance. Symptoms typically manifest as
      back/leg pain, neurogenic bladder dysfunction, constipation, sphincter
      abnormalities, and scoliosis. To date, among the least well-described symptoms of
      TCS is pain or hypersensitivity in the perineal region. The authors reviewed
      their experience with spinal cord detethering to identify and further
      characterize those who present with perineal pain or hypersensitivity. METHODS:
      Cases of spinal cord detethering at a single institution were retrospectively
      reviewed. Patients were initially identified by procedural codes. Cases were
      reviewed for presenting symptoms, specifically perineal pain or hypersensitivity.
      Magnetic resonance image (MRI) findings, clinical outcome, and length of follow
      up were also noted. RESULTS: Of the 491 patients identified, seven patients
      (1.4%) were identified as having preoperative perineal pain or hypersensitivity.
      All of these patients had complete resolution of perineal pain/hypersensitivity
      at the time of last follow-up. Furthermore, five (71%) of these patients
      experienced resolution of all initial symptoms. CONCLUSION: Perineal pain or
      hypersensitivity can be an important symptom of spinal cord tethering. Spinal
      cord detethering may result in a good outcome and relief of perineal pain or
      hypersensitivity.

PMID- 26280631
TI  - Comprehensive anatomical and immunohistochemical review of the innervation of the
      human spine and joints with application to an improved understanding of back
      pain.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pain of spinal origin contributes significantly to cervical,
      thoracic, and lower back pain presentations. Such pain originates in the nerve
      fibers supplying the joints or the surrounding ligaments and intervertebral
      discs. Although there has been little detailed discussion of spinal bony
      innervation patterns in the literature, the clinical implications of these
      patterns are anatomically and medically significant. METHODS: The present review
      provides a detailed analysis of the innervation of the spine, identifying the
      unique features of each part via online search engines. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical
      implications of these various studies lie in the importance of the innervation
      patterns for the mechanism of spinal pain. Immunohistochemical studies have
      provided further evidence regarding the nature of the innervation of the spine.

PMID- 26280632
TI  - Cerebral ventriculomegaly after the bidirectional Glenn (BDG) shunt: a single
      institution retrospective analysis.
AB  - PURPOSE: The bidirectional Glenn (BDG) procedure involves the anastomosis of the
      superior vena cava (SVC) to the pulmonary artery, increasing central venous
      pressure (CVP). We hypothesize that this increase in CVP triggers an acute
      neurologic insult, leading to ventriculomegaly. METHODS: In this retrospective
      analysis in a tertiary care children's hospital, we identified 167 patients who
      underwent the BDG procedure between August 2006 and July 2013. Within this
      initial cohort, 24 patients had head imaging (CT, MRI, or ultrasound) performed
      both before and after the BDG. RESULTS: From head imaging available from these 24
      patients, we measured the frontal-occipital horn ratio (FOR), a well-validated
      measure of lateral ventricle size. Using central venous catheter data, we
      assessed postoperative CVP at 12, 24, and 48 h. Paired t tests and linear
      regression were used to evaluate our cohort. Median age at surgery was 4.9
      months. Paired analysis revealed that median FOR significantly increased between
      preoperative (median 0.38, IQR 0.37-0.41) and postoperative (median 0.42, IQR
      0.40-0.45) head images (p = 0.005). Increasing change in FOR was associated with
      increased 12-h (R(2) = 0.369, p = 0.003) but not 24- or 48-h postoperative CVP.
      CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, our study is the first to demonstrate
      ventriculomegaly developing after the BDG. Physiologically, increasing CVP after
      the BDG was associated with greater change in lateral ventricle size. This
      supports the contention that increasing CVP produced during the BDG may damage
      the developing brain. This study has informed a prospective evaluation of a link
      between the BDG procedure and neurologic outcomes.

PMID- 26280633
TI  - Is low b-factors-based apparent diffusion coefficient helpful in assessing renal
      dysfunction?
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate whether low b-factors-based apparent diffusion
      coefficient (ADC) is helpful in assessing renal dysfunction. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Forty-four subjects were recruited, and classified as having severe
      renal injury group (sRI) or not (non-sRI) according to a threshold of estimated
      glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) = 30 ml/min/1.73 m(2). A free-breathing DWI
      with 7 b-factors (0, 20, 40, 80, 200, 400, and 800 s/mm(2)) was performed. After
      choosing an anatomical section that covered the largest part of right kidney, the
      regions of interest covered the renal parenchyma. For each subject, two apparent
      diffusion coefficients based on all b-factors less than 400 s/mm(2) (ADC0-400)
      and 800 s/mm(2) (ADC0-800) were calculated by fitting the signal intensity at
      different b-factors to a mono-exponential decay, respectively. It was found that
      the examination time of the free-breathing DWI sequence in this study can be
      reduced from 3.27 to 2.55 min if the b-factor (800 s/mm(2)) is removed. RESULTS:
      ADC0-400 was larger than ADC0-800 in each group (P < 0.05). Both ADC0-400 and
      ADC0-800 were smaller in the sRI group than those in the non-sRI group (P <
      0.01), and they were linearly related with eGFR (P < 0.05). While a significant
      difference was not found between the two coefficients to differentiate sRI from
      non-sRI participants (P > 0.05), a strong correlation was present between ADC0
      400 and ADC0-800 (r = 0.856, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The low b-factors-based ADC
      was an economical option for reducing the examination time without sacrificing
      its diagnostic performance.

PMID- 26280634
TI  - Building solids inside nano-space: from confined amorphous through confined
      solvate to confined 'metastable' polymorph.
AB  - The nanocrystallisation of complex molecules inside mesoporous hosts and control
      over the resulting structure is a significant challenge. To date the largest
      organic molecule crystallised inside the nano-pores is a known pharmaceutical
      intermediate - ROY (259.3 g mol(-1)). In this work we demonstrate smart
      manipulation of the phase of a larger confined pharmaceutical - indomethacin
      (IMC, 357.8 g mol(-1)), a substance with known conformational flexibility and
      complex polymorphic behaviour. We show the detailed structural analysis and the
      control of solid state transformations of encapsulated molecules inside the pores
      of mesoscopic cellular foam (MCF, pore size ca. 29 nm) and controlled pore glass
      (CPG, pore size ca. 55 nm). Starting from confined amorphous IMC we drive
      crystallisation into a confined methanol solvate, which upon vacuum drying leads
      to the stabilised rare form V of IMC inside the MCF host. In contrast to the pure
      form, encapsulated form V does not transform into a more stable polymorph upon
      heating. The size of the constraining pores and the drug concentration within the
      pores determine whether the amorphous state of the drug is stabilised or it
      recrystallises into confined nanocrystals. The work presents, in a critical
      manner, an application of complementary techniques (DSC, PXRD, solid-state NMR,
      N2 adsorption) to confirm unambiguously the phase transitions under confinement
      and offers a comprehensive strategy towards the formation and control of nano
      crystalline encapsulated organic solids. 

PMID- 26280635
TI  - Appendiceal ultrasound: the importance of conveying probability of disease.

PMID- 26280636
TI  - Appendiceal ultrasound: the importance of determinacy.

PMID- 26280637
TI  - Pediatric appendiceal ultrasound: accuracy, determinacy and clinical outcomes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ultrasonography is considered the most appropriate initial imaging
      study in the evaluation of acute appendicitis in children but has recently come
      under criticism with reports of low specificity and high indeterminate study
      rates, particularly when used in obese patients and patients early in the course
      of their disease, or when performed by sonographers with limited experience.
      OBJECTIVE: To (1) assess the impact of patient factors (gender, age, body mass
      index, and symptom duration) and system factors (call status or year of exam) on
      pediatric appendiceal US accuracy and indeterminate study rate, (2) assess the
      impact of indeterminate study results on follow-up CT and negative laparotomy
      rates and (3) present strategies to reduce the rate of indeterminate US studies
      and improve accuracy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all US
      reports performed for the assessment of acute appendicitis in children <18 years
      old at Mayo Clinic Rochester from January 2010 to June 2014. RESULTS: A total of
      790 US examinations were performed in 452 girls (57%) and 338 boys (43%). The
      prevalence of appendicitis was 18.5% (146/790). There were 109 true-positive, 440
      true-negative, 17 false-positive, 6 false-negative, 218 equivocal and 41
      technically inadequate US studies. A definitive interpretation was made in 72% of
      the studies, with an accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of 0.960, 0.948 and
      0.963, respectively. No patient or system factors significantly affected US
      accuracy. Indeterminate studies (28%) had significantly higher CT utilization
      (46% vs. 11%) and normal appendectomy rates (6.9% vs. 3.5%). CONCLUSION: US
      should be the initial imaging study of choice for pediatric appendicitis. When a
      definitive interpretation was given, the accuracy was 96%, was independent of
      patient and system factors and resulted in reduced follow-up CTs and negative
      laparotomies. Accuracy can be increased by requiring the presence of
      periappendiceal inflammatory changes prior to interpreting a mildly distended
      appendix as positive for acute appendicitis. The indeterminate study rate can be
      reduced by not requiring visualization of the normal appendix for the exclusion
      of acute appendicitis.

PMID- 26280638
TI  - Development and validation of an ultrasound scoring system for children with
      suspected acute appendicitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To facilitate consistent, reliable communication among providers, we
      developed a scoring system (Appy-Score) for reporting limited right lower
      quadrant ultrasound (US) exams performed for suspected pediatric appendicitis.
      OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate implementation of this
      scoring system and its ability to risk-stratify children with suspected
      appendicitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this HIPAA compliant, Institutional
      Review Board-approved study, the Appy-Score was applied retrospectively to all
      limited abdominal US exams ordered for suspected pediatric appendicitis through
      our emergency department during a 5-month pre-implementation period (Jan 1, 2013,
      to May 31, 2013), and Appy-Score use was tracked prospectively post
      implementation (July 1, 2013, to Sept. 30,2013). Appy-Score strata were: 1 =
      normal completely visualized appendix; 2 = normal partially visualized appendix;
      3 = non-visualized appendix, 4 = equivocal, 5a = non-perforated appendicitis and
      5b = perforated appendicitis. Appy-Score use, frequency of appendicitis by Appy
      Score stratum, and diagnostic performance measures of US exams were computed
      using operative and clinical finding as reference standards. Secondary outcome
      measures included rates of CT imaging following US exams and negative
      appendectomy rates. RESULTS: We identified 1,235 patients in the pre
      implementation and 686 patients in the post-implementation groups. Appy-Score use
      increased from 24% (37/155) in July to 89% (226/254) in September (P < 0.001).
      Appendicitis frequency by Appy-Score stratum post-implementation was: 1 = 0.5%, 2
      = 0%, 3 = 9.5%, 4 = 44%, 5a = 92.3%, and 5b = 100%. Sensitivity, specificity,
      positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were 96.3%
      (287/298), 93.9% (880/937), 83.4% (287/344), and 98.8% (880/891) pre
      implementation and 93.0% (200/215), 92.6% (436/471), 85.1% (200/235), and 96.7%
      (436/451) post-implementation - only NPV was statistically different (P = 0.012).
      CT imaging after US decreased by 31% between pre- and post-implementation, 8.6%
      (106/1235) vs. 6.0% (41/686); P = 0.048). Negative appendectomy rates did not
      change (4.4% vs. 4.1%, P = 0.8). CONCLUSION: A scoring system and structured
      template for reporting US exam results for suspected pediatric appendicitis was
      successfully adopted by a pediatric radiology department at a large tertiary
      children's hospital and stratifies risk for children based on their likelihood of
      appendicitis.

PMID- 26280640
TI  - Diffusion-weighted imaging and the apparent diffusion coefficient on 3T MR
      imaging in the differentiation of craniopharyngiomas and germ cell tumors.
AB  - The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI)
      plays an important role in diagnosing intracranial tumors and predicting the
      histopathological grade of the tumor. However, the differences in the ADC values
      between craniopharyngiomas and germ cell tumors (GCTs) have not been clarified.
      We therefore evaluated the DWI and ADC values at b = 1000 and b = 4000 s/mm(2) on
      3T magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and assessed the possibility of
      differentiating between craniopharyngiomas and GCTs. We retrospectively reviewed
      19 patients with craniopharyngioma and 24 patients with GCT who underwent surgery
      and received a histopathological diagnosis. Thirty-four patients underwent DWI
      with b = 1000 and b = 4000 s/mm(2) and nine patients underwent periodically
      rotated overlapping parallel lines with enhanced reconstruction (PROPELLER) DWI
      with b = 1000 s/mm(2). The ADC was determined by manually placing regions of
      interests (ROIs) in the respective tumor regions on the ADC maps and is expressed
      as the minimum (ADC(MIN)), mean (ADC(MEAN)), and maximum (ADC(MAX)) absolute
      values. The craniopharyngiomas showed lower intensity on DWI at b = 1000 and b =
      4000 s/mm(2) than the GCTs. Furthermore, the craniopharyngiomas demonstrated
      significantly high ADC values (ADC(MIN), ADC(MEAN), and ADC(MAX)) in comparison
      with the GCTs on DWI at b = 1000 and b = 4000 s/mm(2). The logistic discriminant
      analysis clarified the advantage of ADC(MIN) at b = 4000 s/mm(2) in
      differentiating between craniopharyngiomas and GCTs compared with the other ADC
      values. DWI and the ADC values may help clinicians to differentiate between
      craniopharyngiomas and GCTs. The ADC(MIN) at b = 4000 s/mm(2) is particularly
      useful for differentiation.

PMID- 26280641
TI  - Peter Henry Dawson, May 28, 1937-June 12, 2015.

PMID- 26280639
TI  - Hearing loss in hydrocephalus: a review, with focus on mechanisms.
AB  - While neither hydrocephalus nor cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt placement is
      traditionally considered in the differential diagnosis of hearing loss, there is
      substantial evidence that CSF circulation and pressure abnormalities can produce
      auditory dysfunction. Several indirect mechanisms may explain association between
      hydrocephalus and hearing loss, including mass effect, compromise of the auditory
      pathway, complications of prematurity, and genetically mediated hydrocephalus and
      hearing loss. Nevertheless, researchers have proposed a direct mechanism, which
      we term the hydrodynamic theory. In this hypothesis, the intimate relationship
      between CSF and inner ear fluids permits relative endolymphatic or perilymphatic
      hydrops in the setting of CSF pressure disturbances. CSF is continuous with
      perilymph, and CSF pressure changes are known to produce parallel perilymphatic
      pressure changes. In support of the hydrodynamic theory, some studies have found
      an independent association between hydrocephalus and hearing loss. Moreover,
      surgical shunting of CSF has been linked to both resolution and development of
      auditory dysfunction. The disease burden of hydrocephalus-associated hearing loss
      may be large, and because hydrocephalus and over-shunting are reversible, this
      relationship merits broader recognition. Hydrocephalic patients should be
      monitored for hearing loss, and hearing loss in a patient with shunted
      hydrocephalus should prompt further evaluation and possibly adjustment of shunt
      settings. 

PMID- 26280642
TI  - "You hoped we would sleep walk into accepting the collection of our data":
      controversies surrounding the UK care.data scheme and their wider relevance for
      biomedical research.
AB  - An 'Information Centre' has recently been established by law which has the power
      to collect, collate and provide access to the medical information for all
      patients treated by the National Health Service in England, whether in hospitals
      or by General Practitioners. This so-called 'care.data' scheme has given rise to
      major and ongoing controversies. We will sketch the background of the scheme and
      look at the responses it has elicited from citizens and medical professionals. In
      Autumn 2013, NHS England set up a care.data website where citizens could record
      their concerns regarding the collection of health-related data by the Information
      Centre. We have reviewed all the comments on this website up until June 2015. We
      have also analysed the readers' comments on the coverage of the care.data scheme
      in one of the main national UK newspapers. When discussing the responses of
      citizens, we will make a distinction between the problems that citizens detect
      and the solutions they propose. The solutions that are being perceived as the
      most relevant ones can be summarized as follows: citizens wish to further the
      common good without being manipulated into doing it, while at the same time being
      safeguarded against various abuses. The issue of trust turns out to figure
      prominently. Our analysis of reactions to the scheme in no way pretends to be
      exhaustive, yet it provides various relevant insights into the concerns
      identified by citizens as well as medical professionals. These concerns,
      moreover, have a more general relevance in relation to other contexts of medical
      data-mining as well as biobank research. Our analysis also offers important
      pointers as to how those concerns might be addressed. 

PMID- 26280643
TI  - [Avulsion of the Globe after Bicycle Accident--Clinical and Histopathological
      Evaluation].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Potential pathological mechanisms and complications of traumatic
      avulsio bulbi will be discussed based on the history, clinical, and
      histopathological findings of two patients. HISTORY AND SIGNS: Both patients were
      heavily affected by alcohol and had a bicycle accident with subsequent
      perforation of the upper eyelid by the handlebar-mounted hand brake levers. The
      accident resulted in disruption of the optic nerve and anterior displacement of
      the globe. THERAPY AND OUTCOME: In one patient, it was possible to reposition the
      globe into the orbit; however, the second patient's eye had to be enucleated.
      Functional testing demonstrated permanent loss of vision of the primary involved
      eyes, visual field defects, and visual impairment of one fellow eye. CONCLUSION:
      Avulsio bulbi describes a severe trauma to the eye often induced by sport and
      traffic accidents. Special attention should be addressed to the primary non
      affected fellow eye with regard to potential functional defects.

PMID- 26280644
TI  - [Relevant Parameters of Optic Nerve Analysis from Spectral Domain OCT for
      Glaucoma Diagnostics].
AB  - BACKGROUND: In early diagnosis and follow-up of patients with glaucoma anatomic
      diagnostic examinations have become more important in addition to static
      perimetry. Patients with open angle glaucoma suffer a slow visual field loss due
      to the loss of ganglion cells, which these examinations could detect earlier than
      perimetry can. METHODS: Parameters of the optical coherence tomography (OCT) were
      analysed in 89 patients (175 eyes) with advanced open angle glaucoma. In a
      prospective study, the functional findings from static perimetry (HFA-II, 24-2
      programme) and the anatomic parameters of optic nerve analysis with SD-OCT
      (Cirrus-OCT) were evaluated. RESULTS: The results showed a mean deviation (MD) in
      perimetry of - 8.31 +/- 9.76 dB and in the analysis of the optic nerve head of
      71.93 +/- 15.86 um retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) as well as 85.54 +/- 28.2 um
      RNFL for the inferior quadrant, 0.95 +/- 0.46 mm(2) for the rim area and 0.69 +/-
      0.18 for the vertical CD ratio. There was a significant correlation (p < 0.05)
      between MD und RNFL (r = 0.603), as well as RNFL of the inferior quadrant (r =
      0.620), rim area (r = 0.552) and average CD ratio (r = - 0.551). The best
      correlation for the optical nerve head analysis was found between MD and vertical
      CD ratio (r = - 0.568). CONCLUSIONS: There was a good correlation between
      functional and anatomic parameters in perimetry and OCT. In particular, the mean
      and inferior retinal nerve fibre layer thickness, the rim area, and the vertical
      CD ratio revealed to be significant parameters in glaucomatous eyes.

PMID- 26280645
TI  - [TGC Repeats in Intron 2 of the TCF4 Gene have a Good Predictive Power Regarding
      to Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is one of the most common
      indications for corneal transplants. FECD is associated with various genes, e.g.,
      COL8A2 or SLC4A11. Among other things a TGC trinucleotide repeat expansion in
      intron 2 of the TCF4 gene has been characterised in FECD patients and the allele
      G of the polymorphism rs613872 in intron 3 of the same gene has been associated
      with this disease. Our intention was to investigate sources in molecular genetics
      in the German population and to calculate the odds ratio as indicator for the
      chance to suffer from FECD. PATIENTS AND METHOD: 42 unrelated FECD patients, 93
      unrelated controls and 17 members of a family with four FECD affected patients
      have been examined for the described changes in the TCF4 gene. After
      amplification of the TGC repeats with specific PCR the obtained products were
      electrophoretically divided according to their length and investigated with a
      triplet-primed PCR. Polymorphism rs613872 was analysed by Sanger sequencing. All
      coding exons of the adjacent genes TCF4 and LOXHD1 were sequenced in six patients
      in order to exclude potential disease associated mutations. RESULTS: 33 out of 42
      unrelated analysed patients (79 %) had a TGC repeat expansion (> 50 TGC repeats)
      in intron 2 of the TCF4 gene. Out of 93 controls only 10 (10.8 %) showed an
      expanded allele. In the family the four diseased and four healthy subjects of the
      17 examined family members had an expanded allele. Analysis of the polymorphism
      rs613872 in intron 3 of the TCF4 gene exhibited 33 of 42 unrelated patients (78.6
      %) heterozygous TG and four homozygous GG (9.5 %). 65 of 93 controls were
      homozygous TT (69.9 %) and only 21 heterozygous TG (22.6 %). Of the 17 family
      members nine had the genotype TG, including the four FECD patients. Sequencing of
      the coding exons of TCF4 and LOXHD1 in six patients showed no variant described
      with FECD. The odds ratio as indicator for being affected by FECD in our data for
      the expanded TGC allele is 30. The chance of being affected is thus 30 times
      higher when someone exhibits the expanded allele. For a carrier of the risk
      allele G the chance is 16.5 times higher. DISCUSSION: An expanded TGC allele with
      more than 50 TGC repeats in intron 2 and the described risk allele G of the
      polymorphism rs613872 in intron 3 of the TCF4 gene appear as an association to
      FECD. The chance to be affected by FECD is up to 30 times higher. With molecular
      genetics also donors with clinically unknown FECD may be detected.

PMID- 26280646
TI  - [The Influence of Intravitreal Injections on Outpatient Cataract Operations in
      Germany].
AB  - PURPOSE: The number of outpatient operations in Germany is not registered in a
      centralised manner. To estimate the development of the outpatient intraocular
      surgery especially since the implementation of the intravitreal injections,
      surveys among ophthalmic surgeons were analysed. METHODS: Between 2006 and 2013
      surveys were done among ophthalmic surgeons in Germany using questionnaires. An
      average of 318 completed questionnaires were sent back. The mean participation
      ratio was 37 %. RESULTS: Between 2006 and 2013 an extrapolated mean of 347 564
      cataract operations and 139 946 intravitreal injections were reported. Whereas
      the number of cataract operations was constant in the observation period, the
      number of injections increased considerably from 35 135 in 2006 to 274 714 in
      2013. CONCLUSION: A saturation in the development of the numbers of the
      intravitreal injections could not yet be observed. Other outpatient operations,
      especially cataract procedures were not replaced by the increase of the
      injections in the recent years.

PMID- 26280647
TI  - [Fundus Autofluorescence Imaging].
AB  - Fundus autofluorescence (FAF) imaging allows for non-invasive mapping of changes
      at the level of the retinal pigment epithelium/photoreceptor complex and of
      alterations of macular pigment distribution. This imaging method is based on the
      visualisation of intrinsic fluorophores and may be easily and rapidly used in
      routine patient care. Main applications include degenerative disorders of the
      outer retina such as age-related macular degeneration, hereditary and acquired
      retinal diseases. FAF imaging is particularly helpful for differential diagnosis,
      detection and extent of involved retinal areas, structural-functional
      correlations and monitoring of changes over time. Recent developments include -
      in addition to the original application of short wavelength light for excitation
      ("blue" FAF imaging) - the use of other wavelength ranges ("green" or "near
      infrared" FAF imaging), widefield imaging for visualisation of peripheral retinal
      areas and quantitative FAF imaging. 

PMID- 26280649
TI  - Sensitive Detection of ssDNA Using an LRET-Based Upconverting Nanohybrid
      Material.
AB  - Water-dispersible, optical hybrid nanoparticles are preferred materials for DNA
      biosensing due to their biocompatibility. Upconverting nanoparticles are highly
      desirable optical probes in sensors and bioimaging owing to their sharp emission
      intensity in the visible region. We herein report a highly sensitive ss-DNA
      detection based on an energy transfer system that uses a nanohybrid material
      synthesized by doping NaYF4:Tm(3+)/Yb(3+) upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) on
      silica coated polystyrene-co-acrylic acid (PSA) nanoparticles (PSA/SiO2) as the
      donor, and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) decorated with Ir(III) complex as the
      acceptor. UCNPs tagged on PSA/SiO2 and the cyclometalated Ir(III)/AuNP conjugates
      were then linked through the ss-DNA sequence. Sequential addition of the target
      DNA to the probe molecular beacon complex resulted in the separation of the
      optical nanohybrid material and the quencher, leading to a measurable increase in
      the blue fluorescence emission intensity. Our results have shown a linear
      relationship between the fluorescence intensity and target DNA concentration down
      to the picomolar. 

PMID- 26280650
TI  - Visuo-vestibular information processing by unipolar brush cells in the rabbit
      flocculus.
AB  - The unipolar brush cell (UBC) is a glutamatergic granular layer interneuron that
      is predominantly located in the vestibulocerebellum and parts of the vermis. In
      rat and rabbit, we previously found using juxtacellular labeling combined with
      spontaneous activity recording that cells with highly regular spontaneous
      activity belong to the UBC category. Making use of this signature, we recorded
      from floccular UBCs in both anesthetized and awake rabbits while delivering visuo
      vestibular stimulation by using sigmoidal rotation of the whole animal. In the
      anesthetized rabbit, the activity of the presumed UBC units displayed a wide
      variety of modulation profiles that could be related to aspects of head velocity
      or acceleration. These modulation profiles could also be found in the awake
      rabbit where, in addition, they could also carry an eye position signal.
      Furthermore, units in the awake rabbit could demonstrate rather long response
      latencies of up to 0.5 s. We suggest that the UBCs recorded in this study mostly
      belong to the type I UBC category (calretinin-positive) and that they can play
      diverse roles in floccular visuo-vestibular information processing, such as
      transformation of velocity-related signals to acceleration-related signals. 

PMID- 26280651
TI  - Microvascular responses to (hyper-)gravitational stress by short-arm human
      centrifuge: arteriolar vasoconstriction and venous pooling.
AB  - PURPOSE: We hypothesized that lower body microvessels are particularly challenged
      during exposure to gravity and hypergravity leading to failure of resistance
      vessels to withstand excessive transmural pressure during hypergravitation and
      gravitation-dependent microvascular blood pooling. METHODS: Using a short-arm
      human centrifuge (SAHC), 12 subjects were exposed to +1Gz, +2Gz and +1Gz, all at
      foot level, for 4 min each. Laser Doppler imaging and near-infrared spectroscopy
      were used to measure skin perfusion and tissue haemoglobin concentrations,
      respectively. RESULTS: Pretibial skin perfusion decreased by 19% during +1Gz and
      remained at this level during +2Gz. In the dilated area, skin perfusion increased
      by 24 and 35% during +1Gz and +2Gz, respectively. In the upper arm, oxygenated
      haemoglobin (Hb) decreased, while deoxy Hb increased with little change in total
      Hb. In the calf muscle, O2Hb and deoxy Hb increased, resulting in total Hb
      increase by 7.5 +/- 1.4 and 26.6 +/- 2.6 umol/L at +1Gz and +2Gz, respectively.
      The dynamics of Hb increase suggests a fast and a slow component. CONCLUSION:
      Despite transmural pressures well beyond the upper myogenic control limit, intact
      lower body resistance vessels withstand these pressures up to +2Gz, suggesting
      that myogenic control may contribute only little to increased vascular
      resistance. The fast component of increasing total Hb indicates microvascular
      blood pooling contributing to soft tissue capacitance. Future research will have
      to address possible alterations of these acute adaptations to gravity after
      deconditioning by exposure to micro-g.

PMID- 26280652
TI  - Early resistance training-induced increases in muscle cross-sectional area are
      concomitant with edema-induced muscle swelling.
AB  - PURPOSE: It has been proposed that skeletal muscle shows signs of resistance
      training (RT)-induced muscle hypertrophy much earlier (i.e., ~3-4 weeks of RT)
      than previously thought. We determined if early increases in whole muscle cross
      sectional area (CSA) during a period of RT were concomitant with edematous muscle
      swelling and thus not completely attributable to hypertrophy. METHODS: We
      analyzed vastus lateralis muscle ultrasound CSA images and their respective echo
      intensities (CSA-USecho) at the beginning (T1), in the 3rd week of RT (T2) and at
      the end (T3) of a 10-week RT period in ten untrained young men. Functional
      parameters [training volume (TV = load * reps * sets) and maximal voluntary
      contraction (MVC)] and muscle damage markers (myoglobin and interleukin-6) were
      also assessed. RESULT: Muscle CSA increased significantly at T2 (~2.7%) and T3
      (~10.4%) versus T1. Similarly, CSA-USecho increased at T2 (~17.2%) and T3
      (~13.7%). However, when CSA-USecho was normalized to the increase in muscle CSA,
      only T2 showed a significantly higher USecho versus T1. Additionally, TV
      increased at T2 and T3 versus T1, but MVC increased only at T3. Myoglobin and
      Interleukin-6 were elevated at T2 versus T1, and myoglobin was also higher at T2
      versus T3. CONCLUSION: We propose that early RT-induced increases in muscle CSA
      in untrained young individuals are not purely hypertrophy, since there is
      concomitant edema-induced muscle swelling, probably due to muscle damage, which
      may account for a large proportion of the increase. Therefore, muscle CSA
      increases (particularly early in an RT program) should not be labeled as
      hypertrophy without some concomitant measure of muscle edema/damage.

PMID- 26280654
TI  - Urothelial cells undergo epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition after exposure to
      muscle invasive bladder cancer exosomes.
AB  - Bladder cancer, the fourth most common noncutaneous malignancy in the United
      States, is characterized by high recurrence rate, with a subset of these cancers
      progressing to a deadly muscle invasive form of disease. Exosomes are small
      secreted vesicles that contain proteins, mRNA and miRNA, thus potentially
      modulating signaling pathways in recipient cells. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal
      transition (EMT) is a process by which epithelial cells lose their cell polarity
      and cell-cell adhesion and gain migratory and invasive properties to become
      mesenchymal stem cells. EMT has been implicated in the initiation of metastasis
      for cancer progression. We investigated the ability of bladder cancer-shed
      exosomes to induce EMT in urothelial cells. Exosomes were isolated by
      ultracentrifugation from T24 or UMUC3 invasive bladder cancer cell conditioned
      media or from patient urine or bladder barbotage samples. Exosomes were then
      added to the urothelial cells and EMT was assessed. Urothelial cells treated with
      bladder cancer exosomes showed an increased expression in several mesenchymal
      markers, including alpha-smooth muscle actin, S100A4 and snail, as compared with
      phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)-treated cells. Moreover, treatment of urothelial
      cells with bladder cancer exosomes resulted in decreased expression of epithelial
      markers E-cadherin and beta-catenin, as compared with the control, PBS-treated
      cells. Bladder cancer exosomes also increased the migration and invasion of
      urothelial cells, and this was blocked by heparin pretreatment. We further showed
      that exosomes isolated from patient urine and bladder barbotage samples were able
      to induce the expression of several mesenchymal markers in recipient urothelial
      cells. In conclusion, the research presented here represents both a new insight
      into the role of exosomes in transition of bladder cancer into invasive disease,
      as well as an introduction to a new platform for exosome research in urothelial
      cells. 

PMID- 26280655
TI  - ST-Segment Elevation Interpretation on Electrocardiogram: To Cath or Not to Cath?

PMID- 26280653
TI  - How the effects of aging and stresses of life are integrated in mortality rates:
      insights for genetic studies of human health and longevity.
AB  - Increasing proportions of elderly individuals in developed countries combined
      with substantial increases in related medical expenditures make the improvement
      of the health of the elderly a high priority today. If the process of aging by
      individuals is a major cause of age related health declines then postponing aging
      could be an efficient strategy for improving the health of the elderly.
      Implementing this strategy requires a better understanding of genetic and non
      genetic connections among aging, health, and longevity. We review progress and
      problems in research areas whose development may contribute to analyses of such
      connections. These include genetic studies of human aging and longevity, the
      heterogeneity of populations with respect to their susceptibility to disease and
      death, forces that shape age patterns of human mortality, secular trends in
      mortality decline, and integrative mortality modeling using longitudinal data.
      The dynamic involvement of genetic factors in (i) morbidity/mortality risks, (ii)
      responses to stresses of life, (iii) multi-morbidities of many elderly
      individuals, (iv) trade-offs for diseases, (v) genetic heterogeneity, and (vi)
      other relevant aging-related health declines, underscores the need for a
      comprehensive, integrated approach to analyze the genetic connections for all of
      the above aspects of aging-related changes. The dynamic relationships among
      aging, health, and longevity traits would be better understood if one linked
      several research fields within one conceptual framework that allowed for
      efficient analyses of available longitudinal data using the wealth of available
      knowledge about aging, health, and longevity already accumulated in the research
      field. 

PMID- 26280657
TI  - Automatic quantification of mitochondrial fragmentation from two-photon
      microscope images of mouse brain tissue.
AB  - The morphology of mitochondria can inform about their functional state and, thus,
      about cell vitality. For example, fragmentation of the mitochondrial network is
      associated with many diseases. Recent advances in neuronal imaging have enabled
      the observation of mitochondria in live brains for long periods of time, enabling
      the study of their dynamics in animal models of diseases. To aid these studies,
      we developed an automatic method, based on supervised learning, for quantifying
      the degree of mitochondrial fragmentation in tissue images acquired via two
      photon microscopy from transgenic mice, which exclusively express Enhanced cyan
      fluorescent protein (ECFP) under Thy1 promoter, targeted to the mitochondrial
      matrix in subpopulations of neurons. We tested the method on images prior to and
      after cardiac arrest, and found it to be sensitive to significant changes in
      mitochondrial morphology because of the arrest. We conclude that the method is
      useful in detecting morphological abnormalities in mitochondria and, likely, in
      other subcellular structures as well. 

PMID- 26280658
TI  - Erythrocyte Shrinkage and Cell Membrane Scrambling after Exposure to the
      Ionophore Nonactin.
AB  - The ionophore antibiotic nonactin permeabilizes cell membranes to NH4+ and K(+) .
      Treatment of erythrocytes with nonactin is expected to trigger cellular K(+) loss
      with subsequent cell shrinkage, which in turn is known to trigger suicidal death
      of a wide variety of cells including erythrocytes. This study explored whether
      nonactin exposure induces eryptosis, the suicidal erythrocyte death characterized
      by cell shrinkage and translocation of cell membrane phosphatidylserine to the
      erythrocyte surface. Signalling of eryptosis includes increase in cytosolic
      Ca(2+) activity [(Ca(2+) )i ] and stimulation of protein kinase C (PKC) as well
      as p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase. Phosphatidylserine abundance at the cell
      surface was estimated from annexin-V-binding, cell volume from forward scatter
      (FSC) and (Ca(2+) )i from Fluo3-fluorescence. A 48-hr treatment of human
      erythrocytes with nonactin significantly decreased FSC (>=10 ng/ml) and
      significantly increased the percentage of annexin-V-binding cells (>=10 ng/ml),
      effects paralleled by increase in (Ca(2+) )i (>=50 ng/ml) and virtually abrogated
      by increase in extracellular K(+) concentration to 120 mM at the expense of Na(+)
      . The up-regulation of annexin-V-binding after nonactin treatment was
      significantly blunted but not abolished by the removal of extracellular Ca(2+)
      and by addition of either PKC inhibitor staurosporine (0.4 MUM) or p38 kinase
      inhibitor SB203580 (2 MUM). In conclusion, exposure of erythrocytes to the K(+)
      ionophore nonactin induces erythrocyte shrinkage and subsequent erythrocyte
      membrane scrambling, effects involving cellular K(+) loss, Ca(2+) entry and
      activation of staurosporine as well as SB203580-sensitive kinases. 

PMID- 26280656
TI  - LAPTM4B facilitates late endosomal ceramide export to control cell death
      pathways.
AB  - Lysosome-associated protein transmembrane-4b (LAPTM4B) associates with poor
      prognosis in several cancers, but its physiological function is not well
      understood. Here we use novel ceramide probes to provide evidence that LAPTM4B
      interacts with ceramide and facilitates its removal from late endosomal
      organelles (LEs). This lowers LE ceramide in parallel with and independent of
      acid ceramidase-dependent catabolism. In LAPTM4B-silenced cells, LE sphingolipid
      accumulation is accompanied by lysosomal membrane destabilization. However, these
      cells resist ceramide-driven caspase-3 activation and apoptosis induced by
      chemotherapeutic agents or gene silencing. Conversely, LAPTM4B overexpression
      reduces LE ceramide and stabilizes lysosomes but sensitizes to drug-induced
      caspase-3 activation. Together, these data uncover a cellular ceramide export
      route from LEs and identify LAPTM4B as its regulator. By compartmentalizing
      ceramide, LAPTM4B controls key sphingolipid-mediated cell death mechanisms and
      emerges as a candidate for sphingolipid-targeting cancer therapies. 

PMID- 26280660
TI  - Composite Films of Poly(vinyl alcohol) and Bifunctional Cross-linking Cellulose
      Nanocrystals.
AB  - Long and flexible cellulose nanofibrils or stiff and short cellulose nanocrystals
      (CNCs) are both promising lightweight materials with high strength and the
      potential to serve as reinforcing agents in many polymeric materials. In this
      study, bifunctional reactive cellulose nanocrystals (RCNCs) with carboxyl and
      aldehyde functionalities were used as reinforcements to prepare acetal-bonding
      cross-linked poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) films. Two RCNCs were obtained through the
      mechanical homogenization of partially carboxylated dialdehyde cellulose (DAC)
      with a residual aldehyde content of 0.55 and 1.93 mmol/g and a carboxyl content
      of 1.65 and 1.93 mmol/g, respectively. The mechanical, thermal, and barrier
      properties of PVA-RCNC films with a variable mass ratio of RCNCs (0.5-10%) were
      determined. Reference CNCs without reactive aldehydes were obtained through the
      reduction of aldehyde functionalities to primary hydroxide groups, and their
      reinforcing effect was compared to RCNCs. With the addition of 10% acetal-bonding
      RCNCs with respect to PVA weight, the tensile strength and Young's modulus were
      up to 2-fold greater than those of pure PVA film. An addition of only 0.5% RCNCs
      improved the tensile strength of the PVA film by 66% and the modulus by 61%. In
      comparison, a significantly lower reinforcing effect (19% with CNC loading of
      0.5%) was found using reference CNCs. PVA's effective oxygen barrier and thermal
      properties were preserved when RCNCs were introduced into the films. 

PMID- 26280659
TI  - The imagined itch: brain circuitry supporting nocebo-induced itch in atopic
      dermatitis patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Psychological factors are known to significantly modulate itch in
      patients suffering from chronic itch. Itch is also highly susceptible to both
      placebo and nocebo (negative placebo) effects. Brain activity likely supports
      nocebo-induced itch, but is currently unknown. METHODS: We collected functional
      MRI (fMRI) data from atopic dermatitis (AD) patients, in a within-subject design,
      and contrast brain response to nocebo saline understood to be allergen vs open
      label saline control. Exploratory analyses compared results to real allergen itch
      response and placebo responsiveness, evaluated in the same patients. RESULTS:
      Nocebo saline produced greater itch than open saline control (P < 0.01). Compared
      to open saline, nocebo saline demonstrated greater fMRI response in caudate,
      dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC), and intraparietal sulcus (iPS) - brain
      regions important for cognitive executive and motivational processing.
      Exploratory analyses found that subjects with greater dlPFC and caudate
      activation to nocebo-induced itch also demonstrated greater dlPFC and caudate
      activation, respectively, for real allergen itch. Subjects reporting greater
      nocebo-induced itch also demonstrated greater placebo reduction of allergen
      evoked itch, suggesting increased generalized modulation of itch perception.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates the capacity of nocebo saline to mimic both
      the sensory and neural effects of real allergens and provides an insight to the
      brain mechanisms supporting nocebo-induced itch in AD, thus aiding our
      understanding of the role that expectations and other psychological factors play
      in modulating itch perception in chronic itch patients.

PMID- 26280661
TI  - Maxillary canine-first premolar bilateral transposition in a Class III patient: A
      case report.
AB  - Tooth transposition is a rare dental anomaly that often represents a challenge
      for the clinician. The case of a girl with skeletal Class III malocclusion and
      concomitant maxillary canine-first premolar bilateral transposition, followed
      from 7 to 17 years of age, is presented. After a first phase of treatment aimed
      at resolving the Class III malocclusion, the transposition was maintained and the
      case finalized with a multibracket appliance. 

PMID- 26280662
TI  - A randomized controlled trial evaluating antioxidant-essential oil gel as a
      treatment for gingivitis in orthodontic patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the treatment effect of an antioxidant-essential oil gel
      on orthodontic patients with generalized gingivitis. The gel contains the
      essential oils menthol and thymol and the antioxidants ferulic acid and
      phloretin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty patients from the university's
      orthodontic clinic were screened for gingivitis and randomly allocated into
      treatment and placebo-control groups. Each patient was evaluated at three
      orthodontic treatment visits (T1, T2, and T3). A periodontal examination,
      including probing depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP), gingival index (GI), and
      plaque index (PI) was performed at each visit. Between T1 and T2, patients were
      instructed to apply a topical gel (active or placebo) to their gingiva twice
      daily after brushing. From T2 to T3, patients were instructed to discontinue use
      of the gel. RESULTS: The treatment group showed statistically significant (P <
      .05) reductions of BOP (-13.6 percentage points) and GI (-0.14) between T1 and
      T2, and significant increases in BOP (13.3 percentage points) and GI (0.14)
      between T2 and T3. Except for an increase in the GI between T2 and T3, the
      control group showed no significant changes in BOP or GI over time. The only
      other significant changes that occurred pertained to the treatment group, which
      showed significant increases in PD (0.08 mm) and PI (0.18) between T2 and T3.
      CONCLUSION: Application of a topical antioxidant-essential oil gel is an
      effective means of reducing inflammation in orthodontic patients with gingivitis.

PMID- 26280667
TI  - Electrochemistry at a Metal Nanoparticle on a Tunneling Film: A Steady-State
      Model of Current Densities at a Tunneling Ultramicroelectrode.
AB  - Here, a new methodology is proposed for treating electrochemical current
      densities in metal-insulator-metal nanoparticle (M-I-MNP) systems. The described
      model provides broad, practical insights about MNP-mediated electron transfer to
      redox species in solution, where electron transfer from the underlying electrode
      to a MNP via tunneling and heterogeneous electron transfer from the MNP to redox
      species in solution are treated as sequential steps. Tunneling is treated through
      an adaptation of the Simmons model of tunneling in metal-insulator-metal
      structures, and explicit equations are provided for tunneling currents, which
      demonstrate the effect of various experimental parameters, such as insulator
      thickness and MNP size. Overall, a general approach is demonstrated for
      determining experimental conditions where tunneling will have a measurable impact
      on the electrochemistry of M-I-MNP systems. 

PMID- 26280666
TI  - The Sexual Acceptability of Intrauterine Contraception: A Qualitative Study of
      Young Adult Women.
AB  - CONTEXT: The IUD is extremely effective but infrequently used by young adult
      women, who disproportionately experience unintended pregnancies. Research has not
      examined how IUD use may affect sexuality, which could in turn affect method
      acceptability, continuation and marketing efforts. METHODS: Focus group
      discussions and interviews were conducted in 2014 with 50 women between the ages
      of 18 and 29-either University of Wisconsin students or women from the
      surrounding community who received public assistance-to explore their thoughts
      about whether and how IUD use can affect sexual experiences. A modified grounded
      theory approach was used to identify common themes in terms of both experienced
      and anticipated sexual acceptability of the IUD. RESULTS: Six themes emerged:
      security (IUD's efficacy can reduce sexual inhibition), spontaneity (IUD can
      allow for free-flowing sex), sexual aspects of bleeding and cramping (IUD's side
      effects can affect sex), scarcity of hormones (IUD has a low level of or no
      hormones, and reduces libido less than hormonal methods, such as the pill),
      string (IUD's string can detract from a partner's sexual experience) and stasis
      (IUD use can have no impact on sex). Some reported sexual aspects of IUD use were
      negative, but most were positive and described ever-users' method satisfaction
      and never-users' openness to use the method. DISCUSSION: Future research and
      interventions should attend to issues of sexual acceptability: Positive sexual
      aspects of the IUD could be used promotionally, and counseling about sexual
      concerns could increase women's willingness to try the method.

PMID- 26280668
TI  - Hepatitis B: 50 years after the discovery of Australia antigen.
AB  - It is an honour to be invited to recount the progress in our understanding and
      management of hepatitis B 50 years after the discovery of Australia antigen (Au
      Ag). During this half century, we have gone from identifying the causative agent-
      hepatitis B virus (HBV), understanding its biology and the disease it causes, to
      having vaccines that can prevent HBV infection and antiviral therapy that can
      suppress HBV replication and prevent progression of HBV-related liver disease. As
      a result of the progress, prevalence of HBV infection and morbidity and mortality
      from chronic HBV infection has declined.

PMID- 26280669
TI  - A Clinical Algorithm to Identify HIV Patients at High Risk for Incident Active
      Tuberculosis: A Prospective 5-Year Cohort Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Predicting the risk of tuberculosis (TB) in people living with HIV
      (PLHIV) using a single test is currently not possible. We aimed to develop and
      validate a clinical algorithm, using baseline CD4 cell counts, HIV viral load
      (pVL), and interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA), to identify PLHIV who are at
      high risk for incident active TB in low-to-moderate TB burden settings where
      highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is routinely provided. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: A prospective, 5-year, cohort study of adult PLHIV was conducted from
      2006 to 2012 in two hospitals in Taiwan. HAART was initiated based on
      contemporary guidelines (CD4 count < = 350/MUL). Cox regression was used to
      identify the predictors of active TB and to construct the algorithm. The
      validation cohorts included 1455 HIV-infected individuals from previous published
      studies. Area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was
      calculated. RESULTS: Seventeen of 772 participants developed active TB during a
      median follow-up period of 5.21 years. Baseline CD4 < 350/MUL or pVL >=
      100,000/mL was a predictor of active TB (adjusted HR 4.87, 95% CI 1.49-15.90, P =
      0.009). A positive baseline IGRA predicted TB in patients with baseline CD4 >=
      350/MUL and pVL < 100,000/mL (adjusted HR 6.09, 95% CI 1.52-24.40, P = 0.01).
      Compared with an IGRA-alone strategy, the algorithm improved the sensitivity from
      37.5% to 76.5%, the negative predictive value from 98.5% to 99.2%. Compared with
      an untargeted strategy, the algorithm spared 468 (60.6%) from unnecessary TB
      preventive treatment. Area under the ROC curve was 0.692 (95% CI: 0.587-0.798)
      for the study cohort and 0.792 (95% CI: 0.776-0.808) and 0.766 in the 2
      validation cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: A validated algorithm incorporating the baseline
      CD4 cell count, HIV viral load, and IGRA status can be used to guide targeted TB
      preventive treatment in PLHIV in low-to-moderate TB burden settings where HAART
      is routinely provided to all PLHIV. The implementation of this algorithm will
      avoid unnecessary exposure of low-risk patients to drug toxicity and
      simultaneously, reduce the burden of universal treatment on the healthcare
      system.

PMID- 26280670
TI  - Astaxanthin Normalizes Epigenetic Modifications of Bovine Somatic Cell Cloned
      Embryos and Decreases the Generation of Lipid Peroxidation.
AB  - Astaxanthin is an extremely common antioxidant scavenging reactive oxygen species
      (ROS) and blocking lipid peroxidation. This study was conducted to investigate
      the effects of astaxanthin supplementation on oocyte maturation, and development
      of bovine somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos. Cumulus-oocyte complexes
      were cultured in maturation medium with astaxanthin (0, 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5 mg/l),
      respectively. We found that 0.5 mg/l astaxanthin supplementation significantly
      increased the proportion of oocyte maturation. Oocytes cultured in 0.5 mg/l
      astaxanthin supplementation were used to construct SCNT embryos and further
      cultured with 0, 0.5, 1.0 or 1.5 mg/l astaxanthin. The results showed that the
      supplementation of 0.5 mg/l astaxanthin significantly improved the proportions of
      cleavage and blastulation, as well as the total cell number in blastocysts
      compared with the control group, yet this influence was not concentration
      dependent. Chromosomal analyses revealed that more blastomeres showed a normal
      chromosomal complement in 0.5 mg/l astaxanthin treatment group, which was similar
      to that in IVF embryos. The methylation levels located on the exon 1 of the
      imprinted gene H19 and IGF2, pluripotent gene OCT4 were normalized, and global
      DNA methylation, H3K9 and H4K12 acetylation were also improved significantly,
      which was comparable to that in vitro fertilization (IVF) embryos. Moreover, we
      also found that astaxanthin supplementation significantly decreased the level of
      lipid peroxidation. Our findings showed that the supplementation of 0.5 mg/l
      astaxanthin to oocyte maturation medium and embryo culture medium improved oocyte
      maturation, SCNT embryo development, increased chromosomal stability and
      normalized the epigenetic modifications, as well as inhibited overproduction of
      lipid peroxidation. 

PMID- 26280672
TI  - A Developmental Analysis of Caregiving Modalities Across Infancy in 38 Low- and
      Middle-Income Countries.
AB  - Caregiving is requisite to wholesome child development from the beginning of
      life. A cross-sectional microgenetic analysis of six caregiving practices across
      the child's 1st year (0-12 months) in 42,539 families from nationally
      representative samples in 38 low- and middle-income countries is reported. Rates
      of caregiving varied tremendously within and across countries. However,
      caregiving practices followed one of two developmental trajectories: (a) greater
      proportions of caregivers read, told stories, and named, counted, and drew with
      each additional month of infant age, and (b) proportions of caregivers who
      played, sang songs, and took their infants outside increased each month from
      birth but reached an asymptote at 4-5 months. Rates and growth functions of
      caregiving have implications for infant care and development.

PMID- 26280673
TI  - Vitamin D Induces Cyclooxygenase 2 Dependent Prostaglandin E2 Synthesis in HaCaT
      Keratinocytes.
AB  - The active metabolite of vitamin D calcitriol and its analogs are well-known for
      their anti-inflammatory action in the skin, while their main side effect
      associated with topical treatment of inflammatory disorders is irritant contact
      dermatitis. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2 ) is pro-inflammatory at the onset of
      inflammation and anti-inflammatory at its resolution. We hypothesized that
      induction of PGE2 synthesis by calcitriol in epidermal keratinocytes may
      contribute both to its pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory effects on the
      skin. Treatment of human immortalized HaCaT keratinocytes with calcitriol (3-100
      nM, 2-24 h) increased PGE2 production due to increased mRNA and protein
      expression of COX-2, but not to increase of COX-1 or release of arachidonic acid.
      The effect of calcitriol on COX-2 mRNA was observed also in primary human
      keratinocytes. The increase in COX-2 mRNA is associated with COX-2 transcript
      stabilization. Calcitriol exerts this effect by a rapid (2 h) and protein
      synthesis independent mode of action that is dependent on PKC and Src kinase
      activities. Treatment with a COX-2 inhibitor partially prevented the attenuation
      of the keratinocyte inflammatory response by calcitriol. We conclude that
      upregulation of COX-2 expression with the consequent increase in PGE2 synthesis
      may be one of the mechanisms explaining the Janus face of calcitriol as both a
      promoter and attenuator of cutaneous inflammation. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 837
      843, 2016. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 26280674
TI  - Caprylic acid-induced impurity precipitation from protein A capture column
      elution pool to enable a two-chromatography-step process for monoclonal antibody
      purification.
AB  - This article presents the use of caprylic acid (CA) to precipitate impurities
      from the protein A capture column elution pool for the purification of monoclonal
      antibodies (mAbs) with the objective of developing a two chromatography step
      antibody purification process. A CA-induced impurity precipitation in the protein
      A column elution pool was evaluated as an alternative method to polishing
      chromatography techniques for use in the purification of mAbs. Parameters
      including pH, CA concentrations, mixing time, mAb concentrations, buffer systems,
      and incubation temperatures were evaluated on their impacts on the impurity
      removal, high-molecular weight (HMW) formation and precipitation step yield. Both
      pH and CA concentration, but not mAb concentrations and buffer systems, are key
      parameters that can affect host-cell proteins (HCPs) clearance, HMW species, and
      yield. CA precipitation removes HCPs and some HMW species to the acceptable
      levels under the optimal conditions. The CA precipitation process is robust at 15
      25 degrees C. For all five mAbs tested in this study, the optimal CA
      concentration range is 0.5-1.0%, while the pH range is from 5.0 to 6.0. A
      purification process using two chromatography steps (protein A capture column and
      ion exchange polishing column) in combination with CA-based impurity
      precipitation step can be used as a robust downstream process for mAb molecules
      with a broad range of isoelectric points. Residual CA can be effectively removed
      by the subsequent polishing cation exchange chromatography.

PMID- 26280676
TI  - Breaking a bottleneck: Accurate extrapolation to "gold standard" CCSD(T) energies
      for large open shell organic radicals at reduced computational cost.
AB  - Open Shell organic radicals are principal species involved in many diverse areas
      such as combustion, photochemistry, and polymer chemistry. Computational studies
      of such species with an accurate method like coupled-cluster with single and
      double and perturbative triple (CCSD(T)) may be restricted to systems of modest
      size due to the steep computational scaling of the method. Herein, we assess the
      accuracy of extrapolated CCSD(T) energies determined using the connectivity-based
      hierarchy (CBH) method on medium to large sized radicals. In our method, an MP2
      calculation on the target radical is coupled with CCSD(T) energies of fragments
      determined uniquely by our hierarchy to perform accurate extrapolations. A
      careful assessment is done with a robust CBH-rad49 test set comprising of 49
      diverse cyclic and acyclic radicals with a variety of functional groups. We
      demonstrate that the extrapolation method with CBH-2 or CBH-3 is sufficient to
      obtain sub-kcal accuracy. ROMP2 and PMP2 calculations with both Pople-style and
      Dunning-style basis-sets resulted in mean absolute errors for CCSD(T)
      extrapolation (full CCSD(T)-extrapolated CCSD(T)) within 0.5 kcal/mol. Further
      speedup for such CCSD(T) extrapolations are obtained with ROHF-based RI-MP2
      calculations. Challenging systems with (a) high ring strain, (b) delocalized
      character, and (c) spin contamination are identified and analyzed in detail.
      Finally, we apply our extrapolation method on 10 larger radicals containing 10-15
      heavy atoms, where accurate CCSD(T) energies are obtained at a fractional cost of
      full CCSD(T) calculations.

PMID- 26280671
TI  - Chinese Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Treatment and Research Group Registry VI:
      Effect of Cigarette Smoking on the Clinical Phenotype of Chinese Patients with
      Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Our study aimed to investigate the effect of cigarette smoking on the
      clinical phenotype of patients registered in the Chinese Systemic Lupus
      Erythematosus (SLE) Treatment and Research (CSTAR) group registry database, the
      first online registry of Chinese patients with SLE. METHODS: A prospective cross
      sectional study of Chinese SLE patients was conducted using the CSTAR. Our case
      control analysis was performed on age- and gender-matched subjects to explore the
      potential effect of cigarette smoking on the clinical manifestation of SLE.
      RESULTS: Smokers comprised 8.9% (65/730) of patients, and the ratio of
      females/males was 19/46. Thirty-nine patients were current smokers, and 26 were
      ex-smokers. Data showed significant differences between smokers and nonsmokers in
      the following areas: nephropathy (58.5% vs. 39.2%; p = 0.003), microscopic
      hematuria (30.8% vs. 19.1%; p = 0.025), proteinuria (53.8% vs. 34.4%; p = 0.002),
      and SLE Disease Activity Index(DAI) scores (12.38+/-8.95 vs. 9.83+/-6.81; p =
      0.028). After adjusting for age and gender, significant differences between
      smokers and nonsmokers were found with photosensitivity (35.9% vs. 18%; p =
      0.006), nephropathy (59.4% vs. 39.8%; p = 0.011), and proteinuria (54.7% vs.
      35.2%). Although smokers tended to have greater disease severity compared with
      nonsmokers (SLEDAI scores: 12.58+/-8.89 vs.10.5+/-7.09), the difference was not
      significant (p = 0.081). CONCLUSIONS: Cigarette smoking triggers the development
      and exacerbation of SLE, especially with respect to renal involvement. Chinese
      smokers with SLE should be advised to discontinue cigarette use.

PMID- 26280675
TI  - Estimating the Effect of Influenza Vaccination on Nursing Home Residents'
      Morbidity and Mortality.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To estimate the effect of influenza vaccination on hospitalization
      and mortality in nursing home (NH) residents. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study.
      SETTING: Medicare claims data linked to NH Minimum Data Set assessments and
      Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) surveillance data from 122 U.S.
      cities. PARTICIPANTS: More than 1 million Medicare fee-for-service, long-stay NH
      residents between 2000 and 2009. MEASUREMENTS: Weekly facility outcome aggregates
      of NH resident pneumonia and influenza (P&I) hospitalizations and all-cause
      mortality and city-level P&I mortality as reported by the CDC were created. The
      seasonal vaccine match rate for influenza A/H1N1, A/H3N2, and B strains was
      calculated, and each outcome was compared in seasons of high and low match rates
      using facility fixed-effects regression models separately for full-year and
      nonsummer months. RESULTS: Average weekly all-cause mortality varied across
      seasons from 3.74 to 4.13 per 1,000 NH residents per week, and hospitalization
      for P&I varied from 2.05 to 2.43. Vaccine match rates were invariably high for
      H1N1 but variable across seasons for the other two types. The association between
      vaccine match and reduction in overall mortality and P&I hospitalizations was
      strongest for A/H3N2, the influenza strain typically responsible for the most
      severe influenza cases. Given the approximately 130,000 deaths and 77,000 P&I
      hospitalizations of long-stay NH residents during the 32 nonsummer weeks, the
      model estimated that a 50-percentage-point increase in the A/H3N2 match rate
      (from <25% to >75%) reduced long-stay NH resident deaths by 2.0% and P&I
      hospitalizations by 4.2%. CONCLUSION: Well-matched influenza vaccine prevents P&I
      hospitalizations and mortality in NH residents.

PMID- 26280678
TI  - Construct Validation of Three Nutrition Questions Using Health and Diet Ratings
      in Older Canadian Males Living in the Community.
AB  - Brief nutrition screening tools are desired for research and practice. Seniors in
      the Community: Risk Evaluation for Eating and Nutrition (SCREEN-II, 14 items) and
      the abbreviated version SCREEN-II-AB (8 items) are valid and reliable nutrition
      screening tools for older adults. This exploratory study used a retrospective
      cross-sectional design to determine the construct validity of a subset of 3 items
      (weight loss, appetite, and swallowing difficulty) currently on the SCREEN-II and
      SCREEN-II-AB tools. Secondary data on community-dwelling senior males (n = 522,
      mean +/- SD age = 86.7 +/- 3.0 years) in the Manitoba Follow-up Study (MFUS)
      study were available for analysis. Participants completed the mailed MFUS
      Nutrition Survey that included SCREEN-II items and questions pertaining to self
      rated health, diet healthiness, and rating of the importance of nutrition towards
      successful aging as the constructs for comparison. Self-perceived health status
      (F = 14.7, P < 0.001), diet healthiness (rho = 0.17, P = 0.002) and the rating of
      nutrition's importance to aging (rho = 0.10, P = 0.03) were correlated with the 3
      item score. Inferences were consistent with associations between these construct
      variables and the full SCREEN-II. Three items from SCREEN-II and SCREEN-II-AB
      demonstrate initial construct validity with self-perceived health status and diet
      healthiness ratings by older males; further exploration for criterion and
      predictive validity in more diverse samples is needed. 

PMID- 26280677
TI  - Expression and Characterization of Recombinant, Tetrameric and Enzymatically
      Active Influenza Neuraminidase for the Setup of an Enzyme-Linked Lectin-Based
      Assay.
AB  - Developing a universal influenza vaccine that induces broad spectrum and longer
      term immunity has become an important potentially achievable target in influenza
      vaccine research and development. Hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) are
      the two major influenza virus antigens. Although antibody responses against
      influenza virus are mainly directed toward HA, NA is reported to be more
      genetically stable; hence NA-based vaccines have the potential to be effective
      for longer time periods. NA-specific immunity has been shown to limit the spread
      of influenza virus, thus reducing disease symptoms and providing cross-protection
      against heterosubtypic viruses in mouse challenge experiments. The production of
      large quantities of highly pure and stable NA could be beneficial for the
      development of new antivirals, subunit-based vaccines, and novel diagnostic
      tools. In this study, recombinant NA (rNA) was produced in mammalian cells at
      high levels from both swine A/California/07/2009 (H1N1) and avian
      A/turkey/Turkey/01/2005 (H5N1) influenza viruses. Biochemical, structural, and
      immunological characterizations revealed that the soluble rNAs produced are
      tetrameric, enzymatically active and immunogenic, and finally they represent good
      alternatives to conventionally used sources of NA in the Enzyme-Linked Lectin
      Assay (ELLA). 

PMID- 26280679
TI  - High incidence of germline BRCA mutation in patients with ER low-positive/PR low
      positive/HER-2 neu negative tumors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The 2015 National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines recommend
      that genetic counseling and germline BRCA mutation testing be offered to women
      under age 60 with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). As a result of the 2010
      American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)/College of American Pathologists
      (CAP) guidelines for breast cancer, patients with breast cancers that are
      estrogen receptor (ER) or progesterone receptor (PR) low-positive (1%-9% on
      immunohistochemistry) are no longer strictly considered to have TNBC and may not
      be referred for genetic counseling. However, the incidence of BRCA mutation in
      patients with hormone receptor (HR) low-positive breast cancers remains unknown,
      and current ASCO/CAP guidelines may result in undertesting for BRCA mutations.
      METHODS: A prospectively maintained research database of breast cancer patients
      evaluated at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center between 2004 and
      2014 was reviewed; 314 patients were identified with HER2/neu-negative breast
      cancers expressing ER and PR <10% with known BRCA mutation status. RESULTS: Three
      hundred fourteen patients had breast cancers expressing ER and PR <10%; 238
      (75.8%) had HR-negative cancers (<1% ER and PR), and 76 (24.2%) had HR-low
      positive cancers (1%-9% ER and/or PR). Among patients with HR-negative tumors, 86
      of 238 (36.1%) had a BRCA1/2 mutation, whereas in the HR-low-positive group, 30
      of 76 (39.5%) had a BRCA1/2 mutation. In multivariate analysis, HR status (<1% vs
      1%-9%) was not significantly associated with BRCA1/2 mutations. CONCLUSIONS: The
      incidence of BRCA1/2 mutations is similar in patients with HR-low-positive breast
      cancer and patients with HR-negative breast cancer. Genetic counseling and BRCA
      testing should be offered to patients under age 60 who have HR-low-positive
      breast cancers. Cancer 2015;121:3435-43. (c) 2015 American Cancer Society.

PMID- 26280680
TI  - Effects of aging on cardiac extracellular matrix in men and women.
AB  - PURPOSE: Aging has severe implications for tissue damage and is a major risk
      factor for disease. However, the effects of aging on cardiac extracellular matrix
      (ECM) components in individuals free of cardiovascular disease are incompletely
      understood. We aimed at the characterization of the effects of aging on major ECM
      proteins in the heart of men and women. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Left ventricular
      (LV) samples of nondiseased human hearts technically unusable for transplantation
      obtained from general organ donors (n = 31; age 17-68 years; 48% women) were used
      for protein isolation. We separated the group into 17-40 years (n = 7 men and 7
      women) and 50-68 years (n = 9 men and 8 women). RESULTS: Analysis of ECM proteins
      demonstrated an age-dependent sex-specific regulation of collagen type I and III
      (interaction p < 0.05), type VI (interaction p = 0.01), tissue inhibitor of
      metalloproteinase 3 (interaction p < 0.05), SMAD2 (interaction p < 0.05), and
      SMAD3 (interaction p = 0.001). Overall, the levels of these proteins in younger
      individuals were lower in women than men, while in older individuals they were
      higher in women than men. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This age-mediated
      myocardial ECM remodeling might play a key role in the limited ability of the
      aging heart to adapt adequately to altered work load and to respond to tissue
      damage. Therapeutic agents that target ECM homeostasis represent promising
      prevention strategies.

PMID- 26280682
TI  - Letter to the Editor: Does the Risk Assessment and Prediction Tool Predict
      Discharge Disposition After Joint Replacement?

PMID- 26280681
TI  - Treatment of Periprosthetic Knee Infection With a Two-stage Protocol Using Static
      Spacers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Two-stage exchange arthroplasty is a standard approach for treating
      total knee arthroplasty periprosthetic joint infection in the United States, but
      whether this should be performed with a static antibiotic spacer or an
      articulating one that allows range of motion before reimplantation remains
      controversial. It is unclear if the advantages of articulating spacers (easier
      surgical exposure during reimplantation and improved postoperative flexion)
      outweigh the disadvantages of increased cost and complexity in the setting of
      similar rates of infection eradication. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: The purposes of this
      study were (1) to determine the ultimate range of motion; and (2) to determine
      the proportion of patients who remained free of infection at a minimum 2 years
      after treatment with static antibiotic spacers as part of a two-stage revision
      TKA for the treatment of periprosthetic joint infection. METHODS: Between 1999
      and 2011, we treated 121 patients with chronically infected TKAs, of whom three
      had medical comorbidities precluding a two-stage exchange, four had died before 2
      year followup for reasons other than the surgical intervention, and seven were
      lost to followup. The remaining 107 patients (109 knees; 53 men and 54 women)
      were treated using a two-stage approach with static spacers and are evaluated
      here at a mean of 3.7 years (range, 2.0-9.8 years); no patients were treated with
      articulating spacers during this study period. Twenty-five percent (27 of 109) of
      the organisms isolated the first-stage procedure were resistant to methicillin
      and/or vancomycin. Median age at the time of reimplantation was 67 years (range,
      42-89 years). Range of motion was measured by an independent physical therapist
      with a standard goniometer. Knee Society knee and function scores were calculated
      before the first stage and at the 2-year mark. Because many of these patients
      were treated before consensus definitions of infection were established, we made
      the diagnosis of infection (and established that a patient was believed to be
      free of infection) using the approaches prevalent at that time, which generally
      included presence of a sinus tract communicating directly with the implant, two
      positive tissue cultures, or a combination of cultures, fluid analysis, and
      serology. RESULTS: Postoperatively, 67 knees had full extension and no patients
      had a flexion contracture > 10 degrees . Median flexion was 100 degrees  (range,
      60 degrees -139 degrees ). Thirty-nine knees had postoperative flexion > 120
      degrees . Ninety-four percent of patients were clinically free of infection at
      last followup. CONCLUSIONS: Our two-stage exchange protocol with static spacers
      yielded comparable flexion and infection eradication when compared with other
      recent studies that have used articulating spacers. The large proportion of
      resistant organisms is alarming. Future multicenter studies should compare static
      with articulating spacers and should evaluate both cost and efficacy, because our
      study suggests that adequate range of motion can be achieved without the added
      cost of the articulating spacer. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic study.

PMID- 26280683
TI  - CORR Insights((r)): Can an Arthroplasty Registry Help Decrease Transfusions in
      Primary Total Joint Replacement? A Quality Initiative.

PMID- 26280684
TI  - Identification of Anaerobic Aniline-Degrading Bacteria at a Contaminated
      Industrial Site.
AB  - Anaerobic aniline biodegradation was investigated under different electron
      accepting conditions using contaminated canal and groundwater aquifer sediments
      from an industrial site. Aniline loss was observed in nitrate- and sulfate
      amended microcosms and in microcosms established to promote methanogenic
      conditions. Lag times of 37 days (sulfate amended) to more than 100 days
      (methanogenic) were observed prior to activity. Time-series DNA-stable isotope
      probing (SIP) was used to identify bacteria that incorporated (13)C-labeled
      aniline in the microcosms established to promote methanogenic conditions. In
      microcosms from heavily contaminated aquifer sediments, a phylotype with 92.7%
      sequence similarity to Ignavibacterium album was identified as a dominant aniline
      degrader as indicated by incorporation of (13)C-aniline into its DNA. In
      microcosms from contaminated canal sediments, a bacterial phylotype within the
      family Anaerolineaceae, but without a match to any known genus, demonstrated the
      assimilation of (13)C-aniline. Acidovorax spp. were also identified as putative
      aniline degraders in both of these two treatments, indicating that these species
      were present and active in both the canal and aquifer sediments. There were
      multiple bacterial phylotypes associated with anaerobic degradation of aniline at
      this complex industrial site, which suggests that anaerobic transformation of
      aniline is an important process at the site. Furthermore, the aniline degrading
      phylotypes identified in the current study are not related to any known aniline
      degrading bacteria. The identification of novel putative aniline degraders
      expands current knowledge regarding the potential fate of aniline under anaerobic
      conditions. 

PMID- 26280685
TI  - Stabilization of Phenolic Radicals on Graphene Oxide: An XPS and EPR Study.
AB  - A graphene oxide-gallic acid hybrid material was synthesized by the
      immobilization of gallic acid (3,4,5-trihydroxobenzoic acid) on graphene oxide.
      The grafting was achieved via the formation of amide bonds between the amine
      groups on the organofunctionalized graphite oxide surface and the carboxyl groups
      of the gallic acid molecules. The EPR signal of the gallic acid radicals in this
      hybrid material remained almost unaltered over at least 500 days, with less than
      3% signal decay over that period, pointing to the truly remarkable stability of
      these radicals. The produced material was characterized by Fourier transform
      infrared, X-ray photoelectron, and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopies
      as well as by thermogravimetric analysis and the Kaiser test. The stability of
      the radicals in the material was studied in powder form and in aqueous solution
      vs pH. We demonstrate that in the graphene oxide-gallic acid hybrid material a
      radical is favorably stabilized on the ring-O while the oxidation of the second
      OH is precluded, and this results in long-term stabilization of the gallic acid
      radicals in solid hybrid material. Thus, in applications where it will be used
      under O2-free and humidity-free conditions, the graphene oxide-gallic acid hybrid
      material is a reliable spintronics scaffold. 

PMID- 26280686
TI  - Thermal Conductive and Mechanical Properties of Polymeric Composites Based on
      Solution-Exfoliated Boron Nitride and Graphene Nanosheets: A Morphology-Promoted
      Synergistic Effect.
AB  - In this work, we reported a synergistic effect of boron nitride (BN) with
      graphene nanosheets on the enhancement of thermal conductive and mechanical
      properties of polymeric composites. Here, few layered BN (s-BN) and graphene (s
      GH) were used and obtained by liquid exfoliation method. The polystyrene (PS) and
      polyamide 6 (PA) composites were obtained via solution blending method and
      subsequently hot-pressing. The experimental results suggested that the thermal
      conductivity (TC) of the PS and PA composites increases with additional
      introduction of s-BN. For example, compared with the composites containing 20 wt
      % s-GH, additional introduction of only 1.5 wt % s-BN could increase the TC up to
      38 and 34% in polystyrene (PS) and polyamide 6 (PA) matrix, respectively.
      Meanwhile, the mechanical properties of the composites were synchronously
      enhanced. It was found that s-BN filled in the interspaces of s-GH sheets and
      formed s-BN/s-GH stacked structure, which were helpful for the synchronously
      improving TC and mechanical properties of the polymeric materials. 

PMID- 26280687
TI  - Nonlinear optical properties of rhenium(I) complexes: Influence of the extended
      pi-conjugated connectors and proton abstraction.
AB  - The photoinduced proton-coupled electron transfer chemistry is very crucial to
      the development of nonlinear optical (NLO) materials with large first
      hyperpolarizability contrast. We have performed a systematic investigation on the
      geometric structures, NLO switching, and simulated absorption spectra of
      rhenium(I) complexes via density functional theory (DFT). The results show that
      the first hyperpolarizabilities (betavec) increase remarkably with further
      extending of the organic connectors. In addition, the solvent leads to a slight
      enhancement of the hyperpolarizability and frequency dependent
      hyperpolarizability. Furthermore, the proton abstraction plays an important role
      in tuning the second-order NLO response. It is found that deprotonation not only
      increases the absolute value of betavec but also changes the sign of betavec from
      positive to negative. This different sign can be explained by the opposite dipole
      moments. The efficient enhancement of first hyperpolarizability is attributed to
      the better delocalization of the pi-electron system and the more obvious degree
      of charge transfer. Therefore, these kinds of complexes might be promising
      candidates for designed as proton driven molecular second-order NLO switching. 

PMID- 26280688
TI  - Identification of novel allosteric modulator binding sites in NMDA receptors: A
      molecular modeling study.
AB  - The dysfunction of N-methyl-d-Aspartate receptors (NMDARs), a subtype of
      glutamate receptors, is correlated with schizophrenia, stroke, and many other
      neuropathological disorders. However, not all NMDAR subtypes equally contribute
      towards these disorders. Since NMDARs composed of different GluN2 subunits
      (GluN2A-D) confer varied physiological properties and have different
      distributions in the brain, pharmacological agents that target NMDARs with
      specific GluN2 subunits have significant potential for therapeutic applications.
      In our previous research, we have identified a family of novel allosteric
      modulators that differentially potentiate and/or inhibit NMDARs of differing
      GluN2 subunit composition. To further elucidate their molecular mechanisms, in
      the present study, we have identified four potential binding sites for novel
      allosteric modulators by performing molecular modeling, docking, and in silico
      mutations. The molecular determinants of the modulator binding sites (MBS),
      analysis of particular MBS electrostatics, and the specific loss or gain of
      binding after mutations have revealed modulators that have strong potential
      affinities for specific MBS on given subunits and the role of key amino acids in
      either promoting or obstructing modulator binding. These findings will help
      design higher affinity GluN2 subunit-selective pharmaceuticals, which are
      currently unavailable to treat psychiatric and neurological disorders. 

PMID- 26280689
TI  - A 11.7-Mb Paracentric Inversion in Chromosome 1q Detected in Prenatal Diagnosis
      Associated with Familial Intellectual Disability.
AB  - Most apparent balanced chromosomal inversions are usually clinically
      asymptomatic; however, infertility, miscarriages, and mental retardation have
      been reported in inversion carriers. We present a small family with a paracentric
      inversion 1q42.13q43 detected in routine prenatal diagnosis. Molecular
      cytogenetic methods defined the size of the inversion as 11.7 Mb and excluded
      other unbalanced chromosomal alterations in the patients. Our findings suggest
      that intellectual disability is caused by dysfunction, disruption, or position
      effects of genes located at or near the breakpoints involved in this inversion. 

PMID- 26280690
TI  - The role of exaggerated patellar tendon reflex in knee joint position sense in
      patients with cerebral palsy.
AB  - The aim of this pilot study was to determine if exaggerated patellar tendon jerk
      affects knee joint position sense (JPS) in cerebral palsy (CP) patients, by
      comparing JPS of the knee between participants with normal and exaggerated
      reflexes. The thresholds for reflex classification were based upon the data from
      able-bodied volunteers. JPS was measured as the ability of a subject (with eyes
      closed) to replicate a knee joint position demonstrated by an examiner. Tendon
      jerk was measured as the moment of force in response to patellar tendon taps.
      Data was collected from 27 limbs of CP patients (N=14) and 36 limbs of able
      bodied volunteers (N=18). JPS was less accurate (p=0.014) in limbs with non
      exaggerated reflexes (50.28+/-43.63%) than in control limbs (11.84+/-10.85%).
      There was no significant difference (p=0.08) in JPS accuracy between limbs with
      exaggerated reflexes (18.66+/-15.50%) and control limbs. Our data suggests that
      one component of sensorimotor impairment, JPS, is not as commonly affected in CP
      patients as previously reported. JPS of the knee is reduced in limbs with non
      exaggerated reflexes; however in limbs with exaggerated reflexes which is seen in
      the majority of CP patients, JPS is not affected. 

PMID- 26280691
TI  - Improvements in manual dexterity relate to improvements in cognitive planning
      after assisted cycling therapy (ACT) in adolescents with down syndrome.
AB  - We have previously reported beneficial effects of acute (i.e., single session)
      Assisted Cycling Therapy (ACT) on manual dexterity and cognitive planning ability
      in adolescents with Down syndrome (DS). In the present study, we report the
      chronic effects of eight weeks of ACT, voluntary cycling (VC), and no cycling
      (NC), on the same measures in adolescents with DS. Participants completed 8 weeks
      of ACT, VC, or NC. Those in the ACT and VC groups completed 30min sessions three
      times per week on a stationary bicycle. During ACT, the mechanical motor of the
      bicycle augmented the cadence to a rate which was on average 79% faster than the
      voluntary cadence. During VC, the participants pedaled at a self-selected rate.
      Unimanual dexterity scores as measured with the Purdue Pegboard test (PPT)
      improved significantly more for the ACT and VC groups compared to the NC group.
      ACT lead to greater improvements than VC and NC in the assembly sub-test, which
      is a task that requires more advanced temporal and spatial processing. The ACT
      group improved significantly more than the VC group and non-significantly more
      than the NC group in cognitive planning ability as measured by the Tower of
      London test (ToL). There were also significant correlations between the assembly
      subtest of the PPT and all measures of the ToL. These correlations were stronger
      during post-testing than pre-testing. Pre-post changes in the combined PPT score
      and ToL number of correct moves correlated positively in the ACT group. These
      results support the efficacy of the salutary effects of ACT on global fine motor
      function and executive function in DS. Additionally, the performance on complex
      bimanual dexterity tasks appears to be related to the capacity of cognitive
      planning ability. This research has important implications for persons with
      movement deficits that affect activities of daily living. 

PMID- 26280692
TI  - Active involvement of people with intellectual disabilities in health research -
      A structured literature review.
AB  - Actively involving people with intellectual disabilities (ID) in health research,
      also known as inclusive health research, is increasingly popular. Currently,
      insight into experiences of this type of research is scarce. To gain insight into
      this topic, a structured literature review was conducted focussing on (1)
      existing theories, (2) inclusive methods, (3) added value and (4) barriers and
      facilitators. Literature published between January 2000 and January 2014 was
      included covering keywords related to ID and inclusive health research. Searches
      were performed in Pubmed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, EMBASE and MEDLINE databases,
      resulting in 26 included papers. Papers were quality assessed and analysed using
      qualitative data analysis software. Four theories were often simultaneously
      addressed: participatory research, emancipatory research, inclusive research and
      Arnstein's ladder. Barriers and facilitators could be divided into preparing,
      undertaking and finalising phases of research. Authors indicated that their
      motivation to conduct inclusive health research was based on demands by policy
      and funding bodies or was based on ethical considerations (i.e., ethical notions
      and giving people with ID a voice). Upon completion, authors perceived increased
      quality and validity of their research and several benefits for stakeholders
      (i.e., people with ID, researchers and healthcare professionals). Overall, there
      was consistency in their perception of the most important aspects of inclusive
      health research. Based on the analysis of included papers, four recommendations
      of inclusive health research with people with ID were found. Inclusive health
      research should be: (1) tailoring to the specific study; (2) anticipating all
      stakeholders; (3) considering its added value; and (4) providing insight into its
      process. 

PMID- 26280693
TI  - Factors influencing waiting times for diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder in
      children and adults.
AB  - AIMS: To identify the main factors predicting delays in diagnosis for Autism
      Spectrum Disorder (ASD) at three stages in the diagnostic process: wait for first
      appointment; assessment duration, and total wait for diagnosis. METHOD: Data were
      gathered from 150 case notes (80 child and 70 adult cases) from 16 diagnosing
      services across Scotland. RESULTS: Having more information pre-assessment was
      associated with a reduced duration of the diagnostic process for children. This
      relationship was partially mediated by a reduction in the number of contacts
      required for diagnosis. In adults, having more factors associated with ASD
      (increased risk) reduced the wait time from referral to first appointment, but
      increased the overall duration of the diagnostic process. The latter relationship
      was partially mediated by an increase in the number of contacts required for
      diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Within children's services, increasing the amount of
      relevant information available pre-assessment is likely to reduce total duration
      of the assessment process by reducing number of contacts required. Having a high
      risk of ASD as an adult appears to result in being seen more quickly following
      referral, but also to increase the number of contacts needed and assessment
      duration. As a result, it increases and total duration overall.

PMID- 26280695
TI  - Misguided statements construed as evidence-driving policy that affects patient
      care.

PMID- 26280694
TI  - Application of Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy and Simultaneous Integrated Boost
      Techniques to Prepare "Safe Margin" in the Rabbit VX2 Limb Tumor Model.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In this study, we aimed to establish the rabbit VX2 limb tumor model,
      and then prepare a "necrotic zone" as a safe margin by volumetric modulated arc
      therapy and simultaneous integrated boost (VMAT-SIB) technique applied in the
      areas where the tumor is located adjacent to the bone (GTVboost area). MATERIAL
      AND METHODS: Rabbits in the control group (n=10) were not treated, while those in
      the test group (n=10) were treated with the SIB schedule delivering a dose of
      40Gy, 35Gy, 30Gy, and 25Gy to the GTVboost, GTV (gross tumor volume), CTV
      (clinical target volume), and PTV (planning target volume) in 10 fractions.
      Magnetic resonance diffusion-weighted imaging (MRDWI), 3-dimensional power
      Doppler angiography (3D-PDA), and histological changes were observed after
      radiotherapy. RESULTS: After radiotherapy, the two groups showed a significant
      difference in the GTVboost area. In the test group, the tumor necrosis showed a
      significantly low signal in DWI and high signal in apparent diffusion coefficient
      (ADC) maps. The 3D-PDA observation showed that tumor vascular structures
      decreased significantly. Histological analysis demonstrated that a necrotic zone
      could be generated in the GTVboost area, and microscopic examination observed
      cell necrosis and fibroplasia. CONCLUSIONS: This studies demonstrated the
      feasibility of using VMAT-SIB technique in the rabbit VX2 limb tumor model. The
      formation of a necrotic zone can be effectively defined as safe margin in the
      GTVboost area. showing potential clinical applicability.

PMID- 26280698
TI  - Did you notice that CMS's medically unlikely edits were significantly revised?

PMID- 26280699
TI  - Randomized, controlled study of innovative spray formulation containing ozonated
      oil and alpha-bisabolol in the topical treatment of chronic venous leg ulcers.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Ozone therapy has a large clinical application in many therapeutic
      areas because of its well-known antimicrobial, immunological, and oxygenating
      properties. Recently, interest has grown regarding the application of ozonated
      oil for vascular leg ulcer treatment. The efficacy of an innovative spray
      formulation of ozonated oil and alpha-bisabolol combination in the topical
      treatment of chronic venous leg ulcers was evaluated compared with standard
      epithelialization cream. DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial was conducted.
      SETTING: A total of 29 patients older than 18 years with chronic venous leg
      ulcers for less than 2 years' duration were assessed. PATIENTS: Patients were
      randomized to receive daily application of both ozonated oil and alpha-bisabolol
      or the control cream (vitamin A, vitamin E, talc, and zinc oxide) for 30 days.
      MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients were evaluated on 4 different visits: at days 0,
      7, 14, and 30. At each visit, the wound surfaces were measured. Wound area ratio
      and the speed of ulcer healing were calculated. MAIN RESULTS: At the end of
      treatment, the proportion of patients with complete ulcer healing was higher with
      ozonated oil and alpha-bisabolol formulation (25% vs 0%). Furthermore, the
      changes in ulcer surface area were significant for ozonated oil and alpha
      bisabolol formulation only (P < .05), in particular, observing a significant and
      progressive reduction of the wound surface by 34%, 59%, and 73%, after 7, 14, and
      30 days of treatment, respectively. CONCLUSION: The innovative spray formulation
      of ozonated oil and alpha-bisabolol combination shows promise as an important new
      therapeutic option in the adjuvant treatment of venous ulcers.

PMID- 26280700
TI  - Comparison of the cytotoxicities and wound healing effects of hyaluronan,
      carbomer, and alginate on skin cells in vitro.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the cytotoxicities and efficacy of hyaluronan (HA),
      carbomer, and sodium alginate on repairing thermal-injured cells and promoting
      cell migration. DESIGN: The 3-(4,5)-dimethylthiahiazo(-z-y1)-3,5-di-phenytetra
      zoliumromide method was used to evaluate the cytotoxicities of HA, carbomer, and
      sodium alginate on L929 mouse fibroblasts and their repairing ability to thermal
      injured HaCaT keratinocytes. A scratch test was used to observe the effects of
      the 3 materials on cell migration. RESULTS: Hyaluronan with different molecular
      weights were nontoxic, even at the concentration of 0.5%, whereas carbomer and
      sodium alginate showed mild or moderate cytotoxicities when their concentrations
      were higher than 0.1%. Cell viability and cell density of the thermal-injured
      keratinocytes treated with HA (600, 1070, and 1500 kDa) were increased
      significantly compared with that of model control (P < .05), whereas carbomer
      aggravated cell injury, and sodium alginate had no obvious repairing ability.
      Hyaluronan promoted cell migration significantly with higher cell density in the
      scratch area, compared with the control after culture for 48 hours; both carbomer
      and sodium alginate inhibited the cell migration, and carbomer altered the cell
      morphology completely. CONCLUSIONS: Hyaluronan can repair cell injury and promote
      cell migration and proliferation. It also has good biocompatibility. As a new
      type of hydrogel matrix, HA is superior to carbomer and sodium alginate if it is
      used in wound caring preparations.

PMID- 26280701
TI  - Secondary analysis of office of inspector general's pressure ulcer data:
      incidence, avoidability, and level of harm.
AB  - PURPOSE: To provide information about a secondary analysis of pressure ulcer data
      regarding incidence, avoidability, and level of harm. TARGET AUDIENCE: This
      continuing activity is intended for physicians and nurses with an interest in
      skin and wound care. OBJECTIVES: After participating in this educational
      activity, the participant should be better able to:1. Summarize the data provided
      in the Office of Inspector General (OIG) study regarding incidence of pressure
      ulcers (PrUs) found in hospitals and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs).2.
      Identify the classification systems used that designate levels of harm to
      patients and the avoidability of PrUs. OBJECTIVE: To investigate in greater
      detail the government data on pressure ulcer (PrU) incidence, avoidability, and
      level of harm. DESIGN: The authors performed a secondary analysis of PrU data
      published in 2 studies by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) on adverse events
      in hospitals and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). SETTING: Acute care hospitals
      and Medicare-certified SNFs across the United States. PATIENTS: The hospital
      sample included 780 Medicare beneficiaries randomly selected from 999,645
      discharges during October 2008. The SNF population included 653 Medicare
      beneficiaries randomly selected from 100,771 patients whose stay began within 1
      day of hospital discharge, who had a length of stay of 35 days or less, and whose
      stay ended in August 2011. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pressure ulcer incidence with
      stage, location, avoidability, and level of harm using the Modified National
      Coordinating Council for Medication Errors Reporting and Prevention Index. MAIN
      RESULTS: The PrU incidence in hospitals was 2.9%, and the incidence in SNFs was
      3.4%. Most PrUs were Stages I and II, with 78.3% in hospitals and 54.5% in SNFs.
      The avoidability of PrUs was similar in both locations, with 39.1% unavoidable in
      hospitals and 40.9% unavoidable in SNFs. All hospital-acquired PrUs and 90.9% of
      SNF-acquired PrUs were designated level E on the National Coordinating Council
      for Medication Errors Reporting and Prevention Index, indicating a temporary harm
      event. CONCLUSIONS: The OIG studies captured few Stage III PrUs and no Stage IV
      PrUs, and they underestimate the level of harm generated from PrUs in hospitals
      and SNFs. The studies offer a structured algorithm for avoidability
      determination, but lack measures of reliability and validity. Nonetheless, the
      high rate of unavoidable ulcers leads to questions on the reliability of PrUs as
      a quality indicator. There are several weaknesses in OIG methodology with regard
      to PrUs; however, its structured algorithm can be viewed as a starting point for
      future studies of PrU avoidability.

PMID- 26280703
TI  - Know your coverage policies.

PMID- 26280704
TI  - A major host plant volatile, 1-octen-3-ol, contributes to mating in the legume
      pod borer, Maruca vitrata (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae).
AB  - Previous studies on the legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata Fabricius (Lepidoptera:
      Crambidae), a serious pest of cowpea, Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. (Fabales:
      Fabaceae), in sub-Saharan Africa have focused on sex pheromones, but the role of
      the host plant on sexual behavior has not been explored. We investigated this
      interaction in the laboratory using behavioral assays and chemical analyses. We
      found that the presence of cowpea seedlings and a dichloromethane extract of the
      leaf increased coupling in the legume pod borer by 33 and 61 %, respectively,
      compared to the control, suggesting the involvement of both contact and olfactory
      cues. We used coupled gas chromatography-electroantennographic detection (GC/EAD)
      and GC-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) to identify compounds from the cowpea leaf
      extract, detected by M. vitrata antenna. We found that the antennae of the insect
      consistently detected four components, with 1-octen-3-ol identified as a common
      and dominant component in both the volatiles released by the intact cowpea plant
      and leaf extract. We therefore investigated its role in the coupling of M.
      vitrata. In dose-response assays, 1-octen-3-ol increased coupling in M. vitrata
      with increasing dose of the compound compared to the control. Our results suggest
      that the cowpea volatile 1-octen-3-ol contributes to M. vitrata sexual behavior.

PMID- 26280705
TI  - Frequency and Cause of Persistent Symptoms in Celiac Disease Patients on a Long
      term Gluten-free Diet.
AB  - GOALS: To estimate the frequency and cause of nonresponsive celiac disease (CD).
      BACKGROUND: Treatment of CD is based on life-long adherence to a gluten-free diet
      (GFD). Some celiac patients experience persistence of symptoms despite a GFD.
      This condition is defined as nonresponsive CD. STUDY: Celiac patients on a GFD
      for at least 12 months underwent diet compliance assessment, laboratory tests,
      breath tests, endoscopic, and histologic evaluations according to the
      symptoms/signs reported. RESULTS: Seventy of 321 (21.8%) patients had persistent
      or recurrent symptoms/signs. The cause of symptom persistence was evaluated in 56
      of 70 patients. Thirteen of 56 (23%) patients were antiendomysial antibody
      positive. Among the patients with negative serology, 1 had fibromyalgia, and 3
      had evidence that disproved the diagnosis of CD. The remaining 39 patients with
      negative serology underwent duodenal biopsy sampling, which evidenced histologic
      alterations in 24 patients. Among the 15 patients with normal histology 3 were
      lactose intolerant, 9 had irritable bowel syndrome, 2 had gastroesophageal reflux
      disease, and in 1 patient a cause for the persistent symptom was not identified.
      In patients with confirmed diagnosis of CD, exposure to dietary gluten was the
      main cause of persistence of symptoms/signs, and consistently after dietary
      modification, symptoms resolved in 63% of the patients at later time points
      during follow-up. CONCLUSION: Nonresponsive CD occurs in nearly one fifth of
      celiac patients on GFD and its occurrence suggests further investigations to
      optimize the management of celiac patients.

PMID- 26280706
TI  - The Association of Drugs With Severity and Specific Causes of Acute Lower
      Gastrointestinal Bleeding: A Prospective Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Studies on the association of acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding
      (ALGIB) and drugs are scarce. We aimed to investigate the association of drugs
      and ALGIB, especially regarding specific causes of ALGIB, and their role in the
      severity of ALGIB. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was prospective and included
      all patients undergoing colonoscopy in 2010 and 2013 at the National University
      Hospital of Iceland. Use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), low
      dose aspirin (LDA), and warfarin before ALGIB was registered. Clinically
      significant bleeding was defined as: hemoglobin <100 g/L, hemodynamic
      instability, blood transfusion, surgery, or death. RESULTS: Overall, 2392
      patients underwent 2751 colonoscopies, of those, 325 (14%) had ALGIB, mean age 64
      years (+/-20). The commonest diagnoses were diverticulosis (22%) and ischemic
      colitis (14%). In multivariate analysis, NSAIDs, LDA, and warfarin use was
      associated with ALGIB, odds ratio (OR) 3.3 [95% confidence interval (95% CI),
      1.99-5.82], OR 1.5 (95% CI, 1.01-2.13), and OR 2.7 (95% CI, 1.61-4.57),
      respectively. Clinically significant bleeders were more likely than nonclinically
      significant bleeders to use NSAIDs or LDA+warfarin, OR 2.3 (95% CI, 1.26-3.76)
      and OR 33.0 (95% CI, 6.74-595), respectively. Patients with diverticular bleeding
      had greater odds than controls of NSAID, LDA, and warfarin use, OR 8.3 (95% CI,
      3.8-18.3), OR 2.1 (95% CI, 1.15-3.67), and OR 2.6 (95% CI, 1.24-5.56),
      respectively. Patients with ischemic colitis were more likely than controls to
      use LDA, OR 2.3 (95% CI, 1.14-4.45). CONCLUSIONS: NSAIDs, LDA, and warfarin were
      associated with ALGIB and diverticular bleeding. These drugs may have a role in
      other etiologies of ALGIB and seem to increase the risk of clinically significant
      bleeding.

PMID- 26280708
TI  - Initial Findings of an Open-Label Trial of Low-Dose Naltrexone for Symptomatic
      Mesenteric Panniculitis.

PMID- 26280707
TI  - Prophylactic Efficacy of 3- or 5-cm Pancreatic Stents for Preventing Post-ERCP
      Pancreatitis: A Prospective, Randomized Trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Prophylactic pancreatic stent placement is effective
      for preventing postendoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis
      (PEP). The most effective type of stent, however, remains unclear. Therefore, we
      prospectively compared the prophylactic efficacy for PEP prevention between short
      (3 cm) and long (5 cm) pancreatic stent. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between July 2012
      and June 2014, 240 consecutive patients requiring therapeutic endoscopic
      retrograde cholangiopancreatography to remove a choledocholith or for bile
      drainage for obstructive jaundice were prospectively enrolled and randomized to
      undergo prophylactic insertion with unflanged, 5 Fr, 3 or 5-cm pancreatic stent.
      An efficacy of each stent for preventing PEP was evaluated as a primary endpoint.
      The period until stent dislodgement and the total adverse event rate were also
      evaluated as a secondary endpoint. RESULTS: Per-protocol analysis revealed that
      the PEP rate was significantly lower with the short stent than with the long
      stent (2.0% vs. 8.8%, P=0.035), although they were not significantly different in
      intention-to-treat analysis. The adverse event rate excluding PEP did not differ
      significantly between groups (3.0% vs. 0.9%, P=0.293). The median period until
      dislodgement of the short stent was significantly shorter than that of the long
      stent (2 vs. 4 d, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The present study revealed a superiority
      of 3-cm stents compared with 5-cm stents for prophylactic pancreatic stent. On
      the basis of the past reports and the result of the present study, we recommend
      using a 5 Fr, 3-cm unflanged stent.This study was registered on the UMIN Clinical
      Trial Registry (UMIN000008290).

PMID- 26280709
TI  - Remission of symptoms in community-based psychosocial rehabilitation services for
      individuals with schizophrenia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of remission
      in individuals with schizophrenia at baseline and 6 months after admission to
      community-based psychosocial rehabilitation and whether baseline intrapersonal
      and environmental resources predicted remission at 6 months, controlling for
      relevant demographic and clinical variables. METHOD: The sample featured 187
      individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorder. To determine remission status,
      consensus-based criteria proposed by the Remission in Schizophrenia Working Group
      were adapted to identify predictors of remission outcomes, direct binary logistic
      regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: Findings indicated that 34.57% and
      55.61% of the sample was in remission at baseline and 6 months, respectively.
      Remission at 6 months was predicted by shorter length of illness and being in
      remission at admission. CONCLUSIONS: Remission of schizophrenia is an achievable
      outcome in community psychosocial rehabilitation settings. Clinical
      characteristics exerted a significantly stronger influence on remission outcomes
      compared with psychosocial factors.

PMID- 26280710
TI  - A meta-analysis of confidence and judgment accuracy in clinical decision making.
AB  - The overconfidence bias occurs when clinicians overestimate the accuracy of their
      clinical judgments. This bias is thought to be robust leading to an almost
      universal recommendation by clinical judgment scholars for clinicians to temper
      their confidence in clinical decision making. An extension of the Meta-Analysis
      of Clinical Judgment (Spengler et al., 2009) project, the authors synthesized
      over 40 years of research from 36 studies, from 1970 to 2011, in which the
      confidence ratings of 1,485 clinicians were assessed in relation to the accuracy
      of their judgments about mental health (e.g., diagnostic decision making,
      violence risk assessment, prediction of treatment failure) or psychological
      issues (e.g., personality assessment). Using a random effects model a small but
      statistically significant effect (r = .15; CI = .06, .24) was found showing that
      confidence is better calibrated with accuracy than previously assumed.
      Approximately 50% of the total variance between studies was due to heterogeneity
      and not to chance. Mixed effects and meta-regression moderator analyses revealed
      that confidence is calibrated with accuracy least when there are repeated
      judgments, and more when there are higher base rate problems, when decisions are
      made with written materials, and for earlier published studies. Sensitivity
      analyses indicate a bias toward publishing smaller sample studies with smaller or
      negative confidence-accuracy effects. Implications for clinical judgment research
      and for counseling psychology training and practice are discussed.

PMID- 26280711
TI  - Quantitative host cell protein analysis using two dimensional data independent LC
      MS(E).
AB  - Host cell proteins (HCPs) are bioprocess-related impurities arising from cell
      death or secretion from nonhuman cells used for recombinant protein production.
      Clearance of HCPs through downstream purification (DSP) is required to produce
      safe and efficacious therapeutic proteins. While traditionally measured using
      anti-HCP ELISA, more in-depth approaches for HCP characterization may ensure that
      risks to patients from HCPs are adequately assessed. Mass spectrometry methods
      provide rationale for targeted removal strategies through the provision of both
      qualitative and quantitative HCP information. A high pH, low pH, reversed-phase
      data independent 2D-LC-MS(E) proteomic platform was applied to determine HCP
      repertoires in the Protein A purified monoclonal antibody (mAb) samples as a
      function of culture harvest time, elution buffer used for DSP and also following
      inclusion of additional DSP steps. Critical quality attributes (CQAs) were
      examined for mAbs purified with different Protein A elution buffers to ensure
      that the selected buffers not only minimized the HCP profile but also exhibited
      no adverse effect on product quality. Results indicated that an arginine based
      Protein A elution buffer minimized the levels of HCPs identified and quantified
      in a purified mAb sample and also demonstrated no impact on product CQAs. It was
      also observed that mAbs harvested at later stages of cell culture contained
      higher concentrations of HCPs but that these were successfully removed by the
      addition of DSP steps complementary to Protein A purification. Taken together,
      our results showed how mass spectrometry based methods for HCP determination in
      conjunction with careful consideration of processing parameters such as harvest
      time, Protein A elution buffers, and subsequent DSP steps can reduce the HCP
      repertoire of therapeutic mAbs. 

PMID- 26280713
TI  - The spine: so many areas left to explore!

PMID- 26280712
TI  - Synthesis and Structural Elucidation of Triazolylmolybdenum(VI) Oxide Hybrids and
      Their Behavior as Oxidation Catalysts.
AB  - A large family of bifunctional 1,2,4-triazole molecular tectons (tr) has been
      explored for engineering molybdenum(VI) oxide hybrid solids. Specifically, tr
      ligands bearing auxiliary basic or acidic groups were of the type amine,
      pyrazole, 1H-tetrazole, and 1,2,4-triazole. The organically templated
      molybdenum(VI) oxide solids with the general compositions [MoO3(tr)],
      [Mo2O6(tr)], and [Mo2O6(tr)(H2O)2] were prepared under mild hydrothermal
      conditions or by refluxing in water. Their crystal structures consist of zigzag
      chains, ribbons, or helixes of alternating cis-{MoO4N2} or {MoO5N} polyhedra
      stapled by short [N-N]-tr bridges that for bitriazole ligands convert the motifs
      into 2D or 3D frameworks. The high thermal (235-350  degrees C) and chemical
      stability observed for the materials makes them promising for catalytic
      applications. The molybdenum(VI) oxide hybrids were successfully explored as
      versatile oxidation catalysts with tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) or aqueous
      H2O2 as an oxygen source, at 70  degrees C. Catalytic performances were
      influenced by the different acidic-basic properties and steric hindrances of
      coordinating organic ligands as well as the structural dimensionality of the
      hybrid. 

PMID- 26280714
TI  - Non-union of osteoporotic vertebral fractures - identification and treatment of
      an underestimated pathology in elderly patients with persistent back pain.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Non-union of osteoporotic vertebra fractures are a seldom entity.
      However, when back pain persists in the course of conservatively treated
      osteoporotic vertebra fractures, a non-union should be considered. We thus sought
      to validate our diagnostic algorithm in patients with known osteoporotic vertebra
      fractures presenting persistent back pain and advert to the diagnosis and
      treatment of vertebral non-unions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients admitted with
      preexisting osteoporotic vertebra fractures and therapy-resistant back pain were
      retrospectively analysed. All admitted patients were subject to standard plain
      radiographs in erect position and conventional CT or MR imaging of the spine,
      respectively. In addition, patients with suspected non-union were subject to
      lateral fulcrum radiographs in supine position. RESULTS: From a total of 172
      admitted patients, four patients presented with non-union of a fractured
      osteoporotic vertebra (2%). The subsequent surgical therapy included cement
      augmented rod-and-screw stabilization, with or without additional correction of
      deformity, and kyphoplasty (N = 3) or kyphoplasty alone (N = 1). All surgical
      interventions were successful in pain reduction and allowed immediate and
      improved postoperative mobilisation. CONCLUSIONS: Non-union of osteoporotic
      vertebra fractures must be considered when symptoms outlast conservative
      treatment. In these cases, plain lateral fulcrum radiographs are a simple and
      effective adjunct to the conventional diagnostic methods. Surgical stabilization
      then proves to be the effective treatment of choice.

PMID- 26280715
TI  - Fate of kyphosis in tuberculosis of subaxial cervical spine treated non
      operatively.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Observation of post treatment kyphotic angle in patient of cervical
      spine tuberculosis managed non operatively. BACKGROUND: The incidence of
      tuberculosis of cervical spine is about 6-9%. The most dreaded complications of
      spinal tuberculosis are neural involvement and spinal deformity. Due to
      destruction of the vertebra tuberculosis of spine usually leads to variable
      amount of kyphotic deformity. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 13 patients
      with clinico-radiological diagnosis of cervical spine tuberculosis managed in our
      centre between 2004 to 2011. The patients were started on antitubercular therapy.
      Crutchfield tongs traction was applied 8 to 12 weeks followed by mobilization
      with four post collar. The kyphotic angles were measured by radiograph at
      presentation and last available follow up radiograph. OBSERVATIONS: The mean age
      of the patients was 20 years. C3-C4 vertebra was the most commonly involved area.
      One patient had single vertebra involvement, five patients had two vertebrae
      involvement, five patients had three vertebrae involvement and two patients had
      four vertebrae involvement. The average number of vertebrae involved was 2.6
      vertebrae. 9 out of 13 patients had neural deficit at the time of initial
      presentation. The mean follow up was 21.23 months (12 to 42 months). All patients
      responded favorably and had neural recovery. At final follow up, 10 out of 13
      patients had improvement in kyphotic angle, two patients had deterioration of
      kyphotic angle and one patient had no change in kyphotic angle. Only one patient
      had significant deterioration in kyphotic angle. CONCLUSIONS: Non operative
      treatment of cervical spine tuberculosis by initial traction and antitubercular
      therapy improves the pretreatment deformity irrespective of the number of
      vertebra involved.

PMID- 26280716
TI  - Growing rod instrumentation in the treatment of early onset scoliosis.
AB  - The goal of the treatment of early onset scoliosis (EOS) is correction of the
      deformity while still allowing for spinal growth. The aim of this study was to
      determine the safety and effectiveness of the single and dual growing rod
      techniques and which technique was the most effective in the management of EOS
      respectively. From 2003 to 2009, 23 patients underwent single (15) or dual (8)
      growing rod procedures using a pedicle screw construct and tandem connectors. The
      etiology of the patients' spinal deformities were as follows; infantile, juvenile
      idiopathic, congenital and neuromuscular. Clinical evaluation included age, sex,
      diagnosis, follow-up, number and frequency of lengthenings, and complications.
      Radiographic evaluation included measured changes in Cobb angle, kyphosis,
      lordosis, frontal and sagittal balance. Overall 46 lengthening procedures were
      performed, the average number of lengthening procedures being 2.1 +/- 1.14 per
      patient. The average time between two lengthening procedures was 13 (2-28)
      months. Average follow-up time was 40.8 +/- 20.6 months.The mean coronal Cobb
      angle was improved from 64.8 degrees  +/- 16.6 degrees  to 39.7 degrees +/- 16.4
      degrees .Statistically, at the final follow-up, early postoperative measurements
      in the coronal plane were better in the dual growing rod group than in the single
      rod group. Nine patients underwent fusion surgery. Their mean age was 11 (10-14)
      years, with a follow-up of 34.6 (14-54) months. The mean Cobb angle before fusion
      was 58.7 degrees  (40 degrees -75 degrees ). There were 0.9 complications per
      patient in all groups, 0.38 in the dual rod and 1.2 in the single rod group,
      respectively. Dual growing rods result in better deformity correction and
      stability of correction with an acceptable complication rate. 

PMID- 26280717
TI  - Should a Lumbar MRI for back pain routinely include the sacro-iliac joint?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Back pain is a common problem and has been shown to affect
      approximately 85% of the adult population at any one time. The source of this
      pain can be difficult to identify and the sacroiliac joint (SIJ) has been
      proposed as a possible pain source. Its percentage contribution to lower back
      pain is controversial. Clinical provocative tests for SIJ pathology have been
      developed but these have high intra and inter-observer variability and the
      significant of positive findings is unclear. This study proposes that the SIJ
      should not be imaged as part of a routine MRI lumbar spine series. METHODS: We
      retrospectively reviewed the images of 353 patients who had MRI lumbar spine
      scans. 130 had the SIJ imaged. We recorded the clinical findings and diagnosis at
      referral. We reviewed the images and documented the radiological findings.
      RESULTS: SI joint pathology was most frequently identified when clinical
      suspected. Overall SIJ pathology found on MRI in only 0.02% of patients.
      CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that routinely imaging the SIJ in MRI lumbar spine
      series is not cost-effective or a useful use of resources. The SIJ should be
      imaged only if significant clinical findings are demonstrated.

PMID- 26280718
TI  - The surgical treatment of far lateral lumbar disc herniation: 33 cases.
AB  - Surgical approaches to far lateral disc herniation are challenging because of the
      anatomical limitations in the region. We describe an extraforaminal approach for
      far lateral lumbar disc herniation (FLLDH) in a group of patients and discuss the
      results in patients with far lateral disc protrusion or extrusion operated on by
      an approach to the extraforaminal region via an intertransverse route with median
      or paramedian incisions. The two methods are compared in terms of the pre- and
      postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores, duration of the operation,
      amount of bleeding, and long-term functional recovery. In addition, data on age,
      incidence, radiological features and clinical signs and symptoms are compared
      with reported series. Between January 2006 and January 2011, 33 patients (18
      females, 15 males; mean age, 51.2 years) underwent surgery for FLLDH. The
      majority of patients had herniation at disc levels L3-4 (12 patients) or L4-5 (15
      patients). All patients were operated on via either median-paramuscular (20
      patients, 61%) or paramedian-intermuscular (13 patients, 39%) approaches.
      Overall, the mean VAS score improved from 7.3 preoperatively to 2.8 in the short
      term. Analyzing the long-term functional outcome of surgery according to the
      MacNab Criteria, the recovery was excellent, good, fair, and poor in 18, 11, 4,
      and 0 patients, respectively. The far-lateral approach for FLLDH is a safe,
      effective procedure that avoids the risk of secondary spinal instability. In
      treating FLLDH, the use of a long median incision together with an extraforaminal
      approach is safer and less invasive than a laminectomy together with a medial or
      total facetectomy. 

PMID- 26280719
TI  - Kyphoplasty versus vertebroplasty in the treatment of painful osteoporotic
      vertebral compression fractures: two-year follow-up in a prospective controlled
      study.
AB  - A total of 112 patients with a single-level osteoporotic vertebral compression
      fracture who did not respond to conservative therapy were included and allocated
      to either kyphoplasty or vertebroplasty treatment. The Visual Analogue Scale
      (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were used to assess back pain and
      disability. Anterior, midline, posterior vertebral body heights, and kyphotic
      angle at the fractured vertebra were measured for radiographic evaluation.
      Clinical and radiographic follow-up examinations were performed postoperatively
      at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months. Complications and patient satisfaction with the
      surgical procedure were also recorded. The follow-up rate was 73.3% in the
      kyphoplasty group and 80.8% in the vertebroplasty group (P = 0.737). There were
      no significant differences between the 2 groups with regard to improvement in VAS
      and ODI scores (P > 0.05) at all postoperative intervals. Both treatment groups
      achieved marked vertebral height restoration and kyphotic angle reduction, but
      the radiographic parameters were significantly better in the kyphoplasty group (P
      < 0.05). The incidence of asymptomatic cement leakage per treated vertebrae in
      the kyphoplasty group was 11.4% versus 31% in the vertebroplasty group (P <
      0.001). Three adjacent level fractures in the kyphoplasty group and 2 in the
      vertebroplasty group occurred during 2-year follow-up, and no difference in
      patient satisfaction was detected between the 2 groups. Kyphoplasty and
      vertebroplasty achieved similar improvement of clinical outcomes and patient
      satisfaction at 2 years after surgery, albeit kyphoplasty had more ability to
      markedly reduce vertebral deformity and resulted in less cement leaks compared
      with vertebroplasty. 

PMID- 26280720
TI  - Comparison of two treatment strategy for Lenke I adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.
AB  - The aim of the study study is to determine whether bilateral pedicle screw
      placement and posterior only spinal fusion improves sagittal correction
      parameters compared to alternate posterior segmental fixation in adolescent
      idiopathic scoliosis. 49 patients with Lenke Type 1 main thoracic curves who
      underwent single stage posterior only instrumentation and spinal fusion at a
      single center were retrospectively evaluated according to coronal radiological
      parameters. Patients divided into two groups of treatment strategy. Bilateral
      segmental fixation group's results were similar to alternate fixation group.
      Although quality of life or cosmetic evaluation of patients not involved in this
      study, alternate fixation provides similar results as bilateral segmental
      fixation in adolescen idiopathic scoliosis. 

PMID- 26280721
TI  - The treatment of osteoporotic thoracolumbar severe burst fractures with short
      pedicle screw fixation and vertebroplasty.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To investigate the clinical and radiological results of short pedicle
      screw fixation and vertebroplasty in osteoporotic thoracolumbar severe burst
      fractures. METHODS: From September 2006 to August 2010, 19 consecutive patients
      sustained osteoporotic thoracolumbar severe burst fractures with or without
      neurologic deficit and were included in this prospective study. All patients
      underwent short pedicle screw fixation and vertebroplasty. Segmental kyphosis,
      AVBHr and PVBHr, and Canal compromise were calculated on radiographs pre
      operatively, post-operative and at final follow up. VAS, ODI and SF-36 were
      calculated pre-operatively and at final follow up. RESULTS: Mean operative time
      was 70.8 min (range 60~100 min) and mean blood loss was 92 ml (range 60~160 ml).
      The mean duration of their hospital stay was 4.5 days (range 3-7 days). The
      operative incisions were healing well. Average follow up time was 40.1 months
      (range 24~72 months). The AVBHr was corrected from preoperative (48.1 +/- 6.8) %
      to postoperative (94.1 +/- 1.7) % (P < 0.001). The PVBHr was corrected from
      preoperative (62.7 +/- 4.8) % to postoperative (92.8 +/- 1.8) % (P < 0.001).
      Canal compromise was corrected from preoperative (37.3 +/- 5.8) % to
      postoperative (5.9 +/- 2.3) % (P < 0.001). The segmental kyphosis was corrected
      from preoperative (20.6 +/- 5.3) degree to postoperative (2.0 +/- 3.2) degree (P
      < 0.001). VAS scores were reduced from preoperative 7.21 +/- 0.86 to 2.21 +/-
      0.98 at final follow up (P < 0.001). SF-36 Bodily pain was reduced from
      preoperative 75.31 +/- 13.85 to 13.74 +/- 13.24 at final follow up (P < 0.001),
      and SF-36 Role Physical was reduced from preoperative 59.21 +/- 26.63 to 19.74 +/
      22.94 at final follow up (P < 0.001). The ODI scores were reduced from
      preoperative 81.68 +/- 4.44 to 15.37 +/- 5.54 at final follow up (P < 0.001). All
      4 patients with partial neurological deficit initially had improvement. Cement
      leakage was observed in 3 cases (two anterior to vertebral body and one into the
      disc without sequela). There were no instances of instrumentation failure and no
      patient had persistent postoperative back pain. CONCLUSIONS: Vertebroplasty and
      short pedicle screw fixation has the advantages of both radiographic and
      functional results for treating osteoporotic thoracolumbar severe burst fractures
      using a purely posterior approach.

PMID- 26280722
TI  - Computed tomography-guided percutaneous focal catheter infusion in the treatment
      of spinal tuberculosis.
AB  - The study aimed to investigate the efficacy of computed tomography (CT)-guided
      percutaneous focal catheter infusion for the treatment of spinal tuberculosis.
      Clinical and follow-up data from 27 spinal tuberculosis patients who underwent CT
      guided intervertebral catheterized infusion chemotherapy from May 2008 to October
      2011 were retrospectively analyzed; treatment included pure intervertebral
      infusion chemotherapy and catheter drainage for continuous abscess washing during
      infusion chemotherapy. All surgeries were successfully completed under CT
      guidance without complications. The C-reactive protein levels of most patients
      rebounded within the first postoperative week but significantly decreased after
      the second and fourth postoperative weeks. CT-guided percutaneous focal catheter
      infusion was effective for the treatment of spinal tuberculosis and induced
      little trauma; this treatment could also relieve the symptoms and improve the
      quality of life of elderly patients with poor general conditions. 

PMID- 26280723
TI  - Geographic Origin of Publications in Major Spine Journals.
AB  - Aim of the present study was to assess the contribution of each country in the
      field of spine surgery. Three major spine journals were included in our study and
      the search conducted in PubMed for a 5-year period (2007-2012). Publications on
      spine surgery were assessed according to the country. A total of 6312 articles
      were identified and 5842 were included. Fifteen countries generated 86.9% of
      publications, with 31.7% by the United States, followed by Japan (9.6%), China
      (8.1%) and Canada (5.2%). After correction for population size Switzerland (19
      studies per 106 inhabitants), the Netherlands (10), Sweden (9), Canada (9) and
      Australia (6) ranked the top. The USA was placed 7th after correction for
      population size. Small European countries with modest research funding and non
      native English speaking population are more productive in relation to their
      population size, despite the fact that the contribution of USA is the greatest in
      the field of the major peer-reviewed indexed spine surgery journals.

PMID- 26280724
TI  - Anatomical assessment of iliac crest graft size for anterior spondylodesis.
AB  - Standard procedure for monosegmental anterior spondylodesis often combines
      anterior stabilization with autologous iliac crest graft. Recent publications
      defined a minimum size of the graft as a technical specification for this
      procedure. The cross sectional area of the graft to be transplanted should be at
      least 23.9% of the cross sectional area of the vertebral bodies to be fused. We
      investigated whether the required minimum size of autologous graft, as identified
      both experimentally and clinically, is compatible with the anatomical conditions
      in central european patients. Computed tomography scans (n = 348) of
      polytraumatized patients were obtained in the course of initial diagnosis. The
      scans were evaluated for vertebral body size and the possible size of autologous
      bone graft in the region of the anterior superior iliac crest. The evaluation of
      348 CT scans demonstrated that 95% of the quantified iliac crest grafts would
      achieve the size recommended for anterior spinal fusion between T10 and T12. In
      90% of all cases the planned iliac crest graft exceeded the size limit of 23,9%
      between concerning the endplates T10 and L2. In 85% the planned iliac crest graft
      exceeded the size limit of 23,9% between T10 and L3. The recommendation to take
      this value into account for monosegmental anterior spondylodesis should gain in
      importance in clinical practice. 

PMID- 26280725
TI  - Correlation between clinical outcomes and spinopelvic parameters in osteoporosis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Little data is available on the relationship between sagittal
      spinopelvic parameters and health related quality of life (HRQOL) in osteoporotic
      patients. The aim of this study was to identify relationships between spinopelvic
      parameters and HRQOL in osteoporosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The patient and
      control groups comprised 138 osteoporotic patients and 40 controls. All underwent
      anteroposterior and lateral radiography of the whole spine, including hip joints,
      and completed clinical questionnaires. The radiographic parameters examined were;
      sacral slope, pelvic tilt, pelvic incidence, thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis,
      and sagittal vertical axis. Lumbar spinal bone mineral density (LSBMD) and
      femoral neck BMD (FNBMD) of the non-dominant proximal femur were measured. A
      Visual Analogue Scale (VAS: 0-10) was used to assess back pain, and the Oswestry
      disability index (ODI) questionnaire and the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS-22)
      questionnaire to evaluate QOL. Statistical analysis was performed to identify
      significant differences between the patient and control groups. In addition,
      correlations between radiological parameters and clinical questionnaires were
      sought. RESULTS: Patients and controls were found to differ significantly in
      terms of sagittal vertical axis, sacral slope, pelvic tilt, lumbar lordosis, and
      thoracic kyphosis. However, no significant intergroup difference was observed for
      pelvic incidence (P > 0.05). Correlation analysis revealed significant
      relationships between radiographic parameters and clinical outcomes. Multiple
      regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of clinical outcome, and
      the results obtained revealed that sagittal vertical axis, sacral slope, and
      FNBMD significantly predicted VAS, ODI, and SRS-22 scores and that LSBMD
      predicted SRS-22 scores. CONCLUSIONS: Osteoporotic patients and controls were
      found to be significantly different in terms of sagittal spinopelvic parameters.
      Correlation analysis revealed significant relationships between radiographic
      parameters and clinical outcome variables. In particular, sagittal vertical axis,
      sacral slope, and FNBMD significantly predicted clinical outcomes in osteoporotic
      patients.

PMID- 26280726
TI  - Comparison of microendoscopic discectomy system and anterior open approach in
      treatment of unstable odontoid fracture with cannulated screw internal fixation.
AB  - This study intended to investigate the safety and efficacy of microendoscopic
      discectomy system compared with anterior open approach in the treatment of
      odontoid fracture with cannulated screw internal fiation. Thirty-two patients (25
      male and 7 female) were enrolled and randomly assigned to different treatments.
      15 patients were treated with microendoscopic discectomy system (Group MED) and
      17 patients were treated with anterior open approach (Group AOA). The operating
      time, volume of blood loss, occurrence of complications, and fracture healing
      rate were compared. In Group MED, the mean operating time and blood loss volume
      were significant lower than those in Group AOA (P < 0.05). Nevertheless, all
      patients in both groups obtained bony union and cervical range of motion without
      significant difference statistically (P > 0.05). Three patients in Group AOA
      complained of transient dysphagia. We concluded that microendoscopic discectomy
      system for odontoid fracture treatment with cannulated screw is a safe, reliable
      and minimal invasive procedure compared with traditional open surgery. 

PMID- 26280727
TI  - Study on the anatomy of the lumbosacral anterior great vessels pertinent to L5/S1
      anterior interbody surgery with computer tomography angiography.
AB  - We investigate the anatomy of the lumbosacral anterior great vessels using
      computer tomography (CT) angiography before L5/S1 anterior interbody surgery.
      Sixty-two adult patients were selected. The location of the abdominal aortic
      bifurcation and common iliac venous confluence in the lumbar vertebrae and the
      anatomic parameters of the iliac vascular space (e.g., distances from the
      included angle vertex of the iliac vascular space to the median sagittal plane
      and to the inferior boundary of L5 and distances between the left and right iliac
      vessels on the inferior boundary of L5 and on the superior boundary of S1) were
      analysed. Overall, 67.73% of the 62 cases had an abdominal aortic bifurcation
      located at L4 and L4/5 intervertebral disc; 61.29%, the common iliac venous
      confluence located at L5. The four distances mentioned above were 0.98 cm +/-
      0.38 cm, 2.01 cm +/- 1.26 cm, 3.11 cm +/- 1.35 cm and 4.34 cm +/- 1.10 cm,
      respectively. A classification system of types A, B and C was developed. The
      calculated L5/S1 intervertebral space exposure percentages of types A, B and C
      were 32.21%, 82.58% and 54.68%, respectively. During L5/S1 anterior interbody
      surgery, type B intervertebral discs can be exposed conveniently, preventing
      injury of the iliac vessels, which was also observed in 54.68% and 32.21% of the
      type C and type A discs, respectively. Because the type A intervertebral disc has
      minimal exposure, the risk of iliac vascular injury is relatively high in these
      patients. 

PMID- 26280728
TI  - Validity of creatine kinase as an indicator of muscle injury in spine surgery and
      its relation with postoperative pain.
AB  - PURPOSE: To confirm the validity of postoperative creatine kinase (CK) values as
      an indicator of muscle lesion, assess the relationship of CK with variables
      indicating surgical invasiveness and investigate an association between CK values
      and excessive postoperative pain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 96
      patients (mean age 62.8 years) who underwent instrumented spine fusion for
      degenerative lumbosacral disease. Serum CK concentration was determined on the
      first postoperative day. All patients received intravenous paracetamol and
      metamizole, and in cases of intense pain, rescue analgesia with iv meperidine.
      Patients were categorized according to whether or not they required rescue
      analgesia. Data on the number of levels fused, the duration of surgery, and
      operative bleeding were recorded in each patient. RESULTS: CK values were higher
      in men and in younger patients. Significant correlations were found between CK
      and the number of fused levels and duration of surgery. Only 17.7% of patients
      required rescue analgesia. CK levels did not significantly differ between
      patients who did not need rescue analgesia (1135 IU/L) and those who did (1421.5
      IU/L). CONCLUSIONS: Serum CK concentration is a valid marker of surgical muscle
      injury and is affected by the age and sex. Factors such as the magnitude and
      duration of surgery show a relationship with postoperative CK values. The
      incidence of severe postoperative pain is not significantly related to CK level.

PMID- 26280729
TI  - Cement augmentation for vertebral fractures in patients with multiple myeloma.
AB  - Objective of our study was to assess the outcome of cement augmentation in
      patients with multiple myeloma. We reviewed 12 patients with 48 vertebral
      fractures. Mean age was 62.5 years. Average length of follow-up was 27.5 months.
      Expected survival was less than 12 months in 2 patients and more than 12 months
      in the remaining patients. After surgery mean survival was 32.5 months. Mean
      correction in vertebral angle was 3.6 degrees . Karnofsky score was more than 70
      in 5 patients, 50-70 in 6 and less than 50 in 1 patient preoperatively, while it
      was more than 70 in all patients postoperatively. Preoperative mean ODI was 72%.
      After surgery it was 46% at 6 weeks and 14% at 12 months. All patients reported
      improvement in their pain status after surgery. Cement augmentation is a safe and
      effective way of treating symptoms of multiple myeloma, which occur due to
      vertebral metastases. It results in excellent pain control and improvement in
      quality of life. 

PMID- 26280730
TI  - A cervical "zero-profile" cage with integrated angle-stable fixation: 24-months
      results.
AB  - The purpose of this prospective mono-centric case series study is to investigate
      the mid-term (minimum follow-up 24 months) safety and efficacy using a new "zero
      profile" stand-alone cage with integrated angle-stable fixation in single- and
      multilevel anterior cervical fusions. 53 consecutive patients with
      radiculopathy/myelopathy at one to three levels underwent an anterior cervical
      discectomy and fusion procedure using the "zero-profile" implant (97 levels
      operated). A CT-scan at 12-months was taken to assess fusion status, implant
      failure, subsidence and migration. The overall fusion rate was 97%. 3 out of 45
      patients (6.6%) complained about mild dysphagia related symptoms at 24 months
      follow-up . There was no recorded incidence of hardware failure. The new cervical
      stand-alone anterior fusion device allows a safe anterior cervical decompression
      and stabilisation, a low rate of chronic dysphagia and achieves a high fusion
      rate. Prospective randomised trials are necessary to confirm these results. 

PMID- 26280731
TI  - Is OPLL-induced canal stenosis a risk factor of cord injury in cervical trauma?
AB  - The purpose of this study is to identify the relationship between trauma severity
      and the degree of cord injury in patients with ossification of posterior
      longitudinal ligament (OPLL). Four-hundred-one patients were classified into
      Group A (OPLL(+)), Group B (spinal stenosis (+) and OPLL(-)), and Group C (OPLL (
      ) and spinal stenosis(-)). Trauma severity and neurological injury severity were
      compared according to presence of OPLL and spinal stenosis. OPLL was associated
      with a higher incidence of neurological injury with statistical significance (p =
      0.002), whereas spinal stenosis did not (p = 0.408). With Group B+C (no OPLL
      group) in M (minimal) trauma group as baseline, Group A in M trauma group showed
      about 5 times, and Group A in S (severe) trauma group showed about 16 times as
      many cord injury. Patients with OPLL more frequently sustained spinal cord injury
      from minimal trauma. 

PMID- 26280732
TI  - Significance of spinal canal and dural sac dimensions in predicting treatment of
      lumbar disc herniation.
AB  - This retrospective study was performed to investigate the significance of
      quantitative MRI measurements of spinal canal and dural sac dimensions for
      treatment decisions and clinical outcome of lumbar disc herniation. 182 patients
      (111 nonsurgical patients and 71 surgical patients) were included, while 78
      nonsurgical patients and 50 surgical patients were enrolled in the final follow
      up. The initial JOA score in nonsurgical patients was significantly superior to
      surgical patients (t-test: p < 0.001), whereas the final JOA score and the rate
      of improvement were not significantly different between the two groups of
      patients (t-test: p > 0.05). 88.46% of nonsurgical patients and 90.00% of
      surgical patients had a good or excellent outcome (chi-square test: p > 0.05).
      However, if the 16 recurrent cases were included, the proportions dropped to
      75.82% and 84.90% for nonsurgical and surgical patients, respectively. Compared
      with nonsurgical patients, quantitative parameters, such as midsagittal diameter
      and available diameter of spinal canal, lateral recess width and cross-sectional
      areas of spinal canal and dural sac, were significantly smaller in surgical
      patients (t-test: p < 0.001), and was reflected in the initial JOA score (128
      cases; Spearman rank correlation coefficient: r 0.01 = 0.486, 0.499, 0.493,
      0.507, 0.484; p < 0.001). The spinal canal and dural sac dimensions were
      important predictive factors for treatment selection of lumbar disc herniation. 

PMID- 26280734
TI  - Blood Components Interactions to Ionic and Nonionic Glyconanogels.
AB  - Nanogels are prominent examples of "smart" nanomaterials, which are designed to
      incorporate biologically relevant (macro)molecules for systemic delivery.
      Although these systems are carefully engineered, only a handful of studies
      discuss the blood compatibility of nanogels, and no systematic studies are
      available on how the presence of net or surface charges impacts the
      hemocompatibility of these nanomaterials. Therefore, in this study, temperature
      responsive, galactose based nanogels bearing net positive, negative, or neutral
      charges, either in the core or shell of nanogels, are prepared and are
      subsequently evaluated for their blood compatibility profiles. The nanogels
      containing neutral core and shell, cationic core with neutral shell, anionic core
      with neutral shell, neutral core with cationic shell, and neutral core with
      anionic shell are prepared by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer
      (RAFT) polymerization approach. The evaluation of complement activation, blood
      clot formation, platelet activation, red blood cells aggregation, and hemolysis
      provides a detailed analysis of structure activity relationship of blood
      compatibility profile of these nanogels. The data reveal that the physical and
      biological (blood compatibility) properties can be carefully tuned by embedding
      the charges in the core of temperature-responsive nanomaterials, protected by
      neutral carbohydrate based shells. 

PMID- 26280735
TI  - High-Efficiency All-Dielectric Metasurfaces for Ultracompact Beam Manipulation in
      Transmission Mode.
AB  - Metasurfaces are two-dimensional structures enabling complete control on light
      amplitude, phase, and polarization. Unlike plasmonic metasurfaces, silicon
      structures facilitate high transmission, low losses, and compatibility with
      existing semiconductor technologies. We experimentally demonstrate two examples
      of high-efficiency polarization-sensitive dielectric metasurfaces with 2pi phase
      control in transmission mode (45% transmission efficiency for the vortex
      converter and 36% transmission efficiency for the beam steering device) at
      telecommunication wavelengths. Silicon metasurfaces are poised to enable a
      versatile platform for the realization of all-optical circuitry on a chip. 

PMID- 26280733
TI  - Progesterone and the Repression of Myometrial Inflammation: The Roles of MKP-1
      and the AP-1 System.
AB  - Progesterone (P4) maintains uterine quiescence during pregnancy and its
      functional withdrawal is associated with increased prostaglandin synthesis and
      the onset of labor. In primary human myometrial cells, the glucocorticoid
      receptor (GR) rather than the P4 receptor mediates P4 antagonism of IL-1beta
      induced cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression, the rate-limiting enzyme in
      prostaglandin synthesis. We now report that P4 also acts via GR to induce MAPK
      phosphatase (MKP)-1 and knockdown of MKP-1 impairs the ability of P4 to repress
      IL-1beta-dependent COX-2 induction. Microarray analysis revealed that P4
      repressed preferentially activator protein-1-responsive genes in response to IL
      1beta. Consistent with these observations, we found that the ability of P4 to
      reduce c-Jun activation was lost upon GR as well as MKP-1 knockdown.
      Interestingly, c-Jun levels in human myometrial cells declined upon GR and MKP-1
      knockdown, which suggests the presence of an activator protein-1 feedback loop.
      This is supported by our observation that c-Jun levels declined after an initial
      rise in primary myometrial cells treated with phorbol 12-myrisatate 13-acetate, a
      potent activator of c-Jun N-terminal kinase. Finally, we show that MKP-1 is an
      intermediate in P4-mediated repression of some but not all IL-1beta-responsive
      genes. For example, P4 repression of IL11 and IRAK3 was maintained upon MKP-1
      knockdown. Taken together, the data show that P4 acts via GR to drive MKP-1
      expression, which in turn inhibits IL-1beta-dependent c-Jun activation and COX-2
      expression. 

PMID- 26280736
TI  - Impact of a Short-Term Nutrition Education Child Care Pilot Intervention on
      Preschool Children's Intention To Choose Healthy Snacks and Actual Snack Choices.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Novel interventions within child care settings are needed for
      childhood obesity prevention. The aim of this study was to determine the impact
      of a short-term nutrition education pilot intervention on preschool-age
      children's snack food choices. METHODS: Children ages 3-5 years (n = 49) from one
      child care setting participated in a short-term nutrition education intervention
      (nine 30-minute interactive lessons) taught over a 2-week period. Pre-post
      assessments included snack knowledge and snack preference questionnaires and an
      observed snack selection trial to allow children to choose between a healthy and
      unhealthy snack choice similar to the current food environment. Children's height
      and weight were measured and BMI z-scores calculated. Parental reports of
      demographics and child's food preferences were also collected at baseline.
      RESULTS: Children significantly improved their preference of healthier snacks (p
      = 0.03) and the ability to distinguish them (p = 0.03) from other snacks.
      However, they did not significantly improve (p > 0.05) their snack choice between
      a healthy and unhealthy choice immediately after the short-term nutrition
      education program. Children who were younger (p = 0.003) or who had higher
      nutrition knowledge scores (p = 0.002) were more likely to select the healthy
      snack after the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence that a
      short-term nutrition education program improves preschool children's knowledge
      about healthy snacks, but does not translate to immediate healthier snack
      selections for all children. Future research should investigate the optimal
      duration of a nutrition education program in a child care setting and other
      external influences (parents, policy) most influential on snack choice and
      eventual obesity risk.

PMID- 26280737
TI  - Synthesis and high-throughput characterization of structural analogues of
      molecular glassformers: 1,3,5-trisarylbenzenes.
AB  - We report the synthesis and characterization of an analogous series of small
      organic molecules derived from a well-known glass former, 1,3-bis(1-naphthyl)-5
      (2-naphthyl)benzene (alpha,alpha,beta-TNB). Synthesized molecules include
      alpha,alpha,beta-TNB, 3,5-di(naphthalen-1-yl)-1-phenylbenzene (alpha,alpha-P), 9
      (3,5-di(naphthalen-1-yl)phenyl)anthracene (alpha,alpha-A), 9,9'-(5-(naphthalen-2
      yl)-1,3-phenylene)dianthracene (beta-AA) and 3,3',5,5'-tetra(naphthalen-1-yl)
      1,1'-biphenyl (alpha,alpha,alpha,alpha-TNBP). The design of molecules was based
      on increasing molecular weight with varied pi-pi interactions in one or more
      substituents. The synthesis is based on Suzuki cross-coupling of 1-bromo-3-chloro
      5-iodobenzene with arylboronic acids, which allows attachment of various
      substituents to tailor the chemical structure. The bulk compounds were
      characterized using NMR spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).
      Thin films of these compounds were produced using physical vapor deposition and
      were subsequently annealed above the glass transition temperatures (Tg). For each
      molecular glass, cooling rate-dependent glass transition temperature measurements
      (CR-Tg) were performed using ellipsometry as a high-throughput method to
      characterize thin film properties. CR-Tg allows rapid characterization of glassy
      properties, such as Tg, apparent thermal expansion coefficients, apparent
      activation energy at Tg and fragility. DSC measurements confirmed the general
      trend that increasing molecular weight leads to increasing melting point (Tm) and
      Tg. Furthermore, CR-Tg provided evidence that the introduction of stronger pi
      interacting substituents in the chosen set of structural analogues increases
      fragility and decreases the ability to form glasses, such that beta-AA has the
      largest fragility and highest tendency to crystallize among all the compounds.
      These strong interactions also significantly elevate Tg and promote more harmonic
      intermolecular potentials, as observed by decreasing value of the apparent
      thermal expansion coefficient. 

PMID- 26280738
TI  - Pt(II)-Catalyzed photosynthesis for H2 evolution cycling between singly and
      triply reduced species.
AB  - A PtCl2(bpy) derivative tethered to two viologen (MV(2+)) moieties drives
      photochemical H2 evolution via forming a three-electron-reduced species
      possessing a bpy(-)-based (or MV(0)-based) reducing equivalent. Such species can
      only form after one electron reduction of both the MV(2+) sites because of rapid
      intramolecular electron transfer from bpy(-) to MV(2+). 

PMID- 26280739
TI  - Kaempferol Isolated from Nelumbo nucifera Inhibits Lipid Accumulation and
      Increases Fatty Acid Oxidation Signaling in Adipocytes.
AB  - Stamens of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn have been used as a Chinese medicine due to
      its antioxidant, hypoglycemic, and antiatherogenic activity. However, the effects
      of kaempferol, a main component of N. nucifera, on obesity are not fully
      understood. We examined the effect of kaempferol on adipogenesis and fatty acid
      oxidation signaling pathways in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Kaempferol reduced cytoplasmic
      triglyceride (TG) accumulation in dose and time-dependent manners during
      adipocyte differentiation. Accumulation of TG was rapidly reversed by retrieving
      kaempferol treatment. Kaempferol broadly decreased mRNA or protein levels of
      adipogenic transcription factors and their target genes related to lipid
      accumulation. Kaempferol also suppressed glucose uptake and glucose transporter
      GLUT4 mRNA expression in adipocytes. Furthermore, protein docking simulation
      suggests that Kaempferol can directly bind to and activate peroxisome
      proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-alpha by forming hydrophobic interactions
      with VAL324, THR279, and LEU321 residues of PPARalpha. The binding affinity was
      higher than a well-known PPARalpha agonist fenofibrate. Consistently, mRNA
      expression levels of PPARalpha target genes were increased. Our study indicates
      while kaempferol inhibits lipogenic transcription factors and lipid accumulation,
      it may bind to PPARalpha and stimulate fatty acid oxidation signaling in
      adipocytes. 

PMID- 26280740
TI  - Evaluating the socioeconomic and cultural factors associated with pediatric burn
      injuries in Maputo, Mozambique.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pediatric burn injuries are one of the leading causes of preventable
      morbidity and mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa. Research on the complex system of
      social, economic and cultural factors contributing to burn injuries in this
      setting is much needed. METHODS: We conducted a prospective questionnaire-based
      analysis of pediatric burn patients presenting to the Hospital Central de Maputo.
      A total of 39 patients were included in the study. Interviews were conducted with
      the children's caretakers by two trained medical students at the Eduardo Mondlane
      Medical School in Maputo with the aid of local nursing staff. RESULTS: Most burns
      occurred from scald wounds (26/39) particularly from bathwater, followed by fire
      burns (11/39). Burns occurred more frequently in the afternoon (16/39) and
      evening (16/39). Over one quarter of burns (9/33) occurred in the absence of a
      caretaker. One-third (12/36) of participants attempted to treat the burn at home
      prior to bringing the child into the hospital, and roughly two-thirds (24/37)
      reported using traditional remedies for burn care. The average household had just
      2 rooms for an average of 5 family members. Most burns were second degree
      (25/37). CONCLUSIONS: Prevention efforts in this setting are much needed and can
      be implemented taking complex cultural and social factors into account. Education
      regarding regulation of water temperature for baths is important, given the
      prevalence of scald burns. Moreover, the introduction of low-cost, safer cooking
      technology can help mitigate inhalation injury and reduce fire burns.
      Additionally, burn care systems must be integrated with local traditional medical
      interventions to respect local cultural medicinal practices.

PMID- 26280742
TI  - Effectiveness of short-term endoscopic surgical skill training for young
      pediatric surgeons: a validation study using the laparoscopic fundoplication
      simulator.
AB  - PURPOSE: Pediatric surgeons require highly advanced skills when performing
      endoscopic surgery; however, their experience is often limited in comparison to
      general surgeons. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of
      endoscopic surgery training for less-experienced pediatric surgeons and then
      compare their skills before and after training. METHODS: Young pediatric surgeons
      (n = 7) who participated in this study underwent a 2-day endoscopic skill
      training program, consisting of lectures, box training and live tissue training.
      The trainees performed the Nissen construction tasks before and after training
      using our objective evaluation system. A statistical analysis was conducted using
      the two-tailed paired Student's t tests. RESULTS: The time for task was 984 +/-
      220 s before training and 645 +/- 92.8 s after training (p < 0.05). The total
      path length of both forceps was 37855 +/- 10586 mm before training and 22582 +/-
      3045 mm after training (p < 0.05). The average velocity of both forceps was 26.1
      +/- 3.68 mm/s before training and 22.9 +/- 2.47 mm/sec after training (p < 0.1).
      The right and left balance of suturing was improved after training (p < 0.05).
      CONCLUSION: Pediatric surgery trainees improved their surgical skills after
      receiving short-term training. We demonstrated the effectiveness of our training
      program, which utilized a new laparoscopic fundoplication simulator.

PMID- 26280741
TI  - Surgical approaches for neonatal congenital diaphragmatic hernia: a systematic
      review and meta-analysis.
AB  - PURPOSE: The optimal surgical approach for neonatal congenital diaphragmatic
      hernia (CDH) remains unclear. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis
      of the effectiveness of endoscopic surgery (ES) for neonatal CDH. METHODS: A
      systematic literature search was conducted using MEDLINE and the Cochrane
      Library. Studies that compared surgical approaches for neonatal CDH were
      selected. Mortality and recurrence of herniation were analyzed as primary
      endpoints. Each study was evaluated following the Grading of Recommendations
      Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system. RESULTS: Eight
      observational studies comparing ES and open surgery (OS) met the criteria. As
      compared with the OS group, the ES group showed both a significantly lower
      mortality rate [risk ratio (RR) 0.18, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.09-0.38, p
      < 0.0001] and a significantly higher recurrence rate (RR 3.10, 95 % CI 1.95-4.88,
      p < 0.00001). However, serious selection bias was seen in seven of the eight
      studies-because the indication of ES had been determined intentionally, the ES
      groups may have included less severe cases. CONCLUSION: Although the evidence was
      insufficient, ES was clearly associated with more recurrence than was OS.
      Therefore, ES should not be the routine treatment for every neonate. It is
      crucially important to select suitable cases for ES.

PMID- 26280743
TI  - Extraosseous Ewing sarcoma in the mesentery: the first report of cases in
      children.
AB  - Extraosseous ewing sarcoma (EES) is a rare soft-tissue tumor usually found in the
      extremities or paraspinal region. We describe the case of a 4-year-old boy with a
      large cystic mass in the mesentery diagnosed as mesenteric lymphangioma
      preoperatively and as EES after partial resection and histopathological
      examination. EES in the mesentery is extremely rare, with only 2 reports
      described in the English literature. This represents the first report of EES in a
      child. 

PMID- 26280744
TI  - Specific effects in microwave chemistry explored through reactor vessel design,
      theory, and spectroscopy.
AB  - Microwave chemistry has revolutionized synthetic methodology for the preparation
      of organics, pharmaceuticals, materials, and peptides. The enhanced reaction
      rates commonly observed in a microwave have led to wide speculation about the
      function of molecular microwave absorption and whether the absorption leads to
      microwave specific effects and enhanced molecular heating. The comparison of
      theoretical modeling, reactor vessel design, and dielectric spectroscopy allows
      the nuance of the interaction to be directly understood. The study clearly shows
      an unaltered silicon carbide vessel allows measurable microwave penetration and
      therefore, molecular absorption of the microwave photons by the reactants within
      the reaction vessel cannot be ignored when discussing the role of molecular
      heating in enhanced molecular reactivity for microwave synthesis. The results of
      the study yield an improved microwave reactor vessel design that eliminates
      microwave leakage into the reaction volume by incorporating a noble metal surface
      layer onto a silicon carbide reaction vessel. The systematic study provides the
      necessary theory and measurements to better inform the arguments in the field. 

PMID- 26280745
TI  - Assembly of Active Bacterial and Fungal Communities Along a Natural Environmental
      Gradient.
AB  - Dormancy is thought to promote biodiversity within microbial communities, but how
      assembly of the active community responds to changes in environmental conditions
      is unclear. To measure the active and dormant communities of bacteria and fungi
      colonizing decomposing litter in maple forests, we targeted ribosomal genes and
      transcripts across a natural environmental gradient. Within bacterial and fungal
      communities, the active and dormant communities were phylogenetically distinct,
      but patterns of phylogenetic clustering varied. For bacteria, active communities
      were significantly more clustered than dormant communities, while the reverse was
      found for fungi. The proportion of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) classified
      as active and the degree of phylogenetic clustering of the active bacterial
      communities declined with increasing pH and decreasing C/N. No significant
      correlations were found for the fungal community. The opposing pattern of
      phylogenetic clustering in dormant and active communities and the differential
      response of active communities to environmental gradients suggest that dormancy
      differentially structures bacterial and fungal communities. 

PMID- 26280746
TI  - The Diversity and Co-occurrence Patterns of N2-Fixing Communities in a CO2
      Enriched Grassland Ecosystem.
AB  - Diazotrophs are the major organismal group responsible for atmospheric nitrogen
      (N2) fixation in natural ecosystems. The extensive diversity and structure of N2
      fixing communities in grassland ecosystems and their responses to increasing
      atmospheric CO2 remain to be further explored. Through pyrosequencing of nifH
      gene amplicons and extraction of nifH genes from shotgun metagenomes, coupled
      with co-occurrence ecological network analysis approaches, we comprehensively
      analyzed the diazotrophic community in a grassland ecosystem exposed to elevated
      CO2 (eCO2) for 12 years. Long-term eCO2 increased the abundance of nifH genes but
      did not change the overall nifH diversity and diazotrophic community structure.
      Taxonomic and phylogenetic analysis of amplified nifH sequences suggested a high
      diversity of nifH genes in the soil ecosystem, the majority belonging to nifH
      clusters I and II. Co-occurrence ecological network analysis identified different
      co-occurrence patterns for different groups of diazotrophs, such as
      Azospirillum/Actinobacteria, Mesorhizobium/Conexibacter, and
      Bradyrhizobium/Acidobacteria. This indicated a potential attraction of non-N2
      fixers by diazotrophs in the soil ecosystem. Interestingly, more complex co
      occurrence patterns were found for free-living diazotrophs than commonly known
      symbiotic diazotrophs, which is consistent with the physical isolation nature of
      symbiotic diazotrophs from the environment by root nodules. The study provides
      novel insights into our understanding of the microbial ecology of soil
      diazotrophs in natural ecosystems.

PMID- 26280747
TI  - A population-based study on the associations between chronic periodontitis and
      the risk of cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To date, the associations between chronic periodontitis (CP) and
      cancer lack large-scale population-based epidemiological evidence. This study
      aimed to investigate the subsequent risk for cancers among subjects with CP.
      METHODS: This study cohort included 40,140 subjects with CP and 40,140 subjects
      who were matched for a comparison cohort. We individually tracked each patient
      for a 5-year period following their index date to identify those who had received
      a diagnosis of cancer. RESULTS: The incidence rate of cancer during the 5-year
      follow-up period was 14.80 (95 % CI 14.28-15.34) per 1,000 person-years in
      subjects with CP. Cox proportional hazards regression revealed that the hazard
      ratio of cancer during the 5-year follow-up period for subjects with CP was 1.23
      (95 % CI 1.20-1.27) compared to that of the comparison cohort. CONCLUSION: We
      observed an increased risk for the subsequent development of a number of cancers
      among subjects with CP.

PMID- 26280748
TI  - Growth rate of chemotherapy-naive lung metastasis from colorectal cancer could be
      a predictor of early relapse after lung resection.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to elucidate a potential risk factor for early
      relapse after pulmonary metastasectomy of colorectal cancer and to propose an
      optimal treatment strategy for lung metastasis with an aggressive nature.
      METHODS: Seventy patients who underwent pulmonary metastasectomy for
      diachronically measurable pulmonary lesions were retrospectively analyzed. We
      calculated the tumor doubling time (TDT) as the growth rate of lung metastasis
      and divided the study population into two groups: Rapid (TDT <= 100 days) and
      Slow (TDT > 100 days). RESULTS: The patients consisted of 47 males and 23
      females, with a mean age of 63 years. Forty-two patients had a relapse after
      pulmonary metastasectomy with a median follow-up duration of 24 months. There was
      a significant difference in relapse-free survival between the Rapid and Slow
      groups (p = 0.047). Using a multivariate analysis, no preoperative chemotherapy
      and a high level of serum carcinoembryonic antigen were proven to be significant
      risk factors for relapse after metastasectomy. Meanwhile, multivariate analyses
      among 37 patients without preoperative chemotherapy indicated that TDT was the
      sole significant factor for relapse-free survival. In addition, eight of nine
      patients with relapse within 12 months were placed into the Rapid group.
      CONCLUSIONS: Although this was a preliminary study with a small number of
      patients, it suggested that lung metastases demonstrating a TDT of 100 days or
      less have a high risk of early relapse after metastasectomy.

PMID- 26280749
TI  - Influencing Factor Investigation on Dynamic Hydrothermal Growth of Gapped Hollow
      BaTiO3 Nanospheres.
AB  - Gapped hollow BaTiO3 nanospheres with an apparent diameter of 93 +/- 19 nm (shell
      thickness of 10-20 nm) were synthesized via a dynamic hydrothermal process using
      TiO2 sols and Ba(2+) ions as the Ti and Ba sources in alkaline aqueous solutions.
      The phases and morphologies of the BaTiO3 samples were characterized by X-ray
      diffraction (XRD), SEM, TEM, and Raman spectra. The effects of the hydrothermal
      temperatures and durations, NaOH concentrations, and Ba/Ti ratios on the
      formation of gapped hollow BaTiO3 nanospheres were systematically investigated.
      The optimum conditions for forming gapped hollow BaTiO3 nanospheres are
      hydrothermal treatment at 180  degrees C for 10-20 h under a continuous magnetic
      stirring with NaOH concentrations of about 1 mol/L and molar Ba/Ti ratios of 1.2
      1.5. The formation mechanism of the gapped hollow BaTiO3 nanospheres is
      understood as the combination of the orientated attachment and reversed crystal
      growth. 

PMID- 26280750
TI  - Disorder to Order Transition and Ordered Morphology of Coil-Comb Block Copolymer
      by Self-Consistent Field Theory.
AB  - The disorder to order transition and the ordered patterns near the disordered
      state of coil-comb copolymer A-b-(B m + 1-g-C m ) are investigated by the self
      consistent field theory. The phase diagrams of coil-comb copolymer are obtained
      by varying the composition of the copolymer with the side chain number m = 1, 2,
      and 3. The disorder to order transition is far more complex compared with the
      comb copolymer or linear block copolymer. As the side chain number m increases,
      the Flory-Huggins interaction parameter of disorder to order transition (DOT)
      increases and the lowest DOT occurs when the volume fractions of blocks A, B, and
      C are approximately equal. When one component is the minority, the disorder to
      order transition curve is similar with binary copolymer, but the curve shows the
      asymmetric property. The comb copolymer is more stable with larger side chain
      number m and shorter side chain. The ordered patterns from the disordered state
      are discussed. The results are helpful for designing coil-comb copolymers and
      obtaining the ordered morphology. 

PMID- 26280752
TI  - Wearable and Implantable Mechanical Energy Harvesters for Self-Powered Biomedical
      Systems.
AB  - In this issue of ACS Nano, Tang et al. investigate the ability of a triboelectric
      nanogenerator (TENG) to self-power a low-level laser cure system for osteogenesis
      by studying the efficiency of a bone remodeling laser treatment that is powered
      by a skin-patch-like TENG instead of a battery. We outline this field by
      highlighting the motivations for self-powered biomedical systems and by
      discussing recent progress in nanogenerators. We note the overlap between
      biomedical devices and TENGs and their dawning synergy, and we highlight key
      prospects for future developments. Biomedical systems should be more autonomous.
      This advance could improve their body integration and fields of action, leading
      to new medical diagnostics and treatments. However, future self-powered
      biomedical systems will need to be more flexible, biocompatible, and
      biodegradable. These advances hold the promise of enabling new smart autonomous
      biomedical systems and contributing significantly to the Internet of Things. 

PMID- 26280751
TI  - Structural Image Analysis of the Brain in Neuropsychology Using Magnetic
      Resonance Imaging (MRI) Techniques.
AB  - Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain provides exceptional image quality
      for visualization and neuroanatomical classification of brain structure. A
      variety of image analysis techniques provide both qualitative as well as
      quantitative methods to relate brain structure with neuropsychological outcome
      and are reviewed herein. Of particular importance are more automated methods that
      permit analysis of a broad spectrum of anatomical measures including volume,
      thickness and shape. The challenge for neuropsychology is which metric to use,
      for which disorder and the timing of when image analysis methods are applied to
      assess brain structure and pathology. A basic overview is provided as to the
      anatomical and pathoanatomical relations of different MRI sequences in assessing
      normal and abnormal findings. Some interpretive guidelines are offered including
      factors related to similarity and symmetry of typical brain development along
      with size-normalcy features of brain anatomy related to function. The review
      concludes with a detailed example of various quantitative techniques applied to
      analyzing brain structure for neuropsychological outcome studies in traumatic
      brain injury.

PMID- 26280753
TI  - Shear bond strength of different types of adhesive systems to dentin and enamel
      of deciduous teeth in vitro.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to evaluate the suitability of self-etch
      adhesives for restoration of deciduous teeth compared with etch and rinse
      approaches. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred twenty primary teeth were divided
      into five groups, each being assigned to an adhesive system. Self-etch adhesives
      XenoV (XV) and Clearfil S(3) Bond (CB), Prime&Bond NT with (PBE)/without
      preliminary etching (PBN), and Optibond FL (OBFL) as an etch and rinse system
      were included. Enamel and dentin specimens were prepared (n = 36/group),
      adhesives applied, and compomer cylinders polymerized. After 24-h storage in 37 
      degrees C distilled water and thermo-cycling (1440 cycles, 5/55  degrees C, 27
      s), shear bond tests and fracture mode classification based on SEM investigation
      were performed. Statistical analysis involved ANOVA and Scheffe procedure with
      Bonferroni-Holm correction (p <= 0.005). RESULTS: High shear bond strengths to
      primary enamel were determined for PBE (mean [M] = 22.48 +/- 7.7 MPa) > OBFL (M =
      19.06 +/- 5.62 MPa) > CB (M = 17.6 +/- 6.55 MPa), and XV (M = 16.85 +/- 5.38 MPa)
      and PBN (M = 8.26 +/- 4.46 MPa) formed significantly less reliable enamel-resin
      interfaces (p <= 0.005). PBE generated the highest bond strength on primary
      dentin (M = 21.97 +/- 8.02 MPa); significantly lower values were measured for XV
      (M = 13.44 +/- 5.43 MPa) and OBFL (M = 12.92 +/- 4.31 MPa) (p <= 0.005).
      CONCLUSIONS: Adhesives requiring preliminary etching ensure optimal bond strength
      to primary enamel. If separate etching is to be avoided, selected self-etch
      adhesives obtain acceptable shear bond values on primary enamel and dentin.
      CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The treatment of pediatric patients presents a great
      challenge in dental practice, and optimization of treatment processes is
      important.

PMID- 26280754
TI  - Deliberative and intuitive risk perceptions as predictors of colorectal cancer
      screening over time.
AB  - Cancer risk perceptions may involve intuitions-including both affect as well as
      gut-level thoughts about risk-and deliberative risk magnitudes. Yet, little
      research has examined the potentially diverse relations between risk perceptions
      and behavior across time. A highly diverse primary care sample (N = 544, aged
      >=50) was utilized to compare how deliberative and intuitive perceptions of risk
      relate to chart-confirmed colorectal cancer screening at cross-sectional and
      prospective time points. At baseline, deliberative and intuitive risk perceptions
      were negatively associated with chart-confirmed colorectal cancer screening
      adherence in bivariable but not multivariable analyses. Among those who were non
      adherent with colorectal cancer screening at baseline, deliberative and intuitive
      risk perceptions were positively associated with prospective uptake of chart
      confirmed colorectal cancer screening adherence at 12-months in bivariable
      analyses; only deliberative risk perceptions remained significant in the
      multivariable model. This study indicates that diverse risk perceptions are
      differentially important for screening at different time points. 

PMID- 26280756
TI  - Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, and Safety of Canagliflozin in Japanese
      Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Canagliflozin is a sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor
      approved worldwide for the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
      (T2DM). The present study evaluated pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and
      safety of canagliflozin in Japanese patients with T2DM. METHODS: Canagliflozin,
      at doses of 25, 100, 200, or 400 mg, was administered as a single dose and, after
      a washout of 1 day, in repeated doses for 14 consecutive days to 61 subjects in a
      randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Plasma concentrations of
      canagliflozin and urinary glucose excretion (UGE) were measured, and renal
      threshold for glucose excretion (RTG) was calculated. Safety was evaluated on the
      basis of adverse event (AE) reports, blood and urine laboratory parameters, and
      vital signs. RESULTS: Plasma canagliflozin maximum concentration and area under
      the concentration-time curve (AUC) values increased in a dose-dependent manner
      with the time to maximum concentration (t max) of 1.0 h and elimination half-life
      (t 1/2) of 10.22-13.26 h on Day 1. No significant changes in t max and t 1/2 were
      observed after multiple-dose administration. The linearity factors, as calculated
      from the ratios of AUC0-24h on Day 16 to AUC0-infinity on Day 1, were close to 1
      in all canagliflozin groups. Canagliflozin increased UGE0-24h (80-110 g/day with
      canagliflozin >=100 mg) and decreased RTG from the first day of treatment; these
      effects were sustained during the entire period of multiple administration. No
      significant AEs were noted. Urine volume was slightly increased on Day 1, but
      subsequent changes after repeated doses for 14 days were small. Urinary sodium
      tended to be higher in the early treatment period, whereas no particular change
      was observed in serum osmolality and hematocrit. CONCLUSION: Canagliflozin
      increased UGE, decreased RTG, and was well tolerated throughout the entire period
      of multiple administrations in Japanese patients with T2DM. FUNDING: Mitsubishi
      Tanabe Pharma Corporation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov#NCT00707954.

PMID- 26280755
TI  - Does colorectal cancer risk perception predict screening behavior? A systematic
      review and meta-analysis.
AB  - Although health behavior theories postulate that risk perception should motivate
      colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, this relationship is unclear. This meta
      analysis aims to examine the relationship between CRC risk perception and
      screening behavior, while considering potential moderators and study quality. A
      search of six databases yielded 58 studies (63 effect sizes) that quantitatively
      assessed the relationship between CRC risk perception and screening behavior.
      Most included effect sizes (75 %) reported a positive association between CRC
      risk perception and screening behavior. A random effects meta-analysis yielded an
      overall effect size of z = 0.13 (95 % CI 0.10-0.16), which was heterogeneous (I
      (2) = 99 %, tau(2) = 0.01). Effect sizes from high-quality studies were
      significantly lower than those from lower quality studies (z = 0.02 vs. 0.16). We
      found a small, positive relationship between CRC risk perception and reported
      screening behavior, with important identified heterogeneity across moderators.
      Future studies should focus on high quality study design.

PMID- 26280757
TI  - Progress in Alkaptonuria--are we near to an effective therapy?

PMID- 26280758
TI  - Generation and the subjective feeling of "aha!" are independently related to
      learning from insight.
AB  - It has been proposed that sudden insight into the solutions of problems can
      enhance long-term memory for those solutions. However, the nature of insight has
      been operationalized differently across studies. Here, we examined two main
      aspects of insight problem-solving-the generation of a solution and the
      subjective "aha!" experience-and experimentally evaluated their respective
      relationships to long-term memory formation (encoding). Our results suggest that
      generation (generated solution vs. presented solution) and the "aha!" experience
      ("aha!" vs. no "aha!") are independently related to learning from insight, as
      well as to the emotional response towards understanding the solution during
      encoding. Moreover, we analyzed the relationship between generation and the
      "aha!" experience and two different kinds of later memory tests, direct
      (intentional) and indirect (incidental). Here, we found that the generation
      effect was larger for indirect testing, reflecting more automatic retrieval
      processes, while the relationship with the occurrence of an "aha!" experience was
      somewhat larger for direct testing. Our results suggest that both the generation
      of a solution and the subjective experience of "aha!" indicate processes that
      benefit long-term memory formation, though differently. This beneficial effect is
      possibly due to the intrinsic reward associated with sudden comprehension and the
      detection of schema-consistency, i.e., that novel information can be easily
      integrated into existing knowledge.

PMID- 26280759
TI  - Risk of Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Device Malfunction With Radiation
      Therapy: Location, Dose, or Energy?

PMID- 26280761
TI  - Molecular Response Theory in Terms of the Uncertainty Principle.
AB  - We investigate the time response of molecular transitions by observing the pulse
      reshaping of femtosecond THz-pulses propagating through polar vapors. By
      precisely modeling the pulse interaction with the molecular vapors, we derive
      detailed insight into this time response after an excitation. The measurements,
      which were performed by applying the powerful technique of THz time domain
      spectroscopy, are analyzed directly in the time domain or parallel in the
      frequency domain by Fourier transforming the pulses and comparing them with the
      molecular response theory. New analyses of the molecular response allow a
      generalized unification of the basic collision and line-shape theories of
      Lorentz, van Vleck-Weisskopf, and Debye described by molecular response theory.
      In addition, they show that the applied THz experimental setup allows the direct
      observation of the ultimate time response of molecules to an external applied
      electric field in the presence of molecular collisions. This response is limited
      by the uncertainty principle and is determined by the inverse spitting frequency
      between adjacent levels. At the same time, this response reflects the transition
      time of a rotational transition to switch from one molecular state to another or
      to form a coherent superposition of states oscillating with the splitting
      frequency. The presented investigations are also of fundamental importance for
      the description of the far-wing absorption of greenhouse gases like water vapor,
      carbon dioxide, or methane, which have a dominant influence on the radiative
      exchange in the far-infrared. 

PMID- 26280760
TI  - GABAergic mechanisms regulated by miR-33 encode state-dependent fear.
AB  - Fear-inducing memories can be state dependent, meaning that they can best be
      retrieved if the brain states at encoding and retrieval are similar. Restricted
      access to such memories can present a risk for psychiatric disorders and hamper
      their treatment. To better understand the mechanisms underlying state-dependent
      fear, we used a mouse model of contextual fear conditioning. We found that
      heightened activity of hippocampal extrasynaptic GABAA receptors, believed to
      impair fear and memory, actually enabled their state-dependent encoding and
      retrieval. This effect required protein kinase C-betaII and was influenced by miR
      33, a microRNA that regulates several GABA-related proteins. In the extended
      hippocampal circuit, extrasynaptic GABAA receptors promoted subcortical, but
      impaired cortical, activation during memory encoding of context fear. Moreover,
      suppression of retrosplenial cortical activity, which normally impairs retrieval,
      had an enhancing effect on the retrieval of state-dependent fear. These
      mechanisms can serve as treatment targets for managing access to state-dependent
      memories of stressful experiences. 

PMID- 26280762
TI  - Rational Design of Glycomimetic Compounds Targeting the Saccharomyces cerevisiae
      Transglycosylase Gas2.
AB  - The transglycosylase Saccharomyces cerevisiae Gas2 (ScGas2) belongs to a large
      family of enzymes that are key players in yeast cell wall remodeling. Despite its
      biologic importance, no studies on the synthesis of substrate-based compounds as
      potential inhibitors have been reported. We have synthesized a series of docking
      guided glycomimetics that were evaluated by fluorescence spectroscopy and
      saturation-transfer difference (STD) NMR experiments, revealing that a minimum of
      three glucose units linked via a beta-(1,3) linkage are required for achieving
      molecular recognition at the binding donor site. The binding mode of our
      compounds is further supported by STD-NMR experiments using the active site
      mutants Y107Q and Y244Q. Our results are important for both understanding of
      ScGas2-substrate interactions and setting up the basis for future design of
      glycomimetics as new antifungal agents. 

PMID- 26280765
TI  - The association between linoleic acid levels in colostrum and child cognition at
      2 and 3 y in the EDEN cohort.

PMID- 26280766
TI  - Sterilization of rotary NiTi instruments within endodontic sponges.
AB  - AIM: To determine whether the following can be sterilized by autoclaving -
      endodontic sponges, rotary nickel-titanium (NiTi) instruments within endodontic
      sponges, and rotary NiTi instruments with rubber stoppers. METHODOLOGY: Sixty
      four samples of eight different endodontic sponges (n = 512) were placed into
      brain heart infusion broth (BHI) for 72 h. An aliquot of this was then spread
      onto horse blood agar and cultured aerobically and anaerobically to test
      sterility at purchase. Bacterial suspensions of Enterococcus faecalis,
      Porphyromonas gingivalis and Geobacillus stearothermophilus in BHI were used to
      contaminate sterile sponges and rotary NiTi instruments (with and without rubber
      stoppers) inserted into sponges. The various samples were autoclaved and then
      cultured aerobically and anaerobically. Success of sterilization was measured
      qualitatively as no growth. The experiment was repeated with clinically used
      rotary NiTi instruments (n = 512). All experiments were conducted in
      quadruplicate. RESULTS: No sponges on purchase had microbial growth when
      anaerobically cultured but some did when aerobically cultured. All autoclaved
      sponges and instruments (within or without sponges, and with or without rubber
      stoppers) were associated with no microbial growth. All nonautoclaved positive
      control samples showed microbial growth. CONCLUSIONS: Autoclaving was effective
      in the sterilization of sponges and endodontic instruments. Endodontic sponges
      should be autoclaved before clinical use. For clinical efficiency and cost
      effectiveness, rotary NiTi instruments can be sterilized in endodontic sponges
      without removal of rubber stoppers.

PMID- 26280764
TI  - Diagnostic screening for subclinical celiac disease using a rapid test in
      children aged 2-4.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Our aim is to study the prevalence of subclinical celiac disease (CD)
      and analyze the diagnostic yield of a new rapid test in children aged 2-4.
      METHODS: We carried out a cross-sectional study in a sample population of
      children aged 2-4 from the same metropolitan area. We recruited apparently
      healthy subjects, and collected clinical, anthropometric, analytical, and
      serological variables. We also tested for anti-gliadin IgA and anti
      transglutaminase IgG and IgA using a rapid immunochromatographic test CD1WB and
      CD2WB (Operon, Zaragoza, Spain). RESULTS: One hundred and ninety-eight children
      were recruited, signed the informed consent form, and completed the protocol
      (mean age 32.3 +/- 9.2 mo, 53% males). CD prevalence according to the serological
      tests was 3% (CI 95%, 1.4-6.4%). Biopsies were used to confirm the diagnosis in
      all suspected cases. The sensitivity and negative predictive value of the CD2WB
      immunochromatographic test strip were 100% and 1, respectively. The sensitivity
      of CD1WB was 16.6% and its specificity was high (89.1%). CONCLUSION: The
      prevalence of subclinical CD in the sample group of 2-4-y old was higher than
      that found by other authors. The CD2WB immunochromatographic test strip is an
      excellent diagnostic screening tool with high sensitivity and negative predictive
      value.

PMID- 26280767
TI  - Risk Stratification of Necrotizing Fasciitis Based on the Initial Procalcitonin
      Concentration: A Single Center Observational Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a potentially fatal subcutaneous tissue
      and fascia infection. We studied the role of serum procalcitonin in the
      identification and assessment of severity of sepsis in patients with NF. METHODS:
      A retrospective analysis was conducted from January 2000 to December 2013 for all
      patients who admitted to surgical intensive care with provisional diagnosis of
      NF. Patients were categorized into four groups based on the initial procalcitonin
      concentrations (Group I: <0.5 low risk, Group II: >=0.5-<2 moderate risk, Group
      III: >=2-<10 high risk, and Group IV: >=10 ng/mL high likelihood of severe
      sepsis). RESULTS: During the study period, 331 cases were identified to have NF
      with a mean age of 51 +/- 14 years. Serum procalcitonin was tested in 62 cases
      (only between 2011 and December 2013) and all were positive (Group I: 22%, Group
      II: 18%, Group III: 21%, and Group IV: 39%). The most common affected regions
      were thigh and chest in Group II (46% and 9%, respectively), lower limbs in Group
      III (46%), and perineum and abdomen in Group IV (25% and 21%, respectively). In
      the four groups, 21 patients developed septic shock (Group I: 0%, Group II: 14%,
      Group III: 24%, and Group IV: 62%). The cut off procalcitonin value for septic
      shock was 5.6 ng/mL. Using receiver-operating characteristic curve, this cut off
      with the Area under the Curve (AUC) of 0.77 was found to have sensitivity 81% and
      specificity 67%. Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score was
      substantially greater in Group III and Group IV in comparison to Group I and
      Group II, p = 0.006. Procalcitonin levels were correlated well with SOFA score (r
      = 0.34, p = 0.007). There were 17 deaths in the four groups (Group I: 6%, Group
      II: 23%, Group III: 12%, and Group IV: 59%). CONCLUSION: Initial procalcitonin
      concentration in NF carries an important prognostic value and it correlates well
      with SOFA score and can predict the development of septic shock early in patients
      with NF.

PMID- 26280768
TI  - Healthcare Professionals' Perceptions and Knowledge of the USPSTF Guidelines on
      Breast Self-Examination.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: In 2009, the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) published
      revised guidelines for breast cancer screening, which recommended against
      teaching breast self-examination (BSE). The objective of this study was to assess
      providers' perceptions and knowledge regarding these updated guidelines. METHODS:
      A cross-sectional survey study was administered to 205 attending and resident
      physicians, nurse practitioners, physician's assistants, and registered nurses
      working in five medical and gynecological practices affiliated with a large
      academic teaching hospital in western Massachusetts. The survey solicited
      demographic data and inquired about practitioners' perceptions and knowledge of
      the revised guidelines. RESULTS: Fewer than half (41.1%) of respondents correctly
      identified the new USPSTF guidelines for BSE. Among those who stated they were
      aware of guidelines, only 37.1% adhered to them. Overall, 70% report that they
      teach patients to perform BSE. Teaching BSE was associated with female sex (odds
      ratio [OR] 2.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.11-6.29), a belief that BSE
      reduces morbidity and mortality (OR 2.91, 95% CI 1.08-7.81), and internal
      medicine residency (OR 0.18, 95% CI 0.06-0.59). CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of the
      2009 USPSTF guidelines is suboptimal and greater efforts should be made to
      educate healthcare professionals about them.

PMID- 26280769
TI  - Limited Uptake of Planned Intrauterine Devices During the Postpartum Period.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The primary objective of this study was to determine the percentage
      of women with a documented plan for postpartum intrauterine device (IUD)
      insertion who had a device inserted within 8 weeks of delivery. The secondary
      objective was to determine factors associated with successful initiation of
      postpartum IUDs as planned. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of
      women who had at least one prenatal visit and delivered a viable pregnancy at our
      academic medical center. Methods of planned and established postpartum
      contraceptive methods were recorded, as well as demographic information and
      documented reasons for failure to initiate planned intrauterine contraception.
      RESULTS: A total of 110 women planned postpartum IUD placement. Of these women,
      84 (76%) presented for at least one postpartum appointment. Only 22.6% (95%
      confidence interval 13.7-31.5) of those presenting for postpartum follow-up
      underwent IUD placement within 8 weeks of delivery. Women planning postpartum IUD
      insertion were just as likely as women with no planned postpartum contraceptive
      method to fail to establish contraception within 8 weeks (P = 0.55). CONCLUSIONS:
      Failure to establish planned postpartum intrauterine contraception occurs
      frequently, even in a setting with a high rate of postpartum follow-up.

PMID- 26280770
TI  - Commentary on "Limited Uptake of Planned Intrauterine Devices During the
      Postpartum Period".

PMID- 26280771
TI  - Empathy, Sense of Power, and Personality: Do They Change During Pediatric
      Residency?
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Empathy is a critical competency in medicine. Prior studies
      demonstrate a longitudinal decrease in empathy during residency; however, they
      have not included pediatric residents. The relations among the expression of
      empathy, sense of power (ability to influence other's behavior), and personality
      traits in residents also have not been addressed. Lastly, there are no data on
      how residents compare with the general nonmedical population in their expression
      of empathy. The purposes of our study were to assess whether empathy, sense of
      power, and personality type were statistically correlated; if resident empathy
      declines over time; and how resident empathy compares with that of nonmedical
      peers. METHODS: In 2010, a cohort of individuals entering pediatric residency
      were given three validated survey instruments at the beginning of their first and
      third years of training to explore longitudinal changes in empathy, sense of
      power, and major personality traits. RESULTS: We found no decrease in resident
      empathy in 2 years of pediatric training, no changes in their sense of power, and
      no statistically significant correlation between empathetic tendencies and sense
      of power. When compared with the general nonmedical population, pediatric
      residents rated themselves higher in empathy. As expected, the two components of
      empathy (empathic concern and perspective taking) were moderately correlated. Of
      the major personality traits, only agreeableness showed significant correlation
      with empathy. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric resident empathy did not decrease
      longitudinally, unlike studies in other residents. There was no inverse relation
      between self-perceptions of sense of power and empathy as is present in the
      business literature. Finally, pediatric resident empathy was significantly higher
      when compared with a general nonmedical population.

PMID- 26280772
TI  - Commentary on "Empathy, Sense of Power, and Personality: Do They Change During
      Pediatric Residency?".

PMID- 26280774
TI  - Being Cultured While Culturing.

PMID- 26280773
TI  - Number of General Medicine Hospital Admissions Performed by Internal Medicine
      Residents Before and After the 2011 Duty-Hour Regulations.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: In July 2011 the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education
      implemented new resident duty-hour regulations in an effort to improve resident
      well-being, clinical performance, and patient care. These regulations have the
      potential, however, to reduce the number of new patient encounters handled by
      trainees and thereby could be detrimental to resident education. Our objective
      was to describe how the 2011 duty-hour regulations affected the volume of new
      inpatient general medicine encounters at two large academic medical centers. We
      looked specifically at new patient encounters because we assumed they provided
      the richest learning opportunities. We hypothesized that the implementation of
      the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education regulations would be
      associated with a reduction in the number of new admissions per day and result in
      a decrease in the number of annual admissions performed by first-year medical
      residents. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective ecological study. We reviewed
      general medicine admissions data from two large academic hospitals affiliated
      with the University of Washington: Harborview Medical Center and the University
      of Washington Medical Center. We abstracted the number of admissions, source of
      admission, and average intern census on 56 randomly selected days before and
      after the regulations were implemented (academic years 2010-2011 [AY11] and 2011
      2012 [AY12]). We generated descriptive statistics (means, proportions, and 95%
      confidence intervals) and then used a two-sample t test to compare the number of
      admissions per day, admission source, and average daily intern census between
      AY11 and AY12. RESULTS: At the University of Washington Medical Center, single
      intern teams admitted 4.5 patients per day in AY11 compared with 3.1 in AY12 (P <
      0.001). At Harborview Medical Center, two-intern teams admitted 11.1 patients per
      day in AY11 versus 7.9 in AY12 (P < 0.001). Night interns admitted 0.9 patients
      per shift in AY11 versus 2.4 in AY12 (P < 0.001). After implementing the new duty
      hours, daytime admissions from the emergency department decreased and admissions
      as transfers from the intensive care unit increased. The average intern census
      was not affected by the duty-hour regulations. CONCLUSIONS: Medicine residents
      admit fewer patients on daytime inpatient general medicine services under the new
      duty-hour regulations; however, this is completely offset by an increase in the
      number of admissions performed on the night rotation, resulting in no net change
      in the total number of new inpatient encounters handled by first-year medical
      residents during the course of the academic year. Although this is reassuring,
      changes that were made in response to the work-hour rules have altered how new
      admissions are distributed to teams, which has important implications for
      curricular design and supervision.

PMID- 26280776
TI  - Commentary on "Updated Prevalence and Demographic Characteristics for ALS Cases
      in Texas, 2009-2011".

PMID- 26280775
TI  - Updated Prevalence and Demographic Characteristics for ALS Cases in Texas, 2009
      2011.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rare motor neuron disease
      with incidence rates ranging from 1 to 2/100,000 person-years. The Texas
      Department of State Health Services previously conducted surveillance for ALS in
      three metropolitan areas of Texas. This project provides an update to this
      research, while expanding its scope to the entire state. METHODS: The Texas
      Department of State Health Services contacted neurologists throughout Texas to
      determine whether they diagnose or treat patients with ALS. Those neurologists
      who cared for Texas residents with ALS between 2009 and 2011 were asked to
      complete a one-page case reporting form for each patient. RESULTS: A total of
      1422 unique cases were received. The average crude annual incidence rate was
      1.30/100,000 person-years and the 2009 period prevalence rate was 2.92/100,000
      individuals. Reported cases were most likely to be 60 to 69 years old, non
      Hispanic, white, and men. CONCLUSIONS: This project provides an update to
      previously published Texas-specific epidemiological data regarding ALS; also, we
      note that our findings are consistent with previously published studies.

PMID- 26280778
TI  - Commentary on "Understanding the Health Needs and Barriers to Seeking Health Care
      of Veteran Students in the Community".

PMID- 26280777
TI  - Understanding the Health Needs and Barriers to Seeking Health Care of Veteran
      Students in the Community.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Access to care at Veterans Affairs facilities may be limited by long
      wait times; however, additional barriers may prevent US military veterans from
      seeking help at all. We sought to understand the health needs of veterans in the
      community to identify possible barriers to health-seeking behavior. METHODS:
      Focus groups were conducted with veteran students at a community college until
      thematic saturation was reached. Qualitative data analysis involved both an
      inductive content analysis approach and deductive elements. RESULTS: A total of
      17 veteran students participated in 6 separate focus groups. Health needs
      affecting health-seeking behavior were identified. Themes included lack of
      motivation to improve health, concern about social exclusion and stigma, social
      interactions and behavior, limited access to affordable and convenient health
      care, unmet basic needs for self and family, and academics competing with health
      needs. CONCLUSIONS: Veterans face a range of personal, societal, and logistical
      barriers to accessing care. In addition to decreasing wait times for
      appointments, efforts to improve the transition to civilian life; reduce stigma;
      and offer assistance related to work, housing, and convenient access to health
      care may improve health in veteran students.

PMID- 26280779
TI  - Comportment and Communication Patterns among Hospitalist Physicians: Insight
      Gleaned Through Observation.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: By 2014, there were more than 40,000 hospitalists delivering the
      majority of inpatient care in US hospitals. No empiric research has characterized
      hospitalist comportment and communication patterns as they care for patients.
      METHODS: The chiefs of hospital medicine at five different hospitals were asked
      to identify their best hospitalists. These hospitalists were watched during their
      routine clinical care of patients. An observation tool was developed that focused
      on elements believed to be associated with excellent comportment and
      communication. One observer watched the physicians, taking detailed quantitative
      and qualitative field notes. RESULTS: A total of 26 hospitalists were shadowed.
      The mean age of the physicians was 38 years, and their average experience in
      hospital medicine was 6 years. The hospitalists were observed for a mean of 5
      hours, during which time they saw an average of 7 patients (patient encounters
      observed N = 181). Physicians spent an average of 11 minutes with each patient.
      There was large variation in the extent to which desirable behaviors were
      performed. For example, most physicians (76%) started encounters with an open
      ended question, and relatively few (30%) attempted to integrate nonmedical
      content into conversation with patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study represents a
      first step in trying to characterize comportment and communication in hospital
      medicine. Because hospitalists spend only a small proportion of their clinical
      time in direct patient care, it is imperative that excellent comportment and
      communication are clearly defined and established as a goal for every encounter.

PMID- 26280781
TI  - Commentary on "Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Coronary Artery Disease in a
      VA Population".

PMID- 26280780
TI  - Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Coronary Artery Disease in a VA Population.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of
      blindness in the United States. Although AMD shares multiple risk factors with
      coronary artery disease (CAD), the association between AMD and CAD has not been
      established. The objective of our study was to demonstrate an association between
      the diagnosis of AMD and CAD and/or major cardiovascular risk factors. METHODS:
      We performed a retrospective chart review of >13,000 patients at the Lexington
      Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Patients diagnosed as having AMD served as
      cases, and patients diagnosed with cataract and no AMD served as controls. We
      examined the prevalence of CAD and associated risk factors in both groups using
      univariate analysis followed by multivariate analyses to examine the association
      between AMD and CAD after adjusting for known common risk factors. RESULTS: We
      identified 3950 patients with AMD and 9166 controls. Patients with AMD were on
      average 6 years older than controls (P < 0.001) and had a significantly higher
      prevalence of CAD (39% vs 34%) and hypertension (88% vs 83%) but lower incidence
      of diabetes mellitus and smoking. Estimated odds ratio relating CAD to AMD was
      1.22 (95% confidence interval 1.13-1.32; P < 0.001). The association between CAD
      and AMD remained significant in multivariate analyses in older individuals (76
      years and older). When we conducted a secondary analysis and matched the AMD and
      non-AMD groups based on age, the association between CAD and AMD remained
      significant (39.4% in the AMD group vs 36.6% in the non-AMD group; P = 0.011).
      CONCLUSIONS: These findings support the existence of an association between CAD
      and AMD, particularly in older adult patients in the predominantly male Veterans
      Affairs population. Such an association between AMD and systemic vascular disease
      justifies the potential coscreening for these conditions.

PMID- 26280782
TI  - Immunohistochemistry should undergo robust validation equivalent to that of
      molecular diagnostics.
AB  - Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a widely available and highly utilised tool in
      diagnostic histopathology and is used to guide treatment options as well as
      provide prognostic information. IHC is subjected to qualitative and subjective
      assessment, which has been criticised for a lack of stringency, while PCR-based
      molecular diagnostic validations by comparison are regarded as very rigorous. It
      is essential that IHC tests are validated through evidence-based procedures. With
      the move to ISO15189 (2012), not just of the accuracy, specificity and
      reproducibility of each test need to be determined and managed, but also the
      degree of uncertainty and the delivery of such tests. The recent update to ISO
      15189 (2012) states that it is appropriate to consider the potential uncertainty
      of measurement of the value obtained in the laboratory and how that may impact on
      prognostic or predictive thresholds. In order to highlight the problems
      surrounding IHC validity, we reviewed the measurement of Ki67and p53 in the
      literature. Both of these biomarkers have been incorporated into clinical care by
      pathology laboratories worldwide. The variation seen appears excessive even when
      measuring centrally stained slides from the same cases. We therefore propose in
      this paper to establish the basis on which IHC laboratories can bring the same
      level of robust validation seen in the molecular pathology laboratories and the
      principles applied to all routine IHC tests. 

PMID- 26280783
TI  - Diagnostic accuracy of haemoglobin colour strip (HCS-HLL), a digital
      haemoglobinometer (TrueHb) and a non-invasive device (TouchHb) for screening
      patients with anaemia.
AB  - AIM: Estimation of haemoglobin (Hb) remains a challenge, particularly in outreach
      settings. There is a need to have a simple and cost-effective device to detect
      anaemia. Three devices (haemoglobin colour scale (HCS)-HLL (Hindustan Lifecare
      Limited), TrueHb V.1.1, TouchHb Alpha 1.1- non-invasive) have been developed in
      India recently. This study aimed to determine the diagnostic accuracy of these
      tests (index) for the screening of anaemia against haematological autoanalyzer
      (reference). METHODS: The study was conducted in four medical colleges of India.
      All consenting adult patients (>18 years of age) undergoing routine
      investigations were included. Each patient underwent the reference test and at
      least one index test. Outcome assessors for the index tests were blinded to the
      results of the reference test. Diagnostic accuracy was calculated using cut-offs
      proposed by WHO. RESULTS: A total of 5244 patients underwent the reference test
      while HCS-HLL, TrueHb and TouchHb tests were conducted on 2745, 2331 and 2874
      patients respectively. The positive likelihood ratio of HCS-HLL using capillary
      blood (1.2), venous blood (1.7) and TouchHb (1.5) was lower than TrueHb capillary
      (3.7; 95% CI 3.3 to 4.2) and venous blood (5.7; 95% CI 4.9 to 6.6). TrueHb had a
      sensitivity of 74.4% (95% CI 71.9% to 76.8%) for venous and 82.0% (95% CI 79.8%
      to 89.2%) for capillary samples. The specificity was high (>75.0%). The area
      under receiver operating characteristic was close to 80.0%. Consistent results
      were seen for detection of severe anaemia. CONCLUSIONS: The digital method
      (TrueHb) emerged as a better diagnostic method for screening anaemia. Its
      effectiveness should be established in outreach settings before further
      recommendation.

PMID- 26280784
TI  - The Role of RAAS Inhibition by Aliskiren on Paracetamol-Induced Hepatotoxicity
      Model in Rats.
AB  - Paracetamol is one of the most popular and widely used analgesic and antipyretic
      agents, but an overdose can cause hepatotoxicity and lead to acute liver failure.
      Aliskiren directly inhibits renin which downregulates the renin-angiotensin
      aldosterone system (RAAS). Recent findings suggest that RAAS system takes part in
      the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. We aimed to reveal the relationship between
      hepatotoxicity and the RAAS by examining paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity. Rats
      were separated into five groups as follows: control, 100 mg/kg aliskiren (p.o.),
      2 g/kg paracetamol (per os (p.o.)), 2 g/kg paracetamol + 50mg/kg aliskiren
      (p.o.), and 2 g/kg paracetamol + 100 mg/kg aliskiren(p.o.). Samples were analyzed
      at the biochemical, molecular, and histopathological levels. Paracetamol toxicity
      increased alanine aminotransferases (ALT), aspartate aminotransferases (AST),
      renin, and angiotensin II levels in the serum samples. In addition, the SOD
      activity and glutathione (GSH) levels decreased while Lipid Peroxidation (MDA)
      levels increased in the livers of the rats treated with paracetamol. Paracetamol
      toxicity caused a significant increase in TNF-alpha and TGF-beta. Both aliskiren
      doses showed an improvement in ALT, AST, oxidative parameters, angiotensin II,
      and inflammatory cytokines. Only renin levels increased in aliskiren treatment
      groups due to its pharmacological effect. A histopathological examination of the
      liver showed that aliskiren administration ameliorated the paracetamol-induced
      liver damage. In immunohistochemical staining, the expression of TNF-alpha in the
      cytoplasm of the hepatocytes was increased in the paracetamol group but not in
      other treatment groups when compared to the control group. In light of these
      observations, we suggest that the therapeutic administration of aliskiren
      prevented oxidative stress and cytokine changes and also protected liver tissues
      during paracetamol toxicity by inhibiting the RAAS.

PMID- 26280785
TI  - Giant Rugby Ball [{Cp(Bn)Fe(eta(5)-P5)}24Cu96Br96] Derived from
      Pentaphosphaferrocene and CuBr2.
AB  - The self-assembly of [Cp(Bn)Fe(eta(5)-P5)] (Cp(Bn) = eta(5)-C5(CH2Ph)5) with
      CuBr2 leads to the formation of an unprecedented rugby ball-shaped supramolecule
      consisting of 24 units of the pentaphosphaferrocene and an extended CuBr
      framework, which does not follow the fullerene topology. The resulting scaffold
      of 312 noncarbon atoms reveals three different coordination modes of the cyclo-P5
      ligand including a novel pi-coordination. The outer dimensions of 3.7 * 4.6 nm of
      the sphere approach the range of the size of proteins. With a value of 32.1
      nm(3), it is 62 times larger in volume than a C60 molecule. Surprisingly, this
      giant rugby ball is also slightly soluble in CH2Cl2. 

PMID- 26280787
TI  - Stronger Together.

PMID- 26280786
TI  - Ledipasvir/sofosbuvir treatment of hepatitis C virus is associated with reduction
      in serum apolipoprotein levels.
AB  - The interaction of lipoproteins with hepatitis C virus (HCV) has pathogenic and
      therapeutic implications. Our aim was to evaluate changes in the apolipoprotein
      profile of patients with chronic hepatitis C during and after successful cure
      with ledipasvir and sofosbuvir (LDV/SOF) with and without ribavirin (RBV). One
      hundred HCV genotype 1 patients who had achieved SVR-12 after treatment with 12
      weeks of LDV/SOF +/- RBV were selected from the ION-1 clinical trial. Frozen
      serum samples from baseline, end of treatment and week 4 of follow-up were used
      to assay apolipoproteins (apoAI, apoAII, apoB, apoCII, apoCIII, apoE) using the
      Multiplex platform to assess for changes in the apolipoprotein levels. At the end
      of treatment compared to baseline, a significant reduction in apoAII levels (
      14.97 +/- 63.44 MUg/mL, P = 0.0067) and apoE levels (-4.38 +/- 12.19 MUg/mL, P <
      0.001) was noted. These declines from baseline in apoAII (-16.59 +/-66.15 MUg/mL,
      P = 0.0075) and apoE (-2.66 +/- 12.64 MUg/mL, P = 0.015) persisted at 4 weeks of
      post-treatment follow-up. In multivariate analysis, treatment with LDV/SOF + RBV
      was independently associated with reduction in apoE (beta = 5.31 MUg/mL, P =
      0.002) (compared to RBV-free LDV/SOF) (P < 0.05). In contrast, apoCII levels
      overall increased from baseline to end of treatment (+2.74 +/-11.76 MUg/mL, P =
      0.03) and persisted at 4 weeks of follow-up (+4.46 +/- 12.81 MUg/mL from
      baseline, P = 0.0005). Subgroup analysis revealed an increase in apoCII during
      treatment only in patients receiving LDV/SOF without RBV (+5.52 +/- 11.92 MUg/mL,
      P = 0.0007) but not in patients receiving LDV/SOF + RBV (P = 0.638). Treatment
      with LDV/SOF +/- RBV is associated with a persistent reduction in the
      apolipoprotein AII and E after achieving cure. These data suggest that treatment
      with LDV/SOF +/- RBV may be associated with alterations in serum apolipoproteins
      which could potentially impact viral eradication. 

PMID- 26280788
TI  - Nutrition Support for Athletes.

PMID- 26280789
TI  - Dietitians' Perspectives on Interventions to Enhance Adherence to Dietary Advice
      for Chronic Diseases in Adults.
AB  - PURPOSE: To assess dietitians' perspectives on the importance and applicability
      of interventions to enhance adherence to dietary advice for preventing and
      managing chronic diseases in adults in the Canadian context. METHODS: Based on a
      Cochrane systematic review, we identified 8 promising interventions for enhancing
      adherence to dietary advice: behavioural contracts, exchange lists, feedback
      based on self-monitoring, individualized menu suggestions, multiple
      interventions, portion size awareness, telephone follow-up, and videos. Thirty
      two dietitians then completed a 3-round Delphi study by responding to an
      electronic questionnaire asking them to rate the importance and applicability in
      their practice of the 8 interventions on a 7-point Likert scale. RESULTS: Using a
      >=75% level of agreement, 4 interventions showed strong consensus: multiple
      interventions, feedback based on self-monitoring, portion size awareness, and
      videos. Among these, the most significant were (means +/- SD for importance and
      applicability, respectively) feedback based on self-monitoring (6.97 +/- 0.18 and
      6.72 +/- 0.46), portion size awareness (6.69 +/- 0.54 and 6.75 +/- 0.51), and
      multiple interventions (6.94 +/- 0.25 and 6.81 +/- 0.40). CONCLUSIONS: These
      findings can guide the development of educational training sessions for
      dietitians to help them provide practice-relevant interventions that will
      increase the likelihood that patients adhere to their advice regarding prevention
      and management of chronic diseases.

PMID- 26280790
TI  - Bioavailability and Safety of Vitamin D3 from Pizza Baked with Fortified
      Mozzarella Cheese: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
AB  - PURPOSE: To assess the bioavailability and safety of vitamin D3 from fortified
      mozzarella cheese baked on pizza. METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind trial,
      96 apparently healthy, ethnically diverse adults were randomized to consume 200
      IU or 28 000 IU vitamin D3 fortified mozzarella cheese with pizza once weekly for
      a total of 8 weeks. Blood and urine samples were collected at baseline (week 1)
      and final (week 10) visits for serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and other biochemical
      measures. The primary outcome compared serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D between groups
      at 10 weeks. The secondary outcome evaluated the safety of vitamin D dosing
      protocol as measured by serum and urine calcium, phosphate, creatinine, and serum
      parathyroid hormone (PTH). RESULTS: Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D increased by 5.1 +/
      11 nmol/L in the low-dose group (n = 47; P = 0.003), and by 73 +/- 22 nmol/L in
      the high-dose group (n = 49; P < 0.0001). None of the subjects in either group
      developed any adverse events during the supplementation protocol. Serum PTH
      significantly decreased in the high-dose group only (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS:
      Vitamin D3 is safe and bioavailable from fortified mozzarella cheese baked on
      pizza.

PMID- 26280791
TI  - Socioeconomic and Cultural Correlates of Diet Quality in the Canadian Arctic:
      Results from the 2007-2008 Inuit Health Survey.
AB  - PURPOSE: We examined the impact of socioeconomic and cultural factors on dietary
      quality in adult Inuit living in the Canadian Arctic. METHODS: Interviews and a
      24-h dietary recall were administered to 805 men and 1292 women from Inuit
      regions in the Canadian Arctic. We examined the effect of age, sex, education,
      income, employment, and cultural variables on respondents' energy, macronutrient
      intake, sodium/potassium ratio, and healthy eating index. Logistic regression was
      used to assess the impact of socioeconomic status (SES) on diet quality
      indicators. RESULTS: Age was positively associated with traditional food (TF)
      consumption and greater energy from protein but negatively associated with total
      energy and fibre intake. Associations between SES and diet quality differed
      considerably between men and women and there was considerable regional
      variability in diet quality measures. Age and cultural variables were significant
      predictors of diet quality in logistic regression. Increased age and use of the
      Inuit language in the home were the most significant predictors of TF
      consumption. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings are consistent with studies reporting a
      nutrition transition in circumpolar Inuit. We found considerable variability in
      diet quality and complex interaction between SES and cultural variables producing
      mixed effects that differ by age and gender.

PMID- 26280792
TI  - Impact Evaluation of an After-school Cooking Skills Program in a Disadvantaged
      Community: Back to Basics.
AB  - PURPOSE: Few efficacious child obesity interventions have been converted into
      ongoing community programs in the after-school setting. The aim of this study was
      to evaluate the impact of phase 2 of the Back to Basics cooking club on dietary
      behaviours and fruit and vegetable variety in a population at risk of obesity at
      a low income school with > 10% indigenous population. METHODS: Baseline and 3
      month dietary intake and social cognitive theory (SCT) constructs were collected
      in 51 children, mean age 9 years, 61% female. McNemar tests were used for
      comparison of proportions between categorical variables. Cohen's d was used to
      compare effect sizes across different measures. RESULTS: Consumption of one or
      more fruit servings per day significantly increased from 41% to 67% (P = 0.02, d
      = 0.13) and there was a trend for increasing the weekly variety of fruit and
      vegetables. The SCT constructs assessed within the current study improved
      significantly (P < 0.05), with moderate to large effect sizes (d = 0.33-0.78).
      CONCLUSION: This study documents that a previous efficacious healthy lifestyle
      program can be adapted for use as an obesity prevention program addressing
      improvements in vegetable and fruit intakes in a low income community with a
      relatively high indigenous population.

PMID- 26280793
TI  - The Impact of School Gardening on Cree Children's Knowledge and Attitudes toward
      Vegetables and Fruit.
AB  - PURPOSE: School-based interventions may increase children's preferences for
      vegetables and fruit (V&F). This Canadian study measured changes in Indigenous
      First Nations schoolchildren's V&F knowledge, preferences, and home consumption
      following the implementation of a gardening and V&F snack program. METHODS: At
      baseline, 7 months, and 18 months, children in grades 1-6 (i) listed at least 5
      V&F they knew, (ii) tasted and indicated their preferences towards 9 vegetables
      and 8 fruit using a 6-point Likert scale, and (iii) indicated their home
      consumption of 17 V&F. RESULTS: At all 3 time points, 56.8% (n = 66/116) of
      children provided data. Children listed a greater number of V&F at 18 months (4.9
      +/- 0.1) than at baseline (4.5 +/- 1.0) or 7 months (4.7 +/- .07) (F(1.6,105.6) =
      6.225, P < 0.05). Vegetable preferences became more positive between baseline
      (37.9 +/- 9.3) and 7 months (39.9 +/- 9.2), but returned to baseline levels at 18
      months (37.3 +/- 8.7) (F(1.6,105.8) = 4.581, P < 0.05). Fruit preferences at 18
      months (42.7 +/- 3.0) were greater than at baseline (41.1 +/- 4.3) and at 7
      months (41.9 +/- 5.1) (F(1.7,113.3) = 3.409, P < 0.05). No change in V&F
      consumption occurred at home. CONCLUSIONS: Despite improvements in V&F knowledge
      and preferences, home consumption of V&F did not occur. Complementing school
      based programs with home-based components may be needed to influence V&F intake
      of children.

PMID- 26280794
TI  - Food Literacy: Definition and Framework for Action.
AB  - The term food literacy is emergent, and as a result the literature reflects a
      great variety of definitions. Simultaneously, new research and food literacy
      programming is being developed without an agreed upon definition of what food
      literacy is and how food skills, food security, and health literacy may fit with
      the definition. We undertook a scoping review and conceptual analysis to identify
      how the term is understood and to determine shared components of definitions. We
      found that although most definitions included a nutrition and food skills
      component, there was great variation in how the ability to access, process, and
      enjoy food was affected by our complex food system. We propose a definition of
      food literacy that includes the positive relationship built through social,
      cultural, and environmental experiences with food enabling people to make
      decisions that support health. We offer a framework that situates food literacy
      at the intersection between community food security and food skills, and we
      assert that behaviours and skills cannot be separated from their environmental or
      social context. The proposed definition and framework are intended to be guiding
      templates for academics and practitioners to position their work in education and
      advocacy, bringing together separate spheres for collective action.

PMID- 26280795
TI  - Awareness and Knowledge of Recommendations from Canada's Food Guide.
AB  - PURPOSE: To examine use and content knowledge of Canada's Food Guide
      recommendations. METHODS: A total of 1048 intercept exit surveys were conducted
      with adults who had purchased food that day at 2 hospital cafeterias in Ottawa,
      Ontario. RESULTS: Most respondents (85.9%) reported looking at Canada's Food
      Guide over their lifetime; however, less than half reported looking at the food
      guide in the past year. Milk and Alternatives were the most commonly recalled
      food group (80.1%) and Grain Products were least commonly recalled (66.0%). Of
      the entire sample, 42.8% correctly recalled all 4 food groups. Overall, 0.8%
      correctly recalled the correct number of servings for all 4 food groups. Females,
      younger respondents, white respondents, respondents with higher annual income,
      and respondents who had reported looking at Canada's Food Guide recalled more
      food groups (P < 0.05 for all). CONCLUSIONS: Despite high levels of awareness,
      the study found relatively low levels of reported use and very low levels of
      knowledge of Canada's Food Guide, particularly among population subgroups that
      face health disparities. Improving awareness, knowledge, and use of Canada's Food
      Guide may contribute to improving the nutrition profile of Canadians.

PMID- 26280796
TI  - A Lifetime Pursuit of a Sports Nutrition Practice.
AB  - Sports nutrition in Canada has significantly evolved over the years from
      providing fundamental training dietary advice to applied precise assessment of
      nutritional status in a variety of settings, especially with the establishment of
      Canadian Sport Institutes and Centres across Canada. This progression has
      enhanced the level of dietary support to manage athletes' nutrition in a holistic
      perspective. Athletes are now educated about food fundamentals (acquiring foods,
      menu planning, preparing, food safety), personal accountability of hydration and
      energy monitoring (urinary and body weight assessments), individualized
      supplementation protocols, and customized nutrition for variable daily training
      environments according to their Yearly Training Plan. Sport dietitians are an
      important member of Integrated Sport Teams where collaboration exists amongst
      professionals who coordinate the athletes' personalized training and performance
      programming. Dietitians in sport are encouraged to continue to lobby for
      nutrition programming at the elite, varsity, provincial, and club levels to
      ensure that athletes receive accurate guidance from nutrition experts.

PMID- 26280798
TI  - Pregnancy Rates to Fixed Embryo Transfer of Vitrified IVP Bos indicus, Bos taurus
      or Bos indicus * Bos taurus Embryos.
AB  - The pregnancy rates obtained after the transfer of cryopreserved in vitro
      produced (IVP) embryos are usually low and/or inconsistent. The objective of this
      study was to evaluate the pregnancy rates of Holstein, Gyr and Holstein * Gyr
      cattle after the transfer of vitrified IVP embryos produced with X-sorted sperm.
      Seventy-two Gyr and 703 Holstein females were subjected to ovum pickup (OPU)
      sessions, followed by in vitro embryo production using semen from sires of the
      same breeds. Embryos (1636 Holstein, 241 Gyr and 1515 Holstein * Gyr) were
      exposed to forskolin for 48 h prior to vitrification. The pregnancy rate achieved
      with Gyr dam and sire was 46.1%, which was similar (p = 0.11) to that of Holstein
      dam and Gyr sire (40.3%). Crossing Gyr dams with Holstein sires resulted in a
      pregnancy rate of 38.9% and did not differ (p = 0.58) from the pregnancy rate
      obtained with the cross between Holstein dams and Gyr sires. The rate obtained
      with Holstein dam and sire was 32.5%. The average pregnancy rate was 36.6%, and
      no difference was found in the proportion of female foetuses (88.8%, in average)
      among breeds (p > 0.05). In conclusion, transfer of cryopreserved X-sorted
      embryos represents an interesting choice for dairy cattle. Despite the small
      differences between pregnancy rates, we highlight the efficiency of this strategy
      for all of the racial groups studied.

PMID- 26280799
TI  - Aggregation and Stability of Reduced Graphene Oxide: Complex Roles of Divalent
      Cations, pH, and Natural Organic Matter.
AB  - The aggregation and stability of graphene oxide (GO) and three successively
      reduced GO (rGO) nanomaterials were investigated. Reduced GO species were
      partially reduced GO (rGO-1h), intermediately reduced GO (rGO-2h), and fully
      reduced GO (rGO-5h). Specifically, influence of pH, ionic strength, ion valence,
      and presence of natural organic matter (NOM) were studied. Results show that
      stability of GO in water decreases with successive reduction of functional
      groups, with pH having the greatest influence on rGO stability. Stability is also
      dependent on ion valence and the concentration of surface functional groups.
      While pH did not noticeably affect stability of GO in the presence of 10 mM NaCl,
      adding 0.1 mM CaCl2 reduced stability of GO with increased pH. This is due to
      adsorption of Ca(2+) ions on the surface functional groups of GO which reduces
      the surface charge of GO. As the concentration of rGO functional groups
      decreased, so did the influence of Ca(2+) ions on rGO stability. Critical
      coagulation concentrations (CCC) of GO, rGO-1h, and rGO-2h were determined to be
      ~ 200 mM, 35 mM, and 30 mM NaCl, respectively. In the presence of CaCl2, CCC
      values of GO and rGO are quite similar, however. Long-term studies show that a
      significant amount of rGO-1h and rGO-2h remain stable in Call's Creek surface
      water, while effluent wastewater readily destabilizes rGO. In the presence NOM
      and divalent cations (Ca(2+), Mg(2+)), GO aggregates settle from suspension due
      to GO functional group bridging with NOM and divalent ions. However, rGO-1h and
      rGO-2h remain suspended due to their lower functional group concentration and
      resultant reduced NOM-divalent cation bridging. Overall, pH, divalent cations,
      and NOM can play complex roles in the fate of rGO and GO.

PMID- 26280800
TI  - Fermentanomics: Relating quality attributes of a monoclonal antibody to cell
      culture process variables and raw materials using multivariate data analysis.
AB  - Fermentanomics is an emerging field of research and involves understanding the
      underlying controlled process variables and their effect on process yield and
      product quality. Although major advancements have occurred in process analytics
      over the past two decades, accurate real-time measurement of significant quality
      attributes for a biotech product during production culture is still not feasible.
      Researchers have used an amalgam of process models and analytical measurements
      for monitoring and process control during production. This article focuses on
      using multivariate data analysis as a tool for monitoring the internal bioreactor
      dynamics, the metabolic state of the cell, and interactions among them during
      culture. Quality attributes of the monoclonal antibody product that were
      monitored include glycosylation profile of the final product along with process
      attributes, such as viable cell density and level of antibody expression. These
      were related to process variables, raw materials components of the chemically
      defined hybridoma media, concentration of metabolites formed during the course of
      the culture, aeration-related parameters, and supplemented raw materials such as
      glucose, methionine, threonine, tryptophan, and tyrosine. This article
      demonstrates the utility of multivariate data analysis for correlating the
      product quality attributes (especially glycosylation) to process variables and
      raw materials (especially amino acid supplements in cell culture media). The
      proposed approach can be applied for process optimization to increase product
      expression, improve consistency of product quality, and target the desired
      quality attribute profile.

PMID- 26280801
TI  - Thermodynamic and Probabilistic Metabolic Control Analysis of Riboflavin (Vitamin
      B2) Biosynthesis in Bacteria.
AB  - In this study, we applied a coupled in silico thermodynamic and probabilistic
      metabolic control analysis methodology to investigate the control mechanisms of
      the commercially relevant riboflavin biosynthetic pathway in bacteria. Under the
      investigated steady-state conditions, we found that several enzyme reactions of
      the pathway operate far from thermodynamic equilibrium (transformed Gibbs
      energies of reaction below about -17 kJ mol(-1)). Using the obtained
      thermodynamic information and applying enzyme elasticity sampling, we calculated
      the distributions of the scaled concentration control coefficients (CCCs) and
      scaled flux control coefficients (FCCs). From the statistical analysis of the
      calculated distributions, we inferred that the control over the riboflavin
      producing flux is shared among several enzyme activities and mostly resides in
      the initial reactions of the pathway. More precisely, the guanosine triphosphate
      (GTP) cyclohydrolase II activity, and therefore the bifunctional RibA protein of
      Bacillus subtilis because it catalyzes this activity, appears to mainly control
      the riboflavin producing flux (mean FCCs = 0.45 and 0.55, respectively). The GTP
      cyclohydrolase II activity and RibA also exert a high positive control over the
      riboflavin concentration (mean CCCs = 2.43 and 2.91, respectively). This
      prediction is consistent with previous findings for microbial riboflavin
      overproducing strains.

PMID- 26280802
TI  - Screening of Phosphorus-Accumulating Fungi and Their Potential for Phosphorus
      Removal from Waste Streams.
AB  - While bacteria have been primarily studied for phosphorus (P) removal in
      wastewater treatment, fungi and their ability to accumulate intracellular
      polyphosphate are less investigated. P-accumulating fungal strains were screened
      from soybean plants and surrounding soil by flask cultivation with potato
      dextrose broth and KH2PO4 in this study. Mucor circinelloides was selected for
      its high efficiency in P removal efficiency and high cellular P content. Neisser
      staining and growth-curve analysis confirmed that M. circinelloides stored
      polyphosphate intracellularly by luxury phosphate uptake. The effect of culture
      medium compositions on P removal efficiency and cellular P content was also
      investigated. Monosaccharides (such as glucose and fructose) and organic nitrogen
      (N, such as urea, and peptone) promoted fungi growth and P accumulation. M.
      circinelloides also preferred organic phosphates. When glucose, urea, and phytic
      acid sodium salt were used as the carbon, N, and P source, respectively, the
      maximum utilization efficiency was 40.1% for P and 7.08% for cellular P content.
      In addition, the potential of M. circinelloides for P removal from waste streams
      was investigated. Compared with the non-inoculated control culture, inoculation
      with M. circinelloides improved the soluble P removal in treating wastewater
      centrate, screened manure, and digested manure.

PMID- 26280803
TI  - Strategy to Overcome Effect of Raw Materials on Enzymatic Process of Biodiesel
      from Non-edible Oils Using Candida sp. 99-125 Lipase.
AB  - Non-edible oils are preferred raw materials for biodiesel production. However,
      the properties of raw materials significantly affect the synthesis process,
      leading to difficulties to design one process suitable for any kind of raw
      material. In this study, the composition of five typical non-edible oils was
      analyzed. The major difference was the content of free fatty acids, reflected
      from their acid values. The influence of different oils was investigated by using
      lipase from Candida sp. 99-125. At low lipase dosage and low water content, the
      conversion was found proportional to the acid value. However, by increasing the
      water content or lipase dosage, we observed that the conversions for all kinds of
      oils used in this study could exceed 80%. Time course analysis indicates that the
      lipase used in this study catalyzed hydrolysis followed by esterification, rather
      than direct transesterification. Accumulation of free fatty acids at the very
      beginning was necessary. A high water content facilitated the hydrolysis of oils
      with low acid value. This lipase showed capability to transform all the oils by
      controlling the water content.

PMID- 26280804
TI  - Texting while driving as impulsive choice: A behavioral economic analysis.
AB  - The goal of the present study was to examine the utility of a behavioral economic
      analysis to investigate the role of delay discounting in texting while driving. A
      sample of 147 college students completed a survey to assess how frequently they
      send and read text messages while driving. Based on this information, students
      were assigned to one of two groups: 19 students who frequently text while driving
      and 19 matched-control students who infrequently text while driving but were
      similar in gender, age, years of education, and years driving. The groups were
      compared on the extent to which they discounted, or devalued, delayed
      hypothetical monetary rewards using a delay-discounting task. In this task,
      students made repeated choices between $1000 available after a delay (ranging
      from 1 week to 10 years) and an equal or lesser amount of money available
      immediately. The results show that the students who frequently text while driving
      discounted delayed rewards at a greater rate than the matched control students.
      The study supports the conclusions that texting while driving is fundamentally an
      impulsive choice made by drivers, and that a behavioral economic approach may be
      a useful research tool for investigating the decision-making processes underlying
      risky behaviors. 

PMID- 26280805
TI  - Intravenous anesthesia in treatment of nonconvulsive status epilepticus:
      Characteristics and outcomes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine factors associated with continuous anesthetic drug (IVAD)
      use in nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE). METHODS: Retrospective cohort
      study of patients who met clinical and EEG criteria of NCSE from 2009 to 2014 at
      a tertiary academic medical center. Patients were categorized according to IVAD
      use. Outcome variables were response to treatment and in-hospital death. We used
      descriptive analyses for baseline characteristics and outcome variable
      differences among patients who did and did not receive IVAD. RESULTS: Forty-three
      patients had a total of 45 NCSE episodes. IVAD was used in 69% of the episodes.
      Patients treated with IVAD were younger (53.1 +/- 14.1 vs 64.1 +/- 13.3, p =
      0.019). The episodes treated with IVAD occurred more frequently in patients with
      an acute neurologic pathology (58% vs 21%, p = 0.024) and those presenting in a
      coma (39% vs 7%, p = 0.030). NCSE resolved in 74% of the patients who received
      IVAD. Duration of NCSE did not differ significantly by treatment group. There
      were total 13 in-hospital deaths: ten in IVAD users vs three in the no-IVAD group
      (p > 0.05). Only one in-hospital death appeared to be a direct consequence of
      IVAD use. Mortality was more common among episodes that were not treated
      according to the published status epilepticus treatment guidelines compared to
      the episodes where guidelines were followed. CONCLUSION: Our findings showed that
      factors such as younger age, acute neurologic pathology and coma at presentation
      were associated with IVAD use in patients with NCSE. These factors should be
      controlled in the future outcome and effectiveness studies to determine the
      effect of IVAD use on outcome of NCSE.

PMID- 26280806
TI  - Improving the inter-rater agreement of hypsarrhythmia using a simplified EEG
      grading scale for children with infantile spasms.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is poor inter-rater agreement in determining the presence or
      absence of hypsarrhythmia among patients with infantile spasms. Yet, remission of
      hypsarrhythmia has been used as a clinical and research outcome measure. Two
      important features of hypsarrhythmia are the burden of epileptiform discharges
      and the amplitudes of background slow waves. We hypothesized that an
      electroencephalogram (EEG) grading scale emphasizing epileptiform discharge
      burden and the amplitudes of background slow waves would improve inter-rater
      agreement in interpreting hypsarrhythmia. Our aim was to assess inter-rater
      agreement of hypsarrhythmia using a novel and simplified EEG grading scale called
      the 'BASED' (Burden of Amplitudes and Epileptiform Discharges) score and compare
      this to the traditional method of EEG analysis. METHODS: Twenty patients with
      infantile spasms were prospectively evaluated and electroclinical outcomes were
      determined. Forty EEG clips (20 pre-treatment and 20 post-treatment),
      representing the most severely abnormal five minute sleep epoch of each study,
      were assessed by three reviewers blinded to treatment and clinical outcome.
      Fleiss' kappa (K) was used to assess the inter-rater agreement in the
      interpretation of hypsarrhythmia when using the BASED score compared to the
      traditional method of EEG analysis. RESULTS: Reviewers had favorable inter-rater
      agreement using the BASED score in interpreting hypsarrhythmia (K: 0.87) compared
      to when using the traditional method of EEG analysis to interpret hypsarrhythmia
      (K: 0.09). The three reviewers all agreed on the presence or absence of
      hypsarrhythmia in 37/40 (93%) epochs using the BASED score but in only 15/40
      (38%) epochs using the traditional method of EEG analysis, p=<0.001. CONCLUSION:
      When compared to the traditional method of EEG analysis, the BASED score allowed
      for better inter-rater agreement in the interpretation of hypsarrhythmia. Future
      infantile spasms clinical trials must better define criteria for hypsarrhythmia.

PMID- 26280808
TI  - Overweight and obesity decreased in Greek schoolchildren from 2009 to 2012 during
      the early phase of the economic crisis.
AB  - AIM: We examined the weight status of Greek schoolchildren from November 2009 to
      May 2012, shortly before, and during the early years, of the Greek economic
      crisis. METHODS: This was a mixed longitudinal study that formed part of the West
      Attica Growth Study and followed children at the ages of 6-7, 9-10, 12-13 and 15
      16 years every six months for 2.5 years. Each child's height and weight were
      measured and their body mass index calculated. We were able to determine the
      weight status of 1327 children (53% boys) based on their first and last
      measurements. Overweight, obesity and underweight were defined using the
      International Obesity Task Force criteria. RESULTS: During the 2.5-year study
      period, there was a decrease in the total prevalence of overweight and obesity,
      which reached a statistical significance for both sexes. It decreased from 43% to
      37.3% (p = 0.02) in boys and from 33.4% to 26.9% (p = 0.0056) in girls. There was
      also a statistically significant increase in normal weight children and a slight
      but insignificant increase in underweight children of both sexes. CONCLUSION:
      During the initial years of the Greek economic crisis, there was a statistically
      significant reduction in overweight and obesity in children from six to 16 years
      of age.

PMID- 26280807
TI  - G Protein-Coupled Receptor 120 Signaling Negatively Regulates Osteoclast
      Differentiation, Survival, and Function.
AB  - G protein-coupled receptor 120 (GPR120) plays an important role in the regulation
      of inflammation and lipid metabolism. In this study, we investigated the role of
      GPR120 in osteoclast development and found that GPR120 regulates osteoclast
      differentiation, survival and function. We observed that GPR120 was highly
      expressed in osteoclasts compared to their precursors, bone marrow-derived
      macrophages (BMMs). Activation of GPR120 by its ligand GW9508 suppressed receptor
      activator of NF- kappaB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast differentiation and the
      expression of nuclear factor of activated T cells c1 (NFATc1), a key modulator of
      osteoclastogenesis. GPR120 activation further inhibited the RANKL-stimulated
      phosphorylation of IkappaBalpha and JNK. In addition to osteoclast
      differentiation, GPR120 activation increased the apoptosis of mature osteoclasts
      by inducing caspase-3 and Bim expression. Activation of GPR120 also interfered
      with cell spreading and actin cytoskeletal organization mediated by M-CSF but not
      by RANKL. Coincident with the impaired cytoskeletal organization, GPR120
      activation blocked osteoclast bone resorbing activity. Furthermore, knockdown of
      GPR120 using small hairpin RNA abrogated all these inhibitory effects on
      osteoclast differentiation, survival, and function. Together, our findings
      identify GPR120 as a negative modulator of osteoclast development that may be an
      attractive therapeutic target for bone-destructive diseases. J. Cell. Physiol.
      231: 844-851, 2016. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 26280809
TI  - Sorption of Water and Initial Stages of Swelling of Thin PNIPAM Films Using in
      Situ GISAXS Microfluidics.
AB  - The sorption of low-molecular penetrants by thin polymer films, as well as
      structural changes provoked therein, is of high relevance for many fields of
      application. Complex permeation, diffusion, swelling, and dissolution processes
      are often induced within films by solvents or gases. Here, we use a novel in situ
      microfluidics-grazing incidence small-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS) setup to
      examine changes in film thickness and in the surface structure of a thin polymer
      film that sorbs a good solvent. Thus, this technique is highly complementary to
      the established techniques on the field of diffusion in polymers. The initial
      stages of water uptake and swelling are resolved for a 50 nm thin, hydrophilic
      poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) film, before its dissolution sets in. The
      initial stages of swelling are tentatively described by anomalous swelling
      induced by a time- and space-dependent diffusion coefficient. 

PMID- 26280810
TI  - Enhanced Power-Conversion Efficiency in Inverted Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cells
      using Liquid-Crystal-Conjugated Polyelectrolyte Interlayer.
AB  - Two novel liquid-crystal-conjugated polyelectrolytes (LCCPEs) poly[9,9-bis[6-(4
      cyanobiphenyloxy)-hexyl]-fluorene-alt-9,9-bis(6-(N,N-diethylamino)-hexyl)
      fluorene] (PF6Ncbp) and poly[9,9-bis[6-(4-cyanobiphenyloxy)-hexyl]-fluorene-alt
      9,9-bis(6-(N-methylimidazole)-hexyl]-fluorene] (PF6lmicbp) are obtained by
      covalent linkage of the cyanobiphenyl mesogen polar groups onto conjugated
      polyelectrolytes. After deposition a layer of LCCPEs on ZnO interlayer, the
      spontaneous orientation of liquid-crystal groups can induce a rearrangement of
      dipole moments at the interface, subsequently leading to the better energy-level
      alignment. Moreover, LCCPEs favors intimate interfacial contact between ZnO and
      the photon harvesting layer and induce active layer to form the nanofibers
      morphology for the enhancement of charge extraction, transportation and
      collection. The water/alcohol solubility of the LCCPEs also enables them to be
      environment-accepted solvent processability. On the basis of these advantages,
      the poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT):[6,6]-phenyl-C60-butyric acid methyl ester
      (PC60BM)-based inverted polymer solar cells (PSCs) combined with ZnO/PF6Ncbp and
      ZnO/PF6lmicbp bilayers boost the power conversion efficiency (PCE) to 3.9% and
      4.2%, respectively. Incorporation of the ZnO/PF6lmicbp into the devices based on
      a blend of a narrow band gap polymer thieno[3,4-b]thiophene/benzodithiophene
      (PTB7) with [6,6]-phenyl C70-butyric acid methyl ester (PC71BM) affords a notable
      efficiency of 7.6%. 

PMID- 26280811
TI  - Screening for Elder Abuse and Neglect.

PMID- 26280812
TI  - The Tsimane' Amazonian Panel Study (TAPS): Nine years (2002-2010) of annual data
      available to the public.
AB  - This brief communication contains a description of the 2002-2010 annual panel
      collected by the Tsimane' Amazonian Panel Study team. The study took place among
      the Tsimane', a native Amazonian society of forager-horticulturalists. The team
      tracked a wide range of socio-economic and anthropometric variables from all
      residents (633 adults >=16 years; 820 children) in 13 villages along the Maniqui
      River, Department of Beni. The panel is ideally suited to examine how market
      exposure and modernization affect the well-being of a highly autarkic population
      and to examine human growth in a non-Western rural setting. 

PMID- 26280813
TI  - Functionalized Agarose Self-Healing Ionogels Suitable for Supercapacitors.
AB  - Agarose has been functionalized (acetylated/carbanilated) in an ionic liquid (IL)
      medium of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate at ambient conditions. The
      acetylated agarose showed a highly hydrophobic nature, whereas the carbanilated
      agarose could be dissolved in water as well as in the IL medium. Thermoreversible
      ionogels were obtained by cooling the IL sols of carbanilated agarose at room
      temperature. The ionogel prepared from a protic-aprotic mixed-IL system (1-butyl
      3-methylimidazolium chloride and N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium formate) demonstrated
      a superior self-healing property, as confirmed from rheological measurements. The
      superior self-healing property of such an ionogel has been attributed to the
      unique inter-intra hydrogen-bonding network of functional groups inserted in the
      agarose. The ionogel was tested as a flexible solid electrolyte for an activated
      carbon-based supercapacitor cell. The measured specific capacitance was found to
      be comparable with that of a liquid electrolyte system at room temperature and
      was maintained for up to 1000 charge-discharge cycles. Such novel functionalized
      biopolymer self-healing ionogels with flexibility and good conductivity are
      desirable for energy-storage devices and electronic skins with superior lifespans
      and robustness. 

PMID- 26280814
TI  - Laser ablation therapy: An alternative treatment for medically resistant mesial
      temporal lobe epilepsy after age 50.
AB  - Selective anterior mesial temporal lobe (AMTL) resection is considered a safe and
      effective treatment for medically refractory mesial temporal lobe epilepsy
      (MTLE). However, as with any open surgical procedure, older patients (aged 50+)
      face greater risks. Magnetic resonance-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy
      (MRgLITT) has shown recent potential as an alternative treatment for MTLE. As a
      less invasive procedure, MRgLITT could be particularly beneficial to older
      patients. To our knowledge, no study has evaluated the safety and efficacy of
      MRgLITT in this population. Seven consecutive patients (aged 50+) undergoing
      MRgLITT for MTLE were followed prospectively to assess surgical time,
      complications, postoperative pain control, length of stay (LOS), operating room
      (OR) charges, total hospitalization charges, and seizure outcome. Five of these
      patients were assessed at the 1-year follow-up for seizure outcome. These data
      were compared with data taken from 7 consecutive patients (aged 50+) undergoing
      AMTL resection. Both groups were of comparable age (mean: 60.7 (MRgLITT) vs. 53
      (AMTL)). One AMTL resection patient had a complication of aseptic meningitis. One
      MRgLITT patient experienced an early postoperative seizure, and two MRgLITT
      patients had a partial visual field deficit. Seizure-freedom rates were
      comparable (80% (MRgLITT) and 100% (AMTL) (p>0.05)) beyond 1year postsurgery
      (mean follow-up: 1.0years (MRgLITT) vs. 1.8years (AMTL)). Mean LOS was shorter in
      the MRgLITT group (1.3days vs. 2.6days (p<0.05)). Neuropsychological outcomes
      were comparable. Short-term follow-up suggests that MRgLITT is safe and provides
      outcomes comparable to AMTL resection in this population. It also decreases pain
      medication requirement and reduces LOS. Further studies are necessary to assess
      the long-term efficacy of the procedure. 

PMID- 26280816
TI  - Fractional laser-assisted drug delivery: Active filling of laser channels with
      pressure and vacuum alteration.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Ablative fractional laser (AFXL) is rapidly evolving as
      one of the foremost techniques for cutaneous drug delivery. While AFXL has
      effectively improved topical drug-induced clearance rates of actinic keratosis,
      treatment of basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) has been challenging, potentially due
      to insufficient drug uptake in deeper skin layers. This study sought to
      investigate a standardized method to actively fill laser-generated channels by
      altering pressure, vacuum, and pressure (PVP), enquiring its effect on (i)
      relative filling of individual laser channels; (ii) cutaneous deposition and
      delivery kinetics; (iii) biodistribution and diffusion pattern, estimated by
      mathematical simulation. METHODS: Franz diffusion chambers (FCs) were used to
      evaluate the PVP-technique, comparing passive (AFXL) and active (AFXL + PVP)
      channel filling. A fractional CO2-laser generated superficial (225 um;17.5
      mJ/channel) and deep (1200 um; 130.5 mJ/channel) channels, and PVP was delivered
      as a 3-minutes cycle of 1 minute pressure (+1.0 atm), 1 minute vacuum (-1.0 atm),
      and 1 minute pressure (+1.0 atm). Filling of laser channels was visualized with a
      colored biomarker liquid (n = 12 FCs, n = 588 channels). Nuclear magnetic
      resonance quantified intracutaneous deposition of topically applied polyethylene
      glycol (PEG400) over time (10 minutes, 1 hour, and 4 hours), investigated with (n
      = 36 FCs) and without (n = 30 FCs) PVP-filling. Two-dimensional mathematical
      simulation was used to simulate intradermal biodistribution and diffusion at a
      depth of 1,000 um. RESULTS: Active filling with application of PVP increased the
      number of filled laser channels. At a depth of 1,000 um, filling increased from
      44% (AFXL) to 94% with one PVP cycle (AFXL + PVP; P < 0.01). Active filling
      greatly enhanced intracutaneous deposition of PEG400, resulting in a rapid
      delivery six-folding uptake at 10 minutes (AFXL 54 ug/ml vs. AFXL + PVP 303
      ug/ml, P < 0.01). AFXL alone generated an inhomogeneous uptake of PEG400, which
      greatly improved with active filling, resulting in a uniform uptake within the
      entire tissue. CONCLUSION: Active filling with PVP secures filling of laser
      channels and induces a deeper, greater, more rapid delivery than conventional
      AFXL. This delivery technique has promise to improve treatment efficacy for
      medical treatments of dermally invasive lesions, such as BCCs.

PMID- 26280815
TI  - Assessment of long-term outcomes associated with urinary prostate cancer antigen
      3 and TMPRSS2:ERG gene fusion at repeat biopsy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In men with clinically localized prostate cancer who have undergone
      at least 1 previous negative biopsy and have elevated serum prostate-specific
      antigen (PSA) levels, long-term health outcomes associated with the assessment of
      urinary prostate cancer antigen 3 (PCA3) and the transmembrane protease, serine 2
      (TMPRSS2):v-ets erythroblastosis virus E26 oncogene homolog (avian) (ERG) gene
      fusion (T2:ERG) have not been investigated previously in relation to the decision
      to recommend a repeat biopsy. METHODS: The authors performed a decision analysis
      using a decision tree for men with elevated PSA levels. The probability of cancer
      was estimated using the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial Risk Calculator (version
      2.0). The use of PSA alone was compared with the use of PCA3 and T2:ERG scores,
      with each evaluated independently, in combination with PSA to trigger a repeat
      biopsy. When PCA3 and T2:ERG score evaluations were used, predefined thresholds
      were established to determine whether the patient should undergo a repeat biopsy.
      Biopsy outcomes were defined as either positive (with a Gleason score of <7, 7,
      or >7) or negative. Probabilities and estimates of 10-year overall survival and
      15-year cancer-specific survival were derived from previous studies and a
      literature review. Outcomes were defined as age-dependent and Gleason score
      dependent 10-year overall and 15-year cancer-specific survival rates and the
      percentage of biopsies avoided. RESULTS: Incorporating the PCA3 score (biopsy
      threshold, 25; generated based on the urine PCA3 level normalized to the amount
      of PSA messenger RNA) or the T2:ERG score (biopsy threshold, 10; based on the
      urine T2:ERG level normalized to the amount of PSA messenger RNA) into the
      decision to recommend repeat biopsy would have avoided 55.4% or 64.7% of repeat
      biopsies for the base-case patient, respectively, and changes in the 10-year
      survival rate were only 0.93% or 1.41%, respectively. Multi-way sensitivity
      analyses suggested that these results were robust with respect to the model
      parameters. CONCLUSIONS: The use of PCA3 or T2:ERG testing for repeat biopsy
      decisions can substantially reduce the number of biopsies without significantly
      affecting 10-year survival.

PMID- 26280817
TI  - Isolation and structural characterization of Coryxin, a novel cyclic lipopeptide
      from Corynebacterium xerosis NS5 having emulsifying and anti-biofilm activity.
AB  - Herein we reported the structure and several properties of a new biosurfactants
      produced by Corynebacterium xerosis strain NS5. This strain was capable of
      producing a novel lipopeptide biosurfactant that we have named coryxin. The
      biosurfactant structure was characterized by using Fourier transform infrared
      spectroscopy (FTIR), Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), and Liquid
      chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). It contained a hydrophobic moiety of 3
      hydroxydecanoic acid and a peptide part predicted as a sequence of seven amino
      acids including Asn-Arg-Asn-Gln-Pro-Asn-Ser. Coryxin lowered the surface tension
      of water to 31.4 mN/m, with a critical micelle concentration of 25mg/l. It was a
      strong emulsifier with an emulsification index of 61% against n-hexane. Coryxin
      showed antibacterial activity against test organisms belonging to Gram-positive
      and Gram-negative bacteria and disrupted preformed biofilms of Staphylococcus
      aureus (82.5%), Streptococcus mutans (80%), Escherichia coli (66%) and
      Pseudomonas aeruginosa (30%). In conclusion, microbial surfactant from C. xerosis
      exhibited inhibitory and disruptive activities against biofilm formation that
      could be of use in biofilm-related menace.

PMID- 26280818
TI  - Lipid nanocapsules as a new delivery system in copepods: Toxicity studies and
      optical imaging.
AB  - In this paper, we investigated the potential of lipid nanocapsules (LNCs) as a
      delivery system of small hydrophobic molecules, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
      (PAHs) - pyrene, fluoranthene, phenanthrene, in the copepod Acartia tonsa. The
      LNCs were produced by a phase inversion process with a nominal size of 50 nm.
      These nanocapsules were obtained without organic solvent and with
      pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. The PAHs-LNCs displayed a stable
      monodisperse size distribution and a good stability in sea water for 7 days. By
      using fluorescent LNCs, it was possible to evidence LNCs ingestion by the
      copepods using confocal laser scanning microscopy. While blank LNCs are not toxic
      to copepods at tested concentrations, PAH-loaded LNCs were found to be very toxic
      on A. tonsa with a high mortality rate reaching 95% after 72 h exposure to 200 nM
      pyrene-loaded LNCs. On the other hand, when acetone is used to dissolve an
      equivalent concentration of PAHs in sea water, the copepod mortality is 10 times
      lower than using LNCs as nano-delivery system. This confirms the efficiency of
      using LNCs to deliver molecules directly in the gut or copepod carapace. The
      small size and non toxicity of these delivery nano-systems make them suitable for
      drug delivery to copepods.

PMID- 26280819
TI  - Chromenone-conjugated magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles. Toward conveyable DNA
      binders.
AB  - Magnetic nanoparticles can transport drug and possibly target cancer. DNA-binding
      of ligands loaded in dextran coated magnetic nanoparticles, could aid their
      better target-specific binding. In this work, we report the loading of
      chromenones onto aminoethylamino-modified dextran coated iron oxide
      nanoparticles, their loading efficiency, and openness for binding to DNA. The
      magnetic behavior, the size, and the morphology of the nanoparticles are
      analyzed. The crystallite size of the magnetic nanoparticles is around 40 nm. The
      chromenones are present on the surface of the dextran shell, as revealed by their
      cyclodextrin-binding characteristics, which is a new approach in comprehending
      the accessibility of the surface-bound molecules by macromolecules. The mode of
      binding of the chromenones to DNA is not altered on surface loading on dextran
      shell, although the binding strength is generally diminished, compared to the
      strength of binding of the free chromenones to DNA.

PMID- 26280820
TI  - Combination of elastic liposomes and low frequency ultrasound for skin permeation
      enhancement of hyaluronic acid.
AB  - HYPOTHESIS: The synergistic approach of using elastic liposomes (ELs) and low
      frequency ultrasound (LFU) was developed to enhance transepidermal delivery of
      hydrophilic macromolecules, hyaluronic acid (HA). EXPERIMENT: HA loaded ELs were
      prepared with varying cholesterol contents by reverse phase evaporation
      technique. Their mean sizes were evaluated using dynamic light scattering.
      Entrapment efficacy (%EE) was determined by UV-vis spectrophotometry. In vitro
      permeation studies using porcine ear epidermis were investigated. In addition,
      skin barrier disruption was assessed by transepidermal water loss and histology.
      FINDINGS: The HA loaded ELs showed mostly elliptical shaped with a mean size of ~
      700 nm and a zeta potential of ~-40 mV. Up to 77% drug entrapment efficiency was
      achieved. As ELs cholesterol content decreased, vesicle size, elasticity of
      liposomes and HA permeation profile increased. The in vitro permeation studies
      demonstrated that HA solution cannot permeate through the porcine epidermis. The
      combination of ELs/LFU showed greater HA permeation than ELs and HA/LFU, 2.1
      times and 6.4 times, respectively. Increased LFU exposure times augmented HA
      permeation, but greater skin disruption was observed. Nevertheless, no skin
      damage was observed at the optimized 1 min exposure time. This ELs/LFU
      combination provides an efficacious protocol for transcutaneous drug delivery.

PMID- 26280821
TI  - Systemic complications of traumatic brain injury.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Increased understanding of the pathophysiology in traumatic
      brain injury (TBI) has resulted in the development of core physiological targets
      and therapies to preserve cerebral oxygenation, and in doing so prevent secondary
      insult. This review addresses the many systemic complications of TBI that make
      achieving these targets challenging and can influence outcome. RECENT FINDINGS:
      There are a wide range of systemic complications following TBI. Complications
      involve the cardiovascular, respiratory, immunological, haematological and
      endocrinological systems amongst others, and can influence early management and
      long-term outcomes. SUMMARY: Effective management of TBI should go beyond
      formulaic-based pursuit of physiological targets and requires a detailed
      understanding of the multisystem response of the body.

PMID- 26280822
TI  - Pain after surgery in children: clinical recommendations.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This article summarizes recent data related to the safety and
      efficacy of postoperative analgesia in children that influence clinical practice
      recommendations. RECENT FINDINGS: Postoperative pain continues to be experienced
      by hospitalized children and following discharge after short stay or ambulatory
      surgery. Updated recommendations for post-tonsillectomy analgesia exclude codeine
      and suggest regular administration of paracetamol and NSAID, but evidence for the
      most appropriate dose and type of opioid for rescue analgesia is limited. The
      incidence of opioid-related respiratory depression/oversedation in hospitalized
      children ranges from 0.11 to 0.41%, with recent large series identifying high
      risk groups and contributory factors that can be targeted to minimize the risk of
      serious or permanent harm. Data demonstrating feasibility and safety of regional
      analgesic techniques is increasing, but additional and procedure-specific
      evidence would improve technique selection and inform discussions of efficacy and
      safety with patients and families/carers. Persistent postsurgical pain is
      increasingly recognized following major surgery in adolescents. Evaluation of
      potential predictive factors in clinical studies and investigation of underlying
      mechanisms in laboratory studies can identify targets for both pharmacological
      and nonpharmacological interventions. SUMMARY: Recommendations for postoperative
      pain in children continue to evolve, with data incorporated from randomized
      controlled trials, case series and large audits. Management of pain following
      surgery in children needs to not only encompass efficacy and safety in the
      immediate perioperative period, but also consider pain following discharge after
      ambulatory surgery and the potential risk of persistent postsurgical pain
      following major surgery.

PMID- 26280823
TI  - Effect of Extra Virgin Olive Oil on Biomarkers of Inflammation in HIV-Infected
      Patients: A Randomized, Crossover, Controlled Clinical Trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Premature atherosclerosis in HIV-infected patients is associated with
      chronic infection by itself and adverse effects of antiretroviral treatment
      (ART). Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) has a beneficial effect on the
      cardiovascular system because of its anti-inflammatory properties. The objective
      of this study was to determine whether the consumption of EVOO improves
      inflammation and atherosclerosis biomarkers in HIV-infected patients receiving
      ART. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This randomized, crossover, controlled trial included
      39 HIV-positive male participants who consumed 50 mL of EVOO or refined olive oil
      (ROO) daily. Four participants dropped out of the study. Leukocyte count,
      erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein
      (hsCRP), interleukin-6, fibrinogen, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL
      cholesterol, triglycerides, malondialdehyde, glutathione-peroxidase, superoxide
      dismutase, oxidized LDL and von Willebrand factor were determined before the
      first and after each of the 2 intervention periods. Intervention and washout
      periods lasted for 20 and 14 days, respectively. RESULTS: In participants with
      >90% compliance (N=30), hsCRP concentrations were lower after EVOO intervention
      (geometric mean [GM], 1.70 mg/L; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15-2.52)
      compared to ROO administration (GM, 2.92 mg/L; 95% CI, 1.95-4.37) (p=0.035). In
      participants using lopinavir/ritonavir, ESR and hsCRP concentrations decreased
      62% and 151%, respectively, after EVOO administration. In the whole study
      population (N=35) we found no difference in analyzed biomarkers after EVOO
      administration. CONCLUSIONS: Our exploratory study suggests that EVOO consumption
      could lower hsCRP in patients on ART.

PMID- 26280824
TI  - Proposal of Venous Drainage-Based Classification System for Carotid Cavernous
      Fistulae With Validity Assessment in a Multicenter Cohort.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Carotid cavernous fistulae (CCFs) are most commonly classified based
      on arterial supply. Symptomatology and treatment approach, however, are largely
      influenced by venous drainage. OBJECTIVE: To propose an updated classification
      system using venous drainage. METHODS: CCFs with posterior/inferior drainage
      only, posterior/inferior and anterior drainage, anterior drainage only, and
      retrograde drainage into cortical veins with/without other drainage channels were
      designated as types 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. CCFs involving a direct
      connection between the internal carotid artery and cavernous sinus were
      designated as type 5. This system was retrospectively applied to 29 CCF patients.
      RESULTS: Our proposed classification was significantly associated with
      symptomatology (P < .001). Type 2 was significantly associated with coexisting
      ocular/orbital and cavernous symptoms only (P < .001), type 3 with ocular/orbital
      symptoms only (P < .01), and type 4 demonstrated cortical symptoms with/without
      ocular/orbital and cavernous symptoms (P < .01), respectively. There was a
      significant association of our classification system with the endovascular
      treatment approach (P < .001). Types 1 and 2 were significantly associated with
      endovascular treatment through the inferior petrosal sinus (P < .01). Type 3 was
      significantly associated with endovascular treatment through the ophthalmic vein
      (P < .01) and type 5 with transarterial approach (P < .01), respectively. Types 2
      (27.6%) and 3 (34.5%) were most prevalent in this series, whereas type 1 was rare
      (6.9%), suggesting that some degree of thrombosis is present, with implications
      for spontaneous resolution. Type 2 CCFs demonstrated a trend toward partial
      resolution after endovascular treatment (P = .07). CONCLUSION: Our proposed
      classification system is easily applicable in clinical practice and demonstrates
      correlation with symptomatology, treatment approach, and outcome.

PMID- 26280825
TI  - Added Benefit of Stent Retriever Technology for Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Pooled
      Analysis of the NINDS tPA, SWIFT, and STAR Trials.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Endovascular treatment is increasingly being used in acute stroke
      care. However, although stent retrievers show improved flow restoration rates,
      their clinical benefits have been uncertain. OBJECTIVE: To assess the incremental
      effect of using stent retrievers compared with intravenous tissue plasminogen
      activator (IV tPA; alteplase) alone or placebo/control. METHODS: We conducted a
      pooled analysis of 4 studies using stent retrievers (Solitaire), IV tPA, or
      placebo/control. We applied the ischemic stroke risk score (www.sorcan.ca/iscore)
      to each participant to adjust for differences in baseline characteristics. We
      used a shift analysis to account for the potential benefits across the entire
      modified Rankin scale score at 90 days, adjusting for time-to-treatment, baseline
      Alberta Stroke Program Early CT score, and ischemic stroke risk score. RESULTS:
      Of the 915 participants in this analysis, 312 (34.1%) patients received placebo,
      312 (34.1%) received tPA alone, 131 (14.4%) received stent retrievers alone, and
      160 (17.5) received combined therapy (IV tPA plus stent retrievers). The shift
      analysis revealed that more patients remained independent at 90 days if receiving
      stent retrievers alone (number needed to treat 3.5) or combined with tPA (number
      needed to treat 3.1) compared with tPA alone. After adjustment, participants
      receiving stent retrievers alone (odds ratio, 2.95; 95% confidence interval, 1.48
      5.89) or combined with tPA (odds ratio, 4.45; 95% confidence interval, 2.40-8.27)
      were more likely to be independent at 90 days compared with tPA alone.
      CONCLUSION: Patients with acute ischemic stroke who received IV tPA or
      revascularization therapies had a higher likelihood of achieving independence at
      3 months. Stent retriever technology combined with tPA was associated with the
      greatest benefit compared with placebo, tPA alone, or endovascular therapy alone.

PMID- 26280826
TI  - Johann Friedrich Horner and the Repeated Discovery of Oculosympathoparesis: Whose
      Syndrome Is It?
AB  - Disruption of cranial sympathetic tone leads to the symptom complex of miosis,
      ptosis, and hemifacial anhidrosis. It is widely believed that this phenomenon was
      discovered in 1869 by the Swiss ophthalmologist Johann Friedrich Horner, and as a
      result, the term Horner syndrome has become synonymous with the clinical
      presentation. However, the syndrome that would become Horner syndrome had
      actually been described several times before his report. Francois Pourfour du
      Petit documented the ocular effects of sympathetic trunk lesions in animal
      studies in 1727. Claude Bernard identified the full clinical triad in animal
      studies in 1852, and as a result, the condition is sometimes called Bernard
      syndrome. There were also 2 previous reports of ptosis and miosis resulting from
      sympathetic nerve damage in humans: 1 by Edward Selleck Hare in 1838 associated
      with brachial plexus tumor, and the other by Silas Weir Mitchell in 1864
      associated with a gunshot wound to the neck. Although Horner was the first to
      objectively characterize the co-occurrence of vasomotor and ocular changes in a
      human patient, he did not identify the etiology of the condition, discuss its
      relationship to the sympathetic nervous system, or reference any of the previous
      studies in animals or humans. It is possible that a lack of familiarity with
      previous investigations delayed the full appreciation of the mechanism underlying
      this disorder. 

PMID- 26280828
TI  - Response to Journal Club: Real-time Magnetic Resonance-Guided Stereotactic Laser
      Amygdalohippocampotomy for Mesial Temporal Lobe Epilepsy.

PMID- 26280831
TI  - Indoor Air Pollution by Methylsiloxane in Household and Automobile Settings.
AB  - This study examines characteristics of atmospheric methylsiloxane pollution in
      indoor settings where interior renovation/redecoration is being undertaken, in
      addition to ordinary family homes and inside family cars. Concentrations of
      atmospheric methylsiloxane in these locations were approximately one order of
      magnitude higher than that in outdoor areas. The average indoor concentration of
      methylsiloxane where renovation was being undertaken was 9.4 MUg/m3, which is
      slightly higher than that in an ordinary family home (7.88 MUg/m3), while samples
      from family cars showed lower concentration (3.10 MUg/m3). The indoor atmospheric
      concentration during renovation/redecoration work was significantly positively
      correlated with the duration of the work. The structure of atmospheric
      methylsiloxane pollution is basically the same in these three venues. The
      concentration of annulus siloxane was much higher than that of linear compounds
      (85% of the total methylsiloxane concentrations). Household dust in average
      family homes showed total methylsiloxane concentration of 9.5 MUg/m3 (average);
      the structure mainly consisted of linear siloxane (approximately 98% of total
      concentration), thereby differing from that of atmospheric methylsiloxane
      pollution. The comparatively high concentration of methylsiloxane in these three
      venues indicates that interior renovation and decoration work, and even
      travelling in cars, can involve exposure to more serious siloxane contamination
      during everyday activities. 

PMID- 26280830
TI  - Mathematical Model of Ammonia Handling in the Rat Renal Medulla.
AB  - The kidney is one of the main organs that produces ammonia and release it into
      the circulation. Under normal conditions, between 30 and 50% of the ammonia
      produced in the kidney is excreted in the urine, the rest being absorbed into the
      systemic circulation via the renal vein. In acidosis and in some pathological
      conditions, the proportion of urinary excretion can increase to 70% of the
      ammonia produced in the kidney. Mechanisms regulating the balance between urinary
      excretion and renal vein release are not fully understood. We developed a
      mathematical model that reflects current thinking about renal ammonia handling in
      order to investigate the role of each tubular segment and identify some of the
      components which might control this balance. The model treats the movements of
      water, sodium chloride, urea, NH3 and [Formula: see text], and non-reabsorbable
      solute in an idealized renal medulla of the rat at steady state. A parameter
      study was performed to identify the transport parameters and microenvironmental
      conditions that most affect the rate of urinary ammonia excretion. Our results
      suggest that urinary ammonia excretion is mainly determined by those parameters
      that affect ammonia recycling in the loops of Henle. In particular, our results
      suggest a critical role for interstitial pH in the outer medulla and for luminal
      pH along the inner medullary collecting ducts.

PMID- 26280833
TI  - Concentrations and Toxic Equivalency of Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Polish
      Wastewater Treatment Plant Effluents.
AB  - Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are widely recognized as important sources of
      toxic contaminants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). An example is given
      in the present paper, where concentrations of 12 dioxin-like PCBs (dl-PCBs)
      congeners were investigated in effluents from 14 WWTPs of different sizes, using
      gas chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry. The results obtained demonstrate
      that the smallest WWTPs are characterized by the highest total dl-PCB
      concentration of 102.69 pg/L, roughly twice those of medium-size and large WWTPs,
      i.e. 41.14 and 48.29 pg/L, respectively. In all cases, the concentrations
      obtained were generated mostly by increased contributions of PCB-77, PCB-105 and
      PCB-118 which constituted 48 %-59 % of the mean dl-PCB concentration. The results
      also reveal a predominance of mono-ortho over non-ortho PCBs. All three types of
      WWTP effluent were found to have similar toxic equivalency (TEQ) values, ranging
      from 0.31 for large to 0.37 pg TEQ/L for medium WWTPs. 

PMID- 26280832
TI  - Characterization of Fosfomycin Resistant Extended-Spectrum beta-Lactamase
      Producing Escherichia coli Isolates from Human and Pig in Taiwan.
AB  - To investigate the efficacy of fosfomycin against extended-spectrum beta
      lactamases (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli in Taiwan and the resistance
      mechanisms and characterization of human and pig isolates, we analyzed 145 ESBL
      producing isolates collected from two hospitals (n = 123) and five farms (n = 22)
      in Taiwan from February to May, 2013. Antimicrobial susceptibilities were
      determined. Clonal relatedness was determined by PFGE and multi-locus sequence
      typing. ESBLs, ampC, and fosfomycin resistant genes were detected by PCR, and
      their flanking regions were determined by PCR mapping and sequencing. The
      fosfomycin resistant mechanisms, including modification of the antibiotic target
      (MurA), functionless transporters (GlpT and UhpT) and their regulating genes such
      as uhpA, cyaA, and ptsI, and antibiotic inactivation by enzymes (FosA and FosC),
      were examined. The size and replicon type of plasmids carrying fosfomycin
      resistant genes were analyzed. Our results revealed the susceptibility rates of
      fosfomycin were 94% for human ESBL-producing E. coli isolates and 77% for pig
      isolates. The PFGE analysis revealed 79 pulsotypes. No pulsotype was found
      existing in both human and pig isolates. Three pulsotypes were distributed among
      isolates from two hospitals. ISEcp1 carrying blaCTX-M-group 9 was the predominant
      transposable elements of the ESBL genes. Among the thirteen fosfomycin resistant
      isolates, functionless transporters were identified in 9 isolates. Three isolates
      contained novel amino acid substitutions (Asn67Ile, Phe151Ser and Trp164Ser,
      Val146Ala and His159Tyr, respectively) in MurA (the target of fosfomycin). Four
      isolates had fosfomycin modified enzyme (fosA3) in their plasmids. The fosA3 gene
      was harboured in an IncN-type plasmid (101 kbp) in the three pig isolates and an
      IncB/O-type plasmid (113 kbp) in the human isolate. In conclusion, we identified
      that 6% and 23% of the ESBL-producing E. coli from human and pigs were resistant
      to fosfomycin, respectively, in Taiwan. No clonal spread was found between human
      and pig isolates. Functionless transporters were the major cause of fosfomycin
      resistance, and the fosA3-transferring plasmid between isolates warrants further
      monitoring. 

PMID- 26280834
TI  - Determination of TiO2 and AgTiO2 Nanoparticles in Artemia salina: Toxicity,
      Morphological Changes, Uptake and Depuration.
AB  - In this study, aquatic stability and toxic effects of TiO2 and AgTiO2
      nanoparticles (NPs) were investigated on Artemia salina nauplii. AgTiO2 was found
      to be more toxic to nauplii compared to TiO2. The mortality rate in nauplii
      increased significantly with increasing concentrations and duration of exposure.
      TiO2 eliminations ranged between 27.8% and 96.5% at 50 and 1 mg/L TiO2 exposed to
      nauplii, respectively. Accumulation and elimination of Ag in AgTiO2 exposed
      nauplii were similar except at 1 mg/L AgTiO2. When NPs were mixed with water, the
      hydrodynamic dimensions of NPs significantly increased because of aggregation in
      saltwater but NP size decreased over time. NPs-exposed nauplii showed changes in
      eye formation, enlargement of the intestine, malformations in the outer shell and
      antennae loss were also observed. Since accumulation and toxicity of AgTiO2 NPs
      was higher than TiO2 alone, inevitably release of AgTiO2 into aqueous
      environments can cause ecological risks.

PMID- 26280835
TI  - Association of PCK1 with Body Mass Index and Other Metabolic Features in Patients
      With Psychotropic Treatments.
AB  - Weight gain is a major health problem among psychiatric populations. It
      implicates several receptors and hormones involved in energy balance and
      metabolism. Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 is a rate-controlling enzyme
      involved in gluconeogenesis, glyceroneogenesis and cataplerosis and has been
      related to obesity and diabetes phenotypes in animals and humans. The aim of this
      study was to investigate the association of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1
      polymorphisms with metabolic traits in psychiatric patients treated with
      psychotropic drugs inducing weight gain and in general population samples. One
      polymorphism (rs11552145G > A) significantly associated with body mass index in
      the psychiatric discovery sample (n = 478) was replicated in 2 other psychiatric
      samples (n1 = 168, n2 = 188), with AA-genotype carriers having lower body mass
      index as compared to G-allele carriers. Stronger associations were found among
      women younger than 45 years carrying AA-genotype as compared to G-allele carriers
      (-2.25 kg/m, n = 151, P = 0.009) and in the discovery sample (-2.20 kg/m, n =
      423, P = 0.0004). In the discovery sample for which metabolic parameters were
      available, AA-genotype showed lower waist circumference (-6.86 cm, P = 0.008) and
      triglycerides levels (-5.58 mg/100 mL, P < 0.002) when compared to G-allele
      carriers. Finally, waist-to-hip ratio was associated with rs6070157 (proxy of
      rs11552145, r = 0.99) in a population-based sample (N = 123,865, P = 0.022). Our
      results suggest an association of rs11552145G > A polymorphism with metabolic
      related traits, especially in psychiatric populations and in women younger than
      45 years.

PMID- 26280836
TI  - The Effects of BDNF Val66Met Gene Polymorphism on Serum BDNF and Cognitive
      Function in Methamphetamine-Dependent Patients and Normal Controls: A Case
      Control Study.
AB  - Studies suggest that a functional polymorphism of the brain-derived neurotrophic
      factor gene (BDNF Val66Met) may contribute to methamphetamine dependence. We
      hypothesized that this polymorphism had a role in cognitive deficits in
      methamphetamine-dependent patients and in the relationship of serum BDNF with
      cognitive impairments. We conducted a case-control study by assessing 194
      methamphetamine-dependent patients and 378 healthy volunteers without history of
      drug use on the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological
      Status (RBANS) and the presence of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and serum BDNF
      levels. We showed no significant differences in genotype and allele distributions
      between the methamphetamine-dependent patients and controls. Some aspects of
      cognitive function significantly differed in the 2 groups. The serum BDNF levels
      in methamphetamine-dependent patients were significantly higher than those of the
      healthy controls. In the patients, partial correlation analysis showed a
      significant positive correlation between serum BDNF and the delayed memory index
      score. The RBANS scores showed statistically significant BDNF level * genotype
      interaction. Further regression analyses showed a significant positive
      association between BDNF levels and the RBANS total score, immediate memory or
      attention index among Val homozygote patients, whereas a significant negative
      association of BDNF levels with the RBANS total score,
      visuospatial/constructional, or language index was found among Met/Val
      heterozygous patients. We demonstrated significant impairment on some aspects of
      cognitive function and increased BDNF levels in methamphetamine-dependent
      patients as well as genotypic differences in the relationships between BDNF
      levels and RBANS scores on the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism only in these patients.

PMID- 26280837
TI  - Metformin for Weight Gain and Metabolic Abnormalities Associated With
      Antipsychotic Treatment: Meta-Analysis of Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trials.
AB  - This meta-analysis examined the effectiveness and safety of metformin to prevent
      or treat weight gain and metabolic abnormalities associated with antipsychotic
      drugs. We systematically searched in both English- and Chinese-language databases
      for metformin randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) using placebo in
      patients taking antipsychotics. Twenty-one RCTs (11 published in English and 10
      in Chinese) involving 1547 subjects (778 on metformin, 769 on placebo) were
      included in this meta-analysis. Metformin was significantly superior to placebo
      (standard mean differences, -0.69 to -0.51; P = 0.01-0.0001) in the primary
      outcome measures (body weight, body mass index, fasting glucose, fasting insulin,
      triglycerides, and total cholesterol). Metformin was significantly superior to
      placebo in some secondary outcome measures but not in others. Significantly
      higher frequencies of nausea/vomiting and diarrhea were found in the metformin
      group, but no differences were found in other adverse drug reactions. In the
      metformin group, the frequency of nausea/vomiting was 14%, and of diarrhea, 7%.
      Subgroup and sensitivity analyses demonstrated that primary outcomes were
      influenced by ethnicity, treatment style (intervention vs prevention), metformin
      dose, study duration, and mean age. Body weight standard mean difference was 
      0.91 (confidence interval [CI], -1.40 to -0.41) in 3 prevention RCTs in naive
      patients, -0.66 (CI, -1.02 to -0.30) in 5 intervention RCTs during the first
      year, and -0.50 (CI, -0.73 to -0.27) in 9 intervention RCTs in chronic patients.
      This meta-analysis suggests that adjunctive metformin is an effective, safe, and
      reasonable choice for antipsychotic-induced weight gain and metabolic
      abnormalities.

PMID- 26280839
TI  - Are traits useful? Explaining trait manifestations as tools in the pursuit of
      goals.
AB  - Traits and motivation mainly have been treated separately for almost a century.
      The purpose of these studies is to test the proposal that traits and motivation
      are intricately linked. Specifically, that 1 explanation for traits, at least in
      terms of their descriptiveness of what people actually do, is the goals people
      pursue. Study 1 used experience-sampling methodology to show that almost half the
      variance in extraversion and conscientiousness manifestation was explained by
      goal pursuit differences. Both why people enacted more of extraversion and/or
      conscientiousness than others, and why people enacted extraversion and/or
      conscientiousness at any given moment were explained by the goals people were
      pursuing at those moments. Study 2 used experimental methodology to show that
      extraversion and conscientiousness enactment was in fact caused by the goal
      pursuit. Study 3 employed observer ratings to show that the goal-dependent
      enactments of traits were observer-verified actual behaviors. In all 3 studies,
      different goals affected different traits discriminatively. Thus, these findings
      provided strong evidence for 1 explanation of traits, that they are useful for
      accomplishing goals. These findings provided 1 answer to long-standing questions
      about the conceptual relations between traits and motivation. And these findings
      clarified the meaning and nature of extraversion and conscientiousness by
      revealing part of what these traits are for.

PMID- 26280838
TI  - Daily physical activity and life satisfaction across adulthood.
AB  - Physical activity is considered a valuable tool for enhancing life satisfaction.
      However, the processes linking these constructs likely differ across the adult
      life span. In older adults the association between physical activity and life
      satisfaction appears to involve usual levels of physical activity (i.e., a
      between-person association driven by differences between more and less active
      people). In younger adults the association has consistently been based on day-to
      day physical activity (i.e., a within-person association driven by differences
      between more and less active days). To resolve this inconsistency, a daily diary
      study was conducted with a life span sample of community-dwelling adults (age 18
      89 years; N = 150) over three 21-day measurement bursts. Usual physical activity
      was positively associated with life satisfaction in middle and older adulthood;
      however, this association was not present in young adulthood. When present, this
      between-person association was mediated by physical and mental health. A within
      person association between physical activity and life satisfaction was also
      present (and did not differ across age). Generally, on days when people were more
      physically active then was typical for them, they experienced greater life
      satisfaction. Age differences in life satisfaction followed a cubic trajectory:
      lower during emerging adulthood, higher during midlife, and lower during older
      adulthood. This study adds to accumulating evidence that daily fluctuations in
      physical activity have important implications for well-being regardless of age,
      and clarifies developmental differences in life satisfaction dynamics that can
      inform strategies for enhancing life satisfaction.

PMID- 26280840
TI  - Affective contingencies in the affiliative domain: Physiological assessment,
      associations with the affiliation motive, and prediction of behavior.
AB  - According to classical motive disposition theory, individuals differ in their
      propensity to derive pleasure from affiliative experiences. This propensity is
      considered a core process underlying the affiliation motive and a pervasive cause
      of motivated behavior. In this study, we tested these assumptions. We presented
      participants with positive affiliative stimuli and used electromyography to
      record changes in facial muscular activity that are indicative of subtle smiling.
      We were thus able to physiologically measure positive affect following
      affiliative cues. Individual differences in these affective contingencies were
      internally consistent and temporally stable. They converged with affiliation
      motive self- and informant reports and picture story exercise scores, indicating
      that they are partly accessible to the self, observable to outsiders, and overlap
      with implicit systems. Finally, they predicted affiliative behavior in terms of
      situation selection and modification across a wide variety of contexts (i.e., in
      daily life, the laboratory, and an online social network). These findings
      corroborate the long-held assumption that affective contingencies represent a
      motivational core aspect of affiliation.

PMID- 26280841
TI  - Social responses to expressive suppression: The role of personality judgments.
AB  - Why do people who suppress their emotion-expressive behavior have difficulty
      forming close, supportive relationships? Previous studies have found that
      suppression disrupts the dynamics of social interactions and existing
      relationships. We evaluated a complementary hypothesis: that suppression
      functions as a behavioral cue leading others to form negative personality
      impressions of suppressors, even at zero-acquaintance. In 2 studies, participants
      reported personality judgments and other impressions of targets who either
      suppressed or expressed their emotion-expressive behavior in response to amusing
      or sad film clips. In findings replicated across studies, targets who suppressed
      either amusement or sadness were judged as less extraverted, less agreeable, and
      more interpersonally avoidant and anxious than targets who expressed emotions,
      and participants were less interested in affiliating with suppressors compared
      with expressers. Effects were amplified when targets suppressed amusement
      (compared with sadness) and when participants knew the emotional context
      (compared with when they did not) and, thus, could form expectations about what
      emotions targets should be showing. Extraversion and agreeableness judgments
      mediated the effect of suppression on participants' disinterest in affiliating.
      In Study 2, which extended Study 1 in several ways, effects were pronounced for
      the enthusiasm aspect of extraversion and the compassion aspect of agreeableness.
      We also found evidence that judgments of suppressors do not simply fall between
      neutral and fully expressing targets; rather, judgments of suppressors are
      qualitatively different. We discuss implications for understanding the social
      consequences of emotion regulation-in particular, how beyond disrupting
      relationships, suppression may prevent some relationships from even forming in
      the first place.

PMID- 26280842
TI  - When bias binds: Effect of implicit outgroup bias on ingroup affiliation.
AB  - We tested a novel process we term implicit homophily in which perceivers'
      implicit outgroup bias shapes their affiliative responses toward ingroup targets
      with outgroup friends as a function of perceived similarity. Across 4 studies, we
      tested implicit homophily in the context of racial groups. We found that White
      participants with higher implicit anti-Black bias reported less affiliative
      responses toward White targets with Black friends compared with White targets
      with White friends, and this effect persisted above and beyond the effects of
      implicit pro-White bias and explicit racial bias (Studies 1-3). We further found
      evidence that this relationship between implicit anti-Black bias and affiliation
      exists because participants infer how comfortable targets are around outgroup
      members (Preliminary Study) and use this information to infer similarity on this
      dimension (Studies 1-3). Our findings also suggested that stigma transference and
      expectancy violation were not viable alternative mediators (Preliminary Study and
      Study 1). Finally, women's implicit anti-Black bias predicted their likelihood of
      having Facebook friends with Black friends, providing ecological and behavioral
      evidence of implicit homophily (Study 4). Implications for research on stigma by
      association, extended contact, affiliation, and network formation are discussed.

PMID- 26280843
TI  - Correction to Carey et al. (2015).

PMID- 26280846
TI  - Bimetallic Complexes Supported by a Redox-Active Ligand with Fused Pincer-Type
      Coordination Sites.
AB  - The remarkable chemistry of mononuclear complexes featuring tridentate,
      meridionally chelating "pincer" ligands has stimulated the development of ligand
      frameworks containing multiple pincer sites. Here, the coordination chemistry of
      a novel pentadentate ligand (L(N3O2)) that provides two closely spaced NNO pincer
      type compartments fused together at a central diarylamido unit is described. The
      trianionic L(N3O2) chelate supports homobimetallic structures in which each M(II)
      ion (M = Co, Cu, Zn) is bound in a meridional fashion by the bridging diarylamido
      N atom and O,N-donors of the salicyaldimine arms. The metal centers are also
      coordinated by a mono- or bidentate auxiliary ligand (L(aux)), resulting in
      complexes with the general form [M2(L(N3O2))(L(aux))2](+) (where L(aux) = 1
      methyl-benzimidazole (1MeBI), 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy), 4,4'-dibromo-2,2'-bipyridine
      (bpy(Br2)), or (S)-2-(4-isopropyl-4,5-dihydrooxazolyl)pyridine (S-(iPr)OxPy)).
      The fused nature of the NNO pincer sites results in short metal-metal distances
      ranging from 2.70 A for [Co2(L(N3O2)) (bpy)2](+) to 3.28 A for [Zn2(L(N3O2))
      (bpy)2](+), as revealed by X-ray crystallography. The complexes possess C2
      symmetry due to the twisting of the aryl rings of the MU-NAr2 core; spectroscopic
      studies indicate that chiral L(aux) ligands, such as S-(iPr)OxPy, are capable of
      controlling the helical sense of the L(N3O2) scaffold. Since the four- or five
      coordinate M(II) centers are linked solely by the amido moiety, each features an
      open coordination site in the intermetallic region, allowing for the possibility
      of metal-metal cooperativity in small-molecule activation. Indeed, the
      dicobalt(II) complex [Co2(L(N3O2)) (bpy(Br2))2](+) reacts with O2 to yield a
      dicobalt(III) species with a MU-1,2-peroxo ligand. The bpy-containing complexes
      exhibit rich electrochemical properties due to multiple metal- and ligand-based
      redox events across a wide (3.0 V) potential window. Using electron paramagnetic
      resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT), it was
      determined that one-electron oxidation of [Co2(L(N3O2)) (bpy)2](+) results in
      formation of a S = 1/2 species with a L(N3O2)-based radical coupled to low-spin
      Co(II) centers. 

PMID- 26280844
TI  - Sortase A Inhibitors: Recent Advances and Future Perspectives.
AB  - Here, we describe the most promising small synthetic organic compounds that act
      as potent Sortase A inhibitors and cater the potential to be developed as
      antivirulence drugs. Sortase A is a polypeptide of 206 amino acids, which
      catalyzes two sequential reactions: (i) thioesterification and (ii)
      transpeptidation. Sortase A is involved in the process of bacterial adhesion by
      anchoring LPXTG-containing proteins to lipid II. Sortase A inhibitors do not
      affect bacterial growth, but they restrain the virulence of pathogenic bacterial
      strains, thereby preventing infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus or other
      Gram-positive bacteria. The efficacy of the most promising inhibitors needs to be
      comprehensively evaluated in in vivo models of infection, in order to select
      compounds eligible for the treatment of bacterial infections in humans. 

PMID- 26280845
TI  - Effects of Nanoparticle Size on Multilayer Formation and Kinetics of Tethered
      Enzymes.
AB  - Despite numerous applications, we lack fundamental understanding of how variables
      such as nanoparticle (NP) size influence the activity of tethered enzymes.
      Previously, we showed that biomimetic oriented immobilization yielded higher
      specific activities versus nonoriented adsorption or carboxyl-amine binding.
      Here, we standardize NP attachment strategy (oriented immobilization via
      hexahistidine tags) and composition (Ni-NTA coated gold NPs), to test the impact
      of NP size (?5, 10, 20, and 50 nm) on multilayer formation, activity, and kinetic
      parameters (kcat, KM, kcat/KM) of enzymes representing three different classes:
      glucose-6-phosphate isomerase (GPI), an isomerase; Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate
      dehydrogenase S (GAPDHS), an oxidoreductase; and pyruvate kinase (PK), a
      transferase. Contrary to other reports, we observed no trend in kinetic
      parameters for individual enzymes when found in monolayers (<100% enzyme
      coverage), suggesting an advantage for oriented immobilization versus other
      attachment strategies. Saturating the NPs to maximize activity per NP resulted in
      enzyme multilayer formation. Under these conditions, total activity per NP
      increased with increasing NP size. Conversely, specific activity for all three
      enzymes was highest when tethered to the smallest NPs, retaining a remarkable 73
      94% of the activity of free/untethered enzymes. Multilayer formations caused a
      clear trend of kcat decreasing with increasing NP size, yet negligible change in
      KM. Understanding the fundamental relationships between NP size and tethered
      enzyme activity enables optimized design of various applications, maximizing
      activity per NP or activity per enzyme molecule. 

PMID- 26280847
TI  - Arthroscopy in knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review of the literature.
AB  - Knee arthroscopy has historically been a common treatment for knee
      osteoarthritis. A Cochrane review of the literature up to 2006 has resulted in
      guidance that arthroscopy is not effective in knee osteoarthritis. It cited that
      deficiencies in the evidence base prevented widespread acceptance of the
      recommendations. The aim of this review is to update the evidence base for the
      efficacy of arthroscopy in knee osteoarthritis. The authors searched CINHAL,
      EMBASE, MEDLINE, and CENTRAL for randomised controlled trials that compared
      arthroscopic surgery in knee osteoarthritis with a control group (e.g. lavage,
      best medical care). The primary outcome measure was patient reported functional
      outcome. The study methodology was registered on Prospero, a systematic review
      register: Registration number CRD42012002891. Five randomised controlled trials
      included 516 patients, almost double the 271 episodes contained in previous
      reviews. Two high quality studies, according to the Jadad classification,
      published since the Cochrane review, addressed many of the methodological flaws
      criticised in previous reviews. However, certain subgroup analyses (e.g. patients
      with meniscal tears and mechanical symptoms) are still underpowered. 

PMID- 26280848
TI  - Fixation of the greater tuberosity in proximal humeral fractures: FiberWire(r) or
      wire cerclage?
AB  - Proximal humeral fractures remain a surgical challenge, and scientific
      discussions are commonly focused on their ideal treatment. One possible treatment
      involves the use of an angle stable plate osteosynthesis. However, which material
      can most feasibly be used to attach the greater tuberosity to the implant remains
      unknown. In two prospective, non-randomized trials, we compared the results of a
      FiberWire(r) and a wire cerclage. A total of 104 patients with 3- and 4-part
      fractures were included in this examination. In 25 cases, the greater tuberosity
      was fixated with a FiberWire(r), size 2, while 79 cases received a wire cerclage.
      Plate osteosynthesis was constantly performed via the anterolateral delta-split
      approach using the NCB(r)-PH-plate by Zimmer(r). The patients were followed
      clinically at discharge, 6 weeks and 6 months postoperatively and were examined
      for relevant complications. Age and gender were equally distributed in both
      groups. Concerning the follow-up after 6 weeks, a significant benefit concerning
      shoulder function was observed in the FiberWire(r)-group (wire cerclage: 39.20+/
      11.85, 95% CI 32.37-44.56, FiberWire(r): 45.84+/-16.80, 95% CI 28.34-61.56:
      p=0.049). After 6 months, the difference between the groups was not significant
      (wire cerclage: 58.13+/-18.73, 95% CI 50.25-72.40, FiberWire(r): 68.85+/-23.10,
      95% CI 46.83-99.53: p=0.06).

PMID- 26280849
TI  - Treatment of large diaphyseal bone defect of the tibia by the "fibula pro tibia"
      technique: application in developing countries.
AB  - Large segmental bone defects of the tibia may be due to infections, high-energy
      fractures, congenital diseases or tumors and represent a challenge for both the
      physician and the patient. In developing countries, the use of expansive
      techniques is not possible so that amputation is sometimes proposed. However, an
      alternative technique for limb salvage, applicable in developing countries
      consists of tibialization of the ipsilateral fibula. This technique is also
      called "Fibula pro Tibia", fibular transfer to the tibia or fibular
      centralization. We report this transfer in 4 patients with an average defect
      length of 11.8 cm. Union between the transferred fibula and the tibia was
      obtained in all patients, for both proximal and distal junctions, after an
      average time of 8.5 months (range, 4 to 18 months). Three patients returned to a
      normal walking function while one was still limping, but was able to walk
      independently without need of crutches. 

PMID- 26280850
TI  - Use of Calscan for improving osteoporosis care in the older patient admitted with
      hip fracture.
AB  - To determine whether bone mineral density measurement using the Calscan
      successfully predicts the actual bone mineral density, as measured by dual-energy
      X-ray absorptiometry. We included all patients>=65 years with a hip fracture
      screened on osteoporosis by both dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and the Calscan
      during the period April 2008 to April 2011. The bone mineral density was
      expressed as a T-score. For the Calscan T-score, thresholds were defined such
      that patients with and without osteoporosis could be identified with 90%
      certainty. Patients with a Calscan T-score above the upper threshold were
      considered to be non-osteoporotic and those with a Calscan T-score below the
      lower threshold considered osteoporotic. Patients whose Calscan T-score lay
      between the two thresholds could only be classified by means of DXA. The
      correlation between dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and the Calscan was 0.61.
      The Calscan identified approximately 25% of patients as osteoporotic and 25% as
      non-osteoporotic. The upper threshold was found to be -1.8SD and the lower
      threshold -3.5SD. Osteoporosis screening by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry had
      been carried out in 44% of patients. This percentage could theoretically rise to
      >70% if the Calscan is implemented in osteoporosis screening, while costs of such
      screening appear to be lower, as long as a sufficient number of patients are
      screened.

PMID- 26280851
TI  - Clinical results of cementless total hip arthroplasty with shortening osteotomy
      for high dislocation with developmental dysplasia.
AB  - Total hip arthroplasty for severe developmental dysplasia of the hip is a
      technically challenging procedure. Subtrochanteric femoral osteotomy enables
      reducing the femoral head and restoring abductor muscle strength without
      compromising proximal femoral bone stock in advanced dysplasia.We aimed to
      retrospectively evaluate Crowe type III or IV developmental dysplasia of the hip
      who underwent reconstruction with cementless total hip arthroplasty combined with
      a transverse subtrochanteric femoral osteotomy. Sixty hips of 52 patients (11
      male, 49 female) with Crowe type III (n: 37) or IV (n: 23) developmental
      dysplasia of the hip were included. The average age was 51.4 years. Surgery was
      performed in lateral decubitis position with posterolateral approach.
      Subtrochanteric transverse femoral osteotomy were used with cementless
      components. 40 of the femoral components were Secur-Fit type, and 20 of them were
      secur-fit plus max type. Ceramic-ceramic coupling was used in 24 cases and metal
      polyethylene coupling was used in 36 cases. Merle D'Aubigne and Harris Hip score
      were used to rate the clinical outcome at the final follow up. All femoral
      shortening osteotomies were united at a mean of 5.7 months. Mean Merle D'Aubigne
      pain score was increased from 3.1 to 5.4, and mean Harris Hip score improved from
      39 to 92.8, postoperatively (p<0.01). There was no significant difference in time
      to union between different types of stems. 4 femoral stems had asymptomatic
      radiolucent lines. There was no significant difference in time to union between
      different types of stems.

PMID- 26280852
TI  - Association between the capitate-triquetrum distance and carpal collapse in
      scaphoid nonunion.
AB  - The effect of the lunate type on carpal collapse in cases of scaphoid nonunion
      has not been thoroughly investigated. The purpose of the present study was to
      determine whether any association exists or not between the capitate-triquetrum
      distance and occurrence of carpal collapse in cases of scaphoid nonunion. In a
      retrospective study, 76 patients with scaphoid nonunion formed two groups based
      on the capitate-triquetrum distance: forty-three patients with distance of less
      than 5 mm and 33 patients with distance of 5 mm or more. The two groups were
      comparable with respect to sex distribution, age, dominant hand involvement,
      manual labor, nonunion location and time from injury to final x-rays. Six
      patients (13.9%) in the capitate-triquetrum<5 mm group and 13 patients (39.4%) in
      the capitate-triquetrum>=5 mm group had no signs of collapse, with significant
      difference (p<0.05). Capitate-triquetrum distance could contribute in the
      decision making process for cases of scaphoid nonunion without straightforward
      indication for surgical intervention.

PMID- 26280853
TI  - Effects of body mass index, infrapatellar fat pad volume and age on patellar
      cartilage defect.
AB  - The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations between patellar cartilage
      defects and body mass index (BMI), infrapatellar fat pad (IPFP) volume and age.
      100 patients who met the inclusion criteria and were aged 18 to 60, were
      evaluated retrospectively. For detecting and measuring patellar cartilage
      defects, axial sequences were used and sagittal sequences were used to evaluate
      IPFP volumes. In total, 40 patients had patellar cartilage defects. In this
      group, age and BMI were higher in both sexes when compared with the controls
      (p<0.05). The IPFP volume was lower in the group with the patellar cartilage
      defect when compared with the control group (p<0.05). The IPFP volume was
      statistically significantly lower in women (p<0.05). Patellar cartilage defect
      was found to be related to age and BMI. In women, the decrease in IPFP volume
      seems to be one of the causative factors for patellar cartilage defect.

PMID- 26280854
TI  - Intra- and periarticular osteoid osteoma: Percutaneous destruction and
      alcoholisation.
AB  - Intra- or periarticular osteoid osteoma (00) is uncommon, and therefore a
      diagnostic challenge. Symptoms are: chronic synovitis, decreased range of motion,
      joint effusion, and joint contracture. Radiographically, the classical perifocal
      sclerotic margin is often absent, which leads to a significant delay in
      diagnosis. The authors retrospectively studied 50 cases of intra- and peri
      articular OO, treated with percutaneous destruction and alcoholisation. The mean
      follow-up period was 8.7 years (range, 1 to 15 years). The diagnosis was only
      made after +/-14 months (range, 8 to 18 months), due to atypical symptoms
      (nightly pain absent in 38%) and uselessness of plain radiographs (in 100%). CT
      scan, contrast enhanced MRI and bone scan brought the solution. The technique was
      successful in 48 out of 50 cases (96%): incomplete excision occurred in 2
      patients. The diagnosis of intra- or periarticular OO should be considered in
      case of unexplained joint pain where conservative treatment is inefficient.

PMID- 26280855
TI  - Short versus standard duration tourniquet use during Total Knee Replacement: A
      pilot study.
AB  - We performed a prospective, randomized, controlled trial to know whether a short
      duration of tourniquet application affects surgical time, post-operative
      swelling, pain, early rehabilitation and complications compared to standard use
      of tourniquet throughout the procedure. Sixty knees were randomized. There were
      no differences in terms of surgical time and pain experienced between the two
      groups. Patients in the short duration tourniquet group had significantly less
      thigh swelling (3.7+/-1.6 versus 4.8+/-2.35 p<0.01). There were no differences in
      the early rehabilitation between the groups. Soft tissue complications were
      higher in standard duration group. The use of tourniquet only during cementation
      of the implants reduces the thigh swelling and soft tissue complications
      associated with tourniquet use throughout the procedure.

PMID- 26280856
TI  - The modified scarf osteotomy in the treatment of tailor's bunion: midterm follow
      up.
AB  - The aim of this study was to present the midterm results of modified scarf
      osteotomy in the treatment of tailor's bunion. From 2004 to 2011, 23 modified
      scarf osteotomies (with the fifth metatarsal shortening) were performed in group
      of 18 patients for the treatment of tailor's bunion. The mean follow-up period
      was 58.8 (range: 24-89) months. Patients were evaluated retrospectively-
      clinically and radiographically, using the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle
      Society scoring system with weight-beared radiographs at the end of 2013. Five
      males and thirteen females (mean age: 46.5 years) were included in the study. Two
      males and three females were operated bilaterally. Average American Orthopaedic
      Foot & Ankle Society scores were 59.8 preoperatively and 92.3 at the final follow
      up. Three patients had complications: delayed union, superficial wound infection
      and distal screw migration. The modified scarf osteotomy in the correction of
      tailor's bunion offers promising results in the midterm.

PMID- 26280857
TI  - Dorsal nail plate versus percutaneous k-wire fixation in the treatment of
      displaced distal radius fractures.
AB  - Distal radius fractures are the most common fractures in the elderly, yet the
      treatment is controversial and still debated in the literature. Twenty four
      patients aged older than sixty with distal radial fractures were treated by
      dorsal nail plate. We compared them with twenty four similar matched patients
      treated by percutaneous Kirschner wiring surgical method. The patients were
      operated on by a surgeon experienced in carrying out hand surgery. The purpose of
      this retrospective review was to compare the clinical and radiological outcomes
      in elderly patients with displaced distal radial fractures who were treated with
      either the dorsal nail plate or percutaneous Kirschner wiring surgical
      procedures. Both groups had high union rates and low complication rates for the
      treatment of displaced distal radius fractures in elderly patients. However,
      better functional results can be expected in dorsal nail plate.

PMID- 26280858
TI  - Review of quality of x-rays for templating for total hip arthroplasty.
AB  - Digital templating of x-rays for total hip arthroplasty is used routinely for pre
      operative planning. This is to assure that appropriately sized implants are
      selected to replicate patient's hip biomechanics. Multiple studies have shown
      that templating does not always correspond to the final implants used. The aim of
      this study was to assess the suitability of the x-rays taken pre-operatively for
      templating for total hip arthroplasty. We undertook a review of a series of pre
      operative templating pelvis x-rays in 100 consecutive patients undergoing total
      hip arthroplasty. These x-rays were compared against set criteria to determine
      their suitability for use for templating. We determined that six x-rays met the
      criteria whereas ninety four x-rays did not meet the criteria for suitable x
      rays. Twenty patients had repeat x-rays. The reasons for unsuitability were
      inadequate opposite femur (66%), absence or incomplete template (54%), inadequate
      femur length (47%), external rotation (39%), absence of opposite hip (4%). The
      twenty repeated x-rays were also reviewed for the same parameters and two (10%)
      satisfied the established criteria. It is imperative that x-rays for templating
      for total hip arthroplasty are done to a strict standard to obtain an x-ray that
      is appropriate for templating and there is minimal exposure of the patient to
      irradiation. 

PMID- 26280859
TI  - Endo medullary extractability of cementless full HA coated femoral stem: Results
      from 19 cases.
AB  - The Aura cementless full HA coated stem is an anatomical femoral component with a
      different surface treatment in the metaphyseal and diaphyseal areas. We have
      studied the feasibility of isolated endo-medullar extraction of the stem. 19
      patients (6 infections, 6 neck fractures, 3 stems with risk of fracture, 3 head
      fractures, and 1 recurrent dislocation) were subjected to the removal of a stable
      and bone integrated implant at a mean of 4.5 years after surgery. The 19 cases
      represent the entire population of Aura cementless integrated stem requiring
      revision during the period of 2003 through 2011, excluding periprosthetic bone
      fracture cases. The technique consisted of a careful release of the metaphyseal
      part of the implant with thin osteotomes, followed by the use of a highly
      efficient extractor. The re-implanted procedure always utilised standard stems:
      17 cementless stems full HA coated (13 had the same size as the removed implant,
      4 cases had larger sizes) and two received cemented stems. The 19 stems were
      extracted by simple endo-medullary approach, without the need for additional
      action. Several complications were encountered, 1 intraoperative diaphyseal
      fracture, requiring a wiring, 1 fracture of the lesser trochanter at 15 days post
      surgery, requiring a revision and 2 postoperative dislocations. Except for the
      early revision due to fracture, no other stem was revised. There was no
      recurrence of infection and the functional results were satisfactory (PMA 15-18).
      3 patients showed metaphyseal lucent lines on X-Ray leading us to advise the use
      of a standard stem with larger size after distal reaming, combined with
      preventive circulate of the calcar. The use of dedicated instrumentation allows
      successful extraction of full HA coated short stem by endomedullary approach.

PMID- 26280860
TI  - MRI following UKA: The component-bone interface.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Loosening is one of the major long-term failure modes in unicondylar
      knee arthroplasty (UKA). The aim of the study is to describe and characterize
      implant-bone interface of femoral and tibial components after UKA by means of
      magnet resonance imaging (MRI). MATERIAL AND METHODS: MRI tailored to reduce
      metallic artefact of the knee after medial UKA was performed in 10 patients as a
      pilot study. The component-bone interface at femoral and tibial components was
      evaluated by two independent investigators. They gave degree of confidence to
      their evaluation of each parameter on a five-point scale. Inter-observer
      reliability was determined. RESULTS: Artefacts provoked by the implants were
      rare. Inter-observer reliability and confidence were excellent for the femoral
      interface. They were lower at the tibial interface but results were still
      satisfactory. CONCLUSIONS: Tailored MRI allows reproducible analysis of the
      component-bone interface after UKA. It is helpful in assessment of suspected
      loosening after UKA.

PMID- 26280861
TI  - Sport and physical activity in patients after derotational corticotomies with the
      Ilizarov method.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Torsional distortion causes numerous musculoskeletal pathologies.
      Effective treatment allows restoring limb function and return to sport activity.
      Objectives was to assess the sport activity in patients with derotational
      corticotomies using the Ilizarov method. METHODS: It was case series
      retrospective study. The study examined 56 patients. The control group consisted
      of 54 patients. A mean follow-up time was 5 years and 6 months. A mean age at the
      start of treatment was 19 years and 10 months. Patients underwent derotational
      corticotomies of distal epiphysis of the femur or proximal epiphysis of the tibia
      using the Ilizarov method. The effect of etiology, type of treatment strategy,
      and rate, size, and level of derotation on the scores of four activity scales was
      evaluated; additionally, the activity was compared with the control group.
      RESULTS: There were no differences in the scales of activity before and after
      treatment in the study and control groups. In the study group, higher activity
      after treatment was reported in the level of GRIMBY activity. Patients with
      internal torsion had a higher VAS activity level after treatment as compared to
      patients with external torsion. CONCLUSIONS: Derotational corticotomies allow
      returning to or increasing physical and sport activity: they do not have a
      negative influence on physical activity after treatment as compared to the
      control group.

PMID- 26280862
TI  - A minimum three-year clinical and radiological follow up of the utilisation of a
      Cementless Multihole Mega cups in conversion hip arthroplasty--a prospective
      analysis.
AB  - The introduction of multihole mega cup has proposed innovative answers in the
      management of acetabular impediments that ensued from the use of bipolar
      hemiarthroplasty. This study bestows a prospective analysis of the outcome of
      conversion surgery from bipolar hemiarthroplasty to total hip replacement in
      patients with acetabular complications.Forty-two patients, 22 men and 20 women,
      with a mean age of 59 years (range 46-69 years) who experienced complex
      acetabular deficiencies following bipolar hemiarthroplasty, were converted to
      total hip replacement between January 2008 and June 2010. Pain was the main
      complaint in all cases. It was primarily confined to the groin region. Limping
      due to shortening of the affected limb was the second main complaint (30 cases).
      All cases had erosion of the acetabulum with varying degrees of protrusion.
      Cementless mutihole cups with augmentation by autogenous bone graft from the
      iliac crest and large metal heads' sizes were used for conversion in all cases.
      After a minimum follow-up of 36 months, Harris hip scores (HHS) improved from a
      mean of 36.8+/-6.8 (range 21-59) preoperatively to a mean of 85.9+/-5.6 (range 71
      to 94) postoperatively. Thirty six (85.7%) patients experienced no groin pain
      postoperatively while six patients (14.3%) described limited improvement.
      Postoperative complications included: dislocation in two cases which were reduced
      and did not result in a poor outcome later on. No patients were lost to follow
      up. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term results at minimum three years follow-up of multihole
      mega cup were encouraging regarding high capability of acetabular reconstruction
      with less morbidity of recipient site. Significant pain and functional
      improvement were noticeable, however further longer term studies are consequently
      recommended.

PMID- 26280863
TI  - Is conservative treatment still defensible in grade III acromioclavicular
      dislocation? Are there predictive factors of poor outcome?
AB  - The optimal treatment of grade III acromioclavicular (AC) dislocation is still
      controversial. Recent studies recommend surgery at that stage whereas meta
      analysis favours conservative management. The objective of the present
      investigation was to analyse a clinical series of non-operated grade III AC
      dislocations and to determine their functional status. Thirty-five patients
      treated conservatively with a grade III acromioclavicular dislocation were
      retrospectively reviewed. Simple shoulder test, Oxford shoulder and bilateral
      Constant shoulder score were used for assessment. Various predictive criteria of
      poor outcome, particularly scapular dyskinesis were taken into account for
      analysis. Overall mean and median Constant Score of the injured side were 92.9
      and 94, whilst the contralateral shoulder values were respectively 94.9 and 95
      (mean and median scores). Ten patients had scapular dyskinesis. Laterality,
      shoulder activity and scapular dyskinesis were not statistically related to worse
      outcome. Twenty-eight (80%) patients resumed normal activity within six months.
      All but two patients were subjectively very satisfied or satisfied. Conservative
      treatment provided satisfactory results whatever the shoulder activity. No risk
      factors were predictive of a poorer outcome. Conservative management should
      remain the first option to manage these injuries. 

PMID- 26280864
TI  - Sample size calculations in orthopaedics randomised controlled trials: revisiting
      research practices.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to identify how often sample size calculations were
      reported in recent orthopaedic randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and to
      determine what proportion of studies that failed to find a significant treatment
      effect were at risk of type II error. A pre-defined computerized search was
      performed in MEDLINE to identify RCTs published in 2012 in the 20 highest ranked
      orthopaedic journals based on impact factor. Data from these studies was used to
      perform post hoc analysis to determine whether each study was sufficiently
      powered to detect a small (0.2), medium (0.5) and large (0.8) effect size as
      defined by Cohen. Sufficient power (1-beta) was considered to be 80% and a two
      tailed test was performed with an alpha value of 0.05. 120 RCTs were identified
      using our stated search protocol and just 73 studies (60.80%) described an
      appropriate sample size calculation. Examination of studies with negative primary
      outcome revealed that 68 (93.15%) were at risk of type II error for a small
      treatment effect and only 4 (5.48%) were at risk of type II error for a medium
      sized treatment effect. Although comparison of the results with existing data
      from over 10 years ago infers improved practice in sample size calculations
      within orthopaedic surgery, there remains an ongoing need for improvement of
      practice. Orthopaedic researchers, as well as journal reviewers and editors have
      a responsibility to ensure that RCTs conform to standardized methodological
      guidelines and perform appropriate sample size calculations. 

PMID- 26280865
TI  - A comparative study of less invasive stabilization system and titanium elastic
      nailing for subtrochanteric femur fractures in older children.
AB  - The objective of this study was to compare prospectively the complications and
      the radiographic and clinical outcomes of reverse less invasive stabilization
      system (LISS) and titanium elastic nailing (TEN) for the treatment of
      subtrochanteric femur fractures in older children. From April 2004 to February
      2012, 52 children aged from 10 to 15 years old with subtrochanteric fractures
      were included in this study. 26 patients were treated with reverse LISS (LISS
      group) and 26 children treated with titanium elastic nails (TEN group)
      respectively. Perioperative care was standardized. Surgical time, blood loss,
      length of hospitalization, hospital costs, fracture union time, full weight
      bearing time and complications were analyzed. The radiologic results as well as
      hip functional outcomes were evaluated. The average follow-up time of LISS group
      was 36.5+/-9.3 months and TEN group was 40.2+/-10.6 months. No significant
      difference between these two groups was found in union time, full weight-bearing
      time and average length of hospitalization. However, the patients of LISS group
      had longer operation time (60.0+/-10.6 min vs. 40.5+/-7.4 min, p<0.01), more
      blood loss (130.0+/-45.0 ml vs. 15.5+/-10.2 ml, p<0.01), and more hospital costs
      (25000+/-700 RMB vs. 10800+/-500 RMB, p<0.01). The overall complication rate was
      significantly higher in the LISS group than in the TEN group (12/26 vs. 5/26,
      p=0.039). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of
      early and late radiological results. Using the Sanders score system, there were
      13 excellent, 6 good and 7 fair results in the LISS group compared with 22
      excellent and 4 good results in the TEN group. The excellent and good rate was
      significantly different between the two groups (p=0.010). Our results indicated
      that TEN fixation of subtrochanteric femur fractures in older children was
      associated with better function scores and a lower overall complication rate when
      compared with reverse LISS.

PMID- 26280866
TI  - Functional outcome following primary total knee arthroplasty cannot be predicted
      using the initial post-operative radiograph.
AB  - Obtaining standardised post-operative radiographs following total knee
      arthroplasty is common practice. Little is known regarding how measurements taken
      from the initial post-operative radiograph correlate to functional outcome. The
      initial post-operative radiographs for 110 primary total knee arthroplasties were
      reviewed retrospectively. Femoral and tibial component alignment was measured by
      two independent consultant radiologists. Functional outcome was assessed by the
      Oxford Knee Score pre-operatively and one year post-operatively. Correlation was
      determined by Pearson correlation analysis. There was no significant correlation
      between the radiographic measurements with the one year post-operative Oxford
      Knee Score nor was there significant correlation with the difference in pre
      operative and post-operative scores. The initial post-operative radiograph cannot
      be used as a tool to reliably predict functional outcome at one year. 

PMID- 26280867
TI  - Arthroscopic treatment of avulsed tibial spine fractures using a transosseous
      sutures technique.
AB  - Severely displaced tibial spine fractures should be treated surgically to restore
      joint congruity and cruciate integrity with reduction and fixation through an
      arthrotomy or arthroscopic techniques. Arthroscopy is preferred as it allows for
      accurate diagnosis and treatment of associated injuries and reduction and
      fixation of all types of tibial spine fractures while reducing the morbidity
      associated with open techniques. We report the clinical and radiographical
      results of 11 cases treated with a technique of arthroscopic internal fixation
      with non-absorbable sutures, after an average follow-up of 16.3 months (range, 11
      to 21 months). The clinical examination using the IKDC system revealed all
      patients to have a negative Lachman test and no quadriceps weakness except one
      patient with some laxity (hard end 1+ Lachman test). One patient had a minor
      extension deficit of approximately 5 degrees . The other patients showed a full
      range of motion without extension loss. This technique is simple, reproducible
      and very useful in dealing with these fractures. 

PMID- 26280868
TI  - Anterior transfer of tibialis posterior tendon for treating drop foot: Technique
      of enforcing tendon implantation to improve success rate.
AB  - An absolutely convincing technique of anterior transfer of the tibialis posterior
      (TP) tendon for treating drop foot has not been developed. Thirty-seven
      consecutive adult patients with drop foot owing to deep peroneal nerve injury
      were treated with bone-to-bone TP tendon transfer. The TP tendon with a small
      bony attachment was procured from the undersurface of the navicula and then
      transferred through a tunnel of the interosseous membrane. The navicular
      attachment was implanted in the tunnel of the navicula or intermediate cuneiform.
      Cancellous bone graft procured from the distal tibial metaphysis was packed into
      the tunnel inlet. Side-to-side tendon suturing was performed between the TP
      tendon and tibialis anterior tendon. Thirty-one patients were followed for a mean
      of 2.8 years (range, 1.2-4.8 years), and all achieved satisfactory outcome for
      the ankle. All patients achieved a normal gait after one year and at the latest
      follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The described technique may provide a high success rate.
      This surgical technique is not complex, and complications are few.

PMID- 26280869
TI  - Isolated subtalar arthrodesis.
AB  - The aim of this study is to review the results of isolated subtalar arthrodesis
      in adults and to make a comparative analysis of the clinical outcomes between the
      patients with posttraumatic subtalar arthritis and the ones with other etiologic
      factors, and to evaluate the effects of grafting. This study included 19 men and
      12 women. The mean postoperative follow-up was 36.8 months. The mean AOFAS
      hindfoot score improved from a mean of 46 preoperatively to a mean of 77.3
      postoperatively. Thirty-one of 33 arthrodeses achieved bony union at a mean time
      of 15.7 weeks. The mean increase in the talocalcaneal height was 3.8 mm in the
      feet operated without grafting, whereas it was 8.1 mm in the feet for which
      grafting was performed. Improvement in talocalcaneal angle was significantly
      better in the feet operated with bone grafting. The feet with posttraumatic
      subtalar arthritis were more prone to Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. 

PMID- 26280870
TI  - Acute acromioclavicular dislocation: a cheaper, easier and all-arthroscopic
      system. Is it effective in nowadays economical crisis?
AB  - The objective of this manuscript is to show an effective, easier and cheaper way
      to reduce acute acromioclavicular (AC) dislocation type III and V (Rockwood
      classification). Numerous procedures have been described for surgical management
      of acromioclavicular joint disruption. Newest devices involve an arthroscopic
      technique that allows nonrigid anatomic fixation of the acromioclavicular joint.
      Arthroscopically assisted treatment of acute AC joint dislocation is advantageous
      because it provides good clinical results and few complications. It also allows
      reviewing glenohumeral associated lesions. This surgical technique requires no
      specific implants to achieve a correct AC reduction. Actually, economical
      advantages are very important factors to decide the use of determinate surgical
      techniques. 

PMID- 26280871
TI  - Proteomic study of pyrrolizidine alkaloid-induced hepatic sinusoidal obstruction
      syndrome in rats.
AB  - Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are a group of phytotoxins that can induce human
      liver injury, particularly hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (HSOS). To
      date, the molecular targets of PA-induced HSOS are largely unknown. In this
      study, retrorsine (RTS), a known hepatotoxic PA, was used as a representative PA
      for proteomic studies. Toxicological assessment demonstrated that 35 mg/kg RTS
      (designated as RTS-L) caused early lesions of HSOS at 24 h after dosing. A
      proteomic approach revealed 17 up-regulated and 31 down-regulated proteins in RTS
      L-treated rats. Subsequently, bioinformatic analysis suggested that two proteins,
      carbamoyl-phosphate synthase (CPS1) (p < 0.05) and ATP synthase subunit beta
      (ATP5B) (p < 0.01) were associated with RTS-L intoxication. Using
      immunohistochemical staining, we further verified the down-regulation of CPS1 and
      ATP5B in RTS-L-treated rats. These findings indicated that CPS1 and ATP5B were
      altered in the RTS-induced early lesions of HSOS in rats, and therefore, these
      two proteins and their involved pathways might play important roles in the
      initiation of HSOS. To the best of our knowledge, our study using a proteomic
      approach combined with conventional toxicological assessment is the first systems
      toxicology study on PA-induced HSOS. The results of this study provide novel
      findings on protein profiles in response to PA exposure, which can serve as a
      starting point to further investigate potential protein targets and their
      interactions with PAs to induce HSOS. 

PMID- 26280872
TI  - An Obtuse Rhombohedral Superlattice Assembled by Pt Nanocubes.
AB  - We grew large single three-dimensional supercrystals from colloidal Pt nanocubes
      (NCs) suspended in hexane. A synchrotron-based two circle diffractometer was used
      to obtain an unprecedented level of detail from full sets of small/wide-angle X
      ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS) patterns. Automatic indexing and simulations of X-ray
      patterns enabled detailed reconstruction of NC translation and shape orientation
      within the supercrystals from atomic to mesometric levels. The supercrystal has
      an obtuse rhombohedral (Rh) superlattice with space group R3m and a trigonal cell
      angle of 106.2 degrees . Individual NCs orient themselves in a manner of atomic
      Pt[111] parallel to superlattice Rh[111]. We analyzed the superlattice structure
      in context of three spatial relationships of proximate NCs including face-to
      face, edge-to-edge, and corner-to-corner configurations. Detailed analysis of
      supercrystal structure reveals nearly direct corner-to-corner contacts and a
      tight interlocking NC structure. We employed the correlations between strain and
      lattice distortion and established the first structural correlating mechanism
      between five superlattice polymorphs to elucidate the superlattice
      transformations and associated developing pathways. Together, the experimental
      and modeling results provide comprehensive structural information toward
      controlling design and efficient materials-processing for large fabrication of
      nanobased functional materials with tailored structures and desired properties. 

PMID- 26280873
TI  - Isolated Lingual Dyskinesia in Multiple Sclerosis.

PMID- 26280874
TI  - Testing Variations on Family-Style Feeding To Increase Whole Fruit and Vegetable
      Consumption among Preschoolers in Child Care.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Preschoolers do not consume whole fruit and vegetables (FVs) in
      recommended quantities. Two strategies to increase FV intake were tested.
      METHODS: One Head Start preschool participated. Two variations of family-style
      feeding were compared to usual practice: (1) Fruits, vegetables, and milk were
      served before the main meal (first course); and (2) fruits, vegetables, and milk
      were served before the main meal and meats and grains were removed from the table
      after the first serving (combination). A within-subject crossover design was used
      to test each condition for three meals. The amount of food served and consumed
      was weighed and converted to Child and Adult Care Feeding Program (CACFP)
      standard serving sizes for analysis. RESULTS: Eighty-five children ages 3-5
      participated. The sample was 81% Hispanic with diverse racial backgrounds. Thirty
      percent of the children were overweight. FV consumption was at CACFP recommended
      levels at baseline and remained consistent across conditions. The average amount
      served for each meal component was at or above CACFP recommendations for all
      foods except milk, which was consistently served in small portions. Meat and
      grains servings were frequently 2-3 times larger than CACFP recommendations. Milk
      consumption was significantly higher in the Combined intervention for two meals.
      Children ate significantly less meat during the Combined intervention for one
      meal. CONCLUSIONS: The intervention led to significant increases in milk
      consumption, which was the only underconsumed meal component. These strategies
      should be tested with children who have lower baseline intake of FVs.

PMID- 26280876
TI  - INFLAMMATORY MARKERS ASSOCIATED WITH TRAUMA AND INFECTION IN RED-TAILED HAWKS
      (BUTEO JAMAICENSIS) IN THE USA.
AB  - Changes in inflammatory marker concentrations or activity can be used to monitor
      health and disease condition of domestic animals but have not been applied with
      the same frequency to wildlife. We measured concentrations or activity of six
      inflammatory markers (ceruloplasmin, haptoglobin, mannan-binding lectin-dependent
      complement [MBL/complement], unsaturated iron-binding capacity (UIBC) and total
      iron-binding capacity (TIBC), and plasma iron) in apparently healthy and sick or
      injured Red-tailed Hawks (Buteo jamaicensis). Haptoglobin and ceruloplasmin
      activities were consistently elevated in sick or injured hawks (2.1 and 2.5 times
      higher, respectively), and plasma iron concentrations decreased (0.46 times
      lower), relative to those of healthy birds. There were no differences between
      healthy and unhealthy hawks in TIBC and UIBC concentrations or MBL/complement
      activity. Therefore, haptoglobin, ceruloplasmin, and plasma iron would be useful
      inclusions in a panel of inflammatory markers for monitoring health in raptors. 

PMID- 26280875
TI  - A combined clinical and biomarker approach to predict diuretic response in acute
      heart failure.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Poor diuretic response in acute heart failure is related to poor
      clinical outcome. The underlying mechanisms and pathophysiology behind diuretic
      resistance are incompletely understood. We evaluated a combined approach using
      clinical characteristics and biomarkers to predict diuretic response in acute
      heart failure (AHF). METHODS AND RESULTS: We investigated explanatory and
      predictive models for diuretic response--weight loss at day 4 per 40 mg of
      furosemide--in 974 patients with AHF included in the PROTECT trial. Biomarkers,
      addressing multiple pathophysiological pathways, were determined at baseline and
      after 24 h. An explanatory baseline biomarker model of a poor diuretic response
      included low potassium, chloride, hemoglobin, myeloperoxidase, and high blood
      urea nitrogen, albumin, triglycerides, ST2 and neutrophil gelatinase-associated
      lipocalin (r(2) = 0.086). Diuretic response after 24 h (early diuretic response)
      was a strong predictor of diuretic response (beta = 0.467, P < 0.001; r(2) =
      0.523). Addition of diuretic response after 24 h to biomarkers and clinical
      characteristics significantly improved the predictive model (r(2) = 0.586, P <
      0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Biomarkers indicate that diuretic unresponsiveness is
      associated with an atherosclerotic profile with abnormal renal function and
      electrolytes. However, predicting diuretic response is difficult and biomarkers
      have limited additive value. Patients at risk of poor diuretic response can be
      identified by measuring early diuretic response after 24 h.

PMID- 26280878
TI  - THE PARADOX OF EUTHANIZING KOALAS (PHASCOLARCTOS CINEREUS) TO SAVE POPULATIONS
      FROM ELIMINATION.
AB  - Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) populations in the wild are in sharp decline in
      Australia due to deforestation, road accidents, dog attacks, and disease from
      infection with sexually transmitted Chlamydia spp. Severely diseased koalas that
      are captured are euthanized for humane reasons because antibiotics are not
      effective. Paradoxically, we propose that euthanizing more koalas could help to
      increase koala population numbers. We investigated the potential impact of
      systematically euthanizing diseased koalas. Using data from a well-studied koala
      population, and an individual-based computer simulation model, we predict that
      such a program would result in a larger population of koalas after 7 yr than
      would exist without the program. If terminally diseased and sterile koalas are
      euthanized and other infected captured koalas are given antibiotics, chlamydial
      infection could be eliminated and population growth observed after 4 yr. The
      practical implementation of such a program would be facilitated with further
      development of tools to diagnose infection and internal disease in the field. 

PMID- 26280877
TI  - Identification of Novel Gammaherpesviruses in Ocelots (Leopardus pardalis) and
      Bobcats (Lynx rufus) in Panama and Colorado, USA.
AB  - Gammaherpesviruses (GHVs) have been identified in many species and are often
      associated with disease. Recently, we characterized three novel felid GHVs in
      domestic cats (Felis catus), bobcats (Lynx rufus), and pumas (Puma concolor). We
      investigated whether free-ranging ocelots (Leopardus pardalis) and bobcats are
      infected with additional GHVs. We screened DNA samples from ocelots on Barro
      Colorado Island, Panama, and bobcats in western Colorado, US, by using a
      degenerate nested PCR that targets the GHV glycoprotein B gene. We identified a
      novel GHV glycoprotein B sequence in two ocelots and a second novel sequence in a
      bobcat, which is distinct from the previously characterized bobcat GHV (Lynx
      rufus GHV 1). Utilizing additional degenerate and virus-specific PCRs, we
      extended these sequences to include 3.4 kilobases of the GHV glycoprotein B and
      DNA polymerase genes. These sequences identify the first GHV detected in ocelots
      and the second GHV in bobcats. These viruses were provisionally named L. pardalis
      GHV 1 and Lynx rufus GHV 2, respectively. The viruses are most closely related to
      recently identified GHVs of the Percavirus genus found in domestic cats (F. catus
      GHV 1) and bobcats (L. rufus GHV 1), suggesting that a cluster of felid GHVs
      exists within the Percavirus genus. 

PMID- 26280879
TI  - DENTAL ABNORMALITIES OF EIGHT WILD QINLING GIANT PANDAS (AILUROPODA MELANOLEUCA
      QINLINGENSIS), SHAANXI PROVINCE, CHINA.
AB  - Eight adult (six male and two female) wild Qinling giant pandas (Ailuropoda
      melanoleuca qinlingensis) from China National Foping Nature Reserve were tracked,
      and their dental data collected and recorded from October 2010 to April 2014.
      Each panda had dental abnormalities of varying severity. Dental wear and fracture
      were the most common conditions. Absent teeth were common, with premolars missing
      most often. Mild caries were present in five molar teeth between two animals.
      Different degrees of dental plaque and calculus occurred in all animals but
      without severe periodontal disease. Two animals with severe dental abnormalities
      died due to intestinal problems. Large segments of bamboo were found in their
      intestinal tracts, and intestinal perforation and ulcers were evident, indicating
      dental abnormalities can be an important factor in the health of wild giant
      pandas and may lead to death. Further research with larger sample sizes of wild
      and captive giant pandas will be required to substantiate the relationship
      between dental abnormalities and mortality in giant pandas. 

PMID- 26280880
TI  - Hematologic and Serum Biochemical Reference Intervals for the Bilby (Macrotis
      lagotis).
AB  - Hematologic and serum biochemistry blood reference intervals were established for
      the endangered marsupial, the bilby (Macrotis lagotis). Blood samples were
      collected from 135 bilbies that were housed in a captive breeding colony or were
      free ranging in a 10-ha exclosure. Statistical analyses were undertaken, and
      significant differences in parameters were found depending on age, sex, and
      captive or free-ranging status of animals. These reference intervals will assist
      ongoing health and conservation management of this endangered marsupial species. 

PMID- 26280881
TI  - The Parasite Fauna of the Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus) in Iceland.
AB  - We examined 46 Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus) carcasses from Iceland for parasites,
      including 29 first-year birds and 17 second-year birds and older. Endoparasites
      observed were the trematodes Cryptocotyle lingua (prevalence 8%), Cryptocotyle
      concavum (4%), and Strigea sp. (8%); the cestode Mesocestoides sp. (27%); and the
      nematodes Eucoleus contortus (76%) and Serratospiculum guttatum (7%).
      Ectoparasites included the astigmatan mite Dubininia accipitrina (47%), a
      mesostigmatan rhynonyssid mite (4%), the tick Ixodes caledonicus (20%), the
      mallophagans Degeeriella rufa (90%) and Nosopon lucidum (7%), the flea
      Ceratophyllus vagabundus (7%), and the louse fly Ornithomya chloropus (7%).
      Cryptocotyle lingua, C. concavum, S. guttatum, D. accipitrina, I. caledonicus,
      and N. lucidum are new host records. Of the five most common parasites
      (prevalence >= 20%) only Mesocestoides sp. showed a significant age relationship,
      being more prevalent in adult falcons (P = 0.021). Eucoleus contortus was also
      more prevalent in adults with marginal statistical significance (P = 0.058).
      Frounce, caused by E. contortus (possibly also by Trichomonas gallinae, which was
      not searched for in the survey) was highly prevalent (43%), but did not show a
      relationship with host age (P = 0.210). Birds with frounce were in poorer body
      condition than healthy birds (P = 0.015).

PMID- 26280883
TI  - Multiphase Postmortem Computed Tomography Angiography in Pediatrics: A Case
      Report.
AB  - Postmortem imaging techniques, especially postmortem computed tomography, have
      become integral tools in forensic investigations. Multiphase postmortem computed
      tomography angiography (MPMCTA) visualizes the vascular system in detail and
      makes it possible to evaluate the perfusion of even the smallest vessels.
      Although the technique has been well described for adults, no pediatric cases
      have been reported and no pediatric protocol has been established for this type
      of investigation. We present the case a 7-year-old child for which we used a
      previously described MPMCTA protocol and adapted values of perfusion, with the
      same technical equipment as for adult cases. Our main objective was to propose a
      perfusion protocol adapted for the investigation of infants and children.
      Moreover, we discuss both the difficulties that we encountered and possible ways
      to further improve the investigation of pediatric cases by MPMCTA. 

PMID- 26280882
TI  - Symptomatic sensorineural hearing loss in patients with ulcerative colitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sensorineural hearing loss has been reported as an extraintestinal
      manifestation of inflammatory bowel disease, especially in adult patients with
      ulcerative colitis. However, to date only a few series have been reported in the
      literature, and none from Italy. The aim of the present investigation was to
      assess the prevalence of symptomatic sensorineural hearing loss in Italian
      patients with ulcerative colitis. METHODS: We retrospectively assessed the charts
      of all patients with ulcerative colitis who underwent otolaryngologic
      investigation in a 10-year period. RESULTS: Complete charts of 57 patients were
      available for the observation period. Reasons for head and neck investigation
      were transient, mild hearing loss and sporadic vertigo. Clinical and instrumental
      head and neck examination was unremarkable in all but one woman who complained of
      mild hearing loss without vertigo or tinnitus, in whom sensorineural hearing loss
      was diagnosed. CONCLUSIONS: In our series, sensorineural hearing loss was found
      in less than 2 % of adult patients with ulcerative colitis evaluated in a
      department of otolaryngology. Systematic evaluation for this extraintestinal
      manifestation should not be carried out unless hearing loss is present.

PMID- 26280884
TI  - Nontraumatic Retroperitoneal Hematoma After Warfarin Administration: Fatal Case
      Report and Review of the Literature.
AB  - Spontaneous retroperitoneal hematoma after warfarin therapy is an extremely rare
      event. Here, we report a 25-year-old man who was brought in to the emergency
      service with confusion. On arrival, the patient had hypotension, tachycardia,
      tachypnea, low-grade fever, and Glasgow Coma Scale score of 12. Abdominal
      examination revealed distention and mild tenderness in the right upper quadrant
      of the abdomen. The patient had a history of aortic valve replacement surgery and
      was on warfarin treatment at an international normalized ratio of 2.4. Our
      patient progressed to cardiorespiratory arrest. The resuscitation was initiated
      promptly. Despite all resuscitation measures, including transfusion and
      administration of high doses of catecholamine, the patient died of hypovolemic
      shock 3 hours after admission. At autopsy, the external surface of the abdominal
      great vessels (descending aorta and mesenteric vessels) showed scattered
      petechial hemorrhages without any visible site of perforation. After
      comprehensive exploration of the abdomen, no evidence of traumatic event was
      identified and the cause of internal blood loss was noted as warfarin adverse
      effect. 

PMID- 26280885
TI  - Use of renal risk drugs in patients with renal impairment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Renal impairment often goes unrecognised until the most advanced
      stages. Patients with renal impairment use a variety of drugs and the
      pharmacokinetics and drug effects are prone to change. OBJECTIVE: Describe drug
      related problems in a population of patients with renal impairment, investigate
      possible risk factors, and investigate whether the clinical pharmacist can
      propose relevant measures to solve the problems. SETTING: The internal medicine
      department at Innlandet Hospital Trust Gjovik, Norway. METHOD: A prospective
      study enrolling patients (>=18 years) with moderate and severe renal impairment,
      i.e. with glomerular filtration rate of 30-59 and 15-29 ml/min/1.73 m(2),
      respectively, and using at least one drug. The clinical pharmacist reviewed the
      patients' drug regimen with focus on drug related problems, related to renal
      function. Problems identified were discussed with the multidisciplinary team, or
      directly with the physician. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The number of drug related
      problems. RESULTS: The results are based on data from 79 patients, 21 with severe
      and 58 with moderate renal impairment. Most patients, 92.4 %, used 5 or more
      drugs; in average 10.2 (range 2-27). In total, 88 drug related problems were
      identified in 49 patients, i.e. in 62 %. The most frequently occurring problems
      were incorrect dose (45.5 %) and inappropriate drug (41.0 %). There was a
      significant correlation between both the degree of renal impairment and the
      number of drugs, and the number of drug related problems. The acceptance rate of
      the clinical pharmacist's interventions was 95.7 %. The drugs most frequently
      associated with drug related problems were metformin, benzylpenicillin and
      furosemide. CONCLUSION: Drug related problems often occur in patients with renal
      impairment. Incorrect drug dose and inappropriate drug choice according to the
      patients' renal function were the most common problems. Patients with the most
      complex drug treatment, i.e. with increasing degree of renal impairment and
      increasing number of drugs, are at greater risk of drug related problems. The
      high acceptance rate for the pharmacist's interventions supports the inclusion of
      a clinical pharmacist in the multidisciplinary treatment team to increase
      awareness and optimisation of the drug treatment in this patient group.

PMID- 26280886
TI  - Monoterpenoid Indole Alkaloids from Inadequately Dried Leaves of Alstonia
      scholaris.
AB  - Six new indole alkaloids, named alstoniascholarines L-Q (1-6), together with
      nineteen known analogues were isolated from the inadequately dried leaves of
      Alstonia scholaris. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive
      analysis of spectroscopic data and by comparison of their physical and
      spectroscopic data with the literature values. In addition, the new alkaloids
      were tested for their cytotoxic and neurite outgrowth-promoting activities. 

PMID- 26280887
TI  - Immune Regulation by Dead Cell Clearance.
AB  - When cell death occurs in vivo, cell corpses are not left untreated, but are
      recognized and engulfed by phagocytes, such as macrophages and dendritic cells.
      In the past, cell death had been considered the final process of a cell's life,
      and cell corpses had been viewed as debris that is simply to be cleared by
      phagocytes. Recently, however, it has become clearer that various biological
      responses are induced with dead cells as the starting point. Most of these
      biological responses followed by cell death are thought to be mediated by
      macrophages and dendritic cells. In this review, we present the overview of
      molecular mechanisms and biological significance of dead cell clearance.

PMID- 26280888
TI  - Hormonal and intrauterine methods for contraception for women aged 25 years and
      younger.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Women between the ages of 15 and 24 years have high rates of
      unintended pregnancy; over half of women in this age group want to avoid
      pregnancy. However, women under age 25 years have higher typical contraceptive
      failure rates within the first 12 months of use than older women. High
      discontinuation rates may also be a problem in this population. Concern that
      adolescents and young women will not find hormonal or intrauterine contraceptives
      acceptable or effective might deter healthcare providers from recommending these
      contraceptive methods. OBJECTIVES: To compare the contraceptive failure
      (pregnancy) rates and to examine the continuation rates for hormonal and
      intrauterine contraception among young women aged 25 years and younger. SEARCH
      METHODS: We searched until 4 August 2015 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
      that compared hormonal or intrauterine methods of contraception in women aged 25
      years and younger. Computerized databases included the Cochrane Register of
      Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE, POPLINE, CINAHL, and LILACS. We
      also searched for current trials via ClinicalTrials.gov and the International
      Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP). SELECTION CRITERIA: We considered RCTs
      in any language that reported the contraceptive failure rates for hormonal or
      intrauterine contraceptive methods, when compared with another contraceptive
      method, for women aged 25 years and younger. The other contraceptive method could
      have been another intrauterine contraceptive, another hormonal contraceptive or
      different dose of the same method, or a non-hormonal contraceptive. Treatment
      duration must have been at least three months. Eligible trials had to include the
      primary outcome of contraceptive failure rate (pregnancy). The secondary outcome
      was contraceptive continuation rate. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: One author
      conducted the primary data extraction and entered the information into Review
      Manager. Another author performed an independent data extraction and verified the
      initial entry. For dichotomous outcomes, we computed the Mantel-Haenszel odds
      ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Because of disparate interventions
      and outcome measures, we did not conduct meta-analysis. MAIN RESULTS: Five trials
      met the inclusion criteria. The studies included a total of 1503 women, with a
      mean of 301 participants. The trials compared the following contraceptives:
      combined oral contraceptive (COC) versus transdermal contraceptive patch, vaginal
      contraceptive ring, or levonorgestrel intrauterine system 20 ug/day (LNG-IUS 20);
      LNG-IUS 12 ug/day (LNG-IUS 12) versus LNG-IUS 16 ug/day (LNG-IUS 16); and LNG-IUS
      20 versus the copper T380A intrauterine device (IUD). In the trials comparing two
      different types of methods, the study arms did not differ significantly for
      contraceptive efficacy or continuation. The sample sizes were small for two of
      those studies. The only significant outcome was that a COC group had a higher
      proportion of women who discontinued for 'other personal reasons' compared with
      the group assigned to the LNG-IUS 20 (OR 0.27, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.85), which may
      have little clinic relevance. The trial comparing LNG-IUS 12 versus LNG-IUS 16
      showed similar efficacy over one and three years. In three trials that examined
      different LNG-IUS, continuation was at least 75% at 6 to 36 months. AUTHORS'
      CONCLUSIONS: We considered the overall quality of evidence to be moderate to low.
      Limitations were due to trial design or limited reporting. Different doses in the
      LNG-IUS did not appear to influence efficacy over three years. In another study,
      continuation of the LNG-IUS appeared at least as high as that for the COC. The
      current evidence was insufficient to compare efficacy and continuation rates for
      hormonal and intrauterine contraceptive methods in women aged 25 years and
      younger.

PMID- 26280889
TI  - High resolution FDG-microPET of carotid atherosclerosis: plaque components
      underlying enhanced FDG uptake.
AB  - This study sought to discover which atherosclerotic plaque components co-localize
      with enhanced [(18)F]-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake in carotid positron
      emission tomography (PET) images. Although in vivo PET currently lacks the
      resolution, high-resolution ex vivo FDG-microPET with histology validation of
      excised carotid plaque might accomplish this goal. Thirteen patients were
      injected with FDG before carotid endarterectomy. After excision, the plaque
      specimens were scanned by microPET and magnetic resonance imaging, and then
      serially sectioned for histological analysis. Two analyses were performed using
      generalized linear mixed models: (1) a PET-driven analysis which sampled high and
      low FDG uptake areas from PET images to identify their components in matched
      histology specimens; and (2) a histology-driven analysis where specific plaque
      components were selected and matched to corresponding PET images. In the PET
      driven analysis, regions of high FDG uptake were more likely to contain
      inflammatory cells (p < 0.001) and neovasculature (p = 0.008) than regions of low
      FDG uptake. In the histology-driven analysis, regions with inflammatory cells (p
      = 0.001) and regions with loose extracellular matrix (p = 0.001) were associated
      with enhanced FDG uptake. Furthermore, areas of complex inflammatory cell
      infiltrate (co-localized macrophages, lymphocytes and foam cells) had the highest
      FDG uptake among inflammatory subgroups (p < 0.001). In conclusion, in carotid
      plaque, regions of inflammatory cell infiltrate, particularly complex one, co
      localized with enhanced FDG uptake in high-resolution FDG-microPET images. Loose
      extracellular matrix and areas containing neovasculature also produced FDG
      signal. This study points to the potential ability of FDG-PET to detect the
      cellular components of the vulnerable plaque.

PMID- 26280890
TI  - Plaque assessment by coronary CT.
AB  - Coronary CT angiography (CTA) has emerged as a highly reliable and non-invasive
      modality for the exclusion of coronary artery disease. Recent technological
      advancements in coronary CTA imaging allow for robust qualitative and
      quantitative assessment of atherosclerotic plaques. Furthermore, CTA is a
      promising modality for functional evaluation of coronary lesions. Individual
      plaque features, the extent and severity of atherosclerotic plaque burden were
      proposed to improve cardiovascular risk stratification. It has been suggested
      that total atherosclerotic plaque burden is a stronger predictor of coronary
      events than total ischemia burden. The quest to noninvasively detect individual
      vulnerable plaques still remains. In the current review we sought to summarize
      state-of-the-art coronary artery plaque assessment by CTA. 

PMID- 26280892
TI  - Pregnancy Outcome in Patients with Common Variable Immunodeficiency.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of our retrospective study was to clarify fertility, pregnancy
      complications and outcomes in common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) females.
      METHODS: Retrospective data were obtained from three Czech referral centres. The
      data were compared with data obtained from the Czech National Registry of
      Reproduction Health. RESULTS: Our cohort of patients comprised 54 women with 115
      pregnancies; 88 pregnancies in 50 females were finished with live births (77 %).
      In only 8 women (15%) was the diagnosis of CVID established before the first
      pregnancy. Replacement immunoglobulin therapy was performed in 10 patients
      without any moderate or severe adverse effects. Compared with the Czech
      population, the CVID patients suffered significantly more frequently from the
      threat of preterm labour (p < 0.0001), vaginal bleeding (p = 0.0001),
      eclampsia/preeclampsia (p = 0.009) and a higher number of stillbirths (p <
      0.0001). Furthermore, the frequency of babies with low birth weight (less than
      2500 g) born to the CVID patients was increased compared with the normal
      population (p < 0.0001). Serum IgG, IgA and IgM determination was done in 57
      children of 50 mothers showing 13 cases of IgA deficiency (23%). There was no
      significant difference among the non-symptomatic, symptomatic untreated and
      symptomatic treated females in any of the determined gynaecological
      complications. The number of unsuccessful pregnancies was higher in the
      symptomatic untreated women. CONCLUSIONS: Fertility in CVID patients is not
      decreased, and their pregnancies could be considered more risky compared with
      those of the general population.

PMID- 26280893
TI  - Effects of preoperative and intraoperative glucose administration on glucose use
      and fat catabolism during laparotomy under sevoflurane anesthesia in fasted rats.
AB  - Preoperative fasting as well as surgical stress significantly modifies
      metabolisms. Recent studies reported the possible advantageous effects of glucose
      administration on perioperative metabolisms; however, the underlying mechanisms
      have not been fully elucidated. Rats were allocated to three groups. During the
      fasting period, groups A and B were administered water, but group C was
      administered glucose. During laparotomy and the insulin tolerance test (ITT)
      under sevoflurane anesthesia, group A was administered saline, but groups B and C
      were administered glucose. During laparotomy, group C showed higher glucose
      levels and lower beta-hydroxybutyrate (beta-OHB) levels than group A, and group B
      showed more decreases in beta-OHB levels than group A without differences in
      changes in glucose levels. Insulin levels and insulin sensitivity during
      laparotomy were similar among the three groups. No significant difference in
      insulin sensitivity was also confirmed in ITT. In conclusion, perioperative
      glucose administration suppresses lipolysis without affecting insulin secretion
      and sensitivity. 

PMID- 26280891
TI  - The Ying and Yang of STAT3 in Human Disease.
AB  - The transcription factor signal transducer and activator of transcription 3
      (STAT3) is a critical regulator of multiple, diverse cellular processes.
      Heterozgyous, germline, loss-of-function mutations in STAT3 lead to the primary
      immune deficiency Hyper-IgE syndrome. Heterozygous, somatic, gain-of-function
      mutations in STAT3 have been reported in malignancy. Recently, germline,
      heterozygous mutations in STAT3 that confer a gain-of-function have been
      discovered and result in early-onset, multi-organ autoimmunity. This review
      summarizes what is known about the role of STAT3 in human disease.

PMID- 26280894
TI  - Expression of SIRT1 and apoptosis-related proteins is predictive for lymph node
      metastasis and disease-free survival in luminal A breast cancer.
AB  - Luminal A breast cancer can present with early, unexpected lymph node metastasis,
      and sentinel lymph node biopsy has been reported false negative in some cases. We
      aimed to construct a biomarker-based model that predicts lymph node metastasis in
      luminal A breast cancer, using expression of silent mating type information
      regulation 2 homolog 1 (SIRT1) and apoptosis-related factors, which are known to
      be closely related. We selected tissue samples of 278 cases of luminal A invasive
      ductal carcinoma, constructed tissue microarrays, and performed
      immunohistochemical staining for SIRT1 and four apoptosis-related proteins. In
      constructing the best predictive model for lymph node metastasis, six
      clinicopathological parameters and five molecular markers were considered.
      Independent factors predictive of lymph node metastasis were pT stage (OR 1.829,
      p = 0.027), lymphovascular invasion (OR 4.128, p < 0.001), and decreased
      expression of caspase-3 (OR 0.535, p = 0.034) and of SIRT1 (OR 0.526, p = 0.053).
      A combination nuclear grade, lymphovascular invasion, increased B-cell lymphoma 2
      (Bcl-2) expression, and reduced expression of caspase-3 and of SIRT1 yielded the
      strongest predictive performance for lymph node metastasis with an area under the
      curve (AUC) of 0.696. This combination was also predictive of shortened disease
      free survival (73.1 vs. 67.7 months, p = 0.003). Our data support a role of SIRT1
      protein as tumor suppressor in luminal A breast cancer, in association with
      apoptosis-related proteins. Our model based upon a combination of these
      biomarkers is expected to increase accuracy of prediction of lymph node
      metastasis in luminal A breast cancer. This might serve as a valuable tool in
      determining the optimal surgical strategy in breast cancer patients.

PMID- 26280896
TI  - Symptom Burden Among Patients Who Were Hospitalized for Heart Failure.

PMID- 26280895
TI  - Spatio-temporal Use of Oral Rabies Vaccines in Fox Rabies Elimination Programmes
      in Europe.
AB  - In Europe, the elimination of wildlife rabies using oral rabies vaccination [ORV]
      of foxes for more than 30 years has been a success story. Since a comprehensive
      review on the scope of the different oral rabies vaccine baits distributed across
      Europe has not been available yet, we evaluated the use of different vaccine
      baits over the entire period of ORV [1978-2014]. Our findings provide valuable
      insights into the complexity of ORV programs in terms of vaccine related issues.
      More than 10 oral vaccines against rabies were used over the past four decades.
      Depending on many factors, the extent to which oral rabies virus vaccines were
      used varied considerably resulting in huge differences in the number of vaccine
      doses disseminated in ORV campaigns as well as in large spatial and temporal
      overlaps. Although vaccine virus strains derived from the SAD rabies virus
      isolate were the most widely used, the success of ORV campaigns in Europe cannot
      be assigned to a single oral rabies virus vaccine alone. Rather, the successful
      elimination of fox rabies is the result of an interaction of different key
      components of ORV campaigns, i.e. vaccine strain, vaccine bait and strategy of
      distribution. 

PMID- 26280897
TI  - Disability Pensions due to Skin Diseases: A Cohort Study in Swedish Construction
      Workers.
AB  - Disability pensions due to skin diseases in Swedish male construction workers
      were studied by linking data from pension registers and an occupational health
      service. Incidence rates of disability pensions for cement workers, painters and
      plumbers were compared with 2 control groups. A total of 623 disability pensions
      were granted during 4 decades of follow-up. The main diagnoses were eczema (36%)
      and psoriasis (49%). Pensions were mostly granted in the age range 55-64 years.
      Among painters, cement workers and plumbers the incidence rates for disability
      pensions were 33.3, 24.5 and 20.4 cases/100,000 person-years, respectively,
      compared with 13.7 and 9.2 cases/100,000 person-years in control groups. Relative
      risks were highest for eczema, and were notable for psoriasis. Attributable
      fractions for eczema were 90% in cement workers and painters and 75% in plumbers
      compared with control groups. Attributable fractions for psoriasis in the
      occupational groups studied were in the range 54-67%. In conclusion, eczema and
      psoriasis have a high impact on loss of work ability, as reflected by disability
      pensions. 

PMID- 26280898
TI  - Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Fluorinated 3-Phenylcoumarin-7-O-Sulfamate
      Derivatives as Steroid Sulfatase Inhibitors.
AB  - In the present work, we report the initial results of our study on a series of 3
      phenylcoumarin sulfamate-based compounds containing C-F bonds as novel inhibitors
      of steroid sulfatase. The new compounds are potent steroid sulfatase inhibitors,
      possessing more than 10 times higher inhibitory potency than coumarin-7-O
      sulfamate. In the course of our investigation, compounds 2b and 2c demonstrated
      the highest inhibitory effect on the enzymatic steroid sulfatase assay; both had
      IC50 values of 0.27 MUm (the IC50 value of coumarin-7-O-sulfamate is 3.5 MUm,
      used as a reference). 

PMID- 26280899
TI  - Complement Modulation of Anti-Aging Factor Klotho in Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury
      and Delayed Graft Function.
AB  - Klotho is an anti-aging factor mainly produced by renal tubular epithelial cells
      (TEC) with pleiotropic functions. Klotho is down-regulated in acute kidney injury
      in native kidney; however, the modulation of Klotho in kidney transplantation has
      not been investigated. In a swine model of ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI), we
      observed a remarkable reduction of renal Klotho by 24 h from IRI. Complement
      inhibition by C1-inhibitor preserved Klotho expression in vivo by abrogating
      nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) signaling. In accordance, complement anaphylotoxin
      C5a led to a significant down-regulation of Klotho in TEC in vitro that was NF-kB
      mediated. Analysis of Klotho in kidneys from cadaveric donors demonstrated a
      significant expression of Klotho in pre-implantation biopsies; however, patients
      affected by delayed graft function (DGF) showed a profound down-regulation of
      Klotho compared with patients with early graft function. Quantification of serum
      Klotho after 2 years from transplantation demonstrated significant lower levels
      in DGF patients. Our data demonstrated that complement might be pivotal in the
      down-regulation of Klotho in IRI leading to a permanent deficiency after years
      from transplantation. Considering the anti-senescence and anti-fibrotic effects
      of Klotho at renal levels, we hypothesize that this acquired deficiency of Klotho
      might contribute to DGF-associated chronic allograft dysfunction. 

PMID- 26280902
TI  - Effects of Se on the Diversity of SelT Synthesis and Distribution in Different
      Smooth Muscle Tissues in Rats.
AB  - Selenium (Se) is a nutritionally essential trace element associated with health
      and disease, including many muscle diseases. Selenoprotein T (SelT) has been
      identified as a member of the redoxin protein family that includes
      selenocysteine, localizing to the endoplasmic reticulum. The synthesis of
      selenoprotein is influenced by Se. However, there is currently no data concerning
      the pattern of SelT expression in smooth muscle tissues. To investigate the
      effects of dietary Se on the expression of SelT, 90 rats were randomly allocated
      into three groups: LG, NG, and HG. The LG group was fed a basal diet deficient in
      Se (containing 0.023 mg/kg Se); the NG and HG groups were fed Se-supplemented
      diets containing either 0.3 or 1.5 mg/kg Se, respectively, for 90 days. The
      smooth muscle of the esophagus, trachea, stomach, intestine, and blood vessels
      was collected when the rats were 90 days old. The Se content in the blood and
      tissues was examined. The messenger RNA (mRNA) of selenocysteine-tRNA([Ser]Sec)
      synthase (SecS), selenophosphate synthetase 1 (SPS1), selenophosphate synthetase
      2 (SPS2), and SelT were examined using qPCR, and SelT protein was detected by
      Western blotting. The results indicated that Se had an effect on the mRNA levels
      of SecS, with little effect on those of SPS1 in smooth muscle tissues. SelT was
      expressed in the smooth muscle tissues of blood vessels, esophagus, bronchus,
      stomach, and intestine, and the transcription of the SelT was very sensitive to
      dietary Se. Thus, SelT may play a major role in the mechanisms underlying the
      biological activity of Se in smooth muscle tissues.

PMID- 26280901
TI  - Absence of canonical marks of active chromatin in developmentally regulated
      genes.
AB  - The interplay of active and repressive histone modifications is assumed to have a
      key role in the regulation of gene expression. In contrast to this generally
      accepted view, we show that the transcription of genes temporally regulated
      during fly and worm development occurs in the absence of canonically active
      histone modifications. Conversely, strong chromatin marking is related to
      transcriptional and post-transcriptional stability, an association that we also
      observe in mammals. Our results support a model in which chromatin marking is
      associated with the stable production of RNA, whereas unmarked chromatin would
      permit rapid gene activation and deactivation during development. In the latter
      case, regulation by transcription factors would have a comparatively more
      important regulatory role than chromatin marks.

PMID- 26280900
TI  - Germline duplication of ATG2B and GSKIP predisposes to familial myeloid
      malignancies.
AB  - No major predisposition gene for familial myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) has
      been identified. Here we demonstrate that the autosomal dominant transmission of
      a 700-kb duplication in four genetically related families predisposes to myeloid
      malignancies, including MPN, frequently progressing to leukemia. Using induced
      pluripotent stem cells and primary cells, we demonstrate that overexpression of
      ATG2B and GSKIP enhances hematopoietic progenitor differentiation, including of
      megakaryocytes, by increasing progenitor sensitivity to thrombopoietin (TPO).
      ATG2B and GSKIP cooperate with acquired JAK2, MPL and CALR mutations during MPN
      development. Thus, the germline duplication may change the fitness of cells
      harboring signaling pathway mutations and increases the probability of disease
      development. 

PMID- 26280903
TI  - cAMP/PKA Signaling Pathway Induces Apoptosis by Inhibited NF-kappaB in Aluminum
      Chloride-Treated Lymphocytes In Vitro.
AB  - To explore the apoptosis mechanism in lymphocytes of rats induced by aluminum
      chloride (AlCl3) by activating cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)/protein
      kinase A (PKA) signaling pathway, the splenic lymphocytes of rats were cultured
      and exposed to different concentrations of AlCl3 for 24 h. The final
      concentrations of AlCl3 (AlCl3 . 6H2O) in supernatant were 0 (control group, CG),
      0.3 mmol/L (low-dose group, LG), 0.6 mmol/L (mid-dose group, MG), and 1.2 mmol/L
      (high-dose group, HG), respectively. Lymphocytes Apoptosis rate, intracellular
      cAMP content, PKA, survivin, B cell lymphoma/leukemia-2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2
      associated X protein (Bax) mRNA expressions, and the mRNA and protein expressions
      of nuclear factor-kappa-gene binding (NF-kappaB, p65) were detected,
      respectively. The results showed that apoptosis index of lymphocytes, cAMP
      content in intracellular and PKA mRNA expression were significantly upregulated,
      whereas NF-kappaB and survivin mRNA expressions, nuclear NF-kappaB (p65) protein
      expression, and the ratio of Bcl-2 and Bax mRNA expression were downregulated in
      the AlCl3-treated groups compared with those in CG. The results indicated that
      the activated cAMP/PKA signaling pathway induces apoptosis by inhibited NF-kappaB
      in AlCl3-treated lymphocytes in vitro.

PMID- 26280904
TI  - Comparison of three retreatment techniques with ultrasonic activation in
      flattened canals using micro-computed tomography and scanning electron
      microscopy.
AB  - AIM: To use micro-CT to quantitatively evaluate the amount of residual filling
      material after using several techniques to remove root fillings with and without
      ultrasonic activation and to analyse the cleanliness of the root canal walls and
      dentine tubules with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). METHODOLOGY: The root
      canals of one hundred and eight human mandibular incisors were selected and
      instrumented with rotary files using the BioRace system up to file size 40, .04
      taper. After instrumentation, the teeth were filled using a hybrid technique with
      gutta-percha and sealer then divided into three groups according to the method
      used for removing the root filling: G1-Reciproc (using only instrument R50), G2
      ProTaper Universal retreatment system and G3-Manual (hand files and Gates-Glidden
      burs). All groups were divided into two subgroups depending on whether ultrasonic
      agitation was used with the irrigants. Micro-CT scans were taken before and after
      removal of the filling material to detect residual material in the canal. After
      micro-CT analysis, the roots were cut in half, imaged by SEM and scored based on
      the amount of surface covered by root filling remnants. The data were analysed
      statistically using a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: All groups had retained
      material in the root canals after instrumentation. The Reciproc method was
      associated with less retained material than the ProTaper and Manual methods.
      Ultrasonic activation significantly reduced the amount of residual root filling
      in all groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: None of the instrumentation methods were
      able to completely remove root filling material. Ultrasonic activation improved
      the removal of root filling material in all groups.

PMID- 26280905
TI  - Mechanistic Study on the Formation of Cl-/Br-/I-Trihalomethanes during
      Chlorination/Chloramination Combined with a Theoretical Cytotoxicity Evaluation.
AB  - Chlorination followed by chloramination can be used to mitigate the formation of
      potentially toxic iodinated disinfection byproducts (I-DBPs) while controlling
      the formation of regulated chloro-bromo-DBPs (Cl-/Br-DBPs). Water samples
      containing dissolved organic matter (DOM) isolates were subjected to 3
      disinfection scenarios: NH2Cl, prechlorination followed by ammonia addition, and
      HOCl alone. A theoretical cytotoxicity evaluation was carried out based on the
      trihalomethanes (THMs) formed. This study demonstrates that the presence of
      bromide not only enhances the yield and rate of iodate formation, it also
      increases the formation of brominated I-THM precursors. A shift in the speciation
      from CHCl2I to the more toxic CHBr2I, as well as increased iodine incorporation
      in THMs, was observed in the presence of bromide. For low bromide concentrations,
      a decrease in I-THM formation and theoretical cytotoxicity was achieved only for
      high prechlorination times, while for high bromide concentrations, a short
      prechlorination time enabled the full conversion of iodide to iodate. For low DOM
      concentrations or DOM with low reactivity, Br-/I-THMs were preferentially formed
      for short prechlorination times, inducing high cytotoxicity. However, for high
      chlorine exposures, the cytotoxicity induced by the formation of regulated THMs
      might outweigh the benefit of I-THM mitigation. For high DOM concentrations or
      DOM with higher reactivity, mixed I-THMs were formed together with high
      concentrations of regulated THMs. In this case, based on the cytotoxicity of the
      THMs formed, the use of NH2Cl is recommended. 

PMID- 26280906
TI  - Rugby Football: Fascinating Sport, Exceptional History and Developments, Immense
      Potential for Research.

PMID- 26280907
TI  - Kinetics of Multielectron Transfers and Redox-Induced Structural Changes in N
      Aryl-Expanded Pyridiniums: Establishing Their Unusual, Versatile Electrophoric
      Activity.
AB  - A combined electrochemical and theoretical study of a series of pyridinium-based
      electrophores, consisting of reference N-alkyl-2,4,6-triarylpyridiniums (1-3) and
      N-aryl-expanded pyridiniums (EPs), i.e. N-aryl-2,4,6-triarylpyridiniums (4-10),
      is presented with the aim of elucidating multifaceted mechanisms underpinning the
      complex electrophoric activity of fluxional EP systems. Series 1-10 constitutes a
      library of model electrophores showing an incremental variation of their
      composition, charge, and steric hindrance. By kinetic mapping of the first two
      heterogeneous electron transfers (ETs) of 1-10 and computational mapping, at the
      density functional theory level, of their electronic and geometrical features in
      various redox states, it is established that, depending on whether EPs are made
      of one (4, 5) or two "head-to-tail"-connected pyridinium rings (6-10), the nature
      of the redox-triggered distortions (when allowed) is different, namely, N
      pyramidalization due to hybridization change in the former case versus saddle
      shaped distortion originating from conflicting intramolecular interactions in the
      latter case (8-10). When skeletal relaxations are sterically hampered,
      zwitterionic states and electron delocalization with quinoidal features are
      promoted as alternative relaxation modes. It follows that "potential compression"
      is changed to "potential expansion" (i.e., a further separation of redox
      potentials) in single-pyridinium EPs (4, 5), whereas "potential inversion" (i.e.,
      single-step two-electron transfer; 8-10) is changed to stepwise ETs of the Weitz
      type for two-pyridinium EPs (6, 7). Overall, kinetic rate constants not only
      consistently indicate the most prominent mechanistic aspects of the reduction
      pathways of EPs, but they are also instrumental in establishing EPs as a unique
      class of electrophores. 

PMID- 26280908
TI  - Physiologic significance of coronary collaterals in chronic total occlusions.
AB  - Chronic total occlusions (CTOs) are commonly found in patients with coronary
      artery disease, and a system of collateral connections are found in almost all of
      these patients. These collateral vessels serve to prevent myocardial necrosis but
      are not sufficient to prevent myocardial ischemia during exercise. Unfortunately,
      the presence of well-developed collaterals has been used as argument against CTO
      revascularization. Many continue to falsely believe that these patients are
      "protected" by collaterals and, therefore, CTO recanalization is not indicated.
      Our knowledge of the physiologic significance of coronary collaterals has
      increased significantly over the past several years. Studies utilizing coronary
      pressure and flow velocity have answered a number of basic physiologic questions.
      We therefore sought to review the evidence for coronary collateral flow and their
      clinical significance in patients with CTOs. 

PMID- 26280909
TI  - Knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of parents regarding fever in children: a Danish
      interview study.
AB  - AIM: Fever and febrile illness are some of the most common conditions managed by
      parents. The aim of this study was to examine the knowledge, attitudes and
      beliefs of parents around fever in children under five years of age. METHODS:
      Between July and August 2014, a convenience sample of parents was invited to
      participate in this study in Copenhagen, Denmark. Results were analysed
      thematically using a constant comparison method. RESULTS: Twenty-one parents
      participated in the study. Five themes emerged from the data: parental concern,
      help-seeking behaviour, parental knowledge, parent fever management practices and
      initiatives. Parents used a range of information sources to obtain their
      knowledge on management of fever; however, due to issues of trust with these
      sources, reassurance was often sought from healthcare practitioners. There was a
      desire amongst most parents for initiatives to be introduced which provide
      general information on how to manage fever in children. CONCLUSION: Parents were
      very concerned when their child was febrile and instigated practices obtained
      from accessible information sources. This study has identified a need for
      specific and reliable information initiatives to be introduced as a means of
      reducing parental concern and ensuring evidence-based strategies for managing a
      child with fever.

PMID- 26280910
TI  - Visual Acuity Testing Using a Random Method Visual Acuity Application.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A visual acuity (VA) testing application for the iPad(r) (Apple,
      Cupertino, CA) tablet computer using the mirroring technique was developed that
      randomly presented letters categorized by cognoscibility. The aim of this study
      was to assess whether measurements of distance VA using this application were in
      agreement with existing standard clinical tests of VA in adults with normal
      vision. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-three normally sighted subjects were tested
      using the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) chart. The log
      minutes of arc (logMAR) VA results were compared with those from the iPad-based
      application, which contains a Snellen chart, a Tumbling E chart, a Landolt C
      chart, and a VA chart consisting of Arabic figures. After a 10-min break,
      subjects were retested with each test in the same order. Agreement was assessed
      by determining the 95% limits of agreement +/- 1.96 standard deviation of the
      differences between tests. RESULTS: The logMAR VA showed no significant
      difference between the ETDRS chart and the iPad Snellen chart (p = 0.66) and iPad
      Arabic figure chart (p = 0.29). The logMAR VA of the ETDRS chart was
      significantly better than that of the iPad Tumbling E chart (p < 0.01) or iPad
      Landolt C chart (p < 0.01). The subjects showed chart letter memory of the ETDRS
      chart (p < 0.05), Tumbling E chart (p = 0.03), and Landolt C chart (p = 0.001)
      but not of the iPad Snellen chart (p = 0.62) and iPad Arabic figure chart (p =
      0.12). CONCLUSIONS: The iPad-based application of VA charts showed similar
      repeatability and may be a rapid and convenient alternative to some existing
      measures. The mirroring technique provides portability and accessibility for VA
      charts.

PMID- 26280911
TI  - Bimodal emotion congruency is critical to preverbal infants' abstract rule
      learning.
AB  - Extracting general rules from specific examples is important, as we must face the
      same challenge displayed in various formats. Previous studies have found that
      bimodal presentation of grammar-like rules (e.g. ABA) enhanced 5-month-olds'
      capacity to acquire a rule that infants failed to learn when the rule was
      presented with visual presentation of the shapes alone (circle-triangle-circle)
      or auditory presentation of the syllables (la-ba-la) alone. However, the
      mechanisms and constraints for this bimodal learning facilitation are still
      unknown. In this study, we used audio-visual relation congruency between bimodal
      stimulation to disentangle possible facilitation sources. We exposed 8- to 10
      month-old infants to an AAB sequence consisting of visual faces with affective
      expressions and/or auditory voices conveying emotions. Our results showed that
      infants were able to distinguish the learned AAB rule from other novel rules
      under bimodal stimulation when the affects in audio and visual stimuli were
      congruently paired (Experiments 1A and 2A). Infants failed to acquire the same
      rule when audio-visual stimuli were incongruently matched (Experiment 2B) and
      when only the visual (Experiment 1B) or the audio (Experiment 1C) stimuli were
      presented. Our results highlight that bimodal facilitation in infant rule
      learning is not only dependent on better statistical probability and redundant
      sensory information, but also the relational congruency of audio-visual
      information. A video abstract of this article can be viewed at
      https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KYTyjH1k9RQ. 

PMID- 26280912
TI  - Inguinoscrotal herniation of the ureter: Description of five cases.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Descent of the ureter into the inguinal canal or scrotum is rare
      but undoubtedly underreported. Most known cases were recognized at the time of
      surgery for hernia repair. We encountered five cases recently. PRESENTATION OF
      CASE: We reviewed the records and CT images of five patients with inguinal
      hernias containing a segment of the ureter. All of our cases, like most reported
      cases, featured obese adult males. Our cases had different outcomes, ranging from
      inadvertent injury of the displaced ureter to correction of the anomaly at the
      time of hernia repair. DISCUSSION: In all of our cases, the affected ureter was
      displaced anteriorly from the psoas muscle by greater than 1cm at the level of
      the L4 vertebra on abdominal CT. This association has not been previously
      described. CONCLUSION: Pre-operative diagnosis by CT can prevent injury to the
      ureter. We hypothesize that anterior displacement of the ureter at the level of
      L4 as seen on CT may be predictive of inguinoscrotal herniation of the ureter.

PMID- 26280913
TI  - Ultrafast STR Separations on Short-Channel Microfluidic Systems for Forensic
      Screening and Genotyping.
AB  - There are situations in which it is important to quickly and positively identify
      an individual. Examples include suspects detained in the neighborhood of a
      bombing or terrorist incident, individuals detained attempting to enter or leave
      the country, and victims of mass disasters. Systems utilized for these purposes
      must be fast, portable, and easy to maintain. DNA typing methods provide the best
      biometric information yielding identity, kinship, and geographical origin, but
      they are not portable and rapid. This study details the development of a portable
      short-channel microfluidic device based on a modified Agilent 2100 bioanalyzer
      for applications in forensic genomics. The system utilizes a denaturing polymer
      matrix with dual-channel laser-induced fluorescence and is capable of producing a
      genotype in 80 sec. The device was tested for precision and resolution using an
      allelic ladder created from 6 short tandem repeat (STR) loci and a sex marker
      (amelogenin). The results demonstrated a precision of 0.09-0.21 bp over the
      entire size range and resolution values from 2.5 to 4.1 bp. Overall, the results
      demonstrate the chip provides a portable, rapid, and precise method for screening
      amplified short tandem repeats and human identification screening. 

PMID- 26280915
TI  - Response to Dr. XinQi Dong.

PMID- 26280914
TI  - Quantification of the Contact Area at the Head-Stem Taper Interface of Modular
      Hip Prostheses.
AB  - Corrosion of modular taper junctions of hip implants may be associated with
      clinical failure. Taper design parameters, as well as the intraoperatively
      applied assembly forces, have been proposed to affect corrosion. Fretting
      corrosion is related to relative interface shear motion and fluid ingress, which
      may vary with contact force and area. It was hypothesised in this study that
      assembly forces modify the extent and distribution of the surface contact area at
      the taper interface between a cobalt chrome head and titanium stem taper with a
      standard threaded surface profile. Local abrasion of a thin gold coating applied
      to the stem taper prior to assembly was used to determine the contact area after
      disassembly. Profilometry was then used to assess permanent deformation of the
      stem taper surface profile. With increasing assembly force (500 N, 2000 N, 4000 N
      and 8000 N) the number of stem taper surface profile ridges in contact with the
      head taper was found to increase (9.2+/-9.3%, 65.4+/-10.8%, 92.8+/-6.0% and 100%)
      and the overall taper area in contact was also found to increase (0.6+/-0.7%,
      5.5+/-1.0%, 9.9+/-1.1% and 16.1+/-0.9%). Contact was inconsistently distributed
      over the length of the taper. An increase in plastic radial deformation of the
      surface ridges (-0.05+/-0.14 MUm, 0.1+/-0.14 MUm, 0.21+/-0.22 MUm and 0.96+/-0.25
      MUm) was also observed with increasing assembly force. The limited contact of the
      taper surface ridges at lower assembly forces may influence corrosion rates,
      suggesting that the magnitude of the assembly force may affect clinical outcome.
      The method presented provides a simple and practical assessment of the contact
      area at the taper interface. 

PMID- 26280916
TI  - Near Room Temperature, Fast-Response, and Highly Sensitive Triethylamine Sensor
      Assembled with Au-Loaded ZnO/SnO2 Core-Shell Nanorods on Flat Alumina Substrates.
AB  - Chemiresistive gas sensors with low power consumption, fast response, and
      reliable fabrication process for a specific target gas have been now created for
      many applications. They require both sensitive nanomaterials and an efficient
      substrate chip for heating and electrical addressing. Herein, a near room working
      temperature and fast response triethylamine (TEA) gas sensor has been fabricated
      successfully by designing gold (Au)-loaded ZnO/SnO2 core-shell nanorods. ZnO
      nanorods grew directly on Al2O3 flat electrodes with a cost-effective
      hydrothermal process. By employing pulsed laser deposition (PLD) and DC
      sputtering methods, the construction of Au nanoparticle-loaded ZnO/SnO2
      core/shell nanorod heterostructure is highly controllable and reproducible. In
      comparison with pristine ZnO, SnO2, and Au-loaded ZnO, SnO2 sensors, Au-ZnO/SnO2
      nanorod sensors exhibit a remarkably high and fast response to TEA gas at working
      temperatures as low as 40  degrees C. The enhanced sensing property of the Au
      ZnO/SnO2 sensor is also discussed with the semiconductor depletion layer model
      introduced by Au-SnO2 Schottky contact and ZnO/SnO2 N-N heterojunction. 

PMID- 26280917
TI  - Energy Status Characteristics of Porcine Oocytes During In Vitro Maturation is
      Influenced by Their Meiotic Competence.
AB  - The characteristics of energy status in porcine oocytes as related to their
      meiotic competence and in vitro maturation were studied. Cycling pubertal gilts
      in the early luteal to early follicular phases of the ovarian cycle were used as
      oocyte donors. The oocytes recovered from medium (MF) or small follicles (SF)
      were considered meiotically more or less competent, respectively. A half of
      oocytes from each category was matured by the standard protocol. The oocytes were
      examined before or after maturation by confocal microscopy, a bioluminescent cell
      assay and Western blotting. Four experiments, each in triplicate, were performed
      to assess both SF and MF oocytes in terms of metabolic units formed by
      mitochondria and lipids, ATP and lipid consumption and lipid droplets with
      adipose differentiation-related protein (ADRP) expression. The proportion of
      oocytes with metabolic units, the mean ATP content and the number of lipid
      droplets per oocyte, and the relative number of lipid droplets with ADRP
      expression were significantly higher in the MF compared to SF oocytes before
      maturation. On the other hand, after maturation, there was an increase in the
      proportion of oocytes with metabolic units and the relative number of lipid
      droplets with ADRP expression in the SF compared to MF oocytes. In conclusion,
      specific differences in energy characteristics between porcine oocytes with
      different meiotic competence were found. Meiotically more competent oocytes are
      more advanced in terms of energy reserves before maturation, while meiotically
      less competent oocytes are more active in replenishing energy stores during
      maturation. 

PMID- 26280918
TI  - An Automated and Intelligent Medical Decision Support System for Brain MRI Scans
      Classification.
AB  - A wide interest has been observed in the medical health care applications that
      interpret neuroimaging scans by machine learning systems. This research proposes
      an intelligent, automatic, accurate, and robust classification technique to
      classify the human brain magnetic resonance image (MRI) as normal or abnormal, to
      cater down the human error during identifying the diseases in brain MRIs. In this
      study, fast discrete wavelet transform (DWT), principal component analysis (PCA),
      and least squares support vector machine (LS-SVM) are used as basic components.
      Firstly, fast DWT is employed to extract the salient features of brain MRI,
      followed by PCA, which reduces the dimensions of the features. These reduced
      feature vectors also shrink the memory storage consumption by 99.5%. At last, an
      advanced classification technique based on LS-SVM is applied to brain MR image
      classification using reduced features. For improving the efficiency, LS-SVM is
      used with non-linear radial basis function (RBF) kernel. The proposed algorithm
      intelligently determines the optimized values of the hyper-parameters of the RBF
      kernel and also applied k-fold stratified cross validation to enhance the
      generalization of the system. The method was tested by 340 patients' benchmark
      datasets of T1-weighted and T2-weighted scans. From the analysis of experimental
      results and performance comparisons, it is observed that the proposed medical
      decision support system outperformed all other modern classifiers and achieves
      100% accuracy rate (specificity/sensitivity 100%/100%). Furthermore, in terms of
      computation time, the proposed technique is significantly faster than the recent
      well-known methods, and it improves the efficiency by 71%, 3%, and 4% on feature
      extraction stage, feature reduction stage, and classification stage,
      respectively. These results indicate that the proposed well-trained machine
      learning system has the potential to make accurate predictions about brain
      abnormalities from the individual subjects, therefore, it can be used as a
      significant tool in clinical practice. 

PMID- 26280919
TI  - Niche and Neutral Processes Together Determine Diversity Loss in Response to
      Fertilization in an Alpine Meadow Community.
AB  - Fertilization via nutrient deposition and agricultural inputs is one of the most
      important factors driving decreases in plant diversity. However, we still do not
      fully understand which processes (niche process or neutral process) are more
      important in leading to decreases in plant diversity caused by fertilization. A
      hypothesis-based approach was used to test the relative importance of niche
      versus neutral processes along a fertilization gradient in an alpine meadow
      community on the eastern Tibetan plateau, China. Niche overlap values were
      calculated for species biomass, and the null model was used to generate the
      values of niche overlap expected at random. A linear regression modeling was used
      to evaluate the relationship between functional traits (specific leaf area, leaf
      dry matter content, and leaf total nitrogen concentration) and species relative
      abundance. Our results demonstrated that observed niche overlap for species
      biomass was significantly higher than expected at lower fertilization gradients.
      Moreover, we also found a significantly negative correlation between species
      relative abundance and specific leaf area and leaf dry matter content, but a
      significantly positive correlation between relative abundance and leaf nitrogen
      concentration at lower fertilization gradients. However, these relationships were
      not significant at higher fertilization gradients. We concluded that community
      assembly is dynamic progression along the environmental gradients, and niche and
      neutral processes may together determine species diversity loss in response to
      fertilization.

PMID- 26280920
TI  - Linked pyridinyl-thiadiazoles: Design and synthesis as potential candidate for
      treatment of XDR and MDR tuberculosis.
AB  - Multi-drug resistant (MDR) and extremely drug resistant (XDR) Mycobacterium
      tuberculosis strains have turned tuberculosis (TB) as "on the verge of
      eradication" to "most life threatening" disease. Furthermore, synergy with HIV
      and other immunosuppressive disease have strengthened its prevalence. This
      research reports small molecule anti-infectives which are specifically potent
      against several strains and isolates of TB. The hit compound 7f has also proved
      to be active against almost 25 clinical isolates comparable to marketed anti-TB
      agents.

PMID- 26280921
TI  - Synthesis and in vitro antitumor evaluation of betulin acid ester derivatives as
      novel apoptosis inducers.
AB  - Nineteen betulin derivatives modified at the C-3 and C-28 positions were
      synthesized and assessed for antitumor activities against the MGC-803, PC3, Bcap
      37, A375, and MCF-7 human cancer cell lines in vitro by MTT assay. Some
      derivatives (compounds 3a-3d and 5) displayed strong antitumor properties, with
      IC50 values between 4 and 18 MUM. Compound 3c, containing piperidine group at C
      28 position, had IC50 values of 4.3, 4.5, 5.2, 7.5, and 5.2 MUM on the five
      cancer cell lines, respectively. Subsequent fluorescence staining and flow
      cytometric analysis indicated that compound 3c induced apoptosis in MGC-803 cell
      line, with an apoptosis ratio of 31.11% after 36 h of treatment at 10 MUM 3c.

PMID- 26280922
TI  - Synthesis, cytotoxicity and inhibition of NO production of ivangustin enantiomer
      analogues.
AB  - The eight novel ivangustin enantiomer analogues possessing alpha-methylene-gamma
      butyrolactone moiety have been synthesized using (4S6R, 4S6S)-4-tert
      butyldimethylsilyloxy-6-methylcyclohex-2-en-1-one (1) as starting material. These
      transformations were mainly carried out by aldol condensation reaction and one
      pot annelation procedure. The stereochemistry of these synthesized analogues was
      determined by NOE analysis. Their cytoxicity was evaluated against the human
      cancer cell lines HCT-116 (colon), HL-60 (leukemia), QGY-7701 (liver), SMMC-7721
      (liver), A549 (lung), MCF-7 (breast). The results showed that these analogues
      were more selective against the cell lines HL-60 and QGY-7701. Analogue 17
      exhibited potent cytotoxicity and high selectivity toward HL-60 cell line with
      IC50 value of 1.02 MUM, which suggested that it might be a promising anti-cancer
      lead compound. The inhibitory activities against NO production and the
      cytotoxicities in RAW 264.7 macrophages were determined at the same time. All of
      the analogues significantly inhibited the NO production with IC50 value in the
      range of 3.44-6.99 MUM. Analogues 17, 22, 23 and 7 showed higher cytotoxicities,
      indicated their inhibitory activities against NO production may be influenced by
      the cytotoxicities.

PMID- 26280923
TI  - Recent Advances in Platinum (IV) Complex-Based Delivery Systems to Improve
      Platinum (II) Anticancer Therapy.
AB  - Cisplatin and its platinum (Pt) (II) derivatives play a key role in the fight
      against various human cancers such as testicular, ovarian, head and neck, lung
      tumors. However, their application in clinic is limited due to dose- dependent
      toxicities and acquired drug resistances, which have prompted extensive research
      effort toward the development of more effective Pt (II) delivery strategies. The
      synthesis of Pt (IV) complex is one such an area of intense research fields,
      which involves their in vivo conversion into active Pt (II) molecules under the
      reducing intracellular environment, and has demonstrated encouraging preclinical
      and clinical outcomes. Compared with Pt (II) complexes, Pt (IV) complexes not
      only exhibit an increased stability and reduced side effects, but also facilitate
      the intravenous-to-oral switch in cancer chemotherapy. The overview briefly
      analyzes statuses of Pt (II) complex that are in clinical use, and then focuses
      on the development of Pt (IV) complexes. Finally, recent advances in Pt (IV)
      complexes in combination with nanocarriers are highlighted, addressing the
      shortcomings of Pt (IV) complexes, such as their instability in blood and
      irreversibly binding to plasma proteins and nonspecific distribution, and taking
      advantage of passive and active targeting effect to improve Pt (II) anticancer
      therapy. 

PMID- 26280924
TI  - Tracking of crystalline-amorphous transition of carvedilol in rotary spun
      microfibers and their formulation to orodispersible tablets for in vitro
      dissolution enhancement.
AB  - Physicochemical characterization of microfibers including powder X-ray
      diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, attenuated total reflectance
      Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and positron annihilation spectroscopy
      were used to track the crystalline-amorphous transition of carvedilol during
      formulation and stability testing. The applied methods unanimously indicated the
      amorphous transition of carvedilol in the course of rotary spinning, furthermore
      a supramolecular ordering of chains of polymer matrix was revealed out by
      positron annihilation spectroscopy. The accelerated stability study (40+/-2
      degrees C/75+/-5% RH, for 4 weeks) indicated a large stress tolerance capacity of
      fibers, since only a partial crystallization of the active compound was
      observable at the last sampling point. To demonstrate possible utilization of
      microfibers, orodispersible tablets containing 10mg of carvedilol were
      successfully prepared by direct compression applying common tableting excipients.
      All of the investigated tablet parameters (hardness, friability, in vitro
      disintegration time) complied with the pharmacopoeial requirements. The performed
      dissolution (pH 1.0 and 6.8) study indicated that the drug dissolution from the
      microfiber based formula was rapid, complete and independent from the pH of the
      applied media, while the dissolution from the control tablets, containing
      crystalline carvedilol was incomplete and was strongly influenced by the pH of
      the applied media.

PMID- 26280925
TI  - Exploring in vitro, in vivo metabolism of mogroside V and distribution of its
      metabolites in rats by HPLC-ESI-IT-TOF-MS(n).
AB  - Mogroside V, a cucurbitane-type saponin, is not only the major bioactive
      constituent of traditional Chinese medicine Siraitiae Fructus, but also a widely
      used sweetener. To clarify its biotransformation process and identify its
      effective forms in vivo, we studied its metabolism in a human intestinal bacteria
      incubation system, a rat hepatic 9000g supernatant (S9) incubation system, and
      rats. Meanwhile, the distribution of mogroside V and its metabolites was also
      reported firstly. Seventy-seven new metabolites, including 52 oxidation products
      formed by mono- to tetra- hydroxylation/dehydrogenation, were identified with the
      aid of HPLC in tandem with ESI ion trap (IT) TOF multistage mass spectrometry
      (HPLC-ESI-IT-TOF-MS(n)). Specifically, 14 metabolites were identified in human
      intestinal bacteria incubation system, 4 in hepatic S9 incubation system, 58 in
      faeces, 29 in urine, 14 in plasma, 34 in heart, 33 in liver, 39 in spleen, 39 in
      lungs, 42 in kidneys, 45 in stomach, and 51 in small intestine. The metabolic
      pathways of mogroside V were proposed and the identified metabolic reactions were
      deglycosylation, hydroxylation, dehydrogenation, isomerization, glucosylation,
      and methylation. Mogroside V and its metabolites were distributed unevenly in the
      organs of treated rats. Seven bioactive metabolites of mogroside V were
      identified, among which mogroside IIE was abundant in heart, liver, spleen and
      lung, suggesting that it may contribute to the bioactivities of mogroside V.
      Mogroside V was mainly excreted in urine, whereas its metabolites were mainly
      excreted in faeces. To our knowledge, this is the first report that a plant
      constituent can be biotransformed into more than 65 metabolites in vivo. These
      findings will improve understanding of the in vivo metabolism, distribution, and
      effective forms of mogroside V and congeneric molecules.

PMID- 26280926
TI  - Analytical and statistical comparability of generic enoxaparins from the US
      market with the originator product.
AB  - Low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs) are complex anticoagulant drugs, made from
      heparin porcine mucosa starting material. Enoxaparin sodium manufactured by
      Sanofi is one of the most widely prescribed LMWHs and has been used since 1993 in
      the USA. In 2010, US Food and Drug Administration approval for supplying generic
      enoxaparin was granted to Sandoz and subsequently to Amphastar. Little is known,
      however, of the differences in composition of these preparations. In this study,
      samples from several batches of generic enoxaparins were purchased on the US
      market and analyzed with state of the art methodologies, including disaccharide
      building blocks quantification, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and a
      combination of orthogonal separation techniques. Direct high-performance liquid
      chromatography analysis of the different enoxaparin batches revealed distinct
      process fingerprints associated with each manufacturer. Disaccharide building
      block analysis showed differences in the degree of sulfation, the presence of
      glycoserine derivatives, as well as in proportions of disaccharides. Results were
      compared by statistical approaches using multivariate analysis with a partial
      least squares discriminant analysis methodology. The variations were
      statistically significant and allowed a clear distinction to be made between the
      enoxaparin batches according to their manufacturer. These results were further
      confirmed by orthogonal analytical techniques, including NMR, which revealed
      compositional differences of oligosaccharides both in low- and high-affinity
      antithrombin fractions of enoxaparin.

PMID- 26280927
TI  - Modeling of Methane Migration in Shallow Aquifers from Shale Gas Well Drilling.
AB  - The vertical portion of a shale gas well, known as the "tophole" is often drilled
      using an air-hammer bit that may introduce pressures as high as 2400 kPa (350
      psi) into groundwater while penetrating shallow aquifers. A 3-D TOUGH2 model was
      used to simulate the flow of groundwater under the high hydraulic heads that may
      be imposed by such trapped compressed air, based on an observed case in West
      Virginia (USA) in 2012. The model realizations show that high-pressure air
      trapped in aquifers may cause groundwater to surge away from the drill site at
      observable velocities. If dissolved methane is present within the aquifer, the
      methane can be entrained and transported to a maximum distance of 10.6 m per day.
      Results from this study suggest that one cause of the reported increase in
      methane concentrations in groundwater near shale gas production wells may be the
      transport of pre-existing methane via groundwater surges induced by air drilling,
      not necessarily direct natural gas leakage from the unconventional gas reservoir.
      The primary transport mechanisms are advective transport of dissolved methane
      with water flow, and diffusive transport of dissolved methane.

PMID- 26280928
TI  - A 4-week study of four 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol diesters on lipid metabolism
      in C57BL/6J mice.
AB  - 3-Monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) esters have been detected in many foods,
      which have become a new safety issue worldwide. In the study, we investigated the
      effect of four 3-MCPD diesters (palmitate diester: CDP; stearate diester: CDS;
      oleate diester: CDO; linoleate diester: CDL) on lipid metabolism in C57BL/6J
      mice. The results showed that CDP, CDS, CDO and CDL significantly increased the
      serum TC, LDL-C levels and liver TG, TC levels at dose of 16.5MUmol/kg/day. These
      results indicated that 3-MCPD diesters could potentially cause hyperlipidemia in
      C57BL/6J mice. Moreover, oil red O staining confirmed fat accumulation in liver
      induced by 3-MCPD diesters. Our work will provide more information for safety
      evaluation of 3-MCPD diesters. However, whether free 3-MCPD or free fatty acids
      or combined action compensates for the hyperlipidemia effects should be
      elucidated in the future. 

PMID- 26280929
TI  - Kolaviron protects against benzo[a]pyrene-induced functional alterations along
      the brain-pituitary-gonadal axis in male rats.
AB  - Exposure to benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) is well reported to be associated with
      neurological and reproductive dysfunctions. The present study investigated the
      influence of kolaviron, an isolated biflavonoid from the seed of Garcinia kola,
      on functional alterations along the brain-pituitary-gonadal axis in male rats
      exposed to B[a]P. Benzo[a]pyrene was orally administered at a dose of 10mg/kg
      alone or orally co-administered with kolaviron at 100 and 200mg/kg for 15
      consecutive days. Administration of B[a]P significantly (p<0.05) decreased plasma
      levels of pituitary hormones namely follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and
      prolactin but increased luteinizing hormone (LH) by 47%, 55% and 20.9%,
      respectively, when compared with the control. The significant decrease in
      gonadosomatic index (GSI) was accompanied by significant decrease in testosterone
      production and sperm functional parameters in the B[a]P-treated rats. Moreover,
      B[a]P-treated rats showed significant elevation in the circulatory concentrations
      of pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress indices in the brain, testes
      and sperm of B[a]P-treated rats. Light microscopy revealed severe necrosis of the
      Purkinje cells in the cerebellum, neuronal degeneration of the cerebral cortex,
      neuronal necrosis of the hippocampus and testicular atrophy in B[a]P-treated
      rats. Kolaviron co-treatment significantly ameliorated B[a]P mediated damages by
      suppressing pro-inflammatory mediators and enhancing the antioxidant status,
      neuroendocrine function, sperm characteristics and improving the architecture of
      the brain and testes in B[a]P-treated rats. The findings in the present
      investigation highlight that kolaviron may be developed to novel therapeutic
      agent against toxicity resulting from B[a]P exposure. 

PMID- 26280930
TI  - It is not all black and white: Future incidence of stomach cancer will be
      substantially higher than projected due to the effects of immigration and
      increasing Hispanic and Asian populations in the United States.

PMID- 26280931
TI  - Memory engram storage and retrieval.
AB  - A great deal of experimental investment is directed towards questions regarding
      the mechanisms of memory storage. Such studies have traditionally been restricted
      to investigation of the anatomical structures, physiological processes, and
      molecular pathways necessary for the capacity of memory storage, and have avoided
      the question of how individual memories are stored in the brain. Memory engram
      technology allows the labeling and subsequent manipulation of components of
      specific memory engrams in particular brain regions, and it has been established
      that cell ensembles labeled by this method are both sufficient and necessary for
      memory recall. Recent research has employed this technology to probe fundamental
      questions of memory consolidation, differentiating between mechanisms of memory
      retrieval from the true neurobiology of memory storage. 

PMID- 26280932
TI  - Erratum to: Fluid challenges in intensive care: the FENICE study: A global
      inception cohort study.

PMID- 26280933
TI  - What is new in selective decontamination of the digestive tract?

PMID- 26280936
TI  - Proton Conduction Study on Water Confined in Channel or Layer Networks of
      La(III)M(III)(ox)3.10H2O (M = Cr, Co, Ru, La).
AB  - Proton conduction of the La(III)M(III) compounds, LaM(ox)3.10H2O (abbreviated to
      LaM; M = Cr, Co, Ru, La; ox(2-) = oxalate) is studied in view of their networks.
      LaCr and LaCo have a ladder structure, and the ladders are woven to form a
      channel network. LaRu and LaLa have a honeycomb sheet structure, and the sheets
      are combined to form a layer network. The occurrence of these structures is
      explained by the rigidness versus flexibility of [M(ox)3](3-) in the framework
      with large La(III). The channel networks of LaCr and LaCo show a remarkably high
      proton conductivity, in the range from 1 * 10(-6) to 1 * 10(-5) S cm(-1) over 40
      95% relative humidity (RH) at 298 K, whereas the layer networks of LaCr and LaCo
      show a lower proton conductivity, ~3 * 10(-8) S cm(-1) (40-95% RH, 298 K).
      Activation energy measurements demonstrate that the channels filled with water
      molecules serve as efficient pathways for proton transport. LaCo was gradually
      converted to La(III)Co(II)(ox)2.5.4H2O, which had no channel structure and
      exhibited a low proton conductivity of less than 1 * 10(-10) S cm(-1). The
      conduction-network correlation of LaCo(ox)2.5.4H2O is reported. 

PMID- 26280937
TI  - An update on RNA-targeting therapies for neuromuscular disorders.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Antisense-mediated modulation of transcripts is a dynamic
      therapeutic field, especially for neuromuscular disorders. RECENT FINDINGS: For
      three diseases, this approach has advanced to the clinical trial phase, that is
      Duchenne muscular dystrophy, spinal muscular atrophy and myotonic dystrophy. In
      parallel, numerous proof-of-concept studies in cell and animal models have been
      reported for additional neuromuscular disorders. SUMMARY: This review discusses
      the most notable advances in preclinical and clinical studies in the past year.
      For Duchenne muscular dystrophy, spinal muscular atrophy and myotonic dystrophy
      trials are ongoing to assess safety and efficacy, while in parallel preclinical
      studies are being conducted to identify ways to improve efficiency and delivery.
      For other neuromuscular diseases, progress is made as well warranting future
      clinical trials. However, towards clinical trial readiness, it is important not
      only to optimize the therapy preclinically but to also develop the infrastructure
      that is needed to conduct trials.

PMID- 26280938
TI  - Duchenne muscular dystrophy: clinical trials and emerging tribulations.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This article reviewed the most recent clinical trials
      investigating potential treatments for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). In the
      development of these studies, investigators have encountered unexpected
      challenges that reveal limitations in our understanding of the clinical trial
      design for this disease. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent clinical trials for DMD have
      revealed limitations in our understanding of the natural history of this disease.
      As a result of these revelations, there has been a significant effort to document
      the natural history of Duchenne and develop valid outcome measure that could be
      used in clinical trials in different subsets of patients. SUMMARY: Treatment for
      DMD is a rapidly changing field. Some of the drugs that are currently under
      investigation will receive Food and Drug Administration approval in the near
      future. These would become part of clinical practice. This article summarizes the
      different therapeutic approaches under investigation and illustrates the
      importance of defining sound research methods that are specific to the disease
      and population under investigation.

PMID- 26280940
TI  - General Ambient Temperature Benzylic Metalations Using Mixed-Metal Li/K-TMP
      Amide.
AB  - Highly regioselective benzylic metalations in hydrocarbon solvent have been
      achieved at rt and 0  degrees C using a mixed-metal Li/K-TMP amide comprised of
      KOtBu, BuLi, and 2,2,6,6,-tetramethylpiperidine (TMP(H)). Mixing of KOtBu, BuLi,
      and TMP(H) in heptane gave a solution of the base mixture which when used in
      deuterium labeling experiments confirmed the requirement of the three reagent
      components for both reactivity and selectivity. The reaction protocol is
      operationally straightforward and found to be applicable to a broad range of
      substrates. Upon generation of the metalated products, they are reacted in
      heptane at ambient temperature in a variety of synthetically useful ways.
      Illustrated examples include generation of the benzyltrimethylsilanes and
      alpha,alpha-bis(trimethylsilyl)toluenes reagents, which are bench-stable
      surrogates of benzyl anions and alpha-silyl carbanions utilized for nucleophilic
      addition and Peterson olefination reactions. Direct C-C couplings mediated by 1,2
      dibromoethane provided entries into bibenzyls and [2.2]metacyclophanes.
      Comparison of reaction outcomes with the same reactions carried out in THF at -78
      degrees C showed no negative effects for conducting the reactions under these
      milder more user-friendly conditions. 

PMID- 26280939
TI  - Changes in Copper, Zinc, and Malondialdehyde Levels and Superoxide Dismutase
      Activities in Pre-Eclamptic Pregnancies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Preeclampsia (PE) is a hypertensive disorder that occurs in 2% to 8%
      of pregnancies. Although numerous studies have investigated the etiology and
      pathophysiology of preeclampsia, the precise pathological mechanisms remain
      poorly understood. Hence, in the present study malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and
      SOD expression, and Cu and Zn concentrations and ratios were correlated with
      birth weights in pregnant women with and without PE, and in non-pregnant females
      of reproductive age. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and
      superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were determined spectrophotometrically, and
      Cu and Zn levels were determined using atomic absorption spectrometry in serum
      from 42 non-pregnant women (NP), 40 healthy pregnant women (HP), and 38 pre
      eclamptic pregnant (PE) women. Subsequently, Cu/Zn ratios were calculated and
      associations with birth weights were analyzed using Spearman correlations.
      RESULTS: Cu, Zn, and MDA levels and Cu/Zn ratios were significantly higher in the
      PE group than in the HP and NP groups, and were significantly higher in the HP
      than in the NP group (p<0.001 and p<0.001; respectively). In contrast, serum Zn
      and SOD levels were significantly lower in the PE group than in HP and NP groups,
      and were significantly lower in the HP group than in the NP group (p<0.001 and
      p<0.001; respectively). However, only Cu and Zn levels were significantly
      associated with fetal birth weights (r=-0.433, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Serum Cu/Zn
      ratios may reflect vascular complications of PE, and the ensuing increases in
      lipid peroxidation may play important pathogenic roles.

PMID- 26280941
TI  - Recyclable lanthanide-functionalized MOF hybrids to determine hippuric acid in
      urine as a biological index of toluene exposure.
AB  - A lanthanide-functionalized MOF with extremely high water tolerance was developed
      as a fluorescent probe for hippuric acid (HA) in urine which is considered as the
      biological indicators of toluene exposure. For the first time, the urinary HA was
      detected by fluorescence spectrometry based on a recyclable Ln-MOF sensor. 

PMID- 26280942
TI  - Bioconjugated Hydrogels for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine.
AB  - Hydrogels are hydrophilic polymer networks with high water content, which have
      played an important role as scaffolds for cells, as carriers for various
      biomolecules (e.g., drugs, genes, and soluble factors), and as injectable
      biomaterials in tissue engineering (TE) and regenerative medicine. Bioconjugation
      is an approach for improving the performance of hydrogels using cell-responsive
      components, such as proteins and peptides, which have high affinity to regulate
      cellular behaviors and tissue morphogenesis. However, the current knowledge on
      the role of those bioconjugated moieties in controlling cellular functions and
      tissue morphogenesis and bioconjugation methods are limited in the context of TE
      and organogenesis. Moreover, micro- and nanofabrication techniques have been used
      to manipulate bioconjugated hydrogels for regulating cell behaviors and function.
      This Review therefore describes synthesis, characteristics, and manipulation of
      various bioconjugated hydrogels and their potential in TE applications with
      special emphasis on preclinical/clinical translation. 

PMID- 26280943
TI  - Solution-Processed Transistors Using Colloidal Nanocrystals with Composition
      Matched Molecular "Solders": Approaching Single Crystal Mobility.
AB  - Crystalline silicon-based complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor transistors
      have become a dominant platform for today's electronics. For such devices,
      expensive and complicated vacuum processes are used in the preparation of active
      layers. This increases cost and restricts the scope of applications. Here, we
      demonstrate high-performance solution-processed CdSe nanocrystal (NC) field
      effect transistors (FETs) that exhibit very high carrier mobilities (over 400
      cm(2)/(V s)). This is comparable to the carrier mobilities of crystalline silicon
      based transistors. Furthermore, our NC FETs exhibit high operational stability
      and MHz switching speeds. These NC FETs are prepared by spin coating colloidal
      solutions of CdSe NCs capped with molecular solders [Cd2Se3](2-) onto various
      oxide gate dielectrics followed by thermal annealing. We show that the nature of
      gate dielectrics plays an important role in soldered CdSe NC FETs. The
      capacitance of dielectrics and the NC electronic structure near gate dielectric
      affect the distribution of localized traps and trap filling, determining carrier
      mobility and operational stability of the NC FETs. We expand the application of
      the NC soldering process to core-shell NCs consisting of a III-V InAs core and a
      CdSe shell with composition-matched [Cd2Se3](2-) molecular solders. Soldering
      CdSe shells forms nanoheterostructured material that combines high electron
      mobility and near-IR photoresponse. 

PMID- 26280944
TI  - Effect of Presymptomatic Body Mass Index and Consumption of Fat and Alcohol on
      Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Because dietary intake may influence pathophysiologic mechanisms in
      sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the association between premorbid
      dietary intake and the risk of sporadic ALS will provide insight into which
      mechanisms are possibly involved in ALS pathophogenesis. OBJECTIVE: To
      systematically determine the association between premorbid dietary intake and the
      risk of sporadic ALS. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A population-based case
      control study was conducted in a general community setting in the Netherlands
      from January 1, 2006, to September 30, 2011. Analysis was conducted April 1,
      2013, to November 15, 2014. All patients with a new diagnosis of possible,
      probable (laboratory supported), or definite ALS according to the revised El
      Escorial criteria were included and multiple sources were used to ensure complete
      case ascertainment. Of 986 eligible patients, 674 gave informed consent and
      returned a complete questionnaire; 2093 controls randomly selected from the
      general practitioners' registers and frequency matched to the patients for sex
      and age were included. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: We studied the premorbid
      intake of nutrients in association with the risk of ALS by using a 199-item food
      frequency questionnaire adjusted for confounding factors and corrected for
      multiple comparisons while minimizing recall bias. RESULTS: Presymptomatic total
      daily energy intake in patients, reported as mean (SD), was significantly higher
      compared with controls (2258 [730] vs 2119 [619] kcal/day; P < .01), and
      presymptomatic body mass index (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by
      height in meters squared) was significantly lower in patients (25.7 [4.0] vs 26.0
      [3.7]; P = .02). With values reported as odds ratio (95% CI), higher premorbid
      intake of total fat (1.14; 1.07-1.23; P < .001), saturated fat (1.43; 1.25-1.64;
      P < .001), trans-fatty acids (1.03; 1.01-1.05; P < .001), and cholesterol (1.08;
      1.05-1.12; P < .001) was associated with an increased risk of ALS; higher intake
      of alcohol (0.91; 0.84-0.99; P = .03) was associated with a decreased risk of
      ALS. These associations were independent of total energy intake, age, sex, body
      mass index, educational level, smoking, and lifetime physical activity. No
      significant associations between dietary intake and survival were found.
      CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The combination of independent positive associations
      of a low premorbid body mass index and a high fat intake together with prior
      evidence from ALS mouse models transgenic for SOD1 and earlier reports on
      premorbid body mass index support a role for increased resting energy expenditure
      before clinical onset of ALS.

PMID- 26280945
TI  - Flavonoid-rich orange juice is associated with acute improvements in cognitive
      function in healthy middle-aged males.
AB  - PURPOSE: Epidemiological evidence suggests that chronic consumption of fruit
      based flavonoids is associated with cognitive benefits; however, the acute
      effects of flavonoid-rich (FR) drinks on cognitive function in the immediate
      postprandial period require examination. The objective was to investigate whether
      consumption of FR orange juice is associated with acute cognitive benefits over 6
      h in healthy middle-aged adults. METHODS: Males aged 30-65 consumed a 240-ml FR
      orange juice (272 mg) and a calorie-matched placebo in a randomized, double
      blind, counterbalanced order on 2 days separated by a 2-week washout. Cognitive
      function and subjective mood were assessed at baseline (prior to drink
      consumption) and 2 and 6 h post consumption. The cognitive battery included eight
      individual cognitive tests. A standardized breakfast was consumed prior to the
      baseline measures, and a standardized lunch was consumed 3 h post-drink
      consumption. RESULTS: Change from baseline analysis revealed that performance on
      tests of executive function and psychomotor speed was significantly better
      following the FR drink compared to the placebo. The effects of objective
      cognitive function were supported by significant benefits for subjective
      alertness following the FR drink relative to the placebo. CONCLUSIONS: These data
      demonstrate that consumption of FR orange juice can acutely enhance objective and
      subjective cognition over the course of 6 h in healthy middle-aged adults.

PMID- 26280947
TI  - Skin-to-Skin Contact: A Comforting Place With Comfort Food.
AB  - Birth and the newborn environment are stressful, especially for preterm infants
      who have to contend with medical conditions while adapting to the extrauterine
      world. Therefore, preterm newborns are excellent candidates for comforting
      measures. Skin-to-skin contact is the best way to provide comfort in several of
      the realms of Kolcaba's Comfort Theory. Evidence suggests that skin-to-skin
      contact between the mother and newborn changes the discomforting newborn
      environment into one that is profoundly comforting. Skin-to-skin contact promotes
      infant physiologic stability and warmth, helps in organizing infant sleep,
      reduces stress and pain, and makes breast milk readily available. Comfort to the
      newborn can be effectively accomplished by skin-to-skin contact. 

PMID- 26280946
TI  - L-Arginine supplementation does not enhance blood flow and muscle performance in
      healthy and physically active older women.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of acute L-arginine
      (L-arg) supplementation on peripheral vasodilatation and muscle performance in
      older women. METHODS: In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study, 20
      elderly women were randomly assigned in a double-blind fashion to either an L-arg
      (ARG, N = 10) or placebo (PLA, N = 10) group. During the first visit, both groups
      underwent a Doppler ultrasound exam (to assess the femoral artery vasodilatation)
      at rest (baseline), and immediately before and after the isokinetic strength test
      (performed at 80 min after supplementation). On the second and third visits, the
      groups completed a battery of muscle performance tests (to assess the isometric
      and functional strength), initiated at the same time point (80 min after
      supplementation). RESULTS: The femoral artery blood flow (ARG: 443.9 +/- 42.8 vs.
      PLA: 373.1 +/- 40.8 ml/min; P > 0.05) and area (ARG: 0.45 +/- 0.03 vs. PLA: 0.41
      +/- 0.02 cm(2); P > 0.05) were similar between the groups at basal conditions,
      and they remained unchanged after supplementation. Following exercise, blood flow
      increased ~160 % above the basal level, and there was no significant (P > 0.05)
      difference between the ARG and PLA groups. Additionally, there were no
      significant (P > 0.05) differences between the ARG and PLA groups for any
      strength variable (isokinetic, isometric, and functional). CONCLUSION: These
      results show that acute L-arg supplementation provides no ergogenic effect on
      blood flow and muscle performance in older women.

PMID- 26280948
TI  - Short and long-term phototoxicity in cells expressing genetic reporters under
      nanosecond laser exposure.
AB  - Nanosecond-duration laser pulses are exploited in a plethora of therapeutic and
      diagnostic applications, such as optoacoustic imaging. However, phototoxicity
      effects of pulsed radiation in living cells, in particular those expressing
      genetic reporters, are not well understood. We established a three-dimensional
      fluorescent protein expressing cellular model in order to reliably investigate
      the extent and major exposure parameters responsible for both photobleaching and
      phototoxicity under pulsed laser exposure, unveiling a variety of possible
      effects on living cells, from reversible photobleaching to cytotoxicity and cell
      death. Significant losses of fluorescence levels were identified when exposing
      the cells to illumination conditions considered safe under common standards for
      skin exposure in diagnostic imaging applications. Thus, the use of photolabile
      fluorescent proteins and their in vivo exposure parameters have to be designed
      carefully for all applications using pulsed nanosecond radiation. In particular,
      loss of signal due to bleaching may significantly alter signals in longitudinal
      measurements, making data quantification challenging. 

PMID- 26280949
TI  - Urethral tissue regeneration using collagen scaffold modified with collagen
      binding VEGF in a beagle model.
AB  - Extensive urethral defects have a serious impact on quality of life, and
      treatment is challenging. A shortage of material for reconstruction is a key
      limitation. Improving the properties of biomaterials and making them suitable for
      urethral reconstruction will be helpful. Previously, we constructed a fusion
      protein, collagen-binding VEGF (CBD-VEGF), which can bind to collagen scaffold,
      stimulate cell proliferation, and promote angiogenesis and tissue regeneration.
      We proposed that CBD-VEGF could improve the performance of collagen in
      reconstruction of extensive urethral defects. Our results showed that collagen
      scaffolds modified with CBD-VEGF could promote urethral tissue regeneration and
      improve the function of the neo-urethra in a beagle extensive urethral defect
      model. Thus, modifying biomaterials with bioactive factors provides an
      alternative strategy for the production of suitable biomaterials for urethral
      reconstruction. 

PMID- 26280950
TI  - Single-layer tungsten oxide as intelligent photo-responsive nanoagents for
      permanent male sterilization.
AB  - Permanent male sterilization has been recognized as useful tools for the
      development of neuter experimental animals and fattening livestock, as well as
      efficient control of pet overpopulation. Traditional routes such as surgical
      ways, chemical injections, and anti-fertility vaccines have addressed these
      crucial problems with idea outcomes. However, these routes usually bring out
      serious pain and infection towards animals, as well as induce long-term adverse
      reaction and immune suppression. Thus, a convenient, but non-surgical strategy
      for male sterilization under a mild manner is highly desirable. Here, for the
      first time, we demonstrate a novel platform for male sterilization by using
      single-layer WO2.72 nanosheets as smart photo-responsive sterilants. Upon a 980
      nm irradiation, these nanoagents can possess intrinsic NIR-induced hyperthermia
      and sensitize the formation of singlet oxygen due to the cooperation of
      photothermal and photodynamic effects. Mechanism of cellular injury can be
      attributed to the denaturation of protein and apoptosis-related death. Moreover,
      long-term toxicity and possible metabolism route after testicular injection are
      discussed, indicating the neglectable systemic toxicity and high bio
      compatibility of our nanoagents. Overall, our strategy can extremely overcome the
      shortcomings in various routine routes and suggest the new biological application
      of nanomaterials. 

PMID- 26280952
TI  - Role of motor end plate-targeted Botulinum toxin type A injections in children
      with cerebral palsyitle.
AB  - Botulinum toxin type A (BTX) injections are frequently used in children with
      cerebral palsy (CP) to control spasticity. Injection variables still lead to
      variable outcomes of this treatment. Using instrumented spasticity assessment and
      muscle volume assessment the most effective location of the injection was
      demonstrated for gracilis and psoas muscles in children with CP. It was found
      that this treatment is most effective when injected in the motor endplate zones
      of the selected muscles. This review article presents all available research on
      the role of motor endplate-targeting of BTX injections in children with CP. 

PMID- 26280953
TI  - Surgical treatment of the adult acquired flexible flatfoot.
AB  - In this review article, the authors give an overview of the currently available
      soft tissue and bony procedures in the treatment of the adult acquired flexible
      flatfoot. Instead of starting from the classification for posterior tibial tendon
      dysfunction, described by Johnson and Storm, the authors address the flatfoot
      from a more anatomical point of view. Based on this, they will try to define a
      treatment algorithm. 

PMID- 26280954
TI  - Antibiotic-loaded bone cement in total joint arthroplasty.
AB  - Periprosthetic joint infection is a devastating complication after total joint
      replacement. Prevention is mandatory and systemic antibiotic prophylaxis is
      nowadays a recognized cornerstone. Further addition of local antibiotics eluting
      from bone cement is a real possibility but its routine use is controversial. Pros
      and cons of its routine use in primary and revision total joint arthroplasty will
      be discussed. Cement spacers carrying high doses of antibiotic(s) are currently
      accepted during two-stage treatment of infected prosthetic joints. Several issues
      such as alternatives to classic antibiotics, optimal dosages and others will also
      be explored. 

PMID- 26280951
TI  - MRI evaluation of injectable hyaluronic acid-based hydrogel therapy to limit
      ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction.
AB  - Injectable biomaterials are an attractive therapy to attenuate left ventricular
      (LV) remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI). Although studies have shown
      that injectable hydrogels improve cardiac structure and function in vivo,
      temporal changes in infarct material properties after treatment have not been
      assessed. Emerging imaging and modeling techniques now allow for serial, non
      invasive estimation of infarct material properties. Specifically, cine magnetic
      resonance imaging (MRI) assesses global LV structure and function, late
      gadolinium enhancement (LGE) MRI enables visualization of infarcted tissue to
      quantify infarct expansion, and spatial modulation of magnetization (SPAMM)
      tagging provides passive wall motion assessment as a measure of tissue strain,
      which can all be used to evaluate infarct properties when combined with finite
      element (FE) models. In this work, we investigated the temporal effects of
      degradable hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogels on global LV remodeling, infarct
      thinning and expansion, and infarct stiffness in a porcine infarct model for 12
      weeks post-MI using MRI and FE modeling. Hydrogel treatment led to decreased LV
      volumes, improved ejection fraction, and increased wall thickness when compared
      to controls. FE model simulations demonstrated that hydrogel therapy increased
      infarct stiffness for 12 weeks post-MI. Thus, evaluation of myocardial tissue
      properties through MRI and FE modeling provides insight into the influence of
      injectable hydrogel therapies on myocardial structure and function post-MI. 

PMID- 26280955
TI  - Hand disorders associated with diabetes: a review.
AB  - The diabetes may cause damage many structures and organs of a human body and
      predispose to secondary disorders, including involvement of the hand. Carpal
      tunnel syndrome, trigger finger or Dupuytren's disease occur more frequently in
      diabetic patients as well as other, poorer recognized conditions such as limited
      joint mobility, or hand weakness. The paper presents these disorders, emphasizes
      differences in clinical presentation, methods and outcomes of treatment,
      comparing to the non-diabetic patients. Although there are not call
      complications, some evidence suggests that they may be, as their prevalence is
      related to the duration of the diabetes, poor metabolic control and occurrence of
      other disorders such as retino- and nephropathy. 

PMID- 26280956
TI  - Efficacy of hip resurfacing arthroplasty: 6 year results from an international
      multisurgeon prospective cohort study.
AB  - Metal-on-metal hip resurfacing is undertaken worldwide. This procedure helps
      preserve femoral bone stock and allows patients to return to high activity
      sports. Most outcome studies are individual surgeon case series from single
      centers where the results and outcomes are evaluated by the same surgeon. One
      method of increasing the external validity of a follow-up study is to have a
      multi-centre study design with independent assessment of the outcomes. We present
      an independent assessment of eleven year follow-up of hip resurfacing outcomes
      from an international hip resurfacing register. The purpose of this study was to
      assess: Implant survival at maximum follow-up for revision due to any reason,
      implant survival at maximum follow-up for revision due to major causes of
      failure, hip function following hip resurfacing and factors affecting hip
      function, effect of gender and age on hip function and implant survival, effect
      of femoral component size on hip function and implant survival. 4535 patients
      (5000 hips) entered into the registry during 1997-2002 were studied. In summary,
      at a maximum follow-up of 11 years hip resurfacing has a good implant survival of
      96.2% and excellent post-operative function. This is excellent given the
      international and multisurgeon nature of this cohort where majority of the
      surgeons were in their learning curve. 

PMID- 26280957
TI  - Unusual localizations of unicameral bone cysts and aneurysmal bone cysts: A
      retrospective review of 451 cases.
AB  - Unicameral bone cysts (UBC) and aneurysmal bone cysts (ABC) are benign cystic
      lesions of bone which are easily diagnosed. However, unusual locations may lead
      to a false diagnosis. Therefore the aim of this retrospective study was to
      determine the frequency of unusual localizations. The authors studied 451 cases
      with histopathologically confirmed diagnosis of UBC or ABC, seen between 1981 and
      2012. In the UBC group (352 cases) humerus, femur and calcaneus were found to be
      the most common sites, while acetabulum, scapula, scaphoid, lunatum, metacarpals,
      metatarsals, toe phalanges and ulna each accounted for less than 1%. In the ABC
      group (99 cases) the most common sites of involvement were femur, humerus and
      tibia, while finger phalanges, ilium, acetabulum, pubis, calcaneus, cuboid, and
      toe phalanges each accounted for only 1%. The differential diagnosis of cystic
      bone lesions should include both UBC and ABC. Pain complaints plead for the
      latter, except in case of fracture. 

PMID- 26280958
TI  - Comparison of surgical treatments for mucous cysts of the distal interphalangeal
      joint.
AB  - Mucous cysts of the interphalangeal joints are common. Several surgical
      techniques have been described, but none has proven to be superior. We compared
      three techniques that entail complete removal of the cyst together with the
      concomitant osteophytes. In group A wound closure was obtained by full thickness
      skin graft, in group B by primary closure and in group C by a local skin graft.
      Sixty-four patients with 70 cysts were reviewed. An overall recurrence rate of
      8.6% was observed. Forty-five of the studied patients received a full thickness
      skin graft (4 out of 45 recurred), 23 were closed primarily (2 out of 23
      recurred) and 2 by a local skin graft (no recurrences). Full thickness skin graft
      showed no significant higher recurrence compared to primary closure. Full
      thickness skin graft showed no significant higher pain or satisfaction compared
      to primary closure. Patients with a recurrent cyst were less satisfied and had
      more pain than those without recurrences. 

PMID- 26280959
TI  - Radiological predictive factors for the outcome of surgically treated calcaneus
      fractures.
AB  - Calcaneus fractures are fairly common and clinically relevant due to their poor
      outcome. Thus, solving the controversy regarding treatment and outcome prediction
      should be a target. This study intends to evaluate the predictive ability of
      common radiologic tools for the surgical outcome of calcaneus fractures,
      regardless of treatment modality. 44 patients' records, with operated calcaneus
      fractures between 2008 and 2013, were retrospectively assessed and imagiology was
      blindly evaluated. Patients were submitted to percutaneous or open lateral
      approach. No relevant correlations were found between the measurements on the
      plain lateral radiograph and the outcome. Fractures were also graded according to
      the Sanders classification. Type 4 fractures predicted the occurrence of any
      hazard, such as skin or pain related complications and need for secondary surgery
      (p=0.051, odds=14.00 [CI=1.30-150.89]). However, it's still not possible to
      accurately target patients with high risk of postoperative complications. Until
      then, follow-up protocols should be maintained indiscriminately.

PMID- 26280960
TI  - Long-term follow-up of a cemented titanium stem.
AB  - We present the outcome of 270 cemented titanium alloy femoral stems. These
      patients were followed up annually both clinically and radiologically, and were
      included up until their last follow-up. 120 patients completed a 10-year follow
      up. The 10-year survival of the Ultima Straight Stem cemented femoral component
      (defined by revision of the femoral stem) was 90.1% (95% CI=84.0-94.0%), with
      aseptic loosening being the major reason for failure. The preoperative Harris Hip
      Score improved from 35.3 to 79.3 at 10 years. There were 17 cases of stem
      subsidence, radiolucent lines in 11 hips, 5 cases of cement fracture and 18 hips
      had osteolysis in 2 adjacent Gruen zones. This is the largest study in the
      English literature of this implant, and reflects UK district general hospital
      practice with surgery performed by a variety of surgical grades and via different
      surgical approaches. Although the outcome of this implant was within the previous
      standard set by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence and is
      comparable to other series of titanium stems, it is inferior to that of more
      modern cemented and uncemented implants, and falls outside the new NICE
      recommendation of <5% revision rate at ten year. As a result this implant is no
      longer used in our institution, and it has also now been withdrawn from the
      market. We suggest that patients with this implant should be followed up
      radiologically due to the relatively high rate of stem subsidence and lucency
      between the cement and prosthesis, to identify those who may be at risk of
      failure.

PMID- 26280961
TI  - Outcomes of bilateral sacroiliac joint fusions and the importance of
      understanding potential coexisting lumbosacral pathology that might also require
      surgical treatment.
AB  - Only one study in the literature describes performing a bilateral sacroiliac
      joint fusion, and the results were poor. Many patients needing a bilateral
      sacroiliac joint fusion frequently have had previous lumbosacral surgeries and
      present with lumbosacral pain as well. This study reviews our results in
      consecutive patients having had a bilateral sacroiliac joint fusion over a five
      year period. Fifteen patients had bilateral sacroiliac joint fusions with 13
      having concurrent lumbosacral fusions. The modified posterior midline fascial
      splitting approach, first described by Belanger was utilized. Patients were
      followed for an average of 30.3 months. There were no infections, neurovascular
      injuries, lasting morbidity or deaths. One non-union of a sacroiliac joint (7%)
      occurred, which after revision was satisfactory. There was a statistically
      significant drop in pain (p=0.01488) using the VAS, and patient satisfaction
      rates were 86%. With all those patients saying they would have the surgery again
      for the same result. There was no significant increase in functionality. Patients
      needing bilateral sacroiliac joint fusions frequently fall into the "failed back"
      category, and it is important to evaluate both the sacroiliac joints and the
      lumbosacral spine for potential pain generators. This study shows that by
      treating all the pain generators in both areas there were significant decreases
      in pain, low complications, low re-operation rates, and high patient satisfaction
      scores. Overall functionality, however, was not positively affected.

PMID- 26280962
TI  - The effect of the intercondylar notch width index on anterior cruciate ligament
      injuries: a study on groups with unilateral and bilateral ACL injury.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To evaluate the relationship of the intercondylar notch width with
      unilateral and bilateral ACL injury by using MR images. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The
      intercondylar notch width index was measured on the MR images of 18 patients with
      a bilateral ACL injury, 38 patients with a unilateral ACL injury and 53 healthy
      subjects with a normal ACL and the results of all groups were compared with each
      other. RESULTS: The mean NWI values were 0,227 (+/-0.008) in bilateral injured;
      0,245 (+/-0.009) in unilateral injured and 0,272 (+/-0.01) in control groups and
      0,251(+/-0.01) in unaffected side of the unilateral group. There were
      statistically significant differences in intercondylar notch width index (NWI)
      values between all groups and there was a significant difference between the
      affected and the unaffected sides in group with unilateral ACL injury. A cutoff
      value of 0.25 for NWI gave an odds ratio of 26.5 for bilateral and 3.23 for
      unilateral ACL injuries. CONCLUSIONS: The finding that NWI is significantly
      narrowed in patients with bilateral and unilateral ACL tears compared with the
      healthy controls suggest a relationship between a narrow NWI and an increased
      risk of ACL injury. The patients with a narrow NWI should also be screened
      contralaterally for assessment of ACL injury risk on the other knee. So,
      specialized training programmes for the people with narrow NWI can be prepared
      for preventing ACL injuries.

PMID- 26280963
TI  - A new compression design that increases proximal locking screw bending resistance
      in femur compression nails.
AB  - The aim is to present our new method of compression, a compression tube instead
      of conventional compression screw and to investigate the difference of proximal
      locking screw bending resistance between compression screw application (6 mm wide
      contact) and compression tube (two contact points with 13 mm gap) application. We
      formed six groups each consisting of 10 proximal locking screws. On metal
      cylinder representing lesser trochanter level, we performed 3-point bending tests
      with compression screw and with compression tube. We determined the yield points
      of the screws in 3-point bending tests using an axial compression testing
      machine. We determined the yield point of 5 mm screws as 1963+/-53 N (mean+/-SD)
      with compression screw, and as 2929+/-140 N with compression tubes. We found 51%
      more locking screw bending resistance with compression tube than with compression
      screw (p=0,000). Therefore compression tubes instead of compression screw must be
      preferred at femur compression nails.

PMID- 26280964
TI  - One-year follow-up of platelet-rich plasma infiltration to treat chronic proximal
      patellar tendinopathies.
AB  - Infiltration of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) may be considered as a recent
      therapeutic option for chronic tendinopathies. The aim of this study is to
      evaluate the clinical status and the return to sports activities in patients with
      chronic proximal patellar tendinopathies. Twenty subjects with chronic proximal
      patellar tendinopathy benefited from 1 infiltration of PRP coupled with a
      standardized eccentric rehabilitation. The follow-up (up to 1 year) was assessed
      by means of a Visual Anologue Scale (VAS), the International Knee Documentation
      Committee (IKDC) form and the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment (VISA-P)
      score. Moreover, subjects had to answer an information questionnaire concerning
      their life and sports activities. Seventy percents of the patients reported a
      favourable evolution with decrease of pain, and returned to sports activities.
      With time, VAS dropped significantly and both IKDC and VISA-P scores improved
      also significantly. This study confirms that a local injection of PRP coupled
      with a program of eccentric rehabilitation for treating a chronic jumper's knee,
      improves pain symptoms and the functionalities of the subjects' knee up to 1 year
      after injection. 

PMID- 26280965
TI  - The Muller acetabular reinforcement ring--still an option in acetabular revision
      of Paprosky 2 defects? Longterm results after 10 years.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Aim of this study was to measure the clinical and radiological
      longterm outcome after acetabular revision arthroplasty (RTHA) using the Muller
      acetabular reinforcement ring. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 86 patients with 90 revision
      arthroplasties and a mean age of 68 years (41 to 84) were included. The mean
      follow-up was 10 years (range 7-12). The Harris Hip Score and the WOMAC Index
      were used to assess pain and functional outcome. Furthermore clinical examination
      of range of motion and radiologic examinations were performed in 34 patients.
      RESULTS: The radiologic analysis reports no signs of loosening in 79%, 15% showed
      possibly loosening and 6% probable loosening. Definite radiologic loosening has
      not been detected. In the meantime 12 patients (13.3%) of 90 revision total hip
      arthroplasty underwent a revision of the acetabulum with change of the acetabular
      component which means a survival rate of 86.7% after 10 years follow-up. The mean
      center of rotation of the hip moved 0.15 cm (SD 0.74 cm) laterally and 0.1 cm (SD
      0.97 cm) cranially based on the geometrically reconstructed center of rotation. A
      mean score of 58 points for the Harris Hip Score (range 14-93) indicated a poor
      functional outcome, while a mean value of 96 points (range 0-223) for the WOMAC
      Index indicated good results for functional outcome in daily living. CONCLUSIONS:
      The revision arthroplasty in cases with acetabular defects using the Muller
      acetabular reinforcement ring shows acceptable longterm results. LEVEL OF
      EVIDENCE: Level IV.

PMID- 26280966
TI  - Mid-term results for hip resurfacing in patients under 30 years old with
      childhood hip disorders.
AB  - The aim of our study was to assess survivorship and function in young patients
      with hip resurfacing for degenerative arthritis secondary to childhood hip
      diseases. Data was collected retrospectively using the institutional database and
      patient notes. Between 1999 and 2012, there were 156 hip resurfacings performed
      in 143 patients (82 females, 73 males). Mean age at the time of surgery was 21.4
      years (12.3 to 30.0). The main indications for surgery included; DDH, AVN,
      Perthes' and SUFE. Median follow-up was 4.1 years (1.0 to 13.2). Median Oxford
      scores improved from 54.2 pre-op to 18.8 post-op at a minimum of 2 years follow
      up. There were 14 failures. Median head size was 46 mm (45 mm in the failures)
      For the failures, median cup inclination was 44.4 degrees and anteversion 7.6
      degrees. We report the largest single surgeon series of resurfacing hip
      arthroplasty in the under 30's for childhood hip disorders. 90% 5-year
      survivorship and good functional outcome can be achieved.

PMID- 26280967
TI  - Grade 3C open femur fractures with vascular repair in adults.
AB  - Grade 3C open femur fractures are challenging injuries with higher rates of
      complications. This is a retrospective review of grade 3C open femur fractures
      with vascular repair between 2002 and 2012. Outcomes included initial MESS score,
      additional injuries, duration of operation, complications, secondary operations
      or amputations, and social life implications. Thirty-one of 39 total patients
      were selected for revascularization and fracture fixation based on soft tissue
      injury and MESS score. The intra-operative approach included temporary arterial
      shunt replacement, orthopedic fixation, arterial reconstruction venous and/or
      nerve repair and routine fasciotomies. An external fixation and reverse saphenous
      vein graft was used in a majority of the patients (respectively; 93.5%, 90.3%).
      The mean follow up was 5.4 years (range 2.2-10). The decision to amputate versus
      salvage should be left up to patients and their care teams after discussing
      options and future possibilities rather than using a scoring system. 

PMID- 26280968
TI  - The young patient and the medial unicompartmental knee replacement.
AB  - PURPOSE: Younger patients with unicompartmental degenerative knee joint diseases
      present a therapeutic dilemma. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the long
      term results of the Oxford phase III unicompartmental knee replacement through a
      minimally invasive approach in the young patient. METHODS: We have studied a
      total of 51 patients (59 interventions) who underwent the Oxford Phase III
      Unicompartmental Knee Replacement. A clinical, radiographical and functional
      evaluation was performed twelve years after intervention. RESULTS: According to
      the American Knee Society Score using Insall's criteria overall results of
      unicompartmental knee arthroplasty showed an excellent or good outcome for 53
      knees (96.36%), fair for 1 (1.81%) and poor for 1 (1.81%) in the postoperative
      long term. The survival rate of the implants was close to 95% at follow-up.
      CONCLUSIONS: Twelve years follow-up results of UKA through a minimally invasive
      exposure in young patients demonstrate predictably good outcomes.

PMID- 26280969
TI  - Injuries in male versus female soccer players: epidemiology of a nationwide
      study.
AB  - The aim of this study is to analyse soccer injuries on a national scale over one
      decade and to compare injury rates by gender. Detailed injury data obtained from
      the Royal Belgian Football Association from seasons 1999-2000 and 2009-2010 were
      recorded and gender differences in incidences of injuries, type of injury,
      affected body part and timing of injury were compared. A significant decrease in
      injuries from 7.56 to 5.96 injuries per 100 players was seen (p<0.0001). Overall
      male players sustained more cont usions, fractures, joint dislocations and
      musculotendinous injuries than female players. Proportionally, females sustained
      more severe injuries than men (p<0.0001). Significantly more injuries where
      sustained during competition in both males and females. The number of injuries in
      male and female soccer players has decreased over the past decade. A higher
      injury rate was seen in men but proportionally, females sustained more severe
      injuries.

PMID- 26280970
TI  - Treatment of mallet fracture using a percutaneous fixation technique with an 18
      gauge needle.
AB  - The purpose of this paper is to introduce a simple and intuitive treatment method
      using an 18-gauge needle for mallet fractures that involve more than one-third of
      the articular surface. We performed a retrospective review of 17 patients who
      underwent closed reduction using an 18-gauge needle with transfixation of
      Kirschner wire between March 2007 and October 2013. According to the Wehbe and
      Schneider classification, 15 cases were type IB, 1 was type IIB, and 1 was type
      IIC. The mean size of bony fragments at the time of injury was 53 percent of the
      articular surface of the distal phalanx. According to Crawford's criteria, 6 of
      17 patients had an excellent result, 9 had a good result and 2 had fair results.
      Our method of percutaneous reduction using an 18-gauge needle with transfixation
      of Kirschner wire is minimally invasive and is useful for the fixation of mallet
      fractures. 

PMID- 26280971
TI  - A retrospective analysis of osteochondroma of scapula following excision biopsy.
AB  - Scapula is an uncommon site for osteochondroma. There is a paucity of information
      regarding postoperative complications, recurrence of osteochondroma, functional
      improvement. A retrospective analysis of 9 patients treated for osteochondroma
      scapula over a period of 4 years was undertaken to assess postoperative
      complications, recurrence, and functional improvement following excision biopsy
      for osteochondroma scapula. All patients of any age group who were diagnosed with
      osteochondroma scapula and treated with excision biopsy in the past 6 years were
      included in the study. Patients were followed up for recurrence, postoperative
      complications and functional assessment using modified UCLA shoulder rating
      scale. The mean age at presentation was 13.7 years. Boys were more commonly
      affected than girls with a male to female ratio of 7:2. There was no incidence of
      recurrence of osteochondroma, postoperative wound complications or functional
      limitation following excision biopsy of osteochondroma scapula. We conclude that
      preoperative functional restriction in osteochondroma of scapula is mainly due to
      location of tumour especially when present over ventral or ventromedial aspect
      scapula. After complete excision they do not cause any functional limitations. 

PMID- 26280972
TI  - Measurement of ulnar variance and radial inclination on X-rays of healed distal
      radius fractures. With the axis of the distal radius or ulna?
AB  - Ulnar variance and radial inclination are radiological parameters frequently used
      to evaluate displacement of distal radius fractures. In most studies measurements
      are based on the long central axis of the distal radius, although the axis of the
      distal ulna can also be used. The purpose of this study was to determine which
      axis is more reliable. Four observers performed measurements on standard
      anteroposterior digital wrist X-rays of 20 patients taken 1 and 2 months after
      sustaining an extra-articular distal radius fracture. Intraobserver reliability
      was similar with both methods. No difference was found in interobserver
      reliability between both methods for ulnar variance, but for radial inclination
      it was better with the axis through the radius. Measurements on two X-rays of the
      same wrist taken at a different moment were similar with both methods. It can be
      concluded that the central axis of the distal radius can remain the basis to
      determine ulnar variance and radial inclination. 

PMID- 26280973
TI  - Platelet-Rich-Plasma injection seems to be effective in treatment of plantar
      fasciitis: a case series.
AB  - Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain. Diverse non-operative
      treatment options are available. The purpose of this study was to determine if a
      single platelet-rich-plasma injection at the origin of the plantar fascia in
      patients with plantar fasciitis gives a functional improvement. Patients with
      plantar fasciitis and failed conservative treatment were included in this
      retrospective study. Included patients were sent four questionnaires after
      platelet-rich-plasma injection. Primary outcome is functional improvement,
      determined by foot function index in which lower scores correlates with a better
      foot function. A total of 61 feet in 58 patients were included. The median foot
      function index before treatment was 69.4 and after treatment 31.8, which is a
      significant decrease. In 80.3% of the patients the foot function index decreased.
      Therefore platelet-rich-plasma injection seems to be effective in treatment of
      patients with plantar fasciitis when conservative treatment failed. 

PMID- 26280974
TI  - Evaluation of current treatment techniques for distal radius fractures amongst
      Belgian orthopaedic surgeons.
AB  - This online questionnaire was initiated to investigate if a consensus on the
      treatment of distal radius fractures amongst orthopaedic surgeons in Belgium
      exist. Two cases were presented: an extra-articular fracture, with dorsal
      displacement (Frykman type I) and a displaced intra-articular fracture (Frykman
      type VII). Treatment of choice and rationale of choice were investigated. 158
      responses were collected. In case of a Frykman type I, the majority of surgeons
      would have performed a closed reduction and intrafocal K-wiring (37.3%) or volar
      plating (34.8%). In case of a Frykman type VII, volar plating was the primary
      treatment of choice (66.5%), closed reduction and K-wiring was chosen in 24.7%
      and external fixation in 4.4%. We cannot conclude on a consensus in treatment
      choice amongst Belgian orthopaedic surgeons. Compared to previous research, an
      increase in the use of volar plating in intra- as well as in extra-articular
      distal radius fractures was noticed. 

PMID- 26280975
TI  - A descriptive study on the surgery and the microbiology of Gustilo type III
      fractures in an university hospital in Switzerland.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiology, the surgical treatment, the
      microbiology, the antibiotic prophylaxis and the outcome of patients with the
      most severe type of open fractures. METHODS: Retrospective chart reviews of
      patients with Gustilo type III open fracture admitted to an university hospital
      in Switzerland between January 2007 and December 2011. The patient's and
      fracture's characteristics, surgery, antibiotic prophylaxis, and microbiology
      findings at the initial and at the revision surgery were described. RESULTS:
      Thirty patients were included (83% male, mean age 41 years). More than half of
      the patients had polytrauma. In all patients, debridement and stabilization
      surgery (70% using external fixation) were performed at admission. Soft tissue
      reconstruction was performed in 87% and in 23% immediate bone graft was
      performed. Antibiotic prophylaxis were given in all patients for a median
      duration of 9 days (60% received amoxicillin/clavulanic acid). Positive bacterial
      culture was found in 53% of the patients at initial surgery and in 88% at
      revision surgery. At initial and revision surgery, 47% and 88% of the pathogens
      were amoxicillin/clavulanic acid-resistant. Treatment outcome was favorable in 24
      of 30 patients (80%) and in six cases (20%) an amputation had to be performed.
      None of the patients had chronic bone infection. CONCLUSIONS: Positive cultures
      were found often in open fractures. Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid which is often
      mentioned in many guidelines as prophylaxis in open fractures does not cover the
      most common isolated organisms. The combination of surgery and antibiotic
      prophylaxis leads to good outcome in Gustilo type III fracture.

PMID- 26280976
TI  - Minimally invasive unicompartmental knee arthroplasty in treatment of
      osteonecrosis versus osteoarthritis: a matched-pair comparison.
AB  - This study was conducted to compare the differences of the outcome and surgical
      technique for minimally invasive unicompartmental knee arthroplasty(UKA) in
      treatment of osteonecrosis versus osteoarthritis. Twenty-nine spontaneous
      osteonecrosis of the knee (SONK) cases were reviewed retrospectively. An equal
      number of patients with osteoarthritis (OA) performed in the same period were
      selected and matched with respect to age, preoperative range of motion and
      radiological grade of knee arthrosis. The mean follow up time were 44.14+/-14.05
      and 44.45+/-14.45 months, respectively. The preoperative hospital for special
      surgery knee score and visual analogue score were significantly better in group
      OA than those of group SONK. However, the results were comparable in terms of
      postoperative pain, knee score, range of motion and axial alignment. From a
      technical point of view, the osteonecrosis stage and bone defect must be taken
      into account when using UKA for SONK.

PMID- 26280977
TI  - A novel freehand method for patellar resurfacing in total knee replacement.
AB  - Patellar resurfacing in the context of primary total knee replacement (TKR) and
      in the presence of patella-femoral osteoarthritis is common and widespread
      practice, as it reduces the rate of re-operation and anterior knee pain. There
      are several measuring devices and cutting jigs available in the market, which aim
      to aid with accurately resecting the patellar articular surface. A common
      characteristic of these jigs is that the patella needs to be everted at some
      stage to apply them and use them. The senior author of this paper has developed a
      method of performing patellar resection with the use of simple instruments with
      no need to evert it and while it engages the trochlea in a physiological
      position. We propose that this method is reproducible and produces cuts that are
      parallel to the trochlea. 

PMID- 26280978
TI  - Preventing mechanical complications of hip spacer implantation: technical tips
      and pearls.
AB  - Periprosthetic joint infection is a frequent complication after total hip
      replacement. Two-stage exchange with the use of a temporary cement spacer is
      commonplace. Several complications are possible with its use. In addition to
      infection persistence, mechanical complications such as dislocation or fractures
      are among the most common. Several risk factors can and should be addressed
      during first stage or spacer implantation surgery in order to minimize
      complications. Technical aspects as well as practical tips and pearls to overcome
      common nuisances such as spacer instability or femoral and acetabular bone loss
      will be discussed. 

PMID- 26280979
TI  - Males in Dietetics, What Can Be Learned from the Nursing Profession? A Narrative
      Review of the Literature.
AB  - In Canada 95% of dietitians are female despite serving a sex-diverse population.
      Literature examining why there are so few male dietitians is limited. However,
      nursing, like dietetics, is female dominated but has a large body of literature
      examining sex diversity within the profession. Therefore, a narrative literature
      review was conducted to find articles that examined the following questions: (i)
      What are the barriers and motivating factors for prospective male nursing
      students? and (ii) What are the perceived sex-based challenges that male nursing
      students encounter during their education? A total of 38 articles were included
      in the final review and the results are presented under the following headings:
      barriers, motivators, and educational experiences both in the classroom and
      during clinical rotations. The review outlines the current state of knowledge
      regarding sex as it relates to nursing and how this information compares with the
      current dietetics literature. Conclusions and recommendations are drawn about
      what changes could be made in dietetic education immediately and how further
      research could provide insight towards reducing the barriers and facilitating
      easier access to dietetics education for males. 

PMID- 26280980
TI  - Assessment of endothelial function and myocardial flow reserve using (15)O-water
      PET without attenuation correction.
AB  - PURPOSE: Myocardial blood flow (MBF) measurement using positron emission
      tomography (PET) from the washout rate of (15)O-water is theoretically
      independent of tissue attenuation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the
      impact of not using attenuation correction in the assessment of coronary
      endothelial function and myocardial flow reserve (MFR) using (15)O-water PET.
      METHODS: We retrospectively processed 70 consecutive (15)O-water PET examinations
      obtained at rest and during cold pressor testing (CPT) in patients with dilated
      cardiomyopathy (n = 58), or at rest and during adenosine infusion in heart
      transplant recipients (n = 12). Data were reconstructed with attenuation
      correction (AC) and without attenuation correction (NAC) using filtered
      backprojection, and MBF was quantified using a single compartmental model. The
      agreement between AC and NAC data was assessed using Lin's concordance
      correlation coefficient followed by Bland-Altman plot analysis. RESULTS:
      Regarding endothelial function, NAC PET showed poor reproducibility and poor
      agreement with AC PET data. Conversely, NAC PET demonstrated high reproducibility
      and a strong agreement with AC PET for the assessment of MFR. CONCLUSION: Non
      attenuation-corrected (15)O-water PET provided an accurate measurement of MFR
      compared to attenuation-corrected PET. However, non-attenuation-corrected PET
      data were less effective for the assessment of endothelial function using CPT in
      this population.

PMID- 26280981
TI  - Impact of PET/CT image reconstruction methods and liver uptake normalization
      strategies on quantitative image analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In oncological imaging using PET/CT, the standardized uptake value
      has become the most common parameter used to measure tracer accumulation. The aim
      of this analysis was to evaluate ultra high definition (UHD) and ordered subset
      expectation maximization (OSEM) PET/CT reconstructions for their potential impact
      on quantification. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed 40 PET/CT scans of lung
      cancer patients who had undergone PET/CT. Standardized uptake values corrected
      for body weight (SUV) and lean body mass (SUL) were determined in the single
      hottest lesion in the lung and normalized to the liver for UHD and OSEM
      reconstruction. Quantitative uptake values and their normalized ratios for the
      two reconstruction settings were compared using the Wilcoxon test. The
      distribution of quantitative uptake values and their ratios in relation to the
      reconstruction method used were demonstrated in the form of frequency
      distribution curves, box-plots and scatter plots. The agreement between OSEM and
      UHD reconstructions was assessed through Bland-Altman analysis. RESULTS: A
      significant difference was observed after OSEM and UHD reconstruction for SUV and
      SUL data tested (p < 0.0005 in all cases). The mean values of the ratios after
      OSEM and UHD reconstruction showed equally significant differences (p < 0.0005 in
      all cases). Bland-Altman analysis showed that the SUV and SUL and their
      normalized values were, on average, up to 60 % higher after UHD reconstruction as
      compared to OSEM reconstruction. CONCLUSION: OSEM and HD reconstruction brought a
      significant difference for SUV and SUL, which remained constantly high after
      normalization to the liver, indicating that standardization of reconstruction and
      the use of comparable SUV measurements are crucial when using PET/CT.

PMID- 26280982
TI  - Tropomodulin3 as the link between insulin-activated AKT2 and cortical actin
      remodeling in preparation of GLUT4 exocytosis.
AB  - It is well established that insulin-induced remodeling of actin filaments into a
      cortical mesh is required for insulin-stimulated GLUT4 exocytosis. Akt2 and its
      downstream effectors play a pivotal role in mediating the translocation and
      membrane fusion of GLUT4-storage vesicle (GSV). However, the direct downstream
      effector underlying the event of cortical actin reorganization has not been
      elucidated. In a recent study in Nature Communications, (1) Lim et al identify
      Tropomodulin3 (Tmod3) as a downstream target of the Akt2 kinase and describe the
      role of this pointed-end actin-capping protein in regulating insulin-dependent
      exocytosis of GSVs in adipocytes through the remodeling of the cortical actin
      network. Phosphorylation of Tmod3 by Akt2 on Ser71 modulates insulin-induced
      actin remodeling, a key step for GSV fusion with the plasma membrane (PM).
      Furthermore, the authors establish Tm5NM1 (Tpm3.1 in new nomenclature) (2) as the
      cognate tropomyosin partner of Tmod3, and an essential role of Tmod3-Tm5NM1
      interaction for GSV exocytosis and glucose uptake. This study elucidates a novel
      effector of Akt2 that provides a direct mechanistic link between Akt2 signaling
      and actin reorganization essential for vesicle fusion, and suggests that a subset
      of actin filaments with specific molecular compositions may be dedicated for the
      process of vesicle fusion. 

PMID- 26280983
TI  - Nanofiber Yarn/Hydrogel Core-Shell Scaffolds Mimicking Native Skeletal Muscle
      Tissue for Guiding 3D Myoblast Alignment, Elongation, and Differentiation.
AB  - Designing scaffolds that can mimic native skeletal muscle tissue and induce 3D
      cellular alignment and elongated myotube formation remains an ongoing challenge
      for skeletal muscle tissue engineering. Herein, we present a simple technique to
      generate core-shell composite scaffolds for mimicking native skeletal muscle
      structure, which comprise the aligned nanofiber yarn (NFY) core and the
      photocurable hydrogel shell. The aligned NFYs are prepared by the hybrid
      composition including poly(caprolactone), silk fibroin, and polyaniline via a
      developed dry-wet electrospinning method. A series of core-shell column and sheet
      composite scaffolds are ultimately obtained by encapsulating a piece and layers
      of aligned NFY cores within the hydrogel shell after photo-cross-linking. C2C12
      myoblasts are seeded within the core-shell scaffolds, and the good
      biocompatibility of these scaffolds and their ability to induce 3D cellular
      alignment and elongation are successfully demonstrated. Furthermore, the 3D
      elongated myotube formation within core-shell scaffolds is also performed after
      long-term cultivation. These data suggest that these core-shell scaffolds combine
      the aligned NFY core that guides the myoblast alignment and differentiation and
      the hydrogel shell that provides a suitable 3D environment for nutrition exchange
      and mechanical protection to perform a great practical application for skeletal
      muscle regeneration. 

PMID- 26280984
TI  - Nano-Structured Bio-Inorganic Hybrid Material for High Performing Oxygen
      Reduction Catalyst.
AB  - In this study, we demonstrate a non-Pt nanostructured bioinorganic hybrid (BIH)
      catalyst for catalytic oxygen reduction in alkaline media. This catalyst was
      synthesized through biomaterial hemin, nanostructured Ag-Co alloy, and graphene
      nano platelets (GNP) by heat-treatment and ultrasonically processing. This hybrid
      catalyst has the advantages of the combined features of these bio and inorganic
      materials. A 10-fold improvement in catalytic activity (at 0.8 V vs RHE) is
      achieved in comparison of pure Ag nanoparticles (20-40 nm). The hybrid catalyst
      reaches 80% activity (at 0.8 V vs RHE) of the state-of-the-art catalyst
      (containing 40% Pt and 60% active carbon). Comparable catalytic stability for the
      hybrid catalyst with the Pt catalyst is observed by chronoamperometric
      experiment. The hybrid catalyst catalyzes 4-electron oxygen reduction to produce
      water with fast kinetic rate. The rate constant obtained from the hybrid catalyst
      (at 0.6 V vs RHE) is 4 times higher than that of pure Ag/GNP catalyst. A
      catalytic model is proposed to explain the oxygen reduction reaction at the BIH
      catalyst. 

PMID- 26280985
TI  - Calculations of hyperfine coupling constant of copper(II) in aqueous environment.
      Finite temperature molecular dynamics and relativistic effects.
AB  - The presented paper is focused on the calculation of hyperfine coupling constants
      (HFCC) of Cu (2+) ion in water environment. To simulate the conditions of the
      electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) experiment in aqueous phase, molecular
      dynamics using the density functional theory (DFT) was employed. In total three
      different functionals (BLYP, B3LYP, M06) were employed for studying their
      suitability in describing coordination of Cu (2+) by water molecules. The system
      of our interest was composed of one Cu (2+) cation surrounded by a selected
      number (between thirty and fifty) of water molecules. Besides the non
      relativistic HFCCs (Fermi contact terms) of Cu (2+) also the four-component
      relativistic HFCC calculations are presented. The importance of the proper
      evaluation of HFCCs, the inclusion of spin-orbit term, for Cu (2+) containing
      systems (Neese, J. Chem. Phys. 118, 3939 2003; Almeida et al., Chem. Phys. 332,
      176 2007) is confirmed at the relativistic four-component level of theory.

PMID- 26280987
TI  - Hidden Bond Anomalies: The Peculiar Case of the Fluorinated Amine Chalcogenides.
AB  - Bond anomalies have been investigated for a set of 53 molecules with either N-F,
      Ti-P, Cr-H, Pb-C, or Pb-F bonds for which reverse rather than inverse bond length
      bond strength relationships have been previously claimed. The intrinsic strength
      of each bond investigated was determined utilizing the associated local
      stretching force constant obtained at the CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVTZ level of theory.
      For the metal containing molecules, LC-omegaPBE calculations with the aug-cc-pVTZ
      (Cr, Pb) and the 6-31++G(d,p) basis set (Ti) were carried out. For bonds
      containing a metal atom, any bond anomaly could not be confirmed. Previously
      reported results were due to ill-defined bond strength descriptors or lacking
      accuracy. In the case of the fluoro amines, methyl fluoro amines, and the fluoro
      amine oxides, direct or hidden bond anomalies were detected, which result from
      two or more opposing electronic effects: a dominant bond shortening effect due to
      electron withdrawal and a bond weakening due to lone pair repulsion or
      hybridization defects. Bond anomalies can be disguised by a complex interplay of
      electronic effects. These hidden bond anomalies could be identified in this work
      for the fluoro amine chalcogenides. 

PMID- 26280986
TI  - Lethal and Demographic Impact of Chlorpyrifos and Spinosad on the Ectoparasitoid
      Habrobracon hebetor (Say) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae).
AB  - The appropriate use of biological agents and chemical compounds is necessary to
      establish successful integrated pest management (IPM) programs. Thus, the off
      target effects of pesticides on biological control agents are essential
      considerations of IPM. In this study, the effects of lethal and sublethal
      concentrations of chlorpyrifos and spinosad on the demographic parameters of
      Habrobracon hebetor (Say) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) were assessed. Bioassays were
      carried out on immature and adult stages by using dipping and contact exposure of
      dry pesticide residue on an inert material, respectively. The lethal
      concentration (LC)50 values of chlorpyrifos and spinosad were 3.69 and 151.37
      ppm, respectively, on the larval stage and 1.75 and 117.37 ppm, respectively, on
      adults. Hazard quotient (HQ) values for chlorpyrifos and spinosad were 400 and
      2.2, respectively, on the larval stage and 857.14 and 2.84, respectively, on
      adults. A low lethal concentration (LC30) was used to assess the sublethal
      effects of both pesticides on the surviving females. In each treatment, 25
      survivors were randomly selected and transferred into 6-cm Petri dishes. Adults
      were provided daily with last instars of Anagasta kuehniella (Zeller) as a host
      until all of the females died. The number of eggs laid, percent of larvae
      hatched, longevity, and sex ratio were recorded. Stable population growth
      parameters were estimated by the Jackknife method. In control, chlorpyrifos, and
      spinosad treatments, the intrinsic rates of increase (r m) values were 0.23,
      0.10, and 0.21, respectively. The results of this study suggest a relative
      compatibility between spinosad use and H. hebetor. Finally, further studies
      should be conducted under natural conditions to verify the compatibility of
      spinosad with H. hebetor in IPM programs.

PMID- 26280988
TI  - Real-life Data on Patient Characteristics, Cost and Effectiveness of Field
      directed Treatment for Actinic Keratoses: An Observational Study.
AB  - Actinic keratoses (AK) occur frequently; however, real-life clinical data on
      personalized treatment choice and costs are scarce. This multicentre one-year
      observational study investigated patient-characteristics, cost and effectiveness
      of methylaminolaevulinate photodynamic therapy (MAL-PDT), imiquimod (IMI) and 5
      fluorour-acil (5-FU) in patients with AKs on the face/scalp. A total of 104
      patients preferred MAL-PDT, 106 preferred IMI and 110 preferred 5-FU. At
      baseline, significant differences between treatment groups were found; most
      patients were severely affected (mean 32.5 AK in PDT-group, 20.2 in IMI-group,
      22.8 in 5-FU-group). A mean reduction in lesions of 81% after MAL-PDT, 82% after
      IMI and 88% after 5-FU was found after one year. Annual costs were ?1,950 for MAL
      PDT, ?877 for IMI and ?738 for 5-FU. These results show that, compared with
      clinical trials, in the real-life clinical setting AK patients are usually more
      severely affected and treatment costs are much higher. Furthermore, patient
      characteristics are important factors in treatment choice. 

PMID- 26280989
TI  - Self-Reported Memory Failures: Associations with Future Dementia in a Population
      Based Study with Long-Term Follow-Up.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To examine the association between self-reported memory failures and
      incident dementia in individuals aged 60 and older. DESIGN: Longitudinal,
      community based. SETTING: Betula Prospective Cohort Study, a population-based
      study in Umea, Sweden. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals with a mean age of 71.5 +/- 8.8
      (range 60-90) (N = 1,547). MEASUREMENTS: Participants rated the frequency of
      everyday memory failures using the 16-item Prospective and Retrospective Memory
      Questionnaire (PRMQ) and underwent objective memory testing at baseline.
      Participant self-reports of complaints of poor memory by family and friends were
      evaluated. Dementia status was followed-up for 10 to 12 years. RESULTS: Over the
      study period, 225 participants developed dementia (132 with Alzheimer's disease
      (AD)). In Cox proportional hazard regression models adjusted for demographic
      factors, PRMQz-scores predicted incident dementia (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.21 for
      all-cause dementia; HR = 1.25 for AD, Ps < .01). The significant associations
      remained when depressive symptoms and objective memory performance were adjusted
      for, when low performers on objective memory (>=1 standard deviations below the
      age group mean) were excluded, and in analyses with delayed entry (survival time
      >= 5 years). Similar patterns were observed for the prospective and retrospective
      subscales, although including how often participants self-reported that others
      complained about their poor memory eliminated the association between PRMQ scores
      and dementia and itself emerged as a significant predictor. CONCLUSION: Self
      reported memory failure predicted future dementia or AD independent of objective
      memory performance. Subjective reports of complaints by family and friends appear
      to be an even more-important indicator of preclinical impairments, and physicians
      should not ignore them, even in the absence of objective memory deficits.

PMID- 26280990
TI  - Urinalysis Orders Among Patients Admitted to the General Medicine Service.

PMID- 26280992
TI  - A comparative study of colorimetric cell proliferation assays in immune cells.
AB  - Cell proliferation assays are basic and essential techniques for assessing
      cellular function. Various colorimetric assays, such as MTT-, WST-1-, and
      resazurin-based assays, are available; however, studies directly comparing the
      suitability of each method for immune cell proliferation are scarce. Thus, we
      aimed to determine the best reagent and its optimal conditions based on variables
      such as cell number range, stimulation dose, kinetics, and compatibility with the
      cell division assay using CFSE fluorescence dye which is able to directly monitor
      divided cells by flow cytometry. In the absence of stimulation, MTT solubilized
      with SDS (MTT-SDS) and resazurin appeared to accurately reflect the cell numbers
      in a linear fashion. On the other hand, WST-1 exhibited a higher stimulation
      index following strong stimulation, whereas MTT-SDS and resazurin exhibited a
      better sensitivity to weak stimulation. A longer duration for stimulation did not
      necessarily increase sensitivity. CFSE staining revealed incremental cell
      division in response to anti-CD3 antibody stimulation in a dose-dependent manner.
      The cell numbers indirectly estimated from cell division profiles were consistent
      with the dose-response curve in the absorbance of MTT-SDS and resazurin. The
      absorbance does not increase before cell division, irrespective of T cell
      activation status, suggesting that these reagents reflect the cell number but not
      the cellular volume. Collectively, resazurin and MTT-SDS seem to be more reliable
      than others, and thus appear applicable in various conditions for the immune cell
      experiments. 

PMID- 26280991
TI  - Mechanisms of Quality of Life and Social Support in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
AB  - Cognitive and social factors are essential considerations in inflammatory bowel
      disease (IBD) patient management, but existing research is limited. This study
      aims to expand the IBD literature by examining the relationship between social
      supports and QoL, while examining mechanisms in these relationships. Consenting
      patients attending an IBD outpatient clinic were provided a survey package (N =
      164). Regressions evaluated predictors of IBD-QoL, and catastrophizing and
      optimism were examined as mediators between social support and IBD-QoL.
      Diminished IBD-QoL was predicted by younger age, greater negative spousal
      responses, and less perceived spousal support. Mediation models showed
      helplessness catastrophizing to be the lone mediator, acting as a mechanism
      between both negative spousal responses and perceived spousal support with IBD
      QoL. Social interaction variables are associated with IBD-QoL, but patients'
      experience of helplessness acts to reduce their ability to benefit from social
      support. Patient care should consider supportive social and cognitive factors to
      improve IBD-QoL.

PMID- 26280994
TI  - Primary prevention of neural tube defects in Brazil: insights into anencephaly.

PMID- 26280995
TI  - Genetic professionals' views on genetic counsellors: a French survey.
AB  - The genetic counselling profession was established in France in 2004. Eight years
      later, 122 genetic counsellors have graduated from the unique educational French
      program which awards the Professional Master Degree of Human Pathology, entitled
      "Master of Genetic Counselling and Predictive Medicine". As part of a global
      evaluation of this new profession by health genetic professionals, we undertook a
      national survey investigating various aspects such as employment, work
      responsibilities and integration. To our knowledge, this is the first study to
      investigate the views of genetic professionals on the genetic counsellors' role.
      Of 422 French professionals invited to take part in this study, 126 participated.
      The survey underlines that this profession is significantly recognized by
      physicians practicing within genetics departments. French genetic counsellors are
      allowed to manage consultations independently, without the necessary presence of
      a qualified medical geneticist but under his or her responsibility. Genetic
      counsellors participate in a wide range of consultations. They provide both
      information for relevant and for genetic testing and sometimes disclose the
      genetic test result to patient. Eventually, the role of genetic counsellors
      appears to be directly dependent from the relationship of trust between the two
      health professions. 

PMID- 26280993
TI  - The Future of Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Sciences.
AB  - The entire pharmaceutical sector is in an urgent need of both innovative
      technological solutions and fundamental scientific work, enabling the production
      of highly engineered drug products. Commercial-scale manufacturing of complex
      drug delivery systems (DDSs) using the existing technologies is challenging. This
      review covers important elements of manufacturing sciences, beginning with risk
      management strategies and design of experiments (DoE) techniques. Experimental
      techniques should, where possible, be supported by computational approaches. With
      that regard, state-of-art mechanistic process modeling techniques are described
      in detail. Implementation of materials science tools paves the way to molecular
      based processing of future DDSs. A snapshot of some of the existing tools is
      presented. Additionally, general engineering principles are discussed covering
      process measurement and process control solutions. Last part of the review
      addresses future manufacturing solutions, covering continuous processing and,
      specifically, hot-melt processing and printing-based technologies. Finally,
      challenges related to implementing these technologies as a part of future health
      care systems are discussed.

PMID- 26280996
TI  - Social determinants of family health history collection.
AB  - Family health history (FHH) is the most basic form of genomic information.
      Although public health efforts have been made to promote FHH collection,
      empirical data on the extent to which community residents in rural areas actively
      collect FHH is limited. Therefore, we examined rates of FHH collection in a
      community-based sample of South Carolina residents. We conducted a structured
      telephone survey in a random sample of black and white South Carolina residents.
      Respondents were asked if they had ever actively collected FHH from relatives
      using an item developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
      Overall, 42 % of respondents reported that they had actively collected their FHH.
      Blacks were significantly more likely than whites to have collected their FHH in
      bivariate analysis, but race did not have a significant association with FHH
      collection in the multivariate model (OR = 1.36, 95 % CI = 0.79, 2.35, p = 0.26).
      The likelihood of collecting FHH was increased among respondents whose last
      medical visit occurred in the past year compared to those whose last medical
      visit was more than 1 year ago (OR = 2.00, 95 % CI = 1.12, 3.56, p = 0.02). In
      addition, older respondents had a reduced likelihood of collecting their FHH (OR
      = 0.69, 95 % CI = 0.53, 0.90, p = .01). Lastly, women were about twice as likely
      as men to have collected their FHH (OR = 1.83, 95 % CI = 1.12, 2.99, p = 0.02).
      Greater efforts are needed to increase the collection of FHH information; these
      efforts may need to target men, the elderly, and individuals who have not had a
      recent medical visit. 

PMID- 26280997
TI  - Ad Integrum Functional and Volumetric Recovery in Right Lobe Living Donors: Is It
      Really Complete 1 Year After Donor Hepatectomy?
AB  - The partial liver's ability to regenerate both as a graft and remnant justifies
      right lobe (RL) living donor liver transplantation. We studied (using biochemical
      and radiological parameters) the rate, extent of, and predictors of functional
      and volumetric recovery of the remnant left liver (RLL) during the first year in
      91 consecutive RL donors. Recovery of normal liver function (prothrombin time
      [PT] >=70% of normal and total bilirubin [TB] <=20 umol/L), liver volumetric
      recovery, and percentage RLL growth were analyzed. Normal liver function was
      regained by postoperative day's 7, 30, and 365 in 52%, 86%, and 96% donors,
      respectively. Similarly, mean liver volumetric recovery was 64%, 71%, and 85%;
      whereas the percentage liver growth was 85%, 105%, and 146%, respectively.
      Preoperative PT value (p = 0.01), RLL/total liver volume (TLV) ratio (p = 0.03),
      middle hepatic vein harvesting (p = 0.02), and postoperative peak TB (p < 0.01)
      were predictors of early functional recovery, whereas donor age (p = 0.03),
      RLL/TLV ratio (p = 0.004), and TLV/ body weight ratio (p = 0.02) predicted early
      volumetric recuperation. One-year post-RL donor hepatectomy, though functional
      recovery occurs in almost all (96%), donors had incomplete restoration (85%) of
      preoperative total liver volume. Modifiable predictors of regeneration could help
      in better and safer donor selection, while continuing to ensure successful
      recipient outcomes. 

PMID- 26280998
TI  - TCF-1 upregulation identifies early innate lymphoid progenitors in the bone
      marrow.
AB  - The cellular and molecular events that drive the early development of innate
      lymphoid cells (ILCs) remain poorly understood. We show that the transcription
      factor TCF-1 is required for the efficient generation of all known adult ILC
      subsets and their precursors. Using novel reporter mice, we identified a new
      subset of early ILC progenitors (EILPs) expressing high amounts of TCF-1. EILPs
      lacked efficient T and B lymphocyte potential but efficiently gave rise to NK
      cells and all known adult helper ILC lineages, indicating that they are the
      earliest ILC-committed progenitors identified so far. Our results suggest that
      upregulation of TCF-1 expression denotes the earliest stage of ILC fate
      specification. The discovery of EILPs provides a basis for deciphering additional
      signals that specify ILC fate. 

PMID- 26280999
TI  - Pyrethroids and Nectar Toxins Have Subtle Effects on the Motor Function, Grooming
      and Wing Fanning Behaviour of Honeybees (Apis mellifera).
AB  - Sodium channels, found ubiquitously in animal muscle cells and neurons, are one
      of the main target sites of many naturally-occurring, insecticidal plant
      compounds and agricultural pesticides. Pyrethroids, derived from compounds found
      only in the Asteraceae, are particularly toxic to insects and have been
      successfully used as pesticides including on flowering crops that are visited by
      pollinators. Pyrethrins, from which they were derived, occur naturally in the
      nectar of some flowering plant species. We know relatively little about how such
      compounds--i.e., compounds that target sodium channels--influence pollinators at
      low or sub-lethal doses. Here, we exposed individual adult forager honeybees to
      several compounds that bind to sodium channels to identify whether these
      compounds affect motor function. Using an assay previously developed to identify
      the effect of drugs and toxins on individual bees, we investigated how acute
      exposure to 10 ng doses (1 ppm) of the pyrethroid insecticides (cyfluthrin, tau
      fluvalinate, allethrin and permethrin) and the nectar toxins (aconitine and
      grayanotoxin I) affected honeybee locomotion, grooming and wing fanning
      behaviour. Bees exposed to these compounds spent more time upside down and
      fanning their wings. They also had longer bouts of standing still. Bees exposed
      to the nectar toxin, aconitine, and the pyrethroid, allethrin, also spent less
      time grooming their antennae. We also found that the concentration of the nectar
      toxin, grayanotoxin I (GTX), fed to bees affected the time spent upside down
      (i.e., failure to perform the righting reflex). Our data show that low doses of
      pyrethroids and other nectar toxins that target sodium channels mainly influence
      motor function through their effect on the righting reflex of adult worker
      honeybees.

PMID- 26281000
TI  - Interventricular septum metastasis in neuroendocrine tumour.

PMID- 26281001
TI  - Intensification of insulin therapy with basal-bolus or premixed insulin regimens
      in type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized
      controlled trials.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of
      randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the effect of intensified insulin
      regimens (basal-bolus versus premixed) on glycemic control in patients with type
      2 diabetes. We conducted an electronic search until March 2015 on many electronic
      databases including online registries of ongoing trials. All RCTs comparing basal
      bolus with premixed insulin regimens, with a duration of >12 weeks and with >30
      patients per arm, were included. Investigators extracted data on study
      characteristics, outcome measures, and methodological quality. We found thirteen
      RCTs lasting 16-60 weeks and involving 5255 patients assessed for the primary
      endpoint (reduction of HbA1c from baseline). Meta-analysis of change in HbA1c
      level between basal-bolus and premixed insulin regimens resulted in a small and
      non-significant difference of 0.09% (95% CI -0.03 to 0.21), with substantial
      heterogeneity between studies (I(2) = 74.4%). There was no statistically
      significant difference in the event rate for overall hypoglycemia (0.16
      episode/patient/year, 95%CI -2.07 to 2.3), weight change (-0.21 kg, -0.164 to
      0.185), and daily insulin dose (-0.54 U/day, -2.7 to 1.6). The likelihood for
      reaching the HbA1c <7% was 8% higher (3-13%, I(2) = 68.8%) with the basal-bolus
      as compared with the premixed regimen. There is no clinically relevant difference
      in the efficacy of basal-bolus versus premixed insulin regimens for HbA1c
      decrease in type 2 diabetic patients. These findings may be helpful to adapt
      treatment to individual patient needs.

PMID- 26281002
TI  - Cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and antibacterial effectiveness of a bioceramic
      endodontic sealer.
AB  - AIM: To compare the characteristics of bioceramic endodontic sealer Endosequence
      BC sealer with those of AH Plus sealer. METHODOLOGY: Cytotoxicity and
      genotoxicity were analysed on human gingival fibroblasts submitted to cell
      culture medium conditioned by sealers using the MTT reduction assay and
      micronucleus formation test (MNT), respectively. Cells grown on fresh medium
      served as controls. Cell viabilities were measured at 1, 3, 5 and 7 days. The
      antibacterial activity was analysed on an Enterococcus faecalis strain (ATCC
      29212) using both on agar diffusion test (ADT) and a direct contact test (DCT).
      The inhibition zones in ADT were measured after 48 h and the colony-forming units
      counting in the DCT after 1, 24, 72 and 168 h. Data were compared by anova and
      Tukey's test and MNT by Fisher's exact test (P < 0.05). RESULTS: Cultures
      submitted to Endosequence BC sealer had a significantly higher number of viable
      cells (P < 0.01) and less micronucleus formation (P < 0.05) than AH Plus sealer.
      Endosequence BC sealer exhibited significantly smaller inhibition zones (6.00 +/-
      0.03 mm) than AH Plus sealer (10.31 +/- 0.21 mm) (P < 0.05). Moreover,
      Endosequence BC sealer had significantly smaller antibacterial activity than AH
      Plus sealer up to 1 h of direct contact (P < 0.05). On other exposure times, both
      materials had similar antibacterial effectiveness (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS:
      Bioceramic-based sealer had less cytotoxicity and genotoxicity and similar
      antibacterial effect against E. faecalis in comparison with AH Plus sealer.

PMID- 26281003
TI  - Kinetics of Heterogeneous Reaction of Sulfur Dioxide on Authentic Mineral Dust:
      Effects of Relative Humidity and Hydrogen Peroxide.
AB  - Heterogeneous reaction of SO2 on mineral dust seems to be an important sink for
      SO2. However, kinetic data about this reaction on authentic mineral dust are
      scarce and are mainly limited to low relative humidity (RH) conditions. In
      addition, little is known about the role of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in this
      reaction. Here, we investigated the uptake kinetics of SO2 on three authentic
      mineral dusts (i.e., Asian mineral dust (AMD), Tengger desert dust (TDD), and
      Arizona test dust (ATD)) in the absence and presence of H2O2 at different RHs
      using a filter-based flow reactor, and applied a parameter (effectiveness factor)
      to the estimation of the effective surface area of particles for the calculation
      of the corrected uptake coefficient (gammac). We found that with increasing RH,
      the gammac decreases on AMD particles, but increases on ATD and TDD particles.
      This discrepancy is probably due to the different mineralogy compositions and
      aging extents of these dust samples. Furthermore, the presence of H2O2 can
      promote the uptake of SO2 on mineral dust at different RHs. The probable
      explanations are that H2O2 rapidly reacts with SO2 on mineral dust in the
      presence of adsorbed water, and OH radicals, which can be produced from the
      heterogeneous decomposition of H2O2 on the mineral dust, immediately react with
      adsorbed SO2 as well. Our results suggest that the removal of SO2 via the
      heterogeneous reaction on mineral dust is an important sink for SO2 and has the
      potential to alter the physicochemical properties (e.g., ice nucleation ability)
      of mineral dust particles in the atmosphere. 

PMID- 26281004
TI  - Synthesis of oligo- and polysaccharides by Lactobacillus reuteri 121
      reuteransucrase at high concentrations of sucrose.
AB  - GTFA, a glucansucrase enzyme of the probiotic bacterium Lactobacillus reuteri
      121, is capable of synthesizing an alpha-glucan polysaccharide with (1 -> 4) and
      (1 -> 6) linkages from sucrose. With respect to its biosynthesis, the present
      study has shown that the ratio of oligosaccharide versus polysaccharide
      synthesized was directly proportional to the concentration of sucrose. It appears
      that the size distribution of products is kinetically controlled, but the linkage
      distribution in the polysaccharide material is not changed. At high sucrose
      concentrations the sucrose isomers leucrose and trehalulose were synthesized,
      using the accumulated fructose as acceptor, together with 4'- and 6'-alpha-D
      glucosyl-leucrose and 6'-alpha-D-glucosyl-trehalulose. The finding of an
      additional branched hexasaccharide demonstrates that the enzyme is able to
      introduce branch-points already in relatively short oligosaccharides.

PMID- 26281005
TI  - Synthesis of hierarchical NiCo2O4 hollow nanorods via sacrificial-template
      accelerate hydrolysis for electrochemical glucose oxidation.
AB  - Hierarchical NiCo2O4 hollow nanorods (HR) were directly grown on stainless steel
      via a sacrificial template accelerated hydrolysis and post calcination using ZnO
      nanorod as a template. The composition of the NiCo2O4 HR electrode was determined
      using X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The morphology of
      the NiCo2O4 HR is comprised of nanoflakes that were characterized with scanning
      electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The mixed-valence metal
      oxide and hollow structure provided high chemical reactivity and a large surface
      area for glucose oxidation in an alkaline solution. Under an optimal applied
      potential of +0.6 V, the developed NiCo2O4 HR electrode showed a broad detection
      range of 0.0003-1.0 mM, a sensitivity of 1685.1 MUA mM-1 cm-2, and a low
      detection limit of 0.16 MUM. These results represent a significant improvement
      over both NiO and Co3O4 HR. The developed NiCo2O4 HR electrode not only
      demonstrated excellent selectivity in the presence of several electro-active
      species, but also exhibited high stability following a 200 cycles voltammetry
      test.

PMID- 26281006
TI  - Controlling Solid-Gas Reactions at Nanoscale for Enhanced Thin Film Morphologies
      and Device Performances in Solution-Processed Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 Solar Cells.
AB  - Using Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 (CZTSSe) as a model system, we demonstrate the kinetic
      control of solid-gas reactions at nanoscale by manipulating the surface chemistry
      of both sol-gel nanoparticles (NPs) and colloidal nanocrystals (NCs).
      Specifically, we first identify that thiourea (commonly used as sulfur source in
      sol-gel processes for metal sulfides) can transform into melamine upon film
      formation, which serves as surface ligands for as-formed Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) NPs. We
      further reveal that the presence of these surface ligands can significantly
      affect the outcome of the solid-gas reactions, which enables us to effectively
      control the selenization process during the fabrication of CZTSSe solar cells and
      achieve optimal film morphologies (continuous large grains) by fine-tuning the
      amount of surface ligands used. Such enhancement leads to better light absorption
      and allows us to achieve 6.5% efficiency from CZTSSe solar cells processed via a
      sol-gel process using nontoxic, low boiling point mixed solvents. We believe our
      discovery that the ligand of particulate precursors can significantly affect
      solid-gas reactions is universal to solid-state chemistry and will boost further
      research in both understanding the fundamentals of solid-state reactions at
      nanoscale and taking advantage of these reactions to fabricate crystalline thin
      film semiconductors with better morphologies and performances. 

PMID- 26281007
TI  - Antihypertensive and neuroprotective actions of pyridoxine and its derivatives.
AB  - Vitamin B6 plays a crucial role in the nervous system as the amino acid
      decarboxylases involved in the synthesis of all putative neurotransmitters
      requires the coenzyme pyridoxal phosphate. Vitamin B6 in its various forms has
      antioxidant properties. Pyridoxal phosphate has a role in regulating cellular
      calcium transport through both the voltage-mediated and ATP-mediated purinergic
      mechanisms of cellular calcium influx and, hence, has a role in the control of
      hypertension. Pharmacological doses of vitamin B6 appear to decrease the high
      blood pressure associated with both genetic and nongenetic models of
      hypertension. Vitamin B6 has a crucial role in the normal function of the central
      and peripheral nervous systems. It also protects against ischemia and glutamate
      induced neurotoxicity. 

PMID- 26281008
TI  - Amelioration of Osteoporosis and Hypovitaminosis D by Sunlight Exposure in
      Hospitalized Elderly Women With Alzheimer's Disease: A Randomized Controlled
      Trial.

PMID- 26281010
TI  - Impact of Question Content on e-Consultation Outcomes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: By facilitating direct communication of primary care providers (PCPs)
      with specialists for advice, electronic consult (e-consult) services can reduce
      the need for patients to wait for and travel to face-to-face consultations with
      specialists. An association between avoiding face-to-face referrals using an e
      consult service and specific content within each e-consult has not been
      rigorously explored. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cases submitted to the Champlain
      Building Access to Specialists through eConsultation service between April 2011
      to May 2013 were evaluated. Factors analyzed include question type (e.g.,
      diagnosis or management), formulation (if interventions or outcomes were
      specified), and the addressed specialty. An avoided referral was present if the
      PCP indicated so in a mandatory close-out survey. A discrepancy was present if
      the PCP made a referral when the specialist did not indicate one was necessary,
      or if the PCP did not request a referral despite the specialist recommending one.
      RESULTS: There were 426 (40%) avoided referrals among 1,055 cases analyzed.
      Questions associated with the highest avoided referral rates included ones
      pertaining to diagnosis (44%), nonspecific requests for direction (44%),
      questions without specified interventions or outcomes (47%), and dermatology
      cases (49.5%). Specialists agreed on the need for a referral in 82% of cases,
      with most discrepancies due to the PCP making a referral without the specialist
      recommending one. CONCLUSIONS: Referral outcomes are associated with the type of
      question being asked, the formulation of each question, and the specialty being
      addressed. Discrepancies among PCPs and specialists regarding which patients
      require face-to-face referrals may help identify knowledge gaps and guide
      professional development.

PMID- 26281011
TI  - Cyclophilin polymorphism and virus infection.
AB  - Viruses are obligate intracellular parasites. All stages of their replication
      cycle depend on support by host-encoded factors. However, sequence variation also
      exists in host factors mostly in the form of single nucleotide polymorphisms
      (SNPs). Several coding and non-coding genetic variants in the PPIA gene encoding
      for CypA have been described, but there is only limited information about their
      influence on the course of viral infection. This paper reviews PPIA polymorphisms
      and what is known about their impact on the replication cycle and course of
      disease for different viral infections. 

PMID- 26281012
TI  - Development and validation of an epidermolysis bullosa family/parental burden
      score.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The notion of the individual burden associated with a disease has
      been introduced to determine 'disability' in the broadest sense: psychological,
      social, economic and physical. Subtypes of epidermolysis bullosa (EB) are rare,
      life-threatening, untreatable chronic genodermatoses. OBJECTIVES: To develop and
      validate a specific questionnaire assessing the burden on families of children
      with EB: Epidermolysis Bullosa Burden of Disease (EB-BoD). METHODS: Items were
      generated by a verbatim report from parents of children with EB. Subsequently, a
      study was implemented for psychometric analysis. An epidermolysis bullosa burden
      of-disease questionnaire was refined via item reduction according to inter
      question correlations, consensus among experts and exploratory factor analysis.
      Internal consistency was determined by calculating Cronbach's alpha. Concurrent
      validity was determined by calculating the correlation between EB-BoD and the
      Short-Form 12 items (SF-12) questionnaire. RESULTS: From a primary list of 30
      items, EB-BoD was reduced to a 20-item questionnaire, covering four disease
      aspects based on the exploratory factor analysis. Construct validity was
      demonstrated and the EB-BoD questionnaire showed good internal consistency
      (Cronbach's alpha = 0.9). The resulting EB-BoD score was significantly correlated
      to the mental dimension of SF-12 (r = -0.61), but it was not correlated to it's
      physical dimension (r = 0.04). EB-BoD scores were significantly discriminating
      between EB subtypes. CONCLUSIONS: The EB-BoD questionnaire appears to be a useful
      assessment tool regarding medical and socioeconomic issues in patients with EB
      and their families. EB-BoD scores correlate well with the family/parental burden
      experienced by the families of patients with EB.

PMID- 26281013
TI  - Maternal Determinants of Birth Weight in Northern Ghana.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Weight at birth is usually considered as an indicator of the health
      status of a given society. As a result this study was designed to investigate the
      association between birth weight and maternal factors such as gestational weight
      gain, pre-pregnancy BMI and socio-economic status in Northern Ghana. METHODS: The
      study was a facility-based cross-sectional survey conducted in two districts in
      the Northern region of Ghana. These districts were purposively sampled to
      represent a mix of urban, peri-urban and rural population. The current study
      included 419 mother-infant pairs who delivered at term (37-42 weeks). Mother's
      height, pre-pregnancy weight and weight changes were generated from the antenatal
      records. Questionnaires were administered to establish socio-economic and
      demographic information of respondents. Maternal factors associated with birth
      weight were examined using multiple and univariate regressions. RESULTS: The
      mothers were generally well nourished before conception (Underweight 3.82%,
      Normal 57.76%, Overweight 25.06% and Obesity 13.37%) but approximately half of
      them could not gain adequate weight according to Institute of Medicine
      recommendations (Low weight gain 49.64%, Adequate weight gain 42.96% and
      Excessive weight gain 7.40%). Infants whose mothers had excess weight gain were
      431g (95% CI 18-444) heavier compared to those whose mothers gained normal
      weight, while those whose mothers gained less were 479g (95% CI -682- (-276)
      lighter. Infants of mothers who were overweight and obese before conception were
      246g (95% CI 87-405) and 595g (95% CI 375-815) respectively heavier than those of
      normal mothers, whereas those whose mothers were underweight were 305g (95% CI 
      565 -(-44) lighter. The mean birth weight observed was 2.98 +/- 0.68 kg.
      CONCLUSION: Our findings show that pre-pregnancy body mass index and weight gain
      during pregnancy influence birth weight. Therefore, emphasis should be placed on
      counseling and assisting pregnant women to stay within the recommended weight
      gain ranges.

PMID- 26281014
TI  - Contrasting Strategies of Alfalfa Stem Elongation in Response to Fall Dormancy in
      Early Growth Stage: The Tradeoff between Internode Length and Internode Number.
AB  - Fall dormancy (FD) in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) can be described using 11 FD
      ratings, is widely used as an important indicator of stress resistance,
      productive performance and spring growth. However, the contrasting growth
      strategies in internode length and internode number in alfalfa cultivars with
      different FD rating are poorly understood. Here, a growth chamber study was
      conducted to investigate the effect of FD on plant height, aboveground biomass,
      internode length, and internode number in alfalfa individuals in the early growth
      stages. In order to simulate the alfalfa growth environment in the early stage,
      11 alfalfa cultivars with FD ratings from one to 11 were chosen and seeded at the
      greenhouse, and then were transplanted into an artificial growth chamber. The
      experimental design was a randomized complete block in a split-plot arrangement
      with three replicates. Plant height, above-ground biomass, internode length, and
      internode number were measured in early growth stage in all individuals. Our
      findings showed that plant height and the aboveground biomass of alfalfa did not
      significantly differ among 11 different FD rated cultivars. Also, internode
      length and internode number positively affected plant height and the aboveground
      biomass of alfalfa individuals and the average internode length significantly
      increased with increasing FD rating. However, internode number tended to sharply
      decline when the FD rating increased. Moreover, there were no correlations,
      slightly negative correlations, and strongly negative correlations between
      internode length and internode number in alfalfa individuals among the three
      scales, including within-FD ratings, within-FD categories and inter-FD ratings,
      respectively. Therefore, our results highlighted that contrasting growth
      strategies in stem elongation were adopted by alfalfa with different FD ratings
      in the early growth stage. Alfalfa cultivars with a high FD rating have longer
      internodes, whereas more dormant alfalfa cultivars have a larger number of
      internodes. There were tradeoffs between internode length and internode number in
      response to FD in alfalfa, which reflected certain scale-dependence. 

PMID- 26281016
TI  - Influence of Chemical Composition and Structure in Silicon Dielectric Materials
      on Passivation of Thin Crystalline Silicon on Glass.
AB  - In this study, various silicon dielectric films, namely, a-SiOx:H, a-SiNx:H, and
      a-SiOxNy:H, grown by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) were
      evaluated for use as interlayers (ILs) between crystalline silicon and glass.
      Chemical bonding analysis using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed
      that high values of oxidant gases (CO2 and/or N2), added to SiH4 during PECVD,
      reduced the Si-H and N-H bond density in the silicon dielectrics. Various three
      layer stacks combining the silicon dielectric materials were designed to minimize
      optical losses between silicon and glass in rear side contacted heterojunction pn
      test cells. The PECVD grown silicon dielectrics retained their functionality
      despite being subjected to harsh subsequent processing such as crystallization of
      the silicon at 1414  degrees C or above. High values of short circuit current
      density (Jsc; without additional hydrogen passivation) required a high density of
      Si-H bonds and for the nitrogen containing films, additionally, a high N-H bond
      density. Concurrently high values of both Jsc and open circuit voltage Voc were
      only observed when [Si-H] was equal to or exceeded [N-H]. Generally, Voc
      correlated with a high density of [Si-H] bonds in the silicon dielectric;
      otherwise, additional hydrogen passivation using an active plasma process was
      required. The highest Voc ~ 560 mV, for a silicon acceptor concentration of about
      10(16) cm(-3), was observed for stacks where an a-SiOxNy:H film was adjacent to
      the silicon. Regardless of the cell absorber thickness, field effect passivation
      of the buried silicon surface by the silicon dielectric was mandatory for
      efficient collection of carriers generated from short wavelength light (in the
      vicinity of the glass-Si interface). However, additional hydrogen passivation was
      obligatory for an increased diffusion length of the photogenerated carriers and
      thus Jsc in solar cells with thicker absorbers. 

PMID- 26281015
TI  - Generation of iPSCs as a Pooled Culture Using Magnetic Activated Cell Sorting of
      Newly Reprogrammed Cells.
AB  - Although significant advancement has been made in the induced pluripotent stem
      cell (iPSC) field, current methods for iPSC derivation are labor intensive and
      costly. These methods involve manual selection, expansion, and characterization
      of multiple clones for each reprogrammed cell sample and therefore significantly
      hampers the feasibility of studies where a large number of iPSCs need to be
      derived. To develop higher throughput iPSC reprogramming methods, we generated
      iPSCs as a pooled culture using rigorous cell surface pluripotent marker
      selection with TRA-1-60 or SSEA4 antibodies followed by Magnetic Activated Cell
      Sorting (MACS). We observed that pool-selected cells are similar or identical to
      clonally derived iPSC lines from the same donor by all criteria examined,
      including stable expression of endogenous pluripotency genes, normal karyotype,
      loss of exogenous reprogramming factors, and in vitro spontaneous and lineage
      directed differentiation potential. This strategy can be generalized for iPSC
      generation using both integrating and non-integrating reprogramming methods. Our
      studies provide an attractive alternative to clonal derivation of iPSCs using
      rigorously selected cell pools and is amenable to automation.

PMID- 26281017
TI  - Advanced Glycation End Products Modulate Structure and Drug Binding Properties of
      Albumin.
AB  - The extraordinary ligand binding properties of albumin makes it a key player in
      the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of many vital drugs. Albumin is highly
      susceptible for nonenzymatic glycation mediated structural modifications, and
      there is a need to determine structural and functional impact of specific AGEs
      modifications. The present study was aimed toward determining the AGE mediated
      structure and function changes, primarily looking into the effect on binding
      affinity of drugs in the two major drug binding sites of albumin. The impact of
      the two most predominant AGEs modifications, i.e., carboxyethyllysine (CEL) and
      argpyrimidine (Arg-P), was studied on the basis of the combination of in vitro
      and in silico experiments. In vitro studies were carried out by AGEs modification
      of bovine serum albumin (BSA) for the formation of Arg-P and CEL followed by drug
      interaction studies. In silico studies involved molecular dynamics (MD)
      simulations and docking studies for native and AGEs modified BSAs. In particular
      the side chain modification was specifically carried out for the residues in the
      drug binding sites, i.e., Arg-194, Arg-196, Arg-198, and Arg-217, and Lys-204
      (site I) and Arg-409 and Lys-413 (site II). The equilibrated structures of native
      BSA (n-BSA) and glycated BSA (G-BSA) as obtained from MD were used for drug
      binding studies using molecular docking approach. It was evident from the results
      of both in vitro and in silico drug interaction studies that AGEs modification
      results in the reduced drug binding affinity for tolbutamide (TLB) and ibuprofen
      (IBP) in sites I and II. Moreover, the AGEs modification mediated conformational
      changes resulted in the shallow binding pockets with reduced accessibility for
      drugs. 

PMID- 26281018
TI  - The efficacy of short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy for depression: A meta
      analysis update.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The efficacy of short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy (STPP) for
      depression is debated. Recently, a number of large-scale and high-quality studies
      have been conducted. We examined the efficacy of STPP by updating our 2010 meta
      analysis. RESULTS: After a thorough literature search, 54 studies (33 randomized
      clinical trials) totaling 3946 subjects were included. STPP was significantly
      more effective than control conditions at post-treatment on depression, general
      psychopathology and quality of life measures (d=0.49 to 0.69). STPP pre-treatment
      to post-treatment changes (d=0.57 to 1.18) indicated significant improvements on
      all outcome measures, which either significantly improved further (d=0.20 to
      1.04) or were maintained from post-treatment to follow-up. No significant
      differences were found between individual STPP and other psychotherapies at post
      treatment (d=-0.14) and follow-up (d=-0.06) in analyses that were adequately
      powered to detect a clinically relevant difference. STPP was significantly more
      efficacious than other psychotherapies on anxiety measures at both post-treatment
      (d=0.35) and follow-up (d=0.76). CONCLUSION: We found clear indications that STPP
      is effective in the treatment of depression in adults. Although more high-quality
      studies are needed, particularly to assess the efficacy of STPP compared to
      control conditions at follow-up and to antidepressants, these findings add to the
      evidence-base of STPP for depression.

PMID- 26281019
TI  - Reactions of Azine Anions with Nitrogen and Oxygen Atoms: Implications for
      Titan's Upper Atmosphere and Interstellar Chemistry.
AB  - Azines are important in many extraterrestrial environments, from the atmosphere
      of Titan to the interstellar medium. They have been implicated as possible
      carriers of the diffuse interstellar bands in astronomy, indicating their
      persistence in interstellar space. Most importantly, they constitute the basic
      building blocks of DNA and RNA, so their chemical reactivity in these
      environments has significant astrobiological implications. In addition, N and O
      atoms are widely observed in the ISM and in the ionospheres of planets and moons.
      However, the chemical reactions of molecular anions with abundant interstellar
      and atmospheric atomic species are largely unexplored. In this paper, gas-phase
      reactions of deprotonated anions of benzene, pyridine, pyridazine, pyrimidine,
      pyrazine, and s-triazine with N and O atoms are studied both experimentally and
      computationally. In all cases, the major reaction channel is associative electron
      detachment; these reactions are particularly important since they control the
      balance between negative ions and free electron densities. The reactions of the
      azine anions with N atoms exhibit larger rate constants than reactions of
      corresponding chain anions. The reactions of azine anions with O atoms are even
      more rapid, with complex product patterns for different reactants. The mechanisms
      are studied theoretically by employing density functional theory; spin conversion
      is found to be important in determining some product distributions. The rich gas
      phase chemistry observed in this work provides a better understanding of ion-atom
      reactions and their contributions to ionospheric chemistry as well as the
      chemical processing that occurs in the boundary layers between diffuse and dense
      interstellar clouds. 

PMID- 26281021
TI  - Guest Editorial: 'The voice of the child in oral health research'.

PMID- 26281020
TI  - Analysis of cytotoxic effects of silver nanoclusters on human peripheral blood
      mononuclear cells 'in vitro'.
AB  - The antimicrobial properties of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have made these
      particles one of the most used nanomaterials in consumer products. Therefore, an
      understanding of the interactions (unwanted toxicity) between nanoparticles and
      human cells is of significant interest. The aim of this study was to assess the
      in vitro cytotoxicity effects of silver nanoclusters (AgNC, < 2 nm diameter) on
      peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Using flow cytometry and comet assay
      methods, we demonstrate that exposure of PBMC to AgNC induced intracellular
      reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, DNA damage and apoptosis at 3, 6 and 12
      h, with a dose-dependent response (0.1, 1, 3, 5 and 30 ug ml(-1)). Advanced
      electron microscopy imaging of complete and ultrathin-sections of PBMC confirmed
      the cytotoxic effects and cell damage caused by AgNC. The present study showed
      that AgNC produced without coating agents induced significant cytotoxic effects
      on PBMC owing to their high aspect ratio and active surface area, even at much
      lower concentrations (<1 ug ml(-1)) than those applied in previous studies,
      resembling what would occur under real exposure conditions to nanosilver
      functionalized consumer products.

PMID- 26281022
TI  - Socioeconomic inequalities in prostate cancer survival: A review of the evidence
      and explanatory factors.
AB  - Although survival rates after prostate cancer diagnosis have improved in the past
      two decades, survival analyses regarding the socioeconomic status (SES) suggest
      inequalities indicating worse prognosis for lower SES groups. An overview of the
      current literature is lacking and moreover, there is an ongoing discussion about
      the underlying causes but evidence is comparatively sparse. Several patient,
      disease and health care related factors are discussed to have an important impact
      on disparities in survival. Therefore, a systematic review was conducted to sum
      up the current evidence of survival inequalities and the contribution of
      different potential explanatory factors among prostate cancer patients. The
      PubMed database was screened for relevant articles published between January 2005
      and September 2014 revealing 330 potentially eligible publications. After
      systematic review process, 46 papers met the inclusion criteria and were included
      in the review. About 75% of the studies indicate a significant association
      between low SES and worse survival among prostate cancer patients in the fully
      adjusted model. Overall, hazard ratios (low versus high SES) range from 1.02 to
      3.57. A decrease of inequalities over the years was not identified. 8 studies
      examined the impact of explanatory factors on the association between SES and
      survival by progressive adjustment indicating mediating effects of comorbidity,
      stage at diagnosis and treatment modalities. Eventually, an apparent majority of
      the obtained studies indicates lower survival among patients with lower SES. The
      few studies that intend to explain inequalities found out instructive results
      regarding different contributing factors but evidence is still insufficient. 

PMID- 26281023
TI  - Epidemiology of Traumatic Brain Injury After Small-Wheeled Vehicle Trauma in
      Utah.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recreational use of small-wheeled vehicles (SWVs), which include
      skateboards, longboards, nonmotorized scooters, ice skates, and roller skates or
      rollerblades, results in numerous injuries in the United States. OBJECTIVE: To
      describe the nature and severity of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) that result
      from the use of SWVs in Utah. METHODS: Patients who were admitted to any Utah
      hospital after a SWV-related injury from 2001 through 2010 were identified from
      the Utah State Trauma Registry. Patients who sustained TBI were identified by
      International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, codes. RESULTS: Of 907
      patients admitted with SWV injury, 392 (43%) had a TBI (85% male). Their mean age
      was 19.8 +/- 0.5 years, including 234 (60%) aged <=18 and 119 (30%) aged 19 to
      29. Most patients sustained TBI while using a skate- or longboard (87%). Mean
      Glasgow Coma Scale score in the emergency department was 12.8 +/- 0.2. Thirty
      nine percent were admitted to an intensive care unit, and 6% (23) underwent
      emergent neurosurgical intervention. Thirty-three (8.4%) patients had a
      concussion; the rest had nonoperative intracranial hemorrhage. Among patients for
      whom helmet use data were available, 8 out of 291 (2.7%) patients with TBI were
      wearing a helmet, whereas 24 out of 190 (12.6%) non-TBI patients were wearing
      helmets (P < .001). Overall mortality was higher in TBI patients than in non-TBI
      patients (2.3% vs 0.2%, P = .003). CONCLUSION: Young people, especially males,
      who ride SWVs in Utah are at risk for serious TBI, admission to the intensive
      care unit, neurosurgical intervention, and death. Helmet use in these patients is
      likely rare, but may reduce the risk of TBI and death. ABBREVIATIONS: ED,
      emergency departmentSWV, small-wheeled vehicleTBI, traumatic brain injury.

PMID- 26281025
TI  - In Reply: Different Facets in Management of Congenital Atlantoaxial Dislocation
      and Basilar Invagination.

PMID- 26281026
TI  - Walter Dandy (1886-1946): A Personal Retrospective.

PMID- 26281027
TI  - Airborne Thermal Remote Sensing for Estimation of Groundwater Discharge to a
      River.
AB  - Traditional methods for studying surface water and groundwater interactions have
      usually been limited to point measurements, such as geochemical sampling and
      seepage measurement. A new methodology is presented for quantifying groundwater
      discharge to a river, by using river surface temperature data obtained from
      airborne thermal infrared remote sensing technology. The Hot Spot Analysis
      toolkit in ArcGIS was used to calculate the percentage of groundwater discharge
      to a river relative to the total flow of the river. This methodology was
      evaluated in the midstream of the Heihe River in the arid and semiarid northwest
      China. The results show that the percentage of groundwater discharge relative to
      the total streamflow was as high as 28%, which is in good agreement with the
      results from previous geochemical studies. The data analysis methodology used in
      this study is based on the assumption that the river water is fully mixed except
      in the areas of extremely low flow velocity, which could lead to underestimation
      of the amount of groundwater discharge. Despite this limitation, this remote
      sensing-based approach provides an efficient means of quantifying the surface
      water and groundwater interactions on a regional scale.

PMID- 26281028
TI  - Systematic review of acupuncture to control hot flashes in cancer patients.
AB  - Hot flashes (HFs) are a common side effect of cancer treatment. The purpose of
      this systematic review was to evaluate evidence related to the use of acupuncture
      for HFs in cancer patients. EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane (all databases), PubMed,
      the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Scopus were
      searched from their inception through December 2014. Included studies had to be
      randomized controlled trials with a usual-care and/or placebo comparison group
      that investigated acupuncture to treat HFs in cancer patients. No language limits
      were applied. The risk of bias (ROB) was rated as low, high, or unclear according
      to Cochrane criteria. Both within-group and between-group changes were evaluated.
      Four hundred two items were identified, and 192 duplicates were omitted; this
      left 210 publications to be screened. Eight studies met the inclusion criteria,
      and all involved women with breast cancer. All studies showed significant within
      group improvement from the baseline for true acupuncture (TA). One study showed
      significant improvement in favor of TA over sham acupuncture (SA; P < .001), 1
      study found in favor of TA over SA for nighttime HFs only (P = .03), and 1 study
      found in favor of TA over SA or untreated controls (P < .01 and P < .001,
      respectively). Between-group (TA vs SA) effect size (ES) estimates for daytime
      and nighttime HFs were calculated (ES range, 0.04-0.9) whenever possible. No
      studies were rated with a low ROB. In conclusion, the current level of evidence
      is insufficient to either support or refute the benefits of acupuncture for the
      management of HFs in cancer patients. Future studies should provide within-group
      and between-group ES estimates in addition to P values.

PMID- 26281029
TI  - Safety and feasibility of romiplostim treatment for patients with persistent
      thrombocytopenia after allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

PMID- 26281030
TI  - Impact of novel agents followed by autologous hematopoietic stem cell
      transplantation for multiple myeloma patients aged 65 years or older: a
      retrospective single Institutional analysis.

PMID- 26281031
TI  - Autologous stem cell transplantation for adult acute leukemia in 2015: time to
      rethink? Present status and future prospects.
AB  - The use of autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) as consolidation therapy
      for adult patients with acute leukemia has declined over time. However, multiple
      randomized studies in the past have reported lower relapse rates after autologous
      transplantation compared with chemotherapy and lower non-relapse mortality rates
      compared with allogeneic transplantation. In addition, quality of life of long
      term survivors is better after autologous transplantation than after allogeneic
      transplantation. Further, recent developments may improve outcomes of autograft
      recipients. These include the use of IV busulfan and the busulfan+melphalan
      combination, better detection of minimal residual disease (MRD) with molecular
      biology techniques, the introduction of targeted therapies and post-transplant
      maintenance therapy. Therefore, ASCT may nowadays be reconsidered for
      consolidation in the following patients if and when they reach a MRD-negative
      status: good- and at least intermediate-1 risk acute myelocytic leukemia in first
      CR, acute promyelocytic leukemia in second CR, Ph-positive acute lymphocytic
      leukemia. Conversely, patients with MRD-positive status or high-risk leukemia
      should not be considered for consolidation with ASCT. 

PMID- 26281032
TI  - Incidence and risk factors of post-engraftment invasive fungal disease in adult
      allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients receiving oral azoles
      prophylaxis.
AB  - Studies that analyze the epidemiology and risk factors for invasive fungal
      disease (IFD) after engraftment in alloSCT are few in number. This single-center
      retrospective study included 404 alloSCT adult recipients surviving >40 days who
      engrafted and were discharged without prior IFD. All patients who received ?20
      mg/day of prednisone were assigned to primary oral prophylaxis (itraconazole or
      low-dose voriconazole). The primary end point was the cumulative incidence (CI)
      of probable/proven IFD using the European Organization for Research and Treatment
      of Cancer and Mycoses Study Group (EORTC/MSG) criteria. The independent
      prognostic factors after multivariate analyses were used to construct a post
      engraftment IFD risk score. The 1-year CI of IFD was 11%. The non-relapse
      mortality was 40% in those developing IFD and 16% in those who did not. The
      intent-to-treat analysis showed that 17% of patients abandoned the assigned
      prophylaxis. Age >40 years, ?1 previous SCT, pre-engraftment neutropenia >15
      days, extensive chronic GVHD and CMV reactivation were independent risk factors.
      The post-engraftment IFD score stratified patients into low risk (0-1 factor, CI
      0.7%), intermediate risk (2 factors, CI 9.9%) and high risk (3-5 factors, CI
      24.7%) (P<0.0001). The antifungal prophylaxis strategy failed to prevent post
      engraftment IFD in 11% of alloSCT. Our risk score could be useful to implement
      risk-adapted strategies using antifungal prophylaxis after engraftment. 

PMID- 26281034
TI  - A simple stochastic model for the feedback circuit between p16INK4a and p53
      mediated by p38MAPK: implications for senescence and apoptosis.
AB  - The mechanisms leading to the cell fate decision between apoptosis and senescence
      upon DNA damage are still unclear and have stochastic features. Cellular
      oxidative stress can generate DNA damage and activate the important mitogen
      activated protein kinase 14 (p38MAPK) that is involved in pathologies like
      Alzheimer's disease. Based on experimental evidence we propose a simple network
      that might operate at the core of the cell control machinery for the choice
      between apoptosis and senescence involving the cross-talk between p38MAPK, the
      tumor suppressor protein p53 and the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor
      (p16INK4a). We have performed two types of analyses, deterministic and
      stochastic, exploring the system's parameter space, in the first, we calculated
      the fixed points of the deterministic model and, in the second, we numerically
      integrated the master equation for the stochastic version. The model shows a
      variety of behaviors dependent on the parameters including states of high
      expression levels of p53 or p16INK4a that can be associated with an apoptotic or
      senescent phenotype, respectively, in agreement with experimental data. In
      addition, we observe both monostable and bistable behavior (where bistability is
      a phenomenon in which two stable steady states coexist for a fixed set of control
      parameter values) which here we suggest to be involved in the cell fate decision
      problem. 

PMID- 26281035
TI  - Advances in mechanical assist devices and artificial hearts for children.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) has rapidly evolved
      toward continuous flow technology in adults. In the pediatric population, the
      Berlin EXCOR, a paracorporeal pulsatile pump, is the only MCS device specifically
      approved for pediatric use. The current era of pediatric MCS includes an
      increasing application of adult continuous flow pumps to pediatric patients.
      RECENT FINDINGS: The Berlin EXCOR pulsatile pump has been studied in over 200
      patients. The major limitations of this device are neurologic dysfunction (which
      occurs in about 30% of supported patients) and the requirement for in-hospital
      care until transplant. Two continuous flow pumps (HVAD and HeartMate II) have
      been successfully applied in children and adolescents, and the SynCardia total
      artificial heart has been used in adolescents. The National Heart, Lung, and
      Blood Institute - sponsored Pediatric Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support
      registry has collected pediatric MCS data since 2012 and will provide valuable
      outcomes data to help refine this field. Survival with these durable devices has
      been generally good (except for small infants and patients with complex
      congenital heart disease), with nearly 50% receiving a heart transplant within 6
      months. Patients with single ventricle physiology continue to pose major
      challenges. Two clinical trials for miniaturized adult continuous flow devices
      and one trial for a new pediatric pump will begin within the next year. SUMMARY:
      New continuous flow devices are entering or poised to enter clinical trials. If
      approved, these devices will enhance the safety and variety of options for longer
      term pediatric support.

PMID- 26281033
TI  - Post-autologous transplant maintenance therapies in lymphoid malignancies: are we
      there yet?
AB  - Disease relapse after autologous hematopoietic transplant (auto-HCT) remains the
      number one cause of post-transplant therapy failure and mortality. The last
      decade has seen a proliferation of clinical studies looking at the prevention of
      post-auto-HCT therapy failure with various maintenance strategies. The benefit of
      such therapies is in turn dependent on disease histology and timing of
      transplantation. Although high dose therapy (HDT) provides durable responses in
      chemosensitive relapsed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), a sizable subset
      experiences disease relapse. Unfortunately, the addition of rituximab as a post
      auto-HCT maintenance strategy did not improve survival outcomes. The preliminary
      results with programmed death -1 (PD-1) Ab as post-auto maintenance in DLBCL is
      promising but requires randomized validation. In follicular lymphoma, the 5- and
      10-year PFS rates are ~60% and 31%, respectively. Although the addition of
      rituximab improved PFS, there is no survival benefit, to date. Disease relapse
      after auto-HCT in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is not uncommon. Rituximab
      maintenance in this setting provides a PFS benefit. Given the poor prognosis of
      post-auto-HCT failures in MCL, maintenance can be considered on a case-by-case
      basis. In chemosensitive relapsed Hodgkin lymphoma, addition of brentuximab
      vedotin after auto-HCT improved 2-year PFS (65 vs 45%) and can be considered as
      an option for maintenance therapy post auto-HCT, in select higher risk patients.
      Ongoing trials evaluating the efficacy of post-auto-HCT maintenance with novel
      agents (for example, immunomodulators, proteasome inhibitors, PD-1 inhibitors,
      Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitors and so on) will likely change the practice
      landscape for lymphoma patients following HDT and auto-HCT. 

PMID- 26281036
TI  - The Fontan operation: the long-term outlook.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: As perioperative survival following the Fontan procedure has
      improved and more patients are reaping the benefits of physiologic palliation,
      the costs of longstanding systemic venous hypertension and the functional
      limitations of a single ventricle are becoming clearer. Arrhythmias, heart
      failure, protein-losing enteropathy, hepatic cirrhosis, pulmonary hypertension,
      and ventricular dysfunction are common in late survivors and result in
      significant morbidity and mortality. Current research is focused on
      characterizing late morbidities and developing risk-prediction models for worse
      outcomes in long-term survivors. RECENT FINDINGS: Ten-year survival following the
      Fontan procedure is now 94-98%; however, estimated conditional survival in
      survivors aged above 18 years is 60% at 40 years of age. Atrial arrhythmias and
      heart failure are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. Hypoplastic left
      heart syndrome, hepatic dysfunction, decreased exercise tolerance, lower quality
      of life, and markers of neurohormonal activation have been associated with worse
      outcome. Improvements in exercise tolerance are seen with selective pulmonary
      vasodilator therapy and exercise training. Heart transplant continues to be an
      effective therapy for end-stage Fontan failure, and reports of the use of
      traditional mechanical assist devices and the development of right heart assist
      devices in the setting of passive venous flow are ongoing. SUMMARY: Over a
      generation has passed since the Fontan procedure revolutionized the care of
      patients with a single ventricle. Data generated from retrospective and
      prospective observational studies in long-term survivors are identifying patients
      at risk.

PMID- 26281037
TI  - Long-term challenges in congenital heart disease.

PMID- 26281038
TI  - Barriers and facilitators of mental health screening in pregnancy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Access to mental health services during pregnancy is most commonly
      mobilized through formal mental health screening. However, few studies to date
      have identified barriers and facilitators that affect pregnant women's responses
      to mental health screening. The objective was to identify barriers and
      facilitators that influence pregnant women's responses to the screening process
      and factors associated with their identification. METHODS: This multi-site, cross
      sectional survey recruited pregnant women >16 years of age who spoke/read English
      in Alberta, Canada. Main outcomes were barriers and facilitators of mental health
      screening. Descriptive statistics were generated to identify the most common
      barriers and facilitators and multivariable logistic regression models were
      conducted to determine factors associated with barriers and facilitators.
      RESULTS: Study participation rate was 92% (460/500). Women's most common barriers
      were: significant others normalizing their emotional difficulties; desiring to
      handle mental health problems on their own; preferring to discuss feelings with
      significant others; and not knowing what emotions were 'normal'. Women who
      identified these barriers were more likely not to have been treated previously
      for mental illness, were primiparous, and could not be completely honest with
      their provider. Main facilitators were provider characteristics (sensitive,
      interested), reassurance that mental healthcare is a part of routine prenatal
      care, hearing that other women have emotional problems during pregnancy and
      knowing that help was available. LIMITATIONS: The sample comprised largely
      Caucasian, well-educated, and partnered women, which limits generalizability of
      the findings. CONCLUSIONS: Personal and stigma-related barriers influence
      pregnant women's responses to mental health screening. Efforts to minimize
      barriers and enhance facilitators should be explored as potential strategies for
      optimizing prenatal mental health screening.

PMID- 26281039
TI  - The serotonin transporter in depression: Meta-analysis of in vivo and post mortem
      findings and implications for understanding and treating depression.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Altered serotonin transporter levels have been reported in blood and
      brain of patients with major depressive disorders. However, the strength and
      consistency of the evidence for altered serotonin transporter availability in
      major depressive disorder is not clear. METHODS: To address this, a comprehensive
      meta-analysis was conducted of all available in vivo neuroimaging and post mortem
      studies reporting serotonin transporter availability in patients with depression
      compared with healthy controls. RESULTS: The final sample consisted of fifty
      (n=27 in vivo and n=25 post mortem) studies including 877 patients with
      depression (mean age: 42.9 years) and 968 healthy controls (mean age: 42.7
      years). In vivo neuroimaging studies indicated reduced serotonin transporter
      binding in the striatum (g=-0.39, p=0.01), the amygdala (g=-0.37, p=0.01) and the
      brainstem (g=-0.31, p=0.01), including the midbrain (g=-0.27, p=0.02), but no
      significant alteration in the thalamus or the hippocampus. The post mortem
      findings indicated no significant change in serotonin transporter binding in
      depression in the brainstem (p=0.64), the frontal cortex (p=0.75) and the
      hippocampus (p=0.32, corrected for publication bias). Although there were too few
      studies for a meta-analysis, the post mortem studies in the amygdala and striatum
      showed reduced SERT binding in MDD in absolute terms, consistent with the imaging
      findings. LIMITATIONS: A number of potential factors might have biased the
      results of the present meta-analysis such as the imaging modality (post mortem or
      in vivo neuroimaging), partial volume effects, susceptibility of some
      radiotracers to synaptic serotonin levels or binding to other monoamine
      transporters. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that serotonin transporter
      availability in depressed patients is reduced in key regions of the limbic
      system. This provides direct support for the serotonin hypothesis of depression,
      and underlines the importance of the serotonin transporter as a target of
      pharmacological treatments.

PMID- 26281040
TI  - Value of the P Value.

PMID- 26281042
TI  - Effects of Edge Directions on the Structural Controllability of Complex Networks.
AB  - Recent advances indicate that assigning or reversing edge direction can
      significantly improve the structural controllability of complex networks. For
      directed networks, approaching the optimal structural controllability can be
      achieved by detecting and reversing certain "inappropriate" edge directions.
      However, the existence of multiple sets of "inappropriate" edge directions
      suggests that different edges have different effects on optimal controllability
      that is, different combinations of edges can be reversed to achieve the same
      structural controllability. Therefore, we classify edges into three categories
      based on their direction: critical, redundant and intermittent. We then
      investigate the effects of changing these edge directions on network
      controllability, and demonstrate that the existence of more critical edge
      directions implies not only a lower cost of modifying inappropriate edges but
      also better controllability. Motivated by this finding, we present a simple edge
      orientation method aimed at producing more critical edge directions-utilizing
      only local information-which achieves near optimal controllability. Furthermore,
      we explore the effects of edge direction on the controllability of several real
      networks. 

PMID- 26281045
TI  - Outbreak news. Chikungunya, Spain.

PMID- 26281044
TI  - Development of the Tardivo Algorithm to Predict Amputation Risk of Diabetic Foot.
AB  - Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects almost 19% of the elderly population
      in Brazil and similar percentages around the world. Amputation of lower limbs in
      diabetic patients who present foot complications is a common occurrence with a
      significant reduction of life quality, and heavy costs on the health system.
      Unfortunately, there is no easy protocol to define the conditions that should be
      considered to proceed to amputation. The main objective of the present study is
      to create a simple prognostic score to evaluate the diabetic foot, which is
      called Tardivo Algorithm. Calculation of the score is based on three main
      factors: Wagner classification, signs of peripheral arterial disease (PAD), which
      is evaluated by using Peripheral Arterial Disease Classification, and the
      location of ulcers. The final score is obtained by multiplying the value of the
      individual factors. Patients with good peripheral vascularization received a
      value of 1, while clinical signs of ischemia received a value of 2 (PAD 2). Ulcer
      location was defined as forefoot, midfoot and hind foot. The conservative
      treatment used in patients with scores below 12 was based on a recently developed
      Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) protocol. 85.5% of these patients presented a good
      outcome and avoided amputation. The results showed that scores 12 or higher
      represented a significantly higher probability of amputation (Odds ratio and
      logistic regression-IC 95%, 12.2-1886.5). The Tardivo algorithm is a simple
      prognostic score for the diabetic foot, easily accessible by physicians. It helps
      to determine the amputation risk and the best treatment, whether it is
      conservative or surgical management. 

PMID- 26281046
TI  - Chikungunya: case definitions for acute, atypical and chronic cases. Conclusions
      of an expert consultation, Managua, Nicaragua, 20-21 May 2015.

PMID- 26281043
TI  - Evaluation of Stability and Biological Activity of Solid Nanodispersion of Lambda
      Cyhalothrin.
AB  - Pesticides are essential agrochemicals used to protect plants from diseases,
      pests and weeds. However, the formulation defects of conventional pesticides
      cause food toxicity and ecological environmental problems. In this study, a
      novel, efficient and environmentally friendly formulation of lambda-cyhalothrin,
      a solid nanodispersion, was successfully developed based on melt-emulsification
      and high-speed shearing methods. The solid nanodispersion presented excellent
      advantages over conventional pesticide formulations in such formulation functions
      as dispersibility, stability and bioavailability. The formulation is free of
      organic solvents, and the use of surfactant is reduced. Therefore, the
      application of the solid nanodispersion in crop production will improve efficacy
      and reduce the occurrence of both pesticide residues in food and environmental
      pollution from pesticides. 

PMID- 26281047
TI  - WHO Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System working group on
      surveillance of influenza antiviral susceptibility.

PMID- 26281048
TI  - [Chronic rhinosinusitis and osteitis].

PMID- 26281049
TI  - [Sublingual immunotherapy of allergic rhinitis].

PMID- 26281050
TI  - [Discussion on single nucletide polymorphism of allergic rhinitis].

PMID- 26281051
TI  - [Clinical analysis of nasal resistance and pulmonary function testing in patients
      with chronic nasal-sinusitis and nasal polyps].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the pulmonary function and nasal resistance characteristics
      of patients with chronic nose-sinusitis and nasal polyps (CRSwNP), to explore the
      evaluation role of nasal resistance in nasal ventilation function and the effect
      of endoscopic sinus surgery on pulmonary function in patients with CRSwNP.
      METHOD: Fifty CRSwNP patients that met the study criteria were selected . The
      patients were performed endoscopic surgeries according to Messerklinger surgical
      procedures under general anesthesia. Extent of surgery was based on preoperative
      CT showing the range of the lesion of disease and endoscopic findings.
      Perioperative treatments contained intranasal corticosteroids, cephalosporin or
      penicillin antibiotics, nasal irrigation and other treatments. Main outcome
      measures included visual analog scale (VAS), endoscopic Lind-Kennedy scores,
      nasal resistence, pulmonary function in patientsone week before and after
      surgery, three months and six months after surgery. Pulmonary function includes
      forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity FEV1/FVC and
      peak expiratory flow (PEF). RESULT: The study found that there were significantly
      positive correlations among VAS score, Lund-Kennedy score and nasal resistance (P
      < 0.05) in CRSwNP patients, but there is a significantly negative correlation
      between VAS score, Lund-Kennedy score, nasal resistance and pulmonary function
      indexes of FEV1, FVC and PEF (P < 0.05). The VAS score, Lund-Kennedy score and
      nasal resistance values of CRSwNP patients were decreased significantly after
      comprehensive treatments with nasal endoscopic operation as the major one, the
      difference was statistically different (P < 0.05). And the pulmonary function
      indexs (FEV1, FVC, PEF) were significantly increased after surgery in CRSwNP
      patients. CONCLUSION: The nasal resistance can objectively and reliably reflect
      the degree of nasal congestion and the recovery of nasal function in CRSwNP
      patients after endoscopic sinus surgery. The detection method of nasal resistance
      is simple. Functional endoscopic sinus surgery can effectively improve the
      pulmonary ventilation function in CRSwNP patients, providing some clinical
      references about the prevention and treatment of CRS related lower respiratory
      disease.

PMID- 26281052
TI  - [Clinical observation of functional endoscopic sinus surgery associated with
      radiofrequency ablation of inferior turbinate for chronic rhinosinusitis].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical efficacy of functional endoscopic sinus
      surgery (FESS) associated with radiofrequency ablation on chronic sinusitis.
      METHOD: Fifty-four patients with chronic sinusitis were divided randomly into two
      groups: the study group and the control group, The study group received FESS
      associated with inferior turbinate lateral fracture and radiofrequency ablation
      treatment, while the control group received FESS associated with inferior
      turbinate lateral fracture treatment. RESULT: The SNOT-20 score, Lund-Kennedy
      score, mucociliary clearance time and nasal airway resistance of the patients in
      the two groups after treatment were significantly improved than those before
      treatment (P < 0.05), and the sense of nasal congestion, headache and face pain,
      purulent rhinorrhea, postnasal drip, and other symptoms were also relieved. After
      treatment, the scores of SNOT-20 and the scores of Lund-Kennedy in the study
      group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05), but no
      significant difference was found in mucociliary clearance time between the two
      groups after treatment. CONCLUSION: FESS associated with radiofrequency ablation
      surgery is safe and effective for chronic sinusitis.

PMID- 26281054
TI  - [Clinical comprehensive treatment of refractory chronic rhinosinusitis].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the methods and efficacy of comprehensive treatment on
      retractory chronic rhinosinusitis(CRS). METHOD: Thirty-two cases of patients with
      refractory rhinosinusitis took part in individualized comprehensive treatment
      program, that is, a healthy diet and moderate exercise, psychological counseling,
      and reasonable operation and gauze changing, and rational use of drug therapy.
      RESULT: All patients were followed up for 6 months or more, 26 cases (81.3%) were
      completely controlled of the disease, 6 cases (18.7%) were partially controlled;
      the total effective rate was 100%. CONCLUSION: In the current situation that CRS
      etiology and pathogenesis studies have not yet made a breakthrough, and we have
      not developed a new and effective drug, comprehensive treatment focusing on
      internal and external factors of refractory rhinosinusitis at the same time, that
      is, to take a rational healthy diet, moderate exercise, psychological counseling,
      and reasonable operation and gauze changing, and rational use of drug therapy
      ect. can obtain better effect.

PMID- 26281053
TI  - [The efficacy and safety of budesonide inhalation suspension via transnasal
      nebulization compared with oral corticosteroids in chronic rhinosinusitis with
      nasal polyps].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a short course of nebulized
      budesonide via transnasal inhalation in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.
      METHOD: Fifty patients with severe eosinophilic nasal polyps were randomized
      devided into study group (n = 25) and control group (n = 25). The study group
      received budesonide inhalation suspension (1 mg twice daily) via transnasal
      nebulization for one week and the control group received oral prednisone (24 mg
      QD). Visual analogue scales (VAS) of nasal symptoms, endoscopic polyp scores
      (kennedy scores) and morning serum cortisol concentrations were assessed in both
      groups pre- and post-treatment. Operation time and surgical field bleeding were
      evaluated. RESULT: Four subjects dropped out in control group. Budesonide
      transnasal nebulization caused a significant improvement in all nasal symptoms
      especially nasal obstruction (baseline: 8.25 +/- 0.53; after treatment: 4.97 +/-
      0.97, P < 0.01) and reduced polyp size significantly (baseline: 4.64 +/- 0.63;
      after treatment: 3.40 +/- 0.76, P < 0.01) compared to pre-treatment. The patients
      treated with oral prednisone, however, showed more obvious improvement in nasal
      symptoms and polyp size, shorter operation time and better surgical field than
      budesonide group. Additionally, the morning serum cortisol concentration was
      mildly decreased after one week treatment in budesonide group [baseline (17.18 +/
      2.83) MUg/dl, after treatment (16.24 +/- 2.93) MUg/dl, P > 0.05], but all values
      were still located in normal range (normal range: 5-25 MUg/dl). Conversely, the
      morning serum cortisol concentration in oral prednisone group was lower than
      normal limit [baseline (18.19 +/- 2.81) MUg/dl, after treatment (2.26 +/- 0.70)
      MUg/dl, P < 0.01]. CONCLUSION: Twice daily budesonide transnasal nebulization is
      an effective and safe treatment as evidenced by significant improvements in nasal
      symptoms and reduction in polyp size, coupled with an absence of hypothalamic
      pituitary-adrenal axis suppression, which is safer than the systemic
      corticosteroids. Budesonide transnasal nebulization offers a viable treatment
      option for CRSwNP before operation.

PMID- 26281055
TI  - [Clinical analysis of revision endoscopic sinus surgery for recurrent chronic
      rhinosinusitis].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic effect of revision endoscopic sinus
      surgery for recurrent chronic rhinosinusitis. METHOD: Clinical data of 45 cases
      of recurrent rhinosinusitis treated in our hospital were retrospectively
      analyzed. Revision endoscopic sinus surgery was performed in all the patients.
      RESULT: All the patients were followed up for a period of 1 to 2 years after
      operation. No serious complication occured. The cure rate was 75.6% (34 cases), 8
      cases (17.8%) improved, while other 3 cases (6.6%) were of no effect. CONCLUSION:
      Recurrent rhinosinusitis is closely related with medical treatment before the
      surgery, adhesion in nasal cavity after the surgery, deviation of nasal septum,
      treatment of superior turbine and inferior turbine and regular medicament
      management after the surgery. Revision endoscopic sinus surgery is an effective
      method for recurrent recurrent rhinosinusitis. The efficacy of revision
      endoscopic sinus surgery can be greatly improved by reasonable perioperative
      management, skilled operation and regular follow-up postoperatively.

PMID- 26281056
TI  - [Clinical efficacy analysis of adult sinonasal rhabdomyosarcoma].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical prognostic impact factors of adult
      sinonasal rhabdomyosarcoma (SNRMS). METHOD: The clinical features, treatment
      methods, and disease outcome were reviewed retrospectively for twenty-three adult
      SNRMS between 2006 January and 2014 December. The survival analysis was performed
      by Kaplan-Meier estimate and the comparison between groups by Log-rank test.
      Multivariate analysis was carried out by Cox proportional hazard model. RESULT:
      Patients' ages ranged from 18 to 59 years (median, 23.2 years). With a median
      follow-up of 20 moths (3-47 moths), 14 cases dead and 9 cases alive, the 1-year
      and 2-year overall survival (OS) rates were 77.1% and 35.0%, respectively. Within
      the 1-year and 2-year OS rates,early stage group had a higher overall survival
      rates than advanced diease group (100.0%, 66.7% and 83.3%, 10.5%, P < 0.05);
      combined therapy group had a higher overall survival rates than single treatment
      group (86.7%, 50.0% and 50.8%, 0, P < 0.05). In the non-metastasis group (21
      cases), 1-year and 2-year distant metastasis rates were 38.1% and 70.5%,
      respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that radiotherapy, chemotherapy and
      tumor diameter less than 5 cm were good prognostic factors (P < 0.05), while the
      lymph node metastasis, meningeal involvement and orbital involvement were poor
      prognostic factors (P < 0 05). In the 14 cases of dead patients, 92 8% (13/14)
      died of distant metastasis. CONCLUSION: Adult RMS had a high advanced rate with
      poor prognosis. Distant metastasis is the leading cause of death. Controlling
      distant metastasis is a key to improve the survival rate.

PMID- 26281057
TI  - [Discussion IL-33 and its receptor ST2 associated with the pathogenesis of
      allergic rhinitis].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the expression of IL-33 and its receptor ST2 in the nasal
      mucosa of allergic rhinitis (AR) patients, and to explore the role of IL-33 and
      ST2 in the pathogenesis of AR. METHOD: Collected 24 cases of nasal septum
      deviation of patients with AR as AR group,and selected 20 patients with simple
      septum deviation as normal control. In addition, collected 20 cases diagnosed
      with AR, who accepted standardized specific immunotherapy(SIT). RESULT:
      Immunohistochemical results found more positively stained cells of IL-33 and ST2
      in AR patients than normal control group, the difference was statistically
      significant (P < 0.05), Western-Blot detected that IL-33 and ST2 protein level
      were significantly higher in AR than the normal control group (P < 0.01), PCR
      detected that the expression of IL-33mRNA and ST2mRNA were increased in AR group
      compared with the control group, the difference was statistically significant (P
      < 0.05). While, the serum IL-33 levels in AR were decreased before treatment
      (72.37 +/- 16.18) ng/L than after six months of SIT (47.35 +/- 10.59) ng/L,and
      the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: IL-33 and
      its receptor ST2 were highly expressed in the nasal mucosa of patients with AR,
      suggesting that IL-33/ST2 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of
      allergic rhinitis. Serum levels of IL-33 were significantly decreased after SIT
      treatment, suggesting that IL-33 may have a positive correlation with the
      severity of AR.

PMID- 26281058
TI  - [Anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell
      carcinoma: a Meta-analysis].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To perform a Meta-analysis of all randomized controlled trials that
      compared the efficacy and adverse events profile of Mabs for LA HNSCC. METHOD:
      Several databases were searched, including CBM, PUBMED, EMBASE, and CENTRAL.
      Primary outcomes included overall response rate (ORR), overall survival (OS),
      progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary outcomes included serious adverse
      events, such as grade 3-4 skin reaction, dysphagia, mucositis, and
      nausea/vomiting. The results were expressed as relative ratio (RR) or hazard rate
      (HR) with their corresponding 95% CI. RESULT: The final analysis included 10
      trials. The primary analyses indicated that Mabs did not improve ORR and PFS,
      except OS for locoregionally advanced (LA) HNSCC [ORR 1.21, 95% CI (0.97 - 1.49);
      PFS 0.87, 95% CI (0.75 - 1.01); OS 0.82, 95% CI (0.71 - 0.95)]. Analysis of
      adverse effects demonstrated that grade 3 - 4 skin reaction ERR 1.87, 95% CI
      (1.11 - 3.16)] was statistically significantly associated with Mabs except
      dysphagia ERR 0. 95, 95% CI (0.75 - 1.19)], Mucositis ERR 1.03, 95% CI (0.67 -
      1.57)], and nausea/vomiting ERR 1.15, 95% CI (0.71 - 1.86)]. CONCLUSION: Anti
      EGFR Mabs may be satisfactory for improving OS of LA HNSCC. During the Mabs
      therapy, skin reaction should be much more monitored.

PMID- 26281059
TI  - [Application of gastric pharyngeal anastomosis assisted by laparoscope and a
      report of 4 cases].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical application of gastric pharyngeal anastomosis
      assisted by laparoscope. METHOD: Apply laparoscope in the gastric pharyngeal
      anastomosis for 4 cases of advanced hypopharyngeal carcinoma and cervical
      esophageal carcinoma patients. RESULT: Gastric pharyngeal anastomosis assisted by
      laparoscope were successfully completed in all 4 patients, all patients avoided
      thoracotomy or laparotomy, one patient occurred pharyngeal fistula, and died six
      months later. One patient had cervical lymph node metastasis a year and a half
      later, without treatment again because of economicissue. The remaining two
      patients were still alive, one patient had survived 3 years and a half after
      operation, the other had survived 2 years and a half after operation. CONCLUSION:
      Gastric pharyngeal anastomosis assisted by laparoscope is feasible. It can reduce
      the operation wound, improve the safety of operation and patients' life quality.

PMID- 26281060
TI  - [The impact of hypoxia improvement on laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma
      chemotherapy].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of hypoxia improvement in Hep-2 cell on
      cisplatin-induced apoptosis. METHOD: Human laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma Hep
      2 cells and HIF-1alpha-RNAi-Hep-2 cells were cultured in normoxic, hypoxic and
      reoxygenation condition. The inhibition of cisplatin on cell proliferation was
      evaluated by MTT assay. The influence of cisplatin on cell cycle and apoptosis
      were detected by flow cytometry. RESULT: The inhibition of cisplatin on cell
      proliferation was reduced by hypoxia. After HIF-1alpha gene was silenced, the
      inhibition of cisplatin on Hep-2 cell proliferation was increased apparently, but
      was still interfered partly by hypoxia. Hypoxia could induce cell apoptosis
      decreased and enhance chemotherapeutic resistance. After reoxygenation, cell
      apoptosis induced by cisplatin was increased significantly (P < 0.05). HIF-1alpha
      RNAi-Hep-2 cells under hypoxia also showed certain resistance to apoptosis but
      the sensitivity to cisplatin was higher than that of Hep-2 cells. When cells were
      returned from hypoxic condition to normoxic condition for some time, the
      apoptosis induced by cisplatin was increased significantly (P < 0.05).
      CONCLUSION: The improvement of hypoxic microenvironment with HIF-1alpha gene
      knockout could increase the sensitivity of Hep-2 cells to chemotherapy.

PMID- 26281061
TI  - [Clinical analysis of 6 cases with sinonasal malignant melanoma].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore clinical characteristics of sinonasal malignant melanoma
      and curative effect of the combined modality therapy. METHOD: Clinical data of 6
      cases with sinonasal malignant melanoma was retrospectively analyzed. All
      patients received surgery and postoperative radiotherapy. In addition, 3 cases
      received postoperative chemotherapy which scheme was CDBT and bioimmunotherapy
      consisted of INF-alpha and IL-2 after surgery, of which, 2 cases received one
      cycle of preoperative chemotherapy. RESULT: Six cases were followed up. The
      survival time ranged from 15 months to 98 months. The average survival time was
      62.7 months. Analyzed by direct method, the 1-year, 3-year and 5-year survival
      rates were 100%, 83% and 67% respectively. Three cases which received the
      combined modality therapy, of whch, 2 cases received preoperative chemotherapy
      have survived by now. CONCLUSION: The combined modality therapy should be adopted
      in case of sinonasal malignant melanoma with operation indication. For the
      patients who can not be operated recently Postbiopsy, it was beneficial to
      improve the efficacy of therapy that one cycle of preoperative chemotherapy and
      bioimmunotherapy should be implemented.

PMID- 26281062
TI  - [Effect of microRNA-205 on proliferation of laryngeal carcinoma cell line Hep-2].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of microRNA-205 (miRNA-205) on proliferation of
      laryngeal carcinoma cell line Hep-2. METHOD: The expressions of miRNA-205 in 27
      cases laryngeal carcinoma tissues and adjacent normal tissues were detected by
      Real-time quantitative PCR, the expression of PTEN protein was detected by
      Western blot. The expressions of PTEN were detected by Western blot after miRNA
      205 inhibitor or miRNA-205 mimics was transfected into Hep-2 cells and Hep-2
      cells proliferation was measured by CCK-8 kit. RESULT: The expression level of
      miRNA-205 was significantly higher in laryngeal carcinoma tissues than in
      adjacent normal tissues (P < 0.01), and the expression of PTEN protein was lower
      in laryngeal carcinoma tissues than in adjacent normal tissues (P < 0.01). The
      proliferation rate of Hep-2 cells was decreased significantly and the expression
      of PTEN protein in Hep-2 cells was increased significantly after miRNA-205
      inhibitor was transfected into (P < 0.01), and the proliferation rate of Hep-2
      cells was increased significantly and the expression of PTEN protein in Hep-2
      cells was decreased significantly after miRNA-205 mimics was transfected into (P
      < 0.01). CONCLUSION: miRNA-205 might promote the proliferation of Hep-2 cells by
      regulating the expression of PTEN.

PMID- 26281063
TI  - [Surgical treatment for primary papillary thyroid cancer: a Meta-analysis].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess and compare the two procedures, total thyroidectomy (TT) and
      partial thyroidectomy (PT), for papillary thyroid cancer in terms of associated
      injuries, postoperative complication, recurrence rate and survival, so as to
      provide a reference and basis for surgical procedure option of this disease.
      METHOD: Strictly specified into the exclusion criteria, the combination of
      computer retrieval and manual retrieval and retrieval systems such as CNKI, Wang
      Fan, PubMed, central, CBM database. Total thyroidectomy and partial thyroidectomy
      for the treatment of patients with thyroid papillary cancer related literature
      were compared, with the retrieval time until December 31, 2013. RESULT: According
      to the retrieval strategy 4630 literatures were found, and 20 witch matched the
      exclusion criteria were left, all were retrospective study. TT and PT group of
      recurrent laryngeal nerve injury rate are 5.9%, 2.0% respectively [OR = 0.39, 95%
      CI (0.17 - 0.90), P < 0.05], TT and PT group of parathyroid injury rate are
      respectively 4.9%, 0.8% respectively [OR = 0.23, 95% CI (0.08 - 0.68), P < 0.01].
      The TT group of 10 years survival rate is 95.24% - 100%, and the PT group is
      96.8% - 99.2% [OR = 0.03, 95% CI (0 - 0.34), P < 0.01]. Unstaged, unstaged TT
      group' postoperative recurrence rate is 4.7%, while PT group is 12.6% [OR = 3.21,
      95% CI (1.57 - 6.57), P < 0. 01]. Postoperative recurrence of stage I TT group
      and PT group are 4.9%, 7.8% respectively [OR = 3.82, 95% CI (1. 07-13.66) P <
      0.05]; The rate of stage II TT group is 0.5%, while the rate of PT group is 15.9%
      [OR = 17.23, 95% CI (4.03 - 73.73), P < 0.01]. CONCLUSION: Different methods of
      primary thyroid papillary carcinoma surgical treatment can all obtaina good
      survival, but the rate of laryngeal recurrent nerve injury and parathyroid injury
      caused by partal throidectomy is relatively lower. As a result, partial
      thyroidectomy can be a good choice for early stage thyroid papillary carcinoma.

PMID- 26281064
TI  - [Expression and its significance of CD44 in SP cells of nasopharyngeal
      carcinoma].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Discussion of expression and its significance of CD44 in SP cells of
      nasopnaryngeal carcinoma. METHOD: Flow cytometry was used to sort cultured CNE-2
      cells of nasopharyngeal carcinoma for obtaining CD44-SP and CD44+SP cells.
      Biological differences of CNE-2, CNE-2 SP, CNE-2 NSP, CNE-2 CD44+SP and CNE-2
      CD44-SP cells were statistically analyzed by experiments such as cell migration
      experiments, plate clone formation assay, cell cycle analysis and sensitivity
      tests to chemotherapeutics. RESULT: Two point 3 perent of SP cells were extracted
      from CNE-2 cells of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, among which 36.5% was CD44+SP
      cells. Abilities of proliferation, cell migration and plate clone of CD44+SP
      cells were significantly higher than other cells (P < 0.01), and its tolerance to
      chemotherapeutics was significantly higher too (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The
      proportion of SP cells in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells was small, but SP cells
      had strong activeness in the aspect of cell proliferation with a "seed"
      characteristic of tumor cells. As CD44+SP cells played an important role in
      proliferation and chemotherapy resistance of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, it
      indicated that CD44 can be one of the surface markers of SP cells of
      nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

PMID- 26281065
TI  - [Effect of intermittent hypoxia of sleep apnea on embryonic rat cortical neurons
      in vitro].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of different pattens of intermittent
      hypoxia on the activity and apoptosis of primary cultured rat embryonic cortical
      neurons, and to evaluate the role of intermittent hypoxia in the mechanism of
      obstructive sleep syndrom induced cognitive function loss. METHOD: The embryonic
      cerebral cortical neurons were cultured in vitro and were identified by
      immunofluorescence. Cultured neurons were randomly divided into intermittent
      hypoxia group, intermittent normal oxygen group, persistent hypoxia group and the
      control group, and intermittent hypoxia group was divided into five subgroups
      according to different frequency and time-bound. Neurons were exposed in
      different modes of hypoxia. MTT colorimetry was used to detect the viability of
      the neurons, and DAPI colorated measurement was used to calculate the percentages
      of neuron apoptosis. RESULT: There were significantly different effects between
      all subgroups of intermittent hypoxia and the continued hypoxia group on neuronal
      activity and apoptosis (P < 0.01); Intermittent hypoxia groups with different
      frequency and time had no difference in neuronal activity and apoptosis (P >
      0.05). CONCLUSION: The effect of intermittent hypoxia was more serious than that
      of continued hypoxia on neuronal activity and apoptosis; The impact of
      intermittent hypoxia on neuronal activity and apoptosis may be an important
      factor in obstructive sleep apnea related cognitive impairment.

PMID- 26281066
TI  - [Malignant meningioma in nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses: a case report].
AB  - Female patients, 50 years old, have a recurrent unilateral aggravating headache
      for 5 years. Without runny nose, sneezing, nasal hemorrhage, smell or vision
      loss. Prefessional examination: there is a visible hoar neoplasm in the right
      middle nasal meatus With smooth surface and rich in vascular. The nasopharyngeal
      MRI shows that there is a occupancy lesion in the right nasal cavity and sinuses,
      well-demarcated, about 21. 5 mm x 25.5 mm x 37.0 mm. Angiofibroma is the most
      likely diagnosis. Postoperative pathological section shows that tumor are
      hypercellular, which contains big nucleus. Cells are spindle or short fusiform
      shape, there are stripes and nuclear division in some cells. There are vortex
      structures in partial region. Immunohistochemical examination shows: CD34(++), Ki
      67 (< 5%), CD68(-), Des (-), NSE(+), S-100(++), SMA(-), EMA (+). Histopathologic
      diagnosis: atypical meningioma, some were differentiated to rhabdoid meningioma.
      The final diagnosis is malignant meningioma in nasal cavity and paranasal
      sinuses.

PMID- 26281067
TI  - [Giant nasal septalhaemangioma in pregnancy: one case report].
AB  - A pregnant lady in her third trimester presented with a rapidly growing right
      sided nasal mass associated with epistaxis and nasal obstruction for six months.
      Examination showed a non tender, protruding mass completely occluding her right
      nostril. Wide surgical excision was done under anaesthesia. Histopathology
      revealed capillary haemangioma. In a gravid patient with a rapidly growing
      intranasal lesion, capillary haemangioma should be considered as a differential
      diagnosis.

PMID- 26281068
TI  - [Adult of Drosophila melanogaster parasitized in human nasal cavity: a case
      report].
AB  - We reported a case of adult Drosophila melanogaster parasitized in nasal cavity
      of a 81-year-old woman who was living in Xuancheng City, Anhui Province now. She
      was admitted for treatment of cerebral infarction and water accumulation in the
      lungs in 2014 June. The patient was also suffering from secretory otitis media, a
      history of hypertension and heart stents were placed in 2007. A foreign body was
      found in the left nasal cavity during the preoperative examination process, and
      then the part of the inflammatory tissue was removed through the nasal endoscopy,
      and sent to our department for identification. There are three adults of
      Drosophila in paraffin-embedded biopsy specimens. The parasites length is
      approximately 3mm, with huge red compound eyes. The end of the body is tip, with
      5 ring lines in back, has no dark spots. The abdomen of the parasites have seven
      sections. Tarsus of foot I have no sex comb on base, and they are male adult of
      Drosophila melanogaster after identification. After a thorough reviewing of
      medical history, we knew the patient began to sneeze violently and frequently six
      years ago. But there was no clear or purulent nasal discharge flowing, therefore
      did not attract attention. After removing the parasites the sneezing symptoms
      were relieved, and had no abnormal symptoms in the follow-up 6 months.

PMID- 26281069
TI  - [Hemangiopericytoma in nasal cavity: a case report].
AB  - We report a case of a 46 year old female patient with nasal hemangiopericytoma.
      She complained of left nasal congestion, pus snot for 10 years, sometimes with
      left nasal bleeding. Physical examination: in the left nasal tract saw red soft
      neoplasm, roughness surface, easy bleeding when touched. Sinus CT shows:
      bilateral maxillary sinus, ethmoid sinus, sphenoid sinus and the left posterior
      nasal cavity lesions, considering inflammation with the formation of polyps,
      tumor not excluded. The left nasal cavity neoplasm biopsy shows: hemangioma of
      left nasal cavity. After admission in general anesthesia, we do transnasal
      endoscopic sinus openning operation and the left nasal cavity neoplasm resection.
      Postoperative pathological examination shows: the left nasal cavity
      hemangiopericytoma. Immunohistochemical showed: Vimentin(+), Smooth muscle
      actin(+), Desmin(-), endothelial cells CD31(-) and CD34(-). No postoperative
      radiotherapy or chemotherapy, no tumor recurrence. After one year of follow-up,
      the contact was lost.

PMID- 26281070
TI  - [Endoscopic removal of foreign body in nasal apex: a case report].
AB  - We present a rare case report of foreign body of the nasal apex in a 22-year man
      who were hospitalized because of a bit of metal rebounded. There was slight
      bleeding at wound site with a feeling of pain and swelling. On physical
      examination, the apex lied in the median position with a bleeding cut about 3
      millimeter in length. There was no visible stump on the cut or rupture in the
      nasal vestibular. Computed tomographic scan showed the abnormal high-density
      shadow in the nasal apex while the foreign body was located in the subcutaneous
      tissue of the antero-upper part of septal cartilage. The admitting diagnosis was
      foreign body in nasal apex. Endoscopic surgery was adopted to remove the foreign
      body.

PMID- 26281071
TI  - [Adult nasal metal foreign bodies: 2 cases report].
AB  - To analysis the data of 2 patients who had nasal metal foreign bodies after the
      pressure cooker explosion, the main clinical symptoms include head facial
      swelling after trauma, nose bleeding, or vision loss, etc. Specialized
      examination: facial swelling, the left eye content of one patient has been
      removed, the other patient's right side of the nasal dorsal skin was missing,
      which diameter was about 1.5 cm, and nasal cavity was interlinked. We could see
      that metal foreign bodies blocked the bilateral nasal cavity of the two patients.
      And emergency CT examination showed that most of the nasal cavity reserved for
      high-density foreign body. Two patients were diagnosed: (1) metal foreign bodies
      after nasal trauma; (2) nose bleeding.

PMID- 26281072
TI  - [Progress in application of mesenchymal stem cells for nasal inflammation
      disease].
AB  - Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are adult stem cells which derived from the
      embryonic mesoderm. They have a high proliferative ability and can differentiate
      into various tissues of mesodermal origin including bone, cartilage and adipose
      tissue in vitro. Moreover, MSCs have also been shown to produce anti-inflammatory
      molecules which can modulate cellular and humoral immune responses. Because of
      their easy preparation, the capacity for self-renewal, multi-lineage
      differentiation and immunoregulatory effect, MSCs therapy becomes a promising
      tool in the treatment of tissue regeneration, anti-inflammation, and autoimmune
      diseases. In this review we will focus on the application of MSCs for nasal
      inflammation disease.

PMID- 26281073
TI  - [Laryngeal and tracheal stenosis caused by Wegener's granulomatosis].
AB  - Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) is a multisystem disease characterized by
      necrotizing granulomatous inflammation and vasculitis. WG classically involves
      the upper airway, lung and kidneys. Otolaryngologic manifestations are often the
      presenting symptoms in WG, Subglottic stenosis is a less common, but a life
      threatening manifestation of WG, This paper studies about the laryngeal and
      tracheal stenosis diagnosis and surgical treatment of Wegener's granulomatosis in
      the past 20 years.

PMID- 26281074
TI  - [Localization of sentinel lymph node with indirect lymphography and the
      application in head and neck tumor].
AB  - Whether the sentinel lymph node (SLN) metastasis has important clinical
      significance for the therapy and prognosis of tumor. Sentinel lymph node biopsy
      (SLNB) has became the most accurate clinical method to confirm the status of
      sentinel lymph node. And the key of the success of SLNB is the localization of
      SLN. The methods used to locate SLN mainly are blue dye tracer method,
      radionuclide tracer technique, blue dye tracer method combined with radionuclide
      tracer technique, indirect lymphography, NIR imaging, and photoacoustic imaging.
      This article demonstrates the principle, application method and contrast agents
      of the indirect lymphography and the application in head and neck tumor.

PMID- 26281075
TI  - [PUBLIC MEDICINE AND RESEARCH-- IMPORTANT AND CHALLENGING].
AB  - Fellows who travel to the US are familiar with the American concept of combining
      clinical medicine and research. Research activity enforces reading, being
      updated, thinking creatively initiating, opening horizons, and being in contact
      with researchers all over the world. Thus, performing research is advantageous
      not only for research itself, the public, the patients and the knowledge, but
      also for the development of the researcher, the hospital, and the academic
      institute with which the hospital is affiliated. However, given the huge clinical
      workload and obligations, along with the shortage of physicians, the time
      consuming nature of research activity and the difficulties in obtaining research
      funds, it is certainly not obvious that clinicians can manage to conduct research
      and publish it. Decision makers, policy determinants and the individual drive to
      academic progress, encourage research activity by physicians, albeit the external
      support is commonly theoretical and moral, and is not commonly combined with time
      or appropriate resource allocation. In the current issue of "Harefuah",
      physicians from the Lady Davis Carmel Medical Center publish their own research
      and review articles. The hospital is the second largest in the Haifa region,
      providing services to a population of over a million people. The manuscripts
      reflect only a small sample of the research and clinical activities of the
      hospital.

PMID- 26281076
TI  - [CHALLENGING THE OPTIMAL NUMBER OF RETRIEVED OOCYTES AND ITS IMPACT ON PREGNANCY
      AND LIVE BIRTH RATES IN IVF/ICSI CYCLES].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Large numbers of retrieved oocytes are associated with higher
      chances of having cryopreservation of embryos. However, the process entailed
      exposes women to increased risk for ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.
      Furthermore, mild ovary stimulation protocols are more patient-friendly and with
      less adverse effects. Only limited reports exist on the significance of the
      number of retrieved oocytes achieved in a single stimulation cycle. AIM: To
      investigate the optimal number of retrieved oocytes to achieve pregnancy and live
      birth. METHODS: This retrospective analysis included 1590 IVF cycles. Oocytes
      maturation, fertilization, cleavage, as well as pregnancy and live birth rates
      were analyzed according to the number of retrieved oocytes. RESULTS: Oocyte
      maturation, fertilization and cleavage rates were lower in cycles with more than
      10 retrieved oocytes compared with other groups. Live birth rates were highest
      when the number of retrieved oocytes was 11-15. CONCLUSIONS: Retrieval of more
      than 15 oocytes was not associated with a significant increase in chances of
      conception and birth. DISCUSSION: The better oocyte quality with 10 or less
      oocytes retrieved could be the result of a possible interference with the natural
      selection, or the minimized exposure of growing follicles to the potentially
      negative effects of ovarian stimulation. Although the average number of available
      embryos was higher when more than 10 oocytes were retrieved, achievement of more
      than 15 oocytes did not improve IVF outcome in terms of pregnancy and delivery
      rates. SUMMARY: Analysis of 1590 IVF cycles including the frozen-thawed transfers
      shows that the best outcomes were achieved with an optimal number of 11-15
      oocytes.

PMID- 26281077
TI  - [BRONCHIECTASIS--REVIEW OF LITERATURE AND CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF
      BRONCHIECTASIS PATIENTS TREATED IN THE BRONCHIECTASIS CLINIC AT THE CARMEL
      MEDICAL CENTER].
AB  - AIMS: Bronchiectasis is a suppurative lung disease characterized by wide and
      distorted bronchi, with daily cough and sputum production punctuated by
      infectious exacerbations. Etiologies are diverse, and treatment is
      multidisciplinary, consisting of lung hygiene with mucolytic agents and
      physiotherapy, anti-inflammatory agents and antimicrobial agents, as needed. This
      study aims to review the literature and describe the clinical and radiological
      characteristics of patients with bronchiectasis treated at the Bronchiectasis
      clinic at Carmel Medical Center. METHODS: We included patients with Lung
      bronchiectasis according to chest HRCT treated at the Bronchiectasis clinic. We
      reviewed retrospective data regarding etiologic work up, age symptoms developed,
      extension of bronchiectasis, Lung function, microbiology of sputum, number of
      exacerbations and hospitalizations. RESULTS: Seventy four,patients were included,
      39 women, mean age--65.7 years. Average lung involvement was two Lobes.
      Etiologies were: 42% idiopathic, 19% post-infectious and immune deficiency 5.6%.
      Cultures were positive for S. aureus in 9.5%, H. influenza in 19%, S pneumonia
      (4.8%), P aeruginosa (41.3%), non tuberculous mycobacteria (9.5%) and other
      bacteria in 11%. Patients suffered an average of 2.2 exacerbations per year, with
      0.45 hospitalizations per year due to exacerbation of bronchiectasis. Mean
      predicted FEVI in spirometry was 74.32 +/- 25%. Patients colonised with P
      aeruginosa suffered significantly more exacerbations and hospitalizations than
      patients without P aeruginosa colonization. CONCLUSIONS: Bronchiectasis led to
      significant morbidity with infectious complications. We suspect that there is
      under- diagnosis and under-referral of this condition.

PMID- 26281078
TI  - [VERTEBRAL OSTEOMYELITIS CAUSED BY RARE PATHOGENS--THE NEED FOR HIGH INDEX OF
      SUSPICION].
AB  - Vertebral OsteomyeLitis (V.O.) is a rare event that usually presents insidiously
      and follows an indolent clinical course, making early diagnosis difficult. The
      most important infecting organism in V.O. is Staphylococcus aureus, followed by
      gram-negative bacilli. We describe herein two cases of V.O. hospitalized in our
      department during the same week, caused by rare pathogens--Streptococcus sanguis
      (viridans) and Bacteroides fragilis. V.O. must be recognized rapidly because
      delay in diagnosis and treatment can result in neurologic compromise and high
      mortality. Its prompt and accurate diagnosis depends on detailed knowledge of the
      disease along with a high index of suspicion, even in face of rare pathogens on
      bacteriology results.

PMID- 26281079
TI  - [OUTCOMES OF HEPATIC, PANCREATIC AND GASTRIC SURGERY IN THE ELDERLY POPULATION:
      MORBIDITY, MORTALITY AND RESPONSE TO ONCOLOGIC TREATMENT].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: There is a continuous rise in the proportion of elderly people in
      the general population. Previously, old age was a contraindication for numerous
      medical procedures. AIM: To assess the postoperative outcome of elderly patients
      who underwent major surgery of the liver, pancreas and stomach. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patients aged 75 and older who underwent
      elective operations for malignant tumors of the stomach, pancreas and liver
      between January 2005 and December 2009 in the Department of Surgery A, at Carmel
      Medical Center. RESULTS: Of 258 operations, 80 (31%) were performed on patients
      older than 75 years; 46 (57.5%) were for males and 34 (42.5%) for females, with a
      mean age of 79 years. One patient was operated on twice. In 68 Patients (85%) the
      disease was primary and in 12 (15%) it was metastatic; 28 (35.4%) tumors were in
      the distal stomach, 13 (16.5%) in the proximal stomach; in the pancreas 13 tumors
      (16.5%) were in the head and 8 (10.1%) in the body/tail; 17 patients had liver
      metastases (21.5%1; 68 operations (85%) were performed in an open approach and 12
      (15%) laparoscopically. Median hospital stay was 12 (+/-7.48) days and median ICU
      stay was 2 (+/-3.53) days. Median followup was 23 (+/-23) months. Complete
      records of 76 patients showed that 33 (43.4%) are alive with no evidence of
      disease; 12 (15.8%) were alive with stable disease; 25 (32.89%) died of cancer
      and 6 (7.8%) of other causes. DISCUSSION: These favorable results allow us to
      offer elderly patients the entire spectrum of surgical and medical procedures
      without considering advanced age as an absolute contraindication. CONCLUSIONS:
      Chronological age as a single parameter should not be a contraindication for
      radical medical treatment.

PMID- 26281080
TI  - [MYCOTIC ANEURYSM OF THE ASCENDING AORTA AND CEREBRAL INFARCTS IN A 17-MONTH OLD
      CHILD WITH KINGELLA KINGAE ENDOCARDITIS].
AB  - Endocarditis is an uncommon presentation of Kingella kingae infection in
      children. A previously healthy 17 month old child was referred to our emergency
      department for evaluation of fever lasting eleven days, aphthous stomatitis and a
      new systolic murmur. Within a few hours of admission, antibiotic therapy was
      initiated for a presumptive diagnosis of bacteremia and within 24 hours after
      admission, gram negative coccobacilli were growing in the blood culture. In
      addition, echocardiography demonstrated a mycotic aneurysm of the ascending aorta
      with a mobile vegetation. The presumptive diagnosis of Kingella kingae
      endocarditis was made. Further evaluation by MRI revealed frontal and occipital
      cerebral infarcts. Due to the presence of presumed septic emboli in conjunction
      with progressive left ventricular dysfunction, the child was urgently taken to
      the operating room where aggressive debridement of the infected tissue was
      performed and the aortic aneurysm was repaired. The patient had an uneventful
      post-operative course. This case emphasizes the need for a high index of
      suspicion when evaluating children with community acquired infection. In
      addition, it also demonstrates the importance of early diagnosis and appropriate
      treatment of K. kingae endocarditis.

PMID- 26281081
TI  - [CYSTIC FIBROSIS SURVIVAL TRENDS IN CARMEL MEDICAL CENTER].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disorder. The
      disorder is caused by a mutation in the gene that encodes a protein which
      functions as a chloride channel. The chloride channel, cystic fibrosis
      transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) exists in the apical membrane of
      exocrine epithelial cells in the body. In the last 75 years the survival of CF
      patients has risen dramatically from a few months to the average age of 37 years.
      The rise in life expectancy is due to several reasons: improved medical
      treatment, treating patients in specialized CF centers, early diagnosis,
      respiratory physiotherapy and liver or lung transplantation. The purpose of this
      study was to review characteristics of our oldest living patients,
      transplantations and mortality of CF patients in our center. METHODS:
      Retrospective data have been collected regarding survival and other features in
      CF patients who were admitted to Carmel Medical Center in the years 2000 to 2013.
      RESULTS: One hundred and four CF patients were registered at the CF center
      between the years 2000 and 2013. Over this period 6 patients have passed away,
      all of whom were females. The average age of death was 21.4 years (not including
      one 10 months old baby who died from metabolic syndrome, not CF) with SD of 7
      years, median of 20 and range of 17 years. The average age at the clinic is 22.5
      years. The death incidence was less than 1% per year; the leading cause of death
      was respiratory failure. Of the living patients, ten patients are above the
      average survival age of 37 years. Four percent of the patients have undergone
      lung transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: CF is a multisystem disorder. In our center
      the mean age of death is in the third decade with an incidence of less than 1%
      per year, which is comparable to CF registries worldwide. Four percent of the
      patients have undergone lung transplantation. A gender gap with more female than
      male deaths was observed, a finding which was previously described in the
      literature. Life expectancy continues to rise as a result of early diagnosis,
      improved medical treatment and lung transplantation. As the age of survival
      rises, physicians with knowledge of adult internal medicine are needed to treat
      CF patients.

PMID- 26281082
TI  - [CLINICAL APPROACH TO PEDIATRIC SEROUS OTITIS MEDIA].
AB  - Serous otitis media (also known as otitis media with effusion) is one of the most
      prevalent pediatric diagnoses. However, the recommended clinical approach and
      significance of this entity are controversial. Pathogenesis is usually based upon
      a combination of factors as overviewed in the body of the article. The cognitive
      and behavioral effects amongst children suffering serous otitis media were
      extensively studied and data points to little if any effects during long term
      follow-ups in otherwise healthy children. The therapeutic approach can be divided
      into watchful waiting, systemic drugs, topical drugs, mechanical therapies and
      surgical therapy (i.e. ventilation tube insertion). The reviewed literature
      mainly supports the effectiveness of the surgical approach in carefully selected
      cohorts of patients.

PMID- 26281083
TI  - [STATINS FOR THE PREVENTION OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE AND DIABETES INCIDENCE--THE
      BENEFITS VERSUS THE RISKS].
AB  - Statins (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors) are first-line agents for the management
      of hyperlipidemia in patients at high risk of cardiovascular events and their use
      for cardiovascular disease prevention is clearly supported by clinical evidence.
      Although safe and generally well tolerated, there is growing evidence to suggest
      that statins are associated with an elevated occurrence of new-onset diabetes
      mellitus. The incidence of this adverse effect is not negligible, especially for
      specific subsets of patients. Statins remain the cornerstone for primary and
      secondary cardiovascular prevention, but specific attention to glucose metabolism
      and metabolic syndrome features should be given before and during statin
      treatment, especially in cohorts at greater risk, and a potential tailored statin
      treatment based on the patient's cardiovascular and metabolic risk profile might
      emerge as the safest therapeutic approach. The main purpose of this review is to
      discuss the clinical evidence regarding the association of statin use with new
      onset diabetes mellitus, the cardiovascular benefit/risk ratio with statins, and
      the rationale for individualized statin therapy. Future trials with adequate and
      long follow-up designed to assess the benefit/risk ratio of a specific statin
      will further refine the basis of this strategy.

PMID- 26281084
TI  - [PRENATAL GENETIC DIAGNOSIS-- "DAYS OF FUTURE PAST"].
AB  - This review describes the history and the evolvement of prenatal genetic
      screening tests. We start in the era prior to the understanding that certain
      syndromes are genetic, continue through the identification of their genetic basis
      and the changes in markers in the pregnant woman's serum and conclude in the
      present when assays such as cell free D.N.A are offered to high risk women.

PMID- 26281085
TI  - [FROM STATISTICAL ASSOCIATIONS TO SCIENTIFIC CAUSALITY].
AB  - The pathogenesis of most chronic diseases is complex and probably involves the
      interaction of multiple genetic and environmental risk factors. One way to learn
      about disease triggers is from statistically significant associations in
      epidemiological studies. However, associations do not necessarily prove
      causation. Associations can commonly result from bias, confounding and reverse
      causation. Several paradigms for causality inference have been developed. Henle
      Koch postulates are mainly applied for infectious diseases. Austin Bradford
      Hill's criteria may serve as a practical tool to weigh the evidence regarding the
      probability that a single new risk factor for a given disease is indeed causal.
      These criteria are irrelevant for estimating the causal relationship between
      exposure to a risk factor and disease whenever biological causality has been
      previously established. Thus, it is highly probable that past exposure of an
      individual to definite carcinogens is related to his cancer, even without proving
      an association between this exposure and cancer in his group. For multifactorial
      diseases, Rothman's model of interacting sets of component causes can be applied.

PMID- 26281086
TI  - [CANNABIS AND GLAUCOMA: AN ANCIENT LEGEND OR A NOVEL THERAPEUTIC HORIZON?].
AB  - Glaucoma causes damage to the optic nerve and compromises the visual field. The
      main risk factor of the disease is the level of the intra-ocular pressure.
      Therapeutic options include medical and surgical treatment, aimed to lower the
      intra-ocular pressure. Consumption of the cannabis plant (Cannabis Satival has
      been known since ancient times. It can be consumed orally, topically, intra
      venous or by inhalation. The main active ingredient of cannabis is THC (Tetra
      Hydro-Cannabinol). One of THC's reported effects is the reduction of intra-ocular
      pressure. Several studies have demonstrated temporary intra-ocular pressure
      decrease in both healthy subjects and glaucoma patients following topical
      application or systemic consumption. The effect was a short term one. It was
      followed by the development of resistance to the drug after prolonged intake and
      it was also accompanied by topical and systemic side effects. Cannabis may be
      considered as a therapeutic option in glaucoma. Its limited effect, development
      of resistance, acquired side effects and the accompanying psycho-active influence
      limit its advantage and cause its efficacy to be dubious. Therefore, cannabis
      treatment for glaucoma currently seems impractical and is not recommended by
      either the Israeli or the American glaucoma societies.

PMID- 26281087
TI  - [THE ROLE OF SIMULATION IN SURGICAL TRAINING--A NEW ERA].
AB  - Surgical training, which was traditionally based on the apprentice model, is
      undergoing a fundamental change since the introduction of virtual reality
      simulators into the training program of surgical residents. With the introduction
      of these simulators we can expect to see an improvement in the surgical abilities
      of new surgeons and a decrease in costs--as seen in the aviation world. Virtual
      reality simulators include a visual and tactile interface which is meant to train
      young surgeons in full procedure before the actual surgery. The available
      operation encompasses a multitude of surgical disciplines--gynecology, urology,
      orthopedics, vascular surgery, general surgery and more. The simulator allows the
      surgeon to practice complicated procedures and to be exposed to emergency
      situations without risking the patient's life. We opened in the Carmel Medical
      Center a multi disciplinary simulation center 18 months ago. The center includes
      simulators for gynecology, orthopedics, urology, general surgery, vascular
      surgery and advanced cardiac life support. The center cooperates with the Faculty
      of Medicine at the Technion in order to train young surgeons in all surgical
      disciplines. In this period of time we followed the improvement in the endoscopic
      abilities of the basic skills course participants.

PMID- 26281088
TI  - With changing technologies, changing models, and changing times ... What should
      lab directors consider when evaluating LIS options?.

PMID- 26281089
TI  - Collaborative data sharing and robust laboratory informatics solutions.

PMID- 26281090
TI  - Companion diagnostics: the key to personalized treatment of breast and ovarian
      cancer.

PMID- 26281091
TI  - Novel HER2 dual in situ hybridization (DISH): technique and implementation in
      routine laboratory testing..

PMID- 26281092
TI  - Mitochondrial genetic disorders.

PMID- 26281093
TI  - 2015 LAB of the YEAR Children's Hospital of Wisconsin.

PMID- 26281094
TI  - Digital imaging: transformative new technology.

PMID- 26281095
TI  - An update on diagnostics for hepatitis C.

PMID- 26281096
TI  - CDC's HIV test algorithm matchesprotocol with latest technology.

PMID- 26281097
TI  - Diagnostic patenting since Myriad: an update.

PMID- 26281098
TI  - Cytology information systems revisited.

PMID- 26281099
TI  - Improving population health outcomes: top tips for care team collaboration.

PMID- 26281101
TI  - Laboratory preparedness: Ebola and other emerging infectious diseases. Now that
      the immediate crisis has passed, what have hospitals in the United States
      learned?

PMID- 26281102
TI  - Emerging viruses of North America: are labs ready?

PMID- 26281103
TI  - CDC updates Guidance for managing and testing possible Ebola clinical specimens.

PMID- 26281104
TI  - The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system: increasingly complex and prevalent.

PMID- 26281105
TI  - The science of technology in the laboratory.

PMID- 26281106
TI  - The advent of digital microbiology. What are some of the benefits for early
      adopters in North America?.

PMID- 26281107
TI  - Copy number variation detection with next generation sequencing data: the impact
      on pharmacogenetics.

PMID- 26281108
TI  - The 2015 MLO annual salary survey.

PMID- 26281109
TI  - Epigenetics: DNA methylation assays.

PMID- 26281110
TI  - Prostate cancer diagnostic options: Past, present, and future.

PMID- 26281111
TI  - Presidential order combating antibiotic resistance will fuel laboratory and
      diagnostic innovation.

PMID- 26281112
TI  - Predictability of urinalysis parameters in the diagnosis of urinary tract
      infection: a case study.
AB  - Early diagnostic strategies to rule out uncomplicated urinary tract infections
      (UTI) or test of exclusion could significantly improve patient management in
      addition to providing optimal cost-effectiveness. We evaluated the predictability
      of dipstick parameters, with particular emphasis on leukocyte esterase (LE) and
      nitrite (NT) tests and microscopic urine sediment analysis as predictors of
      urinary tract infection in the setting of an urban university hospital. A total
      of 9,845 culture positive urine samples (7,095 females, 2,750 males; 8,938 clean
      catch, 907 catheterized specimens) collected over a period of twelve months from
      all patients seen at Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, were included in
      this retrospective study. Dipstick and urinalysis data were independently
      correlated and compared with positive culture results. Either individually or in
      combination, LE and NT were positive in 30% (2,912/9,845), while both LE and NT
      were negative in 70% (6,933/9,845) of the total culture positive urine samples.
      There was no correlation of several other measured variables to culture positive
      urine samples. This study demonstrates that the uses of LE and/or NT are poor
      screening parameters as predictors of UTI, in the absence of additional clinical
      information.

PMID- 26281113
TI  - Determining myocardial infarction after PCI: CK-MB, troponin, both, or neither?

PMID- 26281114
TI  - IQCP and more: what's on the horizon for 2015?

PMID- 26281115
TI  - Quality control in clinical laboratory samples.

PMID- 26281116
TI  - Molecular monitoring for minimal residual disease.

PMID- 26281118
TI  - Achieving excellent drugs-of-abuse analysis starts with the proper sample
      preparation technique.

PMID- 26281117
TI  - Drugs of abuse: a challenging landscape for laboratories.

PMID- 26281119
TI  - ASM offers "enhanced precautions" for handling specimens from suspected Ebola,
      patients.

PMID- 26281120
TI  - U.S. transport labels: two changes to know about.

PMID- 26281122
TI  - The UNOS Renal Transplant Registry: Review of the Last Decade.
AB  - Kidney transplantation has become a preferred treatment for end-stage renal
      disease (ESRD) as transplant recipients enjoy freedom from dialysis and
      improvement in both quality and quantity of life. More patients are being placed
      on the transplant waiting list, although the waiting list patients still only
      represent a very small fraction of ESRD patients. The characteristics of both
      waitlisted and transplanted patients have changed considerably in the last
      decade, as the ESRD population has aged and waiting list times have increased.
      Over the last 10 years, we have witnessed an increasingly severe shortage of
      kidney donors. Even with increasing efforts of the transplant community to expand
      the donor pool by including larger numbers of high risk deceased donor
      transplants, the overall number of kidney transplants has remained relatively
      stable. Those who do receive transplants, however, benefit from excellent
      transplant outcomes. The use of paired exchange/chain transplant donors has
      increased the living donor pool significantly and with outstanding results.
      Belatacept, a costimulation blockage drug, represents a new class of transplant
      immunosuppression. It has been used sparingly in the first few years of its
      approval. Most kidney transplant patients are still maintained on
      immunosuppressive agents that were approved almost two decades ago. In the next
      decade, we will certainly continue to deal with an organ shortage as the number
      of eligible and waitlisted patients is likely to increase. Effective and
      efficient organ allocation policies will be increasingly necessary to address
      this scarcity. Optimizing the transplant candidate work-up, improving maintenance
      of waitlisted patients, and providing optimal post-transplant medical care will
      be vital to the continued success of kidney transplantation.

PMID- 26281123
TI  - Trends of Immunosuppression and Outcomes Following Liver Transplantation: An
      Analysis of the United Network for Organ Sharing Registry.
AB  - Advances in immunosuppression (IS) agents and strategies have resulted in reduced
      rejection rates and improved survival outcomes after liver transplantation. The
      use of induction and maintenance IS agents is both associated with reductions in
      acute rejection (AR) risk within the first 6 to 12 months posttransplant and with
      superior failure-free survival. With the lowered incidence of allograft losses
      attributable to rejection, the long-term sequelae of IS have become the major
      therapeutic challenge. The long-term use of calcineurin inhibitors and
      corticosteroids in maintenance immunotherapy regimens has been implicated in the
      development of renal dysfunction, infections, metabolic derangements, de novo and
      recurrent malignancies, and the propagation of hepatitis C virus reinfection. Our
      analysis of the United Network for Organ Sharing registry shows the use of
      induction and maintenance therapy is each associated with reductions in AR risk,
      thereby improving post-transplant survival. The administration of intensive
      induction regimens appears to be safe and exhibits an additive beneficial effect.
      Therefore, the use of intensive induction regimens may be warranted to allow for
      reductions in long-term maintenance IS to minimize drug toxicities while
      preserving graft outcomes.

PMID- 26281124
TI  - An Update on Cardiac Transplantation in the United States.
AB  - Heart transplantation in the United States remains an important option for those
      with heart failure. Survival rates over the last 25 years have improved with the
      advent of newer immunosuppressive agents, innovation, and a better understanding
      of managing risk. However, many patients continue to experience allograft failure
      after transplantation. Innovations in modalities to reduce acute and chronic
      rejection are needed to improve the long-term success of heart transplantation.

PMID- 26281125
TI  - Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network/Scientific Registry of Transplant
      Recipients 2014 Data Report: Intestine.
AB  - As of September 19, 2014, 2441 cases of intestinal transplantation have been
      performed in 46 centers (2400 deceased, 41 living). Eight centers did more than
      100 transplants. Annual case numbers peaked in 2007 (N = 198) and steadily
      decreased to 109 cases in 2013. Short gut syndrome (68%) and functional bowel
      problems (15%) are two major indications for intestinal transplantation. The 3
      major types of transplants involving the intestine include: isolated intestine
      transplant (I); simultaneous intestine, liver, and pancreas transplant (I+L+P);
      and, combined intestine and liver (I+L) transplant. Graft survival has
      significantly improved in recent years, mainly due to improved first year graft
      survival. The 1-, 5-, and 10-year graft survivals were: 74%, 42%,and 26%,
      respectively (I); 70%, 50%, and 40%, respectively (I+L+P); and 61%, 46%, and 40%,
      respectively (I+L). The longest graft survivals for I, l+L+P, and l+L were 19
      years, 16 years, and 23 years, respectively. Steroids, Thymoglobulin, and
      rituximab are 3 major induction agents used in recent years. Prograf, steroids,
      and Cellcept are 3 major maintenance agents. Induction recipients (68% of all
      patients) had a significantly lower acute rejection rate than nonrecipients
      before discharge (60% versus 75%, p < 0.001). Most of the patients received 2
      (53%) or 3 (25%) maintenance immunosuppressants. Acute rejection episodes were
      usually treated with one (60%) or two agents (27%). Steroids were most commonly
      used (50-60%). OKT3 has been replaced with antithymocyte globulin (since 1999)
      and rituximab (since 2006). During 1990-2000, 94% (N = 445) of patients received
      ABO identical intestinal transplants, while 6% (N = 29) received ABO compatible
      transplants. ABO identical transplant recipients had a significantly higher 5
      year graft survival rate than ABO compatible recipients (39% versus 21%, p <
      0.0001). In recent years (2001- 2012), more patients received ABO compatible (N =
      188, 11%) than in the early decade (p < 0.01). 5-year graft survival rates of ABO
      compatible transplants were lower than those of ABO identical transplants.
      However, the difference did not reach statistical significance (46% versus 49%, p
      = 0.07). The effect of ABO compatibility on graft outcome was further confirmed
      by Cox Analysis. ABO incompatible transplants are still rarely performed (N = 4)
      in intestine. In conclusion, annual case numbers of intestinal transplants have
      been decreasing, regardless of improved graft survival. ABO compatible intestinal
      transplants previously had a significantly lower graft survival rate than ABO
      identical transplants. However, the graft survival difference became less
      significant in recent years, possibly due to, or at least partly due to the use
      of new immunosuppressive agents.

PMID- 26281126
TI  - Intestinal Transplantation: International Outcomes.
AB  - Intestinal transplantation has continued to evolve over the past decade. Fewer
      patients have received intestine transplants in the past 5 years, perhaps due to
      efforts in intestine rehabilitation. Despite improvement in earlier outcomes,
      long-term survival has remained steady over the past decade. This is potentially
      due to the complications of immunosuppression, as well as inherent poor graft
      half-life due to chronic rejection. Improvements in outcome will require
      multidisciplinary efforts to understand the long-term mechanisms of intestine
      graft acceptance and to properly optimize and individualize immunosuppression for
      the transplant recipient.

PMID- 26281127
TI  - Deceased Donor Kidney Transplantation in Taiwan in 2015.
AB  - There were 1997 deceased donor renal transplants reported to the Taiwan Organ
      Registry and Sharing Center between April 1, 2005, and December 31, 2014. The
      median age of transplant recipients was 45 years, with most patients between 35
      and 64 years old. The number of male patients was comparable to that of female
      patients. There were more blood type O patients than any other blood type. The 1
      , 3-, and 5-year patient survival rates were 96%, 93%, and 89%, respectively.
      Graft survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 94%, 88%, and 82%, respectively.
      Overall patient survival was significantly worse in patients with hepatitis B
      surface antigen (P = 0.0058). However, with respect to overall graft survival,
      there was no significant difference between patients with or without hepatitis B
      surface antigen (P = 0.100). Overall patient survival was significantly worse in
      patients with hepatitis C virus antibody (HCV Ab) compared to patients without
      HCV Ab (P < 0.0001). Likewise, overall graft survival was significantly worse in
      patients with HCV Ab compared to patients without HCV Ab (P < 0.0001). In order
      to promote willingness to be an organ donor, the following law was passed: if any
      person becomes a deceased organ donor, up to three of his or her blood relatives
      would have priority to receive a deceased donor organ should they be on the
      waiting list for transplantation. We do wish this organ allocation priority will
      be an incentive for deceased organ donors' families to think "to give is to
      take".

PMID- 26281128
TI  - Kidney Transplant Program at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona.
AB  - Since 1999, we have performed 2,302 kidney transplants at the Mayo Clinic in
      Arizona. Transplant volume has increased by 45% since 2010. Our center performed
      269 kidney transplants in 2013. Our growth is related to multiple factors,
      including an experienced, committed team and strong support from our institution
      and referring nephrologists. Areas of program innovation at our center include:
      transplanting deceased donors with acute kidney injury, outcomes in older kidney
      transplant recipients, alemtuzumab induction with steroid avoidance, living donor
      paired kidney exchange-3 site experience, and other non-traditional deceased
      donor kidney transplants. Of the 162 acute kidney injury (AKI) donor transplants
      done at our program, 71% had severe AKI. The AKI donor kidneys had more delayed
      graft function; but graft survival, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and
      biopsy findings at 1 year were not different form the control group. We have
      transplanted 188 patients >= 70 years old at the time of transplantation. Graft
      survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was similar to that of patients < 70. Since 2008,
      778 (37%) patients received alemtuzumab induction, therapy with excellent patient
      and graft survival. We have used steroid avoidance immunosuppression with
      excellent outcomes since 2003. Since starting kidney paired donation in 2009, it
      has resulted in 54 kidney transplants, including 4 compatible pairs. More than
      half of the deceased donor transplants done at our center are from non
      traditional donors such as Public Health Service increased risk, donation after
      cardiac death, extended criteria donors/high kidney donor profile index, and
      pediatric en-bloc donors. One- and 3-year graft survival of the non-traditional
      deceased donor kidney transplants are not different than the traditional deceased
      donor kidney transplants.

PMID- 26281129
TI  - 25 Years of Kidney Transplantation--A Period of Change.
AB  - At the University of Cologne Hospital, 1062 kidney transplants in adults and 136
      pediatric transplants were performed between 1990 and 2014. Immunosuppressive
      therapy was changed during this time period from a therapy with anti-lymphocyte
      globulin induction followed by a triple therapy to a period using induction (IL2
      receptor antagonists) followed by low dose tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil and
      steroids. Antiviral therapy has been constant during the 25 years, consisting of
      ganciclovir or valganciclovir. Major change occurred in the age of donors and
      recipients, with more than a third of both now being older than 65 years. Living
      donation has increased in number and proportion, at the same time the number of
      deceased donors rapidly declined. Longer time periods on dialysis resulted not
      only in an increased risk profile of the recipients, but were also accompanied by
      a significantly higher number of mismatches for the allocated kidney, since the
      relative importance of waiting time in the allocation process increased.
      Multivariate analysis showed that immunological factors such as HLA-match and
      panel reactive antibody are relevant factors, even in a single center analysis.

PMID- 26281130
TI  - The Thirty-Six Year Experience in Kidney Transplantation at Changzheng Hospital.
AB  - Between June 1978 and June 2014, 4,199 kidney transplants were performed at the
      Transplantation Center of PLA, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical
      University. In our initial practice period (1978-1985), graft and patient
      survivals were 48.2% and 56.5%, 27.3% and 31.7%, 22.5% and 24.4%, 20.1% and
      23.2%, and 16.5% and 20.8%, at 1, 5, 10, 15, and 20 years, respectively. These
      results improved tremendously after cyclosporine A (1986-1998) was used at our
      center. The rates of 1-, 5-, 10-, 15-, and 20-year graft and patient survival
      were 84.3% and 88.5%, 72.3% and 76.7%, 60.4% and 65.4%, 55.1% and 58.2%, and
      49.0% and 51.8%, respectively. Tacrolimus (1999-2014) further increased graft
      survival to 95.1%, 84.4%, 77.1%, and 70.9%, and patient survival to 98.3%, 90.4%,
      80.7%, and 73.4%, at 1, 5, 10, and 15 years, respectively. Multivariate Cox
      analysis suggested that transplant year, delayed graft function, rejection,
      immunosuppressive regimen, and original disease were independent predictors of
      graft survival and that poor HLA matching with 5-6 mismatches had an adverse
      effect on graft survival compared with 1-2 mismatches. The major causes of
      patient death included infection (38.1%), cardio-cerebral accident (30.2%), and
      malignancy (16.3%). As one of the pioneer transplant centers in China, our
      greatest contribution to organ transplantation in China is our self-developed
      organ preservation solution (HC-A), which has been used in more than 100,000
      grafts and for more than 30 years.

PMID- 26281131
TI  - Liver Transplantation at Mayo Clinic Florida.
AB  - Over the sixteen year history of liver transplantation (LT) at Mayo Clinic in
      Jacksonville, Florida (MCF), we have maintained a practice devoted to excellence
      in pre- and post-LT management for patients suffering from end stage liver
      disease. With an emphasis on quality, MCF has made several adjustments with the
      goal of better utilizing marginal grafts for both successful post-transplant
      outcomes and minimizing waitlist mortality. This systematic approach is most
      exemplified in our experience with donation after cardiac death (DCD) liver
      allografts. Understanding the events during procurement has been critical to
      reducing the complications associated with donor warm ischemia time that are
      unique to DCD allografts. Better matching of donors to recipients has helped
      identify patients who are safe to receive more marginal grafts with successful
      patient and graft survival. Recognizing the spectrum of degree of sickness in
      patients undergoing LT, we implemented a multidisciplinary approach that allows
      for the avoidance of the intensive care unit after LT. In these ways, MCF
      continues to distinguish itself as an innovator in the field of transplantation
      for the benefit of continued better care for our patients suffering from end
      stage liver disease.

PMID- 26281132
TI  - The New Zealand Liver Transplant Unit: Auckland District Health Board.
AB  - New Zealand is a geographically isolated country with 4.55 million inhabitants.
      It has endemic hepatitis B (HBV) infection that is especially evident in Maori
      and Pacific Island communities and impacts indications for liver transplantation.
      The country has a socialised medical system that allows for full coverage of the
      assessment for, and completion of liver transplants in suitable recipients.
      Between February 1998 and December 2014, the New Zealand Liver Transplant Unit
      (NZLTU) had performed 595 liver transplants in 568 patients, indicating a crude
      re-transplant rate of 4.8%. Overall 1, 5, and 10 year patient survival rates for
      all adult (96%, 89%, and 81%, respectively) and pediatric (93%, 92%, and 92%,
      respectively) recipients compare very favourably with international outcomes from
      Europe and the United States. Eligibility criteria could be modestly expanded if
      deceased donor rates improved from the current level of around 10 per million of
      population per year. This somewhat meagre supply of deceased donor organs, along
      with significant waiting list attrition, has necessitated the use of living
      donors, which have been used in more than 50 recipients to date. Despite these
      limitations, the NZLTU has contributed to improvements in the outcome of
      transplantation for HBV and hepatitis C through the development of effective
      antiviral prophylaxis regimes. Furthermore, innovative changes have been made to
      the manner in which pediatric patients are transitioned to the adult service.

PMID- 26281133
TI  - The Alfred Hospital Lung Transplant Experience.
AB  - The management of patients undergoing lung transplantation has continued to
      evolve, leading to improvements in 90-day and 1-year survival. The significant
      advancements in donor management and utilization at our center have led to
      significant increases in lung transplant activity without any compromise in
      recipient outcomes. Through the use of a patient-centered multidisciplinary model
      of care involved in all aspects of recipient management, from assessment and
      waitlisting to pre-, peri- and post-operative care, our lung transplant outcomes
      represent 2015 world's best lung transplant practice.

PMID- 26281134
TI  - Efficacy of Intravenous Immunoglobulin in the Treatment of Persistent BK Viremia
      and BK Virus Nephropathy in Renal Transplant Recipients.
AB  - BK virus associated nephropathy (BKVN) can cause clinically significant viral
      infections in renal transplant recipients, leading to allograft dysfunction and
      loss. The usual management of BKVN involves reduction of immunosuppression and
      the addition of leflunomide, quinolones, and cidofovir, but the rate of graft
      loss remains high. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of treatment
      with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) on the outcome of BKVN in renal transplant
      recipients. Upon diagnosis of BKVN, patients remained on anti-polyomavirus
      treatment consisting of reduction of immunosuppression and the use of leflunomide
      therapy. Treatment with IVIG was given only to patients who did not respond to 8
      weeks of the adjustment of immunosuppression and leflunomide. All 30 patients had
      persistent BK viremia and BKVN with their mean BK viral loads higher than the
      baseline (range 15,000 - 2 millions copies/mL). Mean peak BK load was 205,314
      copies/mL compared to 697 copies/mL after one year follow-up. Twenty-seven
      patients (90%) had positive responses in clearing viremia. The actuarial patient
      and graft survival rates after 12 months were 100% and 96.7%, respectively. IVIG
      administration appeared to be safe and effective in treating BK viremia and BKVN
      and in preventing graft loss in patients who had inadequate response to
      immunosuppression reduction and leflunomide therapy.

PMID- 26281135
TI  - Renal Transplant Outcomes in Waitlist Candidates with a Previous Inactive Status
      Due to Being Temporarily Too Sick.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In 2003, the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) changed its
      policy to allow candidates with 'inactive' status to accrue time on the waitlist.
      In this study, we assessed the transplant outcomes among deceased donor kidney
      transplant (DDKT) recipients who were temporarily inactive specifically due to
      medical reason, i.e., being temporarily too sick (reason 7). METHODS: Using the
      UNOS database, adult DDKT recipients were divided into two groups: those who had
      never been inactivated (active group) and those with a history of being inactive
      due to reason 7 (reason 7 group). Patient and graft survival, 3-year risk of
      death, and graft failure were examined and compared. RESULTS: After 3 years of
      follow-up, patient survival in the reason 7 group was significantly lower than
      that of the active group (88.14% versus 91.93%, p < 0.01). The reason 7 group had
      a 20% increased risk of death (hazard ratio, HR 1.20, confidence interval, CI
      1.04 - 1.38), a 16% increase in graft failure (HR 1.16, CI 1.06-1.28), and a 15%
      decrease in death-censored graft failure (HR 1.15, CI 1.01-1.31). CONCLUSION:
      Recipients with a history of reason 7 have lower patient and graft survival when
      compared to the active group. Nonetheless, the margins of difference are minimal.
      Candidates with a history of reason 7 should not be discouraged from
      transplantation once they return to active status. Standardized criteria for
      placing candidates on inactive status should be developed to reduce disparities
      among transplant centers.

PMID- 26281136
TI  - Update on Alloantibodies in Solid Organ Transplantation.
AB  - In the last few years, there have been studies published on serial testing and
      longitudinal analysis of anti-human leukocyte antigen (anti-HLA) antibodies. The
      focus of these studies was to determine specific characteristics of the impact of
      donor specific anti-HLA antibodies (DSA) in organ transplant dysfunction. These
      publications have led to an increasing concern about DSA and a growing effort to
      better understand DSA and to develop treatment for patients with DSA. In 2014,
      several reports were published that either confirm or expand upon both the
      understanding of the humoral theory and the clinical applications of DSA testing.
      This review delves into these publications and reports how their findings fit
      into the humoral theory of transplant.

PMID- 26281137
TI  - The Virtual Crossmatch: An Essential Tool for Transplanting Sensitized Patients.
AB  - Improved virtual crossmatch assessments following the implementation of solid
      phase HLA antibody immunoassays has significantly impacted transplantation of
      sensitized candidates, using either deceased or living donor organs. In deceased
      donor transplants, the virtual crossmatch has reduced the number of unexpected
      positive crossmatch tests resulting in improved organ allocation and reduced
      ischemia and wait times. The virtual crossmatch has also improved access to
      living donor transplantation by expediting donor evaluation by impacting clinical
      decisions regarding desensitization, and through implementation of successful
      kidney paired donation programs. However, continued improvements in predicting
      actual crossmatch outcomes are needed to further improve access to
      transplantation for sensitized candidates. Improved accuracy in HLA antibody
      strength assessments will allow for better correlations between transplant
      centers and the opportunity for collaborative trials to analyze transplant
      strategies and outcomes.

PMID- 26281138
TI  - Improved Long-Term Survival in Kidney Transplant Recipients with Donor-Specific
      HLA Antibodies After Mycophenolic Acid Escalation.
AB  - The development of donor specific antibodies (DSA) post transplant has been
      associated with chronic rejection and graft failure. In a longitudinal study, we
      have shown that increases in DSA precede rejection by months, thus allowing time
      for intervention. We hypothesized that mycophenolic acid (MPA) dose increases may
      reduce and/or stabilize DSA strength and also preserve renal function. Thirty
      stable DSA positive kidney transplant recipients participated in this
      Institutional Review Board approved, exploratory, open-label, single center study
      to assess the efficacy of MPA dose escalation in patients with DSA. MPA
      escalation was well tolerated and most patients were able to take higher doses
      for at least two years (duration of the study). In addition, MPA escalation is
      safe and participants had no significant side effects such as cytomegalovirus and
      BK infections. Long-term allograft survival of the MPA escalation group was
      superior when compared with the control group (p = 0.018). This pilot study
      indicates that escalation of MPA is safe and may stabilize DSA. In addition, five
      year follow up demonstrates improved long-term survival with MPA escalation
      compared with DSA positive recipients receiving the standard of care. Additional
      studies using larger cohorts are warranted.

PMID- 26281139
TI  - Impact of Donor Specific HLA Antibody Monitoring After Kidney Transplantation.
AB  - Kidney transplantation (KT) recipients with donor specific HLA antibodies (DSA)
      encounter higher rates of acute rejection and inferior allograft survival. We
      report our single center experience with prospective DSA monitoring and provide
      details of treatments utilized to overcome the potential impact of DSA in a
      cohort of predominantly African American adult KT recipients. Seventy-five flow
      crossmatch negative KT recipients underwent periodic screening for DSA utilizing
      the single antigen bead assay at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months post-transplant.
      Allograft biopsies were performed in the presence of DSA and/or evidence of graft
      dysfunction. The incidence of DSA was 23%, with a predominance of Class II
      antibodies. The rate of rejection was 6 times higher in DSA positive KT
      recipients compared to DSA negative patients (41% versus 7%, p = 0.004). In the
      DSA positive group, rejections occurred exclusively in the presence of de novo
      DSA and were predominantly antibody-mediated or mixed rejections. Despite a
      higher incidence of rejection in KT recipients with DSA, there were no
      significant differences in serum creatinine, graft survival, and patient survival
      between DSA positive and negative recipients at median follow-up of 18 months.
      DSA positive patients had significantly higher proteinuria compared to DSA
      negative recipients at 6 months, 1 year, and 3 years of follow-up. In conclusion,
      the detrimental effects of DSA on allograft function could be mitigated by serial
      DSA surveillance, protocol biopsies, and alterations in immunosuppression. With
      these measures, the improvement in graft survival in DSA positive KT recipients,
      at least at short-term, is encouraging.

PMID- 26281140
TI  - The Role of Donor-Specific Antibodies in Intestinal Transplantation: Experience
      at the University of California Los Angeles and Literature Review.
AB  - Intestinal transplantation is a viable treatment strategy for patients with
      irreversible intestinal failure for whom parenteral nutrition is no longer an
      option. Although improvements have been made in short-term post-transplant
      survival outcomes, long-term allograft loss, mainly to acute or chronic
      rejection, remains a major obstacle to successful transplantation. In all types
      of solid organ transplants, there is increasing evidence that antibodies directed
      against human leukocyte antigens, and in particular donor-specific antibodies
      (DSA), contribute to acute and chronic rejection as well as allograft loss. In
      this single-center review of intestinal transplant recipients, we report that the
      presence of pretransplant circulating DSA and the de novo induction of DSA
      posttransplant are both associated with increased risks of allograft loss.
      Although the cumulative incidence of acute rejection was not significantly
      affected by the presence of DSA, the power of this single-center study may be
      limited. Prospective, multicenter studies are needed to further elucidate the
      role of DSA in intestinal transplant recipients. In the published literature,
      there is a clear link between the presence of pre-formed DSA and early injury to
      the mucosal vasculature of the allograft. Two groups have reported an association
      between pretransplant DSA and the frequency of acute rejection episodes and
      subsequent graft loss. Similarly, studies investigating the effects of de novo
      DSA have demonstrated a relationship between the presence of post-transplant
      circulating antibodies and the occurrence of acute rejection and the risk of
      allograft failure. The use of a liver-containing graft appears to facilitate the
      clearance of pre-formed antibodies and prevents the de novo induction of post
      transplant antibodies. The most recent report stated that the de novo induction
      of DSA is concurrently accompanied by signs or rejection, such that the detection
      of circulating antibodies may signify impending graft injury, and supports the
      potential utility of DSA as a non-invasive biomarker for rejection in intestinal
      transplantation.

PMID- 26281141
TI  - High-Dose Intravenous Immunoglobulin Therapy for Donor Specific Antibodies in
      Kidney Transplant Recipients with Acute and Chronic Graft Dysfunction: Updates on
      Previously Reported Cohorts.
AB  - Kidney allograft damage resulting from donor-specific anti-HLA antibody (DSA)
      activity has been identified as a key component of long-term graft attrition. DSA
      that persists following acute antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) episodes and/or
      DSA associated with chronic graft dysfunction have been shown to be particularly
      pathogenic. Despite the significantly negative effects of DSA on graft survival,
      there are currently no accepted treatment modalities. We have previously reported
      our experience using a regimen of high-dose (5 mg/kg) intravenous immunoglobulin
      (IVIG) treatment over 6 months for kidney recipients with detectable DSA either
      following an acute AMR episode or in association with chronic graft dysfunction.
      In this manuscript, we report further follow-up on this cohort of patients
      treated with a single regimen of high-dose IVIG. We show a continued significant
      lowering effect on DSA present following AMR, particularly class I DSA, while DSA
      associated with chronic graft dysfunction, particularly class II, remains
      resistant to the immunomodulatory effects of IVIG.

PMID- 26281142
TI  - Highly Sensitized Patients: Miami Transplant Institute Experience.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Transplantation continues to be challenging in highly sensitized
      patients. Herein, we compared induction immunosuppression (IS) based on
      immunologic risk stratification and desensitization with intravenous
      immunoglobulin (IVIG). METHODS: Of the 42 highly sensitized kidney and 3 kidney
      pancreas transplant recipients who underwent IVIG for desensitization from 2008
      2014, 10 (Control group) received standard induction IS with antithymocyte
      globulin, basiliximab, and methylprednisolone, and 35 (Rituximab group) received
      standard IS with rituximab +/- IVIG +/- plasmapheresis. Immunologic risk
      stratification was based on donor specific antibodies (DSA), flow crossmatch
      ratio, and calculated panel reactive antibody. All patients received tacrolimus,
      mycophenolate, and steroids for maintenance IS. Unacceptable antigen cut-offs for
      class I and II DSA were 6000 and 9000 mean fluorescence intensity and 2.0 and 4.4
      channel shift ratios for T and B cell flow cytometry crossmatch, respectively.
      All complement dependent cytotoxicity T cell crossmatch negative patients were
      transplanted. RESULTS: Characteristics between groups, including high risk level,
      previous transplantation rate, number of human leukocyte antigen mismatches,
      delayed graft function rate, rejection rate, serum creatinine, and estimated
      glomerular filtration rate at 1 year (1.48 +/- 0.6 and 50 +/- 17 versus 1.1 +/-
      0.4 mg/dl and 66 25 ml/min) were not statistically significant between the
      Control and the Rituximab groups, respectively. Waiting time for the Control
      group was 6.4 years versus 4.1 years for the Rituximab group (p = 0.009). The
      cumulative proportion of patients who remain free of death or allograft failure
      was significantly higher in the Rituximab (87%) versus the Control group (60%) (p
      = 0.047). CONCLUSIONS: In highly sensitized patients who received desensitization
      with IVIG, the addition of Rituximab to our standard IS (and/or IVIG and
      plasmapheresis as per the immunologic risk stratification model) resulted in
      higher cumulative patient and graft survival.

PMID- 26281143
TI  - Beyond Criteria and Definitions: Outcome of a Standardized Antibody-Mediated
      Rejection Protocol with a Diagnostic Schema Different from the Banff 2009
      Criteria.
AB  - A new clinical diagnostic schema is needed for the diagnosis of antibody-mediated
      rejection (AMR) in kidney transplant recipients due to the limited utility of C4d
      staining, lack of standardized quantitative tests for donor specific antibodies,
      and potential new diagnostic markers. The treatment of AMR remains controversial
      because previous studies included heterogeneous treatment modalities, small
      sample sizes, and short follow-up time. At the University of Michigan Transplant
      Center, 26 patients were diagnosed with AMR based on our diagnostic protocol
      including C4d-negative AMR in thesetting of graft dysfunction and Banff tissue
      injury type II (capillaritis) or type III (arteritis). After diagnosis, these
      patients received six sessions of plasmapheresis (PP) and IVIG (100 mg/kg after
      the first to fifth PP and 500 mg/kg with the last PP). Our novel finding in this
      analysis was the association between persistent C1q detection and graft loss. We
      confirmed that C4d positivity at diagnosis is associated with worse outcomes.
      Also, we found that response to our treatment protocol is dependent on C4d
      staining and Banff tissue injury type.

PMID- 26281145
TI  - Effects of Two Preemptive Post-transplant Desensitization Regimens Upon Renal
      Allograft Survival and DSA Elaboration.
AB  - We used a simple point-based algorithm to identify patients who might benefit
      from desensitization because of their higher risk of antibody-mediated chronic
      rejection and graft failure. Points were assigned to known but easily determined
      risk factors (panel reactive antibody, flow crossmatch, delayed graft function)
      and calculated immediately after deceased donor kidney transplantation. Point
      totals were used to identify: 1) which patients would receive desensitization;
      and, 2) which regimen each patient would receive. This standardized approached
      resulted in improved overall graft survival in both modalities compared to
      historically untreated sensitized patients. While preemptive desensitization
      positively impacted clinical metrics, the improvements were unequal between
      regimens. PP/IVIG treatment clearly resulted in greater elimination of
      preexisting donor specific antibodies against HLA antigens (DSA), fewer late
      rejections, and superior 3-year graft survival among patients who resolved their
      DSA as well as those with persistent DSA. Since graft survival among PP/IVIG
      recipients was excellent even when preexisting DSA were still present one year
      post-transplant, it suggests that the benefit of this regimen is two-fold: first
      to increase DSA elimination among patients, and secondly, to minimize downstream
      immune activating events such as rejection. In contrast, IVIG patients with
      persistent DSA had more rejections and graft survival only slightly better than
      if they had no treatment at all. Since the IVIG group also had a preponderance of
      Class II directed DSA, we cannot discount the influence of that specificity upon
      graft outcomes. Additional studies are needed to confirm our findings and to
      allow more effective assessment of the impact of DSA specificity upon
      desensitization efficacy and graft success.

PMID- 26281144
TI  - Late Antibody-Mediated Rejection in a Large Prospective Cross-Sectional Study of
      Kidney Allograft Recipients--Preliminary Results of the Screening Phase of the
      BORTEJECT Trial.
AB  - There is limited data on the rate of late antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) in
      unselected transplant cohorts. Here, we investigated the prevalence and
      characteristics of ABMR in a large cohort of long-term kidney allograft
      recipients. Patients were screened in the context of a randomized controlled
      trial (BORTEJECT study; ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01873157) designed to investigate
      the impact of bortezomib on the course of late ABMR. The study (initiation in
      October 2013) includes a cross-sectional ABMR screening (key inclusion criterion:
      functioning graft at >= 180 days) to identify 44 recipients eligible for
      inclusion in the intervention trial. Patients were screened for donor-specific
      antibodies (DSA) applying solid phase technology and DSA+ recipients underwent
      protocol biopsies. Through November 2014, ABMR screening (after a median of 6.5
      years post-transplantation) had been completed for 714 recipients. One hundred
      one patients (14%) had DSA above a threshold of 1,000 mean fluorescence intensity
      (MFI). Forty-four of 78 DSA+ recipients (6% of the overall cohort) subjected to
      biopsy were diagnosed with C4d-positive (n = 17) or -negative (n = 27) ABMR and
      40 consented to participate in the intervention trial. DSA+ABMR+ and DSA+ABMR-
      patients differed significantly with respect to the MFI of the highest level DSA
      (P < 0.001), whereby ABMR or C4d positivity were moderately predicted by MFI
      values (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve: 0.75 and 0.84,
      respectively). In conclusion, the results of this cross-sectional analysis
      suggest a >= 6% prevalence of late ABMR. We demonstrate that the more frequent
      finding of circulating DSA may not necessarily associate with ABMR diagnosis,
      especially in patients with low antibody levels.

PMID- 26281146
TI  - Early Intervention in Living Kidney Transplantation Based on Dynamic Monitoring
      of Donor Specific Antibodies.
AB  - This study aims to analyze the clinical application of HLA donor specific
      antibodies (DSA) detected by Luminex single antigen beads and to discuss the
      impact of early intervention on renal function in DSA positive kidney transplant
      patients. In 64 cases of living-related renal transplantation, DSA was detected
      using Luminex single antigen bead assays before and after transplantation. The
      positive recipients were given intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and increased
      doses of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). The relationship between DSA and renal
      function was analyzed. In all transplant recipients, DSA was negative prior to
      transplantation. Ten DSA positive recipients were found after HLA mismatched
      transplantations. With intervention, two DSA positive recipients became DSA
      negative. In six cases, the patients' DSA intensity decreased more than 50%. In
      the remaining two cases, DSA intensity did not significantly decline, and within
      3-6 months, antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) appeared and renal function was
      impaired. From our research, we conclude that dynamic monitoring of DSA using
      Luminex single antigen beads may help predict future changes in renal function.
      In addition, early application of IVIG and increasing doses of MMF can reduce the
      incidence of AMR.

PMID- 26281147
TI  - Higher Serum Trough Levels of Tacrolimus Increase 5-Year Allograft Survival in
      Antibody Positive Renal Transplant Patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The presence of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) and major
      histocompatibility complex class I chain-related gene-A (MICA) antibodies after
      transplantation is correlated with rejection episodes, proteinuria, and renal
      allografts loss. We assessed the clinical value of high-dose tacrolimus on post
      transplant HLA and MICA antibodies and proteinuria after renal transplantation.
      METHODS: Post-transplant sera of 310 renal transplantation patients who were
      negative for antibodies prior to transplant were tested by Luminex flow cytometry
      for HLA antibodies and MICA antibodies posttransplant. Once a patient was found
      to be antibody positive (Ab+), tacrolimus was dosed at two different
      concentrations: high tacrolimus Ab+ group (11 +/- 1.36 ng/mL average tacrolimus
      trough) or low tacrolimus Ab+ group (7 +/- 1.28 ng/mL average tacrolimus trough).
      Antibody negative (Ab-) patients were also studied and were given comparable
      tacrolimus doses to the low tacrolimus Ab+ group (7 +/- 1.28 ng/mL average
      tacrolimus trough). Proteinuria was measured using the pyrogallol method. All
      patients were followed for 5 years after renal transplantation. Associations
      between tacrolimus, proteinuria, and survival were analyzed. RESULTS: In the HLA
      or MICA Ab+ patients, proteinuria decreased after 5 years in the high tacrolimus
      Ab+ group unlike the low tacrolimus Ab+ group. Allograft survival in the high
      tacrolimus Ab+ group was significantly higher than the low tacrolimus Ab+ group
      and was similar to that of the Ab- group. CONCLUSIONS: High-dose tacrolimus might
      play a role in improving allograft survival in HLA or MICA Ab+ post-transplant
      patients. Increasing tacrolimus concentration might be a plausible treatment for
      Ab+ post-transplant patients.

PMID- 26281148
TI  - Combination of Total Lymphoid Irradiation, Low-Dose IVIG and ATG as Rescue
      Therapy for Highly Sensitized and Antibody-Mediated Rejection Renal Transplant
      Recipients.
AB  - Background: It is now clear that antibody- mediated rejection (AMR) is a major
      cause of graft failure. To avoid AMR, transplantation is preferably performed in
      non- or low-sensitized patients. For patients with pre-existing HLA antibodies
      due to pre-transplant sensitization or those with de novo HLA antibodies due to
      transplantation, elimination or reduction of HLA antibodies becomes critical to
      prevent AMR. Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial, we test the efficacy
      of a combination therapy of total lymphoid irradiation (TLI), low- dose
      intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), and anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) with or
      without plasmapheresis (PP) in treating patients with HLA antibodies. Thirteen
      HLA antibody positive patients receiving renal transplants during 2009-2011 were
      enrolled in this study. Two cases with pre-existing HLA antibodies received
      combined therapy of TLI, PP, low-dose IVIG, and ATG induction. Eleven cases with
      de novo HLA antibodies and biopsy-proven AMR received TLI, low-dose IVIG, and ATG
      with or without PP. RESULTS: Two sensitized patients with pre-existing HLA
      antibodies were successfully desensitized and able to accept renal
      transplantation without an observable AMR episode in 12 months of post-transplant
      follow-up. In 11 AMR cases with de novo HLA antibodies, only one patient failed
      to respond to the therapy and lost the allograft. In the other ten cases, the
      follow-up biopsies at one year post transplant showed no evidence of rejection
      and the patients had stable renal function. B cell proliferation was persistently
      inhibited in both desensitization and AMR patients. CONCLUSIONS: Combined therapy
      of TLI, PP, low-dose IVIG, and ATG is an effective therapeutic measure to reduce
      the level of HLA antibodies and therefore to desensitize recipients pre
      transplant and to reverse AMR post transplant. The potential mechanism of the
      therapy involves inhibition of B cell proliferation.

PMID- 26281149
TI  - Treatment of Biopsy-Proven Acute Antibody-Mediated Rejection Using Thymoglobulin
      (ATG) Monotherapy and a Combination of Rituximab, Intravenous Immunoglobulin, and
      Plasmapheresis: Lesson Learned from Primary Experience.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Three strategies have been previously proposed to treat or prevent
      antibody-mediated rejection (AMR): (1) inhibition/depletion of antibody producing
      cells; (2) removal/blockage of antibodies; and, (3) inhibition of antibody
      mediated tissue injury. Here we test the efficacy of lymphocyte-depleting agent
      antithymocyte globulin (ATG) and triple therapy of rituximab, intravenous
      immunoglobulin (IVIG), and plasmapheresis in treating AMR. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Five biopsy-proven AMR patients were enrolled in this acute AMR treatment study.
      All patients received renal transplants from HLA highly mismatched donation after
      cardiac death (DCD) donors. Four patients received thymoglobulin (ATG)
      monotherapy at a dose of 75 mg/day for 5-8 days. One patient received a
      combination of rituximab (375 mg/m2), IVIG (50 g/day x2 days), and double
      filtration plasmapheresis (4x). Donor specific HLA antibodies (DSA), serum
      creatinine, and clinical signs and symptoms were used to determine the efficacy
      of anti-AMR treatment. RESULTS: All 5 patients developed AMR within 2 weeks after
      transplant. Two patients had class I DSA and 2 patients had class II DSA. One
      patient had both class I & II DSA. DSA in four patients (#1, 2, 4, 5) were pre
      existing and the levels of these DSA surged significantly within a week following
      transplant. The only patient (#3) without pre-existing DSA developed de novo DSA
      within 2 weeks post-transplant that rose rapidly regardless of anti-rejection
      treatment. All patients had positive C4d staining in peritubular capillaries. The
      proportion of B cells in all patients increased significantly above baseline
      level when patients experienced AMR. Even though both ATG and rituximab therapies
      successfully reduced the B cell proportion one week post anti-AMR treatment,
      their effects on DSA were not ideal. Patient #1 with mild AMR responded well to
      ATG monotherapy and DSA level steadily decreased from 2 weeks post-ATG treatment
      and became negative in the last follow-up test. The DSA levels in patient #2 with
      moderate AMR (ATG), #4 with mild AMR (ATG), and #5 with severe AMR
      (rituximab+IVIG+plasmapheresis) were reduced post treatment but remained at a
      level of 4,000-7,000 mean fluorescence intensity. Patients #2 and #4 had impaired
      renal graft function and severe AMR case #5 lost graft function and was back on
      dialysis from post-transplant day 12. Patient #3 with mild AMR (ATG) suffered
      from severe pneumonia 4 days after ATG treatment, which rapidly resulted in heart
      failure and the patient died on post-transplant day 36. CONCLUSIONS: All 5 AMR
      cases occurred in patients who received renal transplants from HLA highly
      mismatched DCD donors. Both ATG and rituximab had a significant depleting effect
      on B cells, but their effects on DSA were not ideal. Mild or moderate acute AMR
      was ameliorated but not cured by ATG monotherapy. For AMR patient with severe
      biopsy-proven graft injuries, B cell- and antibody-targeted therapies were not
      successful since they do not have immediate inhibitory or blocking effects on
      antibody-caused tissue injury. Therefore, anti-inflammatory, anti-coagulation and
      complement blockage agents should also be considered as part of an AMR treatment
      regimen in addition to strategies to remove or block DSA and to inhibit antibody
      production.

PMID- 26281150
TI  - Early De Novo Donor Specific Antibody Involvement in Delayed Graft Function After
      Kidney Transplantation: A Report of 2 Cases.
AB  - Kidney tubular damage caused by ischemia-reperfusion injury is considered the
      major cause of delayed graft function (DGF) after renal transplantation. It is
      not clear whether early generated de novo donor specific antibodies (DSA) play a
      role in DGF. Here, we report 2 cases of renal transplant with DGF, which seems to
      be associated with de novo DSA. When the early produced de novo DSA are not
      potent enough to mediate acute rejection, they may cause mild intra-graft injury,
      which has a significant impact on the degree of DGF and its recovery. Antibody
      targeted therapy seems to be beneficial to the recovery of patients with DGF.

PMID- 26281151
TI  - Allo-Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant in China: 2014 Update.
AB  - Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) provides powerful
      curative weapons for patients with certain hematological diseases. Great
      improvements have been made within recent years, particularly in the fields of
      haploidentical HSCT, allo-HSCT for aplastic anemia, and strategies to overcome
      relapse and graft versus host disease. This review updates the current state of
      allo-HSCT in China.

PMID- 26281152
TI  - The Role of HLA Antibodies in HLA Mismatched Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell
      Transplantation.
AB  - Published reports suggest that engraftment failure after hematopoietic stem cell
      transplantation (HSCT) is closely associated with the presence of donor-specific
      HLA antibodies (DSA). Herein, we report a single cohort retrospective analysis of
      567 cases of HLA mismatched allogeneic HSCT patients from the Lu Dao-pei
      Hematology Center, transplanted between September 11, 2012, and November 20,
      2014. Of these cases, 306 patients underwent HLA class I and II antibody testing
      within one month before transplantation. For patients with HLA antibody screening
      resulting in an HLA antibody with a mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) > 1000,
      single antigen bead HLA class I and II testing was performed. Then, according to
      donor HLA genotype, we determined whether DSA were present. Of the 306 patients
      with pre-transplant HLA antibody screening (LABScreen Mixed Antigen), HLA class I
      antibodies were present in 51 cases (16.7%). HLA class II antibodies were present
      in 24 cases (7.8%). Of all antibody positive cases, 20 cases were positive for
      HLA antibodies on single antigen beads at an MFI > 1000. Half of these cases were
      DSA positive. Of the non-DSA antibody cases (n = 1 0), there was one case of
      primary graft failure after HSCT. In the ten DSA positive patients, the HSCT was
      chosen from the reactive donor. Seven of these cases were treated prior to HSCT
      with 1-2 times plasmapheresis or high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG)
      therapy. The other three cases had no special treatment to decrease HLA
      antibodies before transplantation. All 10 DSA positive cases achieved successful
      engraftment. There was one case of primary graft failure in the group of 273
      patients who were HLA antibody negative. Out of the group of 261 patients who did
      not undergo HLA antibody screening, there were 7 cases of primary engraftment
      failure. The incidence of engraftment failure was lower in the group of patients
      who had been screened for HLA antibodies prior to transplant than it was for the
      patients who had not been screened (2/306 versus 7/261, p = 0.054). Five of the 7
      cases of engraftment failure were screened for HLA antibodies at 30 days after
      first transplantation. The results of five of the cases were negative for HLA
      antibodies and the patients underwent second transplants, all achieving
      successful engraftment. This cohort researched HLA antibodies and their effect on
      engraftment of HSCT in Chinese cases. We compared 306 patients who underwent HLA
      antibody screening and were given the appropriate treatment before HSCT if DSA
      were positive, with 261 patients who were not screened for HLA antibodies. We
      found that the incidence of primary graft failure significantly decreased.
      Although not directly determined, HLA antibodies (especially DSA) are the cause
      of engraftment failure and our findings reflect the importance of HLA antibody
      screening prior to transplantation. We suggest that patients with pre-existing
      DSA should be treated with plasma exchange or IVIG therapy before
      transplantation.

PMID- 26281153
TI  - [PEDIATRIC GASTROENTEROLOGY: ORIGINS, PROBLEMS, AND PROSPECTS OF THE RESEARCH].
AB  - The nomenclature of digestive diseases in children was supplemented by the "new"
      diseases: of esophagus--gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Barrett's
      esophagus, Zenker's diverticulum; of stomach and duodenum--gastroduodenitis,
      peptic ulcer disease, polyps, ectopic pancreas in the stomach wall; of the
      intestine--jejunitis, ileocolitis, Crohn's disease, celiac disease, bacterial
      overgrowth syndrome in the small intestine; of biliary tract--cholelithiasis,
      gallbladder cholesterosis, anomalies of the biliary tract; of pancreas--acute and
      chronic pancreatitis, annular pancreas (2). The features of gastrointestinal
      diseases in children experiencing the action of factors, not always positively
      affecting the growing organism, were established. These features include:
      presence of allergic background; high level of neuro-autonomous and psycho
      emotional changes in modern children, not only in schoolchildren, but even in
      preschoolers; polymorbidity or a combination (syntropy) of lesions of the
      digestive system; adverse outcomes of certain diseases as chronization,
      complications development, and as a consequence--a high risk of disability in
      children; "rejuvenation" of certain diseases of the digestive system
      (cholelithiasis, gallbladder cholesterosis, Crohn's disease), typical for adults.
      It is important to emphasize the clinical and social importance of
      gastroenterological diseases in childhood. Axiomatic is that the origins of many
      diseases of the digestive organs in adults lie in childhood. Early manifestation
      of certain diseases such as peptic ulcer disease, gluten enteropathy, Crohn's
      disease, and others, significantly impact the quality of life of sick children
      and their parents. It is worth to emphasize high costs of medical and
      prophylactic (tertiary prevention) activities using the drugs of latest
      generations. All this causes problems in both applied and scientific pediatric
      gastroenterology.

PMID- 26281154
TI  - [MORPHOFUNCTIONAL CONDITION OF THE UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT IN CHILDREN WITH
      OBESITY].
AB  - The article is about the characteristics of the morphofunctional state of the
      upper gastrointestinal tract (UGIT) in children with obesity. Under supervision
      there were 130 children aged 10-16 years: study group--80 children with obesity
      (42 boys and 38 girls) (SDS BMI 2.0), the comparison group--50 children with
      normal body weight (32 boys and 18 girls) (SDS BMI from -0.99 to +0.99) with
      different disease UGIT. It is established that in children of the study group has
      a higher frequency of isolated motor-evacuation disorders (6.3% and 2.0%), and
      combinations inflammatory and functional disorders of UGIT (48.8% and 38.0%)
      compared with the comparison group. It is shown that functional changes UGIT in
      children with obesity are characterized by high frequency motor disorders, signs
      moderately expressed active chronic gastritis associated with H. pylori (58.3%),
      occurring against the background of minimal clinical symptoms, with a prevalence
      of focal nature of the inflammatory process on common.

PMID- 26281155
TI  - [METHOD FOR DETERMINING EROSIVE LESIONS OF THE GASTRIC MUCOUSA IN CHILDREN WITH
      JUVENILE ARTHRITIS].
AB  - To detect the clinical diagnostic criteria for non-invasive diagnosis of erosive
      gastritis in children with juvenile arthritis have been studied the 92 children
      aged 9 to 16 years (mean age-13,9 +/- 2,3 years) with verified diagnosis of
      juvenile arthritis, of whom 10 had erosive gastritis (group 1) and 82 without
      erosions (group 2). A comparison of the groups on 23 grounds by analysis of
      contingency tables and the subsequent discriminant analysis, has developed a new
      non-invasive method for determining the erosive lesions of the mucous membrane of
      the stomach in children with juvenile arthritis, including a score of history,
      complaints and the results of laboratory studies the level of the G-17,
      pepsinogen I, pepsinogen II, and the ratio of pepsinogen I to pepsinogen II, the
      presence of autoantibodies to the H+, K+/ATPase of the parietal cells of the
      stomach, the test for occult blood "Colon View Hb and Hb/Hp". Developed a
      diagnostic table, including 11 features with scores each. The total score 27 or
      higher allows a high degree of probability to determine the erosive lesions of
      the gastric mucosa in children with juvenile arthritis.

PMID- 26281156
TI  - [DYNAMICS OF APOPTOTIC MARKERS (INTERLEUKIN-2 AND TNF-alpha) IN THE BLOOD SERUM
      OF CHILDREN WITH CHRONIC GASTRODUODENITES].
AB  - The aim was to investigate apoptotic dynamics by IL-2 and TNF-alpha levels in the
      blood serum of children with chronic gastroduodenites. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      There were examined 90 children with chronic gastroduodenitis. Cytokine level in
      the serum was studied at admission and in dynamics. RESULTS: Chronic
      gastroduodenitis is accompanied by the increase of IL-2 and TNF-alpha
      concentration thus reflecting the activity of apoptotic processes. The decrease
      of the markers' (IL-2 and TNF-alpha) levels after 10-11 days, 3 and 9 months
      after treatment indicates the decrease of apoptotic activity. In hyperplastic and
      atrophic gastritis there has been registered the highest and the lowest
      concentration of the markers, respectively. H. pylori contributes to the TNF
      alpha production mainly.

PMID- 26281157
TI  - [THE CORRECTION OF TROPHIC DISORDERS IN CHILDREN OF CHRONIC GASTRODUODENITIS WITH
      METHOD LOW-FREQUENCY LIGHT-MAGNETOTHERAPY].
AB  - The results of a survey of school children with chronic gastroduodenitis when
      applying at an early period the medical rehabilitation with method low-frequency
      light-magnetotherapy. During treatment of hospital was evaluated vegetative
      trophic status with methods of cardiointervalography and thermovision functional
      tests. In normalizes clinical parameters was correction in dynamics of the
      vegetative status in children, it confirms the effectiveness of the therapy. It
      is proved, that the use of low-frequency light-magnetotherapy has a positive
      effect on the vegetative--trophic provision an organism and normalizes the
      vegetative dysfunction.

PMID- 26281158
TI  - [DETERMINING THE DEGREE OF DISRUPTION OF THE STRUCTURE OF THE LIVER AND THE
      SEVERITY OF PORTAL HYPERTENSION IN CHILDREN].
AB  - AIM: To develop a system to define the degree of liver disruption and severity of
      portal hypertension in children based on the International Classification of
      Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Studied the
      results of laboratory and instrumental methods 382 children: 267 patients with
      various liver diseases, including 49 patients who underwent liver
      transplantation, and 115 children without liver disease. RESULTS: Based on
      analysis of statistical data obtained were identified 10 indicators, a set of
      changes which can be used to assess the degree of disruption of the structure of
      the liver and the severity of portal hypertension: indicators that reflect the
      severity of fibrosis and cirrhosis of the liver (METAVIR score on a scale at
      fibroelastometrii, scores are Desmet at morphological study of the liver) and
      indicators that reflect the severity of portal hypertension (the diameter of the
      portal vein, splenic vein diameter, the length of the spleen, recanalization of
      the umbilical vein, esophageal varices, ascites, hydropericardium, hydrothorax).
      Each of the indicators was assessed on a 5-point system. Number of points
      reflects the sum of the changes of these parameters. Decrease the number of
      points on 0-4% (38-40 points) is regarded as a lack of structural failure of the
      liver and the severity of portal hypertension by 5-24% (30-37 points)--minor
      violations on 25-49% (20-29 points) -moderation disorders, 50-95% (3-12 points)-
      severe handicaps, 96-100% (0-2 points)--absolute violation. Studied the dynamics
      of children with autoimmune hepatitis, Wilson's disease and chronic hepatitis C.
      CONCLUSION: The proposed scoring system for assessing the degree of disruption of
      the structure of the liver and the severity of portal hypertension can be used as
      an objective criterion of the severity of the pathological process, to estimate
      the dynamics of defeat against the background of the therapy, determining the
      prognosis of the disease and as a criterion of the indications for liver
      transplantation.

PMID- 26281159
TI  - DIAGNOSTIC POSSIBILITIES OF HYDROCOLONIC ECHOGRAPHY AT CHRONIC CONSTIPATION IN
      CHILDREN.
AB  - On the basis of 15 years' of experience the criteria of assessment of the colon
      was developed when performing hydrocolonic echography (HCE) and the possibilities
      of HCE are evaluated at chronic constipations (CC) in children. A retrospective
      cross research of results of HCE in 263 children with CC aged from 14 days to 17
      years was conducted. HCE allowed to evaluate the position of the colon in the
      abdominal cavity, gave information on lengthening and lumen of the colon,
      structure of the intestinal wall, haustra, peculiarities of the functioning of
      the colon in real time. Secondary changes of the colon due to CC, depending on
      intensity of CC are identified. Echographical characteristics of dolihocolon
      (light constipations) and dolihomegacolon (severe constipations) are given.
      Possibilities of echographical identification of the surgical provenance
      (diseases of Hirschsprung, Payr) of constipation in children are defined.
      CONCLUSION: Hydrocolonic echography grants high possibilities of diagnostics and
      allows identifying the organic reason of constipation in due time. In case of
      functional constipation, HCE narrows down the amount of additional examinations.
      Identification of secondary changes of the colon due to CC does hydrocolonic
      echography by the instrument of quality control of conservative treatment with
      the advantage of HCE of lacking radiation and the possibility of unlimited
      replication.

PMID- 26281160
TI  - [PROBIOTICS, NUTRITIONAL STATUS AND RESISTANCE TO RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS IN
      INFANTS].
AB  - Aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of prophylactic use of a liquid
      probiotic form based on Enterococcus faecium L3 in children first year of life to
      increase resistance to acute respiratory infections (ARI) in the winter-spring
      period and improve nutritional status. In a specialized (psychoneurologic)
      orphanage of St. Petersburg within three months of winter-spring period in 2014
      observed 29 children in the first year of life. Observed children were randomly
      divided into two groups. The main group (n = 14) within three months received
      daily per os liquid probiotic form based on E.faecium L3 in a daily dose of 1.5 x
      10(9) CFU. A control group of children (n = 15) was comparable with the main
      group by gender and age. The children observed groups studied the incidence of
      ARI; number of vaccinated children; the number of children who received two or
      more vaccinations at the same time; the number of children with acute infectious
      diseases within 1 month after vaccination; dynamics of Chulitskaya index, body
      mass index, body weight and length. The data obtained are subjected to
      statistical analysis, the results were considered significant at p < 0.05. The
      results showed that the use of probiotic forms E.faecium L3 in infants helped to
      reduce the average number of ARI cases per child (0.29 +/- 0.13 vs. 0.73 +/- 0.12
      in the control group; p < 0.05) only in the first month of the observation that
      combined with a significantly higher BMI values increase this month (0.54 +/-
      0.25 vs. 0.07 +/- 0.22 kg/m2 in the control group; p < 0.05). Use the liquid
      probiotic form E.faecium L3 in infants had a positive impact on overall health,
      which is reflected in the implementation of routine vaccination activities--in
      the main group, the number of children who received two or more vaccinations at
      the same time was 18.1% more.

PMID- 26281161
TI  - [ENZYME THERAPY OF POSTCHOLECYSTECTOMY SYNDROME IN CHILDREN].
AB  - The article provides pathogenetic justification of the need and the effectiveness
      of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) of postcholecystectomy syndrome (PHES) in
      children. Special focus will be on the possibility of using the ERT in PHES in
      children of different age groups. Personal experience with these drugs in
      children with cholelithiasis is provided, considering their mechanism of action
      and side effects of ERT. Advantages of Creon are demonstrated for correction of
      exocrine pancreatic function in PHES in children.

PMID- 26281162
TI  - [STEPPED DIET THERAPY OF ACUTE ENTERIC INFECTIONS IN CHILDREN].
AB  - The article describes the main principles of stepped diet therapy of acute
      intestinal infections in children developed on the basis of nutritive support
      staging, depending on patients' age, stage and severity of disease. Significance
      of functional food products for diet therapy tactics in patients with mild and
      moderately severe forms of infection is demonstrated.

PMID- 26281163
TI  - [COMPARATIVE STUDY OF DE-NOL AND NOVOBISMOL IN REGIMENS ERADICATION IN PATIENTS
      WITH H. PYLORI--ASSOCIATED DISEASES].
AB  - AIMS: The aim of this study is to assess efficacy and safety of reinforced H.
      pylori eradication therapy. METHODS: During 2013-2014, 40 outpatients were
      examined. The study included men and women 18-65 y.o. They have been devided in
      to 2 group by randomized choice (20 patients in each group). Patients were
      treated with the reinforced H. pylori eradication therapy: PPI (40 mg,/q12h),
      clarithromycin (500mg/q12h), amoxicillin (1000 mg/q12h), bismuth subcitrate (240
      mg/q12h) for 10 days. The first group given bismuth subcitrate--De-Nol, the
      second group given Novobismol. Eradication was confirmed by a 13C-urea breath
      test and monoclonal stool antigen test 6-8 weeks after therapy. RESULTS: A total
      of 34 patients underwent eradication treatment. Two were lost to follow-up (one
      patient in each group), four patients (two patients in each group) did not
      complete treatment due to adverse events. The eradication rates were 97.1% (95%
      CI, 88.9% -100.0%) by per-protocol (PP) and 82.5% (95% CI, 69.4% - 92.5%) by
      intention-to-treat (ITT) in the two groups. The ITT analyses resulted in rates of
      85% (95% CI, 66.5-96.9) for the 10-d reinforced therapy with DeNol and was 80%
      (95% CI: 60.2-94.1) for the 10-d reinforced therapy with Novobismol (P = 0.68),
      while the PP analyses resulted in 100% (95% CI, 94.5-100.0) and 94.1% (95% CI:
      78.3-99.9), respectively (P = 0.31). CONCLUSION: The reinforced H. pylori
      eradication therapy (10-day high-dose PPI bismuth-containing standard triple
      therapy) achieves a significantly high eradication rates in patients with H.
      pylori - associated diseases. Both drugs (De- Nol and Novobismol) are both
      effective and safe for the first-line eradication of H. pylori.

PMID- 26281164
TI  - [LAPAROSCOPIC FUNDOPLICATION NISSEN--GOLD STANDARD TREATMENT OF GASTROESOPHAGEAL
      REFLUX IN CHILDREN].
AB  - Gastroesophageal reflux is very common in children and often leads to reflux
      esophagitis, peptic esophageal strictures, Barrett's esophagus. If the
      conservative treatment fails a patient needs surgical treatment as well as those
      who suffer from complications and hiatal hernia. The most popular operation is
      laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication with the efficiency of more than 80%. However,
      the main challenge is redo fundoplications. Hiatal hernia and operation technique
      are considered to be the most probable risk-factors.In our study we introduce the
      new technique of laparoscopic Nissen procedure. It implies different way of the
      fundoplication wrap construction: in the first row we use sutures through all the
      layers of the stomach wall instead of seromuscular ones. Since 2010 more than 180
      patients have been operated on with the incidence of recurrent reflux 2 times
      lower.

PMID- 26281165
TI  - [PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SURGICAL TREATMENT OF COMPLICATIONS OF CROHN'S
      DISEASE IN CHILDREN].
AB  - Practical recommendations are presented Grade 4. The article covered all possible
      methods of surgery, depending on the type and severity of the disease. It is
      noted that, despite the need for surgery and reoperations high frequency in most
      patients with complicated Crohn's disease yet there is a significant improvement,
      and pain disappeared for a while. Stressed that to achieve success in the
      surgical treatment of Crohn's disease by a single intervention can be extremely
      rare. A comprehensive approach to the treatment of complicated Crohn's disease,
      an important component of which is the appointment of preventive treatment after
      surgery.

PMID- 26281166
TI  - [CONGENITAL CHYLOUS ASCITES: A CASE REPORT].
AB  - Congenital chylous ascites is a rare polietiologic entity, requiring close study
      of the infant's organism by visualization methods in order to diagnose the bening
      or malignant underlying pathology. In the article is given a report on case of
      congenital chylous ascites in infant, caused by lymphangioma in the peritoneal
      cavity. Atypical clinic and the lack of diagnostic standards led to the later
      detection of the ascite's origin.

PMID- 26281167
TI  - [THE CASE OF A COMBINATION OF TWO AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES: AUTOIMMUNE HEPATITIS AND
      IMMUNE THROMBOCYTOPENIA IN THE SAME PATIENT 13 YEARS OLD].
AB  - The paper presents the case of a combination of two autoimmune diseases in the
      same patient. Describes the current ideas about the etiology of diseases and
      their treatment. Highlighted timely verification of diagnosis and differential
      approach to immunosuppressive therapy.

PMID- 26281168
TI  - [REPORT ON THE CONDUCT OF CONFERENCE "LATE DIAGNOSTICS OF CROHN DISEASE IN
      CHILDHOOD" (KANSHINA'S READINGS)].
AB  - This article presents the conference report, summarizes the goals and directions
      of the conference, the review of reports.

PMID- 26281169
TI  - [EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDIES IN GASTROENTEROLOGY: LONG-TERM SIBERIAN EXPERIENCE OF
      HELICOBACTER PYLORI AND RELATED DISEASES].
AB  - The paper presents the long-term experience of Siberian epidemiological studies
      in the field of gastroenterology (cross-sectional and prospective). High
      prevalence of Helicobacterpylori infection (75-85%) in the adult population of
      Siberia, and the association with dyspeptic symptoms in different age groups are
      shown. The dynamics of infection in children and adolescents, the high detection
      rates of CagA-positive strains, the prevalence of the different phenotypes of
      gastritis and the predictive value of gastric atrophy biomarkers in relation to
      gastric cancer were studied. The importance of epidemiological studies for the
      formation of groups at risk for a number of diseases and the development of
      prevention programs is demonstrated.

PMID- 26281170
TI  - [GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUXED DISEASE IN PERSONS WITH OBESITY AND LEPTIN
      RESISTANCE].
AB  - AIM OR OBJECTIVE: to examine the levels of leptin and its soluble receptor in the
      serum of patients with gastroesophageal refluxed disease (GERD) with different
      weight. METHODS: We examined 125 patients with GERD. We asked patients, assessed
      an anthropometric indices, did a biochemical analysis of blood, ultrasonic
      studies of abdominal, endoscope examination of the esophagus and stomach, pH
      monitoring, assessed levels leptin and its soluble receptor. We separated
      patients in two groups: the main group (n = 105) - patients with overweight and
      obesity, the comparison group (n = 20) - with normal weight. RESULTS: Values of
      waist circumference, the hips, its relationship, level of glucose and
      triglycerides was higher in main group (p<0, (10) (10)3, p<0,00002, p<0,0096,
      p<0,02, p<0,008, respectively). Leptin levels in patients with obesity and
      overweight was significantly higher and the level of its receptors was
      significantly lower (mediana of leptin levels 29,81 (12,63-45,62) in main group
      versus 4,13 (3,03-5,79), mediana of leptin's receptors 18,74 (14,98-25,11) versus
      31,82 (27,81-34,43), respectively). Between these indicators in main group was
      revealed negative correlation of moderate strength (rs= (-0,452), p<0,0004). In
      group with overweight and obesity a fairly significant correlation between the
      level of adipokines and severity of symptoms of GERD were found: negative
      correlation of moderate intensity between leptin and severity of dysphagia (rs= (
      0,259), p<0,05) and positive correlation of moderate intensity between leptin's
      receptor and severity of belching (rs= (-0,295), p<0,02). As well as a fairly
      significant positive association of moderate strength between leptin levels and
      the maximum value of pH in the stomach (rs= (-0,499), p<0,03) and between
      leptin's receptor and index relationship of pH in the cardia of the stomach to
      the body (rs= (-0,505), p<0,04) were found. CONCLUSIONS: leptinresistance in
      individuals with overweight and obesity is associated with features of GERD.

PMID- 26281171
TI  - [THE ROLE OF OXIDATIVE STRESS IN THE PATHOGENESIS OF GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX
      DISEASE].
AB  - AIM: To study features of lipid peroxidation in patients with different types of
      gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). METHODS: We examined 120 patients with
      different clinical variants of GERD and 25 healthy individuals. It was determined
      the concentration of diene conjugates (DC) ketodienes (KD), conjugated trienes
      (CT) by biochemical methods in serum and mucosal biopsies of the lower third of
      the esophagus. RESULTS: In biopsies of esophagus mucosa the content of DK, CD, CT
      was increased in patients with complications of GERD (ulcerative esophagitis and
      Barrett's esophagus) in 2,2-5,3 times compared with healthy individuals. In blood
      serum registered similar but less pronounced regularities. CONCLUSION: It was
      revealed a significant intensification of free radical oxidation in the tissues
      of the esophagus and the blood of patients with GERD, which was exacerbated in
      proportion to the severity of the disease.

PMID- 26281172
TI  - [ESPECIALLY CHRONIC RHINOSINUSITIS ASSOCIATED WITH GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX
      DISEASE].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: to study the clinical and laboratory features of chronic
      rhinosinusitis (CRS) associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study involved 87 patients with complaints of
      difficulty in nasal breathing and 30 healthy volunteers with no pathology ENT and
      GERD. The diagnosis of CRS met the criteria EPOS 2012. Diagnosis of GERD was
      performed based on the recommendations of the Montreal consensus. All
      investigated conducted a survey for the presence of esophageal and
      extraesophageal manifestations of GERD, fibroesophagogastroduodenoscopy, LOR
      examination with the use of endoscopes, rhinoscopy, laryngoscopy, computed
      tomography of the paranasal sinuses, pH-metry mucous secretions of the nose and
      pharynx using visual test - strips, microbiological examination of discharge from
      the middle of the nose stroke. Association of CRS with GERD with GERD compared
      with impaired nasal breathing inflammatory and non-inflammatory genesis in the
      absence of GERD and healthy volunteers accompanied by a large variety and
      frequency of symptoms, endoscopic signs of laryngitis back, reducing the pH of
      the pharynx, the change in quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the
      microflora of the nasal mucosa and paranasal sinuses.

PMID- 26281173
TI  - [NONINVASIVE DIAGNOSTICS OF THE PHENOTYPE OF GASTRITIS: ANALISIS OF THE FIRST
      THOUSAND OF CASES].
AB  - The analysis of noninvasive diagnostics of a phenotype of gastritis among 1050
      people aged from 18 till 80 years which consistently addressed to policlinic is
      presented in the article. The instrument of diagnostics was a <<GastroPanel>>,
      including a complex of biomarkers - so-called <<serological biopsy>> (pepsinogen
      I, pepsinogen II, gastrin-17 and IgG- antibodies to Helicobacter Pylori). High
      frequency of different variants of atrophic gastritis (25%) with a gastric cancer
      risk and conditions with a risk of erosive and ulcer damages of the stomach
      mucous (26 %) was shown. Clinical and economical expediency of noninvasive
      screening of a phenotype of gastritis is postulated.

PMID- 26281174
TI  - [THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ERADICATION IN PATIENTS WITH PEPTIC ULCER DISEASE
      ASSOCIATED WITH HELICOBACTER PYLORI, DEPENDING ON THE GENOTYPE OF THE
      DRUGMETABOLISM OF PROTON PUMP INHIBITORS].
AB  - One of the most likely causes of the lack of effectiveness of eradication therapy
      of peptic ulcer associated with Helicobacter pylori, is a feature of omeprazole
      metabolism by cytochrome CYP2C19. The paper work presents evidence that the rate
      of reduction of the clinical picture and the likelihood of scarring ulcers and
      eradication rates higher in patients slow metabolizers of omeprazole.

PMID- 26281175
TI  - [FECAL NONINVASIVE TESTS (CALPROTECTIN, TRANSFERRIN, HEMOGLOBIN) IN COMPLEX
      DIAGNOSIS OF DISEASES OF INTESTINES].
AB  - A research objective was the assessment of informational content of fecal
      noninvasive tests (calprotectin, transferrin, hemoglobin) in complex diagnosis of
      diseases of intestines. Open kogortny research by method of a cross cut included
      52 patients (middle age - 38,6 years) with IBS-like symptoms (abdominal pain or
      discomfort, change of frequency and/or character of a chair). Sensitivity of
      dough on calprotectin for diagnosis of organic pathology of intestines made
      (89%), for dough on calprotectin and hemoglobin - also 89%. At patients at
      incomplete compliance of clinical signs to diagnostic criteria of IBS and lack of
      endoscopic signs of damage of a large intestine research on fecal biomarkers
      allows to increase efficiency of diagnostics.

PMID- 26281176
TI  - [ALLELES C282Y AND H63D HFE GENE, INSULIN RESISTANCE AND SUSCEPTIBILITY TO
      DISTURBANCE OF PORPHYRIN METABOLISM IN NON-ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE].
AB  - THE PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The aim of the present work was to study the frequency
      of genotypes and alleles of C282Y and H63D HFE gene that may be associated with
      impaired porphyrin metabolism, as well as possible reasons for the formation of
      dysmetabolism porphyrins with NAFLD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study involved 65
      patients (52 men and 13 women) aged 21 to 69 years (mean age 48.5+/-1.5 years).
      Excretion uroporphyrin, coproporphyrin, 6-aminolevulinic acid of porphobilinogen
      in urine was determined by chromatography and spectrophotometry calculated total
      excretion of porphyrins. Allele frequencies C282Y and H63D were determined during
      the molecular genetic analysis of DNA using the polymerase chain reaction
      followed by analysis of length polymorphism restraktsionnyh fragments. Condition
      of carbohydrate metabolism was evaluated by the level of fasting blood glucose
      and standard glucose tolerance test. Diagnosis of insulin resistance was
      performed according to the criteria proposed by the European Group for the Study
      of insulin resistance (EGIR). RESULTS: Skill test for the C282Y mutation carriage
      and H63D in the HFE gene in 65 patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
      Disturbances in the metabolism of porphyrins were recorded in 43 (66.2%)
      patients. H63D and C282Y mutations were found in 18 (27.7%) patients, of whom 13
      (72.2%) people with different options dismetabolism porphyrins and signs of
      insulin resistance. In 47 (72.3%) patients without mutations studied porphyrin
      metabolism disorders were detected in 30 (63.8 %), of which insulin resistance is
      registered only in 16 (34.0 %). CONCLUSION: Detection of mutations C282Y and H63D
      in the HFE gene in combination with disorders of porphyrin metabolism on the
      background of insulin resistance is likely to allow such patients considered as
      candidates for inclusion in the higher risk of formation of diabetes.

PMID- 26281178
TI  - [CLINICAL EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF LITHOLYTIC THERAPY WITH LIVODEXA IN PATIENTS
      WITH CHRONIC CHOLECYSTITIS AND BILIARY SLUDGE].
AB  - The authors present their own experience litholytic therapy of 68 patients with
      chronic cholecystitis and biliary sludge using the Livodexa (Sun Pharmaceutical
      Industries Ltd, India) at 12 and 24-week course of treatment. In a prospective 24
      week investigation was estimated decrease in biliary sludge in the gallbladder as
      an integral indicator of the effective ness of litholytic therapy and decline of
      adverse event during treatment, as an indicator of the safety of treatment.

PMID- 26281177
TI  - [IMMUNOGENETICS AND PROGRESSION OF CHRONIC VIRAL HEPATITES].
AB  - AIM OF INVESTIGATION: To estimate the role of polymorphic variants of genes IL4
      (C-590T), IL4RA (I50V), TNF (G-308A) and SLC1IAI (D543N) in chronic viral
      hepatitis progression. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Overall 121 patients with chronic
      viral hepatitis C and B. RESULTS: Study results have demonstrated, that of all
      investigated polymorphic variants of genes IL4 (C-590T), IL4RA (150V), TNF (G
      308A) and SLC11A1 (D543N) in patients with chronic liver diseases of various
      etiology the <<Val/Val>> IL4RA gene variant (II50Val) is associated with HBV
      infection chronization. The allele <<A>> gene TNF-alpha (G-308A) is protective
      for chronic viral hepatitis and is associated with a low level of production by
      mononuclear cells of TNF-alpha and IL-12, high secretion of IL-4 and low degree
      of collagenopathy in the liver. Genotype <<CT>> of IL4 (C-590T) gene is an
      adverse marker for progression of chronic viral hepatitis B. There was
      significant correlation of polymorphic variants TNF (G-308A) and IL4 (C-590T)
      genes with production of the key interleukins, that determine type of immune
      response (Th-1, Th-2) and products of collagen metabolism that testifies genetic
      determination of system immune response and collagen formation processes in the
      liver at chronic viral hepatitis.

PMID- 26281179
TI  - [CLINICAL AND ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVE SCHEMES OF ANTIVIRAL THERAPY OF
      CHRONIC HEPATITIS C GENOTYPE 1 IN PATIENTS WHO DID NOT ANSWER TO THE PRIOR
      THERAPY, IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION].
AB  - We conducted clinical and economic analysis of the protease inhibitor simeprevir
      versus currently available in Russia protease inhibitors (boceprevir and
      telaprevir) in combination with pegylated interferon and ribavirin and dual
      therapy with pegylated interferon and ribavirin in patients with chronic
      hepatitis C genotype 1 without polymorphism Q80K, who had not responded to
      previous treatment. Global cost-effectiveness model was adapted to the Russian
      health care system. We calculated differences in direct medical costs between the
      antiviral therapy schemes, treatment of long-term complications of chronic
      hepatitis C and the costs of achieving sustained virological response (SVR) to
      treatment. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio - additional cost per life
      year saved was calculated as well. Available published data and the tariffs of
      the Russian healthcare system were used for the calculations. Simeprevir was
      shown to be more effective than dual therapy with acceptable additional costs and
      more effective than boceprevir and telaprevir in the number of life years saved
      being less costly therapy option.

PMID- 26281180
TI  - [ISCHEMIC REPERFUSION INJURY OF HEPATOCYTES IN THE PRESERVATION OF THE LIVER
      TRANSPLANT].
AB  - This review is dedicated to one of the problems of liver transplantation and how
      to solve it. The incidence of complications after liver transplantation depends
      on ischemia-reperfusion injury of the graft. The global shortage of donor organs,
      using different technologies for conservation and graft function. This article
      describes the basic pathogenesis and proposed a new method for the prevention of
      ischemia reperfusion injury of the liver.

PMID- 26281181
TI  - [MODERN METHODS OF PHYSICAL-CHEMICAL RESEARCH IN GASTROENTEROLOGY PRACTICE: THE
      EXPERIENCE OF INTERACTION].
AB  - The aim of this work was to assess the potential of some physical and chemical
      methods for studying erythrocytes and blood serum in gastroenterological practice
      by the example of colorectal cancer (CC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 26
      persons with various stages of colorectal cancer and 16 healthy (control group)
      were examined. Parameters of erythrocytes and blood serum were investigated by
      light microscopy, dielectrophoresis in a non-uniform alternating electric field
      (DEF in NUAEF), terahertz spectroscopy, ellipsometry, Raman-spectroscopy.
      RESULTS: Polymorphism of erythrocytes, rigidity, viscosity, indexes of
      aggregation and destruction were significantly higher in patients with CC and
      polarizability, amplitude of erythrocyte deformation in NUAEF being lower than
      those in the controls. The study of erythrocytes by terahertz spectroscopy
      revealed the low levels of amplitude transmittance over the whole frequency range
      in CC patients compared to the controls. The increasing of refractive index,
      degree of heterogeneity of thin films obtained from the serum in CC patients were
      observed in considering the ellipsometric parameters. We found a significant
      increasing of the concentration of antigens to CD24 at the early stage of the
      disease. The areas of some peaks in Raman spectra were significantly lower in
      patients with CC compared to the healthy ones, it is possible due to a carotin
      deficiency. Most of the studied parameters were correlated with the stage of the
      disease. A set of optical methods for studying blood serum compared with those of
      histology and radiological methods of diagnosis showed their high sensitivity and
      specificity, positive and negative predictive value (80 % and above). CONCLUSION:
      The obtained results of the pilot study demonstrate the prospects of using
      physical and chemical methods of research of erythrocytes and blood serum for
      early diagnosis, stage of disease and monitoring the effectiveness of treatment
      of CC.

PMID- 26281182
TI  - [GASTROENTEROLOGICAL SYMPTOM IN DIABETES MELLITUS TYPE 2].
AB  - The data of the literature and own data on the frequency and mechanisms of
      gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 are
      discussed. Changes in the gastrointestinal tract with diabetes mellitus type 2
      are detected over its entire length and occur more frequently than in the general
      population. Among the reasons of it the presence of autonomic neuropathy, factor
      of hyperglycemia, increased anxiety and depression in patients are discussed.

PMID- 26281183
TI  - [CHANGES IN THE ORGANS AND TISSUES OF THE ORAL CAVITY WITH DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
      DISEASES].
AB  - A substantial part of the pathology of organs and tissues of the oral cavity make
      common manifestations or systemic diseases. Accordingly, the dosage systemic
      therapy of these diseases can affect the condition of the eye. Changes in organs
      and tissues of the oral cavity and the appropriate advice a dentist can help the
      gastroenterologist in the diagnosis and adequate treatment of the patient. The
      article discusses possible changes in the organs and tissues of the oral cavity
      in diseases of the digestive system, as well as changes occurring under the
      influence of drug therapy of these diseases.

PMID- 26281184
TI  - [ABOUT PERSONALIZED MEDICINE AND STRATEGIES FOR ACTIVE LONGEVITY].
AB  - The article gives a broad overview of the factors of cancer, presents
      biopsychosocial model of development of oncological diseases. The Program of
      medical and psychosocial care to patients with cancer with positions of
      personalized medicine was proposed.

PMID- 26281185
TI  - [MICROSCOPIC COLITIS: THE CLINICAL CASE].
AB  - During past years incidence and prevalence of microscopic colitis (MC) have
      increased, that is possible caused to the improvement of knowledge of doctors
      about the disease. This article contain modern views on epidemiology, diagnostic
      and variant of microscopic colitis treatment. A typical clinical picture of MC in
      the form of recurrent a watery diarrhea, with the absence of pathologic changes
      at roentgenologic and endoscopic investigations is described with the example of
      a clinical case.

PMID- 26281186
TI  - [CLINICAL CASE OF CROHN'S DISEASE: A DIFFICULT PATH TO DIAGNOSIS].
AB  - This article presents a case of Crohn's disease in a man who was veracity of 30
      years from the onset of the disease. This case demonstrating complexity of
      diagnostic search, even with the classic version of the disease. And it
      demonstrates the need for a thorough medical history, differential diagnosis.

PMID- 26281187
TI  - [THE OUTBOUND PLENARY SESSION OF GASTROENTEROLOGICAL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY OF RUSSIA
      "DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS IN THE 21ST CENTURY: A MULTIDISCIPLINARY
      APPROACH. GASTROENTEROLOGY IN THE AGE ASPECT" SARATOV, RUSSIA 12-13 FEBRUARY
      2015].

PMID- 26281188
TI  - [Acute glomerulonephritis in the 21-st century].
AB  - The paper discusses the specific features of the current course of acute
      glomerulonephritis, the spectrum of its etiological factors, and clinical
      manifestations. The factors influencing the course and outcomes of acute
      glomerulonephritis, including the risk of its progression to chronic kidney
      disease, are specially depicted.

PMID- 26281190
TI  - [Cystatin C is a new marker for left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with
      chronic kidney disease].
AB  - AIM: To estimate the diagnostic value of serum cystatin C in the development of
      left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).
      SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The investigation enrolled 86 patients (53% men, 47% women;
      mean age, 45 +/- 13 years) with nondiabetic CKD. According to the magnitude of
      glomerular filtration rate (GFR) decrease, the patents were divided into 3
      groups: 1) 33 patients with a GFR of 89-45 ml/min; 2) 33 with a GFR of 15 ml/min;
      3) 20 hemodialysis patients with a GFR of < 15 ml/min. A control group included
      20 individuals with a GFR of > 90 ml/min. In all the patients, physical
      examination and transthoracic echocardiography were performed and serum cystatin
      C levels were measured. RESULTS: In Groups 1, 2, and 3, LVH was detected in 42.4,
      63.6, and 80% of cases, respectively. It was not found in the control group. In
      these groups, serum cystatin C levels were 1489.49 +/- 520.76, 2533.13 +/-
      621.66, 5166.02 +/- 1586.61, and 820.08 +/- 224.54 ng/ml, respectively. An
      association was found between cystatin C and LVH (p = 0.5; p < 0.001). The level
      of cystatin C was shown to predict the development of LVH with a sensitivity of
      78% and a specificity of 62% for predialysis CKD patients. Multivariate analysis
      of left ventricular mass index (LVMI), E-velocity/A-velocity, (E/A) ratio, and
      hypertension showed that the cystatin C levels were independently correlated with
      LVMI only (p < 0.05; p = 0.3) in all the groups. CONCLUSION: Serum cystatin C
      levels may be regarded as an early LVH marker detectable in patients with the
      earliest stages of CKD.

PMID- 26281189
TI  - [Role of the morphogenetic proteins FGF-23 and Klotho and the glycoprotein
      sclerostin in the assessment of the risk of cardiovascular diseases and the
      prognosis of chronic kidney disease].
AB  - AIM. To analyze changes in the serum concentrations of the morphogenetic proteins
      fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) and Klotho, as well as sclerostin, an
      osteocyte-secreted glycoprotein, in relation to the degree of hypertension, left
      ventricular (LV) hypertrophy, and arterial stiffness in patients with chronic
      kidney disease (CKD) at its different stages. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Sixty-five
      patients (33 men and 32 women) aged 20-65 years, including 25 with chronic
      glomerulonephritis, 15 with tubulointerstitial nephritis, and 25 with
      hypertensive nephrosclerosis, were examined. A control group consisted of 15
      healthy volunteers matched to the study group patients for age and gender. Serum
      FGF-23 concentrations and blood pressure (BP) were measured in the all subjects.
      Patients with BPs > 140/80 mm Hg underwent echocardiography, followed by
      determination of LV mass (LVM) and calculation of LVM index. Vascular
      circulation, pulse wave velocity, cardiac and vascular calcifications, and
      vascular functional properties were estimated. RESULTS: There was a strong direct
      Correlation between the serum concentration of FGF-23 and the stage of CKD and an
      inverse correlation between the levels of Klotho and sclerostin and the stage of
      CKD. As the glomerular filtration rate became lower, the concentration of FGF-23
      increased and that of Klotho and sclerostin decreased just in Stage III CKD while
      hyperphosphatemia and elevated parathyroid hormone levels were noted in Stages IV
      V CKD. As CKD progressed, the serum concentrations of Klotho and sclerostin were
      inversely correlated with the levels of phosphorus and parathyroid hormone. The
      degree of blood pressure elevation correlated positively with serum FGF-23
      concentrations and inversely with Klotho levels. There was no significant
      correlation of the level of sclerostin with the degree of BP increase. The direct
      correlation between higher FGF-23 level and higher VLM is most pronounced in
      hypertensive patients. There was a strong direct relationship between FGF-23 and
      Klotho levels and a strong inverse relationship between sclerostin levels and
      pulse wave velocity. Lower Klotho concentrations were associated with the
      detection rate of calcifications in the heart valves and large arteries (the
      abdominal aorta). The reduced serum levels of Klotho and sclerostin were also
      correlated with concentric LV remodeling. CONCLUSION: It was demonstrated that
      there was a clear link between increased serum FGF-23 and decreased Klotho
      concentration as CKD progressed, and that between arterial stiffness and
      calcification and myocardial remodelling regardless of traditional risk factors.
      More experimental and clinical studies are required to clarify the role of
      sclerostin in CKD.

PMID- 26281192
TI  - [Prognostic value of renal resistance index in estimating the progression of
      chronic kidney disease].
AB  - AIM: To study a relationship between main renal and intraparenchymal renal
      arterial resistance indices (RIs) measured by Doppler ultrasonography and
      clinical and laboratory parameters and to determine their prognostic value in
      estimating the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). SUBJECTS AND METHODS:
      The investigation enrolled 53 CKD patients divided into groups: glomerular and
      interstitial diseases. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) calculated using the CKD
      EPI formula, proteinuria (PU) severity, kidney sizes, renal parenchyma thickness,
      parenchyma/collecting index, and main and intrarenal vessel RIs were determined
      at the first hospitalization. The mean follow-up was 14 +/- 2.64 months. The rate
      of GFR decline was estimated at the rehospitalization. RESULTS: Main renal and
      intrarenal vessel RIs depend on patient age and pulse pressure. The RIs are
      associated with GFR and PU in the group of glomerular diseases and with kidney
      sizes and structure in that of interstitial diseases. The interlobar arterial RI
      is the most sensitive predictor for worsening renal function with a threshold of
      0.65, which is comparable to the prognostic value of PU. CONCLUSION: The main
      renal and intrarenal vessel RIs may be considered as a predictor for worsening
      renal function.

PMID- 26281191
TI  - [Endogenous erythropoietin, acute kidney injury, and prognosis in patients with
      acute coronary syndrome].
AB  - AIM: To investigate the prognostic value of serum endogenous erythropoietin (EPO)
      in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), including that in the development
      of acute kidney injury (AKI). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Eighty-four patients (46 men,
      38 women; mean age 63 +/- 11 years) with ACS were examined. Twenty-one (25%)
      patents were diagnosed with ECG ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction
      (STSEAMI), 12 (14%) had ECG non-STSEAMI, and 51 (61%) had unstable angina.
      Thrombolytic therapy was performed in 10 (48%) patients with STSEAMI. The
      patients whom had not undergone coronarography were included in the investigation
      to exclude the nephrotoxic effect of X-ray contrast agents. RESULTS: AKI was
      observed in 7 of the patients with acute myocardial infarction and in only 1 of
      those with unstable angina. Four (5%) patients died during hospitalization. The
      EPO level of > 10.5 IU/ml predicted the development of AKI in the ACS patients
      with a sensitivity of 71% and a specificity of 67%. That of > 13.7 IU/ml was
      associated with hospital death in the ACS patients with a sensitivity of 100% and
      a specificity of 75% (AUC = 0.93%). CONCLUSION: High serum EPO levels in an ACS
      patent during his hospital stay may serve as a biomarker for a high risk for AKI
      and high death rates.

PMID- 26281193
TI  - [Urinary biomarkers for podocyte injury: Significance for evaluating the course
      and prognosis of chronic glomerulonephritis].
AB  - AIM: To estimate the degree of podocyte injury in patients with different types
      of chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN) from the urinary level of podocyte markers
      and to determine the significance of these indicators as criteria for disease
      activity and prognosis. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Seventy-three patients with CGN,
      including 20 with inactive nephritis (Group 1), 23 with obvious urological
      syndrome (Group 2), 30 with nephrotic syndrome (NS) (Group 3), among them there
      were 7 patients with severe NS and 7 with NS concurrent with acute nephritic
      syndrome, were examined. A control group consisted of 8 healthy individuals. In
      the examined groups, the degree of podocyturia (PCU) was investigated by flow
      cytometry using podocalyxin-labeled antibodies and the levels of nephrinuria
      (NU), heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) in urine, interleukin 6 (IL-6), caspase 9,
      and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were estimated by ELISA. RESULTS:
      The patients with active CGN were found to have a high level of markers for
      podocyte injury: PCU and NU, which correlate with the magnitude of proteinuria,
      severity of NS, and degree of podocytopenia. Those with the severest NS, that
      concurrent with renal dysfunction in particular, were observed to have a
      progressive imbalance of inflammatory (IL-6), apoptotic (caspase-9), and
      defensive (HSP27 and VEGF) factors, which displays the incompetence of self
      defense mechanisms in podocytes and contributes to the torpid course of CGN.
      Progressive PCU and NU are a poor prognostic sign indicating the risk of
      glomerulonephritis. CONCLUSION: The indicators considered are universal for all
      patients with CGN running with proteinuria and may be used to monitor the course
      of the disease; moreover, the damaging factors should be considered in
      conjunction with the defensive factors.

PMID- 26281194
TI  - [Impact of interleukin-10 and interleukin-28 gene polymorphisms on the
      development and course of lupus nephritis].
AB  - AIM: To assess the relationship of the carriage of IL-10-1080 G/A and IL-28
      rs8099917 C/T polymorphisms to the course of lupus nephritis (LN). SUBJECTS AND
      METHODS: Ninety-nine patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), including
      68 with LN, were examined. Gene polymorphisms were analyzed using standard
      molecular genetic techniques. The frequency of the clinical manifestations of LN
      was analyzed; renal survival (RS) was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method.
      RESULTS: Ten-year RS rates were 80 and 86% of the patients with and without the
      mutant IL-10 allele, respectively (p = 0.78). The 10-year RS was lower (75%) in
      carriers of the mutant IL-28 rsl2979860 allele than in patients without this
      mutant allele (83%; p = 0.049) and in those of the mutant IL28 rs8099917 allele
      than in patients without the above mutant allele (67 and 88%, respectively; p =
      0.047). LN patients, carriers of the mutant IL-10-1028 G/A allele, were observed
      to have higher-grade proteinuria in the presence of nephritic syndrome (mean 6.1
      g/l) than those without the mutant allele of this gene (mean 2.9 g/l; p = 0.034).
      However, the mutant allele carriers responded to treatment better (p = 0.050).
      The mutant IL-10 and IL-28 alleles were unassociated with the development of
      rapidly progressive nephritis, the activity of a renal lupus process, and the
      rate of onset of SLE and LN. CONCLUSION: In the LN patients, the carriage of the
      mutant IL-10 allele A is associated with a better response to treatment and that
      of the mutant IL-28 allele is linked to the severe course of the disease.

PMID- 26281195
TI  - [Increased serum concentrations of inflammatory cytokines in type 2 diabetic
      patients with chronic kidney disease].
AB  - AIM: To study the relationship between serum inflammatory cytokine levels in
      chronic kidney disease patients with type 2 diabetes. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Sixty
      four patients aged 43 to 70 years with a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of > 30
      ml/min/1.73 m2 were examined. A control group consisted of 15 healthy
      individuals. The serum concentration of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M
      CSF), macrophage inflammatory protein 1alpha (MIP-1alpha), macrophage migration
      inhibitory factor (MIF), interleukin 6 (IL-6), as well as the urinary excretion
      of albumin and type IV collagen was determined by enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: In
      patients with a GFR of > 60 ml/min/1.73 m2, M-CSF and MIF concentrations proved
      to be significantly higher than those in the control group (p = 0.0003 and p =
      0.001, respectively). In those with a GFR of 30-59 ml/min/1.73 m2, there was an
      increase in the levels of M-CSF (p < 0.0001), MIP-1alpha (p = 0.002), MIF (p =
      0.02), and IL-6 (p = 0.02). The decline in GFR was associated with the higher
      levels of M-CSF (p = 0.02) and MIP-1alpha (p = 0.02) and with the higher urinary
      excretion of type IV collagen (p = 0.01). M-CSF, MIP-1alpha, and IL-6 correlated
      positively with the urinary excretion of albumin (r = 0.34, r = 0.28, and r =
      0.28, respectively; all p < 0.05) and type IV collagen (r = 0.31, r = 0.4, and r
      = 0.43, respectively; all p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The findings confirm the concept
      that chronic inflammation is involved in the development of diabetic kidney
      disease.

PMID- 26281196
TI  - [Contrast-induced acute kidney injury after primary percutaneous coronary
      interventions: Prevalence, predictive factors, and outcomes].
AB  - AIM: To study the incidence, severity, predictive factors, and prognostic value
      of contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CIAKI) in patients with ST-segment
      elevation acute coronary syndrome (STSEACS), who have undergone primary
      percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The 2012 KDIGO
      criteria were used to estimate the incidence of CIAKI in 216 patients (mean age,
      64 +/- 13 years) admitted to Moscow City Clinical Hospital Sixty-Four and
      underwent primary PCI for STSEACS (hypertension in 90%, prior myocardial
      infarction in 27%, chronic kidney disease in 7%, type 2 diabetes mellitus in
      21%). Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictive factors
      for CIAKI; following 12 months, its prognosis was assessed by phone. RESULTS:
      Forty-three (20%) patients were diagnosed with Stages I (81%) and II (19%) CIAKI.
      The patients with CIAKI were older; they had higher baseline serum creatinine
      levels, a higher volume of contrast agent, a higher ratio of contrast medium
      volume to glomerular filtration rate, and lower left ventricular ejection
      fraction. Independent predictive factors for CIAKI were identified; these were
      chronic kidney disease, multivascular injury in the coronary bed, hospital
      therapy with loop diuretics, nephrotoxic antibiotics, or mineralocorticoid
      receptor antagonists. CONCLUSION: The development of CIAKI is associated with
      poor outcomes, such as higher 30-day mortality and more frequent cardiovascular
      disease readmissions.

PMID- 26281197
TI  - [Hemodynamic effects of succinate-containing dialyzing solution].
AB  - AIM: To assess the results of using an acetate-free succinate-containing
      dialyzing solution (SDS) against natremia and blood pressure (BP) in patients on
      chronic hemodialysis (HD). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Ninety-two patients were
      transferred from 3 Saint Petersburg HD centers to 3-month HD treatment using SDS.
      The investigators measured blood biochemical indicators immediately before and 1
      and 3 months after the investigation, BP before and after a successive HD
      session, and the patients' weight and its gain in the period between HD sessions.
      Hypotensive and hypertensive episodes were recorded during HD sessions throughout
      the investigation. RESULTS: Following 3-month treatment using SDS, there were
      statistically significant decreases in blood sodium levels and systolic BP (SBP)
      prior to a HD session. At the same time, patients with a baseline pre-HD SBP of
      less than 100 mm Hg were observed to have a statistically significant increase in
      this indicator by the end of the investigation. Pre-dialysis diastolic BP (DBP)
      and post- dialysis SBP and DBP substantially unchanged. After 3 months of SDS
      use, there was a statistically significant reduction in weight gain in the period
      between HD sessions. When SDS was administered, the frequency of hypertensive
      episodes tended to decline after a HD session. CONCLUSION: The use of SDS causes
      a drop in pre-dialysis blood sodium levels, ensuring adequate dehydration in
      patients and improving hypertension control. In doing so, SDS prevents
      hypotension during a HD session.

PMID- 26281198
TI  - [Use of the Charlson comorbidity index and the Barthel disability index in the
      integrated assessment of the sociomedical status of patients receiving continuous
      renal replacement therapy with hemodialysis].
AB  - AIM: To make an integrated assessment of the sociomedical status of patients
      receiving continuous renal replacement therapy (RRT) with hemodialysis (HD), by
      using the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) and the Barthel disability index (BI)
      and to analyze the compliance of these indices with the disability severity
      estimated according to disability group (DG). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The medical
      records of 605 HD patients (323 men, 282 women) whose mean age was 56.4 +/- 13.9
      years and mean RRT duration was 65.6 +/- 62.8 months, were analyzed. The patients
      were grouped according to DG, CCI, BI, employment, and a history of diabetes
      mellitus. Data on basic laboratory parameters were collected. RESULTS: According
      to DG, the patients were grouped as follows: 1) 292 (51%); 2) 212 (37%); 3) 15
      (3%) and 4) 48 (9%) without DG. The disability severity estimated according to DG
      was found to be correlated with RRT duration (r = -0.35; p < 0.001) and
      employment (r = 0.36; p < 0.001). CCI averaged 6.3 +/- 3.1 scores (n = 486). The
      mean BI was 86 +/- 14 scores (n = 224). Among the respondents completing the BI
      questionnaire, 26 (20%) patients with DG 1 showed an uncomplicated comorbid
      background (CCI, 2-5 scores), no significant disability (BI, 90-100 scores),
      while 33 (48%) patients with DG 2 exhibited a high comorbidity index (ICC, more
      than 5 scores) and obvious disability (BI, less than 90 scores). The indicators
      relating to restricted self-movement in some BI scales were of the most
      importance. CONCLUSION: The disability severity estimated in view of DG does not
      correspond to the severity of comorbidities (CCI) and the magnitude of functional
      limitations (BI) in some patients with CKD 5D. While determining DG, it is
      advisable to take into account CCI as an indicator of the severity of physical
      disorders to objectify the estimate of the sociomedical status of patients with
      CKD 5D, as well as BI to determine the degree of disability.

PMID- 26281199
TI  - [Fibroblast growth factor 23 and a novel high-sensitivity troponin I: Early
      markers and alternative ways of damaging the heart in chronic kidney disease].
AB  - AIM: To establish possible pathogenetic relationships between the marker of bone
      mineral metabolism fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) and the markers of
      cardiovascular diseases characterizing the state of cardiomyocytes and that of
      the vascular wall of the aorta and large vessels in chronic kidney disease (CKD).
      SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 110 patients (57 men and 53 women) aged 25 to 65
      years (mean age 56 +/- 2.2 years) with different stages of CKD were examined. FGF
      23 and troponin I in the sera from all the patients were investigated using
      enzyme immunoassay kits. Doppler echocardiography was carried out to evaluate the
      morphofunctional state of the left ventricle (LV). Peak systolic blood flow
      velocity in the aortic arch and common carotid intima-media thickness were
      estimated to assess the wall of the aorta and large arteries. RESULTS: As renal
      failure progressed, just at the early CKD stages the patients were found to have
      elevating FGF-23 and troponin I levels forestalling an increase in parathyroid
      hormone concentrations and changes in other calcium-phosphorus metabolism
      indicators. The levels of FGF-23 and the morphofunctional indicators of LV lesion
      showed a strong direct correlation that preserved its significance in analyzing
      the factors under study in relation to the function of the kidneys. CONCLUSION:
      The morphogenetic protein FGF-23 seems to play a significant role not only in
      bone remodeling processes, but also in the development of cardiovascular events
      in CKD. However, the mechanisms of its implication in the development of heart
      disease, like the possibilities of using its level changes as early diagnostic
      criteria for cardiovascular involvement, call for further investigation.

PMID- 26281200
TI  - [Urinary excretion of angiogenesis regulatory factors and renal injury markers in
      chronic glomerulonephritis: Significance in the assessment of progression].
AB  - AIM: To study the urinary excretion of the molecular factors regulating
      angiogenesis, such as vascular endothelial growth factor type A (VEGF-A),
      thrombospondin 1 (THBS1), and angiopoietin 2 (ANGPT2), versus that of the urinary
      markers of renal injury and fibrogenesis, such as neutrophil gelatinase
      associated lipocalin (NGAL), type IV collagen (COL4), and known clinical risk
      factors for accelerated disease progression to estimate the prognostic value of
      urinary excretion in patients with chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN). SUBJECTS AND
      METHODS: Eighty-two patients (45% men, 55% women; mean age, 36.5 years) with a
      clinical diagnosis of CGN were examined. 31.7% of the examinees presented with
      nephrotic syndrome; 31.7% had a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of less than 60
      ml/min/1.73 m2. Morning urine samples were analyzed by Elisa to determine the
      urinary excretion of biomarkers (VEGF-A, THBS1, ANGPT2, NGAL, and COL4). The
      results were adjusted to urinary creatinine concentrations. RESULTS: The urinary
      excretion of the angiogenesis regulators VEGF-A, THBS1, and ANGPT2 correlated
      between them, with that of the renal injury markers NGAL and COL4, with the level
      of proteinuria. That was found to be unassociated with blood pressure and GFR. In
      the presence and absence of nephrotic syndrome, high (> 75th percentile) urinary
      excretion rates were 46.2 and 14.8% for VEGF-A (p < 0.01); 50 and 13% for THBS1
      (p < 0.001); and 46.2 and 14.8% for ANGPT2 (p < 0.01), respectively. That for
      ANGPT2 was also high in the presence of anemia (63.2 versus 11.7%; p < 0.001).
      CONCLUSION: The finding of the high urinary excretion of the angiogenesis
      regulators VEGF-A, THBS1, and ANGPT2 and its association with that of kidney
      injury markers in the patients with the proteinuric forms of CGN suggest that
      this excretion may be considered as an integral index that displays glomerular
      injury and indicates tubulointerstitial proteinuric/hypoxic remodeling.

PMID- 26281201
TI  - [Efficiency of tacrolimus therapy for perianal Crohn's disease].
AB  - AIM: To determine the efficacy of 0.1% tacrolimus ointment in patients with
      perianal Crohn's disease (CD). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This prospective randomized
      trial enrolled 20 patients with perianal CD as anal fissures and rectal fistulas.
      The inclusion criteria were rectovaginal or extrasphincteric fistulas and
      purulent leakages. A study group comprised 11 patients, including 9 with anal
      fissures and 2 with fistulas. A control group included 9 patients, including 8
      with fissures and 1 with fistulas. The study group received systemic therapy with
      azathioprine 2 mg/kg/day and tacrolimus ointment 2 mg/day; the control group had
      systemic therapy with azathioprine 2 mg/kg/day, hormone ointment 1 mg/day, and
      metronidazole suppositories 250 mg/day. Control examination and perianal CD
      activity index (PCDAI) determination were done 6 and 12 weeks after therapy
      initiation. RESULTS: At 6 weeks after beginning the study, local examination
      revealed the signs of anal fissure epithelialization in 5 (45.5%) of the 11
      patients in the study group and in 3 (33.3%) of the 9 patients in the control
      one. At 12 weeks, fissure epithelialization and fistula obliteration were stated
      in 6 (54%) patients in the study group and in 3 (33%) of the 9 patients in the
      control group. At 12 weeks, PCDAI in the study and control groups was 2.00 and
      4.44 scores (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that topical 0.1%
      tacrolimus ointment versus antibacterial suppositories and hormone ointments is
      effective in treating patients with perianal CD. Topical 0.1% tacrolimus ointment
      therapy caused a reduction in PCDAI.

PMID- 26281202
TI  - [Meta-analysis of clinical trials of cardiovascular effects of magnesium
      orotate].
AB  - AIM: To make a meta-analysis of clinical trials of magnerot (magnesium orotate)
      used in cardiac patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The meta-analysis covered the
      data of 19 randomized trials including a total of 603 patients treated with
      magnerot (a case group) and 587 receiving placebo (a control group). The
      patients' mean age was 36 +/- 19 years. On the average, the patients took
      magnerot 1878 +/- 823 mg/day for 4.2 +/- 29 months. RESULTS: Associations between
      the intake of magnerot and the risk of 50 pathological conditions were analyzed.
      Significant associations were established between the drug's administration and
      the reduced risk of conditions, such as hypomagnesemia (relative risk (RR) =
      0.06; 95% confidence intervals (C): 0.04 to 0.09; p = 2 . 10(-46)), exercise
      intolerance (RR = 0.41; 95% CI: 0.27 to 0.62; p = 0.0004), dysautonomia (RR =
      0.08; 95% CI: 0.04 to 0.14; p = 2 . 10(-21)), morning headache (RR = 0.16; 95%
      CI: 0.09 to 0.29; p = 1.5-10(-6)), tension headache (RR = 0.16; 95% Cl: 0.09 to
      0.27; p = 5 . 10(-10)), dizziness (RR = 0.28; 95% CI: 0.15 to 0.50; p = 0.0004),
      first-degree mitral valve prolapse (MVP) (RR = 0.05; 95% CI: 0.03 to 0.09; p =
      1.2 . 10(-25)), grade 1 regurgitation (RR = 0.29; 95 CI: 0.14 to 0.60; p =
      0.0075), supraventricular (RR = 0.30; 95% CI: 0.21 to 0.44; p = 1 . 10(-8)) and
      ventricular (RR = 0.48; 95% CI: 0.30 to 0.76; p = 0.019) premature contraction,
      paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (RR = 0.28; 95% CI: 0.15 to 0.50; p =
      0.0002), and hypertension (RR = 0.32; 95% CI: 0.17 to 0.58; p = 0.0027).
      CONCLUSION: The use of magnesium orotate is promising not only in treating MVP
      and compensating for hypomagnesemia, but also in preventing and treating cardiac
      arrhythmias, regulating blood pressure, and improving the function of the
      autonomic nervous system.

PMID- 26281203
TI  - [The concurrence of light-chain deposition disease, AL-amyloidosis, and cast
      nephropathy in a patient with multiple myeloma].
AB  - Despite of the fact that their clinical manifestations are similar, AL
      amyloidosis (AL-A) and light chain deposition disease (LCDD) are individual
      nosological entities in view of considerable differences in their pathogenesis
      and pathomorphology. The paper describes a rare case of the concurrence of LCDD
      and AL-A in a patient with multiple myeloma. Clinically, there was dialysis
      dependent renal failure, flail leg syndrome, myocardiopathy, and rhabdomyolysis.
      At the disease onset, his nephrobiopsy specimen could diagnose LCDD and myeloma
      or cast nephropathy. The disease was characterized by an aggressive course.
      Despite the administration of innovative agents, the patient had a short-term
      remission and died from disease progression. Autopsy additionally revealed
      amyloid deposition in the heart and kidney. The development of AL-A in the
      presence of prior LCDD may reflect the progression of the tumor and the
      appearance of an additional subclone of plasma cells that produce amyloidogenic
      light chains. The uncommonness of this case is that renal amyloid was found in
      the tubular casts and absent in the glomeruli, which may be considered as a
      special form--tubular AL-amyloidosis.

PMID- 26281204
TI  - [Algorithm for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of stress (for general
      practitioners)].
AB  - By inducing physical and mental disorders, human stresses are known to lead to
      long-term serious consequences and frequent use of more medical resources. Owing
      to long-term clinical trials, a management algorithm based on the principles of
      personalized medicine has been elaborated to minimize the consequences of stress,
      to activate natural adaptation mechanisms and to enhance stress resistance.

PMID- 26281205
TI  - [Kidney injury associated with monoclonal gammopathies: Perspectives on diagnosis
      and treatment].
AB  - It is currently well justified that monoclonal gammopathies are the most
      important predictor for kidney diseases, including glomerulonephritis. To
      determine a correlation of nephropathy with oligosecretory gammopathy is of
      fundamental importance, as the treatment of these patients necessitates the use
      of special chemotherapy regimens to eliminate a pathological clone of lymphocytes
      or plasmocytes. If this clone is not eliminated, injury of the organ may recur to
      develop its failure. The principles of this therapy have been presently tried out
      by the example of AL-amyloidosis and showed its efficiency and relatively low
      toxicity.

PMID- 26281206
TI  - [Cryoglobulinemic vasculitis with renal involvement: A historic aspect of the
      problem].
AB  - The paper presents the steps for studying cryoglobulinemia from essential to
      cryoglobulinemic vasculitis associated with hepatitis C virus. It shows advances
      in the study of the etiology of cryoglobulinemia, diagnosis, specific features of
      renal injury, and current approaches to treating HCV infection-related
      cryoglobulinemic vasculitis with renal involvement, by using 3 clinical cases
      (with a difference of a few decades during a follow-up).

PMID- 26281207
TI  - [PHENOTYPIC CHARACTERIZATION AND FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OF MEMORY T- AND B-CELLS].
AB  - In this review, we systematized the data that characterize phenotypic properties
      and functional features of T- and B-lymphocytes of immune memory. We examin the
      organization of T-cells of immune memory in a population, and their selective
      distribution in the organism according to their effector potential.

PMID- 26281208
TI  - [ON THE PLURALITY OF THE WAYS OF RADIATION ADAPTIVE RESPONSE FORMATION IN HUMAN
      PERIPHERAL BLOOD LYMPHOCYTES].
AB  - The current review summarizes the results of investigations on the phenomenon of
      the decrease of cell radiosensitivity after the impact of various damaging
      factors in small doses. This phenomenon is known as an adaptive response (AR). It
      has been described in a number of biological objects, but the author has reviewed
      only the researches that have been done on human peripheral blood lymphocytes.
      Lymphocyte AR is specifically characterized by the fact that the entire cascade
      of events that decrease radiosensitivity occurs during one mitotic cycle. This
      feature distinguishes lymphocyte AR from the phenomenon of cell adaptation to
      chronic small dose irradiation. In this review, the author pays special attention
      to research on the initial stages of the AR formation. The author presumes that
      the AR occurs as a result of nonspecific intracellular changes that are a signal
      of the disruption in cell homeostasis. Several researchers define the state that
      results from this as the state of stress. After a cell transfers to this state
      there is a launch of biochemical processes that are able to protect the cell in
      case of future exposure to large doses of damaging factors (including
      irradiation). These processes are not determined strictly by the initial stimulus
      and are not initiated directly by the impact of the external factor that induced
      the AR. The particular method of decreasing radiosensitivity has not been
      determined and its selection depends on cell genotype, conditions of the
      experiment, etc. This might be the synthesis of various types of reparation
      enzymes, the synthesis of antioxidant enzymes, the activation of cell division or
      apoptosis. Cells that do not turn into the stress state do not form an AR. If
      there is no damaging shock-like impact after the cell enters the stress, the cell
      gets back to the normal rest state and the ability to form an AR disappears.

PMID- 26281209
TI  - [DNA CONTENT IN INDIVIDUAL CHROMOSOMES OF NORMAL CHINESE HAMSTER KARYOTYPE AND
      CHROMOSOMES OF CONSTANT HAMSTER CELL LINES CHL V-79 RJK AND Vebr-5].
AB  - Using cytometry and an microfluorimetry, we have determined the genome size in
      Chinese hamster Cricetulus griseus, as well as absolute and relative DNA content
      of its individual chromosomes and of chromosomes in the transformed Chinese
      hamster cell lines V-79 RJK and Vebr-5 after prolonged cultivation. It has been
      shown that the genome size in male and female Chinese hamster is 6.660 and 6.746
      pg, respectively. Absolute content of chromosomal DNA of both studied cell lines
      differed significantly from the content of the corresponding chromosomal DNA of
      the Chinese hamster normal karyotype. During long-term cellular cultivation,
      changes in the DNA content of certain chromosomes in both cell lines (generally
      upward) reached 20-25 %. The level of DNA amplification in the p-arm of
      chromosome Z6, registered at the beginning of the experiment, in the course of
      further cellular cultivation (over 20 years) remained stable. The data obtained
      allow us to conclude that the malignant transformation of cells and subsequent
      adaptation to the conditions in vitro leads to a profound restructuring of its
      genome, which affects almost all chromosomes.

PMID- 26281210
TI  - [FEATURES OF tRNA GENES AND YOUNG SUBFAMILIES Alu-REPEATS EXPRESSION IN
      PROLIFERATION AND APOPTOSIS].
AB  - Using human U937 cell culture, we studied the expression of the RNA polymerase
      III-directeci genes--tRNAi(Met)1, tRNA(His) and Alu-repeats belonging to the
      youngest subfamilies AluY (AluYa5 and AluYb8) - du- ring camptothecin-induced
      apoptosis. The level of tRNAiMetl increased 1.5-fold, tRNAHis level did not
      change, and the level of AluY-RNA increased 4-10-fold after 6 hours of CAM
      treatment compared to control (non-apoptotic) cells. We also studied the level of
      AluYb8 DNA methylation at apoptosis U937. We have shown that the level of AluYb8
      DNA methylation does not change at different stages of apoptosis, and does not
      differ in apoptotic and control cells. We assume that the increase in gene
      expression of young AluY repeats and tRNAi(Met)1 plays a role in the apoptosis
      pathway realization in the cell.

PMID- 26281211
TI  - [THE INDUCTION OF CD25 EXPRESSION IN Jurkat T CELLS].
AB  - The expression of an alpha-subunit of interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2Ralpha) was
      assessed by quantifying activation-induced upregulation of CD25 in IL-2
      independent Jurkat leukemic cell line. It has been found that in growing Jurkat
      culture within 24 h, phytohemagglutinin (PHA, 5 MUg/ml) or PHA in combination
      with 12,13-phorbol dibutirate (PDBu, 10(-8)M) increase the number of CD25+ cells
      to 32.3 +/- 3.4% (n = 11) and 44.8 +/- 8.6% (n = 6) respectively. Interleukin-2
      (IL-2, 200 U/ml) alone or in combination with PDBu did not induce CD25 expression
      in Jurkat cells. All the tested stimulatory agencies affected neither the
      proliferation status no the growth of Jurkat cell cultures. In contrast to human
      blood T cells, WHI-P131, a selective pharmacological inhibitor of JAK/STAT
      signaling and CD25 expression, did not decrease the number of induced CD25+ cells
      in Jurkat culture. Flow cytometry analysis revealed a dose-dependent decrease in
      the proportion of cells in G1 phase and an increase in the proportion of cells in
      G2/M phase in WHI-P131-treated Jurkat cultures. It has been also found that WHI
      P131 induces G2/M arrest in the absence of PHA or PDBu. We have concluded that
      (1) the IL-2-independent T cells of Jurkat line had not loss the mechanism for IL
      2Ralpha expression in response to T cell receptor activation, (2) in the
      transformed T cells, WHI-P131 can arrest cell cycle at G2/M phase and has effects
      on targets other than IL-2 receptor-associated tyrosine kinase JAK3.

PMID- 26281212
TI  - [LIGHT-DEPENDENT SYNTHESIS OF CELL MEMBRANES IN THE Brc-1 MUTANT OF CHLAMYDOMONAS
      REINHARDTII].
AB  - The structural organization of cells of the Brc-1 mutant of the unicellular green
      algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii grown in the light and in the dark has been
      studied. The Brc-1 mutant contains the brc-1 mutation in the nucleus gene LTS3.
      In the light, all membrane structures in mutant cells form normally and are well
      developed. In the dark under heterotrophic conditions, the mutant cells grew and
      divided well, however, all its cell membranes: plasmalemma, tonoplast,
      mitochondrial membranes, membranes of the nucleus shell and chloroplast,
      thylakoids, and the membranes of dictiosomes of the Golgi apparatus were not
      detected. In the dark under heterotrophic conditions, mutant cells well grow and
      divide. It were shown that a short-term (1-10 min) exposure of Brc-1 mutant cells
      to light leads to the restoration of all above-mentioned membrane structures.
      Possible reasons for the alterations of membrane structures are discussed.

PMID- 26281214
TI  - [SPREADING OF NCTC CLONE 929 CELLS AFTER RESEEDING].
AB  - The period (1 h after reseeding) of behaviour of mouse NCTC clone 929 cells to
      the conditions of artificial cultivation was studied. The time-lapse imaging
      followed the processing of the cells with ImageJ program was applied. To
      characterize the parametres cell status we used the cell area (projection of the
      cell on substrate) and Rp/Ra ratio introduced earlier as a spreading coefficient
      (Kuz'minykh, Petrov, 2004). After attaching a substratum, cells have a form of
      sphere (the phase "sphere") as the daughter cells after a mitosis. We revealed
      however that after this phase the reseeded cells do not start usual spreading and
      migration along substratum. They pass a phase of equally spreading in all
      directions and shaping their area as a circle (phase "circle"). This phase is
      absent of the daughter cells spreading after mitosis. We assume that the phase
      "circle" is a result of adaptation of the cells to reseedings at artificial
      cultivation. It is necessary for formation of a substrate composed of own
      extracellular matrix components (ECM) of the cells. Own ECM facilitates
      transition of the cells to their usual spreading and migration along substratum.

PMID- 26281213
TI  - [THE EFFECTS OF LONG-TERM METFORMIN TREATMENT ON THE ACTIVITY OF ADENYLYL CYCLASE
      SYSTEM AND NO-SYNTHASES IN THE BRAIN AND THE MYOCARDIUM OF RATS WITH OBESITY].
AB  - Biguanide metformin, which is widely used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes
      mellitus, improves carbohydrate and lipid metabolism and shows a pronounced
      cardio- and neuroprotective effects. It is assumed that an important role in
      these effects of metformin plays its ability to positively influence the activity
      of NO-synthase catalyzing the synthesis of NO, the most important vasodilator,
      and the activity of hormone-sensitive adenylyl cyclase signaling system (ACSS. To
      prove this, we have carried out a study whose purpose was to study the effect of
      long-term metformin treatment on the metabolic rates in obese rats, as well as on
      the activity of ACSS and NO-synthase in the myocardium and the brain of these
      animals. The metformin treatment of Wistar rats with obesity induced by high-fat
      diet was carried out for 2 months (daily dose of 200 mg/kg). The treatment with
      metformin led to a decrease in body weight and body fat, reduced glucose and
      insulin levels as well as reduced insulin resistance index HOMA-IR, improved
      glucose tolerance, and decreased the level of atherogenic forms of cholesterol.
      In the myocardium of obese rats, the attenuation of ACSS stimulation induced by
      the agonists of beta1/beta2-adrenergic receptors (AR) and the strengthening of
      beta3-AR signaling has been found. At the same time, in the myocardium of animals
      treated with metformin, the regulation of ACSS by adrenergic agonists was
      restored, and the ratio of beta-AR-signaling pathways returned to normal. In the
      brain of rats treated with metformin, adenylyl cyclase stimulating effects of
      serotonin and agonists of type 4 melanocortin receptors, which had been weakenend
      for obesity, were restored. Metformin treatment completely restored activity of
      total and endothelial NO-synthase in the myocardium decreased in obesity. It as
      also shown that metformin treatment induced hyperactivation of NO-synthase in the
      myocardium and brain of healthy animals. Thus, we conclude that the effects of
      metformin identified by us in rats with long-term treatment of obesity may
      explain cardio- and neuroprotective influence of this drug.

PMID- 26281215
TI  - [HISTOLOGYCAL AND HISTOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF AREOLAE IN THE PIG PLACENTA].
AB  - Rounded white lustreless dome-shaped wheels are detected by visually from
      allantochorion side in the in fetal areas epiteliochorial pig's placenta on day
      30 of pregnancy. These structures are located over the opening of the uterine
      glands. Areolaes consist from maternal and foetal parts. Areola include glandular
      epithelium, chorial and endometrial stroma at the mouth of the uterine glands,
      areolar cavity-enhanced formed by endometrial and chorial invaginations. Chorion
      gives in cavity radial folds lining differences high epithelium. Glycogen,
      neutral and acid sulfated glycoproteins, proteoglycans, glycosaminoglycans,
      hyaluronates, total and cationic protein, RNA, arginine, gistidine, lysin were
      founded in structural components of areoles during gestation period. Numerous
      areolas serve as specialized sites for absorption the secrets of uterine glands;
      they are form a powerful functional system of histotrophic nutrition.

PMID- 26281216
TI  - [MOTION AFTEREFFECT AS A UNIVERSAL PHENOMENON IN SENSORY SYSTEMS INVOLVED IN
      SPACE ORIENTATION. II. AUDITORY MOTION AFTEREFFECT].
AB  - Adaptation to sound source motion can cause noticeable changes in spatial
      perception of the following sound stimuli. Neural mechanisms of selective
      sensitivity to motion are the basis of this phenomenon, called the auditory
      motion aftereffect. The auditory motion aftereffects were demonstrated under
      different stimulation conditions, both after the presentation of different motion
      models and in the real sound source motion. The auditory aftereffects are
      specifically characterized by its spatial and frequency selectivity as well as by
      the optimal motion velocity at which the effect is maximal. These features and
      the presence of the intersensory motion adaptation effects indicate a common
      nature of the auditory and visual motion aftereffects and allow suggesting the
      existence of the common system of motion adaptation for different modalities that
      provide spatial orientation.

PMID- 26281217
TI  - [THE ROLE OF FOOD OBJECTS AND ENTERAL MICROBIOTA PROTEASES IN NUTRITIVE AND
      TEMPERATURE ADAPTATIONS OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM IN FISH].
AB  - The review presents data on the activity and some temperature characteristics of
      proteases in the potential food objects of fishes and some enteral microbiota
      representatives that provide induced autolysis and symbiotic digestion. It is
      shown that during the active feeding period the total protease activity in the
      prey tissues exceeds the total protease activity in the fish gastric mucosa by 5
      10 times. At low temperature, the relative activity of the prey tissue lysosomal
      hydrolases (20-35%) and the enteral microbiota enzymes (up to 45%) may exceed
      that of proteases synthesized by the hepatopancreas and functioning in the
      consumers' intestinal mucosa (less than 10% maximal activity). The data presented
      indicate the important role of proteases of food objects and enteral microbiota
      in nutritive adaptations of the fish digestive system.

PMID- 26281218
TI  - [SENSITIVITY OF LIVER MONOAMINE OXIDASE IN THE LAMPREY LAMPETRA FLUVIATILIS TO
      SOME TRICYCLIC COMPOUNDS].
AB  - A comparative analysis of the effect of the five acridine, three phenothiazine
      and one xanten (pyronine G) derivatives on the activity of liver mitochondrial
      monoamine oxidase (MAO) in sexually mature male river lampreys Lampetra
      fluviatilis has been conducted. Tyramine, dopamine, serotonin, noradrenaline,
      benzylamine, beta-phenylethylamine and N-methylhistamine have been used as
      substrates for analyzing the monoamine oxidase activity of heterocyclic
      compounds. The analyzed synthetic hexamerous tricyclic compounds exhibit
      irreversible inhibition of the enzyme but no specificity depending on the
      desaminated substrate. The number and identity of heteroatoms in the analyzed
      heterocyclic compounds have been established to influence their inhibitory
      efficiency. The data of substrate-inhibitory analysis obtained with the use of
      the specific substrates provide indirect evidence for the existence of a single
      MAO form in the lamprey liver.

PMID- 26281219
TI  - [BETA-ADRENERGIC REGULATION OF THE ADENYLYL CYCLASE SIGNALING SYSTEM IN
      MYOCARDIUM AND BRAIN OF RATS WITH OBESITY AND TYPES 2 DIABETES MELLITUS AND THE
      EFFECT OF LONG-TERM INTRANASAL INSULIN TREATMENT].
AB  - The stimulating effect of norepinephrine, isoproterenol and selective beta
      adrenoceptor (beta3-AR) agonists BRL 37344 and CL 316.243 on the adenylyl cyclase
      signaling system (ACSS) in the brain and myocardium of young and mature rats
      (disease induction at 2 and 4 months, respectively) with experimental obesity and
      type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2), and the influence of long-term treatment of
      animals with intranasal insulin (I-I) were studied. The AC stimulatory effects of
      beta-agonist isoproterenol in animals with obesity and DM2 was shown to be
      practically unchanged. The respective effects of norepinephrine on the AC
      activity were attenuated in the brain of young and mature rats and in the
      myocardium if mature rats, and the I-I treatment led to their partial recovery.
      In the brain and myocardium of mature rats with obesity and DM2, the enhancement
      of the AC stimulatory effects of beta3-AR agonists was observed, white in young
      rats the influence of the same pathological conditions was lacking. The I-I
      treatment decreased the AC stimulatory effects of beta3-agonists to their levels
      in the control. Since functional disruption of the adrenergic agonist-sensitive
      ACSS can lead to metabolic syndrome and DM2, the recovery of this system by the I
      I treatment offers one of the ways to correct these diseases and their
      complications in the nervous and cardiovascular systems.

PMID- 26281220
TI  - [MECHANISMS OF THE EFFECT OF Li+ ON MYOCARDIUM OF VERTEBRATES].
AB  - The effect of Li+ on the frog Rana temporaria myocardium and its influence on the
      ion transport in the rat heart mitochondria (RHM) were studied. Li+ added to the
      normal Ringer solution (Li(+)-R) was found to attenuate myocardial tension,
      decrease the maximal rate of tension development and its half-relaxation time.
      Comparison of the cardiac muscle contraction parameters in the Li(+)-R with the
      effect of the voltage-gated Ca(2+)-channels (Cav1.2), verapamil and CdCl2, showed
      that the negative inotropic effect of the Na+ replacement by Li+ in the limited
      intermembrane ("fuzzy") space is underlain by the blocking of Ca2+ influx into
      the myoplasm via the reverse Ca2+/Na(+)-exchanger in the plasma membrane (PM).
      This, in turn, prevents Ca(2+)-induced massive Ca2+ release into the myoplasm via
      the RYR2-channels in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) leading in aggregate to
      suppression of Ca(2+)-dependent myocardial contractions. In the experimental
      studies of the Li+ effect on the RHM it was established that Li+ just slightly
      increases the passive permeability of the inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM) for
      K+ and H+ and decreases the intensity of ion pumping out of the energized
      mitochondrial matrix to the external medium. This may also indicate the lack of
      relationship between the mitochondrial oxidative processes and the reduction in
      the myocardial contractile activity under the Na+ replacement by Li+.

PMID- 26281221
TI  - [THE EFFECT OF HYPOXIA ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF HONEY BEE WORKERS AT PREPUPAL AND
      PUPAL STAGES].
AB  - The effect of different levels of hypoxia on viability, physiological condition
      and morphometric characters of the honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) workers at the
      prepupal and pupal stages was traced. A high tolerance of the honey bee brood to
      hypoxia was established. Excess CO2 by more than two orders of magnitude relative
      to its content in the atmosphere and beehive at the optimal temperature for a bee
      family exhibits a mimimum lethality. Morphological anomalies manifested as wing
      and proboscis hypoplasia were found at the CO2 concentration raised by 10-15 %.
      This leads to a reduction on the number of frenulum hooks on the hind wings and
      affects their asymmetry variability. The wing lengths and the number of frenulum
      books are in inverse while masses of the head, thorax and abdomen--in direct
      relationship with the CO2 concentration.

PMID- 26281222
TI  - [PLASTICITY OF THE THERMAL REACTION NORMS FOR DEVELOPMENT IN THE EUROPEAN PEACOCK
      BUTTERLY INACHIS IO (LEPIDOPTERA, NYMPHALIDAE)].
AB  - The goal of this study was to examine the plasticity of the thermal reaction
      norms for development in the European Peacock butterfly Inachis io under the
      effect of different photoperiodic conditions and group versus individual
      maintenance. The overwintered imagoes were collected in Old Peterhof (near Saint
      Petersburg) in May, 2010 and 2012-2013. 12 experimental regimens were used: 4
      temperatures (16, 18, 20 and 22 degrees C) and 3 photoperiods (12, 18 and 22 h of
      light a day). It was found that under short-day conditions (12 h) the
      caterpillars developed a little faster than under long-day ones (22 h). The
      developmental temperature thresholds in these two cases did not differ. A linear
      regression coefficient characterizing thermal sensitivity of development was
      significantly higher only in males with their development affected by short-day
      photoperiod stronger than in females. At 18-h day length, the caterpillar
      development was less temperature-sensitive and characterized by a lower threshold
      than in shorter and longer days. The influence of short-day photoperiod on the
      caterpillar development manifested itself most distinctly in the emerging pupae'
      weight changes: in all the temperature regimens the pupae were lighter at short
      than at long days. The pupal weight increased as the temperature rose. The found
      dependence does not agree with the "temperature-size rule". Individual rearing
      led to a longer duration and lower thermal sensitivity of caterpillar and pupal
      development as well as to a reduced weight of the pupae. Individual rearing had a
      stronger impact on the mineral of females than males.

PMID- 26281223
TI  - [COMPARATIVE STUDY OF NIGROSTRIATAL SYSTEMS IN WISTAR RATS AND RATS PRONE TO
      SEIZURES].
AB  - In this work we analyzed the levels of functional activity of dopaminergic, GABA
      ergic and glutamatergic neurons in the nigrostriatal system of control Wistar
      rats and Krushinsky-Molodkina (KM) rats prone to audiogenic seizures. In KM rats
      we have revealed disturbed activity of GABA- and dopaminergic neurons in
      substania nigra whereas the level of glutamatergic neurotransmission remained
      unchanged. We have also observed no significant differences in GAD65/67 and
      phospho-tyrosine hydroxylase contents in the striatum of KM and control Wistar
      rats. However, a high level of D1 dopamine receptor and a decreased level of D2
      receptor found can mediate the upregulation of glutamatergic neurotransmission.
      Indeed, the expression of vesicular glutamate transporter type 2 (VGlut2) and
      NR2B subunit of NMDA receptor was increased in the striatum of KM rats. In
      striatal glutamatergic fibers phosphorylated ERK1/2 kinases have been revealed;
      at the same time, in KM rats an increased ERK1/2 activity has been detected both
      in striatum and substantia nigra. This finding correlated with activation of
      exocytosis rate as evidenced by downregulation of SNAP25 level. Apart from other
      reasons, the activation of glutamatergic system may be a result of disruption of
      the inhibitory effect of the dopamine- and GABAergic systems of substantia nigra
      that innervate striatum. We suppose that the increased activity of striatal
      glutamatergic neurons of KM rats without an adequate inhibition by GABA- and
      dopaminergic systems may be one of the reasons of high convulsive susceptibility
      in KM rats.

PMID- 26281224
TI  - [APPLICATION OF FLOW CYTOMETRY FOR THE ANALYSIS OF CIRCULATING HEMOCYTE
      POPULATIONS IN THE ASCIDIAN HALOCYNTHIA AURANTIUM (PALLAS, 1787)].
AB  - This study addresses the potentialities of flow cytometry in analyzing the
      composition of circulating hemocyte populations in the ascidian Halocynthia
      aurantium (Pallas, 1787) both using monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against some
      human leukocyte conservative adhesion molecules and without mAbs. Flow cytometry,
      based on the assessment of forward and side scattering revealed five hemocyte
      populations. From the wide panel of antibodies against human leukocyte adhesion
      molecules (CD15, CD29, CD34, CD54, CD62L, CD62P, CD90, CD94, CD117, CD 166), only
      two mAbs (against CD54, CD90) displayed cross-reactivity with the H. aurantium
      hemocyte surface antigens. Distribution patterns of these antigens across the
      hemocyte populations have been analyzed.

PMID- 26281225
TI  - [COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE FLUORESCENT PROTEIN REABSORPTION IN FROG AND RAT
      KIDNEYS].

PMID- 26281226
TI  - [General and Specific Mechanisms of Visual Cognitive Function Impairment in
      People with FMRP Deficit].
AB  - The purpose of this article is to provide the overview of visual cognitive
      development in subjects with FMRP deficit. Description of fragile X mental
      retardation syndrome is presented in the article, that is the most common cause
      of inherited intellectual disability and one of the most prevalent genetic causes
      of autism spectrum disorder. The syndrome is associated with deficit of fragile X
      mental retardation protein following FMR1-gene mutation. Researches of static and
      dynamic object perception, face perception and oculomotor control are discussed
      in the article. The results obtained by subjects with FX syndrome are compared
      with ASD data, syndrome with closed behavioral phenotype. Several factors that
      underlie visual cognitive deficit are discussed in the article.

PMID- 26281227
TI  - [Stem Cells in the Brain of Mammals and Human: Fundamental and Applied Aspects].
AB  - Brain stem cells represent an extremely intriguing phenomenon. The aim of our
      review is to present an integrity vision of their role in the brain of mammals
      and humans, and their clinical perspectives. Over last two decades,
      investigations of biology of the neural stem cells produced significant changes
      in general knowledge about the processes of development and functioning of the
      brain. Researches on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of NSC differentiation
      and behavior led to new understanding of their involvement in learning and
      memory. In the regenerative medicine, original therapeutic approaches to
      neurodegenerative brain diseases have been elaborated due to fundamental
      achievements in this field. They are based on specific regenerative potential of
      neural stem cells and progenitor cells, which possess the ability to replace dead
      cells and express crucially significant biologically active factors that are
      missing in the pathological brain. For the needs of cell substitution therapy in
      the neural diseases, adequate methods of maintaining stem cells in culture and
      their differentiation into different types of neurons and glial cells, have been
      developed currently. The success of modern cellular technologies has
      significantly expanded the range of cells used for cell therapy. The near future
      may bring new perspective and distinct progress in brain cell therapy due to
      optimizing the cells types most promising for medical needs.

PMID- 26281228
TI  - [The Influence of Long-Term Meditation Practice on Early Emotional Processing in
      the Brain: an ERP Study].
AB  - The main aim was to study effects of long-term meditation practice on event
      related brain potentials (ERPs) during affective picture viewing. The meditators'
      (N = 20), contrary to control (N = 20), did not demonstrate arousal-related
      increases in the mid-latency (200-400 ms) ERP positivity over the right
      hemisphere. We also found in the same time window stronger ERP negativity for
      meditators over central regions, regardless of picture valence. We assume that
      long-term meditation practice enhances frontal top-down control over fast
      automatic detection of stimulus salience.

PMID- 26281229
TI  - [Complex Neurophysiological Examination of Patients with Affective Disorders].
AB  - In order to find objective physiological correlates of affective disorders we
      have carried out the complex examination of patients comparing with the control
      group. Psychophysiological tests, EEG and speech signal parameters have shown
      statistically significant difference between the groups. At clinical practice our
      conclusions might be used on the diagnostics stage.

PMID- 26281230
TI  - [Association between the 5-HTTLPR Polymorphism of Serotonin Transporter Gene and
      EEG in Young and Postmenopausal Women].
AB  - Effect of ovarian steroids on serotonin neurotransmission suggests that the
      modulating effect of polymorphisms of the serotonin transporter gene on brain
      activity in women may change with age related changes in hormonal status.
      Objective of the study was to identify relationships between 5-HTTLPR
      polymorphism of the serotonin transporter gene and characteristics of baseline
      EEG in healthy young women (19-35 years, N = 85) and in women in post menopause
      (55-80 years, N = 44). It was shown that in S'/S'(SA/SA, SA/LG) and L'/L' (LA/LA)
      genotypes carriers' women of the older age group had lower delta, alpha 2 and
      alpha 3 band power than the young. In older women genetic differences in the
      power of these rhythms were due to lower values in carriers of S'/S' and L'/L'
      compared with S'/L' genotype. S'/L' genotype was characterized by higher beta 1
      rhythm power in elderly compared with young women. These results demonstrate the
      difference in the neurophysiological mechanisms of age-related changes in brain
      activity which are associated with the polymorphism of 5-HTTLPR.

PMID- 26281231
TI  - [Macroscopic Functional Networks of the Human Brain when Viewing and Recalling
      Short Videos].
AB  - Macroscopic functional network of the human brain were identified by use of the
      independent component analysis (ICA) of fMRI while viewing and imaging/recalling
      stories. The networks were relatively stable in structure, but had a specific
      dynamics in different experimental conditions. When comparing detected networks
      with previously detected resting state networks it was found that they coincide
      on localization. We. discovered also the specificity of activating the peripheral
      and central parts of retinotopic projections in the visual cortex. The peripheral
      areas were activated during subject viewing and imaging/recalling. On the
      contrary, the central departments strengthened their activation when viewing and
      reduced activity during the imaging/recalling.

PMID- 26281232
TI  - [Vulnerability to Depression and Oscillatory Resting-State Networks].
AB  - Depression is the most commonly observed mood disorder, which is accompanied by
      changes in emotional processes and the default mode network (DMN) activity. In
      this study, we aimed to investigate how predisposition to depression shows up in
      the emotional coloring of spontaneous thoughts and the activity of oscillatory
      resting-state networks, as revealed by source localization and independent
      component analysis techniques. Depressive symptoms correlated positively with the
      prevalence of negative emotion during EEG registration and with delta and theta
      activity in the orbitofrontal cortex and negatively with theta activity in the
      DMN. Since an increase of low-frequency oscillations in the orbitofrontal cortex
      is observed in aversive states, whereas their decrease in the DMN reflects an
      activation of this network, which is related to self-referenced processing, our
      results are consistent with the notion that vulnerability to depression is
      associated with general negative emotional disposition and excessive focus on the
      self.

PMID- 26281233
TI  - [How Sound Modulates Response to Light when Using Various Temporal Intervals
      between Stimuli of Different Modalities].
AB  - Extracellular activity of 34 primary visual cortex neurons of the rabbit was
      recorded in response to audiovisual stimulation with stimulus onset asynchronies
      (SOA) in range from -750 to + 150 ms (15 ranges in total). Auditory stimulus:
      2000 Hz, 70 dB, 40 ms. Visual stimuli: two weak intensities 0.3 and 1 cd/m2.
      Sound by itself did not elicit a neuronal response. Factor analysis ANOVA
      revealed that SOA significantly influence on neuronal responses. Neuronal
      reaction included responses to increase (on-response) and decrease (off-response)
      of light intensity. Earliest phase of response (40-100 ms from visual stimuli
      substitution) is most affected by sound. Neuronal reactions of the every interval
      of SOA comprised both increase and decrease of discharge in response to addition
      of a sound. We used a Wilcoxon signed-rank test to show the differences between
      reactions in response to visual and audio-visual stimuli. Audio-visual on
      responses statistically exceeded the responses to visual stimuli at -150, -40 and
      0 ms SOA for the all neurons. Two groups of neurons were revealed. The first
      group (n = 16) showed dependence of on-re- sponses on sound in a wide range of
      SOA: -150, -40, -20, 0, +20, +50 and +100 ms. Also the first group showed maximum
      increase of spike number (18-28%) in response to audio-visual stimulation. For
      the second group of neurons there were no significant SOA for on-responses. We
      haven't found a significant decrease of audio-visual response compared to a
      visual response. However, we found the tendency to reduction of audio-visual
      discharge at intervals SOA -750 and -80 ms (p < 0.07) for the first group and at
      SOA -500 and +20 ms (p < 0.1) for the second group of neurons. Also we revealed
      that on-responses are more influenced by sound than off-responses. We have
      researched the audio-visual interaction in the second phase of neuronal
      discharges (120-160 ms and later, n = 23). Sound influence on a second phase is
      weaker than on a first phase. Significant SOA for on-responses: 0 ms; for off
      responses: +100 and +150 ms. This study has revealed similarities of audio-visual
      interaction range for animal and psychophysical researches. Our results allows.
      to research cross-modal integration in more detail.

PMID- 26281234
TI  - [Delta-, theta-Modulation of the Ventral Tegmental Area Fast-Gamma Activity in
      the Course of Performance of Conditioned Avoidance Reflex in Rat].
AB  - The prestimulus expectation period of conditioned avoidance reflex features
      synchronized Delta-rhythm (1-4 Hz) in the medial prefrontal cortex and the
      ventral tegmental area (VTA), and synchronized theta-rhythm (6-8 Hz) in the above
      mentioned structures and the hippocampus. According to "Granger causality" Delta-
      and theta-rhythms flow (are predictors) in the direction from the prefrontal
      cortex and the hippocampus to the VTA. Performance of conditioned avoidance
      reflex was marked by Delta-rhythm elimination simultaneously with generation of
      high-frequency (8-11 Hz) synchronized theta-rhythm. Delta-rhythm was shifted from
      the pre- to poststimulus period and prefrontal cortex--VTA theta-synchrony was
      eliminated in the cases of mistaken reaction withdrawal, Pavlovian fear
      conditioning scheme, conditioned signal presentation in the safe chamber part.
      The phase of Delta-, theta-rhythm modulates the amplitude of VTA fast (70-160 Hz)
      gamma-activity envelope, VTA/cortex and VTA/hippocampus gamma-phase
      synchronization and phase lag indexes, and frequency of simultaneously recorded
      VTA neuronal activity.

PMID- 26281235
TI  - [Nitrergic Activity of the Medial Prefrontal Cortex in Rats with High and Low
      Conditioned Fear Generalization].
AB  - For Sprague-Dawley rats by means of in vivo microdialysis combined with HPLC
      analysis it was shown that an acquisition of a conditioned fear response (paired
      presentation of an auditory conditioned stimulus (CS+) and unescapable footshock)
      caused the increase in extracellular levels of citrulline (an NO co-product) in
      the medial prefrontal cortex which was almost completely prevented by local
      infusions of 1 mM NOmega-propil-L-arginine, a neuronal NO synthase inhibitor and
      was not observed in control rats. The magnitude of this increase was high in rats
      showing later low freezing to conditioned stimulus previously not paired with
      footshock (CS-) and it was low in rats characterized by high freezing to CS-, but
      it did not interfere with freezing to the conditioned stimulus CS+ previously
      paired with footshock. The data obtained indicate for the first time that the
      conditioned fear acquisition is accompanied by nitrergic activation within the
      medial prefrontal cortex which is associated with conditioned fear generalization
      but not with conditioned fear expression.

PMID- 26281236
TI  - Expert History and the Tribulations of Trials.

PMID- 26281237
TI  - Bridging Troubled Waters: Historians, Natural Resource Litigation, and the Expert
      Witness Phenomenon.
AB  - This special issue of The Public Historian examines the nature and scope of the
      historian's role as a consultant and expert witness in natural resource
      litigation. The introductory essay identifies the major issues and challenges
      that historians face when they bring their knowledge, skills, and professional
      best standards into law offices and courtrooms, while also positing a conceptual
      framework for public history practitioners to better understand and appreciate
      the larger stakes in conducting research for environmental litigation. The author
      delineates his own experience as an expert in certain water rights cases in the
      American Southwest where knowledge of the Spanish and Mexican civil law of
      property is essential.

PMID- 26281238
TI  - The Advocate's Devil: The Maritime Public Historian as Expert Witness.
AB  - The maritime historian working as litigation support and expert witness faces
      many challenges, including identifying and analyzing case law associated with
      admiralty subjects, cultural resource management law, and general historical
      topics. The importance of the unique knowledge of the historian in the maritime
      context is demonstrated by a case study of attempts to salvage the shipwreck
      Atlantic, the remains of a merchant vessel built and enrolled in the United
      States and lost in the Canadian waters of Lake Erie in 1852.

PMID- 26281239
TI  - Bury My Documents in Lenexa, Kansas: Expert Witness Work and the American Indian
      Records Repository.
AB  - Restricted access to the American Indian Records Repository (AIRR) poses
      significant problems for expert witness historians working outside the federal
      government, as well as for academic historians and tribes. The authors discuss
      the creation of the AIRR in 2004, the records housed there, and the challenges
      they have experienced as expert witnesses seeking access to the AIRR. Although
      the AIRR preserves a far greater volume of federal records than might have
      otherwise occurred, the lack of public access may ultimately impede historians'
      ability to examine modern topics in Native American history and United States
      tribal relations.

PMID- 26281240
TI  - Why Litigation-Driven History Matters: Lessons Learned from the Secret History of
      TCE.
AB  - Litigation drives extensive historical research but often allows only select
      observers to see the results. Historians have conducted untold studies for
      litigation that become "secret histories" because these histories are not
      published. An example is the historical use and regulation of the chemical
      trichloroethylene (TCE), a hazardous chemical at issue in much environmental
      litigation, but a topic virtually absent in the secondary literature. This
      practice seems to contravene accepted standards of open scholarship. Although not
      directly aligned with the traditional academic model of historical practice,
      however, historical research and writing for litigation achieve legitimate and
      important results without abandoning the discipline's professional standards.
      History done by consultants for litigation is neither a history of compromised
      standards nor as "secret" as feared.

PMID- 26281241
TI  - Indigenous Space and the Landscape of Settlement: A Historian as Expert Witness.
AB  - This essay examines my work as expert witness in the case of U.S. v. Michigan, a
      Indigenous use-rights case. I was charged with parsing the intention of a
      specific article of the 1836 Treaty of Washington compelling land cession by
      Anishinaabe peoples and with writing a history of land use in the area from that
      date to the present for the Chippewa Ottawa Resource Authority (my employer). The
      challenges were not only methodological (how do you estimate use from ownership?)
      and epistemological (what constitutes proof that will satisfy both historians and
      lawyers?), but also sociological and psychological: what happens when an
      associate professor puts her progress toward full professor on hold for the sake
      of a court case?

PMID- 26281242
TI  - From Archive to Evidence: Historians and Natural Resource Litigation.
AB  - Within the field of natural resource law are several specific areas that are well
      suited for the historian's skillset and knowledge. The deployment of the
      historian's tool box when conducting research in the legal world, however, can
      result in deliverables which vary significantly from those found in the academy,
      as they range widely in both size and scope and do not always use the full range
      of a historian's skills. New technological platforms provide consulting
      historians with creative opportunities to disseminate valuable information and
      sources and enhance important scholarly debates.

PMID- 26281243
TI  - Documentary Evidence and the Construction of Narratives in Legal and Historical
      Contexts.
AB  - Based on her experiences as an expert witness in Canadian litigation related to
      Aboriginal peoples, the author shares some personal reflections on the use of the
      written record as "evidence" in a legal context. As end users in a litigation
      context will be constructing their own narratives, a historian can add value in
      the courtroom by sharing skills in analyzing and providing context for written
      materials as well as providing a narrative based on their content. This process
      of simultaneously constructing and deconstructing a narrative can support the
      legitimacy of multiple narratives and provide space for evidence of other types,
      particularly oral evidence.

PMID- 26281244
TI  - The Pragmatic Roots of Public History Education in the United States.

PMID- 26281245
TI  - [Modern concepts of trauma care and multiple trauma management in oral and
      maxillofacial region].
AB  - Multiple trauma management requires the application of modem trauma care
      theories. Optimal treatment results can be achieved by reinforcing cooperation
      and stipulating a treatment plan together with other disciplines. Based on modem
      theories in trauma care and our understanding of the theoretical points, this
      paper analyzes the injury assessment strategies and methods in oral and
      maxillofacial multiple trauma management. Moreover, this paper discusses
      operating time and other influencing factors as well as proposed definitive
      surgical timing and indications in comprehensive management of oral and
      maxillofacial multiple trauma patients associated with injuries in other body
      parts. We hope that this paper can help stomatological physicians deepen their
      understanding of modem trauma care theories and improve their capacity and
      results in the treatment of oral and maxillofacial multiple trauma.

PMID- 26281246
TI  - [The study of the colorimetric characteristics of the cobalt-chrome alloys
      abutments covered by four different all-ceramic crowns by using dental
      spectrophotometer].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the optical data of the different sites of
      the cobalt-chrome (Co-Cr) alloy abutments covered by four different all-ceramic
      crowns and the color difference between the crowns and target tab using a digital
      dental spectrophotometer. METHODS: Ten Co-Cr alloy abutments were made and tried
      in four different groups of all-ceramic crowns, namely, Procera aluminia, Procera
      zirconia, Lava zirconia (Lava-Zir), and IPS E.max glass-ceramic lithium
      disilicate-reinforced monolithic. The color data of the cervical, body, and
      incisal sites of the samples were recorded and analyzed by dental
      spectrophotometer. The CIE L*, a*, b* values were again measured after veneering.
      The color difference between the abutments covered by all-ceramic crowns and A2
      dentine shade tab was evaluated. RESULTS: The L* and b* values of the abutments
      can be increased by all of the four groups of all-ceramic copings, but a* values
      were decreased in most groups. A statistical difference was observed among four
      groups. After being veneered, the L* values of all the copings declined slightly,
      and the values of a*, b* increased significantly. When compared with A2 dentine
      shade tab, the DeltaE of the crowns was below 4. CONCLUSION: Four ceramic copings
      were demonstrated to promote the lightness and hue of the alloy abutments
      effecttively. Though the colorimetric baseline of these copings was uneven,
      veneer porcelain can efficiently decrease the color difference between the
      samples and thee target.

PMID- 26281247
TI  - [Comparison of magnetic resonance imaging artifacts of five common dental
      materials].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare five materials commonly used in dentistry, including three
      types of metals and two types of ceramics, by using different sequences of three
      magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) field strengths (0.35, 1.5, and 3.0 T). METHODS:
      Three types of metals and two types of ceramics that were fabricated into the
      same size and thickness as an incisor crown were placed in a plastic tank filled
      with saline. The crowns were scanned using an magnetic resonance (MR) machine at
      0.35, 1.5, and 3.0 T field strengths. The TlWI and T2WI images were obtained. The
      differences of various materials in different artifacts of field MR scans were
      determined. RESULTS: The zirconia crown presented no significant artifacts when
      scanned under the three types of MRI field strengths. The artifacts of casting
      ceramic were minimal. All dental precious metal alloys, nickel-chromium alloy
      dental porcelain, and cobalt-chromium ceramic alloy showed varying degrees of
      artifacts under the three MRI field strengths. CONCLUSION: Zirconia and casting
      ceramics present almost no or faint artifacts. By contrast, precious metal
      alloys, nickel-chromium alloy dental porcelain and cobalt-chromium ceramic alloy
      display MRI artifacts. The artifact area increase with increasing magnetic field.

PMID- 26281248
TI  - [Experimental study on the effects of the nerve growth factor regulating
      calcitonin gene-related peptide in promoting the proliferation of MG-63 in
      vitro].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the nerve growth factor (NGF) regulating the expression
      of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in promoting the proliferation of
      osteoblast-like cell (MG-63) and thus illustrate the mechanism of the NGF in
      wound healing. METHODS: Different concentrations of NGF were used to stimulate MG
      63. The expression of CGRP was detected by real-time quantitative polymerase
      chain reaction (RT-QPCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay after 1, 2, 3, and
      4 days. The proliferation of MG-63 was detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8).
      The expression of CGRP mRNA and the proliferation of MG-63 were then detected by
      RT-QPCR and CCK-8 after adding the NGF receptor blocker. RESULTS: Compared with
      the blank control group, the expression of CGRP significantly increased by
      stimulating the NGF. The expression of CGRP was positively related to the
      concentration of NGF (P<0.05). Moreover, the expression of CGRP increased by
      prolonging the NGF stimulation time. The proliferation of MG-63 increased after
      stimulating the NGF (P<0.05). After adding the NGF receptor blocker, the
      expression of CGRP and the proliferation of MG-63 correspondingly decreased
      (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: NGF can up-regulate the expression of CGRP and increase the
      proliferation of MG-63. Therefore, NGF plays a significant role in wound healing.

PMID- 26281249
TI  - [Culturing and characterization of human gingival mesenchymal stem cells and
      their chemotactic responses to stromal cell-derived factor-1].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of chemokine stromal cell-derived factor
      1 (SDF-1) receptor CXCR4 in human gingival mesenchymal stem cells (GMSCs) and the
      migration potential of GMSCs stimulated with SDF-1. METHODS: Human GMSCs were
      isolated by single-cell cloning method. Their cell surface markers were
      characterized by flow cytometry, and the rate of colony formation was evaluated.
      Differentiation assay was used to detect the differentiation potential of GMSCs.
      The expression of chemokine SDF-l receptor CXCR4 in GMSCs was detected by
      immunocytochemical staining. The chemotactic effect of SDF-1 on GMSCs was
      detected using a 24-multiwell Transwell cell culture chamber. The number of net
      migrated cells was counted in different microscope fields. RESULTS: Human GMSCs
      possessed high self-renewal potential and formed single-cell colonies cultured in
      vitro. GMSCs expressed mesenchymal stem cells-associated markers CD44, CD73,
      CD90, CD105, and CD166, and the expression of hemopoietic stem cell surface
      markers CD14, CD34, and CD45 was negative. GMSCs differentiated into osteoblasts
      and adipocytes under defined culture conditions. The colony forming unit
      fibroblastic for GMSCs was 21.4%/+/-2.8%. Immunocytochemical staining
      demonstrated that GMSCs expressed chemokine SDF-1 receptor CXCR4. The number of
      GMSCs migrating at concentrations of 100 ng.mL-1 and 200 ng.mL-1 of SDF-l in the
      Transwell cell culture chamber was significantly higher than that of the negative
      control (189.3+/-4.4, 164.6+/-4.9 cells/field vs. 47.8+/-2.5 cells/field,
      P<0.01). Treatment with the CXCR4 neutralizing antibody, an antagonist for CXCR4,
      significantly reduced the migratory effect compared with the negative controls
      (29.0+/-2.4 cells/field vs. 47.8+/-2.5 cells/field, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Human
      GMSCs express chemokine SDF-l receptor CXCR4. SDF-1 may participate in regulating
      chemotaxis of human GMSCs. Results suggest that the migration induced by SDF-1 is
      mediated by CXCR4.

PMID- 26281250
TI  - [Immunoexpression and clinical significance of interleukin-21 and receptor
      activator of nuclear factor kappaB ligand in human periapical granulomas and
      radicular cysts].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to detect the immunoexpression of interleukin-21 (IL
      21) and receptor activator. of nuclear factor KB ligand (RANKL) in periapical
      granulomas (PGs) and radicular cysts (RCs). The interaction of IL-21 with RANKL
      and its role in periapical pathogenesis were also speculated. METHODS: A total of
      32 PGs and 23 RCs were selected as experimental samples. Lesion size and
      occurrence of tenderness were recorded. Up to 10 healthy gingival tissues were
      collected as normal control samples. All tissues were subjected to
      immunohistocheincal analysis with anti-human IL-21 and RANKL polyclonal
      antibodies. The correlations of IL-21 with RANKL, lesion size, and the occurrence
      of tenderness of the PGs and RCs were evaluated. RESULTS: IL-21-positive cells
      were detected in all periapical lesion tissues but not in normal tissues. In the
      cyst group and granuloma group, the corresponding expression levels of IL-21 were
      59.92+/-6.57 and 36.80+/- 6.81, whereas those of RANKL were 68.81+/-18.59 and
      36.12+/-14.87, respectively. Moreover, t-test revealed a significantly higher
      expression of IL-21 and RANKL in RCs than in PGs (P<0.05). IL-21 and RANKL were
      positively correlated in both PGs and RCs (P<0.05). Furthermore, IL-21 was
      correlated with lesion size (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that IL
      21 is potentially involved in the pathogenesis of apical periodontitis lesions. A
      role in the exacerbation of chronic inflammation, as well as in bone resorption,
      is suspected. Further studies are required to elucidate the specific functions of
      IL-21 in periradicular inflammatory processes.

PMID- 26281251
TI  - [Interleukin-23 strengthens the anti-apoptotic and drug resistance of human
      tongue squamous cell carcinoma through the Wingless-related integration site/beta
      catenin pathway].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aims to detect the expression level of interleukin-23 (IL
      23) in tongue squamous cell carcinoma tissues and its relationship with clinical
      prognosis, as well as explore the anti-apoptotic and drug resistance of the
      tongue squamous cell line-SCC9 before and after treatment with IL-23. METHODS:
      The expression of IL-23 in tumor tissues from 28 tongue cancer patients was
      analyzed by immunohistochemistry assay. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain
      reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression of Wingless-related
      integration site (Wnt)1 and c-myc in SCC9 cells treated with different IL-23
      concentrations. After interferencing the beta-catenin with small interfering RNA
      (siRNA), the expression of beta-catenin, B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), ATP-binding
      cassette sub-family G member 2 (ABCG2), and permeability-glycoprotein (P-gp) in
      SCC9 was measured by Western blot analysis. The effect of IL-23 on the apoptotic
      resistance of SCC9 to cisplatin was examined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium
      test. RESULTS: The expression of IL-23 in tongue cancer tissues was correlated
      with lymphatic metastasis, nerve invasion, and the recurrence after therapy
      (P<0.05). After dealing with IL-23, SCC9 showed the upregulation effect of Bcl-2,
      ABCG2 and P-gp expressions. IL-23 was closely related to the activation level of
      the Wnt pathway and significantly strengthened the resistance to cisplatin
      (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: IL-23 activates the Wnt pathway in tongue squamous cell
      carcinoma, thereby enhancing its resistance to apoptosis and drug.

PMID- 26281252
TI  - [Integrated assessment of middle ear dysfunction in cleft palate patients and
      optimization of therapeutic schedule].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore evaluation strategies for middle ear dysfunction in cleft
      palate patients, to optimize the diagnosis and treatment of this dysfunction, and
      ultimately to improve the comprehensive treatment of cleft palate. METHODS: The
      relationship among abnormal tympanic types (B, C, and Anomaly), effusion rate,
      tympanic pressure, and hearing loss were analyzed. We collected relevant
      information on 469 ears of cleft palate patients and traced one-year longitudinal
      changes in the tympana of 124 ears from 62 patients with both cleft lip and cleft
      palate. RESULTS: The effusion rates of cleft palate patients with type B, type C,
      and type Anomaly were 50.3% (97/193), 34.8% (8/23), and 20.9% (53/253),
      respectively. The tympanic pressure of the ears with and without effusion showed
      no significant difference (P>0.05). The hearing loss in type B cleft palate
      patients with middle ear effusion was worse than that in patients without
      effusion (P=0.001). However, the hearing loss in type Anomaly showed no
      difference (P>0.05). The constituent ratio of each tympanic type remained
      constant during the period between cheiloplasty and palatoplasty for cleft lip
      and palate patients (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Cleft palate patients of all tympanic
      types may all suffer from middle ear effusion at different rates. Examination by
      centesis is suggested for ears with abnormal tympanic types. Early aggressive
      therapy is essential for type B cleft palate patients with middle ear effusion to
      avoid hearing loss. However, catheterization may be not necessary for type
      Anomaly patients, and conservative observation should be performed instead.
      Myringotomy with grommet insertion during palatoplasty does not delay treatment
      timing for patients with both cleft lip and cleft palateg.

PMID- 26281253
TI  - [Clinical comparative study on the treatment characteristics of secretory otitis
      media between cleft and non-cleft palate patients].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To discuss the treatment characteristics of secretory otitis media
      (SOM) in cleft palate children. METHODS: A total of 319 patients (524 ears) with
      SOM and cleft palate (3-14 years old) who accepted treatment were divided into
      experiment group A, group B, and group C according to effusion characteristics in
      the middle ear and tympanic pressure. Group A included 112 patients with serous
      effusion (198 ears). Group B included 162 patients with mucinous effusion (248
      ears). Group C included 45 patients (78 ears) with negative pressure in the
      middle ear without effusion and an acoustic immittance. A total of 208 patients
      (246 ears) with SOM and tonsil and adenoid hypertrophy were divided into control
      group Al, group B1, and group Cl matched with the same effusion characteristics
      in the middle ear and tympanic pressure. Group A and Al accepted puncture in the
      tympanic cavity, group B and B1 accepted tympanostomy tubes, and group C and Cl
      accepted puncture in the tympanic cavity after palatoplasty, adenoidectomy, and
      tonsillectomy. All groups were treated with antibiotics and ear drops. Cure rate
      and recurrence rate between the experiment group and the control group were
      compared. RESULTS: The control group had a better cure rate [93.09% (229/246)]
      than the experiment group [77.29% (405/524)] 12 months after treatment. The
      experiment group had a higher recurrence rate [14.57% (59/405)] than the control
      group [3.93% (9/229)]. Statistical differences were observed between the two
      groups (P<0.05). SOM with cleft palate initially had a low cure rate, and thus it
      was treated repeatedly for many times. CONCLUSION: SOM with cleft palate is
      different from normal otitis media in terms of clinical manifestation, treatment,
      outcome, and prognosis. This case should be considered a special otitis media to
      be treated with special examination and therapy to obtain better results.
      Repeated puncture in the tympanic cavity and tympanostomy tubes for six months
      according to effusion characteristics are better treatment options for patients
      with SOM and cleft palate.

PMID- 26281254
TI  - [Three years retrospective clinical evaluation of endodontically treated
      premolars restored by cast ceramic onlays].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the success and survival rate of
      endodontically treated premolars restored by ceramic onlays by comparing restored
      by quartz fiber posts and metal ceramic crowns. METHODS: Ninety-four patients
      with 126 endodontically treated premolars were enrolled in this study and divided
      into 4 groups according to the remaining axial walls and restorative methods. The
      observation time was 36 months. The success and survival rates of the
      restorations, as well as causes of failures, were analyzed. RESULTS: At the final
      follow-up, the success and survival rates of the mild defect endodontically
      treated premolars were restored by quartz fiber posts and the crowns were at
      96.3% and 98.1%; the success and survival rates of the severe defect premolars
      restored by quartz fiber posts and crowns were at 88.5% and 96.2%. The success
      and survival rates of the mild defect premolars restored by cast ceramic onlays
      were both at 96.6%, the success and survival rates of the severe defect premolars
      restored by cast ceramic onlays were at 94.1% and 100%, respectively. The success
      and survival rates of the different groups were no significant difference
      (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Based on the results and within the limits of this study,
      cast ceramic onlays is a very reliable method to restore endodontically treated
      premolars.

PMID- 26281255
TI  - [Stability of the anterior teeth and hard tissue of skeletal class III
      malocclusion after orthodontic surgery: systematic review].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aims to analyze the long-term stability of the anterior
      teeth and hard tissue of skeletal class III malocclusion after a three-year
      orthodontic surgery by systematic review. METHODS: All studies about skeletal
      class III malocclusion with orthodontic-surgery were searched by computer-based
      retrieval and manual retrieval; the deadline is December 2013. The literature,
      filtered according to the inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria, was
      performed with quality. assessment. The same indicators of the anterior location
      and hard tissue stability were combined and evaluated with metaanalysis and
      descriptive analysis by Rev Man5.2. RESULTS: Four before-and-after comparison
      study articles with 180 cases were included. The grades of the four literature
      evaluation were A. The meta-analysis results showed that comparing the three-year
      post-orthodontic-surgery and post-orthodontic-surgery, the total weighted mean
      difference (WMD) of Ul-SN was 4.29 (P<0.05); the WMD of Ll-MP, OB, OJ, SNA, SNB,
      ANB, and MP-SN were -1.58, 0, -0.41, -0.58, 0.25, -0.70, and 0.39, respectively
      (P>0.05). The measurement methods of A and B point position were different, hence
      the qualitative description were as follows: point A remained at a relatively
      stable position, and point B had some replacement compared with post-operative
      (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: To the skeletal class III malocclusion after three-year
      orthodontic-surgery, the position of the lower anterior teeth could be kept
      stable, as well as the overbite and the overjet of the anterior teeth; only the
      upper inci- sor has a lip-inclined relapse. The maxillary could also be kept
      stable, and the mandibular had a little relapse.

PMID- 26281256
TI  - [Reconstruction of the orbital fracture with enophthalmos using customized
      titanium mesh combined with Medpor].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the effect of customized titanium mesh,
      which was designed by mirror imaging and rapid prototyping technique, with Medpor
      applied for orbital fracture with enophthalmos. METHODS: Orbital axial, coronal,
      and sagittal CT scan, and three-dimension CT examination were performed routinely
      in. 18 cases of orbital fracture with enophthalmos preoperatively. Based on the
      CT data, prosthesis model was designed by reverse engineering and rapid
      prototyping technique. The customized titanium mesh and Medpor were applied for
      orbital reconstruction and enophthalmos correction. Orbital reduction and globe
      projection were evaluated by postoperative CT scan and clinical follow-up visits.
      RESULTS: CT scans revealed that the customized titanium mesh with Medpor had
      great accuracy to reconstruct the orbital fracture and correct the enophthalmos
      in all patients without serious complications. The eye and facial appearance and
      function recovered significantly. No serious complication occurred in the
      operation and after operation. CONCLUSION: The customized titanium mesh, based on
      mirror imaging and rapid prototyping technique, can accurately reconstruct the
      orbital fractures with enophthalmos. The application of Medpor can effectively
      correct enophthalmos and eyeball mobility malformation.

PMID- 26281257
TI  - [Chimeric deep circumflex iliac artery perforator flap for the simultaneous
      reconstruction of the composite oromandibular defect].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and outcomes of chimeric deep circumflex
      iliac artery perforator flap (DCIAPF) applied in the simultaneous reconstruction
      of the oromandibular defect. METHODS: Six patients underwent simultaneous
      oromandibular reconstruction using DCIAPF following segmental mandibulectomy in
      Xiangya Hospital from March 2014 to July 2014. The skin paddle was designed to be
      centered on the pre-operative perforator mapping. Retrograde dissection was
      performed through the underlying abdominal wall to raise the skin paddle. The
      pedicle was isolated from the groin, and the iliac crest was cut. The deep iliac
      circumflex vessels were dissected until the skin paddle was reached. Finally, the
      donor site was strictly sutured layer by layer to avoid ventral hernia. RESULTS:
      The skin paddles ranged from 3.5 cmx5.0 cm to 7.0 cmx 10.0 cm. The length of the
      bone components was 5.0 cm to 11.0 cm. All donor sites closed primarily without
      skin grafting. DCIAPF was harvested successfully in five patients, except for one
      patient whose perforator originated from the superficial iliac circumflex
      vessels. An additional pair of anastomoses was performed. All iliac flaps
      survived. However, slight skin-edge necrosis and exfoliation caused by flap
      thinning occurred in one patient and healed after pruning and dressing change.
      The heights of all alveolar ridges were significantly restored, and no serious
      donorsite complication was observed during the three to six months' follow-up.
      CONCLUSION: DCIAPF is a reconstructive option for mandibular defects because of
      its adequate bone tissue and rich blood supply. Satisfactory alveolar ridge
      restoration greatly facilitates future denture retention. DCIAPF also has a great
      degree of mobility between the skin paddle and the bone component when appliedin
      composite oromandibular defect reconstruction.

PMID- 26281258
TI  - [Application of 1,212 anterolateral thigh myocutaneous flaps in the repair of
      oral and maxillofacial defects].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine the benefits of anterolateral thigh myocutaneous flaps in
      reconstruction of oral and maxillofacial defects. METHODS: Patients were
      recruited from February 2002 to June 2013 in the Department of Oral and
      Maxillofacial Surgery of Central South University. All patients (1,185 patients,
      1,212 transferred flaps) underwent reconstructive surgery employing anterolateral
      thigh myocutaneous flaps. Basic information for all patients including defect
      side, flap size and type, recipient vessel processing method, donor
      complications, and postoperative quality of life were recorded and statistically
      analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 1 212 transferred flaps, 1 176 survived and 36
      showed necrosis, for a survival rate of about 97.0%. No cases presented with
      local serious complications, and 90% of patients achieved good functional
      recovery and aesthetically acceptable results after reconstruction of oral and
      maxillofacial defects at various locations using anterolateral thigh myocutaneous
      flaps. The time for anastomosis of one vein was significantly less than that for
      two veins (P=-0.000 3), which indicated one vein anastomosis could significantly
      reduce the operating time. The incidence of venous crisis, the survival rate
      after treatment, and the rate of venous crisis resulting in flap necrosis were
      comparable between the groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Anterolateral thigh
      myocutaneous flaps can be easily obtained and provide a good amount of muscle for
      filling dead space and fascia lata. These flaps can meet the various requirements
      of oral and maxillofacial defects. Therefore, the anterolateral thigh
      myocutaneous free flaps are more suitable for oral and maxillofacial defects than
      other flaps.

PMID- 26281259
TI  - [Evaluation of the stress distribution in tooth implant-supported fixed partial
      prostheses on different bone types under dynamic loads].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the influence of different bone types on
      the stress distribution in tooth implant-supported fixed partial prostheses by
      using finite element (FE) analysis. METHODS: Four FE models of mandibular arch
      containing one implant splinted to the mandibular second premolar were built
      according to bone types I, II, III, and IV. Dynamic loads of 250 N were applied
      to the buccal and lingual cusps of the prostheses in different directions to
      simulate the masticatory cycle. The maximum Von Mises stresses were calculated
      using the FE analysis software. RESULTS: The maximum Von Mises stresses of the
      cortical bones were 89.229, 91.860, 125.840, and 158.420 MPa, increasing from
      type I to type IV, respectively. The maximum Von Mises stresses of the trabecular
      bone were 58.584, 43.645, 21.688, and 18.249 MPa, decreasing from type I to type
      IV, respectively. During the process of dynamic loading, the maximum Von Mises
      stresses of the cortical and trabecular bones followed the order buccal to tongue
      loading>tongue to buccal loading>vertical loading. CONCLUSION: The results showed
      that bone type significantly influenced the stress distribution in bones, and
      that for tooth implant-supported fixed partial prostheses, bone types I and II
      were a better choice than bone types III and IV. More caution should be exercised
      when restoring missing teeth using tooth implant-supported fixed partial
      prostheses in softer bone regions.

PMID- 26281260
TI  - [Three-dimensional finite element analysis of maxillary anterior teeth retraction
      force system in light wire technique].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aims to construct a three-dimensional finite element model
      of a maxillary anterior teeth retraction force system in light wire technique and
      to investigate the difference of hydrostatic pressure and initial displacement of
      upper anterior teeth under different torque values of tip back bend. METHODS: A
      geometric three-dimensional model of the maxillary bone, including all the upper
      teeth, was achieved via CT scan. To construct the force model system, lingual
      brackets and wire were constructed by using the Solidworks. Brackets software,
      and wire were assembled to the teeth. ANASYS was used to calculate the
      hydrostatic pressure and the initial displacement of maxillary anterior teeth
      under different tip-back bend moments of 15, 30, 45, 60, and 75 Nmm when the
      class II elastic force was 0.556 N. RESULTS: Hydrostatic pressure was
      concentrated in the root apices and cervical margin of upper anterior teeth.
      Distal tipping and relative intrusive displacement were observed. The hydrostatic
      pressure and initial displacement of upper canine were greater than in the
      central and lateral incisors. This hydrostatic pressure and initial intrusive
      displacement increased with an increase in tip-back bend moment. CONCLUSION:
      Lingual retraction force system of maxillary anterior teeth in light wire
      technique can be applied safely and controllably. The type and quantity of teeth
      movement can be controlled by the alteration of tip-back bend moment.

PMID- 26281261
TI  - [Reliability of iWitness photogrammetry in maxillofacial application].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aims to test the accuracy and precision of iWitness
      photogrammetry for measuring the facial tissues of mannequin head. METHODS: Under
      ideal circumstances, the 3D landmark coordinates were repeatedly obtained from a
      mannequin head using iWitness photogrammetric system with different parameters,
      to examine the precision of this system. The differences between the 3D data and
      their true distance values of mannequin head were computed. RESULTS: Operator
      error of 3D system in non-zoom and zoom status were 0.20 mm and 0.09 mm, and the
      difference was significant (P 0.05). Image captured error of 3D system was 0.283
      mm, and there was no significant difference compared with the same group of
      images (P>0.05). Error of 3D systen with recalibration was 0.251 mm, and the
      difference was not statistically significant compared with image captured error
      (P>0.05). Good congruence was observed between means derived from the 3D photos
      and direct anthropometry, with difference ranging from -0.4 mm to +0.4 mm.
      CONCLUSION: This study provides further evidence of the high reliability of
      iWitness photogrammetry for several craniofacial measurements, including
      landmarks and inter-landmark distances. The evaluated system can be recommended
      for the evaluation and documentation of the facial surface.

PMID- 26281262
TI  - [Study on the antibacterial activity of four kinds of nano-hydroxyapatite
      composites against Enterococcus faecalis].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aims to compare and determine a kind of nano-hydroxyapatite
      composite material with good antibacterial efficacy on Enterococcusfaecalis (E.
      faecalis) in vitro. METHODS: We investigated the antimicrobial activity of four
      kinds of nano-hydroxyapatite composites, namely, silver/hydroxyapatite composite
      nanoparticles (Ag/nHA), yttrium/hydroxyapatite composite nanoparticles (Yi/nHA),
      cerium/hydroxyapatite composite nanoparticles (Ce/nHA), and hydroxyapatite
      nanoparticles (nHA), against E. faecalis in vitro using the agar diffusion and
      broth dilution method by measuring the growth inhibition zone and the minimum
      inhibitory concentration (MIC), respectively. RESULTS: The agar diffusion test
      results showed that Ag/nHA displayed an obvious growth inhibition zone, whereas
      Yi/nHA, Ce/nHA, and nHA showed no influence on E. faecalis. The MIC value of
      Ag/nHA was 1.0 g.L-1, and the three other materials had no effect on E.faecalis
      even at the high concentration of 32.0 g.L-1. CONCLUSION: Ag/nHA display a
      potential antimicrobial efficacy to planktonic E.faecalis. Whereas, the three
      other kinds of nano-hydroxyapatite composites (Yi/nHA, Ce/nHA, nHA) show no
      influence.

PMID- 26281263
TI  - [Effect of different dentin cleaning agents on the bond strength of self-adhesive
      resin cement to dentin].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the bond strength of a self-adhesive resin
      cement to dentin by ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) and NaClO. METHODS:
      Twenty-seven freshly extracted non-carious human premolars were prepared to
      expose the buccal dentin and randomly divided into three groups: control group (A
      group), EDTA group (B group) and NaClO group (C group). All teeth were bonded to
      dentin using a self-adhesive resin cement after the teeth in the A group were
      processed with distilled water. The B and C group were processed with 3%EDTA and
      1%NaClO, respectively. After 24 hours at 37  degrees C water, the shear bond
      strengths of the twenty-four specimens were measured. All statistical analysis
      was performed using SPSS 17.0 software package. Each fractured specimen was
      examined under dental microscope. Three new specimens were cut, and the
      morphologies of the cement-dentin interface were observed under scanning electron
      microscope (SEM). RESULTS: The shear bond strength in the A group, B group and C
      group was (8.55+/-0.63), (8.47+/-0.56) and (12.97+/- 0.59) MPa, respectively. The
      difference between A group and B group was no statistically significant (P>0.05),
      whereas the difference between C group and B group (or A group) was statistically
      significant (P<0.05). SEM observation of the cement-dentin interface in the C
      group showed good adaptation, but resin tags were not observed. The other two
      groups showed poor bonding interface. Most of the fractured adhesive dentin
      surfaces exhibited cohesive failure in the A group and B group. All the fractured
      adhesive dentin surfaces exhibited cohesive failure in the C group. CONCLUSION:
      1% NaClO can increase the bond strength of self-adhesive resin cement to dentin,
      but 3%EDTA has no effect.

PMID- 26281264
TI  - [Analysis of different endodontic sealers and strategies of root canal irrigation
      on the bond strength of fiber posts].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of eugenol-containing and resin-containing
      endodontic sealers on the bond strength of fiber posts using different strategies
      of root canal irrigation. METHODS: Forty-eight mandibular premolars were
      endodontically treated. The specimens were randomly assigned into two groups
      according to different endodontic sealers. Group A used Endofil (eugenol
      containing endodontic sealer), and group B used AH-plus (resin-containing
      endodontic sealer). After post space preparation, each group was randomly
      assigned into three subgroups according to the strategies of root canal
      irrigation (eight premolars in each subgroup). Group Al and B1: 0.9%NaCl
      irrigation; Group A2 and B2: 17% ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid
      (EDTA)+5.25%NaClO+0.9%NaCl irrigation; Group A3 and B3: ultrasonic agitation
      associated with 1 7%EDTA+5.25%NaClO+0.9%NaCl. One week after the cementation of
      fiber posts using RelyXTM Unicem, a push-out test was performed to measure the
      bond strength of the posts. The microstructure of the root canal surface was
      examined under scanning electron microscope (SEM). RESULTS: The bond strengths of
      the six groups were as follows: Al (7.96+/-2.23) MPa, A2 (9.95+/-2.89) MPa, A3
      (18.88+/-3.69) MPa, B1 (11.41+/-3.71) MPa, B2 (14.00+/-4.04) MPa, and B3 (19.14+/
      3.27) MPa. Statistical analysis revealed a significant interaction between the
      different endodontic sealers and the strategies of root canal irrigation
      (P<0.05). Lower bond strength was found in group Al but not in group BI (P<0.05),
      and the same result was revealed when comparing group A2 and B2. No significant
      difference was observed between group A3 and B3 (P>0.05). SEM showed that the
      root canal in group A3 and B3 achieved the cleanest surface with nearly all
      dentine tubules opened. CONCLUSION: The eugenol-containing endodontic sealer can
      impair the bond strength of fiber posts compared with the resin-containing sealer
      when the root canal is irrigated by 0.9% NaCl or 17%EDTA+5.25%NaClO+0.9%NaC. No
      difference was observed between the two sealers when using 17%EDTA+5.25%
      NaCIO+0.9%NaCl combined with ultrasonic irrigation.

PMID- 26281265
TI  - [Precision stomatology: current status and challenges].
AB  - The completion of human genome project and the progress in medical practice have
      inevitably lead to the development of precision medicine, which is a medical
      model that proposes the customization of medical care including medical
      decisions, practices, and/or medical products with patient's genetic background,
      environmental factors and life behavior being taken into account. The current
      work proposed precision stomatology for the first time, and by integrating data
      reported in recent literature, we described the current practice of precision
      stomatology in multiple disciplines in modem dentistry. The clinical significance
      of precision stomatology and its future challenges have also been discussed.

PMID- 26281266
TI  - [Application of surgical navigation technology in the treatment of zygomatic
      fracture].
AB  - Zygomatic fracture is one of the most common mid-facial fractures. Zygomatic
      fracture often leads to open-mouth and chewing dysfunctions, which are often
      associated with pronounced zygomatic facial deformity, causing psychological and
      physiological problems in patients. The complicated anatomical structures
      associated with zygomatic fracture often make treatment difficult. Surgical
      navigation technology provides a new auxiliary method for improving the treatment
      results for zygomatic fracture. This review aims to provide a comprehensive
      overview of the application of surgical navigation technology in the treatment of
      zygomatic fracture.

PMID- 26281267
TI  - [Perforated maxillofacial defect repaired by anteromedial thigh flap instead of
      anterolateral thigh flap: a case report].
AB  - Anterolateral thigh flap is perfect for reconstructing maxillofacial soft tissue
      defects. This tissue has been widely used by clinicians, but often causes
      operation difficulties because of vascular variation. In this paper, we report a
      case where anteromedial thigh was used as new donor site when the vascular
      anatomic variation of anterolateral thigh perforator flap induced a failure in
      the flap harvest. Moreover, this paper discusses the anatomy and application of
      anteromedial thigh flap.

PMID- 26281268
TI  - [Maxillary first molar with twin-root canal in palatal side: two case reports].
AB  - Maxillary first molar with twin-root canal in palatal side is rare. This article
      described two cases of maxillary first molar with twin-root canal. A properly
      designed and prepared access of the cavity is helpful for the diagnosis and
      negotiation of the root canal morphology.

PMID- 26281269
TI  - Medical-Legal Partnerships: Making A Difference in Children's Health Care.

PMID- 26281270
TI  - Handle with Care: Top Ten Tips a Nurse Should Know Before Caring For a
      Hospitalized Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
AB  - The diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder is on the rise in the United States.
      More children with this disorder are requiring hospitalization and have an
      extended length of stay once hospitalized. The pediatric nurse is often unaware
      of or unprepared to offer the care that this special population requires. Sharing
      information obtained through repeated encounters with this population may lead to
      a less stressful and safer hospital stay for the child with autism, the family,
      and the pediatric nurse. Items about which the nurse should be aware when caring
      for a child with autism include the symptoms of autism spectrum disorder, the
      importance of family involvement, identifying the best way to communicate with
      the child, minimizing change, incorporating the child's home routine into the
      stay, creating a safe environment, identifying emotional disturbances, involving
      a multi-disciplinary team of experts on admission, listening to the family, and
      creating a record of this information to be shared among staff members.

PMID- 26281271
TI  - What Is It Like to Be a Child with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus?
AB  - Diabetes mellitus is a complex disease that requires significant changes in
      lifestyle upon diagnosis, which may be difficult for children because of
      differences in growth and developmental levels. The purpose of this study was to
      increase our understanding of "what it is like" to be a child with type 1
      diabetes mellitus and explore factors that interfere with disease management.
      Qualitative interviews using puppets constructed by children 7 to 12 years of age
      were conducted during clinic visits. The interviewer engaged in conversations to
      examine thoughts, feelings, and daily experiences with the management of
      diabetes. Results indicated that the children (N = 19) expressed emotions and
      psychosocial factors that may interfere with their ability to manage diabetes.
      These included conflicting desires, insecurity, fear, pain, inadequate knowledge,
      worry about long-term effects, prejudice, rejection, and shame. Findings suggest
      that during patient teaching at the time of diagnoses and follow-up clinic
      visits, clinicians address not only the physical aspects of the disease (blood
      sugar monitoring, insulin administration, diet and exercise management) but also
      examine emotional and psychosocial needs, and discuss strategies that will
      promote positive coping as children live with the complexities of growing up with
      diabetes.

PMID- 26281272
TI  - Child Witness to Domestic Abuse: Baseline Data Analysis for a Seven-Year
      Prospective Study.
AB  - Children who witness the abuse of their mother by an intimate partner suffer
      negative effects on behavioral functioning. In this study, 300 abused women
      seeking services for abuse were interviewed regarding how often their child had
      witnessed the abuse. Baseline data for this study found that boys who witnessed
      abuse had externalizing and internalizing behavioral problems comparable to boys
      in clinical treatment. Girls did not display clinically significant behaviors.
      For evidence-based programs to interrupt the effect of witness to violence on
      children, empirical data that are gender-specific are needed. Findings support
      the need to screen mothers for abuse during well-child visits and offer education
      to all mothers on the possible effects of child witness to violence in the home.

PMID- 26281273
TI  - Prospective Studies: Looking for Correlations.

PMID- 26281274
TI  - Parental Vigilance in Caring for Their Children with Hypoplastic Left Heart
      Syndrome.
AB  - Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is a complex heart malformation that
      requires life-saving treatments. Parents experience numerous challenges as they
      learn to parent a child with complex care requirements. The following research
      question guided this qualitative study: Is the parenting process among parents of
      a child with HLHS characterized by exaggerated vigilant parental action, and if
      so, how does this influence parental response? Situated within a larger program
      of pediatric cardiology research, this study included data from two grounded
      theory studies with parents of children with HLHS. This secondary analysis
      involved a thematic content analysis using sensitizing concepts of uncertainty,
      protectiveness, support, and mastery of complex care. Transcribed data from 55
      interviews with 24 mothers and 17 fathers of young children with HLHS were
      analyzed for relevant and recurring themes. In mastering skills required to care
      for their child with HLHS, parents contrasted what was in their hands with what
      was out of their hands. Vigilant parental actions were evident as parents became
      skilled at providing complex care. Parents said they were sometimes excessive in
      their vigilant actions. In retrospect they viewed this vigilance as appropriate
      in some situations but exaggerated in other situations. Understanding parents'
      vigilant actions in response to their child's complex care can guide health care
      providers' interactions with families. Long-term follow up, both clinically and
      through research, is needed to assess the long-term consequences of exaggerated
      vigilant parental action on the child, parent, and family, and to determine and
      evaluate appropriate and timely intervention.

PMID- 26281275
TI  - Climate Change: It's Our Problem.

PMID- 26281276
TI  - A 16-Year-Old Female with Nipple Discharge.

PMID- 26281277
TI  - Risk-Adjusted Staffing to Improve Patient Value.
AB  - The presence of hospital-acquired conditions, infections, or other adverse events
      are a reflection of inadequate patient safety and can have short and long-term
      impacts of quality of life for patients as well as financial implications for the
      hospital. Using unit-level information to develop a tool, the Patient Risk
      Assessment Profile, nurses on an inpatient surgical unit proactively assessed
      patient risk to guide staffing decisions and nurse-patient assignment with the
      goal to improve patient value, reduce adverse events, and avoid unnecessary
      hospital costs. Findings showed decreased adverse event rates for patient falls,
      catheter-acquired urinary tract infection, central line-acquired blood stream
      infection, and pressure ulcer prevalence after the intervention was implemented.
      In addition, end-of-shift over-time and patient cost per case decreased as well
      yielding an operational impact in hospital financial performance.

PMID- 26281278
TI  - Nurse Fatigue and Shift Length: A Pilot Study.
AB  - Increasing emphasis on patient quality and concerns about the impact of health
      care worker fatigue has stimulated efforts for leaders to address patient quality
      and caregiver satisfaction. Shift length has been associated with nurse fatigue
      and has become a growing concern in the United States with the routine shift
      length of 12 hours. In this project, shift lengths from 12 hours to 8 hours for a
      4-week period to evaluate fatigue levels associated with 12-hour and 8-hour
      shifts. Lessons learned from this experience: nurses are agreeable to try a
      proposed change, numerous ideas should be tried to develop additional innovative
      solutions to the issue of nurse fatigue, and nurses may not want to work 5 days
      per week.

PMID- 26281279
TI  - Modifying State Laws for Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants Can Reduce
      Cost Of Medical Services.
AB  - "Bending the cost curve" for health care services in the United States challenges
      policymakers. A cost analysis was undertaken based on what would occur if more
      physician assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners (NPs) per capita were deployed
      over a 10-year period. The State of Alabama was used as a case study because it
      is one of a handful of U.S. states with restrictive legislation impacting the
      scope of practice of PAs and NPs. Changing PA and NP scope of practice
      legislation in Alabama to match states in the upper quartile of collaborative
      legislation such as Washington and Arizona would increase the employment and
      distribution of PAs and NPs. Even modest changes in legislation will result in a
      net savings of $729 million over the 10-year period. Underutilization of PAs and
      NPs by restrictive licensure inhibits the cost benefits of increasing the supply
      of PAs and NPs and reducing the reliance on a stagnant supply of primary care
      physicians in meeting the needs of its citizens.

PMID- 26281281
TI  - Greater than the Sum of the Parts.

PMID- 26281280
TI  - The Relationship Between Registered Nurses and Nursing Home Quality: An
      Integrative Review (2008-2014).
AB  - Nursing home care is expensive; second only to acute hospital care for inpatient
      Medicare costs. The increased focus on costs of care accrued by Medicare
      beneficiaries in nursing homes presents a valuable opportunity for registered
      nurses (RNs) to further demonstrate quantitatively the value they add to the
      capacity of the nursing home nursing skill mix to provide cost-effective and
      efficient quality care. Most of the studies included in this review consistently
      reported that higher RN staffing and higher ratios of RNs in the nursing skill
      mix are related to better NH quality. Concerns about the costs of employing more
      highly skilled RNs and directors of nursing that have the potential to positively
      influence members of the nursing skill mix will continue to influence nursing
      home industry hiring practices. For both the advancement of nursing as an applied
      science and the benefit of society at large, nursing researchers are challenged
      to better demonstrate how the increased presence of a RN on each shift has the
      potential to enhance the cost effectiveness, efficiency, and quality of nursing
      homes.

PMID- 26281282
TI  - The World Health Organization: Is It Still Relevant?
AB  - The World Health Organization (WHO) is the United Nation's lead agency for
      directing and coordinating health. As leaders, nurse executives must advocate for
      a stronger nursing and midwifery health policy agenda at the global level and a
      seat at the table on WHO's technical advisory bodies and expert committees. There
      are no more borders as nurse executives; we are global citizens, leading global
      change. Nurse leaders hold the master key to shape the world's policies for
      sustainable global development.

PMID- 26281283
TI  - The Disease of 'Busyness'.
AB  - Busyness is anything but impressive, especially when coming from a leader. Sadly,
      busyness keeps nurse leaders from more worthwhile and important things in their
      lives, such as authentic, vulnerable relationships. Our collective busyness has
      become an offensive disease. We have the ability to change our lives internally
      and externally, professionally and personally. We have nothing to lose but stress
      and the voice of an unnecessary taskmaster who is continually demanding more and
      is never satisfied. We'll gain a sense of peace, purpose, health, mindful
      leadership, and a good dose of meaning and self-respect.

PMID- 26281284
TI  - [10 years Scientific Institute of Private Health Insurance (WIP)].

PMID- 26281286
TI  - [Patients' rights--doctors' duties].
AB  - On 26 February 2013 the new "Law on Patients' Rights" (hereinafter also the
      "Law") became effective. This Law strengthens patients' rights vis-a-vis the
      insurdnce company and also regulates patients' rights regarding their relation to
      the doctor. This has consequences for the laws on medical liability all doctors
      must consider. The doctor's performance is and remains a service and such service
      does not hold any guarantee of success. Nevertheless, this Law primarily reads as
      a "law on the duties of physicians". To duly take into account these duties and
      to avoid mistakes and misinterpretation of the Law, the Ethics Committee of the
      Consortium of Osteosynthesis Trauma Germany (AOTRAUMA-D) has drafted comments on
      the Law. Brief summaries of its effects are to be found at the end of the
      respective comment under the heading "Consequences for Practice". The text of the
      law was influenced particularly by case law, as continuously developed by the
      German Federal Court of Justice ("BGH"). The implementation of the Law on
      Patients' Rights was effected by the newly inserted sections 630a to 630h of the
      German Civil Code (the "BGB"), which are analysed below. The following comments
      are addressed to physicians only and do not deal with the specific requirements
      and particularities of the other medical professions such as physiotherapy,
      midwifery and others so on. Special attention should be paid to the comments on
      the newly inserted Duty to inform, which has to be fullfilled prior to any
      diagnostic or therapeutic procedure (sec. 630c para 2 sentence 1 BGB). Under
      certain conditions the doctor also has to inform the patient about the
      circumstances that lead to the presumed occurance of a therapeutic or diagnostic
      malpractice (sec. 630c para. 2 sentence 2 BGB), based on the manifestation of an
      undesired event or an undesired outcome. As before, the patient's valid consent
      to any procedure (sec. 630d BGB) is directly linked to the comprehensive and
      timely provision of information (sec. 630e BGB). Comprehensive documentation
      obligations regarding all procedures are stipulated in sec. 630f BGB. As before,
      the burden of proof still rests with the patient, unless a severe malpractice has
      been established (sec. 630h BGB). The definition of "severe malpractice" remains
      unchanged and is based on the case law of the Federal Court of Justice (BGH). The
      patient's obligations to preserve his or her health and to actively support the
      process of recovery and securing a positive outcome of the treatment are not
      explicitly mentioned in the Law. Nevertheless, the patient and the physician need
      to work closely together to achieve a successful result of the treatment. In case
      the patient does not give his or her cooperation, the physician should consider
      terminating the treatment relationship.

PMID- 26281285
TI  - [Financial incentives on weight loss after rehabilitation].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Increasing rates of obesity and associated diseases and their
      consequences make the implementation of preventive and counteracting measures
      necessary. The aim of this study was the examination of the long-term effects of
      financial incentives on weight loss in obese patients and the identification of
      influencing factors. METHODS: 700 obese patients were randomly assigned to one of
      three study conditions: For reaching a pre-defined target weight within 4 months
      they were rewarded with Euro 150, Euro 300 or not at all. The effect of the
      incentives on weight loss in different subgroups was compared. After 18 months,
      other possible influences on weight loss were analyzed by comparing responders
      and non-responders. RESULTS: Financial rewards led to significant weight loss in
      all subgroups, whereupon the height of the incentive only mattered in some. After
      22 months, for several subgroups, the incentive's effect was still visible.
      Furthermore, responders showed more healthy behaviour, were better informed and
      reported more social support. CONCLUSION: Especially for patient groups who do
      not lose weight in orthodox treatments alone, financial incentives can be an
      effective supplement. In addition it became clear that this kind of reward
      programme can be implemented area-wide.

PMID- 26281287
TI  - [How do physicians code the motoric variable of the Glasgow-Coma-Score?].
AB  - A mere 14% gave the right answer according the guidelines: Code the "best motoric
      answer" of the "upper limb". 86% coded the Glasgow-Coma-Score for the motoric
      variable falsely and inconsistently. Additionally, the rate of correct answers
      were higher in physicians in training (37.5%) than in qualified and certified
      emergency doctors (5%). Emergency doctors post training stated in 68% instances
      that the variable should be coded according to the neurological results at the
      upper or lower extremity. Furthermore, they stated that the worst neurological
      result should be coded (43%). From our data, it appears that the coding of the
      motoric variable is not done according to the guidelines or is done
      inconsistently. There are compelling reasons for coding the worst result.
      However, this procedure is contrary to the guidelines presented by literature.
      These guideline have never been withdrawn. Emergency doctors obviously code the
      motoric variable of the Glasgow-Coma-Score with knowledge about the
      pathophysiology of traumatic brain injuries. The Glasgow-Coma-Score is used for
      coding the level of consciousness at the site of accident, on admission, for
      prognosis, in clinical studies and in forensic controversies. Its sensitivity for
      depth of coma depends on the quality of coding the motoric answer. We interviewed
      165 emergency doctors (in training and post training) about the guidelines for
      coding the motoric variable of the Glasgow-Coma-Score.

PMID- 26281288
TI  - [The relevance of multiple sclerosis drugs in private health insurance (PHI)].
AB  - The development of expenses and prescriptions in the pharmacotherapy for multiple
      sclerosis (MS) is examined on the basis of prescription data of 14 PHI firms. The
      drugs for the treatment of MS are among the most top-selling drugs in the PHI.
      From 2007 to 2012, the expenses increase 2.33-fold. The main cause is the increas
      of the prescription figures. In 2012, about 8,400 privately insured persons
      receive an MS drug. The prevalence of MS is 2.3 times higher in women than in men
      Impro ved diagnostic possibilities and expensive new drugs will lead to a dynamic
      cost de velopment in the next years.

PMID- 26281289
TI  - [Chronic elevation of IGF-1 concentrations in a 54-year-old female with
      acromegalic appearance and somatoform disorder as a challenge to medical
      opinion].
AB  - A 54-year-old woman was referred to the psychiatric clinic with complex somatic
      whole-body complaints. In absence of organic findings, the diagnosis of
      somatoform disorder (somatization disorder ICD 10 F45.0) was made. Additionally,
      due to the typical appearance and chronically elevated IGF-1 (somatomedin C)
      concentrations, the critical diagnosis of acromegaly was postulated, although no
      hypophyseal adenoma was detected. The patient was variously assessed and 16
      medical and rehabilitation opinions were given with regard to invalidity,
      particularly by orthopaedic and neurologic specialists. The results varied, even
      diametrically opposed. However, somatoform disorders or acromegalic appearance
      and possible medical consequences were not considered sufficiently. The case
      report encourages experts to deal with complex psychosomatic complaints
      objectively and unemotionally in medical opinions.

PMID- 26281290
TI  - [Guideline and medical standard].

PMID- 26281291
TI  - [Will work disability due to PTSD soon no longer be an option?].

PMID- 26281292
TI  - [How much physical therapy in chronic pain of the musculoskeletal system is
      medically necessary?].

PMID- 26281293
TI  - [Treatment of back pains with biophysical quantum medicine. Is the biofield test
      a medically necessary diagnostic technique?].

PMID- 26281294
TI  - [Insurance medicine evaluation of traumatic rotator cuff rupture].

PMID- 26281295
TI  - [ Comment on G.-M Ostendorf: Current treatment concepts in traditional Chinese
      medicine. Versicherungsmedizin 66 (2014) Heft 4, S. 208].

PMID- 26281296
TI  - [Comment on R. Hakimi].

PMID- 26281298
TI  - [Exploration of novel therapeutic targets for neuropathic pain based on the
      regulation of immune cells].
AB  - The pathogenesis of neuropathic pain is quite complicated and diverse. Because
      pre-existing analgesics, such as opioid analgesics and nonsteroidal anti
      inflammatory drugs, are not sufficient to treat it, it is a serious task to
      establish a strategy of remedy for neuropathic pain. Recently, increasing
      evidence suggests that immune cell-mediated neuroinflammation in the nervous
      system induces central and peripheral sensitization, resulting in chronic pain.
      Initially, the immune system plays an important role in host defense. Although
      intravital homeostasis is kept constant by innate and adaptive immunity, the
      immune system is activated excessively due to infection, stress and tissue
      injury. Activated immune cells produce and release several kinds of inflammatory
      mediators, which act directly on sensory neurons and promote a recruitment of
      immune cells, developing the feedback loop of inflammatory exacerbation. We've
      focused on the role of crosstalk between immune cells and neurons in peripheral
      neuroinflammation, and explored a novel candidate for a remedy of neuropathic
      pain. In this review, we will introduce recent reports and our research work that
      suggest the functional significance of neuroinflammation in neuropathic pain, and
      survey possibilities of new strategies for chronic pain from the point of view of
      basic research.

PMID- 26281299
TI  - [Association between GSK3beta polymorphisms and the smoking habits in young
      Japanese].
AB  - Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder show high comorbidity with smoking dependence.
      Several previous studies reported that glycogen synthase kinase 3beta (GSK3beta),
      which is widely expressed in the brain including the dopamine projection areas
      such as the amygdala, nucleus accumbens and hippocampus, may play a role in
      neuropsychiatric disorders and dopamine- and serotonin-mediated behavior. In this
      study, we have analyzed the association of three single nucleotide polymorphisms
      (SNPs) within GSK3beta gene (rs3755557, rs334558, rs6438552) with the smoking
      habits and age at smoking initiation in a sample of 384 young adult Japanese,
      which included 172 smokers and 212 non-smokers. As a result, rs334558 was
      significantly associated with smoking habits in genotype frequency and allelic
      frequency (P < 0.05). Furthermore, higher haplotype 3 (T-T-T) and haplotype 5 (A
      T-C) frequencies were observed in non-smokers than smokers (P < 0.05). Three
      functional polymorphisms examined in this study reportedly increase
      transcriptional activity when they have a high-activation allele such as the A
      allele of -1727A/T (rs3755557), the T allele of -50T/C (rs334558) or T allele of 
      157T/C (rs6438552). Thus, it was suggested in this study that changes in GSK3beta
      activity may have an impact on smoking habits.

PMID- 26281300
TI  - [Molecular biological properties of the Epstein-Barr virus LMP1 gene: structure,
      function and polymorphism].
AB  - Recent studies indicate that the latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) encoded by the
      same name gene of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) plays an extremely important role
      in the pathogenesis of a number of malignant neoplasia. Specifically, LMP1 has
      the ability to transform human B-lymphocytes in vivo and in vitro and rodent
      fibroblasts (Rat-1) in vitro. The introduction of the latter into athymic mice
      leads to tumor development. In addition, expression of the oncoprotein has been
      often found in EBV-associated tumors at the DNA and constantly at the RNA levels.
      Having pleiotropic effects, LMP1, participates in the transmission and activation
      of multiple intracellular signals. It is also involved in the inhibition of key
      tumor suppressors, has significant influence on proliferation, apoptosis and
      morphological alteration of the infected cells finally resulting in their
      transformation. General characteristics of EBV and LMP1 gene as well as
      functional activity of the encoded LMP1 protein and a brief description of human
      pathologies associated with the virus have been discussed in this review. The
      questions concerning the polymorphism LMP1 in EBV-associated pathologies have
      been also analyzed in details.

PMID- 26281301
TI  - [The vaccines based on the replicon of the venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis
      virus against viral hemorrhagic fevers].
AB  - The status of the various recombinant DNA and RNA-derived candidate vaccines, as
      well as the Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis virus (VEEV) replicon vaccine
      system against extremely hazardous viral hemorrhagic fevers, were reviewed. The
      VEEV-based replication-incompetent vectors offer attractive features in terms of
      safety, high expression levels of the heterologous viral antigen, tropism to
      dendritic cells, robust immune responses, protection efficacy, low potential for
      pre-existing anti-vector immunity and possibility of engineering multivalent
      vaccines were tested. These features of the VEEV replicon system hold much
      promise for the development of new generation vaccine candidates against viral
      hemorrhagic fevers.

PMID- 26281302
TI  - [Comparison of the influenza epidemics in Russia caused by the pandemic virus
      A(H1N1)pdm09 within the period from 2009 to 2013].
AB  - Comparative analysis of the three past epidemics with the participation of the
      pandemic influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 was conducted according to the results of the
      epidemiological trials of two WHO National influenza centers for the morbidity,
      hospitalization, and mortality of the influenza in 59 cities of Russia for the
      period from 2009 to 2013. The first wave of the pandemic of 2009 was the most
      severe. Compared with this wave, during the next epidemics of 2011 and 2013, the
      involvement of urban population in the epidemic was reduced, as well as the
      morbidity in the people 15-64 years old and schoolchildren 7-14 years old. The
      duration of the epidemic among the adult population, the mortality rate of the
      total population, and the mortality rates in all age groups were also decreased.
      Vice versa, the incidence in the children of preschool age and the elderly people
      and the duration of the epidemic among children (especially preschool children)
      were increased. The share of patients 65 years and older, children 0-2 years old,
      and patients with pathology of the cardiovascular systems among the deceased
      patients increased to 33.6%.

PMID- 26281303
TI  - [Comparative study of carbon nanotubes and polymer composites with silver as
      sorbents of the influenza A and B viruses].
AB  - The comparative examination of the interaction of the influenza A and B viruses
      and fragments of DNA with the carbon nanotubes--composites of polyaniline (PANI)
      nanotubes and granules containing Ag and without Ag was performed. The increased
      absorption of the allantois viruses and DNA was demonstrated in composites with
      Ag. The influence of temperature in the range of 4-36 degrees C was not found to
      be essential. The intensive absorption took place within the first 15 min of the
      contact with the sorbents. In total, the properties of the composites of PANI
      nanotubes + Ag 30% are the most promising for the influenza viruses and DNA
      absorption in water solutions.

PMID- 26281304
TI  - [The prevalence of the human rhinoviruses and coronaviruses circulating in the
      Moscow region during 2007-2012].
AB  - The rhinoviruses and coronaviruses are the most common causative agents of the
      acute upper respiratory tract infection in humans. They include several species
      that vary in the pathogenicity, some causing severe respiratory tract diseases.
      In this work, the species prevalence of rhinoviruses and coronaviruses was
      studied in 92 virus-positive clinical patients that were collected at the area of
      the Moscow region during the period from 2007 to 2012. Using the real-time PCR
      the virus circulation has been established for all species common in humans,
      including three rhinoviruses, HRV A, HRV B, and HRV C, and four coronaviruses,
      HCoV-NL63, HCoV-229E, HCoV-OC43, and HCoV-HKU1. For eight patients, the identity
      of the rhinoviruses, including 4 cases of HRV-C, 3 cases of HRV-A, and a single
      case of HRV-B, was corroborated using partial sequencing of the 5 non-coding
      regions and phylogenetic analysis. The viruses of HRV-C, HCoV-NL63, and HCoV-OC43
      were prevalent in children with severe respiratory diseases.

PMID- 26281305
TI  - [The ARI etiology among children in Belarus in 2011-2012].
AB  - The seasonal distribution of the respiratory viruses for the period of 2011-2012
      is presented. The ARI etiological structure among children 0-17 years, who were
      admitted to the hospital for respiratory disease in Belarus, was defined by the
      PCR-method. It was found that the etiological agents of the infections were not
      only influenza viruses A and B, parainfluenza types 1-4, adeno- and respiratory
      syncytial viruses, but also described boca- and metapneumoviruses. The most
      complete spectrum of the respiratory viruses was detected among children aged 0-4
      years.

PMID- 26281306
TI  - [A study of the HIV-1 regulatory genes using the polymerase chain reaction].
AB  - In this work, a total of 200 samples from the HIV-infected individuals were
      analyzed: 50 samples from the Saha Republic (Yakutia), 50 samples from the
      Vologda Region (City of Cherepovets), and 100 samples from the Moscow Region
      (Moscow and Moscow Region). All samples were obtained from the patients who were
      not undergoing antiretroviral therapy. It was detected that the regulatory genes
      vif, vpr, vpu, rev, tat, and nef were amplified with moderate sensitivity after
      one-stage amplification. When those samples were analyzed by the nested PCR the
      detection ratio was much higher. While studying nef-gene the phenomena of the
      splicing in cells cores was detected at the advanced stages of the HIV-infection
      (3 and 4 stages). At the same time, the splicing was not detected at the earlier
      stages of the HIV-infection. This effect might be the cause of the transition
      from asymptomatic stage of the infection to the advanced stage. It was also shown
      for the first time that the variability of the regulatory genes correlated with
      the virus subtype.

PMID- 26281307
TI  - [Detection of potential sites of recombination in the Tick-borne encephalitis
      virus by the methods of comparative genomics].
AB  - The results of the bioinformatic search for the potential sites of the
      recombination in the genome-wide structures of the tick-borne encephalitis virus
      (TBEV) through a series of software techniques were presented in this work. The
      genomes of the 55 TBEV strains were assayed, 21 of them showed the presence of
      the recombination sites. Recombinant strains belonged to the Far Eastern (19
      strains) and European (2 strains) genotypes. 22 sites of the recombination
      attributed were identified to five types based on position, strain, and regional
      characteristics. The parental strains were identified based on the genotypic and
      geographical parameters, which do not contradict the possibility of the formation
      of the recombinants. Nearly two-thirds of the sites are located in the regions of
      NS4a and NS4b genes, which are the "hot spots" of the recombination, most of them
      being concentrated in the gene NS4. It was shown that the recombination processes
      did not occur at the level of the genotypes (European genotype) or certain groups
      within the genotype (Far East) and were typical of the peripheral populations.

PMID- 26281308
TI  - Does Glp-2 have a protective effect on cerebral ischemia/reperfusion model?
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: To investigate the neuroprotective effects of glucagon-like
      peptide 2 (Glp-2), which increases cerebral blood flow, on the hippocampal
      complex after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Animals were randomized into 4 groups: sham, I/R + 0.9% NaCl, I/R + pre
      Glp-2, and I/R + post-Glp-2. Cerebral ischemia was performed via the occlusion of
      the bilateral internal carotid artery for 40 min and continued with a reperfusion
      process. At the end of 6 h of reperfusion, animals were decapitated in all groups
      and brain tissues were removed. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and natural intracellular
      antioxidant glutathione (GSH) levels and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities were
      measured in the left hippocampal tissue. The right hippocampal tissues of all
      group members were taken for histopathologic study. RESULTS: MDA levels and MPO
      activities increased from Group I to Group II and decreased from Group II to
      Groups III and IV. On the other hand, GSH levels were not significantly different
      among the groups. The number of apoptotic hippocampal tissue cells increased from
      Group I to Group II and decreased from Group II to Groups III and IV. CONCLUSION:
      Our preliminary study revealed that Glp-2 treatment may decrease oxidative damage
      from I/R in cerebral tissue.

PMID- 26281309
TI  - Effects of prenatally exposed diclofenac sodium on rat heart tissue: a
      stereological and histological study.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: Diclofenac sodium (DS) can cross the placental barrier and affect
      the fetus, and its consumption during pregnancy may cause developmental
      malformation of embryos. This study investigates the effect of prenatally applied
      DS on the quantitative morphology of the adult rat heart. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Pregnant rats were divided into three groups (control, sham, and test). The rats
      in the test group were injected with DS; the control group received physiological
      saline (1 mL; 1 mg/kg, i.m.) from the 5th to the 20th day of pregnancy; and the
      rats in the sham group were not injected at all. At the 20th postnatal week, all
      the offspring were euthanized under deep anesthesia and tissue samples were
      obtained by perfusion fixation. After routine histological procedures, the
      paraffin sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and examined
      stereologically and histologically. RESULTS: The volume of the cardiac ventricle
      wall of each offspring rat was estimated using Cavalieri's principle. The volume
      of the ventricle walls of the test group was found to be significantly less than
      that of the controls. CONCLUSION: Further studies are required to determine how
      DS has this effect, by reducing the number of myocytes and decreasing the size of
      these cells affecting the connective tissue.

PMID- 26281310
TI  - The expression profile of aquaporin 1 in rat myocardium after severe burns.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: To investigate the myocardial expression profile of aquaporin 1
      (AQP1) in rats after severe burns. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety healthy male
      adult Wistar rats were randomly assigned to the following treatments: sham
      operation (control group, n = 6), immediate fluid resuscitation treatment post
      scalding (IF group, n = 42), and delayed fluid resuscitation treatment after
      scalding (DF group, n = 42). At 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 120 h after scalding,
      myocardial water contents were assayed and AQP1 expressions were detected by real
      time polymerase chain reaction and western blot. The AQP levels in the myocardium
      at 12 h after scalding were assayed by gene microarrays. RESULTS: Scald injuries
      resulted in significantly synchronized increases in the myocardial water contents
      and the myocardial mRNA and protein expression of AQP1, with a peak at 12 h after
      scalding. Rats receiving delayed fluid resuscitation treatment had more severe
      myocardial edema and significantly higher myocardial AQP1 expressions than the
      rats receiving immediate fluid resuscitation treatment. The mRNAs of 6 other AQPs
      (AQP2, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 12b) were found to be changed in the myocardium among rats
      with different treatments. CONCLUSION: AQP1 may play a functional role in the
      development of myocardial edema after scalding. Targeting AQP1 may provide
      opportunities for therapeutic intervention in myocardial edema following severe
      burns.

PMID- 26281311
TI  - Effects of grape seed extract on oxidative stress and antioxidant defense markers
      in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: To evaluate the effects of grape seed extract (GSE)
      supplementation on oxidative stress and antioxidant markers in streptozotocin
      (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six male rats were
      divided into the following four groups: control, GSE-supplemented control,
      diabetic, and GSE-supplemented diabetic. Beginning on day 7 after STZ injection,
      the rats were administered GSE (100 mg kg(-1) day(-1) in drinking water for 6
      weeks. At the end of week 6, rats were sacrificed by cardiac puncture. Plasma
      nitric oxide (NO) levels and xanthine oxidase (XO), adenosine deaminase (ADA),
      and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities were analyzed. RESULTS: Both XO and
      ADA activities increased and NO levels decreased in diabetic rats (P < 0.05). GSE
      supplementation normalized all of these changes. Antioxidant enzyme activities
      decreased in diabetic rats compared to the controls (P < 0.05). GSE
      supplementation increased antioxidant enzyme activities in both diabetic and
      healthy rats (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that 6 weeks of oral
      GSE supplementation may prevent oxidative stress and improve antioxidant status
      in diabetic rats.

PMID- 26281312
TI  - Toxic potentials of ten herbs commonly used for aphrodisiac effect in Turkey.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: Sexual dysfunction is a serious problem worldwide. In Turkey,
      herbal products are used by some people suffering from sexual dysfunction.
      Despite their therapeutic advantages, some constituents of herbs are potentially
      toxic and pose health risks because they can be bought from the market without a
      prescription. Therefore, we aimed to determine the safety of herbs possessing
      aphrodisiac effects, chosen on the basis of their frequency of medicinal use and
      commercial importance in Turkey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten herbs (Anethum
      graveolens, Carthamus tinctorius, Citrus aurantium, Cocos nucifera, Glycyrrhiza
      glabra, Melissa officinalis, Nigella arvensis, Pinus pinea, Prunus mahaleb, and
      Zingiber officinale) were extracted with water, methanol, and chloroform. The
      cyto- and genotoxic potentials of the extracts were assessed using an MTT test on
      a rat kidney cell line and an Ames assay in Salmonella typhimurium strains,
      respectively. RESULTS: In the cytotoxic evaluation, IC50 values were 1.51-31.4
      mg/mL for the methanol and chloroform extracts, while the water extracts were not
      cytotoxic. In the genotoxic evaluation, it was revealed that the water extracts
      had more mutagenic activity than the chloroform and methanol extracts. Water
      extract of M. officinalis was shown to have the most genotoxic activities to
      TA100 (+/-S9) and TA98 (-S9). CONCLUSION: These results might be useful in
      determining the toxic effects of herbs and lead to precautions being taken in
      regards to their consumption.

PMID- 26281313
TI  - Prevention of methotrexate-induced nephrotoxicity by concomitant administration
      of garlic aqueous extract in rat.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: Methotrexate (MTX) has been widely used for treatment of cancer
      and rheumatoid arthritis, but its use has been limited by its nephrotoxicity.
      This study was carried out to determine whether garlic exerts a protective effect
      against MTX-induced nephrotoxicity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nephrotoxicity was
      induced in rats after a single i.p. injection of MTX (20 mg/kg). Garlic extract
      (1 mL/100 g b.w.) was given orally for 7 days before and after MTX
      administration. Serum samples were collected to evaluate urea, creatinine,
      sodium, phosphorous, potassium, and calcium. Reduced glutathione, catalase,
      adenosine deaminase, nitric oxide, and malondialdehyde were measured in renal
      tissue. Tubular injury was evaluated by histopathological examination. RESULTS:
      MTX increased urea and creatinine levels and led to imbalances in some
      electrolytes. It also depleted renal antioxidant enzyme levels and increased
      malondialdehyde, adenosine deaminase, and nitric oxide levels. Histopathological
      examination showed glomerular and tubular alterations. Pretreatment with garlic
      significantly improved renal function and increased renal antioxidant enzyme
      activities. Furthermore, garlic reduced renal oxidative stress and prevented
      alterations in renal morphology. CONCLUSION: Garlic treatment has a reversible
      biochemical and histological effect upon MTX-induced nephrotoxicity.

PMID- 26281314
TI  - The effect of vitamin E and L-carnitine against methotrexate-induced injury in
      rat testis.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: Methotrexate (MTX), used commonly as an antimetabolite drug in
      cancer therapy, leads to acute toxic side effects in tissues or organs containing
      rapidly dividing cells, such as bone marrow, gastrointestinal mucosa, and
      seminiferous tubules. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of
      vitamin E and L-carnitine against MTX-induced injury in rat testis. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Rats were divided into 4 groups, including the control group. The study
      took 17 days and the animals received daily doses of 0.5 mL/kg saline, 250 mg/kg
      vitamin E, or 500 mg/kg L-carnitine intraperitoneally. The experimental groups
      received 20 mg/kg methotrexate intraperitoneally on days 3 and 10. RESULTS:
      Weight loss, testicular weight loss and marked histological injuries, increased
      malondialdehyde levels, and decreased superoxide dismutase levels were only
      observed in the MTX-treated groups. Vitamin E and L-carnitine treatments did not
      affect MTX-induced weight loss or testicular weight loss, but they inhibited MTX
      induced testicular histological injuries. Vitamin E and L-carnitine treatments
      suppressed the increases in malondialdehyde levels and the decreases in
      superoxide dismutase levels. CONCLUSION: Vitamin E and L-carnitine treatments
      decreased MTX-induced testicular histological injuries, and these results were
      supported by biochemical measurements.

PMID- 26281315
TI  - Chronology of estrogen receptor expression in testes of mouse embryos.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: To localize and determine the time of expression of estrogen
      receptors (ERs) in testes of mouse embryos by histology and immunohistochemistry.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-four mature Swiss-Webster mice (Mus musculus) were
      used. Group 1 consisted of 34 mature pregnant females, 3 of which were sacrificed
      every day from 10.5 to 20.5 days postcoitus (dpc). One testis was removed from
      their embryos and processed for histology and immunohistochemistry. Group 2
      consisted of 20 postnatal mice: 5 postpartum (P0) males, 5 males 4 weeks old, 5
      males 8 weeks old, and 5 females 4 weeks old. RESULTS: The first nuclear
      detection of ERs was observed in embryonic male gonads at 11.5 dpc, and a highly
      significant increase (P < 0.01) was observed at embryonic days 11.5, 13.5, 15.5,
      16.5, 17.5, and 19.5, with a peak at 17.5 dpc and continuing to 20.5 dpc. ER
      expression increased further after birth. CONCLUSION: Expression of ERs occurred
      at certain days during mouse embryonic development, indicating the need for
      estrogen for certain metabolic or morphological events occurring at these days.
      After birth, estrogen played an important role in proliferation and maturation of
      certain cells in the testes. Another rise in ER expression occurred during
      puberty in the mature testis.

PMID- 26281316
TI  - Caffeic acid phenethyl ester protects lung alveolar epithelial cells from
      cigarette smoke-induced damage.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: To evaluate the influence of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE)
      on cigarette smoke (CS)-induced cell damage, oxidative stress, and inflammation
      in human alveolar epithelial cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A549 alveolar
      epithelial cells were divided into control, CS exposure, CAPE, and CS+CAPE
      treatment groups. Undiluted CS-exposed medium (100%) and three dilutions (50%,
      25%, and 10%) of CS-exposed media were applied to cultured A549 cells, which were
      analyzed after 3 h of incubation. Viability was measured by MTT assay, the gene
      expressions were evaluated by real-time PCR, and spectrophotometric techniques
      were used for biochemical assessments. RESULTS: While CS exposure markedly
      reduced cellular viability by 32% after 3 h of incubation, 2.5 uM CAPE treatments
      prevented CS-induced cell death by 40% in the cells. CS exposure triggered lipid
      peroxidation and depleted antioxidant capacity through inhibiting catalase
      activity and depleting glutathione levels. Moreover, CS increased nitric oxide
      production via upregulation of iNOS expression. CAPE treatment significantly
      restored antioxidant capacity and prevented lipid peroxidation. Cigarette smoke
      exposure induced inflammation by significantly upregulating TNF-alpha, IL-1beta,
      and COX-2 mRNA expressions (3-, 2- and 25-fold, respectively). CAPE treatment of
      A549 cells significantly reversed the inflammation. CONCLUSION: CAPE may
      potentially represent a new therapeutic option in the prevention of CS-induced
      lung damages.

PMID- 26281317
TI  - Effect of pioglitazone, quercetin, and hydroxy citric acid on vascular
      endothelial growth factor messenger RNA (VEGF mRNA) expression in experimentally
      induced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is associated with
      various ischemic and inflammatory diseases, and plays an important role in the
      development of liver fibrosis and hepatocarcinogenesis in nonalcoholic
      steatohepatitis (NASH). In this study, the comparative effect of pioglitazone,
      quercetin, and hydroxy citric acid on VEGF mRNA in experimentally induced NASH
      was investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The experimental protocol consisted of
      five groups: control, NASH, NASH + pioglitazone, NASH + quercetin, and NASH +
      hydroxy citric acid. The VEGF mRNA expression was evaluated by reverse
      transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT- PCR) analysis for all experimental
      groups, and the levels of VEGF mRNA were quantitatively measured by densitometry.
      RESULTS: A higher expression of VEGF mRNA was found in the hepatic cells of rats
      with experimentally induced NASH compared to the control group. A very mild
      increase in VEGF mRNA expression was observed in the rats treated with quercetin.
      In contrast, a mild increase in the expression of VEGF mRNA was observed in the
      rats treated with pioglitazone and hydroxy citric acid. CONCLUSION: Quercetin
      exhibited an effective inhibition of VEGF mRNA expression, while a lower
      inhibition of the VEGF mRNA level was observed in the hydroxy citric acid- and
      the pioglitazone-treated rats.

PMID- 26281318
TI  - Characterization of HCV genotype 4d infections in Kayseri, Turkey.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: The frequency of genotype 4 hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections is
      significantly higher in Kayseri compared to other provinces in Turkey. We aimed
      to characterize genotype 4 infections in Kayseri by analyzing the demographic and
      laboratory data of218 HCV RNA-positive, treatment-naive patients admitted to the
      Kayseri Training and Research Hospital in 2010 and 2011. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      The distributions of sex, age, and viral loads of these patients with respect to
      HCV genotypes were analyzed. We also characterized the type 4 sequences at the
      subtype level. Randomly selected sera from 32 of the 72 genotype 4 patients from
      this cohort were subjected to PCR amplification in the NS5B region and further
      characterized by sequencing and phylogenetic and molecular clock analysis.
      RESULTS: Distribution rates of HCV genotypes 1, 4, and 2 in the 218 patients were
      62.4%, 33.0%, and 4.6%, respectively. Most of the patients infected with types 1
      and 4 were over the age of 40 and female. The NS5B sequences of 32 Kayseri
      genotype 4 isolates were closely related with type 4d sequences but formed a
      separate cluster. CONCLUSION: The introduction of type 4d HCV into the Kayseri
      region probably took place 30-75 years ago, as predicted by molecular clock
      analysis.

PMID- 26281319
TI  - Differences in the effectiveness of serum biomarkers for the diagnosis of
      bacterial infections in adult and elderly patients admitted to the emergency
      department.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the superiority of procalcitonin
      (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, white blood cell (WBC) counts, and
      erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in discriminating among infection, systemic
      inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), and sepsis, and their differences
      according to age groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The patients were divided into an
      adult group and a geriatric group (over 65 years) and classified according to the
      presence of infection, SIRS, and sepsis. The patients' laboratory values (PCT,
      CRP, WBC, ESR), demographic characteristics, and vital signs were taken into
      consideration. RESULTS: When the laboratory parameters were evaluated, there were
      no significant differences in the PCT, WBC, and ESR values between the age groups
      (P > 0.05). CRP was significantly higher in the adult patient group compared to
      the geriatric group (P < 0.001). When the two groups were compared in terms of
      infection, there were no significant differences in the PCT levels and the WBC
      count (P > 0.05) in SIRS and sepsis. In addition, the CRP levels and the ESR were
      significantly higher in the adult sepsis patients when compared with the
      geriatric patients (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: PCT levels do not distinguish among
      infection, SIRS, and sepsis in adult and geriatric age groups.

PMID- 26281320
TI  - Prospective investigation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis in patients
      with tularemia.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: To investigate prospectively the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal
      (HPA) axis by adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Tularemia was diagnosed according to guidelines. An ACTH stimulation
      test (1 ug) and a dexamethasone suppression test (DST; 1 mg) were performed in
      patients in the acute phase of tularemia before antibiotic treatment and in the
      chronic phase. RESULTS: Nineteen patients (mean age: 41.0 +/- 13.2 years; 57.9%
      female) with tularemia were enrolled in the study in 2011 and 2012. Cortisol
      response to ACTH stimulation test was sufficient in all patients during the acute
      phase. After the DST, the cortisol was not suppressed during the acute phase in
      only one patient. The median control time of 11 patients after acute tularemia
      was 13 months. During the chronic phase, cortisol response to ACTH stimulation
      was normal in all patients, and after DST cortisol was suppressed in all
      patients. The peak cortisol level after the ACTH stimulation test in the acute
      phase was higher than that in the chronic phase, but the difference was not
      statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The HPA axis of patients with tularemia
      was not significantly affected in the acute and chronic phases.

PMID- 26281321
TI  - Clinical characteristics of 75 pandemic H1N1 influenza patients from Turkey; risk
      factors for fatality.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: The 2009 influenza A (H1N1) pandemic caused mild to severe
      illnesses and led to death in some cases. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the
      relationship between the serum D-dimer levels, CURB-65 scores, and the severity
      of pneumonia among patients with H1N1 infections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty
      eight patients who had probable H1N1 infections were evaluated by clinical,
      radiological, and laboratory methods. The H1N1 strain was specified by reverse
      transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Of 55 patients diagnosed with pneumonia,
      18 exhibited H1N1 positivity and 37 patients did not. RESULTS: CURB-65 scores of
      pneumonia patients with H1N1 (group 1) were higher than those of patients without
      H1N1 (group 2) (P = 0.02). The D-dimer levels of group 1 were higher than those
      of group 2 (P = 0.001). Moreover, there was a positive correlation between D
      dimer levels and CURB-65 scores in patients with H1N1-associated pneumonia (P =
      0.001; r = 0.89). CONCLUSION: Increased D-dimer levels were observed in pneumonia
      patients with H1N1 infection, which predicted the severity of pneumonia.

PMID- 26281322
TI  - Correlation between antibiotic resistance and virulence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
      clinical isolates.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: Virulent Pseudomonas aeruginosa. is frequently life-threatening
      and often challenging to treat, and the emergence of multidrug-resistant isolates
      presents a critical problem for patients. The aim of the study was concerned with
      molecular analysis of the virulence factors and antimicrobial resistance profile
      of multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa (MDRPA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Out of 44
      MDRPA isolates, 12 isolates representing different resistance profiles and
      sources of samples were selected for further molecular studies. Polymerase chain
      reaction (PCR) approaches were applied to identify the genes implicated in
      antimicrobial resistance or virulence factors in the selected MDRPA isolates.
      RESULTS: Multidrug-resistance (pstS), beta-lactamase (IMP7, IMP10, IMP13, and
      IMP25), and extended spectrum beta-lactamase (blaOXA50) genes were detected in
      all of the selected MDRPA isolates. However, only 4 (33%) MDRPA isolates were
      positive for the presence of the extended spectrum beta-lactamase (blaOXA2) gene.
      Furthermore, the hemolytic phospholipase C precursor gene (plcH) was detected in
      all PCR products of the tested MDRPA isolates while the exotoxin A (toxA) gene
      was absent. Other virulence genes were detected with variable percentage in
      tested isolates. CONCLUSION: The statistical analysis revealed a significantly
      positive correlation (r = 0.779, P = 0.002) between virulence factors and
      antimicrobial resistance marker profiles of the tested MDRPA isolates.

PMID- 26281323
TI  - Diagnostic and prognostic value of procalcitonin and sTREM-1 levels in sepsis.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: Sepsis is still a major cause of morbidity and mortality despite
      the improvements in diagnosis and treatment. The aim of this study was to
      investigate the values of procalcitonin and soluble triggering receptor expressed
      on myeloid cells-1 (sTREM-1) in the differential diagnosis of patients with
      sepsis and noninfectious systemic inflammatory response syndrome (NI-SIRS) and
      measure their importance in the prognosis of patients with sepsis. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: This prospective study included 41 NI-SIRS and 33 sepsis patients
      hospitalized in Celal Bayar University Hospital, Manisa, Turkey. Blood samples
      were taken from NI-SIRS patients on days 0 and 3 and from sepsis patients on days
      0, 3, 4, 7, and 14. Clinical status of the patients was determined with the SOFA
      scoring system. RESULTS: The SOFA scoring system and procalcitonin and sTREM-1
      measurements were significant in the differential diagnosis of sepsis and NI-SIRS
      patients. The SOFA scoring system was considered the most important indicator in
      determining the prognosis of sepsis patients. Procalcitonin and sTREM-1 levels
      increased progressively in nonsurvivors and decreased in survivors, but changes
      were statistically insignificant. CONCLUSION: In the differentiation of sepsis
      and NI-SIRS, and evaluation of the prognosis of sepsis, combined measurements of
      procalcitonin and sTREM-1 levels are important.

PMID- 26281324
TI  - Comparison of the contamination rates of culture media used for isolation and
      identification of dermatophytes.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: Mycological media that promote spore production are essential for
      the diagnosis of dermatophytosis. However, these culture media frequently become
      contaminated by multiple fungal or bacterial species during culture. The aim of
      this study was to compare the contamination rates of 6 culture media used for the
      isolation and identification of dermatophytes, including Borelli's lactritmel
      agar (BLA), brain-heart infusion agar (BHIA), Lowenstein-Jensen agar (LJA), malt
      extract agar (MEA), potato dextrose agar (PDA), and Sabouraud glucose agar (SGA).
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Agar plates were inoculated with 43 well-characterized
      dermatophyte strains, belonging to the genera Arthroderma, Epidermophyton,
      Microsporum, or Trichophyton. The agar plates were incubated at 26  degrees C and
      examined every 5 days for 1 month. RESULTS: By the end of the incubation period,
      97 of the 258 plates (37.6%) were contaminated by fungi. No bacteria were
      detected. Overall, BLA demonstrated the lowest rate of contamination, followed by
      SGA, MEA, BHIA, PDA, and LJA. Sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer
      region rDNA of the contaminant fungi revealed that Aspergillus and Penicillium
      species were the most common contaminants. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that
      nonenriched culture media types, such as BLA or SGA, reduced contamination during
      dermatophyte subculture.

PMID- 26281325
TI  - Elevated serum matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 and their correlations with
      severity of disease in patients with community-acquired pneumonia.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: To determine the role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and
      their relationship with the clinical course of community-acquired pneumonia
      (CAP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-two consecutively hospitalized patients with
      CAP were enrolled and their pneumonia severity index (PSI), time to clinical
      stability (TCS), treatment response, and complications were recorded. The pre-
      and posttreatment serum concentrations of MMPs and their inhibitors were analyzed
      by ELISA. The activities of MMPs were evaluated by gelatin zymography. RESULTS:
      MMP-2 and -9 serum levels and their activities were higher in CAP patients than
      controls (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). Low-risk patients had lower
      levels of MMP-2 and TIMP-1 than high-risk patients (P = 0.044, P = 0.001,
      respectively). Pretreatment serum TIMP-1 level was higher in patients with TCS of
      >3 days (P = 0.004) and was correlated with oxygenation and PSI scores.
      Posttreatment serum levels of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were decreased after antibiotics
      (P = 0.000 1 and P = 0.0 17, respectively). CONCLUSION: Although MMP-2, MMP-9,
      and TIMP-1 correlate with many poor prognostic factors, more studies are required
      to prove their possible role in predicting the severity of CAP.

PMID- 26281326
TI  - Comparison of helmet and facial mask during noninvasive ventilation in patients
      with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a randomized
      controlled study.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: Noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NIMV) is an approach to
      prevent complications in acute respiratory failure. In this study we aimed to
      compare the efficacy of a full face mask and a helmet in chronic obstructive
      pulmonary disease (COPD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty patients were divided
      randomly into 2 groups as full face mask (Group F) and helmet (Group H).
      Demographic data, forced expiratory volume at 1 s (FEV1), additional disease,
      hemodynamic parameters, respiratory rate, APACHE II score, peripheral O2
      saturation (SpO2), arterial blood gases (ABG), patient tolerance scale (PTS)
      score, and fraction of inspired oxygen (FiG2) were recorded. Parameters were
      recorded as follows: 20 min before the NIMV; every 30 min of NIMV until 120 min;
      30 min, 24 h, and 48 h after NIMV; and prior to intensive care unit discharge.
      RESULTS: The SpO2, PTS, ABG, complication rate, and APACHE II scores were not
      different between the groups (P > 0.05). The decrease in PaCO2 was statistically
      significant at 60 min in Group F (P < 0.05), and there was no statistical
      difference in Group H (P < 0.05) according to initial PaCO2 values. CONCLUSION:
      Both masks are efficient in improving the patients' outcome in COPD, but the
      decrease in PaCO2in the helmet group was slower than in the full face mask group.

PMID- 26281327
TI  - The expression and clinical effects of alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase (AMACR/
      P504S) as an immunohistochemical marker in malign pleural mesothelioma.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: Alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase (AMACR), an intracellular enzyme
      involved in lipid metabolism, has emerged as an immunohistochemical marker for
      many types of cancer. Recent studies about the role of lipid metabolism in
      pathogenesis of mesothelioma have brought up some positive results. This study
      was conducted to investigate AMACR expression in the diagnosis of malignant
      pleural mesothelioma (MPM) and the correlation of this marker with clinical
      characteristics and survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinicopathologic
      characteristics and resection materials of 71 patients were reviewed
      retrospectively. AMACR expression was evaluated immunohistochemically. The
      correlations among AMACR expression, clinicopathologic factors, and survival were
      investigated. RESULTS: AMACR expression was detected in 42.3% of the study group.
      The specificity and sensitivity of AMACR immunostaining in detecting mesothelioma
      were 41.1% and 42.3%, respectively. AMACR-positive and negative groups were
      similar for age, sex, smoking history, tumor diameter, lymph node involvement,
      differentiation, T-N factor, and stage. Overall survival was not significantly
      different between the groups, either. CONCLUSION: The sensitivity of
      immunostaining was not high enough to use AMACR as a diagnostic tool in MPM.
      AMACR expression did not have a prognostic value in MPM, either.

PMID- 26281328
TI  - Short-term effect of transcatheter aortic valve implantation on QT dispersion.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: Electrophysiological changes are observed following mechanical
      stretches due to pressure overload in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS).
      The electrical instability occurs after depolarization and dispersion of
      repolarization. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in ventricular
      repolarization following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thestudypopulationincluded 100 consecutive patients with
      severe AS thatunderwent TAVI. Electrocardiography (ECG) was performed at
      baseline, immediately after TAVI, and 1 week after TAVI. RESULTS: The mean age of
      the patients was 78.2 +/- 7.2 years. Thirty-four (34%) of the patients were male
      and 66 (66%) were female. Compared to the baseline, mean QT dispersion (QTd)
      immediately after TAVI and 1 week after TAVI decreased significantly (82.8 +/-
      26.5,75.6 +/- 25.2, and 65.8 +/- 28.3, respectively, P < 0.001). Likewise,
      compared to the baseline, mean corrected QTd (QTcd) immediately after TAVI and 1
      week after TAVI decreased significantly (84.7 +/- 25.2, 76.7 +/- 30.8, and 69.1
      +/- 31.4, respectively, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: QTd is indicative of
      heterogeneity of ventricular refractoriness and is prolonged in patients with AS.
      Following TAVI, a decrease in QTd might reduce the risk of ventricular arrhythmia
      in patients with severe AS.

PMID- 26281330
TI  - Correlation between serum levels of vitamin B12 and anti-Helicobacter pylori IgA
      antibodies in vitamin B12 deficient Palestinian patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: H. pylori infection and vitamin B12 (vB12) deficiency have high
      prevalence rates among Palestinians. It was observed that most people who
      suffered from vB12 deficiency were positive for H. pylori. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      The correlation between H. pylori infection and vB12 deficiency was investigated
      in a representative segment of the Palestinian population. ELISA was used to
      determine levels of vitamin B12 (vB12) and anti-H. pylori IgA in sera from 238
      participants from Al-Khalil district (Hebron), Palestine. RESULTS: There was a
      strong negative Pearson's correlation coefficient (r = -0.45; P = 0.00001)
      between levels of anti-H. pylori IgA and vB12 levels in sera drawn from 238
      participants (133 patients and 105 control subjects). Two important contaminating
      variables were identified in this study: healthy control subjects with elevated
      anti-H. pylori IgA titers and vB12-deficient patients testing negative for anti
      H. pylori IgA antibodies. The exclusion of the sources of contamination resulted
      in a stronger negative correlation; r = -0.58 (P = 0.00001). CONCLUSION: The
      study provided a good screening system that may predict vB12 deficiency before
      its actual manifestation. If not treated, asymptomatic subjects showing increased
      anti-H.pylori IgA titers (> 15 NTU/mL) are likely to be at risk of developing
      vB12 deficiency.

PMID- 26281329
TI  - Serum Lp-PLA2: as a novel viewpoint in periodontal treatment of hyperlipidaemics.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: To evaluate the effects of periodontal treatment on serum
      lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) and C-reactive protein (CRP)
      levels in hyperlipidaemic patients with periodontitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The
      study included 52 hyperlipidaemics and 28 systemically healthy controls (C) with
      periodontitis. Of the 52 hyperlipidaemics, 29 received a suggested diet (HD), and
      23 of them were prescribed statin (HS). Clinical periodontal parameters, serum
      lipids, Lp-PLA2, and CRP levels were assessed at the baseline and 2 months after
      the completion of the nonsurgical periodontal treatment (2MPT). Serum parameters
      were also evaluated 1 week following the periodontal treatment (1WPT). RESULTS:
      At the baseline, patients in the HS group had a higher percentage of bleeding on
      probing than those in the C and HD groups. Hyperlipidaemics had higher serum
      triglyceride levels than the control group at 2MPT compared to the baseline. At
      2MPT, the levels of Lp-PLA2 in the HS group were significantly higher compared to
      the baseline and 1WPT. There were no statistically significant differences in CRP
      levels between study periods for all groups. CONCLUSION: The periodontal
      treatment may affect the inflammatory control of hyperlipidaemic patients with
      periodontitis via increased Lp-PLA2 levels and severity of the impaired lipid
      metabolism. These findings may be important regarding the therapeutic strategies
      for hyperlipidaemics with periodontitis.

PMID- 26281331
TI  - Relationship among MIF, MCP-1, viral loads, and HBs Ag levels in chronic
      hepatitis B patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: To determine whether macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF)
      and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) levels in patients with hepatitis
      B (HB) are different than in normal individuals and whether the HB surface
      antigen (HBs Ag) level and viral load are correlated with each other and with the
      two aforementioned parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sera were obtained from 52
      chronic active HB (CAHB) patients and 33 healthy controls, and their MIF and MCP
      1 levels were measured. Statistical analyses were performed. A value of P < 0.05
      was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The MIF and MCP-1 values of
      the control group were increased compared to those of the CAHB group. The MIF and
      MCP-1 levels were negatively correlated with HBs Ag levels and viral loads. The
      MIF and MCP-1 levels were positively correlated. The HBs Ag levels and the log10
      of the viral loads were positively correlated. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the
      negative correlation of MIF and MCP-1 with viral load and HBs Ag levels may be
      due to T-cell deficiency, antinuclear antibody seropositivity, and/or inhibition
      of chemokine ligand 2 receptors by viral antigens. More studies with a greater
      number of subjects are needed to evaluate the potential role of MIF and MCP in
      CAHB.

PMID- 26281332
TI  - In vitro efficacy of frozen erythrocytes: implementation of new strategic blood
      stores to alleviate resource shortage (issue revisited).
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: Currently, the provision of blood products largely depends on
      walking blood banks and limited amounts of stored blood with short shelf lives.
      We aimed to compare the efficacy of erythrocyte concentrate (ECs) by pre- and
      postfreezing in vitro tests. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In our study, 10 ECs were
      glycerolized, frozen, thawed, and then deglycerolized using the Naval Blood
      Research Laboratory method. In addition to using the standard tests, ATP and 2,3
      DPG levels and the viability of erythrocytes were also determined. RESULTS: The
      prefreezing mean viability rates of erythrocytes changed from 89.7 +/- 13.7% to
      98.6 +/- 1.8% after thawing and deglycerolization. Prefreezing and day 0 ATP
      levels (1.64 +/- 0.15 umol/g Hb and 1.81 +/- 0.14 umol/g Hb, respectively) were
      similar. The 2,3-DPG levels decreased from 18.09 +/- 4.78 umol/g Hb measured
      before the procedure to 10.41 +/- 4.58 umol/g Hb on day 0. The mean hemolysis
      rates and supernatant Hb levels changed from 0.21 +/- 0.11% to 0.36 +/- 0.12% and
      1 +/- 0.5 g/L to 1.5 +/- 0.5 g/L, respectively. CONCLUSION: The test results
      showed the efficacy of the frozen-thawed ECs to be used in humans for a broad
      spectrum of clinical indications. As a part of a contingency plan, national
      frozen blood reserves need to be established.

PMID- 26281333
TI  - Sp1 binding site polymorphism of a collagen gene (rs 1800012) in women aged 45
      and over and its association with bone density.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: Sp1 polymorphism of type I collagen genes is accompanied with
      bone collagen disorders and severe clinical phenotypes such as osteogenesis
      imperfecta. The aim of this study was to study the association between COLIA1 Sp1
      polymorphism and bone density rate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this descriptive,
      analytical study conducted in 2013 in southwestern Iran, 200 blood samples, per
      the Cochran sample size formula, were taken from women aged 45 and older. DNA was
      extracted from the samples using the phenol-chloroform method and the genomic
      fragments in question were proliferated using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
      method. RESULTS: The genotype distribution of Sp1 polymorphism for the SS, Ss,
      and ss genotypes was 57.1%, 31.4%, and 11.4%, respectively, in the control group
      and 9.2%, 75.4%, and 15.4%, respectively, in the patients. Statistically, Sp1
      polymorphism in patients had a significant deviation (P = 0.00 1, chi2 = 34.25)
      and there was no Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. In the control group, there was no
      significant deviation for Sp1 polymorphism (P = 0.226, chi2 = 2.97). Sp1
      polymorphism was significantly associated with bone density. Women with the SS
      genotype had the highest bone density. CONCLUSION: Sp1 gene polymorphism is
      associated with bone density rate in women aged 45 and over, and is more commonly
      observed in homozygosity. Determining this genotype's polymorphism is valuable to
      identify the women at risk of developing osteoporosis.

PMID- 26281334
TI  - Central corneal thickness in type II diabetes mellitus: is it related to the
      severity of diabetic retinopathy?
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: To compare the central corneal thickness (CCT) of type II
      diabetes mellitus patients with age- and sex-matched healthy subjects and to
      determine the association of the severity of diabetic retinopathy and CCT.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: Type II diabetes mellitus patients without retinopathy,
      with nonproliferative retinopathy, and with proliferative retinopathy were
      organized as the three subgroups of the study group, and an age- and sex-matched
      control group was formed. All subjects underwent full ophthalmological
      examination and CCT measurement with ultrasonographic pachymetry. CCT values were
      compared between diabetic and healthy subjects and between the three diabetic
      subgroups. Correlation analysis was performed to determine any relationship
      between CCT and intraocular pressure. RESULTS: The average CCT was significantly
      higher in diabetic patients than in the control group (P = 0.04). CCT in diabetic
      patients without retinopathy did not significantly differ from that of patients
      with retinopathy (P = 0.64). Similarly, there was no significant difference in
      CCT between nonproliferative and proliferative diabetic retinopathy patients (P =
      0.47). In the whole study population, CCT was significantly correlated with
      intraocular pressure (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: CCT is significantly increased in
      type II diabetes mellitus patients with respect to controls. Retinal disease
      severity does not seem to have an effect on corneal thickness.

PMID- 26281335
TI  - High-risk febrile neutropenia and its management in children with solid tumors
      and lymphoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: The clinical characteristics and treatment results of febrile
      neutropenia attacks that occurred in patients with lymphoma and solid tumors were
      analyzed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 50 patients with 94 high-risk attacks
      were evaluated for malignant diseases in this study. RESULTS: The fever etiology
      was determined as clinical (50%), microbiological (5.31%), clinical
      microbiological (5.31%), or unknown (39.3%). A few of the attacks (21.3%) were
      observed in lymphoma cases and 77.7% were observed in patients with solid tumors.
      Patients who were in remission had 59.6% of the attacks, and 39.4% occurred in
      patients not in remission. Among the groups tested, 73% (the imipenem/amikacin
      group) and 47.9% (the piperacillin-tazobactam/amikacin group) of patients were in
      remission. Glycopeptide addition rates in these groups were 22.2% and 40.8% and
      antifungal addition rates were 8.8% and 18.3%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Clinical
      progress was more problematic in patients who were not in remission during the
      attacks. This was due to the fact that some patients had other factors that
      placed them in the high-risk group, as well as increased C reactive protein and
      procalcitonin values on the first day. Therefore, it may not be accurate to
      associate the success achieved in the different treatment regimens with
      antibiotics alone.

PMID- 26281336
TI  - The hematologic manifestations of pediatric celiac disease at the time of
      diagnosis and efficiency of gluten-free diet.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: To determine the hematologic manifestations at the time of
      diagnosis of celiac disease in children and the effects of a gluten-free diet on
      hematologic signs upon follow-up. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The records ofpatients
      with celiac disease who received a follow up examination at the Pediatric
      Gastroenterology Clinic between June 2006 and June 2013 were retrospectively
      examined. RESULTS: Ninety-one patients were included in the study. The mean age
      at diagnosis was 8.1 +/- 4.21 years and 59 patients (64.8%) were female. Thirty
      two patients (35.2%) had hematologic signs at the time of diagnosis. Anemia
      (24.2%) was the most common hematologic sign, followed by thrombocytosis (16.5%)
      and leukopenia (4.4%). The tTG IgA titers were screened in 80 of the 91 patients
      during diagnosis. Follow-up examinations found that remission for anemia (P = 0.0
      17), thrombocytosis (P = 0.039), and decreases in tTG IgA titers (P = 0.034) were
      more prominent in patients who had followed a strict gluten-free diet.
      CONCLUSION: Approximately one-third of the celiac disease patients had
      hematologic manifestations at the time of diagnosis. Remission in hematologic
      signs and decrease in tTG IgA titers were more prominent in patients who had
      adhered to a gluten-free diet.

PMID- 26281337
TI  - Serologic testing for celiac disease in young people with elevated transaminases.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: A cryptogenic elevation of transaminases is the most common
      hepatic manifestation in celiac disease (CD). In adult patients and pediatric
      patients with cryptogenic hypertransaminasemia, the prevalence of CD was 4% and
      12%, respectively. However, there are no related data from China in this regard.
      We aimed to investigate the status of CD in young Chinese patients with elevated
      transaminases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 125 patients with elevated
      transaminases and 125 healthy individuals as controls with matched age and sex
      were involved in the study. Serum markers of hepatitis B were determined in
      patients with elevated transaminases. All subjects were screened for CD by
      testing serum IgA antitissue transglutaminase antibodies (anti-tTG IgA), and
      total serum IgA was determined in order to rule out IgA deficiency. RESULTS: None
      of the subjects were seropositive to IgA anti-tTG antibodies. No association
      between CD and elevated transaminases was found. Hepatitis B viral infections
      were one of the main causes of raised transaminases. CONCLUSION: Before the
      exclusion of every known cause of raised transaminase levels, routine serological
      screening for CD should not be recommended for patients who only present elevated
      transaminases.

PMID- 26281338
TI  - Evaluation of the effect of isotretinoin on salivary gland function by Tc-99m
      pertechnetate imaging in acne vulgaris patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: Isotretinoin is an effective drug utilized in the management of
      acne vulgaris and is known to cause dry mouth. In this study, we aimed to
      evaluate this effect of isotretinoin on the salivary gland function in patients
      with acne vulgaris using technetium-99m (Tc-99m) pertechnetate imaging of the
      salivary glands. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population consisted of 28
      patients with acne vulgaris (6 males and 22 females, mean age 20.2 +/- 2.3
      years), who were treated with isotretinoin for 6 months. We performed
      radionuclide imaging of the salivary glands pretreatment and at months 3 and 6 of
      treatment. After 185 MBq (5 mCi) of Tc-99m pertechnetate was intravenously
      administered, imaging of the salivary glands was performed over a 25-min period.
      We measured the following glandular function parameters for the parotid and
      submandibular salivary glands via time-activity curves: uptake ratio, maximum
      accumulation, and ejection fraction. RESULTS: Statistically significant
      differences were observed in the values obtained at months 3 and 6 of treatment,
      compared with the pretreatment values. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that
      radionuclide imaging of the salivary glands can clearly show the glandular
      functions that are affected by drugs such as isotretinoin.

PMID- 26281339
TI  - Burnout in caregivers of patients with schizophrenia.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: To evaluate the burnout of schizophrenia patients' caregivers and
      to determine the possible relationships between sociodemographic characteristics,
      symptomatology, perceived social support, and the burnout profile of the
      caregivers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Subjects included in the study are 76
      schizophrenia patients, diagnosed according to DSM-IV-TR criteria, and their
      caregivers. A sociodemographic form, the Scale for the Assessment of Positive
      Symptoms, and the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms were applied to
      evaluate the severity of the symptoms. The Maslach Burnout Inventory for
      Caregivers and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support were
      applied to the caregivers of the patients. The collected data were analyzed via
      Student's t-test, one-way analysis of variance, and Pearson's correlation
      analysis. RESULTS: The burnout profile of the caregivers was highly correlated
      with the perceived social support of the caregivers and was also correlated with
      negative symptoms of the patients. Lower perceived social support was related to
      all subscales of the Maslach Burnout Inventory. CONCLUSION: Perceived social
      support is a major factor for caregiver burnout and it was highly correlated with
      all subscales in our study. We think that having social support provides
      caregivers with better feelings and so they provide better help to the patients.
      Appropriate approaches should be taken to intervene in the social and clinical
      factors that may exacerbate the burnout process.

PMID- 26281340
TI  - Efficacy of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of
      extrahepatic cholestasis-related hepatic fibrosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: To investigate the efficacy of diffusion-weighted magnetic
      resonance imaging (DWI) in the diagnosis and staging of fibrosis induced by
      experimental bile duct ligation (BDL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four rats
      were divided randomly into four groups: control, BDL--3 days, BDL--2 weeks, and
      BDL--4 weeks. DWI was performed with b-values of 100 and 500 on the rats from
      control group at day zero, on the rats from the BDL--3 days group at the end of
      day 3, on the rats from the BDL--2 weeks group at the end of day 14, and on the
      rats from the BDL--4 weeks at the end of day 28. RESULTS: When fibrosis scores
      generated in all groups were evaluated together, a strong negative correlation
      was detected between fibrosis scores and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC)
      values measured using b 100 and b 500. ADC values obtained using b 100 were found
      to be significantly higher compared to the fibrosis observed in both the BDL--2
      weeks and BDL--4 weeks groups (P < 0.003 and P < 0.001, respectively).
      CONCLUSION: We think that DWI may be an alternative to liver biopsy for the
      diagnosis and staging of hepatic fibrosis with underlying extrahepatic
      cholestasis.

PMID- 26281341
TI  - Comparison of local infiltration anesthesia and peripheral nerve block: a
      randomized prospective study in hand lacerations.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: To compare local infiltration anesthesia (LIA) and peripheral
      nerve block (PNB) in repairing hand lacerations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This
      prospective study was designed as a randomized, controlled, unblinded trial.
      Fifty four patients with hand lacerations were included in the study. While 23 of
      these patients had LIA, PNB was performed in the remaining 31 patients. Lidocaine
      hydrochloride 2% and 27 gauge needles were used. Onset time of the anesthesia,
      response to the injection and suturing procedures, need for additional
      anesthetic, and patient satisfaction were compared. RESULTS: No significant
      differences were noted between the groups in terms of response to injection pain
      and suture pain (Mann-Whitney U; P = 0.220/P = 0.316). There were also no
      significant differences between the groups when patient satisfaction (chi-square;
      P = 0.785) and need for additional local anesthetics (Fisher's exact; P = 0.628)
      were evaluated. The time to loss of pinprick sensation in the local infiltration
      group was 1.3 min, whereas in the nerve block group it was 2.2 min. The
      difference was statistically significant (Mann-Whitney U; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION:
      Despite the fact that performing PNB in emergency departments requires some
      experience, it still counts as a convenient method comparable to LIA.

PMID- 26281342
TI  - Efficacy of wound infiltration with lornoxicam for postoperative analgesia
      following thyroidectomy: a prospective, randomized, double-blind study.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: Postoperative pain control constitutes a major problem and
      studies have focused on reducing opioid requirements using regional techniques.
      We aimed to investigate the efficacy of wound infiltration with lornoxicam on
      postoperative pain control following thyroidectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In
      this prospective, randomized-controlled study, 80 patients scheduled for
      thyroidectomy were randomly assigned to 2 groups. After the thyroidectomy was
      performed, patients in group I underwent wound infiltration with 4 mg of
      lornoxicam and patients in group II received the same amount of saline. Rescue
      analgesia was provided with additional doses oflornoxicam delivered by an on
      demand patient-controlled analgesia device. Total analgesic consumption during
      the postoperative 24 h, and pain intensities assessed using a visual analog scale
      score at 0, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24 h postoperatively were recorded. RESULTS: Pain
      scores during the postoperative 24 h were slightly lower in group I than in group
      II, but the difference was not significant (P > 0.05). The mean analgesic
      consumption was 8.87 +/- 1.87 mg and 10.33 +/- 1.25 mg in groups I and II,
      respectively (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Wound infiltration with lornoxicam neither
      improved postoperative pain control nor decreased total analgesic consumption.

PMID- 26281343
TI  - Comparison of endometrial biopsies of fertile women and women with repeated
      implantation failure at the ultrastructural level.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: The aim of this study was to compare the cellular properties of
      endometrial tissues from fertile patients and patients having at least 3 previous
      in vitro fertilization failures, during the implantation window. The
      ultrastructural evaluation of the endometrium in the implantation window may shed
      light on the complexity of the implantation failure paradigm. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: The study involved 23 women, 14 infertile with a clinical diagnosis of
      repeated implantation failure (RIF) and 9 fertile, defined as the control group.
      Endometrial samples were examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
      RESULTS: In the control group, secretory vacuoles and cytoplasmic projections
      filled with secretory material, called pinopodes, were noted; microvilli were
      observed on some apical surfaces; and ciliated cells were absent. In the RIF
      group, the number of pinopodes was remarkably lower, with some of them being
      immature. Moreover, decidualization of stromal cells was not frequent and fewer
      epithelial cells with poor secretory vacuoles were discerned. CONCLUSION: TEM
      analyses of endometrial samples from the RIF group revealed dramatic differences
      at the ultrastructural level compared to the controls, which may well be an
      underlying cause of their infertility.

PMID- 26281344
TI  - Fetal health locus of control in a sample of pregnant Turkish women.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: To examine the relationship between sociodemographic and
      pregnancy features and fetal health locus of control (FHLC) in a sample of
      pregnant Turkish women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted with 256
      pregnant women. Data were collected by demographic questionnaire and the FHLC
      Scale consisting of 3 components: 1) Internality Scale (FHLC-I), 2) Powerful
      Others Scale (FHLC-P), and 3) Chances Scale (FHLC-C). RESULTS: The age of
      marriage was found to have a positive relation with FHLC-I (r = 0.141) and a
      negative relation with FHLC-C (r = -0.145) (P < 0.05). The age of first pregnancy
      was found to have a positive relation with FHLC-I (r = 0.127). Those who have a
      low educational level (r = -0.258) and income (r = -0.149), who are unemployed (r
      = -2.839), whose number of pregnancies is high (r = 0.152), who get pregnant
      unplanned (r = 3.839), and who come to their first prenatal examination late (r =
      -0.142) have a significantly high score of FHLC-C (P <0.05). CONCLUSION: It may
      be helpful for better outcomes of prenatal care to identify pregnant women who
      believe that their behavior has little effect on the health of their fetus and
      that it is controlled by chance.

PMID- 26281345
TI  - Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy may lead to low birth weight.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: To evaluate patients hospitalized in our clinic in the last 5
      years with the diagnosis of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP).
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and fifty patients hospitalized with a
      diagnosis of ICP between January 2008 and May 2013 were evaluated retrospectively
      and age, week at diagnosis, gestational age at delivery, period between diagnosis
      and delivery, fetal weight, transaminases, and coagulation parameters were
      recorded. Patients were divided into groups according to their diagnosis weeks
      and gravida. Accordingly, patients diagnosed before 32 weeks formed group A (n =
      49) and those after 32 weeks formed group B (n = 101). Data were evaluated with
      SPSS 16.0. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between group A and group
      B in terms of delivery period and fetal weights (P = 0.001, P 0.035).
      Accordingly, the period between diagnosis and delivery and fetal weight were
      found to be longer and lower, respectively, in the early-onset group. In terms of
      distribution of ICP according to time of diagnosis, patients were diagnosed
      mostly in the spring season (60 cases, 40%) and in the month of March (27 cases,
      18%). CONCLUSION: According to our study, the birth weight of fetuses of patients
      with ICP diagnosed before 32 weeks are lower, although they have the same
      gestational age at delivery as the fetuses of the patients with ICP diagnosed
      after 32 weeks.

PMID- 26281346
TI  - Human semen quality and sperm DNA damage assessed by comet assay in clinical
      groups.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: About 10%-15% of couples around the world suffer from
      infertility. Male infertility is responsible directly or indirectly in
      approximately 60% of cases. A deficiency in semen is the most common cause of
      male infertility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 180 male subjects
      aged 18-50 years with 26 fertile and 154 infertile. The infertile subjects were
      further subdivided according to the WHO guidelines of semen analysis (2010) into
      different clinical groups. Sperm DNA damage was estimated using a neutral comet
      assay. Plasma gonadotropin and testosterone levels were measured using a
      chemiluminescence assay. RESULTS: The results of the study revealed no
      significant differences, in semen volume, pH, and liquefaction time between the
      fertile and all infertile groups. However, sperm concentration, sperm vitality,
      and sperm motility were significantly lower in all infertile groups as compared
      to the fertile males. The morphological forms of the sperm and its DNA
      fragmentation varied significantly between the fertile and infertile males.
      Reproductive hormone levels were observed to be significantly lower in the
      infertile than in the fertile males. CONCLUSION: Sperm DNA fragmentation was
      higher in all of the infertile subjects as compared to the fertile ones.
      Reproductive hormone levels varied significantly between the infertile patients
      and the fertile ones.

PMID- 26281347
TI  - Suspension of Arthroderma and Trichophyton species in RPMI-1640 medium provided
      long-term viability at room temperature.

PMID- 26281348
TI  - Distribution and antifungal resistance of Candida species isolated from intensive
      care units.

PMID- 26281349
TI  - Myelodysplastic features and cellular senescence in autoimmune disorders: a pilot
      study on patients with collagen tissue disorders and immune thrombocytopenic
      purpura.

PMID- 26281350
TI  - [Molecular therapeutic strategies for Huntington's disease].
AB  - Huntington's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder of genetic
      origin that still lacks an effective treatment. Recently, a number of new
      attempts have been undertaken to develop a successful molecular therapy for this
      incurable condition. The novel approaches employ, among others, some new methods
      to selectively silence the mutated gene or to neutralize its toxic protein
      product. This paper reviews all major strategies that are currently considered
      for molecular therapy of Huntington's disease while discussing their potential
      effectiveness regarding the treatment of both the Huntington's disease and a
      large group of related neurodegenerative disorders associated with abnormal
      protein aggregation.

PMID- 26281351
TI  - [Angiogenesis - possibilities, problems and perspectives].
AB  - Angiogenesis is the formation of new blood vessels from existing vessels. This
      process occurs via budding endothelial cells in postnatal period, which is
      essential to many physiological phenomena (e.g. wound healing, formation of the
      placenta) and pathological ones such as cancer, ischemic diseases, and chronic
      inflammation. Various mechanisms of the formation of new blood vessels have been
      discovered and a number of pro-angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors have been
      found. Understanding the function of these factors contributes to the creation of
      new tools and applications in the treatment of pathological processes. Article
      describes the regulation of angiogenesis and is a review of the most significant
      angiogenic factors and their inhibitors. It shows the selected mechanisms which
      underlie the action of currently used anti-angiogenic drugs and is a review of
      research which use these factors in anti-angiogenic therapy.

PMID- 26281352
TI  - [Torsin 1A and the pathomechanism of torsion dystonia type 1].
AB  - Torsin 1A is a protein mutated in torsion dystonia type 1, a hereditary
      neurological disorder of early onset and variable clinical picture. The basic
      cellular function of torsin 1A, a polypeptide localized predominantly in the
      endoplasmic reticulum and nuclear envelope, remains unknown, although the protein
      is suspected of being involved in many different cellular processes, including
      regulating a proper structure and function of nuclear envelope, contributing to
      the synaptic vesicular trafficking, or assisting in proper folding of misfolded
      proteins. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge regarding the
      potential functions of torsin 1A in the context of hypothetical pathomechanisms
      responsible for torsion dystonia type 1.

PMID- 26281353
TI  - [Multifunctionality of MDM2 protein and its role in genomic instability of cancer
      cells].
AB  - Numerous studies have revealed that MDM2 oncoprotein is upregulated in different
      types of cancer. Additionally, it was demonstrated that in some cases, MDM2 may
      inhibit the neoplastic transformation process. In other words, MDM2 protein can
      be considered as an oncogene or as a tumor suppressor depending on the
      appropriate cellular context. MDM2 functions on different levels in the cell,
      which is a consequence of its complex structure, a plethora of interacting
      partners and regulation through numerous postranslational modifications. Thus, an
      alteration of the delicate balance in MDM2 activity can influence transformation
      and cancer development. Genomic instability is a hallmark of cancer, which
      inversely correlates to the activity of DNA damage response. In the case of not
      transformed cells MDM2 inhibits double strand brakes (DSBs) repair, hence
      stimulating carcinogenesis. In cancer cells MDM2 stimulates cytostatic-induced
      DSBs repair, thus leading to chemoresistance.

PMID- 26281354
TI  - [GPER receptor - the new player in estrogen signaling].
AB  - Recent studies reveal that estrogens act on cells and tissues, not only through
      two canonical estrogen receptors ERalpha and ERbeta, but also through the
      receptor coupled with G proteins, named GPER, formerly GPR30, and member of seven
      transmembrane receptor superfamily. GPER was found to be implicated both in rapid
      non-genomic estrogen response and in transcriptional regulation. Effects of GPER
      include activation of MAPK and PI3K signaling pathways, stimulation of adenyl
      cyclase, and mobilization of calcium ions from intracellular stores, as well as
      upregulation of genes such as FOS and CTGF. Identification of agonists and
      antagonists of GPER allowed not only to shed light on the participation of
      estrogen signaling in the biology and pathobiology of hormone-dependent tissues,
      but also its importance in the estrogen and antiestrogen therapies. Antiestrogens
      tamoxifen, raloxifene, or fulvestrant proved,to be agonists of GPER, which
      undoubtedly is not without significance for the efficacy of the therapy.

PMID- 26281355
TI  - [Cytokinins and photosynthesis].
AB  - Almost six decades of studies explained many aspects of cytokinin complex
      metabolism, such as, biogenesis, degradation, signal perception and interaction
      with other phytohormones (mainly with auxins). A dual character of cytokinins'
      action on the nuclear genes (activation and repression) has been explained by
      recognition of the two types on nuclear receptors, which ensure a precise
      mechanism of self-control. Cytokinins promote the process of photosynthesis at
      different levels of plant- and cellular organization (development of leaves and
      plastids, influence on the photosynthetic proteins, activation of photosynthetic
      genes, etc.). An anti-senescing action of these hormones has been recently
      attributed to the activation of intra-cellular invertase, which suppress floem
      loading and change the sink-source pattern of the leaf.

PMID- 26281356
TI  - [Acyltransferases involved in plant secondary metabolism: classification,
      structure, reaction mechanism].
AB  - Acyltransferases'participate in many metabolic pathways in plants, especially in
      secondary metabolism pathways. These enzymes catalyse transfer of an acyl group
      from energy-rich donor molecule to nucleophilic group of an acceptor molecule
      resulting in ester bond formation. Plant acyltransferases can be divided into two
      families: serine carboxypeptidase-like acyltransferases (SCPL) and BAHD
      acyltransferases (named after its first four characterized enzymes). Based on
      differences in substrate specificity and aminoacid sequence, BAHD acyltransferas
      es have been classified into five clades. SCPL acyltransferases utilise energy
      rich 1-O-beta-D-glucose esters as donors of an acyl group, instead of coenzyme A
      thioesters, which are substrates for acyltransferases from more abundant BAHD
      family. SCPL acyliransferases are homologous to hydrolases from serine
      carboxypeptidases family. They share some structural elements, such as conserved
      catalitic triad or alphabeta hydrolase fold.

PMID- 26281357
TI  - [Plant signaling peptides. Cysteine-rich peptides].
AB  - Recent bioinformatic and genetic analyses of several model plant genomes have
      revealed the existence of a highly abundant group of signaling peptides that are
      defined as cysteine-rich peptides (CRPs). CRPs are usually in size between 50 and
      90 amino acid residues, they are positively charged, and they contain 4-16
      cysteine residues that are important for the correct conformational folding.
      Despite the structural differences among CRP classes, members from each class
      have striking similarities in their molecular properties and function. The
      present review presents the recent progress in research on signaling peptides
      from several families including: EPF/EPFL, SP11/SCR, PrsS, RALF, LURE, and some
      other peptides belonging to CRP group. There is convincing evidence indicating
      multiple roles for these CRPs as signaling molecules during the plant life cycle,
      ranging from stomata development and patterning, self-incompatibility, pollen
      tube growth and guidance, reproductive processes, and nodule formation.

PMID- 26281358
TI  - [Cathelicidins - endogenous antimicrobial peptides].
AB  - Within the last decade, several antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been
      discovered. Cathelicidins are one family of AMPs characterized by a conserved
      cathelin domain and a variable C-terminal cationic antimicrobial domain. These
      peptides are produced by different cells, including leukocytes, epithelial cells
      and keratinocytes. Besides their direct antimicrobial function, cathelicidins can
      also regulate the course of inflammation and influence the mechanisms of innate
      immunity. In this review we discuss the biology of animal cathelicidins, their
      structure, expression and function.

PMID- 26281359
TI  - [Arabidopsis thaliana accessions - a tool for biochemical and phylogentical
      studies].
AB  - Arabidopsis thaliana since a few decades is used as a model for biological and
      plant genetic research. Natural variation of this species is related to its
      geographical range which covers different climate zones and habitats. The ability
      to occupy such a wide area by Arabidopsis is possible due to its stress tolerance
      and adaptability. Arabidopsis accessions exhibit phenotypic and genotypic
      variation, which is a result of adaptation to local environmental conditions.
      During development, plants are subjected to various stress factors. Plants show a
      spectrum of reactions, processes and phenomena that determine their survival in
      these adverse conditions. The response of plants to stress involves signal
      detection and transmission. These reactions are different and depend on the
      stressor, its intensity, plant species and life strategy. It is assumed that the
      populations of the same species from different geographical regions acclimated to
      the stress conditions develop a set of alleles, which allow them to grow and
      reproduce. Therefore, the study of natural variation in response to abiotic
      stress among Arabidopsis thaliana accessions allows to find key genes or alleles,
      and thus the mechanisms by which plants cope with adverse physical and chemical
      conditions. This paper presents an overview of recent findings, tools and
      research directions used in the study of natural variation in Arabidopsis
      thaliana accessions. Additionally, we explain why accessions can be used in the
      phylogenetic analyses and to study demography and migration of Arabidopsis
      thaliana.

PMID- 26281361
TI  - Questions Answered about RightSize Dental Plan.

PMID- 26281360
TI  - Governor Proposes HKD, Adult Dental Expansion in 2016 Budget Request.

PMID- 26281362
TI  - Make Your Annual Session Plans Now!

PMID- 26281363
TI  - State Program Provides Student Loan Relief; Deadline Coming Soon.

PMID- 26281365
TI  - Support the MDA Dental PAC 2015 Action Campaign.

PMID- 26281364
TI  - New MDA Public Education Campaign Off to Good Start.

PMID- 26281366
TI  - MDA Journal Goes Digital! Current Issue Now Posted Online.

PMID- 26281367
TI  - ADA Expert to Discuss Dentistry's Future.

PMID- 26281368
TI  - Benefit of the Month: COVER Program.

PMID- 26281369
TI  - Reminder: MDA Offers CE Tracking.

PMID- 26281370
TI  - Postal Service: Mail Delivery Will Be Slower in Michigan.

PMID- 26281372
TI  - MDA Seeking Volunteers for Michigan Mobile Smile Link Directory.

PMID- 26281373
TI  - MDA Visa Card Program Lets You Earn Cash Back.

PMID- 26281374
TI  - Get High-limit Disability Insurance without Medical Exam.

PMID- 26281375
TI  - Legislative Advocacy: Get Involved!

PMID- 26281376
TI  - Is It Legal to Have More than One Fee Schedule?

PMID- 26281371
TI  - Macomb Half-Day Seminar Coming to Warren March 20.

PMID- 26281377
TI  - A Culture of Respect: Little Things Can Make a Big Difference.

PMID- 26281378
TI  - 'Cooking the Books' Redux.

PMID- 26281379
TI  - JADA Publishes an Important Re-analysis of the Evidence Behind Delta's RightSize
      Plan.

PMID- 26281380
TI  - Capitol Outlook 2015. What's Ahead for Dentistry in Lansing.

PMID- 26281381
TI  - MDA Grass Roots Legislative Program: Easy, Fun and Very Important!

PMID- 26281382
TI  - Foreign Body Gingivitis.
AB  - Foreign body gingivitis (FBG) is a non-plaque induced chronic inflammatory
      process involving the marginal and/or attached gingiva. It results from the
      introduction of foreign particulate material, primarily dental prophylaxis paste
      and restorative dental materials, into the gingival tissues. Clinical
      presentation varies from an erythematous to vesiculoerosive-like process that may
      mimic a localized form of desquamative gingivitis or an erosive lichenoid
      process. Rarely, it may also present with a granular appearance. We describe the
      clinical presentation, differential diagnosis and clinical management of a 52
      year-old Woman who presented with localized chronic inflammation of the maxillary
      anterior and left posterior gingiva secondary to the presence of foreign
      material.

PMID- 26281383
TI  - Insurance Changes--Buyer Beware (and Be Informed). The Potential Impact of Third
      Party Administrators.

PMID- 26281384
TI  - Dr. Donald French Honored with 2014 Silent Bell Award.

PMID- 26281385
TI  - Fall Protection for Iron Workers.

PMID- 26281386
TI  - The ABCs of Personal Fall Arrest Systems.

PMID- 26281387
TI  - Heads Up!

PMID- 26281388
TI  - The Ripple Effect of Missed GHS Deadlines.

PMID- 26281389
TI  - Hazmat Identification, Control, and Emergency Response: The Fundamental Weakness
      in the System.

PMID- 26281390
TI  - Three Hazmat Rules Every Employee Can Remember.

PMID- 26281391
TI  - The MoreThings Change....

PMID- 26281392
TI  - OSHA-Related Documents: Creation and Retention.

PMID- 26281393
TI  - Plan, Prepare and Recover: How Businesses Can Manage Through Emergencies.

PMID- 26281394
TI  - OSHA's New Confined Space Standard.

PMID- 26281395
TI  - Adult Learning Principles for Safety Training.

PMID- 26281396
TI  - The Scary Thing About Safety Training.

PMID- 26281397
TI  - Coordinating Guidelines and the ANSI Z358.1 Standard.

PMID- 26281398
TI  - What Were You Thinking? The Key to Communicating More Effectively.

PMID- 26281399
TI  - Climate and Culture Before, Not After, Behavior-Based Safety.

PMID- 26281400
TI  - Curing Cultural Cancer?

PMID- 26281401
TI  - Nursing: the answer to the primary health care dilemma.

PMID- 26281402
TI  - Rainbows: a primary health care initiative for primary schools.
AB  - Within the current Australian health system is the understanding of a need to
      change from the predominate biomedical model to incorporate a comprehensive
      primary health care centred approach, embracing the social contexts of health and
      wellbeing. Recent research investigated the benefits of the primary health care
      philosophy and strategies in relation to the Rainbows programme which addresses
      grief and loss in primary school aged students in Western Australia. A
      multidisciplinary collaboration between the Western Australian Departments of
      Health and Education enabled community school health nurse coordinators to train
      teacher facilitators in the implementation of Rainbows, enabling support for
      students and their parents. The results of this qualitative study indicate that
      all participants regard Rainbows as effective, with many perceived benefits to
      students and their families.

PMID- 26281403
TI  - Nursing students' intentions to enter primary health care as a career option:
      Findings from a national survey.
AB  - This paper reports findings from the first phase of a national study conducted to
      identify the intention of nursing students' to work in a Primary Health Care
      setting following registration. An online survey of final year nursing students
      enrolled at Australian universities offering education leading to eligibility for
      registration as a nurse with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency
      was undertaken during July-August 2014. Data were collected about students'
      intention to enter Primary Health Care as a career option, as well as their
      exposure to primary health care during their nursing education and whether they
      had undertaken practice placements in a primary health care setting. Analysis was
      conducted on 456 completed surveys. The findings demonstrated that, despite the
      majority (98.2%; n = 447) of students being exposed to Primary Health Care during
      their studies, less than a quarter (22.8%; n = 104) of the students who responded
      identified this as an area in which they intended to work following registration.
      No association was found between students' clinical experiences and their
      identification of primary health care as a career preference. Given the ageing
      population in Australia, the increased prevalence of chronic health issues and
      the predicted ongoing primary health care workforce shortages, educational and
      workplace strategies aimed at attracting new graduate nurse into Primary Health
      Care settings are imperative.

PMID- 26281404
TI  - The nurse practitioner role: Solution or servant in improving primary health care
      service delivery.
AB  - In New Zealand, as in many other countries, the demand for health services is
      escalating as chronic disease, population ageing and health disparities increase.
      It has been argued that a more comprehensive primary health care approach is
      needed combining biomedical approaches with a social determinants and social
      justice based approach. The contemporary development of the nurse practitioner
      (NP) role in New Zealand (NZ) offers the possibility of taking up a more critical
      approach to strengthen and extend primary health care services (PHC). Nurse
      practitioners could simply be utilised to shore up the nature and style of
      existing primary care (PC) service configurations or, more usefully, they could
      lead a revolution in traditional approaches towards genuine primary health care
      delivery.

PMID- 26281405
TI  - Nursing students' experiences of clinical placement in community settings: a
      qualitative study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Changing community demographics and the rising incidence of chronic
      and complex conditions has exacerbated the primary care workload. Encouraging
      beginning nurses to view primary care nursing as a viable career option will help
      alleviate the workforce stress of this specialty. Whilst higher education
      institutions (HEI's) have increased the exposure of pre-registration nurses to
      community settings, there has been limited exploration of this experience from
      the perspective of pre-registration nurses. As potential key service providers,
      it is important to identify factors which influence how pre-registration nurses
      view primary care placements in the community. AIM: This study seeks to explore
      the experiences of pre-registration nursing students following community based
      clinical placements and to explore the impact of this placement on their
      learning. DESIGN: A qualitative design was employed in this study. PARTICIPANTS:
      Nine pre-registration nursing students were recruited from a research intensive
      single campus of an Australian university. METHODS: In-depth semi-structured
      interviews. FINDINGS: Findings are presented in the following four themes: (1)
      autonomy in practice: "you make your own decisions", (2) working with highly
      skilled nurses: "their knowledge was just incredible", (3) focusing on holistic
      care: "they'd obviously built rapport with these people", and (4) showing genuine
      interest in educating students: "they got me involved". CONCLUSION: Exposure to
      community settings was a positive learning experience for pre-registration
      nursing students. Further research needs to focus on the impact of these
      placements on both clinical skills acquisition and job choices into the future.

PMID- 26281406
TI  - An investigation of barriers and enablers to advanced nursing roles in Australian
      general practice.
AB  - Over the past decade, there has been substantial increase in nurses' roles in
      primary health care, particularly in general practice settings. Simultaneously,
      there has been an expansion of advanced roles for nurses across a range of
      clinical environments. This paper draws upon findings from a study that sought to
      develop a framework to support development of advanced nursing roles in general
      practice. It presents findings from one part of that study that explored barriers
      and facilitators to the development of these roles. Twenty-three key leaders from
      nursing, general practice and professional organisations participated in semi
      structured interviews. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. A range of
      factors was identified as key to developing advanced roles in general practice.
      These included increasing awareness and attractiveness of practice nursing,
      health reform activities, practice limitations, education and professional
      development. Understanding complex systems and workforce issues is required to
      promote active intervention that can facilitate development of advanced nursing
      roles in Australian general practice.

PMID- 26281407
TI  - Building chronic disease management capacity in General Practice: The South
      Australian GP Plus Practice Nurse Initiative.
AB  - AIM: This paper draws on the implementation experience of the South Australian GP
      Plus Practice Nurse Initiative in order to establish what is needed to support
      the development of the chronic disease management role of practice nurses.
      BACKGROUND: The Initiative was delivered between 2007 and 2010 to recruit, train
      and place 157 nurses across 147 General Practices in Adelaide. The purpose was to
      improve chronic disease management in General Practice, by equipping nurses to
      work as practice nurses who would coordinate care and establish chronic disease
      management systems. METHOD: Secondary analysis of qualitative data contained in
      the Initiative evaluation report, specifically drawing on quarterly project
      records and four focus groups conducted with practice nurses, practice nurse
      coordinators and practice nurse mentors. FINDINGS: As evidenced by the need to
      increase the amount of support provided during the implementation of the
      Initiative, nurses new to General Practice faced challenges in their new role.
      Nurses described a big learning curve as they dealt with role transition to a new
      work environment and learning a range of new skills while developing chronic
      disease management systems. Informants valued the skills development and support
      offered by the Initiative, however the ongoing difficulties in implementing the
      role suggested that change is also needed at the level of the Practice. While
      just over a half of the placement positions were retained, practice nurses
      expressed concern with having to negotiate the conditions of their employment.
      CONCLUSION: In order to advance the role of practice nurses as managers of
      chronic disease support is needed at two levels. At one level support is needed
      to assist practice nurses to build their own skills. At the level of the
      Practice, and in the wider health workforce system, support is also needed to
      ensure that Practices are organisationally ready to include the practice nurse
      within the practice team.

PMID- 26281408
TI  - Satisfaction and comfort with nursing in Australian general practice.
AB  - The practice nursing workforce has grown exponentially in recent years. Whilst
      evidence has shown the important contributions of nurses to general practice
      service delivery, the consumer perspective of nursing in general practice has
      received limited attention. Given that acceptability of nurses is influenced by
      patient satisfaction which can in turn improve both treatment adherence and
      clinical outcomes, this is an important area for investigation. The primary aim
      of this study was to evaluate consumer satisfaction with chronic disease
      management by nurses in general practice (NiGP) and comfort with the tasks
      undertaken by nurses in general practice. Consumers receiving chronic disease
      services from nurses in general practice participating in a larger study were
      recruited to complete a survey. The survey comprised of demographic information,
      and items related to satisfaction with the nurse encounter (SPN-9) and consumer
      comfort with nurse roles in general practice (CPN-18). Eighty-one consumers
      participated in the study. Cronbach's alpha values of the SPN-9 and the CPN-18
      were 0.95 and 0.97 respectively. SPN-9 results demonstrated high levels of
      satisfaction with PN consultations. Bivariate analysis did not show any
      significant differences within the consumer group relating to satisfaction.
      However, those who presented for diabetes-related reasons were more likely to
      report high comfort levels with the nurse encounter compare to those who
      presented to general practice for other chronic disease conditions (38% versus
      14%, p = 0.016). The results of this study demonstrate that consumers are
      generally satisfied with nursing consultations in general practice related to
      chronic disease. However, further research evaluating consumer confidence,
      comfort and satisfaction with nursing care is needed to ensure that nursing
      services meet consumer needs.

PMID- 26281409
TI  - Impact of nursing care in Australian general practice on the quality of care: A
      pilot of the Patient Enablement and Satisfaction Survey (PESS).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nursing roles in general practice have undergone significant
      expansion, but as yet there are few tools to measure the quality of nursing care
      in general practice. This study piloted the Patient Enablement and Satisfaction
      Survey (PESS) to evaluate two aspects of quality of care in this setting.
      METHODS: Participants were patients attending nurse-led general and chronic
      disease clinics in two general practices The survey was posted to 180 consecutive
      patients attending these clinics over one week (response rate, 28% for general
      clinic, 40% chronic diseases clinic; n = 57). Scores were calculated for
      enablement and satisfaction and free text comments were analysed. Comparisons
      were made between patients who had attended the general clinic for influenza
      vaccination and for other conditions, and those who attended the chronic diseases
      clinic. FINDINGS: Overall results indicate high levels of satisfaction (M =
      68.3/75 SD = 8.1) and moderate enablement (M = 4.7/8 SD = 3.2). Significant
      differences were observed between satisfaction scores for patients attending the
      chronic disease clinic and the general clinic for influenza vaccinations alone,
      and between those attending the general clinic for influenza vaccinations versus
      treatment of other conditions. Patients attending the chronic disease clinic had
      higher enablement scores than patients receiving influenza vaccinations at the
      general clinic. Analysis of free-text comments in the survey supported these
      findings. CONCLUSION: All patients reported satisfaction with nursing care.
      Patients receiving chronic disease management reported high levels of enablement.
      This pilot indicated that the PESS can distinguish between two aspects of the
      quality of nursing care that may impact on patient outcomes.

PMID- 26281410
TI  - Health-promoting lifestyles and cardio-metabolic risk factors among international
      students in South Korea.
AB  - This study examined the health-promoting lifestyles and cardio-metabolic risks
      among international students in Korea. This descriptive, cross-sectional study
      design enrolled a convenience sample of 118 international students at a
      university in Korea. Collected data included items from the Health-promoting
      Lifestyle Profile (II) scale and cardiovascular risk factors. The participants
      had a moderately health-promoting lifestyle (2.5 of 4). Men engaged in more
      physical activity than did women (p = .002). The most prevalent risk factor was
      elevated blood lipid profiles (26.3%), followed by overweight/obesity (25.4%),
      elevated blood pressure (17.8%), and elevated fasting glucose levels (5.1%). More
      than half of the participants (54.2%) had one or more cardiac risk factors, and
      these participants also scored lower in health-promoting lifestyle factors than
      other students (p = .034). Regular health check-ups are needed to identify the
      cardio-metabolic risks of international students. A university-based programme
      aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles could help prevent cardio-metabolic risks
      among international students.

PMID- 26281411
TI  - Trust and decision-making: How nurses in Australian general practice negotiate
      role limitations.
AB  - AIM: To explore the importance of role recognition and relationships between the
      opportunities for decision-making, social support, and skill development, in a
      sample of nurses working in general practice in New South Wales, Australia.
      BACKGROUND: Understanding how nurses make decisions about patients and their care
      in general practice will benefit organisations and public policy. This
      understanding is important as the role changes and opportunities for further role
      development emerge. DESIGN: A sequential mixed methods design was used. Study 1
      utilised the internationally validated Job Content Questionnaire to collect data
      about decision making, social support, skill development, and identity derived
      from the role. In 2008 a purposive sample of nurses working in general practice
      (n = 160) completed and submitted an online Job Content Questionnaire. Study 2
      used a set of open-ended questions informed by Study 1 to guide semi-structured
      interviews. In 2010 fifteen interviews were undertaken with nurses in general
      practice. Demographic characteristics of both samples were compared, and the
      findings of both studies were integrated. RESULTS: The integration of findings of
      Study 1 and 2 suggests that nurses defined their expertise as being able to
      identify patient need and communicate this to the general practitioner, the
      ability to do so led to the development of trusting relationships. Trusting
      relationships led to greater support from the general practitioner and this
      support allowed the nurse greater freedom to make decisions about patient care.
      CONCLUSIONS: Nurses gained influence in clinical decision-making by building
      trusting relationships with patients and medical colleagues. They actively
      collaborated in and made decisions about patient care. These results suggest that
      there is a need to consider how nursing can more effectively contribute to care
      in general practice settings.

PMID- 26281412
TI  - Feasibility, acceptability and safety of a nurse led hepatitis B clinic based in
      the community.
AB  - AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate if a community based hepatitis B
      (HBV) nurse clinic is a feasible, acceptable and safe strategy to improve access
      to best practice chronic hepatitis B care (CHB) in Sydney Local Health District.
      METHODS: The weekly clinic commenced in an Inner West Sydney Health Centre in
      November 2012. The CNC responsibilities included patient assessment, management,
      education, triage, the development of care plans for GPs and GP support. Nursing
      practice was guided by recommendations from internationally and nationally
      endorsed CHB Guidelines. Information on patient demographics, clinical findings,
      triage decisions and sources of referral were collected and used to assess the
      feasibility, acceptability and safety of the nurse clinic. Patients were also
      invited to complete a self-administered survey. The survey included questions on
      attitudes towards the clinic and opinions on barriers to accessing treatment and
      care. Data was collated and analysed in both Excel and SPPS. RESULTS: In the
      first 18 months of the clinic 66 people attended, 56 (80%) had CHB, 51 (77%) were
      born in an Asian country. An equal number of males and females attended. 11 (17%)
      required further management at a hospital based liver clinic and were referred. 5
      (8%) have commenced anti-viral treatment. 24 (36%) met the criteria for six
      monthly HCC screening and were commenced on HCC surveillance. Twenty-two GPs
      referred patients. 11 (17%) patients returned the survey and they reported a high
      level of satisfaction with the clinic and willingness to engage in future CHB
      care. CONCLUSIONS: This study of a community based CHB nurse clinic shows it is a
      feasible, acceptable, and safe initiative. The nurse improved access to best
      practice care and supported patients to effectively manage their CHB. We have
      confirmed a nurse can have a central role in triage, case management and GP
      support. Given the high CHB prevalence in our LHD a higher number of GP referrals
      were expected. Further research on how to increase engagement with GPs and people
      living with CHB is needed. We plan to expand our model with the CHB nurse
      conducting assessments and education in GP practices.

PMID- 26281413
TI  - President's 'proud moment' shared.

PMID- 26281414
TI  - The life and death of heating efficiency.

PMID- 26281417
TI  - Controlling humidity for healthier hospital.

PMID- 26281416
TI  - A strategic approach in Scotland outlined.

PMID- 26281420
TI  - Transformational change called for.

PMID- 26281421
TI  - Washroom safety in the spotlight.

PMID- 26281415
TI  - Hospitals single-room design evaluated.

PMID- 26281422
TI  - Anti-ligature: striking the right balance.

PMID- 26281423
TI  - Systems keeping up with latest technology.

PMID- 26281419
TI  - Search for efficiency savings continues.

PMID- 26281418
TI  - Importance of regular inspection stressed.

PMID- 26281425
TI  - Switchgear project meticulously managed.
AB  - Electrical engineering and estates personnel at Sodexo--which manages a wide
      range of soft and hard facilities management services for five hospitals under a
      PFI contract at the Manchester Royal Infirmary--have successfully planned,
      managed, and co-ordinated, a complex electrical engineering project which saw
      high voltage (HV) switchgear in the site's main intake sub-station dismantled by
      the supplier to repair a potential earthing mechanism fault which would have
      prevented individual switchgear panels being shut down, to, for example, cater
      for renovation of electrical cabling or components cross the site's high voltage
      network. With detailed planning, including provision for bringing onto site
      temporary bulk generators, and the formulation of a 600-step switching programme,
      the replacement of potential faulty driver components in the disconnect mechanism
      for 20 HV switchgear panels was completed in just four weeks, with minimal
      interruption to the vast complex's power supply.

PMID- 26281424
TI  - Concerted drive to cut carbon footprint.
AB  - In 2013 Peter Sellars, head of Profession for Estates & Facilities Policy at the
      Department of Health, successfully bid for L50 million from the Treasury to help
      finance a range of 'spend-to-save' energy efficiency initiatives across the NHS
      in England. In all 117 energy efficiency projects were initiated across 48
      English NHS organisations--funded through a dedicated NHS Energy Efficiency Fund.
      An independent analysis for the DH, NHS Energy Efficiency Fund Final Report,
      Summary 2014, by Professor Alan Short of Cambridge University's Department of
      Architecture, says the projects are already on track to save 100.6 million kg of
      CO2 annually, and some 2.4% of the entire 2012 NHS building energy-related carbon
      footprint, delivering annual energy savings of 160.5 million kWh (equivalent to
      boiling 3.34 billion cups of tea a year.) The Report--reproduced in large part
      here--summarises the schemes' preliminary outcomes, and makes recommendations for
      policy-makers implementing similar energy-saving funding schemes in the future.

PMID- 26281426
TI  - Correct sizing decisions key to success.
AB  - According to specialist in optimised resource management, Veolia, combined heat
      and power (CHP) 'has been proven for its effectiveness in reducing carbon
      emissions, thanks to the efficient way that the technology simultaneously derives
      power and heat from the combustion process'. However, as Mark Atkinson, the
      company's operations manager, explains, it is only through specifying and
      designing the plant accurately that the correct load, and therefore the desired
      savings, can be realized.

PMID- 26281427
TI  - Design and technology combine to good effect.
AB  - As flooring specialist, Gerflor, marks over 60 years supplying the healthcare
      sector, Virginia Harris, the company's Scottish sales and specification
      executive, takes a look at some of the recent trends in healthcare flooring,
      where attractive aesthetics, sustainability, a hard-wearing and robust
      construction, and cleaning and infection control considerations, are among the
      key criteria on specifiers' lists. She also considers the crossover between
      design and new product development.

PMID- 26281429
TI  - Flexible materials can adapt throughout life.

PMID- 26281428
TI  - Tough by name, tough by nature.
AB  - Few beds, one would imagine, could withstand three-quarters of a ton landing on
      them, but this was the challenge successfully met by a box bed from a furniture
      manufacturer for challenging behaviour environments, Tough Furniture, when, to
      reassure a customer that the bed could accommodate 30-stone patients, 13 of the
      company's staff jumped repeatedly on it to ensure that it would survive intact in
      a real-world setting. Such testing may seem extreme, but is vital, since much of
      the company's furniture is destined for environments where patients will abuse,
      and indeed attempt to destroy, components. As MD David Vesty explained to HEJ
      editor, Jonathan Baillie, when he visited the company's Shropshire headquarters,
      it is through manufacturing premium quality cabinet furniture that is both
      attractive and distinctly non-institutional, but will equally withstand the
      harshest use, that the company has ensured that its products can live up to the
      brand name.

PMID- 26281430
TI  - A 'compelling case' for bioliquids'.
AB  - Bioliquid is often overlooked by organisations when they look to reduce carbon
      emissions by moving heating or power generation away from fossil fuels to
      'renewables'. According to Andrew Monaghan, commercial director at a specialist
      bioliquid producer, UK Renewable Fuels (UKRF), "although it doesn't have the
      glamour of some of the 'new' technologies, and bioliquids suffer something of a
      bad press from the environmental lobby, by any rational and informed reasoning,
      it really should be first on the list". Here he outlines why, as he puts it,
      'second generation bioliquids should be the renewable of choice for many
      applications, as either the primary or a supplementary source of energy'.

PMID- 26281431
TI  - Giving credit where credit is due: Our commitment to ethical publishing.

PMID- 26281432
TI  - The Possibilities for Activity Scale (PActS): Development, validity, and
      reliability.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Laliberte Rudman proposed the concept of occupational possibilities
      to represent what older adults feel they "should be" and "could be" doing.
      PURPOSE: This study aimed to develop and validate a measure of perceived
      occupational possibilities: the Possibilities for Activity Scale (PActS). METHOD:
      Two factors of the PActS, activity expectations and activity self-efficacy, were
      operationalized in a 14-item instrument. The instrument was then evaluated with a
      sample of older adults diagnosed with cancer (n = 179). FINDINGS: The PActS
      demonstrated promising internal consistency reliability (stratified coefficient
      alpha = .77) and construct-related (r = .58; p < .0001), structural (chi-square =
      61.57; CFI = .97; RMSEA = .05; TLI = .96; NFL = .91) and known-groups validity.
      IMPLICATIONS: The PActS appears to be a useful measure of internalized
      occupational possibilities for participation in activity for older adults with
      cancer. This scale can enhance the measurement of participation in activity by
      evaluating the perceptions of occupational possibilities.

PMID- 26281433
TI  - The development of the Pediatric Motivation Scale for rehabilitation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Clinicians recognize that client motivation is key to optimizing
      rehabilitation; however, they are limited in its assessment by a paucity of
      motivation measures. PURPOSE: This paper presents the preliminary psychometrics
      of the Pediatric Motivation Scale (PMOT) designed to measure motivation from a
      child's perspective. METHOD: Content validity of the PMOT was measured through
      expert feedback (n = 12), and field testing ocurred with 41 children, 21 in
      rehabilitation and 20 healthy. Pearson product-moment correlations were used to
      analyze subscale correlations, test-retest reliability, and convergent validity
      with the Pediatric Volitional Questionnaire (PVQ). Internal consistency was
      measured using Cronbach's alpha. FINDINGS: Preliminary psychometric evaluation
      indicates strong internal consistency for PMOT total (alpha = .96) and subscales
      (alpha = .79-.91). The PMOT and PVQ moderately correlated in the rehabilitation
      subsample (r = .71, p < .01); no correlation was found in the healthy subsample
      (p > .05). Test-retest reliability was excellent (r = .97). IMPLICATIONS: This
      study provides preliminary psychometric evidence of the PMOT for children
      undergoing rehabilitation. These pilot findings warrant ongoing scale
      development.

PMID- 26281434
TI  - An international systematic mapping review of fieldwork education in occupational
      therapy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Owing to its importance in preparing occupational therapists,
      fieldwork education has generated numerous studies. These have not been collected
      and reviewed, leaving researchers without a map for growing a science of
      fieldwork education. PURPOSE: This study aimed to systematically categorize the
      topics, research designs, methods, levels of impact, and themes that have and
      have not been addressed in fieldwork education scholarship. METHOD: Guided by a
      systematic mapping review design, 124 articles, identified through database
      searches and inclusion coding, were studied. Data were collected using a data
      extraction instrument and analyzed using Microsoft Access queries. FINDINGS:
      Papers primarily addressed curriculum (n = 51) and students (n = 32).
      Conceptual/descriptive inquiry methods (n = 57) were predominant. Qualitative (n
      = 48) and quantitative methods (n = 49) were used equally. Research outcomes
      mainly targeted perceived participation in fieldwork. Recurring themes included
      student perceptions, external influences, and transition to practice.
      IMPLICATIONS: Three recommendations were identified: strengthen procedures for
      studying singular fieldwork experiences, broaden rationales for studying
      fieldwork, and translate educational concepts for occupational therapy.

PMID- 26281435
TI  - Developing occupational therapy students' practice habits via qualitative inquiry
      education.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Accreditation standards and practice competencies underscore the
      importance of research for occupational therapy practice, but they do not guide
      how occupational therapy education addresses research. Despite the prominence of
      qualitative research in the health professions, there exists a need to articulate
      how and why qualitative inquiry is taught in occupational therapy education.
      PURPOSE: We discuss how qualitative inquiry education can develop habits of
      reflection and reflexivity, criticality, and active engagement in preparation for
      occupational therapy practice. KEY ISSUES: We hold that our students'
      professional abilities to practice in a well-reasoned, ethical, and responsive
      manner are enhanced by experiences with qualitative inquiry and suggest that
      there is potential in linking qualitative inquiry experiences to professional
      habit formation in occupational therapy education. IMPLICATIONS: In addition to
      teaching research for its own sake, we suggest that educators can adopt a broader
      view of how qualitative inquiry functions within occupational therapy education.

PMID- 26281436
TI  - [Home safety and severe mental disorders: Developing an evaluation tool].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Home safety evaluation is an important issue within the context of
      current perspectives on accommodation for people with a serious mental illness
      who favour a more independent way of life. PURPOSE: This paper describes the
      development and content validation of the Evaluation de la securite a domicile et
      de la gestion des risques (ESGR), an occupational therapy assessment tool for
      people with a serious mental illness. METHOD: The ESGR was developed from
      scientific knowledge and clinical experience. Assessing content validity was done
      in two phases and involved the consultation of 11 experts. FINDINGS: In its
      current form, the ESGR includes 67 items organized into three categories
      (environment, occupation, person). IMPLICATIONS: According to the experts
      consulted, there is a clinical interest in using the ESGR to support occupational
      therapists in the assessment of home safety for people with serious mental
      illness. The statements are clear and representative of the concept and the
      target audience.

PMID- 26281437
TI  - Alternative approaches for the control of gastrointestinal nematodes in sheep
      farming: a review.
AB  - Gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) are a serious health problem and represent the
      most significant constraint in sheep grazing operations. Problems tend to be
      worse in organic sheep farming systems, as a consequence of a less restricted
      access of animals to outdoor environment with a higher exposure to infective
      larvae. In domestic animals, GIN are effectively controlled by an aggressive
      prophylactic administration of commercially available anthelmintics. As a
      consequence to a common overdose and misuse of readily available antiparasitic
      treatments, there is an inevitable development of populations of GIN resistant to
      all major classes of anthelmintics. Also, the control of GIN that is based
      entirely on the anthelmintic use, threatens sustainability of the sheep farming
      worldwide. The combination of the optimized use of anthelmintic drugs and
      alternative approaches seem to be a reasonable choice in sustainable parasitic
      control programs that offer a substantial reduction of anthelmintic treatments
      and conservation of anthelmintic efficacy. In that aspect, a "targeted selective
      treatment (TST)" directed towards animals clinically diagnosed with GIN, seems to
      be an effective approach to leave some parasite populations unexposed to
      anthelmintics (refugia) and to reduce development of anthelmintic resistance.
      Also, many current research efforts aim to find and validate sustainable non
      chemotherapeutic approaches to GIN control, including changes in grazing
      management, optimized nutrition, dietary supplementation, consumption of plants
      with anthelmintic properties, biological control by nematophagous fungi, copper
      oxide wire particles (COWP), and homeopathic treatments. This manuscript outlines
      (outlines) and discusses relevant alternative approaches for GIN control in
      modern sheep farming systems.

PMID- 26281438
TI  - [Detection of Coxiella burnetii in dairy cattle bulk tank milk and single tank
      milk samples by confirmatory testing].
AB  - Q fever is a worldwide zoonotic disease caused by the pathogen Coxiella (C.)
      burnetii. A wide range of animal species is susceptible to this intracellular
      bacterium with great importance in ruminants. Human infections occur mainly by
      airborne transmission. C burnetii was detected in animal products such as raw
      milk, raw-milk cheese and butter prepared from raw milk as well as in the meat of
      infected animals. In cattle milk, the pathogen was detected up to 13 months after
      calving. The risk of human foodborne C. Burnetii infection is still considered to
      be low, but cannot be completely ruled out and remains under discussion. The aim
      of this study was to compare different laboratory diagnostic methods for C.
      burnetii in milk sample. The bulk tank and individual milk samples were sent and
      studied at the National Reference Laboratory for Q-fever in the context of
      confirmatory laboratory testing after clinical suspicion or retesting of
      previously antibody detection was in the analysis of 888 individual milk samples
      a match of 93.3% (Cohen-kappa). A total of 173 bulk milk samples and 2,807
      individual milk samples from bovine herds for the presence of C. burnetii DNA and
      antibodies were tested against the pathogen. The pathogen was detected in 62.5%
      of the bulk milk samples and up to 60% in individual milk samples. The highest
      proportion of positive bulk milks was determined as 68.3% in 2012. In individual
      milk samples, the highest proportion of seropositive samples was 62.2%.

PMID- 26281439
TI  - Spontaneous bacterial and fungal infections in genetically engineered mice: Is
      Escherichia coli an emerging pathogen in laboratory mouse?
AB  - The impact of particular microbes on genetically engineered mice depends on the
      genotype and the environment. Infections resulting in clinical disease have an
      obvious impact on animal welfare and experimentation. In this study, we
      investigated the bacterial and fungal aetiology of spontaneous clinical disease
      of infectious origin among the genetically engineered mice from our institution
      in relation to their genotype. A total of 63 mice belonging to 33 different mice
      strains, from severe immunodeficient to wild-type, were found to display
      infections as the primary cause leading to their euthanasia. The necropsies
      revealed abscesses localized subcutaneously as well as in the kidney, preputial
      glands, seminal vesicles, in the uterus, umbilicus or in the lung. In addition,
      pneumonia, endometritis and septicaemia cases were recorded. Escherichia coli was
      involved in 21 of 44 (47.72%) of the lesions of bacterial origin, whereas
      [Pasteurella] pneumotropica was isolated from 19 of 44 (43.18%) cases. The
      infections with the two agents mentioned above included three cases of mixed
      infection with both pathogens. Staphylococcus aureus was considered responsible
      for five of 44 (11.36%) cases whereas Enterobacter cloacae was found to cause
      lesions in two of 44 (4.54%) mice. Overall, 16 of the 44 (36.36%) cases of
      bacterial aetiology affected genetically engineered mice without any explicit
      immunodeficiency or wild-type strains. The remaining 19 cases of interstitial
      pneumonia were caused by Pneumocystis murina. In conclusion, the susceptibility
      of genetically modified mice to opportunistic infections has to be regarded with
      precaution, regardless of the type of genetic modification performed. Beside the
      classical opportunists, such as [Pasteurella] pneumotropica and Staphylococcus
      aureus, Escherichia coli should as well be closely monitored to evaluate whether
      it represents an emerging pathogen in the laboratory mouse.

PMID- 26281440
TI  - [Severe purulent and necrotizing glossitis in a fallow deer (Dama dama) due to an
      infection with the involvement of Mannheimia granulomatis].
AB  - Post mortem examination of a young fallow deer (Dama dama) revealed a severe
      purulent and necrotizing glossitis as well as a multifocal necrotizing and
      ulcerative rumenitis and typhlitis. The animal was cachectic. Mannheimia (M.) sp.
      was isolated from the tongue lesions and identified as M. granulomatis by MALDI
      TOF MS and 16S rRNA sequencing. Mycosis and BVDV infection were excluded. Few
      publications are dealing with similar macroscopic findings associated with the
      isolation of M. granulomatis in cattle and roe deer. Therefore, M. granulomatis
      should also be taken into consideration when such lesions occur in other
      ruminants. Based on our findings in case of gross pathological lesions of the
      tongue of ruminants a Mannheimia granulomatis-infection should be investigated as
      well as the possible role of Fusobacterium necrophorum, Actinobacillus
      lignieresii or Actinomyces bovis.

PMID- 26281441
TI  - Platelet function in dogs with bacterial infections and leishmaniasis.
AB  - The objective of this study was to examine the influence of bacterial infections
      or leishmaniasis on primary haemostasis in dogs. Capillary bleeding time,
      automatic platelet function analysis (PFA-100), turbidimetric platelet
      aggregation, impedance aggregometry, platelet count and, in addition, the
      haematocrit were investigated in 25 dogs with bacterial infections or
      leishmaniasis . Results of these diseased dogs were compared to the control group
      and additionally classified into two subgroups based on criteria of systemic
      inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) (groups "SIRS" and "Non-SIRS"). Dogs with
      infections had a significantly prolonged closure time of the PFA-100 using both
      cartridges (e. g., collagen/ADP: 83 [55-301] vs. 65 [47-99 s; median [minimum
      maximum]; p < 0.0001), a significant decrease in maximal aggregation of the
      turbidimetric aggregometry (e. g., ADP-induced: 45.2 +/- 26.8 vs. 67.3 +/- 21.8%;
      mean +/- SD; P = 0.003), a significant increase of collagen-induced impedance
      aggregometry and a significant suppression of arachidonic acid-induced impedance
      aggregometry. An enhanced collagen-induced impedance aggregation was the only
      significant difference between subgroups "SIRS"and "Non-SIRS". In conclusion,
      although individual tests indicate enhanced platelet aggregation, most of the in
      vitro tests revealed a normal to moderately reduced functionality. The reduced
      aggregabiity may partly indicate preactivation of platelets.

PMID- 26281442
TI  - [Prevalence of antibodies against Tick-Borne Encephalitis virus in dogs from
      Saxony, Germany].
AB  - Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is the most important tick-transmitted viral
      disease in Europe and is caused by the TBE virus (TBEV), a member of the
      Flaviviridae family. In Germany, the vast majority of human TBE cases occurs in
      the south in so-called risk areas. However, in areas with only sporadic TBE
      cases, the respective risk assessment is hard to achieve. We therefore intend to
      use the prevalence of antibodies against TBEV in dogs as an indicator to trace
      such TBE endemic areas. Between August 2012 and March 2014, a total of 331 blood
      sera were collected from dogs all over Saxony, which hadn't left the state for
      the past five years. For the detection of antibodies against TBE-virus a
      commercial ELISA was used. Ten sera with positive or borderline ELISA results
      were retested by serum neutralization test. All seven ELISA-positive serum
      samples could be verified to contain TBE-virus-specific antibodieswith SNT titres
      between 1:15 and more than 1:40. We therefore found 2.1% seroprevalence in our
      samples. We conclude, that dogs can very well be used as sentinels, especially in
      areas with only sporadic TBE cases, although larger sample sizes are desired.

PMID- 26281443
TI  - Comparison of the prevalence of Mycoplasma species in dogs with and without
      respiratory disease.
AB  - Aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of Mycoplasma species in dogs
      with and without signs of respiratory disease. Bronchoalveolarlavage fluid (BALF)
      and pharyngeal swabs were collected from 29 dogs with respiratory diseases (RD)
      and 16 dogs without signs of RD that were euthanised because of other diseases.
      Samples were tested for Mycoplasma species by PCR and culture, and sequencing was
      performed in Mycoplasma species-positive BALF samples. Pharyngeal swabs were
      positive for Mycoplasma species by PCR in 91.7% of dogs with RD and 86.7% of dogs
      without signs of RD (p = 1.000); BALF samples were PCR-positive in 37.9% of dogs
      with RD and 18.8% of dogs without signs of RD (p = 0.194) Mycoplasmo culture of
      BALF was positive in 28.6% of dogs with RD and in 18.8% without signs of RD (p =
      0.730). When culture and PCR were compared, there was no significant difference
      in the detection rate of Mycoplasma species (p = 0.658) Sequencing detected
      different Mycoplasma species. Out of these, however, Mycoplasma cynos was
      isolated from four dogs with RD. There is no significant difference in the
      prevalence of Mycoplasma species between dogs with RD and dogs without evidence
      of RD; however, Mycoplasma cynos seems to be associated with respiratory disease.

PMID- 26281444
TI  - The occurrence of Anaplasma phagocyto- philum in wild bison from the Bialowieza
      Primeval Forest in Eastern Poland.
AB  - The aim of the present study was to investigate the occurrence of Anaplasma spp.
      in a group of 120 wild bison (Bison bonasus) from the Bialowieza Primeval Forest
      in eastern Poland and to determine which species of Anaplasma could infect these
      animals based on a PCR of a part of the 16S rRNA gene followed by sequencing. The
      PCR technique showed the presence of 16S rRNA Anaplasma spp. genetic material in
      the blood of 22 from a total of 120 animals. DNA amplification by means of the
      primers EHR 521 and EHR 747 gave a product size of 252-bp. The sequences of the
      PCR products obtained showed 100% homology with each other and 100% homology with
      the Anaplasma phagocytophilum GU 183908 sequence from our earlier study, isolated
      from a horse with a clinical case of anaplasmosis. The similarity of the
      sequences with the sequences of the 16S rRNA gene isolated from various Anaplasma
      species deposited in the GeneBank, ranged between 95.8% and 98.8%. Based on the
      results of molecular analysis, bacterial DNA detected in the blood of 22 wild
      bison was identified as Anaplasma phagocytophilum.

PMID- 26281445
TI  - Ectoparasites of hedgehogs (Erinaceus concolor) from Turkey.
AB  - Hedgehogs are small, nocturnal, spiny-coated animals that have been growing in
      popularity as exotic pets. However, these animals are host to a wide variety of
      viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites, some of which are of zoonotic character.
      Thus, because hedgehogs have a potential role to transmit zoonoses including
      arthropod-borne diseases, we examined them for their ectoparasites. The study was
      carried out on hedgehogs found dead mainly due to road casualties in the Bursa
      province of Turkey. The ectoparasites were collected by both insecticide spraying
      of the body and inspection on a white paper carefully. Totally three species of
      ticks (Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Hyalomma aegyptium, Haemophysalis parvo) and one
      flea species (Archeopsylla erinacei) were detected. The prevalence of mixed
      infestation with both ticks and fleas was 45.5%. Haemaphysalis parva was reported
      for the first time from hedgehogs (Erinaceus concolor) in Turkey. The occurrence
      of ectoparasites and their potential role as vectors of certain zoonotic diseases
      are briefly discussed.

PMID- 26281446
TI  - [Relationship and repeatability of body condition scoring and backfat thickness
      measurement in dairy cows by different investigators].
AB  - The determination of the body condition of dairy cows is a helpful instrument to
      assess the energy situation of individual cows and herds. Two methods for
      determining the body condition are well established in bovine practice, body
      condition scoring (BCS) and measurement of backfat thickness (BFT). The
      objectives of this study were to evaluate the repeatability of BCS on a five
      point scale with 0.25-points increments and the measurement of BFT by ultrasound
      (5 MHz linear probe) as well as the repeatability of measuring BFT at both sides
      of the cows back. Five investigators with different experience with BCS and BFT
      assessed a total of 94 cows repeatedly, resulting in 1806 BCS-measurements and
      1723 (left) and 1733 (right) BFT-values. Weighted kappa coefficient was used to
      evaluate the agreement of repeated measurements and correlations were calculated
      for linear associations. Within-observer agreement of BCS and BFT was good for
      both methods (K = 0.67 and 0.78, respectively). Agreement was moderate to
      substantial for BCS and BFT depending on the investigator. Within-observer
      agreement of BFT at the right and left body side was substantial (K = 0.75).
      There was a high correlation between repeated measurements of BCS and BFT (r =
      0.93 and r(c) = 0.91, respectively), and between BFT measured at the left and
      right body side (r(c) = 0.90). The correlation between BCS and BFT was moderate
      (r = 0.67). Overall, both methods demonstrated good repeatability applied by
      different investigators. In summary, BCS and BFT measurements are practical tools
      to contribute beneficially to herd health management.

PMID- 26281447
TI  - Effectiveness of salicylic acid paste for treatment of digital dermatitis in
      dairy cows compared with tetracycline spray and hydrotherapy.
AB  - The effectiveness of salicylic acid paste (PASTE) was tested for topical
      treatment of 25 acute and 25 chronic digital dermatitis (DD) lesions. Control
      groups with the same number of acute and chronic DD lesions were treated with
      topical oxytetracycline spray (SPRAY) and by washing only with water (HYDRO)
      respectively. The therapeutic effects were evaluated using a pain score, the
      healing rate, the lesion size and other parameters. Pre-treatment and control
      examinations were carried out on day 0, 4, 14 and 21. In the PASTE group, 76.0%
      of acute DD lesions were pain free and 64.0% of acute DD lesions were healed on
      day 21 showing a normal skin surface (MO). Only 28.0% of acute DD lesions treated
      with SPRAY and 16.0% treated with HYDRO had healed on day 21. A significantly
      higher healing rate was revealed in acute lesions for the PASTE compared to the
      HYDRO group (p < 0.05) for all three re-checks, and for the PASTE group compared
      with the SPRAY group (p < 0.05) for day 4 and day 14. Healing rates of chronic DD
      lesions were higher in the PASTE group with 44.0% on day 14 and 36.0% on day 21,
      compared with 16.0% in the SPRAY and 32.0% in the HYDRO group on day 14, and
      20.0% (SPRAY) and 28.0% (HYDRO) on day 21 respectively. The recurrence rate of
      lesions after they had healed during the study period was 14.5% in total. Digital
      dermatitis lesions treated with salicylic acid paste and a wrap showed
      significantly higher healing rates within the study period, odds ratios for
      healing of acute lesions with PASTE were 4.5 to 6.7 times higher than with SPRAY,
      and 9.3 to 36.4 higher compared with HYDRO.

PMID- 26281448
TI  - Elevated testosterone levels in a racing horse due to an XY testicular disorder
      of sexual development.
AB  - A female thoroughbred successful in horse racing was positively tested for high
      testosterone values. This horse neither showed stallion-like-behaviour nor signs
      of ambiguous external genitalia. The karyotype of this horse was 2n = 64,XY and
      the sex-determining region of Y (SRY) PCR was positive. Hair samples tested for
      naturally testosterone revealed values normal for stallions, and tests for eight
      synthetic testosterone esters remained negative. The phenotype, ultrasonographic
      examination, hormone status, cytogenetic evaluation and molecular diagnostics
      lead to the diagnosis of an XY testicular disorder of sexual development (DSD)
      due to a complete androgen insensitivity syndrome. To our knowledge this is the
      first report about a thoroughbred in racing sports with an XY testicular disorder
      of sexual development. To date, intersex racing horses have never been described
      in thoroughbreds or a regulation for intersexes in regard to horse races has been
      issued.

PMID- 26281449
TI  - Mercury concentrations in feathers of Common Swifts (Apus apus).
AB  - Mercury (Hg) has been well studied as a bioaccumulated contaminant in aquatic
      ecosystems worldwide. It has been found to have negative effects on carnivorous
      and piscivorous bird species with the highest Hg concentrations at the top of the
      food chain. The objective of this study was to increase our knowledge of mercury
      exposure in insectivorous birds, especially in a species of the family Apodidae.
      The Common Swift (Apus apus) that specialises on feeding on aerial plankton molts
      and winters as a long-distance migrant in Sub-Saharan Africa. In the breeding
      seasons 2011-2013 the concentrations of Hg in primary flight feathers (P8-P10) in
      juvenile (n = 35) and adult (n = 25) injured Common Swifts were examined in the
      area of Hannover, Lower Saxony, Germany using cold vapour atomic absorption
      spectrometry. As a first reference, it was possible to determine feather Hg
      levels in adult (Mean +/- SD: 0.53 mg/kg wet weight +/- 0.37; Xmin-Xmax: 0.04
      1.45 mg/kg; n = 25) as well as in juvenile Swifts (Mean +/- SD: 0.11 mg/kg wet
      weight +/- 0.06; Xmin-Xmax: 0.04-0.25 mg/kg; n = 35). The significant differences
      between the ages (p <= 0.001) are probably caused by differences in the feather
      growth, in accumulation of mercury for a longer time in adults as well as
      particularly in differences between mercury pollution in breeding and wintering
      ground. The mercury levels detected in swifts in this study are all below the
      range found by other authors to cause behavioural changes or reduced reproduction
      (5 mg/kg).

PMID- 26281450
TI  - Dry Decontamination. A white-powder letter sparks a workplace hazmat scare.

PMID- 26281452
TI  - Specialty Vehicles Assist Disaster Response. Five considerations for effectively
      preparing for MCIs.

PMID- 26281451
TI  - The Boston Bombing Review: What Went right and Wrong? Report evaluates the
      response to the 2013 terrorist attack.

PMID- 26281453
TI  - Evidence-based EMS: Psychological First Aid During Disaster Response. What's the
      best we can do for those who are suffering mentally?

PMID- 26281454
TI  - How FirstNet Will broaden communications. The wireless broadband network will
      connect police, fire and EMS through mobile devices.

PMID- 26281455
TI  - SMART Triage, World Leader in MCI Response.

PMID- 26281456
TI  - Telehealth Project Helps Cut Transports in Houston.

PMID- 26281457
TI  - Treatment Options for Hypoglycemia: Should It Be Gluca-gone?

PMID- 26281458
TI  - The payers perspective on MIH-CP programs. How to make a case for funding your
      project.
AB  - Here are some key points to consider when engaging in conversations with
      potential payers for EMS-based MIH-CP programs. The realignment of fiscal
      incentives within the healthcare system has created an environment that
      encourages providers and payers to work together to right-size utilization.
      Providers and payers are often unaware of the true value EMS agencies can bring
      to their patients through proactive and innovative patient navigation services.
      You need to tell them--or, better yet, show them. You may need to do a small
      demonstration project with a handful of patients to prove you can make a
      difference. In order to understand the new environment, you need to become well
      versed in healthcare metrics, specifically as they relate to the partners to whom
      you'll be proposing. Be sure you know things like readmission rates and
      penalties, value-based purchasing penalties, HCAHPS scores, MSPB and other
      motivating factors you. can use to help build the business case for your
      audience. For many in EMS, crafting partnerships for. payment of services not
      related to ambulance transport is a new and scary thing. Hopefully the examples
      provided here from payers paying for MIH services have demonstrated that their
      perspective is not much different from ours. We are all trying to do the right
      things for our patients, improve their experience of care and reduce the cost of
      the healthcare system.

PMID- 26281459
TI  - Altruism.

PMID- 26281460
TI  - In memoriam Esther Richwine.

PMID- 26281461
TI  - Tools for Taking the Measure Of Cancer Drugs.

PMID- 26281462
TI  - The Supremes Have Spoken And ACA Keeps On Hangin' On.

PMID- 26281463
TI  - Necessity of Payment Reform May Mother Big Data Into Being .

PMID- 26281464
TI  - Hospitals running amok with markups, pointing to need for oversight, say
      researchers.

PMID- 26281465
TI  - Tuning in to Telemedicine.

PMID- 26281466
TI  - Cost, Outcomes Mixed for Tele-ICU.

PMID- 26281467
TI  - HSAs Surge, Leaving HRAs in a Niche.

PMID- 26281468
TI  - Cancer Immunotherapies--and Their Cost--Take Center Stage at ASCO's 2015 Annual
      Meeting.

PMID- 26281469
TI  - Breakthrough Plug-and-Play Device Offers More Flexible Bronchoscopies.

PMID- 26281470
TI  - Half of American adults may have chronic kidney disease in their future....

PMID- 26281471
TI  - Health Care Efficiency: Measuring the Cost Associated With Quality.

PMID- 26281472
TI  - Payers may cloud pharma's sunny outlook.

PMID- 26281473
TI  - Occupation--One of the Main Causative Factors for Hypertension.

PMID- 26281474
TI  - Hypertension, Prehypertension and Normotension among Police Personnel in a
      District of West Bengal, India.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We conducted the present study to assess the prevalence of
      hypertension, prehypertension, normotension and the associated factors along with
      awareness, treatment and control of hypertension among police personnel in
      Bankura, West Bengal, India. METHODS: We collected information on individual,
      lifestyle, service-related and anthropometric characteristics of 1817 police
      personnel. We also measured blood pressure (BP) and plasma glucose level of the
      participants. Individuals were classified as hypertensive (BP >= 140/ 90 mmHg),
      prehypertensive (BP 120-139/ 80-89 mmHg) and normotensive (BP < 120/ 80 mmHg) on
      the basis of BP and their prevalence were expressed in percentages. Relation of
      individual, lifestyle, service-related and anthropometric characteristics with
      hypertension and/or prehypertension was examined with binary logistic regression.
      RESULTS: Prevalence of hypertension, prehypertension and normotension are 41.9%,
      42.9% and 15.2% respectively. Even one-quarter of below 40 years subjects have
      hypertension. Mean BP remains in the prehypertensive range. Prevalence of
      hypertension and mean BP increases with age. Cardiovascular risk factors show
      clustering in higher age and with hypertension. Older age group, male gender,
      abdominal obesity, diabetes and service length are positively associated with
      hypertension and/or prehypertension. Around 40% of hypertensive knew their
      status, three-quarter of aware subjects received treatment and only one-third of
      treated subjects have controlled BP (< 140/ 90 mmHg). CONCLUSION: High prevalence
      of hypertension and prehypertension, high mean BP, mean age above 40 years and
      clustering of other risk factors pose a greater risk of cardiovascular morbidity
      in the current study population.

PMID- 26281475
TI  - Combining Fasting Plasma Glucose with Gamma-glutamyl Transferase Improves the
      Sensitivity to Predict Incident Diabetes in Asian Indian Men with Impaired
      Glucose Tolerance.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the associations of baseline gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT)
      and alanine transaminase (ALT) with incident diabetes among Asian Indian men with
      impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). METHODS: In a 2 year prospective, randomised,
      controlled primary prevention study of diabetes, among 537 IGT men aged 35-55
      years, 123 incident diabetes (DM) cases occurred. Anthropometric {body mass index
      (BMI), waist circumference (WC)}, and laboratory measurements (fasting, 30 min
      and 2 hr plasma glucose (2 hr PG), HbA1c and plasma insulin, lipid profile, ALT,
      GGT) were estimated at baseline (Clinical Trial Identification No: NCT00819455).
      Predictive associations of baseline GGT and ALT values during the study were
      assessed using appropriate statistical methods. RESULTS: Baseline GGT but not ALT
      was significantly higher in incident diabetes cases. Mean (95% CI) GGT decreased
      in subjects who reverted to normal glucose tolerance (NGT), whereas it increased
      in subjects who deteriorated to diabetes (NGT:-3.5 (-6.4 to -0.6); IGT:0.3 (-3.0
      to 2.4); DM:8.3 (3.6 to 13.0) UL(-1); P < 0.0001). The risk of DM significantly
      increased with increasing baseline GGT after adjusting for confounders such as
      BMI, alcohol drinking, 2 hr PG and insulin resistance (2.02[1.35-3.02]; P =
      0.001). Receiver operating characteristic curve showed that the model comprising
      of baseline fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and GGT (area-under-curve(AUC)[95% CI]:
      0.668 [0.613-0.722]; P < 0.0001) was equally sensitive in identifying subjects
      with risk of diabetes as compared to 2 hr PG (AUC [95% CI]: 0.670 [0.614-0.725];
      P < 0.0001) and HbA1c (AUC [95% CI]: 0.677 [0.619-0.734]; P < 0.0001) alone.
      CONCLUSIONS: GGT was an independent predictor of incident diabetes. Combination
      of GGT and FPG offers a simple and sensitive tool to identify subjects at high
      risk of developing diabetes.

PMID- 26281476
TI  - Hypertension as a Risk Factor for Haemorrhagic Stroke in Females.
AB  - AIM: To study the effect of hypertension as a risk factor for haemorrhagic stroke
      in women compared to men. METHOD: Confirmed cases of haemorrhagic stroke by
      Computed Tomography scan were included in this study. The participants underwent
      detailed clinical examination based on preset questionnaire. Relevant laboratory
      investigations were done in this group. 100 consecutive cases were studied
      comparing the baseline characteristics with male patients admitted with
      haemorrhagic stroke. OBSERVATIONS: Among all the risk factors studied
      hypertension was the single most important risk factor causing intracerebral
      bleed. Forty seven point four percentage (47.4%) of females were hypertensive as
      against 61% in males. Blood pressure recording of females showed lower systolic
      and diastolic measurement compared to males and the difference was statistically
      significant with a p value of 0.000. Majority of the female patients were
      overweight with a significant difference in body mass index compared to males. (p
      value 0.006). CONCLUSION: Hypertension is an important risk factor for
      intracerebral bleed. Females developed intracerebral bleed at a lower blood
      pressure measurement compared to males. Females require better control of
      hypertension than males to prevent intracerebral bleed.

PMID- 26281477
TI  - Radiographic Abnormalities in the Feet of Diabetic Patients with Neuropathy and
      Foot Ulceration.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: People with diabetic neuropathy are frequently prone to several bone
      and joint abnormalities. Simple radiographic findings have been proven to be
      quite useful in the detection of such abnormalities, which might be helpful not
      only for early diagnosis but also in following the course of diabetes through
      stages of reconstruction of the ulcerated foot.The present study was designed to
      identify the common foot abnormalities in south Indian diabetic subjects with and
      without neuropathy using radiographic imaging. METHODS: About 150 (M:F 94:56)
      subjects with type 2 diabetes were categorised into three groups: Group I (50
      diabetic patients), Group II (50 patients with neuropathy), and Group III (50
      diabetic patients with both neuropathy and foot ulceration). Demographic details,
      duration of diabetes and HbA1c values were recorded. Vibration perception
      threshold was measured for assessment of neuropathy. Bone and joint abnormalities
      in the feet and legs of the study subjects were identified using standardised
      dorsi-plantar and lateral weight-bearing radiographs. RESULTS: Radiographic
      findings of the study subjects revealed that those with both neuropathy and foot
      ulceration and a longer duration of diabetes had more number of bone and joint
      abnormalities. Subjects with neuropathy alone also showed presence of several
      abnormalities, including periosteal reaction, osteopenia, and Charcot changes.
      CONCLUSIONS: The present findings highlight the impact of neuropathy and duration
      of diabetes on the development of foot abnormalities in subjects with diabetes.
      Using radiographic imaging can help in early identification of abnormalities and
      better management of the diabetic foot.

PMID- 26281479
TI  - Magnetic Susceptibility Effect in Diagnosis of Isolated Cortical Venous
      Thrombosis.

PMID- 26281478
TI  - Frailty Syndrome: A Review.
AB  - Frailty is a condition associated with ageing, co-morbidity and disability.
      Frailty was an elusive concept earlier despite efforts at consensus. There is now
      a better understanding of the multisystem dysfunction and the instability
      involved and an apparent clarity on measures that could correct deficits and
      ameliorate symptoms. The syndrome of frailty describes older people at a higher
      risk for adverse health outcomes such as illnesses, hospitalisations, disability
      and mortality. Clinically, it is diagnosed on combination of specific symptoms
      such as weight loss, muscle weakness/fatigue, low physical activity and slow
      walking speed. It can be identified by a multi-domain assessment of function.
      Interventions aimed at causative factors may help prevent conversion of frailty
      into disability. Current management measures are related to promoting physical
      activity including resistance training, clinical nutrition modifications in
      protein/amino-acids intakes, and usage of pharmacologic agents-ACE inhibitors,
      hormones-GH /testosterone in carefully investigated and selected patients. Large
      healthcare interventions and pharmacological trials are in progress.

PMID- 26281480
TI  - Chronic Necrotising Aspergillosis Presenting as Secondary Spontaneous
      Pneumothorax in an Immunocompetent Patient.

PMID- 26281481
TI  - Laryngeal Lymphoma: Before and After Chemotherapy.

PMID- 26281482
TI  - A Case Report of Complete Heart Block in an Uncommon Disease Entity: Kearns Sayre
      Syndrome.
AB  - Complete heart block has a varied aetiology; commoner being ischaemia and senile
      degeneration of AV node. In this article we report a case of complete heart block
      (AV nodal) in patient of Kearns Sayre Syndrome who has incidently SA node disease
      also which is further rarer in this disorder.

PMID- 26281483
TI  - A Rare Association of Parachute Mitral Valve with Double Outlet Right Ventricle
      and Severe Pulmonary Hypertension in an Adult.
AB  - Congenital mitral stenosis (MS) is a rare congenital cardiac malformation and the
      obstruction to the flow across the mitral valve can be caused by supramitral
      ring, commissural fusion, short chordae, anomalous mitral arcade, anomalous
      position of the papillary muscles and the so-called'parachute mitral valve'. We
      describe here the case of a 47 year old male diagnosed to have a double outlet
      right ventricle (DORV), subaortic ventricular septal defect (VSD) with no
      pulmonary stenosis, severe pulmonary hypertension and congenital MS due to
      parachute mitral valve.

PMID- 26281484
TI  - Rare Ocular Manifestations of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus--Two Case Reports.
AB  - In systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), ocular involvement is common (prevalence
      up to 30%) but extremely varied.The most common manifestation is
      keratoconjunctivitis sicca (in about 25%). Though posterior segment disease is
      not uncommon, choroidal involvement and optic neuropathy are rare. Visual loss
      from neuro-ophthalmic involvement is often due to lupus optic neuropathy. Less
      than five percent of patients only present with sole ocular involvement at
      diagnosis. We report two patients who presented with decreased visual acuity and
      rare posterior eye changes as presenting features of SLE in the absence of other
      clinical manifestations and later developed lupus nephritis.

PMID- 26281485
TI  - Hypopituitarism and AutoimmuneThyroiditis Following Snake Bite: An Unusual
      Clinical Scenario.
AB  - Snake venom can cause local tissue damage and lead to coagulopathy, shock,
      neurotoxicity and acute kidney injury. Hypopituitarism is a rare complication
      following snake bite. It has been described following Russell's viper bite from
      Burma and South India. Herein we describe a patient who presented with severe
      thyrotoxicosis and partial hypopituitarism following snake bite.

PMID- 26281486
TI  - Neurological Manifestations in a Patient of Kikuchi's Disease.
AB  - Kikuchi's disease is a rare condition that mainly presents in young females along
      with lymphadenitis. Involvement of the nervous system is rare. We report a young
      female who presented with fever, headache, vomiting, lymphadenopathy and
      neurological manifestations in the form of aseptic meningitis, ataxia and
      paraparesis. Since the disease can be mistaken clinically and histologically for
      SLE, lymphoma and tuberculosis it is important to differentiate it from these
      conditions. Also our case emphasizes the importance of recognising this disorder
      in diagnosing patients with meningitis.

PMID- 26281487
TI  - A Case of Emphysematous Pyelonephritis.
AB  - Emphysematous pyelonephritis is a rare but dangerous condition in patients with
      D.M. and urinary tract infection. We report a case of emphysematous
      pyelonephritis who presented to us with acute abdomen and sepsis. Her CT abdomen
      showed air in the collecting system of left kidney. She was managed with, I. V.
      fluids, antibiotics, insulin, and percutaneous nephrostomy. But she died on the
      3rd day of hospitalisation due to Multiorgan failure with sepsis.

PMID- 26281488
TI  - Allopurinol Induced DRESS Syndrome.
AB  - A 45 years old female on allopurinol for 3 months presented with itching, rash,
      facial oedema and eosinophilia with hepatic and renal dysfunction. Skin biopsy
      revealed interface dermatitis, suggesting the diagnosis of DRESS (Drug Rash with
      Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms) syndrome.

PMID- 26281489
TI  - Leptospiral Uveitis.
AB  - Leptospirosis is widely regarded as the most widespread zoonosis in the world.
      Systemic leptospirosis is a biphasic illness. Ocular involvement in leptospirosis
      has been reported to be extremely variable, ranging from 2% to 90%. Ocular
      involvement is seen both in the systemic bacteraemic phase as well as in the
      immunological phase. Leptospiral uveitis is a common entity in the tropical
      countries. However it remains underdiagnosed mainly because ocular manifestations
      are noted in the second phase of illness. The primary anatomical location of
      inflammation is either in the anterior segment or pan uveitis. We report the case
      of a 40 year old lady who had presented to us with leptospiral uveitis.

PMID- 26281490
TI  - Dr. Hulusi Behcet.

PMID- 26281491
TI  - Dr. Hans Eggenberger.

PMID- 26281492
TI  - Benjamin Franklin.

PMID- 26281493
TI  - Dyke-Davidoff-Masson Syndrome--Revisited.

PMID- 26281494
TI  - Reply from Author.

PMID- 26281495
TI  - Spontaneous Radial Artery Thrombosis Recanalised by Intravenous Streptokinase--An
      Unconventional Successful Approach.

PMID- 26281496
TI  - Acute Acalculus Cholecystitis in Dengue Fever.

PMID- 26281497
TI  - Reply from Author.

PMID- 26281498
TI  - HPLC: its continuing role in diabetes monitoring.

PMID- 26281499
TI  - Glycated hemoglobin in the diabetic patient.

PMID- 26281500
TI  - Laboratory testing and pathological identification of cancer.

PMID- 26281501
TI  - Rapid testing for HIV: the state of the art, and a look ahead.

PMID- 26281502
TI  - Essential upgrades: the ASCP lends a hand in sub-Saharan Africa.

PMID- 26281504
TI  - CLIA-waived molecular diagnostic tests are poised to transform clinical
      Microbiology.

PMID- 26281503
TI  - Combating antibiotic-resistant bacteria: the Microbiology lab answers the
      challenge.

PMID- 26281505
TI  - Next-generation rapid diagnostics for HAIs and MDROs.

PMID- 26281506
TI  - Remembering Rosalind Franklin.

PMID- 26281507
TI  - March 2015 issue [p.4] describing the contribution made by Rosalind Franklin.

PMID- 26281508
TI  - Annual salary survey.

PMID- 26281509
TI  - Interpretation of qPCR curve shapes.

PMID- 26281511
TI  - UDI: What does it mean for the clinical laboratory?

PMID- 26281510
TI  - UVC irradiation. Is it the future of infection prevention in the clinical
      laboratory?

PMID- 26281513
TI  - The Internet of Things and keeping samples safe.

PMID- 26281512
TI  - Automated temperature monitoring systems: things to consider.

PMID- 26281514
TI  - There's No Place Like Home.

PMID- 26281515
TI  - How do you get a posterior baby, or even a breech baby, to turn into a more
      favorable position?

PMID- 26281516
TI  - Marion's Message. Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation.

PMID- 26281517
TI  - Posterior Perspective.

PMID- 26281518
TI  - Posterior Arrest.

PMID- 26281519
TI  - My Experience with OP Babies.

PMID- 26281520
TI  - The Emotional Impact of the Posterior Position.

PMID- 26281521
TI  - The Making of a Midwife. Elimination as a Foundation of Health.

PMID- 26281522
TI  - Wise Nutrition for Pregnancy.

PMID- 26281523
TI  - Posterior Birth and Babies.

PMID- 26281524
TI  - Posterior Questions and Answers.

PMID- 26281525
TI  - Homebirth Cesarean. Changing the Prenatal Conversation.

PMID- 26281526
TI  - Primal Heath Research vs. the NIH.

PMID- 26281527
TI  - Daisy C.H.A.I.N. Offering Free Postpartum Services to Families in Lane County,
      Oregon.

PMID- 26281528
TI  - Global Birth Models.

PMID- 26281529
TI  - The Art of Breastmilk Project.

PMID- 26281530
TI  - Giving Birth. Learning to Let Go.

PMID- 26281531
TI  - Elizabeth Nihell: A Feisty English Midwife (1723-1776).

PMID- 26281532
TI  - History of Midwifery in Japan.

PMID- 26281533
TI  - Do You Use Pelvimetry? Why or Why Not?

PMID- 26281536
TI  - [Review of scientific preservation techniques for traditional Chinese medicine
      becoming mouldy during storage].
AB  - All kinds of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) differed from each other with
      different chemical components and properties. Owing to poor conditions and
      technologies, and the lack of scientific preservation, most TCMs will easily
      become mouldy during the processes of growth, harvest, handling, translation and
      especially storage, which will not only influence the quality, safety and
      efficacy of TCMs, but also cause serious waste and economic losses, and even do
      great harm to human health. The process of storage is closely related to the
      qualities of TCMs with many interference factors. Therefore, scientific
      preservation of TCM during storage is crucial to prevent them from being mouldy.
      This review analyzed the important harm of mouldy TCMs, summarized the internal
      and external factors of resulting in TCMs to become mouldy. Based on the above
      discussion, together with the characteristics and limitations of current TCM
      preservation techniques, we prospect novel, scientific and reasonable
      preservation techniques, expecting to provide references for scientific
      preservation of TCMs to avoid becoming mouldy and guarantee their qualities.

PMID- 26281537
TI  - [Advances in studies on pharmacological action of main chemical constituent of
      Curcuma Zedoary in preventing in-stent restenosis].
AB  - Traditional Chinese medicine Curcuma Zedoary ( E'Zhu) contains essential oil,
      curcuminoid and other effective constituents, with such pharmacological actions
      as anti-platelet aggregation, lowing blood lipid, anti-oxidation and anti
      inflammation. In recent years, studies have showed that certain extracts and
      chemical components of E'Zhu could mitigate myocardial cell mitochondria injury
      and protect vascular endothelium by enhancing heme oxygenase-1 activity, inhibit
      nuclear factor NF-kappaB, target genes interleukin-associated kinase-1 (IRAK-1),
      tumor necrosis factor receptor-6 (TRAF-6) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1
      (VCAM-1), reduce inflammatory infiltration, and inhibit growth factor-induced
      smooth muscle cells (SMCs) proliferation and migration by impacting oxidation of
      cellular phosphatases. Due to its different functions in vascular endothelial
      cells and smooth muscle cells, E'Zhu has been applied in drug-eluting stents,
      with a potential effect in preventing in-stent restenosis and thrombogenesis. In
      this paper, studies on pharmacological effects and mechanisms of extracts and
      main chemical constituents from E'Zhu in preventing vascular restenosis were
      summarized.

PMID- 26281538
TI  - [Application of zebrafish in drug screens for active ingredients].
AB  - Zebrafish has unique advantages over other animal models in the aspect of drug
      screens for active ingredients and gains more and more attentions in drug
      research and development recently. Thus, this article reviews the recent advance
      of zebrafish-based drug screens in Chinese traditional medicine (TCM) effective
      part research, monomer drug screening, activity evaluation of natural products,
      discovery of new uses for old drugs, and toxicity assessment in early-phase drug
      discovery.

PMID- 26281539
TI  - [Advance in studies on food allergy mechanism based on gut barrier].
AB  - Food allergies, as a type of adverse immune-mediated reactions to ingested food
      proteins, have become a serious public health issue that harms children and
      adults health, with increasing incidence year by year. However, without effective
      therapy for food allergies, doctors-have mostly advised to avoid allergens and
      provided symptomatic treatment. According to the findings of many studies,
      allergic diseases are correlated with intestinal barrier function injury, as
      evidenced by the significant increase in the intestinal permeability among
      patients with food allergies. In this paper, recent studies on correlations
      between food allergies and intestinal barrier functions, intestinal barrier
      function injury mechanisms of allergic foods and food allergy intervention
      strategies based on intestinal barrier functions were summarized to provide
      reference for laboratory researches and clinical treatment of food allergic
      diseases.

PMID- 26281540
TI  - [Advance on chemical compounds of Ainsliaea genus].
AB  - Plants in Ainsliaea genus, belongs to Compositae family, are traditional Chinese
      medicine and widely used in folk. These plants contain various types of chemical
      components, and main components are sesquiterpene lactone and its glycosides. In
      addition, there are triterpenoids, flavonoids, steroids, phenolic acid, long
      chain fatty acid and volatile oils. Recently, much attention has been payed to
      varlous research of A. fragrans. This paper reviewed and summarized the chemical
      components to provide the theoretical basis for the use of Ainsliaea.

PMID- 26281541
TI  - [Advances in studies on bear bile powder].
AB  - In this paper, a detailed analysis was made on relevant literatures about bear
      bile powder in terms of chemical component, pharmacological effect and clinical
      efficacy, indicating bear bile powder's significant pharmacological effects and
      clinical application in treating various diseases. Due to the complex
      composition, bear bile powder is relatively toxic. Therefore, efforts shall be
      made to study bear bile powder's pharmacological effects, clinical application,
      chemical composition and toxic side-effects, with the aim to provide a scientific
      basis for widespread reasonable clinical application of bear bile powder.

PMID- 26281542
TI  - [Cloning and prokaryotic expression analysis of squalene synthase 2 (SQS2) from
      Salvia miltiorrhiza f. alba].
AB  - According to the designed specific primers of gene fragment based on the Salvia
      miltiorrhiza transcriptome data, a full-length cDNA sequence of SQS2 from S.
      miltiorrhiza f. alba was cloned by the method of reverse transcription polymerase
      chain reaction (RT-PCR). The SmSQS2 cDNA sequence was obtained, this sequence is
      named SmSQS2 and its GenBank registration number is KM244731. The full length of
      SmSQS2 cDNA was 1245 bp, encoding 414 amino acids including 5'UTR 115 bp and
      3'UTR 237 bp. Sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that
      SmSQS2 had relative close relationship to the SQS2 of S. miltiorrhiza. The
      induction of E. coli [pET28-SQS2] in different temperature, induction time, IPTG
      concentrations and density of inducing host bacterium (A600) were performed,
      Shaking the culture at 30 degrees C until the A600 is approximately 0.6 and add
      IPTG to final concentration of 0.2 mmol x L(-1), and then the optimal expression
      of SmSQS2 recombinant protein were accumulated after the induction time of 20 h.
      The research provided important base for the study of sterol and terpene
      biosynthesis of SQS2 in S. miltiorrhiza f. alba.

PMID- 26281543
TI  - [Interaction relationship between secondary metabolites in Glycyrrhiza uralensis
      at condition of short-term exogenous glycyrrhizic acid simulation].
AB  - In order to study the interaction relationship between secondary metabolites in
      Glycyrrhiza uralensis, and find out which secondary metabolite is significantly
      related to the content of glycyrrhizic acid, artificial applying ammonium
      glycyrrhetate solution was used to establish a high glycyrrhizic acid
      environment. The change of the 4 secondary metabolites was analyzed within 72 h
      after glycyrrhizic acid stimulation, while correlation statistical soft was
      applied to analyze the correlation of glycyrrhizic acid and other compositions.
      It turned out that it is feasible to establish high glycyrrhizic acid environment
      by glycyrrhizic acid root soaking in the concentration of 1.0 mmol x L(-1). There
      was significant positive correlation between glycyrrhizic acid and liquorice
      glycosides in short-term glycyrrhizic acid stimulation environment. It is
      concluded that glycyrrhizic acid accumulation internal of G. uralensis could be
      effected by artificial exogenous glycyrrhizic acid stimulation in certain case,
      and its accumulation was significantly related to the content of liquorice
      glycosides.

PMID- 26281544
TI  - [Study on microscopic identification of Astragalus complanatus and A. adsurgens
      seeds].
AB  - Astragalus adsurgens seed is one of the most common adulterants of Astragali
      Complanati Semen in the market, whose morphological characteristics are very
      similar with A. complanatus seeds (Astragali Complanati Semen). Many
      identification methods have been reported, such as morphological identification,
      fluorescence method, ultraviolet spectrophotometry, TLC, HPLC, protein
      electrophoresis and so on, but there's no much about microscopic identification.
      In the present study, the morphological characteristics and microscopic
      characteristics of these two seeds were investigated, which could provide
      scientific evidence for the identification and classification of Astragali
      Complanati Semen. Our results showed that these two seeds were slightly different
      in the color and the appearance, but significantly different in the
      microstructure of the seed coat and the hilum, and the distribution of fat
      droplets in the cotyledon cells. So these microscopic characteristics can be
      applied for the identification of Astragali Complanati Semen.

PMID- 26281545
TI  - [Establishment of prokaryotic expression and optimization ox expression
      conditions of Eleutherococcus senticosus P450 gene].
AB  - According to the sequence of P450 cDNA of Eleutherococcus senticosus, specific
      primers were designed. Frokaryotic ex pression vector pET30a-P450 was constructed
      and the prokaryotic expression conditions were optimized. Results showed that the
      BL21 after being transformed with the recombinant expression vector accumulated
      the high amount of recombinant protein. SDS-PAGE analysis showed that the
      recombinant protein was about 53 kDa. The recombinant accumulated the highest
      amount of recombinant protein af ter IPTG (1 mmol x L(-1)) at 27-37 degrees C for
      24 h. Consequently P450 gene of E. senticosus could be expressed successfully by
      prokaryotic expression vector pET30a-P450. Induction temperature, IPTG
      concentration, medium type and amount of induction time could all influence the
      expression of target protein, but the impact strength was different.

PMID- 26281546
TI  - [Comparative study on identification of Clematidis Radix et Rhizoma from
      different origins based on microstructure and NIRS method].
AB  - Microscopic identification and NIRS methods were applied to identify Clematidis
      Radix et Rhizoma of two different origins. The results showed that both methods
      could identify the samples. NIRS could identify the two samples nondestructively,
      and provides a basis for establishment of a standard herbs radix clematidis NIRS
      fingerprint in the future.

PMID- 26281547
TI  - [Exploring effective components of laxative effect of Anemarrhenae Rhizoma based
      on Chinese herbal processing theory].
AB  - Anemarrhena asphodeloides processed by salt and raw product was compared
      including both chemical composition and laxative function in order to find the
      possible active substance to cure constipation. Processed and raw Anemarrhenae
      laxative effect on experimental constipation models was observed as well as
      chemical composition using UPLC-MS technology and the total sugar content was
      determined by phenol sulfuric acid method. Processed Anemarrhenae water extract
      improved excrement more than raw which has significant difference compared with
      the blank group (P < 0.05). On the other hand, the total ion flow spectrum showed
      no significant difference in most substance, but the total sugar content was
      significantly higher than raw product. Anemarrhenae ancient be recognized
      benefitting for draining body water in traditional Chinese medicine which has
      been lost in modern books because it is manifested as excellent laxative effect
      not diuretic effect. Saccharides carbohydrate may have closely relationship with
      this magically effect.

PMID- 26281548
TI  - [Synthesis, identification of artificial antigen of catalpol and preliminary
      study of immunogenicity].
AB  - The method of monoclonal antibody-based immunoassay has a great importance in the
      study of quality control of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and detection of
      trace components in vivo animals. Synthesis of small molecule artificial antigen
      is the prerequisite for the establishment of this method. In present study,
      catalpol-BSA was synthesized by sodium periodate oxidation method. Matrix
      assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry ( MALDI-TOF
      MS) and molecular exclusion chromatography showed that catalpol was successfully
      conjugated with BSA. The mice could specifically produce anti-catalpol antibodies
      with titer up to 1:8000. The artificial antigen of catalpol was successfully
      synthesized.

PMID- 26281549
TI  - [Optimization of extraction process of compound Clematidis Radix spray by support
      vector machine].
AB  - L9 (3(4)) orthogonal experiment was used to design the extraction technology of
      compound Clematidis Radix spray. Weight coefficients of active ingredients and
      dry extract rate were solved by information entropy. Support vector machine (SVM)
      was established and the model parameters were optimized through the genetic
      algorithm. Grid search algorithm was used for optimization of extraction
      technology of Clematidis Radix spray. The optimal extraction technology was to
      extract Clematidis Radix spray in water with 6 times the weight of herbal
      medicine for 3 times, with 2 h once. Bias of value between real and predicted by
      SVM was 1.23%. SVM was compared with traditional intuitive analysis of orthogonal
      design. It indicates that the new method used to optimize the extraction
      parameters of compound Clematidis Radix spray is more accurate and reliable.

PMID- 26281550
TI  - [Analysis of triterpenoids in Ganoderma lucidum by microwave-assisted continuous
      extraction].
AB  - For further improving the extraction efficiency of microwave extraction, a
      microwave-assisted contijuous extraction (MACE) device has been designed and
      utilized. By contrasting with the traditional methods, the characteristics and
      extraction efficiency of MACE has also been studied. The method was validated by
      the analysis of the triterpenoids in Ganoderma lucidum. The extraction conditions
      of MACE were: using 95% ethanol as solvent, microwave power 200 W and radiation
      time 14.5 min (5 cycles). The extraction results were subsequently compared with
      traditional heat reflux extraction ( HRE) , soxhlet extraction (SE), ultrasonic
      extraction ( UE) as well as the conventional microwave extraction (ME). For
      triterpenoids, the two methods based on the microwaves (ME and MACE) were in
      general capable of finishing the extraction in 10, 14.5 min, respectively, while
      other methods should consume 60 min and even more than 100 min. Additionally, ME
      can produce comparable extraction results as the classical HRE and higher
      extraction yield than both SE and UE, however, notably lower extraction yield
      than MASE. More importantly, the purity of the crud extract by MACE is far better
      than the other methods. MACE can effectively combine the advantages of microwave
      extraction and soxhlet extraction, thus enabling a more complete extraction of
      the analytes of TCMs in comparison with ME. And therefore makes the analytic
      result more accurate. It provides a novel, high efficient, rapid and reliable
      pretreatment technique for the analysis of TCMs, and it could potentially be
      extended to ingredient preparation or extracting techniques of TCMs.

PMID- 26281551
TI  - [Simultaneously preparation of grams of high purity tyrosol, crenulatin and
      salidroside from Rhodiola crenulata].
AB  - Tyrosol, crenulatin and salidroside are the main active constituents of Rhodiola
      crenulata, with extensive pharmacological activities. In the study, grams of high
      purity tyrosol, crenulatin and salidroside were simultaneously separated from R.
      crenulata by the first time. Firstly, R. crenulata was extracted by 70% alcohol.
      Then, with the yields of three compounds as the index, the macroporous resin was
      optimized. At last, grams of high purity tyrosol, crenulatin and salidroside were
      isolated by D-101 macroporousresin, purified by column chromatography. Detected
      by HPLC, the purity of three compounds were higher than 98%. This method has the
      advantages of simple process and operation, less dosage of organic solvent,
      highly yield and reproducibility, suitable for the simultaneously preparation of
      tyrosol, crenulatin and salidroside.

PMID- 26281552
TI  - [Analysis of four flavonoids in Lysimachia clethroides using ionic liquid
      assisted extraction].
AB  - In order to established a method for simultaneous determination of isoquercitrin,
      astragaline, quercetin and kaempferol in Lysimachia clethroides, the ionic liquid
      1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([HMIM]PF6) methanol was used as
      the ultrasound-assisted extraction solvent combing with RP-HPLC. A Purospher star
      RP-C1 column was used with the mobile phase of aceto- nitrile, methanol and 0. 4%
      phosphate acid by gradient elution at the detection wavelength of 360 nm. The
      flow rate was 0.7 mL x min(-1), and the column temperature was the room
      temperature. Under the optimized conditions, the linear ranges were 2.54 x 10(-2)
      2. 54, 2.50 x 10(-2)- 2.50, 1.54 x 10(-3)-0.154, 1.49 x 10(-3)-0.149 microg for
      isoquercitrin, astragaline, quercetin and kaempferol, respectively. The average
      recoveries of the four constituents were 101.1%, 98.90%, 101.0%, 101.6%,
      respectively. The method was green, simple, rapid and accurate, and provided a
      valid method for analysis of isoquercitrin, astragaline, quercetin and kaempferol
      in L. clethroides.

PMID- 26281553
TI  - [Simultaneous determination of beta-elemene, curcumol, germacrone and neocurdione
      in volatile oil of Curcuma phaeocaulis and vinegar products by GC-MS].
AB  - This study aims to develop a method for determination of beta-elemene, curcumol,
      germacrone and neocurdione in the volatile oil of Curcuma phaeocaulis, and to
      provide the basis of the quality control method for the volatile oil of C.
      phaeocaulis and the related preparations. Based on GC-MS, the 4 main compounds
      were simultaneously determined, with the internal standard n-tridecane. The
      Agilent 19091S-433 column (0.25 microm x 250 microm x 30 m) was adopted at the
      temperature of 250 degrees C, the programmed temperature method (60 degrees C for
      1 min, 5 degrees C x min x to 110 degrees C for 5 min, 1 degrees C x min(-1) to
      140 degrees C, 5 degrees C x min(-1) to 160 degrees C, 10 degrees C x min(-1) to
      240 degrees C) was used. Helium gas was used as the carrier gas at a constant
      flow rat of 1 mL x min(-1), with an injection volume of 1 RL. Mass spectra were
      taken at 70 eV; the ion-source temperature was 200 degrees C. The relation time
      and character acteristic ions for each target compound were determined by full
      scan mode and SIM, and m/z 85.1, 93.1, 121.1, 107.1 and 180.1 were the detection
      ions of n-tridecane, beta-elemene, curcumol, germacrone and neocurdione. As a
      result, beta-elemene, curcumol, germacrone and neocurdione were all detected with
      good separation. They were all in a good linear relationship within each
      concentration scope. The average recovery rates were in the range of 98.2%-101%.
      So, the method can be used to control the quality of the volatile of C.
      phaeocaulis Val. and the preparations related.

PMID- 26281554
TI  - [A new benzaldehyde from aerial part of Rehmannia glutinosa].
AB  - A new benzaldehyde, 3-hydroxy-4-(4-(2-hydroxyethyl) phenoxy) henzaldehyde(1),
      together with six known compounds, including isovanillic acid(2),
      pyrocatechol(3), glutinosalactone A(4), chrysoeriol(5), apigenin(6) and
      luteolin(7) were isolated from aerial part of Rehmannia glutinosa. The compounds
      were isolated by macroporous resin, silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 and HPLC
      chromatographies. The chemical structures of 1-7 were elucidated on the basis of
      spectral analysis (MS, 1D NMR and 2D NMR).

PMID- 26281555
TI  - [Chemical constituents from culture of Streptomyces sp. CPCC 202950].
AB  - Eleven compounds were isolated from the culture of Streptomyces sp. CPCC 202950
      by a combination of various chromatographic techniques including column
      chromatography over macroporous resin HP-20, MCI, and reversed-phase HPLC. Their
      structures were identified as 1H-pyrrole-2-carboxamide(1),5'-deoxy-5'
      methylthioinosine(2), vanillamide(3), trans-3-methylthioacrylamide(4), 1,2,3,4
      Tetraydro-1H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole-3-carboxylic acid(5), cyclo(L-pro-L-tyr) (6), N
      [2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)]ethylacetamide(7), benzamide (8), cyclo ('L-leucyl-trans-4
      hydroxy-L-proline)(9), cyclo-(Phe-Gly) (10), and tryptophan (11). Among them,
      compounds 1 and 2 were new natural products. In the preliminary assays, none of
      the compounds exhibited obvious inhibition of HIV-1 protease activity (IC50 > 10
      micromol x L(-1)).

PMID- 26281556
TI  - [Studies on chemical compounds of Chlorella sorokiniana].
AB  - Chemical constituents of Chlorella sorokiniana were isolated and purified by
      repeated column chromatographies, over silicagel and Sephadex LH-20. Their
      structures were identified on the basis of physicochemical properties and
      spectroscopic data analysis. Five compounds were obtained from the petroleum
      ether extract of Chlorella sorokiniana, and their structures were identified as
      (22E, 24R)-5alpha, 3beta-epidioxiergosta-6, 22-dien-3beta-ol(1),(24S)-ergosta-7
      en-3beta-ol(2), loliolide(3), stigmasta-7,22-dien-3beta,5alpha,6alpha-triol(4),
      and 3beta-hydroxy-5alpha,6alpha-epoxy-7-megastigmen-9-one(5). The main
      liposoluble fractions from Chlorella sorokiniana maiuly contain fatty acids,
      alkyl acids and olefine acids. Components 1-5 were isolated from the genus
      Chlorella for the first time.

PMID- 26281557
TI  - [Study on chemical constituents of Achillea alpina].
AB  - Twelve compounds were isolated from the aerial parts of Achillea alpina by column
      chromatographies on silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, and semi-preparative HPLC. The
      structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral analysis. The compounds were
      identified as pellitorine(1), 8,9-dehydropellitorine(2), (E,E)-2,4-undecadien-8,
      10-diynoic acid isobutylamide(3), (E,E)-2,4-tetradecadien-8,10-diynoic acid
      isobutylamide(4),sintenin(5), 4',5,7,8-tetramethoxyflavone(6), chrysoplenetin(7),
      formononetin(8), aurantiamide(9), asperglaucide(10), artemetin(11), and
      eupatorin(12). compounds 1-5 were isolated from this plant for the first time,
      and compounds 6-10 were isolated from the genus Achillea for the first time.

PMID- 26281558
TI  - [Fragmentation pathways of five furocoumarine using line ion trap with
      orbitrapmass spectrometry].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The multiple levels fragmentations of five furocoumarine (psoralen,
      xanthotoxin, bergapten, oxypeucedanin, and byakangelicol) in Angelica dahurica
      have been demonstrated using LTQ-Orbitrap mass spectrometry with high resolution
      and high mass accuracy to discover the possible,fragmentation regularity. METHOD:
      Duringcollsion-induced dissociation (CID), the MS(n) data of the five
      compoundswhich were gained in the positive ion mode at 35ev collision energy by
      direct injection syrings method were analyzed using Xcalibar 2.0 Software to
      infer the formula of these fragmentations. RESULT: The results indicated that the
      five compounds have similar fragmentation process with CO meutral lost at C5,C8
      subsituents and furan ring, meanwhile the meutralloss of CO2 occurred easily at
      lactone group. CONCLUSION: This method is helpful in identifying the structures
      of other furocoumarinein Angelica dahuricaand their metabolites in vivo.

PMID- 26281559
TI  - [Simultaneous determination of benzophenones and xanthone in leaves of Aquilaria
      sinensis by RP-HPLC-UV].
AB  - This study is to develop a sensitive method by using reversed-phase high
      performance liquid chromatography coupled with UV detector (HPLC-UV) to
      simultaneously determine four bioactive compounds, iriflophenone 3-C-beta-D
      glucoside, iriflophenone 3,5-C-beta-D-diglucoside, mangiferin, and iriflophenone
      2-O-alpha-L-rhamnoside in the leaves of Aquilaria sinensis. An Agilent Zorbax SB
      C, column (4, 6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) was used, and the gradient elution was
      performed with mobile phase of 0.1% aqueous phosphoric acid and acetonitrile at a
      flow rate of 1 mL x min(-1). The detection wavelength was 280 nm, and the column
      temperature was 25 degrees C. The four marker compounds were well separated with
      good linearity (R2 > 0.9990), precision, stability and repeatabili y. The
      recovery rates were in the range of 98.80%-101.39%. For 15 branch of the leaves,
      the contents of iriflophenone 3-C-beta-D-gluoside, iriflophenone 3,5-C-beta-D
      diglucoside, mangiferin, and iriflophenone 2-O-alpha-L-rhamnoside were between
      0.41-14.48, 0.72-3.85, 4.30-29.07, 0.24-5.06 mg, respectivley. This method is
      precise, accurate and reliable, which provides an efficient way for the quality
      control of the leaves of A. sinensis. This will promote the comprehensive usage
      of this plant.

PMID- 26281560
TI  - [Rapid identification of chemical composition in safflower with UHPLC-LTQ
      Orbitrap].
AB  - The UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometer was used to explore the
      chemical compositions in safflower. The rapid separation of the compositions was
      conducted by the UHPLC, following by high resolution full scan and MS2 scan,
      under the positive and negative ion mode. The chemical formula of compositions
      were deduced by full scan data in less than 5, then the potential structures were
      confirmed by the MS2 data. Forty-nine compounds were detected, of which 26 was
      identified, and 5 compounds was validated by the standard substances.

PMID- 26281561
TI  - [Effect of sesamin on pulmonary vascular remodeling in rats with monocrotaline
      induced pulmonary hypertension].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of sesamin (Ses) on pulmonary vascular
      remodeling in rats with monocrotaline ( MCT)-induced pulmonary hypertension (PH).
      METHOD: Totally 48 male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were fed adaptively for one week
      and then divided into the normal control group, the MCT group, the MCT +Ses (50
      mg x kg(-1)) group and the MCT + Ses (100 mg x kg(-1)) group, with 12 rats in
      each group. The PH rat model was induced through the subcutaneous injection with
      MCT(60 mg x kg(-1)). After the administration for four weeks, efforts were made
      to measure the right ventricular systolic pressure( RVSP) and mean pulmonary
      artery pressure (mPAP) through right jugular vein catheterization, and isolate
      right ventricle( RV) and left ventricle( LV) +septum (S) and measure their length
      to calculate RV/ ( LV + S) and ratio of RV to tibial length. Pathologic changes
      in arterioles were observed by HE staining. Masson's trichrome stain was used to
      demonstrate changes in collagen deposition of arterioles. The alpha-smooth muscle
      actin (alpha-SMA) expression in pulmonary arteries was measured by
      immunohistochemisty. The total antioxidative capacity (T-AOC) and malondialdehyde
      (MDA) content in pulmonary arteries were determined by the colorimetric method.
      The protein expressions of collagen I, NOX2 and NOX4 were analyzed by Real-time
      PCR and Western blot. RESULT: After the administration for 4 weeks, Ses could
      attenuate RVSP and mPAP induced by MCT, RV/ (LV + S) and ratio of RV to Tibial
      length, alpha-SMA and collagen I expressions and remodeling of pulmonary vessels
      and right ventricle. Meanwhile, Ses could obviously inhibit the expressions of
      NOX2, NOX4 and MDA content and increase T-AOC. CONCLUSION: Sesamin could
      ameliorate pulmonary vascular remodeling induced by monocrotaline in PH rats. Its
      mechanism may be related to expressions of NOX2 and NOX4 expression and reduction
      in oxidative stress injury.

PMID- 26281562
TI  - [Effect of Xianxiong decoction on acute lung injury mice induced by
      lipopolysaccharide].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Xianxiong decoction on the mice with
      acute lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharide. METHOD: Eighty female ICR mice
      were randomly divided into 8 groups: model group, Xianxiong decoction group,
      Daxianxiong decoction group, Xianxiong decoction group without Kansui Radix
      group, Xianxiong decoction group without Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma group,
      Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Kansui Radix group, normal group and control
      group. Animals of each group, except normal group, were undertaken
      intraperitoneal injection and intranasal inhalation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)
      on day 1, 2, 3 to establish acute lung injury (ALI) model. 30 min after modeling,
      0.2 mL corresponding drugs were administrated to each mice, dexam ethasone and
      normal saline were given to the mice of control group and normal group
      respectively. White blood cell in blood, neutrophil percentage of blood and
      bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) supernatant, the ratio of wet and dry lung
      tissue ( W/D), histopathological changes of lung tissue were estimated. Sixty ICR
      mice were randomly divided into normal, model, control, high, middle and low dose
      Xianxiong decoction groups and were modeled in the same way. ELISA was applied to
      detect the level of NF-kappaB, TNF-alpha and IL-6 in BALF, PCR for NF-kappaB and
      TNF-alpha mRNA in lung tissue, and Western blot for NF-kappaB and TNF-alpha. Half
      of 20 ICR mice were administrated with Xianxiong decoction of its maximum
      tolerant normal saline. RESULT: Compared with model group, the number of WBC in
      blood of Xianxiong decoction group mice decreased (P < 0.01), percentage of
      neutrophils in both blood and BALF decreased as well (P < 0.01, P < 0.05); it
      also significantly reduced the ratio of W/D (P < 0.01); and found the alveolar
      wall, the number of inflammatory cells infiltrating improved, compared with model
      group. Xianxiong decoction reduced the level of NF-kappaB, TNF-alpha and IL-6 in
      BALF (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P < 0.05); its high and low dose groups only found TNF
      alpha level declined. Five mice died 24 h after administration of Xianxiong
      decoction which indicated its toxicity when other influential factors were
      considered. CONCLUSION: Xianxiong decoction is effective on the ALI mice induced
      by LPS, but it is of toxicity at 3 g x mL(-1).

PMID- 26281563
TI  - [Study on inhibitory effect of water extract of Polygonum multiflorum on CYP1A2
      and CYP2E1 enzymatic activities and mRNA expressions in rat liver].
AB  - Rats were continuously given different doses of water extract of Polygonum
      multiflorum (1, 10 g x kg(-1)) for 7 days to prepare liver microsomes. Cocktail
      in vitro incubation approach and Real-time quantitative PCR technology were used
      to observe the effect of water extract of P. multiflorum on CYP450 enzymatic
      activities and mRNA expressions in rat liver. Compared with the blank control
      group, both 1, 10 g x kg(-1) water extract of P. multiflorum treated groups
      showed significant inhibitions in CYP2E1 enzymatic activities and mRNA
      expressions (enzymatic activities of CYP2E1, P < 0.01; mRNA expression of CYP2E1,
      P < 0.05 in 1 g x kg(-1) group, P < 0.01 in 10 g x kg(-1) group). They revealed a
      significant increase in the enzymatic activity of CYP3A1 (P < 0.01), but without
      significant change in mRNA expressions. The 10 g x kg(-1) group showed a
      significant inhibition in CYP1A2 enzymatic activities and mRNA expressions in rat
      livers (P < 0.01).

PMID- 26281564
TI  - [Study on inhibitory effect of EGCG on Calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis in rats
      and its related mechanism].
AB  - In the study, the inhibitory effect of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on Calcium
      oxalate nephrolithiasis and its possible mechanism were investigated. The rat
      Calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis model was induced through the combined oral
      administration of ethylene glycol and ammonium chloride, which was intervened
      with EGCG. Rat blood samples were collected to detect blood creatinine (Cr),
      blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and blood calcium. Rat urine samples were collected to
      observe and compare 24-hour urine volume, oxalic acid (Ox) and calcium in urine.
      Renal samples were collected to prepare tissue slices and observe the
      pathological changes in Calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis. The expression of
      osteopontin (OPN) in renal tissues was evaluated by Real-time PCR and Western
      blot. According to the results, compared with normal rats, rats in the
      nephrolithiasis model showed significant increases in Cr, BUN, urine Calcium,
      urine Ox and renal OPN expression (P < 0.05), but obvious decrease in 24-hour
      urine volume (P < 0.05); Compared with rats with nephrolithiasis, those processed
      with EGCG revealed remarkable declines in Cr, BUN, urine Calcium and urine Ox (P
      < 0.05), with significant rise in 24-hour urine volume (P < 0.05) in a
      concentration-dependent manner. Additionally, compared with the control group,
      nephrolithiasis rats showed significant pathological changes in Calcium oxalate
      calculus. After ECCG treatment, the renal pathological changes and OPN expression
      attenuated significantly in a concentration-dependent manner. The results showed
      that EGCG inhibits the formation of calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis in rats and
      shows a notable protective effect on renal functions.

PMID- 26281565
TI  - [Bioassay for enrich-blood bioactivity of Agelicae Sinensis Radix].
AB  - Danggui, Agelicae Sinensis Radix, is a widely used Chinese herb to enrich blood,
      but its quality cannot be effectively assessed by the known chemical markers such
      as ferulic acid, ligustilide, polysaccharides, etc. A new bioassay was therefore
      developed to quantify the Enrich-Blood Bioactivity (EBB) for the quality
      assessment of Danggui raw materials. Danggui sample was first extracted with
      ethanol and water, respectively. Then the ethanolic extract and water extract
      were mixed as a test sample to quantify the amount of EBB by mice experiment. The
      blood deficiency mode in mice was developed by intraperitoneal injecting
      cyclophospharmide and phenylhdrazine hydrochloride. The quantity of red blood
      cell was chosen as EBB marker. Cyclosporine A was chosen as a control substance.
      EBB in analytes was quantified by the amount reaction of parallel line analysis
      (3, 3') method. The results indicated that the reliability test for quantifying
      EBB was passed through and the measured value was valid. The analytes showed the
      significant EBB (P < 0.05). The correlation coefficient was 0.9984 (n=5) between
      the amount of cyclosporine A (0.035-0.56 g x kg(-1)) and the increased number of
      red blood cell. The relative standard deviation (RSY) on the amount of EBB was
      estimated to be 6.15% (n = 6) by six replicated tests, and the confidence limit
      rate was 26.68% (n = 6). Five Danggui samples, which were collected from
      different cultivation areas with various morphological characters, showed the
      variety of EBB in the range of 21.95-44.16 U x g(-1). It is concluded that the
      developed method is accurate to quantify the EBB of Danggui raw materials, and is
      therefore suitable to assess its quality.

PMID- 26281566
TI  - [Effect of Paridis Rhizoma total saponins on apoptosis of human gastric cancer
      cell MKN-45 and Fas/FasL signaling pathway].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to test if Paridis Rhizoma total saponins (PRTS) could
      induce apoptosis of human gastric cancer cell MKN-45. METHOD: Based on the
      previous researches, PRTS was set by different concentrations to treat human
      gastric cancer cell for 12 h (5, 10, 20 mg x L(-1)). Fluorescent staining methods
      were adopted to observe apoptotic morphological changes of MKN-45. The apoptosis
      rates were analyzed by flow cytometry with Annexin V-FITC/PI staining. The
      enzymatic activities of caspase-3 and caspase-8 were measured by ELISA. The
      protein levels of Fas and FasL were detected by Western blotting. RESULT: Under a
      fluorescence microscope, MKN-45 treated by PRTS was seen typical apoptotic
      morphological features. PRTS significantly increased the rate of apoptosis.
      Compared with the control group, there exsited significant differences in
      apoptosis rate of PRTS concentration of 20 mg x L(-1) (P < 0.01); besides, the
      enzymatic activities of caspase-3 and caspase-8 were promoted obviously after the
      effect of PRTS on MKN-45 cells for 12 h (P < 0.01). The protein levels of Fas and
      FasL in the MKN-45 were upgraded significantly. CONCLUSION: PRTS can induce
      apoptosis of human gastric cancer cell MKN-45 , which is concerned with caspase-3
      and caspase-8 and upgraded Fas and FasL.

PMID- 26281567
TI  - [Effect of Draconis Sanguis-containing serum on NGF, BDNF, CNTF, LNGFR, TrkA,
      GDNF, GAP-43 and NF-H expressions in Schwann cells].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Draconis Sanguis-containing serum on the
      expressions of NGF, BDNF, CNTF, LNG-FR, TrkA, GDNF, GAP-43 and NF-H in Schwann
      cells, and investigate the possible mechanism of Draconis Sanguis to promote
      peripheral nerve regeneration. METHOD: SD rats were randomly divided into 2
      groups: the Draconis Sanguis group (orally administered with Draconis Sanguis
      containing balm solution) and the blank group (equivoluminal balm) to prepare
      Draconis Sanguis-containing serum and blank control serum. Schwann cells were
      extracted from double sciatic nerves of three-day-old SD rats, divided into 2
      groups: the Draconis Sanguis group and the blank control group, and respectively
      cultured with 10% Draconis Sanguis-containing serum or blank control serum. The
      mRNA expressions of NGF, BDNF, CNTF and other genes in Schwann cells were
      measured by RT-PCR analysis 48 hours later. RESULT: Most of the Schwann cells
      were bipolar spindle and arranged shoulder to shoulder or end to end under the
      microscope and identified to be positive with the immunocytochemical method. To
      compare with the blank group, mRNA expressions of NGF, LNGFR, GDNF and GAP-43
      significantly increased (P < 0.01). Whereas that of BDNF decreased significantly
      (P < 0.05), and so did that of TrkA, CNTF (P < 0.01), with no remarkable
      difference in NF-H-mRNA. CONCLUSION: Traditional Chinese medicine Draconis
      Sanguis may show effect in nerve regeneration by up-regulating mRNA expressions
      of NGF, LNGFR, GDNF and GAP-43 and down-regulating mRNA expressions of TrkA, BDNF
      and CNTF.

PMID- 26281568
TI  - [Effects of Tongxinluo capsule on sciatic nerve apoptosis in spontaneous type II
      diabetic KK/Upj-Ay mice and mechanism research].
AB  - To investigate the effects of Tongxinluo capsule on sciatic nerve apoptosis in
      spontaneous type II diabetic KK/Upj-Ay mice, in order to explore its mechanism
      for improving diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). KK/Upj-Ay mice were selected
      as the DPN animal model and randomly divided into the model, Tongxinluo low,
      middle and high group (1, 2, 4 g x kg(-1)). C57BL/6 mice were selected as the
      control group. Mice were given intragastrically for 12 weeks. Paw withdrawal
      latency, motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) and sensory nerve conduction
      velocity (SNCV) were detected. Apoptotic rate were detected by FCM. Bcl-2, Bax,
      Caspase-3 mRNA and protein expression in sciatic nerve were examined by Real-time
      PCR and Western blot. p38MAPK, p-p38MAPK expression were examined by Western
      blot. In this study,the authors found that Tongxinluo capsule could increase paw
      withdrawal latency, MNCV and SNCV. Apoptotic rate of sciatic, the expression of
      Bax and caspase-3 were lower, while Bcl-2 expression was higher in Tongxinluo
      group than those in model mice. The expression of p-p38MAPK significantly
      decreased in Tongxinluo group. The results showed that Tongxinluo capsule has
      protective effects on diabetic peripheral neuropathy of mice via inhibiting cell
      apoptosis and suppressing the expression of p-p38MAPK.

PMID- 26281569
TI  - [Effect of Psoraleae Fructus and Myristicae Semen in "Ershen pill" on serum
      metabonomics in spleen-kidney Yang deficiency diarrhea rats before and after
      processing].
AB  - The metabonomics method was used to study the intervention effect of Psoraleae
      Fructus and Myristicae Semen in "Ershen pill" on the changes in serum endogenous
      metabolites in spleen-kidney Yang deficiency diarrhea rats before and after
      processing, screen out differentiated metabolites related to spleen-kidney Yang
      deficiency diarrhea and explore the metabolic patterns related to spleen-kidney
      Yang deficiency diarrhea and the processing synergy mechanism of Psoraleae
      Fructus and Myristicae Semen in "Ershen pill". Efforts were made to detect SOD
      and MDA of each group, test rat serum metabolic fingerprints in different stages
      by using GC-MS, analyze by PCA and PLS-DA methods and screen out potential
      biomarks through VIP and t test. The results revealed that "Ershen pill" could
      enhance the level of SOD and decrease the level of MDA and identified 10
      differentiated metabolites related to spleen-kidney Yang deficiency diarrhea.
      Compared with the model group, all of metabolites recovered to varying levels
      after being intervened with "Ershen pill", with the best effect shown in the
      "Ershen pill" IV group (salt-processed Psoraleae Fructus + bran-roasted
      Myristicae Semen). It is speculated that that Psoraleae Fructus and Semen
      Myristicae in "Ershen pill" show a synergistic effect by inhibiting peroxide,
      improving aglucolipid, amino acids and energy metabolism, with multiple target
      sites.

PMID- 26281571
TI  - [Current application of placebo in Chinese clinical studies in past 30 years].
AB  - To analyze and discuss placebo-related information in clinical research
      literatures in the past 30 years, including placebo's dosage form, ingredients,
      preparation process and quality control. Effort were made to research the CNKI.
      full-text database to preliminary find 700 placebo-related clinical research
      literature, screen out 301 eligible articles by hand, read the literatures to
      extract placebo-related information and make statistics and discussions.
      According to the results, Chinese randomized placebo-controlled clinical studies
      were characterized by diverse dosage forms of placebo with lack of reports for
      components, as evidenced by the only 17 literatures describing placebo's
      preparation or specific composition among the 301 literatures. Placebo-controlled
      clinical trials covered a wide range of disease spectra, but with a specific
      tropism of diseases in terms of system classification. Although placebo plays a
      key role in blinded clinical studies, researchers made less records of placebo,
      perhaps because they paid less attention to placebo or more attention to the
      research process or restricted by other objective conditions. Moreover, placebo
      production, quality control and quality evaluation also need to be further
      standardized.

PMID- 26281570
TI  - [Predictive analysis on Shenmai injection-induced adverse reactions with Logistic
      model and ROC curve].
AB  - To study relevant risk factors of Shenmai injection induced adverse reactions by
      using Logistic model and ROC curve, and made the prediction for the occurrence of
      relevant adverse reactions/events. Case data of patients treated with Shenmai
      injection were collected by using the prospective, multi-center, large-sample,
      nested-case control method, in order to analyze the risk factors of Shenmai
      injection-induced adverse reactions/events, establish the logistic model and draw
      the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for risk factors. During the
      study, 7632 patients (including 3 477 males and 4 155 females) were included, and
      eight of them suffered adverse reactions/events. Based on a multi-factor Logistic
      model analysis, the age (> or = 50 years) (OR = 5.061, 95% CI: 2.197-7.924; P =
      0.001), the total number of medication days (OR = -1.020, 95% CI: -l.652 - 0.388;
      P = 0.002) and the single dose (OR = 0.245, 95% CI: 0.127-0.364; P = 0.000) were
      significant independent risk factors for Shenmai injection-induced adverse
      reactions/events. According to the results, ROC curves were drawn with age (> or
      = 50 years), the total number of days of inedication and single dose; The area
      under ROC curves the joint predictor (0.9753, 95% CI: 0.9443-1.000, P < 0.005)
      was larger than that of the other three single indexes, with a higher risk
      prediction value. The independent risk factors for Shenmai injection-induced
      adverse reactions/events included the age (> or = 50 years), the total number of
      days of medication and single dose. In clinical practice, the age (> or = 50
      years), the total number of days of medication and the medication dose can be
      substituted in the joint predictor calculation formula (P = 1 / [1 + e(-(-21.58 +
      5.061 x Xage - 1.020 x Xd + 0.245 x X(mL)] to predict the potential adverse
      reactions of patients and adjust the dosage regimen.

PMID- 26281572
TI  - [A randomized, placebo controlled study on Fangfeng Tongsheng granule in
      treatment of sub-acute eczema].
AB  - The clinical study was conducted to further evaluation the effectiveness and
      safety of Fangfeng Tongsheng granule in the treatment of sub-acute eczema
      (superficial cold and interior heat syndrome, exterior and interior sthenic
      syndrome). In the block randomized, multi-centered study, totally 108 patients
      were enrolled and assigned to two groups: 72 patients in the test group and 36
      patients in the placebo control group. Those in the test group took Fangfeng
      Tongsheng granule with the dose of 3 g, twice a day, while those in the control
      group were give simulated agent granules with the same dose. The therapeutic
      course lasted for 14 days. Their efficacies in TCM syndrome, dermal symptoms and
      adverse events were observed. According to the test results, except for the one
      exit case, all of the remaining 108 cases, including 71 in the test group, and 36
      in the control group, completed the clinical trial. As for the efficacy of TCM
      syndrome, after the medication for 2 weeks, the cure rate was 33.81% (24/71) in
      the test group and 0% (0/36) in the control group (P < 0.01), with a statistical
      difference between the two groups. Regarding the TCM score, after the medication
      for 2 weeks, the test group decreased by (12.82 +/- 7.96), while the control
      group decreased by (3.67 +/- 4.12), indicating a statistical difference between
      the two groups. As for the efficacy of dermal symptoms, after the medication for
      2 weeks, the cure rate was 25.35% (18/71) in the test group and 0% (0/36) in the
      control group, with a statistical difference between the two groups. Regarding
      the dermal symptom score, after the medication for 2 weeks., the test group
      decreased by (10.04 +/- 7.17), while the control group decreased by (2.33 +/-
      3.57), indicating a statistical difference between the two groups. There was no
      significant adverse event caused by Fangfeng Tongsheng granule. In conclusion,
      Fangfeng Tongsheng granule was effective and safe in treating subcute eczema
      (superficial cold and interior heat syndrome, exterior and interior sthenic
      syndrome).

PMID- 26281573
TI  - [Analysis of varieties and standards of labiatae medicinal plants used in Tibetan
      medicine].
AB  - In this paper, an analysis was made on the varieties and standards of labiatae
      medicinal plants used in Tibetan medicine. The results showed 71 species of
      labiatae plants in 21 genera (including varieties) recorded in relevant
      literatures, involving 44 varieties of medicinal materials. Specifically, seven
      species (9.9%) were intersected with traditional Chinese medicines (TCM), 19
      varieties (43%) were recorded in Chinese medicinal material standards at all
      levels, and 27 species (38%) were source plants. In Tibetan medicine standards
      and literatures, there are great differences between Tibetan names and translated
      Chinese names and among varieties of source plants. Apart from a few of varieties
      intersected with traditional Chinese medicines had complete standards and
      regulations in Chinese Pharmacopoeia, most of species only had characters,
      microscopic, physical and chemical identifications in Standards Issued by
      Ministry of Health-Tibetan Medicine, Tibetan Medicine Standard and local
      standards. Therefore, the Tibetan medicinal material variety-source specification
      and quality standard system shall be promoted on the basis of literatures
      research, investigations for resources and current applications and modern
      pharmaceutical studies.

PMID- 26281574
TI  - [Progress in study of spectrum-effect relationship of traditional Chinese
      medicine and discussions].
AB  - Spectrum-effect relationship of traditional Chinese medicine is a scientific
      method based on fingerprint of traditional Chinese medicine, which studied the
      correlations between fingerprint and activity. The method revealed the activity
      related peaks and clarified the active components. It provided directions and
      thoughts for the clarification of pharmacodynamic material basis and
      establishment of evaluation method to reflect the inherent quality of traditional
      Chinese medicine. In this text we would make a systematic review about the
      progress in the study of spectrum-effect relationship of traditional Chinese
      medicine after summarized the latest years of investigations from researchers at
      home and abroad, including the establishment of fingerprint, efficacy evaluation,
      and data processing. The key problems in each part were clarified and
      corresponding discussions were made, providing thoughts and advices for the
      following study of spectrum-effect relationship of traditional Chinese medicine.
      At last we made a expecting on the development trend of spectrum-effect
      relationship of traditional Chinese medicine.

PMID- 26281575
TI  - [Autotoxic effect of ginsenoside extrats on growth of American ginseng in
      different medium].
AB  - Ginsenosides are the abundant secondary metabolites in American ginseng (Panax
      quinquefolium), it could be released into soil through root exudation and
      decomposition during plant growth. This study determined ginsenoside contents in
      American ginseng cultivated soil by HPLC. Three ginsenosides, Rb1, Rb2 and Rd,
      were detected in the rhizosphere soil of 3-4 years old American ginseng
      cultivated in Huairou District, Beijing, and their contents were 0.80-3.19 mg x
      kg(-1). Correspondingly, the contents of the three ginsenosides in soil solution
      were 4-16 mg x L(-1) at field water-holding capacity of 20%. According to the
      field soil test data, we designed the concentration of ginsenosides for bioassays
      (0.2-125 mg x L(-1) in solution or 0.2-125 mg x kg(-1) in soil). The results
      showed that radicle lengths of American ginseng were reduced by 6%-23% in
      solution containing 0.2-125 mg x L(-1) ginsenoside extract, and a significant
      difference was observed at concentration of 125 mg x L(-1) (P < 0.05). The shoot
      lengths of American ginseng were not significantly inhibited by 0.2-125 mg x L(
      1) ginsenosides extractions. After 20 days of growth in nutrient solution amended
      with 25 mg x L(-1) ginsenosides extraction, plant height of 3-year-old American
      ginseng seedling was decreased by 28% compared to the control, and the biomass of
      aerial parts was also reduced by 50% (P < 0.05). However, the growth of newly
      grown fibrous root was not significantly inhibited. Comparatively, when American
      ginseng embryos were cultivated into sterile or non-sterile soil, neither radicle
      lengths nor shoot lengths were significantly affected by 0.2-125 mg x kg(-1)
      ginsenoside extracts. In conclusion, ginsenosides showed autotoxic effect on
      growth of American ginseng radicle and adult seedling, however, this effect was
      weakened in field soil.

PMID- 26281576
TI  - [RNA interference and its effect of CYP76AH1 in biosynthesis of tanshinone].
AB  - Tanshinones, the main bioactive compounds of Salvia miltiorrhiza, are the
      diterpenoid pigments, multiple genes were proved to be involved in their
      biosynthesis in plants. CYP76AH1 is the initial P450 gene in the tanshinones
      biosynthetic pathway, its function has been validated by yeast expression and in
      vitroenzymatic reaction. In order to clarify the function of CYP76AH1 in vivo, in
      this study, we constructedthe RNA interference of CYP7AH1 in S. miltiorrhiza
      hairy root. The RNA interference vector with a hairpin structure was constructed
      using the Gateway technology, and then the interference fragment was integrated
      into the genome of S. miltiorrhiza mediated by Agrobacterium rhizogenes. Several
      highly CYP76AH1 interference S. miltiorrhiza hairy roots were obtained for
      further analysis.

PMID- 26281577
TI  - [Correlation analysis of nutrients and microorganisms in soils with polyphenols
      and total flavonoids of Houttuynia cordata].
AB  - The relationship of nutrients and microorganisms in soils with polyphenols and
      total flavonoids of Houttuynia cordata were investigated by measuring nutrients,
      enzyme activity, pH, concentrations of microbe phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs)
      in soils, and determining concentrations of polyphenols and total flavonoids of
      H. cordata. The research is aimed to understand characteristics of the planting
      soils and improve the quality of cultivated H. cordata. The soils at different
      sample sites varied greatly in nutrients, enzyme activity, pH, microbic PLFAs and
      polyphenols and all flavonoids. The content of total PLFAs in sample sites was
      following: bacteria > fungi > actinomyces > nematode. The content of bacteria
      PLFAs was 37.5%-65.0% at different sample sites. Activities of polyphenol
      oxidease, concentrations of available P and content of PLFAs of bacteria,
      actinomyces and total microorganisms in soils were significantly and positively
      related to the concentrations of polyphenols and total flavonoids of H. cordata,
      respectively (P < 0.05) . The Content of fungi PLFAs in soils was significantly
      and negatively related to concentrations of polyphenols and total flavonoids of
      H. cordata, respectively (P < 0.05). This study provides evidence that
      effectiveness of the soil nutrient, which may be improved due to transformation
      of soil microorganisms and enzymes to N and P in the soils, was beneficial to
      adaptation of H. cordata adapted to different soil conditions, and significantly
      affects metabolic accumulation of polyphenols and flavonoids of H. cordata.

PMID- 26281578
TI  - [Identification and analysis of Corydalis boweri, Meconopsis horridula and their
      close related species of the same genus by using ITS2 DNA barcode].
AB  - The study is aimed to ensure the quality and safety of medicinal plants by using
      ITS2 DNA barcode technology to identify Corydalis boweri, Meconopsis horridula
      and their close related species. The DNA of 13 herb samples including C. boweri
      and M. horridula from Lhasa of Tibet was extracted, ITS PCR were amplified and
      sequenced. Both assembled and web downloaded 71 ITS2 sequences were removed of 5.
      8S and 28S. Multiple sequence alignment was completed and the intraspecific and
      interspecific genetic distances were calculated by MEGA 5.0, while the neighbor
      joining phylogenetic trees were constructed. We also predicted the ITS2 secondary
      structure of C. boweri, M. horridula and their close related species. The results
      showed that ITS2 as DNA barcode was able to identify C. boweri, M. horridula as
      well as well as their close related species effectively. The established based on
      ITS2 barcode method provides the regular and safe detection technology for
      identification of C. boweri, M. horridula and their close related species,
      adulterants and counterfeits, in order to ensure their quality control, safe
      medication, reasonable development and utilization.

PMID- 26281579
TI  - [Identication of pearl powder and conch powder from different origins by
      differential scanning calorimetry].
AB  - The paper is aimed to establish a methods for identication of pearl powder and
      conch powder from different origins. Hermetic aluminum pan was used to
      encapsulate samples. The optimal testing conditions were: heating rate 10 degrees
      C x min(-1), sample weight 3 mg and nitrogen gas flow rate 40 mL x min(-1). The
      enthalpy values of pearl powder and conch powder was obvious different.
      Identication of pearl powder and conch powder by DSC is a practical method for
      its accuracy, convenience and practificality.

PMID- 26281580
TI  - [Preparation and identification of artificial antigen for rhein].
AB  - The Rhei Radix et Rhizoma was one of the most widely used traditional Chinese
      medicine for its special biological activities. The content of rhein, one of its
      major compounds, was an important standard for the quantity control of Rhei Radix
      et Rhizoma. The major method used for the detection of rhein was instrumental
      analysis like HPLC, but it was complex, time-consuming and cannot detect large
      samples at the same time. The enzyme-linked imunmosorbent assay (ELISA) was
      accurate, reliable, simple, low costs, and of a high-throughout. Recently, it was
      widely used for the determination of those small molecule compounds in some
      traditional Chinese medicinal plants. In this study, an artificial antigen were
      synthesized by the carbodiimide (CDI) method. Rhein-bovine (rhein-BSA) conju gate
      and rhein-ovalbumin (rhein-OVA) conjugate, were produced as the immunogen and
      coating antigen, respectively. The conjugate and the hapten number in the
      conjugate were determined by UV-Vis spectrophotometry (UV). The conjugation ratio
      of Rhein and BSA was about 4.0:1, rhein acid and OVA was 2.6 : 1, respectively.
      Rhein-BSA conjugate was used to immunize Bal b/c mice to produce antiserum. The
      antiserum titer of the Rhein were higher than 8000 detected by ELISA. The
      successfully synthesized conjugate antigen rhein-BSA implies its feasibility in
      the establishment of fast immunoassay for the rhein content determination.

PMID- 26281581
TI  - [Effect of strains and parts on amino acids of Dendrobium officinale].
AB  - The aim of the paper is to reveals the variations of Dendrobium officinale amino
      acids in different strains and parts for breeding excellent varieties, and
      providing scientific basis for the expanding of medicinal or edible parts. The
      contents of 17 amino acids in 11 strains of D. officinale were determined by
      hydrochloric acid hydrolysis method. The total amino acids content of leaves was
      from 6.76 to 7.97 g per 100 g, and the stems was from 1.61 to 2.44 g per 100 g.
      As the content of amino acids in leaves was significantly higher than that of
      stems, and the composition was close to the ideal protein standard proposed by
      FAO/WHO. The leaves of D. officinale had the good prospect for the development of
      functional foods. The 9 x 66 strain which with high yield and polysaccharide
      content had the highest amino acids content both in stems and leaves, indicated
      crossbreeding could improve the quality of varieties. Compared the amino acids
      content of D. officinale in two main harvest periods, the harvest time has a
      significant impact on amino acids content of D. officinale. This study
      demonstrates that the harvesting time of D. officinale stems is suitable for
      leaves as well, which is the period before bolssom.

PMID- 26281582
TI  - [Study on change rule of 6 ester-type alkaloids in process of Heishunpian].
AB  - To study the variation of six ester-type alkaloids and characteristic
      fingerprints in the process from Radix Aconite Lateralis to Heishunpian and lay a
      foundation for the study of the processing principle of Heishunpian, HPLC.
      analysis was performed on a Phenomenex Gemini C18 (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm)
      with acetonitrile and 40 mmol x L(-1) ammonium acetate (adjusted to pH 10 with
      concentrated ammonia water) as mobile phase. The detection wavelength was set at
      235 nm. The flow rate was set at 0.8 mL x min(-1) and the injection volume was 10
      20 microL. Six ester-type alkaloids were determined and characteristic
      fingerprints of the process were established. As the process continues, the
      contents of diester diterpene alkaloids were decreased step by step, while the
      contents varia tion of monoester diterpene alkaloids were not obvious. Each
      sample showed significant difference in characteristic fingerprints. With the
      exception of 6 known monoester diterpene alkaloids and diester diterpene
      alkaloids, 13 peaks were marked in the characteristic fingerprints, of which the
      total change rule of the other 7 unknown peaks were similar with 3 diester
      diterpene alkaloids. The established method is accurate, reliable and repeatable,
      and can provide reference for revealing change rule of index components and
      illuminating processing principle in the process of Heishunpian.

PMID- 26281583
TI  - [Fingerprint and spectrum-effect relationships on Tripterygium glycosides
      preparation].
AB  - Tripterygium glycosides preparation which extracted from the traditional Chinese
      herb Tripterygium wilfordii (TWHY), was widely used to treat the autoimmune
      diseases. Previous works demonstrated that TWHF had potent anti-inflammatory and
      immunosuppressive properties. But the different quality and high incident rate of
      side effects of different manufactures inhibited its clinical application. Since
      TWHF had been generally known to play a therapeutical effect by synergism of
      multiple constituents, it was necessary to build the relationship between the
      HPLC fingerprint and bioactivity so as to ensure the quality safety and efficacy.
      The HPLC fingerprint showed that description and content of peaks from different
      manufactures were diverse. Only 11 common peaks were found. In this study, mice
      spleen cells stimulated by Con A were used to test the proliferation inhibition
      bioactivity of TWHF preparations, which were incubated with 30, 15, 7.5, 3.75,
      1.88 and 0.94 mg x L(-1) TWHF preparations for 48 h. The results showed that mice
      spleen cells proliferation was inhibited by all TWHF preparations significantly
      compared with the control group, which suggested the TWHF preparations showed
      immune suppress activity. The TWHF preparations from 7 manufacture showed
      different IC50 value, which might belong to different contents which showed in
      the HPLC fingerprint. Moreover, a relationship between the HPLC fingerprint and
      the bioactivity were established to identify important constituents by grey
      relational analysis (GRA). The result showed that all the contents were relative
      with the IC50, especially No. 5 and 10 peaks, but No. 1 peak, which was proved to
      be triptolide, had few contribute to the inhibition of mice spleen cells
      proliferation. The study of relationship between the HPLC fingerprint and the
      IC50 by GRA could help to investigate mechanism of bioactive and provide an
      evidence for the quantification of multi-constituents.

PMID- 26281584
TI  - [Study on sustained release preparations of Epimedium component].
AB  - The formulation for sustained release tablet of Epinedium component was selected
      and the evaluation equation of in vitro release was established. The liquidity of
      component was improved with the help of colloidal silica aided by spray drying,
      which would be the main drug in the sustained release tablets. Dissolution was
      selected as an evaluation index to investigate skeletal material type, fillers,
      impact porogen, lubricants and other materials on the quality of sustained
      release tablet. The sustained release tablets were prepared by dry compression.
      Formulation of sustained release preparations was main drug 35%, HPMC K(4M) 20%
      and HPMC K(15M) 10% as skeleton material, MCC 31% as filler, PEG6000 2% as
      porogen and magnesium stearate 2% as lubricant. The sustained release tablets
      released up to 80% in 8 h. The zero order equation, primary equation and Higuchi
      equation could simulate the release characteristics of sustained release tablets
      in vitro, the correlation coefficients r were larger than 0.96. The primary
      equation was most similar in vitro release characteristics and its correlation
      coefficient r was 0.9950. The preparation method is simple and the results of
      formulation selection are reliable. It can be used to guide the production of
      Epimedium component sustained release preparations.

PMID- 26281585
TI  - [Studies on structure characteristic of polysaccharide P1A from Dicliptera
      chinensis].
AB  - The chemical structures of P1 A was identified by complete acid hydrolysis,
      partial acid hydrolysis, periodate oxidation-Smith degradation, methylation
      analysis, IR and NMR. The results showed that P1 A had a backbone consisting
      rhamnose, mannose, glucose and galactose. The side chain possessed arabinose and
      xylose. 1-->, 1-->6 and non-reducing terminal linkages existed in polysaccharide
      P1A, but there are doubling amount of 1-->2 and 1-->4 linkages. Oxidable linkage
      of P1 A accounted for 45%, and inoxidable linkage of P1A accounted for 55%.
      Mannose, glucose and galactose were mainly linked by 1-->2 linkage. Rhamnose,
      arabinose and xylose were mainly linked by 1-->2 and 1-->4 linkages. PlA
      contained beta-Glc(1,6)-,beta-Gal(1,3)-,beta-Man(1,4)-beta-Rha,-Glc(1,4)-, Glc(1)
      ,-Gal(1,4)- and Man(1)-.

PMID- 26281586
TI  - [Study on effect of pH on rectum permeability of active ingredients in Reduning
      suppositories in vitro].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of different pH on rectum permeability of
      chlorogenic acid and geniposide. METHOD: Four kinds of Reduning suppositories of
      different pH were separated and put into the rectum to study the suppositories in
      vitro and the content of chlorogenic acid and geniposide samples was determined
      by HPLC to calculate the permeation in 24 hours. RESULT: With increase of pH
      within 2.5-7.4, the steady state flux of chlorogenic acid was increased, but the
      steady state flux of geniposidesamples was steady. CONCLUSION: Adjusted the pH
      can increase the rectum permeability of active ingredients in Reduning
      auppositories.

PMID- 26281587
TI  - [Isolation, purification and identification of polysaccharides from Gynura
      divaricata].
AB  - The purpose of this study was to isolate and purify polysaccharide from Gynura
      divaricata and analyze its monosaccharide composition. A water-soluble crude
      polysaccharide was obtained by hot water extraction, ethanol precipitation and
      deproteinization after degreasing. The crude polysaccharide then purified with
      DEAE-Sepharose Fast Flow column chromatography and dialysis. The monosaccharide
      composition and structure were analyzed by HPLC, UV spectrophotometer and 1H-NMR.
      The results showed that the purity and molecular weight of GDPS-2 and GDPS-3 were
      87.3%, 2.03 x 10(4) Da and 90.9%, 4.29 x 10(4) Da, respectively. The UV
      spectrophotometer and 1H-NMR data suggested that glycosidic bond of GDPS-2 and
      GDPS-3 were a type. Both GDPs-2 and GDPs-3 were homogeneous polysaccharides, and
      GDPs-2 was mainly composed of glucuronic acid and xylose at a molar ratio of
      1.1:0.63. GDPs-3 was mainly composed of rhamnose, glucuronic acid, galactose,
      xylose and galacturonic acid at a molar ratio of 0.32:6.0:0.21:1.75:4.3.

PMID- 26281588
TI  - [Flavone C-glycosides from seeds of Ziziphus jujuba var. spinosa].
AB  - Five flavone C-glycosides were isolated from the methanol extract of the degrease
      seeds of Ziziphus jujuba var. spinosa though various column chromatography
      methods including silica gel, MPLC, and HPLC. The structures were elucidated as
      6"-feruloyl- 6'''-vanillylspinosin(1), 6",6'"-diferuloylspinosin(2), spinosin(3),
      swertisin(4) and isoswertisin(5) based on the NMR and MS spectral data. 1 is a
      new compound.

PMID- 26281589
TI  - [Studies on non-alkaloid constituents from Ochrosia elliptica].
AB  - The chemical consituents from Ochrosia elliptica were separated and purified by
      column chromatographies on silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, ODS and RP-HPLC. The
      structures of the isolated compounds were identified on the basis of
      physicochemical properties and spectroscopic analysis, as well as comparisons
      with the data in the literature. 18 compounds were isolated and elucidated as (+)
      -pinoresinol(1), (+) -medioresinol (2), (+) -lariciresinol (3), (+) -5'-methoxy
      lariciresinol(4), (+) -isolariciresinol (5), syringaresinol(6), episyringaresinol
      (7), ciwujiatone (8), zhebeiresinol (9), 7-hydroxycoumarin (10), 7
      methoxycoumarin (11), scopoletin(12), isofraxidin(13), caffeic acid ethyl ester
      (14), ferulic acid (15), p-hydroxybenzaldehyde (16), vanillin (17), and vanillic
      acid(18). All compounds were isolated from the genus Ochrosia for the first time.

PMID- 26281590
TI  - [Studies on sesquiterpenes from Solanum septemlobum].
AB  - By means of preparative HPTLC and column chromatography over silica gel and
      Sephadex LH-20, ten sesquiterpenes were isolated and purified from the whole
      plants of Solanum septemlobum Bunge. Based on the physico-chemical properties and
      spectral data, their structures were elucidated and identified as: lyratol D(1),
      solajiangxin B(2), 1 ,2-dehydrocyperone(3), solanerianone A (4),
      dehydrocarissone(5), ligucyperonol(6), nardoeudesmol A(7), solajiangxin F(8), and
      lyratol B(9), solajiangxin D(10). For the first time, compounds 1-10 were
      isolated from Solanum septemlobum, and compounds 5-7 were obtained from the genus
      Solanum.

PMID- 26281591
TI  - [Chemical constituents of Sapium sebiferum leaves].
AB  - Chemical constituents of ethyl acetate extract of Sapium sebiferum leaves were
      isolated and purified by various chromatographic methods, including column
      chromatographies over silica gel, macroporous adsorption resin, and Sephadex LH
      20, as well as preparative TLC and semi preparative HPLC. As a results, 15
      compounds were separated from Sapium sebiferum leaves and their structures were
      examined by spectral analysis including NMR and MS data and identified as( + )
      (7R,7'R,7"S,7'"S,8S,8'S,8"S,8'"S)-4", 4"'-dihydroxy-3,3',3",3',5,5'-hexamethoxy
      7,9';7',9-diepoxy-4,8";4',8'"-bisoxy-8,8'-dineo-lignan-7",7"',9",9"'-tetraol(1)
      ,1-(4'- hydroxy-3'-methoxyphenyl)-2-[4"-(3-hydroxypropyl) -2", 6"
      dimethoxyphenoxy] propane-1, 3-diol (2), Thero-2, 3-bis-(4-hydroxy-3-
      methoxypheyl)-3-methoxy-propanol(3) , threo-5-hydroxy-3,7-dimethoxyphenyl propane
      8,9-diol (4), boropinol B (5), threo-8S-7-methoxysyringylglycerol(6), 5
      hydroxymethylfurfural(7), 5-( methoxy-methyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde (8),
      quercetin (9) , kaempferol (10), ethyl gallate(11), coniferaldehyde(12),
      vanillin(13), 7-hydroxy-6-methoxy-2H-1-henzopyran-2-one(14),and 1-heptacosanol
      (15). All compounds except for compounds 9-11,14 were separated from this plant
      for the first time.

PMID- 26281592
TI  - [In vitro anti-inflammatory and free radical scavenging activities of flavans
      from Ilex centrochinensis].
AB  - This study was carried out to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and free radical
      scavenging activities of flavans from flex centrochinensis S. Y. Hu in vitro and
      their structure-activity relationship. LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage was
      used as inflammatory model. MTT assay for cell availability, Griess reaction for
      nitric oxide (NO) production, the content of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6 and PGE,
      were detected with ELISA kits; DPPH, superoxide anion and hydroxyl free radicals
      scavenging activities were also investigated. According to the result, all
      flavans tested exhibited anti-inflammatory effect in different levels. Among
      them, compounds 1, 3, 4 and 6 showed potent anti-inflammatory effect through the
      inhibition of NO, TNF-alpha, IL-lp and IL-6, of which 1 was the most effective
      inhibitor, however, 2 and 5 were relatively weak or inactive. The order of free
      radical scavenging activities was similar to that of anti-inflammatory
      activities. Therefore, these results suggest that 3, 4 and 6, especially of 1,
      were,in part responsible for the anti-inflammatory and free radical scavenging
      activity of Ilex centrochinensis. Hydroxyl group at 4'-position of B-ring plays
      an important role in the anti-inflammatory and free radical scavenging
      capacities.

PMID- 26281593
TI  - [Quality assessment of Periplocae Cortex from different habitats by UPLC
      fingerprint and quantitative analysis].
AB  - Ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) was employed for simultaneous
      determination of three components and fingerprint analysis of Periplocae Cortex
      with gradient elution of mehtanol and water containing 0.1% phosphoric acid as
      mobile phase. Three components including chlorogenic acid, 4
      methoxysalicylaldehyde and periplocoside were well separated under the analytical
      condition. Seventeen peaks were selected as the common peaks of 30 batches of
      Periplocae Cortex. The results showed that there is a significant difference in
      contents of periplocoside between the samples collected from Henan and Shanxi
      province. Based on the results of three components quantification and fingerprint
      analysis, hierarchical clustering analysis ( HCA) and principle component
      analysis (PCA) were used to further prove the differences between two group
      samples, and the results indicated that quality of Periplocae Cortex from Shanxi
      was more stable than that from Henan. The established UPLC fingerprint and
      quantitative analysis methods could be used efficiently in the quality control of
      Periplocae Cortex, and this study might contribute to the reasonable clinical
      application.

PMID- 26281594
TI  - [Research on inorganic elements of Asari Radix et Rhizoma from different
      localities and species].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the character of inorganic elements in Asari Radix et
      Rhizoma (Xixin). METHOD: The contents of 53 inorganic elements in Xixin samples
      from different localities and species were determined by ICP-AES and ICP-MS. The
      statistical data were made using SAS. RESULT: The result demonstrated that Xixin
      has the high contents of Fe, Cr, Li. It has been observed that the content of Cu
      and Pb of the samples are much higher than the standard level. The results of
      hierarchical cluster analysis revealed two groups which correspond with the
      species of the samples. No correlations between the contents of the inorganic
      elements and the localities of the samples were found. Some characteristic
      elements were displayed in some specific areas. The difference of the contents of
      the 53 inorganic elements between root and rhizome of Xixin was reported for the
      first time. The primary form of inorganic elements in Xixin has been studied for
      the first time. The result demonstrated that the extraction rate between
      different elements varied, with the average extraction rate of (22.25 +/-
      24.96)%. CONCLUSION: The inorganic elements analysis of Xixin can provide
      evidence of its identification, cultivation and application.

PMID- 26281595
TI  - [Determination of six C-Glycoside flavones and antitumor activity of water
      soluble total flavonoids from Isodon lophanthoides var. gerardianus].
AB  - This research established an HPLC method for determination of six C-Glycoside
      flavones of warer-soluble total flavonoids from Isodon lophanthoides var.
      gerardianus (Benth.) H. Hara, and studied the antitumor activity of the warer
      soluble total flavonoids. The HPLC system consisted of Kromasil 100-5 C18 (4.6 mm
      x 250 mm, 5 microm) column and a solution system of methanol, acetonitrile and
      0.5% formic acid gradient elution at a flow rate of 0. 8 mL x min(-1) and the
      wavelength of detector was at 334 nm. The column temperature was 25 degrees C.
      The antitumor activity of water-soluble flavonoids was assayed using HepG2 cell
      as the tested cell. The linear ranges of vicenin II, vicenin III, isoschaftoside,
      schaftoside, vitexin, 6, 8-di-C-a-L-arabinosylapigenin were 0.25-2.53, 0.12-1.20,
      0.37-3.69, 0.16-1.63, 0.19-1.92, 0.14-1.42 microg, respectively. The average
      recoveries (n = 6) were 99.6% (RSD 0.87%), 100.2% (RSD 2.0%), 99.6% (RSD 1.8%),
      97.9% (RSD 1.5%), 98.8% (RSD 1.2%), 98.6% (RSD 1.2%), respectively. After
      exposure in 24, 48, 72 h, the total flavonoids showed inhibitory effect on the
      proliferation of HepG2 cells with IC50 as the evaluation index, the IC50 values
      of 1.89, 1.71, 1.51 g x L(-1), respectively. The method is quick, simple and
      accurate with good re- producibility, and can be used for determination of
      vicenin II, vicenin III, isoschaftoside, schaftoside, vitexin, 6, 8-di-C-a-L
      arabino- sylapigenin in the warer-soluble total flavonoids from L lophanthoides
      var. gerardianus. The warer-soluble total flavonoids from L lophanthoides have
      inhibitory effect on the proliferation of HepG2 cells.

PMID- 26281596
TI  - [Regulatory effect of coptisine on key genes involved in cholesterol metabolism].
AB  - To study the effect of cholesterol and 25-OH-cholesterol on cholesterol
      metabolism in HepG2 cells and the effect of coptisine (Cop) extracted from
      Coptidis Rhizoma (CR) in reducing and regulating cholesterol. In this study, TC,
      TG, LDL-c and HDL-c were measured by biochemical analysis; mRNA and protein
      expressions of LDLR, HMGCR and CYP7A1 were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot.
      According to the results, cholesterol and 25-OH-cholesterol inducing could
      decrease in mRNA and protein expressions of LDLR and CYP7A1, so as to increase TC
      and LDL-c contents. However, Cop could up-regulate mRNA and protein expressions
      of LDLR and CYP7A1 and down-regulate that of HMGCR, so as to reduce TC and LDL-c
      levels. These findings suggested that Cop has potential pharmacological activity
      for reducing cholesterol, and may reduce cholesterol by regulating mRNA and
      protein expressions of key genes involved in cholesterol metabolism, such as
      LDLR, CYP7A1 and HMGCR. This study laid a firm theoretical foundation for
      developing new natural drugs with the cholesterol-lowering activity.

PMID- 26281597
TI  - [Protective effect of ginsenoside Rg1 again PC-12 cells in OGD injury through
      mTOR/Akt/FoxO3 signaling pathway].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effect of ginsenoside Rg1 on oxygen
      glucose deprivation (OGD) in PC-12 cells, and preliminarily discuss the potential
      molecular mechanism of mTOR/Akt/FoxO3 signaling pathway. METHOD: The OGD PC-12
      cell model was established. The cell viability was measured by MTT assay. After
      the pretreatment with Rg1 with the concentration of 10, 20, 40 micromol x L(-1)
      for 24 h, the cell viability was observed. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release,
      superoxide dismutase (SOD) ac- tivity and malondialdehyde (MDA) level were
      detected by colorimetry assay. mTOR, p-Akt(ser473), p-Akt(tjr308), Akt, p-FoxO3,
      FoxO3 in cytoplasm and nucleus, and total FoxO3 protein expression were detected
      by Western blot assay. RESULT: OGD could significantly in- hibit cell
      proliferation in 4-24 h in a time-dependent manner. After pretreatment for 24 h,
      Rg1 (20, 40 micromol x L(-1)) could notably elevate the cell viability and SOD
      viability and reduce the LDH release and MDA content. Besides, Rg1 also inhibited
      OGD-induced mTOR and p-Akt(ser473) decreases. After treatment for 6 h, OGD could
      reduce FoxO3 phosphorylation and promote FoxO3 in cytoplasm. This data suggested
      that Rg1 could protect PC-12 cell injury through mTOR/p-Akt/FoxO3 signaling
      pathway. CONCLUSION: Ginsenoside Rg1 could attenuate OGD-induced PC-12 cell
      injury. Its action mechanism may be closely related to activation of mTOR/p
      Akt/FoxO3 signaling pathway.

PMID- 26281598
TI  - [Effect of improper diets on blood viscosity in SD rats in high-salt and fat diet
      and alcohol abuse simulation model].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of composite factors, like long-term high-salt &
      fat diet and alcohol abuse on blood viscosity and blood pressure in rats, and
      compare with a model induced by high molecular dextran, in order to build a
      chronic hyperviscosity aminal model which is similar to human hyperviscosity in
      clinic and lay a foundation for efficacy evaluation on traditional Chinese
      medicines. METHOD: Male SD rats were randomly divided into the normal group, the
      high molecular dextran (HMD) group and the high salt & fat and alcohol (HSFA)
      group. The HMD group was given normal diet and water for 23 day and then 10% HMD
      through tail vein for 5 days. The HSFA group was fed with high salt and high fat
      diets every day and alcohol for 20 h x d(-1) for 13 weeks. After the modeling,
      whole blood viscosity and plasma viscosity were measured in the 5th, 8th and 11th
      week. Blood pressure was measured in the 5d, 7h, and 10th week. Red cell count
      (RBC) and hematocrit (HCT) were measured in the 11th week. PAgT, Fb, ET-1, NO,
      PGI, TXA2 contents of the normal group and the HSFA group were measured in the
      13th week, and IECa21 content was measured with flow cytometry. Result: After the
      modeling, the HMD group was in good conditions with glossy hairs and active
      behaviors. The HSFA group was depressed with withered hairs and less activities.
      During the 5th-11th weeks, the HMD group and the HSFA group showed higher values
      in high and low shear whole blood viscosity (WBV) than the normal control group.
      The plasma viscosity (PV) of HMD rats was significantly increased only in the 5th
      week, and that of HSFA rats significantly increased in the 8"' and 11th week,
      particularly in the 11'h week. In the 111h week, the HSFA group showed
      significant increases in RBC and HCT. After the modeling, the blood pressure of
      HMD rats showed no significant changes, but the blood pressure of HSFA rats
      significantly increased during 7' and 101h weeks, particularly in the 10"' week.
      In the 13th week, PAgT, IECa2+, Fb, ET-1 of HSFA rats significantly increased,
      but with decreases in NO and PGI2. CONCLUSION: Long-term high salt & fat and
      alcohol diets can cause abnormal blood viscosity in rats. WBV significantly
      increased since the 5th week in rats, and PV increased since the 8th week. The
      mechanism for increasing BV may be: (1) increases in RBC, HCT, and IECa2+, (2)
      PAgT increase, (3) Fb content increase, or (4) TXA2/PGI2, ET-1/NO imbalance.
      Although the modeling time with the method is longer than that with the HMD
      method, the model is more stable and moderate, and could lead to abnormal
      increases in WBV and PV; Whereas the HMD method only induced transient increase
      in plasma viscosity and abnormal increase in SBP. The model is more similar to
      traditional Chinese medicine syndromes and pathogenesis, with higher value for
      studies on efficacy of traditional Chinese medicines.

PMID- 26281599
TI  - [Anti-inflammatory mechanism research of flavonoid compounds in Dalbergiae
      Odoriferae Lignum by module-based network analysis].
AB  - Dalbergiae Odoriferae Lignum as a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been
      widely used for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis. Flavonoid
      compounds are main chemical constituents of Dalbergiae Odoriferae Lignum, which
      exert anti-inflammatory property. However, the underlying anti-inflammatory
      mechanisms of flavonoid compounds are incompletely understood. It has been
      reported that isoliquiritigenin, liquiritigenin, naringenin and butein possess
      anti-inflammatory property. The purpose of this study is to illuminate the anti
      inflammatory mechanism of flavonoid compounds based on the protein interaction
      network (PIN) analysis on molecular network level. 130 targets of the main
      medicinal ingredients of flavonoid compounds were gained though database
      retrieval. A protein interaction network of flavonoid compounds was constructed
      with 589 nodes and 216 interactions. By a graph theoretic clustering algorithm
      Molecular Complex Detection (MCODE), 26 modules were identified and analyzed by
      Gene ontology (GO) enrichment. Two modules were associated with anti-inflammatory
      actions. The most interesting finding of this study was that the anti
      inflammatory effect of flavonoid compounds may be partly attributable to inhibite
      FOS, PTGS2 expression, inhibite of IL-1beta release, and block the MAPK pathway
      and toll-like receptor pathway.

PMID- 26281600
TI  - [R-value comprehensive evaluation of effect of three methods for lung-kidney
      comprehensive evaluation study on R value of three methods for regulating and
      invigorating lung and kidney in regulating lung inflammation signaling pathways
      in COPD rats].
AB  - Previous studies showed that three methods for regulating and invigorating lung
      and kidney (lung invigorating and spleen strengthening, lung invigorating and
      kidney tonifying, and Qi supplementing and kidney nourishing) could regulate
      inflammatory signaling pathways of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
      in rats, so as to alleviate inflammation. In the present study, R-value
      comprehensive evaluation method was used to evaluate the comprehensive effect of
      three methods for regulating and invigorating lung and kidney on inflammatory
      signaling pathways. Rats were randomly divided into control, model, lung
      invigorating and spleen strengthening, lung invigorating and kidney tonifying, Qi
      supplementing and kidney nourishing and aminophylline groups. The COPD rat models
      were established by cigarette smoking combined with bacterial infection, and
      orally administered with drugs between the 9th and 20th week. Afterwards, efforts
      were made to observe the long-term effects between the drug withdrawal and the
      32rd week and detect indicators in two batches in the 20th week and 32th week.
      Specifically, (1) Linking JAK/STAT signaling pathway: JAK2 mRNA, and protein
      expressions of STAT-1, STAT-3, STAT-5, JAK-2; (2) NF-kappaB signaling pathway:
      Smad2 mRNA and protein expressions of I-kappaB, NF-kappaB, TGF-beta1; (3)
      PPARgamma and antioxidant signaling pathway: SOD, PGE mRNA, PPARgamma protein.
      According to the results, 5 indicators in JAK/STAT pathway, 4 indicators in NF
      kappaB pathway, and 3 indicators in PPARgamma pathway were significantly
      rectified by three methods for regulating and invigorating lung and kidney in
      between the 20th week and 32nd week. Between the 20th and 32nd week, the recipes
      for rectifying JAK/STAT pathway with intensity from high to low were recipes for
      lung invigorating and spleen strengthening, Qi supplementing and kidney
      nourishing, lung invigorating and kidney tonifying, aminophylline, particularly
      those for lung invigorating and spleen strengthening; The recipes for rectifying
      NF-kappaB pathway with intensity from high to low were recipes for lung
      invigorating and spleen strengthening, lung invigorating and kidney tonifying, Qi
      supplementing and kidney nourishing and aminophylline, particularly the first
      three types of drugs. The recipes for rectifying PPARgamma and antioxidant
      signaling pathway with intensity from high to low were recipes for lung
      invigorating and kidney tonifying, Qi supplementing and kidney nourishing, lung
      invigorating and spleen strengthening and aminophylline. Therefore, three methods
      for regulating and invigorating lung and kidney showed better long-term effects
      in regulating COPD lung inflammation signaling pathways. Specifically, recipe for
      lung invigorating and spleen strengthening showed a better effect in JAK/STAT and
      NF-kappaB pathways, while recipe for lung invigorating and kidney tonifying and
      Qi supplementing and kidney nourishing showed better effects in PPARgamma and
      antioxidant signaling pathways. In conclusion, R-value comprehensive evaluation
      method can evaluate the comprehensive effect of medicines and define the ranking
      of multiple drugs and their main targets.

PMID- 26281601
TI  - [Effects of compound Daqiqi decoction combined cisplatin on Bcl-2/Bax expression
      of nude mice ovarian cancer subcutaneous transplanted tumor].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the compound Daqiqi decoction( CDQD) combined cisplatin
      plays on the cell apoptosis of subcutaneous transplanted ovarian cancer in nude
      mice, to provide theory evidence for clinical treatment. METHOD: Making the
      models of subcutaneous transplanted ovarian cancer in nude mice, and divide the
      40 mice with tumor into 5 groups (n = 8), the model control group, CDQD low dosed
      group, CDQD high dosed group, cisplatin group, cisplatin combined CDQD group,
      killing all the mice after 3 weeks' treatment and stripping tumors. Measure the
      volume and weight of the tumor and calculate tumor growth curve damps, the
      inhibition rate. Examining the expression of the Bcl-2(B-cell leukemia /lymphoma
      2) and Bax (Bcl-2 associated x protein) mRNA and protein by the RT-PCR and the
      Western blot. RESULT: (O)The tumor weight shows that there was certain lighter
      effect in each CDQD group, and compared with cisplatin groups has no statistical
      significance, the cisplatin combined CDQD group is obviously lighter than that of
      the other group(P <0.01). The tumor growth curve damps shows that compared with
      model control group, the treatment group tumors had some extent narrowing (P <
      0.01). (2) RT-PCR results: Bax (Bcl-2 associated x protein) mRNA expression shows
      that compared with model control group, the treatment group has increased (P <
      0.01), and the cisplatin combined CDQD group compared with the other group is the
      highest, there was significant difference with the rest of the treatment group (P
      < 0.01). In the Bcl-2 mRNA express lowest in cisplatin combined CDQD group (P <
      0.01), there has no difference between CDQD high dose group and cisplatin group.
      (Western blot shows: compared with model control group, the Bax protein of
      treatment group has increased expression (P < 0.01), the expression of Bax
      protein in cisplatin combined CDQD group is the highest(P < 0.01). There has no
      difference between CDQD high dose group and cisplatin group. The Bcl-2 protein
      expression of the cisplatin combined CDQD group is the lowest (P < 0.01), there
      has no difference between CDQD high dose group and cisplatin group. CONCLUSION:
      The effect of CDQD on subcutaneous transplantation ovarian tumor has promoting
      apoptosis function, its mechanism may be related to downgrade the Bcl-2
      expression, higher expression of bax, stimulation on the apoptosis of tumor
      cells; cisplatin combined CDQD have synergistic effect.

PMID- 26281602
TI  - [Intervention effect and mechanism of compound Ginkgo biloba preparations on
      nonalcoholic fatty liver].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the intervention effect and mechanism of compound
      Ginkgo biloba (CGB) preparations on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
      METHOD: The C57BL/6 mouse NAFLD model was induced with high fat diets. Since the
      2nd week after modeling, the mice were orally administered with 600 and 200 mg x
      kg(-1) x d(-1) CGB for eight weeks. The levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT),
      aspartate aminotransferase (AST), triglyceride (TG), cholesterol (CHOL) and LPS
      in serum, as well as pathological changes and expression of tumor necrosis factor
      alpha (TNF-alpha) in hepatic tissues were observed. Changes in intestinal tight
      junction proteins ZO-1, Occludin, Claudin-1 in intestinal tissues were determined
      under microscopy. RESULT: Compared with the normal group, the model group showed
      obvious fatty degeneration in rat livers, with notable increase in TNF-alpha
      expression (P < 0.01), significant increases in ALT, AST, TG, CHOL and LPS in
      serum (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), injury in intestinal tight junction proteins, and
      remarkable declines in ZO-1, Occludin and Claudin-1 (P < 0.01). Compared with the
      model group, CGB high and low dose groups showed obvious relieves in fatty
      degeneration in rat livers and injury in intestinal tight junction proteins,
      significant reductions in TNF-alpha expression (P < 0.01, P < 0.05) and AST, TG,
      CHOL and LPS in serum (P < 0.01, P < 0.05) and remarkable increases in ZO-1 and
      Occludin expressions (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: CGB can protect intestinal tight
      junction proteins, reduce intestinal leakage, relieve fatty degeneration and
      inflammations in livers and prevent NAFLD occurrence and development.

PMID- 26281604
TI  - [Study on compatibility of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Chuanxiong
      Rhizoma based on pharmacokinetics of effective components salvianolic acid B and
      ferulic acid in rat plasma].
AB  - A study was made on the pharmacokinetic regularity of effective components
      salvianolic acid B and ferulic acid in Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma
      (SMRR) and Chuanxiong Rhizoma(CR) in rats, so as to discuss the compatibility
      mechanism of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Chuanxiong Rhizoma. Rats
      were randomly divided into three groups and intravenously injected with 50 mg x
      kg(-1) salvianolic acid B for the single SMRR extracts group, 0.5 mg x kg(-1)
      ferulic acid for the single CR extracts group and 50 mg x kg(-1) salvianolic acid
      B + 0.5 mg x kg(-1) ferulic acid for the SMRR and CR combination group. The blood
      samples were collected at different time points and purified by liquid-liquid
      extraction with ethyl acetate. With chloramphenicol as internal standard (IS),
      UPLC was adopted to determine concentrations of salvianolic acid B and ferulic
      acid. The pharmacokinetic parameters of salvianolic acid B and ferulic acid were
      calculated with WinNonlin 6.2 software and analyzed by SPSS 19.0 statistical
      software. The UPLC analysis method was adopted to determine salvianolic acid B
      and ferulic acid in rat plasma, including linear equation, stability,
      repeatability, precision and recovery. The established sample processing and
      analysis methods were stable and reliable, with significant differences in major
      pharmacokinetic parameters, e.g., area under the curve (AUC), mean residence time
      (MRT) and terminal half-life (t(1/2)). According to the experimental results, the
      combined application of SMRR and CR can significantly impact the pharmacokinetic
      process of their effective components in rats and promote the wide distribution,
      shorten the action time and prolong the in vivo action time of salvianolic acid B
      and increase the blood drug concentration and accelerate the clearance of ferulic
      acid in vivo.

PMID- 26281603
TI  - [Sodium houttuyfonate inhibits virulence related motility of Pseudomonas
      aeruginosa].
AB  - Sodium houttuyfonate (SH) is a derivative of effective component of a Chinese
      material medica, Houttuynia cordata, which is applied in anti-infection of
      microorganism. But, the antimicrobial mechanisms of SH still remain unclear.
      Here, we firstly discovered that SH effectively inhibits the three types of
      virulence related motility of.Pseudomonas aeruginosa, i.e., swimming, twitching
      and swarming. The plate assay results showed that the inhibitory action of SH
      against swimming and twitching in 24 h and swarming in 48 h is dose-dependent;
      and bacteria nearly lost all of the motile activities under the concentration of
      1 x minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) (512 mg x L(-1) same as azithromycin
      positive group (1 x MIC, 16 mg x L(-1)). Furthermore, we found that the
      expression of structural gene flgB and pilG is down-regulated by SH, which
      implies that inhibitory mechanism of SH against motility of P. aeruginosa may be
      due to the inhibition of flagella and pili bioformation of P. aeruginosa by SR
      Therefore, our presented results firstly demonstrate that SH effectively inhibits
      the motility activities of P. aeruginosa, and suggest that SH could be a
      promising antipseudomonas agents in clinic.

PMID- 26281605
TI  - [Summary and analysis of safety warning on clinical application of anti-cold
      Chinese patent medicine preparations].
AB  - In China, many surveys have shown that most people do not have a correct
      understanding about cold and administration of anti-cold Chinese patent medicine
      preparations. The author conducted a systematic summary and analysis on the
      actual application of anti-cold Chinese patent medicine preparations as well as
      the warning on safe application of anti-cold Chinese patent medicine preparations
      in Clinical Medication Information of China Pharmacopoeia, in the expectation of
      reducing the blind application of anti-cold Chinese patent medicine preparations
      and providing traditional Chinese medicine pharmacists new ideas in monitoring
      the safe application of exterior syndrome-relieving Chinese patent medicine
      preparations.

PMID- 26281606
TI  - [Study on professor Yan Zhenghua's medication regularity in treating heart
      diseases based on association rules and entropy cluster].
AB  - In this study, Professor Yan Zhenghua's recipes for treating heart diseases were
      collected to determine the frequency and association rules among drugs by such
      data mining methods as apriori algorithm and complex system entropy cluster and
      summarize Pro- fessor Yan Zhenghua's medication experience in treating heart
      diseases. The results indicated that frequently used drugs included Salviae
      Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Parched Ziziphi Spinosae Semen, Polygoni
      Multiflori Caulis, Ostreae Concha, Poria; frequently used drug combinations
      included "Ostreae Concha, Draconis Os", "Polygoni Multiflori Caulis, Parched
      Ziziphi Spinosae Semen" , and "Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Parched
      Ziziphi Spinosae Semen". The drug combinations with the confidence of 1 included
      "Dalbergiae Odoriferae Lignum-->Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma", "Allii
      Macrostemonis Bulbus-->Parched Ziziphi Spinosae Semen", "Draconis Os-->Ostreae
      Concha", and "Salviae Miltiorrhizac Radix et Rhizoma, Draconis Os-->Ostreae
      Concha". The core drug combinations included" Chrysanthemi Flos-Gastrodiae
      Rhizoma-Tribuli Fructus", "Dipsaci Radix-Taxillus sutchuenensis-Achyranthis
      Bidentatae Radix", and "Margaritifera Concha-Polygoni Multiflori Caulis
      Platycladi Semen-Draconis Os".

PMID- 26281607
TI  - [Observation on clinical efficacy of Baoerkang san on spleen-deficiency and
      dampness-obstructing diarrhea in children].
AB  - The study aims to observe the clinical efficacy of Baoerkang san on spleen
      deficiency and dampness-obstructing diarrhea in children. Children diarrhea
      divided into acute diarrhea (group I) and chronic persistent diarrhea (group II).
      A randomized, double-blind, positive control test was conducted for dose finding.
      The 340 cases with acute diarrhea in group I were divided into three groups: the
      high dose group (112 patients), the low dose group (113 patients) and the
      positive control group (115 patients), which were treated for 3 days. Their
      clinical efficacies were compared to evaluate the clinical safety of Baoerkang
      san. The 167 patients with chronic persistent diarrhea in group If were divided
      into the high dose group (56 patients), the low dose group (55 patients) and the
      control group (56 patients), which were treated for 5 days. Their clinical
      efficacy were compared to evaluate the clinical safety of Baoerkang san.
      According to the results, the cure rate and the effective rate of acute diarrhea
      and chronic persistent diarrhea in the high dose group and the low dose group
      were significantly higher than that of the positive control group (P <0. 05, P <
      0.01). In the treatment of spleen-deficiency and dampness-obstructing diarrhea
      with traditional Chinese medicines, the cure rate and the effective rate of acute
      diarrhea and chronic persistent diarrhea in the high dose group and the low dose
      group were significantly higher than that of the positive control group (P <
      0.05, P < 0.01). During the test, all of the three groups did not suffer any
      adverse event, with no any abnormality in general physical indexes. In
      conclusion, Baoerkang san shows a significant efficacy in treating acute diarrhea
      and chronic persistent diarrhea (spleen-deficiency and dampness-obstructing) and
      safe clinical application.

PMID- 26281608
TI  - [Mining analysis on composition and medication of menstruation prescriptions in
      Fu Qingzhu's Obstetrics and Gynecology].
AB  - In this paper, menstruation prescriptions were selected from "Fu Qingzhu's
      Obstetrics and Gynecology" and analyzed by using GRI algorithm, correlation
      analysis, hierarchical clustering method through SPSS, Clementine and traditional
      Chinese medicine (TCM) inheritance auxiliary systems, in order to screen out 15
      menopathy prescriptions, which involve 45 traditional Chinese medicine herbs. In
      the study, blood-tonifying and qi-tonifying herbs were found to be frequent in
      the prescriptions. The most frequent single herb was white paeony root,
      accounting for 9.6% in the total number of prescriptions; The most frequent herb
      pairs were white paeony root-radix rehmanniae preparata and paeony root-angelica
      sinensis. Among Fu Shan's menopathy prescriptions, 61 herbal pairs showed a
      correlation coefficient exceeding 0.05, which evolved into 16 pairs of core
      combinations. The analysis showed that menopathy prescriptions in volume 1 of "Fu
      Qingzhu's Obstetrics and Gynecology" focused on tonic traditional Chinese
      medicines involving liver, spleen and kidney and were adjusted according to
      changes in qi, blood, cold, hot and wet, which could provide a specific reference
      for further studies on Fu Shan's academic thoughts and traditional Chinese
      medicine clinical treatment of menopathy.

PMID- 26281609
TI  - [Study on composition, antibiotic activity and antioxidant activity of volatile
      oils from uyghur medicine Althaea rosea].
AB  - Althaea rosea is a type of mallow plant. Its dry flowers are one of common herb
      in Uyghur medicines and recorded to have several efficacies such as external
      application for detumescence, moistening lung and arresting cough, sweating and
      relieving asthma, diminishing swelling and promoting eruption, soothing the
      nerves and strengthening heart. However, there are only fewer studies on
      effective components of A. rosea and no literature about its volatile oil and
      pharmacological activity. In this paper, the volatile oil of A. rosea was
      obtained by using the chemical distillation and extraction method. The individual
      chemical components were separated from the volatile oil and identified by the
      Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer technique (GC-MS). The antioxidant activity
      against free radicals was detected by the'ultraviolet and visible
      spectrophotometer method. The antibiotic activity was detected by the filter
      paper diffusion method. The experimental results showed nearly 70 compounds in
      the volatile oil, with complex chemical components. With a low content, most of
      the compounds were aromatic and aliphatic compounds and their derivatives. A.
      rosea had a better antibiotic activity for common microorganisms, with a wide
      antibacterial spectrum. According to the results, the volatile oil of A. rosea
      will have a good application value in medicine, food and cosmetic industries,
      which provided a scientific basis for the development of natural A. rosea
      resources.

PMID- 26281610
TI  - [Enlightenment of adverse reaction monitoring on safety evaluation of traditional
      Chinese medicines].
AB  - The adverse reaction monitoring is important in warning the risks of traditional
      Chinese medicines at an early stage, finding potential quality problems and
      ensuring the safe clinical medication. In the study, efforts were made to
      investigate the risk signal mining techniques in line with the characteristics of
      traditional Chinese medicines, particularly the complexity in component,
      processing, compatibility, preparation and clinical medication, find early risk
      signals of traditional Chinese medicines and establish a traditional Chinese
      medicine safety evaluation system based on adverse reaction risk signals, in
      order to improve the target studies on traditional Chinese medicine safety,
      effective and timely control risks and solve the existing frequent safety issue
      in traditional Chinese medicines.

PMID- 26281611
TI  - [Study on meridian tropism of medicinal property theory for Chines medicines by
      supramolecular chemistry (I)].
AB  - In this paper, based on the special influence of supramolecular chemistry on the
      basic theory of Chinese medicines ( CM) , the authors further analyzed the
      history of meridian tropism and natural origins of CM organisms and explained CM
      ingredients and the universal regularity of the automatic action of the
      supramolecular "imprinting templates" hole channel structure. After entering
      human bodies, CMs, as the aggregation of supramolecular "imprinting templates" ,
      automatically seek supramolecular subjects that are matched with their
      "imprinting templates" in human meridians and organs for the purpose of self
      recognition, self-organization, self-assembly and self-replication, so as to
      generate specific efficacy in meridians and organs, which is reflected as the
      meridian tropism phenomena at macro level. This regularity can be studied by in
      vitro and in vivo experimental studies. In vitro methods are mostly supra
      molecular structure analysis and kinetic and thermodynamic parameter calculation;
      Whereas in vivo methods are dominated by the analysis on object component
      distribution, chromatopharmacodynamic parameters and network
      chromatopharmacodynamic parameters; Particularly, the acupoint-medicine method
      can simplify to study the supramolecular subject-object relations. Consequently,
      CM's'meridian tropism reveals the universal regularity for interactions of
      macromolecular and micromolecular "imprinting templates" of subjects and objects
      in natural organisms. As the first barrier for the material base of the CM theory
      and breakthrough in the modernization of the basic CM theory, meridian tropism
      plays an important role in studies on basic theories of the basic CM theory.

PMID- 26281612
TI  - [Study on incompatibility of traditional Chinese medicines].
AB  - The incompatibility of traditional Chinese medicines is related to the clinical
      medication safety, so has attracted wide attentions from the public. With the
      deepening of studies on the incompatibility of traditional Chinese medicines
      represented by 18 incompatible herbs, the incompatibility of theory traditional
      Chinese medicines has raised to new heights. From the origin of incompatibility
      theory of traditional Chinese medicines, relationship of herbs, harms of
      incompatible herbs and principle of prevention to toxic effects of specific
      incompatible medicines, the innovation and development of the traditional Chinese
      medicine incompatibility theory was explored. Structurally, the incompatibility
      of traditional Chinese medicines refers to the opposition of two herbs based on
      seven emotions and clinical experience. The combination of incompatible herbs may
      lead to human harms, especially latent harm and inefficacy of intervention
      medicines. The avoidance of the combination of incompatible herbs and the
      consideration of both symptoms and drug efficacy are the basic method to prevent
      adverse reactions. The recent studies have revealed five characteristics of
      incompatible herbs. Toxicity potentiation, toxication, efficacy reduction and
      inefficacy are the four manifestations of the incompatible relations. The
      material changes can reflect the effects of toxicity potentiation and toxication
      of opposite herbs. The accumulation of toxicity and metabolic changes are the
      basis for latent harms. The antagonistic effect of main efficacies and the
      coexistence of positive and negative effects are the distinctive part of the
      incompatibility. The connotation of incompatible herbs plays an important role in
      the innovation of the traditional Chinese medicine incompatibility theory.

PMID- 26281613
TI  - Gritting (or should that be baring?) our teeth.

PMID- 26281615
TI  - Lengthy peer review times: What can be done?

PMID- 26281614
TI  - Will NOHP be toothless?

PMID- 26281616
TI  - Reply from the Honorary Editor.

PMID- 26281617
TI  - Quiz. External cervical root resorption.

PMID- 26281618
TI  - Every breath you take.

PMID- 26281619
TI  - Letter published in The Irish Times.

PMID- 26281620
TI  - You're in it together.

PMID- 26281621
TI  - Big Bad Ben.

PMID- 26281622
TI  - Management of an anxious child in the dental setting--a step-by-step approach.

PMID- 26281623
TI  - The occurrence of paraesthesia of the maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve
      after dental local anaesthetic use: a case report.
AB  - Paraesthesia can be a complication of surgical intervention. Its occurrence after
      dental local anaesthetic use is a rare event in general dental practice. Reported
      cases have mainly described its presentation for the mandibular division of the
      trigeminal nerve with very few reports for the maxillary division of this nerve.
      This report describes a case of paraesthesia in the maxillary region following
      local anaesthetic use prior to removal of an upper molar tooth.

PMID- 26281624
TI  - Adverse reactions to facial dermal fillers: a case report.
AB  - AIM: To describe an early-onset adverse reaction following the injection of
      facial fillers, and to summarise the current legislation and research regarding
      cosmetic dermal fillers. To emphasise that dermal fillers should be considered as
      part of a general dental practitioner's differential diagnosis for lower lip
      swelling. OBJECTIVES: (1) To describe the types of adverse reactions associated
      with dermal fillers in the literature; (2) to summarise the current European and
      Irish legislation and guidance regarding the use of these products; and, (3) to
      present a case study of an early-onset adverse reaction. CONCLUSION: Dentists
      should question patients regarding the use of cosmetic dermal fillers as part of
      the differential diagnosis of any intra-oral painless swelling where other
      pathology cannot be identified.

PMID- 26281625
TI  - Dentists' requirements for continuing professional development in Ireland. A
      pilot study conducted at University College Cork.
AB  - AIMS: To determine the self-assessed continuing professional development (CPD)
      needs of dental practitioners and identify how each discipline can best be served
      by a dental CPD programme. To set findings in the context of the available
      literature and contribute to the development of CPD programmes. METHOD: Topics
      were arranged into eight disciplines: practice management; paediatric dentistry;
      preventive dentistry; orthodontics; behaviour management; dentistry for people
      with a disability; oral medicine and surgery; and, restorative dentistry. A web
      based questionnaire was constructed and administered using a MarkClass 2.21
      online survey tool. RESULTS: Fifty-six self-reported assessment responses were
      received, with three-quarters of participants having graduated within the past 10
      years. Topics in oral medicine and surgery attracted consistently high levels of
      interest. A tendency to favour topics with a perceived direct clinical
      application was observed. Topics recommended by the Dental Council as core areas
      for CPD were given a high level of priority by respondents. CONCLUSIONS:
      Traditional lectures remain a valued mode of CPD participation. Practical courses
      were valued across all dental topics offered. A varied approach to determining
      the requirements of dentists is essential to appropriately support the
      practitioner.

PMID- 26281626
TI  - Reply: Spastic paraplegia in 'dominant optic atrophy plus' phenotype due to OPA1
      mutation.

PMID- 26281627
TI  - [First delection of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto genotype from Hyalomma
      asiaticum in Karamay, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China].

PMID- 26281628
TI  - Reply: Intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (Avastin) for treatment of stage 3
      retinopathy of prematurity in zone I or posterior zone II.

PMID- 26281629
TI  - AMSN Lights the Way For Nursing Opportunities.

PMID- 26281630
TI  - Restating the Foci Of Nursing.

PMID- 26281631
TI  - Self-Efficacy Measurement and Enhancement Strategies for Medical-Surgical
      Clinical Nurses.
AB  - The Nursing Care Self-Efficacy Scale, a tool for measuring nurses' confidence in
      their nursing abilities, was developed and tested in a subset of medical-surgical
      clinical nurses. Scale construction, nurses 'self-efficacy, beliefs, and
      strategies for enhancing self-efficacy are described.

PMID- 26281632
TI  - Implementing a Comprehensive Functional Model of Care in Hospitalized Older
      Adults.
AB  - The implementation of a functional model of care in hospitalized older adults has
      had a positive impact on length of stay (LOS), 30-day re-admission rate, and fall
      rate. Estimated savings associated with the 3-month post-intervention LOS
      reduction was $200,000.

PMID- 26281633
TI  - Postoperative Ileus.
AB  - Postoperative ileus (POI) is a possible complication after abdominal surgery. The
      exact pathophysiology is unknown. Nurses should be aware of associated symptoms
      and evidence-based treatments to prevent or reduce the time of POI.

PMID- 26281634
TI  - Recognizing Signs of Prescription Drug Abuse and Addiction, Part I.
AB  - Prescription drug abuse/misuse is increasing. Nonmedical use of prescription
      medications, especially opioid analgesics, now is considered an epidemic in the
      United States. Medical-surgical nurses are in a strategic position to help
      address substance abuse problems in patients.

PMID- 26281635
TI  - Development of an In-House Review Course to Increase Med-Surg Certification.

PMID- 26281636
TI  - Acute Appendicitis: A Case Study Describing Standards of Care.

PMID- 26281637
TI  - Lasting Impressions: Using the Perspective of the Funeral Director to Guide Post
      Mortem Nursing Care Practice.

PMID- 26281638
TI  - Nurse Managers' Expectations and Utilization of Travel Nurses.

PMID- 26281639
TI  - Explaining Health Care and The Law to Patients.

PMID- 26281640
TI  - "Feed the Patient"--A Barrier Removed.

PMID- 26281641
TI  - Is Your Unit Up to Date With Quality Issues?

PMID- 26281642
TI  - 'That's What I Mean by a Hundred Little, a Thousand Little Deaths...': A Case
      Study of the Grief Experienced by the Mother of a Substance Abusing Child.
AB  - Parents of substance abusers experience stigma, regret, disrupted lives, loss of
      support, and loss of quality of life. Health professionals are in a unique
      position to locate or provide resources to support the family of the substance
      abusing individual.

PMID- 26281643
TI  - Improving Preceptors' Knowledge on Medication Error Reduction Strategies.
AB  - Preceptors are in an ideal position to change the paradigm for medication error
      reduction and detection. However, they must receive ongoing training and
      preparation for this role. An online learning module with specific focus on
      medication error reduction strategies could help preceptors meet the challenge of
      orienting novice nurses about safe medication administration.

PMID- 26281644
TI  - Implementation of Physician and Nurse Patient Rounding on a 42-Bed Medical Unit.
AB  - Physician-nurse collaborative relationships not only have an impact on the daily
      work environment, but also on positive patient outcomes. The purpose of this
      study was to evaluate physician and nurse perceptions of collaboration before and
      after implementation of collaborative patient rounding.

PMID- 26281645
TI  - Comparison of Robotic vs. Standard Surgical Procedure on Postoperative Nursing
      Care of Women Undergoing Total Abdominal Hysterectomy.
AB  - This exploratory study was conducted to determine if the postoperative course is
      different for women undergoing robotic-assisted total abdominal hysterectomy
      (TAH) compared to women undergoing traditional (open) TAH. This study adds to the
      evidence regarding potential benefits and complications of robotic-assisted
      gynecologic surgery, and identifies specific areas for further research.

PMID- 26281646
TI  - Understanding Case Studies.

PMID- 26281647
TI  - Management of Attention.

PMID- 26281649
TI  - [SURGEON IN THE PAST AND FUTURE].

PMID- 26281648
TI  - Patient Engagement and Self-Management Across the Care Continuum.

PMID- 26281650
TI  - [MESSAGE FROM "CLINICAL STUDY PROMOTION COMMITTEE" OF JAPAN SURGICAL SOCIETY].

PMID- 26281651
TI  - [PARADIGM SHIFT IN VARICOSE VEIN THERAPY AND ITS IMPACT ON SURGEONS].

PMID- 26281652
TI  - [MANAGEMENT STANDARDS FOR QUALIFIED PHYSICIANS AND MEDICAL FACILITIES FOR
      ENDOVENOUS ABLATION OF VARICOSE VEINS].
AB  - Endovenous ablation of saphenous veins using laser energy was approved by the
      Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare in 2011 as a more effective, less
      invasive method than classical treatment for varicose veins. New medical laser
      and radiofrequency devices for this purpose were also approved in 2014. A
      requirement for the treatment of varicose veins with health insurance
      reimbursement using these devices is a physician with sufficient knowledge of
      endovenous ablation. The management standards for endovenous ablation set by
      varicose vein specialist medical societies are used to accredit qualified
      physicians who have basic clinical experience in the treatment of varicose veins,
      qualified instructors, and safe, effective medical facilities.

PMID- 26281653
TI  - [ADVANCES IN STRIPPING SURGERY FOR INCOMPETENT SAPHENOUS VEINS].
AB  - A classic Babcock procedure that removes the whole length of incompetent great
      saphenous veins (GSV) is known to be associated with massive surgical stress.
      With the use of tumescent local anesthesia and stripping wire to remove the
      femoral segment of the GSV in an invagination technique, day surgery has become
      possible.

PMID- 26281654
TI  - [ENDOVENOUS LASER TREATMENT FOR VARICOSE VEINS].
AB  - Varicose veins are a common condition attecting approximately 10 million patients
      in Japan. The main cause of varicose veins is reflux of the saphenous vein, and
      conventional treatment for several decades was stripping the affected saphenous
      vein and phlebectomy. Endovenous laser treatment (EVLT) is a less-invasive
      treatment method in which the saphenous vein is ablated with a laser under local
      anesthesia. EVLT has been approved by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and
      Welfare since 2011, and we have performed EVLT on 5,160 legs with saphenous
      insufficiency with no severe complications including deep vein thrombosis except
      for one case of arteriovenous fistula. EVLT appears to be a safe, effective
      treatment option for varicose veins with saphenous insufficiency.

PMID- 26281655
TI  - [RADIOFREQUENCY ABLATION FOR THE TREATMENT OF VARICOSE VEINS].
AB  - Significant advances in the endovenous technique for treating incompetent
      saphenous veins could change the surgical strategy in patients with varicose
      veins. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) was approved as a new technique for the
      treatment of varicose veins in Japan in June 2014. In RFA, the ablation
      temperature is controlled by a sensor at the upper end of the catheter. The vein
      wall is heated with stable conductive power of 120 degrees C, resulting in
      endothelial denudation. The RFA method was approved in 1998 in Europe and in 1999
      in the USA. The ClosurePLUS catheter was developed in 2003 and ClosureFAST in
      2006. High occlusion rates and lower postoperative complication rates were
      reported with ClosureFAST than with ClosurePLUS. It is expected that this new
      ablation technique will control saphenous vein reflux with less pain and less
      ecchymosis after surgery. The treatment of varicose veins is less invasive with
      RFA devices and will become widely accepted as an alternative to conventional
      surgery for varicose veins in Japan.

PMID- 26281656
TI  - [SUBFASCIAL ENDOSCOPIC PERFORATOR VEIN SURGERY IN THE TREATMENT OF SEVERE
      VARICOSE VEINS].
AB  - Surgical treatment of severe varicose veins (CEAP classification : C4b-C6) should
      involve not only interruption of incompetent superficial veins to prevent venous
      regurgitation due to valve incompetence but also interruption of incompetent
      perforator veins. Subfascial endoscopic perforator vein surgery (SEPS) is
      performed via a small skin incision and involves interruption of perforator veins
      by the insertion of an endoscope into the subfascial space. SEPS produces good
      surgical outcomes: it is accurate in detecting and transecting perforator veins;
      has a low frequency of surgical wound complications; prevents
      lipodermatosclerosis and formation of pigmented skin lesions; and is minimally
      invasive compared with Linton's operation. Thus, SEPS is an excellent procedure
      for patients with incompetent perforator veins. SEPS has been covered by the
      Japanese national health insurance system since April 2014, and it is expected
      that SEPS will be further developed and become more widespread in use.

PMID- 26281658
TI  - [PROBLEM AND PERSPECTIVE OF JAPANESE CLINICAL TRIALS].

PMID- 26281659
TI  - [STATISTICAL VIEWPOINTS ON DESIGNING INVESTIGATOR INITIATED CLINICAL TRIALS].

PMID- 26281657
TI  - [NEGATIVE IMPACT OF THE PARADIGM SHIFT IN THE TREATMENT OF VARICOSE VEINS AND ITS
      COUNTERMEASURES].
AB  - Lower-extremity varicose veins are a representative common condition among the
      various pathologies that general surgeons are responsible for treating. Their
      treatment also provides opportunities for students and young physicians to
      appreciate how interesting the practice of surgery is as well as opportunities
      for training. Recently, intravenous endoablation has caused a paradigm shift in
      this important field, resulting in a dramatic decrease in the number of stripping
      operations performed; a change from inpatient to outpatient care; the
      introduction of plastic surgeons, dermatologists, and radiologists into this
      field; and, finally, a change in the place where care is provided (from acute
      care hospitals to outpatient clinics). If surgeons do not take action, we may
      lose opportunities to recruit and train young surgeons. To minimize this negative
      impact, we created a vein clinic that is managed by and for young surgeons in
      training. Furthermore, we advocate the modification of regulatory hurdles that
      hamper the performance of endovenous ablation therapy by surgeons.

PMID- 26281660
TI  - [WHAT WE CAN LEARN FROM A CASE OF MEDICAL MALPRACTICE-PHYSICIANS ACQUITTED OF
      NEGLIGENCE FOR PRESCRIBING THE DRUG IN QUESTION BECAUSE OF A LEGITIMATE REASON
      FOR NOT ADHERING TO THE PRECAUTIONS DESCRIBED IN THE PACKAGE INSERTS FOR ALL
      PRESCRIPTION DRUGS].

PMID- 26281661
TI  - [STRICTUREPLASTY FOR STENOTIC LESION OF CROHN'S DISEASE].

PMID- 26281662
TI  - [ADVANTAGES AND PROBLEMS OF "SHORT TIME EMPLOYMENT" FOR WOMEN SURGEONS].

PMID- 26281663
TI  - [FEMALE SURGEONS SHOULD BE AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF A CLEAR VISION FOR THEIR
      CAREER AND LIFE PLANS TO ACHIEVE THEIR CAREER DEVELOPMENT.: A SURVEY OF 20 FEMALE
      SURGEONS AT THE DEPARTMENT OF SURGERY AND ONCOLOGY, KYUSHU UNIVERSITY].
AB  - A shortage of surgeons has been a serious problem in recent years. There is an
      urgent need to utilize female surgeons who tend to resign because of bearing and
      raising of children. To examine possible measures to deal with the issue, we
      performed questionnaire survey about work-life balance and career planning on 20
      female surgeons in the Department of Surgery and Oncology, Kyushu University. The
      response rate was 80.0%. In the 16 respondents, seven were unmarried and nine
      were married. A large fraction of the respondents recognized the importance of
      work-life-balance. Female surgeons have many difficulties to continue working
      with good work-life balance; therefore, understanding and cooperation of both
      their spouses and coworkers is considered to be necessary. Married female
      surgeons considered that improvement of the working environment and sufficient
      family support were more important for good work-life balance compared to those
      who were unmarried. Female surgeons should recognize the importance of
      improvement of their environment, including the workplace and the family to
      continue working with good work-life balance in youth and should have the
      prospects about their career plan of their own.

PMID- 26281664
TI  - [PROBLEMS OF WORKING FEMALE SURGEONS INVOLVING THEIR FIRST-GRADE ELEMENTARY
      SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN: THE FIRST-GRADE BARRIER].

PMID- 26281665
TI  - Physician Assistants in the United States--Lessons Learned.

PMID- 26281666
TI  - [BIOSTATISTICS FOR CANCER CLINICAL TRIALS].

PMID- 26281667
TI  - [USEFULNESS OF NATIONAL CLINICAL DATABASE FOR CLINICAL SURGICAL RESEARCH].

PMID- 26281668
TI  - [WORLD WIDE CLINICAL TRIALS FROM JAPAN].

PMID- 26281669
TI  - [SURGICAL CLINICAL RESEARCH AND WOMEN SURGEONS].

PMID- 26281670
TI  - [CLINICAL RESEARCH FOR GENERAL THORACIC SURGERY IN JAPAN].

PMID- 26281671
TI  - [SURGICAL CLINICAL STUDY OF ESOPHAGO-GASTRIC JUNCTION CANCER].

PMID- 26281672
TI  - [CLINICAL RESEARCH IN THE FIELD OF ENDOSCOPIC SURGERY].

PMID- 26281673
TI  - [Bio-imaging and molecular targeted therapy of cancer].

PMID- 26281675
TI  - [Targeted molecular therapy based on advanced cancer stem cell model].
AB  - Improvement of cell purification and transplantation techniques have contributed
      to the identification of cell populations known as tumor-initiating cells (TICs).
      Although it was hypothesized that tumors are organized as hierarchies of tumor
      cells that are sustained by rare TICs, like normal tissue stem cells, there are
      several controversies towards such cancer stem cell model, e.g. reversible change
      of stem cell like population based on epigenetic changes, clonal genetic
      evolution and problems in xenotransplantation system. Despite complexity in
      cancer stem cell models, studies in cancer stem cell field have revealed that
      there are close relationship between cancer malignancy and stem cell properties,
      called "stemness". Understanding molecular mechanisms for controlling stemness
      would contribute to establishment of novel diagnostics or therapeutics for
      cancer.

PMID- 26281674
TI  - [Discovery and clinical application of mutations in the cancer genome].
AB  - Cancer genome/epigenome analyses have identified a wide array of somatic
      mutations that can confer cancer cell characteristics. These genomic/epigenomic
      alterations can be targeted for cancer treatment, and, indeed, inhibitors against
      oncogenic protein-tyrosine kinases have been proved clinically effective. Other
      types of molecularly targeted therapies, such as epigenetic modifiers, are
      currently under clinical testing. In addition to the discovery of such driver
      mutations, profiling of genome/epigenome in cancer becomes especially important
      in the selection of most appropriate drug in for given cancer patient.

PMID- 26281676
TI  - [Development of novel epigenetic molecular-targeting agents].
AB  - Cancer is known to be a genetic disease, which is caused by abnormalities of
      oncogenes and/or tumor-suppressor genes. Genetic abnormalities include mutation,
      deletion or amplification of DNA sequences. Based on the findings of the genetic
      abnormalities in malignant tumors, many molecular-targeting agents, e.g. Bcr-Abl
      kinase inhibitors and EGFR kinase inhibitors, have been developed and approved.
      In addition to genetic abnormalities, epigenetic abnormalities, e.g. DNA
      methylation, histone methylation and histone acetylation, are also involved in
      carcinogenesis and tumor development. Based on the findings of the epigenetic
      abnormalities in malignant tumors, the novel epigenetic molecular-targeting
      agents, e.g. DNA(DNMT) methyltransferase inhibitors and histone deacetylase
      (HDAC) inhibitors, have also been developed and approved. Moreover, histone
      methyltransferase(HMT) inhibitors and histone demethylase(HDM) inhibitors have
      been also discovered and some agents are in clinical trials.

PMID- 26281677
TI  - [Metabolomics and molecular targeted therapy of cancer].
AB  - Metabolomics is defined as the quantitative measurement of the dynamic
      multiparametric metabolites. Recent technological advances in the quantification
      of cellular metabolites, such as capillary electrophoresis (CE) -TOFMS, have
      prompted the comprehensive analysis of the global metabolism. Now, metabolomics
      has been used in the identification of new biomarker for toxicology and disease
      diagnosis, and the elucidation of fermentation processes. Moreover, it is
      considered that metabolomics would be a powerful tool for the target
      identification of small molecular bioactive compounds. Here we introduce our
      recent study that metabolomics was applied to identify the molecular target of
      glucopiericidin A, which was isolated through a screening of natural products for
      an inhibitor of cellular filopodia protrusion in carcinoma cells.

PMID- 26281678
TI  - [Chemical biology and novel molecular-targeted agents in cancer therapy].
AB  - Target-based screening and cell-based screening are major approaches to identify
      anticancer drug candidates. Cell-based screening often contributes to the
      discovery of first-in-class drugs, but identification of the cellular targets of
      obtained compounds is a time-consuming step. To overcome this problem, affinity
      purification with small-molecule probes, which is a classic, but still the most
      common approach, has become more sophisticated and diversified. In addition,
      recent advances in omics studies and imaging analyses have allowed us to profile
      the biological effects of small molecules globally and quantitatively.
      Consequently, new therapeutic targets/drug leads involved in cancer cell cycle,
      transcription and redox regulation have been discovered.

PMID- 26281679
TI  - [Tumor microenvironment: promising therapeutic target].
AB  - Tumors are complex tissues composed of cancer cells, various types of stromal
      cells and extracellular matrix. Recent studies have shown that the tumor
      microenvironment(TME) plays an important role in both malignant tumor progression
      and treatment response. Thus, it is essential to improve our understanding of the
      mechanism of communication between cancer cells and their TME. Much effort has
      been devoted to developing agents that interfere with the interaction between
      cancer cells and their TME. In this review, we show a brief overview over the
      current knowledge about the TME-targeting agents and describe therapeutic
      strategies that have been designed to target components of the TME.

PMID- 26281680
TI  - [Isolation and applications of transformation suppressor genes].
AB  - A common strategy to identify tumor suppressor genes has been positional cloning,
      taking advantages of chromosomal abnormalities, linkage to polymorphic markers,
      etc. We have been taking another approach, based on shotgun cloning with cDNA
      expression library, to isolate genes suppressing an aspect of transformed
      phenotypes. Genes identified in such an artificial system, however, require
      subsequent validation for their clinical relevance through independent
      approaches, such as finding mutations and altered expression in human cancers.
      Whether the parental genes act as oncogenes or tumor suppressors needs to be
      deduced from available annotations and/or new experimental data. Once validated,
      such genes, being isolated by virtue of their biological activities, are likely
      to be useful in developing new strategies for tumor prognosis, tumor
      stratification, and drug discovery.

PMID- 26281681
TI  - [Therapeutic strategies targeting cancer--specific metabolism].
AB  - Basic, clinical and translational metabolic researches in cancer area have been
      extensively tried to discover and develop novel cancer metabolism drugs. Since
      tumor cells have metabolic dependencies that distinguish them from their normal
      counterparts, targeted inhibition of these metabolic dependencies is considered a
      promising therapeutic strategy against cancer. For example the representative
      cancer metabolism is that cancer cells exhibit profound metabolic alterations by
      choosing aerobic glycolysis to metabolize glucose to lactate regardless of the
      presence of adequate oxygen, although normal cells which mainly utilize glucose
      by using mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation to generate ATP. In this review,
      we focus on several important oncogenes and enzymes, whose alterations have
      contributed extensively to the metabolic phenotype of cancer cells, with an
      emphasis on the therapeutic targets.

PMID- 26281682
TI  - [Development of anti-cancer drugs mediated by apoptosis and autophagy].
AB  - Apoptosis and autophagy usually function to eliminate damaged cells and damaged
      proteins, respectively. Dysfunction of these events induces oncogenesis and
      cancer development. Therefore, small compounds that activate apoptosis and
      autophagy are good candidates for anti-cancer chemotherapeutics to combat
      cancers. This review focuses on recent advances in apoptosis/autophagy and their
      relationship with tumorigenesis.

PMID- 26281683
TI  - [Development of biomarkers for molecular target drugs].
AB  - In general, the molecular target drugs were superior in the effect, less toxic
      and realized personalized medicine, resulting in progress in the cancer therapy.
      The rise in development cost of the molecular target drug and a decrease of the
      development efficiency become the problem of the drug industry recently. As the
      solution, development of the excellent biomarker associated with the drug
      development is considered to be the most important issue. Therefore, the
      development of the companion diagnostic agent which can evaluate the biomarker
      precisely is prosperous. A search of the biomarker and the simultaneous
      development of the companion diagnostic agent enter the mainstream of the
      development of new molecular target drug. Whereas the process of the drug
      development is complicated than before.

PMID- 26281684
TI  - [PI3K and mTOR pathway and molecular targeted agents].
AB  - Molecular alteration of PI3K and mTOR pathways is frequently detected in various
      types of cancers. PIK3CA mutations are the predictive markers for anti-EGFR
      antibodies, trastuzumab, and lapatinib. The p110 isoform selective PI3K
      inhibitors has been developed in the clinical settings to reduced off-target
      induced adverse events. Feedback loop for PI3K signal leads the resistance to
      PI3K inhibitors. Dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitors and mutation selective PI3K inhibitors
      are under evaluation to circumvent the resistance.

PMID- 26281685
TI  - [Kinase inhibitors and their resistance].
AB  - Kinase cascades are involved in all stages of tumorigenesis through modulation of
      transformation and differentiation, cell-cycle progression, and motility.
      Advances in molecular targeted drug development allow the design and synthesis of
      inhibitors targeting cancer-associated signal transduction pathways. Potent
      selective inhibitors with low toxicity can benefit patients especially with
      several malignancies harboring an oncogenic driver addictive signal. This article
      evaluates information on solid tumor-related kinase signals and inhibitors,
      including receptor tyrosine kinase or serine/threonine kinase signals that lead
      to successful application in clinical settings. In addition, the resistant
      mechanisms to the inhibitors is summarized.

PMID- 26281686
TI  - [Cancer therapy by PARP inhibitors].
AB  - Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases(PARP) synthesize the ADP-ribose polymers onto
      proteins and play a role in DNA repair. PARP inhibitors block the repair of
      single-strand breaks, which in turn gives rise to double-strand breaks during DNA
      replication. Thus, PARP inhibitors elicit synthetic lethality in cancer with
      BRCA1/2 loss-of-function mutations that hamper homologous recombination repair of
      double-strand breaks. Olaparib, the first-in-class PARP inhibitor, was approved
      for treatment of BRCA-mutated ovarian cancer in Europe and the United States in
      2014. Other PARP inhibitors under clinical trials include rucaparib, niraparib,
      veliparib, and the "PARP-trapping" BMN-673. BRCA1/2 sequencing is an FDA-approved
      companion diagnostics, which predicts the cancer vulnerability to PARP
      inhibition. Together, synthetic lethal PARP inhibition is a novel promising
      strategy for cancer intervention even in cases without prominent driver
      oncogenes.

PMID- 26281688
TI  - [Novel signal transduction pathways: the molecular basis for targeted cancer
      therapies in Hedgehog/Notch/Wnt pathway].
AB  - Aberrant activation of the Wnt, Notch and Hedgehog pathways via mutations or
      ligand overexpression has been implicated in a large number of cancer types where
      they are involved in functions ranging from tumor initiation to cancer stem cell
      (CSC) maintenance and angiogenesis. Agents targeting each one of these three
      pathways have now reached clinical trials, and the first one of these,
      Vismodegib, a hedgehog pathway inhibitor, was approved in 2012 by US FDA for the
      treatment of advanced basal cell carcinoma. Development of agents that target
      critical steps in these pathways as novel signal transduction pathways will be
      complicated by signaling cross-talk. The role that embryonic signaling pathways
      play in the function of CSCs, the development of new anti-CSC therapeutic agents,
      and the complexity of potential CSC signaling cross-talk are being explored
      coupled with early phase I clinical studies.

PMID- 26281687
TI  - [Anti-angiogenesis and molecular targeted therapies].
AB  - Tumor angiogenesis contributes to the development of tumor progression. Several
      vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)-targeted agents, administered either as
      single agents or in combination with chemotherapy, have been shown to benefit
      patients with advanced-stage malignancies. In particular, bevacizumab is a
      humanized monoclonal antibody that specifically targets VEGF, inhibiting
      angiogenesis, thereby impeding tumor growth and survival. It is also possible
      that combined VEGF and the epidermal growth factor (EGFR) pathway blockade could
      further enhance antitumor efficacy and help prevent resistance to therapy.
      Preclinical and clinical studies have shown new various molecular targets and the
      functional characteristics of tumor angiogenesis, which may provide strategies
      for improving the therapeutic benefit.

PMID- 26281689
TI  - [Impact of molecular targeting therapy on tumor immunity].
AB  - Emerging evidence has been unveiled that major oncogenic pathways, which serve as
      a main focus for the molecular targeting therapies, play a pivotal role in
      establishing immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments. The modulation of various
      immune modulatory pathways, such as upregulation of PD-L1 by various oncogenic
      mutations such as EGFR, BRAF, activation of PI3K and JAK-Stat3 on tumor cells,
      may be critical in modulating tumor immune responses. Given the potential
      clinical impact of immune checkpoint blockade and other immunotherapeutic
      regimens as a future anticancer regimen, it is critical to clarify the mechanisms
      by which molecularly targetable oncogenes and tumor microenvironments influence
      quality of tumor immunosurveillance, which should provide a new strategy for
      suitable combinatorial approaches composing of molecular targeting and
      immunotherapies.

PMID- 26281690
TI  - [Pharmacokinetic issues on cancer pharmacotherapy].
AB  - Efficacy of cancer pharmacotherapy depends upon drug exposure to the body and
      responsiveness of the tumor to the drug treatment. Drug exposure is determined by
      pharmacokinetics and dose, whereas responsiveness is intrinsically variable by
      tumor heterogeneity. Molecular targeting drugs are used as promising therapy for
      cancers, and most of them are coupled with particular diagnostics which can
      predict responders and non-responders before treatment. On the other hand, lower
      drug exposure to the body can lead to insufficient efficacy. A number of
      important evidences have been published recently on exposure-response
      relationships for molecular targeting drugs including monoclonal antibodies and
      small molecules. In this chapter, two examples are presented; anti-HER2 antibody
      and tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Patients with the lowest trough concentrations of
      trastuzumab in cycle 1 showed shorter overall survival in metastatic gastric
      cancer study. Efficacy of imatinib in chronic myelogenous leukemia depended on
      plasma concentration of imatinib, and therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of
      imatinib is expected to improve the therapeutic outcome in CML.

PMID- 26281691
TI  - [Molecular targeted therapy and genomic evolution of breast cancer].
AB  - Owing to development of next generation sequencer (NGS), deep biological insights
      of breast cancer have been provided. Information of genomic mutations and
      rearrangements in patients' tumors is required to understand the mechanism in
      resistance of molecular targeted medicine. To date, NGS analyses illustrated not
      only base substitution patterns and lists of driver mutations and key
      rearrangements, but also a manner of tumor evolution. Breast cancer genome is
      dynamically changing and evolving during cancer development course and treatment
      procedures. Liquid biopsy is a non-invasive method to detect the genomic
      evolution of breast cancer, which is now under development for future application
      to clinical practice of cancer treatment. In this article, latest knowledge
      regarding breast cancer genome, especially in terms of 'evolution', is
      summarized.

PMID- 26281692
TI  - [Challenge of gene-based personalized lung cancer medicine].
AB  - Up to the present, several genes have been identified as drivers for lung
      carcinogenesis, and their aberrations have been shown to be linked with
      differential response to therapy. Optimized treatments are, therefore, important
      in the situation that we have options for treatments by driver gene aberrations.
      Recently, comprehensive analyses of DNA and RNA from lung tumor tissues have been
      actively performed and have been pushing the lung cancer medicine forwards. In
      addition, circulating cell-free tumor DNA in plasma as a "liquid biopsy" opens a
      great hope for noninvasive molecular diagnosis. This article will highlight
      findings of recent comprehensive genome analysis to improve precision lung cancer
      medicine.

PMID- 26281693
TI  - [Molecular mechanisms of targeted drug resistance in lung cancer and its
      therapeutic strategy].
AB  - Several driver oncogenes, including EGFR mutations and ALK rearrangement, have
      been identified in lung cancer. The EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and
      ALK-TKIs show dramatic effects against lung cancer with EGFR activating mutations
      and ALK rearrangements, respectively. However, 20% of EGFR mutant lung cancer
      patients show intrinsic resistance, and the responders almost invariably acquire
      resistance to EGFR-TKIs within several years. Several mechanisms, including
      secondary mutations in EGFR or ALK, activation of alternative pathway, have been
      reported to contribute to resistance to EGFR-TKIs and ALK-TKIs. New generation
      TKIs for overcoming resistance to EGFR-TKI or ALK-TKI are being evaluated in
      clinical trials. Further investigations to develop optimal therapy based on
      accurate diagnosis of resistant mechanism are warranted to improve the success of
      treatment with targeted drugs in lung cancer.

PMID- 26281694
TI  - [Targeted therapies for metastatic colorectal cancer].
AB  - Targeted therapies against vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGF
      receptor and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) have improved survival in
      patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Clinical studies have
      demonstrated that the following 6 targeted agents showed antitumor activity in
      patients with mCRC: bevacizumab, aflibercept, ramucirumab, cetuximab, panitumumab
      and regorafenib. KRAS exon 2 (codons 12 and 13) mutations were negative
      predictive biomarkers for efficacy of anti-EGFR antibody therapy. Expanded RAS
      mutations (including KRAS exon 2, exon 3 and exon 4 mutations as well as NRAS
      mutations) can further predict the therapeutic effects of this therapy. It seems
      to be necessary to identify new predictive biomarkers and develop new targeted
      agents for personalized treatment for mCRC.

PMID- 26281695
TI  - [Molecular target therapies for skin cancers].
AB  - Over the three decades, advances in the fields of cancer genetics and immunology
      have elucidated mechanisms that cause the growth of cutaneous malignancies. This
      has contributed to the rational design of molecular target therapies. In this
      review, the molecular pathways and cancer immunology critical to the development
      of cutaneous malignancies are discussed. Included is a review of the following
      novel pharmacologic agents; BRAF inhibitors, MEK inhibitors, anti-CTLA-4 antibody
      and anti-PD-1 antibodies for melanoma, cetuximab and gefitinib for squamous cell
      carcinoma, vismodegib for basal cell carcinoma and nevoid basal cell carcinoma
      syndrome, imiquimod for extramammary Paget's disease, imatinib for
      dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans and vorinostat and mogamulizumab for cutaneous T
      cell lymphoma.

PMID- 26281696
TI  - [Molecular targeted drugs for soft tissue sarcoma and neuroendocrine tumor].
AB  - Both the soft tissue sarcomas and the neuroendocrine tumors are rare diseases.
      Therefore the recruiting of these patients was more difficult than other cancer
      species, and the development of the new therapy for these diseases did not
      readily advance. However, the identification of driver molecules for each sub
      type enabled us to the development of the molecular targeted drugs. As for the
      GIST, several TKIs are used, but in late years it is found that susceptibility of
      TKIs varies according to difference in second mutation. In this chapter, the
      molecular target drug for the soft tissue sarcoma and the neuroendocrine tumor is
      reviewed.

PMID- 26281697
TI  - [International comparison and regulatory issues of the molecular targeted therapy
      development].
AB  - In July 2013 from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan notified
      "Approval application for in vitro companion diagnostics and corresponding
      therapeutic products" (manager notification). They recommended concurrent
      development of molecular targeted therapies and companion diagnostics. However,
      there are specific difficulties; cooperation between diagnostic company and
      pharmaceutical company, indeterminacy of profitability outlook etc. Moreover, it
      is also a problem how to supervise and to secure the quality and safety of the
      examination. In the future, multiplex diagnostic examination, which detect
      multiple molecular targets abnormalities at once, is developed commercially. In
      this paper, we outline the issues as well as international comparison in the
      current state of the approval and application system.

PMID- 26281698
TI  - [Pathologic characteristics of malignant neoplasms occurring in the elderly].
AB  - Malignant neoplasm preferentially occurs in the elderly. Common cancers in the
      elderly are gastric, colorectal, lung and prostate cancers in men whereas
      colorectal, lung, gastric and pancreatic cancers in women. There are several
      characteristic features such as tumor location, histology, biological behavior
      and pathway of carcinogenesis in malignant neoplasms occurring in the elderly.
      Multiple cancers increase with aging. Although it is generally believed that
      carcinoma in the elderly shows well differentiation, slow growth, low incidence
      of metastasis and favorable prognosis, the tumor does not always show such
      features. Regarding biological behavior of malignant tumor in the elderly, age
      related alterations of the host such as stromal weakness and decreased immune
      response against cancer cell invasion should be considered as well as
      characteristics of tumor cell itself. Thus, we need a specific strategy for
      treatment for malignant neoplasms in the elderly.

PMID- 26281699
TI  - [Targeted therapy for solid tumors in the elderly].
AB  - The majority of cancer incidences and deaths occur in the elderly. Elderly
      patients are a heterogeneous population in terms of physical reserve,
      comorbidity, polypharmacy, and other geriatric conditions. The elderly has been
      under-represented in clinical trials of cancer therapy, even in the era of
      targeted therapy. It is widely believed that targeted therapy, which interferes
      with specific pathways required for tumor development and growth, is more
      effective and less toxic than cytotoxic chemotherapy. However, some toxicities
      are concerned in the elderly such as arterial thromboembolism associated with the
      use of bevacizumab and cardiotoxicity with trastuzumab. This article reviews the
      available evidence on the efficiency and toxicity of targeted therapy for solid
      tumors in the elderly.

PMID- 26281701
TI  - Face the change.

PMID- 26281702
TI  - A year of self-discovery.

PMID- 26281700
TI  - [Current status and future prospects of research on Fukuyama muscular dystrophy].
AB  - Fukuyama congenital muscular dystrophy(FCMD) is a second common childhood
      muscular dystrophy in Japan. All FCMD patients have ancestral insertion of the
      SVA retrotransposal element into fukutin. We show that aberrant mRNA splicing
      induced by SVA exon-trapping caused FCMD. Introduction of 3 cocktailed antisense
      oligonucleotides(AONs) targeting around these splice sites prevented pathogenic
      splicing in FCMD patient cells and model mice, and normalized protein production
      and functions of Fukutin as well as O-glycosylation of alpha-dystroglycan. We
      show the promise of splicing modulation therapy as the first radical clinical
      treatment for FCMD in the near future. We also show that fukutin is prerequisite
      to ameliorate muscular dystrophic phenotype by myofiber-selective LARGE
      expression. Recent advances in FCMD are discussed.

PMID- 26281703
TI  - Coming home.

PMID- 26281704
TI  - Follow the clues ... EVIDENTALY.

PMID- 26281705
TI  - Dental transitions.

PMID- 26281706
TI  - Sleep apnoea for the dental practitioner.

PMID- 26281707
TI  - Smoking cessation and the role of the dental practitioner.
AB  - As dentists we are uniquely positioned to influence the rate of tobacco smoking
      and could contribute to a decrease in the associated mortality and morbidity. The
      detrimental effects of smoking on oral health are well established; thus, a
      structured approach to initiate smoking cessation, help to manage the initial
      phase of withdrawal symptoms, and provide long-term support is an important role
      for our profession. It has been shown that smoking cessation advice for even a
      few minutes increases long-term smoking abstinence rates by 5%, which can be
      increased by 50-70% with the use of adjunctive pharmacotherapy, e.g., nicotine
      replacement therapy, for withdrawal symptoms. This article aims to give a brief
      overview of smoking in relation to oral health, review the management of tobacco
      smoking dependence, and discuss how we as dentists can help our patients to quit
      smoking.

PMID- 26281708
TI  - Mandibular implant-supported overdentures: attachment systems, and number and
      locations of implants--Part I.
AB  - The use of dental implants in replacing missing teeth is an integral part of
      restorative dental treatment. Use of conventional complete dentures is associated
      with several problems such as lack of denture stability, support and retention.
      However, when mandibular complete dentures were used with two or more implants,
      an improvement in the patients' psychological and social well-being could be
      seen. There is general consensus that removable implant-supported overdentures
      (RISOs) with two implants should be considered as the first-choice standard of
      care for an edentulous mandible. This treatment option necessitates the use of
      attachment systems that connect the complete denture to the implant.
      Nevertheless, each attachment system has its inherent advantages and
      disadvantages, which should be considered when choosing a system. The first part
      of this article provides an overview on options available to restore the
      mandibular edentulous arch with dental implants. Different types of attachment
      systems, their features and drawbacks are also reviewed.

PMID- 26281709
TI  - Characterization of the Catalytic Domain of Human APOBEC3B and the Critical
      Structural Role for a Conserved Methionine.
AB  - Human APOBEC3B deaminates cytosines in DNA and belongs to the AID/APOBEC family
      of enzymes. These proteins are involved in innate and adaptive immunity and may
      cause mutations in a variety of cancers. To characterize its ability to convert
      cytosines into uracils, we tested several derivatives of APOBEC3B gene for their
      ability to cause mutations in Escherichia coli. Through this analysis, a
      methionine residue at the junction of the amino-terminal domain (NTD) and the
      carboxy-terminal domain (CTD) was found to be essential for high mutagenicity.
      Properties of mutants with substitutions at this position, examination of
      existing molecular structures of APOBEC3 family members and molecular modeling
      suggest that this residue is essential for the structural stability of this
      family of proteins. The APOBEC3B CTD with the highest mutational activity was
      purified to homogeneity and its kinetic parameters were determined. Size
      exclusion chromatography of the CTD monomer showed that it is in equilibrium with
      its dimeric form and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight
      analysis of the protein suggested that the dimer may be quite stable. The
      partially purified NTD did not show intrinsic deamination activity and did not
      enhance the activity of the CTD in biochemical assays. Finally, APOBEC3B was at
      least 10-fold less efficient at mutating 5-methylcytosine (5mC) to thymine than
      APOBEC3A in a genetic assay and was at least 10-fold less efficient at
      deaminating 5mC compared to C in biochemical assays. These results shed light on
      the structural organization of APOBEC3B catalytic domain, its substrate
      specificity and its possible role in causing genome-wide mutations. 

PMID- 26281710
TI  - beta-Structure within the Denatured State of the Helical Protein Domain BBL.
AB  - Protein denatured states are the origin of both healthy and toxic conformational
      species. Denatured states of ultrafast folding proteins are of interest in
      mechanistic studies because they are energetically close to the kinetic
      bottleneck of folding. However, their transient nature makes them elusive to
      experiment. Here, we generated the denatured state of the helical domain BBL that
      is poised to fold in microseconds by a single-point mutation and combined
      circular dichroism spectroscopy, single-molecule fluorescence fluctuation
      analysis, and computer simulation to characterize its structure and dynamics.
      Circular dichroism showed a largely unfolded ensemble with marginal helix but
      significant beta-sheet content. Main-chain structure and dynamics were unaffected
      by side-chain interactions that stabilize the native state, as revealed by site
      directed mutagenesis and nanosecond loop closure kinetics probed by fluorescence
      correlation spectroscopy. Replica-exchange and constant-temperature molecular
      dynamics simulations showed a highly collapsed, hydrogen-bonded denatured state
      containing turn and beta-sheet structure and few nucleating helices in an
      otherwise unfolded ensemble. An irregular beta-hairpin element that connects
      helices in the native fold was poised to be formed. The surprising observation of
      beta-structure in regions that form helices in the native state is reconciled by
      a generic low-energy pathway from the northwest quadrant of Ramachandran space to
      the helical basin present under folding conditions, proposed recently. Our
      results show that, indeed, rapid nucleation of helix emanates from beta-structure
      formed early within a collapsed ensemble of unfolded conformers. 

PMID- 26281711
TI  - Selection of High-Affinity Peptidic Serine Protease Inhibitors with Increased
      Binding Entropy from a Back-Flip Library of Peptide-Protease Fusions.
AB  - We have developed a new concept for designing peptidic protein modulators, by
      recombinantly fusing the peptidic modulator, with randomized residues, directly
      to the target protein via a linker and screening for internal modulation of the
      activity of the protein. We tested the feasibility of the concept by fusing a 10
      residue-long, disulfide-bond-constrained inhibitory peptide, randomized in
      selected positions, to the catalytic domain of the serine protease murine
      urokinase-type plasminogen activator. High-affinity inhibitory peptide variants
      were identified as those that conferred to the fusion protease the lowest
      activity for substrate hydrolysis. The usefulness of the strategy was
      demonstrated by the selection of peptidic inhibitors of murine urokinase-type
      plasminogen activator with a low nanomolar affinity. The high affinity could not
      have been predicted by rational considerations, as the high affinity was
      associated with a loss of polar interactions and an increased binding entropy. 

PMID- 26281712
TI  - Seed bank characteristics of the Nymphoides peltata population in Lake Taihu.
AB  - The Nymphoides peltata (N. peltata) population has shown rapid expansion in Lake
      Taihu, China, in recent years. The core question is whether N. peltata seeds have
      contributed to the expansion. To address this, we randomly selected three N.
      peltata stands to investigate the seed bank characteristics of N. peltata in Lake
      Taihu. Results showed that N. peltata had high seed production, with a maximum
      seed yield of 1763 seeds per m(2). Density of intact and fragmented seeds
      decreased rapidly with sediment depth. Few intact or fragmented seeds were
      distributed at depths greater than 4 cm in the sediment. Spatial distribution of
      the seed bank indicated that most seeds sank to the sediment within the N.
      peltata stands, and few seeds took advantage of their floating ability. Seeds
      recovered from the sediment during April to June had a low germination rate, and
      no seeds germinated during October to April. Cold exposure treatment increased
      the germination rate remarkably. No seedlings were found in the field from
      January 2012 to December 2012, indicating that few seeds were successfully
      established in the surveyed area. The results suggested that sexual reproduction
      had little direct contribution to the N. peltata expansion in this large shallow
      lake.

PMID- 26281713
TI  - Low incidence of CALR gene mutations in patients with cerebral venous thrombosis
      without overt chronic myeloproliferative neoplasm.

PMID- 26281714
TI  - Using six-colour flow cytometry to analyse the activation and interaction of
      platelets and leukocytes--A new assay suitable for bench and bedside conditions.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Platelets are main effector cells in haemostasis and also promote
      inflammation. Platelet-leukocyte complexes are key mediators in a variety of
      thromboinflammatory disorders and consecutive organ failure. Cell-specific
      epitopes and activation markers on platelets and leukocytes can be measured using
      flow cytometry. However, until recently a major restriction has been a paucity in
      antibody combinations and lack of detection strategies. We aimed to develop a six
      colour flow cytometry method which depicts multiple aspects of platelet and
      leukocyte interactions in human whole blood. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Platelets,
      including microparticles and aggregates, were detected in flow cytometry using a
      platelet-specific anti-CD41-FITC antibody and size-defined regions. The
      morphology of platelet-leukocyte complexes (including granulocyte and monocyte
      content) were depicted using anti-CD45-PerCP, anti-CD66b-PE-Cy7, and anti-CD14
      APC antibodies in a single sample. Expression of platelet and leukocyte
      activation markers P-selectin and CD11b were detected using anti-CD62P-PE and
      anti-CD11b-BV421 antibodies, respectively. RESULTS: The sensitivity of this assay
      to detect the effects of various agonists (TRAP-6, ADP, collagen, epinephrine,
      TNF-alpha and LPS) is demonstrated. Furthermore, the assay is shown to detect
      platelet and leukocyte activation induced by extracorporeal circulation in vitro.
      The suitability of this assay for bedside analysis is demonstrated exemplarily in
      a patient treated with mechanical circulatory life support. CONCLUSIONS: Using
      the concurrent assessment of multiple parameters, this method gives detailed
      insights into the complexity and dynamics of platelet-leukocyte interactions.
      This assay carries the potential to increase our understanding of the mechanisms
      and pathophysiology of platelet-leukocyte interaction in the research laboratory
      and clinical setting.

PMID- 26281715
TI  - Low Dopamine D2 Receptor Increases Vulnerability to Obesity Via Reduced Physical
      Activity, Not Increased Appetitive Motivation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) has received much attention in obesity
      studies. Data indicate that D2R is reduced in obesity and that the TaqA1 D2R
      variant may be more prevalent among obese persons. It is often suggested that
      reduced D2R generates a reward deficiency and altered appetitive motivation that
      induces compulsive eating and contributes to obesity. Although dopamine is known
      to regulate physical activity, it is often neglected in these studies, leaving
      open the question of whether reduced D2R contributes to obesity through
      alterations in energy expenditure and activity. METHODS: We generated a D2R
      knockdown (KD) mouse line and assessed both energy expenditure and appetitive
      motivation under conditions of diet-induced obesity. RESULTS: The KD mice did not
      gain more weight or show increased appetitive motivation compared with wild-type
      mice in a standard environment; however, in an enriched environment with
      voluntary exercise opportunities, KD mice exhibited dramatically lower activity
      and became more obese than wild-type mice, obtaining no protective benefit from
      exercise opportunities. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest the primary contribution
      of altered D2R signaling to obesity lies in altered energy expenditure rather
      than the induction of compulsive overeating.

PMID- 26281718
TI  - [Tele-cooperation for innovative care using the example of the University
      Hospital Aachen. Telematics in intensive care medicine, emergency medicine, and
      telemedical intersectoral rehabilitation planning in geriatric trauma].
AB  - The demographic challenge of the ageing society is associated with increasing
      comorbidity. On the other hand, there will be an ageing workforce in medicine,
      resulting in an imbalance between the demand and supply of medical care in the
      near future. In rural areas in particular, this imbalance is already present
      today. Based on three best practice projects carried out by our telemedical
      center in Aachen, including emergency medicine, intensive care medicine, and the
      rehabilitation planning of geriatric trauma care, some experience and the
      potential of the intersectoral provision of care, supported by telemedicine, are
      demonstrated. Telemedicine is the provision of medical services over a
      geographical distance by using tele-communication and data transfer. It has been
      proven to ensure a constant quality of health care. Telemedical support enables
      shared expertise independent of time and space, and allows efficient allocation
      of resources. A review of international experience supports this notion.

PMID- 26281717
TI  - Sympathetic Release of Splenic Monocytes Promotes Recurring Anxiety Following
      Repeated Social Defeat.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Neuroinflammatory signaling may contribute to the pathophysiology of
      chronic anxiety disorders. Previous work showed that repeated social defeat (RSD)
      in mice promoted stress-sensitization that was characterized by the recurrence of
      anxiety following subthreshold stress 24 days after RSD. Furthermore, splenectomy
      following RSD prevented the recurrence of anxiety in stress-sensitized mice. We
      hypothesize that the spleen of RSD-exposed mice became a reservoir of primed
      monocytes that were released following neuroendocrine activation by subthreshold
      stress. METHODS: Mice were subjected to subthreshold stress (i.e., single cycle
      of social defeat) 24 days after RSD, and immune and behavioral measures were
      taken. RESULTS: Subthreshold stress 24 days after RSD re-established anxiety-like
      behavior that was associated with egress of Ly6C(hi) monocytes from the spleen.
      Moreover, splenectomy before RSD blocked monocyte trafficking to the brain and
      prevented anxiety-like behavior following subthreshold stress. Splenectomy,
      however, had no effect on monocyte accumulation or anxiety when determined 14
      hours after RSD. In addition, splenocytes cultured 24 days after RSD exhibited a
      primed inflammatory phenotype. Peripheral sympathetic inhibition before
      subthreshold stress blocked monocyte trafficking from the spleen to the brain and
      prevented the re-establishment of anxiety in RSD-sensitized mice. Last, beta
      adrenergic antagonism also prevented splenic monocyte egress after acute stress.
      CONCLUSIONS: The spleen served as a unique reservoir of primed monocytes that
      were readily released following sympathetic activation by subthreshold stress
      that promoted the re-establishment of anxiety. Collectively, the long-term
      storage of primed monocytes in the spleen may have a profound influence on
      recurring anxiety disorders.

PMID- 26281716
TI  - Abnormal Gamma Oscillations in N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Hypofunction Models
      of Schizophrenia.
AB  - N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) hypofunction in parvalbumin-expressing
      (PV+) inhibitory neurons (INs) may contribute to symptoms in patients with
      schizophrenia (SZ). This hypothesis was inspired by studies in humans involving
      NMDAR antagonists that trigger SZ symptoms. Animal models of SZ using
      neuropharmacology and genetic knockouts have successfully replicated some of the
      key observations in human subjects involving alteration of gamma band
      oscillations (GBO) observed in electroencephalography and magnetoencephalography
      signals. However, it remains to be seen if NMDAR hypofunction in PV+ neurons is
      fundamental to the phenotype observed in these models. In this review, we discuss
      some of the key computational models of GBO and their predictions in the context
      of NMDAR hypofunction in INs. While PV+ INs have been the main focus of SZ
      studies in animal models, we also discuss the implications of NMDAR hypofunction
      in other types of INs using computational models for GBO modulation in the visual
      cortex.

PMID- 26281719
TI  - Methane Emissions from United States Natural Gas Gathering and Processing.
AB  - New facility-level methane (CH4) emissions measurements obtained from 114 natural
      gas gathering facilities and 16 processing plants in 13 U.S. states were combined
      with facility counts obtained from state and national databases in a Monte Carlo
      simulation to estimate CH4 emissions from U.S. natural gas gathering and
      processing operations. Total annual CH4 emissions of 2421 (+245/-237) Gg were
      estimated for all U.S. gathering and processing operations, which represents a
      CH4 loss rate of 0.47% (+/-0.05%) when normalized by 2012 CH4 production. Over
      90% of those emissions were attributed to normal operation of gathering
      facilities (1697 +189/-185 Gg) and processing plants (506 +55/-52 Gg), with the
      balance attributed to gathering pipelines and processing plant routine
      maintenance and upsets. The median CH4 emissions estimate for processing plants
      is a factor of 1.7 lower than the 2012 EPA Greenhouse Gas Inventory (GHGI)
      estimate, with the difference due largely to fewer reciprocating compressors, and
      a factor of 3.0 higher than that reported under the EPA Greenhouse Gas Reporting
      Program. Since gathering operations are currently embedded within the production
      segment of the EPA GHGI, direct comparison to our results is complicated.
      However, the study results suggest that CH4 emissions from gathering are
      substantially higher than the current EPA GHGI estimate and are equivalent to 30%
      of the total net CH4 emissions in the natural gas systems GHGI. Because CH4
      emissions from most gathering facilities are not reported under the current rule
      and not all source categories are reported for processing plants, the total CH4
      emissions from gathering and processing reported under the EPA GHGRP (180 Gg)
      represents only 14% of that tabulated in the EPA GHGI and 7% of that predicted
      from this study. 

PMID- 26281721
TI  - Multiple Nonthermal Reaction Steps for the Photooxidation of CO to CO2 on Reduced
      TiO2(110).
AB  - The photooxidation of CO on reduced, rutile TiO2(110) is studied on a millisecond
      time scale. For CO coadsorbed with a saturation coverage of chemisorbed O2
      (thetasat), the CO2 photon-stimulated desorption (PSD) signal is initially zero,
      increases to a maximum after several tens of milliseconds, and then decreases at
      longer times. The initial CO2 PSD signal increases ~5 times more quickly for an
      oxygen coverage of 0.5thetasat. The initial rate of increase of the CO2 PSD
      signal is proportional to the flux of UV photons. The results show that two or
      more nonthermal reaction steps are required to photooxidize CO adsorbed on
      TiO2(110). The intermediate species involved in the reactions is stable for at
      least 100 s at 30 K. Previous models had suggested that CO photooxidation
      required only one nonthermal reaction. The likely initial and final charge states
      of the system suggest that an electron-mediated reaction and a hole-mediated
      reaction are needed for the complete photooxidation reaction. 

PMID- 26281722
TI  - Unconventional Peroxy Chemistry in Alcohol Oxidation: The Water Elimination
      Pathway.
AB  - Predictive simulation for designing efficient engines requires detailed modeling
      of combustion chemistry, for which the possibility of unknown pathways is a
      continual concern. Here, we characterize a low-lying water elimination pathway
      from key hydroperoxyalkyl (QOOH) radicals derived from alcohols. The
      corresponding saddle-point structure involves the interaction of radical and
      zwitterionic electronic states. This interaction presents extreme difficulties
      for electronic structure characterizations, but we demonstrate that these
      properties of this saddle point can be well captured by M06-2X and CCSD(T)
      methods. Experimental evidence for the existence and relevance of this pathway is
      shown in recently reported data on the low-temperature oxidation of isopentanol
      and isobutanol. In these systems, water elimination is a major pathway, and is
      likely ubiquitous in low-temperature alcohol oxidation. These findings will
      substantially alter current alcohol oxidation mechanisms. Moreover, the methods
      described will be useful for the more general phenomenon of interacting radical
      and zwitterionic states. 

PMID- 26281723
TI  - Engineered CuInSexS2-x Quantum Dots for Sensitized Solar Cells.
AB  - Colloidal CuInSexS2-x quantum dots (QDs) are an attractive less-toxic alternative
      to PbX and CdX (X = S, Se, and Te) QDs for solution-processed semiconductor
      devices. This relatively new class of QD materials is particularly suited to
      serving as an absorber in photovoltaics, owing to its high absorption coefficient
      and near-optimal and finely tunable band gap. Here, we engineer CuInSexS2-x QD
      sensitizers for enhanced performance of QD-sensitized TiO2 solar cells (QDSSCs).
      Our QD synthesis employs 1-dodecanethiol (DDT) as a low-cost solvent, which also
      serves as a ligand, and a sulfur precursor; addition of triakylphosphine selenide
      leads to incorporation of controlled amounts of selenium, reducing the band gap
      compared to that of pure CuInS2 QDs. This enables significantly higher
      photocurrent in the near-infrared (IR) region of the solar spectrum without
      sacrificing photovoltage. In order to passivate QD surface recombination centers,
      we perform a surface-cation exchange with Cd prior to sensitization, which
      enhances chemical stability and leads to a further increase in photocurrent. We
      use the synthesized QDs to demonstrate proof-of-concept QDSSCs with up to 3.5%
      power conversion efficiency. 

PMID- 26281724
TI  - Does Coherence Enhance Transport in Photosynthesis?
AB  - Recent observations of coherence in photosynthetic complexes have led to the
      question of whether quantum effects can occur in vivo, not under femtosecond
      laser pulses but in incoherent sunlight and at steady state, and, if so, whether
      the coherence explains the high exciton transfer efficiency. We introduce the
      distinction between state coherence and process coherence and show that although
      some photosynthetic pathways are partially coherent processes, photosynthesis in
      nature proceeds through stationary states. This distinction allows us to rule out
      several mechanisms of transport enhancement in sunlight. In particular, although
      they are crucial for understanding exciton transport, neither wavelike motion nor
      microscopic coherence, on their own, enhance the efficiency. By contrast, two
      partially coherent mechanisms-ENAQT and supertransfer-can enhance transport even
      in sunlight and thus constitute motifs for the optimization of artificial
      sunlight harvesting. Finally, we clarify the importance of ultrafast spectroscopy
      in understanding incoherent processes. 

PMID- 26281725
TI  - Highly Efficient Pumping of Vibrationally Excited HD Molecules via Stark-Induced
      Adiabatic Raman Passage.
AB  - A primary prerequisite to study reactivity of vibrationally excited species is to
      efficiently prepare reacting species in a well-defined vibrational level.
      Efficient pumping of IR active vibrational modes in a molecule can be achieved by
      direct IR absorption. For vibrational modes that are only Raman active, however,
      efficient preparation of vibrationally excited states in those modes is not
      easily attainable. In this work, we have shown that highly efficient preparation
      of the HD(v = 1) state using the Stark-induced adiabatic Raman passage (SARP)
      scheme is feasible. As high as 91% population transfer from v = 0 to 1 of HD has
      been demonstrated in our experiment. This method provides new opportunities for
      future experimental studies on the dynamics of vibrational state molecules,
      especially H2, in both gas-phase and beam-surface reactions. 

PMID- 26281726
TI  - Spatial and Electronic Correlations in the PE545 Light-Harvesting Complex.
AB  - The recent discovery of long-lasting quantum coherence effects in photosynthetic
      pigment-protein complexes has challenged our view of the role that protein
      motions play in light-harvesting processes. Several groups have suggested that
      correlated fluctuations involving the pigments site energies and couplings could
      be at the origin of such unexpected behavior. Here we combine molecular dynamics
      simulations with quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics calculations to analyze
      the degree of correlated fluctuations in the PE545 complex of Rhodomonas sp.
      strain CS24. We find that correlations between the motions of the chromophores,
      which are significantly assisted by the water solvent, do not translate into
      appreciable site energy correlations but do lead to significant cross
      correlations of energies and couplings. Such behavior, not observed in a recent
      study on the Fenna-Mathews-Olson complex, seems to provide phycobiliproteins with
      an additional fundamental mechanism to control quantum coherence and light
      harvesting efficiency compared with chlorophyll-containing complexes. 

PMID- 26281727
TI  - Monolayer to Bilayer Structural Transition in Confined Pyrrolidinium-Based Ionic
      Liquids.
AB  - Ionic liquids can be intricately nanostructured in the bulk and at interfaces
      resulting from a delicate interplay between interionic and surface forces. Here
      we report the structuring of a series of dialkylpyrrolidinium-based ionic liquids
      induced by confinement. The ionic liquids containing cations with shorter alkyl
      chain substituents form alternating cation-anion monolayer structures on
      confinement to a thin film, whereas a cation with a longer alkyl chain
      substituent leads to bilayer formation. The crossover from monolayer to bilayer
      structure occurs between chain lengths of n = 8 and 10 for these pyrrolidinium
      based ionic liquids. The bilayer structure for n = 10 involves full
      interdigitation of the alkyl chains; this is in contrast with previous
      observations for imidazolium-based ionic liquids. The results are pertinent to
      these liquids' application as electrolytes, where the electrolyte is confined
      inside the pores of a nanoporous electrode, for example, in devices such as
      supercapacitors or batteries. 

PMID- 26281728
TI  - Coherent High-Frequency Vibrational Dynamics in the Excited Electronic State of
      All-Trans Retinal Derivatives.
AB  - Coherent vibrational dynamics of retinal in excited electronic states are of
      primary importance in the understanding of photobiology. Using pump-DFWM, we
      demonstrate for the first time the existence of coherent double-bond high
      frequency modulations (>1300 cm(-1)) in the excited electronic state of different
      retinal derivatives. All-trans retinal as well as retinal Schiff bases exhibit a
      partial frequency downshift of the C?C double-bond mode from ~1580 cm(-1) in the
      ground state to 1510 cm(-1) in the excited state. In addition, a new vibrational
      band at ~1700 cm(-1) assigned to the C?N stretching mode in retinal Schiff bases
      in the excited state is detected. The newly reported bands are observed only in
      specific spectral regions of excited-state absorption. Implications regarding the
      observation of vibrational coherences in naturally occurring retinal protonated
      Schiff bases in rhodopsins are discussed. 

PMID- 26281729
TI  - Understanding Trends in the Electrocatalytic Activity of Metals and Enzymes for
      CO2 Reduction to CO.
AB  - We develop a model based on density functional theory calculations to describe
      trends in catalytic activity for CO2 electroreduction to CO in terms of the
      adsorption energy of the reaction intermediates, CO and COOH. The model is
      applied to metal surfaces as well as the active site in the CODH enzymes and
      shows that the strong scaling between adsorbed CO and adsorbed COOH on metal
      surfaces is responsible for the persistent overpotential. The active site of the
      CODH enzyme is not subject to these scaling relations and optimizes the relative
      binding energies of these adsorbates, allowing for an essentially reversible
      process with a low overpotential. 

PMID- 26281730
TI  - Physical Chemistry Research Toward Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell
      Advancement.
AB  - Hydrogen fuel cells, the most common type of which are proton exchange membrane
      fuel cells (PEMFCs), are on a rapid path to commercialization. We credit physical
      chemistry research in oxygen reduction electrocatalysis and theory with
      significant breakthroughs, enabling more cost-effective fuel cells. However, most
      of the physical chemistry has been restricted to studies of platinum and related
      alloys. More work is needed to better understand electrocatalysts generally in
      terms of properties and characterization. While the advent of such highly active
      catalysts will enable smaller, less expensive, and more powerful stacks, they
      will require better understanding and a complete restructuring of the diffusion
      media in PEMFCs to facilitate faster transport of the reactants (O2) and products
      (H2O). Even Ohmic losses between materials become more important at high power.
      Such lessons from PEMFC research are relevant to other electrochemical conversion
      systems, including Li-air batteries and flow batteries. 

PMID- 26281731
TI  - Efficient Dual-Modal NIR-to-NIR Emission of Rare Earth Ions Co-doped Nanocrystals
      for Biological Fluorescence Imaging.
AB  - A novel approach has been developed for the realization of efficient near
      infrared to near-infrared (NIR-to-NIR) upconversion and down-shifting emission in
      nanophosphors. The efficient dual-modal NIR-to-NIR emission is realized in a beta
      NaGdF4/Nd(3+)@NaGdF4/Tm(3+)-Yb(3+) core-shell nanocrystal by careful control of
      the identity and concentration of the doped rare earth (RE) ion species and by
      manipulation of the spatial distributions of these RE ions. The photoluminescence
      results reveal that the emission efficiency increases at least 2-fold when
      comparing the materials synthesized in this study with those synthesized through
      traditional approaches. Hence, these core-shell structured nanocrystals with
      novel excitation and emission behaviors enable us to obtain tissue fluorescence
      imaging by detecting the upconverted and down-shifted photoluminescence from
      Tm(3+) and Nd(3+) ions, respectively. The reported approach thus provides a new
      route for the realization of high-yield emission from RE ion doped nanocrystals,
      which could prove to be useful for the design of optical materials containing
      other optically active centers. 

PMID- 26281732
TI  - Tunable Infrared Phosphors Using Cu Doping in Semiconductor Nanocrystals: Surface
      Electronic Structure Evaluation.
AB  - In this Letter, we report the study of the effect of ligands on the surface
      electronic structure of the nanocrystal by exploiting the mechanism of the Cu
      related optical transition, obtained by coupling the nanocrystal conduction band
      to the Cu ion state in Cu-doped II-VI semiconductor nanocrystals. Systematic
      study of steady-state luminescence and lifetime decay dynamics of this Cu-related
      emission in cadmium-based chalcogenides shows that the role of oleic acid in
      surface passivation is unexpectedly quite different for various chalcogenides.
      Further, using these leads in Cu-doped CdS nanocrystals, we develop near-infrared
      emitting phosphor materials that have tunable, high quantum yield (~35%) emission
      with a single-exponential lifetime decay. Surprisingly, unlike the emission from
      other Cu-doped II-VI nanocrystals, emission from Cu doping in CdS nanocrystals is
      found to exhibit high thermal stability, being essentially unchanged up to 100 
      degrees C, making them more viable for use in various practical applications. 

PMID- 26281733
TI  - Surface Chemistry Exchange of Alloyed Germanium Nanocrystals: A Pathway Toward
      Conductive Group IV Nanocrystal Films.
AB  - We present an expansion of the mixed-valence iodide reduction method for the
      synthesis of Ge nanocrystals (NCs) to incorporate low levels (~1 mol %) of groups
      III, IV, and V elements to yield main-group element-alloyed Ge NCs (Ge1-xEx NCs).
      Nearly every main-group element (E) that surrounds Ge on the periodic table (Al,
      P, Ga, As, In, Sn, and Sb) may be incorporated into Ge1-xEx NCs with remarkably
      high E incorporation into the product (>45% of E added to the reaction).
      Importantly, surface chemistry modification via ligand exchange allowed
      conductive films of Ge1-xEx NCs to be prepared, which exhibit conductivities over
      large distances (25 MUm) relevant to optoelectronic device development of group
      IV NC thin films. 

PMID- 26281720
TI  - Discovery and resupply of pharmacologically active plant-derived natural
      products: A review.
AB  - Medicinal plants have historically proven their value as a source of molecules
      with therapeutic potential, and nowadays still represent an important pool for
      the identification of novel drug leads. In the past decades, pharmaceutical
      industry focused mainly on libraries of synthetic compounds as drug discovery
      source. They are comparably easy to produce and resupply, and demonstrate good
      compatibility with established high throughput screening (HTS) platforms.
      However, at the same time there has been a declining trend in the number of new
      drugs reaching the market, raising renewed scientific interest in drug discovery
      from natural sources, despite of its known challenges. In this survey, a brief
      outline of historical development is provided together with a comprehensive
      overview of used approaches and recent developments relevant to plant-derived
      natural product drug discovery. Associated challenges and major strengths of
      natural product-based drug discovery are critically discussed. A snapshot of the
      advanced plant-derived natural products that are currently in actively recruiting
      clinical trials is also presented. Importantly, the transition of a natural
      compound from a "screening hit" through a "drug lead" to a "marketed drug" is
      associated with increasingly challenging demands for compound amount, which often
      cannot be met by re-isolation from the respective plant sources. In this regard,
      existing alternatives for resupply are also discussed, including different
      biotechnology approaches and total organic synthesis. While the intrinsic
      complexity of natural product-based drug discovery necessitates highly integrated
      interdisciplinary approaches, the reviewed scientific developments, recent
      technological advances, and research trends clearly indicate that natural
      products will be among the most important sources of new drugs also in the
      future. 

PMID- 26281734
TI  - Atom-Cage Charge Transfer in Endohedral Metallofullerenes: Trapping Atoms Within
      a Sphere-Like Ridge of Avoided Crossings.
AB  - Endohedral fullerences have great potential for a variety of techological
      applications. Here we consider B@C60 and show that the amount of charge transfer
      from the semimetal boron atom to the cage is a strong function of the radial
      distance of the atom from the center of the fullerene, and it is controlled by
      multistate conical intersections whose associated ridge of avoided crossings has
      the topology of a Euclidean sphere. The potential energy surfaces of B@C60 are
      characterized by two kinds of local minima: those with a boron atom located in
      the geometric center of the fullerene, and those with a boron atom bound to the
      fullerene inner wall. At the lowest-energy minimum, at the center, the boron atom
      is neutral, whereas the transition to the wall is accompanied by an electron
      transfer from boron to the fullerene cage. The two kinds of minima are separated
      by a ridge of avoided crossings that forms a surface with a nearly spherical
      shape. The properties of such systems may be altered by controlling the
      populations of the two kinds of minima, for example, by application of an
      external field. Such switchable atom-cage charge transfer may find applications
      in novel molecular devices. 

PMID- 26281735
TI  - A New Route to Nondestructive Top-Contacts for Molecular Electronics on Si: Pb
      Evaporated on Organic Monolayers.
AB  - Thermally evaporated Pb preserves the electronic properties of an organic
      monolayer (ML) on Si and surface passivation of the Si surface itself. The
      obtained current-voltage characteristics of Pb/ML/Si junctions agree with results
      obtained with the well-established Hg contact and preserve both the molecule
      induced dipole effect on, and length-attenuation of, the current. We rationalize
      our findings by the lack of interaction between the Pb and the Si substrate. This
      method is fast, scalable, and compatible with standard semiconductor processing,
      results in close to 100% yield, and can help the development of large-scale
      utilization of silicon-organic hybrid electronics. Our experimental data show a
      dependence of the transport across the molecules on the substrate orientation,
      expressed in the smaller distance decay parameter with Si(100) than that with
      Si(111). 

PMID- 26281737
TI  - Observation of Optical Chemical Shift by Precision Nuclear Spin Optical Rotation
      Measurements and Calculations.
AB  - Nuclear spin optical rotation (NSOR) is a recently developed technique for
      detection of nuclear magnetic resonance via rotation of light polarization,
      instead of the usual long-range magnetic fields. NSOR signals depend on hyperfine
      interactions with virtual optical excitations, giving new information about the
      nuclear chemical environment. We use a multipass optical cell to perform the
      first precision measurements of NSOR signals for a range of organic liquids and
      find clear distinction between proton signals for different compounds, in
      agreement with our earlier theoretical predictions. Detailed first-principles
      quantum mechanical NSOR calculations are found to be in agreement with the
      measurements. 

PMID- 26281736
TI  - Fragility of an Isochorically Confined Polymer Glass.
AB  - We report the effect of isochoric confinement on the dynamic fragility of a
      polymeric glass-former, that is, polystyrene (PS). Utilizing silica-capped PS
      nanospheres as a model system, the fictive temperature (Tf) and the isochoric
      heat capacity (Cv) are measured as a function of diameter via differential
      scanning calorimetry. By examining Tf as a function of cooling rate for each
      sample, the isochoric fragility (mv) is obtained, which decreases significantly
      as the diameter of the nanospheres is reduced from 260 to 129 nm. Hence, the
      temperature dependence of structural relaxation near the glass transition is
      weakened with isochoric confinement. 

PMID- 26281738
TI  - Panchromatic "Dye-Doped" Polymer Solar Cells: From Femtosecond Energy Relays to
      Enhanced Photo-Response.
AB  - There has been phenomenal effort synthesizing new low-band gap polymer hole
      conductors which absorb into the near-infrared (NIR), leading to >10% efficient
      all-organic solar cells. However, organic light absorbers have relatively narrow
      bandwidths, making it challenging to obtain panchromatic absorption in a single
      organic semiconductor. Here, we demonstrate that (poly[2,6-(4,4-bis-(2
      ethylhexyl)-4H-cyclopenta[2,1-b;3,4-b0]dithiophene)-alt-4,7-(2,1,3-benzothiadia
      zole)] (PCPDTBT) can be "photo-sensitized" across the whole visible spectrum by
      "doping" with a visible absorbing dye, the (2,2,7,7-tetrakis(3-hexyl-5-(7-(4
      hexylthiophen-2-yl)benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazol-4-yl)thiophen-2-yl)-9,9
      spirobifluorene) (spiro-TBT). Through a comprehensive sub-12 femtosecond
      nanosecond spectroscopic study, we demonstrate that extremely efficient and fast
      energy transfer occurs from the photoexcited spiro-TBT to the PCPDTBT, and
      ultrafast charge injection happens when the system is interfaced with ZnO as a
      prototypal electron-acceptor compound. The visible photosensitization can be
      effectively exploited and gives panchromatic photoresponse in prototype
      polymer/oxide bilayer photovoltaic diodes. This concept can be successfully
      adopted for tuning and optimizing the light absorption and photoresponse in a
      broad range of polymeric and hybrid solar cells. 

PMID- 26281739
TI  - Vibrational Spectra of a Mechanosensitive Channel.
AB  - We report the simulated vibrational spectra of a mechanosensitive membrane
      channel in different gating states. Our results show that while linear absorption
      is insensitive to structural differences, linear dichroism and sum-frequency
      generation spectroscopies are sensitive to the orientation of the transmembrane
      helices, which is changing during the opening process. Linear dichroism cannot
      distinguish an intermediate structure from the closed structure, but sum
      frequency generation can. In addition, we find that two-dimensional infrared
      spectroscopy can be used to distinguish all three investigated gating states of
      the mechanosensitive membrane channel. 

PMID- 26281740
TI  - Charge Transfer or J-Coupling? Assignment of an Unexpected Red-Shifted Absorption
      Band in a Naphthalenediimide-Based Metal-Organic Framework.
AB  - We investigate and assign a previously reported unexpected transition in the
      metal-organic framework Zn2(NDC)2(DPNI) (1; NDC = 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylate,
      DPNI = dipyridyl-naphthalenediimide) that displays linear arrangements of
      naphthalenediimide ligands. Given the longitudinal transition dipole moment of
      the DPNI ligands, J-coupling seemed possible. Photophysical measurements revealed
      a broad, new transition in 1 between 400 and 500 nm. Comparison of the MOF
      absorption spectra with that of a charge transfer (CT) complex formed by manual
      grinding of DPNI and H2NDC led to the assignment of the new band in 1 as arising
      from an interligand CT. Constrained density functional theory utilizing a custom
      long-range-corrected hybrid functional was employed to determine which ligands
      were involved in the CT transition. On the basis of relative oscillator
      strengths, the interligand CT was assigned as principally arising from pi-stacked
      DPNI/NDC dimers rather than the alternative orthogonal pairs within the MOF. 

PMID- 26281741
TI  - The Absolute Shielding Constants of Heavy Nuclei: Resolving the Enigma of the
      (119)Sn Absolute Shielding.
AB  - We demonstrate that the apparent disagreement between experimental determinations
      and four-component relativistic calculations of the absolute shielding constants
      of heavy nuclei is due to the breakdown of the commonly assumed relation between
      the electronic contribution to the nuclear spin-rotation constants and the
      paramagnetic contribution to the NMR shielding constants. We demonstrate that
      this breakdown has significant consequences for the absolute shielding constant
      of (119)Sn, leading to errors of about 1000 ppm. As a consequence, we expect that
      many absolute shielding constants of heavy nuclei will be in need of revision. 

PMID- 26281742
TI  - Electron Spin Manipulation via Encaged Cluster: Differing Anion Radicals of
      Y2@C82-Cs, Y2C2@C82-Cs, and Sc2C2@C82-Cs.
AB  - Endohedral metallofullerene species with controllable electron spin have
      attracted increasing attention along with their potential application in quantum
      information processing. In this paper, we report the electron spin manipulation
      via encage cluster through comparative studies on the anion radicals of
      metallofullerene Y2@C82-Cs, Y2C2@C82-Cs, and Sc2C2@C82-Cs. Although these three
      radical species have the same parent fullerene cage, we found that the unpaired
      spin characteristics as well as metal-spin couplings of them can be greatly
      affected by endohedral clusters. Furthermore, based on theoretical calculations,
      it was revealed that the encaged clusters can affect the electronic population of
      pristine endohedral metallofullerenes and eventually manipulate the spin
      distribution of their corresponding anion radicals. Our findings are referential
      to the spin coherence in information processing due to the variable paramagnetism
      of these metallofullerene radicals. 

PMID- 26281743
TI  - CO2 Preactivation in Photoinduced Reduction via Surface Functionalization of TiO2
      Nanoparticles.
AB  - Salicylate and salicylic acid derivatives act as electron donors via charge
      transfer complexes when adsorbed on semiconducting surfaces. When photoexcited,
      charge is injected into the conduction band directly from their highest occupied
      molecular orbital (HOMO) without needing mediation by the lowest unoccupied
      molecular orbital (LUMO). In this study, we successfully induce the chemical
      participation of carbon dioxide in a charge transfer state using 3-aminosalicylic
      acid (3ASA). We determine the geometry of CO2 using a combination of ultraviolet
      visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), (13)C
      NMR, and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). We find CO2 binds on Ti sites in
      a carbonate form and discern via EPR a surface Ti-centered radical in the
      vicinity of CO2, suggesting successful charge transfer from the sensitizer to the
      neighboring site of CO2. This study opens the possibility of analyzing the
      structural and electronic properties of the anchoring sites for CO2 on
      semiconducting surfaces and proposes a set of tools and experiments to do so. 

PMID- 26281744
TI  - Nanoscopic Amyloid Pores Formed via Stepwise Protein Assembly.
AB  - Protein aggregation leading to various nanoscale assemblies is under scrutiny due
      to its implications in a broad range of human diseases. In the present study, we
      have used ovalbumin, a model non-inhibitory serpin, to elucidate the molecular
      events involved in amyloid assembly using a diverse array of spectroscopic and
      imaging tools such as fluorescence, laser Raman, circular dichroism spectroscopy,
      and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The AFM images revealed a progressive
      morphological transition from spherical oligomers to nanoscopic annular pores
      that further served as templates for higher-order supramolecular assembly into
      larger amyloid pores. Raman spectroscopic investigations illuminated in-depth
      molecular details into the secondary structural changes of the protein during
      amyloid assembly and pore formation. Additionally, Raman measurements indicated
      the presence of antiparallel beta-sheets in the amyloid core. Overall, our
      studies revealed that the protein conformational switch in the context of the
      oligomers triggers the hierarchical assembly into nanoscopic amyloid pores. Our
      results will have broad implications in the structural characterization of
      amyloid pores derived from a variety of disease-related proteins. 

PMID- 26281745
TI  - Seven Conformers of Neutral Dopamine Revealed in the Gas Phase.
AB  - The rotational spectrum of neutral dopamine has been investigated for the first
      time using a combination of Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy with laser
      ablation. The parameters extracted from the analysis of the spectrum
      unequivocally identify the existence of seven conformers of dopamine. (14)N
      nuclear quadrupole coupling interactions have been used to determine the
      orientation of the amino group probing the existence of stabilizing N-H...pi
      interactions for all observed conformers. 

PMID- 26281746
TI  - Optimizing Electromagnetic Hotspots in Plasmonic Bowtie Nanoantennae.
AB  - Sensitivity is a key factor in the improvement of nanoparticle-based biosensors.
      Bowtie nanoantennae have shown high sensitivity for both surface-enhanced Raman
      scattering (SERS)- and localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR)-based
      biosensing. In this work, optical bowtie nanoantennae with varying geometries
      were simulated, fabricated, and characterized. We successfully fabricated sub-5
      nm gaps between prisms. The gap between prisms, the prism size, and the radius of
      curvature of the prism corners were characterized for their effects on the
      optical and electromagnetic properties. Bowties were characterized using LSPR,
      SERS, and photochemical near-field imaging. The results indicate that the radius
      of curvature of the prism corners has an important effect on the SERS abilities
      of a nanoparticle array. The trends described herein can be utilized to
      intelligently design highly sensitive SERS and LSPR biosensing substrates. 

PMID- 26281747
TI  - Polarization Properties of Semiconductor Nanorod Heterostructures: From Single
      Particles to the Ensemble.
AB  - Semiconductor heterostructured seeded nanorods exhibit intense polarized
      emission, and the degree of polarization is determined by their morphology and
      dimensions. Combined optical and atomic force microscopy were utilized to
      directly correlate the emission polarization and the orientation of single seeded
      nanorods. For both the CdSe/CdS sphere-in-rod (S@R) and rod-in-rod (R@R), the
      emission was found to be polarized along the nanorod's main axis. Statistical
      analysis for hundreds of single nanorods shows higher degree of polarization, p,
      for R@R (p = 0.83), in comparison to S@R (p = 0.75). These results are in good
      agreement with the values inferred by ensemble photoselection anisotropy
      measurements in solution, establishing its validity for nanorod samples. On this
      basis, photoselection photoluminescence excitation anisotropy measurements were
      carried out providing unique information concerning the symmetry of higher
      excitonic transitions and allowing for a better distinction between the
      dielectric and the quantum-mechanical contributions to polarization in nanorods. 

PMID- 26281748
TI  - On the Impact of Solvation on a Au/TiO2 Nanocatalyst in Contact with Water.
AB  - Water, the ubiquitous solvent, is also prominent in forming liquid-solid
      interfaces with catalytically active surfaces, in particular, with promoted
      oxides. We study the complex interface of a gold nanocatalyst, pinned by an F
      center on titania support, and water. The ab initio simulations uncover the
      microscopic details of solvent-induced charge rearrangements at the metal
      particle. Water is found to stabilize charge states differently from the gas
      phase as a result of structure-specific charge transfer from/to the solvent, thus
      altering surface reactivity. The metal cluster is shown to feature both
      "cationic" and "anionic" solvation, depending on fluctuation and polarization
      effects in the liquid, which creates novel active sites. These observations open
      up an avenue toward "solvent engineering" in liquid-phase heterogeneous
      catalysis. 

PMID- 26281749
TI  - Molecular Design of Porphyrins for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells: A DFT/TDDFT Study.
AB  - To design efficient sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), a series
      of porphyrin sensitizers with different electron-donating and withdrawing
      substituents are investigated using the density functional theory (DFT) and time
      dependent DFT approach. We found that the designed dyes have smaller highest
      occupied molecular orbital to lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (HOMO-LUMO)
      energy gap values, and the absorption bands are broadened and shifted to longer
      wavelengths compared to the so far best sensitizer (YD2-o-C8). Importantly, our
      designed dyes have larger contributions of the anchoring group to the LUMOs,
      which enhance the electron injection process. Our calculation results indicated
      that the new systems should have better performance than the existing efficient
      dyes due to their improved optical properties. 

PMID- 26281750
TI  - Observation of the Bending Mode of Interfacial Water at Silica Surfaces by Near
      Infrared Vibrational Sum-Frequency Generation Spectroscopy of the [Stretch +
      Bend] Combination Bands.
AB  - Vibrational sum-frequency generation (SFG) spectroscopy of interfacial water at
      mineral/aqueous interfaces is extended to the near-IR range containing the low
      cross section stretch + bend combination bands (nucomb = nuOH + deltaHOH) of
      liquid water at silica surfaces near 5000-5300 cm(-1), for the first time. The
      assignments of SFG spectra are supported by FTIR and Raman spectroscopic
      measurements of the bulk water nucomb modes. The SFG spectra contain significant
      contributions from two combinations, [nus + delta] ~ 5060 cm(-1) and [nuas +
      delta] ~ 5300 cm(-1). These measurements provide the first, to our knowledge,
      reported probe of the bending mode of water at buried interfaces. The data
      suggest that the interfacial water bending mode is blue-shifted from that of bulk
      water. 

PMID- 26281751
TI  - Chemistry of NOx on TiO2 Surfaces Studied by Ambient Pressure XPS: Products,
      Effect of UV Irradiation, Water, and Coadsorbed K(.).
AB  - Self-cleaning surfaces containing TiO2 nanoparticles have been postulated to
      efficiently remove NOx from the atmosphere. However, UV irradiation of NOx
      adsorbed on TiO2 also was shown to form harmful gas-phase byproducts such as HONO
      and N2O that may limit their depolluting potential. Ambient pressure XPS was used
      to study surface and gas-phase species formed during adsorption of NO2 on TiO2
      and subsequent UV irradiation at lambda = 365 nm. It is shown here that NO3(-),
      adsorbed on TiO2 as a byproduct of NO2 disproportionation, was quantitatively
      converted to surface NO2 and other reduced nitrogenated species under UV
      irradiation in the absence of moisture. When water vapor was present, a faster
      NO3(-) conversion occurred, leading to a net loss of surface-bound nitrogenated
      species. Strongly adsorbed NO3(-) in the vicinity of coadsorbed K(+) cations was
      stable under UV light, leading to an efficient capture of nitrogenated compounds.

PMID- 26281752
TI  - Theoretical Design of Molecular Electrocatalysts with Flexible Pendant Amines for
      Hydrogen Production and Oxidation.
AB  - The design of hydrogen oxidation and production electrocatalysts is important for
      the development of alternative renewable energy sources. The overall objective is
      to maximize the turnover frequency and minimize the overpotential. We use
      computational methods to examine a variety of nickel-based molecular
      electrocatalysts with pendant amines. Our studies focus on the proton-coupled
      electron transfer (PCET) process involving electron transfer between the complex
      and the electrode and intramolecular proton transfer between the nickel center
      and the nitrogen of the pendant amine. The concerted PCET mechanism, which tends
      to require a lower overpotential, is favored by a smaller equilibrium Ni-N
      distance and a more flexible pendant amine ligand, thereby decreasing the
      energetic penalty for the nitrogen to approach the nickel center for proton
      transfer. Our calculations provide predictions about designing catalysts that
      incorporate these properties. These design principles will be useful for
      developing the next generation of hydrogen catalysts. 

PMID- 26281753
TI  - A Novel Mechanism for Nitric Oxide Production in Nitroalkyl Radicals that
      Circumvents Nitro-Nitrite Isomerization.
AB  - In this study, we present a novel mechanism for NO loss from nitroalkyl radicals
      that circumvents the traditional higher-energy nitro-nitrite isomerization. We
      characterize the intrinsic reaction coordinate at the B3LYP/6-311++g(3df,2p)
      level of theory and calculate the transition-state energies using the G4
      composite method; the subsequent dynamics en route to the highly exothermic NO +
      acetone product channel proceeds through a three-membered ring intermediate.
      Crossed laser-molecular beam scattering experiments on the 2-nitro-2-propyl
      radical confirm the importance of this new mechanism in determining the product
      branching. 

PMID- 26281754
TI  - Lithium Economy: Will It Get the Electric Traction?

PMID- 26281755
TI  - Gadd45b Mediates Electroconvulsive Shock Induced Proliferation of Hippocampal
      Neural Stem Cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Electroconvulsive shock (ECS), also known as an electroconvulsive
      therapy (ECT), is an effective and safe treatment for neuropsychiatric disorders
      including pharmacoresistant major depressive disorder. Previous research in
      animal models suggests ECS efficacy is achieved by Gadd45b-mediated increases in
      adult hippocampal neurogenesis. OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS: The present study aims to
      delineate the role of Gadd45b in mediating proliferation of neural stem cell
      types including quiescent radial glia-like (RGL) and amplifying non-radial glia
      like (non-RGL) neural precursors following ECS. METHODS: RGL and non-RGL neural
      stem cell populations defined by co-localization of MCM2+ and nestin+ cells and
      morphologically by the presence of radial processes were stereologically
      analyzed. RESULTS: ECS increased hippocampal density of both quiescent RGLs and
      amplifying non-RGLs. CONCLUSIONS: Gadd45b mediates the action of ECS-induced
      proliferation through activation of quiescent neural stem cells.

PMID- 26281756
TI  - Morphological and ultrastructural examination of senescence in Morchella elata.
AB  - In recent years, the artificial cultivation of Morchella mushrooms that belong to
      Elata Clade, including Morchella elata, has been developed rapidly in China.
      However, the prominent problem of spawn aging has been frustrating the morel
      farming. In this paper, aging in M. elata was achieved from 12 to 17 subcultures
      and lifespan of 1536-2256 h by successive subculturing. The lifespan can be
      roughly divided into juvenile phase and senescent phase with respect to the
      mycelia linear growth rate. After a certain period of rapid growth with almost
      constant rate at the juvenile phase, the isolate entered the senescent phase
      characterized by slow down of mycelia growth, producing pigments ahead of time
      and final death of the apical hyphae. The period of the senescent phase was
      definitely 240-288 h; while that of the juvenile phase was diverse relying on
      different isolates. Moreover, microscopic study showed that angles between the
      leading and primary hyphae increased constantly with aging. In senesced hyphal
      cells of M. elata, the typical characteristics of autophagy (enlargement of
      vacuoles and existence of organelles sequestrated lysosomes) and apoptosis
      (condensation of the cytoplasm and nuclear and plasmolysis) were observed. In
      addition, in the final stage of senescence, the apical hyphae collapsed with the
      plasma membrane and all the cellular organelles disrupted, indicated a necrotic
      mode of cell death. Taken together, these data revealed the involvement of
      autophagy, apoptosis and necrosis in senescence of M. elata. The characterization
      and molecular mechanism of autophagy, apoptosis and necrosis need further study
      and the systematic study of morel aging will be beneficial for the healthy
      development of morel farming.

PMID- 26281757
TI  - Isolation and characterization of endochitinase and exochitinase of Setaria
      cervi.
AB  - Chitin metabolism has been shown to have a role in the development of parasitic
      nematodes including filarial parasites and the enzymes associated with chitin
      metabolism have been considered as potential vaccine and drug target. Chitinases
      are members of the enzyme superfamily of glycoside hydrolases, which are
      characterized by the ability to hydrolyze glycosidic bonds in chitin chain by
      either an endolytic or an exolytic mechanism. In the present study, we have
      demonstrated the chitinase (exochitinase and endochitinase) activity in different
      stages of Setaria cervi (bovine filarial parasite) and have also purified and
      characterized the endochitinase from microfilarial stage of the parasite. The
      chitinase activity has been detected in adult and microfilarial stages of S.
      cervi using the fluorescent substrates. The S. cervi adult stage was found to
      have high activity of exochitinase (28.72+/-0.25 nmol/min/mg) while microfilarial
      stage showed high activity of endochitinase (24.40+/-0.25 nmol/min/mg). Native
      polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, followed by staining of enzyme activity with
      fluorescent substrates, revealed single isoenzymic form of exochitinase in adults
      and endochitinase in microfilariae of S. cervi. The endochitinase from S. cervi
      microfilariae was purified employing chitin affinity matrix and DEAE-Sephacel ion
      exchange chromatography. The enzyme was purified about 55 fold with an enzyme
      recovery of 22.33%. The purified enzyme exhibited a doublet of protein bands on
      SDS-PAGE at 65-70 kDa. The closantel (chitinase inhibitor) strongly inhibited the
      enzyme activity of S. cervi microfilariae endochitinase with a Ki value of 4.3+/
      0.18 MUM.

PMID- 26281758
TI  - Quality of life impact related to foot health in a sample of sea workers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: People working at sea show a marked presence of musculoskeletal pain
      as well as an important coexistence of pain in diverse anatomical regions, which
      is believed to have a harmful effect on the quality of life related to foot
      health. The aim is to describe and compare the impact in a sample of sea workers
      and people who work on the ground in the light of the scores obtained with regard
      foot health and health in general. METHODS: A sample of 94 participants of a mean
      age of 41.29 +/- 10.603 came to a health centre where self-reported data were
      registered, informants' professional activity was determined and the scores
      obtained were compared in the Foot Health Status Questionnaire. RESULTS: The sea
      workers group showed a worse quality of life related to health in general and to
      foot health specifically. Differences between the two groups were evaluated by
      means of a t-test for independent samples, showing statistical significance (P <
      0.05) for the dimensions of pain and general health related to the foot.
      CONCLUSIONS: People working at sea present a negative impact on the quality of
      life related to foot health, which appears to be associated with the presence of
      deformities, sprains, plantar warts and fungus.

PMID- 26281759
TI  - Head west or left, east or right: interactions between memory systems in
      neurocognitive aging.
AB  - Cognitive aging is accompanied by decline in multiple domains of memory. Here, we
      developed a T-maze task that required rats to learn competing hippocampal, and
      striatal navigation strategies in succession, across days. A final session
      increased demands on cognitive flexibility and required within-day switching
      between strategies, emphasizing capacities that engage the prefrontal cortex.
      Background characterization in young and aged rats used a water maze protocol
      optimized for individual differences in hippocampal integrity. Consistent with
      earlier work, young adults acquired place strategies in the T-maze faster than
      response, whereas the opposite was observed in aged rats with impaired spatial
      memory. The novel result was that aged animals with preserved spatial memory
      displayed a qualitatively distinct pattern, acquiring place and response
      strategies equally rapidly, without disruption when switching between them.
      Subsequent in situ hybridization for the plasticity-related immediate-early gene
      Arc revealed that while increasing demands on cognitive flexibility and within
      day strategy switching potently engaged the prefrontal cortex in young adult and
      aged-impaired rats, Arc expression was insensitive in aged rats with normal
      spatial memory and superior switching abilities. Together, the results indicate
      that cognitive aging is an emergent property of the interactions between memory
      systems, and that successful cognitive outcomes reflect a distinct neuroadaptive
      process rather than a slower rate of aging. 

PMID- 26281761
TI  - Comparison of global inventories of CO2 emissions from biomass burning during
      2002-2011 derived from multiple satellite products.
AB  - This study compared five widely used globally gridded biomass burning emissions
      inventories for the 2002-2011 period (Global Fire Emissions Database 3 (GFED3),
      Global Fire Emissions Database 4 (GFED4), Global Fire Assimilation System 1.0
      (GFAS1.0), Fire INventory from NCAR 1.0 (FINN1.0) and Global Inventory for
      Chemistry-Climate studies-GFED4 (G-G)). Average annual CO2 emissions range from
      6521.3 to 9661.5 Tg year(-1) for five inventories, with extensive amounts in
      Africa, South America and Southeast Asia. Coefficient of Variation for Southern
      America, Northern and Southern Africa are 30%, 39% and 48%. Globally, the
      majority of CO2 emissions are released from savanna burnings, followed by forest
      and cropland burnings. The largest differences among the five inventories are
      mainly attributable to the overestimation of CO2 emissions by FINN1.0 in
      Southeast Asia savanna and cropland burning, and underestimation in Southern
      Africa savanna and Amazon forest burning. The overestimation in Africa by G-G
      also contributes to the differences. 

PMID- 26281760
TI  - The role of conduct disorder in the relationship between alcohol, nicotine and
      cannabis use disorders.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Genetic influences contribute significantly to co-morbidity between
      conduct disorder and substance use disorders. Estimating the extent of overlap
      can assist in the development of phenotypes for genomic analyses. METHOD:
      Multivariate quantitative genetic analyses were conducted using data from 9577
      individuals, including 3982 complete twin pairs and 1613 individuals whose co
      twin was not interviewed (aged 24-37 years) from two Australian twin samples.
      Analyses examined the genetic correlation between alcohol dependence, nicotine
      dependence and cannabis abuse/dependence and the extent to which the correlations
      were attributable to genetic influences shared with conduct disorder. RESULTS:
      Additive genetic (a(2) = 0.48-0.65) and non-shared environmental factors
      explained variance in substance use disorders. Familial effects on conduct
      disorder were due to additive genetic (a(2) = 0.39) and shared environmental
      (c(2) = 0.15) factors. All substance use disorders were influenced by shared
      genetic factors (rg = 0.38-0.56), with all genetic overlap between substances
      attributable to genetic influences shared with conduct disorder. Genes
      influencing individual substance use disorders were also significant, explaining
      40-73% of the genetic variance per substance. CONCLUSIONS: Among substance users
      in this sample, the well-documented clinical co-morbidity between conduct
      disorder and substance use disorders is primarily attributable to shared genetic
      liability. Interventions targeted at generally reducing deviant behaviors may
      address the risk posed by this shared genetic liability. However, there is also
      evidence for genetic and environmental influences specific to each substance. The
      identification of these substance-specific risk factors (as well as potential
      protective factors) is critical to the future development of targeted treatment
      protocols.

PMID- 26281762
TI  - Effect of biochar aging on surface characteristics and adsorption behavior of
      dialkyl phthalates.
AB  - The implications of biochar aging regarding their material properties as well as
      their interactions with other contaminants are not vivid. We report the role of
      biochar aging on sorption behavior of di-alkyl phthalates (PAEs). Biochars used
      in this study were produced from peanut-shell and their aging was simulated by
      chemical oxidation. The structural composition and morphology of the obtained
      biochars, before and after oxidation with HNO3/H2SO4, were analyzed by element
      composition, XPS, DRIFT, and SEM/EDX. Several experimental results unequivocally
      showed oxygen enrichment in the mixed acid treated samples compared to their
      precursors. Despite surface area reduction and pore destruction, increased PAEs
      sorption on oxidized biochar surfaces portrayed existence of strong PAEs binding
      sites. The adsorption of PAEs on oxidized biochar surface is a cumulative
      influence of hydrophobic interactions and pi-pi electron donor-acceptor
      interactions. Our results suggest that imminent aging of biochar upon
      environmental exposure may change their sorbent properties. 

PMID- 26281763
TI  - Methylated derivatives of myricetin enhance life span in Caenorhabditis elegans
      dependent on the transcription factor DAF-16.
AB  - Only certain flavonoids have been shown to enhance life span. This was pointed
      out for e.g. myricetin in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. However, the
      structural requirements responsible for this effect are not known. We used
      methylated derivatives of myricetin (laricitrin, syringetin,
      myricetintrimethylether) to investigate if free OH moieties in the B-ring are
      necessary for the life span extending effect. In analogy to myricetin, all
      derivatives increased the life span, decreased oxidative stress (DCF) and
      decreased the accumulation of lipofuscin. In contrast to myricetin, the
      methylated compounds strongly enhanced the resistance against thermal stress.
      Furthermore, treatment with the derivatives induced a much stronger nuclear
      localization of the DAF-16 transcription factor (FoxO homologue). Additionally,
      no antioxidant effects and only minor effects on life span prolongation and
      stress resistance were detectable for the methylated compounds in a DAF-16
      deficient nematode strain. Comparable to the dietary flavonoid myricetin, the
      methylated myricetin derivatives laricitrin, syringetin and
      myricetintrimethylether strongly enhance the life span of C. elegans. Therefore,
      OH groups of ring B are not necessary for this effect. Only the methylated
      compounds increase the stress resistance of the nematode which was dependent on
      DAF-16. These findings suggest that methylation of myricetin increases the
      biofunctionality. 

PMID- 26281764
TI  - J.B.S. Haldane as I knew him, with a brief account of his contribution to
      mutation research.
AB  - J.B.S. Haldane made important contributions to several sciences although he did
      not possess an academic qualification in any branch of science. A classical
      scholar, who grew up in a scientific household in Oxford, Haldane was taught the
      principles of scientific experimentation from his childhood by his father, the
      distinguished physiologist John Scott Haldane. Collaborating with his father,
      Haldane contributed to respiratory physiology but soon switched to genetics,
      especially population genetics. He investigated mathematically the dynamics of
      selection - mutation balance in populations - concluding that it is mutation that
      determines the course of evolution. Besides genetics, Haldane was noted for his
      important contributions to enzyme kinetics, origin of life, biometry,
      cybernetics, cosmology and deep sea diving, among others.

PMID- 26281765
TI  - Engineered mutations in fibrillin-1 leading to Marfan syndrome act at the
      protein, cellular and organismal levels.
AB  - Fibrillins are the major components of microfibrils in the extracellular matrix
      of elastic and non-elastic tissues. They are multi-domain proteins, containing
      primarily calcium binding epidermal growth factor-like (cbEGF) domains and 8
      cysteine/transforming growth factor-beta binding protein-like (TB) domains.
      Mutations in the fibrillin-1 gene give rise to Marfan syndrome, a connective
      tissue disorder with clinical complications in the cardiovascular, skeletal,
      ocular and other organ systems. Here, we review the consequences of engineered
      Marfan syndrome mutations in fibrillin-1 at the protein, cellular and organismal
      levels. Representative point mutations associated with Marfan syndrome in
      affected individuals have been introduced and analyzed in recombinant fibrillin-1
      fragments. Those mutations affect fibrillin-1 on a structural and functional
      level. Mutations which impair folding of cbEGF domains can affect protein
      trafficking. Protein folding disrupted by some mutations can lead to defective
      secretion in mutant fibrillin-1 fragments, whereas fragments with other Marfan
      mutations are secreted normally. Many Marfan mutations render fibrillin-1 more
      susceptible to proteolysis. There is also evidence that some mutations affect
      heparin binding. Few mutations have been further analyzed in mouse models. An
      extensively studied mouse model of Marfan syndrome expresses mouse fibrillin-1
      with a missense mutation (p.C1039G). The mice display similar characteristics to
      human patients with Marfan syndrome. Overall, the analyses of engineered
      mutations leading to Marfan syndrome provide important insights into the
      pathogenic molecular mechanisms exerted by mutated fibrillin-1.

PMID- 26281767
TI  - Conditional mutations in Drosophila melanogaster: On the occasion of the 150th
      anniversary of G. Mendel's report in Brunn.
AB  - The basis for modern genetics was laid by Gregor Mendel. He proposed that traits
      belonging to the intraspecific variability class be studied. However, individuals
      of one species possess traits of another class. They are related to intraspecific
      similarity. Individuals never differ from each other in these traits. By analogy
      with traits varying within a species and determined by genes, it is conjectured
      that intraspecific similarity is determined by genes, too. If so, mutations in
      these genes can be obtained. This paper provides a review of works published in
      2000-2014 that: (1) propose breeding methods for detection of mutations in
      Drosophila melanogaster genes that lead intraspecific similarity; these mutations
      were called conditional; (2) describe collections of conditional mutations in
      chromosomes X, 2, and 3 of Drosophila; (3) show unusual features of epigenetic
      nature in the mutants; and (4) analyze these features of the mutants. Based on
      the peculiarities of manifestation it is supposed that the recognized conditional
      mutations occur in genes responsible for intraspecific similarity. The genes
      presumably belong to the so-called regulatory network of the Drosophila genome.
      This approach expands the scope of breeding analysis introduced by G. Mendel for
      heredity studies 150 years ago.

PMID- 26281768
TI  - Theoretical considerations for thresholds in chemical carcinogenesis.
AB  - There is increasing evidence for non-linear relationships for gene mutations,
      chromosomal aberrations and even tumor incidences in response to low doses of
      genotoxic carcinogens. To attain the biological relevance of such non-linear
      responses, there is a need to identify the underlying defense mechanisms that
      allow tolerance to low doses of genotoxicants. This communication discusses
      presumptive cancer prevention mechanisms that may contribute to thresholds, i.e.
      points of departure, for each endpoint, from initial DNA lesion to tumor
      formation. We discuss a sequential order of genome protection during
      carcinogenesis where genotoxicant scavenging, cellular efflux, DNA repair,
      elimination of damaged cells by apoptosis, autophagy, silencing by DNA damage
      triggered replicative senescence, and finally, elimination of transformed
      (premalignant) cells by the immune system are thought to be responsible for a
      threshold in tumor formation. We highlight DNA repair, for which experimental
      evidence has been recently provided to dictate a role in PoDs. In conclusion,
      from a theoretical perspective it is reasonable to posit that tolerance to low
      dose levels exists for each requisite step of tumor formation and these tolerance
      mechanisms are critical in determining thresholds in chemical carcinogenesis.

PMID- 26281769
TI  - Supramolecular fluorescence enhancement via coordination-driven self-assembly in
      bis-picolylcalixarene blue-emitting M2L2Xn macrocycles.
AB  - The lower-rim functionalised distal bis-(4-picolyl)-p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene ()
      selectively and quantitatively self-assembles into a series of discrete [2 + 2]
      blue-emitting metallacycles of general formula M2L2Xn with diverse metal salts (M
      = Zn(2+), Pd(2+), Ag(+), and Cd(2+); X = Cl(-), NO3(-), ClO4(-), BF4(-) , CF3SO3(
      ), PF6(-), SbF6(-); n = 2, 4). Macrocycle assembly has been corroborated by 2D
      DOSY NMR and ESI-MS analyses, which further indicate that the M2L2Xn entities are
      quite stable and persist as robust and discrete macrocyclic species in solution.
      While free units display modest blue emission (lambdamax = 307-405 nm), self
      assembly of M2L2Xn results in amplified fluorescence (up to 13-fold). This
      remarkable enhancement may be primarily ascribed to the increase in
      conformational rigidity imposed on the units by supramolecular assembly formation
      upon metal coordination to the pyridyl groups; in addition, subtle intensity
      emission modulation may be provided by the different metal components. Titrations
      aimed at exploring the possibilities for ratiometric detection of metal cations
      or sensing of nitroaromatic species, revealed that the M2L2Xn platform may be a
      suitable "turn-on/off" system. Our results provide valuable insights into
      luminescence enhancement within the context of coordination-driven assemblies,
      which may be engineered to increase their fluorescence by imposing rigidity on
      the chromophores. 

PMID- 26281770
TI  - Treatment with the combination of ibandronate plus eldecalcitol has a synergistic
      effect on inhibition of bone resorption without suppressing bone formation in
      ovariectomized rats.
AB  - Bisphosphonates are widely used in the treatment of osteoporosis and contribute
      to the reduction of bone fractures. Ibandronate (IBN) is a highly potent,
      nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate, which is administered orally or intravenously
      at extended dosing intervals. Vitamin D or active vitamin D3 derivatives are also
      used in the treatment of osteoporosis, and are often used in combination with
      other drugs. In this study, we investigated the effect of treatment with the
      combination of once-monthly s.c. dosing of IBN plus once-daily oral eldecalcitol
      (ELD), an active vitamin D3 derivative, using aged ovariectomized (OVX) rats.
      Treatment was started the day after OVX, and analyses were performed 4, 8, and 12
      weeks thereafter by determination of bone markers, bone mineral density,
      biomechanical properties, and histomorphometry. The combination treatment showed
      a synergistic effect in increasing both lumbar and femoral BMD, and resulted in a
      significant increase in bone ultimate load. The combination of IBN plus ELD acted
      synergistically to reduce bone resorption, whereas bone formation did not
      decrease any more than with monotherapy with either IBN or ELD. Bone formation
      independent of bone resorption (a process known as 'minimodeling') was not
      changed in vehicle treated OVX rats despite the increase in bone turnover. ELD
      upregulated minimodeling, which was however not diminished in the combination
      treatment. In conclusion, treatment with the combination of IBN plus ELD was
      beneficial in the treatment of osteoporosis in aged OVX rats. It exhibited a
      synergistic inhibitory effect on bone resorption and keeps bone formation at the
      level of sham controls. This uncoupling of bone resorption/bone formation was
      affected, to some extent, by minimodeling-based bone formation which is
      independent of bone resorption. This combination regimen which showed synergistic
      effect on BMD and bone ultimate load without inhibition of bone formation may be
      beneficial in long-term osteoporosis treatment to prevent bone fractures.

PMID- 26281766
TI  - Response of transposable elements to environmental stressors.
AB  - Transposable elements (TEs) comprise a group of repetitive sequences that bring
      positive, negative, as well as neutral effects to the host organism. Earlier
      considered as "junk DNA," TEs are now well-accepted driving forces of evolution
      and critical regulators of the expression of genetic information. Their activity
      is regulated by epigenetic mechanisms, including methylation of DNA and histone
      modifications. The loss of epigenetic control over TEs, exhibited as loss of DNA
      methylation and decondensation of the chromatin structure, may result in TEs
      reactivation, initiation of their insertional mutagenesis (retrotransposition)
      and has been reported in numerous human diseases, including cancer. Accumulating
      evidence suggests that these alterations are not the simple consequences of the
      disease, but often may drive the pathogenesis, as they can be detected early
      during disease development. Knowledge derived from the in vitro, in vivo, and
      epidemiological studies, clearly demonstrates that exposure to ubiquitous
      environmental stressors, many of which are carcinogens or suspected carcinogens,
      are capable of causing alterations in methylation and expression of TEs and
      initiate retrotransposition events. Evidence summarized in this review suggests
      that TEs are the sensitive endpoints for detection of effects caused by such
      environmental stressors, as ionizing radiation (terrestrial, space, and UV
      radiation), air pollution (including particulate matter [PM]-derived and
      gaseous), persistent organic pollutants, and metals. Furthermore, the
      significance of these effects is characterized by their early appearance,
      persistence and presence in both, target organs and peripheral blood. Altogether,
      these findings suggest that TEs may potentially be introduced into safety and
      risk assessment and serve as biomarkers of exposure to environmental stressors.
      Furthermore, TEs also show significant potential to become invaluable surrogate
      biomarkers in clinic and possible targets for therapeutic modalities for disease
      treatment and prevention.

PMID- 26281771
TI  - Analysis of 17 neurotransmitters, metabolites and precursors in zebrafish through
      the life cycle using ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass
      spectrometry.
AB  - An ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method
      for the identification and quantification of neurotransmitters, metabolites and
      precursors at different stages in zebrafish life was developed. Betaine,
      glutamine, glutamic acid, gamma-aminobutyric acid, phosphocholine,
      glycerophosphocholine, cytidine 5'-diphosphocholine, choline, acetylcholine,
      dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, tyrosine, epinephrine, tryptophan, 5
      hydroxyindolacetic acid and agmatine were selected as analytes. The method
      consisted of a simple deproteinization of samples using methanol and formic acid,
      subsequent injection onto the chromatographic equipment and quantification with a
      triple quadrupole mass spectrometer detector using an electrospray ionization
      interface in positive mode. Limits of detection ranged from 0.02 to 11ngmL(-1)
      and limits of quantification from 0.1 to 38ngmL(-1), depending on the analyte.
      The method was validated according to US Food and Drugs Administration (FDA)
      guideline for bioanalytical assays. Precision, expressed as relative standard
      deviation (%RSD), was lower than 15% in all cases, and the determination
      coefficient (R(2)) was equal or higher than 99.0% with a residual deviation for
      each calibration point lower than +/-25%. Mean recoveries were between 85% and
      115%. The method was applied to determine of these compounds in zebrafish from
      early stages of development to adulthood and showed the time-course of
      neurotransmitters and others neurocompounds through the life cycle. The
      possibility of measuring up to 17 compounds related with the main
      neurotransmitter systems in a simple analytical method will complement and
      reinforce the use of zebrafish in multiple applications in the field of
      neurosciences. The proposed method will facilitate future studies related with
      brain development. 

PMID- 26281773
TI  - Liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method for simultaneous
      quantification of eight endogenous nucleotides and the intracellular gemcitabine
      metabolite dFdCTP in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.
AB  - Quantification of endogenous nucleotides is of interest for investigation of
      numerous cellular biochemical processes, such as energy metabolism and signal
      transduction, and may also be applied in cancer and antiretroviral therapies in
      which nucleoside analogues are used. For these purposes we developed and
      validated a sensitive and high accuracy ion-pair liquid chromatography tandem
      mass spectrometry (IP LC-MS/MS) method for simultaneous quantification of eight
      endogenous nucleotides (ATP, CTP, GTP, UTP, dATP, dCTP, dGTP, dTTP) and 2',2'
      difluoro-2'-deoxycytidine triphosphate (dFdCTP), an intracellular metabolite of
      the nucleoside analogue gemcitabine. The assay was validated using 200MUL
      aliquots of peripheral blood mononuclear cell (20*10(6)cells/ml, 4*10(6)cells)
      extracts, pretreated with activated charcoal and spiked with unlabeled
      nucleotides, deoxynucleotides and dFdCTP. Analytes were extracted by simple
      precipitation with cold 60% methanol containing isotope labeled internal
      standards and separated on a porous graphitic carbon column. For method
      validation, the concentration ranges were: 0.125-20.8pmol injected for
      deoxynucleotides, 0.25-312.5pmol injected for dFdCTP and 5-3200pmol injected for
      nucleotides. The highest coefficients of variation (CV) were 12.1% for within run
      assay and 11.4% for between run assay, both representing the precision at the
      lowest analyte concentrations. The method was applied to monitor dFdCTP and
      changes in endogenous nucleotides in patients who were receiving gemcitabine
      infusions. 

PMID- 26281772
TI  - Quantitation of celecoxib and four of its metabolites in rat blood by UPLC-MS/MS
      clarifies their blood distribution patterns and provides more accurate
      pharmacokinetics profiles.
AB  - A sensitive UPLC-MS/MS method was established and validated for the quantitation
      of celecoxib and its metabolites in rat blood. The analytes were extracted from
      rat blood samples by a salting-out liquid-liquid extraction method followed by
      the UPLC chromatography. The mass analysis of effluent was performed on an API
      5500 Qtrap mass spectrometer via multiple reactions monitoring (MRM). The linear
      response ranges were 0.3-20000nM for celecoxib, and 1.2-20000nM, 0.3-20000nM, 2.0
      2000nM, 1.5-6000nM for its metabolites carboxycelecoxib (M2), hydroxycelecoxib
      (M3), hydroxycelecoxib glucuronide (M1), and carboxycelecoxib glucuronide (M5),
      respectively. The inter-day and intra-day accuracies were within 85-115%, and the
      inter-day and intra-day precision were acceptable (<12%) for all analytes.
      Recoveries were above 70% and no obvious matrix effects were observed. The
      validated UPLC-MS/MS method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetics study
      of oral celecoxib (20mg/kg) in Sprague-Dawley rats, and the rat blood
      concentrations (0-48h) of celecoxib and two of its metabolites M2 and M3 were
      successfully determined. Using the same method, we also showed preferential
      distributions of celecoxib, M2 and M3 in the blood cells as compared to the
      plasma. In conclusion, our results showed that our validated LC-MS/MS method can
      be successfully used for the pharmacokinetic studies of celecoxib and that the
      blood cells are a very important compartment for this drug such that profiles of
      celecoxib and its metabolites in whole blood will be more comprehensive and
      accurate representation of their profiles in vivo than the plasma. 

PMID- 26281774
TI  - Increase of chromium tolerance in Scenedesmus acutus after sulfur starvation:
      Chromium uptake and compartmentalization in two strains with different
      sensitivities to Cr(VI).
AB  - In photosynthetic organisms sulfate constitutes the main sulfur source for the
      biosynthesis of GSH and its precursor Cys. Hence, sulfur availability can
      modulate the capacity to cope with environmental stresses, a phenomenon known as
      SIR/SED (Sulfur Induced Resistance or Sulfur Enhanced Defence). Since chromate
      may compete for sulfate transport into the cells, in this study chromium
      accumulation and tolerance were investigated in relation to sulfur availability
      in two strains of the unicellular green alga Scenedesmus acutus with different Cr
      sensitivities. Paradoxically, sulfur deprivation has been demonstrated to induce
      a transient increase of Cr-tolerance in both strains. Sulfur deprivation is known
      to enhance the sulfate uptake/assimilation pathway leading to important
      consequences on Cr-tolerance: (i) reduced chromate uptake due to the induction of
      high affinity sulfate transporters (ii) higher production of cysteine and GSH
      which can play a role both through the formation of unsoluble complexes and their
      sequestration in inert compartments. To investigate the role of the above
      mentioned mechanisms, Cr accumulation in total cells and in different cell
      compartments (cell wall, membranes, soluble and miscellaneous fractions) was
      analyzed in both sulfur-starved and unstarved cells. Both strains mainly
      accumulated chromium in the soluble fraction, but the uptake was higher in the
      wild-type. In this type a short period of sulfur starvation before Cr(VI)
      treatment lowered chromium accumulation to the level observed in the unstarved Cr
      tolerant strain, in which Cr uptake seems instead less influenced by S
      starvation, since no significant decrease was observed. The increase in Cr
      tolerance following S-starvation seems thus to rely on different mechanisms in
      the two strains, suggesting the induction of a mechanism constitutively active in
      the Cr-tolerant strain, maybe a high affinity sulfate transporter also in the
      wild-type. Changes observed in the cell wall and membrane fractions suggest a
      strong involvement of these compartments in Cr-tolerance increase following S
      starvation. 

PMID- 26281775
TI  - Is chemosensitisation by environmental pollutants ecotoxicologically relevant?
AB  - The active cellular efflux of toxicants is an efficient biological defense mode
      present in all organisms. By blocking this so-called multixenobiotic resistance
      transport-a process also referred to as chemosensitisation-, cellular
      bioaccumulation and the sensitivity of organisms towards environmental pollutants
      can increase. So far, a wide range of compounds, including pesticides,
      pharmaceuticals, fragrances, and surfactants, have been identified as
      chemosensitisers. Although, significant on a cellular level, the environmental
      impact of chemosensitisation on the organism level is not yet understood.
      Critically evaluating existing data, this paper identifies research needs to
      support our tentative conclusion that chemosensitisation may well enhance the
      risks of chemical exposure to aquatic organisms. Our conclusion is based on
      studies investigating the impact of individual chemicals and complex
      environmental mixtures on aquatic wildlife and a chemosensitiser mixture toxicity
      model which, however, is subject to great uncertainty due to substantial
      knowledge gaps. Those uncertainties include the inconsistent reporting of effect
      data, the lack of representative environmental contaminants tested for
      chemosensitisation, and the publishing of highly unreliable nominal exposure
      concentrations. In order to confirm the tentative conclusion of this paper, we
      require the significant and systematic investigation of a broader set of
      chemicals and environmental samples with a harmonised set of bioassays and
      rigorously controlled freely dissolved effect concentrations. 

PMID- 26281776
TI  - Unilateral linear papulosquamous rash in a healthy young man.

PMID- 26281777
TI  - Towards destination therapy with left ventricular assist devices in Japan.

PMID- 26281778
TI  - Commentary: A Quest for a Novel Peripheral Biomarker for Narcolepsy.

PMID- 26281779
TI  - The puzzling character of repetitive DNA in Phodopus genomes (Cricetidae,
      Rodentia).
AB  - Three novel repetitive DNA sequences are described, presenting a similar
      heterochromatic chromosomal location in two hamster species: Phodopus roborovskii
      and Phodopus sungorus (Cricetidae, Rodentia). Namely, two species-specific
      repetitive sequences (PROsat from P. roborovskii and PSUchr1sat from P. sungorus)
      surrounding a third one (PsatDNA), that is shared by both hamster genomes. Fiber
      FISH analyses revealed that PROsat intermingles with PsatDNA in P. roborovskii
      and PSUchr1sat intermingles with PsatDNA in P. sungorus. A model explaining the
      evolution of this intricate chromosomal distribution is proposed, which can
      explain better the evolution of these very derivative genomes (in comparison to
      the ancestral Muroidea). The most plausible evolutionary scenario seems to be the
      expansion of a number of repeats into other's domain, most probably resulting in
      its intermingling, followed by the subsequent spread of these complex repeats
      from a single chromosomal location to other chromosomes. Evidences of an
      association between repetitive sequences and the chromosome evolution process
      were observed, namely for PROsat. Most probably, the evolutionary breakpoints
      that shaped PRO and PSU chromosomes (pericentric inversions and fusions) occurred
      within the boundaries of PROsat blocks in the ancestor. The repeats high
      diversity at the heterochromatic regions of Phodopus chromosomes, together with
      its complex organization, suggests that these species are important models for
      evolutionary studies, namely in the investigation of a possible relationship
      between repetitive sequences and the occurrence of chromosomal rearrangements and
      consequently, in genome evolution. 

PMID- 26281780
TI  - Epigenetics: Chromatin reorganization on a 'mega' scale.

PMID- 26281784
TI  - The dynamics of mitochondrial DNA heteroplasmy: implications for human health and
      disease.
AB  - Common genetic variants of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) increase the risk of
      developing several of the major health issues facing the western world, including
      neurodegenerative diseases. In this Review, we consider how these mtDNA variants
      arose and how they spread from their origin on one single molecule in a single
      cell to be present at high levels throughout a specific organ and, ultimately, to
      contribute to the population risk of common age-related disorders. mtDNA persists
      in all aerobic eukaryotes, despite a high substitution rate, clonal propagation
      and little evidence of recombination. Recent studies have found that de novo
      mtDNA mutations are suppressed in the female germ line; despite this, mtDNA
      heteroplasmy is remarkably common. The demonstration of a mammalian mtDNA genetic
      bottleneck explains how new germline variants can increase to high levels within
      a generation, and the ultimate fixation of less-severe mutations that escape
      germline selection explains how they can contribute to the risk of late-onset
      disorders.

PMID- 26281785
TI  - Knocking down disease: a progress report on siRNA therapeutics.
AB  - Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), which downregulate gene expression guided by
      sequence complementarity, can be used therapeutically to block the synthesis of
      disease-causing proteins. The main obstacle to siRNA drugs - their delivery into
      the target cell cytosol - has been overcome to allow suppression of liver gene
      expression. Here, we review the results of recent clinical trials of siRNA
      therapeutics, which show efficient and durable gene knockdown in the liver, with
      signs of promising clinical outcomes and little toxicity. We also discuss the
      barriers to more widespread applications that target tissues besides the liver
      and the most promising avenues to overcome them. 

PMID- 26281786
TI  - S argassum muticum-synthesized silver nanoparticles: an effective control tool
      against mosquito vectors and bacterial pathogens.
AB  - Mosquito-borne diseases represent a deadly threat for millions of people
      worldwide. Furthermore, pathogens and parasites polluting water also constitute a
      severe plague for populations of developing countries. In this research, silver
      nanoparticles (AgNP) were synthesized using the aqueous extract of the seaweed
      Sargassum muticum. The production of AgNP was confirmed by surface plasmon
      resonance band illustrated in UV-vis spectrophotometry. AgNP were characterized
      by FTIR, SEM, EDX, and XRD analyses. AgNP were mostly spherical in shape,
      crystalline in nature, with face-centered cubic geometry, and mean size was 43-79
      nm. Toxicity of AgNP was assessed against Aedes aegypti, Anopheles stephensi, and
      Culex quinquefasciatus. In laboratory, AgNP were highly toxic against larvae and
      pupae of the three mosquito species. Maximum efficacy was observed against A.
      stephensi larvae, with LC50 ranging from 16.156 ppm (larva I) to 28.881 ppm
      (pupa). In the field, a single treatment with AgNP (10 * LC50) in water storage
      reservoirs was effective against the three mosquito vectors, allowing complete
      elimination of larval populations after 72 h. In ovicidal experiments, egg
      hatchability was reduced by 100% after treatment with 30 ppm of AgNP.
      Ovideterrence assays highlighted that 10 ppm of AgNP reduced oviposition rates of
      more than 70% in A. aegypti, A. stephensi, and C. quinquefasciatus (OAI = -0.61, 
      0.63, and -0.58, respectively). Antibacterial properties of AgNP were evaluated
      against Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Salmonella typhi using the
      agar disk diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration protocol. AgNP tested at
      50 ppm evoked growth inhibition zones larger than 5 mm in all tested bacteria.
      Overall, the chance to use S. muticum-synthesized AgNP for control of mosquito
      vectors seems promising since they are effective at low doses and may constitute
      an advantageous alternative to build newer and safer mosquito control tools. This
      is the first report about ovicidal activity of metal nanoparticles against
      mosquito vectors.

PMID- 26281787
TI  - Pneumocystis jirovecii--from a commensal to pathogen: clinical and diagnostic
      review.
AB  - Pneumocystis pneumonia is an opportunistic disease caused by invasion of
      unicellular fungus Pneumocystis jirovecii. Initially, it was responsible for
      majority of morbidity and mortality cases among HIV-infected patients, which
      later have been reduced due to the introduction of anti-retroviral therapy, as
      well as anti-Pneumocystis prophylaxis among these patients. Pneumocystis
      pneumonia, however, is still a significant cause of mortality among HIV-negative
      patients being under immunosuppression caused by different factors, such as
      transplant recipients as well as oncologically treated ones. The issue of
      pneumocystosis among these people is particularly emphasized in the article,
      since rapid onset and fast progression of severe symptoms result in high
      mortality rate among these patients, who thereby represent the group of highest
      risk of developing Pneumocystis pneumonia. In contrast, fungal invasion in
      immunocompetent people usually leads to asymptomatic colonization, which frequent
      incidence among healthy infants has even suggested the possibility of its
      association with sudden unexpected infant death syndrome. In the face of emerging
      strains with different epidemiological profiles resulting from genetic diversity,
      including drug-resistant genotypes, the colonization phenomenon desires
      particular attention, discussed in this article. We also summarize specific and
      sensitive methods, required for detection of Pneumocystis invasion and for
      distinguish colonization from the disease. 

PMID- 26281788
TI  - Reproductive Patterns in the Non-Breeding Season in Asinina de Miranda Jennies.
AB  - This study aims to characterize the reproductive patterns in Asinina de Miranda
      jennies during the non-breeding season. Reproductive activity was surveyed in 12
      females, aged between 3 and 18 years old, using ultrasound and teasing with a
      jack. The animals were monitored from September to April, six in each consecutive
      year. Of these 12 females, nine showed disruption to the normal pattern of
      ovarian activity during the non-breeding season. Loss of normal cyclicity
      included anoestrus (41.7%), silent ovulatory oestrus (25%), and persistence of
      corpus luteum (8.3%). Only three females maintained a regular cyclic pattern with
      oestrous behaviour during the non-breeding season. Anoestrus began in early
      November and lasted for an average of 147 +/- 28 days (113-191 days), ending near
      to the spring equinox. Onset of silent oestrous cycles began more erratically,
      between October and February. In both groups the first behavioural ovulation of
      the year occurred around the time of the spring equinox. Disrupted reproductive
      activity was preceded by a shorter oestrous cycle only in females entering
      anoestrus. The mean follicle size in the first ovulation of the year was larger
      than in the reproductive season (44.7 +/- 2.45 mm vs 39.2 +/- 3.60 mm) in
      anoestrous jennies with protracted oestrus. Though age and body condition score
      (BCS) were associated, changes in BCS below a threshold of four points (for
      anoestrus) and five points (for silent oestrus) contributed greatly to disruption
      of reproductive cycles. BCS in females with regular oestrous cycles during the
      winter season remained unchanged or exceeded five points prior to the winter
      solstice.

PMID- 26281789
TI  - Highlights of the Faraday Discussion on Nanoparticle Synthesis and Assembly,
      Argonne, USA, April 2015.

PMID- 26281791
TI  - Verrucous lesions arising in lymphedema and diabetic neuropathy: Elephantiasis
      nostras verrucosa or verrucous skin lesions on the feet of patients with diabetic
      neuropathy?
AB  - Verrucous skin lesions on the feet in diabetic neuropathy (VSLDN) develop in
      areas with sensory loss in diabetic patients. Although various types of chronic
      stimulation, such as pressure or friction, are considered an important factor in
      the development of such lesions, the precise pathogenesis of VSLDN remains
      obscure, and there is currently no established treatment for this disease. Here,
      we present a case of VSLDN on the dorsum of the right foot. However, because
      lymphedema was also observed at the same site, this lesion could also be
      diagnosed as elephantiasis nostras verrucosa arising in diabetic neuropathy. The
      lesion was successfully treated with a combination of elastic stocking and mixed
      killed bacterial suspension and hydrocortisone ointment, which suggested that
      VSLDN might have been exacerbated by the pre-existing lymphedema. Because various
      types of chronic stimulation can trigger VSLDN, treatment plans should be devised
      on a case-by-case basis. Therefore, it is important to investigate the presence
      of factors that can induce or exacerbate chronic inflammatory stimulation, such
      as lymphedema in our case, in each patient with VSLDN.

PMID- 26281792
TI  - Reducing eating disorder risk factors: A pilot effectiveness trial of a train-the
      trainer approach to dissemination and implementation.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Impediments limit dissemination and implementation of evidence-based
      interventions (EBIs), including lack of sufficient training. One strategy to
      increase implementation of EBIs is the train-the-trainer (TTT) model. The Body
      Project is a peer-led body image program that reduces eating disorder (ED) risk
      factors. This study examined the effectiveness of a TTT model at reducing risk
      factors in Body Project participants. Specifically, this study examined whether a
      master trainer could train a novice trainer to train undergraduate peer leaders
      to administer the Body Project such that individuals who received the Body
      Project (i.e., participants) would evidence comparable outcomes to previous
      trials. We hypothesized that participants would evidence reductions in ED risk
      factors, with effect sizes similar to previous trials. METHOD: Utilizing a TTT
      model, a master trainer trained a novice trainer to train undergraduate peer
      leaders to administer the Body Project to undergraduate women. Undergraduate
      women aged 18 years or older who received the Body Project intervention
      participated in the trial and completed measures at baseline, post-treatment, and
      five-month follow-up. Primary outcomes included body dissatisfaction, thin ideal
      internalization, negative affect, and ED pathology. RESULTS: Participants
      demonstrated significant reductions in thin ideal internalization, ED pathology
      and body dissatisfaction at post-treatment and 5-month follow-up. At 5 months,
      using three different strategies for managing missing data, effect sizes were
      larger or comparable to earlier trials for 3 out of 4 variables. DISCUSSION:
      Results support a TTT model for Body Project implementation and the importance of
      utilizing sensitivity analyses for longitudinal datasets with missing data.

PMID- 26281794
TI  - The risk of ureteric injury associated with hysterectomy: a 10-year retrospective
      cohort study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the rates of ureteric injury among women undergoing
      hysterectomy. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort. SETTING: English National Health
      Service hospitals. POPULATION: Women undergoing hysterectomy in 2001-2010.
      METHODS: Unadjusted rates of ureteric injury, within 1 year of hysterectomy,
      calculated by indication and type of procedure. Multivariable logistic regression
      used to assess the risk of ureteric injury with year of surgery. MAIN OUTCOME
      MEASURES: Ureteric injury within a year of the hysterectomy. RESULTS: In 2001
      2010, 377 073 women underwent hysterectomy, of whom 1792 (0.5%) experienced a
      ureteric injury. In both benign and malignant groups the rate of injury was
      higher in 2006-2010 than 2001-2005. After 2006, ureteric injuries were most
      common for abdominal radical hysterectomy for uterine cancer (10.7%; 95% CI 7.3
      15.1%). The proportion of women having a ureteric injury was similar for ovarian
      and cervical cancer (1.9-4.0% depending on type of procedure). For benign
      conditions, the rate of injury tended to be lower, typically <1%. Women with
      endometriosis had the highest risk among this group (1.7% following total
      abdominal hysterectomy; 95% CI 1.4-2.0%). CONCLUSION: The risk of ureteric injury
      within 1 year of hysterectomy varied by type of hysterectomy for benign and
      malignant conditions. The rates of injury have increased between 2001 and 2010.
      TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Ten-year study shows ureteric injury rates have increased.

PMID- 26281793
TI  - Structural basis for the neutralization of MERS-CoV by a human monoclonal
      antibody MERS-27.
AB  - The recently reported Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV)
      causes severe respiratory illness in humans with an approximately 30% mortality
      rate. The envelope spike glycoprotein on the surface of MERS-CoV mediates
      receptor binding, membrane fusion, and viral entry. We previously reported two
      human monoclonal antibodies that target the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the
      spike and exhibit strong neutralization activity against live and pesudotyped
      MERS-CoV infection. Here we determined the crystal structure of MERS-CoV RBD
      bound to the Fab fragment of MERS-27 antibody at 3.20 A resolution. The MERS-27
      epitope in the RBD overlaps with the binding site of the MERS-CoV receptor DPP4.
      Further biochemical, viral entry, and neutralization analyses identified two
      critical residues in the RBD for both MERS-27 recognition and DPP4 binding. One
      of the residues, Trp535, was found to function as an anchor residue at the
      binding interface with MERS-27. Upon receptor binding, Trp535 interacts with the
      N-linked carbohydrate moiety of DPP4. Thus, MERS-27 inhibits MERS-CoV infection
      by directly blocking both protein-protein and protein-carbohydrate interactions
      between MERS-CoV RBD and DPP4. These results shed light on the molecular basis of
      MERS-27 neutralization and will assist in the optimization of MERS-27 as a tool
      to combat MERS-CoV infection.

PMID- 26281795
TI  - The effects of reinforcement magnitude on skill acquisition for children with
      autism.
AB  - We examined the effects of reinforcement magnitude on skill acquisition during
      discrete-trial training. After conducting a magnitude preference assessment, we
      compared acquisition during conditions with large and small magnitudes of edible
      reinforcement to a praise-only condition. Although all participants showed a
      preference for the large-magnitude reinforcer, preference did not predict the
      magnitude that produced the fastest skill acquisition. 

PMID- 26281797
TI  - Rights and duties policy implementation in Chile: health-care professionals'
      perceptions.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the perceptions of health professionals in an integrated
      network of public provision of health services regarding the implementation of
      the Law on Rights and Duties of People in Chile. METHOD: Qualitative descriptive
      study. A stratified qualitative sample of 53 professionals from five low
      complexity centres and one from a high complexity centre, all part of the
      integrated network of health services in Valdivia, Los Rios Region, Chile, were
      selected according to the criteria of an overall saturation of the explored
      dimensions. The information was gathered through a semi-structured, in-depth
      interview carried out after signing the informed consent. Data were analysed
      using an inductive approach of content analysis. RESULTS: Three categories
      emerged from the interviews: conceptualization and knowledge, factors influencing
      the implementation and recommendations for strengthening the implementation, and
      seven subcategories. It was highlighted that health professionals in the health
      care network perceived difficulties in implementing the Law on rights and duties
      of patients. Among them were the lack of knowledge about the Law, poor exposure
      and a lack of resources for its implementation. They suggested adapting the
      infrastructure of the institution and offering training as recommendations to
      improve the implementation of the Law. CONCLUSIONS: There are hindering factors
      for the implementation of the Law related to organizational and professional gaps
      in the institutions providing health care.

PMID- 26281798
TI  - Assessing an Adolescent's Capacity for Autonomous Decision-Making in Clinical
      Care.
AB  - The purpose of this article is to provide policy guidance on how to assess the
      capacity of minor adolescents for autonomous decision-making without a third
      party authorization, in the field of clinical care. In June 2014, a two-day
      meeting gathered 20 professionals from all continents, working in the field of
      adolescent medicine, neurosciences, developmental and clinical psychology,
      sociology, ethics, and law. Formal presentations and discussions were based on a
      literature search and the participants' experience. The assessment of adolescent
      decision-making capacity includes the following: (1) a review of the legal
      context consistent with the principles of the Convention on the Rights of the
      Child; (2) an empathetic relationship between the adolescent and the health care
      professional/team; (3) the respect of the adolescent's developmental stage and
      capacities; (4) the inclusion, if relevant, of relatives, peers, teachers, or
      social and mental health providers with the adolescent's consent; (5) the control
      of coercion and other social forces that influence decision-making; and (6) a
      deliberative stepwise appraisal of the adolescent's decision-making process. This
      stepwise approach, already used among adults with psychiatric disorders, includes
      understanding the different facets of the given situation, reasoning on the
      involved issues, appreciating the outcomes linked with the decision(s), and
      expressing a choice. Contextual and psychosocial factors play pivotal roles in
      the assessment of adolescents' decision-making capacity. The evaluation must be
      guided by a well-established procedure, and health professionals should be
      trained accordingly. These proposals are the first to have been developed by a
      multicultural, multidisciplinary expert panel. 

PMID- 26281799
TI  - Squared ligament of the elbow: anatomy and contribution to forearm stability.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The present study describes the macroscopic and microscopic features
      of the squared ligament of the elbow (SLE). In addition, the SLE biomechanical
      behavior and contribution to the forearm stability were also examined. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: Ten forearms from freshly frozen cadavers were used for this work.
      Each forearm was mounted in an experimental frame for quantification of
      longitudinal and transverse stability. Macroscopic features and biomechanical
      behavior were analyzed on dynamic videos obtained during forearm rotation. Then,
      the SLE was harvested from the 10 forearms for microscopic analysis on
      histological slices stained with hematoxylin-eosin-saffron. RESULTS: Two main SLE
      configurations were identified. One in which the SLE had three distinct bundles
      (anterior, middle, posterior) and another in which it was homogeneous. The
      anterior part of the SLE had a mean length of 11.2 mm (+/-2.4 mm) and a mean
      width of 1.2 mm (+/-0.2 mm) while the posterior part had a mean length of 9.9 mm
      (+/-2.2 mm) and a mean width of 1 mm (+/-0.2 mm). Microscopic examination showed
      that the SLE is composed of a thin layer of arranged collagen fibers. During
      forearm rotation, the SLE progressively tightens upon pronation and supination by
      wrapping around the radial neck. Tightening of the SLE during forearm rotation
      provides transverse and longitudinal stability to the forearm, mainly in maximal
      pronation and supination. CONCLUSION: The SLE is a true ligament and provides
      forearm stability when it is stretched in pronation and supination.

PMID- 26281800
TI  - Persistent hypoglossal artery versus type I proatlantal artery.

PMID- 26281801
TI  - New tools for emergency managers: an assessment of obstacles to use and
      implementation.
AB  - This paper focuses on the role of the formal response community's use of social
      media and crowdsourcing for emergency managers (EMs) in disaster planning,
      response and recovery in the United States. In-depth qualitative interviews with
      EMs on the Eastern seaboard at the local, state and federal level demonstrate
      that emergency management tools are in a state of transition--from formal,
      internally regulated tools for crisis response to an incorporation of new social
      media and crowdsourcing tools. The first set of findings provides insight into
      why many EMs are not using social media, and describes their concerns that result
      in fear, uncertainty and doubt. Second, this research demonstrates how internal
      functioning and staffing issues within these agencies present challenges. This
      research seeks to examine the dynamics of this transition and offer lessons for
      how to improve its outcomes--critical to millions of people across the United
      States.

PMID- 26281802
TI  - Exposure to Macaque Monkey Bite.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The herpes B virus is a zoonotic agent that is endemic among macaque
      monkeys only, but can cause fatal encephalomyelitis in humans. CASE REPORT: A 26
      year-old female presented to a U.S. emergency department after being bitten by a
      wild macaque monkey. The emergency medicine team administered rabies
      immunoglobulin and rabies vaccine. The team also prescribed acyclovir for
      prophylactic coverage against herpes B, a deadly zoonotic agent that is endemic
      among macaque monkeys. A discussion of background, exposure, transmission,
      symptoms, treatment for herpes B, including latest data available, literature,
      and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines are included. WHY
      SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Zoonotic exposures can cause
      infectious diseases, which are unfamiliar and deadly. The emergency physician's
      knowledge of the association between the deadly herpes B infection and wild
      macaque monkey may expedite treatment and be instrumental in patient morbidity
      and survival.

PMID- 26281803
TI  - A WINning Technique: The Wire-in-Needle Feasibility Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Dynamic ultrasound guidance reduces complications associated with
      central venous catheter placement. However, successful central venous cannulation
      often remains challenging, particularly in hypotensive patients. The new wire-in
      needle (WIN) technique can further increase periprocedural safety. Here, a needle
      is "preloaded" with a guidewire that is then advanced toward the tip of needle.
      The vein is then cannulated using long-axis ultrasound guidance. OBJECTIVE: To
      evaluate the feasibility and safety profile of the WIN technique. METHODS:
      Medical students, and resident and attending physicians participated in this
      study. After a brief lecture and practice session on the WIN technique, they
      underwent a skills assessment evaluating different aspects of both techniques.
      Participants then completed a survey assessing their prior experience regarding
      procedural ultrasound, and their assessment of the WIN technique. RESULTS: Sixty
      clinicians participated. The assessment of both techniques revealed no
      significant differences in the number of needle redirections, cannulation
      attempts, number of arterial punctures, or overall dexterity with the procedure.
      The WIN technique was faster (45.9 vs. 61.5 s, p = 0.0005) than the traditional
      technique. More participants confirmed the accurate position of the guidewire in
      the vein (75% vs. 95%, p = 0.002). More than 90% of study participants met the
      predefined safety aspects of the WIN technique. Almost all participants reported
      that they plan on using the WIN technique in their clinical practice. CONCLUSION:
      This study demonstrates that the WIN technique can be learned quickly and easily
      by clinicians with various levels of training. In this study, using manikins, it
      was as successful and safe as the traditional short-axis approach.

PMID- 26281804
TI  - Oropharyngeal Edema in an 8-Month-Old Girl after Woolly Bear Caterpillar
      Exposure.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lepidopterism refers to the manifestations of contact from any number
      of moths, butterflies, and caterpillars. Various symptoms have been described,
      ranging from localized skin irritation to systemic anaphylactic reactions. CASE
      REPORT: We present a case of airway edema in an 8-month-old child from oral
      exposure to Woolly Bear Caterpillar (Pyrrharctia Isabella). After prompt
      emergency department recognition, her symptoms necessitated urgent operating room
      management by a team of otolaryngologists and close monitoring in a pediatric
      intensive care unit. A similar presentation in this species has not been
      described previously in the English literature. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN
      BE AWARE OF THIS?: Leptidopterism is rare, but recognition by the emergency
      practitioner is necessary for prompt and appropriate treatment. Rapid
      identification by the emergency physician of oral exposure and careful spine
      removal can be lifesaving in cases of significant oropharyngeal edema.

PMID- 26281805
TI  - The Use of Intraosseous Fluid Resuscitation in a Pediatric Patient with Ebola
      Virus Disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Vomiting, diarrhea, and severe dehydration are common manifestations
      of Ebola virus disease (EVD), leading to its high mortality. Mortality is
      especially high in patients older than 45 years, younger than 5 years, and in
      pregnant women and their fetuses. The majority of patients with EVD are not able
      to tolerate the quantities of oral hydration solutions necessary to rehydrate
      properly. Although some have speculated that IV and intraosseous lines are not
      practical in the austere, resource-constrained settings of an Ebola treatment
      unit during an epidemic, it is necessary to provide parenteral fluids and
      electrolyte replacements to significantly decrease mortality. Due to the
      inability to spend long periods of time working in hot environments wearing
      personal protective equipment, it is necessary to maximize the use of rapidly
      obtainable and safe parenteral access. CASE REPORT: The authors present a case of
      a 9-month-old patient with EVD in Sierra Leone in whom an intraosseous line was
      lifesaving. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Emergency
      physicians respond to international crises, such as the most recent Ebola
      epidemic in West Africa. It is important for such responders, as well as their
      responding organizations, to know and understand that intraosseous access is an
      important and safe modality to use in patients with EVD and in the austere
      settings often found in disaster settings.

PMID- 26281806
TI  - Life, Trauma, Death: A Resident Physician's Perspective.

PMID- 26281807
TI  - Hypovolemia Resulting in Platypnea-Orthodeoxia Syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome is a rare disease entity that is
      characterized by dyspnea and desaturation in the upright position that resolves
      when the patient is in the supine position. CASE REPORT: An 80-year-old man
      presented with epistaxis but was noted to be hypoxic and was unresponsive to
      supplemental oxygenation. His oxygen saturation improved with supine positioning,
      however, which is consistent with platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome. This improved
      with overnight intravenous hydration. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE
      OF THIS?: In patients with hypoxia and paradoxical improvement in oxygen
      saturation with supine positioning, consider platypnea-orthodeoxia as a potential
      cause.

PMID- 26281808
TI  - Ambulatory Care Sensitive Hospitalizations Through the Emergency Department by
      Payer: Comparing 2003 and 2009.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ambulatory care sensitive hospitalizations (ACSHs) are
      hospitalizations that may have been preventable with timely and effective
      outpatient care. Approximately 75% of all ACSHs occur through the emergency
      department (ED). ACSHs through the ED (ED ACSHs) have significant implications
      for costs and ED crowding. OBJECTIVE: This study compares rates of ED ACSHs for
      2003 and 2009 among patients 18 to 64 years of age with private insurance,
      Medicaid, or no insurance. METHODS: Nationally representative estimates of ED
      ACSHs, defined by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
      prevention quality indicators (PQIs), were generated from the 2003 and 2009
      Nationwide Inpatient Samples. Census data were used to calculate direct age- and
      sex-standardized ACSH rates by non-Medicare payers for both years. RESULTS:
      Between 2003 and 2009, the overall rate of ED ACSHs decreased from 7.6 (95%
      confidence interval [CI] 7.57-7.75) to 7.3 (95% CI 7.2-7.4) per 1000 18- to 64
      year-old non-Medicare patients. ED ASCH rates declined significantly from 42.4
      (95% CI 42.0-42.8) to 25.3 (95% CI 25.0-25.6) per 1000 patients with Medicaid,
      and declined modestly from 3.8 (95% CI 3.8-3.9) to 3.3 (95% CI 3.2-3.4) per 1000
      patients with private insurance. However, the ED ACSH rate increased for the
      uninsured population from 5.4 (95% CI 5.2-5.7) to 6.2 (95% CI 5.9-6.4) per 1000
      patients. CONCLUSION: Expansion of Medicaid over the study period was not
      associated with an increase in ED ACSHs for Medicaid patients. However, an
      increase in the uninsured population was associated with an increase in the rate
      of ED ACSH for uninsured patients.

PMID- 26281809
TI  - Left Ventricle Tissue Doppler Imaging Predicts Disease Severity in Septic
      Patients Newly Admitted in an Emergency Unit.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Assessment of sepsis severity is challenging. Available scoring
      systems require laboratory data. Therefore, a rapid tool would be useful.
      OBJECTIVE: To determine the role of mitral valve tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) as
      a prognostic tool in septic patients. METHODS: For this prospective cohort, newly
      admitted septic patients received TDI measurements of s wave (s), e' wave (e'),
      and E/e' ratio (E/e') within 5 min of resuscitation. Results were compared with
      sepsis severity measured by Mortality in Emergency Department Sepsis (MEDS),
      Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS) 3, and Sequential Organ Failure
      Assessment (SOFA). RESULTS: Over 3 months, 63 patients were enrolled. TDI
      parameters correlated with MEDS, SAPS 3, and SOFA (r = -0.53, r = -0.55, r = 
      0.36, respectively, for s, p < 0.005; r = -0.56, r = -0.49, r = -0.40,
      respectively, for e', p < 0.005; and r = 0.56; r = 0.48; r = 0.46, respectively,
      for E/e', p < 0.005). Mean s and e' decreased among sepsis, severe sepsis, and
      septic shock patients (14.2; 12.05; 10.14 cm/s, respectively, for s, p = 0.0048
      and 18.28; 15.14; 12.12 cm/s, respectively, for e', p = 0.003), whereas mean E/e'
      increased among sepsis stages (4.76; 6.51; and 8.14, respectively, p = 0.001).
      Mean s and e' were higher in survivors (13.25 vs. 7.33 cm/s, for s, p < 0.0001;
      and 16.4 vs. 9 cm/s for e', p = 0.0025); mean E/e' was higher in nonsurvivors
      (10.85 vs. 5.63, p < 0.0001). On univariate analysis, odds ratios (ORs) for death
      related to s, e', and E/e' were, respectively, 0.517 (95% confidence interval
      [CI] 0.344-0.775), 0.60 (95% CI 0.433-0.833), and 1.953 (95% CI 1.256-3.008); p <
      0.05 for all. Multiple logistic analysis showed an OR of 1.737 (95% CI 1.037
      2.907, p = 0.035) for death related to E/e'. CONCLUSION: TDI may be useful to
      assess disease severity and prognosis in newly diagnosed septic patients.

PMID- 26281810
TI  - Febrile Man with Pneumoperitoneum.

PMID- 26281811
TI  - Barriers to Homeless Persons Acquiring Health Insurance Through the Affordable
      Care Act.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is intended to
      provide a framework for increasing health care access for vulnerable populations,
      including the 1.2 million who experience homelessness each year in the United
      States. OBJECTIVE: We sought to characterize homeless persons' knowledge of the
      ACA, identify barriers to their ACA enrollment, and determine access to various
      forms of communication that could be used to facilitate enrollment. METHODS: At
      an urban county Level I trauma center, we interviewed all noncritically ill
      adults who presented to the emergency department (ED) during daytime hours and
      were able to provide consent. We assessed access to communication, awareness of
      the ACA, insurance status, and barriers preventing subjects from enrolling in
      health insurance and compared homeless persons' responses with concomitantly
      enrolled housed individuals. RESULTS: Of the 650 enrolled subjects, 134 (20.2%)
      were homeless. Homeless subjects were more likely to have never heard of the ACA
      (26% vs. 10%). "Not being aware if they qualify for Medicaid" was the most common
      (70%) and most significant (30%) barrier to enrollment reported by uninsured
      homeless persons. Of homeless subjects who were unsure if they qualified for
      Medicaid, 91% reported an income < 138% of the federal poverty level, likely
      qualifying them for enrollment. Although 99% of housed subjects reported access
      to either phone or internet, only 74% of homeless subjects reported access.
      CONCLUSIONS: Homeless persons report having less knowledge of the ACA than their
      housed counterparts, poor understanding of ACA qualification criteria, and
      limited access to phone and internet. ED-based outreach and education regarding
      ACA eligibility may increase their enrollment.

PMID- 26281812
TI  - Progressive Organ Failure After Ingestion of Wild Garlic Juice.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Wild garlic and related plants are increasingly sought after by fans
      of natural products. They can be confused with other plants containing colchicine
      and cause potentially fatal intoxications. CASE REPORT: We report a case of
      accidental poisoning by Colchicum autumnale, which was mistaken for wild garlic
      (Allium ursinum). The patient initially presented with mild gastrointestinal
      symptoms, but progressed rapidly to agranulocytosis, paraparesis, and delirium
      before the causative agent was identified. The laboratory tests revealed
      rhabdomyolysis, coagulopathy, alteration of liver tests, and prerenal azotemia.
      Botanical examination confirmed the incriminated plant (Colchicum autumnale).
      Serum and urine analysis confirmed the presence of colchicine. The patient
      required intensive support therapy, and she fully recovered within 8 weeks. WHY
      SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Colchicine poisoning should be
      considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with
      gastroenteritis after ingestion of wild garlic.

PMID- 26281813
TI  - "Why Is This Patient Being Sent Here?": Communication from Urgent Care to the
      Emergency Department.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite patients' increasing use of urgent care centers (UCC), little
      is known about how urgent care clinicians communicate with the emergency
      department (ED). OBJECTIVES: To assess ED clinicians' perceptions of the quality
      and consistency of communication when patients are referred from UCCs to EDs.
      METHODS: Emergency medicine department chairs distributed a brief, electronic
      survey to a statewide sample of ED clinicians via e-mail. The survey included
      multiple-choice and free-text questions focused on types of communication desired
      and received from UCCs, types of test results available on transfer, and
      suggestions for improvement. RESULTS: Of 199 ED clinicians, 102 (51.3%)
      responded. More than four out of five respondents "somewhat" or "strongly agreed"
      that each of the following would be helpful: a telephone call, the reason for
      referral, specific concern, a copy of the chart, and UCC contact information.
      However, ED clinicians reported not consistently receiving these: only a fifth
      (21.6%) of clinicians reported receiving the specific concern for their last 5
      patients transferred from a UCC, and 34.3% recalled receiving a copy of the
      chart. Overall, 54.9% reported receiving laboratory test results "often or almost
      always," 49.0% electrocardiograms, and 44.1% imaging reports. Qualitative
      analysis revealed several themes: incomplete data when patients are referred;
      barriers to discussion between ED and urgent care clinicians; and possible
      solutions to improve communication. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight variation
      in communication from UCCs to EDs, indicating a need to improve communication
      standards and practices. We identify several potential ways to improve this
      clinical information hand-off.

PMID- 26281814
TI  - The Safety of Topical Anesthetics in the Treatment of Corneal Abrasions: A
      Review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite the fact that topical anesthetics provide superb analgesia to
      the painful eye, they are not prescribed routinely to patients when they are
      discharged from the emergency department because of concerns for delayed healing
      and corneal erosion. OBJECTIVE: To summarize the evidence for the safety of
      topical proparacaine and tetracaine for pain relief in patients with corneal
      abrasions. METHODS: This is a systematic review looking at the use of topical
      anesthetic agents in the treatment of corneal abrasions in the emergency
      department. RESULTS: Our literature search produced two emergency department
      based, randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled studies on human patients
      with corneal abrasions. Additionally, we found four studies that investigated the
      application of topical anesthetics in patients who underwent photorefractive
      keratectomy. All six studies demonstrated that a short course of dilute topical
      anesthetic provided efficacious analgesia without adverse effects or delayed
      epithelial healing. CONCLUSION: Limited available data suggests that the use of
      dilute topical ophthalmologic proparacaine or tetracaine for a short duration of
      time is effective, though their safety for outpatient use is inconclusive.

PMID- 26281815
TI  - Erythema Multiforme.

PMID- 26281816
TI  - Retrospective Evaluation of Two Fast-track Strategies to Rule Out Acute Coronary
      Syndrome in a Real-life Chest Pain Population.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guideline on non-ST
      elevation acute coronary syndrome (N-STE ACS) proposed a new ACS rule-out
      protocol. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate this new tool, which uses diagnostic levels of
      high-sensitivity troponin T (hs-TnT; > 14 ng/L) in a slightly modified version
      and compare this to a recently proposed approach using undetectable levels of hs
      TnT to rule out patients. METHODS: There were 534 consecutive patients with
      suspected ACS included. Protocol 1: symptom duration, hs-TnT at 0 and 6-9 h,
      Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) score, and symptom status at 6-9
      h. Protocol 2: a single blood sample of hs-TnT. The primary endpoint was a
      discharge diagnosis of ACS by blinded adjudication. Secondary endpoints were ACS
      re-admission < 30 days and 1-year mortality. RESULTS: Protocol 1 classified
      434/534 (81%) patients, with 27.9% being ruled out. All myocardial infarctions
      were correctly ruled in, but 15 cases of unstable angina were missed, resulting
      in a sensitivity and negative predictive value of 87.3% (79.6-92.5%) and 87.6%
      (80.4-92.9%), respectively. Protocol 2 ruled out 17.5% of the population,
      yielding a sensitivity and negative predictive value of 94.1% (88.2-97.6%) and
      90.8% (81.9-96.2%), respectively. Both protocols correctly ruled in 2/3 patients
      with ACS re-admission < 30 days and 55/56 1-year fatalities. CONCLUSION: The
      present study confirms the diagnostic value of a modified version of the ESC rule
      out protocol (Protocol 1) in N-STE ACS patients, but also suggests that a simpler
      protocol using undetectable levels of hs-TnT (Protocol 2) could provide a similar
      or even superior sensitivity.

PMID- 26281817
TI  - A Rare but Lethal Cause of Chest Pain.

PMID- 26281818
TI  - Facing the Unexpected: Chest Wall Swelling 7 Years After A Stab Injury.

PMID- 26281819
TI  - Impact of an Opioid Prescribing Guideline in the Acute Care Setting.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Death from opioid abuse is a major public health issue. The death
      rate associated with opioid overdose nearly quadrupled from 1999 to 2008. Acute
      care settings are a major source of opioid prescriptions, often for minor
      conditions and chronic noncancer pain. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to determine
      whether a voluntary opioid prescribing guideline reduces the proportion of
      patients prescribed opioids for minor and chronic conditions. METHODS: A
      retrospective chart review was performed on records of adult emergency department
      visits from January 2012 to July 2014 for dental, neck, back, or unspecified
      chronic pain, and the proportion of patients receiving opioid prescriptions at
      discharge was compared before and after the guideline. Attending emergency
      physicians were surveyed on their perceptions regarding the impact of the
      guideline on prescribing patterns, patient satisfaction, and physician-patient
      interactions. RESULTS: In our sample of 13,187 patient visits, there was a
      significant (p < 0.001) and sustained decrease in rates of opioid prescriptions
      for dental, neck, back, or unspecified chronic pain. The rate of opioid
      prescribing decreased from 52.7% before the guideline to 29.8% immediately after
      its introduction, and to 33.8% at an interval of 12 to 18 months later. The
      decrease in opioid prescriptions was observed in all of these diagnosis groups
      and in all age groups. All 31 eligible prescribing physicians completed a survey.
      The opioid prescribing guideline was supported by 100% of survey respondents.
      CONCLUSIONS: An opioid prescribing guideline significantly decreased the rates at
      which opioids were prescribed for minor and chronic complaints in an acute care
      setting.

PMID- 26281820
TI  - Risk Factors for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Polish Paramedics: A Pilot
      Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Working as a paramedic carries the risk of witnessing events and
      personal experiences associated with emergency life-threatening circumstances
      that may result in symptoms associated with posttraumatic stress. This problem is
      well known but still underestimated. OBJECTIVES: The specific study objectives
      were to 1) assess the influence of sociodemographic and occupational factors on
      posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among paramedics, and 2) suggest preventive
      strategies in this population. METHODS: This prospective, descriptive study
      examined a sample of 100 paramedics who agreed to complete the Author
      Questionnaire comprising demographic questions and the Impact of Event Scale
      Revised. RESULTS: The total prevalence of PTSD in the examined group was 40.0%
      (women = 64.3%, men = 36.1%). It was more frequently reported in paramedics
      working under an employer's contract than among those who were self-employed. It
      occurred less frequently in persons with more education. Other sociodemographic
      factors studied showed no significant impact. A statistically significant effect
      of exposure to certain types of traumatic events on the incidence of PTSD was
      found. There was no significant correlation between the prevalence of PTSD and
      the occurrence of problem situations in respondents' workplaces. CONCLUSIONS:
      Polish paramedics who agreed to take part in the survey were shown to have a high
      rate of PTSD. Multi-center screening and early supportive management is
      recommended.

PMID- 26281821
TI  - Resistance Patterns of Escherichia coli in Women with Uncomplicated Urinary Tract
      Infection Do Not Correlate with Emergency Department Antibiogram.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Urine cultures are not always performed for female Emergency
      Department (ED) patients with uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI).
      Accordingly, hospital, and even ED-specific, antibiograms might be skewed toward
      elderly patients with many comorbidities and relatively high rates of
      antimicrobial resistance, and thus do not accurately reflect otherwise healthy
      women. Our ED antibiogram indicates Escherichia coli resistance rates for
      ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) of 42%,
      26%, and 33%, respectively. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to compare resistance
      rates of urinary E. coli from otherwise healthy women with uncomplicated UTI and
      pyelonephritis in the ED to rates in our ED antibiogram. METHODS: Females > 18
      years old with acute onset of urinary frequency, urgency, or dysuria with pyuria
      identified on urinalysis (white blood cell count > 10/high-power field) were
      prospectively enrolled in the ED of an urban, academic medical center. Exclusion
      criteria indicating a complicated UTI were consistent with Infectious Diseases
      Society of America guidelines. Susceptibility patterns of E. coli to
      ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, and TMP-SMX in the study group were compared to our
      ED antibiogram. RESULTS: Forty-five patients grew E. coli. Pyelonephritis was
      suspected in nine (20%) subjects. Compared with the ED antibiogram, significantly
      lower rates of resistance to ciprofloxacin (2% vs. 42%, p < 0.001), levofloxacin
      (2% vs. 26%, p < 0.001), and TMP-SMX (16% vs. 33%, p = 0.016) were observed. Six
      patients grew non-E. coli uropathogens. All were susceptible to both levofloxacin
      and TMP-SMX. CONCLUSIONS: ED antibiograms may overestimate resistance rates for
      uropathogens causing uncomplicated UTIs. In cases where nitrofurantoin cannot be
      used, fluoroquinolones and possibly TMP-SMX may remain viable options for
      treatment of uncomplicated UTI and pyelonephritis in women.

PMID- 26281822
TI  - Acute Myeloid Leukemia in Adolescents and Young Adults Treated in Pediatric and
      Adult Departments in the Nordic Countries.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Studies on adolescents and young adults with acute lymphoblastic
      leukemia suggest better results when using pediatric protocols for adult
      patients, while corresponding data for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are limited.
      PROCEDURE: We investigated disease characteristics and outcome for de novo AML
      patients 10-30 years old treated in pediatric or adult departments. We included
      166 patients 10-18 years of age with AML treated according to the pediatric NOPHO
      protocols (1993-2009) compared with 253 patients aged 15-30 years treated in
      hematology departments (1996-2009) in the Nordic countries. RESULTS: The
      incidence of AML was 4.9/million/year for the age group 10-14 years, 6.5 for 15
      18 years, and 6.9 for 19-30 years. Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) was more
      frequent in adults and in females of all ages. Pediatric patients with APL had
      similar overall survival as pediatric patients without APL. Overall survival at 5
      years was 60% (52-68%) for pediatric patients compared to 65% (58-70%) for adult
      patients. Cytogenetics and presenting white blood cell count were the only
      independent prognostic factors for overall survival. Age was not an independent
      prognostic factor. CONCLUSIONS: No difference was found in outcome for AML
      patients age 10-30 years treated according to pediatric as compared to adult
      protocols.

PMID- 26281823
TI  - The Association between Intravitreal Steroids and Post-Injection Endophthalmitis
      Rates.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine whether there is a difference in the risk of
      endophthalmitis after an intravitreal steroid injection compared with an anti
      vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agent injection. DESIGN: Retrospective
      cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 75,249 beneficiaries in a large national
      US medical claims database representing 406 380 intravitreal injections. METHODS:
      Data were searched for all intravitreal injections (Current Procedural
      Terminology 67028) performed between 2003 and 2012. Cohorts were created on the
      basis of injections using anti-VEGF agents (bevacizumab, ranibizumab,
      aflibercept, and pegaptanib) and intraocular steroids (triamcinolone and
      dexamethasone). Endophthalmitis was defined as having a new endophthalmitis
      diagnosis (International Classification of Diseases 9th Revision 360.0x) and a
      "tap-and-inject" procedure (Current Procedural Terminology 67015, 67025), a
      vitrectomy (67036), or an intravitreal antibiotic injection on the same day,
      between 1 and 14 days post-injection. Exclusion occurred for any history of
      endophthalmitis, <6 months in the plan, or <1 month follow-up. The main outcome
      measure was the odds of endophthalmitis using logistic regression while
      controlling for injection-associated diagnosis, age, race, and gender. RESULTS: A
      total of 387,714 anti-VEGF injections and 18 666 steroid intravitreal injections
      were performed and followed by 73 (rate=0.019% or 1/5283 anti-VEGF injections)
      and 24 (rate=0.13% or 1/778 steroid injections) cases of endophthalmitis,
      respectively. After controlling for diagnosis, age, race, and gender, the odds
      ratio (OR) for endophthalmitis occurring was 6.92 (95% confidence interval, 3.54
      13.52, P<0.001) times higher post-steroid injection compared with anti-VEGF
      injections. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of endophthalmitis post-intravitreal steroid
      injection in a national cohort was 0.13% (1/778 injections). This rate conferred
      a significantly increased OR of 6.92 for endophthalmitis compared with anti-VEGF
      agents.

PMID- 26281824
TI  - [Evidence-based practice competence in undergraduate Nursing Degree students].
AB  - AIM: Evidence-based practice (EBP) learning has become a key issue for nurses. An
      EPB subject was included in the 4(th) year in the new syllabus of the Nursing
      Degree at University of Murcia (UM). To know the competence level in EBP of
      undergraduate nursing students at UM and compare the results between all four
      years. METHOD: Observational descriptive study with a cross-sectional approach.
      STUDY POPULATION: undergraduate nursing students from all four years at Nursing
      Degree at the Faculty of Social and Healthcare Science at UM in the year 2013-14.
      EBP evaluation of competence of the nursing students consisted of attitude,
      skills and knowledge on EBP. A validated questionnaire, the EBP-COQ, was used.
      The scale range is 1 point "lowest level" to 5 points "higher level".The SPSS
      21.0 program has been used to carry out descriptive and bivariate analyses.
      RESULTS: 144 students were included, 76.4% was female, and the median age was 23
      years, 84.7% attended more than 75% class hours. The mean differences in the
      questionnaire between first and fourth years were 0.58 points in attitude, 0.60
      in skills, 1.6 in knowledge and 0.83 in global competence in EBP. Significant
      differences in mean scores between the fourth and the remaining years in the
      global competence in EBP were observed, as well as in the three dimensions (p
      <0.05). CONCLUSION: The undergraduate-nursing students studied here have acquired
      an appropriate competence level in EBP, with a gradual increase by year. The
      biggest increase was in the fourth year students.

PMID- 26281825
TI  - Quality of Life in Relation to Pain Response to Radiation Therapy for Painful
      Bone Metastases.
AB  - PURPOSE: To study quality of life (QoL) in responders and nonresponders after
      radiation therapy for painful bone metastases; and to identify factors predictive
      for a pain response. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The prospectively collected data of
      956 patients with breast, prostate, and lung cancer within the Dutch Bone
      Metastasis Study were used. These patients, irradiated for painful bone
      metastases, rated pain, QoL, and overall health at baseline and weekly afterward
      for 12 weeks. Using generalized estimating equations analysis, the course of QoL
      was studied, adjusted for primary tumor. To identify predictive variables,
      proportional hazard analyses were performed, taking into account death as a
      competing risk, and C-statistics were calculated for discriminative value.
      RESULTS: In total, 722 patients (76%) responded to radiation therapy. During
      follow-up, responders had a better QoL in all domains compared with
      nonresponders. Patients with breast or prostate cancer had a better QoL than
      patients with lung cancer. In multivariate analysis, baseline predictors for a
      pain response were breast or prostate cancer as primary tumor, younger age, good
      performance status, absence of visceral metastases, and using opioids. The
      discriminative ability of the model was low (C-statistic: 0.56). CONCLUSIONS:
      Responding patients show a better QoL after radiation therapy for painful bone
      metastases than nonresponders. Our model did not have enough discriminative power
      to predict which patients are likely to respond to radiation therapy. Therefore,
      radiation therapy should be offered to all patients with painful bone metastases,
      aiming to decrease pain and improve QoL.

PMID- 26281826
TI  - Radical Radiation Therapy After Lung-Sparing Surgery for Malignant Pleural
      Mesothelioma: Survival, Pattern of Failure, and Prognostic Factors.
AB  - PURPOSE: To prospectively assess the survival, patterns of failure, and
      prognostic factors in a large cohort of patients with malignant pleural
      mesothelioma who had undergone a novel trimodal therapeutic approach, including
      lung-sparing surgery, chemotherapy, and subsequent treatment with high doses of
      intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) to the whole hemithorax. METHODS AND
      MATERIALS: The analysis was conducted on the data from 69 patients. Of the 69
      patients, 35 underwent extended pleurectomy/decortication (P/D), with resection
      of the entire pleura, along with portions of the pericardium and diaphragm and
      34, partial pleurectomy, defined as partial removal of parietal or visceral
      pleura for diagnostic purposes, leaving gross tumor behind in all cases. All
      patients received cisplatin/pemetrexed chemotherapy. Postoperative IMRT was
      delivered to the entire hemithorax, excluding the intact lung. The IMRT dose was
      50 Gy in 25 fractions. Any fluorodeoxyglucose-avid areas or regions of particular
      concern for residual disease were given a simultaneous boost to 60 Gy. RESULTS:
      The median follow-up duration was 19 months. No difference was seen in overall
      survival and locoregional control between the extended P/D group and the partial
      pleurectomy group. The 2-year overall survival was 65% and 58% in the extended
      P/D and partial pleurectomy groups, respectively (P=.94). Locoregional control at
      2 years was 65% and 64% in the extended P/D and partial pleurectomy groups,
      respectively (P=.75). The predominant pattern of failure was distant: 19 patients
      (27.5%) developed distant metastases as the first site of relapse. Gross residual
      disease after surgery was significantly associated with overall survival (hazard
      ratio 3.45). One fatal pneumonitis was reported; 14 cases (20%) of grade 2 to 3
      pneumonitis were documented. CONCLUSIONS: Radical IMRT after lung-sparing surgery
      and chemotherapy for malignant pleural mesothelioma leads to promising survival
      results and acceptable toxicity rates. The similarity of survival between
      patients treated with extended P/D or partial pleurectomy observed in our study
      is intriguing.

PMID- 26281827
TI  - Cartographic Mapping and Travel Burden to Assess and Develop Strategies to
      Improve Minority Access to National Cancer Clinical Trials.
AB  - PURPOSE: To assess how accrual to clinical trials is related to US minority
      population density relative to clinical trial site location and distance traveled
      to Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) clinical trial sites. METHODS AND
      MATERIALS: Data included member site address and ZIP codes, patient accrual, and
      patient race or ethnicity and ZIP code. Geographic Information System maps were
      developed for overall, Latino, and African American accrual to trials by
      population density. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to assess differences in
      distance traveled by site, type of trial, and race or ethnicity. RESULTS: From
      2006 to 2009, 6168 patients enrolled on RTOG trials. The RTOG US site
      distribution is generally concordant with overall population density. Sites with
      highest accrual are located throughout the United States and parts of Canada and
      do not cluster, nor does highest minority accrual cluster in areas of highest US
      minority population density. Of the 4913 US patients with complete data, patients
      traveled a median of 11.6 miles to participate in clinical trials. Whites
      traveled statistically longer distances (12.9 miles; P<.0001) to participate,
      followed by Latinos (8.22 miles) and African Americans (5.85 miles). Patients
      were willing to drive longer distances to academic sites than community sites,
      and there was a trend toward significantly longer median travel for therapeutic
      versus cancer control or metastatic trials. CONCLUSIONS: Location matters, but
      only to a degree, for minority compared with nonminority participation in
      clinical trials. Geographic Information System tools help identify gaps in
      geographic access and travel burden for clinical trials participation. Strategies
      that emerged using these tools are discussed.

PMID- 26281828
TI  - Impact of Using Audit Data to Improve the Evidence-Based Use of Single-Fraction
      Radiation Therapy for Bone Metastases in British Columbia.
AB  - PURPOSE: To assess the impact of a population-based intervention to increase the
      consistency and use of single-fraction radiation therapy (SFRT) for bone
      metastases. METHODS AND MATERIALS: In 2012, an audit of radiation therapy
      prescriptions for bone metastases in British Columbia identified significant
      interphysician and -center (26%-73%) variation in the use of SFRT. Anonymous
      physician-level and identifiable regional cancer center SFRT use data were
      presented to all radiation oncologists, together with published guidelines, meta
      analyses, and recommendations from practice leaders. The use of SFRT for bone
      metastases from 2007 through 2011 was compared with use of SFRT in 2013, to
      assess the impact of the audit and educational intervention. Multilevel logistic
      regression was used to assess the relationship between the usage of SFRT and the
      timing of the radiation while controlling for potentially confounding variables.
      Physician and center were included as group effects to account for the clustered
      structure of the data. RESULTS: A total of 16,898 courses of RT were delivered
      from 2007 through 2011, and 3200 courses were delivered in 2013. The rates of
      SFRT use in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2013 were 50.5%, 50.9%, 48.3%,
      48.5%, 48.0%, and 59.7%, respectively (P<.001). Use of SFRT increased in each of
      5 regional centers: A: 26% to 32%; B: 36% to 56%; C: 39% to 57%; D: 49% to 56%;
      and E: 73% to 85.0%. Use of SFRT was more consistent; 3 of 5 centers used SFRT
      for 56% to 57% of bone metastases RT courses. The regression analysis showed
      strong evidence that the usage of SFRT increased after the 2012 intervention
      (odds ratio 2.27, 95% confidence interval 2.06-2.50, P<.0001). CONCLUSION:
      Assessed on a population basis, an audit-based intervention increased utilization
      of SFRT for bone metastases. The intervention reversed a trend to decreasing SFRT
      use, reduced costs, and improved patient convenience. This suggests that
      dissemination of programmatic quality indicators in oncology can lead to
      increased utilization of evidence-based practice.

PMID- 26281829
TI  - Response to Hron et al.
AB  - Hron et al. provide transcriptome evidence that three (1.1 %) of the 274 genes
      reported by Lovell et al. as missing in birds may actually be 'hidden' as a
      result of high GC content. Although this factor may explain some gene absences
      from genomic assemblies, we believe it is insufficient to account for the
      extensive syntenic losses described in Lovell et al. Please see related article:
      www.dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13059-015-0724-z.

PMID- 26281830
TI  - Elevated expression of periostin in diabetic cardiomyopathy and the effect of
      valsartan.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Periostin, an extracellular matrix protein, plays a significant role
      in adverse cardiac remodeling. However, no report has documented the function of
      periostin in left ventricular remodeling of streptozototin (STZ)-induced diabetic
      rats. The aim of the present study was to observe the expression of periostin in
      Wistar rat's myocardium of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) and the effect of
      valsartan on it. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry, real-time polymerase chain
      reaction, and Western blot analysis were used to determine the degree of
      expression and location of periostin, transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1, TGF
      beta1 type II receptor (TGF-beta1 R II), and Type I and III collagens in the
      myocardium of STZ-induced diabetic rats. RESULTS: Periostin, TGF-beta1, TGF-beta1
      R II, and Type I and III collagens were significantly increased in the myocardium
      of diabetic rats compared with control group on both messenger ribonucleic acid
      and protein levels. In addition, diabetic rats treated with valsartan could have
      reduced expression of periostin and improved cardiac remodeling of DCM.
      CONCLUSIONS: Periostin may play a crucial role in cardiac remodeling and
      myocardial interstitial fibrosis process of DCM and it could be one of the
      important mechanisms for valsartan to improve the ventricular remodeling of DCM.

PMID- 26281831
TI  - Archival search for historical atypical scrapie in sheep reveals evidence for
      mixed infections.
AB  - Natural scrapie in sheep occurs in classical and atypical forms, which may be
      distinguished on the basis of the associated neuropathology and properties of the
      disease-associated prion protein on Western blots. First detected in 1998,
      atypical scrapie is known to have occurred in UK sheep since the 1980s. However,
      its aetiology remains unclear and it is often considered as a sporadic, non
      contagious disease unlike classical scrapie which is naturally transmissible.
      Although atypical scrapie tends to occur in sheep of prion protein (PRNP)
      genotypes that are different from those found predominantly in classical scrapie,
      there is some overlap so that there are genotypes in which both scrapie forms can
      occur. In this search for early atypical scrapie cases, we made use of an archive
      of fixed and frozen sheep samples, from both scrapie-affected and healthy animals
      (~1850 individuals), dating back to the 1960s. Using a selection process based
      primarily on PRNP genotyping, but also on contemporaneous records of unusual
      clinical signs or pathology, candidate sheep samples were screened by Western
      blot, immunohistochemistry and strain-typing methods using tg338 mice. We
      identified, from early time points in the archive, three atypical scrapie cases,
      including one sheep which died in 1972 and two which showed evidence of mixed
      infection with classical scrapie. Cases with both forms of scrapie in the same
      animal as recognizable entities suggest that mixed infections have been around
      for a long time and may potentially contribute to the variety of scrapie strains.

PMID- 26281832
TI  - Measuring depression with CES-D in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes: the
      validity and its comparison to PHQ-9.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The validity of the 20-item Center for Epidemiological Studies
      Depression (CES-D) scale for depression screening in Hong Kong Chinese patients
      with type 2 diabetes remains unknown. We aimed to validate CES-D, compare its
      psychometric properties with the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and
      explore whether one of the two is more suitable for depression screening in
      Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Between June 2010 and July 2011,
      545 consecutive Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes who underwent structured
      comprehensive assessments completed the CES-D and PHQ-9. Forty patients were
      retested within 2-4 weeks by telephone interview and 97 patients were randomly
      selected to undergo the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) by
      psychiatrists for clinical diagnosis of depression. RESULTS: The internal
      consistency (Cronbach's alpha) of CES-D was 0.85, with a test-retest correlation
      coefficient of 0.64. The area under the curve for CES-D compared to the clinical
      diagnosis of major depression was 0.85. A cut-off score of >=21 for CES-D
      provided the optimal balance between sensitivity (78.3 %) and specificity (74.3
      %) and identified 17.8 % (n = 97) of patients with depression. CES-D and PHQ-9
      showed moderate agreement in depression screening (Cohen's Kappa: 0.45). Compared
      to non-depressed patients, those who screened positive by PHQ-9 had a higher
      HbA1c whereas the glycemic differences were not significant when using CES-D.
      CONCLUSION: The CES-D is a valid screening tool for depression in Chinese type 2
      diabetic patients although the PHQ-9 was more discriminative in identifying those
      with suboptimal glycemic control.

PMID- 26281833
TI  - Randomized multicenter follow-up trial on the effect of radiotherapy on painful
      heel spur (plantar fasciitis) comparing two fractionation schedules with uniform
      total dose: first results after three months' follow-up.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Our first trial on radiotherapy for painful heel spur published in
      2012 comparing the analgesic effect of a standard dose (6 * 1.0 Gy within three
      weeks) to that of a very low one (6 * 0.1 Gy within three weeks) resulted in a
      highly significant superiority of the standard dose arm. In the meantime,
      experimental data have shown that lower single doses in the range of 0.5 - 0.7 Gy
      might be even more effective than the current standard dose of 1.0 Gy. Therefore,
      we conducted a second trial comparing the analgesic effect of standard single
      doses of 1.0 Gy to that of low single doses of 0.5 Gy using uniform total doses
      of 6 Gy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred twenty-seven patients were randomized
      to receive radiation therapy either with a total dose of 6.0 Gy applied in 6
      fractions of 1.0 Gy twice weekly (standard dose) or with the same total dose
      applied in 12 fractions of 0.5 Gy three times weekly (experimental dose). In all
      patients lateral opposing 6MV photon beams were used. The results were measured
      using Visual analogue scale (VAS), Calcaneodynia score (CS) and SF-12 health
      survey. The first phase of this trial ended after a three months' follow-up; it
      will be continued up to 48 weeks. RESULTS: Nine patients had to be excluded after
      randomization either due to the withdrawal of informed consent to radiotherapy by
      the patients or radiotherapy with an incorrect dosage. The groups were comparable
      concerning biographical and disease data. The mean calcaneodynia score (CS) was
      higher in the experimental group (p = 0.002). After three months' follow-up, we
      saw a very favorable pain relief in both arms (decline of VAS score: standard arm
      42 points, experimental arm 44 points (n.s.), but we did not notice any
      statistically significant difference between the arms neither concerning the pain
      parameters nor the quality of life parameters. No relevant acute side effects
      were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: Favorable laboratory results could not be translated
      into an enhanced pain relief in our patients. This trial was terminated after the
      interim analysis (127 patients randomized). Further trials will be necessary to
      explore the best fractionation schedule. This trial has been approved by the
      expert panel of the DEGRO as well as by the Ethics committee of the Saarland
      Physicians' chamber. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current trial registration at German
      Clinical Trials Register with the number DRKS00004458.

PMID- 26281834
TI  - Insulin and IGF-1, but not 17beta-estradiol, alter the subcellular localization
      of MIER1alpha in MCF7 breast carcinoma cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: MIER1alpha is a transcriptional regulator that interacts with
      estrogen receptor alpha and inhibits estrogen-stimulated growth of breast
      carcinoma cells. Interestingly, analysis of MIER1alpha subcellular localization
      in breast samples revealed a stepwise shift from the nucleus to the cytoplasm
      during progression to invasive carcinoma. Previously, we demonstrated that
      MIER1alpha is nuclear in MCF7 cells yet it does not contain a nuclear
      localization signal. Instead MIER1alpha is targeted to the nucleus through
      interaction and co-transport with HDAC 1 and 2. RESULTS: In this study, we
      demonstrate that treatment of MCF7 breast carcinoma cells with either insulin or
      insulin-like growth factor affects the subcellular localization of MIER1alpha.
      Both factors reduce the percentage of cells with nuclear MIER1alpha from 81 and
      89 to 41 and 56%, respectively. Treatment with 17beta-estradiol, on the other
      hand, had no effect and MIER1alpha remained nuclear. CONCLUSIONS: Our data
      demonstrate that insulin and IGF-1 can contribute to loss of nuclear MIER1alpha
      in the MCF7 breast carcinoma cell line.

PMID- 26281835
TI  - Editorial: Current Issues and Future Directions in Paediatric Imaging.

PMID- 26281836
TI  - Early functional rehabilitation or cast immobilisation for the postoperative
      management of acute Achilles tendon rupture? A systematic review and meta
      analysis of randomised controlled trials.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine which postoperative rehabilitation regime is superior
      following surgical repair of acute Achilles tendon rupture. The primary outcomes
      were patient safety and satisfaction. DESIGN: Intervention meta-analysis. DATA
      SOURCES: The MEDLINE and CINAHL electronic databases were searched from their
      date of inception until June 2015 using keywords related to acute Achilles tendon
      rupture, surgical repair and rehabilitation. The electronic database search was
      supplemented with forward citation tracking using the Web of Science. ELIGIBILITY
      CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials comparing clinical and/or patient-reported
      outcomes between patients receiving early functional postoperative ankle motion
      and weight bearing (bracing group), and traditional ankle immobilisation with a
      non-weight bearing rigid cast (cast group) were eligible for inclusion. Fourteen
      articles were identified as potentially eligible; 10 sufficient-quality
      randomised controlled trials involving 570 patients were included for meta
      analysis. MAIN RESULTS: A high proportion of patients were able to return to
      prior employment and sporting activity in both groups. Five of the six trials
      measuring the time interval showed a faster return to prior sporting level in the
      bracing group. Subjective patient outcomes were significantly better in the
      bracing group (for good and excellent results, p=0.01; OR, 3.13; 95% CI 1.30 to
      7.53). There was no difference in major complications between the two groups
      (p=0.21; RD, -0.03; 95% CI -0.06 to 0.01). Dynamometry and anthropometry
      measurements favoured functional rehabilitation at 6-12 weeks postoperation;
      however, by 6 months postoperative, the differences were negligible. CONCLUSIONS:
      Compared to traditional ankle immobilisation, with a non-weight bearing cast
      following surgical repair of acute Achilles tendon rupture, early dynamic
      functional rehabilitation is as safe with higher patient satisfaction.

PMID- 26281837
TI  - Caring for Patients With Advanced Cancer: The Role of the Chair, and Other
      Reflections From 3 Decades in the Clinic.

PMID- 26281838
TI  - Treatment of Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma: Many Shades of Gray.
AB  - Previously obscured within other designations of aggressive lymphomas, peripheral
      T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) now represents 23 different subtypes of non-Hodgkin
      lymphoma (NHL). Despite the many subtypes now recognized, PTCL represents only
      approximately 10% of all NHL cases diagnosed. Positron emission
      tomography/computed tomography has become essential to accurate staging and
      response-evaluation for PTCL. In comparison to aggressive B-cell NHL, patients
      with PTCL will more often be refractory to initial therapy, and chemosensitive
      patients will have shorter disease-free periods. Anthracycline-based regimens,
      often with the inclusion of etoposide, are commonly used during induction
      therapy. Consolidation with high-dose therapy and autologous stem cell
      transplantation (ASCT) in first chemosensitive remission appears to provide the
      best outcome in common nodal PTCL subtypes. The commonly defined nodal subtypes
      are PTCL not otherwise specified, angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, and
      anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive or ALK-negative anaplastic large-cell
      lymphoma (ALCL). Four agents have been approved by the US Food and Drug
      Administration for use in the relapsed/refractory (rel/ref) setting, including
      belinostat (2014), romidepsin (2011), brentuximab vedotin (2011), and
      pralatrexate (2009). Brentuximab vedotin was approved only for the ALCL subtype.
      These agents continue to be studied as combinations in the rel/ref setting and as
      additions or substitutions for other agents in upfront multiagent chemotherapy
      regimens. Patients who have responded to treatment in the rel/ref setting and are
      considered transplant-eligible should be considered for allogeneic stem cell
      transplantation, especially those with previous ASCT. Upfront allogeneic stem
      cell transplantation remains a research question in the majority of PTCL
      subtypes, but data are emerging. 

PMID- 26281839
TI  - Therapy for Peripheral T-Cell Lymphomas: Where We Are and Where We Hope to Be.

PMID- 26281840
TI  - Improving Long-Term Survival in Patients With Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer
      via the Delivery of Definitive Radiotherapy Doses.

PMID- 26281841
TI  - Advance Care Planning Discussions: Why They Should Happen, Why They Don't, and
      How We Can Facilitate the Process.
AB  - Recent data suggest that we are not successfully getting the message across about
      the importance of advance care planning for patients who have a life-ending
      illness. Half to three-quarters of patients with incurable cancer think that they
      might be cured by chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery. The source of this denial
      may lie with them, it may be traceable to their physicians, or it may be a
      combination of the two. This avoidance has consequences, since those patients
      with "prognostic awareness" have end-of-life care pathways that involve little
      use of the hospital, ICU, end-of-life chemo, or "codes" with almost no chance of
      success, and much more dying at home with hospice care. If we can successfully
      initiate advance care planning discussions with our patients and families, their
      end-of-life processes will improve, resulting in better care, less use of the
      hospital, and more honoring of newly discerned choices. We show how this can be
      done in regular oncology practice by introducing the Johns Hopkins "Palliative
      Care Temporary Tattoo" and by providing some ways to discuss cardiopulmonary
      resuscitation in settings where it will not be helpful. 

PMID- 26281842
TI  - Advance Care Planning: We Can Do It!

PMID- 26281843
TI  - Biphenotypic extramedullary blast crisis of chronic myeloid leukemia with variant
      Philadelphia chromosome translocation.

PMID- 26281844
TI  - A Multidisciplinary Approach to Perianal and Intra-Abdominal Infections in the
      Neutropenic Cancer Patient.
AB  - The chemotherapeutic treatment of both hematologic and solid organ malignancies
      has increased in recent decades, resulting in increased neutropenia-related
      perianal and intra-abdominal infections. Nearly 30% of neutropenia-related
      infections arise in the gastrointestinal tract. The management of these patients
      is often not straightforward, and the indications for and timing of surgical
      intervention continue to be unclear. The management strategy must take into
      account such factors as recent chemotherapy toxicity, stage and prognosis of the
      malignancy, performance status, comorbidities, degree of neutropenia,
      immunosuppression, thrombocytopenia, and corticosteroid use. The degree and
      duration of neutropenia is a key determinant of infection resolution. The focus
      of this review will be the multidisciplinary approach to management of anorectal
      infection, neutropenic enterocolitis, appendicitis, and cholecystitis in the
      neutropenic cancer patient. 

PMID- 26281845
TI  - ACR Appropriateness Criteria(r) Resectable Stomach Cancer.
AB  - For resectable gastric cancer, perioperative chemotherapy or adjuvant
      chemoradiation with chemotherapy are standards of care. The decision making for
      adjuvant therapeutic management can depend on the stage of the cancer, lymph node
      positivity, and extent of surgical resection. After gastric cancer resection,
      postoperative chemotherapy combined with chemoradiation should be incorporated in
      cases of D0 lymph node dissection, positive regional lymph nodes, poor clinical
      response to induction chemotherapy, or positive margins. In the setting of a D2
      lymph node dissection, especially those with negative regional lymph nodes,
      adjuvant chemotherapy alone could be considered. The American College of
      Radiology (ACR) Appropriateness Criteria(r) are evidence-based guidelines for
      specific clinical conditions that are reviewed every 3 years by a
      multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and review includes an
      extensive analysis of current medical literature from peer-reviewed journals and
      the application of a well-established consensus methodology (modified Delphi) to
      rate the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures by the panel. In
      those instances where evidence is lacking or not definitive, expert opinion may
      be used to recommend imaging or treatment. 

PMID- 26281846
TI  - In Vivo Imaging of Human MDR1 Transcription in the Brain and Spine of MDR1
      Luciferase Reporter Mice.
AB  - P-glycoprotein (Pgp) [the product of the MDR1 (ABCB1) gene] at the blood-brain
      barrier (BBB) limits central nervous system (CNS) entry of many prescribed drugs,
      contributing to the poor success rate of CNS drug candidates. Modulating Pgp
      expression could improve drug delivery into the brain; however, assays to predict
      regulation of human BBB Pgp are lacking. We developed a transgenic mouse model to
      monitor human MDR1 transcription in the brain and spinal cord in vivo. A reporter
      construct consisting of ~10 kb of the human MDR1 promoter controlling the firefly
      luciferase gene was used to generate a transgenic mouse line (MDR1-luc).
      Fluorescence in situ hybridization localized the MDR1-luciferase transgene on
      chromosome 3. Reporter gene expression was monitored with an in vivo imaging
      system following D-luciferin injection. Basal expression was detectable in the
      brain, and treatment with activators of the constitutive androstane, pregnane X,
      and glucocorticoid receptors induced brain and spinal MDR1-luc transcription.
      Since D-luciferin is a substrate of ABCG2, the feasibility of improving D
      luciferin brain accumulation (and luciferase signal) was tested by
      coadministering the dual ABCB1/ABCG2 inhibitor elacridar. The brain and spine
      MDR1-luc signal intensity was increased by elacridar treatment, suggesting
      enhanced D-luciferin brain bioavailability. There was regional heterogeneity in
      MDR1 transcription (cortex > cerebellum) that coincided with higher mouse Pgp
      protein expression. We confirmed luciferase expression in brain vessel
      endothelial cells by ex vivo analysis of tissue luciferase protein expression. We
      conclude that the MDR1-luc mouse provides a unique in vivo system to visualize
      MDR1 CNS expression and regulation. 

PMID- 26281847
TI  - Positive selection in development and growth rate regulation genes involved in
      species divergence of the genus Radix.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Life history traits like developmental time, age and size at maturity
      are directly related to fitness in all organisms and play a major role in
      adaptive evolution and speciation processes. Comparative genomic or
      transcriptomic approaches to identify positively selected genes involved in
      species divergence can help to generate hypotheses on the driving forces behind
      speciation. Here we use a bottom-up approach to investigate this hypothesis by
      comparative analysis of orthologous transcripts of four closely related European
      Radix species. RESULTS: Snails of the genus Radix occupy species specific
      distribution ranges with distinct climatic niches, indicating a potential for
      natural selection driven speciation based on ecological niche differentiation. We
      then inferred phylogenetic relationships among the four Radix species based on
      whole mt-genomes plus 23 nuclear loci. Three different tests to infer selection
      and changes in amino acid properties yielded a total of 134 genes with signatures
      of positive selection. The majority of these genes belonged to the functional
      gene ontology categories "reproduction" and "genitalia" with an
      overrepresentation of the functions "development" and "growth rate". CONCLUSIONS:
      We show here that Radix species divergence may be primarily enforced by selection
      on life history traits such as (larval-) development and growth rate. We thus
      hypothesise that life history differences may confer advantages under the
      according climate regimes, e.g., species occupying warmer and dryer habitats
      might have a fitness advantage with fast developing susceptible life stages,
      which are more tolerant to habitat desiccation.

PMID- 26281848
TI  - Analysis of Polygenic Mutants Suggests a Role for Mediator in Regulating
      Transcriptional Activation Distance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
AB  - Studies of natural populations of many organisms have shown that traits are often
      complex, caused by contributions of mutations in multiple genes. In contrast,
      genetic studies in the laboratory primarily focus on studying the phenotypes
      caused by mutations in a single gene. However, the single mutation approach may
      be limited with respect to the breadth and degree of new phenotypes that can be
      found. We have taken the approach of isolating complex, or polygenic mutants in
      the lab to study the regulation of transcriptional activation distance in yeast.
      While most aspects of eukaryotic transcription are conserved from yeast to human,
      transcriptional activation distance is not. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the
      upstream activating sequence (UAS) is generally found within 450 base pairs of
      the transcription start site (TSS) and when the UAS is moved too far away,
      activation no longer occurs. In contrast, metazoan enhancers can activate from as
      far as several hundred kilobases from the TSS. Previously, we identified single
      mutations that allow transcription activation to occur at a greater-than-normal
      distance from the GAL1 UAS. As the single mutant phenotypes were weak, we have
      now isolated polygenic mutants that possess strong long-distance phenotypes. By
      identification of the causative mutations we have accounted for most of the
      heritability of the phenotype in each strain and have provided evidence that the
      Mediator coactivator complex plays both positive and negative roles in the
      regulation of transcription activation distance. 

PMID- 26281850
TI  - Heart rate variability as a potential indicator of positive valence system
      disturbance: A proof of concept investigation.
AB  - One promising avenue toward a better understanding of the pathophysiology of
      positive emotional disturbances is to examine high-frequency heart rate
      variability (HRV-HF), which has been implicated as a potential physiological
      index of disturbances in positive emotional functioning. To date, only a few
      psychopathology relevant studies have systematically quantified HRV-HF profiles
      using more ecologically valid methods in everyday life. Using an experience
      sampling approach, the present study examined both mean levels and intra
      individual variability of HRV-HF - as well as comparison measures of
      cardiovascular arousal, sympathetic activity, and gross somatic movement - in
      everyday life, using ambulatory psychophysiological measurement across a six-day
      consecutive period among a spectrum of community adult participants with varying
      degrees of positive valence system disturbance, including adults with bipolar I
      disorder (BD; n=21), major depressive disorder (MDD; n=17), and healthy non
      psychiatric controls (CTL; n=28). Groups did not differ in mean HRV-HF, but
      greater HRV-HF instability (i.e., intra-individual variation in HRV-HF) was found
      in the BD compared to both MDD and CTL groups. Subsequent analyses suggested that
      group differences in HRV-HF variability were largely accounted for by variations
      in clinician-rated manic symptoms. However, no association was found between HRV
      HF variability and dimensional measures of positive affectivity. This work
      provides evidence consistent with a quadratic relationship between HRV-HF and
      positive emotional disturbance and represents a valuable step toward developing a
      more ecologically valid model of positive valence system disturbances and their
      underlying psychophysiological mechanisms within an RDoC framework. 

PMID- 26281849
TI  - Construction and comparative evaluation of different activity detection methods
      in brain FDG-PET.
AB  - AIM: We constructed and evaluated reference brain FDG-PET databases for usage by
      three software programs (Computer-aided diagnosis for dementia (CAD4D),
      Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM) and NEUROSTAT), which allow a user
      independent detection of dementia-related hypometabolism in patients' brain FDG
      PET. METHODS: Thirty-seven healthy volunteers were scanned in order to construct
      brain FDG reference databases, which reflect the normal, age-dependent glucose
      consumption in human brain, using either software. Databases were compared to
      each other to assess the impact of different stereotactic normalization
      algorithms used by either software package. In addition, performance of the new
      reference databases in the detection of altered glucose consumption in the brains
      of patients was evaluated by calculating statistical maps of regional
      hypometabolism in FDG-PET of 20 patients with confirmed Alzheimer's dementia (AD)
      and of 10 non-AD patients. Extent (hypometabolic volume referred to as cluster
      size) and magnitude (peak z-score) of detected hypometabolism was statistically
      analyzed. RESULTS: Differences between the reference databases built by CAD4D,
      SPM or NEUROSTAT were observed. Due to the different normalization methods,
      altered spatial FDG patterns were found. When analyzing patient data with the
      reference databases created using CAD4D, SPM or NEUROSTAT, similar characteristic
      clusters of hypometabolism in the same brain regions were found in the AD group
      with either software. However, larger z-scores were observed with CAD4D and
      NEUROSTAT than those reported by SPM. Better concordance with CAD4D and NEUROSTAT
      was achieved using the spatially normalized images of SPM and an independent z
      score calculation. The three software packages identified the peak z-scores in
      the same brain region in 11 of 20 AD cases, and there was concordance between
      CAD4D and SPM in 16 AD subjects. CONCLUSION: The clinical evaluation of brain FDG
      PET of 20 AD patients with either CAD4D-, SPM- or NEUROSTAT-generated databases
      from an identical reference dataset showed similar patterns of hypometabolism in
      the brain regions known to be involved in AD. The extent of hypometabolism and
      peak z-score appeared to be influenced by the calculation method used in each
      software package rather than by different spatial normalization parameters.

PMID- 26281851
TI  - Psychological status of patients with nephrotic syndrome undergoing percutaneous
      renal biopsy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is a common clinical disease with four main
      clinical manifestations: hypoalbuminemia (<30 g/L), macro-proteinuria (>3.5 g/24
      h), edema, and hyperlipidemia. There is a variety of pathological types that are
      associated with NS. Percutaneous renal biopsy (PRB) plays an important role in
      clinical practice in that it can be used to establish a histological diagnosis,
      to provide information for an ultimate NS diagnosis, and subsequent prognosis.
      Our aim was to observe the psychological status of patients with NS before and
      after PRB and investigate the factors affecting their psychological status.
      METHODS: Two hundred and thirty-five patients with NS were enrolled in the
      present study. We evaluated the psychological status of patients 24 hours before
      and 6 hours after PRB by using the Symptom Check List-90 and State-Trait Anxiety
      Inventory. RESULTS: We analyzed the factors affecting the psychological status of
      the study participants before and after this important NS procedure. Before the
      PRB procedure was administered, the factorial anxiety and phobic anxiety scores
      were higher than normal (p < 0.0.5). After PRB, only anxiety was determined to be
      higher than normal in the somatization score (p < 0.05). In general, there were
      higher scores among males rather than the female study participants (p < 0.05).
      Scores of all indices decreased significantly in all patients after PRB (p <
      0.05). CONCLUSION: Psychological status was common in patients who underwent PRB
      and were affected by many factors.

PMID- 26281852
TI  - Fibre intake and incident colorectal cancer depending on fibre source, sex,
      tumour location and Tumour, Node, Metastasis stage.
AB  - Studies on fibre intake and incident colorectal cancer (CRC) indicate inverse
      associations. Differences by tumour stage have not been examined. We examined
      associations between fibre intake and its sources, and incidental CRC. Separate
      analyses were carried out on the basis of sex, tumour location and the Tumour,
      Node, Metastasis (TNM) classification. The Malmo Diet and Cancer Study is a
      population-based cohort study, including individuals aged 45-74 years. Dietary
      data were collected through a modified diet history method. The TNM
      classification was obtained from pathology/clinical records and re-evaluated.
      Among 27 931 individuals (60% women), we found 728 incident CRC cases during 428
      924 person-years of follow-up. Fibre intake was inversely associated with CRC
      risk (P(trend) = 0.026). Concerning colon cancer, we observed borderline
      interaction between fibre intake and sex (P = 0.052) and significant protective
      association restricted to women (P(trend) = 0.013). Intake of fruits and berries
      was inversely associated with colon cancer in women (P(trend) = 0.022). We also
      observed significant interactions between intakes of fibre (P = 0.048) and
      vegetables (P = 0.039) and sex on rectal cancer, but no significant associations
      were seen between intake of fibre, or its sources, in either of the sexes. Except
      for inverse associations between intake of fibre-rich cereal products and N0- and
      M0-tumours, we did not observe significant associations with different TNM
      stages. Our findings suggest different associations between fibre intake and CRC
      depending on sex, tumour site and fibre source. High fibre intake, especially
      from fruits and berries, may, above all, prevent tumour development in the colon
      in women. No clear differences by TNM classification were detected.

PMID- 26281853
TI  - Evaluating the effects of mindfulness-based interventions for informal palliative
      caregivers: A systematic literature review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is a need to identify proactive, evidence-based interventions
      to support informal palliative caregivers. Mindfulness-based interventions,
      evidenced in the literature as providing physical and mental health benefits for
      diverse populations, may have application in the setting of palliative
      caregiving. AIM: To describe, evaluate and synthesise the peer-reviewed
      literature on the effects of mindfulness-based interventions for informal
      palliative caregivers. DESIGN: A Systematic Literature Review according to the
      Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta Analyses guidelines and
      a Narrative synthesis. DATA SOURCES: The Cochrane Library, CINAHL, MEDLINE,
      PsycINFO and EMBASE databases, searched from inception to February 2014 and
      references of included studies. RESULTS: A total of 13 articles, reporting 10
      studies (n = 432 participants) were included. All studies were conducted in the
      last 5 years. Dementia caregivers were the most frequently researched population
      (n = 7). Results suggest that mindfulness-based interventions are feasible and
      acceptable to offer to informal palliative caregivers and may provide benefit,
      particularly in terms of reducing depression and caregiver burden and increasing
      quality of life. However, effects were not as robust as findings in the wider
      mindfulness intervention literature. CONCLUSION: This is the first systematic
      literature review on this topic. Results suggest both feasibility and potential
      benefit. Further qualitative research is required to explore the outcomes
      identified by informal caregivers themselves as the reduced magnitude of effect
      may suggest that we are not measuring the right outcomes in this context. This
      would inform more sensitive outcome measures for future intervention studies and
      guide the development and application of mindfulness-based models in this area.

PMID- 26281854
TI  - A multimethod analysis of shared decision-making in hospice interdisciplinary
      team meetings including family caregivers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Much of the existing research on shared decision-making in hospice
      and palliative care focuses on the provider-patient dyad; little is known about
      shared decision-making that is inclusive of family members of patients with
      advanced disease. AIM: We sought to describe shared decision-making as it
      occurred in hospice interdisciplinary team meetings that included family
      caregivers as participants using video-conferencing technology. DESIGN: We
      conducted a multimethod study in which we used content and thematic analysis
      techniques to analyze video-recordings of hospice interdisciplinary team meetings
      (n = 100), individual interviews of family caregivers (n = 73) and hospice staff
      members (n = 78), and research field notes. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: Participants in
      the original studies from which data for this analysis were drawn were hospice
      family caregivers and staff members employed by one of five different community
      based hospice agencies located in the Midwestern United States. RESULTS: Shared
      decision-making occurred infrequently in hospice interdisciplinary team meetings
      that included family caregivers. Barriers to shared decision-making included time
      constraints, communication skill deficits, unaddressed emotional needs, staff
      absences, and unclear role expectations. The hospice philosophy of care, current
      trends in healthcare delivery, the interdisciplinary nature of hospice teams, and
      the designation of a team leader/facilitator supported shared decision-making.
      CONCLUSION: The involvement of family caregivers in hospice interdisciplinary
      team meetings using video-conferencing technology creates a useful platform for
      shared decision-making; however, steps must be taken to transform family
      caregivers from meeting attendees to shared decision-makers.

PMID- 26281855
TI  - Becoming a person with HIV: experiences of Cambodian women infected by their
      spouses.
AB  - We conducted an interpretive phenomenological investigation in order to
      understand, within a Cambodian sociocultural context, the lived experiences of
      women infected with HIV by their husbands as they navigated the tasks of
      discovering, disclosing and dealing with the diagnosis. Using an open-ended
      interview protocol and an interpretive phenomenological approach, data were
      analysed from 15 women (aged 28-42 years) who self-identified the HIV
      transmission as coming from their spouses. Using qualitative inductive analysis,
      we were able to identify three main themes: (1) finding oneself to be HIV
      positive, (2) encountering HIV--accepting an unwelcomed guest and (3) going
      public--dealing with the fear of discrimination. Participants consistently
      delayed testing for HIV and, after receiving an HIV-positive diagnosis, had to
      deal with painful emotions and discrimination within their social network. The
      complexity of gender roles and the sociocultural status of the women acted as
      behavioural determinants of their responses to HIV transmission from their
      spouses.

PMID- 26281856
TI  - Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome: a case report.
AB  - Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome (ARS) is a rare autosomal dominant condition manifesting
      as a heterogeneous group of features. Of particular note are the ocular and
      craniofacial anomalies and dental features such as hypodontia, microdontia,
      taurodontism, enamel hypoplasia, conical-shaped teeth, shortened roots and
      delayed eruption. To treat cases with ARS effectively, a multidisciplinary
      approach is required, and this report describes the complex and long-term
      management of a case with input from Paediatric Dentistry, Orthodontics,
      Restorative Dentistry, Speech and Language Therapy, Oral and Maxillofacial
      Surgery and Radiology. 

PMID- 26281857
TI  - Acceptance and commitment group therapy (ACT-G) for health anxiety: a randomized
      controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Severe health anxiety is frequent and costly, yet rarely diagnosed or
      treated. Earlier treatment studies show problems with recruitment, dropout and
      recovery. In the current study, the authors aimed to test the effect of
      acceptance and commitment group therapy (ACT-G) compared to waitlist in patients
      with severe health anxiety. METHOD: During March 2010 to April 2012, 126
      consecutively referred patients meeting research criteria for severe health
      anxiety were block-randomized (1:1) to ACT-G or a 10 months' waitlist
      (Clinicaltrials.gov, no. NCT01158430). Patients allocated to ACT-G were treated
      in seven groups of nine patients between December 2010 and October 2012 and
      received nine weekly 3-h group sessions and a booster session consisting of ACT
      techniques. The primary outcome was decided a priori as the mean change in self
      reported illness worry on the Whiteley-7 Index (WI) from baseline to 10 months'
      follow-up. Secondary outcomes were improvement in emotional distress and health
      related quality of life at 10 months' follow-up. RESULTS: Intention-to-treat
      analysis showed a statistically significant mean difference of 20.5 points [95%
      confidence interval (CI) 11.7-29.4, p < 0.001] on the WI between the groups at 10
      months, and the between-group effect sizes were large (Cohen's d = 0.89, 95% CI
      0.50-1.29). The number needed to treat was 2.4 (95% CI 1.4-3.4, p < 0.001).
      Diagnosis and treatment were well accepted by the patients. CONCLUSIONS: ACT-G
      seems feasible, acceptable and effective in treating severe health anxiety.

PMID- 26281860
TI  - Risk of recurrence estimates with IHC4+C are tolerant of variations in staining
      and scoring: an analytical validity study.
AB  - AIMS: The IHC4+C score combines assessment of oestrogen receptor (ER),
      progesterone receptor (PgR), HER2 and Ki67 with clinicopathological parameters to
      identify the risk of distant disease recurrence in patients with breast cancer,
      so, aiding treatment decision-making on adjuvant chemotherapy. Despite low cost
      and wide availability, the reported use of IHC4+C remains limited; one
      explanation for this is the perception that immunohistochemistry (IHC)-based
      methods and assessment of them lack precision, reproducibility and portability.
      We examined the effects of decentralised testing and easily reproducible estimate
      based scoring methods on IHC4+C scores to determine its suitability for wider
      adoption. METHODS: Sections from a breast cancer tissue micro-array (TMA) were
      distributed to three centres undertaking diagnostic breast cancer IHC. Centres
      stained sections using their standard procedures, and returned them for central
      assessment. The results were compared with those obtained at IHC4+C's originating
      hospital (Royal Marsden Hospital (RMH)). In parallel, TMA sections stained at RMH
      were scored by a variety of simplified non-counting-based methods. The results
      were compared with those produced using counting. RESULTS: There was a high
      degree of correlation between individual IHC results produced by external centres
      and those of RMH (r: 0.797-0.982), and between risk of distant recurrence scores
      derived from them (r: 0.972-0.984). Scoring methods for ER and PgR could be
      adapted to require less precision without significantly affecting correlation
      with counted results (r: 0.933 and 0.980, respectively), but correlation between
      estimating and counting for Ki67 was poorer (r: 0.855). CONCLUSIONS: IHC4+C is
      tolerant of variation in staining and scoring methods. Although additional
      confirmatory comparative studies are required, these data support use of IHC4+C
      in clinical practice outside RMH.

PMID- 26281861
TI  - High Ki67 expression is an independent good prognostic marker in colorectal
      cancer.
AB  - AIMS: To correlate Ki67 expression with outcome in colorectal cancer (CRC).
      METHODS: Ki67 labelling index (Ki67LI) was analysed by immunohistochemistry on a
      tissue microarray containing 1800 CRCs. The results were compared with
      clinicopathological and molecular parameters. RESULTS: Ki67LI was considered low
      in 26.3%, moderate in 56.7% and high in 17.0% of 1653 interpretable CRCs. High
      Ki67 expression was associated with low tumour stage (p<0.0001) and nodal status
      (p=0.0315), but not with tumour grade (p=0.8639), histological tumour type
      (p=0.1542) or tumour localisation, and was an independent prognosticator of
      favourable survival (p=0.0121). High Ki67 expression was also significantly
      associated with high-level nuclear beta-catenin and p53 expression (p<0.0001 and
      p=0.0095, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In summary, our data show that high Ki67
      expression in CRCs is associated with good clinical outcome. Ki67, p53 and beta
      catenin overexpression seem to be linked to CRC, and indicate a cellular state of
      high proliferative activity. Finally, our findings strongly argue for a clinical
      utility of Ki67 immunostaining as an independent prognostic biomarker in CRC.

PMID- 26281862
TI  - Tissue factor is unregulated in microvascular endothelial cells of patients with
      heart failure.
AB  - AIMS: Several lines of evidence point to hypercoagulability as an important
      factor for heart failure (HF) pathogenesis. METHODS: We hypothesised that
      endothelial tissue factor (TF) expression reflects altered tissue haemostasis
      which is related to the severity of HF. Accordingly, we investigated TF
      expression in the biopsies of 60 patients with HF and 22 without HF. In addition,
      we assessed the relationship between endothelial TF expression and clinical
      markers of HF severity. RESULTS: The control subjects without HF presented absent
      or weak TF expression in few microvessels, while the endomyocardial biopsies of
      patients with HF, capillary vessels presented both weak and severe staining
      patterns by immunohistochemistry usually with regional distribution. This was
      collaborated by the immune electron microscopic study. The severe microvessel TF
      antigen expression was found in 11 (18.3%) patients with HF. The endothelial TF
      expression was inversely associated with left ventricular ejection fraction (r=
      0.42, p=0.001) and positively with N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide (r=0.36,
      p<0.023), markers of HF severity. CONCLUSIONS: Regional upregulation of the TF in
      the capillary endothelial cells suggests local myocardial thrombogenicity.
      Furthermore, the relationship between endothelial TF and HF severity would be
      keeping in line with the hypothesis that an altered tissue haemostasis is most
      profoundly expressed in patients with severe HF. Weak TF expression found in
      several microvessels of the biopsy specimens patients without HF pathology might
      be potentially related to a low basal level of activation of the clotting system
      in normal individuals.

PMID- 26281863
TI  - An immunohistochemical comparison of two TTF-1 monoclonal antibodies in atypical
      squamous lesions and sarcomatoid carcinoma of the lung, and pleural malignant
      mesothelioma.
AB  - Immunohistochemical detection of thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1) plays an
      important role in the diagnosis and subclassification of non-small cell
      carcinomas of the lung in biopsy and some cytology samples, specifically for
      identification of squamous cell carcinoma (classically negative) and non-mucinous
      adenocarcinoma (positive in most cases) and for discrimination between lung
      adenocarcinoma and pleural malignant mesothelioma (classically negative). AIMS
      AND METHODS: We carried out a comparison of the widely used mouse monoclonal TTF
      1 antibody based on the 8G7G3/1 clone versus the more recently introduced rabbit
      monoclonal antibody (MAb) based on the SP141 clone. RESULTS: Both antibodies
      labelled alveolar epithelium in normal lung parenchyma, but the SP141 antibody
      also labelled bronchial mucosal basal cells. All 13 cases of atypical squamous
      lesions (including one case of bronchial squamous dysplasia) were negative with
      the 8G7G3/1 antibody, but 6/13 cases of squamous carcinoma/dysplasia showed
      positive nuclear labelling with the SP141 antibody in the same tissue biopsy. All
      35 cases of adenocarcinoma of the lung were positive with both antibodies. For 12
      cases of sarcomatoid carcinoma of the lung, two cases were labelled with the
      8G7G3/1 antibody, whereas positive labelling of 4/12 cases was observed with
      SP141. All 66 cases of epithelioid malignant mesothelioma were negative with both
      antibodies, but 8/19 cases of sarcomatoid mesothelioma showed positive nuclear
      labelling with the SP141 antibody (0/19 with 8G7G3/1). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings
      indicate differences in the rates of positive and negative labelling with these
      two antibodies, and suggest the potential for misclassification of a proportion
      of squamous carcinomas of the lung as adenocarcinoma, and for misdiagnosis of
      some sarcomatoid mesotheliomas as sarcomatoid carcinoma of the lung. If the
      results of SP141 are assigned overriding significance, our findings further
      indicate that in isolation, neither negative labelling with either 8G7G3/1 or
      SP141 nor positive labelling with the SP141 MAb discriminates between sarcomatoid
      carcinoma and sarcomatoid mesothelioma, whereas positive labelling with the
      8G7G3/1 MAb favours a diagnosis of sarcomatoid carcinoma. The literature suggests
      that these seemingly 'aberrant' results with the SP141 antibody are not 'false'
      positives, but rather real detection of low levels of TTF-1 protein in a broader
      range of tumours than is widely recognised.

PMID- 26281865
TI  - Li-O2 Kinetic Overpotentials: Tafel Plots from Experiment and First-Principles
      Theory.
AB  - We report the current dependence of the fundamental kinetic overpotentials for Li
      O2 discharge and charge (Tafel plots) that define the optimal cycle efficiency in
      a Li-air battery. Comparison of the unusual experimental Tafel plots obtained in
      a bulk electrolysis cell with those obtained by first-principles theory is
      semiquantitative. The kinetic overpotentials for any practical current density
      are very small, considerably less than polarization losses due to iR drops from
      the cell impedance in Li-O2 batteries. If only the kinetic overpotentials were
      present, then a discharge-charge voltaic cycle efficiency of ~85% should be
      possible at ~10 mA/cm(2) superficial current density in a battery of ~0.1 m(2)
      total cathode area. We therefore suggest that minimizing the cell impedance is a
      more important problem than minimizing the kinetic overpotentials to develop
      higher current Li-air batteries. 

PMID- 26281864
TI  - Correlation between DPYD gene variation and KRAS wild type status in colorectal
      cancer.
AB  - AIMS: Failure and side effects of combined cytotoxic therapy are challenges in
      the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). DPYD gene variations can
      potentially predict toxicity to 5-fluorouracil (FU)-based therapy and KRAS-, NRAS
      , BRAF-, PIK3CA-wild type status is a known prerequisite for epidermal growth
      factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor therapy. This study was performed to search for
      a possible link between these therapeutic markers. METHODS: The DPYD gene
      variations c.496A>G, c.1679T>G, c.2846A>T and KRAS/NRAS/BRAF/PIK3CA mutational
      status were determined in non-neoplastic, primary CRC and metastatic CRC tissue
      from 115 patients. RESULTS: The polymorphism c.496A>G was the DPYD gene variant
      with the highest detection rate (12.9%), occurred predominantly in females
      (86.7%, p=0.0044) and was exclusively seen in KRAS wild type primary CRC (15/65
      (23.1%) vs 0/51 (0%) in KRAS-mutated primary CRC, respectively, p=0.0001).
      CONCLUSIONS: This genetic profile could define a patient group requiring
      alternative combined therapeutic approaches. Global testing of large patient
      cohorts is necessary to prove this concept.

PMID- 26281866
TI  - Exploration of Structures of Two-Dimensional Boron-Silicon Compounds with sp(2)
      Silicon.
AB  - The most stable structures of two-dimensional (2D) boron-silicon (B-Si) compounds
      containing planar sp(2)-bonding silicon (sp(2)-Si) are explored using the first
      principles calculation-based particle-swarm optimization method. Among 10 B-Si
      compounds considered, we find that for BSi4, BSi3, BSi, B2Si, B3Si, B5Si, and
      B6Si, each Si atom is bonded with three B or Si atoms within the same plane,
      representing a preference of planar sp(2)-Si structure in B-Si compounds. For
      BSi2 and B4Si, the predicted lowest-energy structures entail a small out-of-plane
      buckling. Furthermore, a planar-tetracoordinated Si (ptSi) atom bonded with four
      B atoms within the same plane is observed in the lowest-energy structure of B7Si
      compound. Dynamical stabilities of the predicted 10 2D B-Si compounds are
      confirmed via phonon-spectrum calculation. The lowest-energy 2D B-Si compounds
      are all metals, regardless of the B-Si stoichiometry considered in this study. 

PMID- 26281867
TI  - A Noble-Metal-Free Hydrogen Evolution Catalyst Grafted to Visible Light-Absorbing
      Semiconductors.
AB  - We report a method for facile connection of a nickel bisdiphosphine-based
      functional mimic of the active site of hydrogenase to photocathodes that are
      relevant to artificial photosynthesis. This procedure exploits the UV-induced
      immobilization chemistry of alkenes to gallium phosphide and silicon surfaces.
      The photochemical grafting provides a means for patterning molecular linkers with
      attachment points to catalysts. Successful grafting is characterized by grazing
      angle attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (GATR
      FTIR), which shows catalyst vibrational modes, as well as X-ray photoelectron
      spectroscopy (XPS), which confirms the presence of intact Ni complex on the
      surface. The modular nature of this approach allows independent modification of
      the light absorber, bridging material, anchoring functionality, or catalyst as
      new materials and discoveries emerge. 

PMID- 26281868
TI  - How Crystals Nucleate and Grow in Aqueous NaCl Solution.
AB  - Large-scale molecular dynamics simulations (64 000 particles) are used to examine
      the microscopic mechanism of crystal nucleation and growth in a slightly
      supersaturated solution of NaCl in water at 300 K and 1 atm. Early-stage
      nucleation is observed, and the growth of a single crystal is followed for ~140
      ns. It is shown that the nucleation and growth process is better described by
      Ostwald's rule of stages than by classical nucleation theory. Crystal nucleation
      originates in a region where the local salt concentration exceeds that of the
      bulk solution. The early-stage nucleus is a loosely ordered arrangement of ions
      that retains a significant amount of water. The residual water is slowly removed
      as the crystal grows and evolves toward its stable anhydrous state. 

PMID- 26281869
TI  - On the Biexponential Decay of the Photoluminescence of the Two
      Crystallographically-Independent Molecules in Crystals of
      [Cu(I)(phen)(PPh3)2][BF4].
AB  - [Cu(I)(phen)(PPh3)2][BF4] crystallizes with two nonsymmetry-related molecules in
      the asymmetric unit. Synchrotron time-resolved X-ray diffraction experiments have
      shown that the two independent molecules distort differently on MLCT excitation.
      The luminescence decay of the crystals is biexponential with two different Stokes
      shifts, the more rapid decay corresponding to the shorter wavelength emission.
      Its amplitude diminishes rapidly with an increase in temperature, indicating that
      this emission is not due to a thermal activation to a higher state. The double
      emission is attributed to the presence of two independent molecules with
      drastically different packing environments. It is concluded that the solid-state
      environment must be analyzed whenever photochemical properties of molecular
      solids are reported. 

PMID- 26281870
TI  - Extremely Slow Dynamics of an Abiotic Helical Assembly: Unusual Relevance to the
      Secondary Structure of Proteins.
AB  - Serendipitously, we found that isoleucine methylester functionalized
      perylenediimide 1 undergoes an extremely slow supramolecular helical assembly
      over a day's time. Surprisingly, heating led to irreversible chiral denaturation.
      However, reversible helical assembly could be achieved only in the presence of
      nondenatured aggregates of 1, which act as seeds. The intriguing functional
      relevance deduced from 1 was employed to draw parallels with the secondary
      structure of proteins, envisaging its plausible implications. 

PMID- 26281871
TI  - Single-Molecule Conductance in a Series of Extended Viologen Molecules.
AB  - Single-molecule conductance in a series of extended viologen molecules was
      measured at room temperature using a gold-molecule-gold scanning tunneling
      microscopy break junction arrangement. Conductance values for individual
      molecules change from 4.8 +/- 1.2 nS for the shortest compound to 2.9 +/- 1.0 nS
      for the compound with six repeating units and length of 11 nm. The latter value
      is almost 3 orders of magnitude higher than that reported for all-carbon-based
      aromatic molecular wires of comparable length. On the basis of the length of the
      molecules, an attenuation factor of only 0.06 +/- 0.004 nm(-1) (0.006 +/- 0.0004
      A(-1)) was obtained. To the best of our knowledge, this is the smallest value
      reported for the conductance attenuation in a series of molecular wires. 

PMID- 26281872
TI  - Ultrafast Photochemistry of a Manganese-Tricarbonyl CO-Releasing Molecule (CORM)
      in Aqueous Solution.
AB  - Ultraviolet irradiation of a manganese-tricarbonyl CO-releasing molecule (CORM)
      in water eventually leads to the liberation of some of the carbon monoxide
      ligands. By ultraviolet pump/mid-infrared probe femtosecond transient absorption
      spectroscopy in combination with quantum chemical calculations, we could disclose
      for the exemplary compound [Mn(CO)3(tpm)](+) (tpm = tris(2-pyrazolyl)methane)
      that only one of the three carbonyl ligands is photochemically dissociated on an
      ultrafast time scale and that some molecules may undergo geminate recombination. 

PMID- 26281873
TI  - Correction to "Unraveling the Complex Nature of the Hydrated Electron".

PMID- 26281874
TI  - Supercharged Low-Temperature Oxygen Storage Capacity of Ceria at the Nanoscale.
AB  - We provide an explanation for the experimental finding of a dramatically enhanced
      low-temperature oxygen storage capacity for small ceria nanoparticles. At low
      temperature, small octahedral ceria nanoparticles will be understoichiometric at
      both oxidizing and reducing conditions without showing explicit oxygen vacancies.
      Instead, rather than becoming stoichiometric at oxidizing conditions, such
      particles are stabilized through oxygen adsorption forming superoxo (O2(-)) ions
      and become in this way supercharged with oxygen. The supercharging effect is size
      dependent and largest for small nanoparticles where it gives a direct increase in
      the oxygen storage capacity and simultaneously provides a source of active oxygen
      species at low temperatures. 

PMID- 26281875
TI  - Cryogenic Single-Nanocrystal Spectroscopy: Reading the Spectral Fingerprint of
      Individual CdSe Quantum Dots.
AB  - Spectroscopically resolved emission from single nanocrystals at cryogenic
      temperatures provides unique insight into physical processes that occur within
      these materials. At low temperatures, the emission spectra collapse to narrow
      lines, revealing a rich spectroscopic landscape and unexpected properties,
      completely hidden at the ensemble level. Since these techniques were first used,
      the technology of nanocrystal synthesis has matured significantly, and new
      materials with outstanding photostability have been reported. In this
      perspective, we show how cryogenic spectroscopy of single nanocrystals probes the
      fundamental excitonic structure of the band edge, revealing spectral fingerprints
      that are highly sensitive to a range of photophysical properties as well as
      nanocrystal morphology. In particular, spectral and temporal signatures of
      biexciton and trion emission are revealed, and their relevance to emerging
      technologies is discussed. Overall we show how cryogenic single nanocrystal
      spectroscopy can be used as a tool for understanding fundamental photophysics and
      guiding the synthesis of new nanocrystal materials. 

PMID- 26281876
TI  - Molecular Density Functional Theory of Water.
AB  - Three-dimensional implementations of liquid-state theories offer an efficient
      alternative to computer simulations for the atomic-level description of aqueous
      solutions in complex environments. In this context, we present a (classical)
      molecular density functional theory (MDFT) of water that is derived from first
      principles and is based on two classical density fields, a scalar one, the
      particle density, and a vectorial one, the multipolar polarization density. Its
      implementation requires as input the partial charge distribution of a water
      molecule and three measurable bulk properties, namely, the structure factor and
      the k-dependent longitudinal and transverse dielectric constants. It has to be
      complemented by a solute-solvent three-body term that reinforces tetrahedral
      order at short-range. The approach is shown to provide the correct 3-D
      microscopic solvation profile around various molecular solutes, possibly
      possessing H-bonding sites, at a computer cost two to three orders of magnitude
      lower than with explicit simulations. 

PMID- 26281877
TI  - The Complex Interaction of Spectroscopic Shifts and Electronic Properties in
      Semiconductor Nanocrystal Films.
AB  - Absorption spectroscopy has traditionally served as a powerful technique for the
      study of solution synthesized semiconductor nanocrystals, enabling information on
      the size, dispersity, concentration, and overall quality of a sample to be
      obtained quickly and easily. When thin, densely packed films of these materials
      are produced through ligand exchange, spectroscopic shifts to both higher and
      lower energy are observed. Reduction of the internanocrystal distance can result
      in both a change to the overall dielectric constant of the film as well as
      increased electronic coupling, producing a redshift. At the same time, surface
      oxidation has the effect of increasing the confinement, producing a blueshift.
      This Perspective focuses on PbSe, a material of current interest, and the
      potential for correlating these spectroscopic shifts to optoelectronic
      properties, highlighting both recent work in the literature and areas in need of
      additional study. 

PMID- 26281878
TI  - Correction to "Electron at the Surface of Water: Dehydrated or Not?".

PMID- 26281879
TI  - Optical Properties of Strongly Coupled Quantum Dot-Ligand Systems.
AB  - This Perspective describes the mechanisms by which organic surfactants, in
      particular, phenyldithiocarbamates (PTCs), couple electronically to the
      delocalized states of semiconductor quantum dots (QDs). This coupling reduces the
      confinement energies of excitonic carriers and, in the case of PTC, the optical
      band gap of metal chalcogenide QDs by up to 1 eV by selectively delocalizing the
      excitonic hole. The reduction of confinement energy for the hole is enabled by
      the creation of interfacial electronic states near the valence band edge of the
      QD. The PTC case illuminates the general minimal requirements for surfactants to
      achieve observable bathochromic or hypsochromic shifts of the optical band gap of
      QDs; these include frontier orbitals with energies near the relevant
      semiconductor band edge, the correct symmetry to mix with the orbitals of the
      relevant band, and an adsorption geometry that permits spatial overlap between
      the orbitals of the ligand and those of the relevant band (Se 4p orbitals for
      CdSe, for example). The shift is enhanced by energetic resonance of frontier
      orbitals of the surfactant with a high density of states region of the band,
      which, for CdSe, is ~1 eV below the band edge. The Perspective discusses other
      examples of strong-coupling surfactants and compares the orbital mixing mechanism
      with other mechanisms of surfactant-induced shifts in the QD band gap. 

PMID- 26281880
TI  - Alternating Plasmonic Nanoparticle Heterochains Made by Polymerase Chain Reaction
      and Their Optical Properties.
AB  - Organization of nanoparticles (NPs) of different materials into superstructures
      of higher complexity represents a key challenge in nanotechnology. Polymerase
      chain reaction (PCR) was used in this study to fabricate chains consisting of
      plasmonic NPs of different sizes, thus denoted heterochains. The NPs in such
      chains are connected by DNA oligomers, alternating in a sequence big-small-big
      small-... and spanning lengths in the range of 40-300 nm by varying the number of
      PCR cycles. They display strong plasmonic chirality at 500-600 nm, the chiral
      activity revealing nonmonotonous dependence on the length of heterochains. We
      find the strength of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) to increase with
      chain length, while the chiral response initially increased and then decreased
      with the number of PCR cycles. The relationship between the optical properties of
      the heterochains and their structure/length is discussed. The length-dependent
      intense optical response of the plasmonic NP heterochains holds great potential
      for biosensing applications. 

PMID- 26281881
TI  - Attractive Forces between Charged Colloidal Particles Induced by Multivalent Ions
      Revealed by Confronting Aggregation and Direct Force Measurements.
AB  - Interactions involving charged particles in the presence of multivalent ions are
      relevant in wide-range of phenomena, including condensation of nucleic acids,
      cement hardening, or water treatment. Here, we study such interactions by
      combining direct force measurements with atomic force microscopy (AFM) and
      aggregation studies with time-resolved light scattering for particles originating
      from the same colloidal suspension for the first time. Classical DLVO theory is
      found to be only applicable for monovalent and divalent ions. For ions of higher
      valence, charge inversion and additional non-DLVO attractive forces are observed.
      These attractive forces can be attributed to surface charge heterogeneities,
      which leads to stability ratios that are calculated from direct force
      measurements to be higher than the experimental ones. Ion-ion correlations are
      equally important as they induce the charge inversion in the presence of
      trivalent or tetravalent ions, and they enhance the surface charge
      heterogeneities. Such heterogeneities therefore play an essential role in
      controlling interactions in particle suspensions containing multivalent ions. 

PMID- 26281882
TI  - Molecular Chemistry to the Fore: New Insights into the Fascinating World of
      Photoactive Colloidal Semiconductor Nanocrystals.
AB  - Colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals possess unique properties that are unmatched
      by other chromophores such as organic dyes or transition-metal complexes. These
      versatile building blocks have generated much scientific interest and found
      applications in bioimaging, tracking, lighting, lasing, photovoltaics,
      photocatalysis, thermoelectrics, and spintronics. Despite these advances,
      important challenges remain, notably how to produce semiconductor nanostructures
      with predetermined architecture, how to produce metastable semiconductor
      nanostructures that are hard to isolate by conventional syntheses, and how to
      control the degree of surface loading or valence per nanocrystal. Molecular
      chemists are very familiar with these issues and can use their expertise to help
      solve these challenges. In this Perspective, we present our group's recent work
      on bottom-up molecular control of nanoscale composition and morphology, low
      temperature photochemical routes to semiconductor heterostructures and metastable
      phases, solar-to-chemical energy conversion with semiconductor-based
      photocatalysts, and controlled surface modification of colloidal semiconductors
      that bypasses ligand exchange. 

PMID- 26281883
TI  - In Situ Raman Spectroscopic Study of Gypsum (CaSO4.2H2O) and Epsomite
      (MgSO4.7H2O) Dehydration Utilizing an Ultrasonic Levitator.
AB  - We present an original apparatus combining an acoustic levitator and a pressure
      compatible process chamber. To characterize in situ the chemical and physical
      modifications of a levitated, single particle while heated to well-defined
      temperatures using a carbon dioxide laser, the chamber is interfaced to a Raman
      spectroscopic probe. As a proof-of-concept study, by gradually increasing the
      heating temperature, we observed the variations in the Raman spectra as 150 MUg
      of crystals of gypsum and epsomite were dehydrated in anhydrous nitrogen gas. We
      display spectra showing the decreasing intensities of the nu1 symmetric and nu3
      asymmetric stretching modes of water with time and the simultaneous shift of the
      nu1(SO4(2-)) symmetric stretch mode to higher wavenumbers. Our results
      demonstrate that the new apparatus is well suited to study the dehydration of
      levitated species such as minerals and offers potential advantages compared with
      previous experiments on bulk samples. 

PMID- 26281884
TI  - Defect-Electron Spreading on the TiO2(110) Semiconductor Surface by Water
      Adsorption.
AB  - The dissociative adsorption of water at oxygen-vacancy defect sites on the
      TiO2(110) surface spatially redistributes the defect electron density originally
      present at subsurface sites near the defect sites. This redistribution of defect
      electrons makes them more accessible to Ti(4+) ions surrounding the defects. The
      redistribution of electron density decreases the O(+) desorption yield from
      surface lattice O(2-) ions in TiO2, as excited by electron-stimulated desorption
      (ESD). A model in which OH formation on defect sites redistributes defect
      electrons to neighboring Ti(4+) sites is proposed. This switches off the Knotek
      Feibelman mechanism for ESD of O(+) ions from lattice sites. Conversely, enhanced
      O(+) reneutralization could also be induced by redistribution of defect
      electrons. The redistribution of surface electrons by adsorption is further
      verified by the use of donor and acceptor molecules that add or remove electron
      density. 

PMID- 26281885
TI  - Colloidal Quantum Dots: A Model Nanoscience System.

PMID- 26281886
TI  - Nanoherding: Plasma-Chemical Synthesis and Electric-Charge-Driven Self
      Organization of SiO2 Nanodots.
AB  - We report on the chemical synthesis of the arrays of silicon oxide nanodots and
      their self-organization on the surface via physical processes triggered by
      surface charges. The method based on chemically active oxygen plasma leads to the
      rearrangement of nanostructures and eventually to the formation of groups of
      nanodots. This behavior is explained in terms of the effect of electric field on
      the kinetics of surface processes. The direct measurements of the electric
      charges on the surface demonstrate that the charge correlates with the density
      and arrangement of nanodots within the array. Extensive numerical simulations
      support the proposed mechanism and prove a critical role of the electric charges
      in the self-organization. This simple and environment-friendly self-guided
      process could be used in the chemical synthesis of large arrays of nanodots on
      semiconducting surfaces for a variety of applications in catalysis, energy
      conversion and storage, photochemistry, environmental and biosensing, and several
      others. 

PMID- 26281887
TI  - Fracking: What Can Physical Chemistry Offer?

PMID- 26281888
TI  - Indirect Exciton Formation due to Inhibited Carrier Thermalization in Single
      CdSe/CdS Nanocrystals.
AB  - Temperature-dependent single-particle spectroscopy is used to study interfacial
      energy transfer in model light-harvesting CdSe/CdS core-shell tetrapod
      nanocrystals. Using alternating excitation energies, we identify two thermalized
      exciton states in single nanoparticles that are attributed to a strain-induced
      interfacial barrier. At cryogenic temperatures, emission from both states
      exemplifies the effects of intraparticle disorder and enables their simultaneous
      characterization, revealing that the two states are distinct in regards to
      emission polarization, spectral diffusion, and blinking. 

PMID- 26281889
TI  - Critical Materials Recovery from Solutions and Wastes: Retrospective and Outlook.

PMID- 26281890
TI  - Increasing Boiling Heat Transfer using Low Conductivity Materials.
AB  - We report the counterintuitive mechanism of increasing boiling heat transfer by
      incorporating low-conductivity materials at the interface between the surface and
      fluid. By embedding an array of non-conductive lines into a high-conductivity
      substrate, in-plane variations in the local surface temperature are created.
      During boiling the surface temperature varies spatially across the substrate,
      alternating between high and low values, and promotes the organization of
      distinct liquid and vapor flows. By systematically tuning the peak-to-peak
      wavelength of this spatial temperature variation, a resonance-like effect is seen
      at a value equal to the capillary length of the fluid. Replacing ~18% of the
      surface with a non-conductive epoxy results in a greater than 5x increase in heat
      transfer rate at a given superheat temperature. This drastic and counterintuitive
      increase is shown to be due to optimized bubble dynamics, where ordered pathways
      allow for efficient removal of vapor and the return of replenishing liquid. The
      use of engineered thermal gradients represents a potentially disruptive approach
      to create high-efficiency and high-heat-flux boiling surfaces which are naturally
      insensitive to fouling and degradation as compared to other approaches. 

PMID- 26281891
TI  - CaMKII regulates the strength of the epithelial barrier.
AB  - Epithelial cells define the boundary between the outside and the inside of our
      body by constructing the diffusion barrier. Tight junctions (TJs) of epithelial
      cells function as barriers against invasion of harmful microorganisms into the
      human body and free diffusion of water or ions from the body. Therefore,
      formation of TJs has to be strictly controlled in epithelial cells. However, the
      molecular mechanisms governing this regulation are largely unknown. In this
      study, we identified Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) as a
      regulator of the barrier function of TJs. CaMKII inhibition led to enlargement of
      TJ-areas and up-regulation of the barrier function. CaMKII inhibition induced
      excess TJ formation in part by the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase
      (AMPK) and subsequent phosphorylation of claudin-1. As up-regulation of
      epithelial barriers is essential for the prevention of chronic inflammatory
      diseases, the identification of CaMKII as a modulator of TJ function paves the
      way for the development of new drugs to treat these diseases.

PMID- 26281893
TI  - Obesity: Older age and high BMI are associated with increased risk of loss of
      kidney function.

PMID- 26281894
TI  - Transplantation: Optimizing ECD graft outcomes.

PMID- 26281892
TI  - Kidney-brain crosstalk in the acute and chronic setting.
AB  - Patients with kidney disease often exhibit multiple organ dysfunction that is
      caused, in part, by marked connectivity between the kidney and other organs and
      tissues. Substantial crosstalk occurs between the kidney and the brain, as
      indicated by the frequent presentation of neurological disorders, such as
      cerebrovascular disease, cognitive impairment, and neuropathy during the natural
      history of chronic kidney disease. The underlying pathophysiology of such
      comorbid neurological disorders in kidney disease is governed by shared anatomic
      and vasoregulatory systems and humoral and non-humoral bidirectional pathways
      that affect both the kidney and the brain. During acute kidney injury, the brain
      and kidney might interact through the amplification of cytokine-induced damage,
      extravasation of leukocytes, oxidative stress, and dysregulation of sodium,
      potassium, and water channels. The advent of dialysis and renal transplantation
      programmes has led to a reduction in the rate of neurological complications
      associated with uraemia, but a new set of complications have arisen as a
      consequence of the effects of dialysis on the central nervous system over the
      short and long term. This Review discusses the clinical complications of acute
      and chronic renal failure from a neurologic perspective, and highlights current
      understanding of the underlying pathophysiologies. 

PMID- 26281899
TI  - [Measurement of disease severity in dermatology].
AB  - In order to determine the appropriate therapy for dermatological diseases,
      numerous measurement instruments are available to measure disease severity. Due
      to the lack of laboratory parameters for some dermatological diseases to
      objectify the disease severity (e.g., atopic dermatitis, psoriasis),
      questionnaires are used. Laboratory as well as questionnaire-based measurements
      should be reliable, valid, and sensitive to change. In addition, measurement
      instruments should be feasible. Classifications of disease severity which are
      based on inadequate measurement properties result in incorrect clinical decisions
      and limit evidence-based healthcare. Therefore, systematically developed and
      evidence-based recommendations for the use of individual measurement instruments
      should be taken into consideration. 

PMID- 26281900
TI  - Vertical scapular osteotomy in congenital high scapula.
AB  - PURPOSE: Children with congenital high scapula (CHS) have a cosmetic and
      functional problem due to limited shoulder abduction. Treatment options include
      excision of the prominent superior angle, scapular relocation procedures and
      subtotal scapulectomy. Excision of the superomedial angle results only in
      cosmetic improvement. Subtotal scapulectomy and relocation procedures are
      associated with ugly scars, extensive bleeding and high incidence of brachial
      plexus injuries. Vertical scapular osteotomy (VSO) is another surgical option
      that provides cosmetic and functional improvement. The aim of this study is to
      assess medium to long term results of VSO in treatment of CHS. METHODS: This is a
      prospective case series study. Seven children with CHS were treated at our unit.
      Age ranged from 5-13 years with an average of 8.4 years. All children were
      females with unilateral affection. All children underwent a VSO as described by
      Campbell. We used the Cavendish grading system together with combined shoulder
      abduction for assessment. Follow up averaged 4.6 years. RESULTS: All children and
      parents were extremely satisfied with the results of surgery. All patients
      experienced an improvement in global shoulder abduction with an average gain in
      abduction of 52.9 degrees . All patients experienced an improvement in cosmetic
      appearance with better shoulder levelling. The Cavendish grade improved in all
      patients. CONCLUSION: This study emphasizes the results of previous authors
      demonstrating that CHS can be treated successfully with a VSO. The procedure is
      simple and its results are reproducible.

PMID- 26281898
TI  - A Lentiviral Vector Allowing Physiologically Regulated Membrane-anchored and
      Secreted Antibody Expression Depending on B-cell Maturation Status.
AB  - The development of lentiviral vectors (LVs) for expression of a specific antibody
      can be achieved through the transduction of mature B-cells. This approach would
      provide a versatile tool for active immunotherapy strategies for infectious
      diseases or cancer, as well as for protein engineering. Here, we created a
      lentiviral expression system mimicking the natural production of these two
      distinct immunoglobulin isoforms. We designed a LV (FAM2-LV) expressing an anti
      HCV-E2 surface glycoprotein antibody (AR3A) as a membrane-anchored Ig form or a
      soluble Ig form, depending on the B-cell maturation status. FAM2-LV induced high
      level and functional membrane expression of the transgenic antibody in a
      nonsecretory B-cell line. In contrast, a plasma cell (PC) line transduced with
      FAM2-LV preferentially produced the secreted transgenic antibody. Similar results
      were obtained with primary B-cells transduced ex vivo. Most importantly, FAM2-LV
      transduced primary B-cells efficiently differentiated into PCs, which secreted
      the neutralizing anti-HCV E2 antibody upon adoptive transfer into immunodeficient
      NSG (NOD/SCIDgammac(-/-)) recipient mice. Altogether, these results demonstrate
      that the conditional FAM2-LV allows preferential expression of the membrane
      anchored form of an antiviral neutralizing antibody in B-cells and permits
      secretion of a soluble antibody following B-cell maturation into PCs in vivo. 

PMID- 26281895
TI  - Genetic, environmental, and epigenetic factors involved in CAKUT.
AB  - Congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) refer to a spectrum
      of structural renal malformations and are the leading cause of end-stage renal
      disease in children. The genetic diagnosis of CAKUT has proven to be challenging
      due to genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity and incomplete genetic penetrance.
      Monogenic causes of CAKUT have been identified using different approaches,
      including single gene screening, and gene panel and whole exome sequencing. The
      majority of the identified mutations, however, lack substantial evidence to
      support a pathogenic role in CAKUT. Copy number variants or single nucleotide
      variants that are associated with CAKUT have also been identified. Numerous
      studies support the influence of epigenetic and environmental factors on kidney
      development and the natural history of CAKUT, suggesting that the pathogenesis of
      this syndrome is multifactorial. In this Review we describe the current knowledge
      regarding the genetic susceptibility underlying CAKUT and the approaches used to
      investigate the genetic basis of CAKUT. We outline the associated environmental
      risk factors and epigenetic influences on CAKUT and discuss the challenges and
      strategies used to fully address the involvement and interplay of these factors
      in the pathogenesis of the disease. 

PMID- 26281901
TI  - Cell-based assay system for high-throughput screening of anti-photo-aging agents
      in fibroblast transfectants.
AB  - The matricellular protein CCN1 is significantly elevated in acutely ultraviolet
      irradiated human skin and negatively regulates collagen homeostasis by
      suppressing collagen synthesis and increasing collagen degradation. In this
      study, we established a stable cell line, termed CCN1-GFs, by transfection of the
      pAcGFP1-1-CCN1 promoter plasmid and examined its usefulness as a cell-based assay
      system for screening anti-aging ingredients. The promoter of the reporter plasmid
      pAcGFP1-1-CCN1 promoter was transfected into NIH3T3 cells using the Lipofectamine
      reagent. G418-resistant cells were selected and further cloned. To confirm
      whether AcGFP1-1-CCN1 promoter plasmid recombined in the NIH3T3 cells, the level
      of AcGFP1-1-CCN1 was measured by PCR analysis. To determine if NIH3T3 cells
      expressed the gene encoding green fluorescence protein in a CCN1 promoter
      dependent manner, the reporter enzyme activities were assayed using a fluorimeter
      and flow cytometer. To determine if CCN1 inhibitor, which was selected through
      this system, exerted a direct effect on the downstream signal, mRNA expression of
      collagen1 and MMP1A was checked by using real-time PCR. UVB irradiation of CCN1
      GFs resulted in increased CCN1 promoter activity. Treatment with retinoic acid, a
      CCN1 inhibitor, inhibited UV-induced CCN1 promoter activity. Subsequent use of
      this assay system to screen anti-aging ingredients revealed that CCN1-GFs treated
      with sclareol showed decreased levels of UVB-induced CCN1 expression. Sclareol
      attenuated UVB-induced photo-aging by an increase in collagen synthesis and
      decrease in MMP-1 activity. 

PMID- 26281902
TI  - Small Sample Research: Considerations Beyond Statistical Power.
AB  - Small sample research presents a challenge to current standards of design and
      analytic approaches and the underlying notions of what constitutes good
      prevention science. Yet, small sample research is critically important as the
      research questions posed in small samples often represent serious health concerns
      in vulnerable and underrepresented populations. This commentary considers the
      Special Section on small sample research and also highlights additional
      challenges that arise in small sample research not considered in the Special
      Section, including generalizability, determining what constitutes knowledge, and
      ensuring that research designs match community desires. It also points to
      opportunities afforded by small sample research, such as a focus on and increased
      understanding of context and the emphasis it may place on alternatives to the
      randomized clinical trial. The commentary urges the development and adoption of
      innovative strategies to conduct research with small samples. 

PMID- 26281904
TI  - Erratum to: Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy is superior to delayed acute
      cholecystitis: a meta-analysis of case-control studies.

PMID- 26281903
TI  - Clinical safety and outcomes of laparoscopic surgery versus open surgery for
      palliative resection of primary tumors in patients with stage IV colorectal
      cancer: a meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study was performed to compare the clinical safety and outcomes
      of laparoscopic versus open surgery for primary tumors in patients with stage IV
      colorectal cancer. METHODS: Pertinent studies were selected from the MEDLINE,
      EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases; references from published articles; and
      reviews. Both prospective and retrospective studies were included for the meta
      analysis. Clinical outcomes included safety, complications, mortality, and
      survival. RESULTS: Six trials involving 1802 patients were included. The
      operative time was longer for laparoscopic than for open surgery (mean difference
      (MD) = 44.20, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 17.31-71.09, Z = 3.22, P = 0.001).
      Laparoscopic surgery was also associated with fewer postoperative complications
      (odds ratio 0.53, 95 % CI 0.37-0.78, Z = 3.29, P = 0.001) and less operative
      blood loss (MD = -65.40, 95 % CI -102.37 to -28.42, Z = 3.47, P = 0.0005). Median
      survival ranged from 11.4 to 30.1 months. The total hospital stay was 1.68 days
      shorter for laparoscopic than for open surgery (95 % CI -1.83 to -1.53, Z =
      21.64, P < 0.00001). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic surgery for palliative resection of
      stage IV colorectal cancer is associated with better perioperative outcomes than
      open surgery.

PMID- 26281906
TI  - A foreign body in the nasopharynx: missing tooth mystery solved.

PMID- 26281905
TI  - Twenty-year experience with laparoscopic and retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy in
      children: considerations and details of technique.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nephrectomy is probably the most common urological indication for
      minimally invasive surgery (MIS) in children. The authors reported their
      experience in laparoscopic and retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy analyzing their
      20 years of experience in this procedure. METHODS: In a 20-year period (1995
      2015), the authors performed 149 nephrectomies in children using MIS (87 left, 62
      right). One hundred and one nephrectomies were performed using laparoscopy (LN)
      and 48 using retroperitoneoscopy (RN). Patients included 90 girls and 59 boys
      (average age 5.7 years). All the removed kidneys were nonfunctioning because of
      benign diseases: VUR (84), UPJO (38), MKDK (20), xanthogranulomatosis
      pyelonephritis (4), nephropathy causing uncontrollable hypertension (2) and
      nephrolithiasis (1). RESULTS: We had no conversion in laparoscopy. As for RN, we
      had 2 conversions to laparoscopy at the beginning of experience due to peritoneal
      opening. Operative time varied from 30 to 130 min in laparoscopy (average 47 min)
      and from 60 to 150 min (average 78 min) in retroperitoneoscopy. We recorded 8
      complications (5.3 %): 3 small bleedings (2 RN, 1 LN) during dissection, 2
      peritoneal perforations during RN requiring conversion in LN, 1 abdominal abscess
      in case of xanthogranulomatosis pyelonephritis after LN requiring a redo surgery
      to drain the abscess, 1 instrumentation failure (LN) and 1 refluxing ureteral
      stump after RN requiring a redo surgery to remove it. CONCLUSIONS: LN is easier
      and faster to perform compared to RN. Complication rate was higher after RN
      compared to LN. In case of xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis or other kidney
      infections or in case of previous renal surgery, retroperitoneoscopy is
      contraindicated. In case of VUR, LN is preferable to RN because it is fundamental
      to remove all the ureter. On the basis of our 20-year experience, we clearly
      prefer to perform nephrectomy using laparoscopy rather than retroperitoneoscopy
      leaving the indication to adopt RN only for the rare cases of MKDK.

PMID- 26281908
TI  - Can Cochrane Reviews inform decisions to improve indigenous people's health?

PMID- 26281907
TI  - A phase I open-label trial evaluating the cardiovascular safety of regorafenib in
      patients with advanced cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: To characterize the cardiovascular safety profile of regorafenib in
      patients with advanced cancer. METHODS: Patients received regorafenib 160 mg/day
      for 21 days followed by a 7-day break. The primary endpoint was the change from
      baseline in QTcF at the regorafenib t(max) (Day 21, Cycle 1 or 2) and changes in
      left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) from baseline on Cycle 2, Day 21.
      Secondary objectives were pharmacokinetics, safety, anti-tumor activity and
      effects on electrocardiogram intervals. QT intervals were corrected using the
      methods of Fridericia (QTcF) and Bazett (QTcB). LVEF was assessed by multigated
      acquisition scanning. RESULTS: Fifty-three patients were enrolled, and all
      received at least one dose of regorafenib 160 mg. Twenty-five patients received
      regorafenib for 21 days without dose reduction. The mean change from baseline in
      QTcF at t(max) was (-)2 ms (90 % CI -8, 3). No patient experienced a change from
      baseline in QTcF > 60 ms, and two had QTcF changes between 30 and 60 ms. No
      patient had a QTcF or QTcB > 480 ms. In 27 patients who received at least 80 mg
      of regorafenib, the mean change from baseline in LVEF% +/- SD was 1.7 +/- 7.8. In
      14 patients without a dose reduction, the mean change from baseline in LVEF% was
      (-)0.1 +/- 8.6 at Cycle 2, Day 21. Four patients experienced a LVEF decrease
      between 10 and 20 %. CONCLUSION: The effects of regorafenib on the QT/QTc
      interval and LVEF were modest and unlikely to be of clinical significance in the
      setting of advanced cancer therapy.

PMID- 26281909
TI  - Improving health outcomes for indigenous peoples: What are the challenges?

PMID- 26281911
TI  - Perspectives in the Medicinal Chemistry.

PMID- 26281910
TI  - Associations between dietary intakes of first-time fathers and their 20-month-old
      children are moderated by fathers' BMI, education and age.
AB  - Children's learning about food is considerable during their formative years, with
      parental influence being pivotal. Research has focused predominantly on maternal
      influences, with little known about the relationships between fathers' and
      children's diets. Greater understanding of this relationship is necessary for the
      design of appropriate interventions. The aim of this study was to investigate the
      associations between the diets of fathers and their children and the moderating
      effects of fathers' BMI, education and age on these associations. The diets of
      fathers and their first-born children (n 317) in the Melbourne Infant Feeding
      Activity and Nutrition Trial (InFANT) Program were assessed using an FFQ and 3 *
      24-h recalls, respectively. The InFANT Program is a cluster-randomised controlled
      trial in the setting of first-time parents groups in Victoria, Australia.
      Associations between father and child fruit, vegetable, non-core food and non
      core drink intakes were assessed using linear regression. The extent to which
      these associations were mediated by maternal intake was tested. Moderation of
      associations by paternal BMI, education and age was assessed. Positive
      associations were found between fathers' and children's intake of fruit, sweet
      snacks and take-away foods. Paternal BMI, education and age moderated the
      relationships found for the intakes of fruit (BMI), vegetables (age), savoury
      snacks (BMI and education) and take-away foods (BMI and education). Our findings
      suggest that associations exist at a young age and are moderated by paternal BMI,
      education and age. This study highlights the importance of fathers in modelling
      healthy diets for their children.

PMID- 26281912
TI  - Current Progress in the Development of Metalloprotein Inhibitors.

PMID- 26281913
TI  - Fluid intelligence and executive functioning more alike than different?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Fluid intelligence (Gf) has been related to executive functioning (EF)
      in previous studies, and it is also known to be correlated with crystallized
      intelligence (Gc). The present study includes representative measures of Gf, Gc,
      and EF frequently used in clinical practice to examine this Gf-EF relation. It is
      hypothesised that the Gf-EF relation is higher than the Gc-EF relation, and that
      working memory in particular (as a measure of EF) shows a high contribution to
      this relation. METHOD: Confirmatory factor analysis was performed on a mixed
      neuropsychiatric and non-clinical sample consisting of 188 participants, using
      the Kaufman Adolescent and Adult Intelligence Test, and three executive tasks of
      the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery, covering working memory,
      planning skills, and set shifting. RESULTS: The model fitted the data well
      [chi2(24)=35.25, p=0.07, RMSEA=0.050]. A very high correlation between Gf and EF
      was found (0.91), with working memory being the most profound indicator. A
      moderate to high correlation between Gc and EF was present. Current results are
      consistent with findings of a strong relation between Gf and working memory.
      CONCLUSION: Gf and EF are highly correlated. Gf dysfunction in neuropsychiatric
      patients warrants further EF examination and vice versa. It is discussed that
      results confirm the need to distinguish between specific versus general
      fluid/executive functioning, the latter being more involved when task complexity
      and novelty increase. This distinction can provide a more refined differential
      diagnosis and improve neuropsychiatric treatment indication.

PMID- 26281914
TI  - A hazard of lingual orthodontic attachments: a case report.
AB  - A case is presented of an unusual trauma to the floor of mouth caused by an
      unused lingual orthodontic button. This resulted in a vein being stripped from
      the floor of mouth and was associated with severe pain and restricted tongue
      movement. Management was by ligation and excision of the loop of the vessel under
      local anaesthesia. 

PMID- 26281915
TI  - Effects of sodium methyldithiocarbamate on selected parameters of innate immunity
      and clearance of bacteria in a mouse model of sepsis.
AB  - AIMS: Sodium methyldithiocarbamate (SMD), the third most widely used conventional
      pesticide in the United States, has been reported to inhibit several parameters
      associated with inflammation and to decrease resistance to infection. In a
      previous study, survival time was markedly decreased when mice were treated
      orally with SMD shortly before challenge with a high dose of Escherichia coli (E.
      coli) that was lethal to most of the control mice. In the present study, we
      evaluated selected parameters of the innate immune system using a lower challenge
      dose of E. coli, to determine which (if any) of these parameters reflected
      continued changes through 24h. MAIN METHODS: Bacterial clearance from the
      peritoneal cavity, production of chemokines and cytokines, and body temperature
      were measured. KEY FINDINGS: All these parameters were reduced by SMD up to 12h
      after bacterial challenge, but the concentration of the anti-inflammatory
      cytokine IL-10 was increased. Even so, mice in the control and SMD-treated groups
      cleared most bacteria by 24h. Other parameters (cytokine concentrations and body
      temperature) were also normal or near normal by 24h. The same dosage of SMD
      administered intranasally also did not significantly decrease survival.
      Hypothermia from 16 to 28 h correlated with lethal outcome, but SMD significantly
      increased hypothermia only at 2 and 4h after challenge. SIGNIFICANCE: In spite of
      substantial early inhibition by SMD of parameters known to be important for
      resistance to infection, bacterial clearance and survival were not altered,
      suggesting immunological reserve and/or rapid recovery after transient effects of
      SMD.

PMID- 26281916
TI  - Y chromosome DNA in cervicovaginal self-collected samples of childbearing age
      women: Implications for epitheliotropic sexually transmitted infections?
AB  - AIMS: Assuming a possible association between Y chromosome (Yc)-DNA and sexually
      transmitted infection (STI) transmission rate, could Yc-DNA be related to an
      increased prevalence of Human Papillomavirus (HPV), Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV
      1/2) and Chlamydia trachomatis (CT)? Could Yc-DNA be used to validate self
      reported condom use and sexual behaviors? MAIN METHODS: Cervicovaginal (CV) self
      collected samples of 612 Portuguese women at childbearing age were tested for Yc,
      HPV, HSV-1/2 and CT by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). KEY FINDINGS: The
      prevalence of Yc, HPV, CT and HSV-2 was 4.9%, 17.6%, 11.6% and 2.8%,
      respectively. There was a statistically significant trend for increased Yc-DNA
      prevalence in HPV positive samples [odds ratio (OR) 2.35, 95% confidence interval
      (CI) 1.03-5.31] and oral contraceptive (OC) use (OR 4.73, 95% CI 1.09-20.44). A
      protective effect of condom use was observed in Yc-DNA detection (OR 0.40, 95% CI
      0.18-0.89). No statistically significant difference was found between Yc-DNA, CT
      and HSV-2 infection. HPV infection risk increased with age (>20 years), young age
      at first sexual intercourse (FSI) (<=18 years), >1 lifetime sexual partner (LSP)
      and OC use. Risk factors for CT infection were young age (<=20 years) and young
      age at FSI (<=18 years). HSV-2 infection risk increased with age (>20 years) and
      >1 LSP. SIGNIFICANCE: Considering the prevalence of HPV and CT in Yc positive
      samples, we hypothesize a current infection due to recent sexual activity. The
      study of Yc PCR may add information as (i) a predictor of STI transmission and
      (ii) an indicative biomarker to validate self-reported condom use.

PMID- 26281917
TI  - Moderate-intensity exercise training elevates serum and pancreatic zinc levels
      and pancreatic ZnT8 expression in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.
AB  - AIMS: Diabetes mellitus is associated with disturbed zinc homeostasis and down
      regulation of zinc transporter 8 (ZnT8); these changes contribute to the
      defective biosynthesis, storage, and secretion of insulin. Previous studies have
      reported an improvement in diabetic status and insulin levels in diabetic rats
      that underwent moderate exercise training, but the mechanisms underlying this
      effect remain unclear. Evidence shows that exercise training increases the zinc
      content in the muscle, liver, and kidney of diabetic rats and increases the
      expression of several types of zinc transporters in the rat hippocampus. We
      hypothesised that moderate exercise training may increase serum and pancreatic
      zinc levels, as well as pancreatic ZnT8 expression, in diabetic rats. MAIN
      METHODS: Wistar rats were divided into 3 equally sized groups: sedentary normal
      control, sedentary diabetic, and exercise-trained diabetic groups. Diabetes was
      induced by an intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. The 6-week exercise
      training intervention involved 30 min of moderate-intensity running on a
      treadmill once daily (5 days/week). At the end of the study, the concentrations
      of serum and pancreatic zinc were determined using atomic absorptive
      spectrophotometry. Pancreatic ZnT8 expression was analysed by quantitative real
      time RT-PCR. KEY FINDINGS: Diabetes caused reductions in the serum and pancreatic
      zinc levels and pancreatic ZnT8 expression. Following moderate exercise training,
      there was a significant increase in all of these parameters. SIGNIFICANCE: The
      ability of moderate exercise training to ameliorate the reductions in serum and
      pancreatic zinc levels and pancreatic ZnT8 expression can partly explain the
      beneficial effects of exercise training in diabetes.

PMID- 26281918
TI  - The potential physiological crosstalk and interrelationship between two sovereign
      endogenous amines, melatonin and homocysteine.
AB  - The antioxidant melatonin and the non-proteinogenic excitotoxic amino acid
      homocysteine (Hcy) are very distinct but related reciprocally to each other in
      their mode of action. The elevated Hcy level has been implicated in several
      disease pathologies ranging from cardio- and cerebro-vascular diseases to
      neurodegeneration owing largely to its free radical generating potency.
      Interestingly, melatonin administration potentially normalizes the elevated Hcy
      level, thereby protecting the cells from the undesired Hcy-induced excitotoxicity
      and cell death. However, the exact mechanism and between them remain obscure.
      Through literature survey we have found an indistinct but a vital link between
      melatonin and Hcy i.e., the existence of reciprocal regulation between them, and
      this aspect has been thoroughly described herein. In this review, we focus on all
      the possibilities of co-regulation of melatonin and Hcy at the level of their
      production and metabolism both in basal and in pathological conditions, and
      appraised the potential of melatonin in ameliorating homocysteinemia-induced
      cellular stresses. Also, we have summarized the differential mode of action of
      melatonin and Hcy on health and disease states. 

PMID- 26281920
TI  - Unraveling the Degradation Process of LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2 Electrodes in
      Commercial Lithium Ion Batteries by Electronic Structure Investigations.
AB  - The degradation of LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2 (LNCAO) is reflected by the
      electrochemical performance in the fatigued state and correlated with the redox
      behavior of these cathodes. The detailed electrochemical performance of these
      samples is investigated by galvanostatic and voltammetric cycling as well as with
      the galvanostatic intermittent titration technique (GITT). Near-edge X-ray
      absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy was used to investigate the
      oxidation state of all three materials at the Ni L2,3, O K, and Co L2,3 edges at
      five different states of charge. Surface and more bulklike properties are
      distinguished by total electron yield (TEY) and fluorescence yield (FY)
      measurements. The electrochemical investigations revealed that the changes in the
      cell performance of the differently aged materials can be explained by
      considering the reaction kinetics of the intercalation/deintercalation process.
      The failure of the redox process of oxygen and nickel at low voltages leads to a
      significant decrease of the reaction rates in the fatigued cathodes. The
      accompanied cyclic voltammogram (CV) peaks appear as two peaks because of the
      local minimum of the reaction rate, although it is one peak in the CV of the
      calendarically aged LNCAO. The absence of the oxidation/reduction process at low
      voltages can be traced back to changes in the surface morphology (formation of a
      NiO-like structure). Further consequences of these material changes are
      overpotentials, which lead to capacity losses of up to 30% (cycled with a C/3
      rate). 

PMID- 26281919
TI  - Intermittent cold exposure improves glucose homeostasis associated with brown and
      white adipose tissues in mice.
AB  - AIMS: The discovery of different shades of fat has been implicated in the
      pathogenesis of obesity-related metabolic disorders. However, the effects of
      early and intermittent exposure to cold temperature on systemic metabolic changes
      in adult life remain unclear. MAIN METHODS: To elucidate the impact of cold
      temperature exposure on metabolic function of adipose tissues, we investigated
      the glucose homeostasis, activation of brown adipose tissue (BAT) and "browning"
      of white adipose tissue (WAT) in mice in response to intermittent cold exposure.
      Mice were exposed to 4  degrees C, 2h per day and 5 days per week, for 14 weeks.
      Glucose homeostasis was tested via intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test and
      insulin tolerance test; body fat mass was evaluated using in vivo magnetic
      resonance imaging; BAT activity was detected primarily by positron emission
      tomography/computed tomography; and WAT "browning" was evaluated using
      immunohistochemistry. KEY FINDINGS: Our results showed that a 14-week cold
      exposure improved glucose tolerance and enhanced insulin sensitivity, reduced the
      relative weights of epididymal and retroperitoneal WAT, increased expressions of
      UCP1 and PGC1alpha in subcutaneous adipose tissue. SIGNIFICANCE: Intermittent
      exposure to cold temperature in early life may improve systemic glucose
      homeostasis and induce WAT "browning", suggesting that an ambient cold
      temperature exposure may serve as a promising intervention to metabolic
      disorders.

PMID- 26281921
TI  - Charge Transport Limitations in Self-Assembled TiO2 Photoanodes for Dye
      Sensitized Solar Cells.
AB  - Solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells offer the possibility of high-power
      conversion efficiencies due to theoretically lower fundamental losses in dye
      regeneration. Despite continuous progress, limitations in charge diffusion
      through the mesoporous photoanode still constrain the device thickness and hence
      result in reduced light absorption with the most common sensitizers. Here we
      examine block copolymer-assembled photoanodes with similar surface area and
      morphology but a large variation in crystal size. We observe that the crystal
      size has a profound effect on the electron transport, which is not explicable by
      considering solely the ratio between free and trapped electrons. Our results are
      consistent with the long-range mobility of conduction band electrons being
      strongly influenced by grain boundaries. Therefore, maximizing the crystal size
      while maintaining high enough surface area will be an important route forward. 

PMID- 26281922
TI  - Simple Analytic Description of Collection Efficiency in Organic Photovoltaics.
AB  - The collection of charge carriers is a fundamental step in the photovoltaic
      conversion process. In disordered organic films, low mobility and disorder can
      make collection the performance-limiting step in energy conversion. We derive two
      analytic relationships for carrier collection efficiency in organic photovoltaics
      that account for the presence or absence of carrier-selective electrodes. These
      equations directly include drift and diffusive carrier transport in the device
      active layers and account for possible losses from Langevin and Shockley-Read
      Hall recombination mechanisms. General relationships among carrier mobility,
      contact selectivity, recombination processes, and organic photovoltaic figures of
      merit are established. Our results suggest that device collection efficiency
      remains mobility-limited for many materials systems, and a renewed emphasis
      should be placed on materials' purity. 

PMID- 26281923
TI  - The Active Site Loop Modulates the Reorganization Energy of Blue Copper Proteins
      by Controlling the Dynamic Interplay with Solvent.
AB  - Understanding the factors governing the rate of electron transfer processes in
      proteins is crucial not only to a deeper understanding of redox processes in
      living organisms but also for the design of efficient devices featuring
      biological molecules. Here, molecular dynamics simulations performed on native
      azurin and four chimeric cupredoxins allow for the calculation of the
      reorganization energy and of structure-related quantities that were used to
      clarify the molecular determinants to the dynamics/function relationship in blue
      copper proteins. We find that the dynamics of the small, metal-binding loop
      region controls the outer-sphere reorganization energy not only by determining
      the exposure of the active site to solvent but also through the modulation of the
      redox-dependent rearrangement of the whole protein scaffold and of the
      surrounding water molecules. 

PMID- 26281924
TI  - Photoisomerization of Pre- and Provitamin D3 in EPA at 77 K: One-Bond-Twist, Not
      Hula-Twist.
AB  - The photoisomerizations of previtamin D3 (Pre) and provitamin D3 (Pro) in EPA at
      77 K were monitored using fluorescence spectroscopy. In the glassy EPA medium
      equilibrated tachysterol (Tachy) exists as a mixture of three conformers, the
      major of which we assign to s-trans,s-cis- and s-cis,s-cis-conformers (tEc- and
      cEc-Tachy). By contrast, Pre exists exclusively as the s-cis,s-cis-conformer (cZc
      Pre) and undergoes cis -> trans photoisomerization to cEc-Tachy. Light-induced
      ring-opening of Pro gives three Pre conformers, the major of which is tZc-Pre
      instead of the expected cZc-Pre. Curve resolution based on singular value
      decomposition yields the fluorescence spectra of the conformers. Structural
      assignments are based on experimental and theoretical evidence showing that the s
      cis,s-cis-conformers of Pre and Tachy absorb UV light to the red of s-trans-s-cis
      conformers. The photoisomerizations of tZc- and cZc-Pre in EPA proceed by the one
      bond twist (OBT) mechanism to give tEc- and cEc-Tachy, respectively. 

PMID- 26281925
TI  - CuInS2-Sensitized Quantum Dot Solar Cell. Electrophoretic Deposition, Excited
      State Dynamics, and Photovoltaic Performance.
AB  - Ternary metal chalcogenides such as CuInS2 offer new opportunities to design
      quantum dot solar cells (QDSC). Chemically synthesized CuInS2 quantum dots
      (particle diameter, 2.6 nm) have been successfully deposited within the
      mesoscopic TiO2 film using electrophoretic deposition (150 V cm(-1) dc field).
      The primary photoinduced process of electron injection from excited CuInS2 into
      TiO2 occurs with a rate constant of 5.75 * 10(11) s(-1). The TiO2/CuInS2 films
      are photoactive and produce anodic photocurrent with a power conversion
      efficiency of 1.14%. Capping the TiO2/CuInS2 film with a CdS layer decreases the
      interfacial charge recombination and thus offers further improvement in the power
      conversion efficiency (3.91%). The synergy of using CdS as a passivation layer in
      the composite film is also evident from the increased external quantum efficiency
      of the electrode in the red region where only CuInS2 absorbs the incident light. 

PMID- 26281926
TI  - Surface-Accelerated Decomposition of delta-HMX.
AB  - Despite extensive efforts to study the explosive decomposition of HMX, a cyclic
      nitramine widely used as a solid fuel, explosive, and propellant, an
      understanding of the physicochemical processes, governing the sensitivity of
      condensed HMX to detonation initiation is not yet achieved. Experimental and
      theoretical explorations of the initiation of chemistry are equally challenging
      because of many complex parallel processes, including the beta-delta phase
      transition and the decomposition from both phases. Among four known polymorphs,
      HMX is produced in the most stable beta-phase, which transforms into the most
      reactive delta-phase under heat or pressure. In this study, the homolytic NO2
      loss and HONO elimination precursor reactions of the gas-phase, ideal crystal,
      and the (100) surface of delta-HMX are explored by first principles modeling. Our
      calculations revealed that the high sensitivity of delta-HMX is attributed to
      interactions of surfaces and molecular dipole moments. While both decomposition
      reactions coexist, the exothermic HONO-isomer formation catalyzes the N-NO2
      homolysis, leading to fast violent explosions. 

PMID- 26281927
TI  - Dynamics of Charge-Transfer Processes with Time-Dependent Density Functional
      Theory.
AB  - We show that whenever an electron transfers between closed-shell molecular
      fragments, the exact correlation potential of time-dependent density functional
      theory develops a step and peak structure in the bonding region. This structure
      has a density dependence that is nonlocal both in space and in time that even the
      exact adiabatic ground-state exchange-correlation functional fails to capture it.
      For charge-transfer between open-shell fragments, an initial step and peak vanish
      as the charge-transfer state is reached. The inability of usual approximations to
      develop these structures leads to inaccurate charge-transfer dynamics. This is
      illustrated by the complete lack of Rabi oscillations in the dipole moment under
      conditions of resonant charge transfer for an exactly solvable model system. The
      results transcend the model and are applicable to more realistic molecular
      complexes. 

PMID- 26281928
TI  - Polarity-Free Epitaxial Growth of Heterostructured ZnO/ZnS Core/Shell Nanobelts.
AB  - Surface-polarity-induced formation of ZnO/ZnS heterojunctions has a common
      characteristic that ZnS (or ZnO) is exclusively decorated on a Zn-terminated
      (0001) surface of ZnO (or ZnS) due to its comparatively chemically active nature
      to an O (or S)-terminated (000-1) surface. Here, we report a polarity-free and
      symmetrical growth of ZnS on both ZnO+/-(0001) surfaces to form a new
      heterostructured ZnO/ZnS core/shell nanobelt via a thermal evaporation method.
      Remarkably, the ZnS shell is single-crystalline and preserves the structure and
      orientation of the inner ZnO nanobelt with an epitaxial relationship of
      (0001)ZnO//(0001)ZnS; [2-1-10]ZnO//[2-1-10]ZnS. Through this case, we demonstrate
      that an anion-terminated polar surface could also drive the nucleation and growth
      of nanostructures as the cation-terminated surface by controlling the growth
      kinetics. Considering high-performance devices based on ZnO/ZnS heterojunctions,
      the current ZnO/ZnS nanobelt is advantageous for optoelectronic applications due
      to its single-crystalline nature and relatively more efficient charge separation
      along 3D heterointerfaces. 

PMID- 26281929
TI  - Functional Role of Pyridinium during Aqueous Electrochemical Reduction of CO2 on
      Pt(111).
AB  - Recent breakthroughs in electrochemical studies have reported aqueous CO2
      reduction to formic acid, formaldehyde, and methanol at low overpotentials (-0.58
      V versus SCE), with a Pt working electrode in acidic pyridine (Pyr) solutions. We
      find that CO2 is reduced by H atoms bound to the Pt surface that are transferred
      as hydrides to CO2 in a proton-coupled hydride transfer (PCHT) mechanism
      activated by pyridinium (PyrH(+)), CO2 + Pt-H + PyrH(+) + e(-) -> Pyr + Pt +
      HCO2H. The surface-bound H atoms consumed by CO2 reduction is replenished by the
      one-electron reduction of PyrH(+) through the proton-coupled electron transfer
      (PCET), PyrH(+) + Pt + e(-) -> Pyr + Pt-H. Pyridinium is essential to establish a
      high concentration of Bronsted acid in contact with CO2 and with the Pt surface,
      much higher than the concentration of free protons. These findings are
      particularly relevant to generate fuels with a carbon-neutral footprint. 

PMID- 26281930
TI  - Graphene-Based Photocatalysts for Hydrogen Generation.
AB  - Graphene-based photocatalysts have gained increasing interest as a viable
      alternate to increase photocatalytic H2 production performance in converting
      solar energy into chemical energy. The use of graphene to enhance the efficiency
      of photocatalysts has been proved due to its unique two-dimensional conjugated
      structure and electronic properties. In this Perspective, we have summarized the
      recent significant advances on the design and applications of graphene-based
      photocatalytic composites. The rational designs for high-performance
      photocatalysts using graphene-based materials are described. The applications of
      the new materials in photocatalytic hydrogen evolution are presented. Finally,
      the ongoing challenges and opportunities for the future development of graphene
      based photocatalysts are also proposed. 

PMID- 26281931
TI  - Luminophores and Carbon Nanotubes: An Odd Combination?
AB  - Studies on the exohedral and endohedral functionalization of carbon nanotubes
      (CNTs) with organic or inorganic chromophores and luminophores have increased
      substantially in recent years, making use of covalent, supramolecular,
      electrostatic, and host-guest preparative strategies. Research in this field has
      fundamental interest because the mixing of two radically different components
      (molecule/metal complex versus CNT) typically affords materials with exceptional
      electronic and structural properties while also offering the possibility of
      studying in detail the interactions between molecules/complexes and
      nanomaterials. Application perspectives can be also envisaged, particularly in
      the areas of light-to-electricity (e.g., photovoltaics) and electricity-to-light
      (e.g., electroluminescence) conversion. Here, we focus in particular on some
      recent results obtained in the preparation of luminescent hybrids in which
      suitably designed emitting moieties, placed inside or outside of carbon nanotubes
      through noncovalent interactions, can afford brightly glowing black
      photoluminescent nanostructures. 

PMID- 26281933
TI  - Calcium and the Hydrogen-Bonded Water Network in the Photosynthetic Oxygen
      Evolving Complex.
AB  - In photosynthesis, photosystem II evolves oxygen from water at a Mn4CaO5 cluster
      (OEC). Calcium is required for biological oxygen evolution. In the OEC, a water
      network, extending from the calcium to four peptide carbonyl groups, has recently
      been predicted by a high-resolution crystal structure. Here, we use carbonyl
      vibrational frequencies as reporters of electrostatic changes to test the
      presence of this water network. A single flash, oxidizing Mn(III) to Mn(IV) (the
      S1 to S2 transition), upshifted the frequencies of peptide C?O bands. The
      spectral change was attributable to a decrease in C?O hydrogen bonding.
      Strontium, which supports a lower level of steady state activity, also led to an
      oxidation-induced shift in C?O frequencies, but treatment with barium and
      magnesium, which do not support activity, did not. This work provides evidence
      that calcium maintains an electrostatically responsive water network in the OEC
      and shows that OEC peptide carbonyl groups can be used as solvatochromic markers.

PMID- 26281932
TI  - Negative Ion Photoelectron Spectroscopy Reveals Thermodynamic Advantage of
      Organic Acids in Facilitating Formation of Bisulfate Ion Clusters: Atmospheric
      Implications.
AB  - Recent lab and field measurements have indicated critical roles of organic acids
      in enhancing new atmospheric aerosol formation. Such findings have stimulated
      theoretical studies with the aim of understanding the interaction of organic
      acids with common aerosol nucleation precursors like bisulfate (HSO4(-)). We
      report a combined negative ion photoelectron spectroscopic and theoretical
      investigation of molecular clusters formed by HSO4(-) with succinic acid (SUA,
      HO2C(CH2)2CO2H), HSO4(-)(SUA)n (n = 0-2), along with HSO4(-)(H2O)n and HSO4(
      )(H2SO4)n. It is found that one SUA molecule can stabilize HSO4(-) by ca. 39
      kcal/mol, three times the corresponding value that one water molecule is capable
      of (ca. 13 kcal/mol). Molecular dynamics simulations and quantum chemical
      calculations reveal the most plausible structures of these clusters and attribute
      the stability of these clusters to the formation of strong hydrogen bonds. This
      work provides direct experimental evidence showing significant thermodynamic
      advantage by involving organic acid molecules to promote formation and growth in
      bisulfate clusters and aerosols. 

PMID- 26281934
TI  - Ultrafast Exciton Self-Trapping upon Geometry Deformation in Perylene-Based
      Molecular Aggregates.
AB  - Femtosecond time-resolved experiments demonstrate that the photoexcited state of
      perylene tetracarboxylic acid bisimide (PBI) aggregates in solution decays
      nonradiatively on a time-scale of 215 fs. High-level electronic structure
      calculations on dimers point toward the importance of an excited state
      intermolecular geometry distortion along a reaction coordinate that induces
      energy shifts and couplings between various electronic states. Time-dependent
      wave packet calculations incorporating a simple dissipation mechanism indicate
      that the fast energy quenching results from a doorway state with a charge
      transfer character that is only transiently populated. The identified relaxation
      mechanism corresponds to a possible exciton trap in molecular materials. 

PMID- 26281935
TI  - Prediction of the Critical Micelle Concentration of Nonionic Surfactants by
      Dissipative Particle Dynamics Simulations.
AB  - Micellization of surfactant solutions is a ubiquitous phenomenon in natural
      systems and technological processes, and its theoretical description represents
      one of the cornerstone problems in the physical chemistry of colloidal systems.
      However, successful attempts of quantitative modeling confirmed by experimental
      data remains limited. We show, for the first time, that the dissipative particle
      dynamics with rigorously defined soft repulsion interaction and rigidity
      parameters is capable of predicting micellar self-assembly of nonionic
      surfactants. This is achieved due to a novel approach suggested for defining the
      interaction parameters by fitting to the infinite dilution activity coefficients
      of binary solutions formed by reference compounds that represent coarse-grained
      fragments of surfactant molecules. Using this new parametrization scheme, we
      obtained quantitative agreement with the experimental critical micelle
      concentration and aggregation number for several typical surfactants of different
      chemical structures. The proposed approach can be extended to various colloidal
      and polymeric systems beyond nonionic surfactant solutions. 

PMID- 26281936
TI  - Limits on the Fill Factor in Organic Photovoltaics: Distinguishing Nongeminate
      and Geminate Recombination Mechanisms.
AB  - In this Letter, we present transient optoelectronic experimental studies of the
      recombination processes limiting the fill factor (FF) in three conjugated
      polymer:fullerene systems, poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and two lower-band-gap
      polymers that exhibit lower FFs poly[2,6-(4,4-bis-(2-ethylhexyl)-4H
      cyclopenta[2,1-b;3,4-b']dithiophene)-alt-4,7-(2,1,3-benzothiadiazole) (PCPDTBT)
      and poly(2,7-(9,9-dioctylfluorene)-alt-5,5-(4',7'-di-2-thienyl-2',1',3'
      benzothiadiazole)) (APFO-3). Using transient absorption spectroscopy, charge
      extraction, and transient photovoltage experiments, we show that the lower FF
      observed for the PCPDTBT-based device results from enhanced nongeminate
      recombination even at short circuit, In contrast, we show that for APFO-3
      devices, the FF is primarily limited by a voltage-dependent free charge
      generation, which we assign to a geminate recombination process. 

PMID- 26281937
TI  - Charge Transport in Pentacene-Graphene Nanojunctions.
AB  - We investigate charge transport in pentacene-graphene nanojunctions employing
      density functional theory (DFT) electronic structure calculations and the
      Landauer transport formalism. The results show that the unique electronic
      properties of graphene strongly influence the transport in the nanojunctions. In
      particular, edge states in graphene electrodes with zigzag termination result in
      additional transport channels close to the Fermi energy, which deeply affects the
      conductance at small bias voltages. Investigating different linker groups as well
      as chemical substitution, we demonstrate how the transport properties are
      furthermore influenced by the molecule-lead coupling and the energy level lineup.

PMID- 26281938
TI  - Water-Peptide Dynamics during Conformational Transitions.
AB  - Transitions between metastable conformations of a dipeptide are investigated
      using classical molecular dynamics simulation with explicit water molecules. The
      distribution of the surrounding water at different moments before the transitions
      and the dynamical correlations of water with the peptide's configurational
      motions indicate that the water molecules represent an integral part of the
      molecular system during the conformational changes, in contrast with the
      metastable periods when water and peptide dynamics are essentially decoupled. 

PMID- 26281939
TI  - Propagative Sidewall Alkylcarboxylation that Induces Red-Shifted Near-IR
      Photoluminescence in Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes.
AB  - Semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are direct band gap
      materials in which exciton photoluminescence (PL) occurs at the same wavelength
      as excitation. Here, we show that propagative sidewall alkylation can induce a
      new PL peak in (6,5) SWCNTs red-shifted from the E11 near-infrared exciton
      excitation and emission by ~140 meV. The magnitude of the red-shift is weakly
      dependent on the terminal functional group. This new emission peak is relatively
      bright even after a high degree of functionalization because the reaction occurs
      by propagating outward from initial defects, creating bands of functional groups
      while maintaining the number of effective defect sites. Density functional theory
      computations suggest that the covalently attached alkyl functional groups
      introduce a new, optically allowed, low-lying state from which this new emission
      may arise. This method of shifting nanotube PL away from the bare nanotube
      excitation may find applications in near-infrared (IR) fluorescence imaging by
      allowing both excitation and emission to occur in the optically transparent
      window for biological tissues. 

PMID- 26281940
TI  - Graphene Films for Flexible Organic and Energy Storage Devices.
AB  - Graphene and its derivatives have been the subject of extensive research in
      fundamental science and have viable applications in current and future
      technology. The exceptionally high electronic and thermal conductivity, optical
      transparency, and high specific surface area, combined with excellent mechanical
      flexibility and environmental stability leave graphene poised to be a material of
      the future. This perspective introduces the importance of graphene electrodes,
      discusses the synthesis of graphene and transfer onto desired substrates and the
      role of graphene in electrodes for a broad range of flexible devices such as
      photovoltaic, electronic, and electrochemical energy storage. 

PMID- 26281941
TI  - Nanocarbon Hybrids: Interactions with Luminophores to Applications in Energy
      Harvesting and Solar Fuel Production.

PMID- 26281942
TI  - [The frontage and the other headlines].

PMID- 26281943
TI  - Impact of Weight Changes After the Diagnosis of Stage III Colon Cancer on
      Survival Outcomes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Weight modification after a diagnosis of colon cancer and its impact
      on outcomes remain unclear. Thus we aimed to examine the association of obesity
      and weight changes from baseline oncology consultation with recurrence-free
      survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with stage III colon cancer.
      METHODS: Patients aged >= 18 years who were diagnosed with stage III colon cancer
      in British Columbia from 2008 to 2010 and who received adjuvant chemotherapy were
      included in the study. Cox proportional hazards regression models were fitted to
      evaluate the impact of different body compositions and degree of weight changes
      from baseline assessment with outcomes while controlling for potentially
      confounding covariates, such as age and sex. RESULTS: A total of 539 patients
      with stage III colon cancer were included: median age was 69 years (range, 26-94
      years), 52% were men, and 53% had Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG)
      performance status of 0-1. Those with weight gains of >= 10% had a median RFS of
      37 months compared with 49 months in those with weight gains of < 10% (hazard
      ratio [HR], 0.94; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.56-1.59; P = .82). However,
      this finding was not significant. In Cox models, patients who exhibited weight
      losses of >= 10% experienced significantly inferior RFS (HR, 3.45; 95% CI, 1.44
      8.13; P = .0046) and OS (HR, 2.63; 95% CI, 1.04-6.67; P = .041) compared with
      those who experienced weight losses of < 10%. Weight gains, losses, or changes of
      equal or less magnitude did not show any significant associations with outcomes
      (all P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Weight losses of >= 10% from baseline evaluation
      bodes a worse prognosis among patients with stage III colon cancer.

PMID- 26281944
TI  - Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency caused by a novel mutation (p.Leu263Pro):
      Pi*ZQ0gaia - Q0gaia allele.
AB  - Severe alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is generally associated with PI*ZZ
      genotype and less often with combinations of PI*Z, PI*S, and other rarer
      deficiency or null (Q0) alleles. Severe AATD predisposes patients to various
      diseases, including pulmonary emphysema. Presented here is a case report of a
      young man with COPD and AATD. The investigation of the AATD showed a novel
      mutation p.Leu263Pro (c.860T>C), which was named Q0gaia (Pi*ZQ0gaia). Q0gaia is
      associated with very low or no detectable serum concentrations of AAT.

PMID- 26281946
TI  - Manual Physical Therapy Versus Surgery for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Randomized
      Parallel-Group Trial.
AB  - This randomized clinical trial investigated the effectiveness of surgery compared
      with physical therapy consisting of manual therapies including desensitization
      maneuvers in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). The setting was a public hospital and
      2 physical therapy practices in Madrid, Spain. One hundred twenty women with CTS
      were enrolled between February 2013 and January 2014, with 1-year follow-up
      completed in January 2015. Interventions consisted of 3 sessions of manual
      therapies including desensitization maneuvers of the central nervous system
      (physical therapy group, n = 60) or decompression/release of the carpal tunnel
      (surgical group, n = 60). The primary outcome was pain intensity (mean pain and
      the worst pain), and secondary outcomes included functional status and symptoms
      severity subscales of the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire and the self
      perceived improvement. They were assessed at baseline and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months
      by a blinded assessor. Analysis was by intention to treat. At 12 months, 111
      (92%) women completed the follow-up (55/60 physical therapy, 56/60 surgery).
      Adjusted analyses showed an advantage (all, P < .01) for physical therapy at 1
      and 3 months in mean pain (Delta -2.0 [95% confidence interval (CI) -2.8 to 
      1.2]/-1.3 [95% CI -2.1 to -.6]), the worst pain (Delta -2.9 [-4.0 to -2.0]/-2.0 [
      3.0 to -.9]), and function (Delta -.8 [-1.0 to -.6]/-.3 [-.5 to -.1]),
      respectively. Changes in pain and function were similar between the groups at 6
      and 12 months. The 2 groups had similar improvements in the symptoms severity
      subscale of the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire at all follow-ups. In women
      with CTS, physical therapy may result in similar outcomes on pain and function to
      surgery. TRIAL REGISTRATION: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov, ClinicalTrials.gov,
      NCT01789645. PERSPECTIVE: This study found that surgery and physical manual
      therapies including desensitization maneuvers of the central nervous system were
      similarly effective at medium-term and long-term follow-ups for improving pain
      and function but that physical therapy led to better outcomes in the short term.

PMID- 26281947
TI  - Effects of a Guided Internet-Delivered Self-Help Intervention for Adolescents
      With Chronic Pain.
AB  - Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is effective in reducing the frequency and
      intensity of chronic pain in adolescents. However, CBT seems not to be considered
      acceptable by all adolescents. The main aim of our study was therefore to
      evaluate the effects of guided Internet-delivered self-help for adolescents with
      chronic pain. Adolescents (N = 69) were assessed on the outcome measures of pain,
      coping, disability, catastrophizing, rewarding of pain behavior by parents, and
      quality of life. Measures were taken 7 weeks before treatment and at
      pretreatment, posttreatment, and 3-month follow-up. Multilevel modeling was used
      for longitudinal analysis of the data. Pain intensity, interference caused by
      pain, rewarding of pain behavior by parents, and sleep problems significantly
      decreased during the intervention. The quality-of-life scores for pain, general
      behavior, mental health, family activities, and health changes also significantly
      improved during the intervention. With regard to coping, only problem-focused
      avoidance behavior significantly increased. No significant differences were found
      for pain-related disability and pain catastrophizing. Contrary to expectations,
      guided Internet-delivered self-help for chronic pain is difficult to use in
      adolescents, resulting in treatment attrition and loss to follow-up. TRIAL
      REGISTRATION: Dutch Trial Register NTR1926. PERSPECTIVE: The results of this
      trial suggest that Internet-based self-management is effective in decreasing pain
      intensity in adolescents with chronic pain. Because the intervention is grounded
      in CBT, we expect the underlying mechanism to be a change in self-management
      skills and in the ability of challenging dysfunctional thoughts.

PMID- 26281948
TI  - Evidence for Sustained Mechanical Pain Sensitization in Women With Chronic
      Temporomandibular Disorder Versus Healthy Female Participants.
AB  - Generalized dysfunction of the nociceptive system has been hypothesized to be an
      important pathophysiologic process underlying temporomandibular disorder (TMD)
      pain. Studies have not identified sensitization to painful stimuli administered
      prospectively across consecutive days among participants with TMD with chronic
      pain. We attempted to isolate an empirically derived laboratory-based marker of
      sustained mechanical pain sensitization. We examined whether this index accounted
      for variance in prospective assessments of clinical TMD pain. Participants were
      women with a clinical diagnosis of chronic TMD (n = 30) and healthy female
      controls (n = 30). Pain thresholds were assessed using digital algometry 4 times
      at 12-hour intervals over 48 consecutive hours and clinical TMD pain via follow
      up telephone assessments. Sustained mechanical pain sensitization, defined by
      statistically significant linear decrements in pressure pain thresholds across
      the consecutive testing sessions, discriminated chronic TMD and control
      participants. An index of sustained sensitization at the masseter accounted for
      unique variance in clinical TMD pain over the subsequent 3-month assessment
      period, even controlling for mean pain threshold and baseline pain severity.
      These preliminary findings highlight discriminant and predictive validity
      characteristics of a novel marker of protracted pain sensitization among women
      with chronic TMD pain. PERSPECTIVE: A laboratory-based and empirically defined
      marker of sustained mechanical pain sensitization over the course of days with
      acceptable discriminant and predictive validity was identified. This marker may
      represent a clinically useful marker of chronic TMD pain in women.

PMID- 26281949
TI  - Polyphenols: From Plants to a Variety of Food and Nonfood Uses.
AB  - Polyphenols are major plant secondary metabolites, structurally extremely
      diverse, essential for a variety of functions in plants, responsible for major
      organoleptic and nutritional properties of plant-derived foods, and useful for
      numerous practical applications. During the 27th International Conference on
      Polyphenols and 8th Tannin Conference, held jointly in September 2014 in Nagoya,
      Japan (ICP2014), the latest advances in polyphenol research have been presented.
      These include advances in polyphenol chemistry, physicochemistry, and materials
      science; their biosynthesis, genetics, and metabolic engineering; and their role
      in plant interactions with the environment, in nutrition and health, and in
      natural medicine. This special issue presents a selection of research papers
      presented at the meeting, covering these different fields. Major recent progress
      and perspectives in these areas are also outlined in this introductory paper. 

PMID- 26281950
TI  - [Anti-NMDA antibody encephalitis secondary to herpes simplex virus infection].

PMID- 26281945
TI  - Nrf2--a therapeutic target for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
AB  - The brain is very sensitive to changes in redox status; thus maintaining redox
      homeostasis in the brain is critical for the prevention of accumulating oxidative
      damage. Aging is the primary risk factor for developing neurodegenerative
      diseases. In addition to age, genetic and environmental risk factors have also
      been associated with disease development. The primary reactive insults associated
      with the aging process are a result of oxidative stress (OS) and nitrosative
      stress (NS). Markers of increased oxidative stress, protein and DNA modification,
      inflammation, and dysfunctional proteostasis have all been implicated in
      contributing to the progression of neurodegeneration. The ability of the cell to
      combat OS/NS and maintain a clearance mechanism for misfolded aggregating
      proteins determines whether or not it will survive. A critical pathway in this
      regard is the Nrf2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2)- antioxidant
      response element (ARE) pathway. Nrf2 activation has been shown to mitigate a
      number of pathologic mechanisms associated with Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's
      disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington's disease, and multiple
      sclerosis. This review will focus on the role of Nrf2 in these diseases and the
      potential for Nrf2 activation to attenuate disease progression. 

PMID- 26281951
TI  - [Open de doors on the ICU. An unavoidable necessity].

PMID- 26281953
TI  - What Is Evidence-Based About Myofascial Chains: A Systematic Review.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To provide evidence for the existence of 6 myofascial meridians
      proposed by Myers based on anatomic dissection studies. DATA SOURCES: Relevant
      articles published between 1900 and December 2014 were searched in MEDLINE
      (PubMed), ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. STUDY SELECTION: Peer-reviewed human
      anatomic dissection studies reporting morphologic continuity between the muscular
      constituents of the examined meridians were included. If no study demonstrating a
      structural connection between 2 muscles was found, articles on general anatomy of
      the corresponding body region were targeted. DATA EXTRACTION: Continuity between
      2 muscles was documented if 2 independent investigators agreed that it was
      reported clearly. Also, 2 independent investigators rated methodologic quality of
      included studies by means of a validated assessment tool (Quality Appraisal for
      Cadaveric Studies). DATA SYNTHESIS: The literature search identified 6589
      articles. Of these, 62 article met the inclusion criteria. The studies reviewed
      suggest strong evidence for the existence of 3 myofascial meridians: the
      superficial back line (all 3 transitions verified, based on 14 studies), the back
      functional line (all 3 transitions verified, based on 8 studies) and the front
      functional line (both transitions verified, based on 6 studies). Moderate-to
      strong evidence is available for parts of the spiral line (5 of 9 verified
      transitions, based on 21 studies) and the lateral line (2 of 5 verified
      transitions, based on 10 studies). No evidence exists for the superficial front
      line (no verified transition, based on 7 studies). CONCLUSIONS: The present
      systematic review suggests that most skeletal muscles of the human body are
      directly linked by connective tissue. Examining the functional relevance of these
      myofascial chains is the most urgent task of future research. Strain transmission
      along meridians would both open a new frontier for the understanding of referred
      pain and provide a rationale for the development of more holistic treatment
      approaches.

PMID- 26281952
TI  - Conjugates of gamma-Carbolines and Phenothiazine as new selective inhibitors of
      butyrylcholinesterase and blockers of NMDA receptors for Alzheimer Disease.
AB  - Alzheimer disease is a multifactorial pathology and the development of new
      multitarget neuroprotective drugs is promising and attractive. We synthesized a
      group of original compounds, which combine in one molecule gamma-carboline
      fragment of dimebon and phenothiazine core of methylene blue (MB) linked by 1-oxo
      and 2-hydroxypropylene spacers. Inhibitory activity of the conjugates toward
      acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and structurally close
      to them carboxylesterase (CaE), as well their binding to NMDA-receptors were
      evaluated in vitro and in silico. These newly synthesized compounds showed
      significantly higher inhibitory activity toward BChE with IC50 values in
      submicromolar and micromolar range and exhibited selective inhibitory action
      against BChE over AChE and CaE. Kinetic studies for the 9 most active compounds
      indicated that majority of them were mixed-type BChE inhibitors. The main
      specific protein-ligand interaction is pi-pi stacking of phenothiazine ring with
      indole group of Trp82. These compounds emerge as promising safe multitarget
      ligands for the further development of a therapeutic approach against aging
      related neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer and/or other pathological
      conditions. 

PMID- 26281954
TI  - Physiotherapy Rehabilitation for People With Progressive Multiple Sclerosis: A
      Systematic Review.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of physiotherapy interventions, including
      exercise therapy, for the rehabilitation of people with progressive multiple
      sclerosis. DATA SOURCES: Five databases (Cochrane Library, Physiotherapy Evidence
      Database [PEDro], Web of Science Core Collections, MEDLINE, Embase) and reference
      lists of relevant articles were searched. STUDY SELECTION: Randomized
      experimental trials, including participants with progressive multiple sclerosis
      and investigating a physiotherapy intervention or an intervention containing a
      physiotherapy element, were included. DATA EXTRACTION: Data were independently
      extracted using a standardized form, and methodologic quality was assessed using
      the PEDro scale. DATA SYNTHESIS: Thirteen studies (described by 15 articles) were
      identified and scored between 5 and 9 out of 10 on the PEDro scale. Eight
      interventions were assessed: exercise therapy, multidisciplinary rehabilitation,
      functional electrical stimulation, botulinum toxin type A injections and manual
      stretches, inspiratory muscle training, therapeutic standing, acupuncture, and
      body weight-supported treadmill training. All studies, apart from 1, produced
      positive results in at least 1 outcome measure; however, only 1 article used a
      power calculation to determine the sample size and because of dropouts the
      results were subsequently underpowered. CONCLUSIONS: This review suggests that
      physiotherapy may be effective for the rehabilitation of people with progressive
      multiple sclerosis. However, further appropriately powered studies are required.

PMID- 26281955
TI  - Moderators, Mediators, and Nonspecific Predictors of Treatment Outcome in an
      Intervention for Everyday Task Improvement in Persons With Executive Deficits
      After Brain Injury.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To identify moderators, mediators, and predictors of everyday task
      performance after an experimental combination of errorless learning and goal
      management training. DESIGN: Predictor analysis of a randomized controlled
      intervention trial. SETTING: Outpatient rehabilitation centers. PARTICIPANTS:
      Patients (N=60) with acquired brain injury of nonprogressive nature with a
      minimal postonset time of 3 months. INTERVENTIONS: Participants were randomly
      allocated to 8 sessions of errorless or conventional goal management training.
      MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Everyday task performance, assessed at baseline and after
      treatment by evaluating correct, ineffective, and missing task steps. RESULTS:
      Demographic variables, neuropsychological test performance, subjective cognitive
      function, and quality of life were selected as candidate predictors. The results
      showed that age (P=.03) and estimated intelligence quotient (IQ) (P=.02) emerged
      as moderators. Higher age was associated with better everyday task performance
      after conventional goal management training, whereas higher IQ was associated
      with better performance after errorless goal management training. Higher
      executive function scores after training predicted improved everyday task
      performance across the 2 treatment conditions (P=.04). CONCLUSIONS: The
      identified predictors may contribute to a more tailored cognitive rehabilitation
      approach in which treatments and patients are better matched when clinicians
      decide to train everyday tasks.

PMID- 26281956
TI  - Imaging Cells in Flow Cytometer Using Spatial-Temporal Transformation.
AB  - Flow cytometers measure fluorescence and light scattering and analyze multiple
      physical characteristics of a large population of single cells as cells flow in a
      fluid stream through an excitation light beam. Although flow cytometers have
      massive statistical power due to their single cell resolution and high
      throughput, they produce no information about cell morphology or spatial
      resolution offered by microscopy, which is a much wanted feature missing in
      almost all flow cytometers. In this paper, we invent a method of spatial-temporal
      transformation to provide flow cytometers with cell imaging capabilities. The
      method uses mathematical algorithms and a spatial filter as the only hardware
      needed to give flow cytometers imaging capabilities. Instead of CCDs or any
      megapixel cameras found in any imaging systems, we obtain high quality image of
      fast moving cells in a flow cytometer using PMT detectors, thus obtaining high
      throughput in manners fully compatible with existing cytometers. To prove the
      concept, we demonstrate cell imaging for cells travelling at a velocity of 0.2
      m/s in a microfluidic channel, corresponding to a throughput of approximately
      1,000 cells per second.

PMID- 26281957
TI  - Putting flu on the agenda: New voices, new partners.

PMID- 26281958
TI  - Exercise motives and positive body image in physically active college women and
      men: Exploring an expanded acceptance model of intuitive eating.
AB  - The acceptance model of intuitive eating posits that body acceptance by others
      facilitates body appreciation and internal body orientation, which contribute to
      intuitive eating. Two domains of exercise motives (functional and appearance) may
      also be linked to these variables, and thus were integrated into the model. The
      model fit the data well for 406 physically active U.S. college students, although
      some pathways were stronger for women. Body acceptance by others directly
      contributed to higher functional exercise motives and indirectly contributed to
      lower appearance exercise motives through higher internal body orientation.
      Functional exercise motives positively, and appearance exercise motives
      inversely, contributed to body appreciation. Whereas body appreciation
      positively, and appearance exercise motives inversely, contributed to intuitive
      eating for women, only the latter association was evident for men. To benefit
      positive body image and intuitive eating, efforts should encourage body
      acceptance by others and emphasize functional and de-emphasize appearance
      exercise motives. 

PMID- 26281959
TI  - Degradation of flumequine in aqueous solution by persulfate activated with common
      methods and polyhydroquinone-coated magnetite/multi-walled carbon nanotubes
      catalysts.
AB  - In recent years, flumequine (FLU) has been ubiquitously detected in surface
      waters and municipal wastewaters. In light of its potential negative impacts to
      aquatic species, growing concern has been arisen for the removal of this
      antibiotic from natural waters. In this study, the kinetics, degradation
      mechanisms and pathways of aqueous FLU by persulfate (PS) oxidation were
      systematically determined. Three common activation methods, including heat,
      Fe(2+) and Cu(2+), and a novel heterogeneous catalyst, namely, polyhydroquinone
      coated magnetite/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (Fe3O4/MWCNTs/PHQ), were
      investigated to activate PS for FLU removal. It was found that these three common
      activators enhanced FLU degradation obviously, while several influencing factors,
      such as solution pH, inorganic ions (especially HCO3(-) at 5 mmol/L) and
      dissolved organic matter extracts, exerted their different effects on FLU
      removal. The catalysts were characterized, and an efficient catalytic degradation
      performance, high stability and excellent reusability were observed. The measured
      total organic carbon levels suggested that FLU can be effectively mineralized by
      using the catalysts. Radical mechanism was studied by combination of the
      quenching tests and electron paramagnetic resonance analysis. It was assumed that
      sulfate radicals predominated in the activation of PS with Fe3O4/MWCNTs/PHQ for
      FLU removal, while hydroxyl radicals also contributed to the catalytic oxidation
      process. In addition, a total of fifteen reaction intermediates of FLU were
      identified, from which two possible pathways were proposed involving
      hydroxylation, decarbonylation and ring opening. Overall, this study represented
      a systematical evaluation regarding the transformation process of FLU by PS, and
      showed that the heterogeneous catalysts can efficiently activate PS for FLU
      removal from the water environment.

PMID- 26281960
TI  - Identification of phototransformation products of the antiepileptic drug
      gabapentin: Biodegradability and initial assessment of toxicity.
AB  - The anticonvulsant drug Gabapentin (GAB) is used for the treatment of various
      diseases (e.g. epilepsy, bipolar disorder, neuropathic pain) and is being
      consumed in high amounts. As GAB is not metabolized and shows a weak elimination
      in sewage treatment plants (STPs), it has been detected in surface water and even
      in raw potable water. Moreover, the confirmed teratogenic effects of GAB indicate
      the need for further investigations regarding options for the elimination of GAB
      in the water cycle. Little is known about the behavior of GAB during treatment
      with UV light, which is normally used for the disinfection of potable water and
      discussed for advanced wastewater treatment. In this study, GAB was exposed to
      polychromatic UV irradiation at different initial concentrations in aqueous
      solution. Afterwards the structures of the resulting phototransformation products
      (PTPs) were identified and elucidated by means of high-resolution mass
      spectrometry. GAB and photolytic mixtures were submitted to the Closed Bottle
      Test (CBT; OECD 301 D) to assess biodegradability. Furthermore, the toxicity of
      GAB and its photolytic mixtures was initially addressed on screening level using
      a modified luminescent bacteria test (LBT) and the umu-test (ISO/FDIS 13829).
      Environmentally realistic concentrations of GAB were disclosed by predicting STP
      influent concentrations (24.3 and 23.2 MUg L(-1)). GAB with initial concentration
      of 100 mg L(-1) was eliminated by 80% after 128 min of direct UV irradiation, but
      just 9% of non-purgeable organic carbon (NPOC) was removed indicating the
      formation of dead-end transformation products (TPs). Structures of different PTPs
      were elucidated and several identical PTPs could also be identified at lower
      initial treatment concentrations (20 mg L(-1), 5 mg L(-1), 1 mg L(-1) and 0.1 mg
      L(-1)). GAB was classified as not readily biodegradable. Moreover, photo
      treatment did not result in better biodegradable PTPs. With increasing UV
      treatment duration, photolytic mixtures of GAB showed an increased inhibition of
      both, the bacterial luminescence emission as well as the growth in the modified
      LBT. In the umu-test no significant induction of the umuC gene as an indicator of
      genotoxicity was observed. Our results show that UV irradiation of GAB containing
      water would lead to the formation of recalcitrant PTPs. Considering that GAB was
      found in raw drinking water, the formation of toxic PTPs during drinking water
      treatment with UV light might be possible. Therefore, further studies should be
      conducted regarding the fate and effects on human health and the environment of
      GAB and the PTPs identified within this study.

PMID- 26281961
TI  - Cerebral aneurysms: Cerebral aneurysm guidelines-more guidance needed.

PMID- 26281962
TI  - Motor neuron disease: Are diabetes and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis related?

PMID- 26281963
TI  - Traumatic brain injury: Long-term tau elevation linked to chronic symptoms after
      brain injury.

PMID- 26281964
TI  - Motor neuron disease: Diaphragm pacing is associated with reduced survival in ALS
      patients with respiratory insufficiency.

PMID- 26281965
TI  - In vitro activity of essential oils extracted from condiments against fluconazole
      resistant and -sensitive Candida glabrata.
AB  - In the present study, the antifungal activity of essential oils obtained from
      Origanum vulgare (oregano), Cinnamomum zeylanicum (cinnamon), Lippia graveolens
      (Mexican oregano), Thymus vulgaris (thyme), Salvia officinalis (sage), Rosmarinus
      officinalis (rosemary), Ocimum basilicum (basil) and Zingiber officinale (ginger)
      were assessed against Candida glabrata isolates. One group contained 30
      fluconazole-susceptible C. glabrata isolates, and the second group contained
      fluconazole-resistant isolates derived from the first group after the in vitro
      induction of fluconazole-resistance, for a total of 60 tested isolates. The broth
      microdilution methodology was used. Concentrations of 50MUg/mL, 100MUg/mL,
      200MUg/mL, 400MUg/mL, 800MUg/mL, 1600MUg/mL and 3200MUg/mL of the essential oils
      were used, and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal
      concentration (MFC) were determined. Thyme, sage, rosemary, basil and ginger
      essential oils showed no antifungal activity at the tested concentrations.
      Antimicrobial activity less than or equal to 3200MUg/mL was observed for oregano,
      Mexican oregano and cinnamon essential oils. Both the oregano and Mexican oregano
      essential oils showed high levels of antifungal activity against the fluconazole
      susceptible C. glabrata group, whereas the cinnamon essential oil showed the best
      antifungal activity against the fluconazole-resistant C. glabrata isolates. 

PMID- 26281966
TI  - New study on the correlation between carbon dioxide concentration in the
      environment and radon monitor devices.
AB  - The influence of high geogenic carbon dioxide concentrations on monitoring
      devices might present a significant challenge to the measurement of radon
      concentrations in environments with a high level of carbon dioxide concentration
      such as volcano sites, mofettes, caves, etc. In this study, the influence of
      carbon dioxide concentration on several different types of radon monitor devices 
      including Alpha Spectrometry (Sarad RTM 2200, EQF 3220, RAD7), Ionizing Chamber
      (AlphaGUARD PQ2000 PRO) and Active Cell (Active scintillation cell, Pylon 300A) -
      was examined to represent new aspects of radon measuring in environments with
      carbon dioxide. In light of the results, all measuring devices were exposed to
      variable conditions affected by carbon dioxide concentration, except for the
      AlphaGUARD, which was kept in a steady state throughout the experiment. It was
      observed that alpha spectroscopy devices were affected by carbon dioxide, since
      measured radon concentrations decreased in the presence of 70% and 90% carbon
      dioxide concentrations by 26.5 +/- 2% and 14.5 +/- 2.5% for EQF 3220, and 32 +/-
      2% and 35.5 +/- 2% for RTM 2200. However, the ionizing chamber instrument was
      unaffected by changes in carbon dioxide concentration. It was determined that the
      RAD7 performed relatively inefficiently in the presence of carbon dioxide
      concentrations higher than 67% by an overall efficiency factor of approximately
      0.52, confirming that it is not an admissible radon monitor instrument in
      environments with high carbon dioxide concentrations. 

PMID- 26281967
TI  - Dysfunctional resting-state connectivities of brain regions with structural
      deficits in drug-naive first-episode schizophrenia adolescents.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Individuals with adolescent-onset schizophrenia (AOS) are a subgroup
      of patients who present clinical symptoms between 13 and 18years of age. Little
      is known about neurodevelopmental abnormalities in this patient population. The
      present study was to examine possible resting-state dysfunctional connectivity of
      brain regions with altered gray matter volume in AOS. METHODS: Gray matter volume
      was investigated by voxel-based morphometry (VBM) analysis. Resting-state
      functional connectivity analysis was used to examine the correlations between
      regions with structural deficits and the remaining regions. RESULTS: Thirty-seven
      first-episode schizophrenia adolescents and 30 healthy controls were enrolled.
      Compared to the controls, the patients showed significantly decreased gray matter
      volumes in the right superior temporal gyrus (STG) and middle temporal gyrus
      (MTG) (ps<0.05). With the right STG as seed, significantly reduced connectivities
      were found within the frontal-temporal networks in the patient group (ps<0.05).
      With the right MTG as seed, the patient group showed significantly reduced
      connectivities in the default-mode networks and visual networks (ps<0.05).
      Compared to significant correlations in the controls (p=0.02), the patients had
      no observed correlations between functional connectivity of the right STG and
      gray matter volume of this region. Significant positive correlations were found
      between functional connectivity of the right STG with the left middle frontal
      gyrus and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale total scores (p=0.048) after
      controlling the confounding variables. CONCLUSIONS: These findings show
      dysfunctional resting-state connectivities of the right STG and MTG with
      decreased gray matter volume in adolescents with AOS, suggesting that
      neurodevelopmental abnormalities may be present in AOS.

PMID- 26281968
TI  - Flawed analyses undermine proposed relationship between childhood cat ownership
      and schizophrenia.

PMID- 26281969
TI  - The hidden history: Her son was killed in Vietnam.

PMID- 26281970
TI  - Undiagnosed cognitive impairment, health status and depressive symptoms in
      patients with type 2 diabetes.
AB  - AIMS: Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is associated with cognitive impairment. We examined
      whether undiagnosed cognitive impairment in T2DM-patients is associated with a
      reduced health status and depressive symptoms. METHODS: In an observational
      study, 225 T2DM-patients aged >=70years were examined at their homes and (some of
      them) at a memory clinic for undiagnosed cognitive impairment (dementia or mild
      cognitive impairment [MCI], defined according to internationally accepted
      criteria). Questionnaires assessing health status (SF-36, EQ-5D, EQ-VAS) and
      depressive symptoms (CES-D) were filled out. Health status and depressive
      symptoms were compared between patients with and without cognitive impairment.
      RESULTS: Patients with cognitive impairment (n=57) showed significantly lower
      scores on the physical and mental summary scores of the SF-36 than patients with
      normal cognition (difference: 3.5 (95%-CI 0.7-6.3, p=0.02, effect size 0.41) and
      2.9 (95%-CI 0.3-5.6; p=0.03, effect size 0.37). EQ-5D index and EQ-VAS scores
      were significantly lower in patients with cognitive impairment. Depression (CES
      D>=16) occurred almost twice as often in patients with cognitive impairment (RR
      1.8; 95%-CI: 1.1-3.0). CONCLUSIONS: Undiagnosed cognitive impairment in T2DM
      patients is associated with a reduced health status and more depressive symptoms.
      Detection of cognitive impairment in T2DM-patients identifies a vulnerable
      patient group that could benefit from tailored treatment and care.

PMID- 26281971
TI  - Non-invasive vascular assessment in the foot with diabetes: sensitivity and
      specificity of the ankle brachial index, toe brachial index and continuous wave
      Doppler for detecting peripheral arterial disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Non-invasive lower limb vascular assessment in people at risk
      of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) including those with diabetes is crucial.
      There is evidence that standard assessment techniques such as the ankle-brachial
      index (ABI) may be less effective in people with diabetes. However there is
      limited evidence for other frequently used tests including continuous wave
      Doppler (CWD), and the toe-brachial index (TBI). The aim of this study was to
      determine the sensitivity and specificity of, ABI, CWD and TBI in a population
      with, and without diabetes. METHODS: Participants with and without diabetes who
      met current guidelines for vascular screening were recruited, and CWD waveforms,
      an ABI and a TBI were obtained from the right lower limb. Diagnostic accuracy was
      determined using colour duplex ultrasound (CFDU). Receiver operating
      characteristic curves were calculated. RESULTS: 117 participants were recruited,
      seventy-two with diabetes and forty-five without diabetes. CWD had the highest
      sensitivity in people with diabetes (74%) and without (84%). CWD also had the
      highest specificity in people with diabetes (74%) and without (84%) compared to
      both TBI and ABI. In participants with diabetes, the ABI was a poor test, area
      under the curve: 0.58 (p=0.27). CONCLUSIONS: CWD waveform is more likely to
      detect significant PAD compared to ABI and TBI in people with and without
      diabetes.

PMID- 26281972
TI  - Combination therapy with insulin glargine plus metformin but not insulin glargine
      plus sulfonylurea provides similar glycemic control to triple oral combination
      therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes uncontrolled with dual oral agent
      therapy.
AB  - AIMS: Evaluate substituting insulin glargine (GLAR) for a thiazolidinedione (TZD)
      versus adding a third oral antidiabetes drug (OAD) in patients with uncontrolled
      type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) on TZD+metformin or TZD+sulfonylurea. METHODS: In
      this multicenter, open-label study, 337 T2DM patients with a glycated hemoglobin
      A1c (A1C) of 7.5-12.0% despite>=3months of treatment with a TZD plus metformin or
      a sulfonylurea were randomized to a third OAD (3OAD; metformin or glyburide) or
      GLAR+1 OAD (metformin or sulfonylurea) with TZD cessation, titrated to a fasting
      blood glucose<=94mg/dL. RESULTS: Substitution of GLAR for a TZD led to an
      adjusted mean A1C change from baseline of-1.66% versus-1.86% in the 3OAD arm
      (adjusted mean difference 0.20 [95% confidence interval, - 0.11, 0.51], not
      meeting the noninferiority criteria). This difference was driven by the
      GLAR+sulfonylurea stratum. GLAR+metformin was as effective as 3OAD in achieving
      glycemic control but with greater improvements in lipid parameters, less weight
      gain, and lower hypoglycemia rates. CONCLUSIONS: These findings favor
      substitution of GLAR for a TZD in T2DM patients not controlled on TZD+metformin.
      GLAR+sulfonylurea was less effective at lowering A1C than 3OAD and not associated
      with the benefits observed with GLAR+metformin.

PMID- 26281974
TI  - Zinc(II) and copper(II) complexes with hydroxypyrone iron chelators.
AB  - High stability of the complexes formed at physiological pH is one of the basic
      requisites that a good iron chelator must possess. At the same time the chelating
      agent must be selective toward iron, i.e., the stability of iron complexes must
      be significantly higher than that of the complexes formed with essential metal
      ions, in order that these last ones do not perturb iron chelation. In the frame
      of our research on iron chelators we have designed and synthesized a series of
      tetradentate derivatives of kojic acid, and examined their binding properties
      toward Fe(3+) and Al(3+). In this paper, for a characterization of the behavior
      of the proposed iron chelating agents in biological fluids, their complex
      formation equilibria with copper(II) and zinc(II) ions have been fully
      characterized together with a speciation study, showing the degree at which the
      iron chelators interfere with the homeostatic equilibria of these two essential
      metal ions. 

PMID- 26281973
TI  - Behavior of the potential antitumor V(IV)O complexes formed by flavonoid ligands.
      2. Characterization of sulfonate derivatives of quercetin and morin, interaction
      with the bioligands of the plasma and preliminary biotransformation studies.
AB  - The biotransformation in the plasma and red blood cells of two potential
      antitumor V(IV)O complexes formed by flavonoid ligands (quercetin or que and
      morin or mor) and their sulfonic derivatives (quercetin-5'-sulfonic acid or
      que(S) and morin-5'-sulfonic acid or mor(S)) was studied by spectroscopic (EPR,
      Electron Paramagnetic Resonance) and computational (DFT, Density Functional
      Theory) methods. Que and que(S) form with V(IV)O stable complexes, and in the
      systems with apo-transferrin (apo-hTf) and albumin (HSA) VO(que)2 and VO(que(S))2
      remain unchanged. VO(mor)2 and VO(mor(S))2 undergo displacement reactions to give
      the partial formation of (VO)x(HSA) and (VO)(apo-hTf)/(VO)2(apo-hTf); moreover,
      mor(S) forms with apo-transferrin and albumin mixed species VO-mor(S)-apo-hTf and
      VO-mor(S)-HSA. In the systems with apo-hTf and HSA anisotropic EPR spectra at
      room temperature are detected in which the protein is not directly coordinated to
      V(IV)O(2+) ion. This is explained assuming that the bis-chelated complexes
      interact strongly with the proteins through a network of hydrogen bonds with the
      polar groups present on the protein surface. It is suggested that this "indirect"
      transport of V(IV)O species could be common to all the species containing ligands
      which can interact with the blood proteins. Uptake experiments by red blood cells
      were also carried out, using vanadium concentration of 5.0*10(-4)M and incubation
      time in the range 0-160min. VO(que)2/VO(que(S))2 and VO(mor)2/VO(mor(S))2 cross
      the erythrocytes membrane and in the cytosol VO(que)2/VO(que(S))2 do not
      transform, whereas VO(mor)2/VO(mor(S))2 give the partial formation of mixed
      species with hemoglobin (Hb) and other V(IV)O complexes. 

PMID- 26281975
TI  - Integrative Utilization of Microenvironments, Biomaterials and Computational
      Techniques for Advanced Tissue Engineering.
AB  - This review aims to propose the integrative implementation of microfluidic
      devices, biomaterials, and computational methods that can lead to a significant
      progress in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine researches. Simultaneous
      implementation of multiple techniques can be very helpful in addressing
      biological processes. Providing controllable biochemical and biomechanical cues
      within artificial extracellular matrix similar to in vivo conditions is crucial
      in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine researches. Microfluidic devices
      provide precise spatial and temporal control over cell microenvironment.
      Moreover, generation of accurate and controllable spatial and temporal gradients
      of biochemical factors is attainable inside microdevices. Since biomaterials with
      tunable properties are a worthwhile option to construct artificial extracellular
      matrix, in vitro platforms that simultaneously utilize natural, synthetic, or
      engineered biomaterials inside microfluidic devices are phenomenally advantageous
      to experimental studies in the field of tissue engineering. Additionally,
      collaboration between experimental and computational methods is a useful way to
      predict and understand mechanisms responsible for complex biological phenomena.
      Computational results can be verified by using experimental platforms.
      Computational methods can also broaden the understanding of the mechanisms behind
      the biological phenomena observed during experiments. Furthermore, computational
      methods are powerful tools to optimize the fabrication of microfluidic devices
      and biomaterials with specific features. Here we present a succinct review of the
      benefits of microfluidic devices, biomaterial, and computational methods in the
      case of tissue engineering and regeneration medicine. Furthermore, some
      breakthroughs in biological phenomena including the neuronal axon development,
      cancerous cell migration and blood vessel formation via angiogenesis by virtue of
      the aforementioned approaches are discussed. 

PMID- 26281976
TI  - beta-Lactoglobulin mutant Lys69Asn has attenuated IgE and increased retinol
      binding activity.
AB  - beta-Lactoglobulin (beta-LG) is a member of lipocalin superfamily of transporters
      for small hydrophobic molecules such as retinoids, fatty acids, drugs, and
      vitamins. beta-LG also is one of the major allergens in milk. Despite a lot of
      research on decreasing cow's milk allergenicity, the effects of mutations of beta
      LG on recognition by IgE from cow's milk allergy (CMA) patients have not been
      investigated. We describe here the expression in the yeast Pichia pastoris of a
      mutant bovine beta-LG, in which lysine at position 69, in the main epitopes of
      the protein, was changed into asparagine (Lys69Asn). The purity and native like
      folded structure of the recombinant Lys69Asn beta-LG was confirmed by HPLC, SDS
      PAGE, mass spectrometry and circular dichroism. Lys69Asn beta-LG has a fourfold
      stronger affinity than the wild-type protein for retinol, palmitic acid, and
      resveratrol, as determined by quenching of the intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence.
      At the same time the Lys69Asn mutant had a 9 fold attenuated, compared with the
      wild-type, affinity for IgE of sera from patients suffering from cow's milk
      allergy, whereas no difference could be detected between mutant and wild-type for
      binding of the IgGs of four monoclonal antibodies. The results of this study
      demonstrated the significant role of Lys69 residue on the binding and
      immuoreactivity properties of beta-LG. 

PMID- 26281978
TI  - Management of Isolated Musculocutaneous Injury: Comparing Double Fascicular Nerve
      Transfer With Conventional Nerve Grafting.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare the functional outcomes of nerve grafts and nerve transfers
      in the management of isolated musculocutaneous nerve (MCN) injuries. METHODS: We
      performed a retrospective case-control study of isolated MCN injury managed at a
      tertiary care center. The study group was composed of 12 patients managed with
      double nerve transfer whereas the 8 patients in the grafted group constituted the
      control group. RESULTS: In the study group, stab and missile injuries constituted
      most cases with a denervation period ranging between 3 and 9 months. Eleven
      patients in this group experienced a full range of active elbow flexion whereas
      one had antigravity flexion of 120 degrees . Electromyography revealed the first
      sign of reinnervation of biceps at 10 +/- 2 weeks, compared with 20 +/- 2 weeks
      in the grafted group. The overall trend was for patients in the study group to
      have earlier return of active elbow flexion and better restoration of elbow
      flexion strength and range of (presumably active) elbow motion than those treated
      with grafting, although none of these measures reached statistical significance.
      CONCLUSIONS: We found that distal nerve transfer was a superior method of
      managing isolated MCN injury compared with conventional nerve grafting.

PMID- 26281977
TI  - Pyrocarbon Metacarpophalangeal Joint Arthroplasty in Noninflammatory Arthritis:
      Minimum 5-Year Follow-Up.
AB  - PURPOSE: To report the outcomes, complications, and survivorship of pyrocarbon
      metacarpophalangeal joint arthroplasty in noninflammatory arthropathy at a
      minimum 5-year follow-up. METHODS: A retrospective review of 51 implants in 36
      patients was undertaken. Patient demographics, complications, further surgery,
      and implant revision were recorded. Objective outcome was assessed by grip
      strength, range of motion, and radiological assessment of alignment, loosening,
      and subsidence. Subjective outcome was assessed by Patient Evaluation Measure,
      Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score, and visual analog scores
      (0, best; 10, worst) for appearance, satisfaction, and pain. RESULTS: There were
      35 index and 16 middle fingers. The average follow-up was 103 months (range, 60
      172 months). The mean arc of motion was 54 degrees  (range, 20 degrees  to 80
      degrees ). There was no difference in grip strength between operated and
      nonsurgical side. Six implants were revised, and 3 of these required additional
      surgery. The average Patient Evaluation Measure and Quick Disabilities of the
      Arm, Shoulder and Hand scores were 27 (range, 10-54) and 29 (range, 0-57),
      respectively. Mean visual analog scores for pain, satisfaction, and appearance
      were all 1 with the respective ranges being 0-7, 0-4, and 0-6. Most implants were
      Herren grade 1 lucency with the remaining 5 proximal and 12 distal implants being
      grade 2. Mean subsidence in the proximal component was 2 mm (range, 0-4 mm) and 1
      mm (range, 0-3 mm) in the distal component. The degree of loosening or subsidence
      did not correlate with outcome. Implant survival as assessed by Kaplan-Meier was
      88% at 10 years. CONCLUSIONS: Good pain relief, a functional range of motion, and
      high satisfaction were seen in the majority of patients. All implant revisions
      were performed within 18 months of the index procedure. This may represent
      technical issues rather than problems with the implant.

PMID- 26281979
TI  - The evolutionary conservation of rps3 introns and rps19-rps3-rpl16 gene cluster
      in Adiantum capillus-veneris mitochondria.
AB  - Ferns are a large and evolutionarily critical group of vascular land plants for
      which quite limited mitochondrial gene content and genome organization data are,
      currently, available. This study reports that the gene for the ribosomal protein
      S3 (rps3) is preserved and physically clustered to an upstream rps19 and a
      downstream overlapping rpl16 locus in the mitochondrial DNA of the true fern
      Adiantum capillus-veneris L. Sequence analysis also revealed that the rps3 gene
      is interrupted by two cis-splicing group II introns, like the counterpart in
      lycopod and gymnosperm representatives. A preliminary polymerase chain reaction
      (PCR) survey confirmed a scattered distribution pattern of both the rps3 introns
      also in other fern lineages. Northern blot and reverse transcription (RT)-PCR
      analyses demonstrated that the three ribosomal protein genes are co-transcribed
      as a polycistronic mRNA and modified by RNA editing. Particularly, the U-to-C
      type editing amends numerous genomic stop codons in the A. capillus-veneris
      rps19, rps3 and rpl16 sequences, thus, assuring the synthesis of complete and
      functional polypeptides. Collectively, the findings from this study further
      expand our knowledge of the mitochondrial rps3 architecture and evolution, also,
      bridging the significant molecular data gaps across the so far underrepresented
      ferns and all land plants. 

PMID- 26281980
TI  - Age and pro-inflammatory gene polymorphisms influence adjacent segment disc
      degeneration more than fusion does in patients treated for chronic low back pain.
AB  - PURPOSE: Does lumbar fusion lead to accelerated adjacent segment disc
      degeneration (ASDD) or is it explained by genetics and aging? The influence of
      genetics on ASDD remains to be explored. This study assesses whether the disc
      space height adjacent to a fused segment is associated with candidate gene single
      nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). METHODS: Patients with low back pain from four
      RCTs (N = 208 fusion; 77 non-operative treatment) underwent standing plain
      radiography and genetic analyses at 13 +/- 4 years follow-up. Disc space height
      was measured using a validated computer-assisted distortion-compensated roentgen
      analysis technique and reported in standard deviations from normal values.
      Genetic association analyses included 34 SNPs in 25 structural, inflammatory,
      matrix degrading, apoptotic, vitamin D receptor and OA-related genes relevant to
      disc degeneration. These were analysed for their association with disc space
      height (after adjusting for age, gender, smoking, duration of follow-up and
      treatment group) first, separately, and then together in a stepwise multivariable
      model. RESULTS: Two SNPs from the IL18RAP gene (rs1420106 and rs917997) were each
      associated with a lower disc space height at the adjacent level (B = -0.34, p =
      0.04 and B = -0.35, p = 0.04, respectively) and the MMP-9 gene SNP rs20544 was
      associated with a greater disc space height (B = 0.35, p = 0.04). Age (p < 0.001)
      and fusion (p < 0.008) were also significant variables in each analysis. The
      total explained variance in disc space height was for each SNP model 13-14 %,
      with 11-12 % of this being accounted for by the given SNP, 64-67 % by age and 19
      22 % by fusion. In the multivariable regression analysis (with nine SNPs selected
      for entry, along with the covariates) the total explained variance in disc space
      height was 23 %, with the nine SNPs, age and fusion accounting for 45, 45 and 7 %
      of this, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Age was the most significant determinant of
      adjacent segment disc space height followed by genetic factors, specifically
      inflammatory genes. Fusion explained a statistically significant but small
      proportion of the total variance. Much of the variance remained to be explained.

PMID- 26281982
TI  - The occurrence of vascular displacement into intervertebral disc space following
      the compensated sagittal imbalance of the spine: a case report and review of
      literature.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It is known that sagittal compensating mechanisms are created for
      counteracting sagittal imbalance problems; however, they can sometimes be
      associated with incidents which affect the plan of management. PURPOSE: The
      purpose of this study was to report a case of the occurrence of common iliac
      vessel displacement into the intervertebral disc space following one of the
      spinal compensatory mechanisms. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The authors demonstrated
      this case by showing the patient history, physical examination, imaging studies,
      and treatment strategy as well as by reviewing some related literature. RESULTS:
      An 81-year-old woman presented with a long history of low back pain with
      claudication. An upright plain radiograph and flexion-extension study
      demonstrated a progressive local thoracolumbar kyphosis and losing of lumbar
      lordosis with significant widening of the intervertebral disc space of L4-L5. An
      MRI scan and 3D volume rendering spiral computed tomography (3D-CT) revealed an
      abnormal content which was depicted as common iliac vessels inside the disc space
      of L4-L5. Consequently, a rare case of the occurrence of common iliac vessel
      displacement into the intervertebral disc space following one of the spinal
      compensatory mechanisms was reported. CONCLUSION: The occurrence of vascular
      displacement into the intervertebral disc space related to lumbar hyperextension,
      as a compensating mechanism, is a rare incident but can occur. Consequently, when
      this mechanism presents with abnormal widening of the intervertebral disc space,
      especially at the low lumbar level, it should raise surgeon's concern about the
      probability of vascular injury when performing a disc procedure. Thorough
      investigation with imaging studies and selecting the optimum surgical treatment
      are warranted.

PMID- 26281981
TI  - Prevalence of C5 nerve root palsy after cervical decompressive surgery: a meta
      analysis.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the epidemiological prevalence of C5 palsy in patients
      following cervical decompressive surgery. METHODS: We searched the PUBMED
      database for relevant studies that mentioned the incidence of C5 palsy after
      cervical surgery. We also manually screened reference lists for additional
      qualified articles. Relevant prevalence estimates were calculated by an
      appropriate meta-analysis. Subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis, and
      publication bias assessment were also performed, respectively. RESULTS: Finally,
      a total of 79 studies, with 704 C5 palsy cases in 13,621 patients, were included
      in our meta-analysis. The overall pooled prevalence of C5 palsy was 5.3% (95% CI
      4.6-6.0%). Individuals after posterior cervical surgery (5.8%) had a slightly
      higher prevalence than those after anterior surgery (5.2%), and a similar trend
      was observed between ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL)
      (5.8%) and cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) (4.5%). The highest prevalence
      (11.0%) was found in patients who underwent laminectomy and fusion (LIF), while
      those who received anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) had the lowest
      prevalence (3.3%). Other intermediate prevalence estimates increased gradually,
      from cervical laminoplasty-only (CLP-only) (5.1%), to CLP plus other posterior
      procedures (6.5%) and anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) (7.5%). The
      prevalence was significantly higher in male (5.2%) than in female (2.2%)
      patients. In most cases, C5 palsy was unilateral and transient, and diagnosed
      within 3 days (3.4%). CONCLUSION: Cervical surgery is associated with high risk
      of C5 palsy, particularly in patients who received LIF and in male patients.
      These figures may be useful in the estimation of the probability of C5 palsy
      following cervical surgery.

PMID- 26281984
TI  - Retraction Note to: Effect of NS-398, a cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor, on
      the cytotoxicity of cytotoxic T lymphocytes to ovarian carcinoma cells.

PMID- 26281985
TI  - Retraction Note to: Comparison of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC),
      cholangiocarcinoma (CC), and combined HCC-CC (CHC) with each other based on
      microarray dataset.

PMID- 26281986
TI  - Retraction Note to: Silencing of the Smad nuclear interacting protein 1 (SNIP1)
      by siRNA inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in pituitary adenoma cells.

PMID- 26281983
TI  - CRL4-DCAF1 ubiquitin E3 ligase directs protein phosphatase 2A degradation to
      control oocyte meiotic maturation.
AB  - Oocyte meiosis is a specialized cell cycle that gives rise to fertilizable
      haploid gametes and is precisely controlled in various dimensions. We recently
      found that E3 ubiquitin ligase CRL4 is required for female fertility by
      regulating DNA hydroxymethylation to maintain oocyte survival and to promote
      zygotic genome reprogramming. However, not all phenotypes of CRL4-deleted oocytes
      could be explained by this mechanism. Here we show that CRL4 controls oocyte
      meiotic maturation by proteasomal degradation of protein phosphatase 2A scaffold
      subunit, PP2A-A. Oocyte-specific deletion of DDB1 or DCAF1 (also called VPRBP)
      results in delayed meiotic resumption and failure to complete meiosis I along
      with PP2A-A accumulation. DCAF1 directly binds to and results in the poly
      ubiquitination of PP2A-A. Moreover, combined deletion of Ppp2r1a rescues the
      meiotic defects caused by DDB1/DCAF1 deficiency. These results provide in vivo
      evidence that CRL4-directed PP2A-A degradation is physiologically essential for
      regulating oocyte meiosis and female fertility. 

PMID- 26281987
TI  - Retraction Note to: Promoter methylation of DAPK gene may contribute to the
      pathogenesis of nonsmall cell lung cancer: a meta-analysis.

PMID- 26281988
TI  - Retraction Note to: Relationship between VEGF protein expression and lymph node
      metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma among Asians: a meta-analysis.

PMID- 26281989
TI  - Retraction Note to: Correlations of IFN-gamma genetic polymorphisms with
      susceptibility to breast cancer: a meta-analysis.

PMID- 26281990
TI  - Retraction Note to: relationships between PTEN gene mutations and prognosis in
      glioma: a meta-analysis.

PMID- 26281991
TI  - Retraction Note to: Relationships between genetic polymorphisms in inflammation
      related factor gene and the pathogenesis of nasopharyngeal cancer.

PMID- 26281993
TI  - Retraction Note to: Aberrant promoter methylation of the CHD1 gene may contribute
      to the pathogenesis of breast cancer: a meta-analysis.

PMID- 26281992
TI  - Retraction Note to: Single-nucleotide polymorphisms of LIG1 associated with risk
      of lung cancer.

PMID- 26281994
TI  - Retraction Note to: Prognostic value of CD133 expression in cancer patients
      treated with chemoradiotherapy: a meta-analysis.

PMID- 26281995
TI  - Retraction Note to: Common polymorphism in the MMP-13 gene may contribute to the
      risk of human cancers: a meta-analysis.

PMID- 26281996
TI  - Retraction Note to: Relationship of serum MMP-7 levels for colorectal cancer: a
      meta-analysis.

PMID- 26281997
TI  - Retraction Note to: Correlation of IL-1F genetic polymorphisms with the risk of
      colorectal cancer among Chinese populations.

PMID- 26281998
TI  - Retraction Note to: A comprehensive analysis of candidate genes and pathways in
      pancreatic cancer.

PMID- 26281999
TI  - Retraction Note to: Identification of core miRNA based on small RNA-seq and RNA
      seq for colorectal cancer by bioinformatics.

PMID- 26282000
TI  - Hyperuricemia has an adverse impact on the prognosis of patients with
      osteosarcoma.
AB  - Patients with osteosarcoma have poor prognosis and are often at high risk of
      death. Identification of prognostic biomarkers for osteosarcoma may aid in
      improving the survival. Hyperuricemia had been suggested as a poor prognostic
      factor of several cancers, but the prognostic role of hyperuricemia in
      osteosarcoma patients had not been assessed. In the present study, we
      investigated the prognostic role of hyperuricemia at baseline on the overall
      survival of patients with osteosarcoma. Sixty osteosarcoma patients with
      hyperuricemia were matched (1:2) to 120 osteosarcoma patients without
      hyperuricemia with similar age and gender. Data from those patients with
      osteosarcoma were evaluated retrospectively. The role of hyperuricemia on overall
      survival was firstly analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate and
      multivariate Cox regression models were also used to further evaluate the
      prognostic significance of hyperuricemia. None of the clinicopathological
      parameters except distant metastasis was associated with hyperuricemia. Kaplan
      Meier method showed that patients with hyperuricemia had shorter overall survival
      compared with those with normouricemia (P < 0.0001, log-rank test). In univariate
      analysis, hyperuricemia was associated with poorer overall survival in
      osteosarcoma patients (HR = 2.71, 95 % CI 1.75-4.20; P < 0.0001). In the
      multivariate analysis, after adjusting for age, gender, serum alkaline
      phosphatase, stage, tumor size, and metastasis, hyperuricemia was independently
      associated with poorer overall survival in osteosarcoma patients (HR = 2.28, 95 %
      CI 1.41-3.69; P = 0.001). In conclusion, hyperuricemia at baseline is associated
      with poorer overall survival in osteosarcoma patients, and it has an adverse
      impact on the prognosis of osteosarcoma patients. 

PMID- 26282001
TI  - MicroRNA-218 regulates cisplatin (DPP) chemosensitivity in non-small cell lung
      cancer by targeting RUNX2.
AB  - Downregulation of microRNA-218 (miR-218) is found in various human cancers,
      including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the involvement of
      chemosensitivity to cisplatin (DDP) and the underlying molecular mechanism remain
      unclear. In this study, we investigate whether miR-218 mediates NSCLC cell
      functions associated with chemoresistance. Quantitative real-time polymerase
      chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was utilized to detect miR-218 expression in NSCLC cell
      lines A549/DDP and/or A549. The cell activity was measured by MTT assay. Cell
      cycle and cell apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry. Luciferase reporter
      assays and Western blots were used to validate runt-related transcription factor
      2 (RUNX2) as a direct target gene of miR-218. miR-218 was significantly reduced
      in A549/DDP cells compared with parent A549 cells. Upregulation of miR-218
      altered cell cycle-induced cell apoptosis and enhanced the sensitivity of
      A549/DDP cells to cisplatin. Mechanistically, RUNX2 was identified as a direct
      and functional target of miR-218, and RUNX2 executed the former on lung cancer
      chemoresistance. Our present study demonstrated for the first time that
      downregulation of miR-218 may contribute to the chemoresistance of NSCLC cells to
      cisplatin, which leads to upregulation of RUNX2. Uncovering the mechanism
      represents a novel approach to enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy during cancer
      treatment. 

PMID- 26282002
TI  - Expression of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A-2 (eIF5A-2) associated
      with poor survival in gastric cancer.
AB  - Altered expression of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A-2 (eIF5A-2) was
      associated with human carcinogenesis and progression. This study assessed eIF5A-2
      expression in gastric cancer tissues for association with clinicopathological
      parameters and survival of patients. A total of 436 gastric cancer tissues and 92
      normal mucosal blocks were collected for construction of tissue microarrays and
      immunohistochemical assessment of eIF5A-2 expression. The data were statistically
      analyzed for association with clinicopathological factors and survival of
      patients. Immunohistochemical data showed that eIF5A-2 protein was highly
      expressed in gastric cancer tissues (p < 0.001). Upregulated expression of eIF5A
      2 protein was associated with tumor Lauren classification, size, location,
      invasion, TNM stages, and lymph node and distant metastases. The 3- and 5-year
      cumulative survival rates of these 436 patients were 88.5 and 58.1 %,
      respectively. In contrast, the mean survival time of patients with increased
      tumor eIF5A-2 was 30.22 +/- 1.23 vs. 51.29 +/- 0.86 months for those with low
      tumor eIF5A-2 (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that eIF5A-2 expression
      and related tumor parameters were independent indicators of overall survival in
      gastric cancer patients. In conclusion, the current study indicates that
      overexpression of eIF5A-2 protein was associated with poor overall survival of
      gastric cancer patients. 

PMID- 26282003
TI  - Antibody response to HER2 extracellular domain and subdomains in mouse following
      DNA immunization.
AB  - Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is overexpressed in 15-20 % of
      breast cancer patients and is an appropriate target for immunotherapy in these
      patients. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) specific to HER2 are currently applied to
      treat breast cancer patients with HER2 overexpression. Active immunization with
      HER2 DNA or protein has been considered as a suitable alternative. The aim of
      this study is to evaluate anti-HER2 antibody response in serum of mice immunized
      with DNA constructs containing full extracellular domain (fECD) or subdomains of
      human HER2. Four extracellular subdomains and also fECD of HER2 were cloned into
      pCMV6-Neo vector. Different groups of Balb/C mice were immunized with HER2 DNA
      constructs and boosted with HER2 recombinant protein. The anti-HER2 antibody was
      subsequently determined by ELISA, flow cytometry, and immunohistochemistry. Anti
      HER2 antibody was detected only in serum of mice immunized with fECD DNA. None of
      HER2 extracellular subdomains induced appreciable levels of anti-HER2 antibody.
      However, boosting with fECD or extracellular subdomain III (DIII) recombinant
      protein resulted in enhanced anti-HER2 fECD as well as anti-HER2 subdomain
      antibody responses. In this regard, almost all (99 %) of HER2-overexpressing
      BT474 cells could be detected by serum antibody from mice immunized with HER2
      subdomain DNA and boosted with recombinant HER2 protein by flow cytometry.
      Similarly, serum of mice immunized with DIII DNA construct and boosted with
      recombinant DIII protein could also recognize these cells, but to a lesser extent
      (50 %). Our findings suggest that combination of HER2 DNA and protein
      immunization could effectively induce anti-HER2 antibody response in Balb/C mice.

PMID- 26282004
TI  - AdipoRon: a possible drug for colorectal cancer prevention?
AB  - Colorectal cancer (CRC) is in the third place of the most common cancers. Certain
      risk factors can increase the development of CRC, including diet and inheritance.
      Several studies have shown that there is a potential link between obesity and
      CRC. Adipose tissue is known to be a largest endocrine organ in the body, with
      the ability to produce various cytokines including adiponectin. Two types of
      adiponectin receptor, AdipoR1 and AdipoR2, have been detected in various cancer
      tissues such as CRC. There is mounting evidence that AdipoR1 signaling occurs
      mainly through 5' AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and adiponectin inhibits
      colorectal cancer cell growth via activation of AMPK, thereby suppression of the
      mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. Thus, adiponectin replacement-based
      therapies may represent a novel approach in CRC cell growth inhibition in early
      stages. AdipoRon is an adiponectin-like synthetic small molecule that activated
      both adiponectin receptors 1 and 2. We hypothesize that AdipoRon has
      antiproliferative effects of adiponectin and may suppress the CRC cell growth.
      With clarification of this drug's role in CRC, it can be used as chemoprevention
      in patients at risk of developing the disease.

PMID- 26282005
TI  - Prognostic value of long noncoding RNA MALAT1 in various carcinomas: evidence
      from nine studies.
AB  - RNA-sequencing technology is progressing day by day. Numerous researches have
      showed that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play oncogenic or tumor suppressor
      roles in tumor biological processes. To our knowledge, many studies have
      identified a lot of lncRNAs with aberrant expression in several types of cancers.
      Metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1), a newly
      discovered lncRNA, has been reported that is overexpressed in several types of
      cancers. But the clinical value of MALAT1 in cancers remains unclear. Therefore,
      in this present study, we aimed to investigate potential clinical application
      role of MALAT1 as a prognostic biomarker in malignant tumors. We performed a
      detailed search in PubMed, Embase, Medline, and Cochrane Library until July 2015.
      According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, nine studies with a total of
      941 patients were selected to explore the relationship between high expression of
      MALAT1 and overall survival in cancers. The result showed that overexpression of
      MALAT1 could predict poor overall survival (OS) in cancer patients, with pooled
      hazard ratio (HR) of 1.90 [95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.68-2.16, P < 0.0001].
      In conclusion, the present meta-analysis demonstrated that high expression of
      MALAT1 might be served as a novel prognostic biomarker in different types of
      cancers. 

PMID- 26282006
TI  - The effectiveness of a preventive health program and vitamin D status in
      improving health-related quality of life of older Canadians.
AB  - PURPOSE: To assess the effectiveness of a preventive health program and vitamin D
      status in improving the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of older residents
      of Canada. DESIGN: We analyzed baseline and follow-up data of 2119 volunteers of
      a community program that promotes healthy lifestyles and encourages vitamin D
      supplementation. We examined the program effect on each of the five dimensions of
      the EQ-5D-5L, HRQOL score, and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) using
      multivariable regression methods. We further examined the specific contribution
      of vitamin D status as quantified by serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D).
      RESULTS: Problems with mobility, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and
      depression/anxiety were reported less during follow-up compared to baseline. On
      average, participants' HRQOL had improved by 0.018 units at 6 months and 0.025
      units at 1 year of follow-up. Improvements in vitamin D status were independently
      associated with improvements in HRQOL and in QALYs. As per 25 nmol/L increase in
      25(OH)D, there was a 0.002 increase in HRQOL and a 0.001 increase in QALYs.
      CONCLUSIONS: This study documents the benefits of a real-world preventive health
      program to HRQOL. It is the first to reveal that improvements in vitamin D status
      parallel improvements in HRQOL among healthy community dwellers. The study
      further suggests that the preventive health program and supplementation with
      vitamin D are cost-effective interventions.

PMID- 26282007
TI  - Dimensionality of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale: an
      exploratory bi-factor analytic study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) is a
      widely used instrument for measuring depressive symptoms. Though conventional
      factor analytic evaluations supported the use of four sub-scales for the CES-D,
      existing studies have yet to adopt the bi-factor analytic approach in
      psychometric assessment of the 20-item inventory. The present study aimed to
      apply both confirmatory factor analysis and exploratory bi-factor analysis to
      evaluate the dimensionality of the CES-D. METHODS: Current scoring practice of
      the CES-D (single-factor, four-factor, and second-order models) was tested using
      confirmatory factor analyses in a sample of 706 Chinese persons with insomnia and
      depressive symptoms. As an alternative, exploratory bi-factor analysis was
      conducted to examine the utility of the general depression factor and specific
      factors. RESULTS: Existing measurement models on the CES-D did not provide an
      adequate model fit to the data in terms of model fit indices and discriminant
      validity. The bi-factor model revealed a general depression factor that accounted
      for the majority of the item variance. The three specific factors (somatic
      symptoms, positive affect, and interpersonal problems) provided little unique
      information over and above the general factor and plausibly represent a
      methodological artifact rather than a substantive factor. CONCLUSION: The present
      study demonstrated empirical support for the bi-factor model as a realistic
      representation of the underlying structure of the CES-D. Researchers and
      clinicians are better served by simply using a single measure of depression.

PMID- 26282008
TI  - Optimization of the monitoring network on the River Tisza (Central Europe,
      Hungary) using combined cluster and discriminant analysis, taking seasonality
      into account.
AB  - The most essential requirement for water management is efficient and informative
      monitoring. Operating water quality monitoring networks is a challenge from both
      the scientific and economic points of view, especially in the case of river
      sections ranging over hundreds of kilometers. Therefore, spatio-temporal
      optimization is vital. In the present study, the optimization of the monitoring
      system of the River Tisza, the second largest river in Central Europe, is
      presented using a generally applicable and novel method, combined cluster and
      discriminant analysis (CCDA). This area for the study was chosen because, spatial
      inhomogeneity of a river's monitoring network can more easily be studied in a
      mostly natural watershed - as in the case of the River Tisza - since the effects
      of man-made obstacles: e.g water barrage systems, hydroelectric power plants,
      artificial lakes, etc. are more pronounced. Furthermore, since the temporal
      sampling frequency was bi-weekly, the opportunity of optimizing the monitoring
      system on a temporal (monthly) scale arose. In the research, 15 water quality
      parameters measured at 14 sampling sites in the Hungarian section of the River
      Tisza were assessed for the time period 1975-2005. First, four within-year
      sections ("hydrochemical seasons") were determined, characterized with unequal
      lengths, namely 2, 4, 2, and 4 months long starting with spring. Homogeneous
      groups of sampling sites were determined in space for every season, with the main
      separating factors being the tributaries and man-made obstacles. Similarly, an
      overall pattern of homogeneity was determined. As an overall result, the 14
      sampling sites could be grouped into 11 homogeneous groups leading to the
      possibility of reducing the number of sampling locations and thus making the
      monitoring system more cost-efficient.

PMID- 26282009
TI  - Molecular study of Stenoponia tripectinata tripectinata (Siphonaptera:
      Ctenophthalmidae: Stenoponiinae) from the Canary Islands: taxonomy and phylogeny.
AB  - In the present work, we carried out a comparative molecular study of Stenoponia
      tripectinata tripectinata isolated from Mus musculus from the Canary Islands,
      Spain. The Internal Transcribed Spacers 1 and 2 (ITS1, ITS2) and 18S ribosomal
      RNA partial gene and cytochrome c-oxidase 1 (cox1) mitochondrial DNA partial gene
      sequences of this subspecies were determined to clarify the taxonomic status of
      this subspecies and to assess inter-population variation and inter-specific
      sequence differences. In addition, we have carried out a comparative phylogenetic
      study with other species of fleas using Bayesian, Maximum Parsimony, Maximum
      Likelihood and Neighbor-Joining analysis. A geographical signal was detected
      between the cox1 partial gene sequences of S. t. tripectinata isolated from M.
      musculus from different islands and those isolated from Apodemus sylvaticus from
      the Iberian Peninsula. Our results assess the monophyletic origin of
      Stenoponiinae and a different genetic lineage from Ctenophthalmidae. Thus, the
      elevation of subfamily Stenoponiinae to family level (Stenoponiidae) is
      suggested. 

PMID- 26282010
TI  - Solid-state structure, solution-state behaviour and catalytic activity of
      electronically divergent C,N-chelating palladium-N-heterocyclic carbene
      complexes.
AB  - A family of electronically diverse pyridyl- and picolyl-substituted imidazolium
      salts have been prepared and coordinated to palladium in a single step, to
      deliver a variety of palladium(ii)-N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes.
      Neutral Pd(NHC)X2, cationic [Pd(NHC)2X]X and dicationic [Pd(NHC)2]X2-type
      complexes have been isolated and fully characterised, with single-crystal X-ray
      analysis revealing a variety of coordination environments around the palladium
      centres. The pre-formed complexes have been employed in a model Suzuki-Miyaura
      cross-coupling reaction to yield a sterically congested tetra-ortho-substituted
      biaryl product, showcasing turnover numbers comparable to Pd-PEPPSI-IPr catalyst.

PMID- 26282012
TI  - The shifting conceptualization of elder abuse in the United States: from social
      services, to criminal justice, and beyond.

PMID- 26282013
TI  - Guiding pancreatic beta cells to target electrodes in a whole-cell biosensor for
      diabetes.
AB  - We are developing a cell-based bioelectronic glucose sensor that exploits the
      multi-parametric sensing ability of pancreatic islet cells for the treatment of
      diabetes. These cells sense changes in the concentration of glucose and
      physiological hormones and immediately react by generating electrical signals. In
      our sensor, signals from multiple cells are recorded as field potentials by a
      micro-electrode array (MEA). Thus, cell response to various factors can be
      assessed rapidly and with high throughput. However, signal quality and
      consequently overall sensor performance rely critically on close cell-electrode
      proximity. Therefore, we present here a non-invasive method of further exploiting
      the electrical properties of these cells to guide them towards multiple micro
      electrodes via electrophoresis. Parameters were optimized by measuring the cell's
      zeta potential and modeling the electric field distribution. Clonal and primary
      mouse or human beta-cells migrated directly to target electrodes during the
      application of a 1 V potential between MEA electrodes for 3 minutes. The
      morphology, insulin secretion, and electrophysiological characteristics were not
      altered compared to controls. Thus, cell manipulation on standard MEAs was
      achieved without introducing any external components and while maintaining the
      performance of the biosensor. Since the analysis of the cells' electrical
      activity was performed in real time via on-chip recording and processing, this
      work demonstrates that our biosensor is operational from the first step of
      electrically guiding cells to the final step of automatic recognition. Our
      favorable results with pancreatic islets, which are highly sensitive and fragile
      cells, are encouraging for the extension of this technique to other cell types
      and microarray devices. 

PMID- 26282014
TI  - Homeostatic regulation in physiological systems: A versatile Ansatz.
AB  - A generic modelling formalism is described for homeostatic dynamics in
      physiological systems. The method is particularly suited where the peripheral,
      physiological system itself is well-characterised, but the details of the
      central, regulatory component (the nervous and endocrine systems) have not
      necessarily been characterised in full detail. The method is applied to
      temperature regulation in Cardinalis cardinalis, C. sinuatus, Lepus alleni, and
      Passer domesticus, and furthermore to hydromineral regulation in Lymnaea
      stagnalis. These case studies demonstrate that the method allows a comprehensive
      analysis and integration of the available data and is capable of furnishing
      physiologically relevant predictions. We discuss the method in relation to
      optimal control theory as well as more conventional modelling approaches. 

PMID- 26282015
TI  - Effectiveness of an audience response system on orthodontic knowledge retention
      of undergraduate dental students--a randomised control trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of an audience response system (ARS) on
      knowledge retention of dental students and to gauge student perceptions of using
      the ARS. DESIGN: Randomised control study. SETTING: School of Dentistry, Cardiff
      University. PARTICIPANTS: Seventy four second-year dental students were
      stratified by gender and randomised anonymously to one of two groups. METHODS:
      One group received a lecture on orthodontic terminology and diagnosis in a
      traditional didactic format and the other received the same lecture integrated
      with ARS slides. Students completed an assessment of multiple-choice questions
      (MCQs) scored out of 20, before and immediately after the lecture. Students were
      also asked to complete a self-reported questionnaire on their perceptions of ARS.
      RESULTS: Both groups had statistically significant increases in MCQ scores post
      lecture (ARS mean increase 3.6 SD2.0, 95% CI 2.2-3.5 and Didactic mean increase
      2.9 SD2.3, 95% CI 2.8-4.3). A mixed-design analysis of variance showed that ARS
      led to an improved MCQ score (by 0.8 or 25%) compared to the didactic group,
      although this effect was not significant (P = 0.15). The effect of gender at
      baseline (P = 0.49), post-lecture (P = 0.73) and increase in MCQ score split by
      group (P = 0.46) was also not significant. Students reported that the ARS was
      easy to use, helped them engage with the lecture and encouraged them to work
      harder. CONCLUSION: The ARS did not lead to a significant increase in short-term
      orthodontic knowledge recall of students compared with didactic teaching.
      However, the use of ARS within orthodontic teaching could make lectures more
      interactive and engaging.

PMID- 26282016
TI  - Art, architecture, and the molecular frontier.

PMID- 26282017
TI  - Reply: To PMID 26123517.

PMID- 26282018
TI  - Editorial Comment.

PMID- 26282019
TI  - Editorial Comment.

PMID- 26282020
TI  - Correction to "Engineered CuInSexS2-x Quantum Dots for Sensitized Solar Cells".

PMID- 26282021
TI  - Mechanisms of Morphological Evolution of Li2O2 Particles during Electrochemical
      Growth.
AB  - Li-O2 batteries, wherein solid Li2O2 is formed at the porous air cathode during
      discharge, are candidates for high gravimetric energy (3212 Wh/kgLi2O2) storage
      for electric vehicles. Understanding and controlling the nucleation and
      morphological evolution of Li2O2 particles upon discharge is key to achieving
      high volumetric energy densities. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy
      were used to characterize the discharge product formed in Li-O2 batteries on
      electrodes composed of carpets of aligned carbon nanotubes. At low discharge
      rates, Li2O2 particles form first as stacked thin plates, ~10 nm in thickness,
      which spontaneously splay so that secondary nucleation of new plates eventually
      leads to the development of a particle with a toroidal shape. Li2O2 crystallites
      have large (001) crystal faces consistent with the theoretical Wulff shape and
      appear to grow by a layer-by-layer mechanism. In contrast, at high discharge
      rates, copious nucleation of equiaxed Li2O2 particles precedes growth of discs
      and toroids. 

PMID- 26282022
TI  - Mapping the Relation between Stacking Geometries and Singlet Fission Yield in a
      Class of Organic Crystals.
AB  - By generating two free charge carriers from a single high-energy photon, singlet
      fission (SF) promises to significantly improve the efficiency of a class of
      organic photovoltaics (OPVs). However, SF is generally a very inefficient process
      with only a small number of absorbed photons successfully converting into triplet
      states. In this Letter, we map the relation between stacking geometry and SF
      yield in crystals based on perylenediimide (PDI) derivatives. This structure
      function analysis provides a potential explanation for the SF yield discrepancies
      observed among similar molecular crystals and may help to identify favorable
      geometries that lead to an optimal SF yield. Exploring the subtle relationship
      between stacking geometry and SF yield, this Letter suggests using crystal
      structure engineering to improve the design of SF-based OPVs. 

PMID- 26282023
TI  - Understanding Plasmonic Properties in Metallic Nanostructures by Correlating
      Photonic and Electronic Excitations.
AB  - A large number of optical phenomena rely on the excitation of localized surface
      plasmon resonances (LSPR) in metallic nanostructures. Electron-energy loss
      spectroscopy (EELS) in a scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) has
      emerged as a technique capable of mapping plasmonic properties on length scales
      100 times smaller than optical wavelengths. While this technique is promising,
      the connection between electron-driven plasmons, encountered in EELS, and photon
      driven plasmons, encountered in plasmonic devices, is not well understood. This
      Perspective highlights some of the contributions that have been made in
      correlating optical scattering and STEM/EELS from the exact same nanostructures.
      The experimental observations are further elucidated by comparison with
      theoretical calculations obtained from the electron-driven discrete dipole
      approximation, which provides a method to calculate EEL spectra for nanoparticles
      of arbitrary shape. Applications of plasmon mapping to the electromagnetic hot
      spots encountered in single-molecule surface-enhanced Raman scattering and
      electron beam induced damage in silver nanocubes are discussed. It is anticipated
      that the complementarity of both techniques will address issues in fundamental
      and applied plasmonics going forward. 

PMID- 26282024
TI  - b2 Peaks in SERS Spectra of 4-Aminobenzenethiol: A Photochemical Artifact or a
      Real Chemical Enhancement?
AB  - Strong b2 peaks (1142, 1391, 1438, and 1583 cm(-1)) in the SERS spectra of 4
      aminobenzenethiol (ABT) have been regarded by many as a textbook example of
      chemically enhanced SERS signals. However, this interpretation is in serious
      doubt after the recent claim that they arise from 4,4'-dimercaptoazobenzenes
      (DMAB) photogenerated during the acquisition of SERS, not the genuine chemically
      enhanced signals of ABT. Subsequent attempts to prove or disprove this claim have
      failed to provide any decisive verdict. Here we present spectroscopic and mass
      spectrometric evidence that further support the photogeneration of DMABs from
      ABTs on an Ag surface. Furthermore, we show that the amount of the DMAB is
      sufficient to explain the b2 intensities of ABT. 

PMID- 26282025
TI  - Electron Conduction and Photocurrent Generation of a Light-Harvesting/Reaction
      Center Core Complex in Lipid Membrane Environments.
AB  - To reveal the structure-function relationship of membrane proteins, a membrane
      environment is often used to establish a suitable platform for assembly,
      functioning, and measurements. The control of the orientation of membrane
      proteins is the main challenge. In this study, the electron conductivity and
      photocurrent of a light-harvesting/reaction center core complex (LH1-RC) embedded
      in a lipid membrane were measured using conductive atomic force microscopy (C
      AFM) and photoelectrochemical analysis. AFM topographs showed that LH1-RC
      molecules were well-orientated, with their H-subunits toward the membrane
      surface. Rectified conductivity was observed in LH1-RC under precise control of
      the applied force on the probe electrode (<600 pN). LH1-RC embedded in a membrane
      generated photocurrent upon irradiation when assembled on an electrode. The
      observed action spectrum was consistent with the absorption spectrum of LH1-RC.
      The control of the orientation of LH1-RC by lipid membranes provided well-defined
      conductivity and photocurrent. 

PMID- 26282026
TI  - Molecular Orbitals Strictly Localized on Small Molecular Fragments from X-ray
      Diffraction Data.
AB  - Nowadays, the electron density is recognized as a fundamental property that
      contains most of the information concerning the electronic structure of
      molecules, and, therefore, its determination from high-resolution X-ray
      diffraction data is becoming more and more important. In this context, we propose
      a new strategy for the charge density analysis, strategy in which the chemical
      interpretability of the multipole model is combined with the quantum mechanical
      rigor of the wave function-based approaches. In particular, this novel technique
      aims at extracting molecular orbitals strictly localized on small molecular
      fragments (e.g., atoms, bonds, or functional groups) from a set of measured
      structure factors amplitudes. Preliminary tests have shown that their
      determination is really straightforward and, given their reliable
      transferability, we envisage the possibility of constructing new extremely
      localized molecular orbital databases as an alternative to the existing
      pseudoatom libraries. 

PMID- 26282027
TI  - No Graphene Etching in Purified Hydrogen.
AB  - A systematic study has been conducted to investigate the role of hydrogen in the
      etching reaction of graphene films grown on copper foils. The results at 825 
      degrees C and 500 mTorr showed no evidence of graphene etching by purified
      ultrahigh purity (UHP)-grade hydrogen, whereas graphene films exposed to
      unpurified UHP-grade hydrogen were considerably etched due to the presence of
      oxygen or other oxidizing impurities. This finding reveals not only the major
      impact of oxidizing impurities in the graphene etching reaction, but also entails
      understanding and controlling the graphene chemical vapor deposition mechanism on
      copper substrates. 

PMID- 26282028
TI  - IR Spectra of the Water Hexamer: Theory, with Inclusion of the Monomer Bend
      Overtone, and Experiment Are in Agreement.
AB  - Signature IR spectra of isomers of the water hexamer in the spectral range 3000
      3800 cm(-1) have been reported by experimentalists, but crucial theoretical
      interpretation has still not been definitive. Using ab initio potential and
      dipole moment surfaces and a fully coupled quantum treatment of the
      intramolecular modes, the ring and book are assigned to spectra obtained in the
      He nanodroplet and Ar tagging experiments, respectively. The overtone of the
      intramolecular bend at ca. 3200 cm(-1) is a new calculated feature that completes
      an important missing piece in previous experimental and theoretical comparisons
      and leads to a consistent assignment of these two experimental spectra.
      Calculated IR spectra for the lowest energy forms of the water heptamer and
      octomer are also presented and compared to experiment. In all the calculated
      spectra, the bend overtone is demonstrated to be a noticeable feature, and this
      is one important conclusion from the work. Also, the danger in using scaled
      double-harmonic spectra to assign spectra is demonstrated. 

PMID- 26282029
TI  - Probing the Structure-Property Interplay of Plasmonic Nanoparticle Transducers
      Using Femtosecond Laser Spectroscopy.
AB  - The characteristic feature of noble metal nanoparticles is the localized surface
      plasmon resonance (LSPR). Plasmon-supporting nanoparticles can function as
      transducers because of the LSPR's ability to amplify electromagnetic fields and
      its sensitivity to changes in the surrounding dielectric. The performance of
      these materials in transducer applications is inherently related to nanoparticle
      structure. This Perspective describes the use of femtosecond laser-based
      spectroscopies to elucidate the nanoscale structure-property interplay. First,
      femtosecond time-resolved transient extinction measurements that probe the LSPR
      following nanoparticle photoexcitation are described. These measurements
      illustrate how nanostructure dimensions influence sensitivity to changes in the
      interfacial dielectric. The combination of single-particle nonlinear optical
      (NLO) measurements and electron microscopy is also used to describe the symmetry
      of plasmon surface fields in nanoparticle assemblies. In particular, the use of
      continuous polarization variation-detected second-harmonic generation to describe
      electric and magnetic dipolar contributions to NLO properties is discussed. 

PMID- 26282030
TI  - Two-Dimensional Hexagonal Transition-Metal Oxide for Spintronics.
AB  - Two-dimensional materials have been the hot subject of studies due to their great
      potential in applications. However, their applications in spintronics have been
      blocked by the difficulty in producing ordered spin structures in 2D structures.
      Here we demonstrated that the ultrathin films of recently experimentally realized
      wurtzite MnO can automatically transform into a stable graphitic structure with
      ordered spin arrangement via density functional calculation, and the stability of
      graphitic structure can be enhanced by external strain. Moreover, the
      antiferromagnetic ordering of graphitic MnO single layer can be switched into
      half-metallic ferromagnetism by small hole-doping, and the estimated Curie
      temperature is higher than 300 K. Thus, our results highlight a promising way
      toward 2D magnetic materials. 

PMID- 26282031
TI  - Carbon Nanotube-Patterned Surface-Based Recognition of Carcinoembryonic Antigens
      in Tumor Cells for Cancer Diagnosis.
AB  - It has been of high significance to devise a biochemical analytical tool kit
      enabling the detection of few circulating tumor cells (CTCs) for early diagnosis
      of cancer. Despite recent effort made to detect few CTCs, it is still challenging
      to sense such cells with their low concentration and/or the minute amount of
      marker proteins expressed on few CTCs. In this work, we report the label-free
      recognition of carcinoembryonic antigens (CEAs) expressed on few CTCs by using a
      carbon nanotube (CNT) sensor coupled with scanning probe microscopy imaging for
      cancer diagnosis. It is shown that a CNT-patterned surface is able to
      specifically capture the CEA molecules in the whole cell lysate of CTCs with
      their concentration even up to 10(-3) cells/mL. Our work sheds light on our
      bioassay based on a CNT-patterned surface for highly sensitive, label-free
      detection of marker proteins expressed on few tumor cells, which may open a new
      avenue in early diagnosis of cancer by providing a novel biochemical analysis
      tool kit. 

PMID- 26282032
TI  - Local Ionization Dynamics Traced by Photoassisted Scanning Tunneling Microscopy:
      A Theoretical Approach.
AB  - For tracing the spatiotemporal evolution of electronic systems, we suggest and
      analyze theoretically a setup that exploits the excellent spatial resolution
      based on scanning tunneling microscopy techniques combined with the temporal
      resolution of femtosecond pump-probe photoelectron spectroscopy. As an example,
      we consider the laser-induced, local vibrational dynamics of a surface-adsorbed
      molecule. The photoelectrons released by a laser pulse can be collected by the
      scanning tip and utilized to access the spatiotemporal dynamics. Our proof-of
      principle calculations are based on the solution of the time-dependent
      Schrodinger equation supported by the ab initio computation of the matrix
      elements determining the dynamics. 

PMID- 26282033
TI  - Nanoscale Morphology of Water in Silica Colloidal Crystals.
AB  - We show a simple method to visualize the morphology of water adsorbed within the
      pore network of colloidal crystals made of submicrometer silica spheres. Water is
      replicated into silica by modified silicon tetrachloride hydrolysation under
      standard ambient conditions, making it visible to standard electronic microscopy
      and thus allowing one to discern the original water distribution. Different
      distribution patterns are identified depending on the water content, surface
      condition, and spheres arrangement. The dimension and shape of wetting layers
      (covering the submicrometer spheres) and capillary bridges (joining them) are
      measurable at the nanoscale. We finally use these findings to demonstrate proof
      of-principle of fabrication of isolated and freestanding silica nanorings by
      using hydrophobic polymeric templates and selective etching. 

PMID- 26282034
TI  - Inelastic Neutron Scattering Investigation in Glassy SiSe2: Complex Dynamics at
      the Atomic Scale.
AB  - A detailed investigation of the THz dynamics in glassy SiSe2 by means of neutron
      inelastic scattering is presented. To carefully map the translational dynamics
      and the region of the boson peak, we carried out two different experiments with
      sharp and broad resolutions coupled with a narrow and a wide kinematic range,
      respectively. Data show a complex pattern of excitations made up of three
      components. The most intense one is the prolongation of the longitudinal acoustic
      mode while two other modes appear in the boson peak region below 3 meV. We
      propose an interaction model that allows for a consistent identification of the
      nature of these modes. 

PMID- 26282035
TI  - Aberration-Corrected TEM Imaging of Oxygen Occupancy in YSZ.
AB  - We present atomic-scale imaging of oxygen columns and show quantitative analysis
      on the occupancy of the columns in yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) using
      aberration-corrected TEM operated under the negative Cs condition. Also,
      individual contributions both from oxygen column occupancy and the static
      displacement of oxygen atoms due to occupancy change to the observed column
      intensities of TEM images were systematically investigated using HRTEM
      simulation. We found that oxygen column intensity is governed primarily by column
      occupancy rather than by static displacement of oxygen atoms. Utilizing the
      aberration-corrected TEM capability and HRTEM simulation results, we
      experimentally verified that oxygen vacancies segregate near the single grain
      boundary of a YSZ bicrystal. The methodology and the high spatial resolution
      characterization tool employed in the present study provide insights into the
      distribution of oxygen vacancies in the bulk as well as near grain boundaries and
      pave the way for further investigation and atomic-scale analysis in other
      important oxide materials. 

PMID- 26282036
TI  - Transition-Metal Nanoparticle Oxidation in a Chemically Nonhomogenous Environment
      Revealed by 2p3d Resonant X-ray Emission.
AB  - X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) is often employed in fields such as catalysis
      to determine whether transition-metal nanoparticles are oxidized. Here we show
      2p3/2 XAS and 2p3d resonant X-ray emission spectroscopy (RXES) data of oleate
      coated cobalt nanoparticles with average diameters of 4.0, 4.2, 5.0, 8.4, and
      15.2 nm. Two particle batches were exposed to air for different periods of time,
      whereas the others were measured as synthesized. In the colloidal nanoparticles,
      the cobalt sites can have different chemical environments
      (metallic/oxidized/surface-coordinated), and it is shown that most XAS data
      cannot distinguish whether the nanoparticles are oxidized or surface-coated. In
      contrast, the high-energy resolution RXES spectra reveal whether more than the
      first metal layer is oxidized based on the unique energetic separation of
      spectral features related to the formal metal (X-ray fluorescence) or to a metal
      oxide (d-d excitations). This is the first demonstration of metal 2p3d RXES as a
      novel surface science tool. 

PMID- 26282037
TI  - Single-Molecule Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Sensitivity of Ag-Core Au-Shell
      Nanoparticles: Revealed by Bi-Analyte Method.
AB  - Single-molecule surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SM-SERS) is an important
      application of localized surface plasmons in metallic nanostructures.
      Conventionally, Ag nanoparticles are used in solution-based SM-SERS experiments,
      but their usage is limited due to toxicity and oxidation issues. Au nanoparticle
      solutions are relatively biocompatible and SERS-active, but they do not
      facilitate large-scale SERS enhancement factors, which is an important
      prerequisite for SM-SERS. Under such constraints, silver-core gold-shell
      nanoparticles can be an excellent alternative for SM-SERS. Motivated by this,
      herein we report on the experimental evidence of SM-SERS sensitivity of Ag-core
      Au-shell nanoparticles by employing bianalyte method. Additionally, by detecting
      resonant molecules at femtomolar concentrations, we show that Ag-core Au-shell
      nanoparticle can be harnessed for ultrasensitive detection of molecules. The
      provided evidence will further motivate usage of such gold-shell-based bimetallic
      nanostructures for SM-SERS in biological environments. 

PMID- 26282038
TI  - Expeditious Stochastic Calculation of Random-Phase Approximation Energies for
      Thousands of Electrons in Three Dimensions.
AB  - A fast method is developed for calculating the random phase approximation (RPA)
      correlation energy for density functional theory. The correlation energy is given
      by a trace over a projected RPA response matrix, and the trace is taken by a
      stochastic approach using random perturbation vectors. For a fixed statistical
      error in the total energy per electron, the method scales, at most, quadratically
      with the system size; however, in practice, due to self-averaging, it requires
      less statistical sampling as the system grows, and the performance is close to
      linear scaling. We demonstrate the method by calculating the RPA correlation
      energy for cadmium selenide and silicon nanocrystals with over 1500 electrons. We
      find that the RPA correlation energies per electron are largely independent of
      the nanocrystal size. In addition, we show that a correlated sampling technique
      enables calculation of the energy difference between two slightly distorted
      configurations with scaling and a statistical error similar to that of the total
      energy per electron. 

PMID- 26282039
TI  - Can Surface Plasmon Fields Provide a New Way to Photosensitize Organic
      Photoreactions? From Designer Nanoparticles to Custom Applications.
AB  - In this Perspective, we explore the opportunities that plasmon excitation may
      offer for the practitioners in organic chemistry. Beyond the interesting physical
      properties and lively colors of colloidal solutions of noble metal
      nanostructures, excitation of plasmon transitions can trigger a variety of
      processes, from the simple heat delivery with pinpoint precision, to the enhanced
      generation of excited states in the immediate vicinity of the nanoparticle, to
      electron- and hole-transfer processes that can readily participate in photoredox
      processes. In understanding how particles are produced, what properties they
      have, and the diversity of nanostructures and environments in which they can be
      produced, we aim at providing the small steps toward a paradigm that will allow
      organic chemists to take advantage of the opportunities that await in the area of
      plasmon-assisted processes. 

PMID- 26282040
TI  - More Is Different: Experimental Results on the Effect of Biomolecules on the
      Dynamics of Hydration Water.
AB  - Biological interfaces characterized by a complex mixture of hydrophobic,
      hydrophilic, or charged moieties interfere with the cooperative rearrangement of
      the hydrogen-bond network of water. In the present study, this solute-induced
      dynamical perturbation is investigated by extended frequency range depolarized
      light scattering experiments on an aqueous solution of a variety of systems of
      different nature and complexity such as small hydrophobic and hydrophilic
      molecules, amino acids, dipeptides, and proteins. Our results suggest that a
      reductionist approach is not adequate to describe the rearrangement of hydration
      water because a significant increase of the dynamical retardation and extension
      of the perturbation occurs when increasing the chemical complexity of the solute.

PMID- 26282041
TI  - Plasmonics. Electron Oscillations and Beyond.

PMID- 26282042
TI  - Dispersive Electronic States of the pi-Orbitals Stacking in Single Molecular
      Lines on the Si(001)-(2*1)-H Surface.
AB  - One-dimensional (1D) molecular assemblies have been considered as one of the
      potential candidates for miniaturized electronic circuits in organic electronics.
      Here, we present the quantitative experimental measurements of the dispersive
      electronic feature of 1D benzophenone molecular assemblies on the Si(001)-(2*1)
      H. The well-aligned molecular lines and their certain electronic state dispersion
      were observed by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and angle-resolved
      ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy (ARUPS), respectively. Density functional
      theory (DFT) calculations reproduced not only the experimental STM image but also
      the dispersive features that originated from the stacking phenyl pi-orbitals in
      the molecular assembly. We obtained the effective mass of 2.0me for the hole
      carrier along the dispersive electronic state, which was comparable to those of
      the single-crystal molecules widely used in organic electronic applications.
      These results ensure the one-dimensionally delocalized electronic states in the
      molecular lines, which is requisitely demanded for a charge-transport wire. 

PMID- 26282043
TI  - Conductivity and Solvation Dynamics in Ionic Liquids.
AB  - It was shown recently that a simple dielectric continuum model predicts the
      integral solvation time of a dipolar solute ?tausolv? to be inversely
      proportional to the electrical conductivity sigma0 of an ionic solvent or
      solution. In this Letter, we provide a more general derivation of this connection
      and show that available data on coumarin 153 (C153) in ionic liquids generally
      support this prediction. The relationship between solvation time and conductivity
      can be expressed by ln(?tausolv?/ps) = 4.37 - 0.92 ln (sigma0/S m(-1)) in 34
      common ionic liquids. 

PMID- 26282044
TI  - Mechanism of Sequential Water Transportation by Water Loading and Release in
      Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes.
AB  - Water in carbon nanotubes (CNTs) displays unique behaviors such as ring-like
      structure formation, anomalous hydrogen bonds, and fast transportation. We
      demonstrated the structures and stability of water in loading and release
      processes using a combination of X-ray diffraction analysis and hybrid reverse
      Monte Carlo simulations. Water formed nanoclusters in water loading, whereas
      layered structures were formed in water release. The water nanoclusters formed in
      water loading were well stabilized in CNTs. In contrast, in water release, the
      water layers were less stable than the water nanoclusters. The significant
      stabilization of nanoclusters in water loading and the relatively low stability
      of water layers in water release suggest easy water loading and release through
      CNTs, providing sequential water transportation through CNTs. 

PMID- 26282045
TI  - Novel Ultrathin Membranes Composed of Organic Ions.
AB  - Until recently, construction of bilayers was an exclusive mission of nature. It
      requires careful choice of compounds, whose delicate interplay between head group
      attraction and chain repulsion engenders a truly unique balance over a narrow
      temperature range. We report the investigation of artificial bilayers composed of
      long-chained organic ions, such as dodecyltrimethylammonium (DMA(+)) and
      perfluorooctaonate (PFO(-)). Various ratios of DMA/PFO surfactants result in
      bilayers of different stability, thickness, area per molecule, and density
      profiles. In our quest for water filtration, we incorporated aquaporin protein
      into the DMA/PFO bilayer but did not observe sufficient stability of the system.
      We discuss further steps to utilize these surfactant bilayers as highly
      selective, salt-impermeable membranes. 

PMID- 26282046
TI  - Gait variability and motor control in people with knee osteoarthritis.
AB  - Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a common disease that impairs walking ability and
      function. We compared the temporal gait variability and motor control in people
      with knee OA with healthy controls. The purpose was to test the hypothesis that
      the temporal gait variability would reflect a more stereotypic pattern in people
      with knee OA compared with healthy age-matched subjects. To assess the gait
      variability the temporal structure of the ankle and knee joint kinematics was
      quantified by the largest Lyapunov exponent and the stride time fluctuations were
      quantified by sample entropy and detrended fluctuation analysis. The motor
      control was assessed by the soleus (SO) Hoffmann (H)-reflex modulation and muscle
      co-activation during walking. The results showed no statistically significant
      mean group differences in any of the gait variability measures or muscle co
      activation levels. The SO H-reflex amplitude was significantly higher in the knee
      OA group around heel strike when compared with the controls. The mean group
      difference in the H-reflex in the initial part of the stance phase (control-knee
      OA) was -6.6% Mmax (95% CI: -10.4 to -2.7, p=0.041). The present OA group
      reported relatively small impact of their disease. These results suggest that the
      OA group in general sustained a normal gait pattern with natural variability but
      with suggestions of facilitated SO H-reflex in the swing to stance phase
      transition. We speculate that the difference in SO H-reflex modulation reflects
      that the OA group increased the excitability of the soleus stretch reflex as a
      preparatory mechanism to avoid sudden collapse of the knee joint which is not
      uncommon in knee OA. 

PMID- 26282047
TI  - Upper extremity coordination strategies depending on task demand during a basic
      daily activity.
AB  - Injury conditions affecting the upper extremity may lead to severe functional
      impairment and an accurate evaluation is needed in order to select the most
      effective treatment in a rehabilitation program. This study focused on
      simultaneous electromyographic and kinematic analysis to assess movement patterns
      of upper extremity during a basic daily activity, considering different demands
      existing within the task. Twenty-five healthy subjects, average age 19.8 ys SD
      1.7 ys, with no upper extremity impairment, were assessed by means of
      electromyography (EMG) and a 3D motion capture system while performing a task
      that required reach, transport and release. Integrated EMG (iEMG), timing of
      muscle onset and active range of motion (AROM) were calculated for each subject.
      Data were compared within each phase and between the three phases and a repeated
      measure ANOVA was used for statistical analysis. We found early activation of
      upper trapezius associated with high activity of serratus anterior for proximal
      stability while anterior deltoid and triceps brachii performed shoulder flexion
      and elbow extension, in Reach phase. In Transport phase there was early and
      higher activation of upper trapezius, higher muscle activity of almost all
      muscles and increased AROM of all joints. No change in flexion/extension wrist
      posture with increased forearm muscles activity were identified as the main
      control strategy to keep optimal grasping. Triceps brachii was found to act as an
      important synergist in shoulder abduction and extension in free load conditions.
      Such information can lead clinicians to more specific assessment and subsequent
      better intervention in upper extremity rehabilitation. 

PMID- 26282048
TI  - A Comment on 'Low Socioeconomic Status Is an Independent Risk Factor for Ischemic
      Stroke: A Case-Control Study in North Indian Population'.

PMID- 26282049
TI  - Congenital Short Bowel Syndrome: from clinical and genetic diagnosis to the
      molecular mechanisms involved in intestinal elongation.
AB  - Congenital Short Bowel Syndrome (CSBS) is a rare gastrointestinal disorder in
      which the mean length of the small intestine is substantially reduced when
      compared to its normal counterpart. Families with several affected members have
      been described and CSBS has been suggested to have a genetic basis. Recently, our
      group found mutations in CLMP as the cause of the recessive form of CSBS, and
      mutations in FLNA as the cause of the X-linked form of the disease. These
      findings have improved the quality of genetic counselling for CSBS patients and
      made prenatal diagnostics possible. Moreover, they provided a reliable starting
      point to further investigate the pathogenesis of CSBS, and to better understand
      the development of the small intestine. In this review, we present our current
      knowledge on CSBS and discuss hypotheses on how the recent genetic findings can
      help understand the cause of CSBS. 

PMID- 26282050
TI  - Seat belt Morel-Lavallee seroma.

PMID- 26282051
TI  - Ipsilateral breast cancer recurrence after Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator
      (DIEP) flap reconstruction: Incidence and radiological presentation.
AB  - PURPOSE: To assess the incidence and presentation of ipsilateral cancer
      recurrences (ICR) after deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap
      reconstruction for breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data of 247 consecutive
      women with DIEP flap reconstruction after breast cancer in our institution
      between 1997 and 2009 were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Mean follow-up time
      was 4.1years+/-3.2 (SD) (median: 3years; range: 1month - 14years). Thirty-one
      patients (12.5%, 95%CI: =8.7-17.3) presented 34 relapses, in average 4.1years+/
      2.6 after mastectomy: 14 (41%) were ipsilateral, 6 (18%) contralateral and 14
      (41%) metastatic. ICRs occurred earlier (3.9 vs. 5.8years; P<0.05) than non-ICRs.
      Most ICRs (10/14, 71%) involved the periphery of the flap and presented as
      palpable nodules. The remaining (4/14, 29%) involved the axilla and 3/4 (75%)
      were palpable. Imaging procedures detected infra-clinical ICRs in 3 of 10 imaged
      patients (30%). CONCLUSION: ICRs after DIEP flap reconstruction are more frequent
      than contralateral recurrences suggesting the need for imaging follow-up of the
      reconstructed breast.

PMID- 26282052
TI  - Radiography of scoliosis: Comparative dose levels and image quality between a
      dynamic flat-panel detector and a slot-scanning device (EOS system).
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare radiation dose and image quality between a slot-scanning
      system (SSS) and a dynamic flat-panel detector (DFD) in assessing scoliosis in
      children. METHODS: An experimental study was first performed with a phantom to
      assess the quality of each device. The clinical part included a prospective
      observational dosimetric and qualitative comparative study with acquisition of
      whole-spine X-ray: SSS (31 children), DFD (26 children). Institutional review
      board approval and informed consent were obtained. Dosimetric statistical
      analysis was performed from dose area product (DAP) and entrance skin dose
      measured by thermo-luminescent dosimeters localized in the cervical, thoracic and
      sacral areas. Assessment of the diagnostic quality (phantom and clinical) was
      realized by independent evaluation by 3 observers, using statistical analysis of
      quality score and inter-observer reproducibility. RESULTS: DAP was equivalent
      with the 2 systems. Entrance skin dose was significantly higher with DFD in
      thoracic and pelvic regions (P<0.05). Image quality scores of the SSS were
      significantly better than DFD for a majority of criteria, in both phantom and
      clinical evaluations. CONCLUSION: For scoliosis evaluation, the SSS, compared to
      the DFD system, offers enhanced image quality while reducing the entrance skin
      dose in the most radiosensitive areas.

PMID- 26282053
TI  - Maize orthologs of rice GS5 and their trans-regulator are associated with kernel
      development.
AB  - Genome information from model species such as rice can assist in the cloning of
      genes in a complex genome, such as maize. Here, we identified a maize ortholog of
      rice GS5 that contributes to kernel development in maize. The genome-wide
      association analysis of the expression levels of ZmGS5, and 15 of its 26
      paralogs, identified a trans-regulator on chromosome 7, which was a BAK1-like
      gene. This gene that we named as ZmBAK1-7 could regulate the expression of ZmGS5
      and three of the paralogs. Candidate-gene association analyses revealed that
      these five genes were associated with maize kernel development-related traits.
      Linkage analyses also detected that ZmGS5 and ZmBAK1-7 co-localized with mapped
      QTLs. A transgenic analysis of ZmGS5 in Arabidopsis thaliana L. showed a
      significant increase in seed weight and cell number, suggesting that ZmGS5 may
      have a conserved function among different plant species that affects seed
      development.

PMID- 26282054
TI  - SCUBIDOO: A Large yet Screenable and Easily Searchable Database of
      Computationally Created Chemical Compounds Optimized toward High Likelihood of
      Synthetic Tractability.
AB  - De novo drug design is widely assisted by computational approaches that enable
      the generation of a tremendous amount of new virtual molecules within a short
      time frame. While the novelty of the computationally generated compounds can
      easily be assessed, such approaches often neglect the synthetic feasibility of
      the molecules, thus creating a potential hurdle that can be a barrier to further
      investigation. Therefore, we have developed SCUBIDOO, a freely accessible
      database concept that currently holds 21 million virtual products originating
      from a small library of building blocks and a collection of robust organic
      reactions. This large data set was reduced to three representative and
      computationally tractable samples denoted as S, M, and L, containing 9994,
      99,977, and 999,794 products, respectively. These small sets are useful as
      starting points for ligand identification and optimization projects. The
      generated products come with synthesis instructions and alerts of possible side
      reactions, and we show that they exhibit drug-like properties while still
      extending into unexplored quadrants of chemical space, thus suggesting novelty.
      We show multiple examples that demonstrate how SCUBIDOO can facilitate the search
      around initial hits. This database might be a useful idea generator for early
      ligand discovery projects since it allows a focus on those molecules that are
      likely to be synthetically feasible and can therefore be studied further.
      Together with its modular building block construction principle, this database is
      also suitable for structure-activity relationship studies or fragment-growing
      strategies.

PMID- 26282055
TI  - Zingerone activates VMAT2 during MPP(+) -induced Cell Death.
AB  - Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by a progressive and selective loss of
      dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) and striatum. 1
      Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) is used to produce an animal
      model for PD, and it is converted to 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridine (MPP(+)) in
      animals. MPP(+) accumulation leads to neuronal cell death. Vesicular monoamine
      transporter 2 (VMAT2) regulates the accumulation of monoamine neurotransmitters
      into synaptic vesicles and is involved in neuroprotection against neurotoxin
      induced cell death. Recently, zingerone has been reported to reduce oxidative
      stress and inhibit inflammation. Therefore, we examined the effect of zingerone
      on neuronal cell death in a PD model. In an MPP(+) and MPTP-mediated PD model,
      neuronal cell survival was increased by zingerone without modifying
      neuroinflammation or reactive oxygen species generation. Zingerone also induced
      ERK activation and VMAT2 expression, leading to the attenuation of MPP(+)-induced
      neuronal cell death. Our current results suggest that zingerone has a
      neuroprotective effect in a PD model.

PMID- 26282056
TI  - Pulsed dye laser in treatment of steroid-induced atrophy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: One of the important and distressing cutaneous side effects of
      steroid therapy is skin atrophy, which has no definite and effective treatment.
      To the best of our knowledge, laser therapy for steroid-induced atrophic scars
      has not been investigated to date. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to
      evaluate the efficacy and safety of pulsed dye laser in the treatment of steroid
      induced atrophic scars. METHODS: In this pilot study, 15 patients with at least
      one atrophic patch were treated with the 585-nm pulsed dye laser at 4-week
      interval sessions until achieving complete improvement or until patient were lost
      to follow-up. Clinical outcome was assessed via standard photographic method
      before each treatment session and after the final visit. An independent
      dermatologist evaluated the photographs. RESULT: All of the patients (13 females
      and two males) with 25-59 years of age experienced some degree of improvement,
      except one patient who withdrew from the treatment after three sessions. The
      treatment was well tolerated. CONCLUSION: The results of our study indicated that
      pulsed dye laser therapy could be employed as a new method in the treatment of
      steroid-induced atrophic scars. Pulsed dye laser might affect the lesions through
      inducing collagen deposition and production of more superficial dermal elastin as
      well as less unidirectional collagen in clusters.

PMID- 26282057
TI  - Use of transposase and ends of IS608 enables precise and scarless genome
      modification for modulating gene expression and metabolic engineering
      applications in Escherichia coli.
AB  - Various methods have been developed for gene disruption in bacteria; however,
      extra in vitro manipulation steps or the residual presence of a scar in the host
      chromosome limits the use of such methods. By utilizing the unique properties of
      ISHp608, we have developed a simple and precise method for genome manipulation in
      Escherichia coli that alters the gene sequence without leaving foreign DNA in the
      chromosome. This strategy involves PCR amplification of a DNA cassette containing
      ISHp608-LE (left end)-antibiotic resistance gene-counterselection marker-ISHp608
      RE (right end) by using primers containing extensions homologous to the adjacent
      regions of the target gene on the chromosome. The lambda Red mediated
      recombination of the PCR product and antibiotic resistance screening results in
      transformants with a modified gene target. The ISHp608-LE-antibiotic resistance
      gene-counterselection marker-ISHp608-RE cassette can then be excised using a
      temperature sensitive plasmid expressing the TnpA transposase, which precisely
      cleaves ISHp608-LE and ISHp608-RE without leaving a scar sequence. We
      demonstrated lacZ gene point mutation repair, two precise disruptions of the lacZ
      gene and constructed a library of lacZ variants having variable beta
      galactosidase activity by changing its ribosome binding site sequences using the
      ISHp608 system. This technique can be used in E. coli genome modification and
      could be extended for use in other bacteria. 

PMID- 26282058
TI  - Future goals of adolescents and young adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic non-specific musculoskeletal pain is a common problem among
      adolescents. This study investigates the importance of future goals and goal
      frustration for adolescents and young adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain
      compared to healthy adolescents. It also explores the impact that pain intensity,
      pain catastrophizing and depressive symptoms have on goal frustration for
      adolescents with chronic pain. METHODS: Using a cross-sectional design, we
      compared the importance and frustration of future goals for 42 adolescents and
      young adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain (41 women, 1 man) to those of 42
      adolescents without pain (35 women, 7 men). For the adolescents with chronic
      pain, we also examined levels of pain intensity, pain catastrophizing and
      depressive symptoms to assess their ability to explain goal frustration levels.
      Statistics included t-tests, Mann-Whitney test and multivariate regression
      analysis. RESULTS: We found no differences in the importance of future goals,
      except for goals related to health, which were more important for adolescents
      with chronic pain (p = 0.03). Furthermore, adolescents with chronic pain
      perceived higher levels of goal frustration in all domains, except that related
      to school (p = 0.16). Depression explained goal frustration related to personal
      values (p = 0.02), social acceptance (p < 0.01), self-acceptance (p < 0.01) and
      health (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Dealing with chronic pain in adolescence and
      early adulthood does not seem to change future goals, but is associated with
      perceiving barriers to achieving them. The level of depressive symptoms seems to
      influence this relationship. Some caution is required in generalizing the results
      due to the relatively low number of male participants.

PMID- 26282059
TI  - Motor development in visually impaired children.

PMID- 26282061
TI  - Livelihoods, conflict and aid programming: is the evidence base good enough?
AB  - In conflict-affected situations, aid-funded livelihood interventions are often
      tasked with a dual imperative: to generate material welfare benefits and to
      contribute to peacebuilding outcomes. There may be some logic to such a
      transformative agenda, but does the reality square with the rhetoric? Through a
      review of the effectiveness of a range of livelihood promotion interventions-
      from job creation to microfinance--this paper finds that high quality empirical
      evidence is hard to come by in conflict-affected situations. Many evaluations
      appear to conflate outputs with impacts and numerous studies fail to include
      adequate information on their methodologies and datasets, making it difficult to
      appraise the reliability of their conclusions. Given the primary purpose of this
      literature--to provide policy guidance on effective ways to promote livelihoods-
      this silence is particularly concerning. As such, there is a strong case to be
      made for a restrained and nuanced handling of such interventions in conflict
      affected settings.

PMID- 26282060
TI  - MRSI via fully-refocused spatiotemporal encoding with polychromatic spectral
      pulses.
AB  - A novel method for the rapid acquisition of quality multi-slice 2D images
      targeting a small number of spectroscopic resonances, is introduced and
      illustrated. The method exploits the robustness derived from recently proposed
      spatiotemporal encoding (SPEN) methods, when operating in the so-called "fully
      refocused" mode. Fully-refocused SPEN provides high-fidelity single-shot images
      thanks to its refocusing of all offset-derived effects throughout the course of
      the acquisition. This refocusing, however, prevents exploiting such robustness
      for spectroscopic imaging. We propose here a solution to this limitation, based
      on the use of polychromatic refocusing pulses. It is shown that if used to
      address a series of a priori known resonance positions, these pulses can lead to
      quality spectroscopic images in a small number of scans - generally equal or
      slightly larger than the number of targeted peaks. Such strategy is explored in
      combination with both fully-refocused SPEN and echo-planar-imaging (EPI)
      acquisitions. The expected SPEN advantages were observed in both phantom-based
      models, and in in vivo results of fat and water separation in mice at 7 T.

PMID- 26282062
TI  - Phase III clinical study of maxacalcitol ointment in patients with palmoplantar
      pustulosis: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
AB  - Palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP) often shows resistance to treatment. Vitamin D3
      analog (VitD3 ) has been widely used for the treatment of psoriasis, however, the
      efficacy and safety of topical VitD3 treatment of PPP are not fully confirmed.
      Maxacalcitol topical ointment (22-oxacalcitriol [OCT]) was applied twice daily
      for 8 weeks. Evaluation of efficacy was based on scored skin findings for three
      main symptoms (erythema, pustules/vesicles and keratinization/scales). The
      primary and secondary end-points were the total and symptom-specific scores of
      skin findings, respectively. A total of 188 patients with moderate or severe PPP
      were enrolled in the study and were randomized into either the OCT group (n = 95)
      or placebo group (n = 93). The total scores (mean +/- standard error) of skin
      findings at the last observation adjusting for those on day 1 were 5.0 +/- 0.20
      in the OCT group and 6.9 +/- 0.20 in the placebo group. There was a significant
      decrease in the total score of skin findings in the OCT group compared with the
      placebo group (P < 0.0001). In particular, the score of pustules/vesicles
      drastically decreased in the OCT group. In terms of safety, the incidence of
      adverse reactions in the OCT and placebo groups were 11.6% and 9.7%,
      respectively. These results indicate that OCT is effective and highly safe in the
      management of PPP. Topical OCT treatment was found to show a potent action on
      pustules/vesicles thereby contributing to the cure of PPP.

PMID- 26282063
TI  - Hybrid use of combined and sequential delivery of growth factors and ultrasound
      stimulation in porous multilayer composite scaffolds to promote both
      vascularization and bone formation in bone tissue engineering.
AB  - In this study, a multilayer coating technology would be adopted to prepare a
      porous composite scaffold and the growth factor release and ultrasound techniques
      were introduced into bone tissue engineering to finally solve the problems of
      vascularization and bone formation in the scaffold whilst the designed multilayer
      composite with gradient degradation characteristics in the space was used to
      match the new bone growth process better. The results of animal experiments
      showed that the use of low intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) combined with
      growth factors demonstrated excellent capabilities and advantages in both
      vascularization and new bone formation in bone tissue engineering. The
      degradation of the used scaffold materials could match new bone formation very
      well. The results also showed that only RGD-promoted cell adhesion was
      insufficient to satisfy the needs of new bone formation while growth factors and
      LIPUS stimulation were the key factors in new bone formation.

PMID- 26282064
TI  - Picking and nibbling in children and adolescents with eating disorders.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Picking and nibbling (P&N), defined as eating in an unplanned and
      repetitious way between meals and snacks, is prevalent among adults with eating
      disorders (EDs), but unexamined among youth with EDs. This study sought to assess
      the prevalence of P&N in youth with EDs and its association with ED and comorbid
      pathology. METHOD: Youth (N = 515; ages 7-18) who presented to one outpatient ED
      research-clinical program were assessed for ED and comorbid pathology. RESULTS:
      Two-fifths (n = 214, 41.6%) of youth endorsed P&N. These individuals were older
      (p < .001) and had a higher percent expected body weight (p = .006) than those
      who denied P&N. Controlling for age and percent expected body weight, P&N was
      only associated with global ED pathology in youth with anorexia nervosa (AN) or
      atypical AN (p = .007). P&N was not associated with ED diagnosis, ED pathology in
      youth with bulimia nervosa or subclinical bulimia nervosa, binge eating,
      compensatory behaviors, secret eating, or the presence of a mood or anxiety
      disorder (p's > .05). DISCUSSION: Consistent with research in adults, P&N is
      prevalent but not significantly associated with ED pathology, except for global
      ED pathology in youth with AN/atypical AN, or comorbid disorders.

PMID- 26282065
TI  - Detection of Intraparenchymal Hemorrhage After Endovascular Therapy in Patients
      with Acute Ischemic Stroke Using Immediate Postprocedural Flat-Panel Computed
      Tomography Scan.
AB  - PURPOSE: To assess the diagnostic value of parenchymal hyperdense lesions
      visualized on the flat-panel CT scan in detecting/excluding intraparenchymal
      hemorrhage (IPH) after the endovascular treatment of acute stroke patients.
      METHODS: Two separate cohorts of acute ischemic stroke patients who underwent
      endovascular treatment were evaluated. In the first group, patients were
      evaluated for hyperdense parenchymal lesions immediately after the treatment with
      flat-panel CT scan; whereas, in the second group, patients underwent
      multidetector CT scan post procedure. IPH was defined as hyperdensity that
      persisted for >24 hours on follow up CT scan. RESULTS: A total of 30 patients
      were evaluated with flat panel, and 135 with multidetector CT scan immediately
      after the endovascular treatment. Hyperdense lesions were visualized on 7/30
      (23%) of those evaluated with flat-panel CT versus 74/135 (55%) of those
      evaluated with multidetector CT scan. Based on 24-hour follow up imaging,
      hyperdense parenchymal lesions on immediate postprocedural flat-panel or
      multidetector CT studies had 100% sensitivity and negative predictive value for
      IPH; whereas, the specificity, and positive predictive value of such lesions were
      88% and, 57% on the flat panel; and 53% and, 27% on the multidetector CT study,
      respectively. CONCLUSION: The absence of hyperdense lesions on immediate
      postprocedural flat-panel CT scan of ischemic stroke patients can exclude IPH
      with a high sensitivity and negative predictive value. The hyperdense parenchymal
      lesions visualized on flat-panel versus multidetector CT studies may have
      comparable sensitivity and negative predictive value for the detection of IPH.

PMID- 26282067
TI  - Experimental Demonstration of Underwater Acoustic Scattering Cancellation.
AB  - We explore an acoustic scattering cancellation shell for buoyant hollow cylinders
      submersed in a water background. A thin, low-shear, elastic coating is used to
      cancel the monopole scattering from an air-filled, neutrally buoyant steel shell
      for all frequencies where the wavelength is larger than the object diameter. By
      design, the uncoated shell also has an effective density close to the aqueous
      background, independently canceling its dipole scattering. Due to the
      significantly reduced monopole and dipole scattering, the compliant coating
      results in a hollow cylindrical inclusion that is simultaneously impedance and
      sound speed matched to the water background. We demonstrate the proposed
      cancellation method with a specific case, using an array of hollow steel
      cylinders coated with thin silicone rubber shells. These experimental results are
      matched to finite element modeling predictions, confirming the scattering
      reduction. Additional calculations explore the optimization of the silicone
      coating properties. Using this approach, it is found that scattering cross
      sections can be reduced by 20 dB for all wavelengths up to k0a = 0.85.

PMID- 26282066
TI  - The exercise-induced biochemical milieu enhances collagen content and tensile
      strength of engineered ligaments.
AB  - Exercise stimulates a dramatic change in the concentration of circulating
      hormones, such as growth hormone (GH), but the biological functions of this
      response are unclear. Pharmacological GH administration stimulates collagen
      synthesis; however, whether the post-exercise systemic milieu has a similar
      action is unknown. We aimed to determine whether the collagen content and tensile
      strength of tissue-engineered ligaments is enhanced by serum obtained post
      exercise. Primary cells from a human anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) were used
      to engineer ligament constructs in vitro. Blood obtained from 12 healthy young
      men 15 min after resistance exercise contained GH concentrations that were ~7
      fold greater than resting serum (P < 0.001), whereas IGF-1 was not elevated at
      this time point (P = 0.21 vs. rest). Ligament constructs were treated for 7 days
      with medium supplemented with serum obtained at rest (RestTx) or 15 min post
      exercise (ExTx), before tensile testing and collagen content analysis. Compared
      with RestTx, ExTx enhanced collagen content (+19%; 181 +/- 33 vs. 215 +/- 40 MUg
      per construct P = 0.001) and ligament mechanical properties - maximal tensile
      load (+17%, P = 0.03 vs. RestTx) and ultimate tensile strength (+10%, P = 0.15
      vs. RestTx). In a separate set of engineered ligaments, recombinant IGF-1, but
      not GH, enhanced collagen content and mechanics. Bioassays in 2D culture revealed
      that acute treatment with post-exercise serum activated mTORC1 and ERK1/2. In
      conclusion, the post-exercise biochemical milieu, but not recombinant GH,
      enhances collagen content and tensile strength of engineered ligaments, in
      association with mTORC1 and ERK1/2 activation.

PMID- 26282068
TI  - Health and economic burden of running-related injuries in runners training for an
      event: A prospective cohort study.
AB  - Prospective running-related injury (RRI) data from runners training for an event
      are scarce, especially with regard to RRI-associated costs. Therefore, the aim of
      this study was to investigate the prevalence and economic burden of RRIs in
      runners participating in an organized training program preparing them for an
      event. This was a prospective cohort study with 18 weeks of follow-up.
      Individuals aged 18 or older and registered to participate in an organized
      running program were eligible. Follow-up surveys were sent every 2 weeks to
      collect data about running exposure, RRIs, and costs. Of the 161 potential
      participants, 53 (32.9%) were included in this study. A total of 32 participants
      reported 41 RRIs. The mean prevalence during follow-up was 30.8% [95% confidence
      interval (CI) 25.6-36.0%]. Overuse was the main mechanism of RRI (85.4%, n = 35).
      An RRI was estimated to have an economic burden of ?57.97 (95% CI ?26.17-94.00)
      due to healthcare utilization (direct costs) and ?115.75 (95% CI ?10.37-253.73)
      due to absenteeism from paid work (indirect costs). These results indicate that
      the health and economic burden of RRIs may be considered significant for public
      health. Therefore, prevention programs are needed for runners participating in
      organized training programs. 

PMID- 26282069
TI  - Thick corpus callosum in the second trimester can be transient and is of
      uncertain significance.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Depiction of a thick corpus callosum (CC) in utero is rare, and is
      generally associated with severe brain anomalies. Our aim was to describe a group
      of fetuses diagnosed during second-trimester ultrasound examination as having an
      apparently isolated thick CC, which normalized subsequently in the cases followed
      to term. METHODS: Among 59 fetuses referred to the Ob-Gyn Ultrasound Division of
      Lis Maternity Hospital with suspected callosal anomalies between January 2013 and
      June 2014, we identified nine cases with an apparently isolated thick CC for
      inclusion in this retrospective cohort study. Length and body thickness of the CC
      were compared with previously published nomograms. Fetuses with a suspected
      isolated thick CC were identified and followed until delivery or termination of
      pregnancy (TOP). Evaluation consisted of chromosomal analysis, at least one
      magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination and repeat ultrasound examinations.
      Postnatal evaluation included brain ultrasound examination, MRI when indicated
      and neurodevelopmental assessment through validated pediatric questionnaires.
      RESULTS: The nine fetuses were diagnosed with an apparently isolated thick CC at
      a mean gestational age of 23 + 5 (range, 21-29) weeks. Eight exhibited a CC body
      thickness >= 2SD above the mean for gestational age and one exhibited only a
      thickened genu. Six also exhibited a relatively short CC. Two patients opted for
      TOP but declined autopsy. In five of the seven remaining fetuses, the CC
      thickness normalized during follow-up. In the remaining two, the increased CC
      thickness was a variant of the cingulate sulcus. The CC length remained <= 2SD in
      five of the six fetuses with a short CC. Fetal MRI was performed and confirmed
      the diagnosis in six fetuses. The karyotype was normal in all fetuses. Short-term
      neurodevelopmental outcome was reported as normal in all six children with
      complete follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Although the number of fetuses in our study is
      relatively small, it seems that an apparently isolated thick CC is not
      necessarily associated with poor prognosis. In such cases, a definitive diagnosis
      should not be reached based on a single measurement and repeat follow-up
      examinations during the third trimester are recommended. Copyright (c) 2015
      ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

PMID- 26282070
TI  - Indigenous tropical spastic paraparesis in Madrid (Spain). Experience on
      screening of human T-lymphotropic virus.
AB  - We have recently documented a case of tropical spastic paraparesis by HTLV-I in a
      Spanish patient. HTLV-I infection is rare in Europe, and hardly ever is
      accompanied by symptoms, but if it does it could trigger a major health issue.
      This case is presented here, as well as a discussion on the situations in which
      HTLV-I detection is justified. An analysis was made of the HTLV diagnostic
      requests at our centre during 2014-2015 (n=123). The diagnostic algorithm was: 1)
      Enzyme immunoassay, 2) Reverse hybridization, and 3) Proviral DNA detection by
      PCR. The results showed several situations of HTLV screening, emphasising those
      related to paraparesis (22%). Seven cases of HTLV-I infection were found: five in
      patients from endemic regions, one in an HIV-infected patient, and the case of
      TSP mentioned above. HTLV-I surveillance in non-endemic regions is a challenging
      issue, as the cost-benefit ratio is not well-established. This case report
      emphasises the importance of including HTLV within the differential diagnosis of
      insidious spastic paraparesis.

PMID- 26282072
TI  - Is mitochondrial free radical theory of aging getting old?

PMID- 26282071
TI  - Home-based versus centre-based cardiac rehabilitation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death globally.
      Traditionally, centre-based cardiac rehabilitation programmes are offered to
      individuals after cardiac events to aid recovery and prevent further cardiac
      illness. Home-based cardiac rehabilitation programmes have been introduced in an
      attempt to widen access and participation. This is an update of a review
      originally published in 2009. OBJECTIVES: To compare the effect of home-based and
      supervised centre-based cardiac rehabilitation on mortality and morbidity, health
      related quality of life, and modifiable cardiac risk factors in patients with
      heart disease. SEARCH METHODS: To update searches from the previous Cochrane
      review, we searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL,
      The Cochrane Library, Issue 9, 2014), MEDLINE (Ovid, 1946 to October week 1
      2014), EMBASE (Ovid, 1980 to 2014 week 41), PsycINFO (Ovid, 1806 to October week
      2 2014), and CINAHL (EBSCO, to October 2014). We checked reference lists of
      included trials and recent systematic reviews. No language restrictions were
      applied. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared
      centre-based cardiac rehabilitation (e.g. hospital, gymnasium, sports centre)
      with home-based programmes in adults with myocardial infarction (MI), angina,
      heart failure or who had undergone revascularisation. DATA COLLECTION AND
      ANALYSIS: Two authors independently assessed the eligibility of the identified
      trials and data were extracted by a single author and checked by a second.
      Authors were contacted where possible to obtain missing information. MAIN
      RESULTS: Seventeen trials included a total of 2172 participants undergoing
      cardiac rehabilitation following an acute MI or revascularisation, or with heart
      failure. This update included an additional five trials on 345 patients with
      heart failure. Authors of a number of included trials failed to give sufficient
      detail to assess their potential risk of bias, and details of generation and
      concealment of random allocation sequence were particularly poorly reported. In
      the main, no difference was seen between home- and centre-based cardiac
      rehabilitation in outcomes up to 12 months of follow up: mortality (relative risk
      (RR) = 0.79, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.43 to 1.47, P = 0.46, fixed-effect),
      cardiac events (data not poolable), exercise capacity (standardised mean
      difference (SMD) = -0.10, 95% CI -0.29 to 0.08, P = 0.29, random-effects),
      modifiable risk factors (total cholesterol: mean difference (MD) = 0.07 mmol/L,
      95% CI -0.24 to 0.11, P = 0.47, random-effects; low density lipoprotein
      cholesterol: MD = -0.06 mmol/L, 95% CI -0.27 to 0.15, P = 0.55, random-effects;
      systolic blood pressure: mean difference (MD) = 0.19 mmHg, 95% CI -3.37 to 3.75,
      P = 0.92, random-effects; proportion of smokers at follow up (RR = 0.98, 95% CI
      0.79 to 1.21, P = 0.83, fixed-effect), or health-related quality of life (not
      poolable). Small outcome differences in favour of centre-based participants were
      seen in high density lipoprotein cholesterol (MD = -0.07 mmol/L, 95% CI -0.11 to 
      0.03, P = 0.001, fixed-effect), and triglycerides (MD = -0.18 mmol/L, 95% CI 
      0.34 to -0.02, P = 0.03, fixed-effect, diastolic blood pressure (MD = -1.86 mmHg;
      95% CI -0.76 to -2.95, P = 0.0009, fixed-effect). In contrast, in home-based
      participants, there was evidence of a marginally higher levels of programme
      completion (RR = 1.04, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.07, P = 0.009, fixed-effect) and
      adherence to the programme (not poolable). No consistent difference was seen in
      healthcare costs between the two forms of cardiac rehabilitation. AUTHORS'
      CONCLUSIONS: This updated review supports the conclusions of the previous version
      of this review that home- and centre-based forms of cardiac rehabilitation seem
      to be equally effective for improving the clinical and health-related quality of
      life outcomes in low risk patients after MI or revascularisation, or with heart
      failure. This finding, together with the absence of evidence of important
      differences in healthcare costs between the two approaches, supports the
      continued expansion of evidence-based, home-based cardiac rehabilitation
      programmes. The choice of participating in a more traditional and supervised
      centre-based programme or a home-based programme should reflect the preference of
      the individual patient. Further data are needed to determine whether the effects
      of home- and centre-based cardiac rehabilitation reported in these short-term
      trials can be confirmed in the longer term. A number of studies failed to give
      sufficient detail to assess their risk of bias.

PMID- 26282074
TI  - Superior biofunctionality of dental implant fixtures uniformly coated with
      durable bioglass films by magnetron sputtering.
AB  - Bioactive glasses are currently considered the suitable candidates to stir the
      quest for a new generation of osseous implants with superior
      biological/functional performance. In congruence with this vision, this
      contribution aims to introduce a reliable technological recipe for coating fairly
      complex 3D-shaped implants (e.g. dental screws) with uniform and mechanical
      resistant bioactive glass films by the radio-frequency magnetron sputtering
      method. The mechanical reliability of the bioactive glass films applied to real
      Ti dental implant fixtures has been evaluated by a procedure comprised of "cold"
      implantation in pig mandibular bone from a dead animal, followed by immediate
      tension-free extraction tests. The effects of the complex mechanical strains
      occurring during implantation were analysed by scanning electron microscopy
      coupled with electron dispersive spectroscopy. Extensive biocompatibility assays
      (MTS, immunofluorescence, Western blot) revealed that the bioactive glass films
      stimulated strong cellular adhesion and proliferation of human dental pulp stem
      cells, without promoting their differentiation. The ability of the implant
      coatings to conserve a healthy stem cell pool is promising to further endorse the
      fabrication of new osseointegration implant designs with extended lifetime. 

PMID- 26282073
TI  - Systemic modeling myeloma-osteoclast interactions under normoxic/hypoxic
      condition using a novel computational approach.
AB  - Interaction of myeloma cells with osteoclasts (OC) can enhance tumor cell
      expansion through activation of complex signaling transduction networks. Both
      cells reside in the bone marrow, a hypoxic niche. How OC-myeloma interaction in a
      hypoxic environment affects myeloma cell growth and their response to drug
      treatment is poorly understood. In this study, we i) cultured myeloma cells in
      the presence/absence of OCs under normoxia and hypoxia conditions and did protein
      profiling analysis using reverse phase protein array; ii) computationally
      developed an Integer Linear Programming approach to infer OC-mediated myeloma
      cell-specific signaling pathways under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Our
      modeling analysis indicated that in the presence OCs, (1) cell growth-associated
      signaling pathways, PI3K/AKT and MEK/ERK, were activated and apoptotic regulatory
      proteins, BAX and BIM, down-regulated under normoxic condition; (2) beta1
      Integrin/FAK signaling pathway was activated in myeloma cells under hypoxic
      condition. Simulation of drug treatment effects by perturbing the inferred cell
      specific pathways showed that targeting myeloma cells with the combination of
      PI3K and integrin inhibitors potentially (1) inhibited cell proliferation by
      reducing the expression/activation of NF-kappaB, S6, c-Myc, and c-Jun under
      normoxic condition; (2) blocked myeloma cell migration and invasion by reducing
      the expression of FAK and PKC under hypoxic condition. 

PMID- 26282075
TI  - A stochastic model for soft tissue failure using acoustic emission data.
AB  - The strength of soft tissues is due mainly to collagen fibers. In most
      collagenous tissues, the arrangement of the fibers is random, but has preferred
      directions. The random arrangement makes it difficult to make deterministic
      predictions about the starting process of fiber breaking under tension. When
      subjected to tensile stress the fibers are progressively straighten out and then
      start to be stretched. At the beginning of fiber breaking, some of the fibers
      reach their maximum tensile strength and break down while some others remain
      unstressed (this latter fibers will assume then bigger stress until they
      eventually arrive to their failure point). In this study, a sample of human
      esophagi was subjected to a tensile breaking of fibers, up to the complete
      failure of the specimen. An experimental setup using Acoustic Emission to detect
      the elastic energy released is used during the test to detect the location of the
      emissions and the number of micro-failures per time unit. The data were
      statistically analyzed in order to be compared to a stochastic model which
      relates the level of stress in the tissue and the probability of breaking given
      the number of previously broken fibers (i.e. the deterioration in the tissue).
      The probability of a fiber breaking as the stretch increases in the tissue can be
      represented by a non-homogeneous Markov process which is the basis of the
      stochastic model proposed. This paper shows that a two-parameter model can
      account for the fiber breaking and the expected distribution for ultimate stress
      is a Frechet distribution. 

PMID- 26282076
TI  - Synthesis of fluorinated dimethacrylate monomer and its application in preparing
      Bis-GMA free dental resin.
AB  - With the aim to reduce human exposure to Bis-phenol A derivatives, a novel
      fluorinated dimethacrylate monomer FUDMA was synthesized and mixed with
      triethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) to prepare 2,2-bis[4-(2-hydroxy-3
      methacryloy- loxypropyl)phenyl]propane (Bis-GMA) free dental resin system.
      Physicochemical properties, such as double bond conversion (DC), polymerization
      shrinkage (VS), water sorption (WS) and solubility (SL), flexural strength (FS)
      and modulus (FM), and fracture energy of FUDMA/TEGDMA resin system were
      investigated. Bis-GMA/TEGDMA resin system was used as a control. The results
      showed that, compared with Bis-GMA/TEGDMA resin system, FUDMA/TEGDMA had
      advantages like higher DC, lower VS, and higher fracture energy, but had no
      disadvantages. Therefore, FUDMA/TEGDMA resin system had better comprehensive
      physicochemical properties than Bis-GMA/TEGDMA resin system, and FUDMA had
      potential to be used as a substitute for Bis-GMA. 

PMID- 26282077
TI  - Compressive fatigue and fracture toughness behavior of injectable, settable bone
      cements.
AB  - Bone grafts used to repair weight-bearing tibial plateau fractures often
      experience cyclic loading, and there is a need for bone graft substitutes that
      prevent failure of fixation and subsequent morbidity. However, the specific
      mechanical properties required for resorbable grafts to optimize structural
      compatibility with native bone have yet to be established. While quasi-static
      tests are utilized to assess weight-bearing ability, compressive strength alone
      is a poor indicator of in vivo performance. In the present study, we investigated
      the effects of interfacial bonding on material properties under conditions that
      re-capitulate the cyclic loading associated with weight-bearing fractures.
      Dynamic compressive fatigue properties of polyurethane (PUR) composites made with
      either unmodified (U-) or polycaprolactone surface-modified (PCL-) 45S5 bioactive
      glass (BG) particles were compared to a commercially available calcium sulfate
      and phosphate-based (CaS/P) bone cement at physiologically relevant stresses (5
      30 MPa). Fatigue resistance of PCL-BG/polymer composite was superior to that of
      the U-BG/polymer composite and the CaS/P cement at higher stress levels for each
      of the fatigue failure criteria, related to modulus, creep, and maximum
      displacement, and was comparable to human trabecular bone. Steady state creep and
      damage accumulation occurred during the fatigue life of the PCL-BG/polymer and
      CaS/P cement, whereas creep of U-BG/polymer primarily occurred at a low number of
      loading cycles. From crack propagation testing, fracture toughness or resistance
      to crack growth was significantly higher for the PCL-BG composite than for the
      other materials. Finally, the fatigue and fracture toughness properties were
      intermediate between those of trabecular and cortical bone. These findings
      highlight the potential of PCL-BG/polyurethane composites as weight-bearing bone
      grafts.

PMID- 26282078
TI  - Effects of aging procedures on the molecular, biochemical, morphological, and
      mechanical properties of vacuum-formed retainers.
AB  - The influence of intraoral exposure procedures on the physical characteristics of
      thermoplastic vacuum-formed retainers (VFRs) is still unclear. The effects of
      thermoforming and intraoral use on the molecular, chemical, morphological, and
      mechanical properties of thermoplastic VFRs were investigated. VFRs with a 0.8-mm
      thick thermoplastic PETG sheet acquired from 48 patients were investigated with
      two aging procedures, including vacuum forming and intraoral exposure, for 2-week
      and 6-month. Eight evaluating sites for thermoplastic VFRs were assessed with
      seven analytical techniques. LM, SEM, and AFM microscopic findings showed that
      the surface characteristics increased with increasing in vivo exposure time (a
      four-fold increase) and varied depending on the sites evaluated (an occlusal
      surface). Raman and EDX spectroscopic findings showed that aging procedures led
      to a significant change in the molecular composition of VFRs, leading to a
      decrease in the composition rate of carbon (C) and the presence of silicon (Si),
      phosphorus (P), and calcium (Ca). Compressive strength and tensile tests showed
      that aging procedures led to a significant increase (P<0.01) in ultimate tensile
      strength, elastic modulus, the stored energy at a 6-mm deflection (u6 mm), and
      the compressed load at a 3-mm deflection (sigma3 mm). Thermoforming led to a
      smoother surface and no crystallization of PETG sheets. Intraoral exposure
      accelerated changes in surface morphology, tensile strength, and elastic modulus
      of VFRs. This change was site-specific and enhanced with an increase in intraoral
      exposure time. Therefore, thermoforming and in vivo oral exposure procedures led
      to the molecular, morphological, and mechanical properties of thermoplastic VFRs.

PMID- 26282079
TI  - Neural changes associated with semantic processing in healthy aging despite
      intact behavioral performance.
AB  - Semantic memory recruits an extensive neural network including the left inferior
      prefrontal cortex (IPC) and the left temporoparietal region, which are involved
      in semantic control processes, as well as the anterior temporal lobe region (ATL)
      which is considered to be involved in processing semantic information at a
      central level. However, little is known about the underlying neuronal integrity
      of the semantic network in normal aging. Young and older healthy adults carried
      out a semantic judgment task while their cortical activity was recorded using
      magnetoencephalography (MEG). Despite equivalent behavioral performance, young
      adults activated the left IPC to a greater extent than older adults, while the
      latter group recruited the temporoparietal region bilaterally and the left ATL to
      a greater extent than younger adults. Results indicate that significant neuronal
      changes occur in normal aging, mainly in regions underlying semantic control
      processes, despite an apparent stability in performance at the behavioral level. 

PMID- 26282080
TI  - Biosimilars in rheumatology: current perspectives and lessons learnt.
AB  - Biosimilars, based on biopharmaceuticals approved by regulatory agencies that are
      no longer under patent protection, have efficacy and safety comparable to their
      reference products, and are a new therapeutic option to treat inflammatory
      diseases. Biosimilars must be distinguished from 'biomimics' or 'biocopies',
      which are marketed in some countries but have not been evaluated according to the
      stringent regulatory pathway used for biosimilars. CT-P13, based on infliximab,
      was the first biosimilar approved for the treatment of inflammatory diseases;
      however, some countries did not allow extrapolation of indications to all eight
      diseases for which the reference drug infliximab is approved. Antidrug antibodies
      can reduce drug levels and affect clinical efficacy, but although available data
      suggest that biosimilars and their reference products have comparable
      immunogenicity, this important property might differ between individual
      biopharmaceuticals. This Review discusses biosimilars already approved within the
      past 3 years to treat rheumatic diseases, as well as others that are currently
      under development. The main challenges posed by biosimilars are also addressed,
      such as the extrapolation of indications to diseases only studied for the
      reference drug, and the definition of strategies for adequate pharmacovigilance
      to monitor biosimilars after marketing approval. 

PMID- 26282081
TI  - Autoinflammation. Management of hereditary recurrent fevers--SHARE experience.
AB  - Although new therapeutic options are available for patients with autoinflammatory
      diseases, evidence-based treatment guidelines are lacking. An initiative in
      European paediatric rheumatology aims to develop best-practice recommendations
      for the management of these rare disorders.

PMID- 26282083
TI  - Connective tissue diseases. Skin gene expression profiles in SSc.

PMID- 26282082
TI  - Cardiovascular comorbidity in rheumatic diseases.
AB  - Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other inflammatory joint diseases
      (IJDs) have an increased risk of premature death compared with the general
      population, mainly because of the risk of cardiovascular disease, which is
      similar in patients with RA and in those with diabetes mellitus. Pathogenic
      mechanisms and clinical expression of cardiovascular comorbidities vary greatly
      between different rheumatic diseases, but atherosclerosis seems to be associated
      with all IJDs. Traditional risk factors such as age, gender, dyslipidaemia,
      hypertension, smoking, obesity and diabetes mellitus, together with inflammation,
      are the main contributors to the increased cardiovascular risk in patients with
      IJDs. Although cardiovascular risk assessment should be part of routine care in
      such patients, no disease-specific models are currently available for this
      purpose. The main pillars of cardiovascular risk reduction are pharmacological
      and nonpharmacological management of cardiovascular risk factors, as well as
      tight control of disease activity. 

PMID- 26282084
TI  - Clinical characteristics associated with BRAF, NRAS and KIT mutations in Japanese
      melanoma patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The importance of the genetic background of melanoma cells to the
      individual susceptibility to treatment has become apparent. In Caucasians, BRAF
      mutations are frequently detected in lesions on the skin of younger patients
      compared to NRAS and KIT mutations. However, clinical and pathological
      characteristics associated with BRAF, NRAS and KIT mutations have not been fully
      evaluated in East Asians. OBJECTIVE: To clarify clinical and pathological
      characteristics associated with BRAF, NRAS and KIT mutations in Japanese melanoma
      patients. METHODS: Clinical data were retrospectively collected from 11 hospitals
      in Japan. BRAF, NRAS and KIT mutations were evaluated with polymerase chain
      reaction and Sanger sequencing. The relationships between these gene mutations
      and pathological and clinical findings were analyzed. RESULTS: The number of
      cases examined was 171 (primary: 135, metastases: 11, paired: 25), and all were
      Japanese patients. The detection rates of BRAF, NRAS and KIT mutations were
      30.4%, 12.3% and 12.9%, respectively. Compared with the wild type, the presence
      of BRAF mutations was significantly associated with younger age (median, 50.0
      years vs. 70.0 years, p<0.001). BRAF mutation was frequently detected in the
      lesions of the scalp (80%; 4/5), trunk (72.0%; 18/25), extremities (56.7%; 17/30)
      and neck (44.4%; 4/9), and the least prevalent were the face (22.2%; 2/9), nail
      (12.5%; 3/24), palm or sole (8.9%; 4/45) and mucosa (0%). NRAS mutations were
      prevalent in the face (33.3%) and palm or sole (20.0%), and the median age of
      these patients was 70.5 years. A KIT mutation was observed in the nail apparatus
      (25%), palm or sole (15.6%) and mucosa (18.2%). The median age of the patients
      with a KIT mutation was 63.0 years. Heterogeneity of mutations between primary
      and metastatic lesions was detected in six of 25 cases (24%). Solar elastosis was
      identified in 12 of 71 cases (15.3%), among which four cases harbored BRAF(V600E)
      (2 cases), BRAF(V600K), NRAS(Q61K) or NRAS(Q61L), respectively. CONCLUSION: Some
      clinical characteristics associated with BRAF, NRAS and KIT mutations were
      observed in Japanese patients, and we observed both similarities to and
      differences from those of Caucasians. Our findings could provide useful
      information in efforts to clarify the tumor genesis of malignant melanomas.

PMID- 26282085
TI  - Effects of rhododendrol and its metabolic products on melanocytic cell growth.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Rhododendrol (RD), a skin-whitening agent, is believed to be
      associated with cases of cosmetics-related leukoderma that have been reported in
      Japan. Recently, we have shown that RD is catalyzed by tyrosinase to produce
      putative toxic metabolites RD-catechol and RD-cyclic catechol. OBJECTIVE: To
      examine the cytotoxicity and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in
      melanocytic cells by RD and its metabolic products. METHODS: The growth
      inhibitory effect of RD or its metabolite on the normal human epidermal
      melanocyte (NHEM) and B16F1 cells was assessed by cell counting or WST assay. ROS
      production was detected by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy after cells
      were treated with 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein and RD or its metabolite. RESULTS:
      Growth of NHEM derived from African American (NHEMb) and B16F1 cells was
      suppressed by 300MUM or more RD. Growth inhibitory activity of RD (IC50 of B16F1:
      671MUM) was weaker than hydroquinone (IC50 of B16F1: 28.3MUM) or resveratrol
      (IC50 of B16F1: 27.1MUM). Flow cytometric analysis detected ROS production in the
      NHEMb and B16F1 cells exposed to RD. However, neither RD nor H2O2 increased the
      subG1 fraction of these melanocytic cells. RD-catechol and RD-cyclic catechol
      inhibited growth of NHEMb and B16F1 cells much more strongly than did RD. RD
      catechol, as well as RD, produced ROS detected by both flow cytometry and
      immunostaining, while RD-cyclic catechol produced a hardly detectable amount of
      ROS in B16F1 cells. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that RD exerts the
      cytotoxicity in melanocytic cells through its oxidative metabolites and that ROS
      plays a role in RD-mediated cytotoxicity.

PMID- 26282086
TI  - Removal of atrazine in water by combination of activated carbon and dielectric
      barrier discharge.
AB  - Efficiency of modern wastewater treatment plants to remove or decompose
      persistent contaminants in low concentration is often insufficient to meet the
      demands imposed by governmental laws. Novel, efficient and cheap methods are
      required to address this global issue. We developed a new type of plasma reactor,
      in which atrazine decomposition by atmospheric dielectric barrier discharge (DBD)
      in dry air is combined with micropollutant adsorption on activated carbon textile
      and with extra bubbling of generated ozone. Investigation of reaction kinetics
      and by-product analysis shows that increasing input power with a factor 3.5 leads
      to deeper atrazine oxidation without significantly changing energy yield of
      atrazine removal. By-products of first and later generations are detected with
      HPLC-MS analysis in water and adsorbed on the activated carbon textile. Our
      reactor is compared in energy efficiency with reactors described in literature,
      showing that combination of plasma discharge with pollutant adsorption and ozone
      recycling is attractive for future applications of water treatment. 

PMID- 26282087
TI  - Selective adsorption of silver(I) ions over copper(II) ions on a sulfoethyl
      derivative of chitosan.
AB  - This study presents a simple and effective method of preparation of N-(2
      sulfoethyl) chitosan (NSE-chitosan) that allows obtaining a product with a degree
      of modification up to 1.0. The chemical structure of the obtained polymers was
      confirmed by FT-IR and 1H NMR spectroscopies. Cross-linking of N-(2-sulfoethyl)
      chitosans by glutaraldehyde allows preparation of sorbents for removal and
      concentration of metal ions. Capacity of sorbents towards hydroxide ions was
      determined depending on the degree of sulfoethylation under static and dynamic
      conditions. Dissociation constants of functional amino groups of the analyzed
      sorbents were determined by potentiometric titration. It was shown that basicity
      of the amino groups decreased (wherein pKa decreased from 6.53 to 5.67) with
      increase in degree of sulfoethylation. It explains the significant influence of
      sulfo groups on selectivity of sorption of metal ions on N-(2-sulfoethyl)
      chitosan-based sorbents. The investigated substances selectively remove
      copper(II) and silver(I) ions from solutions of complex composition. Wherein the
      selectivity coefficient KAg/Cu increased to 20 (pH 6.5, ammonium acetate buffer
      solution) with increase in degree of sulfoethylation of the sorbent up to 1.0. 

PMID- 26282088
TI  - Utilization of the dilute acidic sulfate effluent as resources by coupling
      solvent extraction-oxidation-hydrolysis.
AB  - The pollution risk of dilute acidic sulfate effluent (DASE),which is discharged
      from titanium dioxide factories heavily every year, has sparked the recycling of
      sulfuric acid, iron and water. In this study, a new green recovery process for
      the DASE is proposed based on coupling solventextraction-oxidation-hydrolysis.
      Compared to the conventional ways, this innovative method allows the effective
      extraction of sulfuric acid and the precipitation of FexOy.nH2O in onestep
      without adding inorganic neutralizer or precipitant. Trioctylamine (TOA) in
      kerosene (20-50%) was used as an organic phase for solvent extraction. The
      hydrolytic productions and the raffinate purified by a cation exchange were
      evaluated using XRD and ICP-OES, respectively. The initial pH of 0.63 and Fe(II)
      concentration of 0.1 mol/L in the DASE, the volume ratio of organic toaqueous
      phase (O/A) of 3/1, and reaction temperature of 25  degrees C were determined as
      the optimal conditions. Under this conditions, Fe(II) was transformed as yellow
      precipitation which was characterized as alpha-FeOOH, and pH of raffinate was in
      the range of 3.6-3.8.

PMID- 26282089
TI  - Immunization Equity.
AB  - Health inequities are the unjust differences in health among different social
      groups. Unfortunately, inequities are the norm, both in terms of health status
      and access to, and use of, health services. Childhood immunizations reduce the
      incidence of vaccine-preventable diseases and represent a cost-effective way to
      foster health equity. This paper reflects a 2015 review of data from surveys
      conducted in developing countries from 2005 to 2011 that show significant
      inequities in immunization coverage and discusses several initiatives currently
      underway (including Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance) that are directed at increasing
      childhood immunizations or reducing or abolishing overall health inequities.
      These initiatives have already had a significant impact on disease burden and
      childhood mortality and give rise to optimism that health disparities may further
      be reduced and health equity achieved as a result of investments made in
      immunization. 

PMID- 26282090
TI  - Impairment of the accumulation of decidual T cells, NK cells, and monocytes, and
      the poor vascular remodeling of spiral arteries, were observed in oocyte donation
      cases, regardless of the presence or absence of preeclampsia.
AB  - In oocyte donation (OD) pregnancies, a fetus is a complete allograft to the
      maternal host and OD pregnancies are an independent risk factor for preeclampsia.
      Immunocompetent cells contribute to spiral artery remodeling and the failure of
      this process could contribute to the pathophysiology of preeclampsia. Recent data
      have shown that impaired autophagy of extravillous trophoblasts (EVT) may induce
      poor vascular remodeling in preeclampsia. We have studied the distribution of T
      cells, NK cells and macrophages in the decidua basalis of 14 normotensive OD
      pregnancies, 5 preeclamptic OD cases, 16 normotensive pregnancy cases, and 13
      preeclamptic cases in natural pregnancy or autologous oocyte IVF-ET (NP/IVF). The
      populations of decidual CD3(+)T cells, CD8(+)T cells, CD4(+)T cells, Foxp3(+)Treg
      cells, CD56(+)NK cells, and CD68(+) macrophages in preeclampsia were
      significantly smaller than those in normal pregnancy in NP/IVF. Those frequencies
      in normotensive OD pregnancies or preeclamptic cases in OD pregnancies were
      similar to those in preeclamptic cases in NP/IVF. Impaired vascular remodeling
      was observed in OD pregnancies, regardless of the presence or absence of
      preeclampsia. The expression of p62, an impaired autophagy marker in EVT of
      normotensive or preeclamptic OD pregnancies, was significantly higher than that
      in normal pregnancies in NP/IVF. Immunological change in the decidua basalis and
      impairment of autophagy in EVT may induce impairment of spiral artery remodeling
      in OD pregnancies. 

PMID- 26282091
TI  - Is pretreatment cystometry important in predicting response to mirabegron in
      women with overactive bladder symptoms?
AB  - INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this study was to evaluate for any
      association between pretreatment cystometry results and outcome of treatment with
      mirabegron in women with overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms. METHODS: This was a
      prospective observational study of women with OAB symptoms that proved refractory
      to conservative management. All women underwent filling and voiding subtraction
      cystometry prior to further treatment. Women were treated with mirabegron 50 mg
      once daily, and outcomes were evaluated after 6 weeks' treatment. The primary
      outcome measure was change in symptoms as indicated by response to the Patient
      Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I) scale. The presence of detrusor
      overactivity (DO), the highest detrusor pressure recorded during the filling
      phase, the presence of urodynamic stress incontinence (USI), cystometric
      capacity, voided volume, maximum flow rate and detrusor pressure at maximum flow
      were all compared between responders and nonresponders. RESULTS: The study
      population consisted of 169 women; response rate to mirabegron was 69.8 %. There
      was no association between the presence of DO or maximum detrusor pressure during
      filling and USI, cystometric capacity, maximum flow rate and detrusor pressure at
      maximum flow and treatment response. In a subgroup with OAB symptoms refractory
      to previous treatment with antimuscarinics, there was an association between the
      presence of DO and a positive treatment response (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS:
      Overall, there is no association between urodynamic findings and response to
      treatment with mirabegron. This may reflect the fact that mirabegron's mode of
      action mechanisms are not measurable using cystometry. In women with refractory
      symptoms, however, the presence of DO is associated with a positive response to
      treatment.

PMID- 26282092
TI  - Management of arterial and venous hemorrhage during sacrospinous ligament
      fixation: cases and review of the literature.
AB  - INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Sacrospinous ligament fixation (SSLF) for pelvic
      organ prolapse repair can incur significant intraoperative hemorrhage. Management
      of vascular injury is challenging because of limited visualization of the
      surrounding pararectal space and is not well described in the literature.
      METHODS: We evaluate cases of intraoperative venous and arterial hemorrhage
      during SSLF. Based on a review of the literature, we present a systematic
      approach to the treatment of venous and arterial hemorrhage associated with SSLF.
      RESULTS: Vascular injury to the hypogastric and pudendal venous plexi may be
      controlled using directed compression and topical hemostatic agents. Vascular
      injury to the inferior gluteal artery, its coccygeal branch, or other arteries,
      may require embolization. CONCLUSION: Life-threatening bleeding is a rare
      complication of transvaginal SSLF. Knowledge of surrounding pelvic vascular
      anatomy, treatment options, and communication with ancillary staff is essential
      for the treatment of sacrospinous ligament hemorrhage.

PMID- 26282093
TI  - Abdominal sacral colpopexy versus sacrospinous ligament fixation: a cost
      effectiveness analysis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: For the surgical correction of apical prolapse the
      abdominal approach is associated with better outcomes; however, it is more
      expensive than the transvaginal approach. This cost-effectiveness analysis
      compares abdominal sacral colpopexy (ASC) with sacrospinous ligament fixation
      (SSLF) to determine if the improved outcomes of ASC justify the increased
      expense. METHODS: A decision-analytic model was created comparing ASC with SSLF
      using data-modeling software, TreeAge Pro (2013), which included the following
      outcomes: post-operative stress urinary incontinence (SUI) with possible mid
      urethral sling (MUS) placement, prolapse recurrence with possible re-operation,
      and post-operative dyspareunia. Cost-effectiveness was defined as an incremental
      cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of less than $50,000 per quality-associated life
      year (QALY). Base-case, threshold, and one-way sensitivity analyses were
      performed. RESULTS: At the baseline, ASC is more expensive than SSLF ($13,988 vs
      $11,950), but is more effective (QALY 1.53 vs 1.45) and is cost-effective (ICER
      $24,574/QALY) at 2 years. ASC was not cost-effective if the following four
      thresholds were met: the rate of post-operative SUI was above 36 % after ASC or
      below 28 % after SSLF; the rate of MUS placement for post-operative SUI was above
      60 % after ASC or below 13 % after SSLF; the rate of recurrent prolapse was above
      15 % after ASC or below 4 % after SSLF; the rate of post-operative dyspareunia
      was above 59 % after ASC or below 19 % after SSLF. CONCLUSIONS: Abdominal sacral
      colpopexy can be cost-effective compared with sacrospinous ligament fixation;
      however, as the post-operative outcomes of SSLF improve, SSLF can be considered a
      cost-effective alternative.

PMID- 26282094
TI  - Impact of pelvic floor muscle training in the postpartum period.
AB  - INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Our study piloted a novel, two-tiered approach to
      delivering pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) to postpartum women involving a
      standardized group workshop followed by the opportunity to self-select for
      individual PFMT sessions. The aim of the study was to evaluate the outcomes in
      women who self-selected for individual PFMT using validated quality of life (QoL)
      questionnaires, the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20 (PFDI-20), the Pelvic
      Floor Impact Questionnaire-7 (PFIQ-7), the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary
      Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire-12 (PISQ-12), as well as the Modified Oxford
      Scale (MOS) for strength. Women's satisfaction with the program was also
      assessed. METHODS: This was a single-center prospective cohort study conducted
      between December 2013 and September 2014. Changes from baseline to
      postintervention QoL and MOS scores were tested using the Wilcoxon signed-rank
      test. RESULTS: Two hundred and eighteen women attended the workshop, 54 enrolled
      in PFMT sessions, and 50 completed follow-up. Significant improvements were seen
      in the PFDI-20 (mean change -41.8, p < 0.001) and PFIQ-7 (mean change -23.0, p <
      0.001) questionnaires. Results for the PISQ-12 could not be tabulated, as there
      were too many missing responses. The MOS score was significantly improved from
      baseline (4; range {0-5} compared with 3; range {0-4}; p < 0.001). Forty-nine of
      50 women's expectations for the program were met [9 of 10; standard deviation
      (SD) 1.4]. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that a two-tiered, self-selection approach
      to administering PFMT in the postpartum period contributes to significant
      improvements in pelvic floor function, QoL, MOS strength, and to high
      satisfaction rates.

PMID- 26282095
TI  - Quantification of vehicle mixture effects on in vitro transdermal chemical flux
      using a random process diffusion model.
AB  - The effect of vehicle mixtures on transdermal permeation has been studied using
      transient flux profiles from porcine skin flow through diffusion cells. Such data
      characteristically exhibit a large amount of variability between treatments
      (vehicle and penetrant combinations) as well as noise within treatments. A novel
      mathematical model has been used that describes longitudinal variation as a time
      varying diffusivity. Between treatment variability was described by a mixed
      effects model. A quantitative structure property relationship (QSPR) was
      developed to describe the effects of the penetrant and vehicle mixture properties
      on the mean diffusivity and partition coefficient in the membrane. The
      relationship included terms for the logP and molecular weight of the penetrant
      and the refractive index of the vehicle mixture with R(2)>0.95 for K and >0.9 for
      partition coefficient (as K?D). This analysis improved on previous work, finding
      a more parsimonious model with higher predictability, while still identifying the
      mixture refractive index as a key descriptor in predicting vehicle effects. The
      concordance with established and expected relationships lends confidence to this
      new methodology for evaluating transient, finite dose, transdermal flux data
      collected using traditional experimental methods. 

PMID- 26282096
TI  - Enzyme sensitive, surface engineered nanoparticles for enhanced delivery of
      camptothecin.
AB  - To achieve a drug delivery system combining the programmable long circulation and
      targeting ability, surface engineering nanoparticles (NPs), having a sandwich
      structure consisting of a long circulating outmost layer, a targeting middle
      layer and a hydrophobic innermost core were constructed by mixing a matrix
      metalloproteinase MMP2 and MMP9-sensitive copolymers (mPEG-Pep-PCL) and folate
      receptor targeted copolymers (FA-PEG-PCL). Their physiochemical traits including
      morphology, particle size, drug loading content, and in vitro release profiles
      were studied. In vitro studies validated that the inhibition efficiency of tumor
      cells was effectively correlated with NP concentrations. Furthermore, The PEG
      layer would detach from the NPs due to the up-regulated extracellular MMP2 and
      MMP9 in tumors, resulting in the exposure of folate to enhance the cellular
      internalization via folate receptor mediated endocytosis, which accelerated the
      release rate of CPT in vivo. The antitumor efficacy, tumor targeting ability and
      bio-distribution of the NPs were examined in a B16 melanoma cells xenograft mouse
      model. These NPs showed improved tumor target ability and enhanced aggregation of
      camptothecin (CPT) in tumor site and prominent suppression of tumor growth. Thus
      this mPEG-Pep-PCL@FA-PEG-PCL core-shell structure NP could be a better candidate
      for the tumor specific delivery of hydrophobic drug. 

PMID- 26282097
TI  - Liposomes loaded with a STING pathway ligand, cyclic di-GMP, enhance cancer
      immunotherapy against metastatic melanoma.
AB  - Malignant melanomas escape immunosurveillance via the loss/down-regulation of MHC
      I expression. Natural killer (NK) cells have the potential to function as
      essential effector cells for eliminating melanomas. Cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP), a
      ligand of the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signal pathway, can be
      thought of as a new class of adjuvant against cancer. However, it is yet to be
      tested, because technologies for delivering c-di-GMP to the cytosol are required.
      Herein, we report that c-di-GMP efficiently activates NK cells and induces
      antitumor effects against malignant melanomas when loaded in YSK05 lipid
      containing liposomes, by assisting in the efficient delivery of c-di-GMP to the
      cytosol. The intravenous administration of c-di-GMP encapsulated within YSK05
      liposomes (c-di-GMP/YSK05-Lip) into mice efficiently induced the production of
      type I interferon (IFN) as well as the activation of NK cells, resulting in a
      significant antitumor effect in a lung metastasis mouse model using B16-F10. This
      antitumor effect was dominated by NK cells. The infiltration of NK cells was
      observed in the lungs with B16-F10 melanomas. These findings indicate that the c
      di-GMP/YSK05-Lip induces MHC-I non-restricted antitumor immunity mediated by NK
      cells. Consequently, c-di-GMP/YSK05-Lip represents a potentially new adjuvant
      system for use in immunotherapy against malignant melanomas. 

PMID- 26282098
TI  - Notch1 targeting siRNA delivery nanoparticles for rheumatoid arthritis therapy.
AB  - Notch pathway plays a pivotal role in synoviocytes involved in progression of
      rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Herein, we designed the Notch1 targeting siRNA
      delivery nanoparticles (siRNA-NPs) in order to confirm the anti-inflammatory
      effect in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model. The siRNA-NPs were successfully
      produced by encapsulating polymerized siRNA (poly-siRNA) into thiolated glycol
      chitosan (tGC) nanoparticles in aqueous condition. The in vitro Notch1 inhibition
      of siRNA-NPs in murine macrophage cell (RAW 264.7) was confirmed using confocal
      microscopy and real time PCR. Fluorescently labeled siRNA-NPs were successfully
      transfected in RAW 264.7 and modulated the expression of Notch1 in mRNA level.
      For in vivo study, siRNA-NPs exhibited the higher targeting efficiency in the
      arthritic joins of CIA mice, confirmed by the near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF)
      imaging. Furthermore, inhibition of Notch1 with siRNA-NPs resulted in retarded
      progression of inflammation, bone erosion, and cartilage damage in CIA mice.
      Novel Notch1 targeting siRNA delivery system of siRNA-NPs showed effective RA
      treatment by suppressing Notch1 signaling pathway without undesirable severe
      toxicity. Thus, Notch1 inhibiting siRNA-NPs demonstrated the great potential in
      RA therapeutics that was hard to be achieved using conventional drugs. 

PMID- 26282099
TI  - Efficacy and safety of the first and repeated intradetrusor injections of
      abobotulinum toxin A 750 U for treating neurological detrusor overactivity.
AB  - PURPOSE: To assess clinical and urodynamic efficacy of the first and repeated
      intradetrusor injections of abobotulinum toxin A (Dysport((r)), Ipsen((r)),
      France) in patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) refractory to
      anticholinergic treatment. METHODS: A single-center retrospective study was
      conducted in 81 consecutive patients who had never received any botulinum toxin
      intradetrusor injections. They were treated with at least one 750 U intradetrusor
      injection of abobotulinum toxin A. All patients performed clean intermittent self
      catheterization (CIC) before injections. Success was defined as a combination of
      no incontinence episode, a number of catheterization <8 reported in a 3-day
      bladder diary and the lack of detrusor overactivity. RESULTS: Six weeks after the
      first injection, the success rate was 64.2 %. The proportion of continent
      patients was 80.2 %, the mean number of CIC per 24 h reduced (-3.55, p < 0.0001)
      and the mean catheterization volume increased (+237.3 ml, p < 0.0001). Regarding
      urodynamics, mean maximum cystometric capacity and mean volume at the first
      uninhibited contraction increased (+132.7 ml, p < 0.0001 and +180 ml, p < 0.0001,
      respectively) and mean maximum bladder pressure decreased significantly (-21.5 cm
      H2O, p < 0.0001). Mean reinjection number was 3.9 and mean interval between
      reinjection was 8.8 +/- 3 months. The clinical efficacy rate after each
      reinjection (up to fourteen) was at least 86.7 %. Out of 55 patients who
      underwent repeated injections, secondary resistance was noted in 2 (3.6 %).
      CONCLUSION: The results of the present study are in favor of a long-term safety
      and efficacy of abobotulinum toxin A 750 U for NDO.

PMID- 26282100
TI  - Molecular mechanisms of extracellular vesicle-induced vessel destabilization in
      diabetic retinopathy.
AB  - AIMS: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is characterized by early dropout of capillary
      pericytes, leading to loss of control on endothelial proliferation and,
      subsequently, angiogenesis. We have demonstrated that extracellular vesicles (EV)
      derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) maintained in diabetic-like conditions
      may play a role in vessel destabilization, thus contributing to angiogenesis
      through paracrine signalling. In particular, a role for MMP-2 was described. This
      study was aimed at further investigating the molecular mechanisms of EV-induced
      vessel destabilization. METHODS: We evaluated miR-126 expression, the subsequent
      HIF-1alpha and VEGF modulation, Ang-2 and PDGF signalling pathways in human
      retinal pericytes (HRP) after exposure to MSC-derived EV obtained in diabetic
      like conditions (high glucose and/or hypoxia). RESULTS: HRP express miR-126, and
      this expression is down-regulated in intermittent high glucose. MSC-derived EV
      obtained in hyperglycaemic/hypoxic conditions down-regulate miR-126 expression in
      pericytes, leading to increased expression of angiogenic molecules, such as VEGF
      and HIF-1alpha. No modulation of Ang-2 and PDGF signalling pathways in pericytes
      was observed following EV exposure. CONCLUSIONS: HRP express miR-126, and this
      expression is down-regulated in diabetic-like conditions. Exposure of HRP to EV
      obtained in diabetic-like conditions is able to decrease miR-126 expression,
      consistently with previous observations of its involvement in DR and providing
      further insights into the role of EV in vessel destabilization. In contrast, PDGF
      and Ang-2 signalling pathways do not seem to be involved in these mechanisms.

PMID- 26282101
TI  - Excision versus trichloroacetic acid (TCA) chemocauterization for branchial sinus
      of the pyriform fossa.
AB  - PURPOSE: We analyzed the outcomes of open surgical excision and endoscopic
      trichloroacetic acid (TCA) chemocauterization for the treatment of branchial
      sinus of the pyriform fossa (BSPF). METHOD: We retrospectively reviewed the
      records of 27 patients (16 males and 11 females) who were treated for BSPF at the
      Asan Medical Center between 1996 and 2013. RESULTS: The median age of the 27
      patients was 4.5years (range, 0 to 15years). Before definitive surgery, 19
      (70.3%) of the patients had histories of neck infection, and 16 (59.2%) patients
      had neck abscesses that were drained. The lesions were predominantly located on
      the left side (26 of 27; 96.2%). Excisions were performed for 14 (48.1%)
      patients. TCA chemocauterizations were performed for 13 patients. After a median
      follow-up period of 5.5years, 11 patients developed recurrence. The recurrence
      rates were not significantly different between the excision and
      chemocauterization groups (35.7% vs 46.1%, respectively, p=0.704). All of the
      recurred patients were successfully treated with repeated chemocauterization or
      reexcision. Analyses of the risk factors for recurrence revealed that a previous
      infection history tended to increase the rate of recurrence (90.9% vs 56.2%,
      p=0.090). CONCLUSION: Our experience suggests that the outcomes of excision and
      TCA chemocauterization are not significantly different. Additional studies are
      needed to reach a consensus regarding the best treatment strategy for BSPF.

PMID- 26282102
TI  - MRI-based relationships between spine pathology, intervertebral disc
      degeneration, and muscle fatty infiltration in chondrodystrophic and non
      chondrodystrophic dogs.
AB  - BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Human studies have revealed a link between muscle
      degeneration and low back pain, although the cause and effect of this
      relationship is not clear. Dogs provide a naturally developing model of
      intervertebral disc (IVD)-related low back pain that may provide insight into
      relationships between IVD and muscle degeneration. PURPOSE: This study aimed to
      quantify, via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the magnitude and location of
      fatty infiltration in spine muscles of chondrodystrophic (CD) and non
      chondrodystrophic (NCD) dogs suffering from both intervertebral disc herniation
      (IVDH) and non-disc-related spinal disorders, and relate this to intervertebral
      disc degeneration (IVDD). STUDY DESIGN: This study used retrospective MRI-based
      analysis of IVDD and muscle fatty infiltration in CD and NCD dogs. METHODS: A
      portion of this study was funded ($1,000) by the Pet Trust Fund, Ontario
      Veterinary College. Magnetic resonance imaging from 180 dogs were separated into
      four groups: (1) CD with IVDH; (2) CD with non-IVDH spinal pathology; (3) NCD
      with IVDH; (4) NCD with non-IVDH spinal pathology. For each dog at intervertebral
      levels T12-T13 to L6-L7, IVDD was subjectively graded and muscle-fat indices
      (MFIndices) were quantified for multifidus, erector spinae, and psoas muscle
      groups. RESULTS: Intervertebral disc degeneration grade was higher (p<.0001) for
      CD compared with NCD dogs, and for dogs diagnosed with IVDH compared with dogs
      with non-IVDH pathology. Muscle-fat indices of multifidus and psoas were higher
      (p<.01), indicating greater fatty infiltration, for NCD compared with CD dogs,
      and for dogs with non-IVDH pathology compared with dogs with IVDH. Erector spinae
      demonstrated higher (p<.0001) MFIndices compared with multifidus and psoas;
      however, this level of fatty infiltration was not dependent upon breed or
      pathology. CONCLUSIONS: Dog groups with higher average IVDD grades demonstrated
      less fatty infiltration within their multifidus and psoas muscles, compared with
      groups with lower IVDD grades. This finding was consistent across both CD and NCD
      breeds as well as across dogs presenting with IVDH and those presenting with a
      non-IVDH spinal pathology. Thus, the presence or severity of IVDD is not uniquely
      related to fatty infiltration in these muscles, but rather the presence, or
      possibly severity or chronicity, of general spine pathology is likely a better
      predictor of fatty infiltration.

PMID- 26282103
TI  - Classification of patients with incident non-specific low back pain: implications
      for research.
AB  - BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Comparing research studies of low back pain is difficult
      because of heterogeneity. There is no consensus among researchers on inclusion
      criteria or the definition of an episode. PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine
      pattern(s) of recurrent non-specific low back pain from data collected over 27
      months. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: This study used retrospective cohort study using
      administrative claims from multiple payers. Although claims are designed for
      capturing costs, not clinical complexity, they are valid for describing
      utilization patterns, which are not affected by potential "upcoding." PATIENT
      SAMPLE: The patient sample consisted of population-based, nationally
      generalizable sample of 65,790 adults with continuous medical and pharmaceutical
      commercial health insurance who received health care for incident, non-specific
      low back pain. Potential subjects were excluded for plausible cause of the pain,
      severe mental illness, or cognitive impairment. OUTCOME MEASURES: Diagnostic and
      therapeutic health-care services, including medical, surgical, pharmaceutical,
      and complementary, received in inpatient, outpatient, and emergency settings were
      the outcome measures for this study. METHODS: The methods used for this study
      were latent class analysis of health-care utilization over 27 months (9 quarters)
      following index diagnosis of non-specific low back pain occurring in January
      March 2009 and an analysis sample with 60% of subjects (n=39,597) and validation
      sample of 40% (n=26,193). RESULTS: Four distinct groups of patients were
      identified and validated. One group (53.4%) of patients recovered immediately.
      One third of patients (31.7%) may appear to recover over 6 months, but maintain a
      37-48% likelihood of receiving care for low back pain in every subsequent
      quarter, implying frequent relapse. Two remaining groups of patients each
      maintain very high probabilities of receiving care in every quarter (65-78% and
      84-90%), predominantly utilizing therapeutic services and pain medication,
      respectively. Probabilistic grouping relative to alternatives was very high (89.6
      99.3%). Grouping was not related to demographic or clinical characteristics.
      CONCLUSIONS: The four distinct sets of patient experiences have clear
      implications for research. Inclusion criteria should specify incident or
      recurrent cases. A 6-month clean period may not be sufficiently long to assess
      incidence. Reporting should specify the proportion recovering immediately to
      prevent mean recovery rates from masking between-group differences. Continuous
      measurement of pain or disability may be more reliable than measuring outcomes at
      distinct endpoints.

PMID- 26282104
TI  - The relationship between the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia and low back pain
      rehabilitation outcomes.
AB  - BACKGROUNDCONTEXT: The Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK) is commonly used in
      clinical practice to quantify levels of pain-related fear of activity or re
      injury in patients presenting with back pain. Patients with high levels of
      kinesiophobia are often considered at greater risk of developing long-term
      activity limitation and chronicity. There is, however, little evidence to support
      this assumption. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the role of the
      TSK in determining eventual outcome in a cohort of low back pain patients
      completing a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: A
      prospective cohort study was used. PATIENT SAMPLE: The sample consisted of 313
      low back pain patients treated at one of six rehabilitation clinics in New
      Zealand over a 4-year period. OUTCOME MEASURES: The outcome measures for this
      study are the TSK, Numeric Pain Scale (NPS), Modified Low Back Outcome Score (m
      LBOS), and vocational status (working or not working). METHODS: TSK questionnaire
      scores and three additional quality of life (QoL) measures (NPS, m-LBOS, and
      vocational status) were recorded at the initial assessment and after a 6- to 12
      week period of rehabilitation. Statistical analysis was performed to determine
      the relationships between TSK scores and the QoL values recorded at initial
      assessment and postrehabilitation checkpoints. RESULTS: The correlations between
      initial TSK, NPS, and m-LBOS values recorded at assessment were statistically
      significant, but the relationships were weak. More importantly, there was no
      correlation between baseline TSK scores and changes in the numeric pain rating,
      perceived function, or vocational status after a period of rehabilitation.
      Correlations between changes in TSK scores and changes in NPS and m-LBOS values
      after rehabilitation were statistically significant, but the relationships were
      weak. CONCLUSIONS: The TSK provides no benefit as a screening tool to predict
      pain, functional and work outcomes following rehabilitation. Measured changes in
      TSK scores following rehabilitation do not correlate strongly with similar,
      concordant changes in pain scores, functional levels, or return-to-work outcomes.

PMID- 26282105
TI  - Influence of graft size on spinal instability with anterior cervical plate
      fixation following in vitro flexion-distraction injuries.
AB  - BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with plating (ACDFP)
      is commonly used for the treatment of distractive-flexion cervical spine
      injuries. Despite the prevalence of ACDFP, there is little biomechanical evidence
      for graft height selection in the unstable trauma scenario. PURPOSE: This study
      aimed to investigate whether changes in graft height affect the kinematics of
      instrumented ACDFP C5-C6 motion segments in the context of varying degrees of
      simulated facet injuries. STUDY DESIGN: In vitro cadaveric biomechanical study
      was used as study design. METHODS: Seven C5-C6 motion segments were mounted in a
      custom spine simulator and taken through flexibility testing in axial rotation,
      lateral flexion, and flexion-extension. Specimens were first tested intact,
      followed by a standardized injury model (SIM) for a unilateral facet perch at C5
      C6. The stability of the ACDFP approach was then examined with three graft
      heights (computed tomography-measured disc space height, disc space height
      undersized by 2.5 mm, and disc space height oversized by 2.5 mm) within three
      increasing unstable injuries (SIM, an added unilateral facet fracture, and a
      simulated bilateral facet dislocation injury). RESULTS: In all motions,
      regardless of graft size, ACDFP reduced range of motion (ROM) from the SIM state.
      For flexion-extension, the oversized graft had a larger decrease in ROM compared
      with the other graft sizes (p<.05). Between graft sizes and injury states, there
      were a number of interactions in axial rotation and lateral flexion, where
      specifically in the most severe injury, the undersized graft had a larger
      decrease in ROM than the other two sizes (p<.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study found
      that graft size did affect the kinematic stability of ACDFP in a series of
      distractive-flexion injuries; the undersized graft resulted in both facet overlap
      and locking of the uncovertebral joints leading to decreased ROM in lateral
      bending and axial rotation, whereas an oversized graft provided larger ROM
      decreases in flexion-extension. As such, a graft that engages the uncovertebral
      joint may be more advantageous in providing a rigid environment for fusion with
      ACDFP.

PMID- 26282106
TI  - Primary stability of three different iliosacral screw fixation techniques in
      osteoporotic cadaver specimens-a biomechanical investigation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The incidence of osteoporotic and insufficiency fractures of the
      pelvic ring is increasing. Closed reduction and percutaneous fixation with
      cannulated sacroiliac screws is well-established in the operative treatment of
      osteoporotic posterior pelvic ring fractures. However, osteoporotic bone quality
      might lead to the risk of screw loosening. For this reason, cement augmentation
      of the iliosacral screws is more frequently performed and recommended. PURPOSE:
      The aim of the present biomechanical study was to evaluate the primary stability
      of three methods of iliosacral screw fixation in human osteoporotic sacrum
      specimens. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: This study used methodical cadaver study.
      METHODS: A total of 15 fresh frozen human cadaveric specimens with osteoporosis
      were used (os sacrum). After matched pair randomization regarding bone quality (T
      score), three operation technique groups were generated: screw fixation
      (cannulated screws) without cement augmentation (Group A); screw fixation with
      cement augmentation before screw placement (cannulated screws) (Group B); and
      screw fixation with perforated screws and cement augmentation after screw
      placement (Group C). In all specimens both sides of the os sacrum were used for
      operative treatment, resulting in a group size of 10 specimens per group. One
      operation technique was used on each side of the sacral bone to compare
      biomechanical properties in the same bone quality. Pull-out tests were performed
      with a rate of 6 mm/min. A load versus displacement curve was generated. RESULTS:
      Subgroup 1 (Group A vs. Group B): Screw fixation without cement augmentation:
      594.4 N+/-463.7 and screw fixation with cement augmentation before screw
      placement: 1,020.8 N+/-333.3; values were significantly different (p=.025).
      Subgroup 2 (Group A vs. Group C): Screw fixation without cement augmentation:
      641.8 N+/-242.0 and perforated screw fixation with cement augmentation after
      screw placement: 1,029.6 N+/-326.5; values were significantly different (p=.048).
      Subgroup 3 (Group B vs. Group C): Screw fixation with cement augmentation before
      screw placement: 804.0 N+/-515.3 and perforated screw fixation with cement
      augmentation after screw placement: 889.8 N+/-503.3; values were not
      significantly different (p=.472). CONCLUSIONS: Regarding iliosacral screw
      fixation in osteoporotic bone, the primary stability of techniques involving
      cement augmentation is significantly higher compared with screw fixation without
      cement augmentation. Perforated screws with the same primary stability as that of
      conventional screw fixation in combination with cement augmentation might be a
      promising alternative in reducing complications of cement leakage. These
      biomechanical results have to be transferred into clinical practice and prove
      their clinical value.

PMID- 26282107
TI  - Gender differences in mortality among treated opioid dependent patients.
AB  - AIMS: To assess gender differences in characteristics, mortality rates, and the
      causes and predictors of death among treated opioid-dependent individuals.
      METHODS: Linked vital statistics data were obtained for all individuals first
      enrolled in publicly funded pharmacological treatment for opioid dependence in
      California from 2006 to 2010. Standardized mortality ratios (SMR) were calculated
      by gender. Cox proportional hazards models with time-varying covariates were
      fitted to determine the effect of gender on the hazard of all-cause mortality,
      controlling for covariates. RESULTS: Over a median 2.6 years (interquartile
      range: 1.4-3.7), 1.031 deaths were observed, including 2.2% (259/11,564) of women
      and 3.7% (772/20,758) of men. Women had a greater increased risk of mortality
      compared to the general population (SMR 5.1 95% CI: 4.5, 5.7) than men (SMR 4.3
      95% CI: 4.0, 4.6). The relative risk of death for women compared with men was
      1.18 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.36). Women had a lower instantaneous hazard of all-cause
      mortality than men (HR 0.58, 95% CI 0.50, 0.68), controlling for other factors.
      Significant interaction effects indicated that among men, mortality risk was
      decreased by full-time employment and increased by non-daily heroin use (relative
      to daily use) and medical problems. Concurrent opioid and methamphetamine/cocaine
      use increased mortality risk among women and decreased it among men. CONCLUSIONS:
      Treatment for opioid dependence is likely to reduce mortality risk among men by
      addressing employment and medical problems, and via interventions to reduce
      overdose risk after heroin abstinence, and among women by attending to the
      concurrent use of methamphetamine/cocaine and opioids.

PMID- 26282108
TI  - Trends and socioeconomic differences in policy triggers for thinking about
      quitting smoking: Findings from the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Europe
      Surveys.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The aim of the current study is to investigate trends and
      socioeconomic differences in policy triggers for thinking about quitting in six
      European countries. METHODS: Data were derived from all available survey waves of
      the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Europe Surveys (2003-2013). France
      conducted three survey waves (n=1420-1735), Germany three waves (n=515-1515), The
      Netherlands seven waves (n=1420-1668), Ireland three waves (n=582-1071), Scotland
      two waves (n=461-507), and the rest of the United Kingdom conducted seven survey
      waves (n=861-1737). Smokers were asked whether four different policies (cigarette
      price, smoking restrictions in public places, free or lower cost medication, and
      warning labels on cigarette packs) influenced them to think about quitting.
      Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) models were estimated for each country.
      RESULTS: Cigarette price was mentioned most often in all countries and across all
      waves as trigger for thinking about quitting. Mentioning cigarette price and
      warning labels increased after the implementation of price increases and warning
      labels in some countries, while mentioning smoking restrictions decreased after
      their implementation in four countries. All studied policy triggers were
      mentioned more often by smokers with low and/or moderate education and income
      than smokers with high education and income. The education and income differences
      did not change significantly over time for most policies and in most countries.
      CONCLUSIONS: Tobacco control policies work as a trigger to increase thoughts
      about quitting, particularly in smokers with low education and low income and
      therefore have the potential to reduce health inequalities in smoking.

PMID- 26282109
TI  - The use of psychoactive prescription drugs among DUI suspects.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The study seeks to increase understanding of the use of psychoactive
      prescription drugs among persons suspected of driving under the influence (DUI).
      We studied whether the use of prescribed psychoactive medication was associated
      with DUI, and examined the difference in the use of prescription drugs between
      DUI recidivists and those arrested only once. METHODS: In this register-based
      study, persons suspected of DUI (n=29470) were drawn from the Register of DUI
      suspects, and an age- and gender-matched reference population (n=30043) was drawn
      from the Finnish general population. Data on prescription drug use was obtained
      by linkage to the National Prescription Register. The associations of DUI arrest
      and use of psychoactive prescription drugs in different DUI groups (findings for
      alcohol only, prescription drugs, prescription drugs and alcohol, illicit drugs)
      were estimated by using mixed-effect logistic regression. RESULTS: The use of
      psychoactive prescription drugs and DUI appeared to be strongly associated, with
      DUI suspects significantly more likely to use psychoactive prescription drugs
      compared to the reference population. Gender differences existed, with the use of
      benzodiazepines being more common among female DUI suspects. Moreover, DUI
      recidivists were more likely to use psychoactive prescription drugs compared to
      those arrested only once. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to alcohol and/or illicit drug
      use, a significant proportion of DUI suspects were using psychoactive
      prescription drugs. When prescribing psychoactive medication, especially
      benzodiazepines, physicians are challenged to screen for possible substance use
      problems and also to monitor for patients' alcohol or illicit drug use while
      being medicated.

PMID- 26282110
TI  - Systematic chromatin state comparison of epigenomes associated with diverse
      properties including sex and tissue type.
AB  - Epigenomic data sets provide critical information about the dynamic role of
      chromatin states in gene regulation, but a key question of how chromatin state
      segmentations vary under different conditions across the genome has remained
      unaddressed. Here we present ChromDiff, a group-wise chromatin state comparison
      method that generates an information-theoretic representation of epigenomes and
      corrects for external covariate factors to better isolate relevant chromatin
      state changes. By applying ChromDiff to the 127 epigenomes from the Roadmap
      Epigenomics and ENCODE projects, we provide novel group-wise comparative analyses
      across sex, tissue type, state and developmental age. Remarkably, we find that
      distinct sets of epigenomic features are maximally discriminative for different
      group-wise comparisons, in each case revealing distinct enriched pathways, many
      of which do not show gene expression differences. Our methodology should be
      broadly applicable for epigenomic comparisons and provides a powerful new tool
      for studying chromatin state differences at the genome scale. 

PMID- 26282112
TI  - Reducing pawing in horses using positive reinforcement.
AB  - Aversive control is a common method to reduce undesirable behavior in horses.
      However, it often results in unintended negative side effects, including
      potential abuse of the animal. Procedures based on positive reinforcement, such
      as differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO), may reduce undesirable
      behaviors with fewer negative consequences. The current study used DRO schedules
      to reduce pawing using a multiple baseline design across 3 horses. Results
      indicated that DRO schedules were effective at reducing pawing. However,
      individual differences in sensitivity to DRO and reinforcer efficacy may be
      important considerations. 

PMID- 26282111
TI  - Relationship between body mass index and left atrial appendage thrombus in
      nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.
AB  - Atrial fibrillation and obesity are two major growing epidemics in the United
      States and globally. Obese people are at the increased risk of developing atrial
      fibrillation. The contribution of obesity as an independent risk factor for
      stroke in the setting of atrial fibrillation remains unclear. We tested the
      hypothesis that non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients with increased
      body mass index (BMI) would be at increased risk for the development of left
      atrial appendage thrombus (LAAT). Consecutive, anticoagulation naive patients
      with NVAF referred for a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) between January 1,
      2007 and October 21, 2009 were approached for study participation. All clinical,
      laboratory, and TEE measurement data were collected prospectively. Within a group
      of 400 anticoagulation naive NVAF patients (mean age 63 +/- 15 years, 28 % women;
      17 % with LAAT) the prevalence of LAAT was similar across all BMI categories
      (normal 13 %, overweight 19 %, obese 16 %, morbidly obese 16 %; p = 0.71).
      Despite a higher CHADS2 score and a higher prevalence of both hypertension and
      diabetes mellitus, elevated BMI was not an independent predictor of LAAT when
      analyzed as either a continuous variable, across BMI WHO categories, a
      dichotomous variable stratified at values above versus below 27 kg/m(2), or BMI
      stratified on atrial fibrillation duration. Despite a higher prevalence of major
      risk factors for thromboembolism, the prevalence of LAAT was not increased in
      overweight, obese, and morbidly obese patients.

PMID- 26282114
TI  - Insights into the formation of chiral second sphere coordination complexes with
      aromatic tris amines: combined single crystal X-ray crystallography and molecular
      modeling analyses.
AB  - A family of isostructural, chiral supramolecular networks have been obtained in
      the solid state by exploiting second sphere coordination interactions in the self
      assembly of achiral tris amines and with tetrahalometallate and halide ions.
      Quantum-Mechanical (QM) calculations specific for solid phases provided
      additional insights into the intramolecular and packing interactions which
      determine chirality, pointing to a direct effect of the methyl groups of the
      central benzene ring. 

PMID- 26282113
TI  - Up-regulation of PSMB4 is associated with neuronal apoptosis after
      neuroinflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide.
AB  - Proteasomes are major intracellular extralysosomal organelle for protein
      degradation and a central source of antigenic peptides in the endogenous pathway.
      Proteasome beta-4 subunit (PSMB4) was recently identified as potential cancer
      driver genes in several tumors. However, information regarding its regulation and
      possible function in the central nervous system is still limited. The present
      study was designed to elucidate dynamic changes in PSMB4 expression and
      distribution in the cerebral cortex in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced
      neuroinflammation rat model. It was found that PSMB4 expression was increased
      significantly in apoptotic neurons in the brain cortex after LPS injection.
      Moreover, there was a concomitant up-regulation of active caspase-3, cyclin D1,
      and CDK4 in vivo and vitro studies. In addition, these three proteins in cortical
      primary neurons were decreased after knocking down PSMB4 by siRNA. Collectively,
      these results suggested that PSMB4 may be involved in neuronal apoptosis in
      neuroinflammation after LPS injection. 

PMID- 26282115
TI  - Principles of shared decision-making within teams.
AB  - In the domain of paediatric and congenital cardiac care, the stakes are huge.
      Likewise, the care of these children assembles a group of "A+ personality"
      individuals from the domains of cardiac surgery, cardiology, anaesthesiology,
      critical care, and nursing. This results in an environment that has opportunity
      for both powerful collaboration and powerful conflict. Providers of healthcare
      should avoid conflict when it has no bearing on outcome, as it is clearly a
      squandering of individual and collective political capital. Outcomes after
      cardiac surgery are now being reported transparently and publicly. In the present
      era of transparency, one may wonder how to balance the following potentially
      competing demands: quality healthcare, transparency and accountability, and
      teamwork and shared decision-making. An understanding of transparency and public
      reporting in the domain of paediatric cardiac surgery facilitates the
      implementation of a strategy for teamwork and shared decision-making. In January,
      2015, the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) began to publicly report outcomes of
      paediatric and congenital cardiac surgery using the 2014 Society of Thoracic
      Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery Database (STS-CHSD) Mortality Risk Model. The
      2014 STS-CHSD Mortality Risk Model facilitates description of Operative Mortality
      adjusted for procedural and patient-level factors. The need for transparency in
      reporting of outcomes can create pressure on healthcare providers to implement
      strategies of teamwork and shared decision-making to assure outstanding results.
      A simple strategy of shared decision-making was described by Tom Karl and was
      implemented in multiple domains by Jeff Jacobs and David Cooper. In a critical
      care environment, it is not unusual for healthcare providers to disagree about
      strategies of management of patients. When two healthcare providers disagree,
      each provider can classify the disagreement into three levels: * SDM Level 1
      Decision: "We disagree but it really does not matter, so do whatever you desire!"
      * SDM Level 2 Decision: "We disagree and I believe it matters, but I am OK if you
      do whatever you desire!!" * SDM Level 3 Decision: "We disagree and I must insist
      (diplomatically and politely) that we follow the strategy that I am
      proposing!!!!!!" SDM Level 1 Decisions and SDM Level 2 Decisions typically do not
      create stress on the team, especially when there is mutual purpose and respect
      among the members of the team. SDM Level 3 Decisions are the real challenge.
      Periodically, the healthcare team is faced with such Level 3 Decisions, and
      teamwork and shared decision-making may be challenged. Teamwork is a learned
      behaviour, and mentorship is critical to achieve a properly balanced approach. If
      we agree to leave our egos at the door, then, in the final analysis, the team
      will benefit and we will set the stage for optimal patient care. In the
      environment of strong disagreement, true teamwork and shared decision-making are
      critical to preserve the unity and strength of the multi-disciplinary team and
      simultaneously provide excellent healthcare. 

PMID- 26282117
TI  - A cost-effective fluorescence mini-microscope for biomedical applications.
AB  - We have designed and fabricated a miniature microscope from off-the-shelf
      components and a webcam, with built-in fluorescence capability for biomedical
      applications. The mini-microscope was able to detect both biochemical parameters,
      such as cell/tissue viability (e.g. live/dead assay), and biophysical properties
      of the microenvironment such as oxygen levels in microfabricated tissues based on
      an oxygen-sensitive fluorescent dye. This mini-microscope has adjustable
      magnifications from 8-60*, achieves a resolution as high as <2 MUm, and possesses
      a long working distance of 4.5 mm (at a magnification of 8*). The mini-microscope
      was able to chronologically monitor cell migration and analyze beating of
      microfluidic liver and cardiac bioreactors in real time, respectively. The mini
      microscope system is cheap, and its modularity allows convenient integration with
      a wide variety of pre-existing platforms including, but not limited to, cell
      culture plates, microfluidic devices, and organs-on-a-chip systems. Therefore, we
      envision its widespread application in cell biology, tissue engineering,
      biosensing, microfluidics, and organs-on-chips, which can potentially replace
      conventional bench-top microscopy where long-term in situ and large-scale
      imaging/analysis is required. 

PMID- 26282119
TI  - Myelin plasticity in the central nervous system.
AB  - Myelin sheaths, specialized segments of oligodendrocyte (OL) plasma membranes in
      the central nervous system (CNS), facilitate fast, saltatory conduction of action
      potentials down axons. Changes to the fine structure of myelin in a neural
      circuit, including sheath thickness and internode length (length of myelin
      segments between nodes of Ranvier), are expected to affect conduction velocity of
      action potentials. Myelination of the mammalian CNS occurs in a stereotyped,
      progressive pattern and continues well into adulthood in humans. Recent evidence
      from zebrafish, rodents, non-human primates, and humans suggests that myelination
      may be sensitive to experiences during development and adulthood, and that
      varying levels of neuronal activity may underlie these experience-dependent
      changes in myelin and myelin-forming cells. Several cellular, molecular, and
      epigenetic mechanisms have been investigated as contributors to myelin
      plasticity. A deeper understanding of myelin plasticity and its underlying
      mechanisms may provide insights into diseases involving myelin damage or
      dysregulation. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled
      'Oligodendrocytes in Health and Disease'.

PMID- 26282118
TI  - Small molecule TrkB agonist deoxygedunin protects nigrostriatal dopaminergic
      neurons from 6-OHDA and MPTP induced neurotoxicity in rodents.
AB  - Dopaminergic neurons loss in the substantia nigra (SN) and dopamine (DA) content
      loss in the striatum correlate well with disease severity in Parkinson's disease
      (PD). Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a member of neurotrophin family
      and is necessary for the survival and development of DA neurons in the SN.
      Deficits in BDNF/TrkB receptors signaling contribute to the dysfunction of PD.
      Deoxygedunin, a derivative of gedunin produced from Indian neem tree, binds TrkB
      receptor and activates TrkB and its downstream signaling cascades in a BDNF
      independent manner, and possesses neuroprotective effects in vitro and in vivo.
      In this study, we tested the neuroprotective effects of deoxygedunin in 6
      hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-lesioned rat model and 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6
      tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced mice model of Parkinson's disease. Rats were
      treated with deoxygedunin 5 mg/kg (i.p.) for one month started two weeks before 6
      OHDA lesion (pre-treatment), or for two weeks right after lesion (post
      treatment), with isovolumetric vehicle as control and normal. Mice were given
      deoxygedunin 5 mg/kg (i.p.) for 2 weeks and administrated with MPTP twice at the
      dose of 20 mg/kg (i.p.) on day 7. The results revealed that pretreatment with
      deoxygedunin improved PD models' behavioral performance and reduced dopaminergic
      neurons loss in SN, associated with the activation of TrkB receptors and its two
      major signaling cascades involving mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and
      phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K). Thus, our current study indicates that
      deoxygedunin, as a small molecule TrkB agonist, displays prominent
      neuroprotective properties, providing a novel therapeutic strategy for treating
      Parkinson's disease. 

PMID- 26282120
TI  - Histamine and histamine receptors in Tourette syndrome and other neuropsychiatric
      conditions.
AB  - The potential contributions of dysregulation of the brain's histaminergic
      modulatory system to neuropsychiatric disease, and the potential of histamine
      targeting medications as therapeutic agents, are gradually coming into focus. The
      H3R receptor, which is expressed primarily in the central nervous system, is a
      promising pharmacotherapeutic target. Recent evidence for a contribution of
      histamine dysregulation to Tourette syndrome and tic disorders is particularly
      strong; although specific mutations in histamine-associated genes are rare, they
      have led to informative studies in animal models that may pave the way for
      therapeutic advances. A controlled study of an H3R antagonist in Tourette
      syndrome is ongoing. Preclinical studies of H3R antagonists in schizophrenia,
      attention deficit disorder, and narcolepsy have all shown promise. Recently
      reported controlled studies have been disappointing in schizophrenia and
      attention deficit disorder, but the H3R antagonist pitolisant shows promise in
      the treatment of narcolepsy and excessive daytime sleepiness and is currently
      under regulatory review for these conditions. This article is part of the Special
      Issue entitled 'Histamine Receptors'.

PMID- 26282121
TI  - Enamel surface roughness of preferred debonding and polishing protocols.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the surface roughness of enamel after
      debonding and instrumentation with commonly used methods. METHODS: Part I: a
      survey was sent to active members of the American Association of Orthodontists to
      determine popular bonding, debonding, and polishing protocols. Part II: brackets
      were bonded to the buccal surface of 30 extracted human premolar teeth. After
      debonding, residual adhesive was removed with 12-, 16-, and 20-fluted titanium
      carbide burs as based upon the survey results. The teeth were scanned with a
      surface profilometer for surface roughness. Part III: the teeth were further
      polished using a Reliance Renew polishing point or a prophy cup with pumice and
      rescanned for surface roughness. RESULTS: Part I: the majority of respondents
      used a generic bracket-removing plier to remove fixed appliances (53%) and a high
      speed handpiece for adhesive removal (85%). The most popular bur was a 12-fluted
      carbide bur without water spray. The majority of respondents used pumice paste
      and/or Reliance Renew points after adhesive removal. Part II: there was a
      significant difference in enamel surface roughness when 12-, 16-, and 20-fluted
      carbide burs were compared via surface profilometry. Part III: further polishing
      with a Reliance Renew point or a prophy cup and pumice did not provide a
      significantly smoother surface. CONCLUSIONS: The results show large variation in
      debonding and polishing techniques. Creating a smooth enamel surface is equally
      possible with 12- or 20-fluted carbide burs. Further polishing with pumice and
      prophy cup or Renew point does not provide an enamel smoother surface.

PMID- 26282122
TI  - Associations between risk factors in childhood (12-13 years) and adulthood (48-49
      years) and subclinical atherosclerosis: the Kaunas Cardiovascular Risk Cohort
      Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The data on the childhood determinants of adult cardiovascular
      disease (CVD) are lacking in populations of Eastern Europe that are characterised
      by substantially high CVD mortality. From a public health perspective, it is
      important to identify high-risk individuals as early as possible in order to have
      the greatest benefit of preventive interventions. The aim of this study was to
      evaluate the associations of childhood and adulthood traditional risk factors
      with subclinical atherosclerosis and arterial stiffness in a Lithuanian cohort
      followed up for 35 years. METHODS: The study cohort consisted of 380 adults aged
      48-49 from Kaunas Cardiovascular Risk Cohort study, who were followed up since
      childhood (12-13 years). The baseline survey (1977) included blood pressure (BP)
      and anthropometric measurements and sexual maturity scale. In the follow-up
      survey (2012), BP, anthropometric and lipids measurements, interview about
      smoking, measurement of carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and determination of
      pulse wave velocity (PWV) were performed. Two types of general linear models were
      applied to test the associations of childhood and adulthood risk factors with IMT
      and PWV. Model 1 included only childhood variables. In model 2, adulthood
      variables were added to childhood variables. RESULTS: In linear regression model
      with childhood variables childhood systolic BP (beta = 0.014; p = 0.016) and BMI
      (beta = 0.006; p = 0.003) were directly associated with IMT only in women. When
      adulthood variables were included into regression model, the association between
      childhood systolic BP and IMT remained significant (beta = 0.013; p = 0.021),
      while childhood BMI was not associated with IMT (beta = 0.003; p = 0.143).
      Additionally, association of adult smoking and IMT was found in women (beta =
      0.033; p = 0.018). IMT of men was directly related to adult systolic BP (beta =
      0.022; p = 0.018) and inversely to HDL cholesterol level (beta = -0.044; p =
      0.021). PWV was directly associated only with adult systolic BP in both genders
      (beta = 0.729 for men and beta = 0.476 for women; p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Sex
      differences in the associations between childhood and adulthood risk factors and
      subclinical atherosclerosis were found. The results of the study support efforts
      to reduce conventional risk factors both in childhood and adulthood for the
      primary prevention of atherosclerosis.

PMID- 26282123
TI  - Variability and pathogenicity of hepatitis E virus genotype 3 variants.
AB  - Infection with hepatitis E virus (HEV) can be clinically inapparent or produce
      symptoms and signs of hepatitis of varying severity and occasional fatality. This
      variability in clinical outcomes may reflect differences in host susceptibility
      or the presence of virally encoded determinants of pathogenicity. Analysis of
      complete genome sequences supports the division of HEV genotype 3 (HEV-3)
      variants into three major clades: 3ra comprising HEV isolates from rabbits, and
      3efg and 3abchij comprising the corresponding named subtypes derived from humans
      and pigs. Using this framework, we investigated associations between viral
      genetic variability of HEV-3 in symptomatic and asymptomatic infections by
      comparing HEV-3 subgenomic sequences previously obtained from blood donors with
      those from patients presenting with hepatitis in the UK (54 blood donors, 148
      hepatitis patients), the Netherlands (38 blood donors, 119 hepatitis patients),
      France (24 blood donors, 55 hepatitis patients) and Germany (14 blood donors, 36
      hepatitis patients). In none of these countries was evidence found for a
      significant association between virus variants and patient group (P>0.05 Fisher's
      exact test). Furthermore, within a group of 123 patients in Scotland with
      clinically apparent HEV infections, we found no evidence for an association
      between variants of HEV-3 and disease severity or alanine aminotransferase level.
      The lack of detectable virally encoded determinants of disease outcomes in HEV-3
      infection implies a more important role for host factors in its clinical
      phenotype. 

PMID- 26282124
TI  - Munchausen syndrome revealed by subcutaneous limb emphysema: a case report.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Limb subcutaneous emphysema secondary to a Munchausen syndrome
      represents a rare and severe entity because it involves the functional prognosis
      of the limb and vital prognosis of the patient. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the
      case of an 18-year-old Moroccan woman patient who presented to our hospital with
      a subcutaneous emphysema of the shoulder girdle and the right arm, caused by our
      patient. Treatment was aggressive, with a wide surgical debridement, parenteral
      antibiotic therapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The results have been
      favorable. CONCLUSIONS: The correlation of anamnestic data and clinical and para
      clinical exams were essential for the diagnosis of Munchausen syndrome in this
      case. In this regard, we report a rare case of subcutaneous limb emphysema
      secondary to Munchausen syndrome.

PMID- 26282125
TI  - A new instrument for estimation of survival in elderly patients irradiated for
      metastatic spinal cord compression from breast cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Elderly patients become more important in oncology. In this group,
      personalized treatment approaches taking into account survival prognoses and
      comorbidities play a major role. Predictive instruments are necessary to estimate
      the survival of elderly cancer patients. The importance of separate instruments
      for different tumor entities has been recognized. In this study, an instrument
      was generated to estimate the survival of elderly patients developing metastatic
      spinal cord compression (MSCC) from breast cancer. METHODS: In 218 elderly
      patients (age >=65 years) irradiated for MSCC from breast cancer, nine factors
      were evaluated for survival: fractionation regimen, age, time from breast cancer
      diagnosis to RT of MSCC, visceral metastases, other bone metastases, time
      developing motor deficits, pre-radiotherapy ambulatory status, number of involved
      vertebrae, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance score.
      Factors significantly associated with survival in the Cox regression analysis
      were included in the prognostic instrument. Scores for each factor were
      calculated by dividing the 6-months survival rates by 10. The sums of these
      scores represented the patients' scores. RESULTS: On multivariate analyses,
      visceral metastases (p < 0.001), time developing motor deficits (p < 0.001),
      ambulatory status (p < 0.001), number of involved vertebrae (p = 0.032), and ECOG
      performance score (p < 0.001) were significant and included in the prognostic
      instrument. Based on the patients' scores, three groups were designed: 18-27
      points, 28-39 points and 40-42 points. Six-months survival rates were 4, 62 and
      100%, respectively (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This new instrument contributes to
      personalized treatment in elderly patients with MSCC from breast cancer by
      predicting an individual patient's survival prognosis.

PMID- 26282126
TI  - Depression in late adolescence: a cross-sectional study in senior high schools in
      Greece.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Depression is a common mental health problem in adolescents
      worldwide. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence,
      comorbidity and sociodemographic and socioeconomic associations of depression and
      depressive symptoms, as well as the relevant health services use in a sample of
      adolescents in Greece. METHODS: Five thousand six hundred fourteen adolescents
      aged 16-18 years old and attending 25 senior high schools were screened and a
      stratified random sample of 2,427 were selected for a detailed interview.
      Psychiatric morbidity was assessed with a fully structured psychiatric interview,
      the revised Clinical Interview Schedule (CIS-R). The use of substances, such as
      alcohol, nicotine and cannabis, and several sociodemographic and socioeconomic
      variables have been also assessed. RESULTS: In our sample the prevalence rates
      were 5.67 % for the depressive episode according to ICD-10 and 17.43 % for a
      broader definition of depressive symptoms. 49.38 % of the adolescents with
      depressive episode had at least one comorbid anxiety disorder [OR: 7.76 (5.52
      10.92)]. Only 17.08 % of the adolescents with depression have visited a doctor
      due to a psychological problem during the previous year. Anxiety disorders,
      substance use, female gender, older age, having one sibling, and divorce or
      separation of the parents were all associated with depression. In addition, the
      presence of financial difficulties in the family was significantly associated
      with an increased prevalence of both depression and depressive symptoms.
      CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence and comorbidity rates of depression among Greek
      adolescents are substantial. Only a small minority of depressed adolescents seek
      professional help. Significant associations with financial difficulties are
      reported.

PMID- 26282127
TI  - The evolutionary dynamics of tRNA-gene copy number and codon-use in E. coli.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The introduction of foreign DNA by Lateral Gene Transfer (LGT) can
      quickly and drastically alter genome composition. Problems can arise if the genes
      introduced by LGT use codons that are not suited to the host's translational
      machinery. Here we investigate compensatory adaptation of E. coli in response to
      the introduction of large volumes of codons that are rarely used by the host
      genome. RESULTS: We analyze genome sequences from the E. coli/Shigella complex,
      and find that certain tRNA genes are present in multiple copies in two pathogenic
      Shigella and O157:H7 subgroups of E. coli. Furthermore, we show that the codons
      that correspond to these multi-copy number tRNA genes are enriched in the high
      copy number Selfish Genetic Elements (SGE's) in Shigella and laterally introduced
      genes in O157:H7. We analyze the duplicate copies and find evidence for the
      selective retention of tRNA genes introduced by LGT in response to the changed
      codon content of the genome. CONCLUSION: These data support a model where the
      relatively rapid influx of LGT genes and SGE's introduces a large number of genes
      maladapted to the host's translational machinery. Under these conditions, it
      becomes advantageous for the host to retain tRNA genes that are required for the
      incorporation of amino acids at these codons. Subsequently, the increased number
      of copies of these specific tRNA genes adjusts the cellular tRNA pool to the
      demands set by global shifts in codon usage.

PMID- 26282130
TI  - Retraction for Leung et al., A Negative-Feedback Loop between the
      Detoxification/Antioxidant Response Factor SKN-1 and Its Repressor WDR-23 Matches
      Organism Needs with Environmental Conditions.

PMID- 26282129
TI  - Endothelial cells induce cancer stem cell features in differentiated glioblastoma
      cells via bFGF.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a rapidly growing malignant brain
      tumor, which has been reported to be organized in a hierarchical fashion with
      cancer stem cells (CSCs) at the apex. Recent studies demonstrate that this
      hierarchy does not follow a one-way route but can be reverted with more
      differentiated cells giving rise to cells possessing CSC features. We
      investigated the role of tumor microvascular endothelial cells (tMVECs) in
      reverting differentiated glioblastoma cells to CSC-like cells. METHODS: We made
      use of primary GBM lines and tMVECs. To ensure differentiation, CSC-enriched
      cultures were forced into differentiation using several stimuli and cultures
      consisting solely of differentiated cells were obtained by sorting on the
      oligodendrocyte marker O4. Reversion to the CSC state was assessed phenotypically
      by CSC marker expression and functionally by evaluating clonogenic and
      multilineage differentiation potential. RESULTS: Conditioned medium of tMVECs was
      able to replenish the CSC pool by phenotypically and functionally reverting
      differentiated GBM cells to the CSC state. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF),
      secreted by tMVECs, recapitulated the effects of the conditioned medium in
      inducing re-expression of CSC markers and increasing neurosphere formation
      ability of differentiated GBM cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate that
      the CSC-based hierarchy displays a high level of plasticity showing that
      differentiated GBM cells can acquire CSC features when placed in the right
      environment. These results point to the need to intersect the elaborate network
      of tMVECs and GBM CSCs for efficient elimination of GBM CSCs.

PMID- 26282128
TI  - Catastrophic health expenditure and 12-month mortality associated with cancer in
      Southeast Asia: results from a longitudinal study in eight countries.
AB  - BACKGROUND: One of the biggest obstacles to developing policies in cancer care in
      Southeast Asia is lack of reliable data on disease burden and economic
      consequences. In 2012, we instigated a study of new cancer patients in the
      Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region - the Asean CosTs In
      ONcology (ACTION) study - to assess the economic impact of cancer. METHODS: The
      ACTION study is a prospective longitudinal study of 9,513 consecutively recruited
      adult patients with an initial diagnosis of cancer. Twelve months after
      diagnosis, we recorded death and household financial catastrophe (out-of-pocket
      medical costs exceeding 30% of annual household income). We assessed the effect
      on these two outcomes of a range of socio-demographic, clinical, and economic
      predictors using a multinomial regression model. RESULTS: The mean age of
      participants was 52 years; 64% were women. A year after diagnosis, 29% had died,
      48% experienced financial catastrophe, and just 23% were alive with no financial
      catastrophe. The risk of dying from cancer and facing catastrophic payments was
      associated with clinical variables, such as a more advanced disease stage at
      diagnosis, and socioeconomic status pre-diagnosis. Participants in the low income
      category within each country had significantly higher odds of financial
      catastrophe (odds ratio, 5.86; 95% confidence interval, 4.76-7.23) and death
      (5.52; 4.34-7.02) than participants with high income. Those without insurance
      were also more likely to experience financial catastrophe (1.27; 1.05-1.52) and
      die (1.51; 1.21-1.88) than participants with insurance. CONCLUSIONS: A cancer
      diagnosis in Southeast Asia is potentially disastrous, with over 75% of patients
      experiencing death or financial catastrophe within one year. This study adds
      compelling evidence to the argument for policies that improve access to care and
      provide adequate financial protection from the costs of illness.

PMID- 26282131
TI  - Retraction for Leung et al., Direct Interaction between the WD40 Repeat Protein
      WDR-23 and SKN-1/Nrf Inhibits Binding to Target DNA.

PMID- 26282133
TI  - Harnessing Dynamic Covalent Bonds in Patchy Nanoparticles: Creating Shape
      Shifting Building Blocks for Rational and Responsive Self-Assembly.
AB  - Using computational modeling, we suggest and demonstrate a novel class of
      building blocks for nanoparticle self-assembly, that is, shape-shifting patchy
      nanoparticles. These nanoparticles are designed by harnessing dynamic covalent
      bonds between nanoparticles and patches decorated on them. The breaking and
      reforming of these bonds in response to their environment allow the patches to
      undergo a structural rearrangement that shifts the location or number of patches.
      Our simulations for the assembled superstructures and kinetic pathway of two
      types of these building blocks demonstrate that shape-shifting patchy
      nanoparticles delicately meet two emerging design concepts of next generation
      materials: rational self-assembly and responsive matter. In this context, these
      nanoparticles may enable new generations of materials with reconfigurable
      property as well as controllable topologies in a dynamical manner. 

PMID- 26282134
TI  - Enhanced Electrocatalytic Properties of Transition-Metal Dichalcogenides Sheets
      by Spontaneous Gold Nanoparticle Decoration.
AB  - Here, we report that transition-metal dichalcogenides such as MoS2 and WS2 can be
      decorated with gold nanoparticles by a spontaneous redox reaction with
      hexachloroauric acid in water. The resulting gold nanoparticles tend to grow at
      defective sites, and therefore, selective decorations at the edges and the line
      defects in the basal planes of bulk single crystals were observed. The lithium
      intercalation-exfoliation process makes the basal planes of chemically exfoliated
      MoS2 and WS2 sheets much more defective than their single-crystalline
      counterparts, leading to a more uniform and higher-density deposition of gold
      nanoparticles. Due to the greatly improved charge transport between adjacent
      sheets, the resulting MoS2/Au and WS2/Au hybrids show significantly enhanced
      electrocatalytic performance toward hydrogen evolution reactions. 

PMID- 26282135
TI  - Effect of Protonation State on the Stability of Amyloid Oligomers Assembled from
      TTR(105-115).
AB  - Amyloid fibrils are self-assembled aggregates of polypeptides that are implicated
      in the development of several human diseases. A peptide derived from amino acids
      105-115 of the human plasma protein transthyretin forms homogeneous and well
      defined fibrils and, as a model system, has been the focus of a number of studies
      investigating the formation and structure of this class of aggregates. Self
      assembly of TTR(105-115) occurs at low pH, and this work explores the effect of
      protonation on the growth and stability of small cross-beta aggregates. Using
      molecular dynamics simulations of structures up to the decamer in both protonated
      and deprotonated states, we find that, whereas hexamers are more stable for
      protonated peptides, higher order oligomers are more stable when the peptides are
      deprotonated. Our findings imply a change in the acid pK of the protonated C
      terminal group during the formation of fibrils, which leads to stabilization of
      higher-order oligomers through electrostatic interactions. 

PMID- 26282136
TI  - Confinement Effects on UV-Visible Absorption Spectra: beta-Carotene Inside Carbon
      Nanotube as a Test Case.
AB  - The effect of the confinement in a single-wall carbon nanotube on the optical
      properties of beta-carotene is studied at the time-dependent density functional
      theory level. A complex computational protocol has been developed, based on a
      multilayered ONIOM approach making use of a recent range-separated hybrid
      functional as well as dispersion corrections. The role of both mechanical and
      electronic embedding has been clearly pointed out, showing how the inclusion of
      the latter is mandatory for a correct description of the experimental data. The
      correct calculation of the bathochromic shift experimentally observed upon
      encapsulation (0.23 eV) shows the ability of this computational protocol to
      reproduce all the physics behind such a complex host-guest interaction. From a
      more chemical point of view, this study allows one to show how such a shift is
      related to both geometrical and polarization effects. 

PMID- 26282137
TI  - Graphene Materials for Electrochemical Capacitors.
AB  - Electrochemical capacitors (ECs) have been widely applied in electronics,
      electric vehicles, aircrafts, energy storage devices, uninterrupted or emergency
      power supplies, and so on. An ideal EC should have high energy and/or powder
      density, good rate capability, and long cycling life. Recently, graphene,
      graphene derivatives, and their composites have been explored as the electrode
      materials of ECs to satisfy these requirements. In this Perspective, we review
      the recent development in synthesizing graphene materials for ECs and discuss the
      strategies of fabricating graphene-based macroscopic electrodes. Particularly, we
      highlight the importance of the specific surface area, conductivity, and
      heteroatom-doping of graphene sheets and the micro/nanostructures of their
      electrodes for controlling the performances of graphene-based ECs. 

PMID- 26282138
TI  - Highly Active, Nonprecious Metal Perovskite Electrocatalysts for Bifunctional
      Metal-Air Battery Electrodes.
AB  - Perovskites are of great interest as replacements for precious metals and oxides
      used in bifunctional air electrodes involving the oxygen evolution reaction (OER)
      and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Herein, we report the synthesis and activity
      of a phase-pure nanocrystal perovskite catalyst that is highly active for the OER
      and ORR. The OER mass activity of LaNiO3, synthesized by the calcination of a
      rapidly dried nanoparticle dispersion and supported on nitrogen-doped carbon, is
      demonstrated to be nearly 3-fold that of 6 nm IrO2 and exhibits no hysteresis
      during oxygen evolution. Moreover, strong OER/ORR bifunctionality is shown by the
      low total overpotential (1.02 V) between the reactions, on par or better than
      that of noble metal catalysts such as Pt (1.16 V) and Ir (0.92 V). These results
      are examined in the context of surface hydroxylation, and a new OER cycle is
      proposed that unifies theory and the unique surface properties of LaNiO3. 

PMID- 26282139
TI  - Microscopic Insights into the Electrochemical Behavior of Nonaqueous Electrolytes
      in Electric Double-Layer Capacitors.
AB  - Electric double-layer capacitors (EDLCs) are electrical devices that store energy
      by adsorption of ionic species at the inner surface of porous electrodes.
      Compared with aqueous electrolytes, ionic liquid and organic electrolytes have
      the advantage of larger potential windows, making them attractive for the next
      generation of EDLCs with superior energy and power densities. The performance of
      both ionic liquid and organic electrolyte EDLCs hinges on the judicious selection
      of the electrode pore size and the electrolyte composition, which requires a
      comprehension of the charging behavior from a microscopic view. In this
      Perspective, we discuss predictions from the classical density functional theory
      (CDFT) on the dependence of the capacitance on the pore size for ionic liquid and
      organic electrolyte EDLCs. CDFT is applicable to electrodes with the pore size
      ranging from that below the ionic dimensionality to mesoscopic scales, thus
      unique for investigating the electrochemical behavior of the confined
      electrolytes for EDLC applications. 

PMID- 26282140
TI  - High-Energy Cathode Materials (Li2MnO3-LiMO2) for Lithium-Ion Batteries.
AB  - Lithium-rich layered oxide materials xLi2MnO3.(1-x)LiMO2 (M = Mn, Ni, Co, Fe, Cr,
      etc.) have attracted much attention for the use of cathode materials in lithium
      ion batteries in recent years. However, there are many issues still unclear (the
      structure and reaction mechanism are ambiguous until now), and numerous
      scientific challenges (low initial Coulombic efficiency, poor rate capability,
      and voltage degradation during cycling) of these materials that must be overcome
      to realize their utilization in commercial lithium-ion batteries. This
      Perspective focuses on the challenges and prospects associated with the current
      researching results of these lithium-rich layered cathode materials.
      Specifically, their average/local structures, reaction mechanisms, and
      electrochemical properties are discussed. 

PMID- 26282141
TI  - Vanadium Flow Battery for Energy Storage: Prospects and Challenges.
AB  - The vanadium flow battery (VFB) as one kind of energy storage technique that has
      enormous impact on the stabilization and smooth output of renewable energy. Key
      materials like membranes, electrode, and electrolytes will finally determine the
      performance of VFBs. In this Perspective, we report on the current understanding
      of VFBs from materials to stacks, describing the factors that affect materials'
      performance from microstructures to the mechanism and new materials development.
      Moreover, new models for VFB stacks as well as structural design will be
      summarized as well. Finally, the challenges, the overall cost evaluation, and
      future research directions will be briefly proposed. 

PMID- 26282142
TI  - In Charge of the World: Electrochemical Energy Storage.

PMID- 26282143
TI  - Acceptor-Enhanced Local Order in Conjugated Polymer Films.
AB  - Disorder in conjugated polymers is a general drawback that limits their use in
      organic electronics. We show that an archetypical conjugated polymer, MEH-PPV,
      enhances its local structural and electronic order upon addition of an electronic
      acceptor, trinitrofluorenone (TNF). First, acceptor addition in MEH-PPV results
      in a highly structured XRD pattern characteristic for semicrystalline conjugated
      polymers. Second, the surface roughness of the MEH-PPV films increases upon small
      acceptor addition, implying formation of crystalline nanodomains. Third, the low
      frequency Raman features of the polymer are narrowed upon TNF addition and
      indicate decreased inhomogeneous broadening. Finally, the photoinduced absorption
      and surface photovoltage spectroscopy data show that photoexcited and dark
      polymer intragap electronic states assigned to deep defects disappear in the
      blend. We relate the enhanced order to formation of a charge-transfer complex
      between MEH-PPV and TNF in the electronic ground state. These findings may be of
      high importance to control structural properties as they demonstrate an approach
      to increasing the order of a conjugated polymer by using an acceptor additive. 

PMID- 26282144
TI  - Tailoring the Electronic Structure of Nanoelectrocatalysts Induced by a Surface
      Capping Organic Molecule for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction.
AB  - Capping organic molecules, including oleylamine, strongly adsorbed onto Pt
      nanoparticles during preparation steps are considered undesirable species for the
      oxygen reduction reaction due to decreasing electrochemical active sites.
      However, we found that a small amount of oleylamine modified platinum
      nanoparticles showed significant enhancement of the electrochemical activity of
      the oxygen reduction reaction, even with the loss of the electrochemically active
      surface area. The enhancement was correlated with the downshift of the frontier d
      band structure of platinum and the retardation of competitively adsorbed species.
      These results suggest that a capping organic molecule modified electrode can be a
      strategy to design an advanced electrocatalyst by modification of electronic
      structures. 

PMID- 26282145
TI  - Identification of a Methane Oxidation Intermediate on Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Anode
      Surfaces with Fourier Transform Infrared Emission.
AB  - Fuel interactions on solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) anodes are studied with in situ
      Fourier transform infrared emission spectroscopy (FTIRES). SOFCs are operated at
      800  degrees C with CH4 as a representative hydrocarbon fuel. IR signatures of
      gas-phase oxidation products, CO2(g) and CO(g), are observed while cells are
      under load. A broad feature at 2295 cm(-1) is assigned to CO2 adsorbed on Ni as a
      CH4 oxidation intermediate during cell operation and while carbon deposits are
      electrochemically oxidized after CH4 operation. Electrochemical control provides
      confirmation of the assignment of adsorbed CO2. FTIRES has been demonstrated as a
      viable technique for the identification of fuel oxidation intermediates and
      products in working SOFCs, allowing for the elucidation of the mechanisms of fuel
      chemistry. 

PMID- 26282146
TI  - Electronic Population Inversion in HCCO/DCCO Products from Hyperthermal
      Collisions of O((3)P) with HCCH/DCCD.
AB  - The dynamics of hyperthermal O((3)P) reactions with acetylene have been
      investigated with the use of crossed molecular beams techniques, employing both
      mass spectrometric and optical detection of products. With collision energies of
      40-150 kcal mol(-1), O((3)P) + HCCH/DCCD -> HCCO/DCCO + H/D may follow multiple
      pathways to form the ketenyl radical (HCCO or DCCO) in ground doublet states or
      in electronically excited quartet and doublet states. Theoretical calculations
      support the assignment of the various reaction pathways. The fraction of
      electronic excitation is substantial. At the highest collision energy studied,
      ~65% of the ketenyl radical products that survive are electronically excited,
      with the majority of the excited products in a quartet state. In this case, a
      population inversion exists between the electronically excited quartet and ground
      doublet states of the ketenyl product. Such significant electronic excitation in
      products is unusual in bimolecular reactions, especially when ground-state
      products are accessible by spin-allowed pathways. 

PMID- 26282147
TI  - Raman Optical Activity Probing Structural Deformations of the 4-Hydroxycinnamyl
      Chromophore in Photoactive Yellow Protein.
AB  - Many biological cofactors, such as light-absorbing chromophores in
      photoreceptors, contain a pi-electron system and are planar molecules. These
      cofactors are, however, usually nonplanar within a protein environment, and such
      structural distortions have been shown to be functionally important. Because the
      nonplanar structure makes the molecule chiral, Raman optical activity (ROA)
      provides a wealth of stereochemical information about the structural and
      conformational details of cofactors. The present study applied a near-infrared
      excited ROA to photoactive yellow protein, a blue light receptor. We successfully
      obtained the ROA spectra of the 4-hydroxycinnamyl chromophore embedded in a
      protein environment. Furthermore, calculations of the ROA spectra utilizing
      density functional theory provide detailed structural information, such as data
      on out-of-plane distortions of the chromophore. The structural information
      obtained from the ROA spectra includes the positions of hydrogen atoms, which are
      usually not detected in the crystal structures of biological samples. 

PMID- 26282148
TI  - Intrinsic Charge Separation and Tunable Electronic Band Gap of Armchair Graphene
      Nanoribbons Encapsulated in a Double-Walled Carbon Nanotube.
AB  - Recent synthesis of nanocomposite structures of graphene nanoribbons (GNRs)
      encapsulated in a carbon nanotube (CNT) has opened a new avenue for exploring new
      functionalities for applications in nanotechnology. This new class of carbon
      nanocomposites is expected to possess electronic properties beyond those offered
      by the constituent parts of nanotubes and nanoribbons; unveiling such new
      properties and understanding the underlying physics are among the most pressing
      issues in the study of these promising materials. Here, we report on first
      principles calculations of the electronic properties of armchair GNRs
      encapsulated in a zigzag double-walled CNT. This unique structural configuration
      produces an intrinsic charge separation with electrons and holes localized in the
      outer tube and the ribbon, respectively, while the inner tube remains charge
      neutral, forming an n-type/intrinsic/p-type semiconducting heterojunction due to
      the staggered lineup of the band structures of the constituent parts. The
      electronic band gap of the nanocomposite can be tuned sensitively by the changing
      width of encapsulated GNRs. Such intrinsic charge separation and widely tunable
      electronic properties without doping or an external field make this class of new
      carbon nanocomposites promising candidates for photovoltaic and electronics
      applications. 

PMID- 26282149
TI  - Interpretation of Cyclic Voltammetry Measurements of Thin Semiconductor Films for
      Solar Fuel Applications.
AB  - A simple model is proposed that allows interpretation of the cyclic voltammetry
      diagrams obtained experimentally for photoactive semiconductors with surface
      states or catalysts used for fuel production from sunlight. When the system is
      limited by charge transfer from the traps/catalyst layer and by detrapping, it is
      shown that only one capacitive peak is observable and is not recoverable in the
      return voltage scan. If the system is limited only by charge transfer and not by
      detrapping, two symmetric capacitive peaks can be observed in the cathodic and
      anodic directions. The model appears as a useful tool for the swift analysis of
      the electronic processes that limit fuel production. 

PMID- 26282150
TI  - Electronic Structure of Semiconducting and Metallic Tubes in TiO2/Carbon Nanotube
      Heterojunctions: Density Functional Theory Calculations.
AB  - The electronic structure of the TiO2(110) surface interfaced with both a
      semiconducting and metallic carbon nanotube (CNT) was investigated by density
      functional theory. Our simulations rationalized visible light photocatalytic
      activity of CNT/TiO2 hybrid materials higher than that under ultraviolent
      irradiation and showed that the photoactivity of a semiconducting CNT decorating
      TiO2 is better than that of the metallic CNT/TiO2 system due to efficient charge
      separation across the interface. This suggests that semiconducting CNT/TiO2 could
      be a potential photovoltaic material. In contrast, strong interaction between a
      metallic CNT and TiO2 leads to large charge transfer. Such charge transfer
      reduces the built-in potential, in turn resulting in inefficient charge
      separation. Functionalizing the metallic CNT with a small platinum cluster can
      increase the built-in potential and drive charge separation. These observations
      indicate that the CNT/TiO2 interface can be a potential photovoltaic material by
      a metal cluster decorating a CNT despite a real tube being composed of the
      mixture of metallic and semiconducting CNTs. 

PMID- 26282151
TI  - Inkjet Printing of High Conductivity, Flexible Graphene Patterns.
AB  - The ability to print high conductivity, conformal, and flexible electrodes is an
      important technological challenge in printed electronics, especially for large
      area formats with low cost considerations. In this Letter, we demonstrate inkjet
      printed, high conductivity graphene patterns that are suitable for flexible
      electronics. The ink is prepared by solution-phase exfoliation of graphene using
      an environmentally benign solvent, ethanol, and a stabilizing polymer, ethyl
      cellulose. The inkjet-printed graphene features attain low resistivity of 4
      mOmega.cm after a thermal anneal at 250  degrees C for 30 min while showing
      uniform morphology, compatibility with flexible substrates, and excellent
      tolerance to bending stresses. 

PMID- 26282152
TI  - Geometric Dependence of the Line Width of Localized Surface Plasmon Resonances.
AB  - For the same number of electrons and plasmon frequencies, longitudinal plasmon
      resonances in metallic nanorods exhibit narrower line widths than plasmon modes
      in spherical particles. We show that this property is a general feature of high
      aspect ratio nanostructures and can be explained very simply by incorporating
      retardation effects into a harmonic oscillator model. The origin of the effect is
      dynamic depolarization, which renormalizes the mass of the electrons and the
      oscillating electron liquid. The scattering spectrum derived from our model
      agrees very well with FDTD simulations. Because plasmon damping determines many
      important features and applications of LSPR, such as the Q factor of plasmonics
      devices and the magnitude of the induced field enhancements, our study will play
      an important role for the design of nanostructures with narrow plasmon
      resonances. 

PMID- 26282153
TI  - Broad-Band Impulsive Vibrational Spectroscopy of Excited Electronic States in the
      Time Domain.
AB  - We demonstrate that transient absorption spectroscopy performed with an
      ultrashort pump pulse and a chirped, broad-band probe pulse is capable of
      recording full vibrational spectra of excited electronic states in the time
      domain. The resulting spectra do not suffer from the nontrivial baselines and
      line shapes often encountered in frequency domain techniques and enable optimal
      and automated subtraction of background signatures. Probing the molecular
      dynamics continuously over a broad energy bandwidth makes it possible to
      confidently assign the vibrational coherences to specific electronic states and
      suggests the existence of mode-specific absorption spectra reminiscent of
      resonance Raman intensity analysis. The first observation of the nominally
      forbidden one-photon ground to first excited electronic state transition in beta
      carotene demonstrates the high sensitivity of our approach. Our results provide a
      first glimpse of the immense potential of broad-band impulsive vibrational
      spectroscopy (BB-IVS) to study ultrafast chemical reaction dynamics. 

PMID- 26282154
TI  - Surgical management of recurrent lumbar disc herniation and the role of fusion.
AB  - This systematic review was performed to evaluate the various operative management
      strategies for recurrent lumbar disc herniation (RLDH), including the efficacy of
      instrumented spinal fusion (ISF) at repeat discectomy, and whether the operative
      approach for repeat discectomy, minimally invasive (MID) or conventional open
      discectomy (CD), affected the outcomes. RLDH is one of the most common
      complications of lumbar discectomies. Whilst repeat discectomy is the standard
      procedure performed, the routine addition of ISF has been advocated to improve
      outcomes and prevent reherniation. A comprehensive search of the MEDLINE, EMBASE,
      CINAHL and Cochrane databases was performed. The measured outcomes included the
      rate of satisfactory clinical outcome, improvement in leg and back pain, Japanese
      Orthopaedic Association (JOA) recovery score, and complication rates. In total,
      37 studies met our inclusion criteria, with 1483 patients. The rate of
      satisfactory outcomes was found to be statistically similar between the patients
      undergoing a discectomy with or without fusion (77.8% with ISF versus 79.5%
      without ISF; p=0.665). Back pain and JOA scores showed greater improvements in
      the patients undergoing discectomy and fusion, compared to discectomy alone. The
      rate of satisfactory outcomes was marginally higher in the patients undergoing
      MID compared to CD (MID 81.2% versus CD 77.5%; p=0.248). However, the leg pain
      improvement was similar. The postoperative back pain improvement was greater in
      the MID group (52.5% MID versus 36.3% CD), but with lower complication rates,
      specifically durotomies (MID 5.2% versus CD 15.3%; p<0.001). There is no evidence
      to recommend the routine addition of ISF in the management of RLDH. The data
      suggest that MID has lower complication rates than CD in the setting of RLDH, yet
      unequivocal evidence is lacking. 

PMID- 26282155
TI  - Risk factors for surgical site infections following spinal surgery.
AB  - The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors for postoperative
      infection after spinal surgery, in order to prevent its occurrence. We searched
      the Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane library databases, and identified 25 case
      control studies. The pooled results revealed that the major factors associated
      with infection were diabetes mellitus (odds ratio [OR] 2.04; 95% confidence
      interval [CI] 1.69-2.46), obesity (OR 2.13; 95% CI 1.55-2.93), smoking (OR 1.17;
      95% CI 1.03-1.32), urinary tract infection (OR 3.19; 95% CI 1.68-6.06),
      hypertension (OR 1.67; 95% CI 1.26-2.22), transfusion (OR 3.64; 95% CI 2.60
      5.08), and cerebrospinal fluid leak (OR 3.22; 95% CI 1.07-9.67). There was
      insufficient evidence to suggest that male sex, age, alcohol use, and steroid use
      increased the incidence of infection after spinal surgery. Our analyses suggest
      strategies to prevent surgical site infection. However, the results should be
      interpreted with caution because of heterogeneity amongst the included studies. 

PMID- 26282156
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 26282157
TI  - Vitamin D and calcium regulation of epidermal wound healing.
AB  - Wound healing is essential for survival. This is a multistep process involving a
      number of different cell types. In the skin wounding triggers an acute
      inflammatory response, with the innate immune system contributing both to
      protection against invasive organisms and to triggering the invasion of
      inflammatory cells into the wounded area. These cells release a variety of
      cytokines and growth factors that stimulate the proliferation and migration of
      dermal and epidermal cells to close the wound. In particular, wounding activates
      stem cells in the interfollicular epidermis (IFE) and hair follicles (HF) to
      proliferate and send their progeny to re-epithelialize the wound. beta-catenin
      and calcium signaling are important for this activation process. Mice lacking the
      VDR when placed on a low calcium diet have delayed wound healing. This is
      associated with reduced beta-catenin transcriptional activity and proliferation
      in the cells at the leading edge of wound closure. These data suggest that
      vitamin D and calcium signaling are necessary components of the epidermal
      response to wounding, likely by regulating stem cell activation through increased
      beta-catenin transcriptional activity.

PMID- 26282158
TI  - An Hourly Dose-Escalation Desensitization Protocol for Aspirin-Exacerbated
      Respiratory Disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Aspirin desensitization followed by maintenance therapy effectively
      improves symptom control in patients with aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease
      (AERD). The majority of current desensitization protocols use 3-hour dosing
      intervals and often require 2 to 3 days to complete. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated
      hourly dose escalations in a subset of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis,
      nasal polyps, and asthma who historically reacted to aspirin within 1 hour or
      were avoiding aspirin with the goal of developing a safe and efficient
      desensitization protocol. METHODS: Fifty-seven aspirin desensitizations were
      performed under the hourly protocol. All patients had refractory nasal polyposis
      as an indication for aspirin desensitization. The clinical characteristics of
      each subject were analyzed in relation to aspects of his or her reactions during
      the procedure. RESULTS: Ninety-eight percent of study patients were successfully
      treated under the hourly protocol, including those with a history of severe
      reactions and intubation. None required further medication than is available in
      an outpatient allergy clinic. A total of 96% of reactors recorded a bronchial or
      naso-ocular reaction within 1 hour of the preceding dose. Of the total patients
      on this protocol, 40% were able to complete the procedure in a single day, and
      60% within 2 days. CONCLUSION: Patients with AERD who have a history of symptoms
      less than 1 hour after aspirin exposure can be safely desensitized with a 1-hour
      dose-escalation protocol that can often be completed in a single day.

PMID- 26282159
TI  - Anaphylaxis to oats after cutaneous sensitization by oatmeal in skin products
      used for the treatment of atopic dermatitis.

PMID- 26282160
TI  - Adherent uncontrolled adult persistent asthma: Characteristics and asthma
      outcomes.

PMID- 26282162
TI  - Evaluation of the Wilma-SIE Virtual Screening Method in Community Structure
      Activity Resource 2013 and 2014 Blind Challenges.
AB  - Prospective assessments of the Wilma-SIE (solvated interaction energy) platform
      for ligand docking and ranking were performed during the 2013 and 2014 editions
      of the Community Structure-Activity Resource (CSAR) blind challenge. Diverse
      targets like a steroid-binding protein, a serine protease (factor Xa), a tyrosine
      kinase (Syk), and a nucleotide methyltransferase (TrmD) were included. Pose
      selection was achieved with high precision; in all 24 tests Wilma-SIE top-ranked
      the native pose among carefully generated sets of decoy conformations. Good
      separation for the native pose was also observed indicating robustness in pose
      scoring. Cross-docking was also accomplished with high accuracy for the various
      systems, with ligand median-RMSD values around 1 A from the crystal structures.
      Larger deviations were occasionally obtained due to the rigid-target approach
      even if multiple target structures were used. Affinity ranking of congeneric
      ligands after cross-docking was reasonable for three of the four systems, with
      Spearman ranking coefficients around 0.6. Poor affinity ranking for FXa is
      possibly due to missing structural domains, which are present during
      measurements. Assignment of protonation states is critical for affinity scoring
      with the SIE function, as shown here for the Syk system. Including the FiSH model
      improved cross-docking but worsened affinity predictions, pointing to the need
      for further fine-tuning of this newer solvation model. The consistently strong
      performance of the Wilma-SIE platform in recent CSAR and SAMPL blind challenges
      validates its applicability for virtual screening on a broad range of molecular
      targets.

PMID- 26282163
TI  - Multi-chromatic magnetic resonance imaging using frequency lock-in suppression.
AB  - This study developed a multi-chromatic MR contrast using the frequency lock-in
      technique. An electronic feedback device that generates a specific narrow
      frequency-bandwidth RF field is presented. The effects of this RF field on MR
      images are assessed both theoretically and experimentally. Spectroscopy and
      imaging experiments were performed. Frequency tuning allowed the selected
      spectral peak to be suppressed. Phantom tests using methanol, ethanol, and water
      showed different contrasts using different feedback RF field frequencies. The
      frequency lock-in was also found to help differentiate among the small structural
      variations in biological tissues. The contrast achieved in in vivo mouse brain
      imaging using the lock-in suppressed technique indicated a better spatial
      discrimination when compared with that achieved using conventional imaging
      methods, especially in the hippocampus region. Selective lock-in suppressed
      imaging is a new approach to provide frequency information in MRI; rather than
      determining the evolution of image contrast over time, this approach allows small
      susceptibility variations to be distinguished by tuning the frequency of the
      narrow-bandwidth lock-in RF field. A new and enhanced contrast can be achieved
      using this technique.

PMID- 26282164
TI  - A supplementation of DHA and AA to human milk-fed VLBW infants has no significant
      cognitive improvement or measurable neuroanatomical effects when evaluated at 8
      years of age.

PMID- 26282166
TI  - The miR-146b-3p/PAX8/NIS Regulatory Circuit Modulates the Differentiation
      Phenotype and Function of Thyroid Cells during Carcinogenesis.
AB  - The presence of differentiated thyroid cells in thyroid cancer is critical for
      the antitumor response to radioactive iodide treatment, and loss of the
      differentiated phenotype is a key hallmark of iodide-refractory metastatic
      disease. The role of microRNAs (miRNA) in fine-tuning gene expression has become
      a major regulatory mechanism by which developmental and pathologic processes
      occur. In this study, we performed next-generation sequencing and expression
      analysis of eight papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTC) to comprehensively
      characterize miRNAs involved in loss of differentiation. We found that only a
      small set of abundant miRNAs is differentially expressed between PTC tissue and
      normal tissue from the same patient. In addition, we integrated computational
      prediction of potential targets and mRNA sequencing and identified a master miRNA
      regulatory network involved in essential biologic processes such as thyroid
      differentiation. Both mature products of mir-146b (miR-146b-5p and -3p) were
      among the most abundantly expressed miRNAs in tumors. Specifically, we found that
      miR-146b-3p binds to the 3'-untranslated region of PAX8 and sodium/iodide
      symporter (NIS), leading to impaired protein translation and a subsequent
      reduction in iodide uptake. Furthermore, our findings show that miR-146b and PAX8
      regulate each other and share common target genes, thus highlighting a novel
      regulatory circuit that governs the differentiated phenotype of PTC. In
      conclusion, our study has uncovered the existence of a miR-146b-3p/PAX8/NIS
      regulatory circuit that may be exploited therapeutically to modulate thyroid cell
      differentiation and iodide uptake for improved treatment of advanced thyroid
      cancer.

PMID- 26282165
TI  - STAT3 Blockade Inhibits Radiation-Induced Malignant Progression in Glioma.
AB  - High grade gliomas (HGG) are classified into four subgroups based on
      transcriptional signatures and phenotypic characteristics. In particular, the
      proneural-to-mesenchymal transition (PMT) is associated with increased
      malignancy, poor prognosis, and disease recurrence, but the underlying causes of
      PMT are still unclear. In this study, we investigated whether radiotherapy
      promotes PMT using a genetically engineered mouse model of proneural HGG. We
      found that cranial ionizing radiation induced robust and durable PMT in tumors.
      Additionally, we isolated primary proneural HGG cells from mouse and human tumors
      and demonstrate that radiation induced a sustained cell-intrinsic mesenchymal
      transition associated with increased invasiveness and resistance to the
      alkylating agent temozolomide. Expectedly, irradiation-induced PMT was also
      associated with activation of the STAT3 transcription factor, and the combination
      of STAT3 blockade using JAK2 inhibitors with radiation abrogated the mesenchymal
      transition and extended survival of mice. Taken together, our data suggest that
      clinical JAK2 inhibitors should be tested in conjunction with radiation in
      patients with proneural HGG as a new strategy for blocking the emergence of
      therapy-resistant mesenchymal tumors at relapse.

PMID- 26282168
TI  - High-Resolution Rapid Diagnostic Imaging of Whole Prostate Biopsies Using Video
      Rate Fluorescence Structured Illumination Microscopy.
AB  - Rapid assessment of prostate core biopsy pathology at the point-of-procedure
      could provide benefit in a variety of clinical situations. Even with advanced
      transrectal ultrasound guidance and saturation biopsy protocols, prostate cancer
      can be missed in up to half of all initial biopsy procedures. In addition,
      collection of tumor specimens for downstream histologic, molecular, and genetic
      analysis is hindered by low tumor yield due to inability to identify prostate
      cancer grossly. However, current point-of-procedure pathology protocols, such as
      frozen section analysis (FSA), are destructive and too time- and labor-intensive
      to be practical or economical. Ex vivo microscopy of the excised specimens,
      stained with fast-acting fluorescent histology dyes, could be an attractive
      nondestructive alternative to FSA. In this work, we report the first
      demonstration of video-rate structured illumination microscopy (VR-SIM) for rapid
      high-resolution diagnostic imaging of prostate biopsies in realistic point-of
      procedure timeframes. Large mosaic images of prostate biopsies stained with
      acridine orange are rendered in seconds and contain excellent contrast and
      detail, exhibiting close correlation with corresponding hematoxylin and eosin
      histology. A clinically relevant review of VR-SIM images of 34 unfixed and uncut
      prostate core biopsies by two independent pathologists resulted in an area under
      the receiver operative curve (AUC) of 0.82-0.88, with a sensitivity ranging from
      63% to 88% and a specificity ranging from 78% to 89%. When biopsies contained
      more than 5% tumor content, the sensitivity improved to 75% to 92%. The image
      quality, speed, minimal complexity, and ease of use of VR-SIM could prove to be
      features in favor of adoption as an alternative to destructive pathology at the
      point-of-procedure.

PMID- 26282167
TI  - Hepatocyte Growth Factor/cMET Pathway Activation Enhances Cancer Hallmarks in
      Adrenocortical Carcinoma.
AB  - Adrenocortical carcinoma is a rare malignancy with poor prognosis and limited
      response to chemotherapy. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and its receptor cMET
      augment cancer growth and resistance to chemotherapy, but their role in
      adrenocortical carcinoma has not been examined. In this study, we investigated
      the association between HGF/cMET expression and cancer hallmarks of
      adrenocortical carcinoma. Transcriptomic and immunohistochemical analyses
      indicated that increased HGF/cMET expression in human adrenocortical carcinoma
      samples was positively associated with cancer-related biologic processes,
      including proliferation and angiogenesis, and negatively correlated with
      apoptosis. Accordingly, treatment of adrenocortical carcinoma cells with
      exogenous HGF resulted in increased cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo while
      short hairpin RNA-mediated knockdown or pharmacologic inhibition of cMET
      suppressed cell proliferation and tumor growth. Moreover, exposure of cells to
      mitotane, cisplatin, or radiation rapidly induced pro-cMET expression and was
      associated with an enrichment of genes (e.g., CYP450 family) related to therapy
      resistance, further implicating cMET in the anticancer drug response. Together,
      these data suggest an important role for HGF/cMET signaling in adrenocortical
      carcinoma growth and resistance to commonly used treatments. Targeting cMET,
      alone or in combination with other drugs, could provide a breakthrough in the
      management of this aggressive cancer.

PMID- 26282169
TI  - Intratumoral Heterogeneity in EGFR-Mutant NSCLC Results in Divergent Resistance
      Mechanisms in Response to EGFR Tyrosine Kinase Inhibition.
AB  - Non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) that have developed resistance to EGF
      receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), including gefitinib and
      erlotinib, are clinically linked to an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)
      phenotype. Here, we examined whether modulating EMT maintains the responsiveness
      of EGFR-mutated NSCLCs to EGFR TKI therapy. Using human NSCLC cell lines
      harboring mutated EGFR and a transgenic mouse model of lung cancer driven by
      mutant EGFR (EGFR-Del19-T790M), we demonstrate that EGFR inhibition induces
      TGFbeta secretion followed by SMAD pathway activation, an event that promotes
      EMT. Chronic exposure of EGFR-mutated NSCLC cells to TGFbeta was sufficient to
      induce EMT and resistance to EGFR TKI treatment. Furthermore, NSCLC HCC4006 cells
      with acquired resistance to gefitinib were characterized by a mesenchymal
      phenotype and displayed a higher prevalence of the EGFR T790M mutated allele.
      Notably, combined inhibition of EGFR and the TGFbeta receptor in HCC4006 cells
      prevented EMT but was not sufficient to prevent acquired gefitinib resistance
      because of an increased emergence of the EGFR T790M allele compared with cells
      treated with gefitinib alone. Conversely, another independent NSCLC cell line,
      PC9, reproducibly developed EGFR T790M mutations as the primary mechanism
      underlying EGFR TKI resistance, even though the prevalence of the mutant allele
      was lower than that in HCC4006 cells. Thus, our findings underscore heterogeneity
      within NSCLC cells lines harboring EGFR kinase domain mutations that give rise to
      divergent resistance mechanisms in response to treatment and anticipate the
      complexity of EMT suppression as a therapeutic strategy.

PMID- 26282171
TI  - TIF1gamma Suppresses Tumor Progression by Regulating Mitotic Checkpoints and
      Chromosomal Stability.
AB  - The transcription accessory factor TIF1gamma/TRIM33/RFG7/PTC7/Ectodermin
      functions as a tumor suppressor that promotes development and cellular
      differentiation. However, its precise function in cancer has been elusive. In the
      present study, we report that TIF1gamma inactivation causes cells to accumulate
      chromosomal defects, a hallmark of cancer, due to attenuations in the spindle
      assembly checkpoint and the post-mitotic checkpoint. TIF1gamma deficiency also
      caused a loss of contact growth inhibition and increased anchorage-independent
      growth in vitro and in vivo. Clinically, reduced TIF1gamma expression in human
      tumors correlated with an increased rate of genomic rearrangements. Overall, our
      work indicates that TIF1gamma exerts its tumor-suppressive functions in part by
      promoting chromosomal stability.

PMID- 26282173
TI  - Selective Inhibition of Parallel DNA Damage Response Pathways Optimizes
      Radiosensitization of Glioblastoma Stem-like Cells.
AB  - Glioblastoma is the most common form of primary brain tumor in adults and is
      essentially incurable. Despite aggressive treatment regimens centered on
      radiotherapy, tumor recurrence is inevitable and is thought to be driven by
      glioblastoma stem-like cells (GSC) that are highly radioresistant. DNA damage
      response pathways are key determinants of radiosensitivity but the extent to
      which these overlapping and parallel signaling components contribute to GSC
      radioresistance is unclear. Using a panel of primary patient-derived glioblastoma
      cell lines, we confirmed by clonogenic survival assays that GSCs were
      significantly more radioresistant than paired tumor bulk populations. DNA damage
      response targets ATM, ATR, CHK1, and PARP1 were upregulated in GSCs, and CHK1 was
      preferentially activated following irradiation. Consequently, GSCs exhibit rapid
      G2-M cell-cycle checkpoint activation and enhanced DNA repair. Inhibition of CHK1
      or ATR successfully abrogated G2-M checkpoint function, leading to increased
      mitotic catastrophe and a modest increase in radiation sensitivity. Inhibition of
      ATM had dual effects on cell-cycle checkpoint regulation and DNA repair that were
      associated with greater radiosensitizing effects on GSCs than inhibition of CHK1,
      ATR, or PARP alone. Combined inhibition of PARP and ATR resulted in a profound
      radiosensitization of GSCs, which was of greater magnitude than in bulk
      populations and also exceeded the effect of ATM inhibition. These data
      demonstrate that multiple, parallel DNA damage signaling pathways contribute to
      GSC radioresistance and that combined inhibition of cell-cycle checkpoint and DNA
      repair targets provides the most effective means to overcome radioresistance of
      GSC.

PMID- 26282172
TI  - Transcriptome Sequencing Reveals PCAT5 as a Novel ERG-Regulated Long Noncoding
      RNA in Prostate Cancer.
AB  - Castration-resistant prostate cancers (CRPC) that arise after the failure of
      androgen-blocking therapies cause most of the deaths from prostate cancer,
      intensifying the need to fully understand CRPC pathophysiology. In this study, we
      characterized the transcriptomic differences between untreated prostate cancer
      and locally recurrent CRPC. Here, we report the identification of 145 previously
      unannotated intergenic long noncoding RNA transcripts (lncRNA) or isoforms that
      are associated with prostate cancer or CRPC. Of the one third of these
      transcripts that were specific for CRPC, we defined a novel lncRNA termed PCAT5
      as a regulatory target for the transcription factor ERG, which is activated in
      approximately 50% of human prostate cancer. Genome-wide expression analysis of a
      PCAT5-positive prostate cancer after PCAT5 silencing highlighted alterations in
      cell proliferation pathways. Strikingly, an in vitro validation of these
      alterations revealed a complex integrated phenotype affecting cell growth,
      migration, invasion, colony-forming potential, and apoptosis. Our findings reveal
      a key molecular determinant of differences between prostate cancer and CRPC at
      the level of the transcriptome. Furthermore, they establish PCAT5 as a novel
      oncogenic lncRNA in ERG-positive prostate cancers, with implications for defining
      CRPC biomarkers and new therapeutic interventions.

PMID- 26282170
TI  - A Quantitative System for Studying Metastasis Using Transparent Zebrafish.
AB  - Metastasis is the defining feature of advanced malignancy, yet remains
      challenging to study in laboratory environments. Here, we describe a high
      throughput zebrafish system for comprehensive, in vivo assessment of metastatic
      biology. First, we generated several stable cell lines from melanomas of
      transgenic mitfa-BRAF(V600E);p53(-/-) fish. We then transplanted the melanoma
      cells into the transparent casper strain to enable highly quantitative
      measurement of the metastatic process at single-cell resolution. Using
      computational image analysis of the resulting metastases, we generated a
      metastasis score, MU, that can be applied to quantitative comparison of
      metastatic capacity between experimental conditions. Furthermore, image analysis
      also provided estimates of the frequency of metastasis-initiating cells
      (~1/120,000 cells). Finally, we determined that the degree of pigmentation is a
      key feature defining cells with metastatic capability. The small size and rapid
      generation of progeny combined with superior imaging tools make zebrafish ideal
      for unbiased high-throughput investigations of cell-intrinsic or
      microenvironmental modifiers of metastasis. The approaches described here are
      readily applicable to other tumor types and thus serve to complement studies also
      employing murine and human cell culture systems.

PMID- 26282174
TI  - Enhanced Chemokine Receptor Recycling and Impaired S1P1 Expression Promote
      Leukemic Cell Infiltration of Lymph Nodes in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.
AB  - Lymphocyte trafficking is orchestrated by chemokine and sphingosine 1-phosphate
      (S1P) receptors that enable homing and egress from secondary lymphoid organs
      (SLO). These receptors undergo rapid internalization and plasma membrane
      recycling to calibrate cellular responses to local chemoattractants. Circulating
      chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells display an abnormal increase in the
      surface levels of the homing receptors CCR7 and CXCR4 concomitant with low S1P
      receptor 1 (S1P1) expression. In this study, we investigated the role of receptor
      recycling on CXCR4/CCR7 surface levels in CLL cells and addressed the impact of
      quantitative alterations of these receptors and S1P1 on the ability of leukemic
      cells to accumulate in SLOs. We show that recycling accounts, to a major extent,
      for the high levels of surface CXCR4/CCR7 on CLL cells. In addition, increased
      expression of these receptors, together with S1P1 deficiency, is detectable not
      only in circulating leukemic cells, but also in SLOs of CLL patients with
      lymphoadenopathy. We further provide evidence that ibrutinib, a Btk inhibitor
      that promotes mobilization of leukemic cells from SLOs, normalizes the imbalance
      between CXCR4/CCR7 and S1P1. Taken together, our results highlight the relevance
      of chemokine and S1P receptor recycling in CLL pathogenesis and clinical outcome.

PMID- 26282176
TI  - Noncultured epidermal-melanocyte cell suspension and dermal-fat grafting for the
      reconstruction of an irregular, atrophic, and depigmented forehead scar: an
      innovative approach.
AB  - Scars on the face 'eclipse' patient social life and provide challenge for the
      treating surgeon. 'Forehead' is difficult area on face to re-construct because of
      the inelastic, relatively immobile skin and subcutaneous tissue. The surgical
      correction of scar depends upon the site, size, type of scar and general
      condition of the patient. We describe an innovative approach to treat a
      depressed, de-pigmented, irregular scar placed vertically in the centre of
      forehead, in a young girl.. 

PMID- 26282175
TI  - Ligand-Independent EGFR Signaling.
AB  - Constitutive activation of the EGFR is common in cancer due to EGFR wild-type
      (EGFRwt) overexpression or the presence of mutant EGFR. Signaling by
      constitutively active NSCLC EGFR mutants or the EGFRvIII mutant in glioblastoma
      has been studied intensively and the downstream signals are known. Normally, the
      EGFRwt is activated when it is exposed to ligand, resulting in activation of
      canonical signals such as ERK and Akt. The EGFRwt also becomes tyrosine
      phosphorylated and constitutively activated without ligand when it is
      overexpressed, but downstream signals are unclear. Recent studies have identified
      a noncanonical form of signaling triggered by EGFRwt exclusively in the absence
      of ligand that does not involve ERK or Akt activation but, instead, results in
      activation of the transcription factor IRF3. The addition of ligand turns off
      IRF3-dependent transcription and activates ERK and Akt. Thus, the EGFR triggers
      distinct and mutually exclusive signaling networks, depending on the presence of
      ligand. Furthermore, noncanonical EGFRwt signaling may influence response to
      treatment in cancer. Also, there are reports of both synergistic and antagonistic
      interactions between ligand-dependent EGFRwt and EGFRvIII signaling. Here, we
      discuss ligand-independent EGFR signal transduction by oncogenic EGFR mutants and
      EGFRwt, and review the interplay between EGFRwt and EGFRvIII.

PMID- 26282178
TI  - Understanding patient beliefs regarding the use of imaging in the management of
      low back pain.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Imaging for low back pain (LBP) remains common despite guidelines
      recommending against routine imaging. Patient beliefs about imaging may
      contribute to the problem. This study aimed to quantitatively investigate patient
      beliefs regarding the need for imaging in managing LBP and to investigate whether
      personal characteristics, pain characteristics or back pain beliefs are
      associated with imaging beliefs. METHODS: A survey was performed of consecutive
      patients presenting to general medical practitioners in Sydney, Australia. Nine
      medical clinics were selected across varied socioeconomic regions. Survey
      questions assessed beliefs about the importance of imaging for LBP, collected
      demographic information, LBP history and general beliefs about back pain.
      Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyse
      findings. RESULTS: Three hundred completed surveys were collected with a 79.6%
      response rate. The mean age was 44 years and 60.7% of respondents were women.
      Exactly, 54.3% (95% CI: 48.7-58.9%) believed that imaging was necessary for the
      best medical care for LBP. Exactly, 48.0% (95% CI: 42.4-53.6%) believed that
      everyone with LBP should obtain imaging. Increased age, lower education level,
      non-European or non-Anglo-saxon cultural background, history of previous imaging
      and Back Beliefs Questionnaire scores were associated with beliefs that imaging
      was necessary. CONCLUSION: Approximately, half of all patients presenting to a
      medical doctor consider low back imaging to be necessary. This may have important
      implications for overutilization of low back imaging investigations. Knowledge of
      the factors associated with the patient's belief that imaging is necessary may be
      helpful in designing appropriate interventions to reduce unnecessary imaging for
      LBP.

PMID- 26282177
TI  - Adherence to Medication Regimens is an Effective Indicator of Cognitive
      Dysfunction in Elderly Individuals.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cognitive abilities strongly influence medication adherence among
      elderly individuals. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between medication
      adherence and cognitive decline using Lawton's instrumental activities of daily
      living (IADL) scoring system and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).
      METHODS: Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate the
      IADL scores and MMSE results. RESULTS: The ROC curve analysis of the IADL and
      MMSE results revealed that the shopping (MMSE cutoff = 22 points, sensitivity =
      0.726, and specificity = 0.683) and responsibility for own medications (MMSE
      cutoff = 22 points, sensitivity = 0.759, and specificity = 0.720) categories were
      associated with declining IADL scores during early stage cognitive dysfunction.
      CONCLUSION: Declining IADL scores in the shopping and responsibility for own
      medications categories may be effective indices for predicting early-stage
      cognitive dysfunction in elderly individuals. Cognitive dysfunction screening at
      pharmacy counters may be useful.

PMID- 26282179
TI  - Synthesis and In Vitro Evaluation of a Photosensitizer-BODIPY Derivative for
      Potential Photodynamic Therapy Applications.
AB  - A new photosensitizer (1) based on the 4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene
      (BODIPY) scaffold has been synthesized. 1 is water soluble and showed an intense
      absorption band at 490 nm (E=77,600 cm(-1)  m(-1)) and an emission at 514 nm. In
      vitro toxicity of 1 in the presence of light and in darkness has been studied
      with HeLa, HaCaT, MCF-7, and SCC-13 cell lines. Moreover, internalization studies
      of 1 in these cell lines were also performed. These results suggested that 1 is
      more toxic for SCC-13 and HeLa carcinoma cells than for the HaCaT non-cancerous
      immortal human keratinocytes. Toxicity upon light irradiation was due to the
      formation of singlet oxygen and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Cellular co
      localization experiments revealed preferential localization of the dye in the
      endoplasmic reticulum.

PMID- 26282180
TI  - Morbidity and medication in a large population of individuals with Down syndrome
      compared to the general population.
AB  - AIM: The aim of this study was to describe the incidence of morbidities and the
      prevalence of medical prescriptions in a large Down syndrome population. METHOD:
      A retrospective cohort study was carried out using the UK Clinical Practice
      Research Datalink from 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2013. We matched individuals
      with Down syndrome to randomly selected control participants by practice site,
      sex, birth year, and recording period. RESULTS: A total of 6430 individuals with
      Down syndrome (3009 females, 3421 males) and 19 176 controls (8966 females,
      10,210 males) were included in the study. The incidence of cardiovascular
      disorders, gastrointestinal diseases (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 7.9 at 3 to <6y:
      yearly prevalence ratio [YPR] for laxatives 4.7), and sleeping disorders (IRR 4.8
      in 3 to <6y) was increased in children with Down syndrome versus control
      participants. New onset of congenital heart malformation, ear diseases, eye
      disorders, autism, hypothyroidism, diabetes, and obesity were more frequent in
      childhood and remained elevated in adulthood (overall IRR 35.5, 1.7, 3.1, 4.4,
      13.1, 1.3, and 2.6 respectively), whereas the gap widened in adulthood for
      epilepsy and intellectual disability (IRR 15.2 and 158 respectively, in
      participants older than 30y). At >= 30 years, the incidence of hypotension and
      dementia was raised (IRR 3.0 and 92.1 respectively; YPR for dementia drugs:
      76.3); and that of hypertension, depression and anxiety was lowered (IRR 0.2,
      0.5, and 0.4 respectively). INTERPRETATION: The profile of newly occurring
      morbidities in Down syndrome varies across the developmental lifespan.

PMID- 26282182
TI  - Arts as a vehicle for community building and post-disaster development.
AB  - Use of the arts in international aid is common in an ad hoc form, but it has not
      been systematically theorised or evaluated. The arts have the potential to be a
      culturally contextualised and sustainable intervention for adults and children in
      the aftermath of war or disaster. On the micro level, the arts are a method to
      enable the retrieval and reprocessing of traumatic memories that are often
      encoded in images rather than in words. On a macro level, they can help to
      reconstruct a group narrative of a disaster as well as mobilise people back into
      control of their lives. This paper researches a long-term project using arts in
      Sri Lanka following the civil war and tsunami. A central finding is the need to
      understand arts within their cultural context, and their usefulness in
      strengthening the voices and problem-solving capacities of the victims of the
      disaster. 

PMID- 26282183
TI  - Lymphomatoid papulosis associated with follicular B-cell lymphoma in lymph nodes.

PMID- 26282181
TI  - p53 modulates the activity of the GLI1 oncogene through interactions with the
      shared coactivator TAF9.
AB  - The GLI1 oncogene and p53 tumor suppressor gene function in an inhibitory loop
      that controls stem cell and tumor cell numbers. Since GLI1 and p53 both interact
      with the coactivator TATA Binding Protein Associated Factor 9 (TAF9), we
      hypothesized that competition between these transcription factors for TAF9 in
      cancer cells may contribute to the inhibitory loop and directly affect GLI1
      function and cellular phenotype. We showed that TAF9 interacts with the oncogenic
      GLI family members GLI1 and GLI2 but not GLI3 in cell-free pull-down assays and
      with GLI1 in rhabdomyosarcoma and osteosarcoma cell lines. Removal of the TAF9
      binding acidic alpha helical transactivation domain of GLI1 produced a
      significant reduction in the ability of GLI1 to transform cells. We then
      introduced a point mutation into GLI1 (L1052I) that eliminates TAF9 binding and a
      point mutation into GLI3 (I1510L) that establishes binding. Wild-type and mutant
      GLI proteins that bind TAF9 showed enhanced transactivating and cell transforming
      activity compared with those that did not. Therefore, GLI-TAF9 binding appears
      important for oncogenic activity. We then determined whether wild-type p53 down
      regulates GLI function by sequestering TAF9. We showed that p53 binds TAF9 with
      greater affinity than does GLI1 and that co-expression of p53 with GLI1 or GLI2
      down-regulated GLI-induced transactivation, which could be abrogated using mutant
      forms of GLI1 or p53. This suggests that p53 sequesters TAF9 from GLI1, which may
      contribute to inhibition of GLI1 activity by p53 and potentially impact
      therapeutic success of agents targeting GLI-TAF9 interactions in cancer. 

PMID- 26282184
TI  - Matrix metalloproteases inhibition and biocompatibility of gold and platinum
      nanoparticles.
AB  - Matrix metalloprotease (MMP) inhibitors improve the longevity of dental
      adhesives/tooth bonds; however, biocompatibility is required for their clinical
      use. This study evaluated the inhibition of MMPs and toxicity of two gold (AuNPs)
      and platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) as possible compounds for use in dental
      adhesives. The MMP assay for studying the interaction of MMPs and nanoparticles
      (NPs) was evaluated by an MMP assay kit and gelatin zymography. Cultured L929
      fibroblast cells or RAW264 macrophages were exposed to NPs. The cellular
      responses to NPs were examined using cytotoxic (cell viability) and genotoxic
      assays (comet assay), and transmission electron microscopic (TEM) analysis. The
      mechanical properties (elastic modulus) of the experimental resin loaded with NPs
      were examined using thermomechanical analysis. All NPs inhibited MMP activity at
      relatively low concentrations. The NPs inhibit MMPs by chelating with the Zn(2+)
      bound in the active sites of MMPs. No cytotoxic and genotoxic effects were found
      in AuNPs, whereas the PtNPs possessed both adverse effects. In TEM analysis, the
      NPs were localized mainly in lysosomes without penetration into nuclei. The
      mechanical properties of the resins increased when AuNPs were added in resins,
      but not by PtNPs. AuNPs are attractive candidates to inhibit MMPs and improve the
      mechanical properties of resins without cytotoxic/genotoxic effects to cells, and
      therefore should be suitable for applications in adhesive resin systems.

PMID- 26282185
TI  - Identifying health outcomes in healthcare databases.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this review is to assist researchers in developing,
      using, and interpreting case-identifying algorithms in electronic healthcare
      databases. METHODS: We review clinical characteristics of health outcomes, data
      settings and informatics, and epidemiologic and statistical methods aspects as
      they pertain to the development and use of case-identifying algorithms. RESULTS:
      We offer a framework for thinking critically about the use of electronic health
      insurance data and electronic health records to identify the occurrence of health
      outcomes. Accuracy of case ascertainment in database research depends on many
      factors, including clinical and behavioral aspects of the health outcome, and
      details of database construction as it pertains to completeness and reliability
      of database content. Existing methods for diagnostic and screening tests,
      misclassification, validation studies, and predictive modelling can be usefully
      applied to improve case ascertainment in database research. CONCLUSIONS: Good
      case-identifying algorithms are based on a sound understanding of care-seeking
      behavior and patterns of clinical diagnosis and treatment in the study population
      and details about the construction and characteristics of the database.
      Researchers should use quantitative bias analyses to take into account the
      performance characteristics of case-identifying algorithms and their impact on
      study results.

PMID- 26282187
TI  - Plasmonic Gold Decorated MWCNT Nanocomposite for Localized Plasmon Resonance
      Sensing.
AB  - The synergism of excellent properties of carbon nanotubes and gold nanoparticles
      is used in this work for bio-sensing of recombinant bovine growth hormones (rbST)
      by making Multi Wall Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNT) locally optically responsive by
      augmenting it optical properties through Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance
      (LSPR). To this purpose, locally gold nano particles decorated gold-MWCNT
      composite was synthesized from a suspension of MWCNT bundles and hydrogen
      chloroauric acid in an aqueous solution, activated ultrasonically and, then, drop
      casted on a glass substrate. The slow drying of the drop produces a "coffee ring"
      pattern that is found to contain gold-MWCNT nanocomposites, accumulated mostly
      along the perimeter of the ring. The reaction is studied also at low-temperature,
      in the vacuum chamber of the Scanning Electron Microscope and is accounted for by
      the local melting processes that facilitate the contact between the bundle of
      tubes and the gold ions. Biosensing applications of the gold-MWCNT nanocomposite
      using their LSPR properties are demonstrated for the plasmonic detection of
      traces of bovine growth hormone. The sensitivity of the hybrid platform which is
      found to be 1 ng/ml is much better than that measuring with gold nanoparticles
      alone which is only 25 ng/ml. 

PMID- 26282186
TI  - Haematological rather than skeletal muscle adaptations contribute to the increase
      in peak oxygen uptake induced by moderate endurance training.
AB  - It remains unclear whether improvements in peak oxygen uptake (V(O2peak))
      following endurance training (ET) are primarily determined by central and/or
      peripheral adaptations. Herein, we tested the hypothesis that the improvement in
      V(O2peak) following 6 weeks of ET is mainly determined by haematological rather
      than skeletal muscle adaptations. Sixteen untrained healthy male volunteers (age
      = 25 +/- 4 years, V(O2peak) = 3.5 +/- 0.5 l min(-1)) underwent supervised ET (6
      weeks, 3-4 sessions per week). V(O2peak), peak cardiac output (Q(peak)),
      haemoglobin mass (Hb(mass)) and blood volumes were assessed prior to and
      following ET. Skeletal muscle biopsies were analysed for mitochondrial volume
      density (Mito(VD)), capillarity, fibre types and respiratory capacity (OXPHOS).
      After the post-ET assessment, red blood cell volume (RBCV) was re-established at
      the pre-ET level by phlebotomy and V(O2peak) and Q(peak) were measured again. We
      speculated that the contribution of skeletal muscle adaptations to the ET-induced
      increase in V(O2peak) would be revealed when controlling for haematological
      adaptations. V(O2peak) and Q(peak) were increased (P < 0.05) following ET (9 +/-
      8 and 7 +/- 6%, respectively) and decreased (P < 0.05) after phlebotomy (-7 +/- 7
      and -10 +/- 7%). RBCV, plasma volume and Hb(mass) all increased (P < 0.05) after
      ET (8 +/- 4, 4 +/- 6 and 6 +/- 5%). As for skeletal muscle adaptations, capillary
      to-fibre ratio and total Mito(VD) increased (P < 0.05) following ET (18 +/- 16
      and 43 +/- 30%), but OXPHOS remained unaltered. Through stepwise multiple
      regression analysis, Q(peak), RBCV and Hb(mass) were found to be independent
      predictors of V(O2peak). In conclusion, the improvement in V(O2peak) following 6
      weeks of ET is primarily attributed to increases in Q(peak) and oxygen-carrying
      capacity of blood in untrained healthy young subjects.

PMID- 26282188
TI  - CFTR genotype-related body water and electrolyte balance during a marathon.
AB  - The aim of this investigation was to determine the influence of CFTR genotype on
      body water and electrolyte balance during a marathon. Fifty-one experienced
      runners completed a marathon race. Before and after the race, body mass and a
      sample of venous blood were obtained. During the race, sweat samples were
      collected using sweat patches, and fluid and electrolyte intake were obtained
      using self-reported questionnaires. Thirty-eight participants (74.5% of the
      total) were 7T/7T homozygotes, 11 (21.6%) were 7T/9T heterozygotes, and one
      participant presented the rare genotype 5T/7T. Another participant with 9T/9T
      presented the mutation p.L206W. Participants with 7T/7T showed higher sweat
      sodium concentrations (42.2 +/- 21.6 mmol/L) than 7T/9T (29.0 +/- 24.7 mmol/L; P
      = 0.04). The runner with the 5T/7T genotype (10.2 mmol/L) and the participant
      with the p.L206W mutation (20.5 mmol/L) exhibited low-range sweat sodium
      concentrations. However, post-race serum sodium concentration was similar in
      7T/7T and 7T/9T (142.1 +/- 1.3 and 142.4 +/- 1.6 mmol/L, respectively; P = 0.27)
      and did not show abnormalities in participants with the 5T/7T genotype (140.0
      mmol/L) and the p.L206W mutation (143.0 mmol/L). Runners with the CFTR-7T/7T
      genotype exhibited increased sweat sodium concentrations during a marathon.
      However, this phenotype was not related with increased likelihood of suffering
      body water and electrolyte imbalances during real competitions. 

PMID- 26282189
TI  - Assessing Technology in the Absence of Proof: Trust Based on the Interplay of
      Others' Opinions and the Interaction Process.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The present research addresses the question of how trust in systems is
      formed when unequivocal information about system accuracy and reliability is
      absent, and focuses on the interaction of indirect information (others'
      evaluations) and direct (experiential) information stemming from the interaction
      process. BACKGROUND: Trust in decision-supporting technology, such as route
      planners, is important for satisfactory user interactions. Little is known,
      however, about trust formation in the absence of outcome feedback, that is, when
      users have not yet had opportunity to verify actual outcomes. METHOD: Three
      experiments manipulated others' evaluations ("endorsement cues") and various
      forms of experience-based information ("process feedback") in interactions with a
      route planner and measured resulting trust using rating scales and credits staked
      on the outcome. Subsequently, an overall analysis was conducted. RESULTS: Study 1
      showed that effectiveness of endorsement cues on trust is moderated by mere
      process feedback. In Study 2, consistent (i.e., nonrandom) process feedback
      overruled the effect of endorsement cues on trust, whereas inconsistent process
      feedback did not. Study 3 showed that although the effects of consistent and
      inconsistent process feedback largely remained regardless of face validity, high
      face validity in process feedback caused higher trust than those with low face
      validity. An overall analysis confirmed these findings. CONCLUSION: Experiential
      information impacts trust even if outcome feedback is not available, and,
      moreover, overrules indirect trust cues-depending on the nature of the former.
      APPLICATION: Designing systems so that they allow novice users to make inferences
      about their inner workings may foster initial trust.

PMID- 26282190
TI  - The Effects of Age, Gender, and Hand on Force Control Capabilities of Healthy
      Adults.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The present study examined the effects of age (20s to 70s), gender
      (male and female), and hand (dominant and nondominant) on force control
      capabilities (FCCs) in four force control phases (initiation, development,
      maintenance, and termination). BACKGROUND: Normative data of FCCs by force
      control phase are needed for various populations in age and gender to identify a
      type of motor performance reduction and its severity. METHOD: FCCs of 360
      participants (30 for each combination of age group and gender) were measured
      using a finger dynamometer and quantified in terms of initiation time (IT),
      development time (DT), maintenance error (ME), and termination time (TT).
      RESULTS: Although gradual increases (1%~28%) by age were shown in IT, DT, and TT,
      a dramatic increase in ME was observed among participants in their 50s (26%), 60s
      (68%), and 70s (160%) compared to those in their 20s~40s. The most distinctive
      interaction effect of age and gender was found in ME out of the four FCC
      measures. Lastly, hand and its related interactions were not found significant.
      CONCLUSION: Normative FCC data were established for four age groups (20s~40s,
      50s, 60s, and 70s) and gender. APPLICATION: The normative FCC data can be used
      for evaluating an individual's motor performance, screening patients with brain
      disorders, and designing input devices triggered and/or operated by the finger.

PMID- 26282191
TI  - Detect Long-term Complications After ICD Replacement (DECODE): Rationale and
      Study Design of a Multicenter Italian Registry.
AB  - The replacement of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) may give rise
      to considerable clinical consequences, the importance of which is underrated by
      the medical community. Replacement-related adverse events are difficult to
      identify and require monitoring of both short-term complications and long-term
      patient outcome. The aim of this study is to perform a structured evaluation of
      both short- and long-term adverse events and a cost analysis of consecutive ICD
      replacement procedures. Detect Long-term Complications After ICD Replacement
      (DECODE) is a prospective, single-arm, multicenter cohort study designed to
      estimate long-term complication rates (at 12 months and 5 years) in patients
      undergoing ICD generator replacement. The study will also evaluate predictors of
      complications, patient management before and during the replacement procedure in
      clinical practice, and the costs related to use of health care resources. About
      800 consecutive patients with standard indications for ICD generator replacement
      will be enrolled in this study. The decision to undertake generator
      replacement/upgrade will be made according to the investigators' own judgment
      (which will be recorded). Patients will be followed for 60 months through
      periodic in-hospital examinations or remote monitoring. Detailed data on
      complications related to ICD replacement in current clinical practice are still
      lacking. The analysis of adverse events will reveal the value of new preventive
      strategies, thereby yielding both clinical and economic benefits. Moreover,
      assessment of complication rates after ICD replacement in a real-life setting
      will help estimate the actual long-term cost of ICD therapy and assess the real
      impact of increasing ICD longevity on cost-effectiveness. 

PMID- 26282192
TI  - Talking to pregnant women about stillbirth: Evaluating the effectiveness of an
      information workshop for midwives using pre and post intervention surveys.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The project aimed to establish the level of knowledge a group of
      midwives had about risk factors for stillbirth and identify their current
      willingness to raise and discuss stillbirth with pregnant women during standard
      antenatal care. DESIGN: Surveys were administered pre and post an education
      intervention. The intervention consisted of a half day education workshop. A
      change in knowledge pre and post intervention was measured as a means to
      determine the effectiveness of the workshop. SETTINGS: The workshop first
      provided participants with up-to-date information about modifiable and
      preventative risk factors for stillbirth and then provided them with the
      opportunity to practice a range of strategies to assist them to becoming
      confident in raising and discussing the topic of stillbirth. PARTICIPANTS: Three
      workshops were offered and a total of 109 qualified midwives attended. METHODS:
      In order to explore the level of knowledge increase and retention of knowledge
      about stillbirth as well as participants willingness to discuss stillbirth with
      pregnant women, comparisons were made between the pre workshop survey responses
      and those given to the two follow-up surveys immediately following and 3 months
      after the workshop. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant improvement in
      knowledge about stillbirth as well as in participant willingness to engage the
      pregnant women in their care in a conversation about stillbirth. KEY CONCLUSIONS:
      Providing a workshop on stillbirth for registered midwives is quite effective in
      raising their awareness about stillbirth. However, before substantial changes can
      be made in stillbirth awareness, ways and means to sensitively promote public
      awareness of stillbirth need to be explored and anxieties and taboos addressed.
      Research could explore whether or not a stillbirth awareness message actually
      does make women anxious, and if so the nature of this anxiety and how this
      anxiety might best be ameliorated.

PMID- 26282193
TI  - Beginning and advanced students' perceptions of the use of low- and high-fidelity
      mannequins in nursing simulation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is little research evidence that demonstrates the difference
      between the use of low- and high-fidelity mannequins in assisting students to
      acquire their skills when students are at different points in their nursing
      education experience. OBJECTIVES: Our study examined differences between the use
      of low- and high-fidelity mannequins on student outcomes with both beginner and
      advanced students. DESIGN: A quasi-experimental investigation. SETTINGS:
      Participants performed two simulations, one simulation using a low-fidelity
      mannequin and the other simulation using a high-fidelity mannequin. PARTICIPANTS:
      First and fourth semester pre-licensure students from a Bachelor of Science in
      Nursing program and an accelerated nursing entry program participated in this
      study. METHODS: A Students' Satisfaction and Self-confidence Scale and Simulation
      Design Scale were used to obtain data. Statistical analysis was performed using
      the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences for Windows version 17.0. The
      results obtained from scales were compared using Wilcoxon sign test and Mann
      Whitney U test. A p value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
      RESULTS: The student satisfaction score of the students in the low-fidelity
      mannequin group was 3.62+/-1.01, while that of the students in the high-fidelity
      mannequin group was 4.67+/-0.44'dir (p=0.01). The total score of the simulation
      design scale in the low-fidelity mannequin group was 4.15+/-0.63, while it was
      4.73+/-0.33 in the high-fidelity mannequin group (p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Students'
      perceptions of simulation experiences using high-fidelity mannequins were found
      to be higher in contrast to their perceptions of experiences using low-fidelity
      mannequins.

PMID- 26282194
TI  - Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression after treatment with
      glucocorticoid therapy for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Glucocorticoids play a major role in the treatment of acute
      lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). However, supraphysiological doses can suppress the
      hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. HPA axis suppression resulting in
      reduced cortisol response may cause an impaired stress response and an inadequate
      host defence against infections, which remains a cause of morbidity and death.
      Suppression commonly occurs in the first days after cessation of glucocorticoid
      therapy, but the exact duration is unclear. This review is an update of a
      previously published Cochrane review. OBJECTIVES: To examine the occurrence and
      duration of HPA axis suppression after (each cycle of) glucocorticoid therapy for
      childhood ALL. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Central Register of
      Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; Issue 6, 2014), MEDLINE/PubMed (from 1945 to June
      2014), and EMBASE/Ovid (from 1980 to June 2014). In addition, we searched
      reference lists of relevant articles, conference proceedings (the International
      Society for Paediatric Oncology and the American Society of Clinical Oncology
      from 2005 to 2013), and ongoing trial databases (the ISRCTN register and the NIH
      register via http://www.controlled-trials.com in June 2014). SELECTION CRITERIA:
      All study designs, except case reports and patient series with fewer than 10
      children, examining the effect of glucocorticoid therapy for childhood ALL on the
      HPA axis function. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently
      performed the study selection. One review author performed the data extraction
      and 'Risk of bias' assessment, which another review author checked. MAIN RESULTS:
      We identified eight studies (total of 218 children), including two randomised
      controlled trials (RCTs), that assessed the adrenal function. None of the studies
      assessed the HPA axis at the level of the hypothalamus, pituitary, or both. Due
      to substantial differences between studies, we could not pool results. All of the
      studies had some methodological limitations. The included studies demonstrated
      that adrenal insufficiency occurs in nearly all children in the first days after
      cessation of glucocorticoid treatment for childhood ALL. The majority of children
      recovered within a few weeks, but a small number of children had ongoing adrenal
      insufficiency lasting up to 34 weeks. In the RCTs, the occurrence and duration of
      adrenal insufficiency did not differ between the prednisone and dexamethasone
      arms. In one study, it appeared that treatment with fluconazole prolonged the
      duration of adrenal insufficiency. Furthermore, one of the studies evaluated the
      presence of infections or stress episodes, or both as a risk factor for adrenal
      insufficiency. The authors found no relationship between the presence of
      infection/stress and adrenal insufficiency. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: We concluded
      that adrenal insufficiency commonly occurs in the first days after cessation of
      glucocorticoid therapy for childhood ALL, but the exact duration is unclear.
      Since no data on the level of the hypothalamus and the pituitary were available,
      we cannot make any conclusions regarding those outcomes. Clinicians should
      consider prescribing glucocorticoid replacement therapy during periods of serious
      stress in the first weeks after cessation of glucocorticoid therapy for childhood
      ALL to reduce the risk of life-threatening complications. However, more high
      quality research is needed for evidence-based guidelines for glucocorticoid
      replacement therapy.Special attention should be paid to patients receiving
      fluconazole therapy, and perhaps similar antifungal drugs, as this may prolong
      the duration of adrenal insufficiency.Finally, it would be relevant to further
      investigate the relationship between present infection/stress and adrenal
      insufficiency in a larger, separate study specially designed for this purpose.

PMID- 26282195
TI  - Small animal cardiovascular MR imaging and spectroscopy.
AB  - The use of MR imaging and spectroscopy for studying cardiovascular disease
      processes in small animals has increased tremendously over the past decade. This
      is the result of the remarkable advances in MR technologies and the increased
      availability of genetically modified mice. MR techniques provide a window on the
      entire timeline of cardiovascular disease development, ranging from subtle early
      changes in myocardial metabolism that often mark disease onset to severe
      myocardial dysfunction associated with end-stage heart failure. MR imaging and
      spectroscopy techniques play an important role in basic cardiovascular research
      and in cardiovascular disease diagnosis and therapy follow-up. This is due to the
      broad range of functional, structural and metabolic parameters that can be
      quantified by MR under in vivo conditions non-invasively. This review describes
      the spectrum of MR techniques that are employed in small animal cardiovascular
      disease research and how the technological challenges resulting from the small
      dimensions of heart and blood vessels as well as high heart and respiratory
      rates, particularly in mice, are tackled.

PMID- 26282196
TI  - Solid-state NMR methods for oriented membrane proteins.
AB  - Oriented-sample solid-state NMR represents one of few experimental methods
      capable of characterising the membrane-bound conformation of proteins in the cell
      membrane. Since the technique was developed 25 years ago, the technique has been
      applied to study the structure of helix bundle membrane proteins and
      antimicrobial peptides, characterise protein-lipid interactions, and derive
      information on dynamics of the membrane anchoring of membrane proteins. We will
      review the major developments in various aspects of oriented-sample solid-state
      NMR, including sample-preparation methods, pulse sequences, theory required to
      interpret the experiments, perspectives for and guidelines to new experiments,
      and a number of representative applications.

PMID- 26282198
TI  - Theoretical tools for the design of NMR relaxation dispersion pulse sequences.
AB  - Recent decades have witnessed tremendous progress in the development of new
      experimental methods for studying biomolecules, particularly in the field of NMR
      relaxation dispersion. Here we review the theoretical frameworks that provided
      the insights necessary for such progress. The effect of radio-frequency
      manipulations on spin systems is discussed using Average Hamiltonian Theory
      (AHT), Average Liouvillian Theory (ALT), and Bloch-Wangsness-Redfield (BWR)
      relaxation theory. We illustrate these concepts using the case of Heteronuclear
      Double Resonance (HDR) methods.

PMID- 26282199
TI  - Fenofibrate activates Nrf2 through p62-dependent Keap1 degradation.
AB  - Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha) activates the beta
      oxidation of fatty acids in the liver. Fenofibrate is a potent agonist of
      PPARalpha and is used in the treatment of hyperlipidemia. Fenofibrate treatment
      often induces the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS),
      leading to cell death. The nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)
      Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) pathway is an essential component of
      the defense mechanism against oxidative stress. However, the molecular mechanism
      underlying the regulation of the Nrf2-Keap1 pathway in fenofibrate-induced cell
      death is not known. In this study, we demonstrated that fenofibrate induces Keap1
      degradation and Nrf2 activation. This fenofibrate-mediated Keap1 degradation is
      partly dependent on autophagy. Furthermore, fenofibrate-induced Keap1 degradation
      followed by Nrf2 activation is mainly mediated by p62, which functions as an
      adaptor protein in the autophagic pathway. Consistent with these findings,
      ablation of p62 increased fenofibrate-mediated apoptotic cell death associated
      with ROS accumulation. These results strongly suggest that p62 plays a crucial
      role in preventing fenofibrate-induced cell death. 

PMID- 26282200
TI  - Different roles of GPR120 and GPR40 in the acquisition of malignant properties in
      pancreatic cancer cells.
AB  - Free fatty acids (FFAs) act as extracellular signaling molecules through binding
      to G-protein-coupled FFA receptors (FFARs). GPR120 and GPR40 are identified as
      FFARs for medium- and long-chain fatty acids. In the present study, we
      investigated roles of GPR120 and GPR40 in cellular functions of pancreatic cancer
      PANC-1 cells, using GPR120 and GPR40 knockdown cells (PANC-sh120 and PANC-sh40
      cells respectively). In cell motility assay, PANC-sh120 cells showed the low cell
      motility, compared with control cells. In contrast, the cell motility of PANC
      sh40 cells was significantly higher than that of control cells. Activity levels
      of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) were measured by gelatin zymography. While
      PANC-sh120 cells indicated the reduced MMP-2 activity, MMP-2 activity in PANC
      sh40 cells was significantly higher than that in control cells. On the other
      hand, no activation of MMP-9 was detected in all cells. In colony assay, the
      large sized colonies were markedly formed in PANC-sh40 cells. No colony formation
      was observed in PANC-sh120 cells as well as control cells. These results suggest
      that distinct effects of GPR120 and GPR40 are involved in the acquisition of
      malignant property in pancreatic cancer cells. 

PMID- 26282201
TI  - A network-based approach to identify disease-associated gene modules through
      integrating DNA methylation and gene expression.
AB  - Formation and progression of complex diseases are generally the joint effect of
      genetic and epigenetic disorders, thus an integrative analysis of epigenetic and
      genetic data is essential for understanding mechanism of the diseases. In this
      study, we integrate Illuminate 450k DNA methylation and gene expression data to
      calculate the weights of gene network using Principal Component Analysis (PCA)
      and Canonical Correlation Analysis (CCA). The approach considers all methylation
      values of CpG sites in a gene, rather than averaging them which was used in other
      studies ignoring the variability of the methylation sites. Through comparing
      topological features of control network with those of case network, including
      global and local features, candidate disease-associated genes and gene modules
      are identified. We apply the approach to real data, breast invasive carcinoma
      (BRCA). It successfully identifies susceptibility breast cancer-related genes,
      such as TP53, BRCA1, EP300, CDK2, MCM7 and so forth, within which most are
      previously known to breast cancer. Also, GO and pathway enrichment analysis
      indicate that these genes enrich in cell apoptosis and regulation of cell death
      which are cancer-related biological processes. Importantly, through analyzing the
      functions and comparing expression and methylation values of these genes between
      cases and controls, we find some genes, such as VASN, SNRPD3, and gene modules,
      targeted by POLR2C, CHMP1B and TAF9, which might be novel breast cancer-related
      biomarkers. 

PMID- 26282197
TI  - Mechanisms of amyloid formation revealed by solution NMR.
AB  - Amyloid fibrils are proteinaceous elongated aggregates involved in more than
      fifty human diseases. Recent advances in electron microscopy and solid state NMR
      have allowed the characterization of fibril structures to different extents of
      refinement. However, structural details about the mechanism of fibril formation
      remain relatively poorly defined. This is mainly due to the complex,
      heterogeneous and transient nature of the species responsible for assembly;
      properties that make them difficult to detect and characterize in structural
      detail using biophysical techniques. The ability of solution NMR spectroscopy to
      investigate exchange between multiple protein states, to characterize transient
      and low-population species, and to study high molecular weight assemblies, render
      NMR an invaluable technique for studies of amyloid assembly. In this article we
      review state-of-the-art solution NMR methods for investigations of: (a) protein
      dynamics that lead to the formation of aggregation-prone species; (b)
      amyloidogenic intrinsically disordered proteins; and (c) protein-protein
      interactions on pathway to fibril formation. Together, these topics highlight the
      power and potential of NMR to provide atomic level information about the
      molecular mechanisms of one of the most fascinating problems in structural
      biology.

PMID- 26282202
TI  - Overexpression of porcine lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 in swine.
AB  - Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A 2 (Lp-PLA2) is associated with the risk of
      vascular disease. It circulates in human blood predominantly in association with
      low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and hydrolyses oxidized phospholipids
      into pro-inflammatory products. However, in the mouse circulation, it
      predominantly binds to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and exhibits
      anti-inflammatory properties. To further investigate the effects of Lp-PLA2 in
      the circulation, we generated over-expressed Lp-PLA2 transgenic swine. The
      eukaryotic expression plasmid of porcine Lp-PLA2 which driven by EF1alpha
      promoter was constructed and generate transgenic swine via SCNT. The expression
      and activity of Lp-PLA2 in transgenic swine were evaluated, and the total
      cholesterol (TC), HDL-C, LDL-C and triglyceride (TG) levels in the fasting and
      fed states were also assessed. Compared with wild-type swine controls, the
      transgenic swine exhibited elevated Lp-PLA2 mRNA levels and activities, and the
      activity did not depend on the feeding state. The TC, HDL-C and LDL-C levels were
      not significantly increased. There was no change in the TG levels in the fasting
      state between transgenic and control pigs. However, in the fed state, the TG
      levels of transgenic swine were slightly increased compared with the control pigs
      and were significantly elevated compared with the fasting state. In addition,
      inflammatory gene (interleukin [IL]-6, monocyte chemotactic protein [MCP]-1 and
      tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-alpha) mRNA levels in peripheral blood mononuclear
      cells (PBMCs) were significantly increased. The results demonstrated that Lp-PLA2
      is associated with triglycerides which may be helpful for understanding the
      relationship of this protein with cardiovascular disease. 

PMID- 26282203
TI  - A model for non-obligate oligomer formation in protein aggregration.
AB  - Using solvent-exposed intramolecular backbone hydrogen bonds as physico-chemical
      descriptors for protein packing, a role for transient, non-obligate oligomers in
      the formation of aberrant protein aggregates is presented. Oligomeric models of
      the both wild type (wt) and select mutant variants of superoxide dismutase (SOD1)
      are proposed to provide a structural basis for investigating the etiology of
      Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). 

PMID- 26282204
TI  - Human RNA polymerase II associated factor 1 complex promotes tumorigenesis by
      activating c-MYC transcription in non-small cell lung cancer.
AB  - Human RNA polymerase II (RNAPII)-associated factor 1 complex (hPAF1C) plays a
      crucial role in protein-coding gene transcription. Overexpression of hPAF1C has
      been implicated in the initiation and progression of various human cancers.
      However, the molecular pathways involved in tumorigenesis through hPAF1C remain
      to be elucidated. The current study suggested hPAF1C expression as a prognostic
      biomarker for early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and patients with
      low hPAF1C expression levels had significantly better overall survival.
      Furthermore, the expression of hPAF1C was found to be positively correlated with
      c-MYC expression in patient tumor samples and in cancer cell lines. Mechanistic
      studies indicated that hPAF1C could promote lung cancer cell proliferation
      through regulating c-MYC transcription. These results demonstrated the prognostic
      value of hPAF1C in early-stage NSCLC and the role of hPAF1C in the
      transcriptional regulation of c-MYC oncogene during NSCLC tumorigenesis. 

PMID- 26282205
TI  - Inhibition of long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase 4 facilitates production of 5, 11
      dihydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid via the cyclooxygenase-2 pathway.
AB  - Long chain acyl-CoA synthetases (ACSLs) are a family of enzymes that convert free
      long chain fatty acids into their acyl-CoA forms. Among ACSL enzymes, ACSL4
      prefers arachidonic acid (AA) as a substrate and plays an important role in re
      esterification of free AA. We previously reported that the suppression of ACSL4
      activity by treatment with an ACSL inhibitor or a small interfering RNA markedly
      enhanced interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta)-dependent prostaglandin (PG) biosynthesis
      in rat fibroblastic 3Y1 cells. We show here that in addition to these
      prostanoids, cytokine-dependent production of 5,11-dihydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid
      (5,11-diHETE), a cyclooxygenase product of 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5
      HETE), was enhanced by the inhibition of ACSL4 activity. Treatment of several
      types of cells with an ACSL inhibitor, triacsin C, markedly enhanced IL-1beta
      dependent production of 5,11-diHETE. siRNA-mediated knockdown of ACSL4 also
      enhanced IL-1beta-dependent production of 5,11-diHETE from 3Y1 cells. The
      production of 5,11-diHETE was significantly decreased by a cyclooxygenase (COX)-2
      selective inhibitor, NS-398, but not by a 5-lipoxygenase activating protein
      (FLAP) inhibitor, MK-886. The inhibition of ACSL enzymes significantly
      facilitated release of not only 5-HETE but also 8-HETE, 9-HETE, 11-HETE, 12-HETE,
      and 15-HETE, independently of IL-1beta stimulation. In vitro analysis showed that
      a recombinant COX-2 enzyme more effectively metabolized 5(S)-HETE to 5-11-diHETE
      compared to COX-1 enzyme. From these results, we proposed the following mechanism
      of 5,11-diHETE biosynthesis in these cells: 1) inhibition of ACSL4 causes
      accumulation of free AA; 2) the accumulated AA is nonspecifically converted into
      various HETEs; and 3) among these HETEs, 5-HETE is metabolized into 5,11-diHETE
      by cytokine-induced COX-2.

PMID- 26282206
TI  - Serum peptidome profiling analysis for the identification of potential biomarkers
      in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia patients.
AB  - Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) is a precancerous disease of cervical
      squamous cell carcinoma. We Used Mass Spectrometry based peptidome profile study
      to predict the transformation of CIN1, which is the primary stage of this lesion.
      . Serum samples of 34 Cervical squamous cell carcinoma patients, 31 healthy
      controls, and 29 CIN1 samples were analyzed. Peptides were purified by WCX
      magnetic beads (Bioyong), and analyzed by MALDI TOF (Bruker). Raw data were
      analyzed by BioExplorer software (Bioyong). The results showed 14 mass peaks with
      significant differences. The diagnosis model is established by analyzing peptide
      profiles of 15 SCC patients and 20 healthy women serum, with a sensitivity of
      100% and specificity of 100.00%. In validation set, the SCC diagnosis model also
      had good performance with a sensitivity of 80%, a specificity of 100%. In
      addition, this model could predict 29 CIN1 patients with accuracy of 55.17%.
      These results would provide a new method to predict the trend of CIN1 and take
      effective measures for high risk group timely. 

PMID- 26282207
TI  - The E-box-like sterol regulatory element mediates the insulin-stimulated
      expression of hepatic clusterin.
AB  - Clusterin (also known as apolipoprotein J) is a highly conserved glycoprotein
      involved in various biological processes, including attenuation of complement
      activity, sperm maturation, apoptosis, and reverse lipid transport. Although
      clusterin is reportedly associated with metabolic diseases, the metabolic
      regulation of clusterin expression is largely unknown. We investigated the effect
      of insulin on hepatic clusterin expression and its underlying mechanisms. Insulin
      increased the mRNA and protein levels of clusterin in primary hepatocytes and
      hepatoma cell lines. Serial deletion and mutant analysis of the clusterin
      promoter demonstrated that insulin-stimulated transactivation is mediated via a
      non-canonical E-box (NCE-box) motif in the proximal upstream region.
      Interestingly, sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) co
      transfection showed the same transactivation pattern as insulin stimulation in
      serial deletion and mutant promoter analysis. In contrast, co-transfection with a
      dominant negative form of SREBP-1c inhibited insulin-stimulated clusterin
      expression. Furthermore, insulin increased the recruitment of SREBP-1c to the NCE
      box of the clusterin promoter region. Taken together, our results suggest that an
      NCE-box within the clusterin promoter is necessary for insulin-stimulated hepatic
      expression of clusterin via SREBP-1c. 

PMID- 26282208
TI  - Functional Analysis and Characterization of Differential Coexpression Networks.
AB  - Differential coexpression analysis is emerging as a complement to conventional
      differential gene expression analysis. The identified differential coexpression
      links can be assembled into a differential coexpression network (DCEN) in
      response to environmental stresses or genetic changes. Differential coexpression
      analyses have been successfully used to identify condition-specific modules;
      however, the structural properties and biological significance of general DCENs
      have not been well investigated. Here, we analyzed two independent Saccharomyces
      cerevisiae DCENs constructed from large-scale time-course gene expression
      profiles in response to different situations. Topological analyses show that
      DCENs are tree-like networks possessing scale-free characteristics, but not small
      world. Functional analyses indicate that differentially coexpressed gene pairs in
      DCEN tend to link different biological processes, achieving complementary or
      synergistic effects. Furthermore, the gene pairs lacking common transcription
      factors are sensitive to perturbation and hence lead to differential
      coexpression. Based on these observations, we integrated transcriptional
      regulatory information into DCEN and identified transcription factors that might
      cause differential coexpression by gain or loss of activation in response to
      different situations. Collectively, our results not only uncover the unique
      structural characteristics of DCEN but also provide new insights into
      interpretation of DCEN to reveal its biological significance and infer the
      underlying gene regulatory dynamics. 

PMID- 26282210
TI  - Paediatrics: Guidelines for UTI and antenatal hydronephrosis should be gender
      specific.

PMID- 26282211
TI  - Incontinence: Preoperative urodynamics--self evident or evidently unnecessary?

PMID- 26282212
TI  - Prostate cancer: Novel xenografts in mice--a new wave of preclinical models.

PMID- 26282213
TI  - Infection: HipA and multidrug tolerance in urinary tract infection.

PMID- 26282214
TI  - [Radiotherapy in elderly patients, recommendations for the main localizations:
      Breast, prostate and gynaecological cancers].
AB  - Modifications of radiotherapy indications or schedules because of age could be
      discussed in view of a different evolution of the disease or because of specific
      toxicities. One important aim is to decrease the number of hospital transports.
      For breast cancer, the rate of local relapse after lumpectomy is lower in old
      patients; moreover, characteristics of the disease are often more favourable
      (hormonosensitivity, low grade). However, adjuvant irradiation decreases
      significantly the incidence of breast relapse and must be systematically
      proposed. Hypofractionnated schedules must be recommended; limited data are
      available for accelerated partial breast irradiation in old women and these
      techniques must not be used in routine. For low or intermediate risk prostate
      cancer, assessment of comorbidities is crucial before considering any invasive
      treatment. A life expectancy of at least 10 years is required if a curative
      approach, potentially toxic is proposed. In this case, radiotherapy is often the
      good choice, giving less sequelae than surgery. The indication of androgen
      deprivation must take into account cardiovascular and bone history. Management of
      gynaecological cancers must follow the same recommendations as in young women.
      Exclusive postoperative brachytherapy must be recommended in early stage
      endometrial carcinomas. Brachytherapy must be also systematically integrated in
      the radiotherapy program for cervix cancers, even in old women.

PMID- 26282215
TI  - [Which constraints for which organs at risk in radiotherapy for adult patients?].
AB  - The delineation of organs at risk is a part of the planning of irradiation
      treatments. With the delineation of the target volumes, this task is essential
      and is followed by the appropriate calculations of a dose distribution from
      radiation beams and the validation of the treatment plan. The contouring of
      organs at risk could influence the dosimetric parameters, treatment planning and
      also the outcome of the patient. The treatment intent (curative or palliative),
      doses and fractionations and also the type of organs at risk have an impact on
      the delineation. Optimized radiation techniques and reirradiations make
      delineation and definition of doses constraints more difficult. The second
      edition of the guidelines established by the French society of radiation
      oncologists (SFRO) includes a chapter dedicated to the delineation of organs at
      risk and dose constraints. The transposition of these recommendations in current
      practice remains the responsibility of the radiation oncologist who implements
      them and who has to judge their relevance. 

PMID- 26282216
TI  - [Follow-up after radiation therapy for cervical cancer].
AB  - Radiation therapy plays a central role in treatment strategies of cervical
      cancer. Follow-up after external pelvic radiation therapy and brachytherapy is
      based upon French and international specific recommendations. It aims to assess
      early tumour response, and to detect local or metastatic recurrences which can be
      suitable for salvage treatment. Follow-up after radiation therapy for cervical
      cancer should also assess gastro-intestinal, urinary and sexual toxicities which
      may have an impact on quality of life. This is a major concern in the evaluation
      of the results of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and MRI-guided
      brachytherapy, which should lead to a better local control and to a better bowel
      tolerance. 

PMID- 26282217
TI  - MiR-661 contributed to cell proliferation of human ovarian cancer cells by
      repressing INPP5J expression.
AB  - Accumulating evidence has emerged important roles for microRNAs (miRNAs)
      participating in oncogenesis and growth of various cancers. We hypothesized that
      miR-661 played an important role in cell growth of ovarian cancer. Here, we found
      miR-661 was upregulated in human ovarian cancer cell lines and clinical tumor
      tissues. Our results revealed that miR-661 directly targeted INPP5J, thereby
      acting as tumor promoter in ovarian cancer cells by blocking cell proliferation.
      Importantly, we identified miR-661 as a positive regulator of INPP5J-induced AKT
      pathway. Taken together, our study sheds light onto the role of miR-661 as tumor
      promoter by targeting the INPP5J gene, and then promoting cell proliferation of
      ovarian cancer. 

PMID- 26282209
TI  - Safety considerations for synthetic sling surgery.
AB  - Implantation of a synthetic midurethral sling (SMUS) is the most commonly
      performed anti-incontinence operation in women worldwide. The effectiveness of
      the SMUS is comparable to that of the historical gold standards--autologous
      fascial slings and the Burch colposuspension. Much controversy, however, has
      evolved regarding the safety of this type of sling. Overall, the quality of the
      studies with respect to assessing risks of SMUS-associated complications is
      currently poor. The most common risks in patients with SMUS include urethral
      obstruction requiring surgery (2.3% of patients with SMUS), vaginal, bladder
      and/or urethral erosion requiring surgery (1.8%) and refractory chronic pain
      (4.1%); these data likely represent the minimum risks. In addition, the failure
      rate of SMUS implantation surgery is probably at least 5% in patients with stress
      urinary incontinence (SUI). Furthermore, at least one-third of patients
      undergoing sling excision surgery develop recurrent SUI. Considering the
      additional risks of refractory overactive bladder, fistulas and bowel
      perforations, among others, the overall risk of a negative outcome after SMUS
      implantation surgery is >=15%.

PMID- 26282218
TI  - Schisandrin B shows neuroprotective effect in 6-OHDA-induced Parkinson's disease
      via inhibiting the negative modulation of miR-34a on Nrf2 pathway.
AB  - BACKGROUND: MiR-34 family members have been previously shown to play potential
      functional role in Parkinson's disease (PD) pathogenesis. However, the regulatory
      role of miR-34a has not been demonstrated in PD yet. This study aims to clarify
      the potential neuroprotective effect of Schisandrin B (Sch B) involving miR-34a
      function in 6-OHDA-induced PD model. METHODS: The expression changes of miR-34a
      and Nrf2 pathway related genes were detected in 6-OHDA-treated SH-SY5Y cells
      under Sch B pretreatment. Cell viability and PD feathers of 6-OHDA-induced PD
      mice were measured for neuroprotection assessment. The regulation of miR-34a on
      Nrf2 activity and expression was demonstrated through gain-of-function and loss
      of-function studies, while the regulatory role of miR-34a in the neuroprotection
      of Sch B was investigated both in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS: Sch B pretreatment
      ameliorated 6-OHDA-induced changes in vitro, like upregulated miR-34a expression,
      inhibited Nrf2 pathways and decreased cell survival, and PD feathers in vivo.
      Moreover, Nrf2 was negatively regulated by miR-34a, while miR-34a overexpression
      inhibited the neuroprotection of Sch B in both dopaminergic SH-SY5Y cells and PD
      mice. CONCLUSION: Sch B showed neuroprotective effect in 6-OHDA-induced PD
      pathogenesis, which could be inhibited by miR-34a, involving the negative
      regulatory mechanism of miR-34a on Nrf2 pathways.

PMID- 26282219
TI  - Non-thermal plasma-activated water inactivation of food-borne pathogen on fresh
      produce.
AB  - Non-thermal plasma has been widely considered to be an effective method for
      decontamination of foods. Recently, numerous studies report that plasma-activated
      water (PAW) also has outstanding antibacterial ability. This study presents the
      first report on the potential of PAW for the inactivation of Staphylococcus
      aureus (S. aureus) inoculated on strawberries. PAW treatments achieved a
      reduction of S. aureus ranging from 1.6 to 2.3 log at day-0 storage, while 1.7 to
      3.4 log at day-4 storage. The inactivation efficiency depended on the plasma
      activated time for PAW generation and PAW-treated time of strawberries inoculated
      with S. aureus. LIVE/DEAD staining and scanning electron microscopy results
      confirm that PAW could damage the bacterial cell wall. Moreover, optical emission
      spectra and oxidation reduction potential results demonstrate the inactivation is
      mainly attributed to oxidative stress induced by reactive oxygen species in PAW.
      In addition, no significant change was found in color, firmness and pH of the PAW
      treated strawberries. Thus, PAW can be a promising alternative to traditional
      sanitizers applied in the fresh produce industry. 

PMID- 26282220
TI  - Hydrogeochemistry of co-occurring geogenic arsenic, fluoride and iodine in
      groundwater at Datong Basin, northern China.
AB  - Abnormal levels of co-occurring arsenic (As), fluorine (F) and iodine (I) in
      groundwater at Datong Basin, northern China are geochemically unique.
      Hydrochemical, (18)O and (2)H characteristics of groundwater were analyzed to
      elucidate their mobilization processes. Aqueous As, F and I ranged from 5.6 to
      2680 MUg/L, 0.40 to 3.32 mg/L and 10.1 to 186 MUg/L, respectively. High As, F and
      I groundwater was characterized by moderately alkaline, high HCO3(-), Fe(II), HS(
      ) and DOC concentrations with H3AsO3, F(-) and I(-) as the dominant species. The
      plots of delta(18)O values and Cl/Br ratios versus Cl(-) concentration
      demonstrate build-up of more oxidizing conditions and precipitation of carbonate
      minerals induced by vertical recharge and intensive evaporation facilitate As
      retention to Fe (hydr) oxides, but enhance F and I mobilization from host
      minerals. Under reducing conditions, As and I can be simultaneously released via
      reductive dissolution of Fe (hydr) oxides and reduction of As(V) and I(V) while F
      migration may be retarded due to effects of dissolution-precipitation equilibria
      between carbonate minerals and fluorite. With the prevalence of sulfate-reducing
      condition and lowering of HCO3(-) concentration, As and I may be sequestered by
      Fe(II) sulfides and F is retained to fluorite and on clay mineral surfaces.

PMID- 26282221
TI  - Effect of sound frequency and initial concentration on the sonochemical
      degradation of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS).
AB  - Perfluoooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) is a perfluorinated compound (PFC) highly
      resistant to conventional advance oxidation processes, which was widely used in
      industrial activities due to its surfactant nature, olephobic-hydrophobic
      properties, and chemical inertness. Sonochemical treatment has been suggested as
      an effective approach to treat aqueous solutions containing minimal levels of
      PFCs. This study investigates PFOS sonochemical degradation and its dependency on
      the initial concentration (10-460 MUM), and the applied sound frequency (25 and
      500 kHz, and 1 MHz). PFOS was degraded by sonochemical treatment at
      concentrations as high as 460 MUM, as demonstrated by fluoride release and total
      organic content data. PFOS degradation rate was higher at megasonic frequencies
      (1MHz) compared to ultrasonic frequencies (25-500 kHz). PFOS degradation was
      controlled by saturation kinetics as indicated by an increase in PFOS degradation
      rate with increasing PFOS concentration until a maximum, after which the
      degradation rate was independent of the concentration. The saturation conditions
      were dependent on the sound frequency, and they were reached at a lower
      concentration under 1 MHz (100 MUM) compared to the 500 kHz frequency (>460 MUM).
      Overall, the results of this study demonstrate that high PFOS concentration can
      be effectively sonochemically treated using megasonic frequencies.

PMID- 26282223
TI  - Comparison between bioconcentration factor (BCF) data provided by industry to the
      European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and data derived from QSAR models.
AB  - The bioconcentration factor (BCF) is the ratio of the concentration of a chemical
      in an organism to the concentration in the surrounding environment at steady
      state. It is a valuable indicator of the bioaccumulation potential of a
      substance. BCF is an essential environmental property required for regulatory
      purposes within the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and restriction of
      Chemicals (REACH) and Globally Harmonized System (GHS) regulations. In silico
      models for predicting BCF can facilitate the risk assessment for aquatic
      toxicology and reduce the cost and number of animals used. The aim of the present
      study was to examine the correlation of BCF data derived from the dossiers of
      registered chemicals submitted to the European Chemical Agency (ECHA) with the
      results of a battery of Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR).
      After data pruning, statistical analysis was performed using the predictions of
      the selected models. Results in terms of R(2) had low rating around 0.5 for the
      pruned dataset. The use of the model applicability domain index (ADI) led to an
      improvement of the performance for compounds falling within it. The variability
      of the experimental data and the use of different parameters to define the
      applicability domain can influence the performance of each model. All available
      information should be adapted to the requirements of the regulation to obtain a
      safe decision. 

PMID- 26282222
TI  - A Meta-Analysis of Executive Dysfunction and Antidepressant Treatment Response in
      Late-Life Depression.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Depressed older adults with executive dysfunction (ED) may respond
      poorly to antidepressant treatment. ED is a multifaceted construct and different
      studies have measured different aspects of ED, making it unclear which aspects
      predict poor response. Meta-analytic methods were used to determine whether ED
      predicts poor antidepressant treatment response in late-life depression and to
      determine which domains of executive functioning are responsible for this
      relationship. METHODS: A Medline search was conducted to identify regimented
      treatment trials contrasting executive functioning between elderly responders and
      nonresponders; only regimented treatment trials for depressed outpatients aged 50
      and older were included. Following the most recent PRISMA guidelines, 25 measures
      of executive functioning were extracted from eight studies. Six domains were
      identified: cognitive flexibility, planning and organization, response
      inhibition, selective attention, verbal fluency, and the Dementia Rating Scale
      Initiation/Perseveration composite score (DRS I/P). Hedge's g was calculated for
      each measure of executive functioning. A three-level Bayesian hierarchical linear
      model (HLM) was used to estimate effect sizes for each domain of executive
      functioning. RESULTS: The effect of planning and organization was significantly
      different from zero (Bayesian HLM estimate of domain effect size: 0.91; 95% CI:
      0.32-1.58), whereas cognitive flexibility, response inhibition, selective
      attention, verbal fluency, and the DRS I/P composite score were not. CONCLUSION:
      The domain of planning and organization is meaningfully associated with poor
      antidepressant treatment response in late-life depression. These findings suggest
      that therapies that focus on planning and organization may provide effective
      augmentation strategies for antidepressant nonresponders with late-life
      depression.

PMID- 26282225
TI  - Serum perfluoroalkyl acids and time to pregnancy in nulliparous women.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previous studies on the exposure to perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) and
      female fertility have provided conflicting results. We aimed to investigate the
      association between several PFAAs and time to pregnancy among nulliparous women.
      METHODS: From 2008 to 2013, we included 1372 women from the Aarhus Birth Cohort,
      Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark, who provided data on time to pregnancy and a
      blood sample before 20 gestational weeks. We measured the levels of 16 PFAAs in
      maternal serum and report data for seven compounds with quantifiable values in at
      least 50% of samples. Fecundability ratios according to PFAA levels (quartiles or
      continuous levels) were estimated by discrete-time survival analyses, adjusted
      for potential confounders. We further investigated the association between PFAAs
      and infertility (time to pregnancy>12 months or infertility treatment prior to
      the studied pregnancy) by multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Median
      levels of perfluorooctane sulfonate and perfluorooctanoate were 8.3 and 2.0
      ng/mL. Overall, no obvious associations were found between any PFAAs and
      fecundability or infertility. Adjusted fecundability ratios (95% confidence
      intervals) were 1.09 (0.92-1.29) for perfluorooctane sulfonate and 1.10 (0.93
      1.30) for perfluorooctanoate (highest versus lowest quartile). CONCLUSIONS: We
      found no evidence of an association between present serum levels of PFAAs and
      longer time to pregnancy or infertility in nulliparous women. This study further
      adds to the sparse knowledge on PFAAs besides perfluorooctane sulfonate and
      perfluorooctanoate.

PMID- 26282224
TI  - Residential proximity to major roadways and incident hypertension in post
      menopausal women.
AB  - Living near major roadways has been associated with increased risk of
      cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, presumably from exposure to elevated
      levels of traffic-related air and/or noise pollution. This association may
      potentially be mediated through increased risk of incident hypertension, but
      results from prior studies are equivocal. Using Cox proportional hazards models
      we examined residential proximity to major roadways and incident hypertension
      among 38,360 participants of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) Clinical Trial
      cohorts free of hypertension at enrollment and followed for a median of 7.9
      years. Adjusting for participant demographics and lifestyle, trial participation,
      and markers of individual and neighborhood socioeconomic status, the hazard
      ratios for incident hypertension were 1.13 (95% CI: 1.00, 1.28), 1.03 (0.95,
      1.11), 1.05 (0.99, 1.11), and 1.05 (1.00, 1.10) for participants living <=50, >50
      200, >200-400, and >400-1000 m vs >1000 m from the nearest major roadway,
      respectively (ptrend=0.013). This association varied substantially by WHI study
      region with hazard ratios for women living <=50 m from a major roadway of 1.61
      (1.18, 2.20) in the West, 1.51 (1.22, 1.87) in the Northeast, 0.89 (0.70, 1.14)
      in the South, and 0.94 (0.75, 1.19) in the Midwest. In this large, national
      cohort of post-menopausal women, residential proximity to major roadways was
      associated with incident hypertension in selected regions of the U.S. If causal,
      these results suggest residential proximity to major roadways, as a marker for
      air, noise and other traffic-related pollution, may be a risk factor for
      hypertension.

PMID- 26282226
TI  - Race/ethnicity and gender differences in mental health diagnoses among Iraq and
      Afghanistan veterans.
AB  - Veterans who served in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF; predominantly in
      Afghanistan) and Operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn (OIF and OND;
      predominantly in Iraq) and are enrolled in the VA are comprised of a growing
      cohort of women and higher proportions of racial/ethnic minorities than
      civilians. To compare rates of mental health disorders by race/ethnicity and
      gender for this diverse cohort, we conducted a retrospective analysis of existing
      records from OEF/OIF/OND veterans who were seen at the VA 10/7/01-8/1/2013
      (N=792,663). We found that race/ethnicity was related to diagnoses of mental
      health disorders. Asian/Pacific Islanders (A/PIs) were diagnosed with all
      disorders at lower rates than whites, and American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN)
      males were diagnosed with most disorders at higher rates than white males.
      Research is needed to identify contributing factors to differential rates of
      diagnoses based on race/ethnicity and gender. A/PIs and AI/ANs have unique
      patterns of mental health diagnoses indicating they should be considered
      separately to present a comprehensive picture of veteran mental health. 

PMID- 26282227
TI  - Immigration and psychotic experiences in the United States: Another example of
      the epidemiological paradox?
AB  - In Europe, it is widely established that immigration increases risk for psychotic
      disorder. However, research has yet to confirm this association in the United
      States, where immigrants paradoxically report better health status than their
      native-born counterparts. Further, few studies have examined this topic with
      respect to sub-threshold psychotic experiences, which are more common than
      psychotic disorders in the general population. This study analyzes the (1)
      National Comorbidity Survey-Replication, (2) the National Latino and Asian
      American Survey, and (3) the National Survey of American Life, in order to
      determine whether generation status had any impact on risk for lifetime and 12
      month PE, and whether these associations vary across racial/ethnic groups,
      adjusting for demographic variables and socioeconomic status. We found an absence
      of an immigration effect on PE across various ethnic groups and across various
      geographic areas, and found that immigration is actually protective among
      Latinos, supporting the idea that the epidemiological paradox extends to the
      psychosis phenotype. 

PMID- 26282228
TI  - Influence of personality and neuropsychological ability on social functioning and
      self-management in bipolar disorder.
AB  - A majority of bipolar patients (BD) show functional difficulties even in
      remission. In recent years cognitive functions and personality characteristics
      have been associated with occupational and psychosocial outcomes, but findings
      are not consistent. We assessed personality and cognitive functioning through a
      range of tests in BD and control participants. Three cognitive domains-verbal
      memory, facial-executive, and spatial memory-were extracted by principal
      component analysis. These factors and selected personality dimensions were
      included in hierarchical regression analysis to predict psychosocial functioning
      and the use of self-management strategies while controlling for mood status. The
      best determinants of good psychosocial functioning were good verbal memory and
      high self-directedness. The use of self-management techniques was associated with
      a low level of harm-avoidance. Our findings indicate that strategies to improve
      memory and self-directedness may be useful for increasing functioning in
      individuals with bipolar disorder. 

PMID- 26282229
TI  - Persistence with denosumab and persistence with oral bisphosphonates for the
      treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis: a retrospective, observational study,
      and a meta-analysis.
AB  - The objectives of this study were to estimate persistence with denosumab and put
      these results in context by conducting a review of persistence with oral
      bisphosphonates. Persistence with denosumab was found to be higher than with oral
      bisphosphonates. PURPOSE: This study had two objectives: to analyse persistence
      in Swedish women initiating denosumab for treatment of postmenopausal
      osteoporosis (PMO) and to put these findings in context by conducting a
      literature review and meta-analysis of persistence data for oral bisphosphonates.
      METHODS: The study used the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register and included women
      aged at least 50 years initiating denosumab between May 2010 and July 2012. One
      injection of denosumab was defined as 6-month persistence. Women were considered
      persistent for another 6 months if they filled their next prescription within 6
      months + 56 days and survival analysis applied to the data. A literature search
      was conducted in PubMed to identify retrospective studies of persistence with
      oral bisphosphonates and pooled persistence estimates were calculated using a
      random-effects model. RESULTS: The study identified 2,315 women who were incident
      denosumab users. Mean age was 74 years and 61% had been previously treated for
      PMO. At 12 and 24 months, persistence with denosumab was 83% (95% CI, 81-84%) and
      62% (95% CI, 60-65%), respectively. The literature search identified 40 articles
      for inclusion in the meta-analysis. At 12 and 24 months, persistence with oral
      bisphosphonates ranged from 10% to 78% and from 16% to 46%, with pooled estimates
      of 45% and 30%, respectively. CONCLUSION: These data from the Swedish Prescribed
      Drug Register and literature review suggest that persistence was higher with
      denosumab than with oral bisphosphonates.

PMID- 26282230
TI  - Evaluation of a simplified hip structure analysis method for the prediction of
      incident hip fracture events.
AB  - Many attempts have been made to improve the predictive ability of areal bone
      mineral density (aBMD) which integrates bone mass and area. The addition of an
      extra variable derived from the hip dual-energy X-ray (DXA) image TR_sigma, which
      describes distribution of mass within the scanned area of the trochanter,
      improved prediction of 15-year hip fracture probability in elderly women.
      INTRODUCTION: Two-dimensional DXA imaging of the proximal femur to produce an
      aBMD is a clinically useful predictor of future fracture risk. Further analysis
      of the DXA image to produce an eight-variable hip structure analysis (Beck HSA)
      has been developed to improve understanding of structural factors determining hip
      bone strength at each of three proximal femur sites, the narrow femoral neck
      (NN), intertrochanter (TR) and shaft (S). Recently, data on four measurements
      derived from the currently used eight Beck HSA variables were used to capture
      population variation in bone structure at each site. These include two previously
      used variables, the localised aBMD and the sub-periosteal width (W) applying to 5
      mm sections (at each sites), and two new variables, standard deviation of
      normalised mineral-mass projection profile distribution (sigma), and displacement
      between centre-of-mineral mass and geometric centre-of-mineral mass of projection
      profile (delta). METHODS: Using a cohort of 1159 women, mean baseline age 75, who
      sustained 139 hip fractures over 15 years, we determined whether these measures
      significantly improved 15-year hip fracture prediction compared to current
      approach utilising age and total hip aBMD. To describe the most parsimonious
      model for hip fracture risk prediction, the 12 base measures (4 from each site),
      total hip aBMD and age were evaluated in stepwise logistic regression models.
      RESULTS: The final model included TR_sigma, total hip aBMD and age and provided
      improved utility for hip fracture prediction compared to total hip aBMD and age
      alone (C-statistic 0.73 vs. 0.69, P = 0.009 and net reclassification improvement
      0.164, P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Addition of TR_sigma to total hip
      aBMD and age substantially improved prediction of 15-year hip fracture risk in
      this cohort of elderly women.

PMID- 26282231
TI  - CD147 reprograms fatty acid metabolism in hepatocellular carcinoma cells through
      Akt/mTOR/SREBP1c and P38/PPARalpha pathways.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: CD147 is a transmembrane glycoprotein which is highly
      expressed in various human cancers including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A
      drug Licartin developed with (131)Iodine-labeled antibody against CD147 has been
      approved by the Chinese Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and enters into
      clinical use for HCC treatment. Increasing lines of evidence indicate that CD147
      is implicated in the metabolism of cancer cells, especially glycolysis. However,
      the molecular mechanism underlying the relationship between CD147 and aberrant
      tumor lipid metabolism remains elusive. METHODS: We systematically investigated
      the role of CD147 in the regulation of lipid metabolism, including de novo
      lipogenesis and fatty acid beta-oxidation, in HCC cells and explored the
      underlying molecular mechanisms. RESULTS: Bioinformatic analysis and experimental
      evidence demonstrated that CD147 significantly contributed to the reprogramming
      of fatty acid metabolism in HCC cells mainly through two mechanisms. On one hand,
      CD147 upregulated the expression of sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c
      (SREBP1c) by activating the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, which in turn directly
      activated the transcription of major lipogenic genes FASN and ACC1 to promote de
      novo lipogenesis. On the other hand, CD147 downregulated peroxisome proliferator
      activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha) and its transcriptional target genes CPT1A
      and ACOX1 by activating the p38 MAPK signaling pathway to inhibit fatty acid beta
      oxidation. Moreover, in vitro and in vivo assays indicated that the CD147
      mediated reprogramming of fatty acid metabolism played a critical role in the
      proliferation and metastasis of HCC cells. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate
      that CD147 is a critical regulator of fatty acid metabolism, which provides a
      strong line of evidence for this molecule to be used as a drug target in cancer
      treatment.

PMID- 26282232
TI  - Preventive administration of UDCA after liver transplantation for primary biliary
      cirrhosis is associated with a lower risk of disease recurrence.
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Recurrence of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) after liver
      transplantation (LT) is not rare and can occasionally lead to severe graft
      dysfunction and retransplantation. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is a safe and
      effective treatment for PBC. However, whether preventive administration of UDCA
      after LT could lower the incidence of PBC recurrence is unknown. METHODS:
      Patients transplanted for PBC in five French and Swiss centers from 1988 to 2010
      were included. Most patients from a single center received UDCA (10-15 mg/kg/d)
      preventively. Recurrence of PBC was histologically defined from biopsies
      routinely performed at 1, 5, 10, and 15 years of follow-up, and at any time when
      clinically indicated. RESULTS: A total of 90 patients with a 1-year minimum
      follow-up were studied retrospectively, including 19 (21%) patients receiving
      preventive UDCA. The mean follow-up was 12 years. Recurrence was diagnosed in 48
      (53%) patients. The recurrence rates at 5, 10, and 15 years were 27%, 47%, and
      61%, respectively. In a multivariate proportional hazards model adjusted for
      potential confounders and risk factors, preventive UDCA was the only factor
      affecting the risk of recurrence significantly (HR=0.32; 95% CI: 0.11-0.91). The
      5, 10, and 15-year rates of recurrence were 11%, 21%, and 40%, respectively,
      under preventive UDCA, and 32%, 53%, and 70%, respectively, without preventive
      UDCA. Seven patients with recurrence (15%) progressed to cirrhosis, requiring
      retransplantation in one. However, neither recurrence nor preventive UDCA had a
      significant impact on survival. CONCLUSIONS: Preventive treatment with UDCA
      reduces the risk of PBC recurrence after LT.

PMID- 26282233
TI  - Serotonergic modulation of social status-dependent behavioural plasticity of the
      crayfish avoidance reaction.
AB  - Small crayfish usually showed escape-like dart responses to mechanical
      stimulation of the tailfan. Following agonistic bouts with conspecifics, dominant
      crayfish showed a defensive-like turn response to the same sensory stimulus.
      During the dart response, both uropods closed and animals walked forwards with
      the abdomen extended, while during the turn response the uropod on the stimulated
      side opened and animals turned towards the stimulus source with the abdomen
      frequently flexed. Using an isolated nerve cord preparation, we found that the
      spike activities of both the abdominal postural and uropod motor neurones in
      response to sensory stimulation of the exopodite reversed in dominant animals. In
      naive and subordinate animals, extensor motor neurones were excited and
      antagonistic flexor motor neurones inhibited in response to sensory stimulation.
      Furthermore, the spike frequency of uropod closer motor neurones increased while
      that of the antagonistic opener motor neurones decreased. By contrast, in more
      than half of the dominant animals, flexor and opener motor neurones showed
      excitatory responses while extensor and closer motor neurones showed inhibitory
      responses to the same sensory stimulation. This reverse of activity of the
      abdominal postural and uropod motor neurones was also observed when serotonin of
      more than 12.5 MUM in concentration was applied.

PMID- 26282234
TI  - Coding-complete sequencing classifies parrot bornavirus 5 into a novel virus
      species.
AB  - In this study, we determined the sequence of the coding region of an avian
      bornavirus detected in a blue-and-yellow macaw (Ara ararauna) with
      pathological/histopathological changes characteristic of proventricular
      dilatation disease. The genomic organization of the macaw bornavirus is similar
      to that of other bornaviruses, and its nucleotide sequence is nearly identical to
      the available partial parrot bornavirus 5 (PaBV-5) sequences. Phylogenetic
      analysis showed that these strains formed a monophyletic group distinct from
      other mammalian and avian bornaviruses and in calculations performed with matrix
      protein coding sequences, the PaBV-5 and PaBV-6 genotypes formed a common
      cluster, suggesting that according to the recently accepted classification system
      for bornaviruses, these two genotypes may belong to a new species, provisionally
      named Psittaciform 2 bornavirus. 

PMID- 26282235
TI  - The complete genome sequences of two isolates of cnidium vein yellowing virus, a
      tentative new member of the family Secoviridae.
AB  - We determined the complete genome sequences of two isolates of cnidium vein
      yellowing virus (CnVYV-1 and -2) that co-infected all field samples collected
      from Cnidium officinale in Korea. Unlike CnVYV-2, however, CnVYV-1 was sap
      transmissible to Nicotiana benthamiana. CnVYV-1 and -2 have bipartite genomes of
      7,263 and 3,110 nucleotides and 7,278 and 3,112 nucleotides, respectively,
      excluding the poly(A) tails. Phylogenetic analysis of the CnVYV-1 and -2
      sequences indicated close relationships to strawberry latent ringspot virus, an
      unassigned member of the family Secoviridae. CnVYV-1 and CnVYV-2 are closely
      related viruses that may represent a tentative new species of the family
      Secoviridae. 

PMID- 26282236
TI  - Comprehensive Assessment of Transcriptional Regulation Facilitates Metabolic
      Engineering of Isoprenoid Accumulation in Arabidopsis.
AB  - In plants, two spatially separated pathways provide the precursors for isoprenoid
      biosynthesis. We generated transgenic Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) lines
      with modulated levels of expression of each individual gene involved in the
      cytosolic/peroxisomal mevalonate and plastidial methylerythritol phosphate
      pathways. By assessing the correlation of transgene expression levels with
      isoprenoid marker metabolites (gene-to-metabolite correlation), we determined the
      relative importance of transcriptional control at each individual step of
      isoprenoid precursor biosynthesis. The accumulation patterns of metabolic
      intermediates (metabolite-to-gene correlation) were then used to infer flux
      bottlenecks in the sterol pathway. The extent of metabolic cross talk, the
      exchange of isoprenoid intermediates between compartmentalized pathways, was
      assessed by a combination of gene-to-metabolite and metabolite-to-metabolite
      correlation analyses. This strategy allowed the selection of genes to be
      modulated by metabolic engineering, and we demonstrate that the overexpression of
      predictable combinations of genes can be used to significantly enhance flux
      toward specific end products of the sterol pathway. Transgenic plants
      accumulating increased amounts of sterols are characterized by significantly
      elevated biomass, which can be a desirable trait in crop and biofuel plants. 

PMID- 26282237
TI  - Direct Recording of Trans-Plasma Membrane Electron Currents Mediated by a Member
      of the Cytochrome b561 Family of Soybean.
AB  - Trans-plasma membrane electron transfer is achieved by b-type cytochromes of
      different families, and plays a fundamental role in diverse cellular processes
      involving two interacting redox couples that are physically separated by a
      phospholipid bilayer, such as iron uptake and redox signaling. Despite their
      importance, no direct recordings of trans-plasma membrane electron currents have
      been described in plants. In this work, we provide robust electrophysiological
      evidence of trans-plasma membrane electron flow mediated by a soybean (Glycine
      max) cytochrome b561 associated with a dopamine beta-monooxygenase redox domain
      (CYBDOM), which localizes to the plasma membrane in transgenic Arabidopsis
      (Arabidopsis thaliana) plants and CYBDOM complementary RNA-injected Xenopus
      laevis oocytes. In oocytes, two-electrode voltage clamp experiments showed that
      CYBDOM-mediated currents were activated by extracellular electron acceptors in a
      concentration- and type-specific manner. Current amplitudes were voltage
      dependent, strongly potentiated in oocytes preinjected with ascorbate (the
      canonical electron donor for cytochrome b561), and abolished by mutating a highly
      conserved His residue (H292L) predicted to coordinate the cytoplasmic heme b
      group. We believe that this unique approach opens new perspectives in plant
      transmembrane electron transport and beyond. 

PMID- 26282238
TI  - Changes in the Common Bean Transcriptome in Response to Secreted and Surface
      Signal Molecules of Rhizobium etli.
AB  - Establishment of nitrogen-fixing symbiosis requires the recognition of rhizobial
      molecules to initiate the development of nodules. Using transcriptional profiling
      of roots inoculated with mutant strains defective in the synthesis of Nod Factor
      (NF), exopolysaccharide (EPS), or lipopolysaccharide (LPS), we identified 2,606
      genes from common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) that are differentially regulated at
      early stages of its interaction with Rhizobium etli. Many transcription factors
      from different families are modulated by NF, EPS, and LPS in different
      combinations, suggesting that the plant response depends on the integration of
      multiple signals. Some receptors identified as differentially expressed
      constitute excellent candidates to participate in signal perception of molecules
      derived from the bacteria. Several components of the ethylene signal response, a
      hormone that plays a negative role during early stages of the process, were down
      regulated by NF and LPS. In addition, genes encoding proteins involved in small
      RNA-mediated gene regulation were regulated by these signal molecules, such as
      Argonaute7, a specific component of the trans-acting short interfering RNA3
      pathway, an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, and an XH/XP domain-containing protein,
      which is part of the RNA-directed DNA methylation. Interestingly, a number of
      genes encoding components of the circadian central oscillator were down-regulated
      by NF and LPS, suggesting that a root circadian clock is adjusted at early stages
      of symbiosis. Our results reveal a complex interaction of the responses triggered
      by NF, LPS, and EPS that integrates information of the signals present in the
      surface or secreted by rhizobia. 

PMID- 26282239
TI  - Overaccumulation of gamma-Glutamylcysteine in a Jasmonate-Hypersensitive
      Arabidopsis Mutant Causes Jasmonate-Dependent Growth Inhibition.
AB  - Glutathione (GSH) is essential for many aspects of plant biology and is
      associated with jasmonate signaling in stress responses. We characterized an
      Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) jasmonate-hypersensitive mutant (jah2) with
      seedling root growth 100-fold more sensitive to inhibition by the hormone
      jasmonyl-isoleucine than the wild type. Genetic mapping and genome sequencing
      determined that the mutation is in intron 6 of GLUTATHIONE SYNTHETASE2, encoding
      the enzyme that converts gamma-glutamylcysteine (gamma-EC) to GSH. The level of
      GSH in jah2 was 71% of the wild type, while the phytoalexin-deficient2-1 (pad2-1)
      mutant, defective in GSH1 and having only 27% of wild-type GSH level, was not
      jasmonate hypersensitive. Growth defects for jah2, but not pad2, were also seen
      in plants grown to maturity. Surprisingly, all phenotypes in the jah2 pad2-1
      double mutant were weaker than in jah2. Quantification of gamma-EC indicated
      these defects result from hyperaccumulation of this GSH precursor by 294- and 65
      fold in jah2 and the double mutant, respectively. gamma-EC reportedly partially
      substitutes for loss of GSH, but growth inhibition seen here was likely not due
      to an excess of total glutathione plus gamma-EC because their sum in jah2 pad2-1
      was only 16% greater than in the wild type. Further, the jah2 phenotypes were
      lost in a jasmonic acid biosynthesis mutant background, indicating the effect of
      gamma-EC is mediated through jasmonate signaling and not as a direct result of
      perturbed redox status. 

PMID- 26282241
TI  - Unilateral Ptosis.

PMID- 26282240
TI  - High-Resolution Three-Dimensional Structural Data Quantify the Impact of
      Photoinhibition on Long-Term Carbon Gain in Wheat Canopies in the Field.
AB  - Photoinhibition reduces photosynthetic productivity; however, it is difficult to
      quantify accurately in complex canopies partly because of a lack of high
      resolution structural data on plant canopy architecture, which determines complex
      fluctuations of light in space and time. Here, we evaluate the effects of
      photoinhibition on long-term carbon gain (over 1 d) in three different wheat
      (Triticum aestivum) lines, which are architecturally diverse. We use a unique
      method for accurate digital three-dimensional reconstruction of canopies growing
      in the field. The reconstruction method captures unique architectural differences
      between lines, such as leaf angle, curvature, and leaf density, thus providing a
      sensitive method of evaluating the productivity of actual canopy structures that
      previously were difficult or impossible to obtain. We show that complex data on
      light distribution can be automatically obtained without conventional manual
      measurements. We use a mathematical model of photosynthesis parameterized by
      field data consisting of chlorophyll fluorescence, light response curves of
      carbon dioxide assimilation, and manual confirmation of canopy architecture and
      light attenuation. Model simulations show that photoinhibition alone can result
      in substantial reduction in carbon gain, but this is highly dependent on exact
      canopy architecture and the diurnal dynamics of photoinhibition. The use of such
      highly realistic canopy reconstructions also allows us to conclude that even a
      moderate change in leaf angle in upper layers of the wheat canopy led to a large
      increase in the number of leaves in a severely light-limited state. 

PMID- 26282242
TI  - Predicting violent behavior: The role of violence exposure and future educational
      aspirations during adolescence.
AB  - Few researchers have explored future educational aspirations as a promotive
      factor against exposure to community violence in relation to adolescents' violent
      behavior over time. The present study examined the direct and indirect effect of
      exposure to community violence prior to 9th grade on attitudes about violence and
      violent behavior in 12th grade, and violent behavior at age 22 via 9th grade
      future educational aspirations in a sample of urban African American youth (n =
      681; 49% male). Multi-group SEM was used to test the moderating effect of gender.
      Exposure to violence was associated with lower future educational aspirations.
      For boys, attitudes about violence directly predicted violent behavior at age 22.
      For boys, future educational aspirations indirectly predicted less violent
      behavior at age 22. Implications of the findings and suggestions for future
      research are discussed. 

PMID- 26282243
TI  - The molecular mechanism of Zinc acquisition by the neisserial outer-membrane
      transporter ZnuD.
AB  - Invading bacteria from the Neisseriaceae, Acinetobacteriaceae, Bordetellaceae and
      Moraxellaceae families express the conserved outer-membrane zinc transporter zinc
      uptake component D (ZnuD) to overcome nutritional restriction imposed by the host
      organism during infection. Here we demonstrate that ZnuD is required for
      efficient systemic infections by the causative agent of bacterial meningitis,
      Neisseria meningitidis, in a mouse model. We also combine X-ray crystallography
      and molecular dynamics simulations to gain insight into the mechanism of zinc
      recognition and transport across the bacterial outer-membrane by ZnuD. Because
      ZnuD is also considered a promising vaccine candidate against N. meningitidis, we
      use several ZnuD structural intermediates to map potential antigenic epitopes,
      and propose a mechanism by which ZnuD can maintain high sequence conservation yet
      avoid immune recognition by altering the conformation of surface-exposed loops. 

PMID- 26282244
TI  - Targeted stellate decentralization: Implications for sympathetic control of
      ventricular electrophysiology.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Selective bilateral cervicothoracic sympathectomy has proven to be
      effective for managing ventricular arrhythmias in the setting of structural heart
      disease. In the procedure currently used, the caudal portions of both stellate
      ganglia along with thoracic chain ganglia down to T4 ganglia are removed.
      OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to define the relative contributions of
      the T1-T2 and T3-T4 paravertebral ganglia in modulating ventricular electrical
      function. METHODS: In anesthetized vagotomized porcine subjects (n = 8), the
      heart was exposed via sternotomy along with right and left paravertebral
      sympathetic ganglia to the T4 level. A 56-electrode epicardial sock was placed
      over both ventricles to assess epicardial activation-recovery intervals (ARIs) in
      response to individually stimulating right and left stellate vs T3 paravertebral
      ganglia. Responses to T3 stimuli were repeated after surgical removal of the
      caudal portions of stellate ganglia and T2 bilaterally. RESULTS: In intact
      preparations, stellate ganglion vs T3 stimuli (4 Hz, 4-ms duration) were titrated
      to produce equivalent decreases in global ventricular ARIs (right side: 85 +/- 6
      ms vs 55 +/- 10 ms; left side: 24 +/- 3 ms vs 17 +/- 7 ms). Threshold of stimulus
      intensity applied to T3 ganglia to achieve threshold was 3 times that of T1
      threshold. ARIs in unstimulated states were unaffected by bilateral stellate-T2
      ganglion removal. After acute decentralization, T3 stimulation failed to change
      ARIs. CONCLUSION: Preganglionic sympathetic efferents arising from the T1-T4
      spinal cord that project to the heart transit through stellate ganglia via the
      paravertebral chain. Thus, T1-T2 surgical excision is sufficient to functionally
      interrupt central control of peripheral sympathetic efferent activity.

PMID- 26282246
TI  - Preface.

PMID- 26282245
TI  - Cardiac sodium channel mutation associated with epinephrine-induced QT
      prolongation and sinus node dysfunction.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Long-QT syndrome (LQTS) is an inherited arrhythmia characterized by
      prolonged ventricular repolarization and malignant tachyarrhythmias. LQT1, LQT2,
      and LQT3 are caused by mutations in KCNQ1 (LQT1), KCNH2 (LQT2), and SCN5A (LQT3),
      which account for approximately 90% of genotyped LQTS patients. Most cardiac
      events in LQT1 patients occur during exercise, whereas patients with LQT3 tend to
      have arrhythmic events during rest or asleep. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to
      identify a genetic mutation in a Japanese man who presented with sinus node
      dysfunction and prolonged QT interval on exercise and epinephrine stress tests,
      as well as to clarify the electrophysiological properties of mutant channels.
      METHODS: LQTS-related genes were screened in this patient. Electrophysiological
      functional assays were conducted with a heterologous expression system. RESULTS:
      We identified a heterozygous missense SCN5A mutation, V2016M, which changes the
      last amino acid of the cardiac sodium channel. Electrophysiological analyses
      revealed that the mutant channels exhibited a loss-of-function feature, decreased
      peak sodium current densities (wild type 175.2 +/- 17.6 pA/pF; V2016M 97.2 +/-
      16.0 pA/pF; P < .01). In addition, the mutant channels showed gain-of-function
      features: increased late sodium currents by protein kinase A activation (wild
      type 0.07 +/- 0.01%; V2016M 0.17 +/- 0.03%; P < .05) and impaired inactivation of
      sodium channels by protein kinase A or C activation. CONCLUSION: We identified an
      SCN5A mutation in a patient with sinus node dysfunction and epinephrine-induced
      QT prolongation, which was an atypical phenotype for LQT3. The
      electrophysiological properties of the mutant channels might be associated with
      the overlapping clinical features of the patient.

PMID- 26282247
TI  - In vitro and in vivo biocompatibility, bioavailability and tolerance of an
      injectable vehicle for adipose-derived stem/stromal cells for plastic surgery
      indications.
AB  - Soft tissue reconstruction is a challenge in plastic surgery, when replacing lost
      materials and correcting contour defects. Many permanent and temporary fillers
      have been used to restore the volume of these lesions, but often with poor
      results and even complications. Adipose-derived stem/stromal cells (ASCs) and
      adipose tissue engineering have been suggested as valuable alternatives. In order
      to inject these cultured cells, it was essential to find a suitable vehicle. The
      purpose of this study was to evaluate Cytocare((r)), an injectable medical
      device, composed of hyaluronic acid plus amino acids, vitamins and mineral salts.
      First, ASC viability and bioavailability in the 3 different available
      Cytocare((r)) formulations using the MTT test were assessed; then an animal
      experiment, testing the tolerance after intradermal injections of both
      Cytocare((r)) alone and with ASCs was carried out. Our in vitro results
      demonstrate a high biocompatibility of Cytocare((r)) resulting in a better
      viability of ASCs when cultured in Cytocare((r)) compared to culture medium (p <
      0.05, Mann and Whitney). Cytocare((r)) also permits their bioavailability and
      proliferation, making it a potential transfer vehicle that can retain the cells
      before their integration around the recipient site. Finally, our animal
      experiment shows that the ASC + Cytocare((r)) combination is well tolerated. In
      conclusion, Cytocare((r)) can be used as a biocompatible scaffold for cultured
      ASCs in therapeutic treatments, ensuring ASC bioavailability, as well as evidence
      of excellent tolerance in nude mice.

PMID- 26282248
TI  - Orthostatic hypotension and right heart failure as the initial manifestation of
      intravenous leiomyomatosis.
AB  - A 36-year-old woman, who had a history of myomectomy, presented with
      lightheadedness after changing position from sitting to standing and effort
      related shortness of breath. Echocardiography demonstrated a hyperechoic
      elongated mobile mass extending from the inferior caval vein to the right atrium.
      The mass was surgically removed, and histological examination established the
      diagnosis of intravenous leiomyomatosis. This case caught the attention of our
      cardiology group to consider the diagnosis when an inferior caval vein or right
      atrium mass is found in a patient with a history of uterine leiomyomatosis. 

PMID- 26282249
TI  - An Applied Mereology of the City: Unifying Science and Philosophy for Urban
      Planning.
AB  - Based on their research showing that growing cities follow basic principles, two
      theoretical physicists, Luis Bettencourt and Geoffrey West, call for researchers
      and professionals to contribute to a grand theory of urban sustainability. In
      their research, they develop a 'science of the city' to help urban planners
      address problems that arise from population increases. Although they provide
      valuable insights for understanding urban sustainability issues, they do not give
      planners a manageable way to approach such problems. I argue that developing an
      applied mereology to understand the concept of 'city identity' gives planners a
      theoretical device for addressing urban affairs, including ethical concerns. In
      turn, I devise a model of city identity to show how a 'philosophy of the city'
      contributes to a grand theory of urban sustainability.

PMID- 26282251
TI  - Preclinical research in critical care - the Australasian perspective.

PMID- 26282250
TI  - Acute toluene intoxication--clinical presentation, management and prognosis: a
      prospective observational study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Toluene is one of the most widely abused inhaled drugs due to its
      acute neurologic effects including euphoria and subsequent depression. However,
      dangerous metabolic abnormalities are associated to acute toluene intoxication.
      It has been previously reported that rhabdomyolysis and acute hepatorenal injury
      could be hallmarks of the condition, and could constitute risk factors for poor
      outcomes. The objective was to describe the clinical presentation, to
      characterize the renal and liver abnormalities, the management and prognosis
      associated to acute toluene intoxication. METHODS: We prospectively assessed 20
      patients that were admitted to a single center's emergency department from
      September 2012 to June 2014 with clinical and metabolic alterations due to acute
      toluene intoxication. RESULTS: The main clinical presentation consisted of
      weakness associated to severe hypokalemia and acidosis. Renal glomerular injury
      (proteinuria) is ubiquitous. Biliary tract injury (alkaline phosphatase and gamma
      glutamyl transpeptidase elevations) disproportional to hepatocellular injury is
      common. Rhabdomyolysis occurred in 80% of patients, probably due to hypokalemia
      and hypophosphatemia. There were three deaths, all female, and all associated
      with altered mental status, severe acidosis, hypokalemia and acute oliguric renal
      failure. The cause of death was in all cases due to cardiac rhythm abnormalities.
      CONCLUSION: The hallmarks of acute toluene intoxication are hypokalemic paralysis
      and metabolic acidosis. Liver injury and rhabdomyolysis are common. On admission,
      altered mental status, renal failure, severe acidemia and female gender (not
      significant in our study, but present in all three deaths) could be associated
      with a poor outcome, and patients with these characteristics should be considered
      to be treated in an intensive care unit.

PMID- 26282252
TI  - Persistent critical illness characterised by Australian and New Zealand ICU
      clinicians.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To identify the characteristics of patients with "persistent critical
      illness" (PerCI), as perceived by Australian and New Zealand intensive care unit
      clinicians. Patients with PerCI were defined as those whose reason for being in
      the ICU was now more related to their ongoing critical illness than their
      original reason for admission to the ICU. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: Using a web
      based survey, we recruited clinicians affiliated with the Australian and New
      Zealand Intensive Care Society (ANZICS) Clinical Trials Group (CTG) who cared for
      adults. Clinicians included doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, dietitians,
      research managers and others. We used the ANZICS-CTG mailing list to email a
      single request for anonymous participation. RESULTS: A total of 101 eligible
      clinicians responded to our survey. PerCI was believed to develop after a median
      of 10 days (IQR, 7-14 days), and to be somewhat uncommon (occurring in 10% of all
      ICU patients [IQR, 5%-15%], and in 50% of all patients with a prolonged ICU
      length of stay [IQR, 20%-60%]). Ninety per cent of respondents thought that
      patients with PerCI required ongoing invasive mechanical ventilation, and the
      most common problems were thought to be respiratory insufficiency (68%), delirium
      (59%) and acquired neuromuscular disease (54%). Ten per cent of patients with
      PerCI were expected to be alive and well and at home 6 months after ICU
      discharge, with another 15% alive and at home but requiring significant help. The
      remainder were expected to die within 6 months or to need institutional care.
      CONCLUSION: Patients with PerCI appear to be an identifiable group of ICU
      patients, with definable characteristics, substantial stress associated with
      their care, and poor perceived long-term outcomes.

PMID- 26282253
TI  - What do ICU doctors do? A multisite time and motion study of the clinical work
      patterns of registrars.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To quantify the time that intensive care unit registrars spend on
      different work tasks with other health professionals and patients and using
      information resources, and to compare them with those of clinicians in general
      wards and the emergency department (ED). DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A
      prospective, observational time-and-motion study of two ICUs with a total of 71
      beds at two major teaching hospitals in Sydney. Twenty-six registrars were
      observed between 08:00 and 18:00 on weekdays for a total of 160.52 hours. MAIN
      OUTCOME MEASURES: Proportions of time spent on different tasks, using specific
      information resources, working with other health professionals and patients, and
      rates of multitasking and interruptions. RESULTS: A total of 12 043 distinct
      tasks were observed. Registrars spent 69.2% of time working at patients'
      bedsides, 49.6% in professional communication and 39.0% accessing information
      resources. Half of their time (53.8%) was spent with other ICU doctors and 29.2%
      with nurses. Compared with doctors and nurses on general wards, and doctors in
      the ED, ICU registrars were more likely to multitask (40.1 times/hour [24.4% of
      their time]). ICU registrars had a higher interruption rate than ward clinicians,
      (4.2 times/hour), but a lower rate than ED doctors. CONCLUSIONS: Face-to-face
      communication and information seeking consume a vast proportion of ICU
      registrars' time. Multitasking and handling frequent interruptions characterise
      their work, and such behaviours may create an increased risk of task errors.
      Electronic clinical information systems may be particularly beneficial in this
      information-rich environment.

PMID- 26282254
TI  - Clinical review criteria and medical emergency teams: evaluating a two-tier rapid
      response system.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of patients fulfilling clinical review
      criteria (CRC), to determine activation rates for CRC assessments, to compare
      baseline characteristics and outcomes of patients who fulfilled CRC with patients
      who did not, and to identify the documented nursing actions in response to CRC
      values. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A cross-sectional study using a
      retrospective medical record audit, in a universityaffiliated, tertiary referral
      hospital with a two-tier rapid response system in Melbourne, Australia. We used a
      convenience sample of hospital inpatients on general medical, surgical and
      specialist service wards admitted during a 24-hour period in 2013. MAIN OUTCOME
      MEASURES: Medical emergency team (MET) or code blue activation, unplanned
      intensive care unit admissions, hospital length of stay and inhospital mortality.
      For patients who fulfilled CRC or MET criteria during the 24- hour period, the
      specific criteria fulfilled, escalation treatments and outcomes were collected.
      RESULTS: Of the sample (N = 422), 81 patients (19%) fulfilled CRC on 109
      occasions. From 109 CRC events, 66 patients (81%) had at least one observation
      fulfilling CRC, and 15 patients (18%) met CRC on multiple occasions. The
      documented escalation rate was 58 of 109 events (53%). The number of patients who
      fulfilled CRC and subsequent MET call activation criteria within 24 hours was
      significantly greater than the number who did not meet CRC (P < 0.001).
      CONCLUSIONS: About one in five patients reached CRC during the study period;
      these patients were about four times more likely to also fulfil MET call
      criteria. Contrary to hospital policy, escalation was not documented for about
      half the patients meeting CRC values. Despite the clarity of escalation
      procedures on the graphic observation chart, escalation remains an ongoing
      problem. Further research is needed on the impact on patient outcomes over time
      and to understand factors influencing staff response.

PMID- 26282255
TI  - Initial levels of organ failure, microbial findings and mortality in intensive
      care-treated primary, secondary and tertiary sepsis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Analysis of whether patients with primary, secondary and tertiary
      sepsis, defined by the presence or absence of recent systemic inflammation
      inducing events before the onset of sepsis, differ in clinical presentation,
      microbiological test results, treatment received and outcome. DESIGN, SETTING AND
      PARTICIPANTS: A retrospective observational study in a single, general intensive
      care unit, of all patients treated for severe sepsis or septic shock from 2006 to
      2011. Patients with haematological malignancies, with immunosuppressive diseases
      or being treated with immunosuppressive drugs were excluded. INTERVENTIONS: None.
      MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score, incidence of
      organ failure, microbiological results of blood cultures and mortality. RESULTS:
      We included 213 patients, who were classified as having primary (n = 121),
      secondary (n = 65) or tertiary sepsis (n = 27). The groups differed significantly
      in SOFA score, the incidence of kidney failure and coagulation failure at onset
      of sepsis in the ICU, as well as in blood culture findings. No differences in 7
      day or 28-day mortality were seen, but the time of death occurred earlier among
      nonsurvivors in the primary sepsis group. CONCLUSIONS: Inflammatory insults
      before the onset of sepsis affect the clinical picture, blood microbial findings,
      and in non-survivors, the time of death. These results could, if validated in a
      prospective study, form a basis for a novel and simple strategy for stratifying
      patients in clinical studies for immunomodulation therapies in sepsis.

PMID- 26282256
TI  - Nutrition therapy in adult patients receiving extracorporeal membrane
      oxygenation: a prospective, multicentre, observational study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To describe current nutrition delivery practices and to identify
      barriers to nutrition in patients receiving venovenous or venoarterial
      extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in multiple centres in Australia and
      New Zealand. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A prospective, multicentre,
      observational study, set in eight intensive care units in Australia and New
      Zealand, of adults treated with ECMO who were expected to receive enteral
      nutrition (EN) or parenteral nutrition (PN) therapy for > 72 hours. Data were
      collected from the start of ECMO until 7 days after ECMO cessation. RESULTS:
      There were 107 patients enrolled, with a median age of 42 years (interquartile
      range [IQR], 31-56 years), and 54 patients (50%) were men. EN was the most
      commonly delivered mode of nutrition (on 84% of days) although it was interrupted
      on 53% of days. The median interruption duration was 8 hours (IQR, 4-5 hours] per
      episode. The two most common barriers to EN delivery were fasting for a
      therapeutic or diagnostic procedure and high gastric residual volumes. Median
      daily calorie and protein deliveries from EN and/or PN were 1680 kcal (IQR, 960
      2100 kcal) and 72 g (IQR, 42-98 g) of protein. For patients who received EN
      and/or PN, median calorie and protein deficits during the study period were -7118
      kcal (IQR, -11 614 to -4510 kcal) and -325 g (IQR, - 525 to -188 g) of protein.
      CONCLUSIONS: EN was the most commonly used nutrition-delivery mode during ECMO
      treatment but was frequently interrupted. Compared with estimated calorie and
      protein requirements, lesser but reasonably acceptable amounts were delivered,
      although calorie and protein deficits still existed.

PMID- 26282257
TI  - Continuous intra-arterial blood glucose monitoring using quenched fluorescence
      sensing in intensive care patients after cardiac surgery: phase II of a product
      development study.
AB  - PURPOSE: Variations in blood glucose (BG), hyperglycaemia and hypoglycaemia are
      associated with adverse clinical outcomes in intensive care unit patients.
      Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) offers the potential to improve BG control,
      leading to improved patient outcomes. In our product development study, we
      determined the safety and performance of the GluCath Intravascular CGM System for
      up to 48 hours in 20 patients admitted to the ICU after cardiac surgery. METHODS:
      The GluCath system uses a quenched chemical fluorescence mechanism to optically
      measure glucose in blood. After undergoing elective cardiac surgery, 20 patients
      had a GluCath sensor inserted through a preexisting radial artery (RA) catheter,
      and BG was monitored for up to 48 hours. Qualitative measures included effects on
      patient care, blood pressure monitoring, and ease of blood sampling through the
      arterial catheter. Safety assessment of the sensor involved ultrasound (US)
      monitoring for intra-arterial thrombi. Quantitative measures were the accuracy of
      the sensor in comparison with the reference analyser, and the proportion of
      paired BG measurements that were compliant with the ISO15197:2003 and CLSI POCT
      12-A3 accuracy reference standards. BG was managed according to usual protocols.
      RESULTS: Twenty sensors were successfully deployed through pre-existing RA
      catheters and stayed in the RA of the 20 patients for between 6 and 48 hours,
      with a median time of 45.0 hours (interquartile range, 42.0-47.3 hours). Sixteen
      of the inserted sensors (80%) remained in situ for more than 40 hours. Three
      catheters were removed due to clinically significant sampling difficulty or
      waveform dampening. Two patients had US evidence of a thrombus; in neither
      patient was the sensor removed early, and there were no significant sequelae or
      adverse effects detected. For the 758 paired measurements available for
      performance analysis, reference BG values ranged between 5.3 mmol/L and 12.8
      mmol/L. Of the 758 paired sensor measurements, 735 (97.0%) met the ISO15197:2003
      criteria (within 20% of a reference measurement when BG is >= 4.2 mmol/L [75
      mg/dL]), and 648 (85.5%) met the CLSI POCT 12-A3 criteria (within 12.5% of a
      reference measurement when the BG level is >= 5.6 mmol/L [100mg/dL] and within
      0.67 mmol/L [12 mg/dL] when the BG level is < 5.6mmol/L [100 mg/dL]). The
      aggregate mean absolute relative difference (MARD) between the sensor and the
      reference BG was 6.4%, with individual sensor MARDs ranging from 3.6% to 12.4%.
      CONCLUSIONS: The GluCath system, using quenched fluorescence sensing, was safe
      and showed acceptable accuracy when deployed for up to 48 hours in ICU patients
      after elective cardiac surgery.

PMID- 26282258
TI  - High-flow nasal cannula use in a paediatric intensive care unit over 3 years.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy is increasingly used in
      paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) patients, despite a paucity of studies. We
      describe its use over the 3 years since its implementation in our tertiary
      intensive care unit. DESIGN: The clinical database was used to identify PICU
      patients on HFNC therapy from 2011 to 2013. Patients were assessed for risk
      factors, underlying diagnosis, viral test results and cardiorespiratory
      parameters before and after HFNC therapy. RESULTS: Fifty-four children were
      included with a median age of 3.5 months (interquartile range [IQR], 1-10 months)
      and 59% were females. The commonest diagnosis was bronchiolitis (79%). HFNC
      therapy was successful in 78% of patients and failed for 12 (seven patients went
      on to CPAP treatment and five were intubated). The median time to HFNC therapy
      failure was 5.5 hours (IQR, 3.6-9 hours), with 75% of patients experiencing
      therapy failure by 8.25 hours. The failure rate was 50% in children with a
      primary diagnosis of congenital heart disease. There was a statistically
      significant difference between the mean respiratory rate at 1 hour in the success
      and failure groups (P = 0.037), despite similar respiratory rates at onset. HFNC
      therapy failure was associated with a longer PICU LOS (P = 0.04). CONCLUSION:
      HFNC therapy was successful in most patients. Most failures occurred within 8.25
      hours. Use of HFNC for heart disease was associated with a high therapy failure
      rate (50%).

PMID- 26282259
TI  - Oxygenation targets, monitoring in the critically ill: a point prevalence study
      of clinical practice in Australia and New Zealand.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Many critically ill patients require supplemental oxygen. However,
      the optimal oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry (SpO2) in intensive care
      unit patients is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical practice in Australia
      and New Zealand ICUs in relation to SpO2monitoring, prescription of SpO2targets
      by doctors, and upper and lower limits of tolerance of high and low SpO2levels by
      ICU bedside nurses. METHOD: Cross-sectional, observational study conducted on 2
      days in 2013 involving adult patients in Australia and New Zealand ICUs. RESULTS:
      Data from 350 adult ICU patients were included. SpO2alarms were less likely to be
      disabled in patients who were invasively ventilated than in patients not
      receiving supplemental oxygen (4.8% v 15.1%; P = 0.02). In mechanically
      ventilated patients and non-ventilated patients receiving supplemental oxygen,
      the lower prescribed SpO2limit and the ICU bedside nurses' stated limits for
      action for low SpO2levels were 92% (interquartile range, 90%-94%). Upper
      SpO2limits were less frequently prescribed than lower SpO2limits (4.9% [95% CI,
      3.0%- 7.7%] v 36.6% [95% CI, 31.7%-41.7%]); P < 0.01) and the observed
      SpO2exceeded the prescribed upper limit on 10/17 occasions (59%) when an upper
      limit was prescribed. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest a relatively low level of
      vigilance in relation to prevention of high SpO2compared with low SpO2for adult
      patients in Australian and New Zealand ICUs.

PMID- 26282260
TI  - A practical approach to end-of-life care rapid response team calls.
AB  - ICU registrars frequency encounter RRT calls associated with EOLC during their
      training. Interventions involving EOLC appear to be some of the commonest
      interventions performed during RRT review. Therefore, training about the
      assessment an management of such calls should be provided to registrars who
      participate in RRT calls. The approach outlined here provides a framework for
      such training.

PMID- 26282261
TI  - Acid-base physiology: comments on 10 contentious assertions.

PMID- 26282262
TI  - Towards defining persistent critical illness and other varieties of chronic
      critical illness.
AB  - We hypothesise that there exists a substantial and growing group of "persistently
      critically ill" patients who appear to be intensive care unit-dependent because
      of a cascade of critical illnesses rather than their original ICU admitting
      diagnosis. These persistently critically ill patients are those who remain in the
      ICU because of ongoing complications of care that continue after their reason for
      admission has been treated and is no longer active. We believe such patients can
      be distinguished from patients currently labelled as "chronic critical illness"
      or "prolonged mechanical ventilation". We further believe that their primary
      problem is not simply failure to wean from mechanical ventilation due to muscle
      weakness and impaired gas exchange. We outline a program of clinician
      consultation, epidemiological research, consensus conference and validation to
      develop a useful definition of persistent critical illness, with the aim of
      supporting investigations in preventing persistence, and improving the care of
      patients so affected. 

PMID- 26282263
TI  - Bedside placement of an endobronchial valve to aid invasive ventilation and
      weaning from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.
AB  - A bronchopleural fistula (BPF) is a life-threatening complication of
      cardiothoracic surgery and acute illness. There is no consensus on how best to
      treat a BPF. Recently, endobronchial one-way valves, designed for bronchoscopic
      lung volume reduction in emphysema, have been used to treat BPFs. We describe the
      use of an endobronchial oneway valve, placed at the bedside via flexible
      bronchoscopy, to treat a BPF in a patient with hypoxic respiratory failure,
      supported by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), secondary to pneumonia.
      We believe that this is the first published description of this technique being
      used in a patient needing ECMO support. 

PMID- 26282264
TI  - Loop diuretic therapy in the critically ill: a survey.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To describe the self-reported practice of loop diuretic therapy (LDT)
      administration by intensivists in Australia and New Zealand and to ascertain the
      anticipated clinical and physiological effects of LDT for several common clinical
      indications. DESIGN: Structured online questionnaire distributed to intensivists
      via the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society Clinical Trials Group
      email contact list. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the results.
      PARTICIPANTS: Intensivists in Australia and New Zealand. RESULTS: A total of 146
      intensivists responded to the survey with most (99 [67.8%]) being Fellows of the
      College of Intensive Care Medicine or the Joint Faculty of Intensive Care
      Medicine. Overall, 88 (60.2%) had worked in ICUs for 10 years or more. A positive
      fluid balance, acute pulmonary oedema (APO) and acute lung injury (ALI) were
      considered key indications for LDT (> 80.0% positive response), in contrast to an
      elevated central venous pressure (CVP) (20.3%) and acute kidney injury (AKI)
      (3.8%), which were not. LDT by bolus therapy was preferred (by 60.0%-89.4%,
      according to indication) over continuous infusion (3.6%- 11.1%, according to
      indication). The dominant initial LDT dose was furosemide 40 mg as an intravenous
      (IV) bolus. There was a lack of consensus regarding what would be an adequate
      response, and for many of the clinical indications, no target was specified.
      CONCLUSIONS: Australian and New Zealand intensivists typically give frusemide as
      a 40 mg IV bolus for a positive fluid balance, ALI and APO, but not for an
      elevated CVP or AKI. However, such therapy is given without explicit definitions
      of an adequate response under these different clinical circumstances.

PMID- 26282265
TI  - Single molecule magnet behaviour in a rare trinuclear {Cr(III)Dy} methoxo-bridged
      complex.
AB  - The reaction of the chromium(iii) chloride tetrahydrofuran complex with the
      dipivaloylmethane ligand, the lanthanide alcoholic salt DyCl3.CH3OH and the 1,1,1
      tris(hydroxymethyl)-ethane ligand resulted in the formation of a new trinuclear
      chromium-dysprosium complex. Magnetic investigations revealed that the new 3d-4f
      complex exhibits single molecule magnet behaviour. 

PMID- 26282266
TI  - Mild traumatic brain injury presenting with delayed intracranial hemorrhage in
      warfarin therapy: a case report.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Current literature estimates the risk of delayed intracranial
      hemorrhage as between 0.6 and 6% after mild head injury for patients on warfarin.
      Due to resource allocation issues, the need to actually diagnose delayed
      intracranial haemorrhage has been questioned, especially if it does not require
      surgery. The purpose of our case report is to consider the functional
      implications during the six months following a mild traumatic brain injury
      complicated by delayed intracranial hemorrhage in a patient undergoing warfarin
      therapy. To the best of our knowledge, the rehabilitative and functional
      considerations of delayed intracranial haemorrhage in head injury have not been
      previously described in the literature. CASE PRESENTATION: A previously
      independent 74-year-old Lebanese man living in Australia sustained mild traumatic
      brain injury following an unwitnessed fall from the height of two meters while on
      warfarin therapy, with an international normalized ratio of 4.2. He was found to
      have amnesia of the event and extensive facial bruising. His Glasgow Coma Scale
      score was 14 to 15 throughout observation. Following a non-diagnostic initial
      computerised tomography scan, a repeat scan at 24 hours from the injury
      identified large intracerebral, subdural and subarachnoid hemorrhages. A detailed
      examination demonstrated visuospatial and cognitive impairments. He required
      inpatient rehabilitation for three weeks, and outpatient rehabilitation for two
      months. By six months, he had returned to his pre-injury level of functioning,
      but was unable to resume driving. CONCLUSIONS: We describe rehabilitation
      outcomes of delayed intracranial haemorrhage and mild traumatic brain injury,
      with diminishing disability over six months. In our case report, the complication
      of the delayed intracranial haemorrhage resulted in significant activity
      limitations and participation restrictions, which affected the clinical
      management, including the need for multidisciplinary rehabilitation. The risk of
      delayed intracranial haemorrhage in mild head injury remains a significant
      problem requiring further research.

PMID- 26282267
TI  - Xist localization and function: new insights from multiple levels.
AB  - In female mammals, one of the two X chromosomes in each cell is transcriptionally
      silenced in order to achieve dosage compensation between the genders in a process
      called X chromosome inactivation. The master regulator of this process is the
      long non-coding RNA Xist. During X-inactivation, Xist accumulates in cis on the
      future inactive X chromosome, triggering a cascade of events that provoke the
      stable silencing of the entire chromosome, with relatively few genes remaining
      active. How Xist spreads, what are its binding sites, how it recruits silencing
      factors and how it induces a specific topological and nuclear organization of the
      chromatin all remain largely unanswered questions. Recent studies have improved
      our understanding of Xist localization and the proteins with which it interacts,
      allowing a reappraisal of ideas about Xist function. We discuss recent advances
      in our knowledge of Xist-mediated silencing, focusing on Xist spreading, the
      nuclear organization of the inactive X chromosome, recruitment of the polycomb
      complex and the role of the nuclear matrix in the process of X chromosome
      inactivation.

PMID- 26282268
TI  - The effects of a dynamic patellar realignment brace on disease determinants for
      patellofemoral instability in the upright weight-bearing condition.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patellar stabilizing braces are used to alleviate pain and prevent
      subluxation/dislocation by having biomechanical effects in terms of improved
      patellar tracking. The purpose of this study is to analyze the effects of the
      dynamic patellar realignment brace, Patella Pro (Otto Bock GmbH, Duderstadt,
      Germany), on disease determinants in subjects with patellofemoral instability
      using upright weight-bearing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: Twenty
      subjects (8 males and 12 females) with lateral patellofemoral instability were
      studied in an open-configuration magnetic resonance imaging scanner in an upright
      weight-bearing position at full extension (0 degrees  flexion) and 15 degrees 
      and 30 degrees  flexion with and without the realignment brace. Disease
      determinants were defined by common patellofemoral indices that included the
      Insall-Salvati Index, Caton-Deschamps Index, and the Patellotrochlear Index to
      determine patella height and patella tilt angle, bisect offset, and tuberositas
      tibiae-trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance to determine patellar rotation and
      translation with respect to the femur and the alignment of the extensor
      mechanism. RESULTS: Analyses of variance revealed a significant effect of the
      brace with reduction of the three patellar height ratios, patella tilt angle, and
      bisect offset as well as TT-TG distance. Post hoc pairwise comparisons of the
      corresponding conditions with and without the realignment brace revealed
      significantly reduced patella height ratios, patella tilt angles, and bisect
      offsets at full extension and 15 degrees  and 30 degrees  flexion. No significant
      differences between the TT-TG distances at full extension but significant
      reductions at 15 degrees  and 30 degrees  flexion were observed when using the
      realignment brace compared to no brace. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the
      dynamic patellar realignment brace is capable of improving disease determinants
      in the upright weight-bearing condition in the range of 0 degrees  to 30 degrees 
      flexion in patients with patellofemoral instability.

PMID- 26282269
TI  - Multistage carcinogenesis and the incidence of thyroid cancer in the US by sex,
      race, stage and histology.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Thyroid cancer has the fastest growing incidence in the US. However,
      the underlying causes are still under debate. METHODS: We analyzed thyroid cancer
      incidence in the SEER-9 registry from 1973-2010 using multistage carcinogenesis
      and age-period-cohort models. Multistage models were used to investigate
      differences in initiation, promotion and malignant conversion rates of thyroid
      tumors by sex, race, stage, and histology. Models were adjusted for period and
      cohort trends to investigate the contributions of each factor, and determine
      whether birth- or diagnosis-year better correlate with observed incidence
      patterns. RESULTS: Significant increases in thyroid cancer incidence by period or
      calendar-year were found for all sex, race, stage and histology combinations,
      particularly for localized cases (a 3- and 4-fold increase from 1973-2010 for
      females and males, respectively). Multistage analyses suggest that the 3-fold
      higher incidence in women could be explained by 1.5-fold higher initiation and
      promotion rates. Analyses by race suggest that the lower incidence in blacks can
      be attributed to lower promotion rates versus whites. Analysis by histology
      showed considerable decreases in follicular cancer incidence by birth-cohort
      since the early 1900s. CONCLUSIONS: Multistage modeling suggests that variations
      in thyroid cancer initiation and promotion can explain the observed differences
      in incidence by sex, race and histology. The consistent increases in incidence by
      calendar-year for all sex-race-histology-stage combinations suggest that the rise
      may be predominantly due to more intensive screening-diagnostics, although an
      environmental factor may be also at play. Our analyses constitute a first step
      towards the development of thyroid cancer natural history models.

PMID- 26282270
TI  - Morphology of the oxyurid nematodes Trypanoxyuris (T.) cacajao n. sp. and T. (T.)
      ucayalii n. sp. from the red uakari monkey Cacajao calvus ucayalii in the
      Peruvian Amazon.
AB  - Cacajao calvus ucayalii (Thomas, 1928) (Primates: Pitheciidae), a subspecies
      endemic to the Peruvian Amazon, occurs in patchy and sometimes isolated
      populations in north-eastern Peru and is in a vulnerable situation, mainly due to
      habitat loss and hunting. This rareness and remote distribution means that, until
      now, parasitical studies have been limited. Based on optical and scanning
      electron microscopy of specimens of both sexes, we report two new species of
      Trypanoxyuris pinworms occurring in the large intestine of the Peruvian red
      uakari, namely Trypanoxyuris (Trypanoxyuris) cacajao and Trypanoxyuris
      (Trypanoxyuris) ucayalii. Both species showed a distinct morphology of the lips
      and cephalic structure. Sexual dimorphism in the lateral alae was observed in
      both male and the female worms, with ventral ornamentation being shown in the
      oesophageal teeth. The finding of these new pinworm species highlights the
      possibility of discovering other species. 

PMID- 26282271
TI  - Within-host evolution decreases virulence in an opportunistic bacterial pathogen.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pathogens evolve in a close antagonistic relationship with their
      hosts. The conventional theory proposes that evolution of virulence is highly
      dependent on the efficiency of direct host-to-host transmission. Many
      opportunistic pathogens, however, are not strictly dependent on the hosts due to
      their ability to reproduce in the free-living environment. Therefore it is likely
      that conflicting selection pressures for growth and survival outside versus
      within the host, rather than transmission potential, shape the evolution of
      virulence in opportunists. We tested the role of within-host selection in
      evolution of virulence by letting a pathogen Serratia marcescens db11
      sequentially infect Drosophila melanogaster hosts and then compared the virulence
      to strains that evolved only in the outside-host environment. RESULTS: We found
      that the pathogen adapted to both Drosophila melanogaster host and novel outside
      host environment, leading to rapid evolutionary changes in the bacterial life
      history traits including motility, in vitro growth rate, biomass yield, and
      secretion of extracellular proteases. Most significantly, selection within the
      host led to decreased virulence without decreased bacterial load while the
      selection lines in the outside-host environment maintained the same level of
      virulence with ancestral bacteria. CONCLUSIONS: This experimental evidence
      supports the idea that increased virulence is not an inevitable consequence of
      within-host adaptation even when the epidemiological restrictions are removed.
      Evolution of attenuated virulence could occur because of immune evasion within
      the host. Alternatively, rapid fluctuation between outside-host and within-host
      environments, which is typical for the life cycle of opportunistic bacterial
      pathogens, could lead to trade-offs that lower pathogen virulence.

PMID- 26282272
TI  - The camelliagenin from defatted seeds of Camellia oleifera as antibiotic
      substitute to treat chicken against infection of Escherichia coli and
      Staphylococcus aureus.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus are the main pathogens
      infectious to poultry, and their resistances against antibiotics have become
      troublesome currently. Biofilm formation is an important reason for drug
      resistance. Our previous research has found that the extract of Camellia oleifera
      seeds has lots of pharmacological effects. In order to find the substitute for
      antibiotics, the saponin was isolated from the defatted C. oleifera seeds with
      structural identification. Its efficacy was evaluated by the inhibition on
      amoxicillin-resistant E. coli and erythromycin-resistant S. aureus and
      therapeutic effect on chicks infected by the two bacteria. RESULTS: The bacterial
      growth inhibition rate increased and the bacterial count in vivo decreased
      significantly in dose dependence after administration of the saponin and its
      combination with amoxicillin or erythromycin, suggesting its antibacterial
      effect. The saponin identified as camelliagenin shows significant inhibition on
      the biofilm of E. coli and S. aureus, and it is related to the decrease of
      mannitol dehydrogenase (MDH) activity and extracellular DNA (eDNA) content.
      Molecular simulation reveals the strong interaction existing between the saponin
      and MDH or eDNA. CONCLUSIONS: The mechanism of camelliagenin's improvement on
      antibiotic effects is its interaction with MDH and eDNA in biofilm. The saponin
      is a prospective substitute of antibiotics, and molecular simulation is a
      convenient alternative method to find out hopeful candidates of antibiotics
      substitute.

PMID- 26282274
TI  - Asymmetric top-down modulation of ascending visual pathways in pigeons.
AB  - Cerebral asymmetries are a ubiquitous phenomenon evident in many species, incl.
      humans, and they display some similarities in their organization across
      vertebrates. In many species the left hemisphere is associated with the ability
      to categorize objects based on abstract or experience-based behaviors. Using the
      asymmetrically organized visual system of pigeons as an animal model, we show
      that descending forebrain pathways asymmetrically modulate visually evoked
      responses of single thalamic units. Activity patterns of neurons within the
      nucleus rotundus, the largest thalamic visual relay structure in birds, were
      differently modulated by left and right hemispheric descending systems. Thus,
      visual information ascending towards the left hemisphere was modulated by
      forebrain top-down systems at thalamic level, while right thalamic units were
      strikingly less modulated. This asymmetry of top-down control could promote
      experience-based processes within the left hemisphere, while biasing the right
      side towards stimulus-bound response patterns. In a subsequent behavioral task we
      tested the possible functional impact of this asymmetry. Under monocular
      conditions, pigeons learned to discriminate color pairs, so that each hemisphere
      was trained on one specific discrimination. Afterwards the animals were presented
      with stimuli that put the hemispheres in conflict. Response patterns on the
      conflicting stimuli revealed a clear dominance of the left hemisphere. Transient
      inactivation of left hemispheric top-down control reduced this dominance while
      inactivation of right hemispheric top-down control had no effect on response
      patterns. Functional asymmetries of descending systems that modify visual
      ascending pathways seem to play an important role in the superiority of the left
      hemisphere in experience-based visual tasks. 

PMID- 26282275
TI  - The Muller-Lyer illusion affects visuomotor updating in the dorsal visual stream.
AB  - To guide our actions, the brain has developed mechanisms to code target locations
      in egocentric coordinates (i.e., with respect to the observer), and to update
      these when the observer moves. The latter mechanism, called visuomotor updating,
      is implemented in the dorsal visual stream of the brain. In contrast, the ventral
      visual stream is assumed to transform target locations into an allocentric
      reference frame that is highly sensitive to visual contextual illusions. Here, we
      tested the effect of the Muller-Lyer illusion on visuomotor updating in a double
      step saccade task. Using the same paradigm in a 3T fMRI scanner, we investigated
      the effect of the illusion on the neural correlate of the updating process.
      Participants briefly viewed the Brentano version of the Muller-Lyer illusion with
      a target at its middle vertex, while fixating at one of the two endpoints of the
      illusion. Shortly after the disappearance of the stimulus, the eyes' fixation
      point moved to a position outside the illusion. After a delay, participants made
      a saccade to the remembered position of the target. The landing position of this
      saccade was systematically displaced in a manner congruent with the perceptual
      illusion, showing that visuomotor updating is affected by the illusion. fMRI
      results showed that the BOLD response in the occipito-parietal cortex (area V7)
      and the intraparietal sulcus related to planning of the saccade to the updated
      target was also modulated by the configuration of the illusion. This suggests
      that the dorsal visual stream represents perceived rather than physical locations
      of remembered saccade targets. 

PMID- 26282276
TI  - Inferior frontal oscillations reveal visuo-motor matching for actions and speech:
      evidence from human intracranial recordings.
AB  - The neural correspondence between the systems responsible for the execution and
      recognition of actions has been suggested both in humans and non-human primates.
      Apart from being a key region of this visuo-motor observation-execution matching
      (OEM) system, the human inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) is also important for speech
      production. The functional overlap of visuo-motor OEM and speech, together with
      the phylogenetic history of the IFG as a motor area, has led to the idea that
      speech function has evolved from pre-existing motor systems and to the hypothesis
      that an OEM system may exist also for speech. However, visuo-motor OEM and speech
      OEM have never been compared directly. We used electrocorticography to analyze
      oscillations recorded from intracranial electrodes in human fronto-parieto
      temporal cortex during visuo-motor (executing or visually observing an action)
      and speech OEM tasks (verbally describing an action using the first or third
      person pronoun). The results show that neural activity related to visuo-motor OEM
      is widespread in the frontal, parietal, and temporal regions. Speech OEM also
      elicited widespread responses partly overlapping with visuo-motor OEM sites
      (bilaterally), including frontal, parietal, and temporal regions. Interestingly a
      more focal region, the inferior frontal gyrus (bilaterally), showed both visuo
      motor OEM and speech OEM properties independent of orolingual speech-unrelated
      movements. Building on the methodological advantages in human invasive
      electrocorticography, the present findings provide highly precise spatial and
      temporal information to support the existence of a modality-independent action
      representation system in the human brain that is shared between systems for
      performing, interpreting and describing actions. 

PMID- 26282279
TI  - Obesity, paternalism and fairness.
AB  - Many liberal theories are committed to the promotion of population health, and
      the principle of non-interference in individual life plans. Public health
      interventions often bring out a tension between these two values. In this paper,
      I examine this tension by assessing the justifiability of liberty-restricting
      policies in the field of obesity prevention. As I want to show, a 'soft' form of
      paternalism, which interferes with people's choices to safeguard their true
      interests, goes some way in justifying such policies, but it leaves unaddressed
      the problem of limiting the liberty of those whose true interest is in pursuing
      an unhealthy lifestyle. I argue that in this latter case, the key to reconcile
      the promotion of population health with the respect for individual liberty is
      distributive justice: when we cannot help those who care about their health
      without doing the same for those who do not, fairness will often require us to do
      so. 

PMID- 26282280
TI  - Experimental and computational studies of fatty acid distribution networks.
AB  - Unbalanced uptake of Omega 6/Omega 3 (omega-6/omega-3) ratios could increase
      chronic disease occurrences, such as inflammation, atherosclerosis, or tumor
      proliferation, and methylation methods for measuring the ruminal microbiome fatty
      acid (FA) composition/distribution play a vital role in discovering the
      contribution of food components to ruminant products (e.g., meat and milk) when
      pursuing a healthy diet. Hansch's models based on Linear Free Energy
      Relationships (LFERs) using physicochemical parameters, such as partition
      coefficients, molar refractivity, and polarizability, as input variables (Vk) are
      advocated. In this work, a new combined experimental and theoretical strategy was
      proposed to study the effect of omega-6/omega-3 ratios, FA chemical structure,
      and other factors over FA distribution networks in the ruminal microbiome. In
      step 1, experiments were carried out to measure long chain fatty acid (LCFA)
      profiles in the rumen microbiome (bacterial and protozoan), and volatile fatty
      acids (VFAs) in fermentation media. In step 2, the proportions and
      physicochemical parameter values of LCFAs and VFAs were calculated under
      different boundary conditions (cj) like c1 = acid and/or base methylation
      treatments, c2 = with/without fermentation, c3 = FA distribution phase (media,
      bacterial, or protozoan microbiome), etc. In step 3, Perturbation Theory (PT) and
      LFER ideas were combined to develop a PT-LFER model of a FA distribution network
      using physicochemical parameters (V(k)), the corresponding Box-Jenkins
      (DeltaV(kj)) and PT operators (DeltaDeltaV(kj)) in statistical analysis. The best
      PT-LFER model found predicted the effects of perturbations over the FA
      distribution network with sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy > 80% for 407
      655 cases in training + external validation series. In step 4, alternative PT
      LFER and PT-NLFER models were tested for training Linear and Non-Linear
      Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs). PT-NLFER models based on ANNs presented better
      performance but are more complicated than the PT-LFER model. Last, in step 5, the
      PT-LFER model based on LDA was used to reconstruct the complex networks of
      perturbations in the FA distribution and compared the giant components of the
      observed and predicted networks with random Erdos-Renyi network models. In short,
      our new PT-LFER model is a useful tool for predicting a distribution network in
      terms of specific fatty acid distribution.

PMID- 26282281
TI  - Peritoneal dialysis as a treatment option in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney
      disease.
AB  - PURPOSE: When choosing a dialysis option for ADPKD patients, peritoneal dialysis
      (PD) is often discouraged, due to its potential drawbacks: risk of abdominal
      hernias and dialysis fluid leaks, risk of peritonitis and insufficient dialysis
      adequacy. The present study was designed to compare the outcomes and dialysis
      efficacy in ADPKD patients treated with PD, in comparison with non-ADPKD
      subjects. METHODS: This study was a retrospective analysis of the data from the
      national PD registry in which 106 ADPKD and 1606 non-ADPKD incident PD patients
      were evaluated. Data on dialysis adequacy, risk of dialysis-associated
      complications, as well as patient and technique survival were compared between
      the groups. RESULTS: The ADPKD patients did not differ from the non-ADPKD
      controls in terms of dialysis adequacy. After a median observation time of 32
      months, there were no differences in patient or technique survival. The risk of
      abdominal hernias and dialysis fluid leaks was twice as high in ADPKD subjects,
      compared to the non-ADPKD group. However, these complications did not result in a
      need for a permanent transfer to hemodialysis. CONCLUSIONS: Dialysis adequacy,
      and patient and technique survival are similar in the ADPKD and non-ADPKD
      patients treated with PD. PD seems a feasible treatment option for end-stage
      renal failure in the course of ADPKD.

PMID- 26282282
TI  - Serine/arginine-rich splicing factor 3 (SRSF3) regulates homologous recombination
      mediated DNA repair.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Our previous work found that serine/arginine-rich splicing factor 3
      (SRSF3) was overexpressed in human ovarian cancer and the overexpression of SRSF3
      was required for ovarian cancer cell growth and survival. The mechanism
      underlying the role of SRSF3 in ovarian cancer remains to be addressed. METHODS:
      We conducted microarray analysis to profile the gene expression and splicing in
      SRSF3-knockdown cells and employed quantitative PCR and western blotting to
      validate the profiling results. We used chromatin immunoprecipitation to study
      transcription and the direct repeat green fluorescent protein reporter assay to
      study homologous recombination-mediated DNA repair (HRR). RESULTS: We identified
      687 genes with altered expression and 807 genes with altered splicing in SRSF3
      knockdown cells. Among expression-altered genes, those involved in HRR, including
      BRCA1, BRIP1 and RAD51, were enriched and were all downregulated. We demonstrated
      that the downregulation of BRCA1, BRIP1 and RAD51 expression was caused by
      decreased transcription and not due to increased nonsense-mediated mRNA decay.
      Further, we found that SRSF3 knockdown impaired HRR activity in the cell and
      increased the level of gamma-H2AX, a biomarker for double-strand DNA breaks.
      Finally, we observed that SRSF3 knockdown changed splicing pattern of KMT2C, a
      H3K4-specific histone methyltransferase, and reduced the levels of mono- and
      trimethylated H3K4. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that SRSF3 is a new
      regulator of HRR process, which possibly regulates the expression of HRR-related
      genes indirectly through an epigenetic pathway. This new function of SRSF3 not
      only explains why overexpression of SRSF3 is required for ovarian cancer cell
      growth and survival but also offers a new insight into the mechanism of the
      neoplastic transformation.

PMID- 26282273
TI  - Cannabinoids and Epilepsy.
AB  - Cannabis has been used for centuries to treat seizures. Recent anecdotal reports,
      accumulating animal model data, and mechanistic insights have raised interest in
      cannabis-based antiepileptic therapies. In this study, we review current
      understanding of the endocannabinoid system, characterize the pro- and
      anticonvulsive effects of cannabinoids [e.g., Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol and
      cannabidiol (CBD)], and highlight scientific evidence from pre-clinical and
      clinical trials of cannabinoids in epilepsy. These studies suggest that CBD
      avoids the psychoactive effects of the endocannabinoid system to provide a well
      tolerated, promising therapeutic for the treatment of seizures, while whole-plant
      cannabis can both contribute to and reduce seizures. Finally, we discuss results
      from a new multicenter, open-label study using CBD in a population with treatment
      resistant epilepsy. In all, we seek to evaluate our current understanding of
      cannabinoids in epilepsy and guide future basic science and clinical studies.

PMID- 26282283
TI  - Increased vitamin D levels at birth and in early infancy increase offspring
      allergy risk-evidence for involvement of epigenetic mechanisms.

PMID- 26282284
TI  - Group 2 innate lymphoid cells mediate ozone-induced airway inflammation and
      hyperresponsiveness in mice.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Asthmatic patients are highly susceptible to air pollution and in
      particular to the effects of ozone (O3) inhalation, but the underlying mechanisms
      remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: Using mouse models of O3-induced airway inflammation
      and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), we sought to investigate the role of the
      recently discovered group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s). METHODS: C57BL/6 and
      BALB/c mice were exposed to Aspergillus fumigatus, O3, or both (3 ppm for 2
      hours). ILC2s were isolated by means of fluorescence-activated cell sorting and
      studied for Il5 and Il13 mRNA expression. ILC2s were depleted with anti-Thy1.2
      mAb and replaced by means of intratracheal transfer of ex vivo expanded Thy1.1
      ILC2s. Cytokine levels (ELISA and quantitative PCR), inflammatory cell profile,
      and AHR (flexiVent) were assessed in the mice. RESULTS: In addition to neutrophil
      influx, O3 inhalation elicited the appearance of eosinophils and IL-5 in the
      airways of BALB/c but not C57BL/6 mice. Although O3-induced expression of IL-33,
      a known activator of ILC2s, in the lung was similar between these strains,
      isolated pulmonary ILC2s from O3-exposed BALB/c mice had significantly greater
      Il5 and Il13 mRNA expression than C57BL/6 mice. This suggested that an altered
      ILC2 function in BALB/c mice might mediate the increased O3 responsiveness.
      Indeed, anti-Thy1.2 treatment abolished but ILC2s added back dramatically
      enhanced O3-induced AHR. CONCLUSIONS: O3-induced activation of pulmonary ILC2s
      was necessary and sufficient to mediate asthma-like changes in BALB/c mice. This
      previously unrecognized role of ILC2s might help explain the heightened
      susceptibility of human asthmatic airways to O3 exposure.

PMID- 26282286
TI  - Piezoelectric Effects of Applied Electric Fields on Hydrogen-Bond Interactions:
      First-Principles Electronic Structure Investigation of Weak Electrostatic
      Interactions.
AB  - The piezoelectric properties of 2-methyl-4-nitroaniline crystals were explored
      qualitatively and quantitatively using an electrostatically embedded many-body
      (EE-MB) expansion scheme for the correlation energies of a system of monomers
      within the crystal. The results demonstrate that hydrogen bonding is an
      inherently piezoelectric interaction, deforming in response to the electrostatic
      environment. We obtain piezo-coefficients in excellent agreement with the
      experimental values. This approach reduces computational cost and reproduces the
      total resolution of the identity (RI)-Moller-Plesset second-order perturbation
      theory (RI-MP2) energy for the system to within 1.3 * 10(-5)%. Furthermore, the
      results suggest novel ways to self-assemble piezoelectric solids and suggest that
      accurate treatment of hydrogen bonds requires precise electrostatic evaluation.
      Considering the ubiquity of hydrogen bonds across chemistry, materials, and
      biology, a new electromechanical view of these interactions is required. 

PMID- 26282285
TI  - GATA3 haploinsufficiency does not block allergic sensitization or atopic disease.

PMID- 26282287
TI  - Surface Plasmon Coupling of Compositionally Heterogeneous Core-Satellite
      Nanoassemblies.
AB  - Understanding plasmon coupling between compositionally heterogeneous
      nanoparticles in close proximity is intriguing and fundamentally important
      because of the energy mismatch between the localized surface plasmons of the
      associated nanoparticles and interactions beyond classical electrodynamics. In
      this Letter, we explore surface plasmon coupling between silver nanoparticles
      (AgNPs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), assembled in the form of core-satellite
      structures. A recently developed assembly method allows us to prepare ultrapure
      core-satellite nanoassemblies in solution, where 50 nm AgNPs are surrounded by 13
      nm AuNPs via alkanedithiol linkers. We observe changes in the plasmon coupling
      between the AgNP core and AuNP satellites as the core-to-satellite gap distance
      varies from 2.3 to 0.7 nm. Comparison with theoretical studies reveals that the
      traditional hybridized plasmon modes are abruptly replaced by charge-transfer
      plasmons at a ~1 nm gap. Changes with the number of satellites are also
      discussed. 

PMID- 26282288
TI  - Role of Oxygen Mass Transport in Rechargeable Li/O2 Batteries Operating with
      Ionic Liquids.
AB  - The use of ionic liquid (IL)-based electrolytes and porous carbonaceous cathodes
      is today one of the most promising strategies for the development of rechargeable
      Li/O2 batteries. Enhancing Li/O2 battery cyclability at high discharge rate is a
      key issue for automotive applications. O2 reduction at a meso-macroporous carbon
      electrode in N-butyl-N-methyl pyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide
      (PYR14TFSI):LiTFSI 9:1 is here investigated. The study demonstrates that oxygen
      electrode response in IL at high discharge currents is dominated by O2 mass
      transport in IL. A novel configuration of flow-Li/O2 battery that operates at
      high discharge rate is reported. 

PMID- 26282289
TI  - Excited-State Proton-Transfer Processes of DHICA Resolved: From Sub-Picoseconds
      to Nanoseconds.
AB  - Excited-state proton transfer has been hypothesized as a mechanism for UV energy
      dissipation in eumelanin skin pigments. By using time-resolved fluorescence
      spectroscopy, we show that the previously proposed, but unresolved, excited-state
      intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) of the eumelanin building block 5,6
      dihydroxyindole-2-carboxylic acid (DHICA) occurs with a time constant of 300 fs
      in aqueous solution but completely stops in methanol. The previously disputed
      excited-state proton transfer involving the 5- or 6-OH groups of the DHICA anion
      is now found to occur from the 6-OH group to aqueous solvent with a rate constant
      of 4.0 * 10(8) s(-1). 

PMID- 26282290
TI  - Chiral Hydrogen Bond Environment Providing Unidirectional Rotation in Photoactive
      Molecular Motors.
AB  - Generation of a chiral hydrogen bond environment in efficient molecular
      photoswitches is proposed as a novel strategy for the design of photoactive
      molecular motors. Here, the following strategy is used to design a retinal-based
      motor presenting singular properties: (i) a single excitation wavelength is
      needed to complete the unidirectional rotation process (360 degrees ); (ii) the
      absence of any thermal step permits the process to take place at low
      temperatures; and (iii) the ultrafast process permits high rotational
      frequencies. 

PMID- 26282291
TI  - Stable Organic Monolayers on Oxide-Free Silicon/Germanium in a Supercritical
      Medium: A New Route to Molecular Electronics.
AB  - Oxide-free Si and Ge surfaces have been passivated and modified with organic
      molecules by forming covalent bonds between the surfaces and reactive end groups
      of linear alkanes and aromatic species using single-step deposition in
      supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO2). The process is suitable for large-scale
      manufacturing due to short processing times, simplicity, and high resistance to
      oxidation. It also allows the formation of monolayers with varying reactive
      terminal groups, thus enabling formation of nanostructures engineered at the
      molecular level. Ballistic electron emission microscopy (BEEM) spectra performed
      on the organic monolayer on oxide-free silicon capped by a thin gold layer
      reveals for the first time an increase in transmission of the ballistic current
      through the interface of up to three times compared to a control device, in
      contrast to similar studies reported in the literature suggestive of oxide-free
      passivation in SCCO2. The SCCO2 process combined with the preliminary BEEM
      results opens up new avenues for interface engineering, leading to molecular
      electronic devices. 

PMID- 26282292
TI  - Remarkable Photophysics and Amplified Quenching of Conjugated Polyelectrolyte
      Oligomers.
AB  - We report the photophysics and fluorescence quenching of a series of
      monodisperse, anionic pi-conjugated oligomers that are molecularly dissolved in
      aqueous solution. These structurally well-defined oligomers feature
      oligo(phenylene ethynylene) backbones with two -CH2COO(-) units on each repeat
      unit, with overall lengths of 5, 7, and 9 repeats. The ionic oligomers display a
      structured fluorescence band with high quantum efficiency in water, in contrast
      to the low fluorescence quantum efficiency and pronounced aggregation displayed
      by structurally similar oligomeric and polymeric (phenylene ethynylene)
      conjugated polyelectrolytes studied previously. Stern-Volmer (SV) fluorescence
      quenching studies using cationic charge- and energy-transfer quenchers reveal
      that all of the oligomers give rise to SV quenching constants (KSV) in excess of
      10(6) M(-1), with values increasing with oligomer length, consistent with the
      amplified quenching effect. The amplified quenching effect is proposed to occur
      due to the formation of comparatively small oligomer aggregates. 

PMID- 26282293
TI  - Catalytic Role of Surface Oxygens in TiO2 Photooxidation Reactions: Aqueous
      Benzene Photooxidation with Ti(18)O2 under Anaerobic Conditions.

PMID- 26282294
TI  - Ionic and Molecular Liquids: Working Together for Robust Engineering.
AB  - Because of their outstanding versatility, room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs)
      are utilized in an ever increasing number of novel and fascinating applications,
      making them the Holy Grail of modern materials science. In this Perspective, we
      address the fundamental research and prospective applications of RTILs in
      combination with molecular liquids, concentrating on three significant areas: (1)
      the use of molecular liquids to decrease the viscosity of RTILs; (2) the role of
      RTIL micelle formation in water and organic solvents; and (3) the ability of
      RTILs to adsorb pollutant gases. Current achievements are examined, and future
      directions for the potential uses of RTILs are outlined. 

PMID- 26282295
TI  - Beyond the Periodic Table of Elements: The Role of Superatoms.
AB  - Atomic clusters composed of homo or heteroatomic species constitute an
      intermediate phase of matter where every atom counts and whose properties depend
      on their size, shape, composition, and charge. If specific clusters mimicking the
      chemistry of atoms can be produced, they can be thought of as man-made superatoms
      forming the building blocks of a new three-dimensional periodic table. Novel
      materials with tailored properties can then be synthesized by assembling these
      superatoms. This invited Perspective presents a brief summary of the pioneering
      works that led to this concept, and highlights the recent breakthroughs that hold
      promise for a new era in materials science. 

PMID- 26282296
TI  - Carrier Mobility in Graphyne Should Be Even Larger than That in Graphene: A
      Theoretical Prediction.
AB  - We show here that the carrier mobility in the novel sp-sp(2) hybridization planar
      6,6,12-graphyne sheet should be even larger than that in the graphene sheet. Both
      graphyne and graphene exhibit a Dirac cone structure near the Fermi surface.
      However, due to the sp-sp(2) hybridization forming the triple bonds in graphyne,
      the electron-phonon scattering is reduced compared with that of graphene. The
      carrier mobility is calculated at the first-principles level by using the
      Boltzmann transport equation coupled with the deformation potential theory. The
      intrinsic mobility of the 6,6,12-graphyne is 4.29 * 10(5) cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) for
      holes and 5.41 * 10(5) cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) for electrons at room temperature, which
      is found to be larger than that of graphene (~ 3 * 10(5) cm(2) V(-1) s(-1)). 

PMID- 26282297
TI  - Reproducible Deep-UV SERRS on Aluminum Nanovoids.
AB  - Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) with deep-UV excitation is of particular
      interest because a large variety of biomolecules such as amino acids exhibit
      electronic transitions in the UV spectral range and resonant excitation
      dramatically increases the cross section of the associated vibrational modes.
      Despite its potential, UV-SERS is still little-explored. We present a novel
      straightforward scalable route to fabricate aluminum nanovoids for reproducible
      SERS in the deep-UV without the need of expensive lithographic techniques. We
      adopt a modified template stripping method utilizing a soluble template and self
      assembled polymer spheres to create nanopatterned aluminum films. We observe high
      surface enhancement of approximately 6 orders of magnitude, with excitation in
      the deep-UV (244 nm) on structures optimized for this wavelength. This work thus
      enables sensitive detection of organics and biomolecules, normally nonresonant at
      visible wavelengths, with deep-UV surface-enhanced resonant Raman scattering on
      reproducible and scalable substrates. 

PMID- 26282298
TI  - Effect of Packing on Formation of Deep Carrier Traps in Amorphous Conjugated
      Polymers.
AB  - We theoretically investigate the role of conformational disorder and
      intermolecular interactions on the localization properties of electronic states,
      leading to the formation of carrier traps in amorphous aggregates of conjugated
      polymers. Samples of amorphous conformations of poly(p-phenylene vinylene) (PPV),
      poly2-methoxy-5-(2-ethyl-hexyloxy)PPV (MEH-PPV), and [poly-(9,9'-dioctyluorene)]
      (PFO) oligomers are simulated by classical molecular dynamics, while their
      electronic structure is calculated using first-principles density functional
      theory. Localization and delocalization properties of molecular orbitals are
      studied based on the participation ratio analysis, an approach commonly used in
      inorganic semiconductors. Our simulations confirm that the alkyl side chains
      insignificantly affect the conformational disorder in amorphous polymers while
      having a dramatic effect on the intermolecular disorder and packing. The nature
      of the disorder and its impact on charge-carrier localization in amorphous
      polymers with alkyl side chains differ drastically from those of disordered
      polymers without side chains, such as PPVs. Thus, long-range intermolecular
      interactions and sparse packing are responsible for the formation of multiple,
      deep, highly localized trap states in amorphous MEH-PPVs and PFOs, while close
      packing in combination with conformational disorder leads to the trap states
      distributed mostly near the bandgap edges in PPV aggregates. 

PMID- 26282299
TI  - Metrological Investigation of the (6,5) Carbon Nanotube Absorption Cross Section.
AB  - Using single-nanotube absorption microscopy, we measured the absorption cross
      section of (6,5) carbon nanotubes at their second-order optical transition. We
      obtained a value of 3.2 * 10(-17) cm(2)/C atom with a precision of 15% and an
      accuracy below 20%. This constitutes the first metrological investigation of the
      absorption cross section of chirality-identified nanotubes. Correlative
      absorption-luminescence microscopies performed on long nanotubes reveal a direct
      manifestation of exciton diffusion in the nanotube. 

PMID- 26282300
TI  - Single-Nanocrystal Photoluminescence Spectroscopy Studies of Plasmon-Multiexciton
      Interactions at Low Temperature.
AB  - Using thick-shell or "giant" CdSe/CdS nanocrystal quantum dots (g-NQDs),
      characterized by strongly suppressed Auger recombination, we studied the
      influence of plasmonic interactions on multiexciton emission. Specifically, we
      assessed the separate effects of plasmonic absorption and plasmonic emission
      enhancement by a systematic analysis of the pump fluence dependence of low
      temperature photoluminescence (low-T PL) derived from individual CdSe/CdS g-NQDs
      deposited on nanoroughened silver films. Our study reveals that (1) the
      multiexciton (MX) emissions in g-NQD coupled to silver films were enhanced not
      only through the creation of more excitons via enhancement of absorption but also
      through the direct modification of the competition between the radiative and
      nonradiative recombination processes of MXs; (2) strong enhancement in absorption
      is not necessary for strong multiexciton emission; and (3) the emission of MXs
      can become stronger with the increase of multiexciton order. We also exploited
      the strong enhancement of MX emission to perform second-order photon correlation
      and cross-correlation experiments using very low pump fluences and observed a
      strong photon bunching that decays with increasing pump fluence. 

PMID- 26282301
TI  - Nature of Excess Electrons in Polar Fluids: Anion-Solvated Electron Equilibrium
      and Polarized Hole-Burning in Liquid Acetonitrile.

PMID- 26282302
TI  - Differences in Ion Interactions for Isoelectronic Ionic Liquid Homologs.
AB  - Specific cation-anion interactions for two pairs of isoelectronic ionic liquids
      (ILs) have been investigated using nuclear Overhauser effect (NOE) 2D NMR methods
      to explore proximities between ions. The four ILs comprise the
      bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide anion paired with the following cations:
      triethyloctylammonium, (2-ethoxyethoxy)ethyltriethylammonium,
      triethyloctylphosphonium, and (2-ethoxyethoxy)ethyltriethylphosphonium.
      Substantial interactions are observed between the anion (19)F nuclei and all of
      the protons on the triethyl chains for each of the four cationic head groups.
      Significantly different interactions are observed for each of the four cationic
      tail groups and the anions. 

PMID- 26282303
TI  - Structural Modification of Graphene Sheets to Create a Dense Network of Defect
      Sites.
AB  - Pt/graphene composites were synthesized by loading platinum nanoparticles onto
      graphene and etched at 1000  degrees C in a hydrogen atmosphere. This results in
      the formation of a dense array of nanostructured defect sites in the graphene,
      including trenches, nanoribbons, islands, and holes. These defect sites result in
      an increase in the number of unsaturated carbon atoms and, consequently, enhance
      the interaction of the CO2 molecules with the etched graphene. This leads to a
      high capacity for storing CO2; 1 g of the etched samples can store up to 76.3
      cm(3) of CO2 at 273 K under ambient pressure. 

PMID- 26282304
TI  - Nanocarbon Hybrids: The Paradigm of Nanoscale Self-Ordering/Self-Assembling by
      Means of Charge Transfer/Doping Interactions.
AB  - The scope of this Perspective is to highlight the potential of nanoscale self
      ordering/self-assembling nanocarbons-fullerenes, single-wall carbon nanotubes,
      and graphene-en route toward novel charge transfer hybrids that unify several
      functions such as light harvesting, charge separation, and, eventually,
      catalysis. All of the given examples are fully characterized by a broad range of
      spectroscopic as well as microscopic techniques and, as such, document the
      success in tuning the electronic structure of functional nanocarbons by means of
      charge transfer/doping interactions. 

PMID- 26282305
TI  - Combined Ab Initio Computational and Infrared Spectroscopic Study of the cis- and
      trans-Bis(glycinato)copper(II) Complexes in Aqueous Environment.
AB  - The cis- and trans-bis(glycinato)copper(II) complexes in aqueous solution have
      been investigated by means of a combined theoretical and experimental approach.
      The conducted quantum mechanical charge field molecular dynamics (QMCF-MD)
      studies, being the first quantum mechanical simulations of organometallic
      complexes by this method, yielded accurate structural details of the investigated
      isomers as well as novel dynamic data, which has successfully been confirmed and
      extended by subsequent mid-infrared measurements. The spectroscopic results,
      critically assessed by adjacent multivariate data analysis, indicate an isomeric
      stability at ambient conditions, vanishing at elevated temperatures. 

PMID- 26282306
TI  - When and Why Like-Sized, Oppositely Charged Particles Assemble into Diamond-like
      Crystals.
AB  - Like-sized, oppositely charged nanoparticles are known to assemble into large
      crystals with diamond-like (ZnS) ordering, in sharp contrast to analogous
      molecular ions and micrometer-scale colloids, which invariably favor more closely
      packed structures (NaCl or CsCl). Here, we show that these experimental
      observations can be understood as a consequence of ionic screening and the slight
      asymmetry in surface charge present on the assembling particles. With this
      asymmetry taken into account, free-energy calculations predict that the diamond
      like ZnS lattice is more favorable than other 1:1 ionic structures, namely, NaCl
      or CsCl, when the Debye screening length is considerably larger than the particle
      size. A thermodynamic model describes how the presence of neutralizing
      counterions within the interstitial regions of the crystal acts to bias the
      formation of low-volume-fraction structures. The results provide general insights
      into the self-assembly of non-close-packed structures via electrostatic
      interactions. 

PMID- 26282307
TI  - In Situ Studies of the Temperature-Dependent Surface Structure and Chemistry of
      Single-Crystalline (001)-Oriented La0.8Sr0.2CoO3-delta Perovskite Thin Films.
AB  - Perovskites are used to promote the kinetics of oxygen electrocatalysis in solid
      oxide fuel cells and oxygen permeation membranes. Little is known about the
      surface structure and chemistry of perovskites at high temperatures and partial
      oxygen pressures. Combining in situ X-ray reflectivity (XRR) and in situ ambient
      pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (APXPS), we report, for the first time,
      the evolution of the surface structure and chemistry of (001)-oriented perovskite
      La0.8Sr0.2CoO3-delta (LSC113) and (La0.5Sr0.5)2CoO4+delta (LSC214)-decorated
      LSC113 (LSC113/214) thin films as a function of temperature. Heating the (001)
      oriented LSC113 surface leads to the formation of surface LSC214-like particles,
      which is further confirmed by ex situ Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). In
      contrast, the LSC113/214 surface, with activities much higher than that of
      LSC113, is stable upon heating. Combined in situ XRR and APXPS measurements
      support that Sr enrichment may occur at the LSC113 and LSC214 interface, which
      can be responsible for its markedly enhanced activities. 

PMID- 26282308
TI  - Effect of Organic and Inorganic Passivation in Quantum-Dot-Sensitized Solar
      Cells.
AB  - The effect of semiconductor passivation on quantum-dot-sensitized solar cells
      (QDSCs) has been systematically characterized for CdS and CdS/ZnS. We have found
      that passivation strongly depends on the passivation agent, obtaining an
      enhancement of the solar cell efficiency for compounds containing amine and thiol
      groups and, in contrast, a decrease in performance for passivating agents with
      acid groups. Passivation can induce a change in the position of TiO2 conduction
      band and also in the recombination rate and nature, reflected in a change in the
      beta parameter. Especially interesting is the finding that beta, and consequently
      the fill factor can be increased with the passivation treatment. Applying this
      strategy, record cells of 4.65% efficiency for PbS-based QDSCs have been
      produced. 

PMID- 26282309
TI  - Quantitative Measurement of Local Infrared Absorption and Dielectric Function
      with Tip-Enhanced Near-Field Microscopy.
AB  - Scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscopy (s-SNOM) and Fourier
      transform infrared nanospectroscopy (nano-FTIR) are emerging tools for nanoscale
      chemical material identification. Here, we push s-SNOM and nano-FTIR one
      important step further by enabling them to quantitatively measure local
      dielectric constants and infrared absorption. Our technique is based on an
      analytical model, which allows for a simple inversion of the near-field
      scattering problem. It yields the dielectric permittivity and absorption of
      samples with 2 orders of magnitude improved spatial resolution compared to far
      field measurements and is applicable to a large class of samples including
      polymers and biological matter. We verify the capabilities by determining the
      local dielectric permittivity of a PMMA film from nano-FTIR measurements, which
      is in excellent agreement with far-field ellipsometric data. We further obtain
      local infrared absorption spectra with unprecedented accuracy in peak position
      and shape, which is the key to quantitative chemometrics on the nanometer scale. 

PMID- 26282310
TI  - Effect of Different Hole Transport Materials on Recombination in CH3NH3PbI3
      Perovskite-Sensitized Mesoscopic Solar Cells.
AB  - We report on perovskite (CH3NH3)PbI3-sensitized solid-state solar cells using
      spiro-OMeTAD, poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT) and 4
      (diethylamino)benzaldehyde diphenylhydrazone (DEH) as hole transport materials
      (HTMs) with a light to electricity power conversion efficiency of 8.5%, 4.5%, and
      1.6%, respectively, under AM 1.5G illumination of 1000 W/m(2) intensity.
      Photoinduced absorption spectroscopy (PIA) shows that hole transfer occurs from
      the (CH3NH3)PbI3 to HTMs after excitation of (CH3NH3)PbI3. The electron lifetime
      (taue) in these devices are in the order Spiro-OMeTAD > P3HT > DEH, while the
      charge transport time (ttr) is rather similar. The difference in taue can
      therefore explain the lower efficiency of the devices based on P3HT and DEH. This
      report shows that the nature of the HTM is essential for charge recombination and
      elucidates that finding an optimal HTM for the perovskite solar cell includes
      controlling the perovskite/HTM interaction. Design routes for new HTMs are
      suggested. 

PMID- 26282311
TI  - Factors Controlling the Reactivity of Catalytically Active Monolayers on Metal
      Substrates.
AB  - The focus of this work is on the Pt/MS structures (MS = Au, Ir, Ru, or Pt
      substrate), as promising electrocatalysts and a prototype for more general
      systems: (active element monolayer)/(metal substrate) (AE/MS). We evaluate from
      first principles the effects of AE monolayer strain and the interlayer AE-MS
      electronic state hybridization on surface reactivity and reveal rationale for the
      interlayer hybridization to dominate over the strain effect in determining the
      AE/MS surface reactivity. We find, however, that, if AE is weakly bound to MS,
      the surface electronic structure does not suffice to characterize the surface
      reactivity, because of involvement of other factors related to lattice response
      to adsorption of a reaction intermediate. Guided by our findings, we trace
      surface reactivity to a newly introduced hybridization parameter that reflects
      important features of the electronic structure of the AE/MS surface, which are
      not taken into account in the original d-band center model. 

PMID- 26282312
TI  - Different Plasmon Sensing Behavior of Silver and Gold Nanorods.
AB  - Silver nanorods (AgNRs) of ~20 nm diameter and different lengths, which were
      increased up to ~100 nm by increasing the reduction time, were prepared by a
      seedless synthetic approach. A linear relationship between the AgNRs aspect
      ratios and the LSPR peak position was observed experimentally and confirmed
      theoretically. The Raman signal enhancement by silver nanorods is more efficient
      than by gold nanorods (AuNRs) because the plasmon field intensity of AgNRs is
      stronger than that of AuNRs, as shown by the discrete dipole approximation
      calculation. The Rayleigh scattering by AuNRs is stronger than that by the AgNRs.
      Therefore, AuNRs are recommended for optical plasmon imaging, while AgNRs are
      more efficient in plasmon sensing. 

PMID- 26282313
TI  - Temperature- and Light-Induced Spin Crossover Observed by X-ray Spectroscopy on
      Isolated Fe(II) Complexes on Gold.
AB  - Using X-ray absorption techniques, we show that temperature- and light-induced
      spin crossover properties are conserved for a submonolayer of the
      [Fe(H2B(pz)2)2(2,2'-bipy)] complex evaporated onto a Au(111) surface. For a
      significant fraction of the molecules, we see changes in the absorption at the
      L2,3 edges that are consistent with those observed in bulk and thick film
      references. Assignment of these changes to spin crossover is further supported by
      multiplet calculations to simulate the X-ray absorption spectra. As others have
      observed in experiments on monolayer coverages, we find that many molecules in
      our submonolayer system remain pinned in one of the two spin states. Our results
      clearly demonstrate that temperature- and light-induced spin crossover is
      possible for isolated molecules on surfaces but that interactions with the
      surface may play a key role in determining when this can occur. 

PMID- 26282314
TI  - New Protocols for the Synthesis of Stable Ag and Au Nanocluster Molecules.
AB  - "Catching" metals in the nonmetallic form in solution, as they grow to bulk, is
      one of the most exciting areas of contemporary materials research. A new kind of
      stabilization to catch the nonmetallic form of noble metals with small thiols has
      evolved as an exciting area of synthesis during the past decade. Gold clusters
      stay in the frontline of this research, yielding new "molecules" composed of a
      few to several hundreds of atoms. By taking guidelines from gold cluster
      research, various new protocols for silver nanoclusters were developed. In this
      Perspective, we highlight the recent advances on the synthesis of atomically
      precise silver, gold, and their alloy clusters with a special emphasis on silver.
      As a result of intense efforts of the recent past, clusters such as Ag7,8(SR)7,8,
      Ag7(-S-R-S-)4, Ag9(SR)7, Ag32(SR)19, Ag44(SR)30, Ag140(SR)53, Ag280(SR)140, and
      Ag152(SR)60 (SR and S-R-S refer to thiolate and dithiolate ligands, respectively)
      were added to the literature. Moreover, "silver-covered" and "gold-covered" alloy
      clusters have also been synthesized. Early reports of the crystallization of such
      clusters are available. Several of these clusters are shown to act as sensors,
      catalysts, and pesticide degradation agents, which suggests that these materials
      may find applications in daily life in the foreseeable future. 

PMID- 26282315
TI  - Hybrid Titania Photoanodes with a Nanostructured Multi-Layer Configuration for
      Highly Efficient Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells.
AB  - To construct a hybrid titania photoanode containing nanoparticles and nanorods of
      varied size in a multilayer (ML) configuration for dye-sensitized solar cells,
      the essence of our ML design is a bilayer system with additional layers of
      nanorods of well-controlled size inserted between the transparent and the
      scattering layers to enhance the light-harvesting capability for photosensitizers
      with small absorptivity, such as Z907. We measured charge-extraction and
      intensity-modulated photoelectric spectra to show the advantages of one
      dimensional nanorods with an improved electron-transport property and an upward
      shift of the potential band edge; a favorable ML configuration was constructed to
      have a cascade potential feature for feasible electron transport from long
      nanorods, to normal nanorods, to small nanoparticles. On the basis of the ML
      system reported herein, we demonstrate how the performance of a Z907 device is
      improved to attain eta ~10%, which is a milestone for its future
      commercialization. 

PMID- 26282316
TI  - How to Make Your Next Paper Scientifically Effective.

PMID- 26282317
TI  - Preparation, regulation and biological application of a Schiff base fluorescence
      probe.
AB  - A facile fluorescence switch with Schiff base units was designed and achieved by
      nucleophilic addition and dehydration reaction. The fluorescence of the probe can
      be regulated by metal ions (Al(3+) and Cu(2+)). The whole process shows that the
      weak fluorescence of the probe enhances with the addition of Al(3+), and then the
      strong fluorescence of the probe/Al(3+) ensemble reduces by introducing Cu(2+).
      Meanwhile, the solution color changes of the probe with metal ions can be
      observed under 365 nm UV-vis light from weak light, pale green, green, pale green
      to weak light. Noticeably, the photo regulation processes of the probe by metal
      ions can be realized in the biological system and applied in cells imaging. The
      work provides a new strategy for designing facile regulation probe and develops a
      new application for Schiff base derivatives.

PMID- 26282318
TI  - Computational insights into the molecular interaction and ion-pair structures of
      a novel zinc-functionalized ionic liquid, [Emim][Zn(TFSI)3].
AB  - The ion pair structures of a novel CO2 capture material in the form of a metal
      chelate anion-containing room temperature ionic liquid (IL), 1-ethyl-3
      methylimidazolium tri[bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide]zincate(II),
      [Emim][Zn(TFSI)3], were elucidated by correlating the infrared spectra generated
      using density functional theory (DFT) calculations with the experimental spectrum
      derived from a room temperature infrared spectroscopic measurement. A free volume
      energy minimization algorithm revealed stable structures where the zinc ion forms
      an octahedral, homoleptic complex with the ligand
      bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide through coordination with the oxygen of the
      sulfone group, with 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acting as the counterion. The
      method of analysis was built around 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium
      bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, [Emim][TFSI], involving direct comparison with
      published data, and extended to the more complex [Emim][Zn(TFSI)3] system. The
      DFT calculations reproduced the vibrational spectra of [Emim][Zn(TFSI)3] and
      [Emim][TFSI] using their optimized geometries, with correlation slopes of 0.9996
      and 1.0022, respectively. Comparison of the vibrational modes of [Emim][TFSI] and
      [Emim][Zn(TFSI)3] provided insights into the ion pair structure of, and molecular
      interactions in the ILs analyzed. 

PMID- 26282319
TI  - Unidirectional growth of large size urea doped L-cysteine hydrochloride
      monohydrate NLO organic crystal and investigations of its crystalline and optical
      properties.
AB  - Organic crystals of urea doped L-cysteine hydrochloride monohydrate have been
      grown by unidirectional solution growth technique. The crystal grown by this
      technique has high growth rate as compared to the crystals grown using
      conventional slow cooling method. This method is ideally suited to grow crystals
      along a specific direction. The growth process was monitored at regular intervals
      of time in a time-lapsed manner to estimate the growth rate and also monitor its
      quality visually. The grown crystal was subjected to different characterizations
      in order to confirm the phase of the grown crystal, its crystalline perfection
      and optical properties. The X-ray diffraction confirmed the phase of the crystal.
      The rocking curve recorded using high resolution X-ray diffraction (HRXRD)
      technique reveals that the crystal grown using conventional slow cooling method
      has internal gain boundaries whereas that grown by unidirectional technique has
      high degree of crystalline perfection. The bonding environment present in the
      crystal was characterized by FTIR spectroscopy where vibrational frequencies of
      the different functional groups present were identified. The optical quality of
      the crystal was characterized using UV-vis-NIR spectrophotometer and Mach-Zehnder
      interferometer. The nonlinear optical response of the crystal was measured using
      Kurtz-Perry method and found to be 1.4 times that of a KDP crystal.

PMID- 26282320
TI  - Spectroscopic studies of porphyrin functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes
      and their interaction with TiO2 nanoparticles surface.
AB  - UV-vis and fluorescence investigations about the non-covalent interaction, in
      ethanolic solutions, of multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) with Coproporphyrin-I,
      and its Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes (MCPIs) have been reported. Evidence of
      binding between MWCNTs and porphyrins was discovered from spectral adsorption
      decrease with respect to free porphyrins and by the exhibition of
      photoluminescence quenching with respect to free porphyrins demonstrating that
      MWCNT@MCPIs are potential donor-acceptor complexes. Equilibrium and kinetic
      aspects in the interactions with monolayer transparent TiO2 thin films with the
      obtained MWCNT@MCPIs are clarified showing their effective adsorption by
      porphyrin links on the TiO2 monolayer support, with respect to not only MWCNTs,
      according to the Langmuir model and with pseudo-first-order kinetics.
      Morphological description of the adsorption of MWCNT@MCPIs on TiO2 with scanning
      electron microscopy has been reported. The obtained experimental evidences
      describe therefore MWCNT@MCPIs as potential sensitizers in the DSSC (Dye
      Sensitized Solar Cell) applications. 

PMID- 26282321
TI  - Accurate predictions of spectroscopic and molecular properties of 27 Lambda-S and
      73 Omega states of AsS radical.
AB  - The PECs are calculated for the 27 Lambda-S states and their corresponding 73
      Omega states of AsS radical. Of these Lambda-S states, only the 2(2)Delta and
      5(4)Pi states are replulsive. The 1(2)Sigma(+), 2(2)Sigma(+), 4(2)Pi, 3(4)Delta,
      3(4)Sigma(+), and 4(4)Pi states possess double wells. The 3(2)Sigma(+) state
      possesses three wells. The A(2)Pi, 3(2)Pi, 1(2)Phi, 2(4)Pi, 3(4)Pi, 2(4)Delta,
      3(4)Delta, 1(6)Sigma(+), and 1(6)Pi states are inverted with the SO coupling
      effect included. The 1(4)Sigma(+), 2(4)Sigma(+), 2(4)Sigma(-), 2(4)Delta,
      1(4)Phi, 1(6)Sigma(+), and 1(6)Pi states, the second wells of 1(2)Sigma(+),
      3(4)Sigma(+), 4(2)Pi, 4(4)Pi, and 3(4)Delta states, and the third well of
      3(2)Sigma(+) state are very weakly-bound states. The PECs are extrapolated to the
      CBS limit. The effect of SO coupling on the PECs is discussed. The spectroscopic
      parameters are evaluated, and compared with available measurements and other
      theoretical ones. The vibrational properties of several weakly-bound states are
      determined. The spectroscopic properties reported here can be expected to be
      reliably predicted ones. 

PMID- 26282322
TI  - Larger aggregates of mutant seipin in Celia's Encephalopathy, a new protein
      misfolding neurodegenerative disease.
AB  - Celia's Encephalopathy (MIM #615924) is a recently discovered fatal
      neurodegenerative syndrome associated with a new BSCL2 mutation (c.985C>T) that
      results in an aberrant isoform of seipin (Celia seipin). This mutation is lethal
      in both homozygosity and compounded heterozygosity with a lipodystrophic BSCL2
      mutation, resulting in a progressive encephalopathy with fatal outcomes at ages 6
      8. Strikingly, heterozygous carriers are asymptomatic, conflicting with the gain
      of toxic function attributed to this mutation. Here we report new key insights
      about the molecular pathogenic mechanism of this new syndrome. Intranuclear
      inclusions containing mutant seipin were found in brain tissue from a homozygous
      patient suggesting a pathogenic mechanism similar to other neurodegenerative
      diseases featuring brain accumulation of aggregated, misfolded proteins. Sucrose
      gradient distribution showed that mutant seipin forms much larger aggregates as
      compared with wild type (wt) seipin, indicating an impaired oligomerization. On
      the other hand, the interaction between wt and Celia seipin confirmed by
      coimmunoprecipitation (CoIP) assays, together with the identification of mixed
      oligomers in sucrose gradient fractionation experiments can explain the lack of
      symptoms in heterozygous carriers. We propose that the increased aggregation and
      subsequent impaired oligomerization of Celia seipin leads to cell death. In
      heterozygous carriers, wt seipin might prevent the damage caused by mutant seipin
      through its sequestration into harmless mixed oligomers. 

PMID- 26282325
TI  - The Psychosomatic Factor in Clinical Practice. 23rd World Congress on
      Psychosomatic Medicine, Glasgow, August 20-22, 2015: Abstracts.

PMID- 26282323
TI  - Mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum crosstalk in amyotrophic lateral
      sclerosis.
AB  - Physical and functional interactions between mitochondria and the endoplasmic
      reticulum (ER) are crucial for cell life. These two organelles are intimately
      connected and collaborate to essential processes, such as calcium homeostasis and
      phospholipid biosynthesis. The connections between mitochondria and endoplasmic
      reticulum occur through structures named mitochondria associated membranes
      (MAMs), which contain lipid rafts and a large number of proteins, many of which
      serve multiple functions at different cellular sites. Growing evidence strongly
      suggests that alterations of ER-mitochondria interactions are involved in
      neurodegenerative disorders, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a
      devastating and rapidly fatal motor neuron disease. Mutations in proteins that
      participate in ER-mitochondria interactions and MAM functions are increasingly
      being associated with genetic forms of ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases.
      This evidence strongly suggests that, rather than considering the two organelles
      separately, a better understanding of the disease process can derive from
      studying the alterations in their crosstalk. In this review we discuss normal and
      pathological ER-mitochondria interactions and the evidence that link them to ALS.

PMID- 26282326
TI  - Lack of agreement between computer navigation and post-operative 2-dimensional
      computed tomography (CT) measurements for component and limb alignment in total
      knee arthroplasty (TKA).
AB  - BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to assess the degree of mismatch
      between intraoperative navigation data using imageless computer navigation and
      post-operative CT scan measurements with respect to bone cuts, component and limb
      alignment during TKA. METHODS: Intraoperative navigation data including bone cut
      verification and overall limb alignment during TKA was compared to postoperative
      CT measurements of component and limb alignment according to the Perth protocol.
      The proportion of cases with mismatch between navigation and CT measurements at
      two and three degree thresholds was identified. RESULTS: In a total sample of 50
      primary TKAs, 20% of cases showed a mismatch of more than two degrees between
      navigation and CT obtained measurements for coronal femoral alignment, 42% for
      femoral rotation, 16% for tibial component coronal alignment and 32% for overall
      limb alignment. CONCLUSION: Mismatch between intraoperative navigation data and
      postoperative CT measurements suggests that postoperative CT scan alignment data
      should be interpreted with caution. A surgeon should consider a multitude of
      factors when analysing component and limb alignment postoperatively.

PMID- 26282324
TI  - Selective reduction of striatal mature BDNF without induction of proBDNF in the
      zQ175 mouse model of Huntington's disease.
AB  - Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by
      massive loss of medium spiny neurons in the striatum. However, the mechanisms by
      which mutant huntingtin leads to this selective neuronal death remain
      incompletely understood. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been shown
      to be neuroprotective on HD striatal neurons both in vitro and in vivo. ProBDNF,
      the precursor of mature BDNF (mBDNF), also can be secreted but promotes apoptosis
      of neurons expressing p75(NTR) and sortilin receptors. Although a reduction of
      total striatal BDNF protein has been reported in HD patients and mouse models, it
      remains unclear whether conversion of proBDNF to mBDNF is altered in HD, and
      whether the proBDNF receptors, p75(NTR) and sortilin are dysregulated, leading to
      impaired striatal neuron survival. To test these hypotheses, we generated bdnf-HA
      knock-in (KI) mice on the zQ175 HD background to accurately quantitate the levels
      of both proBDNF and mBDNF in the HD striatum. In aged zQ175 HD mice, we observed
      a significant loss of mBDNF and decreased TrkB activation, but no increase of
      proBDNF or p75(NTR) levels either in the sensorimotor cortex or the striatum.
      However, immunoreactivities of p75(NTR) and sortilin receptor are both increased
      in immature striatal oligodendrocytes, which associate with significant myelin
      defects in the HD striatum. Taken together, the present study indicates that
      diminished mature BDNF trophic signaling through the TrkB receptor, rather than
      an induction in proBDNF, is a main contributing factor to the vulnerability of
      striatal neurons in the zQ175 HD mouse model. 

PMID- 26282327
TI  - Third Report on Chicken Genes and Chromosomes 2015.

PMID- 26282329
TI  - Properties of human immunodeficiency virus   type 1 reverse transcriptase
      recombination   upon infection.
AB  - Reverse transcription (RT) is one of the hallmark features of retroviruses.
      During RT, virus encoded reverse transcriptase (RTase) must transfer from one end
      to the other end of the viral genome on two separate occasions to complete RT and
      move on to the production of proviral DNA. In addition, multiple strand-transfer
      events between homologous regions of the dimerized viral genome by RTase are also
      observed, and such recombination events serve as one of the driving forces behind
      human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) genome sequence diversity. Although retroviral
      recombination is widely considered to be important, several features of its
      mechanism are still unclear. We constructed an HIV-1 vector system to examine the
      target sequences required for virus recombination, and elucidated other necessary
      prerequisites to harbor recombination, such as the length, homology and the
      stability of neighbouring structures around the target sequences.

PMID- 26282328
TI  - Single-voxel (1)H spectroscopy in the human hippocampus at 3 T using the LASER
      sequence: characterization of neurochemical profile and reproducibility.
AB  - The hippocampus is crucial for long-term episodic memory and learning. It
      undergoes structural change in aging and is sensitive to neurodegenerative and
      psychiatric diseases. MRS studies have seldom been performed in the hippocampus
      due to technical challenges. The reproducibility of MRS in the hippocampus has
      not been evaluated at 3 T. The purpose of the present study was to quantify the
      concentration of metabolites in a small voxel placed in the hippocampus and
      evaluate the reproducibility of the quantification. Spectra were measured in a
      2.4 mL voxel placed in the left hippocampus covering the body and most of the
      tail of the structure in 10 healthy subjects across three different sessions and
      quantified using LCModel. High-quality spectra were obtained, which allowed a
      reliable quantification of 10 metabolites including glutamate and glutamine.
      Reproducibility of MRS was evaluated with coefficient of variation, standard
      errors of measurement, and intraclass correlation coefficients. All of these
      measures showed improvement with increased number of averages. Changes of less
      than 5% in concentration of N-acetylaspartate, choline-containing compounds, and
      total creatine and of less than 10% in concentration of myo-inositol and the sum
      of glutamate and glutamine can be confidently detected between two measurements
      in a group of 20 subjects. A reliable and reproducible neurochemical profile of
      the human hippocampus was obtained using MRS at 3 T in a small hippocampal
      volume.

PMID- 26282330
TI  - The role of haplotype in 15q25.1 locus in lung cancer risk: results of scanning
      chromosome 15.
AB  - The role of haplotypes and the interaction of haplotypes and smoking in lung
      cancer risk have not been well characterized. We analyzed data from an Italian
      population-based, case-control study with 1815 lung cancer patients and 1959
      healthy controls in discovery, and performed a validation using a case-control
      study with 2983 lung cancer patients and 3553 healthy controls of European
      ancestry for replication. Sliding window haplotype analysis within chromosome 15,
      evaluating 4722250 haplotypes and pair-wise haplotype analysis identified that
      CHRNA5 rs588765-rs16969968 was the most significant haplotype associated with
      lung cancer risk (omnibus P = 8.35*10(-15) in discovery and 7.26*10(-14) in
      replication), and improved the prediction of case status over that provided by
      the individual SNPs rs16969968 or rs588765 (likelihood ratio test P = 0.006 for
      rs16969968 and 3.83*10(-14) for rs588765 in discovery, 0.009 for rs16969968 and
      4.62*10(-13) for rs588765 in replication, compared with rs588765-rs16969968).
      Compared with the wild-type homozygous diplotype, CA/CA homozygote exhibited an
      approximately 2-fold increase risk for lung cancer (OR = 2.12; 95% CI 1.46-3.07
      in discovery, and OR = 2.01; 95% CI 1.51-2.67 in replication). Even among never
      smokers, CA/CA homozygote showed an increased risk of lung cancer with borderline
      significance in discovery (adjusted OR = 1.75, 95% CI 0.96-3.19) and statistical
      significance in replication (adjusted OR = 2.10, 95% CI 1.12-3.96), compared with
      combined genotypes (CG/CG + CG/TG). Accordingly, rs588765-rs16969968 may be a
      genetic marker to lung cancer risk, even among never-smokers. 

PMID- 26282331
TI  - Cross-cultural comparisons between the earthquake preparedness models of Taiwan
      and New Zealand.
AB  - Taiwan and New Zealand are both located in the Pacific Rim where 81 per cent of
      the world's largest earthquakes occur. Effective programmes for increasing
      people's preparedness for these hazards are essential. This paper tests the
      applicability of the community engagement theory of hazard preparedness in two
      distinct cultural contexts. Structural equation modelling analysis provides
      support for this theory. The paper suggests that the close fit between theory and
      data that is achieved by excluding trust supports the theoretical prediction that
      familiarity with a hazard negates the need to trust external sources. The results
      demonstrate that the hazard preparedness theory is applicable to communities that
      have previously experienced earthquakes and are therefore familiar with the
      associated hazards and the need for earthquake preparedness. The paper also
      argues that cross-cultural comparisons provide opportunities for collaborative
      research and learning as well as access to a wider range of potential earthquake
      risk management strategies. 

PMID- 26282332
TI  - Measuring Quality in Ambulatory Orthopedic Surgery.

PMID- 26282333
TI  - Timing and content of interventions to enhance cognitive performance of very-low
      birthweight children.

PMID- 26282334
TI  - Watching your pain site reduces pain intensity in chronic back pain patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic back pain (CBP) is a frequent debilitating and often
      treatment-resistant disorder. The awareness of one's own body seems to be
      essential in pain reduction through visual input. Visual feedback of the back
      reduces experimental pain perception in CBP at this site and watching the back
      during repeated lumbar spine movements reduces movement-evoked pain. In this
      study, we tested whether visual feedback alone can reduce habitual pain in CBP.
      METHODS: In a within-subject design, 19 CBP patients participated in an online
      visual feedback condition, watching one's own back. This was compared to several
      control conditions, such as watching a neutral object (book), a video of another
      person of the same sex, a picture of the own back, and keeping one's eyes closed
      in randomized order on five separate days. In each experimental session,
      participants rated habitual pain intensity and unpleasantness before and after
      the experimental manipulation. RESULTS: We present evidence that visual feedback
      by watching the site of chronic pain on a video screen alone is sufficient to
      reduce habitual chronic pain. No additional manipulation or movement was
      necessary. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that online video feedback may be
      helpful in alleviating chronic pain.

PMID- 26282335
TI  - Predicting growth and mortality of bivalve larvae using gene expression and
      supervised machine learning.
AB  - It is commonly known that the nature of the diet has diverse consequences on
      larval performance and longevity, however it is still unclear which genes have
      critical impacts on bivalve development and which pathways are of particular
      importance in their vulnerability or resistance. First we show that a diet
      deficient in essential fatty acid (EFA) produces higher larval mortality rates, a
      reduced shell growth, and lower postlarval performance, all of which are
      positively correlated with a decline in arachidonic and eicosapentaenoic acids
      levels, two EFAs known as eicosanoid precursors. Eicosanoids affect the cell
      inflammatory reactions and are synthesized from long-chain EFAs. Second, we show
      for the first time that a deficiency in eicosanoid precursors is associated with
      a network of 29 genes. Their differential regulation can lead to slower growth
      and higher mortality of Mytilus edulis larvae. Some of these genes are specific
      to bivalves and others are implicated at the same time in lipid metabolism and
      defense. Several genes are expressed only during pre-metamorphosis where they are
      essential for muscle or neurone development and biomineralization, but only in
      stress-induced larvae. Finally, we discuss how our networks of differentially
      expressed genes might dynamically alter the development of marine bivalves,
      especially under dietary influence. 

PMID- 26282337
TI  - Case of syringomatous carcinoma: Positive immunohistochemical staining of c-KIT
      and phosphorylated-extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2.

PMID- 26282336
TI  - A naturalistic examination of the temporal patterns of affect and eating disorder
      behaviors in anorexia nervosa.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Evidence supports the presence of significant variability in the
      timing of affective experiences and eating disorder (ED) behaviors across ED
      populations. This study examined the naturalistic timing of affective states and
      ED behaviors in anorexia nervosa (AN). METHODS: Women (N = 118) with full or
      subthreshold DSM-IV AN completed 2 weeks of ecological momentary assessment (EMA)
      involving self-reports of affect and ED behaviors. Patterns of positive affect,
      negative affect, and tension/anxiety across hours of the day and days of the week
      were examined using linear mixed models. Variation in ED behavior occurrence
      (i.e., binge eating, vomiting, exercise, meal skipping, and self-weighing) across
      hours of the day and days of the week was examined using general estimating
      equations. RESULTS: Results revealed significant variation in tension/anxiety
      across hours of the day; there were no significant associations between time of
      day and negative or positive affect. All affective variables significantly varied
      across days of the week, with both negative affect and tension/anxiety highest in
      the middle of the week and lowest on the weekends. The ED behaviors all
      significantly varied across hours of the day, with binge eating and vomiting most
      common in later hours, exercise and self-weighing most common in earlier hours,
      and meal skipping most common at times corresponding to breakfast and lunch. ED
      behaviors did not significantly vary across days of the week. CONCLUSION: The
      significant patterns of variation in the timing of affective experiences and ED
      behaviors may have utility in informing theories and interventions for AN.

PMID- 26282338
TI  - Nitrogen-Enriched Fe3O4@Carbon Nanospheres Derived from Fe3O4@3
      Aminophenol/Formaldehyde Resin Nanospheres Based on a Facile Hydrothermal
      Strategy: Towards a Robust Catalyst Scaffold for Platinum Nanocrystals.
AB  - Robust nitrogen-enriched Fe3O4@carbon nanospheres have been fabricated as a
      catalyst scaffold for Pt nanoparticles. In this work, core-shell Fe3O4@3
      aminophenol/formaldehyde (APF) nanocomposites were first synthesized by a simple
      hydrothermal method, and subsequently carbonized to Fe3O4@N-Carbon nanospheres
      for in situ growth of Pt nanocrystals. Abundant amine groups were distributed
      uniformly onto Fe3O4@N-Carbon nanospheres, which not only improved the dispersity
      and stability of the Pt nanocrystals, but also endowed the Pt-based catalysts
      with good compatibility in organic solvents. The dense three-dimensional cross
      linked carbon shell protects the Fe3O4 cores against damage from harsh chemical
      environments, even in aqueous HCl (up to 1.0 M) or NaOH (up to 1.0 M) solutions
      under ultrasonication for 24 hours, which indicates that it can be used as a
      robust catalyst scaffold. In the reduction of nitrobenzene compounds, the Fe3O4@N
      Carbon@Pt nanocatalysts show outstanding catalytic activity, stability, and
      recoverability.

PMID- 26282339
TI  - Factors associated with illicit methadone injecting in a Canadian setting.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: While methadone is well established as an evidence
      based treatment for opioid use disorder, safety concerns persist regarding its
      diversion. The authors examine the prevalence of and risk factors associated with
      injection of methadone in an urban population. METHODS: Between December 2005 and
      November 2013, data were derived from two open prospective studies of persons who
      inject drugs (PWID) in Vancouver, Canada. Generalized estimating equations (GEE)
      logistic regression was used to determine factors independently associated with
      illicit methadone injecting. RESULTS: During the study, 1911 individuals (34%
      women) were recruited; 134 (7%) participants reported methadone injecting at
      least once. In multivariable analysis, Caucasian ethnicity [adjusted odds ratio
      (AOR) = 1.90, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.20-3.00]; homelessness (AOR =
      1.46, 95% CI = 1.09-1.95); drug dealing (AOR = 2.10, 95% CI = 1.50-2.93); >=daily
      heroin injection (AOR = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.08-2.26); >=daily crack smoking (AOR =
      2.06, 95% CI = 1.44-2.95); being a victim of violence (AOR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.04
      2.12); and non-fatal overdose (AOR = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.67 (1.00-2.79) were
      independently and positively associated with methadone injection; female gender
      (AOR = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.30-0.75) was negatively associated. DISCUSSION AND
      CONCLUSIONS: The diversion of methadone for illicit injection in this urban
      setting was associated with several markers of addiction severity and other
      health and social vulnerabilities. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: These findings
      underscore the need to ensure methadone accessibility while limiting diversion
      related risk.

PMID- 26282340
TI  - Introduction to the diagnosis and classification of monocytic-lineage leukemias
      by flow cytometry.
AB  - Despite diagnostic criteria are currently available for the distinct subtypes of
      monocytic-lineage neoplasias, a number of partially overlapping features still
      remain evident, which may hamper their differential diagnosis. An accurate
      identification and characterization of monocytic cells is of major relevance for
      the diagnosis and classification of these neoplasias. In this regard, as compared
      to other conventional techniques, flow cytometry has shown the highest
      sensitivity for detection of early monocytic commitment of (normal and
      neoplastic) bone marrow CD34+ hematopoietic precursors as well as of monocytic
      aberrations and maturation blockades, which are frequently associated with clonal
      myeloid disorders. In the present paper we provide basic principles and criteria
      for multiparameter flow cytometry identification and characterization of bone
      marrow monocytic cells that contribute to an improved diagnostic and
      classification of monocytic lineage-associated acute leukemias in clinical
      settings, particularly when using the EuroFlow antibody panels. (c) 2015
      International Clinical Cytometry Society.

PMID- 26282341
TI  - Facing the environment: onset and development of UV markings in young fish.
AB  - Most colour patterns in animals represent an elegant compromise between
      conspicuousness to ensure effective communication with preferred receivers and
      camouflage to avoid attracting the attention of unwanted predators. Many species,
      including several coral reef fishes, overcome this conflict by using ultraviolet
      (UV) colouration and signalling, as these colours are visible only over short
      distances and are often invisible to their predators. Despite a great interest in
      their behavioural significance and ecological influence on survival, little is
      known about when these colours first develop on the bodies of free-living
      animals. Here we show for the first time that the UV facial patterns of a coral
      reef fish do not develop in captivity but only when juveniles experience the
      socio-behavioural conditions of their natural environment. Using field and
      laboratory experiments, we determined that the onset and early development of
      these UV facial markings did not occur at metamorphosis. Instead, juveniles
      developed the UV markings during their first two weeks on the reef. Exposure to
      different reef environments revealed significant plasticity in the development of
      these markings. The direct or indirect (through intraspecific interactions)
      exposure to predators is a likely candidate trigger for the plastic development
      of these UV markings in the wild. 

PMID- 26282343
TI  - Effects of strength training on muscle cellular outcomes in prostate cancer
      patients on androgen deprivation therapy.
AB  - Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) improves life expectancy in prostate cancer
      (PCa) patients, but is associated with adverse effects on muscle mass. Here, we
      investigated the effects of strength training during ADT on muscle fiber cross
      sectional area (CSA) and regulators of muscle mass. PCa patients on ADT were
      randomized to 16 weeks of strength training (STG) (n = 12) or a control group
      (CG; n = 11). Muscle biopsies were obtained from m. vastus lateralis and analyzed
      by immunohistochemistry and western blot. Muscle fiber CSA increased with
      strength training (898 MUm(2) , P = 0.04), with the only significant increase
      observed in type II fibers (1076 MUm(2) , P = 0.03). There was a trend toward a
      difference in mean change between groups myonuclei number (0.33 nuclei/fiber, P =
      0.06), with the only significant increase observed in type I fibers, which
      decreased the myonuclear domain size of type I fibers (P = 0.05). Satellite cell
      numbers and the content of androgen receptor and myostatin remained unchanged.
      Sixteen weeks of strength training during ADT increased type II fiber CSA and
      reduced myonuclear domain in type I fibers in PCa patients. The increased number
      of satellite cells normally seen following strength training was not observed. 

PMID- 26282342
TI  - Identification of critical functional determinants of kainate receptor modulation
      by auxiliary protein Neto2.
AB  - KEY POINTS: Kainate receptors (KARs) are ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs)
      that modulate synaptic transmission and intrinsic neuronal excitability. KARs
      associate with the auxiliary proteins neuropilin- and tolloid-like 1 and 2 (Neto1
      and Neto2), which act as allosteric modulators of receptor function impacting all
      biophysical properties of these receptors studied to date. M3-S2 linkers play a
      critical role in KAR gating; we found that individual residues in these linkers
      bidirectionally influence Neto2 modulation of KAR desensitization in an agonist
      specific manner. We also identify the D1 dimer interface as a novel site of Neto2
      modulation and functionally correlate the actions of Neto2 modulation of
      desensitization with modulation of cation sensitivity. We identify these domains
      as determinants of Neto2 modulation. Thus, our work contributes to the
      understanding of auxiliary subunit modulation of KAR function and could aid the
      development of KAR-specific modulators to alter receptor function. ABSTRACT:
      Kainate receptors (KARs) are important modulators of synaptic transmission and
      intrinsic neuronal excitability in the CNS. Their activity is shaped by the
      auxiliary proteins Neto1 and Neto2, which impact KAR gating in a receptor subunit
      and Neto isoform-specific manner. The structural basis for Neto modulation of
      KAR gating is unknown. Here we identify the M3-S2 gating linker as a critical
      determinant contributing to Neto2 modulation of KARs. M3-S2 linkers control both
      the valence and magnitude of Neto2 modulation of homomeric GluK2 receptors.
      Furthermore, a single mutation in this domain abolishes Neto2 modulation of
      heteromeric receptor desensitization. Additionally, we found that cation
      sensitivity of KAR gating is altered by Neto2 association, suggesting that
      stability of the D1 dimer interface in the ligand-binding domain (LBD) is an
      important determinant of Neto2 actions. Moreover, modulation of cation
      sensitivity was eliminated by mutations in the M3-S2 linkers, thereby correlating
      the action of Neto2 at these structurally discrete sites on receptor subunits.
      These results demonstrate that the KAR M3-S2 linkers and LBD dimer interface are
      critical determinants for Neto2 modulation of receptor function and identify
      these domains as potential sites of action for the targeted development of KAR
      specific modulators that alter the function of auxiliary proteins in native
      receptors.

PMID- 26282344
TI  - Effect of Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Lowering by Ezetimibe/Simvastatin
      on Outcome Incidence: Overview, Meta-Analyses, and Meta-Regression Analyses of
      Randomized Trials.
AB  - This analysis investigated the extent of different outcome reductions from low
      density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering following ezetimibe/simvastatin
      treatment and the proportionality of outcome to LDL-C reductions. The authors
      searched PubMed between 1997 and mid-June 2015 (any language) and the Cochrane
      Library to identify all randomized controlled trials comparing
      ezetimibe/simvastatin with placebo or less intensive LDL-C lowering. Risk ratios
      (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), standardized to 20 mg/dL LDL-C
      reduction, were calculated for 5 primary outcomes (fatal and nonfatal) and 4
      secondary outcomes (non-cardiovascular [CV] death, cancer, myopathy, and
      hepatopathy). Five ezetimibe/simvastatin RCTs (30 051 individuals) were eligible,
      2 comparing ezetimibe/simvastatin vs placebo and 3 vs less intensive treatment.
      Outcomes reduced almost to the same extent were stroke (RR: -13%, 95% CI: -21% to
      -3%), coronary heart disease (CHD; RR: -12%, 95% CI: -19% to -5%), and composite
      of stroke and CHD (RR: -14%, 95% CI: -20% to -8%). Absolute risk reductions: 5
      strokes, 10 CHD events, and 16 stroke and CHD events prevented for every 1000
      patients treated for 5 years. Residual risk was almost 7* higher than absolute
      risk reduction for all the above outcomes. All death outcomes were not reduced,
      and secondary outcomes did not differ between groups. Logarithmic risk ratios
      were not associated with LDL-C lowering. Our meta-analysis provides evidence
      that, in patients with different CV disease burden, major CV events are safely
      reduced by LDL-C lowering with ezetimibe/simvastatin, while raising the
      hypothesis that the extent of LDL-C lowering might not be accompanied by
      incremental clinical-event reduction.

PMID- 26282345
TI  - Consumption of and satisfaction with health care among opioid users with chronic
      non-malignant pain.

PMID- 26282347
TI  - Premature Ventricular Complexes and Premature Ventricular Complex Induced
      Cardiomyopathy.
AB  - Presentation, prognosis, and management of premature ventricular complexes (PVCs)
      vary significantly among patients and depend on PVC characteristics as well as
      patient comorbidities. Presentation can range from incidental discovery in an
      asymptomatic patient to debilitating heart failure. Prognosis depends on, among
      other factors, the presence or absence of structural heart disease, PVC burden
      and other factors detailed in this review. Our understanding of the clinical
      significance of frequent PVCs, particularly as it relates to development of
      cardiomyopathy, has advanced greatly in the past decade. In this article, we
      explore the mechanisms governing PVC initiation and discuss prevalence and
      frequency of PVCs in the general population. We also explore prognostic
      implications based on PVC frequency as well as the presence or absence of
      underlying heart disease. We then take a focused look at PVC-induced
      cardiomyopathy and identify predictors for developing cardiomyopathy. Finally, we
      discuss clinical evaluation and management of patients presenting with frequent
      PVCs. Management can include clinical observation, addressing reversible causes,
      lifestyle modification, pharmacotherapy, or catheter ablation.

PMID- 26282348
TI  - CysLT2 receptor mediates lipopolysaccharide-induced microglial inflammation and
      consequent neurotoxicity in vitro.
AB  - Neuroinflammation induced by microglial activation plays a critical role in many
      neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease (PD). Recent studies
      have indicated that cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 2 (CysLT2R) is involved in
      inflammation and brain injury after cerebral ischemia. However, the role of
      CysLT2R in microglial responses associated with PD remains unclear. In the
      present study, we determined the regulatory roles of CysLT2R in microglial
      inflammation and subsequent neurotoxicity in an in vitro brain inflammation model
      induced by the microglial activator lipopolysaccharide (LPS). We found that LPS
      induced phagocytosis of a murine microglial cell line (BV-2 cells) and increased
      production of the proinflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor
      alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta). The
      expression of CysLT2R protein was up-regulated and the nuclear translocation of
      CysLT2R was induced in LPS-activated BV-2 cells. CysLT2R selective antagonist
      HAMI 3379 significantly inhibited LPS-induced phagocytosis and overproduction of
      the cytokines in BV-2 cells. Similarly, the CysLT2R silencing by specific short
      hairpin RNA (shRNA) had the same effects as those of HAMI 3379, suggesting that
      the effect might be CysLT2R-dependent. Furthermore, the conditioned medium (CM)
      derived from LPS-treated BV-2 cells induced the cell death of a rat adrenal
      pheochromocytoma cell line (PC12). HAMI 3379 and CysLT2R shRNA attenuated
      neuronal death by suppressing the production of neurotoxic cytokines released
      from LPS-activated microglia. Collectively, these results suggest that CysLT2R
      mediates LPS-induced microglial inflammation and consequent neurotoxicity.
      CysLT2R may be a promising molecular target that modulates microglia-related
      neuroinflammation in neurodegenerative disorders, such as PD.

PMID- 26282349
TI  - The mature/pro nerve growth factor ratio is decreased in the brain of diabetic
      rats: Analysis by ELISA methods.
AB  - Nerve growth factor (NGF) is essential for the survival and functional
      maintenance of forebrain cholinergic neurons projecting mainly to the cortex and
      hippocampus. NGF is produced in these brain areas but while mature NGF (mNGF) has
      a survival/differentiative effect its precursor proNGF elicits apoptosis in
      cholinergic neurons. Impaired neurotransmission, loss of cholinergic phenotype
      and abnormal NGF content characterize the cholinergic circuitries in animal
      models of diabetic encephalopathy (DE). It is not known whether defective
      production or maturation of NGF could play a key role in cholinergic
      neurodegeneration in DE. Quantification of the mNGF/proNGF ratio is therefore
      needed to characterize the development and progression of NGF-related neuronal
      diseases. In our work, we aimed at developing ELISA methods to measure either
      mNGF or proNGF tissue concentration; and to define the mNGF/proNGF ratio in the
      rat cortex and hippocampus during the early stage of streptozotocin-induced type
      1 diabetes. Using commercially available NGF ELISA kits and antibodies, we set up
      ELISAs for human and rat mNGF and proNGF. We then analyzed the mNGF/proNGF ratio
      in the cortex and hippocampus of DE rats and found that it decreased in both
      tissues starting from the fourth week after diabetes induction. In diabetic brain
      the increase in proNGF involves accumulation of the isoforms with molecular
      weights of 50 and 34 kDa. Our study for the first time specifically quantifies
      the absolute content of mature and proNGF and the mNGF/proNGF ratio in brain
      tissues, suggesting that early progression of experimental DE is characterized by
      defective maturation of NGF.

PMID- 26282350
TI  - ABCG2 transporter inhibitor restores the sensitivity of triple negative breast
      cancer cells to aminolevulinic acid-mediated photodynamic therapy.
AB  - Photosensitizer protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) fluorescence, intracellular localization
      and cell response to photodynamic therapy (PDT) were analyzed in MCF10A normal
      breast epithelial cells and a panel of human breast cancer cells including
      estrogen receptor (ER) positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)
      positive and triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells after treatment with PpIX
      precursor aminolevulinic acid (ALA). Although PpIX fluorescence was heterogeneous
      in different cells, TNBC cells showed significantly lower PpIX level than MCF10A
      and ER- or HER2-positive cells. PpIX fluorescence in TNBC cells also had much
      less mitochondrial localization than other cells. There was an inverse
      correlation between PpIX fluorescence and cell viability after PDT. Breast cancer
      cells with the highest PpIX fluorescence were the most sensitive to ALA-PDT and
      TNBC cells with the lowest PpIX level were resistant to PDT. Treatment of TNBC
      cells with ABCG2 transporter inhibitor Ko143 significantly increased ALA-PpIX
      fluorescence, enhanced PpIX mitochondrial accumulation and sensitized cancer
      cells to ALA-PDT. Ko143 treatment had little effect on PpIX production and ALA
      PDT in normal and ER- or HER2-positive cells. These results demonstrate that
      enhanced ABCG2 activity renders TNBC cell resistance to ALA-PDT and inhibiting
      ABCG2 transporter is a promising approach for targeting TNBC with ALA-based
      modality. 

PMID- 26282352
TI  - Re: comparative analysis of transperineal template saturation prostate biopsy
      versus magnetic resonance imaging targeted biopsy with magnetic resonance imaging
      ultrasound fusion guidance.

PMID- 26282351
TI  - Treatment of Periodontitis for the Prevention of Endothelial Dysfunction: A
      Narrative Review.
AB  - Endothelial dysfunction (ED) is the initial step in the development of
      atherosclerosis, leading to cardiovascular disease (CVD). It has been suggested
      that periodontal disease (PD) could be associated to pathogenesis of
      atherosclerosis, since it is able to trigger a host response with systemic
      inflammation. Although a number of epidemiological studies have shown that
      periodontitis could be associated with ED, it is still unclear whether
      periodontal treatment could improve ED and therefore cardiovascular outcomes. In
      this narrative review we analysed the literature in the databases of Medline
      under ''endothelial function OR dysfunction OR vasodilatation'', AND
      ''periodontal disease" OR periodontal treatment" AND "cardiovascular disease" OR
      atherosclerosis AND "endothelial biomarker". Research articles, systematic
      reviews and clinical trials were screened. ED could be related to periodontitis
      as well as to CVD. Periodontal treatment reduces the risk of teeth loss and may
      improve ED and the risk of CVD. Since controversial results exist, there is an
      urgent need for well-designed clinical trials to find and validate novel
      biomarkers of endothelial function, such as circulating endothelial progenitors,
      which may be crucial for further investigation of the association of PD with
      endothelial function and CVD. 

PMID- 26282353
TI  - Re: comparison of MR/ultrasound fusion-guided biopsy with ultrasound-guided
      biopsy for the diagnosis of prostate cancer.

PMID- 26282354
TI  - Re: nadir testosterone within first year of androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT)
      predicts for time to castration-resistant progression: a secondary analysis of
      the PR-7 trial of intermittent versus continuous ADT.

PMID- 26282355
TI  - Re: effect of bipolar androgen therapy for asymptomatic men with castration
      resistant prostate cancer: results from a pilot clinical study.

PMID- 26282356
TI  - Re: renal ischemia and function after partial nephrectomy: a collaborative review
      of the literature.

PMID- 26282357
TI  - Re: comparative effectiveness of shock wave lithotripsy and ureteroscopy for
      treating patients with kidney stones.

PMID- 26282359
TI  - Utility of event-related potentials in predicting antidepressant treatment
      response: An iSPOT-D report.
AB  - It is essential to improve antidepressant treatment of major depressive disorder
      (MDD) and one way this could be achieved is by reducing the number of treatment
      steps by employing biomarkers that can predict treatment outcome. This study
      investigated differences between MDD patients and healthy controls in the P3 and
      N1 component from the event-related potential (ERP) generated in a standard two
      tone oddball paradigm. Furthermore, the P3 and N1 are investigated as predictors
      for treatment outcome to three different antidepressants. In the international
      Study to Predict Optimized Treatment in Depression (iSPOT-D)--a multi-center,
      international, randomized, prospective practical trial--1008 MDD participants
      were randomized to escitalopram, sertraline or venlafaxine-XR. The study also
      recruited 336 healthy controls. Treatment response and remission were established
      after eight weeks using the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression. P3 and
      N1 latencies and amplitudes were analyzed using a peak-picking approach and
      further replicated by using exact low resolution tomography (eLORETA). A reduced
      P3 was found in MDD patients compared to controls by a peak-picking analysis.
      This was validated in a temporal global field power analysis. Source density
      analysis revealed that the difference in cortical activity originated from the
      posterior cingulate and parahippocampal gyrus. Male non-responders to venlafaxine
      XR had significantly smaller N1 amplitudes than responders. This was demonstrated
      by both analytical methods. Male non-responders to venlafaxine-XR had less
      activity originating from the left insular cortex. The observed results are
      discussed from a neural network viewpoint.

PMID- 26282360
TI  - The neuroplastic index p-FADD/FADD and phosphoprotein PEA-15, interacting at
      GABAA receptor, are upregulated in brain cortex during midazolam-induced hypnosis
      in mice.
AB  - Fas-associated death domain (FADD) adaptor is involved in the signaling of
      metabotropic G protein-coupled receptors, whose agonists stimulate its
      phosphoryaltion (p) increasing p-FADD/FADD ratio in brain. Whether FADD might
      also participate in the activation of dissimilar receptors such as the ligand
      gated ion channels is not known. This study investigated the role of FADD and
      phosphoprotein-enriched in astrocytes of 15 kDa (PEA-15, a FADD partner) in the
      activation of gamma-aminobutyric acid-A (GABAA) receptor, which mediates the
      hypnotic effect of midazolam. The main findings revealed that during the time
      course of midazolam (60 mg/kg)-induced hypnosis in mice (about 2 h) p-FADD (and p
      FADD/FADD ratio) as well as p-PEA (and its phosphorylating Akt1 kinase) were
      markedly increased (36-80%) in brain cortex, and these effects were partially
      (only p-FADD) or fully prevented by flumazenil (a neutral allosteric ligand) and
      FG 7142 (a partial negative allosteric ligand) acting at GABAA receptors. The
      upregulation of cortical p-FADD/FADD was exclusively observed in the nucleus (up
      to 2.8-fold), where the transciption factor NF-kappaB was also increased (up to
      46%), and that of p-PEA/p-Akt1 only in the cytosol (up to 53%), suggesting that p
      FADD/p-PEA/p-Akt1 are involved in sleep-induced neuroplasticity. Repeated
      treatment with midazolam (60 mg/kg, 4 days) induced behavioral (prolonged sleep
      latency and reduced sleeping time) and neurochemical (reduced p-FADD/p-PEA
      contents) tolerance. These findings indicated that p-FADD/p-PEA are novel
      molecules in GABAA receptor signaling and that cortical p-PEA and p-FADD, working
      in tandem, are involved in the complex molecular processes leading to the
      hypnotic effect of midazolam in mice.

PMID- 26282361
TI  - [Mycobacterial pulmonary infection due to Mycobacterium simiae].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Mycobacterium simiae pulmonary infections remain exceptional in
      France. CASE REPORT: We report a case of M. simiae lung infection and a 10-year
      follow-up in a non-immunocompromised host. CONCLUSION: This case emphasizes the
      difficulties of choosing the appropriate drugs and their side effects in the
      absence of any existing gold standard.

PMID- 26282362
TI  - Use of a Hunter Rod for Staged Reconstruction of Peroneal Tendons.
AB  - Peroneal tendon pathology is a commonly reported cause of lateral ankle pain. The
      causes include cavovarus foot type, overuse, chronic tendinosis, peroneal
      subluxation or dislocation, acute traumatic split tears, and traumatic rupture.
      The purpose of the present report is to describe an alternative approach for
      surgical reconstruction of the peroneal tendons in patients when repair might no
      longer be effective. The use of a Hunter rod was originally described by Hunter
      in 1971 for 2-stage reconstruction of tendons in the hand. We present a 2-stage
      surgical technique with the use of a Hunter rod as a temporary implant to
      stimulate generation of a healthy peroneal tendon sheath to host a flexor
      hallucis longus tendon transfer. This has proved to be a successful treatment
      option for patients with severe peroneal tendon damage and scarring along the
      peroneal tendon sheath. We offer a sample case to illustrate a patient with such
      indications. 

PMID- 26282363
TI  - Time to pause, look back and plan for the future.

PMID- 26282364
TI  - Enhancing the contribution of research to health care policy-making: a case study
      of the Dutch Health Care Performance Report.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The Dutch Health Care Performance Report, issued by the National
      Institute of Public Health and the Environment, aims to monitor health care
      performance in The Netherlands. Both the National Institute and the Ministry of
      Health wish to increase the contribution of the Report to health care policy
      making. Our aim was to identify ways to achieve that. METHOD: We used
      contribution mapping as a theoretical framework that recognizes alignment of
      research as crucial to managing contributions to policy-making. To investigate
      which areas need alignment efforts by researchers and/or policy-makers, we
      interviewed National Institute researchers and policy-makers from the Ministry of
      Health and assessed the process for developing the 2010 Report. RESULTS: We
      identified six areas where alignment is specifically relevant for enhancing the
      contributions of future versions of the Dutch Health Care Performance Report:
      well-balanced information for different ministerial directorates; backstage work;
      double role actors; reports of other knowledge institutes; data
      collection/generation and presentation forms. CONCLUSION: The contribution of
      health care performance reporting to policy-making is complex and requires
      continuous alignment efforts between researchers and policy-makers. These efforts
      should form an inseparable part of health care performance reporting and although
      this demands considerable resources, it is worth considering since it may pay
      back in better contributions to policy-making.

PMID- 26282365
TI  - Protection of the elite athlete is the responsibility of all of us in sports
      medicine.

PMID- 26282366
TI  - Because not all blows to the head are the same.

PMID- 26282367
TI  - Preventing penetrating hand injuries in sabre fencing: an application and
      critique of the van Mechelen model by the Federation Internationale d'Escrime.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIM: To address the unusual phenomenon of unbroken blades causing
      penetrating hand injuries in sabre fencing by applying the van Mechelen model of
      the 'sequence of prevention'. METHODS: Cases were collected from three
      surveillance systems and snowball sampling, and examined for potential
      aetiological factors. Presumed contributing factors were evaluated against the
      available evidence to compile a viable list for change. Determining a prevention
      strategy was guided by the philosophy of developing an approach that was most
      likely to produce a meaningful reduction in these injuries with the least
      disruption to the current norms of competitive sabre fencing. RESULTS: Nine
      factors which contributed, either individually or in some combination, to these
      injuries were grouped under three headings relating to: (1) the nature of modern
      sabre fencing, (2) the design of the sabre blade and (3) the vulnerability of the
      hand. Changes to the design and integrity of sabre gloves were selected as the
      most feasible option and new standards were introduced as compulsory in
      international competitions from 1 April 2014. The effect of this change is now
      being monitored via available surveillance systems. CONCLUSIONS: The van Mechelen
      model is a useful framework for sports federations to apply to reduce injury
      risk, even for rare injuries. However, this research model has limitations in
      guiding the realities of sometimes competing interests among the scientific,
      political, financial and technical aspects of injury prevention interventions.

PMID- 26282368
TI  - Injury and illness surveillance during the 24th Men's Handball World Championship
      2015 in Qatar.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The IOC encourages international federations to establish systematic
      athlete injury and illness surveillance programmes. OBJECTIVE: To describe
      pattern of injuries and illnesses during the 24th Men's Handball World
      Championship 2015 by implementing the IOC injury and illness surveillance
      protocol. METHODS: The medical staff of participating teams (n=24) were requested
      to report all new injuries and illnesses during matches and/or training on a
      daily basis throughout the event (15 January to 1 February, 2015). Exposure
      (number of player-hours) during all matches was calculated for all players
      (n=384) and for each of the 4 player positions (wing, back, line and goalkeeper).
      RESULTS: Medical staff of all teams submitted 96.7% (n=325) of the daily report
      forms. In total, 27.1% of the players were injured, and of the 132 injuries
      reported, 40% were time-loss injuries. The total incidence of injuries was 104.5
      per 1000 player-hours. The highest risk of injury was found among line players,
      and more injuries occurred during the first half of the matches. The most
      frequent injury location was the ankle, followed by the thigh, knee and
      head/face. The majority of injuries were contusion, sprain or strain. In total,
      10.9% of the players were affected by an illness during the event. Of the 42
      cases recorded, 31 (73.8%) were reported as respiratory tract infection.
      CONCLUSIONS: The risk of injury in handball is high among Olympic sports.
      Preventive measures should focus on contusions, ankle sprains, and thigh muscle
      strains, as well as measures aimed to reduce upper respiratory tract infections.

PMID- 26282369
TI  - Acute infection with bovine viral diarrhea virus of low or high virulence leads
      to depletion and redistribution of WC1(+) gammadelta T cells in lymphoid tissues
      of beef calves.
AB  - The objective of this study was to determine the abundance and distribution of
      gammadelta T lymphocytes in lymphoid tissue during acute infection with high (HV)
      or low virulence (LV) non-cytopathic bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) in beef
      calves. This study was performed using tissue samples from a previous experiment
      in which thirty beef calves were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: LV [n=10;
      animals inoculated intranasally (IN) with LV BVDV-1a (strain SD-1)], HV [n=10;
      animals inoculated IN with HV BVDV-2 (strain 1373)], and control (n=10; animals
      inoculated with cell culture medium). On day 5 post inoculation, animals were
      euthanized, and samples from spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) were
      collected to assess the abundance of WC1(+) gammadelta T cells. A higher
      proportion of calves challenged with BVDV showed signs of apoptosis and cytophagy
      in MLN and spleen samples compared to the control group. A significantly lower
      number of gammadelta T cells was observed in spleen and MLN from calves in HV and
      LV groups than in the control calves (P<0.05). In conclusion, acute infection
      with HV or LV BVDV resulted in depletion of WC1(+) gammadelta T cells in mucosal
      and systemic lymphoid tissues at five days after challenge in beef calves. This
      reduction in gammadelta T cells in the studied lymphoid tissues could be also due
      to lymphocyte trafficking to other tissues. 

PMID- 26282370
TI  - Amygdaloid zif268 participated in the D-cycloserine facilitation effect on the
      extinction of conditioned fear.
AB  - RATIONALE: The involvement of glutamate in fear extinction is perhaps the most
      promising in terms of facilitating clinical interventions for posttraumatic
      stress disorder (PTSD). This study was aimed at elucidating the possible role of
      zif268 on the D-cycloserine (DCS) facilitation effect on extinction. OBJECTIVE:
      We investigated the association between zif268 and the extinction of conditioned
      fear by using antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) of zif268 and the fear
      potentiated startle paradigm. METHODS: Male adult Wistar rats were injected DCS
      (15 mg/kg, IP) 15 min prior to the extinction training, administered with
      antisense or sense ODN (800 pmol) of zif268 and subjected for fear-potentiated
      startle paradigm (FPS) and Western blot. RESULTS: Either context exposure or cue
      exposure elevated the expression of zif268 in the basolateral nucleus of the
      amygdala (BLA) (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively) compared to the control
      group. Additionally, zif268 expression in BLA was further elevated by the
      glutamate NMDA receptor agonist DCS administration. Intra-amygdaloid injection of
      the antisense ODN of zif268 blocked the facilitation effect of DCS on the
      extinction of conditioned fear. Subsequent control experiments indicated that
      administration of vehicle or zif268 sense ODN did not alter the facilitation of
      DCS and that the blockage effect of zif268 antisense ODN was not due to lasting
      damage to the amygdala. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that zif268 within the
      amygdala participates in the DCS facilitation effect on the extinction of
      conditioned fear.

PMID- 26282371
TI  - Assessment of total silver and silver nanoparticle extraction from medical
      devices.
AB  - There is concern over the release of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from medical
      devices due to their potential toxicological consequences inside the body.
      Towards developing the exposure component of a risk assessment model, the purpose
      of this study was to determine the amount and physical form of silver released
      from medical devices. Scanning electron microscopy was used to confirm that three
      of five marketed medical devices contained nanosilver coatings (mean feature
      sizes 115-341 nm). Aqueous device extracts (water, saline and human plasma) were
      analyzed with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, ultraviolet-visible
      spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, and
      nanoparticle tracking analysis. The amount of silver extracted from the devices
      ranged from 1 * 10(-1) to 1 * 10(6) ng/cm(2) (conditions ranged from 37 to 50 
      degrees C, over one hour to seven days). The results further indicated that one
      of the five devices (labeled MD1) released significantly more AgNPs than the
      other devices. This data suggests that some but not all devices that are
      formulated with nanosilver may release detectable levels of AgNPs upon
      extraction. Further work is underway to quantitate the proportion of silver
      released as AgNPs and to incorporate this data into a risk assessment for AgNP
      exposure from medical devices. 

PMID- 26282372
TI  - Potential toxic effects of glyphosate and its commercial formulations below
      regulatory limits.
AB  - Glyphosate-based herbicides (GlyBH), including Roundup, are the most widely used
      pesticides worldwide. Their uses have increased exponentially since their
      introduction on the market. Residue levels in food or water, as well as human
      exposures, are escalating. We have reviewed the toxic effects of GlyBH measured
      below regulatory limits by evaluating the published literature and regulatory
      reports. We reveal a coherent body of evidence indicating that GlyBH could be
      toxic below the regulatory lowest observed adverse effect level for chronic toxic
      effects. It includes teratogenic, tumorigenic and hepatorenal effects. They could
      be explained by endocrine disruption and oxidative stress, causing metabolic
      alterations, depending on dose and exposure time. Some effects were detected in
      the range of the recommended acceptable daily intake. Toxic effects of commercial
      formulations can also be explained by GlyBH adjuvants, which have their own
      toxicity, but also enhance glyphosate toxicity. These challenge the assumption of
      safety of GlyBH at the levels at which they contaminate food and the environment,
      albeit these levels may fall below regulatory thresholds. Neurodevelopmental,
      reproductive, and transgenerational effects of GlyBH must be revisited, since a
      growing body of knowledge suggests the predominance of endocrine disrupting
      mechanisms caused by environmentally relevant levels of exposure. 

PMID- 26282374
TI  - Stability and synchronization of memristor-based fractional-order delayed neural
      networks.
AB  - Global asymptotic stability and synchronization of a class of fractional-order
      memristor-based delayed neural networks are investigated. For such problems in
      integer-order systems, Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional is usually constructed,
      whereas similar method has not been well developed for fractional-order nonlinear
      delayed systems. By employing a comparison theorem for a class of fractional
      order linear systems with time delay, sufficient condition for global asymptotic
      stability of fractional memristor-based delayed neural networks is derived. Then,
      based on linear error feedback control, the synchronization criterion for such
      neural networks is also presented. Numerical simulations are given to demonstrate
      the effectiveness of the theoretical results. 

PMID- 26282373
TI  - Delirium superimposed on dementia: A quantitative and qualitative evaluation of
      patient experience.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Delirium superimposed on dementia is common and is associated with
      adverse outcomes. Yet little is known about the patients' personal delirium
      experiences. We used quantitative and qualitative methods to assess the delirium
      superimposed on dementia experience among older patients. METHODS: We conducted a
      prospective cohort study among patients with delirium superimposed on dementia
      who were admitted to a rehabilitation ward. Delirium was diagnosed using DSM-IV
      TR criteria. Delirium severity and symptoms were evaluated with the Delirium-O
      Meter (D-O-M). The experience of delirium was assessed after delirium resolution
      (T0) and one month later (T1) with a standardized questionnaire and a qualitative
      interview. Level of distress was measured with the Delirium Experience
      Questionnaire. RESULTS: Of the 30 patients included in the study, 50% had mild
      dementia; 33% and 17% had moderate and severe dementia. Half of the patients had
      evidence of the full range of D-O-M delirium symptoms. We evaluated 30 patients
      at T0 and 20 at T1. At T0, half of the patients remembered being confused as part
      of the delirium episode, and reported an overall moderate level of related
      distress. Patients reported high distress related to memories of anxiety/fear,
      delusions, restlessness, hypokinesia, and impaired orientation. Qualitative
      interviews revealed six main aspects of patient delirium experiences: Emotions;
      Cognitive Impairment; Psychosis; Memories; Awareness of Change; and Physical
      Symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The study provides novel information on the delirium
      experience in patients with dementia. These findings are the key for health care
      providers to improve the everyday care of this important group of frail older
      patients.

PMID- 26282375
TI  - The effect of force-controlled biting on human posture control.
AB  - Several studies have confirmed the neuromuscular effects of jaw motor activity on
      the postural stability of humans, but the mechanisms of functional coupling of
      the craniomandibular system (CMS) with human posture are not yet fully
      understood. The purpose of our study was, therefore, to investigate whether
      submaximum biting affects the kinematics of the ankle, knee, and hip joints and
      the electromyographic (EMG) activity of the leg muscles during bipedal narrow
      stance and single-leg stance. Twelve healthy young subjects performed force
      controlled biting (FB) and non-biting (NB) during bipedal narrow stance and
      single-leg stance. To investigate the effects of FB on the angles of the hip,
      knee, and ankle joints, a 3D motion-capture system (Vicon MX) was used. EMG
      activity was recorded to enable analysis of the coefficient of variation of the
      muscle co-contraction ratios (CVR) of six pairs of postural muscles. Between FB
      and NB, no significant differences were found for the mean values of the angles
      of the ankle, knee, and hip joints, but the standard deviations were
      significantly reduced during FB. The values of the ranges of motion and the mean
      angular velocities for the three joints studied revealed significant reduction
      during FB also. CVR was also significantly reduced during FB for five of the six
      muscle pairs studied. Although submaximum biting does not change the basic
      strategy of posture control, it affects neuromuscular co-contraction patterns,
      resulting in increased kinematic precision. 

PMID- 26282376
TI  - Experimental colitis in SIV-uninfected rhesus macaques recapitulates important
      features of pathogenic SIV infection.
AB  - Mucosal damage to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract with resulting microbial
      translocation is hypothesized to significantly contribute to the heightened and
      persistent chronic inflammation and immune activation characteristic to HIV
      infection. Here we employ a non-human primate model of chemically induced colitis
      in SIV-uninfected rhesus macaques that we developed using dextran sulfate sodium
      (DSS), to directly test this hypothesis. DSS treatment results in GI barrier
      damage with associated microbial translocation, inflammation and immune
      activation. The progression and severity of colitis are longitudinally monitored
      by a magnetic resonance imaging approach. DSS treatment of SIV-infected African
      green monkeys, a natural host species for SIV that does not manifest GI tract
      damage or chronic immune activation during infection, results in colitis with
      elevated levels of plasma SIV RNA, sCD14, LPS, CRP and mucosal CD4+ T-cell loss.
      Together these results support the hypothesis that GI tract damage leading to
      local and systemic microbial translocation, and associated immune activation, are
      important determinants of AIDS pathogenesis. 

PMID- 26282378
TI  - Induction of oxidative stress by Taxol(r) vehicle Cremophor-EL triggers
      production of interleukin-8 by peripheral blood mononuclear cells through the
      mechanism not requiring de novo synthesis of mRNA.
AB  - Understanding the ability of cytotoxic oncology drugs, and their carriers and
      formulation excipients, to induce pro-inflammatory responses is important for
      establishing safe and efficacious formulations. Literature data about cytokine
      response induction by the traditional formulation of paclitaxel, Taxol(r), are
      controversial, and no data are available about the pro-inflammatory profile of
      the nano-albumin formulation of this drug, Abraxane(r). Herein, we demonstrate
      and explain the difference in the cytokine induction profile between Taxol(r) and
      Abraxane(r), and describe a novel mechanism of cytokine induction by a nanosized
      excipient, Cremophor EL, which is not unique to Taxol(r) and is commonly used in
      the pharmaceutical industry for delivery of a wide variety of small molecular
      drugs. FROM THE CLINICAL EDITOR: Advances in nanotechnology have enabled the
      production of many nano-formulation drugs. The cellular response to drugs has
      been reported to be different between traditional and nano-formulations. In this
      article, the authors investigated and compared cytokine response induction
      profiles between Taxol(r) and Abraxane(r). The findings here provided further
      understanding to create drugs with better safety profiles.

PMID- 26282379
TI  - Assessment of beta-lapachone loaded in lecithin-chitosan nanoparticles for the
      topical treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis in L. major infected BALB/c mice.
AB  - Patients affected by cutaneous leishmaniasis need a topical treatment which cures
      lesions without leaving scars. Lesions are produced not only by the parasite but
      also by an uncontrolled and persistent inflammatory immune response. In this
      study, we proposed the loading of beta-lapachone (beta-LP) in lecithin-chitosan
      nanoparticles (NP) for targeting the drug to the dermis, where infected
      macrophages reside, and promote wound healing. Although the loading of beta-LP in
      NP did not influence the drug antileishmanial activity it was critical to achieve
      important drug accumulation in the dermis and permeation through the skin. When
      topically applied in Leishmania major infected BALB/c mice, beta-LP NP achieved
      no parasite reduction but they stopped the lesion progression. Immuno
      histopathological assays in CL lesions and quantitative mRNA studies in draining
      lymph nodes confirmed that beta-LP exhibited anti-inflammatory activity leading
      to the down-regulation of IL-1beta and COX-2 expression and a decrease of
      neutrophils infiltrate. FROM THE CLINICAL EDITOR: Cutaneous leishmaniasis often
      leaves patients with unsightly scars due to the body's inflammatory response to
      the infection. The authors in this paper described topical treatment using beta
      lapachone (beta- LP) loaded in lecithin-chitosan nanoparticles (NP) in an animal
      model. Results confirmed the reduction of inflammatory response without affecting
      the parasite killing efficacy. These findings would pave way for further clinical
      testing in the near future.

PMID- 26282377
TI  - Design considerations for nanotherapeutics in oncology.
AB  - Nanotherapeutics have improved the quality of life of cancer patients, primarily
      by reducing the adverse effects of chemotherapeutic agents, but improvements in
      overall survival are modest. This is in large part due to the fact that the
      enhanced permeability and retention effect, which is the basis for the use of
      nanoparticles in cancer, can be also a barrier to the delivery of nanomedicines.
      A careful design of nanoparticle formulations can overcome barriers posed by the
      tumor microenvironment and result in better treatments. In this review, we first
      discuss strengths and limitations of clinically-approved nanoparticles. Then, we
      evaluate design parameters that can be modulated to optimize delivery. The
      benefits of active tumor targeting and drug release rate on intratumoral delivery
      and treatment efficacy are also discussed. Finally, we suggest specific design
      strategies that should optimize delivery to most solid tumors and discuss under
      what conditions active targeting would be beneficial. FROM THE CLINICAL EDITOR:
      Advances in nanotechnology have seen the introduction of new treatment modalities
      for cancer. The principle of action using nanocarriers for drug delivery is based
      mostly on the Enhanced Permeability and Retention effect. This phenomenon
      however, can also be a hindrance. In this article, the authors performed an in
      depth review on various nanoparticle platforms in cancer therapeutics. They also
      suggested options to improve drug delivery, in terms of carrier design.

PMID- 26282380
TI  - In vitro anti-cancer effects of artemisone nano-vesicular formulations on
      melanoma cells.
AB  - Artemisone is a 10-amino-artemisinin derivative that is markedly superior in
      vitro and in vivo to current artemisinins against malaria and also possesses
      antitumor activity. In seeking to capitalise on the last property, we have
      examined the encapsulation of artemisone in nano-vesicular niosomes and solid
      lipid nanoparticles, and have evaluated efficacies of the free and encapsulated
      artemisone against human melanoma A-375 cells and effects on human keratinocytes
      (HaCaT). Artemisone is successfully encapsulated into the nano-vesicles with
      encapsulation efficiencies of 67+/-6% and 79+/-5%, and with average particle
      sizes being 211+/-10nm and 295+/-18nm respectively. The formulations displayed
      highly selective cytotoxicity towards the melanoma cells with negligible toxicity
      towards the normal skin cells. The artemisone-loaded nano-vesicles almost
      completely inhibited the melanoma cells compared to the free drug. The results
      overall suggest a potentially more useful therapeutic strategy that needs to be
      evaluated for the treatment of melanoma and other cancers. FROM THE CLINICAL
      EDITOR: Apart from being an effective anti-malarial drug, a surprising action of
      artemisone also has antitumor activity. Nonetheless, its low water solubility and
      bioavailability has limited its clinical use. In this article, the authors
      enacapsulated artemisone in nano- vesicles and solid lipid nano-particles (SLNs).
      In-vitro studies confirmed the selective cytotoxicity towards melanoma cells.
      Further in-vivo and pre-clinical studies are awaited.

PMID- 26282382
TI  - Whole-animal mounts of Caenorhabditis elegans for 3D imaging using atomic force
      microscopy.
AB  - The 3D surface of Caenorhabditis elegans was imaged at nanometer resolution using
      atomic force microscopy (AFM). Oscillation of a medium stiffness silicon AFM
      cantilever at the upper second amplitude peak, typically 6 times above the
      fundamental frequency, vastly improved image quality on the moist, sticky, and
      soft worms. Whole-animal mounts of normal and double-headed mutants of the
      nematode worm were prepared and scanned. Well-preserved anatomical features
      including annuli, furrows, alae, and rows of never before seen nanometer-sized
      pores dotting the molted worm's outermost surface coat were resolved. Well
      preserved anatomical features including annuli, furrows, alae, and rows of
      nanometer-sized pores or struts dotting the molted worm's outermost surface were
      resolved. This AFM method represents a simple and rapid new approach for
      nanometer-resolved 3D imaging and analysis of whole-animal specimens of C.
      elegans. FROM THE CLINICAL EDITOR: In this interesting article the authors
      describe a new AFM sampling method to allow better images on whole-animal mounts
      such as C. elegans. This method would generate more information and in the future
      may be useful for differentiating even individual animals with different genetic
      backgrounds.

PMID- 26282383
TI  - Silver nanoparticles promote osteogenesis of mesenchymal stem cells and improve
      bone fracture healing in osteogenesis mechanism mouse model.
AB  - The potential use of osteo-conducive biomaterials in the promotion of bone
      fracture healing has attracted wide attention. This study investigated if silver
      nanoparticles (AgNps) could promote the proliferation and osteogenesis of
      mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and improve bone fracture healing. We showed that
      AgNps promoted MSCs' proliferation and osteogenic differentiation in vitro. Using
      a mouse femoral facture model, AgNps encapsulated in collagen promoted the
      formation of fracture callus, and induced early closure of the fracture gap.
      AgNps may promote the formation of the callus and the subsequent end joining of
      the fracture bone via multiple routes: (i) chemo-attraction of MSCs and
      fibroblasts to migrate to the fracture site; (ii) induction of the proliferation
      of MSCs; (iii) induction of osteogenic differentiation of MSCs via
      induction/activation of TGF-beta/BMP signaling in MSCs. We concluded that AgNps
      might be beneficial as an adjunct treatment for bone fracture healing clinically.
      FROM THE CLINICAL EDITOR: Silver nanoparticles are widely used in wound
      management in the clinical setting. In this article, the authors demonstrated a
      novel application in that these nanoparticles were efficient in promoting
      osteoblastic differentiation in both in-vitro and in-vivo studies. The findings
      may provide a new treatment direction for bone fracture in the future.

PMID- 26282384
TI  - The influence of intraocular pressure and air jet pressure on corneal contactless
      tonometry tests.
AB  - The air puff is a dynamic contactless tonometer test used in ophthalmology
      clinical practice to assess the biomechanical properties of the human cornea and
      the intraocular pressure due to the filling fluids of the eye. The test is
      controversial, since the dynamic response of the cornea is governed by the
      interaction of several factors which cannot be discerned within a single
      measurement. In this study we describe a numerical model of the air puff tests,
      and perform a parametric analysis on the major action parameters (jet pressure
      and intraocular pressure) to assess their relevance on the mechanical response of
      a patient-specific cornea. The particular cornea considered here has been treated
      with laser reprofiling to correct myopia, and the parametric study has been
      conducted on both the preoperative and postoperative geometries. The material
      properties of the cornea have been obtained by means of an identification
      procedure that compares the static biomechanical response of preoperative and
      postoperative corneas under the physiological IOP. The parametric study on the
      intraocular pressure suggests that the displacement of the cornea's apex can be a
      reliable indicator for tonometry, and the one on the air jet pressure predicts
      the outcomes of two or more distinct measurements on the same cornea, which can
      be used in inverse procedures to estimate the material properties of the tissue.

PMID- 26282381
TI  - 3D tumor tissue analogs and their orthotopic implants for understanding tumor
      targeting of microenvironment-responsive nanosized chemotherapy and radiation.
AB  - An appropriate representation of the tumor microenvironment in tumor models can
      have a pronounced impact on directing combinatorial treatment strategies and
      cancer nanotherapeutics. The present study develops a novel 3D co-culture
      spheroid model (3D TNBC) incorporating tumor cells, endothelial cells and
      fibroblasts as color-coded murine tumor tissue analogs (TTA) to better represent
      the tumor milieu of triple negative breast cancer in vitro. Implantation of TTA
      orthotopically in nude mice, resulted in enhanced growth and aggressive
      metastasis to ectopic sites. Subsequently, the utility of the model is
      demonstrated for preferential targeting of irradiated tumor endothelial cells via
      radiation-induced stromal enrichment of galectin-1 using anginex conjugated
      nanoparticles (nanobins) carrying arsenic trioxide and cisplatin. Demonstration
      of a multimodal nanotherapeutic system and inclusion of the biological response
      to radiation using an in vitro/in vivo tumor model incorporating characteristics
      of tumor microenvironment presents an advance in preclinical evaluation of
      existing and novel cancer nanotherapies. FROM THE CLINICAL EDITOR: Existing in
      vivo tumor models are established by implanting tumor cells into nude mice. Here,
      the authors described their approach 3D spheres containing tumor cells,
      enodothelial cells and fibroblasts. This would mimic tumor micro-environment more
      realistically. This interesting 3D model should reflect more accurately tumor
      response to various drugs and would enable the design of new treatment
      modalities.

PMID- 26282385
TI  - A simple, effective and clinically applicable method to compute abdominal aortic
      aneurysm wall stress.
AB  - Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a permanent and irreversible dilation of the
      lower region of the aorta. It is a symptomless condition that if left untreated
      can expand to the point of rupture. Mechanically-speaking, rupture of an artery
      occurs when the local wall stress exceeds the local wall strength. It is
      therefore desirable to be able to non-invasively estimate the AAA wall stress for
      a given patient, quickly and reliably. In this paper we present an entirely new
      approach to computing the wall tension (i.e. the stress resultant equal to the
      integral of the stresses tangent to the wall over the wall thickness) within an
      AAA that relies on trivial linear elastic finite element computations, which can
      be performed instantaneously in the clinical environment on the simplest
      computing hardware. As an input to our calculations we only use information
      readily available in the clinic: the shape of the aneurysm in-vivo, as seen on a
      computed tomography (CT) scan, and blood pressure. We demonstrate that tension
      fields computed with the proposed approach agree well with those obtained using
      very sophisticated, state-of-the-art non-linear inverse procedures. Using
      magnetic resonance (MR) images of the same patient, we can approximately measure
      the local wall thickness and calculate the local wall stress. What is truly
      exciting about this simple approach is that one does not need any information on
      material parameters; this supports the development and use of patient-specific
      modelling (PSM), where uncertainty in material data is recognised as a key
      limitation. The methods demonstrated in this paper are applicable to other areas
      of biomechanics where the loads and loaded geometry of the system are known.

PMID- 26282386
TI  - Estimating usual intakes mainly affects the micronutrient distribution among
      infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers from the 2012 Mexican National Health and
      Nutrition Survey.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare estimates from one day with usual intake estimates to
      evaluate how the adjustment for within-person variability affected nutrient
      intake and adequacy in Mexican children. DESIGN: In order to obtain usual
      nutrient intakes, the National Cancer Institute's method was used to correct the
      first 24 h dietary recall collected in the entire sample (n 2045) with a second
      24 h recall collected in a sub-sample (n 178). We computed estimates of one-day
      and usual intakes of total energy, fat, Fe, Zn and Na. SETTING: 2012 Mexican
      National Health and Nutrition Survey. SUBJECTS: A total of 2045 children were
      included: 0-5.9 months old (n 182), 6-11.9 months old (n 228), 12-23.9 months old
      (n 537) and 24-47.9 months old (n 1098). From these, 178 provided an additional
      dietary recall. RESULTS: Although we found small or no differences in energy
      intake (kJ/d and kcal/d) between one-day v. usual intake means, the prevalence of
      inadequate and excessive energy intake decreased somewhat when using measures of
      usual intake relative to one day. Mean fat intake (g/d) was not different between
      one-day and usual intake among children >6 months old, but the prevalence of
      inadequate and excessive fat intake was overestimated among toddlers and pre
      schoolers when using one-day intake (P6 months. CONCLUSIONS: There was overall
      low variability in energy and fat intakes but higher for micronutrients. Because
      the usual intake distributions are narrower, the prevalence of
      inadequate/excessive intakes may be biased when estimating nutrient adequacy if
      one day of data is used.

PMID- 26282387
TI  - Psychosocial Factors Predict Pain and Physical Health After Lower Extremity
      Trauma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There has been increasing evidence to support the importance of
      psychosocial factors to poor outcomes after trauma. However, little is known
      about the contribution of pain catastrophizing and fear of movement to persistent
      pain and disability. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: Therefore, we aimed to determine whether
      (1) high pain catastrophizing scores are independently associated with pain
      intensity or pain interference; (2) high fear of movement scores are
      independently associated with decreased physical health; and (3) depressive
      symptoms are independently associated with pain intensity, pain interference, or
      physical health at 1 year after accounting for patient characteristics of age and
      education. METHODS: Of 207 eligible patients, we prospectively enrolled 134
      patients admitted to a Level I trauma center for surgical treatment of a fracture
      to the lower extremity. Sixty percent of patients (80 of 134) had an isolated
      lower extremity injury and the remainder sustained additional minor injury to the
      head/spine, abdomen/thorax, or upper extremity. Pain catastrophizing was measured
      with the Pain Catastrophizing Scale, fear of movement with the Tampa Scale for
      Kinesiophobia, and depressive symptoms with the Patient Health Questionnaire.
      Pain and physical health outcomes were assessed with the Brief Pain Inventory and
      the SF-12, respectively. Assessments were completed at 4 weeks and 1 year after
      hospitalization. Multiple variable hierarchical linear regression analyses were
      used to address study hypotheses. One hundred ten patients (82%) completed the 1
      year followup. RESULTS: Pain catastrophizing at 4 weeks was associated with pain
      intensity (beta = 0.67; p < 0.001) and pain interference (beta = 0.38; p = 0.03)
      at 1 year. No association was found between fear of movement and physical health
      (beta = 0.15; p = 0.34). Depressive symptoms at 4 weeks were associated with pain
      intensity (beta = 0.49; p < 0.001), pain interference (beta = 0.51; p < 0.001),
      and physical health (beta = -0.32; p = 0.01) at 1 year. CONCLUSIONS:
      Catastrophizing behavior patterns and depressive symptoms are associated with
      more severe pain and worse function after traumatic lower extremity injury.
      Cognitive and behavioral strategies that have proven effective for chronic pain
      populations may be beneficial for trauma patients. Future research is needed to
      determine whether the early identification and treatment of subgroups of at-risk
      patients based on catastrophizing behavior or depressive symptoms can improve
      long-term outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level I, prognostic study.

PMID- 26282388
TI  - Global Rating Scales and Motion Analysis Are Valid Proficiency Metrics in Virtual
      and Benchtop Knee Arthroscopy Simulators.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Work-hour restrictions and fatigue management strategies in surgical
      training programs continue to evolve in an effort to improve the learning
      environment and promote safer patient care. In response, training programs must
      reevaluate how various teaching modalities such as simulation can augment the
      development of surgical competence in trainees. For surgical simulators to be
      most useful, it is important to determine whether surgical proficiency can be
      reliably differentiated using them. To our knowledge, performance on both virtual
      and benchtop arthroscopy simulators has not been concurrently assessed in the
      same subjects. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: (1) Do global rating scales and procedure time
      differentiate arthroscopic expertise in virtual and benchtop knee models? (2) Can
      commercially available built-in motion analysis metrics differentiate
      arthroscopic expertise? (3) How well are performance measures on virtual and
      benchtop simulators correlated? (4) Are these metrics sensitive enough to
      differentiate by year of training? METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 19
      subjects (four medical students, 12 residents, and three staff) were recruited
      and divided into 11 novice arthroscopists (student to Postgraduate Year [PGY] 3)
      and eight proficient arthroscopists (PGY 4 to staff) who completed a diagnostic
      arthroscopy and loose-body retrieval in both virtual and benchtop knee models.
      Global rating scales (GRS), procedure times, and motion analysis metrics were
      used to evaluate performance. RESULTS: The proficient group scored higher on
      virtual (14 +/- 6 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 10-18] versus 36 +/- 5 [95% CI,
      32-40], p < 0.001) and benchtop (16 +/- 8 [95% CI, 11-21] versus 36 +/- 5 [95%
      CI, 31-40], p < 0.001) GRS scales. The proficient subjects completed nearly all
      tasks faster than novice subjects, including the virtual scope (579 +/-169 [95%
      CI, 466-692] versus 358 +/- 178 [95% CI, 210-507] seconds, p = 0.02) and benchtop
      knee scope + probe (480 +/- 160 [95% CI, 373-588] versus 277 +/- 64 [95% CI, 224
      330] seconds, p = 0.002). The built-in motion analysis metrics also distinguished
      novices from proficient arthroscopists using the self-generated virtual loose
      body retrieval task scores (4 +/- 1 [95% CI, 3-5] versus 6 +/- 1 [95% CI, 5-7], p
      = 0.001). GRS scores between virtual and benchtop models were very strongly
      correlated (rho = 0.93, p < 0.001). There was strong correlation between year of
      training and virtual GRS (rho = 0.8, p < 0.001) and benchtop GRS (rho = 0.87, p <
      0.001) scores. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate
      performance on both virtual and benchtop knee simulators. We have shown that
      subjective GRS scores and objective motion analysis metrics and procedure time
      are valid measures to distinguish arthroscopic skill on both virtual and benchtop
      modalities. Performance on both modalities is well correlated. We believe that
      training on artificial models allows acquisition of skills in a safe environment.
      Future work should compare different modalities in the efficiency of skill
      acquisition, retention, and transferability to the operating room.

PMID- 26282389
TI  - Musculoskeletal Medicine Is Underrepresented in the American Medical School
      Clinical Curriculum.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions are common, and their burden on the
      healthcare system is increasing as the general population ages. It is essential
      that medical students be well prepared to evaluate and treat MSK disorders in a
      confident manner as they enter the workforce. Recent studies and the American
      Association of Medical Colleges have raised concern that medical schools may not
      give sufficient instruction on this topic. Other authors have shown that
      preclinical instruction has increased over the past decade; however, it is
      unclear if required clinical instruction also has followed that trend.
      QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: The purposes of this study were: (1) to assess the presence
      and duration of required or selective instruction in a MSK medicine specialty
      within the clinical years of undergraduate medical education; and (2) to assess
      the current state of requirements of clinical clerkships or rotations in other
      surgical and nonsurgical fields for comparison with the initial findings.
      METHODS: The web sites of all 141 US medical schools were assessed to determine
      the content of their clinical curricula for the 2014-2015 academic year; five
      were excluded because they had not yet had a graduating class by the conclusion
      of the 2014-2015 academic year. Complete information on required rotations was
      obtained through the schools' web sites for all 136 (100%) medical schools. For
      selective experience during the surgery clerkships, complete information was
      available for 130 of the remaining 136 (96%) web sites. RESULTS: Mean (in weeks,
      +/- SD) duration of core clerkships were as follows: internal medicine (10 +/-
      2), surgery (8 +/- 2), pediatrics (7 +/- 1), obstetrics/gynecology (6 +/- 1), and
      psychiatry (5 +/- 1). Other common required clerkships were: family medicine
      (required in 96% [131 of 136] of schools, mean duration of 6 +/- 2 weeks),
      neurology (81% [110], 4 +/- 1), and emergency medicine (55% [75], 3 +/- 1).
      Required MSK instruction, at a mean of 2 +/- 1 weeks, was only present in 15% (20
      of 136) of medical schools. In addition, clinical MSK instruction was offered as
      a selective (eg, students pick from a selection of subspecialties such as
      orthopaedics, plastics, or urology during a general surgery clerkship) in 34% (44
      of 130) of all medical schools. This is less than other non-core specialties:
      geriatrics/ambulatory care (required in 40% [54 of 136] of schools, mean duration
      of 3 +/- 1 weeks), critical care (30% [41], mean of 3 +/- 1 weeks), radiology
      (26% [35], mean of 3 +/- 1 weeks), anesthesiology (23% [31], mean of 2 +/- 1
      weeks), and other surgical subspecialties (19% [26], mean of 3 +/- 1weeks).
      CONCLUSIONS: Traditional core clerkships continue to be well represented in the
      clinical years, whereas three newer specialties have gained a larger presence:
      family medicine, neurology, and emergency medicine; these comprise the "big
      eight" of clinical clerkships. Given the high prevalence and burden of MSK
      disorders, required experience in MSK medicine continues to be underrepresented.
      Further discussion at a national level is needed to determine appropriate
      representation of MSK medicine specialties during the clinical years.

PMID- 26282390
TI  - Major Ozonated Autohemotherapy Preconditioning Ameliorates Kidney Ischemia
      Reperfusion Injury.
AB  - Medical ozone has therapeutic properties as an antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory,
      modulator of antioxidant defense system. Major ozonated autohemotherapy (MOA) is
      a new therapeutic approach that is widely used in the treatment of many diseases.
      The objective of the present study was to determine whether preischemic
      application of MOA would attenuate renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) in
      rabbits. Twenty-four male New Zealand white rabbits were divided into four
      groups, each including six animals: (1) Sham-operated group, (2) Ozone group (the
      MOA group without IRI), (3) IR group (60 min ischemia followed by 24 h
      reperfusion), and (4) IR + MOA group (MOA group). The effects of MOA were
      examined by use of hematologic and biochemical parameters consisting of
      neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor
      alpha (TNF-alpha), ischemia-modified albumin (IMA), total antioxidant status
      (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI). In addition,
      the histopathological changes including the tubular brush border loss (TBBL),
      tubular cast (TC), tubular necrosis (TN), intertubular hemorrhage and congestion
      (IHC), dilatation of bowman space (DBS), and interstitial inflammatory cells
      infiltration (IECI) were evaluated. In the IR group, compared to the Sham group,
      biochemical parameters indicating oxidative stress, NLR, IL-6, TNF-alpha, IMA,
      TOS, and OSI have increased. MOA reduced inflammation and oxidative stress
      parameters. Although TAS values have decreased in the IR group and increased in
      the MOA-pretreated group, no significant changes in TAS values were detected
      between the IR and MOA groups. The total score was obtained by summing all the
      scores from morphological kidney damage markers. The total score has increased
      with IR damage when compared with the Sham group (13.83 +/- 4.30 vs 1.51 +/-
      1.71; p = 0.002). But, the total score has decreased significantly after
      application of MOA (5.01 +/- 1.49; p = 0.002; compared with the IR group). MOA
      preconditioning is effective in reducing tissue damage induced in kidney ischemia
      reperfusion injury. The protective effect of MOA is mediated via reducing
      inflammatory response and regulating of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Renal
      histology also showed convincing evidence regarding MOA's protective nature
      against kidney injury induced renal ischemia-reperfusion. Consequently, MOA might
      be helpful in protecting the kidneys from IR-induced damage in humans, probably
      through the anti-inflammatory effect and reducing the total oxidant status.

PMID- 26282391
TI  - Piperazine linked salicylaldoxime and salicylaldimine-based dicopper(ii)
      receptors for anions.
AB  - The syntheses and single crystal X-ray analyses of five strapped
      salicylaldoxime/salicylaldimine based dicopper(ii) receptors utilising a new
      piperazine linker are described. The complexes form 2 + 2 metallocycles and the
      molecular structures of all four complexes possess a small internal cavity with
      the utilisation of a short piperazine linker. The molecular structures of
      complexes [Cu2(L(4) - H)(L(4) - 2H) ? DMF]BF4.DMF, and [Cu2(L(4) -
      H)2Br]Br.1.25DMSO.H2O.MeOH, show that intramolecular H-bonding interactions due
      to the presence of -OH (oxime moiety) groups lead to a Pacman-like cleft
      arrangement of the two metal coordinating subunits in the metallo-macrocycle. The
      geometrical constraints brought about by this constrained cleft make the receptor
      coordinate strongly to a bromide anion involving both metal centres as evidenced
      by whereas in the larger tetrafluroborate anion is excluded. Absence of the oxime
      moiety around the metal coordination site of the ligand as demonstrated in the
      complexes [Cu2(L(5))2BF4](BF4)3, and [Cu2(L(5))2Br]Br3.2MeOH, resulted in less
      constrained dicopper(ii) helicate forms. For these complexes no anion size
      discrimination was observed. The addition of pyridine solvent to a slightly
      modified piperazine-linked ligand produces an expanded 3 + 3 tube-like tricopper
      complex [Cu3(L(4a) - H)3Py3](BF4)2.(MeOH)3.PF6.(H2O)3, , with two coordinated
      pyridine molecules occupying the newly formed cavity. 

PMID- 26282392
TI  - Global travel patterns and risk of measles in Ontario and Quebec, Canada: 2007
      2011.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In 2011 the largest measles outbreak in North America in a decade
      occurred in Quebec, Canada with over 700 cases. In contrast, measles activity in
      neighbouring province Ontario remained low (8 cases). Our objective was to
      determine the extent to which the difference could be explained by differing
      travel patterns. METHODS: We explored the relationship between measles cases over
      2007-2011, by importation classification, in Quebec and Ontario in relation to
      global travel patterns to each province using an ecological approach. Global
      measles exposure was estimated by multiplying the monthly traveler volume for
      each country of origin into Quebec or Ontario by the yearly measles incidence
      rate for the corresponding country. Visual inspection of temporal figures and
      calculation of Pearson correlation coefficients were performed. RESULTS: Global
      measles exposure was similar in Ontario and Quebec. In Quebec, there was a nearly
      perfectly linear relationship between annual measles cases and its global measles
      exposure index over 2007-2011 (r = 0.99, p = 0.001). In contrast, there was a non
      significant association in Ontario. The 2011 rise in Quebec's index was largely
      driven by a dramatic increase in measles activity in France the same year.
      CONCLUSIONS: Global measles activity was associated with measles epidemiology in
      Quebec. Global measles exposure risk is higher in Ontario than Quebec.
      Differences in measles epidemiology between Ontario and Quebec from 2007-2011 are
      not explained by greater exposure in Quebec. A combination of alternative factors
      may be responsible, including differences in population susceptibility.

PMID- 26282393
TI  - Predictive factors for post-operative drainage after partial superficial
      parotidectomy: a case-control study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify the pattern of post-operative drainage
      following partial superficial parotidectomy with and without the use of a bipolar
      vessel-sealing device. METHODS: Of the 49 patients undergoing parotidectomies, a
      bipolar vessel-sealing device was used for 20. Predictive factors included in the
      analysis were age, sex, body weight, operating time, tumour pathology, and
      diabetes mellitus, hypertension and smoking status. RESULTS: In multivariate
      analyses, body weight (p = 0.026) and non-use of a bipolar vessel-sealing device
      (p = 0.009) were significantly associated with increased post-operative drainage
      after 24 hours. There was also a trend towards increased drainage in diabetic
      patients. Operating times were significantly shorter in the bipolar vessel
      sealing device group. CONCLUSION: Although 24-hour drainage appears adequate for
      most patients, in obese and diabetic individuals there is a risk of requiring
      increased drainage. Therefore, the drain should be left in place for a longer
      period. The bipolar vessel-sealing device is safe and time-efficient, and
      decreases the post-operative drainage period.

PMID- 26282395
TI  - Rheumatic Diseases as the Fuel to Inflamm-aging.

PMID- 26282394
TI  - Intralesional injection of adipose-derived stem cells reduces hypertrophic
      scarring in a rabbit ear model.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Redundant collagen deposition at sites of healing dermal wounds
      results in hypertrophic scars. Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) exhibit promise
      in a variety of anti-fibrosis applications by attenuating collagen deposition.
      The objective of this study was to explore the influence of an intralesional
      injection of ADSCs on hypertrophic scar formation by using an established rabbit
      ear model. METHODS: Twelve New Zealand albino rabbits were equally divided into
      three groups, and six identical punch defects were made on each ear. On
      postoperative day 14 when all wounds were completely re-epithelialized, the first
      group received an intralesional injection of ADSCs on their right ears and
      Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) on their left ears as an internal
      control. Rabbits in the second group were injected with conditioned medium of the
      ADSCs (ADSCs-CM) on their right ears and DMEM on their left ears as an internal
      control. Right ears of the third group remained untreated, and left ears received
      DMEM. We quantified scar hypertrophy by measuring the scar elevation index (SEI)
      on postoperative days 14, 21, 28, and 35 with ultrasonography. Wounds were
      harvested 35 days later for histomorphometric and gene expression analysis.
      RESULTS: Intralesional injections of ADSCs or ADSCs-CM both led to scars with a
      far more normal appearance and significantly decreased SEI (44.04 % and 32.48 %,
      respectively, both P <0.01) in the rabbit ears compared with their internal
      controls. Furthermore, we confirmed that collagen was organized more regularly
      and that there was a decreased expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha
      SMA) and collagen type Iota in the ADSC- and ADSCs-CM-injected scars according to
      histomorphometric and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis.
      There was no difference between DMEM-injected and untreated scars. CONCLUSIONS:
      An intralesional injection of ADSCs reduces the formation of rabbit ear
      hypertrophic scars by decreasing the alpha-SMA and collagen type Iota gene
      expression and ameliorating collagen deposition and this may result in an
      effective and innovative anti-scarring therapy.

PMID- 26282396
TI  - Retraction Note to: Comprehensive gene expression analysis reveals multiple
      signal pathways associated with prostate cancer.

PMID- 26282397
TI  - Social housing conditions and oxytocin and vasopressin receptors contribute to
      ethanol conditioned social preference in female mice.
AB  - Social behavior modulates response to alcohol. Because oxytocin (OXT) and
      vasopressin (AVP) contribute to rewarding social behavior, the present study
      utilized a genetic strategy to determine whether OXT and AVP receptors (OXTR,
      AVPR1a) are essential for female mice to demonstrate a conditioned social
      preference for ethanol. The study compared wild-type (WT) and knock-out (KO)
      females lacking either Oxtr or Avpr1a in a conditioned social preference (CSP)
      test. KO females and WT females from Het-Het crosses were pair-housed: KO and
      WT(ko). WT females from Het-WT crosses were pair-housed: WT(wt). Test mice
      received 2g/kg ethanol or saline ip, and were paired four times each with one
      stimulus female (CS-) after saline, and with another female (CS+) following
      ethanol. After pairing, the time spent with CS+ and CS- females was measured.
      WT(wt) females showed conditioned preference for the CS+ female paired with
      ethanol, demonstrated by greater interaction time (p<0.05). In both KO lines,
      ethanol significantly reduced interaction with the CS+ female (p<0.05), and there
      was no change in interaction for WT(ko) females. Response to odors by habituation
      dishabituation was unaffected in both KO lines, and the response to a hypnotic
      dose of ethanol also was the same as in WT mice. However, anxiety, measured as
      time on the open arms of the elevated plus maze, was reduced in KO(Oxtr) females
      compared with WT(wt). The results suggest that Oxtr and Avpr1a are required for
      conditioned effects of an ethanol-associated social stimulus. The lack of CSP in
      WT(ko) females suggests that the quality of social interactions during postnatal
      and postweaning life may modulate development and expression of normal social
      responses. 

PMID- 26282398
TI  - EPS8L2 is a new causal gene for childhood onset autosomal recessive progressive
      hearing loss.
AB  - BACKGROUND: More than 70 % of the cases of congenital deafness are of genetic
      origin, of which approximately 80 % are non-syndromic and show autosomal
      recessive transmission (DFNB forms). To date, 60 DFNB genes have been identified,
      most of which cause congenital, severe to profound deafness, whereas a few cause
      delayed progressive deafness in childhood. We report the study of two Algerian
      siblings born to consanguineous parents, and affected by progressive hearing
      loss. METHOD: After exclusion of GJB2 (the gene most frequently involved in non
      syndromic deafness in Mediterranean countries), we performed whole-exome
      sequencing in one sibling. RESULTS: A frame-shift variant (c.1014delC;
      p.Ser339Alafs*15) was identified in EPS8L2, encoding Epidermal growth factor
      receptor Pathway Substrate 8 L2, a protein of hair cells' stereocilia previously
      implicated in progressive deafness in the mouse. This variant predicts a
      truncated, inactive protein, or no protein at all owing to nonsense-mediated mRNA
      decay. It was detected at the homozygous state in the two clinically affected
      siblings, and at the heterozygous state in the unaffected parents and one
      unaffected sibling, whereas it was never found in a control population of 150
      Algerians with normal hearing or in the Exome Variant Server database.
      CONCLUSION: Whole-exome sequencing allowed us to identify a new gene responsible
      for childhood progressive hearing loss transmitted on the autosomal recessive
      mode.

PMID- 26282399
TI  - Experiences with workflows for automating data-intensive bioinformatics.
AB  - High-throughput technologies, such as next-generation sequencing, have turned
      molecular biology into a data-intensive discipline, requiring bioinformaticians
      to use high-performance computing resources and carry out data management and
      analysis tasks on large scale. Workflow systems can be useful to simplify
      construction of analysis pipelines that automate tasks, support reproducibility
      and provide measures for fault-tolerance. However, workflow systems can incur
      significant development and administration overhead so bioinformatics pipelines
      are often still built without them. We present the experiences with workflows and
      workflow systems within the bioinformatics community participating in a series of
      hackathons and workshops of the EU COST action SeqAhead. The organizations are
      working on similar problems, but we have addressed them with different strategies
      and solutions. This fragmentation of efforts is inefficient and leads to
      redundant and incompatible solutions. Based on our experiences we define a set of
      recommendations for future systems to enable efficient yet simple bioinformatics
      workflow construction and execution.

PMID- 26282401
TI  - Adiponectin and leptin gene polymorphisms in patients with post-transplant
      diabetes mellitus.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Post-transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) is a common metabolic
      complication after organ transplantation and may be associated with the use of
      calcineurin inhibitors (tacrolimus and cyclosporine). Leptin and adiponectin are
      adipokines and play an important role in the regulation of insulin secretion as
      well as glucose and lipid metabolism. AIM: The aim of this study was to examine
      the association between adiponectin and leptin gene polymorphisms and development
      of PTDM. MATERIALS & METHODS: The study included 323 patients who received kidney
      transplants and were treated with calcineurin inhibitors (tacrolimus or
      cyclosporine). RESULTS: The association between adiponectin and leptin gene
      polymorphisms and PTDM was studied in three models of Cox regression analysis-
      additive, dominant and recessive. In these three models, the LEP rs2167270 gene
      polymorphism was statistically significantly associated with increased risk of
      PTDM. The association between the LEP rs2167270 polymorphism and PTDM was
      confirmed by multivariate regression analysis. CONCLUSION: The results of our
      study suggest an association between the leptin rs2167270 gene A allele and PTDM.
      Original submitted 27 February 2015; Revision submitted 22 May 2015.

PMID- 26282403
TI  - Mentorship: an unspoken obligation.

PMID- 26282400
TI  - Harmful practices in the management of childhood diarrhea in low- and middle
      income countries: a systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Harmful practices in the management of childhood diarrhea are
      associated with negative health outcomes, and conflict with WHO treatment
      guidelines. These practices include restriction of fluids, breast milk and/or
      food intake during diarrhea episodes, and incorrect use of modern medicines. We
      conducted a systematic review of English-language literature published since 1990
      to assess the documented prevalence of these four harmful practices, and beliefs,
      motivations, and contextual factors associated with harmful practices in low- and
      middle-income countries. METHODS: We electronically searched PubMed, Embase, Ovid
      Global Health, and the WHO Global Health Library. Publications reporting the
      prevalence or substantive findings on beliefs, motivations, or context related to
      at least one of the four harmful practices were included, regardless of study
      design or representativeness of the sample population. RESULTS: Of the 114
      articles included in the review, 79 reported the prevalence of at least one
      harmful practice and 35 studies reported on beliefs, motivations, or context for
      harmful practices. Most studies relied on sub-national population samples and
      many were limited to small sample sizes. Study design, study population, and
      definition of harmful practices varied across studies. Reported prevalence of
      harmful practices varied greatly across study populations, and we were unable to
      identify clearly defined patterns across regions, countries, or time periods.
      Caregivers reported that diarrhea management practices were based on the advice
      of others (health workers, relatives, community members), as well as their own
      observations or understanding of the efficacy of certain treatments for diarrhea.
      Others reported following traditionally held beliefs on the causes and cures for
      specific diarrheal diseases. CONCLUSIONS: Available evidence suggests that
      harmful practices in diarrhea treatment are common in some countries with a high
      burden of diarrhea-related mortality. These practices can reduce correct
      management of diarrheal disease in children and result in treatment failure,
      sustained nutritional deficits, and increased diarrhea mortality. The lack of
      consistency in sampling, measurement, and reporting identified in this literature
      review highlights the need to document harmful practices using standard methods
      of measurement and reporting for the continued reduction of diarrhea mortality.

PMID- 26282404
TI  - Bottom-up synthesis of high-performance nitrogen-enriched transition
      metal/graphene oxygen reduction electrocatalysts both in alkaline and acidic
      solution.
AB  - Oxygen reduction electrocatalysts with low cost and excellent performance are
      urgently required for large-scale application in fuel cells and metal-air
      batteries. Though nitrogen-enriched transition metal/graphene hybrids (N-TM/G, TM
      = Fe, Co, and Ni and related compounds) have been developed as novel substitutes
      for precious metal catalysts (PMCs) towards oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), a
      significant challenge still remains for simple and efficient synthesis of N-TM/G
      catalysts with satisfactory electrocatalytic behavior. Herein, we demonstrate a
      universal bottom-up strategy for efficient fabrication of strongly-coupled N-TM/G
      catalysts. This strategy is implemented via direct polymerization of transition
      metal phthalocyanine (TMPc) in the two-dimensional confined space of in situ
      generated g-C3N4 and a subsequent pyrolysis. Such a space-confined bottom-up
      synthesis route successfully constructs a strongly-coupled triple junction of
      transition metal-graphitic carbon-nitrogen-doped graphene (TM-GC-NG) with
      extensive controllability over the specific surface area, nitrogen content/types
      as well as the states of metal. As a result, the optimized N-Fe/G materials have
      promising potential as high-performance NPMCs towards ORR both in alkaline and
      acidic solution. 

PMID- 26282405
TI  - Genetic diversity and genetic structure of the Siberian roe deer (Capreolus
      pygargus) populations from Asia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The roe deer, Capreolus sp., is one of the most widespread meso
      mammals of Palearctic distribution, and includes two species, the European roe
      deer, C. capreolus inhabiting mainly Europe, and the Siberian roe deer, C.
      pygargus, distributed throughout continental Asia. Although there are a number of
      genetic studies concerning European roe deer, the Siberian roe deer has been
      studied less, and none of these studies use microsatellite markers. Natural
      processes have led to genetic structuring in wild populations. To understand how
      these factors have affected genetic structure and connectivity of Siberian roe
      deer, we investigated variability at 12 microsatellite loci for Siberian roe deer
      from ten localities in Asia. RESULTS: Moderate levels of genetic diversity (H(E)
      = 0.522 to 0.628) were found in all populations except in Jeju Island, South
      Korea, where the diversity was lowest (H(E) = 0.386). Western populations showed
      relatively low genetic diversity and higher degrees of genetic differentiation
      compared with eastern populations (mean Ar = 3.54 (east), 2.81 (west), mean F(ST)
      = 0.122). Bayesian-based clustering analysis revealed the existence of three
      genetically distinct groups (clusters) for Siberian roe deer, which comprise of
      the Southeastern group (Mainland Korea, Russian Far East, Trans-Baikal region and
      Northern part of Mongolia), Northwestern group (Western Siberia and Ural in
      Russia) and Jeju Island population. Genetic analyses including AMOVA (F(RT) =
      0.200), Barrier and PCA also supported genetic differentiation among regions
      separated primarily by major mountain ridges, suggesting that mountains played a
      role in the genetic differentiation of Siberian roe deer. On the other hand,
      genetic evidence also suggests an ongoing migration that may facilitate genetic
      admixture at the border areas between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our results reveal
      an apparent pattern of genetic differentiation among populations inhabiting Asia,
      showing moderate levels of genetic diversity with an east-west gradient. The
      results suggest at least three distinct management units of roe deer in
      continental Asia, although genetic admixture is evident in some border areas. The
      insights obtained from this study shed light on management of Siberian roe deer
      in Asia and may be applied in conservation of local populations of Siberian roe
      deer.

PMID- 26282406
TI  - Activity of the DNA minor groove cross-linking agent SG2000 (SJG-136) against
      canine tumours.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cancer is the leading cause of death in older dogs and its prevalence
      is increasing. There is clearly a need to develop more effective anti-cancer
      drugs in dogs. SG2000 (SJG-136) is a sequence selective DNA minor groove cross
      linking agent. Based on its in vitro potency, the spectrum of in vivo and
      clinical activity against human tumours, and its tolerability in human patients,
      SG2000 has potential as a novel therapeutic against spontaneously occurring
      canine malignancies. RESULTS: In vitro cytotoxicity was assessed using SRB and
      MTT assays, and in vivo activity was assessed using canine tumour xenografts. DNA
      interstrand cross-linking (ICL) was determined using a modification of the single
      cell gel electrophoresis (comet) assay. Effects on cell cycle distribution were
      assessed by flow cytometry and measurement of gamma-H2AX by immunofluorescence
      and immunohistochemistry. SG2000 had a multi-log differential cytotoxic profile
      against a panel of 12 canine tumour cell lines representing a range of common
      tumour types in dogs. In the CMeC-1 melanoma cell line, DNA ICLs increased
      linearly with dose following a 1 h treatment. Peak ICL was achieved within 1 h
      and no removal was observed over 48 h. A relationship between DNA ICL formation
      and cytotoxicity was observed across cell lines. The formation of gamma-H2AX foci
      was slow, becoming evident after 4 h and reaching a peak at 24 h. SG2000
      exhibited significant anti-tumour activity against two canine melanoma tumour
      models in vivo. Anti-tumour activity was observed at 0.15 and 0.3 mg/kg given
      i.v. either once, or weekly x 3. Dose-dependent DNA ICL was observed in tumours
      (and to a lower level in peripheral blood mononuclear cells) at 2 h and persisted
      at 24 h. ICL increased following the second and third doses in a repeated dose
      schedule. At 24 h, dose dependent gamma-H2AX foci were more numerous than at 2 h,
      and greater in tumours than in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. SG2000-induced
      H2AX phosphorylation measured by immunohistochemistry showed good correspondence,
      but less sensitivity, than measurement of foci. CONCLUSIONS: SG2000 displayed
      potent activity in vitro against canine cancer cell lines as a result of the
      formation and persistence of DNA ICLs. SG2000 also had significant in vivo
      antitumour activity against canine melanoma xenografts, and the comet and gamma
      H2AX foci methods were relevant pharmacodynamic assays. The clinical testing of
      SG2000 against spontaneous canine cancer is warranted.

PMID- 26282407
TI  - Emtricitabine seminal plasma and blood plasma population pharmacokinetics in HIV
      infected men in the EVARIST ANRS-EP 49 study.
AB  - We aimed to describe blood plasma (BP) and seminal plasma (SP) pharmacokinetics
      of emtricitabine (FTC) in HIV-1-infected men, assess its penetration in the male
      genital tract, and evaluate its impact on seminal plasma HIV load (spVL)
      detection. Men from the EVARIST ANRS EP49 study receiving combined antiretroviral
      therapy with FTC and with suppressed BP viral load were included in the study. A
      total of 236 and 209 FTC BP and SP concentrations, respectively, were available.
      A population pharmacokinetic model was developed with Monolix 4.1.4. The impact
      of FTC seminal exposure on spVL detection was explored by receiver operating
      characteristic (ROC) curves and mixed-effects logistic regressions. FTC BP
      pharmacokinetics was described by a two-compartment model. The addition of an
      effect compartment with different input and output constants best described FTC
      SP pharmacokinetics. No covariates were found to explain the variability in SP.
      FTC exposures (area under the concentration-time curve from 0 to 24 h [AUC0-24])
      were higher in SP than in BP (median AUC0-24, 38.04 and 12.95 mg . liter(-1) . h,
      respectively). The median (range) SP-to-BP AUC0-24 ratio was 2.91 (0.84 to
      10.08). Less than 1% of FTC AUC0-24 ratios were lower than 1. The impact of FTC
      SP AUC0-24 or FTC SP-to-BP AUC0-24 ratio on spVL detection was not significant (P
      = 0.943 or 0.893, respectively). This is the first population model describing
      FTC pharmacokinetics simultaneously in both BP and SP. FTC distributes well in
      the male genital tract with higher FTC concentrations in SP than in BP. FTC
      seminal plasma exposures were considered efficient in the majority of men. 

PMID- 26282408
TI  - Loss of hypermucoviscosity and increased fitness cost in colistin-resistant
      Klebsiella pneumoniae sequence type 23 strains.
AB  - In this study, we investigated the effects of colistin resistance on virulence
      and fitness in hypermucoviscous (HV) Klebsiella pneumoniae sequence type 23
      (ST23) strains. Colistin-resistant mutants were developed from three colistin
      susceptible HV K. pneumoniae ST23 strains. The lipid A structures of strains were
      analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI
      TOF) mass spectrometry. Changes in HV were investigated using the string test,
      and extracellular polysaccharide production was quantified. The expression levels
      of the phoQ, pmrD, pmrB, pbgP, magA, and p-rmpA2 genes, serum resistance, and
      biofilm-forming activity were determined. The fitness of colistin-resistant
      mutants compared to that of the parental strains was examined by determining the
      competitive index (CI). The colistin-resistant mutants exhibited reduced HV,
      which was accompanied by decreased formation of capsular polysaccharides (CPS)
      and reduced expression of genes (magA and p-rmpA2). While there was enhanced
      expression of pmrD and pbgP in all colistin-resistant derivatives, there were
      differences in the expression levels of phoQ and pmrB between strains. MALDI-TOF
      analysis detected the addition of aminoarabinose or palmitate to the lipid A
      moiety of lipopolysaccharide in the colistin-resistant derivatives. In addition,
      survival rates in the presence of normal human serum were decreased in the mutant
      strains, and CI values (0.01 to 0.19) indicated significant fitness defects in
      the colistin-resistant derivatives compared to the respective parental strains.
      In hypervirulent HV K. pneumoniae strains, the acquisition of colistin resistance
      was accompanied by reduced CPS production, impaired virulence, and a significant
      fitness cost. 

PMID- 26282409
TI  - Ceftolozane-tazobactam activity against phylogenetically diverse Clostridium
      difficile strains.
AB  - Ceftolozane-tazobactam (C/T) is approved for the treatment of complicated intra
      abdominal and urinary tract infections and has varied activity against anaerobic
      bacteria. Here, we evaluate the activity of C/T against a phylogenetically
      diverse collection of Clostridium difficile isolates and report uniformly high
      MICs (>=256 MUg/ml) to C/T. 

PMID- 26282410
TI  - Outbreak caused by Enterobacteriaceae harboring NDM-1 metallo-beta-lactamase
      carried in an IncFII plasmid in a tertiary care hospital in Mexico City.
AB  - Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae carrying New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase
      1 (NDM-1) have rarely been reported in Latin America. We report of an outbreak
      caused by a blaNDM-1-harboring plasmid spread through different bacterial
      species, including Escherichia coli (ST617) and Enterobacter cloacae (ST182)
      isolates from the same patient and three Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates (ST22)
      derived from three epidemiologically related patients. IncFII plasmids were found
      in all strains. Measures to control the outbreak were applied successfully. 

PMID- 26282411
TI  - Darunavir and ritonavir total and unbound plasmatic concentrations in HIV-HCV
      coinfected patients with hepatic cirrhosis compared to those in HIV-monoinfected
      patients.
AB  - Our objective was to describe the pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters of total and
      unbound darunavir and ritonavir concentrations in HIV-hepatitis C virus (HCV)
      coinfected patients with cirrhosis, as ritonavir-boosted darunavir is mainly
      metabolized in the liver, and hepatic cirrhosis might modify darunavir-ritonavir
      concentrations. This was a prospective, case-control, and unicenter study. HIV
      HCV-coinfected patients with compensated cirrhosis (cases) and HIV-monoinfected
      patients with normal liver function (controls) were included. Darunavir-ritonavir
      was given at 800/100 mg once daily. Patients were followed for 24 weeks to assess
      safety and efficacy. A steady-state 12-h PK study was performed. Total and
      unbound concentrations were determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass
      spectrometry. The unbound fraction was obtained by ultrafiltration. The plasma
      area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) and oral clearance (CL/F) were
      assessed by noncompartmental models. Thirty patients (20 cases and 10 controls)
      were included. Among cirrhotic patients, the Child-Pugh score was C in 4 cases, B
      in 1 case, and A in 15 cases; the median (interquartile range) transient
      elastography values were 20 kPa (14 to 26 kPa), and 5 patients had prior clinical
      decompensations. There were no significant differences in the darunavir PK
      parameters between cases and controls except for longer time to maximum plasma
      concentrations (Tmax) and half-lives in the cirrhotic patients. There were no
      significant differences in ritonavir total concentrations, but the unbound
      concentrations were higher in cirrhotic patients. There were significant
      correlations between the darunavir total and unbound concentrations in both
      cirrhotic patients and controls. There were no differences in PK parameters based
      on Child-Pugh score, liver elasticity, gender, or use of concomitant medications.
      In conclusion, in HIV-HCV-coinfected patients with clinically compensated
      cirrhosis receiving darunavir-ritonavir at 800/100 mg once daily, the darunavir
      total and unbound concentrations are similar to those observed in noncirrhotic
      patients, and dose adjustments are not necessary. 

PMID- 26282412
TI  - Population pharmacokinetic analysis of isoniazid, acetylisoniazid, and
      isonicotinic acid in healthy volunteers.
AB  - In this study, we aimed to quantify the effects of the N-acetyltransferase 2
      (NAT2) phenotype on isoniazid (INH) metabolism in vivo and identify other sources
      of pharmacokinetic variability following single-dose administration in healthy
      Asian adults. The concentrations of INH and its metabolites acetylisoniazid
      (AcINH) and isonicotinic acid (INA) in plasma were evaluated in 33 healthy Asians
      who were also given efavirenz and rifampin. The pharmacokinetics of INH, AcINH,
      and INA were analyzed using nonlinear mixed-effects modeling (NONMEM) to estimate
      the population pharmacokinetic parameters and evaluate the relationships between
      the parameters and the elimination status (fast, intermediate, and slow
      acetylators), demographic status, and measures of renal and hepatic function. A
      two-compartment model with first-order absorption best described the INH
      pharmacokinetics. AcINH and INA data were best described by a two- and a one
      compartment model, respectively, linked to the INH model. In the final model for
      INH, the derived metabolic phenotypes for NAT2 were identified as a significant
      covariate in the INH clearance, reducing its interindividual variability from 86%
      to 14%. The INH clearance in fast eliminators was 1.9- and 7.7-fold higher than
      in intermediate and slow eliminators, respectively (65 versus 35 and 8 liters/h).
      Creatinine clearance was confirmed as a significant covariate for AcINH
      clearance. Simulations suggested that the current dosing guidelines (200 mg for
      30 to 45 kg and 300 mg for >45 kg) may be suboptimal (3 mg/liter <= Cmax <= 6
      mg/liter) irrespective of the acetylator class. The analysis established a model
      that adequately characterizes INH, AcINH, and INA pharmacokinetics in healthy
      Asians. Our results refine the NAT2 phenotype-based predictions of the
      pharmacokinetics for INH. 

PMID- 26282413
TI  - Ethanol and isopropanol in concentrations present in hand sanitizers sharply
      reduce excystation of Giardia and Entamoeba and eliminate oral infectivity of
      Giardia cysts in gerbils.
AB  - Enteric protozoan parasites, which are spread by the fecal-oral route, are
      important causes of diarrhea (Giardia duodenalis) and amebic dysentery (Entamoeba
      histolytica). Cyst walls of Giardia and Entamoeba have a single layer composed of
      fibrils of beta-1,3-linked GalNAc and beta-1,4-linked GlcNAc (chitin),
      respectively. The goal here was to determine whether hand sanitizers that contain
      ethanol or isopropanol as the active microbicide might reduce transmission of
      these parasites. We found that treatment with these alcohols with or without
      drying in a rotary evaporator (to model rapid evaporation of sanitizers on hands)
      kills 85 to 100% of cysts of G. duodenalis and 90 to 100% of cysts of Entamoeba
      invadens (a nonpathogenic model for E. histolytica), as shown by nuclear labeling
      with propidium iodide and failure to excyst in vitro. Alcohols with or without
      drying collapsed the cyst walls of Giardia but did not collapse the cyst walls of
      Entamoeba. To validate the in vitro results, we showed that treatment with
      alcohols eliminated oral infection of gerbils by 1,000 G. duodenalis cysts, while
      a commercial hand sanitizer (Purell) killed E. invadens cysts that were directly
      applied to the hands. These results suggest that expanded use of alcohol-based
      hand sanitizers might reduce the transmission of Giardia and Entamoeba. 

PMID- 26282414
TI  - Characterization of the global stabilizing substitution A77V and its role in the
      evolution of CTX-M beta-lactamases.
AB  - The widespread use of oxyimino-cephalosporin antibiotics drives the evolution of
      the CTX-M family of beta-lactamases that hydrolyze these drugs and confer
      antibiotic resistance. Clinically isolated CTX-M enzymes carrying the P167S or
      D240G active site-associated adaptive mutation have a broadened substrate profile
      that includes the oxyimino-cephalosporin antibiotic ceftazidime. The D240G
      substitution is known to reduce the stability of CTX-M-14 beta-lactamase, and the
      P167S substitution is shown here to also destabilize the enzyme. Proteins are
      marginally stable entities, and second-site mutations that stabilize the enzyme
      can offset a loss in stability caused by mutations that enhance enzyme activity.
      Therefore, the evolution of antibiotic resistance enzymes can be dependent on the
      acquisition of stabilizing mutations. The A77V substitution is present in CTX-M
      extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) from a number of clinical isolates,
      suggesting that it may be important in the evolution of antibiotic resistance in
      this family of beta-lactamases. In this study, the effects of the A77V
      substitution in the CTX-M-14 model enzyme were characterized with regard to the
      kinetic parameters for antibiotic hydrolysis as well as enzyme expression levels
      in vivo and protein stability in vitro. The A77V substitution has little effect
      on the kinetics of oxyimino-cephalosporin hydrolysis, but it stabilizes the CTX-M
      enzyme and compensates for the loss of stability resulting from the P167S and
      D240G mutations. The acquisition of global stabilizing mutations, such as A77V,
      is an important feature in beta-lactamase evolution and a common mechanism in
      protein evolution. 

PMID- 26282415
TI  - Effects of selection pressure and genetic association on the relationship between
      antibiotic resistance and virulence in Escherichia coli.
AB  - Antibiotic selection pressure and genetic associations may lead to the
      cooccurrence of resistance and virulence in individual pathogens. However, there
      is a lack of rigorous epidemiological evidence that demonstrates the cooccurrence
      of resistance and virulence at the population level. Using samples from a
      population-based case-control study in 25 villages in rural Ecuador, we
      characterized resistance to 12 antibiotics among pathogenic (n = 86) and
      commensal (n = 761) Escherichia coli isolates, classified by the presence or
      absence of known diarrheagenic virulence factor genes. The prevalences of
      resistance to single and multiple antibiotics were significantly higher for
      pathogenic isolates than for commensal isolates. Using a generalized estimating
      equation, antibiotic resistance was independently associated with virulence
      factor carriage, case status, and antibiotic use (for these respective factors:
      odds ratio [OR] = 3.0, with a 95% confidence interval [CI] of 1.7 to 5.1; OR =
      2.0, with a 95% CI of 1.3 to 3.0; and OR = 1.5, with a 95% CI of 0.9 to 2.5).
      Virulence factor carriage was more strongly related to antibiotic resistance than
      antibiotic use for all antibiotics examined, with the exception of
      fluoroquinolones, gentamicin, and cefotaxime. This study provides epidemiological
      evidence that antibiotic resistance and virulence factor carriage are linked in
      E. coli populations in a community setting. Further, these data suggest that
      while the cooccurrence of resistance and virulence in E. coli is partially due to
      antibiotic selection pressure, it is also genetically determined. These findings
      should be considered in developing strategies for treating infections and
      controlling for antibiotic resistance. 

PMID- 26282416
TI  - Lack of mutational hot spots during decitabine-mediated HIV-1 mutagenesis.
AB  - Decitabine has previously been shown to induce lethal mutagenesis of human
      immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). However, the factors that determine the
      susceptibilities of individual sequence positions in HIV-1 to decitabine have not
      yet been defined. To investigate this, we performed Illumina high-throughput
      sequencing of multiple amplicons prepared from proviral DNA that was recovered
      from decitabine-treated cells infected with HIV-1. We found that decitabine
      induced an ~4.1-fold increase in the total mutation frequency of HIV-1, primarily
      due to a striking ~155-fold increase in the G-to-C transversion frequency.
      Intriguingly, decitabine also led to an ~29-fold increase in the C-to-G
      transversion frequency. G-to-C frequencies varied substantially (up to ~80-fold)
      depending upon sequence position, but surprisingly, mutational hot spots (defined
      as upper outliers within the mutation frequency distribution) were not observed.
      We further found that every single guanine position examined was significantly
      susceptible to the mutagenic effects of decitabine. Taken together, these
      observations demonstrate for the first time that decitabine-mediated HIV-1
      mutagenesis is promiscuous and occurs in the absence of a clear bias for
      mutational hot spots. These data imply that decitabine-mediated G-to-C
      mutagenesis is a highly effective antiviral mechanism for extinguishing HIV-1
      infectivity. 

PMID- 26282417
TI  - Emergence of TR46/Y121F/T289A in an Aspergillus fumigatus isolate from a Chinese
      patient.

PMID- 26282418
TI  - Hepatitis C virus genotype 4 resistance and subtype demographic characterization
      of patients treated with ombitasvir plus paritaprevir/ritonavir.
AB  - Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 4 (GT4) is genetically diverse, with 17
      confirmed subtypes, and comprises approximately 13% of infections worldwide. In
      this study, we identified GT4 subtypes by phylogenetic analysis, assessed
      differences in patient demographics across GT4 subtypes, examined baseline
      sequence variability among subtypes and the potential impact on treatment
      outcome, and analyzed the development of viral resistance in patients who
      received a regimen of ombitasvir (nonstructural protein 5A [NS5A] inhibitor) plus
      ritonavir-boosted paritaprevir (NS3/4A inhibitor) with or without ribavirin (RBV)
      for the treatment of HCV GT4 infection. Phylogenetic analysis of HCV NS3/4A,
      NS5A, and NS5B nucleotide sequences identified 7 subtypes (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4f,
      4g/4k, and 4o) among 132 patient samples. Subtype prevalence varied by country,
      and the distributions of patient birth cohort and race were significantly
      different across GT4 subtypes 4a, 4d, and non-4a/4d. Baseline amino acid
      variability was detected in NS5A across GT4 subtypes but had no impact on
      treatment outcome. Three patients experienced virologic failure and were infected
      with subtype 4d, and the predominant resistance-associated variants at the time
      of failure were D168V in NS3 and L28V in NS5A. Overall, high response rates were
      observed among patients infected with 7 HCV GT4 subtypes, with no impact of
      baseline variants on treatment outcome. GT4 subtype distribution in this study
      differed based on patient demographics and geography. 

PMID- 26282419
TI  - Investigating clinically adequate concentrations of oseltamivir carboxylate in
      end-stage renal disease patients undergoing hemodialysis using a population
      pharmacokinetic approach.
AB  - End-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients receiving hemodialysis (HD) are at
      heightened risk for influenza, but the optimal oseltamivir dosage regimen for
      treating or preventing influenza in this high-risk population is still uncertain.
      Pharmacokinetic data for 24 adults with ESRD were pooled from a single-dose and a
      multiple-dose study to develop a population pharmacokinetic model using nonlinear
      mixed-effects modeling. The final model comprised five compartments, two each to
      describe the systemic pharmacokinetics of oseltamivir phosphate and its
      metabolite, oseltamivir carboxylate (OC), and a delay compartment to describe
      oseltamivir metabolism. Estimated OC clearance in the model was markedly faster
      during HD sessions (7.43 liters/min) than at other times (0.19 liter/min). Model
      simulations showed that 30 mg oseltamivir given after every HD session is the
      most suitable regimen for influenza treatment, producing trough OC concentrations
      above the median value achieved with the 75-mg twice-daily regimen in patients
      with normal renal function and peak concentrations below the highest oseltamivir
      exposures known to be well tolerated (median exposures after twice-daily dosing
      of 450 mg). Administration of the first dose following diagnosis of influenza
      need not wait until after the next HD session: addition of a single 30-mg dose
      during the 12 h before the next HD session raises OC exposures quickly without
      posing any safety risk. Further simulation showed that 30 mg oseltamivir given
      after every other HD session is the most suitable regimen for influenza
      prophylaxis. 

PMID- 26282420
TI  - Population pharmacokinetics of peramivir in healthy volunteers and influenza
      patients.
AB  - Peramivir is an intravenous anti-influenza agent that inhibits viral growth by
      selectively inhibiting neuraminidase in human influenza A and B viruses. To
      characterize its pharmacokinetics, a population pharmacokinetic analysis of
      peramivir was performed using 3,199 plasma concentration data samples from 332
      subjects in six clinical studies in Japan and the United States, including
      studies with renal impairment subjects, elderly subjects, and influenza patients.
      A three-compartment model well described the plasma concentration data for
      peramivir, and creatinine clearance was found to be the most important factor
      influencing clearance. Age and body weight were also found to be covariates for
      clearance and the volume of distribution, respectively. No difference in
      pharmacokinetics was found between genders or between Japanese and U.S. SUBJECTS:
      Small differences in pharmacokinetics were observed between uninfected subjects
      and influenza patients (clearance was 18% higher and the volume of distribution
      was 6% lower in influenza patients). Monte Carlo simulations indicated that
      single adjusted doses of 1/3- and 1/6-fold for patients with moderate and severe
      renal impairment, respectively, would give areas under the curve comparable to
      those for patients with normal renal function. The population pharmacokinetic
      model developed for peramivir should be useful for understanding its
      pharmacokinetic characteristics and for dose adjustment on the basis of renal
      function.

PMID- 26282421
TI  - IMP-51, a novel IMP-type metallo-beta-lactamase with increased doripenem- and
      meropenem-hydrolyzing activities, in a carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas
      aeruginosa clinical isolate.
AB  - A meropenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolate was obtained from a patient
      in a medical setting in Hanoi, Vietnam. The isolate was found to have a novel IMP
      type metallo-beta-lactamase, IMP-51, which differed from IMP-7 by an amino acid
      substitution (Ser262Gly). Escherichia coli expressing blaIMP-51 showed greater
      resistance to cefoxitin, meropenem, and moxalactam than E. coli expressing blaIMP
      7. The amino acid residue at position 262 was located near the active site,
      proximal to the H263 Zn(II) ligand. 

PMID- 26282422
TI  - Emergence of Raoultella ornithinolytica coproducing IMP-4 and KPC-2
      carbapenemases in China.
AB  - We report here the emergence of seven IMP-4-producing Raoultella ornithinolytica
      isolates obtained from one patient. All isolates carried the blaIMP-4
      carbapenemase gene, five isolates also carried blaSHV-12, four contained blaTEM
      1, and one contained blaOXA-1. Notably, the R. ornithinolytica isolate Ro25724
      also expressed Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC)-2. The blaKPC-2 gene was
      located on a Tn3-Tn4401 integration structure on a plasmid of ~450 kb. This is
      the first description of the coexistence of blaKPC-2 and blaIMP-4 from the genus
      Raoultella. 

PMID- 26282423
TI  - Case-control study and case series of pseudohyperphosphatemia during exposure to
      liposomal amphotericin B.
AB  - Pseudohyperphosphatemia due to an interaction between liposomal amphotericin B
      and the Beckman Coulter PHOSm assay occurs sporadically and remains
      underrecognized in clinical practice. This retrospective case-control study
      compares the incidences of hyperphosphatemia in adult inpatients exposed to
      liposomal amphotericin B or a triazole. A case series of patients with confirmed
      pseudohyperphosphatemia is described. A total of 80 exposures to liposomal
      amphotericin B and 726 exposures to triazoles were identified. Among subjects
      without chronic kidney disease and no concomitant acute kidney injury,
      hyperphosphatemia occurred more often during liposomal amphotericin B therapy
      than during triazole therapy (40% [14/35 cases] versus 10% [47/475 cases] of
      cases; P < 0.01; adjusted odds ratio, 5.2 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 2.3 to
      11.9]). Among individuals with chronic kidney disease and no concomitant acute
      kidney injury, hyperphosphatemia also occurred more often during liposomal
      amphotericin B exposure (59% [10/17 cases] versus 20% [34/172 cases] of cases; P
      < 0.01; adjusted odds ratio, 6.0 [95% CI, 2.0 to 18.0]). When acute kidney injury
      occurred during antifungal exposure, the frequencies of hyperphosphatemia were
      not different between treatments. Seven episodes of unexpected hyperphosphatemia
      during liposomal amphotericin B exposure prompted a confirmatory test using an
      endpoint-based assay that found lower serum phosphorus levels (median difference
      of 2.5 mg/dl [range, 0.6 to 3.6 mg/dl]). Liposomal amphotericin B exposure
      confers a higher likelihood of developing hyperphosphatemia than that with
      exposure to a triazole antifungal, which is likely attributable to
      pseudohyperphosphatemia. Elevated phosphorus levels in patients receiving
      liposomal amphotericin B at institutions using the Beckman Coulter PHOSm assay
      should be interpreted cautiously. 

PMID- 26282424
TI  - Functional analysis of a bacitracin resistance determinant located on ICECp1, a
      novel Tn916-like element from a conjugative plasmid in Clostridium perfringens.
AB  - Bacitracins are mixtures of structurally related cyclic polypeptides with
      antibiotic properties. They act by interfering with the biosynthesis of the
      bacterial cell wall. In this study, we analyzed an avian necrotic enteritis
      strain of Clostridium perfringens that was resistant to bacitracin and produced
      NetB toxin. We identified a bacitracin resistance locus that resembled a
      bacitracin resistance determinant from Enterococcus faecalis. It contained the
      structural genes bcrABD and a putative regulatory gene, bcrR. Mutagenesis studies
      provided evidence that both bcrA and bcrB are essential for bacitracin
      resistance, and that evidence was supported by the results of experiments in
      which the introduction of both the bcrA and bcrB genes into a bacitracin
      susceptible C. perfringens strain was required to confer bacitracin resistance.
      The wild-type strain was shown to contain at least three large, putatively
      conjugative plasmids, and the bcrRABD locus was localized to an 89.7-kb plasmid,
      pJIR4150. This plasmid was experimentally shown to be conjugative and was
      sequenced. The sequence revealed that it also carries a tpeL toxin gene and is
      related to the pCW3 family of conjugative antibiotic resistance and toxin
      plasmids from C. perfringens. The bcr genes were located on a genetic element,
      ICECp1, which is related to the Tn916 family of integrative conjugative elements
      (ICEs). ICECp1 appears to be the first Tn916-like element shown to confer
      bacitracin resistance. In summary, we identified in a toxin-producing C.
      perfringens strain a novel mobile bacitracin resistance element which was
      experimentally shown to be essential for bacitracin resistance and is carried by
      a putative ICE located on a conjugative plasmid. 

PMID- 26282425
TI  - HIV drug resistance testing by high-multiplex "wide" sequencing on the MiSeq
      instrument.
AB  - Limited access to HIV drug resistance testing in low- and middle-income countries
      impedes clinical decision-making at the individual patient level. An efficient
      protocol to address this issue must be established to minimize negative
      therapeutic outcomes for HIV-1-infected individuals in such settings. This is an
      observational study to ascertain the potential of newer genomic sequencing
      platforms, such as the Illumina MiSeq instrument, to provide accurate HIV drug
      resistance genotypes for hundreds of samples simultaneously. Plasma samples were
      collected from Canadian patients during routine drug resistance testing (n = 759)
      and from a Ugandan study cohort (n = 349). Amplicons spanning HIV reverse
      transcriptase codons 90 to 234 were sequenced with both MiSeq sequencing and
      conventional Sanger sequencing methods. Sequences were evaluated for nucleotide
      concordance between methods, using coverage and mixture parameters for quality
      control. Consensus sequences were also analyzed for disparities in the
      identification of drug resistance mutations. Sanger and MiSeq sequencing was
      successful for 881 samples (80%) and 892 samples (81%), respectively, with 832
      samples having results from both methods. Most failures were for samples with
      viral loads of <3.0 log10 HIV RNA copies/ml. Overall, 99.3% nucleotide
      concordance between methods was observed. MiSeq sequencing achieved 97.4%
      sensitivity and 99.3% specificity in detecting resistance mutations identified by
      Sanger sequencing. Findings suggest that the Illumina MiSeq platform can yield
      high-quality data with a high-multiplex "wide" sequencing approach. This strategy
      can be used for multiple HIV subtypes, demonstrating the potential for widespread
      individual testing and annual population surveillance in resource-limited
      settings. 

PMID- 26282426
TI  - Optimizing the initial amikacin dosage in adults.
AB  - We report on the pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of high-dose
      (>15 mg/kg of body weight per day) amikacin. A mean (standard deviation [SD])
      maximum drug concentration in the serum (Cmax) and 24-h area under the
      concentration-time curve (AUC24) of 101 (49.4) mg/liter and 600 (387) mg .
      h/liter, respectively, were observed (n = 73) with 28.0 (8.47) mg/kg/day doses.
      An initial amikacin dose of 2,500 mg in adults weighing 40 kg to 200 kg with
      therapeutic drug monitoring to adjust the maintenance dose will optimize its PK
      and PD. 

PMID- 26282427
TI  - Phospholipase A1 modulates the cell envelope phospholipid content of Brucella
      melitensis, contributing to polymyxin resistance and pathogenicity.
AB  - A subset of bacterial pathogens, including the zoonotic Brucella species, are
      highly resistant against polymyxin antibiotics. Bacterial polymyxin resistance
      has been attributed primarily to the modification of lipopolysaccharide; however,
      it is unknown what additional mechanisms mediate high-level resistance against
      this class of drugs. This work identified a role for the Brucella melitensis gene
      bveA (BMEII0681), encoding a predicted esterase, in the resistance of B.
      melitensis to polymyxin B. Characterization of the enzymatic activity of BveA
      demonstrated that it is a phospholipase A1 with specificity for
      phosphatidylethanolamine (PE). Further, lipidomic analysis of B. melitensis
      revealed an excess of PE lipids in the bacterial membranes isolated from the bveA
      mutant. These results suggest that by lowering the PE content of the cell
      envelope, BveA increases the resistance of B. melitensis to polymyxin B. BveA was
      required for survival and replication of B. melitensis in macrophages and for
      persistent infection in mice. BveA family esterases are encoded in the genomes of
      the alphaproteobacterial species that coexist with the polymyxin-producing
      bacteria in the rhizosphere, suggesting that maintenance of a low PE content in
      the bacterial cell envelope may be a shared persistence strategy for association
      with plant and mammalian hosts. 

PMID- 26282429
TI  - The phosphoenolpyruvate:sugar phosphotransferase system is involved in
      sensitivity to the glucosylated bacteriocin sublancin.
AB  - The mode of action of a group of glycosylated antimicrobial peptides known as
      glycocins remains to be elucidated. In the current study of one glycocin,
      sublancin, we identified the phosphoenolpyruvate:sugar phosphotransferase system
      (PTS) of Bacillus species as a key player in bacterial sensitivity. Sublancin
      kills several Gram-positive bacteria, such as Bacillus species and Staphylococcus
      aureus, including methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Unlike other classes of
      bacteriocins for which the PTS is involved in their mechanism of action, we show
      that the addition of PTS-requiring sugars leads to increased resistance rather
      than increased sensitivity, suggesting that sublancin has a distinct mechanism of
      action. Collectively, our present mutagenesis and genomic studies demonstrate
      that the histidine-containing phosphocarrier protein (HPr) and domain A of enzyme
      II (PtsG) in particular are critical determinants for bacterial sensitivity to
      sublancin. 

PMID- 26282428
TI  - Multicenter study of epidemiological cutoff values and detection of resistance in
      Candida spp. to anidulafungin, caspofungin, and micafungin using the Sensititre
      YeastOne colorimetric method.
AB  - Neither breakpoints (BPs) nor epidemiological cutoff values (ECVs) have been
      established for Candida spp. with anidulafungin, caspofungin, and micafungin when
      using the Sensititre YeastOne (SYO) broth dilution colorimetric method. In
      addition, reference caspofungin MICs have so far proven to be unreliable. Candida
      species wild-type (WT) MIC distributions (for microorganisms in a species/drug
      combination with no detectable phenotypic resistance) were established for 6,007
      Candida albicans, 186 C. dubliniensis, 3,188 C. glabrata complex, 119 C.
      guilliermondii, 493 C. krusei, 205 C. lusitaniae, 3,136 C. parapsilosis complex,
      and 1,016 C. tropicalis isolates. SYO MIC data gathered from 38 laboratories in
      Australia, Canada, Europe, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United
      States were pooled to statistically define SYO ECVs. ECVs for anidulafungin,
      caspofungin, and micafungin encompassing >=97.5% of the statistically modeled
      population were, respectively, 0.12, 0.25, and 0.06 MUg/ml for C. albicans, 0.12,
      0.25, and 0.03 MUg/ml for C. glabrata complex, 4, 2, and 4 MUg/ml for C.
      parapsilosis complex, 0.5, 0.25, and 0.06 MUg/ml for C. tropicalis, 0.25, 1, and
      0.25 MUg/ml for C. krusei, 0.25, 1, and 0.12 MUg/ml for C. lusitaniae, 4, 2, and
      2 MUg/ml for C. guilliermondii, and 0.25, 0.25, and 0.12 MUg/ml for C.
      dubliniensis. Species-specific SYO ECVs for anidulafungin, caspofungin, and
      micafungin correctly classified 72 (88.9%), 74 (91.4%), 76 (93.8%), respectively,
      of 81 Candida isolates with identified fks mutations. SYO ECVs may aid in
      detecting non-WT isolates with reduced susceptibility to anidulafungin,
      micafungin, and especially caspofungin, since testing the susceptibilities of
      Candida spp. to caspofungin by reference methodologies is not recommended. 

PMID- 26282430
TI  - Targeting the parasite's DNA with methyltriazenyl purine analogs is a safe,
      selective, and efficacious antitrypanosomal strategy.
AB  - The human and veterinary disease complex known as African trypanosomiasis
      continues to inflict significant global morbidity, mortality, and economic
      hardship. Drug resistance and toxic side effects of old drugs call for novel and
      unorthodox strategies for new and safe treatment options. We designed
      methyltriazenyl purine prodrugs to be rapidly and selectively internalized by the
      parasite, after which they disintegrate into a nontoxic and naturally occurring
      purine nucleobase, a simple triazene-stabilizing group, and the active toxin: a
      methyldiazonium cation capable of damaging DNA by alkylation. We identified 2-(3
      acetyl-3-methyltriazen-1-yl)-6-hydroxypurine (compound 1) as a new lead compound,
      which showed submicromolar potency against Trypanosoma brucei, with a selectivity
      index of >500, and it demonstrated a curative effect in animal models of acute
      trypanosomiasis. We investigated the mechanism of action of this lead compound
      and showed that this molecule has significantly higher affinity for parasites
      over mammalian nucleobase transporters, and it does not show cross-resistance
      with current first-line drugs. Once selectively accumulated inside the parasite,
      the prodrug releases a DNA-damaging methyldiazonium cation. We propose that
      ensuing futile cycles of attempted mismatch repair then lead to G2/M phase arrest
      and eventually cell death, as evidenced by the reduced efficacy of this purine
      analog against a mismatch repair-deficient (MSH2(-/-)) trypanosome cell line. The
      observed absence of genotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, and cytotoxicity against
      mammalian cells revitalizes the idea of pursuing parasite-selective DNA
      alkylators as a safe chemotherapeutic option for the treatment of human and
      animal trypanosomiasis. 

PMID- 26282431
TI  - Interplay among membrane-bound lytic transglycosylase D1, the CreBC two-component
      regulatory system, the AmpNG-AmpDI-NagZ-AmpR regulatory circuit, and L1/L2 beta
      lactamase expression in Stenotrophomonas maltophilia.
AB  - Lytic transglycosylases (LTs) are an important class of enzymes involved in
      peptidoglycan (PG) cleavage, with the concomitant formation of an intramolecular
      1,6-anhydromuramoyl reaction product. There are six annotated LT genes in the
      Stenotrophomonas maltophilia genome, including genes for five membrane-bound LTs
      (mltA, mltB1, mltB2, mltD1, and mltD2) and a gene for soluble LT (slt). Six LTs
      of S. maltophilia KJ were systematically mutated, yielding the DeltamltA,
      DeltamltB1, DeltamltB2, DeltamltD1, DeltamltD2, and Deltaslt mutants.
      Inactivation of mltD1 conferred a phenotype of elevated uninduced beta-lactamase
      activity. The underlying mechanism responsible for this phenotype was elucidated
      by the construction of several mutants and determination of beta-lactamase
      activity. The expression of the genes assayed was assessed by quantitative
      reverse transcriptase PCR and a promoter transcription fusion assay. The results
      demonstrate that DeltamltD1 mutant-mediated L1/L2 beta-lactamase expression
      involved the creBC two-component regulatory system (TCS) and the ampNG-ampDI-nagZ
      ampR regulatory circuit. The inactivation of mltD1 resulted in mltB1 and mltD2
      upexpression in a creBC- and ampNG-dependent manner. The overexpressed MltB1 and
      MltD2 activity contributed to the expression of the L1/L2 beta-lactamase genes
      via the ampNG-ampDI-nagZ-ampR regulatory circuit. These findings reveal, for the
      first time, a linkage between LTs, the CreBC TCS, the ampNG-ampDI-nagZ-ampR
      regulatory circuit, and L1/L2 beta-lactamase expression in S. maltophilia. 

PMID- 26282433
TI  - Conscious voiding during bladder obstruction in guinea pigs correlates with
      contractile activity of isolated bladders.
AB  - PURPOSE: There are many hypotheses accounting for detrusor overactivity; however,
      the exact mechanisms are still incompletely understood. We used a model of
      bladder outlet obstruction in male guinea pigs as a way to produce detrusor
      overactivity. The objective was to determine whether changes in voiding of
      obstructed guinea pigs correlates with specific changes in contractile activity
      of their isolated bladders in vitro. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Conscious voiding
      activity of sham-operated and obstructed animals was measured in metabolic cages.
      Contractile activity (spontaneous or evoked by distension, electrical field
      stimulation or cholinergic agonists) was recorded via a pressure transducer in
      the isolated bladders in vitro. RESULTS: The frequency of conscious voiding
      increased (while voiding volume decreased) in the obstructed group, compared with
      the sham-operated group, 4 weeks after surgical intervention. In comparison to
      the sham-operated animals, the bladders from the obstructed guinea pigs were
      enlarged and inflamed, their frequency of spontaneous contractions was higher,
      while the amplitudes of electrical field stimulation (EFS)-induced contractions
      and bladder compliance were lower. Changes in conscious voiding during
      obstruction were significantly associated with alterations in structural
      parameters (bladder weight, thickness and histological damage score) and
      functional contractile parameters (frequency of spontaneous contractions,
      amplitude of EFS-induced contractions and bladder compliance) of their isolated
      bladders. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings revealed significant association between
      conscious voiding and structural and contractile activity changes of the isolated
      bladders in obstruction. The data suggest that change in contractile activity of
      the bladder itself is a major contributor to obstruction-induced bladder
      overactivity.

PMID- 26282432
TI  - FrzA gene protects cardiomyocytes from H2O2-induced oxidative stress through
      restraining the Wnt/Frizzled pathway.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lately, there is accumulating evidence that the Wnt/Frizzled pathway
      is reactivated after myocardial infarction, the inhibition of the pathway is
      beneficial since it reduce of myocardial apoptosis and prevents heart failure.
      FrzA/Sfrp-1, a secreted frizzled-related protein and antagonist for the
      wnt/frizzled pathway. We assessed the hypothesis that FrzA protects
      cardiomyocytes from H2O2-Induced Oxidative damage through the inhibition of
      Wnt/Frizzled pathway activity. METHODS: We used a recombinant AAV9 vector to
      deliver FrzA gene into neonatal rat ventricle myocytes and developed an oxidative
      stress model using H2O2. The cell vitality was measured by MTT colorimetric
      assay. Western blot and RT-PCR were used to evaluate the expressions of Dvl-1,
      beta-catenin, c-Myc, Bax and Bcl-2. Flow cytometry analysis of cardiomyocytes
      apoptosis. RESULTS: We confirmed that Wnt/frizzled pathway is involved in H2O2
      induced apoptosis in cardiomyocytes. Compared with controls, H2O2 induced the
      upregulation of Dvl-1, beta-catenin, and c-Myc. FrzA suppressed the expression of
      Dvl-1, beta-catenin, c-Myc and the activity of the Wnt/frizzled pathway.
      Furthermore, FrzA over-expression decreased the apoptotic rate, and the Bax/Bcl-2
      ratio in cardiomyocytes treated with H2O2. CONCLUSIONS: FrzA, through the
      inhibition of Wnt/Frizzled pathway activity reduced H2O2-induced cardiomyocytes
      apoptosis and could be a potential therapeutic target for prevention of cardiac
      oxidative damage.

PMID- 26282434
TI  - Melon Genome Study Reveals Recent Impacts of Breeding.

PMID- 26282435
TI  - A plasmonic nanosensor with inverse sensitivity for circulating cell-free DNA
      quantification.
AB  - A plasmonic nanosensor (using gold nanorods) with inverse sensitivity is
      presented for circulating cell-free DNA quantification. The inverse sensitivity
      (i.e. the lower the analyte concentration, the higher the response intensity) is
      achieved by the unusual DNA concentration-dependent gold nanorod aggregation.
      This assay method can adjust the dynamic range by controlling the concentration
      of nanoparticles in solution. 

PMID- 26282436
TI  - Ethical considerations in tissue engineering research: Case studies in
      translation.
AB  - Tissue engineering research is a complex process that requires investigators to
      focus on the relationship between their research and anticipated gains in both
      knowledge and treatment improvements. The ethical considerations arising from
      tissue engineering research are similarly complex when addressing the
      translational progression from bench to bedside, and investigators in the field
      of tissue engineering act as moral agents at each step of their research along
      the translational pathway, from early benchwork and preclinical studies to
      clinical research. This review highlights the ethical considerations and
      challenges at each stage of research, by comparing issues surrounding two
      translational tissue engineering technologies: the bioartificial pancreas and a
      tissue engineered skeletal muscle construct. We present relevant ethical issues
      and questions to consider at each step along the translational pathway, from the
      basic science bench to preclinical research to first-in-human clinical trials.
      Topics at the bench level include maintaining data integrity, appropriate
      reporting and dissemination of results, and ensuring that studies are designed to
      yield results suitable for advancing research. Topics in preclinical research
      include the principle of "modest translational distance" and appropriate animal
      models. Topics in clinical research include key issues that arise in early-stage
      clinical trials, including selection of patient-subjects, disclosure of
      uncertainty, and defining success. The comparison of these two technologies and
      their ethical issues brings to light many challenges for translational tissue
      engineering research and provides guidance for investigators engaged in
      development of any tissue engineering technology.

PMID- 26282437
TI  - Nitrifying bacterial biomass and nitrification activity evaluated by FISH and an
      automatic on-line instrument at full-scale Fusina (Venice, Italy) WWTP.
AB  - In this study, monthly variations in biomass of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB)
      and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) were analysed over a 1-year period by
      fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) at the full-scale Fusina WWTP. The
      nitrification capacity of the plant was also monitored using periodic
      respirometric batch tests and by an automated on-line titrimetric instrument
      (TITrimetric Automated ANalyser). The percentage of nitrifying bacteria in the
      plant was the highest in summer and was in the range of 10-15 % of the active
      biomass. The maximum nitrosation rate varied in the range 2.0-4.0 mg NH4 g(-1)
      VSS h(-1) (0.048-0.096 kg TKN kg(-1) VSS day(-1)): values obtained by laboratory
      measurements and the on-line instrument were similar and significantly
      correlated. The activity measurements provided a valuable tool for estimating the
      maximum total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) loading possible at the plant and provided
      an early warning of whether the TKN was approaching its limiting value. The FISH
      analysis permitted determination of the nitrifying biomass present. The main
      operational parameter affecting both the population dynamics and the maximum
      nitrosation activity was mixed liquor volatile suspended solids (MLVSS)
      concentration and was negatively correlated with ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB)
      (p = 0.029) and (NOB) (p = 0.01) abundances and positively correlated with
      maximum nitrosation rates (p = 0.035). Increases in concentrations led to
      decreases in nitrifying bacteria abundance, but their nitrosation activity was
      higher. These results demonstrate the importance of MLVSS concentration as key
      factor in the development and activity of nitrifying communities in wastewater
      treatment plants (WWTPs). Operational data on VSS and sludge volume index (SVI)
      values are also presented on 11-year basis observations.

PMID- 26282438
TI  - Assessing metal transfer to vegetation and grazers on reclaimed pyritic Zn and Pb
      tailings.
AB  - A study of the concentrations of zinc and lead in an engineered soil capping
      system overlying sulphide mine tailings was undertaken. Tailings geochemistry,
      soil cover and vegetation were monitored over a 4-year period, and a cattle
      grazing demonstration exercise was conducted over a 1-year period. Whilst the
      tailings had a relatively high pyrite content and demonstrated oxidation, a
      circum neutral pH was observed for the duration of the study period due to the
      high dolomitic content. No evidence of metal mobility into the soil cover and
      vegetation was observed over the monitoring period. Relatively high Zn herbage
      content is attributed to the glacial till component of the soil cover. Similarly,
      no evidence of metal transfer to grazing cattle was observed through blood and
      tissue analysis with Zn content not significantly different from control animals.
      Pb tissue content was below limit of detection. 

PMID- 26282440
TI  - The sources of streamwater to small mountainous rivers in Taiwan during typhoon
      and non-typhoon seasons.
AB  - The dynamics and behaviors of streamwater chemistry are rarely documented for
      subtropical small mountainous rivers. A 1-year detailed time series of
      streamwater chemistry, using non-typhoon and typhoon samples, was monitored in
      two watersheds, with and without cultivation, in central Taiwan. Rainwater, soil
      leachate, and well water were supplemented to explain the streamwater chemistry.
      The concentrations of fluoride, chloride, sulfate, magnesium, potassium, calcium,
      strontium, silicon, and barium of all the water samples were measured. Principal
      component analysis and residual analysis were applied to examine the mechanisms
      of solute transport and investigate possible sources contributing to the
      streamwater chemistry. In addition to the influence of well water and soil
      leachate on streamwater chemistry during non-typhoon period, overland flow and
      surface erosion affect streamwater chemistry during the typhoon period. The
      latter has not been discussed in previous studies. Surface erosion is likely to
      be an end member and non-conservatively mixed with other end members, resulting
      in a previously unobserved blank zone in the mixing space. This has a
      particularly great impact on small mountainous watersheds, which suffer from
      rapid erosion. Moreover, fertilizer contaminates agricultural soil, making soil
      water end members more identifiable. To our knowledge, this study is the first to
      clearly illustrate the dynamics and sources of streamwater chemistry of small
      mountainous rivers that are analogous to rivers in Oceania.

PMID- 26282439
TI  - Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans, and dioxin-like polychlorinated
      biphenyls in sediments from the Yellow and Yangtze Rivers, China.
AB  - Polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and polychlorinated
      biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic environmental pollutants that are often found in
      sediments. The Yangtze and Yellow rivers in China are two of the largest rivers
      in Asia and are therefore important aquatic ecosystems; however, few studies have
      investigated the PCDD/F and PCB content in the sediments of these rivers.
      Accordingly, this study was conducted to generate baseline data for future
      environmental risk assessments. In the present study, 26 surface sediments from
      the middle reaches of the Yellow and Yangtze rivers were analyzed for PCDD/Fs and
      dioxin-like (dl) PCBs by high-resolution gas chromatography and high-resolution
      mass spectrometry. The ranges of PCDD/F, dl-PCB, and WHO-TEQ content in sediments
      from the Yellow River were 2.1-19.8, 1.11-9.9, and 0.08-0.57 pg/g (dry weight),
      respectively. The ranges of PCDD/F, dl-PCB, and WHO-TEQ content in sediments from
      the Yangtze River were 6.1-84.9, 1.8-24.1, and 0.13-0.29 pg/g (dry weight),
      respectively. Total organic carbon and dl-PCB contents in the Yellow River were
      significantly correlated (Spearman's correlation coefficient, r = 0.64, P <
      0.05). It is well known that total organic carbon plays a role in the transport
      and redistribution of dl-PCB. Principal component analysis indicated that PCDD/Fs
      may arise from pentachlorophenol, sodium pentachlorophenate, and atmospheric
      deposition, while dl-PCBs likely originate from burning of coal and wood for
      domestic heating. The dioxin levels in the river sediments examined in this study
      were relatively low. These findings advance our knowledge regarding eco-toxicity
      and provide useful information regarding contamination sources.

PMID- 26282441
TI  - Causal nexus between energy consumption and carbon dioxide emission for Malaysia
      using maximum entropy bootstrap approach.
AB  - This study investigates the relationship between energy consumption and carbon
      dioxide emission in the causal framework, as the direction of causality remains
      has a significant policy implication for developed and developing countries. The
      study employed maximum entropy bootstrap (Meboot) approach to examine the causal
      nexus between energy consumption and carbon dioxide emission using bivariate as
      well as multivariate framework for Malaysia, over a period of 1975-2013. This is
      a unified approach without requiring the use of conventional techniques based on
      asymptotical theory such as testing for possible unit root and cointegration. In
      addition, it can be applied in the presence of non-stationary of any type
      including structural breaks without any type of data transformation to achieve
      stationary. Thus, it provides more reliable and robust inferences which are
      insensitive to time span as well as lag length used. The empirical results show
      that there is a unidirectional causality running from energy consumption to
      carbon emission both in the bivariate model and multivariate framework, while
      controlling for broad money supply and population density. The results indicate
      that Malaysia is an energy-dependent country and hence energy is stimulus to
      carbon emissions. 

PMID- 26282442
TI  - Cancer risk of petrochemical workers exposed to airborne PAHs in industrial
      Lanzhou City, China.
AB  - This paper reports the connections between red blood cells abnormality risk of
      petrochemical workers and their exposure to airborne polycyclic aromatic
      hydrocarbons (PAHs). Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP), as the biomarker of PAHs
      exposure, was adopted to assess the exposure risk of the petrochemical workers to
      PAHs in Xigu, the west suburb of Lanzhou where petrochemical industries are
      located. Fifty-three workers, sub-grouped to 36 petrochemical workers and 17
      office workers, participated in this investigation. Logistic regression model and
      spearman correlation analysis were performed to estimate the associations between
      PAHs exposure levels and red blood cells abnormality risk of petrochemical
      workers. Strong associations between some red cell indices (MCH, MCHC, RDW) and 1
      OHP concentration were found. Results also show that the red blood cells
      abnormality risk increased with increasing PAHs exposure level. Compared with
      office workers, risk level of red blood cells abnormality in petrochemical
      workers was higher by 41.7 % (OR, 1.417; 95 % CI: 0.368-5.456) than that in
      office workers. This result was verified by the tissue-to-human blood partition
      coefficient for pyrene and 1-OHP. The quantitative assessments of the potential
      health risk through inhalation exposure to PAHs were conducted using the
      Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR) model. It was found the ILCR from
      inhalation exposure to PAHs for the petrochemical workers ranged from 10(-5) to
      10(-4) with 95 % probability, indicating that petrochemical plant workers were
      under a high potential cancer risk level.

PMID- 26282443
TI  - Evaluation of organic amendment on the effect of cadmium bioavailability in
      contaminated soils using the DGT technique and traditional methods.
AB  - Organic amendments have been widely proposed as a remediation technology for
      metal-contaminated soils, but there exist controversial results on their
      effectiveness. In this study, the effect of pig manure addition on cadmium (Cd)
      bioavailability in Cd-contaminated soils was systematically evaluated by one
      dynamic, in situ technique of diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) and four
      traditional methods based on the equilibrium theory (soil solution concentration
      and the three commonly used extractants, i.e., acetic acid (HAc), ethylenediamine
      tetraacetic acid (EDTA), and calcium chloride (CaCl2). Wheat and maize were
      selected for measurement of plant Cd uptake. The results showed that pig manure
      addition could promote the growth of two plants, accompanied by increasing
      biomasses of shoots and roots with increasing doses of pig manure addition.
      Correspondingly, increasing additions of pig manure reduced plant Cd uptake and
      accumulation, as indicated by the decreases of Cd concentrations in shoots and
      roots. The bioavailable concentrations of Cd in Cd-contaminated soils reflected
      by the DGT technique obviously decreased with increasing doses of pig manure
      addition, following the same changing trend as plant Cd uptake. Changes in soil
      solution Cd concentration and extractable Cd by HAc, EDTA, and CaCl2 in soils
      were similar to DGT measurement. Meanwhile, the capability of Cd resupply from
      solid phase to soil solution decreased with increasing additions of pig manure,
      as reflected by the decreases in the ratio (R) value of C DGT to C sol. Positive
      correlations were observed between various bioavailable indicators of Cd in soils
      and Cd concentrations in the tissues of the two plants. These findings provide
      stronger evidence that pig manure amendment is effective in reducing Cd mobility
      and bioavailability in soils and it is an ideal organic material for remediation
      of Cd-contaminated soils.

PMID- 26282444
TI  - Relationship between metabolism and ovarian activity in dairy cows with different
      dry period lengths.
AB  - The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the effects of dry period
      length on ovarian activity in cows fed a lipogenic or a glucogenic diet within
      100 days in milk (DIM) and to determine relationships between ovarian activity
      and energy balance and metabolic status in early lactation. Holstein-Friesian
      dairy cows (n = 167) were randomly assigned to one of three dry period lengths
      (0, 30, or 60 days) and one of two diets in early lactation (glucogenic or
      lipogenic diet) resulting in a 3 * 2 factorial design. Cows were monitored for
      body condition score, milk yield, dry matter intake, and energy balance from
      calving to week 8 postpartum, and blood was sampled weekly from 95 cows from
      calving to week 8 postpartum. Milk samples were collected three times a week
      until 100 DIM postpartum for determination of progesterone concentration. At
      least two succeeding milk samples with progesterone concentration of 2 ng/mL or
      greater were used to indicate the occurrence of luteal activity. Normal
      resumption of ovarian cyclicity was defined as the onset of luteal activity (OLA)
      occurring at 45 DIM or less, followed by regular ovarian cycles of 18 to 24 days
      in length. Within 100 DIM postpartum, cows with a 0-day dry period had greater
      incidence of normal resumption of ovarian cyclicity (53.2%; 25 out of 47 cows)
      compared with cows with a 60-day dry period (26.0%; 13 out of 50 cows, P = 0.02).
      Independent of dry period length or diet, cows with OLA at less than 21 DIM had a
      greater body condition score during weeks 1 and 2 (P = 0.01) and weeks 1 through
      8 (P = 0.01) postpartum compared with cows with OLA at greater than 30 DIM. Cows
      with the first ovarian cycle of medium length (18-24 days) had greater energy
      balance (P = 0.03), plasma concentrations of insulin (P = 0.03), glucose (P =
      0.04), and insulin-like growth factor I (P = 0.04) than cows with long ovarian
      cycle lengths (>24 days) but had lower plasma beta-hydroxybutyrate (P < 0.01) and
      liver triacylglycerol (P = 0.02) concentrations than cows with short ovarian
      cycle lengths (<18 days) during weeks 1 through 8 postpartum. Diet did not affect
      the measured ovarian activity variables within 100 DIM. In conclusion, omitting
      the dry period (0 days) increased the incidence of normal resumption of ovarian
      cyclicity in dairy cows within 100 DIM compared with a conventional dry period
      (60 days). Short (<18 days) or long (>24 days) ovarian cycles during the first
      ovarian cycle postpartum were associated with severe negative energy balance and
      poor metabolic status in early lactation. 

PMID- 26282445
TI  - The bilingual advantage: Elusive but worth the effort?

PMID- 26282446
TI  - Autism spectrum disorder: Presentation and prevalence in a nationally
      representative Australian sample.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence of parent
      reported autism spectrum disorder diagnosis in Australia, and examine the
      developmental profile of children with autism spectrum disorder compared to their
      peers. DESIGN/SETTING: Secondary analyses were undertaken on data from the
      Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. PARTICIPANTS: Children were recruited
      at kindergarten (K cohort) and birth (B cohort), and subsequently completed two
      yearly 'waves' of assessments. MAIN OUTCOMES: Autism spectrum disorder diagnostic
      status was ascertained at Wave 4 along with age of diagnosis by parent report.
      Standardised tools were used to assess children's quality of life, behaviour,
      receptive vocabulary and non-verbal intelligence. RESULTS: Prevalence of autism
      spectrum disorder was 2.5% (95% confidence interval = [2.0, 3.0]) in the B cohort
      compared to 1.5% (95% confidence interval = [1.2, 2.0]) in the K cohort. In both
      cohorts, children with autism spectrum disorder had poorer mean quality of life,
      emotional-behavioural functioning and receptive vocabulary compared with non
      autism spectrum disorder peers, and a higher proportion of children with autism
      spectrum disorder had problems in these areas. However, between 6% and 9% of
      children with moderate to severe autism spectrum disorder and 12-20% with mild
      autism spectrum disorder were not reported to have problems with social
      interaction. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of a parent-reported diagnosis of autism
      spectrum disorder before age 7 in Australia was higher in the B cohort. Data from
      future Longitudinal Study of Australian Children waves will clarify whether
      autism spectrum disorder has been diagnosed earlier in the B cohort or if there
      is a continued increase in prevalence. Future waves will also provide crucial
      information about the types and severity of problems experienced during the
      primary and secondary school years which will assist service planning.

PMID- 26282447
TI  - Tissue-Based Proteogenomics Reveals that Human Testis Endows Plentiful Missing
      Proteins.
AB  - Investigations of missing proteins (MPs) are being endorsed by many bioanalytical
      strategies. We proposed that proteogenomics of testis tissue was a feasible
      approach to identify more MPs because testis tissues have higher gene expression
      levels. Here we combined proteomics and transcriptomics to survey gene expression
      in human testis tissues from three post-mortem individuals. Proteins were
      extracted and separated with glycine- and tricine-SDS-PAGE. A total of 9597
      protein groups were identified; of these, 166 protein groups were listed as MPs,
      including 138 groups (83.1%) with transcriptional evidence. A total of 2948
      proteins are designated as MPs, and 5.6% of these were identified in this study.
      The high incidence of MPs in testis tissue indicates that this is a rich resource
      for MPs. Functional category analysis revealed that the biological processes that
      testis MPs are mainly involved in are sexual reproduction and spermatogenesis.
      Some of the MPs are potentially involved in tumorgenesis in other tissues.
      Therefore, this proteogenomics analysis of individual testis tissues provides
      convincing evidence of the discovery of MPs. All mass spectrometry data from this
      study have been deposited in the ProteomeXchange (data set identifier PXD002179).

PMID- 26282449
TI  - Multiple visions of Indonesia's mud volcano: understanding representations of
      disaster across discursive settings.
AB  - The Lapindo mudflow is one of the most controversial disasters in Indonesian
      history. Despite its unique biophysical features, most consider the mudflow a
      social disaster as scientific conflicts about its main trigger have evolved into
      legal disputes over accountability and rights. This paper examines this 'trigger
      debate', the stakes of scientific contention and the broader social and natural
      dynamics that shape the terms of this debate. A Latourian impulse drives this
      analysis, which aims to improve both understandings of--and responses to--complex
      disasters. This paper also notes that the stakes of representation extend to
      constructions of its stakeholders, especially to victims. As socionatural
      disasters become an increasingly common feature of the contemporary world, from
      mud volcanoes to extreme weather events caused by global warming, it is more
      important than ever to understand the dynamics of representing disasters and
      stakeholders.

PMID- 26282448
TI  - Financial burden among US households affected by cancer at the end of life.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Economic burden on families coping with end-stage cancer remains
      poorly understood. Advanced malignancy threatens financial stability of families,
      and interventions are needed to buffer them from impoverishment. This study
      examined the relationship between subjective and objective assessments of
      financial burden on families (financial strain and stress, respectively) and
      identified potentially modifiable factors to inform intervention efforts.
      METHODS: Using national survey data, we analyzed responses from households that
      had recently experienced a cancer death; 176 of households provided information
      on financial strain, and 158 provided data on financial stress. In addition to
      self-reported appraisals of financial burden, measures assessed elements of the
      cancer care experience, treatment, symptom burden, work impact, insurance
      coverage, and demographics. RESULTS: Despite being well insured, approximately a
      quarter of respondents reported that the cost of care was a major financial
      burden, and a third used all or most of their savings. Financial strain and
      stress were moderately positively correlated (r = 0.46, p < 0.01). Higher
      financial stress scores were negatively correlated with decedent's age at death
      (r = -0.34, p < 0.01), and minority respondents ('other' race) reported much
      higher financial stress (M = 4.7; SD = 3.2) than White (M = 0.8; SD = 1.4) or
      Black (M = 1.6; SD = 2.2) respondents (p < 0.001). Financial burden was also
      associated with no or limited insurance coverage, changes in employment, severe
      pain and nausea, and provider interactions during the cancer care experience
      (e.g., whether the MD paid attention to non-medical factors or having unanswered
      questions about medications) (p < 0.05 for all). CONCLUSIONS: The cancer care
      experience, symptoms, and work impact were associated with financial burden and
      have important implications for research and practice. Copyright (c) 2015 John
      Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 26282450
TI  - The HLA-A*2402/Cw*0102 haplotype is associated with lamotrigine-induced
      maculopapular eruption in the Korean population.
AB  - The use of lamotrigine (LTG) can be limited by the occurrence of cutaneous
      adverse drug reactions (cADRs) that range from maculopapular eruption (MPE) to
      the more severe Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis. A few
      human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-related genetic risk factors for carbamazepine
      induced cADR have been identified. However, the HLA-related genetic risk factors
      associated with LTG-induced cADR are not yet well known. We performed HLA
      genotyping in 50 Korean patients with epilepsy, including 21 patients presenting
      LTG-induced MPE and 29 LTG-tolerant patients. A significant association between
      the HLA-A*2402 allele and LTG-induced MPE was identified, in comparison with the
      LTG-tolerant group (odds ratio [OR] 4.09, p = 0.025) and the general Korean
      population (OR 3.949, p = 0.005). The frequencies of the Cw*0102 or Cw*0702
      alleles were significantly higher in the LTG-MPE group than in the Korean
      population, whereas the frequency of the A*3303 allele was lower. The coexistence
      of the A*2402 and Cw*0102 alleles was significantly associated with the LTG-MPE
      group when compared to the LTG-tolerant group (OR 7.88, p = 0.007). In addition,
      the Cw*0701 allele was more frequent in the LTG-tolerant group than in the Korean
      population. These findings suggest the presence of HLA-related genetic risk
      factors for LTG-induced MPE in the Korean population. 

PMID- 26282451
TI  - Synthesis, Single Crystal, and Physical Properties of Asymmetrical
      Thiophene/Selenophene-Fused Twistacenes.
AB  - Two asymmetrical twistacenes, PyPT and PyPS, have been synthesized and
      characterized. Single crystal X-ray analyses show that both of them have twisted
      structures with a torsion angle of 26.65 degrees  for PyPT and 26.59 degrees  for
      PyPS measured between plane C5-C23-C25 and plane C13-C15-C26. The
      thiophene/selenophene-fused acenes emit blue fluorescence with quantum yields of
      0.39 for PyPT and 0.04 for PyPS in organic solvents, whereas the all-carbon
      molecule HBP emits green fluorescence. Meanwhile, PyPT and PyPS show a similar
      reversible oxide procedure with the onset potentials of 0.73 and 0.72 V,
      respectively. In addition, PyPT and PyPS can self-assemble to form nanoparticles
      in a mixture of THF/H2O through re-precipitation method.

PMID- 26282452
TI  - Carbon monoxide and stroke: A time series study of ambient air pollution and
      emergency hospitalizations.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recent experimental and clinical studies suggested that exogenous
      carbon monoxide (CO) at low concentrations may have beneficial neuroprotective
      effects under certain circumstances. However, population-based epidemiological
      studies of environmentally relevant CO exposure generated mixed findings. The
      present study aimed to examine the short-term association of ambient CO with
      emergency stroke hospitalizations. METHODS: A time series study was conducted.
      Daily air pollution concentrations and emergency hospital admission data from
      January 2004 to December 2011 in Hong Kong were collected. Generalized additive
      Poisson models were used to estimate the associations between daily 24-hour mean
      concentrations of CO and emergency hospital admissions for stroke, while
      controlling for other traffic related co-pollutants: NO2 and PM2.5. Sensitivity
      analyses were performed using daily 1-hour maximum concentration of CO as
      exposure indicator. RESULTS: Negative associations were observed between ambient
      CO concentrations and emergency hospital admissions for stroke. The previous 1-3
      day cumulative exposure to CO was associated with a -2.0% (95%CI, -3.3% to -0.7%)
      decrease in stroke admissions per interquartile range (IQR) increment in CO
      concentration (0.3 ppm). Similar results were obtained when using 1-hour maximum
      concentration of CO as exposure indicator. The negative association was robust to
      the co-pollutant adjustment for either NO2 or PM2.5. Females and elders appeared
      to be more sensitive to ambient CO exposure. The negative association tended to
      be larger in cool season. CONCLUSION: Short-term exposure to ambient CO was
      associated with decreased risk of emergency hospitalizations for stroke,
      suggesting some acute protective effects of CO exposure against stroke onsets.

PMID- 26282454
TI  - PREVENTING CHILD AND ADOLESCENT ANXIETY DISORDERS: OVERVIEW OF SYSTEMATIC
      REVIEWS.
AB  - Overviews of systematic reviews (OSRs) provide rapid access to high quality,
      consolidated research evidence about prevention intervention options, supporting
      evidence-informed decision-making, and the identification of fruitful areas of
      new research. This OSR addressed three questions about prevention strategies for
      child and adolescent anxiety: (1) Does the intervention prevent anxiety diagnosis
      and/or reduce anxiety symptoms compared to passive controls? (2) Is the
      intervention equal to or more effective than active controls? (3) What is the
      evidence quality (EQ) for the intervention? Prespecified inclusion criteria
      identified systematic reviews and meta-analyses (2000-2014) with an AMSTAR
      quality score >= 3/5. EQ was rated using Oxford evidence levels EQ1 (highest) to
      EQ5 (lowest). Three reviews met inclusion criteria. One narrative systematic
      review concluded school-based interventions reduce anxiety symptoms. One meta
      analysis pooled 65 randomized controlled trials (RCTs; any intervention) and
      reported a small, statistically significant reduction in anxiety symptoms and
      diagnosis incidence. Neither review provided pooled effect size estimates for
      specific intervention options defined by type (i.e.,
      universal/selective/indicated), intervention content, or comparison group (i.e.,
      passive/active control), thus precluding EQ ratings. One meta-analysis pooled
      trials of vigorous exercise and reported small, nonstatistically significant
      reductions in anxiety symptoms for comparisons against passive and active
      controls (EQ1). Better use of primary studies in meta-analyses, including program
      specific pooled effect size estimates and network meta-analysis is needed to
      guide evidence-informed anxiety prevention program choices. RCTs of innovative
      community/primary care based interventions and web-based strategies can fill
      knowledge gaps.

PMID- 26282455
TI  - Undiagnosed cardiac sarcoidosis presenting as complete heart block and
      ventricular arrhythmia.
AB  - Cardiac involvement in sarcoidosis has been reported to be as high as 50% of
      cases and it is well documented that it is associated with a poorer prognosis.
      Early recognition and treatment is key to reducing the risk of fatal arrhythmias
      and heart failure. We report a case of undiagnosed systemic sarcoidosis in a
      young man who initially presented to the emergency department with complete heart
      block in the context of preserved biventricular systolic function, and then again
      with ventricular tachycardia and moderately impaired left ventricular systolic
      function. We discuss how 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography with
      CT was used for accurate diagnosis and how its role in the management of
      sarcoidosis has expanded with recent evidence suggesting it to be a mainstay of
      management and disease monitoring in cardiac sarcoidosis. 

PMID- 26282453
TI  - Association studies of genomic variants with treatment response to risperidone,
      clozapine, quetiapine and chlorpromazine in the Chinese Han population.
AB  - Schizophrenia is a widespread mental disease with a prevalence of about 1% in the
      world population. Continuous long-term treatment is required to maintain social
      functioning and prevent symptom relapse of schizophrenia patients. However, there
      are considerable individual differences in response to the antipsychotic drugs.
      There is a pressing need to identify more drug-response-related markers. But most
      pharmacogenomics of schizophrenia have typically focused on a few candidate genes
      in small sample size. In this study, 995 subjects were selected for discovering
      the drug-response-related markers. A total of 77 single-nucleotide polymorphisms
      of 25 genes have been investigated for four commonly used antipsychotic drugs in
      China: risperidone, clozapine, quetiapine, and chlorpromazine. Significant
      associations with treatment response for several genes, such as CYP2D6, CYP2C19,
      COMT, ABCB1, DRD3 and HTR2C have been verified in our study. Also, we found
      several new candidate genes (TNIK, RELN, NOTCH4 and SLC6A2) and combinations
      (haplotype rs1544325-rs5993883-rs6269-rs4818 in COMT) that are associated with
      treatment response to the four drugs. Also, multivariate interactions analysis
      demonstrated the combination of rs6269 in COMT and rs3813929 in HTR2C may work as
      a predictor to improve the clinical antipsychotic response. So our study is of
      great significance to improve current knowledge on the pharmacogenomics of
      schizophrenia, thus promoting the implementation of personalized medicine in
      schizophrenia.The Pharmacogenomics Journal advance online publication, 18 August
      2015; doi:10.1038/tpj.2015.61.

PMID- 26282456
TI  - Isolated CNS Whipple's disease: a diagnostic dilemma.

PMID- 26282457
TI  - A rare case of bilateral chylothorax: a diagnostic challenge--follicular lymphoma
      versus primary effusion lymphoma.
AB  - Chylothorax is most common on the left side owing to the position of the thoracic
      duct. Malignancy-associated chylothorax is not uncommon. However, bilateral
      chylothorax is rare and malignancy should be a consideration in absence of
      trauma. We report a case of a patient with follicular lymphoma who presented with
      bilateral pleural effusion; pleural fluid analysis confirmed chylothorax. The
      patient did not have any significant peripheral or axial lymphadenopathy, which
      made the diagnosis difficult in absence of histopathology. Pleural fluid analysis
      was negative for malignant cells, however, the flow cytometry markers were
      suggestive of follicular lymphoma. Primary effusion lymphoma, which could have
      been another possibility, was ruled out by the flow cytometry markers. We
      conclude that pleural fluid flow cytometry markers play an important role where
      there is no significant lymphadenopathy and in absence of histopathological
      diagnosis. This demands further evaluation. 

PMID- 26282458
TI  - Transplantation of placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells enhances angiogenesis
      after ischemic limb injury in mice.
AB  - Mesenchymal stem cell-based therapy has emerged as a promising approach for the
      treatment of peripheral arterial disease. The purpose of this study was to
      examine the potential effects of human placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells
      (PMSCs) on mouse hindlimb ischemia. PMSCs were isolated from human placenta
      tissue and characterized by flow cytometry. An in vivo surgical ligation-induced
      murine limb ischemia model was generated with fluorescent dye (CM-DiI) labelled
      PMSCs delivered via intramuscular injection. Our data show that PMSCs treatment
      significantly enhanced microvessel density, improved blood perfusion and
      diminished pathologies in ischemic mouse hindlimbs as compared to those in the
      control group. Further immunostaining studies suggested that injected PMSCs can
      incorporate into the vasculature and differentiate into endothelial and smooth
      muscle cells to enhance angiogenesis in ischemic hind limbs. This may in part
      explain the beneficial effects of PMSCs treatment. Taken together, we found that
      PMSCs treatment might be an effective treatment modality for treatment of
      ischemia-induced injury to mouse hind limbs by enhancement of angiogenesis. 

PMID- 26282460
TI  - Quick Fabrication of Large-area Organic Semiconductor Single Crystal Arrays with
      a Rapid Annealing Self-Solution-Shearing Method.
AB  - In this paper, we developed a new method to produce large-area single crystal
      arrays by using the organic semiconductor 9, 10-bis (phenylethynyl) anthracene
      (BPEA). This method involves an easy operation, is efficient, meets the demands
      of being low-cost and is independent of the substrate for large-area arrays
      fabrication. Based on these single crystal arrays, the organic field effect
      transistors exhibit the superior performance with the average mobility extracting
      from the saturation region of 0.2 cm(2) V(-1)s(-1) (the highest 0.47 cm(2) V(
      1)s(-1)) and on/off ratio exceeding 10(5). In addition, our single crystal arrays
      also show a very high photoswitch performance with an on/off current ratio up to
      4.1 * 10(5), which is one of the highest values reported for organic materials.
      It is believed that this method provides a new way to fabricate single crystal
      arrays and has the potential for application to large area organic electronics.

PMID- 26282459
TI  - Dual action of leptin on rest-firing and stimulated catecholamine release via
      phosphoinositide 3-kinase-driven BK channel up-regulation in mouse chromaffin
      cells.
AB  - KEY POINTS: Leptin is an adipokine produced by the adipose tissue regulating body
      weight through its appetite-suppressing effect and, as such, exerts a relevant
      action on the adipo-adrenal axis. Leptin has a dual action on adrenal mouse
      chromaffin cells both at rest and during stimulation. At rest, the adipokine
      inhibits the spontaneous firing of most cells by enhancing the probability of BK
      channel opening through the phosphoinositide 3-kinase signalling cascade. This
      inhibitory effect is absent in db(-) /db(-) mice deprived of Ob receptors. During
      sustained stimulation, leptin preserves cell excitability by generating well
      adapted action potential (AP) trains of lower frequency and broader width and
      increases catecholamine secretion by increasing the size of the ready-releasable
      pool and the rate of vesicle release. In conclusion, leptin dampens AP firing at
      rest but preserves AP firing and enhances catecholamine release during sustained
      stimulation, highlighting the importance of the adipo-adrenal axis in the leptin
      mediated increase of sympathetic tone and catecholamine release. ABSTRACT: Leptin
      is an adipokine produced by the adipose tissue regulating body weight through its
      appetite-suppressing effect. Besides being expressed in the hypothalamus and
      hippocampus, leptin receptors (ObRs) are also present in chromaffin cells of the
      adrenal medulla. In the present study, we report the effect of leptin on mouse
      chromaffin cell (MCC) functionality, focusing on cell excitability and
      catecholamine secretion. Acute application of leptin (1 nm) on spontaneously
      firing MCCs caused a slowly developing membrane hyperpolarization followed by
      complete blockade of action potential (AP) firing. This inhibitory effect at rest
      was abolished by the BK channel blocker paxilline (1 MUm), suggesting the
      involvement of BK potassium channels. Single-channel recordings in 'perforated
      microvesicles' confirmed that leptin increased BK channel open probability
      without altering its unitary conductance. BK channel up-regulation was associated
      with the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) signalling cascade because the PI3K
      specific inhibitor wortmannin (100 nm) fully prevented BK current increase. We
      also tested the effect of leptin on evoked AP firing and Ca(2+) -driven
      exocytosis. Although leptin preserves well-adapted AP trains of lower frequency,
      APs are broader and depolarization-evoked exocytosis is increased as a result of
      the larger size of the ready-releasable pool and higher frequency of vesicle
      release. The kinetics and quantal size of single secretory events remained
      unaltered. Leptin had no effect on firing and secretion in db(-) /db(-) mice
      lacking the ObR gene, confirming its specificity. In conclusion, leptin exhibits
      a dual action on MCC activity. It dampens AP firing at rest but preserves AP
      firing and increases catecholamine secretion during sustained stimulation,
      highlighting the importance of the adipo-adrenal axis in the leptin-mediated
      increase of sympathetic tone and catecholamine release.

PMID- 26282461
TI  - Effects of glucose-lowering and multifactorial interventions on cardiovascular
      and mortality outcomes: a meta-analysis of randomized control trials.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The effect of intensive glycaemic control alone or as part of a
      multifactorial intervention on cardiovascular and mortality outcomes is not fully
      understood. In addition, the interaction of duration of diabetes diagnosis on
      cardiovascular and mortality outcomes is unclear. AIM: To quantify the effect of
      intensive treatment (i.e. intensive glucose lowering either alone or as part of a
      multifactorial intervention) on non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), non-fatal
      stroke, cardiovascular disease (CV) mortality and all-cause mortality in patients
      with Type 2 diabetes. A secondary objective was to investigate the association
      between the treatment effect and trial-level characteristics such as average age,
      duration of Type 2 diabetes, the percentage male and the baseline event rate.
      METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane Central Register of
      Controlled Trials without language restrictions from inception to 13 May 2015. We
      included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated intensive treatment
      in adult patients with Type 2 diabetes. The review was registered on PROSPERO
      (registration number 42014013860). We pooled rates across studies using random
      effects meta-analysis and investigated study-level covariate associations using
      Bayesian meta-regression. RESULTS: A total of 19 RCTs were included: 16 examined
      non-fatal MI (n = 79 595), 14 non-fatal stroke (n = 78 568), 18 cardiovascular
      mortality (n = 83 938) and 18 all-cause mortality (n = 84 266). There was
      evidence to suggest that compared with standard care, intensive treatment reduced
      the risk of non-fatal MI [risk ratio (RR) 0.90, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.83
      0.96], but not non-fatal stroke (RR 0.96, 95% CI 0.86-1.07), CV mortality (RR
      1.00, 95% CI 0.90-1.11) or all-cause mortality (RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.94-1.06).
      Compared with standard care, multifactorial interventions alone reduced non-fatal
      stroke (RR 0.53, 95% CI 0.32-0.0.87) but not non-fatal MI (RR 0.66, 95% CI 0.38
      1.03), CV mortality (RR 0.72, 95% CI 0.46-1.14) or all-cause mortality (RR 0.82,
      95% CI 0.64-1.05). There was no evidence to suggest that the effect of intensive
      treatment on cardiovascular and mortality outcomes was associated with mean age,
      mean duration of Type 2 diabetes and percentage of male patients across trials.
      There was evidence to suggest that the effectiveness of intensive treatment to
      reduce mortality outcomes increases as the baseline incidence of cardiovascular
      mortality [ratio of hazard = 0.82, 95% credible interval (CrI) 0.65-0.99]
      increased across trials, but not baseline incidence of non-fatal MI, non-fatal
      stroke and all-cause mortality. Intensive glucose-lowering and multifactorial
      interventions are predicted to have the desired beneficial effect of reducing CVD
      mortality in populations where the incidence rate is greater than about 6.3 CVD
      deaths per 1000 person-years or an average 10-year CVD risk of 6.3%. CONCLUSIONS:
      Apart from non-fatal MIs, there was no evidence that intensive glucose-lowering
      and multifactorial interventions reduced or increased the risk of cardiovascular
      and mortality outcomes. Intensive glucose-lowering and multifactorial
      interventions are likely to be beneficial in populations with a higher baseline
      incidence of CV mortality, but there was no evidence of an association with the
      mean duration of Type 2 diabetes. Multifactorial interventions had a much greater
      impact on non-fatal MI and non-fatal strokes. (PROSPERO registration no.:
      42014013860).

PMID- 26282462
TI  - Skin perfusion responses under normal and combined loadings: Comparisons between
      legs with venous stasis ulcers and healthy legs.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Venous ulcers, also known as stasis ulcers, are skin wounds often
      found at the medial surface of the lower leg. These wounds are related to chronic
      venous insufficiencies and affect almost 2.5 million patients every year in the
      United States. METHOD: Eighteen participants with venous stasis ulcers on at
      least one leg and twenty healthy participants were tested. Normal and combined
      normal and shear loadings were applied to each lower leg and local blood
      perfusion was monitored. Basal perfusion, post-occlusive reactive hyperemia as
      well as changes in perfusion due to different loadings were compared. FINDINGS:
      Legs with existing venous stasis ulcers ("wounded legs") had the highest reactive
      hyperemia and basal perfusion values. Legs without ulcers but from participants
      with venous stasis ulcers ("non-wounded legs") had intermediate reactive
      hyperemia, and healthy legs exhibited the lowest values. Wounded legs also
      exhibited the largest decrease in blood perfusion under both normal and combined
      loadings. Non-wounded legs decreased perfusion similarly to healthy legs under
      normal loadings; however, non-wounded legs exhibited larger decreases in blood
      flow than healthy legs in response to shear and normal loading together.
      INTERPRETATION: These results suggest that patients with venous stasis disease
      have abnormal responses to tissue loading and raise the possibility that this
      technique may have the potential to identify patients at risk for developing a
      venous stasis ulcer. Moreover, they emphasize the importance of studying shear
      loading in addition to normal loading in attempting to understand the
      pathophysiology of this disease.

PMID- 26282463
TI  - Bone stress in runners with tibial stress fracture.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Combinations of smaller bone geometry and greater applied loads may
      contribute to tibial stress fracture. We examined tibial bone stress, accounting
      for geometry and applied loads, in runners with stress fracture. METHODS: 23
      runners with a history of tibial stress fracture & 23 matched controls ran over a
      force platform while 3-D kinematic and kinetic data were collected. An elliptical
      model of the distal 1/3 tibia cross section was used to estimate stress at 4
      locations (anterior, posterior, medial and lateral). Inner and outer radii for
      the model were obtained from 2 planar x-ray images. Bone stress differences were
      assessed using two-factor ANOVA (alpha=0.05). Key contributors to observed stress
      differences between groups were examined using stepwise regression. FINDINGS:
      Runners with tibial stress fracture experienced greater anterior tension and
      posterior compression at the distal tibia. Location, but not group, differences
      in shear stress were observed. Stepwise regression revealed that anterior
      posterior outer diameter of the tibia and the sagittal plane bending moment
      explained >80% of the variance in anterior and posterior bone stress.
      INTERPRETATION: Runners with tibial stress fracture displayed greater stress
      anteriorly and posteriorly at the distal tibia. Elevated tibial stress was
      associated with smaller bone geometry and greater bending moments about the
      medial-lateral axis of the tibia. Future research needs to identify key running
      mechanics associated with the sagittal plane bending moment at the distal tibia
      as well as to identify ways to improve bone geometry in runners in order to
      better guide preventative and rehabilitative efforts.

PMID- 26282464
TI  - Recent Patents on Nanoparticles and Nanoformulations for Cancer Therapy.
AB  - Cancer is a major malignancy which has claimed numerous lives worldwide. Despite
      huge resources being utilized to develop cancer therapeutics, no effective cure
      has been found so far. Hence there is a need to look at emerging technologies for
      a solution. Nanoparticle is one such technology that has become feasible and
      popular in the past few years. Though, it has not emerged as a drug delivery
      platform of choice for cancer therapeutics it has shown enormous promise.
      Different types of materials such as polymer, lipid, magnet, metal based
      nanoparticles have been developed to enhance the effectiveness of current
      treatment. This manuscript will review different aspects of nanoparticles and
      recent research advances and patents for treatment of cancer. 

PMID- 26282465
TI  - Primary cutaneous follicular helper T-cell lymphoma.
AB  - Follicular helper T-cells (TFH) represent a specific subset of CD4-positive
      helper T-cells that help B-cells to differentiate into long-lived antibody
      secreting plasma cells or memory B-cells. The expression of TFH markers in
      neoplastic T-cells, traditionally related to the angioimmunoblastic (AITL)
      subgroup of peripheral T-cell lymphomas, is nowadays well-known to be more
      widespread than previously thought. We report hereby a case of cutaneous T-cell
      lymphoma in a 75-year-old woman, whose morphological and immunophenotypical
      features raises the differential diagnosis between cutaneous involvement by AITL
      and the recently described primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma with follicular
      helper-phenotype. 

PMID- 26282466
TI  - Treating ischaemia-reperfusion injury with prostaglandin E1 reduces the risk of
      early hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence following liver transplantation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Surgical stress by hepatic ischaemia-reperfusion (I/R) is supposed to
      promote intra- and extrahepatic tumour recurrence. Treatment with prostaglandin
      E1 (PGE1) has been shown to attenuate hepatic I/R injury in liver transplant
      patients, but the potential anti-cancer effects have not been analysed. AIM: To
      evaluate the impact of PGE1 therapy on risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
      recurrence in liver transplant patients. METHODS: A retrospective review of 106
      liver transplant patients with HCC was conducted. Fifty-nine patients underwent
      early post-liver transplantation (LT) treatment with the stable PGE1 analogue
      alprostadil. Administration of alprostadil was correlated with outcome in uni-
      and multivariate analysis. Subgroup analysis focused on patients with HCC beyond
      the Milan criteria (Milan Out) on radiographic imaging. RESULTS: Three- and 5
      year recurrence-free survival rates were 87.9% and 85.7% in the PGE1-group, but
      only 65.3% and 63.1% in the non-PGE1-population (P = 0.003). Multivariate Cox
      regression analysis identified absence of PGE1-treatment (HR = 11.42), along with
      presence of poor tumour grading (HR = 2.69) and microvascular tumour invasion (HR
      = 35.8) to be independently associated with early (within 12 months) HCC
      recurrence. In Milan Out-patients, only therapy with PGE1 (HR = 5.09) and
      well/moderate tumour differentiation (HR = 6.51) were independent promoters of
      recurrence-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: Treating hepatic ischaemia-reperfusion
      injury with alprostadil reduces the risk of early HCC recurrence following LT. In
      particular patients with HCC exceeding the Milan criteria seem to benefit from
      PGE1-treatment. The molecular mechanisms of the anti-tumour effects need to be
      further assessed.

PMID- 26282468
TI  - Leadless pacemakers: leading us into the future?

PMID- 26282467
TI  - Dysregulated cytokine expression in lesional and nonlesional skin in hidradenitis
      suppurativa.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is a dearth of information on the precise pathogenesis of
      hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), but immune dysregulation is implicated.
      OBJECTIVES: To determine the nature of the immune response in HS. METHODS: Skin
      biopsies - lesional, perilesional (2 cm away) and uninvolved (10 cm away) - were
      obtained from patients with HS and healthy controls. The expression of various
      cytokines was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, flow cytometry and
      real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The expression of the inflammatory
      cytokines interleukin (IL)-17, IL-1beta and tumour necrosis factor-alpha was
      enhanced in lesional skin of patients with HS. In addition, IL17A and IL1B mRNA
      were enhanced in clinically normal perilesional skin. CD4(+) T cells produced IL
      17 in HS, while CD11c(+) CD1a(-) CD14(+) cells were sources of IL-1beta.
      Activated caspase-1 was detected in HS skin and was associated with enhanced
      expression of NLRP3 and IL18. Inhibition of caspase-1 decreased IL-1beta and IL
      18 production, suggesting that the caspase-1 pathway participates in IL-1beta and
      IL-18 expression in HS. Abnormal cytokine expression was detected in perilesional
      and uninvolved skin, which may suggest that subclinical inflammation is present
      in HS skin prior to the formation of an active lesion. CONCLUSIONS: This study
      demonstrates that CD4(+) T cells produce IL-17 in HS and that the IL-17 pathway
      may be important in HS pathogenesis. CD11c(+) CD1a(-) CD14(+) cells are a source
      of IL-1beta in HS, the production of which was shown to be mediated, in part, via
      a caspase-1-dependent pathway. These results suggest that IL-17 and the caspase-1
      associated cytokines IL-1beta and IL-18 may play a role in the pathogenesis of
      HS.

PMID- 26282469
TI  - Ventricular arrhythmias after cardiac resynchronization therapy: does reverse
      remodelling reverse risk?

PMID- 26282470
TI  - Chronic and acute LRRK2 silencing has no long-term behavioral effects, whereas
      wild-type and mutant LRRK2 overexpression induce motor and cognitive deficits and
      altered regulation of dopamine release.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Germline silencing of the PD-related protein LRRK2 does not alter
      glutamate or dopamine release in adult mice, but some exploratory abnormalities
      have been reported with ageing. Contrastingly, high levels of human LRRK2 cause
      locomotor alterations and cognitive deficits accompanied by reduced striatal
      dopamine levels, with the latter also observed in G2019S mutant mice. Comparative
      cognitive and motor behavioral testing of LRRK2 KO, overexpressor and mutant
      overexpressor mice has not previously been reported. METHODS: Parallel,
      comparative behavioral characterization was performed assessing motor and
      cognitive abilities. Striatal antisense oligonucleotide injections were conducted
      to investigate the effects of acute LRRK2 silencing on behavior and dopamine
      fiber density. Striatal synaptosomes prepared from hG2019S mice assessed
      vesicular release of dopamine and its sensitivity to D2 autoreceptor stimulation.
      RESULTS: Genetic ablation of LRRK2 has no long-term consequences on motor or
      cognitive function. Consistently, no effects on behavior or dopaminergic fiber
      density were observed following acute striatal silencing. Conversely, 12-month OE
      mice show persistent locomotor deficits and worsening of cognitive abilities;
      whereas, hG2019S mice display early hyperactivity and effective learning and
      memory that progress to decreased motor and cognitive deficits at older ages. The
      G2019S mutation does not affect vesicular dopamine release, but decreases its
      sensitivity to D2-mediated inhibition. CONCLUSION: LRRK2 silencing is well
      tolerated in mouse, arguing PD does not result from LRRK2 loss of function. High
      levels of WT and G2019S LRRK2 produce similar but temporally distinct phenotypes,
      potentially modeling different stages of disease progression. The data implicate
      gain of LRRK2 function in the pathogenesis of PD.

PMID- 26282471
TI  - Gene Expression Signatures as Biomarkers of Tumour Hypoxia.
AB  - Hypoxia is a feature of most solid tumours and is associated with a poor
      prognosis. The hypoxic environment can reduce the efficacy of radiotherapy and
      some chemotherapeutics, and has been investigated extensively as a therapeutic
      target. The clinical use of hypoxia-targeting treatment will benefit from the
      development of a biomarker to assess tumour hypoxia. There are several possible
      techniques that measure either the level of oxygen or the tumour molecular
      response to hypoxia. The latter includes gene expression profiling, which
      measures the transcriptional response of a tumour to its hypoxic
      microenvironment. A systematic review identified 32 published hypoxia gene
      expression signatures. The methods used for their derivation varied, but are
      broadly classified as: (i) identifying genes with significantly higher or lower
      expression in cancer cells cultured under hypoxic versus normoxic conditions;
      (ii) using either previously characterised hypoxia-regulated genes/biomarkers to
      define hypoxic tumours and then identifying other genes that are over- or under
      expressed in the hypoxic tumours. Both generated gene signatures useful in
      furthering our understanding of hypoxia biology. However, signatures derived
      using the second method seem to be superior in terms of providing prognostic
      information. Here we summarise all 32 published hypoxia signatures, discuss their
      commonalities and differences, and highlight their strengths and limitations.
      This review also highlights the importance of reproducibility and gene
      annotation, which must be accounted for to transfer signatures robustly for
      clinical application as biomarkers. 

PMID- 26282472
TI  - Respiratory disease in New Zealand.

PMID- 26282473
TI  - Have chronic respiratory disease, will travel?

PMID- 26282474
TI  - How do you deal with burnout in the clinical workplace?

PMID- 26282475
TI  - Vitamin D supplementation in patients with COPD: Twitter discussions on behalf of
      the University of Toronto Respirology and Sleep Journal Club.

PMID- 26282476
TI  - Vitamin D supplementation in patients with COPD: Twitter discussions on behalf of
      the University of Toronto Respirology and Sleep Journal Club--Authors' Reply.

PMID- 26282477
TI  - Bronchodilator reversibility and cardiac considerations with use of tiotropium.

PMID- 26282478
TI  - Blood eosinophil counts as markers of response to inhaled corticosteroids in
      COPD?

PMID- 26282479
TI  - Blood eosinophil counts as markers of response to inhaled corticosteroids in
      COPD?--Authors' reply.

PMID- 26282481
TI  - Corrections.

PMID- 26282480
TI  - Occupational asthma from a horticultural nematode, Steinernema feltiae.

PMID- 26282482
TI  - Invisible suffering: breathlessness in and beyond the clinic--a reply.

PMID- 26282483
TI  - Shared Decision-Making in Nursing Homes: Factors Associated With the Empowerment
      of Direct Care Workers.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The advantages of empowering direct care workers (DCWs) within nursing
      homes (NHs) are well documented. Our objective is to identify factors that create
      DCW empowerment as this has not received adequate attention. METHOD: The data
      come from a larger study focused on the empowerment of DCWs in NHs. A self
      administered instrument was completed by 372 DCWs within 11 NHs in the north
      Texas region. Cluster analysis and ordinary least squares (OLS) regression were
      performed. RESULTS: Feedback from nurse management to DCWs was positively
      associated with shared decision-making (SDM) and ranked highest followed by
      information exchange, trust in management, and wages linked to performance.
      DISCUSSION: SDM may be enhanced where nurse management shares relevant
      information with the DCWs, listens to their ideas, provides explanations when DCW
      suggestions are not used, and does so in a supportive environment. Organizational
      characteristics of importance include linking wages to DCW performance and
      providing an accessible training program.

PMID- 26282484
TI  - Distributions of selected urinary metabolites of volatile organic compounds by
      age, gender, race/ethnicity, and smoking status in a representative sample of
      U.S. adults.
AB  - Data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for the years 2011
      2012 were used to evaluate variability in the observed levels of 19 urinary
      metabolites of 15 parent volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by age, gender,
      race/ethnicity, and smoking status. Smokers were found to have statistically
      significantly higher adjusted levels than nonsmokers for selected urinary
      metabolites of acrolein, acrylamide, acrylonitrile, 1,3-butadiene, carbon
      disulfide, crotonaldehyde, cyanide, N,N-dimethylformamide, ethylbenzene-styrene,
      propylene oxide, styrene, and xylene. Female nonsmokers were found to have lower
      adjusted levels of selected metabolites of acrolein, carbon-disulfide, and N,N
      dimethylformamide than male nonsmokers but female smokers had higher levels of
      each of these metabolites than male smokers. In addition, female smokers also had
      higher adjusted levels of selected metabolites of 1,3-butadiene, crotonaldehyde,
      cyanide, and ethylbenzene-styrene. Thus, constituents other than VOCs in tobacco
      smoke affect excretion of certain VOC metabolites differently among males and
      females. Non-Hispanic whites (NHW) had higher adjusted levels than non-Hispanic
      blacks (NHB) for 8 metabolites. NHB had statistically significantly lower
      adjusted levels than Hispanics for 5 VOC metabolites and lower levels than non
      Hispanic Asians (NHAS) for 6 metabolites. Hispanics had statistically
      significantly higher levels than NHAS for 5 metabolites. Levels of 11 of the 19
      metabolites analyzed increased with increase in age. Exposure to environmental
      tobacco smoke at home was associated with increased levels of 9 metabolites.
      Increase in the number of days tobacco products were used during the last five
      days was associated with increased levels of 12 of the 19 VOC metabolites. 

PMID- 26282485
TI  - Polymorphisms in DNA repair and multidrug resistance genes among Sindhis of
      Central India.
AB  - Polymorphisms in DNA repair and multidrug resistance genes might contribute to
      interindividual and interethnic differences in DNA repair capacity and drug
      disposition respectively. In the present study, we determined the allele and
      genotype frequencies of four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located in
      the DNA repair genes, XRCC1, XRCC3, XPD, OGG1, namely XRCC1 Arg399Gln, XRCC3
      Thr241Met, XPD Lys751Gln, and OGG1 Ser326Cys, respectively and two SNPs located
      in the multidrug resistance gene, ABCB1, namely ABCB1 C3435T and ABCB1 C1236T, in
      33-35 healthy and unrelated Sindhi individuals, residing in the Vidarbha region
      of Central India and compared them with the Maharashtrian population from the
      same geographical region and some other HapMap populations from the HapMap
      database. The study findings reveal that the Indian Sindhis are closely related
      to the Maharashtrians as well as Utah residents with Northern and Western
      European ancestry and Gujarati Indians in Houston, Texas in the HapMap database. 

PMID- 26282486
TI  - Fast determination of underivatized gentamicin C components and impurities by LC
      MS using a porous graphitic carbon stationary phase.
AB  - Gentamicin C antibiotics are important because they are active against many
      multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacilli. Unfortunately, their clinical
      usefulness is limited by their toxicity. Because of the difficulty involved in
      separating its different components, the US and European pharmacopeias both
      specify that the composition of gentamicin C should be determined by liquid
      chromatography with pulsed electrochemical detection. Here, we assess the
      usefulness of a porous graphitic carbon (PGC) HPLC column for separating the
      components of gentamicin C, and report chromatographic conditions that enable its
      direct characterization by PGC chromatography directly coupled to electrospray
      mass spectrometry. Native major components of gentamicin and impurities in
      commercial formulations were retained and separated on the PGC column without any
      need for derivatization, using mobile phases basified with ammonium hydroxide.
      When coupled with detection by conventional electrospray ion trap mass
      spectrometry (ESI-IT-MS), several previously reported impurities were detected
      easily, including the most polar gentamicin impurity, garamine. When operating in
      full-scan mode, it was possible to identify and quantitate gentamicin-related
      compounds using injected samples of only a few picograms. Under the described
      conditions, all analytes were eluted in less than 10 min and the LC-MS analyses
      exhibited excellent stability and linearity. The method's effectiveness was
      evaluated by analyzing commercial gentamicin batches and in-house formulations.
      When the PGC chromatographic system was coupled to an evaporative light
      scattering detector, detection limits of 40-70 ng were achieved for various major
      gentamicin components. The chromatographic method was applied on a semi
      preparative scale to purify the five major components.

PMID- 26282487
TI  - Recent advances in biosensing using magnetic glyconanoparticles.
AB  - In this critical review we discuss the most recent advances in the field of
      biosensing applications of magnetic glyconanoparticles. We first give an overview
      of the main synthetic routes to obtain magnetic-nanoparticle-carbohydrate
      conjugates and then we highlight their most promising applications for magnetic
      relaxation switching sensing, cell and pathogen detection, cell targeting and
      magnetic resonance imaging. We end with a critical perspective of the field,
      identifying the main challenges to be overcome, but also the areas where the most
      promising developments are likely to happen in the coming decades. 

PMID- 26282488
TI  - Transrectal Rigid-Hybrid Natural Orifice Translumenal Endoscopic Sigmoidectomy
      for Diverticular Disease: A Prospective Cohort Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Our goal was to evaluate the feasibility of transrectal rigid hybrid
      natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) sigmoidectomy (trNS) in a
      series of consecutive prospective patients with diverticular disease. The NOTES
      for left colectomy offers patients reduced pain and easier recovery. Limited data
      are available for trNS, which is considered safe for various indications.
      However, the technique is not standardized, and patients in the reported series
      are highly selected. STUDY DESIGN: Patients scheduled for trNS were entered into
      a prospective registry on an intention-to-treat basis. The primary endpoint was
      trNS feasibility, and secondary endpoints were morbidity, pain, length of stay,
      and inflammatory response. A medial-to-lateral dissection with full mobilization
      of the splenic flexure and total intracorporeal anastomosis was performed. The
      rectum was covered with a wound protector for transrectal extraction. RESULTS: Of
      95 elective sigmoidectomies, 81% (n = 77) were enrolled for either transvaginal
      NOTES resection (n = 37) or trNS (n = 40). There was no difference in body mass
      index or indication between patients undergoing laparoscopic-assisted
      sigmoidectomy (LAS), transvaginal resection, or trNS, although trNS patients were
      younger. Mainly because of a mismatch of bulky specimen and narrow pelvis, 17.5%
      of trNS were converted to LAS. Major morbidity was 10%, including 2 septic
      complications. During the study, the anastomosis technique was changed from
      double stapled end-to-end to side-to-end anastomosis. CONCLUSIONS: Transrectal
      rigid hybrid natural orifice translumenal endoscopic sigmoidectomy is feasible
      and safe in a high proportion of unselected consecutive patients with
      diverticular disease undergoing elective treatment. Intracorporeal side-to-end
      anastomosis is the preferred technique, and trNS should be offered for elective
      sigmoidectomy presupposing advanced laparoscopic experience.

PMID- 26282489
TI  - Preclinical drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics of salinomycin, a potential
      candidate for targeting human cancer stem cells.
AB  - There has been a search for new anticancer agents to treat cancer resistance
      throughout the globe. Salinomycin (SAL), a broad spectrum antibiotic and a
      coccidiostat has been found to counter tumour resistance and kill cancer stem
      cells with better efficacy than the existing chemotherapeutic agents; paclitaxel
      and doxorubicin. This refocused its importance for treatment of human cancers. In
      this study, we studied the in vitro drug metabolism and pharmacokinetic
      parameters of SAL. SAL undergoes rapid metabolism in liver microsomes and has a
      high intrinsic clearance. SAL metabolism is mainly mediated by CYP enzymes;
      CYP3A4 the major enzyme metabolising SAL. The percent plasma protein binding of
      SAL in human was significantly lower as compared to mouse and rat plasma. CYP
      inhibition was carried out by chemical inhibition and recombinant enzyme studies.
      SAL was found to be a moderate inhibitor of CYP2D6 as well as CYP3A4. As CYP3A4
      was the major enzyme responsible for metabolism of SAL, in vivo pharmacokinetic
      study in rats was done to check the effect of concomitant administration of
      Ketoconazole (KTC) on SAL pharmacokinetics. KTC, being a selective CYP3A4
      inhibitor increased the systemic exposure of SAL significantly to 7-fold in AUC0
      alpha and 3-fold increase in Cmax of SAL in rats with concomitant KTC
      administration. 

PMID- 26282490
TI  - Dihydrotanshinone I inhibits the translational expression of hypoxia-inducible
      factor-1alpha.
AB  - The hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) has been known to be correlated to the
      adaptation and proliferation of tumor cells; therefore HIF-1 has become an
      important target in the development of anticancer drugs. Dihydrotanshinone I
      (DHTS) is a phenanthrenequinone compound from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, which
      has been used in oriental medicine for its antitumor activities. However, the
      mechanisms by which DHTS inhibits tumor growth are not fully understood. We here
      demonstrated the effect of DHTS on hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) activation.
      DHTS dose-dependently decreased the hypoxia-induced accumulation and activation
      of HIF-1alpha protein. Further analysis revealed that DHTS inhibited HIF-1alpha
      protein synthesis, without affecting the expression level of HIF-1alpha mRNA or
      degradation of HIF-1alpha protein. Moreover, the phosphorylation levels of
      mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2
      (ERK1/2), ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p70S6K), eIF4E binding protein-1 (4E-BP1),
      and eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) were dose-dependently suppressed by
      DHTS, but no significant effect on total protein levels was observed.
      Furthermore, DHTS prevented hypoxia-induced expression of HIF-1 target genes and
      flow cytometric analysis indicated that DHTS induced G1 phase arrest in HeLa
      cell. In vivo studies further confirmed the inhibitory effect of DHTS on the
      expression of HIF-1alpha proteins, leading to a decrease in growth of HeLa cells
      in a xenograft tumor model. These results show that DHTS inhibited HIF-1alpha
      protein synthesis by downregulating the mTOR/p70S6K/4E-BP1 and MEK/ERK pathways.
      These conclusions suggest that DHTS is an effective inhibitor of HIF-1 and
      provide new perspectives into the mechanism of its anticancer activity. 

PMID- 26282491
TI  - Structurally related ganoderic acids induce apoptosis in human cervical cancer
      HeLa cells: Involvement of oxidative stress and antioxidant protective system.
AB  - Ganoderic acids (GAs) produced by Ganoderma lucidum possess anticancer activities
      with the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, the role of
      oxidative stress in apoptotic process induced by GAs is still undefined. In this
      study, the effects of four structurally related GAs, i.e. GA-T, GA-Mk, and two
      deacetylated derivatives of GA-T (GA-T1 and GA-T2) on the antioxidant defense
      system and induced apoptosis in cervical cancer cells HeLa were investigated in
      vitro. Our results indicated that the tested GAs (5-40 MUM) induced apoptotic
      cell death through mitochondrial membrane potential decrease and activation of
      caspase-9 and caspase-3. Furthermore, GAs increased the generation of
      intracellular ROS and attenuated antioxidant defense system by decreasing
      glutathione (GSH) level, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase
      (GPX) activities. The above effects were remarkably blocked by the exogenous
      antioxidants, i.e. N-acetylcysteine, catalase and diphenyleneiodonium chloride.
      The potency of the four GAs toward induced apoptosis, generation of ROS and
      suppression of antioxidant defense system was in the order of: GA-T > GA-Mk ~ GA
      T1 > GA-T2 in HeLa cells. These findings suggest that GAs induced mitochondria
      dependent cell apoptosis in HeLa cells are mediated via enhancing oxidative
      stress and depressing antioxidant defense. Additionally, the acetylation of
      hydroxyl groups in GAs may contribute to their pro-oxidant activities and
      cytotoxicity, which is helpful to the development of novel chemotherapy agents. 

PMID- 26282492
TI  - Autologous bone marrow cell transplantation in acute spinal cord injury--an
      Indian pilot study.
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: Phase- I/II, prospective, randomized, single-blind, controlled
      pilot study. PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: To determine the safety and feasibility of
      autologous bone marrow transplantation in patients with acute spinal cord injury
      (SCI) via two routes of transplantation as compared with controls. SETTING:
      Indian Spinal Injuries Center, New Delhi. METHODS: Twenty-one subjects with
      acute, American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) A (complete),
      traumatic SCI with neurological level T1-T12, were recruited and randomized into
      three groups of seven subjects each. Two groups underwent cell transplantation
      through the intrathecal or intralesional route, whereas the third served as
      control. Participants were assessed at baseline and followed up at 6 months and
      12-months post enrollment. Safety and tolerability were evaluated by monitoring
      for any adverse events. Efficacy was assessed through neurological, functional
      and psychological evaluation, as well as through electrophysiological studies and
      urodynamics. RESULTS: Surgery was tolerated well by all participants. There were
      no significant adverse events attributable to the procedure. There was no
      significant improvement in the neurological, electrophysiological or urodynamic
      efficacy variables. A statistically significant improvement in functional scores
      as evaluated by the Spinal Cord Independence Measure and International Spinal
      Cord Injury Scale was observed in all groups. CONCLUSIONS: The procedure is safe
      and feasible in AIS A participants with thoracic-level injuries at 12-months
      follow-up. No efficacy could be demonstrated that could be attributed to the
      procedure.

PMID- 26282493
TI  - A paradigm of galvanic vestibular stimulation diminishes the soleus muscle H
      reflex in healthy volunteers.
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: In this study, we explored how galvanic vestibular stimulation can
      modify the soleus H-reflex (Hoffman reflex), that is, the excitability of the
      spinal cord circuits, in healthy humans. OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to demonstrate H
      reflex amplitude modulation caused by changing the duration and the intensity of
      the anodal galvanic vestibular stimulation. Therefore, we measured H-reflex
      before and after applied vestibular stimulation. SETTINGS: This study was
      conducted in Rehabilitation Clinic, Belgrade, Serbia. METHODS: The measurements
      were performed on 5 male volunteers aged 22-30 years. Anodal galvanic stimulation
      was applied on the right mastoid in prone position. H-reflex was elicited by
      nervus tibialis stimulation and measured from the right soleus muscle. In three
      subjects, trains of weak and strong galvanic stimuli (1, 5 and 9) were applied.
      In two subjects, only a train of 9 strong stimuli was applied. RESULTS: A
      statistically significant decrease of the H-reflex amplitude after anodal
      galvanic stimulation was demonstrated in all subjects. The percentage of H-reflex
      amplitude diminution was between 6 and 18 in subjects with weak and strong
      stimuli and 5 and 6 in subjects with only 9 strong stimuli. CONCLUSION: We intend
      to use this paradigm of stimulation to explore whether the vestibulospinal
      function exists after spinal cord injury (SCI). If it exists, it can be used to
      influence the preserved spinal cord circuits after SCI. SPONSORSHIP: One of the
      authors (Nadica Miljkovic) was partly supported by the Ministry of education,
      science and technological development, Republic of Serbia, grant OS175016.

PMID- 26282494
TI  - Response to 'Randomised controlled trials do not always give the results we want
      but that doesn't mean we should abandon randomised controlled trials'.

PMID- 26282495
TI  - Shoulder kinetics and ultrasonography changes after performing a high-intensity
      task in spinal cord injury subjects and healthy controls.
AB  - STUDY DESIGN: This is a prospective and comparative study between two groups.
      OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to compare the changes in shoulder
      joint forces and their moments, as well as any possible ultrasound changes, when
      subjects with spinal cord injury (SCI) and healthy controls (CG) undertake a high
      intensity manual wheelchair propulsion test. SETTING: This study was conducted in
      an inpatient SCI rehabilitation center. METHODS: A group of 22 subjects with SCI
      at level T2 or below who use a manual wheelchair (MWU), categorized as AIS grade
      A or B, were compared with a CG of 12 healthy subjects. Subjects in each group
      performed a high-intensity wheelchair propulsion test. The variables analyzed
      were shoulder joint forces and the moments at the beginning and at the end of the
      test. Ultrasound variables before and after the propulsion test were also
      analyzed. Correlations were also drawn between the ultrasonography and
      demographic variables. RESULTS: In both groups, peak shoulder forces and moments
      increased after the test in almost all directions. No differences in the
      ultrasound parameters were found. A greater long-axis biceps tendon thickness
      (LBTT) was associated with more shoulder pain according to WUSPI or VAS (r=0.428,
      P<0.05 and r=0.452, P<0.05, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Shoulder joint forces and
      moments increase after an intense propulsion task. In subjects with SCI, these
      increases center on forces with less chance of producing subacromial damage. No
      changes are produced in ultrasonography variables, whereas a poorer clinical and
      functional evaluation of the shoulder of the MWUs appears to be related to a
      thicker long-axis biceps tendon.

PMID- 26282496
TI  - The role of p38MAPK signal pathway in the neuroprotective mechanism of limb
      postconditioning against rat cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.
AB  - It has been reported that remote ischemic postconditioning was able to protect
      from a harmful ischemia occurring in brain. In the present study, we investigated
      the role of p38 MAPK signal pathway in the process of neuroprotection and anti
      apoptosis following remote limb ischemic postconditioning on rat focal cerebral
      ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) model. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided randomly
      into four groups: the sham-operated group, I/R group, limb ischemic
      postconditioning (LPostC) group, and LPostC+SB203580 (p38 MAPK inhibitor) group.
      Focal ischemia was induced by transient middle cerebral artery occlusion. Limb
      ischemic postconditioning was implemented by brief cycles of femoral artery
      occlusion. At 24h after modeling, we analyzed the neurological deficit score,
      assessed the cerebral tissue morphology by H-E staining, and evaluated neuronal
      apoptosis by TUNEL staining. The protein expression levels of p-p38 or p-ATF2
      (phospho-activating transcription factor 2) in the penumbra region were detected
      by western blotting or immunohistochemical staining. Our findings revealed that
      LPostC relieved cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury by decreasing neurological
      score, improving neuronal morphological changes in the ischemic penumbra area,
      and reducing neuronal apoptosis. In addition, LPostC or LPostC+SB203580
      attenuated the increase in p-p38 and p-ATF2 levels in ischemia/reperfusion brain
      tissue. These results indicate that the protective effects of LPostC against
      cerebral I/R injury may be related to the attenuation of neuronal apoptosis and
      the suppression of p38 MAPK-ATF2 pathway.

PMID- 26282497
TI  - Confirming Sterility of an Autoclaved Infected Femoral Component for Use in an
      Articulated Antibiotic Knee Spacer: A Pilot Study.
AB  - Antibiotic spacer designs have proven effective at eradicating infection during a
      two-stage revision arthroplasty. Temporary reuse of the steam-sterilized femoral
      component and a new all poly tibia component has been described as an effective
      articulating antibiotic spacer, but sterility concerns persist. Six explanted
      cobalt chrome femurs from patients with grossly infected TKA's and six stock
      femurs inoculated with different bacterial species were confirmed to be bacteria
      free after autoclaving under a standard gravity-displacement cycle. The effect of
      steam sterilization on cobalt chrome fragments contaminated with MRSA biofilm was
      analyzed microscopically to quantify remaining biofilm. The autoclave
      significantly reduced the biofilm burden on the cobalt chrome fragments. This
      study confirmed sterility of the femur after a standard gravity-displacement
      cycle (132 degrees C, 27 PSIG, 10 minutes).

PMID- 26282498
TI  - Low Infection Rates in Total Knee Arthroplasty in End Stage Renal Failure
      Patients.
AB  - End stage renal failure is considered a risk factor for postoperative infection
      and many surgeons are cautious in offering this group of patients total knee
      arthroplasty for symptomatic osteoarthritis. In this retrospective study, 16
      total knee arthroplasties were performed in 13 patients and each case was
      followed up for an average of 5.1 years. We report no cases of infection and also
      an overall improvement in multiple validated outcome measures. There were,
      however, 2 cases of periprosthetic loosening. As the patients in our series were
      generally younger and none was diagnosed with stroke or peripheral vascular
      disease at the time of surgery, we believe that careful patient selection is key
      to reducing infection rates in this challenging group of patients.

PMID- 26282499
TI  - Accuracy of Component Positioning in 1980 Total Hip Arthroplasties: A Comparative
      Analysis by Surgical Technique and Mode of Guidance.
AB  - The purpose of this multi-surgeon study was to assess and compare the accuracy of
      acetabular component placement, leg length discrepancy (LLD), and global offset
      difference (GOD) between six different surgical techniques and modes of guidance
      in total hip arthroplasty (THA). A total of 1980 THAs met inclusion criteria.
      Robotic- and navigation-guided techniques were more consistent than other
      techniques in placing the acetabular cup into Lewinnek's safe zone (P<0.005 and
      P<0.05, respectively). Robotic-guided surgery was more consistent than other
      techniques in placing the acetabular component within Callanan's safe zone
      (P<0.005). No statistically significant differences were found between groups in
      the frequency of patients with excessive LLD. Clinically significant differences
      between groups were not found in the frequency of patients with excessive GOD.
      Level of Evidence: IV.

PMID- 26282500
TI  - Analysis and classification of errors made by teams during neonatal
      resuscitation.
AB  - AIM: The Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) algorithm serves as a guide to
      healthcare professionals caring for neonates transitioning to extrauterine life.
      Despite this, adherence to the algorithm is challenging, and errors are frequent.
      Information-dense, high-risk fields such as air traffic control have proven that
      formal classification of errors facilitates recognition and remediation. This
      study was performed to determine and characterize common deviations from the NRP
      algorithm during neonatal resuscitation. METHODS: Audiovisual recordings of 250
      real neonatal resuscitations were obtained between April 2003 and May 2004. Of
      these, 23 complex resuscitations were analyzed for adherence to the
      contemporaneous NRP algorithm and scored using a novel classification tool based
      on the validated NRP Megacode Checklist. RESULTS: Seven hundred eighty algorithm
      driven tasks were observed. One hundred ninety-four tasks were completed
      incorrectly, for an average error rate of 23%. Forty-two were errors of omission
      (28% of all errors) and 107 were errors of commission (72% of all errors). Many
      errors were repetitive and potentially clinically significant: failure to assess
      heart rate and/or breath sounds, improper rate of positive pressure ventilation,
      inadequate peak inspiratory and end expiratory pressures during ventilation,
      improper chest compression technique, and asynchronous PPV and CC. CONCLUSIONS:
      Errors of commission, especially when performing advanced life support
      interventions such as positive pressure ventilation, intubation, and chest
      compressions, are common during neonatal resuscitation and are sources of
      potential harm. The adoption of error reduction strategies capable of decreasing
      cognitive and technical load and standardizing communication - strategies common
      in other industries - should be considered in healthcare.

PMID- 26282501
TI  - Direct UV photolysis of selected pharmaceuticals, personal care products and
      endocrine disruptors in aqueous solution.
AB  - Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), and endocrine disrupting
      compounds (EDCs) are micropollutants of emerging concern that have been detected
      in the aquatic environment and in some cases, in drinking water at nanogram per
      liter levels. The goal of this study was to evaluate the removal of 15 model
      PPCPs and EDCs from water by direct UV photolysis, using either low (LP)-or
      medium (MP) -pressure mercury vapor arc lamps. Some of the model compounds are
      either weak bases or weak acids, and therefore, the pKa values were determined or
      confirmed for those compounds using spectrophotometric titrations. The molar
      absorption coefficients of ionized and non-ionized forms were also determined.
      The quantum yields at 253.7 nm in phosphate buffer solutions of pH 7.2 were
      determined to be 0.033 +/- 0.004 for sulfamethoxazole, 0.0035 +/- 0.0008 for
      sulfachloropyridazine, 0.006 +/- 0.002 for acetaminophen, 0.34 +/- 0.07 for
      triclosan, 0.35 +/- 0.14 for estrone, 0.08 +/- 0.05 for 17alpha-ethinylestradiol,
      0.086 +/- 0.012 for ibuprofen. The quantum yield for 4-n-nonylphenol photolysis
      at 253.7 nm varied with the initial concentration from 0.32 +/- 0.08 at 23 MUg/L
      to 0.092 +/- 0.006 at 230 MUg/L. The pseudo-first order rate constants determined
      for direct photolysis at 253.7 nm of the studied micropollutants followed the
      order: triclosan ~ sulfamethoxazole >> 4-n-nonylphenol ~ sulfachloropyridazine ~
      estrone > acetaminophen ~ 17alpha-ethinylestradiol ~ ibuprofen. In contrast to
      the results observed for the monochromatic radiation (LP lamp), all 15 model
      compounds photolyzed under exposure to the broadband radiation emitted by the MP
      lamp. 

PMID- 26282502
TI  - Bioinformatics analysis of microRNA comprehensive regulatory network in
      congenital microtia.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study was aimed to reveal the involvement of miRNAs in the
      progression of microtia by bioinformatics analyses. METHODS: The data in this
      study came from the paper of Li et al. who analyzed the microRNA (miRNA)
      expression profiling between congenital microtia and normal controls. Based on
      the 11 identified differentially expressed miRNAs, we predicted the target genes,
      long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) and transcription factors (TFs). Then we
      constructed the miRNAs-centered comprehensive regulatory network. In addition, we
      performed functional enrichment analysis to analyze the functions of target
      genes. RESULTS: From the miRNAs comprehensive regulatory network, we found that
      has-miR-203 regulated a large number of target genes and lncRNAs, including
      suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) and metastasis associated in lung
      adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1). The has-miR-185, has-miR-451 and has-miR
      200c were regulated by a host of TFs including signal transducer and activator of
      transcription 1 (STAT1) and STAT2. Additionally, the target genes of hsa-miR-486
      5p were mainly enriched in 17 Gene Ontology terms and target genes of has-miRNA
      203 were enriched in 6 pathways. CONCLUSIONS: The expression of has-miR-203, has
      miR-200c and has-miR-451 were significantly different in microtia. Target gene of
      SOCS3, TFs of STAT1 and STAT2, and lncRNA of MALAT1 may play important roles in
      the development of the external ear.

PMID- 26282503
TI  - Propranolol-responsive cranial nerve palsies in a patient with PHACES syndrome.
AB  - PHACES syndrome is a neurocutaneous disorder characterized by the presence of
      segmental hemangiomas with associated anomalies of the posterior fossa, cerebral
      vasculature, cardiovascular system, eyes, and ventral or midline structures. We
      present the first case of propranolol-responsive congenital trigeminal and facial
      nerve palsies secondary to an intracranial hemangioma in a patient with PHACES
      syndrome. 

PMID- 26282504
TI  - Working memory, short-term memory and reading proficiency in school-age children
      with cochlear implants.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to examine short-term memory and
      working memory through both visual and auditory tasks in school-age children with
      cochlear implants. The relationship between the performance on these cognitive
      skills and reading as well as language outcomes were examined in these children.
      METHODS: Ten children between the ages of 7 and 11 years with early-onset
      bilateral severe-profound hearing loss participated in the study. Auditory and
      visual short-term memory, auditory and visual working memory subtests and verbal
      knowledge measures were assessed using the Woodcock Johnson III Tests of
      Cognitive Abilities, the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-IV Integrated
      and the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children II. Reading outcomes were
      assessed using the Woodcock Reading Mastery Test III. RESULTS: Performance on
      visual short-term memory and visual working memory measures in children with
      cochlear implants was within the average range when compared to the normative
      mean. However, auditory short-term memory and auditory working memory measures
      were below average when compared to the normative mean. Performance was also
      below average on all verbal knowledge measures. Regarding reading outcomes,
      children with cochlear implants scored below average for listening and passage
      comprehension tasks and these measures were positively correlated to visual short
      term memory, visual working memory and auditory short-term memory. Performance on
      auditory working memory subtests was not related to reading or language outcomes.
      CONCLUSIONS: The children with cochlear implants in this study demonstrated
      better performance in visual (spatial) working memory and short-term memory
      skills than in auditory working memory and auditory short-term memory skills.
      Significant positive relationships were found between visual working memory and
      reading outcomes. The results of the study provide support for the idea that WM
      capacity is modality specific in children with hearing loss. Based on these
      findings, reading instruction that capitalizes on the strengths in visual short
      term memory and working memory is suggested for young children with early-onset
      hearing loss.

PMID- 26282505
TI  - Safety of surgery for neonatal congenital diaphragmatic hernia as reflected by
      arterial blood gas monitoring: thoracoscopic versus open repair.
AB  - PURPOSE: We monitored arterial blood gases during thoracoscopic (TR) and open
      repair (OR) of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) to assess the safety of
      intraoperative hypercapnia and acidosis. METHODS: We reviewed 30 neonatal CDH
      cases (OR = 10, TR = 20) diagnosed prenatally or within 6 h of birth at out
      institution from 2002 to 2014 not requiring inhaled nitric oxide (NO)
      intraoperatively. OR, routine until 2006 was replaced by TR in 2007. All subjects
      were managed identically. RESULTS: Five TR cases requiring conversion to OR were
      excluded. Prenatal diagnosis, gestational age at birth, gender, birth weight, and
      side of CDH were similar. Preoperative PaCO2 and pH were not significantly
      different. However, while intraoperative increase in mean PaCO2 (38.8-62.8 mmHg;
      p < 0.01) and decrease in mean pH (7.44-7.25; p < 0.01) were significant in TR,
      intraoperative PaCO2 was <70 mmHg in 12/15 cases and intraoperative pH was >7.20
      in 11/15 cases. Both PaCO2 and pH reverted to normal on completion of surgery;
      pre- and postoperative results were comparable. There were no postoperative
      complications. CONCLUSIONS: It would appear that neonatal cases of CDH not
      requiring NO can tolerate TR, despite transient reversible deterioration in
      acid/base balance, indicating that TR is safe for the treatment of selected cases
      of CDH.

PMID- 26282506
TI  - Refining the intraoperative measurement of the distal intrapancreatic part of a
      choledochal cyst during laparoscopic repair allows near total excision.
AB  - During surgery for choledochal cyst (CC), any intrapancreatic CC (IPCC) must also
      be excised to prevent postoperative pancreatitis and stone formation. We report
      our technique for laparoscopic total IPCC excision (n = 16; mean age 6.0 years).
      We insert a fine ureteroscope with a light source into the opened CC through an
      extra 3.9-mm trocar placed in the epigastrium through a minute incision to
      identify the pancreatic duct orifice. By pulling the end of the ureteroscope
      emerging from the trocar gently to withdraw the tip from the pancreatic duct to
      where distal dissection was ceased under laparoscopic view, the IPCC can be
      measured. If longer than 5 mm, the distal CC is dissected further caudally until
      it is less than 5 mm. For accuracy, the distal CC is elevated with a suture that
      is exteriorized and clamped to provide constant traction. The IPCC was able to be
      measured in 11/16 (68 %). Initial lengths measured were 3-10 mm (5.2 +/- 2.7 mm).
      Final IPCC were all 5 mm or less. Surgery was uncomplicated without any
      pancreatic duct injury and postoperative recovery was unremarkable. Follow-up MRI
      at 32 months showed no IPCC in any case. Measuring the IPCC enables total CC
      excision, thus reducing the potential for postoperative complications.

PMID- 26282507
TI  - Assessing the effect of data pretreatment procedures for principal components
      analysis of chromatographic data.
AB  - Following publication of the National Academy of Sciences report "Strengthening
      Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward", there has been increasing
      interest in the application of multivariate statistical procedures for the
      evaluation of forensic evidence. However, prior to statistical analysis, variance
      from sources other than the sample must be minimized through application of data
      pretreatment procedures. This is necessary to ensure that subsequent statistical
      analysis of the data provides meaningful results. The purpose of this work was to
      evaluate the effect of pretreatment procedures on multivariate statistical
      analysis of chromatographic data obtained for a reference set of diesel fuels.
      Diesel was selected due to its chemical complexity and forensic relevance, both
      for fire debris and environmental forensic applications. Principal components
      analysis (PCA) was applied to the untreated chromatograms to assess association
      of replicates and discrimination among the different diesel samples. The
      chromatograms were then pretreated by sequentially applying the following
      procedures: background correction, smoothing, retention-time alignment, and
      normalization. The effect of each procedure on association and discrimination was
      evaluated based on the association of replicates in the PCA scores plot. For
      these data, background correction and smoothing offered minimal improvement,
      whereas alignment and normalization offered the greatest improvement in the
      association of replicates and discrimination among highly similar samples.
      Further, prior to pretreatment, the first principal component accounted for only
      non-sample sources of variance. Following pretreatment, these sources were
      minimized and the first principal component accounted for significant chemical
      differences among the diesel samples. These results highlight the need for
      pretreatment procedures and provide a metric to assess the effect of pretreatment
      on subsequent multivariate statistical analysis of complex data. 

PMID- 26282508
TI  - Demonstrating the effect of forensic firearm countermeasures: Bullet
      characteristics generated due to barrel modifications.
AB  - Forensic awareness and the declining availability of firearms have resulted in an
      increase in the use of modified and re-activated firearms in crime. Although some
      modifications are undertaken to simply acquire a functioning firearm, others are
      perpetrated as a direct forensic countermeasure to prevent the association
      between a firearm and a crime. This article describes the effects of these
      modifications on bullet striation patterns imparted from the barrel to a fired
      bullet. The key results indicated that the investigated modifications display
      assessable characteristics. The use of an oversized barrel imparted striations
      consistent with firing with the absence of typical rifling. Subsequent or
      consecutively fired bullets possessed striation variations, with the first
      showing the least evidence of striations. The application of a choke resulted in
      more obvious bullet elongation compared to a smoothbore barrel. The restriction
      caused merging of lands and groves of the imparted rifling and obscured their
      usual definition. Effects of breech adaption were also characterised by observing
      the buckling and enlargement of the cartridge case. This deformity of the
      cartridge case was most evident when the barrel pressure increased due to the
      presence of the choke. From this study it was evident that unique characteristic
      impressions associated with different modifications most commonly found in
      criminal investigations can be utilised by a forensic expert and impart
      significant intelligence to an investigation. 

PMID- 26282509
TI  - A new p-dimethylaminocinnamaldehyde reagent formulation for the photoluminescence
      detection of latent fingermarks on paper.
AB  - Dimethylaminocinnamaldehyde was re-evaluated as a wet contact reagent for the
      treatment of latent fingermarks on porous substrates. A new formulation
      (consisting of 0.028 g p-dimethylaminocinnamaldehyde, 0.84 mL glacial acetic
      acid, 6.2 mL ethyl acetate and 0.993 L 40-60  degrees C petroleum spirits)
      provides quick, sensitive and robust luminescent ridge detail within 3 h of
      treatment on both plain and thermal paper. Comparisons to existing formulations
      indicate improved visualisation and/or a more efficient process.

PMID- 26282510
TI  - Liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry for the determination of
      flufenoxuron in blood using automatic solid phase extraction and its application
      to a fatal case of flufenoxuron poisoning.
AB  - A liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method with solid phase
      extraction for the detection and the quantitation of flufenoxuron in an aliquot
      of blood was developed and validated. Flufenoxuron belongs to a benzoylurea
      insecticide and is the active ingredient of CascadeTM. The analyte in postmortem
      specimens was extracted by solid-phase extraction with Bond Elut Certify
      cartridge. After the elution layer was evaporated, the residue was reconstituted
      with 70% methanol for LC/MS/MS analysis. Separations were carried out on a
      Synergi((r)) 2.5u Fusion-RP 100 A column with column temperature kept at 40 
      degrees C at a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min. The mobile phase was composed of 5mM
      ammonium formate in 10% methanol and 5 mM ammonium formate in 90% methanol using
      gradient elution. A triple quadruple mass spectrometer equipped with an
      electrospray ionization source operated in a positive ion mode with selective
      reaction monitoring mode. Atrazine-d5 was used as internal standard. The assay
      was linear over 0.02-1.0 mg/L (r(2)=0.999). Limit of detection (LOD) and limit of
      quantitation (LOQ) in blood were 0.009 mg/L (S/N=3) and 0.02 mg/L (S/N=10),
      respectively. The accuracy and the precision were <14.9% of bias% and <8.1% of
      CV%, which are acceptable criteria according to toxicology laboratory guidelines.
      Relative recoveries with 0.02, 0.1 and 1.0mg/L (in blood) were 112.3%, 101.2% and
      111.0% (n=5), respectively. The developed method was applied in forensic
      toxicology to determine flufenoxuron in postmortem specimens in a fatal case of
      flufenoxuron intoxication in a 48-year-old-man who was found dead on bed in a
      small room after vomiting on the floor. The postmortem heart blood, peripheral
      blood and gastric contents were analyzed for flufenoxuron with the result of 6.3
      mg/L in heart blood, 3.2 mg/L in peripheral blood and 30.6 mg/kg in gastric
      contents, respectively. The concentration ratio of the heart/peripheral blood of
      flufenoxuron was 2.0, and the ratio of gastric contents/peripheral blood was 9.4,
      suggesting possible postmortem redistribution and there may be a massive amount
      of flufenoxuron orally ingested. This case study is the first report of lethal
      concentrations of flufenoxuron in postmortem specimens.

PMID- 26282511
TI  - A comparison between atmospheric/humidity and vacuum cyanoacrylate fuming of
      latent fingermarks.
AB  - A number of pseudo-operational trials were set up to compare the
      atmospheric/humidity and vacuum cyanoacrylate fuming processes on plastic carrier
      bags. The fuming processes were compared using two-step cyanoacrylate fuming with
      basic yellow 40 (BY40) staining and a one-step fluorescent cyanoacrylate fuming,
      Lumicyano 4%. Preliminary work using planted fingermarks and split depletions
      were performed to identify the optimum vacuum fuming conditions. The first pseudo
      operational trial compared the different fuming conditions (atmospheric/humidity
      vs. vacuum) for the two-step process where an additional 50% more marks were
      detected with the atmospheric/humidity process. None of the marks by the vacuum
      process could be observed visually; however, a significant number of marks were
      detected by fluorescence after BY40 staining. The second trial repeated the same
      work in trial 1 using the one-step cyanoacrylate process, Lumicyano at a
      concentration of 4%. Trial 2 provided comparable results to trial 1 and all the
      items were then re-treated with Lumicyano 4% at atmospheric/humidity conditions
      before dyeing with BY40 to provide the sequences of process A (Lumicyano 4%
      atmospheric-Lumicyano 4% atmospheric-BY40) and process B (Lumicyano 4% vacuum
      Lumicyano 4% atmospheric-BY40). The number of marks (visual and fluorescent) was
      counted after each treatment with a substantial increase in the number of
      detected marks in the second and third treatments of the process. The increased
      detection rate after the double Lumicyano process was unexpected and may have
      important implications. Trial 3 was performed to investigate whether the amount
      of cyanoacrylate and/or fuming time had an impact on the results observed in
      trial 2 whereas trial 4 assessed if the double process using conventional
      cyanoacrylate, rather than Lumicyano 4%, provided an increased detection rate.
      Trials 3 and 4 confirmed that doubling the amount of Lumicyano 4% cyanoacrylate
      and fuming time produced a lower detection rate than the double process with
      Lumicyano 4%. Furthermore, the double process with conventional cyanoacrylate did
      not provide any benefit. Scanning electron microscopy was also performed to
      investigate the morphology of the cyanoacrylate polymer under different
      conditions. The atmospheric/humidity process appears to be superior to the vacuum
      process for both the two-step and one-step cyanoacrylate fuming, although the two
      step process performed better in comparison to the one-step process under vacuum
      conditions. Nonetheless, the use of vacuum cyanoacrylate fuming may have certain
      operational advantages and its use does not adversely affect subsequent
      cyanoacrylate fuming with atmospheric/humidity conditions. 

PMID- 26282512
TI  - The harmful chemistry behind "krokodil": Street-like synthesis and product
      analysis.
AB  - "Krokodil" is the street name for a drug, which has been attracting media and
      researchers attention due to its increasing spread and extreme toxicity.
      "Krokodil" is a homemade injectable mixture being used as a cheap substitute for
      heroin. Its use begun in Russia and Ukraine, but it is being spread throughout
      other countries. The starting materials for "krokodil" synthesis are tablets
      containing codeine, caustic soda, gasoline, hydrochloric acid, iodine from
      disinfectants and red phosphorus from matchboxes, all of which are easily
      available in a retail market or drugstores. The resulting product is a light
      brown liquid that is injected without previous purification. Herein, we aimed to
      understand the chemistry behind "krokodil" synthesis by mimicking the steps
      followed by people who use this drug. The successful synthesis was assessed by
      the presence of desomorphine and other two morphinans. An analytical gas
      chromatography-electron impact/mass spectrometry (GC-EI/MS) methodology for
      quantification of desomorphine and codeine was also developed and validated. The
      methodologies presented herein provide a representative synthesis of "krokodil"
      street samples and the application of an effective analytical methodology for
      desomorphine quantification, which was the major morphinan found. Further studies
      are required in order to find other hypothetical by-products in "krokodil" since
      these may help to explain signs and symptoms presented by abusers. 

PMID- 26282513
TI  - Rapid determination of benzodiazepines, zolpidem and their metabolites in urine
      using direct injection liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.
AB  - Benzodiazepines and zolpidem are generally prescribed as sedative, hypnotics,
      anxiolytics or anticonvulsants. These drugs, however, are frequently misused in
      drug-facilitated crime. Therefore, a rapid and simple liquid chromatography
      tandem mass spectrometric (LC-MS/MS) method was developed for identification and
      quantification of benzodiazepines, zolpidem and their metabolites in urine using
      deuterium labeled internal standards (IS). Urine samples (120 MUL) mixed with 80
      MUL of the IS solution were centrifuged. An aliquot (5 MUL) of the sample
      solution was directly injected into the LC-MS/MS system for analysis. The mobile
      phases consisted of water and acetonitrile containing 2mM ammonium
      trifluoroacetate and 0.2% acetic acid. The analytical column was a Zorbax SB-C18
      (100 mm * 2.1 mm i.d., 3.5 MUm, Agilent). The separation and detection of 18
      analytes were achieved within 10 min. Calibration curves were linear over the
      concentration ranges of 0.5-20 ng/mL (zolpidem), 1.0-40 ng/mL (flurazepam and
      temazepam), 2.5-100 ng/mL (7-aminoclonazepam, 1-hydroxymidazolam, midazolam,
      flunitrazepam and alprazolam), 5.0-200 ng/mL (zolpidem phenyl-4-carboxylic acid,
      alpha-hydroxyalprazolam, oxazepam, nordiazepam, triazolam, diazepam and alpha
      hydroxytriazolam), 10-400 ng/mL (lorazepam and desalkylflurazepam) and 10-100
      ng/mL (N-desmethylflunitrazepam) with the coefficients of determination (r(2))
      above 0.9971. The dilution integrity of the analytes was examined for
      supplementation of short linear range. Dilution precision and accuracy were
      tested using two, four and ten-folds dilutions and they ranged from 3.7 to 14.4%
      and -12.8 to 12.5%, respectively. The process efficiency for this method was 63.0
      104.6%. Intra- and inter-day precisions were less than 11.8% and 9.1%, while
      intra- and inter-day accuracies were less than -10.0 to 8.2%, respectively. The
      lower limits of quantification were lower than 10 ng/mL for each analyte. The
      applicability of the developed method was successfully verified with human urine
      samples from drug users (n=21). Direct urine sample injection and optimized
      mobile phases were introduced for simple sample preparation and high-sensitivity
      with the desired separation.

PMID- 26282514
TI  - Light generation of intracellular Ca(2+) signals by a genetically encoded protein
      BACCS.
AB  - Ca(2+) signals are highly regulated in a spatiotemporal manner in numerous
      cellular physiological events. Here we report a genetically engineered blue light
      activated Ca(2+) channel switch (BACCS), as an optogenetic tool for generating
      Ca(2+) signals. BACCS opens Ca(2+)-selective ORAI ion channels in response to
      light. A BACCS variant, dmBACCS2, combined with Drosophila Orai, elevates the
      Ca(2+) concentration more rapidly, such that Ca(2+) elevation in mammalian cells
      is observed within 1 s on light exposure. Using BACCSs, we successfully control
      cellular events including NFAT-mediated gene expression. In the mouse olfactory
      system, BACCS mediates light-dependent electrophysiological responses.
      Furthermore, we generate BACCS mutants, which exhibit fast and slow recovery of
      intracellular Ca(2+). Thus, BACCSs are a useful optogenetic tool for generating
      temporally various intracellular Ca(2+) signals with a large dynamic range, and
      will be applicable to both in vitro and in vivo studies. 

PMID- 26282515
TI  - Etiologic features and utilization of antiepileptic drugs in people with chronic
      epilepsy in China: Report from the Epilepsy Cohort of Huashan Hospital (ECoH).
AB  - PURPOSE: Chronic epilepsy is estimated to affect more than 2 million people in
      China. However, data of its clinical characteristics was rarely reported in
      China. In the present study, we summarized the etiologic features and utilization
      patterns of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in people with chronic epilepsy in a
      tertiary medical center in China. METHODS: We prospectively recruited people with
      chronic epilepsy treated at the Epilepsy Outpatient Clinic of Huashan Hospital
      during October 2009 to August 2013. Demographic data, clinical characteristics,
      AED treatment, epilepsy-associated risk factors and medical history, and results
      of supplementary examinations of each participant were collected retrospectively
      via an interviewer-administered questionnaire and confirmed by the medical
      records. RESULTS: Among 554 people with chronic epilepsy, 58.0% of them were
      male, 66.8% had focal seizure, and 29.2% had symptomatic cause. Developmental
      anomalies of cerebral structure (16.7%) and cerebral trauma (16.7%) shared the
      leading cause of symptomatic epilepsy among children with epilepsy. While
      cerebral trauma (29.1%) and cerebrovascular disorder (36.4%) were the most common
      causes in groups of adults and elderly. Fifty percent of participants were taking
      AED monotherapy. Proportions of people with idiopathic, cryptogenic and
      symptomatic epilepsy treated by multitherapy were 35%, 46% and 45.6%,
      respectively. Valproic acid (VPA) was the most frequently utilized AED as
      monotherapy (32.7%) and within multitherapy (62.5%). SIGNIFICANCE: This hospital
      based study reported that etiologic features were diverse in different age groups
      of people with chronic epilepsy. VPA was widely utilized to treat chronic
      epilepsy in mainland China.

PMID- 26282516
TI  - Impact of Obesity on Surgical Treatment for Endometrial Cancer: A Multicenter
      Study Comparing Laparoscopy vs Open Surgery, with Propensity-Matched Analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of obesity on the outcomes of surgical
      treatment for endometrial cancer in general and also comparing laparoscopic and
      open abdominal approach. DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study (Canadian Task
      Force classification II-1). SETTING: Obstetrics and Gynecology Department,
      University of Insubria, Varese, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome,
      International School of Surgical Anatomy, Sacred Heart Hospital, Negrar, and
      Sant'Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy. PATIENTS: Data of consecutive
      patients who underwent surgery for endometrial cancer in 4 centers were reviewed.
      Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed. Adjustment for potential
      selection bias in surgical approach was made using propensity score (PS)
      matching. INTERVENTIONS: Laparoscopic or open surgical treatment for endometrial
      cancer. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 1266 patients were included,
      including 764 in the laparoscopy group and 502 in the open surgery group. A total
      of 391 patients (30.9%) were obese, including 238 (18.8%) with class I obesity,
      89 (7%) with class II obesity, and 64 (5.1%) with class III obesity. The total
      number of complications, risk of wound complications, and venous thromboembolic
      events were higher in obese women compared with nonobese women. Blood
      transfusions, incidence/severity of postoperative complications, and
      postoperative hospital stay were significantly higher in the open surgery group
      compared with the laparoscopy group, irrespective of obesity. These differences
      remained significant in both multivariable analysis and PS-matched analysis. The
      percentage of patients who received lymphadenectomy declined significantly in
      patients with BMI >=40 in both the laparoscopy and open surgery groups.
      Conversions from the initially intended minimally invasive approach to open
      surgery were 1.1% to 2.2% for women with BMI <40, but increased in those with BMI
      >=40 (8.6%; p = .05). PS analysis showed a lower complication rate, shorter
      hospital stay, and greater likelihood of receiving lymphadenectomy in obese women
      in the laparoscopic group. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopy for endometrial cancer retains
      its advantages over open surgery, even in obese patients. However, operating on
      obese patients can be challenging regardless of the surgical approach taken,
      especially in cases of morbid adiposity.

PMID- 26282517
TI  - Myofibroblastoma of the mandible in a 3-year-old child.
AB  - Myofibroblastoma is a rare benign tumor of the head and neck region, which is
      characterized by a large, rapidly growing, and destructive mass. A 3-year-old boy
      presented with an 8-week history of a rapidly growing swelling of the right
      mandible. Examination revealed a firm 13-cm mass occupying the entire right body
      and ramus of the mandible. The clinical and radiological features were suggestive
      of a sarcoma. An initial biopsy taken in the referring hospital was inconclusive,
      and the second biopsy showed a myofibroblastic neoplasm consistent with a
      desmoplastic fibroma. Progressive tumor growth necessitated a tracheostomy. Right
      hemimandibulectomy was performed, and the defect was reconstructed with free
      microvascular fibula flap. Histopathology and immunocytochemistry revealed a
      myofibroblastoma. This entity differs from other myofibroblasts and fibroblast
      tumors such as inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT), myofibroma, and
      desmoplastic fibroma. The child has been followed up for 2 years. CONCLUSION:
      Differentiation between myofibroblasts and fibroblastic tumors as well as some
      malignancies can be challenging. Myofibroblastoma can behave as a malignant
      neoplasm, and the clinical distinction of this entity lies primarily in its
      recognition as a benign neoplasm.

PMID- 26282518
TI  - Cranial base growth in adolescence assessed through cone-beam computerized
      tomographies--pilot study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess growth of the middle/posterior cranial base during
      adolescence based on landmarks located on serial three-dimensional cone-beam
      computerized tomography (CBCT) images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CBCT scans from 62
      adolescents (11 to 17 years) at baseline and 12 months were used. Eleven
      landmarks in the cranial base were identified. Linear landmark distances were
      compared over the two time points using basic descriptive statistics. Shape
      analysis was carried out using R (R Foundation for Statistical Computing,
      Austria). Discrete curves were obtained and aligned via a Procrustes
      transformation and examined for group dimorphism and longitudinal change.
      RESULTS: Mean differences between linear distances in the cranial base were
      within 1mm, apart from the difference between the right and left auditory
      external meatuses, which was 2.25 mm. No statistically significant longitudinal
      differences in shape were found in relation to the peak growth period.
      CONCLUSION: Cranial base growth was minimal over the observation period. There
      were no differences in terms of the amount and pattern of growth. The cranial
      base is said to complete most of its growth by age 12, but this has only been
      verified through two-dimensional studies. Our findings using CBCT confirm this,
      and support the use of the cranial base as a stable anatomical reference
      structure for superimpositioning.

PMID- 26282520
TI  - Physiological correction of lingual dysfunction with the "Tongue Right
      Positioner": Beneficial effects on the upper airways.
AB  - Several studies have demonstrated the beneficial role of functional tongue
      therapy in stabilizing treatments for dental malocclusion and treating sleep
      disordered breathing (SDB). The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate
      the effect on the upper airways of the Tongue Right Positioner device (TRP) used
      for the correction of atypical swallowing. We analyzed lateral headfilms of 94
      orthodontic patients aged between 11 and 17, before the start of treatment and
      after establishment of mature swallowing, treated with the TRP (TRP group) or by
      reeducation exercises (control group). In the TRP group, the establishment of
      mature swallowing occurs twice as fast as in the control group. This led to
      thinning of the floor of the mouth (-8.38%, P<0.001) linked to anteroposterior
      enlargement of the pharynx (+10.48%, P<0.01), both probably due to an increase in
      genioglossal and styloglossal muscle tone and correction of cranio-cervical
      posture (+2.52%, P<0.01). These results are not dependent on the type of
      orthodontic treatment. They suggest that the TRP could be used in the treatment
      of SDB. 

PMID- 26282522
TI  - Digital image analysis of testicular and prostatic ultrasonographic echogencity
      and heterogeneity in dogs and the relation to semen quality.
AB  - A semi-automated ultrasonographic method was developed to measure echogenicity
      and heterogeneity of the testes and prostate gland and relationships of these
      measures with semen quality were assessed in 43 fertile dogs. The relationship
      between animal age and body weight upon the volume of the testes, epididymal tail
      volume and prostate volume were also established. Mean testicular echogenicity
      was negatively correlated with the percentage of morphologically normal live
      spermatozoa (more echogenic testes were associated with fewer normal sperm) but
      not with any other semen quality measure. Mean testicular heterogeneity was
      positively correlated with the total spermatozoal output (more heterogenous
      testes, being those with anechoic parenchyma and prominent echogenic stippling,
      were associated with greater sperm output) but not with any other semen quality
      measure. There was no relationship between either mean prostatic echogenicity or
      mean prostatic heterogeneity and any semen quality measure. There was no
      relationship between age and any testicular or prostatic parameter; however
      bodyweight was significantly correlated with total testicular volume, total
      epididymal tail volume and total prostatic volume. Testicular and prostatic
      ultrasonographic echogenicity and heterogeneity can be objectively assessed using
      digital image analysis and testicular echogenicity and heterogeneity may be
      useful adjunct measurements in a breeding soundness examination. 

PMID- 26282523
TI  - A field investigation of a modified intravaginal progesterone releasing device
      and oestradiol benzoate based ovulation synchronisation protocol designed for
      fixed-time artificial insemination of Brahman heifers.
AB  - Pregnancy rates (PR) to fixed-time AI (FTAI) in Brahman heifers were compared
      after treatment with a traditional oestradiol-based protocol (OPO-8) or a
      modified protocol (OPO-6) where the duration of intravaginal progesterone
      releasing device (IPRD) was reduced from 8 to 6 days, and the interval from IPRD
      removal to oestradiol benzoate (ODB) was increased from 24 to 36 h. Rising 2 yo
      heifers on Farm A: (n = 238 and n = 215; two consecutive days AI); B (n = 271);
      and C (n = 393) were allocated to OPO-8 or OPO-6. An IPRD was inserted and 1mg
      ODB i.m. on Day 0 for OPO-8 heifers and Day 2 for OPO-6 heifers. On Day 8, the
      IPRD was removed and 500 MUg cloprostenol i.m. At 24h, for OPO-8 heifers, and 36
      h, for OPO-6 heifers, post IPRD removal all heifers received 1mg ODB i.m. FTAI
      was conducted at 54 and 72 h post IPRD removal for OPO-8 and OPO-6 heifers. At
      Farm A, OPO-6 heifers, AI on the second day, the PR was 52.4% to FTAI (P = 0.024)
      compared to 36.8% for OPO-8 heifers. However, no differences were found between
      OPO-8 and OPO-6 protocols at Farm A (first day of AI) (39.9 vs. 35.7%), or Farms
      B (26.2 vs. 35.4%) and C (43.2% vs. 40.3%). Presence of a corpus luteum at IPRD
      insertion affected PR to FTAI (43.9% vs. 28.8%; P < 0.001). This study has shown
      that the modified ovulation synchronisation protocol OPO-6 may be a viable
      alternative to the OPO-8 protocol for FTAI in B. indicus heifers.

PMID- 26282524
TI  - Seminal plasma protein profiles of ejaculates obtained by internal artificial
      vagina and electroejaculation in Brahman bulls.
AB  - The present study was conducted to investigate if differences exist in the
      seminal plasma protein profile from mature Brahman bulls using two methods of
      semen collection: internal artificial vagina (IAV) and electroejaculation (EEJ).
      Semen was collected four times from three bulls on the same day and parameters
      were assessed immediately post-collection. Seminal plasma proteins were evaluated
      by 2-D fluorescence difference gel electrophoresis and identified by mass
      spectrometry. Semen volume was greater (P < 0.05) for EEJ (4.6 +/- 0.35 mL) than
      for IAV (1.86 +/- 0.24 mL) but sperm concentration was greater in IAV (1505 +/-
      189 * 10(6) sperm/mL) than in EEJ samples (344 +/- 87 * 10(6) sperm/mL). Sperm
      motility and the percentage of normal sperm were not different between
      treatments. Total concentration of seminal plasma proteins was greater for
      samples collected by IAV as compared to EEJ (19.3 +/- 0.9 compared with 13.0 +/-
      1.8 mg/mL, P < 0.05; respectively). Based on 2-D gels, 22 spots had a greater
      volume (P < 0.05) in gels derived from IAV samples, corresponding to 21 proteins
      identified as transferrin, albumin, epididymal secretory glutathione peroxidase,
      among others. Thirty-three spots, corresponding to 26 proteins, had a greater
      volume (P < 0.05) in gels derived from EEJ samples. These proteins were
      identified as spermadhesin-1, Bovine Sperm Protin 1, 3 and 5 isoforms, angiogenin
      1, alpha-1B-glycoprotein, clusterin, nucleobindin-1, cathepsins, spermadhesin
      Z13, annexins, among others. Thus, proteins in greater amounts in samples
      obtained by IAV and EEJ were mainly of epididymal origin and accessory sex
      glands, respectively.

PMID- 26282525
TI  - The Green Eating Project: web-based intervention to promote environmentally
      conscious eating behaviours in US university students.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of an online, interactive
      intervention, referred to as the Green Eating (GE) Project, to motivate
      university students to adopt GE behaviours. DESIGN: The study was quasi
      experimental and integrated into courses for credit/extra credit. Courses were
      randomly stratified into experimental or non-treatment control. The 5-week
      intervention consisted of four modules based on different GE topics. Participants
      completed the GE survey at baseline (experimental, n 241; control, n 367) and
      post (experimental, n 187; control, n 304). The GE survey has been previously
      validated and consists of Transtheoretical Model constructs including stage of
      change (SOC), decisional balance (DB: Pros and Cons) and self-efficacy (SE:
      School and Home) as well as behaviours for GE. Modules contained basic
      information regarding each topic and knowledge items to assess content learning.
      SETTING: The GE Project took place at a public university in the north-eastern
      USA. SUBJECTS: Participants were full-time students between the ages of 18 and 24
      years. RESULTS: The GE Project was effective in significantly increasing GE
      behaviours, DB Pros, SE School and knowledge in experimental compared with
      control, but did not reduce DB Cons or increase SE Home. Experimental
      participants were also more likely to be in later SOC for GE at post testing.
      CONCLUSIONS: The GE Project was effective in increasing GE behaviours in
      university students. Motivating consumers towards adopting GE could assist in
      potentially mitigating negative consequences of the food system on the
      environment. Future research could tailor the intervention to participant SOC to
      further increase the effects or design the modules for other participants.

PMID- 26282526
TI  - Dietary Selenium Status Regulates the Transcriptions of Selenoproteome and
      Activities of Selenoenzymes in Chicken Kidney at Low or Super-nutritional Levels.
AB  - To determine dietary selenium (Se) status regulates the transcriptions of
      selenoproteome and activities of selenoenzymes in chicken kidney, 1-day-old
      chickens received low Se (0.028 mg Se per kg of diet) or super-nutritional Se
      (3.0 or 5.0 mg Se per kg of diet) in their diets for 8 weeks. It was observed
      that dietary low or super-nutritional Se did not make renal appearance
      pathological changes in chicken. Low Se significantly reduced total antioxidant
      capability (T-AOC), glutathione (GSH) content, but malondialdehyde (MDA) content
      in the kidney increased and decreased glutathione peroxidase (Gpx) and
      thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) activity with changes in their mRNA levels. Super
      nutritional Se (3.0 mg/kg) increased T-AOC and GSH contents then made them
      reduce, but it reduced MDA content significantly, elevated then reduced Gpx
      activity, and decreased TrxR activity with changes in their mRNA levels. Dietary
      low Se downregulated the mRNA expressions of Gpx1-4, Txnrd3, Sepn1, Selw, Sepx1,
      Selh, and SEPSECS. At super-nutritional Se, most selenoproteins were upregulated
      in chicken kidney, but Sepp2 and Sep15 was only upregulated in Se excess (5.0
      mg/kg) bird. These results indicated that dietary Se status stabilizes normal
      renal physiology function via regulation of the selenoprotemic transcriptions and
      selenoenzyme activities in avian.

PMID- 26282527
TI  - Effect of Tauroursodeoxycholic Acid and 4-Phenylbutyric Acid on Metabolism of
      Copper and Zinc in Type 1 Diabetic Mice Model.
AB  - Alternations of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) status in diabetes have received a
      great attention. Tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) and 4-phenylbutyric acid (PBA)
      could alleviate the increased endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and prevent
      insulin resistance. This study aimed to investigate the effect of TUDCA and PBA
      on metabolism of Cu and Zn in diabetic mice model. Diabetes was induced by
      streptozotocin in FVB mice treated with and without TUDCA and PBA. Determination
      of Cu and Zn in tissues and serum by acid digestion was followed by ICP-MS. The
      renal and serum Cu levels were significantly higher, while the hepatic Cu and Zn
      levels were significantly decreased in the diabetic mice at 2 weeks and 2 months
      after diabetes onset. The increase of cardiac Cu together with the decrease of
      muscular Zn was found in the diabetic mice only at 2 months. Cu levels were
      positively correlated with Zn in the heart, liver, kidney, muscle, spleen, and
      serum of diabetic and control mice at both 2 weeks and 2 months. Both PBA and
      TUDCA reduced serum Zn, and PBA reduced hepatic Cu to normal levels in the
      diabetic mice at two time points, while PBA normalized serum Cu in the diabetic
      mice only at 2 months. PBA increased hepatic Zn to normal levels in the diabetic
      mice at 2 weeks, while it partially increased hepatic Zn in the same group at 2
      months. Therefore, maintaining homeostasis of Cu and Zn by TUDCA and PBA in
      diabetes needs to be received with special attention.

PMID- 26282528
TI  - Generalized seizures in a neural field model with bursting dynamics.
AB  - The mechanisms underlying generalized seizures are explored with neural field
      theory. A corticothalamic neural field model that has accounted for multiple
      brain activity phenomena and states is used to explore changes leading to
      pathological seizure states. It is found that absence seizures arise from
      instabilities in the system and replicate experimental studies in numerous animal
      models and clinical studies. 

PMID- 26282536
TI  - The exceptionally rich coordination chemistry generated by Schiff-base ligands
      derived from o-vanillin.
AB  - Ortho-vanillin became very popular in coordination chemistry because of its
      Schiff bases, which generate a rich variety of complexes, ranging from
      oligonuclear species to coordination polymers. Some of these organic molecules
      are particularly useful in metallosupramolecular chemistry for assembling homo-
      and heterometallic helicates. The Schiff bases obtained using aminoalcohols open
      the door to the synthesis of homo- and heterometallic clusters with various
      nuclearities and surprising topologies of the metal centers. Several relevant
      structural types are reviewed. The heterobinuclear 3d-3d' and 3d-4f complexes are
      valuable building-blocks for the synthesis of heterotrimetallic systems. Beyond
      the richness of this chemistry, the complexes obtained from o-vanillin-based
      Schiff ligands show interesting properties: magnetism, luminescence, chirality,
      catalysis, cytotoxicity, and ferroelectricity. This paper reviews recent data
      that illustrate a very fertile and dynamic research field in coordination
      chemistry and materials science. 

PMID- 26282529
TI  - Impact of dietary fat on the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in
      Ldlr-/- mice.
AB  - The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has increased in
      parallel with central obesity and is now the most common chronic liver disease in
      developed countries. NAFLD is defined as excessive accumulation of lipid in the
      liver, i.e. hepatosteatosis. The severity of NAFLD ranges from simple fatty liver
      (steatosis) to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Simple steatosis is
      relatively benign until it progresses to NASH, which is characterised by hepatic
      injury, inflammation, oxidative stress and fibrosis. Hepatic fibrosis is a risk
      factor for cirrhosis and primary hepatocellular carcinoma. Our studies have
      focused on the impact of diet on the onset and progression of NASH. We developed
      a mouse model of NASH by feeding Ldlr-/- mice a western diet (WD), a diet
      moderately high in saturated and trans-fat, sucrose and cholesterol. The WD
      induced a NASH phenotype in Ldlr-/- mice that recapitulates many of the clinical
      features of human NASH. We also assessed the capacity of the dietary n-3 PUFA,
      i.e. EPA (20 : 5,n-3) and DHA (22 : 6,n-3), to prevent WD-induced NASH in Ldlr-/-
      mice. Histologic, transcriptomic, lipidomic and metabolomic analyses established
      that DHA was equal or superior to EPA at attenuating WD-induced dyslipidemia and
      hepatic injury, inflammation, oxidative stress and fibrosis. Dietary n-3 PUFA,
      however, had no significant effect on WD-induced changes in body weight, body fat
      or blood glucose. These studies provide a molecular and metabolic basis for
      understanding the strengths and weaknesses of using dietary n-3 PUFA to prevent
      NASH in human subjects.

PMID- 26282539
TI  - Incidence of breast cancer among female survivors of Hodgkin lymphoma: a US
      population-based trend analysis from 1973 to 2011.

PMID- 26282538
TI  - Mesenchymal stem cells derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells retain
      adequate osteogenicity and chondrogenicity but less adipogenicity.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Previously, we established a simple method for deriving mesenchymal
      stem cells (MSCs) from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC-MSCs). These
      iPSC-MSCs were capable of forming osteogenic structures in scaffolds and
      nanofibers. The objective of this study is to systematically characterize the
      mesenchymal characteristics of the iPSC-MSCs by comparing them to bone marrow
      derived MSCs (BM-MSCs). METHODS: Two iPSC-MSC lines (named as mRNA-iPSC-MSC-YL001
      and lenti-iPSC-MSC-A001) and one BM-MSC line were used for the study. Cell
      proliferation, presence of mesenchymal surface markers, tri-lineage
      differentiation capability (osteogenesis, chondrogenesis, adipogenesis), and
      expression of "stemness" genes were analyzed in these MSC lines. RESULTS: The
      iPSC-MSCs were similar to BM-MSCs in terms of cell morphology (fibroblast-like)
      and surface antigen profile: CD29+, CD44+, CD73+, CD90+, CD105+, CD11b-, CD14-,
      CD31-, CD34-, CD45- and HLA-DR-. A faster proliferative capability was seen in
      both iPSC-MSCs lines compared to the BM-MSCs. The iPSC-MSCs showed adequate
      capacity of osteogenesis and chondrogenesis compared to the BM-MSCs, while less
      adipogenic potential was found in the iPSC-MSCs. The iPSC-MSCs and the tri
      lineage differentiated cells (osteoblasts, chondrocytes, adipocytes) all lack
      expression of "stemness" genes: OCT4, SOX2, GDF3, CRIPTO, UTF1, DPPA4, DNMT3B,
      LIN28a, and SAL4. CONCLUSIONS: The MSCs derived from human iPSCs with our method
      have advanced proliferation capability and adequate osteogenic and chondrogenic
      properties compared to BM-MSCs. However, the iPSC-MSCs were less efficient in
      their adipogenicity, suggesting that further modifications should be applied to
      our method to derive iPSC-MSCs more closely resembling the naive BM-MSCs if
      necessary.

PMID- 26282537
TI  - Diagnosis of neglected tropical diseases among patients with persistent digestive
      disorders (diarrhoea and/or abdominal pain >=14 days): Pierrea multi-country,
      prospective, non-experimental case-control study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Diarrhoea still accounts for considerable mortality and morbidity
      worldwide. The highest burden is concentrated in tropical areas where populations
      lack access to clean water, adequate sanitation and hygiene. In contrast to acute
      diarrhoea (<14 days), the spectrum of pathogens that may give rise to persistent
      diarrhoea (>=14 days) and persistent abdominal pain is poorly understood. It is
      conceivable that pathogens causing neglected tropical diseases play a major role,
      but few studies investigated this issue. Clinical management and diagnostic work
      up of persistent digestive disorders in the tropics therefore remain inadequate.
      Hence, important aspects regarding the pathogenesis, epidemiology, clinical
      symptomatology and treatment options for patients presenting with persistent
      diarrhoea and persistent abdominal pain should be investigated in multi-centric
      clinical studies. METHODS/DESIGN: This multi-country, prospective, non
      experimental case-control study will assess persistent diarrhoea (>=14 days; in
      individuals aged >=1 year) and persistent abdominal pain (>=14 days; in
      children/adolescents aged 1-18 years) in up to 2000 symptomatic patients and 2000
      matched controls. Subjects from Cote d'Ivoire, Indonesia, Mali and Nepal will be
      clinically examined and interviewed using a detailed case report form.
      Additionally, each participant will provide a stool sample that will be examined
      using a suite of diagnostic methods (i.e., microscopic techniques, rapid
      diagnostic tests, stool culture and polymerase chain reaction) for the presence
      of bacterial and parasitic pathogens. Treatment will be offered to all infected
      participants and the clinical treatment response will be recorded. Data obtained
      will be utilised to develop patient-centred clinical algorithms that will be
      validated in primary health care centres in the four study countries in
      subsequent studies. DISCUSSION: Our research will deepen the understanding of the
      importance of persistent diarrhoea and related digestive disorders in the
      tropics. A diversity of intestinal pathogens will be assessed for potential
      associations with persistent diarrhoea and persistent abdominal pain. Different
      diagnostic methods will be compared, clinical symptoms investigated and diagnosis
      treatment algorithms developed for validation in selected primary health care
      centres. The findings from this study will improve differential diagnosis and
      evidence-based clinical management of digestive syndromes in the tropics. TRIAL
      REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov; identifier: NCT02105714 .

PMID- 26282540
TI  - Structural basis for quinine-dependent antibody binding to platelet integrin
      alphaIIbbeta3.
AB  - Drug-induced immune thrombocytopenia (DITP) is caused by antibodies that react
      with specific platelet-membrane glycoproteins when the provoking drug is present.
      More than 100 drugs have been implicated as triggers for this condition, quinine
      being one of the most common. The cause of DITP in most cases appears to be a
      drug-induced antibody that binds to a platelet membrane glycoprotein only when
      the drug is present. How a soluble drug promotes binding of an otherwise
      nonreactive immunoglobulin to its target, leading to platelet destruction, is
      uncertain, in part because of the difficulties of working with polyclonal human
      antibodies usually available only in small quantities. Recently, quinine
      dependent murine monoclonal antibodies were developed that recognize a defined
      epitope on the beta-propeller domain of the platelet integrin alphaIIb subunit
      (GPIIb) only when the drug is present and closely mimic the behavior of
      antibodies found in human patients with quinine-induced thrombocytopenia in vitro
      and in vivo. Here, we demonstrate specific, high-affinity binding of quinine to
      the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs) of these antibodies and define in
      crystal structures the changes induced in the CDR by this interaction. Because no
      detectable binding of quinine to the target integrin could be demonstrated in
      previous studies, the findings indicate that a hybrid paratope consisting of
      quinine and reconfigured antibody CDR plays a critical role in recognition of its
      target epitope by an antibody and suggest that, in this type of drug-induced
      immunologic injury, the primary reaction involves binding of the drug to antibody
      CDRs, causing it to acquire specificity for a site on a platelet integrin. 

PMID- 26282542
TI  - Retraction note to: the plateau in mnemonic resolution across large set sizes
      indicates discrete resource limits in visual working memory.

PMID- 26282541
TI  - Fibrin activates GPVI in human and mouse platelets.
AB  - The glycoprotein VI (GPVI)-Fc receptor gamma (FcRgamma) chain is the major
      platelet signaling receptor for collagen. Paradoxically, in a FeCl3 injury model,
      occlusion, but not initiation of thrombus formation, is delayed in GPVI-deficient
      and GPVI-depleted mice. In this study, we demonstrate that GPVI is a receptor for
      fibrin and speculate that this contributes to development of an occlusive
      thrombus. We observed a marked increase in tyrosine phosphorylation, including
      the FcRgamma chain and Syk, in human and mouse platelets induced by thrombin in
      the presence of fibrinogen and the alphaIIbbeta3 blocker eptifibatide. This was
      not seen in platelets stimulated by a protease activated receptor (PAR)-4
      peptide, which is unable to generate fibrin from fibrinogen. The pattern of
      tyrosine phosphorylation was similar to that induced by activation of GPVI.
      Consistent with this, thrombin did not induce tyrosine phosphorylation of Syk and
      the FcRgamma chain in GPVI-deficient mouse platelets. Mouse platelets underwent
      full spreading on fibrin but not fibrinogen, which was blocked in the presence of
      a Src kinase inhibitor or in the absence of GPVI. Spreading on fibrin was
      associated with phosphatidylserine exposure (procoagulant activity), and this too
      was blocked in GPVI-deficient platelets. The ectodomain of GPVI was shown to bind
      to immobilized monomeric and polymerized fibrin. A marked increase in
      embolization was seen following FeCl3 injury in GPVI-deficient mice, likely
      contributing to the delay in occlusion in this model. These results demonstrate
      that GPVI is a receptor for fibrin and provide evidence that this interaction
      contributes to thrombus growth and stability. 

PMID- 26282543
TI  - Steroidogenesis in plants--Biosynthesis and conversions of progesterone and other
      pregnane derivatives.
AB  - In plants androstanes, estranes, pregnanes and corticoids have been described.
      Sometimes 17beta-estradiol, androsterone, testosterone or progesterone were
      summarized as sex hormones. These steroids influence plant development: cell
      divisions, root and shoot growth, embryo growth, flowering, pollen tube growth
      and callus proliferation. First reports on the effect of applicated substances
      and of their endogenous occurrence date from the early twenties of the last
      century. This caused later on doubts on the identity of the compounds. Best
      investigated is the effect of progesterone. Main steps of the progesterone
      biosynthetic pathway have been analyzed in Digitalis. Cholesterol-side-chain
      cleavage, pregnenolone and progesterone formation as well as the stereospecific
      reduction of progesterone are described and the corresponding enzymes are
      presented. Biosynthesis of androstanes, estranes and corticoids is discussed.
      Possible progesterone receptors and physiological reactions on progesterone
      application are reviewed. 

PMID- 26282545
TI  - Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors for Cancer Therapy: Clinical Efficacy and Safety.
AB  - A major breakthrough in cancer immunotherapy was the discovery of immune
      checkpoint proteins, which function to effectively inhibit the immune system
      through various mechanisms. The first of such molecules shown to inhibit both T
      cell proliferation and IL-2 production was cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated
      protein 4 (CTLA-4). With this discovery, efforts turned to blocking this
      inhibitory pathway in an attempt to activate dormant T-cells directed at cancer
      cells. The first antibody directed against CTLA-4, ipilimumab, was quickly
      ushered into clinical trials and was approved by the US Food and Drug
      Administration (FDA) for the treatment of metastatic melanoma in 2011. Following
      the success of ipilimumab, other immune checkpoints were studied as possible
      targets for inhibition. One such interaction was that of the programmed cell
      death-1 (PD-1) T-cell receptor and its ligand found on many cancer cells,
      programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1). Unfortunately, the untoward effects of
      blocking the immune system's natural inhibitory mechanisms have manifested
      clinically as diarrhea, rash, and hepatitis. Nevertheless, the exciting field of
      immune checkpoint inhibitors offers a potential curative option for many cancer
      patients who previously had a more dismal prognosis. The authors aim to provide a
      comprehensive review of the literature and update on the use of CTLA-4, PD-1 and
      PD-L1 targeted therapy in the treatment of cancer and other molecules still in
      the early development phase. 

PMID- 26282546
TI  - Emerging Drug Target In Pancreatic Cancer: Placing Sirtuin 1 on the Canvas.
AB  - Sirtuin 1 is a protein deacetylase that regulates a large number of proteins
      often functionally implicated in tumor development and progression. Its
      pleiotropic function has turned SIRT1 into an attractive chemotherapeutic target,
      underscored by very promising preclinical results with SIRT1 inhibitors in the
      treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia. Here, we revisit the studies on SIRT1 as
      an emerging target for therapy in pancreatic cancer, a tumor with dismal outcomes
      for which currently few therapeutic options are available. We highlight those
      potential SIRT1 target genes that are commonly affected in pancreatic cancer
      according to recent genomic analyses. 

PMID- 26282547
TI  - Extracellular Ca(2+) Selectively Enhances Adriamycin-induced Cell Death in Human
      Hepatoma Cells.
AB  - It has been shown that the regulatory mechanisms of Ca(2+) signaling between
      tumor and normal cells are different, providing new insight into the
      pharmacological modulation of anticancer drugs. However, it remains unclear
      whether there is any difference between hepatoma and normal hepatic cells in
      their response to extracellular Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)]e). In the present study, the
      growth inhibition, apoptosis and necrosis rates of human normal embryo hepatic
      L02 and human hepatoma HepG2 cells exposed to additional calcium ([Ca(2+)]a)and
      adriamycin (ADM), a chemotherapeutic agent to treat hepatocellular carcinoma,
      were measured by MTT and annexin V/PI assays, respectively. The results showed
      that the growth inhibition, necrosis and apoptosis rates, as well as
      intracellular Ca(2+) concentrations ([Ca(2+)]i) induced by [Ca(2+)]e in HepG2
      cells were higher than those in L02 cells. Moreover, [Ca(2+)]e was able to
      selectively enhance ADM-induced growth inhibition, apoptosis and necrosis in
      HepG2 cells, but not in L02 cells. ADM and [Ca(2+)]a co-treatment had a
      significant interaction effect to increase [Ca(2+)]i in both cell lines, although
      there was no significant difference in [Ca(2+)]i between the two cells. To
      further elucidate the mechanisms involved in the selective promotion of [Ca(2+)]e
      in HepG2 and L02 cells, the levels of these apoptosis regulatory proteins (bcl-2,
      bax and procaspase-3) and the caspase-3 activity following treatment of HepG2 and
      L02 cells with ADM or/and [Ca(2+)]a were investigated. The results showed that
      treating HepG2 cells with [Ca(2+)]a and ADM increased the level of bax protein
      and caspase-3 activity while decreasing the level of bcl-2 protein, compared with
      treatment with ADM alone. However, no significant change was noted in L02 cells.
      These results indicate that hepatoma HepG2 cells are more sensitive to [Ca2+]e
      than normal hepatic L02 cells and that [Ca(2+)]a can selectively enhance ADM
      induced cell death in HepG2 cells. The mechanism of this intensive pro-apoptotic
      effect can be ascribed to up-regulation of bax and the simultaneous down
      regulation of bcl-2, followed by the switch from procaspase-3 to caspase-3, which
      executed apoptosis. The present data suggest the potency of the calcium ion as an
      enhancer of ADM.

PMID- 26282548
TI  - A New Strategy to Target Acute Myeloid Leukemia Stem and Progenitor Cells Using
      Chidamide, a Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor.
AB  - Leukemia stem cells (LSCs) are responsible for treatment failure and relapse in
      acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Therefore, development of novel LSCs-targeting
      therapeutic strategies is of crucial clinical importance to improve the treatment
      outcomes of AML. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors have shown potent and
      specific anticancer stem cell activities in preclinical studies. Chidamide, a
      novel benzamide-type selectively HDAC inhibitor, has been reported to induce G1
      arrest and apoptosis in the relatively mature progenitor population, whereas its
      effect on primitive LSCs has not been clarified. In this study, we demonstrated
      that chidamide specifically induces apoptosis in LSC-like cells and primary AML
      CD34(+) cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Our further
      molecular mechanistic study uncovered that chidamide induces LSCs death by
      activation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). It compromises the mitochondria
      membrane potential, modulates antiapoptotic and pro-apoptotic proteins in BCL2
      family and activates caspase-3 leading to PARP degradation. Meanwhile, chidamide
      activates CD40 and modulates its downstream signaling pathways, JNK and NFkappaB.
      The results of this study suggest that chidamide may be a novel LSC-targeting
      agent for AML therapeutics. 

PMID- 26282549
TI  - The Prognosis of Patients with Liver Metastases from Colorectal Cancer still
      Depends on Anatomical Presentation more than on Treatments.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The best management of liver metastases from colorectal cancer is
      still debated and little is known about the true impact of treatments on
      survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study involved 122 patients (77 males), aged
      64.0 +/- 11.0 years (range: 27.8-86.1) at diagnosis of liver metastatization
      (synchronous in 59). All underwent chemotherapy and at least one procedure of
      radiofrequency ablation; 53 also had partial hepatic resections. Demographics,
      tumor characteristics and survival outcomes from liver metastatization were
      analyzed with univariate and multivariate techniques. This analysis was performed
      also taking into account relative survival as the best estimate of specific
      survival. RESULTS: The analysis with observed survival selected the categorized
      number of involved lymph nodes in the colorectal specimens as the only
      statistically significant predictor, while the analysis with relative survival
      also showed site of the primary tumor (above the sigmoid colon or otherwise) and
      number of liver metastases as significant factors. The standardized mortality
      ratio was 9.673 (95% CI: 7.668-11.663) and a total of 201.85 years of life were
      lost in comparison with the survival of the reference population. CONCLUSIONS:
      The computation of relative survival - better than observed survival - selected a
      more adequate number of predictors, making investigation of even limited series
      of patients with confounding factors reliable. The finding that prognosis was
      mainly dependent on the anatomical presentation of the primary tumor and of liver
      metastases - instead of treatments - could explain the still contrasting opinions
      on the role of the available therapies in this field.

PMID- 26282550
TI  - Thinking outside the boxes: Using current reading models to assess and treat
      developmental surface dyslexia.
AB  - Improving the reading performance of children with developmental surface dyslexia
      has proved challenging, with limited generalisation of reading skills typically
      reported after intervention. The aim of this study was to provide tailored,
      theoretically motivated intervention to two children with developmental surface
      dyslexia. Our objectives were to improve their reading performance, and to
      evaluate the utility of current reading models in therapeutic practice. Detailed
      reading and cognitive profiles for two male children with developmental surface
      dyslexia were compared to the results obtained by age-matched control groups. The
      specific area of single-word reading difficulty for each child was identified
      within the dual route model (DRM) of reading, following which a theoretically
      motivated intervention programme was devised. Both children showed significant
      improvements in single-word reading ability after training, with generalisation
      effects observed for untrained words. However, the assessment and intervention
      results also differed for each child, reinforcing the view that the causes and
      consequences of developmental dyslexia, even within subtypes, are not
      homogeneous. Overall, the results of the interventions corresponded more closely
      with the DRM than other current reading models, in that real word reading
      improved in the absence of enhanced nonword reading for both children.

PMID- 26282551
TI  - Results of an online questionnaire to survey calf management practices on dairy
      cattle breeding farms in Austria and to estimate differences in disease
      incidences depending on farm structure and management practices.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Calf disease may result in great economic losses. To implement
      prevention strategies it is important to gain information on management and to
      point out risk factors. The objective of this internet based survey was to
      describe calf management practices on registered dairy breeding farms in Austria
      and to estimate differences in calf disease incidences depending on farm
      structure and management practices. RESULTS: A total of 1287 questionnaires were
      finally analysed (response rate 12.2 %). Herd characteristics and regional
      distribution of farms indicated that this survey gives a good overview on calf
      management practices on registered dairy farms in Austria. The median number of
      cows per farm was 20 (interquartile range 13-30). Significant differences
      regarding farm characteristics and calf management between small and large farms
      (<=20 vs >20 cows) were present. Only 2.8 % of farmers tested first colostrum
      quality by use of a hydrometer. Storing frozen colostrum was more prevalent on
      large farms (80.8 vs 64.2 %). On 85.1 % of the farms, whole milk, including waste
      milk, was fed to the calves. Milk replacer and waste milk were more often used on
      large farms. In accordance with similar studies from other countries, calf
      diarrhoea was indicated as the most prevalent disease. Multivariable logistic
      regression analysis revealed that herd size was associated with calf diarrhoea
      and calf respiratory tract disease, with higher risk of disease on large farms.
      Furthermore, feeding waste milk to the calves was associated with increasing calf
      diarrhoea incidence on farm. In the final model with calf respiratory tract
      disease as outcome, respondents from organic farms reported less often a
      respiratory tract disease incidence of over 10 % compared with conventional farms
      [odds ratio (OR) 0.40, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.21-0.75] and farmers that
      housed calves individually or in groups after birth significantly reported more
      often to have an incidence of respiratory tract disease >10 % compared with farms
      where all calves were housed individually (OR 2.28, 95 % CI 1.16-4.48).
      CONCLUSION: The results obtained in this study provide an overview on calf
      management on dairy breeding farms in Austria and may help to further point out
      areas to be improved on farm.

PMID- 26282552
TI  - Graphene-based hybrid films for plasmonic sensing.
AB  - Graphene, a one-atomic-layer-thick planar sheet of sp(2)-bonded carbon configured
      in a two-dimensional hexagonal lattice, has attracted considerable research
      interest with regard to sensing-related applications owing to its extraordinary
      electronic, optical, chemical, and mechanical properties. Graphene plasmonics may
      be excited in the mid-infrared-to-terahertz regions with high spatial
      confinement, low loss, and excellent tunability. Meanwhile, graphene can be
      utilized to tune the plasmonic properties of conventional metallic nanostructures
      in the visible and near-infrared regions, allowing it to act as a versatile
      component in various plasmonic applications. This article reviews the recent
      progress in graphene-based hybrid films used for plasmonic sensing and detection.
      We particularly emphasize on the unique roles and advantages of graphene in
      surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) for bare graphene or graphene-metal
      hybrid films, and plasmonic refractive index (RI) sensing for graphene-metal or
      graphene-insulator hybrids, among other plasmonic sensing applications. The
      preparation of graphene-based hybrid films, their functionalization and signal
      detection techniques are also reviewed. Finally, the perspectives and current
      challenges in the use of graphene-based hybrid films for plasmonic sensing are
      outlined. 

PMID- 26282553
TI  - Sample size calculation for a stepped wedge trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Stepped wedge trials (SWTs) can be considered as a variant of a
      clustered randomised trial, although in many ways they embed additional
      complications from the point of view of statistical design and analysis. While
      the literature is rich for standard parallel or clustered randomised clinical
      trials (CRTs), it is much less so for SWTs. The specific features of SWTs need to
      be addressed properly in the sample size calculations to ensure valid estimates
      of the intervention effect. METHODS: We critically review the available
      literature on analytical methods to perform sample size and power calculations in
      a SWT. In particular, we highlight the specific assumptions underlying currently
      used methods and comment on their validity and potential for extensions. Finally,
      we propose the use of simulation-based methods to overcome some of the
      limitations of analytical formulae. We performed a simulation exercise in which
      we compared simulation-based sample size computations with analytical methods and
      assessed the impact of varying the basic parameters to the resulting sample
      size/power, in the case of continuous and binary outcomes and assuming both cross
      sectional data and the closed cohort design. RESULTS: We compared the sample size
      requirements for a SWT in comparison to CRTs based on comparable number of
      measurements in each cluster. In line with the existing literature, we found that
      when the level of correlation within the clusters is relatively high (for
      example, greater than 0.1), the SWT requires a smaller number of clusters. For
      low values of the intracluster correlation, the two designs produce more similar
      requirements in terms of total number of clusters. We validated our simulation
      based approach and compared the results of sample size calculations to analytical
      methods; the simulation-based procedures perform well, producing results that are
      extremely similar to the analytical methods. We found that usually the SWT is
      relatively insensitive to variations in the intracluster correlation, and that
      failure to account for a potential time effect will artificially and grossly
      overestimate the power of a study. CONCLUSIONS: We provide a framework for
      handling the sample size and power calculations of a SWT and suggest that
      simulation-based procedures may be more effective, especially in dealing with the
      specific features of the study at hand. In selected situations and depending on
      the level of intracluster correlation and the cluster size, SWTs may be more
      efficient than comparable CRTs. However, the decision about the design to be
      implemented will be based on a wide range of considerations, including the cost
      associated with the number of clusters, number of measurements and the trial
      duration.

PMID- 26282554
TI  - Public response to the 2014 chemical spill in West Virginia: knowledge, opinions
      and behaviours.
AB  - BACKGROUND: On January 9(th) 2014, a faulty storage tank leaked 10,000 gal of an
      industrial coal processing liquid into the Elk River in West Virginia (WV),
      contaminating the drinking water of the nine counties collectively known as the
      Kanawha Valley. The aim of this study was to 1) explore how and when people
      obtained information about the water contamination and 2) understand how
      individual and social factors such as socio-demographic characteristics, timing
      of information, trust in government, and risk perception influenced compliance
      with recommended behaviours and the public's views on the need for environmental
      regulations. METHODS: Between February 7-26, 2014, a survey was conducted of
      adult residents of West Virginia including geographic areas affected and non
      affected by the chemical spill. The total population-based sample size was 690
      and the survey was administered online. Descriptive statistics and multivariate
      statistical models were created to determine what factors influenced compliance
      and public opinions. RESULTS: Findings from this study show that, during the 2014
      West Virginia water crisis, information about water contamination spread quickly,
      as 73 % of survey respondents across the state and 89 % within the affected
      counties reported they heard about the incident the same day it occurred. Most
      people received the information promptly, understood what happened, and
      understood what to do to prevent exposure to the contaminant. The majority of
      respondents living in affected counties (70 %) followed the recommended
      behaviours. Among participants who voiced an opinion on the role of government in
      environmental regulations, the majority of respondents (54 %) reported there is
      "too little regulation." CONCLUSION: Data from this study show that a higher
      perception of risk and timely receipt of information are associated with
      compliance with recommended behaviours, underlying the importance of releasing
      information to the public as quickly as possible during a crisis. This study also
      highlights the importance of coordinating risk communication activities beyond
      the area of the incident to assure public understanding of what measures are
      recommended, which are not and where.

PMID- 26282555
TI  - Development of evaporative light scattering detector for capillary
      electrochromatography and capillary liquid chromatography.
AB  - The paper describes a microfluidic evaporative light scattering detector (MUELSD)
      for capillary electrochromatography and capillary liquid chromatography. The
      detector, consisting of a microfluidic nebulizer, a miniaturized evaporative
      module, a sheath gas module, and a light scattering chamber, was developed and
      optimized. Carrier gas exits from an extremely narrow circular gap (about 5 MUm)
      between the spraying capillary o.d. and the nozzle i.d., impacting on the mobile
      phase liquid with supersonic velocity, to nebulize the effluent of a few hundred
      nL/min from the capillary outlet. The evaporation process was found to be
      accomplished at ambient temperature. A sheath gas module featuring a structural
      necking subsequent to drift tube endings was found to enhance the reproducibility
      and increase the S/N. Excellent linearity of the optimal MUELSD was 3 orders of
      magnitude (0.2-40 ng; R(2) = 0.9998). The limit of detection (LOD) for glucose
      with a capillary column was 100 pg. Finally, the MUELSD coupled to pressurized
      capillary eletrochromatography (pCEC) was applied to the analysis of six active
      components in traditional Chinese medicine extract, demonstrating the feasibility
      of the detector for capillary liquid separation system. 

PMID- 26282556
TI  - Florfenicol induces early embryonic death in eggs collected from treated hens.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Florfenicol, a commonly used veterinary antibiotic, was reported to
      have caused a severe drop in egg hatchability following its off-label use on a
      broiler breeder farm in South Africa. According to the pharmacovigilance report,
      hatchability dropped by 80 % for up to a week following a five day course at 10
      mg/kg (both males and females treated metaphylactically) to manage an Escherichia
      coli infection. While mammalian toxicity studies indicate the potential for early
      embryonic death in utero or testicular damage, no literature is available on the
      avian toxicity of florfenicol. For this study we investigated the effects of
      florfenicol at various doses from 10 to 90 mg/kg on the egg hatchability in a
      breeder flock we kept and established under controlled conditions, with the same
      cockerels and hens being exposed in a phased manner. RESULTS: Following five days
      of oral exposure, no toxic signs were evident in any of the cockerels or hens
      treated at doses up to 90 mg/kg. Treatment of only the cockerels had no effect on
      egg hatchability, while treatment of only the hens at doses of 60 and 90 mg/kg
      resulted in decreased hatchability of 0 % in comparison to 70 % of the control as
      early 24 h after treatment. In all cases, decreased hatchability was associated
      with embryonic death at 5 days of development. The toxic effects of florfenicol
      were completely reversible with comparable hatchability being present by day 4
      post-treatment withdrawal. Toxicity correlated with total egg florfenicol
      concentrations with an LC50 of 1.07 MUg/g. CONCLUSION: Florfenicol appears to be
      toxic to the developing chick embryo at around day 5 of incubation, in the
      absence of related toxicity in the hen or cockerel.

PMID- 26282558
TI  - Successful multiple-step management of intravenous leiomyomatosis diagnosed after
      episode of acute abdominal pain: Case report and review of literature.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: We present the case of a 37-year old woman diagnosed with
      intravenous leiomyomatosis (IVL) that was managed uneventfully with multiple-step
      management. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 37-year-old woman was admitted because of
      acute abdominal pain. Emergency Computed Tomography demonstrated a big pelvic
      mass 5*15cm of heterogenous composition intaking the contrast agent. Total
      hysterectomy with salpingoophorectomy was proposed to patient, however, patient
      expressed her will for fertility preservation and gave consent only for the
      resection of a single ovary. Laparotomy revealed the presence of myoma, multiple
      lesions of potential adenomyosis and cordon-shaped formations arising from uterus
      and extending mainly to left ovary. Final histological diagnosis was intravenous
      leiomyomatosis (IVL). MRI angiography revealed the presence of residual lesions
      in inferior vena cava. Laparoscopic resection was performed one month after
      laparotomy and left ovary was resected without complications. Venovenous bypass
      was finally performed three months later from initial surgery. The process was
      significantly labored, resulted in the successful resection of intravenous
      lesions but was complicated intraoperatively by right kidney rupture. After a
      follow-up of 33 months, case remains uncomplicated without signs or symptoms of
      potential recurrence. DISCUSSION: Intravenous leiomyomatosis represents a rare
      clinical entity histologically bening but clinically aggressive. No consensus
      exists regarding the optimal management, especially in cases with initial will
      for fertility preservation. CONCLUSION: IVL represents a rare clinical entity
      often presenting difficulties in diagnosis and optimal treatment. Large case
      series studies should be encouraged to assess the optimal management.

PMID- 26282559
TI  - A case report of duplex gallbladder and review of the literature.
AB  - Gallbladder duplication is a rare congenital abnormality first described by
      Boyden in 1926. Pre-operative diagnosis is essential in identifying anatomical
      abnormalities in order to avoid biliary injuries at the time of surgery or
      performance of an incomplete operation. We present a case of a duplex gallbladder
      and review of the literature. 

PMID- 26282557
TI  - Accuracy of imputation using the most common sires as reference population in
      layer chickens.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Genotype imputation has become a standard practice in modern genetic
      research to increase genome coverage and improve the accuracy of genomic
      selection (GS) and genome-wide association studies (GWAS). We assessed accuracies
      of imputing 60K genotype data from lower density single nucleotide polymorphism
      (SNP) panels using a small set of the most common sires in a population of 2140
      white layer chickens. Several factors affecting imputation accuracy were
      investigated, including the size of the reference population, the level of the
      relationship between the reference and validation populations, and minor allele
      frequency (MAF) of the SNP being imputed. RESULTS: The accuracy of imputation was
      assessed with different scenarios using 22 and 62 carefully selected reference
      animals (Ref(22) and Ref(62)). Animal-specific imputation accuracy corrected for
      gene content was moderate on average (~ 0.80) in most scenarios and low in the 3K
      to 60K scenario. Maximum average accuracies were 0.90 and 0.93 for the most
      favourable scenario for Ref(22) and Ref(62) respectively, when SNPs were masked
      independent of their MAF. SNPs with low MAF were more difficult to impute, and
      the larger reference population considerably improved the imputation accuracy for
      these rare SNPs. When Ref(22) was used for imputation, the average imputation
      accuracy decreased by 0.04 when validation population was two instead of one
      generation away from the reference and increased again by 0.05 when validation
      was three generations away. Selecting the reference animals from the most common
      sires, compared with random animals from the population, considerably improved
      imputation accuracy for low MAF SNPs, but gave only limited improvement for other
      MAF classes. The allelic R(2) measure from Beagle software was found to be a good
      predictor of imputation reliability (correlation ~ 0.8) when the density of
      validation panel was very low (3K) and the MAF of the SNP and the size of the
      reference population were not extremely small. CONCLUSIONS: Even with a very
      small number of animals in the reference population, reasonable accuracy of
      imputation can be achieved. Selecting a set of the most common sires, rather than
      selecting random animals for the reference population, improves the imputation
      accuracy of rare alleles, which may be a benefit when imputing with whole genome
      re-sequencing data.

PMID- 26282560
TI  - alpha-linolenic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, alone and combined with
      trastuzumab, reduce HER2-overexpressing breast cancer cell growth but
      differentially regulate HER2 signaling pathways.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Diets rich in the n-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) have been
      shown to reduce breast tumor growth, enhance the effectiveness of the HER2
      targeted drug trastuzumab (TRAS) and reduce HER2 signaling in mouse models. It is
      unclear whether this is due to direct effects of ALA or due to its long-chain n-3
      fatty acids metabolites including docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). METHODS: The
      ability of HER2-overexpressing BT-474 human breast cancer cells to convert ALA to
      long-chain n-3 fatty acids was determined by measurement of phospholipid fatty
      acids by gas chromatography following treatment with 100 MUM ALA. The effects of
      96 h treatment with ALA or DHA, at serum levels seen in mice (50-100 MUM), alone
      and combined with TRAS (10 MUg/ml), on BT-474 cell growth measured by trypan blue
      exclusion, apoptosis measured by flow cytometric analysis of Annexin-V/7-AAD
      stained cells (ALA and TRAS treatment only) and protein biomarkers HER2 signaling
      measured by western blot were determined. RESULTS: ALA-treated BT-474 cells had
      higher phospholipid ALA but no increase in downstream n-3 metabolites including
      DHA. Both ALA and DHA reduced cell growth with and without TRAS. ALA had no
      effect on apoptosis. ALA and DHA showed opposite effects on Akt and MAPK
      phosphorylation; ALA increased and DHA decreased phosphorylation. CONCLUSIONS:
      Together these data suggest that, while both ALA and its DHA metabolite can
      reduce HER2-overexpressing breast cancer growth with and without TRAS, they
      demonstrate for the first time that DHA is responsible for the effects of ALA
      rich diets on HER2 signaling pathways.

PMID- 26282562
TI  - Expression of feruloyl esterase A from Aspergillus terreus and its application in
      biomass degradation.
AB  - Feruloyl esterases (FAEs) are key enzymes involved in the complete biodegradation
      of lignocelluloses, which could hydrolyze the ester bonds between hemicellulose
      and lignin. The coding sequence of a feruloyl esterase A (AtFaeA) was cloned from
      Aspergillus terreus and the recombinant AtFaeA was constitutively expressed in
      Pichia pastoris. The SDS-PAGE analysis of purified AtFaeA showed two protein
      bands owing to the different extent of glycosylation, and the recombinant AtFaeA
      had an optimum temperature of 50 degrees C and an optimum pH of 5.0. The
      substrate utilization and primary sequence identity of AtFaeA demonstrated that
      it is a type-A feruloyl esterase. The hydrolysis of corn stalk and corncob by
      xylanase from Aspergillus niger could be significantly improved in concert with
      recombinant AfFaeA. 

PMID- 26282561
TI  - Outcome Reporting in Cardiac Surgery Trials: Systematic Review and Critical
      Appraisal.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is currently no accepted standard for reporting outcomes
      following cardiac surgery. The objective of this paper was to systematically
      review the literature to evaluate the current use and definition of perioperative
      outcomes reported in cardiac surgery trials. METHODS AND RESULTS: We reviewed 5
      prominent medical and surgical journals on Medline from January 1, 2010, to June
      30, 2014, for randomized controlled trials involving coronary artery bypass
      grafting and/or valve surgery. We identified 34 trials meeting inclusion
      criteria. Sample sizes ranged from 57 to 4752 participants (median 351).
      Composite end points were used as a primary outcome in 56% (n=19) of the
      randomized controlled trials and as a secondary outcome in 12% (n=4). There were
      14 different composite end points. Mortality at any time (all-cause and/or
      cardiovascular) was reported as an individual end point or as part of a combined
      end point in 82% (n=28), myocardial infarction was reported in 68% (n=23), and
      bleeding was reported in 24% (n=8). Patient-centered outcomes, such as quality of
      life and functional classification, were reported in 29% (n=10). Definition of
      clinical events such as myocardial infarction, stroke, renal failure, and
      bleeding varied considerably among trials, particularly for postoperative
      myocardial infarction and bleeding, for which 8 different definitions were used
      for each. CONCLUSIONS: Outcome reporting in the cardiac surgery literature is
      heterogeneous, and efforts should be made to standardize the outcomes reported
      and the definitions used to ascertain them. The development of standardizing
      outcome reporting is an essential step toward strengthening the process of
      evidence-based care in cardiac surgery.

PMID- 26282563
TI  - Small-Area Estimation of Spatial Access to Care and Its Implications for Policy.
AB  - Local or small-area estimates to capture emerging trends across large geographic
      regions are critical in identifying and addressing community-level health
      interventions. However, they are often unavailable due to lack of analytic
      capabilities in compiling and integrating extensive datasets and complementing
      them with the knowledge about variations in state-level health policies. This
      study introduces a modeling approach for small-area estimation of spatial access
      to pediatric primary care that is data "rich" and mathematically rigorous,
      integrating data and health policy in a systematic way. We illustrate the
      sensitivity of the model to policy decision making across large geographic
      regions by performing a systematic comparison of the estimates at the census
      tract and county levels for Georgia and California. Our results show the proposed
      approach is able to overcome limitations of other existing models by capturing
      patient and provider preferences and by incorporating possible changes in health
      policies. The primary finding is systematic underestimation of spatial access,
      and inaccurate estimates of disparities across population and across geography at
      the county level with respect to those at the census tract level with
      implications on where to focus and which type of interventions to consider. 

PMID- 26282564
TI  - The Trauma Response Team: a Community Intervention for Gang Violence.
AB  - While violent crime has decreased in many cities in the USA, gang-related
      violence remains a serious problem in impoverished inner city neighborhoods. In
      Syracuse, New York, gang-related murders and gun shots have topped other New York
      state cities. Residents of the high-murder neighborhoods suffer trauma similar to
      those living in civil conflict zones. The Trauma Response Team was established in
      2010, in collaboration with the Police Department, health care institutions, and
      emergency response teams and with the research support of Syracuse University
      faculty. Since its inception, gang-related homicides and gun shots have decreased
      in the most severely affected census tracts. 

PMID- 26282565
TI  - Accuracy of Cone-beam Computed Tomography in the Detection of a Second
      Mesiobuccal Root Canal in Endodontically Treated Teeth: An Ex Vivo Study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: There is a high incidence of a second mesiobuccal root canal (MB2)
      in maxillary molars. The study aim is to assess the accuracy of cone-beam
      computed tomographic (CBCT) imaging in detecting a second mesiobuccal root canal
      in endodontically treated maxillary molars. METHODS: The study sample consisted
      of 60 extracted maxillary molars, which were endodontically opened and examined
      under a dental operating microscope for the presence of an MB2. The teeth were
      then further examined using micro-computed tomographic imaging as the gold
      standard. Root canals were filled (except the MB2) and were then subdivided into
      an experimental and a control group. After fixing the teeth in a dry human skull,
      they were scanned using CBCT imaging (AccuiTomo 170; Morita Inc, Tarumi-cho Suita
      City, Osaka, Japan). The observers for this study were 2 experienced radiologists
      blinded to the group allocation of controls and experiments; they evaluated the
      images twice independently. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were
      calculated as well as the kappa values for both inter- and intraobserver
      agreement. RESULTS: From 30 teeth, which were diagnosed without an MB2 under
      examination with a dental operating microscope, 6 teeth proved to have an MB2
      using MUCT (20%). Intraobserver reliability was high for both observers 1 (R =
      0.85) and 2 (R = 0.96). Interobserver reliability as assessed by the Cohen kappa
      was excellent (R = 0.89). CBCT sensitivity for detecting an MB2 was 96%,
      specificity was 100%, and total accuracy was 98%. CONCLUSIONS: CBCT imaging is a
      suitable diagnostic technique for detecting a missed MB2 in endodontically
      treated teeth.

PMID- 26282566
TI  - Improvement of depth dose distribution using multiple-field irradiation in boron
      neutron capture therapy.
AB  - It is important that improvements are made to depth dose distribution in boron
      neutron capture therapy, because the neutrons do not reach the innermost regions
      of the human body. Here, we evaluated the dose distribution obtained using
      multiple-field irradiation in simulation. From a dose volume histogram analysis,
      it was found that the mean and minimum tumor doses were increased using two-field
      irradiation, because of improved dose distribution for deeper-sited tumors. 

PMID- 26282567
TI  - Evaluation of TK1 targeting carboranyl thymidine analogs as potential delivery
      agents for neutron capture therapy of brain tumors.
AB  - In this report we describe studies with N5-2OH, a carboranyl thymidine analog
      (CTA), which is a substrate for thymidine kinase 1 (TK1), using the F98 rat
      glioma model. In vivo BNCT studies have demonstrated that intracerebral (i.c.)
      osmotic pump infusion of N5-2OH yielded survival data equivalent to those
      obtained with i.v. administration of boronophenylalanine (BPA). The combination
      of N5-2OH and BPA resulted in a modest increase in MST of F98 glioma bearing rats
      compared to a statistically significant increase with the RG2 glioma model, as
      has been previously reported by us (Barth et al., 2008). This had lead us to
      synthesize a second generation of CTAs that have improved in vitro enzyme
      kinetics and in vivo tumor uptake (Agarwal et al., 2015). 

PMID- 26282568
TI  - Fatal carotid blowout syndrome after BNCT for head and neck cancers.
AB  - Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is high linear energy transfer (LET)
      radiation and tumor-selective radiation that does not cause serious damage to the
      surrounding normal tissues. BNCT might be effective and safe in patients with
      inoperable, locally advanced head and neck cancers, even those that recur at
      previously irradiated sites. However, carotid blowout syndrome (CBS) is a lethal
      complication resulting from malignant invasion of the carotid artery (CA); thus,
      the risk of CBS should be carefully assessed in patients with risk factors for
      CBS after BNCT. Thirty-three patients in our institution who underwent BNCT were
      analyzed. Two patients developed CBS and experienced widespread skin invasion and
      recurrence close to the carotid artery after irradiation. Careful attention
      should be paid to the occurrence of CBS if the tumor is located adjacent to the
      carotid artery. The presence of skin invasion from recurrent lesions after
      irradiation is an ominous sign of CBS onset and lethal consequences. 

PMID- 26282569
TI  - Individual patient data meta-analysis of antiplatelet regimens after
      noncardioembolic stroke or TIA: rationale and design.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Cerebrovascular Antiplatelet Trialists' Collaborative Group was
      formed to obtain and analyze individual patient data from the major randomized
      trials of common antiplatelet regimens after cerebral ischemia. Although the risk
      of stroke can be reduced by antiplatelet drugs, there continues to be uncertainty
      about the balance of risk and benefits of different antiplatelet regimens for an
      individual patient. AIMS: Our aim is to provide clinicians with a thorough
      evidence-based answer on these therapeutic alternatives. METHODS: We have
      identified six large randomized trials and plan to meta-analyze the data on an
      individual patient level. In total, these trials have enrolled 46 948 patients
      with cerebral ischemia. Uniquely, the Cerebrovascular Antiplatelet Trialists'
      Collaborative Group has secured access to the individual data of all of these
      trials, with the participation of key investigators and pharmaceutical companies.
      Our principal objective includes deriving a reliable estimate of the efficacy of
      different antiplatelet regimens on key outcomes including serious vascular
      events, major ischemic events, major bleeding, and intracranial hemorrhage.
      RESULTS: We propose to redefine composite outcome events, if necessary, to
      achieve comparability. Further, we aim to build and validate prognostic models
      for the risk of major bleeding and intracranial hemorrhage and to build a
      decision model that may support evidence-based decision making about which
      antiplatelet regimen would be most effective in different risk groups of
      patients. CONCLUSIONS: This paper outlines inclusion criteria, outcome measures,
      baseline characteristics, and planned statistical analysis.

PMID- 26282570
TI  - Feasibility of the Factorial Survey Method in Aging Research: Consistency Effects
      Among Older Respondents.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The factorial survey (FS) method is increasingly used in the social
      sciences. It is particularly suitable for studying decision situations that are
      difficult to assess empirically. This article evaluates whether the FS method is
      suitable for studying decisions in gerontological research. METHODS: The present
      article draws on data from the Housing Opportunities & Mobility in the Elderly
      study. A total of 103 respondents (between 55 and 90 years) were asked to make
      hypothetical relocation decisions. The consistency of these responses was
      assessed as a function of respondents' age, gender, immigration background,
      education, household income, employment status, and intention to move. RESULTS:
      No significant differences in response consistency were attributable to age,
      gender, education, or immigration background. The personal relevance of the
      survey topic was positively related to response consistency in multiperson
      households. CONCLUSION: FS method can, under certain methodological conditions,
      be used among older adults especially when the topic of the survey is relevant to
      their daily lives.

PMID- 26282571
TI  - Honor Thy Parents: An Ethnic Multigroup Analysis of Filial Responsibility, Health
      Perceptions, and Caregiving Decisions.
AB  - The present study explores patterns of parity and disparity in the effect of
      filial responsibility on health-related evaluations and caregiving decisions.
      Participants who identified as White, Black, Hispanic, or Asian/Pacific Islander
      read a vignette about an older man needing medical care. They were asked to
      imagine that they were the man's son and answer questions regarding their
      likelihood of hiring a health care advocate (HCA) for services related to the
      father's care. A multigroup (ethnicity) path analysis was performed, and an
      intercept invariant multigroup model fits the data best. Direct and indirect
      effect estimation showed that filial responsibility mediated the relationship
      between both the perceived severity of the father's medical condition and the
      perceived need for medical assistance and the likelihood of hiring an HCA only
      for White and Hispanic participants, albeit differently. The findings demonstrate
      that culture and ethnicity affect health evaluations and caregiving decision
      making.

PMID- 26282572
TI  - Palladium-Catalyzed Desulfitative Oxidative Coupling between Arenesulfinic Acid
      Salts and Allylic Alcohols: A Strategy for the Selective Construction of beta
      Aryl Ketones and Aldehydes.
AB  - An efficient palladium-catalyzed desulfitative oxidative coupling of sodium
      arylsulfinites for highly region-selective Heck-type reaction of allylic alcohols
      has been developed. The compatibility of the functionalities of -I, -Br, and -F
      would explore further postfunctionalization of the C-X bonds. This method
      provides a new and straightforward protocol for the synthesis of beta-aryl
      ketones and aldehydes. The deuterium labeling experiments indicated that this
      transformation may proceed via a [1, 2-H] shift process. 

PMID- 26282573
TI  - Public health research in India in the new millennium: a bibliometric analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Public health research has gained increasing importance in India's
      national health policy as the country seeks to address the high burden of disease
      and its inequitable distribution, and embarks on an ambitious agenda towards
      universalising health care. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed at describing the public
      health research output in India, its focus and distribution, and the actors
      involved in the research system. It makes recommendations for systematically
      promoting and strengthening public health research in the country. DESIGN: The
      study was a bibliometric analysis of PubMed and IndMed databases for years 2000
      2010. The bibliometric data were analysed in terms of biomedical focus based on
      the Global Burden of Disease, location of research, research institutions, and
      funding agencies. RESULTS: A total of 7,893 eligible articles were identified
      over the 11-year search period. The annual research output increased by 42%
      between 2000 and 2010. In total, 60.8% of the articles were related to
      communicable diseases, newborn, maternal, and nutritional causes, comparing
      favourably with the burden of these causes (39.1%). While the burdens from non
      communicable diseases and injuries were 50.2 and 10.7%, respectively, only 31.9
      and 7.5% of articles reported research for these conditions. The north-eastern
      states and the Empowered-Action-Group states of India were the most under
      represented for location of research. In total, 67.2% of papers involved
      international collaborations and 49.2% of these collaborations were with
      institutions in the UK or USA; 35.4% of the publications involved international
      funding and 71.2% of funders were located in the UK or USA. CONCLUSIONS: While
      public health research output in India has increased significantly, there are
      marked inequities in relation to the burden of disease and the geographic
      distribution of research. Systematic priority setting, adequate funding, and
      institutional capacity building are needed to address these inequities.

PMID- 26282574
TI  - Pulmonary arterial hypertension in a child with stage-IV neuroblastoma after
      autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and review of the literature.
AB  - PH is a rare condition with high mortality rate after pediatric HSCT. As clinical
      presentation is non-specific and may mimic other conditions, a high degree of
      suspicion is required for diagnosis. Here, we present a patient with stage-IV
      neuroblastoma who developed PAH after autologous HSCT. After exclusion of other
      causes of PH, we regarded that this condition was secondary to HSCT. 

PMID- 26282575
TI  - Parenting concerns, quality of life, and psychological distress in patients with
      advanced cancer.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Parents with life-limiting illness anticipate the loss of their
      parental role and the long-term consequences of their illness on their children.
      The purpose of this study was to examine relationships between parenting
      concerns, quality of life (QOL), and symptoms of depression and anxiety in
      parents with advanced cancer who have dependent children. METHODS: Sixty-three
      parents diagnosed with a Stage IV solid malignancy completed the Hospital Anxiety
      Depression Scale (HADS), Parenting Concerns Questionnaire (PCQ), and Functional
      Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G). The Medical Outcomes Study Social
      Support Survey (social support) and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG)
      performance status were assessed as potential covariates. We performed
      descriptive statistics and multivariable linear regression models for depression,
      anxiety, and QOL measures. RESULTS: Mean PCQ score was 2.3 (SD 0.9), reflecting
      mild to moderate parenting concerns. Average depression and anxiety scores were
      6.0 (SD 4.2) and 8.2 (SD 3.9), respectively. PCQ scores were associated with
      depressive symptoms (r = 0.46, p < 0.001), anxiety symptoms (r = 0.52, p <
      0.0001), and QOL scores (r = -0.60, p < 0.001). The relationship of PCQ scores to
      anxiety symptoms (B = 1.5 p = 0.016) and QOL (B = -5.7, p = 0.02) remained
      significant after controlling for ECOG status, social support, and treatment
      status. CONCLUSIONS: Parenting concerns are associated with anxiety and
      depressive symptoms and worse QOL in parents diagnosed with advanced cancer.
      Further studies that evaluate how parental status affects coping and
      psychological distress in advanced cancer are needed.Copyright (c) 2015 John
      Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 26282576
TI  - Fast automated segmentation of wrist bones in magnetic resonance images.
AB  - PURPOSE: According to current recommendations in diagnostics of rheumatoid
      arthritis (RA), Magnetic resonance (MR) images of wrist joints are used to
      evaluate three main signs of RA: synovitis, bone edema and bone erosions. In this
      paper we present an efficient method for segmentation of 15 bones present on MR
      images of the wrist which is inevitable for future computer-assisted diagnosis
      system for RA lesions. METHOD: The segmentation procedure consists of two stages.
      The first stage is evaluation of markers (parts of bones working as seeds for the
      watershed algorithm) for bones in every joint: the distal parts of ulna and
      radius, the proximal parts of metacarpal bones and carpal bones. In the second
      stage the watershed from markers algorithm is applied based on the markers
      determined in the previous stage and the wrist bones are segmented. The markers
      were found using Multi Otsu algorithm along with custom method for filtering
      bones from other tissues. RESULTS: We analyzed 34 MR images. The automated
      segmentations were compared with manual segmentations using metrics: accuracy ACC
      derived from area under ROC curve AUC, Dice coefficient and mean absolute
      distance MAD. The mean (standard deviation) values of ACC, Dice and MAD were 0.99
      (0.02), 0.98 (0.04) and 1.21 (0.39), respectively. CONCLUSION: The results of
      this study prove that our method is efficient and gives satisfactory results for
      segmentation of bones on low-field MR images of the wrist.

PMID- 26282577
TI  - Latencies from intracranial seizure onset to ictal tachycardia: A comparison to
      surface EEG patterns and other clinical signs.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Information on the relative timing of electroencephalography (EEG)
      seizure onset, ictal tachycardia (ITC), and first other clinical seizure
      manifestations is crucial for an understanding of the potential benefit of ITC
      detection based closed-loop intervention systems for epilepsy treatment. This
      study analyzes the temporal relation of ITC, other clinical signs, and seizure
      onset in relation to intracranial and surface EEG. METHODS: Seventy-eight
      seizures with ITC from 13 patients undergoing invasive EEG recordings with
      simultaneous recordings of electrocardiography (ECG), intracranial EEG (iEEG) and
      surface EEG, and video recordings to determine clinical onset were analyzed.
      Latencies for ITC were calculated for thresholds of 100 bpm and for a 20% heart
      rate increase above baseline obtained 60 s prior to seizure onset on iEEG.
      Patient-based, seizure-based, and seizure origin-based analyses were performed.
      RESULTS: Mean latencies between seizure onset in invasive EEG and the following
      onset of ITC in the seizure- and patient-based analysis for both thresholds
      varied between 21.6 and 23.7 s, showing that ITC is an ictal rather a preictal
      phenomenon. In 10 of 13 patients and in 56 of 78 seizures, at least one of the
      thresholds for ITC was crossed before any other clinical sign. In the majority of
      cases, ITC also preceded ictal onset as determined in surface EEG. Latencies to
      ictal tachycardia were shorter for hippocampal than for extrahippocampal temporal
      seizure onset. ITC occurred earlier in right than in left temporal seizures.
      SIGNIFICANCE: iEEG preceded other seizure manifestations, but ictal tachycardia
      was an early sign particularly in mesial temporal and in right temporal seizure
      onset and often preceded not only other clinical manifestations but also first
      visible patterns in surface EEG. Detection of ictal tachycardia was thus the best
      noninvasively assessed marker for closed-loop interventions in this multimodally
      assessed patient group.

PMID- 26282578
TI  - Country logistics performance and disaster impact.
AB  - The aim of this paper is to deepen the understanding of the relationship between
      country logistics performance and disaster impact. The relationship is analysed
      through correlation analysis and regression models for 117 countries for the
      years 2007 to 2012 with disaster impact variables from the International Disaster
      Database (EM-DAT) and logistics performance indicators from the World Bank. The
      results show a significant relationship between country logistics performance and
      disaster impact overall and for five out of six specific logistic performance
      indicators. These specific indicators were further used to explore the
      relationship between country logistic performance and disaster impact for three
      specific disaster types (epidemic, flood and storm). The findings enhance the
      understanding of the role of logistics in a humanitarian context with empirical
      evidence of the importance of country logistics performance in disaster response
      operations. 

PMID- 26282579
TI  - Is Aerogen-pi Interaction Capable of Initiating the Noncovalent Chemistry of
      Group 18?
AB  - The interactions between atoms of noble gases and pi systems are generally
      considered as van der Waals interaction, which have not attracted attention yet.
      Herein, we present high-level ab initio calculations to show the unexpected
      noncovalent interaction between a covalently bonded noble gas atom and a
      delocalized aromatic pi electron using XeO3?benzene as the prototype. The
      CCSD(T)/CBS reference data show its strength amounting to -10.2 kcal mol(-1),
      comparable to a typical H-bond or an anion-pi interaction. The energy
      decomposition analysis reveals that the aerogen-pi interaction is favored by the
      electrostatic interaction (27.7%), the induction (13.4%), and the dispersion
      (21.6%). This interaction may prompt us to consider the noncovalent chemistry of
      aerogen derivatives in the near future.

PMID- 26282580
TI  - Doxycycline reduces the migration of tuberous sclerosis complex-2 null cells -
      effects on RhoA-GTPase and focal adhesion kinase.
AB  - Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is associated with dysfunction of the tuberous
      sclerosis complex (TSC) leading to enhanced cell proliferation and migration.
      This study aims to examine whether doxycycline, a tetracycline antibiotic, can
      inhibit the enhanced migration of TSC2-deficient cells, identify signalling
      pathways through which doxycycline works and to assess the effectiveness of
      combining doxycycline with rapamycin (mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1
      inhibitor) in controlling cell migration, proliferation and wound closure. TSC2
      positive and TSC2-negative mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF), 323-TSC2-positive
      and 323-TSC2-null MEF and Eker rat uterine leiomyoma (ELT3) cells were treated
      with doxycycline or rapamycin alone, or in combination. Migration, wound closure
      and proliferation were assessed using a transwell migration assay, time-lapse
      microscopy and manual cell counts respectively. RhoA-GTPase activity,
      phosphorylation of p70S6 kinase (p70S6K) and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) in TSC2
      negative MEF treated with doxycycline were examined using ELISA and
      immunoblotting techniques. The enhanced migration of TSC2-null cells was reduced
      by doxycycline at concentrations as low as 20 pM, while the rate of wound closure
      was reduced at 2-59 MUM. Doxycycline decreased RhoA-GTPase activity and
      phosphorylation of FAK in these cells but had no effect on the phosphorylation of
      p70S6K, ERK1/2 or AKT. Combining doxycycline with rapamycin significantly reduced
      the rate of wound closure at lower concentrations than achieved with either drug
      alone. This study shows that doxycycline inhibits TSC2-null cell migration. Thus
      doxycycline has potential as an anti-migratory agent in the treatment of diseases
      with TSC2 dysfunction.

PMID- 26282581
TI  - GABAB receptor-mediated feed-forward circuit dysfunction in the mouse model of
      fragile X syndrome.
AB  - KEY POINTS: Cortico-hippocampal feed-forward circuits formed by the
      temporoammonic (TA) pathway exhibit a marked increase in excitation/inhibition
      ratio and abnormal spike modulation functions in Fmr1 knock-out (KO) mice.
      Inhibitory, but not excitatory, synapse dysfunction underlies cortico-hippocampal
      feed-forward circuit abnormalities in Fmr1 KO mice. GABA release is reduced in TA
      associated inhibitory synapses of Fmr1 KO mice in a GABAB receptor-dependent
      manner. Inhibitory synapse and feed-forward circuit defects are mediated
      predominately by presynaptic GABAB receptor signalling in the TA pathway of Fmr1
      KO mice. GABAB receptor-mediated inhibitory synapse defects are circuit-specific
      and are not observed in the Schaffer collateral pathway-associated inhibitory
      synapses in stratum radiatum. ABSTRACT: Circuit hyperexcitability has been
      implicated in neuropathology of fragile X syndrome, the most common inheritable
      cause of intellectual disability. Yet, how canonical unitary circuits are
      affected in this disorder remains poorly understood. Here, we examined this
      question in the context of the canonical feed-forward inhibitory circuit formed
      by the temporoammonic (TA) branch of the perforant path, the major cortical input
      to the hippocampus. TA feed-forward circuits exhibited a marked increase in
      excitation/inhibition ratio and major functional defects in spike modulation
      tasks in Fmr1 knock-out (KO) mice, a fragile X mouse model. Changes in feed
      forward circuits were caused specifically by inhibitory, but not excitatory,
      synapse defects. TA-associated inhibitory synapses exhibited increase in paired
      pulse ratio and in the coefficient of variation of IPSPs, consistent with
      decreased GABA release probability. TA-associated inhibitory synaptic
      transmission in Fmr1 KO mice was also more sensitive to inhibition of GABAB
      receptors, suggesting an increase in presynaptic GABAB receptor (GABAB R)
      signalling. Indeed, the differences in inhibitory synaptic transmission between
      Fmr1 KO and wild-type (WT) mice were eliminated by a GABAB R antagonist.
      Inhibition of GABAB Rs or selective activation of presynaptic GABAB Rs also
      abolished the differences in the TA feed-forward circuit properties between Fmr1
      KO and WT mice. These GABAB R-mediated defects were circuit-specific and were not
      observed in the Schaffer collateral pathway-associated inhibitory synapses. Our
      results suggest that the inhibitory synapse dysfunction in the cortico
      hippocampal pathway of Fmr1 KO mice causes hyperexcitability and feed-forward
      circuit defects, which are mediated in part by a presynaptic GABAB R-dependent
      reduction in GABA release.

PMID- 26282582
TI  - SRSF1 and hnRNP H antagonistically regulate splicing of COLQ exon 16 in a
      congenital myasthenic syndrome.
AB  - The catalytic subunits of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) are anchored in the basal
      lamina of the neuromuscular junction using a collagen-like tail subunit (ColQ)
      encoded by COLQ. Mutations in COLQ cause endplate AChE deficiency. An A-to-G
      mutation predicting p.E415G in COLQ exon 16 identified in a patient with endplate
      AChE deficiency causes exclusive skipping of exon 16. RNA affinity purification,
      mass spectrometry, and siRNA-mediated gene knocking down disclosed that the
      mutation disrupts binding of a splicing-enhancing RNA-binding protein, SRSF1, and
      de novo gains binding of a splicing-suppressing RNA-binding protein, hnRNP H. MS2
      mediated artificial tethering of each factor demonstrated that SRSF1 and hnRNP H
      antagonistically modulate splicing by binding exclusively to the target in exon
      16. Further analyses with artificial mutants revealed that SRSF1 is able to bind
      to degenerative binding motifs, whereas hnRNP H strictly requires an
      uninterrupted stretch of poly(G). The mutation compromised splicing of the
      downstream intron. Isolation of early spliceosome complex revealed that the
      mutation impairs binding of U1-70K (snRNP70) to the downstream 5' splice site.
      Global splicing analysis with RNA-seq revealed that exons carrying the hnRNP H
      binding GGGGG motif are predisposed to be skipped compared to those carrying the
      SRSF1-binding GGAGG motif in both human and mouse brains. 

PMID- 26282584
TI  - Ambient carbon monoxide associated with alleviated respiratory inflammation in
      healthy young adults.
AB  - There is increasing controversy on whether acute exposure to ambient carbon
      monoxide (CO) is hazardous on respiratory health. We therefore performed a
      longitudinal panel study to evaluate the acute effects of ambient CO on
      fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), a well-established biomarker of airway
      inflammation. We completed 4-6 rounds of health examinations among 75 healthy
      young adults during April to June in 2013 in Shanghai, China. We applied the
      linear mixed-effect model to investigate the short-term associations between CO
      and FeNO. CO exposure during 2-72 h preceding health tests was significantly
      associated with decreased FeNO levels. For example, an interquartile range
      increase (0.3 mg/m(3)) of 2-h CO exposure corresponded to 10.6% decrease in FeNO.
      This association remained when controlling for the concomitant exposure to co
      pollutants. This study provided support that short-term exposure to ambient CO
      might be related with reduced levels of FeNO, a biomarker of lower airway
      inflammation. 

PMID- 26282583
TI  - Objectively measured sedentary time, physical activity and kidney function in
      people with recently diagnosed Type 2 diabetes: a prospective cohort analysis.
AB  - AIM: To assess the prospective association between objectively measured physical
      activity and kidney function over 4 years in people with Type 2 diabetes.
      METHODS: Individuals (120 women and 206 men) participating in the ADDITION-Plus
      trial underwent assessment of sedentary time (SED-time), time spent in moderate
      to-vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) and total physical activity energy
      expenditure (PAEE) using a combined heart rate and movement sensor, and kidney
      function [estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), serum creatinine and urine
      albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR)] at baseline and after 4 years of follow-up.
      Multivariate regression was used to quantify the association between change in
      SED-time, MVPA and PAEE and kidney measures at four-year follow-up, adjusting for
      change in current smoking status, waist circumference, HbA1c , systolic blood
      pressure, triglycerides and medication usage. RESULTS: Over 4 years, there was a
      decline in eGFR values from 87.3 to 81.7 ml/min/1.73m(2) (P < 0.001); the
      prevalence of reduced eGFR (eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73m(2) ) increased from 6.1 to
      13.2% (P < 0.001). There were small increases in serum creatinine (median: 81-84
      MUmol/l, P < 0.001) and urine ACR (median: 0.9-1.0 mg/mmol, P = 0.005). Increases
      in SED-time were associated with increases in serum creatinine after adjustment
      for MVPA and cardiovascular risk factors (beta = 0.013, 95% CI: 0.001, 0.03).
      Conversely, increases in PAEE were associated with reductions in serum creatinine
      (beta = -0.001, 95% CI: -0.003, -0.0001). CONCLUSION: Reducing time spent
      sedentary and increasing overall physical activity may offer intervention
      opportunities to improve kidney function among individuals with diabetes. (Trial
      Registry no. ISRCTN 99175498).

PMID- 26282585
TI  - On the use of numerical modelling for near-field pollutant dispersion in urban
      environments--A review.
AB  - This article deals with the state-of-the-art of experimental and numerical
      studies carried out regarding air pollutant dispersion in urban environments.
      Since the simulation of the dispersion field around buildings depends strongly on
      the correct simulation of the wind-flow structure, the studies performed during
      the past years on the wind-flow field around buildings are reviewed. This work
      also identifies errors that can produce poor results when numerically modelling
      wind flow and dispersion fields around buildings in urban environments. Finally,
      particular attention is paid to the practical guidelines developed by researchers
      to establish a common methodology for verification and validation of numerical
      simulations and/or to assist and support the users for a better implementation of
      the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach. 

PMID- 26282586
TI  - Intraepidermal benign sebaceous neoplasm: apocrine poroma (hidroacanthoma simplex
      type) with extensive sebaceous differentiation with sebaceoma-like features.
AB  - We herein report a patient who clinically presented with a yellowish, flat plaque
      that histopathologically showed a benign lesion mainly composed of intraepidermal
      basaloid nests with sebaceous differentiation. This lesion was considered to be
      fundamentally apocrine poroma (hidroacanthoma simplex type) with sebaceous
      differentiation. Nests composed of typical poroid cells were seen, and the
      results of immunostaining for lumican supported this diagnosis and excluded the
      possibility of clonal seborrheic keratosis. The sebaceous differentiation in
      apocrine poromas mostly occurs in Pinkus type lesions, and is usually seen in
      only part of the lesions, as solitary, mature sebocytes within the poroma nests.
      However, our apocrine poroma case was unique not only in that sebaceous
      differentiation occurred in the hidroacanthoma simplex type, but also in that it
      was observed extensively (approximately 60% of the nests). We therefore called
      this lesion an 'intraepidermal benign sebaceous neoplasm'. Although it may be
      hard to differentiate sebaceous germinative cells (seen in sebaceoma) from poroid
      cells, in this case, some poroma nests could be judged to neighbor or contain the
      sebaceoma-like areas. Therefore, the presented apocrine poroma was considered to
      have some features of (intraepidermal and dermal) sebaceoma. 

PMID- 26282588
TI  - Management of Wire Brush Bristle Ingestion: Review of Literature and Presentation
      of an Algorithm.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To increase awareness of wire brush bristle ingestion, review the
      literature relating to wire brush bristle ingestion, and describe an algorithm
      for management of wire brush bristle foreign bodies as well as a technique for
      bedside removal. METHODS: The authors present a case of an accidental wire
      bristle ingestion that was successfully treated with bedside removal and describe
      a successful bedside technique for removal. For the literature review, the PubMed
      journal database and Google Scholar were queried using the search terms wire
      bristle, wire brush, grill brush, and grill bristle. RESULTS: Twenty-three wire
      brush ingestions with upper aerodigestive presentations were identified in the
      medical literature. Bedside visualization was attempted in 10 patients and
      successful in 5. The foreign body was able to be removed at the bedside in 3 of
      these patients. Two patients were managed conservatively. The authors developed
      an algorithm for management based on these literature findings. CONCLUSION: Wire
      brush bristle ingestion is increasingly common in the literature, and a
      definitive algorithm does not exist for management. The authors present an
      algorithm for management and describe a technique for successful removal at the
      bedside.

PMID- 26282589
TI  - Robot-Assisted Neck Dissection Through a Modified Facelift Incision.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to describe the feasibility as well as
      oncologic outcomes of robot-assisted neck dissection (RAND) through a modified
      facelift incision in an American population. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case
      series. SETTING: University tertiary care hospital. METHODS: All patients who
      underwent RAND between November 2012 and December 2014 were included. Medical
      records were reviewed for demographics, medical histories, staging, operative
      information, postoperative hospital course and complications, and oncologic
      outcomes. RESULTS: There were 11 RANDs identified among 10 patients. Five
      patients had known nodal metastasis at the time of surgery. Two patients had been
      previously irradiated. The average time of surgery was 284.4 +/- 72.3 minutes,
      including other associated procedures. The average lymph node yield was 28.5 +/-
      9.3 nodes. There were no major complications. Average follow-up was 19.4 months.
      There was 1 supraclavicular recurrence in a previously irradiated patient. All
      patients are currently alive and without evidence of disease. CONCLUSIONS: Robot
      assisted neck dissection is a safe and feasible procedure that can be performed
      by surgeons with familiarity with neck dissection and robot-assisted surgery and
      who have been trained in RAND. Appropriate oncologic outcomes can be obtained in
      a patient wishing to avoid a noticeable scar.

PMID- 26282590
TI  - Evaluation of fatty acid synthase in prostate cancer recurrence: SUV of [(11)
      C]acetate PET as a prognostic marker.
AB  - AIM: High levels of fatty acid synthase have shown to correlate with the
      aggressiveness of prostate cancer. As [(11) C]acetate exhibits a close
      correlation with the level of fatty acid synthase, we aimed to assess whether the
      SUV in [(11) C]acetate PET serves as a suitable prognostic marker in patients
      with recurrent prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 123 consecutive
      patients, examined between 2010 and 2014, the maximum standardized uptake value
      (SUVmax) of local recurrences as well as lymph node and bone metastases was
      measured. Choosing the spleen as a standard for relatively high physiological
      uptake, a ratio of tumor to spleen uptake (SUVts) was calculated for
      standardizing the uptake, too. The corresponding initial Gleason scores (GS) and
      serum-PSA levels around the time of the performed PET/CT for each patient were
      retrospectively collected and PSA doubling together with PSA velocity were
      determined. For further analysis patients were divided with regard to their
      initial Gleason score (<=3 + 4 and >= 4 + 3). The median of PSA velocity was
      calculated to separate patients with a high and low PSA velocity and Mann-Whitney
      U or Student's t-test were used, testing for significant differences. For
      correlation Spearmen-Rho test was used. RESULTS: PET was positive for recurrence
      in 82/123 patients. PSA was significantly higher in PET-positive than in negative
      patients (5.9 vs. 3.2 ng/ml; P = 0.006). Initial Gleason score did not differ in
      PET negative and positive patients (P = 0.3), whereas PSA velocity was markedly
      higher in PET positive patients (0.4 vs. 0.1 ng/ml/month; P = 0.01). Median
      SUVmax of PET positive patients was 5.23 (mean 5.78; range 0.9-16.8) and meadian
      SUVts was 0.78 (mean 0.84, range 0.14-2.50). SUVts was significantly higher in
      patients with high PSA velocity (SUVts 0.76 vs. 0.92; P = 0.009), whereas SUVmax
      failed statistical significance (5.4 vs. 6.3 ng/ml/month; P = 0.08). Patients
      with a high SUVmax proved to have a significantly higher median Gleason score
      compared to low uptake 8.0 vs. 7.0; P = 0.004). Vice versa both SUVmax (GS 6:
      5.0; GS 7: 5.6; GS 8: 5.7; GS 9: 6.5; r = 0.30, P = 0.008) and SUVts (GS 6: 0.63;
      GS 7: 0.68; GS 8: 0.85; GS 9: 0.89; r = 0.30, P = 0.006) significantly correlated
      with Gleason score. Patients with a Gleason score <= 3 + 4 had a significantly
      lower SUVmax (4.8 vs. 5.7; P = 0.02) and SUVts (0.67 vs. 0.85; P = 0.02) as
      compared to a Gleason score >= 4 + 3. CONCLUSION: [(11) C]acetate uptake
      demonstrated to correlate with initial Gleason score. Furthermore, patients with
      a high PSA velocity proved to have higher [(11) C]acetate uptake in tumor
      lesions.

PMID- 26282591
TI  - Downregulation of Hepatic Carbonyl Reductase Type 1 in End-Stage Renal Disease.
AB  - The functional expression of several hepatic drug metabolizing enzymes and
      transporters are altered in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). We
      aimed to assess the effect of ESRD on the expression and function of hepatic
      reductases. Cytosolic and microsomal fractions were isolated from liver tissue
      from deceased ESRD (n=10) and deceased control patients (n=11). Gene and protein
      expression, and metabolic activity of reductases were assessed by conducting qRT
      PCR, Western blotting and enzyme kinetics, respectively. A 65% decrease in
      carbonyl reductase 1 protein expression (p<0.05), and a trend toward decreased
      reductase mRNA expression and activity was observed in ESRD livers versus
      controls. These results demonstrate a trend toward decreased functional
      expression of selective hepatic reductases in ESRD livers, which may partially
      explain altered pharmacokinetics of CBR1 drug substrates in ESRD. Future studies
      with larger sample size are warranted to confirm these findings. 

PMID- 26282592
TI  - A Novel Plated Hepatocyte Relay Assay (PHRA) for In Vitro Evaluation of Hepatic
      Metabolic Clearance of Slowly Metabolized Compounds.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Development and validation of a novel assay, the Plated Hepatocyte
      Relay Assay (PHRA), for the determination of the metabolic fates of slowly
      metabolized compounds. METHOD: Cryopreserved human hepatocytes were cultured for
      4 h followed by incubation with slowly metabolized compounds for 24 h (initial
      incubation). On the next day, the incubated media were collected and added to
      hepatocytes was similarly prepared on the day of incubation (48 h incubation;
      1(st) relay). The procedures were repeated on the next days (72 h (2(nd) relay),
      96 h (3rd relay), and 120 h (4(th) relay) incubations). RESULTS: A proof-of
      concept study with two low clearance compounds, diazepam and tolbutamide, and a
      validation study with 15 ultra-low clearance compounds (CLnon-renal < 1
      mL/min/kg) and low clearance compounds (CLnon-renal 1- 5.1 mL/min/kg) were
      performed. Linear time-dependent disappearance of the parent compounds was
      observed for all compounds. Application of published free fraction values in
      combination with a correction factor with in vitro hepatic clearance results
      obtained with the PHRA accurately predicted in vivo hepatic clearance.
      CONCLUSION: PHRA represents a useful experimental system for the evaluation of
      the metabolic fates of low clearance compounds in drug development.

PMID- 26282594
TI  - International expert opinion on the management of infection caused by azole
      resistant Aspergillus fumigatus.
AB  - An international expert panel was convened to deliberate the management of azole
      resistant aspergillosis. In culture-positive cases, in vitro susceptibility
      testing should always be performed if antifungal therapy is intended. Different
      patterns of resistance are seen, with multi-azole and pan-azole resistance more
      common than resistance to a single triazole. In confirmed invasive pulmonary
      aspergillosis due to an azole-resistant Aspergillus, the experts recommended a
      switch from voriconazole to liposomal amphotericin B (L-AmB; Ambisome((r))). In
      regions with environmental resistance rates of >=10%, a voriconazole-echinocandin
      combination or L-AmB were favoured as initial therapy. All experts recommended L
      AmB as core therapy for central nervous system aspergillosis suspected to be due
      to an azole-resistant Aspergillus, and considered the addition of a second agent
      with the majority favouring flucytosine. Intravenous therapy with either
      micafungin or L-AmB given as either intermittent or continuous therapy was
      recommended for chronic pulmonary aspergillosis due to a pan-azole-resistant
      Aspergillus. Local and national surveillance with identification of clinical and
      environmental resistance patterns, rapid diagnostics, better quality clinical
      outcome data, and a greater understanding of the factors driving or minimising
      environmental resistance are areas where research is urgently needed, as well as
      the development of new oral agents outside the azole drug class. 

PMID- 26282595
TI  - Involvement of resveratrol in crosstalk between adipokine adiponectin and
      hepatokine fetuin-A in vivo and in vitro.
AB  - Metabolic homeostasis is maintained by the coordinated regulation of several
      physiological processes and organ crosstalk. Especially, the interaction between
      adipose tissue and liver is critical for the regulation of glucose and lipid
      metabolism. This study investigated the involvement of resveratrol (RSV) in the
      crosstalk between adipokine adiponectin and hepatokine fetuin-A. Adipocytes
      hepatocytes co-culture system and a high-fat (HF) diet-induced obesity (DIO)
      mouse model were utilized. Protein levels of adiponectin and fetuin-A were
      analyzed in adipocytes and hepatocytes with the knockdown of adiponectin and
      fetuin-A, respectively. After six weeks of the HF diet treatment, RSV was
      delivered via an osmotic pump for four weeks. The experimental groups were lean
      control fed with a standard diet, HF diet-induced obese control and HF_RSV (8
      mg/kg/day). After 4 weeks of each treatment, blood and tissues were collected,
      and the levels of adiponectin and fetuin-A were analyzed. RNA interference during
      co-culture of adipocytes and hepatocytes demonstrated the existence of crosstalk
      between adiponectin and fetuin-A. The four-week RSV treatment resulted in
      increased serum adiponectin and decreased serum fetuin-A in diet-induced obesity
      mice. The serum levels of adiponectin and fetuin-A were inversely related. In
      epididymal fat depots, RSV increased adiponectin, peroxisome proliferator
      activated receptor (PPAR) alpha, PPAR gamma, sirtuin1 and AMP-activated protein
      kinase (AMPK). RSV lowered fetuin-A and NF-kappaB, and increased liver AMPK.
      These results demonstrate the crosstalk between adiponectin and fetuin-A, and
      suggest that RSV may be involved in adipose tissue and liver crosstalk through
      the interaction between adiponectin and fetuin-A. 

PMID- 26282596
TI  - Chronic intermittent toluene inhalation in adolescent rats results in metabolic
      dysfunction with altered glucose homeostasis.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Abuse of toluene-containing inhalants is an increasing
      public health problem, especially among adolescents. Abuse during adolescence is
      associated with emaciation, while industrial exposure leads to altered glycaemic
      control suggesting metabolic instability. However, the relationship between
      adolescent inhalant abuse and metabolic dysfunction remains unknown. EXPERIMENTAL
      APPROACH: To model human abuse patterns, we exposed male adolescent Wistar rats
      [postnatal day (PND) 27] to chronic intermittent inhaled toluene (CIT, 10,000
      ppm) or air (control) for 1 h.day(-1) , three times a week for 4 weeks. Feeding
      and body composition were monitored. After 4 weeks, circulating metabolic hormone
      concentrations and responses to a glucose tolerance test (GTT) were measured.
      Dietary preference was measured by giving animals access to either a 'western
      diet' plus standard chow (WC + SC) or standard chow alone during 4 weeks of
      abstinence. Metabolic hormones and GTT were subsequently measured. KEY RESULTS:
      Adolescent CIT exposure significantly retarded weight gain, altered body
      composition, circulating metabolic hormones and responses to a GTT. While reduced
      body weight persisted, responses to a GTT and circulating hormones appeared to
      normalize for animals on standard chow following abstinence. In CIT-exposed WC +
      SC rats, we observed impaired glucose tolerance associated with altered metabolic
      hormones. Analysis of hypothalamic genes revealed differential expression
      profiles in CIT-exposed rats following both the exposure period and abstinence,
      suggesting a central contribution to inhalant-induced metabolic dysfunction.
      CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: CIT exposure during adolescence has long-term
      effects on metabolic function, which may increase the risk of disorders related
      to energy balance and glycaemic control.

PMID- 26282597
TI  - Fluorimetric assays for N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfatase and arylsulfatase B
      based on the natural substrates for confirmation of mucopolysaccharidoses types
      IVA and VI.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Treatments have been developed for mucopolysaccharidoses IVA (MPS
      IVA) and MPS VI suggesting the need for eventual newborn screening. Biochemical
      enzyme assays are important for diagnosis. Previously reported fluorimetric
      assays of the relevant enzymes are based on substrates with poor activity or
      specificity. METHODS: We developed new fluorimetric assays for N
      acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfatase (GALNS) and arylsulfatase B (ARSB) based on the
      natural substrates, N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfate (and 4-sulfate), which have
      improved activity and specificity toward the relevant enzymes. The new substrates
      were tested on dried blood spots on newborn screening cards, and assays showed
      acceptable linearity in response with the amount of enzyme present (using quality
      control samples). RESULTS: When tested on dried blood spots from random newborns
      and affected patients, the assays showed good discrimination between the 2 sample
      groups. CONCLUSIONS: The analytical range of the new fluorimetric assays, defined
      as the ratio of enzyme-dependent-to-enzyme-independent assay response, is likely
      to be insufficient to use these assays for newborn screening. Rather, these new
      fluorimetric assays should be useful in a diagnostic lab to confirm a diagnosis
      via biochemical enzyme testing.

PMID- 26282598
TI  - The changing face of gestational diabetes: the effect of the shift from risk
      factor-based to comprehensive screening.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of the change in the gestational diabetes (GDM)
      screening policy from risk-factor based to comprehensive screening on the
      prevalence and type of GDM and characteristics of GDM pregnancies. DESIGN:
      Population-based register study in Finland. Subjects were GDM women who gave
      birth before (2006, n=5185) and after (2010, n=6683) the policy change. All the
      other women in those years without pre-pregnancy diabetes acted as controls (51
      759 and 52 398 respectively). METHODS: GDM women with singleton pregnancy were
      identified through The Finnish Medical Birth Register by abnormal oral glucose
      tolerance test or initiation of insulin. Main outcome measures were prevalence of
      GDM (total and insulin/diet-treated), and caesarean section rate. RESULTS: The
      proportion of screened mothers increased from 27.5 to 51.3% and the total
      prevalence of GDM from 9.1 to 11.3%. This increase consisted mainly of diet
      treated mothers, while the number and proportion of insulin-treated mothers
      decreased (21.8% vs13.3%, P<0.001). The proportion of primiparous women increased
      (34.5-39.4%, P<0.0001) and mean pre-pregnancy BMI decreased (28.6-28.2, P<0.001).
      The overall caesarean section rate remained the same but increased among women
      with GDM (20.8-22.1%) adjusted odds ratios being 1.22 (95% CI 1.14, 1.31) during
      comprehensive and 1.10 (95% CI 1.02, 1.19) during risk factor-based screening.
      CONCLUSIONS: The shift to comprehensive screening led to a significant increase
      in women with GDM, who were more often primiparous and had a lower BMI.
      Comprehensive screening did not perform better in diagnosing women needing
      insulin treatment.

PMID- 26282599
TI  - Subclinical hypercortisolism: a state, a syndrome, or a disease?
AB  - Subclinical hypercortisolism (SH), defined as alterations of the hypothalamus
      pituitary-adrenal axis in the absence of clinical signs or symptoms related to
      cortisol secretion, is a common finding in patients with adrenal incidentalomas.
      The clinical correlates of this pathological condition have become clearer over
      the last few years. The aim of this review is to summarize the co-morbidities and
      the clinical outcomes of patients with SH. According to the analysis of the
      results of the studies published within the last 15 years, hypertension and type
      2 diabetes are a common finding in patients with SH, occurring roughly in 2/3 and
      1/3 of the patients respectively. Moreover, several additional cardiovascular and
      metabolic complications, like endothelial damage, increased visceral fat
      accumulation and impaired lipid metabolism have been shown to increase the
      cardiovascular risk of those patients. Accordingly, recent independent reports
      investigating the natural history of the disease in a long-term follow-up setting
      have shown that patients with SH have a higher incidence of cardiovascular events
      and related mortality. Moreover, longitudinal studies have also shown increased
      incidence of osteoporotic vertebral fractures. Future research is needed to
      improve the diagnostic performance of hormonal tests, by assessment of the
      complete steroid profile with more accurate assays, and to define the efficacy of
      surgical vs medical treatment in a randomized-controlled setting. 

PMID- 26282600
TI  - Surfactant-enhanced spreading: Experimental achievements and possible mechanisms.
AB  - Surfactants are broadly used to improve wetting properties of aqueous
      formulations. The improvement is achieved by essential reduction of liquid/air
      and solid/liquid interfacial tensions resulting in the decrease of contact angle.
      For moderately hydrophobic substrates, there is a range of surfactants providing
      complete wetting of substrate. With the decrease of substrate surface energy,
      this range of surfactants reduces very quickly and only trisiloxane surfactant
      solutions are capable to wet completely such highly hydrophobic substrates as
      polypropylene and parafilm. That is why these surfactants are referred to as
      superspreaders. The most intriguing feature of wetting surfactant solutions is
      their ability to spread much faster than pure liquids with spread area, S, being
      proportional to time, t, S~t, as compared to S~t(0.2) for pure liquids, which wet
      completely the solid substrate. Trisiloxane surfactant solutions spread faster
      than other aqueous surfactant solutions, which also provide complete wetting,
      being superspreaders in the sense of spreading rate as well. The mechanism of
      fast spreading of surfactant solutions on hydrophobic substrates and much higher
      spreading rates for trisiloxane solutions are to be explained. Below the
      available experimental data on superspreading and surfactant-enhanced spreading
      are analysed/summarised, and possible mechanisms governing the fast spreading are
      discussed. 

PMID- 26282601
TI  - BMP signalling differentially regulates distinct haematopoietic stem cell types.
AB  - Adult haematopoiesis is the outcome of distinct haematopoietic stem cell (HSC)
      subtypes with self-renewable repopulating ability, but with different
      haematopoietic cell lineage outputs. The molecular basis for this heterogeneity
      is largely unknown. BMP signalling regulates HSCs as they are first generated in
      the aorta-gonad-mesonephros region, but at later developmental stages, its role
      in HSCs is controversial. Here we show that HSCs in murine fetal liver and the
      bone marrow are of two types that can be prospectively isolated--BMP activated
      and non-BMP activated. Clonal transplantation demonstrates that they have
      distinct haematopoietic lineage outputs. Moreover, the two HSC types differ in
      intrinsic genetic programs, thus supporting a role for the BMP signalling axis in
      the regulation of HSC heterogeneity and lineage output. Our findings provide
      insight into the molecular control mechanisms that define HSC types and have
      important implications for reprogramming cells to HSC fate and treatments
      targeting distinct HSC types.

PMID- 26282602
TI  - Caloric vestibular stimulation modulates nociceptive evoked potentials.
AB  - Vestibular stimulation has been reported to alleviate central pain. Clinical and
      physiological studies confirm pervasive interactions between vestibular signals
      and somatosensory circuits, including nociception. However, the neural mechanisms
      underlying vestibular-induced analgesia remain unclear, and previous clinical
      studies cannot rule out explanations based on alternative, non-specific effects
      such as distraction or placebo. To investigate how vestibular inputs influence
      nociception, we combined caloric vestibular stimulation (CVS) with psychophysical
      and electrocortical responses elicited by nociceptive-specific laser stimulation
      in humans (laser-evoked potentials, LEPs). Cold water CVS applied to the left ear
      resulted in significantly lower subjective pain intensity for experimental laser
      pain to the left hand immediately after CVS, relative both to before CVS and to 1
      h after CVS. This transient reduction in pain perception was associated with
      reduced amplitude of all LEP components, including the early N1 wave reflecting
      the first arrival of nociceptive input to primary somatosensory cortex. We
      conclude that cold left ear CVS elicits a modulation of both nociceptive
      processing and pain perception. The analgesic effect induced by CVS could be
      mediated either by subcortical gating of the ascending nociceptive input, or by
      direct modulation of the primary somatosensory cortex. 

PMID- 26282603
TI  - Reversible heart rhythm complexity impairment in patients with primary
      aldosteronism.
AB  - Excess aldosterone secretion in patients with primary aldosteronism (PA) impairs
      their cardiovascular system. Heart rhythm complexity analysis, derived from heart
      rate variability (HRV), is a powerful tool to quantify the complex regulatory
      dynamics of human physiology. We prospectively analyzed 20 patients with
      aldosterone producing adenoma (APA) that underwent adrenalectomy and 25 patients
      with essential hypertension (EH). The heart rate data were analyzed by
      conventional HRV and heart rhythm complexity analysis including detrended
      fluctuation analysis (DFA) and multiscale entropy (MSE). We found APA patients
      had significantly decreased DFAalpha2 on DFA analysis and decreased area 1-5,
      area 6-15, and area 6-20 on MSE analysis (all p < 0.05). Area 1-5, area 6-15,
      area 6-20 in the MSE study correlated significantly with log-transformed renin
      activity and log-transformed aldosterone-renin ratio (all p < = 0.01). The
      conventional HRV parameters were comparable between PA and EH patients. After
      adrenalectomy, all the altered DFA and MSE parameters improved significantly (all
      p < 0.05). The conventional HRV parameters did not change. Our result suggested
      that heart rhythm complexity is impaired in APA patients and this is at least
      partially reversed by adrenalectomy.

PMID- 26282604
TI  - Innovation is mandatory in chronic type B aortic dissection.

PMID- 26282605
TI  - The no-touch saphenous vein for coronary artery bypass grafting maintains a
      patency, after 16 years, comparable to the left internal thoracic artery: A
      randomized trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study investigates whether the no-touch (NT) vein graft, at a
      mean time of 16 years, maintains a significantly higher patency rate than
      conventional (C) vein grafts and still has patency comparable to that of the left
      internal thoracic artery (LITA). METHODS: A total of 156 patients accepted for
      coronary artery bypass grafting were randomly allocated to 1 of 3 groups. In the
      C group, the saphenous vein (SV) was stripped and distended. In the intermediate
      group, the SV was stripped but not distended. In the NT group, the SV was neither
      stripped nor distended, but rather harvested with a fat pedicle. This study is an
      angiographic follow-up of the C and NT groups, at a mean time of 16 years
      postoperatively. RESULTS: Fifty-four patients were included (C group = 27; NT
      group = 27). In all, 72 and 75 vein grafts were completed in groups C and NT,
      respectively. Crude SV graft patency was 64% in the C group versus 83% in the NT
      group (P = .03), which was similar to the patency of the LITA (88%). The
      harvesting technique had a major impact on the patency with a hazard ratio for
      occlusion of 1.83 for the C group (P = .04). CONCLUSIONS: Harvesting the SV with
      the NT technique conferred, at a mean time of 16 years, a significantly higher
      patency than the conventional technique that was still comparable to that of the
      LITA.

PMID- 26282606
TI  - Lung adenocarcinoma: Are skip N2 metastases different from non-skip?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the association between clinical pathologic
      features, especially adenocarcinoma subtypes and prognosis, and skip N2
      metastasis in patients with lung adenocarcinoma. METHODS: In this study, 177
      patients with lung adenocarcinoma and N2 metastasis were enrolled. Patients who
      had N2 lymph node metastases without N1 lymph node involvement were defined as
      skip N2 and otherwise as non-skip N2. We investigated the difference of
      clinicopathologic characteristics, recurrence-free survival, overall survival,
      and spectrum of well-identified molecular alterations in EGFR, KRAS, HER2, BRAF,
      ALK, ROS1, and RET genes in the 2 groups. RESULTS: Skip N2 metastasis was found
      in 45 patients, in whom a remarkably lower incidence of lymphovascular invasion
      was revealed (P = .01). Skip N2 metastasis was also associated with acinar
      subtype, good differentiation, and right lung cancer. The recurrence-free
      survival and overall survival were significantly better in the skip N2 group (5
      year recurrence-free survival 37.4% vs 5.7%; log-rank P = .005; 5-year overall
      survival 60.7% vs 32.1%; log-rank P = .024). The predictive value of skip N2 was
      more significant in patients with lesions in the right lung (5-year recurrence
      free survival 36.6% vs 0.0%; log-rank P = .002; 5-year overall survival 57.2% vs
      27.9%; log-rank P = .016) and in patients whose tumor diameter was no more than 3
      cm (5-year recurrence-free survival 43.1% vs 6.7%; log-rank P = .01; 5-year
      overall survival 74.6 vs 27.6%; log-rank P = .04). CONCLUSIONS: There are
      distinct differences in clinicopathologic features and prognosis in patients with
      or without skip N2 metastasis. Considering the results of our study,
      subclassifications of mediastinal lymph node metastases could have clinical
      significance for patients with lung adenocarcinoma.

PMID- 26282607
TI  - Pushing, pulling, or Seldinger technique: What matters is understanding the
      principles, not the methods.

PMID- 26282608
TI  - Altered left ventricular vortex ring formation by 4-dimensional flow magnetic
      resonance imaging after repair of atrioventricular septal defects.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: During normal left ventricular (LV) filling, a vortex ring structure
      is formed distal to the left atrioventricular valve (LAVV). Vortex structures
      contribute to efficient flow organization. We aimed to investigate whether LAVV
      abnormality in patients with a corrected atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD)
      has an impact on vortex ring formation. METHODS: Whole-heart 4D flow MRI was
      performed in 32 patients (age: 26 +/- 12 years), and 30 healthy subjects (age: 25
      +/- 14 years). Vortex ring cores were detected at peak early (E-peak) and peak
      late filling (A-peak). When present, the 3-dimensional position and orientation
      of the vortex ring was defined, and the circularity index was calculated. Through
      plane flow over the LAVV, and the vortex formation time (VFT), were quantified to
      analyze the relationship of vortex flow with the inflow jet. RESULTS: Absence of
      a vortex ring during E-peak (healthy subjects 0%, vs patients 19%; P = .015), and
      A-peak (healthy subjects 10% vs patients 44%; P = .008) was more frequent in
      patients. In 4 patients, this was accompanied by a high VFT (5.1-7.8 vs 2.4 +/-
      0.6 in healthy subjects), and in another 2 patients with abnormal valve anatomy.
      In patients compared with controls, the vortex cores had a more-anterior and
      apical position, closer to the ventricular wall, with a more-elliptical shape and
      oblique orientation. The shape of the vortex core closely resembled the valve
      shape, and its orientation was related to the LV inflow direction. CONCLUSIONS:
      This study quantitatively shows the influence of abnormal LAVV and LV inflow on
      3D vortex ring formation during LV inflow in patients with corrected AVSD,
      compared with healthy subjects.

PMID- 26282609
TI  - Selective transfer of polyunsaturated fatty acids from phytoplankton to
      planktivorous fish in large boreal lakes.
AB  - Lake size influences various hydrological parameters, such as water retention
      time, circulation patterns and thermal stratification that can consequently
      affect the plankton community composition, benthic-pelagic coupling and the
      function of aquatic food webs. Although the socio-economical (particularly
      commercial fisheries) and ecological importance of large lakes has been widely
      acknowledged, little is known about the availability and trophic transfer of
      polyunsaturated fatty (PUFA) in large lakes. The objective of this study was to
      investigate trophic trajectories of PUFA in the pelagic food web (seston,
      zooplankton, and planktivorous fish) of six large boreal lakes in the Finnish
      Lake District. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and alpha
      linolenic acid (ALA) were the most abundant PUFA in pelagic organisms,
      particularly in the zooplanktivorous fish. Our results show that PUFA from the n
      3 family (PUFAn-3), often associated with marine food webs, are also abundant in
      large lakes. The proportion of DHA increased from ~4+/-3% in seston to ~32+/-6%
      in vendace (Coregonus albula) and smelt (Osmerus eperlanus), whereas ALA showed
      the opposite trophic transfer pattern with the highest values observed in seston
      (~11+/-2%) and the lowest in the opossum shrimp (Mysis relicta) and fish (~2+/
      1%). The dominance of diatoms and cryptophytes at the base of the food web in the
      study lakes accounted for the high amount of PUFAn-3 in the planktonic consumers.
      Furthermore, the abundance of copepods in the large lakes explains the effective
      transfer of DHA to planktivorous fish. The plankton community composition in
      these lakes supports a fishery resource (vendace) that is very high nutritional
      quality (in terms of EPA and DHA contents) to humans. 

PMID- 26282610
TI  - Examination of the Adlerian constructs of activity and social interest with
      depression among recent Korean retirees: Meaning in life as a mediator.
AB  - The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether (a) the Adlerian
      construct of activity and social interest would be related to decreased
      depression and (b) meaning in life would mediate these relationships among Korean
      retirees. A total of 219 Korean retirees who had retired within the last three
      years completed the survey. The survey included the Activity Scale, Social
      Interest Scale, The Meaning in Life Questionnaire, and Center for Epidemiology
      Depression Scale. Structural equation modeling was conducted to analyze data. The
      results indicated that activity was directly associated with depression (beta=
      .453, p<.001) and indirectly related to depression through meaning in life
      (indirect path: beta=-.279, p< .05, 95% CI=-.483, ~-.145). Similarly, social
      interest was found to be directly related to depression (beta=-.710, p<.001) and
      indirectly related to depression through meaning in life (indirect path: beta=
      .227, p<.05, 95% CI=-.427, ~-.086). These findings suggest that meaning in life
      is an important avenue through which activity and social interest are linked to a
      lower level of depression among Korean retirees. 

PMID- 26282611
TI  - From cloned frogs to patient matched stem cells: induced pluripotency or somatic
      cell nuclear transfer?
AB  - Nuclear transfer has seen a remarkable comeback in the past few years. Three
      groups have independently reported the derivation of stem cell lines by somatic
      cell nuclear transfer, from either adult, neonatal or fetal cells. Though the
      ability of human oocytes to reprogram somatic cells to stem cells had long been
      anticipated, success did not arrive on a straightforward path. Little was known
      about human oocyte biology, and nuclear transfer protocols developed in animals
      required key changes to become effective with human eggs. By overcoming these
      challenges, human nuclear transfer research has contributed to a greater
      understanding of oocyte biology, provided a point of reference for the comparison
      of induced pluripotent stem cells, and delivered a method for the generation of
      personalized stem cells with therapeutic potential. 

PMID- 26282612
TI  - Inhibitory role of ERbeta on anterior pituitary cell proliferation by controlling
      the expression of proteins related to cell cycle progression.
AB  - Considering that the role of ERbeta in the growth of pituitary cells is not well
      known, the aim of this work was to determine the expression of ERbeta in normal
      and tumoral cells and to investigate its implications in the proliferative
      control of this endocrine gland, by analyzing the participation of cyclin D1,
      Cdk4 and p21. Our results showed that the expression of ERbeta decreased during
      pituitary tumoral development induced by chronic E2 stimulation. The 20 +/- 1.6%
      of normal adenohypophyseal cells expressed ERbeta, with this protein being
      reduced in the hyperplastic/adenomatous pituitary: at 20 days the ERbeta+
      population was 10.7 +/- 2.2%, while after 40 and 60 days of treatment an almost
      complete loss in the ERbeta expression was observed (40 d: 1 +/- 0.6%; 60 d: 2 +/
      0.6%). The ERalpha/beta ratio increased starting from tumors at 40 days, mainly
      due to the loss of ERbeta expression. The cell proliferation was analyzed in
      normal and hyperplastic pituitary and also in GH3beta- and GH3beta+ which
      contained different levels of ERbeta expression, and therefore different
      ERalpha/beta ratios. The over-expression of ERbeta inhibited the GH3 cell
      proliferation and expression of cyclin D1 and ERalpha. Also, the ERbeta
      activation by its agonist DPN changed the subcellular localization of p21,
      inducing an increase in the p21 nuclear expression, where it acts as a tumoral
      suppressor. These results show that ERbeta exerts an inhibitory role on pituitary
      cell proliferation, and that this effect may be partially due to the modulation
      of some key regulators of the cell cycle, such as cyclin D1 and p21. These data
      contribute significantly to the understanding of the ER effects in the
      proliferative control of pituitary gland, specifically related to the ERbeta
      function in the E2 actions on this endocrine gland.

PMID- 26282613
TI  - Unique genomic organization of a novel Avipoxvirus detected in turkey (Meleagris
      gallopavo).
AB  - Avipoxviruses are emerging pathogens affecting over 200 bird species worldwide.
      Genetic characterization of avipoxviruses is performed by analysis of genomic
      regions encoding the 4b and DNA polymerase. Whole genome sequence data are
      limited to a few avipoxvirus isolates. Based on phylogenetic analysis three major
      genetic clades are distinguished. In this study we report a novel avipoxvirus
      strain causing skin lesions in domestic turkey. The virus was identified in
      Hungary during 2011 in a flock of turkey vaccinated against avipoxvirus
      infection. The genome of the isolated strain, TKPV-HU1124/2011, was uniquely
      short (~188.5kbp) and was predicted to encode reduced number of proteins.
      Phylogenetic analysis of the genes encoding the 4b and DNA polymerase separated
      TKPV-HU1124/2011 from other turkey origin avipoxviruses and classified it into a
      new genetic clade. This study permits new insight into the genetic and genomic
      heterogeneity of avipoxviruses and pinpoints the importance of strain diversity
      in vaccine efficacy. 

PMID- 26282614
TI  - Damage and protection of the photosynthetic apparatus from UV-B radiation. II.
      Effect of quercetin at different pH.
AB  - The effect of the exogenously added quercetin against the UV-B inhibition of the
      photosystem II (PSII) functions in isolated pea thylakoid membranes suspended at
      different pH of the medium (6.5, 7.6 and 8.4) was investigated. The data revealed
      that the interaction of this flavonoid with the membranes depends on the pH and
      influences the initial S0-S1 state distribution of PSII in the dark, the energy
      transfer between pigment-protein complexes of the photosynthetic apparatus and
      the membrane fluidity. Quercetin also displays a different UV-protective effect
      depending on its location in the membranes, as the effect is more pronounced at
      pH 8.4 when it is located at the membrane surface. The results suggest that
      quercetin induces structural changes in thylakoid membranes, one of the possible
      reasons for its protection of the photosynthetic apparatus. 

PMID- 26282615
TI  - Retraction Note to: Gene expression profiling analysis of locus coeruleus in
      idiopathic Parkinson's disease by bioinformatics.

PMID- 26282616
TI  - Retraction Note to: Gene expression analyses to explore the biomarkers and
      therapeutic targets for gliomas.

PMID- 26282617
TI  - Retraction Note to: Association of Catechol-O-methyltransferase val/met
      polymorphism with cognitive function in Gilles de la Tourette syndrome patients.

PMID- 26282618
TI  - How women with high risk pregnancies use lay information when considering place
      of birth: A qualitative study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Where to give birth is a key decision in pregnancy. Women use
      information from family, friends and other sources besides healthcare
      professionals when contemplating this decision. This study explored women's use
      of lay information during high risk pregnancies in order to examine differences
      and similarities in the use of information in relation to planned place of birth.
      Half the participants were planning hospital births and half were planning to
      give birth at home. METHODS: A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews
      set in a hospital maternity department in South East England. Twenty-six
      participants with high risk pregnancies, at least 32 weeks pregnant. Results were
      analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Three themes emerged: approaches to
      research - how much information women chose to seek out and from which sources;
      selection of sources - how women decided which sources they considered reliable;
      and unhelpful research - information they considered unhelpful. Women planning
      homebirths undertook more research than women planning to give birth in hospital
      and were more likely to seek out alternative sources of information. Women from
      both groups referred to deliberately seeking out sources of information which
      reflected their own values and so did not challenge their decisions. CONCLUSIONS:
      There are similarities and differences in the use of lay information between
      women who plan to give birth in hospital and those who plan homebirths.
      Professionals working with women with high risk pregnancies should consider these
      factors when interacting with these women.

PMID- 26282619
TI  - Formulating policy activities to promote healthy and sustainable diets.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To develop a policy formulation tool for strategically informing food
      and nutrition policy activities to promote healthy and sustainable diets (HSD).
      DESIGN: A policy formulation tool consisting of two complementary components was
      developed. First, a conceptual framework of the environment-public health
      nutrition relationship was constructed to characterise and conceptualise the food
      system problem. Second, an 'Orders of Food Systems Change' schema drawing on
      systems dynamics thinking was developed to identify, assess and propose policy
      options to redesign food systems. SETTING: Food and nutrition policy activities
      to promote HSD have been politicised, fragmented and lacking a coherent
      conceptual and strategic focus to tackle complex food system challenges. RESULTS:
      The tool's conceptual framework component comprises three integrated dimensions:
      (i) a structure built around the environment and public health nutrition
      relationship that is mediated via the food system; (ii) internal mechanisms that
      operate through system dynamics; and (iii) external interactions that frame its
      nature and a scope within ecological parameters. The accompanying schema is
      structured around three orders of change distinguished by contrasting ideological
      perspectives on the type and extent of change needed to 'solve' the HSD problem.
      CONCLUSIONS: The conceptual framework's systems analysis of the environment
      public health nutrition relationship sets out the food system challenges for HSD.
      The schema helps account for political realities in policy making and is a key
      link to operationalise the framework's concepts to actions aimed at redesigning
      food systems. In combination they provide a policy formulation tool to
      strategically inform policy activities to redesign food systems and promote HSD.

PMID- 26282621
TI  - Impacts of a newly identified behaviour-altering trematode on its host amphipod:
      from the level of gene expression to population.
AB  - Changes to host behaviour induced by some trematode species, as a means of
      increased trophic transmission, represents one of the seminal examples of host
      manipulation by a parasite. The amphipod Echinogammarus marinus (Leach, 1815) is
      infected with a previously undescribed parasite, with infected individuals
      displaying positive phototaxic and negative geotaxic behaviour. This study
      reveals that the unknown parasite encysts in the brain, nerve cord and the body
      cavity of E. marinus, and belongs to the Microphallidae family. An 18 month
      population study revealed that host abundance significantly and negatively
      correlated with parasite prevalence. Investigation of the trematode's influence
      at the transcriptomic level revealed genes with putative neurological functions,
      such as serotonin receptor 1A, an inebriated-like neurotransmitter, tryptophan
      hydroxylase and amino acid decarboxylase, present consistent altered expression
      in infected animals. Therefore, this study provides one of the first
      transcriptomic insights into the neuronal gene pathways altered in amphipods
      infected with a trematode parasite associated with changes to its host's
      behaviour and population structure. 

PMID- 26282622
TI  - Corrosive synthesis and enhanced electromagnetic absorption properties of hollow
      porous Ni/SnO2 hybrids.
AB  - In this study, novel porous hollow Ni/SnO2 hybrids were prepared by a facile and
      flexible two-step approach composed of solution reduction and subsequent reaction
      induced acid corrosion. In our protocol, it can be found that the hydrothermal
      temperature exerts a vital influence on the phase crystal and morphology of
      Ni/SnO2 hybrids. Notably, the Ni microspheres might be completely corroded in the
      hydrothermal process at 220  degrees C. The complex permittivity and permeability
      of Ni/SnO2 hybrids-paraffin wax composite were measured based on a vector network
      analyzer in the frequency range of 1-18 GHz. Electromagnetic absorption
      properties of samples were evaluated by transmission line theory. Ni/SnO2 hybrid
      composites exhibit superior electromagnetic absorption properties in comparison
      with pristine Ni microspheres. The outstanding electromagnetic absorption
      performances can be observed for the hollow porous Ni/SnO2 hybrid prepared at 200
      degrees C. The minimum reflection loss is -36.7 dB at 12.3 GHz, and the
      effective electromagnetic wave absorption band (RL < -10 dB, 90% microwave
      attenuation) was in the frequency range of 10.6-14.0 GHz with a thin thickness of
      1.7 mm. Excellent electromagnetic absorption properties were assigned to the
      improved impedance match, more interfacial polarization and unique hollow porous
      structures, which can result in microwave multi-reflection and scattering. This
      novel hollow porous hybrid is an attractive candidate for new types of high
      performance electromagnetic wave-absorbing materials, which satisfies the current
      requirements of electromagnetic absorbing materials, which include wide-band
      absorption, high-efficiency absorption capability, thin thickness and light
      weight. 

PMID- 26282620
TI  - HN-NCA heteronuclear TOCSY-NH experiment for (1)H(N) and (15)N sequential
      correlations in ((13)C, (15)N) labelled intrinsically disordered proteins.
AB  - A simple triple resonance NMR experiment that leads to the correlation of the
      backbone amide resonances of each amino acid residue 'i' with that of residues 'i
      1' and 'i+1' in ((13)C, (15)N) labelled intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs)
      is presented. The experimental scheme, {HN-NCA heteronuclear TOCSY-NH}, exploits
      the favourable relaxation properties of IDPs and the presence of (1) J CalphaN
      and (2) J CalphaN couplings to transfer the (15)N x magnetisation from amino acid
      residue 'i' to adjacent residues via the application of a band-selective (15)N
      (13)C(alpha) heteronuclear cross-polarisation sequence of ~100 ms duration.
      Employing non-uniform sampling in the indirect dimensions, the efficacy of the
      approach has been demonstrated by the acquisition of 3D HNN chemical shift
      correlation spectra of alpha-synuclein. The experimental performance of the RF
      pulse sequence has been compared with that of the conventional INEPT-based
      HN(CA)NH pulse scheme. As the availability of data from both the HCCNH and HNN
      experiments will make it possible to use the information extracted from one
      experiment to simplify the analysis of the data of the other and lead to a robust
      approach for unambiguous backbone and side-chain resonance assignments, a time
      saving strategy for the simultaneous collection of HCCNH and HNN data is also
      described. 

PMID- 26282623
TI  - Recognition during recall failure: Semantic feature matching as a mechanism for
      recognition of semantic cues when recall fails.
AB  - Research suggests that a feature-matching process underlies cue familiarity
      detection when cued recall with graphemic cues fails. When a test cue (e.g.,
      potchbork) overlaps in graphemic features with multiple unrecalled studied items
      (e.g., patchwork, pitchfork, pocketbook, pullcork), higher cue familiarity
      ratings are given during recall failure of all of the targets than when the cue
      overlaps in graphemic features with only one studied target and that target fails
      to be recalled (e.g., patchwork). The present study used semantic feature
      production norms (McRae et al., Behavior Research Methods, Instruments, &
      Computers, 37, 547-559, 2005) to examine whether the same holds true when the
      cues are semantic in nature (e.g., jaguar is used to cue cheetah). Indeed, test
      cues (e.g., cedar) that overlapped in semantic features (e.g., a_tree, has_bark,
      etc.) with four unretrieved studied items (e.g., birch, oak, pine, willow)
      received higher cue familiarity ratings during recall failure than test cues that
      overlapped in semantic features with only two (also unretrieved) studied items
      (e.g., birch, oak), which in turn received higher familiarity ratings during
      recall failure than cues that did not overlap in semantic features with any
      studied items. These findings suggest that the feature-matching theory of
      recognition during recall failure can accommodate recognition of semantic cues
      during recall failure, providing a potential mechanism for conceptually-based
      forms of cue recognition during target retrieval failure. They also provide
      converging evidence for the existence of the semantic features envisaged in
      feature-based models of semantic knowledge representation and for those more
      concretely specified by the production norms of McRae et al. (Behavior Research
      Methods, Instruments, & Computers, 37, 547-559, 2005). 

PMID- 26282624
TI  - Androgen Deprivation Therapy and Secondary Hormone Therapy in the Management of
      Hormone-sensitive and Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer.
AB  - Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the standard of care for patients with
      metastatic prostate cancer (mPC). However, nearly all patients with mPC progress
      to castration-resistant PC (CRPC). Arrays of treatments, including secondary
      hormonal therapies, are available for the treatment of mPC and CRPC, which show
      efficacy when administered with ADT. Continuation of ADT is recommended for CRPC
      treatment as therapies are added. New secondary hormonal therapies include
      abiraterone, targeting the CYP17 enzyme family, and enzalutamide, an androgen
      receptor inhibitor with heightened binding specificity. The optimal decision
      making process for CRPC treatment option remains unclear, pending further
      research and experience. 

PMID- 26282625
TI  - Infertility, Sexual Dysfunction, and Depression: Recommendations for Future
      Studies.

PMID- 26282626
TI  - Changes in impaired self-awareness after acquired brain injury in patients
      following intensive neuropsychological rehabilitation.
AB  - The objective of this study was to investigate changes in self-awareness
      impairments in outpatients with acquired brain injury (ABI) and the effects these
      changes have on rehabilitation. Participants were 78 patients with ABI (8.3 years
      post-injury) who followed an intensive outpatient neuropsychological
      rehabilitation programme. This longitudinal study comprised pre (T1) and post
      (T2) measurements and a one-year follow-up (T3). Thirty-eight patients completed
      the study. The main outcome domains were self-awareness, depressive symptoms,
      psychological and physical dysfunction, and health-related quality of life
      (HRQoL). Patients were divided into three awareness groups: underestimation,
      accurate estimation, and overestimation of competencies. Most patients who
      underestimated their competencies at the start of treatment accurately estimated
      their competencies directly after treatment (9 out of 11 patients). These
      patients also exhibited the largest treatment effects regarding depressive
      symptoms, psychological and physical dysfunction, and HRQoL. Most patients with
      impaired self-awareness (i.e., overestimation of competencies) at the start of
      treatment continued to overestimate their competencies after treatment (10 out of
      14 patients). These patients exhibited a significant decrease in depressive
      symptoms but no other treatment effects. The results indicate that changes in
      outcome are related to changes in awareness, which underline the importance of
      taking into account different awareness groups with respect to treatment effects.

PMID- 26282627
TI  - Where is the common ground between bone marrow mesenchymal stem/stromal cells
      from different donors and species?
AB  - Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) feature promising potential for cellular
      therapies, yet significant progress in development of MSC therapeutics and assays
      is hampered because of remarkable MSC heterogeneity in vivo and in vitro. This
      heterogeneity poses challenges for standardization of MSC characterization and
      potency assays as well as for MSC study comparability and manufacturing. This
      review discusses promising marker combinations for prospective MSC subpopulation
      enrichment and expansion, and reflects MSC phenotype changes due to environment
      and age. In order to address animal modelling in MSC biology, comparison of mouse
      and human MSC markers highlights current common ground of MSCs between species. 

PMID- 26282628
TI  - Arthralgia and blood culture-negative endocarditis in middle Age Men suggest
      tropheryma whipplei infection: report of two cases and review of the literature.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Whipple's disease is a rare, often multisystemic chronic infectious
      disease caused by the rod-shaped bacterium Tropheryma whipplei. Very rarely the
      heart is involved in the process of the disease, leading to culture-negative
      infective endocarditis. Up to 20 % of all infective endocarditis are blood
      culture-negative and therefore a diagnostic challenge. We present two unusual
      cases of culture-negative infective endocarditis encountered in two different
      patients with prior history of arthralgia. A history of rheumatic arthritis or
      even a transient arthralgia should put Tropheryma whipplei on the top of
      differentials in patients of this age group presenting with culture-negative
      infective endocarditis, especially in cases of therapy resistance to
      antirheumatic agents. CASE PRESENTATION: The first patient was a 55 year-old
      Caucasian male with culture-negative Whipple-related adhesive pericarditis and
      endocarditis of the aortic valve. Importantly, the patient reported a 15-year
      history of therapy resistant sero-negative migratory polyarthritis. Aortic valve
      endocarditis developed during treatment with tocilizumab. The second patient was
      a 65-year-old male patient with no prior history of the classic Whipple's disease
      who presented with a culture-negative aortic valve endocarditis. His past medical
      history revealed episodes of transient arthralgia, which he was not treated for
      however, due to the self-limiting nature of the symptoms. Both patients underwent
      aortic valve replacement surgery. During surgery, pericardectomy was necessary in
      the first patient due to adhesive pericarditis. Post surgery both patients were
      started on long-term treatment with trimetoprim-sulfamethoxazol. At 1-year follow
      up of both patients, echocardiographic and clinical assessment revealed no signs
      of persistent infection. Both men reported negative history of arthralgia during
      the one year period post surgery. CONCLUSION: Tropheryma whipplei culture
      negative-infective endocarditis is an emerging clinical entity, predominantly
      found in middle-aged and older men with a history of arthralgia. These data
      highlight the need for ruling out Whipple's disease in patients with a history of
      arthralgia prior to initiation of biological agents in treatment of rheumatoid
      arthritis. There is also a need to assess for Tropheryma whipplei in all patients
      with culture- negative infective endocarditis.

PMID- 26282629
TI  - Systematic Review of Tobacco Use after Lung or Head/Neck Cancer Diagnosis:
      Results and Recommendations for Future Research.
AB  - Tobacco use after cancer diagnosis is associated with adverse cancer outcomes,
      yet reliable prevalence estimates for this behavior are lacking. We conducted a
      systematic literature review of the prevalence of current tobacco use among
      individuals with a history of lung or head/neck cancer (CRD #42012002625). An
      extensive search of electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library,
      CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Web of Science) identified 7,777 potentially relevant
      articles published between 1980 and 2014 and 131 of these yielded pertinent
      information. Aggregating results across heterogeneous study designs and diverse
      patient samples, the overall mean prevalence rate of current tobacco use (mostly
      cigarette smoking) was 33.0% (median, 31.0%). Among current tobacco users at
      cancer diagnosis, the mean prevalence rate of current tobacco use (mostly
      cigarette smoking) was 53.8% (median, 50.3%). In many cases, an operational
      definition of "current" tobacco use was absent, and biochemical verification of
      self-reported smoking status was infrequent. These and other observed
      methodologic limitations in the assessment and reporting of cancer patients'
      tobacco use underscore the necessity of uniform tobacco use assessment in future
      clinical research and cancer care.

PMID- 26282630
TI  - Adherence to Multiple Cancer Screening Tests among Women Living in Appalachia
      Ohio.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is a lack of information about the correlates of completing all
      three cancer screening tests among women living in Appalachia. METHODS: Cross
      sectional telephone interviews were conducted (April-September 2013) among women
      (n = 637) ages 51 to 75 years from 12 Appalachia Ohio counties. Outcomes of
      within screening guidelines were verified by medical records. Multivariable
      logistic regression models identified correlates of being within guidelines for
      all three cancer screening tests. RESULTS: Screening rates included mammography
      (32.1%), Pap test (36.1%), and a colorectal cancer test (30.1%). Only 8.6% of
      women were within guidelines for all tests. Having had a check-up in the past 2
      years and having received a screening recommendation were significantly related
      to being within guidelines for all three tests (P < 0.01). Participants with
      higher annual household incomes [$60,000+; OR, 3.53; 95% confidence interval
      (CI), 1.49-8.33] and conditions requiring regular medical visits (OR, 3.16; 95%
      CI, 1.29-7.74) were more likely to be within guidelines for all three screening
      tests. CONCLUSION: Less than 10% of women had completed screening within
      guidelines for all three screening tests. Regular contact with the health care
      system and higher incomes were significant predictors of being within guidelines.
      IMPACT: Within guidelines rates for the three recommended cancer screening tests
      are low among women in Appalachia Ohio. This finding illustrates the need for
      innovative interventions to improve rates of multiple cancer screening tests.

PMID- 26282632
TI  - Investigation of metabolomic blood biomarkers for detection of adenocarcinoma
      lung cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Untargeted metabolomics was used in case-control studies of
      adenocarcinoma (ADC) lung cancer to develop and test metabolite classifiers in
      serum and plasma as potential biomarkers for diagnosing lung cancer. METHODS:
      Serum and plasma were collected and used in two independent case-control studies
      (ADC1 and ADC2). Controls were frequency matched for gender, age, and smoking
      history. There were 52 adenocarcinoma cases and 31 controls in ADC1 and 43
      adenocarcinoma cases and 43 controls in ADC2. Metabolomics was conducted using
      gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Differential analysis was
      performed on ADC1 and the top candidates (FDR < 0.05) for serum and plasma used
      to develop individual and multiplex classifiers that were then tested on an
      independent set of serum and plasma samples (ADC2). RESULTS: Aspartate provided
      the best accuracy (81.4%) for an individual metabolite classifier in serum,
      whereas pyrophosphate had the best accuracy (77.9%) in plasma when independently
      tested. Multiplex classifiers of either 2 or 4 serum metabolites had an accuracy
      of 72.7% when independently tested. For plasma, a multimetabolite classifier
      consisting of 8 metabolites gave an accuracy of 77.3% when independently tested.
      Comparison of overall diagnostic performance between the two blood matrices
      yielded similar performances. However, serum is most ideal given higher
      sensitivity for low-abundant metabolites. CONCLUSION: This study shows the
      potential of metabolite-based diagnostic tests for detection of lung
      adenocarcinoma. Further validation in a larger pool of samples is warranted.
      IMPACT: These biomarkers could improve early detection and diagnosis of lung
      cancer.

PMID- 26282631
TI  - Risk of Sex-Specific Cancers in Opposite-Sex and Same-Sex Twins in Denmark and
      Sweden.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Increasing evidence shows that some cancers originate in utero. It is
      hypothesized that elevated exposure to some steroid hormones might increase
      cancer risk and that hormone transfer between twin fetuses could result in
      different prenatal exposure to testosterone. METHODS: This large-scale
      prospective twin study compared opposite-sex (OS) and same-sex (SS) twins to test
      the impact of intrauterine exposures on cancer risk. On the basis of the Danish
      and Swedish twin and cancer registries, we calculated incidence rate ratios for
      OS and SS twins, whereas standardized incidence ratios (SIR) with 95% confidence
      intervals (CI) were calculated for OS/SS twins compared with the general
      population. RESULTS: A total of 18,001 cancers were identified during 1943-2009.
      No significant differences were observed between OS and SS twins, neither for the
      sex-specific cancers nor for cancer at all sites. All-cause cancer was slightly
      reduced for OS and SS twins compared with the general population, significant for
      OS males (SIR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.92-0.98) and for SS males and females (SIR, 0.97;
      95% CI, 0.94-0.99). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that having a male co-twin
      which may entail higher exposure to prenatal testosterone-does not increase the
      risk of sex-specific cancers in OS females. Furthermore, the study supports that
      twinning per se is not a risk factor of cancer. IMPACT: Findings are reassuring,
      as they fail to provide evidence for the hypothesis that endocrine or other
      difference in the in utero milieu affects the risk of sex-specific cancers.

PMID- 26282633
TI  - Probing resistivity and doping concentration of semiconductors at the nanoscale
      using scanning microwave microscopy.
AB  - We present a new method to extract resistivity and doping concentration of
      semiconductor materials from Scanning Microwave Microscopy (SMM) S11 reflection
      measurements. Using a three error parameters de-embedding workflow, the S11 raw
      data are converted into calibrated capacitance and resistance images where no
      calibration sample is required. The SMM capacitance and resistance values were
      measured at 18 GHz and ranged from 0 to 100 aF and from 0 to 1 MOmega,
      respectively. A tip-sample analytical model that includes tip radius, microwave
      penetration skin depth, and semiconductor depletion layer width has been applied
      to extract resistivity and doping concentration from the calibrated SMM
      resistance. The method has been tested on two doped silicon samples and in both
      cases the resistivity and doping concentration are in quantitative agreement with
      the data-sheet values over a range of 10(-3)Omega cm to 10(1)Omega cm, and 10(14)
      atoms per cm(3) to 10(20) atoms per cm(3), respectively. The measured dopant
      density values, with related uncertainties, are [1.1 +/- 0.6] * 10(18) atoms per
      cm(3), [2.2 +/- 0.4] * 10(17) atoms per cm(3), [4.5 +/- 0.2] * 10(16) atoms per
      cm(3), [4.5 +/- 1.3] * 10(15) atoms per cm(3), [4.5 +/- 1.7] * 10(14) atoms per
      cm(3). The method does not require sample treatment like cleavage and cross
      sectioning, and high contact imaging forces are not necessary, thus it is easily
      applicable to various semiconductor and materials science investigations. 

PMID- 26282634
TI  - High Doses of Antimetabolites Followed by High-Dose Sequential Chemoimmunotherapy
      and Autologous Stem-Cell Transplantation in Patients With Systemic B-Cell
      Lymphoma and Secondary CNS Involvement: Final Results of a Multicenter Phase II
      Trial.
AB  - PURPOSE: Treatment of secondary CNS dissemination in patients with aggressive
      lymphomas remains an important, unmet clinical need. Herein, we report the final
      results of a multicenter phase II trial addressing a new treatment for secondary
      CNS lymphoma based on encouraging experiences with high doses of antimetabolites
      in primary CNS lymphoma and with rituximab plus high-dose sequential
      chemoimmunotherapy (R-HDS) in relapsed aggressive lymphoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS:
      HIV-negative patients with aggressive B-cell lymphoma and secondary CNS
      involvement at diagnosis or relapse, age 18 to 70 years, and Eastern Cooperative
      Oncology Group performance status <= 3 were enrolled and treated with high-doses
      of methotrexate and cytarabine, followed by R-HDS (cyclophosphamide, cytarabine,
      and etoposide) supported by autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT).
      Treatment included eight doses of rituximab and four doses of intrathecal
      liposomal cytarabine. The primary end point was 2-year event-free survival; the
      planned accrual was 38 patients. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients were enrolled;
      CNS disease was detected at presentation in 16 patients. Toxicity was usually
      hematologic and manageable, with grade 4 febrile neutropenia in 3% of delivered
      courses and grade 4 nonhematologic toxicity in 2% of delivered courses. Four
      patients died because of toxicity. Autologous stem cells were successfully
      collected in 24 (89%) of 27 patients (median, 10 * 10(6)/kg); 20 patients
      underwent ASCT. Complete response was achieved in 24 patients (complete response
      rate, 63%; 95% CI, 48% to 78%). At a median follow-up of 48 months, 17 patients
      remained relapse free, with a 2-year event-free survival rate of 50% +/- 8%. At 5
      years, 16 patients were alive, with a 5-year overall survival rate of 41% +/- 8%
      for the whole series and 68% +/- 11% for patients who received transplantation.
      Systemic (extra-CNS) and/or meningeal disease did not affect outcome. CONCLUSION:
      The combination of high doses of antimetabolites, R-HDS, and ASCT is feasible and
      effective in patients age 18 to 70 years old with secondary CNS lymphoma, and we
      propose it as a new standard therapeutic option.

PMID- 26282636
TI  - Identifying Social Distress: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Social Outcomes 12 to 36
      Months After Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis.
AB  - PURPOSE: To establish the prevalence and determinants of poor social outcomes
      after a diagnosis of colorectal cancer (CRC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: All 12- to 36
      month survivors of CRC (International Classification of Diseases [10th revision]
      codes C18 to C20) diagnosed in 2010 or 2011 and treated in the English National
      Health Service were identified and sent a questionnaire from their treating
      cancer hospital. This included the Social Difficulties Inventory, a 16-item scale
      of social distress (SD) comprising everyday living, money matters, and self and
      others subscales, plus five single items. Sociodemographic and clinical data were
      also collected. Analyses using descriptive statistics, chi(2) tests, and logistic
      regression models were conducted. RESULTS: Response rate was 63.3% (21,802 of
      34,467). Of the 21,802 participants, 17,830 (81.8%) completed all SD items; 2,688
      (15.1%) of these 17,830 respondents were classified as experiencing SD (everyday
      living, 19.5%; money matters, 15.6%; self and others, 18.1%). Multivariable
      analysis demonstrated having >= three long-term conditions was the strongest
      predictor of SD (odds ratio [OR], 6.64; 95% CI, 5.67 to 7.77 compared with no
      long-term conditions), followed by unemployment (OR, 5.11; 95% CI, 4.21 to 6.20
      compared with being employed), having recurrent or nontreatable disease (OR,
      2.75; 95% CI, 2.49 to 3.04 compared with being in remission), and having a stoma
      (OR, 2.10; 95% CI, 1.86 to 2.36 compared with no stoma). Additional predictors of
      SD were young age (< 55 years), living in a more deprived area, nonwhite
      ethnicity, having advanced-stage disease, having undergone radiotherapy, and
      being a carer. CONCLUSION: Although it is reassuring a majority do not experience
      social difficulties, a minority reported significant SD 12 to 36 months after
      diagnosis of CRC. The identified clinical and social risk factors are easy to
      establish and should be used to target support.

PMID- 26282635
TI  - Clinical Course of Oxaliplatin-Induced Neuropathy: Results From the Randomized
      Phase III Trial N08CB (Alliance).
AB  - PURPOSE: Given that the clinical course of oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy is not
      well defined, the current study was performed to better understand clinical
      parameters associated with its presentation. METHODS: Acute and chronic
      neuropathy was evaluated in patients receiving adjuvant FOLFOX (fluorouracil,
      leucovorin, and oxaliplatin) on study N08CB (North Central Cancer Treatment
      Group, Alliance). Acute neuropathy was assessed by having patients complete daily
      questionnaires for 6 days with each cycle of FOLFOX. Before each dose of FOLFOX
      and as long as 18 months after chemotherapy cessation, chronic neurotoxicity was
      assessed with use of the 20-item, European Organisation for Research and
      Treatment of Cancer quality-of-life questionnaire for patients with chemotherapy
      induced peripheral neuropathy. RESULTS: Three hundred eight (89%) of the 346
      patients had at least one symptom of acute neuropathy with the first cycle of
      FOLFOX; these symptoms included sensitivity to touching cold items (71%),
      sensitivity to swallowing cold items (71%), throat discomfort (63%), or muscle
      cramps (42%). Acute symptoms peaked at day 3 and improved, although they did not
      always resolve completely between treatments. These symptoms were about twice as
      severe in cycles 2 through 12 as they were in cycle 1. For chronic neurotoxicity,
      tingling was the most severe symptom, followed by numbness and then pain. During
      chemotherapy, symptoms in the hands were more prominent than they were in the
      feet; by 18 months, symptoms were more severe in the feet than they were in the
      hands. Patients with more severe acute neuropathy during the first cycle of
      therapy experienced more chronic sensory neurotoxicity (P < .0001). CONCLUSION:
      Acute oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy symptoms do not always completely resolve
      between treatment cycles and are only half as severe on the first cycle as
      compared with subsequent cycles. There is a correlation between the severities of
      acute and chronic neuropathies.

PMID- 26282637
TI  - Lymph Node Micrometastases Do Influence Breast Cancer Outcome.

PMID- 26282638
TI  - Complexity in the Gastric Cancer Genome and a Biomarker-Driven Trial of Poly (ADP
      Ribose) Polymerase Inhibition in Gastric Cancer.

PMID- 26282639
TI  - Immune Signature to Predict Trastuzumab Benefit: Potential and Pitfalls.

PMID- 26282641
TI  - Combined-Modality Therapy for Early-Stage Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: Knowing
      When to Quit.

PMID- 26282640
TI  - Effects of Music Therapy on Anesthesia Requirements and Anxiety in Women
      Undergoing Ambulatory Breast Surgery for Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment: A
      Randomized Controlled Trial.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of live and recorded perioperative music
      therapy on anesthesia requirements, anxiety levels, recovery time, and patient
      satisfaction in women experiencing surgery for diagnosis or treatment of breast
      cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 2012 and 2014, 207 female patients
      undergoing surgery for potential or known breast cancer were randomly assigned to
      receive either patient-selected live music (LM) preoperatively with therapist
      selected recorded music intraoperatively (n=69), patient-selected recorded music
      (RM) preoperatively with therapist-selected recorded music intraoperatively
      (n=70), or usual care (UC) preoperatively with noise-blocking earmuffs
      intraoperatively (n=68). RESULTS: The LM and the RM groups did not differ
      significantly from the UC group in the amount of propofol required to reach
      moderate sedation. Compared with the UC group, both the LM and the RM groups had
      greater reductions (P<.001) in anxiety scores preoperatively (mean changes [and
      standard deviation: -30.9 [36.3], -26.8 [29.3], and 0.0 [22.7]), respectively.
      The LM and RM groups did not differ from the UC group with respect to recovery
      time; however, the LM group had a shorter recovery time compared with the RM
      group (a difference of 12.4 minutes; 95% CI, 2.2 to 22.5; P=.018). Satisfaction
      scores for the LM and RM groups did not differ from those of the UC group.
      CONCLUSION: Including music therapy as a complementary modality with cancer
      surgery may help manage preoperative anxiety in a way that is safe, effective,
      time-efficient, and enjoyable.

PMID- 26282642
TI  - Evaluation of the Safety and Benefit of Phase I Oncology Trials for Patients With
      Primary CNS Tumors.
AB  - PURPOSE: Patients with high-grade gliomas (HGG) are frequently excluded from
      first-in-human solid tumor trials because of perceived poor prognosis, excessive
      toxicities, concomitant drug interactions, and poor efficacy. We conducted an
      analysis of outcomes from select, single-agent phase I studies in patients with
      HGG. We compared outcomes to pooled analysis of published studies in solid tumors
      with various molecular and cytotoxic drugs evaluated as single agents or as
      combinations. PATIENT AND METHODS: Individual records of patients with recurrent
      HGG enrolled onto Adult Brain Tumor Consortium trials of single-agent, cytotoxic
      or molecular agents from 2000 to 2008 were analyzed for baseline characteristics,
      toxicities, responses, and survival. RESULTS: Our analysis included 327 patients
      with advanced, refractory HGG who were enrolled onto eight trials involving
      targeted molecular (n=5) and cytotoxic (n=3) therapies. At enrollment, patients
      had a median Karnofsky performance score of 90 and median age of 52 years; 62%
      were men, 63% had glioblastoma, and the median number of prior systemic
      chemotherapies was one. Baseline laboratory values were in an acceptable range to
      meet eligibility criteria. Patients were on the study for a median of two cycles
      (range, <one to 56 cycles), and 96% were evaluable for primary end points. During
      cycle 1, grade>=3 nonhematologic and grade>=4 hematologic toxicities were 5% (28
      of 565 adverse events) and 0.9% (five of 565 adverse events), respectively, and
      66% of these occurred at the highest dose level. There was one death attributed
      to drug. Overall response rate (complete and partial response) was 5.5%. Median
      progression-free and overall survival times were 1.8 and 6 months, respectively.
      CONCLUSION: Patients with HGG who meet standard eligibility criteria may be good
      candidates for solid tumor phase I studies with single-agent molecular or
      cytotoxic drugs with favorable preclinical rationale and pharmacokinetic
      properties in this population.

PMID- 26282645
TI  - Reply to F. Tomao et al.

PMID- 26282644
TI  - Immune-Related Adverse Events, Need for Systemic Immunosuppression, and Effects
      on Survival and Time to Treatment Failure in Patients With Melanoma Treated With
      Ipilimumab at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
AB  - PURPOSE: Ipilimumab is a standard treatment for metastatic melanoma, but immune
      related adverse events (irAEs) are common and can be severe. We reviewed our
      large, contemporary experience with ipilimumab treatment outside of clinical
      trials to determine the frequency of use of systemic corticosteroid or anti-tumor
      necrosis factor alpha (anti-TNFalpha) therapy and the effect of these therapies
      on overall survival (OS) and time to treatment failure (TTF). PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: We reviewed retrospectively the medical records of patients with
      melanoma who had received treatment between April 2011 and July 2013 with
      ipilimumab at the standard dose of 3 mg/kg. We collected data on patient
      demographics, previous and subsequent treatments, number of ipilimumab doses,
      irAEs and how they were treated, and overall survival. RESULTS: Of the 298
      patients, 254 (85%) experienced an irAE of any grade. Fifty-six patients (19%)
      discontinued therapy because of an irAE, most commonly diarrhea. Overall, 103
      patients (35%) required systemic corticosteroid treatment for an irAE; 29 (10%)
      also required anti-TNFalpha therapy. Defining TTF as either starting a new
      treatment or death, estimated median TTF was 5.7 months. Twelve percent of
      patients experienced long-term disease control without receiving additional
      antimelanoma therapy. OS and TTF were not affected by the occurrence of irAEs or
      the need for systemic corticosteroids. CONCLUSION: IrAEs are common in patients
      treated with ipilimumab. In our experience, approximately one-third of ipilimumab
      treated patients required systemic corticosteroids, and almost one-third of those
      required further immune suppression with anti-TNFalpha therapy. Practitioners and
      patients should be prepared to treat irAEs and should understand that such
      treatment does not affect OS or TTF.

PMID- 26282643
TI  - Obesity, Aspirin, and Risk of Colorectal Cancer in Carriers of Hereditary
      Colorectal Cancer: A Prospective Investigation in the CAPP2 Study.
AB  - PURPOSE: In the general population, increased adiposity is a significant risk
      factor for colorectal cancer (CRC), but whether obesity has similar effects in
      those with hereditary CRC is uncertain. This prospective study investigated the
      association between body mass index and cancer risk in patients with Lynch
      syndrome (LS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Participants with LS were recruited to the
      CAPP2 study, in which they were randomly assigned to receive aspirin 600 mg per
      day or aspirin placebo, plus resistant starch 30 g per day or starch placebo (2 *
      2 factorial design). Mean intervention period was 25.0 months, and mean follow-up
      was 55.7 months. RESULTS: During follow-up, 55 of 937 participants developed CRC.
      For obese participants, CRC risk was 2.41* (95% CI, 1.22 to 4.85) greater than
      for underweight and normal-weight participants (reference group), and CRC risk
      increased by 7% for each 1-kg/m(2) increase in body mass index. The risk of all
      LS-related cancers in obese people was 1.77* (95% CI, 1.06 to 2.96; P = .03)
      greater than for the reference group. In subgroup analysis, obesity was
      associated with 3.72* (95% CI, 1.41 to 9.81) greater CRC risk in patients with LS
      with MLH1 mutation, but no excess risk was observed in those with MSH2 or MSH6
      mutation (P = .5). The obesity-related excess CRC risk was confined to those
      randomly assigned to the aspirin placebo group (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.75; 95%
      CI, 1.12 to 6.79; P = .03). CONCLUSION: Obesity is associated with substantially
      increased CRC risk in patients with LS, but this risk is abrogated in those
      taking aspirin. Such patients are likely to benefit from obesity prevention
      and/or regular aspirin.

PMID- 26282646
TI  - Population-Wide Screening for Germline BRCA1 and BRCA2 Mutations: Too Much of a
      Good Thing?

PMID- 26282647
TI  - Reply to L. Antolini et al.

PMID- 26282649
TI  - Deeper Conversations Need Not Wait Until the End.

PMID- 26282648
TI  - Treatment of Brain Metastases.
AB  - Brain metastases (BMs) occur in 10% to 20% of adult patients with cancer, and
      with increased surveillance and improved systemic control, the incidence is
      likely to grow. Despite multimodal treatment, prognosis remains poor. Current
      evidence supports use of whole-brain radiation therapy when patients present with
      multiple BMs. However, its associated cognitive impairment is a major deterrent
      in patients likely to live longer than 6 months. In patients with oligometastases
      (one to three metastases) and even some with multiple lesions less than 3 to 4
      cm, especially if the primary tumor is considered radiotherapy resistant,
      stereotactic radiosurgery is recommended; if the BMs are greater than 4 cm,
      surgical resection with or without postoperative whole-brain radiation therapy
      should be considered. There is increasing evidence that systemic therapy,
      including targeted therapy and immunotherapy, is effective against BM and may be
      an early choice, especially in patients with sensitive primary tumors. In
      patients with progressive systemic disease, limited treatment options, and poor
      performance status, best supportive care may be appropriate. Regardless of
      treatment goals, use of corticosteroids or antiepileptic medications is helpful
      in symptomatic patients. In this review, we provide a summary of current therapy,
      as well as developments in the treatment of BM from solid tumors.

PMID- 26282650
TI  - Randomized Phase II Trial Comparing Obinutuzumab (GA101) With Rituximab in
      Patients With Relapsed CD20+ Indolent B-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: Final Analysis
      of the GAUSS Study.
AB  - PURPOSE: Obinutuzumab (GA101), a novel glycoengineered type II anti-CD20
      monoclonal antibody, demonstrated responses in single-arm studies of patients
      with relapsed/refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This is the first prospective,
      randomized study comparing safety and efficacy of obinutuzumab with rituximab in
      relapsed indolent lymphoma. The primary end point of this study was the overall
      response rate (ORR) in patients with follicular lymphoma after induction and
      safety in patients with indolent lymphoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 175
      patients with relapsed CD20(+) indolent lymphoma requiring therapy and with
      previous response to a rituximab-containing regimen were randomly assigned (1:1)
      to four once-per-week infusions of either obinutuzumab (1,000 mg) or rituximab
      (375 mg/m(2)). Patients without evidence of disease progression after induction
      therapy received obinutuzumab or rituximab maintenance therapy every 2 months for
      up to 2 years. RESULTS: Among patients with follicular lymphoma (n = 149), ORR
      seemed higher for obinutuzumab than rituximab (44.6% v 33.3%; P = .08). This
      observation was also demonstrated by a blinded independent review panel that
      measured a higher ORR for obinutuzumab (44.6% v 26.7%; P = .01). However, this
      difference did not translate into an improvement in progression-free survival. No
      new safety signals were observed for obinutuzumab, and the incidence of adverse
      events was balanced between arms, with the exception of infusion-related
      reactions and cough, which were higher in the obinutuzumab arm. CONCLUSION:
      Obinutuzumab demonstrated a higher ORR without appreciable differences in safety
      compared with rituximab. However, the clinical benefit of obinutuzumab in this
      setting remains unclear and should be evaluated within phase III trials.

PMID- 26282652
TI  - Reply to D. Przepiorka et al.

PMID- 26282651
TI  - Bevacizumab Combined With Weekly Paclitaxel, Pegylated Liposomal Doxorubicin, or
      Topotecan in Platinum-Resistant Recurrent Ovarian Cancer: Analysis by
      Chemotherapy Cohort of the Randomized Phase III AURELIA Trial.

PMID- 26282653
TI  - Acute Myeloid Leukemia Response Measures Other Than Complete Remission.

PMID- 26282654
TI  - Mutational Spectrum, Copy Number Changes, and Outcome: Results of a Sequencing
      Study of Patients With Newly Diagnosed Myeloma.
AB  - PURPOSE: At the molecular level, myeloma is characterized by copy number
      abnormalities and recurrent translocations into the immunoglobulin heavy chain
      locus. Novel methods, such as massively parallel sequencing, have begun to
      describe the pattern of tumor-acquired mutations, but their clinical relevance
      has yet to be established. METHODS: We performed whole-exome sequencing for 463
      patients who presented with myeloma and were enrolled onto the National Cancer
      Research Institute Myeloma XI trial, for whom complete molecular cytogenetic and
      clinical outcome data were available. RESULTS: We identified 15 significantly
      mutated genes: IRF4, KRAS, NRAS, MAX, HIST1H1E, RB1, EGR1, TP53, TRAF3, FAM46C,
      DIS3, BRAF, LTB, CYLD, and FGFR3. The mutational spectrum is dominated by
      mutations in the RAS (43%) and nuclear factor-kappaB (17%) pathways, but although
      they are prognostically neutral, they could be targeted therapeutically.
      Mutations in CCND1 and DNA repair pathway alterations (TP53, ATM, ATR, and ZNFHX4
      mutations) are associated with a negative impact on survival. In contrast, those
      in IRF4 and EGR1 are associated with a favorable overall survival. We combined
      these novel mutation risk factors with the recurrent molecular adverse features
      and international staging system to generate an international staging system
      mutation score that can identify a high-risk population of patients who
      experience relapse and die prematurely. CONCLUSION: We have refined our
      understanding of genetic events in myeloma and identified clinically relevant
      mutations that may be used to better stratify patients at presentation.

PMID- 26282656
TI  - US Food and Drug Administration Efforts to Facilitate the Use of Expanded Access
      Programs.

PMID- 26282655
TI  - Diacetylspermine Is a Novel Prediagnostic Serum Biomarker for Non-Small-Cell Lung
      Cancer and Has Additive Performance With Pro-Surfactant Protein B.
AB  - PURPOSE: We have investigated the potential of metabolomics to discover blood
      based biomarkers relevant to lung cancer screening and early detection. An
      untargeted metabolomics approach was applied to identify biomarker candidates
      using prediagnostic sera from the Beta-Carotene and Retinol Efficacy Trial
      (CARET) study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry
      hydrophilic interaction method designed to profile a wide range of metabolites
      was applied to prediagnostic serum samples from CARET participants (current or
      former heavy smokers), consisting of 100 patients who subsequently developed non
      small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and 199 matched controls. A separate aliquot was
      used to quantify levels of pro-surfactant protein B (pro-SFTPB), a previously
      established protein biomarker for NSCLC. On the basis of the results from the
      discovery set, blinded validation of a metabolite, identified as N(1),N(12)
      diacetylspermine (DAS), and pro-SFTPB was performed using an independent set of
      CARET prediagnostic sera from 108 patients with NSCLC and 216 matched controls.
      RESULTS: Serum DAS was elevated by 1.9-fold, demonstrating significant
      specificity and sensitivity in the discovery set for samples collected up to 6
      months before diagnosis of NSCLC. In addition, DAS significantly complemented
      performance of pro-SFTPB in both the discovery and validations sets, with a
      combined area under the curve in the validation set of 0.808 (P < .001 v pro
      SFTPB). CONCLUSION: DAS is a novel serum metabolite with significant performance
      in prediagnostic NSCLC and has additive performance with pro-SFTPB.

PMID- 26282657
TI  - Results of the Exercise and Nutrition to Enhance Recovery and Good Health for You
      (ENERGY) Trial: A Behavioral Weight Loss Intervention in Overweight or Obese
      Breast Cancer Survivors.
AB  - PURPOSE: Obesity increases risk for all-cause and breast cancer mortality and
      comorbidities in women who have been diagnosed and treated for breast cancer. The
      Exercise and Nutrition to Enhance Recovery and Good Health for You (ENERGY) study
      is the largest weight loss intervention trial among survivors of breast cancer to
      date. METHODS: In this multicenter trial, 692 overweight/obese women who were, on
      average, 2 years since primary treatment for early-stage breast cancer were
      randomly assigned to either a group-based behavioral intervention, supplemented
      with telephone counseling and tailored newsletters, to support weight loss or a
      less intensive control intervention and observed for 2 years. Weight and blood
      pressure were measured at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. Longitudinal mixed models
      were used to analyze change over time. RESULTS: At 12 months, mean weight loss
      was 6.0% of initial weight in the intervention group and 1.5% in the control
      group (P<.001). At 24 months, mean weight loss in the intervention and control
      groups was 3.7% and 1.3%, respectively (P<.001). Favorable effects of the
      intervention on physical activity and blood pressure were observed. The weight
      loss intervention was more effective among women older than 55 years than among
      younger women. CONCLUSION: A behavioral weight loss intervention can lead to
      clinically meaningful weight loss in overweight/obese survivors of breast cancer.
      These findings support the need to conduct additional studies to test methods
      that support sustained weight loss and to examine the potential benefit of
      intentional weight loss on breast cancer recurrence and survival.

PMID- 26282658
TI  - Randomized, Double-Blind Phase II Trial With Prospective Classification by ATM
      Protein Level to Evaluate the Efficacy and Tolerability of Olaparib Plus
      Paclitaxel in Patients With Recurrent or Metastatic Gastric Cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: Gastric cancer cell lines, particularly those with low levels of ataxia
      telangiectasia mutated (ATM), a key activator of DNA damage response, are
      sensitive to the poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor olaparib. We compared the
      efficacy of olaparib plus paclitaxel (olaparib/paclitaxel) with paclitaxel alone
      in patients with recurrent or metastatic gastric cancer and assessed whether low
      ATM expression is predictive of improved clinical outcome for
      olaparib/paclitaxel. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this phase II, double-blind study
      (Study 39; NCT01063517), patients were randomly assigned to oral olaparib 100 mg
      twice per day (tablets) plus paclitaxel (80 mg/m(2) per day intravenously on days
      1, 8, and 15 of every 28-day cycle) or placebo plus paclitaxel
      (placebo/paclitaxel), followed by maintenance monotherapy with olaparib (200 mg
      twice per day) or placebo. The study population was enriched to 50% for patients
      with low or undetectable ATM levels (ATMlow). Primary end point was progression
      free survival (PFS). RESULTS: One hundred twenty-three of 124 randomly assigned
      patients received treatment (olaparib/paclitaxel, n = 61; placebo/paclitaxel, n =
      62). The screening prevalence of ATMlow patients was 14%. Olaparib/paclitaxel did
      not lead to a significant improvement in PFS versus placebo/paclitaxel (overall
      population: hazard ratio [HR], 0.80; median PFS, 3.91 v 3.55 months,
      respectively; ATMlow population: HR, 0.74; median PFS, 5.29 v 3.68 months,
      respectively). However, olaparib/paclitaxel significantly improved overall
      survival (OS) versus placebo/paclitaxel in both the overall population (HR, 0.56;
      80% CI, 0.41 to 0.75; P = .005; median OS, 13.1 v 8.3 months, respectively) and
      the ATMlow population (HR, 0.35; 80% CI, 0.22 to 0.56; P = .002; median OS, not
      reached v 8.2 months, respectively). Olaparib/paclitaxel was generally well
      tolerated, with no unexpected safety findings. CONCLUSION: Olaparib/paclitaxel is
      active in the treatment of patients with metastatic gastric cancer, with a
      greater OS benefit in ATMlow patients. A phase III trial in this setting is under
      way.

PMID- 26282660
TI  - Reply to L. Wiener et al.

PMID- 26282659
TI  - Coffee Intake, Recurrence, and Mortality in Stage III Colon Cancer: Results From
      CALGB 89803 (Alliance).
AB  - PURPOSE: Observational studies have demonstrated increased colon cancer
      recurrence in states of relative hyperinsulinemia, including sedentary lifestyle,
      obesity, and increased dietary glycemic load. Greater coffee consumption has been
      associated with decreased risk of type 2 diabetes and increased insulin
      sensitivity. The effect of coffee on colon cancer recurrence and survival is
      unknown. PATIENTS AND METHODS: During and 6 months after adjuvant chemotherapy,
      953 patients with stage III colon cancer prospectively reported dietary intake of
      caffeinated coffee, decaffeinated coffee, and nonherbal tea, as well as 128 other
      items. We examined the influence of coffee, nonherbal tea, and caffeine on cancer
      recurrence and mortality using Cox proportional hazards regression. RESULTS:
      Patients consuming 4 cups/d or more of total coffee experienced an adjusted
      hazard ratio (HR) for colon cancer recurrence or mortality of 0.58 (95% CI, 0.34
      to 0.99), compared with never drinkers (Ptrend = .002). Patients consuming 4
      cups/d or more of caffeinated coffee experienced significantly reduced cancer
      recurrence or mortality risk compared with abstainers (HR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.25 to
      0.91; Ptrend = .002), and increasing caffeine intake also conferred a significant
      reduction in cancer recurrence or mortality (HR, 0.66 across extreme quintiles;
      95% CI, 0.47 to 0.93; Ptrend = .006). Nonherbal tea and decaffeinated coffee were
      not associated with patient outcome. The association of total coffee intake with
      improved outcomes seemed consistent across other predictors of cancer recurrence
      and mortality. CONCLUSION: Higher coffee intake may be associated with
      significantly reduced cancer recurrence and death in patients with stage III
      colon cancer.

PMID- 26282662
TI  - Is Endometrial Cancer Risk Reduced by Oral Bisphosphonate Use?

PMID- 26282661
TI  - Continuous Therapy Versus Fixed Duration of Therapy in Patients With Newly
      Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma.
AB  - PURPOSE: Continuous therapy (CT) prolongs progression-free survival 1 (PFS1; time
      from random assignment until the first progression or death), but chemotherapy
      resistant relapse may negatively impact overall survival (OS). Progression-free
      survival 2 (PFS2; time from random assignment until the second progression or
      death) may represent an additional tool to estimate outcome. This study evaluates
      the benefit of novel agent-based CT versus fixed duration of therapy (FDT) in
      patients with newly diagnosed myeloma. METHODS: We included patients enrolled
      onto three phase III trials that randomly assigned patients to novel agent-based
      CT versus FDT. Primary analyses were restricted to the intent-to-treat population
      eligible for CT (patients progression free and alive at 1 year after random
      assignment). Primary end points were PFS1, PFS2, and OS. All hazard ratios (HRs)
      and 95% CIs were adjusted for several potential confounders using Cox models.
      RESULTS: In the pooled analysis of the three trials, 604 patients were randomly
      assigned to CT and 614 were assigned to FDT. Median follow-up was 52 months. In
      the intent-to-treat CT population, CT (n = 417), compared with FDT (n = 410),
      significantly improved PFS1 (median, 32 v 16 months, respectively; HR, 0.47; 95%
      CI, 0.40 to 0.56; P < .001), PFS2 (median, 55 v 40 months, respectively; HR,
      0.61; 95% CI, 0.50 to 0.75; P < .001), and OS (4-year OS, 69% v 60%,
      respectively; HR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.54 to 0.88; P = .003). CONCLUSION: In this
      pooled analysis, CT significantly improved PFS1, PFS2, and OS. The improvement in
      PFS2 suggests that the benefit reported during first remission is not cancelled
      by a shorter second remission. PFS2 is a valuable end point to estimate long-term
      clinical benefit and should be included in future trials.

PMID- 26282663
TI  - Breast Density and Benign Breast Disease: Risk Assessment to Identify Women at
      High Risk of Breast Cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: Women with proliferative breast lesions are candidates for primary
      prevention, but few risk models incorporate benign findings to assess breast
      cancer risk. We incorporated benign breast disease (BBD) diagnoses into the
      Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium (BCSC) risk model, the only breast cancer
      risk assessment tool that uses breast density. METHODS: We developed and
      validated a competing-risk model using 2000 to 2010 SEER data for breast cancer
      incidence and 2010 vital statistics to adjust for the competing risk of death. We
      used Cox proportional hazards regression to estimate the relative hazards for
      age, race/ethnicity, family history of breast cancer, history of breast biopsy,
      BBD diagnoses, and breast density in the BCSC. RESULTS: We included 1,135,977
      women age 35 to 74 years undergoing mammography with no history of breast cancer;
      17% of the women had a prior breast biopsy. During a mean follow-up of 6.9 years,
      17,908 women were diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. The BCSC BBD model
      slightly overpredicted risk (expected-to-observed ratio, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.03 to
      1.06) and had modest discriminatory accuracy (area under the receiver operator
      characteristic curve, 0.665). Among women with proliferative findings, adding BBD
      to the model increased the proportion of women with an estimated 5-year risk of
      3% or higher from 9.3% to 27.8% (P<.001). CONCLUSION: The BCSC BBD model
      accurately estimates women's risk for breast cancer using breast density and BBD
      diagnoses. Greater numbers of high-risk women eligible for primary prevention
      after BBD diagnosis are identified using the BCSC BBD model.

PMID- 26282664
TI  - Reply to P.G. Gavin et al.

PMID- 26282665
TI  - Advances in the Treatment of Secondary CNS Lymphoma.

PMID- 26282666
TI  - Experts call for smoking ban outside pubs and restaurants.

PMID- 26282667
TI  - The distinct role of NR2B subunit in the enhancement of visual plasticity in
      adulthood.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Experience-dependent plasticity is confined to the critical period of
      early postnatal life, and declines dramatically thereafter. This attenuation
      promotes the stabilization of cortical circuits, but also limits functional
      recovery of several brain diseases. The cognitive functions and synaptic
      plasticity in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex are elevated following
      chronic magnesium treatment. Here, we explored the effect of magnesium treatment
      on visual plasticity and the potential clinical significance. RESULTS: Visual
      plasticity in adult mice was dramatically enhanced following magnesium treatment,
      which was concurrent with an increase in the expression of NR2 subunits of N
      methyl-D-aspartate receptors. Blockade of NR2B activity in both the induction and
      expression periods of plasticity prevented this reinstatement. However, the
      plasticity restored via a decrease in cortical inhibition was independent on the
      activation of NR2B, indicating a different underlying mechanism. The functional
      excitatory synapses on layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons were increased following
      magnesium supplementation. Moreover, the synaptic and neuronal responses were
      reminiscent of that within the critical period, and this rejuvenation of adult
      visual cortex facilitated the recovery of visual functions in amblyopia.
      CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, our data reveal two distinct mechanisms underlying the
      restoration of visual plasticity in adulthood, and the rejuvenation of adult
      visual cortex following magnesium treatment provides a new avenue to develop
      clinical therapies for adult amblyopia, as well as to explore plasticity-based
      treatment of other brain diseases, such as stroke and aphasia.

PMID- 26282668
TI  - Transverse occiput position: Using manual Rotation to aid Normal birth and
      improve delivery OUTcomes (TURN-OUT): A study protocol for a randomised
      controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Fetal occiput transverse position in the form of deep transverse
      arrest has long been associated with caesarean section and instrumental vaginal
      delivery. Occiput transverse position incidentally found in the second stage of
      labour is also associated with operative delivery in high risk cohorts. There is
      evidence from cohort studies that prophylactic manual rotation reduces the
      caesarean section rate. This is a protocol for a double blind, multicentre,
      randomised, controlled clinical trial to define whether this intervention
      decreases the operative delivery (caesarean section, forceps or vacuum delivery)
      rate. METHODS/DESIGN: Eligible participants will be >=37 weeks pregnant, with a
      singleton pregnancy, and a cephalic presentation in the occiput transverse
      position on transabdominal ultrasound early in the second stage of labour. Based
      on a background risk of operative delivery of 49%, for a reduction to 35%, an
      alpha value of 0.05 and a beta value of 0.2, 416 participants will need to be
      enrolled. Participants will be randomised to either prophylactic manual rotation
      or a sham procedure. The primary outcome will be operative delivery. Secondary
      outcomes will be caesarean section, significant maternal mortality and morbidity,
      and significant perinatal mortality and morbidity. Analysis will be on an
      intention-to-treat basis. Primary and secondary outcomes will be compared using a
      chi-squared test. A logistic regression for the primary outcome will be
      undertaken to account for potential confounders. This study has been approved by
      the Ethics Review Committee (RPAH Zone) of the Sydney Local Health District,
      Sydney, Australia, (protocol number: X110410). DISCUSSION: This trial addresses
      an important clinical question concerning a commonly used procedure which has the
      potential to reduce operative delivery and its associated complications. Some
      issues discussed in the protocol include methods of assessing risk of bias due to
      inadequate masking of a procedural interventions, variations in intervention
      efficacy due to operator experience and the recruitment difficulties associated
      with intrapartum studies. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial was registered with the
      Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (identifier: ACTRN12613000005752
      ) on 4 January 2013.

PMID- 26282669
TI  - Metabolic Syndrome Screening and Assertive Community Treatment: A Quality
      Improvement Study.
AB  - Metabolic syndrome defines a collection of cardiometabolic illnesses that predict
      risk for poor physical health and early death and is highly prevalent among those
      with serious mental illness. Despite recommendations for routine monitoring,
      those with serious mental illness frequently do not receive physical health
      screenings. We conducted a quality improvement (QI) project to increase rates of
      metabolic syndrome screening in three New York City Assertive Community Treatment
      (ACT) teams. The project, conducted from December 2010 to May 2011, involved
      educational sessions for staff and consumers and a systematic screening protocol.
      We collected complete metabolic syndrome screening measurements for 71% of
      participating ACT consumers. We found metabolic risk to be nearly universal among
      participants, with over half diagnosed with metabolic syndrome. We also found
      high rates of previously undiagnosed hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. We
      describe the resources and obstacles we encountered in our QI project to make
      systematic metabolic screening a routine part of ACT care. This QI project
      suggests that ACT teams can take a leadership role in screening their consumers
      for physical health issues, aligning with recent policy trends to better
      integrate behavioral health and primary care services.

PMID- 26282671
TI  - A Clinical Translation of the Article Titled, "The Utility of Magnetic Resonance
      Spectroscopy for Understanding Substance Use Disorders: A Systematic Review of
      the Literature".
AB  - BACKGROUND: While magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is a technique used in
      research related to substance use, MRS may be less familiar to practitioners.
      METHOD: This is a clinical translation of a systematic review by Hellem and Shi
      (this issue of JAPNA). The article provides an overview of the MRS technique and
      neurometabolites that are commonly studied with MRS in the human brain. The
      methods and results are presented for the systemic review of MRS studies among
      adults and focus on alcohol, methamphetamine, MDMA, cocaine, opiates/opioids,
      marijuana, and nicotine. RESULTS: Thirty-six studies were included in the review
      of literature. Substance-specific studies indicated inconsistencies with respect
      to alterations in brain chemistry. A consistent finding across substances
      (alcohol, methamphetamine, and nicotine) was the decrease of two metabolites (N
      acetylaspartate and choline). CONCULSION: MRS offers the possibility of
      identifying brain biomarkers for disease and evaluating treatment response.
      Needed are studies employing standardized protocols for data acquisition and
      reporting.

PMID- 26282670
TI  - The Utility of Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy for Understanding Substance Use
      Disorders: A Systematic Review of the Literature.
AB  - The aim of this article is to present a systematic review of magnetic resonance
      spectroscopy (MRS) studies of substance use disorders. As a noninvasive and
      nonionizing imaging technique, MRS is being widely used in substance abuse
      research to evaluate the effects substances of abuse have on brain chemistry.
      Nearly 40 peer-reviewed research articles that focused on the utility of MRS in
      alcohol, methamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, cocaine, opiates,
      opioids, marijuana, and nicotine use disorders were reviewed. Findings indicate
      inconsistencies with respect to alterations in brain chemistry within each
      substance of abuse, and the most consistent finding across substances was
      decreased N-acetylaspartate and choline levels with chronic alcohol,
      methamphetamine, and nicotine use. Variation in the brain regions studied,
      imaging technique, as well as small sample sizes might explain the discrepancies
      in findings within each substance. Future well-designed MRS studies offer promise
      in examining novel treatment approaches in substance use disorders.

PMID- 26282672
TI  - APNA's Transitions in Practice (ATP) Certificate Program: Building and Supporting
      the Psychiatric Nursing Workforce.

PMID- 26282673
TI  - Mental Health Nurses: Are We Ready for a "Learning Health System"?

PMID- 26282674
TI  - Prospective evaluation of endoscopic ultrasonography-guided double-balloon
      occluded gastrojejunostomy bypass (EPASS) for malignant gastric outlet
      obstruction.

PMID- 26282675
TI  - MicroRNA-21 is a potential link between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and
      hepatocellular carcinoma via modulation of the HBP1-p53-Srebp1c pathway.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major risk factor for
      hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the mechanistic pathways that link both
      disorders are essentially unknown. OBJECTIVE: Our study was designed to
      investigate the role of microRNA-21 in the pathogenesis of NAFLD and its
      potential involvement in HCC. METHODS: Wildtype mice maintained on a high fat
      diet (HFD) received tail vein injections of microRNA-21-anti-sense
      oligonucleotide (ASO) or miR-21 mismatched ASO for 4 or 8 weeks. Livers were
      collected after that time period for lipid content and gene expression analysis.
      Human hepatoma HepG2 cells incubated with oleate were used to study the role of
      miR-21 in lipogenesis and analysed with Nile-Red staining. microRNA-21 function
      in carcinogenesis was determined by soft-agar colony formation, cell cycle
      analysis and xenograft tumour assay using HepG2 cells. RESULTS: The expression of
      microRNA-21 was increased in the livers of HFD-treated mice and human HepG2 cells
      incubated with fatty acid. MicroRNA-21 knockdown in those mice and HepG2 cells
      impaired lipid accumulation and growth of xenograft tumour. Further studies
      revealed that Hbp1 was a novel target of microRNA-21 and a transcriptional
      activator of p53. It is well established that p53 is a tumour suppressor and an
      inhibitor of lipogenesis by inhibiting Srebp1c. As expected, microRNA-21
      knockdown led to increased HBP1 and p53 and subsequently reduced lipogenesis and
      delayed G1/S transition, and the additional treatment of HBP1-siRNA antagonised
      the effect of microRNA-21-ASO, suggesting that HBP1 mediated the inhibitory
      effects of microRNA-21-ASO on both hepatic lipid accumulation and
      hepatocarcinogenesis. Mechanistically, microRNA-21 knockdown induced p53
      transcription, which subsequently reduced expression of genes controlling
      lipogenesis and cell cycle transition. In contrast, the opposite result was
      observed with overexpression of microRNA-21, which prevented p53 transcription.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our findings reveal a novel mechanism by which microRNA-21, in part,
      promotes hepatic lipid accumulation and cancer progression by interacting with
      the Hbp1-p53-Srebp1c pathway and suggest the potential therapeutic value of
      microRNA-21-ASO for both disorders.

PMID- 26282676
TI  - Correspondence: Laparoscopic repair of abdominal wall hernia--"How I do it"-
      synopsis of a seemingly straightforward technique.
AB  - Abdominal wall hernia repairs are commonly performed worldwide in general
      surgery. There is still no agreed consensus on the optimal surgical approach.
      Since the turn of the twenty-first century, minimally invasive techniques have
      gained in popularity as they combine the advantages of limited abdominal wall
      dissection, reduced post-operative pain and risk of complications, and shorter
      hospital stay. Although the added cost incurred by using sophisticated
      laparoscopic instruments may be quite substantial, it is precisely
      counterbalanced by an improved morbidity rate, faster discharge home and time to
      return to work. Laparoscopic abdominal wall hernia repair is often challenging,
      as it requires good anatomical knowledge, eye-hand coordination and diversified
      laparoscopic skills. The objective of this article is not to present another set
      of personal data and to compare it with already published results on this matter,
      but simply to offer comprehensive guidelines on the practical aspects of this
      relatively new technique. Some of these steps have already been discussed but
      most of the time in a scattered way in the surgical literature, while others are
      the fruit of a personal expertise grasped over the years. 

PMID- 26282678
TI  - Harmful somatic amino acid substitutions affect key pathways in cancers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cancer is characterized by the accumulation of large numbers of
      genetic variations and alterations of multiple biological phenomena. Cancer
      genomics has largely focused on the identification of such genetic alterations
      and the genes containing them, known as 'cancer genes'. However, the non
      functional somatic variations out-number functional variations and remain as a
      major challenge. Recurrent somatic variations are thought to be cancer drivers
      but they are present in only a small fraction of patients. METHODS: We performed
      an extensive analysis of amino acid substitutions (AASs) from 6,861 cancer
      samples (whole genome or exome sequences) classified into 30 cancer types and
      performed pathway enrichment analysis. We also studied the overlap between the
      cancers based on proteins containing harmful AASs and pathways affected by them.
      RESULTS: We found that only a fraction of AASs (39.88 %) are harmful even in
      known cancer genes. In addition, we found that proteins containing harmful AASs
      in cancers are often centrally located in protein interaction networks. Based on
      the proteins containing harmful AASs, we identified significantly affected
      pathways in 28 cancer types and indicate that proteins containing harmful AASs
      can affect pathways despite the frequency of AASs in them. Our cross-cancer
      overlap analysis showed that it would be more beneficial to identify affected
      pathways in cancers rather than individual genes and variations. CONCLUSION:
      Pathways affected by harmful AASs reveal key processes involved in cancer
      development. Our approach filters out the putative benign AASs thus reducing the
      list of cancer variations allowing reliable identification of affected pathways.
      The pathways identified in individual cancer and overlap between cancer types
      open avenues for further experimental research and for developing targeted
      therapies and interventions.

PMID- 26282679
TI  - Analysis of electron donors in photosystems in oxygenic photosynthesis by photo
      CIDNP MAS NMR.
AB  - Both photosystem I and photosystem II are considerably similar in molecular
      architecture but they operate at very different electrochemical potentials. The
      origin of the different redox properties of these RCs is not yet clear. In recent
      years, insight was gained into the electronic structure of photosynthetic
      cofactors through the application of photochemically induced dynamic nuclear
      polarization (photo-CIDNP) with magic-angle spinning NMR (MAS NMR). Non-Boltzmann
      populated nuclear spin states of the radical pair lead to strongly enhanced
      signal intensities that allow one to observe the solid-state photo-CIDNP effect
      from both photosystem I and II from isolated reaction center of spinach (Spinacia
      oleracea) and duckweed (Spirodela oligorrhiza) and from the intact cells of the
      cyanobacterium Synechocystis by (13)C and (15)N MAS NMR. This review provides an
      overview on the photo-CIDNP MAS NMR studies performed on PSI and PSII that
      provide important ingredients toward reconstruction of the electronic structures
      of the donors in PSI and PSII. 

PMID- 26282677
TI  - Differential alkylation-based redox proteomics--Lessons learnt.
AB  - Cysteine is one of the most reactive amino acids. This is due to the
      electronegativity of sulphur atom in the side chain of thiolate group. It results
      in cysteine being present in several distinct redox forms inside the cell.
      Amongst these, reversible oxidations, S-nitrosylation and S-sulfenylation are
      crucial mediators of intracellular redox signalling, with known associations to
      health and disease. Study of their functionalities has intensified thanks to the
      development of various analytical strategies, with particular contribution from
      differential alkylation-based proteomics methods. Presented here is a critical
      evaluation of differential alkylation-based strategies for the analysis of S
      nitrosylation and S-sulfenylation. The aim is to assess the current status and to
      provide insights for future directions in the dynamically evolving field of redox
      proteomics. To achieve that we collected 35 original research articles published
      since 2010 and analysed them considering the following parameters, (i) resolution
      of modification site, (ii) quantitative information, including correction of
      modification levels by protein abundance changes and determination of
      modification site occupancy, (iii) throughput, including the amount of starting
      material required for analysis. The results of this meta-analysis are the core of
      this review, complemented by issues related to biological models and sample
      preparation in redox proteomics, including conditions for free thiol blocking and
      labelling of target cysteine oxoforms. 

PMID- 26282681
TI  - Effect of cellular products of potential probiotic bacteria on the immune
      response of Labeo rohita and susceptibility to Aeromonas hydrophila infection.
AB  - In the present study, the immunological efficacy of cellular components from the
      potential probiotic bacteria Bacillus subtilis VSG1, Pseudomonas aeruginosa VSG2,
      and Lactobacillus plantarum VSG3 was evaluated in Labeo rohita fingerlings. Fish
      were immunized intraperitoneally with 0.1 mL phosphate-buffer solution (PBS)
      containing 0.1 mg of any of the following cellular components: intercellular
      products (ICPs) of VSG1 (BS-ICPs), heat-killed whole cell products of VSG2 (PA
      HKWCPs), or ICPs of VSG3 (LP-ICPs). Fish injected with 0.1 mL PBS served as the
      control. Various immunological parameters, including the expression of immune
      related genes, were measured 14 and 21 days post-immunization. The fish were
      challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila and mortality was recorded up to 21 days
      post-infection. The results revealed that administration of cellular components
      significantly increased the activity of serum lysozyme and the alternative
      complement pathway, phagocytosis, and respiratory bursts throughout the
      experimental period. Total serum protein, albumin, and globulin levels were
      significantly higher in experimental groups than in the control up to 14 days
      post-immunization, and decreased thereafter. With respect to immune-related
      genes, IL-1beta, COX-2, iNOS, and IL-10 were highly (P < 0.05) up-regulated in
      fish immunized with cellular components, compared to the control. The expression
      of TNF-alpha and NF-kappaB was up-regulated in immunized fish up to 14 days post
      immunization. Interestingly, fish immunized with LP-ICPs exhibited a
      significantly higher post-challenge relative percent survival (83.32%), followed
      by PA-HKWCPs (66.66%), and BS-ICPs (50%). These results indicate that cellular
      components of probiotic bacteria can influence immune responses, enhance disease
      protection, and stimulate immune-related gene expression in rohu. Hence, these
      cellular components may be useful as adjuvants for vaccines in aquaculture.

PMID- 26282682
TI  - Vitellogenin is an immunocompetent molecule for mother and offspring in fish.
AB  - Our understanding of the function of vitellogenin (Vg) in reproduction has
      undergone a transformation over the past decade in parallel with new insights
      into the role of Vg in immunity. Initially, Vg was regarded as a female-specific
      reproductive protein, which is cleaved into yolk proteins such as phosvitin (Pv)
      and lipovitellin (Lv), stored in egg, providing the nutrients for developing
      embryos. Recently, Vg is shown to be an immune-relevant molecule involved in the
      defense of the host against the microbes including bacterium and virus.
      Furthermore, Pv and Lv, that both are proteolytically cleaved products of Vg,
      play a defense role in developing embryos. Importantly, yolk protein-derived
      small peptides also display antimicrobial activity. These data together indicate
      that Vg, in addition to being involved in yolk protein formation, plays a non
      reproductive role via functioning as an immune-relevant molecule in both parent
      fishes and their offspring. It also shows that yolk proteins and their degraded
      peptides are novel players in maternal immunity, opening a new avenue to study
      the functions of reproductive proteins.

PMID- 26282683
TI  - Identification of in vitro and in vivo disconnects using transcriptomic data.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Integrating transcriptomic experiments within drug development is
      increasingly advocated for the early detection of toxicity. This is partly to
      reduce costs related to drug failures in the late, and expensive phases of
      clinical trials. Such an approach has proven useful both in the study of
      toxicology and carcinogenicity. However, general lack of translation of in vitro
      findings to in vivo systems remains one of the bottle necks in drug development.
      This paper proposes a method for identifying disconnected genes between in vitro
      and in vivo toxicogenomic rat experiments. The analytical framework is based on
      the joint modeling of dose-dependent in vitro and in vivo data using a fractional
      polynomial framework and biclustering algorithm. RESULTS: Most disconnected genes
      identified belonged to known pathways, such as drug metabolism and oxidative
      stress due to reactive metabolites, bilirubin increase, glutathion depletion and
      phospholipidosis. We also identified compounds that were likely to induce
      disconnect in gene expression between in vitro and in vivo toxicogenomic rat
      experiments. These compounds include: sulindac and diclofenac (both linked to
      liver damage), naphtyl isothiocyanate (linked to hepatoxocity), indomethacin and
      naproxen (linked to gastrointestinal problem and damage of intestines).
      CONCLUSION: The results confirmed that there are important discrepancies between
      in vitro and in vivo toxicogenomic experiments. However, the contribution of this
      paper is to provide a tool to identify genes that are disconnected between the
      two systems. Pathway analysis of disconnected genes may improve our understanding
      of uncertainties in the mechanism of actions of drug candidates in humans,
      especially concerning the early detection of toxicity.

PMID- 26282684
TI  - Fat-poor angiomyolipoma with cyst-like changes mimicking a cystic renal cell
      carcinoma: a case report.
AB  - Angiomyolipoma is a common benign renal tumor. It is typically composed of
      adipose tissue and hence is easily diagnosed by using imaging methods such as
      ultrasonography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. However, it
      is difficult to differentiate an atypical angiomyolipoma such as a fat-poor
      angiomyolipoma from a malignant tumor by using these imaging methods. We report a
      case of a fat-poor angiomyolipoma with cyst-like changes in a 35-year-old man.
      The angiomyolipoma was initially suspected to be a cystic renal cell carcinoma
      according to preoperative imaging studies. A 5-cm cystic tumor with an enhanced
      septal wall and exophytic formation was present in the middle section of the left
      kidney. The patient underwent partial nephrectomy. Pathological findings showed
      necrosis and hematoma in almost the entire lesion, with a small amount of adipose
      and muscle tissue. Finally, a fat-poor angiomyolipoma was diagnosed. 

PMID- 26282685
TI  - Internet-based information-seeking behavior for transient ischemic attack.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In recent years, Internet became an increasingly important tool for
      accessing health information and is being used more frequently to promote public
      health. AIMS AND/OR HYPOTHESIS: To use Google search data to explore information
      seeking behavior for transient ischemic attack. METHODS: We selected two groups
      of keywords related to transient ischemic attack: 'Transient Ischemic Attack' and
      'Mini Stroke'. We obtained all available online search data performed in the
      United States from the Google search engine for a 10-year span--January 2004 to
      December 2013. The monthly and daily search data for the selected keywords were
      analyzed--using moving average--to explore the trends, peaks, and declining
      effects. RESULTS: There were three significant concurrent peaks in the Google
      search data for the selected keywords. Each peak was directly associated with
      media coverage and news headlines related to the incident of transient ischemic
      attack in a public figure. Following each event, it took three- to seven-days for
      the search trend to return to its respective average value. Furthermore, the
      trend was steady for 'Transient Ischemic Attack'; however, the search interest
      for the keyword 'Mini Stroke' shows a steady increase. The overall search
      interest for the selected keywords was significantly higher in the southeastern
      United States. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that changes in online search
      behavior can be associated with media coverage of key events (in our case
      transient ischemic attack) in public figures. These findings suggest that
      multimedia health promotion campaigns might be more effective, if increased
      promptly after similar media coverage.

PMID- 26282686
TI  - Association of Alcohol Consumption with Perception of Attractiveness in a
      Naturalistic Environment.
AB  - AIMS: To investigate the relationship between objectively-assessed alcohol
      consumption and perception of attractiveness in naturalistic drinking
      environments, and to determine the feasibility and acceptability of conducting a
      large-scale study in these environments. METHODS: Observational study conducted
      simultaneously across three public houses in Bristol, UK. Participants were
      required to rate the attractiveness of male and female face stimuli and landscape
      stimuli administered via an Android tablet computer application, after which
      their expired breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) was measured. RESULTS: Linear
      regression revealed no clear evidence for relationships between alcohol
      consumption and either overall perception of attractiveness for stimuli, for
      faces specifically, or for opposite-sex faces. The naturalistic research
      methodology was feasible, with high levels of participant engagement and
      enjoyment. CONCLUSIONS: We found no evidence for a relationship between alcohol
      consumption and perception of attractiveness in our large-scale naturalistic
      study. Our study is important given the large sample size, the successful
      translation of an experimental, laboratory-based paradigm to a naturalistic
      drinking environment and the high level of public engagement with the study.
      Future studies should use similarly ecologically-valid methodologies to further
      explore the conditions under which this effect may be observed and identify the
      mechanisms underlying any relationships.

PMID- 26282687
TI  - Immobilization of Thermomyces lanuginosus Xylanase on Aluminum Hydroxide
      Particles Through Adsorption: Characterization of Immobilized Enzyme.
AB  - Xylanase plays important roles in a broad range of industrial production as a
      biocatalyst, and its applications commonly require immobilization on supports to
      enhance its stability. Aluminum hydroxide, a carrier material with high surface
      area, has the advantages of simple and low-cost preparation and resistance to
      biodegradation, and can be potentially used as a proper support for xylanase
      immobilization. In this work, xylanase from Thermomyces lanuginosus was
      immobilized on two types of aluminum hydroxide particles (gibbsite and amorphous
      Al(OH)3) through adsorption, and the properties of the adsorbed enzymes were
      studied. Both particles had considerable adsorptive capacity and affinity for
      xylanase. Xylanase retained 75% and 64% of the original catalytic activities
      after adsorption to gibbsite and amorphous Al(OH)3. Both the adsorptions improved
      pH and thermal stability, lowered activation energy, and extended lifespan of the
      immobilized enzyme, as compared with the free enzyme. Xylanase adsorbed on
      gibbsite and amorphous Al(OH)3 retained 71% and 64% of its initial activity,
      respectively, after being recycled five times. These results indicated that
      aluminum hydroxides served as good supports for xylanase immobilization.
      Therefore, the adsorption of xylanase on aluminum hydroxide particles has
      promising potential for practical production. 

PMID- 26282688
TI  - Development of Bile Salt-Resistant Leuconostoc citreum by Expression of Bile Salt
      Hydrolase Gene.
AB  - Probiotic bacteria must have not only tolerance against bile salt but also no
      genes for antibiotic resistance. Leuconostoc citreum is a dominant lactic acid
      bacterium in various fermented foods, but it is not regarded as a probiotic
      because it lacks bile salt resistance. Therefore, we aimed to construct a bile
      salt-resistant L. citreum strain by transforming it with a bile salt hydrolase
      gene (bsh). We obtained the 1,001 bp bsh gene from the chromosomal DNA of
      Lactobacillus plantarum and subcloned it into the pCB4170 vector under a
      constitutive P710 promoter. The resulting vector, pCB4170BSH was transformed into
      L. citreum CB2567 by electroporation, and bile saltresistant transformants were
      selected. Upon incubation with glycodeoxycholic acid sodium salt (GDCA), the L.
      citreum transformants grew and formed colonies, successfully transcribed the bsh
      gene, and expressed the BSH enzyme. The recombinant strain grew in up to 0.3%
      (w/v) GDCA, conditions unsuitable for the host strain. In in vitro digestion
      conditions of 10 mM bile salt, the transformant was over 67.6% viable, whereas
      only 0.8% of the host strain survived. 

PMID- 26282689
TI  - A Liquid-Based Colorimetric Assay of Lysine Decarboxylase and Its Application to
      Enzymatic Assay.
AB  - A liquid-based colorimetric assay using a pH indicator was introduced for high
      throughput monitoring of lysine decarboxylase activity. The assay is based on the
      color change of bromocresol purple, measured at 595 nm in liquid reaction
      mixture, due to an increase of pH by the production of cadaverine. Bromocresol
      purple was selected as the indicator because it has higher sensitivity than
      bromothymol blue and pheonol red within a broad range and shows good linearity
      within the applied pH. We applied this for simple determination of lysine
      decarboxylase reusability using 96-well plates, and optimization of conditions
      for enzyme overexpression with different concentrations of IPTG on lysine
      decarboxylase. This assay is expected to be applied for monitoring and
      quantifying the liquid-based enzyme reaction in biotransformation of
      decarboxylase in a high-throughput way. 

PMID- 26282690
TI  - Yeast Surface Display of Capsid Protein VP7 of Grass Carp Reovirus: Fundamental
      Investigation for the Development of Vaccine Against Hemorrhagic Disease.
AB  - VP7, an outer capsid protein of grass carp reovirus (GCRV), was expressed and
      displayed on the surface of Saccharomyces cerevisiae for developing an efficient
      vaccine against hemorrhagic disease of grass carp. The result of flow cytometry
      analysis indicated that protein VP7 could be displayed on the surface of yeast
      cells after inducing with galactose. The expression of VP7 was confirmed by
      western blot analysis and further visualized with confocal microscopy. The
      specific antibodies against VP7 generated from mice were detectable from all
      immune groups except the control group, which was immunized with untransformed
      yeast cells. The displaying VP7 on glycosylation-deficient strain EBYDeltaMnn9
      was detected to induce a relatively low level of specific antibody amongst the
      three strains. However, the antiserum of EBYDeltaM9-VP7 showed relative high
      capacity to neutralize GCRV. Further neutralization testing assays indicated that
      the neutralizing ability of antiserum of the EBYDeltaM9-VP7 group appeared
      concentration dependent, and could be up to 66.7% when the antiserum was diluted
      to 1:50. This result indicates that appropriate gene modification of
      glycosylation in a yeast strain has essential effect on the immunogenicity of a
      yeast-based vaccine. 

PMID- 26282691
TI  - A Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled-Trial of a Probiotic Strain Lactobacillus
      sakei Probio-65 for the Prevention of Canine Atopic Dermatitis.
AB  - Canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is a ubiquitous, chronic inflammatory skin
      disorder prevalent in dogs, which results in production of abnormal levels of IgE
      antibodies in reciprocation to an allergen challenge. In this study,
      administration of the probiotic strain Lactobacillus sakei probio-65 for 2 months
      significantly reduced the disease severity index in experimental dogs diagnosed
      with CAD. In addition, one month pre-medication of L. sakei probio-65 revealed
      significant difference in the PVAS score in experimental dogs for both probio-65
      and placebo groups. However, post 2 months treatment resulted in a significant
      decrease in the CASESI score values in the probio-65-treated group (p < .0.06). 

PMID- 26282692
TI  - Characterization of a Recombinant Thermostable Arylsulfatase from Deep-Sea
      Bacterium Flammeovirga pacifica.
AB  - A novel sulfatase gene, ary423 (1,536 bp ORF), encoding a protein of 511 amino
      acids with a calculated molecular mass of 56 kDa, was identified from
      Flammeovirga pacifica, which was isolated from deep-sea sediments of west Pacific
      Ocean. Amino acid sequence analysis revealed that Ary423 possessed a conserved C
      X-A-X-R motif, which was recognized as the sulfatase signature. Phylogenetic
      analysis suggested that Ary423 belonged to arylsulfatases. After heterologous
      expression in Escherichia coli cells, the recombinant Ary423 was purified with a
      Ni(+) affinity column, and was shown to be highly active at a broad range of
      temperatures from 30 degrees  to 70 degrees C, with maximum activity at 40
      degrees C. Furthermore, recombinant Ary423 retained more than 70% and 40% of its
      maximum activity after 12 h of incubation at 50 degrees C and 60 degrees C,
      respectively, exhibiting good thermostability at high temperatures. The optimal
      pH for Ary423 was determined to be 8.0 and the activity of Ary423 could be
      slightly enhanced by Mg(2+). The recombinant enzyme could hydrolyze sulfate ester
      bonds in pnitrophenyl sulfate (NPS) and Asparagus crude polysaccharides with a
      specific activity of 64.8 U/mg and 25.4 U/mg, respectively. These favorable
      properties could make Ary423 attractive for application in the desulfating
      process of agar production. 

PMID- 26282693
TI  - Correction to "Simulation of an Electrical Double Layer Model with a Low
      Dielectric Layer between the Electrode and the Electrolyte".

PMID- 26282694
TI  - Hospital-treated suicide attempts among Finnish fire setters: a follow-up study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: High rates of attempted and completed suicide have been reported
      among offenders, but there has been little attention in this respect to fire
      setters specifically. Aim Our aim was to investigate hospital-treated suicide
      attempts among male fire setters. METHODS: For each of a consecutive series of
      441 pre-trial fire setters, four controls matched for age, gender and place of
      birth were randomly selected from the Central Population Register. Data on
      hospitalisation and causes of death over a 39-year period were obtained from the
      Finnish national registers. RESULTS: The prevalence of suicide attempts was
      significantly higher among fire setters than among controls. Approximately every
      fifth fire setter had made at least one suicide attempt which had required
      hospital treatment. The most common method chosen was intentional self-poisoning
      or exposure to noxious substances. More than 1 in 10 fire setters with at least
      one hospitalisation for suicide-related behaviour eventually completed suicide.
      CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: More attention should be paid to
      detecting and managing suicidal behaviours among fire setters as they are a high
      risk group and accurate identification of their needs in this respect may not
      only be life-saving but also reduce recidivism. Copyright (c) 2015 John Wiley &
      Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 26282695
TI  - Cytokine profile of food-allergic post-liver transplant children is identified by
      high levels of IL-5 and low IL-10 secretion from patients' peripheral blood
      mononuclear cells.
AB  - Severe allergic reaction to food following liver transplantation is a well-known
      phenomenon. However, the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are not yet
      elucidated. This study aimed to reveal the nature of the immune response in post
      transplanted allergic patients and compare them to non-allergic transplanted as
      well as allergic and non-allergic control subjects, with focus on cytokine
      milieu. Post-liver transplant patients with and without allergic reactions as
      well as food-allergic but otherwise healthy and healthy non-allergic control
      patients were recruited. We reviewed patient records and routine laboratory tests
      and assayed subjects' PBMCs, studying cytokine secretion profile in response to
      different stimuli. Post-transplant patients with food allergy showed a unique
      cytokine profile in response to various stimuli, with extremely elevated IL-5,
      low IL-10 secretion, and somewhat higher IFN-gamma. T regulatory cell number was
      not significantly different among the groups of patients and controls. Immune
      response of food-allergic post-liver transplant patients is identified by a
      unique cytokine profile when compared to allergic but otherwise healthy
      individuals. 

PMID- 26282696
TI  - Why do patients choose (not) to participate in an exercise trial during adjuvant
      chemotherapy for breast cancer?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Only between 25% and 50% of patients invited to participate in
      clinical trial-based physical exercise programs during cancer treatment agree to
      do so. The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated significantly
      with the decision (not) to participate in a randomized controlled trial of
      physical exercise during adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer. METHODS: Based
      on questionnaire data, we compared trial participants and non-participants on a
      range of sociodemographic, clinical health-related, practical, behavioral, and
      attitudinal variables. RESULTS: Two hundred thirty of 524 patients agreed to
      participate in the trial (44%). The 294 (56%) non-participants indicated that
      they wanted to exercise on their own or that they did not wish to exercise in the
      context of a trial. Those who preferred to exercise on their own were relatively
      similar to trial participants but were more likely to be in the maintenance
      exercise stage. Those non-participants who did not wish to exercise had a
      significantly lower level of education, were less likely to be working, reported
      more fatigue and lower health-related quality of life, had lower sense of self
      efficacy, more negative attitudes towards exercise, less social support, and
      perceived fewer benefits and more barriers to exercising during treatment than
      trial participants. CONCLUSION: Minimizing practical barriers to participation,
      providing educational materials on the potential benefits of exercise, and giving
      adequate professional and social network encouragement may increase the number of
      patients willing to exercise during treatment and to participate in such studies.
      Copyright (c) 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 26282697
TI  - Changes in vaginal microbiota following antimicrobial and probiotic therapy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The composition of the vaginal microbiota is known to be important
      for health. When infections occur, antimicrobial therapy is often poorly
      efficacious. OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: We used 16S rRNA gene sequencing to
      characterize changes in the bacterial microbiota following oral antimicrobial and
      probiotic interventions. RESULTS: While the bacterial vaginal profiles of women
      with vulvovaginal candidiasis were dominated by lactobacilli as in healthy women,
      and unchanged by therapy, Gardnerella vaginalis, Prevotella, Atopobium, Sneathia,
      and Megasphaera dominated the vagina of women with bacterial vaginosis (BV), and
      treatment with tinidazole plus Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14+L. rhamnosus GR-1
      resulted in an increased relative abundance of indigenous L. iners or L.
      crispatus. CONCLUSIONS: The ability to restore homeostasis provides a rationale
      for conjoint use of probiotics with antibiotic treatment of BV.

PMID- 26282698
TI  - Indole - the scent of a healthy 'inner soil'.
AB  - Tryptophan is an essential amino acid with an indole nucleus. Humans cannot
      produce this amino acid themselves, but must obtain it through their diet. Much
      attention is currently paid to the wide physiological and clinical implications
      of the tryptophan-derived substances, serotonin and kynurenines, generated by
      human enzymes following the intestinal absorption of tryptophan. However, even
      before being absorbed, several microbial metabolites of tryptophan are formed,
      mainly from 'malabsorbed' (incompletely digested) proteins within the colon. The
      normal smell of human faeces is largely due to indole, one of the major
      metabolites. Recent studies indicate that this foul-smelling substance is also of
      utmost importance for our health. 

PMID- 26282699
TI  - Why Prospectively Randomized Clinical Trials Have Been Rare in Reproductive
      Medicine and Will Remain So?
AB  - There is almost unanimity that modern medicine should be "evidence based." In
      this context, lack of prospectively randomized clinical trials (RCTs) is widely
      lamented in reproductive medicine. Some leading voices, indeed, increasingly
      suggest that only RCT-based clinical conclusions should be integrated into
      clinical practice, since lower levels of evidence are inadequate. We have argued
      that reproductive medicine requires special considerations because, like clinical
      oncology, fertility treatments (especially in older women) are time dependent.
      Unlike clinical oncology, reproductive medicine, however, does not receive
      substantial financial research support from government or industry and, at least
      in the United States, has, therefore, to be primarily funded via patient
      revenues. Given a 50% chance of receiving placebo, infertility patients are,
      understandably, reluctant to fund their own RCTs. We here selectively review this
      subject, contrasting opposing opinions recently published in the literature by a
      prominent reproductive scientist and one of the world's leading experts on
      evidence-based medicine. Placing these recent publications into the evolving
      context of infertility practice, as also addressed in this journal in recent
      publications, we conclude that objective reasons explain why relatively few RCTs
      are performed in reproductive medicine and predict that this will not change in
      the foreseeable future. Reproductive medicine, therefore, has to find ways to
      develop satisfactory clinical evidence in other ways, satisfying patients' rights
      to easy access to potentially beneficial medical treatments with low costs and
      low risks. The RCTs should be reserved for relatively high risk and/or high cost
      treatments. 

PMID- 26282700
TI  - Effect of micropatterned TiO2 nanotubes thin film on the deposition of
      endothelial extracellular matrix: For the purpose of enhancing surface
      biocompatibility.
AB  - The vascular endothelial cells (EC) extracellular matrix (ECM) on the biomaterial
      surface can significantly improve the blood compatibility and cell compatibility
      of the cardiovascular materials. In the present study, two types of
      micropatterned TiO2 nanotubes surfaces (gronano and toponano) were fabricated on
      the titanium surface by photolithography and two-step anodizing technology, for
      the purpose of enhancing the deposition and loading ability of the EC ECM. The
      effect of the micropatterned nanotubes on EC ECM deposition and loading was
      investigated by qualitative and quantitative characterizations of type IV
      collagen (CoIV). The blood compatibility of the deposited ECM layers was
      evaluated by platelet adhesion and activation tests, and the endothelialization
      function of the deposited ECM layers was investigated by EC culture for 3 days.
      As a result, there was more CoIV on the toponano surface compared with the
      control. Meanwhile, the ECM loaded toponano (ECM/toponano) possessed better blood
      compatibility and better endothelialization than the control. This ECM loaded
      micro-/nanocomposite thin film was anticipated for the potential application of
      the surface modification of cardiovascular devices based on its excellent
      biocompatibility. 

PMID- 26282701
TI  - Effects of the 2008 flood on economic performance and food security in Yemen: a
      simulation analysis.
AB  - Extreme weather events such as floods and droughts can have devastating
      consequences for individual well being and economic development, in particular in
      poor societies with limited availability of coping mechanisms. Combining a
      dynamic computable general equilibrium model of the Yemeni economy with a
      household-level calorie consumption simulation model, this paper assesses the
      economy-wide, agricultural and food security effects of the 2008 tropical storm
      and flash flood that hit the Hadramout and Al-Mahrah governorates. The estimation
      results suggest that agricultural value added, farm household incomes and rural
      food security deteriorated long term in the flood-affected areas. Due to economic
      spillover effects, significant income losses and increases in food insecurity
      also occurred in areas that were unaffected by flooding. This finding suggests
      that while most relief efforts are typically concentrated in directly affected
      areas, future efforts should also consider surrounding areas and indirectly
      affected people. 

PMID- 26282702
TI  - Modality interactions alter the shape of acoustic mate preference functions in
      gray treefrogs.
AB  - Sexual selection takes place in complex environments where females evaluating
      male mating signals are confronted with stimuli from multiple sources and
      modalities. The pattern of expression of female preferences may be influenced by
      interactions between modalities, changing the shape of female preference
      functions, and thus ultimately altering the selective landscape acting on male
      signal evolution. We tested the hypothesis that the responses of female gray
      treefrogs, Hyla versicolor, to acoustic male advertisement calls are affected by
      interactions with visual stimuli. We measured preference functions for several
      call traits under two experimental conditions: unimodal (only acoustic signals
      presented), and multimodal (acoustic signals presented along with a video
      animated calling male). We found that females were more responsive to multimodal
      stimulus presentations and, compared to unimodal playbacks, had weaker
      preferences for temporal call characteristics. We compared the preference
      functions obtained in these two treatments to the distribution of male call
      characteristics to make inferences on the strength and direction of selection
      expected to act on male calls. Modality interactions have the potential to
      influence the course of signal evolution and thus are an important consideration
      in sexual selection studies. 

PMID- 26282705
TI  - Beyond metrics? Utilizing 'soft intelligence' for healthcare quality and safety.
AB  - Formal metrics for monitoring the quality and safety of healthcare have a
      valuable role, but may not, by themselves, yield full insight into the range of
      fallibilities in organizations. 'Soft intelligence' is usefully understood as the
      processes and behaviours associated with seeking and interpreting soft data-of
      the kind that evade easy capture, straightforward classification and simple
      quantification-to produce forms of knowledge that can provide the basis for
      intervention. With the aim of examining current and potential practice in
      relation to soft intelligence, we conducted and analysed 107 in-depth qualitative
      interviews with senior leaders, including managers and clinicians, involved in
      healthcare quality and safety in the English National Health Service. We found
      that participants were in little doubt about the value of softer forms of data,
      especially for their role in revealing troubling issues that might be obscured by
      conventional metrics. Their struggles lay in how to access softer data and turn
      them into a useful form of knowing. Some of the dominant approaches they used
      risked replicating the limitations of hard, quantitative data. They relied on
      processes of aggregation and triangulation that prioritised reliability, or on
      instrumental use of soft data to animate the metrics. The unpredictable,
      untameable, spontaneous quality of soft data could be lost in efforts to
      systematize their collection and interpretation to render them more tractable. A
      more challenging but potentially rewarding approach involved processes and
      behaviours aimed at disrupting taken-for-granted assumptions about quality,
      safety, and organizational performance. This approach, which explicitly values
      the seeking out and the hearing of multiple voices, is consistent with conceptual
      frameworks of organizational sensemaking and dialogical understandings of
      knowledge. Using soft intelligence this way can be challenging and discomfiting,
      but may offer a critical defence against the complacency that can precede crisis.

PMID- 26282706
TI  - "So, is that your 'relative' or mine?" A political-ecological critique of census
      based area deprivation indices.
AB  - Census-based deprivation indices have been widely used in Aotearoa/New Zealand,
      Canada and UK to measure area-based socio-economic inequalities. This paper
      examines the indicators used in census-based area deprivation indices using a
      political ecology approach. We question whether the current indicators of
      deprivation derived from census data are meaningful for the all age groups and
      minority groups in the population, with a particular focus on deprivation
      indicators used in New Zealand, Canada and the United Kingdom. We comparatively
      reviewed methodological papers and reports that describe the indicators of
      deprivation in Aotearoa/New Zealand, Canada and the UK from 1975 to 2014. We
      consider the relationship between the notion of standards of living and
      measurements of deprivation and explore how hegemonic cultural constructs are
      implicit in measures of deprivation that privilege a Eurocentric, ageist and
      gender normative construction of statistics. We argue for more political
      ecological analyses to studying the relationship between social inequalities,
      geographies, health inequities and political economy to transform structures of
      oppression and inequality. This requires turning the analytical gaze on the
      wealthy and privileged instead of defaulting into deficit models to account for
      inequality. Studies of deprivation and inequality would benefit from
      understanding the processes and operations of power in the (re)production of
      socio-economic and health inequities to inform holistic strategies for social
      justice. 

PMID- 26282708
TI  - The neoliberal diet and inequality in the United States.
AB  - This paper discusses increasing differentiation of U.S. dietary components by
      socioeconomic strata and its health implications. While upper-income groups have
      had increasing access to higher-quality foods, lower-to-middle-income class diets
      are heavily focused on "energy-dense" fares. This neoliberal diet is clearly
      associated with the proliferation of obesity that disproportionately affects the
      poor. We provide a critical review of the debate about obesity from within the
      critical camp in food studies, between individual-focused and structural
      perspectives. Using official data, we show how the US diet has evolved since the
      1960s to a much greater emphasis on refined carbohydrates and vegetable oils.
      Inequality is demonstrated by dividing the population into households-income
      quintiles and how they spend on food. We then introduce our Neoliberal Diet Risk
      Index (NDR), comprised of measures of food-import dependency, the Gini
      coefficient, rates of urbanization, female labor-force participation, and
      economic globalization. Our index serves to measure the risk of exposure to the
      neoliberal diet comparatively, across time and between nations. We conclude that
      only a societal actor like the state can redirect the food-production system by
      modifying its agricultural subsidy policies. Inequality-reducing policies will
      make the healthier food involved in such change widely available for all. 

PMID- 26282709
TI  - A study on knowledge, attitudes and health behaviours regarding Alzheimer's
      disease among community residents in Tianjin, China.
AB  - ACCESSIBLE SUMMARY: What is known on the subject? Several studies have measured
      the general public's knowledge and attitudes towards Alzheimer's disease;
      however, much of this work is based on western samples. Due to cultural
      differences, the western findings may be difficult to generalize to the Chinese
      general public. In addition, the few studies conducted in China were often
      restricted to a relatively narrow range of knowledge and attitudes. What this
      paper adds to existing knowledge? The general public had little knowledge of
      Alzheimer's disease, especially on the causes, symptoms and risk factors. In
      terms of attitudes, although the general public held positive attitudes towards
      persons with Alzheimer's disease, most of them were not sure whether or not to
      share a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease with the patient. In daily life, only a
      low proportion of people kept mentally active. What are the implications for
      practice? A popularization of a wide range of knowledge about Alzheimer's disease
      needs to be undertaken, especially focusing on persons with low educational level
      and emphasizing the causes, symptoms and risk factors. Besides, there is a
      significant need to draw up evidence-based dietary and lifestyle guidelines for
      Alzheimer's disease risk reduction. Moreover, health promotion agencies should
      identify priority groups for Alzheimer's disease risk reduction initiatives,
      especially those with lower income, a lower level of knowledge on Alzheimer's
      disease and with chronic diseases. ABSTRACT:  AIM: The purpose of this
      descriptive correlational cross-sectional study was to assess the current level
      of knowledge, attitudes and health behaviours regarding Alzheimer's disease among
      community residents in Tianjin, China and to identify factors related to these
      attributes. METHOD: A convenience sample of 140 community-dwelling adults aged 20
      75 years was selected to complete a researcher-designed questionnaire about
      Alzheimer's disease-related knowledge, attitudes and health behaviours. RESULTS:
      The findings revealed that 15.7% of the participants knew the risk factors for
      Alzheimer's disease. With regard to attitude, 138 participants (98.6%) believed
      that people with Alzheimer's disease should not be discriminated against, and
      55.7% were not sure whether to share a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease with the
      patient. In daily life, 28.6% of the participants pursued their interests and
      hobbies. A lower level of health behaviours was associated with lower income,
      presence of chronic diseases and a lower level of knowledge about Alzheimer's
      disease. DISCUSSION: These findings provide a strong case for population-level
      risk reduction initiatives to be undertaken, especially among people with lower
      income, a lower level of knowledge on Alzheimer's disease and with chronic
      diseases.

PMID- 26282707
TI  - The causal effect of education on HIV stigma in Uganda: Evidence from a natural
      experiment.
AB  - RATIONALE: HIV is highly stigmatized in sub-Saharan Africa. This is an important
      public health problem because HIV stigma has many adverse effects that threaten
      to undermine efforts to control the HIV epidemic. OBJECTIVE: The implementation
      of a universal primary education policy in Uganda in 1997 provided us with a
      natural experiment to test the hypothesis that education is causally related to
      HIV stigma. METHODS: For this analysis, we pooled publicly available, population
      based data from the 2011 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey and the 2011 Uganda
      AIDS Indicator Survey. The primary outcomes of interest were negative attitudes
      toward persons with HIV, elicited using four questions about anticipated stigma
      and social distance. RESULTS: Standard least squares estimates suggested a
      statistically significant, negative association between years of schooling and
      HIV stigma (each P < 0.001, with t-statistics ranging from 4.9 to 14.7). We then
      used a natural experiment design, exploiting differences in birth cohort exposure
      to universal primary education as an instrumental variable. Participants who were
      <13 years old at the time of the policy change had 1.36 additional years of
      schooling compared to those who were >=13 years old. Adjusting for linear age
      trends before and after the discontinuity, two-stage least squares estimates
      suggested no statistically significant causal effect of education on HIV stigma
      (P-values ranged from 0.21 to 0.69). Three of the four estimated regression
      coefficients were positive, and in all cases the lower confidence limits
      convincingly excluded the possibility of large negative effect sizes. These
      instrumental variables estimates have a causal interpretation and were not
      overturned by several robustness checks. CONCLUSION: We conclude that, for young
      adults in Uganda, additional years of education in the formal schooling system
      driven by a universal primary school intervention have not had a causal effect on
      reducing negative attitudes toward persons with HIV.

PMID- 26282710
TI  - Invasive surgery reduces infarct size and preserves cardiac function in a porcine
      model of myocardial infarction.
AB  - Reperfusion injury following myocardial infarction (MI) increases infarct size
      (IS) and deteriorates cardiac function. Cardioprotective strategies in large
      animal MI models often failed in clinical trials, suggesting translational
      failure. Experimentally, MI is induced artificially and the effect of the
      experimental procedures may influence outcome and thus clinical applicability.
      The aim of this study was to investigate if invasive surgery, as in the common
      open chest MI model affects IS and cardiac function. Twenty female landrace pigs
      were subjected to MI by transluminal balloon occlusion. In 10 of 20 pigs, balloon
      occlusion was preceded by invasive surgery (medial sternotomy). After 72 hrs,
      pigs were subjected to echocardiography and Evans blue/triphenyl
      tetrazoliumchloride double staining to determine IS and area at risk.
      Quantification of IS showed a significant IS reduction in the open chest group
      compared to the closed chest group (IS versus area at risk: 50.9 +/- 5.4% versus
      69.9 +/- 3.4%, P = 0.007). End systolic LV volume and LV ejection fraction
      measured by echocardiography at follow-up differed significantly between both
      groups (51 +/- 5 ml versus 65 +/- 3 ml, P = 0.033; 47.5 +/- 2.6% versus 38.8 +/-
      1.2%, P = 0.005). The inflammatory response in the damaged myocardium did not
      differ between groups. This study indicates that invasive surgery reduces IS and
      preserves cardiac function in a porcine MI model. Future studies need to
      elucidate the effect of infarct induction technique on the efficacy of
      pharmacological therapies in large animal cardioprotection studies.

PMID- 26282711
TI  - Functional traits drive the contribution of solar radiation to leaf litter
      decomposition among multiple arid-zone species.
AB  - In arid zones, strong solar radiation has important consequences for ecosystem
      processes. To better understand carbon and nutrient dynamics, it is important to
      know the contribution of solar radiation to leaf litter decomposition of
      different arid-zone species. Here we investigated: (1) whether such contribution
      varies among plant species at given irradiance regime, (2) whether interspecific
      variation in such contribution correlates with interspecific variation in the
      decomposition rate under shade; and (3) whether this correlation can be explained
      by leaf traits. We conducted a factorial experiment to determine the effects of
      solar radiation and environmental moisture for the mass loss and the
      decomposition constant k-values of 13 species litters collected in Northern
      China. The contribution of solar radiation to leaf litter decomposition varied
      significantly among species. Solar radiation accelerated decomposition in
      particular in the species that already decompose quickly under shade. Functional
      traits, notably specific leaf area, might predict the interspecific variation in
      that contribution. Our results provide the first empirical evidence for how the
      effect of solar radiation on decomposition varies among multiple species. Thus,
      the effect of solar radiation on the carbon flux between biosphere and atmosphere
      may depend on the species composition of the vegetation. 

PMID- 26282712
TI  - Physico-chemical properties, antioxidant activities and antihypertensive effects
      of walnut protein and its hydrolysate.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Some food proteins hydrolysates are found to possess multiple health
      effects. In this study, walnut protein (WP) was enzymatically hydrolysed by
      alcalase and trypsin under optimal conditions. The physico-chemical properties,
      antioxidant and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activities of WP,
      alcalase-generated walnut protein hydrolysate (AWPH) and trypsin-generated walnut
      protein hydrolysate (TWPH) were comparatively studied. Stability properties of
      the walnut protein hydrolysate (WPH) and the antihypertensive activity in
      spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were also investigated. RESULTS: The WPH
      showed higher physico-chemical properties, antioxidant activities, ACE inhibitory
      activity and stability against thermal treatment and gastrointestinal digestion
      than WP. The results of antihypertensive effects in SHRs showed that the most
      potent decrease of AWPH and TWPH in the systolic blood pressure occurred at 4 h (
      26 mmHg) and 6 h (-30 mmHg) after administration. The study indicated that the
      WPH could significantly decrease the systolic blood pressure (P < 0.05).
      CONCLUSION: The WPH exhibited high physico-chemical properties, potent inhibitory
      activities and high stability. TWPH was more effective than AWPH in the detected
      properties. The results would be helpful for the comprehensive utilisation of the
      walnut resources. (c) 2015 Society of Chemical Industry.

PMID- 26282713
TI  - Tumor volume in insignificant prostate cancer: Increasing the threshold is a safe
      approach to reduce over-treatment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There are conflicting results in the literature regarding the tumor
      volume (TV) threshold that defines insignificant prostate cancer (PCa). In this
      study, we retrospectively evaluate the association of an increasing TV with
      biochemical recurrence (BCR) following radical prostatectomy (RP) in order to
      provide further clarification surrounding the TV threshold definition for
      insignificant PCa. METHODS: RP patients were recruited from January 2004 to
      December 2009. Inclusion criteria were localized (stage <=pT2c, negative surgical
      margins) Gleason 6 PCa with a total TV of <=2.50 cm(3) . BCR was the primary
      outcome and defined as a PSA of >=0.1. All cases with BCR were re-evaluated by
      the pathologist with reassessment of tumor grade, pathological stage and surgical
      margin status. RESULTS: From 1,636 patients, 178 men (10.9%) met all inclusion
      criteria. Ninety-six patients (53.9%) had a TV <0.5 cm(3) and 82 patients (46.1%)
      had a TV 0.5-2.5 cm(3) . Three out of 178 patients (1.7%) presented with BCR
      during follow-up. One of these had TV <0.5 cm(3) and two had TV 0.5-2.5 cm(3) .
      These three cases of BCR underwent re-review of pathology; one patient was found
      to have a positive surgical margin and one patient was upgraded to Gleason 3 + 4
      = 7. The third patient was re-reported as having positive margins for a benign
      hyperplastic nodule (incomplete RP specimen). Subsequently, these three cases
      were excluded from final analysis as they did not fit inclusion criteria. Median
      follow-up duration was 84 months (IQR 70-102 months). On final analysis, there
      were no patients with BCR, corresponding with a final BCR rate of 0% for both
      patients with a TV of <0.5 cm(3) and 0.5-2.5 cm(3) . CONCLUSIONS: Our results
      have shown that, with a median follow-up of 84 (IQR 70-102) months, patients in
      our cohort with localized Gleason 6 PCa with a total TV 0.5-2.5 cm(3) have a BCR
      rate of 0%. We would support a more liberal total TV threshold of 2.5 cm(3) for
      the further development of algorithms to identify patients suitable for active
      surveillance.

PMID- 26282714
TI  - Palliative head and neck radiotherapy with the RTOG 8502 regimen for incurable
      primary or metastatic cancers.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To report on our institutional experience of palliative radiotherapy
      (RT) of cancers in the head and neck by the RTOG 8502 'QUAD SHOT' regimen.
      METHODS: Seventy-five patients completed at least 1 cycle of palliative RT to the
      head and neck for primary or metastatic disease based on the RTOG 8502 regimen
      (3.7 Gy twice daily over 2 consecutive days at 4 week intervals per cycle)
      between 2/2005 and 7/2014. RESULTS: Median patient age was 76 years (range 23
      97). The most common histologies were squamous cell carcinoma (55%), non
      anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (10%) and salivary gland carcinoma (9%). Thirty
      patients (40%) received prior RT at the palliative site. Twenty-eight patients
      (37%) completed at least three RTOG 8502 cycles. Sixty-five percent of all
      patients had a palliative response. Median overall survival was 5.67 months
      (range, 0.20-34.5). Grade 3 toxicity in 4 patients (5%) consisted of acute
      dermatitis and functional mucositis. Palliative response was significantly
      correlated with increasing number of RTOG 8502 cycles (p = 0.012), but not KPS,
      prior RT, palliative chemotherapy, prior surgery, histology or stage. On survival
      analysis, palliative response (p < 0.001), KPS ? 70 (p = 0.001), and greater
      number of RTOG 8502 cycles (p = 0.022) remained independent predictors of
      improved survival. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with incurable malignant disease in
      the head and neck, the palliative RTOG 8502 'QUAD SHOT' regimen provides
      excellent rates of palliative response with minimal associated toxicity. Patients
      who are able to complete greater number of RT cycles have higher rates of
      palliative response and overall survival.

PMID- 26282716
TI  - Impacts of stigma on HIV risk for women who inject drugs in Java: A qualitative
      study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: People who inject drugs have experienced stigma around the world.
      Stigma has been found to have negative consequences for individuals in relation
      to health-service use, psychological wellbeing and physical health; and for
      populations in terms of health inequalities. Indonesia has experienced a rapid
      growth in injecting drug use and HIV and little is known about drivers of HIV
      risk among Indonesian women who inject drugs. The purpose of this paper is to
      describe and consider the multiple impacts of stigmatization of injecting drug
      use on injecting behaviors among women who inject drugs in Java. METHODS: In
      depth interviews were conducted with 19 women who inject drugs in Java. Mean age
      was 25 years, all but one was employed or at college. The interviewers were
      Indonesian women. RESULTS: Significant stigma around women's drug use was
      reported from multiple sources in Java including family, friends and health
      services, resulting in feelings of shame. To avoid this stigma, most of the study
      participants hid their drug use. They lived away from family and had few friends
      outside their drug-injecting circle, resulting in isolation from mainstream
      society and harm-reduction services. Sharing of injecting equipment was
      restricted to a small, closed circle of trusted friends, thus limiting possible
      HIV transmission to a small number of injectors. CONCLUSIONS: The stigmatization
      of drug use, particularly of drug use by women, in Indonesia appears to have
      contributed to significant shame, isolation from mainstream society and high
      rates of sharing injecting equipment with a small group of trusted friends
      (particularly the partner).

PMID- 26282718
TI  - Influence of MTHFR polymorphisms on cardiovascular risk markers in elite
      athletes.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To investigate the distribution of MTHFR C677T and A1298C as well as
      PON1 Q192R gene polymorphisms, known to be involved in hyperhomocysteinemia
      related cardiovascular risk, in elite athletes. DESIGN AND METHODS: Genetic
      background at MTHFR and PON1 loci and plasma levels of homocysteine, folate,
      vitamin B12 and advanced oxidation protein product (AOPP) levels were assessed in
      thirty-seven 400m male hurdlers and thirty-four sedentary subjects. RESULTS:
      Homocysteine plasma levels and AOPPs were significantly higher in hurdlers
      bearing the TT677/AA1298 diplotype than in both hurdlers and sedentary subjects
      with other diplotypes. A positive dependence between either homocysteine or AOPP
      plasma levels and MTHFR, but not PON1 genotype, was observed in hurdlers.
      CONCLUSIONS: Elite hurdlers, having an unfavorable MTHFR genotype are exposed to
      increased cardiovascular risk, dependent on alterations of homocysteine and AOPP
      plasma levels.

PMID- 26282717
TI  - The sGC stimulator riociguat inhibits platelet function in washed platelets but
      not in whole blood.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Stimulation of soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) is a
      valuable therapeutic strategy for the treatment of several cardiovascular
      diseases. The sGC stimulator riociguat has been approved for the treatment of two
      forms of pulmonary hypertension. Platelets contain large amounts of sGC and play
      a key role in the regulation of haemostasis. Therefore, we investigated the
      effects of riociguat on platelet function. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: The effect of
      riociguat treatment on human platelet activation and aggregation was
      investigated. The sGC-specific effects of riociguat were determined by comparing
      wild-type and platelet-specific sGC-knockout mice. KEY RESULTS: Riociguat induced
      cGMP synthesis and subsequent PKG activation in human platelets, suggesting that
      the inhibitory effects are mediated by cGMP signalling. This finding was
      confirmed when sGC-knockout platelets were not inhibited by riociguat. In washed
      human platelets, 100 nM riociguat reduced ADP-induced GPIIb/IIIa activation,
      while a 10-fold higher concentration was required to reduce convulxin-stimulated
      GPIIb/IIIa activation. Riociguat inhibited ADP-induced platelet shape change and
      aggregation, while ATP-induced shape change remained unaffected. However, in PRP
      and whole blood, 50-100 MUM riociguat was required to inhibit platelet activation
      and aggregation. Riociguat in combination with iloprost significantly inhibited
      platelet aggregation, even in whole blood. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS:
      Riociguat inhibits platelet activation in whole blood only at concentrations
      above 50 MUM, while the plasma concentrations in riociguat-treated patients are
      150 to 500 nM. This finding indicates that riociguat treatment does not affect
      platelet function in patients. Nevertheless, the possibility that riociguat acts
      synergistically with iloprost to inhibit platelet activation should be
      considered.

PMID- 26282715
TI  - Recommendations for the management of hepatitis C virus infection among people
      who inject drugs.
AB  - In high income countries, the majority of new and existing hepatitis C virus
      (HCV) infections occur among people who inject drugs (PWID). In many low and
      middle income countries large HCV epidemics have also emerged among PWID
      populations. The burden of HCV-related liver disease among PWID is increasing,
      but treatment uptake remains extremely low. There are a number of barriers to
      care which should be considered and systematically addressed, but should not
      exclude PWID from HCV treatment. The rapid development of interferon-free direct
      acting antiviral (DAA) therapy for HCV infection has brought considerable
      optimism to the HCV sector, with the realistic hope that therapeutic intervention
      will soon provide near optimal efficacy with well-tolerated, short duration, all
      oral regimens. Further, it has been clearly demonstrated that HCV treatment is
      safe and effective across a broad range of multidisciplinary healthcare settings.
      Given the burden of HCV-related disease among PWID, strategies to enhance HCV
      assessment and treatment in this group are urgently needed. These recommendations
      demonstrate that treatment among PWID is feasible and provide a framework for HCV
      assessment and care. Further research is needed to evaluate strategies to enhance
      testing, linkage to care, treatment, adherence, viral cure, and prevent HCV
      reinfection among PWID, particularly as new interferon-free DAA treatments for
      HCV infection become available. 

PMID- 26282719
TI  - Daily intake and serum concentration of menaquinone-4 (MK-4) in haemodialysis
      patients with chronic kidney disease.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Decreased concentration of menaquinone-4 (MK-4) seems to be an
      important risk factor of vascular calcification in haemodialysis (HD) patients.
      Optimal dietary intake, as well as serum MK-4 reference range, in HD has not been
      determined, yet. The aim of the present study was to assess daily vitamin K1 and
      MK-4 intakes and their relation to serum MK-4 concentration in HD patients.
      DESIGN AND METHODS: Daily vitamin K1 and MK-4, micro- and macronutrients and
      energy intakes were assessed using 3-day food diary completed by patients and
      serum MK-4 concentration was measured by HPLC [limit of quantification (LOQ):
      0.055 ng/mL] in 85 HD patients (51 males) and 22 apparently healthy subjects.
      RESULTS: Daily MK-4 intake was significantly lower (by 29%) among HD, while K1
      consumption was similar in both groups. Daily MK-4 intake was associated with fat
      and protein consumption in HD (r=0.43, p<0.001 and r=0.33, p=0.004,
      respectively). In HD serum MK-4 concentration was more frequently below LOQ (in
      41% HD and 5% controls, p<0.001) and in those HD with quantifiable values was
      lower than in the controls (by 42%). The correlations between MK-4 concentrations
      and both MK-4 and K1 daily intakes were weaker in HD (r=0.38 and r=0.30
      respectively) than in the control group (r=0.47 and r=0.45, respectively). In
      multiple regression analysis the variability of serum MK-4 concentrations in HD
      patients was explained by its daily intake. CONCLUSIONS: Decreased serum MK-4
      concentration in HD patients is caused by lower dietary MK-4 intake, mainly due
      to diminished meat consumption, and in addition, probably reduced K1 conversion.

PMID- 26282720
TI  - Histamine quantification in human plasma using high resolution accurate mass LC
      MS technology.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Histamine (HA) is a small amine playing an important role in
      anaphylactic reactions. In order to identify and quantify HA in plasma matrix,
      different methods have been developed but present several disadvantages. Here, we
      developed an alternative method using liquid chromatography coupled with an ultra
      high resolution and accurate mass instrument, Q ExactiveTM (Thermo Fisher)
      (LCHRMS). METHODS: The method includes a protein precipitation of plasma samples
      spiked with HA-d4 as internal standard (IS). LC separation was performed on a C18
      Accucore column (100*2.1mm, 2.6MUm) using a mobile phase containing
      nonafluoropentanoic acid (3nM) and acetonitrile with 0.1% (v/v) formic acid on
      gradient mode. Separation of analytes was obtained within 10min. Analysis was
      performed from full scan mode and targeted MS2 mode using a 5ppm mass window. Ion
      transitions monitored for targeted MS2 mode were 112.0869>95.0607m/z for HA and
      116.1120>99.0855m/z for HA-d4. Calibration curves were obtained by adding
      standard calibration dilution at 1 to 180nM in TrisBSA. RESULTS: Elution of HA
      and IS occurred at 4.1min. The method was validated over a range of
      concentrations from 1nM to 100nM. The intra- and inter-run precisions were <15%
      for quality controls. Human plasma samples from 30 patients were analyzed by
      LCHRMS, and the results were highly correlated with those obtained using the gold
      standard radioimmunoassay (RIA) method. CONCLUSION: Overall, we demonstrate here
      that LCHRMS is a sensitive method for histamine quantification in biological
      human plasmas, suitable for routine use in medical laboratories. In addition,
      LCHRMS is less time-consuming than RIA, avoids the use of radioactivity, and
      could then be considered as an alternative quantitative method.

PMID- 26282721
TI  - New horizons in pediatric reference intervals.

PMID- 26282722
TI  - Reporting of a Publicly Accessible Protocol and Its Association With Positive
      Study Findings in Cardiovascular Trials (from the Epidemiological Study of
      Randomized Trials [ESORT]).
AB  - Selective outcome reporting is common among published randomized trials and is
      often associated with the reporting of positive study findings. We investigated
      whether publication of study protocols in publicly accessible formats is
      associated with the reporting of positive findings. An extended version of the
      Cochrane highly sensitive search strategy was used to identify reports of
      randomized trials on cardiovascular disease that were published in December 2012
      and indexed in PubMed by November 2013. Study characteristics and methodologic
      characteristics were extracted in duplicate. The Fisher's exact test and
      multivariable logistic regression were used to compare characteristics between
      trials that reported a publicly accessible protocol and those that did not. One
      hundred ninety-one reports of cardiovascular randomized trials were identified,
      23 (12%) of which reported an accessible protocol. Trials reporting an accessible
      protocol were significantly larger and more likely to report strong trial
      methods, including reporting a power calculation, attrition, and the use of an
      intention-to-treat analysis. Despite greater statistical power, trials reporting
      an accessible protocol were less likely to report positive findings after
      controlling for known confounders (odds ratio 0.35, 95% confidence interval 0.13
      to 0.94). Reporting of an accessible protocol is associated with a reduced
      likelihood of reporting positive findings. Further investigation is needed to
      determine if this association is causal. 

PMID- 26282723
TI  - Preoperative Electrocardiogram.

PMID- 26282724
TI  - Reply: To PMID 26059866.

PMID- 26282725
TI  - Safety and Efficacy of Staged Percutaneous Coronary Intervention During Index
      Admission for ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction With Multivessel Coronary
      Disease (Insights from the University of Ottawa Heart Institute STEMI Registry).
AB  - The optimal management strategy for patients with ST-elevation myocardial
      infarction (STEMI) and multivessel disease has not been well established. In the
      present cohort study, we sought to examine the safety and efficacy of inhospital
      staged PCI for patients with STEMI and multivessel disease. We identified all
      patients with STEMI referred for primary PCI who were found to have multivessel
      disease (stenosis >=50% in nonculprit vessel) and compared clinical outcomes in
      relation to the management strategy, staged versus culprit-only PCI, for
      nonculprit vessel disease. The primary outcome was mortality at 180 days, and
      secondary outcomes included mortality during the index hospitalization and at 30
      days, myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, stroke, and bleeding. Of the 1,038
      patients with STEMI meeting inclusion criteria, 259 (25%) underwent staged PCI
      and 779 (75%) culprit-only PCI during the index admission. Mortality at 180 days
      was 0.8% in patients with staged PCI and 5.0% in patients with culprit-only PCI
      (p = 0.003). The association between staged PCI and reduced mortality persisted
      after adjusting for baseline differences in patient characteristics and
      angiographic variables between the 2 cohorts (odds ratio 0.2, 95% confidence
      interval 0.04 to 0.77, p = 0.02). The rates of inhospital reinfarction in the
      staged and culprit-only PCI cohorts were 0.8% versus 1.3% (p = 0.50),
      respectively, stent thrombosis 0.8% versus 1.3% (p = 0.50), and stroke 0.4%
      versus 1.3% (p = 0.31). There were no inhospital adverse events related to acute
      occlusion of a nonculprit vessel in either cohort. Staged PCI during index
      admission is a safe and effective revascularization strategy for patients with
      STEMI and multivessel disease. 

PMID- 26282726
TI  - Comparison of Characteristics and Outcomes of Dabigatran Versus Warfarin in
      Hypertensive Patients With Atrial Fibrillation (from the RE-LY Trial).
AB  - Hypertension is frequent in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and is an
      independent risk factor for stroke. The Randomized Evaluation of Long Term
      Anticoagulant TherapY (RE-LY) trial found dabigatran 110 mg (D110) and 150 mg
      twice daily (D150) noninferior or superior to warfarin for stroke reduction in
      patients with AF, with either a reduction (D110) or similar rates (D150) of major
      bleeding. Baseline characteristics and outcomes were compared in patients with
      and without hypertension. The quality of blood pressure control was also
      assessed. In RE-LY, 14,283 patients (78.9%) had hypertension. The mean blood
      pressure at baseline was 132.6 +/- 17.6/77.7 +/- 10.6 and 124.8 +/- 16.7/74.6 +/-
      10.0 mm Hg for patients with and without hypertension, respectively. More
      patients with hypertension were diabetic (25.6% vs 14.8%, p <0.001), women (38.6%
      vs 28.3%, p <0.001), and had greater CHADS2 (2.3 vs 1.4, p <0.001) and CHA2DS2
      VASc scores (3.8 vs 2.8, p <0.001). Mean blood pressure in all treatment arms in
      hypertensive patients was similar (130 +/- 18/76 +/- 11 mm Hg) during the trial.
      The efficacy and safety of D110 and D150 compared to warfarin were similar (p =
      nonsignificant) in hypertensive (stroke/systemic embolism rate of 1.47%, 1.20%,
      and 1.81% and major bleed rate of 2.89%, 3.70%, and 3.69% in the D110, D150, and
      W, respectively) and normotensive patients (stroke/systemic embolism rate of
      1.79%, 0.78%, and 1.36% and major bleed rate of 2.84%, 2.37%, and 3.03% per year
      in the D110, D150, and W, respectively). Hypertensive patients had more major
      bleeds (3.39% vs 2.76%; p = 0.007). Intracranial bleeds were similar (0.47% vs
      0.31%; p = 0.12). In conclusion, patients with hypertension in RE-LY were more
      likely female, diabetic, with a greater CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores. Blood
      pressure control in RE-LY was excellent. The benefits of dabigatran over
      warfarin, including a substantial reduction of intracranial hemorrhage, were
      similar in both hypertensive and non-hypertensive patients. 

PMID- 26282727
TI  - Using Natriuretic Peptides for Selection of Patients in Acute Heart Failure
      Clinical Trials.
AB  - Acute heart failure (AHF) is a complex syndrome with presentations ranging from
      hypotensive cardiogenic shock to hypertensive emergency with pulmonary edema.
      Most patients with AHF present with worsening of chronic HF signs and symptoms
      over days to weeks, and significant heterogeneity exists. It can, therefore, be
      challenging to characterize the overall population. The complexity of defining
      the AHF phenotype has been cited as a contributing cause for neutral results in
      most pharmacologic trials in patients with AHF. Dyspnea has been a routine
      inclusion criterion for AHF for over a decade, but the utility of current
      instruments for dyspnea assessment has been called into question. Furthermore,
      the threshold of clinical severity that prompts patient admission of an HF clinic
      visit may vary substantially across regions in global trials. Therefore, the
      inclusion of cardiac-specific biomarkers has been incorporated into AHF trials as
      1 strategy to support inclusion of the target patient population and potentially
      enrich the population with patients at risk for clinical outcomes. In conclusion,
      we discuss strategies to support appropriate patient selection in AHF trials with
      an emphasis on using biomarker criteria that may improve the likelihood of
      success with future AHF clinical trials. 

PMID- 26282728
TI  - Smac-Derived Aza-Peptide As an Aminopeptidase-Resistant XIAP BIR3 Antagonist.
AB  - The peptidic nature of anti-IAPs N-terminus Smac-derived peptides precludes their
      utilization as potential therapeutic anticancer agents. Recent advances in the
      development of novel Smacderived peptidomimetics and non-peptidic molecules with
      improved anti-IAPs activity and resistance to proteolytic cleavage have been
      reported and led to a number of candidates that are currently in clinical trials
      including LCL-161, SM-406/AT-406, GDC-0512/GDC-0917, and birinapant. As an
      attempt to improve the proteolytic stability of Smac peptides, we developed the
      Aza-peptide AzaAla- Val-Pro-Phe-Tyr-NH2 (2). Unlike unmodified peptide Ala-Val
      Pro-Phe-Tyr-NH2 (1), analogue (2) exhibited resistance towards proteolytic
      cleavage by two aminopeptidases; LAP and DPP-IV, while retaining its IAP
      inhibitory activity. This was due to the altered planar geometry of the P1
      residue side chain. Our findings showed that using aza-isosteres of bioactive
      peptide sequences imbue the residue with imperviousness to proteolysis;
      underscoring a potential approach for developing a new generation of Smac-derived
      Aza-peptidomimetics. 

PMID- 26282729
TI  - Expression, Purification and Immunological Characterization of Recombinant Shiga
      Toxin A Subunit.
AB  - Shiga toxin family comprises toxins belonging to two major groups, Stx1 and Stx2,
      produced by the bacteria Shigella dysenteriae and some strains of Escherichia
      coli. Shiga toxins are the leading cause of diarrhea associated with life
      threatening hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). StxA is a ribosome inactivating
      protein (RIP) which inhibits the protein synthesis in most species of prokaryotes
      and eukaryotes. An in vitro expression system has not been reported to produce
      full-length biological active StxA subunit; hence substantial progress has been
      hampered. In the present study, a DNA fragment (955 bp Gene Bank Accn No
      HM017965) encoding for subunit A of Stx was amplified from Shigella dysenteriae
      type 1 and subsequently cloned in pGEX-5X-2 vector. We successfully produced
      recombinant StxA as GST fusion protein in Escherichia coli using pGEX-5X-2-STXA
      construct under IPTG induction. For the purpose of immunization the GST-tag was
      removed by factor Xa mediated endoproteolytic cleavage from GST-StxA. Antisera
      raised against rStxA in mice reacted with recombinant purified protein of rStxA
      and lysate of Shiga toxin. It was shown that antisera produced against rStxA
      significantly recognized Stx producing strains of S. dysenteriae and E. coli. The
      antiserum produced effectively neutralized the Shiga toxin's cytotoxicity towards
      Vero cells.

PMID- 26282730
TI  - Adhesive curing through low-voltage activation.
AB  - Instant curing adhesives typically fall within three categories, being activated
      by either light (photocuring), heat (thermocuring) or chemical means. These
      curing strategies limit applications to specific substrates and can only be
      activated under certain conditions. Here we present the development of an instant
      curing adhesive through low-voltage activation. The electrocuring adhesive is
      synthesized by grafting carbene precursors on polyamidoamine dendrimers and
      dissolving in aqueous solvents to form viscous gels. The electrocuring adhesives
      are activated at -2 V versus Ag/AgCl, allowing tunable crosslinking within the
      dendrimer matrix and on both electrode surfaces. As the applied voltage
      discontinued, crosslinking immediately terminated. Thus, crosslinking initiation
      and propagation are observed to be voltage and time dependent, enabling tuning of
      both material properties and adhesive strength. The electrocuring adhesive has
      immediate implications in manufacturing and development of implantable
      bioadhesives. 

PMID- 26282731
TI  - Efficacy and tolerability of canagliflozin as add-on to metformin in the
      treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus: a meta-analysis.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy and tolerability of
      canagliflozin, a sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitor, added on to
      metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: Literatures
      were searched from major electronic databases, as well as the Chinese State Food
      and Drug Administration and clinicaltrials.gov for unpublished studies. Only
      randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing canagliflozin with placebo in
      combination with metformin were included. Two reviewers independently selected
      studies, evaluated the risk of bias, and extracted data. The included RCTs were
      analyzed by the software RevMan 5.3 provided by the Cochrane Collaboration.
      RESULTS: Six RCTs were chosen for the meta-analysis. Compared to placebo,
      canagliflozin produced absolute reduction in glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (
      0.66% [-0.72%, -0.61%]). The proportion of patients who achieved target HbA1c was
      significantly greater in the canagliflozin-treated group (1.86 [1.69, 2.03]).
      Canagliflozin led to greater fasting plasma glucose (FPG) reduction of 1.49
      mmol/L (100 mg/day) and 1.80 mmol/L (300 mg/day). Significant body weight loss of
      2.09% (100 mg/day) and 2.66% (300 mg/day) with canagliflozin was observed.
      Canagliflozin was found to improve beta cell function in terms of homeostasis
      model assessment (HOMA2-%B) (15.59% [12.84%, 18.35%]). Higher incidences of
      genital mycotic infection/female and pollakiuria (increased urine frequency) were
      noted with canagliflozin compared with placebo-controlled groups. CONCLUSIONS:
      Canagliflozin is a potential option as an add-on to metformin based on its
      improvement in HbA1c, FPG, body weight, and beta cell function, but further
      studies are demanded to strengthen this evidence. Common adverse events (AEs)
      like genital mycotic infection/female and pollakiuria were identified.

PMID- 26282732
TI  - Sustaining dry surfaces under water.
AB  - Rough surfaces immersed under water remain practically dry if the liquid-solid
      contact is on roughness peaks, while the roughness valleys are filled with gas.
      Mechanisms that prevent water from invading the valleys are well studied.
      However, to remain practically dry under water, additional mechanisms need
      consideration. This is because trapped gas (e.g. air) in the roughness valleys
      can dissolve into the water pool, leading to invasion. Additionally, water vapor
      can also occupy the roughness valleys of immersed surfaces. If water vapor
      condenses, that too leads to invasion. These effects have not been investigated,
      and are critically important to maintain surfaces dry under water. In this work,
      we identify the critical roughness scale, below which it is possible to sustain
      the vapor phase of water and/or trapped gases in roughness valleys - thus keeping
      the immersed surface dry. Theoretical predictions are consistent with molecular
      dynamics simulations and experiments. 

PMID- 26282733
TI  - Associations between metabolic dysregulation and circulating biomarkers of
      fibrosis: the Cardiovascular Health Study.
AB  - AIM: Fibrosis is one postulated pathway by which diabetes produces cardiac and
      other systemic complications. Our aim was to determine which metabolic parameters
      are associated with circulating fibrosis-related biomarkers transforming growth
      factor-beta (TGF-beta) and procollagen type III N-terminal propeptide (PIIINP).
      METHODS: We used linear regression to determine the cross-sectional associations
      of diverse metabolic parameters, including fasting glucose, fasting insulin, body
      mass index, fatty acid binding protein 4, and non-esterified fatty acids, with
      circulating levels of TGF-beta (n = 1559) and PIIINP (n = 3024) among community
      living older adults in the Cardiovascular Health Study. RESULTS: Among the main
      metabolic parameters we examined, only fasting glucose was associated with TGF
      beta (P = 0.03). In contrast, multiple metabolic parameters were associated with
      PIIINP, including fasting insulin, body mass index, and non-esterified fatty
      acids (P<0.001, P<0.001, P=0.001, respectively). These associations remained
      statistically significant after mutual adjustment, except the association between
      BMI and PIIINP. CONCLUSIONS: Isolated hyperglycemia is associated with higher
      serum concentrations of TGF-beta, while a broader phenotype of insulin resistance
      is associated with higher serum PIIINP. Whether simultaneous pharmacologic
      targeting of these two metabolic phenotypes can synergistically reduce the risk
      of cardiac and other manifestations of fibrosis remains to be determined.

PMID- 26282735
TI  - Prophylactic Use of Tranexamic Acid for Postpartum Bleeding Outcomes: A
      Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
AB  - Despite multimodal approaches to treatment, postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is a life
      threatening condition whose incidence continues to rise. In developing areas,
      such as sub-Saharan Africa, PPH is the leading cause of maternal mortality.
      Tranexamic acid (TXA) is a possible prophylactic treatment for the prevention of
      PPH. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials
      comparing prophylactic TXA vs placebo or no treatment in term parturients to
      quantify the effects of prophylactic TXA administration on peripartum bleeding
      outcomes. The meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model. The
      outcomes assessed were (i) incidence of PPH, (ii) mean blood loss (in
      milliliters) within 24hours, (iii) incidence of red blood cell transfusion within
      24hours, (iv) use of additional uterotonics, (v) minor side effects (ie, nausea,
      vomiting, headache, etc), (vi) major venous thromboembolism, (vii) length of
      hospital stay, and (viii) mortality. Eighteen trials (3846 subjects) were
      included in the quantitative analysis, with 1935 patients receiving TXA. The
      studies were of poor to moderate quality. Prophylactic TXA administration was
      associated with a decreased incidence of PPH after delivery (odds ratio [OR],
      0.32; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.17-0.59; P = .0006), a reduction in mean
      blood loss by 149.1mL (95% CI, 112.9-185.2; P < .00001), and a reduction in red
      blood cell transfusions (OR, 0.28; 95% CI, 0.15-0.49; P < .00001) while also
      being associated with a reduction in the use of additional uterotonics (OR, 0.45;
      95% CI, 0.30-0.66; P < .00001). Minor side effects were more common in those who
      received TXA (OR, 2.51; 95% CI, 1.69-3.74; P < .00001). There appeared to be no
      increased risk of venous thromboembolism and no difference in length of hospital
      stay associated with TXA use. Although prophylactic TXA administration may be
      associated with improved peripartum bleeding, existing evidence is insufficient
      for any definitive recommendations secondary to the poor to moderate quality of
      the literature. A large well-designed, methodologically sound, randomized
      controlled trial is needed to better delineate the true effect size and address
      potential safety concerns. 

PMID- 26282734
TI  - Sonographical parameters of the finger pulley system in healthy adults.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: To establish normative values of tendon to bone distances (TBDs) to
      evaluate the A2 and A4 annular pulley integrity, we hypothesized that these
      values correlate with gender, athletic exercise, occupation, individual's age and
      body height. METHODS: Ultrasonography of 200 healthy individuals was performed
      prospectively. TBDs for the A2 and A4 pulley sections were measured for all
      fingers. Evaluation was performed in resting position and active forced flexion.
      Examination parameters included gender, age, body height, occupation, athletic
      exercise level, and hand dominance. Assessment of resting position and active
      forced flexion was done. RESULTS: No clinically relevant differences of TBDs with
      respect to the aforementioned parameters were observed. But TBDs were
      significantly greater in active forced flexion than in resting position for all
      measured pulley sections. Intraobserver reliability was very satisfactory.
      CONCLUSIONS: Establishing normative values will help to detect injured pulleys
      more precisely and examination should be performed both in resting position and
      active forced flexion.

PMID- 26282736
TI  - Adoptive Immunotherapies After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
      in Patients With Hematologic Malignancies.
AB  - Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is the only curative therapy for
      patients with chemotherapy-resistant hematologic malignancies that are usually
      fatal in absence of treatment. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is
      associated with significant early and late morbidity and mortality. Graft-versus
      host disease, infections, and relapse are the most important causes of mortality
      after HSCT. Until now, these complications have been managed mainly with
      pharmacological drugs, but in some situations, this approach clearly shows its
      limit. As such, there is a significant need for novel therapies for the treatment
      of complications after allogeneic HSCT. In this review, the currently available
      adoptive immunotherapies offering an alternative in case of treatment failure of
      HSCT complications will be described. The results of the main clinical trials
      based on immune cell infusion will be discussed and the strategies aiming at
      maximizing cytotoxic T-lymphocyte, regulatory T-cell, natural killer cell,
      cytokine-induced killer cell, and gammadelta T-cell efficacies in the context of
      immunotherapy approaches after allogeneic HSCT in patients with hematologic
      malignancies will be gathered. 

PMID- 26282737
TI  - The influence of environmental factors on protistan microorganisms in grassland
      soils along a land-use gradient.
AB  - In this study, we investigated the effect of land use intensity, soil parameters
      and vegetation on protistan communities in grassland soils. We performed
      qualitative (T-RFLP) and quantitative (qPCR) analyses using primers specifically
      targeting the 18S rRNA gene for all Eukarya and for two common flagellate groups,
      i.e. the Chrysophyceae and the Kinetoplastea. Both approaches were applied to
      extracted soil DNA and RNA, in order to distinguish between the potentially
      active protists (i.e. RNA pool) and the total protistan communities, including
      potentially inactive and encysted cells (i.e. DNA pool). Several environmental
      determinants such as site, soil parameters and vegetation had an impact on the T
      RFLP community profiles and the abundance of the quantified 18S rRNA genes.
      Correlating factors often differed between quantitative (qPCR) and qualitative (T
      RFLP) approaches. For instance the Chrysophyceae/Eukarya 18S rDNA ratio as
      determined by qPCR correlated with the C/N ratio, whereas the community
      composition based on T-RLFP analysis was not affected indicating that both
      methods taken together provide a more complete picture of the parameters driving
      protist diversity. Moreover, distinct T-RFs were obtained, which could serve as
      potential indicators for either active organisms or environmental conditions like
      water content. While site was the main determinant across all investigated
      exploratories, land use seemed to be of minor importance for structuring protist
      communities. The impact of other parameters differed between the target groups,
      e.g. Kinetoplastea reacted on changes to water content on all sites, whereas
      Chrysophyceae were only affected in the Schorfheide. Finally, in most cases
      different responses were observed on RNA- and DNA-level, respectively. Vegetation
      for instance influenced the two flagellate groups only at the DNA-level across
      all sites. Future studies should thus include different protistan groups and also
      distinguish between active and inactive cells, in order to reveal causal shifts
      in community composition and abundance in agriculturally used systems. 

PMID- 26282738
TI  - Low biosorption of PVA coated engineered magnetic nanoparticles in granular
      sludge assessed by magnetic susceptibility.
AB  - When engineered nanoparticles (ENP) enter into wastewater treatment plants (WWTP)
      their removal from the water phase is driven by the interactions with the biomass
      in the biological treatment step. While studies focus on the interactions with
      activated flocculent sludge, investigations on the detailed distribution of ENP
      in other types of biomass, such as granulated sludge, are needed to assess their
      potential environmental pollution. This study employed engineered magnetic
      nanoparticles (EMNP) coated with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as model nanoparticles
      to trace their fate in granular sludge from WWT. For the first time, magnetic
      susceptibility was used as a simple approach for the in-situ quantification of
      EMNP with a high precision (error <2%). Compared to other analytical methods, the
      magnetic susceptibility requires no sample preparation and enabled direct
      quantification of EMNP in both the aqueous phase and the granular sludge. In
      batch experiments granular sludge was exposed to EMNP suspensions for 18 h. The
      results revealed that the removal of EMNP from the water phase (5-35%) and
      biosorption in the granular sludge were rather low. Less than 2.4% of the
      initially added EMNP were associated with the biomass. Loosely bounded to the
      granular sludge, desorption of EMNP occurred. Consequently, the removal of EMNP
      was mainly driven by physical co-sedimentation with the biomass instead of
      sorption processes. A mass balance elucidated that the majority of EMNP were
      stabilized by particulate organic matter in the water phase and can therefore
      likely be transported further. The magnetic susceptibility enabled tracing EMNP
      in complex matrices and thus improves the understanding of the general
      distribution of ENP in technical as well as environmental systems.

PMID- 26282739
TI  - Assessment of occupational exposure to BTEX compounds at a bus diesel-refueling
      bay: A case study in Johannesburg, South Africa.
AB  - Of increasing concern is pollution by volatile organic compounds, with particular
      reference to five aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene and two
      isomeric xylenes; BTEX). These pollutants are classified as hazardous air
      pollutants. Due to the potential health risks associated with these pollutants,
      BTEX concentrations were monitored at a bus diesel-refueling bay, in
      Johannesburg, South Africa, using gas chromatography, coupled with a photo
      ionization detector. Results indicate that o-xylene (29-50%) and benzene (13-33%)
      were found to be the most abundant species of total BTEX at the site. Benzene was
      within South African occupational limits, but above international occupational
      exposure limits. On the other hand, occupational concentrations of toluene, ethyl
      benzene and xylenes were within national and international occupational limits
      throughout the monitoring period, based on 8-hour workday weighted averages.
      Ethyl-benzene and p-xylene concentrations, during winter, correspond to activity
      at the site, and thus idling of buses during refueling may elevate results.
      Overall, occupational air quality at the refueling bay is a matter of health
      concern, especially with regards to benzene exposure, and future reduction
      strategies are crucial. Discrepancies between national and international limit
      values merit further investigation to determine whether South African guidelines
      for benzene are sufficiently precautionary. 

PMID- 26282740
TI  - The role of direct photolysis and indirect photochemistry in the environmental
      fate of ethylhexyl methoxy cinnamate (EHMC) in surface waters.
AB  - The aquatic environmental fate of ethylhexyl methoxy cinnamate (EHMC), one of the
      most used UVB filters worldwide, was studied by assessing its environmental
      persistence and photoinduced transformations. The role of direct and indirect
      photolysis was evaluated. Direct photolysis was shown to play a key role, and
      this process is expected to be the main attenuation route of EHMC in sunlit
      surface waters. In contrast, the reaction with OH radicals would be negligible
      and that with (3)CDOM* would at most be a secondary process. The measurement of
      the quantum yield of direct photolysis and of the rate constants of reaction with
      photogenerated transient species (or, sometimes, the use of reasonable values for
      the latter) allowed the prediction of the EHMC half-life time in surface waters,
      by means of a validated photochemical model. The predicted EHMC lifetime is of
      the order of hours to a few days in fair-weather summertime, and the main factors
      controlling the EHMC phototransformation in sunlit surface waters would be the
      water depth and the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) content. The formation of
      transformation products (TPs) was followed as well via HPLC/HRMS. Three TPs were
      detected in the samples exposed to UVA radiation, while one additional TP was
      detected in the samples exposed to UVB radiation. The detected TPs comprised 4
      methoxybenzaldehyde, a hydroxylated derivative and dimeric species. Through the
      use of heterogeneous photocatalysis with TiO2, seven additional TPs were
      identified, most of them resulting from the further degradation of primary TPs
      formed through direct photolysis and that might be detected in aquatic systems as
      well. The photodegradation of EHMC in the presence of TiO2 yielded more toxic TPs
      than the parent compound (as determined with the Vibrio fischeri Microtox assay).
      The increased toxicity is partially accounted for by the formation of 4
      methoxybenzaldehyde. 

PMID- 26282742
TI  - Abiotic reversible self-assembly of fulvic and humic acid aggregates in low
      electrolytic conductivity solutions by dynamic light scattering and zeta
      potential investigation.
AB  - The aggregation of humic substances and their interaction with filtration media
      (membranes, soils) has implications for our understanding of membrane fouling
      during water treatment, the facilitated transport of contaminants, and the
      transport of organic matter through the microbial loop. To investigate the
      aggregation of fulvic and humic acids in low electrolytic conductivity solutions,
      laboratory studies of simulated environmental water samples as well as actual
      environmental water samples were examined. Intensity-, volume-, and number-based
      particle size distributions (PSDs) were obtained by dynamic light scattering.
      Aggregates were categorized into three ranges, i.e., 10-100 nm, 100-1000 nm, and
      >1 MUm. Individual biomacromolecules and the aggregates between 10 nm and 1 MUm
      were presumed to be precursors for the formation of a large 5-MUm-sized-particle.
      The self-assembly of the large-in-volume, few-in-number, 5-MUm-sized particle was
      observed in real-time and occurred in unfiltered samples and in samples filtered
      (0.45 MUm) at a nominal size one order of magnitude smaller. The supramicrometer
      sized particle formed, dissipated, and spontaneously re-formed over
      turbulent/quiescent cycles in the presence of sodium azide indicating reversible
      abiotic self-assembly. Zeta potential analyses demonstrated that colloidal
      stability increased as concentration increased. DLS studies of the environmental
      water samples were comparable to those of the simulated laboratory samples. The
      operational range of the instrumentation used in these experiments was 0.6 nm-6
      MUm; therefore, aggregates larger than 6 MUm may exist in these solutions.

PMID- 26282741
TI  - Pesticide impact on aquatic invertebrates identified with Chemcatcher(r) passive
      samplers and the SPEAR(pesticides) index.
AB  - Pesticides negatively affect biodiversity and ecosystem function in aquatic
      environments. In the present study, we investigated the effects of pesticides on
      stream macroinvertebrates at 19 sites in a rural area dominated by forest cover
      and arable land in Central Germany. Pesticide exposure was quantified with
      Chemcatcher(r) passive samplers equipped with a diffusion-limiting membrane.
      Ecological effects on macroinvertebrate communities and on the ecosystem function
      detritus breakdown were identified using the indicator system SPEARpesticides and
      the leaf litter degradation rates, respectively. A decrease in the abundance of
      pesticide-vulnerable taxa and a reduction in leaf litter decomposition rates were
      observed at sites contaminated with the banned insecticide Carbofuran (Toxic
      Units>=-2.8), confirming the effect thresholds from previous studies. The results
      show that Chemcatcher(r) passive samplers with a diffusion-limiting membrane
      reliably detect ecologically relevant pesticide pollution, and we suggest
      Chemcatcher(r) passive samplers and SPEARpesticides as a promising combination to
      assess pesticide exposure and effects in rivers and streams. 

PMID- 26282744
TI  - Regional Risk Assessment for climate change impacts on coastal aquifers.
AB  - Coastal aquifers have been identified as particularly vulnerable to impacts on
      water quantity and quality due to the high density of socio-economic activities
      and human assets in coastal regions and to the projected rising sea levels,
      contributing to the process of saltwater intrusion. This paper proposes a
      Regional Risk Assessment (RRA) methodology integrated with a chain of numerical
      models to evaluate potential climate change-related impacts on coastal aquifers
      and linked natural and human systems (i.e., wells, river, agricultural areas,
      lakes, forests and semi-natural environments). The RRA methodology employs Multi
      Criteria Decision Analysis methods and Geographic Information Systems
      functionalities to integrate heterogeneous spatial data on hazard, susceptibility
      and risk for saltwater intrusion and groundwater level variation. The proposed
      approach was applied on the Esino River basin (Italy) using future climate hazard
      scenarios based on a chain of climate, hydrological, hydraulic and groundwater
      system models running at different spatial scales. Models were forced with the
      IPCC SRES A1B emission scenario for the period 2071-2100 over four seasons (i.e.,
      winter, spring, summer and autumn). Results indicate that in future seasons,
      climate change will cause few impacts on the lower Esino River valley.
      Groundwater level decrease will have limited effects: agricultural areas, forests
      and semi-natural environments will be at risk only in a region close to the
      coastline which covers less than 5% of the total surface of the considered
      receptors; less than 3.5% of the wells will be exposed in the worst scenario.
      Saltwater intrusion impact in future scenarios will be restricted to a narrow
      region close to the coastline (only few hundred meters), and thus it is expected
      to have very limited effects on the Esino coastal aquifer with no consequences on
      the considered natural and human systems. 

PMID- 26282743
TI  - The influence of nitrogen fertiliser rate and crop rotation on soil methane flux
      in rain-fed potato fields in Wuchuan County, China.
AB  - As one of the important greenhouse gases, the characteristics and principles of
      methane exchange characteristics in cultivated lands have become hot topics in
      current climate change research. This study examines the influences of nitrogen
      fertilisation, temperature and soil water content on methane exchange
      characteristic and methane exchange functional gene-pmoA gene abundance based on
      experimental observations of methane exchange fluxes using the static chamber-gas
      chromatographic method and measurements of methanotroph gene copy numbers in
      three growing periods by real-time PCR in rain-fed potato fields. The results
      indicate that the rain-fed potato fields were a CH4 sink with an average annual
      methane absorption (negative emission) of 940.8+/-103.2 g CH4-C/ha/year. The
      cumulative methane absorption first exhibited flat and subsequently increasing
      trend with the increase of nitrogen fertilisation from 0~135 kg N.ha(-1). Methane
      cumulative absorption significantly increased with the increase of temperature
      when temperatures were below 19.6  degrees C. Methane oxidation capacity
      (methanotroph pmoA gene copy numbers) showed an increasing and subsequently
      decreasing trend with the increase of soil moisture. Crop rotation was observed
      to increase the methane absorption in rain-fed potato fields and nearly one time
      higher than that under continuous cropping. A mechanism concept model of the
      methane exchange in rain-fed potato fields was advanced in this paper.

PMID- 26282745
TI  - Consequences of phosphate application on glyphosate uptake by roots: Impacts for
      environmental management practices.
AB  - Phosphate (PO4(3-)) fertilization is a common practice in agricultural fields
      also targets for glyphosate application. Due to their chemical similarities,
      PO4(3-) and glyphosate compete for soil adsorbing sites, with PO4(3-)
      fertilization increasing glyphosate bioavailability in the soil solution. After
      PO4(3-) fertilization, its concentration will be elevated in the soil solution
      and both PO4(3-) and glyphosate will be readily available for runoff into aquatic
      ecosystems. In this context, man-made riparian buffer strips (RBS) at the
      interface of agricultural lands and waterways can be used as a green technology
      to mitigate water contamination. The plants used in RBS form a barrier to
      agricultural wastes that can limit runoff, and the ability of these plants to
      take up these compounds through their roots plays an important role in RBS
      efficacy. However, the implications of PO4(3-) for glyphosate uptake by roots are
      not yet clearly demonstrated. Here, we addressed this problem by hydroponically
      cultivating willow plants in nutrient solutions amended with glyphosate and
      different concentrations of PO4(3-), assuring full availability of both chemicals
      to the roots. Using a phosphate carrier inhibitor (phosphonophormic acid-PFA), we
      found that part of the glyphosate uptake is mediated by PO4(3-) transporters. We
      observed, however, that PO4(3-) increased glyphosate uptake by roots, an effect
      that was related to increased root cell membrane stability. Our results indicate
      that PO4(3-) has an important role in glyphosate physiological effects. Under
      agricultural conditions, PO4(3-) fertilization can amplify glyphosate efficiency
      by increasing its uptake by the roots of undesired plants. On the other hand,
      since simultaneous phosphate and glyphosate runoffs are common, non-target
      species found near agricultural fields can be affected. 

PMID- 26282746
TI  - Seepage patterns of Diuron in a ditch bed during a sequence of flood events.
AB  - Although ditches limit surface water contamination, groundwater recharge through
      ditches in Mediterranean catchments may result in groundwater contamination. We
      analysed the dynamics of pesticide percolation in ditches by conducting an
      original lab experiment that mimicked the successive percolation processes that
      occur during a flood season. Nine successive percolation events were operated on
      an undisturbed soil column collected from a ditch bed. The infiltrating water was
      doped with (14)C-Diuron at concentrations that were chosen to decrease between
      the events so as to correspond to values observed during actual flood events. The
      water and solute fluxes were monitored during each event, and the final
      extractable and non-extractable Diuron residues in the column were determined.
      Two main observations were made. First, a high leaching potential was observed
      through the ditch bed over a succession of infiltrating flood events, with 58.9%
      of the infiltrated Diuron and its metabolites leaching. Second, compared with the
      contamination of surface water circulating in the ditches, the contamination of
      seepage water exhibited smaller peak values and persisted much longer because of
      the desorption of Diuron residues stored in the ditch bed. Thus, ditches serve as
      buffering zones between surface and groundwater. However, compared with field
      plots, ditches appear to be a preferential location for the percolation of
      pesticides into groundwater at the catchment scale. 

PMID- 26282747
TI  - Tracing dissolved organic matter (DOM) from land-based aquaculture systems in
      North Patagonian streams.
AB  - Chile is the second largest producer of salmonids worldwide. The first step in
      the production of salmonids takes place in land-based aquacultures. However, the
      effects of the discharge from these aquacultures on stream dissolved organic
      matter (DOM) content, molecular composition and degradability are unknown. The
      aim of this study was thus to investigate the inputs of anthropogenic DOM from
      land-based aquaculture to the predominantly pristine river systems of North
      Patagonia. We hypothesized, that i) DOM exported from land-based aquaculture
      mainly consists of protein-like fluorescence (tyrosine and tryptophan) released
      from fish feces and food remains, and that ii) this DOM is highly degradable and
      therefore rapidly turned-over within the receiving streams. In the North
      Patagonian region we conducted a screening of ten land-based aquacultures and an
      intensive sampling campaign for one aquaculture. This was combined with
      longitudinal transects and a degradation experiment in order to couple the
      composition of DOM exported from land-based aquacultures to its degradability in
      streams. We measured dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration by high
      temperature catalytic oxidation and DOM composition by fluorescence spectroscopy
      and parallel factor analysis. In the effluent of the ten screened aquacultures
      and in the repeated sampling of one aquaculture, we consistently found an
      increase of DOC concentrations and a dominance of protein-like fluorescence. The
      protein-like fluorescence rapidly disappeared downstream of the aquacultures, and
      in the degradation experiment. 21% of the DOC export from the repeatedly sampled
      aquaculture resulted from food addition and 76% from fish production. We conclude
      that large amounts of degradable DOM are exported from land-based aquacultures.
      This probably has strong effects on the ecological structure and function of
      North Patagonian streams, and similarly affected streams worldwide. 

PMID- 26282748
TI  - Habitat and water quality variables as predictors of community composition in an
      Indonesian coral reef: a multi-taxon study in the Spermonde Archipelago.
AB  - Assemblages of corals, sponges, foraminifera, sediment bacteria and sediment
      archaea were assessed at two depths in the Spermonde Archipelago. Our goal was to
      assess to what extent variation in composition could be explained by habitat and
      water quality variables. The habitat variables consisted of depth, substrate type
      and scleractinian coral cover while water quality variables were derived from
      ocean color satellite imagery, including the colored dissolved organic matter
      index (CDOM), chlorophyll-a (Chlor-a) and remote sensing reflectance at 645n m
      (Rrs_645). Together, habitat and water quality variables explained from 31%
      (sediment bacteria) to 80% (forams) of the variation in composition. The
      variation in composition of corals, sponges, forams and sediment archaea was
      primarily related to habitat variables, while the variation in composition of
      sediment bacteria was primarily related to water quality variables. Habitat and
      water quality variables explained similar amounts of variation in the composition
      of corals and sediment bacteria. CDOM (sponges, sediment bacteria and sediment
      archaea), Chlor-a (corals and forams) and Rrs_645 (sponges and forams) proved
      significant predictors of variation in composition for the studied taxa. In
      addition to water quality variables, all taxa responded to a range of habitat
      variables including depth and the percentage cover of various benthic life forms
      including coral cover variables, rubble and sand. Sand cover was the most
      important habitat variable for corals, sponges, sediment bacteria and sediment
      archaea. Coral life forms including the cover of branching and tabular corals
      were important habitat variables for sponges and forams. These results show
      marked differences in how various taxa respond to variation in habitat and water
      quality in the Spermonde Archipelago. Moreover, our results indicate that
      variables estimated from ocean color satellite imagery proved to be better
      predictors of variation in marine community composition than commonly-used
      proxies such as the distance offshore or distance to the nearest river.

PMID- 26282749
TI  - The importance of humin in soil characterisation: A study on Amazonian soils
      using different fluorescence techniques.
AB  - Soil organic matter (SOM) is a complex mixture of molecules with different
      physicochemical properties, with humic substances (HS) being the main component
      as it represents around 20-50% of SOM structure. Soil of the Amazon region is
      considered one of the larger carbon pools of the world; thus, studies of the
      humic fractions are important for understanding the dynamics of organic matter
      (OM) in these soils. The aim of this study was to use laser-induced fluorescence
      spectroscopy (LIFS) and a combination of excitation-emission matrix (EEM)
      fluorescence with Parallel Factor Analysis (CP/PARAFAC) to assess the
      characteristics of humin (HU) extracted from Amazonian soils. The results
      obtained using LIFS showed that there was an increasing gradient of humification
      degree with depth, the deeper horizon presenting a higher amount of aromatic
      groups in the structure of HU. From the EEM, the contribution of two fluorophores
      with similar behaviour in the structures of HU and whole soil was assessed.
      Additionally, the results showed that the HU fraction might represent a larger
      fraction of SOM than previously thought: about 80-93% of some Amazon soils.
      Therefore, HU is an important humic fraction, thus indicating its role in
      environmental analysis, mainly in soil analysis. 

PMID- 26282750
TI  - Uptake and toxicity of Cd, Cu and Pb mixtures in the isopod Asellus aquaticus
      from waterborne exposure.
AB  - The present study evaluated interactions of waterborne Cd, Cu and Pb mixtures on
      metal uptake rates in the isopod Asellus aquaticus and related this to mixture
      effects on toxicity. Secondly, it was assessed whether observed mixture effects
      were better related to isopod body concentrations compared to exposure
      concentrations. Isopods were exposed for 10 days to single, binary and tertiary
      mixtures including five different concentrations of Cd (0.107 to 277 MUg L(-1)),
      Cu (3.35 to 2117 MUg L(-1)) and Pb (0.782 to 443 MUg L(-1)). Mortality was
      assessed every day while isopod body concentrations, growth (biomass) and energy
      reserves (glycogen, lipid and protein reserves) were assessed at the end of the
      experiment. Synergistic interactions of combined Cd and Pb exposure on Cd and Pb
      uptake as well as on growth rates and mortality rates were observed. Mixture
      effects of combined Cd and Pb exposure on toxicity endpoints were directly
      related to increased Cd uptake in the Cd+Pb treatment. No mixture interactions of
      Cu on Cd or Pb uptake (and vice versa), nor on toxicity endpoints were observed.
      All toxicity endpoints were related to body concentrations. However, mixture
      effects disappeared when growth and mortality rates were expressed on body
      concentrations instead of exposure concentrations. By combining information of
      mixture effects on metal uptake with mixture toxicity data, the present study
      provides more insight in the way metal mixtures interfere with aquatic organisms
      and how they can induce toxic effects.

PMID- 26282751
TI  - Pharmaceutical load in sewage sludge and biochar produced by hydrothermal
      carbonization.
AB  - We investigated the removal of twelve pharmaceuticals in sewage sludge by
      hydrothermal carbonization (HTC), which has emerged as a technology for improving
      the quality of organic waste materials producing a valuable biochar material. In
      this study, the HTC converted sewage sludge samples to a biochar product within
      4h at a temperature of 210  degrees C and a resulting pressure of about 15 bar.
      Initial pharmaceutical load of the sewage sludge was investigated as well as the
      residual concentrations in biochar produced from spiked and eight native sewage
      sludge samples from three waste water treatment plants. Additionally, the solid
      contents of source material and product were compared, which showed a
      considerable increase of the solid content after filtration by HTC. All
      pharmaceuticals except sulfamethoxazole, which remained below the limit of
      quantification, frequently occurred in the investigated sewage sludges in the
      MUg/kg dry matter (DM) range. Diclofenac, carbamazepine, metoprolol and
      propranolol were detected in all sludge samples with a maximum concentration of
      800 MUg/kgDM for metoprolol. HTC was investigated regarding its contaminant
      removal efficiency using spiked sewage sludge. Pharmaceutical concentrations were
      reduced for seven compounds by 39% (metoprolol) to>=97% (carbamazepine). In
      native biochar samples the four compounds phenazone, carbamazepine, metoprolol
      and propranolol were detected, which confirmed that the HTC process can reduce
      the load of micropollutants. In contrast to the other investigated compounds
      phenazone concentration increased, which was further addressed in thermal
      behaviour studies including three structurally similar potential precursors.

PMID- 26282752
TI  - Pesticide runoff from energy crops: A threat to aquatic invertebrates?
AB  - The European Union aims to reach a 10% share of biofuels in the transport sector
      by 2020. The major burden is most likely to fall on already established annual
      energy crops such as rapeseed and cereals for the production of biodiesel and
      bioethanol, respectively. Annual energy crops are typically cultivated in
      intensive agricultural production systems, which require the application of
      pesticides. Agricultural pesticides can have adverse effects on aquatic
      invertebrates in adjacent streams. We assessed the relative ecological risk to
      aquatic invertebrates associated with the chemical pest management from six
      energy crops (maize, potato, sugar beet, winter barley, winter rapeseed, and
      winter wheat) as well as from mixed cultivation scenarios. The pesticide exposure
      related to energy crops and cultivation scenarios was estimated as surface runoff
      for 253 small stream sites in Central Germany using a GIS-based runoff potential
      model. The ecological risk for aquatic invertebrates, an important organism group
      for the functioning of stream ecosystems, was assessed using acute toxicity data
      (48-h LC50 values) of the crustacean Daphnia magna. We calculated the Ecological
      Risk from potential Pesticide Runoff (ERPR) for all three main groups of
      pesticides (herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides). Our findings suggest that
      the crops potato, sugar beet, and rapeseed pose a higher ecological risk to
      aquatic invertebrates than maize, barley, and wheat. As maize had by far the
      lowest ERPR values, from the perspective of pesticide pollution, its cultivation
      as substrate for the production of the gaseous biofuel biomethane may be
      preferable compared to the production of, for example, biodiesel from rapeseed. 

PMID- 26282753
TI  - In vitro evaluation of oestrogenic/androgenic activity of the serum
      organochlorine pesticide mixtures previously described in a breast cancer case
      control study.
AB  - Some organochlorine pesticides (OCs) have been individually linked to breast
      cancer (BC) because they exert oestrogenic effects on mammary cells. However,
      humans are environmentally exposed to more or less complex mixtures of these
      organochlorines, and the biological effects of these mixtures must be elucidated.
      In this work we evaluated the in vitro effects exerted on human BC cells by the
      OC mixtures that were most frequently detected in two groups of women who
      participated in a BC case-control study developed in Spain: healthy women and
      women diagnosed with BC. The cytotoxicity, oestrogenicity, and androgenicity of
      the most prevalent OC mixtures found in healthy women (H-mixture) and in BC
      patients (BC-mixture) were tested at concentrations that resembled those found in
      the serum of the evaluated women. Our results showed that both OC mixtures
      presented a similar oestrogenic activity and effect on cell viability, but BC
      mixture showed an additional anti-androgenic effect. These results indicate that
      although the proliferative effect exerted by these mixtures on human breast cells
      seems to depend mainly on their oestrogenic action, the BC-mixture might
      additionally induce cell proliferation due to its anti-androgenic activity,
      therefore increasing the carcinogenic potential of this mixture. The findings of
      this study demonstrate that subtle variations in the composition of a mixture may
      induce relevant changes in its biological action. 

PMID- 26282754
TI  - Tracing dissolved organic carbon and trihalomethane formation potential between
      source water and finished drinking water at a lowland and an upland UK catchment.
AB  - Rising dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations in many upland UK catchments
      represents a challenge for drinking water companies, in particular due to the
      role of DOC as a precursor in the formation of trihalomethanes (THMs). Whereas
      traditionally, the response of drinking water companies has been focussed on
      treatment processes, increasingly, efforts have been made to better understanding
      the role of land use and catchment processes in affecting drinking water quality.
      In this study, water quality, including DOC and THM formation potential (THMFP)
      was assessed between the water source and finished drinking water at an upland
      and a lowland catchment. Surprisingly, the lowland catchment showed much higher
      reservoir DOC concentrations apparently due to the influence of a fen within the
      catchment from where a major reservoir inflow stream originated. Seasonal
      variations in water quality were observed, driving changes in THMFP. However, the
      reservoirs in both catchments appeared to dampen these temporal fluctuations.
      Treatment process applied in the 2 catchments were adapted to reservoir water
      quality with much higher DOC and THMFP removal rates observed at the lowland
      water treatment works where coagulation-flocculation was applied. However,
      selectivity during this DOC removal stage also appeared to increase the
      proportion of brominated THMs produced. 

PMID- 26282755
TI  - Litter chemistry prevails over litter consumers in mediating effects of past
      steel industry activities on leaf litter decomposition.
AB  - Soil pollution has adverse effects on the performance and life history traits of
      microorganisms, plants, and animals, yet evidence indicates that even the most
      polluted sites can support structurally-complex and dynamic ecosystems. The
      present study aims at determining whether and how litter decomposition, one of
      the most important soil ecological processes leaf, is affected in a highly trace
      metal polluted site. We postulated that past steel mill activities resulting in
      soil pollution and associated changes in soil characteristics would influence the
      rate of litter decomposition through two non-exclusive pathways: altered litter
      chemistry and responses of decomposers to lethal and sub-lethal toxic stress. We
      carried out a litter-bag experiment using Populus tremula L. leaf litter
      collected at, and allowed to decompose in, a trace metal polluted site and in
      three unpolluted sites used as controls. We designed a fully-factorial transplant
      experimental design to assess effects of litter origin and exposure site on the
      rate of litter decomposition. We further determined initial litter chemistry,
      fungal biomass, mesofauna abundance in litter bags, and the soil macrofauna
      community. Irrespective of the site of litter exposure, litter originating from
      the polluted site had a two-fold faster decomposition than litter from the
      unpolluted sites. Litter chemistry, notably the lignin content, seemed most
      important in explaining the degradation rate of the leaf litter. Abundance of
      meso and macro-detritivores was higher at the polluted site than at the
      unpolluted sites. However, litter decomposition proceeded at similar rates in
      polluted and unpolluted sites. Our results show that trace metal pollution and
      associated soil and litter changes do not necessarily weaken consumer control on
      litter decomposition through lethal and sub-lethal toxic stress. 

PMID- 26282756
TI  - Getting water right: A case study in water yield modelling based on precipitation
      data.
AB  - Water yield is a key ecosystem service in river basins and especially in dry
      regions around the World. In this study we carry out a modelling analysis of
      water yields in the Chubut River basin, located in one of the driest districts of
      Patagonia, Argentina. We focus on the uncertainty around precipitation data, a
      driver of paramount importance for water yield. The objectives of this study are
      to: i) explore the spatial and numeric differences among six widely used global
      precipitation datasets for this region, ii) test them against data from
      independent ground stations, and iii) explore the effects of precipitation data
      uncertainty on simulations of water yield. The simulations were performed using
      the ecosystem services model InVEST (Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services
      and Tradeoffs) with each of the six different precipitation datasets as input.
      Our results show marked differences among datasets for the Chubut watershed
      region, both in the magnitude of precipitations and their spatial arrangement.
      Five of the precipitation databases overestimate the precipitation over the basin
      by 50% or more, particularly over the more humid western range. Meanwhile, the
      remaining dataset (Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission - TRMM), based on
      satellite measurements, adjusts well to the observed rainfall in different
      stations throughout the watershed and provides a better representation of the
      precipitation gradient characteristic of the rain shadow of the Andes. The
      observed differences among datasets in the representation of the rainfall
      gradient translate into large differences in water yield simulations. Errors in
      precipitation of +30% (-30%) amplify to water yield errors ranging from 50 to
      150% (-45 to -60%) in some sub-basins. These results highlight the importance of
      assessing uncertainties in main input data when quantifying and mapping ecosystem
      services with biophysical models and cautions about the undisputed use of global
      environmental datasets. 

PMID- 26282757
TI  - Toxicity decrease in urban wastewaters treated by a new biofiltration process.
AB  - We carried out a project aimed to evaluate the possible role played by the
      freshwater zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) in the possible decrease of some
      environmental pollutants recalcitrant to tradition wastewater treatments. By the
      help of a pilot-plant built in the largest wastewater treatment plant of Milan
      (Italy), we tested several waste mixtures in order to measure the chemicals'
      abatement made by mussels' biofiltration. This study represents the last step of
      the wider project and it aimed to evaluate if the decrease in the concentration
      of some urban pollutants measured in wastewaters was followed by a corresponding
      toxicity reduction. Thus, we performed 7-day exposures under laboratory
      conditions to test the toxicity of the raw wastewaters and those preliminary
      filtered by zebra mussels, through the measurement of different end-points of
      acute and chronic toxicity. Results showed a clear positive effect of mussels'
      biofiltration mainly to decrease the acute toxicity made by the two tested
      wastewater mixtures, while the biomarkers' suite used to evaluate the chronic
      toxicity showed contradictory results. 

PMID- 26282758
TI  - Wastewater treatment by a modular, domestic-scale reedbed system for safe
      horticultural irrigation.
AB  - The aim of the study was to assess the sequential treatment performance of a
      commercial, domestic-scale modular reedbed system intended to provide safe
      horticultural irrigation water. Previously only mechanical treatment systems
      involving forced aeration with subsequent disinfection, usually by tablet
      chlorination, had been accredited in Australia. The modular design of the hybrid,
      subsurface-flow reedbed system offered 5 control points where monitoring and
      management of the treatment train could be carried out. Ten chemical parameters
      (chemical and biochemical oxygen demand, total organic carbon, total Kjeldahl
      nitrogen, ammonia nitrogen, nitrite nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, total nitrogen,
      dissolved oxygen percentage saturation and suspended solids) and 4 microbial
      parameters (total coliform, Escherichia coli, enterococci and Clostridium
      perfringens) reached satisfactory levels as a result of the treatment process.
      Health requirements for safe horticultural irrigation were met by the outlet of
      the second reedbed, providing a high level of treatment-backup capacity in terms
      of the remaining 2 reedbeds. This suggested that chlorination was a redundant
      backup precaution in treating irrigation water to the acceptable regional
      guideline level for all horticultural uses, including the spray irrigation of
      salad crops eaten raw. 

PMID- 26282759
TI  - Influence of liquid-volume and airflow rates on spray application quality and
      homogeneity in super-intensive olive tree canopies.
AB  - Olive is a key crop in Europe, especially in countries around the Mediterranean
      Basin. Optimising the parameters of a spray is essential for sustainable
      pesticide use, especially in high-input systems, such as the super-intensive
      hedgerow system. Parameters may be optimised by adjusting the applied volume and
      airflow rate of sprays, in addition to the liquid to air proportion and the
      relationship between air velocity and airflow rate. Two spray experiments using a
      commercial airblast sprayer were conducted in a super-intensive orchard to study
      how varying the liquid volume rate (testing volumes of 182, 619, and 1603 l ha(
      1)) and volumetric airflow rate (with flow rates of 11.93, 8.90, and 6.15 m(3) s(
      1)) influences the coverage parameters and the amount and distribution of
      deposits in different zones of the canopy.. Our results showed that an increase
      in the application volume raised the mean deposit and percentage coverage, but
      decreased the application efficiency, spray penetration, and deposit homogeneity.
      Furthermore, we found that the volumetric airflow rate had a lower influence on
      the studied parameters than the liquid volume; however, an increase in the
      airflow rate improved the application efficiency and homogeneity to a certain
      threshold, after which the spray quality decreased. This decrease was observed in
      the high-flow treatment. Our results demonstrate that intermediate liquid volume
      rates and volumetric airflow rates are required for the optimal spraying of
      pesticides on super-intensive olive crops, and would reduce current pollution
      levels.

PMID- 26282760
TI  - Polymorphism of the glucosyltransferase gene (ycjM) in Escherichia coli and its
      use for tracking human fecal pollution in water.
AB  - This study examined polymorphism of the glucosyltransferase gene (ycjM) in fecal
      Escherichia coli isolates and evaluated the use of the sequence polymorphism for
      measuring human fecal pollution in water. Significant nucleotide variations were
      observed through comparative analysis of the ycjM sequences of 70 E. coli strains
      isolated from the feces of humans, domestic livestock, and wild animals. Three
      distinct types of ycjM sequences were found: universal-ycjM, human/chicken-ycjM,
      and human-ycjM. Using the human-ycjM sequences, both a polymerase chain reaction
      (PCR), Hycj-PCR and a quantitative PCR, Hycj-qPCR, were developed. As shown by
      the Hycj-PCR amplification, the human-ycjM marker appeared to be highly
      associated with the E. coli strains isolated from human feces, based on the
      analysis of 370 E. coli strains isolated from humans and seven other animal
      species. Similarly, the human-ycjM marker was highly linked with human feces, as
      demonstrated by the Hycj-PCR assay, when using 337 fecal DNA samples from 16 host
      animal sources, including both domestic and wild animals. Overall, the
      specificity and sensitivity of the human-ycjM marker for differentiating between
      the feces of humans and those of nonhuman groups were 99.7% and 100%,
      respectively; the prevalence of the marker appeared to be greater than 50% in the
      human-feces-associated E. coli population. In addition, our study showed that the
      quantification of human E. coli by the Hycj-qPCR was linearly correlated with the
      anthropogenic activity within a watershed. Our study suggests that this novel
      human-ycjM marker and the resulting PCR-based methods developed should be useful
      for measuring human-associated E. coli and human fecal pollution in water. 

PMID- 26282761
TI  - Fighting carbon loss of degraded peatlands by jump-starting ecosystem functioning
      with ecological restoration.
AB  - Degradation of ecosystems is a great concern on the maintenance of biodiversity
      and ecosystem services. Ecological restoration fights degradation aiming at the
      recovery of ecosystem functions such as carbon (C) sequestration and ecosystem
      structures like plant communities responsible for the C sequestration function.
      We selected 38 pristine, drained and restored boreal peatland sites in Finland
      and asked i) what is the long-term effect of drainage on the peatland surface
      layer C storage, ii) can restoration recover ecosystem functioning (surface layer
      growth) and structure (plant community composition) and iii) is the recovery of
      the original structure needed for the recovery of ecosystem functions? We found
      that drainage had resulted in a substantial net loss of C from surface layer of
      drained sites. Restoration was successful in regaining natural growth rate in the
      peatland surface layer already within 5 years after restoration. However, the
      regenerated surface layer sequestered C at a mean rate of 116.3 g m(-2) yr(-1)
      (SE 12.7), when a comparable short-term rate was 178.2 g m(-2) yr(-1) (SE 13.3)
      at the pristine sites. The plant community compositions of the restored sites
      were considerably dissimilar to those of pristine sites still 10 years after
      restoration. We conclude that ecological restoration can be used to jump-start
      some key peatland ecosystem functions even without the recovery of original
      ecosystem structure (plant community composition). However, the re-establishment
      of other functions like C sequestration may require more profound recovery of
      conditions and ecosystem structure. We discuss the potential economic value of
      restored peatland ecosystems from the perspective of their C sequestration
      function.

PMID- 26282762
TI  - Reactive transport modeling of subsurface arsenic removal systems in rural
      Bangladesh.
AB  - Subsurface Arsenic Removal (SAR) is a technique for in-situ removal of arsenic
      from groundwater. Extracted groundwater is aerated and re-injected into an anoxic
      aquifer, where the oxygen in the injected water reacts with ferrous iron in the
      aquifer to form hydrous ferric oxide (HFO). Subsequent extraction of groundwater
      contains temporarily lower As concentrations, because As sorbs onto the HFO.
      Injection, storage, and extraction together is called a cycle. A reactive
      transport model (RTM) was developed in PHREEQC to determine the hydrogeochemical
      processes responsible for As (im)mobilization during experimental SAR operation
      performed in Bangladesh. Oxidation of Fe(II) and As(III) were modeled using
      kinetic-rate expressions. Cation exchange, precipitation of HFO, and surface
      complexation, were modeled as equilibrium processes. A best set of surface
      complexation reactions and corresponding equilibrium constants was adopted from
      previous studies to simulate all 20 cycles of a SAR experiment. The model gives a
      reasonable match with observed concentrations of different elements in the
      extracted water (e.g., the r(2) value of As was 0.59 or higher). As
      concentrations in the extracted water are governed by four major processes.
      First, As concentration decreases in response to the elevated pH of injection
      water and likewise increases when native neutral pH groundwater flows in. Second,
      the sorption capacity for As increases due to the gradual buildup of HFO. Third,
      As sorption is enhanced by preferential removal of As(V). Fourth, competitive
      sorption of Si limits the capacity of freshly precipitated HFO for As sorption.
      Transferability of the developed reactive transport model was demonstrated
      through successful application of the model, without further calibration, to two
      additional SAR sites in Bangladesh. This gives confidence that the model could be
      useful to assess potential SAR performance at locations in Bangladesh based on
      local hydrogeochemical conditions.

PMID- 26282763
TI  - Intermittent rainstorms cause pulses of nitrogen, phosphorus, and copper in
      leachate from compost in bioretention systems.
AB  - Bioretention systems rely on vegetation and mixtures of soil, sand, and compost
      to filter stormwater runoff. However, bioretention systems can also leach metals
      and nutrients, and compost may be a major contributor to this leaching. To safely
      implement bioretention systems, it is crucial to determine the composition of
      compost leachate. We characterized and quantified the leachate composition of
      compost following intermittent, simulated storm events. Columns of municipal
      compost were irrigated to simulate 6-month, 24-hour rain storms in the Seattle
      Tacoma region. Outflow was analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC),
      particulate concentration, surface tension, dissolved organic carbon (DOC),
      nitrogen, phosphorus, and copper. Results indicate a decrease of chemical
      concentrations over the course of individual storms and following repeated
      storms, but each new storm released another peak of constituents. The decrease in
      phosphorus, copper, and DOC concentrations with repeated storms was slower than
      for nitrate and EC. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and Fourier transform
      infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) showed that the DOC consisted mainly of aliphatic
      and aromatic components typical of fulvic and humic acids. Less than 3% of the
      original copper content from the compost leached out even after nine storm
      events. Nonetheless, copper concentrations in the leachate exceeded regulatory
      discharge standards. Our results show that compost can serve as a sustained
      source of leaching of nutrients and metals. 

PMID- 26282764
TI  - Occurrence of benzophenone-3 in indoor air from Albany, New York, USA, and its
      implications for inhalation exposure.
AB  - Benzophenone-3 (BP-3) is a widespread environmental contaminant and an estrogenic
      compound. Very little is known with regard to the occurrence in indoor air and
      the inhalation exposure of humans to BP-3. In this study, 81 indoor air samples
      were collected from various locations in Albany, New York, USA, in 2014 and
      analyzed for BP-3 by high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass
      spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). BP-3 was found in all indoor air samples and the
      overall concentrations in bulk air (vapor plus particulate phases) were in the
      range of 0.19-72.0 ng/m(3) (geometric mean: 2.67 ng/m(3)). The highest
      concentrations (geometric mean: 10.7 ng/m(3)) were found in cars, followed by
      barber shops (6.57) ? public places (5.75)>homes (3.27) ? offices (1.96) ?
      garages (1.04) ? laboratories (0.47). The estimated geometric mean daily intake
      (EDI) of BP-3 for infants, toddlers, children, teenagers, and adults through
      indoor air inhalation from homes was 1.83, 1.74, 1.18, 0.69, and 0.51 ng/kg
      bw/day, respectively. Although high concentrations of BP-3 were measured in some
      microenvironments, the estimated contribution of indoor air to total BP-3 intake
      was <5% of the total BP-3 intake in humans. This is the first survey on the
      occurrence of BP-3 in indoor air.

PMID- 26282765
TI  - A hydrological-economic model for sustainable groundwater use in sparse-data
      drylands: Application to the Amtoudi Oasis in southern Morocco, northern Sahara.
AB  - A hydrological-economic model is introduced to describe the dynamics of
      groundwater-dependent economics (agriculture and tourism) for sustainable use in
      sparse-data drylands. The Amtoudi Oasis, a remote area in southern Morocco, in
      the northern Sahara attractive for tourism and with evidence of groundwater
      degradation, was chosen to show the model operation. Governing system variables
      were identified and put into action through System Dynamics (SD) modeling causal
      diagrams to program basic formulations into a model having two modules coupled by
      the nexus 'pumping': (1) the hydrological module represents the net groundwater
      balance (G) dynamics; and (2) the economic module reproduces the variation in the
      consumers of water, both the population and tourists. The model was operated
      under similar influx of tourists and different scenarios of water availability,
      such as the wet 2009-2010 and the average 2010-2011 hydrological years. The rise
      in international tourism is identified as the main driving force reducing
      emigration and introducing new social habits in the population, in particular
      concerning water consumption. Urban water allotment (PU) was doubled for less
      than a 100-inhabitant net increase in recent decades. The water allocation for
      agriculture (PI), the largest consumer of water, had remained constant for
      decades. Despite that the 2-year monitoring period is not long enough to draw
      long-term conclusions, groundwater imbalance was reflected by net aquifer
      recharge (R) less than PI+PU (G<0) in the average year 2010-2011, with net
      lateral inflow from adjacent Cambrian formations being the largest recharge
      component. R is expected to be much less than PI+PU in recurrent dry spells. Some
      low-technology actions are tentatively proposed to mitigate groundwater
      degradation, such as: wastewater capture, treatment, and reuse for irrigation;
      storm-water harvesting for irrigation; and active maintenance of the irrigation
      system to improve its efficiency. 

PMID- 26282766
TI  - Mechanism of waste biomass pyrolysis: Effect of physical and chemical pre
      treatments.
AB  - To impart usability in waste based biomass through thermo-chemical reactions,
      several physical and chemical pre-treatments were conducted to gain an insight on
      their mode of action, effect on the chemistry and the change in thermal
      degradation profiles. Two different waste biomasses (Douglas fir, a softwood and
      hybrid poplar, a hardwood) were subjected to four different pre-treatments,
      namely, hot water pre-treatment, torrefaction, acid (sulphuric acid) and salt
      (ammonium phosphate) doping. Post pre-treatments, the changes in the biomass
      structure, chemistry, and thermal makeup were studied through electron
      microscopy, atomic absorption/ultra violet spectroscopy, ion exchange
      chromatography, and thermogravimetry. The pre-treatments significantly reduced
      the amounts of inorganic ash, extractives, metals, and hemicellulose from both
      the biomass samples. Furthermore, hot water and torrefaction pre-treatment caused
      mechanical disruption in biomass fibres leading to smaller particle sizes.
      Torrefaction of Douglas fir wood yielded more solid product than hybrid poplar.
      Finally, the salt pre-treatment increased the activation energies of the biomass
      samples (especially Douglas fir) to a great extent. Thus, salt pre-treatment was
      found to bestow thermal stability in the biomass. 

PMID- 26282767
TI  - Single, competitive, and dynamic adsorption on activated carbon of compounds used
      as plasticizers and herbicides.
AB  - The main aim of this study was to investigate the single, competitive, and
      dynamic adsorption of phthalic acid (PA), bisphenol A (BPA), diphenolic acid
      (DPA), 2,4-dichlorophenoxy-acetic acid (2,4-D), and 4-chloro-2
      methylphenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) on two activated carbons with different chemical
      natures and similar textural characteristics. The adsorption mechanism was also
      elucidated by analyzing the influence of solution pH and ionic strength. The
      activated carbons demonstrated high adsorption capacity to remove all
      micropollutants due to the presence of active sites on their surfaces, which
      increase dispersive interactions between the activated carbon graphene layers and
      the aromatic ring of pollutants. The adsorption capacity of the activated carbons
      increased in the order: DPA<BPA<PA<2,4-D<MCPA, which is directly related to: i)
      molecular size of pollutants; ii) chemical structure of pollutants, and iii)
      chemical properties of adsorbents. In most cases, the adsorption of contaminants
      is favored at acid pH (pH<5) due to the establishment of attractive electrostatic
      interactions. In dynamic regime, the amount of pollutant adsorbed was much higher
      for PA, followed by DPA, and was approximately similar for BPA, 2,4-D, and MCPA.
      Finally, the amount of BPA and DPA adsorbed on activated carbon decreased by
      around 50% and 70% in the presence of DPA and BPA, respectively, indicating that
      both compounds are adsorbed on the same adsorption sites of the activated carbon.

PMID- 26282768
TI  - Multifunctionality assessment of urban agriculture in Beijing City, China.
AB  - As an important approach to the realization of agricultural sustainable
      development, multifunctionality has become a hot spot in the field of urban
      agriculture. Taking 13 agricultural counties of Beijing City as the assessing
      units, this study selects 10 assessing index from ecological, economic and social
      aspects, determines the index weight using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP)
      method, and establishes an index system for the integrated agricultural function.
      Based on standardized data from agricultural census and remote sensing, the
      integrated function and multifunctionality of urban agriculture in Beijing City
      are assessed through the index grade mapping. The results show that agricultural
      counties with the highest score in ecological, economic, and social function are
      Yanqing, Changping, and Miyun, respectively; and the greatest disparity among
      those counties is economic function, followed by social and ecological function.
      Topography and human disturbance may be the factors that affect integrated
      agricultural function. The integrated agricultural function of Beijing rises at
      the beginning then drops later with the increase of mean slope, average altitude,
      and distance from the city. The whole city behaves balance among ecological,
      economic, and social functions at the macro level, with 8 out of the 13 counties
      belonging to ecology-society-economy balanced areas, while no county is dominant
      in only one of the three functions. On the micro scale, however, different
      counties have their own functional inclination: Miyun, Yanqing, Mentougou, and
      Fengtai are ecology-society dominant, and Tongzhou is ecology-economy dominant.
      The agricultural multifunctionality in Beijing City declines from the north to
      the south, with Pinggu having the most significant agricultural
      multifunctionality. The results match up well with the objective condition of
      Beijing's urban agriculture planning, which has proved the methodological
      rationality of the assessment to a certain extent. 

PMID- 26282769
TI  - Sensitivity analysis of biodiesel blends on Benzo[a]pyrene and main emissions
      using MOVES: A case study in Temuco, Chile.
AB  - Temuco is one of the most highly wood-smoke polluted cities in Chile; however,
      the diesel mobile sources are growing very fast in the past 10 years and so far
      very few studies have been done. The main goal of this research was to develop a
      2013 emission inventory of criteria pollutants and Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and to
      evaluate the use of six biodiesel blends of 0%, 1%, 4%, 8%, 12%, and 20% by
      volume of fuel in diesel motors from the vehicle fleet within the mentioned areas
      using the Motor Vehicle Emission Simulator (MOVES). Input parameters for the base
      year 2005 were estimated to implement and adapt the model in Chile, while results
      of NOx, PM10, PM2.5, NH3, CO2 equivalent and SO2 were compared with the Chilean
      Emission Inventory estimated by the model "Methodology for the Calculation of
      Vehicle Emissions." The 2013 emissions reduced with respect to 2005, in the
      majority of the contaminants analyzed, despite the 47% increase in the annual
      miles traveled. Using biodiesel blends, an emission reduction was estimated at up
      to 15% in particulate matter, BaP, and CO for the year 2013, as well as an
      increment of 2% in NOx emissions, attributed to low sulfur content (50 ppm) in
      the diesel and the antiquity of the vehicle fleet. The results obtained gave
      evidence of the influence of the biodiesel use in the pollutant emissions to
      improve the Chilean air quality, as well as providing a strategy for this air
      quality management.

PMID- 26282770
TI  - Factors affecting farmers' behaviour in pesticide use: Insights from a field
      study in northern China.
AB  - Quantitative understanding of farmers' behaviour in pesticide use is critical to
      enhance sustainability of chemical pest control and protect farmers' health and
      the environment. However, reports on the levels of knowledge and awareness of
      farmers and the practices of pesticide use are often insufficient. Here, we
      conducted a comprehensive analysis on the effects of knowledge and awareness of
      farmers as well as the influence of the associated stakeholders (i.e. pesticide
      retailers and the government) on farmers' behaviour in pesticide use by using a
      detailed survey of 307 agricultural households (79 grain farms, 65 fruit farms,
      53 vegetable farms and 110 mixed-crop farms) in the Wei River basin in northern
      China. Eight protective behaviours (PBs) were exhibited by farmers. Careful and
      safe storage of pesticides, changing clothes or showering after applying
      pesticides, and reading instructions of the container labels before application
      were the most frequent PBs. Vegetable and fruit farmers had higher levels of
      education and knowledge than grain farmers, but the former were less willing to
      reduce pesticide use because of fear of low profits and lack of trust in the
      government and pesticide retailers. The PBs of farmers were strongly affected by
      the perception of the consequences of their behaviour (standardised path
      coefficient, SPC=0.42) and the level of farmers' knowledge (SPC=0.33). Pesticide
      retailers and the government had a moderate and weak influence, respectively, on
      farmers' PBs, suggesting a large gap of trust among farmers, pesticide retailers,
      and the government. Training and supervising retailers, educating farmers, and
      improving information transparency across farmers, pesticide retailers and the
      staff of the Agricultural Extension and Technology Service are recommended for
      bridging the gap of trust between farmers and the associated stakeholders as well
      as for promoting the use of PBs among farmers. 

PMID- 26282771
TI  - A new tool for assessing sediment quality based on the Weight of Evidence
      approach and grey TOPSIS.
AB  - Sediment is an important part of an aquatic ecosystem, so it is essential to
      develop an effective sediment quality assessment tool. This study aims to develop
      a new sediment quality assessment tool using a Weight of Evidence approach in
      combination with the grey TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity, a
      mathematical calculation of multi-criteria decision analysis). This tool can
      analyze data from chemical analyses, laboratory toxicity tests and benthic
      community structure analyses to generate individual results from each line of
      evidence, and integrate data from these three lines of evidence to obtain an
      overall assessment through an Excel Visual Basic for Application program. The
      tool can compare the relative magnitude of risks among sites and rate each site
      with high, moderate, or low ecological risk, thus guiding us to take pertinent
      measures toward polluted sediment. A case study of the sediment of Dongjiang
      River basin, south China, demonstrated the successful application of this tool.
      It proved that this assessment tool can provide a comprehensive and accurate
      assessment of sediment quality and efficiently discriminate risks among different
      sites, suggesting it is a powerful tool for environment risk assessment. 

PMID- 26282772
TI  - The behavior and toxicological effects of decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE209) in a
      soil-earthworm system.
AB  - Decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE209) is easily absorbed by soil particles but barely
      degraded over time. Its potential ecological risk has received extensive
      attention. Here we supplemented natural soil with three different levels of
      BDE209 (1, 10 and 100 mg kg(-1) dry weight (i.e., dw)) to focus on the behavior
      and toxicological effects of BDE209 in a soil-earthworm system. Results
      demonstrated that earthworms accumulated BDE209 quickly, followed by biphasic
      elimination. The uptake rate constant (ku) values ranged from 0.156 to 0.232 mg
      soil kg(-1)worm d(-1), while the depuration rate (kd) values ranged from 0.228 to
      0.239 d(-1). Biota-soil accumulation factor (BSAF) was also calculated in the
      present study, and the BSAF values for BDE209 ranged from 0.074 to 0.123.
      Throughout 28-d exposure, the concentrations of BDE209 among soil, worm casts and
      earthworms reached steady-state equilibrium. BDE209 content in worm casts might
      be a good indicator of actual concentration in soil. Neutral red retention time
      (NRRT) was also conducted to assess the lysosomal membrane stability, and it
      declined during the uptake phase when BDE209 gradually accumulated in earthworms,
      indicating a good dose-response relationship. These observations provide new
      insights into the potential ecological effects of BDE209 in a model soil
      earthworm system.

PMID- 26282773
TI  - Polylactic acid trays for fresh-food packaging: A Carbon Footprint assessment.
AB  - This paper discusses application of Carbon Footprint (CF) for quantification of
      the 100-year Global Warming Potential (GWP100) associated with the life cycle of
      polylactic acid (PLA) trays for packaging of fresh foods. A comparison with
      polystyrene (PS)-based trays was done considering two different transport system
      scenarios for PLA-granule supply to the tray production firm: a transoceanic
      freight vessel and an intercontinental freight aircraft. Doing so enabled
      estimation of the influence of the transportation phase on the GHG-emission rate
      associated with the PLA-trays' life cycle. From the assessment, the GWP100
      resulted to be mainly due to PLA-granulate production and to its transportation
      to the tray manufacturing facility. Also, the study documented that, depending
      upon the transport system considered, the CF associated with the life cycle of
      the PLA trays can worsen so much that the latter are no longer GHG-emission
      saving as they are expected to be compared to the PS ones. Therefore, based upon
      the findings of the study, it was possible for the authors to understand the
      importance and the need of accounting for the transport-related issues in the
      design of PLA-based products, thus preserving their environmental soundness
      compared to traditional petroleum-based products. In this context, the study
      could be used as the base to reconsider the merits of PLA usage for product
      manufacturing, especially when high distances are implied, as in this analysed
      case. So, the authors believe that new research and policy frameworks should be
      designed and implemented for both development and promotion of more globally
      sustainable options. 

PMID- 26282774
TI  - Long-term impacts of land cover changes on stream channel loss.
AB  - Land cover change and stream channel loss are two related global environmental
      changes that are expanding and intensifying. Here, we examine how different types
      and transitions of land cover change impact stream channel loss across a large
      urbanizing watershed. We present historical land cover in the 666-km(2) Lake
      Thunderbird watershed in central Oklahoma (USA) over a 137 year period and
      coinciding stream channel length changes for the most recent 70 years of this
      period. Combining these two datasets allowed us to assess the interaction of land
      cover changes with stream channel loss. Over this period, the upper third of the
      watershed shifted from predominantly native grassland to an agricultural
      landscape, followed by widespread urbanization. The lower two-thirds of the
      watershed changed from a forested landscape to a mosaic of agriculture, urban,
      forest, and open water. Most channel length lost in the watershed over time was
      replaced by agriculture. Urban development gradually increased channel loss and
      disconnection from 1942 to 2011, particularly in the headwaters. Intensities of
      channel loss for both agriculture and urban increased over time. The two longest
      connected segments of channel loss came from the creation of two large
      impoundments, resulting in 46 km and 25 km of lost stream channel, respectively.
      Overall, the results from this study demonstrate that multiple and various land
      use changes over long time periods can lead to rapid losses of large channel
      lengths as well as gradual (but increasing) losses of small channel lengths
      across all stream sizes. When these stream channel losses are taken into account,
      the environmental impacts of anthropogenic land-use change are compounded.

PMID- 26282775
TI  - Removal of beta-blockers from aqueous media by adsorption onto graphene oxide.
AB  - The aim of the present study is the evaluation of graphene oxide (GhO) as
      adsorbent material for the removal of beta-blockers (pharmaceutical compounds) in
      aqueous solutions. The composition and morphology of prepared materials were
      characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform
      infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Atenolol (ATL) and propranolol (PRO) were used as
      model drug molecules and their behavior were investigated in terms of GhO dosage,
      contact time, temperature and pH. Adsorption mechanisms were proposed and the pH
      effect curves after adsorption were discussed. The kinetic behavior of GhO-drugs
      system was analyzed after fitting to pseudo-first and -second order equations.
      The adsorption equilibrium data were fitted to Langmuir, Freundlich and Langmuir
      Freundlich model calculating the maximum adsorption capacity (67 and 116 mg/g for
      PRO and ATL (25  degrees C), respectively). The temperature effect on adsorption
      was tested carrying out the equilibrium adsorption experiments at three different
      temperatures (25, 45, 65  degrees C). Then, the thermodynamic parameters of
      enthalpy, free energy and entropy were calculated. Finally, the desorption of
      drugs from GhO was evaluated by using both aqueous eluants (pH2-10) and organic
      solvents.

PMID- 26282776
TI  - Optimizing the harvesting stage of rye as a green manure to maximize nutrient
      production and to minimize methane production in mono-rice paddies.
AB  - Rye (Secale cerealis) has been widely cultivated to improve soil quality in
      temperate paddies. However, its biomass incorporation can significantly increase
      greenhouse gas emissions, particularly the emission of methane (CH4), during rice
      cultivation. The chemical composition and productivity of cover crop biomass may
      vary at different growing stages. Therefore, nutrient productivity and CH4
      production potential might be controlled by selecting the optimum harvesting
      stage. To investigate the effect of rye harvesting stage on nutrient productivity
      and CH4 production potential, rye was harvested at different growing stages, from
      the flowering stage to the maturing stage, for seven weeks. The chemical
      composition and biomass productivity of rye were investigated. CH4 production was
      measured by laboratory incubation, and CH4 production potential was estimated to
      determine the real impact on CH4 dynamics in rice soils. Rye biomass increased
      with plant maturation, but nutrient productivities such as N (nitrogen), P2O5,
      and K2O were maximized at the flowering stage. The contents of cellulose and
      lignin increased significantly as plants matured, but the total N, labile organic
      carbon (C), and hot and cold water-extractable organic C clearly decreased. Soils
      were mixed with 0.3% (wt wt(-1) on dry weight) air-dried biomass and incubated to
      measure the maximum CH4 productivity at 30  degrees C under flooded conditions.
      Maximum CH4 productivity was significantly correlated with increasing labile
      organic C and protein content, but it was negatively correlated with total
      organic C, cellulose, and lignin content. CH4 production potentials were
      significantly increased up to the pre-maturing stage (220 DAS) and remained
      unchanged thereafter. As a result, CH4 production potential per N productivity
      was the lowest at the late flowering stage (198-205 DAS), which could be the best
      harvesting stage as well as the most promising stage for increasing nutrient
      production and decreasing GHG emissions in temperate mono-rice paddy soils.

PMID- 26282777
TI  - Geogenic lead isotope signatures from meat products in Great Britain: Potential
      for use in food authentication and supply chain traceability.
AB  - This paper presents lead (Pb) isotope data from samples of farm livestock raised
      in three areas of Britain that have elevated natural Pb levels: Central Wales,
      the Mendips and the Derbyshire Peak District. This study highlights three
      important observations; that the Pb found in modern British meat from these three
      areas is geogenic and shows no clear evidence of modern tetraethyl anthropogenic
      Pb contribution; that the generally excellent match between the biological
      samples and the ore field data, particularly for the Mendip and Welsh data,
      suggests that this technique might be used to provenance biological products to
      specific ore sites, under favourable conditions; and that modern systems reflect
      the same process of biosphere averaging that is analogous to cultural focusing in
      human archaeological studies that is the process of biological averaging leading
      to an homogenised isotope signature with increasing Pb concentration. 

PMID- 26282778
TI  - Enhancing Medical Decision-Making Evaluations: Introduction of Normative Data for
      the Capacity to Consent to Treatment Instrument.
AB  - A number of measures have been developed to assess medical decision-making
      capacity (MDC) in adults. However, their clinical utility is limited by a lack of
      available normative data. In the current study, we introduce age-independent and
      age-adjusted normative data for a measure of MDC: the Capacity to Consent to
      Treatment Instrument. The sample consisted of 308 cognitively normal, community
      dwelling adults ranging in age from 19 to 86 years. For age-adjusted norms,
      individual raw scores were first converted to age-corrected scaled scores based
      on position within a cumulative frequency distribution and then grouped according
      to empirically supported age ranges. For age-independent norms, the same method
      was utilized but without age-corrections being applied or participants being
      grouped into age ranges. This study has the potential to enhance MDC evaluations
      by allowing clinicians to compare a patient's performance on the Capacity to
      Consent to Treatment Instrument with that of adults regardless of age as well as
      to same age peers. Tables containing normative corrections are supplementary
      material available online at http://asm.sagepub.com/supplemental. 

PMID- 26282779
TI  - Measurement Equivalence of the K6 Scale: The Effects of Race/Ethnicity and
      Language.
AB  - This study examined the measurement equivalence of the K6 across diverse
      racial/ethnic and linguistic groups in the U.S. differential item functioning
      analyses using item response theory were conducted among 44,846 U.S. adults drawn
      from the California Health Interview Survey. Results show that four items
      ("nervous," "restless," "depressed," and "everything an effort") varied
      significantly across races/ethnicities and four items ("nervous," "hopeless,"
      "restless," and "depressed") varied significantly across languages. In additional
      effect size analyses designed to separate effects of race/ethnicity from
      language, the structure of the White English group was substantially different
      from both the Hispanic/Latino English group and Hispanic/Latino Spanish group,
      whereas the Hispanic/Latino Spanish group was not different from the
      Hispanic/Latino English group. The findings suggest that there was evident
      measurement nonequivalence in the K6 among racially/ethnically and linguistically
      diverse adults and that the observed nonequivalence in the K6 appears to be
      driven by language rather than race/ethnicity.

PMID- 26282780
TI  - Enhancement and monitoring of pollutant removal in a constructed wetland by
      microbial electrochemical technology.
AB  - A bench-scale constructed wetland combined with microbial electrochemical
      technology (MET-CW) was run for 400days with groundwater contaminated with
      benzene, methyl-tert-butyl ether (MTBE), and ammonium (NH4(+)). Four vertically
      stacked anode modules were embedded into a sand bed and connected with a
      stainless steel cathode placed in an open water pond. In the zone of presence of
      anode modules, significantly more benzene and MTBE were removed in the MET-CW
      compared to the control CW without MET in the first 150 operation days. Benzene
      was identified as primary electron donor at the anode. Benzene removal and
      current densities were linearly correlated, implying the potential of the system
      for electrochemically monitoring benzene biodegradation. Compound-specific
      isotope analysis (CSIA) indicated that benzene was initially activated by
      monohydroxylation forming intermediates which were subsequently oxidized
      accompanied by extracellular electron transfer, leading to current production.
      NH4(+) removal was not stimulated by MET.

PMID- 26282781
TI  - Metabolism and biotransformation of azo dye by bacterial consortium studied in a
      bioreaction calorimeter.
AB  - Effluents from leather and textile industries are difficult for treatment owing
      to its recalcitrant nature. Since the volume of effluent generated are high, a
      robust and active microbial consortia is required for effective treatment. The
      focus in the present study is the calorimetric traceability of the metabolic
      behaviors of mixed microbial consortia, while it grows and degrades recalcitrant
      substance such as an azo dye acid blue 113. The consortium exhibited a syntrophic
      division of substrate and was effective in degrading dye up to 0.8g/l. Notably,
      it was able to degrade 93.7% of the azo dye in 12-16h whereas its monocultures
      required 48-72h to reach 82.1%. The products of biodegradation were analyzed and
      the chemical pathway substantiated using chemical thermodynamic and energy
      release patterns. MTT assay confirmed that emanates are eco-friendly. Heat
      profile pattern and bioenergetics provide fundamental data for a feasible
      application in commercial level.

PMID- 26282782
TI  - Understanding lignin treatment in dialkylimidazolium-based ionic liquid-water
      mixtures.
AB  - The treatment of enzymatically hydrolyzed lignin (EHL) in dialkylimidazolium
      based ionic liquid (IL)-water mixtures (50-100wt% IL content) was investigated at
      150 degrees C for 3h. pH, IL type, and IL content were found to greatly influence
      the degradation of lignin and the structure of regenerated lignin. 1-Butyl-3
      methylimidazolium methylsulfonate-water mixtures with low pH facilitated lignin
      depolymerization but destroyed the regenerated lignin substructure. Regenerated
      lignin with low molecular weight and narrow polydispersity index (2.2-7.7) was
      obtained using a 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate-based system. Water addition
      inhibited lignin depolymerization at 50-100wt% IL content, except for 70wt% 1
      butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride-water mixture. Compared with pure IL
      treatment, obvious differences were observed in the breakdown of inter-unit
      linkages and ratio of syringyl to guaiacyl units in regenerated lignin with IL
      water treatment.

PMID- 26282783
TI  - Factors likely to influence the adoption of targeted selective treatment
      strategies by sheep farmers in Western Australia.
AB  - The investigation aimed to assess factors affecting the uptake of novel targeted
      selective treatment (TST) strategies by sheep farmers in Western Australia where
      the most common nematode species present were Teladosagia circumcincta,
      Trichostrongylus spp. and Nematodirus spp. ("scour worms"). The study used a
      questionnaire format with questions concentrated on current worm control
      practices and farmers' current understanding and adoption of putative TST
      strategies. Participants represented a range of environments (derived from four
      farming regions) and sheep management situations, and it is therefore likely that
      the results of this investigation will apply in other locations where scour worms
      predominate. Sixty-five percent of participants were aware of the TST concept and
      25% had implemented it in some form. The awareness of the TST approach was
      greatest where sheep farmers were concerned about anthelmintic resistance, where
      tools such as worm egg counts and faecal worm egg count resistance tests were
      employed, and where professional advisers were consulted regarding worm control.
      Respondents that sought advice chiefly from rural merchandise retailers were
      considerably less (0.1-0.6 times) likely to be aware of these management tools or
      to be aware of TST approaches. The findings indicated that the adoption of TST
      strategies will require greater use of professional advisers for worm control
      advice by sheep farmers, and that advisers are conversant with TST concepts. 

PMID- 26282784
TI  - Long noncoding RNA, the methylation of genomic elements and their emerging
      crosstalk in hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - The epigenetic mechanism that incorporates DNA methylation alterations, histone
      modifications, and non-coding RNA expression has been identified as a major
      characteristic in distinguishing physiological and pathological settings of
      cancers including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the third leading cause of
      mortality related cancer. The advance in methylation modification of chromatin
      elements (for both genomic DNA and histone tails) and the emerging roles of long
      noncoding RNA (lncRNA) have given us a better understanding of molecular
      mechanisms underlying HCC. Recently, methods like genome-wide lncRNA profiling
      and histone hallmark detection were reported to discover mass tumor-associated
      lncRNAs epigenetically deregulated by differential chromosome modification,
      mainly by genomic DNA and histone methylation. Therefore, aberrant methylation
      modification of certain particular lncRNA genes could be crucial events
      correlating with unfavorable outcomes in HCC. In addition, amount of lncRNAs
      could act as a manipulator for DNA methylation or a scaffold for histone
      modification to affect key signaling pathways in hepatocarcinogenesis. This
      suggests that methylation modification of chromatin elements may have functional
      crosstalk with lncRNA. Here, we aim to outline the emerging role of the
      methylation and lncRNA, and their crosstalk of molecular mechanism.

PMID- 26282785
TI  - Impact of current staging systems on treatment strategy for HBV-related
      hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer and the second
      leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. HCC incidence has increased over
      the last few years, with more than half of HCC cases being reported in China,
      where hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the main etiologic factor. The
      heterogeneity in HCC's worldwide distribution and the differences in its etiology
      in different locations may result in prognosis estimation and therapeutic
      decision making being more complicated for HCC patients. In the past decade,
      several clinical staging systems have been developed based on relevant prognostic
      factors. Among them, the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) and Hong Kong Liver
      Cancer (HKLC) staging systems are the only two classification systems that link
      prognostic classification to treatment indications. In this review, we mainly
      focus on the use of the BCLC and HKLC staging systems for guiding therapeutic
      decision making for HCC, the respective advantages and disadvantages of each
      classification system, and future perspectives for the improvement of the HKLC
      model.

PMID- 26282786
TI  - Retro-inverso bradykinin opens the door of blood-brain tumor barrier for
      nanocarriers in glioma treatment.
AB  - The blood-brain barrier and the blood-brain tumor barrier (BBTB) prevent most
      drugs entering brain tumors. Complicated preparation procedures of drug delivery
      systems and damage to normal brain tissue have limited the application of many
      strategies for the treatment of brain tumor in clinical trials. We have designed
      a bradykinin analog, retro-inverso bradykinin (RI-BK), which is characterized by
      resistance to proteolysis and high binding activity with the bradykinin type 2
      (B2) receptor. After systemic administration, RI-BK binds to B2 receptors and
      induces a change in zonula occluden-1 and depolymerization of F-actin to
      selectively open the BBTB. RI-BK increased the accumulation of drug-loaded
      nanocarriers in the glioma but not in normal brain. Co-administration with RI-BK
      enhanced the therapeutic efficiency of drug-loaded nanocarriers for glioma. These
      findings suggest that RI-BK could be translated into the clinic as an adjunctive
      treatment for malignant brain tumors. 

PMID- 26282787
TI  - MART-10, the vitamin D analog, is a potent drug to inhibit anaplastic thyroid
      cancer cell metastatic potential.
AB  - The survival rate of anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is still very poor due to
      its fast growth and high metastatic potential. Currently, no effective treatment
      is available. The active form of vitamin D3, 1alpha,25(OH)2D3, has been shown to
      have a anti-metastatic effect in pre-clinical studies, however induction of
      hypercalcemia hampered its clinical application. The new class of less-calcemic
      vitamin D analog, 19-nor-2alpha-(3-hydroxypropyl)-1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3
      (MART-10), is much more potent than 1alpha,25(OH)2D3 to repress cancer growth and
      metastasis in a variety of cancers. In this study, we demonstrated that both
      1alpha,25(OH)2D3 and MART-10 could effectively inhibit the migration and invasion
      of ATC cells, 8305C and 8505C, with MART-10 much more potent than
      1alpha,25(OH)2D3. The anti-metastatic effect of 1alpha,25(OH)2D3 and MART-10 on
      ATC cells is mediated by reversal of cadherin switch (upregulation of E-cadherin
      and downregulation of N-cadherin), which led to the attenuation of EMT process,
      and decrease of F-actin formation. We further showed that the expressions of
      Slug, the EMT-related transcriptional factor, and MMP-9 were inhibited by
      1alpha,25(OH)2D3 and MART-10 in 8505C cells, but not in 8303C cells. Since
      metastasis is the important cause of ATC-related death, our results strongly
      encourage the further in vivo study of MART-10 application against ATC. 

PMID- 26282788
TI  - Opposing actions of TRPV4 channel activation in the lung vasculature.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) calcium channels are
      known to promote endothelium-dependent relaxation of mouse mesenteric arteries
      but TRPV4's role in the pulmonary vasculature is uncertain. Thus, we
      characterized TRPV4 channel vascular tone regulation in mouse main pulmonary
      artery rings and in the isolated perfused pulmonary circulation and studied
      possible mechanisms behind these characterizations. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using
      myography and a TRPV4 specific agonist GSK1016790A in a C57BL/6 WT mouse model of
      isolated constant-flow lung perfusion, we studied vascular tone regulation in
      arterial rings from the main left and right pulmonary arteries and vascular
      resistance of the intra-pulmonary circulation beyond the second branches of the
      pulmonary arteries. Removal of the endothelium confirmed endothelial dependence.
      GSK1016790A relaxed the main pulmonary artery (EC50 4 * 10(-8)mol/L), which was
      inhibited by removal of the endothelium from main pulmonary artery rings.
      GSK1016790A significantly increased vascular resistance of the pulmonary
      circulation in isolated perfused lungs, but these effects were inhibited by a
      TRPV4 antagonist AB159908. A nitric oxide inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl
      ester (L-NAME) and K(+) channel blockers apamin plus charybdotoxin (ChTx)
      significantly inhibited GSK1016790A in the main pulmonary artery and in an
      isolated perfused lung in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: Activated TRPV4 channels increase
      pulmonary vascular resistance and vasodilate the main pulmonary artery.

PMID- 26282789
TI  - CSF lactate for accurate diagnosis of community-acquired bacterial meningitis.
AB  - CSF lactate measurement is recommended when nosocomial meningitis is suspected,
      but its value in community-acquired bacterial meningitis is controversial. We
      evaluated the diagnostic performance of lactate and other CSF parameters in a
      prospective cohort of adult patients with acute meningitis. Diagnostic accuracy
      of lactate and other CSF parameters in patients with microbiologically documented
      episodes was assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. The cut
      offs with the best diagnostic performance were determined. Forty-five of 61
      patients (74%) had a documented bacterial (n = 18; S. pneumoniae, 11; N.
      meningitidis, 5; other, 2) or viral (n = 27 enterovirus, 21; VZV, 3; other, 3)
      etiology. CSF parameters were significantly different in bacterial vs. viral
      meningitis, respectively (p < 0.001 for all comparisons): white cell count
      (median 1333 vs. 143/mm(3)), proteins (median 4115 vs. 829 mg/l), CSF/blood
      glucose ratio (median 0.1 vs. 0.52), lactate (median 13 vs. 2.3 mmol/l). ROC
      curve analysis showed that CSF lactate had the highest accuracy for
      discriminating bacterial from viral meningitis, with a cutoff set at 3.5 mmol/l
      providing 100% sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and efficiency. CSF lactate
      had the best accuracy for discriminating bacterial from viral meningitis and
      should be included in the initial diagnostic workup of this condition.

PMID- 26282790
TI  - Development and evaluation of MALDI-TOF MS-based serotyping for Streptococcus
      pneumoniae.
AB  - Surveillance of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes is important for the
      successful implementation of vaccination strategies to prevent the spread of
      invasive pneumococcal diseases. The standard method of serotyping of pneumococcal
      isolates is the phenotypic Neufeld test, which is cost- and labor-intensive.
      Recently, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass
      spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has been implemented as a rapid, simple and
      inexpensive method for identifying species. We evaluated the performance of MALDI
      TOF MS for serotyping ten major serotypes of S. pneumoniae in Japan (serotypes 3,
      6B, 15A, 15C, 19A, 19 F, 23A, 24 F, 35B and 38) using the Biotyper and
      ClinProTools. After optimizing the settings, we validated their serotyping
      performance for serotypes 3, 15A and 19A using a separate set of isolates that
      were not used in the creation of the classification algorithms. A total of 574
      isolates of S. pneumoniae collected from Japanese nationwide surveillance studies
      were included. Of these, 407 isolates belonged to the ten major serotypes.
      Biotyper and ClinProTools correctly identified 77.9 % and 84.0 %, respectively,
      of the ten major serotype isolates. The validation analysis included a total of
      113 isolates of the serotypes 3, 15A and 19A isolates. Biotyper and ClinProTools
      correctly identified 85.0 % and 69.9 % of the validation cohort isolates,
      respectively. MALDI-TOF MS has the potential to discriminate the ten major S.
      pneumoniae serotypes prevalent in Japan. 

PMID- 26282791
TI  - Cancer: leaping the E-cadherin hurdle.

PMID- 26282793
TI  - Understanding physical developer (PD): Part I--Is PD targeting lipids?
AB  - Physical developer (PD) is a fingermark development technique that involves the
      selective reduction of silver onto fingermark residue. PD can develop marks on
      porous substrates even if they have been wet, leading to the logical, long held
      belief that the reagent targets the water insoluble constituents in the
      fingermark residue. The present research has tested this hypothesis as part of a
      broader study that aims to identify the targets of physical developer. Spot tests
      of some fatty acids, cholesterol and squalene, treated with PD, showed that only
      cholesterol produced significant silver deposition. PD is known to be
      particularly effective on aged marks, however cholesterol degrades over time.
      These observations indicate that PD reactivity with fingermarks cannot solely be
      due to the presence of cholesterol. Fingermarks were deposited on paper and
      washed with various organic solvents before being treated with PD. PD
      effectiveness was intermittent on both solvent washed and unwashed sides of both
      natural and groomed marks; however, it was seen to effectively develop groomed
      samples that had been exposed to common lipid extraction solvents, shown to have
      removed the lipids by visualisation using the lipid stain Nile red. PD
      effectiveness was most affected by exposure of samples to solvents that could
      dissolve water soluble components, showing that the removal of these constituents
      (by either water, or other solvents) decreases the amount of silver deposited on
      the fingermark residue by the working solution. Close observation of PD developed
      samples showed variation in silver deposition uniformity when comparing a
      developed ridge to a pore site located on that ridge. Some samples showed an
      absence of silver, and other showed an increase of silver at pore locations. This
      indicates that the material excreted by the pores on the finger has an effect on
      silver deposition, suggesting that PD may be specifically targeting eccrine
      constituents that are present along the ridges but are more concentrated at the
      pore locations. These findings indicate that PD is not targeting the lipids in
      the fingermark residue per se, and may instead be targeting eccrine constituents
      or a more complex mixture of both eccrine and lipid constituents. Further
      investigation is underway within our group to investigate the components targeted
      by PD to gain a better understanding of what is a notoriously sensitive and hard
      to employ technique in the hope that it can be improved or simplified, or
      alternatives identified. 

PMID- 26282792
TI  - KIM-1-/TIM-1-mediated phagocytosis links ATG5-/ULK1-dependent clearance of
      apoptotic cells to antigen presentation.
AB  - Phagocytosis of apoptotic cells by both professional and semi-professional
      phagocytes is required for resolution of organ damage and maintenance of immune
      tolerance. KIM-1/TIM-1 is a phosphatidylserine receptor that is expressed on
      epithelial cells and can transform the cells into phagocytes. Here, we
      demonstrate that KIM-1 phosphorylation and association with p85 results in
      encapsulation of phagosomes by lipidated LC3 in multi-membrane organelles. KIM-1
      mediated phagocytosis is not associated with increased ROS production, and NOX
      inhibition does not block LC3 lipidation. Autophagy gene expression is required
      for efficient clearance of apoptotic cells and phagosome maturation. KIM-1
      mediated phagocytosis leads to pro-tolerogenic antigen presentation, which
      suppresses CD4 T-cell proliferation and increases the percentage of regulatory T
      cells in an autophagy gene-dependent manner. Taken together, these data reveal a
      novel mechanism of epithelial biology linking phagocytosis, autophagy and antigen
      presentation to regulation of the inflammatory response. 

PMID- 26282794
TI  - Primary immunodeficiency update: Part I. Syndromes associated with eczematous
      dermatitis.
AB  - In the past decade, the availability of powerful molecular techniques has
      accelerated the pace of discovery of several new primary immunodeficiencies
      (PIDs) and revealed the biologic basis of other established PIDs. These genetic
      advances, in turn, have facilitated more precise phenotyping of associated skin
      and systemic manifestations and provide a unique opportunity to better understand
      the complex human immunologic response. These continuing medical education
      articles will provide an update of recent advances in PIDs that may be
      encountered by dermatologists through their association with eczematous
      dermatitis, infectious, and non-infectious cutaneous manifestations. Part I will
      discuss new primary immunodeficiencies that have an eczematous dermatitis. Part
      II will focus on primary immunodeficiencies that greatly increase susceptibility
      to fungal infection and the noninfectious presentations of PIDs. 

PMID- 26282796
TI  - Commentary: Setting priorities for research funding at the National Institute of
      Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS).

PMID- 26282795
TI  - Primary immunodeficiency update: Part II. Syndromes associated with mucocutaneous
      candidiasis and noninfectious cutaneous manifestations.
AB  - Several primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs) have recently been described that
      confer an elevated risk of fungal infections and noninfectious cutaneous
      manifestations. In addition, immunologic advances have provided new insights into
      our understanding of the pathophysiology of fungal infections in established
      PIDs. We reviewed PIDs that present with an eczematous dermatitis in part I. In
      part II of this continuing medical education article we discuss updates on PIDs
      associated with fungal infections, their biologic basis in PIDs, and
      noninfectious cutaneous manifestations. 

PMID- 26282797
TI  - Squaric acid sensitization is not required for response in the treatment of
      alopecia areata.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Topical immunotherapy using potent contact allergens, such as squaric
      acid dibutylester (SADBE), can be used to treat alopecia areata. However, there
      are conflicting reports regarding the best protocol for its administration,
      particularly with regard to the necessity of an eczematous response after the
      initial sensitization treatment. OBJECTIVES: We sought to assess the impact of
      initial sensitization on subsequent hair regrowth. METHODS: This is a
      retrospective review of the use of SADBE in the treatment of alopecia areata in
      14 patients. RESULTS: Eleven of 14 patients underwent initial sensitization
      before initiating treatment. Three of these patients had an eczematous reaction
      after 1 attempt, 5 after >=2 attempts, and 3 failed to develop a clinical
      reaction. Four of 14 initiated treatment without a clinical reaction or a
      previous sensitization. Eleven of 14 patients experienced regrowth, 7 with
      previous sensitization and 4 without. LIMITATIONS: This observational study is
      limited by sample size. CONCLUSIONS: SADBE sensitization regimens and reactions
      vary widely, and the absence of an initial eczematous reaction to sensitization
      does not predict a failed response with continued SADBE treatment.

PMID- 26282798
TI  - Point: What's in a name?

PMID- 26282799
TI  - Counterpoint: The "dysplastic" nevus: What I do and do not believe.

PMID- 26282800
TI  - What costs nothing is worth nothing!: Is it okay to treat a benign lesion for
      free as part of an examination that involves treatment of several nonbenign
      lesions?

PMID- 26282801
TI  - Seasonal variation of acne and psoriasis: A 3-year study using the Physician
      Global Assessment severity scale.

PMID- 26282802
TI  - Psoriasis and herpes simplex virus are highly stigmatizing compared with other
      common dermatologic conditions: A survey-based study.

PMID- 26282803
TI  - Reflections on smart phones, tablets, and ultraviolet (UV) light: Should we
      worry?: An observational study.

PMID- 26282804
TI  - FLG (filaggrin) null mutations and sunlight exposure: Evidence of a correlation.

PMID- 26282805
TI  - Dermoscopy of cutaneous neurofibromas associated with neurofibromatosis type 1.

PMID- 26282806
TI  - Different dermoscopic patterns of palmoplantar and nonpalmoplantar lichen
      nitidus.

PMID- 26282807
TI  - Nicotine staining of the hair and nails.

PMID- 26282808
TI  - Peristomal pyoderma gangrenosum (PG): A simple hydrocolloid dressing technique to
      promote wound healing.

PMID- 26282809
TI  - A simple method for maintaining control of sutures to prevent sharps injuries and
      protect aseptic conditions.

PMID- 26282810
TI  - Recreation of the alar crease using the inverted horizontal mattress suture
      technique.

PMID- 26282811
TI  - Could a simple microbiological culture and an antibiogram guide the treatment of
      our patients with papulopustular rosacea (PPR)?

PMID- 26282812
TI  - Reply to: "Could a simple microbiological culture and an antibiogram guide the
      treatment of our patients with papulopustular rosacea?".

PMID- 26282813
TI  - Should dermatopathologists disclose serious diagnostic errors to patients?

PMID- 26282814
TI  - Reply: Medical error disclosure and patient compensation.

PMID- 26282815
TI  - Comment on "Time to update guidelines on screening for latent tuberculosis
      infection in dermatologic patients being treated with tumor necrosis factor-alfa
      inhibitors".

PMID- 26282816
TI  - Annual screening for tuberculosis in patients on TNF-alfa antagonists.

PMID- 26282817
TI  - Reply to: "Comment on 'Time to update guidelines on screening for latent
      tuberculosis infection in dermatologic patients being treated with tumor necrosis
      factor-alfa inhibitors'".

PMID- 26282822
TI  - Dermoscopy aids the diagnosis of crusted scabies in an erythrodermic patient.

PMID- 26282823
TI  - Darier disease: Dermoscopy, confocal microscopy, and histologic correlations.

PMID- 26282824
TI  - An imidazolyl-pyreno-imidazole conjugate as a cyanide sensor and a set-reset
      memorized sequential logic device.
AB  - In this work a pyrenyl-bisimidazole receptor has been synthesized and fully
      characterized by standard analytical tools and spectroscopic techniques including
      single crystal X-ray crystallography. Crystal structure analysis shows the
      occurrence of strong pi-pi and CH-pi interactions among the adjacent Py-BiimzH2
      units. Moreover, each NH proton on the imidazole ring is involved in strong
      intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions with N atoms of the neighboring unit
      forming infinite chains. The absorption and both steady state and time-resolved
      emission properties of the compound were found to be modulated to a significant
      extent by selective inorganic anions and transition metal cations in solution.
      Theoretical calculations employing density functional theory (DFT) and time
      dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) were carried out and good
      correlation between the experimental and the TD-DFT calculated results led to the
      accurate assignment of the main absorption and emission bands of the original
      compound as well as its anionic and metal complexes. More importantly, the
      compound can act as an efficient ratiometric optical chemosensor for CN(-) in H2O
      DMSO (9 : 1) media. The anion sensing properties of the receptor was thoroughly
      investigated in both neat DMSO as well as mixed H2O-DMSO (9 : 1) media through
      different channels. From the response profiles in terms of absorption or emission
      intensity and wavelength towards inorganic ions (Cu(2+) and CN(-)), we developed
      a molecular system which can mimic sequential Boolean logic functions of XOR, OR,
      XNOR and NOR logic gates. Moreover, we were able to construct a memory device
      which nicely demonstrates the "Write-Read-Erase-Read" behavior.

PMID- 26282825
TI  - Novel roles and therapeutic targets of Epstein-Barr virus-encoded latent membrane
      protein 1-induced oncogenesis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
AB  - Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) was first discovered 50 years ago as an oncogenic gamma
      1 herpesvirus and infects more than 90% of the worldwide adult population.
      Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) poses a serious health problem in southern China
      and is one of the most common cancers among the Chinese. There is now strong
      evidence supporting a role for EBV in the pathogenesis of NPC. Latent membrane
      protein 1 (LMP1), a primary oncoprotein encoded by EBV, alters several functional
      and oncogenic properties, including transformation, cell death and survival in
      epithelial cells in NPC. LMP1 may increase protein modification, such as
      phosphorylation, and initiate aberrant signalling via derailed activation of host
      adaptor molecules and transcription factors. Here, we summarise the novel
      features of different domains of LMP1 and several new LMP1-mediated signalling
      pathways in NPC. When then focus on the potential roles of LMP1 in cancer stem
      cells, metabolism reprogramming, epigenetic modifications and therapy strategies
      in NPC.

PMID- 26282826
TI  - Sleeping on the floor decreases insecticide treated bed net use and increases
      risk of malaria in children under 5 years of age in Mbita District, Kenya.
AB  - Children who sleep on the floor are less likely to use long-lasting insecticidal
      nets (LLINs); however, the relationship between sleeping location and Plasmodium
      falciparum infection has not been investigated sufficiently. This study revealed
      whether sleeping location (bed vs floor) is associated with P. falciparum
      infection among children 7-59 months old. More than 60% of children slept on the
      floor. Younger children were significantly more likely to sleep in beds [odds
      ratio, OR 2.31 (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.02-2.67)]. Nearly 70% of children
      slept under LLINs the previous night. LLIN use among children who slept on the
      floor was significantly less than ones sleeping in beds [OR 0.49 (95% CI 0.35
      0.68)]. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based P. falciparum infection rate
      and slide based infection rate were 65.2 and 29.7%, respectively. Both infections
      were significantly higher among children slept on the floor [OR1.51 (95% CI 1.08
      2.10) for PCR base, OR 1.62 (95% CI 1.14-2.30) for slide base] while net
      availability was not significant. Sleeping location was also significant for
      slide based infection with fever (? 37.5  degrees C) [2.03 (95% CI 1.14-3.84)]
      and high parasitemia cases (parasite ? 2500 uL(-1)) [2.07 (95% CI 1.03-4.50)].
      The results suggest that sleeping location has a direct bearing on the
      effectiveness of LLINs.

PMID- 26282827
TI  - Algorithms that eliminate the effects of calibration artefact and trial-imposed
      offsets of Masimo oximeter in BOOST-NZ trial.
AB  - The displayed readings of Masimo pulse oximeters used in the Benefits Of Oxygen
      Saturation Targeting (BOOST) II and related trials in very preterm babies were
      influenced by trial-imposed offsets and an artefact in the calibration software.
      A study was undertaken to implement new algorithms that eliminate the effects of
      offsets and artefact. In the BOOST-New Zealand trial, oxygen saturations were
      averaged and stored every 10 s up to 36 weeks' post-menstrual age. Two-hundred
      and fifty-seven of 340 babies enrolled in the trial had at least two weeks of
      stored data. Oxygen saturation distribution patterns corresponding with a +3 % or
      -3 % offset in the 85-95 % range were identified together with that due to the
      calibration artefact. Algorithms involving linear and quadratic interpolations
      were developed, implemented on each baby of the dataset and validated using the
      data of a UK preterm baby, as recorded from Masimo oximeters with the original
      software and a non-offset Siemens oximeter. Saturation distributions obtained
      were compared for both groups. There were a flat region at saturations 85-87 %
      and a peak at 96 % from the lower saturation target oximeters, and at 93-95 and
      84 % respectively from the higher saturation target oximeters. The algorithms
      lowered the peaks and redistributed the accumulated frequencies to the flat
      regions and artefact at 87-90 %. The resulting distributions were very close to
      those obtained from the Siemens oximeter. The artefact and offsets of the Masimo
      oximeter's software had been addressed to determine the true saturation readings
      through the use of novel algorithms. The implementation would enable New Zealand
      data be included in the meta-analysis of BOOST II trials, and be used in neonatal
      oxygen studies. 

PMID- 26282828
TI  - A twist of nature--the significance of atropisomers in biological systems.
AB  - Recently identified natural atropisomeric compounds with potential medicinal
      applications are presented. The ability of natural receptors to possess
      differential binding between atropisomers is an important factor when considering
      active and inactive atropisomeric drugs, and has required the development of new
      techniques for atropselective synthesis of desired targets. Advances in this
      field therefore have significant relevance to modern pharmaceutical and medicinal
      chemistry. The atropisomeric natural products discussed include hibarimicinone,
      flavomannins, talaromannins, viriditoxin, rugulotrosin A, abyssomicin C,
      marinopyrroles, dixiamycins, streptorubin B, ustiloxins A-F, haouamine A,
      bisnicalaterines, and tedarene B, all of which show significant potential as
      leads in antibiotic, antiviral and anticancer studies. The importance for the
      development of common practices regarding atropisomer recognition and
      classification is also emphasized.

PMID- 26282830
TI  - Face adaptation in an isolated population of African hunter-gatherers: Exposure
      influences perception of other-ethnicity faces more than own-ethnicity faces.
AB  - Previous experiments have demonstrated that exposure to faces can change the
      perception of normality in new faces, such that faces similar to those at
      exposure appear more normal. Here we examined how experience influences
      adaptation effects in African Hadza hunter-gatherers, who have limited experience
      with White faces. We exposed participants to sets of either Hadza or White
      European faces that were manipulated to possess either wide-spaced or narrow
      spaced eyes. We collected normality judgments both pre-exposure and post-exposure
      by showing pairs of images, one with wide-spaced and one with narrow-spaced eyes.
      Examining the difference between the pre-exposure and post-exposure judgments
      revealed that participants selected an increased number of images that were
      congruent with the faces to which they had been exposed. The change in normality
      judgments was strongest for White faces, suggesting that representations of White
      ethnicity faces are more malleable and less robust to adaptation, potentially
      because of the decreased experience that individuals had with them. A second
      experiment using the same test stimuli with a sample of White participants
      revealed equivalent adaptation effects for both Hadza and White faces. These data
      highlight the role of experience on the high-level visual adaptation of faces.

PMID- 26282831
TI  - Cell-phone use diminishes self-awareness of impaired driving.
AB  - Multitasking diminishes the self-awareness of performance that is often essential
      for self-regulation and self-knowledge. Participants drove in a simulator while
      either talking or not talking on a hands-free cell phone. Following previous
      research, participants who talked on a cell phone made more serious driving
      errors than control participants who did not use a phone while driving. Control
      participants' assessments of the safeness of their driving and general ability to
      drive safely while distracted were negatively correlated with the actual number
      of errors made when they were driving. By contrast, cell-phone participants'
      assessments of the safeness of their driving and confidence in their driving
      abilities were uncorrelated with their actual errors. Thus, talking on a cell
      phone not only diminished the safeness of participants' driving, it diminished
      their awareness of the safeness of their driving.

PMID- 26282829
TI  - Perception and action influences on discrete and reciprocal bimanual
      coordination.
AB  - For nearly four decades bimanual coordination, "a prototype of complex motor
      skills" and apparent "window into the design of the brain," has been intensively
      studied. Past research has focused on describing and modeling the constraints
      that allow the production of some coordination patterns while limiting effective
      performance of other bimanual coordination patterns. More recently researchers
      have identified a coalition of perception-action constraints that hinder the
      effective production of bimanual skills. The result has been that given specially
      designed contexts where one or more of these constraints are minimized, bimanual
      skills once thought difficult, if not impossible, to effectively produce without
      very extensive practice can be executed effectively with little or no practice.
      The challenge is to understand how these contextual constraints interact to allow
      or inhibit the production of complex bimanual coordination skills. In addition,
      the factors affecting the stability of bimanual coordination tasks needs to be re
      conceptualized in terms of perception-related constraints arising from the
      environmental context in which performance is conducted and action constraints
      resident in the neuromotor system.

PMID- 26282833
TI  - The use of carbon monoxide as a probe molecule in spectroscopic studies for
      determination of exposed gold sites on TiO2.
AB  - The sol immobilisation technique, in which a stabilising ligand (such as
      polyvinyl alcohol or polyvinyl pyridine) can be used to tune metal particle size
      and composition, has become a valuable method of making supported nanoparticle
      catalysts. An unfortunate consequence of the stabilising ligand is that often
      access of reactant molecules to the metal nanoparticle surface is impeded.
      Several methods have been proposed for the removal of these ligands, though
      determination of the degree of their success is difficult. Here, we demonstrate
      the use of in situ infrared and UV-Vis spectroscopy to elucidate the access of
      carbon monoxide to the surface of Au/TiO2 catalysts before and after various
      ligand removal treatments. These were contrasted with a catalyst prepared by
      deposition precipitation prepared in the absence of stabilising ligand as a
      control. Changes were observed in the infrared spectrum, with the wavenumber of
      carbon monoxide linearly bonded to Au for catalysts shifting before and after
      ligand removal, which correlated well with the activity of the catalyst for
      carbon monoxide oxidation. Also the extent of shifting of the Au surface
      resonance plasmon band on the addition of carbon monoxide, observed by UV-Vis,
      also correlated well with catalyst activity. These simple methods can be used to
      determine the quantity of exposed metal sites after a ligand removal treatment
      and so determine the treatments effectiveness. 

PMID- 26282832
TI  - Dietary glycemia as a determinant of health and longevity.
AB  - The role of diet in extending lifespan and healthspan has been the subject of
      much research and debate. Our recent epidemiological and in vivo data suggest
      that carbohydrate quality can be a major determinant in prolonging eye health.
      Additionally, excessive carbohydrate intake can contribute to the exacerbation of
      many different diseases. The metabolic diversity of the tissues that are affected
      by excessive carbohydrate intake suggests that dietary carbohydrate quality may
      affect cellular homeostasis. 

PMID- 26282834
TI  - New insights into cellular alpha-synuclein homeostasis in health and disease.
AB  - alpha-Synuclein (alphaSyn) is a highly abundant neuronal protein whose exact
      structure and function are under debate. Misfolding and aggregation of this
      normally soluble, 140-residue polypeptide underlies a group of neurodegenerative
      disorders called synucleinopathies, including Parkinson's disease (PD) and
      dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). The alphaSyn field has focused increasing
      attention on the hypotheses that certain aggregates of alphaSyn may be directly
      toxic to the neurons in which they arise and/or that aggregates can be released
      from some neurons and diffuse by undefined mechanisms to other neurons to seed
      alphaSyn in the recipient cells, thus propagating neuropathology by a non-cell
      autonomous process ('pathogenic spread'). While intense interest in these
      hypotheses has led to new approaches and tools to model aspects of the disorders,
      it is important to analyze which molecular events initiate alphaSyn aggregation
      inside neurons in the first place. Here, we review new insights into how neuronal
      alphaSyn homeostasis may be maintained under physiological conditions but
      perturbed by pathological factors. 

PMID- 26282835
TI  - Hybrids of acylated homoserine lactone and nitric oxide donors as inhibitors of
      quorum sensing and virulence factors in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
AB  - Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen causing a variety of life
      threatening diseases such as cystic fibrosis and nosocomial infections in burn
      victims. The ability of P. aeruginosa to cause infection is attributed to the
      production of virulence factors such as pyocyanin and elastases. These virulence
      factors are under the control of quorum sensing (QS) a cell to cell communication
      process controlled by small diffusible signalling molecules based on N-acyl
      homoserine lactones (AHLs) known as autoinducers. The inhibition of QS and
      thereby virulence factors is seen as a potential new anti-infective strategy.
      Additionally, the role of nitric oxide (NO) in downstream processes in bacteria
      such as biofilm dispersal, motility, virulence and antimicrobial defence systems
      is gaining attention and could be used to control bacterial. Herein we report the
      design and synthesis of hybrid compounds based on AHL signalling molecules and NO
      donors as anti-infective agents. A series of AHL-NO hybrids were synthesised and
      potent inhibitors of QS and virulence factors of P. aeruginosa were identified.
      This research has led to conversion of agonist AHLs to antagonist AHLs with dual
      properties of QS inhibition and NO release. 

PMID- 26282837
TI  - Estimating body composition from skinfold thicknesses and bioelectrical impedance
      analysis in cystic fibrosis patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The accuracy of body composition estimates based on skinfold
      thickness measurements and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is not yet
      adequately explored in cystic fibrosis (CF). Using DXA as reference method we
      verified the accuracy of these techniques and identified predictors of body
      composition specific for CF. METHODS: One hundred forty-two CF patients (age
      range: 8-31 years) underwent a DXA scan. Body fat percentage (BF%) was estimated
      from skinfolds, while fat free mass (FFM) from single-frequency 50 kHz BIA.
      RESULTS: Bland-Altman analysis showed poor intra-individual agreement between
      body composition data provided by DXA and BF% estimated from skinfolds or FFM
      estimated from BIA. The skinfolds of the upper arm were better predictors of BF%
      than BMI, while compared to other BIA measurements the best predictor of FFM was
      the R-index (Height(2)/Resistance). CONCLUSIONS: Due to poor accuracy at
      individual level, the estimates of body composition obtained from these
      techniques cannot be part of the standard nutritional assessment of CF patients
      until reliable CF-specific equations will become available. BMI has limited value
      in predicting body fatness in CF patients and should be used in combination with
      other predictors. Skinfolds of the upper arm and R-index are strongly related to
      BF% and FFM and should be tested in a large CF population to develop specific
      predictive equations.

PMID- 26282836
TI  - DNA vaccines encoding the envelope protein of West Nile virus lineages 1 or 2
      administered intramuscularly, via electroporation and with recombinant virus
      protein induce partial protection in large falcons (Falco spp.).
AB  - As West Nile virus (WNV) can cause lethal diseases in raptors, a vaccination
      prophylaxis of free-living and captive populations is desirable. In the absence
      of vaccines approved for birds, equine vaccines have been used in falcons, but
      full protection against WNV infection was not achieved. Therefore, two DNA
      vaccines encoding the ectodomain of the envelope protein of WNV lineages 1 and 2,
      respectively, were evaluated in 28 large falcons. Four different vaccination
      protocols were used, including electroporation and booster-injections of
      recombinant WNV domain III protein, before challenge with the live WNV lineage 1
      strain NY99. Drug safety, plasmid shedding and antibody production were monitored
      during the vaccination period. Serological, virological, histological,
      immunohistochemical and molecular biological investigations were performed during
      the challenge trials. Antibody response following vaccination was low overall and
      lasted for a maximum of three weeks. Plasmid shedding was not detected at any
      time. Viremia, mortality and levels, but not duration, of oral virus shedding
      were reduced in all of the groups during the challenge trial compared to the non
      vaccinated control group. Likewise, clinical scoring, levels of cloacal virus
      shedding and viral load in organs were significantly reduced in three vaccination
      groups. Histopathological findings associated with WNV infections (meningo
      encephalitis, myocarditis, and arteritis) were present in all groups, but
      immunohistochemical detection of the viral antigen was reduced. In conclusion,
      the vaccines can be used safely in falcons to reduce mortality and clinical signs
      and to lower the risk of virus transmission due to decreased levels of virus
      shedding and viremia, but full protection was not achieved in all groups. 

PMID- 26282838
TI  - Tigecycline-induced acute pancreatitis in a cystic fibrosis patient: A case
      report and literature review.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this case report is to increase awareness of tigecycline
      associated pancreatitis, specifically in patients who may be predisposed to
      develop pancreatitis. CASE SUMMARY: A 22-year-old male with cystic fibrosis
      developed acute bronchitis, with sputum cultures significant for Mycobacterium
      chelonae. He was started on tigecycline on two separate occasions, in each case
      developing pancreatitis as evidenced by symptomatology, elevated pancreatic
      enzymes and, in one case, by CT imaging. On both occasions, symptomatology
      improved and enzymes normalized after discontinuation of tigecycline. DISCUSSION:
      Current literature including two recent review pieces is discussed. The unique
      aspects of the case are highlighted, including the particular risk of drug
      associated pancreatitis in those with cystic fibrosis. CONCLUSION: The results of
      this case, in the context of current literature, suggest that clinicians should
      be aware of the potential for pancreatitis when using tigecycline. Clinicians
      should be particularly mindful of this complication in patients with
      comorbidities that might increase the risk of pancreatitis above that of the
      general population.

PMID- 26282839
TI  - The pharmacokinetics and toxicity of morning vs. evening tobramycin dosing for
      pulmonary exacerbations of cystic fibrosis: A randomised comparison.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Circadian variation in renal toxicity of aminoglycosides has been
      demonstrated in animal and human studies. People with CF are frequently
      prescribed aminoglycosides. Altered pharmacokinetics of aminoglycosides are
      predictive of toxicity. AIM: To investigate whether the time of day of
      aminoglycoside administration modulates renal excretion of tobramycin and
      toxicity in children with CF. To determine whether circadian rhythms are
      disrupted in children with CF during hospital admission. METHODS: Children (age 5
      18years) with CF scheduled for tobramycin therapy were randomly allocated to
      receive tobramycin at 0800 or 2000h. Serum tobramycin levels were drawn at 1h and
      between 3.5 and 5h post-infusion between days 5 and 9 of therapy. Melatonin
      levels were measured serially at intervals from 1800h in the evening until 1200h
      on the next day. Circadian rhythm was categorised as normal when dim light
      melatonin onset was demonstrated between 1800 and 2200h and/or peak melatonin
      levels were observed during the night. Weight and spirometry were measured at the
      start and end of the therapy. Urinary biomarkers of kidney toxicity (KIM1, NAG,
      NGAL, IL-18 and CysC) were assayed at the start and end of the course of
      tobramycin. RESULTS: Eighteen children were recruited to the study. There were no
      differences in renal clearance between the morning and evening groups. The
      increase in urinary KIM-1 was greater in the evening dosage group compared to the
      morning group (mean difference, 0.73ng/mg; 95% CI, 0.14 to 1.32; p=0.018). There
      were no differences in the other urinary biomarkers. There was normal circadian
      rhythm in 7/11 participants (64%). CONCLUSIONS: Renal elimination of tobramycin
      was not affected by the time of day of administration. Urinary KIM-1 raises the
      possibility of greater nephrotoxicity with evening administration. Four children
      showed disturbed circadian rhythm and high melatonin levels (ClinicalTrials.gov
      NCT01207245).

PMID- 26282840
TI  - Development of fluconazole resistance in a series of Candida parapsilosis
      isolates from a persistent candidemia patient with prolonged antifungal therapy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Candida parapsilosis was the most common species causing candidemia
      in the 2010 China Hospital Invasive Fungal Surveillance Net (CHIF-NET) database.
      Compared to Candida albicans, the description of azole resistance and mechanisms
      in C. parapsilosis is very limited. We report a patient with C. parapsilosis
      candidemia over several months, due to a probable intravascular source, who
      developed fluconazole resistance after prolonged treatment. CASE PRESENTATION: An
      82 year-old male had a hospital admission of approximately 1.5 years duration. He
      was initially admitted with acute pancreatitis. Prior to succumbing to the
      illness, he developed candidemia and treated with three antifungal drugs for
      nearly 5 months, at suboptimal doses and without source control. Following
      treatment, 6 blood cultures were still positive for C. parapsilosis. The last 2
      strains were resistant to fluconazole (MICs 32 MUg/mL) and intermediate to
      voriconazole (MICs 0.5 MUg/mL). Microsatellite multilocus analysis indicated that
      the 6 isolates from the patient belonged to a single genotype. The first 4
      isolates were susceptible to fluconazole (MICs 2 MUg/mL) and voriconazole (MICs
      0.015-0.03 MUg/mL), which were slightly higher than susceptible control strains
      from other patients. Overexpression of MDR1 genes were detected in the two
      resistant isolates, and this was associated with a homozygous mutation in MRR1
      genes (T2957C /T2957C), with the amino acid exchange L986P. CONCLUSIONS: This
      case corroborates that the resistant C. parapsilosis isolates can emerge in the
      setting of complicated infections and the extensive use of antifungal agents,
      emphasizing the need for standardizing and improving the antifungal treatment as
      well as source control in the treatment of infection diseases.

PMID- 26282841
TI  - Effects of Polydopamine Functionalization on Boron Nitride Nanotube Dispersion
      and Cytocompatibility.
AB  - Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) have unique physical properties, of value in
      biomedical applications; however, their dispersion and functionalization
      represent a critical challenge in their successful employment as biomaterials. In
      the present study, we report a process for the efficient disentanglement of BNNTs
      via a dual surfactant/polydopamine (PD) process. High-resolution transmission
      electron microscopy (HR-TEM) indicated that individual BNNTs become coated with a
      uniform PD nanocoating, which significantly enhanced dispersion of BNNTs in
      aqueous solutions. Furthermore, the cytocompatibility of PD-coated BNNTs was
      assessed in vitro with cultured human osteoblasts (HOBs) at concentrations of 1,
      10, and 30 MUg/mL and over three time-points (24, 48, and 72 h). In this study it
      was demonstrated that PD-functionalized BNNTs become individually localized
      within the cytoplasm by endosomal escape and that concentrations of up to 30
      MUg/mL of PD-BNNTs were cytocompatible in HOBs cells following 72 h of exposure. 

PMID- 26282843
TI  - End of life care still requires improvement at nearly half of hospitals, report
      finds.

PMID- 26282842
TI  - The efficacy of a photolyase-based device on the cancerization field: a clinical
      and thermographic study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: At skin level, a cancerization field (CF) indicates some chronically
      photoexposed areas in which, besides a primary tumor, histological or
      biomolecular modifications without clinical signs are present. Active
      telethermography (ATT) allows us to observe the imaging of a hyperthermic halo
      (HH) surrounding the tumor . The Authors hypothesize HH as a possible expression
      of CF. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study were to verify whether HHs have the same
      histological or immunohistochemical characteristics as the CF and, secondly, to
      evaluate the efficacy of a device containing the enzyme photolyase in modifying
      thermographic parameters in these area. METHODS: The study included 30 patients
      affected by actinic keratosis, evaluated clinically and by ATT at time 0 and
      after 3, 6 and 9 months. RESULTS: The ATT showed the presence of HHs in all the
      patients and, after the treatment, a significant modification of both the
      extension of these areas and the thermal parameters. In 5 patients for whom,
      while operated, two other biopsies were performed, respectively on the HH and on
      a perilesional non-hyperthermic area, in the HH, we detected a p53 and Ki 67 over
      expression. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that ATT could represent a useful
      paraclinic method in identifying CFs in subjects at risk.

PMID- 26282844
TI  - Current genome editing tools in gene therapy: new approaches to treat cancer.
AB  - Gene therapy suggests a promising approach to treat genetic diseases by applying
      genes as pharmaceuticals. Cancer is a complex disease, which strongly depends on
      a particular genetic make-up and hence can be treated with gene therapy. From
      about 2,000 clinical trials carried out so far, more than 60% were cancer
      targeted. Development of precise and effective gene therapy approaches is
      intimately connected with achievements in the molecular biology techniques. The
      field of gene therapy was recently revolutionized by the introduction of
      "programmable" nucleases, including ZFNs, TALENs, and CRISPR, which target
      specific genomic loci with high efficacy and precision. Furthermore, when
      combined with DNA transposons for the delivery purposes into cells, these
      programmable nucleases represent a promising alternative to the conventional
      viral-mediated gene delivery. In addition to "programmable" nucleases, a new
      class of TALE- and CRISPR-based "artificial transcription effectors" has been
      developed to mediate precise regulation of specific genes. In sum, these new
      molecular tools may be used in a wide plethora of gene therapy strategies. This
      review highlights the current status of novel genome editing tools and discusses
      their suitability and perspectives in respect to cancer gene therapy studies. 

PMID- 26282846
TI  - Health Related Quality of Life and support needs for sub-arachnoid haemorrhage
      survivors in New South Wales Australia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) is commonly a devastating injury with
      long lasting physical and psychosocial consequences for survivors. Support after
      hospital discharge through chronic care services for this patient group is
      limited. This study aimed to measure Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) and
      needs of survivors after discharge from hospital. METHODS: A population of
      patients that were diagnosed with SAH were contacted, up to 2 years post
      discharge, to participate in a postal survey including the Short Stroke Specific
      Quality of Life Scale (SSQoL-12), a service utilisation questionnaire and
      attitudes towards participating in a support group. FINDINGS: There were 28
      responders. HRQoL was lowest in the psychosocial domain and particularly in
      relation to fatigue and memory. Most notably many responders indicated they
      wanted to be interviewed but a support group was not favoured with few responders
      (n=11) indicating interest with most in favour of a face to face format (n=10).
      CONCLUSIONS: HRQoL was reduced particularly in the psychosocial domain. Although
      there was low utilisation of support services in the post-acute care phase, these
      patients may benefit from greater opportunities to participate in both physical
      and psychosocial rehabilitation programs.

PMID- 26282845
TI  - Health allowance for improving the nutritional status and development of 3-5-year
      old left-behind children in poor rural areas of China: study protocol for a
      cluster randomised trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Left-behind children (LBC) are recognised as a new social group in
      China. LBC are young children who are abandoned in rural villages whilst their
      parents travel to distant urban centres for employment (a new generation of
      migrant workers). Following the rapid growth in the number of migrant workers,
      the LBC population is also rapidly increasing. These children are usually left to
      be raised by elderly grandparents, a single parent, or sometimes distant
      relatives or neighbours who have limited resources, tend to have a poor education
      and sometimes are in frail health. Over 40 % of the 61 million LBC in China who
      are under 5 years old are undernourished, which affects their long-term health
      and abilities. An intervention that combines a conditional cash transfer (CCT)
      with nutrition education offers a potential solution. METHODS/DESIGN: A cluster
      randomised controlled trial design will be used to allocate 40 villages to the
      intervention arm (20 villages) or control arm (20 villages). The caregivers and
      all of the 3-5-year-old LBC will be the target population. Caregivers in the
      intervention arm will receive a cash allowance conditional on attending nutrition
      education sessions, ensuring that the LBC will use basic public health services
      over a 12-month period. At the baseline, midterm (month 6) and end (month 12) of
      the intervention period, evaluations will be conducted in all 40 villages.
      Multilevel generalised linear models will be used to analyse the impact of the
      intervention on nutrition status and other outcomes, adjusting for baseline
      levels using an analysis of covariance approach. The cost of the intervention
      will also be estimated. DISCUSSION: If found to be cost-effective, the findings
      will inform the development of a sustainable model to improve nutrition status
      among LBC in rural areas of China. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Trial Register
      (ChiCTR) identifier: CTXY-140003-2 . Registered on 19 Aug 2014.

PMID- 26282847
TI  - Improving the feline veterinary consultation: the usefulness of Feliway spray in
      reducing cats' stress.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Going to the veterinary clinic is a stressful experience for most
      cats as they feel threatened when entering a new and confined environment. The
      aim of this research was to investigate if Feliway spray, when used on the table
      in the consultation room, can decrease cats' stress and ease their handling.
      METHODS: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was
      developed, using a total sample of 87 cats of both sexes, castrated or intact, of
      any breed, aged >26 weeks. A Feliway spray and a placebo solution spray were
      tested in two different consultation rooms. During the first phase, Feliway spray
      was applied to the examination table of one room and the placebo spray in the
      other. After a washout period of 15 days the spray allocation was switched. After
      the first 15 mins of general questioning and physical examination carried out by
      the veterinarian, the observer assessed the stress levels of the cats based on a
      seven-level 'cat stress score', and the ease of handling based on a five-point
      'scale of handling' developed by the authors. RESULTS: The study demonstrated
      that the use of Feliway spray leads to significant (P = 0.01) differences in
      cats' usual behaviour, according to their owners. With regard to stress, animals
      exposed to Feliway spray showed significantly lower stress levels than those
      treated with placebo (P = 0.02). Regarding the scale of handling, the scoring did
      not differ significantly between cats under the effect of Feliway spray and cats
      receiving placebo (P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This research shows that
      the use of Feliway spray on the examination table improves the welfare of cats by
      reducing their stress during veterinary consultations. Feliway spray
      significantly changed the behaviour of the cats in this study, and offers a
      simple and effective way to help decrease stress in cats during the consultation.

PMID- 26282848
TI  - Aiweixin, a traditional Uyghur medicinal formula, protects against chromium
      toxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Aiweixin (AWX) is a traditional Uyghur medicine prescription, and has
      been mainly used to treat heart and brain diseases for a long time. Previous
      studies indicated that AWX had therapeutic effects in a rat model of myocardial
      ischemia reperfusion injury. In this study, we investigate whether AWX has
      protective effects against chromium toxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans (C.
      elegans). METHODS: The AWX decoction was the conventional product for clinical
      use. It was added into M9 buffer in a certain volume for the treatment to the
      wild-type C. elegans and mutational worms, daf-16, glp-1(notch), daf-2, rsks-1
      and eat-2. Assays for hexavalent chromium {Cr(VI)} stress and reactive oxygen
      species (ROS) production were used. RESULTS: We found that AWX at moderate
      contents (0.083, 0.1, 0.125 volume of AWX/total volume) increased resistance of
      C. elegans to Cr(VI) exposure, although higher contents of AWX are toxic for C.
      elegans. The protective effect of AWX was DAF-16-dependent, but independent on
      the DAF-2, GLP-1, RSKS-1 and EAT-2. AWX (0.1 volume of AWX/total volume)
      significantly reduced ROS production of C. elegans induced by Cr(VI) exposure.
      CONCLUSION: These results indicated the AWX protected against the toxicity of
      Cr(VI) in C. elegans, and the oxidative stress protective mechanism in worms
      should be involved.

PMID- 26282849
TI  - High-Resolution Manometry Evaluation of the Pharynx and Upper Esophageal
      Sphincter Motility in Patients with Achalasia.
AB  - The motility of the pharynx and upper esophageal sphincter (UES) is still poorly
      understood. It is also unclear if the motility of this area may be compromised in
      patients with achalasia. This study aims to evaluate the motility of the pharynx,
      UES, and proximal esophagus in patients with esophageal achalasia. Sixty patients
      with achalasia underwent high-resolution manometry (HRM) (52 % females, mean age
      54 years). Esophageal dilatation was classified according to the radiologic
      diameter in Type I (<4 cm): 6 %; Type II (4-7 cm): 36 %; Type III (7-10 cm): 34
      %; and Type IV (>10 cm): 24 %. HRM classified 43 % of the patients as Chicago
      Type I and 57 % as Type II. Manometric parameters were compared to normal values
      obtained from a previous study in volunteers. The motility of the velopharynx
      showed short, premature, and hypertonic contraction. The epiglottis also showed
      hypertonic contraction. The UES had increased residual pressure. Chicago
      classification Type II patients had higher UES residual pressure (p = 0.03). The
      degree of esophageal dilatation did not correlate with manometric parameters.
      Achalasia may affect the motility of the pharyngo-upper esophageal area. The
      changes observed may represent functional alterations to prevent aspiration,
      especially in patients with Chicago classification Type II achalasia. 

PMID- 26282850
TI  - Role and Operative Technique of Portal Venous Tumor Thrombectomy in Patients with
      Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Venous tumor thrombi have been reported in as many as 33 % of
      patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs). Surgical thrombectomy is
      often used to manage tumor thrombi that develop in association with cancers of
      the liver or kidney. We have likewise used thrombectomy to extract portal venous
      tumor thrombi in selected cases of pNET. METHODS: We describe all cases of portal
      venous thrombectomy that were performed at our institution between 2007 and 2014
      and illustrate the thrombectomy techniques we used in detail. In addition, we
      report the results of a PubMed search for English-language articles that were
      published between 1990 and 2014 and that described surgical therapy for portal
      venous thrombus developing in association with pNETs. RESULTS: Among 245 patients
      with pNET that underwent pancreatectomy at our institution, 26 (11 %) patients
      required surgical management of tumor involvement of the portal vein or its
      tributaries concomitant with pancreatectomy, including 9 (3.8 %) patients who
      underwent portal venous tumor thrombectomy. Eight cases describing surgical
      management of tumor thrombus including two additional cases of portal venous
      tumor thrombectomy were identified in the medical literature. Among patients with
      pNET who underwent thrombectomy at our institution, all nine had non-functioning
      tumors and eight (89 %) had tumors of the body and/or tail of the pancreas. Six
      (67 %) were treated with systemic therapy prior to pancreatectomy. Seven (78 %)
      patients are alive at a median follow-up of 33 months (range 3 to 97).
      CONCLUSION: Venous tumor thrombectomy may be used to safely and effectively
      extract thrombi from the portal venous system in selected patients with advanced
      pNET concomitant with pancreatectomy.

PMID- 26282851
TI  - SILS v SILS+1: a Case-Matched Comparison for Colorectal Surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) is safe and feasible for
      benign and malignant colorectal diseases. SILS has comparable or improved
      outcomes compared to multiport laparoscopy but technical limitations when
      operating in the pelvis. To address these limitations, we developed an innovative
      SILS+1 approach using a single Pfannenstiel incision for pelvis access with one
      additional umbilical port. Our goal was to compare outcomes for SILS and SILS+1
      in lower abdominal and pelvic colorectal surgery. METHODS: Review of a
      prospectively maintained database identified patients who underwent an elective
      reduced port laparoscopic lower abdominal/pelvic colorectal procedure from 2009
      to 2014. Cases were stratified by approach: SILS versus SILS+1 then matched 1:2
      on age, gender, body mass index (BMI), comorbidity, and procedure. Demographic,
      perioperative, and postoperative outcome variables were evaluated. The main
      outcome measures were operative time, conversion rate, length of stay,
      complication, morbidity, and mortality rates. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-two
      reduced port AR/LAR patients were evaluated-44 SILS and 88 SILS+1. The groups
      were similar in age, gender, BMI, and ASA class. The primary diagnosis in both
      cohorts was diverticulitis (90.9 % SILS, 87.5 % SILS+1), and main procedure
      performed an anterior rectosigmoidectomy (86.4 % SILS, 88.2 % SILS+1).
      Significantly more SILS+1 patients had previous abdominal surgery (p = 0.01). The
      operative time was significantly shorter in SILS+1 (mean 166.6 [SD 48.4] vs.
      178.0 [SD 70.0], p = 0.03). The conversion rate to multiport or open surgery was
      also significantly lower with SILS+1 compared to SILS (1.1 vs. 11.4 %, p = 0.02).
      Postoperatively, the length of stay across the groups was similar. SILS trended
      towards higher complication and readmission rates (NS). There were no unplanned
      reoperations or mortality in either group. CONCLUSIONS: SILS+1 facilitates pelvic
      and lower abdominal colorectal surgery, with shorter operative times and lower
      conversion rates. The additional port improved visualization and outcomes without
      any impact on length of stay, readmission, or complication rates.

PMID- 26282852
TI  - Role of Slit2/Robo1 in trophoblast invasion and vascular remodeling during
      ectopic tubal pregnancy.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: For ectopic tubal pregnancy to be viable, it requires a supporting
      vascular network and functioning trophoblast. Slit2/Robo1 signaling plays an
      important role in placental angiogenesis during normal pregnancy. Hence, we here
      investigated whether or not Slit2/Robo1 signaling also had an impact in ectopic
      tubal pregnancy. METHODS: The Slit2 and Robo1 expression pattern relevant to
      trophoblast invasive behavior and vascular remodeling was studied in human tubal
      placenta obtained from patients with ectopic pregnancy (5-8weeks gestation), The
      trophoblast development, vascular architecture and Robo1 expression pattern were
      observed in Slit2 overexpression (Slit2-Tg) and C57BL mice placenta (E13.5 and
      E15.5). RESULTS: Marked with CK-7 and Vimentin, the vessel profiles of fallopian
      tube were classified into four stages. In the presence of extravillous
      trophoblast (EVT), stellate-shaped and polygonal-shaped EVTs were observed, and
      the stellate-shaped EVT showed the higher Slit2 expression (P < 0.01) but lower
      Robo1 expression (P < 0.05) than polygonal-shaped cells. By contrast, a temporary
      Slit2 up-regulation in remodeling vessel and Slit2 down-regulation in remodeled
      vessel of polygonal-shape extravillous trophoblast cells occurred in tubal
      pregnancies. In Slit2-Tg mice E13.5 and E15.5 placenta, Slit2 overexpression
      promoted vascular remodeling by increasing in the diameter of the maternal blood
      sinusoids and fetal capillaries, but enhanced the thickness of trophoblast and
      vasculature at E15.5 Slit2-Tg mice. CONCLUSIONS: The varying Slit2 and Robo1
      expression in EVTs was associated with trophoblast invasion and probably plays an
      important role in the events of blood vessel remodeling of the fallopian tube
      tissues.

PMID- 26282853
TI  - The contribution of Toll-like receptors to placental inflammation in diet-induced
      maternal obesity.
AB  - Toll-like receptor (TLR)-regulated protein kinases and inflammatory cytokines
      were activated in fetal vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) treated with
      palmitate. Tumor necrosis factor (TNFalpha) and interleukin-6 (IL6) were
      increased and correlated with expression of TLRs in the labyrinth placentae of
      high fat (HF)-fed rats with increased plasma lipids and visceral adiposity. Thus,
      local induction of TLR signaling via saturated fatty acids (SFA) may in part
      contribute to placental inflammation in diet-induced maternal obesity. 

PMID- 26282854
TI  - Transcriptional analysis of immune-related gene expression in p53-deficient mice
      with increased susceptibility to influenza A virus infection.
AB  - BACKGROUND: p53 is a tumor suppressor that contributes to the host immune
      response against viral infections in addition to its well-established protective
      role against cancer development. In response to influenza A virus (IAV)
      infection, p53 is activated and plays an essential role in inhibiting IAV
      replication. As a transcription factor, p53 regulates the expression of a range
      of downstream responsive genes either directly or indirectly in response to viral
      infection. We compared the expression profiles of immune-related genes between
      IAV-infected wild-type p53 (p53WT) and p53-deficient (p53KO) mice to gain an
      insight into the basis of p53-mediated antiviral response. METHODS: p53KO and
      p53WT mice were infected with influenza A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 (PR8) strain.
      Clinical symptoms and body weight changes were monitored daily. Lung specimens of
      IAV-infected mice were collected for analysis of virus titers and gene expression
      profiles. The difference in immune-related gene expression levels between IAV
      infected p53KO and p53WT mice was comparatively determined using microarray
      analysis and confirmed by quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase
      chain reaction. RESULTS: p53KO mice showed an increased susceptibility to IAV
      infection compared to p53WT mice. Microarray analysis of gene expression profiles
      in the lungs of IAV-infected mice indicated that the increased susceptibility was
      associated with significantly changed expression levels in a range of immune
      related genes in IAV-infected p53KO mice. A significantly attenuated expression
      of Ifng (encoding interferon (IFN)-gamma), Irf7 (encoding IFN regulator factor
      7), and antiviral genes, such as Mx2 and Eif2ak2 (encoding PKR), were observed in
      IAV-infected p53KO mice, suggesting an impaired IFN-mediated immune response
      against IAV infection in the absence of p53. In addition, dysregulated expression
      levels of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, such as Ccl2 (encoding MCP
      1), Cxcl9, Cxcl10 (encoding IP-10), and Tnf, were detected in IAV-infected p53KO
      mice during early IAV infection, reflecting an aberrant inflammatory response.
      CONCLUSION: Lack of p53 resulted in the impaired expression of genes involved in
      IFN signaling and the dysregulated expression of cytokine and chemokine genes in
      IAV-infected mice, suggesting an essential role of p53 in the regulation of
      antiviral and inflammatory responses during IAV infection.

PMID- 26282856
TI  - Violating body movement semantics: Neural signatures of self-generated and
      external-generated errors.
AB  - How do we recognize ourselves as the agents of our actions? Do we use the same
      error detection mechanisms to monitor self-generated vs. externally imposed
      actions? Using event-related brain potentials (ERPs), we identified two different
      error-monitoring loops involved in providing a coherent sense of the agency of
      our actions. In the first ERP experiment, the participants were embodied in a
      virtual body (avatar) while performing an error-prone fast reaction time task.
      Crucially, in certain trials, participants were deceived regarding their own
      actions, i.e., the avatar movement did not match the participant's movement. Self
      generated real errors and false (avatar) errors showed very different ERP
      signatures and with different processing latencies: while real errors showed a
      classical frontal-central error-related negativity (Ne/ERN), peaking 100ms after
      error commission, false errors elicited a larger and delayed parietal negative
      component (at about 350-400ms). The violation of the sense of agency elicited by
      false avatar errors showed a strong similarity to ERP signatures related to
      semantic or conceptual violations (N400 component). In a follow-up ERP control
      experiment, a subset of the same participants merely acted as observers of the
      avatar correct and error movements. This experimental situation did not elicit
      the N400 component associated with agency violation. Thus, the results show a
      clear neural dissociation between internal and external error-monitoring loops
      responsible for distinguishing our self-generated errors from those imposed
      externally, opening new avenues for the study of the mental processes underlying
      the integration of internal and sensory feedback information while being actors
      of our own actions.

PMID- 26282857
TI  - Does personalized medicine exist and can you test it in a clinical trial?
AB  - The idea that different patients will respond differently to the same treatment
      is not new. The recent advances in genomics and laboratory medicine have led to
      the hope that it will be possible to maximize the benefit and minimize the harms
      of each medical therapy by using an individuals' biomarker status to
      'personalize' their treatment. The selection of treatment for each individual
      would then be determined, not just by their disease status (or an estimate of the
      risk of developing a disease or disease progression), but also by their genetic
      makeup or by other measurable characteristics, such as the level of a particular
      biomarker in the blood. This review discusses the extent to which personalized
      medicine might be applied in stroke, and the implications for global stroke
      health care. 

PMID- 26282855
TI  - Multimodal connectivity of motor learning-related dorsal premotor cortex.
AB  - The dorsal premotor cortex (dPMC) is a key region for motor learning and
      sensorimotor integration, yet we have limited understanding of its functional
      interactions with other regions. Previous work has started to examine functional
      connectivity in several brain areas using resting state functional connectivity
      (RSFC) and meta-analytical connectivity modelling (MACM). More recently,
      structural covariance (SC) has been proposed as a technique that may also allow
      delineation of functional connectivity. Here, we applied these three approaches
      to provide a comprehensive characterization of functional connectivity with a
      seed in the left dPMC that a previous meta-analysis of functional neuroimaging
      studies has identified as playing a key role in motor learning. Using data from
      two sources (the Rockland sample, containing resting state data and anatomical
      scans from 132 participants, and the BrainMap database, which contains peak
      activation foci from over 10,000 experiments), we conducted independent whole
      brain functional connectivity mapping analyses of a dPMC seed. RSFC and MACM
      revealed similar connectivity maps spanning prefrontal, premotor, and parietal
      regions, while the SC map identified more widespread frontal regions. Analyses
      indicated a relatively consistent pattern of functional connectivity between RSFC
      and MACM that was distinct from that identified by SC. Notably, results indicate
      that the seed is functionally connected to areas involved in visuomotor control
      and executive functions, suggesting that the dPMC acts as an interface between
      motor control and cognition. 

PMID- 26282858
TI  - Endogenous murine leukemia retroviral variation across wild European and inbred
      strains of house mouse.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Endogenous murine leukemia retroviruses (MLVs) are high copy number
      proviral elements difficult to comprehensively characterize using standard low
      throughput sequencing approaches. However, high throughput approaches generate
      data that is challenging to process, interpret and present. RESULTS: Next
      generation sequencing (NGS) data was generated for MLVs from two wild caught Mus
      musculus domesticus (from mainland France and Corsica) and for inbred laboratory
      mouse strains C3H, LP/J and SJL. Sequence reads were grouped using a novel
      sequence clustering approach as applied to retroviral sequences. A Markov cluster
      algorithm was employed, and the sequence reads were queried for matches to
      specific xenotropic (Xmv), polytropic (Pmv) and modified polytropic (Mpmv) viral
      reference sequences. CONCLUSIONS: Various MLV subtypes were more widespread than
      expected among the mice, which may be due to the higher coverage of NGS, or to
      the presence of similar sequence across many different proviral loci. The results
      did not correlate with variation in the major MLV receptor Xpr1, which can
      restrict exogenous MLVs, suggesting that endogenous MLV distribution may reflect
      gene flow more than past resistance to infection.

PMID- 26282859
TI  - The challenge of sustaining effectiveness over time: the case of the global
      network to stop tuberculosis.
AB  - Where once global health decisions were largely the domain of national
      governments and the World Health Organization, today networks of international
      organizations, governments, private philanthropies and other entities are
      actively shaping public policy. However, there is still limited understanding of
      how global networks form, how they create institutions, how they promote and
      sustain collective action, and how they adapt to changes in the policy
      environment. Understanding these processes is crucial to understanding their
      effectiveness: whether and how global networks influence policy and public health
      outcomes. This study seeks to address these gaps through the examination of the
      global network to stop tuberculosis (TB) and the factors influencing its
      effectiveness over time. Drawing from ~ 200 document sources and 16 interviews
      with key informants, we trace the development of the Global Partnership to Stop
      TB and its work over the past decade. We find that having a centralized core
      group and a strategic brand helped the network to coalesce around a primary
      intervention strategy, directly observed treatment short course. This strategy
      was created before the network was formalized, and helped bring in donors,
      ministries of health and other organizations committed to fighting TB-growing the
      network. Adaptations to this strategy, the creation of a consensus-based Global
      Plan, and the creation of a variety of participatory venues for discussion,
      helped to expand and sustain the network. Presently, however, tensions have
      become more apparent within the network as it struggles with changing internal
      political dynamics and the evolution of the disease. While centralization and
      stability helped to launch and grow the network, the institutionalization of
      governance and strategy may have constrained adaptation. Institutionalization and
      centralization may, therefore, facilitate short-term success for networks, but
      may end up complicating longer-term effectiveness.

PMID- 26282860
TI  - Participatory planning of a primary care service for people with severe mental
      disorders in rural Ethiopia.
AB  - Little is understood about the feasibility and acceptability of primary care
      based models of task-sharing care for people with severe mental disorders (SMDs)
      in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). A participatory planning approach
      was adopted in preparation for the transition from hospital-delivered psychiatric
      care for SMD to a primary care-based, task-sharing model in a rural Ethiopian
      community. In this article, we present findings from community consultation
      meetings (n = 4), focus group discussions (n = 7) and in-depth interviews (n =
      11) with key stakeholders (healthcare administrators and providers, caregivers,
      service-users and community leaders) which were carried out over a 2-year period
      in the context of ongoing dialogue with the community. The principle of local
      delivery of mental health services was agreed upon by all stakeholder groups. Key
      reasons for supporting local delivery were increased access for the majority due
      to proximity, reduced cost and reduced stress related to transportation. However,
      acceptance of the new service was qualified by concerns about the competence of
      staff to deliver a comprehensive and dependable service of equal quality to that
      currently provided at the hospital. Adequate training and support, as well as
      ensuring consistency of medication supply were identified as key components to
      ensure success. Encouragingly, our results suggest that there is significant
      support for the service change and an interest for the mobilization of community
      resources to support this. One of the study strengths was that we were able to
      present the different perspectives of multiple stakeholder groups. By nesting the
      study in an ongoing community-based cohort of people with SMD we were able to
      interview a more representative and empowered group of caregivers and service
      users than is often available in LMICs. Despite this, the extent to which service
      users are able to express their opinions is likely limited by their marginalized
      role in rural Ethiopian society. 

PMID- 26282862
TI  - Defective Self-Renewal and Differentiation of GBA-Deficient Neural Stem Cells Can
      Be Restored By Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor.
AB  - Gaucher disease (GD) is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder caused
      by mutations in the glucocerebrosidase gene (GBA), which encodes the lysosomal
      enzyme glucosylceramidase (GCase). Deficiency in GCase leads to characteristic
      visceral pathology and lethal neurological manifestations in some patients.
      Investigations into neurogenesis have suggested that neurodegenerative disorders,
      such as GD, could be overcome or at least ameliorated by the generation of new
      neurons. Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) are potential
      candidates for use in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders because of
      their ability to promote neurogenesis. Our objective was to examine the mechanism
      of neurogenesis by BM-MSCs in GD. We found that neural stem cells (NSCs) derived
      from a neuronopathic GD model exhibited decreased ability for self-renewal and
      neuronal differentiation. Co-culture of GBA-deficient NSCs with BM-MSCs resulted
      in an enhanced capacity for self-renewal, and an increased ability for
      differentiation into neurons or oligodendrocytes. Enhanced proliferation and
      neuronal differentiation of GBA-deficient NSCs was associated with elevated
      release of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) from BM-MSCs. Our
      findings suggest that soluble M-CSF derived from BM-MSCs can modulate GBA
      deficient NSCs, resulting in their improved proliferation and neuronal
      differentiation. 

PMID- 26282863
TI  - Association between sesamoiditis, subclinical ultrasonographic suspensory
      ligament branch change and subsequent clinical injury in yearling Thoroughbreds.
AB  - REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Sesamoiditis is a common radiological finding in
      yearling Thoroughbreds. The condition is believed to be associated with
      suspensory ligament branch injury (SLBI), which is known to affect racing
      performance. The presence of subclinical suspensory ligament branch change
      (SSLBC) in untrained yearlings has not been investigated. Associations between
      sesamoiditis, SSLBC and subsequent SLBI would allow more accurate prognoses to be
      made regarding the development of SLBI. They could also provide opportunity for
      intervention and prevention of SLBI. OBJECTIVES: To test our hypotheses that
      untrained yearling Thoroughbreds with sesamoiditis would be more likely to have
      ultrasonographic findings of SSLBC and those horses with concurrent sesamoiditis
      and SSLBC would be more likely to develop clinical suspensory ligament branch
      injury with training. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, cohort, observational study.
      METHODS: Yearling Thoroughbreds located at a single training centre were
      evaluated at the onset of their training careers and for the next 9 months.
      Radiographic and ultrasonographic examination of bilateral forelimb proximal
      sesamoid bones and suspensory ligament branches was performed. RESULTS: Fifty
      horses were eligible, resulting in 200 forelimb sesamoid/suspensory ligament
      branch pairs. A significant relationship existed between possibly significant
      (PS) sesamoiditis and PS SSLBC (P<0.001). The odds ratio of sesamoids with PS
      sesamoiditis also demonstrating concurrent PS SSLBC was 5.1 (95% confidence
      interval 2.68-9.70, P<0.001). A significant relationship also existed between the
      concurrent presence of PS sesamoiditis and PS SSLBC and the subsequent
      development of clinical signs of SLBI (P<0.001, odds ratio 11.7, 95% confidence
      interval 4.1-33.4). CONCLUSIONS: The associations identified in this study
      highlight the importance of ultrasonographic examination of suspensory ligament
      branches in horses with PS sesamoiditis. This information should allow more
      accurate prognostic advice regarding potential SLBI development and also provide
      opportunities for intervention and prevention of clinical SLBI. THE SUMMARY IS
      AVAILABLE IN CHINESE - SEE SUPPORTING INFORMATION.

PMID- 26282864
TI  - Correlates of unmet needs and psychological distress in adolescent and young
      adults who have a parent diagnosed with cancer.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Young people who have a parent with cancer experience elevated levels
      of psychological distress and unmet needs. In this study, we examined the
      associations between demographics, cancer variables and family functioning and
      levels of distress and unmet needs amongst young people who have a parent
      diagnosed with cancer. METHODS: Young people aged 12-24 years with a parent with
      cancer (n = 255) completed the Offspring Cancer Needs Instrument (unmet needs),
      the Kessler-10 (distress) and the Family Relationship Index (family functioning),
      along with measures of demographics and cancer variables (such as age, sex and
      time since cancer diagnosis). Variables associated with distress and unmet needs
      (including unmet need domains) were assessed using multiple linear regression.
      RESULTS: Being female and older, having more unmet cancer needs and poorer family
      functioning were associated with increased distress. Having a father with cancer,
      a shorter time since diagnosis and poor family functioning were associated with
      increased unmet needs. Family conflict and expressiveness were particularly
      important components of family functioning. Having a parent relapse with cancer
      was also associated with unmet needs in the domains of practical assistance,
      'time out' and support from other young people who have been through something
      similar. CONCLUSIONS: Delineating factors associated with increased distress and
      unmet needs assist in identifying at-risk young people allowing improved
      assessment and tailoring of support to improve the psychosocial outcomes of young
      people impacted by parental cancer.

PMID- 26282865
TI  - Individual experiences following a 6-month exercise intervention: A qualitative
      study.
AB  - PURPOSE: Dropout is a common problem in various exercise interventions. The
      individual's experience is believed to greatly impact dropout, yet little is
      known about the individual experiences of taking part in exercise interventions.
      The aim of this study was to examine individuals' experiences following a self
      determination theory-based exercise intervention in order to gain understanding
      of how standardized interventions can be adjusted to fit individuals' specific
      needs, capacities, and circumstances. METHODS: A qualitative approach with semi
      structured interviews was conducted with eight informants (three male and five
      female) aged between 26 and 47 years, whom all had participated in a 6-month
      exercise intervention with individual coaching based on self-determination theory
      and motivational interviewing. The interviews were analyzed thematically with an
      inductive approach. RESULTS: Aspects that influenced the informants' motivation
      and participation in the exercise intervention were linked to three themes: the
      frames of the intervention, measurable changes, and the individual's context. The
      themes present information about the process and to what extent the informants
      felt that the intervention was adapted to fit their lives and needs. CONCLUSIONS:
      This study emphasizes the importance of individualizing exercise interventions to
      support individuals' diverse capacities and psychological needs.

PMID- 26282866
TI  - Orthorexia nervosa: An integrative literature review of a lifestyle syndrome.
AB  - Bratman first proposed orthorexia nervosa in the late 1990s, defining it an
      obsession with eating healthy food to achieve, for instance, improved health.
      Today, in the Swedish media, excessive exercising plays a central role in
      relation to orthorexia. A few review articles on orthorexia have been conducted;
      however, these have not focused on aspects of food and eating, sport, exercise,
      or a societal perspective. The overall aim of this study was to provide an
      overview and synthesis of what philosophies of science approaches form the
      current academic framework of orthorexia. Key questions were: What aspects of
      food and eating are related to orthorexia? What role do exercise and sports play
      in relation to orthorexia? In what ways are orthorexia contextualized?
      Consequently, the concept of healthism was used to discuss and contextualize
      orthorexia. The method used was an integrative literature review; the material
      covered 19 empirical and theoretical articles published in peer-reviewed
      journals. This review demonstrates a multifaceted nature of orthorexia research;
      this field has been examined from four different philosophies of science
      approaches (i.e., empirical-atomistic, empirical-atomistic with elements of
      empirical-holistic, empirical-holistic, and rational-holistic) on individual,
      social, and societal levels. The majority of the articles followed an empirical
      atomistic approach that focused on orthorexia as an individual issue, which was
      discussed using healthism. Our analysis indicates a need for (a) more empirical
      holistic research that applies interpretive qualitative methods and uses a social
      perspective of health, e.g., healthism and (b) examining the role of sports and
      exercise in relation to orthorexia that takes the problematizing of "orthorexic
      behaviours" within the sports context into account. 

PMID- 26282867
TI  - "I tried so many diets, now I want to do it differently" - A single case study on
      coaching for weight loss.
AB  - In this single case study, the author presented an in-depth description and
      analysis of a coaching intervention with focus on weight loss, conducted over 10
      sessions in the course of 17 months. The client was a well-educated woman in her
      late 30s, who had tried many different forms of dieting over the years-with
      little and no lasting effect. In his coaching approach, the author went beyond a
      pure behavioural change model, that is, based on the Health Belief Model, and
      tried to take a whole-life perspective, where the client learned to link specific
      events and habits in her work life and everyday life with specific eating habits.
      In their collaborative practice, coach and coachee initiated changes both in
      regard to diet, physical activity, and healthy life style, in general. In a
      theoretical section, the change in understanding with regard to overeating was
      presented. Finally, an intra-active model-viewing the client as a self-reflective
      individual-was used as theoretical basis. A narrative analysis of the first
      session and a cross-session examination was presented to show, analyse, and
      understand the procedure of the coaching approach. Finally, the voice of the
      coachee was heard in regard to her personal experiences during the process. The
      data material was based on audio recordings of selected sessions, notes written
      by the coach from every session, and final written reflections by the coachee. 

PMID- 26282868
TI  - Understanding physical activity participation in spinal cord injured populations:
      Three narrative types for consideration.
AB  - The aim of this study was to identity the types of physical activity narratives
      drawn upon by active spinal injured people. More than 50 h of semi-structured
      life-story interview data, collected as part of larger interdisciplinary program
      of disability lifestyle research, was analysed for 30 physically active male and
      female spinal cord injury (SCI) participants. A structural narrative analysis of
      data identified three narrative types which people with SCI draw on: (1) exercise
      is restitution, (2) exercise is medicine, and (3) exercise is progressive
      redemption. These insights contribute new knowledge by adding a unique narrative
      perspective to existing cognitive understanding of physical activity behaviour in
      the spinal cord injured population. The implications of this narrative typology
      for developing effective positive behavioural change interventions are critically
      discussed. It is concluded that the identified narratives types may be
      constitutive, as well as reflective, of physical activity experiences and
      therefore may be a useful tool on which to base physical activity promotion
      initiatives. 

PMID- 26282869
TI  - Future challenges for intervention research in health and lifestyle research - A
      systematic meta-literature review.
AB  - The overall aim of this systematic meta-literature review was to (1) summarize
      the findings of review studies focusing on health determinants, (2) give an
      overview of intervention studies that have been used to facilitate health and
      lifestyle, and (3) provide recommendations for future studies in health
      promotion. A literature review, using a meta-method, was conducted to identify
      health and lifestyle research based on research articles related to health
      changes. The search yielded a total of 561 unique citations and finally 24
      citations remained. Of those, 11 studies focused on health determinants, whereas
      13 focused on interventions for health promotion. Results from this meta
      synthesis led to four recommendations for the design of future intervention
      studies. (1) To increase the likelihood of capturing different biopsychosocial
      aspects of health, researchers from different scientific disciplines should
      collaborate in the design, implementation, and evaluation of the study. (2) It is
      recommended to use theoretical frameworks that focus on health determinants in
      longitudinal studies with a repeated measures design. (3) Studies should involve
      behavioral interventions. (4) Design face-to-face intervention studies where the
      participant can interact with other persons. 

PMID- 26282870
TI  - Parent participation plays an important part in promoting physical activity.
AB  - Although physical activity (PA) is an important and modifiable determinant of
      health, in Sweden only 15% of boys and 10% of girls aged 15 years old achieve the
      recommended levels of PA 7 days per week. Adolescents' PA levels are associated
      with social influence exerted by parents, friends, and teachers. The purpose of
      this study was to describe parents' experiences of being a part of their
      adolescents' empowerment-inspired PA intervention. A qualitative interview study
      was performed at a school in the northern part of Sweden. A total of 10 parents
      were interviewed, and the collected data were analyzed with qualitative content
      analysis. Three subthemes were combined into one main theme, demonstrating that
      parents are one important part of a successful PA intervention. The life of an
      adolescent has many options and demands that make it difficult to prioritize PA.
      Although parents felt that they were important in supporting their adolescent, a
      successful PA intervention must have multiple components. Moreover, the parents
      noted that the intervention had a positive effect upon not only their
      adolescents', but also their own PA. Interventions aimed at promoting PA among
      adolescents should include measures to stimulate parent participation, have an
      empowerment approach, and preferably be school-based. 

PMID- 26282871
TI  - Editorial to the QHW thematic cluster "Health, Physical Activity and Lifestyle".

PMID- 26282872
TI  - Evaluating betterment projects.
AB  - In the past decade Australia has experienced a series of large-scale, severe
      natural disasters including catastrophic bushfires, widespread and repeated
      flooding, and intense storms and cyclones. There appears to be a prima facie case
      for rebuilding damaged infrastructure to a more disaster resilient (that is, to
      'betterment') standard. The purpose of this paper is to develop and illustrate a
      consistent and readily applied method for advancing proposals for the betterment
      of essential public assets, which can be used by governments at all levels to
      determine the net benefits of such proposals. Case study results demonstrate that
      betterment investments have the potential to deliver a positive economic return
      across a range of asset types and regions. Results, however, are highly sensitive
      to underlying assumptions; in particular the probability of the natural disaster
      affecting the infrastructure in the absence of betterment. 

PMID- 26282873
TI  - An evaluation of the Kinect-Ed presentation, a motivating nutrition and cooking
      intervention for young adolescents in grades 6-8.
AB  - Recently, public health messaging has included having more family meals and
      involving young adolescents (YAs) with meal preparation to improve healthful
      diets and family dinner frequency (FDF). Kinect-Ed, a motivational nutrition
      education presentation was created to encourage YAs (grades 6-8) to help with
      meal preparation and ultimately improve FDF. The purpose of this study was to
      evaluate the Kinect-Ed presentation, with the goals of the presentation being to
      improve self-efficacy for cooking (SE), food preparation techniques (TECH), food
      preparation frequency (PREP), family meal attitudes and behaviours, and
      ultimately increase FDF. A sample of YAs (n = 219) from Southern Ontario, Canada,
      completed pre- and postpresentation surveys, measuring FDF, PREP, SE, and TECH.
      Kinect-Ed successfully improved participants' FDF (p < 0.01), PREP (p < 0.01), SE
      (p < 0.01), and TECH (<0.01). Overall, goals of the presentation were met.
      Encouraging YAs to help prepare meals and get involved in the kitchen may reduce
      the time needed from parents to prepare meals, and, in turn, allow more time for
      frequent family dinners. 

PMID- 26282874
TI  - Conflict of interest and signal interference lead to the breakdown of honest
      signaling.
AB  - Animals use signals to coordinate a wide range of behaviors, from feeding
      offspring to predator avoidance. This poses an evolutionary problem, because
      individuals could potentially signal dishonestly to coerce others into behaving
      in ways that benefit the signaler. Theory suggests that honest signaling is
      favored when individuals share a common interest and signals carry reliable
      information. Here, we exploit the opportunities offered by bacterial signaling to
      test these predictions with an experimental evolution approach. We show that: (1)
      reduced relatedness leads to the relative breakdown of signaling, (2) signaling
      breaks down by the invasion of mutants that show both reduced signaling and
      reduced response to signal, (3) the genetic route to signaling breakdown is
      variable, and (4) the addition of artificial signal, to interfere with signal
      information, also leads to reduced signaling. Our results provide clear support
      for signaling theory, but we did not find evidence for previously predicted
      coercion at intermediate relatedness, suggesting that mechanistic details can
      alter the qualitative nature of specific predictions. Furthermore, populations
      evolved under low relatedness caused less mortality to insect hosts, showing how
      signal evolution in bacterial pathogens can drive the evolution of virulence in
      the opposite direction to that often predicted by theory. 

PMID- 26282875
TI  - Phospholipase D2 drives mortality in sepsis by inhibiting neutrophil
      extracellular trap formation and down-regulating CXCR2.
AB  - We determined the function of phospholipase D2 (PLD2) in host defense in highly
      lethal mouse models of sepsis using PLD2(-/-) mice and a PLD2-specific inhibitor.
      PLD2 deficiency not only increases survival but also decreases vital organ damage
      during experimental sepsis. Production of several inflammatory cytokines (TNF, IL
      1beta, IL-17, and IL-23) and the chemokine CXCL1, as well as cellular apoptosis
      in immune tissues, kidney, and liver, are markedly decreased in PLD2(-/-) mice.
      Bactericidal activity is significantly increased in PLD2(-/-) mice, which is
      mediated by increased neutrophil extracellular trap formation and citrullination
      of histone 3 through peptidylarginine deiminase activation. Recruitment of
      neutrophils to the lung is markedly increased in PLD2(-/-) mice. Furthermore, LPS
      induced induction of G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) and down
      regulation of CXCR2 are markedly attenuated in PLD2(-/-) mice. A CXCR2-selective
      antagonist abolishes the protection conferred by PLD2 deficiency during
      experimental sepsis, suggesting that enhanced CXCR2 expression, likely driven by
      GRK2 down-regulation in neutrophils, promotes survival in PLD2(-/-) mice.
      Furthermore, adoptively transferred PLD2(-/-) neutrophils significantly protect
      WT recipients against sepsis-induced death compared with transferred WT
      neutrophils. We suggest that PLD2 in neutrophils is essential for the
      pathogenesis of experimental sepsis and that pharmaceutical agents that target
      PLD2 may prove beneficial for septic patients. 

PMID- 26282876
TI  - Interleukin 27R regulates CD4+ T cell phenotype and impacts protective immunity
      during Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.
AB  - CD4+ T cells mediate protection against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb);
      however, the phenotype of protective T cells is undefined, thereby confounding
      vaccination efforts. IL-27 is highly expressed during human tuberculosis (TB),
      and absence of IL-27R (Il27ra) specifically on T cells results in increased
      protection. IL-27R deficiency during chronic Mtb infection does not impact
      antigen-specific CD4+ T cell number but maintains programmed death-1 (PD-1),
      CD69, and CD127 expression while reducing T-bet and killer cell lectin-like
      receptor G1 (KLRG1) expression. Furthermore, T-bet haploinsufficiency results in
      failure to generate KLRG1+, antigen-specific CD4+ T cells, and in improved
      protection. T cells in Il27ra(-/-) mice accumulate preferentially in the lung
      parenchyma within close proximity to Mtb, and antigen-specific CD4+ T cells
      lacking IL-27R are intrinsically more fit than intact T cells and maintain IL-2
      production. Improved fitness of IL-27R-deficient T cells is not associated with
      increased proliferation but with decreased expression of cell death-associated
      markers. Therefore, during Mtb infection, IL-27R acts intrinsically on T cells to
      limit protection and reduce fitness, whereas the IL-27R-deficient environment
      alters the phenotype and location of T cells. The significant expression of IL-27
      in TB and the negative influence of IL-27R on T cell function demonstrate the
      pathway by which this cytokine/receptor pair is detrimental in TB.

PMID- 26282879
TI  - Mediating effect of stress on the association between early trauma and
      psychological distress in Korean college students: a cross-sectional
      observational study.
AB  - ACCESSIBLE SUMMARY: What is known on the subject? Despite the increase of studies
      into the predictors of psychological distress, few have attempted to address the
      mediation of stress in the relationship between early trauma and psychological
      distress. What does this paper add to existing knowledge? In this study, college
      students with trauma exposure before the age of 18 years reported high levels of
      college life stress and psychological distress. In addition, of the subcategories
      of early trauma, emotional abuse was most highly correlated with current stress
      and psychological distress. This paper confirmed the partial mediating effect of
      stress between early trauma and psychological distress among Korean college
      students. In other words, this study found a direct effect of early trauma on
      current psychological distress and an indirect effect of early trauma on
      psychological distress mediated through life stress. What are the implications
      for practice? Early trauma and stress should be considered when developing
      interventions for college students' mental health, although individuals with
      trauma exposure have difficulties disclosing their traumatic event. Therefore, we
      suggest that stress management may be easier to apply and more effective in
      promoting college students' mental health than trauma-focused interventions.
      ABSTRACT:  INTRODUCTION: Research has shown that early trauma and stress may
      affect current psychological distress. However, few studies have attempted to
      address the mediation of stress between early trauma and psychological distress.
      AIM: This cross-sectional observational study aimed to examine the mediating
      effects of stress on the association between early trauma and psychological
      distress in Korean college students. METHOD: Participants included 216 college
      students (51.4% male) who completed self-report questionnaires assessing early
      trauma, college life stress, and psychological distress. RESULTS: Early trauma,
      stress, and psychological distress were significantly correlated. Of the
      subcategories of early trauma, emotional abuse was most highly correlated with
      stress and psychological distress. The bootstrapping results indicate that stress
      is a partial mediator between early trauma and psychological distress after
      controlling for covariates including socioeconomic status, habitation status, and
      gender. DISCUSSION: The results imply that both early trauma and stress should be
      considered when developing interventions for college students' mental health.
      However, individuals with trauma exposure tend to have difficulties disclosing
      their traumatic event. Therefore, we suggest that stress management may be more
      feasible and effective in promoting college students' mental health than trauma
      focused interventions.

PMID- 26282877
TI  - Kindlin-3-mediated integrin adhesion is dispensable for quiescent but essential
      for activated hematopoietic stem cells.
AB  - Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) generate highly dividing hematopoietic progenitor
      cells (HPCs), which produce all blood cell lineages. HSCs are usually quiescent,
      retained by integrins in specific niches, and become activated when the pools of
      HPCs decrease. We report that Kindlin-3-mediated integrin activation controls
      homing of HSCs to the bone marrow (BM) and the retention of activated HSCs and
      HPCs but not of quiescent HSCs in their BM niches. Consequently, Kindlin-3
      deficient HSCs enter quiescence and remain in the BM when cotransplanted with
      wild-type hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs), whereas they are
      hyperactivated and lost in the circulation when wild-type HSPCs are absent,
      leading to their exhaustion and reduced survival of recipients. The accumulation
      of HSPCs in the circulation of leukocyte adhesion deficiency type III patients,
      who lack Kindlin-3, underlines the conserved functions of Kindlin-3 in man and
      the importance of our findings for human disease. 

PMID- 26282878
TI  - The role of Fc-FcgammaR interactions in IgG-mediated microbial neutralization.
AB  - Antibodies are bifunctional molecules, containing a variable Fab domain that
      mediates binding specificity and a constant Fc domain that bridges antibody
      coated targets with FcgammaR-expressing cells that mediate effector functions.
      Although traditional mechanisms of antibody-mediated neutralization of microbes
      have been largely thought to result from Fab-antigen interactions, recent studies
      suggest that recruitment of FcgammaR-expressing effector cells by antibodies is a
      major in vivo mechanism of antibody-mediated protection from infection. In this
      article, we review FcgammaR biology, compare mammalian FcgammaR families, and
      summarize recent evidence demonstrating the crucial role that Fc-FcgammaR
      interactions play during in vivo protection from infection. 

PMID- 26282881
TI  - Insertion of N2 into the Channels of AFI Zeolite under High Pressure.
AB  - We present an experimental study of a new hybrid material where nitrogen is
      encapsulated in the channels of porous zeolite AlPO4-5 (AFI) single crystals by a
      high-pressure method. The high-pressure behavior of nitrogen confined inside the
      AFI nano-channels is then investigated by Raman spectroscopy up to 44 GPa. Under
      pressure, the Raman modes of confined nitrogen show behaviors different from
      those of the bulk nitrogen. After the return to atmospheric pressure, it is
      demonstrated that non-gaseous nitrogen can be effectively stabilized by being
      confined inside the intact AFI sample. This result provides new insight into
      nitrogen capture and storage technologies.

PMID- 26282880
TI  - Gender specific effect of LIPC C-514T polymorphism on obesity and relationship
      with plasma lipid levels in Chinese children.
AB  - Hepatic lipase (LIPC) is a key rate-limiting enzyme in lipoprotein catabolism
      pathways involved in the development of obesity. The C-514T polymorphism in the
      promoter region is associated with decreased LIPC activity. We performed a case
      controlled study (850 obese children and 2119 controls) and evaluated the
      association between LIPC C-514T polymorphism, obesity and plasma lipid profile in
      Chinese children and adolescents. Additionally, we conducted a meta-analysis of
      all results from published studies as well as our own data. A significant
      association between the polymorphism and obesity is observed in boys (P = 0.042),
      but not in girls. And we observed a significant relationship of the polymorphism
      with total cholesterol (TC) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)
      independent of obesity in boys. The T allele carriers have higher levels of low
      density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in obese boys, and triglyceride (TG), TC
      and LDL-C in non-obese girls (all P < 0.05). In the meta-analysis, under dominant
      model the T allele increased body mass index (BMI) level in boys, while it
      decreased BMI in girls, and increased the levels of TC both in the overall and
      subgroups, TG and HDL-C in the overall and boys, and LDL-C in the overall (all P
      < 0.05). Our results suggest that the T allele might carry an increased risk of
      obesity in Chinese boys. The meta-analysis suggests that T allele acts as a risk
      allele for higher BMI levels in male childhood, while it is a protective allele
      in female childhood. And the polymorphism is associated with the levels of plasma
      lipids, which may be modulated by obesity and gender. 

PMID- 26282882
TI  - Ingenane-type diterpene compounds from Euphorbia kansui modulate IFN-gamma
      production through NF-kappaB activation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Euphorbia kansui, a traditional medical herb, has been shown to have
      anti-tumour and anti-viral activities. Previously, we have reported that E.
      kansui increases interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production in natural killer (NK)
      cells. However, it is not clear how E. kansui regulates IFN-gamma secretion by NK
      cells. RESULTS: In this study, E. kansui was separated into six individual
      compounds from the same chloroform fraction so that the activity of each compound
      could be compared. E. kansui compounds induced IFN-gamma secretion through the
      phosphorylation of protein kinase D and IkappaB kinase pathways. Furthermore, E.
      kansui compounds activated the translocation of p65, a sub-unit of nuclear factor
      kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-kappaB), to the nucleus and
      induced NF-kappaB at the transcriptional level. CONCLUSION: These findings
      suggest that E. kansui enhances IFN-gamma secretion through the NF-kappaB pathway
      in NK cells. (c) 2015 Society of Chemical Industry.

PMID- 26282883
TI  - Cryopreservation of cells: FT-IR monitoring of lipid membrane at freeze-thaw
      cycles.
AB  - In the present study, FTIR spectroscopy was used to monitor the freeze-thaw cycle
      of two cellular lines (HuDe and Jurkat) suspended in three different media:
      phosphate buffer solution (PBS); dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO)/PBS solution at 0.1
      DMSO molar fraction; and CryoSure (0.1 DMSO molar fraction PBS solution+dextran
      5% w/v) solution. The Trypan Blue test was also applied before freezing and after
      thawing each cell sample to estimate the recovery of membrane integrity after
      thermal treatment, and correlate this datum with spectroscopic results. By
      following the temperature evolution of two different spectral components (the
      libration and bending combination mode nuc(H2O) at 2000-2500 cm(-1), and the
      methylene symmetric stretching vibration nusym(CH2) at about 2850 cm(-1)) in the 
      120/28 degrees C range, we evidenced the main transition of lipid membrane in
      connection with cell dehydration, as induced by ice formation in the
      extracellular medium. In particular, in DMSO/PBS and CryoSure samples we observed
      a transition to a more rigid state of the lipid membrane together with an
      increased amount of non-freezable water in the extracellular medium; these
      results are connected to the role of DMSO as a cryoprotective agent irrespective
      of the nature of cell type.

PMID- 26282884
TI  - Cholesteryl-ester transfer protein (CETP): A Kupffer cell marker linking hepatic
      inflammation with atherogenic dyslipidemia?

PMID- 26282886
TI  - CXCL12 catches T-ALL at the entrance of the bone marrow.
AB  - A fraction of patients with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemias (T-ALLs) relapse
      and have a dismal prognosis. Two recent papers in Cancer Cell reveal that
      endothelial cell-derived CXCL12 is essential for bone marrow involvement and
      tumor progression in T-ALL patients, suggesting that this chemokine axis presents
      a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of T-ALL. 

PMID- 26282887
TI  - Does continuous partial attention offer a new understanding of the required
      vigilance and associated stress for parents of children with complex needs?

PMID- 26282885
TI  - Tissue instruction for migration and retention of TRM cells.
AB  - During infection, a subset of effector T cells seeds the lymphoid and non
      lymphoid tissues and gives rise to tissue-resident memory T cells (TRM). Recent
      findings have provided insight into the molecular and cellular mechanisms
      underlying tissue instruction of TRM cell homing, as well as the programs
      involved in their retention and maintenance. We review these findings here,
      highlighting both common features and distinctions between CD4 TRM and CD8 TRM
      cells. In this context we examine the role of memory lymphocyte clusters (MLCs),
      and propose that the MLCs serve as an immediate response center consisting of TRM
      cells on standby, capable of detecting incoming pathogens and mounting robust
      local immune responses to contain and limit the spread of infectious agents. 

PMID- 26282888
TI  - Recovery of copper from PVC multiwire cable waste by steam gasification.
AB  - Screened multiwire, PVC insulated tinned copper cable was gasified with steam at
      high temperature (HTSG) under atmospheric pressure for recovery of cooper. Gases
      from the process were additionally equilibrated at 850 degrees C on the bed of
      calcined clay granules and more than 98% of C+H content in the cable was
      transformed to non-condensing species. Granules prepared from local clay were
      generally resistant for chlorination, there was also almost no deposition of
      metals, Cu and Sn, on the catalytic bed. It was found that 28% of chlorine
      reacted to form CaCl2, 71% was retained in aqueous condensate and only 0.6% was
      absorbed in alkaline scrubber. More than 99% of calcium existed in the process
      solid residue as a mixture of calcium chloride and calcium oxide/hydroxide. PVC
      and other hydrocarbon constituents were completely removed from the cable sample.
      Copper was preserved in original form and volatilization of copper species
      appeared insignificant. Tin was alloying with copper and its volatilization was
      less than 1%. Fractionation and speciation of metals, chlorine and calcium were
      discussed on the basis of equilibrium model calculated with HSC Chemistry
      software. High temperature steam gasification prevents direct use of the air and
      steam/water is in the process simultaneously gaseous carrier and reagent, which
      may be recycled together with hydrocarbon condensates. 

PMID- 26282890
TI  - The impact of covariance misspecification in group-based trajectory models for
      longitudinal data with non-stationary covariance structure.
AB  - One purpose of a longitudinal study is to gain a better understanding of how an
      outcome of interest changes among a given population over time. In what follows,
      a trajectory will be taken to mean the series of measurements of the outcome
      variable for an individual. Group-based trajectory modelling methods seek to
      identify subgroups of trajectories within a population, such that trajectories
      that are grouped together are more similar to each other than to trajectories in
      distinct groups. Group-based trajectory models generally assume a certain
      structure in the covariances between measurements, for example conditional
      independence, homogeneous variance between groups or stationary variance over
      time. Violations of these assumptions could be expected to result in poor model
      performance. We used simulation to investigate the effect of covariance
      misspecification on misclassification of trajectories in commonly used models
      under a range of scenarios. To do this we defined a measure of performance
      relative to the ideal Bayesian correct classification rate. We found that the
      more complex models generally performed better over a range of scenarios. In
      particular, incorrectly specified covariance matrices could significantly bias
      the results but using models with a correct but more complicated than necessary
      covariance matrix incurred little cost.

PMID- 26282889
TI  - A review of instrumental variable estimators for Mendelian randomization.
AB  - Instrumental variable analysis is an approach for obtaining causal inferences on
      the effect of an exposure (risk factor) on an outcome from observational data. It
      has gained in popularity over the past decade with the use of genetic variants as
      instrumental variables, known as Mendelian randomization. An instrumental
      variable is associated with the exposure, but not associated with any confounder
      of the exposure-outcome association, nor is there any causal pathway from the
      instrumental variable to the outcome other than via the exposure. Under the
      assumption that a single instrumental variable or a set of instrumental variables
      for the exposure is available, the causal effect of the exposure on the outcome
      can be estimated. There are several methods available for instrumental variable
      estimation; we consider the ratio method, two-stage methods, likelihood-based
      methods, and semi-parametric methods. Techniques for obtaining statistical
      inferences and confidence intervals are presented. The statistical properties of
      estimates from these methods are compared, and practical advice is given about
      choosing a suitable analysis method. In particular, bias and coverage properties
      of estimators are considered, especially with weak instruments. Settings
      particularly relevant to Mendelian randomization are prioritized in the paper,
      notably the scenario of a continuous exposure and a continuous or binary outcome.

PMID- 26282891
TI  - Crucial role of the orexin-B C-terminus in the induction of OX1 receptor-mediated
      apoptosis: analysis by alanine scanning, molecular modelling and site-directed
      mutagenesis.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Orexins (A and B) are hypothalamic peptides that interact
      with OX1 and OX2 receptors and are involved in the sleep/wake cycle. We
      previously demonstrated that OX1 receptors are highly expressed in colon cancer
      tumours and colonic cancer cell lines where orexins induce apoptosis and inhibit
      tumour growth in preclinical animal models. The present study explored the
      structure-function relationships of orexin-B and OX1 receptors. EXPERIMENTAL
      APPROACH: The contribution of all orexin-B residues in orexin-B-induced apoptosis
      was investigated by alanine scanning. To determine which OX1 receptor domains are
      involved in orexin-B binding and apoptosis, a 3D model of OX1 receptor docked to
      the orexin-B C-terminus (AA-20-28) was developed. Substitution of residues
      present in OX1 receptor transmembrane (TM) domains by site-directed mutagenesis
      was performed. KEY RESULTS: Alanine substitution of orexin-B residues, L(11) ,
      L(15) , A(22) , G(24) , I(25) , L(26) and M(28) , altered orexin-B's binding
      affinity. Substitution of these residues and of the Q(16) , A(17) , S(18) , N(20)
      and T(27) residues inhibited apoptosis in CHO-S-OX1 receptor cells. The K(120) ,
      P(123) , Y(124) , N(318) , K(321) , F(340) , T(341) , H(344) and W(345) residues
      localized in TM2, TM3, TM6 and TM7 of OX1 receptors were shown to play a role in
      orexin-B recognition and orexin-B/OX1 receptor-induced apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS AND
      IMPLICATIONS: The C-terminus of orexin-B (i) plays an important role in its pro
      apoptotic effect; and (ii) interacts with some residues localized in the OX1
      receptor TM. This study defines the structure-function relationship for orexin-B
      recognition by human OX1 receptors and orexin-B/OX1 receptor-induced apoptosis,
      an important step for the future development of new agonist molecules.

PMID- 26282892
TI  - Demographic risk factors impacting timely radiation therapy completion after
      breast conserving surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Radiotherapy completion (RTC) is critical to successful breast
      conserving treatment. Our aim was to identify patient groups at greatest risk of
      not achieving timely radiotherapy completion (TRTC) in an urban setting. METHODS:
      This observational cohort study used hospital registry data from 2004 to 2010 for
      female stage I and II breast conserving treatment patients to assess predictors
      of RTC and TRTC, defined as RTC of 35 to 49 days. RESULTS: Two hundred sixty-one
      patients were analyzed. There was no difference in mean days to RTC by ethnicity
      (black 46.8, white 46.4, Hispanic 48.1 days, P = .75) or total RTC (black 88.2%,
      white 97.9%, Hispanic 93.3%, P = .09). However, a substantial difference was seen
      in TRTC by ethnicity (black 51.8%, white 79.2%, Hispanic 57.8%, P = .03).
      Multivariate logistic regression analysis of failure to achieve TRTC found
      associations with black race (odds ratio [OR] 2.67), Medicare (OR 3.46), Medicaid
      (OR 2.19), and age less than 50 years (OR 4.13). CONCLUSIONS: This study
      demonstrates high overall percentage RTC but demonstrates disparities in TRTC.
      Those at greatest risk of unsuccessful TRTC were younger, Medicare or Medicaid
      insured, and black race.

PMID- 26282893
TI  - Epigenetic modification maintains intrinsic limb-cell identity in Xenopus limb
      bud regeneration.
AB  - Many amphibians can regenerate limbs, even in adulthood. If a limb is amputated,
      the stump generates a blastema that makes a complete, new limb in a process
      similar to developmental morphogenesis. The blastema is thought to inherit its
      limb-patterning properties from cells in the stump, and it retains the
      information despite changes in morphology, gene expression, and differentiation
      states required by limb regeneration. We hypothesized that these cellular
      properties are maintained as epigenetic memory through histone modifications. To
      test this hypothesis, we analyzed genome-wide histone modifications in Xenopus
      limb bud regeneration. The trimethylation of histone H3 at lysine 4 (H3K4me3) is
      closely related to an open chromatin structure that allows transcription factors
      access to genes, whereas the trimethylation of histone H3 at lysine 27 (H3K27me3)
      is related to a closed chromatin state that blocks the access of transcription
      factors. We compared these two modification profiles by high-throughput
      sequencing of samples prepared from the intact limb bud and the regenerative
      blastema by chromatin immunoprecipitation. For many developmental genes, histone
      modifications at the transcription start site were the same in the limb bud and
      the blastema, were stable during regeneration, and corresponded well to limb
      properties. These results support our hypothesis that histone modifications
      function as a heritable cellular memory to maintain limb cell properties, despite
      dynamic changes in gene expression during limb bud regeneration in Xenopus. 

PMID- 26282894
TI  - H(+)/K(+) ATPase activity is required for biomineralization in sea urchin
      embryos.
AB  - The bioelectrical signatures associated with regeneration, wound healing,
      development, and cancer are changes in the polarization state of the cell that
      persist over long durations, and are mediated by ion channel activity. To
      identify physiologically relevant bioelectrical changes that occur during normal
      development of the sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus, we tested a range of ion
      channel inhibitors, and thereby identified SCH28080, a chemical inhibitor of the
      H(+)/K(+) ATPase (HKA), as an inhibitor of skeletogenesis. In sea urchin embryos,
      the primary mesodermal lineage, the PMCs, produce biomineral in response to
      signals from the ectoderm. However, in SCH28080-treated embryos, aside from
      randomization of the left-right axis, the ectoderm is normally specified and
      differentiated, indicating that the block to skeletogenesis observed in SCH28080
      treated embryos is PMC-specific. HKA inhibition did not interfere with PMC
      specification, and was sufficient to block continuing biomineralization when
      embryos were treated with SCH28080 after the initiation of skeletogenesis,
      indicating that HKA activity is continuously required during biomineralization.
      Ion concentrations and voltage potential were abnormal in the PMCs in SCH28080
      treated embryos, suggesting that these bioelectrical abnormalities prevent
      biomineralization. Our results indicate that this effect is due to the inhibition
      of amorphous calcium carbonate precipitation within PMC vesicles. 

PMID- 26282895
TI  - Stoichiometry for alpha-bungarotoxin block of alpha7 acetylcholine receptors.
AB  - alpha-Bungarotoxin (alpha-Btx) binds to the five agonist binding sites on the
      homopentameric alpha7-acetylcholine receptor, yet the number of bound alpha-Btx
      molecules required to prevent agonist-induced channel opening remains unknown. To
      determine the stoichiometry for alpha-Btx blockade, we generate receptors
      comprised of wild-type and alpha-Btx-resistant subunits, tag one of the subunit
      types with conductance mutations to report subunit stoichiometry, and following
      incubation with alpha-Btx, monitor opening of individual receptor channels with
      defined subunit stoichiometry. We find that a single alpha-Btx-sensitive subunit
      confers nearly maximal suppression of channel opening, despite four binding sites
      remaining unoccupied by alpha-Btx and accessible to the agonist. Given structural
      evidence that alpha-Btx locks the agonist binding site in an inactive
      conformation, we conclude that the dominant mechanism of antagonism is non
      competitive, originating from conformational arrest of the binding sites, and
      that the five alpha7 subunits are interdependent and maintain conformational
      symmetry in the open channel state. 

PMID- 26282896
TI  - Broadband zero-backward and near-zero-forward scattering by metallo-dielectric
      core-shell nanoparticles.
AB  - Efficient control of optical radiation at subwavelength scales plays important
      roles for various applications. Dielectric nanoparticles or dielectric shells
      with a large refractive index of n ~ 3-4, which are only achievable for limited
      semiconductors, are involved in most designs so far to control the scattering by
      overlapping the electric and magnetic dipolar modes of the same magnitude. Here
      we propose a new mechanism based on the interplay between dipolar and quadrupolar
      resonances of different amplitudes, both magnetic and electric, to suppress the
      backward scattering or the forward scattering by using metallo-dielectric core
      shell nanoparticles with a dielectric shell layer having a refractive index of n
      = 2.0. We demonstrate that broadband zero-backward or near-zero-forward
      scattering can be achieved by optimizing the structural parameters. We also
      demonstrate that the core-shell nanoparticles with identical dielectric shells
      but metal cores with various sizes are able to suppress the backward or forward
      scattering at the same wavelength, thus revealing a large tolerance to
      fabrication errors induced by the size distributions in the metal cores. These
      features make the proposed core-shell nanoparticles beyond the dipole limit more
      easily realized in practical experiments.

PMID- 26282897
TI  - Assessment of Adverse Drug Reaction Due to Cancer Chemotherapy in a Teaching
      Oncology Hospital in Isfahan, Central of Iran.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) are common in hospitalized oncology
      patients. The kinds of ADRs experienced by cancer patients are varied. Therefore,
      the identification of appropriate manner in order to prevent ADRs may improve
      patient outcome. AIMS: The present study evaluated the incidence, frequency and
      common types of adverse drug reactions among hospitalized oncology patients.
      METHODS: Patients hospitalized at a university oncology center (children and
      adult) during the calendar year 2012 were randomly selected. Data were collected
      by reviewing of medical records. The outcome measures included the incidence of
      observed ADRs and ADR-related admissions and achieving strategies to prevent the
      emergence of chemotherapy side effects. RESULTS: ADRs frequently occurred in the
      age group less than 20 years (22%). Prevalence of leukemia (27%), colon cancer
      (16.5%) and breast cancer (14%) was higher in our region. Most ADRs were recorded
      in patients receiving cisplatin (44%), doxorubicin (24%) and 5-fluouracil (20%)
      as chemotherapy. The most frequently observed ADRs were nauseavomiting,
      neutropenia and constipation in both pediatric and adult population. CONCLUSION:
      This study shows that ADRs occur more frequently in the pediatric group compared
      to adults. Therefore, optimum use of preventative strategy program may contribute
      to reducing the incidence and severity of ADRs especially in this group.

PMID- 26282898
TI  - Prognostic factors after R0 resection of colorectal cancer liver metastases: A
      systematic review and pooled-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Prognostic variables associated with outcome after curative (R0)
      Resection of Colorectal Cancer (CRC) liver metastases are paramount in
      identifying high-risk patients after surgery. The aim of this study was to
      identify risk factors related to Overall Survival (OS) after R0 resection of CRC
      liver metastases. METHODS: A literature search on prognostic factors after
      resection of liver metastases was performed. Studies were eligible if covariates
      associated with OS were reported in patients with R0 resected CRC liver
      metastases. Independent prognostic factors associated with OS were identified
      using multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Twenty-four publications with a total of
      4855 patients were eligible. In multivariate analyses, a disease-free interval <
      12 months (hazard ratio [HR] 1.47, P = 0.0002), the size of the largest
      metastasis (HR 1.56, P < 0.0001), the total number of metastases (HR 1.73, P <
      0.00001), a primary tumor with node-positive status (HR 1.56, P = 0.002), a
      rectal primary tumor (HR 1.48, P < 0.00001), a high carcinoembryonic antigen
      level (HR 1.49, P = 0.02), a high tumor grade (HR 2.42, P < 0.00001), and
      extrahepatic disease (HR 2.03, P < 0.00001) were associated with an increased
      risk of death after R0 resection of CRC liver metastases in at least 3 studies.
      CONCLUSION: We identified 9 clinicopathological prognostic factors that could
      help identify high-risk patients and guide further treatment and follow up
      decisions. In particular burden of liver and extrahepatic metastases and grade
      are those associated with a higher risk of death.

PMID- 26282899
TI  - Irrigation with N,N-dichloro-2,2-dimethyltaurine (NVC-422) in a citrate buffer
      maintains urinary catheter patency in vitro and prevents encrustation by Proteus
      mirabilis.
AB  - Long-term use of indwelling urinary catheters can lead to urinary tract
      infections and loss of catheter patency due to encrustation and blockage.
      Encrustation of urinary catheters is due to formation of crystalline biofilms by
      urease-producing microorganisms such as Proteus mirabilis. An in vitro catheter
      biofilm model (CBM) was used to evaluate current methods for maintaining urinary
      catheter patency. We compared antimicrobial-coated urinary Foley catheters, with
      both available catheter irrigation solutions and investigational solutions
      containing NVC-422 (N,N-dichloro-2,2-dimethyltaurine; a novel broad-spectrum
      antimicrobial). Inoculation of the CBM reactor with 10(8) colony-forming units of
      P. mirabilis resulted in crystalline biofilm formation in catheters by 48 h and
      blockage of catheters within 5 days. Silver hydrogel or nitrofurazone-coated
      catheters did not extend the duration of catheter patency. Catheters irrigated
      daily with commercially available solutions such as 0.25 % acetic acid and
      isotonic saline blocked at the same rate as untreated catheters. Daily
      irrigations of catheters with 0.2 % NVC-422 in 10 mM acetate-buffered saline pH 4
      or Renacidin maintained catheter patency throughout 10-day studies, but P.
      mirabilis colonization of the CBM remained. In contrast, 0.2 % NVC-422 in citrate
      buffer (6.6 % citric acid at pH 3.8) resulted in an irrigation solution that not
      only maintained catheter patency for 10 days but also completely eradicated the
      P. mirabilis biofilm within one treatment day. These data suggest that an
      irrigation solution containing the rapidly bactericidal antimicrobial NVC-422 in
      combination with citric acid to permeabilize crystalline biofilm may
      significantly enhance catheter patency versus other approved irrigation solutions
      and antimicrobial-coated catheters. 

PMID- 26282900
TI  - Nasopharyngeal carcinoma with intracranial extension in the era of intensity
      modulated radiotherapy: case-control study using propensity score matching
      method.
AB  - The objective of the study was to evaluate long-term survival outcomes and
      toxicity of T4 classification nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) with intracranial
      extension (IE group) or without intracranial extension (non-IE group) after
      intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) using the propensity score matching
      method. After generating propensity scores given the covariates of age, sex, N
      classification, and concurrent chemotherapy, 132 patients in each group were
      matched. The 5-year local failure-free survival rate and the 5-year overall
      survival rate in the IE group were lower than the patients in the non-IE group
      (74.6 vs. 88.9 %, p = .008; 51.1 vs. 71.9 %, p = .005). Grade 2 hypothyroidism
      was more common in the IE group (13.2 vs. 3.4 %, p = .029). For patients with T4
      classification NPC after IMRT, patients with intracranial extension need more
      attention to the thyroid gland function and are more likely to experience local
      failure and death than patients without intracranial extension. 

PMID- 26282901
TI  - Long-term quality of life after endoscopic removal of sinonasal inverted
      papillomas: a 6-year cohort analysis in a tertiary academic hospital.
AB  - Inverted papillomas may affect the (para)nasal cavity. While some of these
      papillomas can undergo malignant transformation, others grow slowly and cause few
      if any symptoms. An endoscopic approach is seen as providing a balance between
      the greatest removal possible and avoiding unnecessary morbidity. However, the
      actual long-term quality of life of patients having undergone surgery for
      inverted papillomas has never been studied. Our primary aim is to assess the long
      term sequelae and the quality of life of patients after endoscopic surgery of
      sinonasal inverted papillomas. The secondary aim is to establish which nasal
      symptoms, if any, are the most prevalent before and after surgery. We used the
      SNOT-22 questionnaire to assess the quality of life of patients who had undergone
      endoscopic surgery for sinonasal inverted papillomas between 2000 and 2011.
      Twenty-seven out of 34 patients returned the questionnaire (79 % response rate).
      Median follow-up was 6 years (range 1-10). Mean age was 58.9 years (range 40-85).
      Median SNOT-22 score was 12, while the most frequent postoperative symptom was
      the need to blow the nose (18 patients) and the most frequent preoperative
      symptom was nasal obstruction. Patients after endoscopic removal of sinonasal
      inverted papillomas return to an almost normal quality of life, as measured by
      the disease-specific questionnaire SNOT-22. The most frequent symptom was the
      need to blow the nose. 

PMID- 26282902
TI  - Expression of inflammasome-related genes in bladder cancer and their association
      with cytokeratin 20 messenger RNA.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Inflammation plays a crucial role in different stages of cancer
      development and has long been associated with various types of cancer. Strong
      associations between dysregulated inflammasome activity and human heritable and
      acquired inflammatory diseases highlight the importance of this pathway in the
      immune response. The inflammasome is a large complex of NOD-like receptors called
      NLRs and drives growth and progression of different tumors. The aim of the
      present study was the characterization of some NLR genes, NLRP3, NLRP4, NLRP9,
      and NAIP, in urine sediment of patients with bladder cancer. Cytokeratin 20 and
      survivin were used as confirmed markers of bladder cancer. BASIC PROCEDURES: For
      this study, 3 groups of subjects were considered: patients harboring bladder
      cancer, subjects affected by bladder inflammation (CTR1), and healthy subjects
      (CTR0). Total RNA was extracted from urine sediments and resulting complementary
      DNA was used for amplification by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results
      were stratified according to tumor stage, grade, and risk of progression and
      recurrence. MAIN FINDINGS: The expression of cytokeratin 20 was always
      significantly higher in patients with bladder cancer when compared with that in
      both the tumor-free groups. NLRP3, NLRP4, NLRP9, and NAIP were overexpressed in
      patients with BCa when compared with that in CTR0. Stratification according to
      tumor stage, grade, and risk of recurrence and progression showed NLRP up
      regulations in patients with early-stage cancer. NAIP was overexpressed in high
      risk patients in comparison to CTR0 and in high-grade patients compared with CTR0
      and CTR1. PRINCIPAL CONCLUSIONS: These data are relevant to demonstrate the role
      of inflammasome in urothelial carcinoma, making NLR genes in urine sediment
      potential candidates for bladder cancer diagnosis.

PMID- 26282903
TI  - Novel P-TEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) variant in Indian Parkinson's
      disease patient.
AB  - Loss-of-function mutation in PINK1 is known for causing autosomal recessive early
      onset Parkinsonism accounting approximately 6.5% of PD cases. Recently, PINK1 has
      also been shown to cause Parkinson's disease (PD) in eastern India. Present study
      is aimed to see its contribution in north-Indian PD patients. A total of 106 PD
      patients and 60 ethnically matched healthy controls were included in the study.
      All the patients were screened for mutation in PINK1 by direct DNA sequence
      analysis of the PCR amplicons covering all exons and exon-intron boundaries.
      Identified novel variant was reconfirmed by DNA sequencing of 10 randomly
      selected TA clones containing the variant amplicon. In vitro functional assay of
      the mutant protein was performed by transfecting COS-7 cell line with wild type
      and mutant (created by site-directed-mutagenesis) cDNA construct of PINK1 fused
      to N' terminal GFP followed by western blot analysis. Two potentially pathogenic,
      one being novel (p.Q267X) and 6 other apparently non-pathogenic variants were
      identified. Western blot analysis reveals production of truncated PINK1 fusion
      protein of ~55kDa in p.Q267X mutant instead of 82/93kDa of wild type PINK1 fusion
      protein (molecular weight of GFP is ~27kDa). Our study concludes that PINK1
      variants are prevalent for causing Parkinson's disease (PD) in India, as revealed
      by the occurrence of 1.8% (2/106) in PD patients from north Indian population.
      The novel homozygous variant of PINK1 (c.799C>T) reported here is the plausible
      cause for disease manifestation in this patient. Future study, however, would be
      helpful to understand the functional mechanism how this premature PINK1 protein
      (p.Q267X) responds to cellular stress leading to the PD pathophysiology. 

PMID- 26282904
TI  - Effects of curcumin on TTX-R sodium currents of dorsal root ganglion neurons in
      type 2 diabetic rats with diabetic neuropathic pain.
AB  - Type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM) has reached pandemic status and shows no signs of
      abatement. Diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP) is generally considered to be one of
      the most common complications of T2DM, which is also recognized as one of the
      most difficult types of pain to treat. As one kind of peripheral neuropathic
      pain, DNP manifests typical chronic neuralgia symptoms, including hyperalgesia,
      allodynia, autotomy, and so on. The injured dorsal root ganglion (DRG) is
      considered as the first stage of the sensory pathway impairment, whose neurons
      display increased frequency of action potential generation and increased
      spontaneous activities. These are mainly due to the changed properties of voltage
      gated sodium channels (VGSCs) and the increased sodium currents, especially TTX-R
      sodium currents. Curcumin, one of the most important phytochemicals from
      turmeric, has been demonstrated to effectively prevent and/or ameliorate diabetic
      mellitus and its complications including DNP. The present study demonstrates that
      the TTX-R sodium currents of small-sized DRG neurons isolated from DNP rats are
      significantly increased. Such abnormality can be efficaciously ameliorated by
      curcumin. 

PMID- 26282905
TI  - Comparison of Secondary and Primary Thyroid Cancers: Patient Characteristics and
      Postoperative Outcomes: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Patients with Primary and
      Secondary Thyroid Cancers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Secondary thyroid cancer is believed to lead to a more aggressive
      clinical course than primary thyroid cancer. We aim to examine the difference
      between primary and secondary thyroid cancer in terms of patient characteristics
      and perioperative outcomes at the national level. METHODS: A cross-sectional
      study utilizing the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database for 2003-2010 was merged
      with County Health Rankings Data. International Classification of Diseases, Ninth
      Revision (ICD-9) codes were used to identify adult patients with thyroid cancer.
      RESULTS: A total of 21,581 discharge records were included. Overall, 16,625 (77.0
      %) patients had primary cancer, while the rest (23.0 %) had secondary cancer.
      Younger (<45 years) and older (>65 years) patients, males, and those of White or
      Hispanic background were more likely to have secondary cancers (p < 0.05 each).
      The prevalence of secondary cancer was higher in communities of low health risk
      (24.0 % vs. 21.1 %; p < 0.024). Secondary cancer was more likely to be managed by
      total thyroidectomy (odds ratio [OR] 2.40, 95 % CI 2.12-2.73) and to require
      additional radical neck dissection (OR 12.51, 95 % CI 10.98-14.25). Patients with
      secondary thyroid cancers were at higher risk of postoperative complications (p <
      0.01 each). The cost of secondary cancer management was significantly higher than
      primary cancer (US$12,449.00 +/- 302.07 vs. US$7848.12 +/- 149.05; p < 0.001).
      However, compared with intermediate-volume surgeons, the complication risk was
      lower for high-volume (OR 0.47, 95 % CI 0.24-0.92; p = 0.026). CONCLUSIONS:
      Secondary thyroid cancer is associated with a higher risk of perioperative
      complications and higher cost and distinct demographic profile. Patients managed
      by higher-volume surgeons were less likely to experience disadvantageous
      outcomes.

PMID- 26282906
TI  - Palliative Care Training in Surgical Oncology and Hepatobiliary Fellowships: A
      National Survey of Program Directors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Despite previous literature affirming the importance of palliative
      care training in surgery, there is scarce literature about the readiness of
      Surgical Oncology and hepatopancreaticobiliary (HPB) fellows to provide such
      care. We performed the first nationally representative study of surgical
      fellowship program directors' assessment of palliative care education. The aim
      was to capture attitudes about the perception of palliative care and disparity
      between technical/clinical education and palliative care training. METHODS: A
      survey originally used to assess surgical oncology and HPB surgery fellows'
      training in palliative care, was modified and sent to Program Directors of
      respective fellowships. The final survey consisted of 22 items and was completed
      online. RESULTS: Surveys were completed by 28 fellowship programs (70 % response
      rate). Only 60 % offered any formal teaching in pain management, delivering bad
      news or discussion about prognosis. Fifty-eight percent offered formal training
      in basic communication skills and 43 % training in conducting family conferences.
      Resources were available, with 100 % of the programs having a palliative care
      consultation service, 42 % having a faculty member with recognized clinical
      interest/expertise in palliative care, and 35 % having a faculty member board
      certified in Hospice and Palliative Medicine. CONCLUSIONS: Our data shows HPB and
      surgical oncology fellowship programs are providing insufficient education and
      assessment in palliative care. This is not due to a shortage of faculty,
      palliative care resources, or teaching opportunities. Greater focus one valuation
      and development of strategies for teaching palliative care in surgical
      fellowships are needed.

PMID- 26282908
TI  - Whole Body Metabolic Tumor Volume and Total Lesion Glycolysis Predict Survival in
      Patients with Adrenocortical Carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare but lethal malignancy with
      few reliable prognostic markers. FDG-PET metabolic parameters have been shown to
      predict survival in several cancers. The objective was to determine if metabolic
      tumor volume (MTV), total lesion glycolysis (TLG), and maximum standardized
      uptake value (SUVmax) could serve as prognostic markers in patients with ACC.
      METHODS: A total of 30 patients with ACC prospectively underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT
      prior to treatment. Whole body MTV, TLG, and SUVmax were measured by a
      semiautomatic method. A median cutoff was used to determine an association with
      overall survival (OS) from the time of 18F-FDG PET/CT by the Kaplan-Meier method.
      RESULTS: Patients with high whole body MTV (>87.0 mL),TLG (>229.4 SUVlbm*mL), or
      SUVmax (>8.9 SUV) had a worse OS compared with those with low whole body MTV
      (median OS, 24 vs 45.1 months, p < .01), TLG (median OS, 24 vs 40.3 months, p <
      .005), or SUVmax (median OS, 23.7 vs 35.5 months, p < .02). In patients who had
      operable disease (n = 23), high whole body MTV (>87.0 mL) and TLG (>229.4
      SUVlbm*mL) had a worse OS compared with those with low whole body MTV (median OS,
      25.1 vs 45.1 months, p < .05) and TLG (median OS, 25.1 vs 40.3 months, p < .05),
      but a high SUVmax (>8.9 SUV) was not associated with worse OS (p = .11).
      CONCLUSIONS: Patients with ACC and a high whole body MTV, TLG, and SUVmax have a
      worse prognosis and OS. Measurement of whole body MTV and TLG may be helpful for
      guiding therapy for patients with ACC.

PMID- 26282907
TI  - Curative Resection of Adrenocortical Carcinoma: Rates and Patterns of
      Postoperative Recurrence.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare malignancy. The aim of this
      study was to determine the incidence and patterns of recurrence after curative
      intent surgery for ACC. METHODS: Patients who underwent curative-intent resection
      for ACC between 1993 and 2014 were identified from 13 academic institutions
      participating in the United States ACC study group. Patients with metastasis or
      an R2 margin were excluded. Patterns and rates of recurrence were determined and
      classified as locoregional and distant recurrence. RESULTS: A total of 180
      patients with a median age of 52 years (interquartile range 43-61) were
      identified. Most patients underwent open surgery (n = 111, 64.5 %) and had an R0
      resection margin (n = 117, 75.0 %). At last follow-up, 116 patients (64.4 %) had
      experienced recurrence (locoregional only, n = 41, 36.3 %; distant only, n = 51,
      45.1 %; locoregional and distant, n = 21, 18.6 %). Median time to recurrence was
      18.8 months. Several factors were associated with locoregional recurrence,
      including left-sided ACC location (odds ratio [OR] 2.71, 95 % confidence interval
      [CI] 1.06-6.89) and T3/T4 disease (reference T1/T2, OR 3.04, 95 % CI 1.19-7.80)
      (both p < 0.05). Distant recurrence was associated with larger tumor size (OR
      1.11, 95 % CI 1.01-1.24) and T3/T4 disease (reference T1/T2, OR 5.23, 95 % CI
      1.70-16.10) (both p < 0.05). Patients with combined locoregional and distant
      recurrence had worse survival (3- and 5-year survival: 39.5, 19.7 %) versus
      patients with distant-only (3- and 5-year survival 55.1, 43.3 %) or locoregional
      only recurrence (3- and 5-year survival 81.4, 64.1 %) (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS:
      Nearly two-thirds of patients experienced disease recurrence after resection of
      ACC. Although a subset of patients experienced recurrence with locoregional
      disease only, many patients experienced recurrence with distant disease as a
      component of recurrence and had a poor prognosis.

PMID- 26282909
TI  - Peroxidase induced oligo-tyrosine cross-links during polymerization of alpha
      lactalbumin.
AB  - Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) induced cross-linking of proteins has been reported
      to proceed through formation of di-tyrosine cross-links. In the case of low molar
      mass phenolic substrates, the enzymatic oxidation is reported to lead to
      polymerization of the phenols. The aim of this work was to investigate if during
      oxidative cross-linking of proteins oligo-tyrosine cross-links are formed in
      addition to dityrosine. To this end, alpha-lactalbumin (alpha-LA) was cross
      linked using horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The
      reaction products were acid hydrolysed, after which the cross-linked amino acids
      were investigated by LC-MS and MALDI-MS. To test the effect of the size of the
      substrate, the cross-linking reaction was also performed with L-tyrosine, N
      acetyl L-tyrosinamide and angiotensin. These products were analyzed by LC-MS
      directly, as well as after acid hydrolysis. In the acid hydrolysates of all
      samples oligo-tyrosine (Yn, n=3-8) was found in addition to di-tyrosine (Y2). Two
      stages of cross-linking of alpha-LA were identified: a) 1-2 cross-links were
      formed per monomer until the monomers were converted into oligomers, and b)
      subsequent cross-linking of oligomers formed in the first stage to form
      nanoparticles containing 3-4 cross-links per monomer. The transition from first
      stage to the second stage coincided with the point where di-tyrosine started to
      decrease and more oligo-tyrosines were formed. In conclusion, extensive
      polymerization of alpha-LA using HRP via oligo-tyrosine cross-links is possible,
      as is the case for low molar mass tyrosine containing substrates.

PMID- 26282910
TI  - Risk factors for reoperation after initial burr hole trephination in chronic
      subdural hematomas.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The optimal management of chronic subdural hematomas remains a
      challenge. Twist drill craniotomy or burr hole trephination are considered
      optimal initial treatments, but the reoperation rate for hematoma recurrence and
      other complications is still high. Therefore, evaluation of possible risk factors
      for initial treatment failure is crucial. In this context, we performed a study
      to define a possible subpopulation that may benefit from a more invasive initial
      treatment regime. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical charts of 193
      patients with 250 chronic subdural hematomas who had undergone burr hole
      trephination as first-line therapy in our institution between January 2005 and
      October 2012. To identify risk factors for reoperation, a multivariable logistic
      regression analysis was performed with reoperation as the dependent variable.
      Surgical complications, including acute rebleeding, infection and chronic
      hematoma recurrence, were analyzed separately using a logistic regression model.
      RESULTS: The mean age of the cohort was 71.4 years. The male/female ratio was
      137:56. Reoperation was necessary in 56 cases (29%) for recurrent hematomas and
      surgical complications. Predictors for reoperation for surgical complications
      were midline shift (odds ratio [OR] (per mm) 1.16, 95% confidence interval [CI]:
      1.05-1.29, p=0.006), arterial hypertension (OR 5.44, 95% CI: 1.45-20.41, p=0.012)
      and bilateral hematomas (OR 4.22, 95% CI: 1.22-14.58, p=0.023). There was a trend
      toward a higher risk of surgically-relevant hematoma recurrence in patients with
      prior treatment with vitamin K antagonists (OR 1.76, 95% CI: 0.75-4.13, p=0.191).
      CONCLUSION: Burr hole trephination is the therapy of choice in most chronic
      subdural hematomas, but the rate of recurrent hematomas is high. Every hematoma
      should be treated individually especially in relation to midline-shift and pre
      existing conditions. Further prospective studies evaluating types of treatment
      and hematoma density are needed.

PMID- 26282911
TI  - Analysis of vestibular schwannoma size: A literature review on consistency with
      measurement techniques.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Vestibular schwannoma (VS) tumor size, a significant prognostic
      indicator, is closely analyzed in patients undergoing observation or treatment.
      It has historically been reported in terms of linear size; however, volumetric
      assessments can now be performed routinely. We examine the use of described
      measurement techniques in large published clinical series to assess their
      consistency. METHODS: Computerized searches of the MEDLINE database (Pubmed) from
      1975 to August 2014 were conducted with the purpose of identifying large series
      describing the management of VSs. Articles that reported tumor size measurements
      were included if they described greater than 600 patients. RESULTS: 19 studies
      were found fitting the inclusion criteria, consisting of large retrospective
      studies with sample sizes ranging from 614 to 2991. A total of 17 studies
      reported linear measurements, while 2 studies reported volumetric assessments of
      tumor size. Significant variations were found regarding methods for linear
      measurement. Furthermore, several papers did not provide any details regarding
      the measurement technique. Inclusion of intracanalicular portions of the tumor
      was highly variable. Volume assessments were performed by segmented volume
      analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Among the large published series on VSs, significant
      variation exists regarding the utilized measurement technique to assess size.
      Volumetric assessments have the greatest clinical utility, sensitivity and
      accuracy in measuring tumor size and growth. Standardization of volume
      assessments will provide the best method for producing consistent literature
      findings.

PMID- 26282912
TI  - Association Between Daily Time Spent in Sedentary Behavior and Duration of
      Hyperglycemia in Type 2 Diabetes.
AB  - Exercise and sedentary behavior have different physiologic effects, which have
      yet to be fully explained. Time spent in sedentary behavior has been associated
      with glucose intolerance in adults at risk for type 2 diabetes, but these data
      have come largely from cross-sectional studies that have not explored this
      relationship in adults with diabetes. The specific aim of this study was to
      examine the relationship between time spent in sedentary behavior and glucose
      levels in adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes over 3-5 days. METHODS: Using
      continuous and concurrent data gathered from wrist accelerometry and a Continuous
      Glucose-Monitoring Sensor (CGMS), we conducted a longitudinal, descriptive study
      involving 86 patients with type 2 diabetes. RESULTS: More time spent in sedentary
      behavior was predictive of significant increases in time spent in hyperglycemia
      (B = 0.12, p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the relationship
      between time spent sedentary and time spent in hyperglycemia, as identified
      through our use of objective, continuous data collection methods for both
      sedentary behavior and glucose levels across multiple days (Actiwatch, CGMS). For
      patients with type 2 diabetes, these findings emphasize the need for the
      development of individualized interventions aimed at decreasing the amount of
      time spent in hyperglycemia by reducing sedentary time.

PMID- 26282913
TI  - Efficacy of transverse abdominis plane block in reduction of postoperation pain
      in laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is a recently introduced
      regional anesthesia technique that is used for postoperative pain reduction in
      some abdominal surgeries. The present study evaluated the efficacy of the TAP
      block on the post laparoscopic cholecystectomy pain intensity and analgesic
      consumption. METHODS: Fifty-four patients were enrolled in three groups: TAP
      block with normal saline (Group 1, n = 18); TAP block with bupivacaine (Group 2,
      n = 18); and TAP block with bupivacaine plus sufentanil (Group 3, n = 18). The
      time to the first fentanyl request, fentanyl consumption in the 24 hours
      following surgery, and postoperative pain intensity at 30 minutes, 1 hour, 6
      hours, 12 hours, and 24 hours following discharge for recovery were measured and
      recorded. RESULTS: The total amount of 24-hour fentanyl consumption was higher in
      Group 1 (877.8 +/- 338.8 MUg) than either Group 2 (566.7 +/- 367.8 MUg) or Group
      3 (555.5 +/- 356.8 MUg; p = 0.03). Postoperative pain score was higher in Group 1
      than intervention groups (p = 0.006); however, there was no significant
      difference in intervention groups. The time to the first fentanyl request in
      Group 1 (79.44 +/- 42.2) was significantly lower than Group 3 (206.38 +/- 112.7;
      p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that bilateral TAP block
      with 0.5% bupivacaine reduces post laparoscopic cholecystectomy pain intensity
      and fentanyl request and prolongs time to the first analgesic request. Adding
      sufentanil to the block solution reduced neither pain intensity nor fentanyl
      further consumption.

PMID- 26282914
TI  - Pneumorrhachis as a result of epidural anesthesia.

PMID- 26282915
TI  - Cardiorespiratory responses to haemolytic anaemia in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus
      mykiss.
AB  - To quantify cardiorespiratory response to experimental anaemia in rainbow trout
      Oncorhynchus mykiss, a 24 h phenylhydrazine treatment was used to reduce
      haematocrit to almost one third of its initial value over 4-5 days. In response,
      relative blood velocity in the ventral aorta (an index of cardiac output)
      progressively increased to more than double to its normocythaemic value and there
      was no significant change in routine oxygen uptake. Thus, the primary
      compensatory response to anaemia was an increase in cardiac output. 

PMID- 26282916
TI  - Whole-genome amplification: a useful approach to characterize new genes in
      unculturable protozoan parasites such as Bonamia exitiosa.
AB  - Bonamia exitiosa is an intracellular parasite (Haplosporidia) that has been
      associated with mass mortalities in oyster populations in the Southern
      hemisphere. This parasite was recently detected in the Northern hemisphere
      including Europe. Some representatives of the Bonamia genus have not been well
      categorized yet due to the lack of genomic information. In the present work, we
      have applied Whole-Genome Amplification (WGA) technique in order to characterize
      the actin gene in the unculturable protozoan B. exitiosa. This is the first
      protein coding gene described in this species. Molecular analysis revealed that
      B. exitiosa actin is more similar to Bonamia ostreae actin gene-1. Actin
      phylogeny placed the Bonamia sp. infected oysters in the same clade where the
      herein described B. exitiosa actin resolved, offering novel information about the
      classification of the genus. Our results showed that WGA methodology is a
      promising and valuable technique to be applied to unculturable protozoans whose
      genomic material is limited. 

PMID- 26282917
TI  - Neurological outcomes in symptomatic congenital cytomegalovirus-infected infants
      after introduction of newborn urine screening and antiviral treatment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Newborn screening for urinary cytomegalovirus (CMV) and early
      introduction of antiviral treatment are expected to improve neurological outcomes
      in symptomatic congenital CMV-infected infants. This cohort study prospectively
      evaluated neurological outcomes in symptomatic congenital CMV-infected infants
      following the introduction of hospital-based newborn urinary CMV screening and
      antiviral treatment. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Following institutional review board
      approval and written informed consent from their parents, newborns were
      prospectively screened from 2009 to 2014 for urinary CMV-DNA by PCR within 1 week
      after birth at Kobe University Hospital and affiliated hospitals. CMV-positive
      newborns were further examined at Kobe University Hospital, and those diagnosed
      as symptomatic were treated with valganciclovir for 6 weeks plus immunoglobulin.
      Clinical neurological outcomes were evaluated at age ?12 months and categorized
      by the presence and severity of neurologic sequelae. RESULTS: Urine samples of
      6348 newborns were screened, with 32 (0.50%) positive for CMV. Of these, 16 were
      diagnosed with symptomatic infection and 12 received antiviral treatment. Four
      infants developed severe impairment (33%), three developed mild impairment (25%),
      and five developed normally (42%). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first Japanese report
      of neurological assessments in infants with symptomatic congenital CMV infection
      who received early diagnosis and antiviral treatment. Urinary screening,
      resulting in early diagnosis and treatment, may yield better neurological
      outcomes in symptomatic congenital CMV-infected infants.

PMID- 26282918
TI  - Surfactant Dependent pH Controlled "off-on", "off-on-off" and "on-off"
      Fluorescent Switches Exhibited by N-Benzylidenenaphthalen-1-Amine.
AB  - N-benzylidenenaphthalen-1-amine (L) acts as pH dependent "off-on", "off-on-off"
      and "on-off" fluorescent switch in 1:1 (v/v) CH3CN:H2O depending on the presence
      of anionic sodiumdocdecyl sulphate (SDS), neutral triton X-100 (TX-100) and
      cationic cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) surfactants respectively. DFT
      calculation shows the possibility of formation of L.H(+) due to protonation at
      immine N and L.OH(-) due to introduction of OH(-) group at immine C. The relative
      stability of these two cationic and anionic species depends on the charge
      environment provided by surfactants. This influences the photoinduced electron
      transfer (PET) processes involved and results in different switch behaviour. 

PMID- 26282920
TI  - A microchip integrating cell array positioning with in situ single-cell impedance
      measurement.
AB  - This paper presents a novel microarray chip integrating cell positioning with in
      situ, real-time and long-time impedance measurement on a single cell. The
      microchip integrates a plurality of quadrupole-electrode units (termed
      positioning electrodes) patterned into an array with pairs of planar electrodes
      (termed measuring electrodes) located at the centers of each quadrupole-electrode
      unit. The positioning electrodes are utilized to trap and position living cells
      onto the measuring electrodes based on negative dielectrophoresis (nDEP), while
      the measuring electrodes are used to measure impedances of the trapped single
      cells. Each measuring electrode has a small footprint area of 7 * 7 MUm(2) to
      ensure inhabiting only one single cell on it. However, the electrode with a small
      surface area has a low double-layer capacitance when it is immersed in a liquid
      solution, thus generating a large double-layer impedance, which reduces the
      sensitivity for impedance measurement on the single cell. To enlarge the
      effective surface areas of the measuring electrodes, a novel surface-modification
      process is proposed to controllably construct gold nanostructures on the surfaces
      of the measuring electrodes while the positioning electrodes are unstained. The
      double layer capacitances of the modified electrodes are increased by about one
      order after surface-modification. The developed microchip is used to monitor the
      adhering behavior of a single HeLa cell by measuring its impedance spectra in
      real time. The measured impedance is analyzed and used to extract cellular
      electrical parameters, which demonstrated that the cell compresses the electrical
      double layer in the process of adherence and adheres onto the measuring
      electrodes after 4-5 hours. 

PMID- 26282919
TI  - AID-expressing epithelium is protected from oncogenic transformation by an NKG2D
      surveillance pathway.
AB  - Activation-induced deaminase (AID) initiates secondary antibody diversification
      in germinal center B cells, giving rise to higher affinity antibodies through
      somatic hypermutation (SHM) or to isotype-switched antibodies through class
      switch recombination (CSR). SHM and CSR are triggered by AID-mediated deamination
      of cytosines in immunoglobulin genes. Importantly, AID activity in B cells is not
      restricted to Ig loci and can promote mutations and pro-lymphomagenic
      translocations, establishing a direct oncogenic mechanism for germinal center
      derived neoplasias. AID is also expressed in response to inflammatory cues in
      epithelial cells, raising the possibility that AID mutagenic activity might drive
      carcinoma development. We directly tested this hypothesis by generating
      conditional knock-in mouse models for AID overexpression in colon and pancreas
      epithelium. AID overexpression alone was not sufficient to promote epithelial
      cell neoplasia in these tissues, in spite of displaying mutagenic and genotoxic
      activity. Instead, we found that heterologous AID expression in pancreas promotes
      the expression of NKG2D ligands, the recruitment of CD8(+) T cells, and the
      induction of epithelial cell death. Our results indicate that AID oncogenic
      potential in epithelial cells can be neutralized by immunosurveillance protective
      mechanisms. 

PMID- 26282921
TI  - Retraction Note to: Profiling of differentially expressed microRNAs (miRNAs)
      during differentiation of rat hepatic oval cells (HOCs) into hepatocellular
      carcinoma (HCC) cells.

PMID- 26282923
TI  - U.S. Border Enforcement and Mexican Immigrant Location Choice.
AB  - We provide the first evidence on the causal effect of border enforcement on the
      full spatial distribution of Mexican immigrants to the United States. We address
      the endogeneity of border enforcement with an instrumental variables strategy
      based on administrative delays in budgetary allocations for border security. We
      find that 1,000 additional Border Patrol officers assigned to prevent
      unauthorized migrants from entering a U.S. state decreases that state's share of
      Mexican immigrants by 21.9 %. Our estimates imply that if border enforcement had
      not changed from 1994 to 2011, the shares of Mexican immigrants locating in
      California and Texas would each be 8 percentage points greater, with all other
      states' shares lower or unchanged. 

PMID- 26282924
TI  - Membrane tension and membrane fusion.
AB  - Diverse cell biological processes that involve shaping and remodeling of cell
      membranes are regulated by membrane lateral tension. Here we focus on the role of
      tension in driving membrane fusion. We discuss the physics of membrane tension,
      forces that can generate the tension in plasma membrane of a cell, and the
      hypothesis that tension powers expansion of membrane fusion pores in late stages
      of cell-to-cell and exocytotic fusion. We propose that fusion pore expansion can
      require unusually large membrane tensions or, alternatively, low line tensions of
      the pore resulting from accumulation in the pore rim of membrane-bending
      proteins. Increase of the inter-membrane distance facilitates the reaction. 

PMID- 26282925
TI  - A structural biology perspective on NMDA receptor pharmacology and function.
AB  - N-methyld-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) belong to the large family of ionotropic
      glutamate receptors (iGluRs), which are critically involved in basic brain
      functions as well as multiple neurological diseases and disorders. The NMDARs are
      large heterotetrameric membrane protein complexes. The extensive extracellular
      domains recognize neurotransmitter ligands and allosteric compounds and translate
      the binding information to regulate activity of the transmembrane ion channel.
      Here, we review recent advances in the structural biology of NMDARs with a focus
      on pharmacology and function. Structural analysis of the isolated extracellular
      domains in combination with the intact heterotetrameric NMDAR structure provides
      important insights into how this sophisticated ligand-gated ion channel may
      function. 

PMID- 26282926
TI  - Structure, mechanism and cooperation of bacterial multidrug transporters.
AB  - Cells from all domains of life encode energy-dependent trans-membrane
      transporters that can expel harmful substances including clinically applied
      therapeutic agents. As a collective body, these transporters perform as a super
      system that confers tolerance to an enormous range of harmful compounds and
      consequently aid survival in hazardous environments. In the Gram-negative
      bacteria, some of these transporters serve as energy-transducing components of
      tripartite assemblies that actively efflux drugs and other harmful compounds, as
      well as deliver virulence agents across the entire cell envelope. We draw
      together recent structural and functional data to present the current models for
      the transport mechanisms for the main classes of multi-drug transporters and
      their higher-order assemblies. 

PMID- 26282927
TI  - Nanolubrication by ionic liquids: molecular dynamics simulations reveal an
      anomalous effective rheology.
AB  - This article describes molecular dynamics simulations of an ionic liquid (IL)
      confined between iron oxide surfaces under relatively high pressure and severe
      shearing, representative of a typical steel-steel lubricated contact. The
      simulations reveal the presence of hydrodynamic and thermal slip at the walls,
      despite the wetting nature of the fluid/wall interface. A crucial consequence of
      the temperature slip is the subsequent increase of the fluid temperature under
      shear, which modifies its effective rheology, resulting in saturation of the
      shear stress at high shear rates. Overall, this article provides a methodology
      for accurate modeling of tribological contacts lubricated by a nanometer-thick IL
      film. The results contribute to the debate on the saturation of the shear stress
      at high shear rates, and reveal the rich phenomenology arising in severe
      tribological conditions, departing from the traditional understanding of
      nanofluidic transport, mainly built in the linear response regime and standard
      thermodynamic conditions. 

PMID- 26282928
TI  - ZapC promotes assembly and stability of FtsZ filaments by binding at a different
      site on FtsZ than ZipA.
AB  - ZapC, a component of the divisome in Escherichia coli, is known to co-localize
      with FtsZ at the mid-cell position. A deletion or an overexpression of ZapC has
      been found to induce elongation of bacterial cells implying a role of ZapC in the
      cell division. ZapC has also been shown to enhance the assembly of purified FtsZ.
      In this study, ZapC was found to prevent the dilution-induced disassembly of
      preformed FtsZ polymers and to decorate FtsZ protofilaments along the length.
      ZapC interacted with FtsZ with a dissociation constant of 30+/-7nM. Salt had no
      discernable effect on the binding of ZapC to FtsZ; however, bis-ANS inhibited the
      binding of ZapC to FtsZ suggesting that the interaction was predominantly
      hydrophobic in nature. Several of the positive regulators of FtsZ assembly
      including ZipA are shown to bind FtsZ at the C-terminal tail of FtsZ. Using a 12
      residue C-terminal tail peptide (LDIPAFLRKQAD) of FtsZ and a C-terminal tail
      truncated FtsZ construct, we provided data suggesting that ZapC does not bind at
      the C-terminal tail of FtsZ. The results indicated that ZapC and ZipA, two
      functionally similar proteins of the divisome complex, regulate FtsZ assembly
      through different sites of action on FtsZ. 

PMID- 26282929
TI  - Metal adsorption by agricultural biosorbents: Adsorption isotherm, kinetic and
      biosorbents chemical structures.
AB  - Biosorption of Cu(II), Co(II) and Fe(III) ions from aqueous solutions by rice
      husk, palm leaf and water hyacinth was investigated as a function of initial pH,
      initial heavy metal ions concentration and treatment time. The adsorption process
      was examined by two adsorption isotherms: Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. The
      experimental data of biosorption process were analyzed using pseudo-first order,
      pseudo-second order kinetic models. The equilibrium biosorption isotherms showed
      that the three studied biosorbents possess high affinity and sorption capacity
      for Cu(II), Co(II) and Fe(III) ions. Rice husk showed more efficiency than palm
      leaf and water hyacinth. Adsorption of Cu(II) and Co(II) was more efficient in
      alkaline medium (pH 9) than neutral medium due to the high solubility of metal
      ion complexes. The metal removal efficiency of each biosorbent was correlated to
      its chemical structure. DTA studies showed formation of metal complex between the
      biosorbents and the metal ions. The obtained results showed that the tested
      biosorbents are efficient and alternate low-cost biosorbent for removal of heavy
      metal ions from aqueous media. 

PMID- 26282930
TI  - Electrochemical, spectroscopic, and theoretical studies on the interaction
      between azathioprine and DNA.
AB  - Possible interaction between immunosuppressive drug, azathioprine, and calf
      thymus DNA was explored by cyclic voltammetry, spectrophotometry, competitive
      spectrofluorimetry, circular dichroism spectroscopy (CD), and viscosity
      measurements. Cyclic voltammetry showed negative shift in the reduction peak of
      azathioprine in the presence of DNA, and large decrease in peak current,
      referring to the predominance of electrostatic forces. The binding constant was
      calculated to be 1.22*10(3)M(-1). Absorption hyperchromism without shift in
      wavelength was observed when DNA was added to azathioprine solution. Competitive
      fluorescence experiments were conducted by using Hoechst 33258 and methylene blue
      as probes for minor groove and intercalation binding modes, respectively. The
      studies showed that azathioprine could release Hoechst 33258, while negligible
      effect was detected in the case of methylene blue. Stern-Volmer quenching
      constant (KSV) and complex formation constant (Kf) were obtained from the
      fluorescence measurements to be 7.6*10(3)M(-1) and 7.76*10(4)M(-1), respectively,
      at 298K. Enthalpy and entropy changes during the interaction between azathioprine
      and DNA were calculated from Van't Hoff plot (DeltaH=-20.2kJmol(-1);
      DeltaS=26.11Jmol(-1)K(-1) at 298K) which showed an exothermic spontaneous
      reaction, and involvement of electrostatic forces in the complex formation with
      DNA. Moreover, circular dichroism studies revealed that azathioprine induced
      detectable changes in the negative band of DNA spectrum. Viscosity of DNA
      solution decreased in the presence of azathioprine, showed a non-intercalative
      mode of interaction. Finally, molecular docking calculations showed that in the
      lowest energy level of drug-DNA complex, azathioprine approaches the minor
      grooves of DNA. 

PMID- 26282931
TI  - Temporal distribution of baseline characteristics and association with early
      mortality among HIV-positive patients at University College Hospital, Ibadan,
      Nigeria.
AB  - The first six months of HIV care and treatment are very important for long-term
      outcome. Early mortality (within 6 months of care initiation) undermines care and
      treatment goals. This study assessed the temporal distribution in baseline
      characteristics and early mortality among HIV patients at the University College
      Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria from 2006-2013. Factors associated with early mortality
      were also investigated. This was a retrospective analysis of data from 14 857
      patients enrolled for care and treatment at the adult antiretroviral clinic of
      the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. Effects of factors associated
      with early mortality were summarised using a hazard ratio with a 95% confidence
      interval obtained from Cox proportional hazard regression models. The mean age of
      the subjects was 36.4 (SD=10.2) years with females being in the majority (68.1%).
      While patients' demographic characteristics remained virtually the same over
      time, there was significant decline in the prevalence of baseline opportunistic
      infections (2006-2007=55.2%; 2011-2013=38.0%). Overall, 460 (3.1%) patients were
      known to have died within 6 months of enrollment in care/treatment. There was no
      significant trend in incidence of early mortality. Factors associated with early
      mortality include: male sex, HIV encephalopathy, low CD4 count (< 50 cells), and
      anaemia. To reduce early mortality, community education should be promoted,
      timely access to care and treatment should be facilitated and the health system
      further strengthened to care for high risk patients. 

PMID- 26282932
TI  - The Role of Emergency Medical Services in Geriatrics: Bridging the Gap between
      Primary and Acute Care.
AB  - Caring for older adults is a major function of emergency medical services (EMS).
      Traditional EMS systems were designed to treat single acute conditions; this
      approach contrasts with best practices for the care of frail older adults. Care
      might be improved by the early identification of those who are frail and at
      highest risk for adverse outcomes. Paramedics are well positioned to play an
      important role via a more thorough evaluation of frailty (or vulnerability).
      These findings may inform both pre-hospital and subsequent emergency department
      (ED) based decisions. Innovative programs involving EMS, the ED, and primary care
      could reduce the workload on EDs while improving patient access to care, and
      ultimately patient outcomes. Some frail older adults will benefit from the
      resources and specialized knowledge provided by the ED, while others may be
      better helped in alternative ways, usually in coordination with primary care.
      Discerning between these groups is a challenge worthy of further inquiry. In
      either case, care should be timely, with a focus on identifying emergent or acute
      care needs, frailty evaluation, mobility assessments, identifying appropriate
      goals for treatment, promoting functional independence, and striving to have the
      patient return to their usual place of residence if this can be done safely.
      Paramedics are uniquely positioned to play a larger role in the care of our aging
      population. Improving paramedic education as it pertains to geriatrics is a
      critical next step. 

PMID- 26282933
TI  - Global dimensions of chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu): a modern
      era environmental and/or occupational nephropathy?

PMID- 26282934
TI  - Selective binding and extraction of aqueous dihydrogen phosphate solutions via
      three-armed thiourea receptors.
AB  - A series of neutral anion receptors with one to three thiourea arms were
      synthesized and their binding to tetrabutylammonium chloride, acetate, and
      dihydrogen phosphate salts in aqueous DMSO mixtures was examined. The three-armed
      thiourea host was found to strongly and selectively bind H2PO4(-) even in DMSO
      solutions containing up to 30% water. This enabled the dihydrogen phosphate salt
      to be extracted from water into chloroform in its dibasic form despite the high
      heat of the hydration of HPO4(2-). 

PMID- 26282936
TI  - How to use biologic agents in patients with rheumatoid arthritis who have
      comorbid disease.
AB  - Although biologic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) have improved
      the quality of life of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, side effects remain a
      problem, especially for patients with pre-existing comorbidities. Randomized
      controlled trials of such drugs in rheumatoid arthritis typically exclude
      patients with comorbidities and are of short duration, so they do not provide
      data on adverse events in these people. Other data sources such as national
      bDMARD registries are limited by the preselection of patients for both
      conventional synthetic chemical compound disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs
      (csDMARDs) and bDMARDs, and although these databases document comorbidity, they
      rarely report its severity. This too limits definitive statements on the
      progression or resolution of pre-existing disease. Although bDMARDs may not be
      contraindicated in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and certain comorbid
      diseases, additional assessments or precautions are recommended. This review
      summarizes current data on the use of bDMARDs in people with rheumatoid arthritis
      and common comorbid diseases. It provides an evidence base for doctors and their
      patients when discussing and selecting the appropriate bDMARDs. 

PMID- 26282935
TI  - Intratumoral interleukin-6 predicts ascites formation in patients with epithelial
      ovarian cancer: A potential tool for close monitoring.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The implication of IL-6 in the pathogenesis of epithelial ovarian
      cancer (EOC) is well documented. Accordingly, the clinicopathological
      significance of this cytokine in patients' ascites fluid or serum has largely
      been investigated. Since the main source of IL-6 secreted into the biological
      fluids is the tumor tissue, this study was designed to investigate the status and
      possible clinical relevance of the IL-6 expression in an array of EOC tissue
      specimens. METHODS: Tissue samples obtained from ninety-eight consecutive
      patients with EOC were studied using immunohistochemistry. Clinicopathological
      characteristics and treatment related factors were collected from patient files.
      The relationship between the expression of the protein of interest and the study
      endpoints of disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed
      using the Kaplan-Meier method. For evaluating the predictive value of IL-6,
      logistic regression and cox proportional hazards models were employed. RESULTS:
      An upregulation of IL-6 expression was observed in EOC tissues as compared with
      the normal samples (p < 0.0001). As regards the clinical relevance, IL-6 failed
      to predict OS, DFS and response to the platinum-based chemotherapy in EOC
      patients. In multivariate analysis, however, IL-6 was identified as an
      independent predictive factor for the development of post-treatment ascites
      (p:0.033). CONCLUSIONS: Having the capability to predict the ascites formation,
      IL-6 might serve as a biomarker and a useful tool in EOC for monitoring purposes.
      IL-6 targeting for the prevention of the ascites development is a potential
      avenue for further investigation.

PMID- 26282937
TI  - Operative hysteroscopy versus vacuum aspiration for incomplete spontaneous
      abortion (HY-PER): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Incomplete spontaneous abortions are defined by the intrauterine
      retention of the products of conception after their incomplete or partial
      expulsion. This condition may be managed by expectant care, medical treatment or
      surgery. Vacuum aspiration is currently the standard surgical treatment in most
      centers. However, operative hysteroscopy has the advantage over vacuum aspiration
      of allowing the direct visualization of the retained conception product,
      facilitating its elective removal while limiting surgical complications.
      Inadequately powered retrospective studies reported subsequent fertility to be
      higher in patients treated by operative hysteroscopy than in those treated by
      vacuum aspiration. These data require confirmation in a randomized controlled
      trial comparing fertility rates between women undergoing hysteroscopy and those
      undergoing vacuum aspiration for incomplete spontaneous abortion. METHODS: After
      providing written informed consent, 572 women with incomplete spontaneous
      abortion recruited from 15 centers across France will undergo randomization by a
      centralized computer system for treatment by either vacuum aspiration or
      operative hysteroscopy. Patients will not be informed of the type of treatment
      that they receive and will be cared for during their hospital stay in accordance
      with standard practices at each center. The patients will be monitored for
      pregnancy or adverse effects by a telephone conversation or questionnaire sent by
      e-mail or post over a period of two years. In cases of complications, failure of
      the intervention or diagnosis of uterine cavity disease, patient care will be
      left to the discretion of the medical center team. DISCUSSION: If our hypothesis
      is confirmed, this study will provide evidence that the use of operative
      hysteroscopy can increase the number of pregnancies continuing beyond 22 weeks of
      gestation in the two-year period following incomplete spontaneous abortion
      without increasing the incidence of morbidity and peri- and postoperative
      complications. The standard surgical treatment of this condition would thus be
      modified. This study would therefore have a large effect on the surgical
      management of incomplete spontaneous abortion. TRIAL REGISTRATION:
      ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02201732 ; registered on 17 July 2014.

PMID- 26282938
TI  - Anti-inflammatory effects of interleukin-35 in acquired aplastic anemia.
AB  - Interleukin (IL)-35 is a novel regulatory cytokine primarily produced by
      regulatory T cells. Accumulating evidence has established that IL-35 plays an
      important role in the regulation of immune homeostasis, but little is known
      regarding the function of IL-35 in acquired aplastic anemia (AA). The aim of the
      present study was to investigate the expression of IL-35 and its effects on T
      cell response in AA. Our study demonstrated that significantly decreased plasma
      levels of IL-35 in AA were closely correlated with disease severity. In vitro
      stimulation experiment further confirmed the anti-inflammatory effects of IL-35,
      including suppressing the proliferation of CD4(+) and CD8(+) effector T cells,
      inhibiting the secretion of interferon-gamma, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and IL
      17 and promoting the production of transforming growth factor-beta by peripheral
      blood mononuclear cells from patients with AA. Furthermore, we established that
      IL-35 inhibited the differentiation of type 1 T cells and T helper 17 cells but
      promoted the differentiation of type 2 T cells. Accordingly, the expression of T
      bet and RORgammat was inhibited while the expression of GATA3 was induced after
      IL-35 treatment. In summary, our findings suggested that decreased IL-35 might
      contribute to the loss of immune-tolerance and be critically involved in the
      pathogenesis of AA. 

PMID- 26282940
TI  - Recent Progress in Chemical Modifications of Chlorophylls and
      Bacteriochlorophylls for the Applications in Photodynamic Therapy.
AB  - Since photodynamic therapy emerged as a promising cancer treatment, the
      development of photosensitizers has gained great interest. In this context, the
      photosynthetic pigments, chlorophylls and bacteriochlorophylls, as excellent
      natural photosensitizers, attracted much attention. In effect, several (bacterio)
      chlorophyll-based phototherapeutic agents have been developed and (or are about
      to) enter the clinics. The aim of this review article is to give a survey of the
      advances in the synthetic chemistry of these pigments which have been made over
      the last decade, and which are pertinent to the application of their derivatives
      as photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy (PDT). The review focuses on the
      synthetic strategies undertaken to obtain novel derivatives of
      (bacterio)chlorophylls with both enhanced photosensitizing and tumorlocalizing
      properties, and also improved photo- and chemical stability. These include
      modifications of the C- 17-ester moiety, the isocyclic ring, the central binding
      pocket, and the derivatization of peripheral functionalities at the C-3 and C-7
      positions with carbohydrate-, peptide-, and nanoparticle moieties or other
      residues. The effects of these modifications on essential features of the
      pigments are discussed, such as the efficiency of reactive oxygen species
      generation, photostability, phototoxicity and interactions with living organisms.
      The review is divided into several sections. In the first part, the principles of
      PDT and photosensitizer action are briefly described. Then the relevant
      photophysical features of (bacterio)chlorophylls and earlier approaches to their
      modification are summarized. Next, a more detailed overview of the progress in
      synthetic methods is given, followed by a discussion of the effects of these
      modifications on the photophysics of the pigments and on their biological
      activity.

PMID- 26282941
TI  - Current Advances in Antitubercular Drug Discovery: Potent Prototypes and New
      Targets.
AB  - Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by bacterium of the
      Mycobacterium genus, mainly by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). The World Health
      Organization aims to substantially reduce the number of cases in the coming
      years; however, the increased number of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extremely
      drug-resistant (XDR) forms of the bacterium and the lack of treatment for latent
      tuberculosis are challenges to be overcome. In this review, we have identified
      the most potent compounds described in the literature during recent years with
      MIC values < 7 uM, low toxicity and a high selective index. In addition, emerging
      targets in MTB are presented to provide new perspectives for the discovery of new
      antitubercular drugs. This review aims to summarize the current advances in and
      promote insights into antitubercular drug discovery. 

PMID- 26282942
TI  - Flexibility as a Strategy in Nucleoside Antiviral Drug Design.
AB  - As far back as Melville Wolfrom's acyclic sugar synthesis in the 1960's,
      synthesis of flexible nucleoside analogues have been an area of interest. This
      concept, however, went against years of enzyme-substrate binding theory. Hence,
      acyclic methodology in antiviral drug design did not take off until the discovery
      and subsequent FDA approval of such analogues as Acyclovir and Tenofovir. More
      recently, the observation that flexible nucleosides could overcome drug
      resistance spawned a renewed interest in the field of nucleoside drug design. The
      next generation of flexible nucleosides shifted the focus from the sugar moiety
      to the nucleobase. With analogues such as Seley-Radtke "fleximers", and
      Herdewijn's C5 substituted 2'-deoxyuridines, the area of base flexibility has
      seen great expansion. More recently, the marriage of these methodologies with
      acyclic sugars has resulted in a series of acyclic flex-base nucleosides with a
      wide range of antiviral properties, including some of the first to exhibit anti
      coronavirus activity. Various flexible nucleosides and their corresponding
      nucleobases will be compared in this review. 

PMID- 26282939
TI  - Unfolded Protein Response and PERK Kinase as a New Therapeutic Target in the
      Pathogenesis of Alzheimer's Disease.
AB  - Recent evidence suggests that the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and
      related cognitive loss is due to mutations in the Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP)
      gene on chromosome 21 and increased activation of eukaryotic translation
      initiation factor-2alpha (eIF2alpha) phosphorylation. The high level of misfolded
      and unfolded proteins loading in Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) lumen triggers ER
      stress and as a result Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) pathways are activated.
      Stress-dependent activation of the protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum
      kinase (PERK) leads to the significant elevation of phospho-eIF2alpha. That
      attenuates general translation and, on the other hand, promotes the preferential
      synthesis of Activating Transcription Factor 4 (ATF4) and secretase beta (BACE1) 
      a pivotal enzyme responsible for the initiation of the amyloidogenic pathway
      resulting in the generation of the amyloid beta (Abeta) variant with high ability
      to form toxic senile plaques in AD brains. Moreover, excessive, long-term stress
      conditions may contribute to inducing neuronal death by apoptosis as a result of
      the overactivated expression of pro-apoptotic proteins via ATF4. These findings
      allow to infer that dysregulated translation, increased expression of BACE1 and
      ATF4, as a result of eIF2alpha phosphorylation, may be a major contributor to
      structural and functional neuronal loss resulting in memory impairment. Thus,
      blocking PERK-dependent eIF2alpha phosphorylation through specific, small
      molecule PERK branch inhibitors seems to be a potential treatment strategy for AD
      individuals. That may contribute to the restoration of global translation rates
      and reduction of expression of ATF4 and BACE1. Hence, the treatment strategy can
      block accelerated beta -amyloidogenesis by reduction in APP cleaving via the
      BACE1-dependent amyloidogenic pathway. 

PMID- 26282943
TI  - Antibacterial Nucleoside Natural Products Inhibiting Phospho-MurNAc-Pentapeptide
      Translocase; Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship.
AB  - The continued emergence of drug-resistance to existing antibacterial agents
      represents a severe and ongoing public health concern, which demands the
      discovery of new antibiotics. However the number of novel classes of
      antibacterial drugs launched in the clinic has been remarkably slow since the
      1960s, and it is urgent to develop novel antibacterial agents to fight against
      drug-resistant bacterial pathogens. Peptidoglycan is a component of the bacterial
      cell wall, which consists of a repeated N-acetylmuramic acid (MurNAc) and
      Nacetylglucosamine (GluNAc) polymer cross-linked with polypeptides, and is a good
      target for antibacterial drug discovery. Among enzymes responsible for its
      biosynthesis, phospho-MurNAc-pentapeptide translocase (MraY) is a novel and
      promising target. Many nucleoside natural products, which strongly inhibit MraY,
      have been found in nature. This review will summarize the synthesis and
      biological properties of selected MraY inhibitory nucleoside natural products and
      their analogues synthesized in our laboratory and by others. 

PMID- 26282945
TI  - Expression of NLRP3 in subcutaneous adipose tissue is associated with coronary
      atherosclerosis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The promotion of adipose tissue inflammation by lifestyle-related
      diseases such as obesity and diabetes accelerates atherogenesis; however, the
      underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Nucleotide-binding domain,
      leucine-rich-containing family, pyrin domain-containing-3 (NLRP3) inflammasome
      contributes to chronic inflammation in adipose tissue. Here, we investigated the
      link between NLRP3 expression in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and the
      severity of coronary atherosclerosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: SAT was obtained from
      72 patients who underwent heart device implantation and coronary angiography.
      Expression of NLRP3 inflammasome-related molecules (NLRP3, IL-1beta and IL-18) in
      SAT were evaluated by quantitative RT-PCR. Laboratory markers related to
      lifestyle-related diseases were measured. Patients with obesity, dyslipidemia (P
      < 0.05, respectively), diabetes or hyperuricemia (P < 0.01, respectively) had
      significantly higher expression of NLRP3. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that
      body mass index and serum level of uric acid were predictors of NLRP3 expression
      in SAT. The expression of NLRP3 in SAT correlated negatively with serum
      adiponectin level (r = -0.23, P < 0.05). Patients with coronary artery disease
      showed higher NLRP3 expression than patients without significant stenosis (P <
      0.01). Furthermore, the expression of NLRP3 in SAT correlated positively with the
      severity of coronary atherosclerosis as determined by Gensini score (r = 0.47, P
      < 0.0001) or SYNTAX score (r = 0.55, P < 0.0001). Multiple regression analysis
      revealed that the expression of NLRP3 in SAT remains as an independent predictors
      for the severity of coronary atherosclerosis. CONCLUSIONS: The expression of
      NLRP3 in SAT, which is affected by lifestyle-related diseases, is associated with
      the severity of coronary atherosclerosis. Our results suggest that NLRP3
      inflammasome in SAT may have a role in atherogenesis.

PMID- 26282946
TI  - Cascade screening of familial hypercholesterolemia must go on.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study assesses the success of the recently terminated Dutch
      nationwide cascade screening by examining whether children with familial
      hypercholesterolemia (FH) were identified through family screening or due to
      cardiovascular (CVD) events in the FH parent. METHODS: We collected clinical
      information of all children (0-18 years) with FH with a pathogenic variant at our
      outpatient lipid clinic between 1992 and 2014 and their FH parents and FH
      grandparents. RESULTS: We analysed 292 FH children from 205 parents with FH. A
      history of premature CVD was present in 20% of the parents (29% of the fathers,
      9% of the mothers) and 49% of the FH grandparents. CONCLUSION: The fact that CVD
      is still a presenting event of FH in especially fathers shows that nationwide
      screening might have been terminated too early. Therefore we recommend to proceed
      the cascade screening.

PMID- 26282944
TI  - Adherence and future discontinuation of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in chronic
      phase chronic myeloid leukemia. A patient-based survey on 1133 patients.
AB  - Therapeutic approach for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients has undergone a
      revolutionary change with the introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors, which
      improved overall survival and quality of life. Optimal therapy adherence has
      become of paramount importance to maximize the benefits in the long-term outcome.
      Several evidences have been reported that personal factors, such as social
      support, psychological and subjective perceptions about the drug used and the
      future, could influence adherence. We here report the results of a questionnaire
      specifically designed to evaluate factors influencing adherence and perceptions
      about the future, distributed to patients during regional Italian meetings.
      Overall, 1133 patients compiled the questionnaire: median age was 57 years. High
      rate of adherence was reported, but 42% of interviewed patients admitted that
      they had occasionally postponed a dose and 58% had discontinued therapy mainly
      for forgetfulness. The majority of patients discussed with personal physician
      about the importance of adherence and received sufficient information about
      illness and treatment, but would like to have discussed more about discomfort,
      anxiety and fear of the future. Summarizing personal drug compliance and
      estimating how many days a month, on average, the patients did not take the drug,
      the majority answered that it was less than 3 days (55%) and only a minority (4%)
      admitted that it was more than 7 days. Interviewed about discontinuation, 49% of
      patients answered that wouldn't interrupt because of fear of losing all the
      results achieved so far. This study suggests a higher level of satisfaction with
      more information received but the need of improving communication about possible
      future treatment free remission. 

PMID- 26282948
TI  - Erratum to: 'Antitumor and antimetastatic activities of chloroform extract of
      medicinal mushroom Cordyceps taii in mouse models'.

PMID- 26282947
TI  - Periodontal microbiota and phospholipases: the Oral Infections and Vascular
      Disease Epidemiology Study (INVEST).
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Periodontal infections have been linked to cardiovascular disease,
      including atherosclerosis, and systemic inflammation has been proposed as a
      possible mediator. Secretory phospholipase A2 (s-PLA2) and Lipoprotein-associated
      PLA2 (Lp-PLA2) are inflammatory enzymes associated with atherosclerosis. No data
      are available on the association between oral microbiota and PLA2s. We studied
      whether a relationship exists between periodontal microbiota and the activities
      of these enzymes. METHODS: The Oral Infection and Vascular Disease Epidemiology
      Study (INVEST) collected subgingival biofilms and serum samples from 593 dentate
      men and women (age 68.7 +/- 8.6 years). 4561 biofilm samples were collected in
      the two most posterior teeth of each quadrant (average 7/participant) for
      quantitative assessment of 11 bacterial species using DNA-DNA checkerboard
      hybridization. Mean concentration of s-PLA2 and activities of s-PLA2 and Lp-PLA2
      were regressed on tertiles of etiologic dominance (ED). ED is defined as the
      level of presumed periodontopathic species/combined level of all eleven species
      measured, and represents the relative abundance of periodontopathic organisms.
      Analyses were adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, smoking, BMI,
      diabetes, LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol, and systolic blood pressure.
      RESULTS: Higher levels of s-PLA2 activity were observed across increasing
      tertiles of etiologic dominance (0.66 +/- 0.04 nmol ml(-1) min(-1), 0.73 +/- 0.04
      nmol ml(-1) min(-1), 0.89 +/- 0.04 nmol ml-1 min-1; p < 0.001), with also a trend
      of association between Lp-PLA2 activity and ED (p = 0.07), while s-PLA2
      concentration was unrelated to ED. CONCLUSION: Increasingly greater s-PLA2
      activity at higher tertiles of etiologic dominance may provide a mechanistic
      explanatory link of the relationship between periodontal microbiota and vascular
      diseases. Additional studies investigating the role of s-PLA2 are needed.

PMID- 26282949
TI  - ASGE position statement on endoscopic bariatric therapies in clinical practice.

PMID- 26282950
TI  - Multilocus phylogeography of the common midwife toad, Alytes obstetricans (Anura,
      Alytidae): Contrasting patterns of lineage diversification and genetic structure
      in the Iberian refugium.
AB  - Recent investigations on the evolutionary history of the common midwife toad
      (Alytes obstetricans) revealed high levels of geographically structured genetic
      diversity but also a situation where delineation of major historical lineages and
      resolution of their relationships are much more complex than previously thought.
      We studied sequence variation in one mitochondrial and four nuclear genes
      throughout the entire distribution range of all recognized A. obstetricans
      subspecies to infer the evolutionary processes that shaped current patterns of
      genetic diversity and population subdivision. We found six divergent,
      geographically structured mtDNA haplogroups diagnosing population lineages, and
      varying levels of admixture in nuclear markers. Given the timeframe inferred for
      the splits between major lineages, the climatic and environmental changes that
      occurred during the Pleistocene seem to have shaped the diversification history
      of A. obstetricans. Survival of populations in allopatric refugia through the Ice
      Ages supports the generality of the "refugia-within-refugia" scenario for the
      Iberian Peninsula. However, lineages corresponding to subspecies A. o.
      almogavarii, A. o. pertinax, A. o. obstetricans, and A. o. boscai responded
      differently to Pleistocene climatic oscillations after diverging from a common
      ancestor. Alytes o. obstetricans expanded northward from a northern Iberian
      refugium through the western Pyrenees, leaving a signal of contrasting patterns
      of genetic diversity, with a single mtDNA haplotype north of the Pyrenees from SW
      France to Germany. Both A. o. pertinax and A. o. boscai are widespread and
      genetically diverse in Iberia, the latter comprising two divergent lineages with
      a long independent history. Finally, A. o. almogavarii is mostly restricted to
      the north-eastern corner of Iberia north of the Ebro river, with additional
      populations in a small region in south-eastern France. This taxon exhibits
      unparalleled levels of genetic diversity and little haplotype sharing with other
      lineages, suggesting a process of incipient speciation. 

PMID- 26282951
TI  - Chemotherapeutic effect of a novel temozolomide analog on nasopharyngeal
      carcinoma in vitro and in vivo.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Many patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) face poor
      prognosis. Due to its hidden anatomical location, the tumor is usually diagnosed
      quite late, and despite initially successful treatment with radiation and
      cisplatin, many patients will relapse and succumb to the disease. New treatment
      options are urgently needed. We have performed preclinical studies to evaluate
      the potential NPC therapeutic activity of a newly developed analog of
      temozolomide (TMZ), an alkylating agent that is the current chemotherapeutic
      standard of care for patients with malignant glioma. RESULTS: TMZ was covalently
      conjugated to the natural monoterpene perillyl alcohol (POH), creating the novel
      fusion compound NEO212. Its impact on two NPC cell lines was studied through
      colony formation assays, cell death ELISA, immunoblots, and in vivo testing in
      tumor-bearing mice. In vitro, NEO212 effectively triggered tumor cell death, and
      its potency was significantly greater than that of its individual components, TMZ
      or POH alone. Intriguingly, merely mixing TMZ with POH also was unable to achieve
      the superior potency of the conjugated compound NEO212. Treatment of NPC cells
      with NEO212 inactivated the chemoprotective DNA repair protein MGMT (O6
      methylguanine methyltransferase), resulting in significant chemosensitization of
      cells to a second round of drug treatment. When tested in vivo, NEO212 reduced
      tumor growth in treated animals. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate anticancer
      activity of NEO212 in preclinical NPC models, suggesting that this novel compound
      should be evaluated further for the treatment of patients with NPC.

PMID- 26282953
TI  - Assessing the Accuracy of Three National Physician Sampling Frames.

PMID- 26282952
TI  - The Roles of Cost and Quality Information in Medicare Advantage Plan Enrollment
      Decisions: an Observational Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To facilitate informed decision-making in the Medicare Advantage
      marketplace, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services publishes plan
      information on the Medicare Plan Finder website, including costs, benefits, and
      star ratings reflecting quality. Little is known about how beneficiaries weigh
      costs versus quality in enrollment decisions. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess
      associations between publicly reported Medicare Advantage plan attributes (i.e.,
      costs, quality, and benefits) and brand market share and beneficiaries'
      enrollment decisions. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS: We performed a nationwide,
      beneficiary-level cross-sectional analysis of 847,069 beneficiaries enrolling in
      Medicare Advantage for the first time in 2011. MAIN MEASURES: Matching
      beneficiaries with their plan choice sets, we used conditional logistic
      regression to estimate associations between plan attributes and enrollment to
      assess the proportion of enrollment variation explained by plan attributes and
      willingness to pay for quality. KEY RESULTS: Relative to the total variation
      explained by the model, the variation in plan choice explained by premiums (25.7
      %) and out-of-pocket costs (11.6 %) together explained nearly three times as much
      as quality ratings (13.6 %), but brand market share explained the most variation
      (35.3 %). Further, while beneficiaries were willing to pay more in total annual
      combined premiums and out-of-pocket costs for higher-rated plans (from $4,154.93
      for 2.5-star plans to $5,698.66 for 5-star plans), increases in willingness to
      pay diminished at higher ratings, from $549.27 (95 %CI: $541.10, $557.44) for a
      rating increase from 2.5 to 3 stars to $68.22 (95 %CI: $61.44, $75.01) for an
      increase from 4.5 to 5 stars. Willingness to pay varied among subgroups:
      beneficiaries aged 64-65 years were more willing to pay for higher-rated plans,
      while black and rural beneficiaries were less willing to pay for higher-rated
      plans. CONCLUSIONS: While beneficiaries prefer higher-quality and lower-cost
      Medicare Advantage plans, marginal utility for quality diminishes at higher star
      ratings, and their decisions are strongly associated with plans' brand market
      share.

PMID- 26282955
TI  - Evaluation of genotoxicity using automated detection of gammaH2AX in
      metabolically competent HepaRG cells.
AB  - The in situ detection of gammaH2AX was recently reported to be a promising
      biomarker of genotoxicity. In addition, the human HepaRG hepatoma cells appear to
      be relevant for investigating hepatic genotoxicity since they express most of
      drug metabolizing enzymes and a wild type p53. The aim of this study was to
      determine whether the automated in situ detection of gammaH2AX positive HepaRG
      cells could be relevant for evaluation of genotoxicity after single or long-term
      repeated in vitro exposure compared to micronucleus assay. Metabolically
      competent HepaRG cells were treated daily with environmental contaminants and
      genotoxicity was evaluated after 1, 7 and 14 days. Using these cells, we
      confirmed the genotoxicity of aflatoxin B1 and benzo(a)pyrene and demonstrated
      that dimethylbenzanthracene, fipronil and endosulfan previously found genotoxic
      with comet or micronucleus assays also induced gammaH2AX phosphorylation.
      Furthermore, we showed that fluoranthene and bisphenol A induced gammaH2AX while
      no effect had been previously reported in HepG2 cells. In addition, induction of
      gammaH2AX was observed with some compounds only after 7 days, highlighting the
      importance of studying long-term effects of low doses of contaminants. Together,
      our data demonstrate that automated gammaH2AX detection in metabolically
      competent HepaRG cells is a suitable high-through put genotoxicity screening
      assay.

PMID- 26282956
TI  - Specialized stroke rehabilitation services in seven countries: Preliminary
      results from nine rehabilitation centers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is a lack of defined levels of rehabilitation, indicating
      possibly random content and access to specialized services. AIMS AND/OR
      HYPOTHESIS: The aim of the study was to perform a multinational descriptive study
      of specialized rehabilitation in persons with stroke, to elucidate what the
      different centers define as prerequisites for specialized rehabilitation, and to
      analyze whether these descriptions map to currently applied standards or
      constructs of specialized rehabilitation. A secondary aim was to look for
      similarities and differences between therapies and services for persons with
      stroke in the sub-acute stage in the different institutions. METHODS: Descriptive
      data of the collaborating centers regarding structure and processes of services
      were recorded and compared with the British Society of Rehabilitation Medicine
      and Specialized Services National Definitions sets. RESULTS: Comparisons of the
      definitions showed that all centers admitted severely disabled persons with
      stroke, in need of complex rehabilitation, and provided high levels of physical
      services, with specialized equipment and facilities. However, funding, size,
      university affiliation, quality accreditation, staffing levels, specialist
      training, cognitive and vocational services, coordination of the professional
      teams, admission procedures, time and type of therapies, estimated length of
      stay, and follow-up procedures differed between the centers. CONCLUSION: This
      multinational study of specialized stroke rehabilitation centers shows that a
      universal definition of specialized rehabilitation is possible, even in quite
      different countries and settings, in terms of general principles. There were
      however differences in structures and procedures, which may influence patients'
      outcomes, indicating a need for refinement of the definitions to be globally
      applicable.

PMID- 26282954
TI  - Medication Adherence Does Not Explain Black-White Differences in Cardiometabolic
      Risk Factor Control among Insured Patients with Diabetes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Among patients with diabetes, racial differences in cardiometabolic
      risk factor control are common. The extent to which differences in medication
      adherence contribute to such disparities is not known. We examined whether
      medication adherence, controlling for treatment intensification, could explain
      differences in risk factor control between black and white patients with
      diabetes. METHODS: We identified three cohorts of black and white patients
      treated with oral medications and who had poor risk factor control at baseline
      (2009): those with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) >8 % (n = 37,873), low-density
      lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) >100 mg/dl (n = 27,954), and systolic blood
      pressure (SBP) >130 mm Hg (n = 63,641). Subjects included insured adults with
      diabetes who were receiving care in one of nine U.S. integrated health systems
      comprising the SUrveillance, PREvention, and ManagEment of Diabetes Mellitus
      (SUPREME-DM) consortium. Baseline and follow-up risk factor control,
      sociodemographic, and clinical characteristics were obtained from electronic
      health records. Pharmacy-dispensing data were used to estimate medication
      adherence (i.e., medication refill adherence [MRA]) and treatment intensification
      (i.e., dose increase or addition of new medication class) between baseline and
      follow-up. County-level income and educational attainment were estimated via
      geocoding. Logistic regression models were used to test the association between
      race and follow-up risk factor control. Models were specified with and without
      medication adherence to evaluate its role as a mediator. RESULTS: We observed
      poorer medication adherence among black patients than white patients (p < 0.01):
      50.6 % of blacks versus 39.7 % of whites were not highly adherent (i.e., MRA <80
      %) to HbA1c oral medication(s); 58.4 % of blacks and 46.7 % of whites were not
      highly adherent to lipid medication(s); and 33.4 % of blacks and 23.7 % of whites
      were not highly adherent to BP medication(s). Across all cardiometabolic risk
      factors, blacks were significantly less likely to achieve control (p < 0.01):
      41.5 % of blacks and 45.8 % of whites achieved HbA1c <8 %; 52.6 % of blacks and
      60.8 % of whites achieved LDL-C <100; and 45.7 % of blacks and 53.6 % of whites
      achieved SBP <130. Adjusting for medication adherence/treatment intensification
      did not alter these patterns or model fit statistics. CONCLUSIONS: Medication
      adherence failed to explain observed racial differences in the achievement of
      HbA1c, LDL-C, and SBP control among insured patients with diabetes.

PMID- 26282961
TI  - Robotic total endoscopic sutureless aortic valve replacement: proof of concept
      for a future surgical setting.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sutureless valves have recently enabled closed chest aortic valve
      replacement. This paper evaluates the feasibility of a robotic telemanipulation
      during thoracoscopic sutureless aortic valve implantation in cadavers. METHODS:
      Cadavers were prepared with a five thoracosopic trocar setting, with a
      transthoracic clamp inserted in the first right intercostal space and the optics
      inserted in the second. Seven sutureless valve implantations were scheduled using
      5 Sorin Perceval and 2 Medtronic 3f Enable valves. RESULTS: In all cases
      performance of pericardial suspension, aortotomy and root exposure required less
      than 20 min. Native valve excision and sutureless bioprosthesis implantation was
      technically feasible in all cases. A satisfactory prosthesis sealing was
      ascertained visually and the absence of paravalvular leakages was assessed with a
      nerve hook test around the prosthetic flange. CONCLUSIONS: Closed chest and robot
      assisted sutureless valve implantation is feasible in cadavers. Robotic
      technology can enhance reproducibility of the technique. Copyright (c) 2015 John
      Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 26282962
TI  - Surface-Enhanced Infrared Spectroscopic Study of a CO-Covered Pt Electrode in
      Room-Temperature Ionic Liquid.
AB  - ATR-SEIRAS is extended for the first time to study potential-induced surface and
      interface structure variation of a CO-covered Pt electrode in a room-temperature
      ionic liquid of N-butyl-N-methyl-piperidinium bis((trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl)imide
      (or [Pip14][TNf2]). Owing to a wide effective potential window of [Pip14][TNf2],
      a gradual conversion from bridged COad (COB) to terminal COad (COL) is observed
      in response to positively going potentials, suggesting that [Pip14](+) may be
      involved in a strong electrostatic interaction with the COad. This site
      conversion enables the ratio of the apparent absorption coefficient of COL to
      that of COB to be determined. Also, the spectral results reveal the potential
      dependent COad frequency variations as well as the potential-induced interfacial
      ionic reorientation and movement at the Pt/CO/[Pip14][TNf2] interface. 

PMID- 26282963
TI  - Measurement of an Electronic Resonance in a Ground-State, Gas-Phase Acetophenone
      Cation via Strong-Field Mass Spectrometry.
AB  - A one-photon ionic resonance is measured in the strong-field regime in
      acetophenone by recording the mass spectra as a function of excitation wavelength
      from 800 to 1500 nm. The ratio of the benzoyl to parent ion signals in the mass
      spectrum varies significantly with excitation wavelength, where the highest ratio
      observed upon excitation at 1370 nm (0.90 eV) indicates the presence of a one
      photon resonance. At the resonant wavelength, the ratio of the benzoyl to parent
      ion signals increases linearly with laser intensity over a range from 1.1 *
      10(13) to 6.0 * 10(13) W cm(-2). The ratio increases by a factor of 5 at 1370 nm
      with increasing pulse duration from 60 to 100 fs. Calculations using the equation
      of motion coupled cluster method support the existence of a one-photon transition
      from the ground ionic to a dissociative excited ionic state (0.87 eV), where
      motion of the acetyl group from a planar to nonplanar structure within the pulse
      duration enables the otherwise forbidden transition. 

PMID- 26282964
TI  - Atom-Scale Reaction Pathways and Free-Energy Landscapes in Oxygen Plasma Etching
      of Graphene.
AB  - We report first-principles molecular dynamics calculations combined with rare
      events sampling techniques that clarify atom-scale mechanisms of oxygen plasma
      etching of graphene. The obtained reaction pathways and associated free-energy
      landscapes show that the etching proceeds near vacancies via a two-step
      mechanism, formation of precursor lactone structures and the subsequent exclusive
      CO2 desorption. We find that atomic oxygen among the plasma components is most
      efficient for etching, providing a guidline in tuning the plasma conditions. 

PMID- 26282965
TI  - Stimulated Emission Properties of Sterically Modified Distyrylbenzene-Based H
      Aggregate Single Crystals.
AB  - J-aggregation has been shown to be beneficial for light amplification in single
      crystals of pi-conjugated organic molecules. In the case of H-aggregation, the
      criteria for such processes are still under debate. It has also been shown that H
      aggregate arrangements with considerable pi-pi overlap are detrimental for light
      amplification. We show here that a proper alignment of the molecules in the
      crystal lattice, which minimizes pi-pi overlap between adjacent molecules, gives
      rise to (random) stimulated emission from cofacial arrangements similar to that
      of the herringbone aggregates. 

PMID- 26282966
TI  - Drug-Drug Interactions within Protein Cavities Probed by Triplet-Triplet Energy
      Transfer.
AB  - A new direct and noninvasive methodology based on transient absorption
      spectroscopy has been developed to probe the feasibility of drug-drug
      interactions within a common protein binding site. The simultaneous presence of
      (R)-cinacalcet (CIN) and (S)-propranolol (PPN) within human or bovine alpha1-acid
      glycoproteins (AAGs) is revealed by detection of (3)CIN* as the only transient
      species after laser flash photolysis of CIN/PPN/AAG mixtures at 308 nm. This is
      the result of triplet-triplet energy transfer from (3)PPN* to CIN, which requires
      close contact between the two drugs within the same biological compartment.
      Similar results are obtained with nabumetone and CIN as donor/acceptor partners.
      This new methodology can, in principle, be extended to a variety of
      drug/drug/biomolecule combinations. 

PMID- 26282967
TI  - Cage-Like Local Structure of Ionic Liquids Revealed by a (129)Xe Chemical Shift.
AB  - The chemical shift of xenon (at natural abundance) dissolved in a variety of 1
      butyl-3-methylimidazolium-based ionic liquids (ILs) has been measured with
      (129)Xe NMR spectroscopy. The large chemical shift differences observed are
      mainly related to the type of anion; the strongest deshielding effect is observed
      ILs with I(-), Br(-), and Cl(-) anions, and the strongest shielding is found for
      the bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide ([Tf2N](-))-based IL. The measured (129)Xe
      chemical shift variations correlate well with the IL structure organization
      imposed by the anions and with the size of the empty voids due to charge
      alternation patterns. Descriptors taken from literature data on X-ray and neutron
      scattering, as well as single-crystal structures where available, support this
      interpretation. The proposed methodology adds a new investigating tool to the
      elucidation of the short-range order in ILs. The observed chemical shift trend
      provides information about how these solvents are organized. 

PMID- 26282968
TI  - Efficient Computational Screening of Organic Polymer Photovoltaics.
AB  - There has been increasing interest in rational, computationally driven design
      methods for materials, including organic photovoltaics (OPVs). Our approach
      focuses on a screening "pipeline", using a genetic algorithm for first stage
      screening and multiple filtering stages for further refinement. An important step
      forward is to expand our diversity of candidate compounds, including both
      synthetic and property-based measures of diversity. For example, top monomer
      pairs from our screening are all donor-donor (D-D) combinations, in contrast with
      the typical donor-acceptor (D-A) motif used in organic photovoltaics. We also
      find a strong "sequence effect", in which the average HOMO-LUMO gap of tetramers
      changes by ~0.2 eV as a function of monomer sequence (e.g., ABBA versus BAAB);
      this has rarely been explored in conjugated polymers. Beyond such optoelectronic
      optimization, we discuss other properties needed for high-efficiency organic
      solar cells, and applications of screening methods to other areas, including non
      fullerene n-type materials, tandem cells, and improving charge and exciton
      transport. 

PMID- 26282969
TI  - Metal Oxide Photoelectrodes for Solar Fuel Production, Surface Traps, and
      Catalysis.
AB  - The photoelectrochemical reduction of water or CO2 is a promising route to
      sustainable solar fuels but hinges on the identification of a stable photoanode
      for water oxidation. Semiconductor oxides like Fe2O3 and BiVO4 have been gaining
      significant attention as promising materials. However, they exhibit a major
      drawback of a large required overpotential for solar water oxidation. In this
      Perspective, recent efforts to characterize and reduce the overpotential are
      critically examined. The accumulation of photogenerated holes at the
      semiconductor-liquid interface, recently observed with multiple techniques, is
      rationalized with surface state models. Transient absorption spectroscopy and
      electrochemical impedance spectroscopy suggest that surface treatments designed
      to either passivate surface traps or increase reaction rates (as catalysts)
      actually perform identically. This calls into question the definition of a
      catalyst when coupled to a semiconductor photoelectrode. In contrast, results
      from transient photocurrent spectroscopy suggest that two separate loss
      mechanisms are indeed occurring and can be addressed separately. 

PMID- 26282970
TI  - Excitation Nature of Two-Photon Photoluminescence of Gold Nanorods and Coupled
      Gold Nanoparticles Studied by Two-Pulse Emission Modulation Spectroscopy.
AB  - Gold nanorods (Au NRs) and coupled gold nanospheres (Au NSs) are known to display
      strong two-photon photoluminescence (TPPL). Here two-pulse emission modulation
      (TPEM) and pump-probe measurements were performed on Au NRs and coupled Au NSs to
      understand their excitation mechanisms. The TPEM cross contributions of Au NRs
      and coupled Au NSs showed much slower decay compared with a two-photon absorption
      organic dye. Their decay time constants (4.0 ps for Au NRs and 3.1 ps for coupled
      Au NSs) match well with the lifetimes of intermediate states measured from pump
      probe experiments. These results support the fact that strong TPPL in Au NRs and
      coupled Au NSs arises from two sequential one-photon absorption steps involving
      real intermediate states instead of coherent two-photon absorption. These results
      give direct evidence that previously observed aggregation-enhanced TPPL arises
      from enhanced two-photon excitation efficiency, which was facilitated by two
      sequential plasmon-coupling-enhanced one-photon absorption steps via real
      intermediate states. 

PMID- 26282971
TI  - Discontinuous Bubble Nucleation Due to a Metastable Condensation Transition in
      Polymer-CO2 Mixtures.
AB  - We combine a newly developed density-functional theory with the string method to
      calculate the minimum free energy path of bubble nucleation in compressible
      polymer-CO2 mixtures. Nucleation is initiated by saturating the polymer liquid
      with high pressure CO2 and subsequently reducing the pressure to ambient
      condition. Below a critical temperature, we find that there is a discontinuous
      drop in the nucleation barrier with increased initial CO2 pressure, as a result
      of an underlying metastable transition from a CO2-rich-vapor phase to a CO2-rich
      liquid phase. This phenomenon is different from previously proposed nucleation
      mechanisms involving metastable transitions. 

PMID- 26282972
TI  - Solvent Effects on Vibronic Coupling in a Flexible Bichromophore: Electronic
      Localization and Energy Transfer induced by a Single Water Molecule.
AB  - Size and conformation-specific ultraviolet and infrared spectra are used to probe
      the effects of binding a single water molecule on the close-lying excited states
      present in a model flexible bichromophore, 1,2-diphenoxyethane (DPOE). The water
      molecule binds to DPOE asymmetrically, thereby localizing the two electronically
      excited states on one or the other ring, producing a S1/S2 splitting of 190 cm(
      1). Electronic localization is reflected clearly in the OH stretch transitions in
      the excited states. Since the S2 origin is imbedded in vibronic levels of the S1
      manifold, its OH stretch spectrum reflects the vibronic coupling between these
      levels, producing four OH stretch transitions that are a sum of contributions
      from S2-localized and S1-localized excited states. The single solvent water
      molecule thus plays multiple roles, localizing the electronic excitation in the
      bichromophore, inducing electronic energy transfer between the two rings, and
      reporting on the state mixing via its OH stretch absorptions. 

PMID- 26282973
TI  - Five Stereoactive Orbitals on Silicon: Charge and Spin Localization in the n
      Si4Me10(-*) Radical Anion by Trigonal Bipyramidalization.
AB  - RIUMP2/def2-TZVPPD calculations show that in addition to its usual conformation
      with charge and spin delocalized over the Si backbone, the isolated Si4Me10(-*)
      radical anion also has isomeric conformations with localized charge and spin. A
      structure with localization on a terminal Si atom has been examined in detail. In
      vacuum, it is calculated to lie 11.5 kcal/mol higher in energy than the charge
      and-spin delocalized conformation, and in water the difference is as little as
      1.6 kcal/mol. According to natural orbital and localized orbital analyses, the
      charge-and-spin-carrying terminal Si atom uses five stereoactive hybrid orbitals
      in a trigonal bipyramidal geometry. Four are built mostly from 3s and 3p atomic
      orbitals (AOs) and are used to attach a Si3(CH3)7 and three CH3 groups, whereas
      the larger equatorial fifth orbital is constructed from 4s and 4p AOs and acts as
      a nonbonding (radical) hybrid orbital with an occupancy of about 0.65 e. 

PMID- 26282974
TI  - Vibrational Sum Frequency Generation by the Quadrupolar Mechanism at the Nonpolar
      Benzene/Air Interface.
AB  - The interface selectivity of vibrational sum frequency generation (VSFG)
      spectroscopy is explained under the dipole approximation as resulting from the
      breakdown of inversion symmetry at the interface. From this viewpoint, VSFG is
      not expected to occur at the interface consisting of centrosymmetric molecules,
      because the inversion symmetry is preserved even at the interface. In reality,
      however, VSFG at the nonpolar benzene/air interface has been observed with
      traditional homodyne-detected VSFG. Here we report a heterodyne-detected VSFG
      study of the benzene/air interface. The result strongly indicates that VSFG at
      this interface cannot be explained within the framework of the dipole
      approximation. The selection rule and polarization dependence of the observed
      VSFG signal show that the quadrupole transition plays an essential role because
      of the field discontinuity at the interface. This finding implies the
      applicability of interface-selective VSFG to the nonpolar interfaces comprising
      centrosymmetric molecules, which opens a new possibility of VSFG spectroscopy. 

PMID- 26282975
TI  - Homogeneous Liquid-Liquid Extraction of Metal Ions with a Functionalized Ionic
      Liquid.
AB  - Binary mixtures of the ionic liquid betainium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide
      and water show an upper critical solution temperature. This solvent system has
      been used to extract metal ions by phase-transition extraction, using
      zwitterionic betaine as extractant. The system is efficient for the extraction of
      trivalent rare-earth, indium and gallium ions. This new type of metal extraction
      system avoids problems associated with the use of viscous ionic liquids, namely,
      the difficulty of intense mixing of the aqueous and ionic liquid phases by
      stirring. 

PMID- 26282976
TI  - Understanding Li(+)-Solvent Interaction in Nonaqueous Carbonate Electrolytes with
      (17)O NMR.
AB  - To understand how Li(+) interacts with individual carbonate molecules in
      nonaqueous electrolytes, we conducted natural abundance (17)O NMR measurements on
      electrolyte solutions of 1 M LiPF6 in a series of binary solvent mixtures of
      ethylene carbonate (EC) and dimethyl carbonate (DMC). It was observed that the
      largest changes in (17)O chemical shift occurred at the carbonyl oxygens of EC,
      firmly establishing that Li(+) strongly prefers EC over DMC in typical nonaqueous
      electrolytes, while mainly coordinating with carbonyl rather than ethereal
      oxygens. Further quantitative analysis of the displacements in (17)O chemical
      shifts renders a detailed Li(+)-solvation structure in these electrolyte
      solutions, revealing that maximum six EC molecules can coexist in the Li(+)
      solvation sheath, while DMC association with Li(+) is more "noncommittal" but
      simultaneously prevalent. This discovery, while aligning well with previous
      fragmental knowledge about Li(+)-solvation, reveals for the first time a complete
      picture of Li(+) solvation structure in nonaqueous electrolytes. 

PMID- 26282977
TI  - Reaching a Uniform Accuracy for Complex Molecular Systems: Long-Range-Corrected
      XYG3 Doubly Hybrid Density Functional.
AB  - An unbiased understanding of complex molecular systems from first-principles
      critically demands theoretical methods with uniform accuracy for diverse
      interactions with different natures covering short-, medium-, and long-range
      correlations. Among the state-of-the-art density functional approximations
      (DFAs), doubly hybrid (DH) DFAs (e.g., XYG3 in this Letter) provide a remarkable
      improvement over the conventional DFAs (e.g., B3LYP in this Letter). Even though
      XYG3 works quite well in many cases of noncovalent bonding interactions (NCIs),
      it is incomplete in describing the pure long-range dispersive interactions. Here,
      we address such concerns by adding a scaled long-range contribution from the
      second-order perturbation theory (PT2). The long-range-corrected XYG3 (lrc-XYG3)
      is proposed without reparameterizing the three parameters in the original XYG3.
      Due to its overall excellent performance for all testing sets constructed for
      various purposes, lrc-XYG3 is the recommended method, which is expected to
      provide a balanced description of diverse interactions in complex molecular
      systems. 

PMID- 26282978
TI  - Ligand-Free, Colloidal, and Luminescent Metal Sulfide Nanocrystals.
AB  - We report here a different kind of binary and ternary colloidal inorganic
      nanocrystals, where no capping ligand is used. The surfaces of these ligand-free
      nanocrystals were designed to exhibit negative charges and, therefore,
      electrostatically repel each other, forming a colloidal dispersion in a polar
      solvent. Undoped and Mn-doped ZnxCd1-xS nanocrystals were studied both in
      solution and close-packed films. While undoped samples exhibit poor luminescence
      because of surface defects, Mn-doped nanocrystals show strong luminescence both
      in solution (20% quantum efficiency) and the film. Strong Mn emission arises from
      the inner-core d electrons, which are less sensitive to nonradiative decay
      channels on the nanocrystal surface. Ligand-free AgInS2 nanocrystals exhibit
      donor-acceptor type luminescence. Our preliminary results suggest the possibility
      of electronic coupling between ligand-free nanocrystals in their film, and
      therefore, they are expected to be more suitable for electronic and
      optoelectronic applications compared to organic-capped nanocrystals. 

PMID- 26282979
TI  - Dye Sensitized Solar Cells for Economically Viable Photovoltaic Systems.
AB  - TiO2 nanoparticle-based dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have attracted a
      significant level of scientific and technological interest for their potential as
      economically viable photovoltaic devices. While DSSCs have multiple benefits such
      as material abundance, a short energy payback period, constant power output, and
      compatibility with flexible applications, there are still several challenges that
      hold back large scale commercialization. Critical factors determining the future
      of DSSCs involve energy conversion efficiency, long-term stability, and
      production cost. Continuous advancement of their long-term stability suggests
      that state-of-the-art DSSCs will operate for over 20 years without a significant
      decrease in performance. Nevertheless, key questions remain in regards to energy
      conversion efficiency improvements and material cost reduction. In this
      Perspective, the present state of the field and the ongoing efforts to address
      the requirements of DSSCs are summarized with views on the future of DSSCs. 

PMID- 26282980
TI  - To Hop or Not to Hop? Understanding the Temperature Dependence of Spectral
      Diffusion in Organic Semiconductors.
AB  - In disordered organic semiconductors, excited states and charges move by hopping
      in an inhomogeneously broadened density of states, thereby relaxing energetically
      ("spectral diffusion"). At low temperatures, transport can become kinetically
      frustrated and consequently dispersive. Experimentally, this is observed
      predominantly for triplet excitations and charges, and has not been reported for
      singlet excitations. We have addressed the origin of this phenomenon by
      simulating the temperature dependent spectral diffusion using a lattice Monte
      Carlo approach with either Miller-Abrahams or Forster type transfer rates. Our
      simulations are in agreement with recent fluorescence and phosphorescence
      experimental results. We show that frustrated and thus dispersive diffusion
      appears when the number of available hopping sites is limited. This is frequently
      the case for triplets that transfer by a short-range interaction, yet may also
      occur for singlets in restricted geometries or dilute systems. Frustration is
      lifted when more hopping sites become available, e.g., for triplets as a result
      of an increased conjugation in some amorphous polymer films. 

PMID- 26282981
TI  - Theory of Covalent Adsorbate Frontier Orbital Energies on Functionalized Light
      Absorbing Semiconductor Surfaces.
AB  - Functional hybrid interfaces between organic molecules and semiconductors are
      central to many emerging information and solar energy conversion technologies.
      Here we demonstrate a general, empirical parameter-free approach for computing
      and understanding frontier orbital energies - or redox levels - of a broad class
      of covalently bonded organic-semiconductor surfaces. We develop this framework in
      the context of specific density functional theory (DFT) and many-body
      perturbation theory calculations, within the GW approximation, of an exemplar
      interface, thiophene-functionalized silicon (111). Through detailed calculations
      taking into account structural and binding energetics of mixed-monolayers
      consisting of both covalently attached thiophene and hydrogen, chlorine, methyl,
      and other passivating groups, we quantify the impact of coverage, nonlocal
      polarization, and interface dipole effects on the alignment of the thiophene
      frontier orbital energies with the silicon band edges. For thiophene adsorbate
      frontier orbital energies, we observe significant corrections to standard DFT (~1
      eV), including large nonlocal electrostatic polarization effects (~1.6 eV).
      Importantly, both results can be rationalized from knowledge of the electronic
      structure of the isolated thiophene molecule and silicon substrate systems.
      Silicon band edge energies are predicted to vary by more than 2.5 eV, while
      molecular orbital energies stay similar, with the different functional groups
      studied, suggesting the prospect of tuning energy alignment over a wide range for
      photoelectrochemistry and other applications. 

PMID- 26282982
TI  - Separating Charges at Organic Interfaces: Effects of Disorder, Hot States, and
      Electric Field.
AB  - Charge separation at organic-organic (O-O) interfaces is crucial to how many
      organic-based optoelectronic devices function. However, the mechanism of
      formation of spatially separated charge carriers and the role of geminate
      recombination remain topics of discussion and research. We review critically the
      contributions of the various factors, including electric fields, long-range
      order, and excess energy (beyond the minimum needed for photoexcitation), to the
      probability that photogenerated charge carriers will be separated. Understanding
      the processes occurring at the O/O interface and their relative importance for
      effective charge separation is crucial to design efficient solar cells and
      photodetectors. We stress that electron and hole delocalization after
      photoinduced charge transfer at the interface is important for efficient free
      carrier generation. Fewer defects at the interface and long-range order in the
      materials also improve overall current efficiency in solar cells. In efficient
      organic cells, external electric fields play only a small role for charge
      separation. 

PMID- 26282983
TI  - Some Insight into Stability of Amorphous Poly(ethylene glycol) Dimethyl Ether
      Polymers Based on Molecular Dynamics Simulations.
AB  - Poly(ethylene glycol) dimethyl ether (PEGDME) polymers are widely used as drug
      solid dispersion reagents. They can cause the amorphization of drugs and improve
      their solubility, stability, and bioavailability. However, the mechanism about
      why amorphous PEGDME 2000 polymer is highly stable is unclear so far. Molecular
      dynamics (MD) simulation is a unique key technique to solve it. In the current
      work, we systematically investigate structure, aggregate state, and thermodynamic
      and kinetic behaviors during the phase-transition processes of the PEGDME
      polymers with different polymerization degree in terms of MD simulations. The
      melting and glass-transition temperatures of the polymers are in good agreement
      with experimental values. The amorphous PEGDME2000 exhibits high stability, which
      is consistent with the recent experiment results and can be ascribed to a
      combination of two factors, that is, a high thermodynamic driving force for
      amorphization and a relatively low molecular mobility. 

PMID- 26282985
TI  - Energy Outlook for Planet Earth.

PMID- 26282984
TI  - Statistical Mechanics of Multilayer Sorption: Surface Tension.
AB  - Mathematical models of surface tension as a function of solute concentration are
      needed for predicting the behavior of surface processes relevant to the
      environment, biology, and industry. Current aqueous surface tension-activity
      models capture either solutions of electrolytes or those of nonelectrolytes, but
      a single equation has not yet been found that represents both over the full range
      of compositions. In prior work, we developed an accurate model of the activity
      concentration relationship in solutions over the full range of compositions by
      extending the BET (Brunauer, Emmett, Teller) and GAB (Guggenheim, Anderson, de
      Boer) isotherms to multiple monolayers of solvent molecules sorbed to solutes.
      Here, we employ similar statistical mechanical tools to develop a simple equation
      for the surface tension-activity relationship that differs remarkably from prior
      formulations in that it (1) works equally well for nonelectrolyte and electrolyte
      solutes and (2) is accurate over the full range of concentrations from pure
      solvent to pure solute. 

PMID- 26282986
TI  - Nanoscale Multilayer Transition-Metal Dichalcogenide Heterostructures: Band Gap
      Modulation by Interfacial Strain and Spontaneous Polarization.
AB  - Using density functional theory calculations, we unveil intriguing electronic
      properties of nanoscale multilayer transition-metal dichalcogenide (TMDC)
      heterostructures, (MoX2)n(MoY2)m (X, Y = S, Se or Te). Our results show that the
      structural stability and electronic band structure of the TMDC heterostructures
      depend sensitively on the choice of constituent components and their relative
      thickness. In particular, the electronic band gap can be tuned over a wide range
      by the intrinsic mismatch strain and spontaneous electrical polarization at the
      interface of the heterostructures, which suggests desirable design strategies for
      TMDC-based devices with an easily adjustable band gap. These interfacial effects
      also make the electronic properties more susceptible to the influence of a bias
      electric field, which can induce sensitive and considerable changes in the band
      gap and even produce a semiconductor-metal transition at relatively low electric
      fields. Such effective electronic band gap engineering via a combination of
      internal (i.e., the composition and layer thickness) and external (i.e., a bias
      field) control makes the TMDC-based heterostructures promising candidates for
      applications in a variety of nanodevices. 

PMID- 26282987
TI  - Feasibility of Lithium Storage on Graphene and Its Derivatives.
AB  - Nanomaterials are anticipated to be promising storage media, owing to their high
      surface-to-mass ratio. The high hydrogen capacity achieved by using graphene has
      reinforced this opinion and motivated investigations of the possibility to use it
      to store another important energy carrier - lithium (Li). While the first
      principles computations show that the Li capacity of pristine graphene, limited
      by Li clustering and phase separation, is lower than that offered by Li
      intercalation in graphite, we explore the feasibility of modifying graphene for
      better Li storage. It is found that certain structural defects in graphene can
      bind Li stably, yet a more efficacious approach is through substitution doping
      with boron (B). In particular, the layered C3B compound stands out as a promising
      Li storage medium. The monolayer C3B has a capacity of 714 mAh/g (as Li1.25C3B),
      and the capacity of stacked C3B is 857 mAh/g (as Li1.5C3B), which is about twice
      as large as graphite's 372 mAh/g (as LiC6). Our results help clarify the
      mechanism of Li storage in low-dimensional materials, and shed light on the
      rational design of nanoarchitectures for energy storage. 

PMID- 26282988
TI  - Triple-Decker Motif for Red-Shifted Fluorescent Protein Mutants.
AB  - Among fluorescent proteins (FPs) used as genetically encoded fluorescent tags,
      the red-emitting FPs are of particular importance as suitable markers for deep
      tissue imaging. Using electronic structure calculations, we predict a new
      structural motif for achieving red-shifted absorption and emission in FPs from
      the GFP family. By introducing four point mutations, we arrive to the structure
      with the conventional anionic GFP chromophore sandwiched between two tyrosine
      residues. Contrary to the existing red FPs in which the red shift is due to
      extended conjugation of the chromophore, in the triple-decker motif, the
      chromophore is unmodified and the red shift is due to pi-stacking interactions.
      The absorption/emission energies of the triple-decker FP are 2.25/2.16 eV,
      respectively, which amounts to shifts of ~40 (absorption) and ~25 nm (emission)
      relative to the parent species, the I form of wtGFP. Using a different structural
      motif based on a smaller chromophore may help to improve optical output of red
      FPs by reducing losses due to radiationless relaxation and photobleaching. 

PMID- 26282989
TI  - Measurements of Light Extinction by Single Aerosol Particles.
AB  - A Bessel beam optical trap is combined with continuous wave cavity ringdown
      spectroscopy to measure the extinction cross section of individual aerosol
      particles. Particles, ~1 MUm in size, can be captured indefinitely and processes
      that transform size or refractive index studied. The measured light extinction
      induced by the particle is shown to depend on the position of the particle in the
      cavity, allowing accurate measurements of the mode structure of a high finesse
      optical cavity without significant perturbation. The variation in extinction
      efficiency of a sodium chloride droplet with relative humidity is shown to agree
      well with predictions from Mie scattering theory. 

PMID- 26282990
TI  - Revealing the Electronic and Molecular Structure of Randomly Oriented Molecules
      by Polarized Two-Photon Spectroscopy.
AB  - In this Letter, we explored the use of polarized two-photon absorption (2PA)
      spectroscopy, which brings additional information when compared to methods that
      do not use polarization control, to investigate the electronic and molecular
      structure of two chromophores (FD43 and FD48) based on phenylacetylene moieties.
      The results were analyzed using quantum chemical calculations of the two-photon
      transition strengths for circularly and linearly polarized light, provided by the
      response function formalism. On the basis of these data, it was possible to
      distinguish and identify the excited electronic states responsible for the lowest
      energy 2PA-allowed band in both chromophores. By modeling the 2PA circular-linear
      dichroism, within the sum-over-essential states approach, we obtained the
      relative orientation between the dipole moments that are associated with the
      molecular structure of the chromophores in solution. This result allowed to
      correlate the V-shape structure of the FD48 chromophore and the quantum
      interference-modulated 2PA strength. 

PMID- 26282992
TI  - R.Graham Cooks.

PMID- 26282991
TI  - Phylogenomic and functional analyses of salmon lice aquaporins uncover the
      molecular diversity of the superfamily in Arthropoda.
AB  - BACKGROUND: An emerging field in biomedical research is focusing on the roles of
      aquaporin water channels in parasites that cause debilitating or lethal diseases
      to their vertebrate hosts. The primary vectorial agents are hematophagous
      arthropods, including mosquitoes, flies, ticks and lice, however very little is
      known concerning the functional diversity of aquaporins in non-insect members of
      the Arthropoda. Here we conducted phylogenomic and functional analyses of
      aquaporins in the salmon louse, a marine ectoparasitic copepod that feeds on the
      skin and body fluids of salmonids, and used the primary structures of the
      isolated channels to uncover the genomic repertoires in Arthropoda. RESULTS:
      Genomic screening identified 7 aquaporin paralogs in the louse in contrast to 42
      in its host the Atlantic salmon. Phylogenetic inference of the louse nucleotides
      and proteins in relation to orthologs identified in Chelicerata, Myriapoda,
      Crustacea and Hexapoda revealed that the arthropod aquaporin superfamily can be
      classified into three major grades (1) classical aquaporins including Big brain
      (Bib) and Prip-like (PripL) channels (2) aquaglyceroporins (Glp) and (3)
      unorthodox aquaporins (Aqp12-like). In Hexapoda, two additional subfamilies exist
      as Drip and a recently classified entomoglyceroporin (Eglp) group. Cloning and
      remapping the louse cDNAs to the genomic DNA revealed that they are encoded by 1
      7 exons, with two of the Glps being expressed as N-terminal splice variants
      (Glp1_v1, -1_v2, -3_v1, -3_v2). Heterologous expression of the cRNAs in amphibian
      oocytes demonstrated that PripL transports water and urea, while Bib does not.
      Glp1_v1, -2, -3_v1 and -3_v2 each transport water, glycerol and urea, while
      Glp1_v2 and the Aqp12-like channels were retained intracellularly. Transcript
      abundance analyses revealed expression of each louse paralog at all developmental
      stages, except for glp1_v1, which is specific to preadult and adult males.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that the aquaporin repertoires of extant arthropods
      have expanded independently in the different lineages, but can be
      phylogenetically classified into three major grades as opposed to four present in
      deuterostome animals. While the aquaporin repertoire of Atlantic salmon
      represents a 6-fold redundancy compared to the louse, the functional assays
      reveal that the permeation properties of the different crustacean grades of
      aquaporin are largely conserved to the vertebrate counterparts.

PMID- 26282993
TI  - MicroRNA-132 promotes estradiol synthesis in ovarian granulosa cells via
      translational repression of Nurr1.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Estrogen synthesis is an important function of the mammalian ovary.
      Estrogen plays important roles in many biological processes, including follicular
      development, oocyte maturation and endometrial proliferation, and dysfunctions in
      estrogen synthesis contribute to the development of polycystic ovary syndrome and
      premature ovarian failure. Classical signaling cascades triggered by follicle
      stimulating hormone induce estrogen synthesis via the upregulation of Cyp19a1 in
      granulosa cells (GCs). This study aimed to determine the effect of microRNA-132
      (miR-132) on estradiol synthesis in GCs. METHODS: Primary mouse GCs were
      collected from ovaries of 21-day-old immature ICR mice through follicle puncture.
      GCs were cultured and treated with the stable cyclic adenosine monophosphate
      analog 8-Br-cAMP or transfected with miR-132 mimics, Nurr1-specific small
      interfering RNA oligonucleotides and Flag-Nurr1 plasmids. Concentrations of
      estradiol and progesterone in culture medium were determined by an automated
      chemiluminescence-based assay. Quantitative real time PCR and western blot were
      performed to identify the effect of miR-132 on Cyp19a1, Cyp11a1 and an orphan
      nuclear receptor-Nurr1 expression in GCs. Direct suppression of Nurr1 via its 3'
      untranslated region by miR-132 were further verified using luciferase reporter
      assays. RESULTS: The expression level of miR-132 in cultured mouse GCs was
      significantly elevated during 48 h of treatment with 8-Br-cAMP. The synthesis of
      estradiol increased after the overexpression of miR-132 in mouse GCs. The real
      time PCR results demonstrated that miR-132 induced the expression of Cyp19a1
      significantly. Nurr1, an orphan nuclear receptor that suppresses Cyp19a1
      expression, was found to be a direct target of miR-132. Nurr1 was suppressed by
      miR-132, as indicated by a luciferase assay and Western blotting. The knockdown
      of Nurr1 primarily elevated the synthesis of estradiol and partially attenuated
      the miR-132-induced estradiol elevation, and the ectopic expression of Flag-Nurr1
      abrogated the stimulatory effect of miR-132 on estradiol synthesis in mouse GCs.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that miR-132 is involved in the cAMP signaling
      pathway and promotes estradiol synthesis via the translational repression of
      Nurr1 in ovarian GCs.

PMID- 26282994
TI  - Shallow whole genome sequencing is well suited for the detection of chromosomal
      aberrations in human blastocysts.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To add evidence that massive parallel sequencing (MPS) is a valuable
      substitute for array comparative genomic hybridization (arrayCGH) with a
      resolution that is more appropriate for preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD)
      in translocation carriers. DESIGN: Study of diagnostic accuracy. SETTING:
      University hospital. PATIENT(S): Fifteen patients with a balanced structural
      rearrangement were included in the study: eight reciprocal translocations, four
      Robertsonian translocations, two inversions, and one insertional translocation.
      INTERVENTION(S): Trophectoderm biopsy was performed on 47 blastocysts. MAIN
      OUTCOME MEASURE(S): In the current study, shallow whole genome MPS on a
      NextSeq500 (Illumina) and Ion Proton (Life Technologies) instrument was performed
      in parallel on 47 whole genome amplified trophectoderm samples. Data analyses
      were performed using the QDNAseq algorithm implemented in Vivar. RESULT(S): In
      total, 5 normal and 42 abnormal embryos were analyzed. All aberrations previously
      detected with arrayCGH could be readily detected in the MPS data using both
      technologies and were correctly identified. The smallest detected abnormality was
      a ~ 4.5 Mb deletion/duplication. CONCLUSION(S): This study demonstrates that
      shallow whole genome sequencing can be applied efficiently for the detection of
      numerical and structural chromosomal aberrations in embryos, equaling or even
      exceeding the resolution of the routinely used microarrays.

PMID- 26282995
TI  - Galectin-8 promotes regulatory T-cell differentiation by modulating IL-2 and
      TGFbeta signaling.
AB  - Galectins (Gals) have emerged as potent immunoregulatory molecules that control
      chronic inflammation through distinct mechanisms. Gal-8, a tandem-repeat type Gal
      with unique preference for alpha2,3-sialylated glycans, is ubiquitously
      expressed, but little is known about its role in T-cell differentiation. Here we
      report that Gal-8 promotes the polyclonal differentiation of primary mouse
      regulatory T (Treg) cells in vitro. We further show that Gal-8 also facilitates
      antigen-specific differentiation of Treg cells, and that Treg cells polarized in
      the presence of Gal-8 express cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 and interleukin
      (IL)-10 at a higher frequency than control Treg cells, and efficiently inhibit
      proliferation of activated T-cells in vitro. Investigation of the mechanism by
      which Gal-8 promotes Treg conversion revealed that Gal-8 activates transforming
      growth factor-beta signaling and promotes sustained IL-2R signaling. Taken
      together, these data suggest that Gal-8 promotes the differentiation of highly
      suppressive Treg cells, which has implications for the treatment of inflammatory
      and autoimmune diseases. 

PMID- 26282997
TI  - SNP Set Association Testing for Survival Outcomes in the Presence of
      Intrafamilial Correlation.
AB  - In this work, we propose a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) set association
      test for censored phenotypes in the presence of a family-based design. The
      proposed test is valid for both common and rare variants. A proportional hazards
      Cox model is specified for the marginal distribution of the trait and the
      familial dependence is modeled via a Gaussian copula. Censored values are treated
      as partially missing data and a multiple imputation procedure is proposed in
      order to compute the test statistics. The P-value is then deduced analytically.
      The finite-sample empirical properties of the proposed method are evaluated and
      compared to existing competitors by simulations and its use is illustrated using
      a breast cancer data set from the Consortium of Investigators of Modifiers of
      BRCA1 and BRCA2. 

PMID- 26282996
TI  - Sequence Kernel Association Analysis of Rare Variant Set Based on the Marginal
      Regression Model for Binary Traits.
AB  - Recent sequencing efforts have focused on exploring the influence of rare
      variants on the complex diseases. Gene level based tests by aggregating
      information across rare variants within a gene have become attractive to enrich
      the rare variant association signal. Among them, the sequence kernel association
      test (SKAT) has proved to be a very powerful method for jointly testing multiple
      rare variants within a gene. In this article, we explore an alternative SKAT. We
      propose to use the univariate likelihood ratio statistics from the marginal model
      for individual variants as input into the kernel association test. We show how to
      compute its significance P-value efficiently based on the asymptotic chi-square
      mixture distribution. We demonstrate through extensive numerical studies that the
      proposed method has competitive performance. Its usefulness is further
      illustrated with application to associations between rare exonic variants and
      type 2 diabetes (T2D) in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. We
      identified an exome-wide significant rare variant set in the gene ZZZ3 worthy of
      further investigations. 

PMID- 26282998
TI  - A Novel Statistic for Global Association Testing Based on Penalized Regression.
AB  - Natural genetic structures like genes may contain multiple variants that work as
      a group to determine a biologic outcome. The effect of rare variants, mutations
      occurring in less than 5% of samples, is hypothesized to be explained best as
      groups collectively associated with a biologic function. Therefore, it is
      important to develop powerful association tests to identify a true association
      between an outcome of interest and a group of variants, in particular a group
      with many rare variants. In this article we first delineate a novel penalized
      regression-based global test for the association between sets of variants and a
      disease phenotype. Next, we use Genetic Analysis Workshop 18 (GAW18) data to
      assess the power of the new global association test to capture a relationship
      between an aggregated group of variants and a simulated hypertension status. Rare
      variant only, common variant only, and combined variant groups are studied. The
      power values are compared to those obtained from eight well-regarded global tests
      (Score, Sum, SSU, SSUw, UminP, aSPU, aSPUw, and sequence kernel association test
      (SKAT)) that do not use penalized regression and a set of tests using either the
      SSU or score statistics and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator
      penalty (LASSO) logistic regression. Association testing of rare variants with
      our method was the top performer when there was low linkage disequilibrium (LD)
      between and within causal variants. This was similarly true when simultaneously
      testing rare and common variants in low LD scenarios. Finally, our method was
      able to provide meaningful variant-specific association information. 

PMID- 26283000
TI  - Associations of prognostic awareness/acceptance with psychological distress,
      existential suffering, and quality of life in terminally ill cancer patients'
      last year of life.
AB  - PURPOSE: Whether prognostic awareness benefits terminally ill cancer patients'
      psychological-existential well-being and quality of life (QOL) is unclear because
      of lack of well-controlled longitudinal studies. This study longitudinally
      evaluated the associations of accurate prognostic awareness and prognostic
      acceptance with psychological distress, existential suffering, and QOL while
      comprehensively controlling for confounders in Taiwanese terminally ill cancer
      patients' last year of life. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A convenience sample of 325
      cancer patients was followed until death. Psychological distress and existential
      suffering were assessed by severe anxiety and depressive symptoms and high self
      perceived sense of burden to others, respectively. Dichotomized and continuous
      (QOL) outcome variables were evaluated by multivariate logistic and linear
      regression modeling with the generalized estimating equation, respectively.
      RESULTS: Accurate prognostic awareness was not associated with the likelihood of
      severe anxiety or depressive symptoms but significantly increased the likelihood
      of high self-perceived sense of burden to others and was associated with poorer
      QOL in participants' last year of life. Participants who knew and highly accepted
      their prognosis were significantly less likely to experience severe anxiety
      symptoms than those who were unaware of or knew their prognosis but had
      difficulty accepting it. CONCLUSION: Knowing one's poor prognosis and confronting
      one's impending death without full acceptance and adequate professional psycho
      spiritual support may harm more than benefit terminally ill cancer patients'
      psychological state, existential well-being, and QOL. These findings highlight
      the importance of tailoring psycho-spiritual support to cancer patients'
      psychological and existential needs when prognostic information is disclosed.

PMID- 26283003
TI  - The making of a Barr body: the mosaic of factors that eXIST on the mammalian
      inactive X chromosome.
AB  - During X-chromosome inactivation (XCI), nearly an entire X chromosome is
      permanently silenced and converted into a Barr body, providing dosage
      compensation for eutherians between the sexes. XCI is facilitated by the
      upregulation of the long non-coding RNA gene, XIST, which coats its chromosome of
      origin, recruits heterochromatin factors, and silences gene expression. During
      XCI, at least two distinct types of heterochromatin are established, and in this
      review we discuss the enrichment of facultative heterochromatin marks such as
      H3K27me3, H2AK119ub, and macroH2A as well as pericentric heterochromatin marks
      such as HP1, H3K9me3, and H4K20me3. The extremely stable maintenance of silencing
      is a product of reinforcing interactions within and between these domains. This
      paper "Xplores" the current knowledge of the pathways involved in XCI, how the
      pathways interact, and the gaps in our understanding that need to be filled. 

PMID- 26283004
TI  - A shift in anterior-posterior positional information underlies the fin-to-limb
      evolution.
AB  - The pectoral fins of ancestral fishes had multiple proximal elements connected to
      their pectoral girdles. During the fin-to-limb transition, anterior proximal
      elements were lost and only the most posterior one remained as the humerus. Thus,
      we hypothesised that an evolutionary alteration occurred in the anterior
      posterior (AP) patterning system of limb buds. In this study, we examined the
      pectoral fin development of catshark (Scyliorhinus canicula) and revealed that
      the AP positional values in fin buds are shifted more posteriorly than mouse limb
      buds. Furthermore, examination of Gli3 function and regulation shows that
      catshark fins lack a specific AP patterning mechanism, which restricts its
      expression to an anterior domain in tetrapods. Finally, experimental perturbation
      of AP patterning in catshark fin buds results in an expansion of posterior values
      and loss of anterior skeletal elements. Together, these results suggest that a
      key genetic event of the fin-to-limb transformation was alteration of the AP
      patterning network. 

PMID- 26283005
TI  - Exposure to war traumatic experiences, post-traumatic stress disorder and post
      traumatic growth among nurses in Gaza.
AB  - ACCESSIBLE SUMMARY: What is known on the subject? This study builds on existing
      research on war-related factors that may affect health-care staff by particularly
      focusing on trauma exposure in both professional and everyday life, as well as on
      correlates of later positive psychological changes. What this paper adds to
      existing knowledge? It shows that one in five nursing staff working in Gaza
      experienced post-traumatic stress symptoms within the clinical range, 2 years
      after an incursion on Gaza and after being exposed to substantial trauma during
      this period. Participants appeared to develop a variety of post-traumatic growth
      responses following trauma exposure. Although nurses experienced traumatic events
      both as civilians and in their health-care capacity, personal exposure was
      strongly associated with PTSD symptoms. What are the implications for practice?
      Support to nursing and other health-care professionals in war situations should
      entail different levels, remain available well after an acute conflict, and take
      into consideration both personal and practice-related traumatic events. Mental
      health nursing practitioners can play a pivotal role in this. ABSTRACT:  AIM: To
      establish the association between war traumatic experiences, post-traumatic
      stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and post-traumatic growth among nurses in the
      Gaza Strip, 2 years after an incursion on Gaza, and during a period of ongoing
      trauma exposure. This study builds on existing evidence by considering exposure
      to personal and work-related traumatic events, and on factors associated with
      later positive psychological adaptation. METHODS: The sample consisted of 274
      randomly selected nurses in Gaza who completed the Gaza Traumatic Events
      Checklist, PTSD Checklist, and Posttraumatic Growth Inventory. RESULTS: Of the
      nurses, 19.7% reported full PTSD. There was a significant relationship between
      traumatic events and PTSD scores; as well as between community-related traumatic
      events and post-traumatic growth. Participants reported a range of traumatic
      events, but PTSD and post-traumatic growth scores were more strongly associated
      with community rather than work-related traumas. DISCUSSION: Nursing
      professionals experienced high levels of distress 2 years following an acute
      period of conflict, both as civilians and in their health-care capacity.
      IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: There is need for different levels of support for
      health-care staff in war-affected areas. Mental health nursing professionals have
      a central role in training, counselling and support to other health-care
      colleagues.

PMID- 26283001
TI  - Spontaneous gesture and spatial language: Evidence from focal brain injury.
AB  - People often use spontaneous gestures when communicating spatial information. We
      investigated focal brain-injured individuals to test the hypotheses that (1)
      naming motion event components of manner-path (represented by verbs-prepositions
      in English) are impaired selectively, (2) gestures compensate for impaired
      naming. Patients with left or right hemisphere damage (LHD or RHD) and elderly
      control participants were asked to describe motion events (e.g., running across)
      depicted in brief videos. Damage to the left posterior middle frontal gyrus, left
      inferior frontal gyrus, and left anterior superior temporal gyrus (aSTG) produced
      impairments in naming paths of motion; lesions to the left caudate and adjacent
      white matter produced impairments in naming manners of motion. While the
      frequency of spontaneous gestures were low, lesions to the left aSTG
      significantly correlated with greater production of path gestures. These suggest
      that producing prepositions-verbs can be separately impaired and gesture
      production compensates for naming impairments when damage involves left aSTG. 

PMID- 26283006
TI  - Ants medicate to fight disease.
AB  - Parasites are ubiquitous, and the ability to defend against these is of paramount
      importance. One way to fight diseases is self-medication, which occurs when an
      organism consumes biologically active compounds to clear, inhibit, or alleviate
      disease symptoms. Here, we show for the first time that ants selectively consume
      harmful substances (reactive oxygen species, ROS) upon exposure to a fungal
      pathogen, yet avoid these in the absence of infection. This increased intake of
      ROS, while harmful to healthy ants, leads to higher survival of exposed ants. The
      fact that ingestion of this substance carries a fitness cost in the absence of
      pathogens rules out compensatory diet choice as the mechanism, and provides
      evidence that social insects medicate themselves against fungal infection, using
      a substance that carries a fitness cost to uninfected individuals.

PMID- 26283007
TI  - Clinicopathological Significance and Potential Drug Target of CDKN2A/p16 in
      Endometrial Carcinoma.
AB  - Previous studies demonstrated that the loss of function of the CDKN2A/p16/INK4A
      gene is mainly caused by the hypermethylation of CDKN2A, however, whether or not
      it is associated with the incidence and clinicopathological characteristics of
      endometrial carcinoma (EC) remains unclear. In this study, we conducted a meta
      analysis aiming to comprehensively assess the role of CDKN2A hypermethylation in
      the pathogenesis of EC. A detailed literature search was made to identify the
      related research publications. Analysis of pooled data was performed. Odds ratio
      (OR) was calculated and summarized. Final analysis of 638 EC patients from 12
      eligible studies was performed. The results showed that CDKN2A hypermethylation
      was significantly higher in EC than in normal control tissue, the pooled OR from
      8 studies including 400 EC patients and 131 controls, OR = 8.39 with 95% CI 4.03
      17.45, test for overall effect, Z = 5.69, P < 0.00001. Further analysis showed
      that CDKN2A hypermethylation was not significantly associated with tumor
      differentiation and clinical stage status in EC patients. The results of this
      meta-analysis suggest that CDKN2A hypermethylation may be implicated in the
      pathogenesis of EC. CDKN2A hypermethylation was not significantly associated with
      tumor differentiation and clinical stage status in EC patients, indicating that
      CDKN2A hypermethylation might be early event of EC.

PMID- 26283008
TI  - Genetic influences on dental enamel that impact caries differ between the primary
      and permanent dentitions.
AB  - Clinically, primary and permanent teeth are distinct anatomically and the
      presentation of caries lesions differs between the two dentitions. Hence, the
      possibility exists that genetic contributions to tooth formation of the two
      dentitions are different. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis
      that genetic associations with an artificial caries model will not be the same
      between primary and permanent dentitions. Enamel samples from primary and
      permanent teeth were tested for microhardness at baseline, after carious lesion
      creation, and after fluoride application to verify association with genetic
      variants of selected genes. Associations were found between genetic variants of
      ameloblastin, amelogenin, enamelin, tuftelin, tuftelin interactive protein 11,
      and matrix metallopeptidase 20 and enamel from permanent teeth but not with
      enamel from primary teeth. In conclusion, our data continue to support that
      genetic variation may impact enamel development and consequently individual
      caries susceptibility. These effects may be distinct between primary and
      permanent dentitions.

PMID- 26283009
TI  - Is There Another Bite of the Cherry? The Case for Radical Local Therapy for
      Oligometastatic Disease in Prostate Cancer.

PMID- 26283010
TI  - Robotic Partial Nephrectomy: The Will Rogers Surgical Effect.
AB  - Comparison of surgical techniques must be critically and objectively evaluated,
      ideally in the context of prospective trials. Comprehensive surgical training
      ensures that patients are offered the most appropriate treatment and highest
      clinical care. 

PMID- 26283011
TI  - A Multicenter Randomized Noninferiority Trial Comparing GreenLight-XPS Laser
      Vaporization of the Prostate and Transurethral Resection of the Prostate for the
      Treatment of Benign Prostatic Obstruction: Two-yr Outcomes of the GOLIATH Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The GOLIATH study is a 2-yr trial comparing transurethral resection
      of prostate (TURP) to photoselective vaporization with the GreenLight XPS Laser
      System (GL-XPS) for the treatment of benign prostatic obstruction (BPO).
      Noninferiority of GL-XPS to TURP was demonstrated based on a 6-mo follow-up from
      the study. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether treatment effects observed at 6 mo
      between GL-XPS and TURP was maintained at the 2-yr follow-up. DESIGN, SETTING,
      AND PARTICIPANTS: Prospective randomized controlled trial at 29 centers in nine
      European countries involving 281 patients with BPO. INTERVENTION: Photoselective
      vaporization using the 180-W GreenLight GL-XPS or conventional (monopolar or
      bipolar) TURP. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The primary outcome
      was the International Prostate Symptom Score for which a margin of three was used
      to evaluate the noninferiority of GL-XPS. Secondary outcomes included Qmax,
      prostate volume, prostate specific antigen, Overactive Bladder Questionnaire
      Short Form, International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form,
      occurrence of surgical retreatment, and freedom from complications. RESULTS AND
      LIMITATIONS: One hundred and thirty-six patients were treated using GL-XPS and
      133 using TURP. Noninferiority of GL-XPS on International Prostate Symptom Score,
      Qmax, and freedom from complications was demonstrated at 6-mo and was sustained
      at 2-yr. The proportion of patients complication-free through 24-mo was 83.6% GL
      XPS versus 78.9% TURP. Reductions in prostate volume and prostate specific
      antigen were similar in both arms and sustained over the course of the trial.
      Compared with the 1(st) yr of the study, very few adverse events or retreatments
      were reported in either arm. Treatment differences in the Overactive Bladder
      Questionnaire Short Form observed at 12-mo were not statistically significant at
      24-mo. A limitation was that patients and treating physicians were not blinded to
      the therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Twenty-four-mo follow-up data demonstrated that GL-XPS
      provides a durable surgical option for the treatment of BPO that exhibits
      efficacy and safety outcomes similar to TURP. PATIENT SUMMARY: The long-term
      effectiveness and safety of GLP-XLS was similar to conventional TURP for the
      treatment of prostate enlargement.

PMID- 26283012
TI  - Human cytomegalovirus-1 and Epstein-Barr virus-1 viral colonization of titanium
      and zirconia abutments: a split-mouth study.
AB  - AIM: Human cytomegalovirus-1 (HCMV-1) and Epstein-Barr virus-1 (EBV-1) detection
      in submarginal plaque is linked to diseased states of the periodontium. In the
      present study, we evaluated the viral colonization of titanium and zirconia
      abutments by HCMV-1 and EBV-1 in a split-mouth study. METHODS: Forty dental
      implant abutments placed in 20 non-smokers were evaluated retrospectively. Each
      participant had received at least one each of titanium and zirconia abutments (in
      function for at least 1 year). HCMV-1 and EBV-1 were evaluated in these
      clinically-healthy peri-implant sites' submarginal plaque biofilm at one titanium
      and one zirconia abutment, one healthy tooth site, and serum using polymerase
      chain reaction assays. Related-samples McNemar test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test
      were used to determine the differences in viral detection frequency and load,
      respectively. RESULTS: EBV-1 was detected at the titanium abutment in 60% of
      participants, but in none at their zirconia abutment (P = 0.04). HCMV-1 was
      detected at the titanium abutments in 90% of participants, and at the zirconia
      abutments in 70% of participants. This difference was not significant (P = 0.25).
      The differences in HCMV-1 viral load between the abutment types were
      insignificant (P = 0.075). CONCLUSION: EBV-1 did not colonize the biofilm at the
      zirconia abutments as opposed to the titanium abutments in the same participants.
      Abutment material could contribute to differences in biofilm characteristics.

PMID- 26283013
TI  - Inactivation of Zika virus in plasma with amotosalen and ultraviolet A
      illumination.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Zika virus (ZIKV) is an arthropod-borne virus (arbovirus) transmitted
      by mosquitoes. The potential for ZIKV transmission through blood transfusion was
      demonstrated during the ZIKV outbreak that occurred in French Polynesia from
      October 2013 to April 2014. Pathogen inactivation of blood products is a
      proactive strategy that provides the potential to reduce transfusion-transmitted
      diseases. Inactivation of arboviruses by amotosalen and ultraviolet A (UVA)
      illumination was previously demonstrated for chikungunya, West Nile, and dengue
      viruses. We report here the efficiency of this process for ZIKV inactivation of
      human plasma. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Plasma units were spiked with ZIKV. Viral
      titers and RNA loads were measured in plasma before and after amotosalen and UVA
      photochemical treatment. RESULTS: The mean ZIKV titers and RNA loads in plasma
      before inactivation were respectively 6.57 log TCID50 /mL and 10.25 log
      copies/mL. After inactivation, the mean ZIKV RNA loads was 9.51 log copies/mL,
      but cell cultures inoculated with inactivated plasma did not result in infected
      cells and did not produce any replicative virus after one passage, nor detectable
      viral RNA from the second passage. CONCLUSION: In this study we demonstrate that
      amotosalen combined with UVA light inactivates ZIKV in fresh-frozen plasma. This
      inactivation process is of particular interest to prevent plasma transfusion
      transmitted ZIKV infections in areas such as French Polynesia, where several
      arboviruses are cocirculating.

PMID- 26283014
TI  - miR-483-5p and miR-486-5p are down-regulated in cumulus cells of metaphase II
      oocytes from women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
AB  - The aim of this study was to compare the expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) in
      cumulus cells from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and non-PCOS women. In the
      present study, miRNA expression profiles of the cumulus cell samples were
      determined by miRNA microarrays. Quantification of selected miRNAs and predicted
      target genes was performed using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). The
      results showed that miR-483-5p and miR-486-5p are significantly decreased in
      cumulus cells of PCOS patients PCOS (fold change >2, false discovery rate
      <0.001). qRT-PCR found that four predicted genes, SOCS3, SRF, PTEN and FOXO1,
      were significantly increased in PCOS cumulus cells (all P < 0.001), and IGF2
      (host gene of miR-483-5p) was significantly decreased in PCOS cumulus cells (P <
      0.001). These results indicated that miR-483-5p might play an important role in
      reducing insulin resistance, and that miR-486-5p might promote cumulus cell
      proliferation through activation of PI3K/Akt. The findings from this study
      provided new insights into the complex molecular mechanisms involved in PCOS by
      revealing pathways possibly regulated by miRNAs. The differences in miRNAs (miR
      483-5p, miR-486-5p) and their target gene expression in cumulus cells may provide
      clues for future research and help to explain aberrant follicular development and
      subfertility in women with PCOS. 

PMID- 26283015
TI  - The effect of mode of conception on obstetrical outcomes differs by body mass
      index.
AB  - This study compared the odds of adverse obstetrical outcomes of pregnancies in
      women who conceived from IVF (n = 464) versus spontaneous conception (n = 1171)
      after stratification into three body mass index (BMI) groups: normal weight (18.5
      24.9 kg/m(2)), overweight (25.0-29.9 kg/m(2)) and obese (>30 kg/m(2)). With
      increasing BMI, incidences of complications between IVF and spontaneously
      conceived groups narrowed. Among women with normal BMI, IVF pregnancies were
      associated with increased odds of placental ischaemic disorders (11.3% versus
      7.0%, adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.24; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.25-4.04)
      and low birthweight <2500 g (10.6% versus 8.0%, aOR = 2.08; 95% CI = 1.12-3.88).
      Among overweight women, only low birthweight (<2500 g) was significantly
      increased (15.6% versus 6.2%, aOR = 4.33; 95%, CI = 1.61-11.63). For obese women,
      there were no differences between IVF and spontaneously conceived pregnancies for
      either placental ischaemic disorders (12.5 versus 20.2%, OR = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.17
      1.1) or low birthweight (10.0% versus 11.0%, aOR = 0.7, 95% CI = 0.24-2.08).
      Overall, the odds of adverse obstetrical outcomes were not significantly greater
      in IVF singleton pregnancies compared with those conceived spontaneously as BMI
      increased. 

PMID- 26283017
TI  - Assessing ovarian response: antral follicle count versus anti-Mullerian hormone.
AB  - Oocyte number and quality decline with age; however, fertility varies
      significantly even among women of the same age. Various measures have been
      developed to predict response to ovarian stimulation and reproductive potential.
      Evaluation of ovarian reserve can identify patients who may experience poor
      response or hyper-response to exogenous gonadotrophins and can aid in the
      personalization of treatment to achieve good response and minimize risks. In
      recent years, two key methods, antral follicle count (AFC), an ultrasound
      biomarker of follicle number, and the concentration of serum anti-Mullerian
      hormone (AMH), a hormone biomarker of follicle number, have emerged as preferred
      methods for assessing ovarian reserve. In this review, a live debate held at the
      American Society for Reproductive Medicine 2013 Annual Meeting is expanded upon
      to compare the predictive values, merits, and disadvantages of AFC and AMH level.
      An ovarian reserve measure without limitations has not yet been discovered,
      although both AFC and AMH have good predictive value. Published evidence,
      however, as well as the objectivity and potential standardization of AMH level
      and the convenience of testing any time throughout the menstrual cycle, leans
      towards AMH level becoming the gold-standard biomarker to evaluate ovarian
      reserve and predict ovarian response to stimulation. 

PMID- 26283016
TI  - A clinically useful simplified blastocyst grading system.
AB  - The aim of this study was to investigate whether a new simplified blastocyst
      grading system (A: fully expanded, clear inner cell mass, cohesive trophectoderm;
      B: not yet expanded, clear inner cell mass, cohesive trophectoderm; C: small
      inner cell mass +/- irregular trophectoderm +/- excluded/degenerate cells) was
      clinically useful. All day-5 single embryo transfers between 15 June 2009 and 29
      June 2012 were reviewed. Implantation, clinical pregnancy and live birth rates
      were related to embryo quality. Five embryologists were asked to grade and decide
      the clinical fate of 80 images of day-5 embryos on two occasions 4-6 weeks apart.
      Implantation, clinical pregnancy and live birth rates decreased with
      deteriorating embryo quality. A highly significant (P < 0.01) difference was
      observed between the groups. Inter-observer agreement was substantial for grade
      allocation (K = 0.63) and clinical decision-making (K = 0.66). Intra-observer
      agreement ranged from substantial (K = 0.71) to almost perfect (K = 0.88) for
      grade allocation, and was almost perfect for clinical fate determination (K >=
      0.84). This grading system is quick and easy to use, effectively predicts IVF
      outcome and has levels of agreement similar to, if not better than, those
      associated with more complex grading systems. 

PMID- 26283018
TI  - The Concepts of Risk, Safety, and Security: Applications in Everyday Language.
AB  - The concepts of risk, safety, and security have received substantial academic
      interest. Several assumptions exist about their nature and relation. Besides
      academic use, the words risk, safety, and security are frequent in ordinary
      language, for example, in media reporting. In this article, we analyze the
      concepts of risk, safety, and security, and their relation, based on empirical
      observation of their actual everyday use. The "behavioral profiles" of the nouns
      risk, safety, and security and the adjectives risky, safe, and secure are coded
      and compared regarding lexical and grammatical contexts. The main findings are:
      (1) the three nouns risk, safety, and security, and the two adjectives safe and
      secure, have widespread use in different senses, which will make any attempt to
      define them in a single unified manner extremely difficult; (2) the relationship
      between the central risk terms is complex and only partially confirms the
      distinctions commonly made between the terms in specialized terminology; (3)
      whereas most attempts to define risk in specialized terminology have taken the
      term to have a quantitative meaning, nonquantitative meanings dominate in
      everyday language, and numerical meanings are rare; and (4) the three adjectives
      safe, secure, and risky are frequently used in comparative form. This speaks
      against interpretations that would take them as absolute, all-or-nothing
      concepts. 

PMID- 26283019
TI  - Trace Element Concentrations in Liver of 16 Species of Cetaceans Stranded on
      Pacific Islands from 1997 through 2013.
AB  - The impacts of anthropogenic contaminants on marine ecosystems are a concern
      worldwide. Anthropogenic activities can enrich trace elements in marine biota to
      concentrations that may negatively impact organism health. Exposure to elevated
      concentrations of trace elements is considered a contributing factor in marine
      mammal population declines. Hawai'i is an increasingly important geographic
      location for global monitoring, yet trace element concentrations have not been
      quantified in Hawaiian cetaceans, and there is little trace element data for
      Pacific cetaceans. This study measured trace elements (Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, As, Se,
      Sr, Cd, Sn, Hg, and Pb) in liver of 16 species of cetaceans that stranded on U.S.
      Pacific Islands from 1997 to 2013, using high resolution inductively coupled
      plasma mass spectrometry (HR-ICP-MS) (n = 31), and direct mercury analysis atomic
      absorption spectrometry (DMA-AAS) (n = 43). Concentration ranges (MUg/g wet mass
      fraction) for non-essential trace elements, such as Cd (0.0031-58.93) and Hg
      (0.0062-1571.75) were much greater than essential trace elements, such as Mn
      (0.590-17.31) and Zn (14.72-245.38). Differences were found among age classes in
      Cu, Zn, Hg, and Se concentrations. The highest concentrations of Se, Cd, Sn, Hg,
      and Pb were found in one adult female false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens)
      at concentrations that are known to affect health in marine mammals. The results
      of this study establish initial trace element concentration ranges for Pacific
      cetaceans in the Hawaiian Islands region, provide insights into contaminant
      exposure of these marine mammals, and contribute to a greater understanding of
      anthropogenic impacts in the Pacific Ocean.

PMID- 26283021
TI  - RetFM-J, an ImageJ-based module for automated counting and quantifying features
      of nuclei in retinal whole-mounts.
AB  - The present article introduces RetFM-J, a semi-automated ImageJ-based module that
      detects, counts, and collects quantitative data on nuclei of the inner retina
      from H&E-stained whole-mounted retinas. To illustrate performance, computer
      derived outputs were analyzed in inbred C57BL/6J mice. Automated characterization
      yielded computer-derived outputs that closely matched manual counts. As a method
      using open-source software that is freely available, inexpensive staining
      reagents that are robust, and imaging equipment that is routine to most
      laboratories, RetFM-J could be utilized in a wide variety of experiments
      benefiting from high-throughput, quantitative, uniform analyses of total
      cellularity in the inner retina.

PMID- 26283020
TI  - MERTK signaling in the retinal pigment epithelium regulates the tyrosine
      phosphorylation of GDP dissociation inhibitor alpha from the GDI/CHM family of
      RAB GTPase effectors.
AB  - Photoreceptor outer segments (OS) in the vertebrate retina undergo a process of
      continual renewal involving shedding of disc membranes that are cleared by
      phagocytic uptake into the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). In dystrophic Royal
      College of Surgeons (RCS) rats, OS phagocytosis is blocked by a mutation in the
      gene encoding the receptor tyrosine kinase MERTK. To identify proteins tyrosine
      phosphorylated downstream of MERTK in the RPE, MALDI-mass spectrometry with
      peptide-mass fingerprinting was used in comparative studies of RCS congenic and
      dystrophic rats. At times corresponding to peak phagocytic activity, the RAB
      GTPase effector GDP dissociation inhibitor alpha (GDI1) was found to undergo
      tyrosine phosphorylation only in congenic rats. In cryosections of native
      RPE/choroid, GDI1 colocalized with MERTK and the intracellular tyrosine-kinase
      SRC. In cultured RPE-J cells, and in transfected heterologous cells, MERTK
      stimulated SRC-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of GDI1. In OS-fed RPE-J cells,
      GDI1 colocalized with MERTK and SRC on apparent phagosomes located near the
      apical membrane. In addition, both GDI1 and RAB5, a regulator of vesicular
      transport, colocalized with ingested OS. Taken together, these findings identify
      a novel role of MERTK signaling in membrane trafficking in the RPE that is likely
      to subserve mechanisms of phagosome formation. 

PMID- 26283022
TI  - Whole-genome sequencing reveals the effect of vaccination on the evolution of
      Bordetella pertussis.
AB  - Herd immunity can potentially induce a change of circulating viruses. However, it
      remains largely unknown that how bacterial pathogens adapt to vaccination. In
      this study, Bordetella pertussis, the causative agent of whooping cough, was
      selected as an example to explore possible effect of vaccination on the bacterial
      pathogen. We sequenced and analysed the complete genomes of 40 B. pertussis
      strains from Finland and China, as well as 11 previously sequenced strains from
      the Netherlands, where different vaccination strategies have been used over the
      past 50 years. The results showed that the molecular clock moved at different
      rates in these countries and in distinct periods, which suggested that evolution
      of the B. pertussis population was closely associated with the country
      vaccination coverage. Comparative whole-genome analyses indicated that evolution
      in this human-restricted pathogen was mainly characterised by ongoing genetic
      shift and gene loss. Furthermore, 116 SNPs were specifically detected in
      currently circulating ptxP3-containing strains. The finding might explain the
      successful emergence of this lineage and its spread worldwide. Collectively, our
      results suggest that the immune pressure of vaccination is one major driving
      force for the evolution of B. pertussis, which facilitates further exploration of
      the pathogenicity of B. pertussis. 

PMID- 26283023
TI  - 24-Month-Old Children With Larger Oral Vocabularies Display Greater Academic and
      Behavioral Functioning at Kindergarten Entry.
AB  - Data were analyzed from a population-based, longitudinal sample of 8,650 U.S.
      children to (a) identify factors associated with or predictive of oral vocabulary
      size at 24 months of age and (b) evaluate whether oral vocabulary size is
      uniquely predictive of academic and behavioral functioning at kindergarten entry.
      Children from higher socioeconomic status households, females, and those
      experiencing higher quality parenting had larger oral vocabularies. Children born
      with very low birth weight or from households where the mother had health
      problems had smaller oral vocabularies. Even after extensive covariate
      adjustment, 24-month-old children with larger oral vocabularies displayed greater
      reading and mathematics achievement, increased behavioral self-regulation, and
      fewer externalizing and internalizing problem behaviors at kindergarten entry.

PMID- 26283024
TI  - PDGFRbeta(+) cells in human and experimental neuro-vascular dysplasia and
      seizures.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Neuro-vascular rearrangement occurs in brain disorders, including
      epilepsy. Platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFRbeta) is used as a
      marker of perivascular pericytes. Whether PDGFRbeta(+) cell reorganization occurs
      in regions of neuro-vascular dysplasia associated with seizures is unknown.
      METHODS: We used brain specimens derived from epileptic subjects affected by
      intractable seizures associated with focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) or temporal
      lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis (TLE-HS). Tissues from cryptogenic
      epilepsy, non-sclerotic hippocampi or peritumoral were used for comparison. An in
      vivo rat model of neuro-vascular dysplasia was obtained by pre-natal exposure to
      methyl-axozy methanoic acid (MAM). Status epilepticus (SE) was induced in adult
      MAM rats by intraperitoneal pilocarpine. MAM tissues were also used to establish
      organotypic hippocampal cultures (OHC) to further assess pericytes positioning at
      the dysplastic microvasculature. PDGFRbeta and its colocalization with RECA-1 or
      CD34 were used to segregate perivascular pericytes. PDGFRbeta and NG2 or IBA1
      colocalization were performed. Rat cortices and hippocampi were used for
      PDGFRbeta western blot analysis. RESULTS: Human FCD displayed the highest
      perivascular PDGFRbeta immunoreactivity, indicating pericytes, and presence of
      ramified PDGFRbeta(+) cells in the parenchyma and proximal to microvessels.
      Tissues deriving from human cryptogenic epilepsy displayed a similar pattern of
      immunoreactivity, although to a lesser extent compared to FCD. In TLE-HS, CD34
      vascular proliferation was paralleled by increased perivascular PDGFRbeta(+)
      pericytes, as compared to non-HS. Parenchymal PDGFRbeta immunoreactivity co
      localized with NG2 but was distinct from IBA1(+) microglia. In MAM rats, we found
      pericyte-vascular changes in regions characterized by neuronal heterotopias.
      PDGFRbeta immunoreactivity was differentially distributed in the heterotopic and
      adjacent normal CA1 region. The use of MAM OHC revealed microvascular-pericyte
      dysplasia at the capillary tree lining the dentate gyrus (DG) molecular layer as
      compared to control OHC. Severe SE induced PDGFRbeta(+) immunoreactivity mostly
      in the CA1 region of MAM rats. CONCLUSION: Our descriptive study points to
      microvascular-pericyte changes in the epileptic pathology. The possible link
      between PDGFRbeta(+) cells, neuro-vascular dysplasia and remodeling during
      seizures is discussed.

PMID- 26283025
TI  - Inhibitory actions of bisabolol on alpha7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.
AB  - Bisabolol is a plant-derived monocyclic sesquiterpene alcohol with
      antinociceptive and antiinflammatory actions. However, molecular targets
      mediating these effects of bisabolol are poorly understood. In this study, using
      a two-electrode voltage-clamp and patch-clamp techniques and live cellular
      calcium imaging, we have investigated the effect of bisabolol on the function of
      human alpha7 subunit of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) in Xenopus
      oocytes, interneurons of rat hippocampal slices. We have found that bisabolol
      reversibly and concentration dependently (IC50 = 3.1 MUM) inhibits acetylcholine
      (ACh)-induced alpha7 receptor-mediated currents. The effect of bisabolol was not
      dependent on the membrane potential. Bisabolol inhibition was not changed by
      intracellular injection of the Ca(2+) chelator BAPTA and perfusion with Ca(2+)
      free solution containing Ba(2+), suggesting that endogenous Ca(2+)-dependent Cl(
      ) channels are not involved in bisabolol actions. Increasing the concentrations
      of ACh did not reverse bisabolol inhibition. Furthermore, the specific binding of
      [(125)I] alpha-bungarotoxin was not attenuated by bisabolol. Choline-induced
      currents in CA1 interneurons of rat hippocampal slices were also inhibited with
      IC50 of 4.6 MUM. Collectively, our results suggest that bisabolol directly
      inhibits alpha7-nAChRs via a binding site on the receptor channel.

PMID- 26283026
TI  - The effects of entrance pupil centration and coma aberrations on myopic
      progression following orthokeratology.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim was to assess the potential association between entrance
      pupil location relative to the coaxially sighted corneal light reflex (CSCLR) and
      the progression of myopia in children fitted with orthokeratology (OK) contact
      lenses. Additionally, whether coma aberration induced by decentration of the
      entrance pupil centre relative to the CSCLR, as well as following OK treatment,
      is correlated with the progression of myopia, was also investigated. METHODS:
      Twenty-nine subjects aged six to 12 years and with myopia of -0.75 to -4.00 DS
      and astigmatism up to 1.00 DC were fitted with OK contact lenses. Measurements of
      axial length and corneal topography were taken at six-month intervals over a two
      year period. Additionally, baseline and three-month topographic outputs were
      taken as representative of the pre- and post-orthokeratology treatment status.
      Pupil centration relative to the CSCLR and magnitude of associated corneal coma
      were derived from corneal topographic data at baseline and after three months of
      lens wear. RESULTS: The centre of the entrance pupil was located superio
      temporally to the CSCLR both pre- (0.09 +/- 0.14 and -0.10 +/- 0.15 mm,
      respectively) and post-orthokeratology (0.12 +/- 0.18 and -0.09 +/- 0.15 mm,
      respectively) (p > 0.05). Entrance pupil location pre- and post-orthokeratology
      lens wear was not significantly associated with the two-year change in axial
      length (p > 0.05). Significantly greater coma was found at the entrance pupil
      centre compared with CSCLR both pre- and post-orthokeratology lens wear (both p <
      0.05). A significant increase in vertical coma was found with OK lens wear
      compared to baseline (p < 0.001) but total root mean square (RMS) coma was not
      associated with the change in axial length (all p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Entrance
      pupil location relative to the CSCLR was not significantly affected by either OK
      lens wear or an increase in axial length. Greater magnitude coma aberrations
      found at the entrance pupil centre in comparison to the CSCLR might be attributed
      to centration of orthokeratological treatments at the CSCLR.

PMID- 26283028
TI  - Response to the Letter Entitled "Comments Concerning Comparison of Airway and
      Systemic Malondialdehyde Levels for Assessment of Oxidative Stress in Cystic
      Fibrosis".

PMID- 26283027
TI  - Association analysis identifies new risk loci for congenital heart disease in
      Chinese populations.
AB  - Our previous genome-wide association study (GWAS) identified two susceptibility
      loci for congenital heart disease (CHD) in Han Chinese. Here we identify
      additional loci by testing promising associations in an extended 3-stage
      validation consisting of 6,053 CHD cases and 7,410 controls. We find GW
      significant (P<5.0 * 10(-8)) evidence of 4 additional CHD susceptibility loci at
      4q31.22 (rs1400558, upstream of EDNRA, Pall=1.63 * 10(-9)), 9p24.2 (rs7863990,
      close to SMARCA2, Pall=3.71 * 10(-14)), 12q24.13 (rs2433752, upstream of TBX3 and
      TBX5, Pall=1.04 * 10(-10)) and 20q12 (rs490514, in PTPRT, Pall=1.20 * 10(-13)).
      Moreover, the data from previous European GWAS supports that rs490514 is
      associated with the risk of CHD (P=3.40 * 10(-3)). These results enhance our
      understanding of CHD susceptibility. 

PMID- 26283029
TI  - Retraction Note to: Protein-Protein Interaction Network Analysis in Chronic
      Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

PMID- 26283030
TI  - Retraction Note to: ATF3 and Extracellular Matrix-Related Genes Associated with
      the Process of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary.

PMID- 26283031
TI  - Retraction Note to: The Influence of mtDNA Deletion on Lung Cancer Cells Under
      the Conditions of Hypoxia and Irradiation.

PMID- 26283032
TI  - Annual trend patterns of phytoplankton species abundance belie homogeneous
      taxonomical group responses to climate in the NE Atlantic upwelling.
AB  - Phytoplankton is a sentinel of marine ecosystem change. Composed by many species
      with different life-history strategies, it rapidly responds to environment
      changes. An analysis of the abundance of 54 phytoplankton species in Galicia (NW
      Spain) between 1989 and 2008 to determine the main components of temporal
      variability in relation to climate and upwelling showed that most of this
      variability was stochastic, as seasonality and long term trends contributed to
      relatively small fractions of the series. In general, trends appeared as non
      linear, and species clustered in 4 groups according to the trend pattern but
      there was no defined pattern for diatoms, dinoflagellates or other groups. While,
      in general, total abundance increased, no clear trend was found for 23 species,
      14 species decreased, 4 species increased during the early 1990s, and only 13
      species showed a general increase through the series. In contrast, series of
      local environmental conditions (temperature, stratification, nutrients) and
      climate-related variables (atmospheric pressure indices, upwelling winds) showed
      a high fraction of their variability in deterministic seasonality and trends. As
      a result, each species responded independently to environmental and climate
      variability, measured by generalized additive models. Most species showed a
      positive relationship with nutrient concentrations but only a few showed a direct
      relationship with stratification and upwelling. Climate variables had only
      measurable effects on some species but no common response emerged. Because its
      adaptation to frequent disturbances, phytoplankton communities in upwelling
      ecosystems appear less sensitive to changes in regional climate than other
      communities characterized by short and well defined productive periods. 

PMID- 26283033
TI  - Too Much Information may not always be a Good Thing.

PMID- 26283034
TI  - Dual Antiplatelet Therapy Prior to Expedited Carotid Surgery Reduces Recurrent
      Events Prior to Surgery without Significantly Increasing Peri-operative Bleeding
      Complications.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: A daily Rapid-Access TIA Clinic was introduced in 2008, where
      symptomatic patients were started on 75 mg aspirin + 40 mg simvastatin by the
      referring doctor, before attending the clinic. Following clinic assessment,
      patients with 50-99% stenoses were transferred to the vascular unit for carotid
      endarterectomy (CEA). In two audits (n = 212 patients), the median delay from
      transfer to the vascular unit to undergoing CEA was 3 days, during which time 28
      patients (13%) suffered recurrent neurological events. It was hypothesized that
      early introduction of dual antiplatelet therapy (by adding clopidogrel 75 mg once
      parenchymal haemorrhage was excluded in the TIA clinic) might significantly
      reduce recurrent events between transfer to the surgical unit and undergoing CEA.
      METHODS: Prospective audit in 100 consecutive, recently symptomatic patients
      receiving dual antiplatelet therapy. Endpoints were: prevalence of recurrent
      events between transfer from the TIA clinic and undergoing CEA; rates of
      spontaneous embolization prior to undergoing CEA; and prevalence of haemorrhagic
      complications RESULTS: The median delay from symptom to CEA was 8 days (IQR 5
      15). The median delay between transfer from the TIA clinic to CEA was 3 days (IQR
      2-5), during which time three patients (3%) suffered recurrent TIAs. This
      represents a fivefold reduction compared with previous audit data (OR 4.9, 95% CI
      1.5-16.6, p = .01) and was matched by a fourfold reduction in the prevalence of
      spontaneous embolization from 39/189 (21%) previously to 5/83 (5%) in the current
      audit (OR 4.1, 95% CI 1.5-10.7, p = .0047). The 30-day death/stroke rate was 1%.
      There were three haemorrhagic complications: stroke caused by haemorrhagic
      transformation of an infarct; exploration for neck haematoma; and debridement and
      skin grafting for spontaneous shin haematoma. CONCLUSION: Early introduction of
      dual antiplatelet therapy was associated with a significant reduction in
      recurrent neurological events and spontaneous embolization prior to CEA, without
      incurring a significant increase in major peri-operative bleeding complications.

PMID- 26283035
TI  - A phase III study of belagenpumatucel-L, an allogeneic tumour cell vaccine, as
      maintenance therapy for non-small cell lung cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Treatment options after first-line chemotherapy are limited in non
      small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Belagenpumatucel-L is a therapeutic vaccine
      comprised of 4 transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta2-antisense gene-modified,
      irradiated, allogeneic NSCLC cell lines that may be useful for maintenance after
      initial treatment. METHODS: Stage III/IV NSCLC patients who did not progress
      after platinum-based chemotherapy were randomised 1:1 to receive maintenance
      belagenpumatucel-L or placebo. Patients were eligible for randomisation between
      one and four months from the end of induction chemotherapy. The primary endpoint
      was overall survival. RESULTS: This phase III trial enrolled 270 patients in the
      belagenpumatucel-L arm and 262 in the control arm. Belagenpumatucel-L was well
      tolerated with no serious safety concerns. There was no difference in survival
      between the arms (median survival 20.3 versus 17.8months with belagenpumatucel-L
      versus placebo, respectively; hazard ratio (HR) 0.94, p=0.594). There were also
      no differences in progression-free survival (4.3months versus 4.0 for
      belagenpumatucel-L vs placebo, respectively; HR 0.99, p=0.947). A prespecified
      Cox regression analysis demonstrated that the time elapsed between randomisation
      and the end of induction chemotherapy had a significant impact on survival
      (p=0.002) and that prior radiation was a positive prognostic factor (median
      survival 28.4months with belagenpumatucel-L versus 16.0months with placebo; HR
      0.61, p=0.032). CONCLUSIONS: Although the overall trial did not meet its survival
      endpoint, improved survival for belagenpumatucel-L is suggested in patients who
      were randomised within 12weeks of completion of chemotherapy and in those who had
      received prior radiation. Further studies of belagenpumatucel-L in NSCLC are
      warranted.

PMID- 26283036
TI  - Imatinib in advanced chordoma: A retrospective case series analysis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Imatinib showed activity in 50 chordoma patients treated within a
      Phase II study. In that study, 70% of patients remained with stable disease (SD),
      median progression free survival (PFS) was 9 months and median overall survival
      (OS) was 34 months. We now report on a retrospective series of PDGFB/PDGFRB
      positive advanced chordoma patients treated with imatinib as a single agent
      within a compassionate-use programme at Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
      (INT) between August 2002 and November 2010, when the programme was closed.
      METHODS: 48 patients were consecutively treated with imatinib 800 mg/d. All
      patients had inoperable and progressive disease before starting imatinib.
      Demographics, treatment duration, toxicity and response rate by Response
      Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) were retrospectively recorded.
      RESULTS: The median duration of therapy was 7 months (1-46.5). No patient is on
      therapy at present. 46 patients were evaluable for response. No partial responses
      were detected. Best response was: stable disease 34 (74%), progressive disease 12
      (26%). At a median follow-up of 24.5 months (0.5-117), median PFS was 9.9 months
      (95% confidence interval (CI) 6.7-13). Eight patients (16.5%) remained on therapy
      >18 months and 10 patients (21%) remained progression-free >18 months. Median OS
      was 30 months (95% CI 20-40), with 24 (50%) patients dead at the time of the
      present analysis. CONCLUSIONS: We confirm the activity of imatinib in locally
      advanced and metastatic chordoma, in terms of >70% tumour growth arrest in
      previously progressive patients. Median duration of response lasted almost 10
      months, with >20% of patients progression-free at 18+ months.

PMID- 26283037
TI  - Optimal breast cancer pathology manifesto.
AB  - This manifesto was prepared by a European Breast Cancer (EBC) Council working
      group and launched at the European Breast Cancer Conference in Glasgow on 20
      March 2014. It sets out optimal technical and organisational requirements for a
      breast cancer pathology service, in the light of concerns about variability and
      lack of patient-centred focus. It is not a guideline about how pathology services
      should be performed. It is a call for all in the cancer community--pathologists,
      oncologists, patient advocates, health administrators and policymakers--to check
      that services are available that serve the needs of patients in a high quality,
      timely way.

PMID- 26283038
TI  - Adolescent and parental perceptions about asthma and asthma management: a dyadic
      qualitative analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Considering that asthma management is a family affair - with specific
      challenges in adolescence - a better understanding of both adolescent and
      parental perspectives on asthma and its treatment are needed as these constructs
      may substantially account for variation in illness-related behaviour and
      functioning. The present study aimed to (1) explore adolescents' and caregivers'
      perceptions about asthma and asthma management and (2) examine congruence and
      dissimilarities within the adolescent-caregiver dyads. METHODS: Data collection
      was conducted separately for adolescents and caregivers using a focus group
      approach for the adolescents and telephone interviews for parental data
      collection. In total, dyadic data from n = 15 adolescent patients with asthma
      (aged 11-17 years, M = 14.9) and their mothers (aged 37-55 years, M = 46.3) were
      considered in the study. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed in
      a dyad-focused multistep qualitative content analysis procedure using the
      software. RESULTS: The results demonstrated high complexity in the perceptions
      among adolescents and mothers and reflected 113 specific themes that could be
      assigned to four main topics: asthma beliefs, representations of asthma
      treatment, perceptions about individual asthma management and perceptions about
      family asthma management. Dyadic analyses revealed congruence in the adolescent
      caregiver dyads in most of the themes. However, we also found issues where
      divergent perceptions became evident including, for example, perceptions of
      asthma's general impact on adolescents' life or the question of who takes the
      main responsibility in asthma management. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents' and
      caregivers' perceptions were found to reflect a great variety of beliefs
      regarding the adolescents' illness and illness-related behaviour on both the
      individual and the family level. The study adds to the illness perceptions
      literature by providing a systemic perspective that was rather rarely presented
      in prior research.

PMID- 26283040
TI  - Genetic predisposition to higher blood pressure increases risk of incident
      hypertension and cardiovascular diseases in Chinese.
AB  - Although multiple genetic markers associated with blood pressure have been
      identified by genome-wide association studies, their aggregate effect on risk of
      incident hypertension and cardiovascular disease is uncertain, particularly among
      East Asian who may have different genetic and environmental exposures from
      Europeans. We aimed to examine the association between genetic predisposition to
      higher blood pressure and risk of incident hypertension and cardiovascular
      disease in 26 262 individuals in 2 Chinese population-based prospective cohorts.
      A genetic risk score was calculated based on 22 established variants for blood
      pressure in East Asian. We found the genetic risk score was significantly and
      independently associated with linear increases in blood pressure and risk of
      incident hypertension and cardiovascular disease (P range from 4.57*10(-3) to
      3.10*10(-6)). In analyses adjusted for traditional risk factors including blood
      pressure, individuals carrying most blood pressure-related risk alleles (top
      quintile of genetic score distribution) had 40% (95% confidence interval, 18-66)
      and 26% (6-45) increased risk for incident hypertension and cardiovascular
      disease, respectively, when compared with individuals in the bottom quintile. The
      genetic risk score also significantly improved discrimination for incident
      hypertension and cardiovascular disease and led to modest improvements in risk
      reclassification for cardiovascular disease (all the P<0.05). Our data indicate
      that genetic predisposition to higher blood pressure is an independent risk
      factor for blood pressure increase and incident hypertension and cardiovascular
      disease and provides modest incremental information to cardiovascular disease
      risk prediction. The potential clinical use of this panel of blood pressure
      associated polymorphisms remains to be determined. 

PMID- 26283041
TI  - Altered retinal flicker response indicates microvascular dysfunction in women
      with preeclampsia.
AB  - Flicker-induced dilatation is reduced in patients with cardiovascular risk, and
      the following arteriolar constriction is reduced with aging, leading to a reduced
      arteriolar amplitude and, thereby, indicating microvascular endothelial
      dysfunction. As endothelial dysfunction is associated with preeclampsia, we
      assessed retinal flicker response during pregnancy and postpartum. Between 2006
      and 2013, women were recruited from University Hospital Jena and Prenatal
      Diagnostic Center Erfurt, Germany, of which 34 women with preeclampsia, 45 women
      with normal pregnancy, and 22 nonpregnant controls were included in the study.
      Women with normal pregnancy were matched for age, nulliparity, smoking, previous
      gestational hypertensive disorders, and family history of cardiovascular disease.
      Nonpregnant women were age-matched, nulliparous, nonsmoking, without family
      history of cardiovascular disease. Retinal vessel measurement using Dynamic
      Vessel Analyzer consisted of 50-seconds baseline acquisition, followed by three
      20-second flicker and 80-second relaxation periods. Arteriolar constriction and
      arteriolar amplitude were reduced during pregnancy (P=0.001 and P=0.008) and
      postpartum (P=0.018 and P=0.034) in women with preeclampsia, adjusted for age,
      body mass index, mean arterial pressure, baseline diameter, and family history of
      cardiovascular disease. Flicker-induced dilatation was unchanged within the
      groups and throughout the study period. The unchanged flicker-induced dilatation
      may support a preserved autoregulatory competence of the microvasculature, and
      the diminished arteriolar amplitude, mainly because of the absence of the
      arteriolar constriction, indicates a commenced retinal microvascular dysfunction
      in women with preeclampsia during pregnancy and postpartum. Mechanisms
      responsible for altered retinal flicker response in preeclampsia need to be
      clarified in further studies. 

PMID- 26283039
TI  - Rho-associated kinase activity is an independent predictor of cardiovascular
      events in acute coronary syndrome.
AB  - Rho-associated kinases play an important role in a variety of cellular functions.
      Although Rho-associated kinase activity has been shown to be an independent
      predictor for future cardiovascular events in a general population, there is no
      information on Rho-associated kinase activity in patients with acute coronary
      syndrome. We evaluated leukocyte Rho-associated kinase activity by Western blot
      analysis in 73 patients with acute coronary syndrome and 73 age- and gender
      matched control subjects. Rho-associated kinase activity within 2 hours of acute
      coronary syndrome onset was higher in patients with acute coronary syndrome than
      in the control subjects (0.95+/-0.55 versus 0.69+/-0.31; P<0.001). Rho-associated
      kinase activity promptly increased from 0.95+/-0.55 to 1.11+/-0.81 after 3 hours
      and reached a peak of 1.21+/-0.76 after 1 day (P=0.03 and P=0.03, respectively)
      and then gradually decreased to 0.83+/-0.52 after 7 days, 0.78+/-0.42 after 14
      days, and 0.72+/-0.30 after 6 months (P=0.22, P=0.29, and P=0.12, respectively).
      During a median follow-up period of 50.8 months, 31 first major cardiovascular
      events (death from cardiovascular causes, myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke,
      and coronary revascularization) occurred. After adjustment for age, sex,
      cardiovascular risk factors, and concomitant treatment with statins, increased
      Rho-associated kinase activity was associated with increasing risk of first major
      cardiovascular events (hazard ratio, 4.56; 95% confidence interval, 1.98-11.34;
      P<0.001). These findings suggest that Rho-associated kinase activity is
      dramatically changed after acute coronary syndrome and that Rho-associated kinase
      activity could be a useful biomarker to predict cardiovascular events in Japanese
      patients with acute coronary syndrome. 

PMID- 26283044
TI  - [32nd Congress of French Society of Endocrinology in Angers on October 7-10,
      2015].

PMID- 26283043
TI  - Endogenous microRNAs in human microvascular endothelial cells regulate mRNAs
      encoded by hypertension-related genes.
AB  - The goal of this study was to systematically identify endogenous microRNAs
      (miRNAs) in endothelial cells that regulate mRNAs encoded by genes relevant to
      hypertension. Small RNA deep sequencing was performed in cultured human
      microvascular endothelial cells. Of the 50 most abundant miRNAs identified, 30
      had predicted target mRNAs encoded by genes with known involvement in
      hypertension or blood pressure regulation. The cells were transfected with anti
      miR oligonucleotides to inhibit each of the 30 miRNAs and the mRNA abundance of
      predicted targets was examined. Of 95 miRNA-target pairs examined, the target
      mRNAs were significantly upregulated in 35 pairs and paradoxically downregulated
      in 8 pairs. The result indicated significant suppression of the abundance of mRNA
      encoded by ADM by endogenous miR-181a-5p, ATP2B1 by the miR-27 family, FURIN by
      miR-125a-5p, FGF5 by the let-7 family, GOSR2 by miR-27a-3p, JAG1 by miR-21-5p,
      SH2B3 by miR-30a-5p, miR-98, miR-181a-5p, and the miR-125 family, TBX3 by the miR
      92 family, ADRA1B by miR-22-3p, ADRA2A by miR-30a-5p and miR-30e-5p, ADRA2B by
      miR-30e-5p, ADRB1 by the let-7 family and miR-98, EDNRB by the miR-92 family, and
      NOX4 by the miR-92 family, miR-100-5p, and miR-99b-5p (n=3-9; P<0.05 versus
      scrambled anti-miR). Treatment with anti-miR-21 decreased blood pressure in mice
      fed a 4% NaCl diet. Inhibition of the miRNAs targeting NOX4 mRNA increased H2O2
      release from endothelial cells. The findings indicate widespread, tonic control
      of mRNAs encoded by genes relevant to blood pressure regulation by endothelial
      miRNAs and provide a novel and uniquely informative basis for studying the role
      of miRNAs in hypertension. 

PMID- 26283042
TI  - Clinical effects of phosphodiesterase 3A mutations in inherited hypertension with
      brachydactyly.
AB  - Autosomal-dominant hypertension with brachydactyly is a salt-independent
      Mendelian syndrome caused by activating mutations in the gene encoding
      phosphodiesterase 3A. These mutations increase the protein kinase A-mediated
      phosphorylation of phosphodiesterase 3A resulting in enhanced cAMP-hydrolytic
      affinity and accelerated cell proliferation. The phosphorylated vasodilator
      stimulated phosphoprotein is diminished, and parathyroid hormone-related peptide
      is dysregulated, potentially accounting for all phenotypic features. Untreated
      patients die prematurely of stroke; however, hypertension-induced target-organ
      damage is otherwise hardly apparent. We conducted clinical studies of vascular
      function, cardiac functional imaging, platelet function in affected and
      nonaffected persons, and cell-based assays. Large-vessel and cardiac functions
      indeed seem to be preserved. The platelet studies showed normal platelet
      function. Cell-based studies demonstrated that available phosphodiesterase 3A
      inhibitors suppress the mutant isoforms. However, increasing cGMP to indirectly
      inhibit the enzyme seemed to have particular use. Our results shed more light on
      phosphodiesterase 3A activation and could be relevant to the treatment of severe
      hypertension in the general population. 

PMID- 26283045
TI  - Harnessing microbial gene pools to remediate persistent organic pollutants using
      genetically modified plants--a viable technology?
AB  - It has been 14 years since the international community came together to legislate
      the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), restricting the
      production and use of specific chemicals that were found to be environmentally
      stable, often bioaccumulating, with long-term toxic effects. Efforts are
      continuing to remove these pollutants from the environment. While incineration
      and chemical treatment can be successful, these methods require the removal of
      tonnes of soil, at high cost, and are damaging to soil structure and microbial
      communities. The engineering of plants for in situ POP remediation has had highly
      promising results, and could be a more environmentally-friendly alternative. This
      review discusses the characterization of POP-degrading bacterial pathways, and
      how the genes responsible have been harnessed using genetic modification (GM) to
      introduce these same abilities into plants. Recent advances in multi-gene
      cloning, genome editing technologies and expression in monocot species are
      accelerating progress with remediation-applicable species. Examples include
      plants developed to degrade 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro
      1,3,5-triazine (RDX), trichloroethylene (TCE), and polychlorinated biphenyls
      (PCBs). However, the costs and timescales needed to gain regulatory approval,
      along with continued public opposition, are considerable. The benefits and
      challenges in this rapidly developing and promising field are discussed. 

PMID- 26283046
TI  - Polypyrimidine tract-binding proteins of potato mediate tuberization through an
      interaction with StBEL5 RNA.
AB  - Polypyrimidine tract-binding (PTB) proteins are a family of RNA-binding proteins
      that function in a wide range of RNA metabolic processes by binding to motifs
      rich in uracils and cytosines. A PTB protein of pumpkin was identified as the
      core protein of an RNA-protein complex that trafficks RNA. The biological
      function of the PTB-RNA complex, however, has not been demonstrated. In potato,
      six PTB proteins have been identified, and two, designated StPTB1 and StPTB6, are
      similar to the phloem-mobile pumpkin type. RNA binding assays confirmed the
      interaction of StPTB1 and StPTB6 with discrete pyrimidine-rich sequences of the
      3'-untranslated regions of the phloem-mobile mRNA, StBEL5. The promoter of StPTB1
      was active in companion cells of phloem in both stem and petioles. Expression of
      both types was evident in phloem cells of roots and in stolons during tuber
      formation. RNA accumulation of both PTB proteins was induced by short days in
      leaves in correlation with enhanced accumulation of StBEL5 RNA. StPTB suppression
      lines exhibited reduced tuber yields and decreased StBEL5 RNA accumulation,
      whereas StPTB overexpression lines displayed an increase in tuber production
      correlated with the enhanced production in stolons of steady-state levels of
      StBEL5 transcripts and RNA of key tuber identity genes. In StPTB overexpression
      lines, both the stability and long-distance transport of StBEL5 transcripts were
      enhanced, whereas in suppression lines stability and transport decreased. Using a
      transgenic approach, it is shown that the StPTB family of RNA-binding proteins
      regulate specific stages of development through an interaction with phloem-mobile
      transcripts of StBEL5. 

PMID- 26283047
TI  - An-2 Encodes a Cytokinin Synthesis Enzyme that Regulates Awn Length and Grain
      Production in Rice.
AB  - A wide range of morphological and physiological traits have changed between
      cultivated rice Oryza sativa and wild rice Oryza rufipogon under domestication.
      Here, we report cloning of the An-2 gene, encoding the Lonely Guy Like protein 6
      (OsLOGL6), which catalyzes the final step of cytokinin synthesis in O. rufipogon.
      The near-isogenic line harboring a wild allele of An-2 in the genetic background
      of the awnless indica Guangluai 4 shows that An-2 promotes awn elongation by
      enhancing cell division, but decreases grain production by reducing grains per
      panicle and tillers per plant. We reveal that a genetic variation in the An-2
      locus has a large impact on reducing awn length and increasing tiller and grain
      numbers in domesticated rice. Analysis of gene expression patterns suggests that
      An-1 regulates the formation of awn primordial, and An-2 promotes awn elongation.
      Nucleotide diversity of the An-2 locus in cultivated rice was found to be
      significantly reduced compared with that of wild rice, suggesting that the An-2
      locus was subjected to artificial selection. We therefore propose that the
      selection of genetic variation in An-2 was due to reduced awn length and
      increased grain yield in cultivated rice.

PMID- 26283048
TI  - Identification of AtOPT4 as a Plant Glutathione Transporter.

PMID- 26283049
TI  - In Vitro Comparison of Active and Passive Physiological Control Systems for
      Biventricular Assist Devices.
AB  - The low preload and high afterload sensitivities of rotary ventricular assist
      devices (VADs) may cause ventricular suction events or venous congestion. This is
      particularly problematic with rotary biventricular support (BiVAD), where the
      Starling response is diminished in both ventricles. Therefore, VADs may benefit
      from physiological control systems to prevent adverse events. This study compares
      active, passive and combined physiological controllers for rotary BiVAD support
      with constant speed mode. Systemic (SVR) and pulmonary (PVR) vascular resistance
      changes and exercise were simulated in a mock circulation loop to evaluate the
      capacity of each controller to prevent suction and congestion and increase
      exercise capacity. All controllers prevented suction and congestion at high
      levels of PVR (900 dynes s cm(-5)) and SVR (3000 dynes s cm(-5)), however these
      events occurred in constant speed mode. The controllers increased preload
      sensitivity (0.198-0.34 L min(-1) mmHg(-1)) and reduced afterload sensitivity
      (0.0001-0.008 L min(-1) mmHg(-1)) of the VADs when compared to constant speed
      mode (0.091 and 0.072 L min(-1) mmHg(-1) respectively). The active controller
      increased pump speeds (400-800 rpm) and pump flow by 2.8 L min(-1) during
      exercise, thus increasing exercise capacity. By reducing suction and congestion
      and by increasing exercise capacity, the control systems presented in this study
      may help increase quality of life of VAD patients.

PMID- 26283051
TI  - Rapid RBE-Weighted Proton Radiation Dosimetry Risk Assessment.
AB  - Proton therapy dose is affected by relative biological effectiveness differently
      than X-ray therapies. The current clinically accepted weighting factor is 1.1 at
      all positions along the depth-dose profile. However, the relative biological
      effectiveness correlates with the linear energy transfer, cell or tissue type,
      and the dose per fraction causing variation of relative biological effectiveness
      along the depth-dose profile. In this article, we present a simple relative
      biological effectiveness-weighted treatment planning risk assessment algorithm in
      2-dimensions and compare the results with those derived using the standard
      relative biological effectiveness of 1.1. The isodose distribution profiles for
      beams were accomplished using matrices that represent coplanar intersecting
      beams. These matrices were combined and contoured using MATLAB to achieve the
      distribution of dose. There are some important differences in dose distribution
      between the dose profiles resulting from the use of relative biological
      effectiveness = 1.1 and the empirically derived depth-dependent values of
      relative biological effectiveness. Significant hot spots of up to twice the
      intended dose are indicated in some beam configurations. This simple and rapid
      risk analysis could quickly evaluate the safety of various dose delivery schema.

PMID- 26283050
TI  - MiR-138 inhibits cell proliferation and reverses epithelial-mesenchymal
      transition in non-small cell lung cancer cells by targeting GIT1 and SEMA4C.
AB  - Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the most common and lethal malignant
      tumours worldwide with a poor 5-year survival rate. Recent studies indicated that
      miRNAs have been involved in the tumorigenic driver pathways in NSCLC, but the
      relevant molecular mechanisms are not well-understood. In this study, we
      investigated the biological functions and molecular mechanisms of miR-138 in
      human NSCLC. The effects of miR-138 on the NSCLC cell growth and epithelial
      mesenchymal transition (EMT) were first examined. Then the targeting connections
      of miR-138 with G-protein-coupled receptor kinase-interacting protein 1 (GIT1)
      and semaphorin 4C (SEMA4C) were confirmed by dual luciferase reporter assays.
      Finally, the effects of GIT1 and SEMA4C on the NSCLC cell growth and EMT were
      investigated respectively. We found that the ectopic expression of miR-138
      resulted in a significant inhibition of NSCLC growth and reversion of EMT. GIT1
      and SEMA4C were identified as two novel targets of miR-138. Furthermore, GIT1 and
      SEMA4C knockdown inhibited the cell growth and reversed EMT, just like the
      effects of miR-138 overexpression on NSCLC cells, whereas ectopic expression of
      GIT1 and SEMA4C partly rescued the suppressive effects of miR-138 in NSCLC cells.
      These data represent a crucial step towards the understanding of the novel roles
      and molecular mechanism of miR-138, GIT1 and SEMA4C in NSCLC progression, which
      may provide some new targets or prognostic biomarkers for NSCLC treatment, thus
      having implications in translational oncology. 

PMID- 26283052
TI  - Association Between the CYP1B1 Polymorphisms and Lung Cancer Risk: A Meta
      Analysis.
AB  - The previously published data on the association between the cytochrome P450 1B1
      Leu432Val, Asn453Ser, and Ala119Ser polymorphisms and lung cancer risk have
      remained controversial. Hence, we performed a meta-analysis to investigate the
      association between cytochrome P450 1B1 Leu432Val, Asn453Ser, and Ala119Ser
      polymorphisms and lung cancer risk under different inheritance models. A total of
      22 studies were identified, including 2881 cases and 3653 controls for Leu432Val
      polymorphism (from 13 studies), 3009 cases and 3887 controls for Asn453Ser
      polymorphism (from 5 studies), and 1301 cases and 2045 controls for Ala119Ser
      polymorphism (from 4 studies). Overall, significant association was observed
      between cytochrome P450 1B1 Leu432Val polymorphism and lung cancer risk (dominant
      model: odds ratio = 1.29, 95% confidence interval = 1.08-1.53; recessive model:
      odds ratio = 1.21, 95% confidence interval = 1.05-1.39; additive model: odds
      ratio = 1.43, 95% confidence interval = 1.21-1.69) when all the eligible studies
      were pooled into the meta-analysis. In the further stratified and sensitivity
      analyses, significantly increased lung cancer risk was also observed in
      caucasians and smokers. No significant association was observed between
      cytochrome P450 1B1Asn453Ser and Ala119Ser polymorphisms and lung cancer risk in
      overall analysis. In summary, this meta-analysis suggests that cytochrome P450
      1B1Leu432Val polymorphism is associated with increased lung cancer risk in
      caucasians and smokers.

PMID- 26283053
TI  - Evaluating postoperative rotator cuff healing: Prospective comparison of MRI and
      ultrasound.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The objective of this prospective comparative single centre study was
      to compare postoperative rotator cuff healing rates as assessed by magnetic
      resonance imaging (MRI) versus ultrasonography (US). MATERIAL AND METHODS:
      Between October 2012 and February 2013, 61 patients underwent arthroscopic repair
      of postero-superior rotator cuff tears. Each patient underwent MRI and US 6
      months later. The findings were assessed independently by two observers. We
      compared intra-observer and inter-observer levels of agreement regarding healing
      rates assessed by MRI and US. RESULTS: Intra-observer agreement regarding the MRI
      interpretation was 95% (kappa coefficient, 0.83) for one observer and 98% (kappa
      coefficient, 0.94) for the other. Values of kappa for inter-observer agreement
      ranged across readings from 0.76 to 0.90. When MRI was taken as the reference, US
      had 80% sensitivity and 98% specificity. DISCUSSION: MRI and US provide similar
      assessments of postoperative rotator cuff healing, although US is less sensitive.
      Intra-observer and inter-observer agreements are very good.

PMID- 26283054
TI  - Measuring fish body condition with or without parasites: does it matter?
AB  - A fish body condition index was calculated twice for each individual fish,
      including or excluding parasite mass from fish body mass, and index values were
      compared to test the effects of parasite mass on measurement of body condition.
      Potential correlations between parasite load and the two alternative fish
      condition index values were tested to assess how parasite mass may influence the
      perception of the actual effects of parasitism on fish body condition. Helminth
      parasite mass was estimated in common bully Gobiomorphus cotidianus from four New
      Zealand lakes and used to assess the biasing effects of parasite mass on body
      condition indices. Results showed that the inclusion or exclusion of parasite
      mass from fish body mass in index calculations significantly influenced
      correlation patterns between parasite load and fish body condition indices. When
      parasite mass was included, there was a positive correlation between parasite
      load and fish body condition, seemingly indicating that fish in better condition
      supported higher parasite loads. When parasite mass was excluded, there was no
      correlation between parasite load and fish body condition, i.e. there was no
      detectable effect of helminth parasites on fish condition or fish condition on
      parasite load. Fish body condition tended to be overestimated when parasite mass
      was not accounted for; results showed a positive correlation between relative
      parasite mass and the degree to which individual fish condition was
      overestimated. Regardless of the actual effects of helminth parasites on fish
      condition, parasite mass contained within a fish should be taken into account
      when estimating fish condition. Parasite tissues are not host tissues and should
      not be included in fish mass when calculating a body condition index, especially
      when looking at potential effects of helminth infections on fish condition. 

PMID- 26283055
TI  - Making a Difference in Family Nursing: History of the Journal of Family Nursing
      Awards (2005-2011).

PMID- 26283056
TI  - Transition Needs of Parents of Adolescents and Emerging Adults With Special
      Health Care Needs and Disabilities.
AB  - The period of health care transition (HCT) for adolescents and emerging adults
      with special health care needs and disabilities involves a complex realignment of
      the parent-child relationship, including alterations in role responsibilities and
      decision making. The purpose of this systematic review was to analyze the
      research designs, methodology, and findings reported in studies of parents during
      this transition period to provide new insights for research and clinical
      practice. Results showed that parents were unable to clearly envision what the
      future held for their children and were not well prepared by the service system
      to anticipate future prospects. These parents have a myriad of needs that are not
      yet fully understood, as HCT research is in the early stages of development. 

PMID- 26283057
TI  - Dr. Kristofer Arestedt Joins Journal of Family Nursing Editorial Board.

PMID- 26283059
TI  - Models for managing wildlife disease.
AB  - Modelling wildlife disease poses some unique challenges. Wildlife disease systems
      are data poor in comparison with human or livestock disease systems, and the
      impact of disease on population size is often the key question of interest. This
      review concentrates specifically on the application of dynamic models to evaluate
      and guide management strategies. Models have proved useful particularly in two
      areas. They have been widely used to evaluate vaccination strategies, both for
      protecting endangered species and for preventing spillover from wildlife to
      humans or livestock. They have also been extensively used to evaluate culling
      strategies, again both for diseases in species of conservation interest and to
      prevent spillover. In addition, models are important to evaluate the potential of
      parasites and pathogens as biological control agents. The review concludes by
      identifying some key research gaps, which are further development of models of
      macroparasites, deciding on appropriate levels of complexity, modelling genetic
      management and connecting models to data.

PMID- 26283061
TI  - Immobilisation of a molecular epoxidation catalyst on UiO-66 and -67: the effect
      of pore size on catalyst activity and recycling.
AB  - Amino-functionalised metal-organic frameworks UiO-66 and -67 were post
      synthetically modified with salicylaldehyde. A molybdenum complex was immobilised
      on the resulting materials. They were characterised by (13)C-MAS-NMR, XPS and
      PXRD to confirm immobilisation and stability. The immobilised complex is an
      active and reusable catalyst for olefin epoxidation with tert-butyl hydroperoxide
      (TBHP) as an oxidant. It is shown that the effective pore size, probed with
      Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area analysis and the number of amino groups
      affect the diffusion of reactants and products, as well as catalyst recycling. 

PMID- 26283060
TI  - [Management of pulmonary embolism: A 2015 update].
AB  - Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a frequent, serious and multifactorial disease, the
      incidence of which increases with advanced age. In the absence of pathognomonic
      clinical signs or symptoms, diagnostic management lies in the evaluation of
      clinical pre-test probability followed by a laboratory or an imaging test. So
      far, multidetector computed tomography angiography is the diagnostic test of
      choice to make a positive diagnosis of PE. Anticoagulants at therapeutic dose for
      at least 3 months constitute the cornerstones of PE therapeutic management.
      Duration of anticoagulant treatment is modulated according to the presence of
      transient (surgery, plaster immobilization, bed rest/hospitalization) and
      chronic/persistent (age, cancer, clinical or biological thrombophilia...) risk
      factors of PE. Thrombolysis is usually prescribed only for cases of severe PE
      with arterial hypotension. Arrival of new oral anticoagulants, which have
      recently been shown to be as effective and as safe as vitamin K antagonist,
      should simplify and ease ambulatory management of PE and favor more prolonged
      treatments with anticoagulant for cases of unprovoked PE or PE provoked by a
      chronic/persistent risk factor.

PMID- 26283062
TI  - Clinical and Counseling Experiences of Early Adopters of Whole Exome Sequencing.
AB  - Currently, there are limited data regarding the practice of genetic counseling
      for whole exome sequencing (WES). Improved understanding of how genetic
      counselors and other providers are educating, counseling, and communicating
      results may identify practice trends, and patient or provider needs. Between
      April 2013 and December 2014, we surveyed providers who ordered WES testing from
      GeneDx, a CLIA-certified laboratory. Forty-nine respondents completed the survey;
      41 % of participants reported board certification in genetic counseling. Pre-test
      and post-test counseling was completed in all but one case each. Pre-test
      counseling lasted less than 1 h for 53 % of cases and 1 to 2 h for 43 %. Topics
      discussed with all patients included consent for testing, and incidental
      findings; other topics were variable. In contrast to pre-test counseling, 59 %
      reported post-test counseling lasting 1 to 2 h and 33 % less than an hour; post
      testing counseling was significantly longer in cases with a definitive diagnosis
      than those without (p = 0.0129). The survey findings indicate some variability
      regarding the amount of time spent on counseling and the topics discussed during
      pre-test counseling. Additional exploration, patient and provider educational
      resources, and potentially more specific guidelines regarding counseling for WES
      may be warranted.

PMID- 26283064
TI  - Regal electrochemistry: British 5 pence coins provide useful metallic
      macroelectrode substrates.
AB  - The utilisation of British Currency (GBP) as an electrode substrate is
      demonstrated for the first time. Termed Regal electrochemistry, a 5 pence (5p)
      coin (GBP) is electrically wired using a bespoke electrochemical cell and is
      electrochemically characterised using the outer-sphere redox probe
      hexaammineruthenium(III) chloride. The electroanalytical utility of the 5p coin
      electrode is demonstrated towards the novel, proof-of-concept sensing of lead(II)
      ions using square-wave voltammetry in model buffer solutions over the linear
      range 5-2000 nM exhibiting a limit of detection (3sigma) of 1.97 nM.
      Interestingly, the actual cost of the electrode is 2.5 pence (GBP) since both
      sides of the coins can be utilised and provide a cheap yet reproducible and
      disposable metallic electrode substrate that is electrochemically useful.

PMID- 26283063
TI  - Does parental drinking influence children's drinking? A systematic review of
      prospective cohort studies.
AB  - AIMS: To evaluate evidence of the capacity for causal inference in studies of
      associations between parental and offspring alcohol consumption in the general
      population. METHODS: A systematic search for, and narrative analysis of,
      prospective cohort studies of the consequences of drinking, except where assessed
      prenatally only, or with clinically derived instruments. Primary outcome measures
      were alcohol use or related problems in offspring, which were collected at least
      3 years after exposure measures of parental drinking. The systematic review
      included 21 studies comprising 26,354 families or parent-child dyads with
      quantitative effect measures available for each study. Criteria for capacity of
      causal inference included (1) theory-driven approach and analysis; (2) analytical
      rigour; and (3) minimization of sources of bias. RESULTS: Four of the 21 included
      studies filled several, but not all, criteria and were assessed to have some
      capacity for causal inference. These four studies found some evidence that
      parental drinking predicted drinking behaviour in adolescent offspring. The
      remaining 17 studies had little or no such capacity. CONCLUSIONS: There is a
      fairly large and consistent literature demonstrating that more parental drinking
      is associated with more drinking in offspring. Despite this, existing evidence is
      insufficient to warrant causal inferences at this stage.

PMID- 26283066
TI  - Community of thermoacidophilic and arsenic resistant microorganisms isolated from
      a deep profile of mine heaps.
AB  - Soluble arsenic (As) in acidic feed solution may inhibit the copper (Cu)
      bioleaching process within mine heaps. To clarify the effect of soluble arsenic
      on the live biomass and bioxidative activity in heaps, toxicological assays were
      performed using a synthetic feed solution given by a mine company. The
      microorganisms had previously been isolated from two heap samples at up to 66 m
      depth, and cultured using specific media for chemolithotrophic acidophiles (pH 1
      2) and moderate thermophiles (48 degrees C), for arsenic tolerance assay. The
      four media with the highest biomass were selected to assay As-resistance; one
      culture (Q63h) was chosen to assay biooxidative activity, using a heap sample
      that contained chalcopyrite and covellite. We found that 0.5 g/L of As does not
      affect living biomass or biooxidative activity on Cu sulfides, but it dissolves
      Cu, while As precipitates as arsenic acid (H3AsO4.1/2H2O). The arsenic tolerant
      community, as identified by 16S rDNA gene sequence analysis, was composed of
      three main metabolic groups: chemolithotrophs (Leptospirillum, Sulfobacillus);
      chemolithoheterotrophs and organoheterotrophs as Acidovorax temperans,
      Pseudomonas alcaligenes, P. mendocina and Sphingomonas spp. Leptospirillum spp.
      and S. thermosulfidooxidans were the dominant taxa in the Q63-66 cultures from
      the deepest sample of the oldest, highest-temperature heap. The results indicated
      arsenic resistance in the microbial community, therefore specific primers were
      used to amplify ars (arsenic resistance system), aio (arsenite oxidase), or arr
      (arsenate respiratory reduction) genes from total sample DNA. Presence of arsB
      genes in S. thermosulfidooxidans in the Q63-66 cultures permits H3AsO4-As(V)
      detoxification and strengthens the community's response to As. 

PMID- 26283067
TI  - Diagnostic performance of S100B protein serum measurement in detecting
      intracranial injury in children with mild head trauma.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the accuracy of S100B serum level to detect intracranial
      injury in children with mild traumatic brain injury. METHODS: A multicenter
      prospective cohort study was carried out in the paediatric emergency departments
      of three tertiary hospitals in Switzerland between January 2009 and December
      2011. Participants included children aged <16 years with a mild traumatic brain
      injury (GCS >=13) for whom a head CT was requested by the attending physician.
      Venous blood was obtained within 6 h of the trauma in all children for S100B
      measurement before a head CT was performed. As the S100B value was not available
      during the acute care period, the patient's management was not altered. The main
      measures were protein S100B value and the CT result. RESULTS: 20/73 (27.4%)
      included children had an intracranial injury detected on CT. S100B receiver
      operating characteristics area under the curve was 0.73 (95% CI 0.60 to 0.86).
      With a 0.14 ug/L cut-off point, S100B reached an excellent sensitivity of 95%
      (95% CI 77% to 100%) and 100% (95% CI 81% to 100%) in all children and in
      children aged >2 years, respectively. The specificity, however, was 34% (95% CI
      27% to 36%) and 37% (95% CI 30% to 37%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: S100B has an
      excellent sensitivity but poor specificity. It is therefore an accurate tool to
      help rule out an intracranial injury but cannot be used as the sole marker owing
      to its specificity. Used with clinical decision rules, S100B may help to reduce
      the number of unnecessary CT scans.

PMID- 26283068
TI  - Polymorphic cross-seeding amyloid assemblies of amyloid-beta and human islet
      amyloid polypeptide.
AB  - Epidemiological studies have shown that the development of Alzheimer's disease
      (AD) is associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D), but it still remains unclear how
      AD and T2D are connected. Heterologous cross-seeding between the causative
      peptides of Abeta and hIAPP may represent a molecular link between AD and T2D.
      Here, we computationally modeled and simulated a series of cross-seeding double
      layer assemblies formed by Abeta and hIAPP peptides using all-atom and coarse
      gained molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The cross-seeding Abeta-hIAPP
      assemblies showed a wide range of polymorphic structures via a combination of
      four beta-sheet-to-beta-sheet interfaces and two packing orientations, focusing
      on a comparison of different matches of beta-sheet layers. Two cross-seeding
      Abeta-hIAPP assemblies with different interfacial beta-sheet packings exhibited
      high structural stability and favorable interfacial interactions in both
      oligomeric and fibrillar states. Both Abeta-hIAPP assemblies displayed
      interfacial dehydration to different extents, which in turn promoted Abeta-hIAPP
      association depending on interfacial polarity and geometry. Furthermore,
      computational mutagenesis studies revealed that disruption of interfacial salt
      bridges largely disfavor the beta-sheet-to-beta-sheet association, highlighting
      the importance of salt bridges in the formation of cross-seeding assemblies. This
      work provides atomic-level information on the cross-seeding interactions between
      Abeta and hIAPP, which may be involved in the interplay between these two
      disorders. 

PMID- 26283069
TI  - Characterization of chronic and acute ESA hyporesponse: a retrospective cohort
      study of hemodialysis patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Some patients with chronic kidney disease do not respond adequately
      to erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) treatment; these patients are referred
      to as ESA hyporesponders. There is no widely accepted contemporary definition for
      chronic ESA hyporesponse. The study objective was to propose and validate an
      operational definition for chronic ESA hyporesponse. METHODS: This was a
      retrospective cohort study using electronic health care records. Participants
      were anemic hemodialysis patients treated during February 2012 and were followed
      for 15 months. Patients' ESA response (responders) or lack of response (chronic
      and acute hyporesponders) based on longitudinal patterns of ESA dose and
      hemoglobin level was assessed. Persistence of hyporesponse, longitudinal iron
      measures, transfusion rates, and mortality rates were analyzed. Frequency of
      blood transfusions (monthly) and death rates (quarterly) were calculated. Log
      normalized serum ferritin concentration was analyzed. RESULTS: Of 97,677 eligible
      patients, 6632 had acute hyporesponsiveness (ESA responsiveness restituted in <=
      4 months) and 3086 had chronic hyporesponsiveness (lack of ESA response for > 4
      months). Over months 1-4 among chronic hyporesponders, mean serum ferritin (722
      785 ng/mL) and transferrin saturation (TSAT; 26.76 %-27.08 %) were constant,
      while acute hyporesponsive patients experienced increased ferritin (654-760
      ng/mL) and TSAT (25.71-30.88 %) levels. Compared to ESA responders (0.19-0.30 %),
      chronic hyporesponders were transfused 7-times (1.20-2.17 %) more frequently over
      follow-up. Quarterly mortality was greatest in chronic ESA hyporesponders (2.98
      5.48 %), followed by acute ESA hyporesponders (2.17-3.30 %) and ESA responders
      (1.43-2.49 %). With consistence over the study, chronic hyporesponders died more
      frequently than patients in the other study cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: Findings
      indicate that 4 months of continuous ESA hyporesponsiveness can be used to
      differentiate acute from chronic hyporesponsiveness. This definition of chronic
      hyporesponsiveness is supported by outcome data showing higher mortality and
      transfusion rates in chronic hyporesponders compared to acute hyporesponders.

PMID- 26283070
TI  - Ultrastructural changes in the melanocytes of aging human choroid.
AB  - Retinal pigment epithelial cells as well as choroidal melanocytes (CM) possess
      melanin granules. The former show clear, age-related changes (formation of
      lipofuscin granules with a concomitant decrease in melanin content); however,
      data on changes in the CM with aging are fairly limited. We examined CM in human
      macular and mid-peripheral areas by light- and transmission electron microscopy
      in 50-94 year-old donor eyes (N=12). Unlike in the choroid of lower ages, the
      melanocytes from aging choroid (>75 years) showed partial fusion of about 8-15
      melanosomes, forming rosettes-like structures. Besides, there was evidence of
      emptiness in cytoplasm caused by the loss of melanosomes in aged CM, as was
      confirmed by quantification in macular part of choroid. In advanced aged eyes (85
      94-year-old), the CM possessed many lipid droplets as well as irregular
      lipofuscin granules, the latter had a tendency to fuse with melanosomes, as
      happens in aged retinal pigment epithelium. Macrophages in their cytoplasm
      contained abundant irregular as well as clumped melanosomes of variable size,
      suggesting that damaged granules/melanocytes are cleared by these phagocytes.
      These obvious changes in the CM are likely to make the choroid prone to damage by
      visible light. 

PMID- 26283071
TI  - Sick-leave and help seeking among rescue workers after the terror attacks in
      Norway, 2011.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Several studies have addressed psychological problems after terror
      attacks, especially among victims. Fewer have addressed possible health
      consequences among rescue workers involved with terror attacks. This study's aim
      was to investigate the levels of sick-leave and psychological help seeking among
      rescue workers involved in the terror attacks in Norway on July 22, 2011, and to
      identify associations between sick-leave and background-, exposure- and work
      related variables. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included five groups of
      professional rescue personnel and one group of unaffiliated volunteers. The
      questionnaire was distributed approximately 10 months after the terror attacks,
      with a response rate of 61.3 % (N = 1790). RESULTS: A total of 9.7 % of
      participants self-reported sick-leave. The rate varied from 2.4 % among police
      officers to 14.5 % among unaffiliated volunteers, p < .001. There were 0.0-1.2 %
      of the professionals who were on sick-leave for more than 2 weeks and 5.5 % among
      the unaffiliated volunteers. More unaffiliated volunteers (42.6 %) and
      psychosocial personnel (16.3 %) consulted a psychologist or psychiatrist compared
      to other groups (3-9 %), p < .001. General healthcare providers (OR 6.1),
      psychosocial personnel (OR 6.3) and unaffiliated volunteers (OR 5.7) were
      associated with sick-leave, together with unwanted stress reactions (OR 1.6) and
      starting work on July 22 (OR 1.6). CONCLUSIONS: A small minority of professional
      rescue workers reported sick-leave for more than 2 weeks, and few had sought
      psychological help. Unaffiliated volunteers reported more stress symptoms, longer
      sick-leave duration and more psychological help seeking. This group may benefit
      from more support.

PMID- 26283072
TI  - When are sex-specific effects really sex-specific?
AB  - We examined developmental programming studies that reported sex-specific effects
      published between 2012 and 2014, and examined whether the authors reported a
      statistical approach to explicitly test whether the effect of treatment differed
      between the sexes, for example, a sex by treatment interaction term. Less than
      half of the studies that reported sex-specific effects described explicitly
      testing whether effects were indeed sex-specific; in most cases, an effect was
      considered 'sex-specific' if it was significant in one sex but not the other.
      This is not a robust approach, since significance in one sex and lack of
      significance in the other sex does not imply a significant difference between the
      sexes. However, sample size often limits statistical power to detect
      interactions. We suggest that if the effect is significant in only one sex, but
      the interaction term is not significant, alternative solutions would be to
      present the confidence intervals for the effect size for each sex, or using
      Bayesian approaches to calculate the probability that the effect sizes differ
      between the sexes. We present a simple example of a Bayesian analysis to
      illustrate that this approach is reasonably easy to implement and interpret. 

PMID- 26283073
TI  - Venturing beyond the Levy flight foraging hypothesis: Reply to comments on
      "Liberating Levy walk research from the shackles of optimal foraging".

PMID- 26283076
TI  - BMA attacks government for "chasing headlines" instead of tackling NHS problems.

PMID- 26283074
TI  - Identifying the role of pre-and postsynaptic GABA(B) receptors in behavior.
AB  - Although many reviews exist characterizing the molecular differences of GABAB
      receptor isoforms, there is no current review of the in vivo effects of these
      isoforms. The current review focuses on whether the GABAB1a and GABAB1b isoforms
      contribute differentially to behaviors in isoform knockout mice. The roles of
      these receptors have primarily been characterized in cognitive, anxiety, and
      depressive phenotypes. Currently, the field supports a role of GABAB1a in memory
      maintenance and protection against an anhedonic phenotype, whereas GABAB1b
      appears to be involved in memory formation and a susceptibility to developing an
      anhedonic phenotype. Although GABAB receptors have been strongly implicated in
      drug abuse phenotypes, no isoform-specific work has been done in this field.
      Future directions include developing site-specific isoform knockdown to identify
      the role of different brain regions in behavior, as well as identifying how these
      isoforms are involved in development of behavioral phenotypes. 

PMID- 26283075
TI  - The pre-ECMO simplified acute physiology score II as a predictor for mortality in
      patients with initiation ECMO support at the emergency department for acute
      circulatory and/or respiratory failure: a retrospective study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In the emergency department (ED), extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
      (ECMO) can be used as a rescue treatment modality for patients with refractory
      circulatory and/or respiratory failure. Serious consideration must be given to
      the indication, and the PRESERVE and RESP scores for mortality have been
      investigated. However these scores were validated to predict survival in patients
      who received mainly veno-venous (VV) ECMO in the intensive care unit. The aim of
      the present study was to investigate the factors that predicted the outcomes for
      patients who received mixed mode (veno-arterial [VA] and VV) ECMO support in the
      ED. METHODS: This single center retrospective study included 65 patients who
      received ECMO support at the ED for circulatory or respiratory failure between
      January 2009 and December 2013. Pre-ECMO SAPS II and other variables were
      evaluated and compared for predicting mortality. RESULTS: Fifty-four percent of
      patients received ECMO-cardiopulmonary resuscitation (E-CPR), 31 % received VA
      and V-AV ECMO, and 15 % received VV ECMO. The 28-day and 60-month mortality rates
      were 52 % and 63 %. In the multivariate analysis, only the pre-ECMO Simplified
      Acute Physiology Score II (SAPS II) (odd ratio: 1.189, 95 % confidence interval:
      1.032-1.370, p = 0.016) could predict the 28-day mortality. The area under the
      receiver operating characteristic curve and the optimal cutoff value for pre-ECMO
      SAPS II in predicting 28-day mortality was 0.852 (95 % CI: 0.753-0.951, p <
      0.001) and 80 (sensitivity of 97.1 % and specificity of 71.0 %), respectively.
      Validation of the 80 cutoff value revealed a statistically significant difference
      for the 28-day and 60-month mortality rates in the overall, E-CPR, and VA groups
      (28-day: p < 0.001, p = 0.004, p = 0.005; 60-month: p < 0.001, p = 0.004, p =
      0.020). In the Kaplan-Meier analysis, the 28-day and 60-month survival rates were
      lower among the patients with a pre-ECMO SAPS II of <= 80, compared to those with
      a score of > 80 (both, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The pre-ECMO SAPS II could be
      helpful for identifying patients with refractory acute circulatory and/or
      respiratory failure who will respond to ECMO support in the ED.

PMID- 26283077
TI  - Hyperelastic models for hydration of cellular tissue.
AB  - In this paper we present hyperelastic models for swelling elastic shells, due to
      pressurization of the internal cavity. These shells serve as model systems for
      cells having cell walls, as can be found in bacteria, plants and fungi. The
      pressurized internal cavity represents the cell vacuole with intact membrane at a
      certain turgor pressure, and the elastic shell represents the hydrated cell wall.
      At pressurization the elastic shell undergoes inhomogeneous deformation. Its
      deformation is governed by a strain energy function. Using the scaling law of
      Cloizeaux for the osmotic pressure, we obtain approximate analytical expressions
      of the cell volume versus turgor pressure - which are quite comparable to
      numerical solutions of the problem. Subsequently, we have simulated the swelling
      of shells - where the cell wall material is embedded with microfibrils, leading
      to strain hardening and anisotropic cell expansion. The purpose of our
      investigations is to elucidate the contribution of cell membrane integrity and
      turgor to the water holding capacity (hydration) of plant foods. We conclude with
      a discussion of the impact of this work on the hydration of food material, and
      other fields like plant science and the soft matter physics of responsive gels. 

PMID- 26283079
TI  - Reduced patient restrictions following total hip arthroplasty: study protocol for
      a randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a very common procedure in orthopedic
      surgery. In the Netherlands, 25,642 primary THAs were performed in 2013.
      Postoperative hip dislocation is one of the major complications and has been
      reported in 0.5 to 10.6 % of patients after primary THA. Several reports
      regarding the use of an anterolateral surgical approach have shown that a non
      restriction or reduced restriction protocol does not increase the dislocation
      rate. For the posterolateral surgical approach it has been suggested that patient
      restrictions might be unnecessary but the amount of available literature is
      scarce. As such, randomized controlled trials aimed at investigating restrictions
      following THA using a posterior approach are strongly recommended. The aim of
      this prospective randomized controlled trial is to investigate the non
      inferiority hypothesis concerning the early dislocation rate after THA in
      patients with and without the use of a reduced restriction protocol.
      METHODS/DESIGN: After providing informed consent a group of 456 patients with
      symptomatic coxarthrosis will be randomized to receive a THA either with care as
      usual, i.e. receiving postoperative restrictions including the advice to sleep in
      a supine position for the first 8 weeks postoperatively, or reduced restrictions
      with no recommendations regarding the position during sleeping. Primary outcome
      measure will be the percentage of early dislocations within the first 8 weeks
      after THA. Secondary outcome measures will be patient satisfaction, time to
      functional recovery, quality of sleep and patient's self-reported compliance with
      postoperative instructions. DISCUSSION: To our knowledge this will be the first
      randomized controlled trial that compares a reduced restriction protocol with a
      restricted protocol following THA using a posterolateral surgical approach. Our
      hypothesis is that a reduced restriction protocol following THA with use of a
      posterolateral surgical approach has no influence on the early dislocation rate
      compared to a restricted protocol. Instead, embracing a reduced restriction
      protocol might even contribute to a higher quality of sleep, thereby facilitating
      a faster uptake and return to daily functions in patients after THA. TRIAL
      REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02107248 , registration date 3 April 2014.

PMID- 26283080
TI  - Molecular Determinants for Unphosphorylated STAT3 Dimerization Determined by
      Integrative Modeling.
AB  - Signal transducer and activator of transcription factors (STATs) are proteins
      that can translocate into the nucleus, bind DNA, and activate gene transcription.
      STAT proteins play a crucial role in cell proliferation, apoptosis, and
      differentiation. The prevalent view is that STAT proteins are able to form dimers
      and bind DNA only upon phosphorylation of specific tyrosine residues in the
      transactivation domain. However, this paradigm has been questioned recently by
      the observation of dimers of unphosphorylated STATs (USTATs) by X-ray, Forster
      resonance energy transfer, and site-directed mutagenesis. A more complex picture
      of the dimerization process and of the role of the dimers is, thus, emerging.
      Here we present an integrated modeling study of STAT3, a member of the STAT
      family of utmost importance in cancer development and therapy, in which we
      combine available experimental data with several computational methodologies such
      as homology modeling, protein-protein docking, and molecular dynamics to build
      reliable atomistic models of USTAT3 dimers. The models generated with the
      integrative approach presented here were then validated by performing
      computational alanine scanning for all the residues in the protein-protein
      interface. These results confirmed the experimental observation of the importance
      of some of these residues (in particular Leu78 and Asp19) in the USTAT3
      dimerization process. Given the growing importance of USTAT3 dimers in several
      cellular pathways, our models provide an important tool for studying the effects
      of pathological mutations at the molecular and/or atomistic level, and in the
      rational design of new inhibitors of dimerization. 

PMID- 26283078
TI  - Characterization of Three-Dimensional Retinal Tissue Derived from Human Embryonic
      Stem Cells in Adherent Monolayer Cultures.
AB  - Stem cell-based therapy of retinal degenerative conditions is a promising
      modality to treat blindness, but requires new strategies to improve the number of
      functionally integrating cells. Grafting semidifferentiated retinal tissue rather
      than progenitors allows preservation of tissue structure and connectivity in
      retinal grafts, mandatory for vision restoration. Using human embryonic stem
      cells (hESCs), we derived retinal tissue growing in adherent conditions
      consisting of conjoined neural retina and retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells
      and evaluated cell fate determination and maturation in this tissue. We found
      that deriving such tissue in adherent conditions robustly induces all eye field
      genes (RX, PAX6, LHX2, SIX3, SIX6) and produces four layers of pure populations
      of retinal cells: RPE (expressing NHERF1, EZRIN, RPE65, DCT, TYR, TYRP, MITF,
      PMEL), early photoreceptors (PRs) (coexpressing CRX and RCVRN), inner nuclear
      layer neurons (expressing CALB2), and retinal ganglion cells [RGCs, expressing
      BRN3B and Neurofilament (NF) 200]. Furthermore, we found that retinal progenitors
      divide at the apical side of the hESC-derived retinal tissue (next to the RPE
      layer) and then migrate toward the basal side, similar to that found during
      embryonic retinogenesis. We detected synaptogenesis in hESC-derived retinal
      tissue, and found neurons containing many synaptophysin-positive boutons within
      the RGC and PR layers. We also observed long NF200-positive axons projected by
      RGCs toward the apical side. Whole-cell recordings demonstrated that putative
      amacrine and/or ganglion cells exhibited electrophysiological responses
      reminiscent of those in normal retinal neurons. These responses included voltage
      gated Na(+) and K(+) currents, depolarization-induced spiking, and responses to
      neurotransmitter receptor agonists. Differentiation in adherent conditions allows
      generation of long and flexible pieces of 3D retinal tissue suitable for
      isolating transplantable slices of tissue for retinal replacement therapies. 

PMID- 26283081
TI  - Effect of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate on swelling and on metformin
      hydrochloride release behavior of chemically crosslinked pH-sensitive acrylic
      acid-polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The present work objective was to prepare and to observe the effect
      of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate on swelling and on drug release behavior of pH
      sensitive acrylic acid-polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel. METHODS: In the present work,
      pH sensitive acrylic acid-polyvinyl alcohol hydrogels have been prepared by free
      radical polymerization technique in the presence of benzoyl peroxide as an
      initiator. Different crosslinker contents were used to observe its effect on
      swelling and on drug release. Dynamic and equilibrium swelling studies of
      prepared hydrogels were investigated in USP phosphate buffer solutions of pH 1.2,
      5.5, 6.5 and 7.5 with constant ionic strengths. Hydrogels were evaluated for
      polymer volume fraction, solvent interaction parameter, molecular weight between
      crosslinks, number of links per polymer chain, diffusion coefficient, sol-gel
      fraction and porosity. To demonstrate the release pattern of the drug, zero
      order, first-order, higuchi and korsmeyer-peppas models were applied. Quality and
      consistency of hydrogels was examined by FTIR and surface morphology of hydrogels
      was examined by SEM. RESULTS: Decrease in swelling and in drug release was seen
      by increasing content of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate. A remarkable high
      swelling was observed at high pH indicating the potential of this hydrogel for
      delivery of drugs to intestine. By increasing the concentration of ethylene
      glycol dimethacrylate, porosity decreased. Order of release was observed first
      order in all cases and the mechanism was non-fickian diffusion. FTIR confirmed
      the formation of network. SEM results showed the incorporation of drug.
      CONCLUSION: The prepared hydrogels can be suitably used for targeted drug
      delivery to the intestine.

PMID- 26283082
TI  - Hepatotoxicity and pharmacokinetics of cisplatin in combination therapy with a
      traditional Chinese medicine compound of Zengmian Yiliu granules in ICR mice and
      SKOV-3-bearing nude mice.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cisplatin (CDDP) is a highly effective chemotherapeutic agent used
      for therapy of many tumors and has been limited by its toxicity. Zengmian Yiliu
      granule (ZMYL), a compound preparation of traditional Chinese medicines, has been
      used in clinic as a complementary and alternative medicine for attenuating CDDP
      induced toxicities and enhancing the tumor therapeutic effect of CDDP. The aim of
      the present study is to investigate hepaprotective effect of ZMYL against CDDP
      induced hepatotoxicity. Further, the pharmacokinetic characteristics of CDDP in
      SKOV-3-bearing nude mice were observed. METHODS: The ICR mice were dosed orally
      with ZMYL for 7 days and then CDDP was injected intraperitoneally at a dose of 45
      mg/kg body weight. The serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate
      aminotransferase (AST) levels were measured to evaluate the liver function. The
      total glutathione (T-GSH), reduced glutathione (GSH) and glutathione S
      transferase (GST) levels were determined to evaluate the oxidant damage in liver
      homogenates. Tissue pathological change in liver was conducted by light
      microscopy analysis. The pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution of free and
      total platinum (Pt) after dosing of CDDP alone and combination with ZMYL were
      determined in SKOV-3-bearing nude mice by ICP-MS. RESULTS: Oral administration of
      ZMYL prior to the CDDP treatment could prevent the CDDP-induced in lifting of ALT
      and AST, reduction of T-GSH, R-GSH and GST, and some histopathological
      alterations in ICR mice. Some differences in pharmacokinetic parameters between
      the two groups have been observed in higher CL and decreased MRT of free platinum
      (Pt) in plasma and total Pt in spleen in CDDP co-administration with ZMYL group.
      It indicated CDDP was cleared more quickly from blood and spleen, and could
      reduce the accumulation and toxic possibility of CDDP in combination with ZMYL.
      CONCLUSIONS: ZMYL could be used as a beneficial supplement, which could attenuate
      CDDP-induced hepatotoxicity during CDDP chemotherapy and did not disturb the
      pharmacokinetics fate of CDDP significantly.

PMID- 26283083
TI  - Platelets in the 'Code Red' transfusion request policy initiated by pre-hospital
      physicians.

PMID- 26283084
TI  - Defining major trauma using the 2008 Abbreviated Injury Scale.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Injury Severity Score (ISS) is the most ubiquitous summary score
      derived from Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) data. It is frequently used to
      classify patients as 'major trauma' using a threshold of ISS >15. However, it is
      not known whether this is still appropriate, given the changes which have been
      made to the AIS codeset since this threshold was first used. This study aimed to
      identify appropriate ISS and New Injury Severity Score (NISS) thresholds for use
      with the 2008 AIS (AIS08) which predict mortality and in-hospital resource use
      comparably to ISS >15 using AIS98. METHODS: Data from 37,760 patients in a state
      trauma registry were retrieved and reviewed. AIS data coded using the 1998 AIS
      (AIS98) were mapped to AIS08. ISS and NISS were calculated, and their effects on
      patient classification compared. The ability of selected ISS and NISS thresholds
      to predict mortality or high-level in-hospital resource use (the need for ICU or
      urgent surgery) was assessed. RESULTS: An ISS >12 using AIS08 was similar to an
      ISS >15 using AIS98 in terms of both the number of patients classified major
      trauma, and overall major trauma mortality. A 10% mortality level was only seen
      for ISS 25 or greater. A NISS >15 performed similarly to both of these ISS
      thresholds. However, the AIS08-based ISS >12 threshold correctly classified
      significantly more patients than a NISS >15 threshold for all three severity
      measures assessed. CONCLUSIONS: When coding injuries using AIS08, an ISS >12
      appears to function similarly to an ISS >15 in AIS98 for the purposes of
      identifying a population with an elevated risk of death after injury. Where
      mortality is a primary outcome of trauma monitoring, an ISS >12 threshold could
      be adopted to identify major trauma patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II
      evidence--diagnostic tests and criteria.

PMID- 26283085
TI  - Dose-finding evaluation of once-daily treatment with olodaterol, a novel long
      acting beta2-agonist, in patients with asthma: results of a parallel-group study
      and a crossover study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Olodaterol is a novel, inhaled long-acting beta2-agonist (LABA) with
      >24-hour duration of action investigated in asthma and chronic obstructive
      pulmonary disease. METHODS: Two multicentre studies examined the efficacy and
      safety of 4 weeks' once-daily (QD) olodaterol (2, 5, 10 and 20 MUg, with
      background inhaled corticosteroids) in patients with asthma. One randomised,
      double-blind, parallel-group study (1222.6; 296 patients) administered treatment
      in the morning. Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) were performed pre-dose (trough)
      and <=3 hours post-dose (weeks 1 and 2), and <=6 hours post-dose after 4 weeks;
      primary end point was trough forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) response
      (change from baseline mean FEV1) after 4 weeks. A second randomised, double
      blind, placebo- and active-controlled (formoterol 12 MUg twice-daily) incomplete
      block crossover study (1222.27; 198 patients) administered QD treatments in the
      evening. PFTs were performed over a 24-hour dosing interval after 4 weeks;
      primary end point was FEV1 area under the curve from 0-24 hours (AUC0-24)
      response (change from study baseline [mean FEV1] after 4 weeks). RESULTS: Study
      1222.6 showed a statistically significant increase in trough FEV1 response with
      olodaterol 20 MUg (0.147 L; 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 0.059, 0.234; p =
      0.001) versus placebo, with more limited efficacy and no evidence of dose
      response compared to placebo across the other olodaterol doses (2, 5 and 10 MUg).
      Study 1222.27 demonstrated increases in FEV1 AUC0-24 responses at 4 weeks with
      all active treatments (p < 0.0001); adjusted mean (95 % CI) differences from
      placebo were 0.140 (0.097, 0.182), 0.182 (0.140, 0.224), 0.205 (0.163, 0.248) and
      0.229 (0.186, 0.272) L for olodaterol 2, 5, 10 and 20 MUg, respectively, and
      0.169 (0.126, 0.211) for formoterol, providing evidence of increased efficacy
      with higher olodaterol dose. Olodaterol was generally well tolerated, with a few
      events associated with known sympathomimetic effects, mainly with 20 MUg.
      CONCLUSIONS: The LABA olodaterol has >24-hour duration of action. In patients
      with asthma, evidence of bronchodilator efficacy was demonstrated with
      statistically and clinically significant improvements in the primary end point of
      trough FEV1 response measured in clinics over placebo for the highest
      administered dose of 20 MUg in Study 1222.6, and statistically and clinically
      significant improvements versus placebo in FEV1 AUC0-24 responses at 4 weeks for
      all doses tested in Study 1222.27, which also exhibited a dose response.
      Bronchodilator efficacy was seen over placebo for all olodaterol doses for
      morning and evening peak expiratory flow in both studies. All doses were well
      tolerated. TRIAL REGISTRATIONS: NCT00467740 (1222.6) and NCT01013753 (1222.27).

PMID- 26283087
TI  - Invited Commentary: Multigenerational Social Determinants of Health-Opportunities
      and Challenges.
AB  - An emerging area of social epidemiology examines the relationship between
      grandparental education and grandchild health. In an accompanying article, Huang
      et al. (Am J Epidemiol. 2015;182(7):568-578) join the small but growing body of
      research on this topic. It is useful to contextualize Huang et al.'s work within
      the much larger body of research examining relationships between education and
      health within a single generation or across 2 generations. These investigators
      have generally concluded that higher educational attainment is robustly
      associated with better health. There are many potential mechanisms through which
      education and other social exposures may affect health outcomes in a single
      generation or across generations, and estimating direct and indirect effects can
      be helpful for assessing specific mechanisms. Researchers conducting
      multigenerational analyses are faced with several challenges, including limited
      availability of data for some measures (e.g., educational attainment, and
      sometimes for 1 grandparent only), limited age ranges of participants, disparate
      social and political contexts in which study participants of different
      generations have lived, and patterns of social class reproduction. We encourage
      future researchers to weave together the careful analytical considerations
      illustrated by Huang et al. with a rich understanding of the social context for
      each of the generations studied to help overcome these challenges and advance our
      understanding of multigenerational social determinants of health. 

PMID- 26283086
TI  - Are Early-Life Socioeconomic Conditions Directly Related to Birth Outcomes?
      Grandmaternal Education, Grandchild Birth Weight, and Associated Bias Analyses.
AB  - Grandmaternal education may be related to grandchild birth weight (GBW) through
      maternal early-life development; however, conventional regression models may be
      endogenously confounded. Alternative models employing explicit structural
      assumptions may provide incrementally clearer evidence. We used data from the US
      National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (1995-2009; 1,681
      mother-child pairs) to estimate "direct effects" of grandmaternal educational
      level (less than high school, high school diploma or equivalent, or college
      degree) at the time of the mother's birth on GBW, adjusted for maternal life
      course factors: maltreatment as a child, education and income as an adult,
      prepregnancy overweight, and prenatal smoking. Using conventional and marginal
      structural model (MSM) approaches, we estimated 54-g (95% confidence interval: 
      14.0, 122.1) and 87-g (95% confidence interval: 10.9, 162.5) higher GBWs per
      increase in educational level, respectively. The MSM allowed simultaneous
      mediation by and adjustment for prepregnancy overweight. Estimates were
      insensitive to alternate structural assumptions and mediator parameterizations.
      Bias analysis suggested that a single unmeasured confounder would have to have a
      strong influence on GBW (approximately 150 g) or be greatly imbalanced across
      exposure groups (approximately 25%) to completely explain the findings. Coupling
      an MSM with sensitivity analyses provides some evidence that maternal early-life
      socioeconomic environment is directly associated with offspring birth weight. 

PMID- 26283089
TI  - Huang et al. Respond to "Multigenerational Social Determinants of Health".

PMID- 26283090
TI  - Simple Estimation of Patient-Oriented Effects From Randomized Trials: An Open and
      Shut CACE.
AB  - In randomized controlled trials, the intention-to-treat estimator provides an
      unbiased estimate of the causal effect of treatment assignment on the outcome.
      However, patients often want to know what the effect would be if they were to
      take the treatment as prescribed (the patient-oriented effect), and several
      researchers have suggested that the more relevant causal effect for this question
      is the complier average causal effect (CACE), also referred to as the local
      average treatment effect. Sophisticated approaches to estimating the CACE include
      Bayesian and frequentist methods for principal stratification, inverse
      probability-of-treatment-weighted estimators, and instrumental-variable (IV)
      analysis. All of these approaches exploit information about adherence to assigned
      treatment to improve upon the intention-to-treat estimator, but they are rarely
      used in practice, probably because of their complexity. The IV principal
      stratification estimator is simple to implement but has had limited use in
      practice, possibly due to lack of familiarity. Here, we show that the IV
      principal stratification estimator is a modified per-protocol estimator that
      should be obtainable from any randomized controlled trial, and we provide a
      closed form for its robust variance (and its uncertainty). Finally, we illustrate
      sensitivity analyses we conducted to assess inference in light of potential
      violations of the exclusion restriction assumption. 

PMID- 26283091
TI  - Invited Commentary: The Association Between Marijuana Use and Male Reproductive
      Health.
AB  - Approximately 15% of all couples are unable to conceive after a year and are
      labeled infertile. In recent years, increasing attention has been given to
      lifestyle factors that may impact fertility. In the United States, it is
      estimated that there are more than 17 million current users of marijuana with 4.6
      million using marijuana almost daily. Although common, to date, little data exist
      on the impact of marijuana use on male fertility. In the current issue of the
      Journal, Gundersen et al. (Am J Epidemiol. 2015;182(6):473-481) provide data
      examining the relationship between marijuana use and semen quality from young men
      recruited out of the general Danish population. Men who reported daily marijuana
      use displayed significant lower sperm concentration and sperm counts compared
      with nonusers, while testosterone levels were higher. The current report provides
      important information for patients and providers regarding the negative
      association of marijuana use on semen quality. Although the benefit of marijuana
      cessation on recovery is uncertain, further study on the impact of marijuana use
      on male reproductive health is warranted as more states explore marijuana
      legalization. 

PMID- 26283092
TI  - Association Between Use of Marijuana and Male Reproductive Hormones and Semen
      Quality: A Study Among 1,215 Healthy Young Men.
AB  - A total of 1,215 young Danish men aged 18-28 years were recruited between 2008
      and 2012 when they attended a compulsory medical examination to determine their
      fitness for military service. The participants delivered a semen sample, had a
      blood sample drawn, and underwent a physical examination. They responded to
      questionnaires including information on marijuana and recreational drug use
      during the past 3 months (no use, use once per week or less, or use more than
      once per week). A total of 45% had smoked marijuana within the last 3 months.
      Regular marijuana smoking more than once per week was associated with a 28% (95%
      confidence interval (CI): -48, -1) lower sperm concentration and a 29% (95% CI: 
      46, -1) lower total sperm count after adjustment for confounders. The combined
      use of marijuana more than once per week and other recreational drugs reduced the
      sperm concentration by 52% (95% CI: -68, -27) and total sperm count by 55% (95%
      CI: -71, -31). Marijuana smokers had higher levels of testosterone within the
      same range as cigarette smokers. Our findings are of public interest as marijuana
      use is common and may be contributing to recent reports of poor semen quality. 

PMID- 26283093
TI  - PhosphOrtholog: a web-based tool for cross-species mapping of orthologous protein
      post-translational modifications.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Most biological processes are influenced by protein post
      translational modifications (PTMs). Identifying novel PTM sites in different
      organisms, including humans and model organisms, has expedited our understanding
      of key signal transduction mechanisms. However, with increasing availability of
      deep, quantitative datasets in diverse species, there is a growing need for tools
      to facilitate cross-species comparison of PTM data. This is particularly
      important because functionally important modification sites are more likely to be
      evolutionarily conserved; yet cross-species comparison of PTMs is difficult since
      they often lie in structurally disordered protein domains. Current tools that
      address this can only map known PTMs between species based on known orthologous
      phosphosites, and do not enable the cross-species mapping of newly identified
      modification sites. Here, we addressed this by developing a web-based software
      tool, PhosphOrtholog ( www.phosphortholog.com ) that accurately maps protein
      modification sites between different species. This facilitates the comparison of
      datasets derived from multiple species, and should be a valuable tool for the
      proteomics community. RESULTS: Here we describe PhosphOrtholog, a web-based
      application for mapping known and novel orthologous PTM sites from experimental
      data obtained from different species. PhosphOrtholog is the only generic and
      automated tool that enables cross-species comparison of large-scale PTM datasets
      without relying on existing PTM databases. This is achieved through pairwise
      sequence alignment of orthologous protein residues. To demonstrate its utility we
      apply it to two sets of human and rat muscle phosphoproteomes generated following
      insulin and exercise stimulation, respectively, and one publicly available mouse
      phosphoproteome following cellular stress revealing high mapping and coverage
      efficiency. Although coverage statistics are dataset dependent, PhosphOrtholog
      increased the number of cross-species mapped sites in all our example data sets
      by more than double when compared to those recovered using existing resources
      such as PhosphoSitePlus. CONCLUSIONS: PhosphOrtholog is the first tool that
      enables mapping of thousands of novel and known protein phosphorylation sites
      across species, accessible through an easy-to-use web interface. Identification
      of conserved PTMs across species from large-scale experimental data increases our
      knowledgebase of functional PTM sites. Moreover, PhosphOrtholog is generic being
      applicable to other PTM datasets such as acetylation, ubiquitination and
      methylation.

PMID- 26283095
TI  - Design improvement and performance evaluation of solar photocatalytic reactor for
      industrial effluent treatment.
AB  - This work reports the details of the design components and materials used in a
      linear compound parabolic trough reactor constructed with an aim to use the
      photocatalyst for solar photocatalytic applications. A compound parabolic trough
      reactor has been designed and engineered to exploit both UV and visible part of
      the solar irradiation. The developed compound parabolic trough reactor could
      receive almost 88% of UV radiation along with a major part of visible radiation.
      The performance of the reactor has been evaluated in terms of degradation of a
      probe pollutant using the parameters such as rate constant, residence time and
      photonic efficiency. An attempt has been made to assess the performance in
      different ranges of solar spectrum. Finally the developed reactor has been
      employed for the photocatalytic treatment of a paper mill effluent using Degussa
      P25 as the photocatalyst. The paper mill effluent collected from Nagaon paper
      mill, Assam, India has been treated under both batch mode and continuous mode
      using Degussa P25 photocatalyst under artificial and natural solar radiation,
      respectively. The photocatalytic degradation kinetics of the paper mill effluent
      has been determined using the reduction in total organic carbon (TOC) values of
      the effluent.

PMID- 26283094
TI  - Long term effects of self-determination theory and motivational interviewing in a
      web-based physical activity intervention: randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Our main objective in the current study was to evaluate the long-term
      effectiveness (12 months from baseline) of I Move (a web-based computer tailored
      physical activity intervention, based on self-determination theory and
      motivational interviewing). To this end, we compared I Move to a web-based
      computer tailored physical activity intervention based on traditional health
      behavior theories (Active Plus), and to a no-intervention control group. As a
      secondary objective, the present study aimed to identify participant
      characteristics that moderate the long term effects of I Move and Active Plus.
      METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was conducted, comparing three research
      conditions: 1) the I Move condition, participants in this condition received I
      Move; 2) the Active Plus condition, participants in this condition received
      Active Plus; 3) the control condition; participants in this condition received no
      intervention and were placed on a waiting list. Main outcome measures were weekly
      minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity and weekly days with minimal 30
      min of physical activity. All measurements were taken by web-based questionnaires
      via the study website. Intervention effects were analyzed using multilevel linear
      regression analyses. RESULTS: At 12 months from baseline, I Move was found to be
      effective in increasing weekly minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity
      (ES = .13), while Active Plus was not. In contrast, Active Plus was found to be
      effective in increasing weekly days with >= 30 min PA at 12 months (ES = .11),
      while I Move was not. No moderators of the effects of I Move were found.
      CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that web-based computer tailored physical
      activity interventions might best include elements based on both self
      determination theory/motivational interviewing and traditional health behavioral
      theories. To be more precise, it is arguable that the focus of the theoretical
      foundations, used in new web-based PA interventions should depend on the intended
      program outcome. In order to draw firm conclusions, however, more research on the
      effects of self-determination theory and motivational interviewing in web-based
      physical activity promotion is needed. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Dutch Trial Register
      NTR4129.

PMID- 26283096
TI  - Dynamic Detection of Anti-Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) Antibodies but not HLA-DP
      Loci Mismatches Can Predict Acute Graft-versus-Host Disease and Overall Survival
      in HLA 12/12-Matched Unrelated Donor Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell
      Transplantation for Hematological Malignancies.
AB  - The National Marrow Donor Program and Center for International Blood and Marrow
      Transplant Research provided guidelines for the use of anti-HLA antibodies and
      HLA-DP-mismatched loci in unrelated donor hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
      (HSCT). However, a deeper understanding of other potentially useful biomarkers
      for predicting clinical outcomes in HLA-A, -B, -C, -DRB1, -DQB1, and -DQA1
      (12/12)-matched unrelated donor HSCT is needed to further improve clinical
      outcomes. We tested HLA genotyping for 123 pairs of patients and donors. Anti-HLA
      antibodies using the Luminex method was applied to 123, 117, and 106 serum
      samples collected before and 1 month and 3 months after transplantation. The
      presences of anti-HLA antibodies at the 3 time points were 37.4% (46 of 123),
      40.2% (47 of 117), and 22.6% (24 of 106). Mismatch of HLA-DPB1 and/or DPA1 allele
      between patient-donor pairs was 83.6% (92 of 110). Patients with anti-HLA
      antibodies had delayed platelet recovery. The presence of anti-HLA antibodies and
      their dynamic changes after transplantation were associated with increased
      occurrence of grades II to IV acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD),
      higher treatment-related mortality, and reduced overall survival (OS) and disease
      free survival, especially in acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome
      patients. Multivariate analysis showed that presence of anti-HLA antibodies
      before transplantation was a risk factor for GVHD and OS. Furthermore, HLA-DP
      loci-matched subgroup showed a trend towards a lower rate of acute GVHD and a
      higher OS in the anti-HLA Abs-negative group. Our results suggest that dynamic
      changes of anti-HLA antibodies independently predict for a negative outcome of
      HSCT, independent of HLA-DP loci mismatches. Routine monitoring for anti-HLA
      antibody dynamics should be conducted before and after HSCT. 

PMID- 26283098
TI  - A simple route to making counter electrode for dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs)
      using sucrose as carbon precursor.
AB  - Dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have attracted much attention in recent years
      due to low cost fabrication as compared to silicon-based and thin film solar
      cells. Though, platinum is an excellent catalytic material for use in preparation
      of counter electrodes (CEs) for DSSCs it is expensive. Alternatives to
      replacement of platinum (Pt) that have been examined are carbon materials,
      conductive polymers and hybrids. In this work, counter electrode for DSSCs was
      fabricated using carbon material obtained from graphitization of sucrose at high
      temperature. A slurry of the carbon produced from sucrose graphitization was made
      with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as a surfactant and a coating was obtained by
      doctor blading the slurry over the FTO glass substrate. The current density (Jsc)
      and open circuit voltage (V(OC)) of fabricated cell (area 0.25 cm(2)) was 10.28
      mAc m(-2) and 0.76 V respectively. The efficiency of the cell was 4.33% which was
      just slightly lower than that obtained for similar cells using platinum based
      counter electrode.

PMID- 26283097
TI  - Transformable Peptide Nanocarriers for Expeditious Drug Release and Effective
      Cancer Therapy via Cancer-Associated Fibroblast Activation.
AB  - A novel cleavable amphiphilic peptide (CAP) was designed to be specifically
      responsive to fibroblast activation protein-alpha (FAP-alpha), a protease
      specifically expressed on the surface of cancer-associated fibroblasts. The CAP
      self-assembled into fiber-like nanostructures in solution, while the presence of
      hydrophobic chemotherapeutic drugs readily transformed the assemblies into drug
      loaded spherical nanoparticles. The disassembly of these nanoparticles (CAP-NPs)
      upon FAP-alpha cleavage resulted in rapid and efficient release of the
      encapsulated drugs specifically at tumor sites. This Transformers-like drug
      delivery strategy could allow them to disrupt the stromal barrier and enhance
      local drug accumulation. Therapeutic results suggested that drug-loaded CAP-NPs
      hold promising tumor specificity and therapeutic efficacy for various solid tumor
      models, confirming its potential utility and versatility in antitumor therapy. 

PMID- 26283099
TI  - In-line coagulation with quaternary amine polymer prior to microfiltration of
      humic-rich water.
AB  - This work was designed to investigate the feasibility of using a low molecular
      weight epichlorohydrin/dimethylamine (epi/DMA) polymer as a primary coagulant for
      the pretreatment of terrestrial humic-rich water prior to the microfiltration
      (MF) process, without removal of the flocs produced via the coagulation
      pretreatment. The main issue explored was the effects of different coagulation
      conditions on the particle characteristics that would also significantly affect
      the performance of membranes when filtering coagulated humic-rich water. The size
      distribution and morphological properties of flocs formed through the coagulation
      of humic-rich water were characterized and the impact of Ca(2+) on these
      characteristics that were associated with the performance of the MF membrane was
      also determined. Epi/DMA additions from 50% to 150% of the charge neutralization
      dose substantially decreased fouling compared to when filtering raw humic-rich
      water. Short-term fouling was increased when 1 mM Ca(2+) was added, but the
      charge neutralization coagulation removed almost all of the fouling tendency that
      had occurred when filtering Ca-humic solution. The median diameter and the
      fractal dimension of flocs produced were increased as the zeta potential reached
      close to zero, which resulted in the formation of a cake layer that was easily
      removed from the surface of the membrane.

PMID- 26283100
TI  - Bimetallic PtSn/C catalysts obtained via SOMC/M for glycerol steam reforming.
AB  - A detailed study on the preparation of bimetallic PtSn/C catalysts using surface
      controlled synthesis methods, and on their catalytic performance in the glycerol
      steam reforming reaction has been carried out. In order to obtain these well
      defined bimetallic phases, techniques derived from Surface Organometallic
      Chemistry on Metals (SOMC/M) were used. The preparation process involved the
      reaction between an organometallic compound ((C4H9)4Sn) and a supported
      transition metal (Pt) in a H2 atmosphere. Catalysts with Sn/Pt atomic ratios of
      0.2, 0.3, 0.5, and 0.7 were obtained, and characterized using several techniques:
      ICP, H2 chemisorption, TEM and XPS. These systems were tested in the glycerol
      steam reforming varying the reaction conditions (glycerol concentration and
      reaction temperature). The best performance was observed for the catalysts with
      the lowest tin contents (PtSn0.2/C and PtSn0.3/C). It was observed that the
      presence of tin increased the catalysts' stability when working under more severe
      reaction conditions. 

PMID- 26283101
TI  - Diffusiophoresis of polyelectrolytes: Effects of temperature, pH, type of ionic
      species and bulk concentration.
AB  - Extending previous analyses on rigid particles to non-rigid ones, we model the
      diffusiophoresis of a pH-regulated polyelectrolyte (PE) in a solution containing
      multiple ionic species. For the first time, the effects of temperature, pH, type
      of ionic species and bulk concentration are taken into account, and therefore,
      the conditions considered are more comprehensive and closer to reality than those
      of the available results in the literature. Numerical simulation is conducted to
      examine the diffusiophoretic behaviors of a PE under various conditions, and
      empirical relationships are developed for the dependence of its mobility on the
      factors mentioned above. We show that temperature and pH influence appreciably
      the charged conditions of a PE, the ionic diffusivities, and the fluid viscosity,
      yielding complicated and interesting behaviors that are informative to device
      design. 

PMID- 26283102
TI  - The angiogenic responses induced by release of angiogenic proteins from tumor
      cell-activated platelets are regulated by distinct molecular pathways.
AB  - There is mounting evidence that tumor angiogenesis can be regulated by platelets
      (Plts), which serve as major sources and delivery vehicles of many proangiogenic
      cytokines including transforming growth factor-beta and vascular endothelial
      growth factor. Although considerable progress has been made in understanding the
      role for Plt secretion in tumor angiogenesis, very little is known about the
      precise mechanisms underlying cancer cell induction of Plt granule release. Here,
      we demonstrated that nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells directly induced Plt
      secretion of several angiogenic regulatory cytokines that promoted angiogenesis
      in concert. Moreover, we discovered that these Plt-derived angiogenesis
      modulators were regulated by different molecular pathways and could be largely
      inhibited by combination of multiple signaling inhibitors. Our present studies
      indicated that manipulation of Plt secretion of angiogenic cytokines without
      compromising hemostatic functions could provide a novel option for management of
      tumor angiogenesis and metastasis in NSCLC patients with thrombocytosis.

PMID- 26283103
TI  - A prospective study comparing radiographer- and clinician-based localization for
      patients with metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC) to assess the feasibility
      of a radiographer-led service.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether there was parity between treatment fields
      localized by radiographers and clinicians, by comparing geographical variations
      and hence determining the feasibility of a radiographer-led service. METHODS: 23
      patients with metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC) were prospectively
      sampled. Four radiographers not involved in the original planning performed
      localization on each patient. The 92 localizations that they determined were
      compared with the clinician-approved fields. Agreement was defined as <=0.5 cm
      between field length, width and three isocentre co-ordinates. To be feasible,
      agreement was required in a minimum of 97% of the cases. The potential time saved
      with a radiographer-led approach was also recorded. RESULTS: Agreement between
      clinicians and radiographers was 97.8%. For all field parameters, the average
      differences were <0.3 cm and were significantly different from the 0.5-cm median
      (p < 0.0001) that would establish no agreement using Wilcoxon signed-rank test.
      The average (range) delay awaiting clinician approval was 54 min (4-141 min).
      CONCLUSION: Strong agreement between radiographer and clinician localizations was
      established. It was also highlighted that time could be saved in the patient's
      pathway by removing the need to wait for clinician approval. We believe this
      supports a radiographer-led service. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: This article is
      novel, as it is the first known comparison between clinicians and radiographers
      in the localization of MSCC radiotherapy. These data show the feasibility of
      introducing radiographer-led practice and a methodology that could be potentially
      transferred to investigate the localization parity for other treatment sites.

PMID- 26283104
TI  - Persistent directional selection on body size and a resolution to the paradox of
      stasis.
AB  - Directional selection on size is common but often fails to result in
      microevolution in the wild. Similarly, macroevolutionary rates in size are low
      relative to the observed strength of selection in nature. We show that many
      estimates of selection on size have been measured on juveniles, not adults.
      Further, parents influence juvenile size by adjusting investment per offspring.
      In light of these observations, we help resolve this paradox by suggesting that
      the observed upward selection on size is balanced by selection against investment
      per offspring, resulting in little or no net selection gradient on size. We find
      that trade-offs between fecundity and juvenile size are common, consistent with
      the notion of selection against investment per offspring. We also find that
      median directional selection on size is positive for juveniles but no net
      directional selection exists for adult size. This is expected because parent
      offspring conflict exists over size, and juvenile size is more strongly affected
      by investment per offspring than adult size. These findings provide qualitative
      support for the hypothesis that upward selection on size is balanced by selection
      against investment per offspring, where parent-offspring conflict over size is
      embodied in the opposing signs of the two selection gradients. 

PMID- 26283105
TI  - Ultrastructure of the ampullary organs of Plicofollis argyropleuron
      (Siluriformes: Ariidae).
AB  - The morphology of ampullary organs in Plicofollis argyropleuron, collected from a
      southeast Queensland estuary, was examined by light and electron microscopy to
      assess the morphological characteristics of teleost ampullary organs in
      environments with fluctuating salinities. This catfish possesses both
      macroampullae and microampullae. Both have the typical teleost arrangement of an
      ampullary pore linked by a canal to a single ampulla that is lined with receptor
      and supportive cells. The canal wall of macroampullae consists of a collagen
      sheath, a basement membrane, and two layers of squamous epithelial cells adjacent
      to the lumen, joined by desmosomes and tight junctions near the surface of the
      epithelium. Ampullary pore diameters are similar in range for both the
      macroampullae and the microampullae, with microampullae always arising from the
      larger pores within a single region of the head. Canal length of the
      macroampullae is longer than those of the microampullae. Macroampullae also
      contain approximately 10 times as many receptor cells compared with the
      microampullae. In both organs, these pear-shaped receptor cells alternate with
      supportive cells along the entire luminal surface of the ampulla. The apical
      region of receptor cells extends into the lumen and bears numerous microvilli.
      The basal region of receptor cells adjoins to either individual or multiple
      unmyelinated neural terminals. The coexistence of two markedly different
      ampullary organ morphologies within a single species support theories concerning
      the possible multifunctionality of these sensory organs.

PMID- 26283106
TI  - Balancing Electron Transfer and Surface Passivation in Gradient CdSe/ZnS Core
      Shell Quantum Dots Attached to ZnO.
AB  - Core-shell (CS) quantum dots (QDs) are promising light absorbers for solar cell
      applications mainly because of their enhanced photostability compared with bare
      QDs. Moreover, the superb photostability can be combined with a low number of
      defects by using CSQDs with a gradient composition change from the core to the
      shell. Here, we study electron injection from the gradient CSQDs to ZnO
      nanoparticles. We observe the typical exponential injection rate dependence on
      the shell thickness (beta = 0.51 A(-1)) and discuss it in light of previously
      published results on step-like CSQDs. Despite the rapid drop in injection rates
      with shell thickness, we find that there exists an optimum thickness of the shell
      layer at ~1 nm, which combines high injection efficiency (>90%) with a superior
      passivation of QDs. 

PMID- 26283108
TI  - Porphyrin-Based Supramolecular Nanoarchitectures for Solar Energy Conversion.
AB  - Photofunctional molecular architectures with well-defined shapes and sizes are of
      great interest because of various applications such as photovoltaics,
      photocatalysis, and electronics. Porphyrins are promising building blocks for
      organized nanoscale superstructures, which perform many of the essential light
      harvesting and photoinduced electron/energy transfer reaction. In this
      Perspective, we present the recent advances in supramolecular architectures of
      porphyrins for solar energy conversion. First, we state preparation and light
      energy conversion properties of porphyrin (donor: D) and fullerene (acceptor: A)
      based composite spherical nanoassemblies. The interfacial control of D/A
      molecules based on our supramolecular strategy successfully demonstrates the
      drastic enhancement of light energy conversion properties as compared to the
      corresponding nonorganized systems. Then, bar-shaped structures composed of two
      different D and A molecules with separated inside and outside layers are
      discussed. This unusual rod formation shows a possibility for a novel zeolite
      like photoreaction cavity with efficient visible light absorption. Finally,
      photophysical and phoelectrochemical properties of supramolecular composites
      between porphyrins and carbon naotubes/graphenes are briefly described. 

PMID- 26283107
TI  - Activating Carrier Multiplication in PbSe Quantum Dot Solids by Infilling with
      Atomic Layer Deposition.
AB  - Carrier multiplication-the generation of multiple electron-hole pairs by a single
      photon-is currently of great interest for the development of highly efficient
      photovoltaics. We study the effects of infilling PbSe quantum-dot solids with
      metal oxides by atomic layer deposition on carrier multiplication. Using time
      resolved microwave conductivity measurements, we find, for the first time, that
      carrier multiplication occurs in 1,2-ethanedithiol-linked PbSe quantum-dot solids
      infilled with Al2O3 or Al2O3/ZnO, while it is negligible or absent in noninfilled
      films. The carrier-multiplication efficiency of the infilled quantum-dot solids
      is close to that of solution-dispersed PbSe quantum dots, and not significantly
      limited by Auger recombination. 

PMID- 26283109
TI  - Exploring the Free Energy Landscape of Solutes Embedded in Lipid Bilayers.
AB  - Free energy calculations are vital for our understanding of biological processes
      on an atomistic scale and can offer insight to various mechanisms. However, in
      some cases, degrees of freedom (DOFs) orthogonal to the reaction coordinate have
      high energy barriers and/or long equilibration times, which prohibit proper
      sampling. Here we identify these orthogonal DOFs when studying the transfer of a
      solute from water to a model membrane. Important DOFs are identified in bulk
      liquids of different dielectric nature with metadynamics simulations and are used
      as reaction coordinates for the translocation process, resulting in two- and
      three-dimensional space of reaction coordinates. The results are in good
      agreement with experiments and elucidate the pitfalls of using one-dimensional
      reaction coordinates. The calculations performed here offer the most detailed
      free energy landscape of solutes embedded in lipid bilayers to date and show that
      free energy calculations can be used to study complex membrane translocation
      phenomena. 

PMID- 26283110
TI  - Toward High-Performance Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Solar Cells: Bringing Conjugated
      Polymers and Inorganic Nanocrystals in Close Contact.
AB  - Organic-inorganic hybrid solar cells composed of conjugated polymers (CPs) and
      inorganic nanocrystal (NC) semiconductors have garnered considerable attention as
      a potential alternative to traditional silicon solar cells due to the capacity of
      producing high-efficiency solar energy in a cost-effective manner. The
      combination of advantageous characteristics of CPs and NCs enables the
      construction of nanostructured high-performance, lightweight, flexible, large
      area, and low-cost hybrid solar cells. However, it remains a grand challenge to
      control the film morphology and interfacial structure of such organic/inorganic
      semiconductor blends on the nanoscale. In this Perspective, we highlight the
      strategies of implementing close contact between CPs and NCs by tailoring the
      colloidal synthesis, the coordination reaction, and the chemical modification of
      CPs. As such, they offer promising opportunities for rationally controlling the
      phase separation between electron-donating CPs and electron-accepting NCs,
      increasing the interfacial areas between them, enhancing their electronic
      interaction, and thus substantially promoting the photovoltaic performance of the
      resulting organic-inorganic hybrid solar cells. 

PMID- 26283111
TI  - The Role of the Partner Atom and Resonant Excitation Energy in Interatomic
      Coulombic Decay in Rare Gas Dimers.

PMID- 26283112
TI  - Organic Solar Cells beyond One Pair of Donor-Acceptor: Ternary Blends and More.
AB  - Ternary solar cells enjoy both an increased light absorption width, and an easy
      fabrication process associated with their simple structures. Significant progress
      has been made for such solar cells with demonstrated efficiencies over 7%;
      however, their fundamental working principles are still under investigation. This
      Perspective is intended to offer our insights on the three major governing
      mechanisms in these intriguing ternary solar cells: charge transfer, energy
      transfer, and parallel-linkage. Through careful analysis of exemplary cases, we
      summarize the advantages and limitations of these three major mechanisms and
      suggest future research directions. For example, incorporating additional singlet
      fission or upconversion materials into the energy transfer dominant ternary solar
      cells has the potential to break the theoretical efficiency limit in single
      junction organic solar cells. Clearly, a feedback loop between fundamental
      understanding and materials selection is in urgent need to accelerate the
      efficiency improvement of these ternary solar cells. 

PMID- 26283113
TI  - Traveling through the Desalting Column Spontaneously Transforms Thiolated Ag
      Nanoclusters from Nonluminescent to Highly Luminescent.
AB  - This letter reports an unexpected observation in the purification of ultrasmall
      (<2 nm) thiolate-protected Ag nanoclusters (NCs) via a common separation
      technique (e.g., desalting column and ultrafiltration), where the nonluminescent
      Ag NCs were spontaneously transformed to highly luminescent NCs during the
      separation. This interesting finding was then used to develop a facile and fast
      (<5 min) synthesis method for highly luminescent Ag NCs. The key strategy was to
      use the separation process to selectively remove small species (e.g., salts and
      excess protecting ligands) from the Ag NC solution, which induced a size or
      structure-focusing of Ag NCs in the solution, leading to the formation of highly
      luminescent Ag NCs. The concurrent synthesis and purification of highly
      luminescent Ag NCs via a common "physical separation unit" could be further
      advanced in a continuous mode for large-scale production of luminescent Ag NCs. 

PMID- 26283114
TI  - Chiral Recognition of l-Gramicidine on Chiraly Methionine-Modified Au(111).
AB  - A chiral pentadecapeptide, l-gramicidine, has been shown to undergo specific
      adsorption onto gold surfaces modified by chiral amino acids, d- and l
      methionine, upon adsorption in the liquid phase. There is a chiral recognition
      only between the slightly anionic l-peptide and the l-modified surface exhibiting
      cationic molecules. However, whatever the probe and target molecule charges, very
      weak recognition was observed between molecules of opposite chirality. 

PMID- 26283115
TI  - Pushing the Envelope of the Intrinsic Limitation of Organic Solar Cells.
AB  - The photogeneration of Frenkel-type excitons, instead of pairs of free charges,
      is one of the main drawbacks of organic photovoltaics, when compared with the
      inorganic counterpart. The strong Coulomb interaction of charge carriers of
      opposite sign in organic materials is responsible for the complexity of the
      process of generation of unbound charges, affecting the photogenerated current
      and still not clearly understood, as well as for the free energy loss of
      electrons resulting in a diminished open circuit voltage. Despite this practical
      limitation, record power conversion efficiencies approaching 10% are currently
      reported for lab-scale single-junction structures made of low-bandgap electron
      donating conjugated small molecules or polymers blended with electron-accepting
      fullerene derivatives. To go beyond, a deep understanding of charge generation
      dynamics, highly system dependent, is necessary for the definition of the rules
      for the design of high-performance organic materials for the photovoltaic
      application and possibly the reduction of exciton binding energy, through the
      increase of the dielectric constant, which definitively would overcome the
      practical constraints to high efficiency organic solar cells. 

PMID- 26283116
TI  - Tightening and Untying the Knot in Human Carbonic Anhydrase III.
AB  - The forced mechanical unfolding of the knotted protein Human Carbonic Anhydrase
      (HCA) III is examined by steered, explicit-water molecular dynamics computer
      simulations. In agreement with previous indications from experiments and coarse
      grained simulations, knot tightening by pulling near-terminal amino acids (4 and
      267) leads to a much higher resistance to unfolding than for knot untying, where
      pulling amino acids 4 and 253 untangles the knot by threading the C-terminal end
      out of the knotting loop. In particular, the resistance during knot tightening is
      observed to diverge due to a tightly tied-up enzymatic core of the HCA if it is
      coordinated by the catalytically important zinc ion. The underlying structural
      pictures are presented and discussed. 

PMID- 26283117
TI  - Redox Chemistry of the Superoxide Ion in a Phosphonium-Based Ionic Liquid in the
      Presence of Water.
AB  - Stable electrogenerated superoxide ion has been observed for the first time in a
      phosphonium-based ionic liquid in the presence of water, leading to a chemically
      reversible O2/O2(*-) redox couple instead of the disproportionation reaction that
      is usually observed. It appears that the cation solvates the superoxide anion,
      stabilizing it against the disproportionation reaction. The electrogeneration is
      studied at various levels of water or other diluents including toluene to explore
      the limits of stability of the superoxide ion under these conditions. 

PMID- 26283118
TI  - Controlling Low-Energy Electron Emission via Resonant-Auger-Induced Interatomic
      Coulombic Decay.
AB  - We have investigated interatomic Coulombic decay (ICD) after resonant Auger decay
      in Ar2, ArKr, and ArXe following 2p3/2 -> 4s and 2p3/2 -> 3d excitations in Ar,
      using momentum-resolved electron-ion-ion coincidence. The results illustrate that
      ICD induced by the resonant Auger decay is a well-controlled way of producing
      energy-selected slow electrons at a specific site. 

PMID- 26283119
TI  - Earth-Abundant Cobalt Pyrite (CoS2) Thin Film on Glass as a Robust, High
      Performance Counter Electrode for Quantum Dot-Sensitized Solar Cells.
AB  - We report a cobalt pyrite (cobalt disulfide, CoS2) thin film on glass as a
      robust, high-performance, low-cost, earth-abundant counter electrode for liquid
      junction quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs) that employ the aqueous
      sulfide/polysulfide (S(2-)/Sn(2-)) redox electrolyte as the hole-transporting
      medium. The metallic CoS2 thin film electrode is prepared via thermal sulfidation
      of a cobalt film deposited on glass and has been characterized by powder X-ray
      diffraction and electron microscopy. Using the CoS2 counter electrode, CdS/CdSe
      sensitized QDSSCs display improved short-circuit photocurrent density and fill
      factor, achieving solar light-to-electricity conversion efficiencies as high as
      4.16%, with an average efficiency improvement of 54 (+/-14)% over equivalent
      devices assembled with a traditional platinum counter electrode. Electrochemical
      measurements verify that CoS2 shows high electrocatalytic activity toward
      polysulfide reduction, rationalizing the improved QDSSC performance. CoS2 is also
      less susceptible to poisoning by the sulfide/polysulfide electrolyte, a problem
      that plagues platinum electrodes in this application; furthermore, CoS2 exhibits
      excellent stability in sulfide/polysulfide electrolyte, resulting in highly
      reproducible performance. 

PMID- 26283120
TI  - Ionization of Nitric Acid on Crystalline Ice: The Role of Defects and Collective
      Proton Movement.
AB  - Ionization of nitric acid (HNO3) on a model ice surface is studied using ab
      initio molecular dynamics at temperatures of 200 and 40 K with a surface slab
      model that consists of the ideal ice basal plane with locally optimized and
      annealed defects. Pico- and subpicosecond ionization of nitric acid can be
      achieved in the defect sites. Key features of the rapid ionization are (a) the
      efficient solvation of the polyatomic nitrate anion, by stealing hydrogen bonds
      from the weakened hydrogen bonds at defect sites, (b) formation of contact ion
      pairs to stable "presolvated" molecular species that are present at the defects, 

PMID- 26283121
TI  - Two-Dimensional Hexagonal Beryllium Sulfide Crystal.
AB  - We report a new two-dimensional hexagonal beryllium sulfide (h-BeS) sheet with
      exceptional properties by extensive first-principles calculations. The h-BeS
      sheet presents an indirect energy gap of 4.26 eV and an outstanding thermodynamic
      stability up to 1000 K. Armchair-edged nanoribbons of h-BeS are wide-energy-gap
      semiconductors with a giant Stark effect, while the zigzag-edged ones are metals
      with spin glass state. Especially, the ferromagnetic zigzag nanoribbons exhibit a
      net magnetic moment of nearly 1.15 MUB. These interesting electronic and magnetic
      properties suggest the promise of the h-BeS crystal for potential applications
      and should inspire experimental enthusiasm. 

PMID- 26283122
TI  - Investigating the Pressure-Induced Amorphization of Zeolitic Imidazolate
      Framework ZIF-8: Mechanical Instability Due to Shear Mode Softening.
AB  - We provide the first molecular dynamics study of the mechanical instability that
      is the cause of pressure-induced amorphization of zeolitic imidazolate framework
      ZIF-8. By measuring the elastic constants of ZIF-8 up to the amorphization
      pressure, we show that the crystal-to-amorphous transition is triggered by the
      mechanical instability of ZIF-8 under compression, due to shear mode softening of
      the material. No similar softening was observed under temperature increase,
      explaining the absence of temperature-induced amorphization in ZIF-8. We also
      demonstrate the large impact of the presence of adsorbate in the pores on the
      mechanical stability and compressibility of the framework, increasing its shear
      stability. This first molecular dynamics study of ZIF mechanical properties under
      variations of pressure, temperature, and pore filling opens the way to a more
      comprehensive understanding of their mechanical stability, structural
      transitions, and amorphization. 

PMID- 26283123
TI  - Water Bending Mode at the Water-Vapor Interface Probed by Sum-Frequency
      Generation Spectroscopy: A Combined Molecular Dynamics Simulation and
      Experimental Study.
AB  - We present a combined molecular dynamics simulation and experimental study on the
      water bending mode at the water-vapor interface using sum-frequency generation
      (SFG) spectroscopy. The SFG spectrum simulated using an ab initio-based water
      model shows good agreement with the experimental data. The imaginary part of the
      SFG response shows a negative peak at ~1650 cm(-1) and a positive peak at ~1730
      cm(-1). Our results reveal that these widely (~80 cm(-1)) separated peaks result
      from the interference of two closely spaced (~29 cm(-1)) peaks of opposite sign.
      The positive peak at ~1689 cm(-1) originates from water with two donor hydrogen
      atoms with the HOH angular bisector pointing down toward the bulk, and the
      negative peak at ~1660 cm(-1) from water with free O-H groups, pointing up. The
      small frequency difference of 29 cm(-1) indicates that the HOH bending mode
      frequency of interfacial water is relatively insensitive to the number of
      hydrogen bonds. 

PMID- 26283125
TI  - Flexible Surface Hopping Approach to Model the Crossover from Hopping to Band
      like Transport in Organic Crystals.
AB  - Two distinct pictures are usually evoked when modeling charge transport in
      organic crystals, that is, band and hopping models, the signature of which is
      conveyed by a characteristic temperature dependence of mobility. Here, we present
      a novel flexible surface hopping approach compliant with general Hamiltonians
      that is able to grasp the crossover from hopping to band-like transport regimes.
      This approach is applied to solve a one-dimensional mixed quantum-classical model
      and to calculate the temperature dependence of charge mobility along with the
      degree of charge spatial localization. It is found that the roles of both local
      and nonlocal electron-phonon couplings strongly depend on the intrinsic charge
      localization strength. 

PMID- 26283124
TI  - Investigation of Nanomechanical Properties of beta-Si3N4 Thin Layers in a
      Prismatic Plane under Tension: A Molecular Dynamics Study.
AB  - We report molecular dynamics simulations of the nanomechanical properties and
      fracture mechanisms of beta-Si3N4 thin layers in a prismatic plane under uniaxial
      tension. It is found that the thin layers in the y loading direction display a
      linear stress-strain relationship at epsilon < 0.021, and afterward, the stress
      increases nonlinearly with the strain until fracture occurs. However, for the z
      direction, the linear response is located at epsilon < 0.051. The calculated
      fracture stresses and strains of the thin layers increase with strain rates both
      in both directions. The thin layers exhibit the higher Young's modulus of 0.345
      TPa in the z direction, higher than that in the y direction. The origins of crack
      derive from N(2c-1)-Si and N(6h-1)-Si bonds for the y and z loading directions,
      respectively. 

PMID- 26283126
TI  - Ultrafast Excited-State Dynamics of ortho-Terphenyl and 1,2-Diphenylcyclohexene:
      The Role of "Ethylenic Twisting" in the Nonadiabatic Photocyclization of Stilbene
      Analogs.
AB  - Nonadiabatic photocyclization is the fundamental step underlying photoswitching
      and light-assisted bond formation within diarylethylenes, yet the details of the
      nuclear dynamics leading to cyclization remain unclear. We have examined the
      ultrafast excited-state dynamics of o-terphenyl (OTP) and 1,2-diphenylcyclohexene
      (DPCH) in solution to determine how variation in structural constraints impacts
      the course of nonadiabatic photocyclization specifically in stilbenoids. Measured
      spectral dynamics reflect cyclization through a S1-to-S0 transition for both
      systems on picosecond time scales, with excited-state decay appreciably faster
      for DPCH versus OTP. Supportive ab initio calculations reveal a higher energetic
      penalty in OTP versus DPCH for reaching the lowest-energy conical intersection
      from the S1 minimum; this penalty is associated primarily with twisting about the
      carbon-carbon bond that bridges terminal phenyl groups, a structural change that
      has a critical role in nonadiabatic cis-trans isomerization of diarylethylenes.
      Findings provide a new experimental perspective on the elusive nuclear dynamics
      underlying cis-stilbene photocyclization. 

PMID- 26283127
TI  - Hole Scavenging by Organic Adsorbates on the TiO2 Surface: A DFT Model Study.
AB  - Understanding the interfacial hole transfer between photoirradiated anatase TiO2
      nanoparticles and organic adsorbates at the surface is a crucial step toward the
      full comprehension and control of the photooxidation processes, which are
      fundamental in photocatalytic applications for energy production, environmental
      care, and medical cancer phototherapy. In this density functional study, we use
      the hybrid functional B3LYP in order to investigate how the hole transfer process
      takes place at the anatase (101) surface when a series of organic alcohols and
      acids are adsorbed. The results allow us to propose a mechanism of photoinduced
      proton dissociation and a scale of scavenging power of the different organic
      adsorbates (glycerol > tert-butanol > iso-propanol > methanol > formic acid). We
      observe that the surface dipole originated by the molecular adsorption causes a
      reduction in the cost to form a hole at a surface oxygen. This can then be
      trapped by the organic adsorbate only if proton dissociation takes place. In the
      case of glycerol, the hole transfer triggers further photoinduced chemical
      reactivity than the simple proton dissociation. Only in the case of cathecol,
      which is an excellent hole scavenger, the proton dissociation is not a required
      step. 

PMID- 26283128
TI  - Homogeneous Hydrophobic-Hydrophilic Surface Patterns Enhance Permeation of
      Nanoparticles through Lipid Membranes.
AB  - We employ coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations to understand why certain
      interaction patterns on the surface of a nanoparticle promote its translocation
      through a lipid membrane. We demonstrate that switching from a random,
      heterogeneous distribution of hydrophobic and hydrophilic areas on the surface of
      a nanoparticle to even, homogeneous patterns substantially flattens the
      translocation free-energy profile and dramatically enhances permeation. We then
      proceed to construct a more detailed coarse-grained model of a nanoparticle with
      flexible hydrophobic and hydrophilic ligands arranged into striped domains.
      Molecular dynamics simulations of these nanoparticles show that the terminal
      groups of the ligands tend to arrange themselves into homogeneous patterns,
      despite the underlying striped domains. These observations are linked to recent
      experimental studies. 

PMID- 26283129
TI  - Magnet-in-the-Semiconductor Nanomaterials: High Electron Mobility in All
      Inorganic Arrays of FePt/CdSe and FePt/CdS Core-Shell Heterostructures.
AB  - We report a colloidal synthesis and electrical and magnetotransport properties of
      multifunctional "magnet-in-the-semiconductor" nanostructures composed of FePt
      core and CdSe or CdS shell. Thin films of all-inorganic FePt/CdSe and FePt/CdS
      core-shell nanostructures capped with In2Se4(2-) molecular chalcogenide (MCC)
      ligands exhibited n-type charge transport with high field-effect electron
      mobility of 3.4 and 0.02 cm(2)/V.s, respectively. These nanostructures also
      showed a negative magnetoresistance characteristic for spin-dependent tunneling.
      We discuss the mechanism of charge transport and gating in the arrays of
      metal/semiconductor core-shell nanostructures. 

PMID- 26283130
TI  - Ultrafast Nonradiative Relaxation Channels of Tryptophan.
AB  - The nonradiative relaxation channels of gas-phase tryptophan excited along the S1
      S4 excited states (287-217 nm) have been tracked by femtosecond time-resolved
      ionization. In the low-energy region, lambda >= 240 nm, the measured transient
      signals reflect nonadiabatic interactions between the two bright La and Lb states
      of pipi* character and the dark dissociative pisigma* state of the indole NH. The
      observed dynamical behavior is interpreted in terms of the ultrafast conversion
      of the prepared La state, which simultaneously populates the fluorescent Lb> and
      the dissociative pisigma* states. At higher energies, after excitation of the S4
      state, the tryptophan dynamics diverges from that observed in indole, pointing to
      the opening of a relaxation channel that could involve states of the amino acid
      part. The work provides a detailed picture of the processes and electronic states
      involved in the relaxation of the molecule, after photoexcitation in the near
      part of its UV absorption spectrum. 

PMID- 26283131
TI  - Mapping the Native Conformational Ensemble of Proteins from a Combination of
      Simulations and Experiments: New Insight into the src-SH3 Domain.
AB  - The biological function of a protein is strongly tied to the ensemble of three
      dimensional conformations populated at physiological temperature, and dynamically
      transforming into each other. Experimental techniques such as nuclear magnetic
      resonance spectroscopy (NMR) provide a wealth of structural and dynamical
      information, which, in combination with an accurate atomic-level computational
      modeling, can disclose the details of protein behavior. We here propose a fast
      and efficient protocol employing molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and NMR
      chemical shifts, which allows one to reconstruct the detailed conformational
      ensemble of small globular proteins. In the case of the well-studied src-SH3
      domain, we are able to obtain new important insight including the existence of a
      helical state in the RT loop and a pathway for single-file water diffusion in and
      out of the core. 

PMID- 26283132
TI  - Organic Solar Cells-At the Interface.

PMID- 26283133
TI  - Jumping, Rotating, and Flapping: The Atomic-Scale Motion of Thiophene on Cu(111).
AB  - Self-assembled monolayers of sulfur-containing heterocycles and linear oligomers
      containing thiophene groups have been widely employed in organic electronic
      applications. Here, we investigate the dynamics of isolated thiophene molecules
      on Cu(111) by combining helium spin-echo (HeSE) spectroscopy with density
      functional theory calculations. We show that the thiophene/Cu(111) system
      displays a rich array of aperiodic dynamical phenomena that include jump
      diffusion between adjacent atop sites over a 59-62 meV barrier and activated
      rotation around a sulfur-copper anchor, two processes that have been observed
      previously for related systems. In addition, we present experimental evidence for
      a new, weakly activated process, the flapping of the molecular ring. Repulsive
      inter-adsorbate interactions and an exceptionally high friction coefficient of 5
      +/- 2 ps(-1) are also observed. These experiments demonstrate the versatility of
      the HeSE technique, and the quantitative information extracted in a detailed
      analysis provides an ideal benchmark for state-of-the-art theoretical techniques
      including nonlocal adsorbate-substrate interactions. 

PMID- 26283134
TI  - DNA/Fusogenic Lipid Nanocarrier Assembly: Millisecond Structural Dynamics.
AB  - Structural changes occurring on a millisecond time scale during uptake of DNA by
      cationic lipid nanocarriers are monitored by time-resolved small-angle X-ray
      scattering (SAXS) coupled to a rapid-mixing stopped-flow technique. Nanoparticles
      (NPs) of nanochannel organization are formed by PEGylation, hydration, and
      dispersion of a lipid film of the fusogenic lipid monoolein in a mixture with
      positively charged (DOMA) and PEGylated (DOPE-PEG2000) amphiphiles and are
      characterized by the inner cubic structure of very large nanochannels favorable
      for DNA upload. Ultrafast structural dynamics of complexation and assembly of
      these cubosome particles with neurotrophic plasmid DNA (pDNA) is revealed thanks
      to the high brightness of the employed synchrotron X-ray beam. The rate constant
      of the pDNA/lipid NP complexation is estimated from dynamic roentgenograms
      recorded at 4 ms time resolution. pDNA upload into the vastly hydrated channels
      of the cubosome carriers leads to a fast nanoparticle-nanoparticle structural
      transition and lipoplex formation involving tightly packed pDNA. 

PMID- 26283135
TI  - Application of Reflectron Time-of-Flight Mass Spectroscopy in the Analysis of
      Astrophysically Relevant Ices Exposed to Ionization Radiation: Methane (CH4) and
      D4-Methane (CD4) as a Case Study.
AB  - Methane ices have been detected on ice-coated interstellar grains and on the
      surface of Kuiper belt objects. These ices are chemically altered by ionizing
      radiation in the form of energetic photons and charged particles, leading to
      complex organic molecules. Despite decades of research, the chemical makeup of
      these newly synthesized molecules has not been completely understood to date.
      Here, we present a novel application of reflectron time-of-flight mass
      spectrometry coupled to soft photoionization to probe the molecular formulas of
      the molecules formed upon interaction of ionizing radiation with simple methane
      and D4-methane ices. Our study depicts clear evidence of high-molecular-weight
      hydrocarbons of up to C22, among them alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes/dienes, with
      those product classes in italics identified for the first time on line and in
      situ. These studies are particular timely as they provide laboratory data of
      methane-processed ices, which can be compared to actual data from the New
      Horizons mission on route to Pluto. 

PMID- 26283136
TI  - Toward Highlighting the Ultrafast Electron Transfer Dynamics at the Optically
      Dark Sites of Photocatalysts.
AB  - Building a detailed understanding of the structure-function relationship is a
      crucial step in the optimization of molecular photocatalysts employed in water
      splitting schemes. The optically dark nature of their active sites usually
      prevents a complete mapping of the photoinduced dynamics. In this work, transient
      X-ray absorption spectroscopy highlights the electronic and geometric changes
      that affect such a center in a bimetallic model complex. Upon selective
      excitation of the ruthenium chromophore, the cobalt moiety is reduced through
      intramolecular electron transfer and undergoes a spin flip accompanied by an
      average bond elongation of 0.20 +/- 0.03 A. The analysis is supported by
      simulations based on density functional theory structures (B3LYP*/TZVP) and FEFF
      9.0 multiple scattering calculations. More generally, these results exemplify the
      large potential of the technique for tracking elusive intermediates that impart
      unique functionalities in photochemical devices. 

PMID- 26283137
TI  - Experimental Correlation Between Interfacial Water Structure and Mineral
      Reactivity.
AB  - We present an experimental demonstration of the effect of solvent structure on
      the interfacial reactivity of the silica/water interface using in situ
      vibrational Sum-frequency Generation (vSFG) spectroscopy. The response of the
      molecular arrangement of the interfacial solvent to the presence of cations is pH
      dependent with the highest sensitivity at neutral pH, relevant to geochemical and
      biological environments. The pH-dependent changes in vSFG spectra are in
      excellent correlation with the enhancement of quartz dissolution in salt water,
      which was hypothesized by Dove et al. to be due to changes of the interfacial
      solvent structure at the silica surface. vSFG provides mechanistic insights into
      silica dissolution and sheds light on the role of ions in altering interfacial
      solvent ordering, which has implications in fields ranging from protein-water
      interactions to oil recovery. 

PMID- 26283138
TI  - Efficient Electron Collection in Hybrid Polymer Solar Cells: In-Situ-Generated
      ZnO/Poly(3-hexylthiophene) Scaffolded by a TiO2 Nanorod Array.
AB  - A nanoarchitectural hybrid polymer solar cell, integrating the ordered and the
      bulk heterojunction hybrid polymer solar cells, is fabricated by infiltrating the
      diethylzinc/poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) solution into the interstices of the
      TiO2 nanorod (NR) array. An inorganic network composed of tiny ZnO nanocrystals
      is constructed in the in-situ-generated hybrid within the interstice of the
      single-crystalline TiO2 NRs. The TiO2 NR array, which possesses a longer electron
      lifetime and an appropriate electron-transport rate, serves not only as an
      electron transporter/collector extended from fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO)
      electrode to sustain the efficient electron collection but also as a scaffold to
      hold the sufficient amount of ZnO/P3HT hybrid. The in-situ-generated ZnO/P3HT
      hybrid layer with superior charge separation efficiency can therefore be
      thickened in the presence of a TiO2 NR array for increasing the light-harvesting
      efficiency. A notable efficiency of 2.46% is therefore attained in the TiO2 NR
      ZnO/P3HT hybrid solar cell. 

PMID- 26283139
TI  - Statistical analysis plan for evaluating low- vs. standard-dose alteplase in the
      ENhanced Control of Hypertension and Thrombolysis strokE stuDy (ENCHANTED).
AB  - BACKGROUND: The ENhanced Control of Hypertension And Thrombolysis strokE stuDy
      trial is a 2 * 2 quasi-factorial active-comparison, prospective, randomized,
      open, blinded endpoint clinical trial that is evaluating in thrombolysis-eligible
      acute ischemic stroke patients whether: (1) low-dose (0.6 mg/kg body weight)
      intravenous alteplase has noninferior efficacy and lower risk of symptomatic
      intracerebral hemorrhage compared with standard-dose (0.9 mg/kg body weight)
      intravenous alteplase; and (2) early intensive blood pressure lowering (systolic
      target 130-140 mmHg) has superior efficacy and lower risk of any intracerebral
      hemorrhage compared with guideline-recommended blood pressure control (systolic
      target <180 mmHg). OBJECTIVE: To outline in detail the predetermined statistical
      analysis plan for the 'alteplase dose arm' of the study. METHODS: All data
      collected by participating researchers will be reviewed and formally assessed.
      Information pertaining to the baseline characteristics of patients, their process
      of care, and the delivery of treatments will be classified, and for each item,
      appropriate descriptive statistical analyses are planned with appropriate
      comparisons made between randomized groups. For the trial outcomes, the most
      appropriate statistical comparisons to be made between groups are planned and
      described. RESULTS: A statistical analysis plan was developed for the results of
      the alteplase dose arm of the study that is transparent, available to the public,
      verifiable, and predetermined before completion of data collection. CONCLUSIONS:
      We have developed a predetermined statistical analysis plan for the ENhanced
      Control of Hypertension And Thrombolysis strokE stuDy alteplase dose arm which is
      to be followed to avoid analysis bias arising from prior knowledge of the study
      findings.

PMID- 26283141
TI  - Impact of depression on health utility value in cancer patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The quality-adjusted life year, which is usually calculated from the
      health utility value, is now a standard measurement used in political decision
      making in health. Although depression is the leading cause of decrement in health
      utility in general population, impact of comorbid depression among cancer
      patients has not been studied sufficiently. Therefore, this study aimed to
      measure the impact of depression on cancer patients' health utility score,
      according to the severity of depression. METHODS: Impact of depression severity
      (measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire) on health utility score (measured
      by the EuroQoL-5 scale) was evaluated in a sample of 328 Japanese cancer
      patients, controlling for performance status, symptom burden, and demographic
      variables. RESULTS: The patients with depression had significantly lower health
      utility value than those without depression (mean decrement = 0.14). Decrements
      in health utility of 0.13, 0.18, and 0.19 were observed for mild, moderate, and
      moderately severe to severe level of depression, respectively. The difference was
      significant between groups. Depression severity was a significant predictor for
      health utility (standardized coefficient beta = -0.25), which was comparable with
      physical symptom burden and performance status. Participants' age, gender, cancer
      stage, and comorbid illness were not significant. The model explained 37.9% of
      the variance. CONCLUSIONS: Even mild level of depression caused clinically
      meaningful decrement in health utility value in cancer patients, which was
      comparable with decrements due to major physical complications of cancer.
      Influence of depression should be carefully investigated when interpreting the
      quality-adjusted life year among cancer patients. Copyright (c) 2015 John Wiley &
      Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 26283142
TI  - The prevalence of migraine in university students: a systematic review and meta
      analysis.
AB  - Our aim was to determine the prevalence of migraine amongst university students.
      Migraine is highly prevalent amongst university students, but the exact frequency
      remains inconsistent between studies. PubMed, Embase and Google Scholar databases
      were used to identify studies dealing with the prevalence of migraine amongst
      university students published between 1 January 1988 and 31 August 2014. The
      pooled migraine prevalence was calculated using DerSimonian and Laird's random
      effects model. Heterogeneity of the results was investigated using subgroup
      analysis and the trend of migraine prevalence according to the publication year
      and sample size was determined by cumulative analysis. Data were combined from 56
      independent studies, analysing a total of 34,904 students. The pooled migraine
      prevalence was 16.1% [95% confidence interval (CI) 13.6%-18.9%]: 11.3% (95% CI
      8.8%-14.4%) amongst male students and 21.7% (95% CI 18.0%-25.8%) amongst female
      students. Subgroup analysis revealed that diagnostic criteria (P < 0.0001) and
      gender distribution (P = 0.004) significantly affected migraine prevalence.
      Cumulative analysis found that the 95% CI became narrower with ascending
      publication year and sample size. Many studies agree that migraine is highly
      prevalent amongst university students, but diverse methodologies lead to
      substantial heterogeneity in the results. It is shown that gender and diagnostic
      criteria significantly influence the migraine prevalence and may partially
      explain the heterogeneity between studies.

PMID- 26283140
TI  - LAP-BAND for BMI 30-40: 5-year health outcomes from the multicenter pivotal
      study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We performed a 5-year multicenter study to evaluate the safety and
      effectiveness of the LAP-BAND System surgery (LBS) in patients with obesity with
      a body mass index (BMI) of 30-39.9 kg m(-)(2). This pivotal study was designed to
      support LBS application to the US Food and Drug Administration for broadening the
      indications for surgery and the lower BMI indication was approved with 1-year
      data in 2011, with the intention to complete the 5-year evaluation. OBJECTIVES:
      To present broad health outcome data including weight change, patient reported
      outcomes, comorbidity change and complications during the 5-year study. SETTING:
      The study was conducted at seven US private practice clinical trial sites.
      METHODS: We enrolled 149 BMI 30-39.9 subjects into a 5-year, multicenter,
      longitudinal, prospective post-approval study. Data for those completing each
      time point are presented. RESULTS: The predefined target of at least 30% excess
      weight loss was achieved by more than 76% of subjects by 1-year and at every year
      thereafter during the 5-year study. Mean percentage weight loss at 5 years was
      15.9+/-12.4%. Sustained weight loss was accompanied by sustained improvement in
      generic and weight-specific quality of life, symptoms of depression and the
      prevalence of binge-eating disorder. The number of subjects with normal fasting
      triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, plasma glucose and HbA1c
      increased significantly between baseline and 5 years. Fifty-four months after LBS
      implantation, the rate of device explants without replacement was 5.4%; however,
      the rate of explants increased to 12.1% by month 60 owing to no cost-elective
      band removals offered to subjects at study exit. No deaths or unanticipated
      adverse device effects were reported. CONCLUSIONS: The LBS is safe and effective
      for people with BMI 30-39.9 with demonstrated improvements in weight loss,
      comorbidities and quality of life, and with a low explant rate through 5 years
      following treatment.

PMID- 26283143
TI  - American Gastroenterological Association Institute Guideline on the Role of Upper
      Gastrointestinal Biopsy to Evaluate Dyspepsia in the Adult Patient in the Absence
      of Visible Mucosal Lesions.

PMID- 26283144
TI  - Direct Measurement of Cardiac Na+ Channel Conformations Reveals Molecular
      Pathologies of Inherited Mutations.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Dysregulation of voltage-gated cardiac Na(+) channels (NaV1.5) by
      inherited mutations, disease-linked remodeling, and drugs causes arrhythmias. The
      molecular mechanisms whereby the NaV1.5 voltage-sensing domains (VSDs) are
      perturbed to pathologically or therapeutically modulate Na(+) current (INa) have
      not been specified. Our aim was to correlate INa kinetics with conformational
      changes within the 4 (DI-DIV) VSDs to define molecular mechanisms of NaV1.5
      modulation. METHOD AND RESULTS: Four NaV1.5 constructs were created to track the
      voltage-dependent kinetics of conformational changes within each VSD, using
      voltage-clamp fluorometry. Each VSD displayed unique kinetics, consistent with
      distinct roles in determining INa. In particular, DIII-VSD deactivation kinetics
      were modulated by depolarizing pulses with durations in the intermediate time
      domain that modulates late INa. We then used the DII-VSD construct to probe the
      molecular pathology of 2 Brugada syndrome mutations (A735V and G752R). A735V
      shifted DII-VSD voltage dependence to depolarized potentials, whereas G752R
      significantly slowed DII-VSD kinetics. Both mutations slowed INa activation,
      although DII-VSD activation occurred at higher potentials (A735V) or at later
      times (G752R) than ionic current activation, indicating that the DII-VSD
      allosterically regulates the rate of INa activation and myocyte excitability.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our results reveal novel mechanisms whereby the NaV1.5 VSDs regulate
      channel activation and inactivation. The ability to distinguish distinct
      molecular mechanisms of proximal Brugada syndrome mutations demonstrates the
      potential of these methods to reveal how inherited mutations, post-translational
      modifications, and antiarrhythmic drugs alter NaV1.5 at the molecular level.

PMID- 26283145
TI  - No Benefit of Complex Fractionated Atrial Electrogram Ablation in Addition to
      Circumferential Pulmonary Vein Ablation and Linear Ablation: Benefit of Complex
      Ablation Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The optimal ablation strategy for persistent atrial fibrillation (AF)
      remains unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS: This multicentre randomized study compared
      circumferential pulmonary vein ablation+linear ablation (control arm) versus
      circumferential pulmonary vein ablation+linear ablation+complex fractionated
      atrial electrogram (CFAE) ablation (CFAE arm) in patients with persistent AF.
      Circumferential pulmonary vein ablation was performed followed by roof and mitral
      isthmus ablation, before CFAE ablation in the CFAE arm. Ablation strategy was
      maintained at the first redo procedure. Sixty-five patients were recruited in
      each arm. The mean age was 61+/-10 years, 75% were men, median AF duration was 2
      years, 42% had long-lasting persistent AF, 68% had associated cardiovascular
      disease, mean left atrial dimension was 46+/-6 mm, and median CHA2DS2-VASc score
      was 2. Ablation and procedure times were significantly longer in the CFAE arm
      (70+/-20 versus 55+/-17; 201+/-35 versus 152+/-45 minutes; P<0.005). After a mean
      follow-up of 35+/-5 months, single-procedural success off antiarrhythmic drugs at
      12 months (CFAE: 30/65 [46%] versus control: 37/65 [57%]; P=0.29) and
      multiprocedural success (CFAE: 51/65 [78%] versus control: 52/65 [80%]; P=1.0)
      were not significantly different. At the first redo procedure, patients in the
      CFAE arm had a higher incidence of organized atrial tachycardia/flutter (24/33
      [73%] versus 11/31 [35%]; P=0.005) and gap-related macro-re-entrant flutter
      (8/33[24%] versus 1/31[3%]; P=0.03). Early recurrence of atrial arrhythmia was an
      independent predictor of late recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: CFAE ablation did not
      confer incremental benefit when performed in addition to circumferential
      pulmonary vein ablation and linear ablation. It was associated with a higher
      incidence of gap-related flutter. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL:
      http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01711047.

PMID- 26283146
TI  - Presidential Address 2014: The more-or-less interrupting effects of the startle
      response.
AB  - The startle response can be used to assess differences in a variety of ongoing
      processes across species, sensory modalities, ages, clinical conditions, and task
      conditions. Startle serves defensive functions, but it may also interrupt ongoing
      processes, allowing for a reorientation of resources to potential danger. A
      wealth of research suggests that prepulse inhibition of startle (PPI) is an
      indicator of the protection of the processing of the prepulse from interruption
      by the startle response. However, protection against interruption by suppressing
      the startle response may extend to many other ongoing processes, including the
      higher processing of the startle stimulus itself. Proof of protection would
      require measuring ongoing processing, which has very rarely been reported. The
      idea that PPI represents the protection of the earliest stages of prepulse
      processing can be challenged, since those earliest stages are completed by the
      time the startle response occurs, so they are not threatened by interruption and
      need not be protected. The conception of low PPI as indicative of a "gating
      deficit" in schizophrenia should be made with caution, since low PPI is seen in
      some, but not all studies of schizophrenia, but also in a range of other
      disorders and conditions. Finally, startle is often used to probe ongoing
      processes, but the response also modifies those processes, interrupting some
      processes but perhaps facilitating others. A deeper understanding of the function
      of startle and PPI might improve the precision of application of these measures
      in the investigation of a range of research topics. 

PMID- 26283148
TI  - Transcriptome analysis of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) fed with animal
      and plant diets.
AB  - Numerous studies have been focused on the replacement of fish meal by other
      alternative protein sources. However, little is currently known about the
      molecular mechanism of utilization of diets with different protein sources in
      fish. Grass carp is a typical herbivorous fish. To elucidate the relationship
      between gene expression and utilization of animal and plant diets, transcriptome
      sequencing was performed in grass carp fed with chironomid larvae and duckweed.
      Grass carp fed with duckweed had significantly higher relative length of gut than
      those fed with chironomid larvae. 4435 differentially expressed genes were
      identified between grass carp fed with chironomid larvae and duckweed in brain,
      liver and gut, involved in cell proliferation and differentiation, appetite
      control, circadian rhythm, digestion and metabolism pathways. These pathways
      might play important roles in utilization of diets with different protein sources
      in grass carp. And the findings could provide a new insight into the replacement
      of fish meal in artificial diets. 

PMID- 26283147
TI  - Models of Intergenerational and Transgenerational Transmission of Risk for
      Psychopathology in Mice.
AB  - Trajectories toward risk or resilience in psychiatric disorders are influenced by
      acquired and inherited factors. More recently, evidence from rodent studies
      suggest that acquired risk factors can be transmitted through non-genomic,
      epigenetic mechanisms to subsequent generations, potentially contributing to a
      cycle of disease and disease risk. Here, we review examples of transmission of
      environmental factors across generations and illustrate the difference between
      behavioral transmission and epigenetic inheritance. We highlight essential
      definitions of intergenerational and transgenerational transmission of disease
      risk with corresponding examples. We then explore how these phenomena may
      influence our understanding of psychiatric disorders leading toward new
      prevention and therapeutic approaches. 

PMID- 26283149
TI  - MMACHC gene mutation in familial hypogonadism with neurological symptoms.
AB  - Recent studies have convincingly documented that hypogonadism is a component of
      various hereditary disorders and is often recognized as an important clinical
      feature in combination with various neurological symptoms, yet, the causative
      genes in a few related families are still unknown. High-throughput sequencing has
      become an efficient method to identify causative genes in related complex
      hereditary disorders. In this study, we performed exome sequencing in a family
      presenting hypergonadotropic hypogonadism with neurological presentations of
      mental retardation, epilepsy, ataxia, and leukodystrophy. After bioinformatic
      analysis and Sanger sequencing validation, we identified compound heterozygous
      mutations: c.482G>A (p.R161Q) and c.609G>A (p.W203X) in MMACHC gene in this
      pedigree. MMACHC was previously confirmed to be responsible for methylmalonic
      aciduria (MMA) combined with homocystinuria, cblC type (cblC disease), a
      hereditary vitamin B12 metabolic disorder. Biochemical and gas chromatography
      mass spectrometry (GC-MS) examinations in this pedigree further supported the
      cblC disease diagnosis. These results indicated that hypergonadotropic
      hypogonadism may be a novel clinical manifestation of cblC disease, but more
      reports on additional patients are needed to support this hypothesis.

PMID- 26283150
TI  - Effects of magnesium degradation products on mesenchymal stem cell fate and
      osteoblastogenesis.
AB  - The unique properties of magnesium (Mg) and its alloys that combine favourable
      mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and biodegradability, which until now
      have been restricted primarily to polymers, justify its study in the field of
      implantology. Previous in vivo studies have underlined the possible
      osteoconductive effects of Mg-based metals, and several in vitro studies have
      highlighted positive effects of Mg-enriched biomaterials. However, although the
      observed biological activity of magnesium is intriguing, it remains largely
      unexplored. Furthermore, due to increased regulations, the introduction of new
      implants on the market must be accompanied by thorough mechanistic understanding.
      Therefore, to mimic the in vivo effects of the degradation of Mg-based implants
      on mesenchymal stem cell differentiation during bone remodelling, non
      haematopoietic multipotent foetal progenitor cells, i.e., human umbilical cord
      perivascular cells (HUCPV), were cultured for up to three weeks with or without
      osteoblastic differentiating media and with or without magnesium extract
      (approximately 5mM). To partially unveil the mechanism or to select paths for
      further investigation, a very broad selection of genes was chosen (e.g., those
      involved in osmolality sensing). Several classical bone markers were also studied
      at the gene and protein levels. The data suggest that Mg extract alone
      potentiates cell proliferation or delays the natural fate of
      maturation/differentiation. However, when the cells are driven toward
      osteoblastic differentiation, the effect of the Mg extract becomes much more
      complex, positively or negatively influencing differentiation via various
      pathways. These preliminary results confirm the choice of the various parameters
      utilised here and highzlight the importance of further studies. 

PMID- 26283151
TI  - Quality Counts: Developmental Shifts in Associations Between Romantic
      Relationship Qualities and Psychosocial Adjustment.
AB  - The present study assessed a developmental task theory of romantic relationships
      by examining associations between romantic relationship qualities and adjustment
      across 9 years using a community-based sample of 100 male and 100 female
      participants (Mage Wave 1 = 15.83) in a Western U.S. city. Using multilevel
      modeling, the study examined the moderating effect of age on links between
      romantic relationship qualities and adjustment. Consistent with developmental
      task theory, high romantic quality was more negatively associated with
      internalizing symptoms and dating satisfaction during young adulthood than
      adolescence. Romantic relationship qualities were also associated with
      externalizing symptoms and substance use, but the degree of association was
      consistent across ages. The findings underscore the significance of romantic
      relationship qualities across development.

PMID- 26283152
TI  - Crouzon Syndrome: Visual Diagnosis.

PMID- 26283153
TI  - Factors Related to Pump Thrombosis With the Heartmate II Left Ventricular Assist
      Device.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recent reports suggested that HeartMate II (HMII) thrombosis rates
      may be higher in implants after 2011. We characterize events at HMII centers
      (>100 HMII implants) whose device thrombosis rates are equivalent or lower than
      reported by INTERMACS. METHODS: Seven centers pooled implants from 2011 through
      June 2013 to examine pump thrombus and identify characteristics and clinical
      strategies that potentially mitigate the risk. A total of 666 patients (age 59 +/
      13 years; 81% male) were studied (support duration: 13.7 +/- 8.3 months,
      cumulative: 759 patient years). Median target INR was 2.25 (range 2.0 to 2.5),
      and median pump speed was 9200 rpm (range 8600 to 9600). Pump thrombus was
      suspected with clinical evidence (e.g., hemolysis, positive ramp test) requiring
      intervention (e.g., anticoagulation therapy, pump exchange) or patient death.
      RESULTS: Suspected pump thrombus occurred in 24/666 (3.6%) patients within three
      months of implant. At six months, 38/666 (5.7%) had suspected pump thrombus
      including 24 (3.6%) resulting in pump exchange or death. Stroke (hemorrhagic:
      0.049, and ischemic: 0.048 events/patient year) and survival (six months: 88 +/-
      1%; 1 year: 81 +/- 2%) were consistent with national averages. Suspected pump
      thrombus patients were younger (55 +/- 13 vs. 59 +/- 13, p = 0.046) and had more
      females (31.6% vs. 18.3%, p = 0.054). There was no difference in indication,
      etiology of heart failure, or body size. CONCLUSIONS: This analysis demonstrates
      low HMII thrombus events. Minimization of risk factors by uniform implant
      techniques and consistent post-op management may reduce device thrombosis. A
      larger scale multicenter evaluation may better elucidate the difference in
      thrombus events between centers.

PMID- 26283154
TI  - Upregulation of miR-181s reverses mesenchymal transition by targeting KPNA4 in
      glioblastoma.
AB  - The goal of this work was to explore the most effective miRNAs affecting
      glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) phenotype transition and malignant progression. We
      annotated 491 TCGA samples' miRNA expression profiles according to their mRNA
      based subtypes and found that the mesenchymal tumors had significantly decreased
      miR-181 family expression compared with the other three subtypes while the
      proneural subtype harbored extremely high miR-181 family expression. Patients
      with high miR-181 family expression had longer overall survival (p = 0.0031). We
      also confirmed that NF-kappaB-targeting genes and the EMT (epithelial-mesenchymal
      transition) pathway were inversely correlated with miR-181 family expression and
      that the entire miR-181 family inhibited glioma cell invasion and proliferation;
      of these, miR-181b was the most effective suppressor. Furthermore, miR-181b was
      validated to suppress EMT by targeting KPNA4 and was associated with survival
      outcome in the TCGA and CGGA datasets and in another independent cohort. The EMT
      inhibitory effect of miR-181b was lost after KPNA4 expression was restored. We
      also identified the antitumorigenic activity of miR-181b in vitro and in vivo.
      Our results showed that miR-181 family expression was closely correlated with
      TCGA subtypes and patients' overall survival, indicating that miR-181b, a tumor
      suppressive miRNA, could be a novel therapeutic candidate for treating gliomas.

PMID- 26283155
TI  - Nucleolin overexpression in breast cancer cell sub-populations with different
      stem-like phenotype enables targeted intracellular delivery of synergistic drug
      combination.
AB  - Breast cancer stem cells (CSC) are thought responsible for tumor growth and
      relapse, metastization and active evasion to standard chemotherapy. The
      recognition that CSC may originate from non-stem cancer cells (non-SCC) through
      plastic epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition turned these into relevant cell
      targets. Of crucial importance for successful therapeutic intervention is the
      identification of surface receptors overexpressed in both CSC and non-SCC. Cell
      surface nucleolin has been described as overexpressed in cancer cells as well as
      a tumor angiogenic marker. Herein we have addressed the questions on whether
      nucleolin was a common receptor among breast CSC and non-SCC and whether it could
      be exploited for targeting purposes. Liposomes functionalized with the nucleolin
      binding F3 peptide, targeted simultaneously, nucleolin-overexpressing putative
      breast CSC and non-SCC, which was paralleled by OCT4 and NANOG mRNA levels in
      cells from triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) origin. In murine embryonic stem
      cells, both nucleolin mRNA levels and F3 peptide-targeted liposomes cellular
      association were dependent on the stemness status. An in vivo tumorigenic assay
      suggested that surface nucleolin overexpression per se, could be associated with
      the identification of highly tumorigenic TNBC cells. This proposed link between
      nucleolin expression and the stem-like phenotype in TNBC, enabled 100% cell death
      mediated by F3 peptide-targeted synergistic drug combination, suggesting the
      potential to abrogate the plasticity and adaptability associated with CSC and non
      SCC. Ultimately, nucleolin-specific therapeutic tools capable of simultaneous
      debulk multiple cellular compartments of the tumor microenvironment may pave the
      way towards a specific treatment for TNBC patient care. 

PMID- 26283156
TI  - Intranuclear biophotonics by smart design of nuclear-targeting photo-/radio
      sensitizers co-loaded upconversion nanoparticles.
AB  - Biophotonic technology that uses light and ionizing radiation for positioned
      cancer therapy is a holy grail in the field of biomedicine because it can
      overcome the systemic toxicity and adverse side effects of conventional
      chemotherapy. However, the existing biophotonic techniques fail to achieve the
      satisfactory treatment efficacy, which remains a big challenge for clinical
      implementation. Herein, we develop a novel theranostic technique of "intranuclear
      biophotonics" by the smart design of a nuclear-targeting biophotonic system based
      on photo-/radio-sensitizers covalently co-loaded upconversion nanoparticles.
      These nuclear-targeting biophotonic agents can not only generate a great deal of
      multiple cytotoxic reactive oxygen species in the nucleus by making full use of
      NIR/X-ray irradiation, but also produce greatly enhanced intranuclear synergetic
      radio-/photodynamic therapeutic effects under the magnetic/luminescent bimodal
      imaging guidance, which may achieve the optimal efficacy in treating radio
      resistant tumors. We anticipate that the highly effective intranuclear
      biophotonics will contribute significantly to the development of biophotonic
      techniques and open new perspectives for a variety of cancer theranostic
      applications. 

PMID- 26283157
TI  - Use of biomimetic microtissue spheroids and specific growth factor
      supplementation to improve tenocyte differentiation and adaptation to a collagen
      based scaffold in vitro.
AB  - Tenocytes represent a valuable source of cells for the purposes of tendon tissue
      engineering and regenerative medicine and as such, should possess a high degree
      of tenogenic differentiation prior to their use in vivo in order to achieve
      maximal efficacy. In the current report, we identify an efficient means by which
      to maintain differentiated tenocytes in vitro by employing the hanging drop
      technique in combination with defined growth media supplements. Equine tenocytes
      retained a more differentiated state when cultured as scaffold-free microtissue
      spheroids in low serum-containing medium supplemented with L-ascorbic acid 2
      phosphate, insulin and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1. This was made
      evident by significant increases in the expression levels of pro-tenogenic
      markers collagen type I (COL1A2), collagen type III (COL3A1), scleraxis (SCX) and
      tenomodulin (TNMD), as well as by enhanced levels of collagen type I and
      tenomodulin protein. Furthermore, tenocytes cultured under these conditions
      demonstrated a typical spindle-like morphology and when embedded in collagen
      gels, became highly aligned with respect to the orientation of the collagen
      structure following their migration out from the microtissue spheroids. Our
      findings therefore provide evidence to support the use of a biomimetic
      microtissue approach to culturing tenocytes and that in combination with the
      defined growth media described, can improve their differentiation status and
      functional repopulation of collagen matrix.

PMID- 26283158
TI  - Enabling non-invasive assessment of an engineered endothelium on ePTFE vascular
      grafts without increasing oxidative stress.
AB  - Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in combination with contrast enhancement is a
      potentially powerful tool to non-invasively monitor cell distribution in tissue
      engineering and regenerative medicine. The most commonly used contrast agent for
      cell labeling is super paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs). However,
      uptake of SPIONs triggers the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in
      cells often leading to a pro-inflammatory phenotype. The objective of this study
      was to develop a labeling system to non-invasively visualize an engineered
      endothelium in vascular grafts without creating excessive oxidative stress.
      Specifically, we investigated: (1) chitosan-coated SPIONs (CSPIONs) as an
      antioxidant contrast agent for contrast enhancement, and (2) poly(1,8
      octamethylene citrate) (POC) as an antioxidant interface to support cell adhesion
      and function of labeled cells on the vascular graft. While SPION-labeled
      endothelial cells (ECs) experienced elevated ROS formation and altered cell
      morphology, CSPION-labeled ECs cultured on POC-coated surfaces mitigated SPION
      induced ROS formation and maintained EC morphology, phenotype, viability and
      functions. A monolayer of labeled ECs exhibited sufficient contrast with T2
      weighed MR imaging. CSPION labeling of endothelial cells in combination with
      coating the graft wall with POC allows non-invasive monitoring of an engineered
      endothelium on ePTFE grafts without increasing oxidative stress. 

PMID- 26283159
TI  - Cell type-specific adaptation of cellular and nuclear volume in micro-engineered
      3D environments.
AB  - Bio-functionalized three-dimensional (3D) structures fabricated by direct laser
      writing (DLW) are structurally and mechanically well-defined and ideal for
      systematically investigating the influence of three-dimensionality and substrate
      stiffness on cell behavior. Here, we show that different fibroblast-like and
      epithelial cell lines maintain normal proliferation rates and form functional
      cell-matrix contacts in DLW-fabricated 3D scaffolds of different mechanics and
      geometry. Furthermore, the molecular composition of cell-matrix contacts forming
      in these 3D micro-environments and under conventional 2D culture conditions is
      identical, based on the analysis of several marker proteins (paxillin, phospho
      paxillin, phospho-focal adhesion kinase, vinculin, beta1-integrin). However,
      fibroblast-like and epithelial cells differ markedly in the way they adapt their
      total cell and nuclear volumes in 3D environments. While fibroblast-like cell
      lines display significantly increased cell and nuclear volumes in 3D substrates
      compared to 2D substrates, epithelial cells retain similar cell and nuclear
      volumes in 2D and 3D environments. Despite differential cell volume regulation
      between fibroblasts and epithelial cells in 3D environments, the nucleus-to-cell
      (N/C) volume ratios remain constant for all cell types and culture conditions.
      Thus, changes in cell and nuclear volume during the transition from 2D to 3D
      environments are strongly cell type-dependent, but independent of scaffold
      stiffness, while cells maintain the N/C ratio regardless of culture conditions. 

PMID- 26283160
TI  - Modulation of inflammation and angiogenesis and changes in ECM GAG-activity via
      dual delivery of nucleic acids.
AB  - Tissue-engineered organs and implants hold promise for the replacement of damaged
      and diseased organs. However, the foreign body response (FBR) is a major obstacle
      that compromises the function of tissue-engineered constructs, typically causing
      them to fail. Two components of FBR are an inflammatory response and a lack of
      vascularization. To overcome these limitations, a collagen system was developed
      to release interleukin-6 (IL-6) siRNA and endothelial nitric oxide synthase
      (eNOS) pDNA in a staggered manner. Hollow collagen microspheres were assembled
      into a collagen sphere-in-hydrogel system that displayed a staggered release
      profile in vitro. This system was assessed in vivo in a subcutaneous rat model.
      The doses of IL-6 siRNA and eNOS pDNA were first individually optimized for their
      ability to reduce the volume fraction of inflammatory cells (7 days) and increase
      the length density of blood vessels (14 days), respectively. The identified
      optimal doses were combined, and the ability of the system to decrease the volume
      fraction of inflammatory cells and increase the length density of blood vessels
      was confirmed at both 7 and 14 days. Analysis of the tissue using Raman
      microspectroscopy revealed that in addition to changes in inflammation and
      angiogenesis, there were also changes in the extracellular matrix (ECM) at seven
      days. While changes in sulfated glycosaminoglycan (sGAG) content of the ECM were
      not detected, changes in the binding of sGAG of the ECM to growth factors were
      observed. Two growth factors tested, VEGF165 and bFGF showed increased binding to
      sGAG extracted from eNOS pDNA-treated samples at seven days, increasing the
      angiogenic potential of the ECM. Thus, we observe that changes in the tissue in
      terms of the balance of inflammation and angiogenesis as well changes in the
      activity of sGAG of the ECM occurs following dual delivery of nucleic acids from
      the collagen sphere-in-hydrogel system. 

PMID- 26283161
TI  - [Medication errors related to computerized physician order entry at the hospital:
      Record and analysis over a period of 4 years].
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Computerized physician order entry (CPOE) can generate medication
      errors. It is necessary to identify them and analyse their causes in order to
      secure the medication use system. METHODS: Errors were recorded during the
      pharmaceutical analysis of prescriptions over a period of 4 years on 425 beds. A
      code frame was provided. Errors were classified according to type, causes and
      time of detection. The most often drug implicated and the error correction rate
      were studied. Deep causes were determined and contributing factors were listed.
      RESULTS: Among 99,536 prescriptions analyzed, 2636 errors were detected (2.65
      errors per 100 orders analyzed). The most common error was omission (31.49%). The
      most represented cause was redundancy requirement (11.34%). Antibacterials were
      most commonly involved (224 errors). Exactly 65.9% of the prescriptions were
      modified by physicians. Three root causes were identified: (1) configuration
      issues; (2) misuse; (3) design problem. Three types of contributing factors have
      also been detailed: economic, human and technical factors. CONCLUSIONS:
      Identifying root causes has targeted three types of improvement actions: (1)
      software settings; (2) training of users; (3) requests for improvements.
      Contributing factors have to be identified to control the generated risk. Some
      errors related to CPOE may lead to serious side effects for the patient. That is
      why it is necessary to identify these errors and analyze them in order to
      implement improvement actions and prevention to secure the prescription.

PMID- 26283162
TI  - Single-incision laparoscopic surgery for diverticulitis in overweight patients.
AB  - AIM: Single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) has been introduced as a new
      technique for the treatment of various colorectal diseases. Recurrent or
      complicated diverticulitis of the sigmoid colon is a frequent indication for
      minimally invasive sigmoid colectomy. The aim of this study was to investigate
      the impact of obesity on the outcome of SILS sigmoid colectomy. METHODS: From
      September 2009 to October 2014, data from 377 patients who had intended SILS
      sigmoid colectomy for diverticulitis at our institution were collected in a
      prospective database. The patients were categorized in the following subgroups:
      group 1 (normal weight, body mass index (BMI) < 25 kg/m(2)), group 2 (overweight,
      BMI 25-29.9 kg/m(2)), group 3 (obesity, BMI 30-34.9 kg/m(2)), and group 4 (morbid
      obesity, BMI > 35 kg/m(2)). RESULTS: The groups were equivalent for sex, age,
      status of diverticulitis, the presence of acute inflammation in the specimen, and
      the percentage of teaching operations, but the percentage of patients with
      accompanying diseases was significantly more frequent in groups 2, 3, and 4 (p =
      0.04, 0.008, and 0.018, respectively). As compared to group 1, the conversion
      rate was significantly increased in groups 2 and 4 (2.3 vs. 9.3% (p = 0.013) and
      2.3 vs. 12.5% (p = 0.017), respectively). The duration of surgery,
      hospitalization, and morbidity did not differ between the four groups.
      CONCLUSION: Up to a body mass index of 35 kg/m(2), increased body weight does not
      significantly reduce the feasibility and outcome of single-incision laparoscopic
      surgery for diverticulitis.

PMID- 26283163
TI  - Direct comparison of current cell-based and cell-free approaches towards the
      repair of craniofacial bone defects - A preclinical study.
AB  - For craniofacial bone defect repair, several alternatives to bone graft (BG)
      exist, including the combination of biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) biomaterials
      with total bone marrow (TBM) and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells
      (MSCs), or the use of growth factors like recombinant human bone morphogenic
      protein-2 (RhBMP-2) and various scaffolds. Therefore, clinicians might be unsure
      as to which approach will offer their patients the most benefit. Here, we aimed
      to compare different clinically relevant bone tissue engineering methods in an
      "all-in-one" study in rat calvarial defects. TBM, and MSCs committed or not, and
      cultured in two- or three-dimensions were mixed with BCP and implanted in
      bilateral parietal bone defects in rats. RhBMP-2 and BG were used as positive
      controls. After 7 weeks, significant de novo bone formation was observed in rhBMP
      2 and BG groups, and in a lesser amount, when BCP biomaterials were mixed with
      TBM or committed MSCs cultured in three-dimensions. Due to the efficacy and
      safety of the TBM/BCP combination approach, we recommend this one-step procedure
      for further clinical investigation. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: For craniofacial
      repair, total bone marrow (BM) and BM mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-based
      regenerative medicine have shown to be promising in alternative to bone grafting
      (BG). Therefore, clinicians might be unsure as to which approach will offer the
      most benefit. Here, BM and MSCs committed or not were mixed with calcium
      phosphate ceramics (CaP) and implanted in bone defects in rats. RhBMP-2 and BG
      were used as positive controls. After 7 weeks, significant bone formation was
      observed in rhBMP-2 and BG groups, and when CaP were mixed with BM or committed
      MSCs. Since the BM-based procedure does not require bone harvest or cell culture,
      but provides de novo bone formation, we recommend consideration of this strategy
      for craniofacial applications.

PMID- 26283164
TI  - Porous nanofibrous poly(L-lactic acid) scaffolds supporting cardiovascular
      progenitor cells for cardiac tissue engineering.
AB  - Myocardial infarction (MI) is the irreversible necrosis of heart with
      approximately 1.5 million cases every year in the United States. Tissue
      engineering offers a promising strategy for cardiac repair after MI. However, the
      optimal cell source for heart tissue regeneration and the ideal scaffolds to
      support cell survival, differentiation, and integration, remain to be developed.
      To address these issues, we developed the technology to induce cardiovascular
      progenitor cells (CPCs) derived from mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) towards
      desired cardiomyocytes as well as smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells. We
      fabricated extracellular matrix (ECM)-mimicking nanofibrous poly(l-lactic acid)
      (PLLA) scaffolds with porous structure of high interconnection for cardiac tissue
      formation. The CPCs were seeded into the scaffolds to engineer cardiac constructs
      in vitro. Fluorescence staining and RT-PCR assay showed that the scaffolds
      facilitated cell attachment, extension, and differentiation. Subcutaneous
      implantation of the cell/scaffold constructs in a nude mouse model showed that
      the scaffolds favorably supported survival of the grafted cells and their
      commitment to the three desired lineages in vivo. Thus, our study suggested that
      the porous nanofibrous PLLA scaffolds support cardiac tissue formation from CPCs.
      The integration of CPCs with the nanofibrous PLLA scaffolds represents a
      promising tissue engineering strategy for cardiac repair. STATEMENT OF
      SIGNIFICANCE: Myocardial infarction is the irreversible necrosis of heart with
      approximately 1.5 million cases every year in the United States. Tissue
      engineering offers a promising strategy for cardiac repair after MI. However, the
      optimal cell source for heart tissue regeneration and the ideal scaffolds to
      support cell survival, differentiation, and integration, remain to be developed.
      To address these issues, we developed porous nanofibrous PLLA scaffolds that
      mimic natural extracellular matrix to support cardiac tissue formation from CPCs.
      The integration of CPCs with the nanofibrous PLLA scaffolds represents a
      promising tissue engineering strategy for cardiac repair.

PMID- 26283166
TI  - Microstructures, mechanical properties and cytotoxicity of low cost beta Ti-Mn
      alloys for biomedical applications.
AB  - The microstructures, mechanical properties and biocompatibility of low cost beta
      type Ti-(6-18)Mn alloys were investigated after solution treatment. Ti-9 Mn
      exhibits the best combination of tensile strength and elongation among the
      fabricated alloys, and its performance is comparable to or superior to those of
      Ti-6Al-4V ELI (Ti-64 ELI) in terms of every parameter evaluated. A hardness of
      338 HV, a Young's modulus of 94 GPa, a 0.2% proof stress of 1023 MPa, an ultimate
      tensile strength of 1048 MPa and elongation of 19% were obtained for Ti-9 Mn.
      Furthermore, the cell viability and metallic ion release ratios are comparable to
      those of commercially pure titanium, making this alloy promising for biomedical
      applications. The Young's modulus is also lower than that of Ti-64 ELI (110 GPa),
      which can possibly reduce the stress shielding effect in implanted patients.
      STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: This study evaluates mechanical and biological
      performance of low cost solution treated beta-type Ti-(6, 9, 13 and 18 mass%)Mn
      alloys. It includes alloys containing a Mn content range higher than most
      previously published works (which is around or lower than 8 mass%). Furthermore,
      the effects of the omega phase and the beta phase stability of the alloys over
      some mechanical properties and microstructures are discussed. Ion release
      behavior under simulated body fluids and cell viability are also evaluated. For
      the case of the Ti-9 Mn, a mechanical and biological performance that is
      comparable to or superior than that of the widely used Ti-6Al-4V ELI and
      commercially pure Ti was observed.

PMID- 26283165
TI  - Engineered composite fascia for stem cell therapy in tissue repair applications.
AB  - A critical challenge in tissue regeneration is to develop constructs that
      effectively integrate with the host tissue. Here, we describe a composite, laser
      micromachined, collagen-alginate construct containing human mesenchymal stem
      cells (hMSCs) for tissue repair applications. Collagen type I was fashioned into
      laminated collagen sheets to form a mechanically robust fascia that was
      subsequently laser micropatterned with pores of defined dimension and spatial
      distribution as a means to modulate mechanical behavior and promote tissue
      integration. Significantly, laser micromachined patterned constructs displayed
      both substantially greater compliance and suture retention strength than non
      patterned constructs. hMSCs were loaded in an RGD-functionalized alginate gel
      modified to degrade in vivo. Over a 7 day observation period in vitro, high cell
      viability was observed with constant levels of VEGF, PDGF-beta and MCP-1 protein
      expression. In a full thickness abdominal wall defect model, the composite
      construct prevented hernia recurrence in Wistar rats over an 8-week period with
      de novo tissue and vascular network formation and the absence of adhesions to
      underlying abdominal viscera. As compared to acellular constructs, constructs
      containing hMSCs displayed greater integration strength (cell seeded: 0.92 +/-
      0.19 N/mm vs. acellular: 0.59 +/- 0.25 N/mm, p=0.01), increased vascularization
      (cell seeded: 2.7-2.1/hpf vs. acellular: 1.7-2.1/hpf, p<0.03), and increased
      infiltration of macrophages (cell seeded: 2021-3630 MUm(2)/hpf vs. acellular:
      1570-2530 MUm(2)/hpf, p<0.05). A decrease in the ratio of M1 macrophages to total
      macrophages was also observed in hMSC-populated samples. Laser micromachined
      collagen-alginate composites containing hMSCs can be used to bridge soft tissue
      defects with the capacity for enhanced tissue repair and integration. STATEMENT
      OF SIGNIFICANCE: Effective restoration of large soft tissue defects caused by
      trauma or treatment complications represents a critical challenge in the clinic.
      In this study, a novel composite construct was engineered and evaluated for stem
      cell delivery and tissue repair. Laser micromachining was used to fabricate
      patterned, microporous constructs designed with pores of defined size and
      distribution as a means to tune mechanical responses, accommodate and protect
      incorporated cells, and enhance tissue integration. The construct was embedded
      within an engineered alginate gel containing hMSCs. Upon repair of a full
      thickness abdominal wall defect in a rat model, the composite construct modulated
      host innate immunity towards a reparative phenotypic response, promoted
      neovascularization and associated matrix production, and increased the strength
      of tissue integration.

PMID- 26283167
TI  - Porphine functionalized nanoparticles of star-shaped poly(epsilon-caprolactone)-b
      D-alpha-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate biodegradable copolymer for
      chemophotodynamic therapy on cervical cancer.
AB  - We developed a system of biodegradable nanoparticles (NPs) of 5,10,15,20
      tetrakis(4-aminophenyl)-21H,23H-porphine (TAPP) centered, 4 arm star-shaped
      copolymers based on poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) and D-alpha-tocopheryl
      polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS) for combinatory chemophotodynamic
      therapy by using docetaxel (DTX) as a model anticancer drug and TAPP as
      photodynamic sensitizer. TPGS component in the copolymer plays an important role
      in enhancing the drug encapsulation efficiency, drug release kinetics and
      cellular uptake of the NPs, as well as in overcoming the multidrug resistance due
      to inhibition of P-glycoproteins (P-gp) of the cancer cells. We demonstrated in
      vitro by using the MCF7/ADR breast cancer cells of P-gp overexpression and the
      HeLa cervical cancer cells that the proposed chemophotodynamic therapy by the DTX
      loaded TAPP-PCL-b-TPGS NPs could have much higher therapeutic effect than the
      original drug Taxotere(r). IC50 data showed that the DTX-loaded TAPP-PCL-b-TPGS
      NPs chemophotodynamic therapy could be 9.36 and 56.5-fold efficient after 24 and
      48h treatment, respectively in comparison with the Taxotere(r) chemotherapy. The
      in vivo investigation by employing a cervical cancer xenograft model further
      confirmed the advantages of the proposed chemophotodynamic therapy by the DTX
      loaded TAPP-PCL-b-TPGS NPs versus the Taxotere(r) chemotherapy.

PMID- 26283168
TI  - The impact of oral health on daily performances and its association with clinical
      variables in a population in Zambia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate oral impacts on daily
      performance and to relate these data to oral clinical variables. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: The study was performed at a dental clinic in Livingstone, Zambia, and
      included 78 subjects (mean age 28, range 15-48 years) consecutively recruited in
      connection with a dental care visit. Data were collected through a structured
      interview using the Oral Impacts on Daily Performances (OIDP) index measuring
      oral health-related quality of life followed by a clinical examination. RESULTS:
      Oral health affected one or more daily performances during the last 6 months for
      61.5% of the subjects. 'Difficulty of eating and enjoying food' was the
      performance reported most frequently (42.3%), and 'speaking and pronouncing
      clearly' was least often reported (10.3%). DMFT was 3.8, +/-3.6 (mean +/- SD;
      range 0-15). A majority of the individuals had periodontal pockets >=4 mm (mean
      4.3, +/-2.6) (94.9%) and gingival bleeding on probing >20% (88.5%). Two or more
      decayed teeth were shown to be significantly associated (OR 4.6, CI 1.2-17.1)
      with one or more oral impacts on daily performances in a multivariate logistic
      regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: This study shown that there is a significant
      association between decayed teeth and oral impacts on daily performances. More
      research is needed, however, for deeper understanding of oral health problems and
      their impacts on daily life in Zambia.

PMID- 26283169
TI  - A modified thymosin alpha 1 inhibits the growth of breast cancer both in vitro
      and in vivo: suppressment of cell proliferation, inducible cell apoptosis and
      enhancement of targeted anticancer effects.
AB  - Thymosin alpha 1 (Talpha1) is commonly used for treating several diseases;
      however its usage has been limited because of poor penetration of the target
      tissue, such as tumor cells. In the present study, Talpha1-iRGD, a peptide by
      conjugating Talpha1 with the iRGD fragment, was evaluated its performance in MCF
      7 and MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. Compared with the wild-type peptide,
      Talpha1-iRGD was more selective in binding tumor cells in the cell attachment
      assay. Furthermore, the MTT assay confirmed that Talpha1-iRGD proved more
      effective in significantly inhibiting the growth of MCF-7 cells in contrast to
      the general inhibition displayed by Talpha1. Further, conjugation of Talpha1 with
      iRGD preserved the immunomodulatory activity of the drug by increasing the
      proliferation of mouse spleen lymphocytes. Further, compared with Talpha1
      treatment, Talpha1-iRGD treatment of MCF-7 cells considerably increased the
      number of cells undergoing apoptosis, resulting in a dose-dependent inhibition of
      cancer cell growth, which was associated with a much better effect on up
      regulation of the expression of BCL2-associated X protein (Bax), caspase 9, etc.
      More importantly, treatment with Ta1-iRGD was more efficacious than treatment
      with Ta1 in vivo. This study highlights the importance of iRGD on enhancement of
      cell penetration and tumor accumulation. In summary, our findings demonstrate
      that the novel modified Talpha1 developed in this study has the potential to be
      used for treating breast cancer. 

PMID- 26283170
TI  - In vitro antiproliferative, pro-apoptotic, antimetastatic and anti-inflammatory
      potential of 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol (DAPG) by Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain
      FP10.
AB  - The 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol (DAPG), a polyketide metabolite extracted from
      Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain FP10, exhibited selective cytoxicity against lung
      (A549), breast (MDA MB-231), cervical (HeLa) and colon (HCT-15) cancer cells in
      differential and dose-dependent manner. The anticancer and antimetastatic
      activities of DAPG were mediated by the inhibition of ROS, NF-kappaB, Bcl-2, MMP
      2, VEGF and primary inflammatory mediators such as TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-1beta and
      NO. The DAPG induced apoptosis in cancer cells by intrinsic and extrinsic
      pathways via the release of cytochrome-C, upregulation of Bax and the activation
      of caspases and also, exhibited anti-inflammatory activity by the inhibition of
      LPS-inflammed cell proliferation of macrophage (Raw 264.7), monocytic cells (THP
      1) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Results further confirmed that
      the DAPG inhibited the primary inflammatory mediators in cancer cells and
      inflammed immune cells through the down regulation of NF-kappaB. In the present
      study, for the first time, antiproliferative, proapoptotic, antimetastatic and
      anti-inflammatory activities of DAPG in various cancer cells and inflammation
      induced immune cells have been reported.

PMID- 26283171
TI  - Effect of Caesalpinia sappan L. extract on physico-chemical properties of
      emulsion-type pork sausage during cold storage.
AB  - This study was performed to investigate the effect of extract from heart wood of
      Caesalpinia sappan on the physico-chemical properties and to find the appropriate
      addition level in the emulsion-type pork sausage during cold storage. The pH of
      treatments with C. sappan extract was significantly lower than control and T1
      during cold storage periods (P<0.05). Also, the reduction of moisture content,
      and the increase of cooking loss significantly occurred by the addition of 0.2%
      C. sappan extract. Also, the texture properties and sensory of sausages
      containing C. sappan extract were decreased compared to control. Inclusion of the
      C. sappan extract in sausages resulted in lower lightness and higher yellowness,
      chroma and hue values. However, the antioxidant, antimicrobial activity, and
      volatile basic nitrogen in the emulsion-type pork sausages with C. sappan extract
      showed increased quality characteristics during cold storage. In conclusion, the
      proper addition level of C. sappan extract was 0.1% on the processing of emulsion
      type pork sausage. 

PMID- 26283172
TI  - Characterization of MHC class II B polymorphism in multiple populations of wild
      gorillas using non-invasive samples and next-generation sequencing.
AB  - Genes encoded by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) are crucial for the
      recognition and presentation of antigens to the immune system. In contrast to
      their closest relatives, chimpanzees and humans, much less is known about
      variation in gorillas at these loci. This study explored the exon 2 variation of 
      DPB1, -DQB1, and -DRB genes in 46 gorillas from four populations while
      simultaneously evaluating the feasibility of using fecal samples for high
      throughput MHC genotyping. By applying strict similarity- and frequency-based
      analysis, we found, despite our modest sample size, a total of 18 alleles that
      have not been described previously, thereby illustrating the potential for
      efficient and highly accurate MHC genotyping from non-invasive DNA samples. We
      emphasize the importance of controlling for multiple potential sources of error
      when applying this massively parallel short-read sequencing technology to PCR
      products generated from low concentration DNA extracts. We observed pronounced
      differences in MHC variation between species, subspecies and populations that are
      consistent with both the ancient and recent demographic histories experienced by
      gorillas.

PMID- 26283173
TI  - Role of the tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor-type zinc finger
      domain containing protein 1 (TRAFD1) from the hard tick Haemaphysalis longicornis
      in immunity against bacterial infection.
AB  - A tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor-type zinc finger domain
      containing protein 1 (TRAFD1) is a negative feedback regulator that controls
      excessive immune responses in vertebrates. The sequence of tick hemolymph TRAFD1
      from the hard tick Haemaphysalis longicornis (HlTRAFD1) was analyzed after
      identification and cloning from the expressed sequence tag database. RT-PCR and
      Western blot analyses showed that HlTRAFD1 transcript and protein levels after
      blood feeding were present in all developmental stages, and the transcript level
      was consistently high in all organs examined from adult female ticks upon
      engorgement. Knockdown of HlTRAFD1 gene by RNA interference did not affect blood
      feeding or oviposition. However, HlTRAFD1 silencing affected the expression of
      the longicin gene, a defensin-like molecule, but not the lysozyme gene. Moreover,
      the survival rate of HlTRAFD1-silenced ticks was lower, and the number of E. coli
      was higher in the hemolymph and plasmatocytes after E. coli injection compared to
      the control group. These results suggested that HlTRAFD1 strongly affected both
      the humoral and cellular immunity of ticks. 

PMID- 26283174
TI  - Quantification of viral genome in cord blood donors by real time PCR to
      investigate human herpesvirus type 8 active infection.
AB  - Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is one of the most important sources of hematopoietic
      stem cells which can be used for transplantation. The transplanted CB stem cells
      might cause infections in recipients. The aim of this study is to evaluate Human
      Herpes Virus8 (HHV8) as a Rhadinovirus among CB samples in order to assess safety
      of cord blood stem cells transplantation. To assess this aim, we surveyed 800
      cord blood specimens by Real Time PCR.The overall HHV8 incidence in cord blood
      mononuclear cells was 1.38% and none of them was in lytic phase of HHV8. The
      authors suggest further HHV8 study on CB samples for transplantation. 

PMID- 26283175
TI  - Effectiveness of the haemonetics MCS cell separator in the collection of
      apheresis platelets.
AB  - Platelet (PLT) transfusions play an important role in patients with
      thrombocytopenia or severely impaired platelet function. Platelet concentrates
      are prepared from whole-blood donations or by plateletpheresis. In recent years,
      different instruments have been developed to perform plateletpheresis. We
      evaluated an apheresis instrument, the Haemonetics MCS((r)) + with regard to PLT
      yield, collection efficiency (CE), and collection rate (CR) in a retrospective,
      randomized study in 526 donors. In this system, we used leukoreduction filters
      post collection to obtain leukoreduced products. The Haemonetics MCS((r)) + cell
      separator efficiently collected apheresis platelets with median PLT yields of 3.7
      * 10(11), mean CE of 66.69 +/- 13.73% and mean CR of 0.063 +/- 0.013 *
      10(11)/min. The median blood volume processed was 3290 (2420-4370) ml, and the
      median volume of acid citrate dextrose-A (ACD-A) used in collections on the
      device was 385 (196-517) ml. Also, this device allowed the collection of white
      blood cell (WBC) reduced plateletpheresis with mean 0.07 +/- 0.15 * 10(6) WBC
      content. No serious donor or recipient reactions occurred.

PMID- 26283176
TI  - Plasma-exchange as a "rescue therapy" for dermato/polymyositis in acute phase.
      Experience in three young patients.
AB  - There are few data in the literature supporting the efficacy of plasma-exchange
      in dermato/polymyositis. The authors report three cases of patients with acute
      disease phase showing severe pharyngo-esophageal muscle weakness unresponsive to
      conventional therapy (corticosteroids and immunosuppressant agents) who were
      treated with plasma-exchange. As the patients were at high risk of "aspiration
      pneumonia", tracheostomy and PEG tubes were placed. The patients underwent a
      series of plasma-exchange for a mean of 15 weeks, during which time they
      progressively recovered muscle strength, their serum muscle enzyme values
      returned to normal levels, and MRI showed resolution of muscle edema. The
      tracheostomy and PEG tubes could be removed. Our findings suggest that plasma
      exchange in association with immunosuppressant agents could play a relevant role
      in the management of dermato/polymyositis in acute phase. 

PMID- 26283177
TI  - Association Between the 4p16 Susceptibility Locus and the Risk of Atrial Septal
      Defect in Population from Southeast China.
AB  - Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), rs16835979, rs870142 and rs6824295,
      located in chromosome 4p16 were associated with the risk of ostium secundum
      atrial septal defect (ASD) in the European population. The 4p16 susceptibility
      locus in congenital heart disease was replicated in Chinese populations. Here, we
      analyzed the associations between these three SNPs and ASD in Chinese population
      from Fujian Province in southeast China. We conducted a case-control study by
      genotyping three SNPs in 354 non-syndromic ASD patients and 557 non-CHD control
      subjects. Logistic regression analyses showed that the genotype and allele
      frequencies of these three SNPs were significantly different between the cases
      and controls in Fujian Chinese population. The allele A of rs870142, the allele A
      of rs16835979 and the allele A of rs6824295 were significantly associated with an
      increased risk of ASD. According to the analysis of the three SNPs, the haplotype
      of AAA was associated with a significantly increased risk of ASD. Our study
      further supports that these three SNPs confer the predisposition to ASD phenotype
      in Chinese population. 

PMID- 26283178
TI  - MVDA: a multi-view genomic data integration methodology.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Multiple high-throughput molecular profiling by omics technologies
      can be collected for the same individuals. Combining these data, rather than
      exploiting them separately, can significantly increase the power of clinically
      relevant patients subclassifications. RESULTS: We propose a multi-view approach
      in which the information from different data layers (views) is integrated at the
      levels of the results of each single view clustering iterations. It works by
      factorizing the membership matrices in a late integration manner. We evaluated
      the effectiveness and the performance of our method on six multi-view cancer
      datasets. In all the cases, we found patient sub-classes with statistical
      significance, identifying novel sub-groups previously not emphasized in
      literature. Our method performed better as compared to other multi-view
      clustering algorithms and, unlike other existing methods, it is able to quantify
      the contribution of single views on the final results. CONCLUSION: Our
      observations suggest that integration of prior information with genomic features
      in the subtyping analysis is an effective strategy in identifying disease
      subgroups. The methodology is implemented in R and the source code is available
      online at http://neuronelab.unisa.it/a-multi-view-genomic-data-integration
      methodology/ .

PMID- 26283180
TI  - Angular roughshark Oxynotus centrina (Squaliformes: Oxynotidae) in captivity
      feeding exclusively on elasmobranch eggs: an overlooked feeding niche or a matter
      of individual taste?
AB  - A specimen of angular roughshark Oxynotus centrina has been kept successfully in
      captivity for the first time. Over a period of 24 months, the specimen preyed
      exclusively on the contents of elasmobranch egg cases, suggesting a specialized
      trophic niche. 

PMID- 26283179
TI  - OLA1 regulates protein synthesis and integrated stress response by inhibiting
      eIF2 ternary complex formation.
AB  - Translation is a fundamental cellular process, and its dysregulation can
      contribute to human diseases such as cancer. During translation initiation the
      eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF2) forms a ternary complex (TC) with GTP and
      the initiator methionyl-tRNA (tRNAi), mediating ribosomal recruitment of tRNAi.
      Limiting TC availability is a central mechanism for triggering the integrated
      stress response (ISR), which suppresses global translation in response to various
      cellular stresses, but induces specific proteins such as ATF4. This study shows
      that OLA1, a member of the ancient Obg family of GTPases, is an eIF2-regulatory
      protein that inhibits protein synthesis and promotes ISR by binding eIF2,
      hydrolyzing GTP, and interfering with TC formation. OLA1 thus represents a novel
      mechanism of translational control affecting de novo TC formation, different from
      the traditional model in which phosphorylation of eIF2alpha blocks the
      regeneration of TC. Depletion of OLA1 caused a hypoactive ISR and greater
      survival in stressed cells. In vivo, OLA1-knockdown rendered cancer cells
      deficient in ISR and the downstream proapoptotic effector, CHOP, promoting tumor
      growth and metastasis. Our work suggests that OLA1 is a novel translational
      GTPase and plays a suppressive role in translation and cell survival, as well as
      cancer growth and progression. 

PMID- 26283181
TI  - Optimizing RNA structures by sequence extensions using RNAcop.
AB  - A key aspect of RNA secondary structure prediction is the identification of novel
      functional elements. This is a challenging task because these elements typically
      are embedded in longer transcripts where the borders between the element and
      flanking regions have to be defined. The flanking sequences impact the folding of
      the functional elements both at the level of computational analyses and when the
      element is extracted as a transcript for experimental analysis. Here, we analyze
      how different flanking region lengths impact folding into a constrained structure
      by computing probabilities of folding for different sizes of flanking regions.
      Our method, RNAcop (RNA context optimization by probability), is tested on known
      and de novo predicted structures. In vitro experiments support the computational
      analysis and suggest that for a number of structures, choosing proper lengths of
      flanking regions is critical. RNAcop is available as web server and stand-alone
      software via http://rth.dk/resources/rnacop. 

PMID- 26283182
TI  - The role of wobble uridine modifications in +1 translational frameshifting in
      eukaryotes.
AB  - In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, 11 out of 42 tRNA species contain 5
      methoxycarbonylmethyl-2-thiouridine (mcm(5)s(2)U), 5-methoxycarbonylmethyluridine
      (mcm(5)U), 5-carbamoylmethyluridine (ncm(5)U) or 5-carbamoylmethyl-2'-O
      methyluridine (ncm(5)Um) nucleosides in the anticodon at the wobble position
      (U34). Earlier we showed that mutants unable to form the side chain at position 5
      (ncm(5) or mcm(5)) or lacking sulphur at position 2 (s(2)) of U34 result in
      pleiotropic phenotypes, which are all suppressed by overexpression of
      hypomodified tRNAs. This observation suggests that the observed phenotypes are
      due to inefficient reading of cognate codons or an increased frameshifting. The
      latter may be caused by a ternary complex (aminoacyl-tRNA*eEF1A*GTP) with a
      modification deficient tRNA inefficiently being accepted to the ribosomal A-site
      and thereby allowing an increased peptidyl-tRNA slippage and thus a frameshift
      error. In this study, we have investigated the role of wobble uridine
      modifications in reading frame maintenance, using either the Renilla/Firefly
      luciferase bicistronic reporter system or a modified Ty1 frameshifting site in a
      HIS4A::lacZ reporter system. We here show that the presence of mcm(5) and s(2)
      side groups at wobble uridines are important for reading frame maintenance and
      thus the aforementioned mutant phenotypes might partly be due to frameshift
      errors. 

PMID- 26283184
TI  - Use of a collagen matrix for recession coverage in patients who received
      orthodontic therapy: a case series.
AB  - AIM: The aim of the present study was to determine the percentage of recession
      coverage achieved following surgery with a collagen matrix, and patient-reported
      outcome measures. METHODS: Five healthy adults who had completed orthodontic
      therapy with a gingival recession defect were recruited. Gingival recession
      coverage was performed using a two-layer, xenogeneic collagen matrix (Mucograft).
      During the first 2 weeks, the patients charted their perceptions on bleeding,
      swelling, pain, and bruising using a visual analog scale (VAS). Post-surgical
      complications were assessed clinically at 1 week, 2 weeks, and 1 month post
      surgery. Recession dimensions were examined at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. RESULTS:
      At 1 year, an average of 67% root coverage was achieved. The amount of recession
      coverage achieved was stable from 3 months. The results were maintained at 1
      year. There were no post-surgical complications. All VAS parameters decreased to
      almost zero by day 14. From day 1, bleeding and pain decreased over time.
      However, there were peaks on days 2 and 3 for swelling and bruising,
      respectively, followed by a subsequent decrease. CONCLUSIONS: The use of
      Mucograft for recession coverage is effective and safe, with low morbidity and no
      post-surgical complications. Recession coverage achieved at 3 months remained
      stable in the 1-year follow-up period.

PMID- 26283183
TI  - Local sequence assembly reveals a high-resolution profile of somatic structural
      variations in 97 cancer genomes.
AB  - Genomic structural variations (SVs) are pervasive in many types of cancers.
      Characterizing their underlying mechanisms and potential molecular consequences
      is crucial for understanding the basic biology of tumorigenesis. Here, we
      engineered a local assembly-based algorithm (laSV) that detects SVs with high
      accuracy from paired-end high-throughput genomic sequencing data and pinpoints
      their breakpoints at single base-pair resolution. By applying laSV to 97 tumor
      normal paired genomic sequencing datasets across six cancer types produced by The
      Cancer Genome Atlas Research Network, we discovered that non-allelic homologous
      recombination is the primary mechanism for generating somatic SVs in acute
      myeloid leukemia. This finding contrasts with results for the other five types of
      solid tumors, in which non-homologous end joining and microhomology end joining
      are the predominant mechanisms. We also found that the genes recursively mutated
      by single nucleotide alterations differed from the genes recursively mutated by
      SVs, suggesting that these two types of genetic alterations play different roles
      during cancer progression. We further characterized how the gene structures of
      the oncogene JAK1 and the tumor suppressors KDM6A and RB1 are affected by somatic
      SVs and discussed the potential functional implications of intergenic SVs. 

PMID- 26283185
TI  - Management of Acute Respiratory Failure in Patients With Hematological
      Malignancy.
AB  - Acute respiratory failure (ARF) is the leading cause of intensive care unit
      admission in patients with hematologic malignancies and is associated with a high
      mortality. The main causes of ARF are bacterial and opportunistic pulmonary
      infections and noninfectious lung disorders. Management consists of a systematic
      clinical evaluation aimed at identifying the most likely cause, which in turn
      determines the best first-line empirical treatments. The need for mechanical
      ventilation is a major determinant of prognosis. Beneficial outcomes have been
      demonstrated with early use of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) in selected patients
      with hematologic malignancies. However, most of these studies did not control the
      time between onset of ARF to NIV implementation nor accounted for the etiology of
      ARF or the presence of associated organ dysfunction at the time of NIV
      initiation. Moreover, the benefits demonstrated with NIV in these patients were
      derived from studies with high mortality rates of intubated patients. Additional
      studies are therefore warranted to determine the appropriate patients with
      hematologic malignancy and ARF who may benefit from prophylactic or curative NIV.

PMID- 26283186
TI  - Integrating immune mechanisms to model nematode worm burden: an example in sheep.
AB  - Gastrointestinal nematodes represent important sources of economic losses in
      farmed ruminants, and the increasing frequency of anthelmintic resistance
      requires an increased ability to explore alternative strategies. Theoretical
      approaches at the crossroads of immunology and epidemiology are valuable tools in
      that context. In the case of Teladorsagia circumcincta in sheep, the
      immunological mechanisms important for resistance are increasingly well
      characterized. However, despite the existence of a wide range of theoretical
      models, there is no framework integrating the characteristic features of this
      immune response into a tractable phenomenological model. Here, we propose to
      bridge that gap by developing a flexible modelling framework that allows for
      variability in nematode larval intake which can be used to track the variations
      in worm burdens. We parameterize this model using data from trickle infection of
      sheep and show that using simple immunological assumptions, our model can capture
      the dynamics of both adult worm burdens and nematode fecal egg counts. In
      addition, our analysis reveals interesting dose-dependent effects on the immune
      response. Finally, we discuss potential developments of this model and highlight
      how an improved cross-talk between empiricists and theoreticians would facilitate
      important advances in the study of infectious diseases.

PMID- 26283188
TI  - Distributed curvature and stability of fullerenes.
AB  - Energies of non-planar conjugated pi systems are typically described
      qualitatively in terms of the balance of pi stabilisation and the steric strain
      associated with geometric curvature. Curvature also has a purely graph
      theoretical description: combinatorial curvature at a vertex of a polyhedral
      graph is defined as one minus half the vertex degree plus the sum of reciprocal
      sizes of the faces meeting at that vertex. Prisms and antiprisms have positive
      combinatorial vertex curvature at every vertex. Excluding these two infinite
      families, we call any other polyhedron with everywhere positive combinatorial
      curvature a PCC polyhedron. Cubic PCC polyhedra are initially common, but must
      eventually die out with increasing vertex count; the largest example constructed
      so far has 132 vertices. The fullerenes Cn have cubic polyhedral molecular graphs
      with n vertices, 12 pentagonal and (n/2 - 10) hexagonal faces. We show that there
      are exactly 39 PCC fullerenes, all in the range 20 <=n<= 60. In this range, there
      is only partial correlation between PCC status and stability as defined by
      minimum pentagon adjacency. The sum of vertex curvatures is 2 for any polyhedron;
      for fullerenes the sum of squared vertex curvatures is linearly related to the
      number of pentagon adjacencies and hence is a direct measure of relative
      stability of the lower (n<= 60) fullerenes. For n>= 62, non-PCC fullerenes with a
      minimum number of pentagon adjacencies minimise mean-square curvature. For n>=
      70, minimum mean-square curvature implies isolation of pentagons, which is the
      strongest indicator of stability for a bare fullerene. 

PMID- 26283187
TI  - Psychosocial Adaptation to Disability Within the Context of Positive Psychology:
      Findings from the Literature.
AB  - PURPOSE: This purpose of this article is to review of the trends of research that
      examined positive psychology constructs in the context of adapting to chronic
      illness and disability (CID). This article examines the empirical findings on the
      relationships between six selected positive psychology-associated constructs
      (optimism, hope, resilience, benefit-finding, meaning-making, and post-traumatic
      growth) and adaptation to disability. METHODS: Six positive psychology constructs
      were selected to represent the trends found in recent literature published on
      CID. The process of choosing these six variables included reviewing chapters on
      positive psychology and CID, reviewing the top rehabilitation journals that
      typically publish articles on psychosocial adaptation to CID, using search
      engines to find relevant journal articles published since the year 2000, and
      selecting the most important constructs based on the authors' professional
      judgment. CONCLUSION: The available evidence supports the unique benefits of
      these six positive psychology constructs in predicting successful adaptation to a
      range of disabling conditions. Based on the available findings, the authors offer
      four suggestions for occupational rehabilitation researchers.

PMID- 26283191
TI  - Determination of Flower Constancy in Bombus atratus Franklin and Bombus
      bellicosus Smith (Hymenoptera: Apidae) through Palynological Analysis of Nectar
      and Corbicular Pollen Loads.
AB  - The flower constancy (the visit to a single plant species during a foraging trip)
      in pollinator insects is a theme widely discussed in behavioral ecology and has
      an important implication in the evolution of angiosperms. This behavior was
      studied in the bumblebees Bombus atratus Franklin and Bombus bellicosus Smith
      through palynological analysis of the nectar and pollen loads of individuals
      captured while foraging in a restricted area. In both species, there were more
      individuals with constant flights than with non-constant ones, although in the
      nectar loads of B. atratus there were no significant differences between
      individuals with each flight types. It was verified that the nectar loads of the
      individuals that made either constant or non-constant flights did not differ in
      the number of pollen grains they contained. Considering this measurement as an
      estimate for flight duration, the results would indicate that the probability of
      changing between plant species during nectar collection is independent of the
      foraging trip duration. In both species, most individuals who collected nectar
      and/or pollen from more than one plant species visited just two plant species. In
      these cases, the pollen of one plant species was predominant. In the bumblebees
      in which it was possible to analyze nectar and pollen loads, the botanical origin
      of both resources was the same or they shared the principal species (with the
      exception of two individuals), showing that bumblebees do not often use a
      botanical source in an exclusive way to collect nectar and another to collect
      pollen. 

PMID- 26283189
TI  - Relating off-premises alcohol outlet density to intentional and unintentional
      injuries.
AB  - AIMS: This study investigated the hypotheses that (i) intentional and
      unintentional injuries occur more frequently in areas with greater density of off
      premises alcohol outlets; and (ii) larger and chain outlets selling cheaper
      alcohol contribute more substantially to injury risk than smaller and independent
      outlets. DESIGN: Ecological cross-sectional. SETTING: From the 256 Statistical
      Area level 2 (SA2) census units in Melbourne, Australia, we selected a random
      sample of 62 units. There were 2119 Statistical Area level 1 (SA1) units nested
      within the selected SA2 units. PARTICIPANTS: The selected units contained 295 off
      premises outlets. MEASUREMENTS: Two independent observers conducted premises
      assessments in all off-premises outlets, assessing the volume of alcohol
      available for sale (paces of shelf space), price (least wine price) and other
      operating characteristics (chain versus independent, drive-through). Outlet
      counts, assessed outlet characteristics and other area characteristics
      (population density, median age, median income, retail zoning) were aggregated
      within SA1 units. Dependent variables were counts of ambulance attended
      intentional injuries (assaults, stabbings, shootings) and unintentional injuries
      (falls, crush injuries and object strikes). FINDINGS: In univariable analyses,
      chain outlets were larger (r = 0.383; P < 0.001) and sold cheaper alcohol (r = 
      0.484; P < 0.001) compared with independent outlets. In Bayesian spatial Poisson
      models, off-premises outlet density was positively related to both intentional
      [incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 1.38; 95% credible interval (CI) = 1.19, 1.60] and
      unintentional injuries (IRR = 1.18; 95% CI = 1.06, 1.30). After disaggregation by
      outlet characteristics, chain outlet density was also related to both intentional
      (IRR = 1.35; 95% CI = 1.11, 1.64) and unintentional injuries (IRR = 1.20; 95% CI
      = 1.08, 1.38). CONCLUSIONS: Greater off-premises outlet density is related to
      greater incidence of traumatic injury, and chain outlets appear to contribute
      most substantially to traumatic injury risk.

PMID- 26283192
TI  - Association of osteolytic lesions, bone mineral loss and trabecular sclerosis
      with prevalent vertebral fractures in patients with multiple myeloma.
AB  - PURPOSE: In patients with multiple myeloma (MM), computed tomography is widely
      used for staging and to detect fractures. Detecting patients at severe fracture
      risk is of utmost importance. However the criteria for impaired stability of
      vertebral bodies are not yet clearly defined. We investigated the performance of
      parameters that can be detected by the radiologist for discrimination of patients
      with and without fractures. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We analyzed 128 whole body low
      dose CT of MM patients. In all scans a QCT calibration phantom was integrated
      into the positioning mat (Image Analysis Phantom((r))). A QCT-software
      (Structural Insight) performed the volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD)
      measurements. Description of fracture risk was provided from the clinical
      radiological report. Suspected progressive disease (PD) was reported by the
      referring clinicians. Two radiologists that were blinded to study outcome
      reported on the following parameters based on predefined criteria: reduced
      radiodensity in the massa lateralis of the os sacrum (RDS), trabecular thickening
      and sclerosis of three or more vertebrae (TTS), extraosseous MM manifestations
      (EOM), visible small osteolytic lesions up to a length of 8mm (SO) and osteolytic
      lesions larger than 8mm (LO). Prevalent vertebral fractures (PVF) were defined by
      Genant criteria. Age-adjusted standardized odds ratios (sOR) per standard
      deviation change were derived from logistic regression analysis and area under
      the curve (AUC) from receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analyses were
      calculated. ROC curves were compared using the DeLong method. RESULTS: 45% of the
      128 patients showed PVF (29 of 75 men, 24 of 53 women). Patients with PVF were
      not significantly older than patients without fractures (64.6 +/- 9.2 vs. 63.3 +/
      12.3 years: mean +/- SD, p=0.5). The prevalence of each parameter did not differ
      significantly by sex. Significant fracture discrimination for age adjusted single
      models was provided by the parameters vBMD (OR 3.5 [1.4-8.8], AUC=0.64 +/- 0.14),
      SO (sOR 1.6[1.1-2.2], AUC=0.63 +/- 0.05), LO (sOR 2.1[1.1-4.2] AUC=0.69 +/- 0.05)
      and RDS (sOR 2.6[1.6-4.7], AUC=0.69 +/- 0.05). Multivariate models of these four
      parameters showed a significantly stronger association with the development of
      PVF (AUC=0.80 +/- 0.04) than single variables. TTS showed a significant
      association with PVF in men(sOR 1.5 [0.8-3.0], AUC=0.63 +/- 0.08), but not in
      women (sOR 2.3[1.4-3.7], AUC=0.70 +/- 0.07). PD was significantly associated with
      PVF in women (sOR 1.9[1.1-3.6], AUC=0.67 +/- 0.08) but not in men (sOR 1.4[0.9
      2.3], AUC=0.57 +/- .07). EOM were not associated with PVF (sOR 1.0[0.4-2.6],
      AUC=0.51 +/- .05). CONCLUSION: In multiple myeloma, focal skeletal changes in low
      dose CT scans show a significant association with prevalent vertebral fractures.
      The combination of large osteolytic lesions and loss in radiodensity as can be
      detected with simple CT Hounsfield measurements of the os sacrum or BMD
      measurements showed the strongest association to fractures and may be of value
      for prospective studies.

PMID- 26283193
TI  - Endometriosis: Does the menstrual cycle affect magnetic resonance (MR) imaging
      evaluation?
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine if the menstrual cycle affects MR interpretation in
      patients with pelvic endometriosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-one patients
      with either laparoscopically proven endometriosis, or a high clinical suspicion
      of deep infiltrative endometriosis, were prospectively recruited from May 2008 to
      October 2009 and January to June 2012. Two pelvic MR scans were performed for pre
      operative planning; during menses and the other mid-cycle. Two experienced
      radiologists independently assessed image quality and disease extent. Both were
      blinded to patient identity, previous imaging and menstrual status. Interobserver
      agreement was assessed using the Kappa (k) test. Descriptive statistics were
      prepared using chi-squared (or Fishers' exact) tests and Mann-Whitney (rank sum)
      tests to assess for significant differences between menstrual and non-menstrual
      imaging. RESULTS: Interobserver agreement for image quality was moderate for T2
      weighted imaging (k=0.475, p-value <0.001) and substantial for T1 fat saturated
      imaging (k=0.733, p-value<0.001), with no significant difference in image quality
      between menstrual and non-menstrual scans (all p-values>0.255). Readers
      demonstrated at least moderate interobserver agreement for certainty level of
      endometriosis at site-specific locations, with median k 0.599 (IQR 0.488-0.807).
      No significant difference in disease extent was observed between menstruating and
      non-menstruating scans (all p-values>0.05). CONCLUSION: Findings suggest no
      significant differences in image quality, disease extent or disease severity
      between menstruating and non-menstruating MR; thus, timing of pelvic MR for
      assessment of endometriosis need not be influenced by the menstrual cycle.

PMID- 26283194
TI  - Assessment of urinary kidney injury molecule-1 and interleukin-18 in the early
      post-burn period to predict acute kidney injury for various degrees of burn
      injury.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Burn patients with AKI have a higher mortality, rapid diagnosis and
      early treatment of AKI are necessary. Recent studies have demonstrated that
      urinary KIM-1 and IL-18 are potential biomarkers of early-stage AKI, however,
      changes in urinary KIM-1 and IL-18 levels are unclear in patients with burns. The
      aim of our study was to determine whether combined KIM-1 and IL-18 are more
      sensitive than traditional markers in detecting kidney injury in patients with
      burns. METHODS: Ninety-five burn patients hospitalized at the Burns and Plastic
      Surgery Center of our hospital from April 2013 to September 2013 were enrolled
      into this prospective study and divided into mild- (n = 37), moderate- (n = 30)
      and severe-burn groups (n = 28) by burn injury surface area. In the moderate- and
      severe-burn groups, patients were subcategorized to either the acute kidney
      injury (AKI) group, in which serum creatinine (Scr) increased to >= 26.5 MUmol/L
      within 48 h, or the non-AKI group. Fifteen healthy subjects were selected as a
      control group. Blood specimens were collected to determine blood urea nitrogen
      (BUN), Scr, and other biochemical indicators. Urine samples collected at
      admission and 48 h after admission were analyzed for KIM-1 and IL-18.
      Correlations among urinary KIM-1 and IL-18, burn degree, and clinical biochemical
      indicators were investigated. RESULTS: AKI occurred in 11.2 % of burn patients
      (none in the mild-burn group). AKI developed 48 h after admission in 10.0 % of
      the moderate- and 28.6 % of the severe-burn groups. Urinary KIM-1 concentration
      in the moderate- and severe-burn groups was significantly higher than that in the
      control group; urinary IL-18 concentrations did not differ significantly among
      the burn and control groups. The AKI group had significantly higher
      concentrations of urinary KIM-1 and IL-18 than the non-AKI group, both at
      admission (p = 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively) and 48 h later (p = 0.001 and p
      < 0.001, respectively). Both urinary KIM-1 and IL-18 increased before Scr.
      Receiver operating-curve (ROC) analysis demonstrated that KIM-1 combined with IL
      18 predicted AKI with 72.7 % sensitivity and 92.8 % specificity. The area under
      the ROC curve was 0.904. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that urinary KIM-1 and
      IL-18 may be used as early, sensitive indicators of AKI in patients with burns of
      varying degrees and provide clinical clues that can be used in early prevention
      of AKI.

PMID- 26283195
TI  - Preparation and Evaluation of Diclofenac Sodium Tablet Coated with
      Polyelectrolyte Multilayer Film Using Hypromellose Acetate Succinate and
      Polymethacrylates for pH-Dependent, Modified Release Drug Delivery.
AB  - Polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) film formed due to the electrostatic interaction
      between oppositely charged polyelectrolytes is of considerable interest because
      of their potential applications as both drug carriers and surface-modifying
      agents. In this study, in vitro studies were carried out on polyelectrolyte
      complexes formulated with Eudragit E (EE) and hypromellose acetate succinate
      (HPMCAS). The complexes of EE and HPMCAS were formulated by non-stoichiometric
      method. The prepared IPCs were investigated using Fourier transform infrared
      spectroscopy. Diclofenac sodium (DS) tablets were prepared and were coated with
      polymer solution of HPMCAS and EE to achieve pH-dependent and sustained-release
      tablets. Tablets were evaluated for their physical characteristics and in vitro
      drug release. The results of pharmacokinetic studies in rabbits showed that the
      selected formulation (F6) exhibited a delayed peak plasma concentration and
      marked sustained-release effect of drug in the in vivo drug release in comparison
      with marketed tablet. The suitable combination of PEM film based on EE and HPMCAS
      demonstrated potential candidate for targeted release of DS in the lower part of
      the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. 

PMID- 26283196
TI  - Assessing Mixing Quality of a Copovidone-TPGS Hot Melt Extrusion Process with
      Atomic Force Microscopy and Differential Scanning Calorimetry.
AB  - Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and modulated differential scanning calorimetry
      (mDSC) were used to evaluate the extent of mixing of a hot melt extrusion process
      for producing solid dispersions of copovidone and D-alpha-tocopherol polyethylene
      glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS 1000). In addition to composition, extrusion process
      parameters of screw speed and thermal quench rate were varied. The data indicated
      that for 10% TPGS and 300 rpm screw speed, the mixing was insufficient to yield a
      single-phase amorphous material. AFM images of the extrudate cross section for
      air-cooled material indicate round domains 200 to 700 nm in diameter without any
      observed alignment resulting from the extrusion whereas domains in extrudate
      subjected to chilled rolls were elliptical in shape with uniform orientation.
      Thermal analysis indicated that the domains were predominantly semi-crystalline
      TPGS. For 10% TPGS and 600 rpm screw speed, AFM and mDSC data were consistent
      with that of a single-phase amorphous material for both thermal quench rates
      examined. When the TPGS concentration was reduced to 5%, a single-phase amorphous
      material was achieved for all conditions even the slowest screw speed studied
      (150 rpm). 

PMID- 26283197
TI  - Conjugation of Hot-Melt Extrusion with High-Pressure Homogenization: a Novel
      Method of Continuously Preparing Nanocrystal Solid Dispersions.
AB  - Over the past few decades, nanocrystal formulations have evolved as promising
      drug delivery systems owing to their ability to enhance the bioavailability and
      maintain the stability of poorly water-soluble drugs. However, conventional
      methods of preparing nanocrystal formulations, such as spray drying and freeze
      drying, have some drawbacks including high cost, time and energy inefficiency,
      traces of residual solvent, and difficulties in continuous operation. Therefore,
      new techniques for the production of nanocrystal formulations are necessary. The
      main objective of this study was to introduce a new technique for the production
      of nanocrystal solid dispersions (NCSDs) by combining high-pressure
      homogenization (HPH) and hot-melt extrusion (HME). Efavirenz (EFZ), a
      Biopharmaceutics Classification System class II drug, which is used for the
      treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type I, was selected as the model
      drug for this study. A nanosuspension (NS) was first prepared by HPH using sodium
      lauryl sulfate (SLS) and Kollidon(r) 30 as a stabilizer system. The NS was then
      mixed with Soluplus(r) in the extruder barrel, and the water was removed by
      evaporation. The decreased particle size and crystalline state of EFZ were
      confirmed by scanning electron microscopy, zeta particle size analysis, and
      differential scanning calorimetry. The increased dissolution rate was also
      determined. EFZ NCSD was found to be highly stable after storage for 6 months. In
      summary, the conjugation of HPH with HME technology was demonstrated to be a
      promising novel method for the production of NCSDs. 

PMID- 26283198
TI  - Lidocaine Transdermal Patch: Pharmacokinetic Modeling and In Vitro-In Vivo
      Correlation (IVIVC).
AB  - The present study aims to develop the correlation between in vitro and in vivo
      skin permeation of lidocaine in its transdermal patch. In order to minimize the
      run-to-run variability during in vitro skin permeation studies, release
      normalized cumulative percent (%Ct n) was calculated. A suitable polynomial
      mathematical model was used to establish a correlation between time and %Ct n.
      Percent in vivo absorbed was calculated by using numerical deconvolution (NDC)
      and non-compartmental analysis (NCA) methods. Pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters
      such as AUC last and C max were predicted with the established in vitro-in vivo
      correlation (IVIVC) models. The minimum prediction errors in NDC method for C max
      were found to be -30.9 and -25.4% for studies I (in vivo study in human
      volunteers with one batch of Lidoderm patch; internal validation) and II (in vivo
      study in human volunteers with another batch of Lidoderm patch; external
      validation), respectively, whereas minimum prediction errors in NCA method were
      relatively low (3.9 and 0.03% for studies I and II, respectively) compared to
      those in NDC method. The prediction errors for AUC last were found to be less
      than 2% for both methods and studies. The established method in this study could
      be a potential approach for predicting the bioavailability and/or bioequivalence
      for transdermal drug delivery systems. 

PMID- 26283199
TI  - Constitutive and ghrelin-dependent GHSR1a activation impairs CaV2.1 and CaV2.2
      currents in hypothalamic neurons.
AB  - The growth hormone secretagogue receptor type 1a (GHSR1a) has the highest known
      constitutive activity of any G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR). GHSR1a mediates
      the action of the hormone ghrelin, and its activation increases transcriptional
      and electrical activity in hypothalamic neurons. Although GHSR1a is present at
      GABAergic presynaptic terminals, its effect on neurotransmitter release remains
      unclear. The activities of the voltage-gated calcium channels, CaV2.1 and CaV2.2,
      which mediate neurotransmitter release at presynaptic terminals, are modulated by
      many GPCRs. Here, we show that both constitutive and agonist-dependent GHSR1a
      activity elicit a strong impairment of CaV2.1 and CaV2.2 currents in rat and
      mouse hypothalamic neurons and in a heterologous expression system. Constitutive
      GHSR1a activity reduces CaV2 currents by a Gi/o-dependent mechanism that involves
      persistent reduction in channel density at the plasma membrane, whereas ghrelin
      dependent GHSR1a inhibition is reversible and involves altered CaV2 gating via a
      Gq-dependent pathway. Thus, GHSR1a differentially inhibits CaV2 channels by Gi/o
      or Gq protein pathways depending on its mode of activation. Moreover, we present
      evidence suggesting that GHSR1a-mediated inhibition of CaV2 attenuates GABA
      release in hypothalamic neurons, a mechanism that could contribute to neuronal
      activation through the disinhibition of postsynaptic neurons. 

PMID- 26283200
TI  - Structural implications of weak Ca2+ block in Drosophila cyclic nucleotide-gated
      channels.
AB  - Calcium permeability and the concomitant calcium block of monovalent ion current
      ("Ca(2+) block") are properties of cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channel
      fundamental to visual and olfactory signal transduction. Although most CNG
      channels bear a conserved glutamate residue crucial for Ca(2+) block, the degree
      of block displayed by different CNG channels varies greatly. For instance, the
      Drosophila melanogaster CNG channel shows only weak Ca(2+) block despite the
      presence of this glutamate. We previously constructed a series of chimeric
      channels in which we replaced the selectivity filter of the bacterial
      nonselective cation channel NaK with a set of CNG channel filter sequences and
      determined that the resulting NaK2CNG chimeras displayed the ion selectivity and
      Ca(2+) block properties of the parent CNG channels. Here, we used the same
      strategy to determine the structural basis of the weak Ca(2+) block observed in
      the Drosophila CNG channel. The selectivity filter of the Drosophila CNG channel
      is similar to that of most other CNG channels except that it has a threonine at
      residue 318 instead of a proline. We constructed a NaK chimera, which we called
      NaK2CNG-Dm, which contained the Drosophila selectivity filter sequence. The high
      resolution structure of NaK2CNG-Dm revealed a filter structure different from
      those of NaK and all other previously investigated NaK2CNG chimeric channels.
      Consistent with this structural difference, functional studies of the NaK2CNG-Dm
      chimeric channel demonstrated a loss of Ca(2+) block compared with other NaK2CNG
      chimeras. Moreover, mutating the corresponding threonine (T318) to proline in
      Drosophila CNG channels increased Ca(2+) block by 16 times. These results imply
      that a simple replacement of a threonine for a proline in Drosophila CNG channels
      has likely given rise to a distinct selectivity filter conformation that results
      in weak Ca(2+) block. 

PMID- 26283201
TI  - All roads lead to presynaptic calcium channel inhibition by the ghrelin receptor:
      Separate agonist-dependent and -independent signaling pathways.

PMID- 26283204
TI  - Outcomes of a proficiency-based skills curriculum at the beginning of the fourth
      year for senior medical students entering surgery.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: We hypothesized that a proficiency-based curriculum administered
      early in the fourth year to senior medical students (MS4) would achieve outcomes
      comparable to a similar program administered during surgical internship. METHODS:
      MS4 (n = 18) entering any surgical specialty enrolled in a proficiency-based
      skills curriculum at the beginning of the fourth year that included suturing/knot
      tying, on-call problems, laparoscopic, and other skills (urinary catheter,
      sterile prep/drape, IV placement, informed consent, electrosurgical use).
      Assessment was at 4-12 weeks after training by a modified Objective Structured
      Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS). Suturing and knot tying tasks were
      assessed by time and OSATS technical proficiency (TP) scores (1 [novice], 3
      [proficient], 5 [expert]). Outcomes were compared with PGY-1 residents who
      received similar training at the beginning of internship and assessment 4-12
      weeks later. Data are presented as mean values +/- standard deviation;
      statistical significance was assessed by Student's t test. RESULTS: Fifteen of 18
      MS4 (83%) reached proficiency on all 15 tasks, and 2 others were proficient on
      all but 1 laparoscopic task. Compared with PGY-1s, MS4 were significantly faster
      for 3 of 5 suturing and tying tasks and total task time (547 +/- 63 vs 637 +/-
      127 s; P < .05). Mean TP scores were similar for both groups (MS4, 3.4 +/- 0.5 vs
      PGY-1, 3.1 +/- .57; P = NS). MS4 OSATS scores were higher for IV placement,
      informed consent, and urinary catheter placement, but lower for prep and drape
      and for management of on-call problems. CONCLUSION: MS4 who participate in a
      proficiency-based curriculum taught early in the fourth year are able to meet
      proficiency targets in a high percentage of cases. This approach should better
      prepare MS4 for surgical internship.

PMID- 26283205
TI  - Fine-needle aspiration cytology in the evaluation of patients with
      radiographically occult, palpable breast abnormalities.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients who present with occult, palpable breast abnormalities on
      radiographs represent a diagnostic challenge. We hypothesized that fine-needle
      aspiration cytology (FNAC) would be an accurate method for diagnosing and
      excluding malignancy in these patients. METHODS: The records of all patients
      undergoing FNAC at our institution between 2010 and 2012 were queried; 173
      patients with 175 palpable breast masses without an imaging correlate were
      included. RESULTS: Of 175 FNAC performed, 2 (1%) were malignant, 16 (9%) were
      suspicious, and 157 (90%) were benign (n = 75) or nondiagnostic (n = 82). All 16
      suspicious FNAC underwent an additional biopsy, of which 4 were malignant. FNAC
      led to the identification of 6 (3.4%) occult malignancies. At a median follow-up
      of 16.3 months, 1 patient within the benign cohort was found to have an
      incidental 2.5 mm cancer identified on reduction mammaplasty, which was unrelated
      to the index mass. The negative predictive value of FNAC in benign patients was
      100%. CONCLUSION: FNAC detected malignancy in a small but significant percentage
      of patients with a palpable mass and negative breast imaging while excluding
      carcinoma in the remaining patients. FNAC may be included in the evaluation of
      patients with occult, palpable breast masses demonstrated on radiography.

PMID- 26283208
TI  - Trauma centers with higher rates of angiography have a lesser incidence of
      splenectomy in the management of blunt splenic injury.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nonoperative management (NOM) for blunt splenic injury (BSI) is well
      established. Angiography (ANGIO) has been shown to improve success rates with
      NOM. Protocols for NOM are not standardized and vary widely between centers. We
      hypothesized that trauma centers that performed ANGIO at a greater rate would
      demonstrate decreased rates of splenectomy compared with trauma centers that used
      ANGIO less frequently. METHODS: A large, multicenter, statewide database
      (Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation) from 2007 to 2011 was used to generate
      the study cohort of patients with BSI (age >= 13). The cohort was divided into 2
      populations based on admission to centers with high (>=13%) or low (<13%) rates
      of ANGIO. Patient demographics, grade of BSI, Injury Severity Score, level of
      trauma center designation, and patient volume were analyzed. Splenectomy rates
      were then compared between the 2 groups, and multivariable logistic regression
      for predictors of splenectomy (failed NOM) were also performed. RESULTS: The
      overall rate of splenectomy in the entire cohort was 21.0% (1,120 of 5,333 BSI
      patients). The high ANGIO group had a lesser rate of splenectoy compared with the
      low ANGIO group (19% vs 24%; P < .001). Treatment at high ANGIO centers was
      negatively associated with splenectomy compared with low ANGIO centers (odds
      ratio, 0.68; 95% CI 0.58-0.80; P < .001); this association was independent of the
      number of BSI admissions or level of trauma center designation. CONCLUSION:
      Treatment of BSI at trauma centers that performed ANGIO more frequently resulted
      in lesser splenectomy rates compared with centers with lesser rate of ANGIO.
      Inclusion of angiographic protocols for NOM of BSI should be considered strongly.

PMID- 26283207
TI  - Resveratrol decreases nitric oxide production by hepatocytes during inflammation.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The production of excessive amounts of nitric oxide (NO) through
      inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) contributes to organ injury, inflammation,
      and mortality after shock. Resveratrol (RSV) is a natural polyphenol that
      decreases shock-induced hepatic injury and inflammation. We hypothesized that RSV
      would mediate these effects by decreasing hepatocyte iNOS production. METHODS:
      Rat hepatocytes were isolated, cultured with varying concentrations of RSV, and
      then stimulated to induce iNOS with interleukin-1 and interferon. Induction of
      iNOS protein was measured by Western blot, iNOS mRNA by polymerase chain
      reaction, and NO production was measured by culture supernatant nitrite.
      Activation of intracellular signaling pathways involving Akt, c-Jun N-terminal
      kinase (JNK), and nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) were measured by Western blot
      using isoform-specific antibodies. RESULTS: RSV decreased the expression of iNOS
      mRNA, protein, and supernatant nitrite in a dose-dependent manner. Our previous
      work demonstrated that Akt and JNK both inhibit hepatic iNOS production, whereas
      NF-kappaB increases iNOS expression. Analysis of signaling pathways in this study
      demonstrated that RSV increased JNK phosphorylation but decreased Akt
      phosphorylation and increased NF-kappaB activation. CONCLUSION: RSV decreases
      cytokine-induced hepatocyte iNOS expression, possibly through up-regulation of
      the JNK signaling pathway. RSV merits further investigation to determine its
      mechanism as a compound that can decrease inflammation after shock.

PMID- 26283210
TI  - CARD8 gene variant is a risk factor for recurrent surgery in patients with
      Crohn's disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Post-operative recurrence is frequent in Crohn's disease.
      Genetic factors associated with post-operative recurrence remain poorly
      understood. Identification of genetic variants associated with repeat surgery
      would allow risk stratification of patients who may benefit from early aggressive
      therapy and/or post-operative prophylactic treatment. METHODS: Crohn's disease
      patients who had at least one bowel resection were retrospectively identified
      from the "Nancy IBD cohort". Covariates and potential interactions were assessed
      using the Cox proportional hazard model. Kaplan-Meier curves for time to surgical
      recurrence were developed for 200 genetic variants and analyzed with the log-rank
      test. RESULTS: 137 patients had at least 1 resection in our cohort: 38 had a
      surgical recurrence (28%). In multivariate analysis, current smoker status (OR
      6.97, 95% CI 1.85-26.22, p=0.004), post-operative complications after prior
      surgery (OR 2.72, 95% CI 1.02-7.22, p=0.044), and Caspase recruitment domain
      containing protein 8 (CARD8) homozygosity for the risk allele (OR 7.56, 95% CI
      1.13-50.37, p=0.036) remained significantly and independently associated with
      surgical recurrence. CONCLUSION: Current smoker status was associated with
      increased risk of surgical recurrence. A novel association between CARD8 and
      increased risk of surgical recurrence in Crohn's disease was observed. CARD8
      could be a new marker for risk stratification and prevention of recurrent
      surgery.

PMID- 26283211
TI  - Quality of life in children with celiac disease: A paediatric cross-sectional
      study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Few studies investigated factors influencing the quality of life of
      children with celiac disease on a gluten-free diet. AIMS: To investigate the
      impact of the gluten-free diet on the psycho-physical well-being of celiac
      children. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we interviewed 76 celiac and
      143 non-celiac children (2-18 years) by using a non-disease specific
      questionnaire (Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Test) and we explored the
      impact of the diet on social life with an open-ended questionnaire. Scores were
      compared by Wilcoxon rank-sum test. A quantile regression analysis was used to
      evaluate the impact of celiac disease on score distribution. RESULTS: No
      significant differences in quality of life were found between the two groups
      (total score: 84.1 (81.1-87.2) vs 81.5 (79.7-83.4), median (95% CI), patients and
      controls respectively, p=0.4). Treatment positively affected quality of life in
      children that showed "intermediate" scores in the Pediatric Quality of Life
      Inventory Test. Lowest scores were observed in children reporting a higher number
      of diet difficulties or co-morbidities. CONCLUSIONS: Although celiac patients
      showed an overall good quality of life in comparison with a control group, by
      using appropriate analytical methods we elicited specific factors contributing to
      a lower quality of life in patients, such as co-morbidities and difficulties with
      the diet.

PMID- 26283212
TI  - Cannabidiol, a Cannabis sativa constituent, inhibits cocaine-induced seizures in
      mice: Possible role of the mTOR pathway and reduction in glutamate release.
AB  - Cannabidiol (CBD), a major non-psychotomimetic constituent of Cannabis sativa,
      has therapeutic potential for certain psychiatric and neurological disorders.
      Studies in laboratory animals and limited human trials indicate that CBD has
      anticonvulsant and neuroprotective properties. Its effects against cocaine
      neurotoxicity, however, have remained unclear. Thus, the present study tested the
      hypothesis that CBD protects against cocaine-induced seizures and investigated
      the underlying mechanisms. CBD (30 mg/kg) pre-treatment increased the latency and
      reduced the duration of cocaine (75 mg/kg)-induced seizures in mice. The CB1
      receptor antagonist, AM251 (1 and 3mg/kg), and the CB2 receptor antagonist, AM630
      (2 and 4 mg/kg), failed to reverse this protective effect, suggesting that
      alternative mechanisms are involved. Synaptosome studies with the hippocampus of
      drug-treated animals revealed that cocaine increases glutamate release, whereas
      CBD induces the opposite effect. Finally, the protective effect of this
      cannabinoid against cocaine-induced seizure was reversed by rapamycin (1 and
      5mg/kg), an inhibitor of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) intracellular
      pathway. In conclusion, CBD protects against seizures in a model of cocaine
      intoxication. These effects possibly occur through activation of mTOR with
      subsequent reduction in glutamate release. CBD should be further investigated as
      a strategy for alleviating psychostimulant toxicity.

PMID- 26283214
TI  - Melatonin attenuates methamphetamine-induced neuroinflammation through the
      melatonin receptor in the SH-SY5Y cell line.
AB  - Methamphetamine is a well-known psychostimulant drug, the abuse of which is a
      serious worldwide public health issue. In addition to its addictive effect,
      methamphetamine exposure has been shown to be associated with neuroinflammation
      in several brain areas. Several lines of evidence indicate that TNFalpha plays an
      important role in the methamphetamine-induced neuroinflammatory processes that
      result in apoptotic cell death. Many investigators have demonstrated the anti
      neuroinflammatory effects of melatonin, but the mechanism by which this occurs
      still needs to be explored. In this study, we investigated the effect of
      methamphetamine on TNFalpha expression and NFkappaB activation in the
      neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y. We demonstrated the time-dependent effect of
      methamphetamine on the induction of TNFalpha expression as well as IkappaB
      degradation and NFkappaB nuclear translocation. Furthermore, we investigated the
      effect of melatonin on methamphetamine-induced TNFalpha overexpression and
      NFkappaB activation. The results showed that pretreatment with 100nM melatonin
      could prevent the TNFalpha overexpression caused by methamphetamine exposure.
      This attenuating effect was prevented by pre-incubation with luzindole, an
      antagonist of the melatonin MT1/MT2 receptors. Furthermore, methamphetamine
      induced IkappaB degradation and NFkappaB nuclear translocation were also
      suppressed by pretreatment with melatonin, and pretreatment with luzindole
      diminished these protective effects. MT2 knockdown by siRNA abrogated the anti
      inflammatory effect exerted by melatonin. From these findings, we propose that
      melatonin exerts its protective effects on methamphetamine-induced
      neuroinflammation through the membrane receptor, at least in part MT2 subtype, in
      the SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell line. 

PMID- 26283213
TI  - Characterization of binge-dosed methamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity and
      neuroinflammation.
AB  - Methamphetamine (MA) is a potent, highly addictive psychostimulant abused by
      millions of people worldwide. MA induces neurotoxicity, damaging striatal
      dopaminergic terminals, and neuroinflammation, with striatal glial activation
      leading to pro-inflammatory cytokine and reactive oxygen species production. It
      is unclear whether MA-induced neuroinflammation contributes to MA-induced
      neurotoxicity. In the current study, we examined the linkage between the time
      course and dose response of MA-induced neurotoxicity and neuroinflammation. Adult
      male mice underwent a binge dosing regimen of four injections given every 2h with
      doses of 2, 4, 6, or 8 mg/kg MA per injection, and were sacrificed after 1, 3, 7,
      or 14 days. Binge MA treatment dose-dependently caused hyperthermia and induced
      hypoactivity after one day, though activity returned to control levels within one
      week. Striatal dopamine (DA) was diminished one day after treatment with at least
      4 mg/kg MA, while DA turnover rates peaked after seven days. Although striatal
      tyrosine hydroxylase and DA transporter levels were also decreased one day after
      treatment with at least 4 mg/kg MA, they trended toward recovery by day 14. All
      doses of MA activated striatal glia within one day. While astrocyte activation
      persisted, microglial activation was attenuated over the two weeks of the study.
      These findings help clarify the relationship between MA-induced neuroinflammation
      and neurotoxicity, particularly regarding their temporal and dose-specific
      dynamics.

PMID- 26283215
TI  - A dual-FRET-based fluorescence probe for the sequential detection of MMP-2 and
      caspase-3.
AB  - A novel dual-FRET-based fluorescence probe was designed and synthesized for the
      sequential detection of MMP-2 and caspase-3. This probe can successfully monitor
      Dox- and UV-induced cell apoptosis signals in real time and in situ, which
      demonstrated its great potential for apoptosis-related drug screening and dynamic
      apoptosis imaging. 

PMID- 26283217
TI  - Enteral glutamine supplementation in critically ill patients: a systematic review
      and meta-analysis.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Glutamine (GLN) has been suggested to have a beneficial influence
      on outcomes of critically ill patients. However, recent large-scale trials have
      suggested harm associated with GLN supplementation. Recently, systematic reviews
      on the use of parenteral GLN have been published; however, less information is
      available on the role of enteral GLN. Therefore, the aim of this systematic
      review was to study the effects of enteral GLN supplementation in patients with
      critical illness. METHODS: We identified randomized controlled trials conducted
      from 1980 to 2014 with enterally administered GLN in adult critically ill
      patients. Studies of parenteral GLN only or combined enteral-parenteral GLN were
      excluded. The methodological quality of studies was scored, and trial data were
      statistically combined. We examined a priori the treatment effects in subgroups
      of trials of burn and trauma patients. RESULTS: A total of 11 studies involving
      1079 adult critically ill patients and enteral GLN supplementation were
      identified. Enteral GLN supplementation was not associated with a reduction of
      hospital mortality (risk ratio [RR] 0.94, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.65-1.36;
      p = 0.74), infectious complications (RR 0.93, 95% CI 0.79-1.10; p = 0.39) or stay
      in the intensive care unit (weighted mean difference [WMD] -1.36 days, 95% CI 
      5.51 to 2.78; p = 0.52). However, there was a significant reduction in hospital
      stay (WMD 4.73 days, 95% CI -8.53 to -0.90; p = 0.02). In the subset of studies
      of patients with burns, enteral GLN supplementation was associated with
      significant reductions in hospital mortality (RR 0.19, 95% 0.06-0.67; p = 0.010)
      and hospital stay (WMD -9.16, 95% CI -15.06 to -3.26; p = 0.002). There was no
      effect in trauma patients. CONCLUSIONS: Enteral GLN supplementation does not
      confer significant clinical benefit in critically ill patients, with the
      exception of reduced hospital stay. There may be a significant benefit in
      patients with burns, but data are sparse and larger randomized trials are
      warranted to confirm this effect.

PMID- 26283219
TI  - De Novo Heterogeneous Mutations in SCN2A and GRIN2A Genes and Seizures With Ictal
      Vocalizations.

PMID- 26283220
TI  - Persistent Vaginal Bleeding in a Six-Year-Old.

PMID- 26283218
TI  - Macular Star and Central Visual Loss: Two Pediatric Cases.

PMID- 26283221
TI  - Logging The BMJ's "patient journey".

PMID- 26283223
TI  - Perceptions of focused prenatal care among women attending two tertiary centers
      in Nigeria.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine women's perceptions and expectations of focused prenatal
      care visits. METHODS: The present questionnaire-based, cross-sectional survey was
      performed among pregnant women in their third trimester attending two tertiary
      health centers in southern Nigeria between January and March 2012. Obstetric
      data, histories, and information on preferences for prenatal visits were obtained
      using questionnaires. RESULTS: A total of 353 questionnaires were appropriately
      completed. Among 277 participants who stated a preference for the number of
      prenatal care visits, 241 (87.0%) reported a preference of more than four. Among
      203 parous women, 132 (65.0%) had no previous negative obstetric experience. Only
      previous stillbirth (odds ratio [OR] 2.67, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05
      6.77; P = 0.039) among multiparous women, and HIV/AIDS (OR 0.27, 95% CI 0.06
      1.17; P = 0.048) among all women were significantly associated with a preference
      for more prenatal visits. CONCLUSION: Previous negative obstetric experiences did
      not generally affect preference for prenatal visits. However, pregnant women
      expressed dissatisfaction with a reduced number of visits.

PMID- 26283224
TI  - Prevalence of and risk factors for bacterial vaginosis among women of
      reproductive age attending cervical screening in southeastern Brazil.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of and risk factors for bacterial
      vaginosis. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of women aged 14-54 years attending
      18 primary healthcare units in Botucatu, Brazil, for cervical screening was
      undertaken between September 1, 2012, and January 31, 2013. Data on
      sociodemographics, sexual behavior, and medical history were obtained by
      interview. Vaginal swabs were taken to classify the vaginal flora according to
      the Nugent scoring system. Candida sp. hyphae and infection by Trichomonas
      vaginalis were also evaluated by microscopy and culture, respectively. Stepwise
      logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors independently
      associated with bacterial vaginosis. RESULTS: Among 1519 women included in
      analyses, 457 (30.1%) had bacterial vaginosis. Variables independently associated
      with bacterial vaginosis were a single marital status (OR 1.4; 95%CI 1.1-1.8),
      partner infidelity (OR 1.5; 95%CI 1.2-1.9), abnormal discharge in the previous
      year (OR 1.5; 95%CI 1.2-2.0), and concurrent trichomoniasis (OR 4.1; 95%CI 1.5
      11.5). Current use of hormonal contraception (OR 0.7; 95%CI 0.5-0.9), luteal
      phase of menstrual cycle (OR 0.8; 95%CI 0.6-0.9), higher income (OR 0.8; 95%CI
      0.6-0.9), and vaginal candidiasis (OR 0.5; 95%CI 0.3-0.9) all had protective
      effects. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of bacterial vaginosis in the study
      population is high. The epidemiological data provide evidence of the sexual
      transmissibility of bacterial vaginosis.

PMID- 26283225
TI  - Validation of a novel tool for assessing newborn resuscitation skills among birth
      attendants trained by the Helping Babies Breathe program.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To validate a simplified objective structured clinical examination
      (OSCE) tool for evaluating the competency of birth attendants in low-resource
      countries who have been trained in neonatal resuscitation by the Helping Babies
      Breathe (HBB) program. METHODS: A prospective cross-sectional study of the OSCE
      tool was conducted among trained birth attendants working at dispensaries, health
      centers, or hospitals in five regions of Tanzania between October 1, 2013, and
      May 1, 2014. A 13-item checklist was used to assess clinical competency in a
      simulated newborn resuscitation scenario. The OSCE tool was simultaneously
      administered by HBB trainers and experienced external evaluators. Paired results
      were compared using the Cohen kappa value to measure inter-rater reliability.
      Participant performance was rated by health cadre, region, and facility type.
      RESULTS: Inter-rater reliability was moderate (kappa = 0.41-0.60) or substantial
      (kappa = 0.61-0.80) for eight of the OSCE items; agreement was fair (kappa = 0.21
      0.41) for the remaining five items. The best OSCE performances were recorded
      among nurses and providers from facilities with high annual birth volumes.
      CONCLUSION: The simplified OSCE tool could facilitate efficient implementation of
      national-level HBB programs. Limitations in inter-rater reliability might be
      improved through additional training.

PMID- 26283226
TI  - Patterns of fetal growth in an Asian Indian cohort in the USA.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a greater proportion of fetuses in an Asian
      Indian cohort are classified as small for gestational age than would be expected
      from a normally distributed population. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of
      fetal growth pattern and neonatal outcome was conducted among Asian Indian women
      who were referred to a maternal-fetal medicine center in Park Ridge, IL, USA, for
      evaluation of fetal growth between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2013. The
      primary outcome was an abdominal circumference or estimated weight of lower than
      the 10th percentile for gestational age according to the Hadlock formula.
      RESULTS: Overall, 207 women and 210 fetuses were included. Forty-eight (22.9%)
      fetuses had an abdominal circumference lower than the 10th percentile. The total
      number of neonates classified as small for gestational age at delivery was 22
      (10.5%), a value indicative of a normally distributed population. CONCLUSION:
      Fetal size was smaller than expected among the present Asian Indian cohort, but
      most neonates were classified as appropriate for gestational age at birth.
      Population specific growth curves are needed to improve assessment of fetal
      growth.

PMID- 26283222
TI  - Anopheles stephensi p38 MAPK signaling regulates innate immunity and
      bioenergetics during Plasmodium falciparum infection.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Fruit flies and mammals protect themselves against infection by
      mounting immune and metabolic responses that must be balanced against the
      metabolic needs of the pathogens. In this context, p38 mitogen-activated protein
      kinase (MAPK)-dependent signaling is critical to regulating both innate immunity
      and metabolism during infection. Accordingly, we asked to what extent the Asian
      malaria mosquito Anopheles stephensi utilizes p38 MAPK signaling during infection
      with the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. METHODS: A. stephensi p38
      MAPK (AsP38 MAPK) was identified and patterns of signaling in vitro and in vivo
      (midgut) were analyzed using phospho-specific antibodies and small molecule
      inhibitors. Functional effects of AsP38 MAPK inhibition were assessed using P.
      falciparum infection, quantitative real-time PCR, assays for reactive oxygen
      species and survivorship under oxidative stress, proteomics, and biochemical
      analyses. RESULTS: The genome of A. stephensi encodes a single p38 MAPK that is
      activated in the midgut in response to parasite infection. Inhibition of AsP38
      MAPK signaling significantly reduced P. falciparum sporogonic development. This
      phenotype was associated with AsP38 MAPK regulation of mitochondrial physiology
      and stress responses in the midgut epithelium, a tissue critical for parasite
      development. Specifically, inhibition of AsP38 MAPK resulted in reduction in
      mosquito protein synthesis machinery, a shift in glucose metabolism, reduced
      mitochondrial metabolism, enhanced production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen
      species, induction of an array of anti-parasite effector genes, and decreased
      resistance to oxidative stress-mediated damage. Hence, P. falciparum-induced
      activation of AsP38 MAPK in the midgut facilitates parasite infection through a
      combination of reduced anti-parasite immune defenses and enhanced host protein
      synthesis and bioenergetics to minimize the impact of infection on the host and
      to maximize parasite survival, and ultimately, transmission. CONCLUSIONS: These
      observations suggest that, as in mammals, innate immunity and mitochondrial
      responses are integrated in mosquitoes and that AsP38 MAPK-dependent signaling
      facilitates mosquito survival during parasite infection, a fact that may attest
      to the relatively longer evolutionary relationship of these parasites with their
      invertebrate compared to their vertebrate hosts. On a practical level, improved
      understanding of the balances and trade-offs between resistance and metabolism
      could be leveraged to generate fit, resistant mosquitoes for malaria control.

PMID- 26283228
TI  - Bio-Distribution, Imaging Protocols and Diagnostic Accuracy of PET with Tracers
      of Lipogenesis in Imaging Prostate Cancer: a Comparison between 11C-Choline,
      18FFluoroethylcholine and 18F-Methylcholine.
AB  - PET/CT with choline is a diagnostic tool useful for imaging prostate cancer
      patients. The overall published papers in this field are referred to three
      variants of the same radiopharmaceutical: 11C-Choline, 18FMethylcholine and 18F
      Ethylcholine. As no data has been reported on the theoretical differences between
      these three variants of radiolabeled choline, this study aims to explore the
      knowledge on the physiological distribution of these three tracers, to compare
      data of imaging acquisition protocols and to verify the theoretical equivalence
      in terms of diagnostic accuracy and potential false positive cases that can occur
      in clinical practice. A literature research about published papers was conducted
      regarding the physiological distribution, imaging acquisition protocols and
      diagnostic performance of 11C-choline, 18F-methylcholine and 18F-ethylcholine
      PET/CT. Minimal differences of the "in vivo" bio-distribution of the variants of
      radiolabeled choline were registered. Several imaging acquisition protocols were
      utilized, considering the different half-decay of 11C and 18F and the early
      urinary excretion of 18F-FECH. The diagnostic accuracy resulted similar for all
      the tracers, despite an insignificant amount of data for 18F-FECH; however, some
      pitfalls were documented for all the variants, related to the intrinsic
      properties of choline as a non-tumour specific tracer. Finally, our clinical
      experience with the two fluorinated kinds of choline has also been reported
      describing the "in vivo" bio-distribution with semi-quantitative measurement of
      Standardised Uptake Value in target organs. The literature suggests these three
      variants of choline equally useful to be considered for prostate cancer imaging.
      A standardisation of acquisition protocols for fluorinated choline PET/CT has
      also been proposed. 

PMID- 26283227
TI  - Suppression of miR-181a attenuates H2O2-induced death of mesenchymal stem cells
      by maintaining hexokinase II expression.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Low survival rate of transplanted cells compromises the efficacy of
      cell therapy. Hexokinase II (HKII) is known to have anti-apoptotic activity
      through its interaction with mitochondria. The objective was to identify miRNAs
      targeting HKII and investigate whether miRNA-mediated modulation of HKII could
      improve the survival of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) exposed to H2O2. The
      expression of HKII in MSCs exposed to H2O2 was evaluated, and HKII-targeting
      miRNA was screened based on miRNA-target prediction databases. The effect of H2O2
      on the expression of the selected HKII-targeting miRNA was examined and the
      effect of modulation of the selected HKII-targeting miRNA using anti-miRNA on
      H2O2-induced apoptosis of MSC was evaluated. RESULTS: H2O2 (600 MUM) induced cell
      death of MSCs and decreased mitochondrial HKII expression. We have identified miR
      181a as a HKII-targeting miRNA and H2O2 increased the expression of miR-181a in
      MSCs. Delivery of anti-miR-181a, which neutralizes endogenous miR-181a,
      significantly attenuated H2O2-induced decrease of HKII expression and disruption
      of mitochondrial membrane potential, improving the survival of MSCs exposed to
      H2O2. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that H2O2-induced up-regulation of miR
      181a contributes to the cell death of MSCs by down-regulating HKII. Neutralizing
      miR-181a can be an effective way to prime MSCs for transplantation into ischemic
      tissues.

PMID- 26283230
TI  - Evaluation of the wound healing property of Commiphora guidottii Chiov. ex. Guid.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The traditional use of the oleo-gum-resin of Commiphora guidottii
      Chiov. ex. Guid., which is commonly called scented myrrh, for topical treatment
      of wound is well documented. The major objective of the present study was to
      investigate the essential oil and resin obtained from C. guidottii for their
      potential wound healing properties. Due to their influence on the wound healing
      process, the anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities of scented myrrh have
      also been investigated. METHODS: Powdered oleo-gum-resin of C. guidottii was
      steam-distilled to obtain essential oil, and the resin was extracted from the
      marc with MeOH and filtered. The TLC fingerprint profile of the resin has been
      recorded by using silica gel GF254 as stationary phase. The essential oil
      components were identified and quantified by GC-MS. Ointments prepared from the
      essential oil (4% v/w) and the resin (5% w/w) were used for wound healing
      activity tests. Toxicity of the formulated ointments was investigated according
      to Draize skin irritation test. Acute anti-inflammatory effect in mice was
      evaluated using carrageenan induced mouse hind paw oedema model. Antimicrobial
      activity tests were carried out using disk diffusion and broth dilution
      techniques against 21 pathogenic bacterial and 4 fungal strains. RESULTS:
      Ointment formulations of both the oil and resin were found to be non-irritant at
      the concentrations used and showed significant (p<0.05-0.001) increase in wound
      contraction rate, shorter epithelization time and higher skin breaking strength
      as compared to the negative control. Overall, the antibacterial and antifungal
      activities of the oil and resin were comparable with the standard antibiotics
      ciprofloxacin and griseofulvin, respectively. CONCLUSION: The results confirm
      that scented myrrh possesses genuine wound healing activity supporting the
      traditional use of the plant.

PMID- 26283229
TI  - Development of a text-messaging intervention to improve treatment adherence and
      post-treatment review of children with uncomplicated malaria in western Kenya.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients' low adherence to artemisinin-based combination therapy has
      been reported in areas of Kenya bordering the Lake Victoria region, where the
      burden of malaria remains high. A randomized controlled trial is underway to
      determine the efficacy of short message service (SMS) text reminders on adherence
      to artemether-lumefantrine and post-treatment review of children under the age of
      five. This paper reports on the iterative process of intervention and delivery
      system development. METHODS: An intervention development workshop involving the
      research team and other stakeholders was held to determine the content of the
      text messages. Three focus group discussions were conducted to test caregivers'
      understanding of the messages developed during the workshop. The tested messages
      were refined and incorporated into an automated SMS distribution system and
      piloted with 20 caregivers drawn from facilities neighbouring the study sites.
      The automated SMS distribution system was repeatedly refined following the pilot
      and implemented at the start of the trial. RESULTS: The content of SMS messages
      underwent major revisions following the focus group discussions. Technical terms
      and abbreviations were replaced with simplified general terms. Message sign-off
      was modified to reflect the name of health facility, removing references to
      health workers. Day 3 post-treatment review visit reminder was modified to state
      the purpose of the visit while wording 'day 28' was added to the last post
      treatment review visit reminder to help the caregiver recall the appointment
      date. The unscheduled visit prompt was modified to reflect flexibility and
      practicality of taking the child back to the facility if unwell. Reception of SMS
      reminders during the pilot was low with only 169/240 (70%) of scheduled messages
      delivered to the caregivers. The automated distribution system underwent major
      refinement and repeated testing following the pilot until effective delivery of
      all scheduled messages was achieved and sustained over a period of 3 months.
      CONCLUSIONS: Text message interventions should be carefully developed, tested and
      refined before implementation to ensure they are written in the most appropriate
      way for their target population. SMS distribution systems should be rigorously
      tested to ensure efficient delivery of the messages before they are deployed.

PMID- 26283231
TI  - Construction of a high-density genetic map using specific length amplified
      fragment markers and identification of a quantitative trait locus for anthracnose
      resistance in walnut (Juglans regia L.).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Walnut (Juglans regia, 2n = 32, approximately 606 Mb per 1C genome)
      is an economically important tree crop. Resistance to anthracnose, caused by
      Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, is a major objective of walnut genetic
      improvement in China. The recently developed specific length amplified fragment
      sequencing (SLAF-seq) is an efficient strategy that can obtain large numbers of
      markers with sufficient sequence information to construct high-density genetic
      maps and permits detection of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for molecular
      breeding. RESULTS: SLAF-seq generated 161.64 M paired-end reads. 153,820 SLAF
      markers were obtained, of which 49,174 were polymorphic. 13,635 polymorphic
      markers were sorted into five segregation types and 2,577 markers of them were
      used to construct genetic linkage maps: 2,395 of these fell into 16 linkage
      groups (LGs) for the female map, 448 markers for the male map, and 2,577 markers
      for the integrated map. Taking into account the size of all LGs, the marker
      coverage was 2,664.36 cM for the female map, 1,305.58 cM for the male map, and
      2,457.82 cM for the integrated map. The average intervals between two adjacent
      mapped markers were 1.11 cM, 2.91 cM and 0.95 cM for three maps, respectively.
      'SNP_only' markers accounted for 89.25% of the markers on the integrated map.
      Mapping markers contained 5,043 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) loci,
      which corresponded to two SNP loci per SLAF marker. According to the integrated
      map, we used interval mapping (Logarithm of odds, LOD > 3.0) to detect our
      quantitative trait. One QTL was detected for anthracnose resistance. The interval
      of this QTL ranged from 165.51 cM to 176.33 cM on LG14, and ten markers in this
      interval that were above the threshold value were considered to be linked markers
      to the anthracnose resistance trait. The phenotypic variance explained by each
      marker ranged from 16.2 to 19.9%, and their LOD scores varied from 3.22 to 4.04.
      CONCLUSIONS: High-density genetic maps for walnut containing 16 LGs were
      constructed using the SLAF-seq method with an F1 population. One QTL for walnut
      anthracnose resistance was identified based on the map. The results will aid
      molecular marker-assisted breeding and walnut resistance genes identification.

PMID- 26283232
TI  - Perspectives of obese children and their parents on lifestyle behavior change: a
      qualitative study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In order to improve and optimize future behavioral family lifestyle
      intervention programs, more information on the perceptions of obese children and
      their parents of these programs is needed. As such, the aim of this qualitative
      study is 1) to explore the expectations of obese children and their parents in
      relation to lifestyle interventions; 2) to identify barriers to making lifestyle
      changes that parents and children face within their social context (within the
      family, at school and amongst friends and peers) as well as the things that
      facilitate these changes and 3) to identify the needs of obese children and their
      parents in the context of a lifestyle intervention. METHODS: A qualitative study
      using semi-structured interviews was conducted. Interviewees were participants in
      a lifestyle intervention program in the Netherlands. RESULTS: Eighteen children
      (mean age 10 years) and 24 parents were interviewed. The respondents expected to
      lose weight by being physically active or by eating healthily. Parents struggled
      with adopting and adhering to new rules and the absence of support of family
      members. Children struggled with inconsistent parenting and a lack of support
      from their parents. Bullying experienced at school impeded the children in their
      ability to make the necessary changes. Support from peers, on the other hand,
      stimulated their progress. Parents identified the need for the general
      practitioner to discuss overweight in a non-offensive way and to show an interest
      in the process of weight loss. CONCLUSIONS: Participants in a lifestyle behavior
      intervention program benefit from parental support and help from their (extended)
      family, peers and friends. They would also profit from the sustained involvement
      of their general practitioner in assisting in the maintenance of lifestyle
      behavior changes.

PMID- 26283234
TI  - AcstuA, which encodes an APSES transcription regulator, is involved in
      conidiation, cephalosporin biosynthesis and cell wall integrity of Acremonium
      chrysogenum.
AB  - A transcriptional regulatory gene AcstuA was identified from Acremonium
      chrysogenum. AcstuA encodes a basic helix-loop-helix protein with similarity to
      StuA which regulates the core developmental processes of Aspergillus nidulans.
      Like disruption of stuA in A. nidulans, deficiency of AcstuA blocked the
      conidiation of A. chrysogenum through severely down-regulating the expression of
      AcbrlA and AcabaA which encode orthologs of the key fungal developmental
      regulators BrlA and AbaA. Disruption of AcstuA also drastically reduced
      cephalosporin production of A. chrysogenum. In agreement, the transcriptions of
      pcbAB, pbcC, cefD1, cefD2, cefEF and cefG were remarkably decreased in the AcstuA
      disruption mutant (DeltaAcstuA). In addition to defects in conidiation and
      cephalosporin biosynthesis, DeltaAcstuA produced abnormal swollen and fragmented
      hyphal cells during fermentation. The phenotypic alterations of hyphal cells
      caused by AcstuA deletion were restored by supplementation of NaCl in the medium,
      indicating that the deficiency of AcstuA has an influence on the cell wall
      integrity of A. chrysogenum. The transcriptions of two putative mannoprotein
      encoding genes Acmp2 and Acmp3 significantly reduced in DeltaAcstuA, further
      indicating that cell wall integrity of the mutant is impaired. These results
      strongly suggested that AcstuA is involved in conidiation, cephalosporin
      production, hyphal fragmentation and cell wall integrity in A. chrysogenum. 

PMID- 26283233
TI  - Patellofemoral Pressure Changes After Static and Dynamic Medial Patellofemoral
      Ligament Reconstructions.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Reconstructing the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) has become a
      key procedure for stabilizing the patella. Different techniques to reconstruct
      the MPFL have been described: static techniques in which the graft is fixed
      rigidly to the bone or dynamic techniques with soft tissue fixation. Static MPFL
      reconstruction is most commonly used. However, dynamic reconstruction deforms
      more easily and presumably functions more like the native MPFL.
      PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of the
      different MPFL fixation techniques on patellofemoral pressures compared with the
      native situation. The hypothesis was that dynamic reconstruction would result in
      patellofemoral pressures closer to those generated in an intact knee. STUDY
      DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. METHODS: Seven fresh-frozen knee specimens
      were tested in an in vitro knee joint loading apparatus. Tekscan pressure
      sensitive films fixed to the retropatellar cartilage measured mean patellofemoral
      and peak pressures, contact area, and location of the center of force (COF) at
      fixed flexion angles from 0 degrees  to 110 degrees . Four different conditions
      were tested: intact, dynamic, partial dynamic, and static MPFL reconstruction.
      Data were analyzed using linear mixed models. RESULTS: Static MPFL reconstruction
      resulted in higher peak and mean pressures from 60 degrees  to 110 degrees  of
      flexion (P < .001). There were no differences in pressure between the 2 different
      dynamic reconstructions and the intact situation (P > .05). The COF in the static
      reconstruction group moved more medially on the patella from 50 degrees  to 110
      degrees  of flexion compared with the other conditions. The contact area showed
      no significant differences between the test conditions. CONCLUSION: After static
      MPFL reconstruction, the patellofemoral pressures in flexion angles from 60
      degrees  to 110 degrees  were 3 to 5 times higher than those in the intact
      situation. The pressures after dynamic MPFL reconstruction were similar as
      compared with those in the intact situation, and therefore, dynamic MPFL
      reconstruction could be a safer option than static reconstruction for stabilizing
      the patella. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study showed that static MPFL
      reconstruction results in higher patellofemoral pressures and thus enhances the
      chance of osteoarthritis in the long term, while dynamic reconstruction results
      in more normal pressures.

PMID- 26283235
TI  - How 18- and 24-month-old peers divide resources among themselves.
AB  - Young children are often considered "selfish" with resources because they are
      reluctant to give up things already in their possession (e.g., as in dictator
      games). In the current two studies, we presented pairs of 18- and 24-month-old
      toddlers with various situations involving resources that no one possessed ahead
      of time. We observed very few instances of individuals attempting to monopolize
      the resources; rather, the pair peaceably divided them such that each child got
      something. Equal divisions--even involving one child sacrificing his or her own
      resources to establish equality-were especially pronounced when children were
      acting together jointly even in the absence of active collaboration. Children's
      divisions were also influenced by cues to ownership such as a spatial pre
      division of resources and resources marked by color (and originally spatially
      associated with one individual). These results suggest that young children are
      not selfish, but instead rather generous, with resources when they are dividing
      them among themselves.

PMID- 26283236
TI  - A 4-week pilot study with the cannabinoid receptor agonist dronabinol and its
      effect on metabolic parameters in a randomized trial.
AB  - PURPOSE: Dronabinol (synthetic Delta(9)- tetrahydrocannabinol) is used in
      patients with nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy and in AIDS patients for
      appetite stimulation. Recently, dronabinol was used to successfully treat
      visceral hypersensitivity causing noncardiac chest pain. With widening uses of
      this medication, we aim to explore its effects on metabolic parameters in long
      term dosing and hypothesize that it will not affect major metabolic parameters.
      METHODS: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, 28-day trial was performed with
      patients 18 to 75 years old without cardiac disease. Patients had at least 2
      weekly episodes of chest pain for the last 3 months and evidence of esophageal
      hypersensitivity after balloon distention testing. Prior use of pain medication,
      psychiatric diagnosis, or significant medical comorbidities precluded inclusion
      in the study. Patients were randomized to receive 5 mg dronabinol or placebo
      twice daily with metabolic parameters examined before and after the use of
      medication. FINDINGS: Thirteen patients completed the study (7 with dronabinol [6
      women and 1 man] and 6 with placebo [5 women and 1 man]). None of the measured
      values, including body mass index, HDL, triglycerides, calculated LDL, high
      sensitivity C-reactive protein, glucose, insulin, leptin, aspartate
      aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, LDH, or non-HDL, differed
      significantly in either group before or after treatment. In general, treatment
      with dronabinol coincided with favorable trends in some parameters, although
      these trends were not statistically significant. IMPLICATIONS: Dronabinol
      administration does not significantly affect basic metabolic components after a
      period of 28 days. The implications of these findings are important because
      dronabinol may be able to be used in patients with metabolic disorders. The
      favorable trends observed here warrant further exploration into its long-term
      effects. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01598207.

PMID- 26283237
TI  - Uniform Reduction of Scalar Coupling by Real-Time Homonuclear J-Downscaled NMR.
AB  - Scalar coupling in proton NMR spectra provides important information for the
      structural analysis. However, the low resolution due to the resulting signal
      splitting, together with the rather narrow spectral range of hydrogen, often
      prevents the extraction of J-coupling information. Here we present a method to
      achieve real-time homonuclear J-downscaling. Thereby, all J-values are uniformly
      reduced by an arbitrary scaling factor. In the resulting one-dimensional spectra,
      signal overlap is reduced, while scalar coupling information is still available. 

PMID- 26283238
TI  - Facial discoid dermatosis: A further case of a novel entity.

PMID- 26283239
TI  - Caloric restriction in lean and obese strains of laboratory rat: effects on body
      composition, metabolism, growth and overall health.
AB  - NEW FINDINGS: What is the central question of this study? How do lean and obese
      rats respond physiologically to caloric restriction? What is the main finding and
      its importance? Obese rats show marked benefits compared with lean animals.
      Reduced body fat is associated with improved longevity with caloric restriction
      (CR) in rodents. Little is known regarding effects of CR in genetically lean
      versus obese strains. Long-Evans (LE) and Brown Norway (BN) rats make an ideal
      comparison for a CR study because the percentage body fat of young adult LE rats
      is double that of BN rats. Male LE and BN rats were either fed ad libitum (AL) or
      were calorically restricted to 80 or 90% of their AL weight. The percentages of
      fat, lean and fluid mass were measured non-invasively at 2- to 4-week intervals.
      Metabolic rate and respiratory quotient were measured after 3, 6, 9 and 12 months
      of CR. Overall health was scored monthly. The percentage of fat of the LE strain
      decreased with CR, whereas the percentage of fat of the BN strain remained above
      the AL group for several months. The percentage of lean mass increased above the
      AL for both strains subjected to CR. The percentage of fluid was unaffected by
      CR. The average metabolic rate over 22 h of the BN rats subjected to CR was
      reduced, whereas that of LE rats was increased slightly above the AL group. The
      respiratory quotient of BN rats was decreased with CR. Overall health of the CR
      LE group was significantly improved compared with that of the AL group, whereas
      health of the CR BN rats was impaired compared with the AL group. Overall, the
      lean BN and obese LE strains differ markedly in fat utilization and metabolic
      response to prolonged CR. There appears to be little benefit of CR in the lean
      strain.

PMID- 26283240
TI  - Queer Youth in Family Therapy.
AB  - Trends in popular belief about same-sex relationships have undergone noteworthy
      change in the United States over the last decade. Yet this change has been marked
      by stark polarizations and has occurred at varying rates depending upon regional,
      community, racial, religious, and individual family context. For queer youth and
      their families, this cultural transformation has broadened opportunities and
      created a new set of risks and vulnerabilities. At the same time, youth's
      increasingly open and playful gender fluidity and sexual identity is complicated
      by unique intersections of class, race, religion, and immigration. Effective
      family therapy with queer youth requires practitioner's and treatment models that
      are sensitive to those who bear the burden of multiple oppressions and the hidden
      resilience embedded in their layered identities. We present case examples of our
      model of family therapy which addresses refuge, supports difficult dialogs, and
      nurtures queerness by looking for hidden resilience in the unique intersections
      of queer youths' lives. These intersections provide transformational potential
      for youth, their families and even for family therapists as we are all nurtured
      and challenged to think more complexly about intersectionality, sexuality, and
      gender. 

PMID- 26283241
TI  - Infrared Spectra of Protonated Pyrene and Its Neutral Counterpart in Solid para
      Hydrogen.
AB  - Protonated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (H(+)PAHs) have been reported to have
      infrared (IR) bands at wavenumbers near those of unidentified infrared (UIR)
      emission bands from interstellar objects. We produced 1-C16H11(+) and 1-C16H11
      upon electron bombardment during matrix deposition of p-H2 containing pyrene
      (C16H10) in a small proportion. Intensities of absorption features of 1-C16H11(+)
      decreased after the matrix was maintained in darkness or irradiated with light at
      365 nm, whereas those of 1-C16H11 increased. The observed line wavenumbers and
      relative intensities of 1-C16H11(+) and 1-C16H11 agree satisfactorily with the
      scaled vibrational wavenumbers and IR intensities predicted with the B3PW91/6
      311++G(2d,2p) method. Our method, being relatively clean with negligible
      fragmentation, is applicable to larger H(+)PAH; it has the advantages of
      producing excellent IR spectra covering a broad spectral range with narrow lines
      and accurate intensities, so that structural identification among various isomers
      is feasible. 

PMID- 26283242
TI  - Aligned Linear Arrays of Crystalline Nanoparticles.
AB  - Fabrication of one-dimensional arrays of crystalline nanoparticles with tunable
      particle size and spacing (down to 20 nm) is demonstrated. The individual
      nanocrystals are pentagonal prisms, and the arrays are up to 11 MUm in length,
      with some arrays containing >50 nanocrystals. Precise particle morphology and
      interparticle spacing can be maintained down the array. The far-field scattering
      spectra of the arrays show the near-fields of the nanocrystals are coupled. The
      method is fast and produces precise, well-defined, coupled plasmonic arrays with
      optical properties that match well to theory. 

PMID- 26283243
TI  - Horizontal Silicon Nanowires with Radial p-n Junctions: A Platform for
      Unconventional Solar Cells.
AB  - The silicon p-n junction is the most successful solar energy technology to date,
      yet it accounts for a marginal percentage of worldwide energy production. To
      change the status quo, a disruptive technological breakthrough is needed. In this
      Perspective, we discuss the potential for complex silicon nanowires to serve as a
      platform for next-generation photovoltaic devices. We review the synthesis,
      electrical characteristics, and optical properties of core/shell silicon
      nanowires that are subwavelength in diameter and contain radial p-n junctions. We
      highlight the unique features of these nanowires, such as optical antenna effects
      that concentrate light and intense built-in electric fields that enable ultrafast
      charge-carrier separation. We advocate a paradigm in which nanowires are arranged
      in periodic horizontal arrays to form ultrathin devices. Unlike conventional
      planar silicon, nanowire structures provide the flexibility to incorporate
      multiple semiconductor, dielectric, and metallic materials in a single system,
      providing the foundation for a disruptive, unconventional solar energy
      technology. 

PMID- 26283244
TI  - Nanomechanics of Twisted Mono- and Few-Layer Graphene Nanoribbons.
AB  - Enabled by the technique of objective molecular dynamics, we reveal the unusual
      mechanics exhibited by nanoscale twisted graphene nanoribbons containing up to
      seven layers. Unlike in a linear-elastic plate, we find that the deformation
      practically does not contain contributions associated with in-plane shearing but
      largely with inhomogeneous stretching and compression of the constituent layers.
      The whole twisted structure undergoes shortening when no axial force is applied,
      while the constituent layers store various strain energies, depending on their
      location. We capture this behavior with a simple model and show that the
      deviations from the plate model are increasing with the number of layers and
      width of the ribbon. Our results are especially relevant for the experimental
      efforts of measuring graphene's shear modulus. 

PMID- 26283245
TI  - Quantum Behavior of Water Molecules Confined to Nanocavities in Gemstones.
AB  - When water is confined to nanocavities, its quantum mechanical behavior can be
      revealed by terahertz spectroscopy. We place H2O molecules in the nanopores of a
      beryl crystal lattice and observe a rich and highly anisotropic set of absorption
      lines in the terahertz spectral range. Two bands can be identified, which
      originate from translational and librational motions of the water molecule
      isolated within the cage; they correspond to the analogous broad bands in liquid
      water and ice. In the present case of well-defined and highly symmetric
      nanocavities, the observed fine structure can be explained by macroscopic
      tunneling of the H2O molecules within a six-fold potential caused by the
      interaction of the molecule with the cavity walls. 

PMID- 26283246
TI  - Quantum Tunneling Affects Engine Performance.
AB  - We study the role of individual reaction rates on engine performance, with an
      emphasis on the contribution of quantum tunneling. It is demonstrated that the
      effect of quantum tunneling corrections for the reaction HO2 + HO2 = H2O2 + O2
      can have a noticeable impact on the performance of a high-fidelity model of a
      compression-ignition (e.g., diesel) engine, and that an accurate prediction of
      ignition delay time for the engine model requires an accurate estimation of the
      tunneling correction for this reaction. The three-dimensional model includes
      detailed descriptions of the chemistry of a surrogate for a biodiesel fuel, as
      well as all the features of the engine, such as the liquid fuel spray and
      turbulence. This study is part of a larger investigation of how the features of
      the dynamics and potential energy surfaces of key reactions, as well as their
      reaction rate uncertainties, affect engine performance, and results in these
      directions are also presented here. 

PMID- 26283247
TI  - Highlighting a Cooling Regime in Liquids under Submillimeter Flows.
AB  - The shear flow of ordinary liquids is for the first time observed at the
      submillimeter scale by thermal imaging. We report on microinfrared experiments,
      showing that liquids as important as water flowing on wetting surfaces produce
      cooling, while the academic view would foresee heating production. This apparent
      counterintuitive cooling effect shows that the increase of the internal energy
      due to the flow can result in different shapes, including a cooling process,
      before reaching the conventional heating regime at higher shear rates. This
      unknown property might be interpreted as a transient stretching state of the
      liquid. Shearing liquids might be a promising alternative compared to
      conventional endothermic processes (gas expansion or vaporization of a liquid,
      the Peltier effect, and so forth). 

PMID- 26283248
TI  - CuInSe2 Quantum Dot Solar Cells with High Open-Circuit Voltage.
AB  - CuInSe2 (CISe) quantum dots (QDs) were synthesized with tunable size from less
      than 2 to 7 nm diameter. Nanocrystals were made using a secondary phosphine
      selenide as the Se source, which, compared to tertiary phosphine selenide
      precursors, was found to provide higher product yields and smaller nanocrystals
      that elicit quantum confinement with a size-dependent optical gap. Photovoltaic
      devices fabricated from spray-cast CISe QD films exhibited large, size-dependent,
      open-circuit voltages, up to 849 mV for absorber films with a 1.46 eV optical
      gap, suggesting that midgap trapping does not dominate the performance of these
      CISe QD solar cells. 

PMID- 26283249
TI  - Exploring the Origin of Blue and Ultraviolet Fluorescence in Graphene Oxide.
AB  - We studied the fluorescence (FL) properties of highly exfoliated graphene oxide
      (GO) in aqueous solution using continuous-wave and time-resolved FL spectroscopy.
      The FL spectra of highly exfoliated GO showed two distinct peaks at ~440 (blue)
      and ~300 nm [ultraviolet (UV)]. The FL of GO in the UV region at ~300 nm was
      observed for the first time. The average FL lifetimes of the emission peaks at
      ~440 and ~300 nm are 8-13 and 6-8 ns, respectively. The experimentally observed
      peak wavelengths of pH-dependent FL, FL excitation spectra, and the FL lifetimes
      are nearly coincident with those of aromatic compounds bound with oxygen
      functional groups, which suggests that the FL comes from sp(2) fragments
      consisting of small numbers of aromatic rings with oxygen functional groups
      acting as FL centers in the GO. 

PMID- 26283250
TI  - Surprising Molecular Length Dependence in Conduction through a Hybrid Organic
      Inorganic System.
AB  - A hybrid device made from gold nanoparticles connected by alkyldithiol molecules
      of different lengths was produced and its conduction properties were investigated
      for various lengths of the organic linker molecules. It was found that the
      conductivity increases with the length of the molecules. The surprising
      dependence of the conductivity on the molecules' length was explained by a model
      that takes into account the probability for forming continuous conductive paths
      for the different molecules. 

PMID- 26283251
TI  - Optically Excited Entangled States in Organic Molecules Illuminate the Dark.
AB  - We utilize quantum entangled photons to carry out nonlinear optical spectroscopy
      in organic molecules with an extremely small number of photons. For the first
      time, fluorescence is reported as a result of entangled photon absorption in
      organic nonlinear optical molecules. Selectivity of the entangled photon
      absorption process is also observed and a theoretical model of this process is
      provided. Through these experiments and theoretical modeling it is found that
      while some molecules may not have strong classical nonlinear optical properties
      due to their excitation pathways; these same excitation pathways may enhance the
      entangled photon processes. It is found that the opposite is also true. Some
      materials with weak classical nonlinear optical effects may exhibit strong non
      classical nonlinear optical effects. Our entangled photon fluorescence results
      provide the first steps in realizing and demonstrating the viability of entangled
      two-photon microscopy, remote sensing, and optical communications. 

PMID- 26283252
TI  - Excitation Energy Dependence of the Photoluminescence Quantum Yields of Core and
      Core/Shell Quantum Dots.
AB  - The photoluminescence (PL) intensity of semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) is
      routinely monitored to track the chemical and physical properties within a sample
      or device incorporating the QDs. A dependence of the PL quantum yields (QYs) on
      the excitation energy could lead to erroneous conclusions but is commonly not
      considered. We summarize previous evidence and present results from two
      methodologies that confirm the possibility of a dependence of the PL QYs on the
      excitation energy. The data presented indicate that PL QYs of CdSe and CdSe/ZnS
      QDs suspended in toluene are highest for excitation just above the band gap, Eg,
      of each. The PL QYs decrease with increasing excitation energies up to 1 eV above
      Eg. The PL intensity decay profiles recorded for these samples at varying
      emission and excitation energies indicate that the changes in the PL QYs result
      from the nonradiative relaxation pathways sampled as the charge carriers relax
      down to the band edge. 

PMID- 26283253
TI  - Carrier Multiplication in Quantum Dots within the Framework of Two Competing
      Energy Relaxation Mechanisms.
AB  - The realization of high-yield, low-threshold carrier multiplication (CM) in
      semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) is a promising step toward third-generation
      photovoltaics (PV). Recent studies of QD solar cells have shown that CM can
      indeed produce greater-than-unity quantum efficiencies in photon-to-charge
      carrier conversion, establishing the relevance of this process to practical PV
      technologies. While being appreciable, the reported CM yields are still not high
      enough for a significant increase in the power conversion efficiency over
      traditional bulk materials. At present, the design of nanomaterials with improved
      CM is hindered by a poor understanding of the mechanism underlying this process.
      Here, we present a possible solution to this problem by introducing a model that
      treats CM as a competition between impact-ionization-like scattering and non-CM
      energy losses. Importantly, it allows for evaluation of expected CM yields from
      fairly straightforward measurements of Auger recombination (inverse of CM) and
      near-band-edge carrier cooling. The validation of this model via a comparative CM
      study of PbTe, PbSe, and PbS QDs suggests that it indeed represents a predictive
      capability, which might help in the development of nanomaterials with improved CM
      performance. 

PMID- 26283254
TI  - Unified Study of Recombination in Polymer:Fullerene Solar Cells Using Transient
      Absorption and Charge-Extraction Measurements.
AB  - Recombination in the well-performing bulk heterojunction solar cell blend between
      the conjugated polymer TQ-1 and the substituted fullerene PCBM has been
      investigated with pump-probe transient absorption and charge extraction of
      photogenerated carriers (photo-CELIV). Both methods are shown to generate
      identical and overlapping data under appropriate experimental conditions. The
      dominant type of recombination is bimolecular with a rate constant of 7 * 10(-12)
      cm(-3) s(-1). This recombination rate is shown to be fully consistent with solar
      cell performance. Deviations from an ideal bimolecular recombination process, in
      this material system only observable at high pump fluences, are explained with a
      time-dependent charge-carrier mobility, and the implications of such a behavior
      for device development are discussed. 

PMID- 26283255
TI  - Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell with Integrated Triplet-Triplet Annihilation
      Upconversion System.
AB  - Photon upconversion (UC) by triplet-triplet annihilation (TTA-UC) is employed in
      order to enhance the response of solar cells to sub-bandgap light. Here, we
      present the first report of an integrated photovoltaic device, combining a dye
      sensitized solar cell (DSC) and TTA-UC system. The integrated device displays
      enhanced current under sub-bandgap illumination, resulting in a figure of merit
      (FoM) under low concentration (3 suns), which is competitive with the best values
      recorded to date for nonintegrated systems. Thus, we demonstrate both the
      compatibility of DSC and TTA-UC and a viable method for device integration. 

PMID- 26283256
TI  - Pressure-Induced Helical Structure of a Peptide Studied by Simulated Tempering
      Molecular Dynamics Simulations.
AB  - It is known experimentally that an AK16 peptide forms more alpha-helix structures
      with increasing pressure while proteins unfold in general. In order to understand
      this abnormality, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations with the simulated
      tempering method for the isobaric-isothermal ensemble were performed in a wide
      pressure range from 1.0 * 10(-4) GPa to 1.4 GPa. From the results of the
      simulations, it is found that the fraction of the folded state decreases once and
      increases after that with increasing pressure. The partial molar volume change
      from the folded state to unfolded state increases monotonically from a negative
      value to a positive value with pressure. The behavior under high pressure
      conditions is consistent with the experimental results. The radius of gyration of
      highly helical structures decreases with increasing pressure, which indicates
      that the helix structure shrinks with pressure. This is the reason why the
      fraction of the folded state increases as pressure increases. 

PMID- 26283257
TI  - The Redox Chemistry at the Interface for Retrieving and Brightening the Emission
      of Doped Semiconductor Nanocrystals.
AB  - Photo-oxidation of semiconductor quantum dots is the prime concern during their
      processability, as it often induces nonradiative states and quenches the band
      edge excitonic emission. Nevertheless, similar effects have been observed for
      light emitting doped semiconductor nanocrystals, and the dopant emissions are
      also quenched due to the surface oxidation. This is more pronounced for selenide
      based host semiconductors. To overcome this, we study the interface chemistry of
      Cu-doped and Mn-doped ZnSe nanocrystals and report here the retrieving and
      brightening of the emission from completely quenched months old doped
      nanocrystals. This has been obtained by treating the doped nanocrystals with
      appropriate organic thiol ligands which remove the surface oxidative states as
      well as resist further oxidation of the nanocrystals. Here, we investigate
      details of the redox chemistry at the interface and study related photophysics in
      retrieving the dopant emission. 

PMID- 26283258
TI  - Toward the Control of Nonradiative Processes in Semiconductor Nanocrystals.

PMID- 26283259
TI  - Preparation of Graphene with Graphane Areas of Controlled Hydrogen Isotope
      Composition on Opposite Sides.
AB  - Monolayer graphene was prepared on an Ir(111) substrate where it exhibits a 25 *
      25 A(2) moire pattern. Molecular hydrogen was dosed first, allowing it to
      dissociate on open areas of the Ir substrate. The generated H atoms formed an
      intercalated reservoir that can bind to the graphene subsequently. Next, atomic
      hydrogen was dosed, which binds to the graphene sheet and also initiates the
      transfer of H from the Ir substrate to the graphene sheet. The opposite sides of
      the sheet can be hydrogenated with isotope selectivity, as a sequence of
      difference isotopes, H or D, can be chosen at will in the preparation procedure.
      Sum-frequency generation spectra prove that as consequence of the dosing
      sequence, C-H bonds are predominantly pointing toward the Ir substrate side when
      H2 is dosed first and alternatively toward the vacuum side when D2 is dosed
      first. 

PMID- 26283260
TI  - The diversity and host interactions of Propionibacterium acnes bacteriophages on
      human skin.

PMID- 26283261
TI  - Portal vein variations in 1000 patients: surgical and radiological importance.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the spectrum and incidence of
      intrahepatic portal vein (PV) variations on triphasic abdomen multidetector CT
      (MDCT) and to discuss the surgical and radiological implications. METHODS: A
      retrospective review of 1000 triphasic MDCT abdomen scans was performed in
      patients sent for various liver and other abdominal pathologies between January
      2014 and August 2014. A total of 967 patients (N = 967) were included in the
      study. The variations in branching pattern of PV were classified according to
      classification used by Covey et al (Covey AM, Brody LA, Getrajdman GI, Sofocleous
      CT, Brown KT. Incidence, patterns, and clinical relevance of variant portal vein
      anatomy. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2004; 183: 1055-64) and Koc et al (Koc Z, Oguzkurt
      L, Ulusan S. Portal vein variations: clinical implications and frequencies in
      routine abdominal CT. Diagn Interv Radiol 2007; 13: 75-80). RESULTS: Normal
      anatomy (Type I) was seen in 773 patients (79.94%) out of 967 patients in our
      study. Trifurcation (Type II) anomaly was seen in 66 (6.83%) of cases. Right
      posterior vein as first branch of main PV (Type III) anomaly was seen in 48
      (4.96%) of cases. Type IV anomaly and Type V anomaly was seen in 26 (2.69%) and
      13 (1.34%) cases, respectively. 19 cases showed other types of variations.
      CONCLUSION: Variations in the hepatic PV branching patterns are commonly seen
      that are similar to variations in hepatic artery and biliary anatomy. Knowledge
      of these variations is extremely important for transplant surgeons and
      intervention radiologists. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: Awareness of the variations in
      PV branching patterns is essential for intervention radiologists and vascular
      surgeons and avoids major catastrophic events.

PMID- 26283262
TI  - Prognostic value of 24-h ABPM in acute ischemic stroke for short-, medium-, and
      long-term outcome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The association of blood pressure levels during the acute phase of
      ischemic stroke with outcome remains controversial. AIMS: The objective of this
      systematic review is to assess the predictive value for stroke outcome assessed
      by the modified Rankin scale score of systolic and diastolic blood pressure,
      measured by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring methods during the acute phase
      of ischemic stroke, compared with the values of casually derived blood pressure
      measurement on admission. METHODS: We searched for studies with patients admitted
      within 24 h of stroke onset, and who had ambulatory blood pressure monitoring
      during the first 24 h of admission. We identified studies that reported blood
      pressure in those with good outcome and in those with poor outcome at end of
      follow-up, and performed a meta-analysis of the effect of mean blood pressure on
      outcome. RESULTS: High systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels derived with
      ambulatory blood pressure monitoring were associated with poor short-, medium-,
      and long-term outcome, but the same was not found for casual blood pressure
      measurements. An increase in systolic blood pressure of 9.1 mmHg (95% confidence
      interval: 6.6-11.6, P < 0.001; I(2)  = 9%) and an increase in diastolic blood
      pressure of 2.3 mmHg (95% confidence interval: 0.8-3.7, P = 0.002; I(2)  = 0%)
      were associated with poor outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Higher systolic and diastolic
      blood pressure levels derived with ambulatory blood pressure monitoring were
      associated with poor outcome. The same was not found for higher casual blood
      pressure measurements on admission, and it is possible that ambulatory blood
      pressure monitoring conveys better prognostic information.

PMID- 26283263
TI  - Monte Carlo optimization for site selection of new chemical plants.
AB  - Geographic distribution of chemical manufacturing sites has significant impact on
      the business sustainability of industrial development and regional environmental
      sustainability as well. The common site selection rules have included the
      evaluation of the air quality impact of a newly constructed chemical
      manufacturing site to surrounding communities. In order to achieve this target,
      the simultaneous consideration should cover the regional background air-quality
      information, the emissions of new manufacturing site, and statistical pattern of
      local meteorological conditions. According to the above information, the risk
      assessment can be conducted for the potential air-quality impacts from candidate
      locations of a new chemical manufacturing site, and thus the optimization of the
      final site selection can be achieved by minimizing its air-quality impacts. This
      paper has provided a systematic methodology for the above purpose. There are
      total two stages of modeling and optimization work: i) Monte Carlo simulation for
      the purpose to identify background pollutant concentration based on currently
      existing emission sources and regional statistical meteorological conditions; and
      ii) multi-objective (simultaneous minimization of both peak pollutant
      concentration and standard deviation of pollutant concentration spatial
      distribution at air-quality concern regions) Monte Carlo optimization for optimal
      location selection of new chemical manufacturing sites according to their design
      data of potential emission. This study can be helpful to both determination of
      the potential air-quality impact for geographic distribution of multiple chemical
      plants with respect to regional statistical meteorological conditions, and the
      identification of an optimal site for each new chemical manufacturing site with
      the minimal environment impact to surrounding communities. The efficacy of the
      developed methodology has been demonstrated through the case studies. 

PMID- 26283264
TI  - Enhanced sensitization to animal, interpersonal, and intergroup fear-relevant
      stimuli (but no evidence for selective one-trial fear learning).
AB  - Selective sensitization has been proposed as an alternative explanation for
      enhanced responding to animal fear-relevant stimuli--snakes and spiders--during
      extinction of Pavlovian fear conditioning. The current study sought to replicate
      the phenomenon using a shock workup procedure as the sensitizing manipulation and
      to extend it to interpersonal and intergroup fear-relevant stimuli--angry faces
      and other-race faces. Assessment of selective sensitization was followed by a one
      trial fear learning procedure. Selective sensitization, larger electrodermal
      responses to fear-relevant than to control stimuli after sensitization, or a
      larger increase in electrodermal responding to fear-relevant than to control
      stimuli after sensitization was observed across stimulus domains. However, the
      one-trial fear learning procedure failed to provide evidence for enhanced fear
      conditioning to fear-relevant stimuli. One-trial fear learning was either absent
      or present for fear-relevant and nonfear-relevant stimuli. The current study
      confirms that electrodermal responses to fear-relevant stimuli across stimulus
      domains are subject to selective sensitization.

PMID- 26283265
TI  - Mechanism, diagnosis, and treatment of outflow tract tachycardia.
AB  - Idiopathic ventricular arrhythmia is a generic term for a spectrum of arrhythmias
      that occur in the absence of structural heart disease or ion channelopathy. These
      arrhythmias include monomorphic premature ventricular contractions (PVCs),
      nonsustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT), and sustained VT. Most
      idiopathic ventricular arrhythmias originate from the right and left ventricular
      outflow tracts and include sites accessed from the aortic sinuses of Valsalva.
      Outflow tract arrhythmia is identified by an electrocardiographic pattern
      consistent with a left bundle branch block inferior axis morphology.
      Characteristically, outflow tract VT is caused by cAMP-mediated triggered
      activity, and is terminated by administration of adenosine. Outflow tract
      arrhythmias are focal and, therefore, are readily amenable to definitive
      treatment with catheter-based radiofrequency ablation. Although arrhythmia might
      be associated with reversible PVC-mediated cardiomyopathy, and infrequently with
      PVC-induced polymorphic VT or ventricular fibrillation, prognosis is generally
      favourable. 

PMID- 26283266
TI  - Device therapy. Artificical heart uses bioprosthetics to avoid thromboembolic
      complications.

PMID- 26283267
TI  - Gene therapy. Inhibiting apoC-III synthesis in patients with
      hypertriglyceridaemia.

PMID- 26283268
TI  - Atrial fibrillation. Risk of systemic emboli in AF.

PMID- 26283271
TI  - "Cutting the wire" as a troubleshooter for a Dormia basket impacted in the common
      bile duct.

PMID- 26283269
TI  - Switching P2Y12-receptor inhibitors in patients with coronary artery disease.
AB  - Dual antiplatelet therapy--the combination of aspirin and a P2Y12-receptor
      inhibitor--is the cornerstone of treatment of patients with acute coronary
      syndromes (ACS) and of those undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.
      Prasugrel and ticagrelor have more prompt, potent, and predictable antiplatelet
      effects than those of clopidogrel, and result in reduced ischaemic outcomes in
      patients with ACS, albeit at the expense of an increased risk of bleeding.
      However, clopidogrel is still very commonly used. Switching between oral P2Y12
      inhibiting therapies occurs very frequently in clinical practice for a variety of
      reasons, which raises the question of which switching approaches are preferable.
      In 2015, cangrelor (an intravenous P2Y12-receptor inhibitor) was approved for
      clinical use, which adds to the conundrum of how to switch between intravenous
      and oral therapies. Differences in the pharmacology of P2Y12-receptor inhibitors,
      such as their binding sites (competitive or noncompetitive), half-life, and speed
      of onset and offset of action, are important factors that might lead to drug
      interactions when switching between agents. In this Review, we provide an
      overview of the literature on switching antiplatelet treatment strategies with
      P2Y12-receptor inhibitors, and discuss practical considerations for switching
      therapies in the acute and chronic phases of disease presentation.

PMID- 26283270
TI  - Histone acetylation regulates prostate ductal morphogenesis through a bone
      morphogenetic protein-dependent mechanism.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Epigenetic factors influence stem cell function and other
      developmental events but their role in prostate morphogenesis is not completely
      known. We tested the hypothesis that histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity is
      required for prostate morphogenesis. RESULTS: We identified the presence of class
      I nuclear HDACs in the mouse urogenital sinus (UGS) during prostate development
      and found that Hdac 2 mRNA abundance diminishes as development proceeds which is
      especially evident in prostatic epithelium. Blockade of HDACs with the inhibitor
      trichostatin A (TSA) decreased the number of prostatic buds formed in UGS explant
      cultures but not the number of buds undergoing branching morphogenesis. In the
      latter, TSA promoted an extensive branching phenotype that was reversed by
      exogenous NOGGIN protein, which functions as a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)
      inhibitor. TSA also increased Bmp2 promoter H3K27ac abundance, Bmp2 and Bmp4 mRNA
      abundance, and the percentage of epithelial cells marked by BMP-responsive
      phosphorylated SMAD1/5/8 protein. TSA exposed UGS explants grafted under the
      kidney capsule of untreated host mice for continued development achieved a
      smaller size without an obvious difference in glandular histology compared with
      control treated grafts. CONCLUSIONS: These results are consistent with an active
      role for HDACs in shaping prostate morphogenesis by regulating Bmp abundance.

PMID- 26283272
TI  - A newly modified access balloon catheter for direct peroral cholangioscopy by
      using an ultraslim upper endoscope (with videos).
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Direct peroral cholangioscopy (POC) by using an ultraslim
      upper endoscope has been increasingly applied for diagnosis and treatment of
      diverse biliary diseases. Recently, an intraductal balloon catheter has been used
      commonly to guide the flexible ultraslim endoscope. However, accessibility into
      the bile duct remains a limitation of the procedure. The aim of this study was to
      evaluate the feasibility and success rate of an intraductal balloon-guided direct
      POC by using an ultraslim endoscope with a newly modified 5F balloon catheter.
      METHODS: In total, 36 patients with biliary obstruction were included
      prospectively for a direct POC by using an ultraslim endoscope with a newly
      modified intraductal 5F balloon catheter. The main outcome measure was technical
      success, defined as successful advancement of the ultraslim endoscope into the
      obstructed segment of the biliary tree or the bifurcation. Secondary outcomes
      were mean time for the total procedure, intubation into the common bile duct and
      advancement up to the target site after intubation of the ultraslim endoscope,
      technical success rates of diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, and adverse
      events. RESULTS: The intraductal balloon-guided direct POC using a newly modified
      5F balloon catheter was completed successfully in 35 of 36 patients (97.2%). The
      mean times for total procedure, intubation into the distal common bile duct, and
      advancement up to the obstructed bile duct segment were 27.3 +/- 7.2, 2.2 +/-
      0.5, and 0.8 +/- 0.4 minutes, respectively. In total, 49 interventions were
      performed in 35 patients, excluding 1 patient in whom we failed to perform direct
      POC. Technical success of the interventions was achieved with 44 of 49 procedures
      (89.8%). No adverse events, including cholangitis, were observed. CONCLUSIONS: A
      newly modified 5F balloon catheter seemed to facilitate performing intraductal
      balloon-guided direct POC for direct visual examination of the bile duct in
      patients with biliary obstruction. Continued development of endoscopes and
      accessories are expected to further improve the performance of direct POC.

PMID- 26283273
TI  - Management of Barrett's high-grade dysplasia: initial results from a population
      based national audit.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Previous studies reported significant variation in the
      management of patients with Barrett's esophagus. However, these are based on self
      reported clinical practice. The aim of this study was to examine the management
      of high-grade dysplasia in Barrett's esophagus in England by using patient-level
      data and to compare practice with guidelines. METHODS: From April 2012 to March
      2013, National Health Service (NHS) trusts in England prospectively collected
      data on patients newly diagnosed with high-grade dysplasia (HGD) of the esophagus
      as part of the National Oesophago-Gastric Cancer Audit. Data were collected on
      patient characteristics, diagnosis and endoscopic findings, treatment planning,
      and therapy. RESULTS: Between April 2012 and March 2013, NHS trusts reported 465
      cases of HGD. Diagnosis was confirmed by a second pathologist in 79.4% of cases
      (270/340), and 86.0% (374/465) had their treatment planned at a multidisciplinary
      team meeting. A total of 290 patients (62.4%) were managed endoscopically
      (frequently with endoscopic resection or radiofrequency ablation), whereas 26
      patients (5.6%) had esophagectomy. The proportion of patients managed by
      surveillance varied by age (P < .001), ranging from 19.5% in patients aged <65
      years to 63.8% in patients aged >=85 years. More patients received active
      treatment if their cases were discussed at a multidisciplinary meeting (73.5% vs
      44.3%; P < .001) or managed at higher-volume trusts (87.8% vs 55.4%; P < .001).
      CONCLUSIONS: There was marked variation in the management of HGD across England,
      with a third of patients receiving no active treatment. Patients discussed at a
      specialist multidisciplinary meeting or managed in high-volume trusts were more
      likely to receive active treatment.

PMID- 26283274
TI  - Epilogue: The future of Laron syndrome - The need for changes.

PMID- 26283275
TI  - Improved glycemic control due to sitagliptin is not related to cortisol or the
      surrogate marker IGFBP-1 for hepatic insulin sensitivity.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Elevated cortisol levels and dysregulated insulin-like growth factor
      binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1; a marker of hepatic insulin sensitivity) are both
      related to insulin resistance and glucose abnormalities. It is unknown whether
      improvement in these parameters is related to improved glucose metabolism during
      treatment with sitagliptin. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether improved insulin
      sensitivity and beta-cell function during treatment with sitagliptin is related
      to lower cortisol levels and/or improved regulation of IGFBP-1 in patients with
      recent acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and newly discovered glucose abnormalities.
      DESIGN: Samples were taken from The BEta-cell function in Glucose abnormalities
      and Acute Myocardial Infarction (BEGAMI) trial, a double-blinded, placebo
      controlled randomized clinical trial on the efficacy and safety of sitagliptin
      for patients with ACS and newly discovered glucose abnormalities. SETTING:
      Cardiology departments (cardiac ICU and outpatient clinic) in two hospitals in
      Stockholm, Sweden. PARTICIPANTS: Subjects hospitalized (or recently hospitalized)
      for ACS, in whom an oral glucose tolerance test revealed previously unknown
      glucose abnormalities. INTERVENTIONS: Subjects were randomized to sitagliptin
      100mg once daily (n=34) or placebo (n=37) for twelve weeks. Oral glucose
      tolerance test (OGTT) and randomization occurred after stabilization median 7
      days after ACS. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Fasting serum cortisol and IGFBP-1
      were analyzed before OGTT, around 8a.m., and after at 10a.m. The latter time
      point was chosen as the spread in cortisol levels around is small then, allowing
      improved chances to detect differences between groups. RESULTS: Glucose tolerance
      and insulin sensitivity improved in both groups, while HbA1c and indices of beta
      cell function improved only in the sitagliptin group as reported previously. Both
      groups displayed decreased cortisol levels around 10a.m. (from 338+/-21 to 278+/
      14 nmol/L, p=0.038, in the sitagliptin group; from 343+/-17 to 302+/-15 nmol/L,
      p=0.017, in the placebo group), and improved correlation between fasting log
      IGFBP-1 and insulin. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: These findings suggest that a
      stress-related elevation in cortisol may have negative impact on glucose
      tolerance in patients with recent ACS. However, improved glycemic control with
      sitagliptin does not appear to be related to changes in cortisol levels or
      hepatic insulin sensitivity as assessed by IGFBP-1.

PMID- 26283277
TI  - Effects of beta-hydroxybutyricacid on the synthesis and assembly of very low
      density lipoprotein in bovine hepatocytes in vitro.
AB  - beta-Hydroxybutyricacid (BHBA) is an important metabolite that involved in the
      development of ketosis and fatty liver in dairy cows. Dairy cows with fatty liver
      displayed high blood concentration of BHBA and very low-density lipoprotein
      (VLDL) assembly. The effects of BHBA on VLDL synthesis and assembly in
      hepatocytes of cows were unclear. In this study, bovine hepatocytes were cultured
      and treated with different concentrations of BHBA. We found that BHBA treatment
      upregulated the mRNA and protein levels of apolipoprotein B100 (ApoB 100),
      apolipoprotein E (ApoE) and microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTTP) and
      showed in a firstly increased and then decreased trend. Meanwhile, the mRNA and
      protein levels of LDLR showed in a reverse trend. Consequently, VLDL content was
      significantly increased in medium-dose BHBA treatment group, while decreased in
      high-dose group. These results indicate that the effects of BHBA on the VLDL
      synthesis showed in a dose-dependent manner that low levels of BHBA increase VLDL
      synthesis and high levels of BHBA decrease VLDL synthesis. 

PMID- 26283276
TI  - Utility of whole-exome sequencing for those near the end of the diagnostic
      odyssey: time to address gaps in care.
AB  - An accurate diagnosis is an integral component of patient care for children with
      rare genetic disease. Recent advances in sequencing, in particular whole-exome
      sequencing (WES), are identifying the genetic basis of disease for 25-40% of
      patients. The diagnostic rate is probably influenced by when in the diagnostic
      process WES is used. The Finding Of Rare Disease GEnes (FORGE) Canada project was
      a nation-wide effort to identify mutations for childhood-onset disorders using
      WES. Most children enrolled in the FORGE project were toward the end of the
      diagnostic odyssey. The two primary outcomes of FORGE were novel gene discovery
      and the identification of mutations in genes known to cause disease. In the
      latter instance, WES identified mutations in known disease genes for 105 of 362
      families studied (29%), thereby informing the impact of WES in the setting of the
      diagnostic odyssey. Our analysis of this dataset showed that these known disease
      genes were not identified prior to WES enrollment for two key reasons: genetic
      heterogeneity associated with a clinical diagnosis and atypical presentation of
      known, clinically recognized diseases. What is becoming increasingly clear is
      that WES will be paradigm altering for patients and families with rare genetic
      diseases. 

PMID- 26283278
TI  - Silk fibroin/copolymer composite hydrogels for the controlled and sustained
      release of hydrophobic/hydrophilic drugs.
AB  - In the present study, a composite system for the controlled and sustained release
      of hydrophobic/hydrophilic drugs is described. Composite hydrogels were prepared
      by blending silk fibroin (SF) with PLA-PEG-PLA copolymer under mild aqueous
      condition. Aspirin and indomethacin were incorporated into SF/Copolymer hydrogels
      as two model drugs with different water-solubility. The degradation of composite
      hydrogels during the drug release was mainly caused by the hydrolysis of
      copolymers. SF with stable beta-sheet-rich structure was not easily degraded
      which maintained the mechanical integrity of composite hydrogel. The
      hydrophobic/hydrophilic interactions of copolymers with model drugs would
      significantly alter the morphological features of composite hydrogels. Various
      parameters such as drug load, concentration ratio, and composition of copolymer
      were considered in vitro drug release. Aspirin as a hydrophilic drug could be
      controlled release from composite hydrogel at a constant rate for 5 days. Its
      release was mainly driven by diffusion-based mechanism. Hydrophobic indomethacin
      could be encapsulated in copolymer nanoparticles distributing in the composite
      hydrogel. Its sustained release was mainly degradation controlled which could
      last up to two weeks. SF/Copolymer hydrogel has potential as a useful composite
      system widely applying for controlled and sustained release of various drugs. 

PMID- 26283279
TI  - Linking flowability and granulometry of lactose powders.
AB  - The flowing properties of 10 lactose powders commonly used in pharmaceutical
      industries have been analyzed with three recently improved measurement methods.
      The first method is based on the heap shape measurement. This straightforward
      measurement method provides two physical parameters (angle of repose alphar and
      static cohesive index sigmar) allowing to make a first screening of the powder
      properties. The second method allows to estimate the rheological properties of a
      powder by analyzing the powder flow in a rotating drum. This more advanced method
      gives a large set of physical parameters (flowing angle alphaf, dynamic cohesive
      index sigmaf, angle of first avalanche alphaa and powder aeration %ae) leading to
      deeper interpretations. The third method is an improvement of the classical bulk
      and tapped density measurements. In addition to the improvement of the
      measurement precision, the densification dynamics of the powder bulk submitted to
      taps is analyzed. The link between the macroscopic physical parameters obtained
      with these methods and the powder granulometry is analyzed. Moreover, the
      correlations between the different flowability indexes are discussed. Finally,
      the link between grain shape and flowability is discussed qualitatively. 

PMID- 26283280
TI  - Development and ex vivo evaluation of 5-aminolevulinic acid-loaded niosomal
      formulations for topical photodynamic therapy.
AB  - The objective of this study was the development of a niosomal formulation for
      improving skin permeation and penetration of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) in the
      treatment of skin malignancies by photodynamic therapy (PDT). Different niosomal
      dispersions were prepared, using two different preparation methods. The effect of
      addition to a classic formulation, consisting in an equimolar Span 60-cholesterol
      mixture, of two different edge activators, dicethyl-phosphate (DCP) and sodium
      cholate (SC), and of the presence of ethanol on the vesicle properties and
      stability was evaluated. Selected formulations were loaded with the drug and
      evaluated for physicochemical and stability properties and encapsulation
      efficiency. Classic and elastic DCP-containing niosomes were the only
      formulations able to effectively incorporate the drug without instability
      problems. Ex vivo permeation and penetration studies through excised human skin
      showed that both the niosomal formulations were significantly more effective in
      improving ALA skin delivery than the simple aqueous drug solution commonly used
      in clinical practice, allowing, respectively, an increase of about 80 and 40% of
      the drug permeated amount and of about 100 and 50% of the drug retained into the
      skin. These results lead to consider the developed formulations potentially
      useful for improving ALA bioavailability and therapeutic effectiveness in skin
      malignancies treatment by topical PDT. 

PMID- 26283281
TI  - Upper critical solution temperature behavior of cinnamic acid and
      polyethyleneimine mixture and its effect on temperature-dependent release of
      liposome.
AB  - The mixture of polyethyleneimine (PEI) and cinnamic acid (CA) in HEPES buffer (pH
      7.0) exhibited an upper critical solution temperature in the temperature range of
      20-50  degrees C. CA would be electrostatically conjugated with PEI and the PEI
      CA conjugate is thought to act as a thermo-sensitive polymer. On the optical
      microscope image of PEI/CA mixture, microparticles were found at 25  degrees C,
      disappeared when heated to 50  degrees C, and formed again upon cooling to 25 
      degrees C. PEI-CA conjugate was immobilized on the surface of egg
      phosphatidylcholine (EPC) liposome by adding PEI to the suspension of liposome
      incorporating CA. The size and the zeta potential of the liposome markedly
      increased by cooling the liposomal suspension from 50  degrees C to 20  degrees
      C. This could be ascribed to the cooling-induced self-assembling property of PEI
      CA conjugate. The release profile of Rhodamine B base from liposome incorporating
      CA with PEI was investigated while the liposome suspension of 50  degrees C was
      exposed to the release medium of 20  degrees C, 30  degrees C, 40  degrees C and
      50  degrees C. The release degree was higher at a lower temperature. When exposed
      to a lower temperature (20  degrees C, 30  degrees C, 40  degrees C), PEI-CA
      could be self-assembled and change its configuration on the surface of liposome,
      promoting the release from the liposome.

PMID- 26283282
TI  - Subjectivity in retinopathy of prematurity screening.

PMID- 26283283
TI  - Reply: To PMID 25703477.

PMID- 26283285
TI  - Selection and identification of a bacterial community able to degrade and
      detoxify m-nitrophenol in continuous biofilm reactors.
AB  - Nitroaromatics are widely used for industrial purposes and constitute a group of
      compounds of environmental concern because of their persistence and toxic
      properties. Biological processes used for decontamination of nitroaromatic
      polluted sources have then attracted worldwide attention. In the present
      investigation m-nitrophenol (MNP) biodegradation was studied in batch and
      continuous reactors. A bacterial community able to degrade the compound was first
      selected from a polluted freshwater stream and the isolates were identified by
      the analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence. The bacterial community was then used
      in biodegradation assays. Batch experiments were conducted in a 2L aerobic
      microfermentor at 28  degrees C and with agitation (200 rpm). The influence of
      abiotic factors in the biodegradation process in batch reactors, such as initial
      concentration of the compound and initial pH of the medium, was also studied.
      Continuous degradation of MNP was performed in an aerobic up-flow fixed-bed
      biofilm reactor. The biodegradation process was evaluated by determining MNP and
      ammonium concentrations and chemical oxygen demand (COD). Detoxification was
      assessed by Vibrio fischeri and Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata toxicity tests.
      Under batch conditions the bacterial community was able to degrade 0.72 mM of MNP
      in 32 h, with efficiencies higher than 99.9% and 89.0% of MNP and COD removals
      respectively and with concomitant release of ammonium. When the initial MNP
      concentration increased to 1.08 and 1.44 mM MNP the biodegradation process was
      accomplished in 40 and 44 h, respectively. No biodegradation of the compound was
      observed at higher concentrations. The community was also able to degrade 0.72 mM
      of the compound at pH 5, 7 and 9. In the continuous process biodegradation
      efficiency reached 99.5% and 96.8% of MNP and COD removal respectively. The
      maximum MNP removal rate was 37.9 gm(-3) day(-1). Toxicity was not detected after
      the biodegradation process.

PMID- 26283286
TI  - Toxic effects of magnesium oxide nanoparticles on early developmental and larval
      stages of zebrafish (Danio rerio).
AB  - Magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgONPs) are used in medicine, manufacturing and
      food industries. Because of their extensive application in our daily lives,
      environmental exposure to these nanoparticles is inevitable. The present study
      examined the effects of MgONPs on zebrafish (Danio rerio) early developmental
      stages. The results showed that, at different concentrations, MgONPs induced
      cellular apoptosis and intracellular reactive oxygen species. The hatching rate
      and survival of embryos decreased in a dose dependent manner. The 96-h LC50 value
      of MgONPs on zebrafish survival was 428 mg/l and the 48-h EC50 value of MgONPs on
      zebrafish embryo hatching rate was 175 mg/l. Moreover different types of
      malformation were observed in exposed embryos. The results demonstrate the toxic
      effects of MgONPs on zebrafish embryos and emphasize the need for further
      studies.

PMID- 26283284
TI  - Enzyme replacement in the CSF to treat metachromatic leukodystrophy in mouse
      model using single intracerebroventricular injection of self-complementary AAV1
      vector.
AB  - Metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) is a lysosomal storage disease caused by a
      functional deficiency in human arylsulfatase A (hASA). We recently reported that
      ependymal cells and the choroid plexus are selectively transduced by
      intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of adeno-associated virus serotype 1
      (AAV1) vector and serve as a biological reservoir for the secretion of lysosomal
      enzymes into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). In the present study, we examined the
      feasibility of this AAV-mediated gene therapy to treat MLD model mice.
      Preliminary experiments showed that the hASA level in the CSF after ICV injection
      of self-complementary (sc) AAV1 was much higher than in mice injected with single
      stranded AAV1 or scAAV9. However, when 18-week-old MLD mice were treated with ICV
      injection of scAAV1, the concentration of hASA in the CSF gradually decreased and
      was not detectable at 12 weeks after injection, probably due to the development
      of anti-hASA antibodies. As a result, the sulfatide levels in brain tissues of
      treated MLD mice were only slightly reduced compared with those of untreated MLD
      mice. These results suggest that this approach is potentially promising for
      treating MLD, but that controlling the immune response appears to be crucial for
      long-term expression of therapeutic proteins in the CSF. 

PMID- 26283287
TI  - Phytotoxicity of three plant-based biodiesels, unmodified castor oil, and Diesel
      fuel to alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), radish
      (Raphanus sativus), and wheatgrass (Triticum aestivum).
AB  - The wide use of plant-based oils and their derivatives, in particular biodiesel,
      have increased extensively over the past decade to help alleviate demand for
      petroleum products and improve the greenhouse gas emissions profile of the
      transportation sector. Biodiesel is regarded as a clean burning alternative fuel
      produced from livestock feeds and various vegetable oils. Although in theory
      these animal and/or plant derived fuels should have less environmental impact in
      soil based on their simplified composition relative to Diesel, they pose an
      environmental risk like Diesel at high concentrations when disposed. The aim of
      the present study was to ascertain the phytotoxicity of three different plant
      derived biodiesels relative to conventional Diesel. For phytotoxicological
      analysis, we used seeds of four crop plants, Medicago sativa, Lactuca sativa,
      Raphanus sativus, and Triticum aestivum to analyze the germination of seeds in
      contaminated soil samples. The toxicological experiment was conducted with two
      different soil textures: sandy loam soil and silt loam soil. The studied plant
      based biodiesels were safflower methyl-ester, castor methyl ester, and castor
      ethyl-ester. Biodiesel toxicity was more evident at high concentrations,
      affecting the germination and survival of small-seeded plants to a greater
      extent. Tolerance of plants to the biodiesels varied between plant species and
      soil textures. With the exception of R. sativus, all plant species were affected
      and exhibited some sensitivity to the fuels, such as delayed seedling emergence
      and slow germination (average=10 days) at high soil concentrations (0.85% for
      Diesel and 1.76% for the biodiesels). Tolerance of plants to soil contamination
      had a species-specific nature, and on average, decreased in the following order:
      Raphanus sativus (0-20%)>Triticum aestivum (10-40%) >= Medicago sativa> Lactuca
      sativa (80-100%). Thus, we conclude that there is some phytotoxicity associated
      with plant-based biodiesels. Further, the findings of this study can be useful
      for selecting the least fuel-tolerant species as a soil contamination bio
      indicator and for determining the risks of biodiesel contamination.

PMID- 26283288
TI  - Effect of aqueous media on the copper-ion-mediated phototoxicity of CuO
      nanoparticles toward green fluorescent protein-expressing Escherichia coli.
AB  - Quantitative comparison of different aqueous media on the phototoxicity of copper
      oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) is crucial for understanding their ecological
      effects. In this study, the phototoxicity of CuO NPs toward the green fluorescent
      protein-expressing Escherichia coli (GFP-E. coli) under UV irradiation (365 nm)
      was investigated in Luria-Bertani medium (LB), NaCl solution, deionized water
      (DI) and phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). The phototoxicity of CuO NPs toward GFP
      E. coli decreased in the order of DI>NaCl>PBS>LB because of different released
      concentrations of Cu(2+). The 3h released Cu(2+) concentrations by 10mg/L CuO NPs
      in DI water, NaCl solution, LB medium, and PBS were 1946.3 +/- 75.6, 1242.5 +/-
      47.6, 1023.4 +/- 41.2, and 1162.1 +/- 41.9 MUg/L, respectively. Transmission
      electron microscope and laser scanning confocal microscope images of E. coli
      exposed to CuO NPs demonstrated that the released Cu(2+) resulted in
      fragmentation of bacterial cell walls, leakage of intracellular components, and
      finally death of bacteria in four media after UV light irradiation. In each
      medium, the bacterial mortality rate logarithmically increased with the releasing
      concentrations of Cu(2+) by CuO NPs (R(2)>0.90) exposed to 3h UV light. This
      study highlights the importance of taking into consideration of water chemistry
      when the phototoxicity of CuO NPs is assessed in nanotoxicity research.

PMID- 26283289
TI  - Pore-water chemistry explains zinc phytotoxicity in soil.
AB  - Zinc (Zn) is a widespread soil contaminant arising from a numerous anthropogenic
      sources. However, adequately predicting toxicity of Zn to ecological receptors
      remains difficult due to the complexity of soil characteristics. In this study,
      we examined solid-solution partitioning using pore-water data and toxicity of Zn
      to cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) in spiked soils. Pore-water effective
      concentration (ECx, x=10%, 20% and 50% reduction) values were negatively related
      to pH, indicating lower Zn pore water concentration were needed to cause
      phytotoxicity at high pH soils. Total dissolved zinc (Znpw) and free zinc
      (Zn(2+)) in soil-pore water successfully described 78% and 80.3% of the variation
      in relative growth (%) in the full dataset. When the complete data set was used
      (10 soils), the estimated EC50pw was 450 and 79.2 uM for Znpw and Zn(2+),
      respectively. Total added Zn, soil pore water pH (pHpw) and dissolve organic
      carbon (DOC) were the best predictors of Znpw and Zn(2+) in pore-water. The EC10
      (total loading) values ranged from 179 to 5214 mg/kg, depending on soil type.
      Only pH measurements in soil were related to ECx total Zn data. The strongest
      relationship to ECx overall was pHca, although pHw and pHpw were in general
      related to Zn ECx. Similarly, when a solution-only model was used to predict Zn
      in shoot, DOC was negatively related to Zn in shoot, indicating a reduction in
      uptake/ translocation of Zn from solution with increasing DOC.

PMID- 26283291
TI  - The effects of auditory hallucination symptom management programme for people
      with schizophrenia: a quasi-experimental design.
AB  - AIM: To examine the effectiveness of an auditory hallucinatory symptom management
      programme in patients with chronic schizophrenia. BACKGROUND: Thirty per cent of
      chronic schizophrenia patients are still disturbed by hallucinations, which
      influence their psychological and social well-being, even when they take
      medication regularly. METHOD: Fifty-eight people experiencing schizophrenia with
      auditory hallucinations from psychiatric inpatient rehabilitation wards in
      northern Taiwan participated in the study, with 29 in the experimental group and
      29 in the control group. The experimental group received an auditory
      hallucinatory symptom management programme. The auditory hallucinatory symptom
      management programme involved 60-minute meetings once a week, for a total of 10
      meetings. The control group received routine care, which included free recreation
      for 40 minutes and walking for 20 minutes. The participants completed three self
      report questionnaires: the Beck Depressive Inventory II, the Beck Anxiety
      Inventory and the Characteristics of Auditory Hallucinations Questionnaire. Data
      were collected at baseline, immediately following the intervention and at 3
      months and 6 months post intervention. Data collection occurred between March
      2010-May 2013. RESULTS: The experimental group showed a non-significant
      improvement in anxiety symptoms over time. Generalized estimating equations
      revealed that the experimental group achieved a greater drop in Characteristics
      of Auditory Hallucinations Questionnaire score than the controls at three and 6
      months post intervention. Beck Depressive Inventory II scores in the experimental
      group (n = 29) had significantly improved in 3 months. CONCLUSION: The auditory
      hallucinatory symptom management programme seems to be effective in improving
      auditory hallucinatory symptoms and depressive symptoms in patients with
      schizophrenia.

PMID- 26283290
TI  - Mobile Apps for Bipolar Disorder: A Systematic Review of Features and Content
      Quality.
AB  - BACKGROUND: With continued increases in smartphone ownership, researchers and
      clinicians are investigating the use of this technology to enhance the management
      of chronic illnesses such as bipolar disorder (BD). Smartphones can be used to
      deliver interventions and psychoeducation, supplement treatment, and enhance
      therapeutic reach in BD, as apps are cost-effective, accessible, anonymous, and
      convenient. While the evidence-based development of BD apps is in its infancy,
      there has been an explosion of publicly available apps. However, the opportunity
      for mHealth to assist in the self-management of BD is only feasible if apps are
      of appropriate quality. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to identify the types of apps
      currently available for BD in the Google Play and iOS stores and to assess their
      features and the quality of their content. METHODS: A systematic review framework
      was applied to the search, screening, and assessment of apps. We searched the
      Australian Google Play and iOS stores for English-language apps developed for
      people with BD. The comprehensiveness and quality of information was assessed
      against core psychoeducation principles and current BD treatment guidelines.
      Management tools were evaluated with reference to the best-practice resources for
      the specific area. General app features, and privacy and security were also
      assessed. RESULTS: Of the 571 apps identified, 82 were included in the review. Of
      these, 32 apps provided information and the remaining 50 were management tools
      including screening and assessment (n=10), symptom monitoring (n=35), community
      support (n=4), and treatment (n=1). Not even a quarter of apps (18/82, 22%)
      addressed privacy and security by providing a privacy policy. Overall, apps
      providing information covered a third (4/11, 36%) of the core psychoeducation
      principles and even fewer (2/13, 15%) best-practice guidelines. Only a third
      (10/32, 31%) cited their information source. Neither comprehensiveness of
      psychoeducation information (r=-.11, P=.80) nor adherence to best-practice
      guidelines (r=-.02, P=.96) were significantly correlated with average user
      ratings. Symptom monitoring apps generally failed to monitor critical information
      such as medication (20/35, 57%) and sleep (18/35, 51%), and the majority of self
      assessment apps did not use validated screening measures (6/10, 60%).
      CONCLUSIONS: In general, the content of currently available apps for BD is not in
      line with practice guidelines or established self-management principles. Apps
      also fail to provide important information to help users assess their quality,
      with most lacking source citation and a privacy policy. Therefore, both consumers
      and clinicians should exercise caution with app selection. While mHealth offers
      great opportunities for the development of quality evidence-based mobile
      interventions, new frameworks for mobile mental health research are needed to
      ensure the timely availability of evidence-based apps to the public.

PMID- 26283292
TI  - Accuracy and Usability of a Self-Administered 6-Minute Walk Test Smartphone
      Application.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) independently predicts congestive heart
      failure severity, death, and heart failure hospitalizations, but must be
      administered in clinic by qualified staff on a premeasured course. As part of the
      Health eHeart Study, we sought to develop and validate a self-administered 6MWT
      mobile application (SA-6MWTapp) for independent use at home by patients. METHODS
      AND RESULTS: We performed a validation study of an SA-6MWTapp in 103
      participants. In phase 1 (n=52), we developed a distance-estimation algorithm for
      the SA-6MWTapp by comparing step counts from an Actigraph and measured distance
      on a premeasured 6MWT course with step counts and estimated distance obtained
      simultaneously from our SA-6MWTapp (best estimation algorithm, r=0.89 [95%
      confidence interval 0.78-0.99]). In phase 2, 32 participants (including those
      with congestive heart failure and pulmonary hypertension) used the SA-6MWTapp
      independently in clinic, and the distance estimated by the SA-6MWTapp was
      compared with the measured distance (r=0.83 [95% confidence interval 0.79-0.92]).
      In phase 3, 19 patients with congestive heart failure and pulmonary hypertension
      consecutively enrolled from clinic performed 3.2+/-1 SA-6MWTapp tests per week at
      home over 2 weeks. Distances estimated from the SA-6MWTapp during home 6MWTs were
      highly repeatable (coefficient of variation =4.6%) and correlated with in-clinic
      measured distance (r=0.88 [95% confidence interval 0.87-0.89]). Usability surveys
      performed during the second (in-clinic) and third (at-home) phases demonstrated
      that the SA-6MWTapp was simple and easy to use independently. CONCLUSIONS: An SA
      6MWTapp is easy to use and yields accurate repeatable measurements in the clinic
      and at home.

PMID- 26283293
TI  - Ultrasound detection of pneumonia in febrile children with respiratory distress:
      a prospective study.
AB  - To analyse the usefulness of bedside lung ultrasound (LUS) in detecting lung
      consolidation in a paediatric emergency room (ER) setting, febrile children seen
      at our ER from 2008 to 2012 with a moderate to severe respiratory distress
      underwent LUS, chest X-ray (CXR) and laboratory investigations. At first ER
      assessment, LUS identified a lung consolidation in 207 patients of 222 children
      enrolled, with a liver-like appearance in 75 (36.2%) and an associated pleural
      effusion in 36.7% of cases. CXR proved positive in 197 cases, showing a
      parenchymal consolidation (68.5%) or a focal ground-glass opacity (31.4%). LUS
      liver-like consolidation was significantly associated with longer duration of
      fever (p = 0.002), higher neutrophil counts and C-reactive protein (CRP) values
      (p = 0.015 and p < 0.0001, respectively), and with the discovery of a homogeneous
      and dense parenchymal consolidation on CXR (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: LUS can be
      adopted by the clinician as a non-invasive bedside tool to expand the physical
      evaluation of febrile children with respiratory distress. In our study, LUS
      results appeared not only as reliable as CXR in detecting lung consolidations but
      also consistent with clinical and laboratory data. WHAT IS KNOWN: The diagnosis
      of pneumonia is mainly based on physical examination plus radiologic and
      laboratory evaluation when needed. Although lung ultrasound (LUS) has shown high
      sensitivity in detecting several pleuropulmonary diseases in adults, its role in
      the work-up of pneumonia in children is not yet widely recognized. WHAT IS NEW:
      LUS is confirmed to be a reliable imaging technique for the diagnostic work-up of
      febrile children with respiratory distress, consistent not only with CXR results
      as previously reported by others but also with clinical and laboratory data. In
      the hands of trained clinicians, it may represent a valuable supplemental bedside
      tool for a rapid evaluation in such circumstances.

PMID- 26283294
TI  - Sporadic paraganglioma caused by de novo SDHB mutations in a 6-year-old girl.
AB  - Germline mutations in the succinate dehydrogenase complex subunit B (SDHB) gene
      (SDHB) cause susceptibility to paragangliomas and pheochromocytomas; however, it
      is exceedingly rare in childhood and especially in sporadic cases. We report the
      first Japanese pediatric case of paraganglioma with a de novo mutation in the
      SDHB gene. A 6-year-old girl with convulsions and hypertension was found to have
      a paravertebral abdominal tumor. Urinary and blood examinations revealed markedly
      elevated levels of norepinephrine. Following treatment for hypertension, the
      tumor was removed completely and histological findings were consistent with
      paraganglioma. Immunohistochemistry studies demonstrated the absence of SDHB
      protein expression, indicating an underlying SDH mutation with high probability.
      Germline mutation analysis of the SDHB gene revealed a heterozygous splice site
      mutation in intron 4 (C.423 + 1G > A). Subsequently, a second somatic genetic
      change was confirmed by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA)
      analysis, showing that deletion of the wild-type allele resulted in loss of
      function of SDHB. No germline mutations in SDHB were detected in her parents.
      CONCLUSION: Genetic testing should be considered for pediatric patients with
      paragangliomas, even in the absence of familial history, as closer lifelong
      screening to detect the development of malignancy will be required for patients
      with SDHB mutations. WHAT IS KNOWN: Most sporadic cases of paraganglioma with
      SDHB mutations occur between adolescence and adulthood. Screening methods for
      carriers of SDHB mutations assessing recurrence and detecting developing
      metastases are yet to be standardized. WHAT IS NEW: The current case of an extra
      adrenal paraganglioma with a de novo SDHB mutation had an onset at 6 years. We
      suggest much closer periodical observation for these high-risk children.

PMID- 26283295
TI  - The impact of anastomotic leakage on oncologic outcomes and the receipt and
      timing of adjuvant chemotherapy after colorectal cancer surgery.
AB  - PURPOSES: To evaluate the impact of anastomotic leakage on oncologic outcomes in
      patients with colorectal cancer. We also evaluated the influence of anastomotic
      leakage on receipt and commencement time of adjuvant chemotherapy. METHODS: A
      total of 809 consecutive patients undergoing major resection for colorectal
      cancer were categorized into leak (n = 33, 4.1%) and non-leak (n = 776, 95.9%)
      groups. RESULTS: The 5-year local recurrence rates of stage II disease were 0.6%
      and 20.0% for non-leak and leak groups respectively (p = 0.046), and the
      equivalent rates for stage III disease were 9.1% and 59.4% respectively (p <
      0.001). For stage III disease, receipt of adjuvant therapy was lower in the leak
      group (63% vs. 87%, p = 0.007) and mean time to initiation of chemotherapy was
      longer in the leak group (52 days vs. 37 days) but this did not reach statistical
      significance (p = 0.080). Older age (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.8), advanced TNM
      classification (HR = 3.6), and anastomotic leakage (HR = 8.9) were adverse risk
      factors for local recurrence based on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS:
      Anastomotic leakage adversely influenced local recurrence rates in stage II and
      III disease and was an independent risk factor for local recurrence.
      Additionally, anastomotic leakage contributed to failure to receive adjuvant
      chemotherapy in patients with stage III disease.

PMID- 26283296
TI  - Increased incidence of migraine in women correlates with obstetrics and
      gynaecological surgical procedures.
AB  - Migraine is a common chronic neurological disorder; yet no possible aetiology has
      been identified so far. There is a debate that migraine worsens in women who
      undergo procedures such as hysterectomy, dilation and curettage (D&C) or cesarean
      section for delivery. Hence, the present study was attempted to explore the link
      between procedures like D&C, hysterectomy and cesarean section for delivery and
      the prevalence of migraine in women. A total of 185 migraine patients were
      screened based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria of the International
      Headache Classification guidelines and 70 females who satisfied the inclusion
      criteria were included for the study. Of the 70 female patients, the numbers of
      married and unmarried women were 47 and 27, respectively. About 36 married women
      (80%, 95% CI: 0.146-0.104) had undergone the procedures related to obstetrics and
      gynaecology as per their medical history. Interestingly, 12 patients (33%, 95%
      CI: 0.148-0.176) had not experienced migraine attack prior to the above mentioned
      surgeries. Although, the age adjusted incidence of diagnosed migraine per 100,000
      populations showed higher risk between 16-20 years of age (95% CI: 0.104-0.121),
      significant risk (95% CI: 0.086-0.113) was also observed in the women of 31-35
      years age group in the present study. Based on the present study, surgeries such
      as D&C, hysterectomy and cesarean section for delivery increased the prevalence
      of migraine in women. Therefore, such procedures should be avoided unless
      otherwise essential, particularly in patients with positive past history of
      migraine. 

PMID- 26283297
TI  - Inhibition of reactive oxygen species downregulates the MAPK pathway in rat
      spinal cord after limb ischemia reperfusion injury.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: We examined the activity of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)
      family members, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal
      kinase (JNK), and p38, in rats pinal cord after hind limb ischemia reperfusion
      (IR) and analyzed the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as mediators of MAPK
      signaling under these conditions. METHODS: In experiment 1, hind limb IR rats
      were treated intraperitoneally with one of following agents at 30 min before
      reperfusion: allopurinol (4, 40 mg/kg), superoxide dismutase (SOD, 4000 U/kg), N
      nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME, 10 mg/kg), or SOD (4000 U/kg) + l-NAME (10
      mg/kg). In experiment 2, 5,10,15,20-tetrakis (N-methyl-4'-pyridyl) porphyrinato
      iron (III) (FeTMPyP) was administered intraperitoneally (1, 3, or 10 mg/kg) 30
      min before reperfusion. After 3 d reperfusion period, the spinal cord (L4-6) was
      harvested to investigate MAPK signaling activity. RESULTS: In experiment 1, p-ERK
      and p-JNK levels were significantly higher in the IR group than sham group.
      Administration of allopurinol, SOD, l-NAME, or SOD + l-NAME significantly reduced
      the IR-induced increase in p-ERK and p-JNK levels. There were no significant
      differences in p-p38 levels. In experiment 2, FeTMPyP significantly reduced the
      IR-induced increase in p-ERK and p-JNK levels in a dose-dependent manner.
      CONCLUSIONS: Activation of ERK and JNK in the spinal cord was induced by hind
      limb IR and was not accompanied by p38 activation. IR-induced MAPK
      phosphorylation was reduced by inhibition of superoxide, nitric oxide, and
      peroxynitrite, indicating that ROS produced by hind limb IR mediate the
      activation of these signaling pathways in the spinal cord, potentially affecting
      distant organs.

PMID- 26283298
TI  - Patterned hypopigmentation associated with prenatally diagnosed trisomy 7
      mosaicism: long-term follow-up.

PMID- 26283299
TI  - Imaging breast cancer morphology using probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy:
      towards a real-time intraoperative imaging tool for cavity scanning.
AB  - Current techniques for assessing the adequacy of tumour excision during breast
      conserving surgery do not provide real-time direct cytopathological assessment of
      the internal cavity walls within the breast. This study investigates the ability
      of probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (pCLE), an emerging imaging tool, to
      image the morphology of neoplastic and non-neoplastic breast tissues, and
      determines the ability of histopathologists and surgeons to differentiate these
      images. Freshly excised tumour samples and adjacent non-diseased sections from 50
      consenting patients were stained with 0.01 % acriflavine hydrochloride and imaged
      using pCLE. All discernible pCLE features were cross-examined with conventional
      histopathology. Following pattern recognition training, 17 histopathologists and
      surgeons with no pCLE experience interpreted 50 pCLE images independently whilst
      blinded to histopathology results. Three-hundred and fifty pCLE image mosaics
      were analysed. Consistent with histopathology findings, the glandular structures,
      adipocytes and collagen fibres of normal breast were readily visible on pCLE
      images. These were distinguishable from the morphological architecture exhibited
      by invasive and non-invasive carcinoma. The mean accuracy of pCLE image
      interpretation for histopathologists and surgeons was 94 and 92 %, respectively.
      Overall, inter-observer agreement for histopathologists was 'almost perfect',
      kappa = 0.82; and 'substantial' for surgeons, kappa = 0.74. pCLE morphological
      features of neoplastic and non-neoplastic breast tissues are readily visualized
      and distinguishable with high accuracy by both histopathologists and surgeons.
      Further research is required to investigate a potential role for the use of pCLE
      intraoperatively for in situ detection of residual cancerous foci, thereby
      guiding operating decision-making based on real-time breast cavity scanning.

PMID- 26283300
TI  - Meta-analysis to determine the clinical impact of axillary lymph node dissection
      in the treatment of invasive breast cancer.
AB  - There are divergent opinions regarding the optimum surgical management of the
      axilla in patients with invasive breast cancer. Guidelines mandate axillary lymph
      node dissection (ALND) in the setting of positive sentinel lymph nodes. However,
      recent studies have questioned the true benefits of this procedure. Therefore, a
      meta-analysis of relevant randomized trials was performed in order to clarify the
      oncological benefit of axillary lymph node dissection. A comprehensive search of
      published randomized trials that compared patients with primary operable breast
      cancer with/without ALND was performed using MEDLINE, and available data were
      cross-referenced. Reviews of each study were conducted, and data were extracted.
      Primary outcomes were overall survival and recurrent axillary disease. A total of
      7347 patients with operable primary breast cancer were identified from 8
      randomised controlled trials comparing axillary recurrence in patients with or
      without ALND. Six of these trials provided data on overall survival on 6895
      patients. Overall survival favours patients having ALND (OR = 1.22 (95% CI 1.03
      1.44, p = 0.02). Similarly, patients undergoing ALND had increased recurrence
      free survival (OR = 2.25 (95% CI 1.28-3.94, p = 0.0047). ALND appears to
      positively impact on overall and recurrence-free survival from breast cancer.
      These data highlight the enduring benefits of ALND in an era where adjuvant
      therapies are being promoted to manage regionally advanced/metastatic disease.

PMID- 26283302
TI  - Diabetic foot disease: When the alarm to action is missing.

PMID- 26283301
TI  - Developing in vitro models of human ductal carcinoma in situ from primary tissue
      explants.
AB  - Because there are currently no reliable predictors for progression of ductal
      carcinoma in situ (DCIS) to invasive disease, nearly all patients receive
      comprehensive therapy, leading to over-treatment in many cases. Few in vitro
      models for studying DCIS progression have been developed. We report here the
      successful culture and expansion of primary DCIS from surgical specimens using a
      conditional reprogramming protocol. Patients with percutaneous core-needle biopsy
      demonstrating DCIS were enrolled in a tissue banking protocol after informed
      consent was received. Fresh tissue was taken from lumpectomy or mastectomy
      specimens, mechanically and enzymatically dissociated, cultured in medium
      conditioned by irradiated mouse fibroblasts and supplemented with rho-associated
      protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitor, and characterized by immunocytochemistry. Out of
      33 DCIS cases, 58% (19) were expanded for up to 2 months in culture, and 42% (14)
      were frozen immediately after mechanical dissociation for future growth. The
      cultures are almost exclusively composed of cytokeratin 8- and EpCAM-positive
      luminal and cytokeratin 14-, cytokeratin 5-, and p63-positive basal mammary
      epithelial cells, suggesting maintenance of heterogeneity in vitro. Furthermore,
      as assessed by luminal and basal marker expression, these cells retain their
      cellular identities both in the "conditionally reprogrammed" proliferative state
      and after conditioned media and ROCK inhibitor withdrawal. When grown to 100 %
      confluency, the cultures organize into luminal and basal layers as well as
      luminal compartments surrounded by basal cells. Primary cultures of DCIS derived
      directly from patient tissues can be generated and may serve as in vitro models
      for the study of DCIS.

PMID- 26283303
TI  - Postoperative exercise training is associated with reduced respiratory infection
      rates and early discharge: A case-control study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary complications are a significant cause of morbidity,
      mortality and increased hospital stay following complex abdominal surgery. We
      investigated whether postoperative early aerobic activity with a pedal exerciser
      reduced respiratory morbidity and length of stay and improved pulmonary function.
      METHODS: A prospective case-control study on 30 cases and 30 case matched
      controls aged 18 years or more who underwent major surgery was conducted.
      Controls were case-mix matched prospectively from a similar general surgical
      service not utilising postoperative exercising. Thirty consecutive cases were
      started on a twice-daily aerobic exercise program with pedal exerciser post
      operatively day 2 or from when sitting independently. Primary outcome measures
      were respiratory tract infection (RTI), deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary
      embolus (PE). Secondary outcome measure was subjective breathlessness and Length
      of Stay (LOS) postoperatively. RESULTS: The rate of RTI was only 16.6% in the
      exercise group and 43.3% in the control group (P = 0.024). None of the cases or
      controls suffered from a DVT or PE. Median postoperative length of stay in the
      control group was 11 +/- 7.5 days whereas in the cases it was 8.5 +/- 5.00 days
      (P = 0.049). The Borg subjective breathlessness score in the cases group showed a
      decline in the subjective breathlessness on postoperative day 4 (P = 0.002).
      CONCLUSIONS: Early aerobic activity with a pedal exerciser halves the rate of
      postoperative RTI and postoperative hospital stay after complex abdominal
      surgery. Subjective breathlessness was also reduced with the use of pedal
      exerciser, signifying potential to improve exercise endurance in the
      postoperative patient.

PMID- 26283304
TI  - Thoughts, emotions, and dissociative features differentiate patients with
      epilepsy from patients with psychogenic nonepileptic spells (PNESs).
AB  - Psychogenic nonepileptic spells (PNESs) are often very difficult to treat, which
      may be, in part, related to the limited information known about what a person
      experiences while having PNESs. For this retrospective study, thoughts, emotions,
      and dissociative features during a spell were evaluated in 351 patients diagnosed
      with PNESs (N=223) or epilepsy (N=128). We found that a statistically higher
      number of thoughts, emotions, and dissociative symptoms were endorsed by patients
      with PNESs versus patients with epilepsy. Patients with PNESs reported
      significantly more anxiety and frustration, but not depression, compared with
      those with epilepsy. Emotions and dissociations, but not thoughts, and a history
      of any type of abuse were endorsed significantly more often by patients with
      PNESs. Patients with PNESs are prone to having poor outcomes, and interventions
      focusing on their actual experiences may be helpful for treatment planning. 

PMID- 26283305
TI  - Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy and narcolepsy: A series of three cases.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This paper sets out to demonstrate the coexistence of juvenile
      myoclonic epilepsy (JME) and narcolepsy that raises the possibility of a shared
      genetic predisposition to both conditions. METHODS: The electronic medical
      records (EMRs) were searched for narcolepsy and JME over 10years. RESULTS: We
      identified three young adult women diagnosed with JME in their teenage years,
      with myoclonic, generalized tonic-clonic, and absence seizure semiologies, along
      with psychiatric comorbidity, well managed on lamotrigine and/or levetiracetam.
      Our patients were also found to have disturbed sleep preceding the diagnosis of
      JME by many years, including excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), fragmented
      nocturnal sleep, hypnagogic vivid hallucinations, and REM behavior disorder along
      with daytime cataplexy. They were ultimately diagnosed with coexisting
      narcolepsy, confirmed by sleep studies and multiple sleep latency testing, along
      with positive genetic testing for HLA-DQB1*0602 in all three patients.
      Stimulants, selective serotonin receptor inhibitors, and/or sodium oxybate were
      used to successfully treat their narcolepsy. SIGNIFICANCE: The coexistence of JME
      and narcolepsy has not been well recognized and may be clinically relevant. In
      addition, it raises the possibility of a shared genetic predisposition to both
      conditions.

PMID- 26283306
TI  - Congenital malformations in infants exposed to antiepileptic medications in utero
      at Boston Medical Center from 2003 to 2010.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of association of
      major congenital malformations in pregnancy in women exposed to antiepileptic
      drugs (AEDs) in an inner city population. BACKGROUND: Approximately 0.3-0.5% of
      all pregnancies involve women with epilepsy. The risk of congenital malformations
      associated with AED therapy has been well documented, ranging from 2 to 10% as
      compared to a rate of 3% in the general population. However, the risk of these
      occurring in a higher risk population, such as an inner city tertiary care
      center, with multiple comorbidities is not as well known. DESIGN/METHODS: Using
      the Boston Medical Center Database between the years 2003 and 2010, a list of all
      infants born with major congenital malformations (MCMs) to mothers on AEDs was
      compiled. Major congenital malformations were defined as cleft lip and/or palate,
      ventricular or atrial septal defect, other cardiac malformations, and urogenital
      defects. During pregnancy, AED exposure including serum levels, other medication
      exposures, breakthrough seizure frequency, positive toxicology tests, and other
      maternal comorbidities were also analyzed. RESULTS: Of 17,246 live births between
      2003 and 2010, 330 of those births demonstrated a MCM (malformation rate of
      1.91%). Of those births, 64 mothers had epilepsy and were exposed to AED therapy
      during pregnancy, accounting for 0.37% of all births during this time period.
      Overall, three pregnancies in women with epilepsy resulted in a baby with a MCM,
      accounting for a 4.7% malformation rate in this patient population. In mothers on
      AEDs for other indications, the MCM rate was slightly higher, 5.0%, and in women
      on benzodiazepine monotherapy during pregnancy, the rate was quite high, 10.6%.

PMID- 26283307
TI  - Stenting Versus Aggressive Medical Management for Symptomatic Vertebral Artery
      Stenosis.

PMID- 26283308
TI  - Laser-wakefield accelerators as hard x-ray sources for 3D medical imaging of
      human bone.
AB  - A bright MUm-sized source of hard synchrotron x-rays (critical energy Ecrit > 30
      keV) based on the betatron oscillations of laser wakefield accelerated electrons
      has been developed. The potential of this source for medical imaging was
      demonstrated by performing micro-computed tomography of a human femoral
      trabecular bone sample, allowing full 3D reconstruction to a resolution below 50
      MUm. The use of a 1 cm long wakefield accelerator means that the length of the
      beamline (excluding the laser) is dominated by the x-ray imaging distances rather
      than the electron acceleration distances. The source possesses high peak
      brightness, which allows each image to be recorded with a single exposure and
      reduces the time required for a full tomographic scan. These properties make this
      an interesting laboratory source for many tomographic imaging applications.

PMID- 26283310
TI  - SIMAT: GC-SIM-MS data analysis tool.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is one of
      the technologies widely used for qualitative and quantitative analysis of small
      molecules. In particular, GC coupled to single quadrupole MS can be utilized for
      targeted analysis by selected ion monitoring (SIM). However, to our knowledge,
      there are no software tools specifically designed for analysis of GC-SIM-MS data.
      In this paper, we introduce a new R/Bioconductor package called SIMAT for
      quantitative analysis of the levels of targeted analytes. SIMAT provides guidance
      in choosing fragments for a list of targets. This is accomplished through an
      optimization algorithm that has the capability to select the most appropriate
      fragments from overlapping chromatographic peaks based on a pre-specified library
      of background analytes. The tool also allows visualization of the total ion
      chromatograms (TIC) of runs and extracted ion chromatograms (EIC) of analytes of
      interest. Moreover, retention index (RI) calibration can be performed and raw GC
      SIM-MS data can be imported in netCDF or NIST mass spectral library (MSL)
      formats. RESULTS: We evaluated the performance of SIMAT using two GC-SIM-MS
      datasets obtained by targeted analysis of: (1) plasma samples from 86 patients in
      a targeted metabolomic experiment; and (2) mixtures of internal standards spiked
      in plasma samples at varying concentrations in a method development study. Our
      results demonstrate that SIMAT offers alternative solutions to AMDIS and
      MetaboliteDetector to achieve accurate detection of targets and estimation of
      their relative intensities by analysis of GC-SIM-MS data. CONCLUSIONS: We
      introduce a new R package called SIMAT that allows the selection of the optimal
      set of fragments and retention time windows for target analytes in GC-SIM-MS
      based analysis. Also, various functions and algorithms are implemented in the
      tool to: (1) read and import raw data and spectral libraries; (2) perform GC-SIM
      MS data preprocessing; and (3) plot and visualize EICs and TICs.

PMID- 26283311
TI  - E-waste management and resources recovery in France.
AB  - There are various issues of concern regarding electronic waste management, such
      as the toxicity of hazardous materials and the collection, recycling and recovery
      of useful resources. To understand the fate of electronic waste after collection
      and recycling, a products and materials flow analysis should be performed. This
      is a critical need, as material resources are becoming increasingly scarce and
      recycling may be able to provide secondary sources for new materials in the
      future. In this study, we investigate electronic waste systems, specifically the
      resource recovery or recycling aspects, as well as mapping electronic waste flows
      based on collection data in France. Approximately 1,588,453 t of new electrical
      and electronic equipment were sold in the French market in 2010. Of this amount,
      430,000 t of electronic waste were collected, with the remaining 1,128,444 t
      remaining in stock. Furthermore, the total recycled amounts were 354,106 t and
      11,396 t, respectively. The main electronic waste materials were ferrous metals
      (37%), plastic (22%), aluminium (12%), copper (11%) and glass (7%). This study
      will contribute to developing sustainable electronic waste and resource recycling
      systems in France.

PMID- 26283309
TI  - Transient CNS responses to repeated binge ethanol treatment.
AB  - The effects of ethanol (EtOH) on in vivo magnetic resonance (MR)-detectable brain
      measures across repeated exposures have not previously been reported. Of 28 rats
      weighing 340.66 +/- 21.93 g at baseline, 15 were assigned to an EtOH group and 13
      to a control group. Animals were exposed to five cycles of 4 days of intragastric
      (EtOH or dextrose) treatment and 10 days of recovery. Rats in both groups had
      structural MR imaging and whole-brain MR spectroscopy (MRS) scans at baseline,
      immediately following each binge period and after each recovery period (total =
      11 scans per rat). Blood alcohol level at each of the five binge periods was ~300
      mg/dl. Blood drawn at the end of the experiment did not show group differences
      for thiamine or its phosphate derivatives. Postmortem liver histopathology
      provided no evidence for hepatic steatosis, alcoholic hepatitis or alcoholic
      cirrhosis. Cerebrospinal fluid volumes of the lateral ventricles and cisterns
      showed enlargement with each binge EtOH exposure but recovery with each
      abstinence period. Similarly, changes in MRS metabolite levels were transient:
      levels of N-acetylaspartate and total creatine decreased, while those of choline
      containing compounds and the combined resonance from glutamate and glutamine
      increased with each binge EtOH exposure cycle and then recovered during each
      abstinence period. Changes in response to EtOH were in expected directions based
      on previous single-binge EtOH exposure experiments, but the current MR findings
      do not provide support for accruing changes with repeated binge EtOH exposure.

PMID- 26283312
TI  - Effect of neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser and fluoride on the acid
      demineralization of enamel.
AB  - AIM: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective effect of the
      neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser and acidic phosphate fluoride
      (APF) on enamel erosion caused by hydrochloric acid. METHODS: Fifty human enamel
      specimens were distributed according to the following treatments (n = 10):
      untreated (control), APF (1.23%) 4 min, Nd:YAG laser (100 mJ, 1 W, 10 Hz, 141.5
      J/cm2 ), APF + Nd:YAG laser, and Nd:YAG laser + APF. For 14 days the specimens
      were submitted to erosive challenge: 5 min in 3 mL hydrochloric acid (0.01 M, pH
      2.2), rinsed with distilled water, and stored in artificial saliva for 3 h. This
      cycle was repeated four times per day. The calcium (Ca) loss was determined in
      demineralizing solution by atomic emission spectroscopy, and superficial
      roughness (Ra) was measured before and after the erosive challenge. RESULTS: The
      mean Ca loss was (mg/L, +/- standard deviation): control 12.74 +/- 3.33, APF 1.71
      +/- 0.11, laser 1.64 +/- 0.08, APF + laser 1.38 +/- 0.08, and laser + APF 1.48 +/
      0.07. Kruskal-Wallis test showed a significant difference between the control
      and other groups. APF + laser showed minor loss of Ca. After the erosive
      challenge, the APF + laser group showed Ra alteration. CONCLUSION: A significant
      reduction in tooth dissolution was observed after fluoride application combined
      with Nd:YAG irradiation.

PMID- 26283313
TI  - Comparison of different process strategies for bioethanol production from
      Eucheuma cottonii: An economic study.
AB  - The aim of this work was to evaluate the efficacy of red macroalgae Eucheuma
      cottonii (EC) as feedstock for third-generation bioethanol production. Dowex (TM)
      Dr-G8 was explored as a potential solid catalyst to hydrolyzed carbohydrates from
      EC or macroalgae extract (ME) and pretreatment of macroalgae cellulosic residue
      (MCR), to fermentable sugars prior to fermentation process. The highest total
      sugars were produced at 98.7 g/L when 16% of the ME was treated under the optimum
      conditions of solid acid hydrolysis (8% (w/v) Dowex (TM) Dr-G8, 120 degrees C,
      1h) and 2% pretreated MCR (P-MCR) treated by enzymatic hydrolysis (pH 4.8, 50
      degrees C, 30 h). A two-stream process resulted in 11.6g/L of bioethanol from the
      fermentation of ME hydrolysates and 11.7 g/L from prehydrolysis and simultaneous
      saccharification and fermentation of P-MCR. The fixed price of bioethanol
      obtained from the EC is competitive with that obtained from other feedstocks.

PMID- 26283314
TI  - Retraction Note to: The role of TGFbeta1 stimulating ROCK I signal pathway to
      reorganize actin in a rat experimental model of developmental dysplasia of the
      hip.

PMID- 26283315
TI  - Retraction Note to: Identification of genes associated with the differentiation
      potential of adipose-derived stem cells to osteocytes or myocytes.

PMID- 26283316
TI  - Fitness responses to co-infestation in fleas exploiting rodent hosts.
AB  - To understand mechanisms behind positive interspecific co-occurrences in flea
      infracommunities, we asked whether co-infestation results in an increase of flea
      fitness (quantity and/or quality of the offspring). We studied reproductive
      performance of Xenopsylla ramesis and Parapulex chephrenis when they exploited
      their characteristic host (Meriones crassus and Acomys cahirinus, respectively)
      either alone or together with another species. We used egg production, the number
      of new imagoes, pre-imaginal survival and egg size as fitness-related variables
      and predicted that fitness will be higher in fleas feeding in mixed- than in
      single-species groups. In both fleas, mean number of eggs produced per female
      flea did not depend on experimental treatment. No effect of single- vs mixed
      species infestation on the mean number of new imagoes per female and the number
      of emerged imagoes per egg was found for X. ramesis, whereas both these numbers
      were higher in mixed- than in single-species groups for P. chephrenis. X. ramesis
      produced eggs of similar size independently of treatment, whereas eggs produced
      by P. chephrenis in mixed-species groups were significantly larger than eggs
      produced in single-species groups. We conclude that an increase in reproductive
      performance as a response to co-infestation may be one of the mechanisms behind
      aggregative structure of flea infracommunities. However, this response may vary
      among flea species. 

PMID- 26283318
TI  - Abstracts 7th international congress "sepsis and multiorgan dysfunction".

PMID- 26283319
TI  - Growth responses of indigenous Frankia populations to edaphic factors in
      actinorhizal rhizospheres.
AB  - Quantitative PCR (qPCR) was used to follow population dynamics of indigenous
      Frankia populations in bulk soil, in leaf-litter-amended soil and in the
      rhizosphere of Alnus glutinosa or Casuarina equisetifolia at 2 matric potentials
      representing dry and wet conditions in soil microcosms. Analyses revealed between
      10- and 100-fold increases of Frankia populations within the incubation period of
      12 weeks independent of treatment. Numbers were generally higher under dry
      conditions and in the rhizosphere, with that of C. equisetifolia supporting
      highest abundance. Frankiae detected at any time and treatment belonged to either
      subgroup I of the Alnus host infection group or the Elaeagnus host infection
      group, with those of the Elaeagnus host infection group largely representing the
      genus in all samples under wet conditions, and in bulk and leaf litter amended
      soil under dry conditions. Subgroup I of the Alnus host infection group was most
      prominent in the rhizosphere of both plant species where it represented up to 95%
      of the genus with higher percentages in that of C. equisetifolia. 

PMID- 26283322
TI  - [2D strain in dilated cardiomyopathy].

PMID- 26283321
TI  - Effects of pyrite bioleaching solution of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans on
      viability, differentiation and mineralization potentials of rat osteoblasts.
AB  - Iron pyrite, an important component of traditional Chinese medicine, has a poor
      solubility, bioavailability, and patient compliance due to a high dose required
      and associated side effects, all of which have limited its clinical applications
      and experimental studies on its action mechanisms in improving fracture healing.
      This study investigated Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans (A.f)-bioleaching of two
      kinds of pyrites and examined bioactivities of the derived solutions in viability
      and osteogenic differentiation in rat calvarial osteoblasts. A.f bioleaching
      improved element contents (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, and Se) in the derived solutions and
      the solutions concentration-dependently affected osteoblast viability and
      differentiation. While the solutions had no effects at low concentrations and
      inhibited the osteoblast alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity at high
      concentrations, they improved ALP activity at their optimal concentrations. The
      improved osteoblast differentiation and osteogenic function at optimal
      concentrations were also revealed by levels of ALP cytochemical staining, calcium
      deposition, numbers and areas of mineralized nodules formed, mRNA and protein
      expression levels of osteogenesis-related genes (osteocalcin, Bmp-2, Runx-2, and
      IGF-1), and Runx-2 nuclear translocation. Data from this study will be useful in
      offering new strategies for improving pyrite bioavailability and providing a
      mechanistic explanation for the beneficial effects of pyrite in improving bone
      healing. 

PMID- 26283323
TI  - [The development of Spanish paediatric cardiology and its impact on congenital
      heart disease management].

PMID- 26283325
TI  - Associations of fish oil and vitamin B and E supplementation with cardiovascular
      outcomes and mortality in people receiving haemodialysis: a review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular complications are the leading cause of mortality in
      patients with end-stage kidney disease. Research indicates that the Mediterranean
      diet is protective of cardiovascular disease in the general population.
      Components of this diet have been trialled in haemodialysis patients with the aim
      of reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and improving associated risk
      factors. Components include fish, fruit and vegetables in the form of fish oil
      supplements and vitamin and antioxidant supplements. This narrative review
      provides an overview of observational studies, and interventional and randomised
      controlled trials examining the association of these supplements with
      cardiovascular outcomes in haemodialysis patients. METHODS: We reviewed the
      relevant literature by searching English-language publications in Web of Science
      and references from relevant articles published since 1992. Eight-seven abstracts
      were reviewed and 38 relevant articles were included. RESULTS: The extant
      literature suggests that risk of mortality is reduced in patients with a higher
      fish intake and those with higher serum omega-3 fatty acid levels. However, the
      pathways by which risk of mortality is reduced have not been fully extrapolated.
      While only a few studies have examined the effect of vitamin B supplementation in
      haemodialysis patients, these studies suggest that supplementation alone does not
      reduce the risk of mortality. Finally, studies examining vitamin E
      supplementation have drawn inconsistent conclusions regarding its pro-oxidant or
      antioxidant effects. Differences between studies are likely due to methodological
      variations in regards to dose, route of administration and treatment duration.
      CONCLUSIONS: Nutritional and dietary supplementation in haemodialysis patients is
      an area which requires larger, more methodologically robust randomised controlled
      trials to determine if risk of cardiovascular outcomes can be improved.

PMID- 26283324
TI  - Mechanisms of angiogenesis in a Curculigoside A-treated rat model of cerebral
      ischemia and reperfusion injury.
AB  - Curculigoside A has shown protective effects against rat cortical neuron damage
      in vivo. However, the molecular mechanisms through which Curculigoside A affords
      this protection are unclear. In the present study, we sought to elucidate the
      mechanisms of angiogenesis in rat aortic endothelial cells (RAEC), rat aortic
      smooth muscle cells (RASMC) as well as a rat model of cerebral ischemia and
      reperfusion injury following treatment with Curculigoside A. We examined the role
      of Curculigoside A on RAEC and RASMC proliferation, migration, and tube formation
      in vitro and in a cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury rat model. We used the
      recombinant Dickkopf (DKK)-1 protein, a Wnt/beta-catenin inhibitor, and the
      recombinant WIF-1 protein, a Wnt5a antagonist to determine mechanisms. In
      addition, we measured leakage of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and tested for
      angiogenesis associated proteins. Our data suggest that Curculigoside A induces
      angiogenesis in vitro by increasing proliferation, migration and tube formation
      in RAEC and RASMC. The increase in Curculigoside A-induced proliferation and tube
      formation was counteracted by DKK-1 and WIF-1. Curculigoside A increased
      expression of VEGF, p-VEGFR, p-CREB, Egr-3, VCAM-1, Ang1 and Tie2 while
      prohibiting BBB leakage in cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injured rats.
      However, Cyclosporine A, a CREB inhibitor, reduced the expression of p-CREB, Egr
      3, VCAM-1, Ang1 and Tie2. These data suggest that Curculigoside A induces cell
      proliferation and angiogenesis through the Wnt5a/beta-catenin and VEGF/CREB/Egr
      3/VCAM-1 signaling axis and promotes maturation and stability of new blood
      vessels via increasing Ang1 and Tie-2 expression. 

PMID- 26283326
TI  - Are photographs a suitable alternative to dental study casts when assessing
      primary surgical outcome in children born with unilateral cleft lip and palate?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the use of the 5-year-olds' index on both dental study
      casts and intraoral photographs when measuring primary surgical outcome for
      children born with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP). DESIGN: A cross
      sectional study. SETTING: Models and photographs collected from cleft units
      across the UK as part of the CCUK (Cleft Care UK) study were scored by two
      clinicians at the School of Oral and Dental Sciences, Bristol, UK. PARTICIPANTS:
      Five-year-old children born with UCLP as part of the CCUK study. One hundred and
      ninety-eight had dental study casts available and 49 had intraoral photographs
      available. METHODS: The records of both groups, that is study casts (n = 198) and
      photographs (n = 49) were scored using the 5-year-olds' index on two occasions by
      two examiners. RESULTS: Reliability of scoring is reduced for intraoral
      photographs compared with dental study casts. Using weighted Kappa the inter
      rater reliability for dental study casts was 0.72 to 0.77 and the inter-rater
      reliability for intraoral photographs was 0.52 to 0.59. LIMITATIONS: The
      photographs and study casts were not matched for each individual and were
      collected by a number of different clinicians in each unit, both of which will
      have had an effect on the quality and consistency of the final records.
      CONCLUSIONS: Dental study casts provide more reliable results and thus still
      represent the gold standard when assessing primary surgical outcome in cleft care
      using the 5-year-olds' index.

PMID- 26283327
TI  - Biomarkers in community-acquired pneumonia.

PMID- 26283320
TI  - Classifying the bacterial gut microbiota of termites and cockroaches: A curated
      phylogenetic reference database (DictDb).
AB  - Recent developments in sequencing technology have given rise to a large number of
      studies that assess bacterial diversity and community structure in termite and
      cockroach guts based on large amplicon libraries of 16S rRNA genes. Although
      these studies have revealed important ecological and evolutionary patterns in the
      gut microbiota, classification of the short sequence reads is limited by the
      taxonomic depth and resolution of the reference databases used in the respective
      studies. Here, we present a curated reference database for accurate taxonomic
      analysis of the bacterial gut microbiota of dictyopteran insects. The
      Dictyopteran gut microbiota reference Database (DictDb) is based on the Silva
      database but was significantly expanded by the addition of clones from 11 mostly
      unexplored termite and cockroach groups, which increased the inventory of
      bacterial sequences from dictyopteran guts by 26%. The taxonomic depth and
      resolution of DictDb was significantly improved by a general revision of the
      taxonomic guide tree for all important lineages, including a detailed
      phylogenetic analysis of the Treponema and Alistipes complexes, the
      Fibrobacteres, and the TG3 phylum. The performance of this first documented
      version of DictDb (v. 3.0) using the revised taxonomic guide tree in the
      classification of short-read libraries obtained from termites and cockroaches was
      highly superior to that of the current Silva and RDP databases. DictDb uses an
      informative nomenclature that is consistent with the literature also for clades
      of uncultured bacteria and provides an invaluable tool for anyone exploring the
      gut community structure of termites and cockroaches. 

PMID- 26283328
TI  - Administration of antibiotic agents before intraoperative sampling in orthopedic
      infections alters culture results.
AB  - Many physicians and surgeons think that prescribing antibiotics before
      intraoperative sampling does not alter the microbiological results. METHODS: Case
      control study of adult patients hospitalized with orthopedic infections. RESULTS:
      Among 2740 episodes of orthopedic infections, 1167 (43%) had received antibiotic
      therapy before surgical sampling. Among these, 220 (19%) grew no pathogens while
      the proportion of culture-negative results in the 2573 who had no preoperative
      antibiotic therapy was only 6%. By multivariate analyses, pre-operative
      antibiotic exposure was associated with significantly more culture-negative
      results (odds ratio 2.8, 95% confidence interval 2.1-3.7), more non-fermenting
      rods and skin commensals (odds ratio 2.8 and 3.0, respectively). Even a single
      pre-operative dose of antibiotic was significantly associated with subsequent
      culture-negative results (19/93 vs. 297/2350; chi2-test, p = 0.01) and skin
      commensals (17/74 vs. 274/2350; p = 0.01) compared to episodes without preceding
      prophylaxis. CONCLUSIONS: Prior antibiotic use, including single-dose
      prophylactic administrations, is three-fold associated with culture-negative
      results, non-fermenting rods and resistant skin commensals.

PMID- 26283329
TI  - Chryseobacterium sediminis sp. nov., isolated from a river sediment.
AB  - A slightly yellow-pigmented strain (IMT-174T) isolated from a river sediment in
      Guyana was studied in detail for its taxonomic position. Cells of the isolate
      appeared rod-shaped and stained Gram-negative. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence
      analysis showed that the isolate had the highest sequence similarities to type
      strains of Chryseobacterium rhizoplanae (99.0 %), Chryseobacterium viscerum (98.9
      %), Chryseobacterium lactis (98.8 %) and Chryseobacterium indologenes (98.6 %).
      The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to all other species of the genus
      Chryseobacterium were below 98.5 %. Fatty acid analysis of whole-cell
      hydrolysates of the strain resulted in a pattern typical of members of the genus
      Chryseobacterium, with fatty acids iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 2-OH, iso-C17 :
      1omega9c and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH as major compounds. The polyamine pattern contained
      predominantly sym-homospermidine. The major quinone was menaquinone MK-6 and the
      only lipid identified in the polar lipid profile was phosphatidylethanolamine. In
      addition, 13 unidentified lipids were detected in moderate to major amounts. DNA
      DNA hybridizations with type strains of C. rhizoplanae, C. viscerum, C. lactis
      and C. indologenes resulted in values below 70 %. In addition to the genotypic
      differences, differentiating biochemical and chemotaxonomic properties confirmed
      that isolate IMT-174T represents a novel species, for which the name
      Chryseobacterium sediminis sp. nov. (type strain IMT-174T = LMG 28695T = CIP
      110895T) is proposed.

PMID- 26283331
TI  - A Single Amino Acid Replacement in the Sensor Kinase LiaS Contributes to a
      Carrier Phenotype in Group A Streptococcus.
AB  - Despite the high frequency of asymptomatic carriage of bacterial pathogens, we
      understand little about the bacterial molecular genetic underpinnings of this
      phenomenon. To obtain new information about the molecular genetic mechanisms
      underlying carriage of group A Streptococcus (GAS), we performed whole-genome
      sequencing of GAS strains recovered from a single individual during acute
      pharyngitis and subsequent asymptomatic carriage. We discovered that compared to
      the initial infection isolate, the strain recovered during asymptomatic carriage
      contained three single nucleotide polymorphisms, one of which was in a highly
      conserved region of a gene encoding a sensor kinase, liaS, resulting in an
      arginine-to-glycine amino acid replacement at position 135 of LiaS (LiaS(R135G)).
      Using gene replacement, we demonstrate that introduction of the carrier allele
      (liaS(R135G)) into a serotype-matched invasive strain increased mouse
      nasopharyngeal colonization and adherence to cultured human epithelial cells. The
      carrier mutation also resulted in a reduced ability to grow in human blood and
      reduced virulence in a mouse model of necrotizing fasciitis. Repair of the
      mutation in the GAS carrier strain restored virulence and decreased adherence to
      cultured human epithelial cells. We also provide evidence that the carrier
      mutation alters the GAS transcriptome, including altered transcription of GAS
      virulence genes, providing a potential mechanism for the pleiotropic phenotypic
      effects. Our data obtained using isogenic strains suggest that the liaS(R135G)
      mutation in the carrier strain contributes to the transition from disease to
      asymptomatic carriage and provides new information about this poorly described
      regulatory system in GAS. 

PMID- 26283330
TI  - Plasmodium falciparum Gametocyte-Specific Antibody Profiling Reveals Boosting
      through Natural Infection and Identifies Potential Markers of Gametocyte
      Exposure.
AB  - Malaria elimination efforts would benefit from vaccines that block transmission
      of Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes from humans to mosquitoes. A clear
      understanding of gametocyte-specific antibody responses in exposed populations
      could help determine whether transmission-blocking vaccines (TBV) would be
      boosted by natural gametocyte exposure, and also inform the development of
      serologic tools to monitor gametocyte exposure in populations targeted for
      malaria elimination. To this end, plasma was collected from Malian children and
      adults before and after the 6-month malaria season and probed against a
      microarray containing 1,204 P. falciparum proteins. Using publicly available
      proteomic data, we classified 91 proteins as gametocyte specific and 69 as
      proteins not expressed by gametocytes. The overall breadth and magnitude of
      gametocyte-specific IgG responses increased during the malaria season, although
      they were consistently lower than IgG responses to nongametocyte antigens.
      Notably, IgG specific for the TBV candidates Pfs48/45 and Pfs230 increased during
      the malaria season. In addition, IgGs specific for the gametocyte proteins
      Pfmdv1, Pfs16, PF3D7_1346400, and PF3D7_1024800 were detected in nearly all
      subjects, suggesting that seroconversion to these proteins may be a sensitive
      indicator of gametocyte exposure, although further studies are needed to
      determine the specificity and kinetics of these potential serologic markers.
      These findings suggest that TBV-induced immunity would be boosted through natural
      gametocyte exposure, and that antibody responses to particular antigens may
      reliably indicate gametocyte exposure. 

PMID- 26283332
TI  - Role of Inflammatory Monocytes in Vaccine-Induced Reduction of Helicobacter felis
      Infection.
AB  - Despite the proven ability of immunization to reduce Helicobacter infection in
      mouse models, the precise mechanism of protection has remained elusive. In this
      study, we evaluated the role of inflammatory monocytes in the vaccine-induced
      reduction of Helicobacter felis infection. We first showed by using flow
      cytometric analysis that Ly6C(low) major histocompatibility complex class II
      positive chemokine receptor type 2 (CCR2)-positive CD64(+) inflammatory monocytes
      accumulate in the stomach mucosa during the vaccine-induced reduction of H. felis
      infection. To determine whether inflammatory monocytes played a role in the
      protection, these cells were depleted with anti-CCR2 depleting antibodies.
      Indeed, depletion of inflammatory monocytes was associated with an impaired
      vaccine-induced reduction of H. felis infection on day 5 postinfection. To
      determine whether inflammatory monocytes had a direct or indirect role, we
      studied their antimicrobial activities. We observed that inflammatory monocytes
      produced tumor necrosis factor alpha and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS),
      two major antimicrobial factors. Lastly, by using a Helicobacter in vitro killing
      assay, we showed that mouse inflammatory monocytes and activated human monocytes
      killed H. pylori in an iNOS-dependent manner. Collectively, these data show that
      inflammatory monocytes play a direct role in the immunization-induced reduction
      of H. felis infection from the gastric mucosa. 

PMID- 26283333
TI  - Surface Glycopolymers Are Crucial for In Vitro Anti-Wall Teichoic Acid IgG
      Mediated Complement Activation and Opsonophagocytosis of Staphylococcus aureus.
AB  - The cell envelopes of many Gram-positive bacteria contain wall teichoic acids
      (WTAs). Staphylococcus aureus WTAs are composed of ribitol phosphate (RboP) or
      glycerol phosphate (GroP) backbones substituted with D-alanine and N-acetyl-D
      glucosamine (GlcNAc) or N-acetyl-D-galactosamine (GalNAc). Two WTA
      glycosyltransferases, TarM and TarS, are responsible for modifying the RboP WTA
      with alpha-GlcNAc and beta-GlcNAc, respectively. We recently reported that
      purified human serum anti-WTA IgG specifically recognizes beta-GlcNAc of the
      staphylococcal RboP WTA and then facilitates complement C3 deposition and
      opsonophagocytosis of S. aureus laboratory strains. This prompted us to examine
      whether anti-WTA IgG can induce C3 deposition on a diverse set of clinical S.
      aureus isolates. To this end, we compared anti-WTA IgG-mediated C3 deposition and
      opsonophagocytosis abilities using 13 different staphylococcal strains. Of note,
      the majority of S. aureus strains tested was recognized by anti-WTA IgG,
      resulting in C3 deposition and opsonophagocytosis. A minority of strains was not
      recognized by anti-WTA IgG, which correlated with either extensive capsule
      production or an alteration in the WTA glycosylation pattern. Our results
      demonstrate that the presence of WTAs with TarS-mediated glycosylation with beta
      GlcNAc in clinically isolated S. aureus strains is an important factor for
      induction of anti-WTA IgG-mediated C3 deposition and opsonophagocytosis.

PMID- 26283334
TI  - Gingipains from the Periodontal Pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis Play a
      Significant Role in Regulation of Angiopoietin 1 and Angiopoietin 2 in Human
      Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells.
AB  - Angiopoietin 1 (Angpt1) and angiopoietin 2 (Angpt2) are the ligands of tyrosine
      kinase (Tie) receptors, and they play important roles in vessel formation and the
      development of inflammatory diseases, such as atherosclerosis. Porphyromonas
      gingivalis is a Gram-negative periodontal bacterium that is thought to contribute
      to the progression of cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to
      investigate the role of P. gingivalis infection in the modulation of Angpt1 and
      Angpt2 in human aortic smooth muscle cells (AoSMCs). We exposed AoSMCs to wild
      type (W50 and 381), gingipain mutant (E8 and K1A), and fimbrial mutant (DPG-3 and
      KRX-178) P. gingivalis strains and to different concentrations of tumor necrosis
      factor (TNF). The atherosclerosis risk factor TNF was used as a positive control
      in this study. We found that P. gingivalis (wild type, K1A, DPG3, and KRX178) and
      TNF upregulated the expression of Angpt2 and its transcription factor ETS1,
      respectively, in AoSMCs. In contrast, Angpt1 was inhibited by P. gingivalis and
      TNF. However, the RgpAB mutant E8 had no effect on the expression of Angpt1,
      Angpt2, or ETS1 in AoSMCs. The results also showed that ETS1 is critical for P.
      gingivalis induction of Angpt2. Exposure to Angpt2 protein enhanced the migration
      of AoSMCs but had no effect on proliferation. This study demonstrates that
      gingipains are crucial to the ability of P. gingivalis to markedly increase the
      expressed Angpt2/Angpt1 ratio in AoSMCs, which determines the regulatory role of
      angiopoietins in angiogenesis and their involvement in the development of
      atherosclerosis. These findings further support the association between
      periodontitis and cardiovascular disease. 

PMID- 26283335
TI  - Viable but Nonculturable and Persister Cells Coexist Stochastically and Are
      Induced by Human Serum.
AB  - Dormancy holds a vital role in the ecological dynamics of microorganisms.
      Specifically, entry into dormancy allows cells to withstand times of stress while
      maintaining the potential for reentry into an active existence. The viable but
      nonculturable (VBNC) state and antibiotic persistence are two well-recognized
      conditions of dormancy demonstrated to contribute to bacterial stress tolerance
      and, as a consequence, yield populations that are tolerant to high-dose
      antibiotics. Aside from this commonality, more evidence is being presented that
      indicates the relatedness of these two states. Here, we demonstrate that VBNC
      cells are present during persister isolation experiments, further indicating that
      these cells coexist and are induced by the same conditions. Interestingly, we
      reveal that VBNC cells can exist stochastically in unstressed growing cultures, a
      finding that is characteristic of persisters. Furthermore, human serum induces
      the formation of both VBNC cells and persisters, a finding not previously
      described for either dormancy state. Lastly, we describe the role of toxin
      antitoxin systems (TAS) in the induction of the VBNC state and report that these
      TAS, which are classically implicated in persister cell formation, are also
      induced during incubation in human serum. This study provides evidence for the
      recently proposed "dormancy continuum hypothesis" and substantiates the physical
      and molecular relatedness of VBNC and persister cells in a standardized model
      organism. Notably, these results provide new evidence for the clinical
      significance of VBNC and persister cells. 

PMID- 26283337
TI  - Campylobacter hyointestinalis Isolated from Pigs Produces Multiple Variants of
      Biologically Active Cytolethal Distending Toxin.
AB  - Campylobacter hyointestinalis isolated from swine with proliferative enteritis
      often is considered to be pathogenic. While the precise virulence mechanisms of
      this species remain unclear, we have recently identified a cytolethal distending
      toxin (cdt) gene cluster in C. hyointestinalis isolated from a patient with
      diarrhea (W. Samosornsuk et al., J Med Microbiol, 27 July 2015,
      http://dx.doi.org/10.1099/jmm.0.000145). However, the sequences of the cdt genes
      in C. hyointestinalis were found to be significantly different and the gene
      products are immunologically distinct from those of other Campylobacter species.
      In this study, we demonstrate the presence of a second variant of the cdt gene
      cluster in C. hyointestinalis, designated cdt-II, while the former is named cdt
      I. Sequencing of the cdt-II gene cluster and deduced amino acid sequences
      revealed that homologies between the subunits CdtA, CdtB, and CdtC of ChCDT-I and
      ChCDT-II are 25.0, 56.0, and 24.8%, respectively. Furthermore, the CdtB subunit
      of ChCDT-II was found to be immunologically unrelated to that of ChCDT-I by
      Ouchterlony double gel diffusion test. Recombinant ChCDT-II also induced cell
      distention and death of HeLa cells by blocking the cell cycle at G2/M phase.
      Interestingly, the cdt-II genes were detected in all 23 animal isolates and in 1
      human isolate of C. hyointestinalis, and 21 of these strains carried both cdt-I
      and cdt-II gene clusters. Altogether, our results indicate that ChCDT-II is an
      important virulence factor of C. hyointestinalis in animals. 

PMID- 26283336
TI  - MdsABC-Mediated Pathway for Pathogenicity in Salmonella enterica Serovar
      Typhimurium.
AB  - MdsABC is a Salmonella-specific tripartite efflux pump that has been implicated
      in the virulence of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium; however, little is
      known about the virulence factors associated with this pump. We observed MdsABC
      expression-dependent alterations in the degree of resistance to extracellular
      oxidative stress and macrophage-mediated killing. Thin-layer chromatography and
      tandem mass spectrometry analyses revealed that overexpression of MdsABC led to
      increased secretion of 1-palmitoyl-2-stearoyl-phosphatidylserine (PSPS),
      affecting the ability of the bacteria to invade and survive in host cells.
      Overexpression of MdsABC and external addition of PSPS similarly rendered the
      mdsABC deletion strain resistant to diamide. Diagonal gel analysis showed that
      PSPS treatment reduced the diamide-mediated formation of disulfide bonds,
      particularly in the membrane fraction of the bacteria. Salmonella infection of
      macrophages induced the upregulation of MdsABC expression and led to an increase
      of intracellular bacterial number and host cell death, similar to the effects of
      MdsABC overexpression and PSPS pretreatment on the mdsABC deletion strain. Our
      study shows that MdsABC mediates a previously uncharacterized pathway that
      involves PSPS as a key factor for the survival and virulence of S. Typhimurium in
      phagocytic cells. 

PMID- 26283338
TI  - The Mga Regulon but Not Deoxyribonuclease Sda1 of Invasive M1T1 Group A
      Streptococcus Contributes to In Vivo Selection of CovRS Mutations and Resistance
      to Innate Immune Killing Mechanisms.
AB  - Invasive M1T1 group A Streptococcus (GAS) can have a mutation in the regulatory
      system CovRS, and this mutation can render strains hypervirulent. Interestingly,
      via mechanisms that are not well understood, the host innate immune system's
      neutrophils select spontaneous M1T1 GAS CovRS hypervirulent mutants, thereby
      enhancing the pathogen's ability to evade immune killing. It has been reported
      that the DNase Sda1 is critical for the resistance of M1T1 strain 5448 to killing
      in human blood and provides pressure for in vivo selection of CovRS mutations. We
      reexamined the role of Sda1 in the selection of CovRS mutations and in GAS innate
      immune evasion. Deletion of sda1 or all DNase genes in M1T1 strain MGAS2221 did
      not alter emergence of CovRS mutants during murine infection. Deletion of sda1 in
      strain 5448 resulted in Deltasda1 mutants with (5448 Deltasda1(M+) strain) and
      without (5448 Deltasda1(M-) strain) M protein production. The 5448 Deltasda1(M+)
      strain accumulated CovRS mutations in vivo and resisted killing in the
      bloodstream, whereas the 5448 Deltasda1(M-) strain lost in vivo selection of
      CovRS mutations and was sensitive to killing. The deletion of emm and a
      spontaneous Mga mutation in MGAS2221 reduced and prevented in vivo selection for
      CovRS mutants, respectively. Thus, in contrast to previous reports, Sda1 is not
      critical for in vivo selection of invasive M1T1 CovRS mutants and GAS resistance
      to innate immune killing mechanisms. In contrast, M protein and other Mga
      regulated proteins contribute to the in vivo selection of M1T1 GAS CovRS mutants.
      These findings advance the understanding of the progression of invasive M1T1 GAS
      infections. 

PMID- 26283339
TI  - Leptospira interrogans lpxD Homologue Is Required for Thermal Acclimatization and
      Virulence.
AB  - Leptospirosis is an emerging disease with an annual occurrence of over 1 million
      human cases worldwide. Pathogenic Leptospira bacteria are maintained in zoonotic
      cycles involving a diverse array of mammals, with the capacity to survive outside
      the host in aquatic environments. Survival in the diverse environments
      encountered by Leptospira likely requires various adaptive mechanisms. Little is
      known about Leptospira outer membrane modification systems, which may contribute
      to the capacity of these bacteria to successfully inhabit and colonize diverse
      environments and animal hosts. Leptospira bacteria carry two genes annotated as
      UDP-3-O-[3-hydroxymyristoyl] glucosamine N-acyltransferase genes (la0512 and
      la4326 [lpxD1 and lpxD2]) that in other bacteria are involved in the early steps
      of biosynthesis of lipid A, the membrane lipid anchor of lipopolysaccharide.
      Inactivation of only one of these genes, la0512/lpxD1, imparted sensitivity to
      the host physiological temperature (37 degrees C) and rendered the bacteria
      avirulent in an animal infection model. Polymyxin B sensitivity assays revealed
      compromised outer membrane integrity in the lpxD1 mutant at host physiological
      temperature, but structural analysis of lipid A in the mutant revealed only minor
      changes in the lipid A moiety compared to that found in the wild-type strain. In
      accordance with this, an in trans complementation restored the phenotypes to a
      level comparable to that of the wild-type strain. These results suggest that the
      gene annotated as lpxD1 in Leptospira interrogans plays an important role in
      temperature adaptation and virulence in the animal infection model. 

PMID- 26283340
TI  - Simultaneous Host-Pathogen Transcriptome Analysis during Granulibacter
      bethesdensis Infection of Neutrophils from Healthy Subjects and Patients with
      Chronic Granulomatous Disease.
AB  - Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) from patients with chronic granulomatous
      disease (CGD) fail to produce microbicidal concentrations of reactive oxygen
      species (ROS) due to mutations in NOX2. Patients with CGD suffer from severe,
      life-threatening infections and inflammatory complications. Granulibacter
      bethesdensis is an emerging Gram-negative pathogen in CGD that resists killing by
      PMN of CGD patients (CGD PMN) and inhibits PMN apoptosis through unknown
      mechanisms. Microarray analysis was used to study mRNA expression in PMN from
      healthy subjects (normal PMN) and CGD PMN during incubation with G. bethesdensis
      and, simultaneously, in G. bethesdensis with normal and CGD PMN. We detected
      upregulation of antiapoptotic genes (e.g., XIAP and GADD45B) and downregulation
      of proapoptotic genes (e.g., CASP8 and APAF1) in infected PMN. Transcript and
      protein levels of inflammation- and immunity-related genes were also altered.
      Upon interaction with PMN, G. bethesdensis altered the expression of ROS
      resistance genes in the presence of normal but not CGD PMN. Levels of bacterial
      stress response genes, including the ClpB gene, increased during phagocytosis by
      both normal and CGD PMN demonstrating responses to oxygen-independent PMN
      antimicrobial systems. Antisense knockdown demonstrated that ClpB is dispensable
      for extracellular growth but is essential for bacterial resistance to both normal
      and CGD PMN. Metabolic adaptation of Granulibacter growth in PMN included the
      upregulation of pyruvate dehydrogenase. Pharmacological inhibition of pyruvate
      dehydrogenase by triphenylbismuthdichloride was lethal to Granulibacter. This
      study expands knowledge of microbial pathogenesis of Granulibacter in cells from
      permissive (CGD) and nonpermissive (normal) hosts and identifies potentially
      druggable microbial factors, such as pyruvate dehydrogenase and ClpB, to help
      combat this antibiotic-resistant pathogen. 

PMID- 26283341
TI  - Conservation of the Host-Interacting Proteins Tp0750 and Pallilysin among
      Treponemes and Restriction of Proteolytic Capacity to Treponema pallidum.
AB  - The spirochete Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum is the causative agent of
      syphilis, a chronic, sexually transmitted infection characterized by multiple
      symptomatic and asymptomatic stages. Although several other species in the genus
      are able to cause or contribute to disease, T. pallidum differs in that it is
      able to rapidly disseminate via the bloodstream to tissue sites distant from the
      site of initial infection. It is also the only Treponema species able to cross
      both the blood-brain and placental barriers. Previously, the T. pallidum
      proteins, Tp0750 and Tp0751 (also called pallilysin), were shown to degrade host
      proteins central to blood coagulation and basement membrane integrity, suggesting
      a role for these proteins in T. pallidum dissemination and tissue invasion. In
      the present study, we characterized Tp0750 and Tp0751 sequence variation in a
      diversity of pathogenic and nonpathogenic treponemes. We also determined the
      proteolytic potential of the orthologs from the less invasive species Treponema
      denticola and Treponema phagedenis. These analyses showed high levels of sequence
      similarity among Tp0750 orthologs from pathogenic species. For pallilysin, lower
      levels of sequence conservation were observed between this protein and orthologs
      from other treponemes, except for the ortholog from the highly invasive rabbit
      venereal syphilis-causing Treponema paraluiscuniculi. In vitro host component
      binding and degradation assays demonstrated that pallilysin and Tp0750 orthologs
      from the less invasive treponemes tested were not capable of binding or degrading
      host proteins. The results show that pallilysin and Tp0750 host protein binding
      and degradative capability is positively correlated with treponemal invasiveness.

PMID- 26283342
TI  - Symbiosis becoming permanent: Survival of the luckiest.

PMID- 26283344
TI  - An empirical model of the Baltic Sea reveals the importance of social dynamics
      for ecological regime shifts.
AB  - Regime shifts triggered by human activities and environmental changes have led to
      significant ecological and socioeconomic consequences in marine and terrestrial
      ecosystems worldwide. Ecological processes and feedbacks associated with regime
      shifts have received considerable attention, but human individual and collective
      behavior is rarely treated as an integrated component of such shifts. Here, we
      used generalized modeling to develop a coupled social-ecological model that
      integrated rich social and ecological data to investigate the role of social
      dynamics in the 1980s Baltic Sea cod boom and collapse. We showed that
      psychological, economic, and regulatory aspects of fisher decision making, in
      addition to ecological interactions, contributed both to the temporary
      persistence of the cod boom and to its subsequent collapse. These features of the
      social-ecological system also would have limited the effectiveness of stronger
      fishery regulations. Our results provide quantitative, empirical evidence that
      incorporating social dynamics into models of natural resources is critical for
      understanding how resources can be managed sustainably. We also show that
      generalized modeling, which is well-suited to collaborative model development and
      does not require detailed specification of causal relationships between system
      variables, can help tackle the complexities involved in creating and analyzing
      social-ecological models. 

PMID- 26283343
TI  - Consistent responses of soil microbial communities to elevated nutrient inputs in
      grasslands across the globe.
AB  - Soil microorganisms are critical to ecosystem functioning and the maintenance of
      soil fertility. However, despite global increases in the inputs of nitrogen (N)
      and phosphorus (P) to ecosystems due to human activities, we lack a predictive
      understanding of how microbial communities respond to elevated nutrient inputs
      across environmental gradients. Here we used high-throughput sequencing of marker
      genes to elucidate the responses of soil fungal, archaeal, and bacterial
      communities using an N and P addition experiment replicated at 25 globally
      distributed grassland sites. We also sequenced metagenomes from a subset of the
      sites to determine how the functional attributes of bacterial communities change
      in response to elevated nutrients. Despite strong compositional differences
      across sites, microbial communities shifted in a consistent manner with N or P
      additions, and the magnitude of these shifts was related to the magnitude of
      plant community responses to nutrient inputs. Mycorrhizal fungi and methanogenic
      archaea decreased in relative abundance with nutrient additions, as did the
      relative abundances of oligotrophic bacterial taxa. The metagenomic data provided
      additional evidence for this shift in bacterial life history strategies because
      nutrient additions decreased the average genome sizes of the bacterial community
      members and elicited changes in the relative abundances of representative
      functional genes. Our results suggest that elevated N and P inputs lead to
      predictable shifts in the taxonomic and functional traits of soil microbial
      communities, including increases in the relative abundances of faster-growing,
      copiotrophic bacterial taxa, with these shifts likely to impact belowground
      ecosystems worldwide. 

PMID- 26283345
TI  - Plasma metabolomic profiles enhance precision medicine for volunteers of normal
      health.
AB  - Precision medicine, taking account of human individuality in genes, environment,
      and lifestyle for early disease diagnosis and individualized therapy, has shown
      great promise to transform medical care. Nontargeted metabolomics, with the
      ability to detect broad classes of biochemicals, can provide a comprehensive
      functional phenotype integrating clinical phenotypes with genetic and nongenetic
      factors. To test the application of metabolomics in individual diagnosis, we
      conducted a metabolomics analysis on plasma samples collected from 80 volunteers
      of normal health with complete medical records and three-generation pedigrees.
      Using a broad-spectrum metabolomics platform consisting of liquid chromatography
      and GC coupled with MS, we profiled nearly 600 metabolites covering 72
      biochemical pathways in all major branches of biosynthesis, catabolism, gut
      microbiome activities, and xenobiotics. Statistical analysis revealed a
      considerable range of variation and potential metabolic abnormalities across the
      individuals in this cohort. Examination of the convergence of metabolomics
      profiles with whole-exon sequences (WESs) provided an effective approach to
      assess and interpret clinical significance of genetic mutations, as shown in a
      number of cases, including fructose intolerance, xanthinuria, and carnitine
      deficiency. Metabolic abnormalities consistent with early indications of
      diabetes, liver dysfunction, and disruption of gut microbiome homeostasis were
      identified in several volunteers. Additionally, diverse metabolic responses to
      medications among the volunteers may assist to identify therapeutic effects and
      sensitivity to toxicity. The results of this study demonstrate that metabolomics
      could be an effective approach to complement next generation sequencing (NGS) for
      disease risk analysis, disease monitoring, and drug management in our goal toward
      precision care. 

PMID- 26283346
TI  - A broadly neutralizing human monoclonal antibody is effective against H7N9.
AB  - Emerging strains of influenza represent a significant public health threat with
      potential pandemic consequences. Of particular concern are the recently emerged
      H7N9 strains which cause pneumonia with acute respiratory distress syndrome.
      Estimates are that nearly 80% of hospitalized patients with H7N9 have received
      intensive care unit support. VIS410, a human antibody, targets a unique conserved
      epitope on influenza A. We evaluated the efficacy of VIS410 for neutralization of
      group 2 influenza strains, including H3N2 and H7N9 strains in vitro and in vivo.
      VIS410, administered at 50 mg/kg, protected DBA mice infected with A/Anhui/2013
      (H7N9), resulting in significant survival benefit upon single-dose (-24 h) or
      double-dose (-12 h, +48 h) administration (P < 0.001). A single dose of VIS410 at
      50 mg/kg (-12 h) combined with oseltamivir at 50 mg/kg (-12 h, twice daily for 7
      d) in C57BL/6 mice infected with A/Shanghai 2/2013 (H7N9) resulted in significant
      decreased lung viral load (P = 0.002) and decreased lung cytokine responses for
      nine of the 11 cytokines measured. Based on these results, we find that VIS410
      may be effective either as monotherapy or combined with antivirals in treating
      H7N9 disease, as well as disease from other influenza strains. 

PMID- 26283347
TI  - Montsechia, an ancient aquatic angiosperm.
AB  - The early diversification of angiosperms in diverse ecological niches is poorly
      understood. Some have proposed an origin in a darkened forest habitat and others
      an open aquatic or near aquatic habitat. The research presented here centers on
      Montsechia vidalii, first recovered from lithographic limestone deposits in the
      Pyrenees of Spain more than 100 y ago. This fossil material has been poorly
      understood and misinterpreted in the past. Now, based upon the study of more than
      1,000 carefully prepared specimens, a detailed analysis of Montsechia is
      presented. The morphology and anatomy of the plant, including aspects of its
      reproduction, suggest that Montsechia is sister to Ceratophyllum (whenever
      cladistic analyses are made with or without a backbone). Montsechia was an
      aquatic angiosperm living and reproducing below the surface of the water, similar
      to Ceratophyllum. Montsechia is Barremian in age, raising questions about the
      very early divergence of the Ceratophyllum clade compared with its position as
      sister to eudicots in many cladistic analyses. Lower Cretaceous aquatic
      angiosperms, such as Archaefructus and Montsechia, open the possibility that
      aquatic plants were locally common at a very early stage of angiosperm evolution
      and that aquatic habitats may have played a major role in the diversification of
      some early angiosperm lineages. 

PMID- 26283348
TI  - Endosymbionts escape dead hydrothermal vent tubeworms to enrich the free-living
      population.
AB  - Theory predicts that horizontal acquisition of symbionts by plants and animals
      must be coupled to release and limited dispersal of symbionts for
      intergenerational persistence of mutualisms. For deep-sea hydrothermal vent
      tubeworms (Vestimentifera, Siboglinidae), it has been demonstrated that a few
      symbiotic bacteria infect aposymbiotic host larvae and grow in a newly formed
      organ, the trophosome. However, whether viable symbionts can be released to
      augment environmental populations has been doubtful, because (i) the adult worms
      lack obvious openings and (ii) the vast majority of symbionts has been regarded
      as terminally differentiated. Here we show experimentally that symbionts rapidly
      escape their hosts upon death and recruit to surfaces where they proliferate.
      Estimating symbiont release from our experiments taken together with well-known
      tubeworm density ranges, we suggest a few million to 1.5 billion symbionts
      seeding the environment upon death of a tubeworm clump. In situ observations show
      that such clumps have rapid turnover, suggesting that release of large numbers of
      symbionts may ensure effective dispersal to new sites followed by active larval
      colonization. Moreover, release of symbionts might enable adaptations that evolve
      within host individuals to spread within host populations and possibly to new
      environments. 

PMID- 26283349
TI  - Quantifying seasonal population fluxes driving rubella transmission dynamics
      using mobile phone data.
AB  - Changing patterns of human aggregation are thought to drive annual and
      multiannual outbreaks of infectious diseases, but the paucity of data about
      travel behavior and population flux over time has made this idea difficult to
      test quantitatively. Current measures of human mobility, especially in low-income
      settings, are often static, relying on approximate travel times, road networks,
      or cross-sectional surveys. Mobile phone data provide a unique source of
      information about human travel, but the power of these data to describe
      epidemiologically relevant changes in population density remains unclear. Here we
      quantify seasonal travel patterns using mobile phone data from nearly 15 million
      anonymous subscribers in Kenya. Using a rich data source of rubella incidence, we
      show that patterns of population travel (fluxes) inferred from mobile phone data
      are predictive of disease transmission and improve significantly on standard
      school term time and weather covariates. Further, combining seasonal and spatial
      data on travel from mobile phone data allows us to characterize seasonal
      fluctuations in risk across Kenya and produce dynamic importation risk maps for
      rubella. Mobile phone data therefore offer a valuable previously unidentified
      source of data for measuring key drivers of seasonal epidemics. 

PMID- 26283350
TI  - Human hippocampus represents space and time during retrieval of real-world
      memories.
AB  - Memory stretches over a lifetime. In controlled laboratory settings, the
      hippocampus and other medial temporal lobe brain structures have been shown to
      represent space and time on the scale of meters and seconds. It remains unclear
      whether the hippocampus also represents space and time over the longer scales
      necessary for human episodic memory. We recorded neural activity while
      participants relived their own experiences, cued by photographs taken with a
      custom lifelogging device. We found that the left anterior hippocampus represents
      space and time for a month of remembered events occurring over distances of up to
      30 km. Although previous studies have identified similar drifts in
      representational similarity across space or time over the relatively brief time
      scales (seconds to minutes) that characterize individual episodic memories, our
      results provide compelling evidence that a similar pattern of spatiotemporal
      organization also exists for organizing distinct memories that are distant in
      space and time. These results further support the emerging view that the
      anterior, as opposed to posterior, hippocampus integrates distinct experiences,
      thereby providing a scaffold for encoding and retrieval of autobiographical
      memories on the scale of our lives. 

PMID- 26283351
TI  - Teaching critical thinking.
AB  - The ability to make decisions based on data, with its inherent uncertainties and
      variability, is a complex and vital skill in the modern world. The need for such
      quantitative critical thinking occurs in many different contexts, and although it
      is an important goal of education, that goal is seldom being achieved. We argue
      that the key element for developing this ability is repeated practice in making
      decisions based on data, with feedback on those decisions. We demonstrate a
      structure for providing suitable practice that can be applied in any
      instructional setting that involves the acquisition of data and relating that
      data to scientific models. This study reports the results of applying that
      structure in an introductory physics laboratory course. Students in an
      experimental condition were repeatedly instructed to make and act on quantitative
      comparisons between datasets, and between data and models, an approach that is
      common to all science disciplines. These instructions were slowly faded across
      the course. After the instructions had been removed, students in the experimental
      condition were 12 times more likely to spontaneously propose or make changes to
      improve their experimental methods than a control group, who performed
      traditional experimental activities. The students in the experimental condition
      were also four times more likely to identify and explain a limitation of a
      physical model using their data. Students in the experimental condition also
      showed much more sophisticated reasoning about their data. These differences
      between the groups were seen to persist into a subsequent course taken the
      following year. 

PMID- 26283352
TI  - Neural systems supporting linguistic structure, linguistic experience, and
      symbolic communication in sign language and gesture.
AB  - Sign languages used by deaf communities around the world possess the same
      structural and organizational properties as spoken languages: In particular, they
      are richly expressive and also tightly grammatically constrained. They therefore
      offer the opportunity to investigate the extent to which the neural organization
      for language is modality independent, as well as to identify ways in which
      modality influences this organization. The fact that sign languages share the
      visual-manual modality with a nonlinguistic symbolic communicative system-gesture
      further allows us to investigate where the boundaries lie between language and
      symbolic communication more generally. In the present study, we had three goals:
      to investigate the neural processing of linguistic structure in American Sign
      Language (using verbs of motion classifier constructions, which may lie at the
      boundary between language and gesture); to determine whether we could dissociate
      the brain systems involved in deriving meaning from symbolic communication
      (including both language and gesture) from those specifically engaged by
      linguistically structured content (sign language); and to assess whether sign
      language experience influences the neural systems used for understanding
      nonlinguistic gesture. The results demonstrated that even sign language
      constructions that appear on the surface to be similar to gesture are processed
      within the left-lateralized frontal-temporal network used for spoken languages
      supporting claims that these constructions are linguistically structured.
      Moreover, although nonsigners engage regions involved in human action perception
      to process communicative, symbolic gestures, signers instead engage parts of the
      language-processing network-demonstrating an influence of experience on the
      perception of nonlinguistic stimuli. 

PMID- 26283354
TI  - Activation of Big Grain1 significantly improves grain size by regulating auxin
      transport in rice.
AB  - Grain size is one of the key factors determining grain yield. However, it remains
      largely unknown how grain size is regulated by developmental signals. Here, we
      report the identification and characterization of a dominant mutant big grain1
      (Bg1-D) that shows an extra-large grain phenotype from our rice T-DNA insertion
      population. Overexpression of BG1 leads to significantly increased grain size,
      and the severe lines exhibit obviously perturbed gravitropism. In addition, the
      mutant has increased sensitivities to both auxin and N-1-naphthylphthalamic acid,
      an auxin transport inhibitor, whereas knockdown of BG1 results in decreased
      sensitivities and smaller grains. Moreover, BG1 is specifically induced by auxin
      treatment, preferentially expresses in the vascular tissue of culms and young
      panicles, and encodes a novel membrane-localized protein, strongly suggesting its
      role in regulating auxin transport. Consistent with this finding, the mutant has
      increased auxin basipetal transport and altered auxin distribution, whereas the
      knockdown plants have decreased auxin transport. Manipulation of BG1 in both rice
      and Arabidopsis can enhance plant biomass, seed weight, and yield. Taking these
      data together, we identify a novel positive regulator of auxin response and
      transport in a crop plant and demonstrate its role in regulating grain size, thus
      illuminating a new strategy to improve plant productivity. 

PMID- 26283353
TI  - Brain system for mental orientation in space, time, and person.
AB  - Orientation is a fundamental mental function that processes the relations between
      the behaving self to space (places), time (events), and person (people).
      Behavioral and neuroimaging studies have hinted at interrelations between
      processing of these three domains. To unravel the neurocognitive basis of
      orientation, we used high-resolution 7T functional MRI as 16 subjects compared
      their subjective distance to different places, events, or people. Analysis at the
      individual-subject level revealed cortical activation related to orientation in
      space, time, and person in a precisely localized set of structures in the
      precuneus, inferior parietal, and medial frontal cortex. Comparison of
      orientation domains revealed a consistent order of cortical activity inside the
      precuneus and inferior parietal lobes, with space orientation activating
      posterior regions, followed anteriorly by person and then time. Core regions at
      the precuneus and inferior parietal lobe were activated for multiple orientation
      domains, suggesting also common processing for orientation across domains. The
      medial prefrontal cortex showed a posterior activation for time and anterior for
      person. Finally, the default-mode network, identified in a separate resting-state
      scan, was active for all orientation domains and overlapped mostly with person
      orientation regions. These findings suggest that mental orientation in space,
      time, and person is managed by a specific brain system with a highly ordered
      internal organization, closely related to the default-mode network. 

PMID- 26283355
TI  - Common gamma-chain blocking peptide reduces in vitro immune activation markers in
      HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis.
AB  - Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1)-associated myelopathy/tropical
      spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) is a progressive inflammatory myelopathy occurring
      in a subset of HTLV-1-infected individuals. Despite advances in understanding its
      immunopathogenesis, an effective treatment remains to be found. IL-2 and IL-15,
      members of the gamma chain (gammac) family of cytokines, are prominently
      deregulated in HAM/TSP and underlie many of the characteristic immune
      abnormalities, such as spontaneous lymphocyte proliferation (SP), increased STAT5
      phosphorylation in the lymphocytes, and increased frequency and cytotoxicity of
      virus-specific cytotoxic CD8(+) T lymphocytes (CTLs). In this study, we describe
      a novel immunomodulatory strategy consisting of selective blockade of certain
      gammac family cytokines, including IL-2 and IL-15, with a gammac antagonistic
      peptide. In vitro, a PEGylated form of the peptide, named BNZ132-1-40, reduced
      multiple immune activation markers such as SP, STAT5 phosphorylation, spontaneous
      degranulation of CD8(+) T cells, and the frequency of transactivator protein
      (Tax)-specific CD8(+) CTLs, thought to be major players in the immunopathogenesis
      of the disease. This strategy is thus a promising therapeutic approach to HAM/TSP
      with the potential of being more effective than single monoclonal antibodies
      targeting either IL-2 or IL-15 receptors and safer than inhibitors of downstream
      signaling molecules such as JAK1 inhibitors. Finally, selective cytokine blockade
      with antagonistic peptides might be applicable to multiple other conditions in
      which cytokines are pathogenic. 

PMID- 26283357
TI  - Temporal and spatial variation of the human microbiota during pregnancy.
AB  - Despite the critical role of the human microbiota in health, our understanding of
      microbiota compositional dynamics during and after pregnancy is incomplete. We
      conducted a case-control study of 49 pregnant women, 15 of whom delivered
      preterm. From 40 of these women, we analyzed bacterial taxonomic composition of
      3,767 specimens collected prospectively and weekly during gestation and monthly
      after delivery from the vagina, distal gut, saliva, and tooth/gum. Linear mixed
      effects modeling, medoid-based clustering, and Markov chain modeling were used to
      analyze community temporal trends, community structure, and vaginal community
      state transitions. Microbiota community taxonomic composition and diversity
      remained remarkably stable at all four body sites during pregnancy (P > 0.05 for
      trends over time). Prevalence of a Lactobacillus-poor vaginal community state
      type (CST 4) was inversely correlated with gestational age at delivery (P =
      0.0039). Risk for preterm birth was more pronounced for subjects with CST 4
      accompanied by elevated Gardnerella or Ureaplasma abundances. This finding was
      validated with a set of 246 vaginal specimens from nine women (four of whom
      delivered preterm). Most women experienced a postdelivery disturbance in the
      vaginal community characterized by a decrease in Lactobacillus species and an
      increase in diverse anaerobes such as Peptoniphilus, Prevotella, and Anaerococcus
      species. This disturbance was unrelated to gestational age at delivery and
      persisted for up to 1 y. These findings have important implications for
      predicting premature labor, a major global health problem, and for understanding
      the potential impact of a persistent, altered postpartum microbiota on maternal
      health, including outcomes of pregnancies following short interpregnancy
      intervals. 

PMID- 26283358
TI  - New approach for optimal electricity planning and dispatching with hourly time
      scale air quality and health considerations.
AB  - Integrating accurate air quality modeling with decision making is hampered by
      complex atmospheric physics and chemistry and its coupling with atmospheric
      transport. Existing approaches to model the physics and chemistry accurately lead
      to significant computational burdens in computing the response of atmospheric
      concentrations to changes in emissions profiles. By integrating a reduced form of
      a fully coupled atmospheric model within a unit commitment optimization model, we
      allow, for the first time to our knowledge, a fully dynamical approach toward
      electricity planning that accurately and rapidly minimizes both cost and health
      impacts. The reduced-form model captures the response of spatially resolved air
      pollutant concentrations to changes in electricity-generating plant emissions on
      an hourly basis with accuracy comparable to a comprehensive air quality model.
      The integrated model allows for the inclusion of human health impacts into cost
      based decisions for power plant operation. We use the new capability in a case
      study of the state of Georgia over the years of 2004-2011, and show that a shift
      in utilization among existing power plants during selected hourly periods could
      have provided a health cost savings of $175.9 million dollars for an additional
      electricity generation cost of $83.6 million in 2007 US dollars (USD2007). The
      case study illustrates how air pollutant health impacts can be cost-effectively
      minimized by intelligently modulating power plant operations over multihour
      periods, without implementing additional emissions control technologies. 

PMID- 26283359
TI  - The massacre mass grave of Schoneck-Kilianstadten reveals new insights into
      collective violence in Early Neolithic Central Europe.
AB  - Conflict and warfare are central but also disputed themes in discussions about
      the European Neolithic. Although a few recent population studies provide broad
      overviews, only a very limited number of currently known key sites provide
      precise insights into moments of extreme and mass violence and their impact on
      Neolithic societies. The massacre sites of Talheim, Germany, and Asparn/Schletz,
      Austria, have long been the focal points around which hypotheses concerning a
      final lethal crisis of the first Central European farmers of the Early Neolithic
      Linearbandkeramik Culture (LBK) have concentrated. With the recently examined LBK
      mass grave site of Schoneck-Kilianstadten, Germany, we present new conclusive and
      indisputable evidence for another massacre, adding new data to the discussion of
      LBK violence patterns. At least 26 individuals were violently killed by blunt
      force and arrow injuries before being deposited in a commingled mass grave.
      Although the absence and possible abduction of younger females has been suggested
      for other sites previously, a new violence-related pattern was identified here:
      the intentional and systematic breaking of lower limbs. The abundance of the
      identified perimortem fractures clearly indicates torture and/or mutilation of
      the victims. The new evidence presented here for unequivocal lethal violence on a
      large scale is put into perspective for the Early Neolithic of Central Europe
      and, in conjunction with previous results, indicates that massacres of entire
      communities were not isolated occurrences but rather were frequent features of
      the last phases of the LBK. 

PMID- 26283356
TI  - Transcription factors FOXA1 and FOXA2 maintain dopaminergic neuronal properties
      and control feeding behavior in adult mice.
AB  - Midbrain dopaminergic (mDA) neurons are implicated in cognitive functions,
      neuropsychiatric disorders, and pathological conditions; hence understanding
      genes regulating their homeostasis has medical relevance. Transcription factors
      FOXA1 and FOXA2 (FOXA1/2) are key determinants of mDA neuronal identity during
      development, but their roles in adult mDA neurons are unknown. We used a
      conditional knockout strategy to specifically ablate FOXA1/2 in mDA neurons of
      adult mice. We show that deletion of Foxa1/2 results in down-regulation of
      tyrosine hydroxylase, the rate-limiting enzyme of dopamine (DA) biosynthesis,
      specifically in dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc).
      In addition, DA synthesis and striatal DA transmission were reduced after Foxa1/2
      deletion. Furthermore, the burst-firing activity characteristic of SNc mDA
      neurons was drastically reduced in the absence of FOXA1/2. These molecular and
      functional alterations lead to a severe feeding deficit in adult Foxa1/2 mutant
      mice, independently of motor control, which could be rescued by L-DOPA treatment.
      FOXA1/2 therefore control the maintenance of molecular and physiological
      properties of SNc mDA neurons and impact on feeding behavior in adult mice.

PMID- 26283360
TI  - Increasing disparities between resource inputs and outcomes, as measured by
      certain health deliverables, in biomedical research.
AB  - Society makes substantial investments in biomedical research, searching for ways
      to better human health. The product of this research is principally information
      published in scientific journals. Continued investment in science relies on
      society's confidence in the accuracy, honesty, and utility of research results. A
      recent focus on productivity has dominated the competitive evaluation of
      scientists, creating incentives to maximize publication numbers, citation counts,
      and publications in high-impact journals. Some studies have also suggested a
      decreasing quality in the published literature. The efficiency of society's
      investments in biomedical research, in terms of improved health outcomes, has not
      been studied. We show that biomedical research outcomes over the last five
      decades, as estimated by both life expectancy and New Molecular Entities approved
      by the Food and Drug Administration, have remained relatively constant despite
      rising resource inputs and scientific knowledge. Research investments by the
      National Institutes of Health over this time correlate with publication and
      author numbers but not with the numerical development of novel therapeutics. We
      consider several possibilities for the growing input-outcome disparity including
      the prior elimination of easier research questions, increasing specialization,
      overreliance on reductionism, a disproportionate emphasis on scientific outputs,
      and other negative pressures on the scientific enterprise. Monitoring the
      efficiency of research investments in producing positive societal outcomes may be
      a useful mechanism for weighing the efficacy of reforms to the scientific
      enterprise. Understanding the causes of the increasing input-outcome disparity in
      biomedical research may improve society's confidence in science and provide
      support for growing future research investments. 

PMID- 26283361
TI  - Neural microgenesis of personally familiar face recognition.
AB  - Despite a wealth of information provided by neuroimaging research, the neural
      basis of familiar face recognition in humans remains largely unknown. Here, we
      isolated the discriminative neural responses to unfamiliar and familiar faces by
      slowly increasing visual information (i.e., high-spatial frequencies) to
      progressively reveal faces of unfamiliar or personally familiar individuals.
      Activation in ventral occipitotemporal face-preferential regions increased with
      visual information, independently of long-term face familiarity. In contrast,
      medial temporal lobe structures (perirhinal cortex, amygdala, hippocampus) and
      anterior inferior temporal cortex responded abruptly when sufficient information
      for familiar face recognition was accumulated. These observations suggest that
      following detailed analysis of individual faces in core posterior areas of the
      face-processing network, familiar face recognition emerges categorically in
      medial temporal and anterior regions of the extended cortical face network. 

PMID- 26283362
TI  - Independent regulation of vertebral number and vertebral identity by microRNA-196
      paralogs.
AB  - The Hox genes play a central role in patterning the embryonic anterior-to
      posterior axis. An important function of Hox activity in vertebrates is the
      specification of different vertebral morphologies, with an additional role in
      axis elongation emerging. The miR-196 family of microRNAs (miRNAs) are predicted
      to extensively target Hox 3' UTRs, although the full extent to which miR-196
      regulates Hox expression dynamics and influences mammalian development remains to
      be elucidated. Here we used an extensive allelic series of mouse knockouts to
      show that the miR-196 family of miRNAs is essential both for properly patterning
      vertebral identity at different axial levels and for modulating the total number
      of vertebrae. All three miR-196 paralogs, 196a1, 196a2, and 196b, act redundantly
      to pattern the midthoracic region, whereas 196a2 and 196b have an additive role
      in controlling the number of rib-bearing vertebra and positioning of the sacrum.
      Independent of this, 196a1, 196a2, and 196b act redundantly to constrain total
      vertebral number. Loss of miR-196 leads to a collective up-regulation of numerous
      trunk Hox target genes with a concomitant delay in activation of caudal Hox
      genes, which are proposed to signal the end of axis extension. Additionally, we
      identified altered molecular signatures associated with the Wnt, Fgf, and
      Notch/segmentation pathways and demonstrate that miR-196 has the potential to
      regulate Wnt activity by multiple mechanisms. By feeding into, and thereby
      integrating, multiple genetic networks controlling vertebral number and identity,
      miR-196 is a critical player defining axial formulae. 

PMID- 26283364
TI  - Structural basis for inhibition of TLR2 by staphylococcal superantigen-like
      protein 3 (SSL3).
AB  - Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are crucial in innate recognition of invading micro
      organisms and their subsequent clearance. Bacteria are not passive bystanders and
      have evolved complex evasion mechanisms. Staphylococcus aureus secretes a potent
      TLR2 antagonist, staphylococcal superantigen-like protein 3 (SSL3), which
      prevents receptor stimulation by pathogen-associated lipopeptides. Here, we
      present crystal structures of SSL3 and its complex with TLR2. The structure
      reveals that formation of the specific inhibitory complex is predominantly
      mediated by hydrophobic contacts between SSL3 and TLR2 and does not involve
      interaction of TLR2-glycans with the conserved Lewis(X) binding site of SSL3. In
      the complex, SSL3 partially covers the entrance to the lipopeptide binding pocket
      in TLR2, reducing its size by ~50%. We show that this is sufficient to inhibit
      binding of agonist Pam2CSK4 effectively, yet allows SSL3 to bind to an already
      formed TLR2-Pam2CSK4 complex. The binding site of SSL3 overlaps those of TLR2
      dimerization partners TLR1 and TLR6 extensively. Combined, our data reveal a
      robust dual mechanism in which SSL3 interferes with TLR2 activation at two
      stages: by binding to TLR2, it blocks ligand binding and thus inhibits
      activation. Second, by interacting with an already formed TLR2-lipopeptide
      complex, it prevents TLR heterodimerization and downstream signaling. 

PMID- 26283363
TI  - Viral fusion protein transmembrane domain adopts beta-strand structure to
      facilitate membrane topological changes for virus-cell fusion.
AB  - The C-terminal transmembrane domain (TMD) of viral fusion proteins such as HIV
      gp41 and influenza hemagglutinin (HA) is traditionally viewed as a passive alpha
      helical anchor of the protein to the virus envelope during its merger with the
      cell membrane. The conformation, dynamics, and lipid interaction of these fusion
      protein TMDs have so far eluded high-resolution structure characterization
      because of their highly hydrophobic nature. Using magic-angle-spinning solid
      state NMR spectroscopy, we show that the TMD of the parainfluenza virus 5 (PIV5)
      fusion protein adopts lipid-dependent conformations and interactions with the
      membrane and water. In phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylglycerol (PG)
      membranes, the TMD is predominantly alpha-helical, but in
      phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) membranes, the TMD changes significantly to the
      beta-strand conformation. Measured order parameters indicate that the strand
      segments are immobilized and thus oligomerized. (31)P NMR spectra and small-angle
      X-ray scattering (SAXS) data show that this beta-strand-rich conformation
      converts the PE membrane to a bicontinuous cubic phase, which is rich in negative
      Gaussian curvature that is characteristic of hemifusion intermediates and fusion
      pores. (1)H-(31)P 2D correlation spectra and (2)H spectra show that the PE
      membrane with or without the TMD is much less hydrated than PC and PG membranes,
      suggesting that the TMD works with the natural dehydration tendency of PE to
      facilitate membrane merger. These results suggest a new viral-fusion model in
      which the TMD actively promotes membrane topological changes during fusion using
      the beta-strand as the fusogenic conformation. 

PMID- 26283365
TI  - Transmembrane signaling in the sensor kinase DcuS of Escherichia coli: A long
      range piston-type displacement of transmembrane helix 2.
AB  - The C4-dicarboxylate sensor kinase DcuS is membrane integral because of the
      transmembrane (TM) helices TM1 and TM2. Fumarate-induced movement of the helices
      was probed in vivo by Cys accessibility scanning at the membrane-water interfaces
      after activation of DcuS by fumarate at the periplasmic binding site. TM1 was
      inserted with amino acid residues 21-41 in the membrane in both the fumarate
      activated (ON) and inactive (OFF) states. In contrast, TM2 was inserted with
      residues 181-201 in the OFF state and residues 185-205 in the ON state.
      Replacement of Trp 185 by an Arg residue caused displacement of TM2 toward the
      outside of the membrane and a concomitant induction of the ON state. Results from
      Cys cross-linking of TM2/TM2' in the DcuS homodimer excluded rotation; thus, data
      from accessibility changes of TM2 upon activation, either by ligand binding or by
      mutation of TM2, and cross-linking of TM2 and the connected region in the
      periplasm suggest a piston-type shift of TM2 by four residues to the periplasm
      upon activation (or fumarate binding). This mode of function is supported by the
      suggestion from energetic calculations of two preferred positions for TM2
      insertion in the membrane. The shift of TM2 by four residues (or 4-6 A) toward
      the periplasm upon activation is complementary to the periplasmic displacement of
      3-4 A of the C-terminal part of the periplasmic ligand-binding domain upon ligand
      occupancy in the citrate-binding domain in the homologous CitA sensor kinase. 

PMID- 26283366
TI  - Multiple component networks support working memory in prefrontal cortex.
AB  - Lateral prefrontal cortex (PFC) is regarded as the hub of the brain's working
      memory (WM) system, but it remains unclear whether WM is supported by a single
      distributed network or multiple specialized network components in this region. To
      investigate this problem, we recorded from neurons in PFC while monkeys made
      delayed eye movements guided by memory or vision. We show that neuronal responses
      during these tasks map to three anatomically specific modes of persistent
      activity. The first two modes encode early and late forms of information storage,
      whereas the third mode encodes response preparation. Neurons that reflect these
      modes are concentrated at different anatomical locations in PFC and exhibit
      distinct patterns of coordinated firing rates and spike timing during WM,
      consistent with distinct networks. These findings support multiple component
      models of WM and consequently predict distinct failures that could contribute to
      neurologic dysfunction. 

PMID- 26283367
TI  - Functional metagenomic discovery of bacterial effectors in the human microbiome
      and isolation of commendamide, a GPCR G2A/132 agonist.
AB  - The trillions of bacteria that make up the human microbiome are believed to
      encode functions that are important to human health; however, little is known
      about the specific effectors that commensal bacteria use to interact with the
      human host. Functional metagenomics provides a systematic means of surveying
      commensal DNA for genes that encode effector functions. Here, we examine 3,000 Mb
      of metagenomic DNA cloned from three phenotypically distinct patients for
      effectors that activate NF-kappaB, a transcription factor known to play a central
      role in mediating responses to environmental stimuli. This screen led to the
      identification of 26 unique commensal bacteria effector genes (Cbegs) that are
      predicted to encode proteins with diverse catabolic, anabolic, and ligand-binding
      functions and most frequently interact with either glycans or lipids. Detailed
      analysis of one effector gene family (Cbeg12) recovered from all three patient
      libraries found that it encodes for the production of N-acyl-3-hydroxypalmitoyl
      glycine (commendamide). This metabolite was also found in culture broth from the
      commensal bacterium Bacteroides vulgatus, which harbors a gene highly similar to
      Cbeg12. Commendamide resembles long-chain N-acyl-amides that function as
      mammalian signaling molecules through activation of G-protein-coupled receptors
      (GPCRs), which led us to the observation that commendamide activates the GPCR
      G2A/GPR132. G2A has been implicated in disease models of autoimmunity and
      atherosclerosis. This study shows the utility of functional metagenomics for
      identifying potential mechanisms used by commensal bacteria for host interactions
      and outlines a functional metagenomics-based pipeline for the systematic
      identification of diverse commensal bacteria effectors that impact host cellular
      functions. 

PMID- 26283368
TI  - Regulated proteolysis of a cross-link-specific peptidoglycan hydrolase
      contributes to bacterial morphogenesis.
AB  - Bacterial growth and morphogenesis are intimately coupled to expansion of
      peptidoglycan (PG), an extensively cross-linked macromolecule that forms a
      protective mesh-like sacculus around the cytoplasmic membrane. Growth of the PG
      sacculus is a dynamic event requiring the concerted action of hydrolases that
      cleave the cross-links for insertion of new material and synthases that catalyze
      cross-link formation; however, the factors that regulate PG expansion during
      bacterial growth are poorly understood. Here, we show that the PG hydrolase MepS
      (formerly Spr), which is specific to cleavage of cross-links during PG expansion
      in Escherichia coli, is modulated by proteolysis. Using combined genetic,
      molecular, and biochemical approaches, we demonstrate that MepS is rapidly
      degraded by a proteolytic system comprising an outer membrane lipoprotein of
      unknown function, NlpI, and a periplasmic protease, Prc (or Tsp). In summary, our
      results indicate that the NlpI-Prc system contributes to growth and enlargement
      of the PG sacculus by modulating the cellular levels of the cross-link-cleaving
      hydrolase MepS. Overall, this study signifies the importance of PG cross-link
      cleavage and its regulation in bacterial cell wall biogenesis. 

PMID- 26283369
TI  - Talin determines the nanoscale architecture of focal adhesions.
AB  - Insight into how molecular machines perform their biological functions depends on
      knowledge of the spatial organization of the components, their connectivity,
      geometry, and organizational hierarchy. However, these parameters are difficult
      to determine in multicomponent assemblies such as integrin-based focal adhesions
      (FAs). We have previously applied 3D superresolution fluorescence microscopy to
      probe the spatial organization of major FA components, observing a nanoscale
      stratification of proteins between integrins and the actin cytoskeleton. Here we
      combine superresolution imaging techniques with a protein engineering approach to
      investigate how such nanoscale architecture arises. We demonstrate that talin
      plays a key structural role in regulating the nanoscale architecture of FAs, akin
      to a molecular ruler. Talin diagonally spans the FA core, with its N terminus at
      the membrane and C terminus demarcating the FA/stress fiber interface. In
      contrast, vinculin is found to be dispensable for specification of FA nanoscale
      architecture. Recombinant analogs of talin with modified lengths recapitulated
      its polarized orientation but altered the FA/stress fiber interface in a linear
      manner, consistent with its modular structure, and implicating the integrin-talin
      actin complex as the primary mechanical linkage in FAs. Talin was found to be ~97
      nm in length and oriented at ~15 degrees  relative to the plasma membrane. Our
      results identify talin as the primary determinant of FA nanoscale organization
      and suggest how multiple cellular forces may be integrated at adhesion sites. 

PMID- 26283370
TI  - Homeostasis and the glycogen shunt explains aerobic ethanol production in yeast.
AB  - Aerobic glycolysis in yeast and cancer cells produces pyruvate beyond oxidative
      needs, a paradox noted by Warburg almost a century ago. To address this question,
      we reanalyzed extensive measurements from (13)C magnetic resonance spectroscopy
      of yeast glycolysis and the coupled pathways of futile cycling and glycogen and
      trehalose synthesis (which we refer to as the glycogen shunt). When yeast are
      given a large glucose load under aerobic conditions, the fluxes of these pathways
      adapt to maintain homeostasis of glycolytic intermediates and ATP. The glycogen
      shunt uses glycolytic ATP to store glycolytic intermediates as glycogen and
      trehalose, generating pyruvate and ethanol as byproducts. This conclusion is
      supported by studies of yeast with a partial block in the glycogen shunt due to
      the cif mutation, which found that when challenged with glucose, the yeast cells
      accumulate glycolytic intermediates and ATP, which ultimately leads to cell
      death. The control of the relative fluxes, which is critical to maintain
      homeostasis, is most likely exerted by the enzymes pyruvate kinase and fructose
      bisphosphatase. The kinetic properties of yeast PK and mammalian PKM2, the
      isoform found in cancer, are similar, suggesting that the same mechanism may
      exist in cancer cells, which, under these conditions, could explain their excess
      lactate generation. The general principle that homeostasis of metabolite and ATP
      concentrations is a critical requirement for metabolic function suggests that
      enzymes and pathways that perform this critical role could be effective drug
      targets in cancer and other diseases. 

PMID- 26283371
TI  - Highly activated RNA silencing via strong induction of dicer by one virus can
      interfere with the replication of an unrelated virus.
AB  - Viruses often coinfect single host organisms in nature. Depending on the
      combination of viruses in such coinfections, the interplay between them may be
      synergistic, apparently neutral with no effect on each other, or antagonistic.
      RNA silencing is responsible for many cases of interference or cross-protection
      between viruses, but such antagonistic interactions are usually restricted to
      closely related strains of the same viral species. In this study, we present an
      unprecedented example of RNA silencing-mediated one-way interference between
      unrelated viruses in a filamentous model fungus, Cryphonectria parasitica. The
      replication of Rosellinia necatrix victorivirus 1 (RnVV1; Totiviridae) was
      strongly impaired by coinfection with the prototypic member of the genus
      Mycoreovirus (MyRV1) or a mutant of the prototype hypovirus (Cryphonectria
      hypovirus 1, CHV1) lacking the RNA silencing suppressor (CHV1-Deltap69). This
      interference was associated with marked transcriptional induction of key genes in
      antiviral RNA silencing, dicer-like 2 (dcl2) and argonaute-like 2 (agl2),
      following MyRV1 or CHV1-Deltap69 infection. Interestingly, the inhibition of
      RnVV1 replication was reproduced when the levels of dcl2 and agl2 transcripts
      were elevated by transgenic expression of a hairpin construct of an endogenous C.
      parasitica gene. Disruption of dcl2 completely abolished the interference,
      whereas that of agl2 did not always lead to its abolishment, suggesting more
      crucial roles of dcl2 in antiviral defense. Taken altogether, these results
      demonstrated the susceptible nature of RnVV1 to the antiviral silencing in C.
      parasitica activated by distinct viruses or transgene-derived double-stranded
      RNAs and provide insight into the potential for broad-spectrum virus control
      mediated by RNA silencing. 

PMID- 26283372
TI  - Amplifying the response of soft actuators by harnessing snap-through
      instabilities.
AB  - Soft, inflatable segments are the active elements responsible for the actuation
      of soft machines and robots. Although current designs of fluidic actuators
      achieve motion with large amplitudes, they require large amounts of supplied
      volume, limiting their speed and compactness. To circumvent these limitations,
      here we embrace instabilities and show that they can be exploited to amplify the
      response of the system. By combining experimental and numerical tools we design
      and construct fluidic actuators in which snap-through instabilities are harnessed
      to generate large motion, high forces, and fast actuation at constant volume. Our
      study opens avenues for the design of the next generation of soft actuators and
      robots in which small amounts of volume are sufficient to achieve significant
      ranges of motion. 

PMID- 26283373
TI  - Transforming growth factor-beta signaling is constantly shaping memory T-cell
      population.
AB  - The long-term maintenance of memory T cells is essential for successful vaccines.
      Both the quantity and the quality of the memory T-cell population must be
      maintained. The signals that control the maintenance of memory T cells remain
      incompletely identified. Here we used two genetic models to show that continuous
      transforming growth factor-beta signaling to antigen-specific T cells is required
      for the differentiation and maintenance of memory CD8(+) T cells. In addition,
      both infection-induced and microbiota-induced inflammation impact the phenotypic
      and functional identity of memory CD8(+) T cells. 

PMID- 26283374
TI  - Screen for multi-SUMO-binding proteins reveals a multi-SIM-binding mechanism for
      recruitment of the transcriptional regulator ZMYM2 to chromatin.
AB  - Protein SUMOylation has emerged as an important regulatory event, particularly in
      nuclear processes such as transcriptional control and DNA repair. In this
      context, small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) often provides a binding platform
      for the recruitment of proteins via their SUMO-interacting motifs (SIMs). Recent
      discoveries point to an important role for multivalent SUMO binding through
      multiple SIMs in the binding partner as exemplified by poly-SUMOylation acting as
      a binding platform for ubiquitin E3 ligases such as ring finger protein 4. Here,
      we have investigated whether other types of protein are recruited through
      multivalent SUMO interactions. We have identified dozens of proteins that bind to
      multi-SUMO platforms, thereby uncovering a complex potential regulatory network.
      Multi-SUMO binding is mediated through multi-SIM modules, and the functional
      importance of these interactions is demonstrated for the transcriptional
      corepressor ZMYM2/ZNF198 where its multi-SUMO-binding activity is required for
      its recruitment to chromatin. 

PMID- 26283375
TI  - Electrocorticography reveals the temporal dynamics of posterior parietal cortical
      activity during recognition memory decisions.
AB  - Theories of the neurobiology of episodic memory predominantly focus on the
      contributions of medial temporal lobe structures, based on extensive lesion,
      electrophysiological, and imaging evidence. Against this backdrop, functional
      neuroimaging data have unexpectedly implicated left posterior parietal cortex
      (PPC) in episodic retrieval, revealing distinct activation patterns in PPC
      subregions as humans make memory-related decisions. To date, theorizing about the
      functional contributions of PPC has been hampered by the absence of information
      about the temporal dynamics of PPC activity as retrieval unfolds. Here, we
      leveraged electrocorticography to examine the temporal profile of high gamma
      power (HGP) in dorsal PPC subregions as participants made old/new recognition
      memory decisions. A double dissociation in memory-related HGP was observed, with
      activity in left intraparietal sulcus (IPS) and left superior parietal lobule
      (SPL) differing in time and sign for recognized old items (Hits) and correctly
      rejected novel items (CRs). Specifically, HGP in left IPS increased for Hits 300
      700 ms poststimulus onset, and decayed to baseline ~200 ms preresponse. By
      contrast, HGP in left SPL increased for CRs early after stimulus onset (200-300
      ms) and late in the memory decision (from 700 ms to response). These memory
      related effects were unique to left PPC, as they were not observed in right PPC.
      Finally, memory-related HGP in left IPS and SPL was sufficiently reliable to
      enable brain-based decoding of the participant's memory state at the single-trial
      level, using multivariate pattern classification. Collectively, these data
      provide insights into left PPC temporal dynamics as humans make recognition
      memory decisions. 

PMID- 26283376
TI  - SUMOylation of phytochrome-B negatively regulates light-induced signaling in
      Arabidopsis thaliana.
AB  - The red/far red light absorbing photoreceptor phytochrome-B (phyB) cycles between
      the biologically inactive (Pr, lambdamax, 660 nm) and active (Pfr; lambdamax, 730
      nm) forms and functions as a light quality and quantity controlled switch to
      regulate photomorphogenesis in Arabidopsis. At the molecular level, phyB
      interacts in a conformation-dependent fashion with a battery of downstream
      regulatory proteins, including PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTOR transcription
      factors, and by modulating their activity/abundance, it alters expression
      patterns of genes underlying photomorphogenesis. Here we report that the small
      ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) is conjugated (SUMOylation) to the C terminus of
      phyB; the accumulation of SUMOylated phyB is enhanced by red light and displays a
      diurnal pattern in plants grown under light/dark cycles. Our data demonstrate
      that (i) transgenic plants expressing the mutant phyB(Lys996Arg)-YFP
      photoreceptor are hypersensitive to red light, (ii) light-induced SUMOylation of
      the mutant phyB is drastically decreased compared with phyB-YFP, and (iii)
      SUMOylation of phyB inhibits binding of PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTOR 5 to phyB
      Pfr. In addition, we show that OVERLY TOLERANT TO SALT 1 (OTS1) de-SUMOylates
      phyB in vitro, it interacts with phyB in vivo, and the ots1/ots2 mutant is
      hyposensitive to red light. Taken together, we conclude that SUMOylation of phyB
      negatively regulates light signaling and it is mediated, at least partly, by the
      action of OTS SUMO proteases. 

PMID- 26283377
TI  - Unraveling the mechanism of selective ion transport in hydrophobic subnanometer
      channels.
AB  - Recently reported synthetic organic nanopore (SONP) can mimic a key feature of
      natural ion channels, i.e., selective ion transport. However, the physical
      mechanism underlying the K(+)/Na(+) selectivity for the SONPs is dramatically
      different from that of natural ion channels. To achieve a better understanding of
      the selective ion transport in hydrophobic subnanometer channels in general and
      SONPs in particular, we perform a series of ab initio molecular dynamics
      simulations to investigate the diffusivity of aqua Na(+) and K(+) ions in two
      prototype hydrophobic nanochannels: (i) an SONP with radius of 3.2 A, and (ii)
      single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with radii of 3-5 A (these radii are
      comparable to those of the biological potassium K(+) channels). We find that the
      hydration shell of aqua Na(+) ion is smaller than that of aqua K(+) ion but
      notably more structured and less yielding. The aqua ions do not lower the
      diffusivity of water molecules in CNTs, but in SONP the diffusivity of aqua ions
      (Na(+) in particular) is strongly suppressed due to the rugged inner surface.
      Moreover, the aqua Na(+) ion requires higher formation energy than aqua K(+) ion
      in the hydrophobic nanochannels. As such, we find that the ion (K(+) vs. Na(+))
      selectivity of the (8, 8) CNT is ~20* higher than that of SONP. Hence, the (8, 8)
      CNT is likely the most efficient artificial K(+) channel due in part to its
      special interior environment in which Na(+) can be fully solvated, whereas K(+)
      cannot. This work provides deeper insights into the physical chemistry behind
      selective ion transport in nanochannels. 

PMID- 26283378
TI  - Hybrid mimics and hybrid vigor in Arabidopsis.
AB  - F1 hybrids can outperform their parents in yield and vegetative biomass, features
      of hybrid vigor that form the basis of the hybrid seed industry. The yield
      advantage of the F1 is lost in the F2 and subsequent generations. In Arabidopsis,
      from F2 plants that have a F1-like phenotype, we have by recurrent selection
      produced pure breeding F5/F6 lines, hybrid mimics, in which the characteristics
      of the F1 hybrid are stabilized. These hybrid mimic lines, like the F1 hybrid,
      have larger leaves than the parent plant, and the leaves have increased
      photosynthetic cell numbers, and in some lines, increased size of cells,
      suggesting an increased supply of photosynthate. A comparison of the
      differentially expressed genes in the F1 hybrid with those of eight hybrid mimic
      lines identified metabolic pathways altered in both; these pathways include down
      regulation of defense response pathways and altered abiotic response pathways. F6
      hybrid mimic lines are mostly homozygous at each locus in the genome and yet
      retain the large F1-like phenotype. Many alleles in the F6 plants, when they are
      homozygous, have expression levels different to the level in the parent. We
      consider this altered expression to be a consequence of transregulation of genes
      from one parent by genes from the other parent. Transregulation could also arise
      from epigenetic modifications in the F1. The pure breeding hybrid mimics have
      been valuable in probing the mechanisms of hybrid vigor and may also prove to be
      useful hybrid vigor equivalents in agriculture. 

PMID- 26283379
TI  - Structural remodeling of bacteriophage T4 and host membranes during infection
      initiation.
AB  - The first stages of productive bacteriophage infections of bacterial host cells
      require efficient adsorption to the cell surface followed by ejection of phage
      DNA into the host cytoplasm. To achieve this goal, a phage virion must undergo
      significant structural remodeling. For phage T4, the most obvious change is the
      contraction of its tail. Here, we use skinny E. coli minicells as a host, along
      with cryo-electron tomography and mutant phage virions, to visualize key
      structural intermediates during initiation of T4 infection. We show for the first
      time that most long tail fibers are folded back against the tail sheath until
      irreversible adsorption, a feature compatible with the virion randomly walking
      across the cell surface to find an optimal site for infection. Our data confirm
      that tail contraction is triggered by structural changes in the baseplate, as
      intermediates were found with remodeled baseplates and extended tails. After
      contraction, the tail tube penetrates the host cell periplasm, pausing while it
      degrades the peptidoglycan layer. Penetration into the host cytoplasm is
      accompanied by a dramatic local outward curvature of the cytoplasmic membrane as
      it fuses with the phage tail tip. The baseplate hub protein gp27 and/or the
      ejected tape measure protein gp29 likely form the transmembrane channel for viral
      DNA passage into the cell cytoplasm. Building on the wealth of prior biochemical
      and structural information, this work provides new molecular insights into the
      mechanistic pathway of T4 phage infection. 

PMID- 26283380
TI  - IRF5 controls both acute and chronic inflammation.
AB  - Whereas the importance of macrophages in chronic inflammatory diseases is well
      recognized, there is an increasing awareness that neutrophils may also play an
      important role. In addition to the well-documented heterogeneity of macrophage
      phenotypes and functions, neutrophils also show remarkable phenotypic diversity
      among tissues. Understanding the molecular pathways that control this
      heterogeneity should provide abundant scope for the generation of more specific
      and effective therapeutics. We have shown that the transcription factor IFN
      regulatory factor 5 (IRF5) polarizes macrophages toward an inflammatory
      phenotype. IRF5 is also expressed in other myeloid cells, including neutrophils,
      where it was linked to neutrophil function. In this study we explored the role of
      IRF5 in models of acute inflammation, including antigen-induced inflammatory
      arthritis and lung injury, both involving an extensive influx of neutrophils.
      Mice lacking IRF5 accumulate far fewer neutrophils at the site of inflammation
      due to the reduced levels of chemokines important for neutrophil recruitment,
      such as the chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1. Furthermore we found that
      neutrophils express little IRF5 in the joints and that their migratory properties
      are not affected by the IRF5 deficiency. These studies extend prior ones
      suggesting that inhibiting IRF5 might be useful for chronic macrophage-induced
      inflammation and suggest that IRF5 blockade would ameliorate more acute forms of
      inflammation, including lung injury. 

PMID- 26283381
TI  - MutL traps MutS at a DNA mismatch.
AB  - DNA mismatch repair (MMR) identifies and corrects errors made during replication.
      In all organisms except those expressing MutH, interactions between a DNA
      mismatch, MutS, MutL, and the replication processivity factor (beta-clamp or
      PCNA) activate the latent MutL endonuclease to nick the error-containing daughter
      strand. This nick provides an entry point for downstream repair proteins. Despite
      the well-established significance of strand-specific nicking in MMR, the
      mechanism(s) by which MutS and MutL assemble on mismatch DNA to allow the
      subsequent activation of MutL's endonuclease activity by beta-clamp/PCNA remains
      elusive. In both prokaryotes and eukaryotes, MutS homologs undergo conformational
      changes to a mobile clamp state that can move away from the mismatch. However,
      the function of this MutS mobile clamp is unknown. Furthermore, whether the
      interaction with MutL leads to a mobile MutS-MutL complex or a mismatch-localized
      complex is hotly debated. We used single molecule FRET to determine that Thermus
      aquaticus MutL traps MutS at a DNA mismatch after recognition but before its
      conversion to a sliding clamp. Rather than a clamp, a conformationally dynamic
      protein assembly typically containing more MutL than MutS is formed at the
      mismatch. This complex provides a local marker where interaction with beta
      clamp/PCNA could distinguish parent/daughter strand identity. Our finding that
      MutL fundamentally changes MutS actions following mismatch detection reframes
      current thinking on MMR signaling processes critical for genomic stability. 

PMID- 26283383
TI  - Caspary's conductor.

PMID- 26283382
TI  - Mechanobiological oscillators control lymph flow.
AB  - The ability of cells to sense and respond to physical forces has been recognized
      for decades, but researchers are only beginning to appreciate the fundamental
      importance of mechanical signals in biology. At the larger scale, there has been
      increased interest in the collective organization of cells and their ability to
      produce complex, "emergent" behaviors. Often, these complex behaviors result in
      tissue-level control mechanisms that manifest as biological oscillators, such as
      observed in fireflies, heartbeats, and circadian rhythms. In many cases, these
      complex, collective behaviors are controlled--at least in part--by physical
      forces imposed on the tissue or created by the cells. Here, we use mathematical
      simulations to show that two complementary mechanobiological oscillators are
      sufficient to control fluid transport in the lymphatic system: Ca(2+)-mediated
      contractions can be triggered by vessel stretch, whereas nitric oxide produced in
      response to the resulting fluid shear stress causes the lymphatic vessel to relax
      locally. Our model predicts that the Ca(2+) and NO levels alternate
      spatiotemporally, establishing complementary feedback loops, and that the
      resulting phasic contractions drive lymph flow. We show that this mechanism is
      self-regulating and robust over a range of fluid pressure environments, allowing
      the lymphatic vessels to provide pumping when needed but remain open when flow
      can be driven by tissue pressure or gravity. Our simulations accurately reproduce
      the responses to pressure challenges and signaling pathway manipulations observed
      experimentally, providing an integrated conceptual framework for lymphatic
      function.

PMID- 26283384
TI  - Phytochemical diversity drives plant-insect community diversity.
AB  - What are the ecological causes and consequences of variation in phytochemical
      diversity within and between plant taxa? Despite decades of natural products
      discovery by organic chemists and research by chemical ecologists, our
      understanding of phytochemically mediated ecological processes in natural
      communities has been restricted to studies of either broad classes of compounds
      or a small number of well-characterized molecules. Until now, no studies have
      assessed the ecological causes or consequences of rigorously quantified
      phytochemical diversity across taxa in natural systems. Consequently, hypotheses
      that attempt to explain variation in phytochemical diversity among plants remain
      largely untested. We use spectral data from crude plant extracts to characterize
      phytochemical diversity in a suite of co-occurring plants in the tropical genus
      Piper (Piperaceae). In combination with 20 years of data focused on Piper
      associated insects, we find that phytochemical diversity has a direct and
      positive effect on the diversity of herbivores but also reduces overall herbivore
      damage. Elevated chemical diversity is associated with more specialized
      assemblages of herbivores, and the cascading positive effect of phytochemistry on
      herbivore enemies is stronger as herbivore diet breadth narrows. These results
      are consistent with traditional hypotheses that predict positive associations
      between plant chemical diversity, insect herbivore diversity, and trophic
      specialization. It is clear from these results that high phytochemical diversity
      not only enhances the diversity of plant-associated insects but also contributes
      to the ecological predominance of specialized insect herbivores. 

PMID- 26283385
TI  - Confounding effects of oxygen and temperature on the TEX86 signature of marine
      Thaumarchaeota.
AB  - Marine ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) are among the most abundant of marine
      microorganisms, spanning nearly the entire water column of diverse oceanic
      provinces. Historical patterns of abundance are preserved in sediments in the
      form of their distinctive glycerol dibiphytanyl glycerol tetraether (GDGT)
      membrane lipids. The correlation between the composition of GDGTs in surface
      sediment and the overlying annual average sea surface temperature forms the basis
      for a paleotemperature proxy (TEX86) that is used to reconstruct surface ocean
      temperature as far back as the Middle Jurassic. However, mounting evidence
      suggests that factors other than temperature could also play an important role in
      determining GDGT distributions. We here use a study set of four marine AOA
      isolates to demonstrate that these closely related strains generate different
      TEX86-temperature relationships and that oxygen (O2) concentration is at least as
      important as temperature in controlling TEX86 values in culture. All of the four
      strains characterized showed a unique membrane compositional response to
      temperature, with TEX86-inferred temperatures varying as much as 12  degrees C
      from the incubation temperatures. In addition, both linear and nonlinear TEX86
      temperature relationships were characteristic of individual strains. Increasing
      relative abundance of GDGT-2 and GDGT-3 with increasing O2 limitation, at the
      expense of GDGT-1, led to significant elevations in TEX86-derived temperature.
      Although the adaptive significance of GDGT compositional changes in response to
      both temperature and O2 is unclear, this observation necessitates a reassessment
      of archaeal lipid-based paleotemperature proxies, particularly in records that
      span low-oxygen events or underlie oxygen minimum zones. 

PMID- 26283387
TI  - Dual allosteric activation mechanisms in monomeric human glucokinase.
AB  - Cooperativity in human glucokinase (GCK), the body's primary glucose sensor and a
      major determinant of glucose homeostatic diseases, is fundamentally different
      from textbook models of allostery because GCK is monomeric and contains only one
      glucose-binding site. Prior work has demonstrated that millisecond timescale
      order-disorder transitions within the enzyme's small domain govern cooperativity.
      Here, using limited proteolysis, we map the site of disorder in unliganded GCK to
      a 30-residue active-site loop that closes upon glucose binding. Positional
      randomization of the loop, coupled with genetic selection in a glucokinase
      deficient bacterium, uncovers a hyperactive GCK variant with substantially
      reduced cooperativity. Biochemical and structural analysis of this loop variant
      and GCK variants associated with hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia reveal two
      distinct mechanisms of enzyme activation. In alpha-type activation, glucose
      affinity is increased, the proteolytic susceptibility of the active site loop is
      suppressed and the (1)H-(13)C heteronuclear multiple quantum coherence (HMQC)
      spectrum of (13)C-Ile-labeled enzyme resembles the glucose-bound state. In beta
      type activation, glucose affinity is largely unchanged, proteolytic
      susceptibility of the loop is enhanced, and the (1)H-(13)C HMQC spectrum reveals
      no perturbation in ensemble structure. Leveraging both activation mechanisms, we
      engineer a fully noncooperative GCK variant, whose functional properties are
      indistinguishable from other hexokinase isozymes, and which displays a 100-fold
      increase in catalytic efficiency over wild-type GCK. This work elucidates
      specific structural features responsible for generating allostery in a monomeric
      enzyme and suggests a general strategy for engineering cooperativity into
      proteins that lack the structural framework typical of traditional allosteric
      systems. 

PMID- 26283386
TI  - Electrochemically addressable trisradical rotaxanes organized within a metal
      organic framework.
AB  - The organization of trisradical rotaxanes within the channels of a Zr6-based
      metal-organic framework (NU-1000) has been achieved postsynthetically by solvent
      assisted ligand incorporation. Robust Zr(IV)-carboxylate bonds are forged between
      the Zr clusters of NU-1000 and carboxylic acid groups of rotaxane precursors
      (semirotaxanes) as part of this building block replacement strategy. Ultraviolet
      visible-near-infrared (UV-Vis-NIR), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and 1H
      nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopies all confirm the capture of redox
      active rotaxanes within the mesoscale hexagonal channels of NU-1000. Cyclic
      voltammetry measurements performed on electroactive thin films of the resulting
      material indicate that redox-active viologen subunits located on the rotaxane
      components can be accessed electrochemically in the solid state. In
      contradistinction to previous methods, this strategy for the incorporation of
      mechanically interlocked molecules within porous materials circumvents the need
      for de novo synthesis of a metal-organic framework, making it a particularly
      convenient approach for the design and creation of solid-state molecular switches
      and machines. The results presented here provide proof-of-concept for the
      application of postsynthetic transformations in the integration of dynamic
      molecular machines with robust porous frameworks.

PMID- 26283389
TI  - Correction for Xie et al., Assortative mating without assortative preference.

PMID- 26283388
TI  - Orchestration of three transporters and distinct vascular structures in node for
      intervascular transfer of silicon in rice.
AB  - Requirement of mineral elements in different plant tissues is not often
      consistent with their transpiration rate; therefore, plants have developed
      systems for preferential distribution of mineral elements to the developing
      tissues with low transpiration. Here we took silicon (Si) as an example and
      revealed an efficient system for preferential distribution of Si in the node of
      rice (Oryza sativa). Rice is able to accumulate more than 10% Si of the dry
      weight in the husk, which is required for protecting the grains from water loss
      and pathogen infection. However, it has been unknown for a long time how this
      hyperaccumulation is achieved. We found that three transporters (Lsi2, Lsi3, and
      Lsi6) located at the node are involved in the intervascular transfer, which is
      required for the preferential distribution of Si. Lsi2 was polarly localized to
      the bundle sheath cell layer around the enlarged vascular bundles, which is next
      to the xylem transfer cell layer where Lsi6 is localized. Lsi3 was located in the
      parenchyma tissues between enlarged vascular bundles and diffuse vascular
      bundles. Similar to Lsi6, knockout of Lsi2 and Lsi3 also resulted in decreased
      distribution of Si to the panicles but increased Si to the flag leaf.
      Furthermore, we constructed a mathematical model for Si distribution and revealed
      that in addition to cooperation of three transporters, an apoplastic barrier
      localized at the bundle sheath cells and development of the enlarged vascular
      bundles in node are also required for the hyperaccumulation of Si in rice husk. 

PMID- 26283390
TI  - Kinetics of a Criegee intermediate that would survive high humidity and may
      oxidize atmospheric SO2.
AB  - Criegee intermediates are thought to play a role in atmospheric chemistry, in
      particular, the oxidation of SO2, which produces SO3 and subsequently H2SO4, an
      important constituent of aerosols and acid rain. However, the impact of such
      oxidation reactions is affected by the reactions of Criegee intermediates with
      water vapor, because of high water concentrations in the troposphere. In this
      work, the kinetics of the reactions of dimethyl substituted Criegee intermediate
      (CH3)2COO with water vapor and with SO2 were directly measured via UV absorption
      of (CH3)2COO under near-atmospheric conditions. The results indicate that (i) the
      water reaction with (CH3)2COO is not fast enough (kH2O < 1.5 * 10(-16) cm(3) s(
      1)) to consume atmospheric (CH3)2COO significantly and (ii) (CH3)2COO reacts with
      SO2 at a near-gas-kinetic-limit rate (kSO2 = 1.3 * 10(-10) cm(3) s(-1)). These
      observations imply a significant fraction of atmospheric (CH3)2COO may survive
      under humid conditions and react with SO2, very different from the case of the
      simplest Criegee intermediate CH2OO, in which the reaction with water dimer
      predominates in the CH2OO decay under typical tropospheric conditions. In
      addition, a significant pressure dependence was observed for the reaction of
      (CH3)2COO with SO2, suggesting the use of low pressure rate may underestimate the
      impact of this reaction. This work demonstrates that the reactivity of a Criegee
      intermediate toward water vapor strongly depends on its structure, which will
      influence the main decay pathways and steady-state concentrations for various
      Criegee intermediates in the atmosphere.

PMID- 26283393
TI  - Correction for Tan et al., Fragile charge order in the nonsuperconducting ground
      state of the underdoped high-temperature superconductors.

PMID- 26283392
TI  - Structure of BipA in GTP form bound to the ratcheted ribosome.
AB  - BPI-inducible protein A (BipA) is a member of the family of ribosome-dependent
      translational GTPase (trGTPase) factors along with elongation factors G and 4 (EF
      G and EF4). Despite being highly conserved in bacteria and playing a critical
      role in coordinating cellular responses to environmental changes, its structures
      (isolated and ribosome bound) remain elusive. Here, we present the crystal
      structures of apo form and GTP analog, GDP, and guanosine-3',5'-bisdiphosphate
      (ppGpp)-bound BipA. In addition to having a distinctive domain arrangement, the C
      terminal domain of BipA has a unique fold. Furthermore, we report the cryo
      electron microscopy structure of BipA bound to the ribosome in its active GTP
      form and elucidate the unique structural attributes of BipA interactions with the
      ribosome and A-site tRNA in the light of its possible function in regulating
      translation. 

PMID- 26283391
TI  - Metabolic fate of endogenous molecular damage: Urinary glutathione conjugates of
      DNA-derived base propenals as markers of inflammation.
AB  - Although mechanistically linked to disease, cellular molecules damaged by
      endogenous processes have not emerged as significant biomarkers of inflammation
      and disease risk, due in part to poor understanding of their pharmacokinetic fate
      from tissue to excretion. Here, we use systematic metabolite profiling to define
      the fate of a common DNA oxidation product, base propenals, to discover such a
      biomarker. Based on known chemical reactivity and metabolism in liver cell
      extracts, 15 candidate metabolites were identified for liquid chromatography
      coupled tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) quantification in urine and bile of
      rats treated with thymine propenal (Tp). Analysis of urine revealed three
      metabolites (6% of Tp dose): thymine propenoate and two mercapturate derivatives
      of glutathione conjugates. Bile contained an additional four metabolites (22% of
      Tp dose): cysteinylglycine and cysteine derivatives of glutathione adducts. A bis
      mercapturate was observed in urine of untreated rats and increased approximately
      three- to fourfold following CCl4-induced oxidative stress or treatment with the
      DNA-cleaving antitumor agent, bleomycin. Systematic metabolite profiling thus
      provides evidence for a metabolized DNA damage product as a candidate biomarker
      of inflammation and oxidative stress in humans. 

PMID- 26283394
TI  - Antagonism screen for inhibitors of bacterial cell wall biogenesis uncovers an
      inhibitor of undecaprenyl diphosphate synthase.
AB  - Drug combinations are valuable tools for studying biological systems. Although
      much attention has been given to synergistic interactions in revealing
      connections between cellular processes, antagonistic interactions can also have
      tremendous value in elucidating genetic networks and mechanisms of drug action.
      Here, we exploit the power of antagonism in a high-throughput screen for
      molecules that suppress the activity of targocil, an inhibitor of the wall
      teichoic acid (WTA) flippase in Staphylococcus aureus. Well-characterized
      antagonism within the WTA biosynthetic pathway indicated that early steps would
      be sensitive to this screen; however, broader interactions with cell wall
      biogenesis components suggested that it might capture additional targets. A
      chemical screening effort using this approach identified clomiphene, a widely
      used fertility drug, as one such compound. Mechanistic characterization revealed
      the target was the undecaprenyl diphosphate synthase, an enzyme that catalyzes
      the synthesis of a polyisoprenoid essential for both peptidoglycan and WTA
      synthesis. The work sheds light on mechanisms contributing to the observed
      suppressive interactions of clomiphene and in turn reveals aspects of the biology
      that underlie cell wall synthesis in S. aureus. Further, this effort highlights
      the utility of antagonistic interactions both in high-throughput screening and in
      compound mode of action studies. Importantly, clomiphene represents a lead for
      antibacterial drug discovery. 

PMID- 26283396
TI  - Correction for Shin et al., Muscarinic regulation of dopamine and glutamate
      transmission in the nucleus accumbens.

PMID- 26283395
TI  - Roles of multiple-proton transfer pathways and proton-coupled electron transfer
      in the reactivity of the bis-FeIV state of MauG.
AB  - The high-valent state of the diheme enzyme MauG exhibits charge-resonance (CR)
      stabilization in which the major species is a bis-Fe(IV) state with one heme
      present as Fe(IV)=O and the other as Fe(IV) with axial heme ligands provided by
      His and Tyr side chains. In the absence of its substrate, the high-valent state
      is relatively stable and returns to the diferric state over several minutes. It
      is shown that this process occurs in two phases. The first phase is
      redistribution of the resonance species that support the CR. The second phase is
      the loss of CR and reduction to the diferric state. Thermodynamic analysis
      revealed that the rates of the two phases exhibited different temperature
      dependencies and activation energies of 8.9 and 19.6 kcal/mol. The two phases
      exhibited kinetic solvent isotope effects of 2.5 and 2.3. Proton inventory plots
      of each reaction phase exhibited extreme curvature that could not be fit to
      models for one- or multiple-proton transfers in the transition state. Each did
      fit well to a model for two alternative pathways for proton transfer, each
      involving multiple protons. In each case the experimentally determined
      fractionation factors were consistent with one of the pathways involving
      tunneling. The percent of the reaction that involved the tunneling pathway
      differed for the two reaction phases. Using the crystal structure of MauG it was
      possible to propose proton-transfer pathways consistent with the experimental
      data using water molecules and amino acid side chains in the distal pocket of the
      high-spin heme. 

PMID- 26283397
TI  - RIP3-mediated necrotic cell death accelerates systematic inflammation and
      mortality.
AB  - Systematic inflammation contributes to the development of many diseases,
      including cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of mortality
      worldwide. How such inflammation is initiated and maintained throughout the
      course of disease remains unclear. In the current study, we report the
      observation of specific phosphorylation of the receptor-interacting protein 3
      (RIP3) kinase that marks the activation of programmed necrosis (also called the
      "necroptosis pathway") in the atherosclerotic plaques in apolipoprotein E (ApoE)
      knockout mice. The mRNA expression levels of 10 inflammatory cytokines, including
      IL-1alpha, were decreased significantly in the plaque regions of mice lacking
      RIP3. Lymphocyte infiltrations in the adipocyte tissue and in skin lesions of
      ApoE single-knockout mice were significantly mitigated in ApoE/RIP3 double
      knockout mice. The high percentage of inflammatory monocytes with high levels of
      lymphocyte antigen 6C in the blood of ApoE single-knockout mice also was greatly
      decreased in the ApoE/RIP3 double-knockout mice. Most significantly, the double
      knockout mice displayed dramatically delayed mortality compared with ApoE single
      knockout mice. Our findings indicate that necrotic death in areas such as
      atherosclerotic plaques may release cytokines that mobilize monocytes from bone
      marrow to the lesion sites, exacerbating the lesions in multiple tissues and
      resulting in the premature death of the animals. 

PMID- 26283399
TI  - Sex determination by multiple sex chromosomes in Xenopus tropicalis.

PMID- 26283398
TI  - LINE-1 expression and retrotransposition in Barrett's esophagus and esophageal
      carcinoma.
AB  - Barrett's esophagus (BE) is a common disease in which the lining of the esophagus
      transitions from stratified squamous epithelium to metaplastic columnar
      epithelium that predisposes individuals to developing esophageal adenocarcinoma
      (EAC). We hypothesized that BE provides a unique environment for increased long
      interspersed element 1 (LINE-1 or L1) retrotransposition. To this end, we
      evaluated 5 patients with benign BE, 5 patients with BE and concomitant EAC, and
      10 additional patients with EAC to determine L1 activity in this progressive
      disease. After L1-seq, we confirmed 118 somatic insertions by PCR in 10 of 20
      individuals. We observed clonal amplification of several insertions which
      appeared to originate in normal esophagus (NE) or BE and were later clonally
      expanded in BE or in EAC. Additionally, we observed evidence of clonality within
      the EAC cases; specifically, 22 of 25 EAC-only insertions were present
      identically in distinct regions available from the same tumor, suggesting that
      these insertions occurred in the founding tumor cell of these lesions. L1
      proteins must be expressed for retrotransposition to occur; therefore, we
      evaluated the expression of open reading frame 1 protein (ORF1p), a protein
      encoded by L1, in eight of the EAC cases for which formalin-fixed paraffin
      embedded tissue was available. With immunohistochemistry, we detected ORF1p in
      all tumors evaluated. Interestingly, we also observed dim ORF1p immunoreactivity
      in histologically NE of all patients. In summary, our data show that somatic
      retrotransposition occurs early in many patients with BE and EAC and indicate
      that early events occurring even in histologically NE cells may be clonally
      expanded in esophageal adenocarcinogenesis. 

PMID- 26283400
TI  - Confronting and resolving competing values behind conservation objectives.
AB  - Diverse motivations for preserving nature both inspire and hinder its
      conservation. Optimal conservation strategies may differ radically depending on
      the objective. For example, creating nature reserves may prevent extinctions
      through protecting severely threatened species, whereas incentivizing farmland
      hedgerows may benefit people through bolstering pest-eating or pollinating
      species. Win-win interventions that satisfy multiple objectives are alluring, but
      can also be elusive. To achieve better outcomes, we developed and implemented a
      practical typology of nature conservation framed around seven common conservation
      objectives. Using an intensively studied bird assemblage in southern Costa Rica
      as a case study, we applied the typology in the context of biodiversity's most
      pervasive threat: habitat conversion. We found that rural habitats in a varied
      tropical landscape, comprising small farms, villages, forest fragments, and
      forest reserves, provided biodiversity-driven processes that benefit people, such
      as pollination, seed dispersal, and pest consumption. However, species valued for
      their rarity, endemism, and evolutionary distinctness declined in farmland.
      Conserving tropical forest on farmland increased species that international
      tourists value, but not species discussed in Costa Rican newspapers. Despite
      these observed trade-offs, our analyses also revealed promising synergies. For
      example, we found that maintaining forest cover surrounding farms in our study
      region would likely enhance most conservation objectives at minimal expense to
      others. Overall, our typology provides a framework for resolving the competing
      objectives of modern conservation. 

PMID- 26283401
TI  - Correction to Supporting Information for Merski et al., Homologous ligands
      accommodated by discrete conformations of a buried cavity.

PMID- 26283402
TI  - Reply to Chakrabarty et al.: Particles move even in ideal glasses.

PMID- 26283403
TI  - Vanishing of configurational entropy may not imply an ideal glass transition in
      randomly pinned liquids.

PMID- 26283404
TI  - Reply to Lane and Martin: Being and becoming eukaryotes.

PMID- 26283405
TI  - Eukaryotes really are special, and mitochondria are why.

PMID- 26283406
TI  - Reply to Luo et al.: Robustness of causal effects of galactic cosmic rays on
      interannual variation in global temperature.

PMID- 26283407
TI  - Questionable dynamical evidence for causality between galactic cosmic rays and
      interannual variation in global temperature.

PMID- 26283408
TI  - Maternal fatty acid desaturase genotype correlates with infant immune responses
      at 6 months.
AB  - Breast milk long-chain PUFA (LCPUFA) have been associated with changes in early
      life immune responses and may modulate T-cell function in infancy. We studied the
      effect of maternal fatty acid desaturase (FADS) genotype and breast milk LCPUFA
      levels on infants' blood T-cell profiles and ex vivo-produced cytokines after
      anti-CD3/CD28 stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in 6-month-old
      infants from the Copenhagen Prospective Study of Asthma in Childhood birth
      cohort. LCPUFA concentrations of breast milk were assessed at 4 weeks of age, and
      FADS SNP were determined in both mothers and infants (n 109). In general, breast
      milk arachidonic acid (AA) levels were inversely correlated with the production
      of IL-10 (r -0.25; P=0.004), IL-17 (r -0.24; P=0.005), IL-5 (r -0.21; P=0.014)
      and IL-13 (r -0.17; P=0.047), whereas EPA was positively correlated with the
      counts of blood regulatory T-cells and cytotoxic T-cells and decreased T-helper
      cell counts. The minor FADS alleles were associated with lower breast milk AA and
      EPA, and infants of mothers carrying the minor allele of FADS SNP rs174556 had
      higher production of IL-10 (r -0.23; P=0.018), IL-17 (r -0.25; P=0.009) and IL-5
      (r -0.21; P=0.038) from ex vivo-activated immune cells. We observed no
      association between T-cell distribution and maternal or infant FADS gene
      variants. We conclude that increased maternal LCPUFA synthesis and breast milk AA
      are associated with decreased levels of IL-5, IL-13 (type-2 related), IL-17 (type
      17 related) and IL-10 (regulatory immune responses), but not with interferon
      gamma and TNF-alpha, which could be due to an effect of the maternal FADS
      variants on the offspring immune response transferred via breast milk LCPUFA.

PMID- 26283409
TI  - A new strain energy function for modelling ligaments and tendons whose fascicles
      have a helical arrangement of fibrils.
AB  - A new strain energy function for the hyperelastic modelling of ligaments and
      tendons whose fascicles have a helical arrangement of fibrils is derived. The
      stress-strain response of a single fascicle whose fibrils exhibit varying levels
      of crimp throughout its radius is calculated and used to determine the form of
      the strain energy function. The new constitutive law is used to model uniaxial
      extension test data for human patellar tendon and is shown to provide an
      excellent fit, with the average relative error being 9.8%. It is then used to
      model shear and predicts that the stresses required to shear a tendon are much
      smaller than those required to uniaxially stretch it to the same strain level.
      Finally, the strain energy function is used to model ligaments and tendons whose
      fascicles are helical, and the relative effects of the fibril helix angle, the
      fascicle helix angle and the fibril crimp variable are compared. It is shown that
      they all have a significant effect; the fibril crimp variable governs the non
      linearity of the stress-strain curve, whereas the helix angles primarily affect
      its stiffness. Smaller values of the helix angles lead to stiffer tendons;
      therefore, the model predicts that one would expect to see fewer helical sub
      structures in stiff positional tendons, and more in those that are required to be
      more flexible.

PMID- 26283410
TI  - Water in hydroxyapatite nanopores: Possible implications for interstitial bone
      fluid flow.
AB  - The role of bone water in the activity of this organ is essential in structuring
      apatite crystals, providing pathways for nutrients and waste involved in the
      metabolism of bone cells and participating in bone remodelling
      mechanotransduction. It is commonly accepted that bone presents three levels of
      porosity, namely the vasculature, the lacuno-canalicular system and the voids of
      the collagen-apatite matrix. Due to the observation of bound state of water at
      the latter level, the interstitial nanoscopic flow that may exist within these
      pores is classically neglected. The aim of this paper is to investigate the
      possibility to obtain a fluid flow at the nanoscale. That is why a molecular
      dynamics based analysis of a water-hydroxyapatite system is proposed to analyze
      the effect of water confinement on transport properties. The main result here is
      that free water can be observed inside hydroxyapatite pores of a few nanometers.
      This result would have strong implications in the multiscale treatment of the
      poromechanical behaviour of bone tissue. In particular, the mechanical properties
      of the bone matrix may be highly controlled by nanoscopic water diffusion and the
      classical idea that osteocytic activity is only regulated by bone fluid flow
      within the lacuno-canalicular system may be discussed again. 

PMID- 26283411
TI  - A kinematic method to detect foot contact during running for all foot strike
      patterns.
AB  - The biomechanics of distance running are studied in relation to both
      understanding injury mechanisms and improving performance. Kinematic methods must
      be used to identify the stance phase of running when data are recorded during
      running on a standard treadmill or outside the laboratory. Recently, a focus on
      foot strike patterns has emerged in the field. Thus, there is a need for a
      kinematic method to identify foot contact that is equally effective for both
      rearfoot and non-rearfoot strike patterns. The purpose of this study was to
      determine whether a new kinematic method could accurately determine foot contact
      during running in both rearfoot and non-rearfoot strikers. Overground gait data
      were collected at on 22 runners, 11 with a rearfoot strike pattern and 11 with a
      non-rearfoot strike pattern. Data were processed to identify foot contact from:
      vertical ground reaction force, two previously published kinematic methods, and
      our new kinematic method. Limits of agreement were used to determine bias and
      random error of each kinematic method compared to ground reaction force onset.
      The new method had comparable random error at 200 Hz sampling frequency (5 ms per
      frame) to the previous methods (7 frames vs 6-9 frames) and produced the same
      offset for both strike patterns (3 frames), while the existing methods had
      different offsets for different strike patterns (4 or 7 frames). Study findings
      support use of this new method, as it can be applied to all running strike
      patterns without adjusting the frame offset, simplifying data processing.

PMID- 26283412
TI  - Vascular smooth muscle cell functional contractility depends on extracellular
      mechanical properties.
AB  - Vascular smooth muscle cells' primary function is to maintain vascular
      homeostasis through active contraction and relaxation. In diseases such as
      hypertension and atherosclerosis, this function is inhibited concurrent to
      changes in the mechanical environment surrounding vascular smooth muscle cells.
      It is well established that cell function and extracellular mechanics are
      interconnected; variations in substrate modulus affect cell migration,
      proliferation, and differentiation. To date, it is unknown how the evolving
      extracellular mechanical environment of vascular smooth muscle cells affects
      their contractile function. Here, we have built upon previous vascular muscular
      thin film technology to develop a variable-modulus vascular muscular thin film
      that measures vascular tissue functional contractility on substrates with a range
      of pathological and physiological moduli. Using this modified vascular muscular
      thin film, we found that vascular smooth muscle cells generated greater stress on
      substrates with higher moduli compared to substrates with lower moduli. We then
      measured protein markers typically thought to indicate a contractile phenotype in
      vascular smooth muscle cells and found that phenotype is unaffected by substrate
      modulus. These data suggest that mechanical properties of vascular smooth muscle
      cells' extracellular environment directly influence their functional behavior and
      do so without inducing phenotype switching. 

PMID- 26283413
TI  - Pressure and shear stress in trabecular bone marrow during whole bone loading.
AB  - Skeletal adaptation to mechanical loading is controlled by mechanobiological
      signaling. Osteocytes are highly responsive to applied strains, and are the key
      mechanosensory cells in bone. However, many cells residing in the marrow also
      respond to mechanical cues such as hydrostatic pressure and shear stress, and
      hence could play a role in skeletal adaptation. Trabecular bone encapsulates
      marrow, forming a poroelastic solid. According to the mechanical theory,
      deformation of the pores induces motion in the fluid-like marrow, resulting in
      pressure and velocity gradients. The latter results in shear stress acting
      between the components of the marrow. To characterize the mechanical environment
      of trabecular bone marrow in situ, pore pressure within the trabecular
      compartment of whole porcine femurs was measured with miniature pressure
      transducers during stress-relaxation and cyclic loading. Pressure gradients
      ranging from 0.013 to 0.46 kPa/mm were measured during loading. This range was
      consistent with calculated pressure gradients from continuum scale poroelastic
      models with the same permeability. Micro-scale computational fluid dynamics
      models created from computed tomography images were used to calculate the
      micromechanical stress in the marrow using the measured pressure differentials as
      boundary conditions. The volume averaged shear stress in the marrow ranged from
      1.67 to 24.55 Pa during cyclic loading, which exceeds the mechanostimulatory
      threshold for mesenchymal lineage cells. Thus, the loading of bone through
      activities of daily living may be an essential component of bone marrow health
      and mechanobiology. Additional studies of cell-level interactions during loading
      in healthy and disease conditions will provide further incite into marrow
      mechanobiology.

PMID- 26283416
TI  - Pressure from tobacco industry is delaying vital law in Pakistan, say activists.

PMID- 26283414
TI  - Venous thromboembolism in the ICU: main characteristics, diagnosis and
      thromboprophylaxis.
AB  - Venous thromboembolism (VTE), including pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep venous
      thrombosis (DVT), is a common and severe complication of critical illness.
      Although well documented in the general population, the prevalence of PE is less
      known in the ICU, where it is more difficult to diagnose and to treat. Critically
      ill patients are at high risk of VTE because they combine both general risk
      factors together with specific ICU risk factors of VTE, like sedation,
      immobilization, vasopressors or central venous catheter. Compression
      ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT) scan are the primary tools to
      diagnose DVT and PE, respectively, in the ICU. CT scan, as well as
      transesophageal echography, are good for evaluating the severity of PE.
      Thromboprophylaxis is needed in all ICU patients, mainly with low molecular
      weight heparin, such as fragmine, which can be used even in cases of non-severe
      renal failure. Mechanical thromboprophylaxis has to be used if anticoagulation is
      not possible. Nevertheless, VTE can occur despite well-conducted
      thromboprophylaxis. 

PMID- 26283415
TI  - Inhibition of Haemonchus contortus larval development by fungal lectins.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lectins are carbohydrate-binding proteins that are involved in
      fundamental intra- and extracellular biological processes. They occur
      ubiquitously in nature and are especially abundant in plants and fungi. It has
      been well established that certain higher fungi produce lectins in their fruiting
      bodies and/or sclerotia as a part of their natural resistance against free-living
      fungivorous nematodes and other pests. Despite relatively high diversity of the
      glycan structures in nature, many of the glycans targeted by fungal lectins are
      conserved among organisms of the same taxon and sometimes even among different
      taxa. Such conservation of glycans between free-living and parasitic nematodes is
      providing us with a useful tool for discovery of novel chemotherapeutic and
      vaccine targets. In our study, a subset of fungal lectins emanating from toxicity
      screens on Caenorhabditis elegans was tested for their potential to inhibit
      larval development of Haemonchus contortus. METHODS: The effect of Coprinopsis
      cinerea lectins - CCL2, CGL2, CGL3; Aleuria aurantia lectin - AAL; Marasmius
      oreades agglutinin - MOA; and Laccaria bicolor lectin - Lb-Tec2, on cultivated
      Haemonchus contortus larval stages was investigated using a larval development
      test (LDT). To validate the results of the toxicity assay and determine lectin
      binding capacity to the nematode digestive tract, biotinylated versions of
      lectins were fed to pre-infective larval stages of H. contortus and visualized by
      fluorescent microscopy. Lectin histochemistry on fixed adult worms was performed
      to investigate the presence and localisation of lectin binding sites in the
      disease-relevant developmental stage. RESULTS: Using an improved larval
      development test we found that four of the six tested lectins: AAL, CCL2, MOA and
      CGL2, exhibited a dose-dependent toxicity in LDT, as measured by the number of
      larvae developing to the L3 stage. In the case of AAL, CGL2 and MOA lectin, doses
      as low as 5 MUg/ml caused >95 % inhibition of larval development while 40 MUg/ml
      were needed to achieve the same inhibition by CCL2 lectin. MOA was the only
      lectin tested that caused larval death while other toxic lectins had larvistatic
      effect manifesting as L1 growth arrest. Using lectin histochemistry we
      demonstrate that of all lectins tested, only the four toxic ones displayed
      binding to the larvae's gut and likewise were found to interact with glycans
      localized to the gastrodermal tissue of adults. CONCLUSION: The results of our
      study suggest a correlation between the presence of target glycans of lectins in
      the digestive tract and the lectin-mediated toxicity in Haemonchus contortus. We
      demonstrate that binding to the structurally conserved glycan structures found in
      H. contortus gastrodermal tissue by the set of fungal lectins has detrimental
      effect on larval development. Some of these glycan structures might represent
      antigens which are not exposed to the host immune system (hidden antigens) and
      thus have a potential for vaccine or drug development. Nematotoxic fungal lectins
      prove to be a useful tool to identify such targets in parasitic nematodes.

PMID- 26283417
TI  - Editorial: Advance of Interactions Between Exogenous Natural Bioactive Peptides
      and Intestinal Barrier and Immune Responses.

PMID- 26283418
TI  - Seasonality in malaria transmission: implications for case-management with long
      acting artemisinin combination therapy in sub-Saharan Africa.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Long-acting artemisinin-based combination therapy (LACT) offers the
      potential to prevent recurrent malaria attacks in highly exposed children.
      However, it is not clear where this advantage will be most important, and
      deployment of these drugs is not rationalized on this basis. METHODS: To
      understand where post-treatment prophylaxis would be most beneficial, the
      relationship between seasonality, transmission intensity and the interval between
      malaria episodes was explored using data from six cohort studies in West Africa
      and an individual-based malaria transmission model. The total number of recurrent
      malaria cases per 1000 child-years at risk, and the fraction of the total annual
      burden that this represents were estimated for sub-Saharan Africa. RESULTS: In
      settings where prevalence is less than 10 %, repeat malaria episodes constitute a
      small fraction of the total burden, and few repeat episodes occur within the
      window of protection provided by currently available drugs. However, in higher
      transmission settings, and particularly in high transmission settings with highly
      seasonal transmission, repeat malaria becomes increasingly important, with up to
      20 % of the total clinical burden in children estimated to be due to repeat
      episodes within 4 weeks of a prior attack. CONCLUSION: At a given level of
      transmission intensity and annual incidence, the concentration of repeat malaria
      episodes in time, and consequently the protection from LACT is highest in the
      most seasonal areas. As a result, the degree of seasonality, in addition to the
      overall intensity of transmission, should be considered by policy makers when
      deciding between ACT that differ in their duration of post-treatment prophylaxis.

PMID- 26283419
TI  - BEACON: automated tool for Bacterial GEnome Annotation ComparisON.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Genome annotation is one way of summarizing the existing knowledge
      about genomic characteristics of an organism. There has been an increased
      interest during the last several decades in computer-based structural and
      functional genome annotation. Many methods for this purpose have been developed
      for eukaryotes and prokaryotes. Our study focuses on comparison of functional
      annotations of prokaryotic genomes. To the best of our knowledge there is no
      fully automated system for detailed comparison of functional genome annotations
      generated by different annotation methods (AMs). RESULTS: The presence of many
      AMs and development of new ones introduce needs to: a/ compare different
      annotations for a single genome, and b/ generate annotation by combining
      individual ones. To address these issues we developed an Automated Tool for
      Bacterial GEnome Annotation ComparisON (BEACON) that benefits both AM developers
      and annotation analysers. BEACON provides detailed comparison of gene function
      annotations of prokaryotic genomes obtained by different AMs and generates
      extended annotations through combination of individual ones. For the illustration
      of BEACON's utility, we provide a comparison analysis of multiple different
      annotations generated for four genomes and show on these examples that the
      extended annotation can increase the number of genes annotated by putative
      functions up to 27%, while the number of genes without any function assignment is
      reduced. CONCLUSIONS: We developed BEACON, a fast tool for an automated and a
      systematic comparison of different annotations of single genomes. The extended
      annotation assigns putative functions to many genes with unknown functions.
      BEACON is available under GNU General Public License version 3.0 and is
      accessible at: http://www.cbrc.kaust.edu.sa/BEACON/ .

PMID- 26283420
TI  - Is 'mainstreaming AYUSH' the right policy for Meghalaya, northeast India?
AB  - BACKGROUND: National policy on medical pluralism in India encourages the
      mainstreaming of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy) systems
      and the revitalization of local health traditions (LHT). In Meghalaya state in
      the northeast, the main LHT is its indigenous tribal traditional medicine. This
      paper presents the perceptions of tribal medicine and of AYUSH systems among
      various policy actors and locates the tribal medicine of Meghalaya within the
      policy on medical pluralism currently being implemented in the state, a region
      that is ethnically and culturally different and predominantly inhabited by
      indigenous peoples. METHODS: A stakeholder mapping exercise identified
      appropriate policy actors and 46 in-depth interviews were conducted with policy
      makers, doctors, academics, members of healer associations and elders of the
      community. A further 44 interviews were conducted with 24 Khasi and 20 Garo
      traditional healers. Interview data were supplemented with document analysis and
      observations. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic content analysis that
      incorporated elements of grounded theory. RESULTS: In Meghalaya there is high
      awareness and utilization of tribal medicine, but no visible efforts by the
      public sector to support or engage with healers. The AYUSH systems in contrast
      had little local acceptance but promotion of these systems has led to a
      substantial increase in AYUSH doctors, particularly homeopaths, in rural areas.
      Policy actors outside the health department saw an important role for tribal
      medicine due to its popularity, local belief in its efficacy and its cultural
      resonance. The need to engage with healers to enhance referral, training,
      documentation and research of tribal medicine was made. CONCLUSIONS: The wide
      acceptance of tribal medicine suggests that tribal medicine needs to be
      supported. The results of the study question the process of the implementation of
      the 'mainstreaming AYUSH' policy for Meghalaya and highlight the importance of
      contextualizing health policy within the local culture. A potential role for
      Health Policy and Systems Research (HPSR) at sub-national levels is also
      highlighted.

PMID- 26283421
TI  - CD4(+)CD25(-)Foxp3(+) T cells play a role in tuberculous hydrothorax rather than
      malignant hydrothorax.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Foxp3(+) T cells regulate inflammation and tumorigenesis. However,
      little is known about the role of different subsets of Foxp3(+) T cells in
      malignant or tuberculous hydrothorax. METHODS: The numbers of
      CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+), CD4(+)CD25(-)Foxp3(+) T cells and the levels of some
      inflammatory cytokines in patients with tuberculous hydrothorax, malignant
      hydrothorax, and healthy controls (HCs) were examined by flow cytometry and
      ELISA. The potential association between the numbers of different subsets of
      Foxp3 + T cells and the values of clinical measures were analyzed. RESULTS: The
      numbers of peripheral blood CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) T cells were greater in
      malignant hydrothorax patients than in HCs, but fewer than those of hydrothorax
      in patients. The percentages of circulating IL-10(+) or LAP(+)
      CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) T cells were higher than in the hydrothorax in patients
      with malignant hydrothorax. The numbers of circulating CD4(+)CD25(-)Foxp3(+) T
      cells were significantly fewer in patients with tuberculous hydrothorax than in
      HCs, and both the numbers of circulating CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) and CD4(+)CD25(
      )Foxp3(+) T cells were significantly fewer than in the hydrothorax in patients.
      Significantly higher percentages of circulating IL-10(+) or LAP(+)
      CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) and CD4(+)CD25(-)Foxp3(+) T cells were detected in
      tuberculous hydrothorax patients. The numbers of CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) and
      CD4(+)CD25(-)Foxp3(+) T cells were associated with hydrothorax adenosine
      deaminase (ADA) levels in tuberculous hydrothorax patients, while
      CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) T cells were associated with carcino-embryonic antigen
      (CEA) in malignant hydrothorax patients. The concentrations of serum IL-6 and TGF
      beta in the patients were significantly higher than that in the HCs, but lower
      than that in the corresponding hydrothorax. A similar pattern of IL-10 was
      observed in different groups, except that there was no significant difference in
      the levels of serum IL-10 between the tuberculous hydrothorax patients and HCs.
      CONCLUSIONS: CD4(+)CD25(-)Foxp3(+) T cells, which have lower inhibitory function
      than CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) T cells, may play a role in tuberculous hydrothorax.

PMID- 26283422
TI  - [Persistent reaction to minoxidil skin patch testing mimicking pseudolymphoma].

PMID- 26283423
TI  - [Generalised contact eczema: Care is needed in selecting a lubricant for digital
      rectal examination].

PMID- 26283424
TI  - [Incidence of skin and non-skin cancers in Afro-Caribbean renal transplant
      recipients: Guadeloupe data from 2004 to 2011].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cancer is the main complication of transplantation surgery. The
      literature concerning renal transplant recipients among the Afro-Caribbean
      population is scant. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of
      cancer in these patients, with the secondary objective being to identify
      predisposing factors for cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was an
      epidemiological and retrospective study that included all Guadeloupians of
      phototype V-VI undergoing renal transplantation from 01/01/2004 to 31/12/2011.
      Skin cancer screening was performed before transplantation and during an annual
      dermatological consultation following transplantation. Screening for non
      cutaneous cancers was guided by clinical symptoms or by the results of the
      screening examinations recommended in the current guidelines. At the study time
      point (31/12/2011), all patients were examined by a dermatologist. RESULTS: One
      hundred and two patients were included : 42 women and 60 men (mean age: 52.1+/
      11.6 years at transplantation). Eight cancers were diagnosed. The cumulative
      incidence of cancer was 7.8% at 3 years. Three factors were associated with more
      rapid onset of cancer: personal history or familial history of cancer, and
      genital lesion induced by HPV. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest a low incidence of
      cancer in Afro-Caribbean renal transplant patients. Personal or family history of
      cancer and HPV-induced genital lesions would appear to accelerate the onset of
      cancer in this population.

PMID- 26283425
TI  - Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase (nNOS, NOS1) rs693534 and rs7977109 Variants and
      Risk for Migraine.
AB  - BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Many biochemical, pharmacological, neuropathological, and
      experimental data suggest a possible role of nitric oxide in the pathogenesis of
      migraine. We investigated the possible association between functional single
      nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the neuronal nitric oxide synthase gene (NOS1
      or nNOS; chromosome 12q24.22) and the risk for migraine. METHODS: We studied the
      frequency of the of rs7977109 and rs693534 genotypes and allelic variants in 197
      patients with migraine and 308 healthy controls using a TaqMan-based qPCR assay.
      As a secondary analysis, we studied the possible influence of gender, age at
      onset of migraine, positive family history of migraine, and presence or absence
      of aura on the genotypes frequency. RESULTS: The frequencies of rs7977109 and
      rs693534 genotypes and allelic variants were not associated with the risk for
      migraine with OR for minor alleles = 0.94 (95% CI 0.72-1.23) and = 0.88 (0.68
      1.15), respectively, and the lack of association was not influenced by gender,
      age at onset of migraine, positive family history of migraine, and presence or
      absence of aura. CONCLUSION: NOS1 rs7977109 and rs693534 genotypes and allelic
      variants are not associated with the risk for migraine in Caucasian Spanish
      people.

PMID- 26283427
TI  - Kirkwood-Buff Integrals for Finite Volumes.
AB  - Exact expressions for finite-volume Kirkwood-Buff (KB) integrals are derived for
      hyperspheres in one, two, and three dimensions. These integrals scale linearly
      with inverse system size. From this, accurate estimates of KB integrals for
      infinite systems are obtained, and it is shown that they converge much better
      than the traditional expressions. We show that this approach is very suitable for
      the computation of KB integrals from molecular dynamics simulations, as we obtain
      KB integrals for open systems by simulating closed systems. 

PMID- 26283426
TI  - Interaction between TRPA1 and TRPV1: Synergy on pulmonary sensory nerves.
AB  - Transient receptor potential ankyrin type 1 (TRPA1) and vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1)
      receptors are co-expressed in vagal pulmonary C-fiber sensory nerves. Because
      both these ligand-gated non-selective cation channels are sensitive to a number
      of endogenous inflammatory mediators, it is highly probable that they can be
      activated simultaneously during airway inflammation. Studies were carried out to
      investigate whether there is an interaction between these two polymodal
      transducers upon simultaneous activation, and how it modulates the activity of
      vagal pulmonary C-fiber sensory nerves. Our studies showed a distinct
      potentiating effect induced abruptly by simultaneous activations of TRPA1 and
      TRPV1 by their respective selective agonists, allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) and
      capsaicin (Cap), at near-threshold concentrations. This synergistic effect was
      demonstrated in the studies of single-unit recording of vagal bronchopulmonary C
      fiber afferents and the reflex responses elicited by activation of these
      afferents in intact animals, as well as in the isolated nodose and jugular
      bronchopulmonary sensory neurons. This potentiating effect was absent when either
      AITC or Cap was replaced by non-TRPA1 and non-TRPV1 chemical activators of these
      neurons, demonstrating the selectivity of the interaction between these two TRP
      channels. Furthermore, the synergism was dependent upon the extracellular Ca(2+),
      and the rapid onset of the action further suggests that the interaction probably
      occurred locally at the sites of these channels. These findings suggest that the
      TRPA1-TRPV1 interaction may play an important role in regulating the function and
      excitability of pulmonary sensory neurons during airway inflammation, but the
      mechanism underlying this positive interaction is not yet fully understood. 

PMID- 26283429
TI  - Interfacial Structure of Room-Temperature Ionic Liquids at the Solid-Liquid
      Interface as Probed by Sum Frequency Generation Spectroscopy.
AB  - Fundamental and basic information about molecules at the solid-liquid interface
      is limited primarily because most spectroscopic methods are not able to
      specifically detect the surface buried between two condensed phases. The second
      order nonlinear techniques sum frequency generation (SFG) is able to probe the
      noncentrosymmetric environment between two bulk phases and has been used in many
      surface studies. In this Perspective, the use of SFG in studies of ionic liquids
      at the solid-liquid interface will be discussed. Several interfaces are discussed
      including dielectrics, semiconductors, and metal. SFG results suggest a specific
      surface model that the ionic liquid structure persists approximately one layer
      into the bulk liquid and that this is mostly due to the charge neutralization at
      the surface. 

PMID- 26283428
TI  - Hidden Properties of Carbon Dots Revealed After HPLC Fractionation.
AB  - Carbon dots (C-dots) are often synthesized, modified, and studied as a mixture.
      Unfortunately, the spectroscopic and biological properties measured for such C
      dots assume that there is a high degree of homogeneity in the produced sample. By
      means of high-resolution separation techniques, we show that "as-synthesized" C
      dots exist as a relatively complex mixture and that an unprecedented reduction in
      such complexity can reveal fractions of C-dots with unique luminescence
      properties. The wavelength-dependent photoluminescence commonly assigned as an
      inherent property of C-dots is not present in fractionated samples. While
      ultraviolet-visible absorption profiles reported for C-dots are typically
      featureless, we have found fractions of C-dots possessing unique absorption
      bands, with different fractions possessing specific emission wavelengths.
      Furthermore, fractionated C-dots showed profound differences in emission quantum
      yield, allowing for brighter C-dots to be isolated from an apparent low quantum
      yield mixture. These more luminescent fractions of C-dots displayed improved
      biological compatibility and usefulness as cellular imaging probes. 

PMID- 26283430
TI  - Combined Self-Consistent-Field and Spin-Flip Tamm-Dancoff Density Functional
      Approach to Potential Energy Surfaces for Photochemistry.
AB  - We present a new approach to calculating potential energy surfaces for
      photochemical reactions by combining self-consistent-field calculations for
      single-reference ground and excited states with symmetry-corrected spin-flip Tamm
      Dancoff approximation calculations for multireference electronic states. The
      method is illustrated by an application with the M05-2X exchange-correlation
      functional to cis-trans isomerization of the penta-2,4-dieniminium cation, which
      is a model (with three conjugated double bonds) of the protonated Schiff base of
      retinal. We find good agreement with multireference configuration interaction
      plus-quadruples (MRCISD+Q) wave function calculations along three key paths in
      the strong-interaction region of the ground and first excited singlet states. 

PMID- 26283431
TI  - Patterning Graphitic C-N Sheets into a Kagome Lattice for Magnetic Materials.
AB  - We propose porous C-N-based structures for biocompatible magnetic materials that
      do not contain even a single metal ion. Using first-principles calculations based
      on density functional theory, we show that when patterned in the form of a kagome
      lattice, nonmagnetic g-C3N4 not only becomes ferromagnetic but also its magnetic
      properties can be further enhanced by applying external strain. Similarly, the
      magnetic moment per atom in ferromagnetic g-C4N3 is increased three fold when
      patterned into a kagome lattice. The Curie temperature of g-C3N4 kagome lattice
      is 100 K, while that of g-C4N3 kagome lattice is much higher, namely, 520 K. To
      date, all of the synthesized two- and three-dimensional magnetic kagome
      structures contain metal ions and are toxic. The objective of our work is to
      stimulate an experimental effort to develop nanopatterning techniques for the
      synthesis of g-C3N4- and g-C4N3-based kagome lattices. 

PMID- 26283432
TI  - Simulating Supercapacitors: Can We Model Electrodes As Constant Charge Surfaces?
AB  - Supercapacitors based on an ionic liquid electrolyte and graphite or nanoporous
      carbon electrodes are simulated using molecular dynamics. We compare a simplified
      electrode model in which a constant, uniform charge is assigned to each carbon
      atom with a realistic model in which a constant potential is applied between the
      electrodes (the carbon charges are allowed to fluctuate). We show that the
      simulations performed with the simplified model do not provide a correct
      description of the properties of the system. First, the structure of the adsorbed
      electrolyte is partly modified. Second, dramatic differences are observed for the
      dynamics of the system during transient regimes. In particular, upon application
      of a constant applied potential difference, the increase in the temperature, due
      to the Joule effect, associated with the creation of an electric current across
      the cell follows Ohm's law, while unphysically high temperatures are rapidly
      observed when constant charges are assigned to each carbon atom. 

PMID- 26283433
TI  - XH/pi (X = C, Si) Interactions in Graphene and Silicene: Weak in Strength, Strong
      in Tuning Band Structures.
AB  - The lack of a band gap has greatly hindered the applications of graphene in
      electronic devices. By means of dispersion-corrected density functional theory
      computations, we demonstrated that considerable CH/pi interactions exist between
      graphene and its fully (graphane) or patterned partially (C4H) hydrogenated
      derivatives. Due to the equivalence breaking of two sublattices of graphene, a 90
      meV band gap is opened in the graphene/C4H bilayer. The band gap can be further
      increased to 270 meV by sandwiching graphene between two C4H layers. By taking
      advantage of the similar SiH/pi interactions, a 120 meV band gap also can be
      opened for silicene. Interestingly, the high carrier mobility of
      graphene/silicene can be well-preserved. Our theoretical results suggest a rather
      practical solution for gap opening of graphene and silicene, which would allow
      them to serve as field effect transistors and other nanodevices. 

PMID- 26283434
TI  - Implications of CO2 Contamination in Rechargeable Nonaqueous Li-O2 Batteries.
AB  - In this Letter, the effect of CO2 contamination on nonaqueous Li-O2 battery
      rechargeability is explored. Although CO2 contamination was found to increase the
      cell's discharge capacity, it also spontaneously reacts with Li2O2 (the primary
      discharge product of a nonaqueous Li-O2 battery) to form Li2CO3. CO2 evolution
      from Li2CO3 during battery charging was found to occur only at very high
      potentials (>4 V) compared to O2 evolution from Li2O2 (~3-3.5 V), and as a
      result, the presence of CO2 during discharge dramatically reduced the voltaic
      efficiency of the discharge-charge cycle. These results emphasize the importance
      of not only completely removing CO2 from air fed to a Li-air battery, but also
      developing stable cathodes and electrolytes that will not decompose during
      battery operation to form carbonate deposits. 

PMID- 26283435
TI  - Hole Transfer from Low Band Gap Quantum Dots to Conjugated Polymers in
      Organic/Inorganic Hybrid Photovoltaics.
AB  - We use photoinduced absorption (PIA) spectroscopy to investigate pathways for
      photocurrent generation in hybrid organic/inorganic quantum dot bulk
      heterojunction solar cells. We study blends of the conjugated polymer poly(2,3
      bis(2-(hexyldecyl)quinoxaline-5,8-diyl-alt-N-(2-hexyldecyl)dithieno[3,2-b:2',3'
      d]pyrrole) (PDTPQx-HD) with PbS quantum dots and find that positively charged
      polarons are formed on the conjugated polymer following selective photoexcitation
      of the PbS quantum dots. This result provides a direct spectroscopic fingerprint
      demonstrating that photoinduced hole transfer occurs from the photoexcited
      quantum dots to the host polymer. We compute the relative yields of long-lived
      holes following photoexcitation of both the polymer and quantum dot phases and
      estimate that more long-lived polarons are produced per photon absorbed by the
      polymer phase than by the quantum dot phase. 

PMID- 26283436
TI  - Catalysts Transform While Molecules React: An Atomic-Scale View.
AB  - We explore how the atomic-scale structural and chemical properties of an oxide
      supported monolayer (ML) catalyst are related to catalytic behavior. This case
      study is for vanadium oxide deposited on a rutile alpha-TiO2(110) single-crystal
      surface by atomic layer deposition (ALD) undergoing a redox reaction cycle in the
      oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of cyclohexane. For measurements that require a
      greater effective surface area, we include a comparative set of ALD-processed
      rutile powder samples. In situ single-crystal X-ray standing wave (XSW) analysis
      shows a reversible vanadium oxide structural change through the redox cycle. Ex
      situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) shows that V cations are 5+ in the
      oxidized state and primarily 4+ in the reduced state for both the (110) single
      crystal surface and the multifaceted surfaces of the powder sample. In situ
      diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy, which could only
      achieve a measurable signal level from the powder sample, indicates that these
      structural and chemical state changes are associated with the change of the V?O
      vanadyl group. Catalytic tests on the powder-supported VOx revealed benzene as
      the major product. This study not only provides atomic-scale models for
      cyclohexane molecules interacting with V sites on the rutile surface but also
      demonstrates a general strategy for linking the processing, structure,
      properties, and performance of oxide-supported catalysts. 

PMID- 26283437
TI  - Capturing Ultrafast Quantum Dynamics with Femtosecond and Attosecond X-ray Core
      Level Absorption Spectroscopy.
AB  - Recent technical advances in ultrafast laser sources enable the generation of
      femtosecond and attosecond soft X-ray pulses in tabletop laser setups as well as
      accelerator-based synchrotron and free-electron laser sources. These new light
      sources can be harnessed via pump-probe spectroscopy to elucidate ultrafast
      quantum dynamics in atoms, molecules, and condensed matter with unprecedented
      time resolution and chemical sensitivity. Employing such ultrashort pulses in
      transient X-ray absorption spectroscopy combines the unique advantages of core
      level absorption probing of chemical environments and oxidation states with the
      ability to obtain ultimately freeze-frame snapshots of electronic and nuclear
      dynamics. In this Perspective, we provide an overview of the progress in applying
      the recently developed technique of femtosecond to attosecond time-resolved soft
      X-ray transient absorption spectroscopy to the study of ultrafast phenomena,
      including some of our own efforts to elucidate the interaction of intense laser
      pulses with atoms and molecules in the strong-field, nonperturbative limit.
      Possible avenues for future work are outlined. 

PMID- 26283438
TI  - Interrogating Interfaces and Core Electrons via Nonlinear Laser Methods.

PMID- 26283439
TI  - Amplitude of Relaxations in Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy for
      Fluorophores That Diffuse Together.
AB  - The amplitude of chemical relaxations in fluorescence correlation spectroscopy
      (FCS) is an important parameter that directly relates to not only the equilibrium
      constant of the relaxations but also the number of individual fluorophores that
      diffuse together. In this Letter we answer the question how exactly the amplitude
      of the relaxations in FCS changes with respect to the number of identical
      fluorophores on one cargo. We anchored tetramethylrhodamine molecules onto each
      arm of a DNA Holliday junction molecule so that the codiffusing dyes were capable
      of performing independent fluorescent fluctuations. We found that the amplitudes
      of the relaxations were inversely proportional to the number of the dyes on each
      cargo molecule, well agreeing with the theoretical prediction derived in this
      Letter. The result provides a guideline for the FCS data analysis and points out
      a simple way to determine the number of molecules that a cargo carries. 

PMID- 26283440
TI  - Enhanced Magnetic Anisotropy via Quasi-Molecular Magnet at Organic-Ferromagnetic
      Contact.
AB  - To realize the origin of efficient spin injection at organic-ferromagnetic
      contact in organic spintronics, we have implemented the formation of quasi
      molecular magnet via surface restructuring of a strong organic acceptor,
      tetrafluoro-tetracyano-quinodimethane (F4-TCNQ), in contact with ferromagnetic
      cobalt. Our results demonstrate a spin-polarized F4-TCNQ layer and a remarkably
      enhanced magnetic anisotropy of the Co film. The novel magnetic properties are
      contributed from strong magnetic coupling caused by the molecular restructuring
      that displays an angular anchoring conformation of CN and upwardly protruding
      fluorine atoms. We conclude that the pi bonds of CN, instead of the lone-pair
      electrons of N atoms, contribute to the hybridization-induced magnetic coupling
      between CN and Co and generate a superior magnetic order on the surface. 

PMID- 26283441
TI  - Multiexciton Generation in IV-VI Nanocrystals: The Role of Carrier Effective
      Mass, Band Mixing, and Phonon Emission.
AB  - We study the role of the effective mass, band mixing, and phonon emission on
      multiexciton generation in IV-VI nanocrystals. A four-band k . p effective mass
      model, which allows for an independent variation of these parameters, is adopted
      to describe the electronic structure of the nanocrystals. Multiexciton generation
      efficiencies are calculated using a Green's function formalism, providing results
      that are numerically similar to impact excitation. We find that multiexciton
      generation efficiencies are maximized when the effective mass of the electron and
      hole are small and similar. Contact with recent experimental results for
      multiexciton generation in PbS and PbSe is made. 

PMID- 26283442
TI  - Vibrational Enhancement Factor of the Cl + CHD3(v1 = 1) Reaction: Rotational
      Probe Effects.
AB  - The vibrational enhancement factor in the Cl + CHD3(v1 = 1) reaction is revisited
      over the collisional energy range of 2-5.9 kcal mol(-1). Contrary to the previous
      results obtained by probing the low-|N, K? states of CD3(v = 0) products, CH
      stretching excitation becomes more efficacious than the same amount of
      translational energy in promoting the HCl(v) + CD3(v = 0) product pairs when all
      |N, K? states are probed. Whereas the new vibrational enhancement factors, which
      are three to four times larger than the previous report, agree reasonably well
      with a recent reduced-dimensionality quantum dynamics calculation, a cautious
      note is made on the different initial |J,K? rotational selections of the CHD3
      reactants in the present theory-experiment comparison. 

PMID- 26283443
TI  - Fast Low-Spin Cobalt Complex Redox Shuttles for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells.
AB  - A low-spin cobalt(II) complex, cobalt bis(trithiacyclononane),
      [Co(ttcn)2](3+/2+), was investigated for use as a redox shuttle in dye-sensitized
      solar cells, DSSCs. This unique cobalt complex redox shuttle is stable,
      transparent, and easy to synthesize from commercial ligands and has attractive
      energetic and kinetic features for use in DSSCs. Initial results indicate that
      the overall performance is limited by recombination. Variation of the sensitizer
      and deposition of an ultrathin coating of alumina on nanoparticle-based TiO2 DSSC
      photoanodes reduced recombination, which resulted in significantly improved
      quantum yields. The photovoltaic behavior was compared to the current record
      efficiency cobalt tris-bipyridine, [Co(bpy)3](3+/2+), redox shuttle and produced
      similar results. Further use of high extinction organic sensitizers with only
      ~200 mV of driving force for regeneration was examined, which produced
      efficiencies of over 2%; importantly, regeneration is not rate-limiting in this
      system, thus demonstrating the promise of using such fast redox shuttles. 

PMID- 26283444
TI  - Neutral and Charged Oxygen Vacancies Induce Two-Dimensional Electron Gas Near
      SiO2/BaTiO3 Interfaces.
AB  - An atomistic model of the SiO2/BaTiO3 interface was constructed using ab initio
      molecular dynamics. Analysis of its structure and electronic properties reveals
      that (i) the band gap at the stoichiometric SiO2/BaTiO3 interface is
      significantly smaller than those of the bulk BaTiO3 and SiO2, and (ii) the
      interface contains ~5.5 nm(-2) oxygen vacancies (V(2+)) in the outermost TiO2
      plane of the BaTiO3 and ~11 nm(-2) Si-O-Ti bonds resulting from breaking Si-O-Si
      and Ti-O-Ti bonds and subsequent rearrangement of the atoms. This structure gives
      rise to the interface polar region with positive and negative charges localized
      in the BaTiO3 and SiO2 parts of the interface, respectively. We propose that high
      dielectric response, observed experimentally in the SiO2-coated nanoparticles of
      BaTiO3, is due to the electron gas formed in oxygen-deficient BaTiO3 and
      localized in the vicinity of the polar interface. 

PMID- 26283445
TI  - Electron at the Surface of Water: Dehydrated or Not?
AB  - The hydrated electron is a crucial species in radiative processes, and it has
      been speculated that its behavior at the water surface could lead to specific
      interfacial chemical properties. Here, we address fundamental questions
      concerning the structure and energetics of an electron at the surface of water.
      We use the method of ab initio molecular dynamics, which was shown to provide a
      faithful description of solvated electrons in large water clusters and in bulk
      water. The present results clearly demonstrate that the surface electron is
      mostly buried in the interfacial water layer, with only about 10 % of its density
      protruding into the vapor phase. Consequently, it has a structure that is very
      similar to that of an electron solvated in the aqueous bulk. This points to a
      general feature of charges at the surface of water, namely, that they do not
      behave as half-dehydrated but rather as almost fully hydrated species. 

PMID- 26283446
TI  - Longitudinal Andhra Pradesh Eye Disease Study: rationale, study design and
      research methodology.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The rationale, objectives, study design and procedures for the
      longitudinal Andhra Pradesh Eye Disease Study are described. DESIGN: A
      longitudinal cohort study was carried out. PARTICIPANTS: Participants include
      surviving cohort from the rural component of Andhra Pradesh Eye Disease Study.
      METHODS: During 1996-2000, Andhra Pradesh Eye Disease Survey was conducted in
      three rural (n = 7771) and one urban (n = 2522) areas (now called Andhra Pradesh
      Eye Disease Study 1). In 2009-2010, a feasibility exercise (Andhra Pradesh Eye
      Disease Study 2) for a longitudinal study (Andhra Pradesh Eye Disease Study 3)
      was undertaken in the rural clusters only, as urban clusters no longer existed.
      In Andhra Pradesh Eye Disease Study 3, a detailed interview will be carried out
      to collect data on sociodemographic factors, ocular and systemic history, risk
      factors, visual function, knowledge of eye diseases and barriers to accessing
      services. All participants will also undergo a comprehensive eye examination
      including photography of lens, optic disc and retina, Optic Coherence Tomography
      of the posterior segment, anthropometry, blood pressure and frailty measures.
      MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Measures include estimates of the incidence of visual
      impairment and age-related eye disease (lens opacities, glaucoma and age-related
      macular degeneration) and the progression of eye disease (lens opacities and
      myopia) and associated risk factors. RESULTS: Of the 7771 respondents examined in
      rural areas in Andhra Pradesh Eye Disease Study 1, 5447 (70.1%) participants were
      traced in Andhra Pradesh Eye Disease Study 2. These participants will be re
      examined. CONCLUSIONS: Andhra Pradesh Eye Disease Study 3 will provide data on
      the incidence and progression of visual impairment and major eye diseases and
      their associated risk factors in India. The study will provide further evidence
      to aid planning eye care services.

PMID- 26283447
TI  - Effect of feeding on the pharmacokinetics of oral minocycline in healthy research
      dogs.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The effect of food on minocycline oral absorption in dogs is unknown.
      OBJECTIVE: The objective was to determine the pharmacokinetics of minocycline
      after administration of a single oral dose in fed and fasted dogs. METHODS: Ten
      research hounds were administered oral minocycline (approximately 5 mg/kg) with
      and without food, in a crossover study, with a one-week wash-out between
      treatments. Blood samples were collected immediately prior to minocycline
      administration and over 24 h. Minocycline plasma drug concentrations were
      measured using high-performance liquid chromatography using ultraviolet detection
      and were analysed with compartmental modelling to determine primary
      pharmacokinetic parameters. Each dog was analysed independently, followed by
      calculation of means and variation of the dogs. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test
      [analysing secondary pharmacokinetic parameters - peak concentration (CMAX ),
      area under the concentration versus time curve (AUC)] was used to compare the two
      groups. A population pharmacokinetic modelling approach was performed using
      nonlinear mixed effects modelling of primary parameters for the population as
      fixed effects and the difference between subjects as a random effect. Covariate
      analysis was used to identify the source of variability in the population.
      RESULTS: No significant difference was found between treatments for AUC (P =
      0.0645), although AUC was higher in fasted dogs. A significant difference was
      found for CMAX (P = 0.0059), with fasted dogs attaining a higher CMAX . The
      covariate of fed versus fasted accounted for a significant variation in the
      pharmacokinetics. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Because feeding was a
      significant source of variation for the population's primary pharmacokinetic
      parameters and fasted dogs had higher minocycline concentrations, we recommend
      administering minocycline without food.

PMID- 26283448
TI  - Case of erythrokeratodermia variabilis successfully treated with oral vitamin A.

PMID- 26283449
TI  - Substantial Improvement of Short Wavelength Response in n-SiNW/PEDOT:PSS Solar
      Cell.
AB  - We report herein on the effects of silicon nanowire with different morphology on
      the device performance of n-SiNW/PEDOT:PSS hybrid solar cells. The power
      conversion efficiency (PCE) and external quantum efficiency (EQE) of the
      SiNW/PEDOT:PSS hybrid solar cells can be optimized by varying the length of the
      silicon nanowires. The optimal length of silicon nanowires is 0.23 MUm, and the
      hybrid solar cell with the optimal length has the V oc of 569 mV, J sc of 30.1
      mA/cm(2), and PCE of 9.3 %. We fabricated more isolated silicon nanowires with
      the diluted etching solution. And the J sc of the hybrid solar cell with more
      isolated nanowires has a significant enhancement, from 30.1 to 33.2 mA/cm(2). The
      remarkable EQE in the wavelength region of 300 and 600 nm was also obtained,
      which are in excess of 80 %. Our work provides a simple method to substantially
      improve the EQE of hybrid solar cell in the short wavelength region. 

PMID- 26283450
TI  - Bi-Assisted CdTe/CdS Hierarchical Nanostructure Growth for Photoconductive
      Applications.
AB  - We developed a method to control the structure of CdTe nanowires by adopting Bi
      mixed CdTe powder source to a catalyst-assisted chemical vapor deposition, which
      allowed us to fabricate CdTe/CdS hierarchical nanostructures. We demonstrated
      that diverse nanostructures can be grown depending on the combination of the Bi
      powder and film catalysts. As a proof of concepts, we grew CdTe/CdS branched
      nanowires for the fabrication of photodetectors. The hierarchical nanostructure
      based photodetectors showed an improved photoresponsivity compared to the single
      CdTe nanowire (NW)-based photodetector. Our strategy can be a simple but powerful
      method for the development of advanced optoelectronic devices and other practical
      applications. 

PMID- 26283451
TI  - Should we also evaluate SET together with CIP2A for the treatment with second
      generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors in chronic myeloid leukemia?

PMID- 26283452
TI  - Effects of different formulations of alpha-tocopherol acetate (vitamin E) on
      growth performance, meat quality and antioxidant capacity in broiler chickens.
AB  - The objective of this study was to investigate and compare the effects of alpha
      tocopherol acetate (vitamin E (VE)) and microencapsulated VE (MVE) on growth
      performance, meat quality and antioxidant capacity in broiler chickens. A total
      of 360 d-old broiler chicks were procured and randomly allocated into three
      groups with 6 replicates. Each replicate had 20 chickens. Chickens were fed with
      basal diets (CON group) or experimental diets supplemented with 20 mg/kg VE (VE
      group) or 20 mg/kg MVE (MVE group) for 42 d. The results showed that the MVE
      group had higher body weight gain (BWG) than the CON and VE groups, and higher
      gain/feed ratio (G/F ratio) than the CON group during the period of 22-42 d.
      During the whole experiment, a higher increase in BWG was found in the MVE group
      than the CON group. Chickens fed on diets supplemented with the VE or MVE had
      lower abdominal fat percentage, higher pH and antioxidant enzyme activity than
      the CON group in the breast meat. There was an increased tendency in the hepatic
      glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) enzyme activity of the VE and MVE groups than the
      CON group. The hepatic mitochondrial total antioxidant capacity and GSH-Px enzyme
      activity in the MVE group were higher than the CON group. Hepatic 2,2-dipheny-L
      picrylhydrazyl scavenging activity of the MVE group was higher than the CON
      group. These results suggested that the dietary addition of VE or MVE could
      improve breast meat quality in broilers. MVE supplementation may improve growth
      performance, hepatic mitochondrial antioxidant capacity and free radical
      scavenging capacity in chickens. In addition, dietary supplementation of MVE gave
      better broiler growth performance than VE. 

PMID- 26283453
TI  - Reply: To PMID 25813012.

PMID- 26283454
TI  - Prognosis after maternal placental events and revascularization: PAMPER study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Middle-aged women are at higher risk than men of death after coronary
      artery revascularization. Maternal placental syndromes (gestational hypertension,
      preeclampsia, placental abruption, and placental infarction) are associated with
      premature coronary artery disease, but their influence on survival after coronary
      artery revascularization is unknown. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to
      determine whether a history of maternal placental syndromes alters the risk of
      death after coronary artery revascularization in middle-aged women. STUDY DESIGN:
      We completed a population-based retrospective cohort study among all hospitals in
      Ontario, Canada, where universal health care includes all aspects of antenatal
      and delivery care as well as all outpatient and inpatient health care, which
      includes coronary revascularization. We included 1985 middle-aged women who
      underwent a first percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass
      grafting between 1993 and 2012 and who had >=1 previous delivery. We excluded
      those with cardiovascular disease <=1 year before or coronary revascularization
      <=90 days after any delivery. The main study outcome, determined a priori, was
      all-cause death. Hazard ratios were adjusted for age, socioeconomic status,
      parity, revascularization type, time since last delivery, hypertension, diabetes
      mellitus, obesity, dyslipidemia, tobacco or drug dependence, and kidney disease.
      RESULTS: Three hundred sixty-two of 1985 women (18.2%) who underwent coronary
      artery revascularization had a previous maternal placental syndrome event. The
      mean age at index coronary revascularization was 45 years; percutaneous coronary
      intervention comprised approximately 80% of procedures. After a mean follow-up
      time of approximately 5 years, 41 deaths (2.2 per 100 person-years) occurred in
      women with previous maternal placental syndromes and 83 deaths (1.1 per 100
      person-years) in women without maternal placental syndrome (adjusted hazard
      ratio, 1.96; 95% confidence interval, 1.29-2.99). Of the maternal placental
      syndrome subtypes, the risk of death was significant in women with placental
      abruption (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.79; 95% confidence interval, 1.31-5.96),
      placental infarction (adjusted hazard ratio, 3.09; 95% confidence interval, 1.23
      7.74), and preeclampsia (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.61; 95% confidence interval,
      1.00-2.58). Women with maternal placental syndrome in >=2 pregnancies had the
      highest adjusted hazard ratio of death (4.31; 95% confidence interval, 1.71
      10.89). CONCLUSION: In middle-aged women who undergo coronary revascularization,
      previous maternal placental syndrome doubles the risk of death; recurrent
      maternal placental syndrome quadruples that risk. Some covariates and secondary
      measures may not have been well-captured and classified herein, leading to
      residual confounding.

PMID- 26283455
TI  - Early onset preeclampsia and cerebral palsy: a double hit model?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a late sequel of pregnancy, and the role of
      preeclampsia is debatable. OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to determine
      the association between preeclampsia and cerebral palsy and to determine the risk
      factors for the development of cerebral palsy in these patients. STUDY DESIGN: A
      retrospective population-based cohort study was designed that included 229,192
      singleton pregnancies. The study population was divided into 2 groups: (1)
      patients with preeclampsia (n = 9749) and (2) normotensive gestations (n =
      219,443). Generalized Estimating Equation multiple logistic regression models
      were performed to study the associations among preeclampsia, small for
      gestational age, gestational age at delivery, and the risk factors for the
      development of cerebral palsy in neonates of women with preeclampsia. RESULTS:
      The rate of cerebral palsy was double in patients with preeclampsia than in the
      normotensive group (0.2% vs 0.1%; P = .015); early onset preeclampsia and small
      for gestational age were independent risk factors for the subsequent development
      of cerebral palsy (odds ratio, 8.639 [95% confidence interval, 4.269-17.480];
      odds ratio, 2.737 [95% confidence interval, 1.937-3.868], respectively). A second
      model was conducted to determine the risk factors for the development of cerebral
      palsy in women with preeclampsia. Birth asphyxia, complications of prematurity,
      and neonatal infectious morbidity, but not small for gestational age or
      gestational age at delivery, were independent risk factors for the development of
      cerebral palsy. CONCLUSION: In a comparison with normal pregnant women, the rate
      of cerebral palsy is double among patients with preeclampsia, especially those
      with early-onset disease. Early-onset preeclampsia is an independent risk factor
      for cerebral palsy. Among women with preeclampsia, the presence of neonatal
      infectious morbidity, birth asphyxia, and complications of prematurity are
      independent risk factors for the development of cerebral palsy, which further
      supports the role of a multi-hit model in the pathogenesis of this syndrome.

PMID- 26283456
TI  - Reply: To PMID 25448524.

PMID- 26283457
TI  - Black-white differences in severe maternal morbidity and site of care.
AB  - BACKGROUND: For every maternal death, >100 women experience severe maternal
      morbidity, which is a life-threatening diagnosis, or undergo a life-saving
      procedure during their delivery hospitalization. Similar to racial/ethnic
      disparities in maternal death, black women are more likely to experience severe
      maternal morbidity than white women. Site of care has received attention as a
      mechanism to explain disparities in other areas of medicine. Data indicate that
      black women receive care in a concentrated set of hospitals and that these
      hospitals appear to provide lower quality of care. Whether racial differences in
      the site of delivery contribute to observed black-white disparities in severe
      maternal morbidity rates is unknown. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to
      determine whether hospitals with high proportions of black deliveries have higher
      severe maternal morbidity and whether such differences contribute to overall
      black-white disparities in severe maternal morbidity. STUDY DESIGN: We used a
      published algorithm to identify cases of severe maternal morbidity during
      deliveries in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample of the Healthcare Cost and
      Utilization Project for 2010 and 2011. We ranked hospitals by their proportion of
      black deliveries into high black-serving (top 5%), medium black-serving (5% to
      25% range), and low black-serving hospitals. We analyzed the risks of severe
      maternal morbidity for black and white women by hospital black-serving status
      using logistic regressions that were adjusted for patient characteristics,
      comorbidities, hospital characteristics, and within-hospital clustering. We then
      derived adjusted rates from these models. RESULTS: Seventy-four percent of black
      deliveries occurred at high and medium black-serving hospitals. Overall, severe
      maternal morbidity occurred more frequently among black than white women (25.8 vs
      11.8 per 1000 deliveries, respectively; P < .001); after adjustment for the
      distribution of patient characteristics and comorbidities, this differential
      declined but remained elevated (18.8 vs 13.3 per 1000 deliveries, respectively; P
      < .001). Women who delivered in high and medium black-serving hospitals had
      elevated rates of severe maternal morbidity rates compared with those in low
      black-serving hospitals in unadjusted (29.4 and 19.4 vs 12.2 per 1000 deliveries,
      respectively; P < .001) and adjusted analyses (17.3 and 16.5 vs 13.5 per 1000
      deliveries, respectively; P < .001). Black women who delivered at high black
      serving hospitals had the highest risk of poor outcomes. CONCLUSION: Most black
      deliveries occur in a concentrated set of hospitals, and these hospitals have
      higher severe maternal morbidity rates. Targeting quality improvement efforts at
      these hospitals may improve care for all deliveries and disproportionately impact
      care for black women.

PMID- 26283459
TI  - Impact of a robotic simulation program on resident surgical performance.

PMID- 26283458
TI  - Antenatal corticosteroid timing: accuracy after the introduction of a rescue
      course protocol.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Antenatal corticosteroid administration is a critical fetal
      intervention, and the use of a rescue protocol is now standard practice. Rescue
      antenatal corticosteroid may improve overall accuracy of antenatal corticosteroid
      administration timing, but this observation and its effect on the initial course
      is unknown. OBJECTIVE: We sought to compare the accuracy of antenatal
      corticosteroid administration before and after the implementation of a rescue
      antenatal corticosteroid protocol. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a retrospective
      cohort study of patients who received a minimum of 1 dose of antenatal
      corticosteroid from 2006-2012 at the University of Washington Medical Center with
      the use of the University of Washington Medical Center Pharmacy Database. For
      inclusion, subjects were required to be admitted, receive the initial antenatal
      corticosteroid course at 24-34 weeks gestation, and deliver at University of
      Washington Medical Center. We designated 2 groups that were based on when rescue
      antenatal corticosteroid became standard practice at University of Washington
      Medical Center: before rescue antenatal corticosteroid (2006-2008) and after
      rescue antenatal corticosteroid (2009-2012). Primary outcome was delivery within
      any optimal antenatal corticosteroid window, which was defined as 48 hours to 7
      days after the first dose or third dose. We also compared delivery within the
      optimal window of the initial and rescue antenatal corticosteroid courses
      independently and assessed antenatal corticosteroid timing by the indication for
      delivery. Chi squared and independent sample t-tests were used to compare
      results. RESULTS: From 2006-2012, 1356 women met inclusion criteria, 601 before
      and 755 after rescue antenatal corticosteroid. The study groups demonstrated
      similar demographics, with the exception of more white women in the group after
      rescue antenatal corticosteroid (47% vs 60%; P < .01) and delivered at comparable
      gestational ages (32.7 vs 32.6 weeks; P = .59). Availability of a second course
      did not increase total subjects who delivered within any optimal window (26.5% vs
      28.5%; P = .41). Frequency of delivery within the initial course optimal window
      did not change after the introduction of the rescue course protocol (26.1% vs
      26.4%; P = .92). Similarly, of the 73 subjects who received rescue antenatal
      corticosteroid, 24.7% delivered in the optimal window of the second course.
      Delivery within the optimal window varied by indication for antenatal
      corticosteroid, with highest accuracy among maternal indications (41.2% in any
      optimal window), followed by preterm premature rupture of membranes (32.1%).
      Lowest administration accuracy was among women with antenatal cervical shortening
      and advanced cervical dilation; only 2.8% and 6.3% delivered within the optimal
      window, respectively. Furthermore, for women with antenatal cervical shortening,
      the mean gestational age of delivery was 35.1 weeks, and the median interval from
      antenatal corticosteroid administration to delivery was 55 days (interquartile
      range, 34-72 days). CONCLUSIONS: The opportunity for a second course of antenatal
      corticosteroid did not improve the number of women who delivered within any
      optimal antenatal corticosteroid window. Administration timing was similar for
      the initial course and the rescue course, with approximately one-quarter of women
      delivering within the optimal antenatal corticosteroid window. These findings
      likely reflect the few circumstances in which rescue antenatal corticosteroid is
      useful and the poor predictability of preterm birth. Future focus should be aimed
      at tools to predict the timing of preterm birth to optimize antenatal
      corticosteroid administration.

PMID- 26283460
TI  - Impact of co-existent thyroiditis on clinical outcome in papillary thyroid
      carcinoma with high preoperative serum antithyroglobulin antibody: a
      retrospective cohort study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of co-existent
      chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis (CLT) on changes in serum antithyroglobulin
      antibody (TgAb) and clinical outcome in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC)
      patients with high preoperative serum TgAb. DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study.
      SETTING: University teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-seven PTC patients
      with high preoperative serum TgAb level (>=100 U/mL) were evaluated. All patients
      underwent total thyroidectomy followed by high-dose I-131 ablation. MAIN OUTCOME
      MEASURES: Per cent changes of TgAb between pre-treatment and post-treatment, and
      disease-free survival were calculated. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients (59.5%) had
      co-existent CLT, and seven had residual/recurrent tumours. There was a higher
      proportion of females among the patients with CLT compared to those without CLT
      (95.5% versus 66.7%; P = 0.0306). There were trends towards more aggressive
      pathologies, such as tumour size, extrathyroidal extension, surgical margin and
      lymph node stage, in PTC without CLT than in that with co-existent CLT. Pre
      treatment and post-treatment TgAb were all higher in PTC with co-existent CLT.
      But, per cent changes of TgAb between pre-treatment and post-treatment were no
      significant difference between PTC with and without CLT (P < 0.05). Patients with
      co-existent CLT showed a significantly lower residual/recurrent tumour rate than
      those without CLT (4.5% versus 40%; P = 0.0113). CONCLUSION: Residual/recurrent
      tumour rate was lower in PTC patients with co-existent CLT than in those without
      CLT.

PMID- 26283462
TI  - Spatio-temporal elements of articulation work in the achievement of repeat
      prescribing safety in UK general practice.
AB  - Prescribing is the most common healthcare intervention, and is both beneficial
      and risky. An important source of risk in UK general practice is the management
      of 'repeat prescriptions', which are typically requested from and issued by non
      clinically trained reception staff with only intermittent reauthorisation by a
      clinical prescriber. This paper ethnographically examines the formal and informal
      work employed by GPs and receptionists to safely conduct repeat prescribing work
      in primary care using Strauss's (1985, 1988, 1993) concept of 'articulation work'
      across eight UK general practices. The analytical lens of articulation work
      provided an investigative framing to contextually map the informal, invisible
      resources of resilience and strength employed by practice team members in the
      achievement of repeat prescribing safety, where risk and vulnerability were
      continually relocated across space and time. In particular, the paper makes
      visible the micro-level competencies and collaborative practices that were
      routinely employed by both GPs and receptionists across different socio-cultural
      contexts, with informal, cross-hierarchical communication usually considered more
      effective than the formal structures of communication that existed (e.g.
      protocols). While GPs held formal prescribing authority, this paper also examines
      the key role of receptionists in both the initiation and safe coordination of the
      repeat prescribing routine. 

PMID- 26283461
TI  - Group cognitive behavioural treatment of youth anxiety in community based
      clinical practice: Clinical significance and benchmarking against efficacy.
AB  - The efficacy of a group cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) programme (Cool Kids)
      of youth anxiety has been demonstrated at university clinics in Australia and
      Denmark and similar CBT programmes have been found effective within community
      settings in other countries. However, most effectiveness studies of CBT for youth
      anxiety have either used a mixture of CBT guidelines, or translated protocols not
      previous tested in an efficacy trial. This study used a benchmarking strategy to
      compare outcomes from the same CBT programme used at a university research clinic
      (N=87) and community centres (N=82). There was a significant reduction on both
      clinical and self-report measures of youth anxiety over time with medium to large
      effect sizes within both samples. Treatment effects on self-report measures of
      youth anxiety were significantly larger within the university sample, while
      changes in clinical measures of youth anxiety were similar in the two samples.
      Overall these findings suggest that an efficacious CBT group treatment programme
      developed within research contexts is transportable to community centres. Despite
      being effective within the community, the results indicate that the treatment may
      lose some of its efficacy when disseminated to the community. 

PMID- 26283464
TI  - Dicrocoelium dendriticum induces autophagic vacuoles accumulation in human
      hepatocarcinoma cells.
AB  - The relationship between Dicrocoelium dendriticum and cancer has been poorly
      investigated so far, but a large amount of findings suggest that other trematodes
      can favour cancer in both animals and humans. In this study, the effects of D.
      dendriticum on cell proliferation, cell death mechanisms and oxidative stress
      induction were evaluated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines (HepG2 and
      HuH7). Results showed that short time exposure to low concentrations of somatic
      antigens from D. dendriticum caused slight proliferation in both HepG2 and HuH7
      cells while high concentrations and long exposure time to extracts from D.
      dendriticum caused a significant growth inhibition. This effect was, however, not
      paralleled by apoptosis but it occurred with an about 40% increase of the
      formation of autophagic vacuoles. In the same experimental conditions, a strong
      oxidative stress was recorded with an about 100% increase of the intracellular
      O(2-). These data suggest the occurrence of an escape anti-apoptotic mechanism in
      HCC cells. In conclusion, these results suggest a role for D. dendriticum in the
      chronic oxidative stress and in the regulation of transformation processes in HCC
      warranting additional investigations in this specific area of research. 

PMID- 26283463
TI  - Abnormal retinal development in Cloche mutant zebrafish.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Functions for the early embryonic vasculature in regulating
      development of central nervous system tissues, such as the retina, have been
      suggested by in vitro studies and by in vivo manipulations that caused additional
      ocular vessels to develop. Here, we use an avascular zebrafish embryo, cloche-/-
      (clo-/-), to begin to identify necessary developmental functions of the ocular
      vasculature in regulating development and patterning of the neural retina, in
      vivo. These studies are possible in zebrafish embryos, which do not yet rely upon
      the vasculature for tissue oxygenation. RESULTS: clo-/- embryos lacked early
      ocular vasculature and were microphthalmic, with reduced retinal cell
      proliferation and cell survival. Retinas of clo mutants were disorganized, with
      irregular synaptic layers, mispatterned expression domains of retinal
      transcription factors, morphologically abnormal Muller glia, reduced
      differentiation of specific retinal cell types, and sporadically distributed cone
      photoreceptors. Blockade of p53-mediated cell death did not completely rescue
      this phenotype and revealed ectopic cones in the inner nuclear layer. clo-/-
      embryos did not upregulate a molecular marker for hypoxia. CONCLUSIONS: The
      disorganized retinal phenotype of clo-/- embryos is consistent with a neural and
      glial developmental patterning role for the early ocular vasculature that is
      independent of its eventual function in gas exchange.

PMID- 26283465
TI  - The influence of Nosema (Microspora: Nosematidae) infection on honey bee
      (Hymenoptera: Apidae) defense against Varroa destructor (Mesostigmata:
      Varroidae).
AB  - The objectives of this study were to quantify the costs and benefits of co
      parasitism with Varroa (Varroa destructor Anderson and Trueman) and Nosema
      (Nosema ceranae Fries and Nosema apis Zander) on honey bees (Apis mellifera L.)
      with different defense levels. Newly-emerged worker bees from either high-mite
      mortality-rate (high-MMR) bees or low-mite-mortality-rate (low-MMR) bees were
      confined in forty bioassay cages which were either inoculated with Nosema spores
      [Nosema (+) group] or were left un-inoculated [Nosema (-) group]. Caged-bees were
      then inoculated with Varroa mites [Varroa (+) group] or were left untreated
      [Varroa (-) group]. This established four treatment combinations within each
      Nosema treatment group: (1) low-MMR Varroa (-), (2) high-MMR Varroa (-), (3) low
      MMR Varroa (+) and (4) high-MMR Varroa (+), each with five replicates. Overall
      mite mortality in high-MMR bees (0.12+/-0.02 mites per day) was significantly
      greater than in the low-MMR bees (0.06+/-0.02 mites per day). In the Nosema (-)
      groups bee mortality was greater in high-MMR bees than low-MMR bees but only when
      bees had a higher mite burden. Overall, high-MMR bees in the Nosema (-) group
      showed greater reductions in mean abundance of mites over time compared with low
      MMR bees, when inoculated with additional mites. However, high-MMR bees could not
      reduce mite load as well as in the Nosema (-) group when fed with Nosema spores.
      Mean abundance of Nosema spores in live bees and dead bees of both strains of
      bees was significantly greater in the Nosema (+) group. Molecular analyses
      confirmed the presence of both Nosema species in inoculated bees but N. ceranae
      was more abundant than N. apis and unlike N. apis increased over the course of
      the experiment. Collectively, this study showed differential mite mortality rates
      among different genotypes of bees, however, Nosema infection restrained Varroa
      removal success in high-MMR bees. 

PMID- 26283466
TI  - Potential of native Beauveria pseudobassiana strain for biological control of
      Pine Wood Nematode vector Monochamus galloprovincialis.
AB  - Three entomopathogenic fungal strains, Isaria farinosa (Holmsk.) Fr.,
      Lecanicillium attenuatum (Zare & W. Games) and Beauveria pseudobassiana (Bals.)
      Vuill. were isolated in Spain from naturally infected Monochamus
      galloprovincialis (Olivier) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), the European vector of
      Pine Wilt Disease (PWD). This is the first time that these entomopathogenic fungi
      have been isolated from M. galloprovincialis beetles. Assays showed the B.
      pseudobassiana EABps 11/01-Mg strain to be highly virulent against the pine
      sawyer. Horizontal and vertical transmission were assessed for both aqueous
      (1*10(8)conidia/ml) and dry (4.25*10(9)conidia/g) conidial formulations. Evidence
      of horizontal or vertical transmission was not found when insects were inoculated
      with the aqueous conidial suspension. However, when dry conidia were applied,
      100% of the horizontally-infected insects died and their average survival times
      (AST) were significantly reduced (from 21.10 and 25.00 days in controls to 10.40
      and 10.00 days in infected males and females, respectively). Compared to control
      females, numbers of egg-laying wounds, eggs laid, live larvae after 5 days and
      larvae entering the xylem after 6 months were significantly reduced in both
      inoculated females and clean females that had mated with inoculated males,
      pointing to horizontally-induced reduction of progeny. These results validate the
      potential of the isolated B. pseudobassiana strain as an important natural
      population regulator. Through auto-dissemination techniques, it could be used for
      the integrated control of Pine Wood Nematode vectors and constitute a new tool
      for Pine Wilt Disease management.

PMID- 26283467
TI  - The outcome of white matter abnormalities in early treated phenylketonuric
      patients: A retrospective longitudinal long-term study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pathogenesis and clinical consequences of white matter abnormalities
      on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in phenylketonuric (PKU) patients are
      incompletely known. OBJECTIVE: To study white matter alterations progression and
      outcome and its relationships with phenylalanine levels and intelligence quotient
      (IQ) in early treated PKU subjects who underwent serial MRIs during a prolonged
      follow-up. METHODS: 47 early treated PKU patients (mean age 25.1 +/- 5.6 years;
      range 12-37 years) have been enrolled when two or more consecutive brain MRIs, a
      complete biochemical history, and MRI-concurrent blood phenylalanine levels were
      available. The severity and extension of white matter abnormalities were
      expressed in a computed score. Consecutive IQ assessments were available in 24
      patients. We analyzed intra- and interindividual white matter alterations
      variations and their relationship with quality of biochemical control and
      cognitive outcome. RESULTS: Early treated PKU patients showed a high rate of
      white matter alterations with a relevant increase in frequency/severity from the
      second decade of life onwards. Age and quality of dietary control before or
      between subsequent examinations showed an independent cumulative effect on white
      matter alterations outcome. No significant association was found between white
      matter alterations and cognitive outcome. A remarkable interindividual
      variability was found and several patients disclosed incongruity between the
      trajectory of white matter alterations and biochemical control. About 30% of
      white matter alterations variability remains unexplained by the disease
      associated determinants. CONCLUSIONS: The evolution of white matter alterations
      is not significantly affected by intellectual outcome and is affected by aging,
      chronic exposure to phenylalanine, and unknown individual factors.

PMID- 26283468
TI  - Sclerosteosis caused by a novel nonsense mutation of SOST in a consanguineous
      family.
AB  - Sclerosteosis, characterized by the hyperostosis of cranial and tubular bones, is
      a rare autosomal recessive hereditary disorder caused by mutation of SOST gene.
      Four nonsense mutations of SOST have been identified worldwide. Here, we report
      two affected siblings who carried a novel nonsense mutation of SOST in a
      consanguineous family from China. The proband manifested typical symptoms of
      sclerosteosis, whereas the symptoms were absent in another affected sibling. Two
      nucleotide substitutions in exon 2 of SOST were identified, c.444_445TC>AA,
      resulting in a premature stop codon, p.Cys148->Stop. This truncated mutation
      loses 66 amino acid residues which contain 3 cysteine residues of the cysteine
      knot motif, leading to loss of function of SOST. The symptoms of sclerosteosis
      may be clinically heterogeneous in some patients, even with the same mutation.
      Our results support the notion that founder effects from the ancestors contribute
      to the disease onset. 

PMID- 26283469
TI  - Elevated expression of platelet-derived chemokines in patients with
      antiphospholipid syndrome.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Platelet factor 4 tetramers (CXCL4 chemokine) form complexes with
      beta2glycoprotein I (beta2GPI), recognized by anti-beta2GPI antibodies leading to
      platelet activation in antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), either primary (PAPS) or
      secondary (SAPS). Increased plasma levels of CXCL4 may favor this process;
      therefore we measured plasma levels of CXCL4, a CXCL4 variant (CXCL4L1) and as
      controls, platelet-derived chemokines CXCL7 (NAP-2) and CCL5 (RANTES), in APS,
      and disease controls such as patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
      coronary artery disease (CAD) and healthy donors (HDs). METHODS: Plasma samples
      and platelets were isolated from patients with APS (n = 87), SLE (n = 29), CAD (n
      = 14) and 54 HDs. Plasma levels of CXCL4, CXCL4L1, CXCL7 and CCL5 as well as
      intracellular platelet CXCL4 and CXCL4L1 were measured using ELISA. Platelet
      CXCL4 and CXCL4L1 RNA levels were determined by RT-PCR. RESULTS: CXCL4, CXCL7
      (NAP-2) and CCL5 (RANTES) plasma levels were significantly higher in patients
      with APS compared to both control groups (SLE, CAD) and HDs. CXCL4L1 plasma
      levels were also significantly higher in APS than in SLE and HDs, but lower from
      that of CAD patients. Statistically significant concordance was detected between
      CXCL4 and CXCL7 (p < 0.0001) or CCL5 (p < 0.0001) plasma levels in patients with
      APS, either PAPS or SAPS. CXCL4L1 plasma levels were inversely correlated with
      CXCL4 (P = 0.0027), CXCL7 (p = 0.012) and CCL5 (p = 0.023) in PAPS and positively
      with CXCL4 (p = 0.0191), CCL5 (p < 0.0001) and CXCL7 (P < 0.0001), in SAPS.
      Levels of CXCL4, CXCL4L1, CXCL7 and CCL5 were divided in "high" (exceeding a
      level defined as the mean of HDs and 3 SD) and "low" (below this level); The
      "CXCL4L1 high" group was characterized by increased IgG aCL, (p = 0.0215), double
      antibody positivity (either aCL or anti-beta2GPI plus LA), (p = 0.0277), triple
      antibody positivity (aCL plus anti-beta2GPI plus LA), (p = 0.0073) and
      thrombocytopenia (p = 0.0061), as well as with at least 1 thrombotic event or the
      last 5 years (p = 0.0001), or more than 3 thrombotic events ever (p = 0.0151).
      CONCLUSIONS: Chemokines associated with platelet activation and immune cell
      chemotaxis were found to be elevated in APS patients' plasma and may contribute
      to the pathogenesis of the syndrome. High CXCL4L1 plasma levels are associated
      with the clinical expression of APS and should be prospectively evaluated as a
      biomarker.

PMID- 26283470
TI  - Fabrication of Nanocarbon Composites Using In Situ Chemical Vapor Deposition and
      Their Applications.
AB  - Nanocarbon (carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene (GN)) composites attract
      considerable research interest due to their fascinating applications in many
      fields. Here, recent developments in the field of in situ chemical vapor
      deposition (CVD) for the design and controlled preparation of advanced nanocarbon
      composites are highlighted, specifically, CNT-reinforced bulk structural
      composites, as well as CNT, GN, and CNT/GN functional composites, together with
      their practical and potential applications. In situ CVD is a very attractive
      approach for the fabrication of composites because of its engaging features, such
      as its simplicity, low-cost, versatility, and tunability. The morphologies,
      structures, dispersion, and interface of the resulting nanocarbon composites can
      be easily modulated by varying the experimental parameters (such as temperature,
      catalysts, carbon sources, templates or template catalysts, etc.), which enables
      a great potential for the in situ synthesis of high-quality nanocarbons with
      tailored size and dimension for constructing high-performance composites, which
      has not yet been achieved by conventional methods. In addition, new trends of the
      in situ CVD toward nanocarbon composites are discussed. 

PMID- 26283471
TI  - Diabetes mellitus and its management with medicinal plants: A perspective based
      on Iranian research.
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Complementary and alternative medicine has been
      increasingly used to treat chronic illnesses, such as diabetes mellitus. However,
      various limitations in terms of their application and efficacies exist.
      Furthermore, there is still much to be done to discover the right herbal medicine
      for diabetes. AIM OF THE STUDY: This paper aims to evaluate previous herbal
      studies on the management of diabetes mellitus, to address their strengths and
      weaknesses and propose a general framework for future studies. APPROACH AND
      METHODS: Data sources such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, SpringerLink, and
      Wiley were searched, limited to Iran, using 36 search terms such as herbal,
      traditional, medicine, and phytopharmacy in combination with diabetes and related
      complications. Reviewed articles were evaluated regarding the use of botanical
      nomenclature and included information on (1) identity of plants and plant parts
      used, (2) the processing procedure, and (3) the extraction process. The main
      outcomes were extracted and then surveyed in terms of the efficacies of herbs in
      the management of diabetes mellitus. Then a comparative study was performed
      between Iranian and non-Iranian studies with respect to herbs best studied in
      Iran. RESULTS: Of the 82 herbs studied in Iran, only six herbs were endemic and
      19 were studied in detail. Although most of the reviewed herbs were found to
      decrease the level of blood glucose (BG) and/or glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) in
      both Iranian and non-Iranian studies, information on their pharmacological
      mechanisms is scarce. However, the level of HbA1C was measured in a limited
      number of clinical trials or animal studies. Available information on both short-
      and long-term use of studied herbs on diabetes related complications and
      functions of involved organs as well as comorbid depression and/or simultaneous
      changes in lifestyle is also insufficient. Furthermore, little or no information
      on their phytochemical, toxicological, and herb-drug interaction properties is
      available. It is worth noting that the efficacy of the reviewed herbs has been
      studied scarcely in both humans and animals regarding both Iranian and non
      Iranian studies. A significant number of reviewed articles failed to cite the
      scientific name of herbs and include information on the processing procedure and
      the extraction process. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of diabetes mellitus as a
      multifactorial disease using herbal medicines requires a comprehensive approach.
      In order to discover the right herbal medicine for the management of diabetes
      many other important factors than the levels of BG, HbA1C and insulin should be
      considered. According to our criteria, all the reviewed herbs suffered from
      inadequate investigation in human, animal and in vitro models in this respect,
      whereas they are worth investigating further. However, more research on endemic
      plants and the traditional history of herbal medicine is warranted. In our
      opinion, the pharmacological, toxicological, and phytochemical information should
      be obtained before clinical trials. Furthermore, information such as botanical
      scientific nomenclature, side effects, and toxicity will improve the quality and
      validity of publications in herbal research. In particular, designing a database
      covering all valid information about herbs and/or diseases will decrease
      unnecessary costs and increase the efficiency of research.

PMID- 26283472
TI  - Ethnopharmacological relevance of indigenous medicinal plants from district
      Bahawalnagar, Punjab, Pakistan.
AB  - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Indigenous plants have played a key role in the
      treatment of human diseases. This study was aimed to report the indigenous
      medicinal plants from Bahawalnagar district of Southern Punjab, Pakistan to
      document the important medicinal plants and herbal preparations. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: Rapid appraisal approach (RAA) involved direct interaction with local
      people and observations during the field visits; was used to collect data during
      March to June and August to December 2012. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS: A total of 63
      plants were reported to be effective for ailments treatment in the local
      healthcare system of the study area, belonging to 56 genera and 34 families.
      Among families Fabaceae was the predominant by contributing 09 species.
      CONCLUSION: Plants knowledge is not uniformly distributed among the 488
      informants interviewed by mean of questionnaire.

PMID- 26283473
TI  - Lattice Strain Mapping of Platinum Nanoparticles on Carbon and SnO2 Supports.
AB  - It is extremely important to understand the properties of supported metal
      nanoparticles at the atomic scale. In particular, visualizing the interaction
      between nanoparticle and support, as well as the strain distribution within the
      particle is highly desirable. Lattice strain can affect catalytic activity, and
      therefore strain engineering via e.g. synthesis of core-shell nanoparticles or
      compositional segregation has been intensively studied. However, substrate
      induced lattice strain has yet to be visualized directly. In this study, platinum
      nanoparticles decorated on graphitized carbon or tin oxide supports are
      investigated using spherical aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron
      microscopy (Cs-corrected STEM) coupled with geometric phase analysis (GPA). Local
      changes in lattice parameter are observed within the Pt nanoparticles and the
      strain distribution is mapped. This reveals that Pt nanoparticles on SnO2 are
      more highly strained than on carbon, especially in the region of atomic steps in
      the SnO2 lattice. These substrate-induced strain effects are also reproduced in
      density functional theory simulations, and related to catalytic oxygen reduction
      reaction activity. This study suggests that tailoring the catalytic activity of
      electrocatalyst nanoparticles via the strong metal-support interaction (SMSI) is
      possible. This technique also provides an experimental platform for improving our
      understanding of nanoparticles at the atomic scale. 

PMID- 26283474
TI  - Do classroom ventilation rates in California elementary schools influence
      standardized test scores? Results from a prospective study.
AB  - Limited evidence has associated lower ventilation rates (VRs) in schools with
      reduced student learning or achievement. We analyzed longitudinal data collected
      over two school years from 150 classrooms in 28 schools within three California
      school districts. We estimated daily classroom VRs from real-time indoor carbon
      dioxide measured by web-connected sensors. School districts provided individual
      level scores on standard tests in Math and English, and classroom-level
      demographic data. Analyses assessing learning effects used two VR metrics:
      average VRs for 30 days prior to tests, and proportion of prior daily VRs above
      specified thresholds during the year. We estimated relationships between scores
      and VR metrics in multivariate models with generalized estimating equations. All
      school districts had median school-year VRs below the California VR standard.
      Most models showed some positive associations of VRs with test scores; however,
      estimates varied in magnitude and few 95% confidence intervals excluded the null.
      Combined-district models estimated statistically significant increases of 0.6
      points (P = 0.01) on English tests for each 10% increase in prior 30-day VRs.
      Estimated increases in Math were of similar magnitude but not statistically
      significant. Findings suggest potential small positive associations between
      classroom VRs and learning.

PMID- 26283475
TI  - Orexin a phosphorylates the gamma-Aminobutyric acid type A receptor beta2 subunit
      on a serine residue and changes the surface expression of the receptor in SH-SY5Y
      cells exposed to propofol.
AB  - Propofol activates the gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor (GABAA R) and
      causes a reversible neurite retraction, leaving a thin, thread-like structure
      behind; it also reverses the transport of vesicles in rat cortical neurons. The
      awakening peptide orexin A (OA) inhibits this retraction via phospholipase D
      (PLD) and protein kinase CE (PKCE). The human SH-SY5Y cells express both GABAA Rs
      and orexin 1 and 2 receptors. These cells are used to examine the interaction
      between OA and the GABAA R. The effects of OA are studied with flow cytometry and
      immunoblotting. This study shows that OA stimulates phosphorylation on the serine
      residues of the GABAA R beta2 subunit and that the phosphorylation is caused by
      the activation of PLD and PKCE. OA administration followed by propofol reduces
      the cell surface expression of the GABAA R, whereas propofol stimulation before
      OA increases the surface expression. The GABAA R beta2 subunit is important for
      receptor recirculation, and the effect of OA on propofol-stimulated cells may be
      due to a disturbed recirculation of the GABAA R.

PMID- 26283476
TI  - Politics in evaluation: Politically responsive evaluation in high stakes
      environments.
AB  - The role of politics has often been discussed in evaluation theory and practice.
      The political influence of the situation can have major effects on the evaluation
      design, approach and methods. Politics also has the potential to influence the
      decisions made from the evaluation findings. The current study focuses on the
      influence of the political context on stakeholder decision making. Utilizing a
      simulation scenario, this study compares stakeholder decision making in high and
      low stakes evaluation contexts. Findings suggest that high stakes political
      environments are more likely than low stakes environments to lead to reduced
      reliance on technically appropriate measures and increased dependence on measures
      better reflect the broader political environment. 

PMID- 26283477
TI  - Impact of Toxoplasma gondii on Dendritic Cell Subset Function in the Intestinal
      Mucosa.
AB  - The function of mucosal dendritic cell (DC) subsets in immunity and inflammation
      is not well understood. In this study, we define four DC subsets present within
      the lamina propria and mesenteric lymph node compartments based on expression of
      CD103 and CD11b. Using IL-12p40 YFP (Yet40) reporter mice, we show that
      CD103(+)CD11b(-) mucosal DCs are primary in vivo sources of IL-12p40; we also
      identified CD103(-)CD11b(-) mucosal DCs as a novel population producing this
      cytokine. Infection was preferentially found in CD11b(+) DCs that were negative
      for CD103. Lamina propria DCs containing parasites were negative for IL-12p40.
      Instead, production of the cytokine was strictly a property of noninfected cells.
      We also show that vitamin A metabolism, as measured by ALDH activity, was
      preferentially found in CD103(+)CD11b(+) DC and was strongly downregulated in all
      mucosal DC subsets during infection. Finally, overall apoptosis of lamina propria
      DC subsets was increased during infection. Combined, these results highlight the
      ability of intestinal Toxoplasma infection to alter mucosal DC activity at both
      the whole population level and at the level of individual subsets. 

PMID- 26283478
TI  - Antimony-Resistant Leishmania donovani Exploits miR-466i To Deactivate Host MyD88
      for Regulating IL-10/IL-12 Levels during Early Hours of Infection.
AB  - Infection with antimony-resistant Leishmania donovani (Sb(R)LD) induces
      aggressive pathology in the mammalian hosts as compared with ones with antimony
      sensitive L. donovani (Sb(S)LD) infection. Sb(R)LD, but not Sb(S)LD, interacts
      with TLR2/TLR6 to induce IL-10 by exploiting p50/c-Rel subunits of NF-kappaB in
      infected macrophages (Mphis). Most of the TLRs exploit the universal adaptor
      protein MyD88 to activate NF-kappaB. We now show that infection of Mphis from
      MyD88(-/-) mice with Sb(R)LD gave rise to significantly higher intracellular
      parasite number coupled with elevated IL-10/IL-12 ratio in the culture
      supernatant as compared with infection in wild type (WT) Mphis. Tauhese
      attributes were not seen with Sb(S)LD in similar experiments. Further, Sb(R)LD
      infection upregulated miR-466i, which binds with 3'-untranslated region, leading
      to the downregulation of MyD88. Infection of MyD88(-/-) Mphi or IL-12(-/-) Mphi
      with Sb(R)LD induced IL-10 surge at 4 h, whereas the same in WT Mphi started from
      12 h. Thus, absence of IL-12 in MyD88(-/-) mice favored early binding of NF
      kappaB subunits to the IL-10 promoter, resulting in IL-10 surge. Infection of
      MyD88(-/-) mice with Sb(R)LD showed significantly higher organ parasites coupled
      with ill-defined and immature hepatic granulomas, whereas in WT mice there were
      less organ parasites and the granulomas were well defined. From the survival
      kinetics it was observed that Sb(R)LD-infected MyD88(-/-) mice died by 60 d
      postinfection, whereas the WT mice continued to survive. Our results demonstrate
      that Sb(R)LD has evolved a unique strategy to evade host antileishmanial immune
      repertoire by manipulating host MyD88 to its advantage. 

PMID- 26283479
TI  - The Presence and Preferential Activation of Regulatory T Cells Diminish Adoptive
      Transfer of Autoimmune Diabetes by Polyclonal Nonobese Diabetic (NOD) T Cell
      Effectors into NSG versus NOD-scid Mice.
AB  - NOD-scid.Il2rg(null) (NSG) mice are currently being used as recipients to screen
      for pathogenic autoreactive T cells in type 1 diabetes (T1D) patients. We
      questioned whether the restriction of IL-2R gamma-chain (Il-2rgamma)-dependent
      cytokine signaling only to donor cells in NSG recipients differently influenced
      the activities of transferred diabetogenic T cells when they were introduced as a
      monoclonal/oligoclonal population versus being part of a polyclonal repertoire.
      Unexpectedly, a significantly decreased T1D transfer by splenocytes from
      prediabetic NOD donors was observed in Il-2rgamma(null)-NSG versus Il-2rgamma
      intact standard NOD-scid recipients. In contrast, NOD-derived
      monoclonal/oligoclonal TCR transgenic beta cell-autoreactive T cells in either
      the CD8 (AI4, NY8.3) or CD4 (BDC2.5) compartments transferred disease
      significantly more rapidly to NSG than to NOD-scid recipients. The reduced
      diabetes transfer efficiency by polyclonal T cells in NSG recipients was
      associated with enhanced activation of regulatory T cells (Tregs) mediated by NSG
      myeloid APC. This enhanced suppressor activity was associated with higher levels
      of Treg GITR expression in the presence of NSG than NOD-scid APC. These
      collective results indicate NSG recipients might be efficiently employed to test
      the activity of T1D patient-derived beta cell-autoreactive T cell clones and
      lines, but, when screening for pathogenic effectors within polyclonal
      populations, Tregs should be removed from the transfer inoculum to avoid false
      negative results. 

PMID- 26283480
TI  - The Human NK Cell Response to Yellow Fever Virus 17D Is Primarily Governed by NK
      Cell Differentiation Independently of NK Cell Education.
AB  - NK cells play an important role in the defense against viral infections. However,
      little is known about the regulation of NK cell responses during the first days
      of acute viral infections in humans. In this study, we used the live attenuated
      yellow fever virus (YFV) vaccine 17D as a human in vivo model to study the
      temporal dynamics and regulation of NK cell responses in an acute viral
      infection. YFV induced a robust NK cell response in vivo, with an early
      activation and peak in NK cell function at day 6, followed by a delayed peak in
      Ki67 expression, which was indicative of proliferation, at day 10. The in vivo NK
      cell response correlated positively with plasma type I/III IFN levels at day 6,
      as well as with the viral load. YFV induced an increased functional
      responsiveness to IL-12 and IL-18, as well as to K562 cells, indicating that the
      NK cells were primed in vivo. The NK cell responses were associated primarily
      with the stage of differentiation, because the magnitude of induced Ki67 and CD69
      expression was distinctly higher in CD57(-) NK cells. In contrast, NK cells
      expressing self- and nonself-HLA class I-binding inhibitory killer cell Ig-like
      receptors contributed, to a similar degree, to the response. Taken together, our
      results indicate that NK cells are primed by type I/III IFN in vivo early after
      YFV infection and that their response is governed primarily by the
      differentiation stage, independently of killer cell Ig-like receptor/HLA class I
      mediated inhibition or education. 

PMID- 26283481
TI  - Stimulation of the RIG-I/MAVS Pathway by Polyinosinic:Polycytidylic Acid
      Upregulates IFN-beta in Airway Epithelial Cells with Minimal Costimulation of IL
      8.
AB  - Pharmacological stimulation of the antiviral cytokine IFN-beta in the airways may
      help to counter deleterious virus-induced exacerbations in chronic inflammatory
      lung diseases (asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or cystic
      fibrosis). Polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid [poly(I:C)] is a known inducer of IFN
      beta but also costimulates an inflammatory response. The latter response is
      undesirable given the pre-existing airway inflammation in these diseases. The
      objective of our study was to identify conditions for poly(I:C) to selectively
      upregulate IFN-beta in airway epithelial cells without a concomitant inflammatory
      response. The inflammatory response was gauged by production of the chemokine IL
      8. Using cell lines and primary airway epithelial cells (both submerged and well
      differentiated), we observed that pure poly(I:C) stimulated IFN-beta mainly
      through the TLR3/TRIF pathway and IL-8 through an unidentified pathway. The
      magnitude of the IL-8 response stimulated by pure poly(I:C) matched or even
      exceeded that of IFN-beta. Furthermore, this IL-8 response could not be
      pharmacologically downregulated without affecting IFN-beta. In contrast, we show
      that stimulation of the RIG-I/MAVS pathway, such as when poly(I:C) is delivered
      intracellularly in a complex with liposomes or via nucleofection, selectively
      stimulates IFN-beta with low IL-8 costimulation. The magnitude of IFN-beta
      stimulation by liposome-encapsulated poly(I:C) is markedly diminished in well
      differentiated cells. In conclusion, it is feasible to augment IFN-beta
      production in airway epithelial cells without excessive costimulation of IL-8 if
      the RIG-I/MAVS pathway is stimulated, such as via liposomal delivery of
      poly(I:C). Better cytoplasmic delivery vehicles are needed to efficiently
      stimulate this pathway in well-differentiated cells. 

PMID- 26283483
TI  - Retraction Note to: siRNA-participated chemotherapy: an efficient and specific
      therapeutic against gastric cancer.

PMID- 26283484
TI  - The Utility of Computed Tomography in Shunted Patients with Idiopathic
      Intracranial Hypertension Presenting to the Emergency Department.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Shunted patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH)
      often present to the emergency department (ED) for symptoms related to their
      disease. Although brain imaging with computed tomography (CT) is often performed,
      particularly in the current medicolegal environment, its utility during these ED
      visits is unclear. METHODS: The ED visits of all shunted adult patients with IIH
      from 2003-2015 were retrospectively reviewed. ED visits not related to IIH were
      excluded from our study. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients visited the ED 171 times
      for IIH symptoms. Five patients had greater than 10 ED visits. Twenty-five (81%)
      patients had 131 visits involving a CT scan, while six (19%) patients were not
      scanned. The majority of scans (n = 126, 96%) showed no change; five (4%) scans
      detected new noncritical pathologies. On the basis of CT findings alone,
      treatment changes occurred in three (2.3%) instances. Of the 131 visits with a CT
      scan, twenty-five (19%) visits resulted in management changes; of the 40 ED
      visits without a CT scan, four (10%) visits resulted in a management change (P =
      0.23). CONCLUSIONS: In our cohort, CT imaging rarely showed a change in pathology
      or affected the management of patients with IIH. There was no difference in the
      rate of management changes between those patients who underwent a CT scan and
      those who did not. Given the risk of cumulative radiation exposure and cost of CT
      scans, CT imaging should be used when there is concern for visual dysfunction and
      the utility of CT imaging in the ED for the workup of other symptoms related to
      IIH must be explored further.

PMID- 26283482
TI  - The Novel Receptor C5aR2 Is Required for C5a-Mediated Human Mast Cell Adhesion,
      Migration, and Proinflammatory Mediator Production.
AB  - C5a generated during complement activation possesses proinflammatory and
      immunoregulatory properties critical for the development and modulation of
      allergic immune responses. In immune cells, C5a mediates its effects through
      binding to two G protein-coupled receptors, C5aR1 and C5aR2. Mast cells are key
      effectors in allergic reactions, and decades of research have suggested that the
      majority of C5a effects on mast cells are mediated through C5aR1, whereas the
      expression and function of C5aR2 have not been explored. We demonstrated that the
      human mast cell line Laboratory of Allergic Diseases 2 (LAD2) expresses surface
      C5aR2 but not C5aR1, whereas CD34(+) cell-derived primary mast cells do not
      express surface C5aR1 or C5aR2. Stem cell factor and IL-4 upregulated C5aR2
      expression on LAD2 cells. Furthermore, C5a caused internalization of LAD2 cell
      surface C5aR2. We therefore used LAD2 cells as a model to study C5a/C5aR2-induced
      biological responses and signaling in human mast cells. We found that whereas C5a
      was unable to induce degranulation, it stimulated GM-CSF, TNF, CXCL10, and CCL2
      production. C5a caused ERK phosphorylation, a signaling molecule important in
      cytokine and chemokine generation. In addition, C5a stimulated adhesion and
      chemotaxis of mast cells. Wortmannin, an inhibitor of PI3K, and small interfering
      RNA against beta-arrestin-2 blocked C5a-induced adhesion. Silencing of C5aR2
      using lentiviral short hairpin RNA rendered the cells unresponsive to C5a-induced
      adhesion, chemotaxis, and mediator release, as well as ERK phosphorylation.
      Overall, this study reveals a novel role for C5aR2 in C5a-mediated activation of
      mast cells and demonstrates that C5aR2 ligation initiates a beta-arrestin-2-,
      PI3K-, and ERK-dependent signaling pathway in these cells. 

PMID- 26283485
TI  - Low Rate of Intraoperative Seizures During Awake Craniotomy in a Prospective
      Cohort with 374 Supratentorial Brain Lesions: Electrocorticography Is Not
      Mandatory.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Awake craniotomy (AC) in brain lesions has allowed an improvement of
      both oncologic and functional results. However, intraoperative seizures (IOSs)
      were reported as a cause of failure of AC. Here, we analyze the incidence, risk
      factors, and consequences of IOSs in a prospective cohort of 374 ACs without
      electrocorticography (ECoG). METHODS: We performed a prospective study including
      all patients who underwent AC for an intra-axial supratentorial cerebral lesion
      from 2009-2014 in our department. Occurrence of IOS was analyzed with respect to
      medical and epilepsy history, tumor characteristics, operative technique, and
      postoperative outcomes. RESULTS: The study comprised 374 patients with a major
      incidence of low-grade glioma (86%). Most of the patients (83%) had epilepsy
      history before surgery (20% had intractable seizures). Preoperative mean
      Karnofsky performance scale (KPS) score was 91. IOSs occurred in 13 patients
      (3.4%). All IOSs were partial seizures, which quickly resolved by irrigation with
      cold Ringer lactate. No procedure failed because of IOS, and the rate of aborted
      AC whatever the cause was nil. Mean stimulation current intensity for cortical
      and subcortical mapping was 2.25 +/- 0.6 mA. Presurgical refractory epilepsy was
      not associated with a higher incidence of IOS. Three months after surgery, no
      patients had severe or disabling permanent worsening, even within the IOS group
      (mean KPS score of 93.7). CONCLUSIONS: AC for intra-axial brain lesion can be
      safely and reproducibly achieved without ECoG, with a low rate of IOS and
      excellent functional results, even in patients with preoperative intractable
      epilepsy.

PMID- 26283486
TI  - Patient-Reported Outcomes in Elective Cranial Neurosurgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The role of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in elective cranial
      neurosurgery has been poorly studied, and their significance in reflecting
      complication rates is unclear. METHODS: A prospective, consecutive, and
      unselected cohort of 418 adult patients underwent elective intracranial
      operations between 7 December, 2011 and 31 December, 2012 in Helsinki University
      Hospital, Finland. The questionnaire-based PROs included subjective postoperative
      assessments of overall health, cognitive function, and subjective change in
      functional status. Outcome measures included in-hospital major morbidity
      (including mortality) and in-hospital overall morbidity. We compared the
      usefulness of PROs with postoperative modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score. RESULTS:
      In univariable analyses, all recorded PROs and 30-day mRS scores >= 3 were
      associated with in-hospital major and overall morbidity. After multivariable
      analyses, postoperative deterioration of subjective functional status remained
      associated with in-hospital major morbidity (P = 0.001, odds ratio [OR] 4.9,
      confidence interval [CI] 1.9-12.0, sensitivity 71%, and specificity 70%) and
      overall in-hospital morbidity (P < 0.001, OR 5.7, CI 3.1-10.7, sensitivity 59%,
      and specificity 84%). Postoperatively impaired functional status was more
      sensitive but less specific in detecting in-hospital major and overall morbidity
      than the widely used mRS cut-off value of 2. A simple composite score combining
      the 3 recorded PROs was highly sensitive and specific in detecting in-hospital
      major (sensitivity 87%, specificity 98%) and overall (sensitivity 72%,
      specificity 99%) morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: In elective craniotomy patients, PROs
      seem promising patient-centered tools for outcomes reporting. Furthermore,
      neurosurgery-specific patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) can perhaps be
      implemented to clinical use to improve patient safety and outcome comparisons in
      elective cranial neurosurgery.

PMID- 26283487
TI  - Epidural Bovine Pericardium Facilitates Dissection During Cranioplasty: A
      Technical Note.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Adhesions and scarring of the subcutaneous tissue to
      the dura mater or dural substitute often complicate cranioplasty. We present our
      experience with epidural bovine pericardium as a barrier membrane to minimize
      adhesions and facilitate separation of tissue layers. METHODS: A cohort of
      patients who underwent decompressive craniectomy and subsequent cranioplasty at a
      major academic institution in the United States from August 2007 to October 2013
      and had epidural bovine pericardium placed as a barrier membrane was
      retrospectively reviewed. Medical records and imaging studies were reviewed for a
      number of variables including presence of adhesions, infection, contusions, and
      operative complications. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients (male-to-female = 1:1.1;
      mean age 45 +/- 14.7 years) who underwent decompressive craniectomy with
      placement of epidural bovine pericardium with subsequent cranioplasty were
      identified. The median interval between craniectomy and cranioplasty was 64 days,
      and autologous bone was used for cranioplasty in 86.2% of cases. The average size
      of cranial defect was 71.2 +/- 28.5 cm(2). At the time of cranioplasty, no or
      minimal adhesions were found between the subcutaneous tissue and the epidural
      bovine pericardium. There were 2 (6.9%) infections, 2 (6.9%) patients had
      contusion after the cranioplasty, and no patient had a complication after
      cranioplasty that required reoperation. CONCLUSIONS: Epidural bovine pericardium
      at the time of decompressive craniectomy facilitates dissection at the time of
      cranioplasty and is not associated with any additional risks.

PMID- 26283488
TI  - Pediatric Central Nervous System Tumors in Nepal: Retrospective Analysis and
      Literature Review of Low- and Middle-Income Countries.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Central nervous system (CNS) tumors are the most common cause of
      cancer-related death in children. Little is known about the demographics and
      treatment of pediatric brain tumors in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
      METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of all pediatric patients who
      presented to the neurosurgical service at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital
      in Kathmandu, Nepal from 2009-2014 and collected information on patients <18
      years old who received a diagnosis of a CNS tumor. We analyzed age, gender,
      clinical presentation, extent of surgical resection, histopathology, and length
      of hospital stay. We also conducted a literature review using specific
      terminology to capture studies of pediatric neuro-oncologic epidemiology
      conducted in LMICs. Study location, length of study, sample size, study type, and
      occurrence of 4 common pediatric brain tumors were extracted. RESULTS: We
      identified 39 cases of pediatric CNS tumors, with 62.5% observed in male
      children. We found that male children (median = 13 years) presented later than
      female children (median = 8 years). The most frequently observed pediatric brain
      tumor type was ependymoma (17.5%), followed by astrocytoma (15%) and
      medulloblastoma (15%). Surgical resection was performed for 80% of cases, and
      gross total resection reported in 62.9% of all surgeries. More than half (54.1%)
      of patients had symptoms for more than 28 days before seeking treatment.
      Symptomatic hydrocephalus was noted in 57.1% of children who presented with CNS
      tumors. The literature review yielded studies from 18 countries. Study length
      ranged from 2-20 years, and sample sizes varied from 35-1948. Overall, we found
      more pronounced variation in the relative frequencies of the most common
      pediatric brain tumors, compared with high-income countries. CONCLUSIONS: We
      present the first operative series of childhood CNS tumors in Nepal. Children
      often had delayed diagnosis and treatment of a tumor, despite symptoms. More
      comprehensive data are required to develop improved treatment and management
      algorithms in the context of a given country's demographics and medical
      capabilities for childhood CNS tumors.

PMID- 26283489
TI  - Mirror Meningioma at Foramen Magnum: A Management Challenge.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Meningiomas of the foramen magnum are among the most challenging of
      all skull base lesions. Controversies continue regarding the most appropriate
      approach to this critical anatomic region. The authors report a first case in
      English literature about twin meningiomas arising from both sides of the
      ventrolateral dura at the foramen magnum. CASE DESCRIPTION: Preoperative imaging
      showed a solitary mass engulfing the lower medulla. However, intraoperatively a
      twin mass was discovered. It encased the right side vertebral artery (VA) and
      abutted the left side. The unilateral far lateral transcondylar approach is not
      enough to resect both tumors at the same time. However, the far lateral
      transcondylar approach in both sides may compromise the stability and increase
      the risk of injury to either side of the neurovascular structures. CONCLUSIONS:
      We suggest that resection can be safely achieved via the unilateral far lateral
      transcondylar approach followed by Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) or a staged
      bilateral approach.

PMID- 26283490
TI  - Patterns of Failure after Stereotactic Radiosurgery of the Resection Cavity
      Following Surgical Removal of Brain Metastases.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Whole brain radiation treatment (WBRT) is considered standard
      treatment for BM. However, exposing large volumes of normal brain tissue to
      irradiation can cause neurotoxicity. This study describes our experience with 100
      consecutive patients with brain metastases who were managed with surgical
      extirpation followed by stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) to the resection cavity.
      METHODS: Patients with 1-3 brain metastases (BM), who underwent resection of 1-2
      BM between June 2005 and December 2013, were treated with SRS directed to the
      tumor cavity and for any synchronous BM. Local and distant treatment failures
      were determined based on neuroimaging. Kaplan-Meier curves were generated for
      local and distant failure rates and overall survival. RESULTS: One hundred and
      two resection cavities were treated with SRS in 100 consecutive patients. Thirty
      two additional synchronous metastases were treated in 27 patients during the same
      session. The median overall survival was 18.9 months. Local control rate at 1
      year was 84%. Longer delays between surgery and SRS were associated with
      increased risk of local failure (hazard ratio, -1.46; P = 0.02). Distant
      progression occurred in 44% of the patients at a mean of 8.8 +/- 6.6 months after
      SRS treatment. Ten cases of leptomeningeal spread occurred around the resection
      cavities (9.8%). Central nervous system failure was not significantly associated
      with survival. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that recursive
      partitioning analysis and active systemic disease were significantly associated
      with survival. CONCLUSION: The strategy described provides acceptable local
      disease control when compared with WBRT following surgery. This approach can
      delay and even annul WBRT in the majority of selected BM patients, especially
      recursive partitioning analysis class I patients. SRS should be scheduled as soon
      as possible after surgery.

PMID- 26283491
TI  - Livid macules on the forehead after photodynamic therapy.

PMID- 26283492
TI  - Development of a unit-specific antibiogram and planning for implementation:
      Preimplementation findings.
AB  - This practice forum reports experiences with the development of a unit-specific
      antibiogram and planning for its implementation. Involvement of internal and
      external facilitators was a key strategy for addressing issues, including data
      limitations, coordination, and planning. These activities were incorporated and
      reported as part of the facility's broader antimicrobial stewardship program, and
      represent the first step in a set of planned projects to evaluate the impact of
      antibiograms on provider behavior and patient outcomes. 

PMID- 26283493
TI  - Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Expressing the Neurogenin-2 Promote Functional
      Recovery After Spinal Cord Injury in Rat.
AB  - Neurogenin2 (Ngn2) is a proneural gene that directs neuronal differentiation of
      progenitor cells during development. This study aimed to investigate whether the
      use of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) over-expressing the Ngn2 transgene
      (Ngn2-ADSCs) could display the characteristics of neurogenic cells and improve
      functional recovery in an experimental rat model of SCI. ADSCs from rats were
      cultured and purified in vitro, followed by genetically modified with the Ngn2
      gene. Forty-eight adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to
      three groups: the control, ADSCs, and Ngn2-ADSCs groups. The hind-limb motor
      function of all rats was recorded using the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan
      locomotor rating scale for 8 weeks. Moreover, hematoxylineosin staining and
      immunohistochemistry were also performed. After neural induction, positive
      expression rate of NeuN in Ngn2-ADSCs group was upon 90 %. Following
      transplantation, a great number of ADSCs was found around the center of the
      injury spinal cord at 1 and 4 weeks, which improved retention of tissue at the
      lesion site. Ngn2-ADSCs differentiated into neurons, indicated by the expression
      of neuronal markers, NeuN and Tuj1. Additionally, transplantation of Ngn2-ADSCs
      upregulated the trophic factors (brain-derived neurotrophic factor and vascular
      endothelial growth factor), and inhibited the glial scar formation, which was
      indicated by immunohistochemistry with glial fibrillary acidic protein. Finally,
      Ngn2-ADSCs-treated animals showed the highest functional recovery among the three
      groups. These findings suggest that transplantation of Ngn2-overexpressed ADSCs
      promote the functional recovery from SCI, and improve the local microenvironment
      of injured cord in a more efficient way than that with ADSCs alone. 

PMID- 26283495
TI  - Influence of the ratio of amphiphilic copolymers used as emulsifiers on the
      microstructure, physical stability and rheology of alpha-pinene emulsions
      stabilized with gellan gum.
AB  - alpha-Pinene is a terpenic solvent whose use in the formulation of emulsions
      entails a double benefit from the environmental point of view since it is a green
      solvent, easily biodegradable, which also has certain antimicrobial properties.
      In this work a combination of AtlasTM G-5000 and AtloxTM 4913 amphiphilic
      copolymers was used to obtain O/W emulsions formulated with alpha-pinene and
      gellan gum. These emulsions may find applications related to the design of
      complex biotechnological systems with different uses. In order to investigate the
      microstructure and the physical stability of these emulsions, a combination of
      different techniques such as rheology, microscopy, laser diffraction and multiple
      light scattering turn out to be a useful methodology. The results demonstrated
      the need to include a minimum amount of AtlasTM G-5000 copolymer in the
      formulation of these emulsions to improve their stability. These results were
      supported by the information revealed by optical micrographs, according to which
      AtlasTM G-5000 is directed to the continuous medium to structure water (this
      surfactant is particularly effective at forming hydrogen bonds with water). On
      the other hand AtloxTM 4913 is preferentially adsorbed at the alpha-pinene-water
      interface, such that a high AtloxTM 4913/AtlasTM G-5000 mass ratio slows down the
      kinetics of coalescence as shown by multiple light scattering. However, a very
      low relative concentration of AtlasTM G-5000 causes creaming to become the
      dominant destabilization mechanism. Increasing the AtlasTM G-5000/AtloxTM 4913
      mass ratio yields emulsions with enhanced viscosity and viscoelasticity. 

PMID- 26283494
TI  - Modification of the hydrophilic/hydrophobic characteristic of zein film surfaces
      by contact with oxygen plasma treated PDMS and oleic acid content.
AB  - Zein has been widely studied as a biopolymer due to its unique film-forming
      abilities. Surface properties are of high importance for certain applications
      which include microfluidics and tissue engineering, as they drastically affect
      the end result. It is important to develop techniques to modify zein surface
      properties without compromising bulk material properties. In this study, we
      developed a facile technique to change the water affinity of zein film surfaces,
      compatible with patterning techniques via soft lithography. This is achieved by a
      simple solvent casting technique onto a polydimethylsilohexane (PDMS) substrate
      that was exposed to oxygen plasma. Water contact angle measurements (WCA) were
      used to assess the hydrophillicity of zein surfaces and they reached as low as 20
      degrees . Atomic force microscopy, optical absorbance and light microscopy were
      used to study the characteristics of the film and its surface topography.
      Hydrophilic zein surfaces had higher roughness values compared to hydrophobic
      ones. Surface roughness, introduced by sandpaper and gratings does not have the
      same effect as surface chemistry. The amphiphilic nature of plasticizer oleic
      acid also contributed to the change in the water contact angle of the films. In
      conclusion, we demonstrated that zein film's surface properties can be controlled
      by its ability to self-assemble depending on the substrate that it is being cast
      on. 

PMID- 26283496
TI  - Effect of layer-by-layer coatings and localization of antioxidant on oxidative
      stability of a model encapsulated bioactive compound in oil-in-water emulsions.
AB  - Oxidation of encapsulated bioactives in emulsions is one of the key challenges
      that limit shelf-life of many emulsion containing products. This study seeks to
      quantify the role of layer-by-layer coatings and localization of antioxidant
      molecules at the emulsion interface in influencing oxidation of the encapsulated
      bioactives. Oxidative barrier properties of the emulsions were simulated by
      measuring the rate of reaction of peroxyl radicals generated in the aqueous phase
      with the encapsulated radical sensitive dye in the lipid core of the emulsions.
      The results of peroxyl radical permeation were compared to the stability of
      encapsulated retinol (model bioactive) in emulsions. To evaluate the role of
      layer-by-layer coatings in influencing oxidative barrier properties, radical
      permeation rates and retinol stability were evaluated in emulsion formulations of
      SDS emulsion and SDS emulsion with one or two layers of polymers (epsilon
      polylysine and dextran sulfate) coated at the interface. To localize antioxidant
      molecules to the interface, gallic acid (GA) was chemically conjugated with
      epsilon-polylysine and subsequently deposited on SDS emulsion based on
      electrostatic interactions. Emulsion formulations with localized GA molecules at
      the interface were compared with SDS emulsion with GA molecules in the bulk
      aqueous phase. The results of this study demonstrate the advantage of
      localization of antioxidant at the interface and the limited impact of short
      chain polymer coatings at the interface of emulsions in reducing permeation of
      radicals and oxidation of a model encapsulated bioactive in oil-in-water
      emulsions. 

PMID- 26283497
TI  - Antibody-based donor-acceptor spatial reconfiguration in decorated lanthanide
      doped nanoparticle colloids for the quantification of okadaic acid biotoxin.
AB  - With the increasing movement away from the mouse bioassay for the detection of
      toxins in commercially harvested shellfish, there is a growing demand for the
      development of new and potentially field-deployable tests in its place. In this
      direction we report the development of a simple and sensitive nanoparticle-based
      luminescence technique for the detection of the marine biotoxin okadaic acid.
      Photoluminescent lanthanide nanoparticles were conjugated with fluorophore
      labelled anti-okadaic acid antibodies which, upon binding to okadaic acid, gave
      rise to luminescence resonance energy transfer from the nanoparticle to the
      organic fluorophore dye deriving from a reduction in distance between the two.
      The intensity ratio of the fluorophore: nanoparticle emission peaks was found to
      correlate with okadaic acid concentration, and the sensor showed a linear
      response in the 0.37-3.97 MUM okadaic acid range with a limit of detection of
      0.25 MUM. This work may have important implications for the development of new,
      cheap, and versatile biosensors for a range of biomolecules and that are
      sufficiently simple to be applied in the field or at point-of-care.

PMID- 26283498
TI  - Surface functionalization of quantum dots with fine-structured pH-sensitive
      phospholipid polymer chains.
AB  - To add novel functionality to quantum dots (QDs), we synthesized water-soluble
      and pH-responsive block-type polymers by reversible addition-fragmentation chain
      transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The polymers were composed of cytocompatible 2
      methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) polymer segments, which contain a
      small fraction of active ester groups and can be used to conjugate biologically
      active compounds to the polymer, and pH-responsive poly(2-(N,N-diethylamino)
      ethyl methacrylate (DEAEMA)) segments. One terminal of the polymer chain had a
      hydrophobic alkyl group that originated from the RAFT initiator. This hydrophobic
      group can bind to the hydrophobic layer on the QD surface. A fluorescent dye was
      conjugated to the polymer chains via the active ester group. The block-type
      polymers have an amphiphilic nature in aqueous medium. The polymers were thus
      easily bound to the QD surface upon evaporation of the solvent from a solution
      containing the block-type polymer and QDs, yielding QD/fluorescence dye
      conjugated polymer hybrid nanoparticles. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer
      (FRET) between the QDs (donors) and the fluorescent dye molecules (acceptors) was
      used to obtain information on the conformational dynamics of the immobilized
      polymers. Higher FRET efficiency of the QD/fluorescent dye-conjugated polymer
      hybrid nanoparticles was observed at pH 7.4 as compared to pH 5.0 due to a
      stretching-shrinking conformational motion of the poly(DEAEMA) segments in
      response to changes in pH. We concluded that the block-type MPC polymer-modified
      nanoparticles could be used to evaluate the pH of cells via FRET fluorescence
      based on the cytocompatibility of the MPC polymer. 

PMID- 26283499
TI  - Phenylalanine interaction with lipid monolayers at different pHs.
AB  - The influence of Phe on the surface pressure of 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3
      phosphocholine (DPPC) monolayers at the air-water interface was studied at
      different initial surface pressures (26 and 40 mN/m) and two pHs (5.0 and 7.3) at
      constant temperature (20  degrees C). Changes produced by the aminoacid added to
      the subphase on the surface pressure and on the dipole potential of lipid
      monolayers were measured at a fixed area. Compressibility properties of the
      monolayers at different pHs were studied by (pi-A) isotherms. The results suggest
      that Phe intercalates into a DPPC film at the air-water interface at pH 5 and
      forms a different arrangement at pH 7.3. The possible relevance of these results
      of the effect of Phe in physiological conditions is discussed.

PMID- 26283500
TI  - Dietary restraint of 5-year-old girls: Associations with internalization of the
      thin ideal and maternal, media, and peer influences.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Understanding socio-cultural factors associated with the development
      of dieting tendencies is important for preventing future disordered eating. We
      explored individual and socio-cultural factors associated with weight-focussed
      dietary restraint tendencies (described as dietary restraint) in 5-year-old
      girls. METHOD: Participants were 111 5-year-old girls and 109 of their mothers.
      Girls were interviewed about their dietary restraint, body image, appearance
      ideals, positive weight bias (attributing positive characteristics to thinner
      figures), and peer conversations. Mothers completed self-report questionnaires
      assessing dietary restraint and appearance ideals, as well as measures reporting
      on their daughter's media exposure and peer appearance interest. RESULTS: Thirty
      four percent of girls reported at least a moderate level of dietary restraint.
      While most girls were satisfied with their body size, half showed some
      internalization of the thin ideal. Girls' dietary restraint was correlated with
      weight bias favoring thinner bodies, and greater internalization of the thin
      ideal, media exposure, and appearance conversations with peers. Media exposure
      and appearance conversations were the strongest predictors of dietary restraint.
      DISCUSSION: These cross-sectional findings suggest that the socio-cultural
      environment of young girls may be important in the very early development of
      unhealthy dieting tendencies. Longitudinal research is necessary to identify
      whether these are prospective risk factors.

PMID- 26283501
TI  - Vaginal Gene Expression During Treatment With Aromatase Inhibitors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Aromatase inhibitor (AI) treatment suppresses estrogen biosynthesis
      and causes genitourinary symptoms of menopause such as vaginal symptoms,
      ultimately affecting the quality of life for many postmenopausal women with
      breast cancer. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine vaginal gene expression
      in women during treatment with AIs compared with estrogen-treated women. The
      secondary aim was to study the presence and localization of vaginal aromatase.
      PATIENTS AND METHODS: Vaginal biopsies were collected from postmenopausal women
      treated with AIs and from age-matched control women treated with vaginal estrogen
      therapy. Differential gene expression was studied with the Affymetrix Gene Chip
      Gene 1.0 ST Array (Affymetrix Inc, Santa Clara, CA) system, Ingenuity pathway
      analysis, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and
      immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The expression of 279 genes differed between the 2
      groups; AI-treated women had low expression of genes involved in cell
      differentiation, proliferation, and cell adhesion. Some differentially expressed
      genes were found to interact indirectly with the estrogen receptor alpha. In
      addition, aromatase protein staining was evident in the basal and the
      intermediate vaginal epithelium layers, and also in stromal cells with a slightly
      stronger staining intensity found in AI-treated women. CONCLUSION: In this study,
      we demonstrated that genes involved in cell differentiation, proliferation, and
      cell adhesion are differentially expressed in AI-treated women. The expression of
      vaginal aromatase suggests that this could be the result of local and systemic
      inhibition of aromatase. Our results emphasize the role of estrogen for vaginal
      cell differentiation and proliferation and future drug candidates should be aimed
      at improving cell differentiation and proliferation.

PMID- 26283502
TI  - Virulence from vesicles: Novel mechanisms of host cell injury by Escherichia coli
      O104:H4 outbreak strain.
AB  - The highly virulent Escherichia coli O104:H4 that caused the large 2011 outbreak
      of diarrhoea and haemolytic uraemic syndrome secretes blended virulence factors
      of enterohaemorrhagic and enteroaggregative E. coli, but their secretion pathways
      are unknown. We demonstrate that the outbreak strain releases a cocktail of
      virulence factors via outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) shed during growth. The OMVs
      contain Shiga toxin (Stx) 2a, the major virulence factor of the strain, Shigella
      enterotoxin 1, H4 flagellin, and O104 lipopolysaccharide. The OMVs bind to and
      are internalised by human intestinal epithelial cells via dynamin-dependent and
      Stx2a-independent endocytosis, deliver the OMV-associated virulence factors
      intracellularly and induce caspase-9-mediated apoptosis and interleukin-8
      secretion. Stx2a is the key OMV component responsible for the cytotoxicity,
      whereas flagellin and lipopolysaccharide are the major interleukin-8 inducers.
      The OMVs represent novel ways for the E. coli O104:H4 outbreak strain to deliver
      pathogenic cargoes and injure host cells. 

PMID- 26283503
TI  - Thoracic fat volume is independently associated with coronary vasomotion.
AB  - PURPOSE: Thoracic fat has been associated with an increased risk of coronary
      artery disease (CAD). As endothelium-dependent vasoreactivity is a surrogate of
      cardiovascular events and is impaired early in atherosclerosis, we aimed at
      assessing the possible relationship between thoracic fat volume (TFV) and
      endothelium-dependent coronary vasomotion. METHODS: Fifty healthy volunteers
      without known CAD or major cardiovascular risk factors (CRFs) prospectively
      underwent a (82)Rb cardiac PET/CT to quantify myocardial blood flow (MBF) at
      rest, and MBF response to cold pressor testing (CPT-MBF) and adenosine (i.e.,
      stress-MBF). TFV was measured by a 2D volumetric CT method and common laboratory
      blood tests (glucose and insulin levels, HOMA-IR, cholesterol, triglyceride,
      hsCRP) were performed. Relationships between CPT-MBF, TFV and other CRFs were
      assessed using non-parametric Spearman rank correlation testing and multivariate
      linear regression analysis. RESULTS: All of the 50 participants (58 +/- 10y) had
      normal stress-MBF (2.7 +/- 0.6 mL/min/g; 95 % CI: 2.6-2.9) and myocardial flow
      reserve (2.8 +/- 0.8; 95 % CI: 2.6-3.0) excluding underlying CAD. Univariate
      analysis revealed a significant inverse relation between absolute CPT-MBF and sex
      (rho = -0.47, p = 0.0006), triglyceride (rho = -0.32, p = 0.024) and insulin
      levels (rho = -0.43, p = 0.0024), HOMA-IR (rho = -0.39, p = 0.007), BMI (rho = 
      0.51, p = 0.0002) and TFV (rho = -0.52, p = 0.0001). MBF response to adenosine
      was also correlated with TFV (rho = -0.32, p = 0.026). On multivariate analysis,
      TFV emerged as the only significant predictor of MBF response to CPT (p = 0.014).
      CONCLUSIONS: TFV is significantly correlated with endothelium-dependent and 
      independent coronary vasomotion. High TF burden might negatively influence MBF
      response to CPT and to adenosine stress, even in persons without CAD, suggesting
      a link between thoracic fat and future cardiovascular events.

PMID- 26283504
TI  - Baseline and ongoing PET-derived factors predict detrimental effect or potential
      utility of 18F-FDG PET/CT (FDG-PET/CT) performed for surveillance in asymptomatic
      lymphoma patients in first remission.
AB  - PURPOSE: To identify both clinical and FDG PET/CT-derived factors predicting the
      occurrence of relapse, or conversely, the likelihood of false positive findings
      in surveillance FDG-PET/CT studies (PETsv). METHODS: The study included 149
      asymptomatic patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) (n = 55) or diffuse large B
      cell lymphoma (DLBCL) (n = 94) in first remission. PETSv studies were performed
      12, 18, 24 and 36 months thereafter. Logistic regression analysis was performed
      to identify clinical and imaging-derived predictors of either PET-detected
      relapse or false-positive (FP) results. Tested clinical variables were: 1) age,
      2) HL vs. DLBCL, 3) stage of disease, 4) bulky disease, 5) previous radiotherapy.
      PET/CT-derived variables were: 1) maximum standardized uptake value at baseline,
      2) size-incorporated maximum standardized uptake value (SIMaxSUV) at baseline, 3)
      positive interim PET(PET-2), 4) presence of hot spots likely to be unrelated to
      the disease in final PET, 5) residual non-FDG avid mass. RESULTS: Accuracy was 88
      % for PETsv1, 95 % for PETsv2, 95 % for PETsv3 and 91 % for PETsv4. However, PPV
      was relatively low in all PETsv. Best predictors of relapse were result of
      interim PET, HL versus NHL type, SIMaxSUV, age >= 60. Best predictors of FP were
      previous radiotherapy and hot spots unrelated to the disease in final PET.
      CONCLUSIONS: The present study confirms the need of restricting the use of
      surveillance PET/CT to patients at high risk of relapse. Information derived from
      PET/CT performed at baseline (metabolic disease burden), in the course (PET2) and
      at the end of therapy (unrelated hot spots) can help to select high-risk patients
      and also to identify patients more likely to present equivocal findings at PETsv.

PMID- 26283505
TI  - The role of active brown adipose tissue in human metabolism.
AB  - PURPOSE: The presence of activated brown adipose tissue (ABAT) has been
      associated with a reduced risk of obesity in adults. We aimed to investigate
      whether the presence of ABAT in patients undergoing (18)F-FDG PET/CT examinations
      was related to blood lipid profiles, liver function, and the prevalence of non
      alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). METHODS: We retrospectively and
      prospectively analysed the (18)F-FDG PET/CT scans from 5,907 consecutive patients
      who were referred to the Nuclear Medicine Department of the Marmara University
      School of Medicine from outpatient oncology clinics between July 2008 and June
      2014 for a variety of diagnostic reasons. Attenuation coefficients for the liver
      and spleen were determined for at least five different areas. Blood samples were
      obtained before PET/CT to assess the blood lipid profiles and liver function.
      RESULTS: A total of 25 of the 5,907 screened individuals fulfilling the inclusion
      criteria for the study demonstrated brown fat tissue uptake [ABAT(+) subjects].
      After adjustment for potential confounders, 75 individuals without evidence of
      ABAT on PET [ABAT(-) subjects] were enrolled for comparison purposes. The ABAT(+)
      group had lower total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, alanine
      aminotransferase, and aspartate transaminase levels (p < 0.01), whereas we found
      no significant differences in the serum triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein
      cholesterol levels between the two groups. The prevalence of NAFLD was
      significantly lower in ABAT(+) than in ABAT(-) subjects (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION:
      Our study showed that the presence of ABAT in adults had a positive effect on
      their blood lipid profiles and liver function and was associated with reduced
      prevalence of NAFLD. Thus, our data suggest that activating brown adipose tissue
      may be a potential target for preventing and treating dyslipidaemia and NAFLD.

PMID- 26283506
TI  - Rheological properties of elastomeric impression materials for selective pressure
      impression technique.
AB  - PURPOSE: The selective impression technique is recommended for removable
      prosthodontics. However, the viscoelastic rheological properties of impression
      materials, particularly the time-dependent viscoelastic changes in impression
      material immediately after tray seating, are unknown. The objective of this study
      is to clarify the viscoelastic rheological properties of impression materials by
      focusing on tray seating. METHODS: In this study, eight types of
      polyvinylsiloxane (PVS), two types of polyether, and two types of alginate
      impression materials were used. The storage modulus (G'; degree of stiffness) and
      loss tangent (tandelta; degree of hardening) were determined as functions of time
      from 0 to 360 s, commencing immediately after the completion of mixing, using a
      stress control-type rheometer. Thus, G' and tandelta at 0s and 20 s were
      compared. RESULTS: Stiffness was found to be widely distributed (4.49-0.26 *
      10(4)Pa) among PVS-types, even immediately after mixing the impression material.
      There was also variation among polyethers (1.55-0.5 * 10(4)Pa) and among
      alginates (0.64-0.21 * 10(4)Pa). The hardening of all impression materials
      progresses beyond 20 s after the completion of mixing. CONCLUSIONS: The G' values
      varied with each impression material, even immediately after mixing, and the
      accurate impression-taking time was determined from the results of tandelta.
      These results provide unique insight into the selective impression technique.

PMID- 26283507
TI  - Loss of occlusal support affects the decline in activities of daily living in
      elderly people receiving home care.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study aimed to clarify whether the absence of occlusal support
      would lead to a decline in the activities of daily living (ADL) in elderly people
      receiving home care. METHODS: The subjects of this study were 322 elderly
      individual aged 65 and older who were receiving home care during a one-year
      observation period. The subjects were divided into two groups according to the
      change in the total score of the Barthel Index (BI) during the prospective cohort
      study period (the dependent variable): the maintained/improved activities of
      daily living group, in which the score was unchanged or improved, and the
      worsened activities of daily living group, in which the score decreased. The
      relationship between occlusal status (the presence or absence of occlusal
      support) at the baseline measurement and each BI score change was evaluated in
      the slightly, moderately and totally dependent ADL subgroups. RESULTS: The number
      of subjects in the maintained/improved and the worsened ADL groups was 152 and
      170, respectively. The baseline characteristics of cognitive function and
      occlusal support were significantly different between the maintained/improved and
      the worsened ADL groups (p < 0.05). Among the ADL subgroups, significantly
      reduced scores in mobility and toilet use were observed only in the slightly
      dependent group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the loss of
      occlusal support may be an important factor in the decline of ADL in elderly
      people receiving home care, especially slightly dependent people.

PMID- 26283509
TI  - Pulmonary function in never-smoker patients with chronic rhinosinusitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A close relationship between upper and lower respiratory tract
      diseases has been reported. The purpose of this study was to evaluate lung
      function in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) who have never smoked.
      METHODS: A total of 208 patients with CRS were enrolled in this study. Of these
      subjects, 96 patients were ever smokers and 112 patients were never smokers. CRS
      patients with lower pulmonary diseases including chronic obstructive pulmonary
      disease (COPD) and asthma were excluded from this study. Age-matched normal
      control subjects (n = 55) who were never smokers were also recruited. Pulmonary
      function testing was performed using spirometry. Lund-Mackay computed tomography
      (CT) score, peripheral blood eosinophil count, and immunoglobulin E (IgE) level
      in serum samples were examined. Nasal obstruction was evaluated by active
      anterior rhinomanometry. RESULTS: CRS patients who were ever smokers have
      decreased lung function. Never-smoking patients with CRS also showed significant
      obstructive lung function changes as compared with normal controls. No
      significant correlation was detected between the clinical parameters (CT score,
      eosinophil count, IgE level, and nasal resistance) and lung function. CONCLUSION:
      Asymptomatic obstructive lung function changes were observed in never-smoking
      patients with CRS. Our findings suggest that patients with CRS should be followed
      carefully in order to detect lung diseases.

PMID- 26283508
TI  - Ethanol drives aversive conditioning through dopamine 1 receptor and glutamate
      receptor-mediated activation of lateral habenula neurons.
AB  - There has been increasing interest in the lateral habenula (LHb) given its potent
      regulatory role in many aversion-related behaviors. Interestingly, ethanol can be
      rewarding as well as aversive; we therefore investigated whether ethanol exposure
      alters pacemaker firing or glutamate receptor signaling in LHb neurons in vitro
      and also whether LHb activity in vivo might contribute to the acquisition of
      conditioned place aversion to ethanol. Surprisingly, in epithalamic slices, low
      doses of ethanol (1.4 mM) strongly accelerated LHb neuron firing (by ~60%), and
      ethanol's effects were much reduced by blocking glutamate receptors. Ethanol
      increased presynaptic glutamate release, and about half of this effect was
      mediated by dopamine subtype 1 receptors (D1Rs) and cyclic adenosine
      monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent signaling pathways. In agreement with these
      findings, c-Fos immunoreactivity in LHb regions was enhanced after a single
      administration of a low dose of ethanol (0.25 g/kg i.p.). Importantly, the same
      dose of ethanol in vivo also produced strong conditioned place aversion, and this
      was prevented by inhibiting D1Rs or neuronal activity within the LHb. By
      contrast, a higher dose (2 g/kg) led to ethanol conditioned place preference,
      which was enhanced by inhibiting neuronal activity or D1Rs within the LHb and
      suppressed by infusing aminomethylphosphonic acid or the D1R agonist SKF38393
      within the LHb. Our in vitro and in vivo observations show, for the first time,
      that ethanol increases LHb excitation, mediated by D1R and glutamate receptors,
      and may underlie a LHb aversive signal that contributes to ethanol-related
      aversion.

PMID- 26283510
TI  - Expanding the chemical space of human serine racemase inhibitors.
AB  - Serine racemase, the enzyme responsible for d-serine synthesis in the central
      nervous system, has been identified as a potential therapeutic target to treat N
      methyl-d-aspartate receptors-related pathologies. The search for specific
      inhibitors of the enzyme has revealed that serine racemase is a difficult target,
      with the best inhibitor currently identified, 2,2-dichloromalonate, showing a Ki
      of 19 MUM. In order to expand the chemical space of hit compounds, we have
      performed an in silico structure-based screening campaign on a filtered ZINC
      library applying the FLAP software. The identified hits were docked with GOLD and
      re-scored with HINT, and the most promising molecules experimentally evaluated on
      recombinant human serine racemase. Two inhibitors, with chemical structures
      totally unrelated to inhibitors described so far showed Ki values of about 1.5
      mM.

PMID- 26283511
TI  - Induction of apoptosis by genipin inhibits cell proliferation in AGS human
      gastric cancer cells via Egr1/p21 signaling pathway.
AB  - Natural compounds are becoming important candidates in cancer therapy due to
      their cytotoxic effects on cancer cells by inducing various types of programmed
      cell deaths. In this study, we investigated whether genipin induces programmed
      cell deaths and mediates in Egr1/p21 signaling pathways in gastric cancer cells.
      Effects of genipin in AGS cancer cell lines were observed via evaluation of cell
      viability, ROS generation, cell cycle arrest, and protein and RNA levels of p21,
      Egr1, as well as apoptotic marker genes. The cell viability of AGS cells reduced
      by genipin treatment via induction of the caspase 3-dependent apoptosis. Cell
      cycle arrest was observed at the G2/M phase along with induction of p21 and p21
      dependent cyclins. As an upstream mediator of p21, the transcription factor early
      growth response-1 (Egr1) upregulated p21 through nuclear translocation and
      binding to the p21 promoter site. Silencing Egr1 expression inhibited the
      expression of p21 and downstream molecules involved in apoptosis. We demonstrated
      that genipin treatment in AGS human gastric cancer cell line induces apoptosis
      via p53-independent Egr1/p21 signaling pathway in a dose-dependent manner. 

PMID- 26283512
TI  - The Expression of CUGBP1 After Spinal Cord Injury in Rats.
AB  - CUG-binding protein 1, a member of the CELF (CUGBP and embryonic lethal abnormal
      vision-like factor) family of RNA-binding proteins, is shown to be
      multifunctional, regulating many posttranscriptional processes including
      alternative splicing, deadenylation, mRNA decay, and translation. Recently,
      CUGBP1 is found to represses p27 IRES activity and inhibits expression of
      endogenous p27 in cultured breast cancer cells. However, the roles of CUGBP1 in
      central nervous system injury remain unknown. In our study, we performed acute
      spinal cord injury (SCI) model in adult rats in order to research the expression
      changes of CUGBP1 in spinal cord. Western blot analysis showed a marked
      upregulation of CUGBP1 after SCI. Immunohistochemistry analysis revealed a wide
      distribution of CUGBP1 in the spinal cord. Double immunofluorescence staining
      indicated that CUGBP1 immunoreactivity was increased predominantly in neurons and
      astrocytes after SCI. Moreover, colocalization of CUGBP1/proliferating cell
      nuclear antigen (PCNA) was detected in GFAP positive cells. We also examined the
      expression profiles of p27, which was up-regulated after SCI. To further
      understand whether CUGBP1 plays a role in astrocyte proliferation, we applied LPS
      to induce astrocyte proliferation in vitro. Western blot analysis demonstrated
      that CUGBP1 expression was positively correlated with PCNA expression, and the
      p27 expression was negatively correlated with CUGBP1 expression following LPS
      stimulation. Our results suggest that CUGBP1 might be implicated in the
      pathophysiology of spinal cord after SCI. 

PMID- 26283513
TI  - Carbon Tetrachloride Increases the Pro-inflammatory Cytokines Levels in Different
      Brain Areas of Wistar Rats: The Protective Effect of Acai Frozen Pulp.
AB  - Acai offers health benefits associated with its high antioxidante capacity,
      phytochemical composition, nutritional and sensory value. Therefore, the
      objective of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of acai frozen pulp
      on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced damage via modulation of anti- and pro
      inflammatory cytokines in rat brain tissue. The rats were treated via oral
      (gavage) daily with water or acai frozen pulp for 14 days at a dose of 7 MUL/g.
      On the 15th day, the animals in each group received a single intraperitoneal
      injection of CCl4 in a dose of 3.0 mL/kg or the same volume of mineral oil. After
      4 h, the animals were euthanized by decapitation and the cerebral cortex,
      hippocampus and cerebellum were dissected and homogenated to evaluate the levels
      of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta),
      interleukin 18 (IL-18), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and interleukin 10 (IL-10). Data
      were statistically analyzed by analysis of variance followed by the Tukey post
      hoc test. It was observed that CCl4 increased TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-18
      levels in all brain tissues, and that acai frozen pulp was able to prevent this
      increase. IL-6 and IL-10 brain tissue levels remained unchanged during all
      treatments. CCl4 experimental model was suitable to investigate brain tissue anti
      and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Acai frozen pulp prevented an increase in IL
      1beta, IL-18 and TNF-alpha, while IL-6 and IL-10 levels remained unchanged. The
      precise pathway by which inflammation contribute to hepatic encephalopathy, as
      well as to how this pathway can be modulated, is still under investigation. 

PMID- 26283514
TI  - diffHic: a Bioconductor package to detect differential genomic interactions in Hi
      C data.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chromatin conformation capture with high-throughput sequencing (Hi-C)
      is a technique that measures the in vivo intensity of interactions between all
      pairs of loci in the genome. Most conventional analyses of Hi-C data focus on the
      detection of statistically significant interactions. However, an alternative
      strategy involves identifying significant changes in the interaction intensity
      (i.e., differential interactions) between two or more biological conditions. This
      is more statistically rigorous and may provide more biologically relevant
      results. RESULTS: Here, we present the diffHic software package for the detection
      of differential interactions from Hi-C data. diffHic provides methods for read
      pair alignment and processing, counting into bin pairs, filtering out low
      abundance events and normalization of trended or CNV-driven biases. It uses the
      statistical framework of the edgeR package to model biological variability and to
      test for significant differences between conditions. Several options for the
      visualization of results are also included. The use of diffHic is demonstrated
      with real Hi-C data sets. Performance against existing methods is also evaluated
      with simulated data. CONCLUSIONS: On real data, diffHic is able to successfully
      detect interactions with significant differences in intensity between biological
      conditions. It also compares favourably to existing software tools on simulated
      data sets. These results suggest that diffHic is a viable approach for
      differential analyses of Hi-C data.

PMID- 26283515
TI  - Expression and characterization of a phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione
      peroxidase gene in Schistosoma japonicum.
AB  - Phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPx, GPx4) is a major
      antioxidant enzyme, which plays unique roles in the protection of cells against
      oxidative stress by catalysing reduction of lipid hydroperoxides. We isolated and
      characterized a full-length cDNA sequence encoding GPx gene from a blood fluke,
      Schistosoma japonicum (designated SjGPx), which contained an in-frame TGA codon
      for selenocysteine (Sec) and a concurrent Sec insertion sequence in its 3'
      untranslated region. Protein encoded by SjGPx demonstrated a primary structure
      characteristic to the PHGPx family, including preservation of catalytic domains
      and absence of the subunit interaction domains. Semi-quantitative reverse
      transcription PCR and Western blotting showed that the SjGPx was mainly expressed
      in the female adults and eggs. RNA interference approach was employed to
      investigate the effects of knockdown of SjGPx. SjGPx expression level was
      significantly reduced on the 5th day post-RNAi. Significantly reduction in GPx
      enzyme activities, as well as obvious changes in morphology of intrauterine eggs
      followed the reduction in SjGPx transcript level. We observed a 63.04% reduction
      in GPx activity and the eggs severely deformed. Our results revealed that SjGPx
      protein might be involved in the provision of enzyme activity during egg
      production. 

PMID- 26283517
TI  - The weathering and transformation process of lead in China's shooting ranges.
AB  - Corroding steel-core bullets from three shooting ranges in different climate
      zones of China were collected. Multiple technical methods (EMPA, SEM, XRD, and
      ICP-OES) were applied to investigate the structure, morphology, and weathering
      product of this type of bullet in China to analyze the weathering mechanisms in
      different types of soils. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to view
      the morphology and microstructure of corrosion layers. On the corroded lead layer
      surface, unevenness, micro cracks, and spallation were usually present. Around
      the micro cracks, many types of euhedral and subhedral crystals of the secondary
      products of lead were formed, most of which were composed of cerussite (PbCO3),
      while hydrocerussite (Pb3(CO3)2(OH)2) was predominant in the bullet collected
      from the humid environment. X-ray power diffraction (XRD) results show that the
      secondary weathering products in the three shooting range soils are clearly
      different. In the Fangyan shooting range, which has a neutral and semi-arid soil,
      the lead weathering product was mainly hydrocerussite (Pb3(CO3)2(OH)2), while no
      substantial amount of crystal phase of lead compound could be found in acidic,
      damp soils from the Fenghuang shooting range, possibly due to the enhanced
      dissolution and mobilization of lead compounds at lower pH and higher content of
      organic matter in the soil. In hot and arid environment of the Baicheng shooting
      range, cerussite might have undergone thermal decomposition, thus generating
      shannonite (Pb2O(CO3)). These results indicate that the formation of secondary Pb
      minerals is largely affected by the climatic zone or the soil properties, which
      may have implications for range management practices. 

PMID- 26283516
TI  - Working-memory endophenotype and dyslexia-associated genetic variant predict
      dyslexia phenotype.
AB  - Developmental dyslexia, a severe impairment of literacy acquisition, is known to
      have a neurological basis and a strong genetic background. However, effects of
      individual genetic variations on dyslexia-associated deficits are only moderate
      and call for the assessment of the genotype's impact on mediating neuro
      endophenotypes by the imaging genetics approach. Using voxel-based morphometry
      (VBM) in German participants with and without dyslexia, we investigated gray
      matter changes and their association with impaired phonological processing, such
      as reduced verbal working memory. These endophenotypical alterations were,
      together with dyslexia-associated genetic variations, examined on their
      suitability as potential predictors of dyslexia. We identified two gray matter
      clusters in the left posterior temporal cortex related to verbal working memory
      capacity. Regional cluster differences correlated with genetic risk variants in
      TNFRSF1B. High-genetic-risk participants exhibit a structural predominance of
      auditory-association areas relative to auditory-sensory areas, which may partly
      compensate for deficient early auditory-sensory processing stages of verbal
      working memory. The reverse regional predominance observed in low-genetic-risk
      participants may in turn reflect reliance on these early auditory-sensory
      processing stages. Logistic regression analysis further supported that regional
      gray matter differences and genetic risk interact in the prediction of
      individuals' diagnostic status: With increasing genetic risk, the working-memory
      related structural predominance of auditory-association areas relative to
      auditory-sensory areas classifies participants with dyslexia versus control
      participants. Focusing on phonological deficits in dyslexia, our findings suggest
      endophenotypical changes in the left posterior temporal cortex could comprise
      novel pathomechanisms for verbal working memory-related processes translating
      TNFRSF1B genotype into the dyslexia phenotype. 

PMID- 26283518
TI  - Metalloisoporphyrins: from synthesis to applications.
AB  - An overview of the chemistry of isoporphyrin, the tautomer of porphyrin, whose
      existence was predicated by the Noble laureate Woodward, is presented with
      emphasis on hydroxy-isoporphyrins of tetra-aryl derivatives. The chemistry of
      metalloisoporphyrin has been discussed since the discovery of the first metallo
      isoporphyrin by Dolphin and co-workers, as no comprehensive article is available
      on this beautiful macrocycle. Attention is paid to the possible applications of
      metalloisoporphyrins as photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy, as a near infra
      red dye and as a reactive agent for different atom transfer reactions. Some
      important findings about reactivity and theoretical results of hydroxy
      isoporphyrins are discussed. Furthermore, the approaches of heme oxidation via
      isoporphyrin as an intermediate to understand the heme oxygenase mechanism are
      discussed. The metalloisoporphyrins are discussed reviewing coordination modes,
      structural changes, electronic properties and biological relevance. 

PMID- 26283519
TI  - The Pathophysiological Mechanism Is an Independent Predictor of Long-Term Outcome
      in Stroke Patients with Large Vessel Atherosclerosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Etiopathological mechanisms underlying ischemic stroke play a crucial
      role in long-term prognosis. We aimed to investigate the association between the
      mechanism of stroke due to large vessel disease, and long-term outcome. METHODS:
      All consecutive patients registered in the Athens Stroke Registry with
      atherosclerotic stroke between 1993 and 2010 were included in the analysis. The
      patients were subdivided into 3 groups according to the presumed underlying
      mechanism: low-flow infarcts, artery-to-artery embolism, and intrinsic
      atherosclerosis. They were followed up for up to 10 years or until death. The end
      points of the study were 10-year all-cause mortality, stroke recurrence, and
      composite cardiovascular events. RESULTS: Five hundred two patients were
      classified as follows: 156 (31%) as low-flow (watershed) strokes, 256 (51%) as
      artery-to-artery embolic strokes, and 90 (18%) as intrinsic atherosclerotic
      strokes. The cumulative probability of 10-year mortality rate was similar between
      groups of patients with different stroke mechanisms: 49.9% (95% confidence
      interval [CI], 38.5-61.3) for patients with low-flow mechanism, 47.6% (95% CI,
      39.4-55.8) for patients with artery-to-artery embolism, and 48.5% (95% CI, 34.0
      63.0) for patients with intrinsic atherosclerosis. Patients in the intrinsic
      atherosclerosis group had significantly higher risks of recurrence (adjusted
      hazard ratio [HR] = 2.1; 95% CI, 1.19-3.73) compared with those in the artery-to
      artery embolism group. Moreover, patients in the intrinsic atherosclerosis and
      low-flow groups had significantly higher risks of composite cardiovascular events
      compared with those in the artery-to-artery embolism group (adjusted HR = 1.94;
      95% CI, 1.26-3.00; and adjusted HR = 1.64; 95% CI, 1.13-2.38, respectively).
      CONCLUSION: Low-flow and intrinsic atherosclerosis strokes are associated with a
      high risk for future cardiovascular events and stroke recurrence. However, long
      term mortality is similar across different subgroups.

PMID- 26283520
TI  - Vasospastic Amaurosis Fugax Diagnosed by Cerebral Angiography.
AB  - We report a case of recurrent monocular blindness presumed to be caused by
      vasospasm, demonstrated by digital subtraction angiography. CASE REPORT: A 65
      year-old man presented with recurrent visual loss in the left eye for 2 years. He
      had histories of hypertension, cigarette smoking, and May-Thurner syndrome. The
      symptom occurred variably from twice a day to once a week and usually lasted for
      5 minutes. Brain magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance angiography, and
      ophthalmologic evaluation did not reveal any abnormality. Cerebral digital
      subtraction angiography was performed. On the left internal carotid angiogram,
      vasospasm occurred in the cervical portion of the left internal carotid artery
      and, subsequently, the blood flow to the left ophthalmic artery diminished. This
      phenomenon was reproducible and, in the absence of vasospasm, the ophthalmic
      artery was well visualized with no steno-occlusive lesion. Examination of the
      carotid duplex showed diffuse luminal narrowing and increased flow velocities in
      the left cervical internal carotid artery without atherosclerotic plaque.
      Treatment was started with nimodipine, which markedly reduced the attacks.
      CONCLUSION: We assumed that vasomotor instability, which made the vessels
      vulnerable to spasm, may have caused a recurrent ocular symptom in our patient.

PMID- 26283521
TI  - Impact of Pulmonary Vein Isolation on Superior Vena Cava Potentials With a Second
      Generation Cryoballoon.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Radiofrequency ablation of the right superior pulmonary vein (RSPV)
      can lead to inadvertent superior vena cava (SVC) isolation due to the close
      anatomical proximity. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of PV isolation on
      SVC potentials with a second-generation cryoballoon. METHODS: Thirty-one
      consecutive paroxysmal atrial fibrillation patients who underwent PV isolation
      exclusively with a 28 mm second-generation cryoballoon and single 3-minute freeze
      technique were prospectively enrolled. The produced SVC potential conduction
      delay during the RSPV isolation was prospectively evaluated using circular
      mapping catheters placed in the SVC throughout the cryoballoon procedure.
      RESULTS: Stable SVC potentials were recorded in 28 (90.3%) patients. The produced
      SVC potential conduction delay during the RSPV isolation was a median of 6.0 (0.5
      7.6) milliseconds, and >5.0 milliseconds in 16 (57.1%) patients. Among them, the
      delay had shortened by >5.0 milliseconds in 7 (43.8%) patients within 5 minutes
      after the RSPV application. The distance between the RSPV ostium and SVC was the
      sole parameter correlated with the produced delay (R = 0.77, P < 0.0001). For the
      association between the distance and a produced delay of >5 milliseconds, the
      area under the curve was 0.896 (95% confidential interval = 0.775-1.000). The
      optimal cutoff point for the distance predicting the occurrence of the conduction
      delay (>5 milliseconds) was 2.5 mm (sensitivity 83.3%, specificity 81.2%).
      CONCLUSIONS: RSPV isolation with a second-generation cryoballoon could produce an
      SVC potential conduction delay. The anatomical distance between the RSPV and SVC
      significantly correlated with the impact.

PMID- 26283522
TI  - Identifying patients infected with hepatitis B virus in sub-Saharan Africa:
      potential for misclassification.
AB  - Most research in sub-Saharan Africa establishes hepatitis B infection via one
      time hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) testing. Of 237 HIV-infected patients
      from two clinical trials testing HBsAg positive (MiniVidas(r)), 206 (86.9%) had
      validated serological tests using another assay (Architect). Discrepancies could
      be due to inactive infection, highlighting the importance of assessing hepatitis
      B virus infection phase. 

PMID- 26283523
TI  - Analytical performance of the automated multianalyte point-of-care mariPOC(r) for
      the detection of respiratory viruses.
AB  - The analytical performance of mariPOC(r) respi test (ArcDia(r) Laboratories,
      Turku, Finland) was evaluated using nucleic acid amplification techniques (NAATs)
      as the gold standard. The mariPOC assay allows automated detection of antigens
      from 8 respiratory viruses: influenza A and B viruses, respiratory syncytial
      virus, adenovirus, human metapneumovirus, and parainfluenza viruses 1-3. Positive
      results from samples with high viral load are available in 20min. Nasopharyngeal
      aspirates (n=192) from patients with acute respiratory infection and from
      previously positive samples were analyzed by mariPOC and NAATs (Simplexa(TM)
      FluA/FluB & RSV kit [n=118] and Luminex(r) Respiratory virus panel xTAG(r) RVP
      FAST [n=74]). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative
      predictive value of mariPOC were 85.4%, 99.2%, 95.9%, and 97%, respectively, and
      84.6% of positive results were reported in 20min. The good analytical performance
      and extended portfolio of mariPOC show this rapid assay as a good alternative for
      the etiological diagnosis of acute respiratory infection in laboratories that are
      not equipped with molecular assays. 

PMID- 26283524
TI  - Anodal Direct Current Stimulation of the Cerebellum Reduces Cerebellar Brain
      Inhibition but Does Not Influence Afferent Input from the Hand or Face in Healthy
      Adults.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The cerebellum controls descending motor commands by outputs to
      primary motor cortex (M1) and the brainstem in response to sensory feedback. The
      cerebellum may also modulate afferent input en route to M1 and the brainstem.
      OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to determine if anodal transcranial
      direct current stimulation (tDCS) to the cerebellum influences cerebellar brain
      inhibition (CBI), short afferent inhibition (SAI) and trigeminal reflexes (TRs)
      in healthy adults. METHODS: Data from two studies evaluating effects of
      cerebellar anodal and sham tDCS are presented. The first study used a twin coil
      transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) protocol to investigate CBI and combined
      TMS and cutaneous stimulation of the digit to assess SAI. The second study
      evaluated effects on trigemino-cervical and trigemino-masseter reflexes using
      peripheral nerve stimulation of the face. RESULTS: Fourteen right-handed healthy
      adults participated in experiment 1. CBI was observed at baseline and was reduced
      by anodal cerebellar DCS only (P < 0.01). There was SAI at interstimulus
      intervals of 25 and 30 ms at baseline (both P < 0.0001), but cerebellar tDCS had
      no effect. Thirteen right-handed healthy adults participated in experiment 2.
      Inhibitory reflexes were evoked in the ipsilateral masseter and
      sternocleidomastoid muscles. There was no effect of cerebellar DCS on either
      reflex. CONCLUSIONS: Anodal DCS reduced CBI but did not change SAI or TRs in
      healthy adults. These results require confirmation in individuals with
      neurological impairment.

PMID- 26283525
TI  - Protein-kinase inhibitors: A new treatment pathway for autoimmune and
      inflammatory diseases?
AB  - Although advances in biological medicine have seen significant progress in the
      treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory disease, many patients do not experience
      a satisfactory response. Hence, there are two challenges facing the medical
      research community. The first is to continue development in the field of existing
      biological therapies, such as monoclonal antibodies. The second is to open new
      frontiers of research and explore treatment alternatives for non-responders to
      other therapies. Attention has increasingly turned to the therapeutic potential
      of small molecule weight kinase inhibitors (SMKIs), currently used extensively in
      oncology and haematology. Initial research into the therapeutic value of SMKIs
      for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases has been encouraging. SMKIs are taken
      orally, which reduces cost for the health provider, and could increase compliance
      for the patient. This is why research is now focusing increasingly on SMKIs as a
      new generation line of treatment in these diseases. Tofacitinib, an inhibitor of
      Janus-kinase, is currently the only drug approved for the treatment of rheumatoid
      arthritis by FDA. However, much more needs to be done to understand the
      intracellular signalling pathways and how these might affect disease progression
      before solid conclusions can be drawn. 

PMID- 26283526
TI  - Developing a Novel Approach for Teaching Biopsychosocial Formulation.

PMID- 26283527
TI  - The Medical Education of Generation Y.

PMID- 26283528
TI  - Learning impairments identified early in life are predictive of future
      impairments associated with aging.
AB  - The Morris water maze (MWM) behavioral paradigm is commonly used to measure
      spatial learning and memory in rodents. It is widely accepted that performance in
      the MWM declines with age. However, young rats ubiquitously perform very well on
      established versions of the water maze, suggesting that more challenging tasks
      may be required to reveal subtle differences in young animals. Therefore, we have
      used a one-day water maze and novel object recognition to test whether more
      sensitive paradigms of memory in young animals could identify subtle cognitive
      impairments early in life that might become accentuated later with senescence. We
      have found that these two tasks reliably separate young rats into inferior and
      superior learners, are highly correlated, and that performance on these tasks
      early in life is predictive of performance at 12 months of age. Furthermore, we
      have found that repeated training in this task selectively improves the
      performance of inferior learners, suggesting that behavioral training from an
      early age may provide a buffer against age-related cognitive decline. 

PMID- 26283530
TI  - Inflammatory Markers Change with Age, but do not Fall Beyond Reported Normal
      Ranges.
AB  - We examined the serum levels of IL-6, IL-8, TNF, IL-6R, TNF-R1, and CRP and the
      dynamics of changes in these levels according to age. The study included healthy
      individuals of 20-90 years of age. Participants were divided into subgroups based
      on their decade of life, and into subgroups of >=65 or <65 years. Serum cytokine
      levels were assayed by ELISA, and CRP using an immunoturbidimetric method. Serum
      CRP levels were within the normal range for all subgroups. The 60- to 70-year age
      group showed higher CRP than the 20- to 30- (p = 0.003), 30- to 40- (p = 0.009),
      and 40- to 50- (p = 0.030) year age groups. Serum cytokine levels were low. It
      was greater in the 60- to 70-year age group than in the 20- to 30- (p = 0.008)
      and 30- to 40- (p = 0.040) year groups, and was greater in the 70- to 90-year
      group than the 20- to 30-year group (p = 0.043). Serum TNF-R1 level in the 70- to
      90-year group was greater than in all other age groups (p = 0.000 for all
      comparisons). Other measured parameters did not differ between groups. Serum
      levels of IL-6, CRP, and TNF-R1 were greater in participants >=65 than <65 years
      of age. Healthy older people showed low serum levels of CRP and pro-inflammatory
      cytokines, but higher than in younger population. Therefore, the adjustment of
      normal ranges in the elderly should be considered. Serum levels of pro
      inflammatory cytokines elevated beyond normal ranges indicate particular
      diseases. 

PMID- 26283529
TI  - Effectiveness of a normative nutrition intervention (diet, physical activity and
      breastfeeding) on maternal nutrition and offspring growth: the Chilean maternal
      and infant nutrition cohort study (CHiMINCs).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Maternal obesity before and during pregnancy predicts maternal and
      infant risks of obesity and its associated metabolic conditions. Dietary and
      physical activity recommendations during pregnancy as well as weight monitoring
      are currently available in the Chilean primary health care system. However some
      of these recommendations are not updated and most of them are poorly implemented.
      We seek to assess the effectiveness of an intervention that enhances the
      implementation of updated nutrition health care standards (diet, physical
      activity, and breastfeeding promotion) during pregnancy on maternal weight gain
      and infant growth. METHODS:  DESIGN & SETTING: Cluster randomized controlled
      trial. The cluster units will be 12 primary health care centers from two counties
      (La Florida and Puente Alto) from the South-East Area of Santiago randomly
      allocated to: 1) enhanced nutrition health care standards (intervention group) or
      2) routine care (control group). PARTICIPANTS: Women seeking prenatal care before
      15 weeks of gestation, residing within a catchment area of selected health
      centers, and who express that they are not planning to change residence will be
      invited to participate in the study. Pregnant women classified as high risk
      according to the Chilean norms (i.e age <16 or >40 years, multiple gestation, pre
      gestational medical conditions, previous pregnancy-related issues) and/or
      underweight will be excluded. INTERVENTION: Pregnant women who attend intervened
      health care centers starting at their first prenatal visit will receive advice
      regarding optimal weight gain during pregnancy and diet and physical activity
      counseling-support. Pregnant women who attend control health clinics will receive
      routine antenatal care according to national guidelines. We plan to recruit 200
      women in each health center. Assuming a 20% loss to follow up, we expect to
      include 960 women per arm. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: 1) Achievement of adequate
      weight gain based on IOM 2009 recommendations and adequate glycaemic control at
      24-28 weeks of pregnancy according to ADA 2011, and 2) healthy infant growth
      during the first year of age based on WHO standards. DISCUSSION: We expect that
      the intervention will benefit the participants in achieving adequate weight gain
      & metabolic control during pregnancy as well as adequate infant growth as a
      result of an increased impact of standard nutrition and health care practices.
      Gathered information should contribute to a better understanding of how to
      develop effective interventions to halt the maternal obesity epidemic and its
      associated co-morbidities in the Chilean population. TRIAL REGISTRATION:
      Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01916603.

PMID- 26283531
TI  - A simple and efficient method for imidazolinone herbicides determination in soil
      by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.
AB  - The use of pesticides in agriculture has generated numerous consequences to the
      environment, requiring analysis of the persistent residues in soil, water and
      air. The variability of soil properties interferes in the extraction of pesticide
      residues with robustness and accuracy. The group of imidazolinones herbicides,
      widely used for weed control, becomes an additional task in multiresidue
      extraction procedures because of their low pKa values. In order to determine
      these compounds in soil samples, different methods have been proposed, however
      they can be very laborious and require more time and well trained analysts. Thus,
      this study aimed to develop a simple and efficient method for determination of
      imidazolinones (imazamox, imazapic, imazapyr, imazaquin and imazethapyr) residues
      in soil, using an extraction with aqueous ammonium acetate solution (0.5 M) and
      clean-up with dispersive solid phase extraction employing PSA, followed by UHPLC
      MS/MS analysis. Satisfactory values of accuracy (70-93%) and RSD (<=17%) were
      achieved, as well as lower limit of quantification (5.0 MUg kg(-1)). Considering
      the matrix and compounds complexity, the developed and validated method proved to
      be an excellent tool for rapid analysis (20 min), with reliability for
      application in real samples with wide pH range. In the analysis of 22 real
      samples, the method allowed the quantification of imazapic (5.84 and 12.1 MUg kg(
      1)), imazapyr (5.3 MUg kg(-1)) and imazethapyr (24.0 and 37.7 MUg kg(-1)) in
      three samples.

PMID- 26283532
TI  - A thin-layer chromatography-bioautographic method for detecting dipeptidyl
      peptidase IV inhibitors in plants.
AB  - A thin-layer chromatography (TLC)-bioautographic method was developed with the
      aim to detect dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV) inhibitors from plant extracts.
      The basic principle of the method is that the enzyme (DPP IV) hydrolyzes
      substrate (Gly-Pro-p-nitroaniline) into p-nitroaniline (pNA), which diazotizes
      with sodium nitrite, and then reacts with N-(1-naphthyl) ethylenediamine
      dihydrochloride in turn to form a rose-red azo dye which provides a rose-red
      background on the TLC plates. The DPP IV inhibitors showed white spots on the
      background as they blocked enzymolysis of the substrate to produce pNA. The
      method was validated with respect to selectivity, sensitivity, linearity,
      precision, recovery, and stability after optimizing key parameters including
      plate type, time and temperature of incubation, concentration of substrate,
      enzyme and derivatization reagents, and absorption wavelength. The results showed
      good lineary within amounts over 0.01-0.1MUg range for the positive control,
      diprotin A, with the coefficient of determination (r(2))=0.9668. The limits of
      detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were 5 and 10ng, respectively. The
      recoveries ranged from 98.9% to 107.5%. The averages of the intra- and inter
      plate reproducibility were in the range of 4.1-9.7% and 7.6-14.7%, respectively.
      Among the nine methanolic extracts of medicinal herbs screened for DPP IV
      inhibitors by the newly developed method, Peganum nigellastrum Bunge was found to
      have one white active spot, which was then isolated and identified as harmine. By
      spectrophotometric method, harmine hydrochloride was found to have DPP-IV
      inhibitory activity of 32.4% at 10mM comparing to that of 54.8% at 50MUM for
      diprotin A. 

PMID- 26283533
TI  - Rapid high performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry
      methodology for multiple prenol lipids analysis in zebrafish embryos.
AB  - The analysis of lipid molecules in living organism is an important step in
      deciphering metabolic pathways. Recently, the zebrafish has been adopted as a
      valuable animal model system to perform in vivo metabolomics studies, however
      limited methodologies and protocols are currently available to investigate
      zebrafish lipidome and even fewer to analyze specific classes of lipids. Here we
      present an HPLC-HRMS based method to rapidly measure multiple prenol lipid
      molecules from zebrafish tissues. In particular, we have optimized our method for
      concurrent detection of ubiquinones (Coenzyme Q6, Coenzyme Q9, Coenzyme Q10),
      cholesterol, vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol), vitamin K1 and vitamin K2. The purpose
      of this study was to compare different ionization modes, mobile phases and
      stationary phases in order to optimize lipid molecules separation. After HPLC
      HRMS parameters selection, several extraction conditions from zebrafish embryos
      were evaluated. We assessed our methodology by quantitation of analytical
      recovery on zebrafish extracts from wild-type or zebrafish mutants (barolo)
      affected by impaired biosynthesis of ubiquinones. 

PMID- 26283534
TI  - Ageing, retirement and changes in vegetable consumption in France: findings from
      the prospective GAZEL cohort.
AB  - The aim of this study was to describe the change in vegetable consumption with
      ageing and the transition to retirement. Study subjects were the participants of
      the GAZEL prospective cohort (Gaz and Electricite de France) aged 40-49 years at
      inclusion in 1989 who retired between 1991 and 2008 (12,942 men and 2739 women).
      Four FFQ were completed from 1990 to 2009. We used multiple imputation by chained
      equations in order to avoid dropping incomplete cases. The OR for eating
      vegetables everyday was estimated as a function of ageing, retirement status and
      the place of lunch before retirement through generalised estimating equations.
      Analyses were stratified by sex, and models were adjusted for confounders,
      including current spousal status. In 1990, 17.7% of men and 31% of women reported
      eating vegetables daily. The odds of consuming vegetables everyday increased with
      ageing for both men and women. The usual place of lunch was home for less than
      half the sample before retirement and for almost every respondent after
      retirement. For those who changed their place of lunch, the association between
      being retired and the odds of eating vegetables daily was positive and
      significant. We found that, in this cohort, vegetable consumption increased with
      ageing. Retirement had an indirect effect on vegetable consumption mediated by
      changes in the place of lunch.

PMID- 26283535
TI  - Reply.

PMID- 26283536
TI  - Type 3 innate lymphoid cell depletion is mediated by TLRs in lymphoid tissues of
      simian immunodeficiency virus-infected macaques.
AB  - Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) type 3, also known as lymphoid tissue inducer cells,
      plays a major role in both the development and remodeling of organized lymphoid
      tissues and the maintenance of adaptive immune responses. HIV/simian
      immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection causes breakdown of intestinal barriers
      resulting in microbial translocation, leading to systemic immune activation and
      disease progression. However, the effects of HIV/SIV infection on ILC3 are
      unknown. Here, we analyzed ILC3 from mucosal and systemic lymphoid tissues in
      chronically SIV-infected macaques and uninfected controls. ILC3 cells were
      defined and identified in macaque lymphoid tissues as non-T, non-B (lineage
      negative), c-Kit(+)IL-7Ralpha(+) (CD117(+)CD127(+)) cells. These ILC3 cells
      highly expressed CD90 (~ 63%) and aryl hydrocarbon receptor and produced IL-17 (~
      63%), IL-22 (~ 36%), and TNF-alpha (~ 72%) but did not coexpress CD4 or NK cell
      markers. The intestinal ILC3 cell loss correlated with the reduction of total
      CD4(+) T cells and T helper (Th)17 and Th22 cells in the gut during SIV infection
      (P < 0.001). Notably, ILC3 could be induced to undergo apoptosis by microbial
      products through the TLR2 (lipoteichoic acid) and/or TLR4 (LPS) pathway. These
      findings indicated that persistent microbial translocation may result in loss of
      ILC3 in lymphoid tissues in SIV-infected macaques, further contributing to the
      HIV-induced impairment of gut-associated lymphoid tissue structure and function,
      especially in mucosal tissues.

PMID- 26283537
TI  - Prenatal exposure to bisphenol A disrupts mouse fetal lung development.
AB  - Developmental exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) is associated with lung dysfunction
      and diseases. However, it is unknown if this association has a fetal origin. The
      present study addressed this important question by examining the effects of BPA
      on fetal lung development. BPA was administered to pregnant mice via diet from
      embryonic day (E) 7.5 to E18.5. Fetal lungs were analyzed at E18.5 for changes in
      structure and expression of key molecular markers of lung maturation. Our main
      findings were as follows: BPA severely retards fetal lung maturation, as
      evidenced by diminished alveolar airspace (15% of control) and thickened septa,
      hallmarks of lung immaturity; this immaturity is characterized by aberrant
      alveolar epithelial type I cell differentiation because expression of the type I
      cell marker, aquaporin 5, but not type II cell markers, is dramatically reduced
      (16% of control); and the effects of BPA are likely mediated through the
      glucocorticoid signaling pathway because the expression of epithelial sodium
      channel gamma and glutathione peroxidase, 2 well-known glucocorticoid target
      genes, is down-regulated in BPA-exposed fetal lungs, and, importantly, maternal
      dexamethasone administration rescues the lung immaturity phenotype. Taken
      together, these findings demonstrate that BPA disrupts fetal lung maturation,
      thus suggesting a fetal origin for BPA-induced lung diseases.

PMID- 26283538
TI  - Where have all the mosquito nets gone? Spatial modelling reveals mosquito net
      distributions across Tanzania do not target optimal Anopheles mosquito habitats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Malaria remains the deadliest vector-borne disease despite long-term,
      costly control efforts. The United Republic of Tanzania has implemented
      countrywide anti-malarial interventions over more than a decade, including
      national insecticide-treated net (ITN) rollouts and subsequent monitoring. While
      previous analyses have compared spatial variation in malaria endemicity with ITN
      distributions, no study has yet compared Anopheles habitat suitability to
      determine proper allocation of ITNs. This study assesses where mosquitoes were
      most likely to thrive before implementation of large-scale ITN interventions in
      Tanzania and determine if ITN distributions successfully targeted those areas.
      METHODS: Using Maxent, a species distribution model was constructed relating
      anopheline mosquito occurrences for 1999-2003 to high resolution environmental
      observations. A 2011-2012 layer of mosquito net ownership was created using
      georeferenced data across Tanzania from the Demographic and Health Surveys. The
      baseline mosquito habitat suitability was compared to subsequent ITN ownership
      using (1) the average ITN numbers per house and (2) the proportion of households
      with >=1 net to test whether national ITN ownership targets have been met and
      have tracked malaria risk. RESULTS: Elevation, land cover, and human population
      distribution outperformed variants of temperature and Normalized Difference
      Vegetation Index (NDVI) in anopheline distribution models. The spatial
      distribution of ITN ownership across Tanzania was near-random spatially (Moran's
      I = 0.07). Householders reported owning 2.488 ITNs on average and 93.41 % of
      households had >=1 ITN. Mosquito habitat suitability was statistically unrelated
      to reported ITN ownership and very weakly to the proportion of households with
      >=1 ITN (R(2) = 0.051). Proportional ITN ownership/household varied relative to
      mosquito habitat suitability (Levene's test F = 3.0037). Quantile regression was
      used to assess trends in ITN ownership among households with the highest and
      lowest 10 % of ITN ownership. ITN ownership declined significantly toward areas
      with the highest vector habitat suitability among households with lowest ITN
      ownership (t = -3.38). In areas with lowest habitat suitability, ITN ownership
      was consistently higher. CONCLUSIONS: Insecticide-treated net ownership is
      critical for malaria control. While Tanzania-wide efforts to distribute ITNs has
      reduced malaria impacts, gaps and variance in ITN ownership are unexpectedly
      large in areas where malaria risk is highest. Supplemental ITN distributions
      targeting prime Anopheles habitats are likely to have disproportionate human
      health benefits.

PMID- 26283539
TI  - Malaria vectors in South America: current and future scenarios.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Malaria remains a significant public health issue in South America.
      Future climate change may influence the distribution of the disease, which is
      dependent on the distribution of those Anopheles mosquitoes competent to transmit
      Plasmodium falciparum. Herein, predictive niche models of the habitat suitability
      for P. falciparum, the current primary vector Anopheles darlingi and nine other
      known and/or potential vector species of the Neotropical Albitarsis Complex, were
      used to document the current situation and project future scenarios under climate
      changes in South America in 2070. METHODS: To build each ecological niche model,
      we employed topography, climate and biome, and the currently defined distribution
      of P. falciparum, An. darlingi and nine species comprising the Albitarsis Complex
      in South America. Current and future (i.e., 2070) distributions were forecast by
      projecting the fitted ecological niche model onto the current environmental
      situation and two scenarios of simulated climate change. Statistical analyses
      were performed between the parasite and each vector in both the present and
      future scenarios to address potential vector roles in the dynamics of malaria
      transmission. RESULTS: Current distributions of malaria vector species were
      associated with that of P. falciparum, confirming their role in transmission,
      especially An. darlingi, An. marajoara and An. deaneorum. Projected climate
      changes included higher temperatures, lower water availability and biome
      modifications. Regardless of future scenarios considered, the geographic
      distribution of P. falciparum was exacerbated in 2070 South America, with the
      distribution of the pathogen covering 35-46% of the continent. As the current
      primary vector An. darlingi showed low tolerance for drier environments, the
      projected climate change would significantly reduce suitable habitat, impacting
      both its distribution and abundance. Conversely, climate generalist members of
      the Albitarsis Complex showed significant spatial and temporal expansion
      potential in 2070, and we conclude these species will become more important in
      the dynamics of malaria transmission in South America. CONCLUSIONS: Our data
      suggest that climate and landscape effects will elevate the importance of members
      of the Albitarsis Complex in malaria transmission in South America in 2070,
      highlighting the need for further studies addressing the bionomics, ecology and
      behaviours of the species comprising the Albitarsis Complex.

PMID- 26283540
TI  - Polycomb recruitment at the Class II transactivator gene.
AB  - The Class II Transactivator (CIITA) is the master regulator of Major
      Histocompatibility Class II (MHC II) genes. Transcription of CIITA through the
      IFN-gamma inducible CIITA promoter IV (CIITA pIV) during activation is
      characterized by a decrease in trimethylation of histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27me3),
      catalyzed by the histone methyltransferase Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 (EZH2).
      While EZH2 is the known catalytic subunit of the Polycomb Repressive Complex 2
      (PRC2) and is present at the inactive CIITA pIV, the mechanism of PRC2
      recruitment to mammalian promoters remains unknown. Here we identify two DNA
      binding proteins, which interact with and regulate PRC2 recruitment to CIITA pIV.
      We demonstrate Yin Yang 1 (YY1) and Jumonji domain containing protein 2 (JARID2)
      are binding partners along with EZH2 in mammalian cells. Upon IFN-gamma
      stimulation, YY1 dissociates from CIITA pIV while JARID2 binding to CIITA pIV
      increases, suggesting novel roles for these proteins in regulating expression of
      CIITA pIV. Knockdown of YY1 and JARID2 yields decreased binding of EZH2 and
      H3K27me3 at CIITA pIV, suggesting important roles for YY1 and JARID2 at CIITA
      pIV. JARID2 knockdown also results in significantly elevated levels of CIITA mRNA
      upon IFN-gamma stimulation. This study is the first to identify novel roles of
      YY1 and JARID2 in the epigenetic regulation of the CIITA pIV by recruitment of
      PRC2. Our observations indicate the importance of JARID2 in CIITA pIV silencing,
      and also provide a novel YY1-JARID2-PRC2 regulatory complex as a possible
      explanation of differential PRC2 recruitment at inducible versus permanently
      silenced genes. 

PMID- 26283541
TI  - Delivering health with integrity of purpose.

PMID- 26283542
TI  - Genome-wide identification and transcriptional analysis of folate metabolism
      related genes in maize kernels.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Maize is a major staple food crop globally and contains various
      concentrations of vitamins. Folates are essential water-soluble B-vitamins that
      play an important role as one-carbon (C1) donors and acceptors in organisms. To
      gain an understanding of folate metabolism in maize, we performed an intensive in
      silico analysis to screen for genes involved in folate metabolism using publicly
      available databases, followed by examination of the transcript expression
      patterns and profiling of the folate derivatives in the kernels of two maize
      inbred lines. RESULTS: A total of 36 candidate genes corresponding to 16 folate
      metabolism-related enzymes were identified. The maize genome contains all the
      enzymes required for folate and C1 metabolism, characterized by highly conserved
      functional domains across all the other species investigated. Phylogenetic
      analysis revealed that these enzymes in maize are conserved throughout evolution
      and have a high level of similarity with those in sorghum and millet. The LC-MS
      analyses of two maize inbred lines demonstrated that 5-methyltetrahydrofolate was
      the major form of folate derivative in young seeds, while 5
      formyltetrahydrofolate in mature seeds. Most of the genes involved in folate and
      C1 metabolism exhibited similar transcriptional expression patterns between these
      two maize lines, with the highest transcript abundance detected on day after
      pollination (DAP) 6 and the decreased transcript abundance on DAP 12 and 18.
      Compared with the seeds on DAP 30, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate was decreased and 5
      formyltetrahydrofolate was increased sharply in the mature dry seeds.
      CONCLUSIONS: The enzymes involved in folate and C1 metabolism are conserved
      between maize and other plant species. Folate and C1 metabolism is active in
      young developing maize seeds at transcriptional levels.

PMID- 26283543
TI  - Antioxidant potential, total phenolic and total flavonoid contents of
      Rhododendron anthopogonoides and its protective effect on hypoxia-induced injury
      in PC12 cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Rhododendron anthopogonoides Maxim, a kind of traditional Tibetan
      medicine, has been used to remove body heat, body detoxification, cough, asthma,
      stomachic and swelling, eliminate abundant phlegm and inflammatory for a long
      time. In the present study, the total phenols and total flavonoid contents as
      well as antioxidative properties of the crude extract and solvent fractions of R.
      anthopogonoides were determined using seven antioxidant assays. Additionally, the
      protective effect of the extracts on hypoxia-induced injury in PC12 cells was
      also investigated. METHODS: The content of total flavonoid and total phenolic was
      determined by the aluminum colorimetric method and Folin-Ciocalteu assay,
      respectively. In vitro antioxidant study, the effect of the crude extract and
      solvent fractions on total antioxidant activity, reducing power, DPPH radical
      scavenging, ABTS radical scavenging, superoxide radical scavenging, hydroxyl
      radical scavenging and nitric oxide radical scavenging were examined. The
      correlation between the phenolic and flavonoid content of the extracts and their
      antioxidant properties also analyzed. Furthermore, the protective effect of
      extracts on hypoxia-induced damage on PC12 cells was investigated by cell
      viability, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, malondialdehyde (MDA) production
      and the activities of antioxidant enzymes. RESULTS: Our results showed that ethyl
      acetate and n-butanol fractions had higher content of phenolics and flavonoid
      compounds than other fractions. Except ABTS radical assay, n-butanol fraction
      exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity. While the hexane fraction showed
      the lowest antioxidant activity. Ethyl acetate also presented excellent
      antioxidant activity, which was just lower than n-butanol fraction. Significant
      correlation between the phenolic, flavonoid content of the extract and fractions
      with antioxidant assay excluding ABTS, OH scavenging assay was observed.
      Moreover, ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions showed protective effect in PC12
      cell under hypoxia condition, while crude extract and water fraction had no
      protective effect. In contrast, hexane fraction exhibited strong cytoprotective
      effect. Further study indicated that pretreatment of PC12 cells with ethyl
      acetate and n-butanol fractions, prior to hypoxia exposure, significantly
      increased the survival of cells and the activities of SOD, CAT, GSH-Px and T-AOC,
      as well as reduced the level of LDH and MDA. The gathered data demonstrated that
      ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions were able to protect PC12 cells against
      hypoxia induced injury through direct free radical scavenging and modulation of
      endogenous antioxidant enzymes. CONCLUSION: These findings suggested that ethyl
      acetate and n-butanol fractions of R. anthopogonoides had significant antioxidant
      activity and could prevent PC12 cells against hypoxia-induced injury. So it might
      be regarded as an excellent source of antioxidants and had great potential to
      explore as therapeutic agent for preventing hypoxia related sickness in future.

PMID- 26283544
TI  - Effect of the JAK2/STAT3 inhibitor SAR317461 on human glioblastoma tumorspheres.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The STAT3 transcription factor is a major intracellular signaling
      protein and is frequently dysregulated in the most common and lethal brain
      malignancy in adults, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Activation of STAT3 in GBM
      correlates with malignancy and poor prognosis. The phosphorylating signal
      transducer JAK2 activates STAT3 in response to cytokines and growth factors.
      Currently there are no JAK-STAT pathway inhibitors in clinical trials for GBM, so
      we sought to examine the anti-GBM activity of SAR317461 (Sanofi-Aventis), a newer
      generation, highly potent JAK2 inhibitor that exhibits low toxicity and good
      pharmacokinetics. SAR317461 was initially approved for patient testing in the
      treatment of primary myelofibrosis (PMF), and has shown activity in preclinical
      models of melanoma and pulmonary cancer, but has not been tested in GBM. METHODS:
      We hypothesized that a potent small molecule JAK2 inhibitor could overcome the
      heterogeneous nature of GBM, and suppress a range of patient derived GBM
      tumorsphere lines and immortalized GBM cell lines. We treated with SAR317461 to
      determine IC50 values, and using Western blot analysis we asked whether the
      response was linked to STAT3 expression. Western blot analysis, FACS, and cell
      viability studies were used to identify the mechanism of SAR317461 induced cell
      death. RESULTS: We report for the first time that the JAK2 inhibitor SAR317461
      clearly inhibited STAT3 phosphorylation and had substantial activity against
      cells (IC50 1-10 uM) from 6 of 7 different patient GSC derived GBM tumorsphere
      lines and three immortalized GBM lines. One patient GSC derived line did not
      constitutively express STAT3 and was more resistant to SAR317461 (IC50 ~25 uM).
      In terms of mechanism we found cleaved PARP and clear apoptosis following
      SAR317461. SAR317461 also induced autophagy and the addition of an autophagy
      inhibitor markedly enhanced cell killing by SAR317461. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude
      that SAR317461 potently inhibits STAT3 phosphorylation and that it has
      significant activity against those GBM cells which express activated STAT3.
      Further studies are warranted in terms of the potential of SAR317461 as single
      and combined therapy for selectively treating human patients afflicted with GBMs
      expressing activation of the JAK2-STAT3 signaling axis.

PMID- 26283545
TI  - Timing of antibiotics, volume, and vasoactive infusions in children with sepsis
      admitted to intensive care.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Early administration of antibiotics for sepsis, and of fluid
      boluses and vasoactive agents for septic shock, is recommended. Evidence for this
      in children is limited. METHODS: The Alberta Sepsis Network prospectively
      enrolled eligible children admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)
      with sepsis from 04/2012-10/2014. Demographics, severity of illness, and outcomes
      variables were prospectively entered into the ASN database after deferred
      consent. Timing of interventions were determined by retrospective chart review
      using a study manual and case-report-form. We aimed to determine the association
      of intervention timing and outcome in children with sepsis. Univariate (t-test
      and Fisher's Exact) and multiple linear regression statistics evaluated
      predictors of outcomes of PICU length of stay (LOS) and ventilation days.
      RESULTS: Seventy-nine children, age median 60 (IQR 22-133) months, 40 (51%)
      female, 39 (49%) with severe underlying co-morbidity, 44 (56%) with septic shock,
      and median PRISM-III 10.5 [IQR 6.0-17.0] were enrolled. Most patients presented
      in an ED: 36 (46%) at an outlying hospital ED, and 21 (27%) at the Children's
      Hospital ED. Most infections were pneumonia with/without empyema (42, 53%),
      meningitis (11, 14%), or bacteremia (10, 13%). The time from presentation to
      acceptable antibiotic administration was a median of 115.0 [IQR 59.0-323.0]
      minutes; 20 (25%) of patients received their antibiotics in the first hour from
      presentation. Independent predictors of PICU LOS were PRISM-III, and severe
      underlying co-morbidity, but not time to antibiotics. In the septic shock
      subgroup, the volume of fluid boluses given in the first 2 hours was
      independently associated with longer PICU LOS (effect size 0.22 days; 95% CI 0.5,
      0.38; per ml/kg). Independent predictors of ventilator days were PRISM-III score
      and severe underlying co-morbidity. In the septic shock subgroup, volume of fluid
      boluses in the first 2 hours was independently associated with more ventilator
      days (effect size 0.09 days; 95% CI 0.02, 0.15; per ml/kg). CONCLUSION: Higher
      volume of early fluid boluses in children with sepsis and septic shock was
      independently associated with longer PICU LOS and ventilator days. More study on
      the benefits and harms of fluid bolus therapy in children are needed.

PMID- 26283546
TI  - Akt activation increases cellular cholesterol by promoting the proteasomal
      degradation of Niemann-Pick C1.
AB  - Null mutations of the Niemann-Pick type C1 (NPC1) gene cause NPC disease, a
      lysosomal storage disorder characterized by cholesterol accumulation in late
      endosomes (LE) and lysosomes (Ly). Nascent or mutated NPC1 is degraded through
      the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, but how NPC1 degradation is regulated remains
      currently unknown. In the present study, we demonstrated a link between NPC1
      degradation and the Akt (protein kinase B)/mTOR [mammalian (or mechanistic)
      target of rapamycin] signalling pathway in cervical cancer cell lines. We
      provided evidence that activated Akt/mTOR pathway increased NPC1 degradation by
      ~50% in C33A cells when compared with SiHa or HeLa cells. NPC1 degradation in
      C33A cells was reversed when Akt/mTOR activation was blocked by specific
      inhibitors or when mTORC1 (mTOR complex 1) was disrupted by regulatory associated
      protein of mTOR (Raptor) knockdown. Importantly, inhibition of the Akt/mTOR
      pathway led to decreased NPC1 ubiquitination in C33A cells, pointing to a role of
      Akt/mTOR in the proteasomal degradation of NPC1. Moreover, we found that NPC1
      depletion in several cancer cell lines inhibited cell proliferation and
      migration. Our results uncover Akt as a key regulator of NPC1 degradation and
      link NPC1 to cancer cell proliferation and migration. 

PMID- 26283547
TI  - Necroptosis signalling is tuned by phosphorylation of MLKL residues outside the
      pseudokinase domain activation loop.
AB  - The pseudokinase MLKL (mixed lineage kinase domain-like), has recently emerged as
      a critical component of the necroptosis cell death pathway. Although it is clear
      that phosphorylation of the activation loop in the MLKL pseudokinase domain by
      the upstream protein kinase RIPK3 (receptor-interacting protein kinase-3), is
      crucial to trigger MLKL activation, it has remained unclear whether other
      phosphorylation events modulate MLKL function. By reconstituting Mlkl(-/-),
      Ripk3(-/-) and Mlkl(-/-)Ripk3(-/-) cells with MLKL phospho-site mutants, we
      compared the function of known MLKL phosphorylation sites in regulating
      necroptosis with three phospho-sites that we identified by MS, Ser(158), Ser(228)
      and Ser(248). Expression of a phosphomimetic S345D MLKL activation loop mutant
      induced stimulus-independent cell death in all knockout cells, demonstrating that
      RIPK3 phosphorylation of the activation loop of MLKL is sufficient to induce cell
      death. Cell death was also induced by S228A, S228E and S158A MLKL mutants in the
      absence of death stimuli, but was most profound in Mlkl(-/-)Ripk3(-/-) double
      knockout fibroblasts. These data reveal a potential role for RIPK3 as a
      suppressor of MLKL activation and indicate that phosphorylation can fine-tune the
      ability of MLKL to induce necroptosis. 

PMID- 26283548
TI  - Transient limb ischaemia during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation:
      inappropriate venous cannula location.
AB  - Percutaneous placement of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) cannulas has
      many benefits. However, limb ischaemia still remains as an unresolved problem. We
      experienced an interesting case of limb ischaemia that was caused by external
      compression of the superficial femoral artery by the venous cannula. A 73-year
      old woman underwent veno-arterial ECMO due to sudden cardiac arrest with
      percutaneous femoral cannulations at the right common femoral vein and the left
      common femoral artery. Three hours after cannulation, the patient's right lower
      extremity was cool and pale, and the arterial pulses of dorsalis pedis artery and
      posterior tibial artery were not palpable. After confirming the absence of blood
      flow at the peripheral arteries of the lower extremity through colour Doppler
      ultrasonography, we explored the right femoral cannulation area. The venous
      cannula, which was approaching the common femoral vein from the lateral side, was
      passing between the bifurcation area of the superficial and deep femoral
      arteries, directly compressing the superficial femoral artery from beneath. We
      rapidly removed the inappropriately placed venous cannula, and then re-inserted
      it at another location of the femoral vein. Although it was an unusual case where
      arterial occlusion was due to external compression of the venous cannula,
      successful limb reperfusion could be obtained through rapid identification and
      correction. 

PMID- 26283549
TI  - Outcomes after early or late timing of surgery for infective endocarditis with
      ischaemic stroke: a retrospective cohort study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The timing of cardiac surgery for infective endocarditis with
      ischaemic stroke remains controversial. METHODS: Using a nationwide inpatient
      database in Japan, we conducted a retrospective observational study. We
      identified patients aged 20 years or older with ischaemic stroke on admission who
      were diagnosed with infective endocarditis and underwent cardiac surgery during
      the initial hospitalization between July 2010 and March 2013. In-hospital
      mortality and perioperative complications were compared between the early (<=7
      days) and late (>7 days) surgery groups using logistic regression analyses with
      adjustment for propensity scores and inverse probability of treatment weighting.
      RESULTS: We identified 253 patients who underwent cardiac valve surgery for
      infective endocarditis with ischaemic stroke on admission. In-hospital mortality
      rates were 8.6 and 9.5% in the early (n = 105) and late (n = 148) surgery groups,
      respectively. There were no significant differences in the in-hospital mortality
      between the early and late surgery groups in the propensity score-adjusted model
      [odds ratio (OR), 0.95; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.35-2.54] and inverse
      probability-weighted model (risk difference, -0.82%; 95% CI, -6.43 to 4.84%). The
      perioperative complication rates were 42.9 and 37.8% in the early and late
      surgery groups, respectively, and showed no significant differences in the
      propensity score-adjusted model (OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.63-1.97) and inverse
      probability-weighted model (risk difference, 1.54%; 95% CI, -7.13 to 10.2%).
      CONCLUSIONS: Early timing of surgery for infective endocarditis patients with
      ischaemic stroke was not associated with higher in-hospital mortality or
      complications after admission. Early timing of surgery may not be contraindicated
      for infective endocarditis patients with ischaemic stroke.

PMID- 26283550
TI  - Distribution of human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes and bacterial vaginosis
      presence in cervical samples from Paraguayan indigenous.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of human papillomavirus (HPV) types and to
      assess bacterial vaginosis (BV) possible associations with cervical infections in
      indigenous Paraguayan women of the Department of Presidente Hayes. METHODS: This
      study included 181 sexually active women without cervical lesions. HPV typing was
      performed by polymerase chain reaction with primers PGMY 09/11 followed by
      reverse line hybridization. BV was diagnosed by the Nugent criteria using the
      results from a Gram stain smear. RESULTS: Sixteen percent of women were positive
      for at least one high risk HPV type (HR-HPV). The most frequent genotypes were
      HPV 16 (4.4%), followed by HPV 58 (3.3%), HPV 45 (3.3%), HPV 53 (2.8%) and HPV 11
      (2.8%). A significant association between HR-HPV and BV was observed (p=0.01). In
      addition, women with BV had a higher frequency of Chlamydia trachomatis
      (p=0.0007), Trichomonas vaginalis (p=0.00009), Mycoplasma hominis (p=0.001).
      CONCLUSIONS: A large variety of HPV genotypes was detected and showed a slightly
      different pattern from previous studies on urban women in Paraguay, with the
      predominance of HR-HPV. Furthermore, the information of co-infections involved in
      BV could be useful for the improvement of national prevention programs, as well
      as for laboratory surveillance of these genital infections.

PMID- 26283551
TI  - Efficacy and safety of tigecycline for the treatment of severe infectious
      diseases: an updated meta-analysis of RCTs.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy and safety of tigecycline in comparison with
      other antimicrobial treatments for infectious diseases. DESIGN: Databases of
      PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library were searched through Feb. 2015. The
      reference lists of the initially identified articles and systemic review articles
      were manually searched. Randomized controlled trials assessing tigecycline and
      other antibiotics for infectious diseases in adult patients were included.
      RESULTS: Fifteen RCTs including 7689 cases were identified. We found that
      tigecycline was not as effective as the comparator agents for clinical treatment
      success (for the clinically evaluable population, odds ratio [OR] = 0.83, 95%
      confidence interval [CI] = (0.73, 0.96), P=0.01; for the clinically modified
      intent-to-treat (mITT) population, OR = 0.81, 95% CI = (0.72, 0.92), P=0.001).
      There was no significant difference in microbiological treatment success with
      lower eradication rate in tigecycline versus comparators (for the
      microbiologically evaluable population, OR = 0.94, 95% CI = (0.77, 1.16), P=0.56;
      for the microbiological mITT populations, OR = 0.91, 95% CI = (0.74, 1.11),
      P=0.35). Adverse events and all-cause mortality were more common in the
      tigecycline group. CONCLUSIONS: Tigecycline is not as effective as other
      antibiotics with relatively more frequency of adverse events and higher mortality
      rate.

PMID- 26283552
TI  - Detection and circulation of hepatitis B virus immune escape mutants among
      asymptomatic community dwellers in Ibadan, southwestern Nigeria.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In 2012, the first Nigerian Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) immune escape
      mutant (IEM) case was detected in a pregnant woman in southwestern Nigeria.
      Consequently, this study was designed to investigate the presence and possible
      circulation of IEMs amongst asymptomatic community dwellers in southwestern
      Nigeria. METHODS: Blood specimens collected from 438 asymptomatic community
      dwellers were screened for HBsAg using ELISA technique. Subsequently, the S-gene
      was amplified in HBsAg positive samples by a nested PCR protocol, and amplicons
      sequenced. Isolates were then subtyped by amino acid residues at positions 122,
      127, 134 and 160, and genotyped by phylogenetic analysis. RESULTS: Of the 31
      (7.08%) samples positive for HBsAg, the ~ 408 bp Sgene fragment was successfully
      amplified and sequenced in 27. Samples obtained from 4 patients could not be
      amplified due to low titres. Sequence data from only 15 of the isolates could be
      analysed further as eight of the remaining 12 had multiple peaks while the rest
      three showed no similarity to any HBV gene when subjected to BLAST analysis.
      Thirteen of the 15 isolates were identified as genotype E. Eleven of which were
      subtyped as ayw4 while the remaining two could not be subtyped due to sR122Q/P
      substitutions. The last two isolates that could not be genotyped and subtyped had
      other mutations in the "a" determinant associated with IEMs. CONCLUSIONS: This
      study confirmed presence and circulation of HBV IEM in Nigeria, the country's
      inclusion in the genotype E crescent, and the value of phylogenetic analysis in
      HBV identification.

PMID- 26283554
TI  - History of the Buttonhole Technique.
AB  - The constant side method of access cannulation in hemodialysis, popularly known
      as the 'buttonhole' method, has an interesting history. Dr. Zbylut J. Twardowski,
      a Polish nephrologist, discovered this technique by pure serendipity in 1972. A
      patient with a complicated vascular access history and limited options for
      cannulation was repeatedly 'stuck' at the same sites by a nurse. Soon it was
      noticed that the cannulation at the same spot became easier with time. Since the
      needles were being reused, the sharpness of the needles decreased with time and
      the bluntness of the needle seemed to minimize the damage to the cannulation
      tract (another serendipity!). This method soon became popular among patients, and
      many patients started using this technique. This chapter traces the invention of
      this technique and its subsequent development following Dr. Twardowski's
      emigration to the USA.

PMID- 26283553
TI  - Cholera in pregnancy: Clinical and immunological aspects.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to examine the clinical and
      immunological features of cholera in pregnancy. METHODS: Women of reproductive
      age presenting to the icddr,b Dhaka hospital with cholera, and enrolled as part
      of a larger cohort study, were tested for pregnancy on admission. We compared
      initial clinical features and immune responses of pregnant patients with non
      pregnant female patients at days 2, 7 and 21 after infection. RESULTS: Among
      reproductive age women enrolled between January 2001 and May 2006, 9.7% (14/144)
      were pregnant. The duration of diarrhoea prior to admission tended to be higher
      in pregnant compared to non-pregnant patients (p=0.08), but other clinical
      characteristics did not differ. Antibody responses to cholera toxin B subunit
      (CtxB), toxin-coregulated pilus A (TcpA), Vibrio cholerae lipopolysaccharide
      (LPS), and serum vibriocidal antibody responses, were comparable between pregnant
      and non-pregnant patients. There were no deaths among the pregnant cases or non
      pregnant controls, and no adverse foetal outcomes, including stillbirths, during
      21 days of follow up of pregnant cases. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is
      the first report of immune responses in pregnant women with cholera. We found
      that pregnant woman early in pregnancy has comparable clinical illness and
      subsequent immune responses compared to non-pregnant women. These findings
      suggest that the evaluation of safety and immunogenicity of oral cholera vaccines
      in pregnancy should be an area of future investigations.

PMID- 26283556
TI  - Buttonhole Tunnel Tract Creation with the BioHole(r) Buttonhole Device.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cannulation, and in particular, skilled cannulation is the
      cornerstone to preserving the arteriovenous fistula, the lifeline for a patient
      receiving long-term hemodialysis therapy. The buttonhole cannulation method has
      seen a huge revival in the 2000s, but it can sometimes prove challenging to
      implement successfully. This chapter discusses and describes the method of
      creating a buttonhole tract using the BioHole(r) device (a sterile polycarbonate
      peg), and describes the associated advantages and disadvantages. In a busy
      hemodialysis unit, use of the thumbtack-shaped 5-mm peg allows a fixed puncture
      route to be created quickly in just 7-14 days. The peg is placed at the site
      where the sharp puncture needle has just been removed by the designated primary
      cannulator. The peg remains in place until the next dialysis session when it is
      removed, the dialysis therapy completed as usual, and a new peg is inserted after
      hemostasis has been achieved. These steps are repeated for 1-2 weeks. Once the
      tunnel is formed, use of the peg is no longer needed and a blunt-ended puncture
      needle is inserted along the track each time. Buttonhole cannulation using the
      BioHole peg device offers advantages including reduced risk of needling
      complications and arteriovenous fistula failure, speedy transition to blunt
      needles, the tunnel track remaining narrow thus reducing the risk of developing
      an exit site infection, and suitability in difficult sites. Possible
      disadvantages are increased cost for purchase of the pegs during the track break
      in period and potential complications such as discomfort, bleeding, and risk of
      infection. These risks/disadvantages minimize after the transition to blunt
      needles which in itself is a safer option than using sharp needles. As supported
      by KDOQI (2006) and the UK Renal Association (2011), adoption of the buttonhole
      method as the cannulation technique of choice is recommended in the majority of
      patients undergoing hemodialysis who have a native fistula.

PMID- 26283555
TI  - The Impact of Buttonhole Cannulation on Patients and Staff in Hemodialysis
      Facilities.
AB  - The two reasons that patients desire buttonhole cannulation are avoidance of
      puncture pain and extension of arteriovenous fistula life. Despite the desire to
      receive buttonhole cannulation by many patients, medical staff at most local
      hemodialysis facilities tend to hesitate to implement the cannulation method.
      This method is used on patients in the dialysis unit at Saitama Medical Center,
      but tends to be discontinued for those patients upon their transfer to local
      hemodialysis facilities. Medical staff members of one local hemodialysis facility
      report the percentage of patients on the buttonhole method was 53% in 2007, but
      that it sharply decreased to 17% in 2013. Hesitation by local hemodialysis
      facilities to adopt the buttonhole method is due to, but not limited to, several
      factors. These factors include the frequently occurring trampoline effect, the
      difficulty of removing scabs, formation of a false buttonhole track, and the pain
      from insertion of a dull needle. Perceived differences in the value of buttonhole
      cannulation may potentially affect communication between patients and staff in
      local hemodialysis facilities.

PMID- 26283557
TI  - Causes and Solutions of the Trampoline Effect.
AB  - A trampoline effect may occur mainly when a buttonhole tract and the vessel flap
      fail to form a straight line. Certain findings, however, suggest another cause is
      when the vessel flap is too small. The frequency of the trampoline effect, for
      example, is lower when a buttonhole tract is created by multiple punctures of the
      arteriovenous fistula (AVF) vessel than when it is done by one-time puncture of
      the vessel. Lower frequency of the trampoline effect with multiple punctures of
      the AVF vessel may be due to enlargement of the initial puncture hole on the
      vessel every time the vessel is punctured with a sharp needle. Even if aiming at
      exactly the same point on the AVF vessel every time, the actual puncture point
      shifts slightly at every puncture, which potentially results in enlargement of
      the initial hole on the AVF vessel. Moreover, in some patients, continued use of
      a buttonhole tract for an extended period of time increases the frequency of the
      trampoline effect. In such cases, reduction of the incidence of the trampoline
      effect can be achieved by one buttonhole cannulation using a new dull needle with
      sharp side edges that is used to enlarge the vessel flap. Such single buttonhole
      cannulation may suggest that the increased frequency of the trampoline effect
      also potentially occurs in association with gradually diminishing flap size. As a
      final observation, dull needle insertion into a vessel flap in the reverse
      direction has been more smoothly achieved than insertion into a vessel flap in
      the conventional direction. A vessel flap in the reverse direction can be adopted
      clinically.

PMID- 26283558
TI  - A New Method That Enables Complete Removal of Scabs at Buttonhole Entry Sites.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Scab removal is a time-consuming process and often injures the skin
      at a buttonhole entry site. Incomplete removal of scabs may cause access-related
      infection. METHODS: In a new procedure, buttonhole entry sites were treated with
      a moist healing step after hemodialysis, and then a formed scab was wiped off
      with a microfiber towel during bathing on the night prior to hemodialysis, which
      was performed on the following day. In the moist healing step, the entry site was
      disinfected with a diluted povidone-iodine solution (0.1% povidone-iodine
      solution). RESULTS: When the buttonhole entry sites of the patients were treated
      with the new procedure, the scabs had already been removed at the buttonhole
      entry sites, and the sites were covered with a thin transparent membrane.
      Histological examination showed the thin membrane was stratum corneum, in which
      nuclei are still seen in keratinocytes. CONCLUSION: By treating the buttonhole
      entry sites of patients with the wound moist healing method and then rubbing the
      sites with a microfiber towel during bathing, scabs can be removed without
      injuring the skin at the sites in advance.

PMID- 26283560
TI  - Relationship between Years Elapsed after Initial Buttonhole Cannulation and
      Frequency of Vascular Access-Related Infections.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A reason for the higher frequency of vascular access-related
      infections in buttonhole cannulation patients remains to be elucidated. If the
      higher frequency of infections is associated with a factor(s) inherent to the
      buttonhole method (e.g. existence of a buttonhole track or other factors), the
      frequency of such infections is expected to increase upon starting buttonhole
      cannulation. On the other hand, if the higher frequency of the infections is
      associated with a factor(s) developing secondarily while performing buttonhole
      cannulation for months or years (e.g. deformity of the buttonhole entry site or
      other factors), the frequency is expected to rise after a certain time elapses
      from initiation of buttonhole cannulation. In case the higher frequency of the
      infections is associated with a factor(s) developing secondarily, the problem may
      potentially be solved. Thus, the present study is to clarify whether there is 'an
      infection calm period' after buttonhole cannulation is started. METHODS: The
      relationship between the time (in years) after buttonhole cannulation is started
      and frequency of vascular access-related infections was investigated. RESULTS:
      Frequency of access-related infections was almost constant for 6 years after
      buttonhole cannulation was started. At the sixth year from initiation of
      buttonhole cannulation, however, the frequency of access-related infections
      started rising. CONCLUSION: The rise in frequency of vascular access-related
      infections in buttonhole cannulation may not be directly associated with inherent
      factor(s) of the method, but rather a factor(s) developing secondarily while
      performing buttonhole cannulation over a period of years.

PMID- 26283559
TI  - Deformity of Buttonhole Entry Site Causes Higher Frequency of Vascular Access
      Related Infection.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Vascular access-related infection is more frequent in patients using
      the buttonhole method for cannulation of the arteriovenous access for
      hemodialysis. Deformity of buttonhole entry sites is frequently observed among
      patients on the buttonhole method for extended periods of time. With deformed
      buttonhole entry sites, moreover, scabs are often incompletely removed at the
      time of buttonhole cannulation. METHOD: In 166 patients using the buttonhole
      method at Hino Clinic in Osaka, Japan as of June 30, 2014, the shapes of
      buttonhole entry sites were categorized into the following 3 types: flat,
      depressive deformity, and bulging deformity. A multivariate logistic regression
      method was used to analyze associations between various data including shapes of
      buttonhole entry sites and occurrence of access-related infection. We also
      examined microscopic features of the buttonhole entry site tissue that was
      removed from a patient who died after 3 years of buttonhole cannulation. RESULTS:
      For the flat buttonhole entry sites, frequency of access-related infection was
      0.12 events/1,000 arteriovenous fistulas as compared to 0.47 events/1,000
      arteriovenous fistulas for the entry sites with bulging deformity. Such infection
      did not occur for the entry sites with depressive deformity. The multivariate
      logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association between an entry
      site with bulging deformity and occurrence of access-related infection (odds
      ratio = 5.369, p = 0.0085). Furthermore, the microscopic section showed
      granulations beneath the skin at the buttonhole entry site and around the
      buttonhole tract. CONCLUSION: A significant association was shown between an
      entry site with bulging deformity and occurrence of access-related infection. The
      microscopic features of the buttonhole entry site of the patient on the
      buttonhole method for 3 years suggest that the entity of bulging deformity at the
      entry site is hypertrophic granulation.

PMID- 26283561
TI  - Long-Term Safety of Buttonhole Cannulation and Efficacy of Mupirocin Prophylaxis.
AB  - Buttonhole cannulation has drawn considerable interest in recent years,
      particularly with the proliferation of home hemodialysis. Touted benefits of this
      cannulation method include reduced pain, ease of use, reduced aneurysm formation,
      and overall greater patient satisfaction. However, recent studies have also
      suggested that systemic and local infection rates are higher with buttonhole
      cannulation compared with the standard rope-ladder method. In this review, we
      summarize recent systematic review findings and practice guidelines addressing
      the benefits and harms of buttonhole cannulation, and discuss the role of topical
      antimicrobial prophylaxis.

PMID- 26283562
TI  - Application of Buttonhole Cannulation Technique to Surgically Superficialized
      Arteries.
AB  - In Japan, use of a surgically superficialized brachial artery is recommended for
      vascular access in patients who are either unable to tolerate hemodialysis
      because of reduced cardiac function or who do not have vessels suitable for
      creation of an arteriovenous fistula. Superficializing a brachial artery involves
      relocating a portion of the artery into subcutaneous tissue and immobilizing the
      artery at that location. Superficialized artery access can result in certain
      serious complications, such as an aneurysm and/or stenosis. In order to avoid
      such complications, we attempted applying the buttonhole method to this vascular
      access. A buttonhole track was created slightly distal from the center of the
      superficialized portion of a brachial artery approximately 2 weeks after
      superficialization. When arteriosclerosis was evident in that location, we tried
      to find a less sclerotic portion, under ultrasonography guidance, for creation of
      the arterial-side buttonhole track. For returning extracorporeal circulated
      blood, a normal vein on the arm with a superficialized brachial artery was
      cannulated with a sharp needle. Recently, however, we attempted to create a
      buttonhole track also on a vein for venous-side buttonhole cannulation. The
      brachial artery was superficialized in 5 patients. In all patients, buttonhole
      cannulation was successfully performed with the artery access. Buttonhole
      cannulation had been performed on these patients for 8-54 months. No serious
      complications such as a pseudoaneurysm were found in these patients. Serious
      complications specific to the superficialized artery access may be prevented by
      application of the buttonhole method.

PMID- 26283563
TI  - Canine sterile nodular panniculitis: a retrospective study of 39 dogs.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Canine sterile nodular panniculitis (SNP) is an inflammatory disease
      of the panniculus that is typically managed with immunomodulatory or
      immunosuppressive treatments. It has been reported to be a cutaneous marker of an
      underlying systemic disease. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To assess the presence or
      absence of concurrent systemic diseases associated with canine SNP and to
      document breed predispositions. ANIMALS: Thirty nine dogs presented to a
      veterinary teaching hospital from 1990 to 2012 which met inclusion criteria.
      METHODS: Inclusion in this retrospective study required a diagnosis of SNP via
      histopathological analysis and negative special stains for infectious organisms.
      Breed distributions of affected dogs were compared to all other dogs examined at
      this hospital during the study period. Correlations between the histological
      pattern of panniculitis and the histological presence of dermatitis, clinical
      presentation of lesions, dog breed and therapeutic outcomes were assessed.
      RESULTS: Australian shepherd dogs, Brittany spaniels, Dalmatians, Pomeranians and
      Chihuahuas were significantly over-represented, but correlations between
      inflammatory patterns of panniculitis and other histological and clinical factors
      were not identified. Based on the information available in medical records, 32
      dogs (82.1%) had no concurrent systemic diseases identified. Four dogs had
      concurrent polyarthritis, which may be related to SNP through unknown mechanisms.
      CONCLUSIONS/CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: This study identified several novel breed
      predilections for SNP; it failed to find any clear correlations with associated
      systemic diseases other than polyarthritis. The histological inflammatory pattern
      of SNP does not predict therapeutic outcome.

PMID- 26283564
TI  - Diverticulitis in HIV-infected patients within the United States.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Diverticulitis in patients on immunosuppressant therapy has been
      associated with increased mortality, but there are no data for HIV-infected
      patients. Our aim was to compare the outcomes of hospitalizations for
      diverticulitis in patients with and without HIV infection. METHODS: Cross
      sectional study of hospitalizations in the United States accessed through the
      Nationwide Inpatient Sample, Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project. Patients
      hospitalized for diverticulitis in 2007-2011 were included in the analysis. The
      primary outcomes of interest were mortality and surgical therapy rates. Patients
      from 2003 to 2011 were utilized to analyse trends in prevalence. RESULTS: There
      were 2375 patients with HIV infection hospitalized for diverticulitis and 1 160
      391 patients without HIV infection hospitalized for diverticulitis from 2007 to
      2011. The patients with HIV infection were younger and more likely to be male and
      nonwhite (P < 0.001 for all). There were also differences in insurance types (P <
      0.001) and hospitals [size (P = 0.008), type (P < 0.001) and location (P <
      0.001)]. After multivariate analysis, patients with diverticulitis and HIV
      infection had a significantly increased in-hospital mortality rate [odds ratio
      (OR) 3.94 (95% confidence interval, CI, 1.52-10.20)] and a lower rate of surgical
      intervention [OR 0.74 (95% CI 0.57-0.95)]. From 2003 to 2011, there was a linear
      increasing trend in the prevalence of HIV infection among patients hospitalized
      for diverticulitis (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: HIV-infected patients with
      diverticulitis had increased mortality and received less surgical treatment in
      comparison to the general population. Diverticulitis in HIV-infected patients
      increased in prevalence over the study period.

PMID- 26283565
TI  - Intramuscular myxoma on the forehead: An unusual localization with useful
      sonographic findings.

PMID- 26283566
TI  - Standardizing Outcome Reporting in Bariatric/Metabolic Surgery.

PMID- 26283567
TI  - Clofarabine salvage therapy before allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell
      transplantation in patients with relapsed or refractory AML: results of the
      BRIDGE trial.
AB  - In patients with relapsed or refractory (r/r) acute myeloid leukemia (AML), long
      term disease control can only be achieved by allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell
      transplantation (HSCT). We studied the safety and efficacy of clofarabine-based
      salvage therapy. The study was designed as phase II, multicenter, intent-to
      transplant (ITT) study. A total of 84 patients with r/r AML were enrolled. All
      patients received at least one cycle of CLARA (clofarabine 30 mg/m(2) and
      cytarabine 1 g/m(2), days 1-5). Chemo-responsive patients with a donor received
      HSCT in aplasia after first CLARA. Generally, HSCT was performed as soon as
      possible. The conditioning regimen consisted of clofarabine (4 * 30 mg/m(2)) and
      melphalan (140 mg/m(2)). The median patient age was 61 years (range 40-75). On
      day 15 after start of CLARA, 26% of patients were in a morphologically leukemia
      free state and 79% exposed a reduction in bone marrow blasts. Overall, 67% of the
      patients received HSCT within the trial. The primary end point, defined as
      complete remission after HSCT, was achieved by 60% of the patients. According to
      the ITT, overall survival at 2 years was 43% (95% confidence interval (CI), 32
      54%). The 2-year disease-free survival for transplanted patients was 52% (95% CI,
      40-69%). Clofarabine-based salvage therapy combined with allogeneic HSCT in
      aplasia shows promising results in patients with r/r AML. 

PMID- 26283568
TI  - Preparative isolation of polymerase chain reaction products using mixed-mode
      chromatography.
AB  - The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has become one of the most useful techniques
      in molecular biology laboratories around the world. The purification of the
      target DNA product is often challenging, however, and most users are restricted
      to employing available commercial kits. The recent developments in mixed-mode
      chromatography have shown higher selectivity for a variety of nucleic acid
      containing samples. Capto Adhere is a mixed-mode chromatography resin that offers
      a high-selectivity ligand and is here applied for the purification of amplified
      DNAs from PCR mixtures in a 10-min single step, with yields above 95%, high
      linearity, and high precision for different concentrations. 

PMID- 26283569
TI  - Influenza-associated mortality in Thailand, 2006-2011.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Influenza-associated mortality in subtropical or tropical regions,
      particularly in developing countries, remains poorly quantified and often
      underestimated. We analyzed data in Thailand, a middle-income tropical country
      with good vital statistics and influenza surveillance data. METHODS: We obtained
      weekly mortality data for all-cause and three underlying causes of death
      (circulatory and respiratory diseases, and pneumonia and influenza), and weekly
      influenza virus data, from 2006 to 2011. A negative binomial regression model was
      used to estimate deaths attributable to influenza in two age groups (<65 and >=65
      years) by incorporating influenza viral data as covariates in the model. RESULTS:
      From 2006 to 2011, the average annual influenza-associated mortality per 100 000
      persons was 4.0 (95% CI: -18 to 26). Eighty-three percent of influenza-associated
      deaths occurred among persons aged > 65 years. The average annual rate of
      influenza-associated deaths was 0.7 (95% CI: -8.2 to 10) per 100 000 population
      for person aged <65 years and 42 (95% CI: -137 to 216) for person aged >= 65
      years. DISCUSSION: In Thailand, estimated excess mortality associated with
      influenza was considerable even during non-pandemic years. These data provide
      support for Thailand's seasonal influenza vaccination campaign. Continued
      monitoring of mortality data is important to assess impact.

PMID- 26283570
TI  - Understanding snacking through a practice theory lens.
AB  - This article approaches snacking from a practice theory perspective in order to
      understand how this reframing may afford new insights. In doing so it also
      contributes to sociological thinking on eating practices and their reproduction
      as well as reflecting upon the ontological assertions of practice theory and its
      theory of social change. In particular this article argues that the re
      conceptualisation serves to clarify a sociological research agenda for eating
      practices associated with snacking. It is argued that setting snacking within
      routine temporalities and spatialities and as bound up in the recursivity between
      practices and relations is especially important for thinking about snacking
      sociologically. In common with applications of practice theory in the field of
      sustainability transitions the aim is to move beyond individualistic assumptions
      of behaviour change and instead situate snacking as an eating practice with
      health implications that has emerged within the social, temporal, economic and
      cultural organisation of everyday life. 

PMID- 26283572
TI  - Which material ownership and responsibility in a circular economy?

PMID- 26283571
TI  - CAT-1 as a novel CAM stabilizes endothelial integrity and mediates the protective
      actions of L-Arg via a NO-independent mechanism.
AB  - Interendothelial junctions play an important role in the maintenance of
      endothelial integrity and the regulation of vascular functions. We report here
      that cationic amino acid transporter-1 (CAT-1) is a novel interendothelial cell
      adhesion molecule (CAM). We identified that CAT-1 protein localized at cell-cell
      adhesive junctions, similar to the classic CAM of VE-cadherin, and knockdown of
      CAT-1 with siRNA led to an increase in endothelial permeability. In addition, CAT
      1 formed a cis-homo-dimer and showed Ca(2+)-dependent trans-homo-interaction to
      cause homophilic cell-cell adhesion. Co-immunoprecipitation assays showed that
      CAT-1 can associate with beta-catenin. Furthermore, we found that the sub
      cellular localization and function of CAT-1 are associated with cell confluency,
      in sub-confluent ECs CAT-1 proteins distribute on the entire surface and function
      as L-Arg transporters, but most of the CAT-1 in the confluent ECs are localized
      at interendothelial junctions and serve as CAMs. Further functional
      characterization has disclosed that extracellular L-Arg exposure stabilizes
      endothelial integrity via abating the cell junction disassembly of CAT-1 and
      blocking the cellular membrane CAT-1 internalization, which provides the new
      mechanisms for L-Arg paradox and trans-stimulation of cationic amino acid
      transport system (CAAT). These results suggest that CAT-1 is a novel CAM that
      directly regulates endothelial integrity and mediates the protective actions of L
      Arg to endothelium via a NO-independent mechanism.

PMID- 26283573
TI  - Relationship of serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels and components of
      metabolic syndrome in prepubertal children.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The relationship between 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels and the
      lipid and metabolic levels of the prepubertal normal population is unclear. Our
      goals were to investigate the association of serum 25(OH)D concentrations with
      lipid and metabolic levels in Korean prepubertal children ages 7-9 y. METHODS: We
      followed 205 children, ages 7-9 y in the Ewha Birth and Growth Cohort study, a
      prospective cohort sample established in 2001-2006, from July to August 2011. We
      studied the association of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels with
      components of metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance indices using
      multivariate regression analysis adjusted for body mass index (BMI) z-scores.
      RESULTS: The mean age of the 205 subjects was 7.89 +/- 0.85 y, and the sample
      included 109 boys (53.2%). The average 25(OH)D levels of all participants was
      25.0 +/- 5.4 ng/mL. After adjustment for age and sex, triacylglycerol levels were
      significantly associated with 25(OH)D (beta = -0.02, P = 0.02) concentrations
      even after adjustment for BMI z-scores (beta = -0.02, P = 0.04). However, other
      metabolic components were not correlated with 25(OH)D status. Those with the
      lowest quartile of 25(OH)D levels had the highest serum triacylglycerol levels (P
      = 0.04, Ptrend = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: We found that serum 25(OH)D levels were
      negatively associated with serum triacylglycerol levels, even independently of
      adiposity, in prepubertal children. This study suggests that 25(OH)D
      insufficiency is related to metabolic syndrome via the derangement of
      triacylglycerol metabolism.

PMID- 26283574
TI  - TMAO: A small molecule of great expectations.
AB  - Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) is a small organic compound whose concentration in
      blood increases after ingesting dietary l-carnitine and phosphatidylcholine.
      Recent clinical studies show a positive correlation between elevated plasma
      levels of TMAO and an increased risk for major adverse cardiovascular events
      defined as death, myocardial infarction, or stroke. Several experimental studies
      suggest a possible contribution of TMAO to the etiology of cardiovascular
      diseases by affecting lipid and hormonal homeostasis. On the other hand, TMAO
      rich seafood, which is an important source of protein and vitamins in the
      Mediterranean diet, has been considered beneficial for the circulatory system.
      Although in humans TMAO is known mainly as a waste product of choline metabolism,
      a number of studies suggest an involvement of TMAO in important biological
      functions in numerous organisms, ranging from bacteria to mammals. For example,
      cells use TMAO to maintain cell volume under conditions of osmotic and
      hydrostatic pressure stresses. In this article, we reviewed well-established
      chemical and biological properties of TMAO and dietary sources of TMAO, as well
      as looked at the studies suggesting possible involvement of TMAO in the etiology
      of cardiovascular and other diseases, such as kidney failure, diabetes, and
      cancer. 

PMID- 26283575
TI  - Genetic evaluation of patients with Alstrom syndrome in the Polish population.
AB  - Alstrom syndrome (AS) is a rare syndromic form of obesity and type 2 diabetes
      (T2D) in children coexisting with retinal dystrophy and disorders of many organs
      caused by the mutations in ALMS1 gene. Aim of this study was to identify the
      causative mutations in ALMS1 in a group of 12 patients of Polish origin with
      clinical symptoms of AS, and their 21 first-degree relatives. Using DNA
      sequencing, nine different mutations including three novel were identified. These
      mutations were not present in 212 Polish individuals with no symptoms of AS,
      subjected to whole-exome sequencing and collected in a national registry. Looking
      for genotype-phenotype relationships, we confirmed a severe phenotype in a boy
      with homozygous mutation in exon 16, and a relationship between a presence of T2D
      and mutations in exon 19. Evaluation of the type of mutation and its clinical
      effects gives hope for earlier diagnosis of AS in future patients and more
      advanced therapeutic approaches for patients with already diagnosed AS.

PMID- 26283576
TI  - Detectability and anatomical correlation of middle ear cholesteatoma using fused
      thin slice non-echo planar imaging diffusion-weighted image and magnetic
      resonance cisternography (FTS-nEPID).
AB  - Cholesteatomas show high intensity in diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). We
      performed fused thin slice non-echo planar imaging (EPI) DWI and magnetic
      resonance cisternography (FTS-nEPID) for cholesteatoma patients to increase the
      detectability of FTS-nEPID for cholesteatoma. The subjects are 77 consecutive
      patients who underwent FTS-nEPID as a preoperative study (mean age: 53.3+/-21.8,
      47 men and 30 women). Otorhinolaryngologists performed the operations. We
      anatomically classified the middle ear into four portions. A radiologist
      evaluated the images for cholesteatoma and assessed the anatomical invasive range
      in four portions using only FTS-nEPID. We classified large cholesteatomas that
      invaded more than three portions and small ones that invaded less than two
      portions based on the results obtained from surgery, and calculated the
      sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative
      predictive value (NPV). For all cholesteatomas with an existing diagnosis, the
      sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were 71%, 70%, 94%, and 27%, respectively.
      In anatomical evaluation, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were 49%,
      85%, 77%, and 64%, respectively. For large cholesteatomas with an existing
      diagnosis, the sensitivity was 86%. In anatomical evaluation, the sensitivity,
      specificity, PPV, and NPV were 51%, 57%, 88%, and 18%, respectively. For small
      cholesteatomas with an existing diagnosis, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and
      NPV were 59%, 78%, 92%, and 30%, respectively. In anatomical evaluation, the
      sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were 40%, 85%, 60%, and 71%, respectively.
      FTS-nEPID may be useful for diagnosing cholesteatomas. Further research is needed
      for anatomical evaluation because there were many false-negative results. 

PMID- 26283578
TI  - Cracking the humanitarian logistic coordination challenge: lessons from the urban
      search and rescue community.
AB  - The challenges of achieving successful inter-agency logistic coordination in
      preparing for and responding to natural disasters and complex emergencies are
      both well understood and well documented. However, although many of these
      challenges remain unresolved, the literature reveals that the organisations that
      form the urban search and rescue (USAR) community have attained a high level of
      coherence and interoperability that results in a highly efficient and effective
      response. Therefore, this paper uses the idea of 'borrowing' from other fields as
      it explores how the processes and procedures used by the USAR community might be
      applied to improve humanitarian logistic operations. The paper analyses the USAR
      model and explores how the resultant challenges might be addressed in a
      humanitarian logistic context. The paper recommends that further research be
      undertaken in order to develop a modified USAR model that could be
      operationalised by the international community of humanitarian logisticians. 

PMID- 26283577
TI  - A non-invasive assessment of cardiopulmonary hemodynamics with MRI in pulmonary
      hypertension.
AB  - PURPOSE: We propose a method for non-invasive quantification of hemodynamic
      changes in the pulmonary arteries resulting from pulmonary hypertension (PH).
      METHODS: Using a two-element Windkessel model, and input parameters derived from
      standard MRI evaluation of flow, cardiac function and valvular motion, we derive:
      pulmonary artery compliance (C), mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP), pulmonary
      vascular resistance (PVR), pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP), time
      averaged intra-pulmonary pressure waveforms and pulmonary artery pressures
      (systolic (sPAP) and diastolic (dPAP)). MRI results were compared directly to
      reference standard values from right heart catheterization (RHC) obtained in a
      series of patients with suspected pulmonary hypertension (PH). RESULTS: In 7
      patients with suspected PH undergoing RHC, MRI and echocardiography, there was no
      statistically significant difference (p<0.05) between parameters measured by MRI
      and RHC. Using standard clinical cutoffs to define PH (mPAP>25mmHg), MRI was able
      to correctly identify all patients as having pulmonary hypertension, and to
      correctly distinguish between pulmonary arterial (mPAP>25mmHg, PCWP<15mmHg) and
      venous hypertension (mPAP>25mmHg, PCWP>15mmHg) in 5 of 7 cases. CONCLUSIONS: We
      have developed a mathematical model capable of quantifying physiological
      parameters that reflect the severity of PH.

PMID- 26283579
TI  - Rapid 3D Extrusion of Synthetic Tumor Microenvironments.
AB  - The spatial positioning of 3D tumor-mimetic microenvironments, containing
      multiple cell types, is controlled with a simple concentric flow device in a
      single step. A range of geometric architectures are demonstrated, and the
      migration of segregated tumor cells and macrophages is explored using drugs that
      inhibit heterotypic interactions. 

PMID- 26283580
TI  - Identification of circadian gene variants in bipolar disorder in Latino
      populations.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Variations in circadian genes can impact biological rhythms. Given
      the rhythm disturbances that characterize bipolar disorder (BD), genes encoding
      components of molecular clocks are good candidate genes for the illness. METHODS:
      A family based association analysis of circadian gene single nucleotide
      polymorphisms (SNPs) and BD was conducted in Latino pedigrees. 884 individuals
      from 207 pedigrees (473BP phenotype and 411 unaffected family members) were
      genotyped. Family based single marker association testing was performed.
      Ancestral haplotypes (SNPs found to be in strong LD defined using confidence
      intervals) were also tested for association with BD. RESULTS: Multiple suggestive
      associations between circadian gene SNPs and BD were noted. These included CSNK1E
      (rs1534891, p=0.00689), ARNTL (rs3789327, p=0.021172), CSNK1D (rs4510078,
      p=0.022801), CLOCK (rs17777927, p=0.031664). Individually, none of the SNPs were
      significantly associated with BD after correction for multiple testing. However,
      a 4-locus CSNK1E haplotype encompassing the rs1534891 SNP (Z-score=2.685,
      permuted p=0.0076) and a 3-locus haplotype in ARNTL (Z-score=3.269, permuted
      p=0.0011) showed a significant association with BD. LIMITATIONS: Larger samples
      are required to confirm these findings and assess the relationship between
      circadian gene SNPs and BD in Latinos. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that
      ARNTL and CSKN1E variants may be associated with BD. Further studies are
      warranted to assess the relationships between these genes and BD in Latino
      populations.

PMID- 26283582
TI  - Dr. Sidney Licht: An Early Pioneer in the Development of Physical Medicine and
      Rehabilitation.

PMID- 26283581
TI  - Airway inflammation, cough and athlete quality of life in elite female cross
      country skiers: A longitudinal study.
AB  - The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a season of cross-country
      training and racing on airway inflammation, cough symptoms, and athlete quality
      of life in female skiers. Eighteen elite female skiers performed sputum induction
      and completed the Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ) and the Recovery-Stress
      Questionnaire (REST-Q) at three time points (T1 - May/Jun, T2 - Oct/Nov, T3 - Jan
      Mar) during the year. No changes were observed between T1 and T2. However, an
      increase in sputum eosinophils and lymphocytes (P < 0.05) and a significant
      change in all three domains of the LCQ were observed between T1 and T3 (P <
      0.05). A significant association was found between the total yearly hours of
      training and the change in the total cell count (r(2)  = 0.74; P = 0.006), and a
      number of other sputum cell counts between T1 and T3. No changes were observed
      for any domain of the REST-Q. The results of this study demonstrate that airway
      inflammation and cough symptoms are significantly increased in elite female cross
      country skiers across a year of training and racing. The increase in airway
      inflammation is related to the total amount of training and is worse during the
      winter months when athletes are training and racing in cold, dry air. 

PMID- 26283583
TI  - Does disseminated granuloma annulare require treatment? Thoughts on the
      definition of "disease" in dermatology.

PMID- 26283584
TI  - Future distinguishing competencies of baccalaureate-educated registered nurses in
      nursing homes.
AB  - In view of the likelihood that the complexity of care required by those admitted
      to nursing homes will continue to increase, an expert consensus study was
      conducted to reach consensus on the competencies which distinguish baccalaureate
      educated registered nurses from other nursing staff working in nursing homes.
      Thirty-one international experts, identified through literature and our
      professional network, participated in a two-round web-based survey and an expert
      meeting. Experts reached consensus on 16 desirable competencies, including some
      not traditionally associated with nursing expertise e.g. being a team leader,
      role model and coach within the nursing team. These findings suggest that
      revision of current nursing curricula, nurse training programs and nursing home
      job profiles might be needed to meet the medically and psychologically complex
      needs of nursing home residents. 

PMID- 26283585
TI  - Urgent suspected cancer referrals for childhood lymphadenopathy.

PMID- 26283586
TI  - Recoverable hybrid enzymatic biofuel cell with molecular oxygen-independence.
AB  - Enzymatic biofuel cells (EBFCs) have drawn great attentions because of its
      potential in energy conversion. However, designing of highly efficient EBFCs
      which can adapt to the anaerobic system is still a great challenge. In this
      study, we propose a novel hybrid enzymatic biofuel cell (HEBFC) which was
      fabricated by a glucose dehydrogenase modified bioanode and a solid-state silver
      oxide/silver (Ag2O/Ag) cathode. The as-assembled HEBFC exhibited an open circuit
      potential of 0.59V and a maximum power output of 0.281mWcm(-2) at 0.34V in air
      saturated buffer. Especially, due to the introduction of Ag2O/Ag, our HEBFC could
      also operate under anaerobic condition, while the maximum power output would
      reach to 0.275mWcm(-2) at 0.34V. Furthermore, our HEBFC had stable cycle
      operation and could keep high power output for a certain time as the result of
      the regeneration of Ag2O. Our work provides a new concept to develop EBFCs for
      efficient energy conversion in the future. 

PMID- 26283587
TI  - Selective and sensitive determination of cypermethrin in fish via enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay-like method based on molecularly imprinted artificial
      antibody-quantum dot optosensing materials.
AB  - Molecularly imprinted silica layers appended to quantum dots (MIP-QDs) with
      customized selective artificial recognition sites were fabricated in this study
      by optimizing the ratio of the functional monomer to the template. Scanning
      electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Brunauer-emmett-teller,
      Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and selectivity assay analyses were also
      performed. Results demonstrated that the selective fluorescence quenching
      properties of MIP-QDs toward cypermethrin (CYP) are due to strong interactions
      between these molecules. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-like method
      based on the MIP-QDs was established under optimal conditions. The fluorescence
      quenching observed from this method showed a linear relationship with CYP
      concentration over the range of 0.05-60.0 mg/kg with a correlation coefficient of
      0.9838. Good recovery (82.7-92.4%) and a relative standard deviation of less than
      10.1% were obtained from fish samples spiked with three levels of CYP. This
      method also demonstrated a low detection limit of 1.2 MUg/kg. The ELISA-like
      method based on MIP-QDs can be successfully employed to detect residual of CYP in
      fish samples.

PMID- 26283588
TI  - High-throughput sample-to-answer detection of DNA/RNA in crude samples within
      functionalized micro-pipette tips.
AB  - We develop a micro-pipette tip-based nucleic acid test (MTNT) for high-throughput
      sample-to-answer detection of both DNA and RNA from crude samples including
      cells, bacteria, and solid plants, without the need of sample pretreatment and
      complex operation. MTNT consists of micro-pipette tips and embedded solid phase
      nucleic acid extraction membranes, and fully integrates the functions of nucleic
      acid extraction from crude samples, loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP)
      of nucleic acids, and visual readout of assays. The total assaying time for DNA
      or RNA from a variety of crude samples ranges from 90 to 160 min. The limit of
      detection (LOD) of MTNT is 2 copies of plasmids containing the target nucleic
      acid fragments of Ebola virus, and 8 CFU of Escherichia coli carrying Ebola virus
      derived plasmids. MTNT can also detect CK-19 mRNA from as few as 2 cancer cells
      without complicated procedures such as RNA extraction and purification. We
      further demonstrate MTNT in a high-throughput format using an eight-channel
      pipette and a homemade mini-heater, with a maximum throughput of 40 samples.
      Compared with other point-of-care (POC) nucleic acid tests (NAT), MTNT could
      assay both DNA and RNA directly from liquid (cells/bacteria/blood) or solid
      (plant) samples in a straightforward, sensitive, high-throughput, and containment
      free manner, suggesting a considerable promise for low-cost and POC NAT in remote
      areas.

PMID- 26283589
TI  - The relationship between parent feeding styles and general parenting with loss of
      control eating in treatment-seeking overweight and obese children.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine differences in parent feeding behaviors and general
      parenting of overweight children with and without loss of control (LOC) eating.
      METHOD: One-hundred-and-eighteen overweight and obese children (10.40 +/- 1.35
      years; 53% female; 52% Caucasian; BMI-z: 2.06 +/- 0.39) and their parents (42.42
      +/- 6.20 years; 91% female; 70% Caucasian; BMI: 31.74 +/- 6.96 kg/m(2) ) were
      seen at a baseline assessment visit for a behavioral intervention that targeted
      overeating. The Eating Disorder Examination, adapted for children (ChEDE) was
      administered to assess for LOC eating. Parents completed the Parental Feeding
      Styles Questionnaire (PFSQ) and the Child Feeding Questionnaire (CFQ) to assess
      parent feeding styles and behaviors. Children also completed a self-report
      measure of general parenting (Child Report of Parent Behavior Inventory, CRPBI
      30). RESULTS: Forty-three children (36.40%) reported at least one LOC eating
      episode in the month prior to assessment. Parents who reported greater
      restriction and higher levels of pressure to eat were more likely to have
      children that reported LOC eating (ps < 0.05). Parents who utilized more
      instrumental feeding and prompting/encouragement to eat techniques were less
      likely to have children that reported LOC eating (ps < 0.05). Child-reported
      parenting behaviors were unrelated to child LOC eating (ps > 0.05). DISCUSSION:
      Parent feeding styles and behaviors appear to be differentially and uniquely
      related to LOC eating in treatment-seeking overweight and obese children. Future
      research is needed to determine if implementing interventions that target parent
      feeding behaviors may reduce LOC eating, prevent full-syndrome eating disorders,
      and reduce weight gain in youth.

PMID- 26283591
TI  - Resveratrol potentiates the effect of dexamethasone in rat model of acute lung
      inflammation.
AB  - Cigarette smoking is considered to be the main etiological factor in Chronic
      Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). In this study, we explored the potential of
      resveratrol, to reinstate the effectiveness of dexamethasone when administered as
      an adjunct in acute lung inflammation induced by cigarette smoke (CS) and
      lipopolysaccharide (LPS). CS and LPS instillation produced acute inflammatory
      response exhibited by increased leukocyte count, particularly neutrophils, total
      protein, MMP-9 activity, cytokines like TNF-alpha, IL-8 in bronchoalveolar lavage
      fluid (BALF) as well as elevated myeloperoxidase activity, and lipid peroxidation
      in lung. These alterations were not abated by dexamethasone (2.5mg/kg & 10mg/kg)
      and resveratrol (50mg/kg) alone. Combination of resveratrol (50mg/kg) and
      dexamethasone (2.5mg/kg) significantly reduced all inflammatory parameters. The
      protective effect of the combination was abolished when co-administered with
      sirtinol, a SIRT1 inhibitor. The results indicate that the combination therapy
      may serve as a potential approach for treating lung inflammatory conditions like
      COPD. 

PMID- 26283590
TI  - Blockade of TNF-alpha-induced NF-kappaB signaling pathway and anti-cancer
      therapeutic response of dihydrotanshinone I.
AB  - The nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) transcription factors control many
      physiological processes including inflammation, immunity, apoptosis, and
      angiogenesis. We identified dihydrotanshinone I as an inhibitor of NF-kappaB
      activation through our research on Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge. In this study, we
      found that dihydrotanshinone I significantly inhibited the expression of NF
      kappaB reporter gene induced by TNF-alpha in a dose-dependent manner. And
      dihydrotanshinone I also inhibited TNF-alpha induced phosphorylation and
      degradation of IkappaBalpha, phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of p65.
      Furthermore, pretreatment of cells with this compound prevented the TNF-alpha
      induced expression of NF-kappaB target genes, such as anti-apoptosis (cIAP-1 and
      FLIP), proliferation (COX-2), invasion (MMP-9), angiogenesis (VEGF), and major
      inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-6, and MCP1). We also demonstrated that
      dihydrotanshinone I potentiated TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis. Moreover,
      dihydrotanshinone I significantly impaired activation of extracellular signal
      regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), p38 and stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun NH2
      terminal kinase (JNK/SAPK). In vivo studies demonstrated that dihydrotanshinone I
      suppressed the growth of HeLa cells in a xenograft tumor model, which could be
      correlated with its modulation of TNF-alpha production. Taken together,
      dihydrotanshinone I could be a valuable candidate for the intervention of NF
      kappaB-dependent pathological conditions such as inflammation and cancer.

PMID- 26283592
TI  - IL-1 provokes electrical abnormalities in rat atrial myocardium.
AB  - Using a micro-electrode technique we studied the effects of interleukin 1alpha
      and interleukin 1beta on bio-electric activity of rat atrial myocardium under
      normal conditions and after gradual stretching. Perfusion with interleukin 1alpha
      increased the duration of the action potential at the level of 90% re
      polarization. Stretch induced tachy-arrhythmia in the presence of interleukin
      1alpha is mainly regulated via stretch increased nitric oxide production, while
      the ionotropic effect of the interleukin-1alpha during stretching is not
      pronounced. The perfusion with interleukin 1beta did not change the values of the
      duration of the action potentials at the levels of 25, 50 and 90% repolarization.
      The interleukin lbeta caused an appearance of extra-systolic patterns which
      turned into normal rhythm, alternating with periods of normal activity. The total
      intracellular nitric oxide level induced by both interleukin 1beta and stretching
      is balanced by interleukin-1beta induced cation influx. 

PMID- 26283593
TI  - Therapeutic anti-NLGP monoclonal antibody for carcinoembryonic antigen expressing
      tumors is nontoxic to Swiss and BALB/c mice.
AB  - A murine monoclonal antibody (mAb), 1C8 was developed against a novel
      glycoprotein NLGP and its unique property to recognize carcinoembryonic antigen
      (CEA) was reported. Utilizing this CEA recognizing property, 1C8 is successful to
      restrict the growth of CEA(+) murine and human cancers both in vitro and in vivo.
      Here, we have thoroughly evaluated the toxicity profile of this mAb 1C8 on
      different physiological systems of both tumor-free and tumor-bearing Swiss and
      BALB/c mice. Effective concentration (25 MUg/mice) of 1C8 caused no behavioral
      changes in animals and no death was recorded. Moreover, little increase in the
      body and organ weights in all mice groups was noted. MAb 1C8 showed no adverse
      effect on the hematological system, but little hematostimulation was noticed, as
      evidenced by increased hemoglobin content, leukocyte count and lymphocyte
      numbers. Liver enzymes like alkaline phosphatase, SGOT, SGPT and nephrological
      products like urea and creatinine assessment confirmed no abnormalities in both
      hepatic and renal functions. Number of T cells, B cells, NK cells, macrophages
      and dendritic cells was upregulated in vivo by mAb treatment with significant
      downregulation of regulatory T cells. During this treatment serum levels of type
      1 cytokines were upregulated over type 2 cytokines. This mAb 1C8 also did not
      induce any significant increase in antibody titer following treatment.
      Accumulated evidences from Swiss and BALB/c mice strongly suggest that this mAb
      1C8 is completely safe, thus, can be recommended for further clinical trial for
      the therapy of CEA(+) tumors.

PMID- 26283595
TI  - Deletion of Prdm8 impairs development of upper-layer neocortical neurons.
AB  - Upper-layer (UL) neocortical neurons are the most prominent distinguishing
      features of the mammalian neocortex compared with those of the avian dorsal
      cortex and are vastly expanded in primates. However, little is known about the
      identities of the genes that control the specification of UL neurons. Here, we
      found that Prdm8, a member of the PR (PRDI-BF1 and RIZ homology) domain protein
      family, was specifically expressed in the postnatal UL neocortex, particular
      those in late-born RORbeta-positive layer IV neurons. We generated homozygous
      Prdm8 knockout (Prdm8 KO) mice and found that the deletion of Prdm8 causes growth
      retardation and a reduced brain weight, although the brain weight-to-body weight
      ratio is unchanged at postnatal day 8 (P8). Immunohistochemistry showed that the
      relative UL thickness, but not the thickness of the deep layer (DL), was
      significantly reduced in Prdm8 KO mice compared with wild-type (WT) mice. In
      addition, we found that a number of late-born Brn2-positive UL neurons were
      significantly decreased in Prdm8 KO mice. To identify genes regulated by Prdm8
      during neocortical development, we compared expression profiling analysis in
      Prdm8 KO and WT mice, and identified some candidate genes. These results suggest
      that the proper expression of Prdm8 is required for the normal development and
      construction of UL neurons in the mammalian neocortex. 

PMID- 26283594
TI  - Pictorial review of coronary anomalies in Tetralogy of Fallot.
AB  - Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) classically consists of four characteristic features
      right ventricular outflow obstruction, right ventricular hypertrophy, ventricular
      septal defect and an overriding aorta. In addition there are multiple other
      associated cardiac anomalies, including coronary artery anomalies. In this
      review, the role of CT angiography and the spectrum of coronary anomalies will be
      discussed along with importance of such anomalies in the context of surgery. 

PMID- 26283596
TI  - Multimodal Nanoparticle for Primary Tumor Delineation and Lymphatic Metastasis
      Mapping in a Head-and-Neck Cancer Rabbit Model.
AB  - 64 Cu-porphysome nanoparticles enable superior delineation of neoplastic tissues,
      metastatic lymph nodes, and vascular drainage on head and neck cancer orthotopic
      rabbit model using positron emission tomography imaging. Additionally, the
      nanoparticles exhibit selective fluorescence activation in tumor and metastatic
      lymph nodes, which permits intraoperative real-time visualization of disease
      tissues to precisely define surgical margins and prevents collateral damage
      during surgeries.

PMID- 26283597
TI  - Application of mechanochemistry to metal recovery from second-hand resources: a
      technical overview.
AB  - In the context of huge imbalance between increasing demand for metals and the
      finiteness of metal resources in nature, recycling metal from second-hand
      resources, especially e-waste, is of great importance, to embrace the
      sustainability challenge. Inspired by its hundreds of uses in extractive
      metallurgy, mechanochemistry has been introduced to recover metals from waste
      since the 1990s. The mechanochemical recycling process is technically feasible to
      recover metals from waste in a high yield, such as Pb recovery from cathode ray
      tube (CRT) funnel glass, Li and Co recovery from lithium-ion batteries, rare
      earth recovery from fluorescent lamps. In recovery from LCD screens, Cu recovery
      from waste printed circuit boards and Au, Mo and Ni recovery from waste. Particle
      size reduction, specific surface area increase, crystalline structure
      decomposition and bond breakage have been identified as the main changes induced
      by the mechanochemical processes in the studies. Also, the activation energy
      required decreases and reaction activity increases, subsequently. This paper
      presents a technical overview of the applications of mechanochemistry to metal
      recycling from waste. The current application pattern, reaction mechanisms,
      equipment used, method procedures, and the future research direction are
      discussed in detail. This work presents the limitation of current mechanochemical
      application in metal recovery and gives a perspective of the future development
      of mechanochemistry as well. 

PMID- 26283598
TI  - Strategies for developing Ki67 as a useful biomarker in breast cancer.
AB  - Increased proliferation is a hallmark of malignant tumors. The proliferation
      marker Ki67 has been investigated as a breast cancer biomarker, but despite 32
      years of research the best cutpoints and the best methods for determination are
      still under debate. This review is based on an overview on the efforts to
      standardize Ki67 and to optimize its performance that was presented at the St.
      Gallen oncology conference 2015. The clinical validity of Ki67 as a prognostic
      marker as well as a predictive marker (in the neoadjuvant setting) has been shown
      in several meta-analyses. Depending on cohort characteristics, molecular subtype
      and clinical setting, Ki67 is a prognostic marker, a predictive marker, or both.
      Many different cutpoints for Ki67 have been reported, but it is has not been
      possible to determine an evidence-based "optimal" cutpoint. This supports the
      view that Ki67 is continuous marker, reflecting the continuous variation of the
      proliferation rate in different tumors. We should probably stop looking for an
      "optimal" cutpoint for Ki67 because it simply does not exist. It is evident from
      the results of several ring trials that intermediate levels of Ki67 are
      particularly difficult for standardization. Due to the low analytical validity in
      the intermediate range as well as intratumoral heterogeneity, the clinical
      utility of intermediate Ki67 levels is limited. Clinical decisions should not be
      based on small differences in the intermediate range and additional molecular
      tests might be necessary for tumors with intermediate Ki67 levels. For the two
      groups of tumors with a very low or a very high Ki67 a clinical interpretation
      could be straightforward. Despite these limitations, the assessment of
      proliferation is a central parameter for tumor characterization and an important
      element of the pathological assessment.

PMID- 26283600
TI  - Obesity, insulin resistance and breast cancer outcomes.
AB  - There is growing evidence that obesity is associated with poor outcomes in early
      stage breast cancer. This paper addresses four current areas of focus: 1. Is
      obesity associated with poor outcomes in all biologic subtypes of breast cancer?
      2. Does obesity effect AI efficacy or estrogen suppression in the adjuvant
      setting? 3. What are the potential biologic underpinnings of the obesity-breast
      cancer association? 4. Are intervention studies warranted? If so, which
      interventions in which populations? Research is needed to resolve these
      questions; intervention trials involving lifestyle interventions or targeting the
      biology postulated to link obesity and cancer are recommended.

PMID- 26283599
TI  - Prognostic significance of nodal involvement region in clinical stage IIIc breast
      cancer patients who received primary systemic treatment, surgery, and
      radiotherapy.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prognostic influence of involvement of both internal
      mammary nodes (IMNs) and supraclavicular nodes (SCNs) in clinical stage IIIc
      breast cancer patients who underwent primary systemic treatment, surgery, and
      radiotherapy (RT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2001 and 2009, 110 breast
      cancer patients with IMN or SCN involvement were treated with primary systemic
      treatment followed by surgery and RT. The median age was 50 years. Clinical N
      stage was cN3b and cN3c in 29 (26.4%) and 81 (73.6%) patients, respectively.
      Among the 81 patients with cN3c disease, 18 patients had both IMN and SCN
      involvement. Primary systemic treatment regimen was most commonly doxorubicin
      plus docetaxel (54.5%) or cyclophosphamide (20.0%). Mastectomy was performed in
      71 (64.5%) patients. The RT dose delivered to the chest wall or whole breast was
      50-50.4 Gy in 25-28 fractions. IMN and SCN regions were irradiated in 77 (70.0%)
      and 107 (97.6%) patients, respectively. RESULTS: At a median follow-up of 57.4
      months (range, 8.6-149.9 months), 44 patients (40.0%) developed disease
      recurrence. Among the 18 patients with both IMN and SCN involvement, 12 patients
      experienced disease recurrence and 11 of them had distant metastases. The 5-year
      disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) of all patients were 60.2%
      and 75.5%, respectively. Decreased DFS and OS were observed in the 18 patients
      with both IMN and SCN involvement (5-year rates, 33.3% and 50.0%; P = 0.0051 and
      0.0010, respectively). CONCLUSION: Involvement of both IMNs and SCNs was
      associated with worse survival outcomes in patients with clinical stage IIIc
      breast cancer.

PMID- 26283601
TI  - Efficient test for nonlinear dependence of two continuous variables.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Testing dependence/correlation of two variables is one of the
      fundamental tasks in statistics. In this work, we proposed a new way of testing
      nonlinear dependence between two continuous variables (X and Y). RESULTS: We
      addressed this research question by using CANOVA (continuous analysis of
      variance, software available at https://sourceforge.net/projects/canova/). In the
      CANOVA framework, we first defined a neighborhood for each data point related to
      its X value, and then calculated the variance of the Y value within the
      neighborhood. Finally, we performed permutations to evaluate the significance of
      the observed values within the neighborhood variance. To evaluate the strength of
      CANOVA compared to six other methods, we performed extensive simulations to
      explore the relationship between methods and compared the false positive rates
      and statistical power using both simulated and real datasets (kidney cancer RNA
      seq dataset). CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that CANOVA is an efficient method for
      testing nonlinear correlation with several advantages in real data applications.

PMID- 26283603
TI  - ECG Response: August 18, 2015.

PMID- 26283602
TI  - Accountable Care Organizations: Ensuring Focus on Cardiovascular Health.

PMID- 26283604
TI  - Infected Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Attributable to Haemophilus influenzae: Rapid
      Changes of Imaging Findings.

PMID- 26283605
TI  - The Forgotten Valve: Isolated Severe Tricuspid Valve Stenosis.

PMID- 26283606
TI  - Letter by Chhabra and Spodick Regarding Article, "Clinical Profile and Influences
      on Outcomes in Patients Hospitalized for Acute Pericarditis".

PMID- 26283607
TI  - Letter by Lazaros et al Regarding Article, "Clinical Profile and Influences on
      Outcomes in Patients Hospitalized for Acute Pericarditis".

PMID- 26283608
TI  - Response to Letters Regarding Article, "Clinical Profile and Influences on
      Outcomes in Patients Hospitalized for Acute Pericarditis".

PMID- 26283609
TI  - RE: Is Bad Luck the Main Cause of Cancer?

PMID- 26283610
TI  - Response.

PMID- 26283611
TI  - RE: Androgen Receptor Expression and Outcomes in Early Breast Cancer: A
      Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

PMID- 26283612
TI  - Response.

PMID- 26283613
TI  - The Subjective Court Experiences of Intimate Partner Violence Victims: Does
      Motherhood Matter?
AB  - Many women with children experience intimate partner violence (IPV). These
      survivors are particularly important to assist, because countless have complex
      safety concerns related to their children. Mothers' concerns about their children
      have been shown to impact their decision making related to abuse, but researchers
      have not closely explored what happens during mothers' interactions with help
      sources. This study examined whether women with (n = 98) and without (n = 44)
      children differ in a) their court experiences through their perceptions of
      procedural and distributive justice, and b) the context of their lives
      surrounding the court experience. We also explored the relationship between
      contextual factors and procedural and distributive justice. Results indicate
      participants were relatively satisfied with their court experiences, despite
      experiencing reabuse, danger, and fear throughout court processes. Mothers
      reported significantly higher levels of distributive justice and contact with the
      abusive partner than non-mothers. However, mothers did not differ significantly
      from non-mothers with regard to procedural justice, fear, danger, reabuse or
      reliance on the abusive partner. Results of multiple regression analyses
      indicated the interaction between fear and motherhood significantly predicted
      participants' perceptions of distributive justice, as did the interaction between
      danger and motherhood. In these interactions, mothers' fear and perceptions of
      danger were not related to their perception of distributive justice. However, non
      mothers who reported higher levels of fear and danger perceived less distributive
      justice. Results suggest mothers and non-mothers enter the system with similar
      life contexts, and that these contextual factors impact their perceptions of
      court outcomes differently.

PMID- 26283614
TI  - A peculiar etiology of acute heart failure: adrenergic myocarditis.
AB  - Pheochromocytoma can occur with a variety of cardiovascular signs and symptoms,
      and this tumor can also precipitate an acute heart failure associated with the
      typical clinical and instrumental findings of myocarditis. This peculiar etiology
      of acute myocarditis, known as "adrenergic myocarditis," should be suspected when
      specific "red flags" of pheochromocytoma such as headache, palpitations,
      diaphoresis, hypertension, orthostatic hypotension, and left ventricular
      dysfunction suggesting Takotsubo syndrome are detected. In fact, its diagnosis
      allows a specific targeted therapy.

PMID- 26283615
TI  - Thirty-day mortality in ED patients with new onset atrial fibrillation and
      actively treated cancer.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Studies suggest that inflammatory, autonomic, and coagulation
      alterations associated with cancer may increase incident atrial fibrillation
      (AF). New-onset AF is associated with increased mortality in other nonneoplastic
      disease processes. We investigated the association of active cancer with 30-day
      mortality in emergency department (ED) patients with new-onset AF. METHODS: We
      conducted an analysis within an observational cohort study at a tertiary care
      hospital that included ED patients with new-onset AF. The exposure variable was
      presence of active cancer. We defined active cancer as the patient received
      chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or recent cancer-related surgery within 90 days of
      the ED visit. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality. Logistic regression was
      used to analyze the association between cancer status and 30-day mortality
      adjusting for patient age and sex. RESULTS: During the 5.5-year study period, 420
      patients with new-onset AF were included in our cohort, including 37 (8.8%) with
      active cancer. Patients with active cancer had no clinically relevant differences
      in their hemodynamic stability. Among the 37 patients with active cancer, 9 (24%)
      died within 30 days. Of the 383 patients without active cancer, 11 (3%) died
      within 30 days. After adjusting for age and sex, active cancer was an independent
      predictor of 30-day mortality, with an adjusted odds ratio of 10.8 (95%
      confidence interval, 3.8-31.1). CONCLUSIONS: Among ED patients with new-onset AF,
      active cancer appears to be associated with 11-fold increased odds of 30-day
      mortality; new-onset AF may represent progressive organ dysfunction leading to an
      increased risk of short-term mortality in patients with cancer.

PMID- 26283617
TI  - Treatment patterns in inpatient depression care.
AB  - This study aimed to identify latent patterns of treatment combinations in
      inpatient depression care. A secondary analysis of routinely collected data on
      inpatient depression treatment from 2133 patients was conducted. Exploratory
      latent class modeling was used to identify distinct classes of treatment
      combinations based on antidepressant medication, psychotherapeutic interventions,
      and additional treatments. The classes were compared with regard to patient
      characteristics and treatment outcomes. Eight different classes of inpatient
      treatment combinations could be identified: 22.8% of the patients were treated
      with a combination labelled "standard modern antidepressants", 14.6% with
      "standard tricyclic antidepressants", 12.2% with "high intensity innovative
      strategies", 12.1% with "standard selective-reuptake-inhibitors", and 11.6% with
      "low intensity", 9.6% with "somatic", 8.8% with "high intensity traditional", and
      8.3% with "high intensity psychosocial" care, respectively. Patients treated with
      different patterns of interventions differed statistically significantly
      regarding demographic and clinical characteristics. Responder rates ranged from
      68.4% to 86.6% across treatment classes. The presented attempt of empirical
      modeling of a complex multifactorial intervention by means of latent class
      analysis proved to be a promising way of capturing the complexity of routine
      inpatient depression treatment. The identified classes of treatment combinations
      may provide relevant information for a re-evaluation and improvement of inpatient
      depression treatment strategies.

PMID- 26283616
TI  - Derivation and preliminary validation of a risk score to predict 30-day ED
      revisits for sickle cell pain.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Emergency department (ED) revisits and 30-day readmissions have been
      proposed as markers for quality of ED care for sickle cell disease (SCD).
      OBJECTIVE: To create a scoring system that quantifies the risk of 30-day revisit
      after ED discharge for SCD vaso-occlusive pain METHODS: This was a dual-center
      retrospective derivation and validation cohort study. The derivation was
      performed at an academic, tertiary care center and the validation at an urban
      community hospital. The primary outcome was revisit to the ED within 30 days
      after an ED discharge for SCD pain. Recursive partitioning was used to derive a
      scoring system to predict 30-day revisits. RESULTS: Of a total of 1456 ED visits
      for SCD pain, there were 680 ED discharges (admission rate of 53%) in 193 unique
      individuals included in the derivation cohort. There were 240 (35.3%) 30-day
      revisits. Of a total of 126 ED visits for SCD, there were 79 ED discharges in 41
      unique individuals in the validation cohort. The final risk score included 4
      variables: (1) age, (2) insurance status, (3) triage pain score, and (4) amount
      of opioids administered during the ED visit. Possible scores range from 0 to 6.
      The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves were 0.746 (95%
      confidence interval, 0.71-0.78-derivation cohort) and 0.753 (95% confidence
      interval, 0.65-0.86-validation cohort). A cutoff of 4 or greater identified 60%
      of 30-day ED revisits in the derivation cohort and 80% of revisits in the
      validation cohort. CONCLUSIONS: A risk score can identify ED visits for SCD pain
      with high risk of 30-day revisit.

PMID- 26283619
TI  - Applying the Triangle Method for the parameterization of irrigated areas as input
      for spatially distributed hydrological modeling - Assessing future drought risk
      in the Gaza Strip (Palestine).
AB  - In the Mediterranean region, particularly in the Gaza strip, an increased risk of
      drought is among the major concerns related to climate change. The impacts of
      climate change on water availability, drought risk and food security can be
      assessed by means of hydro-climatological modeling. However, the region is prone
      to severe observation data scarcity, which limits the potential for robust model
      parameterization, calibration and validation. In this study, the physically
      based, spatially distributed hydrological model WaSiM is parameterized and
      evaluated using satellite imagery to assess hydrological quantities. The Triangle
      Method estimates actual evapotranspiration (ETR) through the Normalized
      Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and land surface temperature (LST) provided by
      Landsat TM imagery. So-derived spatially distributed evapotranspiration is then
      used in two ways: first a subset of the imagery is used to parameterize the
      irrigation module of WaSiM and second, withheld scenes are applied to evaluate
      the performance of the hydrological model in the data scarce study area. The
      results show acceptable overall correlation with the validation scenes (r=0.53)
      and an improvement over the usual irrigation parameterization scheme using land
      use information exclusively. This model setup is then applied for future drought
      risk assessment in the Gaza Strip using a small ensemble of four regional climate
      projections for the period 2041-2070. Hydrological modeling reveals an increased
      risk of drought, assessed with an evapotranspiration index, compared to the
      reference period 1971-2000. Current irrigation procedures cannot maintain the
      agricultural productivity under future conditions without adaptation. 

PMID- 26283618
TI  - Ecotoxicoparasitology: Understanding mercury concentrations in gut contents,
      intestinal helminths and host tissues of Alaskan gray wolves (Canis lupus).
AB  - Some gastrointestinal helminths acquire nutrients from the lumen contents in
      which they live; thus, they may be exposed to non-essential elements, such as
      mercury (Hg), during feeding. The objectives of this study were: 1) determine the
      total mercury concentrations ([THg]) in Gray wolves (Canis lupus) and their
      parasites, and 2) use stable isotopes to evaluate the trophic relationships
      within the host. [THg] and stable isotopes (C and N) were determined for
      helminths, host tissues, and lumen contents from 88 wolves. Sixty-three wolves
      contained grossly visible helminths (71.5%). The prevalence of taeniids and
      ascarids was 63.6% (56/88) and 20.5% (18/88), respectively. Nine of these 63
      wolves contained both taeniids and ascarids (14.3%). All ascarids were determined
      to be Toxascaris leonina. Taenia species present included T. krabbei and T.
      hydatigena. Within the GI tract, [THg] in the lumen contents of the proximal
      small intestine were significantly lower than in the distal small intestine.
      There was a significant positive association between hepatic and taeniid [THg].
      Bioaccumulation factors (BAF) ranged from <1 to 22.9 in taeniids, and 1.1 to 12.3
      in T. leonina. Taeniid and ascarid BAF were significantly higher than 1,
      suggesting that both groups are capable of THg accumulation in their wolf host.
      delta13C in taeniids was significantly lower than in host liver and skeletal
      muscle. [THg] in helminths and host tissues, in conjunction with stable isotope
      (C and N) values, provides insight into food-web dynamics of the host GI tract,
      and aids in elucidating ecotoxicoparasitologic relationships. Variation of [THg]
      throughout the GI tract, and between parasitic groups, underscores the need to
      further evaluate the effect(s) of feeding niche, and the nutritional needs of
      parasites, as they relate to toxicant exposure and distribution within the host.

PMID- 26283620
TI  - A high-precision sampling scheme to assess persistence and transport
      characteristics of micropollutants in rivers.
AB  - Increasing numbers of organic micropollutants are emitted into rivers via
      municipal wastewaters. Due to their persistence many pollutants pass wastewater
      treatment plants without substantial removal. Transport and fate of pollutants in
      receiving waters and export to downstream ecosystems is not well understood. In
      particular, a better knowledge of processes governing their environmental
      behavior is needed. Although a lot of data are available concerning the
      ubiquitous presence of micropollutants in rivers, accurate data on transport and
      removal rates are lacking. In this paper, a mass balance approach is presented,
      which is based on the Lagrangian sampling scheme, but extended to account for
      precise transport velocities and mixing along river stretches. The calculated
      mass balances allow accurate quantification of pollutants' reactivity along river
      segments. This is demonstrated for representative members of important groups of
      micropollutants, e.g. pharmaceuticals, musk fragrances, flame retardants, and
      pesticides. A model-aided analysis of the measured data series gives insight into
      the temporal dynamics of removal processes. The occurrence of different removal
      mechanisms such as photooxidation, microbial degradation, and volatilization is
      discussed. The results demonstrate, that removal processes are highly variable in
      time and space and this has to be considered for future studies. The high
      precision sampling scheme presented could be a powerful tool for quantifying
      removal processes under different boundary conditions and in river segments with
      contrasting properties. 

PMID- 26283622
TI  - Food insecurity and malnutrition in Chinese elementary school students.
AB  - It has been shown that food insecurity is associated with poor diet quality and
      unfavourable health outcomes. However, little is known about the potential
      effects of food insecurity on the overall malnutrition status among children. In
      this study, we investigated the prevalence of food insecurity among 1583
      elementary school students, aged 6-14 years, living in Chinese rural areas and
      examined its association with four malnutrition signs, including rickets
      sequelae, anaemia, stunting and wasting. Information on food security was
      collected via questionnaires. Rickets sequelae were assessed by an experienced
      paediatrician during the interview. Anaemia was determined by the WHO Hb
      thresholds adjusted by the local altitude. Weight and height were measured during
      the interview. Stunting and wasting were then evaluated according to WHO child
      growth standards (2007). We examined the association between food insecurity and
      the number of malnutrition signs (total number = 4), and the likelihood of having
      severe malnutrition (presence of 3+ signs), after adjusting for potential
      confounders, such as age, social-economic status and dietary intakes. During the
      previous 12 months, the overall prevalence of food insecurity was 6.1% in the
      entire studied population and 16.3% in participants with severe malnutrition.
      Participants with food insecurity had a slightly higher number of malnutrition
      signs (1.14 v. 0.96; P=0.043) relative to those who were food secure, after
      adjusting for potential confounders. Food insecurity was also associated with
      increased likelihood of having severe malnutrition (adjusted OR 3.08; 95% CI
      1.47, 6.46; P=0.003). In conclusion, food insecurity is significantly associated
      with malnutrition among Chinese children in this community.

PMID- 26283624
TI  - Reversal of acquired hepatocerebral degeneration with living donor liver
      transplantation.

PMID- 26283623
TI  - Barriers and enablers to implementing antenatal magnesium sulphate for fetal
      neuroprotection guidelines: a study using the theoretical domains framework.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Strong evidence supports administration of magnesium sulphate prior
      to birth at less than 30 weeks' gestation to prevent very preterm babies dying or
      developing cerebral palsy. This study was undertaken as part of The WISH (Working
      to Improve Survival and Health for babies born very preterm) Project, to assess
      health professionals' self-reported use of antenatal magnesium sulphate, and
      barriers and enablers to implementation of 2010 Australian and New Zealand
      clinical practice guidelines. METHODS: Semi-structured, one-to-one interviews
      were conducted with obstetric and neonatal consultants and trainees, and midwives
      in 2011 (n = 24) and 2012-2013 (n = 21) at the Women's and Children's Hospital,
      South Australia. Transcribed interview data were coded using the Theoretical
      Domains Framework (describing 14 domains related to behaviour change) for
      analysis of barriers and enablers. RESULTS: In 2012-13, health professionals more
      often reported 'routinely' or 'sometimes' administering or advising their
      colleagues to administer magnesium sulphate for fetal neuroprotection (86% in
      2012-13 vs. 46% in 2011). 'Knowledge and skills', 'memory, attention and decision
      processes', 'environmental context and resources', 'beliefs about consequences'
      and 'social influences' were key domains identified in the barrier and enabler
      analysis. Perceived barriers were the complex administration processes, time
      pressures, and the unpredictability of preterm birth. Enablers included education
      for staff and women at risk of very preterm birth, reminders and 'prompts',
      simplified processes for administration, and influential colleagues. CONCLUSIONS:
      This study has provided valuable data on barriers and enablers to implementing
      magnesium sulphate for fetal neuroprotection, with implications for designing and
      modifying future behaviour change strategies, to ensure optimal uptake of this
      neuroprotective therapy for very preterm infants.

PMID- 26283625
TI  - Contrasting responses of male and female foraging effort to year-round wind
      conditions.
AB  - There is growing interest in the effects of wind on wild animals, given evidence
      that wind speeds are increasing and becoming more variable in some regions,
      particularly at temperate latitudes. Wind may alter movement patterns or foraging
      ability, with consequences for energy budgets and, ultimately, demographic rates.
      These effects are expected to vary among individuals due to intrinsic factors
      such as sex, age or feeding proficiency. Furthermore, this variation is predicted
      to become more marked as wind conditions deteriorate, which may have profound
      consequences for population dynamics as the climate changes. However, the
      interaction between wind and intrinsic effects has not been comprehensively
      tested. In many species, in particular those showing sexual size dimorphism,
      males and females vary in foraging performance. Here, we undertook year-round
      deployments of data loggers to test for interactions between sex and wind speed
      and direction on foraging effort in adult European shags Phalacrocorax
      aristotelis, a pursuit-diving seabird in which males are c. 18% heavier. We found
      that foraging time was lower at high wind speeds but higher during easterly
      (onshore) winds. Furthermore, there was an interaction between sex and wind
      conditions on foraging effort, such that females foraged for longer than males
      when winds were of greater strength (9% difference at high wind speeds vs. 1% at
      low wind speeds) and when winds were easterly compared with westerly (7% and 4%
      difference, respectively). The results supported our prediction that sex-specific
      differences in foraging effort would become more marked as wind conditions
      worsen. Since foraging time is linked to demographic rates in this species, our
      findings are likely to have important consequences for population dynamics by
      amplifying sex-specific differences in survival rates.

PMID- 26283621
TI  - Mechanism, factors, and physiological role of nonsense-mediated mRNA decay.
AB  - Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) is a translation-dependent, multistep process
      that degrades irregular or faulty messenger RNAs (mRNAs). NMD mainly targets
      mRNAs with a truncated open reading frame (ORF) due to premature termination
      codons (PTCs). In addition, NMD also regulates the expression of different types
      of endogenous mRNA substrates. A multitude of factors are involved in the tight
      regulation of the NMD mechanism. In this review, we focus on the molecular
      mechanism of mammalian NMD. Based on the published data, we discuss the
      involvement of translation termination in NMD initiation. Furthermore, we provide
      a detailed overview of the core NMD machinery, as well as several peripheral NMD
      factors, and discuss their function. Finally, we present an overview of diseases
      associated with NMD factor mutations and summarize the current state of treatment
      for genetic disorders caused by nonsense mutations. 

PMID- 26283627
TI  - Margaret McCartney: The government's plan to blame and shame people for having
      disease.

PMID- 26283626
TI  - Prevalence of PALB2 mutations in Australian familial breast cancer cases and
      controls.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: PALB2 is emerging as a high-penetrance breast cancer predisposition
      gene in the order of BRCA1 and BRCA2. However, large studies that have evaluated
      the full gene rather than just the most common variants in both cases and
      controls are required before all truncating variants can be included in familial
      breast cancer variant testing. METHODS: In this study we analyse almost 2000
      breast cancer cases sourced from individuals referred to familial cancer clinics,
      thus representing typical cases presenting in clinical practice. These cases were
      compared to a similar number of population-based cancer-free controls. RESULTS:
      We identified a significant excess of truncating variants in cases (1.3 %) versus
      controls (0.2 %), including six novel variants (p = 0.0001; odds ratio (OR) 6.58,
      95 % confidence interval (CI) 2.3-18.9). Three of the four control individuals
      carrying truncating variants had at least one relative with breast cancer. There
      was no excess of missense variants in cases overall, but the common c.1676A > G
      variant (rs152451) was significantly enriched in cases and may represent a low
      penetrance polymorphism (p = 0.002; OR 1.24 (95 % CI 1.09-1.47). CONCLUSIONS: Our
      findings support truncating variants in PALB2 as high-penetrance breast cancer
      susceptibility alleles, and suggest that a common missense variant may also lead
      to a low level of increased breast cancer risk.

PMID- 26283628
TI  - Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus inhibits dsRNA-induced interferon-beta production
      in porcine intestinal epithelial cells by blockade of the RIG-I-mediated pathway.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The lack of optimal porcine cell lines has severely impeded the study
      and progress in elucidation of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV)
      pathogenesis. Vero cell, an African green monkey kidney cell line, was often used
      to isolate and propagate PEDV. Nonetheless, the target cells of PEDV in vivo are
      intestinal epithelial cells, during infection, intestinal epithelia would be
      damaged and resulted in digestive disorders. The immune functions of porcine
      epithelial cells and interactions with other immune cell populations display a
      number of differences compared to other species. Type I interferon (IFN) plays an
      important role in antiviral immune response. Limited reports showed that PEDV
      could inhibit type I interferon production. In this study, porcine small
      intestinal epithelial cells (IECs), the target cells of PEDV, were used as the
      infection model in vitro to identify the possible molecular mechanisms of PEDV
      inhibition IFN-beta production. RESULTS: PEDV not only failed to induce IFN-beta
      expression, but also inhibited dsRNA-mediated IFN-beta production in IECs. As the
      key IFN-beta transcription factors, we found that dsRNA-induced activation of IFN
      regulatory factor 3 (IRF-3) was inhibited after PEDV infection, but not nuclear
      factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB). To identify the mechanism of PEDV intervention with
      dsRNA-mediated IFN-beta expression more accurately, the role of individual
      molecules of RIG-I signaling pathway were investigated. In the upstream of IRF-3,
      TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1)-or inhibitor of kappaB kinase-epsilon (IKKepsilon)
      mediated IFN-beta production was not blocked by PEDV, while RIG-I-and its adapter
      molecule IFN-beta promoter stimulator 1 (IPS-1)-mediated IFN-beta production were
      completely inhibited after PEDV infection. CONCLUSION: Taken together, our data
      demonstrated for the first time that PEDV infection of its target cell line,
      IECs, inhibited dsRNA-mediated IFN-beta production by blocking the activation of
      IPS-1 in RIG-I-mediated pathway. Our studies offered new visions in understanding
      of the interaction between PEDV and host innate immune system.

PMID- 26283629
TI  - Placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial of fish oil's impact on fatigue,
      quality of life, and disease activity in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: A recent metabolomic screen of sera from patients with Systemic
      Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) found reduction of antioxidants and substrates for
      energy generation. These metabolic alterations may underlie one of the most
      common features of SLE--fatigue. The metabolomic studies also noted reduced omega
      3 fatty acids, which are powerful anti- oxidants. This deficiency may be causally
      related to oxidative stress, inflammation, disease activity, and fatigue in SLE.
      Supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids using fish oil in SLE has been shown to
      reduce oxidative stress in other studies. The objective of this study is to
      evaluate the effect of fish oil supplementation on clinical measures of fatigue,
      quality of life, and disease activity as part of a randomized clinical trial.
      METHODS: Fifty SLE patients recruited in outpatient clinics were randomized 1:1
      to fish oil supplementation or olive oil placebo, and blinded to their treatment
      group. At baseline and after 6 months of treatment, RAND Short Form-36 (RAND SF
      36), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI), and
      Physician Global Assessment (PGA) were completed; serum was also collected for
      soluble mediator analysis. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients completed the study. PGA
      improved significantly in the fish oil group compared with the placebo group (p =
      0.015). The RAND SF-36 Energy/fatigue and Emotional well-being scores
      demonstrated improvement trends (p = 0.092 and 0.070). No clear difference was
      seen in FSS and SLEDAI (p = 0.350 and p = 0.417). Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
      and serum IL-12 were reduced (p = 0.008 and p = 0.058); while serum IL-13 was
      increased by fish oil supplementation (p = 0.033). CONCLUSIONS: In this
      randomized, placebo-controlled 6-month trial, SLE patients randomized to fish oil
      supplementation demonstrated improvement in their PGA, RAND SF-36, and some
      circulating inflammatory markers. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov
      Identifier: NCT02021513 (registered 13 December 2013).

PMID- 26283630
TI  - In vitro antimicrobial activity of plants used in traditional medicine in Gurage
      and Silti Zones, south central Ethiopia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To overcome the escalating problems associated with infectious
      diseases and drug resistance, discovery of new antimicrobials is crucial. The
      present study aimed to carry out in vitro antimicrobial analysis of 15 medicinal
      plant species selected according to their traditional medicinal uses in Gurage
      and Silti Zones, south central Ethiopia. METHODS: Ethanol extracts of various
      plant parts were investigated for their antimicrobial activity against 20
      bacterial and one yeast strains. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was
      determined by broth microdilution method. RESULTS: Asparagus africanus, Guizotia
      schimperi, Lippia adoensis var. adoensis and Premna schimperi were active against
      Candida albicans, Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus at a
      concentration of 512 MUg/ml or lower. Strong antibacterial activity (MIC>=128
      MUg/ml) was observed for G. schimperi extract against 17 resistant and sensitive
      Staphylococcus strains, at a concentration comparable to standard antibiotics.
      Moreover, this extract showed higher antibacterial activity for the test against
      S. aureus ATCC 33591, ATCC 33592, SA3 and SA5 strains (128-256 MUg/ml) than
      oxacillin (512 MUg/ml). CONCLUSIONS: The study revealed in vitro antibacterial
      activity of plants used in folk medicine in south central Ethiopia. The
      usefulness of these plants, in particular of G. schimperi, should be confirmed
      through further phytochemical and toxicity analyses.

PMID- 26283631
TI  - Identification of stable QTLs for vegetative and reproductive traits in the
      microvine (Vitis vinifera L.) using the 18 K Infinium chip.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The increasing temperature associated with climate change impacts
      grapevine phenology and development with critical effects on grape yield and
      composition. Plant breeding has the potential to deliver new cultivars with
      stable yield and quality under warmer climate conditions, but this requires the
      identification of stable genetic determinants. This study tested the
      potentialities of the microvine to boost genetics in grapevine. A mapping
      population of 129 microvines derived from Picovine x Ugni Blanc flb, was
      genotyped with the Illumina(r) 18 K SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism) chip.
      Forty-three vegetative and reproductive traits were phenotyped outdoors over four
      cropping cycles, and a subset of 22 traits over two cropping cycles in growth
      rooms with two contrasted temperatures, in order to map stable QTLs (Quantitative
      Trait Loci). RESULTS: Ten stable QTLs for berry development and quality or leaf
      area were identified on the parental maps. A new major QTL explaining up to 44 %
      of total variance of berry weight was identified on chromosome 7 in Ugni Blanc
      flb, and co-localized with QTLs for seed number (up to 76 % total variance),
      major berry acids at green lag phase (up to 35 %), and other yield components (up
      to 25 %). In addition, a minor QTL for leaf area was found on chromosome 4 of the
      same parent. In contrast, only minor QTLs for berry acidity and leaf area could
      be found as moderately stable in Picovine. None of the transporters recently
      identified as mutated in low acidity apples or Cucurbits were included in the
      several hundreds of candidate genes underlying the above berry QTLs, which could
      be reduced to a few dozen candidate genes when a priori pertinent biological
      functions and organ specific expression were considered. CONCLUSIONS: This study
      combining the use of microvine and a high throughput genotyping technology was
      innovative for grapevine genetics. It allowed the identification of 10 stable
      QTLs, including the first berry acidity QTLs reported so far in a Vitis vinifera
      intra-specific cross. Robustness of a set of QTLs was assessed with respect to
      temperature variation.

PMID- 26283632
TI  - Nilotinib (TasignaTM) in the treatment of early diffuse systemic sclerosis: an
      open-label, pilot clinical trial.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) are medications of interest in the
      treatment of Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) because of their ability to inhibit
      pathways involved in fibrosis. In this open-label pilot trial, our objectives
      were to assess the safety, efficacy, and molecular change associated with
      treatment of patients with diffuse cutaneous (dc)SSc with the TKI nilotinib
      (TasignaTM). METHODS: Ten adult patients with early dcSSc were treated with
      nilotinib. Primary endpoints were safety and change in modified Rodnan Skin Score
      (MRSS) after 6 months. Lesional skin biopsies at baseline, 6 and 12 months of
      treatment were assessed by histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and DNA
      microarray. RESULTS: Patients had early and active dcSSc with median disease
      duration of 0.7 years (range 0.5, 1.7) and increasing MRSS in the month prior to
      baseline (mean +2.9, p=0.02). Seven out of ten patients completed 6 and 12 months
      of treatment. Seventy-one adverse events (AEs) including 2 serious AEs were
      observed, and 92 % of AEs were grade 1-2. Two patients discontinued the
      medication due to mild QTc prolongation. MRSS improved by a mean of 4.2 points
      (16 %) at 6 months and by 6.3 points (23 %) at 12 months in the 7 completers,
      p=0.02 and 0.01, respectively. Patients with a decrease in MRSS >20 % from
      baseline at 12 months (classified as improvers) had significantly higher
      expression of transforming growth factor beta receptor (TGFBR) and platelet
      derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFRB) signaling genes at baseline than non
      improvers, and the expression of these genes significantly decreased in improvers
      post-treatment. CONCLUSION: Nilotinib was well tolerated by the majority of
      patients in this study, with tolerability limited primarily by mild QTc
      prolongation. Significant MRSS improvement was observed in these early, active
      patients, but is not conclusive of treatment effect given the open-label study
      design and small number of patients in this pilot study. Improvers had higher
      levels of expression of genes associated with TGFBR and PDGFRB signaling at
      baseline, and a significant decrease in the expression of these genes occurred
      only in patients with higher MRSS improvement. The findings of this pilot study
      warrant more conclusive evaluation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov
      NCT01166139 , July 1, 2010.

PMID- 26283633
TI  - Efficacy of ultra-micronized palmitoylethanolamide in canine atopic dermatitis:
      an open-label multi-centre study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Palmitoylethanolamide is a naturally occurring bioactive lipid,
      produced on-demand by damage-exposed cells. Palmitoylethanolamide is documented
      to counteract inflammation, itch and pain. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this 8-week
      study was to evaluate the efficacy of oral ultra-micronized palmitoylethanolamide
      (PEA-um) in dogs with moderate atopic dermatitis. ANIMALS: Clinicians from 39
      veterinary clinics enrolled 160 dogs with nonseasonal atopic dermatitis and
      moderate pruritus. METHODS: This was a multi-centre open-label study. On days 0
      (D0) and 56 (D56), owners evaluated pruritus with a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and
      completed a validated Quality of Life (QoL) questionnaire. Veterinarians assessed
      the severity of skin lesions using the Canine Atopic Dermatitis Lesion Index
      (CADLI). RESULTS: Mean pruritus VAS score decreased from 5.7 +/- 0.08 cm (range
      3.8-7.9 cm) to 3.63 +/- 0.19 cm (range 0.1-9.2 cm) (P < 0.0001). At D56, 58% of
      dogs showed a greater than 2 cm reduction from baseline and 30% showed an absent
      to-very mild pruritus (VAS <= 2 cm). Mean total CADLI at D56 decreased
      significantly (P < 0.0001); in 62% of dogs this score reached a value in the
      remission range (<=5). Mean total QoL score was significantly decreased (P <
      0.0001) with 45% of dogs reaching QoL values described for healthy animals.
      Tolerability was good-to-excellent with only four dogs reporting treatment
      associated reversible adverse events. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: PEA-um
      appears to be effective and safe in reducing pruritus and skin lesions, and in
      improving QoL in dogs with moderate atopic dermatitis and moderate pruritus.

PMID- 26283634
TI  - Regulatory networks of non-coding RNAs in brown/beige adipogenesis.
AB  - BAT (brown adipose tissue) is specialized to burn fatty acids for heat generation
      and energy expenditure to defend against cold and obesity. Accumulating studies
      have demonstrated that manipulation of BAT activity through various strategies
      can regulate metabolic homoeostasis and lead to a healthy phenotype. Two classes
      of ncRNA (non-coding RNA), miRNA and lncRNA (long non-coding RNA), play crucial
      roles in gene regulation during tissue development and remodelling. In the
      present review, we summarize recent findings on regulatory role of distinct
      ncRNAs in brown/beige adipocytes, and discuss how these ncRNA regulatory networks
      contribute to brown/beige fat development, differentiation and function. We
      suggest that targeting ncRNAs could be an attractive approach to enhance BAT
      activity for protecting the body against obesity and its pathological
      consequences.

PMID- 26283635
TI  - Identification of miR-200a as a novel suppressor of connexin 43 in breast cancer
      cells.
AB  - Both miRNAs (miRs) and connexin 43 (Cx43) were important regulators of the
      metastasis of breast cancer, whereas the miRs regulating Cx43 expression in
      breast cancer cells were still obscure. In the present study, we scanned and
      found miR-1, miR-206, miR-200a, miR-381, miR-23a/b and miR-186 were functional
      suppressors of human Cx43 mRNA and protein expression. Specially, we demonstrated
      that only miR-200a could directly target the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of
      human Cx43 gene. Functionally, overexpression of Cx43 in MCF cells potentiated
      the migration activity, whereas additional miR-200a treatment notably prevented
      this effect. Finally, we demonstrated that decreased levels of miR-200a and
      elevated expression of Cx43 in the metastatic breast cancer tissues compared with
      the primary ones. Thus, we are the first to identify miR-200a as a novel and
      direct suppressor of human Cx43, indicating that miR200a/Cx43 axis might be a
      useful diagnostic and therapeutic target of metastatic breast cancer.

PMID- 26283636
TI  - Cohort Profile: The EDEN mother-child cohort on the prenatal and early postnatal
      determinants of child health and development.

PMID- 26283637
TI  - Relationship between arsenic-containing drinking water and skin cancers in the
      arseniasis endemic areas in Taiwan.
AB  - Artesian well-water had high concentrations of arsenic that led to the well-known
      black foot disease in Taiwan around the 1950s, and the associated cancers
      including skin cancer, bladder cancers and lung cancers. We sought to estimate
      the standardized morbidity ratio (SMR) and age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR)
      of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC) in the
      black foot disease endemic areas (BFDEA) in Taiwan. A nationwide retrospective
      population-based survey was done with the data from the National Taiwan Cancer
      Registry Center between 1979 and 2007. Among the 29-year period, there were 11
      191 cases with SCC and 13 684 cases with BCC diagnosed pathologically. The
      incidence rates were 4-6-fold higher for SCC and 3-4-fold higher for BCC in the
      BFDEA compared with the rest of Taiwan. The SMR decreased after stopping arsenic
      containing well-water drinking in the 1970s. The arsenic level in the drinking
      water, amount of contaminated water intake, occupation and sun-exposure time were
      not documented. This is the first nationwide, population-based study that shows
      the relationship between arsenic intoxication and non-melanoma skin cancers (SCC
      and BCC) through comparing the data in people living in the BFDEA and non-BFDEA
      in Taiwan. 

PMID- 26283638
TI  - Understanding and predicting suicidality using a combined genomic and clinical
      risk assessment approach.
AB  - Worldwide, one person dies every 40 seconds by suicide, a potentially preventable
      tragedy. A limiting step in our ability to intervene is the lack of objective,
      reliable predictors. We have previously provided proof of principle for the use
      of blood gene expression biomarkers to predict future hospitalizations due to
      suicidality, in male bipolar disorder participants. We now generalize the
      discovery, prioritization, validation, and testing of such markers across major
      psychiatric disorders (bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder,
      schizoaffective disorder, and schizophrenia) in male participants, to understand
      commonalities and differences. We used a powerful within-participant discovery
      approach to identify genes that change in expression between no suicidal ideation
      and high suicidal ideation states (n=37 participants out of a cohort of 217
      psychiatric participants followed longitudinally). We then used a convergent
      functional genomics (CFG) approach with existing prior evidence in the field to
      prioritize the candidate biomarkers identified in the discovery step. Next, we
      validated the top biomarkers from the prioritization step for relevance to
      suicidal behavior, in a demographically matched cohort of suicide completers from
      the coroner's office (n=26). The biomarkers for suicidal ideation only are
      enriched for genes involved in neuronal connectivity and schizophrenia, the
      biomarkers also validated for suicidal behavior are enriched for genes involved
      in neuronal activity and mood. The 76 biomarkers that survived Bonferroni
      correction after validation for suicidal behavior map to biological pathways
      involved in immune and inflammatory response, mTOR signaling and growth factor
      regulation. mTOR signaling is necessary for the effects of the rapid-acting
      antidepressant agent ketamine, providing a novel biological rationale for its
      possible use in treating acute suicidality. Similarly, MAOB, a target of
      antidepressant inhibitors, was one of the increased biomarkers for suicidality.
      We also identified other potential therapeutic targets or biomarkers for drugs
      known to mitigate suicidality, such as omega-3 fatty acids, lithium and
      clozapine. Overall, 14% of the top candidate biomarkers also had evidence for
      involvement in psychological stress response, and 19% for involvement in
      programmed cell death/cellular suicide (apoptosis). It may be that in the face of
      adversity (stress), death mechanisms are turned on at a cellular (apoptosis) and
      organismal level. Finally, we tested the top increased and decreased biomarkers
      from the discovery for suicidal ideation (CADM1, CLIP4, DTNA, KIF2C),
      prioritization with CFG for prior evidence (SAT1, SKA2, SLC4A4), and validation
      for behavior in suicide completers (IL6, MBP, JUN, KLHDC3) steps in a completely
      independent test cohort of psychiatric participants for prediction of suicidal
      ideation (n=108), and in a future follow-up cohort of psychiatric participants
      (n=157) for prediction of psychiatric hospitalizations due to suicidality. The
      best individual biomarker across psychiatric diagnoses for predicting suicidal
      ideation was SLC4A4, with a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) area under
      the curve (AUC) of 72%. For bipolar disorder in particular, SLC4A4 predicted
      suicidal ideation with an AUC of 93%, and future hospitalizations with an AUC of
      70%. SLC4A4 is involved in brain extracellular space pH regulation. Brain pH has
      been implicated in the pathophysiology of acute panic attacks. We also describe
      two new clinical information apps, one for affective state (simplified affective
      state scale, SASS) and one for suicide risk factors (Convergent Functional
      Information for Suicide, CFI-S), and how well they predict suicidal ideation
      across psychiatric diagnoses (AUC of 85% for SASS, AUC of 89% for CFI-S). We
      hypothesized a priori, based on our previous work, that the integration of the
      top biomarkers and the clinical information into a universal predictive measure
      (UP-Suicide) would show broad-spectrum predictive ability across psychiatric
      diagnoses. Indeed, the UP-Suicide was able to predict suicidal ideation across
      psychiatric diagnoses with an AUC of 92%. For bipolar disorder, it predicted
      suicidal ideation with an AUC of 98%, and future hospitalizations with an AUC of
      94%. Of note, both types of tests we developed (blood biomarkers and clinical
      information apps) do not require asking the individual assessed if they have
      thoughts of suicide, as individuals who are truly suicidal often do not share
      that information with clinicians. We propose that the widespread use of such risk
      prediction tests as part of routine or targeted healthcare assessments will lead
      to early disease interception followed by preventive lifestyle modifications and
      proactive treatment.

PMID- 26283640
TI  - Reciprocal causation models of cognitive vs volumetric cerebral intermediate
      phenotypes for schizophrenia in a pan-European twin cohort.

PMID- 26283639
TI  - A pilot in vivo proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy study of amino acid
      neurotransmitter response to ketamine treatment of major depressive disorder.
AB  - The N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist ketamine can improve major
      depressive disorder (MDD) within hours. To evaluate the putative role of
      glutamatergic and GABAergic systems in ketamine's antidepressant action, medial
      prefrontal cortical (mPFC) levels of glutamate+glutamine (Glx) and gamma
      aminobutyric acid (GABA) were measured before, during, and after ketamine
      administration using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Ketamine (0.5 mg kg(
      1) intravenously) was administered to 11 depressed patients with MDD. Glx and
      GABA mPFC responses were measured as ratios relative to unsuppressed voxel tissue
      water (W) successfully in 8/11 patients. Ten of 11 patients remitted (50%
      reduction in 24-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and total score ?10) within
      230 min of commencing ketamine. mPFC Glx/W and GABA/W peaked at 37.8%+/-7.5% and
      38.0%+/-9.1% above baseline in ~26 min. Mean areas under the curve for Glx/W
      (P=0.025) and GABA/W (P=0.005) increased and correlated (r=0.796; P=0.018).
      Clinical improvement correlated with 90-min norketamine concentration (df=6, r=
      0.78, P=0.023), but no other measures.

PMID- 26283641
TI  - Subcortical brain volume abnormalities in 2028 individuals with schizophrenia and
      2540 healthy controls via the ENIGMA consortium.

PMID- 26283643
TI  - Subretinal versus intravitreal injection of recombinant tissue plasminogen
      activator in post-traumatic submacular haemorrhages.

PMID- 26283642
TI  - Acute experimental changes in mood state regulate immune function in relation to
      central opioid neurotransmission: a model of human CNS-peripheral inflammatory
      interaction.
AB  - Although evidence shows depressed moods enhance risk for somatic diseases,
      molecular mechanisms underlying enhanced somatic susceptibility are ill-defined.
      Knowledge of these molecular mechanisms will inform development of treatment and
      prevention strategies across comorbid depressive and somatic illnesses. Existing
      evidence suggests that interleukin-18 (IL-18; an IL-1 family cytokine) is
      elevated in depression and implicated in pathophysiology underlying comorbid
      medical illnesses. We previously identified strong associations between baseline
      IL-18 and MU-opioid receptor availability in major depressive disorder (MDD)
      volunteers. Combined with the evidence in animal models, we hypothesized that
      experimental mood induction would change IL-18, the extent proportional to opioid
      neurotransmitter release. Using the Velten technique in a [(11)C]carfentanil
      positron emission tomography neuroimaging study, we examined the impact of
      experimentally induced mood (sad, neutral) on plasma IL-18 and relationships with
      concurrent changes in the central opioid neurotransmission in 28 volunteers
      (healthy, MDD). Results showed mood induction impacted IL-18 (F2,25=12.2,
      P<0.001), sadness increasing IL-18 (T27=2.6, P=0.01) and neutral mood reducing IL
      18 (T27=-4.1, P<0.001). In depressed volunteers, changes in IL-18 were more
      pronounced (F2,25=3.6, P=0.03) and linearly proportional to sadness-induced MU
      opioid activation (left ventral pallidum, bilateral anterior cingulate cortices,
      right hypothalamus and bilateral amygdala). These data demonstrate that dynamic
      changes of a pro-inflammatory IL-1 superfamily cytokine, IL-18, and its
      relationship to MU-opioid neurotransmission in response to experimentally induced
      sadness. Further testing is warranted to delineate the role of neuroimmune
      interactions involving IL-18 in enhancing susceptibility to medical illness (that
      is, diabetes, heart disease and persistent pain states) in depressed individuals.

PMID- 26283644
TI  - Effect of coronal flaring on apical extrusion of debris during root canal
      instrumentation using single-file systems.
AB  - AIM: To evaluate the effect of coronal flaring on the amount of debris extruded
      apically during root canal preparation using the Reciproc, WaveOne (WO) and
      OneShape (OS) single-file systems. METHODOLOGY: Ninety extracted single-rooted
      mandibular incisor teeth were randomly assigned to six groups (n = 15 for each
      group) for canal instrumentation. Endodontic access cavities were prepared in
      each tooth. In three of the six groups, coronal flaring was not performed;
      coronal flaring was performed with Gates-Glidden drills on all teeth in the
      remaining three groups. The canals were then instrumented with one or other of
      the following single-file instrument systems: Reciproc, WO and OS. Debris
      extruded apically during instrumentation was collected into pre-weighed Eppendorf
      tubes. The tubes were then stored in an incubator at 70  degrees C for 5 days.
      The weight of the dry extruded debris was established by subtracting the pre
      instrumentation and post-instrumentation weight of the Eppendorf tubes for each
      group. Data were analysed using one-way analysis of variance (anova) and Tukey's
      post hoc tests (P = 0.05). RESULTS: Reciproc and WO files without coronal flaring
      produced significantly more debris compared with the other groups (P < 0.05).
      There was no significant difference in apical extrusion of debris amongst the
      other groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: All single-file systems caused apical
      extrusion of debris. Performing coronal flaring prior to canal preparation
      reduced the amount of apically extruded debris when using Reciproc or WO systems.

PMID- 26283645
TI  - The professional humanitarian and the downsides of professionalisation.
AB  - Criticisms lodged at humanitarian relief often include the belief that
      professionalisation is needed. The problems associated with humanitarianism would
      end, it is assumed, if the delivery of aid, and relief workers themselves, were
      more professional and 'business like'. To explore this further, the paper asks
      what comprises a profession, and offers four criteria: (1) specialisation of
      knowledge; (2) establishment of the profession as a livelihood; (3) organisation
      and institutionalisation; and (4) legitimacy and authority. A model for
      understanding professionalisation, as developed by the author, is then presented.
      The analysis compares six other professions against the same criteria to argue
      that the humanitarian community already constitutes a profession. Finally, three
      potential downsides of professionalisation are offered: the distance of the
      relief worker from the beneficiary, barriers to entry into the humanitarian
      sector, and adding to risk aversion and a decline in innovation. Based on these
      findings, professionalisation should be approached with some caution.

PMID- 26283646
TI  - High-Pressure Synthesis of Boron-Doped Ultrasmall Diamonds from an Organic
      Compound.
AB  - The first application of the high-pressure-high-temperature (HPHT) technique for
      direct production of doped ultrasmall diamonds starting from a one-component
      organic precursor is reported. Heavily boron-doped diamond nanoparticles with a
      size below 10 nm are produced by HPHT treatment of 9-borabicyclo [3,3,1]nonane
      dimer molecules. 

PMID- 26283647
TI  - Recovery of calf muscle endurance 3 months after an Achilles tendon rupture.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to evaluate calf muscle endurance in a seated
      position 3 months after an Achilles tendon rupture and to evaluate how the
      ability to perform standardized seated heel-rises correlated to the single-leg
      standing heel-rise test and to patient-reported symptoms evaluated with the
      Achilles tendon Total Rupture Score (ATRS) 3 and 6 months after the injury.
      Ninety-three patients were included from a cohort of 101 patients participating
      in a prospective, randomized controlled trial comparing surgical and nonsurgical
      treatment after Achilles tendon rupture. Forty-seven patients were treated
      surgically and 46 nonsurgically. Ninety-one patients out of 93 (98%) could
      perform the standardized seated heel-rises. At the 3-month follow-up, there was a
      significant difference (P < 0.001) between the injured and the healthy side
      performing standardized seated heel-rises. There were also significant
      correlations (r = 0.29-0.37, P = < 0.05) between the standardized seated heel
      rises and ATRS 3 and 6 months after injury in the group who could not perform
      single-leg standing heel-rises. There were no significant differences between the
      surgical and nonsurgical treatment groups. The evaluation of standardized seated
      heel-rises appears to be a useful tool to quantify progress and predict future
      functional performance and patient-reported symptoms. 

PMID- 26283648
TI  - Disseminated specific cutaneous infiltrates of B-cell chronic lymphocytic
      leukemia - Wolf's isotopic response following herpes zoster infection.

PMID- 26283649
TI  - High diversity of viable bacteria isolated from lymph nodes of slaughter pigs and
      its possible impacts for food safety.
AB  - AIMS: Ileocaecal lymph nodes (ICLNs) of pigs, the key immune inductive site for
      bacterial systemic invasion, were examined in this study with emphasis on viable
      and cultivable bacteria. METHODS AND RESULTS: Asymptomatic and pathologically
      altered ICLNs of slaughter pigs (n = 16) with hyperplasia, purulence or
      granulomatous formations were aerobically and anaerobically cultivated. In total,
      209 isolates were collected and the near full-length 16S rRNA gene from each
      isolate was sequenced. Taxonomic classification revealed that 68% of the isolates
      belonged to Proteobacteria, 27% to Firmicutes and 5% to Actinobacteria. Purulent
      and granulomatous ICLNs generally tended to contain more Proteobacteria than
      asymptomatic and enlarged ICLNs (P = 0.061). The isolates could be assigned to 25
      species belonging to 17 genera including Escherichia, Carnobacterium,
      Lactobacillus, Staphylococcus and Acinetobacter. Furthermore, pathogens such as
      Streptococcus suis and Salmonella enterica were detected. The most abundant
      isolate (57%) was most similar (>99%) to Escherichia coli. Random amplified
      polymorphic DNA (RAPD) profiling revealed a high genetic diversity among E. coli
      isolates and 24% of these isolates were positive for at least one gene associated
      with enterohemorrhagic disease (eae, fliC, stx1 or hlyA). Compared with a
      recently published DNA-based high-throughput sequencing data set including the
      same ICLNs, 4% of species detected were cultivable. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of
      viable, commensal and pathogenic bacterial phylotypes could be proven in ICLNs
      with Proteobacteria being dominant. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This is
      the first study that broadly characterizes viable bacteria from ICLNs of pigs.
      The presence of bacteria in lymph nodes of farm animals has practical relevance
      for host colonization and possible chronic infection. It is also of great
      interest for basic research investigating translocation of bacteria from the
      gastrointestinal tract to ICLNs.

PMID- 26283650
TI  - Commentary on: The Effect of Hering's Law on Different Ptosis Repair Methods.

PMID- 26283651
TI  - Commentary on: Safety of Cosmetic Procedures in Elderly and Octogenarian
      Patients.

PMID- 26283652
TI  - Educational level and risk profile and risk control in patients with coronary
      heart disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to ascertain way in which conventional
      risk factors, readiness to modify behaviour and to comply with recommended
      medication, and the effect of this medication were associated with education in
      patients with established coronary heart disease (CHD). METHODS: The EUROASPIRE
      IV (EUROpean Action on Secondary Prevention by Intervention to Reduce Events)
      study was a cross-sectional survey undertaken in 24 European countries to
      ascertain how recommendations on secondary CHD prevention are being followed in
      clinical practice. Consecutive patients, men and women <=80 years of age who had
      been hospitalized for an acute coronary syndrome or revascularization procedure,
      were identified retrospectively. Data were collected through an interview with
      examinations at least six months and no later than three years after
      hospitalization. RESULTS: A total of 7937 patients (1934 (24.37%) women) were
      evaluated. Patients with primary education were older, with a larger proportion
      of women. Control of risk factors, as defined by Joint European Societies 4 and 5
      guidelines, was significantly better with higher education for current smoking (p
      = 0.001), overweight and obesity (p = 0.047 and p = 0.029, respectively), low
      physical activity (p < 0.001) and low high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol
      (p = 0.011) in men, and for obesity (p = 0.005), high blood pressure (p < 0.005
      and p < 0.001), low physical activity (p = 0.001), diabetes (p < 0.001) and low
      HDL-cholesterol (p = 0.023) in women. Patients with primary and secondary
      education were more often treated with diuretics and antidiabetic drugs. Better
      control of hypertension was achieved in patients with higher education.
      CONCLUSION: Particular risk communication and control are needed in secondary CHD
      prevention for patients with lower educational status.

PMID- 26283653
TI  - Cancer Metastases: So Close and So Far.
AB  - Metastases are tumors that develop at a distance from their primary origin and
      are responsible for the death of 90% of cancer patients. For over a century the
      notion of seed (migrating cells) and soil (the locus where those cells anchor)
      provided an accurate account of which were the protagonists in their genesis.
      Despite aggressive efforts to unravel the dynamics involving migrating cells and
      the niche in which they anchor, explanations of this process remain ill-defined
      and controversial. The controversy is generated by the different premises that
      researchers adopt to integrate the vast amount of data collected at different
      levels of biological organization. The so-far hegemonic theory of cancer and its
      metastases has been the somatic mutation theory (SMT) and a number of its
      variants: They consider that cancers and their metastases represent a cell-based,
      genetic and molecular disease. This interpretation has been challenged by the
      tissue organization field theory (TOFT), which considers instead that cancer is a
      tissue-based disease, akin to development gone awry. In this Commentary, the
      merits of both theories are compared now in the context of metastases. Based on
      the epistemological shortcomings of the SMT and the acknowledged failure of
      therapeutic approaches based on this theory, we conclude that TOFT explains
      comprehensibly carcinogenesis and the appearance of metastases. 

PMID- 26283654
TI  - Essential medicines for breast cancer in low and middle income countries.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women
      worldwide. In low and middle-income countries (LMICs), appropriate selection of
      medicines on national essential medicines lists (NEMLs) is a first step towards
      adequate access to treatment. We studied selection of systemic treatments for
      breast cancer on NEMLs and assessed its alignment with treatment guidelines for
      different types of early and advanced breast cancer. Furthermore, influence of
      country characteristics on the selection was investigated. METHOD: NEMLs from 75
      LMICs were studied for inclusion of all components of therapy in each stage of
      breast cancer according to international consensus guidelines. The results were
      then grouped by income level, WHO region and the NEMLs' release date. Non
      parametric tests were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Unlike HER2
      targeted therapies (<10%), aromatase inhibitors (12%) and taxanes (28%);
      tamoxifen and first generation chemotherapeutic regimens (e.g., anthracycline
      based regimens) were frequently found in the NEMLs (71-78%). Consequently, all
      components of treatment for "Luminal A" early breast cancer and non HER2
      overexpressed advanced breast cancer were found on the NEMLs of over 70% of
      countries. However, 40% of the low income countries did not have all the
      components of therapy for any type of early breast cancer in their NEMLs, and
      adequate treatment of HER2 overexpressed breast cancer was hardly possible with
      the current selections. Recent NEMLs were more aligned with the guidelines (p <
      0.05). Eastern Mediterranean and African regions less frequently incorporated all
      components of breast cancer treatment in their NEMLs. CONCLUSION: Alignment of
      selection with guidelines' recommendations was inconsistent for different types
      of early and advanced breast cancer in NEMLs. Regular updates and more attention
      to clinical guidelines is therefore recommended.

PMID- 26283656
TI  - Hidden genes in birds.
AB  - We report that a subset of avian genes is characterized by very high GC content
      and long G/C stretches. These sequence characteristics correlate with the
      frequent absence of these genes from genomic databases. We provide several
      examples where genes in this subset are mistakenly reported as missing in birds.
      www.dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13059-015-0725-y.

PMID- 26283655
TI  - Cryoballoon Versus Open Irrigated Radiofrequency Ablation in Patients With
      Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation: The Prospective, Randomized, Controlled,
      Noninferiority FreezeAF Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is a lack of data on the comparative efficacy and procedural
      safety of open irrigated radiofrequency (RF) and cryoballoon catheter (CB)
      ablation for pulmonary vein isolation in patients with paroxysmal atrial
      fibrillation. METHODS AND RESULTS: In a prospective, noninferiority study, 315
      patients were randomly assigned to RF (n=159) or CB (n=156) ablation. The primary
      end point was freedom from atrial arrhythmia with absence of persistent
      complications. Patients were largely comparable between groups with more vascular
      disease in the RF group (8.2% versus 2.6% for CB; P=0.028). The primary end point
      at 12 months was achieved by 70.7% with RF and 73.6% with CB (multiple procedure
      success), including 31 redo procedures in each group (19.5% of RF versus 19.9% of
      CB; P=0.933). For the intention-to-treat population, noninferiority of CB was
      revealed for the predefined inferiority margin (risk difference, 0.029; 95%
      confidence interval, -0.074 to 0.132; P<0.001). Rates at 6 months were 63.1% and
      64.1% for the RF and CB groups (single procedure success), and noninferiority was
      confirmed (risk difference, 0.010; 95% confidence interval, -0.097 to 0.116;
      P=0.002). Periprocedural complications for the index procedure were more frequent
      in the CB group (5.0% RF, 12.2% CB; P=0.022) with a significant difference in
      phrenic nerve palsies (0% RF, 5.8% CB; P=0.002). CONCLUSION: This large,
      prospective, randomized, controlled study demonstrates noninferiority of CB
      ablation versus RF ablation for treating patients with paroxysmal atrial
      fibrillation. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov.
      Unique identifier: NCT00774566.

PMID- 26283657
TI  - Plasma n-3 fatty acids and clinical outcomes in recent-onset rheumatoid
      arthritis.
AB  - A randomised controlled trial (RCT) of high-dose v. low-dose fish oil in recent
      onset rheumatoid arthritis (RA) demonstrated that the group allocated to high
      dose fish oil had increased remission and decreased failure of disease-modifying
      anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy. This study examines the relationships
      between plasma phospholipid levels of the n-3 fatty acids in fish oil, EPA and
      DHA, and remission and DMARD use in recent-onset RA. EPA and DHA were measured in
      blood samples from both groups of the RCT. The data were analysed as a single
      cohort, and Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine relationships
      between plasma phospholipid (PL) EPA and DHA and various outcome measures. When
      analysed as a single cohort, plasma PL EPA was related to time to remission, with
      a one unit increase in EPA (1% total fatty acids) associated with a 12% increase
      in the probability of remission at any time during the study period (hazard ratio
      (HR)=1.12; 95% CI 1.02, 1.23; P=0.02). Adjustment for smoking, anti-cyclic
      citrullinated peptide antibodies and 'shared epitope' HLA-DR allele status did
      not change the HR. Plasma PL EPA, adjusted for the same variables, was negatively
      related to time to DMARD failure (HR=0.85; 95% CI 0.72, 0.99; P=0.047). The HR
      for DHA and time to remission or DMARD failure were similar in magnitude to those
      for EPA, but not statistically significant. Biomarkers of n-3 status, such as
      plasma PL EPA, have the potential to predict clinical outcomes relevant to
      standard drug treatment of RA patients.

PMID- 26283658
TI  - Recruitment of dorsal midbrain catecholaminergic pathways in the recovery from
      nerve injury evoked disabilities.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The periaqueductal gray region (PAG) is one of several brain areas
      identified to be vulnerable to structural and functional change following
      peripheral nerve injury. Sciatic nerve constriction injury (CCI) triggers
      neuropathic pain and three distinct profiles of changes in complex behaviours,
      which include altered social and sleep-wake behaviours as well as changes in
      endocrine function. The PAG encompasses subgroups of the A10 dopaminergic and A6
      noradrenergic cell groups; the origins of significant ascending projections to
      hypothalamic and forebrain regions, which regulate sleep, complex behaviours and
      endocrine function. We used RT-PCR, western blots and immunohistochemistry for
      tyrosine hydroxylase to determine whether (1) tyrosine hydroxylase increased in
      the A10/A6 cells and/or; (2) de novo synthesis of tyrosine hydroxylase, in a 'TH
      naive' population of ventral PAG neurons characterized rats with distinct
      patterns of behavioural and endocrine change co-morbid with CCI evoked-pain.
      RESULTS: Evidence for increased tyrosine hydroxylase transcription and
      translation in the constitutive A10/A6 cells was found in the midbrain of rats
      that showed an initial 2-3 day post-CCI, behavioural and endocrine change, which
      recovered by days 5-6 post-CCI. Furthermore these rats showed significant
      increases in the density of TH-IR fibres in the vPAG. CONCLUSIONS: Our data
      provide evidence for: (1) potential increases in dopamine and noradrenaline
      synthesis in vPAG cells; and (2) increased catecholaminergic drive on vPAG
      neurons in rats in which transient changes in social behavior are seen following
      CCI. The data suggests a role for dopaminergic and noradrenergic outputs, and
      catecholaminergic inputs of the vPAG in the expression of one of the profiles of
      behavioural and endocrine change triggered by nerve injury.

PMID- 26283660
TI  - Implementation of an evidence-based seizure algorithm in intellectual disability
      nursing: A pilot study.
AB  - Based on the results of the Surrogate Decision-Making Self Efficacy Scale (Lopez,
      2009a), this study sought to determine whether nurses working in the field of
      intellectual disability (ID) experience increased confidence when they
      implemented the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses (AANN) Seizure
      Algorithm during telephone triage. The results of the study indicated using the
      AANN Seizure Algorithm increased self-confidence for many of the nurses in
      guiding care decisions during telephone triage. The treatment effect was
      statistically significant -3.169(p < 0.01) for a small sample of study
      participants. This increase in confidence is clinically essential for two
      reasons. Many individuals with ID and epilepsy reside within community-based
      settings. ID nurses provide seizure guidance to this population living in
      community-based settings via telephone triage. Evidenced-based training tools
      provide a valuable mechanism by guiding nurses via best practices. Nurses may
      need to be formally trained for seizure management due to high epilepsy rates in
      this population. 

PMID- 26283659
TI  - Hydrogen sulphide and mild hypothermia activate the CREB signaling pathway and
      prevent ischemia-reperfusion injury.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Both hydrogen sulphide (H2S) and mild hypothermia have been reported
      to prevent brain damage caused by reperfusion assault through regulating the N
      methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR). However, the relationship between the two
      treatments and how they exert neuro-protective effects through NMDARs remain to
      be elucidated. METHODS: Transient cerebral ischemia was induced using the
      Pulsinelli four-vessel occlusion method. We used sodium hydrosulphide (NaHS) as
      the H2S donor. We randomly divided 100 Sprague-Dawley rats into five groups of
      20: Sham operation group (Sh), normothermic (36-37  degrees C) ischemia group
      (NT), mild hypothermic (32-33  degrees C) ischemia group (mHT), normothermic
      ischemia combined with NaHS treatment group (NT + NaHS), and mild hypothermic
      ischemia combined with NaHS treatment group (mHT + NaHS). After 6 hrs of
      reperfusion, rats were decapitated and hippocampus samples were immediately
      collected. We measured NR2A (GluN1), NR2B (GluN2) and p-CREB protein levels using
      western blotting. We further analyzed BDNF mRNA expression by real-time PCR.
      Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was used to examine pyramidal cell histology
      at the CA1 region. All statistical analyses were carried out by ANOVA and LSD t
      test as implemented by the SPSS 13.0 software. RESULTS: In the four test groups
      with ischemia-reperfusion, hippocampal H2S concentration increased following
      treatment, and administration of NaHS further increased H2S levels. Moreover,
      administration of both NaHS and mild hypothermia resulted in up-regulation of
      NR2A and NR2B protein expressions, as well as p-CREB protein and BDNF mRNA
      levels. At the cellular level, NaHS and mild hypothermia groups exhibited lower
      damage caused by ischemia-reperfusion in the CA1 region of the hippocampus. The
      strongest protective effect was observed in rats treated with combined NaHS and
      mild hypothermia, suggesting their effects were additive. CONCLUSION: Our results
      support previous findings that hydrogen sulphide and mild hypothermia can prevent
      ischemia-reperfusion injury. Both treatments caused an up-regulation of NMDA
      receptors, as well as an elevation in p-CREB protein and BDNF mRNA levels. Thus,
      hydrogen sulphide and mild hypothermia may provide neuro-protective effect
      through activating the pro-survival CREB signaling pathway.

PMID- 26283661
TI  - Teachers' interpersonal style and its relationship to emotions, causal
      attributions, and type of challenging behaviors displayed by students with
      intellectual disabilities.
AB  - Teachers' interpersonal style is a new field of research in the study of students
      with intellectual disabilities and challenging behaviors in school context. In
      the present study, we investigate emotions and causal attributions of three basic
      types of challenging behaviors: aggression, stereotypy, and self-injury, in
      relation to teachers' interpersonal style. One hundred and seventy seven Greek
      general and special educator teachers participated in the study by completing a
      three-scaled questionnaire. Statistical analysis revealed that the type of
      challenging behaviors affected causal attributions. According to regression
      analysis, emotions, teaching experience, expertise in special education, and
      gender explained a significant amount of variance in interpersonal style.
      Emotions were found to have a mediating role in the relationship between causal
      attributions and interpersonal style of "willingness to support," when
      challenging behaviors were attributed to stable causes or causes under the
      control of the individual with intellectual disabilities. 

PMID- 26283662
TI  - Childhood sexual abuse experiences and its associated factors among adolescent
      female high school students in Arbaminch town, Gammo Goffa zone, Southern
      Ethiopia: a mixed method study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Childhood sexual abuse is a major social problem in Africa including
      Ethiopia. Moreover, little has been explored about the pattern of childhood
      sexual abuse in the context of high school students in Ethiopia in general and in
      Arbaminch town in particular. Thus, the present study aims to assess the
      prevalence and associated factors of childhood sexual abuse among adolescent
      female high school students in Arbaminch town. METHODS: A school- based, cross
      sectional study was conducted among adolescent female high school students in
      Arbaminch town from 3(rd) to 8(th) March 2014. Both quantitative and qualitative
      methods of data collection were used. For the quantitative data, a simple random
      sampling technique was used to select 369 female students from grade ten of the
      six high schools. A pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire was used to
      collect the data and then analysis was made using SPSS version 20 statistical
      packages. For the qualitative component, fourteen in-depth interviews were
      conducted and analysed based on the thematic areas. RESULT: The prevalence of
      life time rape among adolescent female high school students in Arbaminch town was
      11 %. The odds of experiencing life time rape was higher among students who lived
      alone (AOR = 4.30; 95 % CI: 1.81, 10.24) and among students who lived with their
      friends (AOR = 3.31; 95 % CI: 1.23, 8.89) than those lived with their parents.
      The chance of experiencing rape among students who have had no open discussions
      with their parents about sexuality and reproductive health was higher (AOR =
      2.93; 95 % CI: 1.33, 6.45) than those who have had discussions. CONCLUSION: This
      study revealed high levels of childhood sexual abuse among the adolescent female
      high school students in Arbaminch town. Ever having a discussion about sexuality
      and reproductive health with parents, living arrangement of the student, and
      father's educational status had statistically significant association with
      childhood sexual abuse. Unwanted pregnancy and abortion were the most common
      reproductive outcomes of rape. Comprehensive school based reproductive health
      education, community based awareness creation, open discussions about sexuality
      and reproductive health matters with students at family level are recommended.

PMID- 26283663
TI  - Vitamin D3 supplementation in HIV infection: effectiveness and associations with
      antiretroviral therapy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy (ART) may create unique risk
      factors for vitamin D insufficiency, including alterations of vitamin D
      metabolism by ART. We prospectively compared demographic and clinical parameters
      between vitamin D sufficient and insufficient HIV-infected (HIV+) adults, and
      assessed changes in these parameters among insufficient participants following
      standardized vitamin D supplementation. METHODS: HIV+ adults (>= 18 years old)
      with HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL on ART were enrolled. Vitamin D sufficiency and
      insufficiency were defined as 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) >= 30 or <30 ng/mL,
      respectively. Insufficient participants received open-label vitamin D3 50,000 IU
      twice weekly for 5 weeks, then 8000 IU twice weekly to complete 24 weeks. The
      primary endpoint was success or failure to achieve 25(OH)D >= 30 ng/mL at week
      24. RESULTS: Ninety-seven participants enrolled (34 vitamin D sufficient, 63
      insufficient); 32% female, 47% non-White, median age 46 years, ART duration 5
      years, CD4+ T lymphocyte count (CD4) 673 cells/mm(3). 25(OH)D repletion was 83%
      (95% CI 71%-90%) successful. 25(OH)D levels correlated with both CD4 (r = 0.44, p
      = 0.01) and time on protease inhibitor (r = -0.35, p = 0.01). After adjusting for
      age, sex, race, nadir CD4 and baseline 25(OH)D: 1) current use of efavirenz
      exposure was associated with a 21.1 ng/mL higher week 24 25(OH)D level (p =
      0.007), 2) per year use of zidovudine was associated with 7.1 ng/mL reduction in
      week 24 serum 25(OH)D (p = 0.05) and 3) every 1 ng/mL 25(OH)D increase was
      associated with a 3.3 cell/mm(3) CD4 increase (p = 0.06). CONCLUSION: Vitamin D3
      supplementation was effective in repleting 25(OH)D levels after 24 weeks. Current
      efavirenz use was positively associated with post-repletion 25(OH)D levels, while
      greater time on zidovudine was associated with lower post-repletion 25(OH)D
      levels. The association between improved CD4 recovery and vitamin D repletion
      suggests a potential benefit of vitamin D supplementation on immunologic recovery
      during HIV treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial is registered at The
      Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry (U1111-1165-2537).

PMID- 26283665
TI  - Cardiac hemodynamic response to the 6-minute walk test in young adults and the
      elderly.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Exercise capacity is evaluated using the 6-minute walk test in
      various diseases. Variety in the distances walked was also shown in healthy
      subjects. Moreover, age-related influences on cardiac hemodynamic response to the
      6-minute walk test have not been clarified. The purpose of this study was thus to
      investigate the hemodynamic response to the 6-minute walk test and to detect
      factors related to the distance walked in healthy subjects. METHODS: Thirteen
      young adults (age 20.5 +/- 0.7 years, BMI 22.0 +/- 4.3) and 26 elderly
      individuals (age 60.2 +/- 6.1 years, BMI 21.7 +/- 2.2) were enrolled to measure
      real-time hemodynamic responses using non-invasive impedance cardiography during
      the 6-minute walk test. RESULTS: Stroke volume was higher in the young than in
      the elderly and reached a plateau within 30 s of starting to walk in all
      subjects. An increase in heart rate took more than 1 min in the elderly, while it
      took less than 30 s in the young, which resulted in slower increases in cardiac
      output and cardiac index in the elderly. There was no difference in the distance
      in the 6-minute walk test between the young and the elderly. The distance walked
      was correlated with heart rate, cardiac output, and cardiac index, but not with
      stroke volume, at the end of the 6-minute walk test. CONCLUSIONS: The distance
      walked appeared to depend on increased cardiac output based on heart rate, but
      did not appear to be limited by stroke volume, in healthy subjects.

PMID- 26283664
TI  - Increased Fab thermoresistance via VH-targeted directed evolution.
AB  - Antibody aggregation is frequently mediated by the complementarity determining
      regions within the variable domains and can significantly decrease purification
      yields, shorten shelf-life and increase the risk of anti-drug immune responses.
      Aggregation-resistant antibodies could offset these risks; accordingly, we have
      developed a directed evolution strategy to improve Fab stability. A Fab-phage
      display vector was constructed and the VH domain targeted for mutagenesis by
      error-prone PCR. To enrich for thermoresistant clones, the resulting phage
      library was transiently heated, followed by selection for binding to an anti
      light chain constant domain antibody. Five unique variants were identified, each
      possessing one to three amino acid substitutions. Each engineered Fab possessed
      higher, Escherichia coli expression yield, a 2-3 degrees C increase in apparent
      melting temperature and improved aggregation resistance upon heating at high
      concentration. Select mutations were combined and shown to confer additive
      improvements to these biophysical characteristics. Finally, the wild-type and
      most stable triple variant Fab variant were converted into a human IgG1 and
      expressed in mammalian cells. Both expression level and aggregation resistance
      were similarly improved in the engineered IgG1. Analysis of the wild-type Fab
      crystal structure provided a structural rationale for the selected residues
      changes. This approach can help guide future Fab stabilization efforts. 

PMID- 26283666
TI  - Self-referral psychological treatment centre for young adults: a 2-year
      observational evaluation of routine practice before and after treatment.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To examine a self-referral psychological service provided to young
      adults with regard to effects on anxiety, depression and psychological distress
      and to explore client factors predicting non-adherence and non-response. DESIGN:
      Observational study over a 2-year period. SETTING: Young Adults Centre providing
      psychological services by self-referral (preprimary care) to Linkoping,
      Atvidaberg, and Kinda municipalities (combined population 145,000) in
      Ostergotland county, Sweden. PARTICIPANTS: 607 young adults (16-25 years of age);
      71% females (n=429). INTERVENTION: Individually scheduled cognitive behavioural
      therapy delivered in up to six 45 min sessions structured according to an
      assessment of the client's mental health problems: anxiety, depression, anxiety
      and depression combined, or decreased distress without specific anxiety or
      depression. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Pre-post intervention changes in
      psychological distress (General Health Questionnaire-12, GHQ-12), Hospital
      Anxiety and Depression Scale Anxiety/Depression (HADS-A/D). RESULTS: 192 clients
      (32.5%) discontinued the intervention on their own initiative and 39 clients
      (6.6%) were referred to a psychiatric clinic during the course of the
      intervention. Intention-to-treat analyses including all clients showed a medium
      treatment effect size (d=0.64) with regard to psychological distress, and small
      effect sizes were observed with regard to anxiety (d=0.58) and depression
      (d=0.57). Restricting the analyses to clients who adhered to the agreed
      programme, a large effect size (d=1.26) was observed with regard to psychological
      distress, and medium effect sizes were observed with regard to anxiety (d=1.18)
      and depression (d=1.19). Lower age and a high initial HADS-A score were the
      strongest risk factors for non-adherence, and inability to concentrate and
      thinking of oneself as a worthless person increased the risk for discontinuation.
      CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that provision of psychological services to young people
      through a self-referral centre has potential to improve long-term mental health
      in communities, but management of non-adherence remains a central challenge.

PMID- 26283668
TI  - Paracetamol for the treatment of patent ductus arteriosus in preterm neonates: a
      systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of all the
      available evidence to assess the efficacy and safety of paracetamol for the
      treatment of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in neonates, and to explore the
      effects of clinical variables on the risk of closure. DATA SOURCE: MEDLINE,
      Scopus and ISI Web of Knowledge databases, using the following medical subject
      headings and terms: paracetamol, acetaminophen and patent ductus arteriosus.
      Electronic and manual screening of conference abstracts from international
      meetings of relevant organisations. Manual search of the reference lists of all
      eligible articles. STUDY SELECTION: Studies comparing paracetamol versus
      ibuprofen, indomethacin, placebo or no intervention for the treatment of PDA.
      DATA EXTRACTION: Data regarding efficacy and safety were collected and analysed.
      RESULTS: Sixteen studies were included: 2 randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and
      14 uncontrolled studies. Quality of selected studies is poor. A meta-analysis of
      RCTs does not demonstrate any difference in the risk of ductal closure (Mantel
      Haenszel model, RR 1.07, 95% CI 0.87 to 1.33 and RR 1.03, 95% CI 0.92 to 1.16,
      after 3 and 6 days of treatment, respectively). Proportion meta-analysis of
      uncontrolled studies demonstrates a pooled ductal closure rate of 49% (95% CI 29%
      to 69%) and 76% (95% CI 61% to 88%) after 3 and 6 days of treatment with
      paracetamol, respectively. Safety profiles of paracetamol and ibuprofen are
      similar. CONCLUSIONS: Efficacy and safety of paracetamol appear to be comparable
      with those of ibuprofen. These results should be interpreted with caution, taking
      into account the non-optimal quality of the studies analysed and the limited
      number of neonates treated with paracetamol so far.

PMID- 26283670
TI  - Time to eradication of Mycoplasma genitalium after antibiotic treatment in men
      and women.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the time to a
      Mycoplasma genitalium-negative test after start of treatment and to monitor if
      and when antibiotic resistance developed. METHODS: Sexually transmitted disease
      (STD) clinic attendees with suspected or verified M. genitalium infection were
      treated with azithromycin (5 days, 1.5 g; n = 85) or moxifloxacin (n = 5).
      Subjects with symptomatic urethritis or cervicitis of unknown aetiology were
      randomized to either doxycycline (n = 49) or 1 g of azithromycin as a single dose
      (n = 51). Women collected vaginal specimens and men collected first-catch urine
      12 times during 4 weeks. Specimens were tested for M. genitalium with a
      quantitative MgPa PCR and for macrolide resistance-mediating mutations with a PCR
      targeting 23S rRNA. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: NCT01661985. RESULTS: Ninety M.
      genitalium cases were enrolled. Of 56 patients with macrolide-susceptible strains
      before treatment with azithromycin (1.5 g, n = 46; 1 g single oral dose, n = 10),
      54 (96%) had a negative PCR test within 8 days. In four patients, M. genitalium
      converted from macrolide susceptible to resistant after a 10 day lag time with
      negative tests (azithromycin 1.5 g, n = 3; 1 g single oral dose, n = 1).
      Moxifloxacin-treated subjects (n = 4) were PCR negative within 1 week. Six of
      eight (75%) remained positive despite doxycycline treatment. CONCLUSIONS: PCR for
      M. genitalium rapidly became negative after azithromycin treatment. Macrolide
      resistant strains were detected after initially negative tests. Test of cure
      should be recommended no earlier than 3-4 weeks.

PMID- 26283669
TI  - Hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia are associated with unfavourable outcome in
      infants with hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy: a post hoc analysis of the CoolCap
      Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of neonatal hypoglycaemia and
      hyperglycaemia with outcomes in infants with hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy
      (HIE). DESIGN: Post hoc analysis of the CoolCap Study. SETTING: 25 perinatal
      centres in the UK, the USA and New Zealand during 1999-2002. PATIENTS: 234
      infants at >=36 weeks' gestation with moderate-to-severe HIE enrolled in the
      CoolCap Study. 214 (91%) infants had documented plasma glucose and follow-up
      outcome data. INTERVENTION: Infants were randomised to head cooling for 72 h
      starting within 6 h of birth, or standard care. Plasma glucose levels were
      measured at predetermined time intervals after randomisation. MAIN OUTCOME
      MEASURE: The unfavourable primary outcome of the study was death and/or severe
      neurodevelopmental disability at 18 months. Hypoglycaemia (<=40 mg/dL, <=2.2
      mmol/L) and hyperglycaemia (>150 mg/dL, >8.3 mmol/L) during the first 12 h after
      randomisation were investigated for univariable and multivariable associations
      with unfavourable primary outcome. RESULTS: 121 (57%) infants had abnormal plasma
      glucose values within 12 h of randomisation. Unfavourable outcome was observed in
      126 (60%) infants and was more common among subjects with hypoglycaemia (81%,
      p=0.004), hyperglycaemia (67%, p=0.01) and any glucose derangement within the
      first 12 h (67%, p=0.002) compared with normoglycaemic infants (48%) in
      univariable analysis. These associations remained significant after adjusting for
      birth weight, Apgar score, pH, Sarnat stage and hypothermia therapy. CONCLUSIONS:
      Both hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia in infants with moderate-to-severe HIE were
      independently associated with unfavourable outcome. Future studies are needed to
      investigate the prognostic significance of these associations and their role as
      biomarkers of brain injury. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: (ClinicalTrials.gov
      NCT00383305).

PMID- 26283671
TI  - Clonal transmission of a colistin-resistant Escherichia coli from a domesticated
      pig to a human in Laos.

PMID- 26283672
TI  - Do pneumonia readmissions flagged as potentially preventable by the 3M PPR
      software have more process of care problems? A cross-sectional observational
      study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In the USA, administrative data-based readmission rates such as the
      Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' all-cause readmission measures are
      used for public reporting and hospital payment penalties. To improve this measure
      and identify better quality improvement targets, 3M developed the Potentially
      Preventable Readmissions (PPRs) measure. It matches clinically related index
      admission and readmission diagnoses that may indicate readmissions resulting from
      admission- or post-discharge-related quality problems. OBJECTIVE: To examine
      whether PPR software-flagged pneumonia readmissions are associated with poorer
      quality of care. METHODS: Using a retrospective observational study design and
      Veterans Health Administration (VA) data, we identified pneumonia discharges
      associated with 30-day readmissions, and then flagged cases as PPR-yes or PPR-no
      using the PPR software. To assess quality of care, we abstracted electronic
      medical records of 100 random readmissions using a tool containing explicit care
      processes organised into admission work-up, in-hospital evaluation/treatment,
      discharge readiness and post-discharge period. We derived quality scores, scaled
      to a maximum of 25 per section (maximum total score=100) and compared cases by
      total and section-specific mean scores using t tests and effect size (ES) to
      characterise the clinical significance of findings. RESULTS: Our abstraction
      sample was selected from 11,278 pneumonia readmissions (readmission rate=16.5%)
      during 1 October 2005-30 September 2010; 77% were flagged as PPR-yes. Contrary to
      expectations, total and section mean quality scores were slightly higher,
      although non-significantly, among PPR-yes (N=77) versus PPR-no (N=23) cases
      (respective total scores, 71.2+/-8.7 vs 65.8+/-11.5, p=0.14); differences
      demonstrated ES >0.30 overall and for admission work-up and post-discharge period
      sections. CONCLUSIONS: Among VA pneumonia readmissions, PPR categorisation did
      not produce the expected quality of care findings. Either PPR-yes cases are not
      more preventable, or preventability assessment requires other data collection
      methods to capture poorly documented processes (eg, direct observation).

PMID- 26283673
TI  - The preclinical phase of the pathological process underlying sporadic Alzheimer's
      disease.
AB  - Abnormal tau lesions (non-argyrophilic pretangle material, argyrophilic neuropil
      threads, neurofibrillary tangles) in select types of neurons are crucial for the
      pathogenesis of sporadic Alzheimer's disease. Ongoing formation of these tau
      lesions persists into end-stage Alzheimer's disease and is not subject to
      remission. The early pretangle disease phase is a focus of increasing interest
      because only abnormal forms of the microtubule-associated protein tau are
      involved at that point and, in contrast to late-stage disease when amyloid-beta
      deposition is present, this phase is temporally closer to the prevailing
      conditions that induce the pathological process underlying Alzheimer's disease.
      Extracellular and aggregated amyloid-beta may only be produced under pathological
      conditions by nerve cells that contain abnormal tau. One potential trigger for
      tau protein hyperphosphorylation and conformational change in Alzheimer's disease
      may be the presence of a non-endogenous pathogen. Subsequently, a predictable
      regional distribution pattern of the tau lesions develops in phylogenetically
      late-appearing and ontogenetically late-maturing neurons that are connected via
      their axons. It is hoped that hypotheses drawn from these considerations, as well
      as from recent tau dissemination models, from studies of variant tau conformers,
      and from tau imaging will encourage the development of new preventative and
      disease-modifying strategies. 

PMID- 26283674
TI  - Phosphorylation of Ribosomal Protein S6 Mediates Mammalian Target of Rapamycin
      Complex 1-Induced Parathyroid Cell Proliferation in Secondary
      Hyperparathyroidism.
AB  - Secondary hyperparathyroidism is characterized by increased serum parathyroid
      hormone (PTH) level and parathyroid cell proliferation. However, the molecular
      pathways mediating the increased parathyroid cell proliferation remain undefined.
      Here, we found that the mTOR pathway was activated in the parathyroid of rats
      with secondary hyperparathyroidism induced by either chronic hypocalcemia or
      uremia, which was measured by increased phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6
      (rpS6), a downstream target of the mTOR pathway. This activation correlated with
      increased parathyroid cell proliferation. Inhibition of mTOR complex 1 by
      rapamycin decreased or prevented parathyroid cell proliferation in secondary
      hyperparathyroidism rats and in vitro in uremic rat parathyroid glands in organ
      culture. Knockin rpS6(p-/-) mice, in which rpS6 cannot be phosphorylated because
      of substitution of all five phosphorylatable serines with alanines, had impaired
      PTH secretion after experimental uremia- or folic acid-induced AKI. Uremic rpS6(p
      /-) mice had no increase in parathyroid cell proliferation compared with a marked
      increase in uremic wild-type mice. These results underscore the importance of
      mTOR activation and rpS6 phosphorylation for the pathogenesis of secondary
      hyperparathyroidism and indicate that mTORC1 is a significant regulator of
      parathyroid cell proliferation through rpS6.

PMID- 26283675
TI  - High-Throughput Genetic Testing for Thrombotic Microangiopathies and C3
      Glomerulopathies.
AB  - The thrombotic microangiopathies (TMAs) and C3 glomerulopathies (C3Gs) include a
      spectrum of rare diseases such as atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, thrombotic
      thrombocytopenic purpura, C3GN, and dense deposit disease, which share phenotypic
      similarities and underlying genetic commonalities. Variants in several genes
      contribute to the pathogenesis of these diseases, and identification of these
      variants may inform the diagnosis and treatment of affected patients. We have
      developed and validated a comprehensive genetic panel that screens all exons of
      all genes implicated in TMA and C3G. The closely integrated pipeline implemented
      includes targeted genomic enrichment, massively parallel sequencing,
      bioinformatic analysis, and a multidisciplinary conference to analyze identified
      variants in the context of each patient's specific phenotype. Herein, we present
      our 1-year experience with this panel, during which time we studied 193 patients.
      We identified 17 novel and 74 rare variants, which we classified as pathogenic
      (11), likely pathogenic (12), and of uncertain significance (68). Compared with
      controls, patients with C3G had a higher frequency of rare and novel variants in
      C3 convertase (C3 and CFB) and complement regulator (CFH, CFI, CFHR5, and CD46)
      genes (P<0.05). In contrast, patients with TMA had an increase in rare and novel
      variants only in complement regulator genes (P<0.01), a distinction consistent
      with differing sites of complement dysregulation in these two diseases. In
      summary, we were able to provide a positive genetic diagnosis in 43% and 41% of
      patients carrying the clinical diagnosis of C3G and TMA, respectively.

PMID- 26283676
TI  - Drug-target interaction prediction: databases, web servers and computational
      models.
AB  - Identification of drug-target interactions is an important process in drug
      discovery. Although high-throughput screening and other biological assays are
      becoming available, experimental methods for drug-target interaction
      identification remain to be extremely costly, time-consuming and challenging even
      nowadays. Therefore, various computational models have been developed to predict
      potential drug-target associations on a large scale. In this review, databases
      and web servers involved in drug-target identification and drug discovery are
      summarized. In addition, we mainly introduced some state-of-the-art computational
      models for drug-target interactions prediction, including network-based method,
      machine learning-based method and so on. Specially, for the machine learning
      based method, much attention was paid to supervised and semi-supervised models,
      which have essential difference in the adoption of negative samples. Although
      significant improvements for drug-target interaction prediction have been
      obtained by many effective computational models, both network-based and machine
      learning-based methods have their disadvantages, respectively. Furthermore, we
      discuss the future directions of the network-based drug discovery and network
      approach for personalized drug discovery based on personalized medicine, genome
      sequencing, tumor clone-based network and cancer hallmark-based network. Finally,
      we discussed the new evaluation validation framework and the formulation of drug
      target interactions prediction problem by more realistic regression formulation
      based on quantitative bioactivity data.

PMID- 26283677
TI  - The identification and characterization of novel transcripts from RNA-seq data.
AB  - Owing greatly to the advancement of next-generation sequencing (NGS), the amount
      of NGS data is increasing rapidly. Although there are many NGS applications, one
      of the most commonly used techniques 'RNA sequencing (RNA-seq)' is rapidly
      replacing microarray-based techniques in laboratories around the world. As more
      and more of such techniques are standardized, allowing technicians to perform
      these experiments with minimal hands-on time and reduced experimental/operator
      dependent biases, the bottleneck of such techniques is clearly visible; that is,
      data analysis. Further complicating the matter, increasing evidence suggests most
      of the genome is transcribed into RNA; however, the majority of these RNAs are
      not translated into proteins. These RNAs that do not become proteins are called
      'noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs)'. Although some time has passed since the discovery of
      ncRNAs, their annotations remain poor, making analysis of RNA-seq data
      challenging. Here, we examine the current limitations of RNA-seq analysis using
      case studies focused on the detection of novel transcripts and examination of
      their characteristics. Finally, we validate the presence of novel transcripts
      using biological experiments, showing novel transcripts can be accurately
      identified when a series of filters is applied. In conclusion, novel transcripts
      that are identified from RNA-seq must be examined carefully before proceeding to
      biological experiments.

PMID- 26283678
TI  - Aldosterone effects on glomerular structure and function.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Experimental evidence suggests that aldosterone directly contributes
      to organ damage by promoting cell growth, fibrosis, and inflammation. Based on
      these premises, this work aimed to assess the glomerular effects of aldosterone,
      alone and in combination with salt. METHODS: After undergoing uninephrectomy, 75
      rats were allocated to five groups: control, salt diet, aldosterone, aldosterone
      + salt diet, aldosterone + salt diet and eplerenone, and they were all studied
      for four weeks. We focused on glomerular structural, functional, and molecular
      changes, including slit diaphragm components, local renin-angiotensin system
      activation, as well as pro-oxidative and profibrotic changes. RESULTS:
      Aldosterone significantly increased systolic blood pressure, led to glomerular
      hypertrophy, mesangial expansion, and it significantly increased the glomerular
      permeability to albumin and the albumin excretion rate, indicating the presence
      of glomerular damage. These effects were worsened by adding salt to aldosterone,
      while they were reduced by eplerenone. Aldosterone-induced glomerular damage was
      associated with glomerular angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) 2 downregulation,
      with ACE/ACE2 ratio increase, ANP decrease, as well as with glomerular pro
      oxidative and profibrotic changes. CONCLUSIONS: Aldosterone damages not only the
      structure but also the function of the glomerulus. ACE/ACE2 upregulation, ACE2
      and ANP downregulation, and pro-oxidative and profibrotic changes are possible
      mechanisms accounting for aldosterone-induced glomerular injury.

PMID- 26283679
TI  - Correlation between renin-angiotensin system gene polymorphisms and essential
      hypertension in the Chinese Yi ethnic group.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has been considered to play an
      important role in the regulation of blood pressure. This study aimed to
      investigate the correlation between RAS gene polymorphisms and essential
      hypertension (EH) in the Chinese Yi ethnic group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total
      of 244 EH subjects and 185 normotensive individuals from the Chinese Yi ethnic
      group were genotyped for AGT M235T (rs699), AT1R A1166C (rs5186), ACE I/D
      (rs4340) and ACE G2350A (rs4343) polymorphisms by the polymerase chain reaction
      (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method. RESULTS:
      Significant differences in the allele and genotype frequency of ACE G2350A were
      observed between the EH cases and controls (p=0.001, 0.002). After being grouped
      by gender, significant differences in the allele and genotype frequency of ACE
      G2350A and AT1R A1166C were observed between females of the EH cases and controls
      (ACE G2350A: p=0.000, 0.002; AT1R A1166C: p=0.008, 0.011). After excluding the
      influence of multifactorial interactions, the ACE G2350A polymorphism is
      significantly associated with the pathogenesis of EH in the Chinese Yi ethnic
      group (odds ratio (OR)=1.656, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.807-2.524, p=0.019).
      CONCLUSIONS: The RAS-related ACE G2350A polymorphism is associated with the
      pathogenesis of EH in the Chinese Yi ethnic group.

PMID- 26283680
TI  - Delay to diagnosis in axial spondyloarthritis: are we improving in the UK?

PMID- 26283681
TI  - Key Stakeholders' Perceptions of Motivators for Research Participation Among
      Individuals Who Are Incarcerated.
AB  - Understanding motivations of research participants is crucial for developing
      ethical research protocols, especially for research with vulnerable populations.
      Through interviews with 92 institutional review board members, prison
      administrators, research ethicists, and researchers, we explored key
      stakeholders' perceptions of what motivates incarcerated individuals to
      participate in research. Primary motivators identified were a desire to
      contribute to society, gaining knowledge and health care, acquiring incentives,
      and obtaining social support. The potential for undue influence or coercion were
      also identified as motivators. These results highlight the need for careful
      analysis of what motivates incarcerated individuals to participate in research as
      part of developing or reviewing ethically permissible and responsible research
      protocols. Future research should expand this line of inquiry to directly include
      perspectives of incarcerated individuals. 

PMID- 26283683
TI  - Blinatumomab for the Treatment of Philadelphia Chromosome-Negative, Precursor B
      cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
AB  - Blinatumomab is a CD19/CD3 bispescific antibody designed to redirect T cells
      toward malignant B cells and induce their lysis. It recently gained accelerated
      approval by the FDA for the treatment of relapsed or refractory Philadelphia
      chromosome-negative B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (RR-ALL). In the phase II
      trial that served as the basis for approval, blinatumomab demonstrated
      significant single-agent activity and induced remission [complete remission (CR)
      and CR with incomplete recovery of peripheral blood counts (CRh)] in 43% of 189
      adult patients with RR-ALL; the majority of responders (82%) also attained
      negative minimal residual disease (MRD(-)) status that did not generally
      translate into long-term remissions in most cases. Additional studies show that
      blinatumomab can induce high response rates associated with lasting remissions in
      patients in first remission treated for MRD positivity, suggesting a role for
      blinatumomab in the upfront, MRD-positive setting. Blinatumomab infusion follows
      a predictable immunopharmacologic profile, including early cytokine release that
      can be associated with a clinical syndrome, T-cell expansion, and B-cell
      depletion. Neurologic toxicities represent a unique toxicity that shares
      similarities with adverse effects of other T-cell engaging therapies. Further
      studies are needed to clarify the optimal disease setting and timing for
      blinatumomab therapy. Additional insights into the pathogenesis, risk factors,
      and prevention of neurologic toxicities as well as a better understanding of the
      clinical consequences and biologic pathways that are associated with drug
      resistance are needed.

PMID- 26283682
TI  - Interactions between Ibrutinib and Anti-CD20 Antibodies: Competing Effects on the
      Outcome of Combination Therapy.
AB  - PURPOSE: Clinical trials of ibrutinib combined with anti-CD20 monoclonal
      antibodies (mAb) for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) report encouraging
      results. Paradoxically, in preclinical studies, in vitro ibrutinib was reported
      to decrease CD20 expression and inhibit cellular effector mechanisms. We
      therefore set out to investigate effects of in vivo ibrutinib treatment that
      could explain this paradox. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Patients received single-agent
      ibrutinib (420 mg daily) on an investigator-initiated phase II trial. Serial
      blood samples were collected pretreatment and during treatment for ex vivo
      functional assays to examine the effects on CLL cell susceptibility to anti-CD20
      mAbs. RESULTS: We demonstrate that CD20 expression on ibrutinib was rapidly and
      persistently downregulated (median reduction 74%, day 28, P < 0.001) compared
      with baseline. Concomitantly, CD20 mRNA was decreased concurrent with reduced NF
      kappaB signaling. An NF-kappaB binding site in the promoter of MS4A1 (encoding
      CD20) and downregulation of CD20 by NF-kappaB inhibitors support a direct
      transcriptional effect. Ex vivo, tumor cells from patients on ibrutinib were less
      susceptible to anti-CD20 mAb-mediated complement-dependent cytotoxicity than
      pretreatment cells (median reduction 75%, P < 0.001); however, opsonization by
      the complement protein C3d, which targets cells for phagocytosis, was relatively
      maintained. Expression of decay-accelerating factor (CD55) decreased on
      ibrutinib, providing a likely mechanism for the preserved C3d opsonization. In
      addition, ibrutinib significantly inhibited trogocytosis, a major contributor to
      antigen loss and tumor escape during mAb therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate
      that ibrutinib promotes both positive and negative interactions with anti-CD20
      mAbs, suggesting that successfully harnessing maximal antitumor effects of such
      combinations requires further investigation.

PMID- 26283685
TI  - The cognitive profile of ALS: a systematic review and meta-analysis update.
AB  - Cognitive impairment is present in approximately 30% of patients with amyotrophic
      lateral sclerosis (ALS) and, especially when severe, has a negative impact on
      survival and caregiver burden. Our 2010 meta-analysis of the cognitive profile of
      ALS showed impairment of fluency, executive function, language and memory.
      However, the limited number of studies resulted in large confidence intervals. To
      obtain a more valid assessment, we updated the meta-analysis and included
      methodological improvements (controlled data extraction, risk of bias analysis
      and effect size calculation of individual neuropsychological tests). Embase,
      Medline and PsycInfo were searched for neuropsychological studies of non-demented
      patients with ALS and age-matched and education-matched healthy controls.
      Neuropsychological tests were categorised in 13 cognitive domains and effect
      sizes (Hedges' g) were calculated for each domain and for individual tests
      administered in >=5 studies. Subgroup analyses were performed to assess the
      influence of clinical and demographic variables. Forty-four studies were included
      comprising 1287 patients and 1130 healthy controls. All cognitive domains, except
      visuoperceptive functions, showed significant effect sizes compared to controls.
      Cognitive domains without bias due to motor impairment showed medium effect sizes
      (95% CI): fluency (0.56 (0.43 to 0.70)), language (0.56 (0.40 to 0.72)), social
      cognition (0.55 (0.34 to 0.76)), or small effect sizes: delayed verbal memory
      0.47 (0.27 to 0.68)) and executive functions (0.41 (0.27 to 0.55)). Individual
      neuropsychological tests showed diverging effect sizes, which could be explained
      by bias due to motor impairment. Subgroup analyses showed no influence of bulbar
      disease onset and depression and anxiety on the cognitive outcomes. The cognitive
      profile of ALS consists of deficits in fluency, language, social cognition,
      executive functions and verbal memory. Social cognition is a new cognitive domain
      with a relatively large effect size, highlighting the overlap between ALS and
      frontotemporal dementia. The diverging effect sizes for individual
      neuropsychological tests show the importance of correction for motor impairment
      in patients with ALS. These findings have implications for bedside testing, the
      design of cognitive screening measures and full neuropsychological examinations. 

PMID- 26283684
TI  - EphA2 Expression Is a Key Driver of Migration and Invasion and a Poor Prognostic
      Marker in Colorectal Cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: EphA2, a member of the Eph receptor tyrosine kinases family, is an
      important regulator of tumor initiation, neovascularization, and metastasis in a
      wide range of epithelial and mesenchymal cancers; however, its role in colorectal
      cancer recurrence and progression is unclear. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: EphA2
      expression was determined by immunohistochemistry in stage II/III colorectal
      tumors (N = 338), and findings correlated with clinical outcome. The correlation
      between EphA2 expression and stem cell markers CD44 and Lgr5 was examined. The
      role of EphA2 in migration/invasion was assessed using a panel of KRAS wild-type
      (WT) and mutant (MT) parental and invasive colorectal cancer cell line models.
      RESULTS: Colorectal tumors displayed significantly higher expression levels of
      EphA2 compared with matched normal tissue, which positively correlated with high
      CD44 and Lgr5 expression levels. Moreover, high EphA2 mRNA and protein expression
      were found to be associated with poor overall survival in stage II/III colorectal
      cancer tissues, in both univariate and multivariate analyses. Preclinically, we
      found that EphA2 was highly expressed in KRASMT colorectal cancer cells and that
      EphA2 levels are regulated by the KRAS-driven MAPK and RalGDS-RalA pathways.
      Moreover, EphA2 levels were elevated in several invasive daughter cell lines, and
      downregulation of EphA2 using RNAi or recombinant EFNA1 suppressed migration and
      invasion of KRASMT colorectal cancer cells. CONCLUSIONS: These data show that
      EpHA2 is a poor prognostic marker in stage II/III colorectal cancer, which may be
      due to its ability to promote cell migration and invasion, providing support for
      the further investigation of EphA2 as a novel prognostic biomarker and
      therapeutic target.

PMID- 26283686
TI  - Loss of recent memory after bilateral hippocampal lesions: memory and memories
      looking back and looking forward.

PMID- 26283687
TI  - NF1 Mutations Prevalent but Not Clinically Relevant.
AB  - Whole-exome sequencing of 213 tumor samples shows that NF1 is mutated in 13.1% of
      melanomas. The gene is usually mutated in tumors that don't carry mutations in
      BRAF or NRAS, and it may be a cancer driver. However, loss of the gene didn't
      predict whether RAS activity increased or whether cell lines responded to
      inhibitors of the MAP kinase pathway, which RAS activates. 

PMID- 26283690
TI  - Fully automated ultrasensitive digital immunoassay for cardiac troponin I based
      on single molecule array technology.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The association between increases in cardiac troponin and adverse
      cardiac outcomes is well established. There is a growing interest in exploring
      routine cardiac troponin monitoring as a potential early indicator of adverse
      heart health trends. Prognostic use of cardiac troponin measurements requires an
      assay with very high sensitivity and outstanding analytical performance. We
      report development and preliminary validation of an investigational assay meeting
      these requirements and demonstrate its applicability to cohorts of healthy
      individuals and patients with heart failure. METHODS: On the basis of single
      molecule array technology, we developed a 45-min immunoassay for cardiac troponin
      I (cTnI) for use on a novel, fully automated digital analyzer. We characterized
      its analytical performance and measured cTnI in healthy individuals and heart
      failure patients in a preliminary study of assay analytical efficacy. RESULTS:
      The assay exhibited a limit of detection of 0.01 ng/L, a limit of quantification
      of 0.08 ng/L, and a total CV of 10% at 2.0 ng/L. cTnI concentrations were well
      above the assay limit of detection for all samples tested, including samples from
      healthy individuals. cTnI was significantly higher in heart failure patients, and
      exhibited increasing median and interquartile concentrations with increasing New
      York Heart Association classification of heart failure severity. CONCLUSIONS: The
      robust 2-log increase in sensitivity relative to contemporary high-sensitivity
      cardiac troponin immunoassays, combined with full automation, make this assay
      suitable for exploring cTnI concentrations in cohorts of healthy individuals and
      for the potential prognostic application of serial cardiac troponin measurements
      in both apparently healthy and diseased individuals.

PMID- 26283691
TI  - Cannabis-impaired driving: a public health and safety concern.

PMID- 26283689
TI  - Universal and domain-specific sequences in 23S-28S ribosomal RNA identified by
      computational phylogenetics.
AB  - Comparative analysis of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequences has elucidated
      phylogenetic relationships. However, this powerful approach has not been fully
      exploited to address ribosome function. Here we identify stretches of
      evolutionarily conserved sequences, which correspond with regions of high
      functional importance. For this, we developed a structurally aligned database,
      FLORA (full-length organismal rRNA alignment) to identify highly conserved
      nucleotide elements (CNEs) in 23S-28S rRNA from each phylogenetic domain
      (Eukarya, Bacteria, and Archaea). Universal CNEs (uCNEs) are conserved in
      sequence and structural position in all three domains. Those in regions known to
      be essential for translation validate our approach. Importantly, some uCNEs
      reside in areas of unknown function, thus identifying novel sequences of likely
      great importance. In contrast to uCNEs, domain-specific CNEs (dsCNEs) are
      conserved in just one phylogenetic domain. This is the first report of conserved
      sequence elements in rRNA that are domain-specific; they are largely a eukaryotic
      phenomenon. The locations of the eukaryotic dsCNEs within the structure of the
      ribosome suggest they may function in nascent polypeptide transit through the
      ribosome tunnel and in tRNA exit from the ribosome. Our findings provide insights
      and a resource for ribosome function studies. 

PMID- 26283688
TI  - piRNAs derived from ancient viral processed pseudogenes as transgenerational
      sequence-specific immune memory in mammals.
AB  - Endogenous bornavirus-like nucleoprotein elements (EBLNs) are sequences within
      vertebrate genomes derived from reverse transcription and integration of ancient
      bornaviral nucleoprotein mRNA via the host retrotransposon machinery. While
      species with EBLNs appear relatively resistant to bornaviral disease, the nature
      of this association is unclear. We hypothesized that EBLNs could give rise to
      antiviral interfering RNA in the form of PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), a class
      of small RNA known to silence transposons but not exogenous viruses. We found
      that in both rodents and primates, which acquired their EBLNs independently some
      25-40 million years ago, EBLNs are present within piRNA-generating regions of the
      genome far more often than expected by chance alone (P = 8 * 10(-3)-6 * 10(-8)).
      Three of the seven human EBLNs fall within annotated piRNA clusters and two
      marmoset EBLNs give rise to bona fide piRNAs. In both rats and mice, at least two
      of the five EBLNs give rise to abundant piRNAs in the male gonad. While no EBLNs
      are syntenic between rodent and primate, some of the piRNA clusters containing
      EBLNs are; thus we deduce that EBLNs were integrated into existing piRNA
      clusters. All true piRNAs derived from EBLNs are antisense relative to the
      proposed ancient bornaviral nucleoprotein mRNA. These observations are consistent
      with a role for EBLN-derived piRNA-like RNAs in interfering with ancient
      bornaviral infection. They raise the hypothesis that retrotransposon-dependent
      virus-to-host gene flow could engender RNA-mediated, sequence-specific antiviral
      immune memory in metazoans analogous to the CRISPR/Cas system in prokaryotes. 

PMID- 26283694
TI  - The importance of reporting suspected adverse reactions caused by new drugs.

PMID- 26283693
TI  - Tandem Benzophenone Amino Pyridines, Potent and Selective Inhibitors of Human
      Leukotriene C4 Synthase.
AB  - Cysteinyl leukotrienes (cys-LTs) are lipid mediators of inflammation. The enzyme
      catalyzing synthesis of cys-LTs, leukotriene C4 synthase (LTC4S), is considered
      an important drug target. Here we report the synthesis and characterization of
      three tandem benzophenone amino pyridines as inhibitors of LTC4S in vitro and in
      vivo. The inhibitors were characterized in vitro using recombinant human LTC4S,
      MonoMac 6 cells, and a panel of peripheral human immune cells. In vivo, the
      compounds were tested in the Zymosan A-induced peritonitis mouse model. The
      molecules, denoted TK04, TK04a, and TK05, were potent and selective inhibitors of
      LTC4S with IC50 values of 116, 124, and 95 nM, respectively. Molecular docking
      revealed binding in a hydrophobic crevice between two enzyme monomers and
      interaction with two catalytic residues, Arg104 and Arg31. The TK compounds
      potently inhibited cys-LT biosynthesis in immune cells. In coincubations of
      platelets and polymorphonuclear leukocytes, inhibition of LTC4S led to shunting
      of LTA4 toward anti-inflammatory lipoxin A4, which was significantly enhanced by
      simultaneous inhibition of LTA4H. Finally, we found that TK05 (6 mg?kg(-1)?body
      weight) reduces LTE4 levels in peritoneal lavage fluid by 88% and significantly
      decreases vascular permeability in vivo. Our findings indicate that the TK
      compounds are valuable experimental tools in eicosanoid research in vitro and in
      vivo. Their chemical structures may serve as leads for further inhibitor design.
      Novel drugs depleting cys-LT production could be beneficial for treatment of
      inflammatory diseases associated with overexpression of LTC4S. 

PMID- 26283695
TI  - Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome associated with fingolimod
      treatment in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis three months after
      childbirth.
AB  - Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) is characterized by acute
      thunderclap headache, evidence of vasoconstriction in conventional angiography or
      magnetic resonance angiography and reversibility of these phenomena within 12
      weeks. Some triggering factors, for example drugs such as selective serotonin
      reuptake inhibitors, sumatriptan, tacrolimus, cyclophosphamide and cocaine, or
      states such as pregnancy, puerperium or migraine have been described. We describe
      the case of a 29-year-old woman with RCVS associated with fingolimod three months
      after childbirth. This case represents the first report of RCVS in fingolimod
      treatment. 

PMID- 26283692
TI  - PRD125, a potent and selective inhibitor of sterol O-acyltransferase 2 markedly
      reduces hepatic cholesteryl ester accumulation and improves liver function in
      lysosomal acid lipase-deficient mice.
AB  - In most organs, the bulk of cholesterol is unesterified, although nearly all
      possess a varying capability of esterifying cholesterol through the action of
      either sterol O-acyltransferase (SOAT) 1 or, in the case of hepatocytes and
      enterocytes, SOAT2. Esterified cholesterol (EC) carried in plasma lipoproteins is
      hydrolyzed by lysosomal acid lipase (LAL) when they are cleared from the
      circulation. Loss-of-function mutations in LIPA, the gene that encodes LAL,
      result in Wolman disease or cholesteryl ester storage disease (CESD).
      Hepatomegaly and a massive increase in tissue EC levels are hallmark features of
      both disorders. While these conditions can be corrected with enzyme replacement
      therapy, the question arose as to whether pharmacological inhibition of SOAT2
      might reduce tissue EC accretion in CESD. When weaned at 21 days, Lal(-/-) mice,
      of either gender, had a whole liver cholesterol content that was 12- to 13-fold
      more than that of matching Lal(+/+) littermates (23 versus 1.8 mg, respectively).
      In Lal(-/-) males given the selective SOAT2 inhibitor PRD125 1,11-O-o
      methylbenzylidene-7-O-p-cyanobenzoyl-1,7,11-trideacetylpyripyropene A in their
      diet (~10 mg/day per kg body weight) from 21 to 53 days, whole liver cholesterol
      content was 48.6 versus 153.7 mg in untreated 53-day-old Lal(-/-) mice. This
      difference reflected a 59% reduction in hepatic EC concentration (mg/g), combined
      with a 28% fall in liver mass. The treated mice also showed a 63% reduction in
      plasma alanine aminotransferase activity, in parallel with decisive falls in
      hepatic mRNA expression levels for multiple proteins that reflect macrophage
      presence and inflammation. These data implicate SOAT2 as a potential target in
      CESD management. 

PMID- 26283696
TI  - Cerebrospinal fluid neurofilament light chain levels predict visual outcome after
      optic neuritis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Optic neuritis is a good model for multiple sclerosis relapse, but
      currently no tests can accurately predict visual outcome. OBJECTIVE: The purpose
      of this study was to examine whether cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers of
      tissue damage and remodelling (neurofilament light chain (NF-L), myelin basic
      protein, osteopontin and chitinase-3-like-1) predict visual outcome after optic
      neuritis. METHODS: We included 47 patients with optic neuritis as a first
      demyelinating episode. Patients underwent visual tests, optical coherence
      tomography (OCT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and lumbar puncture.
      Biomarkers were measured in CSF by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
      Patients were followed up six months after onset and this included visual tests
      and OCT. Outcome measures were inter-ocular differences in low contrast visual
      acuity (LCVA), retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) and ganglion cell layer+inner
      plexiform layer (GC-IPL) thicknesses. RESULTS: CSF NF-L levels at onset predicted
      inter-ocular differences in follow-up LCVA (beta=13.8, p=0.0008), RNFL (beta=5.6,
      p=0.0004) and GC-IPL (beta=4.0, p=0.0008). The acute-phase GC-IPL thickness also
      predicted follow-up LCVA (beta=12.9, p=0.0021 for NF-L, beta=-1.1, p=0.0150 for
      GC-IPL). Complete/incomplete remission was determined based on LCVA from 30
      healthy controls. NF-L had a positive predictive value of 91% and an area under
      the curve (AUC) of 0.79 for incomplete remission. CONCLUSION: CSF NF-L is a
      promising biomarker of visual outcome after optic neuritis. This could aid
      neuroprotective/regenerative medical advancements.

PMID- 26283697
TI  - Diagnostic Flow Cytometry and the AIDS Pandemic.
AB  - The onset of the AIDS pandemic in the early 1980s coincided with the convergence
      of technologies now collectively known as flow cytometry (FCM). Major advances in
      FCM led significantly toward our understanding of the pathogenicity of the
      disease, which in turn led to wider adoption of the technology, including using
      it effectively in a variety of diagnostics. CD4+ T lymphocyte population counts,
      along with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) viral load, remain the gold
      standard in diagnosis and continue to play a major role in the monitoring of
      advanced retroviral therapies. Arguably, the spread of AIDS (acquired
      immunodeficiency syndrome), the HIV virus, and the toll of the virus on humanity
      have been considerably altered by the concurrent development of FCM, the details
      of which are presented herein. 

PMID- 26283698
TI  - Building an Antimicrobial Stewardship Program: Cooperative Roles for Pharmacists,
      Infectious Diseases Specialists, and Clinical Microbiologists.
AB  - Efforts to optimize the use of antimicrobial agents, referred to as antimicrobial
      stewardship programs (ASPs), are increasingly becoming part of the clinical
      enterprise at big and small hospitals. Such programs aim to achieve the
      synergistic goals of improving patient outcomes, limiting the unintended
      consequences of drug resistance and superinfections, and reducing health care
      expenditures. This article will review the need for antimicrobial stewardship and
      the key components of setting up a program; then, it will describe the ASP at one
      medical center to underscore how attention to acceptance by the clinical staff is
      crucial to changing the culture of antimicrobial use. Although the details may
      differ for each institution, the foundation of a successful stewardship program
      is support from hospital leadership and the cooperative interaction among the
      pharmacy, infectious diseases specialists, and clinical microbiologists. 

PMID- 26283699
TI  - aRrayLasso: a network-based approach to microarray interconversion.
AB  - Robust conversion between microarray platforms is needed to leverage the wide
      variety of microarray expression studies that have been conducted to date.
      Currently available conversion methods rely on manufacturer annotations, which
      are often incomplete, or on direct alignment of probes from different platforms,
      which often fail to yield acceptable genewise correlation. Here, we describe
      aRrayLasso, which uses the Lasso-penalized generalized linear model to model the
      relationships between individual probes in different probe sets. We have
      implemented aRrayLasso in a set of five open-source R functions that allow the
      user to acquire data from public sources such as Gene Expression Omnibus, train a
      set of Lasso models on that data and directly map one microarray platform to
      another. aRrayLasso significantly predicts expression levels with similar
      fidelity to technical replicates of the same RNA pool, demonstrating its utility
      in the integration of datasets from different platforms. AVAILABILITY AND
      IMPLEMENTATION: All functions are available, along with descriptions, at
      https://github.com/adam-sam-brown/aRrayLasso. CONTACT:
      chirag_patel@hms.harvard.edu. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supplementary data are
      available at Bioinformatics online.

PMID- 26283704
TI  - Detection of tumour cells in the bloodstream of patients with uveal melanoma:
      influence of surgical manipulation on the dissemination of tumour cells in the
      bloodstream.
AB  - AIM: The detection of circulating tumour cells in the bloodstream before and
      after surgical manipulation, and the qualitative detection of potential shedding
      of tumour cells during surgical manipulation of patients with uveal melanoma.
      METHODS: 202 patients treated for a newly diagnosed uveal melanoma were included
      in the study. Blood samples were acquired 24 h before and 30 min after the basic
      surgical steps. Detection of potential circulating melanoma cells was
      extrapolated from the presence of tyrosinase and MelanA/Mart1 transcripts by
      reverse transcription PCR. RESULTS: Based on the measurement of tyrosinase
      transcripts, as a result of the first and second surgical manipulation there were
      three and zero transitions from negative to positive respectively, while there
      were two and one transitions from positive to negative, respectively. According
      to MelanA/Mart1 transcripts, there were 19 and 5 transitions from negative to
      positive respectively, and 15 and 2 transitions from positive to negative,
      respectively. No statistically significant differences were documented,
      concerning the presence of circulating tumour cells in the blood samples acquired
      before and after the first surgical manipulation or the second one. CONCLUSION:
      The change in the percentage of patients with detected tumour cells in their
      bloodstream was not statistically significant. The frequent shifts from negative
      to positive samples as well as from positive to negative samples comparing
      preoperative to postoperative samples indicates discontinuous shedding or
      variation due to measurements close to the threshold of detection. As a
      conclusion, the surgical manipulation does not seem to have a measurable
      contribution to the spread of melanoma cells in the bloodstream.

PMID- 26283667
TI  - Exploring threats to generalisability in a large international rehabilitation
      trial (AVERT).
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this paper is to examine potential threats to
      generalisability of the results of a multicentre randomised controlled trial
      using data from A Very Early Rehabilitation Trial (AVERT). DESIGN: AVERT is a
      prospective, parallel group, assessor-blinded randomised clinical trial. This
      paper presents data assessing the generalisability of AVERT. SETTING: Acute
      stroke units at 44 hospitals in 8 countries. PARTICIPANTS: The first 20,000
      patients screened for AVERT, of whom 1158 were recruited and randomised. MODEL:
      We use the Proximal Similarity Model, which considers the person, place, and
      setting and practice, as a framework for considering generalisability. As well as
      comparing the recruited patients with the target population, we also performed an
      exploratory analysis of the demographic, clinical, site and process factors
      associated with recruitment. RESULTS: The demographics and stroke characteristics
      of the included patients in the trial were broadly similar to population-based
      norms, with the exception that AVERT had a greater proportion of men. The most
      common reason for non-recruitment was late arrival to hospital (ie, >24 h).
      Overall, being older and female reduced the odds of recruitment to the trial.
      More women than men were excluded for most of the reasons, including refusal. The
      odds of exclusion due to early deterioration were particularly high for those
      with severe stroke (OR=10.4, p<0.001, 95% CI 9.27 to 11.65). CONCLUSIONS: A model
      which explores person, place, and setting and practice factors can provide
      important information about the external validity of a trial, and could be
      applied to other clinical trials. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Australian New
      Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12606000185561) and Clinicaltrials.gov
      (NCT01846247).

PMID- 26283705
TI  - Three dimensional de novo micro bone marrow and its versatile application in drug
      screening and regenerative medicine.
AB  - The finding that bone marrow hosts several types of multipotent stem cell has
      prompted extensive research aimed at regenerating organs and building models to
      elucidate the mechanisms of diseases. Conventional research depends on the use of
      two-dimensional (2D) bone marrow systems, which imposes several obstacles. The
      development of 3D bone marrow systems with appropriate molecules and materials
      however, is now showing promising results. In this review, we discuss the
      advantages of 3D bone marrow systems over 2D systems and then point out various
      factors that can enhance the 3D systems. The intensive research on 3D bone marrow
      systems has revealed multiple important clinical applications including disease
      modeling, drug screening, regenerative medicine, etc. We also discuss some
      possible future directions in the 3D bone marrow research field. 

PMID- 26283706
TI  - Spectrin's chimeric E2/E3 enzymatic activity.
AB  - In this minireview, we cover the discovery of the human erythrocyte alpha
      spectrin E2/E3 ubiquitin conjugating/ligating enzymatic activity and the specific
      cysteines involved. We then discuss the consequences when this activity is
      partially inhibited in sickle cell disease and the possibility that the same
      attenuation is occurring in multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. We finish by
      discussing the reasons for believing that nonerythroid alpha spectrin isoforms (I
      and II) also have this activity and the importance of testing this hypothesis. If
      correct, this would suggest that the nonerythroid spectrin isoforms play a major
      role in protein ubiquitination in all cell types. This would open new fields in
      experimental biology focused on uncovering the impact that this enzymatic
      activity has upon protein-protein interactions, protein turnover, cellular
      signaling, and many other functions impacted by spectrin, including DNA repair. 

PMID- 26283708
TI  - Use of Optimization Modeling for Selecting National Micronutrient Intervention
      Strategies: An Example Based on Potential Programs for Control of Vitamin A
      Deficiency in Cameroon.
AB  - Vitamin and mineral (micronutrient [MN]) deficiencies are common in lower income
      countries, especially among young children and women of reproductive age. These
      deficiencies are cause for serious concern because of their high prevalence and
      their associated complications, which include depressed immune function and
      increased risk and severity of infections, impaired neurocognitive development,
      and anemia, which together result in elevated mortality and reduced human
      productive capacity. A broad range of different intervention strategies are
      available to control MN deficiencies. At present, these interventions are usually
      implemented at a national scale through different public and private sector
      entities, often with little coordination. We have developed a set of models based
      on the estimated ability of different interventions to achieve effective coverage
      and the necessary financial resources required to deploy these interventions. The
      models provide a unified and transparent framework for considering different
      options using the common indicator of effective coverage. More specifically,
      information on nutritional benefits and costs are analyzed using an economic
      optimization model to identify the mix of interventions that could be delivered
      to specific target groups in particular geographic areas to achieve a desired
      level of effective coverage at lowest cost. Alternatively, these optimization
      models can be developed to identify the combination of interventions needed to
      achieve the maximum effective coverage, given specified budgetary limitations.
      The results of these models can be useful input into policy-making processes. To
      introduce this analytical approach, the set of papers in this volume addresses
      the problem of vitamin A deficiency among young children in Cameroon. 

PMID- 26283709
TI  - Gait speed and readmission following hospitalisation for acute exacerbations of
      COPD: a prospective study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hospitalisation for acute exacerbations of COPD is associated with
      high risk of readmission. However, no tool has been validated to stratify
      patients at discharge for risk of readmission. AIM: To evaluate the ability of
      the 4 m gait speed (4MGS), a surrogate marker of frailty, to predict risk of
      future readmission in hospitalised patients with an acute exacerbation of COPD
      (AECOPD). METHODS: 213 patients hospitalised with an AECOPD were recruited
      prospectively. 4MGS was measured on day of discharge. Logistic regression models
      were used to assess the association between 4MGS and readmission at 90 days after
      discharge. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics of the cohort: 52% men; mean age 72
      years; median FEV1 35%predicted. Mean (SD) 4MGS at hospital discharge was 0.61
      (0.26) ms(-1). Significant increased rates of all-cause readmission at 90 days
      were seen across quartiles of decreasing 4MGS (Q4 fastest: 11.5%; Q3: 20.4%; Q2:
      30.2%; Q1 slowest: 48.2%; p trend<0.001). Compared with Q4, those in the slowest
      4MGS quartile had unadjusted ORs (95% CIs) for 90-day readmission of 7.12 (2.61
      to 19.44) for the whole cohort and 11.56 (3.08 to 43.35) in those aged 65 or
      over. A multivariate model incorporating 4MGS, Charlson Index, hospital admission
      in past year, FEV1%predicted and number of exacerbations in past year in those
      aged 65 or over predicted 90-day readmission with a C-statistic of 0.86.
      CONCLUSIONS: The 4MGS, a surrogate marker of physical frailty, independently
      predicts the risk of readmission in older patients hospitalised for acute
      exacerbation of COPD. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01507415.

PMID- 26283707
TI  - Cell signaling pathways involved in drug-mediated fetal hemoglobin induction:
      Strategies to treat sickle cell disease.
AB  - The developmental regulation of globin gene expression has shaped research
      efforts to establish therapeutic modalities for individuals affected with sickle
      cell disease and beta-thalassemia. Fetal hemoglobin has been shown to block
      sickle hemoglobin S polymerization to improve symptoms of sickle cell disease;
      moreover, fetal hemoglobin functions to replace inadequate hemoglobin A synthesis
      in beta-thalassemia thus serving as an effective therapeutic target. In the
      perinatal period, fetal hemoglobin is synthesized at high levels followed by a
      decline to adult levels by one year of age. It is known that naturally occurring
      mutations in the gamma-globin gene promoters and distant cis-acting transcription
      factors produce persistent fetal hemoglobin synthesis after birth to ameliorate
      clinical symptoms. Major repressor proteins that silence gamma-globin during
      development have been targeted for gene therapy in beta-hemoglobinopathies
      patients. In parallel effort, several classes of pharmacological agents that
      induce fetal hemoglobin expression through molecular and cell signaling
      mechanisms have been identified. Herein, we reviewed the progress made in the
      discovery of signaling molecules targeted by pharmacologic agents that enhance
      gamma-globin expression and have the potential for future drug development to
      treat the beta-hemoglobinopathies. 

PMID- 26283711
TI  - Corrigendum.

PMID- 26283710
TI  - beta-Blockers are associated with a reduction in COPD exacerbations.
AB  - BACKGROUND: While some retrospective studies have suggested that beta-blocker use
      in patients with COPD is associated with a reduction in the frequency of acute
      exacerbations and lower mortality, there is concern that their use in patients
      with severe COPD on home oxygen may be harmful. METHODS: Subjects with Global
      Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stage 2-4 COPD
      participating in a prospective follow-up of the COPDGene cohort, a multicentre
      observational cohort of current and former smokers were recruited. Total and
      severe exacerbation rates were compared between groups categorised by beta
      blocker use on longitudinal follow-up using negative binomial regression
      analyses, after adjustment for demographics, airflow obstruction, %emphysema on
      CT, respiratory medications, presence of coronary artery disease, congestive
      heart failure and coronary artery calcification, and after adjustment for
      propensity to prescribe beta-blockers. RESULTS: 3464 subjects were included.
      During a median of 2.1 years of follow-up, beta-blocker use was associated with a
      significantly lower rate of total (incidence risk ratio (IRR) 0.73, 95% CI 0.60
      to 0.90; p=0.003) and severe exacerbations (IRR 0.67, 95% CI 0.48 to 0.93;
      p=0.016). In those with GOLD stage 3 and 4 and on home oxygen, use of beta
      blockers was again associated with a reduction in the rate of total (IRR 0.33,
      95% CI 0.19 to 0.58; p<0.001) and severe exacerbations (IRR 0.35, 95% CI 0.16 to
      0.76; p=0.008). Exacerbation reduction was greatest in GOLD stage B. There was no
      difference in all-cause mortality with beta-blocker use. CONCLUSIONS: beta
      Blockers are associated with a significant reduction in COPD exacerbations
      regardless of severity of airflow obstruction. The findings of this study should
      be tested in a randomised, placebo-controlled trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER:
      (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00608764).

PMID- 26283712
TI  - Physicochemical properties and structural characteristics of whole grain Oryza
      sativa L. with different treatments.
AB  - Physicochemical properties and structural characteristics of whole rice flours
      with different treatments (soaking, germination and extrusion cooking) were
      studied. Water solubility, water absorption, crystallinity, adsorption isotherms
      (BET and GAB models), and glass transition temperature of the samples were
      determined. Water solubility and water absorption were enhanced by extrusion
      cooking process (3.17-4.98 vs. 24.1-53.76 g/100 g and 2.77-3.05 vs. 4.46-7.04
      ml/g, respectively), but crystallinity was decreased (30-33 vs. 4-16%).
      Adsorption isotherms showed that extruded samples exhibited higher equilibrium
      moisture content as compared with their corresponding non-extruded samples (5.0
      19.2 vs. 4.0-16.1 g water/g solids). There were no changes in glass transition
      temperature values in the studied moisture range (3.8-16 g/100 g). These results
      allow the correct use of whole rice flours with different treatments in foods and
      also contributed to the knowledge of stabilization of the products. 

PMID- 26283715
TI  - Growing the evidence base for medical cannabis.

PMID- 26283713
TI  - Quitting smoking before and after varenicline: a population study based on two
      representative samples of US smokers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Varenicline is known to have greater efficacy than other
      pharmacotherapy for treating nicotine dependence and has gained popularity since
      its introduction in 2006. This study examines if adding varenicline to existing
      pharmacotherapies increased the population cessation rate. METHODS: Data are from
      two cross-sectional US Current Population Surveys-Tobacco Use Supplements (2003
      and 2010-2011). Smokers and recent quitters 18 or older (N=34 869 in 2003, N=27
      751 in 2010-2011) were asked if they had used varenicline, bupropion or nicotine
      replacement therapies (NRT) in their most recent quit attempt. The annual
      cessation rate, as well as the per cent of smokers who had quit for >=3 months,
      was compared between surveys. RESULTS: Varenicline use increased from 0% in 2003
      to 10.9% in 2010-2011, while use of bupropion decreased from 9.1% to 3.5%, and
      NRT from 24.5% to 22.4%. Use of any pharmacotherapy increased by 2.4 percentage
      points. Varenicline users stayed on cessation aids longer and were less likely to
      relapse than users of other pharmacotherapies in the first 3 months of a quit
      attempt, after which the difference was no longer significant. The change in
      annual cessation rate was negligible, from 4.5% in 2003 to 4.7% in 2010-2011
      (p=0.36). CONCLUSIONS: Addition of varenicline to the list of approved cessation
      aids has mainly led to displacement of other therapies. As a result, there was no
      meaningful change in population cessation rate despite a remarkable increase in
      varenicline use. The population impact of a new therapy is a function of more
      than efficacy or reach of the therapy.

PMID- 26283714
TI  - Posterior circulation CT angiography collaterals predict outcome of endovascular
      acute ischemic stroke therapy for basilar artery occlusion.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The natural history of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to basilar
      artery occlusion (BAO) is poor. Endovascular reperfusion therapy (EVT) improves
      recanalization rates in patients with emergent large vessel intracranial
      occlusion. OBJECTIVE: To examine the hypothesis that good collateral patterns
      identified by pretreatment CT angiography (CTA) might be associated with
      favorable outcomes after EVT. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review
      of patients presenting with AIS due to BAO in a tertiary care stroke center
      during a 4-year period. BAO was diagnosed by CTA in all cases. Admission stroke
      severity was documented using the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale
      (NIHSS) score. Pretreatment collateral score for posterior circulation was
      defined as follows: 0, no posterior communicating artery (PCOM); 1, unilateral
      PCOM; 2, bilateral PCOM. Favorable outcome was defined as modified Rankin Scale
      score of 0-2 at 3 months. RESULTS: A total of 21 patients with AIS due to BAO
      (age range 31-84 years, median admission NIHSS score: 18 points, range 2-38)
      underwent EVT. Eleven of 21 patients (52.4%) had bilateral PCOMs, while
      unilateral PCOM was seen in 3 patients (14.3%). Patients with bilateral PCOMs
      tended (p=0.261) to have less severe stroke at admission than those with
      absent/unilateral PCOM (median NIHSS score 18 vs 27 points). Neurological
      improvement during hospitalization (quantified by the median decrease in NIHSS
      score) and the rate of 3-month functional independence were greater in patients
      with good collaterals (16 vs 0 points (p=0.016) and 72.7% vs 0% (p=0.001)).
      CONCLUSIONS: The presence of bilateral PCOMs on pretreatment CTA appears to be
      associated with more favorable outcomes in BAO treated with EVT.

PMID- 26283717
TI  - The rhetoric of female sexual dysfunction: faux feminism and the FDA.

PMID- 26283716
TI  - Physician experience and outcomes among patients admitted to general internal
      medicine teaching wards.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Physician scores on examinations decline with time after graduation.
      However, whether this translates into declining quality of care is unknown. Our
      objective was to determine how physician experience is associated with negative
      outcomes for patients admitted to hospital. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective
      cohort study involving all patients admitted to general internal medicine wards
      over a 2-year period at all 7 teaching hospitals in Alberta, Canada. We used
      files from the Alberta College of Physicians and Surgeons to determine the number
      of years since medical school graduation for each patient's most responsible
      physician. Our primary outcome was the composite of in-hospital death, or
      readmission or death within 30 days postdischarge. RESULTS: We identified 10 046
      patients who were cared for by 149 physicians. Patient characteristics were
      similar across physician experience strata, as were primary outcome rates (17.4%
      for patients whose care was managed by physicians in the highest quartile of
      experience, compared with 18.8% in those receiving care from the least
      experienced physicians; adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.88, 95% confidence interval
      [CI] 0.72-1.06). Outcomes were similar between experience quartiles when further
      stratified by physician volume, most responsible diagnosis or complexity of the
      patient's condition. Although we found substantial variability in length of stay
      between individual physicians, there were no significant differences between
      physician experience quartiles (mean adjusted for patient covariates and
      accounting for intraphysician clustering: 7.90 [95% CI 7.39-8.42] d for most
      experienced quartile; 7.63 [95% CI 7.13-8.14] d for least experienced quartile).
      INTERPRETATION: For patients admitted to general internal medicine teaching
      wards, we saw no negative association between physician experience and outcomes
      commonly used as proxies for quality of inpatient care.

PMID- 26283718
TI  - Acute conjunctivitis and corneal foreign bodies secondary to tarantula hairs.

PMID- 26283719
TI  - WMA investigates its future president.

PMID- 26283720
TI  - Why the federal government must lead in health care.

PMID- 26283722
TI  - New guide helps doctors in radiation emergency.

PMID- 26283721
TI  - Diffuse reticulate purpura in a boy with anorexia nervosa.

PMID- 26283723
TI  - Online tool helps future MDs plan their careers.

PMID- 26283724
TI  - Aquagenic wrinkling of the palms.

PMID- 26283725
TI  - Food insecurity: What is the clinician's role?

PMID- 26283726
TI  - Whole-Body In Vivo Monitoring of Inflammatory Diseases Exploiting Human
      Interleukin 6-Luciferase Transgenic Mice.
AB  - Chronic inflammation underlies the pathological progression of various diseases,
      and thus many efforts have been made to quantitatively evaluate the inflammatory
      status of the diseases. In this study, we generated a highly sensitive
      inflammation-monitoring mouse system using a bacterial artificial chromosome
      (BAC) clone containing extended flanking sequences of the human interleukin 6
      gene (hIL6) locus, in which the luciferase (Luc) reporter gene is integrated
      (hIL6-BAC-Luc). We successfully monitored lipopolysaccharide-induced systemic
      inflammation in various tissues of the hIL6-BAC-Luc mice using an in vivo
      bioluminescence imaging system. When two chronic inflammatory disease models,
      i.e., a genetic model of atopic dermatitis and a model of experimental autoimmune
      encephalomyelitis (EAE), were applied to the hIL6-BAC-Luc mice, luciferase
      bioluminescence was specifically detected in the atopic skin lesion and central
      nervous system, respectively. Moreover, the Luc activities correlated well with
      the disease severity. Nrf2 is a master transcription factor that regulates
      antioxidative and detoxification enzyme genes. Upon EAE induction, the Nrf2
      deficient mice crossed with the hIL6-BAC-Luc mice exhibited enhanced neurological
      symptoms concomitantly with robust luciferase luminescence in the neuronal
      tissue. Thus, whole-body in vivo monitoring using the hIL6-BAC-Luc transgenic
      system (WIM-6 system) provides a new and powerful diagnostic tool for real-time
      in vivo monitoring of inflammatory status in multiple different disease models. 

PMID- 26283727
TI  - A Synthetic Lethal Interaction between Glutathione Synthesis and Mitochondrial
      Reactive Oxygen Species Provides a Tumor-Specific Vulnerability Dependent on
      STAT3.
AB  - Increased production of mitochondrion-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) is
      characteristic of a metabolic shift observed during malignant transformation.
      While the exact sources and roles of ROS in tumorigenesis remain to be defined,
      it has become clear that maintaining redox balance is critical for cancer cell
      proliferation and survival and, as such, may represent a vulnerability that can
      be exploited therapeutically. STAT3, a latent cytosolic transcription factor
      activated by diverse cytokines and growth factors, has been shown to exhibit an
      additional, nontranscriptional function in mitochondria, including modulation of
      electron transport chain activity. In particular, malignant transformation by Ras
      oncogenes exploits mitochondrial STAT3 functions. We used mass spectrometry-based
      metabolomics profiling to explore the biochemical basis for the STAT3 dependence
      of Ras transformation. We identified the gamma-glutamyl cycle, the production of
      glutathione, and the regulation of ROS as a mitochondrion-STAT3-dependent pathway
      in Ras-transformed cells. Experimental inhibition of key enzymes in the
      glutathione cycle resulted in the depletion of glutathione, accumulation of ROS,
      oxidative DNA damage, and cell death in an oncogenic Ras- and mitochondrial STAT3
      dependent manner. These data uncover a synthetic lethal interaction involving
      glutathione production and mitochondrial ROS regulation in Ras-transformed cells
      that is governed by mitochondrial STAT3 and might be exploited therapeutically. 

PMID- 26283728
TI  - Notch1 Autoactivation via Transcriptional Regulation of Furin, Which Sustains
      Notch1 Signaling by Processing Notch1-Activating Proteases ADAM10 and Membrane
      Type 1 Matrix Metalloproteinase.
AB  - Notch1 is an evolutionarily conserved transmembrane receptor involved in melanoma
      growth. Notch1 is first cleaved by furin in the Golgi apparatus to produce the
      biologically active heterodimer. Following ligand binding, Notch1 is cleaved at
      the cell membrane by proteases such as ADAM10 and -17 and membrane type 1 matrix
      metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP), the latter of which we recently identified as a
      novel protease involved in Notch1 processing. The final cleavage is gamma
      secretase dependent and releases the active Notch intracellular domain (NIC). We
      now demonstrate that Notch1 directly regulates furin expression. Aside from
      activating Notch1, furin cleaves and activates several proteases, including MT1
      MMP, ADAM10, and ADAM17. By chromatin immunoprecipitation and a reporter assay,
      we demonstrate that Notch1 binds at position -1236 of the furin promoter and
      drives furin expression. The Notch1-dependent enhancement of furin expression
      increases the activities of MT1-MMP and ADAM10 but not that of ADAM17, as
      demonstrated by short hairpin RNA (shRNA) knockdown of furin, and promotes the
      cleavage of Notch1 itself. These data highlight a novel positive-feedback loop
      whereby Notch1-dependent furin expression can induce Notch1 signaling by
      increasing Notch1 processing and by potentiating the activity of the proteases
      responsible for Notch1 activation. This leads to Notch1 signal amplification,
      which can promote melanoma tumor growth and progression, as demonstrated by the
      inhibition of cell migration and invasion upon furin inhibition downstream of
      Notch1. Disruption of such feedback signaling might represent an avenue for the
      treatment of melanoma. 

PMID- 26283729
TI  - Role of the Exocyst Complex Component Sec6/8 in Genomic Stability.
AB  - The exocyst is a heterooctomeric complex well appreciated for its role in the
      dynamic assembly of specialized membrane domains. Accumulating evidence indicates
      that this macromolecular machine also serves as a physical platform that
      coordinates regulatory cascades supporting biological systems such as host
      defense signaling, cell fate, and energy homeostasis. The isolation of multiple
      components of the DNA damage response (DDR) as exocyst-interacting proteins,
      together with the identification of Sec8 as a suppressor of the p53 response,
      suggested functional interactions between the exocyst and the DDR. We found that
      exocyst perturbation resulted in resistance to ionizing radiation (IR) and
      accelerated resolution of DNA damage. This occurred at the expense of genomic
      integrity, as enhanced recombination frequencies correlated with the accumulation
      of aberrant chromatid exchanges. Sec8 perturbation resulted in the accumulation
      of ATF2 and RNF20 and the promiscuous accumulation of DDR-associated chromatin
      marks and Rad51 repairosomes. Thus, the exocyst supports DNA repair fidelity by
      limiting the formation of repair chromatin in the absence of DNA damage. 

PMID- 26283730
TI  - Different Mechanisms Confer Gradual Control and Memory at Nutrient- and Stress
      Regulated Genes in Yeast.
AB  - Cells respond to environmental stimuli by fine-tuned regulation of gene
      expression. Here we investigated the dose-dependent modulation of gene expression
      at high temporal resolution in response to nutrient and stress signals in yeast.
      The GAL1 activity in cell populations is modulated in a well-defined range of
      galactose concentrations, correlating with a dynamic change of histone remodeling
      and RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) association. This behavior is the result of a
      heterogeneous induction delay caused by decreasing inducer concentrations across
      the population. Chromatin remodeling appears to be the basis for the dynamic GAL1
      expression, because mutants with impaired histone dynamics show severely
      truncated dose-response profiles. In contrast, the GRE2 promoter operates like a
      rapid off/on switch in response to increasing osmotic stress, with almost
      constant expression rates and exclusively temporal regulation of histone
      remodeling and RNAPII occupancy. The Gal3 inducer and the Hog1 mitogen-activated
      protein (MAP) kinase seem to determine the different dose-response strategies at
      the two promoters. Accordingly, GAL1 becomes highly sensitive and dose
      independent if previously stimulated because of residual Gal3 levels, whereas
      GRE2 expression diminishes upon repeated stimulation due to acquired stress
      resistance. Our analysis reveals important differences in the way dynamic signals
      create dose-sensitive gene expression outputs. 

PMID- 26283731
TI  - Loss of ADAM17-Mediated Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Signaling in Intestinal Cells
      Attenuates Mucosal Atrophy in a Mouse Model of Parenteral Nutrition.
AB  - Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is commonly used clinically to sustain patients;
      however, TPN is associated with profound mucosal atrophy, which may adversely
      affect clinical outcomes. Using a mouse TPN model, removing enteral nutrition
      leads to decreased crypt proliferation, increased intestinal epithelial cell
      (IEC) apoptosis and increased mucosal tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha)
      expression that ultimately produces mucosal atrophy. Upregulation of TNF-alpha
      signaling plays a central role in mediating TPN-induced mucosal atrophy without
      intact epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling. Currently, the
      mechanism and the tissue-specific contributions of TNF-alpha signaling to TPN
      induced mucosal atrophy remain unclear. ADAM17 is an ectodomain sheddase that can
      modulate the signaling activity of several cytokine/growth factor receptor
      families, including the TNF-alpha/TNF receptor and ErbB ligand/EGFR pathways.
      Using TPN-treated IEC-specific ADAM17-deficient mice, the present study
      demonstrates that a loss of soluble TNF-alpha signaling from IECs attenuates TPN
      induced mucosal atrophy. Importantly, this response remains dependent on the
      maintenance of functional EGFR signaling in IECs. TNF-alpha blockade in wild-type
      mice receiving TPN confirmed that soluble TNF-alpha signaling is responsible for
      downregulation of EGFR signaling in IECs. These results demonstrate that ADAM17
      mediated TNF-alpha signaling from IECs has a significant role in the development
      of the proinflammatory state and mucosal atrophy observed in TPN-treated mice. 

PMID- 26283732
TI  - Cdc14A and Cdc14B Redundantly Regulate DNA Double-Strand Break Repair.
AB  - Cdc14 is a phosphatase that controls mitotic exit and cytokinesis in budding
      yeast. In mammals, the two Cdc14 homologues, Cdc14A and Cdc14B, have been
      proposed to regulate DNA damage repair, whereas the mitotic exit and cytokinesis
      rely on another phosphatase, PP2A-B55alpha. It is unclear if the two Cdc14s work
      redundantly in DNA repair and which repair pathways they participate in. More
      importantly, their target(s) in DNA repair remains elusive. Here we report that
      Cdc14B knockout (Cdc14B(-/-)) mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) showed defects
      in repairing ionizing radiation (IR)-induced DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs),
      which occurred only at late passages when Cdc14A levels were low. This repair
      defect could occur at early passages if Cdc14A levels were also compromised.
      These results indicate redundancy between Cdc14B and Cdc14A in DSB repair.
      Further, we found that Cdc14B deficiency impaired both homologous recombination
      (HR) and nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ), the two major DSB repair pathways. We
      also provide evidence that Cdh1 is a downstream target of Cdc14B in DSB repair. 

PMID- 26283733
TI  - Neuroinflammation-Induced Interactions between Protease-Activated Receptor 1 and
      Proprotein Convertases in HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder.
AB  - The proprotein convertases (PCs) furin, PC5, PACE4, and PC7 cleave secretory
      proteins after basic residues, including the HIV envelope glycoprotein (gp160)
      and Vpr. We evaluated the abundance of PC mRNAs in postmortem brains of
      individuals exhibiting HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND), likely
      driven by neuroinflammation and neurotoxic HIV proteins (e.g., envelope and Vpr).
      Concomitant with increased inflammation-related gene expression (interleukin
      1beta [IL-1beta]), the mRNA levels of the above PCs are significantly increased,
      together with those of the proteinase-activated receptor 1 (PAR1), an
      inflammation-associated receptor that is cleaved by thrombin at ProArg41? (where
      the down arrow indicates the cleavage location), and potentially by PCs at
      Arg41XXXXArg46?. The latter motif in PAR1, but not its R46A mutant, drives its
      interactions with PCs. Indeed, PAR1 upregulation leads to the inhibition of
      membrane-bound furin, PC5B, and PC7 and inhibits gp160 processing and HIV
      infectivity. Additionally, a proximity ligation assay revealed that furin and PC7
      interact with PAR1. Reciprocally, increased furin expression reduces the plasma
      membrane abundance of PAR1 by trapping it in the trans-Golgi network.
      Furthermore, soluble PC5A/PACE4 can target/disarm cell surface PAR1 through
      cleavage at Arg46?. PACE4/PC5A decreased calcium mobilization induced by thrombin
      stimulation. Our data reveal a new PC-PAR1-interaction pathway, which offsets the
      effects of HIV-induced neuroinflammation, viral infection, and potentially the
      development of HAND. 

PMID- 26283734
TI  - miR-92a Corrects CD34+ Cell Dysfunction in Diabetes by Modulating Core Circadian
      Genes Involved in Progenitor Differentiation.
AB  - Autologous CD34(+) cells are widely used for vascular repair; however, in
      individuals with diabetes and microvascular disease these cells are
      dysfunctional. In this study, we examine expression of the clock genes Clock,
      Bmal, Per1, Per2, Cry1, and Cry2 in CD34(+) cells of diabetic and nondiabetic
      origin and determine the small encoding RNA (miRNA) profile of these cells. The
      degree of diabetic retinopathy (DR) was assessed. As CD34(+) cells acquired
      mature endothelial markers, they exhibit robust oscillations of clock genes.
      siRNA treatment of CD34(+) cells revealed Per2 as the only clock gene necessary
      to maintain the undifferentiated state of CD34(+) cells. Twenty-five miRNAs
      targeting clock genes were identified. Three of the miRNAs (miR-18b, miR-16, and
      miR-34c) were found only in diabetic progenitors. The expression of the Per2
      regulatory miRNA, miR-92a, was markedly reduced in CD34(+) cells from individuals
      with DR compared with control subjects and patients with diabetes with no DR.
      Restoration of miR-92a levels in CD34(+) cells from patients with diabetes with
      DR reduced the inflammatory phenotype of these cells and the diabetes-induced
      propensity toward myeloid differentiation. Our studies suggest that restoring
      levels of miR-92a could enhance the usefulness of CD34(+) cells in autologous
      cell therapy. 

PMID- 26283736
TI  - Liraglutide Reduces CNS Activation in Response to Visual Food Cues Only After
      Short-term Treatment in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are associated
      with reduced appetite and body weight. We investigated whether these effects
      could be mediated by the central nervous system (CNS). RESEARCH DESIGN AND
      METHODS: We performed a randomized crossover study in obese patients with type 2
      diabetes (n = 20, mean age 59.3 +/- 4.1 years, mean BMI 32 +/- 4.7 kg/m(2)),
      consisting of two periods of 12-week treatment with either liraglutide 1.8 mg or
      insulin glargine. Using functional MRI, we determined the effects of treatment on
      CNS responses to viewing food pictures in the fasted condition and 30 min after
      meal intake. RESULTS: After 12 weeks, the decrease in HbA1c was larger with
      liraglutide versus insulin glargine (Delta-0.7% vs. -0.2%, P < 0.001). Body
      weight decreased during liraglutide versus insulin glargine (Delta-3.3 kg vs. 0.8
      kg, P < 0.001). After 10 days, patients treated with liraglutide, compared with
      insulin glargine, showed decreased responses to food pictures in insula and
      putamen (P <= 0.02). In addition, liraglutide enhanced the satiating effect of
      meal intake on responses in putamen and amygdala (P <= 0.05). Differences between
      liraglutide and insulin glargine were not observed after 12 weeks. CONCLUSIONS:
      Compared with insulin, liraglutide decreased CNS activation significantly only
      after short-term treatment, suggesting that these effects of GLP-1RA on the CNS
      may contribute to the induction of weight loss, but not necessarily to its
      maintenance, in view of the absence of an effect of liraglutide on CNS activation
      in response to food pictures after longer-term treatment.

PMID- 26283735
TI  - The DeltaF508 Mutation in the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator
      Is Associated With Progressive Insulin Resistance and Decreased Functional beta
      Cell Mass in Mice.
AB  - Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the result of mutations in the cystic fibrosis
      transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). CF-related diabetes affects 50% of
      adult CF patients. How CFTR deficiency predisposes to diabetes is unknown.
      Herein, we examined the impact of the most frequent cftr mutation in humans,
      deletion of phenylalanine at position 508 (DeltaF508), on glucose homeostasis in
      mice. We compared DeltaF508 mutant mice with wild-type (WT) littermates. Twelve
      week-old male DeltaF508 mutants had lower body weight, improved oral glucose
      tolerance, and a trend toward higher insulin tolerance. Glucose-induced insulin
      secretion was slightly diminished in DeltaF508 mutant islets, due to reduced
      insulin content, but DeltaF508 mutant islets were not more sensitive to
      proinflammatory cytokines than WT islets. Hyperglycemic clamps confirmed an
      increase in insulin sensitivity with normal beta-cell function in 12- and 18-week
      old DeltaF508 mutants. In contrast, 24-week-old DeltaF508 mutants exhibited
      insulin resistance and reduced beta-cell function. beta-Cell mass was unaffected
      at 11 weeks of age but was significantly lower in DeltaF508 mutants versus
      controls at 24 weeks. This was not associated with gross pancreatic pathology. We
      conclude that the DeltaF508 CFTR mutation does not lead to an intrinsic beta-cell
      secretory defect but is associated with insulin resistance and a beta-cell mass
      deficit in aging mutants. 

PMID- 26283737
TI  - Rates of diabetic ketoacidosis: international comparison with 49,859 pediatric
      patients with type 1 diabetes from England, Wales, the U.S., Austria, and
      Germany.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in children and adolescents with
      established type 1 diabetes is a major problem with considerable morbidity,
      mortality, and associated costs to patients, families, and health care systems.
      We analyzed data from three multinational type 1 diabetes registries/audits with
      similarly advanced, yet differing, health care systems with an aim to identify
      factors associated with DKA admissions. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Data from
      49,859 individuals <18 years with type 1 diabetes duration >=1 year from the
      Prospective Diabetes Follow-up Registry (DPV) initiative (n = 22,397, Austria and
      Germany), the National Paediatric Diabetes Audit (NPDA; n = 16,314, England and
      Wales), and the T1D Exchange (T1DX; n = 11,148, U.S.) were included. DKA was
      defined as >=1 hospitalization for hyperglycemia with a pH <7.3 during the prior
      year. Data were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression models. RESULTS:
      The frequency of DKA was 5.0% in DPV, 6.4% in NPDA, and 7.1% in T1DX, with
      differences persisting after demographic adjustment (P < 0.0001). In
      multivariable analyses, higher odds of DKA were found in females (odds ratio [OR]
      1.23, 99% CI 1.10-1.37), ethnic minorities (OR 1.27, 99% CI 1.11-1.44), and HbA1c
      >=7.5% (>=58 mmol/mol) (OR 2.54, 99% CI 2.09-3.09 for HbA1c from 7.5 to <9% [58
      to <75 mmol/mol] and OR 8.74, 99% CI 7.18-10.63 for HbA1c >=9.0% [>=75
      mmol/mol]). CONCLUSIONS: These multinational data demonstrate high rates of DKA
      in childhood type 1 diabetes across three registries/audits and five nations.
      Females, ethnic minorities, and HbA1c above target were all associated with an
      increased risk of DKA. Targeted DKA prevention programs could result in
      substantial health care cost reduction and reduced patient morbidity and
      mortality.

PMID- 26283738
TI  - Assessing rates of hypoglycemia as an end point in clinical trials.

PMID- 26283739
TI  - Safety and Efficacy of Liraglutide in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes and End-Stage
      Renal Disease: An Investigator-Initiated, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind,
      Parallel-Group, Randomized Trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate parameters related to safety and efficacy of liraglutide
      in patients with type 2 diabetes and dialysis-dependent end-stage renal disease
      (ESRD). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Twenty-four patients with type 2 diabetes
      and ESRD and 23 control subjects with type 2 diabetes and normal kidney function
      were randomly allocated to 12 weeks of double-blind liraglutide (titrated to a
      maximum dose of 1.8 mg) or placebo treatment (1:1) injected subcutaneously once
      daily as add on to ongoing antidiabetic treatment. Dose-corrected plasma trough
      liraglutide concentration was evaluated at the final trial visit as the primary
      outcome measure using a linear mixed model. RESULTS: Twenty patients with ESRD
      (1:1 for liraglutide vs. placebo) and 20 control subjects (1:1) completed the
      study period. Dose-corrected plasma trough liraglutide concentration at the final
      visit was increased by 49% (95% CI 6-109, P = 0.02) in the group with ESRD
      compared with the control group. Initial and temporary nausea and vomiting
      occurred more frequently among liraglutide-treated patients with ESRD compared
      with control subjects (P < 0.04). Glycemic control tended to improve during the
      study period in both liraglutide-treated groups as assessed by daily blood
      glucose measurements (P < 0.01), and dose of baseline insulin was reduced in
      parallel (P < 0.04). Body weight was reduced in both liraglutide-treated groups (
      2.4 +/- 0.8 kg [mean +/- SE] in the group with ESRD, P = 0.22; -2.9 +/- 1.0 kg in
      the control group, P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Plasma liraglutide concentrations
      increased during treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes and ESRD, who
      experienced more gastrointestinal side effects. Reduced treatment doses and
      prolonged titration period may be advisable.

PMID- 26283740
TI  - Trichomonas vaginalis and Mycoplasma genitalium: age-specific prevalence and
      disease burden in men attending a sexually transmitted infections clinic in
      Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Men are not routinely tested for Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) and
      Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) in the Netherlands and, therefore, very few studies
      have looked into their prevalence and/or role in urogenital complaints in the
      Dutch male population. OBJECTIVE: To describe the age-specific prevalence and
      disease burden of TV and MG, and their co-occurrence with Chlamydia trachomatis
      (CT), in men attending the sexually transmitted infections (STI) clinic in
      Amsterdam, the Netherlands. METHODS: Urine samples and clinical data were
      collected from 526 men who have sex with women (MSW) and 678 men who have sex
      with men (MSM) attending the STI clinic. To investigate age as a risk factor, we
      oversampled older men. Urine samples were tested for TV and MG using molecular
      tests. RESULTS: The overall prevalence was 0.5% (6/1204) for TV and 3.1%
      (37/1204) for MG. Four out of the six TV cases were older than 40 years and all
      TV cases were MSW. No age trend was observed for MG, nor did MG prevalence differ
      between MSW and MSM. Co-infections between TV or MG and CT were rare. TV
      infection did not associate with urogenital symptoms, whereas 5.9% of men
      reporting urogenital symptoms were infected with MG. CONCLUSIONS: TV infection
      was rare in men, asymptomatic and was limited to the heterosexual network. MG
      infection was relatively common and equally prevalent among MSW and MSM of all
      ages. Most MG infections remained asymptomatic, however, our results suggest that
      up to 6% of urogenital complaints could be explained by MG infection.

PMID- 26283741
TI  - Dengue Virus Infection Triggering Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura in
      Pregnancy.
AB  - We report a case of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) that immediately
      followed symptomatic dengue virus infection in a pregnant lady. The patient
      developed dengue fever at 16 weeks of gestation, resulting in spontaneous
      abortion. Subsequently, fever reappeared with persistent thrombocytopenia and
      jaundice. Investigations revealed microangiopathic hemolysis; there was no
      evidence of disseminated intravascular coagulation. The TTP episode resolved
      after six cycles of therapeutic plasma exchange with fresh-frozen plasma. An
      ADAMTS13 (a disintegrin and metalloprotease with thrombospondin type 1 motif 13
      repeats) activity assay, done during convalescence, showed normal activity. The
      patient had an uneventful second pregnancy and has remained free of TTP
      recurrence for more than 2 years now. We review the pathophysiological basis of
      TTP in dengue infection, and suggest that jaundice with disproportionate
      elevation of serum aspartate aminotransferase level in a patient with dengue
      should arouse the suspicion of TTP. 

PMID- 26283742
TI  - Changes in Genetic Diversity from Field to Laboratory During Colonization of
      Anopheles darlingi Root (Diptera: Culicidae).
AB  - The process of colonizing any arthropod species, including vector mosquitoes,
      necessarily involves adaptation to laboratory conditions. The adaptation and
      evolution of colonized mosquito populations needs consideration when such
      colonies are used as representative models for pathogen transmission dynamics. A
      recently established colony of Anopheles darlingi, the primary malaria vector in
      Amazonian South America, was tested for genetic diversity and bottleneck after 21
      generations, using microsatellites. As expected, laboratory An. darlingi had
      fewer private and rare alleles (frequency < 0.05), decreased observed
      heterozygosity, and more common alleles (frequency > 0.50), but no significant
      evidence of a bottleneck, decrease in total alleles, or increase in inbreeding
      compared with field specimens (founder population). Low-moderate differentiation
      between field and laboratory populations was detected. With these findings, and
      the documented inherent differences between laboratory and field populations,
      results of pathogen transmission studies using this An. darlingi colony need to
      be interpreted cautiously. 

PMID- 26283743
TI  - Clinical Efficacy of Dihydroartemisinin-Piperaquine for the Treatment of
      Uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum Malaria at the China-Myanmar Border.
AB  - Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) are currently used as the first
      line therapy for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria. However, the recent
      emergence and/or spread of artemisinin resistance in parts of Greater Mekong
      Subregion (GMS) of southeast Asia requires close monitoring of the therapeutic
      efficacy of ACTs. This study was conducted from March 2012 to December 2013 in
      four clinics and seven villages along the China-Myanmar border. A total of 109
      patients with uncomplicated falciparum malaria were treated with
      dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DP) and followed up on days 1, 2, 3, 7, 14, 21,
      28, and 42 after treatment. A total of 71 patients (22 children and 49 adults)
      completed the 42-day follow-up. DP remained highly efficacious for treatment of
      uncomplicated falciparum malaria with an overall 42-day cure rate of 100%. The
      day 3 parasite-positive rate was 7.04% (5/71). Within 14 days of treatment, a
      total of 13 (18.31%) patients had detectable gametocytes and a large proportion
      of these were persistent from the first three days of treatment. The presence of
      gametocytes in patients through 14 days after DP treatment suggests that the
      incorporation of a single dose of primaquine for clearing gametocytemia should be
      considered for blocking parasite transmission. 

PMID- 26283744
TI  - Lymphatic Dissemination in Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Following Local Treatment.
AB  - Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is diverse in its clinical presentation but usually
      demonstrates an erythematous, infiltrated, ulcerated, and crusted papule or
      nodule in exposed areas of the body. Rare clinical features have been reported
      including lymphatic dissemination, usually with subcutaneous nodules along
      lymphatic channels. Herein, we present six patients suffering from Old World CL
      with lymphatic dissemination characterized by sporotrichoid subcutaneous nodules
      along the lymphatic channels draining the primary lesion. Patients' history,
      clinical and laboratory findings were collected and summarized. Lymphatic
      dissemination of CL in our patients manifested as subcutaneous nodules without
      epidermal involvement within the axis of lymphatic drainage toward the regional
      lymph node, at times accompanied by regional lymphadenopathy. In all patients,
      the lymphatic dissemination was not present at initial diagnosis of CL, appearing
      only after local (topical or intralesional) treatment was initiated. In three
      patients, the subcutaneous nodules resolved without systemic treatment. Lymphatic
      dissemination of Old World CL is not uncommon and may possibly be triggered by
      local treatment. It should be recognized by dermatologists, especially those
      working in endemic areas. Systemic treatment may be not necessary since
      spontaneous resolution may occur. 

PMID- 26283745
TI  - High Antimalarial Efficacy of Dihydroartemisinin-Piperaquine on the China-Myanmar
      Border: The Calm Before the Storm.

PMID- 26283746
TI  - Potential Impact of Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention on the Acquisition of
      Antibodies Against Glutamate-Rich Protein and Apical Membrane Antigen 1 in
      Children Living in Southern Senegal.
AB  - Seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) is defined as the intermittent
      administration of full treatment courses of an antimalarial drug to children
      during the peak of malaria transmission season with the aim of preventing malaria
      associated mortality and morbidity. SMC using sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP)
      combined with amodiaquine (AQ) is a promising strategy to control malaria
      morbidity in areas of highly seasonal malaria transmission. However, a concern is
      whether SMC can delay the natural acquisition of immunity toward malaria
      parasites in areas with intense SMC delivery. To investigate this, total IgG
      antibody (Ab) responses to Plasmodium falciparum antigens glutamate-rich protein
      R0 (GLURP-R0) and apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA-1) were measured by enzyme
      linked immunosorbent assay in Senegalese children under the age of 10 years in
      2010 living in Saraya and Velingara districts (with SMC using SP + AQ [SMC+]
      since 2007) and Tambacounda district (without SMC (SMC-)). For both P. falciparum
      antigens, total IgG response were significantly higher in the SMC- compared with
      the SMC+ group (for GLURP-R0, P < 0.001 and for AMA-1, P = 0.001). There was as
      well a nonsignificant tendency for higher percentage of positive responders in
      the SMC- compared with the SMC+ group (for GLURP-R0: 22.2% versus 14.4%,
      respectively [P = 0.06]; for AMA-1: 45.6% versus 40.0%, respectively [P = 0.24]).
      Results suggest that long-term malaria chemoprevention by SMC/SP + AQ have
      limited impact on the development of acquired immunity, as tested using the P.
      falciparum antigens GLURP-R0 and AMA-1. However, other factors, not measured in
      this study, may interfere as well. 

PMID- 26283747
TI  - High Mobility and Low Use of Malaria Preventive Measures Among the Jarai Male
      Youth Along the Cambodia-Vietnam Border.
AB  - Malaria control along the Vietnam-Cambodia border presents a challenge for both
      countries' malaria elimination targets as the region is forested, inhabited by
      ethnic minority populations, and potentially characterized by early and outdoor
      malaria transmission. A mixed methods study assessed the vulnerability to malaria
      among the Jarai population living on both sides of the border in the provinces of
      Ratanakiri (Cambodia) and Gia Lai (Vietnam). A qualitative study generated
      preliminary hypotheses that were quantified in two surveys, one targeting youth
      (N = 498) and the other household leaders (N = 449). Jarai male youth, especially
      in Cambodia, had lower uptake of preventive measures (57.4%) and more often
      stayed overnight in the deep forest (35.8%) compared with the female youth and
      the adult population. Among male youth, a high-risk subgroup was identified that
      regularly slept at friends' homes or outdoors, who had fewer bed nets (32.5%)
      that were torn more often (77.8%). The vulnerability of Jarai youth to malaria
      could be attributed to the transitional character of youth itself, implying less
      fixed sleeping arrangements in nonpermanent spaces or non-bed sites. Additional
      tools such as long-lasting hammock nets could be suitable as they are in line
      with current practices. 

PMID- 26283748
TI  - Use of Rapid Influenza Testing to Reduce Antibiotic Prescriptions Among
      Outpatients with Influenza-Like Illness in Southern Sri Lanka.
AB  - Acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) are a common reason for unnecessary
      antibiotic prescriptions worldwide. Our objective was to determine if providing
      access to rapid influenza test results could reduce antibiotic prescriptions for
      ARTIs in a resource-limited setting. We conducted a prospective, pre-post study
      from March 2013 to October 2014. Outpatients presenting to a hospital in Sri
      Lanka were surveyed for influenza-like illness-onset of fever >= 38.0 degrees C
      and cough in prior 7 days. Enrolled patients were administered a structured
      questionnaire, physical examination, and nasal/nasopharyngeal sampling for rapid
      influenza A/B testing. Influenza test results were released only during phase 2
      (January-October 2014). We enrolled 571 patients with ILI-316 in phase 1 and 241
      in phase 2. The proportion positive for influenza was 46.5% in phase 1 and 28.6%
      in phase 2, P < 0.001. Between phases, antibiotic prescriptions decreased from
      81.3% to 69.3% (P = 0.001) among all patients and from 83.7% to 62.3% (P = 0.001)
      among influenza-positive patients. On multivariable analysis, a positive
      influenza result during phase 2 was associated with lower odds of antibiotic
      prescriptions (OR = 0.50, 95% CI = 0.26-0.95). This prospective study suggests
      that providing access to rapid influenza testing may reduce unnecessary
      antibiotic prescriptions in resource-limited settings. 

PMID- 26283749
TI  - Patterns of Hepatosplenic Brucella Abscesses on Cross-Sectional Imaging: A Review
      of Clinical and Imaging Features.
AB  - While diffuse involvement of liver and spleen is frequently seen in brucellosis,
      suppurative abscesses caused by Brucella are less common but well described. With
      the increased availability of cross-sectional imaging techniques, reports have
      become more frequent. Four patients with hepatosplenic abscesses caused by
      Brucella spp. are described and included in a review of 115 previously published
      cases. Clinical characteristics and patterns on ultrasound (US) and computed
      tomography imaging were analyzed. Furthermore, the proportion of patients with
      brucellosis affected by suppurative hepatosplenic lesions was estimated.
      Hepatosplenic abscesses were seen in 1.2% of patients with brucellosis and were
      mostly caused by Brucella melitensis. Imaging analysis revealed two main distinct
      patterns. Solitary abscesses involving liver more frequently than spleen, and
      showing characteristic central calcifications, characterize the first pattern.
      Multiple smaller abscesses, frequent spleen involvement, and absence of
      calcifications characterize the second pattern. Blood and aspirate cultures were
      frequently negative, however, the positivity rate increased over the past years.
      Indirect Coombs test was positive in 96%. Half of the patients were cured by
      antibiotic treatment; case fatality in this series was 1.9%. Hepatosplenic
      abscesses due to Brucella infections have characteristic imaging findings.
      Clinicians should be aware of these and the proactive use of cross-sectional
      imaging, particularly US, should be encouraged in endemic regions. 

PMID- 26283750
TI  - The High Burden of Malaria in Primary School Children in Southern Malawi.
AB  - Malaria among school children has received increased attention recently, yet
      there remain few detailed data on the health and educational burden of malaria,
      especially in southern Africa. This paper reports a survey among school children
      in 50 schools in Zomba District, Malawi. Children were assessed for Plasmodium
      infection, anemia, and nutritional status and took a battery of age-appropriate
      tests of attention, literacy, and numeracy. Overall, 60.0% of children were
      infected with Plasmodium falciparum, 32.4% were anemic and 32.4% reported
      sleeping under a mosquito net the previous night. Patterns of P. falciparum
      infection and anemia varied markedly by school. In multivariable analysis, higher
      odds of P. falciparum infection were associated with younger age and being
      stunted, whereas lower odds were associated with reported net use, higher
      parental education, and socioeconomic status. The odds of anemia were
      significantly associated with P. falciparum infection, with a dose-response
      relationship between density of infection and odds of anemia. No clear
      relationship was observed between health status and cognitive and educational
      outcomes. The high burden of malaria highlights the need to tackle malaria among
      school children. 

PMID- 26283751
TI  - Seroprevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi Infection in Schoolchildren and in Pregnant
      Women from an Amazonian Region in Orellana Province, Ecuador.
AB  - Chagas disease is a parasitic disease caused by the protozoan parasite
      Trypanosoma cruzi and about 230,000 persons are estimated to be infected in
      Ecuador. However, limited studies have been performed in the Amazon region, on
      the eastern side of the country. We evaluated here the seroprevalence of
      Trypanosoma cruzi infection in 12 rural villages of the Loreto canton, Orellana
      Province in schoolchildren aged 5-15 years and in pregnant women. A total of
      1,649 blood samples were tested for Trypanosoma cruzi antibodies by enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assay and indirect hemaglutination, and discordant samples were
      tested by indirect immunofluorescence assay. We detected a seroprevalence of anti
      Trypanosoma cruzi antibodies of 1.3% in schoolchildren aged 5-15 years,
      indicating the persistence of a constant and active vectorial transmission in the
      Loreto County and confirming the need of the implementation of nonconventional
      vector control. We also observed a seroprevalence of 3.8% in pregnant women,
      indicating a clear risk of congenital transmission. Further studies should help
      define this risk more precisely and implement current international guidelines
      for the diagnosis, treatment, and care of these cases. 

PMID- 26283752
TI  - Human Monkeypox in the Kivus, a Conflict Region of the Democratic Republic of the
      Congo.
AB  - Monkeypox (MPX) is a zoonotic Orthopoxvirus infection endemic in central and
      western Africa. Human MPX cases occur in the central and northern regions of the
      Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and this is the first report of confirmed
      MPX cases in the forested areas of North and South Kivu Provinces, with a
      detailed epidemiological investigation for one case. The location of each case is
      within areas predicted to be suitable for MPX virus transmission based on an
      ecological niche model. Phylogenetic analysis places these viruses in the Congo
      Basin clade. 

PMID- 26283753
TI  - Randomized Clinical Trial of Virtual Reality Simulation Training for Transvaginal
      Gynecologic Ultrasound Skills.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To compare the impact of virtual reality simulation training and
      theoretical teaching on the ability of inexperienced trainees to produce adequate
      virtual transvaginal ultrasound images. METHODS: We conducted a randomized
      controlled trial with parallel groups. Participants included inexperienced
      residents starting a training program in Paris. The intervention consisted of 40
      minutes of virtual reality simulation training using a haptic transvaginal
      simulator versus 40 minutes of conventional teaching including a conference with
      slides and videos and answers to the students' questions. The outcome was a 19
      point image quality score calculated from a set of 4 images (sagittal and coronal
      views of the uterus and left and right ovaries) produced by trainees immediately
      after the intervention, using the same simulator on which a new virtual patient
      had been uploaded. Experts assessed the outcome on stored images, presented in a
      random order, 2 months after the trial was completed. They were blinded to group
      assignment. The hypothesis was an improved outcome in the intervention group.
      Randomization was 1 to 1. RESULTS: The mean score was significantly greater in
      the simulation group (n = 16; mean score, 12; SEM, 0.8) than the control group (n
      = 18; mean score, 9; SEM, 1.0; P= .0302). CONCLUSIONS: The quality of virtual
      vaginal images produced by inexperienced trainees was greater immediately after a
      single virtual reality simulation training session than after a single
      theoretical teaching session.

PMID- 26283754
TI  - What Is the Appropriate Use of Renal Sonography in an Inner-City Population With
      New-Onset Acute Kidney Injury?
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We aimed to determine the prevalence of hydronephrosis in patients
      who underwent renal sonography for new-onset acute kidney injury (AKI) and to
      identify clinical factors predictive of hydronephrosis. In patients with
      hydronephrosis, we sought to investigate how routine renal sonography affects
      patient treatment, including performance of interventional procedures. METHODS: A
      retrospective chart review identified 274 adults with AKI who underwent renal
      sonography at an urban teaching hospital from January through July 2011. The
      prevalence of hydronephrosis was determined. Electronic medical records were
      reviewed for comorbidities, including risk factors for hydronephrosis such as a
      pelvic mass, prior renal or pelvic surgery, and neurogenic bladder, and for
      subsequent interventions and outcomes. RESULTS: Sonography showed hydronephrosis
      in 28 patients (10%); 5 (18%) had subsequent interventions. In a multivariable
      logistic regression model with the outcome being hydronephrosis, all considered
      risk factors (pelvic mass, prior renal or pelvic surgery, and neurogenic bladder)
      were significantly associated with hydronephrosis (odds ratio, 6.4; 95%
      confidence interval, 2.7-15.4; P < .001) when adjusting for age and diabetes
      mellitus. Diabetes had a negative predictive value for hydronephrosis. No
      diabetic patients younger than 85 years and without clinical risk factors had
      hydronephrosis. CONCLUSIONS: Hydronephrosis is infrequently seen on sonograms in
      hospitalized patients with AKI who lack risk factors for urinary tract
      obstruction. Deferral of sonography pending a trial of medical treatment is safe
      and will reduce medical costs. Adoption of clinical guidelines to assess
      patients' risk levels for hydronephrosis is critical to avoid unnecessary
      imaging.

PMID- 26283755
TI  - Rapid Ultrasound in Shock (RUSH) Velocity-Time Integral: A Proposal to Expand the
      RUSH Protocol.
AB  - Ultrasound assessment of patients in shock is becoming the standard of care in
      emergency and critical care settings worldwide. One of the most common protocols
      used for this assessment is the rapid ultrasound in shock (RUSH) examination. The
      RUSH protocol is a rapid evaluation of cardiac function, key vascular structures,
      and likely sources of hypotension. Stroke volume is an established important
      value to assess in the setting of shock, allowing the provider to predict the
      patient's response to treatment. However, the calculation of stroke volume or its
      surrogates is not part of any protocol, including RUSH. We propose the addition
      of ultrasound calculation of stroke volume or surrogates to the RUSH protocol and
      provide support for its utility and relative ease of calculation. The resulting
      product would be the RUSH velocity-time integral protocol. 

PMID- 26283756
TI  - B-Lines in Assessment of Pulmonary Hypertension in Patients With Interstitial
      Lung Diseases: Feasibility of Transthoracic Lung Sonographic Signs.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to evaluate the value of sonographic B-lines
      (previously called "comet tail artifacts") in assessment of pulmonary
      hypertension in patients with interstitial lung diseases. METHODS: One hundred
      thirty-four patients with clinically diagnosed interstitial lung diseases
      complicated by pulmonary hypertension underwent transthoracic lung sonography and
      Doppler echocardiography for assessment of the presence of B-lines, the distance
      between them, and the pulmonary artery (PA) systolic pressure. A correlation
      analysis and a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis were performed.
      RESULTS: All patients had diffuse bilateral B-lines. The maximum number of B
      lines seen in any positive zone (not a summation) was significantly correlated
      with the severity of PA systolic pressure (r= 0.812; P< .0001), and a linear
      regression equation could be demonstrated: that is, y = 6.06 x + 17.57, where x
      and y represent the number of B-lines and PA systolic pressure, respectively. A
      cutoff of more than 4 B-lines seen in any positive zone had 89.5% sensitivity,
      85.0% specificity, and 87.2% accuracy in predicting elevated PA pressure (>30 mm
      Hg). CONCLUSIONS: The number of B-lines is useful in assessment of pulmonary
      hypertension, especially when tricuspid regurgitation and pulmonary valve
      regurgitation do not exist or cannot be satisfactorily measured by Doppler
      echocardiography.

PMID- 26283757
TI  - Sonography for Assessing Dynamic Diaphragm Dysfunction in Acute Respiratory
      Distress.

PMID- 26283759
TI  - Axial myoclonus after ischemic stroke.

PMID- 26283760
TI  - Teaching NeuroImages: The lentiform fork sign: An MRI pattern of metformin
      associated encephalopathy.

PMID- 26283758
TI  - Effect of clopidogrel with aspirin on functional outcome in TIA or minor stroke:
      CHANCE substudy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We compared the effect of clopidogrel plus aspirin vs aspirin alone on
      functional outcome and quality of life in the Clopidogrel in High-risk Patients
      with Acute Non-disabling Cerebrovascular Events (CHANCE) trial of aspirin
      clopidogrel vs aspirin alone after acute minor stroke or TIA. METHODS:
      Participants were assessed at 90 days for functional outcome using the modified
      Rankin Scale (mRS) and quality of life using the EuroQol-5 Dimension (EQ-5D).
      Poor functional outcome was defined as mRS score of 2-6 at 90 days and poor
      quality of life as EQ-5D index score of 0.5 or less. RESULTS: Poor functional
      outcome occurred in 254 patients (9.9%) in the clopidogrel-aspirin group, as
      compared with 299 (11.6%) in the aspirin group (p = 0.046). Poor quality of life
      occurred in 142 (5.5%) in the clopidogrel-aspirin group and in 175 (6.8%) in the
      aspirin group (p = 0.06). Disabling stroke at 90 days occurred in 166 (6.5%) in
      the clopidogrel-aspirin group and in 219 (8.5%) in the aspirin group (p = 0.01).
      In stratified analysis by subsequent stroke, there was no difference in 90-day
      functional outcome and quality of life between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: In
      patients with minor stroke or TIA, the combination of clopidogrel and aspirin
      appears to be superior to aspirin alone in improving the 90-day functional
      outcome, and this is consistent with a reduction in the rate of disabling stroke
      in the dual antiplatelet arm. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides
      Class II evidence that for patients with acute minor stroke or TIA, clopidogrel
      plus aspirin compared to aspirin alone improves 90-day functional outcome
      (absolute reduction of poor outcome 1.70%, 95% confidence interval 0.03%-3.42%).

PMID- 26283761
TI  - Vigabatrin retinal toxicity in children with infantile spasms: An observational
      cohort study.

PMID- 26283762
TI  - Clinical Reasoning: Worsening neurologic symptoms in a brain tumor patient.

PMID- 26283764
TI  - Daytime napping results in an underestimation of thermal strain during exercise
      in the heat: authors' response.

PMID- 26283763
TI  - Deep Sequencing of Three Loci Implicated in Large-Scale Genome-Wide Association
      Study Smoking Meta-Analyses.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Genome-wide association study meta-analyses have robustly
      implicated three loci that affect susceptibility for smoking:
      CHRNA5?CHRNA3?CHRNB4, CHRNB3?CHRNA6 and EGLN2?CYP2A6. Functional follow-up
      studies of these loci are needed to provide insight into biological mechanisms.
      However, these efforts have been hampered by a lack of knowledge about the
      specific causal variant(s) involved. In this study, we prioritized variants in
      terms of the likelihood they account for the reported associations. METHODS: We
      employed targeted capture of the CHRNA5?CHRNA3?CHRNB4, CHRNB3?CHRNA6, and
      EGLN2?CYP2A6 loci and flanking regions followed by next-generation deep
      sequencing (mean coverage 78*) to capture genomic variation in 363 individuals.
      We performed single locus tests to determine if any single variant accounts for
      the association, and examined if sets of (rare) variants that overlapped with
      biologically meaningful annotations account for the associations. RESULTS: In
      total, we investigated 963 variants, of which 71.1% were rare (minor allele
      frequency < 0.01), 6.02% were insertion/deletions, and 51.7% were catalogued in
      dbSNP141. The single variant results showed that no variant fully accounts for
      the association in any region. In the variant set results, CHRNB4 accounts for
      most of the signal with significant sets consisting of directly damaging
      variants. CHRNA6 explains most of the signal in the CHRNB3?CHRNA6 locus with
      significant sets indicating a regulatory role for CHRNA6. Significant sets in
      CYP2A6 involved directly damaging variants while the significant variant sets
      suggested a regulatory role for EGLN2. CONCLUSIONS: We found that multiple
      variants implicating multiple processes explain the signal. Some variants can be
      prioritized for functional follow-up.

PMID- 26283765
TI  - Whole-Genome Comparison Uncovers Genomic Mutations between Group B Streptococci
      Sampled from Infected Newborns and Their Mothers.
AB  - Streptococcus agalactiae (group B Streptococcus or GBS), a commensal of the human
      gut and genitourinary tract, is a leading cause of neonatal infections, in which
      vertical transmission from mother to child remains the most frequent route of
      contamination. Here, we investigated whether the progression of GBS from carriage
      to disease is associated with genomic adaptation. Whole-genome comparison of 47
      GBS samples from 19 mother-child pairs uncovered 21 single nucleotide
      polymorphisms (SNPs) and seven insertions/deletions. Of the SNPs detected, 16
      appear to have been fixed in the population sampled whereas five mutations were
      found to be polymorphic. In the infant strains, 14 mutations were detected,
      including two independently fixed variants affecting the covRS locus, which is
      known to encode a major regulatory system of virulence. A one-nucleotide
      insertion was also identified in the promoter region of the highly immunogenic
      surface protein Rib gene. Gene expression analysis after incubation in human
      blood showed that these mutations influenced the expression of virulence
      associated genes. Additional identification of three mutated strains in the
      mothers' milk raised the possibility of the newborns also being a source of
      contamination for their mothers. Overall, our work showed that GBS strains in
      carriage and disease scenarios might undergo adaptive changes following
      colonization. The types and locations of the mutations found, together with the
      experimental results showing their phenotypic impact, suggest that those in a
      context of infection were positively selected during the transition of GBS from
      commensal to pathogen, contributing to an increased capacity to cause disease.
      IMPORTANCE: Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a major pathogen responsible for
      neonatal infections. Considering that its colonization of healthy adults is
      mostly asymptomatic, the mechanisms behind its switch from a commensal to an
      invasive state are largely unknown. In this work, we compared the genomic profile
      of GBS samples causing infections in newborns with that of the GBS colonizing
      their mothers. Multiple mutations were detected, namely, within key virulence
      factors, including the response regulator CovR and surface protein Rib,
      potentially affecting the pathogenesis of GBS. Their overall impact was supported
      by differences in the expression of virulence-associated genes in human blood.
      Our results suggest that during GBS's progression to disease, particular variants
      are positively selected, contributing to the ability of this bacterium to infect
      its host.

PMID- 26283766
TI  - Mechanistic Insight into Trimethylamine N-Oxide Recognition by the Marine
      Bacterium Ruegeria pomeroyi DSS-3.
AB  - Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) is an important nitrogen source for marine
      bacteria. TMAO can also be metabolized by marine bacteria into volatile
      methylated amines, the precursors of the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide. However,
      it was not known how TMAO is recognized and imported by bacteria. Ruegeria
      pomeroyi DSS-3, a marine Roseobacter, has an ATP-binding cassette transporter,
      TmoXWV, specific for TMAO. TmoX is the substrate-binding protein of the TmoXWV
      transporter. In this study, the substrate specificity of TmoX of R. pomeroyi DSS
      3 was characterized. We further determined the structure of the TmoX/TMAO complex
      and studied the TMAO-binding mechanism of TmoX by biochemical, structural, and
      mutational analyses. A Ca(2+) ion chelated by an extended loop in TmoX was shown
      to be important for maintaining the stability of TmoX. Molecular dynamics
      simulations indicate that TmoX can alternate between "open" and "closed" states
      for binding TMAO. In the substrate-binding pocket, four tryptophan residues
      interact with the quaternary amine of TMAO by cation-pi interactions, and Glu131
      forms a hydrogen bond with the polar oxygen atom of TMAO. The pi-pi stacking
      interactions between the side chains of Phe and Trp are also essential for TMAO
      binding. Sequence analysis suggests that the TMAO-binding mechanism of TmoX may
      have universal significance in marine bacteria, especially in the marine
      Roseobacter clade. This study sheds light on how marine microorganisms utilize
      TMAO. IMPORTANCE: Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) is an important nitrogen source
      for marine bacteria. The products of TMAO metabolized by bacteria are part of the
      precursors of the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide. It is unclear how TMAO is
      recognized and imported by bacteria. TmoX is the substrate-binding protein of a
      TMAO-specific transporter. Here, the substrate specificity of TmoX of Ruegeria
      pomeroyi DSS-3 was characterized. The TMAO-binding mechanism of TmoX was studied
      by biochemical, structural, and mutational analyses. Moreover, our results
      suggest that the TMAO-binding mechanism may have universal significance in marine
      bacteria. This study sheds light on how marine microorganisms utilize TMAO and
      should lead to a better understanding of marine nitrogen cycling.

PMID- 26283767
TI  - The Sulfolobus solfataricus GINS Complex Stimulates DNA Binding and Processive
      DNA Unwinding by Minichromosome Maintenance Helicase.
AB  - GINS is a key component of the eukaryotic Cdc45-minichromosome maintenance (MCM)
      GINS (CMG) complex, which unwinds duplex DNA at the moving replication fork.
      Archaeal GINS complexes have been shown to stimulate the helicase activity of
      their cognate MCM mainly by elevating its ATPase activity. Here, we report that
      GINS from the thermoacidophilic crenarchaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus (SsoGINS) is
      capable of DNA binding and binds preferentially to single-stranded DNA (ssDNA)
      over double-stranded DNA (dsDNA). Notably, SsoGINS binds more strongly to dsDNA
      with a 5' ssDNA tail than to dsDNA with a 3' tail and more strongly to an ssDNA
      fragment blocked at the 3' end than to one at the 5' end with a biotin
      streptavidin (SA) complex, suggesting the ability of the protein complex to slide
      in a 5'-to-3' direction along ssDNA. DNA-bound SsoGINS enhances DNA binding by
      SsoMCM. Furthermore, SsoGINS increases the helicase activity of SsoMCM. However,
      the ATPase activity of SsoMCM is not affected by SsoGINS. Our results suggest
      that SsoGINS facilitates processive DNA unwinding by SsoMCM by enhancing the
      binding of the helicase to DNA. We propose that SsoGINS stabilizes the
      interaction of SsoMCM with the replication fork and moves along with the helicase
      as the fork progresses. IMPORTANCE: GINS is a key component of the eukaryotic
      Cdc45-MCM-GINS complex, a molecular motor that drives the unwinding of DNA in
      front of the replication fork. Archaea also encode GINS, which interacts with
      MCM, the helicase. But how archaeal GINS serves its role remains to be
      understood. In this study, we show that GINS from the hyperthermophilic archaeon
      Sulfolobus solfataricus is able to bind to DNA and slide along ssDNA in a 5'-to
      3' direction. Furthermore, Sulfolobus GINS enhances DNA binding by MCM, which
      slides along ssDNA in a 3'-to-5' direction. Taken together, these results suggest
      that Sulfolobus GINS may stabilize the interaction of MCM with the moving
      replication fork, facilitating processive DNA unwinding.

PMID- 26283768
TI  - The Absence of Pupylation (Prokaryotic Ubiquitin-Like Protein Modification)
      Affects Morphological and Physiological Differentiation in Streptomyces
      coelicolor.
AB  - Protein turnover is essential in all living organisms for the maintenance of
      normal cell physiology. In eukaryotes, most cellular protein turnover involves
      the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, in which proteins tagged with ubiquitin are
      targeted to the proteasome for degradation. In contrast, most bacteria lack a
      proteasome but harbor proteases for protein turnover. However, some
      actinobacteria, such as mycobacteria, possess a proteasome in addition to these
      proteases. A prokaryotic ubiquitination-like tagging process in mycobacteria was
      described and was named pupylation: proteins are tagged with Pup (prokaryotic
      ubiquitin-like protein) and directed to the proteasome for degradation. We report
      pupylation in another actinobacterium, Streptomyces coelicolor. Both the
      morphology and life cycle of Streptomyces species are complex (formation of a
      substrate and aerial mycelium followed by sporulation), and these bacteria are
      prolific producers of secondary metabolites with important medicinal and
      agricultural applications. The genes encoding the pupylation system in S.
      coelicolor are expressed at various stages of development. We demonstrated that
      pupylation targets numerous proteins and identified 20 of them. Furthermore, we
      established that abolition of pupylation has substantial effects on morphological
      and metabolic differentiation and on resistance to oxidative stress. In contrast,
      in most cases, a proteasome-deficient mutant showed only modest perturbations
      under the same conditions. Thus, the phenotype of the pup mutant does not appear
      to be due solely to defective proteasomal degradation. Presumably, pupylation has
      roles in addition to directing proteins to the proteasome. IMPORTANCE:
      Streptomyces spp. are filamentous and sporulating actinobacteria, remarkable for
      their morphological and metabolic differentiation. They produce numerous
      bioactive compounds, including antifungal, antibiotic, and antitumor compounds.
      There is therefore considerable interest in understanding the mechanisms by which
      Streptomyces species regulate their complex physiology and production of
      bioactive compounds. We studied the role in Streptomyces of pupylation, a
      posttranslational modification that tags proteins that are then directed to the
      proteasome for degradation. We demonstrated that the absence of pupylation had
      large effects on morphological differentiation, antibiotic production, and
      resistance to oxidative stress in S. coelicolor. The phenotypes of pupylation and
      proteasome-defective mutants differed and suggest that pupylation acts in a
      proteasome-independent manner in addition to its role in proteasomal degradation.

PMID- 26283769
TI  - The Bacterial Tyrosine Kinase Activator TkmA Contributes to Biofilm Formation
      Largely Independently of the Cognate Kinase PtkA in Bacillus subtilis.
AB  - In Bacillus subtilis, biosynthesis of exopolysaccharide (EPS), a key biofilm
      matrix component, is regulated at the posttranslational level by the bacterial
      tyrosine kinase (BY-kinase) EpsB. EpsB, in turn, relies on the cognate kinase
      activator EpsA for activation. A concerted role of a second BY-kinase-kinase
      activator pair, PtkA and TkmA, respectively in biofilm formation was also
      indicated in previous studies. However, the exact functions of PtkA and TkmA in
      biofilm formation remain unclear. In this work, we show that the kinase activator
      TkmA contributes to biofilm formation largely independently of the cognate
      kinase, PtkA. We further show that the biofilm defect caused by a DeltatkmA
      mutation can be rescued by complementation by epsA, suggesting a functional
      overlap between TkmA and EpsA and providing a possible explanation for the role
      of TkmA in biofilm formation. We also show that the importance of TkmA in biofilm
      formation depends largely on medium conditions; the biofilm defect of DeltatkmA
      is very severe in the biofilm medium LBGM (lysogenic broth [LB] supplemented with
      1% [vol/vol] glycerol and 100 MUM MnSO4) but marginal in another commonly used
      biofilm medium, MSgg (5 mM potassium phosphate [pH 7.0], MOPS [100 mM
      morpholinepropanesulfonic acid] [pH 7.0], 2 mM MgCl2, 700 MUM CaCl2, 50 MUM
      MnCl2, 50 MUM FeCl3, 1 MUM ZnCl2, 2 MUM thiamine, 0.5% glycerol, 0.5% glutamic
      acid, 50 MUg/ml tryptophan, 50 MUg/ml threonine, and 50 MUg/ml phenylalanine).
      The molecular basis for the medium dependence is likely due to differential
      expression of tkmA and epsA in the two different media and complex regulation of
      these genes by both Spo0A and DegU. Our studies provide genetic evidence for
      possible cross talk between a BY-kinase activator (TkmA) and a noncognate kinase
      (EpsB) and an example of how environmental conditions may influence such cross
      talk in regulating biofilm formation in B. subtilis. IMPORTANCE: In bacteria,
      biosynthesis of secreted polysaccharides is often regulated by bacterial tyrosine
      kinases (BY-kinases). BY-kinases, in turn, rely on cognate kinase activators for
      activation. In this study, we investigated the role of a BY-kinase activator in
      biofilm formation in Bacillus subtilis. We present evidence that different BY
      kinase activators may functionally overlap each other, as well as an example of
      how activities of the BY-kinase activators may be highly dependent on
      environmental conditions. Our study broadens the understanding of the complexity
      of regulation of the BY-kinases/kinase activators and the influence on bacterial
      cell physiology.

PMID- 26283770
TI  - A Cardiolipin-Deficient Mutant of Rhodobacter sphaeroides Has an Altered Cell
      Shape and Is Impaired in Biofilm Formation.
AB  - Cell shape has been suggested to play an important role in the regulation of
      bacterial attachment to surfaces and the formation of communities associated with
      surfaces. We found that a cardiolipin synthase (Deltacls) mutant of the rod
      shaped bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides--in which synthesis of the anionic,
      highly curved phospholipid cardiolipin (CL) is reduced by 90%--produces ellipsoid
      shaped cells that are impaired in biofilm formation. Reducing the concentration
      of CL did not cause significant defects in R. sphaeroides cell growth, swimming
      motility, lipopolysaccharide and exopolysaccharide production, surface adhesion
      protein expression, and membrane permeability. Complementation of the CL
      deficient mutant by ectopically expressing CL synthase restored cells to their
      rod shape and increased biofilm formation. Treating R. sphaeroides cells with a
      low concentration (10 MUg/ml) of the small-molecule MreB inhibitor S-(3,4
      dichlorobenzyl)isothiourea produced ellipsoid-shaped cells that had no obvious
      growth defect yet reduced R. sphaeroides biofilm formation. This study
      demonstrates that CL plays a role in R. sphaeroides cell shape determination,
      biofilm formation, and the ability of the bacterium to adapt to its environment.
      IMPORTANCE: Membrane composition plays a fundamental role in the adaptation of
      many bacteria to environmental stress. In this study, we build a new connection
      between the anionic phospholipid cardiolipin (CL) and cellular adaptation in
      Rhodobacter sphaeroides. We demonstrate that CL plays a role in the regulation of
      R. sphaeroides morphology and is important for the ability of this bacterium to
      form biofilms. This study correlates CL concentration, cell shape, and biofilm
      formation and provides the first example of how membrane composition in bacteria
      alters cell morphology and influences adaptation. This study also provides
      insight into the potential of phospholipid biosynthesis as a target for new
      chemical strategies designed to alter or prevent biofilm formation.

PMID- 26283771
TI  - A Burkholderia thailandensis Acyl-Homoserine Lactone-Independent Orphan LuxR
      Homolog That Activates Production of the Cytotoxin Malleilactone.
AB  - Burkholderia thailandensis has three acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) LuxR-LuxI
      quorum-sensing circuits and two orphan LuxR homologs. Orphans are LuxR-type
      transcription factors that do not have cognate LuxI-type AHL synthases. One of
      the orphans, MalR, is genetically linked to the mal gene cluster, which encodes
      enzymes required for production of the cytotoxic polyketide malleilactone. Under
      normal laboratory conditions the mal gene cluster is silent; however, antibiotics
      like trimethoprim induce mal transcription. We show that trimethoprim-dependent
      induction of the mal genes requires MalR. MalR has all of the conserved amino
      acid residues characteristic of AHL-responsive LuxR homologs, but in B.
      thailandensis, MalR activation of malleilactone synthesis genes is not responsive
      to AHLs. MalR can activate transcription from the mal promoter in E. coli without
      addition of AHLs or trimethoprim. Expression of malR in B. thailandensis is
      induced by trimethoprim. Our data indicate that MalR binds to a lux box-like
      element in the mal promoter and activates transcription of the mal genes in an
      AHL-independent manner. Antibiotics like trimethoprim appear to activate mal gene
      expression indirectly by somehow activating malR expression. MalR activation of
      the mal genes represents an example of a LuxR homolog that is not a receptor for
      an AHL quorum-sensing signal. Our evidence is consistent with the idea that mal
      gene activation depends solely on sufficient transcription of the malR gene.
      IMPORTANCE: LuxR proteins are transcription factors that are typically activated
      by acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) signals. We demonstrate that a conserved LuxR
      family protein, MalR, activates genes independently of AHLs. MalR is required for
      transcription of genes coding for synthesis of the cytotoxic polyketide
      malleilactone. These genes are not expressed when cells are grown under normal
      laboratory conditions. In laboratory culture, MalR induction of malleilactone
      requires certain antibiotics, such as trimethoprim, which increase malR
      expression by an unknown mechanism. At sufficient levels of malR expression, MalR
      functions independently of any external signal. Our findings show that MalR is an
      activator of the silent malleilactone biosynthesis genes and that MalR functions
      independently of AHLs.

PMID- 26283772
TI  - Regulation of DNA Replication Initiation by Chromosome Structure.
AB  - Recent advancements in fluorescence imaging have shown that the bacterial
      nucleoid is surprisingly dynamic in terms of both behavior (movement and
      organization) and structure (density and supercoiling). Links between chromosome
      structure and replication initiation have been made in a number of species, and
      it is universally accepted that favorable chromosome structure is required for
      initiation in all cells. However, almost nothing is known about whether cells use
      changes in chromosome structure as a regulatory mechanism for initiation. Such
      changes could occur during natural cell cycle or growth phase transitions, or
      they could be manufactured through genetic switches of topoisomerase and nucleoid
      structure genes. In this review, we explore the relationship between chromosome
      structure and replication initiation and highlight recent work implicating
      structure as a regulatory mechanism. A three-component origin activation model is
      proposed in which thermal and topological structural elements are balanced with
      trans-acting control elements (DnaA) to allow efficient initiation control under
      a variety of nutritional and environmental conditions. Selective imbalances in
      these components allow cells to block replication in response to cell cycle
      impasse, override once-per-cell-cycle programming during growth phase
      transitions, and promote reinitiation when replication forks fail to complete. 

PMID- 26283773
TI  - From Homodimer to Heterodimer and Back: Elucidating the TonB Energy Transduction
      Cycle.
AB  - The TonB system actively transports large, scarce, and important nutrients
      through outer membrane (OM) transporters of Gram-negative bacteria using the
      proton gradient of the cytoplasmic membrane (CM). In Escherichia coli, the CM
      proteins ExbB and ExbD harness and transfer proton motive force energy to the CM
      protein TonB, which spans the periplasmic space and cyclically binds OM
      transporters. TonB has two activity domains: the amino-terminal transmembrane
      domain with residue H20 and the periplasmic carboxy terminus, through which it
      binds to OM transporters. TonB is inactivated by all substitutions at residue H20
      except H20N. Here, we show that while TonB trapped as a homodimer through its
      amino-terminal domain retained full activity, trapping TonB through its carboxy
      terminus inactivated it by preventing conformational changes needed for
      interaction with OM transporters. Surprisingly, inactive TonB H20A had little
      effect on homodimerization through the amino terminus and instead decreased TonB
      carboxy-terminal homodimer formation prior to reinitiation of an energy
      transduction cycle. That result suggested that the TonB carboxy terminus
      ultimately interacts with OM transporters as a monomer. Our findings also
      suggested the existence of a separate equimolar pool of ExbD homodimers that are
      not in contact with TonB. A model is proposed where interaction of TonB
      homodimers with ExbD homodimers initiates the energy transduction cycle, and,
      ultimately, the ExbD carboxy terminus modulates interactions of a monomeric TonB
      carboxy terminus with OM transporters. After TonB exchanges its interaction with
      ExbD for interaction with a transporter, ExbD homodimers undergo a separate cycle
      needed to re-energize them. IMPORTANCE: Canonical mechanisms of active transport
      across cytoplasmic membranes employ ion gradients or hydrolysis of ATP for
      energy. Gram-negative bacterial outer membranes lack these resources. The TonB
      system embodies a novel means of active transport across the outer membrane for
      nutrients that are too large, too scarce, or too important for diffusion-limited
      transport. A proton gradient across the cytoplasmic membrane is converted by a
      multiprotein complex into mechanical energy that drives high-affinity active
      transport across the outer membrane. This system is also of interest since one of
      its uses in pathogenic bacteria is for competition with the host for the
      essential element iron. Understanding the mechanism of the TonB system will allow
      design of antibiotics targeting iron acquisition.

PMID- 26283774
TI  - Regulation of Nitrite Stress Response in Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough, a
      Model Sulfate-Reducing Bacterium.
AB  - Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) are sensitive to low concentrations of nitrite,
      and nitrite has been used to control SRB-related biofouling in oil fields.
      Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough, a model SRB, carries a cytochrome c-type
      nitrite reductase (nrfHA) that confers resistance to low concentrations of
      nitrite. The regulation of this nitrite reductase has not been directly examined
      to date. In this study, we show that DVU0621 (NrfR), a sigma54-dependent two
      component system response regulator, is the positive regulator for this operon.
      NrfR activates the expression of the nrfHA operon in response to nitrite stress.
      We also show that nrfR is needed for fitness at low cell densities in the
      presence of nitrite because inactivation of nrfR affects the rate of nitrite
      reduction. We also predict and validate the binding sites for NrfR upstream of
      the nrfHA operon using purified NrfR in gel shift assays. We discuss possible
      roles for NrfR in regulating nitrate reductase genes in nitrate-utilizing
      Desulfovibrio spp. IMPORTANCE: The NrfA nitrite reductase is prevalent across
      several bacterial phyla and required for dissimilatory nitrite reduction.
      However, regulation of the nrfA gene has been studied in only a few nitrate
      utilizing bacteria. Here, we show that in D. vulgaris, a bacterium that does not
      respire nitrate, the expression of nrfHA is induced by NrfR upon nitrite stress.
      This is the first report of regulation of nrfA by a sigma54-dependent two
      component system. Our study increases our knowledge of nitrite stress responses
      and possibly of the regulation of nitrate reduction in SRB.

PMID- 26283775
TI  - Congenital Heart Defects and Receipt of Special Education Services.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We investigated the prevalence of receipt of special education
      services among children with congenital heart defects (CHDs) compared with
      children without birth defects. METHODS: Children born from 1982 to 2004 in
      metropolitan Atlanta with CHDs (n = 3744) were identified from a population-based
      birth defect surveillance program; children without birth defects (n = 860 715)
      were identified from birth certificates. Cohorts were linked to special education
      files for the 1992-2012 school years to identify special education services.
      Children with noncardiac defects or genetic syndromes were excluded; children
      with CHDs were classified by presence or absence of critical CHDs (ie, CHDs
      requiring intervention by age one year). We evaluated the prevalence of receipt
      of special education services and prevalence rate ratios using children without
      birth defects as a reference. RESULTS: Compared with children without birth
      defects, children with CHDs were 50% more likely to receive special education
      services overall (adjusted prevalence rate ratio [aPRR] = 1.5; 95% confidence
      interval [CI]: 1.4-1.7). Specifically, they had higher prevalence of several
      special education categories including: intellectual disability (aPRR = 3.8; 95%
      CI: 2.8-5.1), sensory impairment (aPRR = 3.0; 95% CI: 1.8-5.0), other health
      impairment (aPRR = 2.8; 95% CI: 2.2-3.5), significant developmental delay (aPRR =
      1.9; 95% CI: 1.3-2.8), and specific learning disability (aPRR = 1.4; 95% CI: 1.1
      1.7). For most special education services, the excess prevalence did not vary by
      presence of critical CHDs. CONCLUSIONS: Children with CHDs received special
      education services more often than children without birth defects. These findings
      highlight the need for special education services and the importance of
      developmental screening for all children with CHDs.

PMID- 26283777
TI  - Risk of Sensorineural Hearing Loss and Bilirubin Exchange Transfusion Thresholds.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: High bilirubin levels are associated with
      sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). However, few large studies of relative and
      excess risk exist. We sought to quantify the risk of SNHL in newborns who had
      bilirubin levels at or above American Academy of Pediatrics exchange transfusion
      thresholds (ETT). METHODS: Infants born at >=35 weeks gestation in 15 Kaiser
      Permanente Northern California hospitals from 1995-2011 were eligible (N = 525
      409). We used a nested double cohort design. The exposed cohort included subjects
      with >=1 bilirubin level at or above ETT. The unexposed cohort was a 3.6% random
      sample of subjects with all bilirubin levels below ETT (10 unexposed per
      exposed). An audiologist, blinded to bilirubin levels, reviewed the charts of
      children in whom SNHL had been diagnosed before age 8 years to confirm the
      diagnosis. We calculated Cox proportional hazard ratios for time to diagnosis of
      SNHL. RESULTS: SNHL was confirmed in 11 (0.60%) of the 1834 exposed subjects and
      in 43 (0.23%) of the 19 004 unexposed. Only bilirubin levels >=10 mg/dL above ETT
      were associated with a statistically significant increased risk of SNHL (hazard
      ratio: 36 [95% confidence interval (CI): 13 to 101]). Likewise, only bilirubin
      levels >=35 mg/dL were associated with a statistically significant increased risk
      of SNHL (hazard ratio: 91 [95% CI: 32 to 255]). For subjects with total serum
      bilirubin levels 0 to 4.9 mg/dL above ETT, the upper limit of the 95% CI for
      excess risk was 0.5%. CONCLUSIONS: Only bilirubin levels well above ETT were
      associated with SNHL. At lower bilirubin levels, the excess risk of SNHL was low.

PMID- 26283776
TI  - Is a New Protocol for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Research or Standard Therapy?
AB  - In the United States, doctors generally develop new cancer chemotherapy for
      children by testing innovative chemotherapy protocols against existing protocols
      in prospective randomized trials. In the Netherlands, children with leukemia are
      treated by protocols that are agreed upon by the Dutch Childhood Oncology Group.
      Periodically, the Dutch Childhood Oncology Group revises its protocols.
      Sometimes, these revisions are categorized as research, sometimes as treatment.
      In this Ethics Rounds, we analyze whether enrollment in a new protocol ought to
      be considered research and, if so, we discuss the implications of that
      designation. Our discussion highlights the different ways different countries
      approach complex issues of research ethics. 

PMID- 26283778
TI  - Unmet Health Care Need in US Adolescents and Adult Health Outcomes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Adolescence is a formative period when health care services have a
      unique opportunity to influence later health outcomes. Unmet health care need in
      adolescence is known to be associated with poor contemporaneous health outcomes;
      it is unknown whether it predicts poor adult health outcomes. METHODS: We used
      nationally representative data from 14 800 subjects who participated in Wave I
      (mean age: 15.9 years [1994/1995]) and Wave IV (mean age: 29.6 years [2008]) of
      the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health. Logistic
      regression models were used to estimate the association between unmet health care
      need in adolescence and 5 self-reported measures of adult health (fair/poor
      general health, functional impairment, time off work/school, depressive symptoms,
      and suicidal ideation). Models were adjusted for baseline health, insurance
      category, age, gender, race/ethnicity, household income, and parental education.
      RESULTS: Unmet health care need was reported by 19.2% of adolescents and
      predicted worse adult health: fair/poor general health (adjusted odds ratio
      [aOR]: 1.27 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.00-1.60]); functional impairment
      (aOR: 1.52 [95% CI: 1.23-1.87]); depressive symptoms (aOR: 1.36 [95% CI: 1.13
      1.64]); and suicidal ideation (aOR: 1.30 [95% CI: 1.03-1.68]). There was no
      significant association between unmet health care need and time off work/school
      (aOR: 1.13 [95% CI: 0.93-1.36]). Cost barriers accounted for only 14.8% of unmet
      health care need. The reason for unmet need was not significantly related to the
      likelihood of poor adult health outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Reported unmet health care
      need in adolescence is common and is an independent predictor of poor adult
      health. Strategies to reduce unmet adolescent need should address health
      engagement and care quality, as well as cost barriers to accessing services.

PMID- 26283779
TI  - Folliculotropic Mycosis Fungoides as a Posttransplant Lymphoproliferative
      Disorder.
AB  - Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is a known complication of
      solid organ transplantation. The majority are B cell in origin and related to
      Epstein-Barr virus infection. T-cell PTLD is much less common; most are Epstein
      Barr virus negative and have a worse prognosis. Primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma
      (CTCL) as a presentation of PTLD is rare. CTCL has a less favorable prognosis in
      transplant patients compared with that in immune-competent patients. Herein, we
      report a case of a 13-year-old boy who developed folliculotropic mycosis
      fungoides, a rare subtype of CTCL, subsequent to renal transplantation. To our
      knowledge, this is the first report of this type of PTLD in a pediatric patient. 

PMID- 26283781
TI  - Safety and Efficacy of High-Flow Nasal Cannula Therapy in Preterm Infants: A Meta
      analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: High-flow therapy is the most recent, and popular, mode
      of respiratory support in neonates. However, the evidence supporting its efficacy
      and safety has not yet been established. We conducted a systematic review and
      meta-analysis of clinical trials comparing efficacy and safety of high-flow
      therapy compared with other modes of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) in preterm
      infants. METHODS: Articles were indexed by using Medline, Embase, Scopus,
      OpenSIGLE, Health Management Information Consortium, and Cochrane Central
      Register of Controlled Trials. Randomized or quasi-randomized clinical trials
      involving preterm infants, comparing high-flow therapy with other modes of NIV,
      and reporting extractable data on relevant outcomes, were selected. Data on
      efficacy, safety, and other common neonatal outcomes were extracted on
      predesigned forms. RESULTS: In this analysis, we included 1112 preterm infants,
      participating in 9 clinical trials. High-flow therapy was similar in efficacy to
      other modes of NIV in preterm infants when used as primary support (odds ratio of
      failure of therapy, 1.02 [95% confidence interval: 0.55 to 1.88]), as well as
      after extubation (1.09 [0.58 to 2.02]). There were no significant differences in
      odds of death (0.48 [0.18 to 1.24]) between the groups. Preterm infants supported
      on high-flow had significantly lower odds of nasal trauma (0.13 [0.02 to 0.69]).
      CONCLUSIONS: High-flow therapy appears to be similar in efficacy and safety to
      other conventional modes of NIV in preterm infants. It is associated with
      significantly lower odds of nasal trauma. Caution needs to be exercised in
      extreme preterm infants because of the paucity of published data.

PMID- 26283780
TI  - The Need for Biological Outcomes to Complement Self-Report in Adolescent
      Research.

PMID- 26283783
TI  - Eye Protection and Risk of Eye Injuries in High School Field Hockey.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine if injury rates among female field hockey players differ
      before and after implementation of a national mandate for protective eyewear
      (MPE). METHODS: We analyzed girls' field hockey exposure and injury data
      collected from national (High School Reporting Information Online [RIO]) and
      regional (Fairfax County Public Schools) high school sports injury databases in 2
      seasons before (2009/10 and 2010/11) and 2 seasons after (2011/12 and 2012/13) a
      national MPE. RESULTS: The incidence of eye/orbital injuries was significantly
      higher in states without MPE (0.080 injuries per 1000 athletic exposures [AEs])
      than in states with MPE (before the 2011/12 mandate) and the postmandate group
      (0.025 injuries per 1000 AEs) (odds ratio 3.20, 95% confidence interval 1.47
      6.99, P = .003). There was no significant difference in concussion rates for the
      2 groups (odds ratio 0.77, 95% confidence interval 0.58-1.02, P = .068). After
      the 2011/12 MPE, severe eye/orbital injuries (time loss >21 days) were reduced by
      67%, and severe/medical disqualification head/face injuries were reduced by 70%.
      Concussion rates for field hockey (0.335 per 1000 AEs) rank third among girls'
      sports included in the High School RIO surveillance program. CONCLUSIONS: Among
      female high school field hockey players, MPE is associated with a reduced
      incidence of eye/orbital injuries and fewer severe eye/orbital and head/face
      injuries. Concussion rates did not change as a result of the national MPE.
      Concussion remains the most common injury involving the head and face among
      female field hockey players, prompting further inquiry into potential effects of
      adopting protective headgear/helmets.

PMID- 26283784
TI  - Early Cardiac Iron Overload in a Child on Treatment of Acute Lymphoblastic
      Leukemia.
AB  - An 11-year-old boy with Down syndrome and acute lymphoblastic leukemia developed
      hepatic dysfunction after only 10 months of treatment. MRI revealed severe iron
      deposition in the liver, pancreas, and heart. In stark contrast to what is seen
      in hemoglobinopathies, pancreatic and cardiac iron overload occurred with
      relatively low transfusion exposure and in a very short time period in this
      patient. Although extensive experience managing iron overload in
      hemoglobinopathies informs our approach in other diseases, it is clear that
      factors not present in hemoglobinopathies may be operative in patients with
      malignancy undergoing intense chemotherapy that lead to high levels of free iron
      and rapid loading of the heart and endocrine organs. 

PMID- 26283782
TI  - Infection-Related Hospitalization in Childhood and Adult Metabolic Outcomes.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Identifying childhood determinants of adult
      cardiometabolic disease would facilitate early-life interventions. There are few
      longitudinal data on the contribution of childhood infections. Therefore, we
      investigated whether hospitalization with childhood infection is associated with
      adult anthropometric and metabolic outcomes in a large, well-phenotyped
      longitudinal cohort. METHODS: A total of 1376 subjects from the Cardiovascular
      Risk in Young Finns Study, aged 3 to 9 years at baseline (1980), who had lifetime
      data from birth onward on infection-related hospitalization (IRH) had repeated
      assessments through childhood and adolescence and at least once in adulthood (age
      30-45 years in 2001-2011). Early childhood (<5 years), childhood/adolescence (5
      18 years), adult (>18 years), and total lifetime IRHs were related to adiposity,
      BMI, and metabolic syndrome in adulthood. Analyses were adjusted for childhood
      and adulthood risk factors and potential confounders. RESULTS: Early-childhood
      IRH correlated with adverse adult but not childhood metabolic variables:
      increased BMI (P = .02) and metabolic syndrome (risk ratio: 1.56; 95% confidence
      interval: 1.03-2.35; P = .03), adjusted for age, gender, birth weight, childhood
      BMI and other risk factors, and family income. The age at which differences in
      adult BMI became persistent was related to age of IRH in childhood. The greatest
      increase in adult BMI occurred in those with >1 childhood IRH. CONCLUSIONS:
      Childhood IRH was independently associated with adverse adult metabolic
      variables. This finding suggests that infections and/or their treatment in
      childhood may contribute to causal pathways leading to adult cardiometabolic
      diseases.

PMID- 26283785
TI  - Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP) Proteolysis of the Extracellular Loop of Voltage
      gated Sodium Channels and Potential Alterations in Pain Signaling.
AB  - Congenital insensitivity to pain (CIP) or congenital analgesia is a rare
      monogenic hereditary condition. This disorder is characterized by the inability
      to perceive any form of pain. Nonsense mutations in Nav.1.7, the main pain
      signaling voltage-gated sodium channel, lead to its truncations and,
      consequently, to the inactivation of the channel functionality. However, a non
      truncating homozygously inherited missense mutation in a Bedouin family with CIP
      (Nav1.7-R907Q) has also been reported. Based on our currently acquired in-depth
      knowledge of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) cleavage preferences, we developed
      the specialized software that predicts the presence of the MMP cleavage sites in
      the peptide sequences. According to our in silico predictions, the peptide
      sequence of the exposed extracellular unstructured region linking the S5-S6
      transmembrane segments in the DII domain of the human Nav1.7 sodium channel is
      highly sensitive to MMP-9 proteolysis. Intriguingly, the CIP R907Q mutation
      overlaps with the predicted MMP-9 cleavage site sequence. Using MMP-9 proteolysis
      of the wild-type, CIP, and control peptides followed by mass spectrometry of the
      digests, we demonstrated that the mutant sequence is severalfold more sensitive
      to MMP-9 proteolysis relative to the wild type. Because of the substantial level
      of sequence homology among sodium channels, our data also implicate MMP
      proteolysis in regulating the cell surface levels of the Nav1.7, Nav1.6, and
      Nav1.8 channels, but not Nav1.9. It is likely that the aberrantly accelerated MMP
      9 proteolysis during neurogenesis is a biochemical rational for the functional
      inactivation in Nav1.7 and that the enhanced cleavage of the Nav1.7-R907Q mutant
      is a cause of CIP in the Bedouin family. 

PMID- 26283786
TI  - Regulation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (rubisco) activase:
      product inhibition, cooperativity, and magnesium activation.
AB  - In many photosynthetic organisms, tight-binding Rubisco inhibitors are released
      by the motor protein Rubisco activase (Rca). In higher plants, Rca plays a
      pivotal role in regulating CO2 fixation. Here, the ATPase activity of 0.005 mm
      tobacco Rca was monitored under steady-state conditions, and global curve fitting
      was utilized to extract kinetic constants. The kcat was best fit by 22.3 +/- 4.9
      min(-1), the Km for ATP by 0.104 +/- 0.024 mm, and the Ki for ADP by 0.037 +/-
      0.007 mm. Without ADP, the Hill coefficient for ATP hydrolysis was extracted to
      be 1.0 +/- 0.1, indicating noncooperative behavior of homo-oligomeric Rca
      assemblies. However, the addition of ADP was shown to introduce positive
      cooperativity between two or more subunits (Hill coefficient 1.9 +/- 0.2),
      allowing for regulation via the prevailing ATP/ADP ratio. ADP-mediated activation
      was not observed, although larger amounts led to competitive product inhibition
      of hydrolytic activity. The catalytic efficiency increased 8.4-fold upon
      cooperative binding of a second magnesium ion (Hill coefficient 2.5 +/- 0.5),
      suggesting at least three conformational states (ATP-bound, ADP-bound, and empty)
      within assemblies containing an average of about six subunits. The addition of
      excess Rubisco (24:1, L8S8/Rca6) and crowding agents did not modify catalytic
      rates. However, high magnesium provided for thermal Rca stabilization. We propose
      that magnesium mediates the formation of closed hexameric toroids capable of high
      turnover rates and amenable to allosteric regulation. We suggest that in vivo,
      the Rca hydrolytic activity is tuned by fluctuating [Mg(2+)] in response to
      changes in available light. 

PMID- 26283788
TI  - Substrate Specificity and Possible Heterologous Targets of Phytaspase, a Plant
      Cell Death Protease.
AB  - Plants lack aspartate-specific cell death proteases homologous to animal
      caspases. Instead, a subtilisin-like serine-dependent plant protease named
      phytaspase shown to be involved in the accomplishment of programmed death of
      plant cells is able to hydrolyze a number of peptide-based caspase substrates.
      Here, we determined the substrate specificity of rice (Oryza sativa) phytaspase
      by using the positional scanning substrate combinatorial library approach.
      Phytaspase was shown to display an absolute specificity of hydrolysis after an
      aspartic acid residue. The preceding amino acid residues, however, significantly
      influence the efficiency of hydrolysis. Efficient phytaspase substrates
      demonstrated a remarkable preference for an aromatic amino acid residue in the P3
      position. The deduced optimum phytaspase recognition motif has the sequence IWLD
      and is strikingly hydrophobic. The established pattern was confirmed through
      synthesis and kinetic analysis of cleavage of a set of optimized peptide
      substrates. An amino acid motif similar to the phytaspase cleavage site is shared
      by the human gastrointestinal peptide hormones gastrin and cholecystokinin. In
      agreement with the established enzyme specificity, phytaspase was shown to
      hydrolyze gastrin-1 and cholecystokinin at the predicted sites in vitro, thus
      destroying the active moieties of the hormones.

PMID- 26283787
TI  - Membrane Curvature-sensing and Curvature-inducing Activity of Islet Amyloid
      Polypeptide and Its Implications for Membrane Disruption.
AB  - Islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) is a 37-amino acid amyloid protein intimately
      associated with pancreatic islet beta-cell dysfunction and death in type II
      diabetes. In this study, we combine spectroscopic methods and microscopy to
      investigate alpha-helical IAPP-membrane interactions. Using light scattering and
      fluorescence microscopy, we observe that larger vesicles become smaller upon
      treatment with human or rat IAPP. Electron microscopy shows the formation of
      various highly curved structures such as tubules or smaller vesicles in a
      membrane-remodeling process, and spectrofluorometric detection of vesicle leakage
      shows disruption of membrane integrity. This effect is stronger for human IAPP
      than for the less toxic rat IAPP. From CD spectra in the presence of different
      sized vesicles, we also uncover the membrane curvature-sensing ability of IAPP
      and find that it transitions from inducing to sensing membrane curvature when
      lipid negative charge is decreased. Our in vivo EM images of immunogold-labeled
      rat IAPP and human IAPP show both forms to localize to mitochondrial cristae,
      which contain not only locally curved membranes but also phosphatidylethanolamine
      and cardiolipin, lipids with high spontaneous negative curvature. Disruption of
      membrane integrity by induction of membrane curvature could apply more broadly to
      other amyloid proteins and be responsible for membrane damage observed in other
      amyloid diseases as well. 

PMID- 26283789
TI  - Cyclic diGMP regulates production of sortase substrates of Clostridium difficile
      and their surface exposure through ZmpI protease-mediated cleavage.
AB  - In Gram-positive pathogens, surface proteins may be covalently anchored to the
      bacterial peptidoglycan by sortase, a cysteine transpeptidase enzyme. In contrast
      to other Gram-positive bacteria, only one single sortase enzyme, SrtB, is
      conserved between strains of Clostridium difficile. Sortase-mediated peptidase
      activity has been reported in vitro, and seven potential substrates have been
      identified. Here, we demonstrate the functionality of sortase in C. difficile. We
      identify two sortase-anchored proteins, the putative adhesins CD2831 and CD3246,
      and determine the cell wall anchor structure of CD2831. The C-terminal PPKTG
      sorting motif of CD2831 is cleaved between the threonine and glycine residues,
      and the carboxyl group of threonine is amide-linked to the side chain amino group
      of diaminopimelic acid within the peptidoglycan peptide stem. We show that CD2831
      protein levels are elevated in the presence of high intracellular cyclic diGMP (c
      diGMP) concentrations, in agreement with the control of CD2831 expression by a c
      diGMP-dependent type II riboswitch. Low c-diGMP levels induce the release of
      CD2831 and presumably CD3246 from the surface of cells. This regulation is
      mediated by proteolytic cleavage of CD2831 and CD3246 by the zinc metalloprotease
      ZmpI, whose expression is controlled by a type I c-diGMP riboswitch. These data
      reveal a novel regulatory mechanism for expression of two sortase substrates by
      the secondary messenger c-diGMP, on which surface anchoring is dependent. 

PMID- 26283790
TI  - Glutamate transporter homolog-based model predicts that anion-pi interaction is
      the mechanism for the voltage-dependent response of prestin.
AB  - Prestin is the motor protein of cochlear outer hair cells. Its unique capability
      to perform direct, rapid, and reciprocal electromechanical conversion depends on
      membrane potential and interaction with intracellular anions. How prestin senses
      the voltage change and interacts with anions are still unknown. Our three
      dimensional model of prestin using molecular dynamics simulations predicts that
      prestin contains eight transmembrane-spanning segments and two helical re-entry
      loops and that tyrosyl residues are the structural specialization of the molecule
      for the unique function of prestin. Using site-directed mutagenesis and
      electrophysiological techniques, we confirmed that residues Tyr(367), Tyr(486),
      Tyr(501), and Tyr(508) contribute to anion binding, interacting with
      intracellular anions through novel anion-pi interactions. Such weak interactions,
      sensitive to voltage and mechanical stimulation, confer prestin with a unique
      capability to perform electromechanical and mechanoelectric conversions with
      exquisite sensitivity. This novel mechanism is completely different from all
      known mechanisms seen in ion channels, transporters, and motor proteins. 

PMID- 26283791
TI  - Disruption of Nucleotide Homeostasis by the Antiproliferative Drug 5
      Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-beta-d-ribofuranoside Monophosphate (AICAR).
AB  - 5-Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-beta-D-ribofuranoside monophosphate (AICAR) is a
      natural metabolite with potent anti-proliferative and low energy mimetic
      properties. At high concentration, AICAR is toxic for yeast and mammalian cells,
      but the molecular basis of this toxicity is poorly understood. Here, we report
      the identification of yeast purine salvage pathway mutants that are synthetically
      lethal with AICAR accumulation. Genetic suppression revealed that this synthetic
      lethality is in part due to low expression of adenine phosphoribosyl transferase
      under high AICAR conditions. In addition, metabolite profiling points to the
      AICAR/NTP balance as crucial for optimal utilization of glucose as a carbon
      source. Indeed, we found that AICAR toxicity in yeast and human cells is
      alleviated when glucose is replaced by an alternative carbon source. Together,
      our metabolic analyses unveil the AICAR/NTP balance as a major factor of AICAR
      antiproliferative effects.

PMID- 26283793
TI  - Elias Spiliotis: Septins set it up.

PMID- 26283794
TI  - The spindle plays both ends.

PMID- 26283792
TI  - Localization of proteins to the 1,2-propanediol utilization microcompartment by
      non-native signal sequences is mediated by a common hydrophobic motif.
AB  - Various bacteria localize metabolic pathways to proteinaceous organelles known as
      bacterial microcompartments (MCPs), enabling the metabolism of carbon sources to
      enhance survival and pathogenicity in the gut. There is considerable interest in
      exploiting bacterial MCPs for metabolic engineering applications, but little is
      known about the interactions between MCP signal sequences and the protein shells
      of different MCP systems. We found that the N-terminal sequences from the
      ethanolamine utilization (Eut) and glycyl radical-generating protein MCPs are
      able to target reporter proteins to the 1,2-propanediol utilization (Pdu) MCP,
      and that this localization is mediated by a conserved hydrophobic residue motif.
      Recapitulation of this motif by the addition of a single amino acid conferred
      targeting function on an N-terminal sequence from the ethanol utilization MCP
      system that previously did not act as a Pdu signal sequence. Moreover, the Pdu
      localized signal sequences competed with native Pdu targeting sequences for
      encapsulation in the Pdu MCP. Salmonella enterica natively possesses both the Pdu
      and Eut operons, and our results suggest that Eut proteins might be localized to
      the Pdu MCP in vivo. We further demonstrate that S. enterica LT2 retained the
      ability to grow on 1,2-propanediol as the sole carbon source when a Pdu enzyme
      was replaced with its Eut homolog. Although the relevance of this finding to the
      native system remains to be explored, we show that the Pdu-localized signal
      sequences described herein allow control over the ratio of heterologous proteins
      encapsulated within Pdu MCPs. 

PMID- 26283795
TI  - Paraspeckles: paragons of functional aggregation.
AB  - Low-complexity proteins undergo phase separation in vitro, forming hydrogels or
      liquid droplets. Whether these form in vivo, and under what conditions, is still
      unclear. In this issue, Hennig et al. (2015. J. Cell Biol.
      http://dx.doi.org/10.1083/jcb.201504117) show that formation of the paraspeckle,
      a nuclear body that regulates gene expression, requires low-complexity prion-like
      domains (PLDs) within paraspeckle proteins. The same proteins were shown to form
      hydrogels, shedding light on the role of "functional aggregation" in nuclear
      substructure.

PMID- 26283797
TI  - Mdm1/Snx13 is a novel ER-endolysosomal interorganelle tethering protein.
AB  - Although endolysosomal trafficking is well defined, how it is regulated and
      coordinates with cellular metabolism is unclear. To identify genes governing
      endolysosomal dynamics, we conducted a global fluorescence-based screen to reveal
      endomembrane effector genes. Screening implicated Phox (PX) domain-containing
      protein Mdm1 in endomembrane dynamics. Surprisingly, we demonstrate that Mdm1 is
      a novel interorganelle tethering protein that localizes to endoplasmic reticulum
      (ER)-vacuole/lysosome membrane contact sites (MCSs). We show that Mdm1 is ER
      anchored and contacts the vacuole surface in trans via its lipid-binding PX
      domain. Strikingly, overexpression of Mdm1 induced ER-vacuole hypertethering,
      underscoring its role as an interorganelle tether. We also show that Mdm1 and its
      paralogue Ydr179w-a (named Nvj3 in this study) localize to ER-vacuole MCSs
      independently of established tether Nvj1. Finally, we find that Mdm1 truncations
      analogous to neurological disease-associated SNX14 alleles fail to tether the ER
      and vacuole and perturb sphingolipid metabolism. Our work suggests that human
      Mdm1 homologues may play previously unappreciated roles in interorganelle
      communication and lipid metabolism.

PMID- 26283796
TI  - Prion-like domains in RNA binding proteins are essential for building subnuclear
      paraspeckles.
AB  - Prion-like domains (PLDs) are low complexity sequences found in RNA binding
      proteins associated with the neurodegenerative disorder amyotrophic lateral
      sclerosis. Recently, PLDs have been implicated in mediating gene regulation via
      liquid-phase transitions that drive ribonucleoprotein granule assembly. In this
      paper, we report many PLDs in proteins associated with paraspeckles, subnuclear
      bodies that form around long noncoding RNA. We mapped the interactome network of
      paraspeckle proteins, finding enrichment of PLDs. We show that one protein,
      RBM14, connects key paraspeckle subcomplexes via interactions mediated by its
      PLD. We further show that the RBM14 PLD, as well as the PLD of another essential
      paraspeckle protein, FUS, is required to rescue paraspeckle formation in cells in
      which their endogenous counterpart has been knocked down. Similar to FUS, the
      RBM14 PLD also forms hydrogels with amyloid-like properties. These results
      suggest a role for PLD-mediated liquid-phase transitions in paraspeckle
      formation, highlighting this nuclear body as an excellent model system for
      understanding the perturbation of such processes in neurodegeneration.

PMID- 26283798
TI  - DNA loops generate intracentromere tension in mitosis.
AB  - The centromere is the DNA locus that dictates kinetochore formation and is
      visibly apparent as heterochromatin that bridges sister kinetochores in
      metaphase. Sister centromeres are compacted and held together by cohesin,
      condensin, and topoisomerase-mediated entanglements until all sister chromosomes
      bi-orient along the spindle apparatus. The establishment of tension between
      sister chromatids is essential for quenching a checkpoint kinase signal generated
      from kinetochores lacking microtubule attachment or tension. How the centromere
      chromatin spring is organized and functions as a tensiometer is largely
      unexplored. We have discovered that centromere chromatin loops generate an
      extensional/poleward force sufficient to release nucleosomes proximal to the
      spindle axis. This study describes how the physical consequences of DNA looping
      directly underlie the biological mechanism for sister centromere separation and
      the spring-like properties of the centromere in mitosis.

PMID- 26283799
TI  - TopBP1 is required at mitosis to reduce transmission of DNA damage to G1 daughter
      cells.
AB  - Genome integrity is critically dependent on timely DNA replication and accurate
      chromosome segregation. Replication stress delays replication into G2/M, which in
      turn impairs proper chromosome segregation and inflicts DNA damage on the
      daughter cells. Here we show that TopBP1 forms foci upon mitotic entry. In early
      mitosis, TopBP1 marks sites of and promotes unscheduled DNA synthesis. Moreover,
      TopBP1 is required for focus formation of the structure-selective nuclease and
      scaffold protein SLX4 in mitosis. Persistent TopBP1 foci transition into 53BP1
      nuclear bodies (NBs) in G1 and precise temporal depletion of TopBP1 just before
      mitotic entry induced formation of 53BP1 NBs in the next cell cycle, showing that
      TopBP1 acts to reduce transmission of DNA damage to G1 daughter cells. Based on
      these results, we propose that TopBP1 maintains genome integrity in mitosis by
      controlling chromatin recruitment of SLX4 and by facilitating unscheduled DNA
      synthesis.

PMID- 26283802
TI  - Backing up Ayurveda with good science: The modus operandi.

PMID- 26283801
TI  - FUSED KERNEL-SPLINE SMOOTHING FOR REPEATEDLY MEASURED OUTCOMES IN A GENERALIZED
      PARTIALLY LINEAR MODEL WITH FUNCTIONAL SINGLE INDEX.
AB  - We propose a generalized partially linear functional single index risk score
      model for repeatedly measured outcomes where the index itself is a function of
      time. We fuse the nonparametric kernel method and regression spline method, and
      modify the generalized estimating equation to facilitate estimation and
      inference. We use local smoothing kernel to estimate the unspecified coefficient
      functions of time, and use B-splines to estimate the unspecified function of the
      single index component. The covariance structure is taken into account via a
      working model, which provides valid estimation and inference procedure whether or
      not it captures the true covariance. The estimation method is applicable to both
      continuous and discrete outcomes. We derive large sample properties of the
      estimation procedure and show different convergence rate of each component of the
      model. The asymptotic properties when the kernel and regression spline methods
      are combined in a nested fashion has not been studied prior to this work even in
      the independent data case.

PMID- 26283800
TI  - Live-cell observation of cytosolic HIV-1 assembly onset reveals RNA-interacting
      Gag oligomers.
AB  - Assembly of the Gag polyprotein into new viral particles in infected cells is a
      crucial step in the retroviral replication cycle. Currently, little is known
      about the onset of assembly in the cytosol. In this paper, we analyzed the
      cytosolic HIV-1 Gag fraction in real time in live cells using advanced
      fluctuation imaging methods and thereby provide detailed insights into the
      complex relationship between cytosolic Gag mobility, stoichiometry, and
      interactions. We show that Gag diffuses as a monomer on the subsecond timescale
      with severely reduced mobility. Reduction of mobility is associated with basic
      residues in its nucleocapsid (NC) domain, whereas capsid (CA) and matrix (MA)
      domains do not contribute significantly. Strikingly, another diffusive Gag
      species was observed on the seconds timescale that oligomerized in a
      concentration-dependent manner. Both NC- and CA-mediated interactions strongly
      assist this process. Our results reveal potential nucleation steps of cytosolic
      Gag fractions before membrane-assisted Gag assembly.

PMID- 26283804
TI  - Hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of Karisalai Karpam, a polyherbal
      Siddha formulation against acetaminophen-induced hepatic damage in rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The usage of Siddha medicine in Tamil Nadu and several parts of
      Southern India has considerably increased over the past two decades and it is
      steadily crossing the various geographies owing to its inexpensiveness compared
      to conventional medicines and has fairly high acceptance rates because of its
      herbal origin and therefore its nontoxic nature. AIM: This study aims to
      investigate the anti-hepatotoxic and antioxidant potential of the Karisalai
      Karpam formulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Karisalai Karpam tablet at 50, 100,
      and 200 mg/kg/day, p.o. doses were administered orally to rats for three
      consecutive days. Single dose of acetaminophen (3 g/kg, p.o.) was administered on
      the 3(rd) day. Animals were sacrificed 48 h after the administration of
      acetaminophen, and their serum bilirubin, different hepatic enzymes and in vivo
      antioxidant activity were estimated. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Data were evaluated
      using analysis of variance, followed by Tukey tests. A level of P < 0.05 was
      considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Pretreatment with Karisalai Karpam
      tablet showed dose-dependent hepatoprotective activity. Karisalai Karpam tablet
      (200 mg/kg) reduces serum glutamic oxaloacetate transaminase, serum glutamic
      pyruvic transaminase, alkaline phosphatase and total bilirubin, direct bilirubin
      by 67.8%, 72.3%, 47.6%, 61.3% and 62.9% respectively compared to disease control
      group. A significant increase (P < 0.001) in antioxidant enzyme level was
      observed in Karisalai Karpam treated animals. At higher doses, Karisalai Karpam
      prevented the depletion of glutathione in liver tissue. CONCLUSION: Results
      confirmed that Karisalai Karpam tablet could protect the liver against
      acetaminophen-induced oxidative damage possibly by increasing the antioxidant
      defence mechanism in rats.

PMID- 26283803
TI  - Sodhana: An Ayurvedic process for detoxification and modification of therapeutic
      activities of poisonous medicinal plants.
AB  - Ayurveda involves the use of drugs obtained from plants, animals, and mineral
      origin. All the three sources of drugs can be divided under poisonous and
      nonpoisonous category. There are various crude drugs, which generally possess
      unwanted impurities and toxic substances, which can lead to harmful health
      problems. Many authors have reported that not all medicinal plants are safe to
      use since they can bear many toxic and harmful phytoconstituents in them. Sodhana
      (detoxification/purification) is the process, which involves the conversion of
      any poisonous drug into beneficial, nonpoisonous/nontoxic ones. Vatsanabha
      (Aconitum species), Semecarpus anacardium, Strychnos nux-vomica, Acorus calamus,
      Abrus precatorius etc., are some of the interesting examples of toxic plants,
      which are still used in the Indian system of medicine. Aconite, bhilawanols,
      strychnine, beta-asarone, abrin are some of the toxic components present in these
      plants and are relatively toxic in nature. Sodhana process involves the
      purification as well as reduction in the levels of toxic principles which
      sometimes results in an enhanced therapeutic efficacy. The present review is
      designed to extensively discuss and understand the scientific basis of the
      alternative use of toxic plants as a medicine after their purification process. 

PMID- 26283805
TI  - Formation and validation of questionnaire to assess Jatharagni.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Jatharagni (metabolic fire) is of the prime importance in the
      maintenance of health as well as causation of diseases. Food which is consumed by
      the person shares the major responsibility for being healthy or manifestation of
      diseases. The relation between food and health is mediated by Jatharagni (the
      metabolic agent in Ayurveda). There are four different states of Jatharagni viz,
      Mandagni (mild or weak state of metabolic fire), Visamagni (irregular state of
      metabolic fire), Tiksnagni (sharp or intense state of metabolic fire), and
      Samagni (Normal state of metabolic fire). Samagni (Normal state of metabolic
      fire) is said to be the normal State and maintains the health of an individual.
      All the other states are considered as abnormal. OBJECTIVES: To frame and
      validate a Questionnaire to assess the state of Jatharagni. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: A qualitative research that involved interview method and cluster
      sampling method. A total of 500 volunteers of either gender in two groups viz.,
      apparently healthy and unhealthy were assessed for their Jatharagni.
      Questionnaire was framed with 64 items. A total of 14 questions under Visamagni
      (irregular state of metabolic fire), 13 under Tikshnagni, 13 under Mandagni and
      24 questions under Samagni were framed. The questionnaire was in optional format
      with 5 item likert's scale pattern and the validation was done by Cronbach's
      Alpha for internal consistency. RESULT: The internal consistency of the
      questionnaire using Cronbach's Alpha was 0.916. The internal consistency of
      Visamagni domain was 0.909; Teekshnagni domain was 0.873; Mandagni domain was
      0.894; and Samagni domain was 0.876. CONCLUSION: The internal consistency of the
      questionnaire was 0.909 which is indicative of the excellent internal consistency
      of questionnaire. The lacuna of tool to assess state of Jatharagni in Ayurveda is
      filled by this questionnaire.

PMID- 26283806
TI  - Evaluation of prakrti and quality-of-life in patients with irritable bowel
      syndrome.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prakrti of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients and
      its association with IBS subtypes and quality-of-life (QOL). METHODOLOGY: IBS
      patients with the consistent subtype in the last 6 months were recruited. Prakrti
      assessment with a 24-item questionnaire was performed and depending on the scores
      the patients were categorized into vata predominant, pitta predominant, and kapha
      predominant prakrti. QOL was assessed with prevalidated disease-specific 34-item
      questionnaire scored on a 0-100 scale. RESULTS: Of 50 IBS patients enrolled, with
      mean age of 43.5 +/- 12.8 years, and male: female as 43:7, 22 patients were of
      vata and pitta predominant prakrti each while six patients had kapha predominant
      prakrti. IBS-C was diagnosed in 24 patients, IBS-D in 21, and IBS-M in five
      patients. In vata predominant group, IBS-C was found in 13 patients, IBS-D in 8,
      and IBS-M in 1. In pitta predominant group, IBS-D was found in 13, IBS-C in 6,
      and IBS-M in 3. In kapha predominant group, IBS-C was found in 5 patients and IBS
      M in 1. The median QOL in IBS-C group was 48.897, IBS-D was 38.97, and IBS-M was
      66.911. The median QOL score 52.205, 42.27, and 55.51 in vata, pitta, and kapha
      predominant group, respectively. CONCLUSION: Majority of the vata predominant
      patients had developed IBS-C, pitta predominant patients had developed IBS-D. QOL
      was better in pitta predominant individuals of all IBS-disease subtypes. With
      this, we find that prakrti examination in IBS helps in detecting the proneness of
      developing an IBS subtype and predicting their QOL accordingly.

PMID- 26283807
TI  - Efficacy of herbomineral compounds and pathya (Ayurvedic dietary regime and
      physical exercise) in the management of Yakrt Roga (Non-alcoholic fatty liver
      disease).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) also called as hepatic
      steatosis is a manifestation of excessive triglyceride accumulation in the liver.
      NAFLD has been described by histological features ranging from simple fatty
      liver, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, progressive fibrosis, and liver failure.
      OBJECTIVE: The objective was to evaluate the effect of herbomineral drugs and
      pathya (Ayurvedic dietary regime and physical exercise) in the management of
      NAFLD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It is a randomized, retrospective, open-ended
      study. A total of 32 patients presenting with raised alanine transaminase (>1.5
      times normal levels) combined with sonological evidence of fatty liver in the
      absence of any other detectable cause of liver disease were included in the
      study. The recruited patients were randomly divided into two groups - The
      patients in Group-A (n = 21) were given a combination of herbomineral drugs
      Arogyavardhini vati and Triphala Guggulu along with prescription of pathya
      (Ayurvedic dietary regime and physical exercise); the patients in Group-B (n =
      11) were advised only pathya. RESULTS: Group-A (combined therapy group) showed
      statistically significant improvement in clinical symptoms, biochemical
      parameters-liver function test, lipid profile, fasting blood sugar, and body mass
      index (P < 0.001) in comparison to Group-B (pathya group). CONCLUSION:
      Combination of herbomineral drugs along with pathya has shown promising results
      toward the effective management of this metabolic disorder.

PMID- 26283808
TI  - Pharmacognostical evaluation of aerial parts of Graptophyllum pictum (L.) Griff.
      (Syn: Justicia picta Linn.): A well-known folklore medicinal plant.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Graptophyllum pictum (L.) Griff. (Family-Acanthaceae) occupies a key
      role in traditional system of medicine. Since an extensive literature survey did
      not provide any information about studies on its standardization. Therefore, we
      designed the current study to establish the quality control parameters of G.
      pictum aerial parts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The investigation included
      determination of various standardization parameters such as macroscopic and
      microscopic studies, physicochemical parameters as well as phytochemical analysis
      of the crude drug. RESULTS: The microscopy study of aerial parts revealed that
      stem shows typical dicotyledonous characters with prismatic crystals of calcium
      oxalate in the cortical region and dorsiventral leaf. Physicochemical constants
      such as moisture content, ash values, fluorescence analysis, and extractive
      values were established. Preliminary phytochemical analysis confirmed the
      presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, etc. CONCLUSION: The
      present study suggests establishing the parameters for pharmacopoeial
      standardization of G. pictum.

PMID- 26283810
TI  - A Conversation with Dr. (Med.) Valdis Pirags, Head of Internal Medicine
      Department, Paula Stradina Kliniska Universitates Slimnica, Riga, Latvia.

PMID- 26283811
TI  - The First International Research Seminar on Ayurveda (2014), Birstein, Germany.

PMID- 26283809
TI  - Ayurvedic approach in the management of spinal cord injury: A case study.
AB  - Spinal cord injury (SCI) is associated with consequences such as full loss of
      spinal movements, incontinence of bladder functions, bed sores, etc. There is no
      satisfactory treatment available in biomedicine with only limited treatments only
      for enhancement of spinal cord function. These treatments have many limitations.
      Ayurvedic drugs and Pancakarma procedures have been in use to treat such
      conditions since a long time. We present a case of SCI with lesion at C4 level
      which was treated for 2 months with an Ayurvedic combined intervention. The
      combined treatment plan involved Ayurvedic oral medications (Brhadvatacintamani
      rasa - 125 mg, Ardhanagavatari rasa - 125 mg, Dasamula kvatha - 40 ml,
      Asvagandhacurna [powder of Withania somnifera DUNAL] - 3 g, Amrta [Tinospora
      cordifolia WILLD] - 500 mg, Muktasukti pisti - 500 mg and Trayodasanga guggulu -
      500 mg) twice daily. Combined procedures involved such as salisastika
      pindasvedana (sudation with medicated cooked bolus of rice) every day for 2
      months and Matra basti (enema) for first 15 days with Asvagandha oil. From 16(th)
      day, Mustadi yapana basti (MYB, enema with medicated milk) was given for 16 days.
      After an interval of 7 days, MYB was further repeated for next 16 days.
      Substantial clinical improvement was reported after 2 months of the Ayurvedic
      treatment in existing neurological deficits and in quality of life. 

PMID- 26283812
TI  - Coping with Job Loss and Reemployment: A Two-Wave Study.
AB  - Using a national sample, this study investigated the effects of unemployed
      workers' coping resources and coping strategy use on reemployment after a three
      month period. Based on previous research, it was expected that (1) three types of
      coping resources (self-esteem, social support, and financial resources) would be
      positively related to problem-focused coping with job loss, (2) coping resources
      would be negatively related to emotion-focused coping with job loss, (3) problem
      focused coping would be positively related to reemployment, (4) problem-focused
      coping would be more strongly related to reemployment than emotion-focused
      coping, and (5) coping strategies would mediate the relationship between the
      availability of coping resources and obtaining reemployment. Results provided
      support for the direct effects of coping resources (self-esteem, social support,
      and, to some extent, financial resources) on coping strategies, and a direct
      effect of problem-focused coping on reemployment 3 months later. Self-esteem and
      social support were each indirectly related to subsequent employment status,
      mediated by problem-focused coping. In other words, individuals with higher
      levels of self-esteem and social support were not only more likely to engage in
      problem-focused coping, but having a higher level of self-esteem and social
      support was also associated with a higher likelihood of being reemployed three
      months later. Findings are pertinent for the design of more effective
      interventions that mitigate adverse effects of unemployment and facilitate a
      successful return to the workforce.

PMID- 26283813
TI  - Advancement in biochemical diagnostics and regenerative medicine leading to
      integration of dentistry into 360 degrees  health program.

PMID- 26283814
TI  - Knowledge and attitude of dental surgeons in India toward ocular complications of
      intra-oral local anesthesia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ocular disturbances such as blurring of vision, mydriasis, palpebral
      ptosis, diplopia, ptosis, enophthalmos, miosis, and blindness (temporary or
      permanent) are rare complications due to intra-oral local anesthesia. Currently,
      the guidelines to dentists on preventing and caring for such ocular problems are
      lacking. Hence, we evaluated the knowledge and attitudes of dentists toward
      ocular complications of intra-oral anesthesia as a means to assess the need for
      such guidelines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional prospective survey
      targeting dentists was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire. Totally
      500 standardized self-administered questionnaires were sent out by E-mail to
      practicing dentists or academicians. In total, 390 replies were received, and the
      data were analyzed. RESULTS: About 39% of graduates and 14% postgraduate dentists
      knew about ocular complications. Journals were the leading source of information
      among both graduates and postgraduate dentists. 8.3% graduates and 17.6%
      postgraduate dentists encountered ocular complications. Interestingly most of the
      graduates and postgraduates responded that ocular complications are underreported
      in the literature. 90.5% graduates and 84.3% postgraduates are in the opinion
      that more research should be carried on ocular complications. 98.3% postgraduates
      and 97.3% graduates favored the prevention of ocular complications. CONCLUSION:
      The dentist's knowledge about ocular complications due to intra-oral anesthesia
      in our study group is not adequate and needs improvement. Although the awareness
      and practice of taking preventive measures are satisfactory, there is a need for
      specific guidelines to dentists in identifying and clinically managing ocular
      complications of intra-oral anesthesia.

PMID- 26283815
TI  - Osteostimulatory effect of bone grafts on fibroblast cultures.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: We analyzed the morphological changes and alkaline phosphatase (ALP)
      level in fibroblast, which is indicative of their functional ability when
      cultured in three different commercially available graft materials with
      osseoconductive property. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fibroblasts obtained from fifth
      passage were seeded within three different bone substitutes (bovine
      hydroxyapatite [HA] [Osseo-graft((r))], beta-tricalciumphosphate [RTR((r))],
      bovine HA [Bio-oss((r))]) and incubated under standard cell culture conditions.
      10 samples in each group were evaluated for cell morphology and alkaline
      phosphates activity using scanning electron microscopy and spectrophotometric
      analysis on the 7(th) day of culture. RESULTS: Fibroblast cultured with RTR((r))
      showed changes in morphology and increase in ALP activity when compared to
      fibroblast cultured with Osseo-graft((r)) and Bio-oss((r)). CONCLUSION: Alkaline
      phosphatase activity was observed in fibroblasts when cultured with three types
      of commercially available bone grafts. ALP activity was highest when cultured
      with beta-tricalcium phosphate graft material indicating its better bone
      regenerating capacity of this graft material.

PMID- 26283816
TI  - Dermatoglyphic patterns and salivary pH in subjects with and without dental
      caries: A cross-sectional study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Dermatoglyphic patterns, which are regularly used in judicial and
      legal investigations, can be valuable in the diagnosis of many diseases
      associated with genetic disorders. Dental caries although of infectious origin,
      may have a genetic predisposition. Hence, we evaluated the correlation between
      dental caries and dermatoglyphic patterns among subjects with and without dental
      caries and evaluated its association with environmental factors such as salivary
      pH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Totally, 76 female students within the age group of 18
      23 years were clinically examined, and their decayed, missing, filled teeth
      (DMFT) score and oral hygiene index-simplified were recorded. Based on their DMFT
      score, they were divided into following three groups; group I (n = 16, DMFT score
      = 0), group II (n = 30, DMFT score <5), and group III (n = 30, DMFT score >=5).
      Their fingerprint patterns and salivary pH were recorded and analyzed using
      descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Dermatoglyphic pattern distribution in caries
      free group showed more ulnar loops than high caries group (group III) while high
      caries group showed more whorl patterns. Presence of whorl with double loop,
      whorl within a loop was associated with high DMFT score. The total finger ridge
      count was lower in caries group. The mean salivary pH was higher in caries-free
      group than high caries group. Thus, we conclude that dermatoglyphic patterns may
      be potential diagnostic tool for detecting patients prone to develop dental
      caries.

PMID- 26283817
TI  - Oral Candidal and Streptococcal carriage in Down syndrome patients.
AB  - AIM: We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of Candida and Streptococci species in
      the oral cavity of Down syndrome patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 50
      children/adolescents with Down syndrome with a karyotype of 47 XX, 21+ (female)
      and 47 XY, 21+ (male), and 50 normal children/adolescents were included in our
      study. Oral swab/saliva was used to culture and identify Candida and Streptococci
      species based on gram and periodic acid schiff staining. RESULTS: Of the 50 study
      group samples, which were cultured, 37 (74%) showed growth of Candida colonies,
      whereas in the 50 control samples only 18 (36%) were positive for Candida growth.
      In 4 Sabouraud's dextrose agar culture slopes of the study group, more than one
      morphological type of colonies were observed. 23 out of 50 samples in our study
      group had Streptococcus viridans colonies. In the 23 samples positive for
      Streptococci 16 had many streptococcal colonies, and 7 had few streptococcal
      colonies in the primary culture. 32 out of 50 samples from the control group had
      S. viridans colonies. In these 32 samples positive for Streptococci, 29 had
      predominantly streptococcal colonies while 3 had few streptococcal colonies in
      the primary culture. CONCLUSION: The oral cavity is an environment heavily
      colonized by microorganisms, however, the Down syndrome patients run a greater
      risk of having opportunistic infections especially from Candida species. Hence to
      improve the quality of life of an individual with Down syndrome, it is necessary
      to diagnose and treat these infections by more frequent oral microbial
      assessment.

PMID- 26283818
TI  - Dimensional and morphological analysis of various rugae patterns in Kerala (South
      India) sample population: A cross-sectional study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Analysis of palatal rugae patterns, which are similar to
      fingerprints, is one of the techniques used in forensic sciences for human
      identification. As palatal rugae patterns are genetically determined, they can
      also be used in population differentiation and gender determination. Hence, we
      aimed to record the distribution of the predominant rugae pattern in Kerala
      population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 100 maxillary study models (40
      males and 60 females) recorded from Kerala population within the age group of 17
      25 years were analyzed. The dental casts were examined for the interpretation of
      the total number, length, shape, location and unification of rugae. Chi-square
      test and unpaired t-test were employed for statistical analysis. RESULT: The
      total number of rugae was significantly (P < 0.001) greater in females than
      males. Regarding the shape, wavy pattern predominated in both males and females,
      followed by curve, straight, divergent, convergent and circular pattern. Circular
      pattern was more in males than females. The rugae patterns were located more in
      between mesial aspect of first premolar to mesial aspect of second premolar.
      CONCLUSION: The palatal rugae and their features of an individual may be
      considered as a reliable guide for identification purpose, provided antemortem
      casts are available. Nevertheless, gender differentiation is evident in terms of
      number and shape of rugae.

PMID- 26283819
TI  - Predentin thickness analysis in developing and developed permanent teeth.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Predentin, the unmineralized organic matrix is important in
      maintaining the integrity of dentin. It is usually thick where active
      dentinogenesis occurs. A wide variation in its thickness is reported. Hence, we
      determined the variation in predentin thickness at various sites of different age
      groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 60 freshly extracted teeth (maxillary and
      mandibular first premolars) were divided into three groups with 20 teeth in each
      as, Group 1 - teeth with incomplete root formation (age <16 years), Group 2 -
      teeth with complete root formation (aged between 16 and 30 years), Group 3 -
      teeth of patients aged above 30 years. The teeth were fixed, decalcified and
      sections of 6 MU thickness were obtained, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin.
      The distance between the odontoblastic cell layers of the pulp to the border line
      of the dentin was considered for the measurement of the predentin thickness. A
      total of nine sites were considered for each specimen. RESULTS: The present study
      revealed varied mean predentin thickness at all nine sites in all three age
      groups. Maximum and minimum thickness was observed at the apex and pulp floor
      respectively in all three groups. There was a statistical significant difference
      in predentin thickness between groups 1 and 3 and 2 and 3. CONCLUSION: The
      predentin thickness in the first group gradually increased toward the growing end
      near the apex, while it was relatively constant in the second group and increased
      overall thickness at all the sites in the third group. A notable finding was a
      linear increase with age in width of the predentin and the thickness vary as a
      function of odontoblastic activity during different stages of tooth development.

PMID- 26283821
TI  - Vestibular stimulation: A simple but effective intervention in diabetes care.
AB  - Despite the complexities of the relationship between vestibular stimulation and
      endocrine disorders being well known, research efforts to understand these
      complexities are lacking. Interestingly vestibular stimulation may potentially
      prevent/delay development/progression of diabetes. Here we review the science
      behind this concept and highlight the need for necessary translational research
      in this area. Current evidence supports the use of vestibular stimulation not
      only as a potential intervention to prevent or delay the development of diabetes
      mellitus in at-risk population, but also to use it as supplementary therapy for
      diabetic patients management. We urge clinicians to recommend vestibular
      stimulation by simple means like swing as a goal in maintaining a healthy
      lifestyle. 

PMID- 26283820
TI  - Recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of childhood tuberculosis.
AB  - Despite over 2.3 million (26% of global burden) cases of tuberculosis (TB) in
      India the accurate diagnosis of childhood TB remains a major challenge. Children
      with TB usually have paucibacillary disease and contribute little to disease
      transmission within the community. Consequently the treatment of children with TB
      is often not considered a priority by TB control programmes. Adequate and timely
      assessment of TB infection in childhood could diminish epidemiological burden as
      underdiagnosed pediatric patients can eventually evolve in to an active state and
      have the potential to disseminate the etiological agent Mycobacterium
      tuberculosis, notably increasing this worldwide public health problem. In this
      review we discuss the most important recent advances in the diagnosis of
      childhood TB: (1) Symptom-based approaches, (2) novel immune-based approaches,
      including in vitro interferon-gamma IGRA release assays IGRA tests; and (3)
      bacteriological and molecular methods that are more rapid and/or less expensive
      than conventional culture techniques for TB diagnosis and/or drug-resistance
      testing. Recent advances have improved our ability to diagnose latent infection
      and active TB in children, nevertheless establishing a diagnosis of either latent
      infection or active disease in HIV-infected children remains a major challenge. 

PMID- 26283822
TI  - Knowledge, attitude, and practices related to cervical cancer among adult women:
      A hospital-based cross-sectional study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is the most common cancer among Indian women of
      reproductive age. Unfortunately, despite the evidence of methods for prevention,
      most of the women remain unscreened. The reported barriers to screening include
      unawareness of risk factors, symptoms and prevention; stigma and misconceptions
      about gynecological diseases and lack of national cervical cancer screening
      guidelines and policies. This study attempts to assess the knowledge, attitude,
      and practices related to cervical cancer and its screening among women of
      reproductive age (15-45 years). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A facility-based cross
      sectional study was done on 400 females of reproductive age who presented to out
      patient-department of All India Institute of Medical Sciences Bhopal. Structured
      questionnaire consisting 20 knowledge items and 7-items for attitude and history
      of pap smear for practices were administered by one of the investigators after
      informed consent. Data were entered and analyzed using Epi-Info version 7.
      Qualitative variables were summarized as counts and percentages while
      quantitative variables as mean and standard deviation. Predictors of better
      knowledge, attitude, and practices were identified by binary logistic regression
      analysis. RESULTS: A total of 442 women were approached for interview of which
      400 responded of which two-third (65.5%) had heard of cervical cancer. At least
      one symptom and one risk factor were known to 35.25% and 39.75% participants.
      Only 34.5% participants had heard, and 9.5% actually underwent screening test,
      however, 76.25% of the participants expressed a favorable attitude for screening.
      Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that education age and income were
      independent predictors of better knowledge. Education level influences attitude
      toward screening and actual practice depends on age, income, and marital status.
      This study shows that despite the fact that women had suboptimal level of
      knowledge regarding cervical cancer, their attitude is favorable for screening.
      However, uptake is low in actual practice. Strategic communication targeting
      eligible women may increase the uptake of screening.

PMID- 26283823
TI  - Influence of lifestyle patterns on perceptions of obesity and overweight among
      expatriates in Abha city of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We evaluated the influence of lifestyle patterns such as watching TV,
      working with computer and idle sitting time on perceptions of obesity and beliefs
      about overweight are associated with obesity and overweight amongst Expatriates
      in Abha. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The method used in this study was a cross
      sectional survey with a self-administered paper-based questionnaire. The survey
      collected information on lifestyle choices and the risk factors that contribute
      to obesity. In addition, height and weight were measured. RESULTS: Greater number
      of our study subjects spent over 2 h/day without any physical activity,
      specifically accounting for over 2 h/day each in viewing TV, computer, and
      spending idle time. This increased lack of physical activities was significantly
      associated with overweight. While the overweight subjects were aware of very wide
      options for treating their condition, a significant number believed in self
      effort in managing their diet and exercise regimen as the best efforts to reduce
      their overweight. Interestingly very few overweight subjects considered
      medication or surgery as a potential therapeutic option and 75% of the overweight
      subjects considered overweight to be of no or only slight concern on wellbeing.
      CONCLUSIONS: Overweight and obesity among expatriates within Saudi Arabia poses
      an important public health problem. The lack of awareness about the potential
      impact of obesity on health and optimal treatment options is a serious concern,
      which needs to be addressed by appropriate public health programs at national
      level.

PMID- 26283824
TI  - Toxic effects of Mn2O3 nanoparticles on rat testis and sex hormone.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The safety of Mn2O3 nanoparticles (which are
      extensively used in industries) on male reproductive system is not known. Hence,
      we investigated the effects of Mn2O3 nanoparticles on male reproductive system.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 40 Wistar adult male rats were randomly
      assigned to four groups of 10 rats each. Three groups received Mn2O3 solution in
      concentrations of 100, 200, and 400 ppm orally for 14 days; the control group
      received equal volume of saline solution. Blood samples and testicles were
      collected for analysis. RESULTS: Significant reduction in luteinizing hormone
      (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone, spermatogonial cells,
      primary spermatocyte, spermatid and Leydig cell was observed in the Mn2O3
      nanoparticles treated groups compared with controls. CONCLUSION: Mn2O3
      nanoparticles significantly reduce FSH, LH, and testosterone levels resulting in
      a significant reduction in testicular cytology.

PMID- 26283825
TI  - Effects of fluconazole, chlorhexidine gluconate, and silver-zinc zeolite on
      flexural strength of heat-cured polymethyl methacrylate resin.
AB  - AIM: We evaluated the effect of incorporating Fluconazole, Chlorhexidine
      Gluconate, and Silver-Zinc Zeolite as bioactive materials (10% of mass) on the
      flexural strength of commercially available heat-cured polymethyl methacrylate
      (PMMA; Travelon). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The following four groups were compared;
      Group 1: Control group with pure PMMA, Group 2: Antibacterial drug group with
      chlorhexidine gluconate in powder form + PMMA, Group 3: Antifungal drug group
      with fluconazole in powder form + PMMA, Group 4: Antimicrobial agent group with
      silver zinc zeolite in powder form + PMMA. After processing, the specimens were
      subjected for flexural strength testing using three-point bending test in a
      universal testing machine. RESULTS: A significant (P < 0.0001) decrease in
      flexural strength following incorporation of Fluconazole, Chlorhexidine
      Gluconate, and Silver-Zinc Zeolite to heat polymerized acrylic resin was observed
      when compared with the control group. The decrease in mean flexural strength was
      minimal in the fluconazole group. CONCLUSION: Although the addition of a
      bioactive material to PMMA acrylic is desirable, it is not practical as it
      reduces flexural strength of the acrylic base.

PMID- 26283826
TI  - Estimation of alkaline phosphatase in the gingival crevicular fluid during
      orthodontic tooth movement in premolar extraction cases to predict therapeutic
      progression.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The objective was to estimate the level of alkaline phosphatase (ALP)
      in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) during en-masse retraction stage of
      orthodontic tooth movement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 10 patients in the age group
      of 15-20 years participated in this study. GCF was sampled from the distal
      surface of the canine and mesial surface of the second premolar on day 0, 1, 7,
      14, 21, and 28 postorthodontic treatment. RESULTS: A marked fall in the level of
      ALP was evident following force application. A progressive decreasing trend in
      ALP activity on both distal aspect of canine and mesial aspect of the second
      premolar was observed. The fall in ALP was more on distal aspect canine when
      compared to the mesial aspect of the second premolar. CONCLUSIONS: Measure of ALP
      activity in GCF could be an indicator of the biochemical and cellular alterations
      in bone turnover and hence rate the amount of tooth movement following
      orthodontic force application.

PMID- 26283827
TI  - Lipid profile but not highly sensitive C-reactive protein helps distinguish
      prehypertensives from normal subjects.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Early identification of the prehypertensive state can greatly improve
      the disease risk management. Although increased levels of highly sensitive C
      reactive protein (hsCRP) and dyslipidemia is reported among patients with
      hypertension, the correlation of these parameters among prehypertensives in not
      known. Hence, the present study was designed to compare the levels of serum hsCRP
      and lipid profile among prehypertensives and normal subjects and correlate it
      with blood pressure (BP) levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Anthropometric
      measurements and BP were recorded in 40 prehypertensive and 40 normal subjects.
      Subjects were assigned to a group based on their BP as per Joint National
      Committee 7 criteria. Serum hsCRP and lipid profile were measured and correlated
      with BP levels. RESULTS: Serum hsCRP showed no significant difference between the
      two groups. There was no significant correlation of BP with hsCRP in both the
      groups. Total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were
      significantly increased in prehypertensives as compared to normal subjects. There
      was no significant association between BP and lipid parameters in
      prehypertensives. CONCLUSIONS: Significant increase of TC and LDL but not hsCRP
      was evident among prehypertensives as compared to normal subjects.

PMID- 26283828
TI  - Protective effects of fish oil, allopurinol, and verapamil on hepatic ischemia
      reperfusion injury in rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The major aim of this work was to study the protective effects of
      fish oil (FO), allopurinol, and verapamil on hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (IR)
      induced injury in experimental rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty male Wistar
      albino rats were randomly assigned to six groups of 10 rats each. Group 1 served
      as a negative control. Group 2 served as hepatic IR control injury. Groups 3, 4,
      5, and 6 received N-acetylcysteine (standard), FO, allopurinol, and verapamil,
      respectively, for 3 consecutive days prior to ischemia. All animals were fasted
      for 12 h, anesthetized and underwent midline laparotomy. The portal triads were
      clamped by mini-artery clamp for 30 min followed by reperfusion for 30 min. Blood
      samples were withdrawn for estimation of serum alanine transaminase (ALT) and
      aspartate transaminase (AST) activities as well as hepatic thiobarbituric acid
      reactive substances, reduced glutathione, myeloperoxidase, and total
      nitrate/nitrite levels, in addition to histopathological examination. RESULTS:
      Fish oil, allopurinol, and verapamil reduced hepatic IR injury as evidenced by
      significant reduction in serum ALT and AST enzyme activities. FO and verapamil
      markedly reduced oxidative stress as compared to control IR injury. Levels of
      inflammatory biomarkers in liver were also reduced after treatment with FO,
      allopurinol, or verapamil. In accordance, a marked improvement of
      histopathological findings was observed with all of the three treatments.
      CONCLUSION: The findings of this study prove the benefits of FO, allopurinol, and
      verapamil on hepatic IR-induced liver injury and are promising for further
      clinical trials.

PMID- 26283830
TI  - Isolation, screening, and molecular characterization of plant growth promoting
      rhizobacteria isolates of Azotobacter and Trichoderma and their beneficial
      activities.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The present study was conducted for isolation, screening, and
      identification of Azotobacter and Trichoderma from different soil samples.
      METHODS: A total of 10 isolates of Azotobacter and Trichoderma were isolated from
      rhizospheric soils. The test isolates were biochemically characterized and
      screened in in-vitro conditions for their plant growth promoting properties. DNA
      polymorphism of isolates was studied using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA
      analysis. RESULTS: A total of 41 bands were scored, out of which 35 bands were
      found to be 85.59% polymorphic in Azotobacter and in Trichoderma among total 37
      bands scored of which 29 were found to be 78.37% polymorphic. The influence of
      isolated plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) strains on plant growth was
      studied using different parameters such as height of the plant, number of leaves,
      and number of branches, and bio-control activity was studied. CONCLUSION: The
      present results concluded that the multiple beneficial activities of PGPR traits
      increase the plant growth and bio-control activity.

PMID- 26283829
TI  - Fast foods and physical inactivity are risk factors for obesity and hypertension
      among adolescent school children in east district of Sikkim, India.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Obesity and hypertension among school children have a huge impact on
      public health. Hence, we estimated the prevalence and sociodemographic correlates
      of childhood obesity and elevated blood pressure (BP) among adolescent
      schoolchildren (11-19 years) in urban areas of Gangtok, Sikkim, India. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: A population based cross-sectional study was conducted on 979 school
      children, during November 1, 2009 - April 30, 2010 in Gangtok, East Sikkim India.
      Anthropometric measurements and BP were recorded among the study population.
      Obesity and hypertension prevalent among adolescent school children and their
      correlates were analyzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Prevalence of obesity,
      overweight, and hypertension was 2.04%, 14.5% and 5.62%, respectively. The
      average fast food intake, screen time and limited outdoor activities were
      significantly associated with obesity. Increase in abdominal height positively
      correlated with increase in body mass index and body fat; however waist - hip
      ratio was not a reliable index. The burden of overweight/obesity as well as
      hypertension with all its associated risk was found to high among our study
      population, which necessitates framing of policies and actions at national level
      to address the risk associated with these noncommunicable diseases.

PMID- 26283831
TI  - The antiplaque efficacy of propolis-based herbal toothpaste: A crossover clinical
      study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In recent years, herbal products have been suggested as an economic,
      safe and probably effective alternative for prevention and control of various
      oral diseases. But still there are some products which need to be evaluated. Of
      lately, Propolis is one such product. To assess and compare the efficacy of
      herbal dentifrice containing Propolis with Miswak and Colgate total toothpastes
      in controlling plaque formation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A double blind,
      randomized, crossover study design was conducted among thirty healthy dental
      students. After oral prophylaxis all subjects were given a washout product for
      one week period. Subjects were then made to brush with (washout product) for 1
      minute followed by 1 minute brushing with assigned test product. The baseline
      MGMPI plaque scores were recorded. Subjects were then refrained from oral hygiene
      for 24 hours, and were recalled to be re-disclosed and re-measured for plaque
      formation. This procedure was repeated according to crossover design after a
      washout period of (2 week). Statistical tests used were Krukalwallis and Wilcoxon
      sign rank test. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in 24 hour score
      between the test products evaluated. When the change from baseline to 24 hours
      was analyzed, the test product Propolis resulted in a consistently and
      significantly (p < 0.05) lower MGMPI mean scores than the Colgate Total and
      Miswak toothpastes. CONCLUSION: Propolis was found to be safe and effective in
      reducing plaque accumulation when compared to Miswak and Colgate total
      toothpaste.

PMID- 26283832
TI  - Epidemiology and symptoms of red eyes in patients from Northern Iran.
AB  - AIM: We aimed to determine the epidemiology and symptoms of red eyes in patients
      from Northern Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive study was planned
      involving 840 patients referred to the eye clinic of Bu-Ali Sina hospital in
      Sari, Iran, with the chief complaint of eye redness. RESULTS: Of 840 patients,
      525 were men (62.5%) and 315 were women (37.5%). Most of the patients were over
      39 years of age. 55.7 percentage of them lived in cities and 44% were from
      villages. The most common eye symptoms with eye redness were: Eye abrasion (57%),
      tears in eyes (49%) and swollen eye lid (30%). Red eyes without any symptoms in
      eyes were diagnosed as runny nose (4.2%) and headaches (3.4%). 11.9% and 19.6% of
      the patients had a previous history of red eye and had visited doctors for red
      eyes respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Red eyes are more common in men than women.
      Introducing dangerous causes of red eyes in the future can help to health care
      professional to on time diagnosis of red eyes related problems.

PMID- 26283833
TI  - Nutrition and health status of school children in urban area of Ahmedabad, India:
      Comparison with Indian Council of Medical Research and body mass index standards.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Identifying the commonly prevailing health and nutritional disorders
      in school going children is essential to initiate appropriate public health
      measures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional prospective study was designed
      to conduct a detail physical health assessment of children studying in class 1-8
      (age- 5-13 years) of 31 schools of Ahmedabad city, India between December 2011
      and February 2012. Under the school health program of state government, medical
      history, height, weight and general physical examination findings, including
      dental and ophthalmic examination were recorded by qualified medical
      practitioners. Children with abnormal results were further investigated and
      treated by the subject experts. RESULT: Total 28,256 children were screened (boys
      15,087 and girls-13,169). Mean weight and height of the children were 27.04 kg
      and 128.81 cm, respectively. Analysis of nutritional status of the cohort
      population as compared to body mass index standards revealed that 8319 (29.44%)
      children were underweight while only 221 (0.78%) children were either overweight
      or obese. The subgroup analysis of basic nutrition indices in children revealed
      prevalence of significant malnutrition (based on Indian Council of Medical
      Research standards) in children below 10 years of age. Commonly prevailing health
      disorders included worm infestation (42%), upper respiratory tract infection
      (36.39%), anemia (30.99%) dental caries (25.19%) and refractory errors (10.2%).
      CONCLUSIONS: Malnutrition and related health disorders are commonly prevailing
      childhood diseases in the urban community and can effectively be addressed by
      appropriate public health program.

PMID- 26283834
TI  - Effect of intraoperative infusion of low-dose ketamine on management of
      postoperative analgesia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Use of opioids for perioperative analgesia is associated with
      sedation, respiratory depression and postoperative nausea and vomiting. N-methyl
      D-aspartate receptor antagonist such as ketamine has both analgesic and
      antihyperalgesic properties. We studied the effect of intraoperative infusion of
      low-dose ketamine on postoperative analgesia and its management with opioids.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 80 patients scheduled for open cholecystectomy
      under general anesthesia were randomly allocated into two equal groups in a
      randomized double-blinded way. The general anesthetic technique was standardized
      in both groups. Group K patients (n = 40) received bolus of ketamine 0.2 mg/kg
      intravenously followed by an infusion of 0.1 mg/kg/h before skin incision, which
      was continued up to the end of surgery. Similar volume of saline was infused in
      Group C (n = 40). The pain score at different intervals and cumulative morphine
      consumption over 24 h was observed. Secondary outcomes such as hemodynamic
      parameters, patient satisfaction score and incidences of side effects were also
      recorded. RESULTS: Intraoperative infusion of low-dose ketamine resulted in
      effective analgesia in first 6 h of the postoperative period, which was evident
      from reduced pain scores and reduced opioid requirements (P = 0.001). The
      incidence of side effects and patient satisfaction were similar in both groups.
      CONCLUSION: Intraoperative low-dose ketamine infusion provides good postoperative
      analgesia while reducing need of opioid analgesics, which must be considered for
      better management of postoperative analgesia.

PMID- 26283835
TI  - Phenotypic detection of extended spectrum beta-lactamase and Amp-C beta-lactamase
      producing clinical isolates in a Tertiary Care Hospital: A preliminary study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Production of beta-lactamase enzymes by Gram-negative bacteria is the
      most common mechanism to acquire drug resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics.
      Limitations in detecting extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) and Amp-C beta
      lactamases have contributed to the uncontrolled spread of bacterial resistance
      and are of significant clinical concern. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 148
      samples was selected on the basis of resistance against third-generation
      cephalosporin for screening ESBLs and Amp-C beta-lactamases production. These
      multidrug-resistant strains were phenotypically screened for ESBL production by
      phenotypic confirmatory disc diffusion test and double disc synergy test.
      Modified three-dimensional method was used for Amp-C beta-lactamases detection.
      RESULT: Among the 148 isolates, 82 (55.40%) were ESBL producers, and 115 (77.70%)
      were Amp-C beta-lactamases producers. Co-existence of ESBL and Amp-C was observed
      in 70 (47.29%) isolates. Escherichia coli was the most common ESBL and Amp-C beta
      lactamase producer. All ESBL producers were highly resistant to ciprofloxacin
      (83.10%), cotrimoxazole (95.27%), and gentamicin (89.18%). However, these
      bacterial strains were sensitive to imipenem 146 (98.64%) and
      piperacillin/tazobactam 143 (96.62%). CONCLUSION: Our study showed that ESBL
      producing organisms were not only resistant to cephalosporins but also to other
      group of drugs and also that multiple mechanisms play a role in drug resistance
      among Gram-negative bacteria.

PMID- 26283836
TI  - Utility of magnetic resonance imaging in the differential diagnosis of tubercular
      and pyogenic spondylodiscitis.
AB  - AIM: We evaluated the potential of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the
      diagnosis of spinal infections and specifically its accuracy in differentiating
      tubercular and pyogenic spondylodiscitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Totally, 50
      patients referred for MRI scans with the clinical diagnosis of spinal infections
      were included in our study. The patients were classified as tubercular (TS),
      pyogenic (PS), and indeterminate spondylodiscitis on the basis of imaging
      findings and were correlated with the final diagnosis made by
      histopathology/cytology/culture/biochemistry or with successful therapeutic
      outcome. Imaging findings were subsequently analyzed for differentiating
      tubercular and pyogenic spondylodiscitis using the Chi-square test. RESULTS: The
      most common pattern of spinal infection was spondylodiscitis (78% incidence rate)
      with epidural extension (86%) and cord compression (64%) being most common
      complications observed. Imaging (postcontrast study) and final diagnosis
      correlated in 93.7% tubercular (sensitivity of 75% and specificity of 90%) and
      75% pyogenic (sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 83.3%) spondylodiscitis. The
      patients with tubercular spondylitis had a significantly (P < 0.05) higher
      incidence of following MRI findings: A well-defined paraspinal abnormal signal
      (80% in TS vs. 40% in PS), a thin and smooth abscess wall (84.2% in TS vs. 10% in
      PS), presence of intraosseous abscess (35% in TS vs. 0% in PS), focal and
      heterogenous enhancement of the vertebral body (75% in TS vs. 20% in PS),
      vertebral destruction more than or equal to grade 3 (71.8% in TS vs. 0% in PS),
      loss of cortical definition (75% in TS vs. 20% in PS), and spinal deformity (50%
      in TS vs. 5% in PS). CONCLUSION: Contrast-enhanced images improve the sensitivity
      and specificity of detection and differentiation of tubercular and PS.

PMID- 26283837
TI  - Antibiotic resistance pattern of Enterococci isolates from nosocomial infections
      in a tertiary care hospital in Eastern India.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Resistance to commonly used antibiotics by Enterococci causing
      nosocomial infections is of concern, which necessitates judicious, responsible
      and evidence-based use of antibiotics. The present study was conducted to review
      the prevalence and identify therapeutic options for nosocomial Enterococcal
      infections in our tertiary care hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Isolates
      identified by morphological and biochemical characteristics were tested for
      antibiotic susceptibility using Kirby-Bauer method. RESULT: 153 of 2096 culture
      positive clinical samples comprised of 101 urine, 30 wound swab/pus, 13 blood and
      09 high vaginal swab isolates were identified as Enterococcus faecalis (90.85%),
      Enterococcus faecium (8.50%) and Enterococcus gallinarum (0.65%). Enterococci
      accounted for 8.45%, 4.53%, 4.23%, 4.43% of urinary, wound swab or pus, blood,
      high vaginal swab isolates respectively, causing 7.3% of all nosocomial
      infections. Significant number of Enterococci isolated from nosocomial urinary
      tract infection (66.01%) and wound infections (19.6%) were multidrug resistant
      (MDR). Although all isolates were sensitive to vancomycin and linezolid,
      resistance to erythromycin (71.24%) and ciprofloxacin (49.67%) was frequently
      observed. High-level gentamicin resistance was observed in 43.88%, and 61.53% of
      E. faecalis and E. faecium isolates respectively. Minimal inhibitory
      concentration of vancomycin of all the isolates were <=1 MUg/ml. 7% of the
      Enterococcal isolates were MDR strains and vancomycin or linezolid were the only
      effective antibiotics. CONCLUSION: A combination of vancomycin and/or linezolid
      were effective against Enterococci causing nosocomial infections in our tertiary
      care facility, nevertheless continuous and frequent surveillance for resistance
      patterns are necessary for judicious and evidence based use of antibiotics.

PMID- 26283838
TI  - A prospective study assessing clinicians attitude and knowledge on radiation
      exposure to patients during radiological investigations.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Exposure to radiation during radiological investigations is of health
      concern, which referring physicians should rationalize. Hence, we assessed the
      clinician's awareness and concern of radiation exposure to patients, in relation
      to their referral practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study was
      conducted involving specialists from Punjab (India), who were handed a standard
      set of questionnaire concerning knowledge of radiation hazards and doses from
      imaging procedures, consideration of radiation dose and age when referring,
      referrals not likely to affect treatment, and use of referral guidelines were
      included. Of the 150 medical doctors given the questionnaire, 106 returned it.
      RESULTS: Majority of the clinicians underestimated radiation doses, while a few
      overestimated it. Almost half of the clinicians (55.5%) favored to select the
      rationale of asking about previous radiological examinations as clinical need
      only, which was surprising. Rates of referrals unlikely to affect treatment were
      more (66%) than reported rates in previous studies. Worryingly, only 30.1% of the
      clinicians had knowledge of referral guidelines and alarmingly only 10.5% had
      made use of it. CONCLUSIONS: Our study although in a small population size
      identifies inadequate knowledge on radiation and its guidelines among referral
      physicians, which warrants the immediate need for training programs to bridge
      this knowledge gap.

PMID- 26283839
TI  - Anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody positivity during early pregnancy is associated
      with pregnancy complications and maternal morbidity in later life.
AB  - AIMS: We assessed the impact of detecting anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies
      (anti-TPO-Ab) in the first trimester of pregnancy on pregnancy outcomes and
      maternal thyroid function during the postpartum period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In
      a prospective study consisting 400 pregnant women (8-12 weeks pregnant) were
      screened for their thyroid profile and followed-up to 12 weeks postpartum.
      Patients with abnormal thyroid function at 12 weeks postpartum were further
      followed-up with repeated assessment of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and
      serum-free thyroxine-4 levels at 8 weeks interval up to 12 months postpartum.
      RESULTS: 11.5% of the subjects were positive for anti-TPO-Ab who had mean TSH
      level of 2.31 MUIU/ml, which was significantly (P- 0.0001) higher than pregnant
      women negative for anti-TPO-Ab (1.73 MUIU/ml). Increased incidence of miscarriage
      was observed in anti-TPO positive mothers when compared to antibody negative
      mothers. Postpartum thyroid dysfunction developed in 4.7% cases at 12 weeks,
      among them antibody positivity was observed in 81.25% of subjects. In 18.75%
      mothers positive for anti-TPO-Ab, the thyroid dysfunction persisted up to 12
      months postpartum. CONCLUSIONS: Thyroid antibodies detected in early pregnancy
      seems to be predicting pregnancy complications and later maternal thyroid disease
      related morbidity.

PMID- 26283840
TI  - Comparing Ksharasutra (Ayurvedic Seton) and open fistulotomy in the management of
      fistula-in-ano.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Most commonly practiced surgical "lay open" technique to treat
      fistula-in-ano (a common anorectal pathology) has high rate of recurrence and
      anal incontinence. Alternatively, a nonsurgical cost efficient treatment with
      Ksharasutra (cotton Seton coated with Ayurvedic medicines) has minimal
      complications. In our study, we have tried to compare these two techniques.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective randomized control study was designed
      involving patients referred to the Department of General Surgery in RG Kar
      Medical College, Kolkata, India, from January 2010 to September 2011. RESULTS:
      Among 50 patients, 26 were in Ksharasutra and 24 were in fistulotomy group. 86%
      patients were male and 54% of the patients were in the fourth decade. About 74%
      fistulas are inter-sphincteric and 26% were of trans-sphincteric variety. Severe
      postoperative pain was more (7.7% vs. 25%) in fistulotomy group, while wound
      discharge was more associated with Ksharasutra group (15.3% vs. 8.3%). Wound
      scarring, bleeding, and infection rate were similar in both groups. Ksharasutra
      group took more time to heal (mean: 53 vs. 35.7 days, P = 0.002) despite reduced
      disruption to their routine work (2.7 vs. 15.5 days work off, P <0.001).
      Interestingly, pain experienced was less in Ksharasutra group, there was no open
      wound in contrast to fistulotomy and it was significantly cost effective (Rupees
      166 vs. 464). CONCLUSION: Treatment of fistula-in-ano with Ksharasutra is a
      simple with low complications and minimal cost.

PMID- 26283841
TI  - Evaluating the cost effectiveness of national program for control of blindness in
      Jorhat district, India.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We evaluated the cost of different components of the national program
      for control of blindness (NPCB) and assess the cost effectiveness of this
      program. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An observational study was conducted in Jorhat
      District of Assam, India from July 2009 to June 2010 for assessing the cost
      effectiveness of the NPCB. Four broad categories of cost inputs, that is, capital
      costs, recurrent costs, prime/variable costs, and fixed costs were considered.
      The cost incurred by the provider was taken as the actual cost of delivery of
      different component of services to the patients, which was calculated from the
      costs of labor, material, and capital costs using the time utilization pattern
      recommended by WHO. RESULT: The District Blindness Control Society, Jorhat had
      spent 58.93% of total expense on fixed heads of which 65.86% had been spent for
      cataract surgery. The medical care cost was found to be Indian rupee (INR) 425
      for intracapsular cataract extraction (ICCE), INR 675 for extracapsular cataract
      extraction + intraocular lens (ECCE + IOL) and INR 225 for refractive error
      correction. The patient-wise provider cost was estimated to be INR 519 for ICCE,
      INR 769 for ECCE + IOL implantation and INR 319 for spectacle correction of
      refractive error. CONCLUSION: National program for control of blindness is a cost
      effective means of controlling and treating blindness.

PMID- 26283842
TI  - Immunomodulatory potential of shatavarins produced from Asparagus racemosus
      tissue cultures.
AB  - Medicinal properties of Asparagus racemosus (vernacular name: Shatavari) are
      attributed to its steroidal saponins called shatavarins. This plant is facing the
      threat of being endangered due to several developmental, seasonal constrains and
      malpractices involved in its collection and storage. To support its conservation,
      a tissue culture protocol is standardized which produces 20 fold higher levels of
      shatavarin. Here we evaluate the bioactivity and immunomodulatory potential of in
      vitro produced shatavarins from cell cultures of AR using human peripheral blood
      lymphocytes. In vitro produced shatavarin stimulated immune cell proliferation
      and IgG secretion in a dose dependent manner. It stimulated interleukin (IL)-12
      production and inhibited production of IL-6. It also had strong modulatory
      effects on Th1/Th2 cytokine profile, indicating its potential application for
      immunotherapies where Th1/Th2 balance is envisaged. Our study demonstrating the
      bioactivity of tissue cultured AR extracts supports further in vivo evaluation of
      its immunomodulatory efficacy. 

PMID- 26283844
TI  - Detection of antidiabetic activity by crude paratoid gland secretions from common
      Indian toad (bufomelano stictus).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Amphibians have provided a remarkable array of biological active
      compounds, which are secreted from socalled granular skin glands which serve to
      protect the amphibians from predators due to its noxious effects on buccal tissue
      and at least in the case of some peptides, to protect from bacterial (or)
      protozoan infections. Given the respiratory and antimicrobial functions of
      amphibian skin, it is likely that some of the novel molecules found in amphibian
      granular gland secretions might be of use in the treatment of skin and
      respiratory infections. Secretions from common Indian toad (Bufo melanostictus) a
      member of Bufonidae family has the history of medicinal use however the anti
      diabetic activity is not reported. The present study is aimed to determine
      whether paratoid gland extract have any influence on the diabetes and the
      pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of glimepiride (GLM) in normal and diabetic
      rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An aqueous and methanolic extracts of paratoid
      glandular secretions were prepared, air dried and used to determine the
      antidiabetic activity in rats. The blood sampling was done at preset time
      intervals between 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12 h, using heparinized capillaries.
      The blood glucose levels are estimated by glucose oxidase-peroxidase method, and
      reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography is used to determine the
      pharmacokinetic parameters of GLM using glibenclamide as an internal standard.
      RESULTS: Both the aqueous and methanolic extracts produced better glycemic
      control in diabetic rats, and methanolic extract is better than the aqueous
      extract. Serum concentrations of GLM increased at 2(nd) h, and the percentage
      glucose reduction is maximal at the 4(th) h with both aqueous and methanolic
      extracts of paratoid secretions of common Indian toad. CONCLUSIONS: Paratoid
      gland secretions of the common Indian toad is antidiabetic, in addition it has
      beneficial effects in combination with GLM. Further, it requires the systematic
      structure elucidation of the compounds and pharmacokinetic studies to explore the
      beneficial effects.

PMID- 26283845
TI  - Case reports on atypical presentation of Plasmodium falciparum malaria in
      pediatric patients.
AB  - Variable atypical symptoms are commonly observed in malaria caused by Plasmodium
      falciparum especially in endemic tropical nations such as India. Nystagmus is
      observed following involvement of the cerebellum especially during the
      postrecovery phase. While psychotic features such as severe agitation,
      hallucination, paranoia may be the early symptoms of falciparum malaria among
      pediatric patients, urticaria with or without fever can be the initial
      manifestation of the disease. As the morbidity and mortality of severe malaria
      are very high in India, these atypical presentations should be considered during
      diagnosis. We believe our report on atypical cases of falciparum malaria will
      sensitize doctors and health personnel about rare presentations in children and
      help in early diagnosis and management to reduce the severity and death toll due
      to the disease. 

PMID- 26283843
TI  - Protective effects of ginger and marshmallow extracts on indomethacin-induced
      peptic ulcer in rats.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Gastric ulcer is one of the most serious diseases. Most classic
      treatment lines produce adverse drug reactions. Therefore, this study aimed to
      investigate the protective effects of two natural extracts, namely ginger and
      marshmallow extracts, on indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in rats. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: Animals were divided into five groups; a normal control group, an
      ulcer control group, and three treatment groups receiving famotidine (20 mg/kg),
      ginger (100 mg/kg), and marshmallow (100 mg/kg). Treatments were given orally on
      a daily basis for 14 days prior to a single intra-peritoneal administration of
      indomethacin (20 mg/kg). RESULTS: Indomethacin administration resulted in
      significant ulcerogenic effect evidenced by significant elevations in ulcer
      number, ulcer index, and blood superoxide dismutase activity accompanied by
      significant decreases in gastric mucosal nitric oxide and glutathione levels. In
      addition, elevations in gastric mucosal lipid peroxides and histamine content
      were observed. Alternatively, pretreatment with famotidine, ginger or marshmallow
      significantly corrected macroscopic and biochemical findings, supported
      microscopically by results of histopathological study. CONCLUSION: These results
      demonstrate that administration of either ginger or marshmallow extract could
      protect against indomethacin-induced peptic ulcer in rats presumably via their
      antioxidant properties and inhibition of histamine release.

PMID- 26283846
TI  - Giant malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor with cauda equina syndrome and
      subarachnoid hemorrhage: Complications in a case of type 1 neurofibromatosis.
AB  - Type 1 neurofibromatosis (NF1), which mainly involves ectodermal tissue arising
      from the neural crest, can increase the risk of developing malignant peripheral
      nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs), soft tissue sarcomas and subarachnoid hemorrhage.
      We describe a patient with neurofibromatosis type 1 who developed soft tissue
      sarcoma, MPNST, and subarachnoid hemorrhage. A 22-year-old male reported right
      focal seizures consequence to severe headache. He had a weakness in both legs,
      could walk only with the support of a stick for the last 3 months and suffered
      from constipation and intermittent urinary retention for the past 1 week. The
      patient had a history of swelling in the back of left thigh for which surgical
      resection was done 6 months back. Cutaneous examination revealed multiple nodules
      of varying sizes all over the body, along with many cafe-au-lait spots and Lisch
      nodule in iris. Patient had weakness in bilateral hip abduction, extension, knee
      flexion, extension and ankle dorsiflexion and plantiflexion. Bilateral ankle
      reflexes were absent while other deep tendon reflexes were sub-optimal. A
      noncontrast computed tomography brain indicated subarachnoid hemorrhage in left
      perisylvian region. Ultrasound of left thigh showed a hypoechoic solid lesion in
      the posterior aspect of left thigh in muscle plane. Histopathology of the lesion
      following resection showed features suggestive of a low-grade pleomorphic
      rhabdomyosarcoma. Histology of cutaneous nodules was consistent with
      neurofibroma. Magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbosacral spine demonstrated a
      tumor arising from cauda equina. Histopathological examination of the tumor
      suggested high-grade MPNST. Unfortunately, the patient's MPNST was inoperable,
      and he received palliative radiotherapy for local control of the disease. The
      care of a patient with neurofibromatosis requires a comprehensive multisystem
      evaluation. MPNST occurs in 8-13% patients with neurofibromatosis. Early
      diagnosis and surgical resection are key to prolong survival. Though rare,
      rhabdomyosarcoma can occur with a higher frequency in NF1, necessitating through
      clinical investigation. Subarachnoid hemorrhage can occur due to aneurismal
      rupture or vascular friability in NF1 patients. 

PMID- 26283847
TI  - Rare case of multiple aggressive vertebral hemangiomas.
AB  - A case of a 42-year-old man with back pain associated with left radiculopathy and
      infiltrative mass involving the T12 and L5 vertebrae is described. Magnetic
      resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography indicated aggressive hemangiomas
      involving the T12 and L5 vertebrae. Three-year follow-up by imaging indicated
      minimally increased aggressiveness of the L5 lesion without any significant
      change in appearance of the T12 lesion thus, confirming the initial diagnosis of
      multiple aggressive vertebral hemangiomas. 

PMID- 26283849
TI  - Esthetic and biologic mode of reattaching incisor fracture fragment utilizing
      glass fiber post.
AB  - Trauma to the anterior teeth affects the esthetic and psychological well-being of
      the patient. Advancement in the adhesive dentistry has facilitated the
      restoration of the coronal tooth fractures by minimally invasive procedures when
      the original tooth fragment is available. Reattachment of fractured fragment
      offers immediate treatment with improved preponderant aesthetics and restoration
      of function. Here, we describe a case of complicated fracture of the maxillary
      left immature permanent central incisor, which was treated endodontically
      followed by esthetic reattachment of the fractured fragment using the glass fiber
      post. Functional demands and esthetic considerations of the patient were fully
      met with this biologic mode of fragment reattachment. 

PMID- 26283848
TI  - The radiculous' premolars: Case reports of a maxillary and mandibular premolar
      with three canals.
AB  - Successful root canal therapy requires an accurate diagnosis and management of
      complex root canal morphology. Although the occurrence of three root canals in
      maxillary and mandibular premolars is very rare, the clinician must be able to
      identify it clinically and radiographically to make the necessary changes in his
      shaping and obturation techniques. We present the endodontic management of a
      maxillary first premolar with three separate roots and canals, which was
      diagnosed with the aberrant anatomy only after the access preparation. Then, a
      mandibular premolar with three root canals and fused roots, which were diagnosed
      radiographically, is presented. The necessary modifications of the routine
      clinical steps and the application of dental operating microscope for successful
      management of the complex anatomy, with emphasis on access modifications and
      radiographic interpretations are also explained. Teeth with extra roots and/or
      canals pose a challenge in clinical management. Identifying them early is
      necessary to facilitate appropriate modifications in treatment protocol,
      armamentarium to be used and plan optimal number of treatment sittings. 

PMID- 26283850
TI  - Prosthetic management of hemimandibulectomy patient with guiding plane and twin
      occlusion prosthesis.
AB  - Mandibular deviation is multifactorial defect and its severity is based on the
      extent of osseous and soft tissue involvement, degree of tongue impaired, the
      loss of sensory and motor innervations, the type of wound closure, the presence
      of remaining natural teeth and finally the first initiation of prosthetic
      treatment. We describe a case of prosthetic management of a maxillary partially
      edentulous patient with hemimandibulectomy who reported after 4 years of
      postsurgical cancer therapy. A simple maxillary guided hollow inclined plane with
      twin occlusion acrylic prosthesis was fabricated as a functional training device
      to correct mandibular deviation, restore maxillomandibular relation and occlusal
      approximation. The patient was able to functionally achieve good
      maxillomandibular occlusal approximation with guidance therapy combined with
      physiotherapy in 2 weeks. A 6 months follow-up revealed patient satisfactory
      appreciation by understanding the limitations of overall prosthetic
      rehabilitation. 

PMID- 26283851
TI  - A rare case of femoral herniation of female internal genitalia.
AB  - We report a rare case with herniation of the uterus, fallopian tube, and ovary in
      a femoral hernia. A female patient was admitted with complain of the painful lump
      in the left groin. Clinical examination indicated strangulated femoral hernia,
      which necessitated an emergency surgery. During surgical procedure, the uterine
      tube, left fallopian tube and left ovary, were observed as the contents of the
      hernia. The contents were reduced back into the pelvic cavity, and the hernia was
      repaired. The patient made good recovery postsurgery. 

PMID- 26283852
TI  - Mucormycosis causing maxillary osteomyelitis.
AB  - Mucormycosis is an opportunistic fungal infection, more commonly observed in
      immunocompromised patients. The mode of infection is via the inhalation route and
      infection begins initially in the nose and paranasal sinuses with subsequent
      invasion into the vascular tissue, eventually leading to thrombosis and necrosis
      of nearby hard and soft tissues. Here, we report a case of chronic osteomyelitis
      of the maxillary bone with fungal infection (mucormycosis) and extensive tissue
      necrosis in an uncontrolled diabetes mellitus patient. 

PMID- 26283853
TI  - Oral Kaposi's sarcoma: Sole presentation in HIV seropositive patient.
AB  - Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-associated Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) occurs
      with increased frequency in all HIV transmission groups and at a particularly
      high rate among homosexual men. It usually presents initially as violaceous
      cutaneous lesions, but oral mucosa, lymph nodes and visceral organs may be
      affected, sometimes without skin involvement. KS in a 20-year-old HIV
      seropositive patient with oral involvement as the sole presentation of the
      disease is presented herewith; thus contributing a new AIDS-related KS case
      reported in Indian Literature. 

PMID- 26283854
TI  - Monostotic fibrous dysplasia with Raynaud's phenomenon.
AB  - Fibrous dysplasia (FD) is a benign bone disorder characterized by alteration in
      bone morphology. Monostotic FD is the commonest variant and affects the
      craniofacial bones. Raynaud's phenomenon is recurrent vasospasm of the fingers
      and toes due to cold exposure. The disease is usually idiopathic or secondary to
      connective tissue disorders. Raynaud's phenomenon is not described previously
      with FD. We recently encountered two interesting patients of craniofacial
      monostotic FD with Raynaud's phenomenon and report the same in this report. 

PMID- 26283855
TI  - Management of chronic suppurative osteomyelitis in a patient with pycnodysostosis
      by intra-lesional antibiotic therapy.
AB  - Pycnodysostosis is a rare sclerosing bone disorder characterized by short
      stature, brachycephaly, short/stubby fingers, open cranial sutures/fontanelle,
      and diffuse osteosclerosis, where multiple fractures of long bones and
      osteomyelitis of the jaw are common complications. We present a rare case of
      pycnodysostosis with chronic suppurative osteomyelitis of the mandible in a 36
      year-old woman; which was nonsurgically managed by a conservative approach
      involving a novel protocol referred to as intra-lesional antibiotic therapy. 

PMID- 26283856
TI  - Karyotype, Pedigree and cone-beam computerized tomography analysis of a case of
      nonsyndromic pandental anomalies.
AB  - This case report presented a karyotype and pedigree analysis of a case with
      unusual combination of dental anomalies: Generalized short roots, talon cusps,
      dens invagination, low alveolar bone heights, very prominent cusp of carabelli
      and protostylid on first permanent molars, taurodontism of second permanent
      molars, rotated, missing and impacted teeth. None of the anomalies alone are
      rare. However, until date, nonsyndromic pandental anomalies that are affecting
      entire dentition with detailed karyotype, pedigree and cone-beam computerized
      tomography analysis have not been reported. The occurrence of these anomalies is
      probably incidental as the conditions are etiologically unrelated. 

PMID- 26283857
TI  - An unusual initial presentation of hepatocellular carcinoma as a sellar mass.
AB  - Sellar masses are frequently adenomatous pituitary tumors. Metastatic disease is
      unusual, often mimicking the presentations of adenomas. Hepatocellular carcinoma
      (HCC) is the most common primary hepatic malignancy but unusual to have a
      pituitary metastasis (PM). A 65-year-old man presented with headache, diplopia,
      ptosis, decreased vision in the right eye and unintentional weight loss of 32lbs.
      Preliminary out-patient work-up revealed a mass in the pituitary region. Cranial
      imaging showed 3.1 cm * 3.2 cm * 4.4 cm lesion. Abdominal imaging (computed
      tomography and magnetic resonance imaging) demonstrated a lobulated, nodular and
      heterogeneous right lobe of the liver. Trans-sphenoidal resection of the sellar
      mass favored metastatic HCC on histology. Liver biopsy confirmed HCC. We
      recommend maintaining an increased clinical suspicion upon evaluation of
      nonclassical clinical and radiological presentations of suspected PM/malignancy;
      as well as pursuing additional investigations in all early cases. 

PMID- 26283858
TI  - Breast abscess in a case of duct atresia caused by CO2-auxotrophic small colony
      variants of Staphylococcus aureus: Case report and review of literature.
AB  - Small colony variants (SCV) are persistent, intracellular morphotypes of
      Staphylococcus aureus causing indolent, subclinical infections. They are usually
      auxotrophic for Thymidine, menadione or carbon dioxide. Diagnosis is often
      misleading due to small colony type, delayed coagulase activity and lack of
      hemolysis. We hereby describe a case of CO2-auxotrophic SCV of S. aureus causing
      left breast abscess in a young female with duct atresia of breast, detected by
      increased colony size in CO2 rich environment. SCVs can often be missed and have
      to be identified and treated properly. 

PMID- 26283859
TI  - Enterobius vermicularis infestation masquerading as cervical carcinoma: A
      cytological diagnosis.
AB  - Although prevalence of Enterobius vermicularis (EV) infestation in Intestines
      ranges from 35% to 70%, its prevalence in female genital tract is not known
      despite several incidental findings. Acute inflammatory cells in the background
      of cervical Pap smear indicate infestation and should not be neglected as
      contamination. A 40-year-woman presented with white vaginal discharge persistent
      for past 1 year. Local examination showed hypertrophied cervix with eversion of
      both lips and hard consistency of the anterior lip of cervix. A clinical
      diagnosis of cervical carcinoma was made. However, cervical Pap smear indicated
      EV eggs in an inflammatory background, treatment to which resulted in completely
      recovery. 

PMID- 26283860
TI  - Development of hyperplastic polyps following argon plasma coagulation of gastric
      antral vascular ectasia.
AB  - The etiology of gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) syndrome or gastric
      hyperplastic polyps (HPs) is not fully understood. We report a case of gastric HP
      arising in a patient treated with argon plasma coagulation (APC) for GAVE
      syndrome. Despite unclear etiologic progression, this and previously reported
      cases suggest a temporal relationship between the treatment of GAVE and HP. A 68
      year-old male with a history of coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure
      and diabetes type II who initially presented with symptomatic anemia 2 weeks
      after starting aspirin and clopidogrel therapy. Diagnostic
      esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) demonstrated diffuse GAVE. He was treated with 5
      APC treatments, at 6-week intervals, over a 30 weeks period. 16 months after the
      initial APC treatment, an EGD performed secondary to persistent anemia
      demonstrated innumerable, large, bleeding polyps in the gastric antrum. Biopsy
      performed at that time confirmed hyperplastic gastric polyps. It has been
      proposed that HPs are regenerative lesions that arise at sites of severe mucosal
      injury. Our patient's treatment of GAVE with APC created significant mucosal
      injury, resulting in HP. Technique and genetic factors may have promoted
      hyperplastic changes during the regeneration of mucosa, at sites previously
      treated with APC. This case highlights the potential progression of GAVE to HP in
      a patient with persistent anemia after APC therapy. 

PMID- 26283861
TI  - Disruption of eyelid and cornea morphogenesis by epithelial beta-catenin gain-of
      function.
AB  - PURPOSE: To examine the developmental pathobiology of the eyelid and the cornea
      caused by epithelial beta-catenin gain-of-function (gof) during mouse
      embryogenesis. METHODS: Compound mutant mice (Ctnnb1(GOFOSE) , gof of beta
      catenin in the epidermis and the ocular surface epithelium) were generated by
      time-mating keratin 5-promoter-Cre recombinase (Krt5-Cre) and Ctnnb1(fE3/WT)
      (floxed exon 3 of Ctnnb1) mice. Eyes obtained from wild-type (WT) and mutant
      embryos at various gestation stages until E18.5 were examined with histology and
      immunohistochemistry. The ultrastructure of the ocular tissues of the E18.5
      embryos was also examined. RESULTS: Expression of the gof-beta-catenin mutant
      protein in the epidermis severely impaired eyelid morphogenesis at E15.5, E17.5,
      and E18.5. The mutant stroma exhibited impaired keratocyte differentiation with
      accelerated cell proliferation and reduction in the accumulation of collagen type
      I. The mutant embryos also showed hyperproliferative nodules in the ocular
      surface epithelia with anomaly of cornea-type epithelial differentiation and the
      absence of the epithelial basement membrane. CONCLUSIONS: Expression of the gof
      beta-catenin mutant protein in basal epithelial cells disrupts eyelid and cornea
      morphogenesis during mouse embryonic development due to the perturbation of cell
      proliferation and differentiation of the epithelium and the neural crest-derived
      mesenchyme.

PMID- 26283862
TI  - Hesperetin prevents selenite-induced cataract in rats.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study investigated the ability of hesperetin, a natural flavonoid,
      to prevent selenite-induced cataracts in a rat model. METHODS: Animals were
      divided into four treatment groups: G1 (control group), G2 (hesperetin-treated
      group), G3 (selenite-induced cataract group), and G4 (hesperetin-treated selenite
      cataract group). Animals in the G1 and G3 groups were injected with vehicle
      alone, while those in the G2 and G4 groups received a subcutaneous injection of
      hesperetin (0.4 MUg/g bodyweight on days 0, 1, and 2, corresponding to P13, P14,
      and P15). Sodium selenite (20 MUmol/g bodyweight given 4 h after the hesperetin
      injection on day 0) was administered to rats in the G3 and G4 groups to induce
      cataract formation. Lenses were observed with slit-lamp microscopy, and filensin
      degradation and the decreased glutathione (GSH) and ascorbic acid levels in the
      lens were measured on day 6. RESULTS: Lenses in the G3 group showed mature
      central opacity, while some lenses in the G4 group lacked central opacity and had
      lower-grade cataracts. All lenses in the G1 and G2 groups were transparent.
      Expression of the 94 kDa and 50 kDa forms of filensin was significantly decreased
      in the lenses in the G3 group compared with those in the G1 and G2 groups.
      Interestingly, these forms of filensin rescued the rat lenses in the G4 group. In
      the G3 group lenses, the GSH and ascorbic acid levels were lower than in the
      control group but were normalized in the G4 group lenses. CONCLUSIONS: The
      results suggest that hesperetin can prevent selenite-induced cataract formation.

PMID- 26283863
TI  - Variable phenotypic expressivity in inbred retinal degeneration mouse lines: A
      comparative study of C3H/HeOu and FVB/N rd1 mice.
AB  - PURPOSE: Recent advances in optogenetics and gene therapy have led to promising
      new treatment strategies for blindness caused by retinal photoreceptor loss.
      Preclinical studies often rely on the retinal degeneration 1 (rd1 or Pde6b(rd1))
      retinitis pigmentosa (RP) mouse model. The rd1 founder mutation is present in
      more than 100 actively used mouse lines. Since secondary genetic traits are well
      known to modify the phenotypic progression of photoreceptor degeneration in
      animal models and human patients with RP, negligence of the genetic background in
      the rd1 mouse model is unwarranted. Moreover, the success of various potential
      therapies, including optogenetic gene therapy and prosthetic implants, depends on
      the progress of retinal degeneration, which might differ between rd1 mice. To
      examine the prospect of phenotypic expressivity in the rd1 mouse model, we
      compared the progress of retinal degeneration in two common rd1 lines, C3H/HeOu
      and FVB/N. METHODS: We followed retinal degeneration over 24 weeks in FVB/N,
      C3H/HeOu, and congenic Pde6b(+) seeing mouse lines, using a range of experimental
      techniques including extracellular recordings from retinal ganglion cells, PCR
      quantification of cone opsin and Pde6b transcripts, in vivo flash
      electroretinogram (ERG), and behavioral optokinetic reflex (OKR) recordings.
      RESULTS: We demonstrated a substantial difference in the speed of retinal
      degeneration and accompanying loss of visual function between the two rd1 lines.
      Photoreceptor degeneration and loss of vision were faster with an earlier onset
      in the FVB/N mice compared to C3H/HeOu mice, whereas the performance of the
      Pde6b(+) mice did not differ significantly in any of the tests. By postnatal week
      4, the FVB/N mice expressed significantly less cone opsin and Pde6b mRNA and had
      neither ERG nor OKR responses. At 12 weeks of age, the retinal ganglion cells of
      the FVB/N mice had lost all light responses. In contrast, 4-week-old C3H/HeOu
      mice still had ERG and OKR responses, and we still recorded light responses from
      C3H/HeOu retinal ganglion cells until the age of 24 weeks. These results show
      that genetic background plays an important role in the rd1 mouse pathology.
      CONCLUSIONS: Analogous to human RP, the mouse genetic background strongly
      influences the rd1 phenotype. Thus, different rd1 mouse lines may follow
      different timelines of retinal degeneration, making exact knowledge of genetic
      background imperative in all studies that use rd1 models.

PMID- 26283865
TI  - UV-blocking spectacle lens protects against UV-induced decline of visual
      performance.
AB  - PURPOSE: Excessive exposure to sunlight may be a risk factor for ocular diseases
      and reduced visual performance. This study was designed to examine the ability of
      an ultraviolet (UV)-blocking spectacle lens to prevent visual acuity decline and
      ocular surface disorders in a mouse model of UVB-induced photokeratitis. METHODS:
      Mice were divided into 4 groups (10 mice per group): (1) a blank control group
      (no exposure to UV radiation), (2) a UVB/no lens group (mice exposed to UVB rays,
      but without lens protection), (3) a UVB/UV400 group (mice exposed to UVB rays and
      protected using the CR-39TM spectacle lens [UV400 coating]), and (4) a
      UVB/photochromic group (mice exposed to UVB rays and protected using the CR-39TM
      spectacle lens [photochromic coating]). We investigated UVB-induced changes in
      visual acuity and in corneal smoothness, opacity, and lissamine green staining.
      We also evaluated the correlation between visual acuity decline and changes to
      the corneal surface parameters. Tissue sections were prepared and stained
      immunohistochemically to evaluate the structural integrity of the cornea and
      conjunctiva. RESULTS: In blank controls, the cornea remained undamaged, whereas
      in UVB-exposed mice, the corneal surface was disrupted; this disruption
      significantly correlated with a concomitant decline in visual acuity. Both the
      UVB/UV400 and UVB/photochromic groups had sharper visual acuity and a healthier
      corneal surface than the UVB/no lens group. Eyes in both protected groups also
      showed better corneal and conjunctival structural integrity than unprotected
      eyes. Furthermore, there were fewer apoptotic cells and less polymorphonuclear
      leukocyte infiltration in corneas protected by the spectacle lenses. CONCLUSIONS:
      The model established herein reliably determines the protective effect of UV
      blocking ophthalmic biomaterials, because the in vivo protection against UV
      induced ocular damage and visual acuity decline was easily defined.

PMID- 26283864
TI  - Characterization of ex vivo cultured limbal, conjunctival, and oral mucosal
      cells: A comparative study with implications in transplantation medicine.
AB  - PURPOSE: Limbal epithelial stem cell deficiency is caused by exposure of the
      cornea to thermal, chemical, or radiation burns or by diseases (aniridia and
      Stevens-Johnson syndrome). Autologous cell transplantation is a widely used
      therapeutic modality for restoring the corneal surface in such pathological
      conditions. Ex vivo cultured limbal, conjunctival, and oral biopsies have been
      widely used to reconstruct the corneal surface with variable outcomes. Culture
      characterization of the ex vivo cultured cells would provide insight and clues
      into the underlying signaling mechanisms that would aid in determining the
      probable transplantation outcome. Comparison of the vital proteins and genes
      among the three ex vivo cultured tissues has implications in clinical practice.
      To address this issue, we characterized and compared the proliferative and
      differentiated properties of ex vivo cultured limbal, conjunctival, and oral
      biopsies used for cell-based therapy for corneal surface restoration. METHODS:
      Limbal, conjunctival, and oral biopsies were collected with informed patient
      consent. Explant cultures were established on the denuded human amniotic membrane
      with corneal lineage differentiation medium. The day 14 cultures were
      characterized for epithelial and corneal lineage-specific markers using reverse
      transcription (RT)-PCR for cytokeratin 3, 4, 12, 13, 15, connexin 43, vimentin,
      p63alpha, and ABCG2 markers. mRNA expression was estimated in day 14 cultures
      with real-time quantitative real time (qRT)-PCR for pluripotency markers (OCT4,
      SOX2, NANOG), putative corneal stem cell markers (ABCG2 and p63alpha),
      proliferation markers (cyclin d1, Ki-67, PCNA, and CDC20), apoptotic markers
      (BCL2, BAX, caspase 3, and caspase 9), Notch signaling pathway markers (Notch1,
      Jagged1, Hes1, Hes3, Hes5, and Hey1), and autophagic markers (LC3A, LC3B, ATG7,
      RAB7, LAMP1, and LAMP2). Fluorescence-activated cell sorter profiling was
      performed for pluripotent markers and putative corneal stem cell markers ABCG2
      and p63alpha. RESULTS: The protein and mRNA expression levels of the pluripotent
      markers were lower, whereas those of the putative stem/progenitor markers ABCG2,
      DeltaNp63alpha, and Notch signaling molecules (Notch1 and Jagged1) were elevated
      in limbal cultures. The gene expression levels of the autophagy markers (LC3A,
      LC3B, and LAMP1) were significantly increased in the limbal cultures compared to
      the oral and conjunctival cultures. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the limbal
      epithelial cultures showed higher expression of proliferative, limbal stem cell
      marker, Notch signaling, and autophagy markers suggesting a role in stem cell
      maintenance and differentiation. This implicates the probable factors that might
      drive a successful transplantation. Our findings provide the initial steps toward
      understanding transplantation medicine in an ex vivo model.

PMID- 26283866
TI  - Measuring impact and impacting practice.

PMID- 26283867
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 26283868
TI  - Registered respiratory therapists as force multipliers in interprofessional
      complex continuing care.

PMID- 26283869
TI  - A needs assessment to determine the need for respiratory therapy in complex
      continuing care: A methods paper.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is an emerging demand for complex continuing care for patients
      who are too ill to safely return home, but for whom hospitalization in an acute
      care environment is unnecessary or inappropriate. Despite the need and medical
      complexity of these patients, few respiratory therapists are practising in this
      environment, and little evidence exists to guide the implementation of
      respiratory therapy services in this setting. OBJECTIVE: In response to a
      perceived need for greater respiratory services at Saint Vincent Hospital
      (Ottawa, Ontario), a needs assessment was undertaken to assess the prevalence of
      respiratory diseases and for increased respiratory therapist coverage at this
      complex continuing care hospital. METHODS: An initial literature review was
      conducted to guide the assessment, and identified only one tool of relevance,
      which was obtained and formed the basis of the further development of tools for
      collecting data at the hospital level and on patient care units at the facility.
      This needs assessment tool was expanded to include priority areas of relevance
      that fall within the scope of practice of respiratory therapists, and was
      supplemented by the analysis of administrative databases and qualitative data
      gathered through unit walkthroughs and unstructured key informant interviews. A
      health systems framework was used to structure recommendations for the
      development of interventions and programs for this patient population. RESULTS:
      The burden of respiratory disease was significant, and included a high prevalence
      of inhaled medication and oxygen use, and a significant workload that could be
      attributed to addressing the respiratory needs of patients. CONCLUSION: A range
      of tools and methods are needed to conduct needs assessments for respiratory
      therapy in complex continuing care. Using multiple data sources, a significant
      burden of respiratory diseases was present at the Saint Vincent Hospital; further
      studies in other complex continuing care hospitals are needed to understand the
      significance of these findings among this patient population more generally.

PMID- 26283870
TI  - Endotracheal suctioning practices of nurses and respiratory therapists: How well
      do they align with clinical practice guidelines?
AB  - BACKGROUND: A common procedure within intensive care units (ICUs) is the
      suctioning of respiratory secretions in patients who have been intubated or who
      have undergone tracheostomy. Previous studies have shown a wide variation in
      suctioning practices, and although current evidence does not support the routine
      practice of normal saline instillation (NSI), anecdotally, this is believed to be
      a common practice. OBJECTIVE: To examine the suctioning practices of registered
      nurses (RNs) and registered respiratory therapists (RRTs) in six hospital ICUs in
      Ontario, with special attention devoted to the use of NSI. METHODS: A 24
      question, self-administered survey was distributed to 180 participants (90 RNs
      and 90 RRTs) working in the ICU of six hospitals in Ontario. The survey addressed
      individual suctioning practices within the ICU. RESULTS: The survey response rate
      was 96%. There were many similarities between the RRT and RN groups, with both
      reporting high use of NSI. Both groups observed side effects following NSI with
      suctioning including decreased oxygen saturation, patient agitation and increased
      volume of secretions. A significant number of participants from both the RN and
      RRT groups were unaware of the existence of suctioning and/or NSI protocols in
      the ICU. Some respondents reported that they routinely suctioned mechanically
      ventilated patients rather than as required. CONCLUSION: RNs and RRTs continue to
      practice NSI despite evidence-based practice guidelines suggesting that this
      therapy may be detrimental to patients. Increased awareness of best practices
      with respect to endotracheal tube suction generally, and NSI specifically, should
      be the focus of professional education in both groups of ICU staff.

PMID- 26283871
TI  - Coaching patients during pulmonary function testing: A practical guide.
AB  - Pulmonary function tests are an important tool to assist in the diagnosis and
      management of patients with respiratory disease. Ensuring that the tests are of
      acceptable quality is vital. Acceptable pulmonary function test quality requires,
      among others, optimal patient performance. Optimal patient performance, in turn,
      requires adequate coaching from registered respiratory therapists (RRTs) and
      other pulmonary function laboratory personnel. The present article provides
      techniques and tips to help RRTs coach patients during testing. The authors
      briefly review the components of pulmonary function testing, then describe
      factors that may hinder a patient's performance, list common mistakes that
      patients make during testing, and provide tips that RRTs can use to help patients
      optimize their performance. 

PMID- 26283872
TI  - Innovation in respiratory therapy and the use of three-dimensional printing for
      tracheostomy management.
AB  - Technological advances have influenced practice patterns and innovation in many
      health disciplines, including respiratory therapy. Collaborative approaches and
      knowledge-sharing environments are vital in addressing problems and adopting
      emerging technology. This article illustrates how the emergence of low-cost three
      dimensional printing technology to physically reproduce the results of computed
      tomography imaging data can provide ways to assess airway abnormalities and
      symptomology not explained by traditional diagnostic methods. 

PMID- 26283873
TI  - Erratum.
AB  - [This corrects the article on p. 11 in vol. 51, PMID: 26078622.][This corrects
      the article on p. 19 in vol. 51, PMID: 26078624.]. 

PMID- 26283874
TI  - Corrigendum.
AB  - [This corrects the article on p. 39 in vol. 51, PMID: 26089737.]. 

PMID- 26283875
TI  - Effects of Remifentanil Preconditioning on Osteoblasts under Hypoxia
      Reoxygenation Condition.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ischemia-reperfusion of bone occurs in a variety of clinical
      conditions, such as orthopedic arthroplasty, plastic gnathoplasty, spinal
      surgery, and amputation. Usually, cellular models of hypoxia-reoxygenation
      reflect in vivo models of ischemia-reperfusion. With respect to hypoxia
      reoxygenation conditions, the effects of remifentanil on osteogenesis have
      received little attention. Therefore, we investigated the effects of remifentanil
      on the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts during hypoxic
      reoxygenation. METHODS: After remifentanil (0.1, 1 ng/mL) preconditioning for 2
      hours, human osteoblasts were cultured under 1% oxygen tension for 24 hours.
      Thereafter, the cells were reoxygenated for 12 hours at 37  degrees C. The
      naloxone groups were treated with naloxone for 30 minutes before remifentanil
      treatment. We measured cell viability via MTT assay. Osteoblast maturation was
      determined by assay of bone nodular mineralization. Quantitative PCR and western
      blot methods were used to determine BMP-2, osteocalcin, Akt, type I collagen,
      osterix, TGF-beta1, HIF-1alpha, and RUNX2 expression levels. RESULTS: Osteoblast
      viability and bone nodular mineralization by osteoblasts is recovered by
      remifentanil preconditioning from hypoxia-reoxygenation insult. During hypoxic
      reoxygenation condition, remifentanil preconditioning induced the expression of
      BMP-2, osteocalcin, Akt, type I collagen, osterix, TGF-beta1, HIF-1alpha, and
      RUNX2 in osteoblasts. CONCLUSIONS: Under hypoxia-reoxygenation conditions,
      remifentanil preconditioning enhanced the cell viability and maturation of
      osteoblasts, and stimulated the expression of proteins associated with osteoblast
      proliferation and differentiation of the osteoblast. Our results suggest that
      remifentanil may help in the treatment of bone stress injuries.

PMID- 26283876
TI  - Dysregulated Serum MicroRNA Expression Profile and Potential Biomarkers in
      Hepatitis C Virus-infected Patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) play critical roles in pathogen-host
      interactions. Aberrant miRNA expression profiles might have specific
      characteristics for virus strains, and could serve as noninvasive biomarkers for
      screening and diagnosing infectious diseases. In this study, we aimed to find new
      potential miRNA biomarkers of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. METHODS:
      Expression levels of broad-spectrum miRNAs in serum samples from 10 patients with
      HCV viremia and 10 healthy volunteers were analyzed using miRNA PCR arrays.
      Subsequently, the differential expression of four selected miRNAs (miR-122, miR
      134, miR-424-3p, and miR-629-5p) was verified by qRT-PCR in the serum of 39
      patients compared with that in 29 healthy controls. Receiver operating
      characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to evaluate their potential for
      the diagnosis of HCV infection. RESULTS: miRNA PCR array assays revealed
      differential expression of 106 miRNAs in sera of HCV patients compared with that
      in healthy controls. Serum hsa-miR-122, miR-134, miR-424-3p, and miR-629-5p were
      well identified. The ROC curves showed that miR-122, miR-134, miR-424-3p, and miR
      629-5p could distinguish HCV patients with preferable sensitivity and
      specificity. In addition, Correlation analysis indicated serum miR-122 expression
      was positive correlation with ALT/AST levels. Functional analysis of target
      proteins of these miRNAs indicated the involvement of viral replication,
      inflammation, and cell proliferation. CONCLUSION: HCV patients have a broad
      'fingerprint' profile with dysregulated serum miRNAs compared with that in
      healthy controls. Among these, serum hsa-miR-122, miR-134, miR-424-3p, and miR
      629-5p are identified as promising indication factors of the serum miRNA profile
      of HCV infection. Particularly, miR-122 could be one of serum biomarkers for
      early pathological process of HCV. However, more miRNA biomarkers and biological
      functions of these miRNAs require further investigation.

PMID- 26283877
TI  - Incidence and Risk Factors of Acute Kidney Injury after Radical Cystectomy:
      Importance of Preoperative Serum Uric Acid Level.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication after surgery and
      increases costs, morbidity, and mortality of hospitalized patients. While radical
      cystectomy associates significantly with an increased risk of serious
      complications, including AKI, risk factors of AKI after radical cystectomy has
      not been reported. This study was performed to determine the incidence and
      independent predictors of AKI after radical cystectomy. METHODS: All consecutive
      patients who underwent radical cystectomy in 2001-2013 in a single tertiary-care
      center were identified. Their demographics, laboratory values, and intraoperative
      data were recorded. Postoperative AKI was defined and staged according to the
      Acute Kidney Injury Network criteria on the basis of postoperative changes in
      creatinine levels. Independent predictors of AKI were identified by univariate
      and multivariate logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Of the 238 patients who
      met the eligibility criteria, 91 (38.2%) developed AKI. Univariate logistic
      regression analyses showed that male gender, high serum uric acid level, and long
      operation time associated with the development of AKI. On multivariate logistic
      regression analysis, preoperative serum uric acid concentration (odds ratio [OR]
      = 1.251; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.048-1.493; P = 0.013) and operation
      time (OR = 1.005; 95% CI = 1.002-1.008; P = 0.003) remained as independent
      predictors of AKI after radical cystectomy. CONCLUSIONS: AKI after radical
      cystectomy was a relatively common complication. Its independent risk factors
      were high preoperative serum uric acid concentration and long operation time.
      These observations can help to prevent AKI after radical cystectomy.

PMID- 26283878
TI  - Lifestyle and Risk of Hypertension: Follow-Up of a Young Pre-Hypertensive Cohort.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To determine whether healthy lifestyle decreases the risk of
      developing hypertension in pre-hypertensive patients. STUDY DESIGN: A
      longitudinal study. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: Randomly selected pre-hypertensive
      young adults 20-45 years old without any vascular disease such as stroke or
      diabetes. PREDICTORS: Four lifestyle factors (a body mass index [BMI] of 18.5
      24.9 kg/m2, regular physical activity, no alcohol use and 6-8 h of sleep per
      day), individually and in combination. OUTCOMES: Hypertension was defined as a
      systolic blood pressure (SBP) >= 140 mmHg, or a diastolic BP (DBP) >= 90 mmHg or
      self-reported hypertension. MEASUREMENTS: Multivariate adjusted Cox proportional
      hazards. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 4.7 years, 1009 patients were
      enrolled in our study, and 182 patients developed hypertension. Compared with a
      BMI of 18.5-24.9 kg/m2, a BMI of 25-30 kg/m2 and a BMI of >30 kg/m2 were
      associated with an increased risk of hypertension occurrence (hazard ratio [HR],
      1.83; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.19-2.84 and HR, 2.62; 95% CI, 1.01-6.80,
      respectively). Compared with sleep duration of >8 h/day, 6-8 h/day of sleep was
      associated with a lower risk of hypertension occurrence (HR, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.18
      0.86). There were no statistically significant associations between physical
      activity or alcohol use and hypertension occurrence (P>0.05). LIMITATION: All
      lifestyle factors were measured only once. CONCLUSION: Healthy BMI (18.5-24.9
      kg/m(2)) and sleep duration (6-8 h/day) were associated with a lower risk of the
      occurrence of hypertension in pre-hypertension patients.

PMID- 26283879
TI  - Relationship between the hs-CRP as non-specific biomarker and Alzheimer's disease
      according to aging process.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Microglia are involved in immune surveillance in intact brains and
      become activated in response to inflammation and neurodegeneration. Microglia
      have different functions, neuroprotective or neurotoxic, according to aging in
      patients with PD. The clinical effect of microglia in patients with Alzheimer's
      disease (AD) is poorly defined. This prospective study was conducted to
      investigate the clinical effects of microglia according to the aging process in
      newly diagnosed AD. METHODS: We examined 532 patients with newly diagnosed AD and
      119 healthy controls, and the differences in hs-CRP between these groups were
      investigated. The patients with AD were classified into 3 subgroups according to
      age of newly diagnosed AD to investigate the relationship between hs-CRP and the
      aging process in newly diagnosed AD. RESULTS: There was significantly higher
      serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), levels in patients with AD
      compared with healthy controls. A post-hoc analysis of the 3 AD subgroups showed
      no significant differences in serum hs-CRP level between each group. CONCLUSION:
      We assumed that neuroinflammation play a role in the pathogenesis of AD, but
      found no clinical evidence that microglia senescence underlies the microglia
      switch from neuroprotective in young brains to neurotoxic in aged brains. To
      clarify the role of microglia and aging in the pathogenesis of AD, future
      longitudinal studies involving a large cohort are required.

PMID- 26283880
TI  - Anemia as an Independent Predictor of Adverse Cardiac Outcomes in Patients with
      Atrial Fibrillation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Anemia and echocardiographic systolic and diastolic parameters are
      useful predictors of cardiovascular outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation
      (AF). However, no studies have evaluated the use of anemia for predicting
      cardiovascular outcome in AF patients when the important echocardiographic
      parameters are known. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate whether low
      hemoglobin is a useful parameter for predicting poor cardiac outcome after
      adjustment for important echocardiographic parameters in AF patients. METHODS:
      Index beat method was used to measure echocardiographic parameters in 166
      patients with persistent AF. Cardiac events were defined as death and
      hospitalization for heart failure. The association of hemoglobin with adverse
      cardiac events was assessed by Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: The 49
      cardiac events identified in this population included 21 deaths and 28
      hospitalizations for heart failure during an average follow-up of 20 months (25th
      75th percentile: 14-32 months). Multivariable analysis showed that increased left
      ventricular mass index (LVMI) and decreased body mass index, estimated glomerular
      filtration rate, and hemoglobin (hazard ratio 0.827; P = 0.015) were
      independently associated with increased cardiac events. Additionally, tests of a
      Cox model that included important clinic variables, LVMI, left ventricular
      ejection fraction, and the ratio of transmitral E-wave velocity to early
      diastolic mitral annulus velocity showed that including hemoglobin significantly
      increased value in predicting adverse cardiac events (P = 0.010). CONCLUSIONS:
      Hemoglobin is a useful parameter for predicting adverse cardiac events, and
      including hemoglobin may improve the prognostic prediction of conventional
      clinical and echocardiographic parameters in patients with AF.

PMID- 26283881
TI  - Preventing and Treating Hypoxia: Using a Physiology Simulator to Demonstrate the
      Value of Pre-Oxygenation and the Futility of Hyperventilation.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Insufficient pre-oxygenation before emergency intubation, and
      hyperventilation after intubation are mistakes that are frequently observed in
      and outside the operating room, in clinical practice and in simulation exercises.
      Physiological parameters, as appearing on standard patient monitors, do not alert
      to the deleterious effects of low oxygen saturation on coronary perfusion, or
      that of low carbon dioxide concentrations on cerebral perfusion. We suggest the
      use of HumMod, a computer-based human physiology simulator, to demonstrate
      beneficial physiological responses to pre-oxygenation and the futility of
      excessive minute ventilation after intubation. METHODS: We programmed HumMod, to
      A.) compare varying times (0-7 minutes) of pre-oxygenation on oxygen saturation
      (SpO2) during subsequent apnoea; B.) simulate hyperventilation after apnoea. We
      compared the effect of different minute ventilation rates on SpO2, acid-base
      status, cerebral perfusion and other haemodynamic parameters. RESULTS: A.) With
      no pre-oxygenation, starting SpO2 dropped from 98% to 90% in 52 seconds with
      apnoea. At the other extreme, following full pre-oxygenation with 100% O2 for 3
      minutes or more, the SpO2 remained 100% for 7.75 minutes during apnoea, and
      dropped to 90% after another 75 seconds. B.) Hyperventilation, did not result in
      more rapid normalization of SpO2, irrespective of the level of minute
      ventilation. However, hyperventilation did cause significant decreases in
      cerebral blood flow (CBF). CONCLUSIONS: HumMod accurately simulates the
      physiological responses compared to published human studies of pre-oxygenation
      and varying post intubation minute ventilations, and it can be used over wider
      ranges of parameters than available in human studies and therefore available in
      the literature.

PMID- 26283882
TI  - Risk Factors of Myopic Shift among Primary School Children in Beijing, China: A
      Prospective Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate factors associated with myopic shift among primary school
      children. METHODS: In a one-year prospective school-based study, 5052 children
      from ten schools were enrolled using a multi-stage random cluster approach. The
      baseline examination included non-cycloplegic auto-refractometry and
      questionnaire interview. Measurements were repeated at the follow-up. RESULTS:
      Among 5052 students at baseline investigated, 4292 students (85.0%) returned for
      the follow-up examination. The mean refractive error (-1.13+/-1.57 diopters) had
      changed -0.52+/-0.73 diopters from the baseline to the follow-up examination.
      2170 (51.0%) had a rate of significant myopic shift (significant myopic shift is
      defined as the change of spherical equivalent of the refraction <= -0.50D between
      the follow-up and baseline measures). We confirmed that common associated factors
      (older age, parental myopia, lower refractive status at baseline, shorter reading
      distance and lower frequency of outdoor activities during class recesses) were
      associated with greater shift towards myopia. After controlling for age, sex,
      region of habitation, parental myopia and refractive status at baseline, greater
      shift towards myopia was independently associated with distance from near-work
      (OR=1.48 , 95% CI=1.26-1.74, P<0.001) and longer time outdoors for leisure
      (OR=0.87, 95% CI=0.78-0.97, P<0.013). CONCLUSION: Greater shift towards myopia
      was independently associated with modifiable factors (distance from near-work and
      longer time outdoors for leisure) might suggest that encouraging children to go
      outside for outdoor activities during class recess and after school may be a
      promising and feasible intervention against myopia development.

PMID- 26283883
TI  - Increased Expressions of Integrin Subunit beta1, beta2 and beta3 in Patients with
      Acute Infection.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Our previous studies have shown that integrin subunits beta1, beta2
      and beta3 were the core proteins of venous thrombi and potential useful biomarker
      of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Patients with acute infection have a high risk
      of VTE. In this study we explored that is there any relevance between core
      proteins and acute infection. METHODS: A total of 230 patients (112 females) with
      clinically proven acute infection in the emergency unit were recruited into this
      study, meanwhile 230 patients without acute infection matched in sex and age were
      recruited as control group. Flow cytometry was done to measure the expressions of
      blood integrin beta1, beta2, beta3 and cellular immunity (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD4/CD8,
      CD16CD56 and CD19). The association degree between increased core proteins and
      acute infection was analyzed by calculating the relative risk (RR). RESULTS: The
      expression of integrin beta1, beta2 and beta3 was markedly increased in patients
      with acute infection (P=0.000, 0.000 and 0.015, respectively). The relative risk
      ratio (RR) of increased integrin beta1, beta2 and beta3 in acute infection
      patients was 1.424 (95%CI: 1.156-1.755, P=0.001), 1.535 (95%CI: 1.263-1.865,
      P=0.000) and 1.20 (95%CI: 0.947-1.521, P=0.148), respectively. Combined integrin
      beta1, beta2 and beta3 analysis showed that the relative risk ratio (RR) of
      increased in patients with acute infection was 2.962 (95%CI: 1.621-5.410,
      P=0.001), and this relative risk (RR) rise to 3.176 (95%CI: 1.730-5.829, P=0.000)
      in patients with respiratory tract infection (RTI). CONCLUSION: As the core
      proteins of venous thrombi, integrinbeta1, beta2 and beta3 were markedly
      increased expression in patients with acute infection, which maybe explain the
      increased risk of VTE in acute infection patients. A weakened immune system could
      be the basic condition of VTE occurrence.

PMID- 26283884
TI  - A Randomized Clinical Trial of Nefopam versus Ketorolac Combined With Oxycodone
      in Patient-Controlled Analgesia after Gynecologic Surgery.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Nefopam is a centrally-acting non-opioid analgesic, which has no
      effect on bleeding time and platelet aggregation. There has been no study about
      nefopam and oxycodone combination for postoperative analgesia. In this study, we
      present efficacy and side effects of nefopam/oxycodone compared with
      ketorolac/oxycodone in patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) after gynecologic
      surgery. METHODS: 120 patients undergoing gynecologic surgery were divided
      randomly into two groups: Nefopam group treated with oxycodone 1 mg and nefopam 1
      mg bolus; and Ketorolac group treated with oxycodone 1 mg and ketorolac 1.5 mg
      bolus. After the operation, a blinded observer assessed the pain with a numeric
      rating scale (NRS), infused PCA dose and sedation score at 1, 4, 24, and 48 h,
      nausea, vomiting, headache, shivering, pruritus and delirium at 6, 24 and 48 h,
      and satisfaction at 48 h after the operation. RESULTS: Nefopam group showed less
      nausea than Ketorolac group within 6 h after the operation. There were no
      significant differences in demographic data and other complications between both
      groups. At 48 h after operation, satisfaction and the infused PCA volumes of
      Nefopam group (34.0+/- 19.7 ml) showed no significant differences compared to
      Ketorolac group (30.7+/- 18.4 ml, P-value= 0.46). CONCLUSION: Nefopam showed a
      similar efficacy and lower incidence of nausea within 6 h after the operation to
      that of ketorolac in PCA. Nefopam may be a useful analgesic drug for the opioid
      based PCA after gynecologic surgery. Further evaluation of accurate equivalent
      dose of nefopam as well as pharmacokinetics of bolus administration is required.

PMID- 26283886
TI  - The Role of Autophagy in Kidney Inflammatory Injury via the NF-kappaB Route
      Induced by LPS.
AB  - Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a systemic inflammatory response syndrome associated
      with poor clinical outcomes. No treatments effective for AKI are currently
      available. Thus, there is an urgent need of development of treatments effective
      for AKI. Autophagy, an intracellular proteolytic system, is induced in renal
      cells during AKI. However, whether autophagy is protective or injurious for AKI
      needs to be clearly clarified. We addressed this question by pharmacological
      inhibition of autophagy using a mouse model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced
      AKI. We found that autophagy was induced in renal cortex of mice during LPS
      induced AKI as reflected by a dose-and time-dependent increased accumulation of
      light chain 3-II (LC3-II), the common marker of autophagy, compared to that of
      control group; 2) the occurrence of intensive, punctate and increased
      immunohistochemical staining image of LC3-II in renal cortex; 3) the significant
      increase in the expression levels of Beclin-1, another key marker of autophagy;
      4) the significantly increased levels of plasma urea and serum creatinine and 5)
      the significant increase in autophagagosome area ratio. We observed that 3
      methyladenine (3-MA), a pharmacological inhibitor of autophagy, blocked autophagy
      flux, alleviated AKI and protected against LPS-induced AKI. LPS triggered kidney
      inflammation by activation of the canonical NF-kappaB pathway. This route can be
      modulated by autophagy. Activation of the canonical NF-kappaB pathway was reduced
      in 3-MA+LPS as compared to that in LPS-treated group of mice. Mice pretreated
      with 3-MA before exposure to LPS showed a reduction in p65 phosphorylation,
      resulting in the accumulation of ubiquitinated IkappaB. In conclusion, impairment
      of autophagy ameliorates LPS-induced inflammation and decreases kidney injury.
      The accumulation of ubiquitinated IkappaB may be responsible for this effect. 

PMID- 26283885
TI  - Regulatory and Effector Helper T-Cell Profile after Nerve Xenografting in the
      Toll-Like Receptor-Deficient Mice.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The balance between regulatory T cells (Tregs) and effector T help
      cells (Th cells) is critical for the control of adaptive immune response during
      nerve transplantation. However, whether the homeostasis of immune regulation
      between Tregs and Th cells requires toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling is
      unclear. The aim of this study is to profile the distribution of spleen Tregs and
      Th cells in a mouse model of nerve xenografting in the TLR2 and NF-kappaB gene
      knockout mice. METHODS: The sciatic nerve was taken from a SD rat or an
      allogeneic mouse and transplanted to a right back leg of recipient C57BL/6, TLR2(
      /-), or NF-kappaB(-/-) mice by subcutaneous transplantation. After 7 days, the T
      lymphocytes were then isolated from spleen, stained with phenotyping kits, and
      analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: The results showed that Tregs were decreased
      after nerve xenografting in the recipient C57BL/6 mouse. In addition, nerve
      xenografting also increased the Th1 and Th17 but not the Th2 cell populations. In
      contrast, amelioration of the Tregs elimination was found in TLR2(-/-) and NF
      kappaB(-/-) mice after transplantation of the nerve xenograft. Moreover, the mice
      lacking TLR2 or NF-kappaB showed attenuation of the increase in Th1 and Th17
      cells after nerve xenografting. CONCLUSIONS: TLR signaling is involved in T cell
      population regulation during tissue transplantation. Knock-out of TLR2 and NF
      kappaB prevented Tregs elimination and inhibited Th1- and Th17-driven immune
      response after nerve xenografting. This study highlighted the potential of
      inhibiting TLR signaling to modulate T cell-mediated immune regulation to
      facilitate tolerance to nerve transplantation.

PMID- 26283887
TI  - The Association of BCG Vaccination with Atopy and Asthma in Adults.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: There are few studies investigating the association between BCG
      vaccination and atopy or asthma in adults. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the
      association between BCG scar and the occurrence of atopy and asthma in Korean
      adults. METHODS: We carried out a retrospective study of Korean adults who
      underwent skin prick testing, and, in some cases, spirometry and bronchial
      provocation tests in a secondary care hospital from April 2010 to February 2011.
      Atopy status was classified according to allergen/histamine (A/H) ratio of wheal
      (A/H ratio >= 1, atopy; 0 < A/H ratio < 1, intermediate; A/H ratio = 0, non
      atopy). A patient with asthma was defined as one who has symptoms compatible with
      asthma and showed either a positive provocation testing or bronchodilator
      reversibility. RESULTS: Among 200 participants, neither the presence
      (intermediate vs. non-atopy: adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.83; 95% CI 0.26, 2.60; p
      = 0.75, atopy vs. non-atopy: aOR 0.89; 95% CI 0.33, 2.37; p = 0.81,
      respectively). nor the size of BCG scar was significantly associated with atopy
      status. However, among those patients who underwent either bronchodilator
      response testing or bronchial provocation testing, the presence of BCG scar (aOR
      0.33; CI 0.14, 0.77; p = 0.01) and the size of BCG scar were inversely associated
      with asthma. (p = 0.01) CONCLUSIONS: We found a significant association between
      BCG scar and asthmatic status in Korean adults, although there was no significant
      association between either the presence or size of BCG scar and atopy.

PMID- 26283888
TI  - Arsenic Trioxide Activate Transcription of Heme Oxygenase-1 by Promoting Nuclear
      Translocation of NFE2L2.
AB  - In a previous study, we found that induced expression of Heme Oxygenase-1 (HO-1)
      is responsible for the resistance of human osteosarcoma MG63 cells to the
      chemotherapeutic agent arsenic trioxide (ATO). The present study was aimed at
      investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying the induction of HO-1 that
      occurs after exposure of MG63 cells to ATO. First, using RT-QPCT and Western
      blot, we found that ATO strongly induced the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO
      1) in these human osteosarcoma cells. Then by analyzing HO-1 mRNA of MG63 cells
      exposed to ATO in the presence and absence of a transcription inhibitor
      Actinomycin-D (Act-D), we demonstrated that ATO activates HO-1 expression in MG63
      cells by regulating the transcription of the gene. Finally, through the analysis
      of the NFE2L2 protein levels among the total cellular and nuclear proteins by
      Western-blot and Immunocytochemical staning, we determined that ATO enhanced the
      nuclear translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-like 2 (NFE2L2), also known
      as Nrf2. From these results we have concluded that transcription activation of HO
      1 resulting from the nuclear translocation of NFE2L2 is the underlying molecular
      mechanism for its high induction, which, in turn, is responsible for the
      resistance of human osteosarcoma cells to ATO treatment. 

PMID- 26283889
TI  - Serum biomarkers VEGF-C and IL-6 are associated with severe human Peripheral
      Artery Stenosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Emerging reports propose possible biomarkers that are related to
      inflammation, nutrition and lipid parameters for detection of the progression of
      atherosclerotic plaques, peripheral artery disease (PAD) and particularly
      peripheral artery stenosis (PAS). However, it remains unclear which biomarkers in
      serum are associated with the severity of PAS. FINDINGS: In this study, we
      measured serum levels of inflammatory biomarkers along with lipid and nutritional
      parameters in 53 patients who suffered different degrees of PAS. Serum
      concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor-c (VEGF-C) and IL-6
      (Interleukin 6) were significantly increased in patients showing moderate or
      severe PAS. Furthermore, the number of blood monocytes from PAS patients was
      significantly increased, which showed elevated adhesion to plate-coated
      fibrinogen. Compared to healthy subjects, freshly isolated or LPS
      (lipopolysaccharide)-stimulated blood monocytes from PAS patients could produce
      VEGF-C and IL-6 at higher levels. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that the
      increased number of blood monocytes might play key roles during the development
      of severe PAS, which enhance adhesion at the local narrowed peripheral artery and
      secret high levels of VEGF-C and IL-6. We suggest that serum concentrations of
      VEGF-C and IL-6 might be used as biomarkers for diagnosis severe PAS in
      combination with clinical imaging examination.

PMID- 26283890
TI  - The prevalence of occult leiomyosarcoma at surgery for presumed uterine fibroids:
      a meta-analysis.
AB  - There is a concern regarding the risk of occult leiomyosarcomas found at surgery
      for presumed benign fibroids. We sought to produce a comprehensive review of
      published data addressing this issue and provide high-quality prevalence
      estimates for clinical practice and future research. A comprehensive literature
      search using the PubMed/MEDLINE database and the Cochrane Library was performed.
      Inclusion criteria were human studies, peer-reviewed, with original data,
      involving cases for surgery in which fibroid-related indications were the primary
      reason for surgery, and histopathology was provided. Candidate studies (4864)
      were found; 3844 were excluded after review of the abstract. The remaining 1020
      manuscripts were reviewed in their entirety, and 133 were included in the
      Bayesian binomial random effect meta-analysis. The estimated rate of
      leiomyosarcoma was 0.51 per 1000 procedures (95 % credible interval (CrI) 0.16
      0.98) or approximately 1 in 2000. Restricting the meta-analysis to the 64
      prospective studies resulted in a substantially lower estimate of 0.12
      leiomyosarcomas per 1000 procedures (95 % CrI <0.01-0.75) or approximately 1
      leiomyosarcoma per 8300 surgeries. Results suggest that the prevalence of occult
      leiomyosarcomas at surgery for presumed uterine fibroids is much less frequent
      than previously estimated. This rate should be incorporated into both clinical
      practice and future research.

PMID- 26283891
TI  - Anxiety at outpatient hysteroscopy.
AB  - This review summarises current understanding and research on the association
      between anxiety and outpatient hysteroscopy. Women undergoing hysteroscopy suffer
      from significant levels of anxiety, with repercussions on pain perception,
      success rates and satisfaction. Using validated tools such as the Spielberger
      State-Trait Anxiety Index (STAI) or the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale
      (HADS) in the outpatient hysteroscopy setting, average state anxiety scores
      similar or greater than those measured before more invasive procedures under
      general anaesthesia have been consistently reported. This clearly suggests a
      significant gap between our clinical viewpoint of what is "minimally invasive"
      and patients' expectations. In spite of its potential role of confounder in
      studies on pain-reduction interventions, we found that patient anxiety was
      evaluated in only 9 (13 %) out of a sample of 70 randomised controlled trials on
      outpatient hysteroscopy published since 1992. Factors such as trait anxiety, age,
      indication and the efficiency of the clinic can be correlated to state anxiety
      before hysteroscopy, but more robust data are needed. Promising non
      pharmacological interventions to reduce anxiety at hysteroscopy include patient
      education, communication through traditional or multimedia approaches,
      interaction and support during the procedure and music listening.

PMID- 26283892
TI  - Cortical alpha activity predicts the confidence in an impending action.
AB  - When we make a decision, we experience a degree of confidence that our choice may
      lead to a desirable outcome. Recent studies in animals have probed the subjective
      aspects of the choice confidence using confidence-reporting tasks. These studies
      showed that estimates of the choice confidence substantially modulate neural
      activity in multiple regions of the brain. Building on these findings, we
      investigated the neural representation of the confidence in a choice in humans
      who explicitly reported the confidence in their choice. Subjects performed a
      perceptual decision task in which they decided between choosing a button press or
      a saccade while we recorded EEG activity. Following each choice, subjects
      indicated whether they were sure or unsure about the choice. We found that alpha
      activity strongly encodes a subject's confidence level in a forthcoming button
      press choice. The neural effect of the subjects' confidence was independent of
      the reaction time and independent of the sensory input modeled as a decision
      variable. Furthermore, the effect is not due to a general cognitive state, such
      as reward expectation, because the effect was specifically observed during button
      press choices and not during saccade choices. The neural effect of the confidence
      in the ensuing button press choice was strong enough that we could predict, from
      independent single trial neural signals, whether a subject was going to be sure
      or unsure of an ensuing button press choice. In sum, alpha activity in human
      cortex provides a window into the commitment to make a hand movement. 

PMID- 26283893
TI  - Barriers to developing a valid rodent model of Alzheimer's disease: from
      behavioral analysis to etiological mechanisms.
AB  - Sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent form of age-related
      dementia. As such, great effort has been put forth to investigate the etiology,
      progression, and underlying mechanisms of the disease. Countless studies have
      been conducted, however, the details of this disease remain largely unknown.
      Rodent models provide opportunities to investigate certain aspects of AD that
      cannot be studied in humans. These animal models vary from study to study and
      have provided some insight, but no real advancements in the prevention or
      treatment of the disease. In this Hypothesis and Theory paper, we discuss what we
      perceive as barriers to impactful discovery in rodent AD research and we offer
      potential solutions for moving forward. Although no single model of AD is capable
      of providing the solution to the growing epidemic of the disease, we encourage a
      comprehensive approach that acknowledges the complex etiology of AD with the goal
      of enhancing the bidirectional translatability from bench to bedside and vice
      versa. 

PMID- 26283896
TI  - Identification of pyridine analogs as new predator-derived kairomones.
AB  - In the wild, animals have developed survival strategies relying on their senses.
      The individual ability to identify threatening situations is crucial and leads to
      increase in the overall fitness of the species. Rodents, for example have
      developed in their nasal cavities specialized olfactory neurons implicated in the
      detection of volatile cues encoding for impending danger such as predator scents
      or alarm pheromones. In particular, the neurons of the Grueneberg ganglion (GG),
      an olfactory subsystem, are implicated in the detection of danger cues sharing a
      similar chemical signature, a heterocyclic sulfur- or nitrogen-containing motif.
      Here we used a "from the wild to the lab" approach to identify new molecules that
      are involuntarily emitted by predators and that initiate fear-related responses
      in the recipient animal, the putative prey. We collected urines from carnivores
      as sources of predator scents and first verified their impact on the blood
      pressure of the mice. With this approach, the urine of the mountain lion emerged
      as the most potent source of chemical stress. We then identified in this
      biological fluid, new volatile cues with characteristic GG-related fingerprints,
      in particular the methylated pyridine structures, 2,4-lutidine and its analogs.
      We finally verified their encoded danger quality and demonstrated their ability
      to mimic the effects of the predator urine on GG neurons, on mice blood pressure
      and in behavioral experiments. In summary, we were able to identify here, with
      the use of an integrative approach, new relevant molecules, the pyridine analogs,
      implicated in interspecies danger communication. 

PMID- 26283897
TI  - Group-level component analyses of EEG: validation and evaluation.
AB  - Multi-subject or group-level component analysis provides a data-driven approach
      to study properties of brain networks. Algorithms for group-level data
      decomposition of functional magnetic resonance imaging data have been brought
      forward more than a decade ago and have significantly matured since. Similar
      applications for electroencephalographic data are at a comparatively early stage
      of development though, and their sensitivity to topographic variability of the
      electroencephalogram or loose time-locking of neuronal responses has not yet been
      assessed. This study investigates the performance of independent component
      analysis (ICA) and second order blind source identification (SOBI) for data
      decomposition, and their combination with either temporal or spatial
      concatenation of data sets, for multi-subject analyses of electroencephalographic
      data. Analyses of simulated sources with different spatial, frequency, and time
      locking profiles, revealed that temporal concatenation of data sets with either
      ICA or SOBI served well to reconstruct sources with both strict and loose time
      locking, whereas performance decreased in the presence of topographical
      variability. The opposite pattern was found with a spatial concatenation of
      subject-specific data sets. This study proofs that procedures for group-level
      decomposition of electroencephalographic data can be considered valid and
      promising approaches to infer the latent structure of multi-subject data sets.
      Yet, specific implementations need further adaptations to optimally address
      sources of inter-subject and inter-trial variance commonly found in EEG
      recordings. 

PMID- 26283895
TI  - Turning over DNA methylation in the mind.
AB  - Cytosine DNA methylation is a stable epigenetic modification with established
      roles in regulating transcription, imprinting, female X-chromosome inactivation,
      and silencing of transposons. Dynamic gain or loss of DNA methylation reshapes
      the genomic landscape of cells during early differentiation, and in post-mitotic
      mammalian brain cells these changes continue to accumulate throughout the phases
      of cortical maturation in childhood and adolescence. There is also evidence for
      dynamic changes in the methylation status of specific genomic loci during the
      encoding of new memories, and these epigenome dynamics could play a causal role
      in memory formation. However, the mechanisms that may dynamically regulate DNA
      methylation in neurons during memory formation and expression, and the function
      of such epigenomic changes in this context, are unclear. Here we discuss the
      possible roles of DNA methylation in encoding and retrieval of memory. 

PMID- 26283894
TI  - Ontogenetic shifts in brain scaling reflect behavioral changes in the life cycle
      of the pouched lamprey Geotria australis.
AB  - Very few studies have described brain scaling in vertebrates throughout ontogeny
      and none in lampreys, one of the two surviving groups of the early agnathan
      (jawless) stage in vertebrate evolution. The life cycle of anadromous parasitic
      lampreys comprises two divergent trophic phases, firstly filter-feeding as larvae
      in freshwater and secondly parasitism as adults in the sea, with the transition
      marked by a radical metamorphosis. We characterized the growth of the brain
      during the life cycle of the pouched lamprey Geotria australis, an anadromous
      parasitic lamprey, focusing on the scaling between brain and body during ontogeny
      and testing the hypothesis that the vast transitions in behavior and environment
      are reflected in differences in the scaling and relative size of the major brain
      subdivisions throughout life. The body and brain mass and the volume of six brain
      structures of G. australis, representing six points of the life cycle, were
      recorded, ranging from the early larval stage to the final stage of spawning and
      death. Brain mass does not increase linearly with body mass during the ontogeny
      of G. australis. During metamorphosis, brain mass increases markedly, even though
      the body mass does not increase, reflecting an overall growth of the brain, with
      particularly large increases in the volume of the optic tectum and other visual
      areas of the brain and, to a lesser extent, the olfactory bulbs. These results
      are consistent with the conclusions that ammocoetes rely predominantly on non
      visual and chemosensory signals, while adults rely on both visual and olfactory
      cues. 

PMID- 26283898
TI  - Molecular programs induced by heat acclimation confer neuroprotection against TBI
      and hypoxic insults via cross-tolerance mechanisms.
AB  - Neuroprotection following prolonged exposure to high ambient temperatures (heat
      acclimation HA) develops via altered molecular programs such as cross-tolerance
      Heat Acclimation-Neuroprotection Cross-Tolerance (HANCT). The mechanisms
      underlying cross-tolerance depend on enhanced "on-demand" protective pathways
      evolving during acclimation. The protection achieved is long lasting and limits
      the need for de novo recruitment of cytoprotective pathways upon exposure to
      novel stressors. Using mouse and rat acclimated phenotypes, we will focus on the
      impact of heat acclimation on Angiotensin II-AT2 receptors in neurogenesis and on
      HIF-1 as key mediators in spontaneous recovery and HANCT after traumatic brain
      injury (TBI). The neuroprotective consequences of heat acclimation on NMDA and
      AMPA receptors will be discussed using the global hypoxia model. A behavioral
      molecular link will be crystallized. The differences between HANCT and consensus
      preconditioning will be reviewed. 

PMID- 26283899
TI  - Effects of corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) on sleep and temperature
      following predictable controllable and uncontrollable stress in mice.
AB  - Corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) is a major mediator of central nervous
      system responses to stressors, including alterations in wakefulness and sleep.
      However, its role in mediating stress-induced alterations in sleep has not been
      fully delineated. In this study, we assessed the role of CRF and the non-specific
      CRF antagonist, astressin (AST), in regulating changes in sleep produced by
      signaled, escapable shock (SES) and signaled inescapable shock (SIS), two
      stressors that can increase or decrease sleep, respectively. Male BALB/cJ mice
      were surgically implanted with transmitters (DataSciences ETA10-F20) for
      recording EEG, activity and core body temperature by telemetry and a cannula for
      intracerebroventricular (ICV) microinjections. After baseline (Base) sleep
      recording, mice were presented tones (90 dB, 2 kHz) that started 5.0 s prior to
      and co-terminated with footshock (0.5 mA; 5.0 s maximum duration). SES mice (n =
      9) always received shock but could terminate it by moving to the non-occupied
      chamber in a shuttlebox. Yoked SIS mice (n = 9) were treated identically, but
      could not alter shock duration. Training with SES or SIS was conducted over 2
      days to stabilize responses. Afterwards, the mice received saline, CRF [0.4 MUg
      (0.42 mM) or AST (1.0 MUg (1.4 mM)] prior to SES or SIS. Sleep was analyzed over
      20 h post-stress recordings. After administration of saline, REM was
      significantly greater in SES mice than in SIS mice whereas after CRF or AST, REM
      was similar in both groups. Total 20 h NREM did not vary across condition or
      group. However, after administration of saline and CRF, NREM episode duration was
      significantly decreased, and NREM episode number significantly increased, in SIS
      mice compared to SES animals. SES and SIS mice showed similar stress induced
      hyperthermia (SIH) across all conditions. These data demonstrate that CRF can
      mediate stress-induced changes in sleep independently of SIH, an index of
      hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activation. 

PMID- 26283901
TI  - Researching children's individual empathic abilities in the context of their
      daily lives: the importance of mixed methods.
AB  - In social neuroscience, empathy is often approached as an individual ability,
      whereas researchers in anthropology focus on empathy as a dialectic process
      between agents. In this perspective paper, we argue that to further elucidate the
      mechanisms underlying the development of empathy, social neuroscience research
      should draw on insights and methods from anthropology. First, we discuss
      neuropsychological studies that investigate empathy in inter-relational contexts.
      Second, we highlight differences between the social neuroscience and
      anthropological conceptualizations of empathy. Third, we introduce a new study
      design based on a mixed method approach, and present initial results from one
      classroom that was part of a larger study and included 28 children (m = 13, f =
      15). Participants (aged 9-11) were administered behavioral tasks and a social
      network questionnaire; in addition an observational study was also conducted over
      a period of 3 months. Initial results showed how children's expressions of their
      empathic abilities were influenced by situational cues in classroom processes.
      This effect was further explained by children's positions within classroom
      networks. Our results emphasize the value of interdisciplinary research in the
      study of empathy. 

PMID- 26283900
TI  - Does neuroinflammation turn on the flame in Alzheimer's disease? Focus on
      astrocytes.
AB  - Data from animal models and Alzheimer's disease (AD) subjects provide clear
      evidence for an activation of inflammatory pathways during the pathogenetic
      course of such illness. Biochemical and neuropathological studies highlighted an
      important cause/effect relationship between inflammation and AD progression,
      revealing a wide range of genetic, cellular, and molecular changes associated
      with the pathology. In this context, glial cells have been proved to exert a
      crucial role. These cells, in fact, undergo important morphological and
      functional changes and are now considered to be involved in the onset and
      progression of AD. In particular, astrocytes respond quickly to pathology with
      changes that have been increasingly recognized as a continuum, with potentially
      beneficial and/or negative consequences. Although it is now clear that activated
      astrocytes trigger the neuroinflammatory process, however, the precise mechanisms
      have not been completely elucidated. Neuroinflammation is certainly a multi
      faceted and complex phenomenon and, especially in the early stages, exerts a
      reparative intent. However, for reasons not yet all well known, this process goes
      beyond the physiologic control and contributes to the exacerbation of the damage.
      Here we scrutinize some evidence supporting the role of astrocytes in the
      neuroinflammatory process and the possibility that these cells could be
      considered a promising target for future AD therapies. 

PMID- 26283902
TI  - Chemostimuli for guanylyl cyclase-D-expressing olfactory sensory neurons promote
      the acquisition of preferences for foods adulterated with the rodenticide
      warfarin.
AB  - Many animals have the ability to acquire food preferences from conspecifics via
      social signals. For example, the coincident detection of a food odor by canonical
      olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) and agonists of the specialized OSNs expressing
      the receptor guanylyl cyclase GC-D (GC-D+ OSNs) will promote a preference in
      recipient rodents for similarly odored foods. It has been hypothesized that these
      preferences are acquired and maintained regardless of the palatability or quality
      of the food. We assessed whether mice could acquire and maintain preferences for
      food that had been adulterated with the anticoagulant rodenticide warfarin. After
      olfactory investigation of a saline droplet containing either cocoa (2%, w/w) or
      cinnamon (1%, w/w) along with a GC-D+ OSN-specific chemostimulus (either of the
      guanylin-family peptides uroguanylin and guanylin; 1-50 nM), C57BL/6J mice
      exhibited robust preferences for unadulterated food containing the demonstrated
      odor. The peptide-dependent preference was observed even when the food contained
      warfarin (0.025% w/w). Repeated ingestion of warfarin-containing food over four
      days did not disrupt the preference, even though mice were not re-exposed to the
      peptide stimulus. Surprisingly, mice continued to prefer warfarin-adulterated
      food containing the demonstrated odor when presented with a choice of warfarin
      free food containing a novel odor. Our results indicate that olfactory-mediated
      food preferences can be acquired and maintained for warfarin-containing foods and
      suggest that guanylin peptides may be effective stimuli for promoting the
      ingestion of foods or other edibles with low palatability or potential toxicity. 

PMID- 26283903
TI  - Are single odorous components of a predator sufficient to elicit defensive
      behaviors in prey species?
AB  - When exposed to the odor of a sympatric predator, prey animals typically display
      escape or defensive responses. These phenomena have been well-documented,
      especially in rodents, when exposed to the odor of a cat, ferret, or fox. As a
      result of these experiments new discussions center on the following questions:
      (1) is a single volatile compound such as a major or a minor mixture constituent
      in urine or feces, emitted by the predator sufficient to cause defensive
      reactions in a potential prey species or (2) is a whole array of odors required
      to elicit a response and (3) will the relative size or escapability of the prey
      as compared to the predator influence responsiveness. Most predator-prey studies
      on this topic have been performed in the laboratory or under semi-natural
      conditions. Field studies could help to find answers to these questions.
      Australian mammals are completely naive toward the introduced placental
      carnivores. That offers ideal opportunities to analyze in the field the responses
      of potential prey species to unknown predator odors. During the last decades
      researchers have accumulated an enormous amount of data exploring the effects of
      eutherian predator odors on native marsupial mammals. In this review, we will
      give a survey about the development of olfactory research, chemical signals and
      their influence on the behavior and-in some cases-physiology of prey species. In
      addition, we report on the effects of predator odor experiments performed under
      natural conditions in Australia. When studying all these literature we learned
      that data gained under controlled laboratory conditions elucidate the role of
      individual odors on brain structures and ultimately on a comparatively narrow
      range behaviors. In contrast to single odors odor arrays mimic much more the
      situation prey animals are confronted to in nature. Therefore, a broad range of
      methodology-from chemistry to ecology including anatomy, physiology, and behavior
      is needed to understand all the different (relevant) stimuli that govern and
      guide the interactions between a predator and its potential prey. 

PMID- 26283905
TI  - In vivo comparison of the charge densities required to evoke motor responses
      using novel annular penetrating microelectrodes.
AB  - Electrodes for cortical stimulation need to deliver current to neural tissue
      effectively and safely. We have developed electrodes with a novel annular
      geometry for use in cortical visual prostheses. Here, we explore a critical
      question on the ideal annulus height to ensure electrical stimulation will be
      safe and effective. We implanted single electrodes into the motor cortex of
      anesthetized rats and measured the current required to evoke a motor response to
      stimulation, and the charge injection capacity (CIC) of the electrodes. We
      compared platinum iridium (PtIr) electrodes with different annulus heights, with
      and without a coating of porous titanium nitride (TiN). Threshold charge
      densities to evoke a motor response ranged from 12 to 36 MUC.cm(-2).ph(-1).
      Electrodes with larger geometric surface areas (GSAs) required higher currents to
      evoke responses, but lower charge densities. The addition of a porous TiN coating
      did not significantly influence the current required to evoke a motor response.
      The CIC of both electrode types was significantly reduced in vivo compared with
      in vitro measurements. The measured CIC was 72 and 18 MUC.cm(-2).ph(-1) for
      electrodes with and without a TiN coating, respectively. These results support
      the use of PtIr annular electrodes with annulus heights greater than 100 MUm (GSA
      of 38, 000 MUm(2)). However, if the electrodes are coated with porous TiN the
      annulus height can be reduced to 40 MUm (GSA of 16,000 MUm(2)). 

PMID- 26283904
TI  - The unfolded protein response in multiple sclerosis.
AB  - The unfolded protein response (UPR) occurs in response to endoplasmic reticulum
      (ER) stress caused by the accumulation of unfolded or misfolded proteins in the
      ER. The UPR is comprised of three signaling pathways that promote cytoprotective
      functions to correct ER stress; however, if ER stress cannot be resolved the UPR
      results in apoptosis of affected cells. The UPR is an important feature of
      various human diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS). Recent studies have
      shown several components of the UPR are upregulated in the multiple cell types in
      MS lesions, including oligodendrocytes, T cells, microglia/macrophages, and
      astrocytes. Data from animal model studies, particularly studies of experimental
      autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and the cuprizone model, imply an important
      role of the UPR activation in oligodendrocytes in the development of MS. In this
      review we will cover current literature on the UPR and the evidence for its role
      in the development of MS. 

PMID- 26283906
TI  - Cluster imaging of multi-brain networks (CIMBN): a general framework for
      hyperscanning and modeling a group of interacting brains.
AB  - Studying the neural basis of human social interactions is a key topic in the
      field of social neuroscience. Brain imaging studies in this field usually focus
      on the neural correlates of the social interactions between two participants.
      However, as the participant number further increases, even by a small amount,
      great difficulties raise. One challenge is how to concurrently scan all the
      interacting brains with high ecological validity, especially for a large number
      of participants. The other challenge is how to effectively model the complex
      group interaction behaviors emerging from the intricate neural information
      exchange among a group of socially organized people. Confronting these
      challenges, we propose a new approach called "Cluster Imaging of Multi-brain
      Networks" (CIMBN). CIMBN consists of two parts. The first part is a cluster
      imaging technique with high ecological validity based on multiple functional near
      infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) systems. Using this technique, we can easily extend
      the simultaneous imaging capacity of social neuroscience studies up to dozens of
      participants. The second part of CIMBN is a multi-brain network (MBN) modeling
      method based on graph theory. By taking each brain as a network node and the
      relationship between any two brains as a network edge, one can construct a
      network model for a group of interacting brains. The emergent group social
      behaviors can then be studied using the network's properties, such as its
      topological structure and information exchange efficiency. Although there is
      still much work to do, as a general framework for hyperscanning and modeling a
      group of interacting brains, CIMBN can provide new insights into the neural
      correlates of group social interactions, and advance social neuroscience and
      social psychology. 

PMID- 26283907
TI  - Erratum: In vivo comparison of the charge densities required to evoke motor
      responses using novel annular penetrating microelectrodes.
AB  - [This corrects the article on p. 265 in vol. 9, PMID: 26029097.]. 

PMID- 26283908
TI  - Sphingosine kinase 2-deficiency mediated changes in spinal pain processing.
AB  - Chronic pain is one of the most burdensome health issues facing the planet (as
      costly as diabetes and cancer combined), and in desperate need for new diagnostic
      targets leading to better therapies. The bioactive lipid sphingosine 1-phosphate
      (S1P) and its receptors have recently been shown to modulate nociceptive
      signaling at the level of peripheral nociceptors and central neurons. However,
      the exact role of S1P generating enzymes, in particular sphingosine kinase 2
      (Sphk2), in nociception remains unknown. We found that both sphingosine kinases,
      Sphk1 and Sphk2, were expressed in spinal cord (SC) with higher levels of Sphk2
      mRNA compared to Sphk1. All three Sphk2 mRNA-isoforms were present with the
      Sphk2.1 mRNA showing the highest relative expression. Mice deficient in Sphk2
      (Sphk2(-/-)) showed in contrast to mice deficient in Sphk1 (Sphk1(-/-))
      substantially lower spinal S1P levels compared to wild-type C57BL/6 mice. In the
      formalin model of acute peripheral inflammatory pain, Sphk2(-/-) mice showed
      facilitation of nociceptive transmission during the late response, whereas
      responses to early acute pain, and the number of c-Fos immunoreactive dorsal horn
      neurons were not different between Sphk2(-/-) and wild-type mice. Chronic
      peripheral inflammation (CPI) caused a bilateral increase in mechanical
      sensitivity in Sphk2(-/-) mice. Additionally, CPI increased the relative mRNA
      expression of P2X4 receptor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor and inducible
      nitric oxide synthase in the ipsilateral SC of wild-type but not Sphk2(-/-) mice.
      Similarly, Sphk2(-/-) mice showed in contrast to wild-type no CPI-dependent
      increase in areas of the dorsal horn immunoreactive for the microglia marker Iba
      1 and the astrocyte marker Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Our results
      suggest that the tightly regulated cell signaling enzyme Sphk2 may be a key
      component for facilitation of nociceptive circuits in the CNS leading to central
      sensitization and pain memory formation. 

PMID- 26283910
TI  - Systemic AAVrh10 provides higher transgene expression than AAV9 in the brain and
      the spinal cord of neonatal mice.
AB  - Systemic delivery of self-complementary (sc) adeno-associated-virus vector of
      serotype 9 (AAV9) was recently shown to provide robust and widespread gene
      transfer to the central nervous system (CNS), opening new avenues for practical,
      and non-invasive gene therapy of neurological diseases. More recently, AAV of
      serotype rh10 (AAVrh10) was also found highly efficient to mediate CNS
      transduction after intravenous administration in mice. However, only a few
      studies compared AAV9 and AAVrh10 efficiencies, particularly in the spinal cord.
      In this study, we compared the transduction capabilities of AAV9 and AAVrh10 in
      the brain, the spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system (PNS) after
      intravenous delivery in neonatal mice. As reported in previous studies, AAVrh10
      achieved either similar or higher transduction than AAV9 in all the examined
      brain regions. The superiority of AAVrh10 over AAV9 appeared statistically
      significant only in the medulla and the cerebellum, but a clear trend was also
      observed in other structures like the hippocampus or the cortex. In contrast to
      previous studies, we found that AAVrh10 was more efficient than AAV9 for
      transduction of the dorsal spinal cord and the lower motor neurons (MNs).
      However, differences between the two serotypes appeared mainly significant at low
      dose, and surprisingly, increasing the dose did not improve AAVrh10 distribution
      in the spinal cord, in contrary to AAV9. Similar dose-related differences between
      transduction efficiency of the two serotypes were also observed in the sciatic
      nerve. These findings suggest differences in the transduction mechanisms of these
      two serotypes, which both hold great promise for gene therapy of neurological
      diseases. 

PMID- 26283911
TI  - Evaluation of the amyloid beta-GFP fusion protein as a model of amyloid beta
      peptides-mediated aggregation: a study of DNAJB6 chaperone.
AB  - Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized
      by the accumulation and aggregation of extracellular amyloid beta (Abeta)
      peptides and intracellular aggregation of hyper-phosphorylated tau protein.
      Recent evidence indicates that accumulation and aggregation of intracellular
      amyloid beta peptides may also play a role in disease pathogenesis. This would
      suggest that intracellular Heat Shock Proteins (HSP) that maintain cellular
      protein homeostasis might be candidates for disease amelioration. We recently
      found that DNAJB6, a member of DNAJ family of heat shock proteins, effectively
      prevented the aggregation of short aggregation-prone peptides containing large
      poly glutamines (associated with CAG repeat diseases) both in vitro and in cells.
      Moreover, recent in vitro data showed that DNAJB6 can delay the aggregation of
      Abeta42 peptides. In this study, we investigated the ability of DNAJB6 to prevent
      the aggregation of extracellular and intracellular Abeta peptides using
      transfection of human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells with Abeta-green
      fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion construct and performing western blotting and
      immunofluorescence techniques. We found that DNAJB6 indeed suppresses Abeta-GFP
      aggregation, but not seeded aggregation initiated by extracellular Abeta
      peptides. Unexpectedly and unlike what we found for peptide-mediated aggregation,
      DNAJB6 required interaction with HSP70 to prevent the aggregation of the Abeta
      GFP fusion protein and its J-domain was crucial for its anti-aggregation effect.
      In addition, other DNAJ proteins as well as HSPA1a overexpression also suppressed
      Abeta-GFP aggregation efficiently. Our findings suggest that Abeta aggregation
      differs from poly glutamine (Poly Q) peptide induced aggregation in terms of
      chaperone handling and sheds doubt on the usage of Abeta-GFP fusion construct for
      studying Abeta peptide aggregation in cells. 

PMID- 26283914
TI  - Origins of spontaneous activity in the degenerating retina.
AB  - Sensory deafferentation resulting from the loss of photoreceptors during retinal
      degeneration (rd) is often accompanied by a paradoxical increase in spontaneous
      activity throughout the visual system. Oscillatory discharges are apparent in
      retinal ganglion cells in several rodent models of rd, indicating that
      spontaneous activity can originate in the retina. Understanding the biophysical
      mechanisms underlying spontaneous retinal activity is interesting for two main
      reasons. First, it could lead to strategies that reduce spontaneous retinal
      activity, which could improve the performance of vision restoration strategies
      that aim to stimulate remnant retinal circuits in blind patients. Second,
      studying emergent network activity could offer general insights into how sensory
      systems remodel upon deafferentation. Here we provide an overview of the work
      describing spontaneous activity in the degenerating retina, and outline the
      current state of knowledge regarding the cellular and biophysical properties
      underlying spontaneous neural activity. 

PMID- 26283912
TI  - Diseases associated with leaky hemichannels.
AB  - Hemichannels (HCs) and gap junction channels (GJCs) formed by protein subunits
      called connexins (Cxs) are major pathways for intercellular communication. While
      HCs connect the intracellular compartment with the extracellular milieu, GJCs
      allow the interchange of molecules between cytoplasm of two contacting cells.
      Under physiological conditions, HCs are mostly closed, but they can open under
      certain stimuli allowing the release of autocrine and paracrine molecules.
      Moreover, some pathological conditions, like ischemia or other inflammation
      conditions, significantly increase HCs activity. In addition, some mutations in
      Cx genes associated with human diseases, such as deafness or cataracts, lead to
      the formation of more active HCs or "leaky HCs." In this article we will revise
      cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the appearance of leaky HCs, and the
      consequences of their expression in different cellular systems and animal models,
      in seeking a common pattern or pathological mechanism of disease. 

PMID- 26283913
TI  - Age-related hearing impairment and the triad of acquired hearing loss.
AB  - Understanding underlying pathological mechanisms is prerequisite for a sensible
      design of protective therapies against hearing loss. The triad of age-related,
      noise-generated, and drug-induced hearing loss displays intriguing similarities
      in some cellular responses of cochlear sensory cells such as a potential
      involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptotic and necrotic cell
      death. On the other hand, detailed studies have revealed that molecular pathways
      are considerably complex and, importantly, it has become clear that
      pharmacological protection successful against one form of hearing loss will not
      necessarily protect against another. This review will summarize pathological and
      pathophysiological features of age-related hearing impairment (ARHI) in human and
      animal models and address selected aspects of the commonality (or lack thereof)
      of cellular responses in ARHI to drugs and noise. 

PMID- 26283909
TI  - Myelin damage and repair in pathologic CNS: challenges and prospects.
AB  - Injury to the central nervous system (CNS) results in oligodendrocyte cell death
      and progressive demyelination. Demyelinated axons undergo considerable
      physiological changes and molecular reorganizations that collectively result in
      axonal dysfunction, degeneration and loss of sensory and motor functions.
      Endogenous adult oligodendrocyte precursor cells and neural stem/progenitor cells
      contribute to the replacement of oligodendrocytes, however, the extent and
      quality of endogenous remyelination is suboptimal. Emerging evidence indicates
      that optimal remyelination is restricted by multiple factors including (i) low
      levels of factors that promote oligodendrogenesis; (ii) cell death among newly
      generated oligodendrocytes, (iii) inhibitory factors in the post-injury milieu
      that impede remyelination, and (iv) deficient expression of key growth factors
      essential for proper re-construction of a highly organized myelin sheath.
      Considering these challenges, over the past several years, a number of cell-based
      strategies have been developed to optimize remyelination therapeutically.
      Outcomes of these basic and preclinical discoveries are promising and signify the
      importance of remyelination as a mechanism for improving functions in CNS
      injuries. In this review, we provide an overview on: (1) the precise organization
      of myelinated axons and the reciprocal axo-myelin interactions that warrant
      properly balanced physiological activities within the CNS; (2) underlying cause
      of demyelination and the structural and functional consequences of demyelination
      in axons following injury and disease; (3) the endogenous mechanisms of
      oligodendrocyte replacement; (4) the modulatory role of reactive astrocytes and
      inflammatory cells in remyelination; and (5) the current status of cell-based
      therapies for promoting remyelination. Careful elucidation of the cellular and
      molecular mechanisms of demyelination in the pathologic CNS is a key to better
      understanding the impact of remyelination for CNS repair. 

PMID- 26283916
TI  - Cocaine promotes oxidative stress and microglial-macrophage activation in rat
      cerebellum.
AB  - Different mechanisms have been suggested for cocaine neurotoxicity, including
      oxidative stress alterations. Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB), considered a
      sensor of oxidative stress and inflammation, is involved in drug toxicity and
      addiction. NF-kappaB is a key mediator for immune responses that induces
      microglial/macrophage activation under inflammatory processes and neuronal
      injury/degeneration. Although cerebellum is commonly associated to motor control,
      muscular tone, and balance. Its relation with addiction is getting relevance,
      being associated to compulsive and perseverative behaviors. Some reports indicate
      that cerebellar microglial activation induced by cannabis or ethanol, promote
      cerebellar alterations and these alterations could be associated to addictive
      related behaviors. After considering the effects of some drugs on cerebellum, the
      aim of the present work analyzes pro-inflammatory changes after cocaine exposure.
      Rats received daily 15 mg/kg cocaine i.p., for 18 days. Reduced and oxidized
      forms of glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG), glutathione
      peroxidase (GPx) activity and glutamate were determined in cerebellar
      homogenates. NF-kappaB activity, CD68, and GFAP expression were determined.
      Cerebellar GPx activity and GSH/GSSG ratio are significantly decreased after
      cocaine exposure. A significant increase of glutamate concentration is also
      observed. Interestingly, increased NF-kappaB activity is also accompanied by an
      increased expression of the lysosomal mononuclear phagocytic marker ED1 without
      GFAP alterations. Current trends in addiction biology are focusing on the role of
      cerebellum on addictive behaviors. Cocaine-induced cerebellar changes described
      herein fit with previosus data showing cerebellar alterations on addict subjects
      and support the proposed role of cerebelum in addiction. 

PMID- 26283917
TI  - A delicate balance: role of MMP-9 in brain development and pathophysiology of
      neurodevelopmental disorders.
AB  - The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a critical regulator of neural network
      development and plasticity. As neuronal circuits develop, the ECM stabilizes
      synaptic contacts, while its cleavage has both permissive and active roles in the
      regulation of plasticity. Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) is a member of a
      large family of zinc-dependent endopeptidases that can cleave ECM and several
      cell surface receptors allowing for synaptic and circuit level reorganization. It
      is becoming increasingly clear that the regulated activity of MMP-9 is critical
      for central nervous system (CNS) development. In particular, MMP-9 has a role in
      the development of sensory circuits during early postnatal periods, called
      'critical periods.' MMP-9 can regulate sensory-mediated, local circuit
      reorganization through its ability to control synaptogenesis, axonal pathfinding
      and myelination. Although activity-dependent activation of MMP-9 at specific
      synapses plays an important role in multiple plasticity mechanisms throughout the
      CNS, misregulated activation of the enzyme is implicated in a number of
      neurodegenerative disorders, including traumatic brain injury, multiple
      sclerosis, and Alzheimer's disease. Growing evidence also suggests a role for MMP
      9 in the pathophysiology of neurodevelopmental disorders including Fragile X
      Syndrome. This review outlines the various actions of MMP-9 during postnatal
      brain development, critical for future studies exploring novel therapeutic
      strategies for neurodevelopmental disorders. 

PMID- 26283918
TI  - Microtechnologies for studying the role of mechanics in axon growth and guidance.
AB  - The guidance of axons to their proper targets is not only a crucial event in
      neurodevelopment, but also a potential therapeutic target for neural repair. Axon
      guidance is mediated by various chemo- and haptotactic cues, as well as the
      mechanical interactions between the cytoskeleton and the extracellular matrix
      (ECM). Axonal growth cones, dynamic ends of growing axons, convert external
      stimuli to biochemical signals, which, in turn, are translated into behavior,
      e.g., turning or retraction, via cytoskeleton-matrix linkages. Despite the
      inherent mechanical nature of the problem, the role of mechanics in axon guidance
      is poorly understood. Recent years has witnessed the application of a range of
      microtechnologies in neurobiology, from microfluidic circuits to single molecule
      force spectroscopy. In this mini-review, we describe microtechnologies geared
      towards dissecting the mechanical aspects of axon guidance, divided into three
      categories: controlling the growth cone microenvironment, stimulating growth
      cones with externally applied forces, and measuring forces exerted by the growth
      cones. A particular emphasis is given to those studies that combine multiple
      techniques, as dictated by the complexity of the problem. 

PMID- 26283915
TI  - Elusive roles for reactive astrocytes in neurodegenerative diseases.
AB  - Astrocytes play crucial roles in the brain and are involved in the
      neuroinflammatory response. They become reactive in response to virtually all
      pathological situations in the brain such as axotomy, ischemia, infection, and
      neurodegenerative diseases (ND). Astrocyte reactivity was originally
      characterized by morphological changes (hypertrophy, remodeling of processes) and
      the overexpression of the intermediate filament glial fibrillary acidic protein
      (GFAP). However, it is unclear how the normal supportive functions of astrocytes
      are altered by their reactive state. In ND, in which neuronal dysfunction and
      astrocyte reactivity take place over several years or decades, the issue is even
      more complex and highly debated, with several conflicting reports published
      recently. In this review, we discuss studies addressing the contribution of
      reactive astrocytes to ND. We describe the molecular triggers leading to
      astrocyte reactivity during ND, examine how some key astrocyte functions may be
      enhanced or altered during the disease process, and discuss how astrocyte
      reactivity may globally affect ND progression. Finally we will consider the
      anticipated developments in this important field. With this review, we aim to
      show that the detailed study of reactive astrocytes may open new perspectives for
      ND. 

PMID- 26283919
TI  - Mice lacking the synaptic adhesion molecule Neph2/Kirrel3 display moderate
      hyperactivity and defective novel object preference.
AB  - Synaptic adhesion molecules regulate diverse aspects of neuronal synapse
      development, including synapse specificity, formation, and maturation. Neph2,
      also known as Kirrel3, is an immunoglobulin superfamily adhesion molecule
      implicated in intellectual disability, neurocognitive delay associated with
      Jacobsen syndrome, and autism spectrum disorders. We here report mice lacking
      Neph2 (Neph2(-/-) mice) display moderate hyperactivity in a familiar, but not
      novel, environment and defective novel object recognition with normal
      performances in Morris water maze spatial learning and memory, contextual fear
      conditioning and extinction, and pattern separation tests. These mice also show
      normal levels of anxiety-like behaviors, social interaction, and repetitive
      behaviors. At the synapse level, Neph2(-/-) dentate gyrus granule cells exhibit
      unaltered dendritic spine density and spontaneous excitatory synaptic
      transmission. These results suggest that Neph2 is important for normal locomotor
      activity and object recognition memory. 

PMID- 26283921
TI  - Assessing effects on dendritic arborization using novel Sholl analyses.
AB  - Determining the shape of cell-specific dendritic arbors is a tightly regulated
      process that occurs during development. When this regulation is aberrant, which
      occurs during disease or injury, alterations in dendritic shape result in changes
      to neural circuitry. There has been significant progress on characterizing
      extracellular and intrinsic factors that regulate dendrite number by our
      laboratory and others. Generally, changes to the dendritic arbor are assessed by
      Sholl analysis or simple dendrite counting. However, we have found that this
      general method often overlooks local changes to the arbor. Previously, we
      developed a program (titled Bonfire) to facilitate digitization of neurite
      morphology and subsequent Sholl analysis and to assess changes to root,
      intermediate, and terminal neurites. Here, we apply these different Sholl
      analyses, and a novel Sholl analysis, to uncover previously unknown changes to
      the dendritic arbor when we overexpress an important regulator of dendrite
      branching, cytosolic PSD-95 interactor (cypin), at two developmental time points.
      Our results suggest that standard Sholl analysis and simple dendrite counting are
      not sufficient for uncovering local changes to the dendritic arbor. 

PMID- 26283920
TI  - Modulation of TLR3/TLR4 inflammatory signaling by the GABAB receptor agonist
      baclofen in glia and immune cells: relevance to therapeutic effects in multiple
      sclerosis.
AB  - The GABAB receptor agonist, baclofen, is used to treat muscle tightness and
      cramping caused by spasticity in a number of disorders including multiple
      sclerosis (MS), but its precise mechanism of action is unknown. Neuroinflammation
      drives the central pathology in MS and is mediated by both immunoreactive glial
      cells and invading lymphocytes. Furthermore, a body of data indicates that the
      Toll-like receptor (TLR) family of innate immune receptors is implicated in MS
      progression. In the present study we investigated whether modulation of GABAB
      receptors using baclofen can exert anti-inflammatory effects by targeting TLR3
      and(or) TLR4-induced inflammatory signaling in murine glial cells and human
      peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolated from healthy control
      individuals and patients with the relapse-remitting (RR) form of MS. TLR3 and
      TLR4 stimulation promoted the nuclear sequestration of NF-kappaB and pro
      inflammatory cytokine expression in murine glia, while TLR4, but not TLR3,
      promoted pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in PBMCs isolated from both healthy
      donors and RR-MS patients. Importantly, this effect was exacerbated in RR-MS
      patient immune cells. We present further evidence that baclofen dose-dependently
      attenuated TLR3- and TLR4-induced inflammatory signaling in primary glial cells.
      Pre-exposure of PBMCs isolated from healthy donors to baclofen attenuated TLR4
      induced TNF-alpha expression, but did not affect TLR4-induced TNF-alpha
      expression in RR-MS patient PBMCs. Interestingly, mRNA expression of the GABAB
      receptor was reduced in PBMCs from RR-MS donors when compared to healthy
      controls, an effect that might contribute to the differential sensitivity to
      baclofen seen in healthy and RR-MS patient cells. Overall these findings indicate
      that baclofen differentially regulates TLR3 and TLR4 signaling in glia and immune
      cells, and offers insight on the role of baclofen in the treatment of
      neuroinflammatory disease states including MS. 

PMID- 26283922
TI  - Cortical interneurons migrating on a pure substrate of N-cadherin exhibit fast
      synchronous centrosomal and nuclear movements and reduced ciliogenesis.
AB  - The embryonic development of the cortex involves a phase of long distance
      migration of interneurons born in the basal telencephalon. Interneurons first
      migrate tangentially and then reorient their trajectories radially to enter the
      developing cortex. We have shown that migrating interneurons can assemble a
      primary cilium, which maintains the centrosome to the plasma membrane and
      processes signals to control interneuron trajectory (Baudoin et al., 2012). In
      the developing cortex, N-cadherin is expressed by migrating interneurons and by
      cells in their migratory pathway. N-cadherin promotes the motility and maintains
      the polarity of tangentially migrating interneurons (Luccardini et al., 2013).
      Because N-cadherin is an important factor that regulates the migration of medial
      ganglionic eminence (MGE) cells in vivo, we further characterized the motility
      and polarity of MGE cells on a substrate that only comprises this protein. MGE
      cells migrating on a N-cadherin substrate were seven times faster than on a
      laminin substrate and two times faster than on a substrate of cortical cells. A
      primary cilium was much less frequently observed on MGE cells migrating on N
      cadherin than on laminin. Nevertheless, the mature centriole (MC) frequently
      docked to the plasma membrane in MGE cells migrating on N-cadherin, suggesting
      that plasma membrane docking is a basic feature of the centrosome in migrating
      MGE cells. On the N-cadherin substrate, centrosomal and nuclear movements were
      remarkably synchronous and the centrosome remained near the nucleus.
      Interestingly, MGE cells with cadherin invalidation presented centrosomal
      movements no longer coordinated with nuclear movements. In summary, MGE cells
      migrating on a pure substrate of N-cadherin show fast, coordinated nuclear and
      centrosomal movements, and rarely present a primary cilium. 

PMID- 26283923
TI  - Hunting for origins of migraine pain: cluster analysis of spontaneous and
      capsaicin-induced firing in meningeal trigeminal nerve fibers.
AB  - Trigeminal nerves in meninges are implicated in generation of nociceptive firing
      underlying migraine pain. However, the neurochemical mechanisms of nociceptive
      firing in meningeal trigeminal nerves are little understood. In this study, using
      suction electrode recordings from peripheral branches of the trigeminal nerve in
      isolated rat meninges, we analyzed spontaneous and capsaicin-induced orthodromic
      spiking activity. In control, biphasic single spikes with variable amplitude and
      shapes were observed. Application of the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1
      (TRPV1) agonist capsaicin to meninges dramatically increased firing whereas the
      amplitudes and shapes of spikes remained essentially unchanged. This effect was
      antagonized by the specific TRPV1 antagonist capsazepine. Using the clustering
      approach, several groups of uniform spikes (clusters) were identified. The
      clustering approach combined with capsaicin application allowed us to detect and
      to distinguish "responder" (65%) from "non-responder" clusters (35%). Notably,
      responders fired spikes at frequencies exceeding 10 Hz, high enough to provide
      postsynaptic temporal summation of excitation at brainstem and spinal cord level.
      Almost all spikes were suppressed by tetrodotoxin (TTX) suggesting an involvement
      of the TTX-sensitive sodium channels in nociceptive signaling at the peripheral
      branches of trigeminal neurons. Our analysis also identified transient
      (desensitizing) and long-lasting (slowly desensitizing) responses to the
      continuous application of capsaicin. Thus, the persistent activation of
      nociceptors in capsaicin-sensitive nerve fibers shown here may be involved in
      trigeminal pain signaling and plasticity along with the release of migraine
      related neuropeptides from TRPV1 positive neurons. Furthermore, cluster analysis
      could be widely used to characterize the temporal and neurochemical profiles of
      other pain transducers likely implicated in migraine. 

PMID- 26283924
TI  - Osteogenesis and neurogenesis: a robust link also for language evolution.

PMID- 26283926
TI  - Editorial: Dynamics of cyclic nucleotide signaling in neurons.

PMID- 26283925
TI  - Inner retinal change in a novel rd1-FTL mouse model of retinal degeneration.
AB  - While photoreceptor loss is the most devastating result of inherited retinal
      degenerations such as retinitis pigmentosa, inner retinal neurons also undergo
      significant alteration. Detailing these changes has become important as many
      vision restorative therapies target the remaining neurons. In this study, the rd1
      Fos-Tau-LacZ (rd1-FTL) mouse model was used to explore inner retinal change at a
      late stage of retinal degeneration, after the loss of photoreceptor nuclei. The
      rd1-FTL model carries a mutation in the phosphodiesterase gene, Pde6b, and an
      axonally targeted transgenic beta galactosidase reporter system under the control
      of the c-fos promoter. Retinae of transgenic rd1-FTL mice and control FTL animals
      aged 2-12 months were processed for indirect fluorescence immunocytochemistry. At
      2 months of age, a time when the majority of photoreceptor nuclei are lost, there
      was negligible c-fos reporter (FTL) expression, however, from 4 months, reporter
      expression was observed to increase within subpopulations of amacrine and
      ganglion cells within the central retina. These areas of inner retinal FTL
      expression coincided with regions that contained aberrant Muller cells.
      Specifically, these cells exhibited reduced glutamine synthetase and Kir4.1
      immunolabelling, whilst showing evidence of proliferative gliosis (increased
      cyclinD1 and glial fibrillary acidic protein expression). These changes were
      limited to distinct regions where cone photoreceptor terminals were absent.
      Overall, these results highlight that distinct areas of the rd1-FTL central
      retina undergo significant glial alterations after cone photoreceptor loss. These
      areas coincide with up-regulation of the c-fos reporter in the inner retina,
      which may represent a change in neuronal function/plasticity. The rd1-FTL mouse
      is a useful model system to probe changes that occur in the inner retina at later
      stages of retinal degeneration. 

PMID- 26283927
TI  - Neural circuits revealed.

PMID- 26283928
TI  - A voxelwise approach to determine consensus regions-of-interest for the study of
      brain network plasticity.
AB  - Despite exciting advances in the functional imaging of the brain, it remains a
      challenge to define regions of interest (ROIs) that do not require investigator
      supervision and permit examination of change in networks over time (or
      plasticity). Plasticity is most readily examined by maintaining ROIs constant via
      seed-based and anatomical-atlas based techniques, but these approaches are not
      data-driven, requiring definition based on prior experience (e.g., choice of seed
      region, anatomical landmarks). These approaches are limiting especially when
      functional connectivity may evolve over time in areas that are finer than known
      anatomical landmarks or in areas outside predetermined seeded regions. An ideal
      method would permit investigators to study network plasticity due to learning,
      maturation effects, or clinical recovery via multiple time point data that can be
      compared to one another in the same ROI while also preserving the voxel-level
      data in those ROIs at each time point. Data-driven approaches (e.g., whole-brain
      voxelwise approaches) ameliorate concerns regarding investigator bias, but the
      fundamental problem of comparing the results between distinct data sets remains.
      In this paper we propose an approach, aggregate-initialized label propagation
      (AILP), which allows for data at separate time points to be compared for
      examining developmental processes resulting in network change (plasticity). To do
      so, we use a whole-brain modularity approach to parcellate the brain into
      anatomically constrained functional modules at separate time points and then
      apply the AILP algorithm to form a consensus set of ROIs for examining change
      over time. To demonstrate its utility, we make use of a known dataset of
      individuals with traumatic brain injury sampled at two time points during the
      first year of recovery and show how the AILP procedure can be applied to select
      regions of interest to be used in a graph theoretical analysis of plasticity. 

PMID- 26283930
TI  - Editorial: Dendritic spines: from shape to function.

PMID- 26283929
TI  - Knowing a synapse when you see one.
AB  - Recent years have seen a rapidly growing recognition of the complexity and
      diversity of the myriad individual synaptic connections that define brain
      synaptic networks. It has also become increasingly apparent that the synapses
      themselves are a major key to understanding the development, function and
      adaptability of those synaptic networks. In spite of this growing appreciation,
      the molecular, structural and functional characteristics of individual synapses
      and the patterning of their diverse characteristics across functional networks
      have largely eluded quantitative study with available imaging technologies. Here
      we offer an overview of new computational imaging methods that promise to bring
      single-synapse analysis of synaptic networks to the fore. We focus especially on
      the challenges and opportunities associated with quantitative detection of
      individual synapses and with measuring individual synapses across network scale
      populations in mammalian brain. 

PMID- 26283931
TI  - Diversity in olfactory bulb size in birds reflects allometry, ecology, and
      phylogeny.
AB  - The relative size of olfactory bulbs (OBs) is correlated with olfactory
      capabilities across vertebrates and is widely used to assess the relative
      importance of olfaction to a species' ecology. In birds, variations in the
      relative size of OBs are correlated with some behaviors; however, the factors
      that have led to the high level of diversity seen in OB sizes across birds are
      still not well understood. In this study, we use the relative size of OBs as a
      neuroanatomical proxy for olfactory capabilities in 135 species of birds,
      representing 21 orders. We examine the scaling of OBs with brain size across
      avian orders, determine likely ancestral states and test for correlations between
      OB sizes and habitat, ecology, and behavior. The size of avian OBs varied with
      the size of the brain and this allometric relationship was for the most part
      isometric, although species did deviate from this trend. Large OBs were
      characteristic of more basal species and in more recently derived species the OBs
      were small. Living and foraging in a semi-aquatic environment was the strongest
      variable driving the evolution of large OBs in birds; olfaction may provide cues
      for navigation and foraging in this otherwise featureless environment. Some of
      the diversity in OB sizes was also undoubtedly due to differences in migratory
      behavior, foraging strategies and social structure. In summary, relative OB size
      in birds reflect allometry, phylogeny and behavior in ways that parallel that of
      other vertebrate classes. This provides comparative evidence that supports recent
      experimental studies into avian olfaction and suggests that olfaction is an
      important sensory modality for all avian species. 

PMID- 26283933
TI  - Electrical stimulation of the superior colliculus induces non-topographically
      organized perturbation of reaching movements in cats.
AB  - Besides its well-known contribution to orienting behaviors, the superior
      colliculus (SC) might also play a role in controlling visually guided reaching
      movements. This view has been inferred from studies in monkeys showing that some
      tectal cells located in the deep layers are active prior to reaching movements;
      it was corroborated by functional imaging studies performed in humans. Likewise,
      our group has already demonstrated that, in cats, SC electrical stimulation can
      modify the trajectory of goal-directed forelimb movements without necessarily
      affecting the gaze position. However, as in monkeys, we could not establish any
      congruence between the usual retinotopic SC map and direction of evoked forelimb
      movements, albeit only a small portion of the collicular map was investigated.
      Therefore, the aim of the current study was to further ascertain the causal
      contribution of SC to reaching movement by exploring the whole collicular map.
      Our results confirmed that SC electrical stimulation deflected the trajectory of
      reaching movements, but this deviation was always directed downward and backward,
      irrespective of the location of the stimulation site. The lack of a complete map
      of reach directions in the SC and the absence of congruence between the direction
      of evoked forelimb movements and the collicular oculomotor map challenge the view
      that, in the cat, the SC causally contributes to coding forelimb movements.
      Interestingly, the very short latencies of the effect argue also against the
      interruption of reaching movements being driven by a disruption of the early
      visual processing. Our results rather suggest that the SC might contribute to the
      reach target selection process. Alternatively, SC stimulation might have
      triggered a postural adjustment anticipating an upcoming orienting reaction,
      leading to an interruption of the on-going reaching movement. 

PMID- 26283932
TI  - Advancing brain-machine interfaces: moving beyond linear state space models.
AB  - Advances in recent years have dramatically improved output control by Brain
      Machine Interfaces (BMIs). Such devices nevertheless remain robotic and limited
      in their movements compared to normal human motor performance. Most current BMIs
      rely on transforming recorded neural activity to a linear state space composed of
      a set number of fixed degrees of freedom. Here we consider a variety of ways in
      which BMI design might be advanced further by applying non-linear dynamics
      observed in normal motor behavior. We consider (i) the dynamic range and
      precision of natural movements, (ii) differences between cortical activity and
      actual body movement, (iii) kinematic and muscular synergies, and (iv) the
      implications of large neuronal populations. We advance the hypothesis that a
      given population of recorded neurons may transmit more useful information than
      can be captured by a single, linear model across all movement phases and
      contexts. We argue that incorporating these various non-linear characteristics
      will be an important next step in advancing BMIs to more closely match natural
      motor performance. 

PMID- 26283934
TI  - Sensorimotor organization of a sustained involuntary movement.
AB  - Involuntary movements share much of the motor control circuitry used for
      voluntary movement, yet the two can be easily distinguished. The Kohnstamm
      phenomenon (where a sustained, hard push produces subsequent involuntary arm
      raising) is a useful experimental model for exploring differences between
      voluntary and involuntary movement. Both central and peripheral accounts have
      been proposed, but little is known regarding how the putative Kohnstamm generator
      responds to afferent input. We addressed this by obstructing the involuntary
      upward movement of the arm. Obstruction prevented the rising EMG pattern that
      characterizes the Kohnstamm. Importantly, once the obstruction was removed, the
      EMG signal resumed its former increase, suggesting a generator that persists
      despite peripheral input. When only one arm was obstructed during bilateral
      involuntary movements, only the EMG signal from the obstructed arm showed the
      effect. Upon release of the obstacle, the obstructed arm reached the same
      position and EMG level as the unobstructed arm. Comparison to matched voluntary
      movements revealed a preserved stretch response when a Kohnstamm movement first
      contacts an obstacle, and also an overestimation of the perceived contact force.
      Our findings support a hybrid central and peripheral account of the Kohnstamm
      phenomenon. The strange subjective experience of this involuntary movement is
      consistent with the view that movement awareness depends strongly on efference
      copies, but that the Kohnstamm generator does not produces efference copies. 

PMID- 26283936
TI  - Pain perception in people with Down syndrome: a synthesis of clinical and
      experimental research.
AB  - People with an intellectual disability experience both acute and chronic pain
      with at least the same frequency as the general population. However, considerably
      less is known about the pain perception of people with Down syndrome. In this
      review paper, we evaluated the available clinical and experimental evidence. Some
      experimental studies of acute pain have indicated that pain threshold was higher
      than normal but only when using a reaction time method to measure pain
      sensitivity. However, when reaction time is not part of the calculation of the
      pain threshold, pain sensitivity in people with Down syndrome is in fact lower
      than normal (more sensitive to pain). Clinical studies of chronic pain have shown
      that people with an intellectual disability experience chronic pain and within
      that population, people with Down syndrome also experience chronic pain, but the
      precise prevalence of chronic pain in Down syndrome has yet to be established.
      Taken together, the literature suggests that people with Down syndrome experience
      pain, both acute and chronic, with at least the same frequency as the rest of the
      population. Furthermore, the evidence suggests that although acute pain
      expression appears to be delayed, once pain is registered, there appears to be a
      magnified pain response. We conclude by proposing an agenda for future research
      in this area. 

PMID- 26283935
TI  - Visual rehabilitation: visual scanning, multisensory stimulation and vision
      restoration trainings.
AB  - Neuropsychological training methods of visual rehabilitation for homonymous
      vision loss caused by postchiasmatic damage fall into two fundamental paradigms:
      "compensation" and "restoration". Existing methods can be classified into three
      groups: Visual Scanning Training (VST), Audio-Visual Scanning Training (AViST)
      and Vision Restoration Training (VRT). VST and AViST aim at compensating vision
      loss by training eye scanning movements, whereas VRT aims at improving lost
      vision by activating residual visual functions by training light detection and
      discrimination of visual stimuli. This review discusses the rationale underlying
      these paradigms and summarizes the available evidence with respect to treatment
      efficacy. The issues raised in our review should help guide clinical care and
      stimulate new ideas for future research uncovering the underlying neural
      correlates of the different treatment paradigms. We propose that both local
      "within-system" interactions (i.e., relying on plasticity within peri-lesional
      spared tissue) and changes in more global "between-system" networks (i.e.,
      recruiting alternative visual pathways) contribute to both vision restoration and
      compensatory rehabilitation, which ultimately have implications for the
      rehabilitation of cognitive functions. 

PMID- 26283937
TI  - Acute physical exercise improves shifting in adolescents at school: evidence for
      a dopaminergic contribution.
AB  - The executive function of shifting between mental sets demands cognitive
      flexibility. Based on evidence that physical exercise fostered cognition, we
      tested whether acute physical exercise can improve shifting in an unselected
      sample of adolescents. Genetic polymorphisms were analyzed to gain more insight
      into possibly contributing neurophysiological processes. We examined 297 students
      aged between 13 and 17 years in their schools. Physical exercise was manipulated
      by an intense incremental exercise condition using bicycle ergometers and a
      control condition which involved watching an infotainment cartoon while sitting
      calm. The order of conditions was counterbalanced between participants. Shifting
      was assessed by a switching task after both conditions. Acute intense physical
      exercise significantly improved shifting as indicated by reduced switch costs.
      Exercise-induced performance gains in switch costs were predicted by a single
      nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) targeting the Dopamine Transporter (DAT1/SLCA6A3)
      gene suggesting that the brain dopamine system contributed to the effect. The
      results demonstrate the potential of acute physical exercise to improve cognitive
      flexibility in adolescents. The field conditions of the present approach suggest
      applications in schools. 

PMID- 26283938
TI  - GABAergic feedback signaling into the calyces of the mushroom bodies enables
      olfactory reversal learning in honey bees.
AB  - In reversal learning, subjects first learn to respond to a reinforced stimulus A
      and not to a non-reinforced stimulus B (A(+) vs. B(-)) and then have to learn the
      opposite when stimulus contingencies are reversed (A(-) vs. B(+)). This change in
      stimulus valence generates a transitory ambiguity at the level of stimulus
      outcome that needs to be overcome to solve the second discrimination. Honey bees
      (Apis mellifera) efficiently master reversal learning in the olfactory domain.
      The mushroom bodies (MBs), higher-order structures of the insect brain, are
      required to solve this task. Here we aimed at uncovering the neural circuits
      facilitating reversal learning in honey bees. We trained bees using the olfactory
      conditioning of the proboscis extension reflex (PER) coupled with localized
      pharmacological inhibition of Gamma-AminoButyric Acid (GABA)ergic signaling in
      the MBs. We show that inhibition of ionotropic but not metabotropic GABAergic
      signaling into the MB calyces impairs reversal learning, but leaves intact the
      capacity to perform two consecutive elemental olfactory discriminations with
      ambiguity of stimulus valence. On the contrary, inhibition of ionotropic
      GABAergic signaling into the MB lobes had no effect on reversal learning. Our
      results are thus consistent with a specific requirement of the feedback neurons
      (FNs) providing ionotropic GABAergic signaling from the MB lobes to the calyces
      for counteracting ambiguity of stimulus valence in reversal learning. 

PMID- 26283940
TI  - The impact of perceived similarity on tacit coordination: propensity for matching
      and aversion to decoupling choices.
AB  - Homophily, or "love for similar others," has been shown to play a fundamental
      role in the formation of interpersonal ties and social networks. Yet no study has
      investigated whether perceived similarities can affect tacit coordination. We had
      68 participants attempt to maximize real monetary earnings by choosing between a
      safe but low paying option (that could be obtained with certainty) and a
      potentially higher paying but "risky" one, which depended on the choice of a
      matched counterpart. While making their choices participants were mutually
      informed of whether their counterparts similarly or dissimilarly identified with
      three person-descriptive words as themselves. We found that similarity increased
      the rate of "risky" choices only when the game required counterparts to match
      their choices (stag hunt games). Conversely, similarity led to decreased risk
      rates when they were to tacitly decouple their choices (entry games). Notably,
      though similarity increased coordination in the matching environment, it did not
      did not increase it in the decoupling game. In spite of this, similarity
      increased (expected) payoffs across both coordination environments. This could
      shed light on why homophily is so successful as a social attractor. Finally, this
      propensity for matching and aversion to decoupling choices was not observed when
      participants "liked" their counterparts but were dissimilar to them. We thus
      conclude that the impact of similarity of coordination should not be reduced to
      "liking" others (i.e., social preferences) but it is also about predicting them. 

PMID- 26283939
TI  - Attentional performance is correlated with the local regional efficiency of
      intrinsic brain networks.
AB  - Attention is a crucial brain function for human beings. Using neuropsychological
      paradigms and task-based functional brain imaging, previous studies have
      indicated that widely distributed brain regions are engaged in three distinct
      attention subsystems: alerting, orienting and executive control (EC). Here, we
      explored the potential contribution of spontaneous brain activity to attention by
      examining whether resting-state activity could account for individual differences
      of the attentional performance in normal individuals. The resting-state
      functional images and behavioral data from attention network test (ANT) task were
      collected in 59 healthy subjects. Graph analysis was conducted to obtain the
      characteristics of functional brain networks and linear regression analyses were
      used to explore their relationships with behavioral performances of the three
      attentional components. We found that there was no significant relationship
      between the attentional performance and the global measures, while the
      attentional performance was associated with specific local regional efficiency.
      These regions related to the scores of alerting, orienting and EC largely
      overlapped with the regions activated in previous task-related functional imaging
      studies, and were consistent with the intrinsic dorsal and ventral attention
      networks (DAN/VAN). In addition, the strong associations between the attentional
      performance and specific regional efficiency suggested that there was a possible
      relationship between the DAN/VAN and task performances in the ANT. We concluded
      that the intrinsic activity of the human brain could reflect the processing
      efficiency of the attention system. Our findings revealed a robust evidence for
      the functional significance of the efficiently organized intrinsic brain network
      for highly productive cognitions and the hypothesized role of the DAN/VAN at
      rest. 

PMID- 26283941
TI  - The formation and extinction of fear memory in tree shrews.
AB  - Fear is an emotion that is well-studied due to its importance for animal
      survival. Experimental animals, such as rats and mice, have been widely used to
      model fear. However, higher animals such as nonhuman primates have rarely been
      used to study fear due to ethical issues and high costs. Tree shrews are small
      mammals that are closely related to primates; they have been used to model human
      related psychosocial conditions such as stress and alcohol tolerance. Here, we
      describe an experimental paradigm to study the formation and extinction of fear
      memory in tree shrews. We designed an experimental apparatus of a light/dark box
      with a voltage foot shock. We found that tree shrews preferred staying in the
      dark box in the daytime without stimulation and showed avoidance to voltage
      shocks applied to the footplate in a voltage-dependent manner. Foot shocks
      applied to the dark box for 5 days (10 min per day) effectively reversed the
      light-dark preference of the tree shrews, and this memory lasted for more than 50
      days without any sign of memory decay (extinction) in the absence of further
      stimulation. However, this fear memory was reversed with 4 days of reverse
      training by applying the same stimulus to the light box. When reducing the
      stimulus intensity during the training period, a memory extinction and
      subsequently reinstatement effects were observed. Thus, our results describe an
      efficient method of monitoring fear memory formation and extinction in tree
      shrews. 

PMID- 26283942
TI  - Unveiling residual, spontaneous recovery from subtle hemispatial neglect three
      years after stroke.
AB  - A common and disabling consequence of stroke is the difficulty in processing
      contralesional space (i.e., hemispatial neglect). According to paper-and-pencil
      tests, neglect remits or stabilizes in severity within a few months after a brain
      injury. This arbitrary temporal limit, however, is at odds with neglect's well
      known dependency on task-sensitivity. The present study tested the hypothesis
      that the putative early resolution of neglect might be due to the insensitivity
      of testing methods rather than to the lack of spontaneous recovery at later
      stages. A right hemisphere stroke patient was studied longitudinally for 3 years.
      According to paper-and-pencil tests the patient showed no symptom of hemispatial
      neglect 1 month post stroke. Awareness of spatially lateralized visual targets
      was then assessed by means of computer-based single- and dual-tasks requiring an
      additional top-down deployment of attention for the parallel processing of visual
      or auditory stimuli. Errorless performance at computer-based tasks was reached at
      month 12 and maintained until month 29 after stroke. A bottom-up manipulation was
      then implemented by reducing target diameter. Following this change, more than
      50% of contralesional targets were omitted, mostly under dual-tasking. At months
      40 and 41 the same task revealed a significant (but not complete) reduction in
      the number of contralesional omissions. Ipsilesional targets were, in contrast,
      still errorless detected. The coupling of a bottom-up (target change) and a top
      down (dual-tasking) manipulation revealed the presence of a long-lasting
      spontaneous recovery from contralesional spatial awareness deficits. In contrast,
      neither manipulation was effective when implemented separately. After having
      excluded the potential confound of practice effects, it was concluded that not
      only the presence but also the time course of hemispatial neglect strongly
      depends on the degree of attentional engagement required by the task. 

PMID- 26283943
TI  - Sleep spindle and K-complex detection using tunable Q-factor wavelet transform
      and morphological component analysis.
AB  - A novel framework for joint detection of sleep spindles and K-complex events, two
      hallmarks of sleep stage S2, is proposed. Sleep electroencephalography (EEG)
      signals are split into oscillatory (spindles) and transient (K-complex)
      components. This decomposition is conveniently achieved by applying morphological
      component analysis (MCA) to a sparse representation of EEG segments obtained by
      the recently introduced discrete tunable Q-factor wavelet transform (TQWT).
      Tuning the Q-factor provides a convenient and elegant tool to naturally decompose
      the signal into an oscillatory and a transient component. The actual detection
      step relies on thresholding (i) the transient component to reveal K-complexes and
      (ii) the time-frequency representation of the oscillatory component to identify
      sleep spindles. Optimal thresholds are derived from ROC-like curves (sensitivity
      vs. FDR) on training sets and the performance of the method is assessed on test
      data sets. We assessed the performance of our method using full-night sleep EEG
      data we collected from 14 participants. In comparison to visual scoring (Expert
      1), the proposed method detected spindles with a sensitivity of 83.18% and false
      discovery rate (FDR) of 39%, while K-complexes were detected with a sensitivity
      of 81.57% and an FDR of 29.54%. Similar performances were obtained when using a
      second expert as benchmark. In addition, when the TQWT and MCA steps were
      excluded from the pipeline the detection sensitivities dropped down to 70% for
      spindles and to 76.97% for K-complexes, while the FDR rose up to 43.62 and
      49.09%, respectively. Finally, we also evaluated the performance of the proposed
      method on a set of publicly available sleep EEG recordings. Overall, the results
      we obtained suggest that the TQWT-MCA method may be a valuable alternative to
      existing spindle and K-complex detection methods. Paths for improvements and
      further validations with large-scale standard open-access benchmarking data sets
      are discussed. 

PMID- 26283944
TI  - A pilot study of disparity vergence and near dissociated phoria in convergence
      insufficiency patients before vs. after vergence therapy.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study examined the relationship between the near dissociated phoria
      and disparity vergence eye movements. Convergence insufficiency (CI) patients
      before vergence therapy were compared to: (1) the same patients after vergence
      therapy; and (2) binocularly normal controls (BNC). METHODS: Sixteen subjects
      were studied-twelve BNC and four with CI. Measurements from the CI subjects were
      obtained before and after 18 h of vergence eye movement therapy. The near
      dissociated phoria was measured using the flashed Maddox rod technique. Vergence
      responses were stimulated from 4 degrees  symmetrical disparity vergence step
      stimuli. The peak velocity of the vergence response and the magnitude of the
      fusion initiating component (FIC) from an independent component analysis (ICA)
      were calculated. A linear regression analysis was conducted studying the vergence
      peak velocity as a function of the near dissociated phoria where the Pearson
      correlation coefficient was computed. RESULTS: Before vergence therapy, the
      average with one standard deviation FIC magnitude of convergence responses from
      CI subjects was 0.29 degrees  +/- 0.82 and significantly less than the FIC
      magnitude of 1.85 degrees  +/- 0.84 for BNC (p < 0.02). A paired t-test reported
      that the FIC and near dissociated phoria before vergence therapy for CI subjects
      significantly increased to 1.49 degrees  +/- 0.57 (p < 0.04) and became less
      exophoric to 3.5Delta +/- 1.9 exo (p < 0.02) after vergence therapy. A
      significant correlation (r = 0.87; p < 0.01) was observed between the near
      dissociated phoria and the vergence ratio of convergence peak velocity divided by
      divergence peak velocity. CONCLUSION: The results have clinical translational
      impact in understanding the mechanism by which vergence therapy may be changing
      the vergence system leading to a sustained reduction in visual symptoms.

PMID- 26283946
TI  - Audiovisual cues benefit recognition of accented speech in noise but not
      perceptual adaptation.
AB  - Perceptual adaptation allows humans to recognize different varieties of accented
      speech. We investigated whether perceptual adaptation to accented speech is
      facilitated if listeners can see a speaker's facial and mouth movements. In Study
      1, participants listened to sentences in a novel accent and underwent a period of
      training with audiovisual or audio-only speech cues, presented in quiet or in
      background noise. A control group also underwent training with visual-only
      (speech-reading) cues. We observed no significant difference in perceptual
      adaptation between any of the groups. To address a number of remaining questions,
      we carried out a second study using a different accent, speaker and experimental
      design, in which participants listened to sentences in a non-native (Japanese)
      accent with audiovisual or audio-only cues, without separate training.
      Participants' eye gaze was recorded to verify that they looked at the speaker's
      face during audiovisual trials. Recognition accuracy was significantly better for
      audiovisual than for audio-only stimuli; however, no statistical difference in
      perceptual adaptation was observed between the two modalities. Furthermore,
      Bayesian analysis suggested that the data supported the null hypothesis. Our
      results suggest that although the availability of visual speech cues may be
      immediately beneficial for recognition of unfamiliar accented speech in noise, it
      does not improve perceptual adaptation. 

PMID- 26283945
TI  - Basal ganglia and cortical networks for sequential ordering and rhythm of complex
      movements.
AB  - Voluntary actions require the concurrent engagement and coordinated control of
      complex temporal (e.g., rhythm) and ordinal motor processes. Using high
      resolution functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and multi-voxel pattern
      analysis (MVPA), we sought to determine the degree to which these complex motor
      processes are dissociable in basal ganglia and cortical networks. We employed
      three different finger-tapping tasks that differed in the demand on the
      sequential temporal rhythm or sequential ordering of submovements. Our results
      demonstrate that sequential rhythm and sequential order tasks were partially
      dissociable based on activation differences. The sequential rhythm task activated
      a widespread network centered around the supplementary motor area (SMA) and basal
      ganglia regions including the dorsomedial putamen and caudate nucleus, while the
      sequential order task preferentially activated a fronto-parietal network. There
      was also extensive overlap between sequential rhythm and sequential order tasks,
      with both tasks commonly activating bilateral premotor, supplementary motor, and
      superior/inferior parietal cortical regions, as well as regions of the
      caudate/putamen of the basal ganglia and the ventro-lateral thalamus.
      Importantly, within the cortical regions that were active for both complex
      movements, MVPA could accurately classify different patterns of activation for
      the sequential rhythm and sequential order tasks. In the basal ganglia, however,
      overlapping activation for the sequential rhythm and sequential order tasks,
      which was found in classic motor circuits of the putamen and ventro-lateral
      thalamus, could not be accurately differentiated by MVPA. Overall, our results
      highlight the convergent architecture of the motor system, where complex motor
      information that is spatially distributed in the cortex converges into a more
      compact representation in the basal ganglia. 

PMID- 26283947
TI  - Multimodal imaging measures predict rearrest.
AB  - Rearrest has been predicted by hemodynamic activity in the anterior cingulate
      cortex (ACC) during error-processing (Aharoni et al., 2013). Here, we evaluate
      the predictive power after adding an additional imaging modality in a subsample
      of 45 incarcerated males from Aharoni et al. (2013). Event-related potentials
      (ERPs) and hemodynamic activity were collected during a Go/NoGo response
      inhibition task. Neural measures of error-processing were obtained from the ACC
      and two ERP components, the error-related negativity (ERN/Ne) and the error
      positivity (Pe). Measures from the Pe and ACC differentiated individuals who were
      and were not subsequently rearrested. Cox regression, logistic regression, and
      support vector machine (SVM) neuroprediction models were calculated. Each of
      these models proved successful in predicting rearrest and SVM provided the
      strongest results. Multimodal neuroprediction SVM models with out of sample cross
      validating accurately predicted rearrest (83.33%). Offenders with increased Pe
      amplitude and decreased ACC activation, suggesting abnormal error-processing,
      were at greatest risk of rearrest. 

PMID- 26283948
TI  - Limb apraxia and the "affordance competition hypothesis".
AB  - Limb apraxia, a disorder of higher order motor control, has long been a challenge
      for clinical assessment and understanding (Leiguarda and Marsden, 2000). The
      deficits originally described in limb apraxia (Liepmann, 1920) have been
      classified by the nature of the errors made by the patients leading to, namely,
      ideational and ideomotor apraxia. The dual stream hypothesis (Goodale and Milner,
      1992) has been used to explain these categories: ideational apraxia is thought to
      relate to a deficit in the concept of a movement (coded in the ventral stream).
      Patients have difficulty using objects, sequencing actions to interact with them
      or pantomiming their use. Ideomotor apraxia, on the other hand, is thought to
      arise from problems in the accurate implementation of movements within the dorsal
      stream. One of the limitations on understanding apraxia is the failure by the
      clinical literature to draw on knowledge of the factors determining actions in
      the environment. Here we emphasize the role of affordance. There is much recent
      work indicating that our responses to stimuli are strongly influenced by the
      actions that the objects "afford", based on their physical properties and the
      intentions of the actor (e.g., Tucker and Ellis, 1998). The concept of
      affordance, originally suggested by Gibson (1979) has been incorporated in a
      recent model of interactive behavior that draws from findings in non-human
      primates, namely the "affordance competition hypothesis" (Cisek, 2007). This
      postulates that interactive behavior arises by a process of competition between
      possible actions elicited by the environment. In this paper we argue that
      "affordance competition" may play a role in apraxia. We review evidence that at
      least some aspects of apraxia may reflect an abnormal sensitivity to competition
      when multiple affordances are present (Riddoch et al., 1998) and/or a poor
      ability to exert cognitive control over this competition when it occurs. This
      framework suggests a new way of conceptualizing deficits in apraxia which invites
      further investigations in the field. 

PMID- 26283950
TI  - Looking for the right intention: can neuroscience benefit from the law?

PMID- 26283951
TI  - The effects of music listening on pain and stress in the daily life of patients
      with fibromyalgia syndrome.
AB  - Music listening is associated with both pain- and stress-reducing effects.
      However, the effects of music listening in daily life remain understudied, and
      the psycho-biological mechanisms underlying the health-beneficial effect of music
      listening remain unknown. We examined the effects of music listening on pain and
      stress in daily life in a sample of women with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS; i.e.,
      a condition characterized by chronic pain) and investigated whether a potentially
      pain-reducing effect of music listening was mediated by biological stress
      responsive systems. Thirty women (mean age: 50.7 +/- 9.9 years) with FMS were
      examined using an ecological momentary assessment design. Participants rated
      their current pain intensity, perceived control over pain, perceived stress
      level, and music listening behavior five times per day for 14 consecutive days.
      At each assessment, participants provided a saliva sample for the later analysis
      of cortisol and alpha-amylase as biomarkers of stress-responsive systems.
      Hierarchical linear modeling revealed that music listening increased perceived
      control over pain, especially when the music was positive in valence and when it
      was listened to for the reason of 'activation' or 'relaxation'. In contrast, no
      effects on perceived pain intensity were observed. The effects of music listening
      on perceived control over pain were not mediated by biomarkers of stress
      responsive systems. Music listening in daily life improved perceived control over
      pain in female FMS patients. Clinicians using music therapy should become aware
      of the potential adjuvant role of music listening in daily life, which has the
      potential to improve symptom control in chronic pain patients. In order to study
      the role of underlying biological mechanisms, it might be necessary to use more
      intensive engagement with music (i.e., collective singing or music-making) rather
      than mere music listening. 

PMID- 26283949
TI  - Role of the parahippocampal cortex in memory for the configuration but not the
      identity of objects: converging evidence from patients with selective thermal
      lesions and fMRI.
AB  - The parahippocampal cortex and hippocampus are brain structures known to be
      involved in memory. However, the unique contribution of the parahippocampal
      cortex remains unclear. The current study investigates memory for object identity
      and memory of the configuration of objects in patients with small thermo
      coagulation lesions to the hippocampus or the parahippocampal cortex. Results
      showed that in contrast to control participants and patients with damage to the
      hippocampus leaving the parahippocampal cortex intact, patients with lesions that
      included the right parahippocampal cortex (RPH) were severely impaired on a task
      that required learning the spatial configuration of objects on a computer screen;
      these patients, however, were not impaired at learning the identity of objects.
      Conversely, we found that patients with lesions to the right hippocampus (RH) or
      left hippocampus (LH), sparing the parahippocampal cortex, performed just as well
      as the control participants. Furthermore, they were not impaired on the object
      identity task. In the functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) experiment,
      healthy young adults performed the same tasks. Consistent with the findings of
      the lesion study, the fMRI results showed significant activity in the RPH in the
      memory for the spatial configuration condition, but not memory for object
      identity. Furthermore, the pattern of fMRI activity measured in the baseline
      control conditions decreased specifically in the parahippocampal cortex as a
      result of the experimental task, providing evidence for task specific repetition
      suppression. In summary, while our previous studies demonstrated that the
      hippocampus is critical to the construction of a cognitive map, both the lesion
      and fMRI studies have shown an involvement of the RPH for learning spatial
      configurations of objects but not object identity, and that this takes place
      independent of the hippocampus. 

PMID- 26283952
TI  - Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on the Recognition of Bodily
      Emotions from Point-Light Displays.
AB  - Perceiving human motion, recognizing actions, and interpreting emotional body
      language are tasks we perform daily and which are supported by a network of brain
      areas including the human posterior superior temporal sulcus (pSTS). Here, we
      applied transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) with anodal (excitatory)
      or cathodal (inhibitory) electrodes mounted over right pSTS (target) and orbito
      frontal cortex (reference) while healthy participants performed a bodily emotion
      recognition task using biological motion point-light displays (PLDs). Performance
      (accuracy and reaction times) was also assessed on a control task which was
      matched to the emotion recognition task in terms of cognitive and motor demands.
      Each subject participated in two experimental sessions, receiving either anodal
      or cathodal stimulation, which were separated by one week to avoid residual
      effects of previous stimulations. Overall, tDCS brain stimulation did not affect
      the recognition of emotional states from PLDs. However, when emotions with a
      negative or positive-neutral emotional valence were analyzed separately, effects
      of stimulation were shown for recognizing emotions with a negative emotional
      valence (sadness and anger), indicating increased recognition performance when
      receiving anodal (excitatory) stimulation compared to cathodal (inhibitory)
      stimulation over pSTS. No stimulation effects were shown for the recognition of
      emotions with positive-neutral emotional valences. These findings extend previous
      studies showing structure-function relationships between STS and biological
      motion processing from PLDs and provide indications that stimulation effects may
      be modulated by the emotional valence of the stimuli. 

PMID- 26283953
TI  - The neuroaesthetics of prose fiction: pitfalls, parameters and prospects.
AB  - There is a paucity of neuroaesthetic studies on prose fiction. This is in
      contrast to the very many impressive studies that have been conducted in recent
      times on the neuroaesthetics of sister arts such as painting, music and dance.
      Why might this be the case, what are its causes and, of greatest importance, how
      can it best be resolved? In this article, the pitfalls, parameters and prospects
      of a neuroaesthetics of prose fiction will be explored. The article itself is
      part critical review, part methodological proposal and part opinion paper. Its
      aim is simple: to stimulate, excite and energize thinking in the discipline as to
      how prose fiction might be fully integrated in the canon of neuroaesthetics and
      to point to opportunities where neuroimaging studies on literary discourse
      processing might be conducted in collaborative work bringing humanists and
      scientists together. 

PMID- 26283954
TI  - Modeling the calcium spike as a threshold triggered fixed waveform for
      synchronous inputs in the fluctuation regime.
AB  - Modeling the layer 5 pyramidal neuron as a system of three connected isopotential
      compartments, the soma, proximal, and distal compartment, with calcium spike
      dynamics in the distal compartment following first order kinetics, we are able to
      reproduce in-vitro experimental results which demonstrate the involvement of
      calcium spikes in action potentials generation. To explore how calcium spikes
      affect the neuronal output in-vivo, we emulate in-vivo like conditions by
      embedding the neuron model in a regime of low background fluctuations with
      occasional large synchronous inputs. In such a regime, a full calcium spike is
      only triggered by the synchronous events in a threshold like manner and has a
      stereotypical waveform. Hence, in such a regime, we are able to replace the
      calcium dynamics with a simpler threshold triggered current of fixed waveform,
      which is amenable to analytical treatment. We obtain analytically the mean
      somatic membrane potential excursion due to a calcium spike being triggered while
      in the fluctuating regime. Our analytical form that accounts for the covariance
      between conductances and the membrane potential shows a better agreement with
      simulation results than a naive first order approximation. 

PMID- 26283955
TI  - Mechanisms for multiple activity modes of VTA dopamine neurons.
AB  - Midbrain ventral segmental area (VTA) dopaminergic neurons send numerous
      projections to cortical and sub-cortical areas, and diffusely release dopamine
      (DA) to their targets. DA neurons display a range of activity modes that vary in
      frequency and degree of burst firing. Importantly, DA neuronal bursting is
      associated with a significantly greater degree of DA release than an equivalent
      tonic activity pattern. Here, we introduce a single compartmental, conductance
      based computational model for DA cell activity that captures the behavior of DA
      neuronal dynamics and examine the multiple factors that underlie DA firing modes:
      the strength of the SK conductance, the amount of drive, and GABA inhibition. Our
      results suggest that neurons with low SK conductance fire in a fast firing mode,
      are correlated with burst firing, and require higher levels of applied current
      before undergoing depolarization block. We go on to consider the role of
      GABAergic inhibition on an ensemble of dynamical classes of DA neurons and find
      that strong GABA inhibition suppresses burst firing. Our studies suggest
      differences in the distribution of the SK conductance and GABA inhibition levels
      may indicate subclasses of DA neurons within the VTA. We further identify, that
      by considering alternate potassium dynamics, the dynamics display burst patterns
      that terminate via depolarization block, akin to those observed in vivo in VTA DA
      neurons and in substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) DA cell preparations under
      apamin application. In addition, we consider the generation of transient burst
      firing events that are NMDA-initiated or elicited by a sudden decrease of GABA
      inhibition, that is, disinhibition. 

PMID- 26283956
TI  - Synaptic dynamics and neuronal network connectivity are reflected in the
      distribution of times in Up states.
AB  - The dynamics of neuronal networks connected by synaptic dynamics can sustain long
      periods of depolarization that can last for hundreds of milliseconds such as Up
      states recorded during sleep or anesthesia. Yet the underlying mechanism driving
      these periods remain unclear. We show here within a mean-field model that the
      residence time of the neuronal membrane potential in cortical Up states does not
      follow a Poissonian law, but presents several peaks. Furthermore, the present
      modeling approach allows extracting some information about the neuronal network
      connectivity from the time distribution histogram. Based on a synaptic-depression
      model, we find that these peaks, that can be observed in histograms of patch
      clamp recordings are not artifacts of electrophysiological measurements, but
      rather are an inherent property of the network dynamics. Analysis of the
      equations reveals a stable focus located close to the unstable limit cycle,
      delimiting a region that defines the Up state. The model further shows that the
      peaks observed in the Up state time distribution are due to winding around the
      focus before escaping from the basin of attraction. Finally, we use in vivo
      recordings of intracellular membrane potential and we recover from the peak
      distribution, some information about the network connectivity. We conclude that
      it is possible to recover the network connectivity from the distribution of times
      that the neuronal membrane voltage spends in Up states. 

PMID- 26283957
TI  - ANNarchy: a code generation approach to neural simulations on parallel hardware.
AB  - Many modern neural simulators focus on the simulation of networks of spiking
      neurons on parallel hardware. Another important framework in computational
      neuroscience, rate-coded neural networks, is mostly difficult or impossible to
      implement using these simulators. We present here the ANNarchy (Artificial Neural
      Networks architect) neural simulator, which allows to easily define and simulate
      rate-coded and spiking networks, as well as combinations of both. The interface
      in Python has been designed to be close to the PyNN interface, while the
      definition of neuron and synapse models can be specified using an equation
      oriented mathematical description similar to the Brian neural simulator. This
      information is used to generate C++ code that will efficiently perform the
      simulation on the chosen parallel hardware (multi-core system or graphical
      processing unit). Several numerical methods are available to transform ordinary
      differential equations into an efficient C++code. We compare the parallel
      performance of the simulator to existing solutions. 

PMID- 26283959
TI  - Direct costs of dementia in nursing homes.
AB  - Dementia represents an economical burden to societies nowadays. Total dementia
      expenses are calculated by the sum of direct and indirect costs. Through the
      stages of the diseases, as the patients may require institutionalization or a
      formal caregiver, the direct costs tend to increase. This study aims to analyze
      the direct costs of dementia in Portuguese nursing homes in 2012, compare the
      spending between seniors with and without dementia, and propose a predictive
      costs model. The expenses analysis was based on (1) the use of emergency rooms
      and doctor's appointments, either in public or private institutions; (2) days of
      hospitalization; (3) medication; (4) social services use; (5) the need for
      technical support; and (6) the utilization of rehabilitation services. The sample
      was composed of 72 people, half with dementia and half without. The average
      annual expense of a patient with dementia was ?15,287 thousand, while the cost of
      a patient without dementia was about ?12,289 thousand. The variables "ability to
      make yourself understood," "self-performance: getting dressed" and "thyroid
      disorders" were found to be statistically significant in predicting the expenses'
      increase. In nursing homes, in 2012, the costs per patient with dementia were 1,
      2 times higher than per patient without dementia. 

PMID- 26283958
TI  - Neuroligin 1 modulates striatal glutamatergic neurotransmission in a pathway and
      NMDAR subunit-specific manner.
AB  - Together with its presynaptic partner Neurexin 1 (Nxn1), Neuroligin 1 (NL1)
      participates in synapse specification and synapse maintenance. We and others have
      shown that NL1 can also modulate glutamatergic synaptic function in the central
      nervous system of rodent models. These molecular/cellular changes can translate
      into altered animal behaviors that are thought to be analogous to symptomatology
      of neuropsychiatric disorders. For example, in dorsal striatum of NL1 deletion
      mice, we previously reported that the ratio N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR)
      mediated synaptic currents to alpha-amino-3-hydroxyl-5-methyl-4-isoxazole
      propionate receptor (AMPAR) mediated synaptic currents (NMDA/AMPA) is reduced in
      medium spiny neuron (MSNs). Importantly, this reduction in NMDA/AMPA ratio
      correlated with increased repetitive grooming. The striatum is the input nucleus
      of the basal ganglia (BG). Classical models of this circuitry imply that there
      are two principal pathways that render distinct and somewhat opposite striatal
      outputs critical to the function of these nuclei in modulating motor behavior.
      Thus, we set out to better characterize the effects of NL1 deletion on direct and
      indirect pathways of the dorsal striatum by genetically labeling MSNs
      participating in the direct and indirect pathways. We demonstrate that a decrease
      in NMDAR-mediated currents is limited to MSNs of the direct pathway. Furthermore,
      the decrease in NMDAR-mediated currents is largely due to a reduction in function
      of NMDARs containing the GluN2A subunit. In contrast, indirect pathway MSNs in
      NL1 knockout (KO) mice showed a reduction in the frequency of miniature
      excitatory neurotransmission not observed in the direct pathway. Thus, NL1
      deletion differentially affects direct and indirect pathway MSNs in dorsal
      striatum. These findings have potential implications for striatal function in NL1
      KO mice. 

PMID- 26283960
TI  - Electroacupuncture Reduces Abeta Production and BACE1 Expression in SAMP8 Mice.
AB  - Electroacupuncture (EA) has been reported to have beneficial effects on
      Alzheimer's disease (AD). BACE1 (beta-site amyloid precursor protein-cleaving
      enzyme 1) is involved in the abnormal production of amyloid-beta plaque (Abeta),
      a hallmark of AD pathophysiology. Thus, the present study investigated the
      effects of EA on memory impairment, Abeta production, and BACE1 expression in
      senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8) mice. We found that EA improved
      spatial learning and memory impairment of SAMP8 mice. Furthermore, EA attenuated
      Abeta production and repressed the expression of BACE1 in the hippocampus of
      SAMP8 mice. Taken together, our results suggest that EA could have a potential
      therapeutic application in AD and that BACE1 may be an important target of EA in
      the treatment of AD. 

PMID- 26283961
TI  - A hemodynamic model to guide blood pressure control during deliberate hypotension
      with sodium nitroprusside in children.
AB  - Sodium nitroprusside (SNP) has been widely used to control blood pressure in
      infants and children. The goals of this analysis were to develop models that
      describe the hemodynamic response to SNP dosing in pediatric patients; examine
      sources of variation in dose-response, defining age, and size dependencies; and
      determine vulnerable populations or patient subtypes that may elicit dosing
      modifications. A multi-center, randomized, double-blinded, parallel-group, dose
      ranging, effect-controlled study, followed by an open-label dose titration of an
      intravenous infusion of SNP was undertaken in 203 pediatric subjects, who
      required deliberate hypotension or controlled normotension during anesthesia. A
      total of 3464 MAP measurements collected from 202 patients during the study's
      blinded phase, including baseline measurements up to 6 min prior to the blinded
      were available for analysis. A population K-PD model was developed with a one
      compartment model assumed for SNP. Size differences in CL and V of the effect
      compartment were described using theory-based allometry. An inhibitory sigmoidal
      Emax model was used to describe the effect of SNP. A power function of age was
      used to describe age-related differences in baseline MAP. A mixture model of two
      groups with low and high EC50 was used to explain variability in MAP response.
      Change in MAP was characterized by a linear disease progression slope during the
      blinded phase. In the final population model, CL and V increased with weight, and
      baseline MAP increased with age. The effect compartment half-life of SNP was 13.4
      min. The infusion rate producing 50% of Emax (ER50) at steady state for high
      EC50, was 0.34 MUg/kg/min and for low EC50 0.103 MUg/kg/min. The K-PD model well
      describes initial dosing of SNP under controlled circumstances; model-based
      dosing guidance agrees with current practice. An initial titration strategy
      supported via algorithm-based feedback should improve maintenance of target MAP. 

PMID- 26283963
TI  - Targeting brain tumor cAMP: the case for sex-specific therapeutics.
AB  - A relationship between cyclic adenosine 3', 5'-monophosphate (cAMP) levels and
      brain tumor biology has been evident for nearly as long as cAMP and its
      synthetase, adenylate cyclase (ADCY) have been known. The importance of the
      pathway in brain tumorigenesis has been demonstrated in vitro and in multiple
      animal models. Recently, we provided human validation for a cooperating oncogenic
      role for cAMP in brain tumorigenesis when we found that SNPs in ADCY8 were
      correlated with glioma (brain tumor) risk in individuals with Neurofibromatosis
      type 1 (NF1). Together, these studies provide a strong rationale for targeting
      cAMP in brain tumor therapy. However, the cAMP pathway is well-known to be
      sexually dimorphic, and SNPs in ADCY8 affected glioma risk in a sex-specific
      fashion, elevating the risk for females while protecting males. The cAMP pathway
      can be targeted at multiple levels in the regulation of its synthesis and
      degradation. Sex differences in response to drugs that target cAMP regulators
      indicate that successful targeting of the cAMP pathway for brain tumor patients
      is likely to require matching specific mechanisms of drug action with patient
      sex. 

PMID- 26283965
TI  - Nutrition, a health technology that deserves increasing interest among HTA doers.
      A systematic review.
AB  - The increasing interest for evaluating indirect consequences of health care
      interventions and their interaction with patients' behavior have put the focus on
      health promotion interventions including nutrition and the need to measure and
      evaluate them. OBJECTIVE: In this review we have aimed to analyze current status
      of written and published reports on nutrition and nutrition interventions by HTA
      doers, how assessment has been approached and which metrics and designs have been
      proposed. METHODS: For that purpose, we searched the Center for Reviews and
      Dissemination databases (CRD) comprising the International Network of Agencies
      for HTA database (INAHTA), the database of effects (DARE) and the National Health
      Service Economic Evaluation Database (NHS EED). The words used include nutrition
      and nutrition interventions and there was no limit on data coverage. We
      complemented the search by manually seek for further reports on INAHTA's agencies
      webpages. We extracted the reports for their classification and analysis.
      RESULTS: We found 82 reports from different sources and after applying inclusion
      and exclusion criteria, we finally included 42. All the reports correspond to
      High income Countries (HiC) including agencies from Europe, North America and
      Oceania. The agencies or programs most represented correspond to the NIHR (UK)
      and AHRQ (USA). There were general reports around the role of functional foods
      and specific reports on the impact of establishing nutrition specific strategies
      in hospitals. 6 out of 42 analyzed the economic consequences of nutrition
      interventions and 4 reports were related to the methodologies used or the
      appliance of systematic review methods to the field of nutrition. CONCLUSIONS:
      the reports included correspond to HiC while those HTA agencies established in
      Low and Middle Income countries (LMiC) have no reported or written activities on
      the role of nutrition and nutrition interventions. Retrieved reports written by
      HTA doers/producers confirm the use and utility of systematic reviews and
      economic analysis methods and its applicability for nutrition interventions.
      However, some measurements such as Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALY) need to be
      refined to better reflect the impact of these interventions.

PMID- 26283962
TI  - Voltage-gated sodium channels and cancer: is excitability their primary role?
AB  - Voltage-gated sodium channels (NaV) are molecular characteristics of excitable
      cells. Their activation, triggered by membrane depolarization, generates
      transient sodium currents that initiate action potentials in neurons and muscle
      cells. Sodium currents were discovered by Hodgkin and Huxley using the voltage
      clamp technique and reported in their landmark series of papers in 1952. It was
      only in the 1980's that sodium channel proteins from excitable membranes were
      molecularly characterized by Catterall and his collaborators. Non-excitable cells
      can also express NaV channels in physiological conditions as well as in
      pathological conditions. These NaV channels can sustain biological roles that are
      not related to the generation of action potentials. Interestingly, it is likely
      that the abnormal expression of NaV in pathological tissues can reflect the re
      expression of a fetal phenotype. This is especially true in epithelial cancer
      cells for which these channels have been identified and sodium currents recorded,
      while it was not the case for cells from the cognate normal tissues. In cancers,
      the functional activity of NaV appeared to be involved in regulating the
      proliferative, migrative, and invasive properties of cells. This review is aimed
      at addressing the non-excitable roles of NaV channels with a specific emphasis in
      the regulation of cancer cell biology. 

PMID- 26283964
TI  - Urokinase receptor and resistance to targeted anticancer agents.
AB  - The urokinase receptor (uPAR) is a GPI-anchored membrane protein, which regulates
      protease activity at the cell surface and, in collaboration with a system of co
      receptors, triggers cell-signaling and regulates gene expression within the cell.
      In normal tissues, uPAR gene expression is limited; however, in cancer, uPAR is
      frequently over-expressed and the gene may be amplified. Hypoxia, which often
      develops in tumors, further increases uPAR expression by cancer cells. uPAR
      initiated cell-signaling promotes cancer cell migration, invasion, metastasis,
      epithelial-mesenchymal transition, stem cell-like properties, survival, and
      release from states of dormancy. Newly emerging data suggest that the pro
      survival cell-signaling activity of uPAR may allow cancer cells to "escape" from
      the cytotoxic effects of targeted anticancer drugs. Herein, we review the
      molecular properties of uPAR that are responsible for its activity in cancer
      cells and its ability to counteract the activity of anticancer drugs. 

PMID- 26283966
TI  - Computational polypharmacology comes of age.

PMID- 26283967
TI  - Therapeutic strategies for anchored kinases and phosphatases: exploiting short
      linear motifs and intrinsic disorder.
AB  - Phosphorylation events that occur in response to the second messenger cAMP are
      controlled spatially and temporally by protein kinase A (PKA) interacting with A
      kinase anchoring proteins (AKAPs). Recent advances in understanding the
      structural basis for this interaction have reinforced the hypothesis that AKAPs
      create spatially constrained signaling microdomains. This has led to the
      realization that the PKA/AKAP interface is a potential drug target for modulating
      a plethora of cell-signaling events. Pharmacological disruption of kinase-AKAP
      interactions has previously been explored for disease treatment and remains an
      interesting area of research. However, disrupting or enhancing the association of
      phosphatases with AKAPs is a therapeutic concept of equal promise, particularly
      since they oppose the actions of many anchored kinases. Accordingly, numerous
      AKAPs bind phosphatases such as protein phosphatase 1 (PP1), calcineurin (PP2B),
      and PP2A. These multimodal signaling hubs are equally able to control the
      addition of phosphate groups onto target substrates, as well as the removal of
      these phosphate groups. In this review, we describe recent advances in structural
      analysis of kinase and phosphatase interactions with AKAPs, and suggest future
      possibilities for targeting these interactions for therapeutic benefit. 

PMID- 26283968
TI  - It takes two-coincidence coding within the dual olfactory pathway of the
      honeybee.
AB  - To rapidly process biologically relevant stimuli, sensory systems have developed
      a broad variety of coding mechanisms like parallel processing and coincidence
      detection. Parallel processing (e.g., in the visual system), increases both
      computational capacity and processing speed by simultaneously coding different
      aspects of the same stimulus. Coincidence detection is an efficient way to
      integrate information from different sources. Coincidence has been shown to
      promote associative learning and memory or stimulus feature detection (e.g., in
      auditory delay lines). Within the dual olfactory pathway of the honeybee both of
      these mechanisms might be implemented by uniglomerular projection neurons (PNs)
      that transfer information from the primary olfactory centers, the antennal lobe
      (AL), to a multimodal integration center, the mushroom body (MB). PNs from
      anatomically distinct tracts respond to the same stimulus space, but have
      different physiological properties, characteristics that are prerequisites for
      parallel processing of different stimulus aspects. However, the PN pathways also
      display mirror-imaged like anatomical trajectories that resemble neuronal
      coincidence detectors as known from auditory delay lines. To investigate temporal
      processing of olfactory information, we recorded PN odor responses simultaneously
      from both tracts and measured coincident activity of PNs within and between
      tracts. Our results show that coincidence levels are different within each of the
      two tracts. Coincidence also occurs between tracts, but to a minor extent
      compared to coincidence within tracts. Taken together our findings support the
      relevance of spike timing in coding of olfactory information (temporal code). 

PMID- 26283969
TI  - The role of miRNAs in stress-responsive hepatic stellate cells during liver
      fibrosis.
AB  - The progression of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis is associated with the
      persistence of an injury causing agent, leading to changes in the extracellular
      environment and a disruption of the cellular homeostasis of liver resident cells.
      Recruitment of inflammatory cells, apoptosis of hepatocytes, and changes in liver
      microvasculature are some examples of changing cellular environment that lead to
      the induction of stress responses in nearby cells. During liver fibrosis, the
      major stresses include hypoxia, oxidative stress, and endoplasmic reticulum
      stress. When hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are subjected to such stress, they
      modulate fibrosis progression by induction of their activation toward a
      myofibroblastic phenotype, or by undergoing apoptosis, and thus helping fibrosis
      resolution. It is widely accepted that microRNAs are import regulators of gene
      expression, both during normal cellular homeostasis, as well as in pathologic
      conditions. MicroRNAs are short RNA sequences that regulate the gene expression
      by mRNA destabilization and inhibition of mRNA translation. Specific microRNAs
      have been identified to play a role in the activation process of HSCs on the one
      hand and in stress-responsive pathways on the other hand in other cell types
      (Table 2). However, so far there are no reports for the involvement of miRNAs in
      the different stress responses linked to HSC activation. Here, we review briefly
      the major stress response pathways and propose several miRNAs to be regulated by
      these stress responsive pathways in activating HSCs, and discuss their potential
      specific pro-or anti-fibrotic characteristics. 

PMID- 26283970
TI  - On the mechanism by which dietary nitrate improves human skeletal muscle
      function.
AB  - Inorganic nitrate is present at high levels in beetroot and celery, and in green
      leafy vegetables such as spinach and lettuce. Though long believed inert, nitrate
      can be reduced to nitrite in the human mouth and, further, under hypoxia and/or
      low pH, to nitric oxide. Dietary nitrate has thus been associated favorably with
      nitric-oxide-regulated processes including blood flow and energy metabolism.
      Indeed, the therapeutic potential of dietary nitrate in cardiovascular disease
      and metabolic syndrome-both aging-related medical disorders-has attracted
      considerable recent research interest. We and others have shown that dietary
      nitrate supplementation lowers the oxygen cost of human exercise, as less
      respiratory activity appears to be required for a set rate of skeletal muscle
      work. This striking observation predicts that nitrate benefits the energy
      metabolism of human muscle, increasing the efficiency of either mitochondrial ATP
      synthesis and/or of cellular ATP-consuming processes. In this mini-review, we
      evaluate experimental support for the dietary nitrate effects on muscle
      bioenergetics and we critically discuss the likelihood of nitric oxide as the
      molecular mediator of such effects. 

PMID- 26283971
TI  - Hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase and inosine 5'-monophosphate
      dehydrogenase activities in three mammalian species: aquatic (Mirounga
      angustirostris), semi-aquatic (Lontra longicaudis annectens) and terrestrial (Sus
      scrofa).
AB  - Aquatic and semiaquatic mammals have the capacity of breath hold (apnea) diving.
      Northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) have the ability to perform
      deep and long duration dives; during a routine dive, adults can hold their breath
      for 25 min. Neotropical river otters (Lontra longicaudis annectens) can hold
      their breath for about 30 s. Such periods of apnea may result in reduced oxygen
      concentration (hypoxia) and reduced blood supply (ischemia) to tissues.
      Production of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) requires oxygen, and most mammalian
      species, like the domestic pig (Sus scrofa), are not adapted to tolerate hypoxia
      and ischemia, conditions that result in ATP degradation. The objective of this
      study was to explore the differences in purine synthesis and recycling in
      erythrocytes and plasma of three mammalian species adapted to different
      environments: aquatic (northern elephant seal) (n = 11), semiaquatic (neotropical
      river otter) (n = 4), and terrestrial (domestic pig) (n = 11). Enzymatic activity
      of hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HGPRT) was determined by
      spectrophotometry, and activity of inosine 5'-monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH)
      and the concentration of hypoxanthine (HX), inosine 5'-monophosphate (IMP),
      adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP), adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP), ATP, guanosine
      5'-diphosphate (GDP), guanosine 5'-triphosphate (GTP), and xanthosine 5'
      monophosphate (XMP) were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography
      (HPLC). The activities of HGPRT and IMPDH and the concentration of HX, IMP, AMP,
      ADP, ATP, GTP, and XMP in erythrocytes of domestic pigs were higher than in
      erythrocytes of northern elephant seals and river otters. These results suggest
      that under basal conditions (no diving, sleep apnea or exercise), aquatic, and
      semiaquatic mammals have less purine mobilization than their terrestrial
      counterparts. 

PMID- 26283972
TI  - Community-Based Global Health Program for Maltreated Children and Adolescents in
      Brazil: The Equilibrium Program.
AB  - The maltreatment of children and adolescents is a global public health problem
      that affects high- and low-middle income countries ("LMICs"). In the United
      States, around 1.2 million children suffer from abuse, while in LMICs, such as
      Brazil, these rates are much higher (an estimated 28 million children).
      Exposition to early environmental stress has been associated with suboptimal
      physical and brain development, persistent cognitive impairment, and behavioral
      problems. Studies have reported that children exposed to maltreatment are at high
      risk of behavioral problems, learning disabilities, communication and psychiatric
      disorders, and general clinical conditions, such as obesity and systemic
      inflammation later in life. The aim of this paper is to describe The Equilibrium
      Program ("TEP"), a community-based global health program implemented in Sao
      Paulo, Brazil to serve traumatized and neglected children and adolescents. We
      will describe and discuss TEP's implementation, highlighting its innovation
      aspects, research projects developed within the program as well as its population
      profile. Finally, we will discuss TEP's social impact, challenges, and
      limitations. The program's goal is to promote the social and family reintegration
      of maltreated children and adolescents through an interdisciplinary intervention
      program that provides multi-dimensional bio-psycho-social treatment integrated
      with the diverse services needed to meet the unique demands of this population.
      The program's cost effectiveness is being evaluated to support the development of
      more effective treatments and to expand similar programs in other areas of
      Brazil. Policy makers should encourage early evidence-based interventions for
      disadvantaged children to promote healthier psychosocial environments and provide
      them opportunities to become healthy and productive adults. This approach has
      already shown itself to be a cost-effective strategy to prevent disease and
      promote health. 

PMID- 26283973
TI  - Toward a Deeper Understanding of the Genetics of Bipolar Disorder.
AB  - Bipolar disorder is a common, complex psychiatric disorder characterized by mania
      and depression. The disease aggregates in families, but despite much effort, it
      has been difficult to delineate the basic genetic model or identify specific
      genetic risk factors. Not only single gene Mendelian transmission and common
      variant hypotheses but also multivariate threshold models and oligogenic quasi
      Mendelian modes of inheritance have dominated the discussion at times. Almost
      complete sequence information of the human genome and falling sequencing costs
      now offer the opportunity to test these models in families in which the disorder
      is transmitted over several generations. Exome-wide sequencing studies have
      revealed an astonishing number of rare and potentially damaging mutations in
      brain-expressed genes that could have contributed to the disease manifestation.
      However, the statistical analysis of these data has been challenging, because
      genetic risk factors displayed a high degree of dissimilarity across families.
      This scenario is not unique to bipolar disorder, but similar results have also
      been found in schizophrenia, a potentially related psychiatric disorder.
      Recently, our group has published data which supported an oligogenic genetic
      model of transmission in a family with bipolar disorder. In this family, three
      affected siblings shared rare, damaging mutations in multiple genes, which were
      linked to stress response pathways. These pathways are also the target for drugs
      frequently used to treat bipolar disorder. This article discusses these findings
      in the context of previously proclaimed disease models and suggests future
      research directions, including biological confirmation and phenotype
      stratification as an approach to disease heterogeneity. 

PMID- 26283974
TI  - Structural MRI Differences between Patients with and without First Rank Symptoms:
      A Delusion?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: It has been suggested that specific psychotic symptom clusters may be
      explained by patterns of biological abnormalities. The presence of first rank
      symptoms (FRS) has been associated with cognitive abnormalities, e.g., deficits
      in self-monitoring or in the experience of agency, suggesting that a specific
      network of neural abnormalities might underlie FRS. Here, we investigate
      differences in cortical and subcortical brain volume between patients with and
      without FRS. METHODS: Three independent patient samples (referred to as A, B, and
      C) with different mean ages and in different illness stages were included,
      leading to a total of 348 patients within the schizophrenia-spectrum. All
      underwent magnetic resonance imaging of the brain. In addition, the presence of
      FRS was established using a diagnostic interview. Patients with (FRS+, A: n = 63,
      B: n = 129, and C: n = 96) and without FRS (FRS-, A: n = 35, B: n = 17, and C: n
      = 8) were compared on global and local cortical volumes as well as subcortical
      volumes, using a whole brain (cerebrum) approach. RESULTS: Nucleus accumbens
      volume was significantly smaller in FRS+ as compared with FRS- in sample A (p <
      0.005). Furthermore, FRS+ showed a smaller volume of the pars-opercularis
      relative to FRS- in sample B (p < 0.001). No further significant differences were
      found in cortical and subcortical volumes between FRS+ and FRS- in either one of
      the three samples after correction for multiple comparison. CONCLUSION: Brain
      volume differences between patients with and without FRS are, when present,
      subtle, and not consistent between three independent samples. Brain abnormalities
      related to FRS may be too subtle to become visible through structural brain
      imaging.

PMID- 26283975
TI  - A Systematic Review of the Evidence for Impaired Cognitive Theory of Mind in
      Maltreated Children.
AB  - Compared to the large number of studies exploring difficulties in emotion
      recognition in maltreated children, few (N = 12) have explored the cognitive
      aspect of theory of mind (ToM), i.e., the ability to understand others' thoughts
      and intentions. A systematic review of these studies shows inconsistent results
      regarding cognitive ToM tasks. Youths with a history of maltreatment are more
      likely to fail at false-belief tasks (N = 2). However, results are less
      conclusive regarding other tasks (perspective-taking tasks, N = 4; and hostile
      attribution tasks, N = 7). Additionally, only one study controlled for potential
      psychopathology. Measures of psychopathology and other cognitive abilities, in
      addition to ToM, are required to establish a specific association between
      maltreatment and the cognitive dimension of ToM. 

PMID- 26283977
TI  - Collapsing factors in multitrait-multimethod models: examining consequences of a
      mismatch between measurement design and model.
AB  - Models of confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) are frequently applied to examine
      the convergent validity of scores obtained from multiple raters or methods in so
      called multitrait-multimethod (MTMM) investigations. Many applications of CFA
      MTMM and similarly structured models result in solutions in which at least one
      method (or specific) factor shows non-significant loading or variance estimates.
      Eid et al. (2008) distinguished between MTMM measurement designs with
      interchangeable (randomly selected) vs. structurally different (fixed) methods
      and showed that each type of measurement design implies specific CFA-MTMM
      measurement models. In the current study, we hypothesized that some of the
      problems that are commonly seen in applications of CFA-MTMM models may be due to
      a mismatch between the underlying measurement design and fitted models. Using
      simulations, we found that models with M method factors (where M is the total
      number of methods) and unconstrained loadings led to a higher proportion of
      solutions in which at least one method factor became empirically unstable when
      these models were fit to data generated from structurally different methods. The
      simulations also revealed that commonly used model goodness-of-fit criteria
      frequently failed to identify incorrectly specified CFA-MTMM models. We discuss
      implications of these findings for other complex CFA models in which similar
      issues occur, including nested (bifactor) and latent state-trait models. 

PMID- 26283976
TI  - Comprehension and computation in Bayesian problem solving.
AB  - Humans have long been characterized as poor probabilistic reasoners when
      presented with explicit numerical information. Bayesian word problems provide a
      well-known example of this, where even highly educated and cognitively skilled
      individuals fail to adhere to mathematical norms. It is widely agreed that
      natural frequencies can facilitate Bayesian inferences relative to normalized
      formats (e.g., probabilities, percentages), both by clarifying logical set-subset
      relations and by simplifying numerical calculations. Nevertheless, between-study
      performance on "transparent" Bayesian problems varies widely, and generally
      remains rather unimpressive. We suggest there has been an over-focus on this
      representational facilitator (i.e., transparent problem structures) at the
      expense of the specific logical and numerical processing requirements and the
      corresponding individual abilities and skills necessary for providing Bayesian
      like output given specific verbal and numerical input. We further suggest that
      understanding this task-individual pair could benefit from considerations from
      the literature on mathematical cognition, which emphasizes text comprehension and
      problem solving, along with contributions of online executive working memory,
      metacognitive regulation, and relevant stored knowledge and skills. We conclude
      by offering avenues for future research aimed at identifying the stages in
      problem solving at which correct vs. incorrect reasoners depart, and how
      individual differences might influence this time point. 

PMID- 26283978
TI  - Hallucinations and related concepts-their conceptual background.
AB  - Prior to the seventeenth century, the experiences we now name hallucinations were
      valued within a cultural context, they could bring meaning to the subject or the
      world. From mid-seventeenth to eighteenth centuries, they acquire a medical
      quality in mental and organic illnesses. However, the term was only fully
      integrated in psychiatry by Esquirol in the eighteenth-nineteenth centuries. By
      then, a controversy begins on whether hallucinations have a perceptual or
      intellectual origin. Esquirol favors the intellectual origin, describing them as
      an involuntary exercise of memory and imagination. By the twentieth century, some
      authors maintain that hallucinations are a form of delusion (Ey), while others
      describe them as a change in perception (Jaspers, Fish). More integrated
      perspectives like those proposed by Alonso Fernandez and Luque, highlights the
      heterogeneity of hallucinations and the multiplicity of their types and causes.
      The terms pseudohallucination, illusion, and hallucinosis are grafted into the
      concept of hallucination. Since its introduction the term pseudohallucination has
      been used with different meanings. The major characteristics that we found
      associated with pseudohallucinations were "lack of objectivity" and "presence of
      insight" (differing from hallucinations). Illusions are unanimously taken as
      distortions of real objects. Hallucinosis, first described in the context of
      alcohol consumption, is generally considered egodystonic, in which insight is
      preserved. These and other controversial aspects regarding the evolution of the
      term hallucination and all its derivative concepts are discussed in this paper. 

PMID- 26283979
TI  - Quantum-like model of unconscious-conscious dynamics.
AB  - We present a quantum-like model of sensation-perception dynamics (originated in
      Helmholtz theory of unconscious inference) based on the theory of quantum
      apparatuses and instruments. We illustrate our approach with the model of
      bistable perception of a particular ambiguous figure, the Schroder stair. This is
      a concrete model for unconscious and conscious processing of information and
      their interaction. The starting point of our quantum-like journey was the
      observation that perception dynamics is essentially contextual which implies
      impossibility of (straightforward) embedding of experimental statistical data in
      the classical (Kolmogorov, 1933) framework of probability theory. This motivates
      application of nonclassical probabilistic schemes. And the quantum formalism
      provides a variety of the well-approved and mathematically elegant probabilistic
      schemes to handle results of measurements. The theory of quantum apparatuses and
      instruments is the most general quantum scheme describing measurements and it is
      natural to explore it to model the sensation-perception dynamics. In particular,
      this theory provides the scheme of indirect quantum measurements which we apply
      to model unconscious inference leading to transition from sensations to
      perceptions. 

PMID- 26283980
TI  - Eleven-month-old infants infer differences in the hardness of object surfaces
      from observation of penetration events.
AB  - Previous studies have shown different developmental trajectories for object
      recognition of solid and non-solid objects. However, there is no evidence as to
      whether infants have expectations regarding certain attributes of objects, such
      as surface hardness, in the absence of tactile information. In the present study,
      we examined infants' perception of the hardness of object surfaces from visually
      presented penetration events using the familiarization-novelty preference
      procedure. Experiment 1 showed that by 11 months old infants distinguished a
      relatively soft surface from a crusty surface based on changes in the velocity of
      a moving object as the moving object penetrated the surface of the target object.
      Experiment 2 ruled out the possibility that infants were merely sensitive to
      differences in the velocity changes in the stimuli. 

PMID- 26283981
TI  - How does susceptibility to proactive interference relate to speech recognition in
      aided and unaided conditions?
AB  - Proactive interference (PI) is the capacity to resist interference to the
      acquisition of new memories from information stored in the long-term memory.
      Previous research has shown that PI correlates significantly with the speech-in
      noise recognition scores of younger adults with normal hearing. In this study, we
      report the results of an experiment designed to investigate the extent to which
      tests of visual PI relate to the speech-in-noise recognition scores of older
      adults with hearing loss, in aided and unaided conditions. The results suggest
      that measures of PI correlate significantly with speech-in-noise recognition only
      in the unaided condition. Furthermore the relation between PI and speech-in-noise
      recognition differs to that observed in younger listeners without hearing loss.
      The findings suggest that the relation between PI tests and the speech-in-noise
      recognition scores of older adults with hearing loss relates to capability of the
      test to index cognitive flexibility. 

PMID- 26283982
TI  - Characteristic visuomotor influences on eye-movement patterns to faces and other
      high level stimuli.
AB  - Eye-movement patterns are often utilized in studies of visual perception as
      indices of the specific information extracted to efficiently process a given
      stimulus during a given task. Our prior work, however, revealed that not only the
      stimulus and task influence eye-movements, but that visuomotor (start position)
      factors also robustly and characteristically influence eye-movement patterns to
      faces (Arizpe et al., 2012). Here we manipulated lateral starting side and
      distance from the midline of face and line-symmetrical control (butterfly)
      stimuli in order to further investigate the nature and generality of such
      visuomotor influences. First we found that increasing starting distance from
      midline (4 degrees , 8 degrees , 12 degrees , and 16 degrees  visual angle)
      strongly and proportionately increased the distance of the first ordinal fixation
      from midline. We did not find influences of starting distance on subsequent
      fixations, however, suggesting that eye-movement plans are not strongly affected
      by starting distance following an initial orienting fixation. Further, we
      replicated our prior effect of starting side (left, right) to induce a spatially
      contralateral tendency of fixations after the first ordinal fixation. However, we
      also established that these visuomotor influences did not depend upon the
      predictability of the location of the upcoming stimulus, and were present not
      only for face stimuli but also for our control stimulus category (butterflies).
      We found a correspondence in overall left-lateralized fixation tendency between
      faces and butterflies. Finally, for faces, we found a relationship between left
      starting side (right sided fixation pattern tendency) and increased recognition
      performance, which likely reflects a cortical right hemisphere (left visual
      hemifield) advantage for face perception. These results further indicate the
      importance of considering and controlling for visuomotor influences in the
      design, analysis, and interpretation of eye-movement studies. 

PMID- 26283984
TI  - Late positive slow waves as markers of chunking during encoding.
AB  - Electrophysiological markers of chunking of words during encoding have mostly
      been shown in studies that present pairs of related stimuli. In these cases it is
      difficult to disentangle cognitive processes that reflect distinctiveness (i.e.,
      conspicuous items because they are related), perceived association between
      related items and unified representations of various items, or chunking. Here, we
      propose a paradigm that enables the determination of a separate Event-related
      Potential (ERP) marker of these cognitive processes using sequentially related
      word triads. Twenty-three young healthy individuals viewed 80 15-word lists
      composed of unrelated items except for the three words in the middle serial
      positions (triads), which could be either unrelated (control list), related
      perceptually, phonetically or semantically. ERP amplitudes were measured at
      encoding of each one of the words in the triads. We analyzed two latency
      intervals (350-400 and 400-800 ms) at midline locations. Behaviorally, we
      observed a progressive facilitation in the immediate free recall of the words in
      the triads depending on the relations between their items (control < perceptual <
      phonetic < semantic), but only semantically related items were recalled as
      chunks. P300-like deflections were observed for perceptually deviant stimuli. A
      reduction of amplitude of a component akin to the N400 was found for words that
      were phonetically and semantically associated with prior items and therefore were
      not associated to chunking. Positive slow wave (PSW) amplitudes increased as
      successive phonetically and semantically related items were presented, but they
      were observed earlier and were more prominent at Fz for semantic associates. PSWs
      at Fz and Cz also correlated with recall of semantic word chunks. This confirms
      prior claims that PSWs at Fz are potential markers of chunking which, in the
      proposed paradigm, were modulated differently from the detection of deviant
      stimuli and of relations between stimuli. 

PMID- 26283983
TI  - Inversion effects reveal dissociations in facial expression of emotion, gender,
      and object processing.
AB  - To distinguish between high-level visual processing mechanisms, the degree to
      which holistic processing is involved in facial identity, facial expression, and
      object perception is often examined through measuring inversion effects. However,
      participants may be biased by different experimental paradigms to use more or
      less holistic processing. Here we take a novel psychophysical approach to
      directly compare human face and object processing in the same experiment, with
      face processing broken into two categories: variant properties and invariant
      properties as they were tested using facial expressions of emotion and gender,
      respectively. Specifically, participants completed two different perceptual
      discrimination tasks. One involved making judgments of stimulus similarity and
      the other tested the ability to detect differences between stimuli. Each task was
      completed for both upright and inverted stimuli. Results show significant
      inversion effects for the detection of differences in facial expressions of
      emotion and gender, but not for objects. More interestingly, participants
      exhibited a selective inversion deficit when making similarity judgments between
      different facial expressions of emotion, but not for gender or objects. These
      results suggest a three-way dissociation between facial expression of emotion,
      gender, and object processing. 

PMID- 26283985
TI  - When sexual threat cues shape attitudes toward immigrants: the role of insecurity
      and benevolent sexism.
AB  - Drawing on psychological and political science research on individuals'
      sensitivity to threat cues, the present study examines reactions to political
      posters that depict male immigrants as a sexual danger. We expect anti-immigrant
      attitudes to be more strongly predicted by feelings of insecurity or
      representations of men and women as strong and fragile when individuals are
      exposed to sexual threat cues than when they are not. Results from two online
      experiments conducted in Switzerland and Germany largely confirmed these
      assumptions. Comparing two anti-immigrant posters (general and non-sexual threat
      vs. sexual threat), Experiment 1 (n = 142) showed that feelings of insecurity
      were related to an increased support for expelling immigrants from the host
      country in both cases. However, only in the sexual threat cues condition and
      among female participants, were perceptions of women as fragile-as measured with
      benevolent sexism items-related to support for expelling immigrants. Further
      distinguishing between different forms of violence threat cues, Experiment 2 (n =
      181) showed that collective feelings of insecurity were most strongly related to
      support for expelling immigrants when a male immigrant was presented as a violent
      criminal. In contrast, benevolent sexist beliefs were related to anti-immigrant
      stances only when participants were exposed to a depiction of a male immigrant as
      a rapist. In both cases attitudes were polarized: on the one hand,
      representations of immigrants as criminals provoked reactance reactions-that is,
      more positive attitudes-among participants scoring low in insecurity feelings or
      benevolent sexism. On the other hand, those scoring high in these dimensions
      expressed slightly more negative attitudes. Overall, by applying social
      psychological concepts to the study of anti-immigrant political campaigning, the
      present study demonstrated that individuals are sensitive to specific threat cues
      in posters. 

PMID- 26283986
TI  - Social cues to joint actions: the role of shared goals.
AB  - In daily life, we do not just move independently from how others move. Rather,
      the way we move conveys information about our cognitive and affective attitudes
      toward our conspecifics. However, the implicit social substrate of our movements
      is not easy to capture and isolate given the complexity of human interactive
      behaviors. In this perspective article we discuss the crucial conditions for
      exploring the impact of "interpersonal" cognitive/emotional dimensions on the
      motor behavior of individuals interacting in realistic contexts. We argue that
      testing interactions requires one to build up naturalistic and yet controlled
      scenarios where participants reciprocally adapt their movements in order to
      achieve an overarching "shared goal." We suggest that a shared goal is what
      singles out real interactions from situations where two or more individuals
      contingently but independently act next to each other, and that "interpersonal"
      socio-emotional dimensions might fail to affect co-agents' behaviors if real
      interactions are not at place. We report the results of a novel joint-grasping
      task suitable for exploring how individual sub-goals (i.e., correctly grasping an
      object) relate to, and depend from, the representation of "shared goals." 

PMID- 26283988
TI  - Incorporating measurement error in n = 1 psychological autoregressive modeling.
AB  - Measurement error is omnipresent in psychological data. However, the vast
      majority of applications of autoregressive time series analyses in psychology do
      not take measurement error into account. Disregarding measurement error when it
      is present in the data results in a bias of the autoregressive parameters. We
      discuss two models that take measurement error into account: An autoregressive
      model with a white noise term (AR+WN), and an autoregressive moving average
      (ARMA) model. In a simulation study we compare the parameter recovery performance
      of these models, and compare this performance for both a Bayesian and frequentist
      approach. We find that overall, the AR+WN model performs better. Furthermore, we
      find that for realistic (i.e., small) sample sizes, psychological research would
      benefit from a Bayesian approach in fitting these models. Finally, we illustrate
      the effect of disregarding measurement error in an AR(1) model by means of an
      empirical application on mood data in women. We find that, depending on the
      person, approximately 30-50% of the total variance was due to measurement error,
      and that disregarding this measurement error results in a substantial
      underestimation of the autoregressive parameters. 

PMID- 26283987
TI  - Consciousness: individuated information in action.
AB  - Within theoretical and empirical enquiries, many different meanings associated
      with consciousness have appeared, leaving the term itself quite vague. This makes
      formulating an abstract and unifying version of the concept of consciousness -
      the main aim of this article -into an urgent theoretical imperative. It is argued
      that consciousness, characterized as dually accessible (cognized from the inside
      and the outside), hierarchically referential (semantically ordered), bodily
      determined (embedded in the working structures of an organism or conscious
      system), and useful in action (pragmatically functional), is a graded rather than
      an all-or-none phenomenon. A gradational approach, however, despite its
      explanatory advantages, can lead to some counterintuitive consequences and
      theoretical problems. In most such conceptions consciousness is extended globally
      (attached to primitive organisms or artificial systems), but also locally
      (connected to certain lower-level neuronal and bodily processes). For example,
      according to information integration theory (as introduced recently by Tononi and
      Koch, 2014), even such simple artificial systems as photodiodes possess miniscule
      amounts of consciousness. The major challenge for this article, then, is to
      establish reasonable, empirically justified constraints on how extended the range
      of a graded consciousness could be. It is argued that conscious systems are
      limited globally by the ability to individuate information (where individuated
      information is understood as evolutionarily embedded, socially altered, and
      private), whereas local limitations should be determined on the basis of a
      hypothesis about the action-oriented nature of the processes that select states
      of consciousness. Using these constraints, an abstract concept of consciousness
      is arrived at, hopefully contributing to a more unified state of play within
      consciousness studies itself. 

PMID- 26283989
TI  - Sensitivity analysis in multiple imputation in effectiveness studies of
      psychotherapy.
AB  - The importance of preventing and treating incomplete data in effectiveness
      studies is nowadays emphasized. However, most of the publications focus on
      randomized clinical trials (RCT). One flexible technique for statistical
      inference with missing data is multiple imputation (MI). Since methods such as MI
      rely on the assumption of missing data being at random (MAR), a sensitivity
      analysis for testing the robustness against departures from this assumption is
      required. In this paper we present a sensitivity analysis technique based on
      posterior predictive checking, which takes into consideration the concept of
      clinical significance used in the evaluation of intra-individual changes. We
      demonstrate the possibilities this technique can offer with the example of
      irregular longitudinal data collected with the Outcome Questionnaire-45 (OQ-45)
      and the Helping Alliance Questionnaire (HAQ) in a sample of 260 outpatients. The
      sensitivity analysis can be used to (1) quantify the degree of bias introduced by
      missing not at random data (MNAR) in a worst reasonable case scenario, (2)
      compare the performance of different analysis methods for dealing with missing
      data, or (3) detect the influence of possible violations to the model assumptions
      (e.g., lack of normality). Moreover, our analysis showed that ratings from the
      patient's and therapist's version of the HAQ could significantly improve the
      predictive value of the routine outcome monitoring based on the OQ-45. Since
      analysis dropouts always occur, repeated measurements with the OQ-45 and the HAQ
      analyzed with MI are useful to improve the accuracy of outcome estimates in
      quality assurance assessments and non-randomized effectiveness studies in the
      field of outpatient psychotherapy. 

PMID- 26283990
TI  - Metacognition-augmented cognitive remediation training reduces jumping to
      conclusions and overconfidence but not neurocognitive deficits in psychosis.
AB  - The majority of patients with schizophrenia display neurocognitive deficits
      (e.g., memory impairment) as well as inflated cognitive biases (e.g., jumping to
      conclusions). Both cognitive domains are implicated in the pathogenesis of the
      disorder and are known to compromise functional outcome. At present, there is a
      dearth of effective treatment options. A total of 90 patients with schizophrenia
      were recruited online (a diagnosis of schizophrenia had been confirmed in a large
      subgroup during a previous hospital admission). Subsequent to a baseline
      assessment encompassing psychopathology, self-reported cognition as well as
      objective memory and reasoning tests, patients were randomized to one of three
      conditions: standard cognitive remediation (mybraintraining), metacognition
      augmented cognition remediation (CR) condition (variant of mybraintraining which
      encouraged patients to reduce speed of decision-making and attenuate response
      confidence when participants made high-confidence judgements and hasty incorrect
      decisions) and a waitlist control group. Patients were retested after 6 weeks and
      again 3 months after the second assessment. Groups did not differ on
      psychopathology and neurocognitive parameters at any timepoint. However, at
      follow-up the metacognitive-augmented CR group displayed a significant reduction
      on jumping to conclusions and overconfidence. Treatment adherence correlated with
      a reduction of depression; gains in the training exercises from the standard
      mybraintraining condition were correlated with improved objective memory
      performance. The study suggests that metacognition-augmented CR may ameliorate
      cognitive biases but not neurocognition. The study ties in well with prior
      research showing that neurocognitive dysfunctions are rather resistant to change;
      the failure to detect significant improvement of CR or metacognition-augmented CR
      on psychopathology and neurocognition over time may partly be attributed to a
      number of methodological limitations of our study (low psychopathology and
      chronicity of participants, low "dosage," narrow range of tests, self-report
      psychopathology scales). 

PMID- 26283991
TI  - Belief in school meritocracy as a system-justifying tool for low status students.
AB  - The belief that, in school, success only depends on will and hard work is
      widespread in Western societies despite evidence showing that several factors
      other than merit explain school success, including group belonging (e.g., social
      class, gender). In the present paper, we argue that because merit is the only
      track for low status students to reach upward mobility, Belief in School
      Meritocracy (BSM) is a particularly useful system-justifying tool to help them
      perceive their place in society as being deserved. Consequently, for low status
      students (but not high status students), this belief should be related to more
      general system-justifying beliefs (Study 1). Moreover, low status students should
      be particularly prone to endorsing this belief when their place within a system
      on which they strongly depend to acquire status is challenged (Study 2). In Study
      1, high status (boys and high SES) were compared to low status (girls and low
      SES) high school students. Results indicated that BSM was related to system
      justifying beliefs only for low SES students and for girls, but not for high SES
      students or for boys. In Study 2, university students were exposed (or not) to
      information about an important selection process that occurs at the university,
      depending on the condition. Their subjective status was assessed. Although such a
      confrontation reduced BSM for high subjective SES students, it tended to enhance
      it for low subjective SES students. Results are discussed in terms of system
      justification motives and the palliative function meritocratic ideology may play
      for low status students. 

PMID- 26283992
TI  - A longitudinal study of higher-order thinking skills: working memory and fluid
      reasoning in childhood enhance complex problem solving in adolescence.
AB  - Scientists have studied the development of the human mind for decades and have
      accumulated an impressive number of empirical studies that have provided ample
      support for the notion that early cognitive performance during infancy and
      childhood is an important predictor of later cognitive performance during
      adulthood. As children move from childhood into adolescence, their mental
      development increasingly involves higher-order cognitive skills that are crucial
      for successful planning, decision-making, and problem solving skills. However,
      few studies have employed higher-order thinking skills such as complex problem
      solving (CPS) as developmental outcomes in adolescents. To fill this gap, we
      tested a longitudinal developmental model in a sample of 2,021 Finnish sixth
      grade students (M = 12.41 years, SD = 0.52; 1,041 female, 978 male, 2 missing
      sex). We assessed working memory (WM) and fluid reasoning (FR) at age 12 as
      predictors of two CPS dimensions: knowledge acquisition and knowledge
      application. We further assessed students' CPS performance 3 years later as a
      developmental outcome (N = 1696; M = 15.22 years, SD = 0.43; 867 female, 829
      male). Missing data partly occurred due to dropout and technical problems during
      the first days of testing and varied across indicators and time with a mean of
      27.2%. Results revealed that FR was a strong predictor of both CPS dimensions,
      whereas WM exhibited only a small influence on one of the two CPS dimensions.
      These results provide strong support for the view that CPS involves FR and, to a
      lesser extent, WM in childhood and from there evolves into an increasingly
      complex structure of higher-order cognitive skills in adolescence. 

PMID- 26283994
TI  - Approaches to assessment in time-limited Mentalization-Based Therapy for Children
      (MBT-C).
AB  - In this article we describe our clinical approach to assessment, formulation and
      the identification of a therapeutic focus in the context of time-limited
      Mentalization-Based Treatment for Children (MBT-C) aged between 6 and 12. Rather
      than seeing the capacity to mentalize as a global construct, we set out an
      approach to assessing the developmental 'building blocks' of the capacity to
      mentalize the self and others, including the capacity for attention regulation,
      emotion regulation, and explicit mentalization. Assessing the child's strengths
      and vulnerabilities in each of these domains provides a more nuanced picture of
      the child's mentalizing capacities and difficulties, and can provide a useful
      approach to case formulation. The article sets out an approach to assessment that
      includes a consideration of mentalizing strengths and difficulties in both the
      child and the parents, and shows how this can be used to help develop a mutually
      agreed treatment focus. A clinical vignette illustrates the approach taken to
      assessment and connects it to routine clinical practice. 

PMID- 26283993
TI  - A macroscopic violation of no-signaling in time inequalities? How to test
      temporal entanglement with behavioral observables.
AB  - In this paper we applied for the first time the no-signaling in time (NSIT)
      formalism discussed by Kofler and Brukner (2013) to investigate temporal
      entanglement between binary human behavioral unconscious choices at t1 with
      binary random outcomes at t2. NSIT consists of a set of inequalities and
      represents mathematical conditions for macro-realism which require only two
      measurements in time. The analyses of three independent experiments show a strong
      violation of NSIT in two out of three of them, suggesting the hypothesis of a
      quantum-like temporal entanglement between human choices at t1 with binary random
      outcomes at t2. We discuss the potentialities of using NSIT to test temporal
      entanglement with behavioral measures. 

PMID- 26283995
TI  - Editorial: Measurement Invariance.

PMID- 26283996
TI  - Emotional availability: theory, research, and intervention.
AB  - Attachment theory (Bowlby, 1969) and its limitations are first described. Next,
      emotional availability (EA; Biringen et al., 1998; Biringen, 2008) is introduced
      as an expansion upon the original conceptualization of the parent-child
      attachment relationship. As a construct and as a measure, EA considers the dyadic
      and emotional qualities of adult-child relationships. EA is predictive of a
      variety of child outcomes, such as attachment security, emotion regulation, and
      school readiness. Recently developed programs to enhance adult-child EA are
      described. 

PMID- 26283997
TI  - Auditory verbal hallucinations in schizophrenia and post-traumatic stress
      disorder: common phenomenology, common cause, common interventions?
AB  - Auditory verbal hallucinations (AVH: 'hearing voices') are found in both
      schizophrenia and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In this paper we first
      demonstrate that AVH in these two diagnoses share a qualitatively similar
      phenomenology. We then show that the presence of AVH in schizophrenia is often
      associated with earlier exposure to traumatic/emotionally overwhelming events, as
      it is by definition in PTSD. We next argue that the content of AVH relates to
      earlier traumatic events in a similar way in both PTSD and schizophrenia, most
      commonly having direct or indirect thematic links to emotionally overwhelming
      events, rather than being direct re-experiencing. We then propose, following
      cognitive models of PTSD, that the reconstructive nature of memory may be able to
      account for the nature of these associations between trauma and AVH content, as
      may threat-hypervigilance and the individual's personal goals. We conclude that a
      notable subset of people diagnosed with schizophrenia with AVH are having
      phenomenologically and aetiologically identical experiences to PTSD patients who
      hear voices. As such we propose that the iron curtain between AVH in PTSD (often
      termed 'dissociative AVH') and AVH in schizophrenia (so-called 'psychotic AVH')
      needs to be torn down, as these are often the same experience. One implication of
      this is that these trauma-related AVH require a common trans-diagnostic treatment
      strategy. Whilst antipsychotics are already increasingly being used to treat AVH
      in PTSD, we argue for the centrality of trauma-based interventions for trauma
      based AVH in both PTSD and in people diagnosed with schizophrenia. 

PMID- 26283998
TI  - Will understanding vision require a wholly empirical paradigm?
AB  - Based on electrophysiological and anatomical studies, a prevalent conception is
      that the visual system recovers features of the world from retinal images to
      generate perceptions and guide behavior. This paradigm, however, is unable to
      explain why visual perceptions differ from physical measurements, or how behavior
      could routinely succeed on this basis. An alternative is that vision does not
      recover features of the world, but assigns perceptual qualities empirically by
      associating frequently occurring stimulus patterns with useful responses on the
      basis of survival and reproductive success. The purpose of the present article is
      to briefly describe this strategy of vision and the evidence for it. 

PMID- 26283999
TI  - Executive functions in mono- and bilingual children with language impairment -
      issues for speech-language pathology.
AB  - The clinical assessment of language impairment (LI) in bilingual children imposes
      challenges for speech-language pathology services. Assessment tools standardized
      for monolingual populations increase the risk of misinterpreting bilingualism as
      LI. This Perspective article summarizes recent studies on the assessment of
      bilingual LI and presents new results on including non-linguistic measures of
      executive functions in the diagnostic assessment. Executive functions shows
      clinical utility as less subjected to language use and exposure than linguistic
      measures. A possible bilingual advantage, and consequences for speech-language
      pathology practices and future research are discussed. 

PMID- 26284000
TI  - One size does not fit all: older adults benefit from redundant text in multimedia
      instruction.
AB  - The multimedia design of presentations typically ignores that younger and older
      adults have varying cognitive strengths and weaknesses. We examined whether
      differential instructional design may enhance learning in these populations.
      Younger and older participants viewed one of three computer-based presentations:
      Audio only (narration), Redundant (audio narration with redundant text), or
      Complementary (audio narration with non-redundant text and images). Younger
      participants learned better when audio narration was paired with relevant images
      compared to when audio narration was paired with redundant text. However, older
      participants learned best when audio narration was paired with redundant text.
      Younger adults, who presumably have a higher working memory capacity (WMC),
      appear to benefit more from complementary information that may drive deeper
      conceptual processing. In contrast, older adults learn better from presentations
      that support redundant coding across modalities, which may help mitigate the
      effects of age-related decline in WMC. Additionally, several misconceptions of
      design quality appeared across age groups: both younger and older participants
      positively rated less effective designs. Findings suggest that one-size does not
      fit all, with older adults requiring unique multimedia design tailored to their
      cognitive abilities for effective learning. 

PMID- 26284001
TI  - Deriving meaning from others' emotions: attribution, appraisal, and the use of
      emotions as social information.
AB  - Emotional expressions constitute a rich source of information. Integrating
      theorizing on attribution, appraisal processes, and the use of emotions as social
      information, we examined how emotional expressions influence attributions of
      agency and responsibility under conditions of ambiguity. Three vignette studies
      involving different scenarios indicate that participants used information about
      others' emotional expressions to make sense of ambiguous social situations.
      Expressions of regret fueled inferences that the expresser was responsible for an
      adverse situation, whereas expressions of anger fueled inferences that someone
      else was responsible. Also, expressions of anger were interpreted as a sign of
      injustice, and expressions of disappointment increased prosocial intentions
      (i.e., to help the expresser). The results show that emotional expressions can
      help people understand ambiguous social situations by informing attributions that
      correspond with each emotion's associated appraisal structures. The findings
      advance understanding of the ways in which emotional expressions help individuals
      understand and coordinate social life. 

PMID- 26284002
TI  - Parental bereavement and the loss of purpose in life as a function of
      interdependent self-construal.
AB  - Children are often inextricably linked to their parents' hopes and dreams. As
      such, the loss of a child often represents one of the most traumatic experiences
      possible. The current research explores how this specific loss relates to one's
      sense of purpose in life. We further explore whether the loss of a child is
      particularly detrimental to one's sense of purpose for highly interdependent
      parents. Analyses of parents from the Midlife in the United States data set
      revealed, as expected, that the loss of child negatively predicts one's sense of
      purpose in life, and that this effect is most pronounced for parents high in
      interdependent self-construal. Potential mechanisms and implications of the
      present findings are discussed. 

PMID- 26284003
TI  - Editorial: Character, responsibility, and well-being: influences on mental health
      and constructive behavior patterns.

PMID- 26284004
TI  - Rewards modulate saccade latency but not exogenous spatial attention.
AB  - The eye movement system is sensitive to reward. However, whilst the eye movement
      system is extremely flexible, the extent to which changes to oculomotor behavior
      induced by reward paradigms persist beyond the training period or transfer to
      other oculomotor tasks is unclear. To address these issues we examined the
      effects of presenting feedback that represented small monetary rewards to spatial
      locations on the latency of saccadic eye movements, the time-course of learning
      and extinction of the effects of rewarding saccades on exogenous spatial
      attention and oculomotor inhibition of return. Reward feedback produced a
      relative facilitation of saccadic latency in a stimulus driven saccade task which
      persisted for three blocks of extinction trials. However, this hemifield-specific
      effect failed to transfer to peripheral cueing tasks. We conclude that rewarding
      specific spatial locations is unlikely to induce long-term, systemic changes to
      the human oculomotor or attention systems. 

PMID- 26284005
TI  - Cognitive training for children with ADHD: a randomized controlled trial of
      cogmed working memory training and 'paying attention in class'.
AB  - The goal of this randomized controlled trial was to replicate and extend previous
      studies of Cogmed Working Memory Training (CWMT) in children with Attention
      deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). While a large proportion of children with
      ADHD suffer from academic difficulties, only few previous efficacy studies have
      taken into account long term academic outcome measures. So far, results regarding
      academic outcome measures have been inconsistent. Hundred and two children with
      ADHD between the age of 8 and 12 years (both medicated and medication naive)
      participated in current randomized controlled trial. Children were randomly
      assigned to CWMT or a new active combined working memory- and executive function
      compensatory training called 'Paying Attention in Class.' Primary outcome
      measures were neurocognitive functioning and academic performance. Secondary
      outcome measures contained ratings of behavior in class, behavior problems, and
      quality of life. Assessment took place before, directly after and 6 months after
      treatment. Results showed only one replicated treatment effect on visual spatial
      working memory in favor of CWMT. Effects of time were found for broad
      neurocognitive measures, supported by parent and teacher ratings. However, no
      treatment or time effects were found for the measures of academic performance,
      behavior in class or quality of life. We suggest that methodological and non
      specific treatment factors should be taken into account when interpreting current
      findings. Future trials with well-blinded measures and a third 'no treatment'
      control group are needed before cognitive training can be supported as an
      evidence-based treatment of ADHD. Future research should put more effort into
      investigating why, how and for whom cognitive training is effective as this would
      also potentially lead to improved intervention- and study designs. 

PMID- 26284007
TI  - Examination of the suitability of collecting in event cognitive processes using
      Think Aloud protocol in golf.
AB  - Two studies examined the use of Think Aloud (TA) protocol as a means for
      collecting data of cognitive processes during performance in golf. In Study 1, TA
      was employed to examine if different verbalisation (Level 2 or Level 3 TA)
      instructions influence performance of high and low skilled golfers. Participants
      performed 30 putts using TA at either Levels 2, 3, or no verbalization condition.
      Although Level 3 verbalization produced a higher volume of verbal data than Level
      2, TA at either Level 2 or 3 did not impair putting performance compared to no
      verbalization. Study 2 examined the congruence between data collected via TA at
      Level 3 and cued retrospective recall of cognitive processes during golf
      performance. Experienced golfers performed six holes of golf whilst engaging in
      Level 3 TA. After performance, three semi-structured retrospective interviews
      were conducted (10 min after performance, 24 h after performance and 48 h after
      performance). A comparison of the themes identified large discrepancies between
      the information reported during TA and at interview, with only 38-41% similarity
      in variables reported to influence decision making on each hole. Both studies
      suggest TA is a valuable method for recording cognitive processes of individuals
      during task performance. TA provides richer verbal data regarding decisions than
      cued retrospective recall, and TA does not negatively impact performance. 

PMID- 26284006
TI  - Can a bird brain do phonology?
AB  - A number of recent studies have revealed correspondences between song- and
      language-related neural structures, pathways, and gene expression in humans and
      songbirds. Analyses of vocal learning, song structure, and the distribution of
      song elements have similarly revealed a remarkable number of shared
      characteristics with human speech. This article reviews recent developments in
      the understanding of these issues with reference to the phonological phenomena
      observed in human language. This investigation suggests that birds possess a host
      of abilities necessary for human phonological computation, as evidenced by
      behavioral, neuroanatomical, and molecular genetic studies. Vocal-learning birds
      therefore present an excellent model for studying some areas of human phonology,
      though differences in the primitives of song and language as well as the absence
      of a human-like morphosyntax make human phonology differ from birdsong phonology
      in crucial ways. 

PMID- 26284009
TI  - Investigating the role of self-construal in the formation of entrepreneurial
      intentions.
AB  - Individuals may perceive themselves as independent and distinct from others or as
      interdependent and connected to others. Do these differences in self-construal
      influence entrepreneurial preferences and intentions to start a new business in
      university students? Few studies have examined the influence of cultural
      orientations on entrepreneurial intentions at the individual level of analysis.
      Two studies investigated the role of independent and interdependent self
      construal within the theory of planned behavior (TPB). In the first study,
      results from structural equation modeling analyses found that chronic independent
      self-construal was related to attitudes toward entrepreneurship and moderated
      relationships between attitudes and entrepreneurial intentions. In the second
      study, participants primed with an independent self-construal had more favorable
      entrepreneurial attitudes, but not intentions than participants primed with an
      interdependent focus. This set of studies extends cognitive models of
      entrepreneurship by demonstrating the role of self-construal in the TPB model at
      individual level. 

PMID- 26284008
TI  - Audition and vision share spatial attentional resources, yet attentional load
      does not disrupt audiovisual integration.
AB  - Humans continuously receive and integrate information from several sensory
      modalities. However, attentional resources limit the amount of information that
      can be processed. It is not yet clear how attentional resources and multisensory
      processing are interrelated. Specifically, the following questions arise: (1) Are
      there distinct spatial attentional resources for each sensory modality? and (2)
      Does attentional load affect multisensory integration? We investigated these
      questions using a dual task paradigm: participants performed two spatial tasks (a
      multiple object tracking task and a localization task), either separately (single
      task condition) or simultaneously (dual task condition). In the multiple object
      tracking task, participants visually tracked a small subset of several randomly
      moving objects. In the localization task, participants received either visual,
      auditory, or redundant visual and auditory location cues. In the dual task
      condition, we found a substantial decrease in participants' performance relative
      to the results of the single task condition. Importantly, participants performed
      equally well in the dual task condition regardless of the location cues'
      modality. This result suggests that having spatial information coming from
      different modalities does not facilitate performance, thereby indicating shared
      spatial attentional resources for the auditory and visual modality. Furthermore,
      we found that participants integrated redundant multisensory information
      similarly even when they experienced additional attentional load in the dual task
      condition. Overall, findings suggest that (1) visual and auditory spatial
      attentional resources are shared and that (2) audiovisual integration of spatial
      information occurs in an pre-attentive processing stage. 

PMID- 26284010
TI  - Audiovisual crossmodal cuing effects in front and rear space.
AB  - The participants in the present study had to make speeded elevation
      discrimination responses to visual targets presented to the left or right of
      central fixation following the presentation of a task-irrelevant auditory cue on
      either the same or opposite side. In Experiment 1, the cues were presented from
      in front of the participants (from the same azimuthal positions as the visual
      targets). A standard crossmodal exogenous spatial cuing effect was observed, with
      participants responding significantly faster in the elevation discrimination task
      to visual targets when both the auditory cues and the visual targets were
      presented on the same side. Experiment 2 replicated the exogenous spatial cuing
      effect for frontal visual targets following both front and rear auditory cues.
      The results of Experiment 3 demonstrated that the participants had little
      difficulty in correctly discriminating the location from which the sounds were
      presented. Thus, taken together, the results of the three experiments reported
      here demonstrate that the exact co-location of auditory cues and visual targets
      is not necessary to attract spatial attention. Implications of these results for
      the design of real-world warning signals are discussed. 

PMID- 26284011
TI  - Determinants of judgment and decision making quality: the interplay between
      information processing style and situational factors.
AB  - A framework is presented to better characterize the role of individual
      differences in information processing style and their interplay with contextual
      factors in determining decision making quality. In Experiment 1, we show that
      individual differences in information processing style are flexible and can be
      modified by situational factors. Specifically, a situational manipulation that
      induced an analytical mode of thought improved decision quality. In Experiment 2,
      we show that this improvement in decision quality is highly contingent on the
      compatibility between the dominant thinking mode and the nature of the task. That
      is, encouraging an intuitive mode of thought led to better performance on an
      intuitive task but hampered performance on an analytical task. The reverse
      pattern was obtained when an analytical mode of thought was encouraged. We
      discuss the implications of these results for the assessment of decision making
      competence, and suggest practical directions to help individuals better adjust
      their information processing style to the situation at hand and make optimal
      decisions. 

PMID- 26284012
TI  - Deceit and facial expression in children: the enabling role of the "poker face"
      child and the dependent personality of the detector.
AB  - This study presents the relation between the facial expression of a group of
      children when they told a lie and the accuracy in detecting the lie by a sample
      of adults. To evaluate the intensity and type of emotional content of the
      children's faces, we applied an automated method capable of analyzing the facial
      information from the video recordings (FaceReader 5.0 software). The program
      classified videos as showing a neutral facial expression or an emotional one.
      There was a significant higher mean of hits for the emotional than for the
      neutral videos, and a significant negative correlation between the intensity of
      the neutral expression and the number of hits from the detectors. The lies
      expressed with emotional facial expression were more easily recognized by adults
      than the lies expressed with a "poker face"; thus, the less expressive the child
      the harder it was to guess. The accuracy of the lie detectors was then correlated
      with their subclinical traits of personality disorders, to find that participants
      scoring higher in the dependent personality were significantly better lie
      detectors. A non-significant tendency for women to discriminate better was also
      found, whereas men tended to be more suspicious than women when judging the
      children's veracity. This study is the first to automatically decode the facial
      information of the lying child and relate these results with personality
      characteristics of the lie detectors in the context of deceptive behavior
      research. Implications for forensic psychology were suggested: to explore whether
      the induction of an emotion in a child during an interview could be useful to
      evaluate the testimony during legal trials. 

PMID- 26284013
TI  - The relation between receptive grammar and procedural, declarative, and working
      memory in specific language impairment.
AB  - What memory systems underlie grammar in children, and do these differ between
      typically developing (TD) children and children with specific language impairment
      (SLI)? Whilst there is substantial evidence linking certain memory deficits to
      the language problems in children with SLI, few studies have investigated
      multiple memory systems simultaneously, examining not only possible memory
      deficits but also memory abilities that may play a compensatory role. This study
      examined the extent to which procedural, declarative, and working memory
      abilities predict receptive grammar in 45 primary school aged children with SLI
      (30 males, 15 females) and 46 TD children (30 males, 16 females), both on average
      9;10 years of age. Regression analyses probed measures of all three memory
      systems simultaneously as potential predictors of receptive grammar. The model
      was significant, explaining 51.6% of the variance. There was a significant main
      effect of learning in procedural memory and a significant group * procedural
      learning interaction. Further investigation of the interaction revealed that
      procedural learning predicted grammar in TD but not in children with SLI. Indeed,
      procedural learning was the only predictor of grammar in TD. In contrast, only
      learning in declarative memory significantly predicted grammar in SLI. Thus,
      different memory systems are associated with receptive grammar abilities in
      children with SLI and their TD peers. This study is, to our knowledge, the first
      to demonstrate a significant group by memory system interaction in predicting
      grammar in children with SLI and their TD peers. In line with Ullman's
      Declarative/Procedural model of language and procedural deficit hypothesis of
      SLI, variability in understanding sentences of varying grammatical complexity
      appears to be associated with variability in procedural memory abilities in TD
      children, but with declarative memory, as an apparent compensatory mechanism, in
      children with SLI. 

PMID- 26284014
TI  - Treating verbal working memory in a boy with intellectual disability.
AB  - The present case study investigates the effects of a cognitive training of verbal
      working memory that was proposed for Davide, a 14-year-old boy diagnosed with
      mild intellectual disability. The program stimulated attention, inhibition,
      switching, and the ability to engage either in verbal dual tasks or in producing
      inferences after the content of a short passage had been encoded in episodic
      memory. Key elements in our program included (1) core training of target
      cognitive mechanisms; (2) guided practice emphasizing concrete strategies to
      engage in exercises; and (3) a variable amount of adult support. The study
      explored whether such a complex program produced "near transfer" effects on an
      untrained dual task assessing verbal working memory and whether effects on this
      and other target cognitive mechanisms (i.e., attention, inhibition, and
      switching) were long-lasting and produced "far transfer" effects on cognitive
      flexibility. The effects of the intervention program were investigated with a
      research design consisting of four subsequent phases lasting 8 or 10 weeks, each
      preceded and followed by testing. There was a control condition (phase 1) in
      which the boy received, at home, a stimulation focused on the visuospatial
      domain. Subsequently, there were three experimental training phases, in which
      stimulation in the verbal domain was first focused on attention and inhibition
      (phase 2a), then on switching and simple working memory tasks (phase 2b), then on
      complex working memory tasks (phase 3). A battery of neuropsychological tests was
      administered before and after each training phase and 7 months after the
      conclusion of the intervention. The main finding was that Davide changed from
      being incapable of addressing the dual task request of the listening span test in
      the initial assessment to performing close to the normal limits of a 13-year-old
      boy in the follow-up assessment with this test, when he was 15 years old. 

PMID- 26284015
TI  - Temporal attending and prediction influence the perception of metrical rhythm:
      evidence from reaction times and ERPs.
AB  - The processing of rhythmic events in music is influenced by the induced metrical
      structure. Two mechanisms underlying this may be temporal attending and temporal
      prediction. Temporal fluctuations in attentional resources may influence the
      processing of rhythmic events by heightening sensitivity at metrically strong
      positions. Temporal predictions may attenuate responses to events that are highly
      expected within a metrical structure. In the current study we aimed to
      disentangle these two mechanisms by examining responses to unexpected sounds,
      using intensity increments and decrements as deviants. Temporal attending was
      hypothesized to lead to better detection of deviants in metrically strong (on the
      beat) than weak (offbeat) positions due to heightened sensitivity on the beat.
      Temporal prediction was hypothesized to lead to best detection of increments in
      offbeat positions and decrements on the beat, as they would be most unexpected in
      these positions. We used a speeded detection task to measure detectability of the
      deviants under attended conditions (Experiment 1). Under unattended conditions
      (Experiment 2), we used EEG to measure the mismatch negativity (MMN), an ERP
      component known to index the detectability of unexpected auditory events.
      Furthermore, we examined the amplitude of the auditory evoked P1 and N1
      responses, which are known to be sensitive to both attention and prediction. We
      found better detection of small increments in offbeat positions than on the beat,
      consistent with the influence of temporal prediction (Experiment 1). In addition,
      we found faster detection of large increments on the beat as opposed to offbeat
      (Experiment 1), and larger amplitude P1 responses on the beat as compared to
      offbeat, both in support of temporal attending (Experiment 2). As such, we showed
      that both temporal attending and temporal prediction shape our processing of
      metrical rhythm. 

PMID- 26284016
TI  - Engagement in dance is associated with emotional competence in interplay with
      others.
AB  - This study has explored the relation between dance achievement and alexithymia in
      a larger Swedish population sample (Swedish Twin Registry) with a study sample of
      5431 individuals. Dance achievement (CAQ) was assessed in relation to Alexithymia
      (Toronto Alexithymia Scale, TAS-20) including the three subscales: Difficulty
      Identifying Feelings (DIF), Difficulty Describing Feelings (DDF), and Externally
      Oriented Thinking (EOT). The results show a significant negative association
      between the TAS subscale (EOT) and creative achievement in dance. A high EOT
      score corresponds to poor ability to communicate feelings to the environment.
      There was no consistent association between the other factors DIF and DDF and
      dance achievement. Dance activity and training seem to be involved in the body's
      emotional interplay with others. Embodied cognition, emotional perception, and
      action are discussed as factors relevant to measuring the skill of a dancer. 

PMID- 26284017
TI  - Working memory training: from metaphors to models.

PMID- 26284018
TI  - Four broad temperament dimensions: description, convergent validation
      correlations, and comparison with the Big Five.
AB  - A new temperament construct based on recent brain physiology literature has been
      investigated using the Fisher Temperament Inventory (FTI). Four collections of
      behaviors emerged, each associated with a specific neural system: the dopamine,
      serotonin, testosterone, and estrogen/oxytocin system. These four temperament
      suites have been designated: (1) Curious/Energetic, (2) Cautious/Social Norm
      Compliant, (3) Analytical/Tough-minded, and (4) Prosocial/Empathetic temperament
      dimensions. Two functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies have
      suggested that the FTI can measure the influence of these neural systems. In this
      paper, to further the behavioral validation and characterization of the four
      proposed temperament dimensions, we measured correlations with five variables:
      (1) gender; (2) level of education; (3) religious preference; (4) political
      orientation; (5) the degree to which an individual regards sex as essential to a
      successful relationship. Subjects were 39,913 anonymous members of a US Internet
      dating site and 70,000+ members in six other countries. Correlations with the
      five variables characterize the FTI and are consistent with mechanisms using the
      proposed neuromodulators. We also report on an analysis between the FTI and the
      NEO-Five Factor Inventory, using a college sample (n = 215), which showed
      convergent validity. The results provide novel correlates not available in other
      questionnaires: religiosity, political orientation, and attitudes about sex in a
      relationship. Also, an Eigen analysis replicated the four clusters of co-varying
      items. The FTI, with its broad systems and non-pathologic factors complements
      existing personality questionnaires. It provides an index of some brain systems
      that contribute to temperament, and may be useful in psychotherapy, business,
      medicine, and the legal community. 

PMID- 26284021
TI  - Change blindness in pigeons (Columba livia): the effects of change salience and
      timing.
AB  - Change blindness is a well-established phenomenon in humans, in which plainly
      visible changes in the environment go unnoticed. Recently a parallel change
      blindness phenomenon has been demonstrated in pigeons. The reported experiment
      follows up on this finding by investigating whether change salience affects
      change blindness in pigeons the same way it affects change blindness in humans.
      Birds viewed alternating displays of randomly generated lines back-projected onto
      three response keys, with one or more line features on a single key differing
      between consecutive displays. Change salience was manipulated by varying the
      number of line features that changed on the critical response key. Results
      indicated that change blindness is reduced if a change is made more salient, and
      this matches previous human results. Furthermore, accuracy patterns indicate that
      pigeons' effective search area expanded over the course of a trial to encompass a
      larger portion of the stimulus environment. Thus, the data indicate two important
      aspects of temporal cognition. First, the timing of a change has a profound
      influence on whether or not that change will be perceived. Second, pigeons appear
      to engage in a serial search for changes, in which additional time is required to
      search additional locations. 

PMID- 26284019
TI  - Fifty psychological and psychiatric terms to avoid: a list of inaccurate,
      misleading, misused, ambiguous, and logically confused words and phrases.
AB  - The goal of this article is to promote clear thinking and clear writing among
      students and teachers of psychological science by curbing terminological
      misinformation and confusion. To this end, we present a provisional list of 50
      commonly used terms in psychology, psychiatry, and allied fields that should be
      avoided, or at most used sparingly and with explicit caveats. We provide
      corrective information for students, instructors, and researchers regarding these
      terms, which we organize for expository purposes into five categories: inaccurate
      or misleading terms, frequently misused terms, ambiguous terms, oxymorons, and
      pleonasms. For each term, we (a) explain why it is problematic, (b) delineate one
      or more examples of its misuse, and (c) when pertinent, offer recommendations for
      preferable terms. By being more judicious in their use of terminology,
      psychologists and psychiatrists can foster clearer thinking in their students and
      the field at large regarding mental phenomena. 

PMID- 26284020
TI  - Promoting the use of personally relevant stimuli for investigating patients with
      disorders of consciousness.
AB  - Sensory stimuli are used to evaluate and to restore cognitive functions and
      consciousness in patients with a disorder of consciousness (DOC) following a
      severe brain injury. Although sophisticated protocols can help assessing higher
      order cognitive functions and awareness, one major drawback is their lack of
      sensitivity. The aim of the present review is to show that stimulus selection is
      crucial for an accurate evaluation of the state of patients with disorders of
      consciousness as it determines the levels of processing that the patient can have
      with stimulation from his/her environment. The probability to observe a
      behavioral response or a cerebral response is increased when her/his personal
      history and/or her/his personal preferences are taken into account. We show that
      personally relevant stimuli (i.e., with emotional, autobiographical, or self
      related characteristics) are associated with clearer signs of perception than are
      irrelevant stimuli in patients with DOC. Among personally relevant stimuli, music
      appears to be a promising clinical tool as it boosts perception and cognition in
      patients with DOC and could also serve as a prognostic tool. We suggest that the
      effect of music on cerebral processes in patients might reflect the music's
      capacity to act both on the external and internal neural networks supporting
      consciousness. 

PMID- 26284022
TI  - Children's mental representations with respect to caregivers and post-traumatic
      symptomatology in Somatic Symptom Disorders and Disruptive Behavior Disorders.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: In line with literature, the quality of adult-infant interactions
      and mental representations of the caregivers play an essential role in
      influencing the children's well-being. Many studies focused the attention on the
      role of attachment for a better evaluation of child psychopathological outcomes.
      The flexibility of the child's attachment model gives the opportunity to parents
      to be helped in modifying their own caregiving quality, encouraging the
      reflection on the children's state of mind with respect to attachment. The aims
      of this study were to evaluate: (1) the attachment models in young patients
      diagnosed with Disruptive Behavior Disorders (DBDs) and Somatic Symptoms
      Disorders (SSDs); (2) the levels of post-traumatic symptomatology; (3) the
      association between the attachment models and post-traumatic symptomatology.
      METHODS: Forty Italian patients, aged from 8 to 15, recruited at Gaslini
      Paediatric Hospital of Genoa, previously diagnosed with SSD (N = 20) and DBD (N =
      20) were assessed using the Child Attachment Interview (CAI), the Separation
      Anxiety Test (SAT), the Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children (TSCC-A). Socio
      demographic data were collected. RESULTS: In both the clinical samples, the
      findings on the distribution of attachment models showed a significant presence
      of insecure attachment with respect to both parents in more than a half of the
      patients and high levels of disorganized attachment. No significant differences
      between DBD and SSD samples were found on post-traumatic symptomatology (Post
      Traumatic Stress and Dissociation). Significant differences were found on
      Depression, Anxiety, and Fantasy subscales. DISCUSSION: This study can provide a
      detection of dysfunctional aspects in clinical populations. The findings suggest
      that the quality of the attachment to parents may be a fundamental element to
      better assess SSD and DBD in children and adolescents. Clinical implications of
      this study aimed at improving parental caregiving are highlighted.

PMID- 26284023
TI  - Maintaining Balance when Looking at a Virtual Reality Three-Dimensional Display
      of a Field of Moving Dots or at a Virtual Reality Scene.
AB  - EXPERIMENTAL OBJECTIVE: To provide a safe, simple, relatively inexpensive, fast,
      accurate way of quantifying balance performance either in isolation, or in the
      face of challenges provided by 3D high definition moving visual stimuli as well
      as by the proprioceptive challenge from standing on a foam pad. This method uses
      the new technology of the Wii balance board to measure postural stability during
      powerful, realistic visual challenges from immersive virtual reality. LIMITATIONS
      OF CURRENT TECHNIQUES: Present computerized methods for measuring postural
      stability are large, complex, slow, and expensive, and do not allow for testing
      the response to realistic visual challenges. PROTOCOL: Subjects stand on a 6 cm
      thick, firm, foam pad on a Wii balance board. They wear a fast, high resolution,
      low persistence, virtual reality head set (Oculus Rift DK2). This allows displays
      of varying speed, direction, depth, and complexity to be delivered. The subject
      experiences a visual illusion of real objects fixed relative to the world, and
      any of these displays can be perturbed in an unpredictable fashion. A special app
      (BalanceRite) used the same procedures for analyzing postural analysis as used by
      the Equitest. POWER OF THE TECHNIQUE: Four simple "proof of concept" experiments
      demonstrate that this technique matches the gold standard Equitest in terms of
      the measurement of postural stability but goes beyond the Equitest by measuring
      stability in the face of visual challenges, which are so powerful that even
      healthy subjects fall. The response to these challenges presents an opportunity
      for predicting falls and for rehabilitation of seniors and patients with poor
      postural stability. SIGNIFICANCE FOR THE FIELD: This new method provides a
      simpler, quicker, cheaper method of measurement than the Equitest. It may provide
      a new mode of training to prevent falls, by maintaining postural stability in the
      face of visual and proprioceptive challenges similar to those encountered in
      life.

PMID- 26284024
TI  - Improvement in Touch Sensation after Stroke is Associated with Resting Functional
      Connectivity Changes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Distributed brain networks are known to be involved in facilitating
      behavioral improvement after stroke, yet few, if any, studies have investigated
      the relationship between improved touch sensation after stroke and changes in
      functional brain connectivity. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to identify how recovery of
      somatosensory function in the first 6 months after stroke was associated with
      functional network changes as measured using resting-state connectivity analysis
      of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data. METHODS: Ten stroke
      survivors underwent clinical testing and resting-state fMRI scans at 1 and 6
      months post-stroke. Ten age-matched healthy participants were included as
      controls. RESULTS: Patients demonstrated a wide range of severity of touch
      impairment 1 month post-stroke, followed by variable improvement over time. In
      the stroke group, significantly stronger interhemispheric functional correlations
      between regions of the somatosensory system, and with visual and frontal areas,
      were found at 6 months than at 1 month post-stroke. Clinical improvement in touch
      discrimination was associated with stronger correlations at 6 months between
      contralesional secondary somatosensory cortex (SII) and inferior parietal cortex
      and middle temporal gyrus, and between contralesional thalamus and cerebellum.
      CONCLUSION: The strength of connectivity between somatosensory regions and
      distributed brain networks, including vision and attention networks, may change
      over time in stroke survivors with impaired touch discrimination. Connectivity
      changes from contralesional SII and contralesional thalamus are associated with
      improved touch sensation at 6 months post-stroke. These functional connectivity
      changes could represent future targets for therapy.

PMID- 26284025
TI  - Treating a GAD65 Antibody-Associated Limbic Encephalitis with Basiliximab: A Case
      Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Antibodies (ABs) against the 65-kDa isoform of the intracellular
      enzyme glutamate decarboxylase (GAD65) have been found in limbic encephalitis
      (LE) and other neurological conditions. The direct significance of anti-GAD65-ABs
      for epilepsy is unclear. However, in histological preparations from biopsies of
      resective epilepsy surgeries, predominantly cytotoxic T-lymphocytes were detected
      making close contacts to neurons. Activated T-lymphocytes can, in turn, be
      selectively controlled by therapeutic interleukin-2 receptor Abs, such as
      basiliximab. CASE PRESENTATION: We report of a 25-year-old male patient with
      epilepsy since the age of 18 and displaying clinical signs of LE and a high titer
      of GAD65 ABs in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum. Monthly, repetitive,
      intravenous cortisone pulse therapies that were initially administered for 6
      months failed to improve his condition. Subsequent flow-cytometry analysis of CSF
      showed especially an increased fraction of activated HLA-DR(+) CD8(+) T
      lymphocytes (fCD8(+)TL) when compared to controls. Thus, a second, intravenous
      cortisone pulse therapy with an additional basiliximab dose of 20 mg/month was
      started. After 3 months, the fCD8(+)TL in the CSF normalized; after 6 months, the
      psychological impulse-control deficits normalized; and after 11 months the
      patient was seizure free. However, 7 weeks later, seizures and, later on,
      psychological deficits recurred and fCD8(+)TL was once again present in the CSF.
      Flumazenil PET, magnetic resonance imaging-volumetry, and neuropsychological
      changes during therapy are described. CONCLUSION: The correlation of the
      fCD8(+)TL in the CSF with clinical and paraclinical measures of disease activity
      combined with the unambiguous response to basiliximab strongly argues in favor of
      the putative pathogenic role fCD8(+)TL in anti-GAD65 LE. The clinical relapse at
      the end of the observation period might be due to the formation of human anti
      drug ABs, a well-known complication of therapy with chimeric ABs.

PMID- 26284027
TI  - Hepatic CEACAM1 Over-Expression Protects Against Diet-Induced Fibrosis and
      Inflammation in White Adipose Tissue.
AB  - CEACAM1 promotes insulin extraction, an event that occurs mainly in liver.
      Phenocopying global Ceacam1 null mice (Cc1(-/-) ), C57/BL6J mice fed a high-fat
      (HF) diet exhibited reduced hepatic CEACAM1 levels and impaired insulin
      clearance, followed by hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, and visceral
      obesity. Conversely, forced liver-specific expression of CEACAM1 protected
      insulin sensitivity and energy expenditure, and limited gain in total fat mass by
      HF diet in L-CC1 mice. Because CEACAM1 protein is barely detectable in white
      adipose tissue (WAT), we herein investigated whether hepatic CEACAM1-dependent
      insulin clearance pathways regulate adipose tissue biology in response to dietary
      fat. While HF diet caused a similar body weight gain in L-CC1, this effect was
      delayed and less intense relative to wild-type (WT) mice. Histological
      examination revealed less expansion of adipocytes in L-CC1 than WT by HF intake.
      Immunofluorescence analysis demonstrated a more limited recruitment of crown-like
      structures, and qRT-PCR analysis showed no significant rise in TNFalpha mRNA
      levels in response to HF intake in L-CC1 than WT mice. Unlike WT, HF diet did not
      activate TGF-beta in WAT of L-CC1 mice, as assessed by Western analysis of
      Smad2/3 phosphorylation. Consistently, HF diet caused relatively less collagen
      deposition in L-CC1 than WT mice, as shown by Trichrome staining. Coupled with
      reduced lipid redistribution from liver to visceral fat, lower inflammation and
      fibrosis could contribute to protected energy expenditure against HF diet in L
      CC1 mice. The data underscore the important role of hepatic insulin clearance in
      the regulation of adipose tissue inflammation and fibrosis. 

PMID- 26284028
TI  - Familial Non-Medullary Thyroid Cancer Represents an Independent Risk Factor for
      Increased Cancer Aggressiveness: A Retrospective Analysis of 74 Families.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To assess whether familial non-medullary thyroid cancer (FNMTC)
      represents an independent risk factor for increased aggressiveness of the tumor,
      as concern as the clinical presentation and the long-term follow-up in respect of
      sporadic differentiated thyroid cancer (SDTC). DESIGN: Retrospective study; 1976
      2014. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy-four FNMTC families (151 affected
      individuals): family relationship and number of affected family members were
      evaluated. Clinical and histopathological features and outcome were compared to
      that of 643 SDTC patients followed in the same period according to the same
      institutional protocols. Median follow-up was 57.7 months (range 12-136) in FNMTC
      and 59.7 (range 15-94.6) in SDTC patients. RESULTS: Three cases occurred in 3
      families and 2 cases in the other 71. F:M was 3.7:1 in FNMTC and 4.3:1 in SDTC
      (NS). The family relationship was siblings in 62.2%. Mean age at diagnosis was
      lower in FNMTC than in SDTC (p < 0.005). Papillary/follicular histotype
      distribution was similar (86%). Papillary tumors were more frequently multifocal
      in FNMTC (p = 0.004) and with lymph-node metastases (p = 0.016). Disease-free
      survival (DFS) was shorter in FNMTC vs. SDTC (p < 0.0001) with 74.8 vs. 90.8%
      patients free of disease at the last control (p < 0.005). Three patients died in
      FNMTC group vs. 1 in SDTC (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Familial non-medullary thyroid
      cancer displays distinct characteristics as earlier age of onset and increased
      aggressiveness at diagnosis and a higher rate of persistent/recurrent disease and
      mortality with a shorter DFS in respect with SDTC. FNMTC patients, therefore,
      should be followed accurately. As the specific gene (or genes) responsible for
      susceptibility for FNMTC has not yet been identified, a low frequency periodic
      screening of relatives DTC patients may be useful to identify FNMTC patients at
      early stage of disease.

PMID- 26284029
TI  - Venus Kinase Receptors at the Crossroads of Insulin Signaling: Their Role in
      Reproduction for Helminths and Insects.
AB  - Venus kinase receptors (VKRs) are invertebrate receptor tyrosine kinases (TKs)
      first discovered in the human parasite Schistosoma. They contain an extracellular
      Venus FlyTrap module similar to the ligand-binding domain of G protein-coupled
      receptors of class C and an intracellular TK domain similar to that of insulin
      receptors. VKRs are present from cnidarians to echinoderms. They were shown to be
      activated by amino-acids, to induce insulin-like intracellular pathways, and to
      be highly expressed in larvae and in gonads of helminths and insects. The
      function of VKR in gametogenesis was demonstrated in schistosomes by VKR
      silencing and recent studies in Aedes aegypti have confirmed the importance of
      VKR in mosquito egg formation. AaeVKR was shown to bind to ovary
      ecdysteroidogenic hormone and to activate the production of ecdysteroids by the
      ovary, independently of signaling mediated by insulin-like peptides. These new
      data confirm and specify the function of VKRs in the reproduction of helminths
      and insects and they open interesting perspectives for elucidating the role of
      VKRs in other models. VKR targeting would also provide opportunities for the
      control of parasites and various vector-borne infectious diseases. 

PMID- 26284026
TI  - Limbic Encephalitis: Potential Impact of Adaptive Autoimmune Inflammation on
      Neuronal Circuits of the Amygdala.
AB  - Limbic encephalitis is characterized by adaptive autoimmune inflammation of the
      gray matter structures of the limbic system. It has recently been identified as a
      major cause of temporal lobe epilepsy accompanied by progressive declarative -
      mainly episodic - -memory disturbance as well as a variety of rather poorly
      defined emotional and behavioral changes. While autoimmune inflammation of the
      hippocampus is likely to be responsible for declarative memory disturbance,
      consequences of autoimmune inflammation of the amygdala are largely unknown. The
      amygdala is central for the generation of adequate homoeostatic behavioral
      responses to emotionally significant external stimuli following processing in a
      variety of parallel neuronal circuits. Here, we hypothesize that adaptive
      cellular and humoral autoimmunity may target and modulate distinct inhibitory or
      excitatory neuronal networks within the amygdala, and thereby strongly impact
      processing of emotional stimuli and corresponding behavioral responses. This may
      explain some of the rather poorly understood neuropsychiatric symptoms in limbic
      encephalitis. 

PMID- 26284030
TI  - Contribution of Acinetobacter-derived cephalosporinase-30 to sulbactam resistance
      in Acinetobacter baumannii.
AB  - The sulbactam resistance rate in Acinetobacter baumannii has increased worldwide.
      Previous reports have shown that the beta-lactamase bla TEM-1 confers resistance
      to sulbactam in A. baumannii. The purpose of this study was to examine whether
      other beta-lactamases, including the Acinetobacter-derived cephalosporinase
      (ADC), OXA-23, OXA-24/72, and OXA-58 families, also contribute to sulbactam
      resistance in A. baumannii. The correlation between these beta-lactamases and the
      sulbactam minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined using A.
      baumannii clinical isolates from diverse clonality, which were collected in a
      nationwide surveillance program from 2002 to 2010 in Taiwan. A possible
      association between the genetic structure of ISAba1-bla ADC-30 and sulbactam
      resistance was observed because this genetic structure was detected in 97% of
      sulbactam-resistant strains compared with 10% of sulbactam-susceptible strains.
      Transformation of ISAba1-bla ADC-30 into susceptible strains increased the
      sulbactam MIC from 2 to 32 MUg/ml, which required bla ADC-30 overexpression using
      an upstream promoter in ISAba1. Flow cytometry showed that ADC-30 production
      increased in response to sulbactam, ticarcillin, and ceftazidime treatment. This
      effect was regulated at the RNA level but not by an increase in the bla ADC-30
      gene copy number as indicated by quantitative PCR. Purified ADC-30 decreased the
      inhibitory zone created by sulbactam or ceftazidime, similarly to TEM-1. In
      conclusion, ADC-30 overexpression conferred resistance to sulbactam in diverse
      clinical A. baumannii isolates. 

PMID- 26284031
TI  - A reverse-phase protein microarray-based screen identifies host signaling
      dynamics upon Burkholderia spp. infection.
AB  - Burkholderia is a diverse genus of gram-negative bacteria that causes high
      mortality rate in humans, equines and cattle. The lack of effective therapeutic
      treatments poses serious public health threats. Developing insights toward host
      Burkholderia spp. interaction is critical for understanding the pathogenesis of
      infection as well as identifying therapeutic targets for drug development.
      Reverse-phase protein microarray technology was previously proven to identify and
      characterize novel biomarkers and molecular signatures associated with infectious
      disease and cancer. In the present study, this technology was utilized to
      interrogate changes in host protein expression and phosphorylation events in
      macrophages infected with a collection of geographically diverse strains of
      Burkholderia spp. The expression or phosphorylation state of 25 proteins was
      altered during Burkholderia spp. infections of which eight proteins were selected
      for further characterization by immunoblotting. Increased phosphorylation of AMPK
      alpha1, Src, and GSK3beta suggested the importance of their roles in regulating
      Burkholderia spp. mediated innate immune response. Modulating the inflammatory
      response by perturbing their activities may provide therapeutic routes for future
      treatments. 

PMID- 26284032
TI  - The pan-genome as a shared genomic resource: mutual cheating, cooperation and the
      black queen hypothesis.

PMID- 26284033
TI  - Prevalences of pathogenic and non-pathogenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus in mollusks
      from the Spanish Mediterranean Coast.
AB  - Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a well-recognized pathogen of humans. To better
      understand the ecology of the human-pathogenic variants of this bacterium in the
      environment, a study on the prevalence in bivalves of pathogenic variants (tlh+
      and tdh+ and/or trh+) versus a non-pathogenic one (only tlh+ as species marker
      for V. parahaemolyticus), was performed in two bays in Catalonia, Spain.
      Environmental factors that might affect dynamics of both variants of V.
      parahaemolyticus were taken into account. The results showed that the global
      prevalence of total V. parahaemolyticus found in both bays was 14.2% (207/1459).
      It was, however, significantly dependent on sampling point, campaign (year) and
      bivalve species. Pathogenic variants of V. parahaemolyticus (tdh+ and/or trh+)
      were detected in 3.8% of the samples (56/1459), meaning that the proportion of
      bivalves who contained tlh gene were contaminated by pathogenic V.
      parahaemolyticus strains is 27.1% (56/207). Moreover, the presence of pathogenic
      V. parahaemolyticus (trh+) was significantly correlated with water salinity, thus
      the probability of finding pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus decreased 1.45 times
      with every salinity unit (ppt) increased. Additionally, data showed that V.
      parahaemolyticus could establish close associations with Ruditapes spp. (P-value
      < 0.001), which could enhance the transmission of illness to human by pathogenic
      variants, when clams were eaten raw or slightly cooked. This study provides
      information on the abundance, ecology and characteristics of total and human
      pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus variants associated with bivalves cultured in the
      Spanish Mediterranean Coast. 

PMID- 26284034
TI  - Culturable diversity and antimicrobial activity of Actinobacteria from marine
      sediments in Valparaiso bay, Chile.
AB  - Marine-derived Actinobacteria are a source of a broad variety of secondary
      metabolites with diverse biological activities, such as antibiotics and
      antitumorals; many of which have been developed for clinical use. Rare
      Actinobacteria represent an untapped source of new bioactive compounds that have
      been scarcely recognized. In this study, rare Actinobacteria from marine
      sediments were isolated from the Valparaiso bay, Chile, and their potential to
      produce antibacterial compounds was evaluated. Different culture conditions and
      selective media that select the growth of Actinobacteria were used leading to the
      isolation of 68 bacterial strains. Comparative analysis of the 16S rRNA gene
      sequences led to identifying isolates that belong to the phylum Actinobacteria
      with genetic affiliations to 17 genera: Aeromicrobium, Agrococcus, Arthrobacter,
      Brachybacterium, Corynebacterium, Dietzia, Flaviflexus, Gordonia, Isoptericola,
      Janibacter, Microbacterium, Mycobacterium, Ornithinimicrobium, Pseudonocardia,
      Rhodococcus, Streptomyces, and Tessaracoccus. Also, one isolate could not be
      consistently classified and formed a novel phylogenetic branch related to the
      Nocardiopsaceae family. The antimicrobial activity of these isolates was
      evaluated, demonstrating the capability of specific novel isolates to inhibit the
      growth of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. In conclusion, this study
      shows a rich biodiversity of culturable Actinobacteria, associated to marine
      sediments from Valparaiso bay, highlighting novel rare Actinobacteria, and their
      potential for the production of biologically active compounds. 

PMID- 26284035
TI  - Microbial community changes along the active seepage site of one cold seep in the
      Red Sea.
AB  - The active seepage of the marine cold seeps could be a critical process for the
      exchange of energy between the submerged geosphere and the sea floor environment
      through organic-rich fluids, potentially even affecting surrounding microbial
      habitats. However, few studies have investigated the associated microbial
      community changes. In the present study, 16S rRNA genes were pyrosequenced to
      decipher changes in the microbial communities from the Thuwal seepage point in
      the Red Sea to nearby marine sediments in the brine pool, normal marine sediments
      and water, and benthic microbial mats. An unexpected number of reads from
      unclassified groups were detected in these habitats; however, the ecological
      functions of these groups remain unresolved. Furthermore, ammonia-oxidizing
      archaeal community structures were investigated using the ammonia monooxygenase
      subunit A (amoA) gene. Analysis of amoA showed that planktonic marine habitats,
      including seeps and marine water, hosted archaeal ammonia oxidizers that differed
      from those in microbial mats and marine sediments, suggesting modifications of
      the ammonia oxidizing archaeal (AOA) communities along the environmental gradient
      from active seepage sites to peripheral areas. Changes in the microbial community
      structure of AOA in different habitats (water vs. sediment) potentially
      correlated with changes in salinity and oxygen concentrations. Overall, the
      present results revealed for the first time unanticipated novel microbial groups
      and changes in the ammonia-oxidizing archaea in response to environmental
      gradients near the active seepages of a cold seep. 

PMID- 26284038
TI  - Denitrifying and diazotrophic community responses to artificial warming in
      permafrost and tallgrass prairie soils.
AB  - Increasing temperatures have been shown to impact soil biogeochemical processes,
      although the corresponding changes to the underlying microbial functional
      communities are not well understood. Alterations in the nitrogen (N) cycling
      functional component are particularly important as N availability can affect
      microbial decomposition rates of soil organic matter and influence plant
      productivity. To assess changes in the microbial component responsible for these
      changes, the composition of the N-fixing (nifH), and denitrifying (nirS, nirK,
      nosZ) soil microbial communities was assessed by targeted pyrosequencing of
      functional genes involved in N cycling in two major biomes where the experimental
      effect of climate warming is under investigation, a tallgrass prairie in Oklahoma
      (OK) and the active layer above permafrost in Alaska (AK). Raw reads were
      processed for quality, translated with frameshift correction, and a total of
      313,842 amino acid sequences were clustered and linked to a nearest neighbor
      using reference datasets. The number of OTUs recovered ranged from 231 (NifH) to
      862 (NirK). The N functional microbial communities of the prairie, which had
      experienced a decade of experimental warming were the most affected with changes
      in the richness and/or overall structure of NifH, NirS, NirK and NosZ. In
      contrast, the AK permafrost communities, which had experienced only 1 year of
      warming, showed decreased richness and a structural change only with the nirK
      harboring bacterial community. A highly divergent nirK-harboring bacterial
      community was identified in the permafrost soils, suggesting much novelty, while
      other N functional communities exhibited similar relatedness to the reference
      databases, regardless of site. Prairie and permafrost soils also harbored highly
      divergent communities due mostly to differing major populations. 

PMID- 26284037
TI  - Link between capacity for current production and syntrophic growth in Geobacter
      species.
AB  - Electrodes are unnatural electron acceptors, and it is yet unknown how some
      Geobacter species evolved to use electrodes as terminal electron acceptors.
      Analysis of different Geobacter species revealed that they varied in their
      capacity for current production. Geobacter metallireducens and G. hydrogenophilus
      generated high current densities (ca. 0.2 mA/cm(2)), comparable to G.
      sulfurreducens. G. bremensis, G. chapellei, G. humireducens, and G.
      uraniireducens, produced much lower currents (ca. 0.05 mA/cm(2)) and G.
      bemidjiensis was previously found to not produce current. There was no
      correspondence between the effectiveness of current generation and Fe(III) oxide
      reduction rates. Some high-current-density strains (G. metallireducens and G.
      hydrogenophilus) reduced Fe(III)-oxides as fast as some low-current-density
      strains (G. bremensis, G. humireducens, and G. uraniireducens) whereas other low
      current-density strains (G. bemidjiensis and G. chapellei) reduced Fe(III) oxide
      as slowly as G. sulfurreducens, a high-current-density strain. However, there was
      a correspondence between the ability to produce higher currents and the ability
      to grow syntrophically. G. hydrogenophilus was found to grow in co-culture with
      Methanosarcina barkeri, which is capable of direct interspecies electron transfer
      (DIET), but not with Methanospirillum hungatei capable only of H2 or formate
      transfer. Conductive granular activated carbon (GAC) stimulated metabolism of the
      G. hydrogenophilus - M. barkeri co-culture, consistent with electron exchange via
      DIET. These findings, coupled with the previous finding that G. metallireducens
      and G. sulfurreducens are also capable of DIET, suggest that evolution to
      optimize DIET has fortuitously conferred the capability for high-density current
      production to some Geobacter species. 

PMID- 26284039
TI  - DJ1 expression downregulates in neuroblastoma cells (SK-N-MC) chronically exposed
      to HIV-1 and cocaine.
AB  - BACKGROUND: HIV-associated neurological disorder (HAND) has long been recognized
      as a consequence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in the brain.
      The pathology of HAND gets more complicated with the recreational drug use such
      as cocaine. Recent studies have suggested multiple genetic influences involved in
      the pathology of addiction and HAND but only a fraction of the entire genetic
      risk has been investigated so far. In this regard, role of DJ1 protein (a gene
      linked to autosomal recessive early-onset Parkinson's disease) in regulating
      dopamine (DA) transmission and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in
      neuronal cells will be worth investigating in HIV-1 and cocaine exposed
      microenvironment. Being a very abundant protein in the brain, DJ1 could serve as
      a potential marker for early detection of HIV-1 and/or cocaine related
      neurological disorder. METHODS: In vitro analysis was done to observe the effect
      of HIV-1 and/or cocaine on DJ1 protein expression in neuroblastoma cells (SK-N
      MC). Gene and protein expression analysis of DJ1 was done on the HIV infected
      and/or cocaine treated SK-N-MC and compared to untreated cells using real time
      PCR, Western Blot and flow cytometry. Effect of DJ1 dysregulation on oxidative
      stress was analyzed by measuring ROS production in these cells. RESULTS: Gene
      expression and protein analysis indicated that there was a significant decrease
      in DJ1 expression in SK-N-MC chronically exposed to HIV-1 and/or cocaine which is
      inversely proportional to ROS production. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to
      establish that DJ1 expression level in the neuronal cells significantly decreased
      in presence of HIV-1 and/or cocaine indicating oxidative stress level of DA
      neurons.

PMID- 26284040
TI  - Repurposing celecoxib as a topical antimicrobial agent.
AB  - There is an urgent need for new antibiotics and alternative strategies to combat
      multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens, which are a growing clinical issue.
      Repurposing existing approved drugs with known pharmacology and toxicology is an
      alternative strategy to accelerate antimicrobial research and development. In
      this study, we show that celecoxib, a marketed inhibitor of cyclooxygenase-2,
      exhibits broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive pathogens
      from a variety of genera, including Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Listeria,
      Bacillus, and Mycobacterium, but not against Gram-negative pathogens. However,
      celecoxib is active against all of the Gram-negative bacteria tested, including
      strains of, Acinetobacter, and Pseudomonas, when their intrinsic resistance is
      artificially compromised by outer membrane permeabilizing agents such as
      colistin. The effect of celecoxib on incorporation of radioactive precursors into
      macromolecules in Staphylococcus aureus was examined. The primary antimicrobial
      mechanism of action of celecoxib was the dose-dependent inhibition of RNA, DNA,
      and protein synthesis. Further, we demonstrate the in vivo efficacy of celecoxib
      in a methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) infected Caenorhabditis elegans whole
      animal model. Topical application of celecoxib (1 and 2%) significantly reduced
      the mean bacterial count in a mouse model of MRSA skin infection. Further,
      celecoxib decreased the levels of all inflammatory cytokines tested, including
      tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, interleukin-1 beta, and monocyte
      chemo attractant protein-1 in wounds caused by MRSA infection. Celecoxib also
      exhibited synergy with many conventional antimicrobials when tested against four
      clinical isolates of S. aureus. Collectively, these results demonstrate that
      celecoxib alone, or in combination with traditional antimicrobials, has a
      potential to use as a topical drug for the treatment of bacterial skin
      infections. 

PMID- 26284036
TI  - NADPH-generating systems in bacteria and archaea.
AB  - Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) is an essential
      electron donor in all organisms. It provides the reducing power that drives
      numerous anabolic reactions, including those responsible for the biosynthesis of
      all major cell components and many products in biotechnology. The efficient
      synthesis of many of these products, however, is limited by the rate of NADPH
      regeneration. Hence, a thorough understanding of the reactions involved in the
      generation of NADPH is required to increase its turnover through rational strain
      improvement. Traditionally, the main engineering targets for increasing NADPH
      availability have included the dehydrogenase reactions of the oxidative pentose
      phosphate pathway and the isocitrate dehydrogenase step of the tricarboxylic acid
      (TCA) cycle. However, the importance of alternative NADPH-generating reactions
      has recently become evident. In the current review, the major canonical and non
      canonical reactions involved in the production and regeneration of NADPH in
      prokaryotes are described, and their key enzymes are discussed. In addition, an
      overview of how different enzymes have been applied to increase NADPH
      availability and thereby enhance productivity is provided. 

PMID- 26284041
TI  - Regulation of oxidative stress resistance in Campylobacter jejuni, a
      microaerophilic foodborne pathogen.
AB  - Campylobacter jejuni is one of the leading bacterial causes of human
      gastroenteritis. Due to the increasing rates of human campylobacteriosis, C.
      jejuni is considered as a serious public health concern worldwide. C. jejuni is a
      microaerophilic, fastidious bacterium. C. jejuni must overcome a wide range of
      stress conditions during foodborne transmission to humans, such as food
      preservation and processing conditions, and even in infection of the
      gastrointestinal tracts of humans. Particularly, this microaerophilic foodborne
      pathogen must survive in the atmospheric conditions prior to the initiation of
      infection. C. jejuni possesses unique regulatory mechanisms for oxidative stress
      resistance. Lacking OxyR and SoxRS that are highly conserved in other Gram
      negative foodborne pathogens, C. jejuni modulates the expression of genes
      involved in oxidative stress resistance mainly via the peroxide resistance
      regulator and Campylobacter oxidative stress regulator. Based on recent findings
      of ours and others, in this review, we described how C. jejuni regulates the
      expression of oxidative stress defense. 

PMID- 26284043
TI  - Isoeugenol has a non-disruptive detergent-like mechanism of action.
AB  - Isoeugenol is an essential oil constituent of nutmeg, clove, and cinnamon.
      Despite isoeugenol's promising antimicrobial activity, no studies have yet
      investigated its mode of antibacterial action at the molecular level. The aim of
      this study is to clarify isoeugenol's antibacterial mode of action using the Gram
      negative and Gram-positive model organisms Escherichia coli and Listeria innocua,
      respectively. We determined the antimicrobial activity of isoeugenol against the
      model organisms, and examined how isoeugenol affects cell morphology, cell
      membrane permeabilization, and how isoeugenol interacts with phospholipid
      membranes using vesicle and supported lipid bilayer models. Isoeugenol
      demonstrated a bactericidal activity against E. coli and L. innocua that did not
      affect cell morphology, although the cell membrane was permeabilized. We
      hypothesized that the cell membrane was the primary site of action, and studied
      this interaction in further detail using purified membrane model systems.
      Isoeugenol's permeabilization of calcein-encapsulated vesicles was concentration
      dependent, and isoeugenol's interaction with giant unilamellar vesicles indicated
      increased membrane fluidity and a non-disruptive permeabilization mechanism. This
      contradicted membrane fluidity measurements on supported lipid bilayers (SLBs),
      which indicated decreased membrane fluidity. However, further investigations
      demonstrated that the interaction between isoeugenol and bilayers was reversible,
      and caused membranes to display heterogeneous topography, an increased mass, and
      a higher degree of hydration. In conclusion, we propose that isoeugenol interacts
      with membranes in a reversible non-disruptive detergent-like manner, which causes
      membrane destabilization. Furthermore, we argue that isoeugenol increases
      membrane fluidity. Our work contributes to the understanding of how essential oil
      constituents interact with cell components. 

PMID- 26284042
TI  - Rational engineering of Geobacter sulfurreducens electron transfer components: a
      foundation for building improved Geobacter-based bioelectrochemical technologies.
AB  - Multiheme cytochromes have been implicated in Geobacter sulfurreducens
      extracellular electron transfer (EET). These proteins are potential targets to
      improve EET and enhance bioremediation and electrical current production by G.
      sulfurreducens. However, the functional characterization of multiheme cytochromes
      is particularly complex due to the co-existence of several microstates in
      solution, connecting the fully reduced and fully oxidized states. Over the last
      decade, new strategies have been developed to characterize multiheme redox
      proteins functionally and structurally. These strategies were used to reveal the
      functional mechanism of G. sulfurreducens multiheme cytochromes and also to
      identify key residues in these proteins for EET. In previous studies, we set the
      foundations for enhancement of the EET abilities of G. sulfurreducens by
      characterizing a family of five triheme cytochromes (PpcA-E). These periplasmic
      cytochromes are implicated in electron transfer between the oxidative reactions
      of metabolism in the cytoplasm and the reduction of extracellular terminal
      electron acceptors at the cell's outer surface. The results obtained suggested
      that PpcA can couple e(-)/H(+) transfer, a property that might contribute to the
      proton electrochemical gradient across the cytoplasmic membrane for metabolic
      energy production. The structural and functional properties of PpcA were
      characterized in detail and used for rational design of a family of 23 single
      site PpcA mutants. In this review, we summarize the functional characterization
      of the native and mutant proteins. Mutants that retain the mechanistic features
      of PpcA and adopt preferential e(-)/H(+) transfer pathways at lower reduction
      potential values compared to the wild-type protein were selected for in vivo
      studies as the best candidates to increase the electron transfer rate of G.
      sulfurreducens. For the first time G. sulfurreducens strains have been
      manipulated by the introduction of mutant forms of essential proteins with the
      aim to develop and improve bioelectrochemical technologies. 

PMID- 26284044
TI  - Chromosome replication, cell growth, division and shape: a personal perspective.
AB  - The origins of Molecular Biology and Bacterial Physiology are reviewed, from our
      personal standpoints, emphasizing the coupling between bacterial growth,
      chromosome replication and cell division, dimensions and shape. Current knowledge
      is discussed with historical perspective, summarizing past and present
      achievements and enlightening ideas for future studies. An interactive simulation
      program of the bacterial cell division cycle (BCD), described as "The Central
      Dogma in Bacteriology," is briefly represented. The coupled process of
      transcription/translation of genes encoding membrane proteins and insertion into
      the membrane (so-called transertion) is invoked as the functional relationship
      between the only two unique macromolecules in the cell, DNA and peptidoglycan
      embodying the nucleoid and the sacculus respectively. We envision that the total
      amount of DNA associated with the replication terminus, so called "nucleoid
      complexity," is directly related to cell size and shape through the transertion
      process. Accordingly, the primary signal for cell division transmitted by DNA
      dynamics (replication, transcription and segregation) to the peptidoglycan
      biosynthetic machinery is of a physico-chemical nature, e.g., stress in the
      plasma membrane, relieving nucleoid occlusion in the cell's center hence enabling
      the divisome to assemble and function between segregated daughter nucleoids. 

PMID- 26284045
TI  - Assessing the function of STAS domain protein SypA in Vibrio fischeri using a
      comparative analysis.
AB  - Colonization of the squid Euprymna scolopes by Vibrio fischeri requires biofilm
      formation dependent on the 18-gene symbiosis polysaccharide locus, syp. One key
      regulator, SypA, controls biofilm formation by an as-yet unknown mechanism;
      however, it is known that SypA itself is regulated by SypE. Biofilm-proficient
      strains form wrinkled colonies on solid media, while sypA mutants form biofilm
      defective smooth colonies. To begin to understand the function of SypA, we used
      comparative analyses and mutagenesis approaches. sypA (and the syp locus) is
      conserved in other Vibrios, including two food-borne human pathogens, Vibrio
      vulnificus (rbdA) and Vibrio parahaemolyticus (sypA VP ). We found that both
      homologs could complement the biofilm defect of the V. fischeri sypA mutant, but
      their phenotypes varied depending on the biofilm-inducing conditions used.
      Furthermore, while SypAVP retained an ability to be regulated by SypE, RbdA was
      resistant to this control. To better understand SypA function, we examined the
      biofilm-promoting ability of a number of mutant SypA proteins with substitutions
      in conserved residues, and found many that were biofilm-defective. The most
      severe biofilm-defective phenotypes occurred when changes were made to a
      conserved stretch of amino acids within a predicted alpha-helix of SypA; we
      hypothesize that this region of SypA may interact with another protein to promote
      biofilm formation. Finally, we identified a residue required for negative control
      by SypE. Together, our data provide insights into the function of this key
      biofilm regulator and suggest that the SypA orthologs may play similar roles in
      their native Vibrio species. 

PMID- 26284046
TI  - Decoding the genetic and functional diversity of the DSF quorum-sensing system in
      Stenotrophomonas maltophilia.
AB  - Stenotrophomonas maltophilia uses the Diffusible Signal Factor (DSF) quorum
      sensing (QS) system to mediate intra- and inter-specific signaling and regulate
      virulence-related processes. The components of this system are encoded by the rpf
      cluster, with genes rpfF and rpfC encoding for the DSF synthase RpfF and sensor
      RpfC, respectively. Recently, we have shown that there exist two variants of the
      rpf cluster (rpf-1 and rpf-2), distinguishing two groups of S. maltophilia
      strains. Surprisingly, only rpf-1 strains produce detectable DSF, correlating
      with their ability to control biofilm formation, swarming motility and virulence.
      The evolutive advantage of acquiring two different rpf clusters, the phylogenetic
      time point and mechanism of this acquisition and the conditions that activate DSF
      production in rpf-2 strains, are however not known. Examination of this cluster
      in various species suggests that its variability originated most probably by
      genetic exchange between rhizosphere bacteria. We propose that rpf-2 variant
      strains make use of a strategy recently termed as "social cheating." Analysis of
      cellular and extracellular fatty acids (FAs) of strains E77 (rpf-1) and M30 (rpf
      2) suggests that their RpfFs have also a thioesterase activity that facilitates
      the release of unspecific FAs to the medium in addition to DSF. Production of DSF
      in rpf-1 strains appears in fact to be modulated by some of these extracellular
      FAs in addition to other factors such as temperature and nutrients, while in rpf
      2 strains DSF biosynthesis is derepressed only upon detection of DSF itself,
      suggesting that they require cohabitation with DSF-producer bacteria to activate
      their DSF regulatory machinery. Finally, we show that the mixed rpf-1/rpf-2
      population presents synergism in DSF production and virulence capacity in an in
      vivo infection model. Recovery and quantification of DSF from co-infected animals
      correlates with the observed mortality rate. 

PMID- 26284047
TI  - Reutericyclin producing Lactobacillus reuteri modulates development of fecal
      microbiota in weanling pigs.
AB  - Lactobacillus reuteri is used as probiotic culture in food and feed applications;
      however, strain specific properties of L. reuteri that mediate probiotic activity
      remain unknown. This study aimed to determine effects of feed fermentation with
      exopolysaccharide and reutericyclin producing L. reuteri on the transition of the
      gut microbiome of piglets after weaning. The reutericyclin and reuteran producing
      L. reuteri TMW1.656 was compared to the reutericyclin negative and levan
      producing L. reuteri LTH5794 and unfermented controls. Both strains were
      fermented at conditions supporting exopolysaccharide formation, or at conditions
      not supporting exopolysaccharide formation. Fecal microbiota were characterized
      by partial sequencing of 16S rRNA genes, and by quantitative PCR targeting
      clostridial toxins. The transition to solid food resulted in a transient increase
      of Proteobacteria to 12% of total bacteria, and increased bacterial diversity by
      increasing the abundance of anaerobic fiber fermenting Firmicutes. Three weeks
      after weaning, Prevotella and Lactobacillus were among the dominant bacterial
      genera. Feed fermentation with L. reuteri affected the abundance of few bacterial
      taxa and particularly reduced the abundance of Enterobacteriaceae (P < 0.05) when
      compared to unfermented controls. Reutericyclin producing L. reuteri increased
      the abundance of Dialister spp. and Mitsuokella spp. (P < 0.05) but did not
      influence the abundance of clostridial toxins in the feces. In conclusion, data
      on the contribution of specific metabolic activities of L. reuteri to probiotic
      activity will facilitate the strain selection for probiotic applications in food
      and feed. 

PMID- 26284048
TI  - Identification of iron and heme utilization genes in Aeromonas and their role in
      the colonization of the leech digestive tract.
AB  - It is known that many pathogens produce high-affinity iron uptake systems like
      siderophores and/or proteins for utilizing iron bound to heme-containing
      molecules, which facilitate iron-acquisition inside a host. In mutualistic
      digestive-tract associations, iron uptake systems have not been as well studied.
      We investigated the importance of two iron utilization systems within the
      beneficial digestive-tract association Aeromonas veronii and the medicinal leech,
      Hirudo verbana. Siderophores were detected in A. veronii using chrome azurol S.
      Using a mini Tn5, a transposon insertion in viuB generated a mutant unable to
      utilize iron using siderophores. The A. veronii genome was then searched for
      genes potentially involved in iron utilization bound to heme-containing
      molecules. A putative outer membrane heme receptor (hgpB) was identified with a
      transcriptional activator, termed hgpR, downstream. The hgpB gene was interrupted
      with an antibiotic resistance cassette in both the parent strain and the viuB
      mutant, yielding an hgpB mutant and a mutant with both iron uptake systems
      inactivated. In vitro assays indicated that hgpB is involved in utilizing iron
      bound to heme and that both iron utilization systems are important for A. veronii
      to grow in blood. In vivo colonization assays revealed that the ability to
      acquire iron from heme-containing molecules is critical for A. veronii to
      colonize the leech gut. Since iron and specifically heme utilization is important
      in this mutualistic relationship and has a potential role in virulence factor of
      other organisms, genomes from different Aeromonas strains (both clinical and
      environmental) were queried with iron utilization genes of A. veronii. This
      analysis revealed that in contrast to the siderophore utilization genes heme
      utilization genes are widely distributed among aeromonads. The importance of heme
      utilization in the colonization of the leech further confirms that symbiotic and
      pathogenic relationships possess similar mechanisms for interacting with animal
      hosts. 

PMID- 26284049
TI  - Why do bacteria regulate public goods by quorum sensing?-How the shapes of cost
      and benefit functions determine the form of optimal regulation.
AB  - Many bacteria secrete compounds which act as public goods. Such compounds are
      often under quorum sensing (QS) regulation, yet it is not understood exactly when
      bacteria may gain from having a public good under QS regulation. Here, we show
      that the optimal public good production rate per cell as a function of population
      size (the optimal production curve, OPC) depends crucially on the cost and
      benefit functions of the public good and that the OPC will fall into one of two
      categories: Either it is continuous or it jumps from zero discontinuously at a
      critical population size. If, e.g., the public good has accelerating returns and
      linear cost, then the OPC is discontinuous and the best strategy thus to ramp up
      production sharply at a precise population size. By using the example of public
      goods with accelerating and diminishing returns (and linear cost) we are able to
      determine how the two different categories of OPSs can best be matched by
      production regulated through a QS signal feeding back on its own production. We
      find that the optimal QS parameters are different for the two categories and
      specifically that public goods which provide accelerating returns, call for
      stronger positive signal feedback. 

PMID- 26284050
TI  - A PAS domain-containing regulator controls flagella-flagella interactions in
      Campylobacter jejuni.
AB  - The bipolar flagella of the foodborne bacterial pathogen Campylobacter jejuni
      confer motility, which is essential for virulence. The flagella of C. jejuni are
      post-translationally modified, but how this process is controlled is not well
      understood. In this work, we have identified a novel PAS-domain containing
      regulatory system, which modulates flagella-flagella interactions in C. jejuni.
      Inactivation of the cj1387c gene, encoding a YheO-like PAS6 domain linked to a
      helix-turn-helix domain, resulted in the generation of a tightly associated "cell
      train" morphotype, where up to four cells were connected by their flagella. The
      morphotype was fully motile, resistant to vortexing, accompanied by increased
      autoagglutination, and was not observed in aflagellated cells. The Deltacj1387c
      mutant displayed increased expression of the adjacent Cj1388 protein, which
      comprises of a single endoribonuclease L-PSP domain. Comparative genomics showed
      that cj1387c (yheO) orthologs in bacterial genomes are commonly linked to an
      adjacent cj1388 ortholog, with some bacteria, including C. jejuni, containing
      another cj1388-like gene (cj0327). Inactivation of the cj1388 and cj0327 genes
      resulted in decreased autoagglutination in Tween-20-supplemented media. The
      Deltacj1388 and Deltacj0327 mutants were also attenuated in a Galleria larvae
      based infection model. Finally, substituting the sole cysteine in Cj1388 for
      serine prevented Cj1388 dimerization in non-reducing conditions, and resulted in
      decreased autoagglutination in the presence of Tween-20. We hypothesize that
      Cj1388 and Cj0327 modulate post-translational modification of the flagella
      through yet unidentified mechanisms, and propose naming Cj1387 the Campylobacter
      Flagella Interaction Regulator CfiR, and the Cj1388 and Cj0327 protein as CfiP
      and CfiQ, respectively. 

PMID- 26284051
TI  - The PadR-like transcriptional regulator LftR ensures efficient invasion of
      Listeria monocytogenes into human host cells.
AB  - Invasion of the bacterial pathogen Listeria monocytogenes into human host cells
      requires specialized surface molecules for attachment and induction of
      phagocytosis. However, efficient invasion is also dependent on factors with house
      keeping functions, such as SecA2-dependent secretion of autolysins for post
      divisional segregation of daughter cells. Mutations in this pathway prevent
      degradation of peptidoglycan cross-walls, so that long cell chains are formed
      that cannot be phagocytosed. The extreme chaining of such mutants manifests as
      rough colony phenotype. One rough clone was isolated from a transposon library
      with a transposon insertion in the uncharacterized lmo0720 gene (lftS) together
      with a spontaneous point mutation in the secA2 gene. We separated both mutations
      and demonstrated that this point mutation in the intramolecular regulator 2
      domain of SecA2 was sufficient to inactivate the protein. In contrast, lftS
      deletion did not cause a DeltasecA2-like phenotype. lftS is located in an operon
      with lftR (lmo0719), encoding a PadR-like transcriptional regulator, and lftR
      deletion affected growth, invasion and day-light dependent coordination of
      swarming. Inactivation of lftS partially suppressed these phenotypes, suggesting
      a functional relationship between LftR and LftS. However, the invasion defect of
      the DeltalftR mutant was only marginally suppressed by lftS removal. LftR
      regulates expression of the lmo0979-0980 (lieAB) operon, encoding a putative
      multidrug resistance transporter and lieAB transcription was strongly upregulated
      in the absence of LftR. Deletion of lieAB in the DeltalftR background restores
      wild type-like invasion levels. Hence, we conclude that tight transcriptional
      repression of the lieAB operon is essential for efficient listerial host cell
      invasion. 

PMID- 26284052
TI  - Hha has a defined regulatory role that is not dependent upon H-NS or StpA.
AB  - The Hha family of proteins is involved in the regulation of gene expression in
      enterobacteria by forming complexes with H-NS-like proteins. Whereas several
      amino acid residues of both proteins participate in the interaction, some of them
      play a key role. Residue D48 of Hha protein is essential for the interaction with
      H-NS, thus the D48N substitution in Hha protein abrogates H-NS/Hha interaction.
      Despite being a paralog of H-NS protein, StpA interacts with HhaD48N with higher
      affinity than with the wild type Hha protein. To analyze whether Hha is capable
      of acting independently of H-NS and StpA, we conducted transcriptomic analysis on
      the hha and stpA deletion strains and the hhaD48N substitution strain of
      Salmonella Typhimurium using a custom microarray. The results obtained allowed
      the identification of 120 genes regulated by Hha in an H-NS/StpA-independent
      manner, 38% of which are horizontally acquired genes. A significant number of the
      identified genes are involved in functions related to cell motility, iron uptake,
      and pathogenicity. Thus, motility assays, siderophore detection and intra
      macrophage replication assays were performed to confirm the transcriptomic data.
      Our findings point out the importance of Hha protein as an independent regulator
      in S. Typhimurium, highlighting a regulatory role on virulence. 

PMID- 26284053
TI  - Synthetic biology of fungal natural products.
AB  - Synthetic biology is an ever-expanding field in science, also encompassing the
      research area of fungal natural product (NP) discovery and production. Until now,
      different aspects of synthetic biology have been covered in fungal NP studies
      from the manipulation of different regulatory elements and heterologous
      expression of biosynthetic pathways to the engineering of different multidomain
      biosynthetic enzymes such as polyketide synthases or non-ribosomal peptide
      synthetases. The following review will cover some of the exemplary studies of
      synthetic biology in filamentous fungi showing the capacity of these eukaryotes
      to be used as model organisms in the field. From the vast array of different NPs
      produced to the ease for genetic manipulation, filamentous fungi have proven to
      be an invaluable source for the further development of synthetic biology tools. 

PMID- 26284055
TI  - MBL-2 polymorphisms (codon 54 and Y-221X) and low MBL levels are associated with
      susceptibility to multi organ dysfunction in P. falciparum malaria in Odisha,
      India.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mannose binding lectin, a plasma protein protects host from virus,
      bacteria, and parasites. Deficiency in MBL levels has been associated with
      susceptibility to various infectious diseases including P. falciparum malaria.
      Common MBL polymorphisms in promoter and coding regions are associated with
      decrease in plasma MBL levels or production of deformed MBL, respectively. In the
      present study, we hypothesized that MBL2 variants and plasma MBL levels could be
      associated with different clinical phenotypes of severe P. falciparum malaria.
      METHODS: A hospital based study was conducted in eastern Odisha, India which is
      endemic to P. falciparum malaria. Common MBL-2 polymorphisms (codon 54, H-550L,
      and Y-221X) were typed in 336 cases of severe malaria (SM) [94 cerebral malaria
      (CM), 120 multi-organ dysfunction (MOD), 122 non-cerebral severe malaria (NCSM)]
      and 131 un-complicated malaria patients (UM). Plasma MBL levels were quantified
      by ELISA. RESULTS: Severe malaria patients displayed lower plasma levels of MBL
      compared to uncomplicated falciparum malaria. Furthermore, on categorization of
      severe malaria patients into various subtypes, plasma MBL levels were very low in
      MOD patients compared to other categories. Higher frequency of AB genotype and
      allele B was observed in MOD compared to UM (AB genotype: P = 0.006; B allele: P
      = 0.008). In addition, prevalence of YX genotype of MBL Y-221X polymorphism was
      also statistically more frequent in MOD case than UM (P = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS:
      The observations of the present study reveal that MBL-2 polymorphisms (codon 54
      and Y-221X) and lower plasma MBL levels are associated with increased
      susceptibility to multi organ dysfunctions in P. falciparum malaria.

PMID- 26284056
TI  - Forest-to-pasture conversion increases the diversity of the phylum
      Verrucomicrobia in Amazon rainforest soils.
AB  - The Amazon rainforest is well known for its rich plant and animal diversity, but
      its bacterial diversity is virtually unexplored. Due to ongoing and widespread
      deforestation followed by conversion to agriculture, there is an urgent need to
      quantify the soil biological diversity within this tropical ecosystem. Given the
      abundance of the phylum Verrucomicrobia in soils, we targeted this group to
      examine its response to forest-to-pasture conversion. Both taxonomic and
      phylogenetic diversities were higher for pasture in comparison to primary and
      secondary forests. The community composition of Verrucomicrobia in pasture soils
      was significantly different from those of forests, with a 11.6% increase in the
      number of sequences belonging to subphylum 3 and a proportional decrease in
      sequences belonging to the class Spartobacteria. Based on 99% operational
      taxonomic unit identity, 40% of the sequences have not been detected in previous
      studies, underscoring the limited knowledge regarding the diversity of
      microorganisms in tropical ecosystems. The abundance of Verrucomicrobia, measured
      with quantitative PCR, was strongly correlated with soil C content (r = 0.80, P =
      0.0016), indicating their importance in metabolizing plant-derived carbon
      compounds in soils. 

PMID- 26284054
TI  - Toward the identification of methanogenic archaeal groups as targets of methane
      mitigation in livestock animalsr.
AB  - In herbivores, enteric methane is a by-product from the digestion of plant
      biomass by mutualistic gastrointestinal tract (GIT) microbial communities.
      Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that is not assimilated by the host and is
      released into the environment where it contributes to climate change. Since
      enteric methane is exclusively produced by methanogenic archaea, the
      investigation of mutualistic methanogen communities in the GIT of herbivores has
      been the subject of ongoing research by a number of research groups. In an effort
      to uncover trends that would facilitate the development of efficient methane
      mitigation strategies for livestock species, we have in this review summarized
      and compared currently available results from published studies on this subject.
      We also offer our perspectives on the importance of pursuing current research
      efforts on the sequencing of gut methanogen genomes, as well as investigating
      their cellular physiology and interactions with other GIT microorganisms. 

PMID- 26284057
TI  - Biocontrol mechanism by root-associated Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FZB42 - a
      review.
AB  - Bacillus amyloliquefaciens subsp. plantarum FZB42 is a Gram-positive model
      bacterium for unraveling plant-microbe interactions in Bacilli. In addition,
      FZB42 is used commercially as biofertilizer and biocontrol agent in agriculture.
      Genome analysis of FZB42 revealed that nearly 10% of the FZB42 genome is devoted
      to synthesizing antimicrobial metabolites and their corresponding immunity genes.
      However, recent investigations in planta demonstrated that - except surfactin -
      the amount of such compounds found in vicinity of plant roots is relatively low,
      making doubtful a direct function in suppressing competing microflora including
      plant pathogens. These metabolites have been also suspected to induce changes
      within the rhizosphere microbial community, which might affect environment and
      plant health. However, sequence analysis of rhizosphere samples revealed only
      marginal changes in the root microbiome, suggesting that secondary metabolites
      are not the key factor in protecting plants from pathogenic microorganisms. On
      the other hand, adding FZB42 to plants compensate, at least in part, changes in
      the community structure caused by the pathogen, indicating an interesting
      mechanism of plant protection by beneficial Bacilli. Sub-lethal concentrations of
      cyclic lipopeptides and volatiles produced by plant-associated Bacilli trigger
      pathways of induced systemic resistance (ISR), which protect plants against
      attacks of pathogenic microbes, viruses, and nematodes. Stimulation of ISR by
      bacterial metabolites is likely the main mechanism responsible for biocontrol
      action of FZB42. 

PMID- 26284058
TI  - Associative patterns among anaerobic fungi, methanogenic archaea, and bacterial
      communities in response to changes in diet and age in the rumen of dairy cows.
AB  - The rumen microbiome represents a complex microbial genetic web where bacteria,
      anaerobic rumen fungi (ARF), protozoa and archaea work in harmony contributing to
      the health and productivity of ruminants. We hypothesized that the rumen
      microbiome shifts as the dairy cow advances in lactations and these microbial
      changes may contribute to differences in productivity between primiparous (first
      lactation) and multiparous (>=second lactation) cows. To this end, we
      investigated shifts in the ruminal ARF and methanogenic communities in both
      primiparous (n = 5) and multiparous (n = 5) cows as they transitioned from a high
      forage to a high grain diet upon initiation of lactation. A total of 20 rumen
      samples were extracted for genomic DNA, amplified using archaeal and fungal
      specific primers, sequenced on a 454 platform and analyzed using QIIME. Community
      comparisons (Bray-Curtis index) revealed the effect of diet (P < 0.01) on ARF
      composition, while archaeal communities differed between primiparous and
      multiparous cows (P < 0.05). Among ARF, several lineages were unclassified,
      however, phylum Neocallimastigomycota showed the presence of three known genera.
      Abundance of Cyllamyces and Caecomyces shifted with diet, whereas Orpinomyces was
      influenced by both diet and age. Methanobrevibacter constituted the most dominant
      archaeal genus across all samples. Co-occurrence analysis incorporating taxa from
      bacteria, ARF and archaea revealed syntrophic interactions both within and
      between microbial domains in response to change in diet as well as age of dairy
      cows. Notably, these interactions were numerous and complex in multiparous cows,
      supporting our hypothesis that the rumen microbiome also matures with age to
      sustain the growing metabolic needs of the host. This study provides a broader
      picture of the ARF and methanogenic populations in the rumen of dairy cows and
      their co-occurrence implicates specific relationships between different microbial
      domains in response to diet and age. 

PMID- 26284059
TI  - Antimicrobial activity and the presence of virulence factors and bacteriocin
      structural genes in Enterococcus faecium CM33 isolated from ewe colostrum.
AB  - Screening of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from ewe colostrum led to the
      identification and isolation of Enterococcus faecium CM33 with interesting
      features like high survival rates under acidic or bile salts condition, high
      tolerance for the simulated gastrointestinal condition, and high adhesive
      potential to Caco-2 cells. According the inhibition of pathogen adhesion test
      results, this strain can reduce more than 50% adhesion capacity of Escherichia
      coli, Shigella flexneri, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Listeria monocytogenes, and
      Staphylococcus aureus to Caco-2 cells. Based on the antibiotic sensitivity test
      findings, E. faecium CM33 was susceptible to gentamycin, vancomycin,
      erythromycin, ampicillin, penicillin, tetracycline, and rifampicin, but resistant
      to chloramphenicol, clindamycin, and kanamycin. Upon assessment of the virulence
      determinants for E. faecium CM33, this strain was negative for all tested
      virulence genes. Furthermore, the genome of this strain was evaluated for the
      incidence of the known enterocin genes by specific PCR amplification and
      discovered the genes encoding enterocins A, 31, X, and Q. Based on this study
      findings, the strain E. faecium CM33 can be considered as a valuable
      nutraceutical and can be introduced as a new potential probiotic. 

PMID- 26284060
TI  - Rational and combinatorial tailoring of bioactive cyclic dipeptides.
AB  - Modified cyclic dipeptides represent a diverse family of microbial secondary
      metabolites. They display a broad variety of biological and pharmacological
      activities and have long been recognized as privileged structures with the
      ability to bind to a wide range of receptors. This is due to their
      conformationally constrained 2, 5-diketopiperazine (DKP) scaffold and the diverse
      set of DKP tailoring enzymes present in nature. After initial DKP assembly
      through different biosynthetic systems modifying enzymes are responsible for
      installing functional groups crucial for the biological activities of the
      resulting modified DKPs. They represent a vast and largely untapped enzyme
      repository very useful for synthetic biology approaches aiming at introducing
      structural variations into DKP scaffolds. In this review we focus on these DKP
      modification enzymes found in various microbial secondary metabolite gene
      clusters. We will give a brief overview of their distribution and highlight a
      select number of characterized DKP tailoring enzymes before turning to their
      application potential in combinatorial biosynthesis with the aim of producing
      molecules with improved or entirely new biological and medicinally relevant
      properties. 

PMID- 26284061
TI  - Biogenic concrete protection driven by the formate oxidation by Methylocystis
      parvus OBBP.
AB  - The effectiveness of Microbiologically Induced Carbonate Precipitation (MICP)
      from the formate oxidation by Methylocystis parvus OBBP as an alternative process
      for concrete protection was investigated. MICP was induced on Autoclaved Aerated
      Concrete (AAC), the model material, by immersing the material in 10(9) M. parvus
      cells mL(-1) containing 5 g L(-1) of calcium formate. A 2 days immersion of the
      material gave the maximum weight increase of the specimens (38 +/- 19 mg) and
      this was likely due to the deposition of calcium carbonate, biomass, and
      unconverted calcium formate. The solid deposition mainly occurred in the
      micropores of the specimen, close to the outer surface. A significantly lower
      water absorption was observed in the bacterially treated specimens compared to
      the non-treated ones (up to 2.92 +/- 0.91 kg m(-2)) and this could be attributed
      to the solid deposition. However, the sonication test demonstrated that the
      bacterial treatment did not give a consolidating effect to the material. Overall,
      compared to the currently employed urea hydrolysis process, the formate-based
      MICP by M. parvus offers a more environmentally friendly approach for the
      biotechnological application to protect concrete. 

PMID- 26284062
TI  - The Extended Family of CD1d-Restricted NKT Cells: Sifting through a Mixed Bag of
      TCRs, Antigens, and Functions.
AB  - Natural killer T (NKT) cells comprise a family of specialized T cells that
      recognize lipid antigens presented by CD1d. Based on their T cell receptor (TCR)
      usage and antigen specificities, CD1d-restricted NKT cells have been divided into
      two main subsets: type I NKT cells that use a canonical invariant TCR alpha-chain
      and recognize alpha-galactosylceramide (alpha-GalCer), and type II NKT cells that
      use a more diverse alphabeta TCR repertoire and do not recognize alpha-GalCer. In
      addition, alpha-GalCer-reactive NKT cells that use non-canonical alphabeta TCRs
      and CD1d-restricted T cells that use gammadelta or delta/alphabeta TCRs have
      recently been identified, revealing further diversity among CD1d-restricted T
      cells. Importantly, in addition to their distinct antigen specificities,
      functional differences are beginning to emerge between the different members of
      the CD1d-restricted T cell family. In this review, while using type I NKT cells
      as comparison, we will focus on type II NKT cells and the other non-invariant
      CD1d-restricted T cell subsets, and discuss our current understanding of the
      antigens they recognize, the formation of stimulatory CD1d/antigen complexes, the
      modes of TCR-mediated antigen recognition, and the mechanisms and consequences of
      their activation that underlie their function in antimicrobial responses, anti
      tumor immunity, and autoimmunity. 

PMID- 26284064
TI  - Genetic and Environmental Factors Affecting TNF-alpha Responses in Relation to
      Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
AB  - Dysregulation of the inflammatory responses has been suggested to contribute to
      the events leading to sudden infant deaths. Our objectives were (1) to analyze a
      single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) associated with high levels of tumor
      necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) responses, TNF G-308A, in sudden infant death
      syndrome (SIDS) infants, SIDS and control parents, and ethnic groups with
      different incidences of SIDS; (2) the effects of two risk factors for SIDS,
      cigarette smoke and virus infection, on TNF-alpha responses; and (3) to assess
      effects of genotype, cigarette smoke, and gender on TNF-alpha responses to
      bacterial toxins identified in SIDS infants. TNF G-308A genotypes were determined
      by real-time polymerase chain reaction for SIDS infants from Australia, Germany,
      and Hungary; parents of SIDS infants and their controls; and populations with
      high (Aboriginal Australian), medium (Caucasian), and low (Bangladeshi) SIDS
      incidences. Leukocytes from Caucasian donors were stimulated in vitro with
      endotoxin or toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1). TNF-alpha responses were
      measured by L929 bioassay (IU/ml) and assessed in relation to genotype, smoking
      status, and gender. There was a significantly higher proportion of the minor
      allele AA genotype among Australian SIDS infants (6/24, 24%) compared to 3/62
      (4.8%) controls (p = 0.03). There were no significant differences in TNF-alpha
      responses by TNF G-308A genotypes when assessed in relation to smoking status or
      gender. Given the rarity of the TNF G-308A A allele in Caucasian populations, the
      finding that 24% of the Australian SIDS infants tested had this genotype requires
      further investigation and cautious interpretation. Although non-smokers with the
      AA genotype had higher TNFalpha responses to both TSST-1 and endotoxin, there
      were too few subjects with this rare allele to obtain statistically valid
      results. No effects of genotype, smoking, or gender were observed for TNF-alpha
      responses to these toxins. 

PMID- 26284063
TI  - NK Cell-Mediated Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity in Cancer
      Immunotherapy.
AB  - Natural killer (NK) cells play a major role in cancer immunotherapies that
      involve tumor-antigen targeting by monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). NK cells express
      a variety of activating and inhibitory receptors that serve to regulate the
      function and activity of the cells. In the context of targeting cells, NK cells
      can be "specifically activated" through certain Fc receptors that are expressed
      on their cell surface. NK cells can express FcgammaRIIIA and/or FcgammaRIIC,
      which can bind to the Fc portion of immunoglobulins, transmitting activating
      signals within NK cells. Once activated through Fc receptors by antibodies bound
      to target cells, NK cells are able to lyse target cells without priming, and
      secrete cytokines like interferon gamma to recruit adaptive immune cells. This
      antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) of tumor cells is utilized
      in the treatment of various cancers overexpressing unique antigens, such as
      neuroblastoma, breast cancer, B cell lymphoma, and others. NK cells also express
      a family of receptors called killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs), which
      regulate the function and response of NK cells toward target cells through their
      interaction with their cognate ligands that are expressed on tumor cells. Genetic
      polymorphisms in KIR and KIR-ligands, as well as FcgammaRs may influence NK cell
      responsiveness in conjunction with mAb immunotherapies. This review focuses on
      current therapeutic mAbs, different strategies to augment the anti-tumor efficacy
      of ADCC, and genotypic factors that may influence patient responses to antibody
      dependent immunotherapies. 

PMID- 26284066
TI  - An Introduction to Automated Flow Cytometry Gating Tools and Their
      Implementation.
AB  - Current flow cytometry (FCM) reagents and instrumentation allow for the
      measurement of an unprecedented number of parameters for any given cell within a
      homogenous or heterogeneous population. While this provides a great deal of power
      for hypothesis testing, it also generates a vast amount of data, which is
      typically analyzed manually through a processing called "gating." For large
      experiments, such as high-content screens, in which many parameters are measured,
      the time required for manual analysis as well as the technical variability
      inherent to manual gating can increase dramatically, even becoming prohibitive
      depending on the clinical or research goal. In the following article, we aim to
      provide the reader an overview of automated FCM analysis as well as an example of
      the implementation of FLOw Clustering without K, a tool that we consider
      accessible to researchers of all levels of computational expertise. In most
      cases, computational assistance methods are more reproducible and much faster
      than manual gating, and for some, also allow for the discovery of cellular
      populations that might not be expected or evident to the researcher. We urge any
      researcher who is planning or has previously performed large FCM experiments to
      consider implementing computational assistance into their analysis pipeline. 

PMID- 26284067
TI  - Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Molecular Mimicry between Anti-dsDNA CDR3 Idiotype,
      Microbial and Self Peptides-As Antigens for Th Cells.
AB  - Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is marked by a T helper (Th) cell-dependent B
      cell hyperresponsiveness, with frequent germinal center reactions, and
      gammaglobulinemia. A feature of SLE is the finding of IgG autoantibodies specific
      for dsDNA. The specificity of the Th cells that drive the expansion of anti-dsDNA
      B cells is unresolved. However, anti-microbial, anti-histone, and anti-idiotype
      Th cell responses have been hypothesized to play a role. It has been entirely
      unclear if these seemingly disparate Th cell responses and hypotheses could be
      related or unified. Here, we describe that H chain CDR3 idiotypes from IgG(+) B
      cells of lupus mice have sequence similarities with both microbial and self
      peptides. Matched sequences were more frequent within the mutated CDR3 repertoire
      and when sequences were derived from lupus mice with expanded anti-dsDNA B cells.
      Analyses of histone sequences showed that particular histone peptides were
      similar to VDJ junctions. Moreover, lupus mice had Th cell responses toward
      histone peptides similar to anti-dsDNA CDR3 sequences. The results suggest that
      Th cells in lupus may have multiple cross-reactive specificities linked to the
      IgVH CDR3 Id-peptide sequences as well as similar DNA-associated protein motifs. 

PMID- 26284065
TI  - The Role of Invariant Natural Killer T Cells in Dendritic Cell Licensing, Cross
      Priming, and Memory CD8(+) T Cell Generation.
AB  - New vaccination strategies focus on achieving CD8(+) T cell (CTL) immunity rather
      than on induction of protective antibody responses. While the requirement of
      CD4(+) T (Th) cell help in dendritic cell (DC) activation and licensing, and in
      CTL memory induction has been described in several disease models, CTL responses
      may occur in a Th cell help-independent manner. Invariant natural killer T cells
      (iNKT cells) can substitute for Th cell help and license DC as well. iNKT cells
      produce a broad spectrum of Th1 and Th2 cytokines, thereby inducing a similar set
      of costimulatory molecules and cytokines in DC. This form of licensing differs
      from Th cell help by inducing other chemokines, while Th cell-licensed DCs
      produce CCR5 ligands, iNKT cell-licensed DCs produce CCL17, which attracts
      CCR4(+) CD8(+) T cells for subsequent activation. It has recently been shown that
      iNKT cells do not only enhance immune responses against bacterial pathogens or
      parasites but also play a role in viral infections. The inclusion of iNKT cell
      ligands in influenza virus vaccines enhanced memory CTL generation and protective
      immunity in a mouse model. This review will focus on the role of iNKT cells in
      the cross-talk with cross-priming DC and memory CD8(+) T cell formation. 

PMID- 26284068
TI  - eIF2alpha Confers Cellular Tolerance to S. aureus alpha-Toxin.
AB  - We report on the role of conserved stress-response pathways for cellular
      tolerance to a pore forming toxin. First, we observed that small molecular weight
      inhibitors including of eIF2alpha-phosphatase, jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK), and
      PI3-kinase sensitized normal mouse embryonal fibroblasts (MEFs) to the small pore
      forming S. aureus alpha-toxin. Sensitization depended on expression of mADAM10,
      the murine ortholog of a proposed high-affinity receptor for alpha-toxin in human
      cells. Similarly, eIF2alpha (S51A/S51A) MEFs, which harbor an Ala knock-in
      mutation at the regulated Ser51 phosphorylation site of eukaryotic translation
      initiation factor 2alpha, were hyper-sensitive to alpha-toxin. Inhibition of
      translation with cycloheximide did not mimic the tolerogenic effect of eIF2alpha
      phosphorylation. Notably, eIF2alpha-dependent tolerance of MEFs was toxin
      selective, as wild-type MEFs and eIF2alpha (S51A/S51A) MEFs exhibited virtually
      equal sensitivity to Vibrio cholerae cytolysin. Binding of S. aureus alpha-toxin
      to eIF2alpha (S51A/S51A) MEFs and toxicity in these cells were enhanced as
      compared to wild-type cells. This led to the unexpected finding that the mutant
      cells carried more ADAM10. Because basal phosphorylation of eIF2alpha in MEFs
      required amino acid deprivation-activated eIF2alpha-kinase 4/GCN2, the data
      reveal that basal activity of this kinase mediates tolerance of MEFs to alpha
      toxin. Further, they suggest that modulation of ADAM10 is involved. During
      infection, bacterial growth may cause nutrient shortage in tissues, which might
      activate this response. Tolerance to alpha-toxin was robust in macrophages and
      did not depend on GCN2. However, JNKs appeared to play a role, suggesting
      differential cell type and toxin selectivity of tolerogenic stress responses.
      Understanding their function or failure will be important to comprehend anti
      bacterial immune responses. 

PMID- 26284070
TI  - Computational Biology: Modeling Chronic Renal Allograft Injury.
AB  - New approaches are needed to develop more effective interventions to prevent long
      term rejection of organ allografts. Computational biology provides a powerful
      tool to assess the large amount of complex data that is generated in longitudinal
      studies in this area. This manuscript outlines how our two groups are using
      mathematical modeling to analyze predictors of graft loss using both clinical and
      experimental data and how we plan to expand this approach to investigate specific
      mechanisms of chronic renal allograft injury. 

PMID- 26284069
TI  - T Cell Migration in Rheumatoid Arthritis.
AB  - Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic
      inflammation in joints, associated with synovial hyperplasia and with bone and
      cartilage destruction. Although the primacy of T cell-related events early in the
      disease continues to be debated, there is strong evidence that autoantigen
      recognition by specific T cells is crucial to the pathophysiology of rheumatoid
      synovitis. In addition, T cells are key components of the immune cell infiltrate
      detected in the joints of RA patients. Initial analysis of the cytokines released
      into the synovial membrane showed an imbalance, with a predominance of
      proinflammatory mediators, indicating a deleterious effect of Th1 T cells. There
      is nonetheless evidence that Th17 cells also play an important role in RA. T
      cells migrate from the bloodstream to the synovial tissue via their interactions
      with the endothelial cells that line synovial postcapillary venules. At this
      stage, selectins, integrins, and chemokines have a central role in blood cell
      invasion of synovial tissue, and therefore in the intensity of the inflammatory
      response. In this review, we will focus on the mechanisms involved in T cell
      attraction to the joint, the proteins involved in their extravasation from blood
      vessels, and the signaling pathways activated. Knowledge of these processes will
      lead to a better understanding of the mechanism by which the systemic immune
      response causes local joint disorders and will help to provide a molecular basis
      for therapeutic strategies. 

PMID- 26284073
TI  - Editorial: The Schistosomiasis Vaccine - It is Time to Stand up.

PMID- 26284072
TI  - Regulation of Lipid Specific and Vitamin Specific Non-MHC Restricted T Cells by
      Antigen Presenting Cells and Their Therapeutic Potentials.
AB  - Since initial reports, more than 25 years ago, that T cells recognize lipids in
      the context on non-polymorphic CD1 molecules, our understanding of antigen
      presentation to non-peptide-specific T cell populations has deepened. It is now
      clear that alphabeta T cells bearing semi-invariant T cell receptor, as well as
      subsets of gammadelta T cells, recognize a variety of self and non-self lipids
      and contribute to shaping immune responses via cross talk with dendritic cells
      and B cells. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that small molecules derived
      from the microbial riboflavin biosynthetic pathway (vitamin B2) bind monomorphic
      MR1 molecules and activate mucosal-associated invariant T cells, another
      population of semi-invariant T cells. Novel insights in the biological relevance
      of non-peptide-specific T cells have emerged with the development of tetrameric
      CD1 and MR1 molecules, which has allowed accurate enumeration and functional
      analysis of CD1- and MR1-restricted T cells in humans and discovery of novel
      populations of semi-invariant T cells. The phenotype and function of non-peptide
      specific T cells will be discussed in the context of the known distribution of
      CD1 and MR1 molecules by different subsets of antigen-presenting cells at steady
      state and following infection. Concurrent modulation of CD1 transcription and
      lipid biosynthetic pathways upon TLR stimulation, coupled with efficient lipid
      antigen processing, result in the increased cell surface expression of antigenic
      CD1-lipid complexes. Similarly, MR1 expression is almost undetectable in resting
      APC and it is upregulated following bacterial infection, likely due to
      stabilization of MR1 molecules by microbial antigens. The tight regulation of CD1
      and MR1 expression at steady state and during infection may represent an
      important mechanism to limit autoreactivity, while promoting T cell responses to
      foreign antigens. 

PMID- 26284071
TI  - DPP4 in Diabetes.
AB  - Dipeptidyl-peptidase 4 (DPP4) is a glycoprotein of 110 kDa, which is ubiquitously
      expressed on the surface of a variety of cells. This exopeptidase selectively
      cleaves N-terminal dipeptides from a variety of substrates, including cytokines,
      growth factors, neuropeptides, and the incretin hormones. Expression of DPP4 is
      substantially dysregulated in a variety of disease states including inflammation,
      cancer, obesity, and diabetes. Since the incretin hormones, glucagon-like peptide
      1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), are major regulators of
      post-prandial insulin secretion, inhibition of DPP4 by the gliptin family of
      drugs has gained considerable interest for the therapy of type 2 diabetic
      patients. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the DPP4-incretin
      axis and evaluate most recent findings on DPP4 inhibitors. Furthermore, DPP4 as a
      type II transmembrane protein is also known to be cleaved from the cell membrane
      involving different metalloproteases in a cell-type-specific manner. Circulating,
      soluble DPP4 has been identified as a new adipokine, which exerts both para- and
      endocrine effects. Recently, a novel receptor for soluble DPP4 has been
      identified, and data are accumulating that the adipokine-related effects of DPP4
      may play an important role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease.
      Importantly, circulating DPP4 is augmented in obese and type 2 diabetic subjects,
      and it may represent a molecular link between obesity and vascular dysfunction. A
      critical evaluation of the impact of circulating DPP4 is presented, and the
      potential role of DPP4 inhibition at this level is also discussed. 

PMID- 26284075
TI  - The Choice of Laboratory Methodology Influences Autoantibody Test Results.
AB  - During the last 25 years, clinical autoantibody determinations have changed
      dramatically. Old and slow techniques with high diagnostic specificity have been
      replaced with automated and faster techniques that most often have a higher
      diagnostic sensitivity at the expense of a lower diagnostic specificity. Newer
      techniques are mostly quantitative, allowing for follow-up of autoantibody
      levels. Whereas the older procedures utilized autoantigens in soluble and native
      states, most modern techniques rely on autoantigens attached to surfaces, with
      the risk of exposure of denatured epitopes. Comparisons between antibody
      measurement techniques can be obtained from the results of external quality
      assessment programs. As the main objective for external quality assessment is the
      monitoring of clinical laboratories, they cannot focus on the kind of low-level
      and often polyreactive sera, which are common in the real world and in which a
      single definite target response cannot be easily defined. Such common sera are
      very useful, however, for analysis of differences between autoantibody
      measurement techniques. The European Consensus Finding Study Group on
      Autoantibodies has been working with this approach for 28 years. 

PMID- 26284074
TI  - The Role of PKC-theta in CD4+ T Cells and HIV Infection: To the Nucleus and Back
      Again.
AB  - Protein kinase C (PKC)-theta is the only member of the PKC family that has the
      ability to translocate to the immunological synapse between T cells and antigen
      presenting cells upon T cell receptor and MHC-II recognition. PKC-theta interacts
      functionally and physically with other downstream effector molecules to mediate T
      cell activation, differentiation, and migration. It plays a critical role in the
      generation of Th2 and Th17 responses and is less important in Th1 and CTL
      responses. PKC-theta has been recently shown to play a role in the nucleus, where
      it mediates inducible gene expression in the development of memory CD4+ T cells.
      This novel PKC (nPKC) can up-regulate HIV-1 transcription and PKC-theta
      activators such as Prostratin have been used in early HIV-1 reservoir eradication
      studies. The exact manner of the activation of virus by these compounds and the
      role of PKC-theta, particularly its nuclear form and its association with NF
      kappaB in both the cytoplasmic and nuclear compartments, needs further precise
      elucidation especially given the very important role of NF-kappaB in regulating
      transcription from the integrated retrovirus. Continued studies of this nPKC
      isoform will give further insight into the complexity of T cell signaling
      kinases. 

PMID- 26284076
TI  - Contribution of Basophils to Cutaneous Immune Reactions and Th2-Mediated Allergic
      Responses.
AB  - Basophils are potent effector cells of innate immunity and also play a role in T
      helper 2 (Th2)-mediated allergic responses. But, although their in vitro
      functions are well studied, their in vivo functions remain largely unknown.
      However, several mouse models of basophil depletion have recently been developed
      and used to investigate basophil functions. For example, in a croton oil-induced
      model of irritant contact dermatitis in conditionally basophil-depleted
      transgenic mice, we found that basophils rapidly infiltrate inflamed skin and
      subsequently induce infiltration of eosinophils. We also showed that basophils
      induce Th2 skewing upon epicutaneous sensitization with various haptens and
      peptide antigens. Intriguingly, basophils also promoted Th2 polarization upon
      protein antigen exposure in the presence of dendritic cells (DCs). The dermal DC
      subset associated with Th2 skewing was recently identified as CD301b(+) DC. Such
      studies with basophil-deficient mouse models have significantly improved our
      understanding of the mechanisms involved in human immune-related diseases. In
      this review, we will focus on the relative contribution of basophils and DCs to
      Th2-mediated allergic responses. 

PMID- 26284077
TI  - Regulatory T-Cell Development in the Human Thymus.
AB  - The thymus generates a lineage-committed subset of regulatory T-cells (Tregs),
      best identified by the expression of the transcription factor FOXP3. The
      development of thymus-derived Tregs is known to require high-avidity interaction
      with MHC-self peptides leading to the generation of self-reactive Tregs
      fundamental for the maintenance of self-tolerance. Notwithstanding their crucial
      role in the control of immune responses, human thymic Treg differentiation
      remains poorly understood. In this mini-review, we will focus on the
      developmental stages at which Treg lineage commitment occurs, and their spatial
      localization in the human thymus, reviewing the molecular requirements, including
      T-cell receptor and cytokine signaling, as well as the cellular interactions
      involved. An overview of the impact of described thymic defects on the Treg
      compartment will be provided, illustrating the importance of these in vivo models
      to investigate human Treg development. 

PMID- 26284078
TI  - Mutual Interaction of Basophils and T Cells in Chronic Inflammatory Diseases.
AB  - Basophils are, together with mast cells, typical innate effector cells of
      allergen-induced IgE-dependent allergic diseases. Both cell types express the
      high-affinity receptor for IgE (FcepsilonR1), release histamine, inflammatory
      mediators, and cytokines following FcepsilonR1 cross-linking. Basophils are rare
      granulocytes in blood, lymphoid, and non-lymphoid tissues, and the difficulties
      to detect and isolate these cells has hampered the study of their biology and the
      understanding of their possible role in pathology. Furthermore, the existence of
      other FcepsilonR1-expressing cells, including professional Ag-presenting
      dendritic cells, generated some controversy regarding the ability of basophils to
      express MHC Class II molecules, present Ag and drive naive T cell differentiation
      into Th2 cells. The focus of this review is to present the recent advances on the
      interactions between basophils and peripheral blood and tissue memory Th1, Th2,
      and Th17 cells, as well as their potential role in IgE-independent non-allergic
      chronic inflammatory disorders, including human inflammatory bowel diseases.
      Basophils interactions with the innate players of IgE-dependent allergic
      inflammation, particularly innate lymphoid cells, will also be considered. The
      previously unrecognized function for basophils in skewing adaptive immune
      responses opens novel perspectives for the understanding of their contribution to
      the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases. 

PMID- 26284079
TI  - Physiological implications of arginine metabolism in plants.
AB  - Nitrogen is a limiting resource for plant growth in most terrestrial habitats
      since large amounts of nitrogen are needed to synthesize nucleic acids and
      proteins. Among the 21 proteinogenic amino acids, arginine has the highest
      nitrogen to carbon ratio, which makes it especially suitable as a storage form of
      organic nitrogen. Synthesis in chloroplasts via ornithine is apparently the only
      operational pathway to provide arginine in plants, and the rate of arginine
      synthesis is tightly regulated by various feedback mechanisms in accordance with
      the overall nutritional status. While several steps of arginine biosynthesis
      still remain poorly characterized in plants, much wider attention has been paid
      to inter- and intracellular arginine transport as well as arginine-derived
      metabolites. A role of arginine as alternative source besides glutamate for
      proline biosynthesis is still discussed controversially and may be prevented by
      differential subcellular localization of enzymes. Apparently, arginine is a
      precursor for nitric oxide (NO), although the molecular mechanism of NO
      production from arginine remains unclear in higher plants. In contrast,
      conversion of arginine to polyamines is well documented, and in several plant
      species also ornithine can serve as a precursor for polyamines. Both NO and
      polyamines play crucial roles in regulating developmental processes as well as
      responses to biotic and abiotic stress. It is thus conceivable that arginine
      catabolism serves on the one hand to mobilize nitrogen storages, while on the
      other hand it may be used to fine-tune development and defense mechanisms against
      stress. This review summarizes the recent advances in our knowledge about
      arginine metabolism, with a special focus on the model plant Arabidopsis
      thaliana, and pinpoints still unresolved critical questions. 

PMID- 26284080
TI  - Proteomics, metabolomics, and ionomics perspectives of salinity tolerance in
      halophytes.
AB  - Halophytes are plants which naturally survive in saline environment. They account
      for ~1% of the total flora of the world. They include both dicots and monocots
      and are distributed mainly in arid, semi-arid inlands and saline wet lands along
      the tropical and sub-tropical coasts. Salinity tolerance in halophytes depends on
      a set of ecological and physiological characteristics that allow them to grow and
      flourish in high saline conditions. The ability of halophytes to tolerate high
      salt is determined by the effective coordination between various physiological
      processes, metabolic pathways and protein or gene networks responsible for
      delivering salinity tolerance. The salinity responsive proteins belong to diverse
      functional classes such as photosynthesis, redox homeostasis; stress/defense,
      carbohydrate and energy metabolism, protein metabolism, signal transduction and
      membrane transport. The important metabolites which are involved in salt
      tolerance of halophytes are proline and proline analog (4-hydroxy-N-methyl
      proline), glycine betaine, pinitol, myo-inositol, mannitol, sorbitol, O
      methylmucoinositol, and polyamines. In halophytes, the synthesis of specific
      proteins and osmotically active metabolites control ion and water flux and
      support scavenging of oxygen radicals under salt stress condition. The present
      review summarizes the salt tolerance mechanisms of halophytes by elucidating the
      recent studies that have focused on proteomic, metabolomic, and ionomic aspects
      of various halophytes in response to salinity. By integrating the information
      from halophytes and its comparison with glycophytes could give an overview of
      salt tolerance mechanisms in halophytes, thus laying down the pavement for
      development of salt tolerant crop plants through genetic modification and
      effective breeding strategies. 

PMID- 26284081
TI  - The plastoquinone pool, poised for cyclic electron flow?

PMID- 26284082
TI  - QueTAL: a suite of tools to classify and compare TAL effectors functionally and
      phylogenetically.
AB  - Transcription Activator-Like (TAL) effectors from Xanthomonas plant pathogenic
      bacteria can bind to the promoter region of plant genes and induce their
      expression. DNA-binding specificity is governed by a central domain made of
      nearly identical repeats, each determining the recognition of one base pair via
      two amino acid residues (a.k.a. Repeat Variable Di-residue, or RVD). Knowing how
      TAL effectors differ from each other within and between strains would be useful
      to infer functional and evolutionary relationships, but their repetitive nature
      precludes reliable use of traditional alignment methods. The suite QueTAL was
      therefore developed to offer tailored tools for comparison of TAL effector genes.
      The program DisTAL considers each repeat as a unit, transforms a TAL effector
      sequence into a sequence of coded repeats and makes pair-wise alignments between
      these coded sequences to construct trees. The program FuncTAL is aimed at finding
      TAL effectors with similar DNA-binding capabilities. It calculates correlations
      between position weight matrices of potential target DNA sequence predicted from
      the RVD sequence, and builds trees based on these correlations. The programs
      accurately represented phylogenetic and functional relationships between TAL
      effectors using either simulated or literature-curated data. When using the
      programs on a large set of TAL effector sequences, the DisTAL tree largely
      reflected the expected species phylogeny. In contrast, FuncTAL showed that TAL
      effectors with similar binding capabilities can be found between phylogenetically
      distant taxa. This suite will help users to rapidly analyse any TAL effector
      genes of interest and compare them to other available TAL genes and should
      improve our understanding of TAL effectors evolution. It is available at
      http://bioinfo-web.mpl.ird.fr/cgi-bin2/quetal/quetal.cgi. 

PMID- 26284083
TI  - How tree roots respond to drought.
AB  - The ongoing climate change is characterized by increased temperatures and altered
      precipitation patterns. In addition, there has been an increase in both the
      frequency and intensity of extreme climatic events such as drought. Episodes of
      drought induce a series of interconnected effects, all of which have the
      potential to alter the carbon balance of forest ecosystems profoundly at
      different scales of plant organization and ecosystem functioning. During recent
      years, considerable progress has been made in the understanding of how
      aboveground parts of trees respond to drought and how these responses affect
      carbon assimilation. In contrast, processes of belowground parts are relatively
      underrepresented in research on climate change. In this review, we describe
      current knowledge about responses of tree roots to drought. Tree roots are
      capable of responding to drought through a variety of strategies that enable them
      to avoid and tolerate stress. Responses include root biomass adjustments,
      anatomical alterations, and physiological acclimations. The molecular mechanisms
      underlying these responses are characterized to some extent, and involve stress
      signaling and the induction of numerous genes, leading to the activation of
      tolerance pathways. In addition, mycorrhizas seem to play important protective
      roles. The current knowledge compiled in this review supports the view that tree
      roots are well equipped to withstand drought situations and maintain
      morphological and physiological functions as long as possible. Further, the
      reviewed literature demonstrates the important role of tree roots in the
      functioning of forest ecosystems and highlights the need for more research in
      this emerging field. 

PMID- 26284084
TI  - Proteomic analysis and candidate allergenic proteins in Populus deltoides CL.
      "2KEN8" mature pollen.
AB  - Proteomic analysis was used to generate a map of Populus deltoides CL. "2KEN8"
      mature pollen proteins. By applying 2-D electrophoresis, we resolved 403 protein
      spots from mature pollen. Using the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization
      time time-of-flight/time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry method, we identified
      178 distinct proteins from 218 protein spots expressed in mature pollen.
      Moreover, out of these, 28 proteins were identified as putative allergens. The
      expression patterns of these putative allergen genes indicate that several of
      these genes are highly expressed in pollen. In addition, the members of profilin
      allergen family were analyzed and their expression patterns were compared with
      their homologous genes in Arabidopsis and rice. Knowledge of these identified
      allergens has the potential to improve specific diagnosis and allergen
      immunotherapy treatment for patients with poplar pollen allergy. 

PMID- 26284085
TI  - Pushing the boundaries of resistance: insights from Brachypodium-rust
      interactions.
AB  - The implications of global population growth urge transformation of current food
      and bioenergy production systems to sustainability. Members of the family Poaceae
      are of particular importance both in food security and for their applications as
      biofuel substrates. For centuries, rust fungi have threatened the production of
      valuable crops such as wheat, barley, oat, and other small grains; similarly,
      biofuel crops can also be susceptible to these pathogens. Emerging rust
      pathogenic races with increased virulence and recurrent rust epidemics around the
      world point out the vulnerability of monocultures. Basic research in plant
      immunity, especially in model plants, can make contributions to understanding
      plant resistance mechanisms and improve disease management strategies. The
      development of the grass Brachypodium distachyon as a genetically tractable model
      for monocots, especially temperate cereals and grasses, offers the possibility to
      overcome the experimental challenges presented by the genetic and genomic
      complexities of economically valuable crop plants. The numerous resources and
      tools available in Brachypodium have opened new doors to investigate the
      underlying molecular and genetic bases of plant-microbe interactions in grasses
      and evidence demonstrating the applicability and advantages of working with B.
      distachyon is increasing. Importantly, several interactions between B. distachyon
      and devastating plant pathogens, such rust fungi, have been examined in the
      context of non-host resistance. Here, we discuss the use of B. distachyon in
      these various pathosystems. Exploiting B. distachyon to understand the mechanisms
      underpinning disease resistance to non-adapted rust fungi may provide effective
      and durable approaches to fend off these pathogens. The close phylogenetic
      relationship among Brachypodium spp. and grasses with industrial and agronomic
      value support harnessing this model plant to improve cropping systems and
      encourage its use in translational research. 

PMID- 26284086
TI  - Functional analysis of the BRI1 receptor kinase by Thr-for-Ser substitution in a
      regulatory autophosphorylation site.
AB  - BRI1 becomes highly phosphorylated in vivo upon perception of the ligand,
      brassinolide, as a result of autophosphorylation and transphosphorylation by its
      co-receptor kinase, BAK1. Important autophosphorylation sites include those
      involved in activation of kinase activity and those that are inhibitory, such as
      Ser-891. The inhibitory sites are autophosphorylated after kinase activation has
      been achieved and are postulated to contribute to deactivation of the kinase. The
      function of phosphosites is usually tested by substituting a non-phosphorylatable
      residue or an acidic residue that can act as a phosphomimetic. What has typically
      not been examined is substitution of a Thr for a Ser phosphosite (or vice versa)
      but given that Thr and Ser are not equivalent amino acids this type of
      substitution may represent a new approach to engineer regulatory phosphorylation.
      In the present study with BRI1, we substituted Thr at the Ser-891 phosphosite to
      generate the S891T directed mutant. The recombinant Flag-BRI1 (S891T) cytoplasmic
      domain protein (the S891T protein) was catalytically active and phosphorylation
      occurred at the engineered Thr-891 site. However, the S891T recombinant protein
      autophosphorylated more slowly than the wild-type protein during expression in E.
      coli. As a result, activation of peptide kinase activity (measured in vitro) was
      delayed as was transphosphorylation of bacterial proteins in situ. Stable
      transgenic expression of BRI1 (S891T)-Flag in Arabidopsis bri1-5 plants did not
      fully rescue the brassinosteroid (BR) phenotype indicating that BR signaling was
      constrained. Our working model is that restricted signaling in the S891T plants
      occurs as a result of the reduced rate of activation of the mutant BRI1 kinase by
      autophosphorylation. These results provide the platform for future studies to
      critically test this new model in vivo and establish Ser-Thr substitutions at
      phosphosites as an interesting approach to consider with other protein kinases. 

PMID- 26284087
TI  - Functional properties and structural characterization of rice delta(1)-pyrroline
      5-carboxylate reductase.
AB  - The majority of plant species accumulate high intracellular levels of proline to
      cope with hyperosmotic stress conditions. Proline synthesis from glutamate is
      tightly regulated at both the transcriptional and the translational levels, yet
      little is known about the mechanisms for post-translational regulation of the
      enzymatic activities involved. The gene coding in rice (Oryza sativa L.) for
      delta(1)-pyrroline-5-carboxylate (P5C) reductase, the enzyme that catalyzes the
      second and final step in this pathway, was isolated and expressed in Escherichia
      coli. The structural and functional properties of the affinity-purified protein
      were characterized. As for most species, rice P5C reductase was able to use in
      vitro either NADH or NADPH as the electron donor. However, strikingly different
      effects of cations and anions were found depending on the pyridine nucleotide
      used, namely inhibition of NADH-dependent activity and stimulation of NADPH
      dependent activity. Moreover, physiological concentrations of proline and NADP(+)
      were strongly inhibitory for the NADH-dependent reaction, whereas the NADPH
      dependent activity was mildly affected. Our results suggest that only NADPH may
      be used in vivo and that stress-dependent variations in ion homeostasis and
      NADPH/NADP(+) ratio could modulate enzyme activity, being functional in promoting
      proline accumulation and potentially also adjusting NADPH consumption during the
      defense against hyperosmotic stress. The apparent molecular weight of the native
      protein observed in size exclusion chromatography indicated a high
      oligomerization state. We also report the first crystal structure of a plant P5C
      reductase at 3.40-A resolution, showing a decameric quaternary assembly. Based on
      the structure, it was possible to identify dynamic structural differences among
      rice, human, and bacterial enzymes. 

PMID- 26284088
TI  - Is the efficacy of biological control against plant diseases likely to be more
      durable than that of chemical pesticides?
AB  - The durability of a control method for plant protection is defined as the
      persistence of its efficacy in space and time. It depends on (i) the selection
      pressure exerted by it on populations of plant pathogens and (ii) on the capacity
      of these pathogens to adapt to the control method. Erosion of effectiveness of
      conventional plant protection methods has been widely studied in the past. For
      example, apparition of resistance to chemical pesticides in plant pathogens or
      pests has been extensively documented. The durability of biological control has
      often been assumed to be higher than that of chemical control. Results concerning
      pest management in agricultural systems have shown that this assumption may not
      always be justified. Resistance of various pests to one or several toxins of
      Bacillus thuringiensis and apparition of resistance of the codling moth Cydia
      pomonella to the C. pomonella granulovirus have, for example, been described. In
      contrast with the situation for pests, the durability of biological control of
      plant diseases has hardly been studied and no scientific reports proving the loss
      of efficiency of biological control agents against plant pathogens in practice
      has been published so far. Knowledge concerning the possible erosion of
      effectiveness of biological control is essential to ensure a durable efficacy of
      biological control agents on target plant pathogens. This knowledge will result
      in identifying risk factors that can foster the selection of strains of plant
      pathogens resistant to biological control agents. It will also result in
      identifying types of biological control agents with lower risk of efficacy loss,
      i.e., modes of action of biological control agents that does not favor the
      selection of resistant isolates in natural populations of plant pathogens. An
      analysis of the scientific literature was then conducted to assess the potential
      for plant pathogens to become resistant to biological control agents. 

PMID- 26284090
TI  - P5CDH affects the pathways contributing to Pro synthesis after ProDH activation
      by biotic and abiotic stress conditions.
AB  - Plants facing adverse conditions usually alter proline (Pro) metabolism,
      generating changes that help restore the cellular homeostasis. These organisms
      synthesize Pro from glutamate (Glu) or ornithine (Orn) by two-step reactions that
      share Delta(1) pyrroline-5-carboxylate (P5C) as intermediate. In the catabolic
      process, Pro is converted back to Glu using a different pathway that involves Pro
      dehydrogenase (ProDH), P5C dehydrogenase (P5CDH), and P5C as intermediate. Little
      is known about the coordination of the catabolic and biosynthetic routes under
      stress. To address this issue, we analyzed how P5CDH affects the activation of
      Pro synthesis, in Arabidopsis tissues that increase ProDH activity by transient
      exposure to exogenous Pro, or infection with Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato.
      Wild-type (Col-0) and p5cdh mutant plants subjected to these treatments were used
      to monitor the Pro, Glu, and Orn levels, as well as the expression of genes from
      Pro metabolism. Col-0 and p5cdh tissues consecutively activated ProDH and Pro
      biosynthetic genes under both conditions. However, they manifested a different
      coordination between these routes. When external Pro supply was interrupted, wild
      type leaves degraded Pro to basal levels at which point Pro synthesis, mainly via
      Glu, became activated. Under the same condition, p5cdh leaves sustained ProDH
      induction without reducing the Pro content but rather increasing it, apparently
      by stimulating the Orn pathway. In response to pathogen infection, both genotypes
      showed similar trends. While Col-0 plants seemed to induce both Pro biosynthetic
      routes, p5cdh mutant plants may primarily activate the Orn route. Our study
      contributes to the functional characterization of P5CDH in biotic and abiotic
      stress conditions, by revealing its capacity to modulate the fate of P5C, and
      prevalence of Orn or Glu as Pro precursors in tissues that initially consumed
      Pro. 

PMID- 26284089
TI  - Evolution of plant delta(1)-pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductases from phylogenetic
      and structural perspectives.
AB  - Proline plays a crucial role in cell growth and stress responses, and its
      accumulation is essential for the tolerance of adverse environmental conditions
      in plants. Two routes are used to biosynthesize proline in plants. The main route
      uses glutamate as a precursor, while in the other route proline is derived from
      ornithine. The terminal step of both pathways, the conversion of delta(1)
      pyrroline-5-carboxylate (P5C) to L-proline, is catalyzed by P5C reductase (P5CR)
      using NADH or NADPH as a cofactor. Since P5CRs are important housekeeping
      enzymes, they are conserved across all domains of life and appear to be
      relatively unaffected throughout evolution. However, global analysis of these
      enzymes unveiled significant functional diversity in the preference for cofactors
      (NADPH vs. NADH), variation in metal dependence and the differences in the
      oligomeric state. In our study we investigated evolutionary patterns through
      phylogenetic and structural analysis of P5CR representatives from all kingdoms of
      life, with emphasis on the plant species. We also attempted to correlate local
      sequence/structure variation among the functionally and structurally
      characterized members of the family. 

PMID- 26284091
TI  - Identification of a core set of rhizobial infection genes using data from single
      cell-types.
AB  - Genome-wide expression studies on nodulation have varied in their scale from
      entire root systems to dissected nodules or root sections containing nodule
      primordia (NP). More recently efforts have focused on developing methods for
      isolation of root hairs from infected plants and the application of laser-capture
      microdissection technology to nodules. Here we analyze two published data sets to
      identify a core set of infection genes that are expressed in the nodule and in
      root hairs during infection. Among the genes identified were those encoding
      phenylpropanoid biosynthesis enzymes including Chalcone-O-Methyltransferase which
      is required for the production of the potent Nod gene inducer 4',4-dihydroxy-2
      methoxychalcone. A promoter-GUS analysis in transgenic hairy roots for two genes
      encoding Chalcone-O-Methyltransferase isoforms revealed their expression in
      rhizobially infected root hairs and the nodule infection zone but not in the
      nitrogen fixation zone. We also describe a group of Rhizobially Induced
      Peroxidases whose expression overlaps with the production of superoxide in
      rhizobially infected root hairs and in nodules and roots. Finally, we identify a
      cohort of co-regulated transcription factors as candidate regulators of these
      processes. 

PMID- 26284092
TI  - Identification and expression profiling analysis of calmodulin-binding
      transcription activator genes in maize (Zea mays L.) under abiotic and biotic
      stresses.
AB  - The calmodulin-binding transcription activators (CAMTA) play critical roles in
      plant growth and responses to environmental stimuli. However, how CAMTAs function
      in responses to abiotic and biotic stresses in maize (Zea mays L.) is largely
      unknown. In this study, we first identified all the CAMTA homologous genes in the
      whole genome of maize. The results showed that nine ZmCAMTA genes showed highly
      diversified gene structures and tissue-specific expression patterns. Many ZmCAMTA
      genes displayed high expression levels in the roots. We then surveyed the
      distribution of stress-related cis-regulatory elements in the -1.5 kb promoter
      regions of ZmCAMTA genes. Notably, a large number of stress-related elements
      present in the promoter regions of some ZmCAMTA genes, indicating a genetic basis
      of stress expression regulation of these genes. Quantitative real-time PCR was
      used to test the expression of ZmCAMTA genes under several abiotic stresses
      (drought, salt, and cold), various stress-related hormones [abscisic acid, auxin,
      salicylic acid (SA), and jasmonic acid] and biotic stress [rice black-streaked
      dwarf virus (RBSDV) infection]. Furthermore, the expression pattern of ZmCAMTA
      genes under RBSDV infection was analyzed to investigate their potential roles in
      responses of different maize cultivated varieties to RBSDV. The expression of
      most ZmCAMTA genes responded to both abiotic and biotic stresses. The data will
      help us to understand the roles of CAMTA-mediated Ca(2+) signaling in maize
      tolerance to environmental stresses. 

PMID- 26284093
TI  - The Phaseolus vulgaris PvTRX1h gene regulates plant hormone biosynthesis in
      embryogenic callus from common bean.
AB  - Common bean is the most important grain legume in the human diet. Bean
      improvement efforts have been focused on classical breeding techniques because
      bean is recalcitrant to both somatic embryogenesis and in vitro regeneration.
      This study was undertaken to better understand the process of somatic
      embryogenesis in the common bean. We focused on the mechanisms by which somatic
      embryogenesis in plants is regulated and the interaction of these mechanisms with
      plant hormones. Specifically, we examined the role of the gene PvTRX1h, an
      ortholog of a major known histone lysine methyltransferase in plants, in somatic
      embryo generation. Given the problems with regeneration and transformation, we
      chose to develop and use regeneration-competent callus that could be successively
      transformed. Embryogenic calli of common bean were generated and transformed with
      the PvTRX1hRiA construction to down-regulate, by RNA interference, expression of
      the PvTRX1h gene. Plant hormone content was measured by mass spectrometry and
      gene expression was assessed by q-PCR. Detailed histological analysis was
      performed on selected transgenic embryogenic calli. It was determined that down
      regulation of PvTRX1h gene was accompanied by altered concentrations of plant
      hormones in the calli. PvTRX1h regulated the expression of genes involved in
      auxin biosynthesis and embryogenic calli in which PvTRX1h was down-regulated were
      capable of differentiation into somatic embryos. Also, down-regulation of PvTRX1h
      showed increased transcript abundance of a gene coding for a second histone
      lysine methyltransferase, PvASHH2h. Accordingly, the PvTRX1h gene is involved in
      the synthesis of plant hormones in common bean callus. These results shed light
      on the crosstalk among histone methyltransferases and plant hormone signaling and
      on gene regulation during somatic embryo generation. 

PMID- 26284094
TI  - Glutamine synthetase in Medicago truncatula, unveiling new secrets of a very old
      enzyme.
AB  - Glutamine synthetase (GS) catalyzes the first step at which nitrogen is brought
      into cellular metabolism and is also involved in the reassimilation of ammonium
      released by a number of metabolic pathways. Due to its unique position in plant
      nitrogen metabolism, GS plays essential roles in all aspects of plant
      development, from germination to senescence, and is a key component of nitrogen
      use efficiency (NUE) and plant yield. Understanding the mechanisms regulating GS
      activity is therefore of utmost importance and a great effort has been dedicated
      to understand how GS is regulated in different plant species. The present review
      summarizes exciting recent developments concerning the structure and regulation
      of GS isoenzymes, using the model legume Medicago truncatula. These include the
      understanding of the structural determinants of both the cytosolic and plastid
      located isoenzymes, the existence of a seed-specific GS gene unique to M.
      truncatula and closely related species and the discovery that GS isoenzymes are
      regulated by nitric oxide at the post-translational level. The data is discussed
      and integrated with the potential roles of the distinct GS isoenzymes within the
      whole plant context. 

PMID- 26284095
TI  - Candidate effector proteins of the necrotrophic apple canker pathogen Valsa mali
      can suppress BAX-induced PCD.
AB  - Canker caused by the Ascomycete Valsa mali is the most destructive disease of
      apple in Eastern Asia, resulting in yield losses of up to 100%. This necrotrophic
      fungus induces severe necrosis on apple, eventually leading to the death of the
      whole tree. Identification of necrosis inducing factors may help to unravel the
      molecular bases for colonization of apple trees by V. mali. As a first step
      toward this goal, we identified and characterized the V. mali repertoire of
      candidate effector proteins (CEPs). In total, 193 secreted proteins with no known
      function were predicted from genomic data, of which 101 were V. mali-specific.
      Compared to non-CEPs predicted for the V. mali secretome, CEPs have shorter
      sequence length and a higher content of cysteine residues. Based on transient
      over-expression in Nicotiana benthamiana performed for 70 randomly selected CEPs,
      seven V. mali Effector Proteins (VmEPs) were shown to significantly suppress BAX
      induced PCD. Furthermore, targeted deletion of VmEP1 resulted in a significant
      reduction of virulence. These results suggest that V. mali expresses secreted
      proteins that can suppress PCD usually associated with effector-triggered
      immunity (ETI). ETI in turn may play an important role in the V. mali-apple
      interaction. The ability of V. mali to suppress plant ETI sheds a new light onto
      the interaction of a necrotrophic fungus with its host plant. 

PMID- 26284096
TI  - Radioactivity and the environment: technical approaches to understand the role of
      arbuscular mycorrhizal plants in radionuclide bioaccumulation.
AB  - Phytoaccumulation of radionuclides is of significant interest with regards to
      monitoring radionuclide build-up in food chains, developing methods for
      environmental bioremediation and for ecological management. There are many gaps
      in our understanding of the characteristics and mechanisms of plant radionuclide
      accumulation, including the importance of symbiotically-associated arbuscular
      mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. We first briefly review the evidence that demonstrates
      the ability of AM fungi to enhance the translocation of (238)U into plant root
      tissues, and how fungal association may prevent further mobilization into shoot
      tissues. We then focus on approaches that should further advance our knowledge of
      AM fungi-plant radionuclide accumulation. Current research has mostly used
      artificial cultivation methods and we consider how more ecologically-relevant
      analysis might be performed. The use of synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence
      imaging and absorption spectroscopy techniques to understand the mechanisms of
      radionuclide transfer from soil to plant via AM fungi is evaluated. Without such
      further knowledge, the behavior and mobilization of radionuclides cannot be
      accurately modeled and the potential risks cannot be accurately predicted. 

PMID- 26284097
TI  - Co-expression of xerophyte Zygophyllum xanthoxylum ZxNHX and ZxVP1-1 confers
      enhanced salinity tolerance in chimeric sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.).
AB  - Salinity is one of the major abiotic stresses that limit the growth and
      productivity of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.). To improve sugar beet's salinity
      tolerance, the ZxNHX and ZxVP1-1 genes encoding tonoplast Na(+)/H(+) antiporter
      and H(+)-PPase from xerophyte Zygophyllum xanthoxylum were co-expressed by
      Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. It is showed here that co
      expression of ZxNHX and ZxVP1-1 confers enhanced salinity tolerance to the
      transformed sugar beet plants compared with the wild-type (WT) plants. The
      chimeric plants grew well in the presence of high salinity (400 mM NaCl), whereas
      WT plants displayed chlorosis and died within 8 days. Compared to WT plants, the
      chimeric plants co-expressing ZxNHX and ZxVP1-1 accumulated more proline, Na(+)
      and K(+) in their leaves and petioles when exposed to high salinity, which caused
      lower solute potential, retained more water and thus subjected to lesser cell
      membrane damage. Interestingly, the chimeric plants accumulated higher sucrose,
      glucose and fructose contents in their storage roots than WT plants in the
      absence or presence of high salinity. Our results suggested that co-expression of
      ZxNHX and ZxVP1-1 improved the osmoregulatory capacity in chimeric sugar beet
      through increased compartmentalization of ions into the vacuoles by enhancing the
      activity of proton pumps and thus mitigated Na(+)-toxicity for plants. 

PMID- 26284098
TI  - Binary stress induces an increase in indole alkaloid biosynthesis in Catharanthus
      roseus.
AB  - Catharanthus roseus is an important medicinal plant, which produces a variety of
      indole alkaloids of significant pharmaceutical relevance. In the present study,
      we aimed to investigate the potential stress-induced increase of indole alkaloid
      biosynthesis in C. roseus using proteomic technique. The contents of the
      detectable alkaloids ajmalicine, vindoline, catharanthine, and strictosidine in
      C. roseus were significantly increased under binary stress. Proteomic analysis
      revealed that the abundance of proteins related to tricarboxylic acid cycle and
      cell wall was largely increased; while, that of proteins related to tetrapyrrole
      synthesis and photosynthesis was decreased. Of note, 10-hydroxygeraniol
      oxidoreductase, which is involved in the biosynthesis of indole alkaloid was two
      fold more abundant in treated group compared to the control. In addition, mRNA
      expression levels of genes involved in the indole alkaloid biosynthetic pathway
      indicated an up-regulation in their transcription in C. roseus under UV-B
      irradiation. These results suggest that binary stress might negatively affect the
      process of photosynthesis in C. roseus. In addition, the induction of alkaloid
      biosynthesis appears to be responsive to binary stress. 

PMID- 26284099
TI  - Transcriptome, carbohydrate, and phytohormone analysis of Petunia hybrida reveals
      a complex disturbance of plant functional integrity under mild chilling stress.
AB  - Cultivation of chilling-tolerant ornamental crops at lower temperature could
      reduce the energy demands of heated greenhouses. To provide a better
      understanding of how sub-optimal temperatures (12 degrees C vs. 16 degrees C)
      affect growth of the sensitive Petunia hybrida cultivar 'SweetSunshine Williams',
      the transcriptome, carbohydrate metabolism, and phytohormone homeostasis were
      monitored in aerial plant parts over 4 weeks by use of a microarray, enzymatic
      assays and GC-MS/MS. The data revealed three consecutive phases of chilling
      response. The first days were marked by a strong accumulation of sugars,
      particularly in source leaves, preferential up-regulation of genes in the same
      tissue and down-regulation of several genes in the shoot apex, especially those
      involved in the abiotic stress response. The midterm phase featured a partial
      normalization of carbohydrate levels and gene expression. After 3 weeks of
      chilling exposure, a new stabilized balance was established. Reduced hexose
      levels in the shoot apex, reduced ratios of sugar levels between the apex and
      source leaves and a higher apical sucrose/hexose ratio, associated with decreased
      activity and expression of cell wall invertase, indicate that prolonged chilling
      induced sugar accumulation in source leaves at the expense of reduced sugar
      transport to and reduced sucrose utilization in the shoot. This was associated
      with reduced levels of indole-3-acetic acid and abscisic acid in the apex and
      high numbers of differentially, particularly up-regulated genes, especially in
      the source leaves, including those regulating histones, ethylene action,
      transcription factors, and a jasmonate-ZIM-domain protein. Transcripts of one
      Jumonji C domain containing protein and one expansin accumulated in source leaves
      throughout the chilling period. The results reveal a dynamic and complex
      disturbance of plant function in response to mild chilling, opening new
      perspectives for the comparative analysis of differently tolerant cultivars. 

PMID- 26284100
TI  - The battle in the apoplast: further insights into the roles of proteases and
      their inhibitors in plant-pathogen interactions.
AB  - Upon host penetration, fungal pathogens secrete a plethora of effectors to
      promote disease, including proteases that degrade plant antimicrobial proteins,
      and protease inhibitors (PIs) that inhibit plant proteases with antimicrobial
      activity. Conversely, plants secrete proteases and PIs to protect themselves
      against pathogens or to mediate recognition of pathogen proteases and PIs, which
      leads to induction of defense responses. Many examples of proteases and PIs
      mediating effector-triggered immunity in host plants have been reported in the
      literature, but little is known about their role in compromising basal defense
      responses induced by microbe-associated molecular patterns. Recently, several
      reports appeared in literature on secreted fungal proteases that modify or
      degrade pathogenesis-related proteins, including plant chitinases or PIs that
      compromise their activities. This prompted us to review the recent advances on
      proteases and PIs involved in fungal virulence and plant defense. Proteases and
      PIs from plants and their fungal pathogens play an important role in the arms
      race between plants and pathogens, which has resulted in co-evolutionary
      diversification and adaptation shaping pathogen lifestyles. 

PMID- 26284101
TI  - Long-term boron-deficiency-responsive genes revealed by cDNA-AFLP differ between
      Citrus sinensis roots and leaves.
AB  - Seedlings of Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck were supplied with boron (B)-deficient
      (without H3BO3) or -sufficient (10 MUM H3BO3) nutrient solution for 15 weeks. We
      identified 54 (38) and 38 (45) up (down)-regulated cDNA-AFLP bands (transcript
      derived fragments, TDFs) from B-deficient leaves and roots, respectively. These
      TDFs were mainly involved in protein and amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate and
      energy metabolism, nucleic acid metabolism, cell transport, signal transduction,
      and stress response and defense. The majority of the differentially expressed
      TDFs were isolated only from B-deficient roots or leaves, only seven TDFs with
      the same GenBank ID were isolated from the both. In addition, ATP biosynthesis
      related TDFs were induced in B-deficient roots, but unaffected in B-deficient
      leaves. Most of the differentially expressed TDFs associated with signal
      transduction and stress defense were down-regulated in roots, but up-regulated in
      leaves. TDFs related to protein ubiquitination and proteolysis were induced in B
      deficient leaves except for one TDF, while only two down-regulated TDFs
      associated with ubiquitination were detected in B-deficient roots. Thus, many
      differences existed in long-term B-deficiency-responsive genes between roots and
      leaves. In conclusion, our findings provided a global picture of the differential
      responses occurring in B-deficient roots and leaves and revealed new insight into
      the different adaptive mechanisms of C. sinensis roots and leaves to B-deficiency
      at the transcriptional level. 

PMID- 26284103
TI  - Responses of symbiotic nitrogen-fixing common bean to aluminum toxicity and
      delineation of nodule responsive microRNAs.
AB  - Aluminum (Al) toxicity is widespread in acidic soils where the common bean
      (Phaseolus vulgaris), the most important legume for human consumption, is
      produced and it is a limiting factor for crop production and symbiotic nitrogen
      fixation. We characterized the nodule responses of common bean plants inoculated
      with Rhizobioum tropici CIAT899 and the root responses of nitrate-fertilized
      plants exposed to excess Al in low pH, for long or short periods. A 43-50%
      reduction in nitrogenase activity indicates that Al toxicity (Alt) highly
      affected nitrogen fixation in common bean. Bean roots and nodules showed
      characteristic symptoms for Alt. In mature nodules Al accumulation and
      lipoperoxidation were observed in the infected zone, while callose deposition and
      cell death occurred mainly in the nodule cortex. Regulatory mechanisms of plant
      responses to metal toxicity involve microRNAs (miRNAs) along other regulators.
      Using a miRNA-macroarray hybridization approach we identified 28 (14 up
      regulated) Alt nodule-responsive miRNAs. We validated (quantitative reverse
      transcriptase-PCR) the expression of eight nodule responsive miRNAs in roots and
      in nodules exposed to high Al for long or short periods. The inverse correlation
      between the target and miRNA expression ratio (stress:control) was observed in
      every case. Generally, miRNAs showed a higher earlier response in roots than in
      nodules. Some of the common bean Alt-responsive miRNAs identified has also been
      reported as differentially expressed in other plant species subjected to similar
      stress condition. miRNA/target nodes analyzed in this work are known to be
      involved in relevant signaling pathways, thus we propose that the participation
      of miR164/NAC1 (NAM/ATAF/CUC transcription factor) and miR393/TIR1 (TRANSPORT
      INHIBITOR RESPONSE 1-like protein) in auxin and of miR170/SCL (SCARECROW-like
      protein transcription factor) in gibberellin signaling is relevant for common
      bean response/adaptation to Al stress. Our data provide a foundation for
      evaluating the individual roles of miRNAs in the response of common bean nodules
      to Alt. 

PMID- 26284104
TI  - DNA barcoding of perennial fruit tree species of agronomic interest in the genus
      Annona (Annonaceae).
AB  - The DNA barcode initiative aims to establish a universal protocol using short
      genetic sequences to discriminate among animal and plant species. Although many
      markers have been proposed to become the barcode of plants, the Consortium for
      the Barcode of Life (CBOL) Plant Working Group recommended using as a core the
      combination of two portions of plastid coding region, rbcL and matK. In this
      paper, specific markers based on matK sequences were developed for 7 closely
      related Annona species of agronomic interest (Annona cherimola, A. reticulata, A.
      squamosa, A. muricata, A. macroprophyllata, A. glabra, and A. purpurea) and the
      discrimination power of both rbcL and matK was tested using also sequences of the
      genus Annona available in the Barcode of Life Database (BOLD) data systems. The
      specific sequences developed allowed the discrimination among all those species
      tested. Moreover, the primers generated were validated in six additional species
      of the genus (A. liebmanniana, A. longiflora, A. montana, A. senegalensis, A.
      emarginata and A. neosalicifolia) and in an interspecific hybrid (A. cherimola x
      A. squamosa). The development of a fast, reliable and economic approach for
      species identification in these underutilized subtropical fruit crops in a very
      initial state of domestication is of great importance in order to optimize
      genetic resource management. 

PMID- 26284105
TI  - Quantitative proteomics reveals role of sugar in decreasing photosynthetic
      activity due to Fe deficiency.

PMID- 26284102
TI  - Plastid genomics in horticultural species: importance and applications for plant
      population genetics, evolution, and biotechnology.
AB  - During the evolution of the eukaryotic cell, plastids, and mitochondria arose
      from an endosymbiotic process, which determined the presence of three genetic
      compartments into the incipient plant cell. After that, these three genetic
      materials from host and symbiont suffered several rearrangements, bringing on a
      complex interaction between nuclear and organellar gene products. Nowadays,
      plastids harbor a small genome with ~130 genes in a 100-220 kb sequence in higher
      plants. Plastid genes are mostly highly conserved between plant species, being
      useful for phylogenetic analysis in higher taxa. However, intergenic spacers have
      a relatively higher mutation rate and are important markers to phylogeographical
      and plant population genetics analyses. The predominant uniparental inheritance
      of plastids is like a highly desirable feature for phylogeny studies. Moreover,
      the gene content and genome rearrangements are efficient tools to capture and
      understand evolutionary events between different plant species. Currently,
      genetic engineering of the plastid genome (plastome) offers a number of
      attractive advantages as high-level of foreign protein expression, marker gene
      excision, gene expression in operon and transgene containment because of maternal
      inheritance of plastid genome in most crops. Therefore, plastid genome can be
      used for adding new characteristics related to synthesis of metabolic compounds,
      biopharmaceutical, and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Here, we
      describe the importance and applications of plastid genome as tools for genetic
      and evolutionary studies, and plastid transformation focusing on increasing the
      performance of horticultural species in the field. 

PMID- 26284107
TI  - Estimating genetic effect sizes under joint disease-endophenotype models in
      presence of gene-environment interactions.
AB  - Effects of genetic variants on the risk of complex diseases estimated from
      association studies are typically small. Nonetheless, variants may have important
      effects in presence of specific levels of environmental exposures, and when a
      trait related to the disease (endophenotype) is either normal or impaired. We
      propose polytomous and transition models to represent the relationship between
      disease, endophenotype, genotype and environmental exposure in family studies.
      Model coefficients were estimated using generalized estimating equations and were
      used to derive gene-environment interaction effects and genotype effects at
      specific levels of exposure. In a simulation study, estimates of the effect of a
      genetic variant were substantially higher when both an endophenotype and an
      environmental exposure modifying the variant effect were taken into account,
      particularly under transition models, compared to the alternative of ignoring the
      endophenotype. Illustration of the proposed modeling with the metabolic syndrome,
      abdominal obesity, physical activity and polymorphisms in the NOX3 gene in the
      Quebec Family Study revealed that the positive association of the A allele of
      rs1375713 with the metabolic syndrome at high levels of physical activity was
      only detectable in subjects without abdominal obesity, illustrating the
      importance of taking into account the abdominal obesity endophenotype in this
      analysis. 

PMID- 26284106
TI  - The Xanthomonas effector XopJ triggers a conditional hypersensitive response upon
      treatment of N. benthamiana leaves with salicylic acid.
AB  - XopJ is a Xanthomonas type III effector protein that promotes bacterial virulence
      on susceptible pepper plants through the inhibition of the host cell proteasome
      and a resultant suppression of salicylic acid (SA) - dependent defense responses.
      We show here that Nicotiana benthamiana leaves transiently expressing XopJ
      display hypersensitive response (HR) -like symptoms when exogenously treated with
      SA. This apparent avirulence function of XopJ was further dependent on effector
      myristoylation as well as on an intact catalytic triad, suggesting a requirement
      of its enzymatic activity for HR-like symptom elicitation. The ability of XopJ to
      cause a HR-like symptom development upon SA treatment was lost upon silencing of
      SGT1 and NDR1, respectively, but was independent of EDS1 silencing, suggesting
      that XopJ is recognized by an R protein of the CC-NBS-LRR class. Furthermore,
      silencing of NPR1 abolished the elicitation of HR-like symptoms in XopJ
      expressing leaves after SA application. Measurement of the proteasome activity
      indicated that proteasome inhibition by XopJ was alleviated in the presence of
      SA, an effect that was not observed in NPR1 silenced plants. Our results suggest
      that XopJ - triggered HR-like symptoms are closely related to the virulence
      function of the effector and that XopJ follows a two-signal model in order to
      elicit a response in the non-host plant N. benthamiana. 

PMID- 26284108
TI  - Identifying critical differentiation state of MCF-7 cells for breast cancer by
      dynamical network biomarkers.
AB  - Identifying the pre-transition state just before a critical transition during a
      complex biological process is a challenging task, because the state of the system
      may show neither apparent changes nor clear phenomena before this critical
      transition during the biological process. By exploring rich correlation
      information provided by high-throughput data, the dynamical network biomarker
      (DNB) can identify the pre-transition state. In this work, we apply DNB to detect
      an early-warning signal of breast cancer on the basis of gene expression data of
      MCF-7 cell differentiation. We find a number of the related modules and pathways
      in the samples, which can be used not only as the biomarkers of cancer cells but
      also as the drug targets. Both functional and pathway enrichment analyses
      validate the results. 

PMID- 26284109
TI  - Hold your horSSEs: controlling structure-selective endonucleases MUS81 and
      Yen1/GEN1.
AB  - Repair of DNA lesions through homologous recombination promotes the establishment
      of stable chromosomal interactions. Multiple helicases, topoisomerases and
      structure-selective endonucleases (SSEs) act upon recombining joint molecules
      (JMs) to disengage chromosomal connections and safeguard chromosome segregation.
      Recent studies on two conserved SSEs - MUS81 and Yen1/GEN1- uncovered multiple
      layers of regulation that operate to carefully tailor JM-processing according to
      specific cellular needs. Temporal restriction of SSE function imposes a hierarchy
      in pathway usage that ensures efficient JM-processing while minimizing reciprocal
      exchanges between the recombining DNAs. Whereas a conserved strategy of fine
      tuning SSE functions exists in different model systems, the precise molecular
      mechanisms to implement it appear to be significantly different. Here, we
      summarize the current knowledge on the cellular switches that are in place to
      control MUS81 and Yen1/GEN1 functions. 

PMID- 26284110
TI  - Corrigendum: Long-term survival in a child with severe encephalopathy, multiple
      respiratory chain deficiency and GFM1 mutations.
AB  - [This corrects the article on p. 102 in vol. 6, PMID: 25852744.]. 

PMID- 26284111
TI  - Potential role of lncRNA cyp2c91-protein interactions on diseases of the immune
      system.
AB  - With unprecedented increase in next generation sequencing technologies, there has
      been a persistent interest on transcript profiles of long non-coding RNAs
      (lncRNAs) and protein-coding genes forming an interaction network. Apart from
      protein-protein interaction (PPI), gene network models such as Weighted Gene Co
      expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) are used to functionally annotate lncRNAs in
      identifying their potential disease associations. To address this, studies have
      led to characterizing transcript structures and understanding expression profiles
      mediating regulatory roles. In the current exploratory analysis, we show how a
      lncRNA - cyp2c91 contributes to the transcriptional regulation localized to
      cytoplasm thereby making refractory environment for transcription. By applying
      network methods and pathway analyses on genes related to a disease such as
      obesity and systemic lupus erythematosus, we show that we can gain deeper insight
      in biological processes such as the perturbances in immune system, and get a
      better understanding of the systems biology of diseases. 

PMID- 26284113
TI  - Mimicking family like attributes to enable a state of personal recovery for
      persons with mental illness in institutional care settings.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The convergence between mental ill health and homelessness is well
      documented, but critical events that precipitate the downward spiral into
      homelessness, and promote personal recovery remain only partially explored in
      India. AIMS: To explore causative factors of the descent into homelessness, and
      gain insight into creative and innovative approaches that promote personal
      recovery, specifically in institutional care settings. METHODS: This qualitative
      study used focus group discussions, detailed personal interviews and anonymised
      data drawn from patient files. The data were analysed using phenomenological
      approaches. RESULTS: Findings suggest that besides poverty and deprivation, death
      of the primary caregiver is a critical event in precipitating distress and a
      breakdown in the family, leading to a loss of support systems and a sense of
      belongingness, and rendering persons with mental illness homeless. Social
      affiliations, kinship, congruence between the real and ideal self, and the drive
      to assume a more powerful identity and/or pursue self-actualisation emerged as
      key factors aiding personal recovery. In the absence of a family, mimicking its
      attributes appears to ground institutions and professionals in an ethos of
      responsiveness and user-centricity, thereby promoting personal recovery.
      CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the critical need to further explore and
      understand the nature of distress and descent into homelessness, and gain insight
      into caregiver strain and strategies that can be developed to reduce the same. It
      further emphasizes the need to shed light on individual strategies that help
      pursue wellbeing, and delve deeper into the application of value frameworks in
      institutions and their role in promoting personal recovery among persons with
      mental health issues.

PMID- 26284112
TI  - Functional characterization of drought-responsive modules and genes in Oryza
      sativa: a network-based approach.
AB  - Drought is one of the major environmental stress conditions affecting the yield
      of rice across the globe. Unraveling the functional roles of the drought
      responsive genes and their underlying molecular mechanisms will provide important
      leads to improve the yield of rice. Co-expression relationships derived from
      condition-dependent gene expression data is an effective way to identify the
      functional associations between genes that are part of the same biological
      process and may be under similar transcriptional control. For this purpose, vast
      amount of freely available transcriptomic data may be used. In this study, we
      consider gene expression data for different tissues and developmental stages in
      response to drought stress. We analyze the network of co-expressed genes to
      identify drought-responsive genes modules in a tissue and stage-specific manner
      based on differential expression and gene enrichment analysis. Taking cues from
      the systems-level behavior of these modules, we propose two approaches to
      identify clusters of tightly co-expressed/co-regulated genes. Using graph
      centrality measures and differential gene expression, we identify biologically
      informative genes that lack any functional annotation. We show that using
      orthologous information from other plant species, the conserved co-expression
      patterns of the uncharacterized genes can be identified. Presence of a conserved
      neighborhood enables us to extrapolate functional annotation. Alternatively, we
      show that single 'guide-gene' approach can help in understanding tissue-specific
      transcriptional regulation of uncharacterized genes. Finally, we confirm the
      predicted roles of uncharacterized genes by the analysis of conserved cis
      elements and explain the possible roles of these genes toward drought tolerance. 

PMID- 26284114
TI  - Conference report on the 28th annual meeting of the European Musculo-Skeletal
      Oncology Society, 29 April-1 May 2015, Athens.
AB  - The 28th Annual Meeting of the European Musculo-Skeletal Oncology Society was
      organised in Athens by the local host Professor Papagelopoulos and his team. The
      main objective of the meeting was to focus on recent advances in the diagnosis
      and treatment of bone and soft tissue sarcomas. The interdisciplinary nature of
      the meeting was of great value-surgeons, oncologists, pathologists, radiologists,
      and basic researchers discussed new strategies in the war on sarcoma. This report
      will highlight the major findings of this successful meeting. 

PMID- 26284115
TI  - Breast cancer in pregnancy: an institutional experience.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers diagnosed during
      pregnancy. Pregnancy-associated breast cancer (PABC) is defined as breast cancer
      diagnosed during pregnancy or within 12 months of delivery. Nowadays PABC can be
      safely diagnosed, staged, and treated during pregnancy with good outcomes for
      both the mother and the fetus. Recent studies suggest that prognosis of women
      diagnosed during postpartum seems to be worse. In order to gain a better
      understanding of the PABC, we reviewed our centre's experience. PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: We assessed the clinicopathological parameters, evolution, and outcome
      of patients treated in the Fundacion Instituto Valenciano de Oncologia of
      Valencia, Spain, from October 1990 to October 2013, and compared the results of
      patients diagnosed during pregnancy (group 'A') and patients diagnosed within one
      year of delivery (group 'B'). Of 12,000 cases of breast cancer registered in our
      database, 35 cases of PABC were identified. We included 11 patients in group 'A'
      and 24 in group 'B'. RESULTS: In our group the median age was 35 years (range 29
      42), of which ten (28%) patients had family history (first grade) of breast
      cancer, four patients were BRCA 1 mutation carriers. Axillary node compromise was
      found in 19 patients (53.5%), 24 patients were stage II or III at diagnosis
      (68.5%), 22 (62.8%) were ER positive, and nine (25.7%) were HER-2 positive. In
      group A (n = 11), five patients diagnosed before 18th week decided that a
      therapeutic abortion be performed before treatment, two patients were treated
      during pregnancy, one with chemotherapy without treatment associated
      complications during delivery. Four women diagnosed after 28th week decided to
      delay the treatment until delivery. After a follow up of 172 months, the relapse
      free survival (RFS) was 69% at five years and 45% at ten years. Overall survival
      (OS) at five years was 90.8% and 74.2% at ten years for all patients. For group
      'A' OS was higher with 90% at five years versus 80% in group 'B'. The differences
      between the groups were not statistically significant p = 0.368. CONCLUSION: In
      our experience, there is a higher OS in patients diagnosed during pregnancy
      suggesting a better prognosis for this group of women but the difference between
      the groups is not statistically significant. Our study is limited because of our
      small sample.

PMID- 26284116
TI  - Tumour location within the breast: Does tumour site have prognostic ability?
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Tumour location within the breast varies with the highest frequency
      in the upper outer quadrant (UOQ) and lowest frequency in the lower inner
      quadrant (LIQ). Whether tumour location is prognostic is unclear. To determine
      whether tumour location is prognostic, associations between tumour site and
      clinicopathological characteristics were evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All
      patients enrolled in the Clinical Breast Care Project whose tumour site-UOQ,
      upper inner quadrant (UIQ), central, LIQ, lower outer quadrant (LOQ)-was
      determined by a single, dedicated breast pathologist were included in this study.
      Patients with multicentric disease (n = 122) or tumours spanning multiple
      quadrants (n = 381) were excluded from further analysis. Clinicopathological
      characteristics were analysed using chi-square tests for univariate analysis with
      multivariate analysis performed using principal components analysis (PCA) and
      multiple logistic regression. Significance was defined as P < 0.05. RESULTS: Of
      the 980 patients with defined tumour location, 30 had bilateral disease. Tumour
      location in the UOQ (51.5%) was significantly higher than in the UIQ (15.6%), LOQ
      (14.2%), central (10.6%), or LIQ (8.1%). Tumours in the central quadrant were
      significantly more likely to have higher tumour stage (P = 0.003) and size (P <
      0.001), metastatic lymph nodes (P < 0.001), and mortality (P = 0.011). After
      multivariate analysis, only tumour size and lymph node status remained
      significantly associated with survival. CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation of tumour
      location as a prognostic factor revealed that although tumours in the central
      region are associated with less favourable outcome, these associations are not
      independent of location but rather driven by larger tumour size. Tumours in the
      central region are more difficult to detect mammographically, resulting in larger
      tumour size at diagnosis and thus less favourable prognosis. Together, these data
      demonstrate that tumour location is not an independent prognostic factor.

PMID- 26284117
TI  - Lessons from the first ecancer symposium on angiogenesis in gastric cancer.
AB  - In March 2015, ecancer hosted a symposium at the European Institute of Oncology
      in Milan, Italy on the topic of angiogenesis in gastric cancer. During this
      meeting, leaders in the field focused on the latest research on the topic of
      angiogenesis in gastric cancer, delivering lectures combined with interactive
      question and answer (Q & A) sessions and a roundtable discussion with the
      meeting's chairs. Topics covered included biomarkers, imaging, and the current
      state of antiangiogenic drugs in gastric cancer. This report will provide an
      understanding of the relevance of angiogenesis in gastric cancer research, and
      clinical experiences from diverse perspectives. 

PMID- 26284118
TI  - Why does obesity promote cancer? Epidemiology, biology, and open questions.
AB  - The association between obesity and/or metabolic syndrome and an elevated
      mortality from cancer has been confirmed by an astonishing number of studies
      across nations and ethnicities, such that obesity is now recognised to be among
      the most prominent cancer risk factors worldwide. Despite this overwhelming
      evidence and the societal impact of obesity, we know surprisingly little about
      the underlying molecular mechanisms. This knowledge gap is a major obstacle to
      the implementation of effective lifestyle change policies. As the scientific
      community is insecure on what messages it should deliver, administrators are
      uncertain as to what exactly to recommend, and consumers are confused about whom
      to believe. This leaves the field flooded with pseudo-scientific recommendations
      that are hard to eradicate. In this review, I will provide a summary of the
      existing epidemiological and mechanistic evidence on the relationship between
      systemic metabolism and cancer, highlighting debated issues and ongoing
      investigations. 

PMID- 26284119
TI  - Metabolic serum biomarkers for the prediction of cancer: a follow-up of the
      studies conducted in the Swedish AMORIS study.
AB  - The Swedish Apolipoprotein MOrtality RISk study (AMORIS) contains information on
      more than 500 biomarkers collected from 397,443 men and 414,630 women from the
      greater Stockholm area during the period 1985-1996. Using a ten-digit personal
      identification code, this database has been linked to Swedish national
      registries, which provide data on socioeconomic status, vital status, cancer
      diagnosis, comorbidity, and emigration. Within AMORIS, 18 studies assessing risk
      of overall and site-specific cancers have been published, utilising a range of
      serum markers representing glucose and lipid metabolism, immune system, iron
      metabolism, liver metabolism, and bone metabolism. This review briefly summarises
      these findings in relation to more recently published studies and provides an
      overview of where we are today and the challenges of observational studies when
      studying cancer risk prediction. Overall, more recent observational studies
      supported previous findings obtained in AMORIS, although no new results have been
      reported for serum fructosamine and inorganic phosphate with respect to cancer
      risk. A drawback of using serum markers in predicting cancer risk is the
      potential fluctuations following other pathological conditions, resulting in non
      specificity and imprecision of associations observed. Utilisation of multiple
      combination markers may provide more specificity, as well as give us repeated
      instead of single measurements. Associations with other diseases may also
      necessitate further analytical strategies addressing effects of serum markers on
      competing events in addition to cancer. Finally, delineating the role of serum
      metabolic markers may generate valuable information to complement emerging
      clinical studies on preventive effects of drugs and supplements targeting
      metabolic disorders against cancer. 

PMID- 26284121
TI  - Lifestyle, nutrition and breast cancer: facts and presumptions for consideration.
AB  - Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide, and the high
      incidence of this cancer coupled with improvements in initial treatments has led
      to an ever-increasing number of breast cancer survivors. Among the prospective
      epidemiological studies on diet and breast cancer incidence and recurrence, to
      date, there is no association that is strong, reproducible and statistically
      significant, with the exception of alcohol intake, overweight, and weight gain.
      Nevertheless, many beliefs about food and breast cancer persist in the absence of
      supporting scientific evidence. After a comprehensive review regarding the role
      of lifestyle on breast cancer outcomes and a thorough study of the dissemination
      field including mass media, clinical institutions, and academic figures, we
      briefly reported the most common presumptions and also facts from the literature
      regarding lifestyle, nutrition, and breast cancer. The randomised controlled
      trial is the best study-design that could provide direct evidence of a causal
      relationship; however, there are methodological difficulties in applying and
      maintaining a lifestyle intervention for a sufficient period; consequently, there
      is a lack of this type of study in the literature. Instead, it is possible to
      obtain indirect evidence from observational prospective studies. In this article,
      it becomes clear that for now the best advice for women's health is to follow the
      World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute of Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR)
      recommendations on diet, nutrition, physical activity, and weight management for
      cancer prevention, because they are associated with a lower risk of developing
      most types of cancer, including breast cancer. Despite current awareness of the
      role of nutrition in cancer outcomes, there is inadequate translation from
      research findings into clinical practice. We suggest the establishment of a
      multidisciplinary research consortium to demonstrate the real power of lifestyle
      interventions. 

PMID- 26284120
TI  - Oxidative stress and the unfulfilled promises of antioxidant agents.
AB  - It is well known that aging and its associated diseases, including cancer, are
      triggered by oxidative damage to biological macromolecules. However, antioxidant
      compounds are still disappointingly distant from any clinical application, so
      that Jim Watson has declared that antioxidant supplementation may have caused
      more cancers than it has prevented Watson J ((2013) Oxidants, antioxidants and
      the current incurability of metastatic cancers Open Biol 3 DOI:
      10.1098/rsob.120144). To clarify this paradox, here, we describe the mechanisms
      of oxidative stress focusing in particular on redox balance and physiological
      oxidative signals. 

PMID- 26284122
TI  - Pilot evaluation of physical and psychological effects of a physical trek
      programme including a dog sledding expedition in children and teenagers with
      cancer.
AB  - AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the feasibility and to measure the effects of a six
      week-long adapted physical activity programme (APAP), including 5 days of intense
      dog sledding, on the physical and psychological health of children and
      adolescents treated for cancer. METHODS: Eleven children and teenagers (4 girls,
      7 boys; mean age 14.3 +/- 2.9 years) participated in this monocentric pilot
      programme of adapted physical activities from February 2013 to March 2013. Seven
      were still on treatment. The programme lasted 6 weeks. A series of physical tests
      and psychological questionnaires were carried out before and after the programme.
      RESULTS: All children and teenagers completed the full programme. An improvement
      in all physical and psychological parameters was observed. Statistically
      significant differences were observed for global self-esteem (6.2 +/- 2.1 to 7.7
      +/- 1.8; p = 0.02), perceived sport competence (5.3 +/- 3.2 to 7.4 +/- 2; p =
      0.02) and perceived physical strength (5.6 +/- 2.5 to 7.1 +/- 1.8; p = 0.001).
      Regarding physical tests, the physical training led to statistically significant
      improvement for sit-ups (13.8 +/- 2.6 to 21.75 +/- 5.4; p = 0.01), muscle tone
      (76 +/- 23.7 to 100 +/- 22.9; p = 0.01), and resting heart rate (96.1 +/- 3.2 to
      91.6 +/- 4.5; p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: This programme is feasible in children and
      adolescents even during their oncologic treatment. During the 6-week programme,
      children and adolescents improved their physical and psychological health, and
      the putative benefits of the APAP are discussed. A larger randomised trial
      started in 2014.

PMID- 26284123
TI  - Enteric-type adenocarcinoma of the lung harbouring a novel KRAS Q22K mutation
      with concomitant KRAS polysomy: a case report.
AB  - This case describes a novel KRAS Q22K mutation with simultaneous KRAS polysomy in
      a patient with advanced, enteric-type, adenocarcinoma of the lung. Despite the
      administration of systemic chemotherapy, the disease underwent rapid progression
      and led to the patient's death in a short period of time. Such an aggressive
      clinical course suggests that, in this specific case, KRAS dependency was the
      major genetic driver of poor prognosis. Direct deoxy ribonucleic acid (DNA)
      sequencing of the KRAS gene allows for the detection of novel KRAS mutations, and
      it might be advocated in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer in
      view of the emerging role of KRAS as a potential therapeutic target. 

PMID- 26284124
TI  - Serum anti-p53 antibody as a tumour marker for colorectal cancer screening.
AB  - A 60-year-old Japanese man presented to our hospital for further investigation of
      an elevated serum anti-p53 antibody level. He was diagnosed with colon cancer and
      the tumour was surgically resected. Histological diagnosis of advanced colon
      cancer without lymph node involvement or distant metastasis was made. It was
      noteworthy that both serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and a fecal occult
      blood test that were performed preoperatively were non-diagnostic. This case
      highlights the potential usefulness of serum anti-p53 antibody tests for
      detection of colorectal cancers. Moreover, sequential changes in the anti-p53
      antibody levels after curative resection were observed. 

PMID- 26284125
TI  - Design of Thiol- and Light-sensitive Degradable Hydrogels using Michael-type
      Addition Reactions.
AB  - Injectable depots that respond to exogenous and endogenous stimuli present an
      attractive strategy for tunable, patient-specific drug delivery. Here, the design
      of injectable and multimodal degradable hydrogels that respond to externally
      applied light and physiological stimuli, specifically aqueous and reducing
      microenvironments, is reported. Rapid hydrogel formation was achieved using a
      thiol-maleimide click reaction between multifunctional poly(ethylene glycol)
      macromers. Hydrogel degradation kinetics in response to externally applied
      cytocompatible light, reducing conditions, and hydrolysis were characterized, and
      degradation of the gel was controlled over multiple time scales from seconds to
      days. Further, tailored release of an encapsulated model cargo, fluorescent
      nanobeads, was demonstrated.

PMID- 26284126
TI  - The equity of admissions to the University Hospital of Brasilia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Brazil has a highly stratified population with large socioeconomic
      disparities, as evidenced by marked differentiation in health status and access
      to health services by the population. In addition, the fact that the universal
      national healthcare system and a liberalised private care model exist side by
      side leads to increasingly inequitable health outcomes. AIMS: This study aims to
      appraise the equity of access to the University Hospital in Brasilia, Brazil, in
      2013. METHODS: This study was a quantitative analysis of hospital admissions
      data. The sample included all patients admitted over a six-month period in 2013.
      Patient data was crossed with socioeconomic data (income and private health
      insurance status). Frequency tabulations and chi-square calculations were used to
      describe the patient mix, observe trends and appraise equity of admissions.
      RESULTS: Analysis of the data showed that the number of patients from each
      neighbourhood relative to the neighbourhood population was equitable. However,
      when assessed on the basis of insurance status (i.e., deducting the population
      covered by private health insurance), a high level of inequity was detected (chi
      square 71.828, df 3, p<0,0001) whereby patients from wealthier neighbourhoods
      were overrepresented compared to those from poorer neighbourhoods. CONCLUSION:
      This study has shown that access to the University Hospital in Brasilia is not
      equitable when individual access to private healthcare is accounted for. The
      results show that dual access to both public and private healthcare is likely to
      be common, increasing some of the population's access to healthcare while
      decreasing access for others, and therefore contributing to inequity of access to
      healthcare services.

PMID- 26284127
TI  - Vascular disease burden in Indian subjects with vascular dementia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Vascular disease factors like hypertension, diabetes mellitus,
      dyslipidaemia, and ischaemic heart disease contribute to the development of
      vascular dementia. As comorbidity of vascular disease factors in vascular
      dementia is common, we investigated the vascular disease burden in subjects with
      vascular dementia. AIMS: To investigate the vascular disease burden due to four
      vascular disease factors: hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidaemia, and
      ischaemic heart disease in Indian subjects with vascular dementia. METHODS: In
      this study, 159 subjects with probable vascular dementia (as per NINDS-AIREN
      criteria) attending the memory clinic at a tertiary care hospital were assessed
      for the presence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidaemia, and ischaemic
      heart disease using standardised operational definitions and for severity of
      dementia on the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scale. The data obtained was
      subjected to appropriate statistical analysis. RESULTS: Dyslipidaemia (79.25 per
      cent) was the most common vascular disease factor followed by hypertension (73.58
      per cent), ischaemic heart disease (58.49 per cent), and diabetes mellitus (40.80
      per cent). Most subjects (81.1 per cent) had two or more vascular disease
      factors. Subjects with more severe dementia had more vascular disease factors
      (sig 0.001). CONCLUSION: People with moderate to severe dementia have a
      significantly higher vascular disease burden; therefore, higher vascular disease
      burden may be considered as a poor prognostic marker in vascular dementia.
      Subjects with vascular dementia and their caregivers must manage cognitive
      impairment and ADL alongside managing serious comorbid vascular diseases that may
      worsen the dementia.

PMID- 26284128
TI  - Sensitivity and specificity of CT scan in revealing skull fracture in medico
      legal head injury victims.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Emergency departments rely on CT scans to manage trauma victims,
      especially for head injuries. Although the detection of an undisplaced fracture
      on a CT scan of the head without significant intracranial findings may be
      insignificant for a clinician, such cases are of paramount importance for medico
      legal purposes because they help ascertain the nature, manner, and cause of the
      head injury. AIMS: The study was conducted with the objective of knowing the
      sensitivity and specificity of ante-mortem CT scan findings indicating the
      presence or absence of skull fractures. METHODS: Findings were confirmed during
      post-mortem examination of the subjects who had died during management but who
      had not had any surgical intervention. A comparative study of ante-mortem CT scan
      and autopsy findings with respect to fracture in traumatic head injuries was
      undertaken on 60 deceased individuals brought in for medico-legal post-mortem
      examination over a period of two years. RESULTS: Considering the autopsy findings
      as the gold standard, we have concluded that 14.6 per cent of the fractures were
      missed on CT scan findings compared to fractures found during autopsy. The
      sensitivity of CT scan for skull fractures was found to be 85.4 per cent and
      specificity was 100 per cent. Kappa was 0.787, which shows good agreement with
      p<0.001, which was highly significant. CONCLUSION: In developing countries,
      images are interpreted in the axial plane only on a CT scan of the head, which
      may be due to a lack of financial and human resources. For better delineation of
      fractures, the use of techniques like multi-detector CT with sagittal and coronal
      reformations should be considered in the routine interpretation of a CT scan of
      the head.

PMID- 26284129
TI  - Exploring the safety measures by doctors on after-hours house call services.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Aggression against doctors involved in after-hours house calls (AHHC)
      is widely perceived to be high. It is, however, unclear how doctors who perform
      this service manage the risk of aggressive patients during home visits. AIMS: The
      aim of this paper is to explore if and how doctors manage the risk of violence
      against them during AHHC. METHODS: A survey was designed and administered to all
      300 Australian-based doctors engaged in AHHC under the National Home Doctor
      Service (NHDS). The survey was conducted from September 2014 to November 2014.
      RESULTS: There were 172 responses (57.3 per cent). Only 43 per cent of
      respondents adopted personal protective measures. The remaining 57 per cent had
      none; of those 6 per cent had never considered protective measures, and 31.8 per
      cent were aware of the risk of violence, but were unsure of what to do. Measures
      adopted include the use of chaperones/security personnel (34.1 per cent),
      dependence on surgery policies (31.2 per cent), de-escalation techniques (15.2
      per cent), panic buttons (7.2 per cent), personal alarms (6.1 per cent), and
      others (6.5 per cent). Females were more likely to adopt personal protective
      measures than males (OR 4.94; p<0.01; CI 1.70-14.34), and Australian-trained
      doctors were less likely to do so relative to overseas-trained doctors (OR 0.35;
      p=0.04; CI 0.12-0.99). CONCLUSION: Just over half of the doctors involved in AHHC
      took no precautions against aggressive attacks while on duty, and nearly one
      third relied on the policies of their employing surgeries.

PMID- 26284130
TI  - Clinician involvement in the teaching of anatomy to medical students.

PMID- 26284131
TI  - The Prognostic Significance of Combining VEGFA, FLT1 and KDR mRNA Expressions in
      Brain Tumors.
AB  - Tumor cells require angiogenesis to deliver nutrients and oxygen to support their
      fast growth and metabolism. The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway
      plays an important role in promoting angiogenesis, including tumor-induced
      angiogenesis. Recent clinical trials have demonstrated the benefit of targeting
      VEGF in the treatment of glioblastoma. However, the prognostic significance of
      the expression of VEGFA and its receptors VEGFR1 (FLT1) and VEGFR2 (KDR) are
      still largely elusive. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the
      prognostic significance of these three factors, alone or in combination, in
      glioma patients. Gene mRNA expression was extracted from three independent brain
      tumor cohorts totaling 242 patients and the association between gene expression
      and survival was tested. We found that when VEGFA, FLT1 and KDR expressions were
      considered alone, only VEGFA demonstrated a significant association with patient
      survival. Patients with high expression of both VEGFA and either receptor had
      significantly worse survival than patients expressing both factors at a low
      level. Importantly, we found that those patients whose tumors overexpressed all
      three genes had a significantly shorter survival compared to those patients with
      a low level expression of these genes. Our results suggest that a high level
      expression of VEGFA and its receptors, both FLT1 and KDR, may be required for
      brain tumor progression, and that these three factors should be considered
      together as a prognostic indicator for brain tumor patients. 

PMID- 26284132
TI  - Promoter Hypermethylation in White Blood Cell DNA and Breast Cancer Risk.
AB  - The role of gene-specific methylation in white blood cells (WBC) as a marker of
      breast cancer risk is currently unclear. We determined whether promoter
      hypermethylation in blood DNA of candidate tumor suppressor genes frequently
      methylated in breast tumors can be used as a surrogate biomarker for breast
      cancer risk. Promoter methylation of BRCA1, CDH1 and RARbeta was analyzed in WBC
      DNA from a population-based sample of 1,021 breast cancer patients and 1,036
      controls by the MethyLight assay. Gene-specific promoter methylation in the DNA
      of 569 tumor tissue samples was also analyzed to determine the correlation of
      methylation levels with blood from the same individual. Hypermethylation of BRCA1
      (OR: 1.31; 95% CI: 0.98-1.75) in WBC was associated with an increased risk of
      breast cancer when positive methylation was defined as >=0.1% methylated. There
      was lack of concordance between tumor tissue and paired WBC DNA methylation.
      These results provide limited support that hypermethylation of BRCA1 in WBC DNA
      may be useful for determination of breast cancer risk. Additional studies with
      larger numbers of genes are needed to fully understand the relationship between
      WBC methylation and breast cancer risk. 

PMID- 26284133
TI  - Hypothesis: Obesity Is Associated with a Lower Mutation Threshold in Colon
      Cancer.
AB  - Neoplastic progression requires accumulation of several mutations (mutation
      threshold). We hypothesize that obesity raises the risk of microsatellite stable
      (MSS) colon cancer (CC) at least in part by decreasing the mutation threshold.
      Thus, we posit that obese patients require fewer mutations, particularly driver
      mutations, compared to their normal BMI counterparts. Further, we suggest that
      the reduced number of required mutations in obese patients could be due to
      several factors, including the high levels of cytokines that accompany obesity.
      Cytokine-activated ERK, AKT, and JAK/STAT signaling could synergize with CC
      initiating mutations to promote intestinal neoplastic development. Therefore,
      driver mutations that induce these specific pathways may not be "required" for
      neoplastic development in obesity; alteration in cell signaling consequent to
      obesity can substitute for some driver mutations in neoplastic progression. This
      hypothesis is supported by preliminary analyses of data from The Cancer Genome
      Atlas (TCGA). Thus, we observed that, compared to normal weight patients, cancer
      genomes of obese MSS CC patients exhibit fewer somatic mutations, and
      correspondingly lower numbers of mutations in driver genes (P = 0.026).The most
      striking observation was the lower number of KRAS mutations detected in patients
      with high body-mass index (BMI). These intriguing observations require further
      validation with increased number of patients, taking into account all possible
      confounding factors. If the hypothesis is confirmed, future studies should also
      address several possible explanations for the observed lower mutation threshold
      in obese MSS CC patients. 

PMID- 26284134
TI  - Genetic Characterization of Ten-Eleven-Translocation Methylcytosine Dioxygenase
      Alterations in Human Glioma.
AB  - The molecular mechanisms leading to brain tumors still remain unclear.
      Nevertheless, there is increasing evidence that epigenetic effects play crucial
      roles in tumor development and progression. Thereby, 5-hydroxymethylcytosine
      (5hmC) represents a further base modification of cytosine besides 5
      methylcytosine (5mC). In addition to the role of 5hmC as an intermediate in
      demethylation, 5hmC is of reasonable importance for cellular control. Previous
      studies showed that loss of 5hmC is a hallmark of human malignancies, e.g. in
      glioma, melanoma, and myeloid tumors. In myeloid malignancies studies showed that
      loss of 5hmC was due to mutations within ten-eleven-translocation (TET) genes,
      enzymes being responsible for conversion of 5mC to 5hmC. Nevertheless, till date
      there are no genetic characterization data of TET enzymes available for glioma.
      In this study, we genetically characterized TET2 and TET3 alterations in 50 human
      gliomas (WHO-Grade II-IV) and in 19 healthy brain samples. We identified 7
      genetic alterations within TET2 (p.V218M, p.G355N, p.P363L, p.L1721W, p.P1723S,
      p.I1762V, p.H1778R). Additionally, we performed quantification of 5hmC amount and
      added functional prediction analysis of identified TET alterations to evaluate
      the biological impact of these alterations on the hydroxymethylome. An analysis
      of TET3 showed no non-synonymous alterations. In summary, we did not find
      correlations of TET alterations with 5hmC amount. Thus, our data emphasize that,
      in contrast to leukemia, loss of 5hmC in glioma is not caused by TET gene
      alterations. Moreover, other disturbances, such as disrupted gene expressions or
      functional inhibitions of TET proteins may be responsible for the aberrant
      epigenome of human glioma. 

PMID- 26284135
TI  - Vasculature Disruption Enhances Bacterial Targeting of Autochthonous Tumors.
AB  - Attenuated Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) has been
      developed as a vector to deliver therapeutic agents to tumors. The potential of
      S. Typhimurium in cancer therapy is largely due to its reported propensity to
      accumulate at greater than 1,000-fold higher concentrations in tumors relative to
      healthy tissues. In this study, we compared bacterial colonization of tumors in a
      subcutaneous transplantation model with a more clinically relevant autochthonous
      tumor model. Following intravenous administration of attenuated S. Typhimurium
      strain SL3261, we observed approximately 10,000-fold less bacteria in
      autochthonous tumors that sporadically develop in transgenic BALB-neuT mice
      compared to tumors developed from subcutaneous transplantation of 4T1 murine
      breast cancer cells in BALB/c mice. Treatment of BALB-neuT mice with a
      vasculature-disrupting agent (VDA) prior to bacterial treatment caused necrosis
      of tumor tissue and significantly increased the bacterial targeting of
      autochthonous tumors by approximately 1,000-fold. These observations emphasize
      the importance of appropriate model selection in developing bacteria-based cancer
      therapies and demonstrate the potential of combining VDA pre-treatment with
      bacteria to facilitate targeting of clinically relevant tumors. 

PMID- 26284136
TI  - Regulative Effect of Nampt on Tumor Progression and Cell Viability in Human
      Colorectal Cancer.
AB  - Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer disease. Here we examined
      Nampt expression in patients with CRC and the effect of Nampt on cell viability
      in CRC cells. Nampt protein was overexpressed in colorectal adenoma as well as
      colorectal carcinoma. The immunoreactive staining of Nampt was negative in the
      adjacent normal colorectal tissue, weak in colorectal adenoma, and strong in
      colorectal carcinoma, which may represent tumor progression. Further evaluation
      of clinical data showed that Nampt expression was not correlated with the
      clinicopathological characteristics of CRC. Additionally, our in vitro studies
      demonstrated that Nampt promotes CRC cell viability, whereas the Nampt inhibitor
      FK866 suppressed CRC cell viability, which was in concordance with the previous
      studies in other cancer cells. Treatment with Nampt-siRNA reduced the Nampt
      protein expression resulting in the inhibition of the cell viability of HCT116
      and Caco2. Thus, the involvement of Nampt in cell growth indicates that Nampt may
      play an important role in colorectal tumorigenesis. As a consequence, our results
      suggest that Nampt may be considered as a progression marker of colorectal tumor
      and a potentially therapeutic target for the treatment of CRC. 

PMID- 26284137
TI  - Ethnodrama: An Innovative Knowledge Translation Tool in the Management of
      Lymphedema.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lymphedema can cause significant physical impairment and quality-of
      life issues. Yet there is a gap in knowledge about lymphedema among breast cancer
      survivors (BCS), and health care professionals (HCP). Ethnodrama is an innovative
      knowledge translation strategy that uses theatrical performances for
      dissemination of research results. We evaluated the impact of live ethnodrama on
      HCP' and BCS' awareness and attitudes in relation to impact of lymphedema on BCS'
      lives. METHODS: Ethnodrama performances were developed by script writers and a
      theatre director in collaboration with the investigators and BCS using data from
      published research and pre-performances workshops. Six interactive live
      performances were given to audiences of BCS, HCP, and community members in four
      cities across Canada. After watching these live performances, members of the
      audiences were asked to complete a paper-based questionnaire regarding their
      knowledge of lymphedema, and their attitudes and practices toward lymphedema.
      RESULTS: Of 238 audience members who participated in the survey, 55 (23%) were
      BCS and 85 (37.5%) were HCP. Most members rated the performances as very
      effective in changing their (84%) or other people's (93%) understanding of
      lymphedema; 96% reported being motivated to seek additional information on
      lymphedema, and 72% of HCP anticipated changes in their practices related to
      lymphedema screening. Overall no significant differences were noted in responses
      to ethnodrama between BCS and HCP. Open-ended responses were supportive of the
      findings from the closed-ended questions. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that
      ethnodrama performances effectively convey information and positively affecting
      changes in HCP' and BCS' attitudes toward lymphedema.

PMID- 26284138
TI  - Differential Targeting of Stem Cells and Differentiated Glioblastomas by NK
      Cells.
AB  - We have recently shown that Natural Killer (NK) cells control survival and
      differentiation of Cancer Stem-like Cells (CSCs) through two distinct phenotypes
      of cytotoxic and anergic NK cells, respectively. In this report, brain CSCs and
      their serum and NK cell differentiated counterparts were studied. Serum
      differentiated brain CSCs were significantly less susceptible to NK cells and CTL
      direct cytotoxicity as well as NK cell mediated Antibody Dependent Cellular
      Cytotoxicity (ADCC), whereas their CSCs were highly susceptible. The levels of
      CD44 and EGFR were higher in brain tumor CSCs when compared to the serum
      differentiated tumors. No differences could be observed for the expression of MHC
      class I between brain tumor stem cells and their serum-differentiated
      counterparts. Moreover, supernatants from the combination of IL-2 and anti
      CD16mAb treated NK cells (anergized NK cells) induced resistance of brain tumor
      CSCs to NK cell mediated cytotoxicity. Unlike serum-differentiated CSCs, NK
      supernatant induced differentiation and resistance to cytotoxicity in brain CSCs
      correlated with the increased expression of CD54 and MHC class I. The addition of
      anti-MHC class I antibody moderately inhibited NK mediated cytotoxicity against
      untreated or serum-differentiated CSCs, whereas it increased cytotoxicity against
      NK supernatant differentiated tumors. Therefore, two distinct mechanisms govern
      serum and NK supernatant mediated differentiation of brain tumors. 

PMID- 26284140
TI  - Efficacy of the Additional Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy to Concurrent
      Chemoradiotherapy for Patients with Locoregionally Advanced Nasopharyngeal
      Carcinoma: a Bayesian Network Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Due to the lack of studies, it remains unclear whether the additional
      neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) to concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) is
      superior to CCRT alone for locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma
      (NPC). The main objective of this Bayesian network meta-analysis was to determine
      the efficacy of NACT+CCRT as compared with CCRT alone. METHODS: We
      comprehensively searched databases and extracted data from randomized controlled
      trials involving NPC patients who received NACT+CCRT, CCRT, NACT+radiotherapy
      (RT), or RT. Overall survival (OS) with hazard ratio (HR), and locoregional
      recurrence rate (LRR) and distant metastasis rate (DMR) with relative risks
      (RRs), were concerned. RESULTS: Nine trials involving 1988 patients were
      analyzed. In the network meta-analysis, there was significant benefit of
      NACT+CCRT over CCRT for DMR (RR=0.54, 95% credible interval [CrI]=0.27-0.94).
      However, NACT+CCRT had a tendency to worsen locoregional control significantly as
      compared with CCRT (RR =1.71, 95%CrI =0.94-2.84), and no significant improvement
      in OS was found (HR =0.73, 95%CrI=0.40-1.23). CONCLUSIONS: NACT+CCRT is
      associated with reduced distant failure as compared with CCRT alone, and whether
      the additional NACT can improve survival for locoregionally advanced NPC should
      be further explored. Optimizing regimens and identifying patients at high risk of
      metastasis may enhance the efficacy of NACT+CCRT.

PMID- 26284139
TI  - Argonaute 2: A Novel Rising Star in Cancer Research.
AB  - AGO2 (Argonaute 2, EIF2C2) is the only member in AGO family with catalytic
      activity and of extreme importance during small RNAs guided gene silencing
      processes. The structural investigations have provided insights into details and
      functional mechanisms of the four major domains within AGO2. As a multifunction
      player, AGO2 has been revealed involved in tumorgenesis through miRNAs-dependent
      or independent ways. And nowadays, AGO2 has also been more importantly found
      ectopically over-expressed in carcinomas and closely associated with aspects of
      cancers in means of interacting with well-known tumor factors. Here, we provide a
      review on structural insights, functional mechanisms, novel roles and
      relationship with carcinomas of AGO2. 

PMID- 26284141
TI  - GOLPH3L is a Novel Prognostic Biomarker for Epithelial Ovarian Cancer.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Golgi phosphoprotein 3 (GOLPH3) is a highly conserved membrane protein
      that is involved in a variety of cancers such as colorectal cancer, gastric
      cancer, ovarian cancer, and breast cancer. GOLPH3L is a paralog of GOLPH3.
      Although these proteins share a similar amino acid sequence, much less is known
      regarding the subcellular functions or effects of GOLPH3L on cancer compared with
      GOLPH3. The role of GOLPH3L in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) has not yet been
      investigated. METHODS: Using western blot, PCR and immunohistochemical analyses,
      we studied the clinical significance of GOLPH3L expression in EOC. The
      correlations between GOLPH3L expression and the clinicopathological variables of
      patients with EOC were assessed using Pearson's chi2 test. Kaplan-Meier analysis
      was used to compare the postoperative survival between groups of patients with
      EOC with varying levels of GOLPH3L expression. RESULTS: High expression of
      GOLPH3L was more frequently observed in EOC tissues than in corresponding
      adjacent non-tumor tissues. The expression of GOLPH3L correlated closely with pre
      operative CA125 level (P=0.031). Univariate analysis showed that age, FIGO stage,
      pre-operative cancer antigen (CA) 125, pre-operative albumin concentration (AC),
      optimal cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and GOLPH3L expression correlate
      significantly with overall survival (OS). Multivariate analysis revealed that
      GOLPH3L expression was an independent prognostic factor for OS of patients with
      EOC (102 months versus 72 months; P=0.013). What's more, knocked down of GOLPH3L
      with small interfering RNA (siRNA) technology of OVCAR3 and SKOV3 cell lines
      reduced cell viability obviously, compared to the negative control and blank
      control groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that increased expression of GOLPH3L
      is associated with poor prognosis of patients with EOC and may act as a novel,
      useful and independent prognostic indicator. Therefore, further studies are
      warranted.

PMID- 26284142
TI  - Initiate Tumors with Single Cell Spheres Formed in Serum-Containing Medium.
AB  - Background : It is difficult to prospectively identify and maintain putative
      tumor-initiating cells (TICs). Spheres that formed in serum-free media contained
      more TICs while spheres formed in serum-containing media were not used in tumor
      initiating. Methods : Soft-agar was used to isolate colonies. A continuous,
      static suspension culture using serum-containing media was modified from liquid
      overlay technique and tumor cell spheres could be maintained by this method for
      >90 days. Tumor-initiating capacity of these spheres was tested in nude mice. The
      nuclear staining of OCT4 in sphere cells and the expression profile of hepatic
      cell lineage related genes were examined. Results : Soft-agar derived HepG2
      colonies indicated different properties from their parental cells. The suspension
      cells of A549 and MCF7 could initiate tumors at 10(4) cells level. The growth
      proportions of individual A549, MCF7 and HepG2 spheres with diameter of 101-150
      um were significantly higher than smaller spheres. After suspension culture for
      15-27 days, HepG2 and MCF7 spheres could initiate tumors with diameter up to 200
      um; the estimated TIC frequency was 1/1500-1/400. The HepG2 and MCF7 spheres
      retain tumor-initiating potential for at least 52 days. Conclusion : After 15
      days' serum-containing suspension culture small HepG2 and MCF7 cell spheres
      (diameter ~200 um) could initiate tumors in nude mice. 

PMID- 26284143
TI  - Association between Dietary Vitamin C Intake and Risk of Prostate Cancer: A Meta
      analysis Involving 103,658 Subjects.
AB  - We attempted to systematically determine the association between dietary intake
      of vitamin C and risk of prostate cancer. PubMed and Embase were searched to
      obtain eligible studies published before February 2015. Cohort or case-control
      studies that reported the relative risk (RR)/odds ratio (OR) estimates with 95%
      confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between vitamin C intake and
      prostate cancer risk were included. Eighteen studies regarding dietary vitamin C
      intake were finally obtained, with a total of 103,658 subjects. The pooled RR of
      prostate cancer for the highest versus the lowest categories of dietary vitamin C
      intake was 0.89 (95%CI: 0.83-0.94; p = 0.000) with evidence of a moderate
      heterogeneity (I(2) = 39.4%, p = 0.045). Meta-regression analysis suggested that
      study design accounted for a major proportion of the heterogeneity. Stratifying
      the overall study according to study design yielded pooled RRs of 0.92 (95%CI:
      0.86-0.99, p = 0.027) among cohort studies and 0.80 (95%CI: 0.71-0.89, p = 0.000)
      among case-control studies, with no heterogeneity in either subgroup. In the dose
      response analysis, an inverse linear relationship between dietary vitamin C
      intake and prostate cancer risk was established, with a 150 mg/day dietary
      vitamin C intake conferred RRs of 0.91 (95%CI: 0.84-0.98, p = 0.018) in the
      overall studies, 0.95 (95%CI: 0.90-0.99, p = 0.039) in cohort studies, and 0.79
      (95%CI: 0.69-0.91, p = 0.001) in case-control studies. In conclusion, intake of
      vitamin C from food was inversely associated with prostate cancer risk in this
      meta-analysis. 

PMID- 26284144
TI  - Manganese (II) Chelate Functionalized Copper Sulfide Nanoparticles for Efficient
      Magnetic Resonance/Photoacoustic Dual-Modal Imaging Guided Photothermal Therapy.
AB  - The integration of diagnostic and therapeutic functionalities into one
      nanoplatform shows great promise in cancer therapy. In this research, manganese
      (II) chelate functionalized copper sulfide nanoparticles were successfully
      prepared using a facile hydrothermal method. The obtained ultrasmall
      nanoparticles exhibit excellent photothermal effect and photoaoustic activity.
      Besides, the high loading content of Mn(II) chelates makes the nanoparticles
      attractive T1 contrast agent in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In vivo
      photoacoustic imaging (PAI) results showed that the nanoparticles could be
      efficiently accumulated in tumor site in 24 h after systematic administration,
      which was further validated by MRI tests. The subsequent photothermal therapy of
      cancer in vivo was achieved without inducing any observed side effects.
      Therefore, the copper sulfide nanoparticles functionalized with Mn(II) chelate
      hold great promise as a theranostic nanomedicine for MR/PA dual-modal imaging
      guided photothermal therapy of cancer. 

PMID- 26284145
TI  - Structure-based Design of Peptides with High Affinity and Specificity to HER2
      Positive Tumors.
AB  - To identify peptides with high affinity and specificity against human epidermal
      growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), a series of peptides were designed based on the
      structure of HER2 and its Z(HER2:342) affibody. By using a combination protocol
      of molecular dynamics modeling, MM/GBSA binding free energy calculations, and
      binding free energy decomposition analysis, two novel peptides with 27 residues,
      pep27 and pep27-24M, were successfully obtained. Immunocytochemistry and flow
      cytometry analysis verified that both peptides can specifically bind to the
      extracellular domain of HER2 protein at cellular level. The Surface Plasmon
      Resonance imaging (SPRi) analysis showed that dissociation constants (K D) of
      these two peptides were around 300 nmol/L. Furthermore, fluorescence imaging of
      peptides against nude mice xenografted with SKBR3 cells indicated that both
      peptides have strong affinity and high specificity to HER2 positive tumors. 

PMID- 26284146
TI  - A Quick Responsive Fluorogenic pH Probe for Ovarian Tumor Imaging.
AB  - A novel cell-permeable compound, CypH-1, that is non-fluorescent at neutral pH,
      but fluoresces under mildly acidic conditions with a near infrared maximum
      emission wavelength was designed for the detection of tumors in the clinical
      setting. The potential of CypH-1 in ovarian cancer imaging was demonstrated using
      a murine model. The intraperitoneally administered CypH-1 results in a robust
      fluorescence signal of discrete neoplastic lesions with millimeter range
      resolution within few hours. Moreover, fluorescence signal is strikingly enhanced
      at peripheral regions of tumors at the microscopic level suggesting a sharp
      physiological difference at the tumor/normal tissue interface. This robust acid
      activated imaging agent is expected to have significant impact in broad surgical
      and diagnostic applications. 

PMID- 26284147
TI  - Neural systems mediating processing of sound units of language distinguish
      recovery versus persistence in stuttering.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Developmental stuttering is a multi-factorial disorder. Measures of
      neural activity while children processed the phonological (language sound unit)
      properties of words have revealed neurodevelopmental differences between fluent
      children and those who stutter. However, there is limited evidence to show
      whether the neural bases of phonological processing can be used to identify
      stuttering recovery status. As an initial step, we aimed to determine if
      differences in neural activity during phonological processing could aid in
      distinguishing children who had recovered from stuttering and those whose
      stuttering persisted. METHODS: We examined neural activity mediating phonological
      processing in forty-three 7-8 year old children. Groups included children who had
      recovered from stuttering (CWS-Rec), those whose stuttering persisted (CWS-Per),
      and children who did not stutter (CWNS). All children demonstrated normal non
      verbal intelligence and language skills. Electroencephalograms were recorded as
      the children listened to pairs of pseudo-words (primes-targets) that either
      rhymed or did not. Behavioral rhyme judgments along with peak latency and mean
      amplitude of the N400s elicited by prime and target stimuli were examined.
      RESULTS: All the groups were very accurate in their rhyme judgments and displayed
      a typical ERP rhyme effect, characterized by increased N400 amplitudes over
      central parietal sites for nonrhyming targets compared to rhyming targets.
      However, over anterior electrode sites, an earlier onset of the N400 for rhyming
      compared to non-rhyming targets, indexing phonological segmentation and
      rehearsal, was observed in the CWNS and CWS-Rec groups. This effect occurred
      bilaterally for the CWNS, was greater over the right hemisphere in the CWS-Rec,
      and was absent in the CWS-Per. CONCLUSIONS: These results are the first to show
      that differences in ERPs reflecting phonological processing are marked by
      atypical lateralization in childhood even after stuttering recovery and more
      pronounced atypical neural patterns for the children whose stuttering persisted.
      Despite comparable language and phonological skills as revealed by standardized
      tests, the neural activity mediating phonological segmentation and rehearsal
      differentiated 7-8 year old children whose stuttering persisted from those who
      had recovered from stuttering and typically developing peers.

PMID- 26284148
TI  - Diabetic patients' willingness to use tele-technology to manage their disease - A
      descriptive study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Diabetes mellitus is a public health concern worldwide. TeleHealth
      technology may be an effective tool for empowering patients in the self
      management of diabetes mellitus. However despite the great impact of diabetes on
      healthcare in Saudi Arabia, no research has investigated diabetic patients'
      willingness to use this technology. This study investigates diabetic patients'
      willingness to use tele-technology as a tool to monitor their disease. METHODS:
      Data were collected from diabetic patients attending the diabetes education
      clinic at the Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs (MNGHA) in the Eastern
      region of Saudi Arabia over a three month period. A survey was developed which
      measured patients' willingness to use tele-technology in the self-management of
      their diabetes as well as their perceived expectations from the technology.
      RESULTS: The study found that the majority of patients were willing to use tele
      technology to self- monitor their diabetes. However, a minority (11.3%) indicated
      willingness to use the system daily and only half indicated preference to use it
      once a week (53.8%). Patients who were younger, had higher education levels, were
      employed, had internet access and had Type II diabetes were significantly more
      likely to report willingness to use the technology. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetic
      patients could be ready to play a more active role in their care if given the
      opportunity. Results from this study could serve as a baseline for future studies
      to develop targeted interventions by trialing tele-technology on a sample of the
      diabetic population. Patients with diabetes need to be in charge of their own
      care in order to improve health outcomes across the country.

PMID- 26284149
TI  - Enhancing health policymakers' information literacy knowledge and skill for
      policymaking on control of infectious diseases of poverty in Nigeria.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In Nigeria, one of the major challenges associated with evidence-to
      policy link in the control of infectious diseases of poverty (IDP), is deficient
      information literacy knowledge and skill among policymakers. There is need for
      policymakers to acquire the skill to discover relevant information, accurately
      evaluate retrieved information and to apply it correctly. OBJECTIVES: To use
      information literacy tool of International Network for Availability of Scientific
      Publications (INASP) to enhance policymakers' knowledge and skill for
      policymaking on control of IDP in Nigeria. METHODS: Modified "before and after"
      intervention study design was used in which outcomes were measured on target
      participants both before the intervention is implemented and after. This study
      was conducted in Ebonyi State, south-eastern Nigeria and participants were career
      health policy makers. A two-day health-policy information literacy training
      workshop was organized to enhance participants" information literacy capacity.
      Topics covered included: introduction to information literacy; defining
      information problem; searching for information online; evaluating information;
      science information; knowledge sharing interviews; and training skills. RESULTS:
      A total of 52 policymakers attended the workshop. The pre-workshop mean rating
      (MNR) of knowledge and capacity for information literacy ranged from 2.15-2.97,
      while the post-workshop MNR ranged from 3.34-3.64 on 4-point scale. The
      percentage increase in MNR of knowledge and capacity at the end of the workshop
      ranged from 22.6%-55.3%. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that
      through information literacy training workshop policy makers can acquire the
      knowledge and skill to identify, capture and share the right kind of information
      in the right contexts to influence relevant action or a policy decision.

PMID- 26284150
TI  - Virtual communities of practice: can they support the prevention agenda in public
      health?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Virtual Communities of Practice (CoPs) are flexible communication and
      knowledge management tools enabling collaboration, sharing of best practice and
      professional development. There have been few studies that have looked at the use
      and usefulness of virtual CoPs in public health. METHODS: This project sought to
      gather the evidence and develop recommendations for the value of virtual CoPs in
      public health through a literature review, and through piloting two CoPs in
      obesity. The research aimed to find out how useful CoPs are in obesity
      prevention, what makes a CoP successful and what evaluation methods are
      appropriate. RESULTS: CoPs are composed of observers, passive and active
      contributors with a small group of 'super-users'. All users learn through reading
      and listening, even if they do not post. The CoPs had higher levels of reading
      activity as opposed to low levels of posting activity. Longer existence of CoPs
      usually means more active membership. There are complex reasons why users fail to
      engage in knowledge sharing. Success of a CoP is creating an online environment
      where users feel comfortable. CoPs need administrative support and facilitation.
      Champions play a vital role. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence shows some encouraging results
      about the value of CoPs in enabling collaboration and information sharing.
      Despite low membership numbers of the obesity CoPs piloted, members see value and
      suggest improvements. Findings suggest that success comes from leadership,
      champions, and larger networks with more posting activity. Mixed methods of
      quantitative and qualitative research are appropriate in measuring the use and
      impact of CoPs.

PMID- 26284151
TI  - The limited effect of information on Israeli pregnant women at advanced maternal
      age who decide to undergo amniocentesis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A primary goal of amniocentesis is the detection of trisomy 21 (Down
      syndrome- DS) in the fetus. This procedure involves a small risk of miscarriage.
      As the risk of DS increases with maternal age, screening tests (maternal serum
      triple test and others) and age are used to generate a risk assessment, and
      amniocentesis is offered to women with high risk. In Israel, amniocentesis is
      government funded for women of advanced maternal age (AMA, i.e., >=35 years),
      even if their risk assessment is low. The purpose of this study was to explore
      the reasons AMA women undergo amniocentesis, their knowledge about risk
      estimates, and to evaluate whether their decision is informed. METHODS: Shortly
      after undergoing amniocentesis, 42 consecutive women without a medical indication
      for amniocentesis other than age, completed a questionnaire that assessed their
      knowledge and opinions regarding screening tests, pregnancy termination,
      amniocentesis risks and the factors that affected their decision. RESULTS: Women
      rarely deliberated before undergoing amniocentesis. One third of those who had
      the screening test did not wait for the results before undergoing amniocentesis.
      Only one third of those who received the screening results remembered their risk
      estimation before going ahead with amniocentesis. Almost half (41 %) cited "age"
      as their main reason for undergoing amniocentesis, though only 44 % of these
      women could recall their age related DS risk. Sixty percent estimated their DS
      risk as low or very low but still had amniocentesis. Most participants (74 %)
      stated that they would consider termination of the pregnancy if the fetus was
      diagnosed with an intellectual deficit. CONCLUSIONS: These results cast doubt on
      whether AMA women's decision to undergo amniocentesis is based on risk estimates,
      as women seem to disregard risk estimates, and sometimes not even wait for them
      when making the decision. The policy of funding amniocentesis solely on the basis
      of age may have led to the conception that being over 35 alone is sufficient
      reason to undergo amniocentesis. This finding should inform policy makers, as it
      raises questions about the link between public funding and the choices of
      individual women, and has implications for healthcare expenditures.

PMID- 26284152
TI  - ASSURE-CSU: a real-world study of burden of disease in patients with symptomatic
      chronic spontaneous urticaria.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) formerly known as chronic
      idiopathic urticaria (CIU) is a severe and distressing skin condition that
      remains uncontrolled in approximately one half of patients, despite the use of
      licensed, recommended doses of modern, second-generation H1-antihistamines. So
      far, the humanistic, societal and economic burden of CSU/CIU has not been well
      quantified. Therefore it is important to broaden our understanding of how CSU/CIU
      impacts patients, society, and healthcare systems, by determining the disease
      burden of CSU/CIU and the associated unmet need; as well as to further guide the
      use of new treatments in an efficient and cost-effective manner. METHODS: ASSURE
      CSU is an observational, multicenter study being conducted in the UK, Germany,
      Canada, France, Italy, Spain, and The Netherlands. The study comprises a
      retrospective medical chart review in conjunction with patient surveys (including
      validated tools for assessment of disease impact) and an 8-day patient diary. The
      primary objectives of the study are to describe patient demographics, medical
      history, treatments, and healthcare resource utilization based on medical-record
      data and to assess the impact of disease, healthcare resource utilization, work
      days missed, and productivity loss based on patient-reported data. Approximately
      700 patients (aged >=18 years) will be enrolled who have CSU/CIU despite
      currently receiving treatment, and have had persistent symptoms for at least 12
      months. Data will be collected retrospectively for the 12 months (+/-1 month)
      prior to enrolment wherever possible, and prospectively for the week following
      enrolment. DISCUSSION: ASSURE-CSU will be the first study to examine the economic
      and humanistic burden of disease in patients diagnosed with CSU/CIU who are
      symptomatic despite treatment. By combining retrospective evaluation of medical
      records with prospective patient surveys and 8-day diaries, across seven
      different countries, the ASSURE-CSU study will contribute to a better
      understanding and acknowledgement of the burden of disease in patients with
      symptomatic chronic spontaneous urticaria.

PMID- 26284154
TI  - Investigation of scanning parameters for thyroid fine needle aspiration cytology
      specimens: A pilot study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Interest in developing more feasible and affordable applications of
      virtual microscopy in the field of cytology continues to grow. AIMS: The aim of
      this study was to investigate the scanning parameters for the thyroid fine needle
      aspiration (FNA) cytology specimens. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of twelve
      glass slides from thyroid FNA cytology specimens were digitized at *40 with 1
      micron (MU) interval using seven focal plane (FP) levels (Group 1), five FP
      levels (Group 2), and three FP levels (Group 3) using iScan Coreo Au scanner
      (Ventana, AZ, USA) producing 36 virtual images (VI). With an average wash out
      period of 2 days, three participants diagnosed the preannotated cells of Groups
      1, 2, and 3 using BioImagene's Image Viewer (version 3.1) (Ventana, Inc., Tucson,
      AZ, USA), and the corresponding 12 glass slides (Group 4) using conventional
      light microscopy. RESULTS: All three raters correctly identified and showed
      complete agreement on the glass and VI for: 86% of the cases at FP Level 3, 83%
      of the cases at both the FP Levels 5 and 7. The intra-observer concordance
      between the glass slides and VI for all three raters was highest (97%) for Level
      3 and glass, same (94%) for Level 5 and glass; and Level 7 and glass. The inter
      rater reliability was found to be highest for the glass slides, and three FP
      levels (77%), followed by five FP levels (69.5%), and seven FP levels (69.1%).
      CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study found that among the three different FP levels, the
      VI digitized using three FP levels had slightly higher concordance, intra
      observer concordance, and inter-rater reliability. Scanning additional levels
      above three FP levels did not improve concordance. We believe that there is no
      added benefit of acquiring five FP levels or more especially when considering the
      file size, and storage costs. Hence, this study reports that FP level three and 1
      MU could be the potential scanning parameters for the thyroid FNA cytology
      specimens.

PMID- 26284155
TI  - Smartphone applications: A contemporary resource for dermatopathology.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Smartphone applications in medicine are becoming increasingly
      prevalent. Given that most pathologists and pathology trainees today use
      smartphones, an obvious modality for pathology education is through smartphone
      applications. "MyDermPath" is a novel smartphone application that was developed
      as an interactive reference tool for dermatology and dermatopathology, available
      for iOS and Android. MATERIALS AND METHODS: "MyDermPath" was developed using
      Apple Xcode and Google Android SDK. Dermatology images (static and virtual
      slides) were annotated and configured into an algorithmic format. Each image
      comprised educational data (diagnosis, clinical information, histopathology,
      special stains, differential diagnosis, clinical management, linked PubMed
      references). Added functionality included personal note taking, pop quiz, and
      image upload capabilities. A website was created (http://mydermpath.com) to
      mirror the app. RESULTS: The application was released in August 2011 and updated
      in November 2013. More than 1,100 reference diagnoses, with over 2,000 images are
      available via the application and website. The application has been downloaded
      approximately 14,000 times. The application is available for use on iOS and
      Android platforms. CONCLUSIONS: Smartphone applications have tremendous potential
      for advancing pathology education. "MyDermPath" represents an interactive
      reference tool for dermatology and dermatopathologists.

PMID- 26284153
TI  - Association between serum alkaline phosphatase and primary resistance to
      erythropoiesis stimulating agents in chronic kidney disease: a secondary analysis
      of the HERO trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Erythropoiesis stimulating agent (ESA)-resistant anemia is common in
      chronic kidney disease (CKD). OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the determinants of
      severity of ESA resistance in patients with CKD and primary ESA-resistance.
      DESIGN: Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial (the Handling
      Erythropoietin Resistance with Oxpentifylline, HERO). SETTING AND PATIENTS: 53
      adult patients with CKD stage 4 or 5 and primary ESA-resistant anemia (hemoglobin
      <=120 g/L, ESA resistance index [ERI] >=1.0 IU/kg/week/gHb for erythropoietin or
      >=0.005 MUg/kg/week/gHb for darbepoeitin, no cause for ESA-resistance
      identified). MEASUREMENTS: Iron studies, parathyroid hormone, albumin, liver
      enzymes, phosphate or markers of oxidative stress and inflammation. METHODS:
      Participants were divided into tertiles of ERI. Multinomial logistic regression
      was used to analyse the determinants of ERI tertiles. RESULTS: All patients,
      except one, were receiving dialysis for end-stage kidney disease. The mean +/- SD
      ERI values in the low (n = 18), medium (n = 18) and high (n = 17) ERI tertiles
      were 1.4 +/- 0.3, 2.3 +/- 0.2 and 3.5 +/- 0.8 IU/kg/week/gHb, respectively (P <
      0.001). There were no significant differences observed in age, gender, ethnicity,
      cause of kidney disease, diabetes, iron studies, parathyroid hormone, albumin,
      liver enzymes, phosphate or markers of oxidative stress and inflammation between
      the ERI tertiles. The median [inter-quartile range] serum alkaline phosphatase
      concentrations in the low, medium and high ERI tertiles were 89 [64,121], 99
      [76,134 and 148 [87,175] U/L, respectively (P = 0.054). There was a weak but
      statistically significant association between ERI and serum alkaline phosphatase
      (R(2) = 0.06, P = 0.03). Using multinomial logistic regression, the risk of being
      in the high ERI tertile relative to the low ERI tertile increased with increasing
      serum alkaline phosphatase levels (P = 0.02). No other variables were
      significantly associated with ERI. LIMITATIONS: Small sample size; bone-specific
      alkaline phosphatase, other markers of bone turnover and bone biopsies not
      evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: Serum alkaline phosphatase was associated with severity
      of ESA resistance in ESA-resistant patients with CKD. Large prospective studies
      are required to confirm this association. ( TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New
      Zealand Clinical Trials Registry 12608000199314).

PMID- 26284156
TI  - Use of a data warehouse at an academic medical center for clinical pathology
      quality improvement, education, and research.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pathology data contained within the electronic health record (EHR),
      and laboratory information system (LIS) of hospitals represents a potentially
      powerful resource to improve clinical care. However, existing reporting tools
      within commercial EHR and LIS software may not be able to efficiently and rapidly
      mine data for quality improvement and research applications. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: We present experience using a data warehouse produced collaboratively
      between an academic medical center and a private company. The data warehouse
      contains data from the EHR, LIS, admission/discharge/transfer system, and billing
      records and can be accessed using a self-service data access tool known as
      Starmaker. The Starmaker software allows users to use complex Boolean logic,
      include and exclude rules, unit conversion and reference scaling, and value
      aggregation using a straightforward visual interface. More complex queries can be
      achieved by users with experience with Structured Query Language. Queries can use
      biomedical ontologies such as Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes and
      Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine. RESULT: We present examples of successful
      searches using Starmaker, falling mostly in the realm of microbiology and
      clinical chemistry/toxicology. The searches were ones that were either very
      difficult or basically infeasible using reporting tools within the EHR and LIS
      used in the medical center. One of the main strengths of Starmaker searches is
      rapid results, with typical searches covering 5 years taking only 1-2 min. A "Run
      Count" feature quickly outputs the number of cases meeting criteria, allowing for
      refinement of searches before downloading patient-identifiable data. The
      Starmaker tool is available to pathology residents and fellows, with some using
      this tool for quality improvement and scholarly projects. CONCLUSION: A data
      warehouse has significant potential for improving utilization of clinical
      pathology testing. Software that can access data warehouse using a
      straightforward visual interface can be incorporated into pathology training
      programs.

PMID- 26284157
TI  - The Treatment of Distal Radius Fractures in the Elderly.

PMID- 26284159
TI  - Influence of playing standard and physical fitness on activity profiles and post
      match fatigue during intensified junior rugby league competition.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine whether the fatigue responses
      to the same intensified rugby league competition differed depending on playing
      standard and physical fitness. METHODS: Players from a high-standard (n = 15) and
      a low-standard (n = 16) junior rugby league team had lower body neuromuscular
      fatigue, perceptual wellbeing, and blood creatine kinase (CK) assessed over an
      intensified competition. Global positioning system units measured match activity
      profiles and rating of perceived exertion-assessed internal loads. Players were
      divided into high- and low-fitness groups across the two standards based on Yo-Yo
      intermittent recovery test performance. RESULTS: Playing intensity increased with
      playing standard and fitness levels (high-standard = 92 +/- 6 m.min-1 vs. 88 +/-
      6 m.min-1; low-standard = 88 +/- 2 m.min-1 vs. 83 +/- 6 m.min-1). Despite greater
      internal and external loads, high-fitness players showed smaller reductions in
      lower body power (high-standard effect size [ES] = -0.74; low-standard ES = 
      0.41). High-standard players had smaller increases in blood CK (77% +/- 94% vs.
      113% +/- 81%; ES = -0.41), primarily due to very small increases in the high
      fitness group (50% +/- 45%). CONCLUSIONS: Increased fitness leads to greater
      internal and external workloads during intensified competition, smaller increases
      in blood CK, and less neuromuscular fatigue. Maximising player fitness should be
      a primary goal of coaches in order to increase match workloads and reduce post
      match fatigue during intensified competition. KEY POINTS: Increased physical
      fitness results in greater relative and absolute match workloads.Increased
      physical fitness results in less fatigue and muscle damage during an intensified
      competition.Coaching staff should aim to maximise physical fitness in order to
      optimise match performance and reduce player fatigue.

PMID- 26284158
TI  - Strength training in soccer with a specific focus on highly trained players.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Data concerning the physical demands of soccer (e.g., activity
      pattern) suggest that a high level of performance requires well-developed
      neuromuscular function (NF). Proficient NF may be relevant to maintain and/or
      increase players' short- (intense periods of soccer-specific activity;
      accelerations, decelerations, and sprinting) and long-term performance during a
      match and throughout the season. OBJECTIVE: This review examines the extent to
      which distinct modes of strength training improve soccer players' performance, as
      well as the effects of concurrent strength and endurance training on the physical
      capacity of players. DATA SOURCES: A selection of studies was performed in two
      screening phases. The first phase consisted of identifying articles through a
      systematic search using relevant databases, including the US National Library of
      Medicine (PubMed), MEDLINE, and SportDiscus. Several permutations of keywords
      were utilized (e.g., soccer; strength; power; muscle function), along with the
      additional scanning of the reference lists of relevant manuscripts. Given the
      wide range of this review, additional researchers were included. The second phase
      involved applying six selection criteria to the articles. RESULTS AND
      CONCLUSIONS: After the two selection phases, 24 manuscripts involving a total
      sample of 523 soccer players were considered. Our analysis suggests that
      professional players need to significantly increase their strength to obtain
      slight improvements in certain running-based actions (sprint and change of
      direction speed). Strength training induces greater performance improvements in
      jump actions than in running-based activities, and these achievements varied
      according to the motor task [e.g., greater improvements in acceleration (10 m)
      than in maximal speed (40 m) running movements and in non-squat jump (SJ) than in
      SSC-based actions (countermovement jump)]. With regard to the strength/power
      training methods used by soccer players, high-intensity resistance training seems
      to be more efficient than moderate-intensity resistance training (hypertrophic).
      From a training frequency perspective, two weekly sessions of strength training
      are sufficient to increase a player's force production and muscle power-based
      actions during pre-season, with one weekly session being adequate to avoid in
      season detraining. Nevertheless, to further improve performance during the
      competitive period, training should incorporate a higher volume of soccer
      specific power-based actions that target the neuromuscular system. Combined
      strength/power training programs involving different movement patterns and an
      increased focus on soccer-specific power-based actions are preferred over
      traditional resistance exercises, not only due to their superior efficiency but
      also due to their ecological value. Strength/power training programs should
      incorporate a significant number of exercises targeting the efficiency of stretch
      shortening-cycle activities and soccer-specific strength-based actions.
      Manipulation of training surfaces could constitute an important training strategy
      (e.g., when players are returning from an injury). In addition, given the
      conditional concurrent nature of the sport, concurrent high-intensity strength
      and high-intensity endurance training modes (HIT) may enhance a player's overall
      performance capacity. Our analysis suggests that neuromuscular training improves
      both physiological and physical measures associated with the high-level
      performance of soccer players.

PMID- 26284160
TI  - Response of oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers to a 12-week aerobic
      exercise training in women with metabolic syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Evidences have been highlighted the relationship among metabolic
      syndrome, chronic low-grade inflammation, oxidative stress and several diseases.
      In this sense, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of aerobic
      exercise training on oxidative stress and inflammatory parameters on women with
      metabolic syndrome (MS). METHODS: Twenty-three untrained women (51.86 +/- 6.58
      years old, BMI 30.8 +/- 4.3 kg/m2) completed a 12-week treadmill exercise
      training, without modifications on dietary pattern. Advanced oxidation protein
      products (AOPP), thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), total thiol
      content (T-SH) and nitrite and nitrate (NOx) levels were assessed in plasma while
      the levels of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10
      (IL-10), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)
      were evaluated in the serum. The RNA expression (mRNA) of IL-1beta, IL-10, TNF
      alpha, IFN-gamma, insulin receptor substrate 2 (IRS-2) and matrix
      metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) were performed inperipheral blood mononuclear cells
      (PBMC) of a subset with eight women with MS using real real-time polymerase chain
      reaction (qPCR). RESULTS: The intervention resulted in decreased serum levels of
      IL-1beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, AOPP and TBARS, besides increased levels of
      IL-10 and T-SH (P < 0.001). NOx concentrations were unchanged, similarly to mRNA
      expressions quantified in PBMC. CONCLUSIONS: Twelve weeks of AT improved systemic
      oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers in women with MS, although PBMC mRNA
      expression for inflammatory pathways appeared to be unchanged. This may indicate
      that AT induced beneficial effects not only in physical fitness but also on
      health promotion through decreased oxidative damage and proinflammatory status.

PMID- 26284161
TI  - Preventive effects of regular physical exercise against cognitive decline and the
      risk of dementia with age advancement.
AB  - With age advancement, cognitive function is impaired and the risk of dementia is
      increased under the influence of normal or pathological cortical and subcortical
      neuronal alterations. Significant researches has been undertaken to analyze the
      preventive effects of exercise against the decline of cognitive function and the
      risk of dementia (e.g., Alzheimer's disease), particularly during the past 10
      years. The aim of this short review is to report the scientific knowledge,
      relating to these effects, that has been obtained during the past 10 years. Acute
      physical exercise raises the cardiac output in response to increased needs for
      oxygen and energetic substrates compared to the state of rest, which increases
      the cerebral blood flow. The increased cerebral blood flow triggers various
      neurobiological mechanisms in the brain tissue. Repeated and regular
      physiological modifications related to exercise facilitate the synthesis of
      cerebral tissue. Regular physical exercise (rPE) may thus increase angiogenesis,
      neurogenesis, synaptogenesis, and the synthesis of neurotransmitters in different
      cerebral structures involved in cognition due to an increase in the liberation of
      neurotrophic factors and the production of enzymatic antioxidants. There is an
      inversely proportional relationship between the amount of physical activity
      undertaken and the risk of cognitive decline and/or the development of
      neurodegenerative disease. The synthesis of cerebral tissue under the influence
      of aerobic rPE may increase the volume of the gray and white matters of the
      prefrontal and temporal cortical areas as well as the volume of the hippocampus.
      Moreover, coordination exercise stimulates cognitive function, thereby inducing
      positive adaptations of cerebral function when regularly practiced. The possible
      effects of other types of exercise that weakly stimulate the cardiovascular
      system or cognitive function, such as stretching and strength training, are also
      beneficial but their mechanistic explanations require further exploration.

PMID- 26284162
TI  - Bra strap orientations and designs to minimise bra strap discomfort and pressure
      during sport and exercise in women with large breasts.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Bra straps are a primary source of discomfort during sport and
      exercise, particularly for women with large breasts. This study aimed to
      investigate the effects of altering bra strap orientation and design on bra strap
      comfort, pressure and breast support in women with large breasts. This is a
      descriptive laboratory study. METHODS: Bra strap discomfort (visual analogue
      scale, 0 to 10), pressure (custom-designed 10 mm2 calibrated pressure sensor, 0.5
      to 24 kPa range, 50 Hz, S2011, Novel GmbH, Munich, Germany, placed under the
      right bra strap at the crest of each participant's shoulder), preference ranking
      and vertical breast displacement (VBD; Optotrak Certus(r) motion capture system,
      200 Hz, Northern Digital, Ontario, Canada) data during dynamic treadmill running
      and static upright standing (pressure only) were collected for 23 active women
      with large breasts (D+ cup size) while they wore an encapsulation sports bra with
      six different bra strap conditions (two bra strap orientations: vertical and
      cross-back; three bra strap designs: standard width, wide and gel). RESULTS: Bra
      strap discomfort was significantly less (p <= 0.001) in the vertical compared to
      the cross-back strap orientation, which was the most preferred orientation
      despite no significant difference in strap pressure. The wide strap design had
      the lowest discomfort scores, significantly lower strap pressure compared to the
      standard width and gel strap designs (p < 0.001), and was equally the most
      preferred design with the gel straps. There was no significant difference in VBD
      among the six strap conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Bra straps that are vertically
      orientated and wide (approximately 4.5 cm in width) are preferable for women with
      large breasts during sport and exercise to minimise bra strap pressure and
      discomfort. The addition of gel pads under bra straps may also decrease
      discomfort and prevent straps slipping off the shoulders, although this notion
      warrants further investigation.

PMID- 26284163
TI  - The impact of trunk impairment on performance of wheelchair activities with a
      focus on wheelchair court sports: a systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Trunk impairment seems to impact significantly on performance in
      wheelchair court sports, but evidence to support this impression has never been
      systematically assessed. The objective of this study is to systematically review,
      describe and synthesise the literature investigating the impact of trunk
      impairment on wheelchair activities in court sports. METHODS: This systematic
      review was performed according to the consensus statement for the meta-analysis
      of observational studies in epidemiology (MOOSE). The search strategy for
      original articles comprised Medline (1950- November 2014), Cinahl (1981-November
      2014), and Embase (1980- November 2014), using the search terms: trunk, trunk
      muscles, postural balance, posture and wheelchair. Eligibility criteria for
      further review were 1) participants included experienced wheelchair users, 2)
      comparisons were made between a) participants with different levels of trunk
      impairment or b) between able bodied participants and participants with trunk
      impairment, or c) between participants with trunk impairment with and without
      compensatory equipment, and 3) outcome measures were quantitative data on
      wheelchair activities. For methodological quality assessment, the STROBE
      (Strengthening the reporting of observational studies in epidemiology) checklist
      was used. RESULTS: After assessment of 358 potentially relevant studies for the
      eligibility criteria, 25 studies were appropriate for methodological assessment.
      Twelve articles fulfilled the predetermined minimum of 15 reported items on the
      22-item STROBE checklist. These studies were limited to observational studies
      with small populations. All but one study were restricted to patients with spinal
      cord injury (SCI). CONCLUSIONS: Limited evidence was found about the impact of
      trunk impairment on wheelchair activities. Reach to the front and
      multidirectional reach was further in able bodied persons than in persons with
      SCI. In a perturbation that equals deceleration in wheelchair court sports, able
      bodied persons maintain balance, whereas persons with SCI lose balance. No
      evidence was found to support a difference in acceleration between persons with
      partial trunk muscle strength and persons with full trunk muscle strength. For
      future research, there is a need for a test that includes all types of trunk
      impairment and identification of activities that determine performance in
      wheelchair court sports. Furthermore, populations of athletes with all trunk
      impairment types should be included.

PMID- 26284164
TI  - Synchronized personalized music audio-playlists to improve adherence to physical
      activity among patients participating in a structured exercise program: a proof
      of-principle feasibility study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Preference-based tempo-pace synchronized music has been shown to
      reduce perceived physical activity exertion and improve exercise performance. The
      extent to which such strategies can improve adherence to physical activity
      remains unknown. The objective of the study is to explore the feasibility and
      efficacy of tempo-pace synchronized preference-based music audio-playlists on
      adherence to physical activity among cardiovascular disease patients
      participating in a cardiac rehabilitation. METHODS: Thirty-four cardiac
      rehabilitation patients were randomly allocated to one of two strategies: (1) no
      music usual-care control and (2) tempo-pace synchronized audio-devices with
      personalized music playlists + usual-care. All songs uploaded onto audio-playlist
      devices took into account patient personal music genre and artist preferences.
      However, actual song selection was restricted to music whose tempos approximated
      patients' prescribed exercise walking/running pace (steps per minute) to achieve
      tempo-pace synchrony. Patients allocated to audio-music playlists underwent
      further randomization in which half of the patients received songs that were
      sonically enhanced with rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS) to accentuate tempo
      pace synchrony, whereas the other half did not. RAS was achieved through blinded
      rhythmic sonic-enhancements undertaken manually to songs within individuals'
      music playlists. The primary outcome consisted of the weekly volume of physical
      activity undertaken over 3 months as determined by tri-axial accelerometers.
      Statistical methods employed an intention to treat and repeated-measures design.
      RESULTS: Patients randomized to personalized audio-playlists with tempo-pace
      synchrony achieved higher weekly volumes of physical activity than did their non
      music usual-care comparators (475.6 min vs. 370.2 min, P < 0.001). Improvements
      in weekly physical activity volumes among audio-playlist recipients were driven
      by those randomized to the RAS group which attained weekly exercise volumes that
      were nearly twofold greater than either of the two other groups (average weekly
      minutes of physical activity of 631.3 min vs. 320 min vs. 370.2 min, personalized
      audio-playlists with RAS vs. personalized audio-playlists without RAS vs. non
      music usual-care controls, respectively, P < 0.001). Patients randomized to music
      with RAS utilized their audio-playlist devices more frequently than did non-RAS
      music counterparts (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The use of tempo-pace synchronized
      preference-based audio-playlists was feasibly implemented into a structured
      exercise program and efficacious in improving adherence to physical activity
      beyond the evidence-based non-music usual standard of care. Larger clinical
      trials are required to validate these findings. TRIAL REGISTRATION:
      ClinicalTrials.gov ID (NCT01752595).

PMID- 26284165
TI  - Muscle Cramping During a 161-km Ultramarathon: Comparison of Characteristics of
      Those With and Without Cramping.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This work sought to identify characteristics differing between those
      with and without muscle cramping during a 161-km ultramarathon. METHODS: In this
      observational study, race participants underwent body weight measurements before,
      during, and after the race; completed a post-race questionnaire about muscle
      cramping and "near" cramping (controllable, not reaching full-blown cramping),
      drinking strategies, and use of sodium supplementation during four race segments;
      and underwent a post-race blood draw for determination of serum sodium and blood
      creatine kinase (CK) concentrations. RESULTS: The post-race questionnaire was
      completed by 280 (74.5 %) of the 376 starters. A post-race blood sample was
      provided by 181 (61.1 %) of the 296 finishers, and 157 (53.0 %) of finishers
      completed the post-race survey and also provided a post-race blood sample. Among
      those who completed the survey, the prevalence of cramping and near cramping was
      14.3 and 26.8 %, respectively, with greatest involvement being in the calf (54
      %), quadriceps (44 %), and hamstring (33 %) muscles. Those with cramping or near
      cramping were more likely to have a prior history of muscle cramping during an
      ultramarathon (p < 0.0001) and had higher blood CK concentrations (p = 0.001)
      than those without cramping. Weight change during the race, use of sodium
      supplements, intake rate of sodium in supplements, and post-race serum sodium
      concentration did not differ between those with and without cramping.
      CONCLUSIONS: Muscle cramping is most common in those with a prior history of
      cramping and greater muscle damage during an ultramarathon, suggesting an
      association with relative muscular demand. Impaired fluid and sodium balance did
      not appear to be an etiology of muscle cramping during an ultramarathon.

PMID- 26284166
TI  - Single parent status and children's objectively measured level of physical
      activity.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Single-parent family status has been investigated as a possible
      psychosocial determinant of children's level of physical activity (PA)-although
      with mixed and inconclusive results. Prevailing evidence of the importance of two
      parent family status as a resource for children's PA is based on a mix of
      subjective and objective measurements of PA. Objectives: To investigate if the
      level of PA among children living with a single parent was lower compared to
      children living with two parents by means of a meta-analysis of published and
      unpublished studies. We restricted our analysis to studies with objective
      measurements of PA. METHODS: Data sources: The databases, Social Science Citation
      Index, PsycINFO, PubMed, and EBSCO were searched (1987-2013). Study eligibility
      criteria: Observational studies comparing objectively measured PA between single
      parent children and children from two-parent families. Study appraisal and
      synthesis methods: We used guidelines from the Cochrane Handbook of Systematic
      Reviews of Interventions and a modified version of the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale
      overall to assess the quality of the included studies. We refrained from
      calculation of summary scores. RESULTS: Twelve studies met the following
      inclusion criteria of which six were unpublished: (a) child age (6-18 years) and
      (b) objectively measured level of PA. Meta-analysis revealed pooled estimates of 
      0.01 for boys (95 % CI -0.04-0.03, p = 0.77, I2 = 6.5 %, p = 0.38) and 0.01 for
      girls (95 % CI -0.03-0.04, p = 0.62, I2 = 21.0 %, p = 0.24), respectively.
      Estimates show no differences in objectively measured physical activity between
      children living in single-parent families compared to children living with two
      parents. Analyses investigating seven potential moderators did not yield any
      statistical significant effect size estimates. No evidence of heterogeneity
      between studies was observed. Limitations: Retrieved articles were assessed by
      several of the authors. Blinding of the authors was not feasible, as most of the
      authors have been involved in the studies. CONCLUSIONS: No evidence was found
      suggesting that children of single-parent families are in special need of
      extraordinary measures to facilitate their level of PA.

PMID- 26284167
TI  - Evaluation of Global Health in Master Swimmers Involved in French National
      Championships.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Swimming is often recommended as a means of increasing physical
      activity and gaining health benefits. The present study examined the
      psychological, social, and physical health states in competitive swimmers engaged
      in long-term training. METHODS: The study took place during the 4 days of the
      French master championships in France in 2011 (from 10 to 13 March). Global
      health parameters were evaluated and compared with general values reported in
      studies aiming to describe health standard values in France or Europe. All
      swimmers selected for the event were invited to participate in the study. Setting
      questionnaires concerning mental and social health (short form 36), physical
      activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire), and medication were
      administered. Peak expiratory flow (l.min-1) was measured, and body mass index
      (kg.m-2) was calculated from height (m) and body mass (kg). Prevalence of
      overweight and obesity was calculated by age and gender. Chi-squared tests were
      used to compare prevalence of overweight and obesity between participants and
      reference values. Short form 36 scores and physical activity (met.h.week-1) were
      compared with reference values by single t-tests. Two-way ANOVA was used to
      compare peak flow results with standard values. The level of significance was set
      at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Out of 1554 master swimmers, 490 participated in this study
      (rates of participation = 44.8 and 23.5 % for females and males, respectively).
      Data showed inequality of health indexes as compared with reference values,
      despite a significantly higher level of physical activity including swimming
      activity. The prevalence of obesity was significantly lower (p < 0.05), and peak
      expiratory flow values were higher among female swimmers (from 7.6 to 17 % higher
      according to the age, p < 0.05). Perception of vitality was significantly higher
      for all female swimmers and the older age groups of male swimmers (p < 0.05).
      Perception of bodily pain indicated significantly lower scores for swimmers than
      the reference values (p < 0.05). Significantly lower prevalence of swimmers
      taking medication was noted in comparison with the French national values (p =
      0.012). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with reference data from various sources, master
      competitive swimmers used less medication, had lower rates of obesity in most age
      groups, had greater peak expiratory flow values suggesting improved lung
      function, had higher levels of total physical activity, and had more favorable
      scores for various subscales of the SF-36. The results argue in favor of
      competitive swimming for its positive effects on health outcomes. KEY POINTS:
      French master swimmers involved in national championships have many positive
      health outcomes in terms of weight management, respiratory function, and
      vitality. However, the very high physical activity level in this competitive
      context did not result in significantly better levels on all parameters in
      comparison with their national counterparts (pain perception, social, emotional,
      and mental health).Positive health outcomes were higher for female master
      swimmers in terms of weight management, respiratory function, and vitality.The
      fact that these benefits were not linked with medication consumption could be
      interesting in an economic context aimed at controlling expenditures on health.
      Based on these data, we can argue for promoting this form of physical activity
      across the lifespan.

PMID- 26284168
TI  - ACTN3 Polymorphism: Comparison Between Elite Swimmers and Runners.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The human ACTN3 gene encodes alpha-actinin-3, an actin-binding
      protein with a pivotal role in muscle structure and metabolism. A common genetic
      single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at codon 577 of the ACTN3 results in the
      replacement of an arginine (R) with a stop codon (X). The R allele is a normal
      functional version of the gene, whereas the X allele contains a sequence change
      that completely stops production of functional alpha-actinin-3 protein. The ACTN3
      R577X polymorphism was found to be associated with power athletic performance
      especially among track and field athletes. The aim of the current study was to
      compare allelic and genotype frequencies of the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism among
      runners and swimmers specializing in different distances, and >non-athletic
      controls. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-seven runners, 91 swimmers and 217
      controls, participated in the study. Runners were assigned to two subgroups
      according to their event specialty-long-distance runners (LDR) and short-distance
      runners (SDR). Swimmers were also assigned to two subgroups according to their
      main swimming event-long-distance swimmers (LDS) and short-distance swimmers
      (SDS). Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral EDTA-treated anti-coagulated
      blood using a standard protocol. Genotypes were determined using the Taqman
      allelic discrimination assay. RESULTS: Runners' genotype and allele differed
      significantly between LDR, SDR, and controls, with the lowest prevalence of RR
      genotype and R allele among LDR. XX genotype and X allele prevalence was
      significantly higher among LDR compared to the other groups (p < 0.01 for all).
      On the other hand, swimmers' genotype and allele frequencies did not differ
      significantly between subgroups (LDS and SDS). Yet, LDS had significantly higher
      RR genotype and R allele frequencies compared to LDR. CONCLUSIONS: The findings
      suggest that while ACTN3 R577X polymorphism is a genetic polymorphism that may
      distinguish between SDR and LDR, it cannot differentiate significantly between
      SDS and LDS. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01319032. KEY POINTS:
      ACTN3 R577X polymorphism is largely associated with running events
      specialization, with high prevalence of RR genotype and R allele frequency among
      short-distance runners compare to long-distance runners.Unlike in running, ACTN3
      R577X polymorphism is not associated with swimming specialization.The inability
      of the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism to distinguish between swimmers specializing in
      different events, presumably since other factors such as body physique,
      technique, tactics, etc., are more likely to determine such a distinction.

PMID- 26284169
TI  - Regulation of Blood Glucose Concentration in Type 1 Diabetics Using Single Order
      Sliding Mode Control Combined with Fuzzy On-line Tunable Gain, a Simulation
      Study.
AB  - Diabetes is considered as a global affecting disease with an increasing
      contribution to both mortality rate and cost damage in the society. Therefore,
      tight control of blood glucose levels has gained significant attention over the
      decades. This paper proposes a method for blood glucose level regulation in type
      1 diabetics. The control strategy is based on combining the fuzzy logic theory
      and single order sliding mode control (SOSMC) to improve the properties of
      sliding mode control method and to alleviate its drawbacks. The aim of the
      proposed controller that is called SOSMC combined with fuzzy on-line tunable gain
      is to tune the gain of the controller adaptively. This merit causes a less amount
      of control effort, which is the rate of insulin delivered to the patient body. As
      a result, this method can decline the risk of hypoglycemia, a lethal phenomenon
      in regulating blood glucose level in diabetics caused by a low blood glucose
      level. Moreover, it attenuates the chattering observed in SOSMC significantly. It
      is worth noting that in this approach, a mathematical model called minimal model
      is applied instead of the intravenously infused insulin-blood glucose dynamics.
      The simulation results demonstrate a good performance of the proposed controller
      in meal disturbance rejection and robustness against parameter changes. In
      addition, this method is compared to fuzzy high-order sliding mode control
      (FHOSMC) and the superiority of the new method compared to FHOSMC is shown in the
      results. 

PMID- 26284170
TI  - Analysis of Fundus Fluorescein Angiogram Based on the Hessian Matrix of
      Directional Curvelet Sub-bands and Distance Regularized Level Set Evolution.
AB  - This paper presents a new procedure for automatic extraction of the blood vessels
      and optic disk (OD) in fundus fluorescein angiogram (FFA). In order to extract
      blood vessel centerlines, the algorithm of vessel extraction starts with the
      analysis of directional images resulting from sub-bands of fast discrete curvelet
      transform (FDCT) in the similar directions and different scales. For this
      purpose, each directional image is processed by using information of the first
      order derivative and eigenvalues obtained from the Hessian matrix. The final
      vessel segmentation is obtained using a simple region growing algorithm
      iteratively, which merges centerline images with the contents of images resulting
      from modified top-hat transform followed by bit plane slicing. After extracting
      blood vessels from FFA image, candidates regions for OD are enhanced by removing
      blood vessels from the FFA image, using multi-structure elements morphology, and
      modification of FDCT coefficients. Then, canny edge detector and Hough transform
      are applied to the reconstructed image to extract the boundary of candidate
      regions. At the next step, the information of the main arc of the retinal vessels
      surrounding the OD region is used to extract the actual location of the OD.
      Finally, the OD boundary is detected by applying distance regularized level set
      evolution. The proposed method was tested on the FFA images from angiography unit
      of Isfahan Feiz Hospital, containing 70 FFA images from different diabetic
      retinopathy stages. The experimental results show the accuracy more than 93% for
      vessel segmentation and more than 87% for OD boundary extraction. 

PMID- 26284171
TI  - Discriminative Common Spatial Pattern Sub-bands Weighting Based on Distinction
      Sensitive Learning Vector Quantization Method in Motor Imagery Based Brain
      computer Interface.
AB  - Common spatial pattern (CSP) is a method commonly used to enhance the effects of
      event-related desynchronization and event-related synchronization present in
      multichannel electroencephalogram-based brain-computer interface (BCI) systems.
      In the present study, a novel CSP sub-band feature selection has been proposed
      based on the discriminative information of the features. Besides, a distinction
      sensitive learning vector quantization based weighting of the selected features
      has been considered. Finally, after the classification of the weighted features
      using a support vector machine classifier, the performance of the suggested
      method has been compared with the existing methods based on frequency band
      selection, on the same BCI competitions datasets. The results show that the
      proposed method yields superior results on "ay" subject dataset compared against
      existing approaches such as sub-band CSP, filter bank CSP (FBCSP), discriminative
      FBCSP, and sliding window discriminative CSP. 

PMID- 26284172
TI  - Detection and classification of Breast Cancer in Wavelet Sub-bands of Fractal
      Segmented Cancerous Zones.
AB  - Recent studies on wavelet transform and fractal modeling applied on mammograms
      for the detection of cancerous tissues indicate that microcalcifications and
      masses can be utilized for the study of the morphology and diagnosis of cancerous
      cases. It is shown that the use of fractal modeling, as applied to a given image,
      can clearly discern cancerous zones from noncancerous areas. In this paper, for
      fractal modeling, the original image is first segmented into appropriate fractal
      boxes followed by identifying the fractal dimension of each windowed section
      using a computationally efficient two-dimensional box-counting algorithm.
      Furthermore, using appropriate wavelet sub-bands and image Reconstruction based
      on modified wavelet coefficients, it is shown that it is possible to arrive at
      enhanced features for detection of cancerous zones. In this paper, we have
      attempted to benefit from the advantages of both fractals and wavelets by
      introducing a new algorithm. By using a new algorithm named F1W2, the original
      image is first segmented into appropriate fractal boxes, and the fractal
      dimension of each windowed section is extracted. Following from that, by applying
      a maximum level threshold on fractal dimensions matrix, the best-segmented boxes
      are selected. In the next step, the segmented Cancerous zones which are
      candidates are then decomposed by utilizing standard orthogonal wavelet transform
      and db2 wavelet in three different resolution levels, and after nullifying
      wavelet coefficients of the image at the first scale and low frequency band of
      the third scale, the modified reconstructed image is successfully utilized for
      detection of breast cancer regions by applying an appropriate threshold. For
      detection of cancerous zones, our simulations indicate the accuracy of 90.9% for
      masses and 88.99% for microcalcifications detection results using the F1W2
      method. For classification of detected mictocalcification into benign and
      malignant cases, eight features are identified and utilized in radial basis
      function neural network. Our simulation results indicate the accuracy of 92%
      classification using F1W2 method. 

PMID- 26284173
TI  - Comparison of the Absorbed Dose for (99m)Tc-Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic Acid
      and (99m)Tc-Ethylenedicysteine Radiopharmaceuticals using Medical Internal
      Radiation Dosimetry.
AB  - The aim of this study was the investigation of absorbed dose to the kidneys,
      spleen, and liver during technetium-99 m ethylene dicysteine and technetium-99 m
      diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid ((99m)Tc-EC and (99m)Tc-DTPA) kidney scan.
      Patients who had been prepared for the kidney scan, were divided into two groups
      (Groups 1 and 2). The first group (Group 1) and the second group (Group 2)
      received intravenous injection of (99m)Tc-EC and (99m)Tc-DTP, respectively. A
      certain amount of radiopharmaceuticals was injected into each patient and was
      immediately imaged with dual-head gamma camera to calculate the activity through
      the conjugated view method. Then, the doses of kidney, liver, and spleen were
      measured using medical internal radiation dosimetry method. Finally, absorbed
      dose of these organs was compared. Based on these different results (P < 0.05),
      organs absorbed dose was significantly less with radiopharmaceutical (99m)Tc-EC
      as compared with (99m)Tc-DTPA. 

PMID- 26284174
TI  - The Effects of Fenugreek on Radiation Induced Toxicity for Human Blood T-Cells in
      Radiotherapy.
AB  - Many cellular damages either in normal or cancerous tissues are the outcome of
      molecular events affected by ionizing radiation. T-cells are the most important
      among immune system agents and are used for biological radiation dose measurement
      in recommended standard methods. The herbs with immune modulating properties may
      be useful to reduce the risk of the damages and subsequently the diseases. The T
      cells as the most important immune cells being targeted for biological dosimetry
      of radiation. This study proposes a flowcytometric-method based on fluorescein
      isothiocyanate- and propidium iodide (PI)-labeled annexin-V to assess apoptosis
      in blood T-cells after irradiation in both presence and absence of fenugreek
      extract. T-cells peripheral blood lymphocyte isolated from blood samples of
      healthy individuals with no irradiated job background. The media of cultured
      cells was irradiated 1-h after the fenugreek extract was added. The number of
      apoptotic cells was assessed by annexin-V protocol and multicolor flowcytometry.
      An obvious variation in apoptotic cells number was observed in presence of
      fenugreek extract (>80%). The results suggest that fenugreek extract can
      potentiate the radiation induced apoptosis or radiation toxicity in blood T-cells
      (P < 0.05). 

PMID- 26284175
TI  - Fully Automated Complementary DNA Microarray Segmentation using a Novel Fuzzy
      based Algorithm.
AB  - DNA microarray is a powerful approach to study simultaneously, the expression of
      1000 of genes in a single experiment. The average value of the fluorescent
      intensity could be calculated in a microarray experiment. The calculated
      intensity values are very close in amount to the levels of expression of a
      particular gene. However, determining the appropriate position of every spot in
      microarray images is a main challenge, which leads to the accurate classification
      of normal and abnormal (cancer) cells. In this paper, first a preprocessing
      approach is performed to eliminate the noise and artifacts available in
      microarray cells using the nonlinear anisotropic diffusion filtering method.
      Then, the coordinate center of each spot is positioned utilizing the mathematical
      morphology operations. Finally, the position of each spot is exactly determined
      through applying a novel hybrid model based on the principle component analysis
      and the spatial fuzzy c-means clustering (SFCM) algorithm. Using a Gaussian
      kernel in SFCM algorithm will lead to improving the quality in complementary DNA
      microarray segmentation. The performance of the proposed algorithm has been
      evaluated on the real microarray images, which is available in Stanford
      Microarray Databases. Results illustrate that the accuracy of microarray cells
      segmentation in the proposed algorithm reaches to 100% and 98% for
      noiseless/noisy cells, respectively. 

PMID- 26284176
TI  - Noise Estimation in Electroencephalogram Signal by Using Volterra Series
      Coefficients.
AB  - The Volterra model is widely used for nonlinearity identification in practical
      applications. In this paper, we employed Volterra model to find the nonlinearity
      relation between electroencephalogram (EEG) signal and the noise that is a novel
      approach to estimate noise in EEG signal. We show that by employing this method.
      We can considerably improve the signal to noise ratio by the ratio of at least
      1.54. An important issue in implementing Volterra model is its computation
      complexity, especially when the degree of nonlinearity is increased. Hence, in
      many applications it is urgent to reduce the complexity of computation. In this
      paper, we use the property of EEG signal and propose a new and good approximation
      of delayed input signal to its adjacent samples in order to reduce the
      computation of finding Volterra series coefficients. The computation complexity
      is reduced by the ratio of at least 1/3 when the filter memory is 3. 

PMID- 26284177
TI  - Injectable Cartilage Shaving: An Autologous and Long Lasting Filler Material for
      Correction of Minor Contour Deformities in Rhinoplasty.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Filler materials are gaining popularity in nonsurgical rhinoplasty
      the major advantages are the ability to camouflage the surface deformities, and
      also the soft and malleable consistency; while the major drawback of the safe
      fillers such as hyaluronic acid is short durability. In this study, we evaluated
      the injectable cartilage shaving as an autologous filler material for correction
      of minor contour deformities in rhinoplasty. METHODS: Injectable cartilage
      shaving was used for correction of surface irregularities in primary or secondary
      rhinoplasty, and long term results of 128 patients were evaluated. The source of
      cartilage was autologous septum, rib or less frequently, the ear concha. The
      material was injected with 14 to 18 gauge needles or blunted tip lipofilling
      cannulas with 1.3-1.7 mm internal diameters. It was performed whether during the
      septorhinoplasty or as a separate single procedure without elevation of the flap.
      Success was defined as the long term survival of the graft in the desired site
      and absence of recurrent deformity or complications such as extrusion, infection
      or displacement. RESULTS: Twenty seven males and 101 females underwent the
      procedure from May 2008 to January 2014. Mean follow up period was 31 (13-58)
      months. Ninety five percent of patients were satisfied or very satisfied with the
      results at the last follow up visits and touch up procedure was performed for the
      unsatisfied patients. CONCLUSION: Injectable cartilage shaving is a reliable
      filler to correct and camouflage the surface irregularities, and it is durable
      and predictable in long term follow ups.

PMID- 26284178
TI  - Platelet-Rich Fibrin Promotes an Accelerated Healing of Achilles Tendon When
      Compared to Platelet-Rich Plasma in Rat.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Autologous platelet concentrate has been used to improve the function
      and regeneration of injured tissues. Tendinopathies are common in clinical
      practice, although long-term treatment is required. On the basis of lead time, we
      compared the effect of using platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and platelet-rich fibrin
      (PRF) in repairing rat Achilles tendon. METHODS: The effectiveness of using PRP
      and PRF was evaluated after 14 and 28 postoperative days by histological
      analysis. The quantification of collagen types I and III was performed by Sirius
      red staining. Qualitatively, the data were verified with hematoxylin-eosin (H&E)
      staining. RESULTS: In Sirius red staining, no significant treatment differences
      were found between groups. Statistical difference was observed only between PRP
      (37.2% collagen) and the control group (16.2%) 14 days after treatment. Intra
      groups compared twice showed a difference for collagen I (27.8% and 47.7%) and
      III (66.9% and 46.0%) in the PRF group. The control group showed differences only
      in collagen I (14.2% and 40.9%) and no other finding was observed in the PRP
      group. In H&E staining, PRF showed a better cellular organization when compared
      to the other groups at 28 days. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that PRF promotes
      accelerated regeneration of the Achilles tendon in rats, offering promising
      prospects for future clinical use.

PMID- 26284179
TI  - A New Reduction Mastopexy Design for Young Women: Snowman Pattern.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Many young women are satisfied with their large breasts but suffer
      from sagging due to heaviness. In this article; we present a novel modification
      of vertical scar breast reduction based on a special indication. METHODS: From
      January 2006 to May 2012, twenty five individual patients underwent operation
      using modified technique with superior pedicle and vertical scar. Young women
      between ages 25-35 years with voluminous breasts who requested mastopexy rather
      than reduction were selected for the surgery. RESULTS: The mean patient age was
      30 years and body mass index (BMI) was 27.8+/-1.07 kg/m(2). Mean nipple
      transposition was 6.5 cm. Mean weight for resected tissue was 415 g for left and
      419 g for right breast. Mean operative time was 125 minutes. Patients were
      followed up for 9-22 months. No serious complications encountered in consecutive
      patient series. The only complication was permanent wrinkling probably due to
      vertical closure in 5 of 25 patients which did not resolve during the follow-up
      period. CONCLUSION: We recommend that the Snowman design is a useful tool for
      superior pedicle breast reduction technique providing good projection and a short
      scar in selected patients.

PMID- 26284180
TI  - National Trends in the Use of Inpatient Hospitalization for Combined
      Abdominoplasty and Breast Surgery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Combined procedures involving elective breast surgery at the time of
      abdominoplasty are frequently performed procedures in aesthetic plastic surgery.
      While found to be safe outpatient procedures, many surgeons elect to perform
      combined abdominoplasty/breast surgery as inpatient surgery. This study was
      performed to explore the practice of performing the combined procedure as an
      inpatient in the United States. METHODS: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample database
      was evaluated using ICD-9CM procedural codes to identify hospitalizations where
      patients underwent abdominoplasty combined with breast surgery. We trended the
      frequency of this combined procedure, and evaluated the rate of acute post
      operative complications, length of inpatient hospitalization, and total hospital
      charges. RESULTS: Between 2004 and 2011, 29,235 combined abdominoplasty/breast
      procedures were performed as inpatient in United States. The rate of major post
      operative complications in the acute hospitalization period was 1.12% and
      included CVA (0.02%), respiratory failure (0.6%), pneumonia (0.3%), VTE (0.1%),
      and myocardial infarction (0.1%). Hospitalization averaged 1.8 days and resulted
      in $31,177 of hospital charges. The demographics of the combined procedure
      transitioned as i) frequency of inpatient surgeries decreased, ii) percent of
      patients >50 yr increased, and iii) hospital charges increased from 2004 to 2011.
      CONCLUSION: A significant number of surgeons are performing combined
      abdominoplasty and elective breast surgery as inpatient procedures in United
      States. The combined surgery is safe but is associated with small risk of major
      post-operative complications. A short inpatient hospitalization may be beneficial
      for high-risk patients interested in combined procedures, but must be analyzed
      against the rising costs of inpatient surgery.

PMID- 26284181
TI  - Management of Facial Telangiectasias with Hand Cautery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Facial telangiectasias are superficial cutaneous vessels that can
      result in noticeable aesthetical imperfections. This study presents a technique
      for the removal of facial telangiectasias using hand cautery. METHODS: Twenty
      five patients with facial telangiectasias were treated using hand cautery
      (Medicell Inc, Athens, Greece) during 2009-2013. Photo documentation was
      performed for each patient before and immediately after treatment. Treatment was
      performed by cauterization at 800 degrees C, delivered via a 30G tip directly to
      the lesions for milliseconds. RESULTS: Twenty two out of 25 patients (88%)
      exhibited complete resolution of telangiectasias using hand cautery. In 5 (20%)
      patients, single application achieved complete resolution of lesions and in 10
      patients (40%) re-treatment was required after 3 weeks. Four patients (16%)
      required 3 consecutive treatments from which 2 patients (8%) showed slight
      improvement and one patient (4%) no improvement. No major complications were
      associated with this procedure except the formation of a white scar in two
      patients that became inconspicuous after 3 months. Minor complications included
      skin irritation and edema immediately after the treatment, which resolved within
      2-3 days without intervention. CONCLUSION: Hand cautery is a very safe, effective
      and inexpensive tool for the treatment of facial telangiectasias. It is simple,
      cheap, and requires minimal training, although it is limited to the treatment of
      more superficial and small lesions. We believe that this technique is suitable
      for office based setting. The advantage of using inexpensive and portable
      instruments will also be beneficial in developing counties where access to more
      expensive equipment is limited. Results are satisfactory but more patients are
      needed to validate the technique.

PMID- 26284182
TI  - The Healing Effect of Arnebia Euchroma Ointment versus Silver Sulfadiazine on
      Burn Wounds in Rat.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Burn is still a majordevastating condition in emergency medicine
      departments among both genders and all age groups in all developed and developing
      countries, leading to physical, psychological scars and economical burden. The
      present study aimed to determine the healing effect of topical treatment with
      Arnebia euchroma on second-degree burn wound in rats. METHODS: Fifty rats were
      divided into 4 equal groups receiving the ointment base, normal saline (NS),
      standard 1% silver sulfadiazine (SSD), and 5% and 10% Arnebia euchroma ointments
      (AEO). The mean of burn area, percentage of wound contraction, histopathological
      and bacteriological assessments in the injured area were dtermined during the
      study. RESULTS: Average area of wound on the 10(th) day was 10.2+/-2.3, 8.4+/
      2.6, 12.4+/-2.5, 5.9+/-2.2 and 5.7+/-2 cm(2) for ointment base, NS, 1% SSD, and
      5% and 10% AEO, respectively. Wound size was significantly lower in 10% AEO than
      1% SSD and control groups on the 10(th) day post-burn injury. On day 11, the
      percentage of wound contraction in 5% and 10% AEO was 53.9%+/-14.7% and 55.9+/
      10.5% which was more than 1% SSD (15.3+/-10.8%). The collagen fibers were well
      formed and horizontally-oriented in 5% and 10% AEO groups when compared with
      other groups. CONCLUSION: Arnebia euchroma ointment was an effective treatment
      for healing of burn wounds in comparison with SSD and can be regarded as an
      alternative topical treatment for burn wounds.

PMID- 26284183
TI  - Clindamycin Phosphate Absorption from Nanoliposomal Formulations through Third
      Degree Burn Eschar.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It has been shown that topical nanoliposomal formulations improve
      burn healing process. On the other hand, it has been shown that liposomal
      formulations increase drug deposition in the normal skin while decrease their
      systemic absorption; there is not such data available for burn eschar. Present
      investigation studies permeation of clindamycin phosphate (CP) through burn
      eschar from liposomal formulations to answer this question. In this
      investigation, permeation of CP through fully hydrated third-degree burn eschar
      was evaluated using solution, normal nanoliposomes and ultradeformable
      nanoliposomes. METHODS: Liposomal CP were prepared by thin-film hydration and
      characterized in terms of size, size distribution, zeta potential, encapsulation
      efficiency and short-time stability. Then the effect of liposomal lipid
      concentration on CP absorption was investigated. RESULTS: The permeability
      coefficient ratio (liposome/solution) and permeation lag-time ratio
      (liposome/solution) of CP through burn eschar at 20 Mm lipid concentration were
      0.81+/-0.21 and 1.19+/-1.30 respectively, indicating the retardation effects of
      liposomes. Data also showed that increasing liposomal lipid concentration from 20
      to 100 mM, clindamycin permeation decreased by about 2 times. There was no
      difference between normal liposome and ultradeformable liposome in terms of
      clindamycin absorption. CONCLUSION: Nanoliposomes could decrease trans-eschar
      absorption of CP, in good agreement with normal skin data, and might indicate CP
      deposition in the eschar tissue.

PMID- 26284184
TI  - Outcomes of Older Adults with Burn Injury: University Clinical Center of Kosovo.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Advances in burn care over the past 50 years have brought about
      remarkable improvement in mortality rates such that survival has become an
      expected outcome even in patients with extensive injuries. Although these
      improvements have occurred in all age groups, survival in older adults still lags
      far behind that in younger cohorts. This study determines the outcomes of older
      adults with burn injury in University Clinical Center of Kosovo. METHODS: This is
      a retrospective study that includes 56 burn patients, older than 60 years who
      were admitted at the Department of Plastic Surgery, between 1 January 2004 and 31
      December 2013. Data processing was done with the statistical package of Stat 3.
      From the statistical parameters the structural index, arithmetic median, and
      standard deviation were calculated. RESULTS: Fifty six burned patient older than
      60 years were included during a 10-year period. Of the 56 elderly patients 29
      were women and 27 were men with a mean age of 66.7 years (range, 60-85 years).
      The differences were not statistically significant for both genders regarding the
      causes of burn injury. CONCLUSION: Considering the gradual increase of the
      elderly population in our country based on the data of the Ministry of Public
      Services, an increase is expected to the incidence of burn injuries in the
      population of this category of our country.

PMID- 26284185
TI  - Giant Condyloma Acuminatum of Vulva Frustrating Treatment Challenge.
AB  - Giant condylomata are not usually seen nowadays in developed nations, but such
      cases are still seen in the under-resourced countries. Condylomata acuminata are
      commonly transmitted through sexual intercourse. Generally diagnosed based on
      their appearance. Giant condyloma acuminata also named Buschke- Lowenstein tumour
      (BLT) is a slow growing cauliflower-like tumor, locally aggressive and
      destructive, with possible malignant transformation. Common clinical treatment of
      anogenital warts is conservative, however, in extreme cases conservative therapy
      is insufficient and surgical excision is required. A case of common presentation
      of giant condylomata in a 50 years old, divorced, multiparous woman is presented
      and the literature is reviewed. She presented with 15 years history of slowly
      progressive vulval lesion and associated itching, contact bleeding, malodorous
      vaginal discharge and difficulty in walking. She had previously been treated with
      podophyllin and cryosurgery without success. The growth measured 30*10 cm in each
      side and was successfully excised with no evidence of malignancy concomitant and
      reconstruction also done. 

PMID- 26284186
TI  - Successful Excision of Gynecomastia with Nipple Repositioning Technique Utilizing
      the Dermoglandular Flap.
AB  - There are many surgical techniques for treating gynecomastia. We report a new
      surgical technique in an adolescent with fatty glandular gynecomastia grade III,
      who was referred from an endocrinologist to our clinic. We excised the
      gynecomastia with nipple repositioning utilizing the dermoglandular flap (about 1
      cm thickness and 10 cm width). After one month, no complication was detected and
      the patient was satisfied with his new breasts. We suggest this technique for
      fatty glandular gynecomastia grade III. 

PMID- 26284187
TI  - Capsular Weakness around Breast Implant: A Non-Recognized Complication.
AB  - Capsular contraction is a frequent complication following breast augmentation. On
      the other hand, capsular weakness, a not widely recognized complication, may
      occur around the implant. A weak capsule allows the migration of the prosthesis
      to the lateral region of the thoracic region or inferiorly, towards the abdomen,
      due to gravitational forces. The cause of capsular weakness remains unresolved.
      Implant malposition, with lateral or downward displacement, breast asymmetry,
      improper contour, with implants moving in the pocket that compromise the
      aesthetic outcome of breast augmentation and require surgical correction may be
      different symptoms from the same clinical problem. Capsular weakness is a short
      or mid-term complication of breast augmentation. Most techniques aim to correct
      the malposition by making sutures to increase the resistance to the displacement
      of the implant, rearrange the structures using the capsule as flaps to remodel
      the envelope of the new pocket, obtaining a more stable and reliable result. In
      this article, four cases of displacement of breast prosthesis with capsular
      weakness are described and the surgical treatment that included a capsulotomy and
      capsulorraphy is described. 

PMID- 26284188
TI  - Unilateral Sensation Loss of the NAC After Superomedial Pedicle Reduction
      Mammaplasty.

PMID- 26284189
TI  - Power-Assisted Liposuction (P.A.L.) Fat Harvesting for Lipofilling: The Trap
      Device.

PMID- 26284190
TI  - Revisiting the Curtis Procedure for Boutonniere Deformity Correction.

PMID- 26284191
TI  - Stromal Fibroblast in Age-Related Cancer: Role in Tumorigenesis and Potential as
      Novel Therapeutic Target.
AB  - Incidence of most common cancers increases with age due to accumulation of damage
      to cells and tissues. Stroma, the structure close to the basement membrane, is
      gaining increased attention from clinicians and researchers due to its
      increasingly, yet incompletely understood role in the development of age-related
      cancer. With advanced age, stroma generates a pro-tumorigenic microenvironment,
      exemplified by the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Components
      of the SASP, such as cytokines, chemokines, and high energy metabolites are main
      drivers of age-related cancer initiation and sustain its progression. Our purpose
      is to provide insight into the mechanistic role of the stroma, with particular
      emphasis on stromal fibroblasts, on the development of age-related tumors. We
      also present evidence of the potential of the stroma as target for tumor therapy.
      Likewise, a rationale for age-related antitumor therapy targeting the stroma is
      presented. We expect to foster debate on the underlining basis of age-related
      cancer pathobiology. We also would like to promote discussion on novel stroma
      based anticancer therapeutic strategies tailored to treat the elderly. 

PMID- 26284193
TI  - ROS Accumulation by PEITC Selectively Kills Ovarian Cancer Cells via UPR-Mediated
      Apoptosis.
AB  - Unfolded protein response (UPR) is crucial for both survival and death of
      mammalian cells, which is regulated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nutrient
      depletion. In this study, we demonstrated the effect of ROS-accumulation, induced
      by beta-phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), on UPR-mediated apoptosis in ovarian
      cancer cells. We used ovarian cancer cell lines, PA-1 and SKOV-3, with different
      p53 status (wild- and null-type, respectively). PEITC caused increased ROS
      accumulation and inhibited proliferation selectively in ovarian cancer cells, and
      glutathione (GSH) depletion in SKOV-3. However, PEITC did not cause any effect in
      normal ovarian epithelial cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. After 48
      h of PEITC treatment (5 MUM), apoptotic cell death was shown to increase
      significantly in the ovarian cancer cells and not in the normal cells. The key
      regulator of UPR-mediated apoptosis, CHOP/GADD153 and endoplasmic reticulum
      resident chaperone BiP/GRP78 were parallely up-regulated with activation of two
      major sensors of the UPR [PERK and ATF-6 in PA-1; PERK, and IRE1alpha in SKOV-3)
      in response to ROS accumulation induced by PEITC (5 MUM). ROS scavenger, N-acetyl
      L-cysteine (NAC), attenuated the effect of PEITC on UPR signatures (P-PERK,
      IRE1alpha, CHOP/GADD153, and BiP/GRP78), suggesting the involvement of ROS in UPR
      mediated apoptosis. Altogether, PEITC induces UPR-mediated apoptosis in ovarian
      cancer cells via accumulation of ROS in a cancer-specific manner. 

PMID- 26284192
TI  - Focus on PTEN Regulation.
AB  - The role of phosphatase and tensin homolog on chromosome 10 (PTEN) as a tumor
      suppressor has been for a long time attributed to its lipid phosphatase activity
      against PI(3,4,5)P3, the phospholipid product of the class I PI3Ks. Besides its
      traditional role as a lipid phosphatase at the plasma membrane, a wealth of data
      has shown that PTEN can function independently of its phosphatase activity and
      that PTEN also exists and plays a role in the nucleus, in cytoplasmic organelles,
      and extracellularly. Accumulating evidence has shed light on diverse
      physiological functions of PTEN, which are accompanied by a complex regulation of
      its expression and activity. PTEN levels and function are regulated
      transcriptionally, post-transcriptionally, and post-translationally. PTEN is also
      sensitive to regulation by its interacting proteins and its localization. Herein,
      we summarize the current knowledge on mechanisms that regulate the expression and
      enzymatic activity of PTEN and its role in human diseases. 

PMID- 26284195
TI  - Mitochondria-Associated Endoplasmic Reticulum Membranes Microenvironment:
      Targeting Autophagic and Apoptotic Pathways in Cancer Therapy.
AB  - Autophagy is a tightly regulated catabolic pathway that terminates in the
      lysosomal compartment after the formation of a cytoplasmic vacuole that engulfs
      macromolecules and organelles. Notably, autophagy is associated with several
      human pathophysiological conditions, playing either a cytoprotective or
      cytopathic role. Many studies have investigated the role of autophagy in cancer.
      However, whether autophagy suppresses tumorigenesis or provides cancer cells with
      a rescue mechanism under unfavorable conditions remains unclear. Mitochondria
      associated membranes (MAMs) are juxtaposed between the endoplasmic reticulum and
      mitochondria and have been identified as critical hubs in the regulation of
      apoptosis and tumor growth. One key function of MAMs is to provide asylum to a
      number of proteins with tumor suppressor and oncogenic properties. Accordingly,
      mechanistic studies during tumor progression suggest a strong involvement of
      these proteins at various steps of the autophagic process. This paper discusses
      the present state of our knowledge about the intimate molecular networks between
      MAMs and autophagy in cancer cells and addresses how these networks might be
      manipulated to improve anticancer therapeutics. 

PMID- 26284196
TI  - The Art of Intraoperative Glioma Identification.
AB  - A major dilemma in brain-tumor surgery is the identification of tumor boundaries
      to maximize tumor excision and minimize postoperative neurological damage.
      Gliomas, especially low-grade tumors, and normal brain have a similar color and
      texture, which poses a challenge to the neurosurgeon. Advances in glioma
      resection techniques combine the experience of the neurosurgeon and various
      advanced technologies. Intraoperative methods to delineate gliomas from normal
      tissue consist of (1) image-based navigation, (2) intraoperative sampling, (3)
      electrophysiological monitoring, and (4) enhanced visual tumor demarcation. The
      advantages and disadvantages of each technique are discussed. A combination of
      these methods is becoming widely accepted in routine glioma surgery. Gross total
      resection in conjunction with radiation, chemotherapy, or immune/gene therapy may
      increase the rates of cure in this devastating disease. 

PMID- 26284194
TI  - Recapitulating the Tumor Ecosystem Along the Metastatic Cascade Using 3D Culture
      Models.
AB  - Advances in cancer research have shown that a tumor can be likened to a foreign
      species that disrupts delicately balanced ecological interactions, compromising
      the survival of normal tissue ecosystems. In efforts to mitigate tumor expansion
      and metastasis, experimental approaches from ecology are becoming more frequently
      and successfully applied by researchers from diverse disciplines to reverse
      engineer and re-engineer biological systems in order to normalize the tumor
      ecosystem. We present a review on the use of 3D biomimetic platforms to
      recapitulate biotic and abiotic components of the tumor ecosystem, in efforts to
      delineate the underlying mechanisms that drive evolution of tumor heterogeneity,
      tumor dissemination, and acquisition of drug resistance. 

PMID- 26284199
TI  - Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercise for Paediatric Functional Constipation.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Functional constipation (FC) is one of the most common
      gastrointestinal problems among children. This study was designed to investigate
      the effectiveness of pelvic floor muscle exercise on treatment of FC. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: In this study which was conducted in Children's Medical Center,
      children with a diagnosis of FC (aged 4-18 y) who did not respond to medical
      treatment, performed sessions of pelvic floor muscle exercise at home twice a day
      for 8 wk. Frequency of defecation, overall improvement of constipation, stool
      withholding, painful defecation and stool consistency were measured at the final
      week of the intervention compared to baseline. RESULTS: Forty children (16 males,
      24 females mean age 5.6+/-1.03 y) completed the 8-wk exercise program. Subjective
      overall improvement of the symptoms was present in 36 patients (90%). The changes
      in stool frequency, stool diameter and consistency were statistically
      significant. However, there were no statistically significant differences in the
      stool withholding, fecal impaction, fecal incontinence and painful defecation.
      CONCLUSION: Pelvic floor muscle exercise is an effective non-pharmacologic
      treatment for Paediatric FC.

PMID- 26284198
TI  - A Method for the Immortalization of Newborn Mouse Skin Keratinocytes.
AB  - Isolation and culture of mouse primary epidermal keratinocytes is a common
      technique that allows for easy genetic and environmental manipulation. However,
      due to their limited lifespan in culture, experiments utilizing primary
      keratinocytes require large numbers of animals, and are time consuming and
      expensive. To avoid these issues, we developed a method for the immortalization
      of primary mouse epidermal keratinocytes. Upon isolation of newborn epidermal
      keratinocytes according to established methods, the cells were cultured long-term
      in keratinocyte growth factor-containing medium. The cells senesced within a few
      weeks and eventually, small, slowly growing colonies emerged. After they regained
      confluency, the cells were passaged and slowly refilled the dish. With several
      rounds of subculture, the cells adapted to culture conditions, were easily
      subcultured, maintained normal morphology, and were apparently immortal. The
      immortalized cells retained the ability to differentiate with increased calcium
      concentrations, and were maintained to high passage numbers while maintaining a
      relatively stable karyotype. Analysis of multiple immortalized cell lines as well
      as primary keratinocyte cultures revealed increased numbers of chromosomes,
      especially in the primary keratinocytes, and chromosomal aberrations in most of
      the immortalized cultures and in the primary keratinocytes. Orthotopic grafting
      of immortalized keratinocytes together with fibroblasts onto nude mouse hosts
      produced skin while v-ras(Ha) infection of the immortalized keratinocytes prior
      to grafting produced squamous cell carcinoma. In summary, this method of cell
      line generation allows for decreased use of animals, reduces the expense and time
      involved in research, and provides a useful model for cutaneous keratinocyte
      experimentation. 

PMID- 26284197
TI  - Targeting Epigenetic Processes in Photodynamic Therapy-Induced Anticancer
      Immunity.
AB  - Photodynamic therapy (PDT) of cancer is an approved therapeutic procedure that
      generates oxidative stress leading to cell death of tumor and stromal cells. Cell
      death resulting from oxidative damage to intracellular components leads to the
      release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) that trigger robust
      inflammatory response and creates local conditions for effective sampling of
      tumor-associated antigens (TAA) by antigen-presenting cells. The latter can
      trigger development of TAA-specific adaptive immune response. However, due to a
      number of mechanisms, including epigenetic regulation of TAA expression, tumor
      cells evade immune recognition. Therefore, numerous approaches are being
      developed to combine PDT with immunotherapies to allow development of systemic
      immunity. In this review, we describe immunoregulatory mechanisms of epigenetic
      treatments that were shown to restore the expression of epigenetically silenced
      or down-regulated major histocompatibility complex molecules as well as TAA. We
      also discuss the results of our recent studies showing that epigenetic treatments
      based on administration of methyltransferase inhibitors in combination with PDT
      can release effective mechanisms leading to development of antitumor immunity and
      potentiated antitumor effects. 

PMID- 26284200
TI  - T-cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma in the Maxilla and Mandible of a Child: A Rare Case
      Report.
AB  - T-cell lymphoblastic lymphomas (T-LBL), defined as neoplasms of immature T cells,
      are the most common paediatric T-cell lymphoma. These account for approximately
      90% of all lymphoblastic lymphomas. The primary manifestation of T-LBL rarely
      occurs in the oral cavity. In this case report, we describe a case of primary T
      LBL affecting the maxilla and mandible of a 10-year-old male patient. This is the
      first case of T-LBL reported in this region. We emphasize that early diagnosis of
      aggressive lesions in the maxilla or mandible is one of the responsibilities of
      oral physicians, who can help patients to overcome the many challenges of
      malignant diseases. 

PMID- 26284201
TI  - What Is Fitness Training? Definitions and Implications: A Systematic Review
      Article.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This review based upon studies searched from the major scientific
      libraries has the objective of clarifying what is fitness training in modern
      days, the implications that it has on health in both youth and elderly and
      finally discuss fitness training practical implications. METHODS: The PRISMA
      statement was partially adopted and a number of 92 items were selected, according
      to the inclusion criteria. Results were discussed in 4 main sections: 1. Children
      and adolescents fitness levels; 2. Fitness training in the elderly; 3. Pathology
      prevention through fitness training; 4. Training through Fitness activities.
      RESULTS: This review pointed out the fact that nowadays there is a large variety
      of fitness activities available within gyms and fitness centers. Even though they
      significantly differ with each other, the common aim they have is the wellbeing
      of the people through the improvement of the physical fitness components and the
      psychological balance. CONCLUSION: Fitness instructors' recommendations should be
      followed in gym context and should be contingent upon an individual's objectives,
      physical capacity, physical characteristics and experience.

PMID- 26284203
TI  - Household Solid Fuel Use and Cardiovascular Disease in Rural Areas in Shanxi,
      China.
AB  - BACKGROUND: More than 80 percent of the China's population is located in the
      rural areas, 95 percent of which use coal, wood etc for cooking and heating.
      Limited by data availability, the association between household solid fuels and
      cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in China's rural areas is ignored in prior
      studies. METHODS: This cross sectional study was conducted from 2010-2012 and
      carried out on rural population aging 20-80 yr, comprised of 13877 participants
      from eighteen villages. Self-report questionnaire data were collected. Each
      outcome represents whether the participant has a kind of CVDs or not and it is
      reported in participants' questionnaire. Then the collected data is analyzed by
      logistic regression models with odds ratios (OR) and 95 percent confidence
      interval. RESULTS: After adjusting for potential confounders, the use of
      household solid fuels was significantly associated with an increased risk for
      hypertension (OR 1.751), CHD (OR 2.251), stroke (OR 1.642), diabetes (OR 1.975)
      and dyslipidemia (OR 1.185). Residents with the highest tertile of the duration
      of household solid fuel exposure had an increased odd of hypertension (OR 1.651),
      stroke (OR 1.812), diabetes (OR 2.891) and dyslipidemia (OR 1.756) compared with
      those in the lowest tertile of the duration of solid fuel exposure. CONCLUSION:
      Indoor pollution exposure from household solid fuels combustion may be a positive
      risk factor for CVDs in the perspectives of China's rural population. Our
      findings should be corroborated in longitudinal studies.

PMID- 26284202
TI  - Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 (ICAM-1) Polymorphisms and Cancer Risk: A Meta
      Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) Lys469Glu (K469E)
      polymorphism and Gly 241Arg (G241R) polymorphism might play important roles in
      cancer development and progression. However, the results of previous studies are
      inconsistent. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between ICAM
      1 K469E and G241R polymorphisms and the risk of cancer by meta-analysis. METHODS:
      A comprehensive literature search (last search updated in November 2013) was
      conducted to identify case-control studies that investigated the association
      between ICAM-1 K469E and G241R polymorphisms and cancer risk. RESULTS: A total of
      18 case-control studies for ICAM-1 polymorphisms were included in the meta
      analysis, including 4,844 cancer cases and 5,618 healthy controls. For K469E
      polymorphism, no significant association was found between K469E polymorphism and
      cancer risk. However, subgroup analysis by ethnicity revealed one genetic
      comparison (GG vs. AA) presented the relationship with cancer risk in Asian
      subgroup, and two genetic models (GG+GA vs. AA and GA vs. AA) in European
      subgroup, respectively. For G241R polymorphism, G241R polymorphism was
      significantly association with cancer risk in overall analysis. The subgroup
      analysis by ethnicity showed that G241R polymorphism was significantly associated
      with cancer risk in European subgroup. CONCLUSION: ICAM-1 G241R polymorphism
      might be associated with cancer risk, especially in European populations, but the
      results doesn't support ICAM-1 K469E polymorphism as a risk factor for cancer.

PMID- 26284205
TI  - Mother's Happiness with Cognitive - Executive Functions and Facial Emotional
      Recognition in School Children with Down Syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: According to the mother's key roles in bringing up emotional and
      cognitive abilities of mentally retarded children and respect to positive
      psychology in recent decades, this research is administered to assess the
      relation between mother's happiness level with cognitive- executive functions
      (i.e. attention, working memory, inhibition and planning) and facial emotional
      recognition ability as two factors in learning and adjustment skills in mentally
      retarded children with Down syndrome. METHODS: This study was an applied research
      and data were analyzed by Pearson correlation procedure. Population is included
      all school children with Down syndrome (9-12 yr) that come from Tehran, Iran.
      Overall, 30 children were selected as an in access sample. After selection and
      agreement of parents, the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC
      R) was performed to determine the student's IQ, and then mothers were invited to
      fill out the Oxford Happiness Inventory (OHI). Cognitive-executive functions were
      evaluated by tests as followed: Continues Performance Test (CPT), N-Back, Stroop
      test (day and night version) and Tower of London. Ekman emotion facial expression
      test was also accomplished for assessing facial emotional recognition in children
      with Down syndrome, individually. RESULTS: Mother's happiness level had a
      positive relation with cognitive-executive functions (attention, working memory,
      inhibition and planning) and facial emotional recognition in her children with
      Down syndrome, significantly. CONCLUSION: Parents' happiness (especially mothers)
      is a powerful predictor for cognitive and emotional abilities of their children.

PMID- 26284204
TI  - Dietary Intake in Body Mass Index Differences in Community-Based Japanese
      Patients with Schizophrenia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients with schizophrenia reportedly have a high prevalence of
      obesity. One of the reasons is a poor choice of diet. The goal of this study was
      to clarify characteristics of the dietary intake across the strata of the body
      mass index (BMI) and to compare the general population and patients with
      schizophrenia in Japan. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study of 51 patients
      with schizophrenia residing in rural areas in 2011. Anthropometric indices (of
      height, weight, body mass index) were measured at the commencement of the survey.
      Intakes of energy, protein, fat, carbohydrate, calcium, phosphorus, vitamins,
      total fiber, and salt were noted through a 3-day dietary recording. The nutrient
      intake was estimated using Excel add-in software (Excel Eiyou-kun Ver. 6.0,
      Kenpakusha Co., Ltd.). Patients were divided into two groups: those with a BMI
      >=25 kg/m(2) and with a BMI <25 kg/m(2), and the differences in their nutrition
      intake were analyzed. To compare these patients with the general population, the
      results of the National Health and Nutrition Survey, 2010 (NHNS) were used (the
      NHNS group). For statistical analysis, an unpaired t-test was performed with P <
      0.05. RESULTS: Patients with a BMI >=25 kg/m(2) had the higher intakes than those
      with a BMI <25 kg/m(2) of energy, fat and phosphorus and salt. Patients with
      schizophrenia showed higher intakes of energy, carbohydrate, fat, calcium,
      phosphorus and salt than the NHNS group. CONCLUSION: The characteristics of the
      dietary intake in patients with schizophrenia were suggested the food
      constitution that is likely to increase the body weight.

PMID- 26284206
TI  - Seroepidemiological Study of Toxoplasmosis in Women Referred to Arak Marriage
      Consulting Center during 2012-2013.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic and usually asymptomatic infection. This
      study was carried out to investigate the seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma infection
      in women referred to Arak Marriage Consulting Center during 2012-2013. METHODS:
      In this cross-sectional study, serum samples were collected from 400 women
      referred to Marriage Consulting Center in Arak City, Markazi Province, central
      Iran during 2012-2013. Anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies were measured by
      ELISA using homemade antigen. Results were analyzed by SPSS 18 and the
      correlation between toxoplasmosis and some affecting factors were estimated.
      RESULTS: Overall, 97 cases (24.3%) had IgG antibodies against T. gondii and 19
      cases (4.8%) were positive for IgM antibodies. A significant correlation was seen
      between T. gondii infection with clinical symptoms, keeping cat as pet animal,
      education and handling or eating raw or undercooked meat (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION:
      The prevalence of (24.3%) for Toxoplasma infection was seen in Arak City. It
      seems that keeping cat as pet and consumption of undercooked liver and uncooked
      hamburger are the most important transmission routes for the infection in this
      city. Since the majority of women are Toxoplasma sero-negative (75.7%) in Arak
      City, using serological tests and health education prior to marriage or during
      pregnancy is recommended.

PMID- 26284207
TI  - Community Eagerness and Participation for Supporting Eliminate Malaria.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study was undertaken to identify key elements for obtaining
      community interest and motivate them to support eliminate malaria in the places
      that malaria is no longer a perceived threat. METHODS: Sequential explanatory
      mixed methods research design used to provide more comprehensive evidence
      research. A questionnaire was developed after reviewing the literature relating
      to community participation for malaria elimination and used to collect data from
      three native people, Iranian migrant and foreign immigrant groups. The variables
      included access to educational facilities, services, social support, social
      supporters, trust, and supportive norms were assessed. We also employed an
      ethnographic design involving: observation participant (PO), Key informant
      interviews (KIIs), and focus group discussions (FGDs). RESULTS: The results
      revealed that predisposing, enabling and reinforcing factors had association with
      community involvement. Less than 50% of total respondents reported have access to
      educational sessions, most of them were unaware of available and affordable
      services. Differences views regarding to social support influence have been found
      among respondents. Although patterns of social interactions were almost similar
      in all residents, frequencies of interactions were varied. Three thematic areas
      emerged including perceptions on involvement, potential barriers, and focus areas
      for the training community members. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate needs for
      greater understanding about how to strengthen community involvement with
      emphasize for community capacity building. This research has benefit to national
      and regional efforts to increase community involvement as a source for effective
      actions on malaria elimination.

PMID- 26284208
TI  - Personal Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Newsagents in Tehran,
      Iran.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Vehicle exhaust is a major source of exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic
      Hydrocarbons (PAHs) found in the urban atmosphere. Newsagents usually work close
      to heavy traffic flow. The purpose of this study was to assess the breathing zone
      exposure of newsagents to PAHs found in the urban atmosphere of Tehran City
      during summer and autumn seasons and comparing the levels of exposure in both
      seasons. METHODS: Fifteen non-smoking newsagents were randomly selected from
      north, south, east, west, and center of Tehran. Particle and gas phases PAHs were
      collected on polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) filter and XAD-2 adsorbent. Gas
      chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was used to determine PAHs
      concentrations in newsagent's breathing zone samples. RESULTS: The highest and
      lowest values of exposures during summer and autumn in all sampling stations were
      recorded for benzo[a]anthracene and benzo[ghi]perylene, respectively. Mann
      Whitney test results showed that seasonal variation had significant influence on
      concentrations of all studied PAHs (P= 0.001) except benzo[ghi]perylene (P=
      0.089). An increase in concentrations of PAHs was observed in autumn. CONCLUSION:
      The workers of the newsstands in the south area of Tehran City were experiencing
      higher levels of exposures to PAHs. Newsagents' breathing zone exposures to PAHs
      during the cold period were two to three folds higher than those during the warm
      period were. The levels of exposures in all sampling stations were below the OSHA
      and NIOSH's recommended exposure limits.

PMID- 26284209
TI  - Association between Glutathione S-Transferase GSTM1-T1 and P1 Polymorphisms with
      Metabolic Syndrome in Zoroastrians in Yazd, Iran.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the possible association between
      genetic polymorphisms of the glutathione S-transferase (GST) gene family and the
      risk of the development of metabolic syndrome (MS) in Zoroastrian females in
      Yazd, Iran. METHODS: In this case-control study, GSTM1, T1, and P1 polymorphisms
      were genotyped in 51 randomly selected MS patients and 50 randomly selected
      healthy controls on February 2014 among Zoroastrian females whose ages ranged
      from 40 to 70 yr. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood. Data were analyzed
      with SPSS version 17. RESULTS: We observed a significant association of GSTP1-I/V
      (Isoleucine/Valine) allele and GSTP1-V/V (Valine / Valine) allele with MS (P =
      0.047 and P = 0.044, respectively). The combined analysis of the two genotypes,
      the present genotype of GSTT1, I/V and V/V alleles of GSTP1 genotype demonstrated
      a decrease in the risk of acquiring MS (OR = 0.246, P = 0.031). The null genotype
      of GSTM1, I/V, and V/V alleles of the GSTP1 genotype showed a lower risk in
      double combinations (OR = 0.15, P = 0.028 and OR = 0.13, P = 0.013,
      respectively). The combinations of the GSTM1 null genotypes and GSTT1 present
      genotypes and the GSTP1 I/V and V/V alleles together were associated with
      decreased risk of having MS in triple combinations (OR = 0.071, P = 0.039 and OR
      = 0.065, P = 0.022, respectively). CONCLUSION: GSTP1-I/V and V/V alleles, alone
      or in association with GSTM1 null and GSTT1 present genotypes, are related with
      decreased susceptibility to the development of MS in Zoroastrian females.

PMID- 26284210
TI  - Identify Survival Predictors of the First Kidney Transplantation: A Retrospective
      Cohort Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The first kidney transplant survival is very important. We know that
      short-term survival of kidney transplantation is improved over the past two
      decades in Iran; however, no information is available on long-term survival and
      predictors. This study explored factors influencing long-term renal transplant
      survival at northwest of Iran. METHODS: In this single-center, study, survival
      rates and half-life of 201 the first kidney transplants between 1999 and 2008
      were measured by a historical-cohort study in Imam Khomeini Hospital in Urmia,
      Iran. The log-rank test and Cox-regression model were used to compare survival
      curves and determine factor affecting graft survival time, respectively. RESULTS:
      First graft survival from one, five, and 10 years was 96%, 89%, and 46%,
      respectively. Mean+/-se and median+/-se of first graft survival time was 3061+/
      105.01 day (95% CI: 2855.47-3267.11 day) and 3411+/-282.1 day (95%CI: 2858.08
      3963.92), respectively. Predictors of first graft rejection were recipient age
      (P=0.001), LDL cholesterol (P=0.008), immunosuppressive drugs (P=0.047), serum
      creatinine three and six months (P=0.042 and 0.001, respectively) and related
      donor family (P=0.037). CONCLUSION: Patients with first graft transplantation had
      a moderate long-term survival. The study showed that small age at transplant, low
      LDL cholesterol before transplant, and relative to donor, could be decrease the
      risk graft loss.

PMID- 26284211
TI  - Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We investigated the association between serum 25(OH) D levels and
      depressive symptoms in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). METHODS:
      Eighty-five adults, 44 drug free patients with MDD and 41 apparently healthy
      controls, participated in the study. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale was
      used to assess severity of major depression. Mental health of the controls was
      assessed according to DSM-IV criteria. Stress level of the participants was
      assessed by the Holmes and Rahe stress scale. Serum 25(OH) D levels was measured
      by immunochemiluminescence assay. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as a serum
      25(OH) D concentration of lower than 20 ng/ml. RESULTS: Depressed patients had
      the higher levels of stress. There was a positive correlation between stress
      level and disease severity (r= 0.32, P= 0.03). In total participants, mean
      percentage of vitamin D deficiency was 77.6% with 75% in patients and 80.5% in
      the healthy subjects. There were no differences between the two groups in serum
      25(OH) D levels and percentage of subjects with the vitamin deficiency. A
      negative correlation was observed between disease severity and serum 25(OH) D
      level of patients with depression episodes < 2 y (r= -0.38, P = 0.08) and winter
      samples (samples collected and measured from December to march, r= -0.62, P =
      0.004). CONCLUSION: Serum 25(OH) D levels were not associated with depression.
      However, the inverse relationship between levels of vitamin D and depressive
      symptoms in current depression episodes and in sun-deprived season warrants
      further investigation.

PMID- 26284212
TI  - Dioctophyme renale in Vulpes vulpes from the Caspian Sea littoral of Iran.
AB  - During a long term of road survey for detection of the zoonotic helminthes in
      carnivores, a male Vulpes vulpes was naturally found infected by Dioctophyme
      renale in Caspian Sea littoral in Iran. Since the parasite transmission usually
      occurs through consumption of fish and other accidental food items, investigation
      of the worm amongst fish-eating animals in the areas with potential circulation
      of the helminth life cycle, has been regarded as a public health importance so
      far. Concerning the rout of parasite transmission to humans, different
      epidemiological aspects should be studied in the country. Present paper describes
      a destructive lesion of the kidney in the fox due to D. renale after almost a
      decade of monitoring for the parasite reservoirs in the region. 

PMID- 26284213
TI  - Effect of Three-year Multi-Component Exercise Training on Bone Mineral Density
      and Content in a Postmenopausal Woman with Osteoporosis: A Case Report.
AB  - The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of 3-years of moderate
      multi-component exercise training on bone mineral density and bone mineral
      content in a female subject with osteoporosis. A 57-year-old postmenopausal
      woman, a known case of osteoporosis following an accident, participated in this
      study. Bone mineral density and bone mineral content was measured in the femoral
      neck area and the lumbar spine by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. The
      measurements lasted four years, first year without any exercise training and
      three succeeding years with exercise intervention. After three years of exercise
      training, bone mineral density and bone mineral content were improved in both
      regions, despite the increase in age and decrease in weight. This case highlights
      the importance of exercise training in maintaining and increasing bone mineral
      density and bone mineral content of the spine and hip in post-menopausal women.
      Considering its positive effects, regular and lifelong exercise training must be
      incorporated into peoples' life due to the chronic nature of bone loss in aging
      process. 

PMID- 26284214
TI  - Comparison of Physical Activity Level among Childhood Cancer Survivors in Korea.

PMID- 26284215
TI  - Nano Aeon: Looming Phase in Medical Dentistry-Prospects for the Future.

PMID- 26284216
TI  - Relationship between Doctors' Prescribing Behavior and Pharmaceutical Promotional
      Tools: A Pakistani Case.

PMID- 26284217
TI  - Knowledge and Attitude toward Tuberculosis among Tuberculosis Patients Seeking
      Help in Diagnostic and Treatment Centers, Kabul Province in Afghanistan.

PMID- 26284218
TI  - Comments on "Use of Malondialdehyde as a Biomarker for Assesing Oxidative Stress
      in Different Disease Pathologies: A Review".

PMID- 26284219
TI  - Afraid of the Dark; Raising Awareness of Societies Each Year during World
      Glaucoma Week.

PMID- 26284220
TI  - Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) For Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

PMID- 26284221
TI  - Emergency Medicine Residency Program in Iran: Practical Options to Achieve Better
      Performance.

PMID- 26284222
TI  - Genetic Variation Impacts in Patients with Major Beta-Thalassemia.

PMID- 26284223
TI  - Physical Exercises and Motor Skills in Autistic Children.

PMID- 26284224
TI  - The Myth of Penicillin/Dexamethasone and Its Costs to the Health Care System of
      Iran.

PMID- 26284225
TI  - Comparing the effect of oral and vaginal isosorbide dinitrate in pre-induction
      cervical ripening in term pregnancy: A controlled clinical trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cervical ripening for labor induction is one of the most important
      issues in midwifery. Isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN) is one of the most important
      choices that have been proposed for cervical ripening, but still there are
      controversies regarding its prescription. The present study aimed to evaluate the
      effects of vaginal and oral ISDN compared to the control group for pre-induction
      cervical ripening. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this non-blinded clinical trial, 149
      nulliparous women with term or prolonged pregnancy were randomly selected and
      divided into three groups by block randomization. The intervention group included
      vaginal (50 subjects, 40 mg) and oral (49 subjects, 20 mg) ISDN groups. The third
      group was the control group (50 subjects) which did not receive any medication.
      The amount of ripening was given by Bishop score evaluated before taking
      medication and 24 h after taking it. RESULTS: After 24 h, Bishop score in vaginal
      ISDN group significantly increased compared to the oral ISDN and control groups
      (P < 0.001 for both). Although the increase in Bishop score was lower in the oral
      ISDN group than in the vaginal group, it had a statistically significant increase
      in comparison to the control group (P = 0.001). All the three groups were matched
      regarding pregnancy termination and cesarean causes, and there was no
      statistically significant difference among the three groups (P > 0.05).
      CONCLUSION: Prescribing vaginal ISDN for cervical ripening was effective, and it
      can be used with confidence.

PMID- 26284227
TI  - Blunted Heart Rate Response as a Potential Endophenotype of Substance Use
      Disorders: Evidence from High-Risk Youth.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Children of parents with a substance use disorder (CPSUD) are at
      increased risk for developing problematic substance use later in life.
      Endophenotypes may help to clarify the mechanism behind this increased risk.
      However, substance use and externalizing symptoms may confound the relation
      between dysregulated physiological stress responding and familial risk for
      substance use disorders (SUDs). METHODS: We examined whether heart rate (HR)
      responses differed between CPSUDs and controls. Participants (aged 11-20 years)
      were CPSUDs (N = 75) and controls (N = 363), semi-matched on the basis of sex,
      socioeconomic status, and ethnicity. HR was measured continuously during a
      psychosocial stress procedure. Substance use and externalizing symptoms were self
      reported and mother-reported, respectively. RESULTS: A piecewise, mixed-effects
      model was fit for HR across the stress procedure, with fixed effects for HR
      reactivity and HR recovery. CPSUDs showed a blunted HR recovery. CPSUDs reported
      drinking more frequently, were more likely to use tobacco daily, were more likely
      to report ever use of cannabis and used cannabis more frequently, and exhibited
      more externalizing symptoms. These variables did not confound the relation
      between familial risk for SUDs and a blunted HR recovery. CONCLUSION: Our
      findings suggest dysregulated autonomic nervous system (ANS) responding in CPSUDs
      and contribute to the accumulating evidence for ANS dysregulation as a potential
      endophenotype for SUDs.

PMID- 26284229
TI  - The Implications of Metabotypes for Rationalizing Therapeutics in Infants and
      Children.

PMID- 26284228
TI  - Clinical Impact and Cost-Effectiveness of Whole Exome Sequencing as a Diagnostic
      Tool: A Pediatric Center's Experience.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There are limited reports of the use of whole exome sequencing (WES)
      as a clinical diagnostic tool. Moreover, there are no reports addressing the cost
      burden associated with genetic tests performed prior to WES. OBJECTIVE: We
      demonstrate the performance characteristics of WES in a pediatric setting by
      describing our patient cohort, calculating the diagnostic yield, and detailing
      the patients for whom clinical management was altered. Moreover, we examined the
      potential cost-effectiveness of WES by examining the cost burden of diagnostic
      workups. METHODS: To determine the clinical utility of our hospital's clinical
      WES, we performed a retrospective review of the first 40 cases. We utilized dual
      bioinformatics analyses pipelines based on commercially available software and in
      house tools. RESULTS: Of the first 40 clinical cases, we identified genetic
      defects in 12 (30%) patients, of which 47% of the mutations were previously
      unreported in the literature. Among the 12 patients with positive findings, seven
      have autosomal dominant disease and five have autosomal recessive disease. Ninety
      percent of the cohort opted to receive secondary findings and of those, secondary
      medical actionable results were returned in three cases. Among these positive
      cases, there are a number of novel mutations that are being reported here. The
      diagnostic workup included a significant number of genetic tests with microarray
      and single-gene sequencing being the most popular tests. Significantly, genetic
      diagnosis from WES led to altered patient medical management in positive cases.
      CONCLUSION: We demonstrate the clinical utility of WES by establishing the
      clinical diagnostic rate and its impact on medical management in a large
      pediatric center. The cost-effectiveness of WES was demonstrated by ending the
      diagnostic odyssey in positive cases. Also, in some cases it may be most cost
      effective to directly perform WES. WES provides a unique glimpse into the
      complexity of genetic disorders.

PMID- 26284226
TI  - Decision-Making for Surgery in the Management of Patients with Univentricular
      Heart.
AB  - A series of technical refinements over the past 30 years, in combination with
      advances in perioperative management, have resulted in dramatic improvements in
      the survival of patients with univentricular heart. While the goal of single
      ventricle palliation remains unchanged - normalization of the pressure and volume
      loads on the systemic ventricle, the strategies to achieve that goal have become
      more diverse. Optimal palliation relies on a thorough understanding of the
      changing physiology over the first years of life and the risks and consequences
      of each palliative strategy. This review describes how to optimize surgical
      decision-making in univentricular patients based on a current understanding of
      anatomy, physiology, and surgical palliation. 

PMID- 26284230
TI  - Discovering Multi-Scale Co-Occurrence Patterns of Asthma and Influenza with Oak
      Ridge Bio-Surveillance Toolkit.
AB  - We describe a data-driven unsupervised machine learning approach to extract geo
      temporal co-occurrence patterns of asthma and the flu from large-scale electronic
      healthcare reimbursement claims (eHRC) datasets. Specifically, we examine the
      eHRC data from 2009 to 2010 pandemic H1N1 influenza season and analyze whether
      different geographic regions within the United States (US) showed an increase in
      co-occurrence patterns of the flu and asthma. Our analyses reveal that the
      temporal patterns extracted from the eHRC data show a distinct lag time between
      the peak incidence of the asthma and the flu. While the increased occurrence of
      asthma contributed to increased flu incidence during the pandemic, this co
      occurrence is predominant for female patients. The geo-temporal patterns reveal
      that the co-occurrence of the flu and asthma are typically concentrated within
      the south-east US. Further, in agreement with previous studies, large urban areas
      (such as New York, Miami, and Los Angeles) exhibit co-occurrence patterns that
      suggest a peak incidence of asthma and flu significantly early in the spring and
      winter seasons. Together, our data-analytic approach, integrated within the Oak
      Ridge Bio-surveillance Toolkit platform, demonstrates how eHRC data can provide
      novel insights into co-occurring disease patterns. 

PMID- 26284231
TI  - More than Just a Meal: Breakfast Club Attendance and Children's Social
      Relationships.
AB  - The health benefits of school food have been widely promoted in recent years
      while the social opportunities that surround eating occasions at school have
      received little attention. Breakfast clubs (BCs), which take place at the start
      of the school day, offer a unique opportunity for children to consume a breakfast
      meal on their school premises in the company of their peers. Alternatively, after
      school clubs (ASCs), which take place on school premises at the end of the school
      day, whilst also providing children with social opportunities tend to focus on
      sports engagement and skill development. The aim of the current paper is to
      investigate whether attendance at BCs and ASCs has an impact on children's
      friendship quality and experiences of peer victimization. BC attendees, ASC
      attendees, and non-attendees completed the Friendship Qualities Scale and the
      Multidimensional Peer Victimization Scale (MPVS) at two time points. Time-1 data
      were collected 2 months after the introduction of school clubs. Time-2 data were
      then collected on the same measures again 6 months later. Results of the analyses
      of Time-1 data showed no significant differences between groups on any of the
      measures at Time-1. However, at Time-2, BC attendees showed improved levels of
      friendship quality compared to the other two groups. Moreover, analysis of the
      MPVS data at Time-2 showed that children who attended BC or ASC experienced a
      decline in victimization across time. The current findings suggest that BC
      attendance facilitates the quality of children's relationships with their best
      friend over time. Additionally, attendance at a breakfast or ASC was associated
      with a reduction in victimization over time. The results have implications for
      utilization of breakfast and ASCs to aid children's social relationships in
      school over time. 

PMID- 26284232
TI  - Nutrition Leadership Development: Capacity-Building Initiatives in Iran and the
      Middle-East Region Since 2009.
AB  - Personal and organizational performance is determined by commitment and both
      technical and general competencies, including leadership skills. Academia,
      however, mainly targets technical aspects in its curricular programs. On the
      other hand, the inter-disciplinary and multi-sector nature of Nutrition
      necessitates high levels of collaboration between stakeholders. Leadership
      development is therefore required in Nutrition. This paper describes the endeavor
      made in Iran and the Middle-East region, aiming at building leadership capacity
      among nutrition professionals. The empowered human resource is expected to
      facilitate nutrition security at the national and regional levels. Since 2007,
      the development process of the initiative has begun through research, bench
      marking, and consultation. The "learning organizations," "leadership from inside
      out," and "transformational leadership" frameworks have been employed as
      underpinning theories. Main topics have been self-awareness, effective
      communication, shared visioning, trust building, creativity, and motivating.
      Outbound team-building activities and coaching have also been included. The first
      workshop of the Iranian Food and Nutrition Leadership Program was held in 2009 in
      Tehran. The experience expanded to the region as the Middle-East Nutrition
      Leadership Program (MENLP). The Ph.D. Nutrition programs (at four leading
      Universities) and Iranian Nutrition Society have been taken as other opportunity
      windows to develop leadership competencies. Biannual Iranian nutrition congresses
      have been used as the main media for advocacy purposes. High-satisfaction rates
      obtained following each training activity. In short, the initiative on "nutrition
      leadership development" has received growing investment and positive feedback in
      Iran. Continuous improvement of the initiative, establishment of active alumni
      networks, building MENLP regional platform, and integrating a monitoring and
      evaluation system are required to increase the investment returns. 

PMID- 26284234
TI  - Climate Regimes, El Nino-Southern Oscillation, and Meningococcal Meningitis
      Epidemics.
AB  - Meningococcal meningitis is a major public health problem that kills thousands
      annually in Africa, Europe, North, and South America. Occurrence is, however,
      highest during the dry seasons in Sahel Africa. Interannual changes in
      precipitation correlate with interannual changes in El Nino-Southern Oscillation
      (ENSO), while interdecadal changes in precipitation correlate with Pacific
      Decadal Oscillation (PDO). The objective of the study was to determine if there
      is spectral coherence of seasonal, interannual, and interdecadal changes in
      occurrence of meningococcal meningitis in Sahel, Central, and East Africa with
      interannual and interdecadal changes of PDO and ENSO. Time series were fitted to
      occurrence of meningococcal meningitis in Sahel, Central, and East Africa, to
      indices of precipitation anomalies in the Sahel, and to indices of ENSO and PDO
      anomalies. Morlet wavelet was used to transform the time series to frequency-time
      domain. Wavelet spectra and coherence analyses were performed. Occurrence of
      meningococcal meningitis showed seasonal, interannual, and interdecadal changes.
      The magnitude of occurrence was higher during warm climate regime, and strong El
      Ninos. Spectra coherence of interannual and interdecadal changes of ENSO and PDO
      with occurrence of meningococcal meningitis in Sahel, Central, and East Africa
      were significant at p < 0.0001. Precipitation in Sahel was low during warm
      climate regimes. Spectra coherence of changes in precipitation in Sahel with ENSO
      was significant at p < 0.0001. ENSO and PDO are determinants of the seasonal,
      interannual, and interdecadal changes in occurrence of meningococcal meningitis.
      Public health management of epidemics of meningococcal meningitis should include
      forecast models of changes in ENSO to predict periods of low precipitation, which
      initiate occurrence. 

PMID- 26284233
TI  - Developing National Cancer Registration in Developing Countries - Case Study of
      the Nigerian National System of Cancer Registries.
AB  - The epidemiological transition in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has given rise to a
      concomitant increase in the incidence of non-communicable diseases including
      cancers. Worldwide, cancer registries have been shown to be critical for the
      determination of cancer burden, conduct of research, and in the planning and
      implementation of cancer control measures. Cancer registration though vital is
      often neglected in SSA owing to competing demands for resources for healthcare.
      We report the implementation of a system for representative nation-wide cancer
      registration in Nigeria - the Nigerian National System of Cancer Registries
      (NSCR). The NSCR coordinates the activities of cancer registries in Nigeria,
      strengthens existing registries, establishes new registries, complies and
      analyses data, and makes these freely available to researchers and policy makers.
      We highlight the key challenges encountered in implementing this strategy and how
      they were overcome. This report serves as a guide for other low- and middle
      income countries (LMIC) wishing to expand cancer registration coverage in their
      countries and highlights the training, mentoring, scientific and logistic
      support, and advocacy that are crucial to sustaining cancer registration programs
      in LMIC. 

PMID- 26284235
TI  - An ameliorative protocol for the quantification of purine 5',8-cyclo-2'
      deoxynucleosides in oxidized DNA.
AB  - 5',8-Cyclo-2'-deoxyadenosine (cdA) and 5',8-cyclo-2'-deoxyguanosine (cdG) are
      lesions resulting from hydroxyl radical (HO (.) ) attack on the 5'H of the
      nucleoside sugar moiety and exist in both 5'R and 5'S diastereomeric forms.
      Increased levels of cdA and cdG are linked to Nucleotide Excision Repair (NER)
      mechanism deficiency and mutagenesis. Discrepancies in the damage measurements
      reported over recent years indicated the weakness of the actual protocols, in
      particular for ensuring the quantitative release of these lesions from the DNA
      sample and the appropriate method for their analysis. Herein we report the
      detailed revision leading to a cost-effective and efficient protocol for the DNA
      damage measurement, consisting of the nuclease benzonase and nuclease P1
      enzymatic combination for DNA digestion followed by liquid chromatography isotope
      dilution tandem mass spectrometry analysis. 

PMID- 26284236
TI  - Network Neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's Disease via MRI Based Shape
      Diffeomorphometry and High-Field Atlasing.
AB  - This paper examines MRI analysis of neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's Disease (AD)
      in a network of structures within the medial temporal lobe using
      diffeomorphometry methods coupled with high-field atlasing in which the
      entorhinal cortex is partitioned into eight subareas. The morphometry markers for
      three groups of subjects (controls, preclinical AD, and symptomatic AD) are
      indexed to template coordinates measured with respect to these eight subareas.
      The location and timing of changes are examined within the subareas as it
      pertains to the classic Braak and Braak staging by comparing the three groups. We
      demonstrate that the earliest preclinical changes in the population occur in the
      lateral most sulcal extent in the entorhinal cortex (alluded to as
      transentorhinal cortex by Braak and Braak), and then proceeds medially which is
      consistent with the Braak and Braak staging. We use high-field 11T atlasing to
      demonstrate that the network changes are occurring at the junctures of the
      substructures in this medial temporal lobe network. Temporal progression of the
      disease through the network is also examined via changepoint analysis,
      demonstrating earliest changes in entorhinal cortex. The differential expression
      of rate of atrophy with progression signaling the changepoint time across the
      network is demonstrated to be signaling in the intermediate caudal subarea of the
      entorhinal cortex, which has been noted to be proximal to the hippocampus. This
      coupled to the findings of the nearby basolateral involvement in amygdala
      demonstrates the selectivity of neurodegeneration in early AD. 

PMID- 26284237
TI  - Bio-Hybrid Micro/Nanodevices Powered by Flagellar Motor: Challenges and
      Strategies.
AB  - Molecular motors, which are precision engineered by nature, offer exciting
      possibilities for bio-hybrid engineered systems. They could enable real
      applications ranging from micro/nano fluidics, to biosensing, to medical
      diagnoses. This review describes the fundamental biological insights and
      fascinating potentials of these remarkable sensing and actuation machines, in
      particular, bacterial flagellar motors, as well as their engineering perspectives
      with regard to applications in bio-engineered hybrid systems. 

PMID- 26284238
TI  - Stability of Norwalk Virus Capsid Protein Interfaces Evaluated by in Silico
      Nanoindentation.
AB  - Norwalk virus causes severe gastroenteritis for which there is currently no
      specific anti-viral therapy. A stage of the infection process is uncoating of the
      protein capsid to expose the viral genome and allow for viral replication. A
      mechanical characterization of the Norwalk virus may provide important
      information relating to the mechanism of uncoating. The mechanical strength of
      the Norwalk virus has previously been investigated using atomic force microscopy
      (AFM) nanoindentation experiments. Those experiments cannot resolve specific
      molecular interactions, and therefore, we have employed a molecular modeling
      approach to gain insights into the potential uncoating mechanism of the Norwalk
      capsid. In this study, we perform simulated nanoindentation using a coarse
      grained structure-based model, which provides an estimate of the spring constant
      in good agreement with the experimentally determined value. We further analyze
      the fracture mechanisms and determine weak interfaces in the capsid structure,
      which are potential sites to inhibit uncoating by stabilization of these weak
      interfaces. We conclude by identifying potential target sites at the junction of
      a weak protein-protein interface. 

PMID- 26284239
TI  - Variability in Wheelchair Propulsion: A New Window into an Old Problem.
AB  - Manual wheelchair users are at great risk for the development of upper extremity
      injury and pain. Any loss of upper limb function due to pain adversely impacts
      the independence and mobility of manual wheelchair users. There is growing
      theoretical and empirical evidence that fluctuations in movement (i.e., motor
      variability) are related to musculoskeletal pain. This perspectives paper
      discusses a local review on several investigations examining the association
      between variability in wheelchair propulsion and shoulder pain in manual
      wheelchair users. The experimental data reviewed highlights that the variability
      of wheelchair propulsion is impacted by shoulder pain in manual wheelchair users.
      We maintain that inclusion of these metrics in future research on wheelchair
      propulsion and upper limb pain may yield novel data. Several promising avenues
      for future research based on this collective work are discussed. 

PMID- 26284240
TI  - PhenoMeter: A Metabolome Database Search Tool Using Statistical Similarity
      Matching of Metabolic Phenotypes for High-Confidence Detection of Functional
      Links.
AB  - This article describes PhenoMeter (PM), a new type of metabolomics database
      search that accepts metabolite response patterns as queries and searches the
      MetaPhen database of reference patterns for responses that are statistically
      significantly similar or inverse for the purposes of detecting functional links.
      To identify a similarity measure that would detect functional links as reliably
      as possible, we compared the performance of four statistics in correctly top
      matching metabolic phenotypes of Arabidopsis thaliana metabolism mutants affected
      in different steps of the photorespiration metabolic pathway to reference
      phenotypes of mutants affected in the same enzymes by independent mutations. The
      best performing statistic, the PM score, was a function of both Pearson
      correlation and Fisher's Exact Test of directional overlap. This statistic
      outperformed Pearson correlation, biweight midcorrelation and Fisher's Exact Test
      used alone. To demonstrate general applicability, we show that the PM reliably
      retrieved the most closely functionally linked response in the database when
      queried with responses to a wide variety of environmental and genetic
      perturbations. Attempts to match metabolic phenotypes between independent studies
      were met with varying success and possible reasons for this are discussed.
      Overall, our results suggest that integration of pattern-based search tools into
      metabolomics databases will aid functional annotation of newly recorded metabolic
      phenotypes analogously to the way sequence similarity search algorithms have
      aided the functional annotation of genes and proteins. PM is freely available at
      MetabolomeExpress (https://www.metabolome-express.org/phenometer.php). 

PMID- 26284241
TI  - Overall Key Performance Indicator to Optimizing Operation of High-Pressure
      Homogenizers for a Reliable Quantification of Intracellular Components in Pichia
      pastoris.
AB  - The most commonly used cell disruption procedures may present lack of
      reproducibility, which introduces significant errors in the quantification of
      intracellular components. In this work, an approach consisting in the definition
      of an overall key performance indicator (KPI) was implemented for a lab scale
      high-pressure homogenizer (HPH) in order to determine the disruption settings
      that allow the reliable quantification of a wide sort of intracellular
      components. This innovative KPI was based on the combination of three independent
      reporting indicators: decrease of absorbance, release of total protein, and
      release of alkaline phosphatase activity. The yeast Pichia pastoris growing on
      methanol was selected as model microorganism due to it presents an important
      widening of the cell wall needing more severe methods and operating conditions
      than Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. From the outcome of the
      reporting indicators, the cell disruption efficiency achieved using HPH was about
      fourfold higher than other lab standard cell disruption methodologies, such bead
      milling cell permeabilization. This approach was also applied to a pilot plant
      scale HPH validating the methodology in a scale-up of the disruption process.
      This innovative non-complex approach developed to evaluate the efficacy of a
      disruption procedure or equipment can be easily applied to optimize the most
      common disruption processes, in order to reach not only reliable quantification
      but also recovery of intracellular components from cell factories of interest. 

PMID- 26284243
TI  - Progress and Challenges for Implementation of the Common Market for Eastern and
      Southern Africa Policy on Biotechnology and Biosafety.
AB  - In 2001, the Meeting of the COMESA Ministers of Agriculture raised concerns that
      proliferation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) could impact significantly
      on trade and food security in the region. This triggered studies on a regional
      approach to biotechnology and biosafety policy in Eastern and Southern Africa.
      The studies and stakeholder consultations revealed that farm incomes would
      increase if they switched from conventional varieties of cotton and maize to
      genetically modified (GM) counterparts. Commercial risks associated with exports
      to GM sensitive destinations, e.g., EU were negligible. Intra-regional trade
      would be affected since exports of GM sensitive commodities, such as maize,
      cotton, and soya bean, mainly go to other African countries. These findings
      justified the need to consider a regional approach to biosafety and led to the
      drafting of a regional policy in 2009. The draft policies were discussed in
      regional and national workshops between 2010 and 2012 for wider ownership. The
      workshops involved key stakeholders including ministries of agriculture, trade,
      environment, national biosafety focal points, biosafety competent authorities,
      academia, seed traders, millers, the media, food relief agencies, the industry,
      civil society, competent authorities, and political opinion leaders. The COMESA
      Council of Ministers in February 2014 adopted the COMESA policy on biotechnology
      and biosafety that takes into account the sovereign right of each member state.
      Key provisions of the policy include recognition of the benefits and risks
      associated with GMOs; establishment of a regional-level biosafety risk-assessment
      system; national-level final decision, and capacity building assistance to member
      states. The policies are the first regional effort in Africa to develop a
      coordinated mechanism for handling biosafety issues related to GMO use. A
      regional approach to biotechnology and biosafety is expected to foster inter
      country cooperation through the sharing of knowledge, expertise, experiences, and
      resources. 

PMID- 26284242
TI  - CO2 - Intrinsic Product, Essential Substrate, and Regulatory Trigger of Microbial
      and Mammalian Production Processes.
AB  - Carbon dioxide formation mirrors the final carbon oxidation steps of aerobic
      metabolism in microbial and mammalian cells. As a consequence, [Formula: see
      text] dissociation equilibria arise in fermenters by the growing culture.
      Anaplerotic reactions make use of the abundant [Formula: see text] levels for
      refueling citric acid cycle demands and for enabling oxaloacetate-derived
      products. At the same time, CO2 is released manifold in metabolic reactions via
      decarboxylation activity. The levels of extracellular [Formula: see text] depend
      on cellular activities and physical constraints such as hydrostatic pressures,
      aeration, and the efficiency of mixing in large-scale bioreactors. Besides, local
      [Formula: see text] levels might also act as metabolic inhibitors or
      transcriptional effectors triggering regulatory events inside the cells. This
      review gives an overview about fundamental physicochemical properties of
      [Formula: see text] in microbial and mammalian cultures effecting cellular
      physiology, production processes, metabolic activity, and transcriptional
      regulation. 

PMID- 26284244
TI  - Hemodynamic Monitoring in the Critically Ill Patient - Current Status and
      Perspective.
AB  - In the critically ill patient, early and effective hemodynamic management
      including fluid therapy and administration of vasoactive drugs to maintain vital
      organ perfusion and oxygen delivery is mandatory. Understanding the different
      approaches in the management of critically ill patients during the resuscitation
      and further management is essential to initiate adequate context- and time
      specific interventions. Treatment of hemodynamic variables to achieve a balance
      between organ oxygen delivery and consumption is the cornerstone. In general,
      cardiac output is considered a major determinant of oxygen supply and thus its
      monitoring is regarded helpful. However, indicators of oxygen requirements are
      equally necessary to assess adequacy of oxygen supply. Currently, more and more
      less or even totally non-invasive monitoring systems have been developed and
      clinically introduced, but require validation in this particular patient
      population. Cardiac output monitors and surrogates of organ oxygenation only
      enable to adequately guide management, as patient's outcome is determined by
      acquisition and interpretation of accurate data, and finally suitable management
      decisions. This mini-review presents the currently available techniques in the
      field of hemodynamic monitoring in critically ill patients and briefly summarizes
      their advantages and limitations. 

PMID- 26284245
TI  - A Hypothesis for Examining Skeletal Muscle Biopsy-Derived Sarcolemmal nNOSMU as
      Surrogate for Enteric nNOSalpha Function.
AB  - The pathophysiology of gastrointestinal motility disorders is controversial and
      largely unresolved. This provokes empiric approaches to patient management of
      these so-called functional gastrointestinal disorders. Preliminary evidence
      demonstrates that defects in neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) expression and
      function, the enzyme that synthesizes nitric oxide (NO), the key inhibitory
      neurotransmitter mediating mechano-electrical smooth muscle relaxation, is the
      major pathophysiological basis for sluggishness of oro-aboral transit of luminal
      contents. This opinion is an ansatz of the potential of skeletal muscle biopsy
      and examining sarcolemmal nNOSMU to provide complementary insights regarding
      nNOSalpha expression, localization, and function within enteric nerve terminals,
      the site of stimulated de novo NO synthesis. The main basis of this thesis is
      twofold: (a) the molecular similarity of the structures of nNOS alpha and MU,
      similar mechanisms of localizations to "active zones" of nitrergic synthesis, and
      same mechanisms of electron transfers during NO synthesis and (b) pragmatic
      difficulty to routinely obtain full-thickness biopsies of gastrointestinal tract,
      even in patients presenting with the most recalcitrant manifestations of stasis
      and delayed transit of luminal contents. This opinion attempts to provoke dialog
      whether this approach is feasible as a surrogate to predict catalytic potential
      of nNOSalpha and defects in nitrergic neurotransmission. This discussion makes an
      assumption that similar molecular mechanisms of nNOS defects shall be operant in
      both the enteric nerve terminals and the skeletal muscles. These overlaps of
      skeletal and gastrointestinal dysfunction are largely unknown, thus meriting that
      the thesis be validated in future by proof-of-principle experiments. 

PMID- 26284246
TI  - Stem Cells and Their Mediators - Next Generation Therapy for Bronchopulmonary
      Dysplasia.
AB  - Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) remains a major complication of premature birth.
      Despite great achievements in perinatal medicine over the past decades, there is
      no treatment for BPD. Recent insights into the biology of stem/progenitor cells
      have ignited the hope of regenerating damaged organs. Animal experiments revealed
      promising lung protection/regeneration with stem/progenitor cells in experimental
      models of BPD and led to first clinical studies in infants. However, these
      therapies are still experimental and knowledge on the exact mechanisms of action
      of these cells is limited. Furthermore, heterogeneity of the therapeutic cell
      populations and missing potency assays currently limit our ability to predict a
      cell product's efficacy. Here, we review the therapeutic potential of mesenchymal
      stromal, endothelial progenitor, and amniotic epithelial cells for BPD. Current
      knowledge on the mechanisms behind the beneficial effects of stem cells is
      briefly summarized. Finally, we discuss the obstacles constraining their
      transition from bench-to-bedside and present potential approaches to overcome
      them. 

PMID- 26284247
TI  - microRNA: Diagnostic Perspective.
AB  - Biomarkers are biological measures of a biological state. An ideal marker should
      be safe and easy to measure, cost efficient, modifiable with treatment, and
      consistent across gender and ethnic groups. To date, none of the available
      biomarkers satisfy all of these criteria. In addition, the major limitations of
      these markers are low specificity, sensitivity, and false positive results.
      Recently identified, microRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous, evolutionarily conserved
      small non-coding RNA (about 22-25 nt long), also known as micro-coordinators of
      gene expression, which have been shown to be an effective tools to study the
      biology of diseases and to have great potential as novel diagnostic and
      prognostic biomarkers with high specificity and sensitivity. In fact, it has been
      demonstrated that miRNAs play a pivotal role in the regulation of a wide range of
      developmental and physiological processes and their deficiencies have been
      related to a number of disease. In addition, miRNAs are stable and can be easily
      isolated and measured from tissues and body fluids. In this review, we provide a
      perspective on emerging concepts and potential usefulness of miRNAs as diagnostic
      markers, emphasizing the involvement of specific miRNAs in particular tumor
      types, subtypes, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, infectious diseases, and
      forensic test. 

PMID- 26284248
TI  - Weight Self-Regulation Process in Adolescence: The Relationship between Control
      Weight Attitudes, Behaviors, and Body Weight Status.
AB  - Adolescents' self-control weight behaviors were assessed (N = 1961; 12-17 years
      old; 2007-2008) in the Balearic Islands, Spain. The study analyzed the
      relationships between body weight status, body image, and self-weight concern,
      and actual attempts to lose weight by restrained eating and/or increased
      exercising. In terms of regulatory focus theory (RFT), we considered that efforts
      to lose or to maintain weight (successful or failed) would be motivated either by
      a "promotion focus" (to show an attractive body), or a "prevention focus" (to
      avoid social rejection of fatness), or both. Results showed that 41% of
      overweight boys and 25% of obese boys stated that they had never made any attempt
      to lose weight, and 13 and 4% in females. Around half of overweight boys and
      around a quarter of obese boys stated that they were "Not at all" concerned about
      weight gain, and girls' percentages decreased to 13 and 11%, respectively. By
      contrast, 57% of normal weight girls monitored their weight and stated that they
      had tried to become slim at least once. Weight self-regulation in females
      attempted to combine diet and exercise, while boys relied almost exclusively on
      exercise. Apparent lack of consciousness of body weight status among overweight
      boys, and more important, subsequent absence of behaviors to reduce their weight
      clearly challenges efforts to prevent obesity. We argue that several causes may
      be involved in this outcome, including unconscious, emotional (self-defense), and
      cognitive (dissonance) mechanisms driven by perceived social stigmatization of
      obesity. The active participation of social values of male and female body image
      (strong vs. pretty), and the existence of social habituation to overweight are
      suggested. A better knowledge of psychosocial mechanisms underlying adolescent
      weight self-control may improve obesity epidemics. 

PMID- 26284249
TI  - Mediterranean Diet: From a Healthy Diet to a Sustainable Dietary Pattern.
AB  - The notion of the Mediterranean diet has undergone a progressive evolution over
      the past 60 years, from a healthy dietary pattern to a sustainable dietary
      pattern, in which nutrition, food, cultures, people, environment, and
      sustainability all interact into a new model of a sustainable diet. An overview
      of the historical antecedents and recent increased interest in the Mediterranean
      diet is presented and challenges related to how to improve the sustainability of
      the Mediterranean diet are identified. Despite its increasing popularity
      worldwide, adherence to the Mediterranean diet model is decreasing for
      multifactorial influences - life styles changes, food globalization, economic,
      and socio-cultural factors. These changes pose serious threats to the
      preservation and transmission of the Mediterranean diet heritage to present and
      future generations. Today's challenge is to reverse such trends. A greater focus
      on the Mediterranean diet's potential as a sustainable dietary pattern, instead
      than just on its well-documented healthy benefits, can contribute to its
      enhancement. More cross-disciplinary studies on environmental, economic and socio
      cultural, and sustainability dimensions of the Mediterranean diet are foreseen as
      a critical need. 

PMID- 26284250
TI  - Rhodiola rosea Exerts Antiviral Activity in Athletes Following a Competitive
      Marathon Race.
AB  - Rhodiola rosea, a medicinal plant with demonstrated adaptogenic properties, has
      recently been reported to contain active compounds with antimicrobial activity.
      The goal of this study was to measure the antiviral and antibacterial properties
      of the bioactive metabolites of Rhodiola rosea in the serum of experienced
      marathon runners following supplementation. Marathon runners, randomly divided
      into two groups, ingested 600 mg/day of Rhodiola rosea (n = 24, 6 female, 18
      male) or placebo (n = 24, 7 females, 17 males) for 30 days prior to, the day of,
      and 7 days post-marathon. Blood serum samples were collected the day before, 15
      min post-, and 1.5 h post-marathon. Serum from Rhodiola rosea-supplemented
      runners collected after marathon running did not attenuate the marathon-induced
      susceptibility of HeLa cells to killing by vesicular stomatitis virus. However,
      the use of Rhodiola rosea induced antiviral activity at early times post
      infection by delaying an exercise-dependent increase in virus replication (P =
      0.013 compared to placebo). Serum from both groups collected 15 min post-marathon
      significantly promoted the growth of Escherichia coli in culture as compared to
      serum collected the day before the marathon (P = 0.003, all subjects).
      Furthermore, the serum from subjects ingesting Rhodiola rosea did not display
      antibacterial properties at any time point as indicated by a lack of group
      differences immediately (P = 0.785) or 1.5 h (P = 0.633) post-marathon. These
      results indicate that bioactive compounds in the serum of subjects ingesting
      Rhodiola rosea may exert protective effects against virus replication following
      intense and prolonged exercise by inducing antiviral activity. 

PMID- 26284251
TI  - Mechanical Ventricular Assistance as Destination Therapy for End-Stage Heart
      Failure: Has it Become a First Line Therapy?
AB  - Patients with end-stage heart failure have poor quality of life and prognosis.
      Therapeutic options are scarce and are not available for all. Only few patients
      can be transplanted every year. Several medical and surgical strategies have
      shown limited ability to influence prognosis and quality of life. In the past
      years, technological progress has realized devices capable of providing
      appropriate hemodynamic stabilization and recovery of secondary organ failure.
      Recently, these devices have been assessed as definitive treatment for patients
      who do not qualify for transplantation or/and instead to transplantation
      ("destination therapy"). This indication is increasingly considered following the
      results of newest clinical study reporting long-term survival without device
      correlated adverse events using last generation devices, and acceptable quality
      of life. The current knowledge about destination therapy and some original data
      from the DAVID Study (an Italian multicenter prospective study designed to
      evaluate the patient's survival rate and quality of life of patients implanted
      with these new devices as long-term support or destination therapy) are
      summarized herein. KEY POINTS: -End-stage heart failure (NYHA class IV or stage
      D) is a vastly growing problem, with a poor prognosis and limited therapeutic
      options.-Heart Transplantation is nowadays the "gold standard" treatment albeit
      its inability to serve to the current demand let alone the future one.-The
      REMATCH study has demonstrated that first generation implantable devices, even
      with their high number of complications (infectious and thromboembolic events),
      allowed an improvement of quality and duration of life compared to medical
      therapy. Further studies have shown that the evolution of VAD technology has
      reduced device-related complications and consequently improved survival and
      quality of life of patients with results, according to some authors, similar to
      cardiac transplantation at least at 2 years from the implantation.-Biotechnology
      advancements have led to the creation of a new generation of implantable
      mechanical assist devices: the continuous-flow rotary pumps. Recently entered
      into clinical use, they seem to represent a promising solution to end -stage
      heart failure allowing long-term assistance and an adequate standard of living
      (Destination Therapy/Bridge to Life).-The DAVID Study, an Italian multicenter
      prospective study, reports encouraging results in terms of late outcome and
      quality of life in patients implanted with newest continuous-flow devices as
      destination therapy. More and more numerous studies are needed to confirm our
      initial data and for laying the foundations for this new therapeutic frontier
      face to cardiac transplantation.

PMID- 26284252
TI  - Applying Advanced Imaging Techniques to a Murine Model of Orthotopic
      Osteosarcoma.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Reliable animal models are required to evaluate novel treatments
      for osteosarcoma. In this study, the aim was to implement advanced imaging
      techniques in a murine model of orthotopic osteosarcoma to improve disease
      modeling and the assessment of primary and metastatic disease. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Intra-tibial injection of luciferase-tagged OPGR80 murine osteosarcoma
      cells was performed in Balb/c nude mice. Treatment agent [pigment epithelium
      derived factor (PEDF)] was delivered to the peritoneal cavity. Primary tumors and
      metastases were evaluated by in vivo bioluminescent assays, micro-computed
      tomography, [(18)F]-Fluoride-PET and [(18)F]-FDG-PET. RESULTS: [(18)F]-Fluoride
      PET was more sensitive than [(18)F]-FDG-PET for detecting early disease. Both
      [(18)F]-Fluoride-PET and [(18)F]-FDG-PET showed progressive disease in the model,
      with fourfold and twofold increases in standardized uptake value (p < 0.05) by
      the study endpoint, respectively. In vivo bioluminescent assay showed that
      systemically delivered PEDF inhibited growth of primary osteosarcoma. DISCUSSION:
      Application of [(18)F]-Fluoride-PET and [(18)F]-FDG-PET to an established murine
      model of orthotopic osteosarcoma has improved the assessment of disease. The use
      of targeted imaging should prove beneficial for the evaluation of new approaches
      to osteosarcoma therapy.

PMID- 26284253
TI  - The Effect of Saline Coolant on Temperature Levels during Decortication with a
      Midas Rex: An in Vitro Model Using Sheep Cervical Vertebrae.
AB  - Decortication of bone with a high-speed burr in the absence of coolant may lead
      to local thermal necrosis and decreased healing ability, which may negatively
      impact clinical outcome. Little data are available on the impact of applying a
      coolant during the burring process. This study aims to establish an in vitro
      model to quantitatively assess peak temperatures during endplate preparation with
      a high-speed burr. Six sheep cervical vertebrae were dissected and mounted. Both
      end plates were used to give a total of 12 sites. Two thermocouples were inserted
      into each vertebra, 2 mm below the end plate surface and a thermal camera set up
      to measure surface temperature. A 3 mm high-pneumatic speed burr (Midas Rex,
      Medtronic, Fort Worth, TX, USA) was used to decorticate the bone in a side to
      side sweeping pattern, using a matchstick burr (M-8/9MH30) with light pressure.
      This procedure was repeated while dripping saline onto the burr and bone. Data
      were compared between groups using a Student's t-test. Application of coolant at
      the bone-burr interface during decortication resulted in a significant decrease
      in final temperature. Without coolant, maximum temperatures 2 mm from the surface
      were not sufficient to cause thermal osteonecrosis, although peak surface
      temperatures would cause local damage. The use of a high-speed burr provides a
      quick and an effective method of vertebral end plate preparation. Thermal damage
      to the bone can be minimized through the use of light pressure and saline
      coolant. This has implications for any bone preparation performed with a high
      speed burr. 

PMID- 26284255
TI  - Protein plasticity underlines activation and function of ATP-independent
      chaperones.
AB  - One of the key issues in biology is to understand how cells cope with protein
      unfolding caused by changes in their environment. Self-protection is the natural
      immediate response to any sudden threat and for cells the critical issue is to
      prevent aggregation of existing proteins. Cellular response to stress is
      therefore indistinguishably linked to molecular chaperones, which are the first
      line of defense and function to efficiently recognize misfolded proteins and
      prevent their aggregation. One of the major protein families that act as cellular
      guards includes a group of ATP-independent chaperones, which facilitate protein
      folding without the consumption of ATP. This review will present fascinating
      insights into the diversity of ATP-independent chaperones, and the variety of
      mechanisms by which structural plasticity is utilized in the fine-tuning of
      chaperone activity, as well as in crosstalk within the proteostasis network.
      Research into this intriguing class of chaperones has introduced new concepts of
      stress response to a changing cellular environment, and paved the way to uncover
      how this environment affects protein folding. 

PMID- 26284254
TI  - NMR chemical shift pattern changed by ammonium sulfate precipitation in
      cyanobacterial phytochrome Cph1.
AB  - Phytochromes are dimeric biliprotein photoreceptors exhibiting characteristic
      red/far-red photocycles. Full-length cyanobacterial phytochrome Cph1 from
      Synechocystis 6803 is soluble initially but tends to aggregate in a concentration
      dependent manner, hampering attempts to solve the structure using NMR and
      crystallization methods. Otherwise, the Cph1 sensory module (Cph1Delta2),
      photochemically indistinguishable from the native protein and used extensively in
      structural and other studies, can be purified to homogeneity in >10 mg amounts at
      mM concentrations quite easily. Bulk precipitation of full-length Cph1 by
      ammonium sulfate (AmS) was expected to allow us to produce samples for solid
      state magic-angle spinning (MAS) NMR from dilute solutions before significant
      aggregation began. It was not clear, however, what effects the process of partial
      dehydration might have on the molecular structure. Here we test this by running
      solid-state MAS NMR experiments on AmS-precipitated Cph1Delta2 in its red
      absorbing Pr state carrying uniformly (13)C/(15)N-labeled phycocyanobilin (PCB)
      chromophore. 2D (13)C-(13)C correlation experiments allowed a complete assignment
      of (13)C responses of the chromophore. Upon precipitation, (13)C chemical shifts
      for most of PCB carbons move upfield, in which we found major changes for C4 and
      C6 atoms associated with the A-ring positioning. Further, the broad spectral
      lines seen in the AmS (13)C spectrum reflect primarily the extensive
      inhomogeneous broadening presumably due to an increase in the distribution of
      conformational states in the protein, in which less free water is available to
      partake in the hydration shells. Our data suggest that the effect of dehydration
      process indeed leads to changes of electronic structure of the bilin chromophore
      and a decrease in its mobility within the binding pocket, but not restricted to
      the protein surface. The extent of the changes induced differs from the freezing
      process of the solution samples routinely used in previous MAS NMR and
      crystallographic studies. AmS precipitation might nevertheless provide useful
      protein structure/functional information for full-length Cph1 in cases where
      neither X-ray crystallography nor conventional NMR methods are available. 

PMID- 26284256
TI  - Neisseria sicca Endocarditis Presenting as Multiple Embolic Brain Infarcts.
AB  - A 58 year old male presented with a 14 day history of progressive forgetfulness
      and aggressiveness. He had a history of human immunodeficiency virus infection,
      ischemic cardiomyopathy, and a myxomatous mitral valve (status post Saint Jude's
      mitral valve replacement 8 years before presentation). International normalized
      ratio was supra-therapeatutic on admission. A non-contrast computed tomography of
      the brain indicated multiple infarcts with hemorrhagic conversion. The source was
      later found to be a rare case of Neisseria sicca endocarditis. 

PMID- 26284257
TI  - Molecular Detection and Characterization of Mycoplasma pneumoniae Among Patients
      Hospitalized With Community-Acquired Pneumonia in the United States.
AB  - Background.  Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common cause of community-acquired
      pneumonia (CAP). The molecular characteristics of M pneumoniae detected in
      patients hospitalized with CAP in the United States are poorly described.
      Methods.  We performed molecular characterization of M pneumoniae in
      nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal swabs from children and adults hospitalized with CAP
      in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Etiology of Pneumonia in the
      Community (EPIC) study, including P1 typing, multilocus variable-number tandem
      repeat analysis (MLVA), and macrolide susceptibility genotyping. Results.  Of 216
      M pneumoniae polymerase chain reaction-positive specimens, 40 (18.5%) were
      obtained from adults and 176 (81.5%) from children. P1 type distribution differed
      between adults (64% type 1 and 36% type 2) and children (84% type 1, 13% type 2,
      and 3% variant) (P < .05) and among sites (P < .01). Significant differences in
      the proportions of MLVA types 4/5/7/2 and 3/5/6/2 were also observed by age group
      (P < .01) and site (P < .01). A macrolide-resistant genotype was identified in 7
      (3.5%) specimens, 5 of which were from patients who had recently received
      macrolide therapy. No significant differences in clinical characteristics were
      identified among patients with various strain types or between macrolide
      resistant and -sensitive M pneumoniae infections. Conclusions.  The P1 type 1
      genotype and MLVA type 4/5/7/2 predominated, but there were differences between
      children and adults and among sites. Macrolide resistance was rare. Differences
      in strain types did not appear to be associated with differences in clinical
      outcomes. Whole genome sequencing of M pneumoniae may help identify better ways
      to characterize strains. 

PMID- 26284260
TI  - High-Throughput Minigenome System for Identifying Small-Molecule Inhibitors of
      Ebola Virus Replication.
AB  - Ebola virus (EBOV), a member of the family Filoviridae, is a nonsegmented
      negative-sense RNA virus that causes severe, often lethal, disease in humans.
      EBOV RNA synthesis is carried out by a complex that includes several viral
      proteins. The function of this machinery is essential for viral gene expression
      and viral replication and is therefore a potential target for antivirals. We
      developed and optimized a high-throughput screening (HTS) assay based on an EBOV
      minigenome assay, which assesses the function of the polymerase complex. The
      assay is robust in 384-well format and displays a large signal to background
      ratio and high Z-factor values. We performed a pilot screen of 2080 bioactive
      compounds, identifying 31 hits (1.5% of the library) with >70% inhibition of EBOV
      minigenome activity. We further identified eight compounds with 50% inhibitory
      concentrations below their 50% cytotoxic concentrations, five of which had
      selectivity index (SI) values >10, suggesting specificity against the EBOV
      polymerase complex. These included an inhibitor of inosine monophosphate
      dehydrogenase, a target known to modulate the EBOV replication complex. They also
      included novel classes of inhibitors, including inhibitors of protein synthesis
      and hypoxia inducible factor-1. Five compounds were tested for their ability to
      inhibit replication of a recombinant EBOV that expresses GFP (EBOV-GFP), and four
      inhibited EBOV-GFP growth at sub-cytotoxic concentrations. These data demonstrate
      the utility of the HTS minigenome assay for drug discovery and suggest potential
      directions for antifiloviral drug development. 

PMID- 26284259
TI  - Predicting Risk of End-Stage Liver Disease in Antiretroviral-Treated Human
      Immunodeficiency Virus/Hepatitis C Virus-Coinfected Patients.
AB  - Background.  End-stage liver disease (ESLD) is an important cause of morbidity
      among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/hepatitis C virus (HCV)-coinfected
      patients. Quantifying the risk of this outcome over time could help determine
      which coinfected patients should be targeted for risk factor modification and HCV
      treatment. We evaluated demographic, clinical, and laboratory variables to
      predict risk of ESLD in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients receiving antiretroviral
      therapy (ART). Methods.  We conducted a retrospective cohort study among 6016
      HIV/HCV-coinfected patients who received ART within the Veterans Health
      Administration between 1997 and 2010. The main outcome was incident ESLD, defined
      by hepatic decompensation, hepatocellular carcinoma, or liver-related death. Cox
      regression was used to develop prognostic models based on baseline demographic,
      clinical, and laboratory variables, including FIB-4 and aspartate
      aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index, previously validated markers of hepatic
      fibrosis. Model performance was assessed by discrimination and decision curve
      analysis. Results.  Among 6016 HIV/HCV patients, 532 (8.8%) developed ESLD over a
      median of 6.6 years. A model comprising FIB-4 and race had modest discrimination
      for ESLD (c-statistic, 0.73) and higher net benefit than alternative strategies
      of treating no or all coinfected patients at relevant risk thresholds. For FIB-4
      >3.25, ESLD risk ranged from 7.9% at 1 year to 26.0% at 5 years among non-blacks
      and from 2.4% at 1 year to 14.0% at 5 years among blacks. Conclusions.  Race and
      FIB-4 provided important predictive information on ESLD risk among HIV/HCV
      patients. Estimating risk of ESLD using these variables could help direct HCV
      treatment decisions among HIV/HCV-coinfected patients. 

PMID- 26284261
TI  - In vitro fluorescence studies of transcription factor IIB-DNA interaction.
AB  - General transcription factor TFIIB is one of the basal constituents of the
      preinitiation complex of eukaryotic RNA polymerase II, acting as a bridge between
      the preinitiation complex and the polymerase, and binding promoter DNA in an
      asymmetric manner, thereby defining the direction of the transcription. Methods
      of fluorescence spectroscopy together with circular dichroism spectroscopy were
      used to observe conformational changes in the structure of recombinant human
      TFIIB after binding to specific DNA sequence. To facilitate the exploration of
      the structural changes, several site-directed mutations have been introduced
      altering the fluorescence properties of the protein. Our observations showed that
      binding of specific DNA sequences changed the protein structure and dynamics, and
      TFIIB may exist in two conformational states, which can be described by a
      different microenvironment of W52. Fluorescence studies using both intrinsic and
      exogenous fluorophores showed that these changes significantly depended on the
      recognition sequence and concerned various regions of the protein, including
      those interacting with other transcription factors and RNA polymerase II. DNA
      binding can cause rearrangements in regions of proteins interacting with the
      polymerase in a manner dependent on the recognized sequences, and therefore,
      influence the gene expression. 

PMID- 26284263
TI  - The effect of differentiation agents on inflammatory and oxidative responses of
      the human neuroblastoma cell line SK-N-SH.
AB  - Obtaining a suitable experimental cellular model is a major problem for
      neuroscience studies. Neuroblastoma cell lines have been often applied in studies
      related to pathological disorders of nervous system. However, in the search for
      an ideal model, these cells must be differentiated to cancel their tumor
      character. The subsequent reactions that are caused by differentiation are not
      always indifferent to the same model. We evaluated the effect of two well known
      substances, used for SH-N-SK cell line differentiation, retinoic acid (RA) and
      phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA), on the induction of pro-inflammatory and
      pro-oxidative reactions in these cells. Cells differentiated with PMA were able
      to produce significantly higher amounts of pro-inflammatory cytokines whereas the
      release of nitric oxide radicals was similar to that in undifferentiated cells.
      On the contrary, in RA-differentiated cells no significant changes in cytokine
      production were observed and the nitric oxide release was decreased.
      Additionally, the RA-differentiated neuronal model was more sensible to
      lipopolysaccharide stimulation, producing pro-inflammatory cytokines abundantly.
      These results suggest that RA-differentiated SH-N-SK cells provide a more
      suitable experimental model for the study of molecular and cellular mechanisms of
      the inflammation and oxidative stress in neuronal cells. 

PMID- 26284265
TI  - Thank You, Francois!

PMID- 26284262
TI  - Analysis of genes involved in response to doxorubicin and a GD2 ganglioside
      specific 14G2a monoclonal antibody in IMR-32 human neuroblastoma cells.
AB  - Neuroblastoma is the most common extra-cranial solid tumor of childhood and it is
      characterized by the presence of a glycosphingolipid, GD2 ganglioside. Monoclonal
      antibodies targeting the antigen are currently tested in clinical trials.
      Additionally, several research groups reported results revealing that ganglioside
      specific antibodies can affect cellular signaling and cause direct cytotoxicity
      against tumor cells. To shed more light on gene expression signatures of tumor
      cells, we used microarrays to analyze changes of transcriptome in IMR-32 human
      neuroblastoma cell cultures treated with doxorubicin (DOX) or a mouse monoclonal
      antibody binding to GD2 ganglioside 14G2a (mAb) for 24 h. The obtained results
      highlight that disparate cellular pathways are regulated by doxorubicin and
      14G2a. Next, we used RT-PCR to verify mRNA levels of selected DOX-responsive
      genes such as RPS27L, PPM1D, SESN1, CDKN1A, TNFSF10B, and 14G2a-responsive genes
      such as SVIL, JUN, RASSF6, TLX2, ID1. Then, we applied western blot and analyzed
      levels of RPS27L, PPM1D, sestrin 1 proteins after DOX-treatment. Additionally, we
      aimed to measure effects of doxorubicin and topotecan (TPT) and 14G2a on
      expression of a novel human NDUFAF2 gene encoding for mimitin protein (MYC
      induced mitochondrial protein) and correlate it with expression of the MYCN gene.
      We showed that expression of both genes was concomitantly decreased in the 14G2a
      treated IMR-32 cells after 24 h and 48 h. Our results extend knowledge on gene
      expression profiles after application of DOX and 14G2a in our model and reveal
      promising candidates for further research aimed at finding novel anti
      neuroblastoma targets. 

PMID- 26284258
TI  - Strong Impact of Smoking on Multimorbidity and Cardiovascular Risk Among Human
      Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Individuals in Comparison With the General
      Population.
AB  - Background.  Although acquired immune deficiency syndrome-associated morbidity
      has diminished due to excellent viral control, multimorbidity may be increasing
      among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected persons compared with the
      general population. Methods.  We assessed the prevalence of comorbidities and
      multimorbidity in participants of the Swiss HIV Cohort Study (SHCS) compared with
      the population-based CoLaus study and the primary care-based FIRE (Family
      Medicine ICPC-Research using Electronic Medical Records) records. The incidence
      of the respective endpoints were assessed among SHCS and CoLaus participants.
      Poisson regression models were adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, and
      smoking. Results.  Overall, 74 291 participants contributed data to prevalence
      analyses (3230 HIV-infected; 71 061 controls). In CoLaus, FIRE, and SHCS,
      multimorbidity was present among 26%, 13%, and 27% of participants. Compared with
      nonsmoking individuals from CoLaus, the incidence of cardiovascular disease was
      elevated among smoking individuals but independent of HIV status (HIV-negative
      smoking: incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 1.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.2
      2.5; HIV-positive smoking: IRR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.1-2.6; HIV-positive nonsmoking:
      IRR = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.44-1.4). Compared with nonsmoking HIV-negative persons,
      multivariable Poisson regression identified associations of HIV infection with
      hypertension (nonsmoking: IRR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.5-2.4; smoking: IRR = 2.0, 95% CI
      = 1.6-2.4), kidney (nonsmoking: IRR = 2.7, 95% CI = 1.9-3.8; smoking: IRR = 2.6,
      95% CI = 1.9-3.6), and liver disease (nonsmoking: IRR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.4-2.4;
      smoking: IRR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.4-2.2). No evidence was found for an association
      of HIV-infection or smoking with diabetes mellitus. Conclusions.  Multimorbidity
      is more prevalent and incident in HIV-positive compared with HIV-negative
      individuals. Smoking, but not HIV status, has a strong impact on cardiovascular
      risk and multimorbidity. 

PMID- 26284264
TI  - Characterization of thiamine uptake and utilization in Candida spp. subjected to
      oxidative stress.
AB  - Candida species are associated with an increasing number of life-threatening
      infections (candidiases), mainly due to the high resistance of these yeast-like
      fungi to antifungal drugs and oxidative stress. Recently, thiamine (vitamin B1)
      was found to alleviate stress responses in Saccharomyces cerevisiae; however,
      thiamine influence on defense systems in pathogenic fungi has never been
      investigated. The current work was aimed to elucidate the role of thiamine in
      stress reactions of C. albicans, C. glabrata, C. tropicalis and C. dubliniensis,
      subjected to hydrogen peroxide treatment. As compared to S. cerevisiae, Candida
      strains exposed to oxidative stress showed: (i) a much higher dependence on
      exogenous thiamine; (ii) an increased demand for thiamine diphosphate (TDP) and
      TDP-dependent enzyme, transketolase; (iii) no changes in gene expression of
      selected stress markers - superoxide dismutase and catalase - depending on
      thiamine availability in medium; (iv) a similar decrease of reactive oxygen
      species (ROS) generation in the presence of thiamine. Moreover, the addition of
      therapeutic doses of thiamine to yeast culture medium revealed differences in its
      accumulation between various Candida species. The current findings implicate that
      the protective action of thiamine observed in S. cerevisiae differs significantly
      form that in pathogenic Candida strains, both in terms of the cofactor functions
      of TDP and the effects on fungal defense systems. 

PMID- 26284267
TI  - Surface Conditioning Protocol for the Adhesion of Resin-based Materials to Glassy
      Matrix Ceramics: How to Condition and Why?

PMID- 26284268
TI  - [Career planning in medicine. Prof. Dr. Joachim Mossner interviewed by Anna
      Wolter].

PMID- 26284269
TI  - ARID2, p110alpha, p53, and beta-catenin  protein expression in hepatocellular
      carcinoma  and clinicopathologic implications.
AB  - ARID2 (ARID2), CTNNB1 (beta catenin), tumor protein 53 (p53), and PIK3CA
      (p110alpha) mutations are implicated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); and
      previous work has contributed to thorough molecular characterization of these
      events. However, studies that assess the impact of these mutations on downstream
      protein expression, especially those that evaluate all 4 cancer markers
      simultaneously, are relatively lacking. Hence, the present study uses
      immunohistochemistry to assess protein expression patterns of ARID2, beta
      catenin, p53, and p110alpha in HCCs and adjacent nonneoplastic cirrhotic tissues
      from 58 explanted livers. Notably, this study is the first to our knowledge to
      investigate ARID2 protein expression in the liver. The frequency of ARID2
      mutations detected using our immunohistochemistry method was similar to that
      reported in previous molecular studies. Furthermore, we found that loss of ARID2
      protein expression may be associated with recurrence, although further studies
      must be done to validate these findings in a larger population. We found that
      expression patterns of the 4 cancer markers were independent of each other,
      suggesting separate pathways of hepatocarcinogenesis. We also did not observe an
      association between viral etiology and protein expression. Consistent with
      previous studies, overexpression of p53 correlated with poor differentiation.
      Lastly, 17.5% of HCCs paradoxically had diffuse loss of the oncoprotein p110alpha
      compared with strong expression in background cirrhotic liver. The exact
      mechanism is unclear, but enigmatic loss of oncoprotein function has been
      described in other carcinomas and could potentially have significant implications
      for the use of mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) drug therapies.

PMID- 26284270
TI  - The role of the medial ligaments in lateral stabilization  of the ankle joint: an
      in vitro study.
AB  - PURPOSE: The deltoid ligament complex is known as medial stabilizer in the ankle
      against pronation/eversion. Lateral dual-ligament laxity often results in chronic
      ankle instability with recurring ankle sprain trauma. The goal of this study is
      to examine the lateral stabilizing role of the deltoid ligament complex against
      supination/inversion in case of existing lateral ligament instability. METHODS: A
      torsion simulation was performed on 12 fresh human lower leg cadaver specimens in
      a loading frame and a specially designed mounting platform. The preset torsion
      between tibia and calcaneus was primarily set at 30 degrees  of internal rotation
      on specimen in plantar flexion and hindfoot inversion. The measured variable was
      the resisting torque recorded around mechanical tibial axis, which ensures
      stability in ankle sprain trauma. The first series of measurements were performed
      on healthy specimens and the following after transecting structures in following
      order: anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) in combination with calcaneofibular
      ligament (CFL), followed by anterior tibiotalar ligament and posterior tibiotalar
      ligament and finally tibiocalcaneal ligament (TCL). RESULTS: The combined lateral
      ATFL and CFL instability showed a decrease in the resisting torque, which ensures
      stability in ankle sprain trauma. Only a transection of TCL (superficial layer of
      deltoid ligament complex) with existing lateral dual-ligament instability results
      in a significant decrease in torque (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: The goal of the study
      was to provide the orthopaedic and/or trauma surgeon with quantitative data that
      may be referred to the substantial stabilizing effect of TCL against
      supination/inversion in the ankle joint in case of repetitive sprain trauma at a
      present lateral ligament lesion. Diagnostics of and treatment for lateral
      ligament instability need to consider the deltoid ligament complex,especially TCL
      in clinical routine.

PMID- 26284272
TI  - [Coloproctology in the course of time].

PMID- 26284271
TI  - Inter- and intrarater reliability of four single-legged hop tests  and isokinetic
      muscle torque measurements in children.
AB  - PURPOSE: Single-legged hop tests and isokinetic muscle torque are common outcome
      measures in the evaluation of knee function. The reliability of the single-legged
      hop tests in children has not been documented. The aim was to examine inter- and
      intrarater reliability of four single-legged hop tests and isokinetic muscle
      torque measurements in children. METHODS: Twenty-eight sports-active children
      (12.4 +/- 0.3 years old) were tested three times in two test sessions separated
      by 1 week. They performed four single-legged hop tests and concentric isokinetic
      torque measurements during knee extension and flexion. Inter- and intrarater
      reliability were calculated using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC
      2,1). Relative terms of the standard error of measurement (SEM %) and smallest
      real difference(SRD %) were emphasized to allow comparison between the different
      variables. RESULTS: Twenty-six children were included for statistical analysis.
      ICCs for inter- and intrarater reliability were moderate to high for the hop
      tests (0.62-.91) and isokinetic measurements (0.76-0.87). SEMs % were low for the
      hop tests (3.9-7.4 %) and the isokinetic measurements (5.2-8.9 %). SRDs % were
      20.5 % or less for the hop tests, 15.7 % or less for knee extension, and 24.6 %
      or less for knee flexion. CONCLUSION: The single-legged hop tests and isokinetic
      muscle torque measurements demonstrated moderate-to high reliability with low
      measurement error in sports-active children. A change above 20.5 % for the single
      legged hop tests, 15.7 % for knee extension, and 24.6 % for knee flexion is
      necessary to represent a real change in knee function. Level of evidence III.

PMID- 26284273
TI  - Prehospital stabilization of unstable neonates. They're prone to rapid
      deterioration; here's how to handle them.

PMID- 26284274
TI  - LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION. Site of Service and the Search for Value.

PMID- 26284275
TI  - [Envy you have to acquire.....].

PMID- 26284276
TI  - [A contract doctor is not a doctor of choice].

PMID- 26284277
TI  - [Successful communication in all situations -- circumnavigate pitfalls
      confidently].

PMID- 26284278
TI  - Nursing2015 isn't just for nurses.

PMID- 26284279
TI  - In memory of George O. Waring III.

PMID- 26284280
TI  - Response to Letter by Powers Regarding Article, "Failure of Cerebral Hemodynamic
      Selection in General or of Specific Positron Emission Tomography Methodology?
      Carotid Occlusion Surgery Study (COSS).

PMID- 26284281
TI  - Response to Role of Epithelial Sodium Channels in the  Renal Myogenic Response?

PMID- 26284282
TI  - Response to Role of Epithelial Sodium Channels in the Renal Myogenic Response?

PMID- 26284283
TI  - Hierarchical Assembly of alpha-Fe2O3 Nanosheets on SnO22Hollow Nanospheres with
      Enhanced Ethanol Sensing Properties.
AB  - We present the preparation of a hierarchical nanoheterostructure consisting of
      inner SnO2 hollow spheres (SHS) surrounded by an outer alpha-Fe2O3 nanosheet
      (FNS). Deposition of the FNS on the SHS outer surface was achieved by a facile
      microwave hydrothermal reaction to generate a double-shell SHS@FNS nanostructure.
      Such a composite with novel heterostructure acted as a sensing material for gas
      sensors. Significantly, the hierarchical composites exhibit excellent sensing
      performance toward ethanol, which is superior to the single component (SHS),
      mainly because of the synergistic effect and heterojunction. 

PMID- 26284284
TI  - Forearm vasodilator reactivity in healthy male carriers of the 3q22.3 rs9818870
      polymorphism.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A genome wide association study has identified a robust risk locus
      for cardiovascular disease on 3q22.3. However, the mechanisms by which the
      [C]/[T] polymorphism rs9818870 increases cardiovascular risk are unknown. This
      forearm blood flow (FBF) study addressed the question if the genetic association
      with cardiovascular disease in patients is preceded by incipient vasodilator
      impairment in young, healthy carriers of this new risk locus on chromosome 3.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: After a pre-screening of 74 subjects 17 male healthy
      volunteers homozygous/heterozygous for a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)
      risk allele on 3q22.3 and a control group of 17 healthy volunteers not carrying
      the allele were included into this case-control study. RESULTS: Forearm vascular
      endothelium-dependent and -independent vasodilator responses were in the normal
      range in both groups, although endothelium-dependent FBF reactivity to
      acetylcholine was significantly higher in SNP carriers of the risk allele.
      CONCLUSION: The augmented endothelium-dependent vasodilation of the forearm
      resistance vasculature does not support the presence of endothelial dysfunction
      in young SNP carriers and indicates that other mechanisms are responsible for the
      strong association between coronary artery diseases and the rs9818870
      polymorphism, located on 3q22.3.

PMID- 26284285
TI  - A Static Picture of the Relaxation and Intersystem Crossing Mechanisms of
      Photoexcited 2-Thiouracil.
AB  - Accurate excited-state quantum chemical calculations on 2-thiouracil, employing
      large active spaces and up to quadruple-zeta quality basis sets in multistate
      complete active space perturbation theory calculations, are reported. The results
      suggest that the main relaxation path for 2-thiouracil after photoexcitation
      should be S2 -> S1 -> T2 -> T1, and that this relaxation occurs on a
      subpicosecond time scale. There are two deactivation pathways from the initially
      excited bright S2 state to S1, one of which is nearly barrierless and should
      promote ultrafast internal conversion. After relaxation to the S1 minimum, small
      singlet-triplet energy gaps and spin-orbit couplings of about 130 cm(-1) are
      expected to facilitate intersystem crossing to T2, from where very fast internal
      conversion to T1 occurs. An important finding is that 2-thiouracil shows strong
      pyramidalization at the carbon atom of the thiocarbonyl group in several excited
      states. 

PMID- 26284286
TI  - Creating New Economic Incentives for Repurposing Generic Drugs for Unsolved
      Diseases Using Social Finance.
AB  - Repurposing research improves patient lives by taking drugs approved for one
      disease and clinically testing them to create a treatment for a different
      disease. Repurposing drugs that are generic, inexpensive, and widely available
      and that can be taken in their current dosage and formulation in the new
      indication provide a quick, affordable, and effective way to create "new"
      treatments. However, generic drug repurposing often provides no profit potential,
      and so there is no economic incentive for industry to pursue this, and
      philanthropy and government funds are often insufficient. One way to create new
      economic incentive for the repurposing of generic drugs is through social
      finance. This perspective describes how social finance can create a new economic
      incentive by using a social impact bond, or similar financial structure, to repay
      for-profit investors who fund the repurposing research from the proceeds of
      healthcare cost reductions generated when these affordable, effective, and widely
      available repurposed therapies improve healthcare outcomes. 

PMID- 26284287
TI  - Hoxb1 regulates proliferation and differentiation of second heart field
      progenitors in pharyngeal mesoderm and genetically interacts with Hoxa1 during
      cardiac outflow tract development.
AB  - Outflow tract (OFT) anomalies are among the most common congenital heart defects
      found at birth. The embryonic OFT grows by the progressive addition of cardiac
      progenitors, termed the second heart field (SHF), which originate from splanchnic
      pharyngeal mesoderm. Development of the SHF is controlled by multiple
      intercellular signals and transcription factors; however the relationship between
      different SHF regulators remains unclear. We have recently shown that Hoxa1 and
      Hoxb1 are expressed in a sub-population of the SHF contributing to the OFT. Here,
      we report that Hoxb1 deficiency results in a shorter OFT and ventricular septal
      defects (VSD). Mechanistically, we show that both FGF/ERK and BMP/SMAD signaling,
      which regulate proliferation and differentiation of cardiac progenitor cells and
      OFT morphogenesis, are enhanced in the pharyngeal region in Hoxb1 mutants.
      Absence of Hoxb1 also perturbed SHF development through premature myocardial
      differentiation. Hence, the positioning and remodeling of the mutant OFT is
      disrupted. Hoxa1(-/-) embryos, in contrast, have low percentage of VSD and normal
      SHF development. However, compound Hoxa1(-/-); Hoxb1(+/-) embryos display OFT
      defects associated with premature SHF differentiation, demonstrating redundant
      roles of these factors during OFT development. Our findings provide new insights
      into the gene regulatory network controlling SHF and OFT formation.

PMID- 26284288
TI  - Is Internet Addiction Prevalent Among Methadone Maintenance Treatment Patients?
      Data from Las Vegas and Tel Aviv.
AB  - Internet addiction is known to be associated with depression. The Internet
      Addiction Test (IAT) and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale
      (CES-D) for depression were studied among non-selective methadone maintenance
      treatment patients from the United States (n = 164) and Israel (n = 113). Thirty
      percent were not exposed to the internet, and 2.9% (n = 8) had an
      "occasional/frequent problem." The IAT and CES-D scores correlated significantly
      (p = .03). The non-exposed group was older, less educated, and had more
      benzodiazepine abusers. Unlike other behavioral addictions that characterized
      these patients, the internet addiction problem is rare, but should not be
      ignored. 

PMID- 26284289
TI  - Rapid and Robust Polyprotein Production Facilitates Single-Molecule Mechanical
      Characterization of beta-Barrel Assembly Machinery Polypeptide Transport
      Associated Domains.
AB  - Single-molecule force spectroscopy by atomic force microscopy exploits the use of
      multimeric protein constructs, namely, polyproteins, to decrease the impact of
      nonspecific interactions, to improve data accumulation, and to allow the
      accommodation of benchmarking reference domains within the construct. However,
      methods to generate such constructs are either time- and labor-intensive or lack
      control over the length or the domain sequence of the obtained construct. Here,
      we describe an approach that addresses both of these shortcomings that uses
      Gibson assembly (GA) to generate a defined recombinant polyprotein rapidly using
      linker sequences. To demonstrate the feasibility of this approach, we used GA to
      make a polyprotein composed of alternating domains of I27 and TmCsp, (I27-TmCsp)3
      I27)(GA), and showed the mechanical fingerprint, mechanical strength, and pulling
      speed dependence are the same as an analogous polyprotein constructed using the
      classical approach. After this benchmarking, we exploited this approach to
      facilitiate the mechanical characterization of POTRA domain 2 of BamA from E.
      coli (EcPOTRA2) by assembling the polyprotein (I27-EcPOTRA2)3-I27(GA). We show
      that, as predicted from the alpha + beta topology, EcPOTRA2 domains are
      mechanically robust over a wide range of pulling speeds. Furthermore, we identify
      a clear correlation between mechanical robustness and brittleness for a range of
      other alpha + beta proteins that contain the structural feature of proximal
      terminal beta-strands in parallel geometry. We thus demonstrate that the GA
      approach is a powerful tool, as it circumvents the usual time- and labor
      intensive polyprotein production process and allows for rapid production of new
      constructs for single-molecule studies. As shown for EcPOTRA2, this approach
      allows the exploration of the mechanical properties of a greater number of
      proteins and their variants. This improves our understanding of the relationship
      between structure and mechanical strength, increasing our ability to design
      proteins with tailored mechanical properties. 

PMID- 26284290
TI  - Saccade-Related Potentials During Eye-Hand Coordination: Effects of Hand
      Movements on Saccade Preparation.
AB  - This study investigated the effect of hand movements on behavioral and
      electrophysiological parameters of saccade preparation. While event-related
      potentials were recorded in 17 subjects, they performed saccades to a visual
      target either together with a hand movement in the same direction, a hand
      movement in the opposite direction, a hand movement to a third, independent
      direction, or without any accompanying hand movements. Saccade latencies
      increased with any kind of accompanying hand movement. Both saccade and manual
      latencies were largest when both movements aimed at opposite directions. In
      contrast, saccade-related potentials indicating preparatory activity were mainly
      affected by hand movements in the same direction. The data suggest that
      concomitant hand movements interfere with saccade preparation, particularly when
      the two movements involve motor preparations that access the same visual
      stimulus. This indicates that saccade preparation is continually informed about
      hand movement preparation. 

PMID- 26284291
TI  - Fat-Free Mass Changes During Ketogenic Diets and the Potential Role of Resistance
      Training.
AB  - Low-carbohydrate and very-low-carbohydrate diets are often used as weight-loss
      strategies by exercising individuals and athletes. Very-low-carbohydrate diets
      can lead to a state of ketosis, in which the concentration of blood ketones
      (acetoacetate, 3-beta-hydroxybutyrate, and acetone) increases as a result of
      increased fatty acid breakdown and activity of ketogenic enzymes. A potential
      concern of these ketogenic diets, as with other weight-loss diets, is the
      potential loss of fat-free mass (e.g., skeletal muscle). On examination of the
      literature, the majority of studies report decreases in fat-free mass in
      individuals following a ketogenic diet. However, some confounding factors exist,
      such as the use of aggressive weight-loss diets and potential concerns with fat
      free mass measurement. A limited number of studies have examined combining
      resistance training with ketogenic diets, and further research is needed to
      determine whether resistance training can effectively slow or stop the loss of
      fat-free mass typically seen in individuals following a ketogenic diet.
      Mechanisms underlying the effects of a ketogenic diet on fat-free mass and the
      results of implementing exercise interventions in combination with this diet
      should also be examined. 

PMID- 26284292
TI  - One-Pot Synthesis of beta,beta-Disubstituted alpha,beta-Unsaturated Carbonyl
      Compounds.
AB  - TiCl4-promoted aldol reaction of ketones as aldol acceptors followed by
      elimination of the titanoxy group from the Ti-aldolates affords beta,beta
      disubstituted alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds in a one-pot procedure.
      The use of additives, such as DMF, N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine, and
      pyridine, in the elimination step was found to be important. 

PMID- 26284293
TI  - Evaluation of Macular Function Using Pattern Electroretinogram in Idiopathic
      Epiretinal Membrane.
AB  - PURPOSE: Pattern electroretinogram (PERG) in idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM)
      was investigated to find the correlation of the ganglion cell function with
      postoperative visual acuity. DESIGN: This was a retrospective consecutive chart
      review. METHODS: Medical records of 24 eyes that underwent vitrectomy and
      membrane peeling for idiopathic ERM were reviewed retrospectively. The amplitude
      and implicit time of P50 and N95 in preoperative PERG were analyzed to find
      correlation with visual acuity and foveal thickness. The ratio of the parameters
      in involved eyes to those in healthy fellow eyes was calculated for analysis.
      RESULTS: Visual acuity (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution) improved
      from 0.53 at baseline to 0.34 at 6 months (P = 0.003). Foveal thickness decreased
      significantly from 488.3 MUm at baseline to 374.7 MUm (P = 0.001). The
      preoperative N95 amplitude ratio was significantly correlated with visual acuity
      at 6 months after ERM removal (r = -0.423, P = 0.040), whereas the amplitude of
      P50 and implicit time of both waves showed no significant correlation with
      postoperative visual acuity. The implicit time ratio of P50 (r = 0.530, P =
      0.008) and N95 (r = 0.436, P = 0.033) showed significant correlation with
      preoperative foveal thickness on optical coherence tomography. CONCLUSIONS: N95
      amplitude in PERG was a predictor of visual outcomes after ERM surgery. These
      results suggest the correlation of postoperative visual acuity with the function
      of the ganglion cell layer, which is the closest cell layer to be affected by
      ERM.

PMID- 26284294
TI  - Maternal High-fat Diet Accelerates Development of Crohn's Disease-like Ileitis in
      TNFDeltaARE/WT Offspring.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Maternal high-fat diet (HFD) and obesity increases the risk of the
      offspring to develop inflammatory processes in various organs including the gut.
      We hypothesized that maternal diet-induced obesity programs the fetal gut towards
      inflammation in a mouse model of genetically-driven Crohn's disease (CD)-like
      ileitis. METHODS: TNF(WT/WT) and TNF(DeltaARE/WT) dams were fed an experimental
      control diet (CTRLD; 13 kJ% fat) or HFD (48 kJ%). Offspring mice were fed CTRLD
      or HFD at 4 weeks of age. Metabolic characteristics and severity of CD-like
      ileitis was assessed in 8- and 12-week old WT and ARE offspring measuring tissue
      histopathology and markers of inflammation in the distal ileum as well as plasma
      cytokine and LPS levels. To study prenatal effects, we laser microdissected fetal
      intestinal epithelial cells at 17.5 days postconception and performed microarray
      based global gene expression analysis. RESULTS: Maternal HFD significantly
      accelerated the severity of CD-like ileitis in HFD-fed ARE mice at early life
      stages associated with increased mucosal neutrophil infiltration, Il12p40
      expression, and portal vein LPS levels. In contrast to WT mice, metabolic
      characteristics of ARE offspring were not affected by maternal HFD. Gene
      expression patterns in fetal intestinal epithelial cells of ARE mice remained
      largely unchanged under conditions of maternal diet-induced obesity suggesting
      that the positive association of intestinal inflammation, portal vein
      endotoxemia, and plasma TNF levels is independent of prenatal conditioning of the
      gut epithelium. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal HFD promotes the early onset of severe CD
      like ileitis in genetically susceptible offspring independent of metabolic
      alterations.

PMID- 26284295
TI  - Retained Capsule Endoscopy in a Large Tertiary Care Academic Practice and
      Radiologic Predictors of Retention.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Capsule retention reported rates range between 1% and 13%. This study
      aims to determine the incidence of, risk factors for, and clinical outcomes of
      capsule retention in a large heterogenous cohort of patients and define cross
      sectional imaging findings predictive of capsule retention. METHODS: A
      retrospective review of all capsule endoscopy (CE) examinations performed at our
      center from January 2002 to January 2013 was undertaken. Data on patient
      demographics, CE indication, findings, and details of management were analyzed.
      Radiologic images of patients with computed tomography scan performed 6 months
      before CE for patients with CE retention and for controls without CE retention
      but at high risk based on clinical computed tomography reports were examined by a
      gastrointestinal radiologist, blinded to history, and classified as worrisome
      based on the presence of stricture, partial obstruction, or small bowel (SB)
      anastomosis. RESULTS: Seventeen CE retentions (0.3%) occurred in 15 patients.
      Obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (47%) was the most common indication. Outcomes
      included surgical intervention (n = 10), endoscopic retrieval (n = 2), passing of
      capsule after treatment of inflammation (n = 3), passage after conservative
      measures for SB obstruction (n = 1), and loss to follow-up (n = 1). Patients with
      CE retention were more likely to have SB anastomoses (88% versus 23%) and partial
      obstruction (63% versus 38%) than patients with high-risk features for capsule
      retention who passed the capsule. CONCLUSIONS: In a tertiary care population
      without obstructive symptoms, capsule retention occurred in only 0.3% of cases.
      Review of surgical history and prior imaging for obstruction or SB anastomoses
      may help to reduce retention.

PMID- 26284296
TI  - An Optimized Anti-infliximab Bridging Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay for
      Harmonization of Anti-infliximab Antibody Titers in Patients with Inflammatory
      Bowel Diseases.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The formation of anti-infliximab antibodies (ATI) is associated with
      loss of response and adverse events in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases,
      leading to the introduction of ATI monitoring for guiding treatment adjustments.
      However, a lack of standardization among current available assays exists,
      hampering comparison of results from different studies. This study aimed to
      improve the harmonization of clinically validated ATI enzyme-linked immunosorbent
      assays (ELISAs) by introducing a monoclonal anti-infliximab antibody (MA-IFX).
      METHODS: A panel of MA-IFX was evaluated as calibrator in the first generation
      ATI ELISA. After selection of 1 MA-IFX, assay conditions were optimized and
      biotin-streptavidin-enhanced detection of bound infliximab was introduced. The
      novel second generation ELISA was used for reanalysis of 127 serum samples from a
      cohort of 12 patients with inflammatory bowel disease, previously identified as
      ATI positive. RESULTS: Of 55 MA-IFX, MA-IFX10F9 was selected as calibrator in the
      ATI ELISA. After optimization of the assay conditions, a 4-fold improvement in
      sensitivity was obtained. Reanalysis of 127 serum samples revealed that in 5 of
      12 patients (46%), ATI were detected at least 1 time point earlier with the
      second generation ELISA compared with the first generation ELISA. In 1 patient,
      the second generation ELISA allowed to detect ATI before the reinitiation of IFX
      after a drug holiday. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to the improved sensitivity and
      specificity of the second generation ATI ELISA, MA-IFX10F9 can serve as a
      universal calibrator to achieve assay harmonization. Moreover, the superiority of
      the second generation assay in analyzing serum of restarters was demonstrated.

PMID- 26284297
TI  - The Role of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha
      Agents in Children and Adolescents with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) therapy is effective in
      pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) but associated with a
      risk of developing anti-drug antibodies (ADA) which lower the efficacy.
      Incorporating measurement of trough levels and ADA (therapeutic drug monitoring)
      may prevent the development of neutralizing ADA or could contribute to more
      optimal treatment strategies if ADA are already formed. The aim of this review
      was to investigate the role of therapeutic drug monitoring in children and
      adolescents with IBD exposed to anti-TNFalpha agents. METHODS: A literature
      search identified publications that measured anti-TNFalpha drug trough levels
      and/or ADA in children or adolescents with IBD. Studies were eligible when (1)
      article was written in English, (2) original data were available, (3) full text
      article or abstract was available, (4) measurement of antibodies against anti
      TNFalpha drugs or trough level of anti-TNFalpha drugs were reported, and (5)
      levels were measured in pediatric patients with IBD. RESULTS: The search yielded
      811 articles, of which 795 articles were excluded based on title or abstract. A
      total of 14 studies were included in the review. CONCLUSIONS: Therapeutic drug
      monitoring within the pediatric IBD population certainly has a potential benefit.
      As occurrence of immune reactions to anti-TNFalpha agents varies widely,
      incorporating measurement of IFX trough levels at week 8 or week 14 predicts
      therapy response and allows for dose adjustments to reach therapeutic drug
      concentrations. However, a clinically relevant cutoff level for ADA has not been
      defined yet, and the optimal intervention strategy still has to be determined.

PMID- 26284298
TI  - Endoscopic Therapy in Crohn's Disease: Principle, Preparation, and Technique.
AB  - Stricture and fistula are common complications of Crohn's disease. Endoscopic
      balloon dilation and needle-knife stricturotomy has become a valid treatment
      option for Crohn's disease-associated strictures. Endoscopic therapy is also
      increasingly used in Crohn's disease-associated fistula. Preprocedural
      preparations, including routine laboratory testing, imaging examination,
      anticoagulant management, bowel cleansing and proper sedation, are essential to
      ensure a successful and safe endoscopic therapy. Adverse events, such as
      perforation and excessive bleeding, may occur during endoscopic intervention. The
      endoscopist should be well trained, always be cautious, anticipate for possible
      procedure-associated complications, be prepared for damage control during
      endoscopy, and have surgical backup ready. In this review, we discuss the
      principle, preparation, techniques of endoscopic therapy, as well as the
      prevention and management of endoscopic procedure-associated complications. We
      propose that inflammatory bowel disease endoscopy may be a part of training for
      "super" gastroenterology fellows, i.e., those seeking a career in advanced
      endoscopy or in inflammatory bowel disease. 

PMID- 26284299
TI  - Effect of increased intake of fish and mussels on exposure to toxic trace
      elements in a healthy, middle-aged population.
AB  - Fish and shellfish are rich in essential nutrients, but are also a source of
      exposure to environmental contaminants. We aimed to investigate the effect of
      increased fish and mussel intake on mercury, arsenic, lead and cadmium blood
      concentrations. We randomly assigned 102 healthy men and women (all non-smokers)
      aged 48-76 years to an intervention group (n = 51) or a control group (n = 51).
      Intervention participants received a high amount of fish and mussels for 26 weeks
      (1 kg week(-1)). Controls received no intervention and were expected to eat less
      than 300 g of fish and mussels per week. Whole-blood concentrations of mercury,
      arsenic, lead and cadmium were determined using inductively coupled plasma-mass
      spectrometry. All available observations were included in linear multiple
      regression analysis to evaluate the effect of the intervention. The difference in
      mean change for intervention compared with control persons was 5.1 ng ml(-1) (95%
      confidence interval (CI) = 4.4, 5.8) for mercury, 7.1 ng ml(-1) (95% CI = 5.0,
      9.2) for arsenic, and 2.6 ng ml(-1) (95% CI = 0.0, 5.2) for lead. For cadmium,
      the majority (65%) of the measured concentrations were below the limit of
      detection of 0.4 ng ml(-1), and the results are therefore not presented. In
      conclusion, whole-blood concentrations of mercury, arsenic and lead were
      significantly increased after 26 weeks intervention in this healthy, middle-aged
      population. The concentrations were not of health concern in this population,
      except for lead. For lead both the baseline and the post-intervention
      concentrations were high and exceeded the tolerable concentration levels. 

PMID- 26284301
TI  - MIRMAID: A Content Management System for Medical Image Analysis Research.
AB  - Today, a typical clinical study can involve thousands of participants, with
      imaging data acquired over several time points across multiple institutions. The
      additional associated information (metadata) accompanying these data can cause
      data management to be a study-hindering bottleneck. Consistent data management is
      crucial for large-scale modern clinical imaging research studies. If the study is
      to be used for regulatory submissions, such systems must be able to meet
      regulatory compliance requirements for systems that manage clinical image trials,
      including protecting patient privacy. Our aim was to develop a system to address
      these needs by leveraging the capabilities of an open-source content management
      system (CMS) that has a highly configurable workflow; has a single interface that
      can store, manage, and retrieve imaging-based studies; and can handle the
      requirement for data auditing and project management. We developed a Web
      accessible CMS for medical images called Medical Imaging Research Management and
      Associated Information Database (MIRMAID). From its inception, MIRMAID was
      developed to be highly flexible and to meet the needs of diverse studies. It
      fulfills the need for a complete system for medical imaging research management.

PMID- 26284300
TI  - Directing cell therapy to anatomic target sites in vivo with magnetic resonance
      targeting.
AB  - Cell-based therapy exploits modified human cells to treat diseases but its
      targeted application in specific tissues, particularly those lying deep in the
      body where direct injection is not possible, has been problematic. Here we use a
      magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system to direct macrophages carrying an
      oncolytic virus, Seprehvir, into primary and metastatic tumour sites in mice. To
      achieve this, we magnetically label macrophages with super-paramagnetic iron
      oxide nanoparticles and apply pulsed magnetic field gradients in the direction of
      the tumour sites. Magnetic resonance targeting guides macrophages from the
      bloodstream into tumours, resulting in increased tumour macrophage infiltration
      and reduction in tumour burden and metastasis. Our study indicates that clinical
      MRI scanners can not only track the location of magnetically labelled cells but
      also have the potential to steer them into one or more target tissues. 

PMID- 26284302
TI  - Urinary Bladder Paraganglioma: AIRP Best Cases in Radiologic-Pathologic
      Correlation.

PMID- 26284303
TI  - Normal Anatomy and Compression Areas of Nerves of the Foot and Ankle: US and MR
      Imaging with Anatomic Correlation.
AB  - The anatomy of the nerves of the foot and ankle is complex, and familiarity with
      the normal anatomy and course of these nerves as well as common anatomic variants
      is essential for correct identification at imaging. Ultrasonography (US) and
      magnetic resonance (MR) imaging allow visualization of these nerves and may
      facilitate diagnosis of various compression syndromes, such as "jogger's heel,"
      Baxter neuropathy, and Morton neuroma. It may be difficult to distinguish the
      nerves from adjacent vasculature at MR imaging, and US can help in
      differentiation. The authors review the normal anatomy and common variants of the
      nerves of the foot and ankle, with use of dissected specimens and correlative US
      and MR imaging findings. In addition, the authors illustrate proper probe
      positioning, which is essential for visualizing the nerves at US. The authors'
      discussion focuses on the superficial and deep peroneal, sural, saphenous,
      tibial, medial and lateral plantar, medial and inferior calcaneal, common
      digital, and medial proper plantar digital nerves.

PMID- 26284304
TI  - Prevalence of Food Addiction Among Low-Income Reproductive-Aged Women.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hyperpalatable foods (i.e., high in salt, sugar, or fat) have been
      shown to have addictive properties that may contribute to overeating. Prior
      studies conducted on food addiction behaviors are mostly based on white and
      middle-aged women. Data are not available, however, on reproductive-aged women
      from other races/ethnicities or low-income women. The purpose of this study was
      to examine the prevalence and correlates of food addiction among multiethnic
      women of low socioeconomic status. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey
      of health behaviors, including food addiction according to the Yale Food
      Addiction Scale (YFAS) between July 2010 and February 2011 among 18- to 40-year
      old low-income women attending reproductive-health clinics (N = 1,067). RESULTS:
      Overall, 2.8% of women surveyed met the diagnosis of food addiction. The
      prevalence of food addiction did not differ by age group, race/ethnicity,
      education, income, or body mass index categories, tobacco and alcohol use, or
      physical activity. However, it did differ by level of depression (p < 0.01). The
      YFAS symptom count score significantly differed by race/ethnicity (p < 0.01) with
      black women having higher scores than Hispanic women. Racial differences were
      also observed among some of the YFAS symptoms. CONCLUSION: These findings
      demonstrated a low prevalence of food addiction among low-income, reproductive
      aged women. Racial differences were observed in the YFAS symptom count score, but
      not in the overall prevalence of food addition. Additionally, women with food
      addiction had higher levels of depression than women without food addiction.

PMID- 26284305
TI  - High-Performance GaAs Nanowire Solar Cells for Flexible and Transparent
      Photovoltaics.
AB  - Among many available photovoltaic technologies at present, gallium arsenide
      (GaAs) is one of the recognized leaders for performance and reliability; however,
      it is still a great challenge to achieve cost-effective GaAs solar cells for
      smart systems such as transparent and flexible photovoltaics. In this study,
      highly crystalline long GaAs nanowires (NWs) with minimal crystal defects are
      synthesized economically by chemical vapor deposition and configured into novel
      Schottky photovoltaic structures by simply using asymmetric Au-Al contacts.
      Without any doping profiles such as p-n junction and complicated coaxial junction
      structures, the single NW Schottky device shows a record high apparent energy
      conversion efficiency of 16% under air mass 1.5 global illumination by
      normalizing to the projection area of the NW. The corresponding photovoltaic
      output can be further enhanced by connecting individual cells in series and in
      parallel as well as by fabricating NW array solar cells via contact printing
      showing an overall efficiency of 1.6%. Importantly, these Schottky cells can be
      easily integrated on the glass and plastic substrates for transparent and
      flexible photovoltaics, which explicitly demonstrate the outstanding versatility
      and promising perspective of these GaAs NW Schottky photovoltaics for next
      generation smart solar energy harvesting devices. 

PMID- 26284307
TI  - HLA haploidentical peripheral blood stem cell transplantation using reduced dose
      of posttransplantation cyclophosphamide for poor-prognosis or refractory leukemia
      and myelodysplastic syndrome.
AB  - Nonmyeloablative, human leukocyte antigen (HLA) haploidentical, T-cell-replete
      bone marrow transplantation followed by high-dose posttransplantation
      cyclophosphamide (PT/Cy) has recently been developed. This transplantation milieu
      has resulted in favorable outcomes with low transplantation-related mortality,
      owing to a low incidence of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), without increased
      infectious complications. However, the high relapse rate remains a major concern.
      We therefore performed a prospective pilot study of HLA haploidentical peripheral
      blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) with intensified conditioning, followed
      by two lower doses of PT/Cy. A total of 20 patients with refractory or poor
      prognosis myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and leukemia were enrolled in the study.
      A trend toward a lower incidence of grade III-IV acute GVHD at day 100 in the
      group receiving 25 mg/kg * 2 doses of PT/Cy, compared with the group receiving 25
      mg/kg of PT/Cy (9.1% vs. 33%, p = 0.20), was noted. However, the cumulative
      incidence of chronic GVHD was low, at 10% irrespective of PT/Cy dose. The number
      of infused CD34(+) cells significantly correlated with the grade of acute GVHD (p
      = 0.004). In addition, the occurrence of BK virus hemorrhagic cystitis was
      significantly more common in the double-dose PT/Cy group (25% vs. 0%, p = 0.043),
      especially when combined with busulfan. The probability of overall survival at 1
      year in the double-dose group tended to be better compared with that in the
      single-dose group (64% vs. 44%, respectively; p = 0.20). In conclusion, HLA
      haploidentical, T-cell-replete PBSCT with 25 mg/kg * 2 doses of PT/Cy might be a
      feasible option for treating high-risk leukemia and MDS. 

PMID- 26284306
TI  - The Antipancreatic Cancer Activity of OSI-027, a Potent and Selective Inhibitor
      of mTORC1 and mTORC2.
AB  - In the present study, we investigated the potential activity of OSI-027, a potent
      and selective mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) complex 1/2 (mTORC1/2) dual
      inhibitor, against pancreatic cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. We
      demonstrated that OSI-027 inhibited survival and growth of both primary and
      transformed (PANC-1 and MIA PaCa-2 lines) human pancreatic cancer cells.
      Meanwhile, OSI-027 induced caspase-dependent apoptotic death of the pancreatic
      cancer cells. On the other hand, caspase inhibitors alleviated cytotoxicity by
      OSI-027. At the molecular level, OSI-027 treatment blocked mTORC1 and mTORC2
      activation simultaneously, without affecting ERK-mitogen-activated protein kinase
      activation. Importantly, OSI-027 activated cytoprotective autophagy in the above
      cancer cells. Whereas pharmacological blockage of autophagy or siRNA knockdown of
      Beclin-1 significantly enhanced the OSI-027-induced activity against pancreatic
      cancer cells. Specifically, a relatively low dose of OSI-027 sensitized
      gemcitabine-induced pancreatic cancer cell death in vitro. Further,
      administration of OSI-027 or together with gemcitabine dramatically inhibited
      PANC-1 xenograft growth in severe combined immunodeficiency mice, leading to
      significant mice survival improvement. In summary, the preclinical results of
      this study suggest that targeting mTORC1/2 synchronously by OSI-027 could be
      further investigated as a valuable treatment for pancreatic cancer. 

PMID- 26284308
TI  - Serum nitric oxide metabolites are associated with the risk of
      hypertriglyceridemic-waist phenotype in women: Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: There are some controversial issues regarding the association
      of nitric oxide and obesity-related states. This study was conducted to
      investigate whether serum nitric oxide metabolites (NOx) could predict the
      occurrence of visceral lipid accumulation, defined as hypertriglyceridemic-waist
      (HTW) phenotype. METHODS: We used a prospective approach for this study conducted
      on participants of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study, 2243 adult men and women
      were followed for a median of 6.3 years. Serum NOx concentrations were measured
      at baseline (2006-2008), and demographics, anthropometrics and biochemical
      variables were evaluated at baseline and again after a 3-year (2009-2011) and a 6
      year follow-up (2012-2014). The occurrence of HTW phenotype, defined as waist
      circumference >=90 cm in men and >=85 cm in women, along with serum triglyceride
      levels >=177 mg/dL, were assessed across serum NOx tertiles. RESULTS: Mean age of
      participants was 41.5 +/- 14.5 years at baseline and 39.4% were male. The
      cumulative incidence of HTW phenotype was 37.6% (33.2% in men, 40.5% in women).
      There was no significant association between serum NOx and the occurrence of HTW
      phenotype in men. After adjustment of confounding variables, risk of HTW
      phenotype in women, in the highest compared to the lowest tertile of serum NOx
      (>=30.9 vs. <19.9 MUmol/L), increased by 39% (OR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.05-1.93, P
      for trend = 0.053). CONCLUSION: Serum NOx level was an independent predictor of
      HTW phenotype in women.

PMID- 26284309
TI  - Microarray analysis of gene expression patterns in the leaf during potato
      tuberization in the potato somatic hybrid Solanum tuberosum and Solanum
      etuberosum.
AB  - Genes involved in photoassimilate partitioning and changes in hormonal balance
      are important for potato tuberization. In the present study, we investigated gene
      expression patterns in the tuber-bearing potato somatic hybrid (E1-3) and control
      non-tuberous wild species Solanum etuberosum (Etb) by microarray. Plants were
      grown under controlled conditions and leaves were collected at eight tuber
      developmental stages for microarray analysis. A t-test analysis identified a
      total of 468 genes (94 up-regulated and 374 down-regulated) that were
      statistically significant (p <= 0.05) and differentially expressed in E1-3 and
      Etb. Gene Ontology (GO) characterization of the 468 genes revealed that 145 were
      annotated and 323 were of unknown function. Further, these 145 genes were grouped
      based on GO biological processes followed by molecular function and (or) PGSC
      description into 15 gene sets, namely (1) transport, (2) metabolic process, (3)
      biological process, (4) photosynthesis, (5) oxidation-reduction, (6)
      transcription, (7) translation, (8) binding, (9) protein phosphorylation, (10)
      protein folding, (11) ubiquitin-dependent protein catabolic process, (12) RNA
      processing, (13) negative regulation of protein, (14) methylation, and (15)
      mitosis. RT-PCR analysis of 10 selected highly significant genes (p <= 0.01)
      confirmed the microarray results. Overall, we show that candidate genes induced
      in leaves of E1-3 were implicated in tuberization processes such as transport,
      carbohydrate metabolism, phytohormones, and transcription/translation/binding
      functions. Hence, our results provide an insight into the candidate genes induced
      in leaf tissues during tuberization in E1-3. 

PMID- 26284310
TI  - Initial investigation of a novel noninvasive weight loss therapy using MRI-Guided
      high intensity focused ultrasound (MR-HIFU) of visceral fat.
AB  - PURPOSE: MRI-guided high intensity focused ultrasound (MR-HIFU) allows
      noninvasive heating of deep tissues. Specifically targeting visceral fat deposits
      with MR-HIFU could offer an effective therapy for reversing the development of
      obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. METHODS: Overweight rats received
      either MR-HIFU of visceral fat, sham treatment, no treatment, or ex vivo
      temperature calibration. Conventional MR thermometry methods are not effective in
      fat tissue. Therefore, the T2 of fat was used to estimate heating in adipose
      tissue. RESULTS: HIFU treated rats lost 7.5% of their body weight 10 days after
      HIFU, compared with 1.9% weight loss in sham animals (P = 0.008) and 1.3% weight
      increase in untreated animals (P = 0.004). Additionally, the abdominal fat volume
      in treated animals decreased by 8.2 mL 7 days after treatment (P = 0.002). The T2
      of fat at 1.5 Tesla increased by 3.3 ms per  degrees C. The fat T2 was 103.3 ms
      before HIFU, but increased to 128.7 ms (P = 0.0005) after HIFU at 70 watts for 16
      s and to 131.9 ms (P = 0.0005) after HIFU at 100 watts for 16 s. CONCLUSION:
      These experiments demonstrate that MR-HIFU of visceral fat could provide a safe,
      effective, and noninvasive weight loss therapy for combating obesity and the
      subsequent medical complications. Magn Reson Med 76:282-289, 2016. (c) 2015 Wiley
      Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 26284311
TI  - Airway resistance and allergic sensitization in children with obstructive sleep
      apnea hypopnea syndrome.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the airway resistance in
      Chinese children with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) by
      impulse oscilloetry (IOS) and investigate the association of the severity of
      OSAHS with the airway resistance and allergic sensitization. METHOD: A total of
      120 children (92 boys) treated for snoring in Beijing Children's Hospital between
      October 2010 and March 2011 were included in this study. Ninety-three children
      were diagnosed with OSAHS and 27 did not show OSAHS. Total airway resistance
      (R5), proximal airway resistance (R20), and peripheral airway resistance (X5)
      were determined by IOS. Serum levels of total IgE and allergen-specific IgE
      (sIgE) were also determined. RESULTS: R5 in the OSAHS group was significantly
      higher than that in the non-OSAHS group (P = 0.0025), whereas R20 and X5 were
      similar in the two groups. R5 was positively correlated with apnea hypopnea index
      and obstructive apnea index and negatively correlated with the lowest arterial
      oxygen saturation significantly (all P < 0.05). The percentage of children with
      abnormal serum levels of total IgE or abnormal allergen-specific IgEs was
      comparable in OSAHS and non-OSAHS groups. The proportions of abnormal R5 and of
      abnormal serum levels of total IgE were significantly higher in children with
      severe OSAHS compared with children with mild or moderate OSAHS (all P < 0.05).
      CONCLUSIONS: Total airway resistance was significantly increased in Children with
      OSAHS. Allergic sensitization might contribute to the exacerbation of existing
      OSAHS in children. Large scale studies are required to further validate these
      findings.

PMID- 26284312
TI  - Regulatory oversight in the United States of vascularized composite allografts.
AB  - Vascularized composite allograft (VCA) transplantation is a medically acceptable
      treatment for the reconstruction of major tissue loss. The advent of VCA
      transplantation has spurred regulatory and policy development in the United
      States to address the multiple clinical, ethical and legal issues that must be
      considered for the practice of VCA donation and transplantation to develop within
      the existing framework of public trust and transparency vital to the success of
      donation and transplantation. 

PMID- 26284313
TI  - Optimization and characterization of injectable chitosan-iodixanol-based
      hydrogels for the embolization of blood vessels.
AB  - Chitosan-thermosensitive hydrogels present interesting features for the
      embolization of blood vessels, but need to be better characterized and optimized.
      Chitosan polymer (degree of deacetylation (DDA) of 94%) was purified and combined
      with Visipaque (VIS), a nonionic isotonic contrast agent composed of iodixanol. A
      beta-glycerolphosphate (betaGP) solution was then added to induce gelation at
      body temperature. The gelation process was monitored by rheometry, measuring the
      evolution of the sample storage (G') and loss (G") moduli as a function of VIS
      and betaGP concentration. Adding VIS significantly slowed down gelation kinetics,
      but a 12% and higher betaGP concentration provided a radiopaque solution, which
      at 37 degrees C, gels immediately. A custom-made in vitro embolization bench test
      was developed to assess the gel's occlusive properties, and its injectability
      through a small diameter catheter was verified. Results show that the short-term
      occlusive properties of the gel were insufficient when using a betaGP
      concentration of 12% w/v (about 0.4M), but that increasing the betaGP to 20%
      (0.6M) allowed an acceleration of the gelation and the immediate blocking of flow
      above physiological pressure. The contrast agent was rapidly released in
      solution, such that it would not interfere with future follow-up imaging. In
      accordance with the literature data, the cytotoxicity of gel extracts increased
      with betaGP concentration and to a lesser extent with VIS concentration.
      Preliminary in vivo testing showed easy injection by catheter and good visibility
      under fluoroscopy. These results suggest that radiopaque CH/betaGP20%/VIS
      hydrogels present significant potential as embolizing agents for blood vessels
      and aneurysms. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl
      Biomater, 104B: 1551-1562, 2016.

PMID- 26284314
TI  - Physical Activity and Variation in Momentary Behavioral Cognitions: An Ecological
      Momentary Assessment Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Decisions to perform moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA)
      involve behavioral cognitive processes that may differ within individuals
      depending on the situation. METHODS: Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) was
      used to examine the relationships of momentary behavioral cognitions (ie, self
      efficacy, outcome expectancy, intentions) with MVPA (measured by accelerometer).
      A sample of 116 adults (mean age, 40.3 years; 72.4% female) provided real-time
      EMA responses via mobile phones across 4 days. Multilevel models were used to
      test whether momentary behavioral cognitions differed across contexts and were
      associated with subsequent MVPA. Mixed-effects location scale models were used to
      examine whether subject-level means and within-subjects variances in behavioral
      cognitions were associated with average daily MVPA. RESULTS: Momentary behavioral
      cognitions differed across contexts for self-efficacy (P = .007) but not for
      outcome expectancy (P = .53) or intentions (P = .16). Momentary self-efficacy,
      intentions, and their interaction predicted MVPA within the subsequent 2 hours
      (Ps < .01). Average daily MVPA was positively associated with within-subjects
      variance in momentary self-efficacy and intentions for physical activity (Ps <
      .05). CONCLUSIONS: Although momentary behavioral cognitions are related to
      subsequent MVPA, adults with higher average MVPA have more variation in physical
      activity self-efficacy and intentions. Performing MVPA may depend more on how
      much behavioral cognitions vary across the day than whether they are generally
      high or low.

PMID- 26284315
TI  - Application of liquid chromatographic/tandem mass spectrometric method to a
      urinary excretion study of subutinib and active metabolite in human urine.
AB  - A novel and selective liquid chromatographic-mass spectrometric method (LC-MS/MS)
      has been established and validated for simultaneous determination of subutinib
      and active metabolite in human urine. Urine samples were extracted by liquid
      liquid extraction with ethyl acetate and separated on a Wondasil C18 (150 * 2.1
      mm, 3.5 um), with methanol-0.2% formic acid solution (73:27, v/v) as mobile phase
      at flow rate of 0.2 mL/min. The linear range was 0.5000-200.0 ng/mL for subutinib
      and active metabolite, with a lower limit of quantitation of 0.5000 ng/mL. Intra-
      and inter-run precisions were all <11.8 and 14.3%, and the accuracies were all
      <4.5 and 5.4%, with the extraction recoveries 88.8-97.5 and 93.8-99.4% for the
      two analytes, respectively. The carryover values were all <15% for the two
      anayltes. The method was successfully applied to study urinary excretion of
      subutinib and active metabolite in human after oral administration of subutinib
      maleate capsules in fed and fasting states.

PMID- 26284316
TI  - Aggregation-induced emission behavior of a pH-controlled molecular shuttle based
      on a tetraphenylethene moiety.
AB  - Tetraphenylethene (TPE) with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) behavior as a
      popular backbone is applied widely in the construction of functional
      supramolecular systems. In this work, a TPE-based linear molecule having amide
      and amine units is synthesized. Its ammonium template is used to construct the N
      hetero crown ether-based [2]rotaxane by the template-directed clipping approach.
      Their structures are well-characterized by NMR, MALDI-TOF-MS and elemental
      analysis. Owing to the existence of the amide unit, [2]rotaxane possesses the
      function of a molecular shuttle. The shuttling motion of the macrocycle component
      between the ammonium station and the amide station can be driven by external acid
      base stimuli in solution, accompanied by changes in visual behavior.
      Investigation on their AIE behavior shows that (1) ammonium reaches the
      aggregation state almost in the presence of same water with the deprotonated form
      of ammonium; (2) the [2]rotaxane that the macrocycle component locates at the
      site of ammonium forms the aggregation state in the presence of less water than
      the deprotonated [2]rotaxane that the macrocycle component locates at the site of
      the amide, attributed to stronger interaction between the crown ether component
      and the TPE unit of the template component when the distance between the two is
      shorter. The result indicates that the shuttling motion of the macrocycle
      component can adjust the aggregation state of AIE molecules. 

PMID- 26284317
TI  - Antiseptic solutions modulate the paracrine-like activity of bone chips:
      differential impact of chlorhexidine and sodium hypochlorite.
AB  - AIM: Chemical decontamination increases the availability of bone grafts; however,
      it remains unclear whether antiseptic processing changes the biological activity
      of bone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bone chips were incubated with four different
      antiseptic solutions including (1) povidone-iodine (0.5%), (2) chlorhexidine
      diguluconate (0.2%), (3) hydrogen peroxide (1%) and (4) sodium hypochlorite
      (0.25%). After 10 min. of incubation, changes in the capacity of the bone
      conditioned medium (BCM) to modulate gene expression of gingival fibroblasts was
      investigated. RESULTS: Conditioned medium obtained from freshly prepared bone
      chips increased the expression of TGF-beta target genes interleukin 11 (IL11),
      proteoglycan4 (PRG4), NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4), and decreased the expression of
      adrenomedullin (ADM), and pentraxin 3 (PTX3) in gingival fibroblasts. Incubation
      of bone chips with 0.2% chlorhexidine, followed by vigorously washing resulted in
      a BCM with even higher expression of IL11, PRG4 and NOX4. These findings were
      also detected with a decrease in cell viability and an activation of apoptosis
      signalling. Chlorhexidine alone, at low concentrations, increased IL11, PRG4 and
      NOX4 expression, independent of the TGF-beta receptor I kinase activity. In
      contrast, 0.25% sodium hypochlorite almost entirely abolished the activity of
      BCM, whereas the other two antiseptic solutions, 1% hydrogen peroxide and 0.5%
      povidone-iodine, had relatively no impact respectively. CONCLUSION: These in
      vitro findings demonstrate that incubation of bone chips with chlorhexidine
      differentially affects the activity of the respective BCM compared to the other
      antiseptic solutions. The data further suggest that the main effects are caused
      by chlorhexidine remaining in the BCM after repeated washing of the bone chips.

PMID- 26284318
TI  - Stable Four-Coordinate Guanidinatosilicon(IV) Complexes with SiN3El Skeletons (El
      = S, Se, Te) and Si=El Double Bonds.
AB  - To get information about the reactivity profile of the donor-stabilized
      guanidinatosilicon(II) complexes 2 and 3, a series of oxidative addition
      reactions was studied. Treatment of 2 and 3 with S8, Se, or Te afforded the
      respective four-coordinate silicon(IV) complexes 8-10 and 12-14, which contain an
      SiN3 El skeleton (El = S, Se, Te) with an Si=El double bond. Treatment of 2 with
      N2O yielded the dinuclear four-coordinate silicon(IV) complex 11 with an SiN3O
      skeleton and a central four-membered Si2O2 ring. Compounds 8-14 exist both in the
      solid state and in solution. They were characterized by elemental analyses, NMR
      spectroscopic studies in the solid state and in solution, and crystal structure
      analyses. The reactivity profile of 2 was compared with that of the structurally
      related bis[N,N'-diisopropylbenzamidinato(-)]silicon(II) (1), which is three
      coordinate in the solid state and four-coordinate in solution (1'). In contrast,
      as shown by state-of-the-art relativistic DFT analyses and experimental studies,
      silylene 2 is three-coordinate both in the solid state and solution. The three
      coordinate species 2 is 9.3 kcal mol(-1) more stable in benzene than the four
      coordinate isomer 2'. The reason for this was studied by bonding analyses of 2
      and 2', which were compared with those of 1 and 1'. The gas-phase proton
      affinities of the relevant species in solution (1' and 2) amount to 288.8 and
      273.8 kcal mol(-1), respectively.

PMID- 26284319
TI  - Clinical and molecular characterization of seven Egyptian families with autosomal
      recessive robinow syndrome: Identification of four novel ROR2 gene mutations.
AB  - Robinow syndrome (RS) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by limb
      shortening, genital hypoplasia, and craniofacial/orodental abnormalities. The
      syndrome follows both autosomal dominant and recessive patterns of inheritance
      with similar phenotypic presentation and overlapping features. Autosomal
      recessive Robinow syndrome (ARRS) is caused by mutations in the ROR2 gene. Here,
      we present the clinical, radiological and molecular findings of 11 Egyptian
      patients from 7 unrelated consanguineous families with clinical features of ARRS.
      Mutation analyses of ROR2 gene identified five pathogenic mutations distributed
      all over the gene. The identified mutations included four novel (G326A, D166H,
      S677F, and R528Q) and one previously reported (Y192D). Our results extend the
      number of ROR2 mutations identified so far, suggest a founder effect in the
      Egyptian population, and emphasize the important role of genetic testing in
      proper counseling and patients' management.

PMID- 26284321
TI  - Determination of three kinds of banned drugs in milk powder by hybrid solid-phase
      extraction purification combined with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry.
AB  - A gradient clean-up method for the quantification of five kinds of banned drugs
      (two hormones, two sedatives, and one chloramphenicol) in milk powder was
      developed. We used the combination of solid-phase extraction purification with
      gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Milk powder was initially hydrolyzed by
      beta-glucuronidase/arylsulfatase, and then the hydrolyzed solution was
      concentrated and purified using a C8 and cation resin solid-phase extraction
      column. To isolate hormones and chloramphenicol drugs, products from the previous
      step were diluted with methanol and further purified using a silica and diatomite
      solid-phase extraction column. After derivatization, the drugs were analyzed by
      gas chromatography with mass spectrometry, and the hydrolyzed solution was
      diluted with 5% ammoniated methanol to purify sedatives before gas chromatography
      with mass spectrometry analysis. Results showed that after adding the banned
      drugs at concentrations of 0.3-10.0 MUg/kg, the average recovery range was 78.2
      97.3% with relative standard deviations of 5.3-12.5%. The limit of quantification
      of the banned drugs (S/N >= 10) was 0.3-5.0 MUg/kg, whereas the limit of
      detection (S/N >= 3) was 0.1-2.0 MUg/kg. The solid-phase extraction gradient
      purification system was simple, rapid, and accurate, and could satisfy the
      detection requirements of hormone, sedatives, and chloramphenicol drugs when used
      together with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry.

PMID- 26284322
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 26284320
TI  - Genome-wide variant by serum urate interaction in Parkinson's disease.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Serum urate levels have been associated with risk for and progression
      of Parkinson's disease (PD). Urate-related compounds are therapeutic candidates
      in neuroprotective efforts to slow PD progression. A urate-elevating agent is
      currently under investigation as a potential disease-modifying strategy in people
      with PD. However, PD is a heterogeneous disorder, and genetic variation may
      explain divergence in disease severity and progression. METHODS: We conducted a
      genome-wide association study to identify gene variant * serum urate interaction
      effects on the striatal (123) I-ioflupane (DaTscan) binding ratio measured using
      single photon emission computed tomography in patients with possible PD from the
      Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI, n = 360). Follow-up analyses
      were conducted to assess gene variant * serum urate interaction effects on
      magnetic resonance imaging-derived regional brain volumes and clinical status. We
      then attempted to replicate our primary analysis in patients who entered the
      Parkinson Research Examination of CEP-1347 Trial (PRECEPT) with a clinical
      diagnosis of PD (n = 349). RESULTS: Rs1109303 (T>G) variant within the INPP5K
      gene on chromosome 17p13.3 demonstrated a genome-wide significant interaction
      with serum urate level to predict striatal dopamine transporter density among all
      PPMI participants (n = 359) with possible PD (p = 2.01 * 10(-8) ; after excluding
      participants with SWEDD [scan without evidence of dopaminergic deficit]: p = 1.12
      * 10(-9) ; n = 316). Independent of striatal dopamine transporter density,
      similar effects on brain atrophy, bradykinesia, anxiety, and depression were
      observed. No effect was present in the PRECEPT sample at baseline; however, in
      non-SWEDD PD participants in PRECEPT (n = 309), we observed a significant
      longitudinal genotype * serum urate interaction effect, consistent in direction
      with the PPMI sample, on progression of striatal dopamine transporter density
      over the 22-month follow-up. INTERPRETATION: Genetic profile combined with serum
      urate level can be used to predict disease severity and potential disease
      progression in patients with PD. These results may be relevant to therapeutic
      efforts targeting the urate pathway.

PMID- 26284323
TI  - [Gender-specific aspects in visceral medicine].

PMID- 26284324
TI  - [Gender differences and inflammatory bowel disease].
AB  - This review focuses on the gender and sex dimorphic disease profile and treatment
      reality of patients suffering from inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). It provides
      an overview of gender-specific differences in the disease course, medical and
      surgical therapy as well as psychosocial aspects of IBD. 

PMID- 26284325
TI  - [Gastro-esophageal Reflux Disease and malignant progression--equal risk for men
      and women?].
AB  - Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is highly prevalent in the Western world.
      Patients with GERD have a 10 fold increased risk to develop a Barrett's
      esophagus. Patients with Barrett's esophagus have a higher risk for an esophageal
      adenocarcinoma. Men have more severe reflux with a higher grade of inflammation
      and acid reflux. This seems to be the reason why men develop a Barrett's
      esophagus more frequently--the risk is approximately 2 to 3 fold and the risk for
      an esophageal adenocarcinoma is even 3 to 6 times higher.

PMID- 26284326
TI  - [Clinically relevant, gender-specific differences in colorectal carcinoma (CRC)].
AB  - The incidence of colorectal cancer worldwide is higher in men. Risk factors like
      smoking, overweight, or dietary exposures cannot explain this gender difference.
      In the pathogenesis of colorectal carcinoma, estrogen seems to play an important
      protective role. Estrogen may reduce the risk of developing colon cancer in
      premenopausal women. The expression of estrogen receptor beta in healthy colon is
      significantly decreased in the development of colon cancer. The role of estrogen
      in pathogenic pathways is most likely protective or might serve as a tumor
      suppressor. However, the exact role of estrogen in the carcinogenesis of
      colorectal cancer still remains unclear. Furthermore, tumor localization depends
      on age and gender. Therefore, in postmenopausal women there is a shift to
      predominantly right-sided cancers. Here, a link between tumor localization and
      MSI-H (microsatellite-high) status can be assumed. There are virtually no
      prospective randomised trials in adjuvant or palliative therapy of patients with
      colorectal cancer. Earlier data from registries point to a better post-operative
      survival of women, while men seem to benefit more from adjuvant therapy.
      Potentially, there may be a role of an increased toxicity to 5-FU in women. In
      the palliative setting, there are also only few gender-specific analyses. Women
      with right-sided colon cancers show a significant worse response and survival
      under an anti-EGFR antibody treatment compared with men and left-sided cancers. A
      focus on gender-specific differences should be incorporated more often in future
      randomised trials.

PMID- 26284327
TI  - [Gender-specific aspects of Lynch syndrome--an update].
AB  - Approximately 3-5% of all colorectal cancers are based on a hereditary
      predisposition, of which Lynch syndrome is by far the most frequent hereditary
      cancer syndrome. Beside colorectal cancer Lynch-Syndrome is the most frequent
      predisposing hereditary cause of endometrial cancer and is also associated with
      gastric cancer, ovarian cancer, cancer of the urinary tract as well as several
      other cancers. Genetically Lynch syndrome is caused by a germline mutation in one
      of the so-called mismatch-repair-genes. Based on several epidemiological studies,
      increasingly differences in the penetrance of the different cancers occurring are
      associated with the affected gene and also gender of the patient have been
      reported. The lifetime risk of colorectal cancer for males with Lynch syndrome
      generally is significantly higher and the age of first manifestation
      significantly earlier compared to females. The difference is especially notable
      in men with a MSH6-mutation. Moreover, the lifetime risk for gastric, bladder,
      and urothelial cancer is much higher in males. Women with an MSH6 mutation have a
      much higher risk for endometrial (and ovarian) cancer than for colorectal cancer.
      In patients with Muir Torre syndrome again males are predominantly affected and
      almost all affected have a mutation in MSH2 rather than in any other MMR gene.
      This review is an update of the literature analyzing gen and gender specific
      aspects of Lynch syndrome. To date these associations are based on retrospective
      studies, that require confirmation in a prospective setting with large patient
      numbers in order to identify validated, individualized gene and gender screening
      recommendations in the future. Especially in a syndrome with multiple potential
      cancer targets, an intense yearly program comprising several invasive procedures
      has a negative effect on patient compliance.

PMID- 26284329
TI  - Ultrasound in radioembolization induced liver disease (REILD).
AB  - BACKGROUND: REILD (radioembolization-induced liver disease) is a rare
      complication after SIRT (selective internal radiotherapy) of the liver. The
      diagnosis is based on a combination of clinical signs and symptoms, laboratory
      values, and MRT findings. Data about sonographic signs associated with REILD are
      lacking. In this report, we describe sonographic changes in two female patients
      with REILD. CASE REPORTS: Patient 1: a 34-year-old woman with colorectal
      carcinoma liver metastasis. Two weeks after SIRT, the patient developed histology
      proven REILD. Abdominal ultrasound revealed pronounced hepatomegaly, with
      inhomogeneous, slightly hyperechoic parenchyma without attenuation. The well
      known metastasis could not be delineated easily. Liver veins were compressed,
      with ill defined borders, and flattened biphasic blood flow in duplex sonography.
      Signs of portal hypertension with ascites, and splenomegaly were present. A
      therapy with diuretics, heparin, steroids, and ursodesoxycholic acid was
      introduced, and the patient recovered. After seven weeks, the ascites had
      resolved, and the liver parenchyma returned to normal echogenicity. Furthermore,
      the metastases in both lobes were clearly visible again. The liver veins were
      well delineated, normal sized, with regular triphasic blood flow in duplex
      sonography, but splenomegaly persisted. Patient 2: a 58-year-old women with
      recurrent multifocal peripheral cholangiocarcioma. Abdominal ultrasound 5 weeks
      after SIRT revealed a slightly increased echogenicity of the liver. Liver veins
      showed slightly irregular borders with biphasic flow pattern. In contrast to
      patient no.1, liver metastases could still be delineated easily. Ascites or
      splenomegaly were not present. Laboratory parameters and MRT findings were
      consistent with a diagnosis of mild REILD. Liver biopsy was not performed. No
      specific therapy was introduced. Five weeks later, the liver parenchyma became
      more homogeneous again, and the liver veins normalized with smooth vessel
      borders, but still flattened biphasic flow pattern. CONCLUSION: Transient
      hepatomegaly, with inhomogeneous hyperechoic parenchyma without attenuation, and
      compressed, ill delineated liver veins, with monophasic or flattened biphasic
      blood flow, are typical sonographic findings in REILD. In addition, common signs
      of portal hypertension can be present. Liver alterations and ascites resolve
      parallel with clinical improvement. Splenomegaly can persist.

PMID- 26284328
TI  - [Catch me if you can: endoscopic remove of a needle from the jejunum].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The ingestion of foreign bodies is a frequently observed problem in
      daily clinical practice. In order to avoid complications such as perforation,
      endoscopic removal of potentially penetrating foreign bodies should be attempted
      quickly. The use of various endoscopic techniques has been reported for this
      purpose. However, extraction of foreign bodies from the mid gastrointestinal
      tract has rarely been reported. CASE REPORT: We present the case of a patient who
      had swallowed a safety needle which could safely be removed from the jejunum by
      means of double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE). The combination of a thin p-type
      enteroscope with a thick t-type overtube was used in order to improve the
      manoeuvrability of the endoscope. The needle was pulled into the overtube which
      served as a protective shield during the retrieval of the endoscope. CONCLUSION:
      Our case report describes the potential of removing foreign bodies from the deep
      small bowel by pulling them into the overtube of a double-balloon enteroscope. If
      the suspicion of foreign body impaction in the small bowel is made, it may be
      advisable to primarily choose a balloon enteroscopy system. Through this, quick
      and deep insertion can be combined with a safe removal of the foreign body.

PMID- 26284330
TI  - [S3-guidelines "sedation in gastrointestinal endoscopy" 2014 (AWMF register no.
      021/014)].

PMID- 26284331
TI  - [Management of Crohn's disease after intestinal resection].

PMID- 26284332
TI  - Safety profile of biologic agents for Behcet's disease in a multicenter
      observational cohort study.
AB  - AIM: The primary aim of this study was to explore the safety profile of biologic
      treatments in Behcet's disease (BD), based on their mechanism of action; the
      secondary aim was to study any potential variation in terms of retention rate
      according to each single drug. METHOD: We studied a total of 85 treatment
      regimens with biologic agents from 64 patients. The total follow-up was
      calculated as 8640 patient-years (anti-tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-alpha 7.020,
      anti-interleukin [IL]-beta 1.368). Cumulative rates of drug retention were
      studied using the Kaplan-Meier plot and covariates in the regression model
      included the mechanism of action of the biologic agent, other concomitant
      therapies, disease duration, sex, age at start of drug therapy; for each
      confounding factor hazard ratios (HR) were calculated. RESULTS: The most
      frequently prescribed biologic treatments were anti-TNF-alpha agents (79%), while
      anti-IL1-beta was used in the remaining regimens. Concomitant disease-modifying
      antirheumatic drugs were prescribed in 36% of patients, mainly cyclosporine and
      methotrexate, while in 35/85 regimens low-dose glucocorticoids were associated.
      During the follow-up, in all but one regimen the safety profile was free of any
      adverse events or serious adverse events; we observed only one case of
      endocarditis, reported during the 10th month of etanercept. CONCLUSION: Data from
      a large multicenter cohort suggest that anti-TNF-alpha and anti-IL1-beta agents
      are characterized by an excellent safety profile in BD.

PMID- 26284333
TI  - Influence of mRNA expression of epiregulin and amphiregulin on outcome of
      patients with metastatic colorectal cancer treated with 5-FU/LV plus irinotecan
      or irinotecan plus oxaliplatin as first-line treatment (FIRE 1-trial).
AB  - Our aim was to investigate the impact of EREG and AREG mRNA expression (by RT
      qPCR) in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). In addition,
      epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression (by immunohistochemistry) as
      well as RAS-and PIK3CA-mutations (by pyrosequencing) were assessed. Tumors of 208
      mCRC patients receiving 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin plus irinotecan (FUFIRI) or
      irinotecan plus oxaliplatin (mIROX) within the FIRE-1 trial were analyzed for
      mutations. Molecular characteristics were correlated with response, progression
      free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS). mRNA expression was evaluated using
      ROC-analysis in 192 tumors (AREG high n = 31 vs. low n = 161; EREG high n = 89
      vs. low n = 103). High versus low AREG expression was associated with PFS of 10.0
      versus 8.0 months (HR = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.402-0.940, p = 0.03) and OS of 24.6
      versus 18.7 months (HR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.476-1.078, p = 0.11). High versus low
      EREG expression correlated with prolonged PFS (9.4 vs. 6.8 months, HR = 0.62, 95%
      CI: 0.460-0.846, p = 0.002) and OS (25.8 vs. 15.5 months, HR = 0.48, 95% CI:
      0.351-0.657, p < 0.001). The positive prognostic effect of high EREG expression
      was confirmed in a multivariate analysis and was neither affected by EGFR
      expression nor by mutations of RAS- and PIK3CA-genes. EREG expression appears as
      an independent prognostic marker in patients with mCRC receiving first-line
      irinotecan-based chemotherapy.

PMID- 26284334
TI  - ADAM10: a new player in breast cancer progression?
AB  - BACKGROUND: The ADAM proteases are best known for their role in shedding the
      extracellular domain of transmembrane proteins. Among the transmembrane proteins
      shed by ADAM10 are notch, HER2, E-cadherin, CD44, L1 and the EGFR ligands, EGF
      and betacellulin. As cleavage of several of these proteins has been implicated in
      cancer formation and progression, we hypothesised that ADAM10 is also involved in
      these processes. METHODS: ADAM10 expression was decreased by RNA interference and
      the effects of this on cell numbers, invasion and migration were determined. We
      also examined the effect of ADAM10 inhibition on breast cancer cell line invasion
      and migration. RESULTS: Using the triple-negative (TN) breast cancer cell lines,
      BT20, MDA-MB-231 and the non-TN cell line MDA-MB-453, knockdown of ADAM10
      expression significantly decreased in vitro migration (P<0.01; for each cell
      line). Similarly, treatment with the ADAM10-selective inhibitor GI254023X reduced
      migration in the three cell lines (for BT20, P<0.001; for MDA-MB-231, P=0.005;
      for MDA-MB-453, P=0.023). In contrast, neither knockdown of ADAM10 nor treatment
      with the ADAM10-selective inhibitor GI254023X significantly affected cell
      numbers. Using extracts of primary breast cancers, higher levels of ADAM10 were
      found more frequently in high-grade vs low-grade tumours (P<0.001) and in
      oestrogen receptor (ER)-negative compared with ER-positive tumours (P=0.005).
      Analysis of pooled publicly available data sets found that high levels of ADAM10
      mRNA were associated with adverse outcome in patients with the basal subtype of
      breast cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our combined cell line and breast cancer
      extract data, we conclude that ADAM10 is likely to be involved in breast cancer
      progression, especially in the basal subtype.

PMID- 26284335
TI  - CTL- vs Treg lymphocyte-attracting chemokines, CCL4 and CCL20, are strong
      reciprocal predictive markers for survival of patients with oesophageal squamous
      cell carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tumoural infiltration of T lymphocytes is determined by local
      patterns of specific chemokine expression. In this report, we examined the roles
      of CCL4 and CCL20 in the accumulation of CD8(+) cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs)
      and regulatory T (Treg) lymphocytes in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma
      (ESCC), and determined the correlations between chemokine expressions and ESCC
      patients' survival. METHODS: Reverse transcriptase-PCR and immunohistochemistry
      (IHC) staining were performed to examine the expressions of interested genes.
      Flow cytometry was adopted to check the expressions of CCL4- and CCL6-specific
      receptors, CCR5 and CCR6, on CTLs and Treg cells. In addition, transwell assay
      was carried on. RESULTS: The CCL4 expression was significantly correlated with
      the expression of CTL markers (CD8 and Granzyme B), whereas CCL20 was positively
      correlated with Treg markers (FoxP3 and IL-10). Consistently, CCR5 was found to
      be mainly expressed on CD8(+) T lymphocytes, while CCR6 showed prevalence on Treg
      lymphocytes and the frequencies of CCR5(+)CD8(+) CTLs and CCR6(+) Treg cells were
      higher in TIL compared with PBMC. Respectively, CCL4 and CCL20 recruited CD8(+)
      and regulatory T cells in vitro. Importantly, high levels of CCL4 in the lesions
      of ESCC patients predicted prolonged survival. Furthermore, CCL4(high)/CCL20(low)
      group demonstrated better overall survival, whereas CCL4(low)/CCL20(low) and
      CCL4(low)/CCL20(high) groups showed the worst overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: Our
      data showed that CCL4 and CCL20 recruit functionally different T lymphocyte
      subsets into oesophageal carcinoma, indicating CCL4 and CCL20 are potential
      predictors of ESCC patients' survival.

PMID- 26284336
TI  - Comparison of the diagnostic workup of women referred at non-blinded or blinded
      double reading in a population-based screening mammography programme in the south
      of the Netherlands.
AB  - BACKGROUND: To determine whether referred women experience differences in
      diagnostic workup at non-blinded or blinded double reading of screening
      mammograms. METHODS: We included a consecutive series of respectively 42.996 and
      44.491 screens, double read either in a non-blinded or blinded manner between
      2009 and 2011. This reading strategy was alternated on a monthly basis. RESULTS:
      The overall ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy (CNB) rate and stereotactic CNB
      (SCNB) rate per 1000 screens were higher at blinded than at non-blinded reading
      (7.5 vs 6.0, P=0.008 and 8.1 vs 6.6, P=0.009). Among women with benign workup,
      these rates were higher at blinded reading (2.6 vs 1.4, P<0.001 and 5.9 vs 4.7,
      P=0.013). The benign biopsy rates were higher at blinded double reading
      (P<0.001), whereas the positive predictive value of biopsy did not differ
      (P=0.103). CONCLUSIONS: Blinded double-reading results in higher overall CNB and
      SCNB rates than non-blinded double reading, as well as a higher benign biopsy
      rate.

PMID- 26284337
TI  - Anti-apoptotic role and clinical relevance of neurotrophins in diffuse large B
      cell lymphomas.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a fatal malignancy that
      needs to identify new targets for additional therapeutic options. This study
      aimed to clarify the clinical and biological significance of endogenous
      neurotrophin (nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor
      (BDNF)) in DLBCL biopsy samples and cell lines. METHODS: We analysed expression
      of NGF, BDNF, and their receptors (Trk, p75(NTR)) in 51 biopsies and cell lines
      by immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and western blotting. To investigate
      the biological role of BDNF/TrkB/p75(NTR) axis, effects of neurotrophin
      signalling inhibition were determined on tumour cell survival and vascular
      endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion. The pharmacological pan-Trk inhibitor
      K252a was used for in vitro and in vivo studies. RESULTS: A BDNF/TrkB axis was
      expressed in all biopsies, which was independent of the germinal centre B-cell
      (GCB)/non-GCB profile. p75(NTR), TrkB, and BDNF tumour scores were significantly
      correlated and high NGF expression was significantly associated with MUM1/IRF4,
      and the non-GCB subtype. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma cell lines co-expressed
      neurotrophins and their receptors. The full-length TrkB receptor was found in all
      cell lines, which was also phosphorylated at Tyr-817. p75(NTR) was associated to
      Trk and not to its cell death co-receptor sortilin. In vitro, inhibition of
      neurotrophin signalling induced cell apoptosis. K252a caused cell apoptosis,
      decreased VEGF secretion, and potentiated rituximab effect, notably in less
      rituximab-sensitive cells. In vivo, K252a significantly reduced tumour growth and
      potentiated the effects of rituximab in a GCB-DLBCL xenograft model. CONCLUSIONS:
      This work argues for a pro-survival role of endogenous neurotrophins in DLBCLs
      and inhibition of Trk signalling might be a potential treatment strategy for
      rituximab resistant subgroups.

PMID- 26284339
TI  - Microgeographic Population Genetic Structure of Baylisascaris procyonis
      (Nematoda: Ascaroidae) in Western Michigan Indicates the Grand River Is a Barrier
      to Gene Flow.
AB  - Baylisascaris procyonis , the raccoon roundworm, is increasingly being recognized
      for its zoonotic and public health importance. Fine-scale analyses of the
      population genetics of this species have been hampered due to a lack of
      appropriate genetic markers. To this end, we developed 8 novel polymorphic
      microsatellites for B. procyonis and used these markers to elucidate
      microgeographic structuring of this parasite in a 500-km(2) study area in western
      Michigan. Our analyses revealed significant levels of genetic differentiation
      amongst the 74 worms collected from 10 different raccoons. Critically, Bayesian
      clustering indicated 2 genetically distinct groups, one on either side of the
      Grand River which bisects our study area. Estimates of F(ST), and results from
      AMOVA and isolation by distance, further corroborated a scenario whereby the
      river is acting as a barrier to gene flow, a rather unexpected finding given the
      high vagility of raccoons and microgeographic scale of the analysis. It is
      possible that the Grand River is a major dispersal barrier for B. procyonis
      because raccoons are most likely to disperse across the river when it is frozen,
      and worm burden in raccoons approaches zero during the winter.

PMID- 26284338
TI  - TLE3 is not a predictive biomarker for taxane sensitivity in the NCIC CTG MA.21
      clinical trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: TLE3, a nuclear transcriptional repressor downstream of WNT
      signalling pathways, has been hypothesised as predictive of benefit from adjuvant
      taxane. METHODS: MA.21 tissue microarrays were constructed from 1097 out of 2104
      (52%) patients. TLE3 staining by immunohistochemistry used validated methodology.
      Continuous TLE3+ (percentage of cells staining positive) was assessed with both
      visual and automated scoring. The primary objective was to test the predictive
      effect of TLE3 on relapse-free survival using the MA.21 EC/T and CEF arms and the
      previously defined cut-point of 30% of cells staining positive in ?1 core/tumour.
      RESULTS: MA.21 patients had 83.2% TLE3 positive (TLE3+) tumours by visual score
      and 80.6% TLE3+ by automated image analysis while the previously observed rate of
      TLE3+ cases was 58.6%. TLE3 expression was significantly associated with ER
      expression (91.2% of ER-positive tumours were TLE3+; P<0.0001). At median 8-year
      follow-up, there was no evidence of a predictive effect of TLE3 expression with
      respect to taxane benefit using the established 30% or exploratory quartile cut
      points. CONCLUSIONS: Proportionately more MA.21 patient tumours than expected
      were TLE3+. The pre-specified TLE3+ cut-point of 30% was not predictive of taxane
      benefit. TLE3 expression does not represent a viable biomarker for taxane benefit
      in breast cancer.

PMID- 26284340
TI  - Theory and Practice of Lineage Tracing.
AB  - Lineage tracing is a method that delineates all progeny produced by a single cell
      or a group of cells. The possibility of performing lineage tracing initiated the
      field of Developmental Biology and continues to revolutionize Stem Cell Biology.
      Here, I introduce the principles behind a successful lineage-tracing experiment.
      In addition, I summarize and compare different methods for conducting lineage
      tracing and provide examples of how these strategies can be implemented to answer
      fundamental questions in development and regeneration. The advantages and
      limitations of each method are also discussed.

PMID- 26284341
TI  - Evolving 'self'-management: exploring the role of social network typologies on
      individual long-term condition management.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Whilst there has been a focus on the importance of social support for
      managing long-term conditions, there has been little specific focus on the
      characteristics of social networks that shape self-management. Policy emphasis is
      placed on individual responsibility for self-care, and this influences
      commissioning of health-care services. Assumptions are often made by policymakers
      about accessibility and preference for support and the influence of the social
      context on chronic illness management. OBJECTIVE: To examine the social networks
      of individuals with long-term conditions and identify how the characteristics of
      their composition influences support needs. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS:
      Thirty participants completed initial face-to-face in-depth interviews, telephone
      follow-ups and final face-to-face interviews in the north-west of England. A
      longitudinal qualitative design was used to elicit the subtle changes in
      relationships over a year. FINDINGS: The findings suggest that the relationships
      which constitute a social network influence perceived support needs and attitudes
      to self-management. The amalgamation of relationships was characterized into
      three network typologies (family focused, friend focused or health-care
      professional focused) according to which types of relationships were dominant. In
      the absence of support, accounts highlighted a small number of substitutes who
      could provide support at times of critical need. DISCUSSION: This study
      challenges the notion of 'self'-management as an individual construct as many of
      the practices of illness management involved the support and/or negotiation of
      roles with others. By examining the nuances of relationships, this study has
      highlighted the tacit boundaries of practical and emotional support provision.

PMID- 26284342
TI  - Demographics and ocular biometric characteristics of patients undergoing cataract
      surgery in Auckland, New Zealand.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim is to investigate ethnic variation, in presentation and
      biometric parameters, within the population undergoing cataract surgery in
      Auckland. DESIGN: The design is a retrospective study. PARTICIPANTS: Four
      thousand nine hundred thirty-one eyes of 3524 consecutive patients undergoing
      cataract surgery in Auckland Public Hospital over 18 months were included in the
      study. METHODS: Analysis of preoperative medical records was performed. MAIN
      OUTCOME MEASURES: Age, gender, self-reported ethnicity, keratometry, anterior
      chamber depth, axial length and intraocular lens (IOL) power data were collected.
      RESULTS: Maori (4.7%) were under-represented compared with the proportion of
      Maori attending the eye clinic (5.5%) and in the major patient catchment area
      (8.2%). People of Maori, Pacific and Indian ethnicities presented at a
      significantly younger age (66.4, 65.9 and 67.9 years, respectively) than those of
      Caucasian and Asian ethnicities (76.4 and 71.3 years, respectively, P < 0.001).
      Advanced cataract was more likely in Pacific peoples and Maori than Caucasians.
      The mean axial length was longest in Asian eyes (23.83 +/- 1.52 mm). The mean
      anterior chamber depth in the eyes of Pacific peoples (3.20 +/- 0.39 mm) was
      significantly greater than that of Caucasians (3.09 +/- 0.42 mm, P = 0.001) and
      Asians (3.05 +/- 0.49 mm, P < 0.001). The mean IOL power in Asian eyes was
      19.45D. This was significantly lower than the IOL power required by Caucasian
      (20.72D, P < 0.001) and Pacific ethnicities (20.61D, P = 0.001). With-the-rule
      astigmatism was highly prevalent in Maori and Pacific peoples, whereas in all
      other ethnicities, against-the-rule astigmatism was more common. CONCLUSIONS:
      This study identified significant ethnic variation in presentation for cataract
      surgery and ocular biometric parameters. These data may help identify potential
      biometric refinements and those at risk of developing ocular morbidities known to
      be associated with these parameters.

PMID- 26284344
TI  - Organophosphorus flame retardants and plasticizers in the aquatic environment: A
      case study of the Elbe River, Germany.
AB  - This study reports the occurrence and distribution of organophosphorus flame
      retardants and plasticizers (OPEs) in the Elbe and Rhine rivers. A special focus
      of this investigation concerns the potential impacts of a major flood event in
      2013 on the OPE patterns and levels in the Elbe River. In this river, 6 of 13
      OPEs were detected, with tris-ethyl-phosphate (TEP, 168 +/- 44 ng/L), tris-1,3
      dichloro-2-propyl-phosphate (TDCPP, 155 +/- 14 ng/L) and tris-1-chloro-2-propyl
      phosphate (TCPP, 126 +/- 14 ng/L) identified as the dominant compounds. Relative
      to previous studies, an increase in the concentrations and relative contributions
      of TDCPP to the total level of OPEs was observed, which was likely caused by its
      increased use as a replacement for the technical pentaBDE formulation. During the
      flood event, the concentrations of OPEs were similar to the normal situation, but
      the mass fluxes increased by a factor of approximately ten (~16 kg/d normal
      versus ~160 kg/d flood peak). No input hotspots were identified along the
      transects of the Elbe and Rhine rivers, and the mass flux of OPEs appeared to be
      driven by water discharge. 

PMID- 26284345
TI  - Exposure to environmentally-relevant levels of ozone negatively influence pollen
      and fruit development.
AB  - A combination of in vitro and in vivo studies on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum
      Mill. cv. Triton) revealed that environmentally-relevant levels of ozone (O3)
      pollution adversely affected pollen germination, germ tube growth and pollen
      stigma interactions - pollen originating from plants raised in charcoal
      Purafil((r)) filtered air (CFA) exhibited reduced germ tube development on the
      stigma of plants exposed to environmentally-relevant levels of O3. The O3-induced
      decline in in vivo pollen viability was reflected in increased numbers of non
      fertilized and fertilized non-viable ovules in immature fruit. Negative effects
      of O3 on fertilization occurred regardless of the timing of exposure, with
      reductions in ovule viability evident in O3 * CFA and CFA * O3 crossed plants.
      This suggests O3-induced reductions in fertilization were associated with reduced
      pollen viability and/or ovule development. Fruit born on trusses independently
      exposed to 100 nmol mol(-1) O3 (10 h d(-1)) from flowering exhibited a decline in
      seed number and this was reflected in a marked decline in the weight and size of
      individual fruit - a clear demonstration of the direct consequence of the effects
      of the pollutant on reproductive processes. Ozone exposure also resulted in
      shifts in the starch and ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) content of fruit that were
      consistent with accelerated ripening. The findings of this study draw attention
      to the need for greater consideration of, and possibly the adoption of weightings
      for the direct impacts of O3, and potentially other gaseous pollutants, on
      reproductive biology during 'risk assessment' exercises.

PMID- 26284346
TI  - Eco-toxicity and human estrogenic exposure risks from OH-initiated photochemical
      transformation of four phthalates in water: A computational study.
AB  - Transformation products (TPs) of emerging organic contaminates (EOCs) in water
      are still rarely considered in environmental risk assessment, although some have
      been found to be concern. OH is believed as an important reactive species both in
      indirect phototransformation and advanced oxidation technology. Thus, eco
      toxicity and human estrogenic exposure risks of four phthalates and TPs during
      the OH-initiated photochemical process were investigated using computational
      approach. Four phthalates can be degraded through OH-addition and H-transfer
      pathways. The OH-addition TPs were predominant for dimethyl phthalates, while H
      transfer TPs were predominant for other three phthalates. Compared with
      phthalates, OH-addition TPs (o-OH-phthalates) were one level more toxic to
      aquatic organisms, and m-OH-phthalates exhibit higher estrogenic activity.
      Although H-transfer TPs were less harmful than OH-addition TPs, some of them
      still have aquatic toxicity and estrogenic activity. Therefore, more attentions
      should be paid to photochemical TPs and original EOCs, particularly those
      exhibiting high estrogenic activity to humans. 

PMID- 26284347
TI  - Characterizations of wet mercury deposition on a remote high-elevation site in
      the southeastern Tibetan Plateau.
AB  - Accurate measurements of wet mercury (Hg) deposition are critically important for
      the assessment of ecological responses to pollutant loading. The Hg in wet
      deposition was measured over a 3-year period in the southeastern Tibetan Plateau.
      The volume-weighted mean (VWM) total Hg (HgT) concentration was somewhat lower
      than those reported in other regions of the Tibetan Plateau, but the VWM methyl
      Hg concentration and deposition flux were among the highest globally reported
      values. The VWM HgT concentration was higher in non-monsoon season than in
      monsoon season, and wet HgT deposition was dominated by the precipitation amount
      rather than the scavenging of atmospheric Hg by precipitation. The dominant Hg
      species in precipitation was mainly in the form of dissolved Hg, which indicates
      the pivotal role of reactive gaseous Hg within-cloud scavenging to wet Hg
      deposition. Moreover, an increasing trend in precipitation Hg concentrations was
      synchronous with the recent economic development in South Asia. 

PMID- 26284348
TI  - Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in caribou, moose, and wolf scat samples from
      three areas of the Alberta oil sands.
AB  - Impacts of toxic substances from oil production in the Alberta oil sands (AOS),
      such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), have been widely debated.
      Studies have been largely restricted to exposures from surface mining in aquatic
      species. We measured PAHs in Woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou), moose
      (Alces americanus), and Grey wolf (Canis lupus) across three areas that varied in
      magnitude of in situ oil production. Our results suggest a distinction of PAH
      level and source profile (petro/pyrogenic) between study areas and species.
      Caribou samples indicated pyrogenic sourced PAHs in the study area previously
      devastated by forest fire. Moose and wolf samples from the high oil production
      area demonstrated PAH ratios indicative of a petrogenic source and increased
      PAHs, respectively. These findings emphasize the importance of broadening
      monitoring and research programs in the AOS. 

PMID- 26284349
TI  - Long-term Patient Outcomes After Microsurgical Treatment of Blister-Like
      Aneurysms of the Basilar Artery.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Blister-like aneurysms (BLAs) are challenging lesions that require
      unique microsurgical strategies. BLAs are predominantly found along the internal
      carotid artery; however, BLAs of the basilar artery are a rare subset that
      requires a modified treatment strategy. OBJECTIVE: To discuss the microsurgical
      management and review the long-term outcomes of patients with BLAs of the basilar
      artery. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the surgical technique,
      postoperative results, and long-term outcomes of all patients with basilar artery
      BLAs treated at our institution from 2005 to 2011. RESULTS: Four patients with
      basilar artery BLAs were identified over this 6-year interval. All 4 patients
      were treated by direct microsurgical clipping. A thin layer of cotton
      reinforcement was used beneath the clip tines to minimize the risk of clip
      slippage in 2 of 4 patients; 1 patient required adjunctive endovascular stent
      placement for residual aneurysm after clipping. Complete obliteration of all
      aneurysms was achieved, and there has been no recurrence at mean clinical follow
      up of 72 months (median, 74.5; range, 37-103) and imaging follow-up of 48 months
      (median, 54; range 12-72). CONCLUSION: Direct clipping with or without cotton
      reinforcement can obliterate basilar BLAs with excellent long-term outcomes. Clip
      wrapping is not an option for these lesions given the proximity to perforating
      branches. Endovascular techniques provide a useful adjunctive strategy; however,
      risks with antiplatelet therapy in the acute subarachnoid hemorrhage period must
      be considered.

PMID- 26284350
TI  - Use of Actuator-Driven Pulsed Water Jet in Brain and Spinal Cord Cavernous
      Malformations Resection.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A piezo actuator-driven pulsed water jet (ADPJ) system is a novel
      surgical instrument that enables dissection of tissue without thermal damage. It
      can potentially resect intra-axial lesions while preserving neurological
      function. OBJECTIVE: To report our first experience of applying an ADPJ system to
      brain and spinal cord cavernous malformations. METHODS: Four patients (2 women
      and 2 men, mean age 44.5 years) with brain (n = 3) and spinal cord (n = 1)
      cavernous malformations were enrolled in the study. All surgeries were performed
      with the aid of the ADPJ system. Postoperative neurological function and
      radiological findings were evaluated. RESULTS: The ADPJ system was useful in
      dissecting boundaries between the lesion and surrounding brain/spinal cord
      tissues. The pulsed water jet provided a clear surgical view and helped surgeons
      follow the margins. Water jet dissection peeled off the brain and spinal cord
      tissues from the lesion wall. Surrounding gliotic tissue was preserved. As a
      consequence, the cavernous malformations were successfully removed. Postoperative
      magnetic resonance imaging confirmed total removal of lesions in all cases.
      Preoperative neurological symptoms completely resolved in 2 patients. The others
      experienced partial recovery. No patients developed new postoperative
      neurological deficits; facial palsy temporarily worsened in 1 patient who
      underwent a suprafacial colliculus approach for the brainstem lesion. CONCLUSION:
      The ADPJ provided a clear surgical field and enabled surgeons to dissect
      boundaries between lesions and surrounding brain and spinal cord gliotic tissue.
      The ADPJ system is a feasible option for cavernous malformation surgery, enabling
      successful tumor removal and preservation of neurological function.

PMID- 26284352
TI  - Endoscopic Transsphenoidal Pituitary Surgery: Recurrent Pituitary Adenoma: 3
      Dimensional Operative Video.

PMID- 26284351
TI  - Feasibility, Safety, and Periprocedural Complications of Pipeline Embolization
      for Intracranial Aneurysm Treatment Under Conscious Sedation: University at
      Buffalo Neurosurgery Experience.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Endovascular Pipeline Embolization Device (PED) placement for
      intracranial aneurysms is performed under general anesthesia at most centers
      because of perceived improved image quality and patient safety. OBJECTIVE: To
      report the feasibility, safety, and outcomes associated with the use of the PED
      for intracranial aneurysms performed in awake patients after the administration
      of conscious sedation (CS) and a local anesthetic. METHODS: Between March 2012
      and September 2014, 130 patients with 139 intracranial aneurysms (8 ruptured)
      were treated with the PED under CS at our institution. Procedure details and time
      (including duration, radiation exposure, and fluoroscopy) and procedure-related
      complications were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 155 PED
      deployment procedures were performed under CS. Treatment was successfully
      completed in all cases. Anesthesia was converted from CS to general anesthesia
      during 5 procedures. Mean interval from patient entry at the endovascular suite
      to procedure initiation was 18 minutes (range, 5 minutes-1 hour 10 minutes). Mean
      procedure length was 1 hour 25 minutes (range, 30 minutes-3 hours 51 minutes).
      Mean +/- SD values for fluoroscopy time and radiation exposure were 36.17 +/-
      18.4 minutes and 1367 +/- 897 mGy, respectively. The mean amount of contrast
      material administered was 211.37 +/- 83.5 mL. Permanent neurological
      complications were seen in 4 patients (3%). CONCLUSION: In our experience, CS for
      PED placement for intracranial aneurysm treatment is feasible and safe. Procedure
      and fluoroscopy times and amount of radiation exposure are similar to or less
      than described in reports of PED placement under general anesthesia. CS allows
      direct neurological evaluation and earlier detection of and response to
      intraprocedural complications.

PMID- 26284353
TI  - Direct Repair of Iatrogenic Internal Carotid Artery Injury During Endoscopic
      Endonasal Approach Surgery With Temporary Endovascular Balloon-Assisted
      Occlusion: Technical Case Report.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE: Iatrogenic internal carotid artery (ICA) injuries
      during endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) surgeries are associated with a high
      morbidity and mortality, with few acceptable methods described for repair.
      CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 13-year-old girl with a large anterior and central skull
      base osteoblastoma incurred an iatrogenic cavernous ICA injury during a staged
      EEA approach. Intraoperative angiogram was performed with balloon-assisted EEA
      primary microsurgical repair of the lacerated ICA. CONCLUSION: By integrating
      current techniques commonly used in open aneurysm surgeries and in endovascular
      procedures, we developed a rapid, safe technique to repair an EEA-associated
      iatrogenic ICA injury.

PMID- 26284354
TI  - Quantifying Pharmaceutical Film Coating with Optical Coherence Tomography and
      Terahertz Pulsed Imaging: An Evaluation.
AB  - Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) has recently attracted a lot
      of interest in the pharmaceutical industry as a fast and non-destructive modality
      for quantification of thin film coatings that cannot easily be resolved with
      other techniques. Because of the relative infancy of this technique, much of the
      research to date has focused on developing the in-line measurement technique for
      assessing film coating thickness. To better assess OCT for pharmaceutical coating
      quantification, this paper evaluates tablets with a range of film coating
      thickness measured using OCT and terahertz pulsed imaging (TPI) in an off-line
      setting. In order to facilitate automated coating quantification for film coating
      thickness in the range of 30-200 MUm, an algorithm that uses wavelet denoising
      and a tailored peak finding method is proposed to analyse each of the acquired A
      scan. Results obtained from running the algorithm reveal an increasing disparity
      between the TPI and OCT measured intra-tablet variability when film coating
      thickness exceeds 100 MUm. The finding further confirms that OCT is a suitable
      modality for characterising pharmaceutical dosage forms with thin film coatings,
      whereas TPI is well suited for thick coatings.

PMID- 26284355
TI  - Rapid Reduction of the Diferric-Peroxyhemiacetal Intermediate in Aldehyde
      Deformylating Oxygenase by a Cyanobacterial Ferredoxin: Evidence for a Free
      Radical Mechanism.
AB  - Aldehyde-deformylating oxygenase (ADO) is a ferritin-like nonheme-diiron enzyme
      that catalyzes the last step in a pathway through which fatty acids are converted
      into hydrocarbons in cyanobacteria. ADO catalyzes conversion of a fatty aldehyde
      to the corresponding alk(a/e)ne and formate, consuming four electrons and one
      molecule of O2 per turnover and incorporating one atom from O2 into the formate
      coproduct. The source of the reducing equivalents in vivo has not been
      definitively established, but a cyanobacterial [2Fe-2S] ferredoxin (PetF),
      reduced by ferredoxin-NADP(+) reductase (FNR) using NADPH, has been implicated.
      We show that both the diferric form of Nostoc punctiforme ADO and its (putative)
      diferric-peroxyhemiacetal intermediate are reduced much more rapidly by
      Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 PetF than by the previously employed chemical
      reductant, 1-methoxy-5-methylphenazinium methyl sulfate. The yield of formate and
      alkane per reduced PetF approaches its theoretical upper limit when reduction of
      the intermediate is carried out in the presence of FNR. Reduction of the
      intermediate by either system leads to accumulation of a substrate-derived
      peroxyl radical as a result of off-pathway trapping of the C2-alkyl radical
      intermediate by excess O2, which consequently diminishes the yield of the
      hydrocarbon product. A sulfinyl radical located on residue Cys71 also accumulates
      with short-chain aldehydes. The detection of these radicals under turnover
      conditions provides the most direct evidence to date for a free-radical
      mechanism. Additionally, our results expose an inefficiency of the enzyme in
      processing its radical intermediate, presenting a target for optimization of
      bioprocesses exploiting this hydrocarbon-production pathway. 

PMID- 26284356
TI  - Treatment of localized mycosis fungoides with digital UV photochemotherapy.
AB  - BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Photochemochemotherapy with 8-methoxypsoralen and UV-A light
      (PUVA) is a well-established treatment for mycosis fungoides (MF), although
      evidence for this therapy by means of prospective studies is scarce. However,
      long-term risks of PUVA are premature skin aging and development of nonmelanoma
      skin cancer. We therefore evaluated a device for targeted UV therapy, which
      reduces irradiation of unaffected skin in MF patients. METHODS: Ten patients with
      patch- or plaque-type MF affecting less than 10% body surface area were included
      in a prospective study. A total of 14 lesions were treated with cream PUVA using
      the digital phototherapy device skintrek((r)) PT3. RESULTS: Seven of ten patients
      showed response to treatment. Complete clinical remission was achieved in four of
      ten patients (complete remission of seven of fourteen treated lesions) after an
      average of 13.4 weeks and an average cumulative UV dose of 42.6 J/cm(2) in a mean
      of 31.2 treatment sessions. Adverse events were rare and of mild severity.
      CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first prospective trial demonstrating efficacy and
      safety of cream PUVA in MF patients. As healthy adjacent skin remains unaffected,
      the potential to reduce the carcinogenic risk of PUVA treatment makes this new
      method a promising therapeutic option for localized MF.

PMID- 26284357
TI  - An Economic Assessment Model of Rural and Remote Satellite Hemodialysis Units.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Kidney Failure is epidemic in many remote communities in Canada. In
      centre hemodialysis is provided within these settings in satellite hemodialysis
      units. The key cost drivers of this program have not been fully described. Such
      information is important in informing the design of programs aimed at optimizing
      efficiency in providing dialysis and preventative chronic kidney disease care in
      remote communities. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, AND MEASUREMENTS: We
      constructed a cost model based on data derived from 16 of Manitoba, Canada's
      remote satellite units. We included all costs for operation of the unit,
      transportation, treatment, and capital costs. All costs were presented in 2013
      Canadian dollars. RESULTS: The annual per-patient cost of providing hemodialysis
      in the satellite units ranged from $80,372 to $215,918 per patient, per year. The
      median per patient, per year cost was $99,888 (IQR $89,057-$122,640). Primary
      cost drivers were capital costs related to construction, human resource expenses,
      and expenses for return to tertiary care centres for health care. Costs related
      to transport considerably increased estimates in units that required plane or
      helicopter transfers. CONCLUSIONS: Satellite hemodialysis units in remote areas
      are more expensive on a per-patient basis than hospital hemodialysis and
      satellite hemodialysis available in urban areas. In some rural, remote locations,
      better value for money may reside in local surveillance and prevention programs
      in addition support for home dialysis therapies over construction of new
      satellite hemodialysis units.

PMID- 26284358
TI  - Correction: Bank Vole Prion Protein As an Apparently Universal Substrate for RT
      QuIC-Based Detection and Discrimination of Prion Strains.

PMID- 26284360
TI  - Utilization of Copper-Catalyzed Carboarylation-Ring Closure for the Synthesis of
      New Oxazoline Derivatives.
AB  - A copper-catalyzed carboarylation-ring-closure strategy was used for the modular
      synthesis of oxazolines via the reaction of 1-aryl- and 1-alkylpropargylamides
      and diaryliodonium salts. The novel approach enables the efficient, modular
      synthesis of oxazoline derivatives bearing fully substituted exo double bonds. 

PMID- 26284359
TI  - The Association of Outdoor Activity and Age-Related Cataract in a Rural
      Population of Taizhou Eye Study: Phase 1 Report.
AB  - PURPOSE: To study the relationship between outdoor activity and risk of age
      related cataract (ARC) in a rural population of Taizhou Eye Study (phrase 1
      report). METHOD: A population-based, cross-sectional study of 2006 eligible rural
      adults (>=45 years old) from Taizhou Eye Study was conducted from Jul. to Sep.
      2012. Participants underwent detailed ophthalmologic examinations including
      uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA),
      intraocular pressure (IOP), slit lamp and fundus examinations as well as
      questionnaires about previous outdoor activity and sunlight protection methods.
      ARC was recorded by LOCSIII classification system. The prevalence of cortical,
      nuclear and posterior subcapsular cataract were assessed separately for the risk
      factors and its association with outdoor activity. RESULTS: Of all 2006 eligible
      participants, 883 (44.0%) adults were diagnosed with ARC. The prevalence rates of
      cortical, nuclear and posterior subcapsular cataract per person were 41.4%, 30.4%
      and 1.5%, respectively. Women had a higher tendency of nuclear and cortical
      cataract than men (OR = 1.559, 95% CI 1.204-2.019 and OR = 1.862, 95% CI 1.456
      2.380, respectively). Adults with high myopia had a higher prevalence of nuclear
      cataract than adults without that (OR = 2.528, 95% CI 1.055-6.062). Multivariable
      logistic regression revealed that age was risk factor of nuclear (OR = 1.190, 95%
      CI 1.167-1.213) and cortical (OR = 1.203, 95% CI 1.181-1.226) cataract; eyes with
      fundus diseases was risk factor of posterior subcapsular cataract (OR = 6.529,
      95% CI 2.512-16.970). Outdoor activity was an independent risk factor of cortical
      cataract (OR = 1.043, 95% CI 1.004-1.083). The risk of cortical cataract
      increased 4.3% (95% CI 0.4%-8.3%) when outdoor activity time increased every one
      hour. Furthermore, the risk of cortical cataract increased 1.1% (95% CI 0.1%
      2.0%) when cumulative UV-B exposure time increased every one year. CONCLUSION:
      Outdoor activity was an independent risk factor for cortical cataract, but was
      not risk factor for nuclear and posterior subcapsular cataract. The risk of
      cortical cataract increased 4.3% when outdoor activity time increased every one
      hour. In addition, the risk of cortical cataract increased 1.1% (95% CI 0.1%
      2.0%) when cumulative UV-B exposure time increased every one year.

PMID- 26284361
TI  - Human Dynactin-Associated Protein Transforms NIH3T3 Cells to Generate Highly
      Vascularized Tumors with Weak Cell-Cell Interaction.
AB  - Human dynactin-associated protein (dynAP) is a transmembrane protein that
      promotes AktSer473 phosphorylation. Here, we report the oncogenic properties of
      dynAP. In contrast to control NIH3T3 cells expressing LacZ (NIH3T3LacZ),
      NIH3T3dynAP cells vigorously formed foci in two-dimensional culture, colonies on
      soft agar, and spheroids in anchorage-deficient three-dimensional culture.
      NIH3T3dynAP cells injected into nude mice produced tumors with abundant blood
      vessels and weak cell-cell contacts. Expression of dynAP elevated the level of
      rictor (an essential subunit of mTORC2) and promoted phosphorylation of
      FOXO3aSer253. FOXO3a is a transcriptional factor that stimulates expression of
      pro-apoptotic genes and phosphorylation of FOXO3a abrogates its function,
      resulting in promoted cell survival. Knockdown of rictor in NIH3T3dynAP cells
      reduced AktSer473 phosphorylation and formation of foci, colony in soft agar and
      spheroid, indicating that dynAP-induced activation of the mTORC2/AktSer473
      pathway for cell survival contributes to cell transformation. E-cadherin and its
      mRNA were markedly reduced upon expression of dynAP, giving rise to cells with
      higher motility, which may be responsible for the weak cell-cell adhesion in
      tumors. Thus, dynAP could be a new oncoprotein and a target for cancer therapy. 

PMID- 26284362
TI  - Distribution of Peripheral Memory T Follicular Helper Cells in Patients with
      Schistosomiasis Japonica.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Schistosomiasis is a helminthic disease that affects more than 200
      million people. An effective vaccine would be a major step towards eliminating
      the disease. Studies suggest that T follicular helper (Tfh) cells provide help to
      B cells to generate the long-term humoral immunity, which would be a crucial
      component of successful vaccines. Thus, understanding the biological
      characteristics of Tfh cells in patients with schistosomiasis, which has never
      been explored, is essential for vaccine design. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:
      In this study, we investigated the biological characteristics of peripheral
      memory Tfh cells in schistosomiasis patients by flow cytometry. Our data showed
      that the frequencies of total and activated peripheral memory Tfh cells in
      patients were significantly increased during Schistosoma japonicum infection.
      Moreover, Tfh2 cells, which were reported to be a specific subpopulation to
      facilitate the generation of protective antibodies, were increased more greatly
      than other subpopulations of total peripheral memory Tfh cells in patients with
      schistosomiasis japonica. More importantly, our result showed significant
      correlations of the percentage of Tfh2 cells with both the frequency of plasma
      cells and the level of IgG antibody. In addition, our results showed that the
      percentage of T follicular regulatory (Tfr) cells was also increased in patients
      with schistosomiasis. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our report is the first
      characterization of peripheral memory Tfh cells in schistosomasis patients, which
      not only provides potential targets to improve immune response to vaccination,
      but also is important for the development of vaccination strategies to control
      schistosomiasis.

PMID- 26284364
TI  - Impaired Maternal Behavior in Usp46 Mutant Mice: A Model for Trans-Generational
      Transmission of Maternal Care.
AB  - Usp46 mutant mice (congenic strain on a B6 genetic background; MT mice) have a
      low weaning rate and display poor maternal behavior compared to C57BL/6J mice (B6
      mice). Based on these observations, we examined how maternal behavior is shaped
      by cross-fostering and in-fostering MT and B6 mice. The experiments consisted of
      six groups: B6 mice fostered by their biological mother (B6-CO); MT mice fostered
      by their biological mother (MT-CO); B6 mice fostered by a different B6 mother (B6
      IF); MT mice fostered by a different MT mother (MT-IF); B6 mice fostered by an MT
      mother (B6-CF); and MT mice fostered by a B6 mother (MT-CF). Maternal behavior
      was assessed using the pup-retrieval test in adult female offspring, and four
      parameters, time nursing pups in the nest, time sniffing or licking pups, rearing
      behavior, and latency to retrieve pups, were measured. Cross-fostering
      significantly reduced time spent nursing and sniffing/licking pup, and increased
      the number of instances of rearing in the B6-CF group, and improved three
      parameters of maternal behaviors (nursing, rearing and latency) in the MT-CF
      group. These results indicate that the level of maternal care is transmitted to
      their pups and proper maternal behaviors can be shaped if adequate postpartum
      maternal care is given, even in genetically vulnerable mice. However, the
      offspring's genotype may also influence the development of maternal behaviors in
      adulthood. Thus, MT mice may prove useful as a model for trans-generational
      transmission of maternal care, and these findings may provide insight into the
      mechanisms of maltreating behaviors in human child abuse. 

PMID- 26284363
TI  - Amniotic Membrane Modifies the Genetic Program Induced by TGFbeta, Stimulating
      Keratinocyte Proliferation and Migration in Chronic Wounds.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Post-traumatic large-surface or deep wounds often cannot progress to
      reepithelialisation because they become irresponsive in the inflammatory stage,
      so intervention is necessary to provide the final sealing epidermis. Previously
      we have shown that Amniotic Membrane (AM) induced a robust epithelialisation in
      deep traumatic wounds. METHODS AND FINDINGS: To better understand this
      phenomenon, we used keratinocytes to investigate the effect of AM on chronic
      wounds. Using keratinocytes, we saw that AM treatment is able to exert an
      attenuating effect upon Smad2 and Smad3 TGFbeta-induced phosphorylation while
      triggering the activation of several MAPK signalling pathways, including ERK and
      JNK1, 2. This also has a consequence for TGFbeta-induced regulation on cell cycle
      control key players CDK1A (p21) and CDK2B (p15). The study of a wider set of
      TGFbeta regulated genes showed that the effect of AM was not wide but very
      concrete for some genes. TGFbeta exerted a powerful cell cycle arrest; the
      presence of AM however prevented TGFbeta-induced cell cycle arrest. Moreover, AM
      induced a powerful cell migration response that correlates well with the
      expression of c-Jun protein at the border of the healing assay. Consistently, the
      treatment with AM of human chronic wounds induced a robust expression of c-Jun at
      the wound border. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of AM on the modulation of TGFbeta
      responses in keratinocytes that favours proliferation together with AM-induced
      keratinocyte migration is the perfect match that allows chronic wounds to move on
      from their non-healing state and progress into epithelialization. Our results may
      explain why the application of AM on chronic wounds is able to promote
      epithelialisation.

PMID- 26284365
TI  - Lifetime Dependent Variation of Stress Hormone Metabolites in Feces of Two
      Laboratory Mouse Strains.
AB  - Non-invasive measurement of stress hormone metabolites in feces has become
      routine practice for the evaluation of distress and pain in animal experiments.
      Since metabolism and excretion of glucocorticoids may be variable, awareness and
      adequate consideration of influencing factors are essential for accurate
      monitoring of adrenocortical activity. Reference values are usually provided by
      baselines compiled prior to the experiment and by age matched controls. The
      comparison of stress hormone levels between animals of different ages or between
      studies looking at hormone levels at the beginning and at the end of a long term
      study might be biased by age-related effects. In this study we analyzed fecal
      corticosterone metabolites (FCM) during the lifetime of untreated female mice of
      the strains C57BL/6NCrl and Crl:CD1. For this purpose feces for each individual
      mouse were collected every two months over a period of 24 hours, at intervals of
      four hours, until the age of 26 months. Results of the study revealed that age of
      the animals had a significant impact on the level and circadian rhythm of stress
      hormone metabolites. Furthermore, long-term observation of mice revealed a strain
      specific excretion profile of FCM influenced by strong seasonal variability. 

PMID- 26284366
TI  - Motivational Modulation of Self-Initiated and Externally Triggered Movement Speed
      Induced by Threat of Shock: Experimental Evidence for Paradoxical Kinesis in
      Parkinson's Disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Paradoxical kinesis has been observed in bradykinetic people with
      Parkinson's disease. Paradoxical kinesis occurs in situations where an individual
      is strongly motivated or influenced by relevant external cues. Our aim was to
      induce paradoxical kinesis in the laboratory. We tested whether the motivation of
      avoiding a mild electric shock was sufficient to induce paradoxical kinesis in
      externally-triggered and self-initiated conditions in people with Parkinson's
      disease tested on medication and in age-matched controls. METHODS: Participants
      completed a shock avoidance behavioural paradigm in which half of the trials
      could result in a mild electric shock if the participant did not move fast
      enough. Half of the trials of each type were self-initiated and half were
      externally-triggered. The criterion for avoiding shock was a maximum movement
      time, adjusted according to each participant's performance on previous trials
      using a staircase tracking procedure. RESULTS: On trials with threat of shock,
      both patients with Parkinson's disease and controls had faster movement times
      compared to no potential shock trials, in both self-initiated and externally
      triggered conditions. The magnitude of improvement of movement time from no
      potential shock to potential shock trials was positively correlated with anxiety
      ratings. CONCLUSIONS: When motivated to avoid mild electric shock, patients with
      Parkinson's disease, similar to healthy controls, showed significant speeding of
      movement execution. This was observed in both self-initiated and externally
      triggered versions of the task. Nevertheless, in the ET condition the improvement
      of reaction times induced by motivation to avoid shocks was greater for the PD
      patients than controls, highlighting the value of external cues for movement
      initiation in PD patients. The magnitude of improvement from the no potential
      shock to the potential shock trials was associated with the threat-induced
      anxiety. This demonstration of paradoxical kinesis in the laboratory under both
      self-initiated and externally-triggered conditions has implications for
      motivational and attentional enhancement of movement speed in Parkinson's
      disease.

PMID- 26284369
TI  - Correction: A Transposable Element within the Non-canonical Telomerase RNA of
      Arabidopsis thaliana Modulates Telomerase in Response to DNA Damage.

PMID- 26284368
TI  - The Association between Parameters of Malnutrition and Diagnostic Measures of
      Sarcopenia in Geriatric Outpatients.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia include measures of muscle mass,
      muscle strength and physical performance. Consensus on the definition of
      sarcopenia has not been reached yet. To improve insight into the most clinically
      valid definition of sarcopenia, this study aimed to compare the association
      between parameters of malnutrition, as a risk factor in sarcopenia, and
      diagnostic measures of sarcopenia in geriatric outpatients. MATERIAL AND METHODS:
      This study is based on data from a cross-sectional study conducted in a geriatric
      outpatient clinic including 185 geriatric outpatients (mean age 82 years).
      Parameters of malnutrition included risk of malnutrition (assessed by the Short
      Nutritional Assessment Questionnaire), loss of appetite, unintentional weight
      loss and underweight (body mass index <22 kg/m2). Diagnostic measures of
      sarcopenia included relative muscle mass (lean mass and appendicular lean mass
      [ALM] as percentages), absolute muscle mass (total lean mass and ALM/height2),
      handgrip strength and walking speed. All diagnostic measures of sarcopenia were
      standardized. Associations between parameters of malnutrition (independent
      variables) and diagnostic measures of sarcopenia (dependent variables) were
      analysed using multivariate linear regression models adjusted for age, body mass,
      fat mass and height in separate models. RESULTS: None of the parameters of
      malnutrition was consistently associated with diagnostic measures of sarcopenia.
      The strongest associations were found for both relative and absolute muscle mass;
      less stronger associations were found for muscle strength and physical
      performance. Underweight (p = <0.001) and unintentional weight loss (p = 0.031)
      were most strongly associated with higher lean mass percentage after adjusting
      for age. Loss of appetite (p = 0.003) and underweight (p = 0.021) were most
      strongly associated with lower total lean mass after adjusting for age and fat
      mass. CONCLUSION: Parameters of malnutrition relate differently to diagnostic
      measures of sarcopenia in geriatric outpatients. The association between
      parameters of malnutrition and diagnostic measures of sarcopenia was strongest
      for both relative and absolute muscle mass, while less strong associations were
      found with muscle strength and physical performance.

PMID- 26284367
TI  - The Impact of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Interventions to Control Cholera: A
      Systematic Review.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND METHODS: Cholera remains a significant threat to global public
      health with an estimated 100,000 deaths per year. Water, sanitation and hygiene
      (WASH) interventions are frequently employed to control outbreaks though evidence
      regarding their effectiveness is often missing. This paper presents a systematic
      literature review investigating the function, use and impact of WASH
      interventions implemented to control cholera. RESULTS: The review yielded
      eighteen studies and of the five studies reporting on health impact, four
      reported outcomes associated with water treatment at the point of use, and one
      with the provision of improved water and sanitation infrastructure. Furthermore,
      whilst the reporting of function and use of interventions has become more common
      in recent publications, the quality of studies remains low. The majority of
      papers (>60%) described water quality interventions, with those at the water
      source focussing on ineffective chlorination of wells, and the remaining being
      applied at the point of use. Interventions such as filtration, solar disinfection
      and distribution of chlorine products were implemented but their limitations
      regarding the need for adherence and correct use were not fully considered. Hand
      washing and hygiene interventions address several transmission routes but only
      22% of the studies attempted to evaluate them and mainly focussed on improving
      knowledge and uptake of messages but not necessarily translating this into safer
      practices. The use and maintenance of safe water storage containers was only
      evaluated once, under-estimating the considerable potential for contamination
      between collection and use. This problem was confirmed in another study
      evaluating methods of container disinfection. One study investigated uptake of
      household disinfection kits which were accepted by the target population. A
      single study in an endemic setting compared a combination of interventions to
      improve water and sanitation infrastructure, and the resulting reductions in
      cholera incidence. DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: This review highlights a focus
      on particular routes of transmission, and the limited number of interventions
      tested during outbreaks. There is a distinct gap in knowledge of which
      interventions are most appropriate for a given context and as such a clear need
      for more robust impact studies evaluating a wider array of WASH interventions, in
      order to ensure effective cholera control and the best use of limited resources.

PMID- 26284370
TI  - Distributed Bayesian Computation and Self-Organized Learning in Sheets of Spiking
      Neurons with Local Lateral Inhibition.
AB  - During the last decade, Bayesian probability theory has emerged as a framework in
      cognitive science and neuroscience for describing perception, reasoning and
      learning of mammals. However, our understanding of how probabilistic computations
      could be organized in the brain, and how the observed connectivity structure of
      cortical microcircuits supports these calculations, is rudimentary at best. In
      this study, we investigate statistical inference and self-organized learning in a
      spatially extended spiking network model, that accommodates both local
      competitive and large-scale associative aspects of neural information processing,
      under a unified Bayesian account. Specifically, we show how the spiking dynamics
      of a recurrent network with lateral excitation and local inhibition in response
      to distributed spiking input, can be understood as sampling from a variational
      posterior distribution of a well-defined implicit probabilistic model. This
      interpretation further permits a rigorous analytical treatment of experience
      dependent plasticity on the network level. Using machine learning theory, we
      derive update rules for neuron and synapse parameters which equate with Hebbian
      synaptic and homeostatic intrinsic plasticity rules in a neural implementation.
      In computer simulations, we demonstrate that the interplay of these plasticity
      rules leads to the emergence of probabilistic local experts that form distributed
      assemblies of similarly tuned cells communicating through lateral excitatory
      connections. The resulting sparse distributed spike code of a well-adapted
      network carries compressed information on salient input features combined with
      prior experience on correlations among them. Our theory predicts that the
      emergence of such efficient representations benefits from network architectures
      in which the range of local inhibition matches the spatial extent of pyramidal
      cells that share common afferent input. 

PMID- 26284372
TI  - Assessing the Effectiveness of Local Management of Coral Reefs Using Expert
      Opinion and Spatial Bayesian Modeling.
AB  - Multiple stressors are an increasing concern in the management and conservation
      of ecosystems, and have been identified as a key gap in research. Coral reefs are
      one example of an ecosystem where management of local stressors may be a way of
      mitigating or delaying the effects of climate change. Predicting how multiple
      stressors interact, particularly in a spatially explicit fashion, is a difficult
      challenge. Here we use a combination of an expert-elicited Bayesian network (BN)
      and spatial environmental data to examine how hypothetical scenarios of climate
      change and local management would result in different outcomes for coral reefs on
      the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), Australia. Parameterizing our BN using the mean
      responses from our experts resulted in predictions of limited efficacy of local
      management in combating the effects of climate change. However, there was
      considerable variability in expert responses and uncertainty was high. Many reefs
      within the central GBR appear to be at risk of further decline based on the
      pessimistic opinions of our expert pool. Further parameterization of the model as
      more data and knowledge become available could improve predictive power. Our
      approach serves as a starting point for subsequent work that can fine-tune
      parameters and explore uncertainties in predictions of responses to management. 

PMID- 26284373
TI  - Risk Factors for the Failure of Spinal Burst Fractures Treated Conservatively
      According to the Thoracolumbar Injury Classification and Severity Score (TLICS):
      A Retrospective Cohort Trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The management of thoracolumbar (TL) burst fractures is still
      controversial. The thoracolumbar injury classification and severity score (TLICS)
      algorithm is now widely used to guide clinical decision making, however, in
      clinical practice, we come to realize that TLICS also has its limitations for
      treating patients with total scores less than 4, for which conservative treatment
      may not be optimal in all cases. PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to identify
      several risk factors for the failure of conservative treatment of TL burst
      fractures according to TLICS algorithm. METHODS: From June 2008 to December 2013,
      a cohort of 129 patients with T10-l2 TL burst fractures with a TLISC score <=3
      treated non-operatively were identified and included into this retrospective
      study. Age, sex, pain intensity, interpedicular distance (IPD), canal compromise,
      loss of vertebral body height and kyphotic angle (KA) were selected as potential
      risk factors and compared between the non-operative success group and the non
      operative failure group. RESULTS: One hundred and four patients successfully
      completed non-operative treatment, the other 25 patients were converted to
      surgical treatment because of persistent local back pain or progressive
      neurological deficits during follow-up. Our results showed that age, visual
      analogue scale (VAS) score and IPD, KA were significantly different between the
      two groups. Furthermore, regression analysis indicated that VAS score and IPD
      could be considered as significant predictors for the failure of conservative
      treatment. CONCLUSION: The recommendation of non-operative treatment for TLICS
      score <=3 has limitations in some patients, and VAS score and IPD could be
      considered as risk factors for the failure of conservative treatment. Thus,
      conservative treatment should be decided with caution in patients with greater
      VAS scores or IPD. If non-operative management is decided, a close follow-up is
      necessary.

PMID- 26284371
TI  - In Vitro Protective Effect and Antioxidant Mechanism of Resveratrol Induced by
      Dapsone Hydroxylamine in Human Cells.
AB  - Dapsone (DDS) hydroxylamine metabolites cause oxidative stress- linked adverse
      effects in patients, such as methemoglobin formation and DNA damage. This study
      evaluated the ameliorating effect of the antioxidant resveratrol (RSV) on DDS
      hydroxylamine (DDS-NHOH) mediated toxicity in vitro using human erythrocytes and
      lymphocytes. The antioxidant mechanism was also studied using in-silico methods.
      In addition, RSV provided intracellular protection by inhibiting DNA damage in
      human lymphocytes induced by DDS-NHOH. However, whilst pretreatment with RSV (10
      1000 MUM significantly attenuated DDS-NHOH-induced methemoglobinemia, but it was
      not only significantly less effective than methylene blue (MET), but also post
      treatment with RSV did not reverse methemoglobin formation, contrarily to that
      observed with MET. DDS-NHOH inhibited catalase (CAT) activity and reactive oxygen
      species (ROS) generation, but did not alter superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity
      in erythrocytes. Pretreatment with RSV did not alter these antioxidant enzymes
      activities in erythrocytes treated with DDS-NHOH. Theoretical calculations using
      density functional theory methods showed that DDS-NHOH has a pro-oxidant effect,
      whereas RSV and MET have antioxidant effect on ROS. The effect on
      methemoglobinemia reversion for MET was significantly higher than that of RSV.
      These data suggest that the pretreatment with resveratrol may decrease heme-iron
      oxidation and DNA damage through reduction of ROS generated in cells during DDS
      therapy. 

PMID- 26284374
TI  - Characteristics of Improvised Explosive Device Trauma Casualties in the Gaza
      Strip and Other Combat Regions: The Israeli Experience.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Low-intensity conflict is characterized in asymmetrical conventional
      and nonconventional warfare. The use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in
      the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has evolved over the past few decades to include
      the addition of diesel, biological agents, shrapnel, and nitroglycerin to the
      explosive content. Due to its nature and mechanism, an IED injury might present
      as a multidimensional injury, impairing numerous systems and organs. MATERIALS
      AND METHODS: The authors present a case series of 5 Israeli Defense Forces (IDF)
      soldiers wounded by an IED presenting a typical and similar pattern of burns to
      their faces, trunks, and limbs, in addition to ocular, ear/nose/throat, and
      orthopedic injuries. An analysis of the experience in treating the aforementioned
      injuries is included. RESULTS: Improvement in casualties' burns and traumatic
      tattoos was observed following debridement, aggressive scrubbing with or without
      dermabrasion, and conservative local dressing treatment protocol. The authors
      found a positive correlation between improvement degree and treatment timing.
      Injury pattern was correlative to the protective gear worn by the soldiers.
      Wearing protective eye gear and wearing ceramic vests can diminish the extent of
      IED injuries, while creating typical patterns of injuries to be treated.
      CONCLUSION: Based on these experiences, such injuries should be brought to a
      trauma center as soon as possible. Treating multidimensional trauma should be
      done in a facility with abilities to treat head injuries, eye injuries,
      penetrating injuries, blast injuries, and burns. Such specialized disciplines and
      facilities that have past experience with IEDs and war injuries are able to
      assess and treat these injuries in a more dedicated manner, resulting in better
      long-term rehabilitation.

PMID- 26284375
TI  - Deep Frostbite Treated With Hyperbaric Oxygen and Thrombolytic Therapies.
AB  - The authors present a case of deep frostbite treated with both hyperbaric oxygen
      and thrombolytic therapies. Both of these therapies are experimental and have not
      yet achieved widespread clinical use. The patient described in this paper
      sustained frostbite after becoming intoxicated and falling unconscious in a snowy
      field. He was treated acutely for hypothermia and came into the authors' care for
      wound management. Of his 6 digits with extensive, deep frostbite, 1 digit
      eventually required partial amputation, and another had protracted osteomyelitis
      treated with intravenous antibiotics. The authors present a case history in the
      context of current research and provide a listing of previous case reports of
      hyperbaric oxygen therapy for frostbite. 

PMID- 26284376
TI  - Evaluation of Wound Healing Efficacy of an Antimicrobial Spray Dressing at Skin
      Donor Sites.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Autologous skin transplantation is a common treatment for patients
      with full-thickness burns. Postoperative wound care is essential for skin graft
      donor and recipient sites, but traditional wound dressings such as cotton and
      gauze do not form an effective barrier to bacteria, and patients can feel
      uncomfortable when replacing dressings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The goal of this
      study was to evaluate the use of an antimicrobial spray dressing (JUC Spray
      Dressing, NMS Technologies Co Ltd, Nanjing, China), with respect to its
      antimicrobial efficiency and the degree of pain experienced by patients. RESULTS:
      The authors found the antimicrobial spray can reduce pain during the recovery
      period, while providing equivalent antibacterial protection to the control
      treatment (AQUACEL Hydrofiber Wound Dressing, ConvaTec, Bridgewater, NJ) based on
      skin culture tests. The spray did not adversely affect the wound site recovery.
      No significant side effects were present during the treatment period. CONCLUSION:
      This antimicrobial spray could potentially be used in wound dressing
      applications.

PMID- 26284377
TI  - Evidence of Intensive Autolytic Debridement With a Self-Adaptive Wound Dressing.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic venous leg ulcers (VLUs) can be challenging to manage and
      heal. Despite the observed efficacy of surgical debridement, many patients with
      VLUs refuse the procedure due to the associated pain. Autolytic debridement
      induces no pain, but is slow or disrupted in chronic VLUs. Elucidation of the
      wound dressing functions that are sufficient to support autolytic debridement is
      needed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors report 2 challenging cases with large,
      nonresponsive VLUs. A 52-year-old female patient, Case 1, presented with a VLU of
      91.4 cm(2) (10.5 cm x 8.7 cm); and a 58-year-old female patient, Case 2,
      presented with bilateral VLUs, the larger of which was 50 cm(2) (10 cm x 5 cm).
      Both VLU cases were covered with yellow slough, and case 1 had a small area of
      black necrotic tissue. The patients had received standard care for more than 16
      months, but their VLUs were worsening. A self-adaptive wound dressing (SAWD) with
      a compression wrap was applied 2 to 3 times a week. RESULTS: Within 21 days, the
      VLUs of both cases had shed the yellow slough, and healthy granulation tissue was
      visible. CONCLUSION: In summary, the SAWD removed excess exudate with liquefied
      components of slough and nonvital tissue; provided sufficient moisture for
      preventing wound desiccation; sequestered microorganisms, thereby blocking their
      multiplication; and supported efficient autolytic debridement, clearing most of
      the slough and all crusted necrotic tissue within 3 weeks. The effect of SAWD on
      autolytic debridement is a promising mechanism for promoting healing of VLUs and
      warrants further study.

PMID- 26284378
TI  - Amputation? Surely Not!

PMID- 26284379
TI  - Hemophilia And Von Willebrand Disease In Children: Emergency Department
      Evaluation And Management.
AB  - Hemophilia and von Willebrand disease are the most common inherited bleeding
      disorders encountered in the emergency department. Evidence suggests that the
      management of bleeding disorders in the emergency department is currently
      suboptimal, and literature to guide evaluation and management in this setting is
      limited, though some guidelines do exist. The emergency clinician must have a
      high index of suspicion for new diagnoses, particularly in young patients with
      unprovoked bleeding and children with multiple or severe bleeds. The foundation
      of hemophilia treatment is urgent clotting factor replacement, with replacement
      goals guided by the presenting complaint. Bleeding in von Willebrand disease may
      be treated with products containing von Willebrand factor or with desmopressin.
      This review focuses on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, common presentations,
      evaluation strategies, and emergency management of these bleeding disorders.

PMID- 26284380
TI  - Cellulose-Templated Graphene Monoliths with Anisotropic Mechanical, Thermal, and
      Electrical Properties.
AB  - Assembling particular building blocks into composites with diverse targeted
      structures has attracted considerable interest for understanding its new
      properties and expanding the potential applications. Anisotropic organization is
      considered as a frequently used targeted architecture and possesses many peculiar
      properties because of its unusual shapes. Here, we show that anisotropic graphene
      monoliths (AGMs), three-dimensional architectures of well-aligned graphene sheets
      obtained by a dip-coating method using cellulose acetate fibers as templates show
      thermal-insulating, fire-retardant, and anisotropic properties. They exhibit a
      feature of higher mechanical strength and thermal/electrical conductivities in
      the axial direction than in the radial direction. Elastic polymer resins are then
      introduced into the pores of the AGMs to form conductive and flexible composites.
      The composites, as AGMs, retain the unique anisotropic properties, revealing
      opposite resistance change under compressions in different directions. The
      outstanding anisotropic properties of AGMs make them possible to be applied in
      the fields of thermal insulation, integrated circuits, and electromechanical
      devices. 

PMID- 26284381
TI  - alpha-C-Glycosides via syn Opening of 1,2-Anhydro Sugars with Organozinc
      Compounds in Toluene/n-Dibutyl Ether.
AB  - The diastereoselective addition of organozinc species to 1,2-anhydro sugars in
      toluene/n-dibutyl ether solvent is reported. Compared to the existing methods,
      the reaction proceeds at 0  degrees C, and only a slight excess of nucleophile is
      required to achieve good yields. Scope was assessed with different O-protected
      glycals along with various nucleophiles (aryl, alkynyl). This methodology was
      applied to the synthesis of the alpha-anomer of canagliflozin. 

PMID- 26284382
TI  - Identification of Protein-Protein Interactions by Detecting Correlated Mutation
      at the Interface.
AB  - Protein-protein interactions play key roles in a multitude of biological
      processes, such as de novo drug design, immune response, and enzymatic activity.
      It is of great interest to understand how proteins in a complex interact with
      each other. Here, we present a novel method for identifying protein-protein
      interactions, based on typical co-evolutionary information. Correlated mutation
      analysis can be used to predict interface residues. In this paper, we propose a
      non-redundant database to detect correlated mutation at the interface. First, we
      construct structure alignments for one input protein, based on all aligned
      proteins in the database. Evolutionary distance matrices, one for each input
      protein, can be calculated through geometric similarity and evolutionary
      information. Then, we use evolutionary distance matrices to estimate correlation
      coefficient between each pair of fragments from two input proteins. Finally, we
      extract interacting residues with high values of correlation coefficient, which
      can be grouped as interacting patches. Experiments illustrate that our method
      achieves better results than some existing co-evolution-based methods. Applied to
      SK/RR interaction between sensor kinase and response regulator proteins, our
      method has accuracy and coverage values of 53% and 45%, which improves upon
      accuracy and coverage values of 50% and 30% for DCA method. We evaluate interface
      prediction on four protein families, and our method has overall accuracy and
      coverage values of 34% and 30%, which improves upon overall accuracy and coverage
      values of 27% and 21% for PIFPAM. Our method has overall accuracy and coverage
      values of 59% and 63% on Benchmark v4.0, and 50% and 49% on CAPRI targets.
      Comparing to existing methods, our method improves overall accuracy value by at
      least 2%. 

PMID- 26284383
TI  - Group Physical Activity Intervention for Childhood Cancer Survivors: A Pilot
      Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Inadequate physical activity (PA) in childhood cancer survivors may
      lead to compromised health outcomes. The purpose of this pilot study was to
      evaluate the feasibility and effect of a PA intervention in childhood cancer
      survivors ages 8-12 who report < 1 hour of moderate-to-vigorous physical (MVPA)
      per day. METHODS: Twenty survivors were randomized to a 6-month group PA
      intervention or to a control group. A pre/post measure of MVPA was completed by
      all participants, and a pre/post measure of self-efficacy was completed by the
      intervention group. Analysis included measures of feasibility, change in
      percentage of awake time spent in MVPA, self-efficacy scores, and correlations in
      MVPA and self-efficacy. RESULTS: All feasibility parameters were confirmed.
      Increases in percent of awake time spent in MVPA were seen in 67% of the
      intervention group and 14% of the control group. A medium effect size (r = 0.55)
      was calculated for the correlation between change in MVPA and change in total
      self-efficacy scores; the largest effect size (r = 0.62) was found for the
      subscale for adequacy. CONCLUSIONS: Increases in MVPA can be seen in childhood
      cancer survivors who participate in a group intervention that includes support of
      self-efficacy.

PMID- 26284384
TI  - Ligands Slow Down Pure-Dephasing in Semiconductor Quantum Dots.
AB  - It is well-known experimentally and theoretically that surface ligands provide
      additional pathways for energy relaxation in colloidal semiconductor quantum dots
      (QDs). They increase the rate of inelastic charge-phonon scattering and provide
      trap sites for the charges. We show that, surprisingly, ligands have the opposite
      effect on elastic electron-phonon scattering. Our simulations demonstrate that
      elastic scattering slows down in CdSe QDs passivated with ligands compared to
      that in bare QDs. As a result, the pure-dephasing time is increased, and the
      homogeneous luminescence line width is decreased in the presence of ligands. The
      lifetime of quantum superpositions of single and multiple excitons increases as
      well, providing favorable conditions for multiple excitons generation (MEG).
      Ligands reduce the pure-dephasing rates by decreasing phonon-induced fluctuations
      of the electronic energy levels. Surface atoms are most mobile in QDs, and
      therefore, they contribute greatly to the electronic energy fluctuations. The
      mobility is reduced by interaction with ligands. A simple analytical model
      suggests that the differences between the bare and passivated QDs persist for up
      to 5 nm diameters. Both low-frequency acoustic and high-frequency optical phonons
      participate in the dephasing processes in bare QDs, while low-frequency acoustic
      modes dominate in passivated QDs. The theoretical predictions regarding the pure
      dephasing time, luminescence line width, and MEG can be verified experimentally
      by studying QDs with different surface passivation. 

PMID- 26284385
TI  - One-Dimensional Rod-Like Sb2S3-Based Anode for High-Performance Sodium-Ion
      Batteries.
AB  - Due to the high theoretical capacity of 946 mAh g(-1), Sb2S3 can be employed as
      promising electrode material for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). Herein, the sodium
      storage behaviors of one-dimensional (1D) Sb2S3-based materials (Sb2S3 and
      Sb2S3@C rods) are successfully studied for the first time, displaying good
      cyclability and rate capability owing to their unique morphology and structure.
      Specifically, the Sb2S3@C rods electrode presents greatly enhanced
      electrochemical properties, resulting from the introduction of thin carbon layers
      which can effectively alleviate the strain caused by the large volume change and
      simultaneously improve the conductivity of electrode during cycling. At a current
      density of 100 mA g(-1), it delivers a high capacity of 699.1 mAh g(-1) after 100
      cycles, which corresponds to 95.7% of the initial reversible capacity. Even at a
      high current density of 3200 mA g(-1), the capacity can still reach 429 mAh g(
      1). This achievement may be a significant exploration for develpoing novel 1D Sb
      based materials or metal sulfide SIBs anodes. 

PMID- 26284387
TI  - [Expression and significance of CMTM5 and epidermal growth factor receptor in
      prostate cancer].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression patterns of CKLF-like MARVEL
      transmembrane domain containing 5 (CMTM5), a novel tumor suppressor, and
      epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in prostate cancer (PCa) tissues and
      cells and to analyze the relationship between CMTM5 and EGFR in PCa. METHODS: The
      expression patterns of CMTM5 and EGFR in PCa tissues and cells were detected by
      immunohistochemistry and Western blot, respectively. RESULTS: CMTM5 was highly
      expressed in 75% (27/36) of benigh prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) tissues but 35.9%
      (23/64) of PCa tissues (P<0.001). There was a significant difference of CMTM5
      expression between the two groups of PCa tissues with different Gleason scores
      (P=0.003), though its expression was not related to the age, clinical stage, and
      metastatic situation (P>0.05). EGFR was highly expressed in 57.8% (37/64) of PCa
      tissues, it had statistical significance between EGFR and CMTM5 expressions in
      PCa tissues. Furthermore, 23 cases (35.9%) had low CMTM5 expression and high EGFR
      expression. Western blot showed that CMTM5 was undetectable in PCa cells, in
      which the EGFR expression was upregulated. CONCLUSION: The loss of CMTM5 may
      participate in the progression of PCa resulting from deregulated EGFR.

PMID- 26284388
TI  - [Mechanisms of prostaglandin E2-induced bone marrow-derived progenitor cell
      differentiation].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To identify the functions and mechanisms of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)
      induced bone marrow-derived progenitor cells (BMPCs) maturation and its involved
      angiogenesis. METHODS: BMPCs harvested by flushing through the femoral and tibial
      bones and cultured. This population of cells was identified by immunofluorescence
      staining. From which, 1 MUmol/L PGE2 was taken, and quantitative-PCR (Q-PCR) and
      Western blot were used to detect the expressions of endothelial markers and
      Kruppel like factor 2 (KLF2) in BMPCs. In vitro tube formation assay was
      performed to demonstrate the capacity of angiogenesis. Furthermore, PGE2 and its
      receptors EP2 and EP4 agonists were used to elucidate the regulation of PGE2 to
      KLF2. RESULTS: C-kit, von Willebrand factor (vWF) and vascular endothelial
      cadherin expressed in BMPCs. Treatment with PGE2 (1 MUmol/L) significantly
      increased the differentiation of BMPCs. The mRNA levels of endothelial markers
      platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1/CD31) and endothelial
      nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), were significantly upregulated in about 2 folds by
      PGE2 detected with Q-PCR assay. Matrigel tube formation assay also demonstrated
      PGE2 enhanced the ability of angiogenesis in BMPCs. In addition, the expression
      of KLF2 increased in more than 2 folds with PGE2 treatment compared with the
      control. Such effect of PGE2 could be blocked by EP4 blocking peptide.
      CONCLUSION: Promoting the differentiation of BMPCs, PGE2 reinforced their
      angiogenesis by binding to the receptor of EP4 in a KLF2-dependent manner.

PMID- 26284389
TI  - [Concentration of basic fibroblast growth factor in plasma and cavernous corpus
      of aged rat].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the concentration of basic fibroblast growth factor
      (bFGF) in aged rat plasma and penile tissues. METHODS: Twelve 24-month-old rats
      and ten 12-week-old rats were selected. We assessed the erectile responses of
      rats to cavernous nerve electrostimulation. Then the concentrations of bFGF in
      the rats' plasma and penile tissues were detected by ELISA kit and smooth muscle
      contents in the rats' cavernous corpus were evaluated by masson trichrome
      staining. RESULTS: Compared with the young rats, we found that the erectile
      function of the aged rats were significantly attenuated (The Max ICP/MAP in the
      aged rats were 0.41+/-0.05, 0.44+/-0.04 and 0.51+/-0.06 at 2.5 volts, 5.0 volts
      and 7.5 volts respectively while the Max ICP/MAP in the normal controls were
      0.70+/-0.06, 0.75+/-0.07 and 0.81+/-0.04 at 2.5 volts, 5 volts and 7.5 volts
      respectively, P<0.05). The concentrations of bFGF [The bFGF levels in plasma and
      penile tissues in the aged rat were (6.43+/-0.51) MUg/L and (598.6+/-51.7) pg/mg
      protein respectively while the bFGF levels in the normal control were (10.53+/
      0.42) MUg/L and (985.8+/-76.8) pg/mg protein] were significantly reduced
      (P<0.05). Furthermore, the smooth muscle contents in the aged rats' penile
      tissues (0.038+/-0.005) were dramatically decreased compared with the normal
      control (0.075+/-0.006, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The reduced levels of bFGF may be
      related to the decreased smooth muscle contents in the penile tissues of the aged
      rats.

PMID- 26284390
TI  - [A head-to-head comparison of contemporary indolent prostate cancer screen
      protocols in Chinese].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the diagnostic accuracy of five internationally used
      indolent prostate cancer screen protocols in Chinese prostate cancer patients.
      METHODS: Retrospective analysis was made of the consecutive cohort of 314
      patients, from Jan. 2006 to Apr. 2014, who had both prostate biopsy and radical
      prostatectomy in Peking University First Hospital. The Gleason score<=6, pT2,
      tumor volume<=0.5 mL, margin negative and lymph nodes negative were defined as
      indolent prostate cancer. The predictive value of five indolent screen criteria
      including Epstein, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), Prostate
      Cancer Research International: Active Surveillance (PRIAS), University of
      California, San Francisco (UCSF), and University of Miami (UM) were evaluated in
      Chinese prostate cancer patients. Measures of diagnostic accuracy and areas under
      the receiver-operating curve (AUC) were calculated for each protocol and
      compared. RESULTS: A total of 16% (49 cases) of the patients met the inclusion
      criteria of at least one protocol, including 24 cases in Epstein, 33 cases in
      MSKCC, 28 cases in PRIAS, 34 cases in UCSF, and 22 cases in UM. Three percent
      were eligible for all the studied criteria. UCSF and MSKCC protocols had the
      highest sensitivity and specificity than the others. The Epstein and PRIAS
      protocols demonstrated acceptable positive predictive value, but the specificity
      and sensitivity were inefficient. The UM protocol was performed unsatisfiedly on
      sensitivity, positive predictive value and AUC. A strict limited protocol which
      contained all the five protocols could not improve the predictive accuracy.
      CONCLUSION: The UCSF protocol had better diagnostic accuracy than the others, but
      the results were not satisfied. A further investigation on indolent prostate
      cancer screening in Chinese patients is needed.

PMID- 26284391
TI  - [Predictor analysis of PSA response of docetaxel combined with prednisone in the
      treatment of metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the factors that may predict the effectiveness of
      metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients who received
      docetaxel plus prednisone treatment. METHODS: We retrospectively collected the
      clinical data of mCRPC patients who has received docetaxel chemotherapy in Peking
      University First Hospital between February 2010 and March 2015, and the clinical
      factors were analyzed using univariate analysis. RESULTS: A total of 60 cases of
      patients were treated, of whom 33 with complete clinical data were analyzed. PSA
      responsive was defined as PSA declining >=50% of baseline and without progression
      according to RESCIST criteria. The median PSA at chemotherapy was 153.4 MUg/L
      (6.6-9 952.0 MUg/L), and a total of 20 cases (60.6%) were PSA responsive.
      Univariate analysis found that lower Gleason score (Gleason scores<=7) (25%
      vs.72%, P=0.034), the existence of positive Lymph node (78% vs. 40%, P=0.032),
      the existence of visceral metastasis (80% vs. 44%, P=0.041) and baseline blood
      HGB value<=120 g/L (30% vs. 74%, P=0.024) were associated with chemotherapy
      effectiveness. CONCLUSION: High Gleason score, lymph node metastasis, visceral
      metastasis and normal HGB level may predict PSA response after docetaxel-based
      chemotherapy.

PMID- 26284392
TI  - [Efficacy and outcome of palliative TURP in patients with bladder outlet
      obstruction induced by advanced prostate cancer].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and outcome of palliative transurethral
      resection of the prostate (pTURP) in patients with server bladder outlet
      obstruction (BOO) due to prostatic obstruction induced by advanced prostate
      cancer. METHODS: All the 16 patients who had a pTURP between November 2007 and
      January 2015 due to BOO (high residual urine volume combined with hydronephrosis
      or urinary retention refractory to medical treatment) at our institution were
      retrospectively assessed. All the patients were diagnosed with advanced prostate
      cancer (III stage or IV stage). The clinical data, functional and oncological
      follow-up results were evaluated. The cancer specific survivals were estimated by
      Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 73.8 years (63
      81 years). Five cases were graded in stage III of prostate cancer and 11 in stage
      IV. The indications for pTURP were refractory urinary retention in 12 cases, and
      high residual urine volume with hydronephrosis in 4 cases. The mean prostate
      volume at pTURP was 43.2 mL (28-78 mL) and the mean PSA (prostate specific
      antigen) level before pTURP was 48.2 MUg/L (2-107 MUg/L). The patients had mean
      residual urine volume 166.4 mL (50-450 mL) and mean urinary flow rate 3.6 mL/s (0
      6 mL/s, n=7) before pTURP. It took mean 62.9 min (35-94 min) in pTURP with mean
      estimated blood loss 126.9 mL (30-263 mL) and mean resected tissue 14.1 g (10-22
      g). There were no transfusion cases. Postoperative mean serum PSA 20.5 MUg/L (1
      41 MUg/L), residual urine volume 43.4 mL (0-400 mL) and urinary flow rate 10.1
      mL/s (7-16 mL/s, n=7) were shown in these cases. A patient encountered persistent
      hematuria needing irrigation. Compared with preoperation, the patients had
      significantly lower serum PSA level (P<0.001), less residual urine volume
      (P<0.001) and more urinary flow rate (P=0.001) after pTURP. The mean follow-up
      after pTURP was 36 months (1-86 months). In addition, 2 patients received
      repeated pTURP. At the time of the latest analysis, 3 patients died from prostate
      cancer progression. As estimated by Kaplan-Meier analysis, the 2-, 3- and 5-year
      cancer specific survival rates after pTURP were 91%, 78% and 58%, respectively.
      CONCLUSION: Despite less resected tissue, greater delay in urination and
      reoperation rates, pTURP is a fairly effective procedure in patients with server
      BOO. Although a potential negative impact of pTURP on survival cannot be
      excluded, the estimated 3- and 5-year cancer specific survival rates in this
      series seem to justify this intervention.

PMID- 26284393
TI  - ["Sandwich" urethra reconstruction improves the early continence following
      laparoscopic radical prostatectomy].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the safety and efficacy of "sandwich" urethra
      reconstruction in laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) for the early recovery
      of continence. METHODS: LRP was performed using a urethra surrounding tissue
      reconstruction in 37 consecutive patients, and without reconstruction procedure
      in 34 consecutive patients at the same period from March 2012 to January 2013.
      The baseline data, preoperative data: The patient age, body mass index (BMI,
      kg/m2), International prostate symptoms score (IPSS), prostate volume,
      preoperative PSA, Gleason score were assessed retrospectively; Operative data:
      The neurovascular bundle preservation, operation time, blood loss were assessed;
      and the primary outcome measure was urinary continence assessed at the end of 1,
      2, 4, 12 and 24 weeks after the catheter was removed. Other data recorded were
      duration of indwelling catheter, positive margin rate and complications. RESULTS:
      There were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to
      baseline,preoperative and operative data except of the operative time (P=0.003).
      Between the two groups, the continence of the reconstruction group was higher
      than that of the control group at the end of 4 and 12 weeks (P=0.007, P=0.020,
      respectively). CONCLUSION: Urethra surrounding tissue reconstruction in LRP is
      safe and feasible, and it could improve early recovery of continence.

PMID- 26284394
TI  - [Prognostic factors for intravesical recurrence after surgery for upper tract
      urothelial carcinoma in renal transplant recipients].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To elucidate clinicopathological independent prognostic factors for
      intravesical recurrence after nephroureterectomy for native upper tract
      urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) in renal transplant recipients. METHODS: In this
      study, 38 patients clinically diagnosed as localized UTUC after renal
      transplantation were included, and treated by retroperitoneal laparoscopic
      nephroureterectomy between April 2006 and March 2013, after exclusion of those
      with a previous and/or concurrent history of bladder cancer. The
      clinicopathologic features, risk factors, and intravesical recurrence free
      survival were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate and multivariate
      analyses by Cox's proportional hazards regression model were used to identify
      independent risk factors for intravesical tumor recurrence. RESULTS: Of all the
      patients, 16/38 (42.1%) developed subsequent intravesical recurrence during a
      median follow-up period of 38 months (range 12 to 104 months), of whom, 12/16
      (75.0%) developed recurrent bladder cancer within 2 years after
      nephroureterectomy, and the median interval between surgery and intravesical
      recurrence was 15.5 months (range 6 to 48 months). Multifocal tumors, native
      aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN) and distal ureter involvement were determined
      as risk factors for intravesical recurrence by univariate analysis. The
      intravesical recurrence rate was 62.5% (5/8) in the group of native AAN, and
      46.2% (12/26) in the group of multifocality. By multivariate analyses,
      multifocality (HR=2.603, 95% CI=1.529-8.906, P=0.019) and native AAN (HR=2.179,
      95% CI=1.085-8.093, P=0.038) were identified as independent predictors for the
      development of recurrent bladder cancer after surgery for UTUC in renal
      transplant recipients. CONCLUSION: The incidence of intravesical recurrence after
      laparoscopic nephroureterectomy for UTUC in renal transplant recipients is high,
      and most subsequent bladder cancers recur within 2 years after surgery. Tumor
      multifocality and native AAN are significant independent risk factors in
      developing initial intravesical recurrence after laparoscopic surgery for primary
      UTUC after renal transplantation.

PMID- 26284395
TI  - [Treatment of local low/intermediate risk prostate cancer with low dose rate
      brachytherapy: a report of 133 cases at a single center].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the safety and efficacy of low dose rate brachytherapy
      in local low and intermediate risk prostate cancer patients. METHODS: All 133
      local prostate cancer patients were included and divided into low and
      intermediate risk groups respectively according to Memorial Sloan Kettering Group
      (MSKG) definition followed by brachytherapy. All the data including prostatic
      specific antigen (PSA), international prostatic symptomatic score (IPSS), post
      operation complications and image evaluation were collected and recorded.
      RESULTS: The average radiation dose delivered to 90% of the prostate (D90) of
      (152.0+/-17.3) Gy was performed in the patients with a mean pre-operation PSA
      level of (13.45+/-7.1) MUg/L and prostate volume of (44.37+/-21.43) mL.
      Neoadjuvant therapy was performed in 24 patients with prostate volume larger than
      60 mL for 3-6 months. There was no difference in the mean age, prostate volume
      and D90 between low risk group and intermediate risk group. The mean IPSS reached
      its peak at the end of the 2nd month post-brachytherapy and compared with the
      baseline at the end of the 4th month. PSA failure occurred at the end of the mean
      31.7 months in 4 patients during the follow-up (1 in low risk group and 3 in
      intermediate risk group) and no metastasis occurred. CONCLUSION: Lower urinary
      tract symptom (LUTS) is the most common complication post-operation.
      Brachytherapy associates with an encouraging tumor progress-free survival in
      local low and intermediate risk prostate cancer patients.

PMID- 26284396
TI  - [Treatment of upper urinary calculi through novel modular flexible ureteroscope:
      a report of 36 cases].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of novel modular flexible
      ureteroscope in the treatment of upper urinary calculi. METHODS: From Nov. 2013
      to Jul. 2014, 36 cases of upper urinary calculi were treated with holmium laser
      lithotripsy through novel modular flexible ureteroscope. The clinical data
      including the location and diameter of the calculi, time of operation, stone-free
      rate, complications and hospital stay after operation were analyzed
      retrospectively. RESULTS: The operation was performed successfully in 34 cases,
      the average time of operation was 108.5 min (70-145 min), the post-operation
      hospital stay was 2-5 d (average 2.3 d), and the stone-free rate was 83.33%. No
      serious complications occurred except postoperative fever in 2 cases and
      haemorrhage in 1 case. CONCLUSION: The novel modular flexible ureteroscope is a
      safe and effective medical instrumentation for treatment of upper urinary
      calculi.

PMID- 26284397
TI  - [Management of calyceal diverticular calculi with stenotic infundibulum by
      flexible ureteroscopic holmium laser infundibulectomy and lithotripsy].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of flexible ureteroscopic holmium
      laser lithotripsy in treating calyceal diverticular calculi with stenotic
      infundibulum and to present our initial experience. METHODS: From Nov. 2012 to
      Nov. 2014, 10 patients with stone-bearing calyceal diverticulum and stenotic
      infundibulum underwent flexible ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy in our
      hospital, including 3 female patients and 7 male patients with an average age of
      36.9 years (range: 20 to 62 years). There were 6 patients with right side while 4
      patients with left side calyceal diverticular calculi. The average cumulative
      stone size was (1.33+/-0.43) cm. Five patients underwent extracorporeal shock
      wave lithotripsy (ESWL) before hospital admission but no stone was discharged.
      All the patients received intravenous urography (IVU) and CT-urography (CTU)
      preoperatively and underwent double-J stents placement 2 weeks before operations.
      A digital-fiber flexible ureteroscopy and 200 MUm holmium laser fiber were used
      for treatment. Surgeries began with routine flexible ureteroscopy and methylene
      blue injection was used to identify the small ostium of infundibulum. Then
      infundibulectomy followed by lithotripsy was performed. All the patients receive
      double-J stents placement and traditional Chinese medicine for 1 to 3 months
      after operations. The stone clearance was estimated by kidney ureter bladder
      (KUB) within 3 months' follow up. RESULTS: The locations of calyceal diverticulum
      were upper pole in 7 patients, and interpolar regions in 4 patients. The average
      operation time was (123.7+/-59.6) min, and the average estimated blood loss was
      (29.3+/-32.1) mL. Successful flexible ureteroscopic holmium laser
      infundibulectomies were performed in all the 10 patients. Success rate was 100%.
      The stone clearance rates for 1 and 3 months after surgery were 50.0% and 80.0%,
      respectively, which were observed by KUB follow-up. Two patients had serious post
      operative fever (>38.0  degrees C) in coexistence with chills. The mobidity of
      urosepsis was 20.0%. No major complications were identified. CONCLUSION: In
      selected patients, calyceal diverticular calculi with stenotic infundibulum can
      be treated safely and efficiently with flexible ureteroscopic homium laser
      lithotripsy. CTU and IVU should be completed preoperatively for calyceal
      diverticulum location and technique difficulty prediction. Retrograde methylene
      blue injection can be used to identify the ostium during surgery. And prolonged
      post-operation stone clearance was observed.

PMID- 26284398
TI  - [Clinical characteristics of IgG4 related retroperitoneal fibrosis: a report of 5
      cases and literature review].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical characteristics, treatment and prognosis of
      IgG4-related retroperitoneal fibrosis (RPF). METHODS: All the patients diagnosed
      as RPF in Peking University People's Hospital between February 2008 and October
      2014 were included. Among them, 5 patients were identified as IgG4 related RPF.
      We analyzed their medical records and summarized the clinical, laboratory, and
      imaging features of IgG4 related RPF, which had taken the recent literature into
      account. RESULTS: All the 5 patients were male, with the average age 62.2 years
      (55-67 years). They mainly complained of abdominal pain, flank pain and weight
      loss, two of whom had concurrent antoimmune pancreatitis. Renal insufficiency was
      present in 3 patients (3/5). Four patients (4/4) showed increased erythrocyte
      sedimentation rate (ESR), while 3 patients (3/4) had higher serum C-reactive
      protein (CRP) and IgG. In addition, 4 patients (4/4) had significantly elevated
      serum IgG4 level. On computed tomography (CT) imaging, 5 patients showed
      retroperitoneal mass which surrounded the abdominal aorta and the iliac arteries,
      and even enveloped the ureters and the inferior vena cava. Only one patient
      received tissue pathological examination, which indicated the numbers of IgG4
      positive plasma cells per high power field>10 and a ratio of IgG4-positive cells
      to all IgG-bearing cells>40%. One patient received simple surgical intervention,
      and 1 patient received medical treatment alone, while the remaining 3 patients
      received combined treatment of surgery and medications. follow-up was available
      for the 4 patients, all of whom had good prognosis. CONCLUSION: Part of RPF was
      actually IgG4-related, which was also nominated as IgG4 related RPF. It was a
      rare disease with unknown etiology, characterized by the elevated serum IgG4
      concentration (>=1.35 g/L), with marked tissue infiltration by lymphocytes and
      IgG4-positive plasma cells with fibrosis, in addition to the presence of
      retroperitoneal mass. Glucocorticoids were the first-line therapy and IgG4
      related RPF had a favourable prognosis.

PMID- 26284399
TI  - [Risk factors for the development of postoperative paralytic ileus after radical
      cystectomy: a report of 740 cases].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To identify the risk factors that would aid in the identification of
      patients at the greatest risk of developing postoperative paralytic ileus.
      METHODS: In the retrospective study, 749 patients who received radical cystectomy
      from January 2005 to August 2014 were reviewed, of whom, 9 who received
      orthotopic ileal neobladder were excluded. Of the 740 patients, 82 (11.1%)
      developed postoperative paralytic ileus. The correlation between the clinical
      characters and the occurrence of post-operative paralytic ileus was identified.
      RESULTS: The postoperative paralytic ileus was significantly correlated with the
      patient's age (68 vs. 67, P=0.025), body mass index (23.0 kg/m2 vs.24.1 kg/m2,
      P=0.008), different urinary diversion reconstruction methods [13.2% (66/500) for
      ileal conduit and 7.3%(16/240) for cutaneous ureterostomy, P=0.008] and pelvic
      lymph node dissection [12.2% (77/632) vs.4.6% (5/108), P=0.021].The postoperative
      paralytic ileus caused a prolonged hospital stay and delayed recovery (24 d vs.
      17 d, P=0.000). There was no significant correlation between the postoperative
      paralytic ileus and the patients' gender, previous abdominal operations,
      preoperative hemoglobin and creatinine, American Society of Anesthesiologists
      score, operative time, estimated blood loss, transfusion requirement,
      laparoscopic and open surgery, ICU admission or tumor staging. On multivariate
      analysis, age (hazard ratio 1.185, 95% confidence interval 1.036-1.355, P=0.013),
      body mass index (hazard ratio 0.605, 95% confidence interval 0.427-0.857,
      P=0.005), different urinary diversion reconstruction methods (hazard ratio 2.422,
      95% confidence interval 1.323-4.435, P=0.004) and pelvic lymph node dissection
      (hazard ratio 2.798, 95% confidence interval 1.069-7.322, P=0.036) were
      significantly correlated with the presence of the postoperative paralytic ileus.
      CONCLUSION: Increasing age, decreasing BMI, ileal conduiturinary diversion and
      pelvic lymph node dissection were significantly correlated with the presence of
      postoperative paralytic ileus in patients undergoing radical cystectomy.

PMID- 26284400
TI  - [Percutaneous "sandwich" endopyeloplasty technique: a new endourological measure
      for ureteropelvic junction obstruction].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To report a new endourological technique-percutaneous "sandwich"
      endopyeloplasty for ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO). METHODS: In the
      study, 71 patients with UPJO had endopyeloplasty by percutaneous balloon dilation
      before and after endopyelotomy, so called "sandwich" endopyeloplasty. The ureter
      stent was removed after 2 months and all the patients were followed up at least
      12 months by ultrasound, intravenous urogram (IVU) or renal scintigraphy.
      RESULTS: There were 12 patients with primary UPJO, and 59 patients with
      iatrogenic UPJO after pyelolithotomy, pyeloplasty, ureteroscopic lithotripsy or
      percutaneous nephrolithotomy. The mean length of stricture was (1.4+/-0.8) mm
      while 5 cases had complete stenosis ureteropelvic junction (UPJ). The mean
      glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of the affected kidney was (19.8+/-10.8)
      mL/min.69 patientshad one-stage operation successfully and 2 patients with
      complete UPJ stenosis were recanalized in the secondary procedures. The mean time
      of the operation was (39.3+/-24.2) min. The complications included 1 case of
      hemotoma, and 2 cases with residual stones. In the follow-up period, 7 patients
      were re-obstructed. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous "sandwich" endopyeloplasty shows
      good results for UPJO of selected patients with simple operation, minimal
      invasiveness, quick recovery and few severe complications.

PMID- 26284401
TI  - [Efficiency evaluation of diuretic renography in the operative or conservative
      treatments of unilateral ureteropelvic junction obstruction patients].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To analyze the efficiency of diuretic renography in the management of
      unilateral ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) patients, by observing the
      affected kidney relative renal function (RRF) and drainage in the period of
      follow-up. METHODS: In the study, 76 patients diagnosed as unilateral UPJO were
      retrospectively collected. Diuretic renography was performed on all the patients
      initially, and during the period of follow-up. No morphological or functional
      abnormalities were detected on the contralateral kidney. Changes of affected
      renal RRF and drainage were observed during the follow-up period. The
      correlations of initial RRF (RRFinitial) and drainage type with RRF improvement
      were analyzed. RESULTS: In the operative group (57 cases), the RRFinitial of
      affected kidney was 40.81%+/-12.96%, and the RRF in the last follow-up
      (RRFrecent) was 44.63%+/-13.21% (P<0.05). Drainage improvements was found in
      54.00% of the obstructive patients (27/50), and unchanged in 71.43% of the non
      obstructive patients (5/7). In the conservative group (19 cases), the RRFinitial
      was 46.47%+/-12.84%, and the RRFrecent was 46.95%+/-11.86% (P>0.05). One
      obstructive patient (1/10) was found with improved drainage, and the other 9
      obstructive patients (9/10) and all of the non-obstructive patients (9/9) were
      observed with unchanged drainage. Four patients with deteriorated RRF in the
      conservative group received surgery. There were no significant differences in the
      changes of affected renal RRF in different RRFinitial and drainage types in both
      operative and conservative groups. CONCLUSION: Diuretic renography could be
      effectively applied in the follow-up of unilateral UPJO patients. Operation could
      improve affected kidney's RRF, and better some patients' drainage conditions.
      However, for those patients with no or minor clinical symptoms, conservative
      management could be accepted if RRF remains stable during the period of follow
      up.

PMID- 26284402
TI  - [Ileal ureteric replacement for iatrogenic long segment ureteric injuries].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of ileal ureteric replacement in the
      treatment of iatrogenic long segment ureteric injuries. METHODS: The hospital
      records of 9 cases with iatrogenic long segment ureteric injuries during Aug.
      2010 to Sept. 2014 treated with ileal ureteric replacement were retrospectively
      reviewed and followed-up postoperatively. The patients included 3 males and 6
      females with a median age of 40 years. The length of injury segment was 13-25 cm
      (median 20 cm). The etiology of the iatrogenic injury was urological surgery
      (n=6), gynecological surgery (n=2) and general surgery (n=1), respectively. The
      ureter stent was removed in 1-2 month postoperatively in all the 9 cases.
      RESULTS: All the operations were successful. The operation time was 203-394 min,
      with the average of (278.1+/-68.8) min. The bleeding volume was 10-1 000 mL, with
      the median of 200 mL. The mean length of hospital stay was (16.8+/-7.5) days.
      Four minor complications (Grade I-II) developed, including 3 ileus (33.3%) and 1
      proximal anastomotic leakage (11.1%). The median follow-up time was 11 months,
      serum creatinine decreased or remained stable in 8 patients (88.9%). Three
      patients (33.3%) developed mild hydronephrosis and short-time urinary tract
      infection was seen in 1 patient (11.1%). Metabolic acidosis was not detected
      during the follow-up. CONCLUSION: Ileal ureteric replacement is a safe and
      effective method in patients with complex or difficult iatrogenic long segment
      ureteric injuries.

PMID- 26284403
TI  - [Application of scrotoscope in the diagnosis and treatment of testicular and
      epididymal diseases].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of scrotoscope in diagnosis and
      treatment of testicular and epididymal diseases. METHODS: From September 2010 to
      March 2012, a total of 75 patients, aged 15-64 years (mean age is 42.4 years)
      were included in this study. Based on ultrasonagraphy before surgery, 12 cases
      were diagnosed as testicular torsion and 63 cases were diagnosed as epididymal
      mass. All the patients underwent scrotoscope examination or scrotoscope
      epididymectomy. A small scrotal incision of 1.0 cm was performed. Bluntly
      dissection was then performed through the scrotal layer until the tunica sac was
      disclosed. We used cystoscope or resectoscope as scrotoscope. Keeping the drip
      fusion of isotonic solution inflowing, the scrotum was maintained appropriate
      distended. The tunica sac wall including parietal and visceral tunica was
      checked. The testis, epididymis was then examined from the anterior, posterior
      and both lateral aspects to find out any potential pathology. The operation time
      of scrotoscope, postoperative complications, surgery record, ultrasound and
      pathology results were collected from medical record. Visual analog pain scale
      (range from 0 points to 10 points, 0 represent no pain, 10 represent the most
      severe pain) was used to assess scrotal pain. The postoperative complications,
      recurrence and pain relief were evaluated, the accuracy rates of the diagnosis
      was compared between scrotoscope and ultrasound based on pathology results.
      RESULTS: All the patients were successfully performed scrotoscope except one
      because of inflammatory adhesion. The average time of the operation was 34.3+/
      5.8 minutes, and no serious complications, such as severe edema, hematoma,
      testicular hydrocele and wound infection occurred. The accuracy rate of
      scrotoscope and ultrasound for the diagnosis of testicular torsion was 100% vs.
      66.7%, and the accuracy rate of scrotoscope and ultrasound for the diagnosis of
      epididymal mass was 76.2% vs. 58.7%. In the study, 63 patients received
      scrotoscope epididymectomy, the visual analogue pain score before surgery was
      7.1+/-0.8, 6 months after operation, and the pain score was 2.4+/-0.6.
      CONCLUSION: Scrotoscope is safe. There are no serious complications such as
      severe edema, hematoma, testicular hydrocele and wound infection occurred.
      Scrotoscope is superior to ultrasound for diagnosis of testicular torsion and
      epididymal mass. Scrotoscope epididymectomy is effective for pain relief,
      especially for patients with epididymal cyst.

PMID- 26284404
TI  - [Detection of cytochrome P450 3A4 gene polymorphism guides for labor analgesia
      with sufentanil medication].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between single nucleotide
      polymorphisms (SNPs) of cytochrome P450 (CYP450) 3A4 rs2242480 and inter
      individual differences of sufentanil consumption in accouchement sans douleur.
      METHODS: A total of 131 parturient women were collected. According to the
      distribution of genotypes and allele frequencies of rs2242480, the doses of
      sufentanil were individually designed. CC homozygotes were given the standard
      analgesia dose, CT heterozygotes and TT homozygotes were given 87.6% of standard
      sufentanil dose. RESULTS: Visual analogue score (VAS) between CC group and CT/TT
      group were 3.67+/-1.2 and 3.44+/-1.5, consistent with the expected analgesic
      standards. The difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The
      parturient women carrying CT heterozygotes and TT homozygotes of CYP3A4 rs2242480
      required less sufentanil in accouchement sans douleur.

PMID- 26284405
TI  - [Clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of microscopic polyangiitis
      combined with autoimmune hemolytic anemia].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical characteristics, laboratory features,
      outcome and prognosis of microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) patients with autoimmune
      hemolytic anemia (AIHA). METHODS: In this study, 63 cases diagnosed as MPA from
      October 2006 to November 2013 in Peking University People's Hospital were
      reviewed. The clinical characteristics, outcome and prognosis of MPA patients
      with AIHA were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: There were 12.7% (8/63) MPA
      patients with AIHA. The patients with AIHA had higher prevalence of fever,
      fatigue, hematuresis, albuminuria and new-onset hypertension, compared with non
      AIHA group(87.5% vs.29.1%;100% vs. 49.1%; 100% vs. 60%; 75% vs. 20%, all P<0.05).
      In patients with AIHA, there were significantly lower levels of red blood
      cell(RBC), hemoglobin(Hb), alanine albumin(Alb) and complement C3[(2.3+/
      0.5)*10(12)/L vs.(3.0+/-0.7)*10(12)/L;(66.2+/-13.1) g/L vs.(90.0+/-20.3) g/L;
      (26.1+/-4.4) g/L vs. (33.5+/-6.4) g/L; (0.7+/-0.2) g/L vs.(0.9+/-0.3) g/L,all
      P<0.05]. However, the levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), IgG and
      Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (BVAS) were higher, compared with those in
      the patients without AIHA [(102.1+/-25.7) mm/1 h vs.(76.5+/-31.1) mm/1 h; (20.9+/
      6.1) g/L vs. (14.5+/-6.0) g/L; ( 23.7+/-5.7) vs.(17.3+/-4.1), all P<0.05]. The
      study suggested that there were more severe multi-system damage in the patients
      with AIHA than in those without AIHA. In the MPA patients with AIHA, six cases
      received treatment of methylprednisolone combined with immunosuppressant, and two
      received treatment of methylprednisolone only. Among the eight cases, three were
      recovered from anemia and four improved. One died of severe lung infection. After
      4 years follow-up,in the seven MPA patients with AIHA, three received remission,
      two died,and two suffered from anemia and abnormal renal function. CONCLUSION:
      MPA with AIHA is more complicated by multi-system damage and not rare in clinical
      settings. Glucocorticoid combined with immunosuppressant is beneficial to induce
      remission for MPA patients with AIHA.

PMID- 26284406
TI  - [Experimental study of dendritic cells transfected with cancer stem like cells
      RNA against 9L brain tumors].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the anti-tumor efficacy of dendritic cells (DC)
      vaccination transfected with total RNA of cancer stem like cells and to discuss
      the mechanism of immune response, so as to provide experimental basis for
      clinical application. METHODS: Dendritic cells were isolated from F344 bone
      marrow cells, then these dendritic cells were transfected with total RNA of 9L
      cancer stem cells or 9L monolayer cells. F344 rats bearing with 9L brain tumors
      were treated by subcutaneous injection of either PBS, unpulsed DC, DC transfected
      with 9L monolayer cells RNA (DC-9LTS) or DC transfected with 9L tumor spheres RNA
      (DC-9L)3, 10, 17. And 21 days after tumor implantation, the brains and sera were
      obtained from the different groups, the lymphocytes infiltration was detected by
      immunohistochemistry, and the concentration of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) was
      tested by ELISA. The survival time was observed and determined using the method
      of Kaplan Meier analysis. RESULTS: The rats vaccinated with DC transfected with
      9L tumor spheres RNA (DC-9LTS) and the monolayer cell RNA (DC-9L) expired with
      median survival time of 36 and 31 days, respectively. The animals bearing
      intracranial 9L gliosarcoma were vaccinated with un-pulsed DC vaccine, all
      expired with a median survival time of 21 days. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve
      showed that the rats treated with DC-9LTS had longer survival than the other
      groups (P<0.01). There was significant difference among DC-9L group, DC group,
      and PBS group (P<0.01). There was no significant difference between DC group and
      PBS group (chi2=0.071, P=0.789).The concentration of IFN-gamma of DC-9LTS group
      [(157.08+/-7.25) ng/L] was much higher than those of the other groups (P<0.05).
      DC-9LTS could effectively enhance T-cell infiltration, a large number of CD8+
      cells were detected in and around the tumor in DC-9LTS group, compared with DC-9L
      group, DC and PBS group (P<0.001). The expression of CD8+ cell was not detected
      in DC group and PBS group. However no expression of CD4+ cells was observed in
      all the groups. CONCLUSION: Immunotherapy using DC transfected with 9L CSLCs
      total RNA was more effective for the treatment of 9L brain gliomas, and the
      strategy prolonged the survival of 9L glioma-bearing rats significantly, which
      provides a scientific foundation for further investigation of this approach to
      eradicate gliomas.

PMID- 26284407
TI  - [Diffusion of fluorescent and magnetic molecular probes in brain interstitial
      space].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the diffusion properties of fluorescent probes dextran
      tetramethylrhodamine (DT) and lucifer yellow CH (LY) and magnetic probe
      gadolinium-diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA) in porous media and to
      screen out a suitable fluorescent probe for optical imaging of brain interstitial
      space (ISS). METHODS: Agarose gels sample were divided into DT group, LY group
      and Gd-DTPA group, and the corresponding molecular probes were imported in each
      group. The dynamic diffusions of DT and LY in agarose gels at different time
      points (15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 min) were scanned with laser scanning
      confocal microscope, the dynamic diffusion of Gd-DTPA was imaged with magnetic
      resonance imaging. The average diffusion speed of LY were demonstrated to be
      consistent with those of Gd-DTPA. The LY was introduced into caudate putamen of
      18 rats, respectively, the diffusion of LY in the sequential slices of rat brain
      at different time points (0.5, 1, 2, 3, 7, 11 h) were scanned, and the results
      were compared with those of rats' brain with Gd-DTPA imported and imaged in vivo
      with magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: The diffusions of the three probes were
      isotropic in the agarose gels, and the average diffusion speeds of DT, LY and Gd
      DTPA were: (0.07+/-0.02)*10(-2) mm2/s, (1.54+/-0.47)*10(-2) mm2/s, (1.45+/
      0.50)*10(-2) mm2/s, respectively. The speed of DT was more slower than both LY
      and Gd-DTPA (ANOVA, F=367.15, P<0.001; Post-Hoc LSD, P<0.001), and there was no
      significant difference between the speeds of LY and Gd-DTPA (Post-Hoc LSD,
      P=0.091). The variation tendency of diffusion area of DT was different with both
      that of LY and that of Gd-DTPA (Bonferroni correction, alpha=0.0125, P<0.001),
      and there was no significant difference between LY and Gd-DTPA (Bonferroni
      correction, alpha=0.0125, P=0.203), in analysis by repeated measures data of
      ANOVA. The diffusions of LY and Gd-DTPA were anisotropy in rat caudate
      putamen,and the average diffusion speeds of LY and Gd-DTPA were: (1.03+/
      0.29)*10(-3) mm2/s, (0.81+/-0.27)*10(-3) mm2/s, respectively, no significant
      difference was demonstrated (t=0.759, P=0.490); half-time of single intensity of
      LY and Gd-DTPA was (2.58+/-0.04) h, (2.46+/-0.10) h, respectively, no significant
      difference was found (t=2.025, P=0.113). The diffusion area ratios between LY and
      Gd-DTPA in rat caudate putamen was not statistically different at hours 0.5, 1,
      2, 3 and 7 (t=2.249, P=0.088; t=2.582, P=0.061; t=1.966, P=0.121; t=0.132,
      P=0.674; t=0.032, P=0.976), while, a slightly difference was found at 11 h
      (t=2.917, P=0.043,in analysis by t test). CONCLUSION: LY present the same
      diffusion property with Gd-DTPA in porous media witch including agarose gels and
      live rat brain tissue, indicates that LY is a suitable fluorescent probe for
      optical imaging of brain ISS, and it can be used for microscopic, macro and in
      vitro measure of brain ISS.

PMID- 26284408
TI  - [Effects of sevoflurane on brain neuroapoptosis and ability of long-term learning
      and memory in newborn rats].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes of neuroapoptosis in brain and learning
      ability after neonatal mice are exposed to inhaled sevoflurane. METHODS: Twenty
      one postnatal day (P) 7 Wistar rats were randomly divided into 7 groups for the
      preliminary experiment. Arterial blood samples were obtained immediately at the
      end of anesthesia, then blood analysis was performed. According to the results of
      the blood analysis, the groups that had no carbon dioxide accumulation were
      chosen for the following experiment. Ninety postnatal day (P) 7 Wistar rats were
      randomly divided into 5 groups: group A [sham anesthesia], group B [1% (volume
      fraction) sevoflurane for 2 h], group C (1% sevoflurane for 4 h), group D [2%
      (volume fraction) sevoflurane for 2 h] and group E (2% sevoflurane for 4 h). The
      animals from each group were perfused transcardially with 0.1 mol/L phosphate
      buffer containing 4% (volume fraction) paraformaldehyde 6 h after the end of
      anesthesia, and then the brains were exposed for immunohisochemistry, and caspase
      3 positive cells were detected. Behavioral studies which included Morris water
      maze and passive voidance test were performed separately when the rats were 5
      week-old, 8-week-old and 14-week-old. RESULTS: The blood gas data in the mice
      during the anesthesia showed that the pH, arterial carbon dioxide tension,
      arterial oxygen tension, and arterial oxygen saturation did not differ
      significantly from those of the sham controls. The amount of the caspase-3
      positive cells in the rat brains of group B, group D and group E was greater than
      that in group A. When facing the spatial reference memory task or space
      exploration task, the rats from the different groups made it uniformly. The rats
      exposed to sham anesthesia had longer latency and less mistake times than those
      to sevoflurane in passive voidance test when they were 5-week-old, while all the
      rats had no significant difference in 8 weeks. CONCLUSION: Exposure to the
      concentration of 2% sevoflurane causes brain cell apoptosis of newborn rats. The
      memory ability to pessimal stimulation is decreased as the anesthesia mice were 5
      week-old, such changes recede along with the growth of the rats. Exposure to the
      concentration of 2% sevoflurane does not affect the spatial reference memory of
      newborn rats during their growth.

PMID- 26284409
TI  - [Surgical treatment of paraclinoid aneurysms].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the surgical treatment of paraclinoid aneurysms and
      evaluate the safety and efficacy of microsurgical clip and endovascular
      embolization of paraclinoid aneurysms. METHODS: The data of 28 patients with 30
      paraclinoid aneurysms receiving surgical treatment were retrospectively analyzed.
      According to Barami classification, 4 aneurysms were type Ia, 5 aneurysms type
      Ib, 13 aneurysms type II, 4 aneurysms type IIIa, 1 aneurysm type IIIb, and 3
      aneurysms type IV. In the study, 15 cases with 17 paraclinoid aneurysms received
      microsurgical treatment, of which 3 cases underwent superficial temporal artery
      middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA) bypass firstly and then aneurysms were trapped.
      The other 13 cases received endovascular embolism, in which balloon assistant
      technology was performed in 3 cases and stent assistant technology in another 3
      cases. RESULTS: All the 30 paraclinoid aneurysms were treated. One patient with
      bilateral paraclinoid aneurysms became blind after bilateral microsurgical
      procedures and another patient was unexceptedly dead 10 d after operation.
      Vasospasm resulting with cerebral infarction occurred in one case who received
      endovascular embolism, while two patients suffered from hydrocephalus. Ten cases
      of microsurgical group and 9 cases of interventional group were followed up with
      digital subtraction angiography, which disclosed that 9 cases of microsurgical
      group were clipped completely, while 7 aneurysms of interventional group were
      completely embolised. One aneurysm recurred and enlarged 12 months after stent
      assistant embolism, and after STA-MCA bypass and bilateral anterior cerebral
      artery anastomy and aneurysm insulation, the patient recovered well. When the
      patients were discharged, their Glasgow outcome scales showed that 18 cases were
      with 5, 8 with 4, 1 with 3 and 1 with 0. CONCLUSION: According to the
      classification, and with appropriate treatment, the patients with paraclinoid
      aneurysms will get good outcomes both with microsurgical clipping and with
      endovascular embolization.

PMID- 26284410
TI  - [Influence of dexamethasone on the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting
      in breast cancer patients with neoadjuvant chemotherapy].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of dexamethasone on the incidence of
      postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in patients undergoing modified radical
      mastectomy with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. METHODS: In a prospective trial, 280
      female (18-60 years) breast cancer patients undergoing modified radical
      mastectomy with neoadjuvent chemotherapy were randomized to two groups: one with
      dexamethasone (Group D) and one without dexamethasone (Group C, n=140). In each
      group, anesthesia was maintained with volatile anesthesia or total intravenous
      anesthesia (TIVA): TIVA (propofol) without dexamethasone (Subgroup CP); volatile
      anesthesia (sevoflurane) without dexamethasone (Subgroup CS); TIVA with 10 mg
      dexamethasone intravenously before anesthetic induction (Subgroup DP); volatile
      anesthesia with 10 mg dexamethasone intravenously before anesthetic induction
      (Subgroup DS). A standard general anesthetic technique was used. All the patients
      received 8 mg of ondansetron intravenously 30 minutes before the end of surgical
      procedures. The incidence of PONV during the 24-hour postoperative period was
      recorded. A Logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine relevant
      factors for PONV. The tested factors were: age, body mass index (BMI), duration
      of surgery, postoperative pain, history of motion sickness/PONV, with or without
      dexamethasone and anesthetic regimen. RESULTS: There was a significant lower
      incidence of PONV in the patients who received dexamethasone than in those who
      received placebo during the 24-hour postoperative period (11.4% vs. 20.7%,
      P=0.034). In the early postoperative period (0-2 h) dexamethasone reduced the
      incidence of PONV ( 1.4%vs.6.4%, P=0.031), but in the late postoperative period
      (2-24 h) the difference of the incidence was insignificantly (10.7% vs. 17.9%,
      P=0.088). No differences were found between TIVA and volatile anesthesia in the
      24-hour postoperative period. Dexamethasone was effective to prevent
      PONV(OR=0.447, P=0.030), and history of PONV or motion sickness was the risk
      factor of PONV (OR=15.730, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Dexamethasone prevents PONV
      effectively in patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy with neoadjuvant
      chemotherapy, and TIVA cannot decrease the incidence of PONV in the 24-hour
      postoperative period in those patients.

PMID- 26284411
TI  - [Effect of 1,4-naphthoquinone aged black carbon on reactive oxygen species and
      DNA strand breaks in human bronchial epithelial cells].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of 1,4-naphthoquinone aged black carbon (BC/1,4
      NQ) on reactive oxygen species and DNA strand breaks in human bronchial
      epithelial cells (16HBE). METHODS: In the study, 16HBE cells were exposed to
      BC/1,4-NQ, BC and 1,4-NQ at the concentrations of BC/1,4-NQ (10.0/0.2, 20.0/0.4,
      40.0/0.8, 80.0/1.6, 160.0/3.2 mg/L), BC (10.0, 20.0, 40.0, 80.0, 160.0 mg/L), 1,4
      NQ (0.2, 0.4, 0.8, 1.6, 3.2 mg/L) for 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively.
      Cytotoxicity was detected by cell count kit 8 (CCK-8) at the end point. Then the
      16HBE cells were exposed to BC/1,4-NQ (20.0/0.4, 40.0/0.8, 80.0/1.6 mg/L), BC
      (20.0, 40.0, 80.0 mg/L), 1,4-NQ (0.4, 0.8, 1.6 mg/L) for 24 h. The reactive
      oxygen species (ROS) generation was determined via flow cytometry with DCFH-DA
      probe. Single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) assay was performed to evaluate
      genotoxicity by Olive tail moment (OTM) value. RESULTS: Except for the
      concentration of 10.0/0.2 mg/L within the exposure time 24 h, the cell
      viabilities of BC/1,4-NQ were significantly lower than the control (P<0.05)
      within the exposure time 24-72 h, showing a dose-dependent cytotoxicity.
      Especially, BC/1,4-NQ showed greater cytotoxicity than BC single exposure, lower
      than 1,4-NQ at the concentration of BC/1,4-NQ>=80.0/1.6 mg/L. BC/1,4-NQ also
      showed greater ROS generation and OTM value than the control within the exposure
      time 24 h at each concentration (P<0.05). Especially, the ROS generation and OTM
      value of BC/1,4-NQ were greater than BC single exposure, lower than 1,4-NQ at the
      concentration of 80.0/1.6 mg/L (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: BC/1,4-NQ can induce
      intracellular ROS generation, cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in 16HBE cells. And
      at high concentration, the intracellular ROS level, cytotoxicity and genotoxicity
      induced by BC/1,4-NQ were greater than those by BC single exposure, but lower
      than those by 1,4-NQ.

PMID- 26284412
TI  - [Relationship between vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms and chronic
      periodontitis].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene
      polymorphisms and chronic periodontitis(CP). METHODS: Buccal swabs from 105
      patients with mild/mode-rate CP and 85 severe CP were collected, DNA was
      extracted from these buccal swabs using the TIANamp Swab DNA Kit [TIANGEN Biotech
      (Beijing) CO.Ltd]. The VDR rs1544410 and rs731236 were genotyped by the Sequenom
      MassARRAY system (Shanghai Benegene Biotechnology Co. Ltd), which was based on
      MALDI-TOF (matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight)
      technology. The distribution of the genotypes and allele frequencies were
      analyzed. RESULTS: The frequencies of the rs1544410 A allele and AA+AG genotype
      were significantly higher in severe CP than in mild/moderate CP of all the
      patients and the female patients respectively (all the patients: P=0.006, 0.007;
      the female patients: P=0.001, 0.001). The frequencies of the rs731236 C allele
      and CC+CT genotype were significantly higher in severe CP than in mild/moderate
      CP of all the patients and the female patients respectively (all the patients:
      P=0.003, 0.004; the female patients: P<0.001, <0.001). CONCLUSION: Gene
      polymorphisms of VDR rs731236 and rs1544410 may be associated with severe CP in
      Chinese Han population.

PMID- 26284413
TI  - [Three-dimensional evaluation of condylar morphology remodeling after
      orthognathic surgery in mandibular retrognathism by cone-beam computed
      tomography].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of orthognathic surgery on condylar morphology
      changes by comparing three-dimension surface reconstructions of condyles using
      cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) data. METHODS: In the study, 18 patients
      with mandible retrognathism deformities were included and CBCT data of 36
      temporomandibular joints were collected before surgery and 12 months after
      surgery. Condyles were reconstructed and superimposed pre- and post-operatively
      to compare the changes of condylar surfaces. One-sample t test and chi2 test were
      performed for the analysis of three-dimension metric measurement and condylar
      head remodeling signs. P<0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The root-mean
      square (RMS) of condylar surface changes before and after the surgery was (0.37+/
      0.11) mm, which was significant statistically (P<0.05). The distribution of
      condylar remodeling signs showed significant difference (P<0.05). Bone resorption
      occurred predominantly in the posterior area of condylar head and bone formation
      occurred mainly in the anterior area. CONCLUSION: Three-dimension superimposition
      method based on CBCT data showed that condylar morphology had undergone
      remodeling after mandibular advancement.

PMID- 26284414
TI  - [Three-dimensional measurement and facial symmetry analysis for the craniofacial
      structure of people in North China with normal occlusion].
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the internal regularities and symmetry of craniofacial
      structures from adults with normal occlusion in North China. METHODS: The study
      consisted of 60 volunteers who were examined with spiral 3D computed tomography
      (CT). The axial images of craniofacial structure were reconstructed into 3D
      models and analyzed by using Proplan 1.2 software to measure the internal
      regularities and symmetry of craniofacial structures. RESULTS: All the linear
      measurement's value of the males were bigger than those of the females (P<0.05).
      There were no significant differences in the ratio measurements between the males
      and the females(P>0.05). Facial asymmetry was less than 10% in all the images.
      CONCLUSION: CT is an effective method for three-dimensional analyses of
      craniofacial structure and symmetry. There are certain and harmonious
      regularities in normal 3D craniofacial structures. The 3D craniofacial structure
      database of people with normal occlusion can provide standards and references for
      diagnosis and treatment planning of craniofacial deformities.

PMID- 26284415
TI  - [Multiple primary neoplasms with renal neurilemmoma: a case report and literature
      review].
AB  - Multiple primary neoplasms are not common, those containing renal neurilemoma are
      even more rare. Our study involves the diagnosis and treatment of a female
      patient with multiple primary neoplasms with renal neurilemoma. She was
      previously diagnosed with left ovarian dermoid cyst, right posterior mediastinal
      neurilemmoma, left forearm neurilemmoma, and papillary thyroid carcinoma,
      underwent operation treatment. Physical examination reveals a left renal mass
      with a left adrenal tumor a month before, and underwent retroperitoneal
      laparoscopic left adrenal nodule resection and left partial nephrectomy.
      Operation was successful, without conversions to open. Artery occlusion time was
      18 min, and blood loss was 20 mL. Post operation pathologic result shows a left
      renal cellular leiomyoma neurilemmoma with focal cystic change, and tumor
      diameter was about 3 cm. Immunohistochemistry reports S-100 (+), Ki-67 (15%+),
      and short-term follow-up without recurrence. In our case of study, even though
      the tumors were heterochronism, they were both treated with surgical resection.
      Renal neurilemoma is benign. Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy is not only
      minimally invasive, fast in recovery, but most importantly preserves renal tissue
      to the largest extent. It can prevent preoperative pathological uncertainty,
      which often undergoes radical nephrectomy. 

PMID- 26284416
TI  - [Progress in diagnosis and treatment of adrenal metastases tumor].
AB  - The adrenal gland is a common site of metastases, only second to pulmonary, liver
      and bone. The prevalence of adrenal metastases in patients with a history of
      cancer is between 10%-25%.The most common sites of origin are cancers of the
      lung, kidney, breast, gastrointestinal tract, and skin (melanoma).The mainstays
      of adrenal metastases diagnosis are computerized tomogramphy (CT), magnetic
      resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomogramphy (PET). All patients
      should undergo complete hormonal evaluation to rule out functional adrenal
      tumors. Adrenal biopsy should be reserved for cases in which the results of non
      invasive techniques are equivocal. In patients with isolated adrenal metastases,
      adrenalectomy is recommended, because of improved overall survival. For the
      patient with unresectable adrenal metastases tumor, radiotherapy and ablative
      therapy are feasible and useful methods for controlling adrenal metastases and
      offer patients opportunities for improved survival. 

PMID- 26284418
TI  - Ten Years of Abstinence in Former Opiate Addicts: Medication-Free Non-Patients
      Compared to Methadone Maintenance Patients.
AB  - Fifty-five former opioid addicts who have been methadone maintained patients for
      10 or more years and whose urine has tested negative for drugs for 2 or more
      years were compared to 99 former opioid addicts who have been medication-free for
      10 or more years. Groups were comparable in age and education, but the medication
      free subjects were younger when having started opioids with more severe addiction
      scores. Methadone maintained patients presented with a higher proportion of
      psychiatric comorbidity and chronic pain. Their scores of perceived sleep quality
      and cognitive state were poorer than the medication-free individuals. Possible
      explanations of the differences are discussed in this article. 

PMID- 26284420
TI  - Tolerance to Dose Escalation in Minibeam Radiation Therapy Applied to Normal Rat
      Brain: Long-Term Clinical, Radiological and Histopathological Analysis.
AB  - The major limitation to reaching a curative radiation dose in radioresistant
      tumors such as malignant gliomas is the high sensitivity to radiation and
      subsequent damage of the surrounding normal tissues. Novel dose delivery methods
      such as minibeam radiation therapy (MBRT) may help to overcome this limitation.
      MBRT utilizes a combination of spatial fractionation of the dose and
      submillimetric (600 MUm) field sizes with an array ("comb") of parallel thin
      beams ("teeth"). The dose profiles in MBRT consist of peaks and valleys. In
      contrast, the seamless irradiations of the several squared centimeter field sizes
      employed in standard radiotherapy result in homogeneous dose distributions (and
      consequently, flat dose profiles). The innovative dose delivery methods employed
      in MBRT, unlike standard radiation therapy, have demonstrated remarkable normal
      tissue sparing. In this pilot work, we investigated the tolerance of the rat
      brain after whole-brain MBRT irradiation. A dose escalation was used to study the
      tissue response as a function of dose, so that a threshold could be established:
      doses as high as 100 Gy in one fraction were still well tolerated by the rat
      brain. This finding suggests that MBRT may be used to deliver higher and
      potentially curative radiation doses in clinical practice. 

PMID- 26284419
TI  - Determination and surveillance of hydrocortisone and progesterone in livestock
      products by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.
AB  - A simple analytical method for the determination of hydrocortisone and
      progesterone in bovine, swine, and chicken muscle and eggs was developed.
      Hydrocortisone and progesterone were extracted with acetonitrile and subsequently
      cleaned-up using an Oasis HLB mini-cartridge. The method was validated in
      accordance with Japanese guidelines and exhibited trueness from 86.6% to 104.3%
      and precision (relative standard deviations (RSDs) of repeatability and within
      reproducibility were under 8.7% and 11.7%, respectively). The method was applied
      to 103 bovine muscle, 137 swine muscle, 69 chicken muscle and 52 egg samples that
      were commercially available in Tokyo, Japan. The hydrocortisone concentration was
      0.9-41.2 ug kg(-1) in all bovine muscle samples, with an average of 7.7 ug kg(-1)
      and a median of 6.2 ug kg(-1). The progesterone concentration in 50 samples
      exceeded the limit of quantification (LOQ) and reached a maximum of 95.4 ug kg(
      1). Hydrocortisone was also detected in all swine muscle samples at
      concentrations of 2.0-56.0 ug kg(-1). Its average and median concentrations
      amounted to 13.1 and 11.3 ug kg(-1), respectively. Twenty-three samples contained
      progesterone levels surpassing the LOQ, with a maximum concentration of 107.0 ug
      kg(-1). No chicken muscle samples contained any of the analytes. The progesterone
      concentration was 15.5-200.0 ug kg(-1) in all egg samples, with an average of
      95.4 ug kg(-1) and a median of 90.5 ug kg(-1).

PMID- 26284421
TI  - Comparison of the Effectiveness of Exposure to Low-LET Helium Particles ((4)He)
      and Gamma Rays ((137)Cs) on the Disruption of Cognitive Performance.
AB  - In this study, the effects of radiation exposure on cognitive performance were
      evaluated. Rats were exposed to either helium ((4)He) particles (1,000 MeV/n; 0.1
      10 cGy; head only) or cesium (137)Cs gamma rays (50-400 cGy; whole body), after
      which their cognitive performance was evaluated. The results indicated that
      exposure to doses of (4)He particles as low as 0.1 cGy disrupted performance in a
      variety of cognitive tasks, including plus-maze performance (baseline anxiety),
      novel location recognition (spatial performance) and operant responding on an
      ascending fixed-ratio reinforcement schedule (motivation and responsiveness to
      changes in environmental contingencies) but not on novel object recognition
      performance (learning and memory). In contrast, after exposure to (137)Cs gamma
      rays only plus-maze performance was affected. There were no significant effects
      on any other task. Because exposure to both types of radiation produce oxidative
      stress, these results indicate that radiation-produced oxidative stress may be a
      necessary condition for the radiation-induced disruption of cognitive
      performance, but it is not a sufficient condition. 

PMID- 26284422
TI  - Co-culturing with High-Charge and Energy Particle Irradiated Cells Increases
      Mutagenic Joining of Enzymatically Induced DNA Double-Strand Breaks in
      Nonirradiated Cells.
AB  - Cell populations that have been exposed to high-charge and energy (HZE) particle
      radiation, and then challenged by expression of a rare-cutting nuclease, show an
      increased frequency of deletions and translocations originating at the enzyme cut
      sites. Here, we examine whether this effect also occurs in nonirradiated cells
      that have been co-cultured with irradiated cells. Human cells were irradiated
      with 0.3-1.0 Gy of either 600 MeV/u (56)Fe or 1,000 MeV/u (48)Ti ions or with 0.3
      3.0 Gy of 320 kV X rays. These were co-cultured with I-SceI-expressing reporter
      cells at intervals up to 21 days postirradiation. Co-culture with HZE-irradiated
      cells led to an increase in the frequency of I-SceI-stimulated translocations and
      deletions in the nonirradiated cells. The effect size was similar to that seen
      previously in directly irradiated populations (maximum effect in bystander cells
      of 1.7- to 4-fold depending on ion and end point). The effect was not observed
      when X-ray-irradiated cells were co-cultured with nonirradiated cells, but was
      correlated with an increase in gamma-H2AX foci-positive cells in the
      nonirradiated population, suggesting the presence of genomic stress.
      Transcriptional profiling of a directly irradiated cell population showed that
      many genes for cytokines and other secretory proteins were persistently
      upregulated, but their induction was not well correlated with functional effects
      on repair in co-cultured cells, suggesting that this transcriptional response
      alone is not sufficient to evoke the effect. The finding that HZE-irradiated
      cells influence the DNA double-strand break repair fidelity in their
      nonirradiated neighbors has implications for risk in the space radiation
      environment. 

PMID- 26284423
TI  - Radioprotectors and Radiomitigators for Improving Radiation Therapy: The Small
      Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Gateway for Accelerating Clinical
      Translation.
AB  - Although radiation therapy is an important cancer treatment modality, patients
      may experience adverse effects. The use of a radiation-effect modulator may help
      improve the outcome and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients
      undergoing radiation therapy either by enhancing tumor cell killing or by
      protecting normal tissues. Historically, the successful translation of radiation
      effect modulators to the clinic has been hindered due to the lack of focused
      collaboration between academia, pharmaceutical companies and the clinic, along
      with limited availability of support for such ventures. The U.S. Government has
      been developing medical countermeasures against accidental and intentional
      radiation exposures to mitigate the risk and/or severity of acute radiation
      syndrome (ARS) and the delayed effects of acute radiation exposures (DEARE), and
      there is now a drug development pipeline established. Some of these medical
      countermeasures could potentially be repurposed for improving the outcome of
      radiation therapy and HRQOL of cancer patients. With the objective of developing
      radiation-effect modulators to improve radiotherapy, the Small Business
      Innovation Research (SBIR) Development Center at the National Cancer Institute
      (NCI), supported by the Radiation Research Program (RRP), provided funding to
      companies from 2011 to 2014 through the SBIR contracts mechanism. Although
      radiation-effect modulators collectively refer to radioprotectors,
      radiomitigators and radiosensitizers, the focus of this article is on
      radioprotection and mitigation of radiation injury. This specific SBIR contract
      opportunity strengthened existing partnerships and facilitated new collaborations
      between academia and industry. In this commentary, we assess the impact of this
      funding opportunity, outline the review process, highlight the organ/site
      specific disease needs in the clinic for the development of radiation-effect
      modulators, provide a general understanding of a framework for gathering
      preclinical and clinical evidence to obtain regulatory approval and provide a
      basis for broader venture capital needs and support from pharmaceutical companies
      to fully capitalize on the advances made thus far in this field. 

PMID- 26284424
TI  - The molecular mode of action and species specificity of canakinumab, a human
      monoclonal antibody neutralizing IL-1beta.
AB  - Interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) plays a key role in autoinflammatory diseases, such
      as systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) or cryopyrin-associated periodic
      syndrome (CAPS). Canakinumab, a human monoclonal anti-IL-1beta antibody, was
      recently approved for human use under the brand name Ilaris(r). Canakinumab does
      not cross-react with IL-1beta from mouse, rat, rabbit, or macaques. The crystal
      structure of the canakinumab Fab bound to human IL-1beta was determined in an
      attempt to rationalize the species specificity. The X-ray analysis reveals a
      complex surface epitope with an intricate network of well-ordered water molecules
      at the antibody-antigen interface. The canakinumab paratope is largely pre
      organized, as demonstrated by the structure determination of the free Fab. Glu 64
      of human IL-1beta is a pivotal epitope residue explaining the exquisite species
      specificity of canakinumab. We identified marmoset as the only non-human primate
      species that carries Glu 64 in its IL-1beta and demonstrates full cross
      reactivity of canakinumab, thereby enabling toxicological studies in this
      species. As demonstrated by the X-ray structure of the complex with IL-1beta,
      canakinumab binds IL-1beta on the opposite side with respect to the IL-1RAcP
      binding site, and in an approximately orthogonal orientation with respect to IL
      1RI. However, the antibody and IL-1RI binding sites slightly overlap and the VH
      region of canakinumab would sterically interfere with the D1 domain of IL-1RI, as
      shown by a structural overlay with the IL-1beta:IL-1RI complex. Therefore, direct
      competition with IL-1RI for IL-1beta binding is the molecular mechanism of
      neutralization by canakinumab, which is also confirmed by competition assays with
      recombinant IL-1RI and IL-1RII. 

PMID- 26284426
TI  - A Neutralizing Prolactin Receptor Antibody Whose In Vivo Application Mimics the
      Phenotype of Female Prolactin Receptor-Deficient Mice.
AB  - The prolactin receptor (PRLR) has been implicated in a variety of physiological
      processes (lactation, reproduction) and diseases (breast cancer, autoimmune
      diseases). Prolactin synthesis in the pituitary and extrapituitary sites is
      regulated by different promoters. Dopamine receptor agonists such as
      bromocriptine can only interfere with pituitary prolactin synthesis and thus do
      not induce a complete blockade of PRLR signaling. Here we describe the
      identification of a human monoclonal antibody 005-C04 that blocks PRLR-mediated
      signaling at nanomolar concentrations in vitro. In contrast to a negative control
      antibody, the neutralizing PRLR antibody 005-C04 inhibits signal transducer and
      activator of transcription 5 phosphorylation in T47D cells and proliferation of
      BaF3 cells stably expressing murine or human PRLRs in a dose-dependent manner. In
      vivo application of this new function-blocking PRLR antibody reflects the
      phenotype of PRLR-deficient mice. After antibody administration female mice
      become infertile in a reversible manner. In lactating dams, the antibody induces
      mammary gland involution and negatively interferes with lactation capacity as
      evidenced by reduced milk protein expression in mammary glands and impaired
      litter weight gain. Antibody-mediated blockade of the PRLR in vivo stimulates
      hair regrowth in female mice. Compared with peptide-derived PRLR antagonists, the
      PRLR antibody 005-C04 exhibits several advantages such as higher potency,
      noncompetitive inhibition of PRLR signaling, and a longer half-life, which allows
      its use as a tool compound also in long-term in vivo studies. Therefore, we
      suggest that this antibody will help to further our understanding of the role of
      auto- and paracrine PRLR signaling in health and disease. 

PMID- 26284425
TI  - Type 2 Iodothyronine Deiodinase Activity Is Required for Rapid Stimulation of
      PI3K by Thyroxine in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells.
AB  - Thyroid hormones (THs) exert a number of physiological effects on the
      cardiovascular system. Some of the nongenomic actions of T3 are achieved by cross
      coupling the TH receptor (TR) with the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase
      (PI3K)/protein kinase Akt (Akt) pathway. We observed that both T3 and T4 rapidly
      stimulated Akt phosphorylation and Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1
      (Rac1) activation, which resulted in cell migration, in a PI3K-dependent manner
      in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). We identified the expression
      of type 2 iodothyronine deiodinase (D2), which converts T4 to T3, and TRalpha1 in
      HUVECs. D2 activity was significantly stimulated by (Bu)2cAMP in HUVECs. The
      blockade of D2 activity through transfection of small interfering RNA (siRNA)
      specific to D2 as well as by addition of iopanoic acid, a potent D2 inhibitor,
      abolished Akt phosphorylation, Rac activation, and cell migration induced by T4
      but not by T3. The inhibition of TRalpha1 expression by the transfection of siRNA
      for TRalpha1 canceled Akt phosphorylation, Rac activation, and cell migration
      induced by T3 and T4. These findings suggest that conversion of T4 to T3 by D2 is
      required for TRalpha1/PI3K-mediated nongenomic actions of T4 in HUVECs, including
      stimulation of Akt phosphorylation and Rac activation, which result in cell
      migration. 

PMID- 26284427
TI  - Oral Nucleotides Only Minimally Improve 5-Fluorouracil-Induced Mucositis in Rats.
AB  - Chemotherapy-induced mucositis is characterized by inflammation and ulceration of
      the intestinal mucosa, compromising intestinal function. Exogenous nucleotides
      have been reported to repair the mucosa. The nucleotide preparation, Nucleoforce
      F0328 (Nucleoforce), was investigated for its potential to ameliorate intestinal
      mucositis in rats. Female Dark Agouti rats (n = 8/group) were gavaged once daily
      with Nucleoforce (175 mg/kg) or water from Days 0 to 8 and injected (i.p.) with 5
      fluorouracil (5-FU; 150 mg/kg) or saline on Day 5. Histological parameters
      (disease severity, crypt depth, and villus height measurements) and
      myeloperoxidase activity were quantified. P < 0.05 was considered significant.
      Jejunal and ileal histological disease severity scores were significantly
      increased by 5-FU, compared to normal controls (P < 0.05). Nucleoforce treatment
      in 5-FU-injected rats significantly reduced jejunal and ileal disease severity
      compared to 5-FU controls (P < 0.05). In 5-FU-injected rats, jejunal and ileal
      villus heights and crypt depths were significantly decreased compared to 5-FU
      controls, with no additional Nucleoforce effect (P > 0.05). Intestinal
      myeloperoxidase activity was significantly elevated by 5-FU (8.8-fold), compared
      to normal controls (P < 0.05), which was not normalized by Nucleoforce treatment
      (P > 0.05). Nucleoforce only partially improved parameters associated with
      experimentally-induced mucositis. Future studies could investigate increased
      concentrations, more frequent administration, or protective microencapsulation
      delivery methods, to increase bioavailability.

PMID- 26284428
TI  - Additive effect of Lygodium venustum SW. in association with gentamicin.
AB  - The aim of this work was to evaluate the interactions between gentamicin and the
      ethanol extract of the fern Lygodium venustum SW (EELV). The ethanol extract of
      L. venustum was obtained, the phytocompounds were identified and the EELV was
      assayed by the checkerboard method with gentamicin against two bacterial strains
      multiresistant to antibiotics. The antibiotic activity of gentamicin, when
      associated with the extract, was enhanced in an additive manner against both
      strains. The results indicated that L. venustum can be a source of secondary
      metabolites to be used in association with antibiotics as aminoglycosides in the
      antibiotic chemotherapy against resistant bacteria. 

PMID- 26284429
TI  - Medical interventions for high-grade vulval intraepithelial neoplasia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This is an updated version of a review first published in theCochrane
      Database of Systematic Reviews, Issue 4, in 2011. Vulval intraepithelial
      neoplasia (VIN) is a pre-cancerous condition of the vulval skin and its incidence
      is increasing in women under 50 years. High-grade VIN (also called usual-type VIN
      (uVIN) or VIN 2/3 or high-grade vulval intraepithelial lesion) is associated with
      human papilloma virus (HPV) infection and may progress to vulval cancer,
      therefore is usually actively managed. There is no consensus on the optimal
      management of high-grade VIN; and the high morbidity and relapse rates associated
      with surgical interventions make less invasive interventions highly desirable.
      OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of medical (non-surgical)
      interventions for high-grade VIN. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane
      Gynaecological Cancer Group Trials Register, Cochrane Central Register of
      Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2015, Issue 3), MEDLINE and
      EMBASE (up to 30 March 2015). We also searched registers of clinical trials,
      abstracts of scientific meetings, reference lists of included studies and
      contacted experts in the field. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials
      (RCTs) that assessed non-surgical interventions in women diagnosed with high
      grade VIN. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We used Cochrane methodology with two
      review authors independently abstracting data and assessing risk of bias. Where
      possible, we synthesised data in meta-analyses using random effects methods. MAIN
      RESULTS: Five trials involving 297 women with high-grade VIN (defined by trial
      investigators as VIN 2/3 or VIN 3 or 'high-grade' lesions) met our inclusion
      criteria: three trials assessed the effectiveness of topical imiquimod versus
      placebo; one assessed topical cidofovir versus topical imiquimod; and one
      assessed low- versus high-dose indole-3-carbinol in similar types of
      participants. Three trials were at a moderate to low risk of bias, two were at a
      potentially high risk of bias.Meta-analysis of the three trials comparing topical
      imiquimod 5% cream to placebo found that women in the active treatment group were
      more likely to show an overall response (complete and partial response) to
      treatment at five to six months compared with the placebo group (Risk Ratio (RR)
      11.95, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.21 to 44.51; participants = 104; studies =
      3; I(2) = 0%; high-quality evidence). A complete response at five to six months
      occurred in 36/62 (58%) and 0/42 (0%) participants in the active and placebo
      groups, respectively (RR 14.40, 95% CI 2.97 to 69.80; participants = 104; studies
      = 3; I(2) = 0%). A single trial reported 12-month follow-up, which revealed a
      sustained effect in overall response in favour of the active treatment arm at 12
      months (RR 9.10, 95% CI 2.38 to 34.77; moderate-quality evidence), with 9/24
      (38%) and 0/23 (0%) complete responses recorded in the active and placebo groups
      respectively. Progression to vulval cancer was also documented in this trial (one
      versus two participants in the active and placebo groups, respectively) and we
      assessed this evidence as low-quality. Only one trial reported adverse events,
      including erythema, erosion, pain and pruritis at the site of the lesion, which
      were more common in the imiquimod group. Dose reductions occurred more frequently
      in the active treatment group compared with the placebo group (19/47 versus 1/36
      participants; RR 7.77, 95% CI 1.61 to 37.36; participants = 83; studies = 2; I(2)
      = 0%; high-quality evidence). Only one trial reported quality of life (QoL) and
      there were no significant differences between the imiquimod and placebo
      groups.For the imiquimod versus cidofovir trial, 180 women contributed data. The
      overall response at six months was similar for the imiquimod and cidofovir
      treatment groups with 52/91 (57%) versus 55/89 (62%) participants responding,
      respectively (RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.73 to 1.18). A complete response occurred in 41
      women in each group (45% and 46%, respectively; RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.73 to 1.37).
      Although not statistically different, total adverse events were slightly more
      common in the imiquimod group of this trial with slightly more discontinuations
      occurring in this group. Longer term response data from this trial are
      expected.The small trial comparing two doses of indole-3-carbinol contributed
      limited data. We identified five ongoing randomised trials of various
      interventions for VIN. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Topical imiquimod appears to be a
      safe and effective treatment for high-grade VIN (uVIN), even though local side
      effects may necessitate dose reductions. However, longer term follow-up data are
      needed to corroborate the limited evidence that response to treatment is
      sustained, and to assess any effect on progression to vulval cancer. Available
      evidence suggests that topical cidofovir may be a good alternative to imiquimod;
      however, more evidence is needed, particularly regarding the relative
      effectiveness on longer term response and progression. We await the longer-term
      response data and the results of the five ongoing trials.

PMID- 26284430
TI  - Matching between oral inward-outward movements of object names and oral movements
      associated with denoted objects.
AB  - In eight experiments, we explored matching effects between oral approach
      avoidance movements triggered by word articulation and meaning of the objects the
      words denoted. Participants (total N = 1264) rated their liking for words that
      featured consonantal muscle stricture spots either wandering inwards (e.g.,
      BODIKA, resembling ingestion movements) or outwards (e.g., KODIBA, resembling
      expectoration movements). These words were labelled as names for various objects.
      For objects the use of which entails ingestive oral actions (lemonade and
      mouthwash) inward words were preferred over outward words. For objects that
      trigger expectorative oral actions (toxical chemical, pill, and bubble gum) this
      preference was attenuated or even reversed (outward words were liked more than
      inward). Valence of the denoted object did not play a role in these modulations.
      Thus, the sagittal direction of mouth movements during silent reading
      meaningfully interacted with direction of oral actions associated with the
      denoted objects.

PMID- 26284431
TI  - Correction to online hydrogen-isotope measurements of organic samples using
      elemental chromium: an extension for high-temperature elemental-analyzer
      techniques.

PMID- 26284432
TI  - Large Heterogeneity in Mean Durations of Labor Analgesia Among Hospitals
      Reporting to the American Society of Anesthesiologists' Anesthesia Quality
      Institute.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Variability in the mean durations of labor analgesia for vaginal
      delivery among hospitals is unknown. Such differences in means among hospitals
      would influence appropriate equitable fee-for-service payment to US anesthesia
      groups. Equitable payment is the foundational principle of relative value unit
      payment, which, for anesthesia in the United States, means use of the American
      Society of Anesthesiologist's Relative Value Guide. METHODS: We analyzed data
      from the American Society of Anesthesiologists' Anesthesia Quality Institute to
      test whether there are large differences in mean durations of labor analgesia for
      vaginal delivery among US hospitals. We choose the statistical methodology for
      that analysis using detailed data from 2 individual hospitals. Analyses of the
      means were performed for the 172 hospitals reporting a total of at least 200
      durations; having no greater than 5.0% of durations 1.0 hour or less; and at
      least 5 four-week periods each having a mean of at least one epidural every
      couple of days. The 172 hospitals provided for n = 5671 combinations of hospital
      and 4-week period and 551,707 labor epidurals, with an overall mean duration of
      6.12 hours (SE, 0.001 hour). RESULTS: 55.2% of the 172 hospitals had mean
      durations of labor analgesia for vaginal delivery that each differed (P < 0.001)
      from the overall mean. Among those 55.2% were the 9.9% of hospitals with means
      <=5.12 hours. Those mean durations on the low end ranged from 2.68 (SE, 0.17) to
      5.10 (SE, 0.07) hours. Also, among the 55.2% were the 12.2% of hospitals with
      means >=7.12 hours. Those mean durations at the high end ranged from 7.13 (SE,
      0.08) to 12.03 (SE, 0.23) hours. The heterogeneity in the mean durations among
      hospitals would have been greater had the inclusion criteria not been applied.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that the number of labor epidurals alone is not a
      valid measure to quantify obstetrical anesthesia productivity. In addition,
      payment to US anesthesia groups for labor analgesia based solely on the number of
      labor epidurals initiated is not equitable. Previous work showed lack of validity
      and equality of payment based on face-to-face time with the patient (i.e., like a
      surgical anesthetic). The use of base and time units, with one time unit per
      hour, is a suitable payment system.

PMID- 26284433
TI  - Insights into N-doping in single-walled carbon nanotubes for enhanced activation
      of superoxides: a mechanistic study.
AB  - Emerging characteristics upon nitrogen-doping were differentiated in the
      activation of superoxides over single-walled carbon nanotubes. Both experimental
      and theoretical studies revealed that enhanced peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation
      is ascribed to a nonradical process while persulfate (PS) activation is
      accelerated via directly oxidizing water, yet hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) activation
      is inert to N-doping. This study details the first insights into versatile N
      doping in carbocatalysis for organic oxidation in sustainable remediation. 

PMID- 26284434
TI  - Copper-catalysed azide-alkyne cycloadditions (CuAAC): an update.
AB  - The reactions of organic azides and alkynes catalysed by copper species represent
      the prototypical examples of click chemistry. The so-called CuAAC reaction
      (copper-catalysed azide-alkyne cycloaddition), discovered in 2002, has been
      expanded since then to become an excellent tool in organic synthesis. In this
      contribution the recent results described in the literature since 2010 are
      reviewed, classified according to the nature of the catalyst precursor: copper(I)
      or copper(II) salts or complexes, metallic or nano-particulated copper and
      several solid-supported copper systems.

PMID- 26284435
TI  - High-Pitch Low-Dose Whole-Body Computed Tomography for the Assessment of
      Ventriculoperitoneal Shunts in a Pediatric Patient Model: An Experimental Ex Vivo
      Study in Rabbits.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of whole-body
      low-dose (LD) computed tomography (CT) for the detection of ventriculoperitoneal
      (VP) shunt complications in pediatric patients compared with radiographic shunt
      series (SS) in an ex vivo rabbit animal model. METHODS: In the first step, 2
      optimized LD-CT imaging protocols, with high pitch (pitch, 3.2), low tube
      voltages (70 kVp and 80 kVp), and using both filtered back projection and
      iterative reconstruction, were assessed on a 16-cm solid polymethylmethacrylate
      phantom regarding signal-to-noise ratio and radiation dose. Taking both radiation
      dose and signal-to-noise ratio into account, the LD-CT protocol (80 kVp; 4 mA;
      pitch, 3.2) was identified as most appropriate and therefore applied in this
      study.After identification of appropriate LD-CT protocol, 12 VP shunts were
      implanted in 6 rabbit cadavers (mean weight, 5.1 kg). Twenty-four mechanical
      complications (extracranial and extraperitoneal malpositioning, breakages, and
      disconnections) were induced in half of the VP shunts. Low-dose CT and
      conventional SS were acquired in standard fashion. Dose-area products (DAPs) for
      SS and LD-CT were collected; effective radiation doses for both SS and LD-CT were
      estimated using CT-Expo (v. 2.3.1.) and age-specific effective dose (ED)
      estimates. Qualitative scoring of diagnostic confidence on a 5-point Likert scale
      (1, very low diagnostic confidence; 5, excellent diagnostic confidence) and
      blinded readings of both SS and LD-CTs were performed. RESULTS: Among the 24 VP
      shunt complications, LD-CT yielded excellent sensitivity and specificity for the
      detection of VP shunt complications (sensitivity, 0.98; specificity, 1; 95%
      confidence interval, 0.92-1) with excellent interobserver agreement (kappa =
      0.90). Shunt series yielded good sensitivity and specificity (sensitivity, 0.75;
      specificity, 1; 95% confidence interval, 0.58-0.92) with moderate interobserver
      agreement (kappa = 0.56). No false-positive findings were registered. Compared
      with SS, LD-CT yielded significantly lower ED and DAPs (ED, 0.039 vs 0.062 mSv;
      DAP, 20.5 vs 26.3; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In this experimental ex vivo pediatric
      patient model, LD-CT yields excellent sensitivity for the detection of VP shunt
      complications at higher diagnostic confidence and lower radiation exposure
      compared with SS.

PMID- 26284436
TI  - Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Temporomandibular Joint at 7.0 T Using High
      Permittivity Dielectric Pads: A Feasibility Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to show feasibility and to quantitatively
      and qualitatively evaluate the use of high-permittivity dielectric pads for
      imaging the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) at 7.0 T. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This
      study is an institutional review board-approved study with written informed
      consent. Ten asymptomatic volunteers (20 TMJs) were magnetic resonance imaged
      using a 32-channel head coil at 7.0 T (Achieva; Philips Healthcare, the
      Netherlands) with and without high-permittivity dielectric pads consisting of
      barium titanate in deuterated suspension. Imaging protocol consisted of an
      oblique sagittal proton density-weighted turbo-spin echo sequence. For
      quantitative evaluation, B1 maps and voxelwise signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) maps
      were calculated. For qualitative evaluation, 2 readers assessed the visibility of
      anatomical structures of the TMJ and overall image quality on a 5-point Likert
      scale from 1 (excellent visibility) to 5 (not visible) in consensus. Quantitative
      and qualitative measurements were compared between images acquired with and
      without pads. RESULTS: Imaging the TMJ using dielectric pads was feasible in all
      volunteers. The quantitative analysis showed locally higher B1+ and higher SNR in
      the area covering the TMJ for the scans performed with dielectric pads compared
      with those without pads (SNR: mean [SD] pads, 12.38 [3.18]; mean [SD] no pads,
      6.60 [0.72]). The qualitative analysis showed significantly better visibility and
      delineation of clinically relevant anatomical structures of the TMJ, including
      temporomandibular disc, bilaminar zone, mandibular fossa, mandibular condyle, and
      pterygoid muscle. In addition, observers judged overall image quality as better
      for images taken with pads compared with those taken without pads (mean [SD]
      pads, 1.40 [0.50]; mean [SD] no pads, 4.25 [0.78]). CONCLUSIONS: The application
      of high-permittivity dielectric pads improves the local B1+ field and thus the
      SNR, optimizing TMJ magnetic resonance imaging at 7.0 T.

PMID- 26284437
TI  - Reduced inorganic sulfur in surface sediment and its impact on benthic
      environments in offshore areas of NE China.
AB  - Geochemical cycling and biological toxicity of sulfur in marine sediments is
      closely related to the activity of organisms. This study investigated the
      distribution and potential impact on benthic environments of acid volatile sulfur
      (AVS), chromium(II)-reducible sulfur (CRS), elemental sulfur (ES), total S, C, N
      and Fe in superficial sediments across the Bohai Sea, Yellow Sea and East China
      Sea. The composition of reduced inorganic sulfur in the three study areas was
      dominated by CRS (averaging 72% of total reduced inorganic sulfur). The low AVS
      content (average of 1.12 MUmol g(-1)) of the sediments and the low values of
      AVS/CRS (average 0.34 MUmol g(-1)), degree of pyritization and degree of
      sulphidization indicate that there is sufficient available iron in the sediment
      to restrict the threat of sulphide toxicity to benthic organisms in most of the
      study areas. However, high organic matter loads in parts of the study areas have
      resulted in enhanced accumulation of AVS, resulting in a higher toxicity risk.

PMID- 26284438
TI  - Muscle Viability Revisited: Are We Removing Normal Muscle? A Critical Evaluation
      of Dogmatic Debridement.
AB  - PURPOSE: Determination of muscle viability during debridement is a subjective
      process with significant consequences. Evaluating muscle color, consistency,
      contractility, and capacity to bleed (the 4 Cs) was established by a study
      performed half a century ago. This work reinvestigates the utility of the 4 Cs
      using current histopathologic techniques. METHODS: After institutional review
      board approval, 36 biopsies were prospectively collected at a level-1 trauma
      center from 20 patients undergoing a debridement for open fracture (81%),
      compartment syndrome (11%), infection (5%), or crush injury (3%). Surgeons graded
      the biopsies using the 4 Cs, and provided their overall impression as healthy,
      borderline, or dead. Blinded pathological analysis was performed on each
      specimen. A correlation between the 4 Cs and surgeon impression with
      histopathological diagnosis was sought through a univariate statistical analysis.
      RESULTS: The surgeon's impression was dead muscle in 25 specimens, borderline in
      10, and healthy in 1. Pathological analysis of the 35 specimens considered as
      dead or borderline muscle by the surgeon demonstrated normal muscle or mild
      interstitial inflammation in 21 specimens (60%). Color (P = 0.07), consistency (P
      = 0.12), contractility (P = 0.51), capacity to bleed (P = 0.07), and surgeon
      impression (P = 0.50) were unable to predict histologic appearance. CONCLUSIONS:
      Neither the 4 Cs nor the surgeon's impression correlate with histological
      findings regarding muscle viability. In 72% of specimens, the treating surgeon's
      gross assessment differed from the histopathologic appearance. Although the fate
      of the debrided muscle remains unclear if left in situ, these results raise
      questions regarding current practices, including the possibility that surgeons
      are debriding potentially viable muscle. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic Level II.
      See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

PMID- 26284439
TI  - Percutaneous Anterior Column Fixation for Acetabulum Fractures, Does It Have to
      Be Difficult?-The New Axial Pedicle View of the Anterior Column for Percutaneous
      Fixation.
AB  - Anterior column percutaneous screw fixation can be challenging. The purpose of
      this new technique is to offer a rapid, simple, and safe method to place an
      anterior screw. The authors used a 3-dimensional reconstruction simulation,
      cadaver study, and a clinical case series to demonstrate this new alternative to
      standard previously described techniques. 

PMID- 26284440
TI  - Bilateral Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of the Orbit.
AB  - A 41-year-old woman with adenoid cystic carcinoma of the left lacrimal gland
      underwent extended left orbital exenteration and postoperative external beam
      radiation therapy. She presented 1 year postoperatively with contralateral right
      orbital involvement. The authors report a rare case of adenocystic carcinoma of
      the lacrimal gland with bilateral orbital involvement.

PMID- 26284441
TI  - Pressure-Induced Phase Transformation, Reversible Amorphization, and Anomalous
      Visible Light Response in Organolead Bromide Perovskite.
AB  - Hydrostatic pressure, as an alternative of chemical pressure to tune the crystal
      structure and physical properties, is a significant technique for novel function
      material design and fundamental research. In this article, we report the phase
      stability and visible light response of the organolead bromide perovskite,
      CH3NH3PbBr3 (MAPbBr3), under hydrostatic pressure up to 34 GPa at room
      temperature. Two phase transformations below 2 GPa (from Pm3m to Im3, then to
      Pnma) and a reversible amorphization starting from about 2 GPa were observed,
      which could be attributed to the tilting of PbBr6 octahedra and destroying of
      long-range ordering of MA cations, respectively. The visible light response of
      MAPbBr3 to pressure was studied by in situ photoluminescence, electric
      resistance, photocurrent measurements and first-principle simulations. The
      anomalous band gap evolution during compression with red-shift followed by blue
      shift is explained by the competition between compression effect and pressure
      induced amorphization. Along with the amorphization process accomplished around
      25 GPa, the resistance increased by 5 orders of magnitude while the system still
      maintains its semiconductor characteristics and considerable response to the
      visible light irradiation. Our results not only show that hydrostatic pressure
      may provide an applicable tool for the organohalide perovskites based
      photovoltaic device functioning as switcher or controller, but also shed light on
      the exploration of more amorphous organometal composites as potential light
      absorber. 

PMID- 26284442
TI  - Palladium-Catalyzed Radical Cascade Iododifluoromethylation/Cyclization of 1,6
      Enynes with Ethyl Difluoroiodoacetate.
AB  - A novel and convenient Pd-catalyzed radical cascade
      iododifluoromethylation/cyclization of 1,6-enynes with ethyl difluoroiodoacetate
      is demonstrated. The proposed transformation presents high stereoselectivity
      under mild and facile reaction conditions, thereby allowing an efficient access
      to a variety of iodine-containing difluoromethylated pyrrolidines. A possible
      radical pathway for the transformation is proposed on the basis of the results of
      control experiments and relevant literature reviews. 

PMID- 26284444
TI  - Paediatric endocrinology: Paradigm shift in genetic testing for neonatal diabetes
      mellitus--new framework for clinical care.

PMID- 26284443
TI  - Insights in the ecology and evolutionary history of the Miscellaneous
      Crenarchaeotic Group lineage.
AB  - Members of the archaeal Miscellaneous Crenarchaeotic Group (MCG) are among the
      most successful microorganisms on the planet. During its evolutionary
      diversification, this very diverse group has managed to cross the saline
      freshwater boundary, one of the most important evolutionary barriers structuring
      microbial communities. However, the current understanding on the ecological
      significance of MCG in freshwater habitats is scarce and the evolutionary
      relationships between freshwater and saline MCG remains poorly known. Here, we
      carried out molecular phylogenies using publicly available 16S rRNA gene
      sequences from various geographic locations to investigate the distribution of
      MCG in freshwater and saline sediments and to evaluate the implications of saline
      freshwater transitions during the diversification events. Our approach provided a
      robust ecological framework in which MCG archaea appeared as a core generalist
      group in the sediment realm. However, the analysis of the complex intragroup
      phylogeny of the 21 subgroups currently forming the MCG lineage revealed that
      distinct evolutionary MCG subgroups have arisen in marine and freshwater
      sediments suggesting the occurrence of adaptive evolution specific to each
      habitat. The ancestral state reconstruction analysis indicated that this
      segregation was mainly due to the occurrence of a few saline-freshwater
      transition events during the MCG diversification. In addition, a network analysis
      showed that both saline and freshwater MCG recurrently co-occur with archaea of
      the class Thermoplasmata in sediment ecosystems, suggesting a potentially
      relevant trophic connection between the two clades. 

PMID- 26284445
TI  - Therapy: Risk of metformin use in patients with T2DM and advanced CKD.
AB  - In a new study published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, metformin use is
      associated with significantly increased all-cause mortality in patients with type
      2 diabetes mellitus and stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD). The findings
      support current recommendations that metformin should not be used in patients
      with stage 5 CKD.

PMID- 26284446
TI  - Paget's disease of bone-genetic and environmental factors.
AB  - Paget's disease of bone is generally diagnosed in individuals aged >50 years,
      usually manifests in one or several bones and is initiated by osteoclast-induced
      osteolytic lesions. Subsequently, over a period of many years, osteoblastic
      activity can result in sclerosis and deformation of bone. The prevalence of
      Paget's disease is highest in the UK and in countries where a large number of
      residents have ancestors from the UK. Currently, in many countries, the
      prevalence of the disorder has decreased. A considerable number of affected
      patients have a family history of Paget's disease and the disorder has an
      autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance but with incomplete penetrance. A large
      number of mutations in SQSTM1 (which encodes sequestosome-1; also known as
      ubiquitin-binding protein p62) seem to account for the susceptibility to develop
      Paget's disease in some families; the involvement of other genes is currently
      under investigation. In addition to a genetic cause, environmental factors have
      been proposed to have a role in the pathogenesis of Paget's disease. Although
      most evidence has been presented for measles virus as an aetiologic factor, some
      studies have not confirmed its involvement. The decreasing incidence of Paget's
      disease, which could be attributed to measles vaccination along with the measles
      virus nucleocapsid protein induction of Paget's disease lesions in transgenic
      mice, supports an aetiologic role of the virus. 

PMID- 26284448
TI  - Obesity: Bariatric surgery-long-term effects.

PMID- 26284447
TI  - Preventing and treating foot complications associated with diabetes mellitus.
AB  - Diabetes mellitus is associated with a series of macrovascular and microvascular
      changes that can manifest as a wide range of complications. Foot ulcerations
      affect ~2-4% of patients with diabetes mellitus. Risk factors for foot lesions
      include peripheral and autonomic neuropathy, vascular disease and previous foot
      ulceration, as well as other microvascular complications, such as retinopathy and
      end-stage renal disease. Ulceration is the result of a combination of components
      that together lead to tissue breakdown. The most frequently occurring causal
      pathways to the development of foot ulcers include peripheral neuropathy and
      vascular disease, foot deformity or trauma. Peripheral vascular disease is often
      not diagnosed in patients with diabetes mellitus until tissue loss is evident,
      usually in the form of a nonhealing ulcer. Identification of patients with
      diabetes mellitus who are at high risk of ulceration is important and can be
      achieved via annual foot screening with subsequent multidisciplinary foot-care
      interventions. Understanding the factors that place patients with diabetes
      mellitus at high risk of ulceration, together with an appreciation of the links
      between different aspects of the disease process, is essential to the prevention
      and management of diabetic foot complications.

PMID- 26284449
TI  - Diabetes: Breakfast most important meal of the day, especially for patients with
      T2DM.

PMID- 26284450
TI  - Pregnancy: Managing obesity during pregnancy-what are the options?
AB  - In a new trial, provision of antenatal dietary and lifestyle advice to pregnant
      women who are obese is associated with modest improvements in maternal diet. This
      intervention is, however, inadequate to affect pregnancy and birth outcomes, and
      challenges the notion that limiting gestational weight gain can improve pregnancy
      outcomes.

PMID- 26284451
TI  - Correlation of polyunsaturated fatty acids with the cold adaptation of
      Rhodotorula glutinis.
AB  - This study aimed to investigate the correlation between the cold adaptation of
      Rhodotorula glutinis YM25079 and the membrane fluidity, content of
      polyunsaturated fatty acids and mRNA expression level of the Delta(12)-desaturase
      gene. The optimum temperature for YM25079 growth was analysed first, then the
      composition changes of membrane lipid in YM25079 were detected by GC-MS and
      membrane fluidity was evaluated by 1-anilinonaphthalene-8-sulphonate (ANS)
      fluorescence. Meanwhile, the encoding sequence of Delta(12)-fatty acid desaturase
      in YM25079 was cloned and further transformed into Saccharomyces cerevisiae
      INVScl for functional analysis. The mRNA expression levels of Delta(12)-fatty
      acid desaturase at 15 degrees C and 25 degrees C were analysed by real-time PCR.
      YM25079 could grow at 5-30 degrees C, with the optimum temperature of 15 degrees
      C. The membrane fluidity of YM25079 was not significantly reduced when the
      culture temperature decreased from 25 degrees C to 15 degrees C, but the content
      of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), including linoleic acid and alpha
      Linolenic acid increased significantly from 29.4% to 55.39%. Furthermore, a novel
      Delta(12)-fatty acid desaturase gene YM25079RGD12 from YM25079 was successfully
      identified and characterized, and the mRNA transcription level of the Delta(12)
      desaturase gene was about five-fold higher in YM25079 cells grown at 15 degrees C
      than that at 25 degrees C. These results suggests that the cold adaptation of
      Rhodotorula glutinis YM25079 might result from higher expression of genes,
      especially the Delta(12)-fatty acid desaturase gene, during polyunsaturated fatty
      acids biosynthesis, which increased the content of PUFAs in the cell membrane and
      maintained the membrane fluidity at low temperature.

PMID- 26284452
TI  - Bilateral PLA/alginate membranes for the prevention of postsurgical adhesions.
AB  - A bilateral barrier membrane for the prevention of postsurgical adhesions was
      developed. Thereby, a smooth PLA side was supposed to keep the affected tissues
      glidingly separated, while a mucoadhesive side made of alginate was meant to keep
      the barrier resident on the site of injury so that suturing becomes redundant or
      at least the membrane stays long enough to facilitate surgical handling. Because
      hydrophilic alginate and lipophilic PLA films show only low cohesion, solution
      electrospun meshes of PLA and PLA-PEG-PLA triblock copolymers with varying
      poly(ethylene glycol) [PEG] content were investigated as cohesion promoter to
      avoid an easy separation of the functionally different layers. Using direct
      electrospinning onto the PLA film, a modified contact surface of the mesh was
      created, which allowed the tested alginate solutions (3%, 5%) to infiltrate to
      different extents. Thereby, an increasing content of hydrophilic PEG within the
      mesh copolymer and a lower alginate concentration facilitated the infiltration.
      As a result, the PLA film with a PLA35k-PEG10k-PLA35k (racemic PLA chains) mesh
      and an alginate layer cast from a 3% alginate solution appeared to be the most
      effective combination as examined by means of a t peel test, a mucoadhesion test,
      a tensile test and optical evaluations. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed
      Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 104B: 1563-1570, 2016.

PMID- 26284453
TI  - The Seated Inactivity Trial (SIT): Physical Activity and Dietary Outcomes
      Associated With 8 Weeks of Imposed Sedentary Time.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sedentary time is an independent risk factor for chronic diseases and
      mortality. It is unknown whether active adults alter their dietary and/or
      physical activity behaviors in response to imposed sedentary time, possibly
      modifying risk. The aim of this study was to determine whether imposed sedentary
      time would alter typical behaviors of active adults. METHODS: Sixteen physically
      active, young adults were randomized to the no-intervention control (CON, n = 8)
      group or the sedentary-intervention (SIT, n = 8) group. SIT participants attended
      monitored sedentary sessions (8 wk, 10 h/wk). Assessments including diet and
      physical activity occurred at baseline, week 4, and week 9. RESULTS: There were
      no differences (P > .05) between CON and SIT groups for step counts or time spent
      in sedentary, light, moderate, or vigorous physical activity when comparing a
      week during imposed sedentary time (week 4) to baseline and week 9. At week 4,
      caloric intake was not different from baseline (P > .05) in either group. Caloric
      intake decreased significantly (P > .05) in SIT from baseline to week 9.
      CONCLUSIONS: Active adults did not alter physical activity or dietary behaviors
      during the imposed sedentary intervention. However, SIT reduced caloric intake
      from baseline to week 9, indicating a possible compensatory response to imposed
      sitting in active adults.

PMID- 26284454
TI  - Reply: To PMID 25559091.

PMID- 26284456
TI  - Clinical consequences of circulating CD28-negative T cells for solid organ
      transplantation.
AB  - CD28 is an important costimulatory molecule expressed on T cells, interacting
      with CD80 and CD86 on antigen-presenting cells. All naive T cells express CD28,
      but memory T cells may become CD28 negative (CD28neg) as a result of repetitive
      cell divisions, the influence of TNF-alpha, and infection with cytomegalovirus.
      This results in accumulation of CD28neg T cells, which may constitute >50% of the
      total circulating T-cell population in the elderly. The frequency of CD28neg T
      cells is associated with diseases such as cancer, autoimmunity, and
      atherosclerosis in which they may act as either effector or suppressor cells.
      This functional heterogeneity probably underlies the finding that the
      CD8posCD28neg T-cell population harbors effector cells mediating acute allograft
      rejection, but also suppressor cells. The CD4posCD28neg T cells are predominantly
      considered to be a nonclassical risk factor for atherosclerotic disease, and
      their contribution to alloreactivity is less clear. CD28neg T cells depend on IL
      15 for their proliferation, and they have increased the expression of specific
      costimulatory molecules, such as NK receptors, TNF-alpha receptor family members,
      and the adhesion/costimulatory molecule CD2. Targeting these costimulatory
      pathways presents potential therapeutic options to block allograft rejection
      mediated by CD28neg T cells which are resistant to belatacept. 

PMID- 26284455
TI  - miRNAs as Biomarkers in Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia.
AB  - Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm that is
      frequently characterized by the constitutive expression of the oncogenic protein
      BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) targeting breakpoint
      cluster region-ABL are the first-line therapy for most CML patients and have
      drastically improved the prognosis of CML. However, some CML patients are
      unresponsive to TKI treatment, and a notable proportion of initially responsive
      patients develop drug resistance. Several molecular pathways have been correlated
      with resistance to TKI treatment, however, the exact mechanism of developing drug
      resistance remains ambiguous. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been implicated
      in the progression of CML and the development of resistance to TKI treatment
      based on their important regulatory function in cell homeostasis, and the
      deregulation observed in the initiation and progression of many leukemia
      subtypes. In this review, we summarize some of the major discoveries regarding
      miRNAs in CML, and their relevance as biomarkers for diagnosis, disease
      progression, and drug sensitivity.

PMID- 26284458
TI  - Autonomic modulation analysis in active and sedentary kidney transplanted
      recipients.
AB  - Modulation of the autonomic nervous system on heart rate can be compromised in
      chronic kidney disease and may result in changes in the frequency and duration of
      the cardiac cycle. The aim of this study was to evaluate autonomic modulation in
      active and sedentary renal transplant recipients. Twenty renal-transplanted
      individuals were analyzed at the Centro de Prevencao de Doencas Renais (Kidney
      Disease Education Centre), in the academic hospital of Universidade Federal do
      Maranhao, and were divided into the active group (AG) and the sedentary group
      (SG). The AG comprised of six men and four women (age 43.10 +/- 13.02) and was in
      regular concurrent training intervention for 8 weeks, while the SG was composed
      of three men and seven women (age 36.8 +/- 9.26). Analysis of heart rate (HR)
      variability in time and frequency domain demonstrated that HR mean values in the
      SG and AG were 787.32 +/- 79.60 and 870 +/- 106.66 ms, respectively. Differences
      were observed in the time domain and frequency domain. The total index of low
      frequency and high frequency showed no differences between the SG and AG.
      Biochemical variables presented significantly lower levels after 8 weeks of
      training. Higher heart rate variability in the time domain and greater vagal
      modulation was observed in the AG. The AG ad greater vagal modulation when
      compared to the SG, with removal of the sympathetic and increased parasympathetic
      in the behaviour was confirmed by sympatho-vagal balance. The AG also presented
      significant improvements in the frequency domain.

PMID- 26284459
TI  - Williamson Ether Synthesis with Phenols at a Tertiary Stereogenic Carbon: Formal
      Enantioselective Phenoxylation of beta-Keto Esters.
AB  - The enantioselective formation of alpha-aryloxy-beta-keto esters is described for
      the first time. Lewis acid catalyzed enantioselective chlorination of beta-keto
      esters and subsequent SN 2 reactions with phenols yielded alpha-aryloxy-beta-keto
      esters with up to 96% ee. Favorskii rearrangement of alpha-chloro-beta-keto
      esters was also found to give 1,2-diesters with slightly reduced enantiopurity.

PMID- 26284460
TI  - Cost-utility analysis of an advanced pressure ulcer management protocol followed
      by trained wound, ostomy, and continence nurses.
AB  - The high prevalence of severe pressure ulcers (PUs) is an important issue that
      requires to be highlighted in Japan. In a previous study, we devised an advanced
      PU management protocol to enable early detection of and intervention for deep
      tissue injury and critical colonization. This protocol was effective for
      preventing more severe PUs. The present study aimed to compare the cost
      effectiveness of the care provided using an advanced PU management protocol, from
      a medical provider's perspective, implemented by trained wound, ostomy, and
      continence nurses (WOCNs), with that of conventional care provided by a control
      group of WOCNs. A Markov model was constructed for a 1-year time horizon to
      determine the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of advanced PU management
      compared with conventional care. The number of quality-adjusted life-years
      gained, and the cost in Japanese yen (Y) ($US1 = Y120; 2015) was used as the
      outcome. Model inputs for clinical probabilities and related costs were based on
      our previous clinical trial results. Univariate sensitivity analyses were
      performed. Furthermore, a Bayesian multivariate probability sensitivity analysis
      was performed using Monte Carlo simulations with advanced PU management. Two
      different models were created for initial cohort distribution. For both models,
      the expected effectiveness for the intervention group using advanced PU
      management techniques was high, with a low expected cost value. The sensitivity
      analyses suggested that the results were robust. Intervention by WOCNs using
      advanced PU management techniques was more effective and cost-effective than
      conventional care. 

PMID- 26284462
TI  - Evolutionary processes driving spatial patterns of intraspecific genetic
      diversity in river ecosystems.
AB  - Describing, understanding and predicting the spatial distribution of genetic
      diversity is a central issue in biological sciences. In river landscapes, it is
      generally predicted that neutral genetic diversity should increase downstream,
      but there have been few attempts to test and validate this assumption across
      taxonomic groups. Moreover, it is still unclear what are the evolutionary
      processes that may generate this apparent spatial pattern of diversity. Here, we
      quantitatively synthesized published results from diverse taxa living in river
      ecosystems, and we performed a meta-analysis to show that a downstream increase
      in intraspecific genetic diversity (DIGD) actually constitutes a general spatial
      pattern of biodiversity that is repeatable across taxa. We further demonstrated
      that DIGD was stronger for strictly waterborne dispersing than for overland
      dispersing species. However, for a restricted data set focusing on fishes, there
      was no evidence that DIGD was related to particular species traits. We then
      searched for general processes underlying DIGD by simulating genetic data in
      dendritic-like river systems. Simulations revealed that the three processes we
      considered (downstream-biased dispersal, increase in habitat availability
      downstream and upstream-directed colonization) might generate DIGD. Using random
      forest models, we identified from simulations a set of highly informative summary
      statistics allowing discriminating among the processes causing DIGD. Finally,
      combining these discriminant statistics and approximate Bayesian computations on
      a set of twelve empirical case studies, we hypothesized that DIGD were most
      likely due to the interaction of two of these three processes and that contrary
      to expectation, they were not solely caused by downstream-biased dispersal. 

PMID- 26284461
TI  - Prolonged outbreak of adenovirus A31 in allogeneic stem cell transplant
      recipients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: An outbreak of human adenovirus (HAdV) A31 occurred from December
      2011 to March 2012 at the Center for Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation (CAST),
      Karolinska University Hospital in Sweden. We analyzed the outbreak, the routes of
      transmission, and report the medical consequences. METHODS: The medical records
      of all patients admitted to CAST during the outbreak period were studied.
      Phylogenetic analysis of the patient HAdV strains was performed by sequencing the
      hexon gene and the more variable E3 gene. RESULTS: We identified 9 cases of HAdV
      A31. Hygiene measures were implemented, but transmission continued for 2 months.
      All 9 patients had been admitted to the ward, but 2 had no connection in time to
      other known HAdV A31 cases. DNA sequencing of the patient strains strongly
      suggested nosocomial transmission. Transplantation was postponed and then
      cancelled in 1 patient, and 5 patients were treated with cidofovir because of
      high levels of viremia. In 7 patients, concomitant graft-versus-host disease
      (GVHD) grade II-V complicated the clinical picture, as it was difficult to
      distinguish symptoms of GVHD from those of HAdV infection. CONCLUSION: An
      outbreak of HAdV in HSCT recipients can be difficult to control. Although none of
      the patients had severe disease, the medical consequences were significant. It is
      possible that unidentified cases with mild symptoms may have caused continuous
      transmission at the unit. Regular testing of all patients several weeks beyond
      the last case identified may be an important measure to control transmission.

PMID- 26284463
TI  - Prevalence of interdigital psoriasis of the feet ("psoriasis alba") in mild,
      moderate, and severe psoriasis.
AB  - Interdigital psoriasis of the feet ("psoriasis alba") is a rare form of inverse
      psoriasis. We conducted a cross-sectional study of the prevalence of interdigital
      psoriasis in mild, moderate, and severe psoriasis, compared to atopic dermatitis
      and normal controls. Data were collected during 2010-2013 from 232 psoriatic
      patients, 190 patients with atopic dermatitis, and 202 normal controls. The
      psoriatic and atopic dermatitis patients were from the dermatology department and
      outpatient clinic of the Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center in Jerusalem,
      Israel. The normal controls were healthy workers and volunteers from Hadassah
      Hospital who were not aware of any dermatological disease and had never consulted
      a general practitioner or dermatologist for skin problems of the feet. Our study
      revealed a prevalence of 2.6% of interdigital psoriasis of the feet in psoriatic
      patients, especially in men, and none in atopic dermatitis and normal controls.
      Three of the six affected patients with interdigital psoriasis of the feet
      complained of itching, both feet were involved in four patients, while two
      presented with additional palmoplantar psoriasis. The hematoxylin and eosin
      histopathological findings were in line with those found in inverse psoriasis.
      Dermatologists should be aware of this entity and treat it correctly. The
      diagnosis should be considered in psoriatic patients presenting with whitish
      plaque or patches in the toe-webs, in whom the fungal test is negative and are
      not responding to antimycotic treatment. 

PMID- 26284464
TI  - Rheumatoid nodulosis with extra-articular cyst synovitis.

PMID- 26284465
TI  - The effect of genetic test-based risk information on behavioral outcomes: A
      critical examination of failed trials and a call to action.
AB  - Encouraging individuals at risk for common complex disease like heart disease,
      cancer, and diabetes to adopt lifestyle changes (e.g., smoking cessation,
      exercise, proper nutrition, increased screening) could be powerful public health
      tools to decrease the enormous personal and economic burden of these conditions.
      Theoretically, genetic risk information appears to be a compelling tool that
      could be used to provoke at-risk individuals to adopt these lifestyle changes.
      Unfortunately, however, numerous studies now have shown that providing
      individuals with genetic test-based risk information has little to no impact on
      their behavior. In this article (a commentary not a systematic review), the
      failed trials in which genetic information has been used as a tool to induce
      behavior change will be critically examined in order to identify new and
      potentially more effective ways forward.

PMID- 26284466
TI  - miRNA for diagnosis and clinical implications of human hepatocellular carcinoma.
AB  - Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent malignancies, as a
      result of being asymptomatic at early stage, subsequent late clinical
      confirmation and poor prognosis. It is urgent to search more accurate biomarkers
      for diagnosing early HCC and predicting prognosis. Many factors participate in
      liver carcinogenesis, including dysregulation of miRNA. miRNA were endogenously
      expressed non-coding single-stranded small RNA with 19-25 nucleotides.
      Accumulating evidences have showed that miRNA from circulation and solitary
      tumors may be useful to classify the differentiation degree and stages of HCC,
      detect the hepatitis B/C virus-related HCC, and predict the survival rate after
      surgical resection or orthotopic liver transplantation. In this review, we
      summarize dysregulated miRNA, their roles in diagnosis and clinical implications
      of HCC. 

PMID- 26284467
TI  - Co-evolution of lymphocyte receptors with MHC class I.

PMID- 26284469
TI  - Activation of human T cells by CD1 and self-lipids.
AB  - Over two decades ago, it was discovered that the human T-cell repertoire contains
      T cells that do not recognize peptide antigens in the context of MHC molecules
      but instead respond to lipid antigens presented by CD1 antigen-presenting
      molecules. The ability of T cells to 'see' lipid antigens bound to CD1 enables
      these lymphocytes to sense changes in the lipid composition of cells and tissues
      as a result of infections, inflammation, or malignancies. Although foreign lipid
      antigens have been shown to function as antigens for CD1-restricted T cells, many
      CD1-restricted T cells do not require foreign antigens for activation but instead
      can be activated by self-lipids presented by CD1. This review highlights recent
      developments in the field, including the identification of common mammalian
      lipids that function as autoantigens for alphabeta and gammadelta T cells, a
      novel mode of T-cell activation whereby CD1a itself rather than lipids serves as
      the autoantigen, and various mechanisms by which the activation of CD1
      autoreactive T cells is regulated. As CD1 can induce T-cell effector functions in
      the absence of foreign antigens, multiple mechanisms are in place to regulate
      this self-reactivity, and stimulatory CD1-lipid complexes appear to be tightly
      controlled in space and time. 

PMID- 26284471
TI  - Co-evolution with chicken class I genes.
AB  - The concept of co-evolution (or co-adaptation) has a long history, but
      application at molecular levels (e.g., 'supergenes' in genetics) is more recent,
      with a consensus definition still developing. One interesting example is the
      chicken major histocompatibility complex (MHC). In contrast to typical mammals
      that have many class I and class I-like genes, only two classical class I genes,
      two CD1 genes and some non-classical Rfp-Y genes are known in chicken, and all
      are found on the microchromosome that bears the MHC. Rarity of recombination
      between the closely linked and polymorphic genes encoding classical class I and
      TAPs allows co-evolution, leading to a single dominantly expressed class I
      molecule in each MHC haplotype, with strong functional consequences in terms of
      resistance to infectious pathogens. Chicken tapasin is highly polymorphic, but co
      evolution with TAP and class I genes remains unclear. T-cell receptors, natural
      killer (NK) cell receptors, and CD8 co-receptor genes are found on non-MHC
      chromosomes, with some evidence for co-evolution of surface residues and number
      of genes along the avian and mammalian lineages. Over even longer periods, co
      evolution has been invoked to explain how the adaptive immune system of jawed
      vertebrates arose from closely linked receptor, ligand, and antigen-processing
      genes in the primordial MHC. 

PMID- 26284468
TI  - Coevolution of MHC genes (LMP/TAP/class Ia, NKT-class Ib, NKp30-B7H6): lessons
      from cold-blooded vertebrates.
AB  - Comparative immunology provides the long view of what is conserved across all
      vertebrate taxa versus what is specific to particular organisms or group of
      organisms. Regarding the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and coevolution,
      three striking cases have been revealed in cold-blooded vertebrates: lineages of
      class Ia antigen-processing and -presenting genes, evolutionary conservation of
      NKT-class Ib recognition, and the ancient emergence of the natural cytotoxicity
      receptor NKp30 and its ligand B7H6. While coevolution of transporter associated
      with antigen processing (TAP) and class Ia has been documented in endothermic
      birds and two mammals, lineages of LMP7 are restricted to ectotherms. The
      unambiguous discovery of natural killer T (NKT) cells in Xenopus demonstrated
      that NKT cells are not restricted to mammals and are likely to have emerged at
      the same time in evolution as classical alpha/beta and gamma/delta T cells. NK
      cell receptors evolve at a rapid rate, and orthologues are nearly impossible to
      identify in different vertebrate classes. By contrast, we have detected NKp30 in
      all gnathostomes, except in species where it was lost. The recently discovered
      ligand of NKp30, B7H6, shows strong signs of coevolution with NKp30 throughout
      evolution, i.e. coincident loss or expansion of both genes in some species. NKp30
      also offers an attractive IgSF candidate for the invasion of the RAG transposon,
      which is believed to have initiated T-cell receptor/immunoglobulin adaptive
      immunity. Besides reviewing these intriguing features of MHC evolution and
      coevolution, we offer suggestions for future studies and propose a model for the
      primordial or proto MHC. 

PMID- 26284472
TI  - Comparative genomics of the NKG2D ligand gene family.
AB  - NKG2D ligands (NKG2DLs) are a group of stress-inducible major histocompatibility
      complex (MHC) class I-like molecules that act as a danger signal alerting the
      immune system to the presence of abnormal cells. In mammals, two families of
      NKG2DL genes have been identified: the MIC gene family encoded in the MHC region
      and the ULBP gene family encoded outside the MHC region in most species. Some
      mammals have a third family of NKG2DL-like class I genes which we named MILL (MHC
      class I-like located near the leukocyte receptor complex). Despite the fact that
      MILL genes are more closely related to MIC genes than ULBP genes are to MIC
      genes, MILL molecules do not function as NKG2DLs, and their function remains
      unknown. With the progress of mammalian genome projects, information on the MIC,
      ULBP, and MILL gene families became available in many mammalian species. Here, we
      summarize such information and discuss the origin and evolution of the NKG2DL
      gene family from the viewpoint of host-pathogen coevolution. 

PMID- 26284473
TI  - Genetics, genomics, and evolutionary biology of NKG2D ligands.
AB  - Human and mouse NKG2D ligands (NKG2DLs) are absent or only poorly expressed by
      most normal cells but are upregulated by cell stress, hence, alerting the immune
      system in case of malignancy or infection. Although these ligands are numerous
      and highly variable (at genetic, genomic, structural, and biochemical levels),
      they all belong to the major histocompatibility complex class I gene superfamily
      and bind to a single, invariant, receptor: NKG2D. NKG2D (CD314) is an activating
      receptor expressed on NK cells and subsets of T cells that have a key role in the
      recognition and lysis of infected and tumor cells. Here, we review the molecular
      diversity of NKG2DLs, discuss the increasing appreciation of their roles in a
      variety of medical conditions, and propose several explanations for the
      evolutionary force(s) that seem to drive the multiplicity and diversity of
      NKG2DLs while maintaining their interaction with a single invariant receptor. 

PMID- 26284474
TI  - Surveillance of cell and tissue perturbation by receptors in the LRC.
AB  - The human leukocyte receptor complex (LRC) encompasses several sets of genes with
      a common evolutionary origin and which form a branch of the immunoglobulin
      superfamily (IgSF). Comparisons of LRC genes both within and between species
      calls for a high degree of plasticity. The drive for this unprecedented level of
      variation is not known, but it relates in part to interaction of several LRC
      products with polymorphic human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecules.
      However, the range of other proposed ligands for LRC products indicates a dynamic
      set of receptors that have adapted to detect target molecules relating to
      numerous cellular pathways. Several receptors in the complex bind a molecular
      signature in collagenous ligands. Others detect a variety of motifs relating to
      pathogens in addition to cellular stress, attesting to the opportunistic
      versatility of LRC receptors. 

PMID- 26284475
TI  - Ly49 receptors: evolution, genetic diversity, and impact on immunity.
AB  - Natural killer (NK) cells express cell surface receptors that recognize class I
      major histocompatibility complex (MHC-I) molecules to distinguish between healthy
      and unhealthy cells. The multigenic and polymorphic nature of the MHC-I genes has
      influenced the convergent evolution of similarly polymorphic and diversified NK
      cell receptor families: the C-type lectin-like Ly49 receptors in mice, and the
      killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) in humans. Although structurally
      distinct, both receptor families have similar functions in terms of MHC-I
      recognition and downstream signal transduction, and they regulate multiple
      aspects of NK cell biology during development and after maturation as fully
      differentiated and functionally competent cells. The Ly49 gene locus has
      undergone rapid, lineage-specific expansions and contractions resulting in
      multiple distinct haplotypes of variable gene number, allelic diversity, and MHC
      I ligand specificity. This in turn has influenced the type and degree of Ly49
      receptor expression on NK cells, and their contribution to immunity in different
      mouse strains. In this review, we have attempted to describe the evolutionary
      processes that have shaped strain-specific Ly49 receptor repertoires, and their
      impact on NK cell functions during health and disease. 

PMID- 26284470
TI  - Coevolution of T-cell receptors with MHC and non-MHC ligands.
AB  - The structure and amino acid diversity of the T-cell receptor (TCR), similar in
      nature to that of Fab portions of antibodies, would suggest that these proteins
      have a nearly infinite capacity to recognize antigen. Yet all currently defined
      native T cells expressing an alpha and beta chain in their TCR can only sense
      antigen when presented in the context of a major histocompatibility complex (MHC)
      molecule. This MHC molecule can be one of many that exist in vertebrates,
      presenting small peptide fragments, lipid molecules, or small molecule
      metabolites. Here we review the pattern of TCR recognition of MHC molecules
      throughout a broad sampling of species and T-cell lineages and also touch upon T
      cells that do not appear to require MHC presentation for their surveillance
      function. We review the diversity of MHC molecules and information on the
      corresponding T-cell lineages identified in divergent species. We also discuss
      TCRs with structural domains unlike that of conventional TCRs of mouse and human.
      By presenting this broad view of TCR sequence, structure, domain organization,
      and function, we seek to explore how this receptor has evolved across time and
      been selected for alternative antigen-recognition capabilities in divergent
      lineages. 

PMID- 26284476
TI  - A bird's eye view of NK cell receptor interactions with their MHC class I
      ligands.
AB  - The surveillance of target cells by natural killer (NK) cells utilizes an
      ensemble of inhibitory and activating receptors, many of which interact with
      major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules. NK cell recognition of
      MHC class I proteins is important developmentally for the acquisition of full NK
      cell effector capacity and during target cell recognition, where the engagement
      of inhibitory receptors and MHC class I molecules attenuates NK cell activation.
      Human NK cells have evolved two broad strategies for recognition of human
      leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecules: (i) direct recognition of polymorphic
      classical HLA class I proteins by diverse receptor families such as the killer
      cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs), and (ii) indirect recognition of
      conserved sets of HLA class I-derived peptides displayed on the non-classical HLA
      E for recognition by CD94-NKG2 receptors. In this review, we assess the
      structural basis for the interaction between these NK receptors and their HLA
      class I ligands and, using the suite of published KIR and CD94-NKG2 ternary
      complexes, highlight the features that allow NK cells to orchestrate the
      recognition of a range of different HLA class I proteins. 

PMID- 26284477
TI  - Selection, tuning, and adaptation in mouse NK cell education.
AB  - Natural killer (NK) cells recognize transformed cells with an array of germline
      encoded inhibitory and activating receptors. Inhibitory Ly49 receptors bind major
      histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) molecules, providing a mechanism by
      which NK cells maintain self-tolerance yet eliminate cells expressing reduced
      levels of MHC-I. Additionally, MHC-I molecules are required for NK cell
      education, a process in which NK cells acquire responsiveness. In this review, we
      discuss three facets of MHC class I-dependent education of mouse NK cells:
      skewing of the inhibitory receptor repertoire, induction of functional
      responsiveness, and tuning in response to changes in MHC-I expression. We discuss
      prevailing models for education such as licensing and disarming and propose a
      model for positive selection of 'useful' NK cell subsets. Furthermore, we argue
      that both repertoire skewing and functional NK cell education may be altered in
      mature NK cells subject to changes in MHC-I input and suggest that this process
      may provide increased dynamics to the NK cell system. 

PMID- 26284478
TI  - Human KIR repertoires: shaped by genetic diversity and evolution.
AB  - Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) on natural killer (NK) cells are
      crucially involved in the control of cancer development and virus infection by
      probing cells for proper expression of HLA class I. The clonally distributed
      expression of KIRs leads to great combinatorial diversity that develops in the
      presence of the evolutionary older CD94/NKG2A receptor to create highly
      stochastic but tolerant repertoires of NK cells. These repertoires are present at
      birth and are subsequently shaped by an individuals' immunological history toward
      recognition of self. The single most important factor that shapes functional NK
      cell repertoires is the genetic diversity of KIR, which is characterized by the
      presence of group A and B haplotypes with complementary gene content that are
      present in all human populations. Group A haplotypes constitute the minimal
      genetic entity that provides high affinity recognition of all major human
      leukocyte antigen class I-encoded ligands, whereas group B haplotypes contribute
      to the diversification of NK cell repertoires by providing sets of stimulatory
      KIR genes that modify NK cell responses. We suggest a cooperative model for the
      balancing selection of A and B haplotypes, which is driven by the need to provide
      a suitable corridor of repertoire complexity in which A/A individuals with only
      16 different KIR combinations coexist with A/B and B/B donors expressing up to
      2048 different clone types. 

PMID- 26284480
TI  - NK cells: tuned by peptide?
AB  - Natural killer cells express multiple receptors for major histocompatibility
      complex (MHC) class I, including the killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors
      (KIRs) and the C-type lectin-like CD94:NKG2 receptors. The KIR locus is extremely
      polymorphic, paralleling the diversity of its classical MHC class I ligands.
      Similarly, the conservation of the NKG2 family of receptors parallels the
      conservation of MHC-E, the ligand for CD94:NKG2A/C/E. Binding of both CD94:NKG2
      heterodimers and KIR to their respective MHC class I ligand is peptide dependent,
      and despite the evolution of these receptors, they have retained the property of
      peptide selectivity. Such peptide selectivity affects these two systems in
      different ways. HLA-E binding non-inhibitory peptides augment inhibition at
      CD94:NKG2A, while HLA-C binding non-inhibitory peptides antagonize inhibition at
      KIR2DL2/3, implying that KIRs are specialized to respond positively to changes in
      peptide repertoire. Thus, while specific KIRs, such as KIR2DL3, are associated
      with beneficial outcomes from viral infections, viral peptides augment inhibition
      at CD94:NKGA. Conversely, NKG2A-positive NK cells sense MHC class I
      downregulation more efficiently than KIRs. Thus, these two receptor:ligand
      systems appear to have complementary functions in recognizing changes in MHC
      class I. 

PMID- 26284479
TI  - Newtonian cell interactions shape natural killer cell education.
AB  - Newton's third law of motion states that for every action on a physical object
      there is an equal and opposite reaction. The dynamic change in functional
      potential of natural killer (NK) cells during education bears many features of
      such classical mechanics. Cumulative physical interactions between cells, under a
      constant influence of homeostatic drivers of differentiation, lead to a reactive
      spectrum that ultimately shapes the functionality of each NK cell. Inhibitory
      signaling from an array of self-specific receptors appear not only to suppress
      self-reactivity but also aid in the persistence of effector functions over time,
      thereby allowing the cell to gradually build up a functional potential.
      Conversely, the frequent non-cytolytic interactions between normal cells in the
      absence of such inhibitory signaling result in continuous stimulation of the
      cells and attenuation of effector function. Although an innate cell, the degree
      to which the fate of the NK cell is predetermined versus its ability to adapt to
      its own environment can be revealed through a Newtonian view of NK cell
      education, one which is both chronological and dynamic. As such, the development
      of NK cell functional diversity is the product of qualitatively different
      physical interactions with host cells, rather than simply the sum of their
      signals or an imprint based on intrinsically different transcriptional programs. 

PMID- 26284481
TI  - Co-evolution of the MHC class I and KIR gene families in rhesus macaques:
      ancestry and plasticity.
AB  - Researchers dealing with the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I and killer
      immunoglobulin receptor (KIR) multi-gene families in humans are often wary of the
      complex and seemingly different situation that is encountered regarding these
      gene families in Old World monkeys. For the sake of comparison, the well-defined
      and thoroughly studied situation in humans has been taken as a reference. In
      macaques, both the major histocompatibility complex class I and KIR gene families
      are plastic entities that have experienced various rounds of expansion,
      contraction, and subsequent recombination processes. As a consequence, haplotypes
      in macaques display substantial diversity with regard to gene copy number
      variation. Additionally, for both multi-gene families, differential levels of
      polymorphism (allelic variation), and expression are observed as well. A
      comparative genetic approach has allowed us to answer questions related to
      ancestry, to shed light on unique adaptations of the species' immune system, and
      to provide insights into the genetic events and selective pressures that have
      shaped the range of these gene families. 

PMID- 26284482
TI  - The killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors of macaques.
AB  - Natural killer (NK) cells play a central role in immune responses through direct
      cytotoxicity and the release of cytokines that prime adaptive immunity. In simian
      primates, NK cell responses are regulated by interactions between two highly
      polymorphic sets of molecules: the killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors
      (KIRs) and their major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I ligands. KIR-MHC
      class I interactions in humans have been implicated in the outcome of a number
      viral diseases and cancers. However, studies to address the role of KIRs in
      animal models have been limited by the complex immunogenetics and lack of defined
      ligands for KIRs in non-human primates. Due to the rapid evolution of KIRs, there
      is little conservation among the KIR genes of different primate species and it is
      not possible to predict the specificity of KIRs from known KIR-MHC class I
      interactions in humans. Hence, the MHC class I ligands for KIRs in species other
      than humans are poorly defined. Here, we review the KIR genes of the rhesus
      macaque, an important animal model for human immunodeficiency virus infection and
      other infectious diseases, and the MHC class I ligands that have been identified
      for KIRs in this species. 

PMID- 26284484
TI  - Co-evolution of NK receptors and HLA ligands in humans is driven by reproduction.
AB  - Allogeneic individuals co-exist during pregnancy in eutherian mammals. Maternal
      and fetal cells intermingle at the site of placental attachment in the uterus,
      where the arteries are remodeled to supply the fetus with oxygen and nutrients.
      This access by placental cells to the maternal supply line determines the growth
      and birth weight of the baby and is subject to stabilizing selection. Invading
      placental trophoblast cells express human leukocyte antigen class I ligands (HLA
      E, HLA-G, and HLA-C) for receptors on maternal uterine natural killer (NK) and
      myelomonocytic cells, CD94/NKG2, leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptor (LILR),
      and killer immunoglobulin receptor (KIR). Of these, only the KIR/HLA-C system is
      highly polymorphic. Different combinations of maternal KIR and fetal HLA-C
      variants are correlated with low birth weight and pre-eclampsia or high birth
      weight and obstructed labor, the two extremes of the obstetric dilemma. This
      situation has arisen because of the evolution of bipedalism and subsequently, in
      the last million years, larger brains. At this point, the human system began to
      reach a balance between KIR A and KIR B haplotypes and C1 and C2 epitopes of HLA
      C alleles that reflects a functional compromise between the competing demands of
      immunity and reproduction. 

PMID- 26284483
TI  - Co-evolution of MHC class I and variable NK cell receptors in placental mammals.
AB  - Shaping natural killer (NK) cell functions in human immunity and reproduction are
      diverse killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) that recognize
      polymorphic MHC class I determinants. A survey of placental mammals suggests that
      KIRs serve as variable NK cell receptors only in certain primates and
      artiodactyls. Divergence of the functional and variable KIRs in primates and
      artiodactyls predates placental reproduction. Among artiodactyls, cattle but not
      pigs have diverse KIRs. Catarrhine (humans, apes, and Old World monkeys) and
      platyrrhine (New World monkeys) primates, but not prosimians, have diverse KIRs.
      Platyrrhine and catarrhine systems of KIR and MHC class I are highly diverged,
      but within the catarrhines, a stepwise co-evolution of MHC class I and KIR is
      discerned. In Old World monkeys, diversification focuses on MHC-A and MHC-B and
      their cognate lineage II KIR. With evolution of C1-bearing MHC-C from MHC-B, as
      informed by orangutan, the focus changes to MHC-C and its cognate lineage III
      KIR. Evolution of C2 from C1 and fixation of MHC-C drove further elaboration of
      MHC-C-specific KIR, as exemplified by chimpanzee. In humans, the evolutionary
      trajectory changes again. Emerging from reorganization of the KIR locus and
      selective attenuation of KIR avidity for MHC class I are the functionally
      distinctive KIR A and KIR B haplotypes.

PMID- 26284485
TI  - Brief-exposure to preoperative bevacizumab reveals a TGF-beta signature
      predictive of response in HER2-negative breast cancers.
AB  - To best define biomarkers of response, and to shed insight on mechanism of action
      of certain clinically important agents for early breast cancer, we used a brief
      exposure paradigm in the preoperative setting to study transcriptional changes in
      patient tumors that occur with one dose of therapy prior to combination
      chemotherapy. Tumor biopsies from breast cancer patients enrolled in two
      preoperative clinical trials were obtained at baseline and after one dose of
      bevacizumab (HER2-negative), trastuzumab (HER2-positive) or nab-paclitaxel,
      followed by treatment with combination chemo-biologic therapy. RNA-Sequencing
      based PAM50 subtyping at baseline of 46 HER2-negative patients revealed a strong
      association between the basal-like subtype and pathologic complete response (pCR)
      to chemotherapy plus bevacizumab (p <= 0.0027), but did not provide sufficient
      specificity to predict response. However, a single dose of bevacizumab resulted
      in down-regulation of a well-characterized TGF-beta activity signature in every
      single breast tumor that achieved pCR (p <= 0.004). The TGF-beta signature was
      confirmed to be a tumor-specific read-out of the canonical TGF-beta pathway using
      pSMAD2 (p <= 0.04), with predictive power unique to brief-exposure to bevacizumab
      (p <= 0.016), but not trastuzumab or nab-paclitaxel. Down-regulation of TGF-beta
      activity was associated with reduction in tumor hypoxia by transcription and
      protein levels, suggesting therapy-induced disruption of an autocrine-loop
      between tumor stroma and malignant cells. Modulation of the TGF-beta pathway upon
      brief-exposure to bevacizumab may provide an early functional readout of pCR to
      preoperative anti-angiogenic therapy in HER2-negative breast cancer, thus
      providing additional avenues for exploration in both preclinical and clinical
      settings with these agents.

PMID- 26284486
TI  - Exosomal levels of miRNA-21 from cerebrospinal fluids associated with poor
      prognosis and tumor recurrence of glioma patients.
AB  - Glioma is a most common type of primary brain tumors. Extracellular vesicles, in
      the form of exosomes, are known to mediate cell-cell communication by
      transporting cell-derived proteins and nucleic acids, including various microRNAs
      (miRNAs). Here we examined the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from patients with
      recurrent glioma for the levels of cancer-related miRNAs, and evaluated the
      values for prognosis by comparing the measures of CSF-, serum-, and exosome
      contained miR-21 levels. Samples from seventy glioma patients following surgery
      were compared with those from brain trauma patients as a non-tumor control group.
      Exosomal miR-21 levels in the CSF of glioma patients were found significantly
      higher than in the controls; whereas no difference was detected in serum-derived
      exosomal miR-21 expression. The CSF-derived exosomal miR-21 levels correlated
      with tumor spinal/ventricle metastasis and the recurrence with anatomical site
      preference. From additional 198 glioma tissue samples, we verified that miR-21
      levels associated with tumor grade of diagnosis and negatively correlated with
      the median values of patient overall survival time. We further used a lentiviral
      inhibitor to suppress miR-21 expression in U251 cells. The results showed that
      the levels of miR-21 target genes of PTEN, RECK and PDCD4 were up-regulated at
      protein levels. Therefore, we concluded that the exosomal miR-21 levels could be
      demonstrated as a promising indicator for glioma diagnosis and prognosis,
      particularly with values to predict tumor recurrence or metastasis. 

PMID- 26284487
TI  - Simultaneous inhibition of multiple oncogenic miRNAs by a multi-potent microRNA
      sponge.
AB  - The roles of oncogenic miRNAs are widely recognized in many cancers. Inhibition
      of single miRNA using antagomiR can efficiently knock-down a specific miRNA.
      However, the effect is transient and often results in subtle phenotype, as there
      are other miRNAs contribute to tumorigenesis. Here we report a multi-potent miRNA
      sponge inhibiting multiple miRNAs simultaneously. As a model system, we targeted
      miR-21, miR-155 and miR-221/222, known as oncogenic miRNAs in multiple tumors
      including breast and pancreatic cancers. To achieve efficient knockdown, we
      generated perfect and bulged-matched miRNA binding sites (MBS) and introduced
      multiple copies of MBS, ranging from one to five, in the multi-potent miRNA
      sponge. Luciferase reporter assay showed the multi-potent miRNA sponge
      efficiently inhibited 4 miRNAs in breast and pancreatic cancer cells.
      Furthermore, a stable and inducible version of the multi-potent miRNA sponge cell
      line showed the miRNA sponge efficiently reduces the level of 4 target miRNAs and
      increase target protein level of these oncogenic miRNAs. Finally, we showed the
      miRNA sponge sensitize cells to cancer drug and attenuate cell migratory
      activity. Altogether, our study demonstrates the multi-potent miRNA sponge is a
      useful tool to examine the functional impact of simultaneous inhibition of
      multiple miRNAs and proposes a therapeutic potential.

PMID- 26284489
TI  - Thermal Conduction in Vertically Aligned Copper Nanowire Arrays and Composites.
AB  - The ability to efficiently and reliably transfer heat between sources and sinks
      is often a bottleneck in the thermal management of modern energy conversion
      technologies ranging from microelectronics to thermoelectric power generation.
      These interfaces contribute parasitic thermal resistances that reduce device
      performance and are subjected to thermomechanical stresses that degrade device
      lifetime. Dense arrays of vertically aligned metal nanowires (NWs) offer the
      unique combination of thermal conductance from the constituent metal and
      mechanical compliance from the high aspect ratio geometry to increase interfacial
      heat transfer and device reliability. In the present work, we synthesize copper
      NW arrays directly onto substrates via templated electrodeposition and extend
      this technique through the use of a sacrificial overplating layer to achieve
      improved uniformity. Furthermore, we infiltrate the array with an organic phase
      change material and demonstrate the preservation of thermal properties. We use
      the 3omega method to measure the axial thermal conductivity of freestanding
      copper NW arrays to be as high as 70 W m(-1) K(-1), which is more than an order
      of magnitude larger than most commercial interface materials and enhanced
      conductivity nanocomposites reported in the literature. These arrays are highly
      anisotropic, and the lateral thermal conductivity is found to be only 1-2 W m(-1)
      K(-1). We use these measured properties to elucidate the governing array-scale
      transport mechanisms, which include the effects of morphology and energy carrier
      scattering from size effects and grain boundaries. 

PMID- 26284488
TI  - Colorectal cancer-promoting activity of the senescent peritoneal mesothelium.
AB  - Gastrointestinal cancers metastasize into the peritoneal cavity in a process
      controlled by peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMCs). In this paper we examined if
      senescent HPMCs can intensify the progression of colorectal (SW480) and
      pancreatic (PSN-1) cancers in vitro and in vivo. Experiments showed that
      senescent HPMCs stimulate proliferation, migration and invasion of SW480 cells,
      and migration of PSN-1 cells. When SW480 cells were injected i.p. with senescent
      HPMCs, the dynamics of tumor formation and vascularization were increased. When
      xenografts were generated using PSN-1 cells, senescent HPMCs failed to favor
      their growth. SW480 cells subjected to senescent HPMCs displayed up-regulated
      expression of transcripts for various pro-cancerogenic agents as well as
      increased secretion of their products. Moreover, they underwent an epithelial
      mesenchymal transition in the Smad 2/3-Snail1-related pathway. The search for
      mediators of senescent HPMC activity showed that increased SW480 cell
      proliferation was stimulated by IL-6, migration by CXCL8 and CCL2, invasion by IL
      6, MMP-3 and uPA, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition by TGF-beta1. Secretion
      of these agents by senescent HPMCs was increased in an NF-kappaB- and p38 MAPK
      dependent mechanism. Collectively, our findings indicate that in the peritoneum
      senescent HPMCs may create a metastatic niche in which critical aspects of cancer
      progression become intensified. 

PMID- 26284490
TI  - Non-toxigenic tox gene-bearing Corynebacterium ulcerans in a traumatic ulcer from
      a human case and his asymptomatic dog.
AB  - A non-toxigenic tox gene-bearing (NTTB) Corynebacterium ulcerans was grown from
      the wound of a 61-year-old gardener and in a nasal specimen from the patient's
      asymptomatic dog. The two isolates were similar in terms of antibiogram,
      multilocus sequence typing (ST341), virulence genes, and only three SNPs were
      found to differentiate the two NTTB C. ulcerans isolates supporting a zoonotic
      transmission to or between the patient and his dog. Of interest, we found that
      the two C. ulcerans isolates, although not expressing the diphtheria toxin tox,
      possessed 13 out of 14 recently described virulence candidate genes. 

PMID- 26284491
TI  - Synthesis of Optically Pure Spiro[cyclohexane-oxindoline] Derivatives via
      Catalytic Asymmetric Diels-Alder Reaction of Brassard-Type Diene with
      Methyleneindolines.
AB  - A highly efficient N,N'-dioxide-Zn(II) complex catalytic system for the
      asymmetric Diels-Alder reaction of Brassard-type diene with methyleneindolines
      was developed. The optically pure spiro[cyclohex[3]ene-1,3'-indoline]-1'
      carboxylate-2, 2'-dione derivatives containing three stereocenters were obtained
      in moderate yields with 98% to >99% ee in a stereospecific manner. 

PMID- 26284492
TI  - Open channel block of NMDA receptors by diphenhydramine.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Diphenhydramine is a well known H1-receptor antagonist
      that plays a major role in clinical practice. Nowadays, diphenhydramine is
      primarily applied to prevent nausea but also its sedative and analgesic effects
      are of clinical importance. As other drugs mediating sedative and analgesic
      properties partly operate via the inhibition of glutamate receptors, we tested
      the hypothesis that diphenhydramine, as well interacts with excitatory ionotropic
      glutamate receptors. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Electrophysiological patch-clamp
      experiments were performed on glutamate receptors which were heterologously
      expressed in human TsA cells. KEY RESULTS: Diphenhydramine inhibits NMDA-mediated
      membrane currents in a reversible and concentration-dependent manner at
      clinically relevant concentrations. The inhibition occurred in a noncompetitive
      manner. Diphenhydramine did not compete with NMDA or glycine for their binding
      sites and half-maximal inhibition was obtained around 25 MUM diphenhydramine,
      independent of the subunit composition. The inhibition was caused by a classical
      open channel blocking mechanism and varied strongly with the membrane potential.
      Our results suggest that diphenhydramine most probably interacts with the Mg2+
      binding site or a very closely related area of the channel pore. CONCLUSION AND
      IMPLICATIONS: The data presented here provide evidence that the NMDA receptor
      antagonism of diphenhydramine contribute to its sedative and potentially LTP
      related effects like analgesia and amnesia.

PMID- 26284493
TI  - A DEVH-box RNA Helicase from Leishmania braziliensis is Associated to mRNA
      Cytoplasmic Granules.
AB  - RNA helicases are ubiquitous enzymes that participate in almost all aspects of
      RNA processing, including RNA and RNA-protein complex remodelling. In
      trypanosomatids, which post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression, the
      formation of different kinds of ribonucleoprotein granules under stress
      conditions modulates the parasite's RNA metabolism. This paper describes the
      isolation of a putative DEVH-box RNA helicase produced by promastigotes of
      Leishmania braziliensis. Using a Cy3-labelled dT30 oligo, FISH showed the
      localization of this protein to mRNA granules under starvation stress conditions.
      The central region of the protein was shown to be responsible for this behaviour.

PMID- 26284495
TI  - Insights into insulin-like peptide system in invertebrates from studies on IGF
      binding domain-containing proteins in the female mud crab, Scylla paramamosain.
AB  - Insulin-like peptides (ILPs) have been proved to exist extensively in
      invertebrates and play critical roles in regulating growth, metabolism and
      reproduction. ILP signaling system has been well defined in insects, with all key
      components homologous with vertebrate IGF signaling; however, counterparts of IGF
      binding proteins (IGFBPs) in vertebrates are not included in this system because
      of lacking sufficient researches in the related aspect. The present study firstly
      reports the identification of three kinds of invertebrate IGF binding (IB) domain
      containing protein genes from the mud crab Scylla paramamosain. Gene expression
      analysis suggested that they might be closely involved in ovarian development,
      but with separate roles. Subsequent bioinformatics analysis and in vitro
      experiments indicated that they are likely to serve as endogenous ILP-specific
      binding proteins in invertebrates. More importantly, based on the current
      evidence we inferred that in invertebrate, ILP system might take the place of IGF
      system in vertebrate species.

PMID- 26284494
TI  - Tumor suppression by MEG3 lncRNA in a human pituitary tumor derived cell line.
AB  - Human clinically non-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFAs) account for
      approximately 40% of diagnosed pituitary tumors. Epigenetic mutations in tumor
      suppressive genes play an important role in NFA development. Maternally expressed
      gene 3 (MEG3) is a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) and we hypothesized that it is a
      candidate tumor suppressor whose epigenetic silencing is specifically linked to
      NFA development. In this study, we introduced MEG3 expression into PDFS cells,
      derived from a human NFA, using both inducible and constitutively active
      expression systems. MEG3 expression significantly suppressed xenograft tumor
      growth in vivo in nude mice. When induced in culture, MEG3 caused cell cycle
      arrest at the G1 phase. In addition, inactivation of p53 completely abolished
      tumor suppression by MEG3, indicating that MEG3 tumor suppression is mediated by
      p53. In conclusion, our data support the hypothesis that MEG3 is a lncRNA tumor
      suppressor in the pituitary and its inactivation contributes to NFA development.

PMID- 26284496
TI  - Effects of 17beta-estradiol on cardiac Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase in high fat diet fed
      rats.
AB  - The aim of this study was to investigate in vivo effects of estradiol on
      Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase activity/expression in high fat (HF) diet fed rats. Adult male
      Wistar rats were fed normally (Control, n = 7) or with a HF diet (Obese, n = 14)
      for 10 weeks. After 10 weeks, half of the obese rats were treated with estradiol
      (Obese + Estradiol, n = 7, 40 MUg/kg, i.p.) as a bolus injection and 24 h after
      treatment all the rats were sacrificed. Estradiol in vivo in obese rats in
      comparison with obese non-treated rats led to a statistically significant
      increase in concentration of serum Na(+) (p < 0.05), Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase activity
      (p < 0.01), expression of alpha1 (p < 0.01) and alpha2 (p < 0.05) subunit of
      Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase, both PI3K subunits p85 (p < 0.01), p110 (p < 0.05), and
      association of IRS-1 with p85 (p < 0.05), while significantly decrease expression
      of AT1 (p < 0.05) and Rho A (p < 0.01) proteins. Our results suggest that
      estradiol in vivo in pathophysiological conditions, such as obesity accompanied
      with insulin resistance stimulates activity and expression of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase
      by a mechanism that involves the participation of IRS-1/PI3K/Akt signaling. In
      addition, the decreasing level of AT1 and Rho A proteins estradiol probably
      attenuates the detrimental effect of obesity to decreased IRS-1/PI3K association
      and consequently reduce Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase activity/expression.

PMID- 26284497
TI  - Perturbation biology nominates upstream-downstream drug combinations in RAF
      inhibitor resistant melanoma cells.
AB  - Resistance to targeted cancer therapies is an important clinical problem. The
      discovery of anti-resistance drug combinations is challenging as resistance can
      arise by diverse escape mechanisms. To address this challenge, we improved and
      applied the experimental-computational perturbation biology method. Using
      statistical inference, we build network models from high-throughput measurements
      of molecular and phenotypic responses to combinatorial targeted perturbations.
      The models are computationally executed to predict the effects of thousands of
      untested perturbations. In RAF-inhibitor resistant melanoma cells, we measured
      143 proteomic/phenotypic entities under 89 perturbation conditions and predicted
      c-Myc as an effective therapeutic co-target with BRAF or MEK. Experiments using
      the BET bromodomain inhibitor JQ1 affecting the level of c-Myc protein and
      protein kinase inhibitors targeting the ERK pathway confirmed the prediction. In
      conclusion, we propose an anti-cancer strategy of co-targeting a specific
      upstream alteration and a general downstream point of vulnerability to prevent or
      overcome resistance to targeted drugs. 

PMID- 26284499
TI  - Wedge Waveguides and Resonators for Quantum Plasmonics.
AB  - Plasmonic structures can provide deep-subwavelength electromagnetic fields that
      are useful for enhancing light-matter interactions. However, because these
      localized modes are also dissipative, structures that offer the best compromise
      between field confinement and loss have been sought. Metallic wedge waveguides
      were initially identified as an ideal candidate but have been largely abandoned
      because to date their experimental performance has been limited. We combine state
      of-the-art metallic wedges with integrated reflectors and precisely placed
      colloidal quantum dots (down to the single-emitter level) and demonstrate quantum
      plasmonic waveguides and resonators with performance approaching theoretical
      limits. By exploiting a nearly 10-fold improvement in wedge-plasmon propagation
      (19 MUm at a vacuum wavelength, lambdavac, of 630 nm), efficient reflectors
      (93%), and effective coupling (estimated to be >70%) to highly emissive (~90%)
      quantum dots, we obtain Ag plasmonic resonators at visible wavelengths with
      quality factors approaching 200 (3.3 nm line widths). As our structures offer
      modal volumes down to ~0.004lambdavac(3) in an exposed single-mode waveguide
      resonator geometry, they provide advantages over both traditional photonic
      microcavities and localized-plasmonic resonators for enhancing light-matter
      interactions. Our results confirm the promise of wedges for creating plasmonic
      devices and for studying coherent quantum-plasmonic effects such as long-distance
      plasmon-mediated entanglement and strong plasmon-matter coupling.

PMID- 26284500
TI  - Induced Gamma-Band Activity During Voluntary Movement: EEG Analysis for Clinical
      Purposes.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Propose a simplified method applicable in routine clinical practice
      that uses EEG to assess induced gamma-band activity (GBA) in the 30-90 Hz
      frequency range in cerebral motor areas. DESIGN: EEG recordings (25 healthy
      subjects) of cerebral activity (at rest, motor task). GBA was obtained as power
      spectral density (PSD). GBA - defined as the gamma index (Igamma) - was
      calculated using the basal GBA (gammaB) and motor GBA (gammaMOV) PSD values.
      RESULTS: The mean values of Igamma were (IgammaR (right hand) = 1.30, IgammaL
      (left hand) = 1.22). Manual laterality showed a correlation with Igamma.
      CONCLUSIONS: Igamma may provide a useful way of indirectly assessing operation of
      activated motor neuronal circuits. It could be applied to diagnosis of motor area
      pathologies and as follow up in rehabilitation processes. Likewise, Igamma could
      enable the assessment of motor capacity, physical training and manual laterality
      in sport medicine.

PMID- 26284501
TI  - Formation of Klein Edge Doublets from Graphene Monolayers.
AB  - With increasing possibilities for applications of graphene, it is essential to
      fully characterize the rich topological variations in graphene edge structures.
      Using aberration-corrected transmission electron microscopy, dangling carbon
      doublets at the edge of monolayer graphene crystals have been observed. Unlike
      the single-atom Klein edge often found at zigzag edges, these carbon dimers were
      observed in various edge structure environments, but most frequently on the more
      stable armchair edges. Observation of this Klein edge doublet over time reveals
      that its existence enhances the stability of armchair edges and is a route to
      atom abstraction on zigzag edges. 

PMID- 26284498
TI  - A molecular tweezer antagonizes seminal amyloids and HIV infection.
AB  - Semen is the main vector for HIV transmission and contains amyloid fibrils that
      enhance viral infection. Available microbicides that target viral components have
      proven largely ineffective in preventing sexual virus transmission. In this
      study, we establish that CLR01, a 'molecular tweezer' specific for lysine and
      arginine residues, inhibits the formation of infectivity-enhancing seminal
      amyloids and remodels preformed fibrils. Moreover, CLR01 abrogates semen-mediated
      enhancement of viral infection by preventing the formation of virion-amyloid
      complexes and by directly disrupting the membrane integrity of HIV and other
      enveloped viruses. We establish that CLR01 acts by binding to the target lysine
      and arginine residues rather than by a non-specific, colloidal mechanism. CLR01
      counteracts both host factors that may be important for HIV transmission and the
      pathogen itself. These combined anti-amyloid and antiviral activities make CLR01
      a promising topical microbicide for blocking infection by HIV and other sexually
      transmitted viruses. 

PMID- 26284502
TI  - A Luminescent Cocaine Detection Platform Using a Split G-Quadruplex-Selective
      Iridium(III) Complex and a Three-Way DNA Junction Architecture.
AB  - In this study, a series of 10 in-house cyclometalated iridium(III) complexes
      bearing different auxiliary ligands were tested for their selectivity toward
      split G-quadruplex in order to construct a label-free switch-on cocaine detection
      platform employing a three-way junction architecture and a G-quadruplex motif as
      a signal output unit. Through two rounds of screening, we discovered that the
      iridium(III) complex 7 exhibited excellent selectivity toward the intermolecular
      G-quadruplex motif. A detection limit as low as 30 nM for cocaine can be achieved
      by this sensing approach with a linear relationship between luminescence
      intensity and cocaine concentration established from 30 to 300 nM. Furthermore,
      this sensing approach could detect cocaine in diluted oral fluid. We hope that
      our simple, signal-on, label-free oligonucleotide-based sensing method for
      cocaine using a three-way DNA junction architecture could act as a useful
      platform in bioanalytical research. 

PMID- 26284503
TI  - Reaction-Based "Off-On" Fluorescent Probe Enabling Detection of Endogenous Labile
      Fe(2+) and Imaging of Zn(2+)-induced Fe(2+) Flux in Living Cells and Elevated
      Fe(2+) in Ischemic Stroke.
AB  - Fluorogenic sensors capable of spatiotemporally detecting Fe(2+) in biological
      systems are highly valuable in the study of iron biology. Toward this end, a new
      "off-on" Fe(2+)-selective fluorescent probe has been developed by incorporating
      an Fe(2+)-induced N-O cleavage of acylated hydroxylamine moiety into the
      naphthalimide fluorophore. The probe displays facile response (within 15 min) and
      good selectivity toward Fe(2+) with >27-fold enhancement of fluorescence
      intensity and high sensitivity of as low as 0.5 MUM with a noticeable 3-fold
      fluorescence enhancement. These features of the probe have been transformed into
      in the convenient detection of endogenous, basal level of labile Fe(2+) pools in
      living cells. Furthermore, we have demonstrated the capacity of the probe for the
      studies of important Fe(2+) related biological functions. It can respond to the
      Zn(2+)-induced Fe(2+) flux, an important event observed in stroke, and facilely
      detect the elevated level of Fe(2+) in the brain tissue of a rat undergoing
      ischemic stroke at the ischemic site. 

PMID- 26284504
TI  - Addition to "Supramolecular Amphiphiles Based on Host-Guest Molecular Recognition
      Motifs".

PMID- 26284505
TI  - Foreign Body Aspiration of a Press-Through Package That Lodged between the Vocal
      Cords.

PMID- 26284506
TI  - Clinical Q & A: Translating Therapeutic Temperature Management from Theory to
      Practice.

PMID- 26284507
TI  - Structural conservation of prion strain specificities in recombinant prion
      protein fibrils in real-time quaking-induced conversion.
AB  - A major unsolved issue of prion biology is the existence of multiple strains with
      distinct phenotypes and this strain phenomenon is postulated to be associated
      with the conformational diversity of the abnormal prion protein (PrP(Sc)). Real
      time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QUIC) assay that uses Escherichia coli
      derived recombinant prion protein (rPrP) for the sensitive detection of PrP(Sc)
      results in the formation of rPrP-fibrils seeded with various strains. We
      demonstrated that there are differences in the secondary structures, especially
      in the beta-sheets, and conformational stability between 2 rPrP-fibrils seeded
      with either Chandler or 22L strains in the first round of RT-QUIC. In particular,
      the differences in conformational properties of these 2 rPrP-fibrils were common
      to those of the original PrP(Sc). However, the strain specificities of rPrP
      fibrils seen in the first round were lost in subsequent rounds. Instead, our
      findings suggest that nonspecific fibrils became the major species, probable
      owing to their selective growth advantage in the RT-QUIC. This study shows that
      at least some strain-specific conformational properties of the original PrP(Sc)
      can be transmitted to rPrP-fibrils in vitro, but further conservation appears to
      require unknown cofactors or environmental conditions or both. 

PMID- 26284508
TI  - In vitro neutralization of prions with PrP(Sc)-specific antibodies.
AB  - Prion diseases reflect the misfolding of a self-protein (PrP(C)) into an
      infectious, pathological isomer (PrP(Sc)). By targeting epitopes uniquely exposed
      by misfolding, our group developed PrP(Sc)-specific vaccines to 3 disease
      specific epitopes (DSEs). Here, antibodies induced by individual DSE vaccines are
      evaluated for their capacity to neutralize prions in vitro. For both purified
      antibodies and immunoreactive sera, the PrP(Sc)-specific antibodies were equally
      effective in neutralizing prions. Further, there was no significant increase in
      neutralizing activity when multiple DSEs were targeted within an assay. At a low
      antibody concentration, the PrP(Sc)-specific antibodies matched the
      neutralization achieved by an antibody that may act via both PrP(C) and PrP(Sc).
      At higher doses, however, this pan-specific antibody was more effective,
      potentially due to a combined deactivation of PrP(Sc) and depletion of PrP(C). 

PMID- 26284509
TI  - Cancer-associated fibroblasts in pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
AB  - Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most highly malignant
      tumors with a very poor prognosis. In addition to the cancer cells, the stroma of
      tumor can expand by 50% and influence cancer cell growth. Cancer-associated
      fibroblasts (CAFs) are important components of tumor stroma. Cancer cells, normal
      fibroblasts, normal epithelial cells as well as bone marrow-derived
      myofibroblasts contribute to the emergence of CAFs through various cytokines
      (e.g., TGF-beta, SHH, PDGF) and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. CAFs affect
      cancer growth, survival, metastasis, angiogenesis and immunosurveillance through
      the secretion of various cytokines, such as CXCL12 and secreted protein acidic
      and rich in cystein. Also, CAFs correlate to the prognosis and chemoresistance of
      PDAC patients. As novel therapeutic targets, CAFs, and their relative factors,
      represent an important role in PDAC therapy. 

PMID- 26284510
TI  - Rapid biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using Crotalaria verrucosa leaves
      against the dengue vector Aedes aegypti: what happens around? An analysis of
      dragonfly predatory behaviour after exposure at ultra-low doses.
AB  - Aedes aegypti is a primary vector of dengue, a mosquito-borne viral disease
      infecting 50-100 million people every year. Here, we biosynthesised mosquitocidal
      silver nanoparticles (AgNP) using the aqueous leaf extract of Crotalaria
      verrucosa. The green synthesis of AgNP was studied by UV-vis spectroscopy, SEM,
      EDX and FTIR. C. verrucosa-synthesised AgNPs were toxic against A. aegypti larvae
      and pupae. LC50 of AgNP ranged from 3.496 ppm (I instar larvae) to 17.700 ppm
      (pupae). Furthermore, we evaluated the predatory efficiency of dragonfly nymphs,
      Brachydiplax sobrina, against II and III instar larvae of A. aegypti in an
      aquatic environment contaminated with ultra-low doses of AgNP. Under standard
      laboratory conditions, predation after 24 h was 87.5% (II) and 54.7% (III). In an
      AgNP-contaminated environment, predation was 91 and 75.5%, respectively. Overall,
      C. verrucosa-synthesised AgNP could be employed at ultra-low doses to reduce
      larval population of dengue vectors enhancing predation rates of dragonfly
      nymphs.

PMID- 26284511
TI  - Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for phantom pain and stump
      pain following amputation in adults.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This is the first update of a Cochrane review published in Issue 5,
      2010 on transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for phantom pain and
      stump pain following amputation in adults. Pain may present in a body part that
      has been amputated (phantom pain) or at the site of amputation (stump pain), or
      both. Phantom pain and stump pain are complex and multidimensional and the
      underlying pathophysiology remains unclear. The condition remains a severe burden
      for those who are affected by it. The mainstay treatments are predominately
      pharmacological, with increasing acknowledgement of the need for non-drug
      interventions. TENS has been recommended as a treatment option but there has been
      no systematic review of available evidence. Hence, the effectiveness of TENS for
      phantom pain and stump pain is currently unknown. OBJECTIVES: To assess the
      analgesic effectiveness of TENS for the treatment of phantom pain and stump pain
      following amputation in adults. SEARCH METHODS: For the original version of the
      review we searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL),
      MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, AMED, CINAHL, PEDRO and SPORTDiscus (February 2010).
      For this update, we searched the same databases for relevant randomised
      controlled trials (RCTs) from 2010 to 25 March 2015. SELECTION CRITERIA: We only
      included RCTs investigating the use of TENS for the management of phantom pain
      and stump pain following an amputation in adults. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS:
      Two review authors independently assessed trial quality and extracted data. We
      planned that where available and appropriate, data from outcome measures were to
      be pooled and presented as an overall estimate of the effectiveness of TENS. MAIN
      RESULTS: In the original review there were no RCTs that examined the
      effectiveness of TENS for the treatment of phantom pain and stump pain in adults.
      For this update, we did not identify any additional RCTs for inclusion. AUTHORS'
      CONCLUSIONS: There were no RCTs to judge the effectiveness of TENS for the
      management of phantom pain and stump pain. The published literature on TENS for
      phantom pain and stump pain lacks the methodological rigour and robust reporting
      needed to confidently assess its effectiveness. Further RCT evidence is required
      before an assessment can be made. Since publication of the original version of
      this review, we have found no new studies and our conclusions remain unchanged.

PMID- 26284512
TI  - Characteristics relating to the interiorization of acquired immunodeficiency
      syndrome in Brazil: a cross-sectional study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In recent years there has been changes in the social and geographic
      profile of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The aim of this study was
      to evaluate the internalization of AIDS in the state of Rondonia, Brazil.
      FINDINGS: In Rondonia, 1473 AIDS cases were reported, with an average annual
      incidence of 15.8/100,000 persons (42.7 % women). The most common mode of viral
      transmission was sexual (96.5 %), and the majority of the individuals had not
      completed their primary education (64.8 %). There was heterogeneity in relation
      to case distribution, involving almost all of the municipalities in the state.
      The average annual mortality rate was 2.5/100,000 persons. CONCLUSION: Rondonia
      has a higher incidence of AIDS than the national average and the northern region.
      Efforts to provide access to treatment and follow-up of these individuals should
      be implemented, prioritizing areas where the incidence is higher and
      decentralizing the treatment of patients with AIDS in the state.

PMID- 26284513
TI  - The Dynamics of Incomplete Lineage Sorting across the Ancient Adaptive Radiation
      of Neoavian Birds.
AB  - The diversification of neoavian birds is one of the most rapid adaptive
      radiations of extant organisms. Recent whole-genome sequence analyses have much
      improved the resolution of the neoavian radiation and suggest concurrence with
      the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) boundary, yet the causes of the remaining genome
      level irresolvabilities appear unclear. Here we show that genome-level analyses
      of 2,118 retrotransposon presence/absence markers converge at a largely
      consistent Neoaves phylogeny and detect a highly differential temporal prevalence
      of incomplete lineage sorting (ILS), i.e., the persistence of ancestral genetic
      variation as polymorphisms during speciation events. We found that ILS-derived
      incongruences are spread over the genome and involve 35% and 34% of the analyzed
      loci on the autosomes and the Z chromosome, respectively. Surprisingly, Neoaves
      diversification comprises three adaptive radiations, an initial near-K-Pg super
      radiation with highly discordant phylogenetic signals from near-simultaneous
      speciation events, followed by two post-K-Pg radiations of core landbirds and
      core waterbirds with much less pronounced ILS. We provide evidence that, given
      the extreme level of up to 100% ILS per branch in super-radiations, particularly
      rapid speciation events may neither resemble a fully bifurcating tree nor are
      they resolvable as such. As a consequence, their complex demographic history is
      more accurately represented as local networks within a species tree. 

PMID- 26284514
TI  - Creating a specialist protein resource network: a meeting report for the protein
      bioinformatics and community resources retreat.
AB  - During 11-12 August 2014, a Protein Bioinformatics and Community Resources
      Retreat was held at the Wellcome Trust Genome Campus in Hinxton, UK. This meeting
      brought together the principal investigators of several specialized protein
      resources (such as CAZy, TCDB and MEROPS) as well as those from protein databases
      from the large Bioinformatics centres (including UniProt and RefSeq). The retreat
      was divided into five sessions: (1) key challenges, (2) the databases
      represented, (3) best practices for maintenance and curation, (4) information
      flow to and from large data centers and (5) communication and funding. An
      important outcome of this meeting was the creation of a Specialist Protein
      Resource Network that we believe will improve coordination of the activities of
      its member resources. We invite further protein database resources to join the
      network and continue the dialogue. 

PMID- 26284515
TI  - Effects of Grazing on Above- vs. Below-Ground Biomass Allocation of Alpine
      Grasslands on the Northern Tibetan Plateau.
AB  - Biomass allocation is an essential concept for understanding above- vs. below
      ground functions and for predicting the dynamics of community structure and
      ecosystem service under ongoing climate change. There is rare available knowledge
      of grazing effects on biomass allocation in multiple zonal alpine grassland types
      along climatic gradients across the Northern Tibetan Plateau. We collected the
      peak above- and below-ground biomass (AGB and BGB) values at 106 pairs of well
      matched grazed vs. fenced sites during summers of 2010-2013, of which 33 pairs
      were subject to meadow, 52 to steppe and 21 to desert-steppe. The aboveground net
      primary productivity (ANPP) was represented by the peak AGB while the belowground
      net primary productivity (BNPP) was estimated from ANPP, the ratio of living vs.
      dead BGB, and the root turnover rate. Two-ways analyses of variance (ANOVA) and
      paired samples comparisons with t-test were applied to examine the effects of
      pasture managements (PMS, i.e., grazed vs. fenced) and zonal grassland types on
      both ANPP and BNPP. Allometric and isometric allocation hypotheses were also
      tested between logarithmically transformed ANPP and BNPP using standardized major
      axis (SMA) analyses across grazed, fenced and overall sites. In our study, a high
      community-dependency was observed to support the allometric biomass allocation
      hypothesis, in association with decreased ANPP and a decreasing-to-increasing
      BNPP proportions with increasing aridity across the Northern Tibetan Plateau.
      Grazing vs. fencing seemed to have a trivial effect on ANPP compared to the
      overwhelming influence of different zonal grassland types. Vegetation links above
      and below-ground ecological functions through integrated meta-population
      adaptive strategies to the increasing severity of habitat conditions. Therefore,
      more detailed studies on functional diversity are essentially to achieve
      conservation and sustainability goals under ongoing climatic warming and
      intensifying human influences. 

PMID- 26284516
TI  - Inhibition of Breast Cancer Cell Proliferation and In Vitro Tumorigenesis by a
      New Red Apple Cultivar.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiproliferative activity in
      breast cancer cells and the inhibition of tumorigenesis in pre-neoplastic cells
      of a new apple cultivar with reddish pulp, called the Pelingo apple. METHODS: The
      antiproliferative activity was evaluated in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 human breast
      cancer cells. The inhibition of tumorigenesis was performed in JB6 promotion
      sensitive (P+) cells. RESULTS: Results showed that Pelingo apple juice is
      characterized by a very high polyphenol content and strongly inhibited breast
      cancer cell proliferation. Its antiproliferative activity was found to be higher
      than the other five apple juices tested. Pelingo juice induced cell accumulation
      in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle and autophagy through overexpression of p21,
      inhibition of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) activity and an
      increase in lipidated microtubule-associated protein-1 light chain-3 beta (LC3B).
      Remarkably, Pelingo juice inhibited the 12-o-tetra-decanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate
      (TPA)-induced tumorigenesis of JB6 P+ cells, suppressing colony formation in semi
      solid medium and TPA-induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation. CONCLUSIONS: Our data
      indicate that the Pelingo apple is rich in food components that can markedly
      inhibit in vitro tumorigenesis and growth of human breast cancer cells and could
      provide natural bioactive non-nutrient compounds, with potential chemopreventive
      activity.

PMID- 26284517
TI  - Autophagy Correlates with the Therapeutic Responsiveness of Malignant Pleural
      Mesothelioma in 3D Models.
AB  - Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a highly chemoresistant solid tumor. We have
      studied this apoptotic resistance using in vitro and ex vivo three-dimensional
      models, which acquire a high level of chemoresistance that can be reduced by
      PI3K/mTOR inhibitors. Here, we investigate the activity of GDC-0980, a novel dual
      PI3K/mTOR inhibitor, which has been proposed to be effective in mesothelioma. In
      this work, we aimed to identify mechanisms and markers of efficacy for GDC-0980
      by utilizing 3D models of mesothelioma, both in vitro multicellular spheroids and
      ex vivo tumor fragment spheroids grown from patient tumor samples. We found that
      a subset of mesothelioma spheroids is sensitive to GDC-0980 alone and to its
      combination with chemotherapy. Unexpectedly, this sensitivity did not correlate
      with the activation of the Akt/mTOR pathway. Instead, sensitivity to GDC-0980
      correlated with the presence of constitutive ATG13 puncta, a feature of
      autophagy, a cellular program that supports cells under stress. In tumor fragment
      spheroids grown from 21 tumors, we also found a subset (n = 11) that was
      sensitive to GDC-0980, a sensitivity that also correlated with the presence of
      ATG13 puncta. Interference with autophagy by siRNA of ATG7, an essential
      autophagic protein, increased the response to chemotherapy, but only in the
      sensitive multicellular spheroids. In the spheroids resistant to GDC-0980,
      autophagy appeared to play no role. In summary, we show that GDC-0980 is
      effective in mesothelioma 3D models that display ATG13 puncta, and that blockade
      of autophagy increases their response to chemotherapy. For the first time, we
      show a role for autophagy in the response to chemotherapy of 3D models of
      mesothelioma and propose ATG13 as a potential biomarker of the therapeutic
      responsiveness of mesothelioma. 

PMID- 26284518
TI  - Obstructive Sleep Apnea Susceptibility Genes in Chinese Population: A Field
      Synopsis and Meta-Analysis of Genetic Association Studies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies to date have evaluated the association
      between genetic variants and the susceptibility to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
      However, the results of these studies have been inconclusive. In this current
      study we performed meta-analysis of genetic association studies (GAS) to pool OSA
      susceptible genes in Chinese population, to perform a more precise evaluation of
      the association. METHODS: Various databases (i.e., PubMed, EMBASE, HuGE
      Navigator, Wanfang and CNKI) were searched to identify all eligible GAS-related
      variants associated with susceptibility to OSA. The generalized odds ratio metric
      (ORG) and the odds ratio (OR) of the allele contrast were used to quantify the
      impact of genetic variants on the risk of OSA. Cumulative and recursive
      cumulative meta-analyses (CMA) were also performed to investigate the trend and
      stability of effect sizes as evidence was accumulated. RESULTS: Thirty-two GAS
      evaluating 13 polymorphisms in 10 genes were included in our meta-analysis.
      Significant associations were derived for four polymorphisms either for the
      allele contrast or for the ORG. The variants TNF-alpha-308G/A, 5-HTTLPR, 5
      HTTVNTR, and APOE showed marginal significance for ORG (95% confidence interval
      [CI]): 2.01(1.31-3.07); 1.31(1.09-1.58); 1.85(1.16-2.95); 1.79(1.10-2.92); and
      1.79(1.10-2.92) respectively. In addition, the TNF-alpha-308G/A, 5-HTTLPR, and 5
      HTTVNTR variants showed significance for the allele contrast: 2.15(1.39-3.31);
      2.26(1.58-3.24); 1.32(1.12-1.55); and 1.86(1.12-3.08) respectively. CMA showed a
      trend towards an association, and recursive CMA indicated that more evidence was
      needed to determine whether this was significant. CONCLUSIONS: TNF-alpha, 5-HTT,
      and APOE genes can all be proposed as OSA-susceptibility genes in Chinese
      population. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) are therefore urgently needed
      to confirm our findings within a larger sample of OSA patients in China.

PMID- 26284519
TI  - Prevalence and Characterization of Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae
      Isolated from Mulago National Referral Hospital, Uganda.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Carbapenemases have increasingly been reported in
      enterobacteriaceae worldwide. Most carbapenemases are plasmid encoded hence
      resistance can easily spread. Carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae are
      reported to cause mortality in up to 50% of patients who acquire bloodstream
      infections. We set out to determine the burden of carbapenem resistance as well
      as establish genes encoding for carbapenemases in enterobacteriaceae clinical
      isolates obtained from Mulago National Referral Hospital, Uganda. METHODS: This
      was a cross-sectional study with a total of 196 clinical isolates previously
      collected from pus swabs, urine, blood, sputum, tracheal aspirates, cervical
      swabs, endomentrial aspirates, rectal swabs, Vaginal swabs, ear swabs, products
      of conception, wound biopsy and amniotic fluid. All isolates were subjected to
      phenotypic carbapenemase screening using Boronic acid-based inhibition, Modified
      Hodge and EDTA double combined disk test. In addition, all the isolates were
      subjected to PCR assay to confirm presence of carbapenemase encoding genes.
      RESULTS: The study found carbapenemase prevalence of 22.4% (44/196) in the
      isolates using phenotypic tests, with the genotypic prevalence slightly higher at
      28.6% (56/196). Over all, the most prevalent gene was blaVIM (21,10.7%), followed
      by blaOXA-48 (19, 9.7%), blaIMP (12, 6.1%), blaKPC (10, 5.1%) and blaNDM-1 (5,
      2.6%). Among 56 isolates positive for 67 carbapenemase encoding genes, Klebsiella
      pneumonia was the species with the highest number (52.2%). Most 32/67(47.7%) of
      these resistance genes were in bacteria isolated from pus swabs. CONCLUSION:
      There is a high prevalence of carbapenemases and carbapenem-resistance encoding
      genes among third generation cephalosporins resistant Enterobacteriaceae in
      Uganda, indicating a danger of limited treatment options in this setting in the
      near future.

PMID- 26284521
TI  - Sympathetic Tone Induced by High Acoustic Tempo Requires Fast Respiration.
AB  - Many studies have revealed the influences of music, and particularly its tempo,
      on the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and respiration patterns. Since there is
      the interaction between the ANS and the respiratory system, namely sympatho
      respiratory coupling, it is possible that the effect of musical tempo on the ANS
      is modulated by the respiratory system. Therefore, we investigated the effects of
      the relationship between musical tempo and respiratory rate on the ANS. Fifty-two
      healthy people aged 18-35 years participated in this study. Their respiratory
      rates were controlled by using a silent electronic metronome and they listened to
      simple drum sounds with a constant tempo. We varied the respiratory rate-acoustic
      tempo combination. The respiratory rate was controlled at 15 or 20 cycles per
      minute (CPM) and the acoustic tempo was 60 or 80 beats per minute (BPM) or the
      environment was silent. Electrocardiograms and an elastic chest band were used to
      measure the heart rate and respiratory rate, respectively. The mean heart rate
      and heart rate variability (HRV) were regarded as indices of ANS activity. We
      observed a significant increase in the mean heart rate and the low (0.04-0.15 Hz)
      to high (0.15-0.40 Hz) frequency ratio of HRV, only when the respiratory rate was
      controlled at 20 CPM and the acoustic tempo was 80 BPM. We suggest that the
      effect of acoustic tempo on the sympathetic tone is modulated by the respiratory
      system. 

PMID- 26284520
TI  - A Subset of Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteins from a Multi-Analyte Panel Associated
      with Brain Atrophy, Disease Classification and Prediction in Alzheimer's Disease.
AB  - In this exploratory neuroimaging-proteomic study, we aimed to identify CSF
      proteins associated with AD and test their prognostic ability for disease
      classification and MCI to AD conversion prediction. Our study sample consisted of
      295 subjects with CSF multi-analyte panel data and MRI at baseline downloaded
      from ADNI. Firstly, we tested the statistical effects of CSF proteins (n = 83) to
      measures of brain atrophy, CSF biomarkers, ApoE genotype and cognitive decline.
      We found that several proteins (primarily CgA and FABP) were related to either
      brain atrophy or CSF biomarkers. In relation to ApoE genotype, a unique
      biochemical profile characterised by low CSF levels of Apo E was evident in
      epsilon4 carriers compared to epsilon3 carriers. In an exploratory analysis, 3/83
      proteins (SGOT, MCP-1, IL6r) were also found to be mildly associated with
      cognitive decline in MCI subjects over a 4-year period. Future studies are
      warranted to establish the validity of these proteins as prognostic factors for
      cognitive decline. For disease classification, a subset of proteins (n = 24)
      combined with MRI measurements and CSF biomarkers achieved an accuracy of 95.1%
      (Sensitivity 87.7%; Specificity 94.3%; AUC 0.95) and accurately detected 94.1% of
      MCI subjects progressing to AD at 12 months. The subset of proteins included
      FABP, CgA, MMP-2, and PPP as strong predictors in the model. Our findings suggest
      that the marker of panel of proteins identified here may be important candidates
      for improving the earlier detection of AD. Further targeted proteomic and
      longitudinal studies would be required to validate these findings with more
      generalisability. 

PMID- 26284522
TI  - Effect of Common Genetic Variants of Growth Arrest-Specific 6 Gene on Insulin
      Resistance, Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes in an Asian Population.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Growth arrest-specific 6 (Gas6), a vitamin K-dependent protein, has
      been implicated in systemic inflammation, obesity, and insulin resistance (IR).
      Data from recent studies suggest that polymorphisms in the Gas6 gene are
      associated with cardiovascular disorders and type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, the
      association of Gas6 gene variants with obesity, IR, and T2D development has not
      been explored. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four common single nucleotide polymorphisms
      (SNPs) in the Gas6 gene were genotyped in 984 participants from the Stanford Asia
      Pacific Program for Hypertension and Insulin Resistance (SAPPHIRe) family cohort.
      An insulin suppression test was performed to determine IR based on steady-state
      plasma glucose (SSPG). Associations between IR indices and obesity, and SNP
      genotypes, based on previously-reported data for this cohort (Phase I), were
      analyzed. In the present follow-up study (Phase II), the effects of gene variants
      of Gas6 on the progression to T2D were explored in individuals who were free of
      T2D in Phase I. The mean follow-up period for Phase II was 5.7 years. RESULTS:
      The mean age of the study population in Phase I was 49.5 years and 16.7% of
      individuals developed T2D during follow-up. After adjusting for covariates, three
      SNPs (rs8191973, rs8197974, and rs7323932) were found to be associated with SSPG
      levels (p = 0.007, p = 0.03, and p = 0.011, respectively). This association
      remained significant after multiple testing and showed a significant interaction
      with physical activity for SNP rs8191973. However, no other significant
      correlations were observed between Gas6 polymorphisms and other indices of IR or
      obesity. A specific haplotype, AACG (from rs8191974, rs7323932, rs7331124, and
      rs8191973), was positively associated with SSPG levels (p = 0.0098). None of the
      polymorphisms were associated with an increased risk of T2D development.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that Gas6 gene variants are associated with IR,
      although their effects on subsequent progression to T2D were minimal in this
      prospective Asian cohort.

PMID- 26284524
TI  - Correction: Exome Sequencing of Phenotypic Extremes Identifies CAV2 and TMC6 as
      Interacting Modifiers of Chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection in Cystic
      Fibrosis.

PMID- 26284523
TI  - Predictors of Individual Response to Placebo or Tadalafil 5mg among Men with
      Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Secondary to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: An
      Integrated Clinical Data Mining Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A significant percentage of patients with lower urinary tract
      symptoms (LUTS) secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) achieve
      clinically meaningful improvement when receiving placebo or tadalafil 5mg once
      daily. However, individual patient characteristics associated with treatment
      response are unknown. METHODS: This integrated clinical data mining analysis was
      designed to identify factors associated with a clinically meaningful response to
      placebo or tadalafil 5mg once daily in an individual patient with LUTS-BPH.
      Analyses were performed on pooled data from four randomized, placebo-controlled,
      double-blind, clinical studies, including about 1,500 patients, from which 107
      baseline characteristics were selected and 8 response criteria. The split set
      evaluation method (1,000 repeats) was used to estimate prediction accuracy, with
      the database randomly split into training and test subsets. Logistic Regression
      (LR), Decision Tree (DT), Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Random Forest (RF)
      models were then generated on the training subset and used to predict response in
      the test subset. Prediction models were generated for placebo and tadalafil 5mg
      once daily Receiver Operating Curve (ROC) analysis was used to select optimal
      prediction models lying on the ROC surface. FINDINGS: International Prostate
      Symptom Score (IPSS) baseline group (mild/moderate vs. severe) for active
      treatment and placebo achieved the highest combined sensitivity and specificity
      of 70% and ~50% for all analyses, respectively. This was below the sensitivity
      and specificity threshold of 80% that would enable reliable allocation of an
      individual patient to either the responder or non-responder group. CONCLUSIONS:
      This extensive clinical data mining study in LUTS-BPH did not identify baseline
      clinical or demographic characteristics that were sufficiently predictive of an
      individual patient response to placebo or once daily tadalafil 5mg. However, the
      study reaffirms the efficacy of tadalalfil 5mg once daily in the treatment of
      LUTS-BPH in the majority of patients and the importance of evaluating individual
      patient need in selecting the most appropriate treatment.

PMID- 26284525
TI  - Hypertension in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Contextual View of Patterns of Disease,
      Best Management, and Systems Issues.
AB  - Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) bears the highest burden of both communicable and
      noncommunicable disease and has the weakest health systems. Much attention is
      directed toward a rising burden of chronic disease in the setting of
      epidemiologic transition and urbanization. Indeed, the highest prevalence of
      hypertension globally is in the World Health Organization's African region at 46%
      of adults aged 25 and above. And while hypertension in SSA is common, its
      prevalence varies significantly between urban and rural settings. Although there
      is evidence for epidemiologic transition in urban areas, there is also evidence
      of static levels of hypertension within rural areas, which comprise more than 70%
      of the population of SSA. Furthermore, overall cardiovascular (CV) risk in rural
      areas remains low. The mean age of hypertensives in SSA is approximately 30s to
      40s, burdening those at peak productivity. Complications of hypertension are
      frequent, given the poor levels of awareness and treatment (<10%) of hypertension
      on the continent. Such complications include primarily stroke and hypertensive
      heart disease, as ischemic heart disease is uncommon. Mortality associated with
      these complications is high, with in-hospital mortality from 2 different sites
      reported as around 20%. The overall burden of hypertension is likely to be more
      related to poor access and availability of health systems and is representative
      of a looming crisis in health care delivery. The best approaches to population
      wide treatment are those that utilize CV risk prediction for those with stage 1
      hypertension, whereas treatment is generally indicated for all those with stage 2
      or greater hypertension, especially in light of the high burden of stroke in SSA.
      Current guidelines recommend first-line drug therapy with a diuretic or calcium
      channel blocker. Despite these recommendations, the major obstacles to
      hypertension treatment are systemic and include the availability and cost of
      medications, the adequacy of health facilities and systems, and the lack of
      health insurance to address affordability. New and innovative systems-oriented
      approaches are needed to address the burden of hypertension on a platform of
      global equity. 

PMID- 26284526
TI  - The Effect of National Cancer Screening on Disparity Reduction in Cancer Stage at
      Diagnosis by Income Level.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Early detection of cancer is an effective and efficient cancer
      management strategy. In South Korea, the National Health Insurance administers
      the National Cancer Screening Program to its beneficiaries. We examined the
      impact of the National Cancer Screening Program on socioeconomic disparities in
      cancer stage at diagnosis. METHODS: Cancer patients registered in the Korean
      Central Cancer Registry from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010 with a
      diagnosis of gastric cancer (n = 22,470), colon cancer (n = 16,323), breast
      cancer (n = 10,076), or uterine cervical cancer (n = 2,447) were included. Income
      level was divided into three groups according to their monthly contribution of
      National Health Insurance. We employed absolute (age-standardized prevalence
      rate, slope index of inequality) and relative (relative index of inequality)
      measures to separately examine social disparities among participants and non
      participants of the National Cancer Screening Program in terms of the early-stage
      rate. RESULTS: Age-standardized prevalence rates of early-stage by income group
      were always higher in participants than in non-participants. Furthermore, the age
      standardized prevalence rate of early-stage in the low income group of the
      participants was also higher than that of the high income group of the non
      participants. The sizes of disparities (both slope index of inequality and
      relative index of inequality) are smaller in participants compared to non
      participants. CONCLUSION: National Cancer Screening Program participation reduced
      income disparity in cancer stage at diagnosis. Population-based cancer screening
      programs can be used as an effective measure to reduce income disparity in cancer
      care.

PMID- 26284527
TI  - G-Quadruplex-Enabling Sequence within the Human Tyrosine Hydroxylase Promoter
      Differentially Regulates Transcription.
AB  - G-Quadruplexes (GQs) found within the promoter regions of genes are known to
      mostly act as repressors of transcription. Here we report a guanosine (G)-rich
      segment in the 3'-proximal promoter region of human tyrosine hydroxylase (TH),
      which acts as a necessary element for transcription. Tyrosine hydroxylase
      catalyzes the rate-limiting step in the catecholamine biosynthesis and is linked
      to several common neurological disorders such as Parkinson's and schizophrenia. A
      45 nucleotide (nt) sequence (wtTH49) within the human TH promoter contains
      multiple G-stretches that are extremely well conserved among the primates but
      deviate in rodents, which raises the possibility of variation in the GQ
      structures formed in the two orders with the potential for a distinctive
      functional outcome. Biochemical and biophysical studies, including single
      molecule Forster resonance energy transfer, indicate that the wtTH49 sequence can
      adopt multiple GQ structures by using different combinations of G-stretches. A
      functional assay performed with 2.8 kb of the 3'-proximal end of the TH promoter
      and a mutated version (TH49fm; mutated wtTH49) that is unable to form any GQ
      structure indicates that overall the GQ-enabling wtTH49 sequence is functionally
      necessary and enhances human TH promoter activity by 5-fold compared to that of
      the mutant. Two additional mutants, each of which was designed to form distinct
      GQs, differentially affected reporter gene transcription. A cationic porphyrin
      TMPyP4 destabilizes the wtTH49 GQ and lowers the level of reporter gene
      expression, although its analogue, TMPyP2, fails to elicit any response. The 45
      nt G-rich sequence within the human TH promoter can form multiple GQ structures,
      is a necessary element in transcription, and depending on the utilized
      combination of G-stretches affects transcription in different ways. 

PMID- 26284528
TI  - Severe Infections in HIV-Exposed Uninfected Infants Born in a European Country.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Several studies indicate that HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) children
      have a high infectious morbidity. We previously reported an increased incidence
      of group B streptococcus (GBS) infections in HEU infants born in Belgium.
      METHODS: This study was undertaken to evaluate the incidence and risk factors of
      all cause severe infections in HEU infants born in Belgium between 1985 and 2006,
      including the pre-antiretroviral (ARV) prophylaxis era (1985 to 1994). The
      medical charts of 537 HEU infants followed in a single center were reviewed.
      RESULTS: The incidence rate of severe infections during the first year of life
      was 16.8/100 HEU infant-years. The rates of invasive S. pneumoniae (0.62/100
      infant-years) and GBS infections (1.05/100 infant-years) were, respectively, 4
      and 13-fold higher in HEU infants than in the general infant population. Preterm
      birth was a risk factor for severe infections in the neonatal period (aOR =
      21.34, 95%CI:7.12-63.93) and post-neonatal period (aHR = 3.00, 95%CI:1.53-5.88).
      As compared to the pre-ARV prophylaxis era, infants born in the ARV prophylaxis
      era (i.e., after April 1994) had a greater risk of severe infections (aHR = 2.93;
      95%CI:1.07-8.05). This risk excess was present in those who received ARV
      prophylaxis (aHR 2.01, 95%CI 0.72-5.65) and also in those born in the ARV
      prophylaxis era who did not benefit from ARV prophylaxis as a result of poor
      access to antenatal care or lack of compliance (aHR 3.06, 95%CI 0.88-10.66).
      CONCLUSIONS: In HEU infants born in an industrialized country, preterm birth and
      being born during the ARV prophylaxis era were risk factors of severe infections
      throughout the first year of life. These observations have important implications
      for the clinical management of HIV-infected mothers and their infants.

PMID- 26284529
TI  - The Involvement of Oxytocin in the Subthalamic Nucleus on Relapse to
      Methamphetamine-Seeking Behaviour.
AB  - The psychostimulant methamphetamine (METH) is an addictive drug of abuse. The
      neuropeptide oxytocin has been shown to modulate METH-related reward and METH
      seeking behaviour. Recent findings implicated the subthalamic nucleus (STh) as a
      key brain region in oxytocin modulation of METH-induced reward. However, it is
      unclear if oxytocin acts in this region to attenuate relapse to METH-seeking
      behaviour, and if this action is through the oxytocin receptor. We aimed to
      determine whether oxytocin pretreatment administered into the STh would reduce
      reinstatement to METH use in rats experienced at METH self-administration, and if
      this could be reversed by the co-administration of the oxytocin receptor
      antagonist desGly-NH2,d(CH2)5[D-Tyr2,Thr4]OVT. Male Sprague Dawley rats underwent
      surgery to implant an intravenous jugular vein catheter and bilateral
      microinjection cannulae into the STh under isoflourane anaesthesia. Rats were
      then trained to self-administer intravenous METH (0.1 mg/kg/infusion) by lever
      press during 2-hour sessions under a fixed ratio 1 schedule for 20 days.
      Following extinction of lever press activity, the effect of microinjecting
      saline, oxytocin (0.2 pmol, 0.6 pmol, 1.8 pmol, 3.6 pmol) or co-administration of
      oxytocin (3.6 pmol) and desGly-NH2,d(CH2)5[D-Tyr2,Thr4]OVT (3 nmol) into the STh
      (200 nl/side) was examined on METH-primed reinstatement (1 mg/kg; i.p.). We found
      that local administration of the highest oxytocin dose (3.6 pmol) into the STh
      decreased METH-induced reinstatement and desGly-NH2,d(CH2)5[D-Tyr2,Thr4]OVT had a
      non-specific effect on lever press activity. These findings highlight that
      oxytocin modulation of the STh is an important modulator of relapse to METH
      abuse. 

PMID- 26284530
TI  - Using a Multitest Algorithm to Improve the Positive Predictive Value of Rapid HIV
      Testing and Linkage to HIV Care in Nonclinical HIV Test Sites.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Use of a rapid HIV testing algorithm (RTA) in which all tests are
      conducted within one client appointment could eliminate off-site confirmatory
      testing and reduce the number of persons not receiving confirmed results.
      METHODS: An RTA was implemented in 9 sites in Los Angeles and San Francisco;
      results of testing at these sites were compared with 23 sites conducting rapid
      HIV testing with off-site confirmation. RTA clients with reactive results on more
      than 1 rapid test were considered HIV+ and immediately referred for HIV care. The
      positive predictive values (PPVs) of a single rapid HIV test and the RTA were
      calculated compared with laboratory-based confirmatory testing. A Poisson risk
      regression model was used to assess the effect of RTA on the proportion of HIV+
      persons linked to HIV care within 90 days of a reactive rapid test. RESULTS: The
      PPV of the RTA was 100% compared with 86.4% for a single rapid test. The time
      between testing and receipt of RTA results was on average 8 days shorter than
      laboratory-based confirmatory testing. For risk groups other than men who had sex
      with men, the RTA increased the probability of being in care within 90 days
      compared with standard testing practice. CONCLUSIONS: The RTA increased the PPV
      of rapid testing to 100%, giving providers, clients, and HIV counselors timely
      information about a client's HIV-positive serostatus. Use of RTA could reduce
      loss to follow-up between testing positive and confirmation and increase the
      proportion of HIV-infected persons receiving HIV care.

PMID- 26284532
TI  - Kinetics of CO/CO2 and H2/H2O reactions at Ni-based and ceria-based solid-oxide
      cell electrodes.
AB  - The solid oxide electrochemical cell (SOC) is an energy conversion technology
      that can be operated reversibly, to efficiently convert chemical fuels to
      electricity (fuel cell mode) as well as to store electricity as chemical fuels
      (electrolysis mode). The SOC fuel-electrode carries out the electrochemical
      reactions CO2 + 2e(-) <-> CO + O(2-) and H2O + 2e(-) <-> H2 + O(2-), for which
      the electrocatalytic activities of different electrodes differ considerably. The
      relative activities in CO/CO2 and H2/H2O and the nature of the differences are
      not well studied, even for the most common fuel-electrode material, a composite
      of nickel and yttria/scandia stabilized zirconia (Ni-SZ). Ni-SZ is known to be
      more active for H2/H2O than for CO/CO2 reactions, but the reported relative
      activity varies widely. Here we compare AC impedance and DC current-overpotential
      data measured in the two gas environments for several different electrodes
      comprised of Ni-SZ, Gd-doped CeO2 (CGO), and CGO nanoparticles coating Nb-doped
      SrTiO3 backbones (CGOn/STN). 2D model and 3D porous electrode geometries are
      employed to investigate the influence of microstructure, gas diffusion and
      impurities.Comparing model and porous Ni-SZ electrodes, the ratio of electrode
      polarization resistance in CO/CO2vs. H2/H2O decreases from 33 to 2. Experiments
      and modelling suggest that the ratio decreases due to a lower concentration of
      impurities blocking the three phase boundary and due to the nature of the
      reaction zone extension into the porous electrode thickness. Besides showing
      higher activity for H2/H2O reactions than CO/CO2 reactions, the Ni/SZ interface
      is more active for oxidation than reduction. On the other hand, we find the
      opposite behaviour in both cases for CGOn/STN model electrodes, reporting for the
      first time a higher electrocatalytic activity of CGO nanoparticles for CO/CO2
      than for H2/H2O reactions in the absence of gas diffusion limitations. We propose
      that enhanced surface reduction at the CGOn/gas two phase boundary in CO/CO2 and
      in cathodic polarization can explain why the highest reaction rate is obtained
      for CO2 electrolysis. Large differences observed between model electrode kinetics
      and porous electrode kinetics are discussed. 

PMID- 26284531
TI  - Gender-Related Risk Factors Improve Mortality Predictive Ability of VACS Index
      Among HIV-Infected Women.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Adding gender-related modifiable characteristics or behaviors to the
      Veterans Aging Cohort Study (VACS) index might improve the accuracy of predicting
      mortality among HIV-infected women on treatment. We evaluated the VACS index in
      women with HIV, determined whether additional variables would improve mortality
      prediction, and quantified the potential for improved survival associated with
      reduction in these additional risk factors. METHODS: The VACS index (based on
      age, CD4 count, HIV-1 RNA, hemoglobin, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine
      aminotransferase, platelets, creatinine, and Hepatitis C status) was validated in
      HIV-infected women in the Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS) who initiated
      antiretroviral therapy between January 1996 and December 2007. Models were
      constructed adding race, depression, abuse, smoking, substance use, transactional
      sex, and comorbidities to determine whether predictability improved. Population
      attributable fractions were calculated. RESULTS: The VACS index accurately
      predicted 5-year mortality in 1057 WIHS women with 1 year on highly active
      antiretroviral therapy with c-index 0.83 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.79 to
      0.87]. In multivariate analysis, the VACS index score [adjusted hazard ratio
      (aHR) for a 5-point increment 1.30; 95% CI: 1.25 to 1.35], depressive symptoms
      (aHR 1.73; 95% CI: 1.17 to 2.56), and history of transactional sex (aHR 1.93; 95%
      CI: 1.33 to 1.82) were independent statistically significant predictors of
      mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Both depression and transactional sex significantly
      improved the performance of the VACS index in predicting mortality among HIV
      infected women. Providing treatment for depression and addressing economic and
      psychosocial instability in HIV-infected women would improve health and perhaps
      point to a broader public health approach to reducing HIV mortality.

PMID- 26284533
TI  - Awareness of Stroke Risk after TIA in Swiss General Practitioners and Hospital
      Physicians.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Transient ischemic attacks (TIA) are stroke warning signs and
      emergency situations, and, if immediately investigated, doctors can intervene to
      prevent strokes. Nevertheless, many patients delay going to the doctor, and
      doctors might delay urgently needed investigations and preventative treatments.
      We set out to determine how much general practitioners (GPs) and hospital
      physicians (HPs) knew about stroke risk after TIA, and to measure their referral
      rates. METHODS: We used a structured questionnaire to ask GPs and HPs in the
      catchment area of the University Hospital of Bern to estimate a patient's risk of
      stroke after TIA. We also assessed their referral behavior. We then statistically
      analysed their reasons for deciding not to immediately refer patients. RESULTS:
      Of the 1545 physicians, 40% (614) returned the survey. Of these, 75% (457)
      overestimated stroke risk within 24 hours, and 40% (245) overestimated risk
      within 3 months after TIA. Only 9% (53) underestimated stroke risk within 24
      hours and 26% (158) underestimated risk within 3 months; 78% (473) of physicians
      overestimated the amount that carotid endarterectomy reduces stroke risk; 93%
      (543) would rigorously investigate the cause of a TIA, but only 38% (229) would
      refer TIA patients for urgent investigations "very often". Physicians most
      commonly gave these reasons for not making emergency referrals: patient's
      advanced age; patient's preference; patient was multimorbid; and, patient needed
      long-term care. CONCLUSIONS: Although physicians overestimate stroke risk after
      TIA, their rate of emergency referral is modest, mainly because they tend not to
      refer multimorbid and elderly patients at the appropriate rate. Since old and
      frail patients benefit from urgent investigations and treatment after TIA as much
      as younger patients, future educational campaigns should focus on the importance
      of emergency evaluations for all TIA patients.

PMID- 26284535
TI  - Ultrathin Black Phosphorus Nanosheets for Efficient Singlet Oxygen Generation.
AB  - Benefiting from its strong oxidizing properties, the singlet oxygen has garnered
      serious attentions in physical, chemical, as well as biological studies. However,
      the photosensitizers for the generation of singlet oxygen bear in low quantum
      yields, lack of long wavelength absorption band, poor biocompatibility,
      undegradable in living tissues, and so on. Here we first demonstrate the
      exfoliated black phosphorus nanosheets to be effective photosensitizers for the
      generation of singlet oxygen with a high quantum yield of about 0.91, rendering
      their attractive applications in catalysis and photodynamic therapy. Through in
      vitro and in vivo studies, the water dispersible black phosphorus nanosheets show
      notable cancer therapy ability. In addition, the photodegradable character of
      black phosphorus from element to biocompatible phosphorus oxides further
      highlights its therapeutic potential against cancer. This study will not only
      expand the breadth of study in black phosphorus but also offer an efficient
      catalyst and photodynamic therapy agent. 

PMID- 26284534
TI  - The Interaction of FABP with Kapalpha.
AB  - Gene-activating lipophilic compounds are carried into the nucleus when loaded on
      fatty-acid-binding proteins (FABP). Some of these proteins are recognized by the
      alpha-Karyopherin (Kapalpha) through its nuclear localization signal (NLS)
      consisting of three positive residues that are not in a continuous sequence. The
      Importin system can distinguish between FABP loaded with activating and non
      activating compounds. In the present study, we introduced molecular dynamics as a
      tool for clarifying the mechanism by which FABP4, loaded with activating ligand
      (linoleate) is recognized by Kapalpha. In the first phase, we simulated the
      complex between KapalphaDeltaIBB (termed "Armadillo") that was crystallized with
      two NLS hepta-peptides. The trajectory revealed that the crystal-structure
      orientation of the peptides is rapidly lost and new interactions dominate.
      Though, the NLS sequence of FABP4 is cryptic, since the functional residues are
      not in direct sequence, implicating more than one possible conformation.
      Therefore, four possible docked conformations were generated, in which the NLS of
      FABP4 is interacting with either the major or the minor sites of Kapalpha, and
      the N -> C vectors are parallel or anti-parallel. Out of these four basic
      starting positions, only the FABP4-minor site complex exhibited a large number of
      contact points. In this complex, the FABP interacts with the minor and the major
      sites, suppressing the self-inhibitory interaction of the Kapalpha, rendering it
      free to react with Kapbeta. Finally, we propose that the transportable
      conformation generated an extended hydrophobic domain which expanded out of the
      boundary of the FABP4, allowing the loaded linoleate to partially migrate out of
      the FABP into a joint complex in which the Kapalpha contributes part of a
      combined binding pocket. 

PMID- 26284536
TI  - Predictors and Diagnostic Strategies for Early-Stage Pancreatic Ductal
      Adenocarcinoma: A Retrospective Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: As a strategy to diagnose early-stage pancreatic ductal
      adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is urgently needed, we aimed to clarify characteristics of
      early-stage PDAC. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 299
      consecutive patients who underwent R0 or R1 surgical resection for PDAC between
      1994 and 2013 and compared clinical characteristics between patients with early
      stage (stages 0-I by Japanese General Rules for Pancreatic Cancer) and advanced
      stage (stages II-IV) disease. Diagnostic processes were also analyzed. RESULTS:
      Twenty-four patients (8%) had early-stage PDAC (stage 0: 11; stage I: 13).
      Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that presence or history of
      intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (P < 0.01), history of pancreatitis (P <
      0.01), and presence or history of extrapancreatic malignancies (P = 0.01)
      independently predicted detection of early-stage PDAC. Cytological examination
      during endoscopic retrograde pancreatography cytology was ~65% sensitive in
      preoperative diagnosis of early-stage PDAC, whereas other imaging modalities were
      only 29% to 38% sensitive; 9 of 24 early-stage PDACs were diagnosed by endoscopic
      retrograde pancreatography cytology alone. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic retrograde
      pancreatography cytology for patients with intraductal papillary mucinous
      neoplasm or pancreatitis may help diagnose early-stage PDAC. Surveillance of
      extrapancreatic malignancies might also provide opportunities to detect early
      stage PDAC as a second malignancy.

PMID- 26284537
TI  - Quercetin Mediates beta-Catenin in Pancreatic Cancer Stem-Like Cells.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to explore how quercetin interacts with
      pancreatic cancer stem-like cells and the mechanism underlying the effective
      quercetin-mediated suppression. METHODS: A model of pancreatic cancer stem-like
      cells was generated by using a sphere formation culture system. A comparative
      analysis was performed between the parent cells and pancreatic cancer stem-like
      cells with a related treatment strategy focusing on cancer stem cell (CSC)
      properties and drug-resistance-related mechanisms in vitro. RESULTS: Our data
      show that pancreatic cancer stem-like cells have greater resistance to
      gemcitabine and stronger CSC properties compared with the parent cells. In
      contrast to the pancreatic cancer stem-like cells, overexpression of beta-catenin
      was observed in the parent cells. Quercetin suppressed proliferation, invasion
      and self-renewal capacity, and CSC surface markers expression, with alterations
      of beta-catenin in pancreatic cancer stem-like cells. The combination of
      quercetin and gemcitabine can reduce tumor growth and decrease drug resistance in
      pancreatic cancer. CONCLUSIONS: beta-Catenin plays an important role in
      maintenance and progression of pancreatic cancer. Targeting beta-catenin using
      quercetin combined with gemcitabine may be a treatment strategy to improve
      prognosis in patients with pancreatic cancer.

PMID- 26284538
TI  - Synthesis and Divergent Electronic Properties of Two Ring-Fused Derivatives of
      9,10-Diphenylanthracene.
AB  - Two new contorted polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) 1 and 2 were
      synthesized by acid-catalyzed benzannulation of a substituted anthracene. The
      isomers reveal dissimilar photophysical and redox properties with 2 having a much
      smaller HOMO-LUMO gap than 1. In the solid state, 2 packs in a unique two
      dimensional herringbone motif that gives rise to efficient ambipolar charge
      transport in OFET devices, a feature not previously observed in contorted PAHs.
      On the other hand, 1 packs in one-dimensional dimerized pi-stacks and displays
      insulating properties. 

PMID- 26284539
TI  - Durability of Response in Children Treated With Pegylated Interferon alfa
      [corrected] 2a +/- Ribavirin for Chronic Hepatitis C.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: No long-term data have been published on the durability of response
      following pegylated interferon (PegIFN) treatment in children with chronic
      hepatitis C. This prospective, multicenter, long-term follow-up (LTFU) study
      aimed to assess long-term durability of sustained virological response (SVR),
      long-term safety and tolerability, and the association between IL28B genotype and
      treatment response, in children previously treated with PegIFN alfa-2a +/-
      ribavirin (RBV) in the PEDS-C trial. METHODS: A total of 93 patients were
      assessed for enrollment, and 38 enrolled in the study. Patients attended 2 study
      visits: 5 (mean 5.6, range 4.1-6.6) and 6 (6.6, 5.1-7.7) years after treatment
      cessation. Standardized medical history, physical examination, and laboratory
      testing were performed at these visits. Reminder telephone calls were conducted
      at 4 and 8 months after the initial visit. RESULTS: The LTFU cohort was the
      representative of the original PEDS-C cohort because both baseline and treatment
      characteristics were comparable. Of the 38 participants, 21 achieved SVR
      (responders) during the PEDS-C trial and 17 had not (nonresponders). All 21
      responders maintained undetectable hepatitis C virus RNA during the LTFU (4.4-7.0
      years after achieving SVR) in contrast to the nonresponders who demonstrated
      persistent viremia. IL28B CC genotype was associated with SVR (67% vs 30% in non
      CC, P = 0.028). CONCLUSION: Long-term durability of SVR is excellent following
      PegIFN alfa-2a treatment in children with chronic hepatitis C; SVR is higher in
      those with IL28B CC versus non-CC.

PMID- 26284540
TI  - Solitary Hepatic Nodule Adjacent to the Right Portal Vein: A Common Finding of
      Alagille Syndrome?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hepatic lesions have been described in Alagille syndrome (ALGS) in
      isolated case reports, and most of these have been reported to be hepatocellular
      carcinoma. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to determine the
      frequency, imaging, and histopathologic characteristics of hepatic lesions in
      children with ALGS. METHODS: Available abdominal imaging of children with ALGS
      was retrospectively reviewed to note the presence of any focal liver lesion, its
      location, and imaging characteristics. Other findings including signs of portal
      hypertension, portal lymph nodes, and splenic and renal abnormalities were also
      noted. Findings were correlated with pathology in available cases and with
      clinical follow-up. RESULTS: Of 55 children with clinically and/or genetically
      confirmed ALGS followed in the liver clinic, 39 (19 boys, 20 girls; mean age 8.9
      years) with imaging available on picture archival and communication system were
      included in the study. Focal hepatic lesions were seen in 12 of the 39 (30%)
      children, solitary in 11 and multiple in 1. Ten of these children had a large
      nodule adjacent to the right portal vein. The median diameter of the lesions was
      8.1 cm (range 5.6-9.8 cm). Magnetic resonance imaging features and pathology in
      available cases were suggestive of a regenerative nodule. alpha-fetoprotein
      levels were normal in all except 1 child who had mild elevation. CONCLUSIONS:
      Combining our series and previous case reports, the presence of a large nodule
      adjacent to the right portal vein appears to be a common finding in ALGS. The
      typical location, normal alpha-fetoprotein levels, and magnetic resonance imaging
      features with vessels coursing through the lesion can reliably differentiate this
      benign nodule from hepatocellular carcinoma.

PMID- 26284541
TI  - Do Distinct Functional Dyspepsia Subtypes Exist in Children?
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: Two different subtypes of functional dyspepsia (FD) are
      recognized in adults: epigastric pain syndrome (EPS) and postprandial distress
      syndrome (PDS). The aim of the study was to assess the presence of FD subtypes in
      childhood at diagnosis and to observe changes at follow-up. METHODS: A total of
      100 patients with a diagnosis of FD based on pediatric Rome III criteria were
      consecutively enrolled. FD subtypes were successively classified through adult
      Rome III classification. Children were revaluated after 6 months of follow-up
      (T1). RESULTS: At T0, 17 (17%) of 100 patients were classified as EPS, whereas 47
      (47%) of 100 patients fulfilled criteria for PDS. In 36 (36%) of 100 children an
      overlap between the 2 subtypes was identified. Nausea was significantly higher in
      PDS and overlap groups when compared with EPS (chi = 21.7, P = 0.0001; chi =
      20.7, P = 0.0001). Headache was significantly increased in PDS and overlap groups
      compared with patients with EPS (chi = 9.8, P = 0.001; chi = 13.1, P = 0.0001,
      respectively). At T1 among children belonging to PDS group at enrolment, 9 of 47
      (19.1%) changed to EPS group, and 9 of 47 (19.1%) changed to the overlap group.
      Five (29.4%) of 17 patients and 2 (11.8%) of 17 children diagnosed as having EPS
      at T0 switched to PDS and overlap group, respectively. Of the 36 patients with
      overlap at enrollment, 11 (30.6%) satisfied criteria for PDS, and 7 (19.4%)
      switched to EPS group. CONCLUSIONS: Two distinct FD subtypes are identifiable in
      pediatric population. A high percentage of overlap and a variation of subtype
      over time were found, suggesting a common pathophysiologic mechanism.

PMID- 26284542
TI  - Practice Variations in the Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Between
      Pediatric and Adult Gastroenterologists.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Different practice guidelines and consensus statements for both
      pediatric- and adult-onset inflammatory bowel disease exist. Although variations
      in medical care among gastroenterologists are common, it is unknown whether there
      are fundamental differences between disciplines. The primary aim of the present
      study was to investigate differences in common practices across disciplines.
      METHODS: This was a prospective, questionnaire-based survey of
      gastroenterologists attending gastroenterology meetings in Israel. The
      questionnaire covered attitudes to medical resources, diagnostic and follow-up
      measures as well as therapeutic approaches. RESULTS: Overall, 120 (60%) of the
      approached adult gastroenterologists (AGs) and 49 (75%) pediatric
      gastroenterologists (PGs) completed the questionnaire. The 2 groups differed
      significantly in various practice areas. Pediatric patients are seen more
      frequently and for longer appointments. PGs tend to assess thiopurine metabolites
      (96% vs 47%) more often during treatment. There is a significant variation in
      practice between groups concerning infectious serology status and vaccinations.
      Methotrexate in Crohn patients is used more commonly by PGs (55% vs 22%). Long
      term combination therapy of thiopurines and anti-tumor necrosis factoralpha
      agents is used more often by AGs. In patients with ulcerative colitis AGs use
      oral 5-aminosalicylic acid once daily (51% vs 21%) and add rectal agents from the
      first day of treatment (72% vs 35%) more often as compared with PGs. CONCLUSIONS:
      This study demonstrates that common practices in inflammatory bowel disease
      patients differ significantly between adult and pediatric practitioners. These
      findings call for investigating the reasons for these differences and promoting
      strategies to diminish these gaps.

PMID- 26284543
TI  - VEGF Receptor-2-Linked PI3K/Calpain/SIRT1 Activation Mediates Retinal Arteriolar
      Dilations to VEGF and Shear Stress.
AB  - PURPOSE: Vasomotor responses of retinal arterioles to luminal flow/shear stress
      and VEGF have a critical role in governing retinal blood flow possibly via nitric
      oxide synthase (NOS) activation. However, the cellular mechanism for flow
      sensitive vasomotor activity in relation to VEGF signaling in retinal arterioles
      has not been characterized. We used an isolated vessel approach to specifically
      address this issue. METHODS: Porcine retinal arterioles were isolated,
      cannulated, and pressurized to 55 cm H2O luminal pressure by two independent
      reservoir systems. Luminal flow was increased stepwise by creating hydrostatic
      pressure gradients across two reservoirs. Diameter changes and associated
      signaling mechanisms corresponding to increased flow and VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2)
      activation were assessed using videomicroscopic, pharmacological, and molecular
      tools. RESULTS: Retinal arterioles developed basal tone under zero-flow condition
      and dilated concentration-dependently to VEGF165. Stepwise increases in flow
      produced graded vasodilation. Vasodilations to VEGF165 and increased flow were
      abolished by endothelial removal, and inhibited by pharmacological blockade of
      VEGFR2, NOS, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), calpains, or sirtuin-1 (SIRT1)
      deacetylase. A VEGF165 antibody blocked vasodilation to VEGF165 but not flow.
      Immunostaining indicated that VEGFR2 was expressed in the endothelial and smooth
      muscle layers of retinal arterioles. CONCLUSIONS: Ligand-dependent and ligand
      independent activation of VEGFR2 in the endothelium mediates NO-dependent
      dilations of porcine retinal arterioles in response to VEGF165 and luminal
      flow/shear stress, respectively. It appears that NOS stimulation via PI3K,
      calpain proteases, and SIRT1-dependent deacetylation downstream from VEGFR2
      activation contributes to these vasodilator responses.

PMID- 26284545
TI  - Imaging of the Corneal Subbasal Whorl-like Nerve Plexus: More Accurate Depiction
      of the Extent of Corneal Nerve Damage in Patients With Diabetes.
AB  - PURPOSE: To show that noninvasive in vivo corneal confocal microscopy (IVCM) can
      make more accurate imaging of the corneal subbasal nerve plexus possible. This
      diagnostic technique monitors the status of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
      However, it is difficult to accurately confirm the corneal area captured by IVCM,
      which can induce measurement errors. Because the whorl-like characteristic
      pattern of the corneal subbasal nerve plexus is in the inferocentral cornea, we
      evaluated whether IVCM images of the whorl-like patterns can accurately evaluate
      the corneal nerve fibers in diabetic neuropathy. METHODS: Forty-seven patients
      with diabetes (DM group) and 21 healthy control subjects underwent IVCM
      examination to compare the characteristics of the corneal subbasal nerve plexus
      around the central cornea (conventional method) and the whorl-like pattern in the
      inferocentral cornea (study method). We measured the total corneal nerve fiber
      and branch length (CNFL). RESULTS: The total CNFL were significantly shorter in
      the DM group than in the control group and tended to decrease with progression of
      diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, and decreased corneal sensation.
      There was a significant positive correlation between the CNFL values obtained
      with the conventional method and those obtained with the study method. The
      coefficient of variation of the CNFL values in the study method was significantly
      smaller than in the conventional method. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicated that
      IVCM measurements of the whorl-like patterns may accurately define the extent of
      corneal nerve damage in order to monitor diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

PMID- 26284544
TI  - Visual Cone Arrestin 4 Contributes to Visual Function and Cone Health.
AB  - PURPOSE: Visual arrestins (ARR) play a critical role in shutoff of rod and cone
      phototransduction. When electrophysiological responses are measured for a single
      mouse cone photoreceptor, ARR1 expression can substitute for ARR4 in cone pigment
      desensitization; however, each arrestin may also contribute its own, unique role
      to modulate other cellular functions. METHODS: A combination of ERG, optokinetic
      tracking, immunohistochemistry, and immunoblot analysis was used to investigate
      the retinal phenotypes of Arr4 null mice (Arr4-/-) compared with age-matched
      control, wild-type mice. RESULTS: When 2-month-old Arr4-/- mice were compared
      with wild-type mice, they had diminished visual acuity and contrast sensitivity,
      yet enhanced ERG flicker response and higher photopic ERG b-wave amplitudes. In
      contrast, in older Arr4-/- mice, all ERG amplitudes were significantly reduced in
      magnitude compared with age-matched controls. Furthermore, in older Arr4-/- mice,
      the total cone numbers decreased and cone opsin protein immunoreactive expression
      levels were significantly reduced, while overall photoreceptor outer nuclear
      layer thickness was unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that Arr4-/-
      mice display distinct phenotypic differences when compared to controls,
      suggesting that ARR4 modulates essential functions in high acuity vision and
      downstream cellular signaling pathways that are not fulfilled or substituted by
      the coexpression of ARR1, despite its high expression levels in all mouse cones.
      Without normal ARR4 expression levels, cones slowly degenerate with increasing
      age, making this a new model to study age-related cone dystrophy.

PMID- 26284547
TI  - Enhancing Inflammation as an Adjuvant to Neovascular AMD Therapy.

PMID- 26284546
TI  - IL-18 Immunotherapy for Neovascular AMD: Tolerability and Efficacy in Nonhuman
      Primates.
AB  - PURPOSE: Age-related macular degeneration is the most common form of central
      retinal blindness in the elderly. Of the two end stages of disease, neovascular
      AMD-although the minority form-is the most severe. Current therapies are highly
      successful at controlling progression of neovascular lesions; however, a
      significant number of patients remain refractory to treatment and the development
      of alternative and additive therapies to anti-VEGFs is essential. METHODS: In
      order to address the translational potential of interleukin (IL)-18 for use in
      neovascular AMD, we initiated a nonhuman primate tolerability and efficacy study
      for the use of intravitreally (IVT) administered clinical grade human IL-18 (SB
      485232). Cynomolgus monkeys were injected IVT with increasing doses of human IL
      18 (two each at 1000, 3000, and 10,000 ng per eye). In tandem, 21 monkeys were
      administered nine laser burns in each eye prior to receiving IL-18 as an IVT
      injection at a range of doses. Fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) was performed
      on days 8, 15, and 22 post injection and the development of neovascular lesions
      was assessed. RESULTS: We show intravitreal, mature, recombinant human IL-18 is
      safe and can reduce choroidal neovascular lesion development in cynomolgus
      monkeys. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our data comparing human IL-18 to current anti
      VEGF-based therapy, clinical deployment of IL-18 for neovascular AMD has the
      potential to lead to a new adjuvant immunotherapy-based treatment for this severe
      form of central blindness.

PMID- 26284548
TI  - Optical Density of Subretinal Fluid in Retinal Detachment.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the changes over time in optical density (OD)
      characteristics of subretinal fluid (SRF) in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment
      (RRD) and their clinical relevance. METHODS: The study included patients with
      first-onset RRD and no history of intraocular illness who underwent optical
      coherence tomography (OCT) and whose OCT scans showed sufficient SRF for sampling
      (08/2013-09/2014). The highest quality B-scan (as graded by the OCT image
      acquisition software) containing SRF was analyzed. Optical density measurements
      were obtained using ImageJ. Optical density ratios (ODRs) were calculated as SRF
      OD divided by vitreous OD. Time from onset of RRD was determined by first signs
      of visual loss as described in the patient's anamnesis. Patients were divided
      into three groups by RRD duration: acute (<=1 week), subacute (between 1 week and
      1 month), and chronic (>1 month). RESULTS: Thirty-five eyes (34 patients) met the
      inclusion criteria. The ODR measurement was significantly associated with RRD
      duration. The ODR had a significant (P < 0.0001) association with the 3-month
      postoperative visual acuity (VA). Vitreous OD did not differ significantly
      between the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: The increase over time in the ODR of the
      SRF in RRD might reflect a change in SRF composition and state of the retina.
      This, together with a significant association between preoperative ODR values and
      postoperative VA suggest its potential as a biological prognostic marker.

PMID- 26284549
TI  - Characterization of a New Epitope of IRBP That Induces Moderate to Severe
      Uveoretinitis in Mice With H-2b Haplotype.
AB  - PURPOSE: Experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) induced in mice using the retinal
      antigen interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein (IRBP) is an animal model for
      posterior uveitis in humans. However, EAU induced by native IRBP protein or its
      widely used epitope amino acid residues 1 to 20 of human IRBP (hIRBP1-20) is
      inconsistent, often showing low scores and incidence. We found an urgent need to
      identify a better pathogenic epitope for the C57BL/6 strain. METHODS: Mice were
      immunized with uveitogenic peptides or with native bovine IRBP. Clinical and
      histological disease and associated immunological responses were evaluated.
      Truncated and substituted peptides, as well as bioinformatic analyses, were used
      to identify critical major histocompatibility complex (MHC)/T cell receptor (TCR)
      contact residues and the minimal core epitope. RESULTS: The new uveitogenic
      epitope of IRBP, amino acid residues 651 to 670 of human IRBP
      (LAQGAYRTAVDLESLASQLT [hIRBP651-670]) is uveitogenic for mice of the H-2b
      haplotype and elicits EAU with a higher severity and incidence in C57BL/6 mice
      than the previously characterized hIRBP1-20 epitope. Using truncated and
      substituted peptides, as well as bioinformatic analysis, we identified the
      critical contact residues with MHC/TCR and defined the minimal core epitope. This
      made it possible to design MHC tetramers and use them to detect epitope-specific
      T cells in the uveitic eye and in lymphoid organs of hIRBP651-670-immunized mice.
      CONCLUSIONS: Data suggest that hIRBP651-670 is an epitope naturally processed
      from a conserved region of native IRBP, potentially explaining its relatively
      high uveitogenicity. This epitope should be useful for basic and preclinical
      studies of uveitis in the C57BL/6 model and gives access to genetically
      engineered mice available on this background.

PMID- 26284551
TI  - Platelet-Derived Growth Factor-BB Enhances Adipogenesis in Orbital Fibroblasts.
AB  - PURPOSE: Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB has been identified as
      important factor in pathogenesis of Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO). It stimulates
      proliferation, cytokine, and hyaluronan production, and thyrotropin receptor
      expression by orbital fibroblasts. Therefore, the PDGF-pathway has been proposed
      as a target for pharmacological intervention in GO. However, increased
      adipogenesis is another major pathological characteristic of GO and it is unknown
      whether this is affected by PDGF-BB. The aim of this study was to investigate the
      effect of PDGF-BB on adipocyte differentiation by orbital fibroblasts. METHODS:
      Orbital fibroblasts from five healthy controls and nine GO patients were
      collected. Adipogenesis was induced by culturing orbital fibroblasts in
      differentiation medium, either in the presence or absence of PDGF-BB.
      Adipogenesis was determined by Oil-Red-O staining, triglyceride measurement, and
      peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma mRNA expression. RESULTS:
      Platelet-derived growth factor-BB significantly enhanced adipocyte
      differentiation by orbital fibroblasts (Oil-Red-O staining [P < 0.0001],
      triglyceride measurement [P < 0.05], and PPAR-gamma mRNA expression [P < 0.05]).
      It enhanced IL-6 production early during differentiation, but the effect of PDGF
      BB on adipogenesis was independent of autocrine IL-6 signaling as it was not
      abrogated by IL-6-receptor-alpha neutralizing antibody. The clinically applicable
      tyrosine kinase inhibitor dasatinib and tyrphostin AG1296, which both block PDGF
      receptor tyrosine kinase activity, inhibited PDGF-BB-enhanced adipogenesis (P <
      0.05) in orbital fibroblasts. Moreover, dasatinib reduced PPAR-gamma mRNA
      expression in cultured GO orbital tissue. CONCLUSIONS: Platelet-derived growth
      factor-BB enhances adipogenesis in orbital fibroblasts, and, thus, may contribute
      to adipose tissue expansion in GO. Therefore, the PDGF-signaling cascade may
      represent a target of therapy to interfere with adipogenesis in GO.

PMID- 26284550
TI  - MMP14 Cleavage of VEGFR1 in the Cornea Leads to a VEGF-Trap Antiangiogenic
      Effect.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine the possible antiangiogenic effect of metalloproteinase
      (MMP) 14 cleavage of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGFR1) in
      the cornea. METHODS: Recombinant mouse (rm) VEGFR1 was incubated with various
      concentrations of recombinant MMP14 to examine proteolysis in vitro. The reaction
      mixture was analyzed by SDS-PAGE and stained with Coomassie blue. The fragments
      resulting from rmVEGFR1 cleavage by MMP14 were subjected to Edman degradation,
      and the amino acid sequences were aligned with rmVEGFR1 sequences. Surface
      plasmon resonance was used to determine the equilibrium dissociation constant
      (KD) between MMP14 and rmVEGFR1. The KD value of rmVEGFR1 and the 59.8-kDa
      cleavage product binding to VEGF-A165 was also determined. Cell proliferation
      assays were performed in the presence of VEGF-A165 plus the 59.8-kDa VEGFR1
      fragment or VEGF-A165 alone. RESULTS: Matrix metalloproteinase 14 binds and
      cleaves rmVEGFR1 to produce 59.8-kDa (N-terminal fragment, Ig domains 1-5), 35
      kDa (C-terminal fragment containing IgG and His-tag), and 21-kDa (Ig domains 6-7)
      fragments. The 59.8-kDa fragment showed binding to VEGF-A165 and inhibited VEGF
      induced endothelial cell mitogenesis. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that
      VEGFR1 cleavage by MMP14 in the cornea leads to a VEGF-trap effect, reducing the
      proangiogenic effect of VEGF-A165, thereby reducing corneal angiogenesis.

PMID- 26284552
TI  - Evaluation of Chitosan/Aptamer Targeting TGF-beta Receptor II Thermo-Sensitive
      Gel for Scarring in Rat Glaucoma Filtration Surgery.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study was designed to develop a chitosan (CS) thermo-sensitive gel
      combined with aptamer S58 targeting transforming growth factor-beta receptor II
      (TGF-beta RII) and to investigate the antifibrotic effects of CS/S58 gel in a rat
      glaucoma filtration surgery (GFS) model. METHODS: In vitro aptamer S58 release
      rate from the CS/S58 gel were detected, and the effect of mitomycin-C (MMC), TGF
      beta2, CS, or CS/S58 gel on wound healing were investigated in a rat GFS model by
      detecting scar-related factors and the involved inflammatory response. The levels
      of collagen I and alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) were detected by
      immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. RESULTS: The control and TGF-beta2
      eyes exhibited densely packed collagen fibers with no evidence of filtration
      after day 7. The pronounced increase in filtration efficiency was associated with
      thinner fibers, and a loosely organized subconjunctival matrix was observed in
      CS/S58 gel-treated eyes. The levels of collagen I and alpha-SMA were
      downregulated in CS/S58 gel-treated eyes. Conjunctival fibroblast proliferation
      and the inflammation response were also suppressed in the CS/S58 gel-treated
      group. CONCLUSIONS: This study presents evidence that the antifibrotic effect of
      chitosan in combination with aptamer S58 is superior to chitosan alone in a rat
      GFS model. Chitosan/S58 gel may be considered to be a promising antifibrotic
      agent for a local drug therapy.

PMID- 26284553
TI  - Comparison of Longitudinal Changes in Functional and Structural Measures for
      Evaluating Progression of Glaucomatous Optic Neuropathy.
AB  - PURPOSE: We compared longitudinal changes in functional and structural measures
      in eyes with glaucomatous optic neuropathy. METHODS: Circumpapillary retinal
      nerve fiber layer thickness (cpRNFL) and macular ganglion cell complex thickness
      (mGCC) were measured using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT;
      RTVue). The Spectralis HRA+OCT instrument also was used to measure cpRNFL, and
      Heidelberg retina tomography II (HRT) and standard automated perimetry (SAP) were
      performed. Assessments were performed every 3 months over several years. Linear
      mixed modeling was used to evaluate the rate of change in each measure. RESULTS:
      Totals of 1406 RTVue, 1366 Spectralis, 1245 HRT, and 1392 SAP measurements were
      analyzed. Average baseline SAP mean deviation (MD) was -6.24 +/- 5.46 dB. Linear
      mixed modeling revealed that SAP MD changed by -0.23 dB/y (95% confidence
      interval [CI], -0.34 to -0.12 dB/y). Significant negative trends also were
      detected in cpRNFL (RTVue, -0.41 MUm/y [95% CI, -0.67 to -0.16 MUm/y];
      Spectralis, -1.36 MUm/y [95% CI, -1.65 to -1.07 MUm/y]; and mGCC (RTVue, -0.47
      MUm/y [95% CI, -0.64 to -0.30 MUm/y]). Disc rim area remained constant over time
      (HRT, -0.01 mm2/y [95% CI, -0.03 to 0.01 mm2/y]). The SAP MD, RTVue mGCC, and
      Spectralis cpRNFL showed the fastest changes in the inferior retina (superior
      visual field), while RTVue cpRNFL changed the fastest in the superior retina.
      CONCLUSIONS: Functional (SAP) and structural (SD-OCT) testing can detect
      longitudinal changes of glaucomatous optic neuropathy, but in different ways.

PMID- 26284554
TI  - Gremlin Induces Ocular Hypertension in Mice Through Smad3-Dependent Signaling.
AB  - PURPOSE: Transforming growth factor-beta2 induces extracellular matrix (ECM)
      remodeling, which likely contributes to the defective function of the trabecular
      meshwork (TM) leading to glaucomatous ocular hypertension. Bone morphogenetic
      proteins (BMPs) inhibit these profibrotic effects of TGFbeta2. The BMP antagonist
      gremlin is elevated in glaucomatous TM cells and increases IOP in an ex vivo
      perfusion culture model. The purpose of this study was to determine whether
      gremlin regulates ECM proteins in the TM, signals through the Smad3-dependent
      pathway, and induces ocular hypertension in mice. METHODS: Ad5.Gremlin or
      Ad5.TGFbeta2 was injected intravitreally into one eye of each mouse. Intraocular
      pressure measurements were taken using a TonoLab tonometer. Gremlin, TGFbeta2,
      fibronectin (FN), and collagen-1 (Col-1) expression in the TM was determined by
      immunofluorescence, Western immunoblot, and quantitative (q)PCR analyses.
      RESULTS: Ad5.Gremlin or Ad5.TGFbeta2 each caused significant IOP elevation in
      mice. Immunofluorescence and Western blot analysis demonstrated that gremlin and
      TGFbeta2 reciprocally increased the expression of each other, and both increased
      FN expression in the TM and surrounding tissues. Ad5.Gremlin elevated IOP and
      increased Fn and Col-1 gene expression in the TM of Smad3 wild-type (WT) mice,
      but had no effect in Smad3 HET or Smad3 KO mice. CONCLUSIONS: Our results
      demonstrate that intravitreal injections of either Ad5.Gremlin or Ad5.TGFbeta2
      elevate IOP and upregulate the ECM protein FN in the TM of mice. These data show
      that gremlin signals through the Smad3-dependent pathway in the TM to elevate
      IOP. We determined for the first time gremlin's role in inducing ocular
      hypertension in an in vivo model system.

PMID- 26284555
TI  - Extent of Detached Retina and Lens Status Influence Intravitreal Protein
      Expression in Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to compare intravitreal cytokines and
      chemokines to clinical parameters in patients with rhegmatogenous retinal
      detachment (RRD). METHODS: In this prospective study vitreous samples were taken
      undiluted from 60 patients with RRD and 20 age-matched controls with idiopathic
      epiretinal membranes at the beginning of primary vitrectomy. The following
      clinical parameters were assessed from RRD patients prior to surgery: number of
      quadrants detached, RD height, lens status, symptom duration, and refractive
      power. Concentrations of 40 different proteins in the vitreous of RRD eyes were
      measured by multiplex protein array, compared with controls and correlated to
      clinical parameters. RESULTS: Ten cytokines and chemokines were significantly
      upregulated in the vitreous of RRD eyes compared with controls (tissue inhibitors
      of metalloproteinases [TIMP]-1 and -2, macrophage inflammatory protein [MIP]
      1alpha, monocyte chemoattractant protein [MCP]-1, IL-6, and -8, inducible protein
      (IP)-10, brain-derived neurotrophic factor [BDNF], TGFbeta-3, and platelet
      derived growth factor [PDGF]-AB/BB). Linear regression analysis revealed that IL
      8 and TGFbeta-3 increased with the number of retinal quadrants detached, while
      TIMP-1 rose in eyes with greater RD heights. Concentrations of IP-10 and
      myeloperoxidase (MPO) peaked in eyes with two or more quadrants detached, while
      TIMP-2 was highest expressed in the vitreous of eyes with great RD height. In
      pseudophakic eyes with higher detachment height levels of vascular cell adhesion
      molecule (VCAM)-1 were significantly increased, while neural cell adhesion
      molecule (NCAM) was decreased in pseudophakic patients with shallow RD height.
      CONCLUSIONS: Extent of RRD and lens status significantly influence intravitreal
      proinflammatory, profibrotic, and proapoptotic protein expression. These data
      contribute to the fundamental understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms in
      RRD and may serve as a basis for development of adjunct therapeutics to
      facilitate functional restoration.

PMID- 26284557
TI  - Assessment of Lens Center Using Optical Coherence Tomography, Magnetic Resonance
      Imaging, and Photographs of the Anterior Segment of the Eye.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine the nearest marker for evaluating the center of the
      crystalline lens using optical coherence tomography (OCT), magnetic resonance
      imaging (MRI), and photographs. METHODS: Optical coherence tomography scans of
      human eyes were obtained in vivo during femtosecond laser-assisted cataract
      surgery. From axial and sagittal images, the distance of the angle center (AC)
      and pupil center (PC) from the scanned capsule center (SCC) was calculated. From
      pre- and postoperative photographs, the distance of the PC and limbal center (LC)
      from the intraocular lens (IOL) center was calculated, and distance between each
      center on the lens equatorial plane was compared. After combination of pre- and
      postoperative images, we arranged the centers in order of distance from the IOL
      center. High-resolution MRI was performed in pig eyes ex vivo to confirm the
      exact location of the lens center relative to other centers. RESULTS: In human
      OCT scans and photographs (n = 76), the IOL center to AC distance was 0.22 +/-
      0.13 mm, the IOL center to SCC distance was 0.22 +/- 0.12 mm, the IOL center to
      PC distance was 0.25 +/- 0.17 mm, and the IOL center to LC distance was 0.30 +/-
      0.18 mm. The AC and SCC were significantly closer to the IOL center than the PC
      or LC. In MRI (n = 54 images), the lens center to AC distance was 0.90 +/- 0.58
      mm, and the lens center to PC distance was 1.53 +/- 0.87 mm (Delta distance =
      0.63 +/- 0.69 mm, P = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: Optical coherence tomography, MRI, and
      photographs of the anterior segment revealed that the AC is the nearest marker to
      the center of the lens equator.

PMID- 26284558
TI  - Reactivation of the PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway by the Bisperoxovanadium Compound
      bpV(pic) Attenuates Photoreceptor Apoptosis in Experimental Retinal Detachment.
AB  - PURPOSE: Phosphatase and tensin homology deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) is
      crucial in neuronal apoptosis. This study evaluated the role of PTEN in
      photoreceptor cell apoptosis caused by retinal detachment (RD). METHODS: A rat
      model of RD was established, and PTEN expression changes were detected at
      different time points by Western blotting and immunofluorescence. Some of the
      rats were given subretinal injections of bisperoxovanadium compound (bpV[pic])
      after RD. We documented the expression and distribution of phospho-Akt (p-Akt)
      and B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) in the retina by Western blot analysis and
      immunofluorescence. Levels of phosph-phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1 (p
      PDK1), phospho-Bcl-2 death promotor (p-BAD), cytosolic cytochrome c (Cyt c), and
      cleaved Caspase-3 were detected by Western blotting. We measured
      phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-triphosphate (PIP3) by ELISA. Apoptosis of
      photoreceptors was detected using the TUNEL assay. The thickness of the outer
      nuclear layer (ONL) also was recorded. RESULTS: The expression of PTEN gradually
      increased after RD, peaking at 3 days and then decreasing to normal by 7 days
      after RD. Subretinal injection of bpV(pic) effectively reduced the apoptosis of
      photoreceptors and preserved the retinal thickness of the ONL after RD. Compared
      to vehicle-treated RD groups, levels of p-Akt and p-PDK1 were significantly
      upregulated in bpV-treated RD groups. In addition, bpV treatment increased the
      levels of p-BAD and Bcl-2, and decreased the expression levels of cytosolic Cyt c
      and cleaved caspase-3 after RD. CONCLUSIONS: Phosphatase and tensin homology
      deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) participates in the apoptosis of photoreceptors
      after RD. Blocking PTEN may reactivate the PI3K/Akt pathway and attenuate
      photoreceptor apoptosis by suppressing the mitochondrial pathway.

PMID- 26284556
TI  - Protective Effects of L-Carnitine Against Oxidative Injury by Hyperosmolarity in
      Human Corneal Epithelial Cells.
AB  - PURPOSE: L-carnitine suppresses inflammatory responses in human corneal
      epithelial cells (HCECs) exposed to hyperosmotic stress. In this study, we
      determined if L-carnitine induces this protective effect through suppression of
      reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced oxidative damage in HCECs. METHODS: Primary
      HCECs were established from donor limbal explants. A hyperosmolarity dry-eye
      model was used in which HCECs are cultured in 450 mOsM medium with or without L
      carnitine for up to 48 hours. Production of reactive oxygen species (ROS),
      oxidative damage markers, oxygenases and antioxidative enzymes were analyzed by
      2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA) kit, semiquantitative PCR,
      immunofluorescence, and/or Western blotting. RESULTS: Reactive oxygen species
      production increased in HCECs upon substitution of the isotonic medium with the
      hypertonic medium. L-carnitine supplementation partially suppressed this
      response. Hyperosmolarity increased cytotoxic membrane lipid peroxidation levels;
      namely, malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydroxynonenal (HNE), as well as mitochondria
      DNA release along with an increase in 8-OHdG and aconitase-2. Interestingly,
      these oxidative markers were significantly decreased by coculture with L
      carnitine. Hyperosmotic stress also increased the mRNA expression and/or protein
      production of heme oxygenase-1 (HMOX1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2), but inhibited
      the levels of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD1), glutathione
      peroxidase-1 (GPX1), and peroxiredoxin-4 (PRDX4). However, L-carnitine partially
      reversed this altered imbalance between oxygenases and antioxidant enzymes
      induced by hyperosmolarity. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate for the first
      time that L-carnitine protects HCECs from oxidative stress by lessening the
      declines in antioxidant enzymes and suppressing ROS production. Such suppression
      reduces membrane lipid oxidative damage markers and mitochondrial DNA damage.

PMID- 26284560
TI  - Tolerance and Relative Utility: Two Proposed Indices for Comparing Change in
      Clinical Measurement Noise Between Different Populations (Repeatability) or
      Measurement Methods (Agreement).
AB  - Reaching a consensus in terms of interchangeability and utility (i.e., disease
      detection/monitoring) of a medical device is the eventual aim of repeatability
      and agreement studies. The aim of the tolerance and relative utility indices
      described in this report is to provide a methodology to compare change in
      clinical measurement noise between different populations (repeatability) or
      measurement methods (agreement), so as to highlight problematic areas. No
      longitudinal data are required to calculate these indices. Both indices establish
      a metric of least to most effected across all parameters to facilitate
      comparison. If validated, these indices may prove useful tools when combining
      reports and forming the consensus required in the validation process for software
      updates and new medical devices. 

PMID- 26284559
TI  - Perceptual Visual Distortions in Adult Amblyopia and Their Relationship to
      Clinical Features.
AB  - PURPOSE: Develop a paradigm to map binocular perceptual visual distortions in
      adult amblyopes and visually normal controls, measure their stability over time,
      and determine the relationship between strength of binocular single vision and
      distortion magnitude. METHODS: Perceptual visual distortions were measured in 24
      strabismic, anisometropic, or microtropic amblyopes (interocular acuity
      difference >= 0.200 logMAR or history of amblyopia treatment) and 10 controls
      (mean age 27.13 +/- 10.20 years). The task was mouse-based target alignment on a
      stereoscopic liquid crystal display monitor, measured binocularly five times
      during viewing dichoptically through active shutter glasses, amblyopic eye
      viewing cross-hairs, fellow eye viewing single target dots (16 locations within
      central 5 degrees ), and five times nondichoptically, with all stimuli visible to
      either eye. Measurements were repeated over time (1 week, 1 month) in eight
      amblyopic subjects, evaluating test-retest reliability. Measurements were also
      correlated against logMAR visual acuity, horizontal prism motor fusion range,
      Frisby/Preschool Randot stereoacuity, and heterophoria/heterotropia prism cover
      test measurement. RESULTS: Sixty-seven percent (16/24) of amblyopes had
      significant perceptual visual distortions under dichoptic viewing conditions
      compared to nondichoptic viewing conditions and dichoptic control group
      performance. Distortions correlated with the strength of motor fusion (r = 
      0.417, P = 0.043) and log stereoacuity (r = 0.492, P = 0.015), as well as near
      angle of heterotropic/heterophoric deviation (r = 0.740, P < 0.001), and,
      marginally, amblyopia depth (r = 0.405, P = 0.049). Global distortion index (GDI,
      mean displacement) remained, overall, consistent over time (median change in GDI
      between baseline and 1 week = -0.03 degrees , 1 month = -0.08 degrees ; x-axis Z
      = 4.4256, P < 0.001; y-axis Z = 5.0547, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Perceptual
      visual distortions are stable over time and associated with poorer binocular
      function, greater amblyopia depth, and larger angles of ocular deviation.
      Assessment of distortions may be relevant for recent perceptual learning
      paradigms specifically targeting binocular vision.

PMID- 26284561
TI  - Gut microbiota: Ganoderma lucidum, a new prebiotic agent to treat obesity?
AB  - Modulation of the gut microbiota is one of the promising tools to tackle obesity.
      Chang and colleagues have recently shown that an extract of the mushroom
      Ganoderma lucidum, a traditional remedy in Asia, can reduce obesity in mice by
      modulating the gut microbiota, thereby exerting a prebiotic effect.

PMID- 26284563
TI  - Malnutrition: New mouse model of EE.

PMID- 26284562
TI  - Biologic agents for IBD: practical insights.
AB  - Six biologic agents are currently approved for the treatment of IBD: four anti
      TNF agents (infliximab, adalimumab, golimumab and certolizumab pegol) and two
      anti-integrin agents (natalizumab and vedolizumab). In Crohn's disease and
      ulcerative colitis refractory to standard medications, treatment choice among
      available biologic agents can be challenging. Several parameters should be taken
      into account to help physicians through the decision-making process, including
      the comparative effectiveness and long-term safety profile, availability and
      labelling in the prescriber's country, international guidelines, and cost, as
      well as patient preferences (such as the route of administration). Herein, we
      provide practical insights on the use of biologic agents in IBD. The results of
      head-to-head trials between biologic agents are eagerly awaited to guide decision
      making regarding the choice of first-line biologic agents and to determine
      whether switching within the same drug class or swapping (switching out of the
      drug class) is preferable after primary or secondary loss of response to the
      first biologic agent. In the near future, treatment algorithms might evolve with
      the launch of new drugs (such as ustekinumab, tofacitinib and etrolizumab) and
      the increased use of biosimilars. 

PMID- 26284564
TI  - Oesophageal cancer: Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and surgery superior to surgery
      alone.

PMID- 26284565
TI  - Acidic phospholipid-independent interaction of Yas3p, an Opi1-family
      transcriptional repressor of Yarrowia lipolytica, with the endoplasmic reticulum.
AB  - In the n-alkane-assimilating yeast Yarrowia lipolytica, the transcription of
      ALK1, encoding cytochrome P450, that catalyses n-alkane hydroxylation is
      activated by a complex composed of Yas1p and Yas2p via a promoter element, ARE1,
      in response to n-alkanes. An Opi1-family transcription factor, Yas3p, represses
      the transcription by binding to Yas2p in the nucleus when cultured in glucose
      containing medium, but it is localized to the ER, presumably through interaction
      with acidic phospholipids, phosphatidic acid and/or phospho inositides, when
      cultured in n-alkane-containing medium. Here, to elucidate the mechanisms
      regulating the localization of Yas3p, point and deletion mutants of Yas3p were
      constructed and analysed. The substitution of Trp(360) and Cys(361) by Arg
      abrogated the localization of Yas3p to the ER and decreased ARE1-mediated
      transcriptional activation by n-alkane. A Yas3p truncation mutant consisting of
      residues 259-422 did not bind to acidic phospholipids, but it was localized to
      the ER in the presence of n-alkane, implying the acidic-phospholipid-independent
      recruitment of this mutant to the ER in response to n-alkane. The W360R and C361R
      substitutions in this truncation mutant abolished its localization to the ER. The
      results suggest that these residues are implicated in the acidic phospholipid
      independent interaction of Yas3p to the ER.

PMID- 26284566
TI  - Active Transport, Physical Activity, and Distance Between Home and School in
      Children and Adolescents.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The distance between home and school is the most consistent predictor
      of active transport in youth: the closer an individual lives to school, the more
      likely they are to use active transport. While this suggests that it is
      preferable to live as close to school as possible, the limited physical activity
      accumulated during short trips may not offer substantial benefits to active
      transporters. METHODS: The current study investigated the predicted physical
      activity benefits associated with a range of home-school distances in 595 young
      people aged 5 to 16 years (Years 1 to 11). Physical activity was measured using
      sealed pedometers over 7 days. Participants' home addresses and usual transport
      mode to and from school were collected via a questionnaire completed by parents
      (Years 1 to 6) and participants (Years 7 to 11). RESULTS: A nonlinear
      relationship between predicted weekday activity and distance was detected, such
      that the high probability of active transport at short distances was offset by
      the low physical activity associated with walking short distances. CONCLUSIONS: A
      distance of approximately 2 km was associated with the best physical activity
      outcomes related to active transport (9% to 15% increase on weekdays). These
      findings have potential implications for future interventions and for planning
      residential developments or facilities.

PMID- 26284567
TI  - Duration of tetanus immunoglobulin G titres following basic immunisation of
      horses.
AB  - REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Recommendations for prophylactic vaccination
      against tetanus in horses vary greatly between countries and have scarce
      scientific support in the peer-reviewed literature. In human medicine,
      recommended booster vaccination intervals are also very variable, but are
      considerably longer than for horses. More information is needed about the
      duration of immunity induced by modern vaccines. OBJECTIVES: To investigate if
      the duration of antibody titres previously determined to be protective against
      tetanus differ from what is indicated by recommended vaccination intervals for
      horses. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective seroconversion study. METHODS: Thirty-four
      horses were enrolled for basic immunisation with an ISCOM Matrix-combination
      vaccine (Equilis Prequenza Te). Horses received the first vaccination at age 5-11
      months, and the second dose 4 weeks later. A third vaccine dose was given 15-17
      months after the second dose. Serum tetanus antibody titres were analysed by
      toxin-binding enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay 2 weeks as well as 14-16 months
      after the second dose. After the third vaccine dose, titres were checked once
      yearly for 3 years. Results were described by age and level of antibody titre at
      first sampling. RESULTS: Two weeks after the second dose, all horses (34/34) had
      antibody levels that exceeded the limit of detection, 0.04 iu/ml. After 16 months
      the levels were above 0.04 iu/ml in 28/33 horses, the remaining 5 horses
      potentially had suboptimal protection against tetanus. After the third vaccine
      dose antibody levels remained above 0.04 iu/ml in 25/26 horses for 1 year, 16/16
      horses for 2 years, and 8/8 horses for 3 years. CONCLUSIONS: Horses that undergo
      basic immunisation with 3 doses of vaccine after age 5 months are likely to have
      serum antibody titres consistent with protection against tetanus for more than 3
      years. Current guidelines for tetanus prophylaxis should be revised.

PMID- 26284569
TI  - Aromaticity, quantum multimolecular polyhedra, and quantum QSPR fundamental
      equation.
AB  - A causal relation connecting aromaticity with the current aromaticity descriptors
      used in the literature and compliant with a quantum mechanics theoretical
      background is described.

PMID- 26284570
TI  - Virus-specific T-cell therapy in solid organ transplantation.
AB  - This article reviews the current state of T-cell therapy as therapeutic option
      for virus-associated diseases against the background of the most common viral
      complications and their standard treatment regimens after SOT. The available data
      of clinical T-cell trials in SOT are summarized. References to the hematopoietic
      stem cell transplantation are made if applicable data in SOT are not available
      and their content was considered likewise valid for cell therapy in SOT.
      Moreover, aspects of different manufacturing approaches including beneficial
      product characteristics and the importance of GMP compliance are addressed. 

PMID- 26284571
TI  - Comparing the prognostic value of risk stratifying models for patients with lower
      risk myelodysplastic syndromes: Is one model better?
AB  - Some patients classified as having lower-risk (LR)-disease by the International
      Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) fare more poorly than predicted. We examined the
      prognostic utility of IPSS, the MD Anderson LR-Prognostic System (LR-PSS), and
      the revised IPSS (IPSS-R) in a large cohort of patients classified as having IPSS
      LR-MDS in the MDS Clinical Research Consortium database. Actual overall survival
      (OS) was assessed in patients with IPSS LR-MDS (i.e. low and intermediate-1)
      using Kaplan-Meier methods. Harrell's c index (HCI) and Akaike information
      criteria (AIC) were used to compare the models. Median OS of 1,140 eligible
      patients was 47 months (95% CI, 44-52). Median follow-up was 62 months. HCI
      values indicating the discriminatory power of the models (higher is better) were
      better for LR-PSS (0.74, 95% CI, 0.70-0.78) than IPSS-R (0.64, 95% CI, 0.60-0.67)
      and IPSS (0.64, 95% CI, 0.60-0.68). Similarly, AIC values indicating the goodness
      of the fit were better for LR-PSS than IPSS-R and IPSS (8,110, 8,147, and 8,150,
      respectively, lower is better). LR-PSS assigned 25.1% and 37.4% of patients with
      IPSS LR-MDS into LR-PSS Category 3 and IPSS-R Categories >=Intermediate,
      respectively. Of 291 patients (25.5%) who survived <=24 months from diagnosis,
      only 37.1% and 45% were classified as LR-PSS category 3 and IPSS-R categories
      >=Intermediate, respectively (P = 0.06). While both LR-PSS and IPSS-R distinguish
      groups with varied survival outcome among patients with IPSS LR-MDS, both tools
      fail to identify a significant subset with poor OS. Future studies should assess
      whether patients identified as at increased risk will benefit from earlier
      interventions with disease-modifying therapies.

PMID- 26284568
TI  - MicroRNA-Based Therapeutic Strategies for Targeting Mutant and Wild Type RAS in
      Cancer.
AB  - MicroRNAs (miRs) have been causally implicated in the progression and development
      of a wide variety of cancers. miRs modulate the activity of key cell signaling
      networks by regulating the translation of pathway component proteins. Thus, the
      pharmacological targeting of miRs that regulate cancer cell signaling networks,
      either by promoting (using miR-supplementation) or by suppressing (using
      antisense oligonucleotide-based strategies) miR activity is an area of intense
      research. The RAS-extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) pathway represents
      a major miR-regulated signaling network that endows cells with some of the
      classical hallmarks of cancer, and is often inappropriately activated in
      malignancies by somatic genetic alteration through point mutation or alteration
      of gene copy number. In addition, recent progress indicates that many tumors may
      be deficient in GTPase activating proteins (GAPs) due to the collaborative action
      of oncogenic miRs. Recent studies also suggest that in tumors harboring a mutant
      RAS allele there is a critical role for wild type RAS proteins in determining
      overall RAS-ERK pathway activity. Together, these two advances comprise a new
      opportunity for therapeutic intervention. In this review, we evaluate miR-based
      therapeutic strategies for modulating RAS-ERK signaling in cancers; in particular
      for more direct modulation of RAS-GTP levels, with the potential to complement
      current strategies to yield more durable treatment responses. To this end, we
      discuss the potential for miR-based therapies focused on three prominent miRs
      including the pan-RAS regulator let-7 and the GAP regulator comprised of miR-206
      and miR-21 (miR-206/21).

PMID- 26284572
TI  - Interview-based Qualitative Research in Emergency Care Part II: Data Collection,
      Analysis and Results Reporting.
AB  - Qualitative methods are increasingly being used in emergency care research.
      Rigorous qualitative methods can play a critical role in advancing the emergency
      care research agenda by allowing investigators to generate hypotheses, gain an in
      depth understanding of health problems or specific populations, create expert
      consensus, and develop new intervention and dissemination strategies. In Part I
      of this two-article series, we provided an introduction to general principles of
      applied qualitative health research and examples of its common use in emergency
      care research, describing study designs and data collection methods most relevant
      to our field (observation, individual interviews, and focus groups). Here in Part
      II of this series, we outline the specific steps necessary to conduct a valid and
      reliable qualitative research project, with a focus on interview-based studies.
      These elements include building the research team, preparing data collection
      guides, defining and obtaining an adequate sample, collecting and organizing
      qualitative data, and coding and analyzing the data. We also discuss potential
      ethical considerations unique to qualitative research as it relates to emergency
      care research. 

PMID- 26284573
TI  - Building International Sustainable Partnerships in Occupational Therapy: A Case
      Study.
AB  - Occupational therapy practitioners frequently identify opportunities for
      international practice. The World Health Organization and the World Federation of
      Occupational Therapists have encouraged occupational therapists to address
      transnational issues, social inclusion, and equal access to opportunities
      grounded in meaningful occupation (WFOT, 2012). This case study describes a
      partnership between two U.S. schools of occupational therapy and a Cuban
      community based pediatric clinic. It examines the dynamics that have sustained
      the partnership despite political, economic, and logistical barriers. The
      literature is scrutinized to show how this case study fits into other accounts of
      collaborative international partnerships. Particularly, it investigates
      structural and institutional conditions that shape international sustainable
      partnerships. In doing so, we answer the following questions: (1) Under which
      circumstances do international partnerships emerge and flourish? (2) What
      structural and institutional conditions shape international sustainable
      partnerships? And (3) How do partners perceive and experience the bilateral
      international partnership? It also discusses and illustrates the foundations and
      development of international partnerships that succeed. Through the use of a case
      study we illustrate the development of this partnership. Finally, we consider the
      next steps of this particular sustainable and collaborative international
      partnership.

PMID- 26284574
TI  - Crossing Borders: A Qualitative Study of How Occupational Therapy Educators and
      Scholars Develop and Sustain Global Partnerships.
AB  - The World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) and the American
      Occupational Therapy Association promote a globally connected profession that
      responds to the needs of our diverse societies. Global partnerships are grounded
      on the principle that cross-cultural experiences are enriching and provide mutual
      benefits. The purpose of this study was to uncover how occupational therapy
      educators and scholars perceive and experience (1) developing and sustaining
      global partnerships and (2) lessons learned. In this qualitative study, 30
      occupational therapy educators and researchers completed an online survey. Eight
      participated in an interview. Results found major themes that help develop and
      sustain partnerships: building relationship of trust and respect, communicating
      effectively, cultivating cultural competence, sharing power and resources with
      collaborators and creating a context for reciprocal learning. Lessons learned
      include a call to walking humbly, building relationships of trust and respect,
      establishing open and honest communication, supporting local solutions to local
      problems, ensuring equality of resources and learning from their global partners.
      The findings suggest that global partnerships have the potential to transform
      both partners if the partners engage with mutual understanding and respect.
      Limitations of this study include a small sample size and participant's pool
      limited to occupational therapists from United States. Recommendations for future
      research include qualitative studies to identify model occupational therapy
      programmes that sustain global partnerships using a diverse sample of
      international occupational therapy educators and researchers.

PMID- 26284575
TI  - Effects of extreme weather events and legume presence on mycorrhization of
      Plantago lanceolata and Holcus lanatus in the field.
AB  - Little is known about direct and indirect effects of extreme weather events on
      arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) under field conditions. In a field experiment,
      we investigated the response of mycorrhization to drought and heavy rain in
      grassland communities. We quantified AMF biomass in soil, mycorrhization of roots
      of the grass Holcus lanatus and the forb Plantago lanceolata, as well as plant
      performance. Plants were grown in four-species communities with or without a
      legume. We hypothesised that drought increases and heavy rain decreases
      mycorrhization, and that higher mycorrhization will be linked to improved stress
      resistance and higher biomass production. Soil AMF biomass increased under both
      weather extremes. Heavy rain generally benefitted plants and increased arbuscules
      in P. lanceolata. Drought neither reduced plant performance nor root
      mycorrhization. Arbuscules increased in H. lanatus several weeks after drought,
      and in P. lanceolata several weeks after heavy rain spells. These long-lasting
      effects of weather events on mycorrhization highlight the indirect influence of
      climate on AMF via their host plant. Legume presence increased plant community
      biomass, but had only minor effects on mycorrhization. Arbuscule colonisation was
      negatively correlated with senescence during the dry summer. Mycorrhization and
      biomass production in P. lanceolata were positively related. However, increased
      mycorrhization was related to less biomass in the grass. AMF mycelium in soil
      might generally increase under extreme events, root colonisation, however, is
      host species specific. This might amplify community shifts in grassland under
      climate change by further increasing stress resistance of species that already
      benefit from changed precipitation. 

PMID- 26284576
TI  - How else can we study sex differences in early infancy?
AB  - This paper revisits group difference and individual variability in birth weight,
      head size, Apgar score, and motor performance in neonatal and 8-month-old males
      and females using a large existing data set. The goal is primarily theoretical-
      to reframe existing analyses with an eye toward designing and executing more
      predictive analyses in the future. 3D graphing to visualize both the areas of
      overlap and regions of disparity between boys and girls has been used. A two-step
      cluster analysis of boys and girls together revealed three clusters. One was
      almost equally divided between boys and girls, but a second was highly enriched
      for boys and the third highly skewed toward girls. The relationship between
      cluster membership and Bayley motor scores at 8 months tested the hypothesis that
      initial differences that have no sex-related behavioral content might start
      processes that produce later sex-related differences. Initially, parental belief
      systems may be less important than infant care patterns evoked by basic size and
      health characteristics, even though later parental behaviors assume a decidedly
      gendered pattern.

PMID- 26284578
TI  - Corrigendum.

PMID- 26284579
TI  - The dynamic anatomy and patterning of skin.
AB  - The skin is often viewed as a static barrier that protects the body from the
      outside world. Emphasis on studying the skin's architecture and biomechanics in
      the context of restoring skin movement and function is often ignored. It is
      fundamentally important that if skin is to be modelled or developed, we do not
      only focus on the biology of skin but also aim to understand its mechanical
      properties and structure in living dynamic tissue. In this review, we describe
      the architecture of skin and patterning seen in skin as viewed from a surgical
      perspective and highlight aspects of the microanatomy that have never fully been
      realized and provide evidence or concepts that support the importance of studying
      living skin's dynamic behaviour. We highlight how the structure of the skin has
      evolved to allow the body dynamic form and function, and how injury, disease or
      ageing results in a dramatic changes to the microarchitecture and changes
      physical characteristics of skin. Therefore, appreciating the dynamic
      microanatomy of skin from the deep fascia through to the skin surface is vitally
      important from a dermatological and surgical perspective. This focus provides an
      alternative perspective and approach to addressing skin pathologies and skin
      ageing. 

PMID- 26284580
TI  - Interstitial microdeletions including the chromosome band 4q13.2 and the UBA6
      gene as possible causes of intellectual disability and behavior disorder.
AB  - The few proximal 4q chromosomal aberrations identified in patients with
      neurodevelopmental phenotypes that have been published to date are variable in
      type, size and breakpoints and, therefore, encompass different chromosome bands
      and genes, making the establishment of genotype-phenotype correlations a
      challenging task. Here, microarray-based copy number analysis allowed us the
      detection of two novel and partially overlapping deletions in two unrelated
      families. In Family 1, a 4q13.1-q13.2 deletion of 3.84 Mb was identified in a
      mother with mild intellectual disability and in her two children, both with mild
      intellectual disability and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. In Family
      2, a de novo 4q13.2-q13.3 deletion of 6.81 Mb was detected in a female patient,
      born to unaffected parents, with a diagnosis of mild intellectual disability,
      behavioral disorder and facial dysmorphism. The shortest region of overlap
      between these two aberrations is located at chromosome 4q13.2 and includes 17
      genes amongst of which we suggest UBA6 (ubiquitin-like modifier-activating enzyme
      6) as a strong candidate gene for these phenotypes.

PMID- 26284581
TI  - Defining Plasma MicroRNAs Associated With Cognitive Impairment In HIV-Infected
      Patients.
AB  - Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-infected individuals are at increased risk for
      developing neurocognitive disorders and depression. These conditions collectively
      affect more than 50% of people living with HIV/AIDS and adversely impact
      adherence to HIV therapy. Thus, identification of early markers of neurocognitive
      impairment could lead to interventions that improve psychosocial functioning and
      slow or reverse disease progression through improved treatment adherence.
      Evidence has accumulated for the role and function of microRNAs in normal and
      pathological conditions. We have optimized a protocol to profile microRNAs in
      body fluids. Using this methodology, we have profiled plasma microRNA expression
      for 30 age-matched, HIV-infected (HIV(+) ) patients and identified highly
      sensitive and specific microRNA signatures distinguishing HIV(+) patients with
      cognitive impairment from those without cognitive impairment. These results
      justify follow-on studies to determine whether plasma microRNA signatures can be
      used as a screening or prognostic tool for HIV(+) patients with neurocognitive
      impairment. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 829-836, 2016. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals,
      Inc.

PMID- 26284582
TI  - Oncogene- and drug resistance-associated alternative exon usage in acute myeloid
      leukemia (AML).
AB  - In addition to spliceosome gene mutations, oncogene expression and drug
      resistance in AML might influence exon expression. We performed exon-array
      analysis and exon-specific PCR (ESPCR) to identify specific landscapes of exon
      expression that are associated with DEK and WT1 oncogene expression and the
      resistance of AML cells to AraC, doxorubicin or azacitidine. Data were obtained
      for these five conditions through exon-array analysis of 17 cell lines and 24
      patient samples and were extended through qESPCR of samples from 152 additional
      AML cases. More than 70% of AEUs identified by exon-array were technically
      validated through ESPCR. In vitro, 1,130 to 5,868 exon events distinguished the 5
      conditions from their respective controls while in vivo 6,560 and 9,378 events
      distinguished chemosensitive and chemoresistant AML, respectively, from normal
      bone marrow. Whatever the cause of this effect, 30 to 80% of mis-spliced mRNAs
      involved genes unmodified at the whole transcriptional level. These AEUs unmasked
      new functional pathways that are distinct from those generated by transcriptional
      deregulation. These results also identified new putative pathways that could help
      increase the understanding of the effects mediated by DEK or WT1, which may allow
      the targeting of these pathways to prevent resistance of AML cells to
      chemotherapeutic agents. 

PMID- 26284583
TI  - Maintenance chemotherapy in children with ALL exerts metronomic-like
      thrombospondin-1 associated anti-endothelial effect.
AB  - Maintenance chemotherapy is an important part of the treatment of ALL in
      children. It relies on the long-term oral administration of daily low-dose
      mercaptopurin and weekly low-dose methotrexate. Although it has been used in the
      clinic for decades, its mechanisms of action remain unclear. Here, we
      investigated different angiogenic and immune biomarkers to gain insights into the
      mechanisms of action of maintenance therapy in children with ALL. We thus
      monitored circulating endothelial cells (CEC), endothelial progenitor cells (EPC)
      and endothelial microparticles (EMP), pro-angiogenic factors (VEGF, VEGFR-1 and
      Ang-2), anti-angiogenic factor thrombospondin-1 (THBS1) and regulatory T
      lymphocytes (Treg) in 47 children with ALL during the maintenance phase of their
      treatment (at treatment initiation and after 6, 12 and 18 months). We observed a
      statistically significant decrease in EPC and EMP counts throughout the
      maintenance phase associated with a significant increase in THBS1 levels. No
      significant change was detected in other angiogenic markers or in Treg
      numbers.The results presented here indicate that maintenance therapy in children
      with ALL exerts its antitumor activity at least in part through anti-angiogenic
      effects, similar to those induced by metronomic chemotherapy. Larger studies are
      now warranted to validate these findings and determine their clinical
      implications. 

PMID- 26284585
TI  - Inflammaging increases susceptibility to cigarette smoke-induced COPD.
AB  - Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is related to an abnormal chronic
      inflammatory response of the lung to mainly cigarette smoke (CS) and the disease
      risk is increased in aged individuals. The source of this chronic inflammation is
      due to the repeated and progressive activation of immune cells. We hypothesize
      that in a chronic CS-induced mouse model, the predisposition to COPD pathogenesis
      in aged mice is characterized by an elevated immune response compared to young
      animals. We measured several characteristics of COPD in young and old mice (2 and
      12 months of age) exposed to CS for 3 months. CS-exposed aged mice exhibited
      increased lung compliance (0.061 +/- 0.008 vs. 0.055 +/- 0.006 ml/cm H2O, p <
      0.01), emphysema development (35.36 +/- 0.71 vs. 25.31 +/- 0.005 MUm; p < 0.01)
      and airway remodeling (2.15 +/- 0.37 vs. 1.09 +/- 0.64 MUm3/MUm2; p < 0.01)
      compared to control animals, which was not seen in CS-exposed young mice.
      Quantification of lung tissue inflammation revealed a significantly greater
      volume of inducible bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue structures in aged mice
      after CS exposure (5.94 +/- 2.89 vs. 2.37 +/- 1.69 MUm3/MUm2; p < 0.01). Our
      results indicate that age-induced lung inflammation is further elevated after CS
      exposure in old mice, potentially via an age-induced change in immune cell
      susceptibility to CS thereby accelerating the pathophysiological hallmarks of
      COPD. 

PMID- 26284584
TI  - Simvastatin and downstream inhibitors circumvent constitutive and stromal cell
      induced resistance to doxorubicin in IGHV unmutated CLL cells.
AB  - The immunoglobulin heavy-chain variable region (IGHV) mutational status is a
      strong determinant of remission duration in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).
      The aim of this work was to compare the multidrug resistance (MDR) signature of
      IGHV mutated and unmutated CLL cells, identifying biochemical and molecular
      targets potentially amenable to therapeutic intervention.We found that the
      mevalonate pathway-dependent Ras/ERK1-2 and RhoA/RhoA kinase signaling cascades,
      and the downstream HIF-1alpha/P-glycoprotein axis were more active in IGHV
      unmutated than in mutated cells, leading to a constitutive protection from
      doxorubicin-induced cytotoxicity. The constitutive MDR phenotype of IGHV
      unmutated cells was partially dependent on B cell receptor signaling, as shown by
      the inhibitory effect exerted by ibrutinib. Stromal cells further protected IGHV
      unmutated cells from doxorubicin by upregulating Ras/ERK1-2, RhoA/RhoA kinase,
      Akt, HIF-1alpha and P-glycoprotein activities. Mevalonate pathway inhibition with
      simvastatin abrogated these signaling pathways and reversed the resistance of
      IGHV unmutated cells to doxorubicin, also counteracting the protective effect
      exerted by stromal cells. Similar results were obtained via the targeted
      inhibition of the downstream molecules ERK1-2, RhoA kinase and HIF
      1alpha.Therefore, targeting the mevalonate pathway and its downstream signaling
      cascades is a promising strategy to circumvent the MDR signature of IGHV
      unmutated CLL cells. 

PMID- 26284586
TI  - mTOR inhibitors sensitize thyroid cancer cells to cytotoxic effect of
      vemurafenib.
AB  - Treatment options for advanced metastatic thyroid cancer patients are limited.
      Vemurafenib, a BRAFV600E inhibitor, has shown promise in clinical trials although
      cellular resistance occurs. Combination therapy that includes BRAFV600E
      inhibition and avoids resistance is a clinical need. We used an in vitro model to
      examine combination treatment with vemurafenib and mammalian target of rapamycin
      (mTOR) inhibitors, metformin and rapamycin. Cellular viability and apoptosis were
      analyzed in thyroid cell lines by trypan blue exclusion and TUNEL assays.
      Combination of vemurafenib and metformin decreased cell viability and increased
      apoptosis in both BCPAP papillary thyroid cancer cells and 8505c anaplastic
      thyroid cancer cells. This combination was also found to be active in vemurafenib
      resistant BCPAP cells. Changes in expression of signaling molecules such as
      decreased mTOR expression in BCPAP and enhanced inhibition of phospho-MAPK in
      resistant BCPAP and 8505c were observed. The second combination of vemurafenib
      and rapamycin amplified cell death in BCPAP cells. We conclude that combination
      of BRAFV600E and mTOR inhibition forms the basis of a treatment regimen that
      should be further investigated in in vivo model systems. Metformin or rapamycin
      adjuvant treatment may provide clinical benefits with minimal side effects to
      BRAFV600E-positive advanced thyroid cancer patients treated with vemurafenib. 

PMID- 26284587
TI  - Differential involvement of RASSF2 hypermethylation in breast cancer subtypes and
      their prognosis.
AB  - Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease that can be subdivided into clinical,
      histopathological and molecular subtypes (luminal A-like, luminal B-like/HER2
      negative, luminal B-like/HER2-positive, HER2-positive, and triple-negative). The
      study of new molecular factors is essential to obtain further insights into the
      mechanisms involved in the tumorigenesis of each tumor subtype. RASSF2 is a gene
      that is hypermethylated in breast cancer and whose clinical value has not been
      previously studied. The hypermethylation of RASSF1 and RASSF2 genes was analyzed
      in 198 breast tumors of different subtypes. The effect of the demethylating agent
      5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine in the re-expression of these genes was examined in triple
      negative (BT-549), HER2 (SK-BR-3), and luminal cells (T-47D). Different patterns
      of RASSF2 expression for distinct tumor subtypes were detected by
      immunohistochemistry. RASSF2 hypermethylation was much more frequent in luminal
      subtypes than in non-luminal tumors (p = 0.001). The re-expression of this gene
      by lentiviral transduction contributed to the differential cell proliferation and
      response to antineoplastic drugs observed in luminal compared with triple
      negative cell lines. RASSF2 hypermethylation is associated with better prognosis
      in multivariate statistical analysis (P = 0.039). In conclusion, RASSF2 gene is
      differently methylated in luminal and non-luminal tumors and is a promising
      suppressor gene with clinical involvement in breast cancer. 

PMID- 26284590
TI  - Organic-free Anatase TiO2 Paste for Efficient Plastic Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells
      and Low Temperature Processed Perovskite Solar Cells.
AB  - Recently, the synthesis of fine TiO2 paste with organic-free binder emerged as an
      indispensable technique for plastic photovoltaics due to the low temperature
      processing requirement. In this study, pure anatase TiO2 nanoparticles and
      organic-free TiO2-sol were successfully synthesized individually in organic-free
      solution. By mixing the pure anatase TiO2 with the newly developed TiO2-sol
      binder, mechanically robust and well-interconnected TiO2 films were prepared via
      UV-irradiation at low temperature for applications in plastic dye-sensitized
      solar cells (p-DSSCs). The structural, electrical, and photovoltaic properties of
      the films as well as the devices were investigated by various techniques. The dye
      loading amount of the obtained film is 2.6 times that of the P25 electrodes. As
      revealed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results, the film derived from
      the as-prepared anatase TiO2 paste (A-TiO2) exhibits much smaller charge
      transport resistance and lower electron recombination rate than the P25 film,
      while the introduction of TiO2-sol into the paste can further remarkably decrease
      the resistance of the produced film (AS-TiO2). The p-DSSCs employing AS-TiO2
      photoanode yield a high efficiency up to 7.51%, which is 86% higher than the P25
      reference cells and also 31% higher than the A-TiO2 cell. As a proof of concept,
      the newly developed AS-TiO2 paste was also applied to low temperature processed
      perovskite solar cells (PSCs), and a promising high efficiency up to 9.95% was
      achieved. 

PMID- 26284588
TI  - Suppression of Rituximab-resistant B-cell lymphoma with a novel multi-component
      anti-CD20 mAb nanocluster.
AB  - Although the anti-CD20 antibody Rituximab has revolutionized the treatment of Non
      Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL), resistance to treatment still existed. Thus, strategies
      for suppressing Rituximab-resistant NHLs are urgently needed. Here, an anti-CD20
      nanocluster (ACNC) is successfully constructed from its type I and type II mAb
      (Rituximab and 11B8). These distinct anti-CD20 mAbs are mass grafted to a short
      chain polymer (polyethylenimine). Compared with parental Rituximab and 11B8, the
      ACNC had a reduced "off-rate". Importantly, ACNC efficiently inhibited Rituximab
      resistant lymphomas in both disseminated and localized human NHL xenograft
      models. Further results revealed that ACNC is significantly potent in inducing
      caspase-dependent apoptosis and lysosome-mediated programmed cell death (PCD).
      This may help explain why ACNC is effective in suppressing rituximab-resistant
      lymphoma while Rituximab and 11B8 are not. Additionally, ACNC experienced low
      clearance from peripheral blood and high intratumor accumulation. This improved
      pharmacokinetics is attributed to the antibody-antigen reaction (active
      targeting) and enhanced permeability and retention (ERP) effect (passive
      targeting). This study suggested that ACNC might be a promising therapeutic agent
      for treatment of rituximab-resistant lymphomas. 

PMID- 26284589
TI  - Knock out of the BASIGIN/CD147 chaperone of lactate/H+ symporters disproves its
      pro-tumour action via extracellular matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) induction.
AB  - BASIGIN/CD147/EMMPRIN is a multifunctional transmembrane glycoprotein strongly
      expressed in tumours. BASIGIN controls tumour metabolism, particularly glycolysis
      by facilitating lactic acid export through the two monocarboxylate transporters
      MCT1 and hypoxia-inducible MCT4. However, before being recognized as a co-carrier
      of MCTs, BASIGIN was described as an inducer of extracellular matrix
      metalloproteases (MMPs). Early on, a model emerged in which, tumour cells use the
      extracellular domain of BASIGIN to recognize and stimulate neighbouring
      fibroblasts to produce MMPs. However, this model has remained hypothetical since
      a direct link between BASIGIN and MMPs production has not yet been clearly
      established. To validate the BASIGIN/MMP hypothesis, we developed BASIGIN
      knockouts in three human tumour cell lines derived from glioma, colon, and lung
      adenocarcinoma. By using co-culture experiments of either human or mouse
      fibroblasts and tumour cell lines we showed, contrary to what has been abundantly
      published, that the disruption of BASIGIN in tumour cells and in MEFs has no
      action on the production of MMPs. Our findings do not support the notion that the
      pro-tumoural action of BASIGIN is mediated via induction of MMPs. Therefore, we
      propose that to date, the strongest pro-tumoural action of BASIGIN is mediated
      through the control of fermentative glycolysis. 

PMID- 26284592
TI  - Autoimmune Hepatitis and Overlap Syndromes: Diagnosis and Management.

PMID- 26284593
TI  - Transition Zone Prostate-specific Antigen Density Could Better Guide the Rebiopsy
      Strategy in Men With Prostate Inflammation at Initial Biopsy.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To assess the role of transition zone prostate-specific antigen
      density (TZPSAD) in determining rebiopsy strategy in men with prostate
      inflammation at initial biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Analysis was performed on
      data derived from transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy registry
      containing 2461 men who underwent biopsy between March 2005 and January 2015.
      Eligible patients were divided into 2 groups based on the presence of chronic
      inflammation in prostate. Group 1 consisted of 920 patients with histopathologic
      evidence of chronic inflammation and group 2 consisted of 1287 patients with no
      evidence of inflammation. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was
      performed to evaluate the accuracy of PSA, PSA density (PSAD), and TZPSAD for
      detecting prostate cancer (PCa) in each group. Patients who underwent rebiopsy
      during the study period were further assessed to determine factors that may
      predict the presence of PCa on subsequent biopsies. RESULTS: In group 1 patients,
      at 90% sensitivity for detecting PCa, PSAD and TZPSAD showed 19.7% and 37.8%
      specificity at cutoff values of 0.10 and 0.27 ng/mL/mL respectively, whereas in
      group 2 patients, PSAD and TZPSAD revealed 29.8% and 31.4% specificity,
      respectively. Chronic inflammation at initial biopsy was associated with a
      significant decrease in the likelihood of cancer detection during rebiopsy (odds
      ratio, 0.42; 95% confidence interval, 0.18-0.99). TZPSAD was found to be capable
      of sparing 39.8% of unnecessary rebiopsies in group 1 patients, whereas it spared
      20.5% of unnecessary rebiopsies in group 2 patients. CONCLUSION: Applying TZPSAD
      is advantageous in determining rebiopsy strategy in patients with proven
      inflammation of prostate at initial biopsy.

PMID- 26284594
TI  - The Diagnosis of Benign Prostatic Obstruction: Validation of the Young Academic
      Urologist Clinical Nomogram.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To externally validate the Young Academic Urologist (YAU) nomogram for
      the prediction of benign prostatic obstruction (BPO) in patients with lower
      urinary tract symptoms and benign prostatic enlargement. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Between January 2013 and September 2014, a consecutive series of patients with
      lower urinary tract symptoms and benign prostatic enlargement underwent
      standardized pressure flow studies (PFSs) in 2 tertiary Italian centers.
      Variables assessed were International Prostatic Symptom Score, Prostate Specific
      Antigen (PSA), prostate size, transitional zone volume, maximal urinary flow rate
      (Qmax), postvoid residual urine. BPO was defined as a Schafer grade >= 3 at PFSs.
      Qmax and transitional zone volume were plotted on the YAU nomogram to predict the
      presence of BPO. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to
      evaluate predictive properties of the nomogram for the final diagnosis of BPO.
      RESULTS: A total of 449 patients were consecutively enrolled. In those, 310
      patients (69%) presented a BPO (Schafer >= 3) at PFSs. The novel YAU nomogram
      presented an area under the curve of 0.76; 95% confidence interval: 0.72-0.82 for
      the diagnosis of BPO. At the best cutoff value of 80% (nomogram probability), the
      sensitivity was 74% and specificity was 79%, the positive predictive value was
      89%, and the negative predictive value was 56%. CONCLUSION: Although further
      studies are needed to confirm our results, the YAU nomogram was, in our
      experience, an excellent tool to predict the presence of BPO.

PMID- 26284591
TI  - Hepatocellular Carcinoma From Epidemiology to Prevention: Translating Knowledge
      into Practice.
AB  - The epidemiology of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is characterized by dynamic
      temporal trends, several major established (i.e., HCV, HBV, alcohol) and emerging
      (i.e., diabetes, obesity, NAFLD) risk factors. Epidemiologic studies and clinical
      trials have identified additional demographic, clinical, pharmacological, genetic
      and life style factors that further affect or modify the likelihood of HCC and
      can be used in clinical practice to identify at-risk patients (i.e., risk
      stratification or prognostic algorithms) that can be targeted for prevention and
      early detection programs. These studies have also paved the way toward several
      well established preventive measures including HBV vaccination, HBV treatment,
      HCV treatment and HCC surveillance, and potential chemoprevention using statins,
      metformin or coffee. However, the effectiveness of HCC prevention in clinical
      practice and at the population level has lagged behind due to patient, provider,
      system, and societal factors. The Quality in the Continuum of Cancer Care model
      provides a framework for evaluating the HCC prevention processes, including
      potential failures that create a gap between efficacy and effectiveness. 

PMID- 26284595
TI  - Male Urethral, Penile, and Incontinence Surgery: Is Resident Exposure Adequate?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate trends in male urethral and penis/incontinence case
      volumes among urology residents and assess these for adequate surgical
      training/competency. METHODS: Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical
      Education (ACGME) case logs of urology residents graduating from U.S. programs
      from 2009 to 2013 were reviewed to determine the surgical volume of select index
      categories. Male urethral cases encompass urethrectomy and urethroplasty, whereas
      male penis/incontinence cases include urethral slings and sphincters. Case
      volumes as "surgeon," "assistant," and "teaching assistant" were reviewed and
      compared to ACGME minimum requirements. RESULTS: A total of 1032 graduating
      residents reported case logs. For male urethral surgery, residents reported
      weighted averages (standard deviation [SD]) of 12.7 (9.0) cases as "surgeon," 1.5
      (3.5) cases as "assistant," and 0.2 (1.0) as "teaching assistant." The minimum
      requirement for these cases is 5. The annual 10th percentiles as "surgeon" ranged
      from 4 to 5 cases throughout the study period. For male penis/incontinence cases,
      residents reported weighted averages (SD) of 45.5 (22.7) cases as "surgeon," 3.6
      (5.5) cases as "assistant," and 1.5 (3.0) cases as "teaching assistant." The
      minimum requirement is 10 cases. The 10th percentiles as "surgeon" ranged from 19
      to 23 cases. CONCLUSION: Although the majority of residents met the minimum
      standard for these cases, about 10% of residents did not meet the requirement for
      male urethral surgery. In addition, a review of learning curves for these
      procedures suggests that the ACGME minimum requirements may be insufficient to
      confer actual competency in skill. Increasing this number in training or
      specialized postgraduate training programs is needed to provide actual
      competency.

PMID- 26284596
TI  - Passivity and Synchronization of Linearly Coupled Reaction-Diffusion Neural
      Networks With Adaptive Coupling.
AB  - In this paper, we study a general array model of coupled reaction-diffusion
      neural networks (NNs) with adaptive coupling. In order to ensure the passivity of
      the coupled reaction-diffusion neural networks, some adaptive strategies to tune
      the coupling strengths among network nodes are designed. By utilizing some
      inequality techniques and the designed adaptive laws, several sufficient
      conditions ensuring passivity are obtained. In addition, we reveal the
      relationship between passivity and synchronization of the coupled reaction
      diffusion NNs. Based on the obtained passivity results and the relationship
      between passivity and synchronization, a global synchronization criterion is
      established. Finally, numerical simulations are presented to illustrate the
      correctness and effectiveness of the proposed results. 

PMID- 26284598
TI  - Sleep-related attentional bias in insomnia: A state-of-the-science review.
AB  - Prominent models of insomnia posit that sleep-related attentional bias plays an
      important role in the development and maintenance of insomnia. Here we conduct
      the first systematic review of the sleep-related attentional bias construct,
      indexed through reaction time-based experimental tasks. Literature search
      identified 13 studies that met pre-defined inclusion/exclusion criteria. Included
      studies involved between-group comparisons (poor sleepers versus controls), as
      well as sleep manipulations and correlational investigations with healthy
      sleepers. For studies involving comparisons between poor sleepers and healthy
      controls, effect size estimates were computed for task-relevant dependent
      variables. Six of the nine studies comparing poor sleepers and controls revealed
      statistically significant group differences in support of a differential sleep
      related attentional bias (medium-to-large effect sizes), with flicker, dot-probe
      and Posner tasks being most sensitive to group effects. Due to the paucity of
      studies and variability in design and measurement, no conclusions could be
      reached regarding manipulation or induction of attentional bias in good sleepers.
      Results from the relatively small number of studies support the presence of sleep
      related attentional bias in insomnia; however, its role in the development and/or
      maintenance of insomnia remains to be elucidated. We set out a research agenda
      aimed at advancing the understanding of sleep-related attention bias. 

PMID- 26284597
TI  - Diagnostic and Prognostic Microbial Biomarkers in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.
AB  - The microbiome plays multifaceted roles in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel
      diseases (IBD). Accordingly, the clinical challenge of patient heterogeneity in
      disease phenotype and response to treatment should in part be addressed by
      biomarkers that detect the host response to microbiota, and the levels of
      microbial taxa and products eliciting the host response in susceptible
      individuals. Molecular analysis has revealed much evidence for microbial
      taxonomic membership and microbial products in association with IBD, but their
      utility as clinical biomarkers is still in its infancy. A rich area of progress
      has been the development and validation of host serologic microbial biomarkers,
      which have achieved a distinctive position in the diagnosis and prognosis in IBD,
      and as a template for defining other categories of microbial biomarkers in
      disease state and phenotype. 

PMID- 26284600
TI  - Diffusion MRI with Semi-Automated Segmentation Can Serve as a Restricted
      Predictive Biomarker of the Therapeutic Response of Liver Metastasis.
AB  - PURPOSE: To assess the value of semi-automated segmentation applied to diffusion
      MRI for predicting the therapeutic response of liver metastasis. METHODS:
      Conventional diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed
      using b-values of 0, 150, 300 and 450s/mm(2) at baseline and days 4, 11 and 39
      following initiation of a new chemotherapy regimen in a pilot study with 18 women
      with 37 liver metastases from primary breast cancer. A semi-automated
      segmentation approach was used to identify liver metastases. Linear regression
      analysis was used to assess the relationship between baseline values of the
      apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and change in tumor size by day 39. RESULTS:
      A semi-automated segmentation scheme was critical for obtaining the most reliable
      ADC measurements. A statistically significant relationship between baseline ADC
      values and change in tumor size at day 39 was observed for minimally treated
      patients with metastatic liver lesions measuring 2-5cm in size (p=0.002), but not
      for heavily treated patients with the same tumor size range (p=0.29), or for
      tumors of smaller or larger sizes. ROC analysis identified a baseline threshold
      ADC value of 1.33MUm(2)/ms as 75% sensitive and 83% specific for identifying non
      responding metastases in minimally treated patients with 2-5cm liver lesions.
      CONCLUSION: Quantitative imaging can substantially benefit from a semi-automated
      segmentation scheme. Quantitative diffusion MRI results can be predictive of
      therapeutic outcome in selected patients with liver metastases, but not for all
      liver metastases, and therefore should be considered to be a restricted
      biomarker.

PMID- 26284601
TI  - Synthesis, characterization and application of ion imprinted polymeric nanobeads
      for highly selective preconcentration and spectrophotometric determination of
      Ni2+ ion in water samples.
AB  - Here, the researchers report on the synthesis of ion imprinted polymeric (IIP)
      nanoparticles using a thermal polymerization strategy, and their usage for the
      separation of Ni(2+) ion from water samples. The prepared Ni-IIP was
      characterized by colorimetry, FT-IR spectroscopy, and scanning electron
      microscopy. It was found that the particle size of the prepared particle to be 50
      70 nm in diameter with the highly selective binding capability for Ni(2+) ion,
      with reasonable adsorption and desorption process. After preconcentration, bound
      ions can be eluted with an aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid, after their
      complexation with dimethylglyoxime, these ions can be quantified by UV-Vis
      absorption spectrophotometry. The effect of various parameters on the extraction
      efficiency including pH of sample solution, adsorption and leaching times,
      initial sample volume, concentration and volume of eluent were investigated. In
      selectivity study, it was found that imprinting causes increased affinity of the
      prepared IIP toward Ni(2+) ion over other ions such as Na(+), K(+), Ag(+),
      Co(2+), Cu(2+), Cd(2+), Hg(2+), Pb(2+), Zn(2+), Mn(2+), Mg(2+), Cr(3+), and
      Fe(3+). The prepared IIP can be used and regenerated for at least eight times
      without any significant decrease in binding affinities. The prepared IIP is
      considered to be promising and selective sorbent for solid-phase extraction and
      preconcentration of Ni(2+) ion from different water samples.

PMID- 26284599
TI  - Uterine overdistention induces preterm labor mediated by inflammation:
      observations in pregnant women and nonhuman primates.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Uterine overdistention is thought to induce preterm labor in women
      with twin and multiple pregnancies, but the pathophysiology remains unclear. We
      investigated for the first time the pathogenesis of preterm birth associated with
      rapid uterine distention in a pregnant nonhuman primate model. STUDY DESIGN: A
      nonhuman primate model of uterine overdistention was created using preterm
      chronically catheterized pregnant pigtail macaques (Macaca nemestrina) by
      inflation of intraamniotic balloons (N = 6), which were compared to saline
      controls (N = 5). Cesarean delivery was performed due to preterm labor or at
      experimental end. Microarray, quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain
      reaction, Luminex (Austin, TX), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used
      to measure messenger RNA (mRNA) and/or protein levels from monkey (amniotic
      fluid, myometrium, maternal plasma) and human (amniocytes, amnion, myometrium)
      tissues. Statistical analysis employed analysis of covariance and Wilcoxon rank
      sum. Biomechanical forces were calculated using the law of Laplace. RESULTS:
      Preterm labor occurred in 3 of 6 animals after balloon inflation and correlated
      with greater balloon volume and uterine wall stress. Significant elevations of
      inflammatory cytokines and prostaglandins occurred following uterine
      overdistention in an "inflammatory pulse" that correlated with preterm labor
      (interleukin [IL]-1beta, tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-alpha, IL-6, IL-8, CCL2,
      prostaglandin E2, prostaglandin F2alpha, all P < .05). A similar inflammatory
      response was observed in amniocytes in vitro following mechanical stretch
      (IL1beta, IL6, and IL8 mRNA multiple time points, P < .05), in amnion of women
      with polyhydramnios (IL6 and TNF mRNA, P < .05) and in amnion (TNF-alpha) and
      myometrium of women with twins in early labor (IL6, IL8, CCL2, all P < .05).
      Genes differentially expressed in the nonhuman primate after balloon inflation
      and in women with polyhydramnios and twins are involved in tissue remodeling and
      muscle growth. CONCLUSION: Uterine overdistention by inflation of an
      intraamniotic balloon is associated with an inflammatory pulse that precedes and
      correlates with preterm labor. Our results indicate that inflammation is an early
      event after a mechanical stress on the uterus and leads to preterm labor when the
      stress is sufficiently great. Further, we find evidence of uterine tissue
      remodeling and muscle growth as a common, perhaps compensatory, response to
      uterine distension.

PMID- 26284604
TI  - Sterically Controlled Pd-Catalyzed Chemoselective Ketone Synthesis via N-C
      Cleavage in Twisted Amides.
AB  - Highly chemoselective, palladium(0)-catalyzed, direct cross-coupling between
      boronic acids and geometrically activated amides is reported. The reaction
      proceeds via selective activation of the N-C(O) bond, shows excellent functional
      group tolerance, and delivers the versatile ketone products in high yields. The
      observed reactivity is consistent with a decrease of nN -> pi*C?O conjugation
      resulting from destabilization of the amide ground state. Notably, the method
      provides direct access to acyl-metal intermediates from sterically distorted,
      bench-stable amide precursors under mild catalytic conditions. 

PMID- 26284605
TI  - Volitional Initiation and Fast Visuomotor Networks: Why Movements are Slow to
      Start and Quick to Correct.

PMID- 26284603
TI  - Intrinsic sequence specificity of the Cas1 integrase directs new spacer
      acquisition.
AB  - The adaptive prokaryotic immune system CRISPR-Cas provides RNA-mediated
      protection from invading genetic elements. The fundamental basis of the system is
      the ability to capture small pieces of foreign DNA for incorporation into the
      genome at the CRISPR locus, a process known as Adaptation, which is dependent on
      the Cas1 and Cas2 proteins. We demonstrate that Cas1 catalyses an efficient trans
      esterification reaction on branched DNA substrates, which represents the reverse-
      or disintegration reaction. Cas1 from both Escherichia coli and Sulfolobus
      solfataricus display sequence specific activity, with a clear preference for the
      nucleotides flanking the integration site at the leader-repeat 1 boundary of the
      CRISPR locus. Cas2 is not required for this activity and does not influence the
      specificity. This suggests that the inherent sequence specificity of Cas1 is a
      major determinant of the adaptation process. 

PMID- 26284602
TI  - A central role for the retrosplenial cortex in de novo environmental learning.
AB  - With experience we become accustomed to the types of environments that we
      normally encounter as we navigate in the world. But how does this fundamental
      knowledge develop in the first place and what brain regions are involved? To
      examine de novo environmental learning, we created an 'alien' virtual reality
      world populated with landmarks of which participants had no prior experience.
      They learned about this environment by moving within it during functional MRI
      (fMRI) scanning while we tracked their evolving knowledge. Retrosplenial cortex
      (RSC) played a central and highly selective role by representing only the most
      stable, permanent features in this world. Subsequently, increased coupling was
      noted between RSC and hippocampus, with hippocampus then expressing knowledge of
      permanent landmark locations and overall environmental layout. Studying how
      environmental representations emerge from scratch provided a new window into the
      information processing underpinning the brain's navigation system, highlighting
      the key influence of the RSC. 

PMID- 26284606
TI  - Synergistic Effects of Doping and Thermal Treatment on Organic Semiconducting
      Nanowires.
AB  - Doping of small molecular donors or acceptors on conjugated organic materials can
      be used to improve the performance of organic electronics. Here we demonstrate
      highly aligned poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) nanowires (NWs) doped with 2,3,5,6
      tetrafluoro-7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (F4-TCNQ) using electrohydrodynamic
      organic NW printing. The transistor based on p-doped NWs had an order of
      magnitude higher mobility than did the undoped NW device. This significant
      improvement resulted from the synergistic effects of p-type doping and thermal
      annealing on F4-TCNQ-doped P3HT NWs, which induce microstructure changes in P3HT
      chains. 

PMID- 26284607
TI  - Highly Efficient Flexible Perovskite Solar Cells with Antireflection and Self
      Cleaning Nanostructures.
AB  - Flexible thin film solar cells have attracted a great deal of attention as mobile
      power sources and key components for building-integrated photovoltaics, due to
      their light weight and flexible features in addition to compatibility with low
      cost roll-to-roll fabrication processes. Among many thin film materials,
      organometallic perovskite materials are emerging as highly promising candidates
      for high efficiency thin film photovoltaics; however, the performance,
      scalability, and reliability of the flexible perovskite solar cells still have
      large room to improve. Herein, we report highly efficient, flexible perovskite
      solar cells fabricated on ultrathin flexible glasses. In such a device structure,
      the flexible glass substrate is highly transparent and robust, with low thermal
      expansion coefficient, and perovskite thin film was deposited with a thermal
      evaporation method that showed large-scale uniformity. In addition, a nanocone
      array antireflection film was attached to the front side of the glass substrate
      in order to improve the optical transmittance and to achieve a water-repelling
      effect at the same time. It was found that the fabricated solar cells have
      reasonable bendability, with 96% of the initial value remaining after 200 bending
      cycles, and the power conversion efficiency was improved from 12.06 to 13.14% by
      using the antireflection film, which also demonstrated excellent
      superhydrophobicity. 

PMID- 26284608
TI  - Conjugation of Ciprofloxacin with Poly(2-oxazoline)s and Polyethylene Glycol via
      End Groups.
AB  - The antibiotic ciprofloxacin (CIP) was covalently attached to the chain end of
      poly(2-methyloxazoline) (PMOx), poly(2-ethyloxazoline) (PEtOx), and polyethylene
      glycol (PEG), and the antimicrobial activity of these conjugates was tested for
      Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas
      aeruginosa, and Kleisella pneumoniae. Chemical structures of the conjugates were
      proven by (1)H NMR and electron spray ionization mass spectrometry. The direct
      coupling of PMOx and CIP resulted in low antimicrobial activity. The coupling via
      a spacer afforded molecular weight dependent activity with a molar minimal
      inhibitory concentration that is even higher than that of the pristine CIP. The
      antimicrobial activity of the conjugates increases in the order of PMOx < PEtOx <
      PEG. Conjugation of CIP and a quaternary ammonium compound via PMOx did not
      result in higher activity, indicating no satellite group or synergistic effect of
      the different biocidal end groups. 

PMID- 26284609
TI  - Breath Figure: A Nature-Inspired Preparation Method for Ordered Porous Films.

PMID- 26284611
TI  - Increase in Multistate Foodborne Disease Outbreaks-United States, 1973-2010.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Changes in food production and distribution have increased
      opportunities for foods contaminated early in the supply chain to be distributed
      widely, increasing the possibility of multistate outbreaks. In recent decades,
      surveillance systems for foodborne disease have been improved, allowing officials
      to more effectively identify related cases and to trace and identify an
      outbreak's source. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed multistate foodborne
      disease outbreaks reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's
      Foodborne Disease Outbreak Surveillance System during 1973-2010. We calculated
      the percentage of multistate foodborne disease outbreaks relative to all
      foodborne disease outbreaks and described characteristics of multistate
      outbreaks, including the etiologic agents and implicated foods. RESULTS:
      Multistate outbreaks accounted for 234 (0.8%) of 27,755 foodborne disease
      outbreaks, 24,003 (3%) of 700,600 outbreak-associated illnesses, 2839 (10%) of
      29,756 outbreak-associated hospitalizations, and 99 (16%) of 628 outbreak
      associated deaths. The median annual number of multistate outbreaks increased
      from 2.5 during 1973-1980 to 13.5 during 2001-2010; the number of multistate
      outbreak-associated illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths also increased. Most
      multistate outbreaks were caused by Salmonella (47%) and Shiga toxin-producing
      Escherichia coli (26%). Foods most commonly implicated were beef (22%), fruits
      (13%), and leafy vegetables (13%). CONCLUSIONS: The number of identified and
      reported multistate foodborne disease outbreaks has increased. Improvements in
      detection, investigation, and reporting of foodborne disease outbreaks help
      explain the increasing number of reported multistate outbreaks and the increasing
      percentage of outbreaks that were multistate. Knowing the etiologic agents and
      foods responsible for multistate outbreaks can help to identify sources of food
      contamination so that the safety of the food supply can be improved.

PMID- 26284610
TI  - Glycolytic Reprogramming in Myofibroblast Differentiation and Lung Fibrosis.
AB  - RATIONALE: Dysregulation of cellular metabolism has been shown to participate in
      several pathologic processes. However, the role of metabolic reprogramming is not
      well appreciated in the pathogenesis of organ fibrosis. OBJECTIVES: To determine
      if glycolytic reprogramming participates in the pathogenesis of lung fibrosis and
      assess the therapeutic potential of glycolytic inhibition in treating lung
      fibrosis. METHODS: A cell metabolism assay was performed to determine glycolytic
      flux and mitochondrial respiration. Lactate levels were measured to assess
      glycolysis in fibroblasts and lungs. Glycolytic inhibition by genetic and
      pharmacologic approaches was used to demonstrate the critical role of glycolysis
      in lung fibrosis. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Augmentation of glycolysis is an
      early and sustained event during myofibroblast differentiation, which is
      dependent on the increased expression of critical glycolytic enzymes, in
      particular, 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-biphosphatase 3 (PFKFB3).
      Augmented glycolysis contributes to the stabilization of hypoxia-inducible factor
      1-alpha, a master regulator of glycolytic enzymes implicated in organ fibrosis,
      by increasing cellular levels of tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediate succinate
      in lung myofibroblasts. Inhibition of glycolysis by the PFKFB3 inhibitor 3PO or
      genomic disruption of the PFKFB3 gene blunted the differentiation of lung
      fibroblasts into myofibroblasts, and attenuated profibrotic phenotypes in
      myofibroblasts isolated from the lungs of patients with idiopathic pulmonary
      fibrosis. Inhibition of glycolysis by 3PO demonstrates therapeutic benefit in
      bleomycin-induced and transforming growth factor-beta1-induced lung fibrosis in
      mice. CONCLUSIONS: Our data support the novel concept of glycolytic reprogramming
      in the pathogenesis of lung fibrosis and provide proof-of-concept that targeting
      this pathway may be efficacious in treating fibrotic disorders, such as
      idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

PMID- 26284613
TI  - In vitro and in vivo comparison of the biological activities of two traditionally
      and widely used Arum species from Jordan: Arum dioscoridis Sibth & Sm. and Arum
      palaestinum Boiss.
AB  - Arum dioscoridis and A. palaestinum (Araceae) are indigenous plant species in
      Jordan. HPLC-MS analysis of A. dioscoridis revealed the presence of apigenin,
      luteolin, quercetin, quercetin-3-O-beta-glucoside, vitexin, isoorientin, esculin,
      and caffeic and ferulic acids. Both Arum spp., influenced gastrointestinal
      carbohydrate and lipid digestion and absorption. Orlistat inhibited dose
      dependently and highly substantially pancreatic lipase (PL) in vitro. Similar to
      orlistat, Arum species aqueous extracts (AEs), apigenin, caffeic acid and esculin
      exhibited a concentration related PL inhibition. Comparable to acarbose, dual
      inhibition of alpha-amylase/alpha-glucosidase was observed for both Arum species.
      Like guar gum, A. dioscoridis AE minimised substantially area under 24 h glucose
      curve. Acute starch-induced postprandial hyperglycaemia in overnight fasting rats
      was highly significantly (p < 0.001) decreased by A. dioscoridis AE. A.
      palaestinum could not perform effectively in either starch- or glucose-fed
      fasting rats. No antiproliferative effects against colorectal cancer cell lines
      HT29, HCT116 and SW620 were detected for tested Arum spp. 

PMID- 26284612
TI  - Phase 1 trial of carfilzomib (PR-171) in combination with vorinostat (SAHA) in
      patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell lymphomas.
AB  - A phase 1 study with carfilzomib and vorinostat was conducted in 20 B-cell
      lymphoma patients. Vorinostat was given orally twice daily on days 1, 2, 3, 8, 9,
      10, 15, 16, and 17 followed by carfilzomib (given as a 30-min infusion) on days
      1, 2, 8, 9, 15, and 16. A treatment cycle was 28 days. Dose escalation initially
      followed a standard 3 + 3 design, but adapted a more conservative accrual rule
      following dose de-escalation. The maximum tolerated dose was 20 mg/m2 carfilzomib
      and 100 mg vorinostat (twice daily). The dose-limiting toxicities were grade 3
      pneumonitis, hyponatremia, and febrile neutropenia. One patient had a partial
      response and two patients had stable disease. Correlative studies showed a
      decrease in NF-kappaB activation and an increase in Bim levels in some patients,
      but these changes did not correlate with clinical response.

PMID- 26284614
TI  - Transforming exoelectrogens for biotechnology using synthetic biology.
AB  - Extracellular electron transfer pathways allow certain bacteria to transfer
      energy between intracellular chemical energy stores and extracellular solids
      through redox reactions. Microorganisms containing these pathways,
      exoelectrogens, are a critical part of microbial electrochemical technologies
      that aim to impact applications in bioenergy, biosensing, and biocomputing.
      However, there are not yet any examples of economically viable microbial
      electrochemical technologies due to the limitations of naturally occurring
      exoelectrogens. Here we first briefly summarize recent discoveries in
      understanding extracellular electron transfer pathways, then review in-depth the
      creation of customized and novel exoelectrogens for biotechnological
      applications. We analyze engineering efforts to increase current production in
      native exoelectrogens, which reveals that modulating certain processes within
      extracellular electron transfer are more effective than others. We also review
      efforts to create new exoelectrogens and highlight common challenges in this
      work. Lastly, we summarize work utilizing engineered exoelectrogens for
      biotechnological applications and the key obstacles to their future development.
      Fueled by the development of genetic tools, these approaches will continue to
      expand and genetically modified organisms will continue to improve the outlook
      for microbial electrochemical technologies.

PMID- 26284615
TI  - Memory conjunction clusters: Influence of familiarity and recollection.
AB  - In the memory conjunction paradigm, the number of times that constituents of
      conjunction lures were studied and the method of presentation were varied. In two
      experiments, participants were presented with eight parent items that could be
      recombined at test to form a conjunction lure. The constituents that were shared
      between the parent items and the conjunction lures were either presented in the
      same words (e.g., blackmail and jailbird presented four times each for the
      conjunction lure blackbird) or in different words (e.g., the targets footstool,
      footlocker, foothill, footbridge, baseball, softball, basketball, and golfball
      for the conjunction lure football). In both experiments, rates of false
      recognition were higher in the Different condition as opposed to the Same
      condition. These results provide evidence that participants in the Same condition
      were able to utilise a recall-to-reject strategy by remembering the repeatedly
      presented parent word. In the Different condition, participants were not able to
      utilise that strategy and instead relied on the familiarity of the repeatedly
      presented constituents which led to higher rates of false recognition.

PMID- 26284616
TI  - Intractable Tangles in the Bird Family Tree.
AB  - Rapid sequential speciation events can outpace the fixation of genetic variants,
      resulting in a family tree that lacks clear branching patterns. A new study of
      bird genomes reveals such an explosive super-radiation that may coincide with the
      mass extinction at the end of the Cretaceous period. 

PMID- 26284617
TI  - Stakeholders' Perceptions on Shortage of Healthcare Workers in Primary Healthcare
      in Botswana: Focus Group Discussions.
AB  - BACKGROUND: An adequate health workforce force is central to universal health
      coverage and positive public health outcomes. However many African countries have
      critical shortages of healthcare workers, which are worse in primary healthcare.
      The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions of healthcare workers,
      policy makers and the community on the shortage of healthcare workers in
      Botswana. METHOD: Fifteen focus group discussions were conducted with three
      groups of policy makers, six groups of healthcare workers and six groups of
      community members in rural, urban and remote rural health districts of Botswana.
      All the participants were 18 years and older. Recruitment was purposive and the
      framework method was used to inductively analyse the data. RESULTS: There was a
      perceived shortage of healthcare workers in primary healthcare, which was
      believed to result from an increased need for health services, inequitable
      distribution of healthcare workers, migration and too few such workers being
      trained. Migration was mainly the result of unfavourable personal and family
      factors, weak and ineffective healthcare and human resources management, low
      salaries and inadequate incentives for rural and remote area service.
      CONCLUSIONS: Botswana has a perceived shortage of healthcare workers, which is
      worse in primary healthcare and rural areas, as a result of multiple complex
      factors. To address the scarcity the country should train adequate numbers of
      healthcare workers and distribute them equitably to sufficiently resourced
      healthcare facilities. They should be competently managed and adequately
      remunerated and the living conditions and rural infrastructure should also be
      improved.

PMID- 26284618
TI  - Butterfly Density and Behaviour in Uncut Hay Meadow Strips: Behavioural
      Ecological Consequences of an Agri-Environmental Scheme.
AB  - Sparing zones from mowing has been proposed, and applied, to improve local
      conditions for survival and reproduction of insects in hay meadows. However,
      little is known about the efficiency of refuge zones and the consequences for
      local populations. We studied population densities of butterflies before and
      after mowing in the refuge zone of 15 meadows in 2009 and 2011. We also studied
      the behaviour of the meadow brown (Maniola jurtina) comparing nectar use,
      interactions and flights in the refuge zone before and after mowing. Densities of
      grassland butterflies in this zone doubled on average after mowing. The density
      of females of M. jurtina increased on average fourfold, while males showed a more
      modest increase. In line with the idea of increased scramble competition in the
      refuge zone after mowing, M. jurtina increased the time spent on nectar feeding,
      the preferred nectar source was visited more frequently, and females made more
      use of non-preferred nectar sources. Maniola jurtina did not interact more with
      conspecifics after mowing, but interactions lasted longer. Flight tracks did not
      change in linearity, but were faster and shorter after mowing. After mowing, only
      a part of the local grassland butterflies moved to the uncut refuge zone. The
      resulting concentration effect alters the time allocated to different activities,
      nectar use and movements. These aspects have been largely ignored for agri
      environmental schemes and grassland management in nature reserves and raise
      questions about optimal quantities and quality of uncut refuge sites for
      efficient conservation of grassland arthropods in agricultural landscapes. 

PMID- 26284619
TI  - Dexamethasone-Mediated Activation of Fibronectin Matrix Assembly Reduces
      Dispersal of Primary Human Glioblastoma Cells.
AB  - Despite resection and adjuvant therapy, the 5-year survival for patients with
      Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is less than 10%. This poor outcome is largely
      attributed to rapid tumor growth and early dispersal of cells, factors that
      contribute to a high recurrence rate and poor prognosis. An understanding of the
      cellular and molecular machinery that drive growth and dispersal is essential if
      we are to impact long-term survival. Our previous studies utilizing a series of
      immortalized GBM cell lines established a functional causation between activation
      of fibronectin matrix assembly (FNMA), increased tumor cohesion, and decreased
      dispersal. Activation of FNMA was accomplished by treatment with Dexamethasone
      (Dex), a drug routinely used to treat brain tumor related edema. Here, we utilize
      a broad range of qualitative and quantitative assays and the use of a human GBM
      tissue microarray and freshly-isolated primary human GBM cells grown both as
      conventional 2D cultures and as 3D spheroids to explore the role of Dex and FNMA
      in modulating various parameters that can significantly influence tumor cell
      dispersal. We show that the expression and processing of fibronectin in a human
      GBM tissue-microarray is variable, with 90% of tumors displaying some abnormality
      or lack in capacity to secrete fibronectin or assemble it into a matrix. We also
      show that low-passage primary GBM cells vary in their capacity for FNMA and that
      Dex treatment reactivates this process. Activation of FNMA effectively "glues"
      cells together and prevents cells from detaching from the primary mass. Dex
      treatment also significantly increases the strength of cell-ECM adhesion and
      decreases motility. The combination of increased cohesion and decreased motility
      discourages in vitro and ex vivo dispersal. By increasing cell-cell cohesion, Dex
      also decreases growth rate of 3D spheroids. These effects could all be reversed
      by an inhibitor of FNMA and by the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, RU-486.
      Our results describe a new role for Dex as a suppressor of GBM dispersal and
      growth. 

PMID- 26284621
TI  - Predicting Outcome With Diffusion-Weighted Imaging in Cardiac Arrest Patients
      Receiving Hypothermia Therapy: Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Many comatose patients following cardiac arrest have ischemic brain
      injury. Diffusion-weighted imaging is a sensitive tool to identify hypoxic
      ischemic brain injury. The accurate prediction of the prognosis for comatose
      cardiac arrest survivors has been challenging, and thus, a multimodal approach,
      combining diffusion-weighted image findings, could be feasible. The aim of this
      study was to assess regional brain injury on diffusion-weighted imaging and to
      test the potential association with its neurologic outcome in patients treated
      with target temperature management after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. DESIGN
      AND SETTING: A multicenter, registry-based, retrospective cohort study was
      conducted using cases from 24 hospitals across South Korea. Of the 930 adult
      (>=18 yr) nontraumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients treated with
      target temperature management between January 2007 and December 2012 at these
      hospitals, we included the patients who underwent brain diffusion-weighted
      imaging in the first week after cardiac arrest. The brain regions examined
      included the four cerebral lobes, basal ganglia-thalamus, brain stem, and
      cerebellum. Imaging results were compared between a good neurologic outcome,
      defined as a cerebral performance category score of 1 or 2, and a poor neurologic
      outcome (cerebral performance category score>=3). MEASUREMENT AND MAIN RESULTS:
      Poor neurologic outcome occurred in 118 of the 172 patients analyzed (68.6%).
      Positive diffusion-weighted image findings, defined as any regional brain injury
      lesion in diffusion-weighted imaging, were present in 106 patients. Positive
      diffusion-weighted image findings had 93% sensitivity, 86% specificity, 76%
      positive predictive value, and 96% negative predictive value for a poor
      neurologic outcome. The poor outcome group had higher numbers of affected brain
      lesions than the good outcome group (3.8+/-1.9 vs 0.1+/-0.6; p<0.01). By
      multivariate analysis, positive diffusion-weighted image findings (odds ratio,
      58.2; 95% CI, 13.29-254.91) and lack of a shockable rhythm (odds ratio, 0.13; 95%
      CI, 0.03-0.57) were associated with a poor neurologic outcome. CONCLUSIONS:
      Diffusion-weighted imaging allows reliable prediction of poor neurologic outcome
      in comatose patients treated with target temperature management after out-of
      hospital cardiac arrest. Further prospective validation study will be required to
      generalize this result.

PMID- 26284620
TI  - DMD Mutations in 576 Dystrophinopathy Families: A Step Forward in Genotype
      Phenotype Correlations.
AB  - Recent advances in molecular therapies for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD)
      require precise genetic diagnosis because most therapeutic strategies are
      mutation-specific. To understand more about the genotype-phenotype correlations
      of the DMD gene we performed a comprehensive analysis of the DMD mutational
      spectrum in a large series of families. Here we provide the clinical,
      pathological and genetic features of 576 dystrophinopathy patients. DMD gene
      analysis was performed using the MLPA technique and whole gene sequencing in
      blood DNA and muscle cDNA. The impact of the DNA variants on mRNA splicing and
      protein functionality was evaluated by in silico analysis using computational
      algorithms. DMD mutations were detected in 576 unrelated dystrophinopathy
      families by combining the analysis of exonic copies and the analysis of small
      mutations. We found that 471 of these mutations were large intragenic
      rearrangements. Of these, 406 (70.5%) were exonic deletions, 64 (11.1%) were
      exonic duplications, and one was a deletion/duplication complex rearrangement
      (0.2%). Small mutations were identified in 105 cases (18.2%), most being
      nonsense/frameshift types (75.2%). Mutations in splice sites, however, were
      relatively frequent (20%). In total, 276 mutations were identified, 85 of which
      have not been previously described. The diagnostic algorithm used proved to be
      accurate for the molecular diagnosis of dystrophinopathies. The reading frame
      rule was fulfilled in 90.4% of DMD patients and in 82.4% of Becker muscular
      dystrophy patients (BMD), with significant differences between the mutation
      types. We found that 58% of DMD patients would be included in single exon-exon
      skipping trials, 63% from strategies directed against multiexon-skipping exons 45
      to 55, and 14% from PTC therapy. A detailed analysis of missense mutations
      provided valuable information about their impact on the protein structure. 

PMID- 26284623
TI  - Direct Dating and Physico-Chemical Analyses Cast Doubts on the Coexistence of
      Humans and Dwarf Hippos in Cyprus.
AB  - In the Mediterranean, the island dwarf megafaunas became extinct around the end
      of the Pleistocene, during a period of rapid and global climate change. In
      Cyprus, this coincided with the first human presence on the island, as attested
      by the rock shelter of Akrotiri-Aetokremnos where an Epipaleolithic anthropogenic
      layer (stratum 2) was found overlying a massive accumulation of pygmy
      hippopotamus (Phanourios minor (Desmarest, 1822)) [Boekschoten and Sondaar, 1972]
      bones (stratum 4). The relationship between the two layers is highly
      controversial and the role played by humans in hippo extinction remains fiercely
      debated. Here, we provide new, direct radiocarbon and physico-chemical analyses
      on calcined bones which elucidates the complex depositional history of the
      assemblage. Bone turquoise was identified using micro-PIXE analysis and depth
      profiling together with Vis spectroscopy, demonstrating that these bones were not
      freshly burned. Bayesian modeling of the radiocarbon dates indicates that stratum
      4 accumulated during the first half of the 13th mill cal BP and that calcination
      occurred several hundred years later. We conclude that accumulation occurred
      naturally during the beginning of the Younger Dryas and that Epipalaeolithic
      visitors subsequently used the bones as fuel, starting from the mid-13th mill cal
      BP. At that time, dwarf hippos were probably already extinct or at least highly
      endangered. Our results shed new light on the possible causes of hippo
      extinction, on the subsequent introduction of the wild boar and on the earliest
      occupation of the island by humans. 

PMID- 26284622
TI  - Dynein Heavy Chain, Encoded by Two Genes in Agaricomycetes, Is Required for
      Nuclear Migration in Schizophyllum commune.
AB  - The white-rot fungus Schizophyllum commune (Agaricomycetes) was used to study the
      cell biology of microtubular trafficking during mating interactions, when the two
      partners exchange nuclei, which are transported along microtubule tracks. For
      this transport activity, the motor protein dynein is required. In S. commune, the
      dynein heavy chain is encoded in two parts by two separate genes, dhc1 and dhc2.
      The N-terminal protein Dhc1 supplies the dimerization domain, while Dhc2 encodes
      the motor machinery and the microtubule binding domain. This split motor protein
      is unique to Basidiomycota, where three different sequence patterns suggest
      independent split events during evolution. To investigate the function of the
      dynein heavy chain, the gene dhc1 and the motor domain in dhc2 were deleted. Both
      resulting mutants were viable, but revealed phenotypes in hyphal growth
      morphology and mating behavior as well as in sexual development. Viability of
      strain Deltadhc2 is due to the higher expression of kinesin-2 and kinesin-14,
      which was proven via RNA sequencing. 

PMID- 26284624
TI  - Destabilization of the Quaternary Structure of Bovine Heart Cytochrome c Oxidase
      upon Removal of Tightly Bound Cardiolipin.
AB  - The quaternary structural stability of cardiolipin-containing (CcO(CL+)) versus
      CL-free cytochrome c oxidase (CcO(CL-)) was compared using structural perturbants
      as probes. Exposure to increasing concentrations of urea or guanidinium chloride
      causes sequential dissociation of five subunits from CcO(CL+) in the order VIa
      and VIb, followed by III and VIIa, and ultimately Vb. Removal of CL from CcO
      destabilizes the association of each of these five subunits with the core of CcO.
      Subunits VIa and VIb spontaneously dissociate from CcO(CL-) even in the absence
      of denaturant and are no longer present after purification of the CL-free 11
      subunit complex by ion exchange chromatography. The other 11 subunits remain
      associated in a partially active complex, but the association of subunits III,
      VIIa, and Vb is weakened; i.e., the midpoints for the subunit dissociation curves
      are each shifted to a lower perturbant concentration (lower by 1.1-1.7 M urea;
      lower by 0.3-0.4 M GdmCl). This corresponds to a decrease of ~9 kJ in the Gibbs
      free association energy for each of these subunits when CL is removed from CcO.
      With either CcO(CL+) or CcO(CL-), loss of enzymatic activity occurs coincident
      with dissociation of subunits III and VIIa. The loss of activity is irreversible,
      and reactivation of CcO(CL-) by exogenous CL occurs only if both subunits remain
      associated with the core of CcO. Inclusion of sulfate anions stabilizes the
      association of VIIa more than III, resulting in a slight separation of the urea
      induced dissociation curves. In this case, activity loss correlates much better
      with dissociation of subunit VIIa than III. We conclude that (1) bound
      cardiolipin is an important stabilizing factor in the quaternary structure of CcO
      and (2) association of subunit VIIa (possibly together with subunit III) is
      critical for functional CL binding and full electron-transfer activity of CcO. 

PMID- 26284626
TI  - Buckled diamond-like carbon nanomechanical resonators.
AB  - We have developed capacitively-transduced nanomechanical resonators using sp(2)
      rich diamond-like carbon (DLC) thin films as conducting membranes. The
      electrically conducting DLC films were grown by physical vapor deposition at a
      temperature of 500  degrees C. Characterizing the resonant response, we find a
      larger than expected frequency tuning that we attribute to the membrane being
      buckled upwards, away from the bottom electrode. The possibility of using buckled
      resonators to increase frequency tuning can be of advantage in rf applications
      such as tunable GHz filters and voltage-controlled oscillators. 

PMID- 26284627
TI  - Use of Air Transport for Minor Burns: Is There Room for Improvement?
AB  - Since 1981, the number of US burn centers has decreased by 29%, resulting in more
      long distance referrals to remaining facilities. Air transport is often the only
      feasible method for remote patients to reach few remaining burn centers. A
      significant proportion of flown-in patients have minor burns and are discharged
      within 24 hours, representing potential over-utilization of resources with
      increased cost to the healthcare system for no perceptible benefit. We explored
      factors associated with air transport of burns and opportunities for system
      improvement. Retrospective review of burn patients transferred by air to regional
      burn center between January 2003 and June 2013. Demographic, injury and clinical
      outcome data were acquired from the institutional Burn Registry. Minor burns
      constituted 17.7% of all flown admits (236/1331). Children were more likely to be
      included in this cohort at 32% vs 21.6% of adults (P = .0004). The overtriaged
      cohort had significantly lower % total BSA than accurately triaged cohort (3.3%
      vs 15%; P = .0001). Subjects with electrical burn injury were twice as likely to
      be overtriaged than accurately triaged (10.6% vs 5%; P = .002). The average %
      total BSA in the overtriaged group was 3.3%; the face was most common area burned
      (47.7%). The average estimate of charges for transfer was between $25,000 and
      30,000/patient. The incidence of overtriage among flown-in burn patients,
      approximately 20%, represents substantial unnecessary healthcare expenditure.
      Improved burn care education, incentives to increase use of telemedicine, and
      modification of American Burn Association guidelines to include consultation with
      a burn center rather than automatic transfer are needed to reduce this cost to
      the healthcare system.

PMID- 26284625
TI  - Phloroglucinol Attenuates the Cognitive Deficits of the 5XFAD Mouse Model of
      Alzheimer's Disease.
AB  - Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia among the elderly.
      Neuritic plaques whose primary component is amyloid beta peptide (Abeta) and
      neurofibrillary tangles which are composed of hyperphosphorylated tau, are known
      to be the neuropathological hallmarks of AD. In addition, impaired synaptic
      plasticity in neuronal networks is thought to be important mechanism underlying
      for the cognitive deficits observed in AD. Although various causative factors,
      including excitotoxicity, mitochondrial dysregulation and oxidative damage caused
      by Abeta, are involved in early onset of AD, fundamental therapeutics that can
      modify the progression of this disease are not currently available. In the
      present study, we investigated whether phloroglucinol (1, 3, 5
      trihydroxybenzene), a component of phlorotannins, which are plentiful in Ecklonia
      cava, a marine brown alga species, displays therapeutic activities in AD. We
      found that phloroglucinol attenuates the increase in reactive oxygen species
      (ROS) accumulation induced by oligomeric Abeta1-42 (Abeta1-42) treatment in HT
      22, hippocampal cell line. In addition, phloroglucinol was shown to ameliorate
      the reduction in dendritic spine density induced by Abeta1-42 treatment in rat
      primary hippocampal neuron cultures. We also found that the administration of
      phloroglucinol to the hippocampal region attenuated the impairments in cognitive
      dysfunction observed in 22-week-old 5XFAD (Tg6799) mice, which are used as an AD
      animal model. These results indicate that phloroglucinol displays therapeutic
      potential for AD by reducing the cellular ROS levels. 

PMID- 26284628
TI  - A Case of Argyria and Acute Leukopenia Associated with the Use of an
      Antimicrobial Soft Silicone Foam Dressing.
AB  - Silver has had an important role in preventing burn-related infections for
      decades. Relatively few side effects is one factor that has led to its wide
      spread use. Here, the authors present the first case of argyria, acute
      leukopenia, and possibly acute kidney injury associated with the use of a silver
      containing soft silicone foam dressing. A 56-year-old female was transferred to
      the burn center with an exfoliating skin condition involving 70% TBSA diagnosed
      as toxic epidermal necrolysis associated with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. On
      presentation she appeared to have clinical sepsis and was started on vancomycin
      and piperacillin/tazobactam. Clinical sepsis resolved within several days.
      Initial wound care consisted of daily topical double antibiotic and 3% bismuth
      tribromophenate petroleum gauze. After several days, the wounds were covered with
      a silver-containing soft silicone foam dressing. After 7 days, the leukocyte
      count declined from 18,000 to 600/cm. Silver toxicity was suspected and the
      dressings removed. Initial serum silver level was 190 and 249 MUg/L 1 week later.
      The leukocyte level normalized within 7 days. Over the following days and weeks,
      the patient's skin began to show blue-gray coloration consistent with argyria.
      The patient subsequently developed acute kidney injury requiring hemodialysis and
      multiple organ failure. Although controversy exists about the causal relationship
      between silver-containing dressings and leukopenia, the authors believe that this
      case represents a case of acute leukopenia and argyria from the use of a silver
      containing soft silicone foam dressing. It may have been a contributing factor to
      the development of acute kidney injury as well.

PMID- 26284629
TI  - Pediatric Frostbite Treated by Negative Pressure Wound Therapy.
AB  - Frostbite injury in children can lead to abnormal growth and premature fusion of
      the epiphyseal cartilage with long-term sequela including, but not limited to,
      arthroses, deformity, and amputation of the phalanges. This was a retrospective
      chart review of pediatric frostbite identified in an in-house burn center
      registry from March 1999 to March 2014. Therapeutic management included negative
      pressure wound therapy (NPWT). Three patients (age 16-31 months) had frostbitten
      hands because they were outside in cold weather without gloves. They presented
      within 24 hours after injury, underwent 5-6 days of NPWT after excision of
      blisters, and did not lose the distal portion of their digits, or require
      amputations. On follow-up, all hands were healed well with only minimal or no
      effect on the growth plate of these pediatric patients. In the early period after
      frostbite, NPWT may be beneficial in preserving the epiphyseal cartilage in
      children and preventing long-term complications.

PMID- 26284630
TI  - Geographic Mapping as a Tool for Identifying Communities at High Risk for Fires.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the sample of older adults in a
      home fire safety (HFS) study captured participants living in the areas at highest
      risk for fire occurrence. The secondary aim was to identify high risk areas to
      focus future HFS interventions. Geographic information systems software was used
      to identify census tracts where study participants resided. Census data for these
      tracts were compared with participant data based on seven risk factors (ie, age
      greater than 65 years, nonwhite race, below high school education, low
      socioeconomic status, rented housing, year home built, home value) previously
      identified in a fire risk model. The distribution of participants and census
      tracts among risk categories determined how well higher risk census tracts were
      sampled. Of the 46 census tracts where the HFS intervention was implemented, 78%
      (n = 36) were identified as high or severe risk according to the fire risk model.
      Study participants' means for median annual family income (P < .0001) and median
      home value (P < .0001) were significantly lower than the census tract means (n =
      46), indicating participants were at higher risk of fire occurrence. Of the 92
      census tracts identified as high or severe risk in the entire county, the study
      intervention was implemented in 39% (n = 36), indicating 56 census tracts as
      potential areas for future HFS interventions. The Geographic information system
      based fire risk model is an underutilized but important tool for practice that
      allows community agencies to develop, plan, and evaluate their outreach efforts
      and ensure the most effective use of scarce resources.

PMID- 26284632
TI  - Does Payer Type Influence Pediatric Burn Outcomes? A National Study Using the
      Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Kids' Inpatient Database.
AB  - Pediatric burns are a considerable source of injury in the United States.
      Socioeconomic status has been demonstrated to influence other disease outcomes.
      The goal of this study was to analyze national pediatric burn outcomes based on
      payer type. A retrospective study was designed using the Kids' Inpatient Database
      (KID), years 2000 to 2009. Patients 18 years of age and under with Major
      Diagnostic code number 22 for burn were included. A total of 22,965 patients were
      identified, estimating 37,856 discharges. Descriptive and bivariate statistics
      were performed. Multiple regression analysis was used to assess correlation of
      payer type with complications and length of stay (LOS). The majority of patients
      were Medicaid (52.3%). Medicaid patients were younger (4.25, P < .05), had a
      higher rate of being in the first quartile of their zipcode's income (46.26%, P <
      .05), and contained a higher proportion of African-Americans (30.01%, P < .05).
      Overall complication rate was higher among Medicaid patients than private
      insurance and self-pay patients (6.64 vs 5.51 and 4.35%, respectively, P = .11).
      Logistic regression analysis of complications showed that Medicaid coverage (P <
      .001) was associated with complications. The geometric mean LOS among Medicaid
      patients was 3.7 days compared with private insurance (3.5 days) and self-pay
      patients (3.1 days). Medicaid patients had longer LOS and more complications.
      Regression analysis revealed that payer type was a factor in LOS and overall
      complication rate. Identifying dissimilar outcomes based on patient and injury
      characteristics is critical in providing information on how to improve those
      outcomes.

PMID- 26284633
TI  - Active Dynamic Thermography is a Sensitive Method for Distinguishing Burn Wound
      Conversion.
AB  - Burn conversion is a contributor to morbidity that currently has no quantitative
      measurement system. Active dynamic thermography (ADT) has recently been
      characterized for the early assessment of burn wounds and resolves the three
      dimensional structure of materials by heat transfer analysis. As conversion is a
      product of physiological changes in three-dimensional structure, with subsequent
      modification of heat transfer properties, the authors hypothesize that ADT can
      specifically identify the process of burn conversion and serve as an important
      tool for burn care. A heated comb was used to create four contact burns separated
      by three interspaces on bilateral flanks of 18 rats, resulting in 144 burns and
      108 interspaces. Wounds were imaged by ADT and laser Doppler imaging (LDI) pre-
      and post-injury through hour 36, with a subset undergoing biopsy collection.
      Direct analysis of thermographic and perfusion data revealed an increasing
      difference between burns and interspaces by ADT with increasing injury severity
      (P < .05), while LDI characterized the opposite. Comparison of stasis zones to
      burns reveals the ability of ADT to distinguish these two regions in both
      intermediate and deep burns at every assessment (P < .05). In addition, when
      wounds are grouped as converting or not converting, ADT identifies by hour 12,
      wounds that will convert (P < .05). LDI identifies by hour 4 wounds that will not
      (P < .05). This study has demonstrated that ADT can directly identify burn wound
      conversion, while LDI can identify nonconverting wounds. Further advancement of
      ADT technology has the potential to guide real-time interventional techniques.

PMID- 26284634
TI  - Predictors of Mortality Among Pediatric Burn Patients in East Africa.
AB  - Little is known about the outcomes of pediatric burn patients in resource-limited
      and rural locations of the developing world. In March 2013, our pediatric burn
      unit existing in this setting established an electronic registry of all patients.
      The authors analyzed the registry to determine overall mortality rates and
      predictors of mortality, including that of underweight status and body part
      burned. The secure electronic database of all admissions was reviewed for age,
      gender, weight, burn percentage (TBSA%), body part burned, cause/place of injury,
      length of stay, underweight status, surgery performed, reason for discharge, and
      mortality. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression was used to
      determine the variables associated with mortality. Kaplan-Meier curves were also
      analyzed. A total of 211 cases (59.7% male) admitted from March 2013 to June 2014
      were reviewed. The median age, %TBSA, and length of stay were 2.0 years (1.3
      3.3), 8.0% (5.0-13.4), and 8.5 days (4-14). The overall mortality rate was 15/211
      (7.1%). Most injuries were unintentional (93.8%) scalds (85.3%) occurring in the
      home (98.1%). Two factors were significantly associated with mortality in the
      final multivariable model: %TBSA (odds ratio = 1.31 for 1% increase in %TBSA; 95%
      confidence interval = 1.17-1.46) and younger age (odds ratio = 0.20; 0.07-0.63).
      This study characterizes mortality among patients at a pediatric burn unit
      serving a rural population in the developing world. The majority of pediatric
      burns were unintentional scalds occurring in the home. %TBSA and lower age were
      the strongest predictors of mortality. Burn location and underweight status were
      not independent predictors of mortality. Overall mortality was 7.1%. These data
      are applicable to improving outcomes for patients in this burn unit and similar
      settings of its kind. 

PMID- 26284635
TI  - Burn Ear Reconstruction Using Porous Polyethylene Implants and Tissue Expansion.
AB  - Reconstruction of the external ear after a burn is particularly challenging. The
      nature of the injury poses many problems including excessive scar tissue, poor
      blood supply, and the lack of adequate and appropriate materials for a framework.
      The use of costochondral grafts often leads to marginal outcomes which do not
      justify the morbidity. Children under the age of 10 years commonly have
      insufficient cartilage for a graft. Medpor (Stryker, Kalamazoo, MI) offers
      minimal morbidity and a very effective result. In this series, the authors
      describe the experience using Medpor and scalp tissue expansion to reconstruct
      severely burned ears. A total of 16 pediatric patients underwent 18
      reconstructions, with two patients receiving bilateral procedures. All patients
      received Medpor implants. Thirteen patients were tissue expanded under the
      subgaleal plane before reconstruction, for concomitant scalp alopecia
      reconstruction. Eleven temporoparietal fascial flaps were performed. In the
      remaining patients, coverage of the implant was achieved by local advancement
      flaps. Only two patients had complications, with exposure of the construct after
      several years. In these two cases, the implants were removed. The experience has
      shown porous polyethylene reconstruction to be very efficient, with low morbidity
      and good cosmetic outcomes. Medpor is an excellent option for the reconstruction
      of both fully and partially burned ears as you may implant only the helical rim,
      base, or both pieces. The best results were achieved after tissue expansion and
      the use of the alopecic skin overlying a temporoparietal fascial flap. This has
      become the preferred method.

PMID- 26284631
TI  - Alcohol Modulation of the Postburn Hepatic Response.
AB  - The widespread and rapidly increasing trend of binge drinking is accompanied by a
      concomitant rise in the prevalence of trauma patients under the influence of
      alcohol at the time of their injury. Epidemiological evidence suggests up to half
      of all adult burn patients are intoxicated at the time of admission, and the
      presence of alcohol is an independent risk factor for death in the early stages
      post burn. As the major site of alcohol metabolism and toxicity, the liver is a
      critical determinant of postburn outcome, and experimental evidence implies an
      injury threshold exists beyond which burn-induced hepatic derangement is
      observed. Alcohol may lower this threshold for postburn hepatic damage through a
      variety of mechanisms including modulation of extrahepatic events, alteration of
      the gut-liver axis, and changes in signaling pathways. The direct and indirect
      effects of alcohol may prime the liver for the second-hit of many overlapping
      physiologic responses to burn injury. In an effort to gain a deeper understanding
      of how alcohol potentiates postburn hepatic damage, the authors summarize
      possible mechanisms by which alcohol modulates the postburn hepatic response.

PMID- 26284637
TI  - Need for Mechanical Ventilation in Pediatric Scald Burns: Why it Happens and Why
      it Matters.
AB  - Scald burns are the most common thermal injury among children. A small subset of
      pediatric scald burns are complicated by the need for mechanical ventilation
      (MV). Studies suggest that 4 to 5% of pediatric scald burns will require MV, and
      these patients tend to be younger with larger burns. Identifying why pediatric
      patients with scald burns require MV has remained unclear, and few studies have
      sought to elucidate possible mechanisms. After institutional review board
      approval, a retrospective review of all pediatric patients with scald burns
      admitted to the Burn Center between 2010 and 2013 was conducted. Variables
      collected included age, sex, weight, height, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic
      status or type of insurance, hospital length of stay, burn size and location,
      Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) involvement, time to intubation
      from admission, reason for intubation, need for MV, duration of MV, need for
      operative intervention, 24-hour and 48-hour total fluid intake and urine output,
      glucose levels, infectious complications, comorbidities, and mortality. Patients
      who required MV were then compared with those who did not require MV to identify
      statistically significant differences between groups. The MV patients (n = 6) and
      nonventilated patients (n = 339) did not show significant differences in regards
      to gender, body mass index, ethnicity, and type of insurance; however, MV
      patients were younger and had larger burns. The mean age of MV patients was 8.2 +
      5.0 months compared with 40.7 + 45.2 months for non-MV (P = .002). The mean
      percentage of TBSA burn in MV patients was 17.3 + 9.0% compared with 4.5 + 3.9%
      for non-MV (P < .001). Burn location was significant, and 66.6% of MV patients
      had burns on the face or neck compared with 23.6% of non-MV (P = .015). MV
      patients were more likely to have been victims of child abuse, as DCFS was
      involved in 67% of MV patients vs. 28% of non-MV patients (P = .036). Fifty
      percent of patients requiring MV had either a preceding upper respiratory
      infection, diagnosis of asthma, or congenital defects, compared with 6% of non-MV
      patients (P = .004). MV patients received more fluids for 48 hours compared with
      non-MV patients (2275.7 vs. 1332.3 ml, P = .013) and had a higher 48-hour urine
      output (2.34 vs. 1.34 ml/kg/hr, P = .013). Pediatric scald burns that require MV
      have an increased mortality risk and length of stay. MV patients were younger
      with larger burns. They received more fluids than non-MV patients, and child
      abuse, asthma, and stress hyperglycemia within the first 72 hours of injury were
      common among MV patients. Importantly, burn size and previous history of asthma
      were found to be independent predictors of the need for MV.

PMID- 26284636
TI  - Practice Guidelines for Cardiovascular Fitness and Strengthening Exercise
      Prescription After Burn Injury.
AB  - The objective of this review was to systematically evaluate the available
      clinical evidence for the prescription of strength training and cardiovascular
      endurance exercise programs for pediatric and adult burn survivors so that
      practice guidelines could be proposed. This review provides evidence-based
      recommendations specifically for rehabilitation professionals who are responsible
      for burn survivor rehabilitation. Summary recommendations were made after the
      literature was retrieved by systematic review, was critically appraised by
      multiple authors and the level of evidence determined in accordance with the
      Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine criteria. Although gaps in the
      literature persist and should be addressed in future research projects,
      currently, strong research evidence supports the prescription of strength
      training and aerobic conditioning exercise programs for both adult and pediatric
      burn survivors when in the presence of strength limitations and/or decreased
      cardiovascular endurance after evaluation.

PMID- 26284638
TI  - Is Real-Time Feedback of Burn-Specific Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in
      Clinical Settings Practical and Useful? A Pilot Study Implementing the Young
      Adult Burn Outcome Questionnaire.
AB  - Long-term follow-up care of survivors after burn injuries can potentially be
      improved by the application of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). PROMs
      can inform clinical decision-making and foster communication between the patient
      and provider. There are no previous reports using real-time, burn-specific PROMs
      in clinical practice to track and benchmark burn recovery over time. This study
      examines the feasibility of a computerized, burn-specific PROM, the Young Adult
      Burn Outcome Questionnaire (YABOQ), with real-time benchmarking feedback in a
      burn outpatient practice. The YABOQ was redesigned for formatting and
      presentation purposes using images and transcribed to a computerized format. The
      redesigned questionnaire was administered to young adult burn survivors (ages 19
      30 years, 1-24 months from injury) via an ipad platform in the office before
      outpatient visits. A report including recovery curves benchmarked to a nonburned
      relatively healthy age-matched population and to patients with similar injuries
      was produced for the domains of physical function and social function limited by
      appearance. A copy of the domain reports as well as a complete copy of the
      patient's responses to all domain questions was provided for use during the
      clinical visit. Patients and clinicians completed satisfaction surveys at the
      conclusion of the visit. Free-text responses, included in the satisfaction
      surveys, were treated as qualitative data adding contextual information about the
      assessment of feasibility. Eleven patients and their providers completed the
      study for 12 clinical visits. All patients found the ipad survey and report
      "easy" or "very easy" to use. In nine instances, patients "agreed" or "strongly
      agreed" that it helped them communicate their situation to their doctor/nurse
      practitioner. Patients "agreed" or "strongly agreed" that the report helped them
      understand their course of recovery in 10 visits. In 11 visits, the patients
      "agreed" or "strongly agreed" that they would recommend this feedback to others.
      Qualitative comments included: "it helped organize my thoughts of recovery," "it
      opened lines of communication with the doctor," "it showed me how far I have
      come, and how far I need to go," and "it raised questions I would not have
      thought of." Only four of 12 provider surveys agreed that it helped them
      understand a patient's condition; however, in two visits, the providers stated
      that it helped identify a pertinent clinical issue. During two visits, providers
      stated that a treatment plan was discussed or recommended based on the survey
      results. Separately, qualitative comments from the providers included "survey was
      not sensitive enough to identify that this patient needed surgery for their
      scars." This is the first report describing clinical use of a burn-specific
      patient reported outcome measure. Real-time feedback using the ipad YABOQ was
      well received for the most part by the clinicians and burn survivors in the
      outpatient clinic setting. The information provided by the reports can be tested
      in a future randomized controlled clinical study evaluating impacts on physician
      decisions. 

PMID- 26284639
TI  - A Novel Biodegradable Polyurethane Matrix for Auricular Cartilage Repair: An In
      Vitro and In Vivo Study.
AB  - Auricular reconstruction poses a challenge for reconstructive and burns surgeons.
      Techniques involving cartilage tissue engineering have shown potential in recent
      years. A biodegradable polyurethane matrix developed for dermal reconstruction
      offers an alternative to autologous, allogeneic, or xenogeneic biologicals for
      cartilage reconstruction. This study assesses such a polyurethane matrix for this
      indication in vivo and in vitro. To evaluate intrinsic cartilage repair, three
      pigs underwent auricular surgery to create excisional cartilage +/- perichondrial
      defects, measuring 2 * 3 cm in each ear, into which acellular polyurethane
      matrices were implanted. Biopsies were taken at day 28 for histological
      assessment. Porcine chondrocytes +/- perichondrocytes were cultured and seeded in
      vitro onto 1 * 1 cm polyurethane scaffolds. The total culture period was 42 days;
      confocal, histological, and immunohistochemical analyses of scaffold cultures
      were performed on days 14, 28, and 42. In vivo, the polyurethane matrices
      integrated with granulation tissue filling all biopsy samples. Minimal
      neocartilage invasion was observed marginally on some samples. Tissue composition
      was identical between ears whether perichondrium was left intact, or not. In
      vitro, the polyurethane matrix was biocompatible with chondrocytes +/-
      perichondrocytes and supported production of extracellular matrix and Type II
      collagen. No difference was observed between chondrocyte culture alone and
      chondrocyte/perichondrocyte scaffold coculture. The polyurethane matrix
      successfully integrated into the auricular defect and was a suitable scaffold in
      vitro for cartilage tissue engineering, demonstrating its potential application
      in auricular reconstruction.

PMID- 26284640
TI  - More Than One Third of Intubations in Patients Transferred to Burn Centers are
      Unnecessary: Proposed Guidelines for Appropriate Intubation of the Burn Patient.
AB  - Advanced Burn Life Support emphasizes endotracheal intubation for patients with
      facial burns before transfer to a burn center to prevent airway obstruction. Many
      patients are intubated before transport and are often extubated shortly after
      burn center arrival. We hypothesize that many intubations performed before burn
      center transport are unnecessary. We conducted a retrospective review of all
      adults who were intubated before burn transfer and survived to discharge from
      August 2003 to June 2013. Intubations that had 2 or fewer ventilator days (i.e.,
      potentially unnecessary intubations) were compared with those lasting longer than
      2 days. Data collected included age, ventilator days, length of stay, % TBSA
      burn, % second degree, % third degree, % second degree face burn, % third degree
      face burn, and origin of burns. A total of 416 patient met inclusion criteria. Of
      these, 129 patients (31.0%) were intubated less than or equal to 1 day, and a
      total of 171 (40.1%) patients remained intubated for less than or equal to 2
      days. Patients who were intubated less than or equal to 2 days differed from
      those intubated more than 2 days with respect to % TBSA burn (10.2 +/- 8.1 vs
      30.8 +/- 19.7, P < .001), % third degree burn (2.84 +/- 5.6 vs 22.5 +/- 19.6, P <
      .001), % third degree face burn (0.14 +/- 0.7 vs 0.94 +/- 1.9, P < .001), and
      hospital days (11.7 +/- 10.6 vs 50.7 +/- 43.7, P < .001). Additionally, patients
      who were intubated less than or equal to 2 days were more likely to have been
      intubated in the pre-burn center setting (74.9% vs 51.8%, P < .001) and to have
      been burned outdoors (42.1% vs 24.9%; P < .001) than those who were intubated
      more than 2 days. Multivariate analysis revealed that intubation longer than 2
      days was independently associated with older age and larger % TBSA burn. There
      were no reintubations in patients who were intubated 2 days or less. As a burn
      community, we have emphasized early intubation before transfer for those who have
      sustained significant burns, inhalational injury, or facial burns. Unfortunately,
      this has led to many potentially unnecessary intubations that expose patients to
      unnecessary complications. Although early intubation is a lifesaving intervention
      for many burn patients, criteria should be developed to determine when intubation
      is not needed.

PMID- 26284641
TI  - Morphological Changes in Subcutaneous White Adipose Tissue After Severe Burn
      Injury.
AB  - Severe burn injury produces a plethora of metabolic abnormalities which
      contribute to the prolonged morbidity of burn survivors. The authors have
      recently demonstrated trans-differentiation of white adipose tissue (WAT) after
      burn trauma, toward a more thermogenic phenotype. However, the impact of burn
      injury on subcutaneous WAT (sWAT) morphology in humans is unknown. Here, the
      authors studied the effect of severe burn injury on the architecture of sWAT.
      sWAT was collected from 11 severely burned children (11 +/- 3 years; 55 +/- 16%
      total BSA burned) and 12 nonburned healthy children (9 +/- 3 years). Histology,
      electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence were performed
      on fixed adipose tissue sections. sWAT cytokine and collagen concentrations were
      measured by multiplex assay and sirius/fast green staining method, respectively.
      sWAT histology demonstrated multiple fat droplets, significantly (P < .05)
      reduced mean cell size (104 +/- 6 vs 68 +/- 3 MUm) and higher collagen content (7
      +/- 0.8 vs 4 +/- 0.4) in burn patients. sWAT from burn victims stained positive
      for CD68 suggesting infiltration of macrophages. Furthermore, electron
      microscopic analysis showed multiple fat droplets and greater mitochondrial
      abundance in sWAT of burn survivors. In agreement with this, mitochondrial
      respiratory capacity in the leak and coupled state increased by 100% in sWAT of
      burned children from 1 to 3 weeks postinjury. The cytokines IL-6, IL-8, IL-13, IL
      1a, IL-1b, MCP-1, and TNF-alpha were all significantly greater in the sWAT of
      burned children versus healthy children (P < .05). Furthermore, IL-6, IL-8, IL1
      a, IL-1b, and TNF-alpha significantly increased after injury in sWAT of burned
      children (P < .05). This study provides detailed evidence of morphological and
      functional changes in sWAT of burn survivors which was associated with tissue
      inflammation. A better understanding of morphological and functional changes in
      sWAT will help discern the mechanisms underlying hypermetabolism in burned
      patients. 

PMID- 26284642
TI  - The National Incidence and Resource Utilization of Burn Injuries Sustained While
      Smoking on Home Oxygen Therapy.
AB  - Considerable risk of burn injury exists for those patients on home oxygen therapy
      (HOT) who continue to smoke. In this study, the authors sought to establish the
      national incidence of burns incurred while smoking on HOT and to determine the
      resource utilization and sequelae of these injuries. A retrospective review of
      the American Burn Association's National Burn Repository was conducted to
      identify patients burned while on HOT during the years 2002 to 2011. Duplicate
      entries, as well as records of follow-up visits and readmissions, were removed.
      Univariate analysis was used to compare the differences between patients
      sustaining burn injuries related to HOT and patients with other mechanisms of
      injury. Multivariate analysis provided odds ratios for mortality controlling for
      all significant variables. The frequency of burns sustained on HOT significantly
      increased during the 10-year period reviewed and were associated with increased
      comorbidities and certain complications. Compared with non-HOT injuries, HOT
      injuries had higher incidence of inhalation injury and mortality. Inhalation
      injury was the strongest predictor of mortality in HOT burn injuries. The
      likelihood of poor prognosis was even more pronounced in patients who required
      intubation. Smoking was responsible for 83% of the HOT burn injuries described
      here. Therefore, smoking cessation counseling and treatment should be mandatory
      in all patients prescribed HOT. 

PMID- 26284643
TI  - Development of a Fire Risk Model to Identify Areas of Increased Potential for
      Fire Occurrences.
AB  - The purposes of this study were to use geographic information systems to create a
      cartographic risk model predicting areas of increased potential for fire
      occurrences and to validate the model. Seven literature-identified risk factors
      associated with burn injury were older than 65 years, non-white race, below high
      school education, low socioeconomic status, rented housing, year home built, and
      home value. Geographic information system methods were used in risk factor model
      development. Model validation occurred using residential county fire dispatch
      data and statistical analysis. Areas of high and severe risk were primarily
      located in the northwestern and central county regions. A strong correlation (r =
      .66) was found between risk model scores and fire incidence rates. Significant
      differences in mean fire rates by risk category (F (187,3) = 87.58, P < .0001)
      were found, with the exception of the low and medium risk categories. Fire
      incidence rates among census tracts showed positive spatial autocorrelation
      (Moran's I = 0.542, P < .0001) producing a map showing a significant cluster of
      high fire incidence in the northwestern region. The risk model has potential to
      lead to more targeted and effective fire prevention education programs. Such
      models would allow fire departments to focus limited resources in areas of
      highest fire risk. 

PMID- 26284645
TI  - Coronary Flow Velocity Reserve in Burn Injury: A Prospective Clinical Cohort
      Study.
AB  - The authors sought to evaluate coronary microvascular function and left
      ventricular diastolic dysfunction using transthoracic Doppler echocardiography in
      burn patients. In this study, 32 adult burn patients with partial or full
      thickness scald burns that were hospitalized and treated were included. The
      control group was matched for age and sex and was composed of otherwise healthy
      volunteers. Transthoracic Doppler echocardiography examinations and simultaneous
      laboratory tests for cardiac evaluation were performed on the sixth month after
      burn injury as well as with the control group. High-sensitivity C-reactive
      protein levels were significantly higher in the burn patients than in controls
      (5.17 +/- 3.86 vs 2.42 +/- 1.78; P = .001). Lateral isovolumic relaxation time
      was significantly higher in the burn injury group than in the control group (92.7
      +/- 15.7 vs 85.5 +/- 8.3; P = .03). Baseline coronary diastolic peak flow
      velocity of the left anterior descending artery was similar in both groups.
      However, hyperemic diastolic peak flow velocity and coronary flow velocity
      reserve (2.26 +/- 0.48 vs 2.94 +/- 0.47; P < .001) were significantly lower in
      the burn injury group than in the control group. Coronary flow velocity reserve
      was significantly and inversely correlated with high-sensitivity C-reactive
      protein, burn ratio, creatinine, and mitral A-wave max velocity. At the sixth
      month of treatment, burn patients had high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels
      during this period, suggesting that inflammation still exists. In addition,
      subclinical coronary microvascular and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction can
      occur in burn patients without traditional cardiovascular risk factors. However,
      these results must be supported by additional studies.

PMID- 26284646
TI  - Development and Implementation of an Innovative Burn Nursing Handbook for Quality
      Improvement.
AB  - Evidence-based burn nursing literature is extremely limited and often
      nonexistent. As a result, there is a lack of standardization in burn nursing
      care. Our objective was to evaluate burn nursing knowledge at an academic medical
      center and to implement innovative educational tools to enhance staff competency
      and improve the quality of care. A collaboration of practicing clinical nurses
      developed a 24-question knowledge assessment survey (presurvey) to evaluate
      fundamental burn nursing knowledge (fluid management, burn pathophysiology, burn
      related procedures, wound care, and infection control). Pre-education knowledge
      surveys were administered to 59 burn nurses electronically. A writing team of new
      and experienced nurses was established and a 51-page handbook focusing on areas
      of need identified in the survey developed. This book was disseminated to staff
      as required for reading. Post-educational surveys were sent to the same nurses
      who completed the initial survey. Forty-six nurses (46/59, 78.0%) completed the
      survey, with a mean (SD) of 55.9 (11.0)% of questions being answered correctly.
      Postsurveys sent to the same 46 nurses who completed the presurvey had a response
      rate of 78.3% (36/46). We observed a significant increase in correctly answered
      questions (mean [SD]: 69.6 [8.7]%, P < .001) in the postsurvey intervention. The
      handbook improved education and significantly improved overall fundamental burn
      knowledge of practicing nursing staff. The use of electronic surveys to drive
      development of targeted educational interventions provides evidence-based tools
      for establishing burn nursing standards and developing quality improvement
      metrics. 

PMID- 26284647
TI  - Simultaneous Extended ALT Flaps for Foot Salvage After Severe Frostbite.
AB  - Plantar area reconstruction represents the most challenging part of the lower
      limb. The anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap proved to be a versatile flap for this
      special area. Herein, we present the application of bilateral ALT free flaps for
      foot salvage after frostbite injury and long-term follow-up. Single perforator
      bilateral ALT flaps (304 and 320 cm(2)) were harvested and anastomosed to
      posterior tibial vessels. The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve was anastomosed to
      the calcaneal branches of the posterior tibial nerve. The two-point
      discrimination test showed values from 16 to 28 mm in different flap areas 5
      years later. The patient is able to walk with crutches. This is the first case
      report of bilateral ALT for foot salvage.

PMID- 26284648
TI  - "It Happened in Seconds" Firefighter Burn Prevention Program: Evaluation of a
      "Train the Trainer" Course.
AB  - Each year, there are approximately 100 firefighter fatalities and tens of
      thousands of injuries in the United States. 'It Happened in Seconds' is a
      firefighter burn injury awareness program offered to firefighters nationwide. The
      course focuses on situational awareness, personal protective equipment, and burn
      injury prevention. In order to create more instructors, a 'Train the Trainer'
      instructor course was developed to prepare experienced firefighters and
      healthcare providers from around the United States to teach firefighters in their
      respective communities. This study evaluates trainees' perception of the
      instructor course. Three instructor courses were held in a period between
      November 2013 and January 2015. Trainees were asked to complete both
      precourse/postcourse assessments and provide demographics. In both surveys,
      trainees rated their confidence to instruct firefighters about burn prevention
      and their awareness about firefighter-specific burn issues using a 5-point Likert
      Scale (1 = none and 5 = high). The postassessment asked if trainees thought the
      course should be mandatory for all firefighters. Pretest and post-test scores
      were compared using a Wilcoxon's signed-rank test. A total of 140 experienced
      firefighters and healthcare professionals completed the Train the Trainer course.
      The average age was 40 +/- 9 years, and 41 were women and 99 men. The average
      trainee had 13.6 +/- 9 years experience in his or her respective job and 11 +/- 9
      years experience in burn care. Trainees reported a significant increase in their
      confidence to instruct firefighters about burn prevention (2.9/5 precourse vs.
      4.5/5 postcourse, P < .0001) and in their current awareness of firefighter
      specific burn issues (3.2 precourse vs. 4.4 postcourse, P < .0001). In the
      postcourse assessment, 139 of 140 respondents agreed that the 'It Happened in
      Seconds' course should be mandatory for all firefighters. This study showed that
      experienced firefighters and healthcare professionals thought that the course
      significantly improved their awareness level of issues specific to firefighter
      burn injury as well as their confidence in teaching these concepts to
      firefighters. Based on this positive evaluation, additional instructors will be
      trained to provide the course to all firefighters nationwide. Additional research
      must be conducted to evaluate whether the 'It Happened in Seconds' course results
      in a decreased rate of firefighter burn injuries.

PMID- 26284649
TI  - Diversified Control Paths: A Significant Way Disease Genes Perturb the Human
      Regulatory Network.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The complexity of biological systems motivates us to use the
      underlying networks to provide deep understanding of disease etiology and the
      human diseases are viewed as perturbations of dynamic properties of networks.
      Control theory that deals with dynamic systems has been successfully used to
      capture systems-level knowledge in large amount of quantitative biological
      interactions. But from the perspective of system control, the ways by which
      multiple genetic factors jointly perturb a disease phenotype still remain.
      RESULTS: In this work, we combine tools from control theory and network science
      to address the diversified control paths in complex networks. Then the ways by
      which the disease genes perturb biological systems are identified and quantified
      by the control paths in a human regulatory network. Furthermore, as an
      application, prioritization of candidate genes is presented by use of control
      path analysis and gene ontology annotation for definition of similarities. We use
      leave-one-out cross-validation to evaluate the ability of finding the gene
      disease relationship. Results have shown compatible performance with previous
      sophisticated works, especially in directed systems. CONCLUSIONS: Our results
      inspire a deeper understanding of molecular mechanisms that drive pathological
      processes. Diversified control paths offer a basis for integrated intervention
      techniques which will ultimately lead to the development of novel therapeutic
      strategies.

PMID- 26284650
TI  - Sympathetic Activation Does Not Affect the Cardiac and Respiratory Contribution
      to the Relationship between Blood Pressure and Pial Artery Pulsation Oscillations
      in Healthy Subjects.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Using a novel method called near-infrared transillumination
      backscattering sounding (NIR-T/BSS) that allows for the non-invasive measurement
      of pial artery pulsation (cc-TQ) and subarachnoid width (sas-TQ) in humans, we
      assessed the influence of sympathetic activation on the cardiac and respiratory
      contribution to blood pressure (BP) cc-TQ oscillations in healthy subjects.
      METHODS: The pial artery and subarachnoid width response to handgrip (HGT) and
      cold test (CT) were studied in 20 healthy subjects. The cc-TQ and sas-TQ were
      measured using NIR-T/BSS; cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) was measured using
      Doppler ultrasound of the left internal carotid artery; heart rate (HR) and beat
      to-beat mean BP were recorded using a continuous finger-pulse
      photoplethysmography; respiratory rate (RR), minute ventilation (MV), end-tidal
      CO2 (EtCO2) and end-tidal O2 (EtO2) were measured using a metabolic and
      spirometry module of the medical monitoring system. Wavelet transform analysis
      was used to assess the relationship between BP and cc-TQ oscillations. RESULTS:
      HGT evoked an increase in BP (+15.9%; P<0.001), HR (14.7; P<0.001), SaO2 (+0.5;
      P<0.001) EtO2 (+2.1; P<0.05) RR (+9.2%; P = 0.05) and MV (+15.5%; P<0.001), while
      sas-TQ was diminished (-8.12%; P<0.001), and a clear trend toward cc-TQ decline
      was observed (-11.0%; NS). CBFV (+2.9%; NS) and EtCO2 (-0.7; NS) did not change
      during HGT. CT evoked an increase in BP (+7.4%; P<0.001), sas-TQ (+3.5%; P<0.05)
      and SaO2(+0.3%; P<0.05). HR (+2.3%; NS), CBFV (+2.0%; NS), EtO2 (-0.7%; NS) and
      EtCO2 (+0.9%; NS) remained unchanged. A trend toward decreased cc-TQ was observed
      (-5.1%; NS). The sas-TQ response was biphasic with elevation during the first 40
      seconds (+8.8% vs. baseline; P<0.001) and subsequent decline (+4.1% vs. baseline;
      P<0.05). No change with respect to wavelet coherence and wavelet phase coherence
      was found between the BP and cc-TQ oscillations. CONCLUSIONS: Short sympathetic
      activation does not affect the cardiac and respiratory contribution to the
      relationship between BP-cc-TQ oscillations. HGT and CT display divergent effects
      on the width of the subarachnoid space, an indirect marker of changes in
      intracranial pressure.

PMID- 26284651
TI  - Photochromism and Photomagnetism of a 3d-4f Hexacyanoferrate at Room Temperature.
AB  - Polycyanometallate compounds with both photochromism and photomagnetism have
      appealing applications in optical switches and memories, but such optical
      behaviors were essentially restricted to the cryogenic temperature. We realized,
      for the first time, the photochromism and photomagnetism of 3d-4f
      hexacyanoferrates at room temperature (RT) in
      [Eu(III)(18C6)(H2O)3]Fe(III)(CN)6.2H2O (18C6 = 18-crown-6). Photoinduced electron
      transfer (PET) from crown to Fe(III) yields long-lived charge-separated species
      at RT in air in the solid state and also weakens the magnetic susceptibility
      significantly. The PET mechanism and changing trend of photomagnetism differ
      significantly from those reported for known 3d-4f hexacyanoferrates. This work
      not only develops a new type of inorganic-organic hybrid photochromic material
      but opens a new avenue for RT photomagnetic polycyanometallate compounds. 

PMID- 26284653
TI  - Do Childhood Infections Contribute to Adult Cardiometabolic Diseases?

PMID- 26284652
TI  - Effectiveness of the Ten-valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Against
      Tympanostomy Tube Placements in a Cluster-randomized Trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We evaluated the impact of the new pneumococcal Haemophilus
      influenzae protein D conjugate vaccine (PHiD-CV10, GSK Vaccines) on tympanostomy
      tube placements (TTPs). METHODS: Finnish Invasive Pneumococcal disease vaccine
      trial was a nationwide phase III/IV cluster-randomized, double-blind trial.
      Children younger than 19 months received PHiD-CV10 in two thirds of clusters (N =
      52) or hepatitis B or A vaccine as control in 26 clusters according to 3 + 1 or 2
      + 1 schedules (infants younger than 7 months) or catch-up schedules. A secondary
      objective of the trial was to assess vaccine effectiveness (VE) against TTPs in
      children who received at least one vaccine dose before or after 7 months of age.
      Blinded follow-up lasted from the date of first vaccination (from February 2009
      through October 2010) to December 31, 2011. Outcome data were collected through
      the National Care register and Social Insurance Institution reimbursement
      register. RESULTS: More than 47,000 children were enrolled. In 30,527 infants
      younger than 7 months of age at enrolment, 4369 TTPs were reported in 3594
      subjects. The incidence was 7.9 per 100 person-years in the infant control
      cohort. The VE estimate was 13% [95% confidence interval (CI): -2% to 26%] for
      combined PHiD-CV10 3 + 1 and 2 + 1 infant schedules. The VE estimates for the 3 +
      1 and 2 + 1 infant schedules when estimated separately were similar. For the
      catch-up schedules, the VE was 11% (95% CI: -7% to 26%) for children enrolled at
      7-11 months of age and -1% (95% CI: -21% to 16%) for children enrolled at 12-18
      months of age. CONCLUSIONS: Our study results suggest that PHiD-CV10 immunization
      according to a 3 + 1 or 2 + 1 schedule initiated before 12 months of age may
      reduce the frequency of TTPs, although the primary analysis did not reach
      statistical significance.

PMID- 26284654
TI  - Extended-Spectrum beta-Lactamases and/or Carbapenemases-Producing
      Enterobacteriaceae Isolated from Retail Chicken Meat in Zagazig, Egypt.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence and to
      characterize extended-spectrum beta-lactamases- and/or carbapenemases-producing
      Enterobacteriaceae among Enterobacteriaceae isolated from retail chicken meat in
      Zagazig, Egypt. METHODS: One hundred and six Enterobacteriaceae isolates were
      collected from retail chicken meat samples purchased in Zagazig, Egypt in 2013.
      Species identification was done by MALDI-TOF MS. Screening for ESBL-E was
      performed by inoculation of isolates recovered from meat samples onto the EbSA
      (Cepheid Benelux, Apeldoorn, the Netherlands) selective screening agar. ESBL
      production was confirmed by combination disc diffusion test with clavulanic acid
      (Rosco, Taastrup, Denmark). Carbapenemases production was confirmed with double
      disk synergy tests. Resistance genes were characterized by PCR with specific
      primers for TEM, SHV, and CTX-M and carbapenemases (KPC, NDM, OXA-48, IMP and
      VIM). PCR products of CTX-M genes were purified and sequenced. Phylogenetic
      grouping of E. coli was performed by a PCR-based method. RESULTS: Of these 106
      isolates 69 (65.09%) were ESBL producers. Twelve (11.32%) of these isolates were
      also phenotypically class B carbapenemases producer. TEM genes were detected in
      61 (57.55%) isolates. 49 (46.23%) isolates harbored CTX-M genes, and 25 (23.58%)
      carried genes of the SHV family. All CPE belonged to the NDM group. The
      predominant CTX-M sequence type was CTX-M-15 (89.80%). The majority (80%) of the
      ESBL-EC belonged to low virulence phylogroups A and B1. CONCLUSIONS: This is the
      first study from Egypt reporting high rates of ESBLs and carbapenemases (65.09%
      and 11.32%, respectively) in Enterobacteriaceae isolated from retail chicken
      meat. These results raise serious concerns about public health and food safety as
      retail meat could serve as a reservoir for these resistant bacteria which could
      be transferred to humans through the food chain.

PMID- 26284656
TI  - Changes in Remotely Sensed Vegetation Growth Trend in the Heihe Basin of Arid
      Northwestern China.
AB  - The Heihe River Basin (HRB) is the second largest inland river basin in China,
      characterized by high diversity in geomorphology and irrigated agriculture in
      middle reaches. To improve the knowledge about the relationship between biotic
      and hydrological processes, this study used Global Inventory Modeling and Mapping
      Studies Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data (1982-2006) to analyze
      spatiotemporal variations in vegetation growth by using the Mann-Kendall test
      together with Sen's slope estimator. The results indicate that 10.1% and 1.6% of
      basin area exhibit statistically significant (p < 0.05) upward and downward
      trends, and maximum magnitude is 0.066/10a and 0.026/10a, respectively. More
      specifically, an increasing trend was observed in the Qilian Mountains and Hexi
      Corridor and a decreasing trend detected in the transitional region between them.
      Increases in precipitation and temperature may be one possible reason for the
      changes of vegetation growth in the Qilian Mountains. And decreasing trend in
      transitional region may be driven by the changes in precipitation. Increases of
      irrigation contribute to the upward trend of NDVI for cropland in the Hexi
      Corridor, reflecting that agricultural development becomes more intensive. Our
      study demonstrates the complexity of the response of vegetation growth in the HRB
      to climate change and anthropogenic activities and correspondingly adopting
      mechanistic ecological models capable of describing both factors is favorable for
      reasonable predictions of future vegetation growth. It is also indicated that
      improving irrigation water use efficiency is one practical strategy to balance
      water demand between human and natural ecosystems in the HRB. 

PMID- 26284655
TI  - In Vivo Evidence for Lysosome Depletion and Impaired Autophagic Clearance in
      Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia Type SPG11.
AB  - Hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) is characterized by a dying back degeneration
      of corticospinal axons which leads to progressive weakness and spasticity of the
      legs. SPG11 is the most common autosomal-recessive form of HSPs and is caused by
      mutations in SPG11. A recent in vitro study suggested that Spatacsin, the
      respective gene product, is needed for the recycling of lysosomes from
      autolysosomes, a process known as autophagic lysosome reformation. The relevance
      of this observation for hereditary spastic paraplegia, however, has remained
      unclear. Here, we report that disruption of Spatacsin in mice indeed causes
      hereditary spastic paraplegia-like phenotypes with loss of cortical neurons and
      Purkinje cells. Degenerating neurons accumulate autofluorescent material, which
      stains for the lysosomal protein Lamp1 and for p62, a marker of substrate
      destined to be degraded by autophagy, and hence appears to be related to
      autolysosomes. Supporting a more generalized defect of autophagy, levels of
      lipidated LC3 are increased in Spatacsin knockout mouse embryonic fibrobasts
      (MEFs). Though distinct parameters of lysosomal function like processing of
      cathepsin D and lysosomal pH are preserved, lysosome numbers are reduced in
      knockout MEFs and the recovery of lysosomes during sustained starvation impaired
      consistent with a defect of autophagic lysosome reformation. Because lysosomes
      are reduced in cortical neurons and Purkinje cells in vivo, we propose that the
      decreased number of lysosomes available for fusion with autophagosomes impairs
      autolysosomal clearance, results in the accumulation of undegraded material and
      finally causes death of particularly sensitive neurons like cortical motoneurons
      and Purkinje cells in knockout mice. 

PMID- 26284657
TI  - Cyclohexenylboration of Aldehydes and Ketones with the Borabicyclo[3.3.2]decanes
      (BBDs).
AB  - Asymmetric hydroboration of 1,3-cyclohexadiene with 4R produces the allylborane
      5RR as essentially a single diastereomer (i.e., no observable 5RS), and its
      addition to representative aldehydes provides 9RS (52-75%) with excellent
      selectivity (94-99% ee). By contrast, a similar sequence with the 10-Ph-BBD
      reagent, 14R, results in a ca. 45:55 mixture of 15RR and 15RS. However, their
      addition to methyl ketones provides the corresponding 3 degrees -homoallylic
      alcohols (18RS) with excellent selectivity (80-99% ee) but in low yields (15-52%)
      because 15RS is unreactive toward either allylboration or isomerization to 15RR.
      Thus, with 2 equiv of 15, the yield of 18 (R = Ph) is increased from 52% to 85%.
      Boranes 5SS and 15SS provide enantiomeric alcohols. 

PMID- 26284658
TI  - Impacts of Rotational Grazing on Soil Carbon in Native Grass-Based Pastures in
      Southern Australia.
AB  - Rotational grazing management strategies have been promoted as a way to improve
      the sustainability of native grass-based pasture systems. From disturbance
      ecology theory, rotational grazing relative to continuous grazing can increase
      pasture productivity by allowing vegetation to recover after short intense
      grazing periods. This project sought to assess whether soil organic carbon (SOC)
      stocks would also increase with adoption of rotational grazing management. Twelve
      pairs of rotationally and continuously grazed paddocks were sampled across a
      rainfall gradient in South Australia. Pasture productivity approximated as the
      normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) was on average no different between
      management categories, but when the data from all sites were aggregated as log
      response ratios (rotational/continuous) a significant positive trend of
      increasing NDVI under rotational grazing relative to continuous grazing was found
      (R2 = 0.52). Mean SOC stocks (0-30 cm) were 48.3 Mg C ha-1 with a range of 20-80
      Mg C ha-1 across the study area with no differences between grazing management
      categories. SOC stocks were well correlated with rainfall and temperature
      (multiple linear regression R2 = 0.61). After removing the influence of climate
      on SOC stocks, the management variables, rest periods, stocking rate and grazing
      days, were found to be significantly correlated with SOC, explaining 22% of the
      variance in SOC, but there were still no clear differences in SOC stocks at
      paired sites. We suggest three reasons for the lack of SOC response. First,
      changes in plant productivity and turnover in low-medium rainfall regions due to
      changes in grazing management are small and slow, so we would only expect at best
      small incremental changes in SOC stocks. This is compounded by the inherent
      variability within and between paddocks making detection of a small real change
      difficult on short timescales. Lastly, the management data suggests that there is
      a gradation in implementation of rotational grazing and the use of two fixed
      categories (i.e. rotational v. continuous) may not be the most appropriate method
      of comparing diverse management styles. 

PMID- 26284659
TI  - Looking for logic.

PMID- 26284660
TI  - A chemocentric view of the natural product inventory.

PMID- 26284668
TI  - Protein degradation: Prime time for PROTACs.

PMID- 26284669
TI  - Carbohydrates: A phenol sandwich fights diabetes.

PMID- 26284670
TI  - Methods: A small-molecule SMASh hit.

PMID- 26284661
TI  - Minimum Information about a Biosynthetic Gene cluster.

PMID- 26284671
TI  - Computational approaches to natural product discovery.
AB  - Starting with the earliest Streptomyces genome sequences, the promise of natural
      product genome mining has been captivating: genomics and bioinformatics would
      transform compound discovery from an ad hoc pursuit to a high-throughput
      endeavor. Until recently, however, genome mining has advanced natural product
      discovery only modestly. Here, we argue that the development of algorithms to
      mine the continuously increasing amounts of (meta)genomic data will enable the
      promise of genome mining to be realized. We review computational strategies that
      have been developed to identify biosynthetic gene clusters in genome sequences
      and predict the chemical structures of their products. We then discuss networking
      strategies that can systematize large volumes of genetic and chemical data and
      connect genomic information to metabolomic and phenotypic data. Finally, we
      provide a vision of what natural product discovery might look like in the future,
      specifically considering longstanding questions in microbial ecology regarding
      the roles of metabolites in interspecies interactions.

PMID- 26284672
TI  - Reinvigorating natural product combinatorial biosynthesis with synthetic biology.
AB  - Natural products continue to play a pivotal role in drug-discovery efforts and in
      the understanding if human health. The ability to extend nature's chemistry
      through combinatorial biosynthesis--altering functional groups, regiochemistry
      and scaffold backbones through the manipulation of biosynthetic enzymes--offers
      unique opportunities to create natural product analogs. Incorporating emerging
      synthetic biology techniques has the potential to further accelerate the
      refinement of combinatorial biosynthesis as a robust platform for the
      diversification of natural chemical drug leads. Two decades after the field
      originated, we discuss the current limitations, the realities and the state of
      the art of combinatorial biosynthesis, including the engineering of substrate
      specificity of biosynthetic enzymes and the development of heterologous
      expression systems for biosynthetic pathways. We also propose a new perspective
      for the combinatorial biosynthesis of natural products that could reinvigorate
      drug discovery by using synthetic biology in combination with synthetic
      chemistry.

PMID- 26284675
TI  - Erratum: Hydrolysis of 2'3'-cGAMP by ENPP1 and design of nonhydrolyzable analogs.

PMID- 26284673
TI  - The structural biology of biosynthetic megaenzymes.
AB  - The modular polyketide synthases (PKSs) and nonribosomal peptide synthetases
      (NRPSs) are among the largest and most complicated enzymes in nature. In these
      biosynthetic systems, independently folding protein domains, which are organized
      into units called 'modules', operate in assembly-line fashion to construct
      polymeric chains and tailor their functionalities. Products of PKSs and NRPSs
      include a number of blockbuster medicines, and this has motivated researchers to
      understand how they operate so that they can be modified by genetic engineering.
      Beginning in the 1990s, structural biology has provided a number of key insights.
      The emerging picture is one of remarkable dynamics and conformational programming
      in which the chemical states of individual catalytic domains are communicated to
      the others, configuring the modules for the next stage in the biosynthesis. This
      unexpected level of complexity most likely accounts for the low success rate of
      empirical genetic engineering experiments and suggests ways forward for
      productive megaenzyme synthetic biology.

PMID- 26284676
TI  - Corrigendum: Local and macroscopic electrostatic interactions in single alpha
      helices.

PMID- 26284674
TI  - Translating biosynthetic gene clusters into fungal armor and weaponry.
AB  - Filamentous fungi are renowned for the production of a diverse array of secondary
      metabolites (SMs) where the genetic material required for synthesis of a SM is
      typically arrayed in a biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC). These natural products
      are valued for their bioactive properties stemming from their functions in fungal
      biology, key among those protection from abiotic and biotic stress and
      establishment of a secure niche. The producing fungus must not only avoid self
      harm from endogenous SMs but also deliver specific SMs at the right time to the
      right tissue requiring biochemical aid. This review highlights functions of BGCs
      beyond the enzymatic assembly of SMs, considering the timing and location of SM
      production and other proteins in the clusters that control SM activity.
      Specifically, self-protection is provided by both BGC-encoded mechanisms and non
      BGC subcellular containment of toxic SM precursors; delivery and timing is
      orchestrated through cellular trafficking patterns and stress- and developmental
      responsive transcriptional programs.

PMID- 26284677
TI  - Corrigendum: Sterol metabolism controls TH17 differentiation by generating
      endogenous RORgamma agonists.

PMID- 26284678
TI  - Corrigendum: SMN2 splice modulators enhance U1-pre-mRNA association and rescue
      SMA mice.

PMID- 26284679
TI  - Erratum: Structural basis of enzymatic benzene ring reduction.

PMID- 26284680
TI  - University Football Players, Postural Stability, and Concussions.
AB  - Concussion in football athletes is certainly more prevalent and has potentially
      serious outcomes. With current concerns and increasing return-to-play issues,
      additional assessment focus is needed. Division 1 college football athletes, from
      18 to 20.9 years (n = 177; age, 19.7 +/- 1.2 years; height, 182.3 +/- 4.5 cm;
      weight, 97.3 +/- 10.6 kg), before fall practice, over a period of 3 years,
      underwent baseline postural stability testing (sensory organization test [SOT],
      NeuroCom). Individuals, who were diagnosed with a concussion (headache,
      dizziness, fatigue, confusion, or loss of consciousness) during practice or
      actual competition (n = 15; age, 18.9 +/- 0.9 years; height, 181.8 +/- 2.5 cm;
      weight, 86.6 +/- 3.6 kg), underwent serial evaluation after injury and 24 hours
      after concussion. As soon as the player was considered asymptomatic, the test was
      completed on the first and 14th day. A control group of noninjured male athletes
      (n = 15; age, 19.1 +/- 0.4 years; height, 178.2 +/- 3.2 cm; weight, 78.6 +/- 2.1
      kg) were tested for the same time frame. This particular study was only one part
      of the total evaluation conducted for the concussed athlete's return to play.
      Results indicated that the concussion group had a statistically significant (p =
      0.037) change from their baseline SOT score and the control group (p = 0.025).
      This change remained significant until day 14 of posttesting. These data indicate
      that the SOT, when available, may be a positive additional assessment of
      concussed college-aged football players. Professionals, when dealing with
      concussion in competitive sports, do need to continue to work together, but
      awareness of SOT assessments may also contribute to the return-to-play decisions.

PMID- 26284681
TI  - Altering Work to Rest Ratios Differentially Influences Fatigue Indices During
      Repeated Sprint Ability Testing.
AB  - This study examined the influence of recovery time on fatigue indices,
      performance (total work [TW], peak power [PP], and mean power [MP]), and oxygen
      consumption during repeated sprint ability (RSA) on a cycle ergometer. Eight
      recreationally-trained men performed 3 RSA protocols consisting of 10 * 6 s
      sprints with 12 s, 18 s, and 24 s rest intervals between each sprint. Fatigue
      indices were determined as percent decrement (%Dec) and rate of decline using
      either a log transform method or standard slope approach for TW, PP, and MP
      during respective RSA protocols. The maximal VO2 value in response to given
      sprint intervals and the minimal VO2 value in response to given rest periods (VO2
      work and VO2 rest, respectively) were recorded. A repeated measures analysis of
      variance was used to analyze all variables. Average VO2 work was not different
      among rest interval trials. Average VO2 rest with 12 s rest was greater than 18 s
      and 24 s (2.16 +/- 0.17 L . min(-1), 1.91 +/- 0.18 L . min(-1), 1.72 +/- 0.15 L .
      min(-1), respectively), while 18 s was greater than 24 s. Average TW and MP were
      greater with 24 s rest than 12 s (4,604.44 +/- 915.98 J vs. 4,305.46 +/- 727.17
      J, respectively), with no differences between RSA protocols for PP. No
      differences in %Dec were observed. Both methods of calculating rates of decline
      per sprint for PP and TW were greater during 12 s than 18 s or 24 s. Since
      changes were only noted between the 12 s and 24 s protocols, a 6 s differential
      in rest intervals may not be enough to elicit alterations in TW, PP, MP, or %Dec
      in RSA performance. Rate of decline may be a more sensitive measure of fatigue
      than %Dec.

PMID- 26284684
TI  - Design, Analysis, and Reporting of Crossover Trials for Inclusion in a Meta
      Analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the characteristics of the design, analysis, and reporting
      of crossover trials for inclusion in a meta-analysis of treatment for primary
      open-angle glaucoma and to provide empirical evidence to inform the development
      of tools to assess the validity of the results from crossover trials and
      reporting guidelines. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane's
      CENTRAL register for randomized crossover trials for a systematic review and
      network meta-analysis we are conducting. Two individuals independently screened
      the search results for eligibility and abstracted data from each included report.
      RESULTS: We identified 83 crossover trials eligible for inclusion. Issues
      affecting the risk of bias in crossover trials, such as carryover, period effects
      and missing data, were often ignored. Some trials failed to accommodate the
      within-individual differences in the analysis. For a large proportion of the
      trials, the authors tabulated the results as if they arose from a parallel
      design. Precision estimates properly accounting for the paired nature of the
      design were often unavailable from the study reports; consequently, to include
      trial findings in a meta-analysis would require further manipulation and
      assumptions. CONCLUSIONS: The high proportion of poorly reported analyses and
      results has the potential to affect whether crossover data should or can be
      included in a meta-analysis. There is pressing need for reporting guidelines for
      crossover trials.

PMID- 26284683
TI  - Rural-Urban Differences in Household Treatment-Seeking Behaviour for Suspected
      Malaria in Children at Bata District, Equatorial Guinea.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Malaria remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality among
      children under five years old in Equatorial Guinea. However, little is known
      about the community management of malaria and treatment-seeking patterns. We
      aimed to assess symptoms of children with reported malaria and treatment-seeking
      behaviour of their caretakers in rural and urban areas in the Bata District.
      METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the district of Bata and
      440 houses were selected from 18 rural villages and 26 urban neighbourhoods.
      Differences between rural and urban caregivers and children with reported malaria
      were assessed through the chi-squared test for independence of categorical
      variables and the t-Student or the non-parametric Mann-Whitney test for normally
      or not-normally distributed continuous variables, respectively. RESULTS:
      Differences between rural and urban households were observed in caregiver
      treatment-seeking patterns. Fever was the main symptom associated with malaria in
      both areas. Malaria was treated first at home, particularly in rural areas. The
      second step was to seek treatment outside the home, mainly at hospital and Health
      Centre for rural households and at hospital and private clinic for urban ones.
      Artemether monotherapy was the antimalarial treatment prescribed most often.
      Households waited for more than 24 hours before seeking treatment outside and
      delays were longest in rural areas. The total cost of treatment was higher in
      urban than in rural areas in Bata. CONCLUSIONS: The delays in seeking treatment,
      the type of malaria therapy received and the cost of treatment are the principal
      problems found in Bata District. Important steps for reducing malaria morbidity
      and mortality in this area are to provide sufficient supplies of effective
      antimalarial drugs and to improve malaria treatment skills in households and in
      both public and private sectors.

PMID- 26284685
TI  - Increased Dietary Salt Intake Does Not Influence Influenza A Virus-Induced
      Disease Severity in Mice.
AB  - Influenza viruses are pathogens of significant public health importance. The
      influence of nutritional status on severity of disease has become increasingly
      recognized. In particular, high dietary salt intake has been linked to
      cardiovascular disease, but the effects on infectious diseases have not been
      studied. This study investigated the impact on influenza-induced morbidity and
      mortality in mice fed isocaloric diets containing 10-fold increments of sodium by
      altering the salt levels. Following infection, despite higher levels of IFN-gamma
      cytokine in the lung as well as virus-neutralizing antibody in the serum of mice
      fed the lowest salt level, the amounts of dietary salt intake had no substantial
      impact on the disease severity or the ability to respond immunologically to the
      infection. 

PMID- 26284686
TI  - An Institutional Ethnography of Nurses' Support of Breastfeeding on the Night
      Shift.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe nurses' support of breastfeeding on the night shift and to
      identify the interpersonal interactions and institutional structures that affect
      this support. DESIGN: Institutional ethnography. SETTING: The mother/baby unit of
      a tertiary care hospital with 4200 births per year. PARTICIPANTS: Registered
      nurses (N = 16) who provided care on the night shift to mother/infant dyads in
      the immediate postpartum period. METHODS: Data were collected using focus groups,
      individual and group interviews, and mother/baby unit observations. The focus
      groups were held before the night shift and had five participants. The nine
      individual and group interviews were conducted between 0100 and 0230 on the
      mother/baby unit. Three unit observations were conducted. Interviews were
      recorded, professionally transcribed, and analyzed using a content analysis
      method. RESULTS: Data analysis yielded three themes that described these nurses'
      support of breastfeeding on the night shift: competing priorities, incongruent
      expectations, and influential institutional structures. The need of visitors to
      see their new family members competed with the needs of mothers to rest and
      breastfeed their newborns. Helping breastfeeding dyads who experienced
      difficulties competed with providing care to other patients. Parents'
      expectations regarding newborn behavior were incongruent with the reality of
      newborn feeding and sleeping patterns. Institutional structures that affected the
      provision of breastfeeding support by nurses included hospital breastfeeding
      practices, staffing, and policies. CONCLUSION: Nurses' support of breastfeeding
      on the night shift encompasses a complex interplay of interpersonal interactions
      with new families and visitors regarding priorities and expectations and
      negotiating institutional structures such as feeding policies and staffing.

PMID- 26284687
TI  - New episodes of depression among Medicare beneficiaries with chronic obstructive
      pulmonary disease.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Depression is a common comorbidity of chronic obstructive pulmonary
      disease (COPD) and is associated with increased exacerbations, healthcare
      utilization, and mortality. Among Medicare beneficiaries newly diagnosed with
      COPD, the objectives of this study were to (1) estimate the rate of new episodes
      of depression and (2) identify factors associated with depression. METHODS: We
      identified beneficiaries with a first diagnosis of COPD during 2006-2012 using a
      5% random sample of Medicare administrative claims data by searching for ICD-9-CM
      codes 490, 491.x, 492.x, 494.x, or 496. We identified episodes of depression
      using ICD-9-CM codes 296.2x, 296.3x, and 311.xx. We calculated incidence rates
      and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) and used a discrete time analysis to
      identify factors associated with development of depression. RESULTS: Between 2006
      and 2012, 125,348 beneficiaries meeting inclusion criteria were newly diagnosed
      with COPD. Twenty-three percent developed depression following COPD diagnosis.
      The annualized incidence rate of depression per 100 beneficiaries following COPD
      diagnosis was 9.4 (95% CI 9.3, 9.5). Rates were highest in the first 2 months
      following COPD diagnosis. COPD diagnosis was associated with increased risk of
      depression (risk ratio 1.76; 95% CI 1.73, 1.79) as were COPD-related
      hospitalizations (risk ratio 4.59; 95% CI 4.09, 5.15), a measure of COPD
      severity. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnosis of COPD increases the risk of depression. This
      study will aid in the allocation of resources to monitor and provide support for
      individuals with COPD at high risk of developing depression.

PMID- 26284688
TI  - Assessment of bolus transit with intraluminal impedance measurement in patients
      with esophageal motility disorders.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The clinical management of patients with non-obstructive dysphagia is
      notoriously difficult. Esophageal impedance measurement can be used to measure
      esophageal bolus transit without the use of radiation exposure to patients.
      However, validation of measurement of bolus transit with impedance monitoring has
      only been performed in healthy subjects with normal motility and not in patients
      with dysphagia and esophageal motility disorders. The aim was, therefore, to
      investigate the relationship between transit of swallowed liquid boluses in
      healthy controls and in patients with dysphagia. METHODS: Twenty healthy
      volunteers and 20 patients with dysphagia underwent concurrent impedance
      measurement and videofluoroscopy. Each subject swallowed five liquid barium
      boluses. The ability of detecting complete or incomplete bolus transit by means
      of impedance measurement was assessed, using radiographic bolus transit as the
      gold standard. KEY RESULTS: Impedance monitoring recognized stasis and transit in
      80.5% of the events correctly, with 83.9% of bolus transit being recognized and
      77.2% of stasis being recognized correctly. In controls 79.8% of all swallows
      were scored correctly, whereas in patients 81.3% of all swallows were scored
      correctly. Depending on the contractility pattern, between 77.0% and 94.3% of the
      swallows were scored correctly. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: Impedance measurement
      can be used to assess bolus clearance patterns in healthy subjects, but can also
      be used to reliably assess bolus transit in patients with dysphagia and motility
      disorders.

PMID- 26284689
TI  - A Novel Inexpensive Use of Smartphone Technology for Ecological Momentary
      Assessment in Middle-Aged Women.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Commercially available mobile and Internet technologies present a
      promising opportunity to feasibly conduct ecological momentary assessment (EMA).
      The purpose of this study was to describe a novel EMA protocol administered on
      middle-aged women's smartphones via text messaging and mobile Internet. METHODS:
      Women (N = 9; mean age = 46.2 +/- 8.2 y) received 35 text message prompts to a
      mobile survey assessing activity, self-worth, and self-efficacy over 14 days.
      Prompts were scheduled and surveys were administered using commercial, Internet
      based programs. Prompting was tailored to each woman's daily wake/sleep schedule.
      Women concurrently wore a wrist-worn accelerometer. Feasibility was assessed via
      survey completion, accelerometer wear, participant feedback, and researcher
      notes. RESULTS: Of 315 prompted surveys, 287 responses were valid (91.1%).
      Average completion time was 1.52 +/- 1.03 minutes. One participant's activity
      data were excluded due to accelerometer malfunction, resulting in complete data
      from 8 participants (n = 252 [80.0%] valid observations). Women reported the
      survey was easily and quickly read/completed. However, most thought the
      accelerometer was inconvenient. CONCLUSIONS: High completion rates and perceived
      usability suggest capitalizing on widely available technology and tailoring
      prompting schedules may optimize EMA in middle-aged women. However, researchers
      may need to carefully select objective monitors to maintain data validity while
      limiting participant burden.

PMID- 26284690
TI  - Comparative Analysis of Human and Rodent Brain Primary Neuronal Culture
      Spontaneous Activity Using Micro-Electrode Array Technology.
AB  - Electrical activity in embryonic brain tissue has typically been studied using
      Micro Electrode Array (MEA) technology to make dozens of simultaneous recordings
      from dissociated neuronal cultures, brain stem cell progenitors, or brain slices
      from fetal rodents. Although these rodent neuronal primary culture electrical
      properties are mostly investigated, it has not been yet established to what
      extent the electrical characteristics of rodent brain neuronal cultures can be
      generalized to those of humans. A direct comparison of spontaneous spiking
      activity between rodent and human primary neurons grown under the same in vitro
      conditions using MEA technology has never been carried out before and will be
      described in the present study. Human and rodent dissociated fetal brain neuronal
      cultures were established in-vitro by culturing on a glass grid of 60 planar
      microelectrodes neurons under identical conditions. Three different cultures of
      human neurons were produced from tissue sourced from a single aborted fetus (at
      16-18 gestational weeks) and these were compared with seven different cultures of
      embryonic rat neurons (at 18 gestational days) originally isolated from a single
      rat. The results show that the human and rodent cultures behaved significantly
      differently. Whereas the rodent cultures demonstrated robust spontaneous
      activation and network activity after only 10 days, the human cultures required
      nearly 40 days to achieve a substantially weaker level of electrical function.
      These results suggest that rat neuron preparations may yield inferences that do
      not necessarily transfer to humans.

PMID- 26284691
TI  - The use of rocuronium for ophthalmological surgery in an alpaca.

PMID- 26284692
TI  - Nature, timing, and severity of complications from ultrasound-guided percutaneous
      renal transplant biopsy.
AB  - We sought to review our kidney transplant biopsy experience to assess the
      incidence, type, presenting symptoms, and timing of renal transplant biopsy
      complications, as well as determine any modifiable risk factors for postbiopsy
      complications. This is an observational analysis of patients at the University of
      Wisconsin between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2009. Patients with an INR
      >=1.5 or platelet counts less than 50 000 were not biopsied. An 18-gauge needle
      was used for biopsy. Over the study period, 3738 biopsies were performed with 66
      complications (1.8%). No deaths occurred. A total of 0.7% were mild
      complications, 0.7% were moderate complications, 0.21% were severe complications,
      and 0.19% were life-threatening. Most complications occurred within the 4-h
      postbiopsy period, although serious complications were often delayed: 67% of
      complications requiring surgical intervention presented greater than 4 h after
      biopsy. Biopsy within 1 week of transplant had a 311% increased risk of a
      complication. Postbiopsy reduction in hematocrit and hemoglobin at 4 h was
      associated with a complication. In conclusion, life-threatening complications
      after renal allograft biopsy occurred in 0.19% of patients. Most complications
      occurred within 4 h postprocedure; however, many serious complications occurred
      with a time delay after initially uneventful monitoring. The only clinically
      significant laboratory predictor of a complication was a fall in the hematocrit
      or hemoglobin within 4 h. Patients biopsied within a week of transplant were at
      the highest risk for a complication and should therefore be most closely
      monitored. 

PMID- 26284694
TI  - d-AO spherical aromaticity in Ce6O8.
AB  - After the first introduction of pi aromaticity in chemistry to explain the
      bonding, structure, and reactivity of benzene and its derivatives, this concept
      was further applied to many other compounds featuring other types of aromaticity
      (i.e., sigma, delta). Thus far, there have been no reports on d-AO-based
      spherical sigma aromaticity. Here, we predict a highly stable bare Ce6O8 cluster
      of a spherical shape using evolutionary algorithm USPEX and DFT + U calculations.
      Natural bond orbital analysis, adaptive natural density partitioning algorithm,
      electron localization function, and partial charge plots demonstrate that bare
      Ce6O8 cluster exhibits d-AO spherical sigma aromaticity, thus explaining its
      exotic geometry and stability. Ce6O8 complex plays an important role in many
      reactions and is known to exist in many forms, such as in
      NH4[Ce6(MU(3)O)5(MU(3)OH)3(MU(2)-C6H5COO)9(NO3)3(DMF)3]*DMF*H2O compound, which
      is prepared under room temperature, and acts as an oxidizing agent.

PMID- 26284693
TI  - Clinical features of pulmonary arterial hypertension in patients receiving
      dasatinib.
AB  - The prognosis of most leukemia patients treated with BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase
      inhibitors (TKIs) is favorable, and a more precise understanding of serious and
      potentially irreversible treatment-related toxicities is essential to properly
      inform treatment choice. Few cases of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) have
      been reported in patients with leukemia treated with dasatinib, a second
      generation BCR-ABL TKI. To better understand characteristics and outcomes of
      dasatinib-treated patients with PAH, all clinical cases of PAH confirmed by right
      heart catheterization in the Bristol-Myers Squibb pharmacovigilance database (N =
      41), including 22 previously unpublished cases, were examined for previous
      treatments for leukemia, patient characteristics, time to PAH onset, and
      outcomes. Our analysis shows that compared with PAH due to other etiologies,
      dasatinib-related PAH is atypical, in that it is associated with partial to
      complete reversibility upon treatment discontinuation. The incidence of dasatinib
      related PAH appears to be low. Most PAH cases were observed in patients who had
      received prior treatments for leukemia. No specific patient attributes appear to
      be associated with an increased risk of developing PAH while receiving dasatinib.
      Symptoms of PAH in dasatinib-treated leukemia patients should prompt a thorough
      workup, including consideration of confirmatory right-heart catheterization. In
      cases of confirmed PAH, dasatinib should be discontinued.

PMID- 26284695
TI  - Virus-induced gene silencing in Catharanthus roseus by biolistic inoculation of
      tobacco rattle virus vectors.
AB  - Catharanthus roseus constitutes the unique source of several valuable
      monoterpenoid indole alkaloids, including the antineoplastics vinblastine and
      vincristine. These alkaloids result from a complex biosynthetic pathway
      encompassing between 30 and 50 enzymatic steps whose characterisation is still
      underway. The most recent identifications of genes from this pathway relied on a
      tobacco rattle virus-based virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) approach,
      involving an Agrobacterium-mediated inoculation of plasmids encoding the two
      genomic components of the virus. As an alternative, we developed a biolistic
      mediated approach of inoculation of virus-encoding plasmids that can be easily
      performed by a simple bombardment of young C. roseus plants. After optimisation
      of the transformation conditions, we showed that this approach efficiently
      silenced the phytoene desaturase gene, leading to strong and reproducible
      photobleaching of leaves. This biolistic transformation was also used to silence
      a previously characterised gene from the alkaloid biosynthetic pathway, encoding
      iridoid oxidase. Plant bombardment caused down-regulation of the targeted gene
      (70%), accompanied by a correlated decreased in MIA biosynthesis (45-90%),
      similar to results obtained via agro-transformation. Thus, the biolistic-based
      VIGS approach developed for C. roseus appears suitable for gene function
      elucidation and can readily be used instead of the Agrobacterium-based approach,
      e.g. when difficulties arise with agro-inoculations or when Agrobacterium-free
      procedures are required to avoid plant defence responses.

PMID- 26284696
TI  - Qualitative Research in Emergency Care Part I: Research Principles and Common
      Applications.
AB  - Qualitative methods are increasingly being used in emergency care research.
      Rigorous qualitative methods can play a critical role in advancing the emergency
      care research agenda by allowing investigators to generate hypotheses, gain an in
      depth understanding of health problems or specific populations, create expert
      consensus, and develop new intervention and dissemination strategies. This
      article, Part I of a two-article series, provides an introduction to general
      principles of applied qualitative health research and examples of its common use
      in emergency care research, describing study designs and data collection methods
      most relevant to our field, including observation, individual interviews, and
      focus groups. In Part II of this series, we will outline the specific steps
      necessary to conduct a valid and reliable qualitative research project, with a
      focus on interview-based studies. These elements include building the research
      team, preparing data collection guides, defining and obtaining an adequate
      sample, collecting and organizing qualitative data, and coding and analyzing the
      data. We also discuss potential ethical considerations unique to qualitative
      research as it relates to emergency care research. 

PMID- 26284697
TI  - Inter-individual variation in weaning among rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta):
      Serum stable isotope indicators of suckling duration and lactation.
AB  - Weaning is a transition in early development with major implications for infant
      survival and well-being, and for maternal lifetime reproductive success. The
      particular strategy a primate mother adopts in rearing her offspring represents a
      negotiation between her ability to invest and her need to invest, and can be
      considered adaptive and influenced by biological and social factors. Any
      investigation into how and why maternal weaning strategies differ among non-human
      primates is limited by the precision of the measurement tool used to assess
      infants' weaning ages. Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis of soft
      tissues (e.g., hair, nails, feces, urine, blood) offers an objective means of
      monitoring the weaning status of infants. In this study, we assess stable isotope
      ratios in blood serum from 14 captive rhesus macaque dyads (Macaca mulatta) at
      infant ages 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 10 months to estimate the timing of weaning
      events. Male infants wean earlier than female infants. Infants with the lowest
      birth weights wean latest. Most infants wean upon reaching 2.5 times their birth
      weights, sooner than when weaning elsewhere has been predicted for captive
      cercopithecine primates. The longest weaning periods (ca. 10 months) are observed
      among infants of small mothers. The shortest weaning period, between 2 and 5
      months, was among the lowest ranking dyad. Parity and mothers' ages had no
      discernible effect on the timing of weaning events. The stable carbon and
      nitrogen isotope values of dams during lactation are significantly different than
      those of a non-lactating adult female outgroup, raising questions about the
      suitability and selection of adult comparative baselines in studies where
      lactating mothers cannot be sampled longitudinally (e.g., bioarchaeology;
      paleontology). Am. J. Primatol. 78:1113-1134, 2016. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals,
      Inc.

PMID- 26284698
TI  - To be or not to be? Mating success and survival trade-offs when switching between
      alternative reproductive tactics.
AB  - Hormones underlie the decision of assuming a territorial or a nonterritorial
      role, with territorial individuals usually having higher hormonal levels than
      nonterritorial individuals. As a territorial status is linked to higher mating
      opportunities, it is unclear why animals do not keep high hormonal levels and one
      explanation is that this would imply survival costs. We have tested this using
      males of the territorial damselfly Argia emma in the field. We increased juvenile
      hormone (JH) levels using methoprene in both territorial and nonterritorial males
      and predicted that: (i) males will keep (the case of territorial males) or become
      (the case of nonterritorial males) territorial after hormonal increase, and (ii)
      there will be an increase in mating success for nonterritorial males only and an
      impaired survival for both male tactics. Hormonally treated males remained or
      became territorial but had their survival impaired compared with control groups.
      Also, hormonally treated, ex-nonterritorial males increased their mating success
      compared with the other control, nonterritorial males. The reduced survival can
      be explained proximally by the energy devoted either to the enhanced aggression
      showed during territory defence or immune function (as detected previously in
      damselflies). Although nonterritorial males may increase their mating success by
      switching to a territorial tactic, they are possibly unable to do it naturally as
      JH is dietary dependent and usually nonterritorial animals are in poorer
      condition than territorial animals. 

PMID- 26284699
TI  - Broad-Scale Evidence That pH Influences the Balance Between Microbial Iron and
      Sulfate Reduction.
AB  - Understanding basic controls on aquifer microbiology is essential to managing
      water resources and predicting impacts of future environmental change. Previous
      theoretical and laboratory studies indicate that pH can influence interactions
      between microorganisms that reduce ferric iron and sulfate. In this study, we
      test the environmental relevance of this relationship by examining broad-scale
      geochemical data from anoxic zones of aquifers. We isolated data from the U.S.
      Geological Survey National Water Information System for 19 principal aquifer
      systems. We then removed samples with chemical compositions inconsistent with
      iron- and sulfate-reducing environments and evaluated the relationships between
      pH and other geochemical parameters using Spearman's rho rank correlation tests.
      Overall, iron concentration and the iron-sulfide concentration ratio of
      groundwater share a statistically significant negative correlation with pH (P <
      0.0001). These relationships indicate that the significance of iron reduction
      relative to sulfate reduction tends to increase with decreasing pH. Moreover,
      thermodynamic calculations show that, as the pH of groundwater decreases, iron
      reduction becomes increasingly favorable relative to sulfate reduction. Hence,
      the relative significance of each microbial reaction may vary in response to
      thermodynamic controls on microbial activity. Our findings demonstrate that
      trends in groundwater geochemistry across different regional aquifer systems are
      consistent with pH as a control on interactions between microbial iron and
      sulfate reduction. Environmental changes that perturb groundwater pH can affect
      water quality by altering the balance between these microbial reactions.

PMID- 26284700
TI  - Rational plasmid design and bioprocess optimization to enhance recombinant adeno
      associated virus (AAV) productivity in mammalian cells.
AB  - Viral vectors used for gene and oncolytic therapy belong to the most promising
      biological products for future therapeutics. Clinical success of recombinant
      adeno-associated virus (rAAV) based therapies raises considerable demand for
      viral vectors, which cannot be met by current manufacturing strategies.
      Addressing existing bottlenecks, we improved a plasmid system termed rep/cap
      split packaging and designed a minimal plasmid encoding adenoviral helper
      function. Plasmid modifications led to a 12-fold increase in rAAV vector titers
      compared to the widely used pDG standard system. Evaluation of different
      production approaches revealed superiority of processes based on anchorage- and
      serum-dependent HEK293T cells, exhibiting about 15-fold higher specific and
      volumetric productivity compared to well-established suspension cells cultivated
      in serum-free medium. As for most other viral vectors, classical stirred-tank
      bioreactor production is thus still not capable of providing drug product of
      sufficient amount. We show that manufacturing strategies employing classical
      surface-providing culture systems can be successfully transferred to the new
      fully-controlled, single-use bioreactor system Integrity(TM) iCELLis(TM) . In
      summary, we demonstrate substantial bioprocess optimizations leading to more
      efficient and scalable production processes suggesting a promising way for
      flexible large-scale rAAV manufacturing. 

PMID- 26284701
TI  - Reaction of pyranose dehydrogenase from Agaricus meleagris with its carbohydrate
      substrates.
AB  - Monomeric Agaricus meleagris pyranose dehydrogenase (AmPDH) belongs to the
      glucose-methanol-choline family of oxidoreductases. An FAD cofactor is covalently
      tethered to His103 of the enzyme. AmPDH can double oxidize various mono- and
      oligosaccharides at different positions (C1 to C4). To study the
      structure/function relationship of selected active-site residues of AmPDH
      pertaining to substrate (carbohydrate) turnover in more detail, several active
      site variants were generated, heterologously expressed in Pichia pastoris, and
      characterized by biochemical, biophysical and computational means. The crystal
      structure of AmPDH shows two active-site histidines, both of which could take on
      the role as the catalytic base in the reductive half-reaction. Steady-state
      kinetics revealed that His512 is the only catalytic base because H512A showed a
      reduction in (kcat /KM )glucose by a factor of 10(5) , whereas this catalytic
      efficiency was reduced by two or three orders of magnitude for His556 variants
      (H556A, H556N). This was further corroborated by transient-state kinetics, where
      a comparable decrease in the reductive rate constant was observed for H556A,
      whereas the rate constant for the oxidative half-reaction (using benzoquinone as
      substrate) was increased for H556A compared to recombinant wild-type AmPDH.
      Steady-state kinetics furthermore indicated that Gln392, Tyr510, Val511 and
      His556 are important for the catalytic efficiency of PDH. Molecular dynamics (MD)
      simulations and free energy calculations were used to predict d-glucose oxidation
      sites, which were validated by GC-MS measurements. These simulations also suggest
      that van der Waals interactions are the main driving force for substrate
      recognition and binding. 

PMID- 26284703
TI  - Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor regulates skin melanoblast
      migration by repressing the melanoma cell adhesion molecule.

PMID- 26284706
TI  - Les buveurs d'absinthe (The Absinthe Drinkers): Jean-Francois Raffaelli.

PMID- 26284702
TI  - Exome analysis of a family with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome identifies a novel
      disease locus.
AB  - Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome is a common cause of supraventricular
      tachycardia that carries a risk of sudden cardiac death. To date, mutations in
      only one gene, PRKAG2, which encodes the 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase subunit
      gamma-2, have been identified as causative for WPW. DNA samples from five members
      of a family with WPW were analyzed by exome sequencing. We applied recently
      designed prioritization strategies (VAAST/pedigree VAAST) coupled with an
      ontology-based algorithm (Phevor) that reduced the number of potentially damaging
      variants to 10: a variant in KCNE2 previously associated with Long QT syndrome
      was also identified. Of these 11 variants, only MYH6 p.E1885K segregated with the
      WPW phenotype in all affected individuals and was absent in 10 unaffected family
      members. This variant was predicted to be damaging by in silico methods and is
      not present in the 1,000 genome and NHLBI exome sequencing project databases.
      Screening of a replication cohort of 47 unrelated WPW patients did not identify
      other likely causative variants in PRKAG2 or MYH6. MYH6 variants have been
      identified in patients with atrial septal defects, cardiomyopathies, and sick
      sinus syndrome. Our data highlight the pleiotropic nature of phenotypes
      associated with defects in this gene.

PMID- 26284707
TI  - Coming Together on Long-term Care.

PMID- 26284714
TI  - The Global Health Implications of e-Cigarettes.

PMID- 26284715
TI  - Costs Associated With Using Different Insulin Preparations.

PMID- 26284716
TI  - A PIECE OF MY MIND. Writing the Wrong.

PMID- 26284717
TI  - e-Cigarette Use and Subsequent Tobacco Use by Adolescents: New Evidence About a
      Potential Risk of e-Cigarettes.

PMID- 26284719
TI  - Tinzaparin vs Warfarin for Treatment of Acute Venous Thromboembolism in Patients
      With Active Cancer: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Low-molecular-weight heparin is recommended over warfarin for the
      treatment of acute venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with active cancer
      largely based on results of a single, large trial. OBJECTIVE: To study the
      efficacy and safety of tinzaparin vs warfarin for treatment of acute, symptomatic
      VTE in patients with active cancer. DESIGN, SETTINGS, AND PARTICIPANTS: A
      randomized, open-label study with blinded central adjudication of study outcomes
      enrolled patients in 164 centers in Asia, Africa, Europe, and North, Central, and
      South America between August 2010 and November 2013. Adult patients with active
      cancer (defined as histologic diagnosis of cancer and receiving anticancer
      therapy or diagnosed with, or received such therapy, within the previous 6
      months) and objectively documented proximal deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or
      pulmonary embolism, with a life expectancy greater than 6 months and without
      contraindications for anticoagulation, were followed up for 180 days and for 30
      days after the last study medication dose for collection of safety data.
      INTERVENTIONS: Tinzaparin (175 IU/kg) once daily for 6 months vs conventional
      therapy with tinzaparin (175 IU/kg) once daily for 5 to 10 days followed by
      warfarin at a dose adjusted to maintain the international normalized ratio within
      the therapeutic range (2.0-3.0) for 6 months. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Primary
      efficacy outcome was a composite of centrally adjudicated recurrent DVT, fatal or
      nonfatal pulmonary embolism, and incidental VTE. Safety outcomes included major
      bleeding, clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding, and overall mortality. RESULTS:
      Nine hundred patients were randomized and included in intention-to-treat efficacy
      and safety analyses. Recurrent VTE occurred in 31 of 449 patients treated with
      tinzaparin and 45 of 451 patients treated with warfarin (6-month cumulative
      incidence, 7.2% for tinzaparin vs 10.5% for warfarin; hazard ratio [HR], 0.65
      [95% CI, 0.41-1.03]; P = .07). There were no differences in major bleeding (12
      patients for tinzaparin vs 11 patients for warfarin; HR, 0.89 [95% CI, 0.40
      1.99]; P = .77) or overall mortality (150 patients for tinzaparin vs 138 patients
      for warfarin; HR, 1.08 [95% CI, 0.85-1.36]; P = .54). A significant reduction in
      clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding was observed with tinzaparin (49 of 449
      patients for tinzaparin vs 69 of 451 patients for warfarin; HR, 0.58 [95% CI,
      0.40-0.84]; P = .004). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Among patients with active
      cancer and acute symptomatic VTE, the use of full-dose tinzaparin (175 IU/kg)
      daily compared with warfarin for 6 months did not significantly reduce the
      composite measure of recurrent VTE and was not associated with reductions in
      overall mortality or major bleeding, but was associated with a lower rate of
      clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding. Further studies are needed to assess
      whether the efficacy outcomes would be different in patients at higher risk of
      recurrent VTE. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01130025.

PMID- 26284721
TI  - Association of Electronic Cigarette Use With Initiation of Combustible Tobacco
      Product Smoking in Early Adolescence.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Exposure to nicotine in electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) is
      becoming increasingly common among adolescents who report never having smoked
      combustible tobacco. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether e-cigarette use among 14-year
      old adolescents who have never tried combustible tobacco is associated with risk
      of initiating use of 3 combustible tobacco products (ie, cigarettes, cigars, and
      hookah). DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Longitudinal repeated assessment of a
      school-based cohort at baseline (fall 2013, 9th grade, mean age = 14.1 years) and
      at a 6-month follow-up (spring 2014, 9th grade) and a 12-month follow-up (fall
      2014, 10th grade). Ten public high schools in Los Angeles, California, were
      recruited through convenience sampling. Participants were students who reported
      never using combustible tobacco at baseline and completed follow-up assessments
      at 6 or 12 months (N = 2530). At each time point, students completed self-report
      surveys during in-classroom data collections. EXPOSURE: Student self-report of
      whether he or she ever used e-cigarettes (yes or no) at baseline. MAIN OUTCOMES
      AND MEASURES: Six- and 12-month follow-up reports on use of any of the following
      tobacco products within the prior 6 months: (1) any combustible tobacco product
      (yes or no); (2) combustible cigarettes (yes or no), (3) cigars (yes or no); (4)
      hookah (yes or no); and (5) number of combustible tobacco products (range: 0-3).
      RESULTS: Past 6-month use of any combustible tobacco product was more frequent in
      baseline e-cigarette ever users (n = 222) than never users (n = 2308) at the 6
      month follow-up (30.7% vs 8.1%, respectively; difference between groups in
      prevalence rates, 22.7% [95% CI, 16.4%-28.9%]) and at the 12-month follow-up
      (25.2% vs 9.3%, respectively; difference between groups, 15.9% [95% CI, 10.0%
      21.8%]). Baseline e-cigarette use was associated with greater likelihood of use
      of any combustible tobacco product averaged across the 2 follow-up periods in the
      unadjusted analyses (odds ratio [OR], 4.27 [95% CI, 3.19-5.71]) and in the
      analyses adjusted for sociodemographic, environmental, and intrapersonal risk
      factors for smoking (OR, 2.73 [95% CI, 2.00-3.73]). Product-specific analyses
      showed that baseline e-cigarette use was positively associated with combustible
      cigarette (OR, 2.65 [95% CI, 1.73-4.05]), cigar (OR, 4.85 [95% CI, 3.38-6.96]),
      and hookah (OR, 3.25 [95% CI, 2.29-4.62]) use and with the number of different
      combustible products used (OR, 4.26 [95% CI, 3.16-5.74]) averaged across the 2
      follow-up periods. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Among high school students in Los
      Angeles, those who had ever used e-cigarettes at baseline compared with nonusers
      were more likely to report initiation of combustible tobacco use over the next
      year. Further research is needed to understand whether this association may be
      causal.

PMID- 26284720
TI  - Efficacy of Liraglutide for Weight Loss Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: The
      SCALE Diabetes Randomized Clinical Trial.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Weight loss of 5% to 10% can improve type 2 diabetes and related
      comorbidities. Few safe, effective weight-management drugs are currently
      available. OBJECTIVE: To investigate efficacy and safety of liraglutide vs
      placebo for weight management in adults with overweight or obesity and type 2
      diabetes. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-six-week randomized (2:1:1),
      double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial with 12-week observational
      off-drug follow-up period. The study was conducted at 126 sites in 9 countries
      between June 2011 and January 2013. Of 1361 participants assessed for
      eligibility, 846 were randomized. Inclusion criteria were body mass index of 27.0
      or greater, age 18 years or older, taking 0 to 3 oral hypoglycemic agents
      (metformin, thiazolidinedione, sulfonylurea) with stable body weight, and
      glycated hemoglobin level 7.0% to 10.0%. INTERVENTIONS: Once-daily, subcutaneous
      liraglutide (3.0 mg) (n = 423), liraglutide (1.8 mg) (n = 211), or placebo (n =
      212), all as adjunct to 500 kcal/d dietary deficit and increased physical
      activity (>=150 min/wk). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Three coprimary end points:
      relative change in weight, proportion of participants losing 5% or more, or more
      than 10%, of baseline weight at week 56. RESULTS: Baseline weight was 105.7 kg
      with liraglutide (3.0-mg dose), 105.8 kg with liraglutide (1.8-mg dose), and
      106.5 kg with placebo. Weight loss was 6.0% (6.4 kg) with liraglutide (3.0-mg
      dose), 4.7% (5.0 kg) with liraglutide (1.8-mg dose), and 2.0% (2.2 kg) with
      placebo (estimated difference for liraglutide [3.0 mg] vs placebo, -4.00% [95%
      CI, -5.10% to -2.90%]; liraglutide [1.8 mg] vs placebo, -2.71% [95% CI, -4.00% to
      -1.42%]; P < .001 for both). Weight loss of 5% or greater occurred in 54.3% with
      liraglutide (3.0 mg) and 40.4% with liraglutide (1.8 mg) vs 21.4% with placebo
      (estimated difference for liraglutide [3.0 mg] vs placebo, 32.9% [95% CI, 24.6%
      to 41.2%]; for liraglutide [1.8 mg] vs placebo, 19.0% [95% CI, 9.1% to 28.8%]; P
      < .001 for both). Weight loss greater than 10% occurred in 25.2% with liraglutide
      (3.0 mg) and 15.9% with liraglutide (1.8 mg) vs 6.7% with placebo (estimated
      difference for liraglutide [3.0 mg] vs placebo, 18.5% [95% CI, 12.7% to 24.4%], P
      < .001; for liraglutide [1.8 mg] vs placebo, 9.3% [95% CI, 2.7% to 15.8%], P =
      .006). More gastrointestinal disorders were reported with liraglutide (3.0 mg) vs
      liraglutide (1.8 mg) and placebo. No pancreatitis was reported. CONCLUSIONS AND
      RELEVANCE: Among overweight and obese participants with type 2 diabetes, use of
      subcutaneous liraglutide (3.0 mg) daily, compared with placebo, resulted in
      weight loss over 56 weeks. Further studies are needed to evaluate longer-term
      efficacy and safety. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov
      Identifier:NCT01272232.

PMID- 26284722
TI  - Septic Shock: Advances in Diagnosis and Treatment.
AB  - IMPORTANCE: Septic shock is a clinical emergency that occurs in more than 230,000
      US patients each year. OBSERVATIONS AND ADVANCES: In the setting of suspected or
      documented infection, septic shock is typically defined in a clinical setting by
      low systolic (<=90 mm Hg) or mean arterial blood pressure (<=65 mm Hg)
      accompanied by signs of hypoperfusion (eg, oliguria, hyperlactemia, poor
      peripheral perfusion, or altered mental status). Focused ultrasonography is
      recommended for the prompt recognition of complicating physiology (eg,
      hypovolemia or cardiogenic shock), while invasive hemodynamic monitoring is
      recommended only for select patients. In septic shock, 3 randomized clinical
      trials demonstrate that protocolized care offers little advantage compared with
      management without a protocol. Hydroxyethyl starch is no longer recommended, and
      debate continues about the role of various crystalloid solutions and albumin.
      CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The prompt diagnosis of septic shock begins with
      obtainment of medical history and performance of a physical examination for signs
      and symptoms of infection and may require focused ultrasonography to recognize
      more complex physiologic manifestations of shock. Clinicians should understand
      the importance of prompt administration of intravenous fluids and vasoactive
      medications aimed at restoring adequate circulation, and the limitations of
      protocol-based therapy, as guided by recent evidence.

PMID- 26284723
TI  - Nicotine Replacement Therapy as a Maintenance Treatment.

PMID- 26284724
TI  - Isotonic vs Hypotonic Intravenous Fluids for Hospitalized Children.
AB  - CLINICAL QUESTION: Is isotonic fluid associated with a lower incidence of
      hyponatremia when compared with hypotonic fluid for maintenance intravenous fluid
      therapy in children? BOTTOM LINE: Compared with hypotonic fluid, isotonic fluid
      is associated with a lower incidence of hyponatremia, without evidence of an
      increase in adverse outcomes.

PMID- 26284725
TI  - Sacubitril/Valsartan (Entresto) for Heart Failure.

PMID- 26284726
TI  - Inferior Vena Cava Filter and Recurrent Pulmonary Embolism.

PMID- 26284727
TI  - Inferior Vena Cava Filter and Recurrent Pulmonary Embolism--Reply.

PMID- 26284728
TI  - Common Cold Treatment Using Zinc.

PMID- 26284729
TI  - Common Cold Treatment Using Zinc--Reply.

PMID- 26284731
TI  - Incorrect Dose in Figure.

PMID- 26284730
TI  - Wording Errors in the Text.

PMID- 26284733
TI  - Of Science, Humanism, and Medicine.

PMID- 26284734
TI  - JAMA PATIENT PAGE. Specific Medications for Weight Loss.

PMID- 26284735
TI  - Batf3 deficiency proves the pivotal role of CD8alpha+ dendritic cells in
      protection induced by vaccination with attenuated Plasmodium sporozoites.
AB  - Increasing evidence indicates that hepatic CD8alpha+ dendritic cells (DCs) are
      important antigen cross-presenting cells (APC) involved in the priming of
      protective CD8+ T-cell responses induced by live-attenuated Plasmodium
      sporozoites. Experimental proof for a critical role of CD8alpha+ DCs in
      protective pre-erythrocytic malaria immunizations has pivotal implications for
      vaccine development, including improved vectored subunit vaccines. Employing
      Batf3-/- mice, which lack functional CD8alpha+ DCs, we demonstrate that
      deficiency of these particular APCs completely abolishes protection and
      corresponding signatures of vaccine-induced immunity. We show that in wild-type,
      but not in Batf3-/- , mice CD8alpha+ DCs accumulate in the liver after
      immunization with live irradiation-attenuated P. berghei sporozoites. IFN-gamma
      production by Plasmodium antigen-specific CD8+ T cells is dependent on functional
      Batf3. In addition, our results demonstrate that the dysfunctional cDC-CD8+ T
      cell axis correlates with MHC class II upregulation on splenic CD8alpha- DCs.
      Collectively, these findings underscore the essential role of CD8alpha+ DCs in
      robust protection induced by experimental live-attenuated malaria vaccines.

PMID- 26284736
TI  - Pyrolytic Treatment and Fertility Enhancement of Soils Contaminated with Heavy
      Hydrocarbons.
AB  - Pyrolysis of contaminated soils at 420  degrees C converted recalcitrant heavy
      hydrocarbons into "char" (a carbonaceous material similar to petroleum coke) and
      enhanced soil fertility. Pyrolytic treatment reduced total petroleum hydrocarbons
      (TPH) to below regulatory standards (typically <1% by weight) within 3 h using
      only 40-60% of the energy required for incineration at 600-1200  degrees C.
      Formation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was not observed, with post
      pyrolysis levels well below applicable standards. Plant growth studies showed a
      higher biomass production of Arabidopsis thaliana and Lactuca sativa (Simpson
      black-seeded lettuce) (80-900% heavier) in pyrolyzed soils than in contaminated
      or incinerated soils. Elemental analysis showed that pyrolyzed soils contained
      more carbon than incinerated soils (1.4-3.2% versus 0.3-0.4%). The stark color
      differences between pyrolyzed and incinerated soils suggest that the carbonaceous
      material produced via pyrolysis was dispersed in the form of a layer coating the
      soil particles. Overall, these results suggest that soil pyrolysis could be a
      viable thermal treatment to quickly remediate soils impacted by weathered oil
      while improving soil fertility, potentially enhancing revegetation. 

PMID- 26284737
TI  - Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Spontaneous Osteoclastogenesis: Mechanisms
      Driving the Process and Clinical Relevance in Skeletal Disease.
AB  - In vitro peripheral blood mononuclear cells differentiate into osteoclasts under
      the influence of osteoclast-stimulating factors. However, accumulating evidence
      suggests spontaneous osteoclasts formation and activity in patients affected by
      local or systemic bone remodeling diseases in comparison with healthy controls.
      Therefore, within this review, we summarize the studies where spontaneous
      osteoclastogenesis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells was observed in
      pathological conditions of the skeletal system. We indicate a linkage between
      immunoregulation by T cells and spontaneous osteoclasts formation with increased
      levels of tumor necrosis factors-alpha, receptor activator of nuclear factor
      kappa-B ligand and inteleukin-7 production. In the light of these results, it
      would be of crucial importance to deepen the correlation between systemic bone
      remodeling diseases and spontaneous osteoclastogenesis as well as to investigate
      in detail the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon and the clinical relevance in
      bone remodeling disease diagnosis and monitoring.

PMID- 26284738
TI  - Reproductive mode and the shifting arenas of evolutionary conflict.
AB  - In sexually reproducing organisms, the genetic interests of individuals are not
      perfectly aligned. Conflicts among family members are prevalent since
      interactions involve the transfer of limited resources between interdependent
      players. Intrafamilial conflict has traditionally been considered along three
      major axes: between the sexes, between parents and offspring, and between
      siblings. In these interactions, conflict is expected over traits in which the
      resulting phenotypic value is determined by multiple family members who have only
      partially overlapping fitness optima. We focus on four major categories of animal
      reproductive mode (broadcast spawning, egg laying, live bearing, and live bearing
      with matrotrophy) and identify the shared phenotypes or traits over which
      conflict is expected, and then review the empirical literature for evidence of
      their occurrence. Major transitions among reproductive mode, such as a shift from
      external to internal fertilization, an increase in egg-retention time,
      modifications of embryos and mothers for nutrient transfer, the evolution of
      postnatal parental care, and increased interaction with the kin network, mark key
      shifts that both change and expand the arenas in which conflict is played out. 

PMID- 26284739
TI  - Editorial transition at Alzheimer's Disease and Associated Disorders.

PMID- 26284741
TI  - Multiscale Assembly of Grape-Like Ferroferric Oxide and Carbon Nanotubes: A Smart
      Absorber Prototype Varying Temperature to Tune Intensities.
AB  - Ideal electromagnetic attenuation material should not only shield the
      electromagnetic interference but also need strong absorption. Lightweight
      microwave absorber with thermal stability and high efficiency is a highly sought
      after goal of researchers. Tuning microwave absorption to meet the harsh
      requirements of thermal environments has been a great challenge. Here, grape-like
      Fe3O4-multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are synthesized, which have unique
      multiscale-assembled morphology, relatively uniform size, good crystallinity,
      high magnetization, and favorable superparamagnetism. The Fe3O4-MWCNTs is proven
      to be a smart microwave-absorber prototype with tunable high intensities in
      double belts in the temperature range of 323-473 K and X band. Maximum absorption
      in two absorbing belts can be simultaneously tuned from ~-10 to ~-15 dB and from
      ~-16 to ~-25 dB by varying temperature, respectively. The belt for reflection
      loss <=-20 dB can almost cover the X band at 323 K. The tunable microwave
      absorption is attributed to effective impedance matching, benefiting from
      abundant interfacial polarizations and increased magnetic loss resulting from the
      grape-like Fe3O4 nanocrystals. Temperature adjusts the impedance matching by
      changing both the dielectric and magnetic loss. The special assembly of MWCNTs
      and magnetic loss nanocrystals provides an effective pathway to realize excellent
      absorbers at elevated temperature. 

PMID- 26284740
TI  - Description of 214 cases of autoimmune congenital heart block: Results of the
      French neonatal lupus syndrome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cardiac neonatal lupus syndrome is due to anti-SSA or SSB antibodies
      and mainly includes congenital heart block (CHB) and dilated cardiomyopathy
      (DCM). Its optimal management is still debated. We report a large series of
      autoimmune high degree CHB. METHODS: Inclusion criteria in this retrospective
      study were fetuses or neonates with high-degree CHB associated with maternal anti
      SSA/SSB antibodies. RESULTS: 214 CHB were included: 202 detected in utero at a
      median term of 23 weeks' gestation (WG) [range 16 to 39 WG] and 12 neonatal cases
      diagnosed at a median age of 0 days [range birth to 8 days]. The 214 cases of CHB
      included 202 (94.4%) third-degree CHB, 8 (3.7%) second-degree CHB, and 4 (1.9%)
      intermittent CHB. In multivariate analysis, the factors associated with feto
      neonatal deaths (15.7%) were hydrops (p<0.001; hazard ratio [HR] 12.4 [95%
      confidence interval (95%CI) 4.7-32.7]) and prematurity (p=0.002; HR 17.1 [95%CI
      2.8-103.1]). During a median follow-up of 7 years [birth to 36 years], 148 of 187
      children born alive (79.1%) had a pacemaker, 35 (18.8%, one missing data) had
      DCM, and 22 (11.8%) died. In multivariate analysis, factors associated with child
      death were in utero DCM (p=0.0157; HR 6.37 [95%CI: 1.25-32.44]), postnatal DCM
      (p<0.0001; HR 227.58[95%CI: 24.33-2128.46]) and pacemaker implantation (p=0.0035;
      HR 0.11[95%CI: 0.02-0.51]). The use of fluorinated steroids was neither
      associated with survival nor with regression of 2nd degree CHB. CONCLUSION: In
      this second largest series of CHB, we confirm some of the previous results. We
      were unable to find data supporting the routine use of in utero fluorinated
      steroids.

PMID- 26284743
TI  - Endoscopic mucosal ablation and over-the-scope clipping for fistula closure.

PMID- 26284742
TI  - Third trimester-equivalent ethanol exposure increases anxiety-like behavior and
      glutamatergic transmission in the basolateral amygdala.
AB  - Ethanol consumption during pregnancy produces a wide range of morphological and
      behavioral alterations known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). Among the
      behavioral deficits associated with FASD is an increased probability of
      developing anxiety disorders. Studies with animal models of FASD have
      demonstrated that ethanol exposure during the equivalent to the 1(st) and 2(nd)
      trimesters of human pregnancy increases anxiety-like behavior. Here, we examined
      the impact on this type of behavior of exposure to high doses of ethanol in vapor
      inhalation chambers during the rat equivalent to the human 3rd trimester of
      pregnancy (i.e., neonatal period in these animals). We evaluated anxiety-like
      behavior with the elevated plus maze. Using whole-cell patch-clamp
      electrophysiological techniques in brain slices, we also characterized
      glutamatergic and GABAergic synaptic transmission in the basolateral amygdala, a
      brain region that has been implicated to play a role in emotional behavior. We
      found that ethanol-exposed adolescent offspring preferred the closed arms over
      the open arms in the elevated plus maze and displayed lower head dipping activity
      than controls. Electrophysiological measurements showed an increase in the
      frequency of spontaneous and miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents in
      pyramidal neurons from the ethanol group. These findings suggest that high-dose
      ethanol exposure during the equivalent to the last trimester of human pregnancy
      can persistently increase excitatory synaptic inputs to principal neurons in the
      basolateral amygdala, leading to an increase in anxiety-like behaviors. 

PMID- 26284744
TI  - Endoscopic closure of iatrogenic duodenal perforation using dual over-the-scope
      clips.

PMID- 26284745
TI  - Seeking everyday wellbeing: The coast as a therapeutic landscape.
AB  - Recent research suggests coastal environments may promote human health and
      wellbeing. This article explores the diverse coastal experiences sought out by
      residents of two towns in south west England to promote and preserve their
      personal wellbeing in the context of their everyday lives. It draws on the
      findings of an in-depth interpretive study conducted from May to November 2013
      that examined the relative contribution of varied green and blue space
      experiences to individual wellbeing through the life course. Personalised
      activity maps produced using accelerometer and Global Positioning System (GPS)
      data were used to guide in-depth geo-narrative interviews with a purposive sample
      of 33 participants. This was combined with a subset of nine case study go-along
      interviews in places deemed therapeutic by the participants themselves, offering
      deeper insight into the lived experiences and relationships playing out within
      such places. Situated in a novel adaptation of the therapeutic landscapes
      framework, this article explores how symbolic, achievement-oriented, immersive
      and social experiences contributed to participants' sense of wellbeing in their
      local coastal areas. Participants expressed particularly strong and often
      enduring connections to the local coastline, with different coastal stretches
      perceived to cater for varied therapeutic needs and interests, at multiple scales
      and intensities. The findings suggest the need for greater acknowledgement of
      people's emotional, deeply embodied and often shared connections to the coast
      within coastal management policy and practice, both nationally and
      internationally. Importantly, such efforts should recognise the fluid, dynamic
      nature of this land-sea boundary, and the valued therapeutic experiences linked
      to this fluidity. 

PMID- 26284746
TI  - Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography in Wagner Syndrome: Characterization
      of Vitreoretinal Interface and Foveal Changes.
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the spectrum of morphologic abnormalities in patients with
      Wagner syndrome by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD OCT). DESIGN:
      Retrospective comparative case study. METHODS: Institutional study of patients
      entered into the French Vitreoretinopathy Study Group database. Twelve eyes of 9
      patients from 3 unrelated families with genetically confirmed Wagner syndrome and
      28 eyes from 15 age- and sex-matched healthy family controls were scanned by SD
      OCT. Morphology and layer thickness of the total retina, inner retinal layers,
      outer retinal layers, and photoreceptor layer at different degrees of
      eccentricity from the fovea were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: A thick
      multilayered membrane adherent to the perifovea but completely detached from the
      fovea, thus forming a bridge over the foveal pit, was observed in 84% of eyes
      from patients with Wagner syndrome. At the equatorial area, SD OCT imaging
      allowed visualization of the architecture of an avascular vitreous veil with
      localized retinal traction. Most retinal layers were significantly thinner in
      patients with Wagner syndrome compared to the control group, except at the foveal
      center where abnormal persistence of 1 or more inner retinal layers could be
      observed. CONCLUSION: SD OCT provides better structural insight into the range of
      retinal defects at the vitreoretinal interface and fovea, which is not only
      useful for improving diagnosis and management, but also for understanding the
      pathogenesis of Wagner syndrome.

PMID- 26284747
TI  - Safety of Spectacles for Children's Vision: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled
      Trial.
AB  - PURPOSE: To study safety of children's glasses in rural China, where fear that
      glasses harm vision is an important barrier for families and policy makers.
      DESIGN: Exploratory analysis from a cluster-randomized, investigator-masked,
      controlled trial. METHODS: Among primary schools (n = 252) in western China,
      children were randomized by school to 1 of 3 interventions: free glasses provided
      in class, vouchers for free glasses at a local facility, or glasses prescriptions
      only (Control group). The main outcome of this analysis is uncorrected visual
      acuity after 8 months, adjusted for baseline acuity. RESULTS: Among 19 934
      children randomly selected for screening, 5852 myopic (spherical equivalent
      refractive error <=-0.5 diopters) eyes of 3001 children (14.7%, mean age 10.5
      years) had VA <=6/12 without glasses correctable to >6/12 with glasses, and were
      eligible. Among these, 1903 (32.5%), 1798 (30.7%), and 2151 (36.8%) were
      randomized to Control, Voucher, and Free Glasses, respectively. Intention-to
      treat analyses were performed on all 1831 (96.2%), 1699 (94.5%), and 2007 (93.3%)
      eyes of children with follow-up in Control, Voucher, and Free Glasses groups.
      Final visual acuity for eyes of children in the treatment groups (Free Glasses
      and Voucher) was significantly better than for Control children, adjusting only
      for baseline visual acuity (difference of 0.023 logMAR units [0.23 vision chart
      lines, 95% CI: 0.03, 0.43]) or for other baseline factors as well (0.025 logMAR
      units [0.25 lines, 95% CI 0.04, 0.45]). CONCLUSION: We found no evidence that
      spectacles promote decline in uncorrected vision with aging among children.

PMID- 26284748
TI  - Treatment of depression in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy: A pilot study of
      cognitive behavioral therapy vs. selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
AB  - There is a high prevalence of depression in patients with epilepsy, which
      negatively impacts their quality of life (QOL) and seizure control. Currently,
      the first-line of treatment for depression in patients with epilepsy is based on
      selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). The main objective of this pilot
      study was to compare cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) versus SSRIs for the
      treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in patients with temporal lobe
      epilepsy (TLE). Seven patients who received group CBT were compared with eight
      patients treated with SSRIs. All were diagnosed with MDD and TLE. Patients were
      assessed at baseline before treatment and at six and 12weeks during treatment
      with the Quality of Life in Epilepsy Scale of 31 items (QOLIE 31), the Beck
      Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).
      Seizure records were also taken on a monthly basis. After 12weeks of treatment,
      both groups showed improved QOL and reduced severity of depression symptoms.
      There were no statistically significant group differences in the final scores for
      the BDI (p=0.40) and QOLIE 31 (p=0.72), although the effect size on QOL was
      higher for the group receiving CBT. In conclusion, the present study suggests
      that both CBT and SSRIs may improve MDD and QOL in patients with TLE. We found no
      significant outcome differences between both treatment modalities. These findings
      support further study using a double-blind controlled design to demonstrate the
      efficacy of CBT and SSRIs in the treatment of MDD and QOL in patients with TLE. 

PMID- 26284749
TI  - Copper-Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidative Dehydrogenative Formal [2 + 3] Cyclization of
      Glycine Esters with alpha-Angelicalactone: Approach To Construct Polysubstituted
      Pyrrolidones.
AB  - A novel and efficient copper-catalyzed aerobic oxidative dehydrogenative formal
      [2 + 3] cyclization of glycine derivatives with alpha-angelicalactone is
      described. A series of complex pyrrolidones were produced under mild and simple
      reaction conditions. 

PMID- 26284750
TI  - Physiological adaptation of growth kinetics in activated sludge.
AB  - Physiological adaptation as it occurs in bacterial cells at variable
      environmental conditions influences characteristic properties of growth kinetics
      significantly. However, physiological adaptation to growth related parameters in
      activated sludge modelling is not yet recognised. Consequently these parameters
      are regarded to be constant. To investigate physiological adaptation in activated
      sludge the endogenous respiration in an aerobic degradation batch experiment and
      simultaneous to that the maximum possible respiration in an aerobic growth batch
      experiment was measured. The activated sludge samples were taken from full scale
      wastewater treatment plants with different sludge retention times (SRTs). It
      could be shown that the low SRT sludge adapts by growth optimisation (high
      maximum growth rate and high decay rate) to its particular environment where a
      high SRT sludge adapts by survival optimization (low maximum growth rate and low
      decay rate). Thereby, both the maximum specific growth rate and the decay rate
      vary in the same pattern and are strongly correlated to each other. To describe
      the physiological state of mixed cultures like activated sludge quantitatively a
      physiological state factor (PSF) is proposed as the ratio of the maximum specific
      growth rate and the decay rate. The PSF can be expressed as an exponential
      function with respect to the SRT. 

PMID- 26284751
TI  - Motor Cortex Inhibition is Increased During a Secondary Cognitive Task.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of a cognitive task on motor
      cortex excitability and inhibition. Transcranial magnetic stimulation of the
      motor cortex was performed on 20 healthy individuals (18-24 years; 9 females) to
      measure motor evoked potentials (MEPs) and cortical silent periods at baseline,
      during, and following a secondary cognitive task. The MEP amplitude increased
      from 0.50 +/- 0.09-0.87 +/- 0.50 mV during a secondary cognitive task (p = .04),
      and returned to baseline (0.48 +/- 0.31 mV; p = .90) posttask. The CSP duration
      also increased from 93.48 +/- 28.76-113.6 +/- 33.68 ms (p = .001) during the
      cognitive task, and returned to baseline posttask (89.0 +/- 6.9 ms; p = .88). In
      the presence of a cognitive task, motor cortex excitability and inhibition were
      both increased relative to baseline. The increase in inhibition may help to
      explain the motor deficits experienced while performing a secondary cognitive
      task. 

PMID- 26284752
TI  - Mechanism of Polysulfone-Based Anion Exchange Membranes Degradation in Vanadium
      Flow Battery.
AB  - The stability of hydrocarbon ion exchange membranes is one of the critical issues
      for a flow battery. However, the degradation mechanism of ion exchange membranes
      has been rarely investigated especially for anion exchange membranes. Here, the
      degradation mechanism of polysulfone based anion exchange membranes, carrying
      pyridine ion exchange groups, under vanadium flow battery (VFB) medium was
      investigated in detail. We find that sp(2) hybrid orbital interactions between
      pyridinic-nitrogen in 4,4'-bipyridine and benzylic carbon disrupt the charge
      state balance of pristine chloromethylated polysulfone. This difference in
      electronegativity inversely induces an electrophilic carbon center in the benzene
      ring, which can be attacked by the lone pair electron on the vanadium(V) oxygen
      species, further leading to the degradation of polymer backbone, while leaving
      the 4,4'-bipyridine ion exchange groups stable. This work represents a step
      toward design and construction of alternative type of chemically stable
      hydrocarbon ion exchange membranes for VFB. 

PMID- 26284754
TI  - Modern Organic Synthesis with alpha-Diazocarbonyl Compounds.

PMID- 26284753
TI  - Clotting Mimicry from Robust Hemostatic Bandages Based on Self-Assembling
      Peptides.
AB  - Uncontrolled bleeding from traumatic wounds is a major factor in deaths resulting
      from military conflict, accidents, disasters and crime. Self-assembling peptide
      nanofibers have shown superior hemostatic activity, and herein, we elucidate
      their mechanism by visualizing the formation of nanofiber-based clots that
      aggregate blood components with a similar morphology to fibrin-based clots.
      Furthermore, to enhance its direct application to a wound, we developed layer-by
      layer assembled thin film coatings onto common materials used for wound dressings
      gauze and gelatin sponges. We find these nanofibers elute upon hydration under
      physiological conditions and generate nanofiber-based clots with blood. After
      exposure to a range of harsh temperature conditions (-80 to 60  degrees C) for a
      week and even 5 months at 60  degrees C, these hemostatic bandages remain capable
      of releasing active nanofibers. In addition, the application of these nanofiber
      based films from gauze bandages was found to accelerate hemostasis in porcine
      skin wounds as compared to plain gauze. The thermal robustness, in combination
      with the self-assembling peptide's potent hemostatic activity, biocompatibility,
      biodegradability, and low cost of production, makes this a promising approach for
      a cheap yet effective hemostatic bandage. 

PMID- 26284755
TI  - Evaluation of dehiscence and fenestration in adolescent patients affected by
      unilateral cleft lip and palate: A retrospective cone beam computed tomography
      study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the presence of dehiscence and fenestration defects around
      anterior teeth in the cleft region and to compare these findings with the
      noncleft side in the same patients using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: CBCT scans of 44 patients (26 males, 18 females; mean age,
      14.04 +/- 3.81 years) with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) were assessed
      to define dehiscences and fenestrations of the anterior teeth in both cleft and
      noncleft sides of the UCLP patients and a control group of noncleft patients (51
      patients; 21 males, 30 females; mean age, 14.52 +/- 1.16 years). Data were
      analyzed using Pearson's chi(2) and Student's t-test. RESULTS: The prevalence of
      dehiscences at the maxillary central incisors, lateral incisors, and canines
      teeth were 43.2%, 70.6%, and 34.1% on the cleft side and 22.7%, 53.1%, and 27.3%
      on the noncleft side of UCLP patients, and 13.7%, 7.8%, and 13.7% in controls,
      respectively (statistically no difference between the sides of cleft patients).
      The cleft patients had a statistically significantly higher prevalence of
      dehiscences than did the controls on both the cleft and noncleft sides (P < .05),
      except for the maxillary central incisors. Fenestrations for these teeth were
      significantly more common on the cleft side in UCLP patients compared with
      controls (P < .05), whereas the difference for maxillary lateral incisors was not
      statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with UCLP showed a higher
      prevalence of dehiscence and fenestration defects around the maxillary anterior
      teeth.

PMID- 26284756
TI  - Optimization of preparation process of activated carbon from chestnut burs
      assisted by microwave and pore structural characterization analysis.
AB  - In this study, activated carbon was prepared from Chinese chestnut burs assisted
      by microwave irradiation with potassium hydroxide (KOH) as activator, and the
      process conditions were optimized employing Box-Behnken design (BBD) and response
      surface methodology (RSM). The optimized variables were irradiation time,
      impregnation time, and mass ratio of alkali-to-carbon, and the iodine adsorption
      value was used to evaluate the adsorption property of activated carbon. The
      optimal preparation conditions were determined as follows: irradiation time 17
      min, impregnation time 240 min, and mass ratio of alkali-to-char 1.5:1.
      Meanwhile, the relatively high iodine adsorption value (1141.4 mg/g) was also
      obtained. Furthermore, the pore structural characterization of activated carbon
      was analyzed. The analyzed results showed a larger Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET)
      specific surface area (1254.5 m(2)/g) and a higher microporosity ratio (87.2%), a
      bigger total pore volume (0.6565 m(3)/g), but a smaller average pore size (2.093
      nm), which demonstrated the obtained activated carbon possessed strong adsorption
      capacity and well-developed microporous structure. This research could not only
      establish the foundation of utilizing chestnut burs to prepare activated carbon,
      but also provide the basis for exploitation of Chinese chestnut by-products.
      IMPLICATIONS: Because Chinese chestnut burs are the by-products and usually
      discarded upon harvesting subsequently, the utilization of chestnut burs as a
      potential source of activated carbon is of great profit to the chestnut
      processing industries.

PMID- 26284757
TI  - Spring jumpers vs power jumpers: ankle joint behavior in elite wushu athletes and
      implications for performance and injury risk.

PMID- 26284759
TI  - Desaturase Activity Is Associated With Weight Status and Metabolic Risk Markers
      in Young Children.
AB  - CONTEXT: Activity of delta-9, delta-6, and delta-5 desaturases (D9D, D6D, D5D)
      are associated with obesity, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia. OBJECTIVE: To
      investigate the association of estimated desaturase activities with weight
      status, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia in children, cross-sectionally and
      longitudinally. DESIGN: The IDEFICS (Identification and Prevention of Dietary-
      and Lifestyle-Induced Health Effects in Children and Infants) cohort study was
      used, with examinations at baseline (T0) and after 2 years (T1). SETTING AND
      PARTICIPANTS: Children aged 2 to less than 10 years from eight European countries
      were recruited in kindergartens/primary schools. Children with available data on
      fatty acids, outcome, and covariate information were included in the analyses.
      METHODS: Whole blood fatty acids were analyzed in 2600 children at baseline. D9D
      (16:1n-7/16:0), D6D (20:3n-6/18:2n-6), and D5D (20:4n-6/20:3n-6) activities were
      estimated from product-precursor fatty acids ratios. Body mass index (BMI),
      Homeostatic Model Assessment index, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol
      (HDL), and triglycerides (TG) served as outcomes for weight status, insulin
      resistance, and dyslipidemia, respectively. Linear and logistic regression and
      repeated measures models were used to assess the cross-sectional and longitudinal
      associations between desaturase activity and outcomes. RESULTS: In the cross
      sectional analysis, D9D and D6D were positively associated with BMI and TG z
      scores and inversely with HDL z-scores. D5D was inversely associated with BMI and
      TG z-scores (ie, a D5D increase of 1 unit is associated with a BMI z-score
      decrease of 0.07 and a 28% lower odds ratio for TG >= 75th percentile).
      Longitudinally, similar associations were found for T0 desaturase activities with
      BMI and for T0 D6D with HDL at follow-up (T1). Baseline D6D and D5D were
      positively associated with the change of HDL z-score from T0 to T1, and D6D with
      the change of Homeostatic Model Assessment index z-score. CONCLUSION: Desaturase
      activities are associated with metabolic risk markers already in young children
      and appear to predict the metabolic risk.

PMID- 26284758
TI  - Insights Into SMAD4 Loss in Pancreatic Cancer From Inducible Restoration of TGF
      beta Signaling.
AB  - Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the fourth-leading cause of cancer
      death in the United States. The TGF-beta signaling protein SMAD family member 4
      is lost in 60% of PDAC, and this has been associated with poorer prognosis.
      However, the mechanisms by which SMAD4 loss promotes PDAC development are not
      fully understood. We expressed SMAD4 in human PDAC cell lines BxPC3 and CFPAC1 by
      selection of stable clones containing an inducible SMAD4 tetracycline inducible
      expression system construct. After 24 hours of SMAD4 expression, TGF-beta
      signaling-dependent G1 arrest was observed in BxPC3 cells with an increase in the
      G1 phase fraction from 48.9% to 71.5%. Inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinase
      inhibitor 1A by small interfering RNA eliminated the antiproliferative effect,
      indicating that up-regulation of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A/p21 by TGF
      beta signaling is necessary for the phenotype. SMAD4 expression had no impact on
      invasion in BxPC3 cells, but reduced migration. Microarray analysis of gene
      expression at 8, 24, and 48 hours after SMAD4 expression characterized the
      regulatory impact of SMAD4 expression in a SMAD4-null PDAC cell line and
      identified novel targets of TGF-beta signaling. Among the novel TGF-beta targets
      identified are anthrax toxin receptor 2 (3.58* at 8 h), tubulin, beta-3 class III
      (7.35* at 8 h), cell migration inducing protein, hyaluronan binding (8.07* at 8
      h), IL-1 receptor-like 1 (0.403* at 8 h), regulator of G protein signaling 4
      (0.293* at 8 h), and THAP domain containing 11 (0.262* at 8 h). The gene
      expression changes we observed upon restoration of TGF-beta signaling provide
      numerous new targets for future investigations into PDAC biology and progression.

PMID- 26284761
TI  - An Incidental Finding of Skull Hemangioma During 18F-FP CIT Brain PET/CT.
AB  - F-FP CIT has been well established and used for the differential diagnosis of
      atypical parkinsonian disorders, including idiopathic Parkinson disease. A 54
      year-old woman with a history of left hand and leg tremor underwent F-FP CIT
      PET/CT for the differentiation of parkinsonism. The F-FP CIT PET/CT incidentally
      showed focal dopamine transporter uptake in the right frontal bone. Brain MRI
      scan showed heterogeneous high signal intensity with enhancement in right frontal
      bone diploic space without cortical disruption, suggestive of cavernous
      hemangioma. Besides the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system, F-FP CIT PET/CT showed
      a skull tumor. 

PMID- 26284760
TI  - Directed evolution of xylose specific transporters to facilitate glucose-xylose
      co-utilization.
AB  - A highly active xylose specific transporter without glucose inhibition is highly
      desirable in cost-effective production of biofuels from lignocellulosic biomass.
      However, currently available xylose specific transporters suffer from low overall
      activity and most are inhibited by glucose. In this study, we applied a directed
      evolution strategy to engineer the xylose specific transporter AN25 from
      Neurospora crassa with improved xylose transportation capacity. After four rounds
      of directed evolution using two different strategies, we obtained an AN25 mutant
      AN25-R4.18 with 43-fold improvement in terms of xylose transportation capacity
      while maintaining its high xylose specificity. In addition, glucose inhibition
      was almost completely eliminated in the final evolved mutant. We demonstrated
      that improved xylose transportation of AN25 mutants in the exponential growth
      phase led to significant improvement of xylose consumption in high cell-density
      fermentation. Finally, we showed that AN25 mutant AN25-R4.18 can enable
      relatively efficient glucose-xylose co-utilization in high concentrations of
      mixed sugars.

PMID- 26284762
TI  - Quantification of Intratumoral Metabolic Macroheterogeneity on 18F-FDG PET/CT and
      Its Prognostic Significance in Pathologic N0 Squamous Cell Lung Carcinoma.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study aimed to develop a novel quantification method for
      intratumoral metabolic macroheterogeneity (IMMH) on F-FDG PET/CT and evaluate its
      prognostic significance in pathologic N0 (pN0) squamous cell lung carcinoma
      (SQCLC) patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 83 patients who underwent
      pretreatment F-FDG PET/CT and were diagnosed with pN0 SQCLC after curative
      surgery were examined. Patients with tumor measuring greater than 2 cm were
      included. Metabolic parameters (SUVmax, metabolic tumor volume, and total lesion
      glycolysis) for the primary lesions were calculated on the F-FDG PET/CT, and IMMH
      was quantified as the macroheterogeneity factor (MHF), defined as
      surface/spherical surface area having volume of the primary tumor multiplied by
      the sphericity. Heterogeneity of the primary tumor was also visually assessed
      (visual heterogeneity score) and compared with MHF. Univariate and multivariate
      analyses for recurrence were performed using the Cox proportional hazards
      regression. RESULTS: Recurrence was observed in 27 (32.5%) of 83 patients during
      follow-up period (37.6 +/- 25.5 months). Significant correlations were observed
      between the visual heterogeneity score and the MHF (R = 0.534, P < 0.001).
      Macroheterogeneity factor was significantly higher in patients who experienced
      recurrence (median, 1.073 vs 1.016; P = 0.004). Univariate analysis showed that
      MHF was only significant prognostic factor for recurrence (P = 0.019), and
      multivariate analysis after adjusting for age, sex, tumor size, histologic grade,
      and pathologic T stage, high MHF exhibited an association with increased risk of
      recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: New quantification method for IMMH on F-FDG PET/CT was
      developed, and the heterogeneity parameter MHF was well correlated with visual
      heterogeneity. Macroheterogeneity factor on pretreatment F-FDG PET/CT was the
      sole prognostic factor predicting recurrence in pN0 SQCLC patients.

PMID- 26284764
TI  - Amyloid Imaging With 11C-PIB in Patients With Cognitive Impairment in a Clinical
      Setting: A Visual and Semiquantitative Analysis.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate amyloid imaging with 11C-PIB
      PET/CT in the study of cognitive impairment in a clinical setting. PATIENTS AND
      METHODS: The study included 64 patients, with a mean age of 65 years, classified
      as subjective memory complaints (SMCs; n = 8), nonamnestic mild cognitive
      impairment (NA-MCI; n = 10), amnestic MCI (A-MCI; n = 19), prodromal Alzheimer
      disease (AD; n = 12), suspicion of frontotemporal dementia (n = 8), Lewy bodies
      dementia (DLB; n = 2), and cortical degeneration (CD; n = 5). Ten healthy
      controls (HCs), with a mean age of 59 years, were also included. 11C-PIB was
      acquired 60 minutes after IV injection of 555 MBq 11C-PIB. A visual and
      semiquantitative analysis was performed. RESULTS: In HC, 11C-PIB was negative in
      9 and positive in 1. Of the 64 patients, 11C-PIB was negative in 27 (42%) and
      positive in 37 (58%). 11C-PIB was positive in 3 of 8 SMC, in none of 10 NA-MCI,
      in 14 of 19 A-MCI, in 10 of 12 prodromal AD, in 3 of 8 frontotemporal dementia,
      and in the 2 and 5 DLB and CD patients. The semiquantitative results in terms of
      mean global SUV ratio were 1.13 for HC, 1.36 for SMC, 1.07 for NA-MCI, 2.01 for A
      MCI, 2.37 for prodromal AD, 2.75 for DLB, and 2.44 for CD. CONCLUSIONS: In a
      clinical setting, 11C-PIB scan had a relevant contribution on patients with
      cognitive impairment, excluding AD in a high proportion of MCI patients and
      differentiating AD from other dementias. In A-MCI, 11C-PIB revealed beta-amyloid
      deposit in 74%, whereas it was negative in all NA-MCI patients.

PMID- 26284763
TI  - Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Patients With
      Metastatic Neuroendocrine Tumors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Treatment of metastatic gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors
      (GEP-NETs) with peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) is effective in
      retarding tumor growth. Renal dysfunction, anemia, and thrombocytopenia are well
      described treatment-related toxicities. However, hepatotoxicity is not well
      recognized. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of
      consecutive patients with GEP-NETs seen in a tertiary NET clinic from January
      2010 to September 2013 (n = 211) with the primary study cohort being patients
      with metastatic disease to the liver (n = 93). The study exposure was PRRT, and
      the primary outcome of interest was hepatotoxicity. Hepatotoxicity was defined as
      a grade 2 or greater injury according to the Common Terminology Criteria for
      Adverse Events version 3.0 of the National Cancer Institute. RESULTS: Seventeen
      (18%) of 93 patients with liver metastases received PRRT after radiographic
      confirmation of disease progression despite receipt of other traditional
      therapies. Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy patients were similar to the
      unexposed patient population in terms of sex, age, baseline laboratory values,
      prior treatment exposure, and duration of disease. In the unexposed group, 23
      (30%) of 76 patients had hepatotoxicity related to traditional GEP-NET therapy.
      In the exposed group, 10 (59%) of 17 patients had an episode of hepatotoxicity.
      Ascites developed in 59% of the PRRT group versus 6.6% in the unexposed group (P
      < 0.001). The calculated relative risk of hepatotoxicity related to PRRT exposure
      in metastatic GEP-NET patients was 1.94 (95% confidence interval, 1.15-3.28).
      CONCLUSIONS: Hepatotoxicity after PRRT for metastatic GEP-NET is more common than
      previously reported.

PMID- 26284765
TI  - Pancreatitis Secondary to Anti-Programmed Death Receptor 1 Immunotherapy
      Diagnosed by FDG PET/CT.
AB  - A 57-year-old man with metastatic melanoma developed colitis secondary to
      ipilimumab, a known immune-related adverse event (irAE). The patient then
      received pembrolizumab immunotherapy, an anti-programmed-death-receptor-1 (PD-1)
      antibody. Restaging FDG PET/CT study following 3 cycles of therapy demonstrated
      diffuse increased FDG uptake throughout the body of the pancreas associated with
      fat stranding in the peripancreatic region, suggestive of pembrolizumab-induced
      pancreatitis. Although the patient was clinically asymptomatic, diagnosis was
      biochemically confirmed with elevated amylase and lipase levels. In the era of
      immunotherapy, it will be critical to recognize irAEs early to allow prompt
      initiation of appropriate therapy and reduce the risk of long-term sequelae. 

PMID- 26284766
TI  - FDG PET/CT Imaging of an Isolated Recurrence in the Eyelid of a Patient With
      Follicular Lymphoma.
AB  - An 80-year-old woman had a history of follicular lymphoma diagnosed by biopsy of
      the inguinal lymph node 4 years prior. After systemic chemotherapy, she achieved
      complete remission. She presented with painless swelling on the left side of the
      eyelid. She also had suspicious lymph node enlargement in the cervical and
      axillary regions. FDG PET/CT showed an isolated FDG-avid lesion on the eyelid
      that was confirmed by biopsy to be compatible with lymphoma recurrence. 

PMID- 26284767
TI  - FDG PET/CT in Monitoring Antituberculosis Therapy in Patient With Widespread
      Skeletal Tuberculosis.
AB  - FDG PET/CT imaging is a useful diagnostic tool in the evaluation of both
      neoplastic and inflammatory lesions and has a promising role in monitoring
      therapeutic response. We present a 50-year-old man whose initial PET/CT scan
      showed multiple foci of intense FDG activity in lytic lesions in the bones. A
      diagnosis of skeletal tuberculosis was confirmed after bone biopsy. Follow-up FDG
      PET/CT performed after 12 months of regular antituberculosis treatment
      demonstrated complete normalization of FDG activity in the bones. 

PMID- 26284768
TI  - 18F-Florbetapir and 18F-FDG PET/CT in Systemic Immunoglobulin Light Chain
      Amyloidosis Involving the Peripheral Nerves.
AB  - We present a case of both F-FDG and F-florbetapir uptake in a biopsy-confirmed
      immunoglobulin light chain (AL) amyloidosis involving the peripheral nerves. AL
      amyloidosis is the most common cause of acquired amyloid polyneuropathy,
      manifesting with both sensorimotor and autonomic neuronal dysfunction. Given the
      overlapping MRI and FDG PET/CT appearances of several different causes of
      peripheral neuropathy, F-florbetapir PET/CT provides another potential tool in
      the imaging algorithm of these patients and may guide targeted fascicular biopsy
      for pathologic confirmation. 

PMID- 26284769
TI  - Long-lasting FDG uptake in the muscles after strenuous exercise.
AB  - FDG PET/CT imaging guidelines require avoiding exercise 24 hours before FDG
      administration. We report here a case of intense skeletal muscle FDG activity in
      a 15-year-old adolescent boy who had vigorous exercise 4 days before undertaking
      FDG PET/CT scan. 

PMID- 26284770
TI  - Imaging Idiopathic Chylopericardium With 99mTc-SC Lymphoscintigraphy and
      SPECT/CT.
AB  - A 27-year-old asymptomatic active duty military man underwent a screening chest x
      ray secondary to a history of tuberculosis exposure. His chest x-ray showed no
      features of tuberculosis infection but unexpectedly revealed a markedly enlarged
      cardiac silhouette. Echocardiography demonstrated a large pericardial effusion
      without tamponade physiology. Pericardiocentesis revealed chylous fluid. The
      effusion was initially refractory to drainage requiring VATS for therapy.
      Lymphoscintigraphy was performed using Tc-SC to evaluate lymphatic anatomy and
      confirm communication with the pericardial space. Novel use was made of SPECT/CT
      with the hope of better assessing the nature of the abnormal communication and
      potentially helping guide management. 

PMID- 26284771
TI  - Prior CT May Improve Diagnostic Confidence in Myocardial Perfusion Imaging.
AB  - PURPOSE: Many patients with matching myocardial perfusion imaging defects may
      have prior CT examinations that include the myocardial region of interest, such
      as a CT chest or CT abdomen. We correlate these perfusion defects with available
      prior CT examinations to determine if this will improve diagnostic confidence.
      METHODS: Myocardial perfusion scans were reviewed to identify cases with
      myocardial perfusion defects and prior CT imaging that included the myocardium.
      The CT was reviewed for evidence of myocardial injury that correlated with the
      perfusion defect. RESULTS: A retrospective review of 732 myocardial perfusion
      scans was performed, of which 69 cases with perfusion defects were identified
      that also had prior CT imaging available for review. Of this subset of patients,
      19 patients had findings on the CT scan compatible with ischemia or infarction in
      the expected region of the perfusion defect, which allowed for a more confident
      diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Reviewing a prior CT scan, if available, during the
      interpretation of a myocardial perfusion scan, can help improve diagnostic
      confidence in over 25% of cases. This can lead to decreased indeterminate results
      and can be used to potentially avoid unhelpful further testing.

PMID- 26284772
TI  - Renographic Demonstration of Desmoid Tumor-Ureteral Fistula.
AB  - A 20-year-old woman with Gardner syndrome and intra-abdominal desmoid tumors
      presented with increasing abdominal pain. CT demonstrated a new area of central
      hypodensity in a presumed desmoid tumor, compressing the left ureter. Findings
      were suspicious for abscess or fistula to the ureter. Subsequent 99mTc-MAG3
      renogram demonstrated persistent extraureteral radiotracer activity in the region
      of the tumor, confirming a desmoid tumor-ureteral fistula. Desmoid tumors are
      benign but locally aggressive fibrous neoplasms that can be sporadic or
      associated with familial adenomatous polyposis syndromes, specifically Gardner
      syndrome. Fistula formation to the ureter has been reported infrequently.

PMID- 26284773
TI  - Initial Experience of 18F-FDG PET/MRI in Thymic Epithelial Tumors: Morphologic,
      Functional, and Metabolic Biomarkers.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the value of morphologic,
      functional, and metabolic biomarkers acquired concurrently at PET/MRI in patients
      with thymic epithelial tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: During 1 year, 9 patients
      with suspected thymic epithelial tumors at contrast-enhanced chest CT were
      prospectively enrolled and underwent preoperative 18F-FDG PET/MRI. Two chest
      radiologists prospectively reviewed the CT and MRI scans of PET/MRI in consensus,
      and 2 nuclear physicians reviewed the PET images. Visual assessment of the tumor
      morphology, functional biomarkers such as apparent diffusion coefficient from
      diffusion-weighted images, and metabolic biomarkers (including SUVmax, metabolic
      tumor volume, total lesion glycolysis, and heterogeneity index) were recorded.
      All patients underwent operation, and their pathologic reports served as the
      reference standard. RESULTS: Thymic epithelial tumors were demonstrated in all 9
      patients at pathologic examination. Tumor contour (P = 0.012) and shape (P =
      0.033) had an association with the World Health Organization subtype, and the
      presence of septum (P = 0.048) on MRI scans had an association with the Masaoka
      stage. In terms of functional and metabolic biomarkers, SUVmax (rho = 0.683, P =
      0.042) and SUV/apparent diffusion coefficient (rho = 0.703, P = 0.035) correlated
      with the Masaoka stage. Metabolic tumor volume (P = 0.024), heterogeneity index
      (P = 0.024), and total lesion glycolysis (P = 0.048) were useful for
      classification between low- and high-risk thymic epithelial tumors. CONCLUSIONS:
      Although limited by the small number of patients enrolled, morphologic,
      functional, and metabolic biomarkers derived from PET/MRI scans were useful for
      the stratification of thymic epithelial tumors.

PMID- 26284774
TI  - Secondary Hyperparathyroidism With "Superscan-Like" Hypermetabolic FDG PET/CT
      Pattern.
AB  - A 26-year-old man with chronic terminal renal insufficiency under dialysis was
      referred in our institution for a checkup before kidney transplantation to ensure
      the absence of malignant neoplasm. The patient had a biological secondary
      hyperparathyroidism with highly elevated serum parathormon, and treatment with
      parathyroid surgery was planned before the kidney transplant. Whole-body FDG
      PET/CT showed no apparent malignant neoplasm, but increased metabolism of the 4
      parathyroid gland and the other pitfalls of advanced secondary
      hyperparathyroidism on chronic renal insufficiency: pseudotumoral calcification
      in soft tissues, diffuse hypermetabolic bone dystrophy, and osteolytic lesion of
      pelvic and peripheral skeleton corresponding to brown tumors. 

PMID- 26284775
TI  - Adenocarcinoma of the Cervix Uteri and Endometrium Combined With the Kartagener
      Syndrome on FDG PET/CT.
AB  - A 45-year-old woman with pathologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the cervix
      uteri and endometrium underwent FDG PET/CT for staging. No metastasis was found.
      However, the images revealed bronchiectasis, sinusitis, and situs inversus
      totalis, which are the triad of Kartagener syndrome. 

PMID- 26284776
TI  - Localization of Parathyroid Adenoma With Real-Time Ultrasound: Freehand SPECT
      Fusion.
AB  - Preoperative localization of parathyroid adenoma in primary hyperparathyroidism
      gains in importance as there is a trend toward minimally invasive parathyroid
      surgery. Besides MRI, 4-dimensional CT, PET/CT, invasive-selective venous
      sampling, or angiography, both ultrasound and scintigraphy are standard of care
      for lesion localization. Here we report on a 53-year-old woman with suspicion of
      primary hyperparathyroidism using real-time fusion of scintigraphic (freehand
      SPECT) and ultrasound imaging for adenoma localization. Real-time fusion of
      ultrasound and freehand SPECT allowed noninvasive dedicated metabolic and
      anatomic adenoma localization and treatment planning. 

PMID- 26284778
TI  - A Novel Multiparametric Approach to 3D Quantitative MRI of the Brain.
AB  - Magnetic Resonance properties of tissues can be quantified in several respects:
      relaxation processes, density of imaged nuclei, magnetism of environmental
      molecules, etc. In this paper, we propose a new comprehensive approach to obtain
      3D high resolution quantitative maps of arbitrary body districts, mainly focusing
      on the brain. The theory presented makes it possible to map longitudinal (R1),
      pure transverse (R2) and free induction decay ([Formula: see text]) rates, along
      with proton density (PD) and magnetic susceptibility (chi), from a set of fast
      acquisition sequences in steady-state that are highly insensitive to flow
      phenomena. A novel denoising scheme is described and applied to the acquired
      datasets to enhance the signal to noise ratio of the derived maps and an
      information theory approach compensates for biases from radio frequency (RF)
      inhomogeneities, if no direct measure of the RF field is available. Finally, the
      results obtained on sample brain scans of healthy controls and multiple sclerosis
      patients are presented and discussed. 

PMID- 26284779
TI  - Does Angling Technique Selectively Target Fishes Based on Their Behavioural Type?
AB  - Recently, there has been growing recognition that fish harvesting practices can
      have important impacts on the phenotypic distributions and diversity of natural
      populations through a phenomenon known as fisheries-induced evolution. Here we
      experimentally show that two common recreational angling techniques (active crank
      baits versus passive soft plastics) differentially target wild largemouth bass
      (Micropterus salmoides) and rock bass (Ambloplites rupestris) based on variation
      in their behavioural tendencies. Fish were first angled in the wild using both
      techniques and then brought back to the laboratory and tested for individual
      level differences in common estimates of personality (refuge emergence, flight
      initiation-distance, latency-to-recapture and with a net, and general activity)
      in an in-lake experimental arena. We found that different angling techniques
      appear to selectively target these species based on their boldness (as
      characterized by refuge emergence, a standard measure of boldness in fishes) but
      not other assays of personality. We also observed that body size was
      independently a significant predictor of personality in both species, though this
      varied between traits and species. Our results suggest a context-dependency for
      vulnerability to capture relative to behaviour in these fish species.
      Ascertaining the selective pressures angling practices exert on natural
      populations is an important area of fisheries research with significant
      implications for ecology, evolution, and resource management. 

PMID- 26284780
TI  - Comparison of Toxoplasma gondii Seroprevalence in Shelter Cats and Dogs during
      1999-2001 and 2009-2011 in Tokyo, Japan.
AB  - Toxoplasma gondii is an important human health concern with respect to abortion,
      congenital hydrocephalus, and encephalitis in immunocompromised people. Cats and
      dogs both are potential sources of T. gondii because they have close contact with
      humans. However, no epidemiological surveys have been conducted in Tokyo over the
      past decade. Therefore, the present study investigated and compared the
      seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in shelter cats and dogs during 1999-2001
      and 2009-2011 in Tokyo, Japan. Serum samples were collected from 337 shelter cats
      and 325 shelter dogs in urban and suburban areas of Tokyo, during 1999-2001 (233
      cats and 219 dogs) and 2009-2011 (104 cats and 106 dogs). T. gondii antibodies
      were measured in the serum samples using a commercial latex agglutination test.
      Data were compared using the Fisher's exact test, and significance was indicated
      at P < 0.05. The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in cats was 5.6%
      (13 of 233) in 1999-2001 and 6.7% (7 of 104) in 2009-2011, and that in dogs was
      1.8% (4 of 219) and 1.9% (2 of 106), respectively. Significantly higher
      seroprevalence was observed in cats from suburban areas compared with cats in
      urban areas during both periods (P < 0.05). These results reveal that there has
      been little change in the feline and canine seroprevalence over the past decade,
      indicating that the risk of T. gondii exposure for cats and dogs in Tokyo is
      considerably low as the seroprevalence has reached a steady state. 

PMID- 26284777
TI  - Host Biology in Light of the Microbiome: Ten Principles of Holobionts and
      Hologenomes.
AB  - Groundbreaking research on the universality and diversity of microorganisms is
      now challenging the life sciences to upgrade fundamental theories that once
      seemed untouchable. To fully appreciate the change that the field is now
      undergoing, one has to place the epochs and foundational principles of Darwin,
      Mendel, and the modern synthesis in light of the current advances that are
      enabling a new vision for the central importance of microbiology. Animals and
      plants are no longer heralded as autonomous entities but rather as biomolecular
      networks composed of the host plus its associated microbes, i.e., "holobionts."
      As such, their collective genomes forge a "hologenome," and models of animal and
      plant biology that do not account for these intergenomic associations are
      incomplete. Here, we integrate these concepts into historical and contemporary
      visions of biology and summarize a predictive and refutable framework for their
      evaluation. Specifically, we present ten principles that clarify and append what
      these concepts are and are not, explain how they both support and extend existing
      theory in the life sciences, and discuss their potential ramifications for the
      multifaceted approaches of zoology and botany. We anticipate that the conceptual
      and evidence-based foundation provided in this essay will serve as a roadmap for
      hypothesis-driven, experimentally validated research on holobionts and their
      hologenomes, thereby catalyzing the continued fusion of biology's subdisciplines.
      At a time when symbiotic microbes are recognized as fundamental to all aspects of
      animal and plant biology, the holobiont and hologenome concepts afford a holistic
      view of biological complexity that is consistent with the generally reductionist
      approaches of biology. 

PMID- 26284781
TI  - Conformational Polymorphism in Autophagy-Related Protein GATE-16.
AB  - Autophagy is a fundamental homeostatic process in eukaryotic organisms,
      fulfilling essential roles in development and adaptation to stress. Among other
      factors, formation of autophagosomes critically depends on proteins of the Atg8
      (autophagy-related protein 8) family, which are reversibly conjugated to membrane
      lipids. We have applied X-ray crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance
      spectroscopy, and molecular dynamics simulations to study the conformational
      dynamics of Atg8-type proteins, using GATE-16 (Golgi-associated ATPase enhancer
      of 16 kDa), also known as GABARAPL2, as a model system. This combination of
      complementary approaches provides new insight into a structural transition
      centered on the C-terminus, which is crucial for the biological activity of these
      proteins. 

PMID- 26284783
TI  - A wafer-scale graphene and ferroelectric multilayer for flexible and fast
      switched modulation applications.
AB  - Here we report a wafer-scale graphene/P(VDF-TrFE)/graphene multilayer for light
      weight, flexible and fast-switched broadband modulation applications. The P(VDF
      TrFE) film not only significantly reduces the sheet resistance of graphene
      throughout heavy doping of ~0.8 * 10(13) cm(-2) by nonvolatile ferroelectric
      dipoles, but also acts as an efficient electro-optic (EO) layer. Such
      multilayered structural integration with remarkable ferroelectric polarization,
      high transparency (>90%), low sheet resistance (~302 Omega?(-1)), and excellent
      mechanic flexibility shows the potential of a flexible modulation application
      over a broad range of wavelengths. Moreover, the derived device also exhibits
      strong field-induced EO modulation even under bending and one large Pockels
      coefficient (~54.3 pm V(-1)) is obtained. Finally, the graphene and ferroelectric
      hybrid demonstrates a fast switching time (~2 MUs) and works well below low sheet
      resistance level over a long time. This work gives insights into the potential of
      graphene and ferroelectric hybrid structures, enabling future exploration on next
      generation high-performance, flexible transparent electronics and photonics. 

PMID- 26284782
TI  - Association Mapping for Fruit, Plant and Leaf Morphology Traits in Eggplant.
AB  - An eggplant (Solanum melongena) association panel of 191 accessions, comprising a
      mixture of breeding lines, old varieties and landrace selections was SNP
      genotyped and phenotyped for key breeding fruit and plant traits at two locations
      over two seasons. A genome-wide association (GWA) analysis was performed using
      the mixed linear model, which takes into account both a kinship matrix and the
      sub-population membership of the accessions. Overall, 194 phenotype/genotype
      associations were uncovered, relating to 30 of the 33 measured traits. These
      associations involved 79 SNP loci mapping to 39 distinct chromosomal regions
      distributed over all 12 eggplant chromosomes. A comparison of the map positions
      of these SNPs with those of loci derived from conventional linkage mapping showed
      that GWA analysis both validated many of the known controlling loci and detected
      a large number of new marker/trait associations. Exploiting established syntenic
      relationships between eggplant chromosomes and those of tomato and pepper
      recognized orthologous regions in ten eggplant chromosomes harbouring genes
      influencing breeders' traits. 

PMID- 26284785
TI  - Dynamic Monitoring Reveals Motor Task Characteristics in Prehistoric Technical
      Gestures.
AB  - Reconstructing ancient technical gestures associated with simple tool actions is
      crucial for understanding the co-evolution of the human forelimb and its
      associated control-related cognitive functions on the one hand, and of the human
      technological arsenal on the other hand. Although the topic of gesture is an old
      one in Paleolithic archaeology and in anthropology in general, very few studies
      have taken advantage of the new technologies from the science of kinematics in
      order to improve replicative experimental protocols. Recent work in
      paleoanthropology has shown the potential of monitored replicative experiments to
      reconstruct tool-use-related motions through the study of fossil bones, but so
      far comparatively little has been done to examine the dynamics of the tool
      itself. In this paper, we demonstrate that we can statistically differentiate
      gestures used in a simple scraping task through dynamic monitoring. Dynamics
      combines kinematics (position, orientation, and speed) with contact mechanical
      parameters (force and torque). Taken together, these parameters are important
      because they play a role in the formation of a visible archaeological signature,
      use-wear. We present our new affordable, yet precise methodology for measuring
      the dynamics of a simple hide-scraping task, carried out using a pull-to (PT) and
      a push-away (PA) gesture. A strain gage force sensor combined with a visual tag
      tracking system records force, torque, as well as position and orientation of
      hafted flint stone tools. The set-up allows switching between two tool
      configurations, one with distal and the other one with perpendicular hafting of
      the scrapers, to allow for ethnographically plausible reconstructions. The data
      show statistically significant differences between the two gestures: scraping
      away from the body (PA) generates higher shearing forces, but requires greater
      hand torque. Moreover, most benchmarks associated with the PA gesture are more
      highly variable than in the PT gesture. These results demonstrate that different
      gestures used in 'common' prehistoric tasks can be distinguished quantitatively
      based on their dynamic parameters. Future research needs to assess our ability to
      reconstruct these parameters from observed use-wear patterns. 

PMID- 26284784
TI  - Screening of Non- Saccharomyces cerevisiae Strains for Tolerance to Formic Acid
      in Bioethanol Fermentation.
AB  - Formic acid is one of the major inhibitory compounds present in hydrolysates
      derived from lignocellulosic materials, the presence of which can significantly
      hamper the efficiency of converting available sugars into bioethanol. This study
      investigated the potential for screening formic acid tolerance in non
      Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast strains, which could be used for the development
      of advanced generation bioethanol processes. Spot plate and phenotypic microarray
      methods were used to screen the formic acid tolerance of 7 non-Saccharomyces
      cerevisiae yeasts. S. kudriavzeii IFO1802 and S. arboricolus 2.3319 displayed a
      higher formic acid tolerance when compared to other strains in the study. Strain
      S. arboricolus 2.3319 was selected for further investigation due to its genetic
      variability among the Saccharomyces species as related to Saccharomyces
      cerevisiae and availability of two sibling strains: S. arboricolus 2.3317 and
      2.3318 in the lab. The tolerance of S. arboricolus strains (2.3317, 2.3318 and
      2.3319) to formic acid was further investigated by lab-scale fermentation
      analysis, and compared with S. cerevisiae NCYC2592. S. arboricolus 2.3319
      demonstrated improved formic acid tolerance and a similar bioethanol synthesis
      capacity to S. cerevisiae NCYC2592, while S. arboricolus 2.3317 and 2.3318
      exhibited an overall inferior performance. Metabolite analysis indicated that S.
      arboricolus strain 2.3319 accumulated comparatively high concentrations of
      glycerol and glycogen, which may have contributed to its ability to tolerate high
      levels of formic acid. 

PMID- 26284786
TI  - Dynamic Metabolite Profiling in an Archaeon Connects Transcriptional Regulation
      to Metabolic Consequences.
AB  - Previous work demonstrated that the TrmB transcription factor is responsible for
      regulating the expression of many enzyme-coding genes in the hypersaline-adapted
      archaeon Halobacterium salinarum via a direct interaction with a cis-regulatory
      sequence in their promoters. This interaction is abolished in the presence of
      glucose. Although much is known about the effects of TrmB at the transcriptional
      level, it remains unclear whether and to what extent changes in mRNA levels
      directly affect metabolite levels. In order to address this question, here we
      performed a high-resolution metabolite profiling time course during a change in
      nutrients using a combination of targeted and untargeted methods in wild-type and
      DeltatrmB strain backgrounds. We found that TrmB-mediated transcriptional changes
      resulted in widespread and significant changes to metabolite levels across the
      metabolic network. Additionally, the pattern of growth complementation using
      various purines suggests that the mis-regulation of gluconeogenesis in the
      DeltatrmB mutant strain in the absence of glucose results in low
      phosphoribosylpyrophosphate (PRPP) levels. We confirmed these low PRPP levels
      using a quantitative mass spectrometric technique and found that they are
      associated with a metabolic block in de novo purine synthesis, which is partially
      responsible for the growth defect of the DeltatrmB mutant strain in the absence
      of glucose. In conclusion, we show how transcriptional regulation of metabolism
      affects metabolite levels and ultimately, phenotypes. 

PMID- 26284787
TI  - Derivation of an Analytical Solution to a Reaction-Diffusion Model for
      Autocatalytic Degradation and Erosion in Polymer Microspheres.
AB  - A mathematical reaction-diffusion model is defined to describe the gradual
      decomposition of polymer microspheres composed of poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic
      acid) (PLGA) that are used for pharmaceutical drug delivery over extended periods
      of time. The partial differential equation (PDE) model treats simultaneous first
      order generation due to chemical reaction and diffusion of reaction products in
      spherical geometry to capture the microsphere-size-dependent effects of
      autocatalysis on PLGA erosion that occurs when the microspheres are exposed to
      aqueous media such as biological fluids. The model is solved analytically for the
      concentration of the autocatalytic carboxylic acid end groups of the polymer
      chains that comprise the microspheres as a function of radial position and time.
      The analytical solution for the reaction and transport of the autocatalytic
      chemical species is useful for predicting the conditions under which drug release
      from PLGA microspheres transitions from diffusion-controlled to erosion
      controlled release, for understanding the dynamic coupling between the PLGA
      degradation and erosion mechanisms, and for designing drug release particles. The
      model is the first to provide an analytical prediction for the dynamics and
      spatial heterogeneities of PLGA degradation and erosion within a spherical
      particle. The analytical solution is applicable to other spherical systems with
      simultaneous diffusive transport and first-order generation by reaction. 

PMID- 26284789
TI  - Re-examining the Chevrel phase Mo6S8 cathode for Mg intercalation from an
      electronic structure perspective.
AB  - We re-examine the electronic response of the Chevrel phase Mo6S8 upon Mg
      intercalation. The ground state Mo6S8 is metallic and exhibits strongly localized
      electronic screening of Mg(2+) ions. This localized screening cloud effectively
      shields the 2+ charge carried by Mg ions on the length scale of one unit cell and
      facilitates Mg ion diffusion. 

PMID- 26284788
TI  - Diet- and Genetically-Induced Obesity Differentially Affect the Fecal Microbiome
      and Metabolome in Apc1638N Mice.
AB  - Obesity is a risk factor for colorectal cancer (CRC), and alterations in the
      colonic microbiome and metabolome may be mechanistically involved in this
      relationship. The relative contribution of diet and obesity per se are unclear.
      We compared the effect of diet- and genetically-induced obesity on the intestinal
      microbiome and metabolome in a mouse model of CRC. Apc1638N mice were made obese
      by either high fat (HF) feeding or the presence of the Leprdb/db (DbDb) mutation.
      Intestinal tumors were quantified and stool microbiome and metabolome were
      profiled. Genetic obesity, and to a lesser extent HF feeding, promoted intestinal
      tumorigenesis. Each induced distinct microbial patterns: taxa enriched in HF were
      mostly Firmicutes (6 of 8) while those enriched in DbDb were split between
      Firmicutes (7 of 12) and Proteobacteria (5 of 12). Parabecteroides distasonis was
      lower in tumor-bearing mice and its abundance was inversely associated with
      colonic Il1b production (p<0.05). HF and genetic obesity altered the abundance of
      49 and 40 fecal metabolites respectively, with 5 in common. Of these 5, adenosine
      was also lower in obese and in tumor-bearing mice (p<0.05) and its concentration
      was inversely associated with colonic Il1b and Tnf production (p<0.05). HF and
      genetic obesity differentially alter the intestinal microbiome and metabolome. A
      depletion of adenosine and P.distasonis in tumor-bearing mice could play a
      mechanistic role in tumor formation. Adenosine and P. distasonis have previously
      been shown to be anti-inflammatory in the colon and we postulate their reduction
      could promote tumorigenesis by de-repressing inflammation. 

PMID- 26284790
TI  - Assessing the Causal Relationship of Maternal Height on Birth Size and
      Gestational Age at Birth: A Mendelian Randomization Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Observational epidemiological studies indicate that maternal height
      is associated with gestational age at birth and fetal growth measures (i.e.,
      shorter mothers deliver infants at earlier gestational ages with lower birth
      weight and birth length). Different mechanisms have been postulated to explain
      these associations. This study aimed to investigate the casual relationships
      behind the strong association of maternal height with fetal growth measures
      (i.e., birth length and birth weight) and gestational age by a Mendelian
      randomization approach. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We conducted a Mendelian
      randomization analysis using phenotype and genome-wide single nucleotide
      polymorphism (SNP) data of 3,485 mother/infant pairs from birth cohorts collected
      from three Nordic countries (Finland, Denmark, and Norway). We constructed a
      genetic score based on 697 SNPs known to be associated with adult height to index
      maternal height. To avoid confounding due to genetic sharing between mother and
      infant, we inferred parental transmission of the height-associated SNPs and
      utilized the haplotype genetic score derived from nontransmitted alleles as a
      valid genetic instrument for maternal height. In observational analysis, maternal
      height was significantly associated with birth length (p = 6.31 * 10-9), birth
      weight (p = 2.19 * 10-15), and gestational age (p = 1.51 * 10-7). Our parental
      specific haplotype score association analysis revealed that birth length and
      birth weight were significantly associated with the maternal transmitted
      haplotype score as well as the paternal transmitted haplotype score. Their
      association with the maternal nontransmitted haplotype score was far less
      significant, indicating a major fetal genetic influence on these fetal growth
      measures. In contrast, gestational age was significantly associated with the
      nontransmitted haplotype score (p = 0.0424) and demonstrated a significant (p =
      0.0234) causal effect of every 1 cm increase in maternal height resulting in ~0.4
      more gestational d. Limitations of this study include potential influences in
      causal inference by biological pleiotropy, assortative mating, and the nonrandom
      sampling of study subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that the
      observed association between maternal height and fetal growth measures (i.e.,
      birth length and birth weight) is mainly defined by fetal genetics. In contrast,
      the association between maternal height and gestational age is more likely to be
      causal. In addition, our approach that utilizes the genetic score derived from
      the nontransmitted maternal haplotype as a genetic instrument is a novel
      extension to the Mendelian randomization methodology in casual inference between
      parental phenotype (or exposure) and outcomes in offspring.

PMID- 26284791
TI  - CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Genome Editing in Soybean Hairy Roots.
AB  - As a new technology for gene editing, the CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced
      short palindromic repeat)/Cas (CRISPR-associated) system has been rapidly and
      widely used for genome engineering in various organisms. In the present study, we
      successfully applied type II CRISPR/Cas9 system to generate and estimate genome
      editing in the desired target genes in soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill.). The
      single-guide RNA (sgRNA) and Cas9 cassettes were assembled on one vector to
      improve transformation efficiency, and we designed a sgRNA that targeted a
      transgene (bar) and six sgRNAs that targeted different sites of two endogenous
      soybean genes (GmFEI2 and GmSHR). The targeted DNA mutations were detected in
      soybean hairy roots. The results demonstrated that this customized CRISPR/Cas9
      system shared the same efficiency for both endogenous and exogenous genes in
      soybean hairy roots. We also performed experiments to detect the potential of
      CRISPR/Cas9 system to simultaneously edit two endogenous soybean genes using only
      one customized sgRNA. Overall, generating and detecting the CRISPR/Cas9-mediated
      genome modifications in target genes of soybean hairy roots could rapidly assess
      the efficiency of each target loci. The target sites with higher efficiencies can
      be used for regular soybean transformation. Furthermore, this method provides a
      powerful tool for root-specific functional genomics studies in soybean. 

PMID- 26284793
TI  - Elimination of Reperfusion-Induced Microcirculatory Alterations In Vivo by
      Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Supernatant without Adipose-Derived Stem Cells.

PMID- 26284792
TI  - Flow Cytofluorimetric Analysis of Anti-LRP4 (LDL Receptor-Related Protein 4)
      Autoantibodies in Italian Patients with Myasthenia Gravis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease in which 90% of
      patients have autoantibodies against the muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptor
      (AChR), while autoantibodies to muscle-specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK) have been
      detected in half (5%) of the remaining 10%. Recently, the low-density lipoprotein
      receptor-related protein 4 (LRP4), identified as the agrin receptor, has been
      recognized as a third autoimmune target in a significant portion of the double
      sero-negative (dSN) myasthenic individuals, with variable frequency depending on
      different methods and origin countries of the tested population. There is also
      convincing experimental evidence that anti-LRP4 autoantibodies may cause MG.
      METHODS: The aim of this study was to test the presence and diagnostic
      significance of anti-LRP4 autoantibodies in an Italian population of 101
      myasthenic patients (55 dSN, 23 AChR positive and 23 MuSK positive), 45 healthy
      blood donors and 40 patients with other neurological diseases as controls. All
      sera were analyzed by a cell-based antigen assay employing LRP4-transfected
      HEK293T cells, along with a flow cytofluorimetric detection system. RESULTS: We
      found a 14.5% (8/55) frequency of positivity in the dSN-MG group and a 13%
      frequency of co-occurrence (3/23) in both AChR and MuSK positive patients;
      moreover, we report a younger female prevalence with a mild form of disease in
      LRP4-positive dSN-MG individuals. CONCLUSION: Our data confirm LRP4 as a new
      autoimmune target, supporting the value of including anti-LRP4 antibodies in
      further studies on Myasthenia gravis.

PMID- 26284794
TI  - Reply: Midface Rejuvenation: A Critical Evaluation of a 7-Year Experience.

PMID- 26284796
TI  - Vaginal Labiaplasty: Current Practices and a Simplified Classification System for
      Labial Protrusion.

PMID- 26284797
TI  - Reply: Vaginal Labiaplasty: Current Practices and a Simplified Classification
      System for Labial Protrusion.

PMID- 26284798
TI  - Cadaveric Study of Breast Measurements during Augmentation with Implants.

PMID- 26284799
TI  - Spatial/Frontal QRS-T Angle Predicts All-Cause Mortality and Cardiac Mortality: A
      Meta-Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A number of studies have assessed the predictive effect of QRS-T
      angles in various populations since the last decade. The objective of this meta
      analysis was to evaluate the prognostic value of spatial/frontal QRS-T angle on
      all-cause death and cardiac death. METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane
      Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from their inception until
      June 5, 2014. Studies reporting the predictive effect of spatial/frontal QRS-T
      angle on all-cause/cardiac death in all populations were included. Relative risk
      (RR) was used as a measure of effect. RESULTS: Twenty-two studies enrolling
      164,171 individuals were included. In the combined analysis in all populations, a
      wide spatial QRS-T angle was associated with an increase in all-cause death
      (maximum-adjusted RR: 1.40; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.32 to 1.48) and
      cardiac death (maximum-adjusted RR: 1.71; 95% CI: 1.54 to 1.90), a wide frontal
      QRS-T angle also predicted a higher rate of all-cause death (maximum-adjusted RR:
      1.71; 95% CI: 1.54 to 1.90). Largely similar results were found using different
      methods of categorizing for QRS-T angles, and similar in subgroup populations
      such as general population, populations with suspected coronary heart disease or
      heart failure. Other stratified analyses and meta-analyses using unadjusted data
      also generated consistent findings. CONCLUSIONS: Spatial QRS-T angle held
      promising prognostic value on all-cause death and cardiac death. Frontal QRS-T
      angle was also a promising predictor of all-cause death. Given the good
      predictive value of QRS-T angle, a combined stratification strategy in which QRS
      T angle is of vital importance might be expected.

PMID- 26284800
TI  - [In Process Citation].
AB  - The blunt injury of the thoracic aorta constitutes one of the most severe chapter
      of traumatology. Open and transmural aortic injury leads to death on site, but
      its blunt trauma provides chance for survival if expeditious transport,
      diagnostic workup and proper selection of treatment are given. The blunt trauma
      of the aorta usually is a part of multiple injuries which determines the final
      outcome significantly. To select among acute, subacute interventions and
      conservative treatment options needs great experience following personalized
      algorithm. The wide variety of the clinical picture makes difficult to formulate
      an individualized clear guideline - so we think it is important to summarise own
      experiences and overview related literature. 

PMID- 26284801
TI  - [In Process Citation].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The adequate exposure of the upper abdominal aorta and its side
      branches are essential for vascular reconstruction of this region. Besides the
      traditional transperitoneal, retroperitoneal approach or thoracolaparotomy, left
      medial visceral rotation (MVR) is an option to explore this hardly accessible
      region. We present our MVR experiences in aortic surgery. METHODS: Using median
      or subcostal laparotomy we mobilised the left colon, the spleen, the pancreas and
      performed dissection in the retroperitoneal area leaving the left kidney in
      place. The indications of surgery were suprarenal aneurysm in one case,
      extensively calcified aortic atherosclerosis causing significant stenosis in
      three cases, postoperative anastomotic pseudoaneurysm in one case and type B
      aortic dissection causing malperfusion in one case. We performed two
      thrombendarterectomies (TEA), one TEA with aortobifemoral bypass grafting, two
      aortic interposition with dacron prosthesis and cryopreserved homograft and one
      aortic refenestration. RESULTS: the median age was 58 years (43-72). The average
      operation time was 231 +/- 80 minutes, average supraceliac crossclamping time was
      43 +/- 15 minutes. We used cell saver in three cases. Average hospital stay was
      16.16 +/- 13.53 days. One patient suffered spleen capsule injury requiring
      splenectomy and 2 patients had reoperation because of bleeding. Two patients
      developed renal failure, one of them required long-term dialysis. No death,
      pancreatitis or bowel necrosis occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Based on trauma experience,
      transabdominal medial visceral rotation provides a good exposure for acute or
      elective vascular reconstruction of the upper abdominal aortic segment. The
      intraoperative bleeding control, the approach of the distal part of visceral
      arteries is more accessible using laparotomy and lateral aortic exploration. The
      thoracolaparotomy with opening of two body cavities causes higher morbidity,
      mainly pulmonary complications. Further advantage of MVR is the direct access of
      abdominal organs and its vessels. During surgery the lesions of parenchymal
      organs (spleen, pancreas), the intestine and the compression of mesenterium must
      be avoided.

PMID- 26284802
TI  - [In Process Citation].
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The presence of a substernal goiter which compresses the adjacent
      structures is per se an indication for resection, mostly total thyreoidectomy
      should be performed either by a head and neck or general surgeon. In about 1-10%
      of the cases the goiter is located behind the sternum, and the removal requires
      different surgical technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Authors operated 182
      patients between 2000-2014 with substernal goiter which all reached the level of
      the jugulum. The 182 cases were examined retrospectively. RESULTS: All the
      patients were symptomatic with choking and dyspnea. In 31 cases neck ultrasound
      were performed, in 7 cases neck MRI and in 138 cases neck-upper mediastinal CT
      scan were indicated to discover the real situation of the lobes. 15 patients had
      previous partial thyreoidectomy. Acervical approach was used in 175 cases, 7
      patients required median sternotomy to complete the operation. Transient
      recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy occurred in 1 patient, permanent RLNP in 3. Nine
      lesions were malignant, 173 were benign. CONCLUSION: Choking and dyspnea are the
      most common symptoms of substernal goiter. CT scan is an important preoperative
      evaluation, while it helps not only to define the position of the thyroid lobes,
      but also put the right operating team together. Although most of the retrosternal
      goiters can be removed by a cervical approach, some of them need additional
      incisions. Hence, it is important to have a thoracic surgeon available. Reviewing
      the Hungarian literature the authors have not found any other study examining so
      many patients.

PMID- 26284803
TI  - [In Process Citation].
AB  - CASE PRESENTATION: The authors report the case of a 68-year-old patient who
      presented with dysphagia 4 months after a mesh-reinforced antireflux surgery.
      Examinations revealed partial penetration of the mesh into the esophagus. During
      an expedited surgery, the mesh was removed through thoraco-laparotomy. Distal
      esophagus and proximal gastric resections were carried out due to longitudinal
      perforation site and esophageal stricture, and the continuity of the alimentary
      tract was restored with jejunal interposition. At the 3-month follow-up visit the
      patient was asymptomatic and a swallow examination showed normal conditions after
      the surgery. DISCUSSION: Several studies have shown that primary closure of large
      hiatal hernias is associated with high recurrence rate. In order to reduce this
      ratio, mesh reinforcement of the crural repair was introduced to prevent
      reherniation. Therefore, the incidence of recurrence has indeed decreased,
      however, mesh-related complications have increased. Because of the special
      anatomical site, the mesh around the gastroesophageal junction is in continuous
      movement and this can potentially lead to complications such as esophageal
      erosion, perforation or extensive fibrosis and stenosis. These complications may
      cause severe, even life-threatening conditions that could only be treated with
      difficult surgeries. Based on the experience of our case and the review of the
      literature, we would like to highlight one of the potential, serious
      complications of mesh-reinforced hiatal repair.

PMID- 26284804
TI  - [In Process Citation].

PMID- 26284806
TI  - [In Process Citation].

PMID- 26284805
TI  - [In Process Citation].

PMID- 26284807
TI  - Position-Dependent Cardiovascular Response and Time-Motion Analysis During
      Training Drills and Friendly Matches in Elite Male Basketball Players.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to measure differences in the cardiovascular
      workload (heart rate [HR]) and time-motion demands between positional groups,
      during numerous basketball training drills, and compare the results with in-game
      competition demands. A convenience sample of 14 top-level professional basketball
      players from the same club (Spanish First Division, ACB) participated in the
      study. A total of 146 basketball exercises per player (performed over an 8-week
      period in 32 team training sessions throughout the competitive season) and 7
      friendly matches (FM) played during the preparatory phase were analyzed. The
      results reveal that HRavg and HRpeak were the highest in FM (158 +/- 10; 198 +/-
      9 b . min(-1), respectively). Time-motion analysis showed 1v1 to be the most
      demanding drill (53 +/- 8 and 46 +/- 12 movements per minute for full and half
      court, respectively). During FM, players performed 33 +/- 7 movements per minute.
      Positional differences exist for both HR and time-motion demands, ranging from
      moderate to very large for all basketball drills compared with FM. Constraints
      such as number of players, court size, work-to-rest ratios, and coach
      intervention are key factors influencing cardiovascular responses and time-motion
      demands during basketball training sessions. These results demonstrate that
      systematic monitoring of the physical demands and physiological responses during
      training and competition can inform and potentially improve coaching strategy,
      basketball-specific training drills, and ultimately, match performance.

PMID- 26284808
TI  - Well-Defined Thiolated Nanographene as Hole-Transporting Material for Efficient
      and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells.
AB  - Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have been demonstrated as one of the most promising
      candidates for solar energy harvesting. Here, for the first time, a
      functionalized nanographene (perthiolated trisulfur-annulated hexa-peri
      hexabenzocoronene, TSHBC) is employed as the hole transporting material (HTM) in
      PSCs to achieve efficient charge extraction from perovskite, yielding the best
      efficiency of 12.8% in pristine form. The efficiency is readily improved up to
      14.0% by doping with graphene sheets into TSHBC to enhance the charge transfer.
      By the HOMO-LUMO level engineering of TSHBC homologues, we demonstrate that the
      HOMO levels are critical for the performance of PSCs. Moreover, beneficial from
      the hydrophobic nature of TSHBC, the devices show the improved stability under AM
      1.5 illumination in the humidity about 45% without encapsulation. These findings
      open the opportunities for efficient HTMs based on the functionalized
      nanographenes utilizing the strong interactions of their functional groups with
      perovskite. 

PMID- 26284809
TI  - Induction of Apoptosis and Reduction of Endogenous Glutathione Level by the Ethyl
      Acetate Soluble Fraction of the Methanol Extract of the Roots of Potentilla
      fulgens in Cancer Cells.
AB  - Potentilla fulgens root traditionally used as a folk remedy in Meghalaya, India.
      However, systematic evaluation of its anticancer efficacy was limited. We
      investigated the anticancer potentials of the various extracts prepared by
      partitioning of the methanol extract of the root with the aim to discover major
      contributing factors from the most effective fractions. Methanol extract of P.
      fulgens roots (PRE) was prepared by maceration which was subsequently
      fractionated into hexane, ethyl-acetate (EA) and n-butanol soluble fractions.
      Various assays (clonogenic assay, Flow cytometry analysis, western blot,
      semiquantitative RT-PCR and the level of endogenous glutathione) were used to
      evaluate different parameters, such as Cell survivability, PARP-1 proteolysis,
      expression pattern of anti-apoptotic and gamma-glutamyl-cysteine synthetase heavy
      subunit (GCSC) genes in both MCF-7 and U87 cancer cell lines. Since the EA
      fraction showed most efficient growth inhibitory effect, it was further purified
      and a total of nine compounds and some monomeric and dimeric flavan-3-ols were
      identified and characterized. Three compounds viz., epicatechin (EC), gallic acid
      (GA) and ursolic acid (UA) were taken on the basis of their higher yield and 10
      MUg/ml of each was mixed together. The concentration used in this study for PRE,
      EA- and Hex-fraction was 100 MUg/ml, which was higher than the IC50 value.
      Apoptotic cell death in the PRE, EA-fraction and EC+GA+UA treated cancer cell
      cultures was significantly greater than in normal cells due to suppression of
      anti-apoptotic protein Bcl2 following treatment. Depletion of glutathione by
      downregulating GCSC was also observed. Induction of apoptosis and lowering the
      level of glutathione are considered to be positive activity for an anticancer
      agent. Therefore, modulation of GSH concentration in tumor cells by PRE and its
      EA-fraction opened up the possibility of a new therapeutic approach because these
      plant products are not harmful to normal cells and may regulate the tumor
      cellular response to different anticancer treatments. Thus, it would be
      interesting to examine efficacy of these plant products or EA-fraction in human
      cancer treatment. 

PMID- 26284810
TI  - LC3B, a Protein That Serves as an Autophagic Marker, Modulates Angiotensin II
      induced Myocardial Hypertrophy.
AB  - LC3B is a marker of autophagic activity, and growing evidence supports its
      importance in myocardial hypertrophy. Thus, regulating LC3B expression may
      provide an important avenue to inhibit autophagy and protect against or inhibit
      pathological myocardial hypertrophy. To address this question, we investigated
      the effects of altering LC3B mRNA expression and autophagic activity in the
      setting of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. In an in vitro angiotensin II (Ang II)
      induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy model, LC3B mRNA and protein expression was
      increased and there was activation of cardiomyocyte autophagy, which was assessed
      by transmission electron microscopy and flow cytometry. LC3B cDNA transfection
      also resulted in an upregulation of autophagic activity, whereas downregulation
      of autophagic activity was observed with knockdown of LC3B expression. Induction
      of LC3B expression was shown to further exacerbate Ang II-stimulated
      cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, whereas inhibition of LC3B expression inhibited the
      Ang II-stimulated cardiomyocyte hypertrophy (as assessed through cardiomyocyte
      morphology and expression of ANP and beta-MHC). This study demonstrated that LC3B
      modulates the Ang II-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in cultured neonatal rat
      ventricular cardiomyocytes. 

PMID- 26284811
TI  - Meio- and Macrofaunal Communities in Artificial Water-Filled Tree Holes: Effects
      of Seasonality, Physical and Chemical Parameters, and Availability of Food
      Resources.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: In this study we investigated the dynamics of meiofaunal and
      macrofaunal communities in artificial water-filled tree holes. The abundances
      and, for the first time, biomasses and secondary production rates of these
      communities were examined. The experimental set-up consisted of 300 brown plastic
      cups placed in temperate mixed forests and sampled five times over a period of 16
      months to determine the impact of (i) seasonal events, (ii) physicochemical
      parameters, and (iii) food resources on the tree hole metazoans. OUTCOMES:
      Metazoan organisms, especially the meiofauna (rotifers and nematodes) occupied
      nearly all of the cups (> 99%) throughout the year. Between 55% and 99% of the
      metazoan community was represented by rotifers (max. 557,000 individuals 100 cm
      2) and nematodes (max. 58,000 individuals 100 cm-2). Diptera taxa, particularly
      Dasyhelea sp. (max. 256 individuals 100 cm-2) dominated the macrofaunal
      community. Macrofauna accounted for the majority of the metazoan biomass, with a
      mean dry weight of 5,800 MUg 100 cm-2 and an annual production rate of 20,400 MUg
      C 100 cm-2, whereas for meiofauna mean biomass and annual production were 100 MUg
      100 cm-2 and 5,300 MUg C 100 cm-2, respectively. The macrofaunal taxa tended to
      show more fluctuating population dynamic while the meiofaunal dynamic was rather
      low with partly asynchronous development. Seasonality (average temperature and
      rain intervals) had a significant impact on both meiofauna and macrofauna.
      Furthermore, bottom-up control (chlorophyll-a and organic carbon), mainly
      attributable to algae, was a significant factor that shaped the metazoan
      communities. In contrast, physicochemical water parameters had no evident
      influence. 23.7% of organism density distribution was explained by redundancy
      analysis (RDA) indicating a high dynamic and asynchrony of the systems.

PMID- 26284812
TI  - Current Resources for Evidence-Based Practice, September/October 2015.

PMID- 26284814
TI  - Methotrexate for topical application in an extemporaneous preparation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The antifolate agent methotrexate is routinely used for systemic
      therapy of cancer and chronic inflammatory diseases. Successful topical use has
      been described for individual therapeutic attempts, in case series, and small
      studies, especially for mycosis fungoides (premycotic stage) and lymphomatoid
      papulosis. With respect to its clinical use in selected treatment scenarios,
      there have been no approved preparations or regulated instructions for
      pharmaceutical compounding. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two high performance liquid
      chromatography methods were established for the determination of the active
      substance within a galenic formulation as well as within extracts of biological
      material. Suitable vehicles for epicutaneous application were developed and
      preclinically tested for stability, release, and pharmacokinetics of the active
      substance as well as their safety. RESULTS: The tests show that methotrexate may
      be readily incorporated into "Basiscreme DAC". It remains stable up to a
      concentration of 0.5%. This preparation releases enough active substance to
      achieve relevant local bioavailability in the respective target compartments of
      the skin. There is no evidence of safety risks due to relevant systemic
      bioavailability after topical application on a limited area of the skin.
      CONCLUSIONS: In summary, this approved prescription for extemporaneous
      preparation complies with the requirements of the German Ordinance on the
      Operation of Pharmacies (Article 7 ApBetrO), and the available data proves its
      stability and pharmaceutical quality.

PMID- 26284815
TI  - The longitudinal impact of depression on disability in Parkinson disease.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Depression in Parkinson disease (PD) is a common problem that worsens
      quality of life and causes disability. However, little is known about the
      longitudinal impact of depression on disability in PD. This study examined the
      association between disability and DSM-IV-TR depression status across six years.
      METHODS: Longitudinal cohort study with assessments at study entry, year two,
      four, and six conducted in the Morris K. Udall Parkinson Disease Research Center.
      Recruitment totaled 137 adult men and women with idiopathic PD in which up to six
      years of data on demographic, motor, and non-motor variables was collected.
      Movement disorder specialists used the structured interview for DSM-IV-TR
      depressive disorders and the Northwestern Disability Scale to assess depression
      and disability. A generalized linear mixed model was fitted with Northwestern
      Disability Scale score as the dependent variable to determine the effect of
      baseline depression status on disability. RESULTS: A total of 43 participants
      were depressed at baseline compared to 94 without depression. Depressed
      participants were more likely to be female, were less educated, were less likely
      to take dopamine agonists, and more likely to have motor fluctuations.
      Controlling for these variables, symptomatic depression predicted greater
      disability compared to both never depressed (p = 0.0133) and remitted depression
      (p = 0.0009). Disability associated with symptomatic depression at baseline was
      greater over the entire six-year period compared to participants with remitted
      depressive episodes or who were never depressed. CONCLUSIONS: Persisting
      depression is associated with a long-term adverse impact on daily functioning in
      PD. Adequate treatment or spontaneous remission of depression improves ADL
      function.

PMID- 26284816
TI  - The Impact of Playworks on Students' Physical Activity by Race/Ethnicity:
      Findings from a Randomized Controlled Trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Playworks program places coaches in low-income urban schools to
      engage students in physical activity during recess. The purpose of this study was
      to estimate the impact of Playworks on students' physical activity separately for
      Hispanic, non-Hispanic black, and non-Hispanic white students. METHODS: Twenty
      seven schools from 6 cities were randomly assigned to treatment and control
      groups. Accelerometers were used to measure the intensity of students' physical
      activity, the number of steps taken, and the percentage of time in moderate-to
      vigorous physical activity (MVPA) during recess. The impact of Playworks was
      estimated by comparing average physical activity outcomes in treatment and
      control groups. RESULTS: Compared with non-Hispanic black students in control
      schools, non-Hispanic black students in Playworks schools recorded 338 more
      intensity counts per minute, 4.9 more steps per minute, and 6.3 percentage points
      more time in MVPA during recess. Playworks also had an impact on the number of
      steps per minute during recess for Hispanic students but no significant impact on
      the physical activity of non-Hispanic white students. CONCLUSIONS: The impact of
      Playworks was larger among minority students than among non-Hispanic white
      students. One possible explanation is that minority students in non-Playworks
      schools typically engaged in less physical activity, suggesting that there is
      more room for improvement.

PMID- 26284817
TI  - Why Do Physiotherapists Do What They Do? A Study of Kuwaiti Physiotherapists.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Physiotherapy has an important role in the management of
      numerous musculoskeletal (MSK) problems. In terms of evidence-based physiotherapy
      practice, little is known about the reasons for selection of treatment techniques
      by MSK physiotherapists or whether their treatments are evidence based. This
      survey aimed to explore the reasons for the choice of treatment techniques by
      Kuwaiti MSK physiotherapists and to identify the extent of using the evidence
      base from research findings as a basis for physiotherapy practice. METHODS: A
      self-reported questionnaire accompanied with participant information sheet was
      distributed to 139 MSK physiotherapists in seven hospitals in Kuwait. The
      questionnaire was modified from that used in a previous study for use with
      Kuwaiti MSK physiotherapists to include modalities that were known to be used
      there by the lead author. It was piloted prior to distribution on three Kuwaiti
      MSc students for content and face validity. RESULTS: One hundred six of 139
      therapists responded, of whom 22% were male and 78% were female. The study showed
      that undergraduate education was the main influence for all treatment techniques
      used by Kuwaiti MSK physiotherapists. The use of research findings as a basis for
      choice of treatment techniques was very limited. The use of research was not
      related to post-qualification education or years of professional experience.
      CONCLUSION: The findings of this study demonstrate that current physiotherapy
      practice in Kuwait is more reliant on undergraduate education and less on
      research evidence for the choice of treatment techniques. This has implications
      for undergraduate physiotherapy curricula, suggesting that evidence-based
      practice must be keenly espoused. Copyright (c) 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 26284818
TI  - Is it really worth adapting liver stiffness cut-offs according to AST levels?

PMID- 26284819
TI  - Protein Kinase C Isoforms Differentially Regulate Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1alpha
      Accumulation in Cancer Cells.
AB  - Hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) is one of the key transcription
      factors that mediate adaptation to hypoxia. Despite increasing evidence
      implicating the PKC family as potential modulators of HIF-1alpha, the molecular
      mechanisms of PKC isoform-dependent HIF-1alpha activity under hypoxic conditions
      have not been systematically elucidated in cancer cell lines. Here, we
      collectively investigated how each isoform of the PKC family contributes to HIF
      1alpha accumulation in the human cervical cancer cell line HeLa. Among the
      abundant PKC isoforms, blockade of either PKCalpha or PKCdelta was found to
      substantially reduce HIF-1alpha accumulation and transcriptional activity in
      hypoxic cells. Knockdown of PKCdelta resulted in a reduction of HIF-1alpha mRNA
      levels, whereas the HIF-1alpha mRNA level was unchanged regardless of PKCalpha
      knockdown. Upon searching for the downstream effectors of these kinases, we found
      that PKCalpha controls HIF-1alpha translation via AKT-mTOR under hypoxic
      conditions. On the other hand, one of the well-known transcriptional regulation
      pathways of HIF-1alpha, nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) is identified as a
      downstream effector of PKCdelta. Taken together, our findings provide insights
      into the roles of PKC isoforms as additional, discrete modulators of hypoxia
      stimulated HIF-1alpha accumulation through different signaling pathways.

PMID- 26284820
TI  - New density functional parameterizations to accurate calculations of electric
      field gradient variations among compounds.
AB  - This research provides a performance investigation of density functional theory
      and also proposes new functional parameterizations to deal with electric field
      gradient (EFG) calculations at nuclear positions. The entire procedure is
      conducted within the four-component formalism. First, we noticed that traditional
      hybrid and long-range corrected functionals are more efficient in the description
      of EFG variations for a set of elements (indium, antimony, iodine, lutetium, and
      hafnium) among linear molecules. Thus, we selected the PBE0, B3LYP, and CAM-B3LYP
      functionals and promoted a reoptimization of their parameters for a better
      description of these EFG changes. The PBE0q variant developed here showed an
      overall promising performance in a validation test conducted with potassium,
      iodine, copper, and gold. In general, the correlation coefficients found in
      linear regressions between experimental nuclear quadrupole coupling constants and
      calculated EFGs are improved while the systematic EFG errors also decrease as a
      result of this reparameterization.

PMID- 26284821
TI  - Donor-specific alloantibodies in liver transplantation: how should we define and
      improve long-term success?

PMID- 26284813
TI  - Genome-wide association of polycystic ovary syndrome implicates alterations in
      gonadotropin secretion in European ancestry populations.
AB  - Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common, highly heritable complex disorder
      of unknown aetiology characterized by hyperandrogenism, chronic anovulation and
      defects in glucose homeostasis. Increased luteinizing hormone relative to
      follicle-stimulating hormone secretion, insulin resistance and developmental
      exposure to androgens are hypothesized to play a causal role in PCOS. Here we map
      common genetic susceptibility loci in European ancestry women for the National
      Institutes of Health PCOS phenotype, which confers the highest risk for metabolic
      morbidities, as well as reproductive hormone levels. Three loci reach genome-wide
      significance in the case-control meta-analysis, two novel loci mapping to chr
      8p23.1 [Corrected] and chr 11p14.1, and a chr 9q22.32 locus previously found in
      Chinese PCOS. The same chr 11p14.1 SNP, rs11031006, in the region of the follicle
      stimulating hormone B polypeptide (FSHB) gene strongly associates with PCOS
      diagnosis and luteinizing hormone levels. These findings implicate neuroendocrine
      changes in disease pathogenesis.

PMID- 26284822
TI  - Genomic scanning using AFLP to detect loci under selection in the moss Funaria
      hygrometrica along a climate gradient in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Spain.
AB  - The common cord moss Funaria hygrometrica has a worldwide distribution and
      thrives in a wide variety of environments. Here, we studied the genetic diversity
      in F. hygrometrica along an abiotic gradient in the Mediterranean high mountain
      of Sierra Nevada (Spain) using a genome scan method. Eighty-four samples from 17
      locations from 24 to 2700 m were fingerprinted based on their amplified fragment
      length polymorphism (AFLP) banding pattern. Using PCA and Bayesian inference we
      found that the genetic diversity was structured in three or four clusters,
      respectively. Using a genome scan method we identified 13 outlier loci, which
      showed a signature of positive selection. Partial Mantel tests were performed
      between the Euclidean distance matrices of geographic and climatic variables,
      versus the pair-wise genetic distance of the AFLP dataset and AFLP-positive
      outliers dataset. AFLP-positive outlier data were significantly correlated with
      the gradient of the climatic variables, suggesting adaptive variation among
      populations of F. hygrometrica along the Sierra Nevada Mountains. We highlight
      the additional analyses necessary to identify the nature of these loci, and their
      biological role in the adaptation process. 

PMID- 26284824
TI  - Factors Contributing to Inappropriate Visits of Frequent Attenders and Their
      Economic Effects at an Emergency Department in Singapore.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine which factors contribute to frequent
      visits at the emergency department (ED) and what proportion were inappropriate in
      comparison with nonfrequent visits. METHODS: This study was a retrospective, case
      control study comparing a random sample of frequent attenders and nonfrequent
      attenders, with details of their ED visits recorded over a 12-month duration.
      Frequent attenders were defined as patients with four or more visits during the
      study period. RESULTS: In comparison with nonfrequent attenders (median age =
      45.0 years, interquartile range [IQR] = 28.0 to 61.0 years), frequent attenders
      were older (median = 57.5 years, IQR = 34.0 to 74.8 years; p = 0.0003). They were
      also found to have more comorbidities, where 53.3% of frequent attenders had
      three or more chronic illnesses compared to 14% of nonfrequent attenders (p <
      0.0001), and were often triaged to higher priority (more severe) classes
      (frequent 52.2% vs. nonfrequent 37.6%, p = 0.0004). Social issues such as bad
      debts (12.7%), heavy drinking (3.3%), and substance abuse (2.7%) were very low in
      frequent attenders compared to Western studies. Frequent attenders had a similar
      rate of appropriate visits to the ED as nonfrequent attenders (55.2% vs. 48.1%, p
      = 0.0892), but were more often triaged to P1 priority triage class (6.7% vs.
      3.2%, p = 0.0014) and were more often admitted for further management compared to
      nonfrequent attenders (47.5% vs. 29.6%, p < 0.001). The majority of frequent
      attender visits were appropriate (55.2%), and of these, 81.1% resulted in
      admission. For the same number of patients, total visits made by frequent
      attenders ($174,247.60) cost four times as much as for nonfrequent attenders
      ($40,912.40). This represents a significant economic burden on the health care
      system. CONCLUSIONS: ED frequent attenders in Singapore were associated with
      higher age and presence of multiple comorbidities rather than with social causes
      of ED use. Even in integrated health systems, repeat ED visits are frequent and
      expensive, despite minimal social causes of acute care. EDs in aging populations
      must anticipate the influx of vulnerable, elderly patients and have in place
      interventional programs to care for them.

PMID- 26284823
TI  - Lenalidomide is safe and active in Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia.
AB  - Lenalidomide is manageable and effective in multiple myeloma, particularly in
      elderly patients. Surprisingly, the combination of lenalidomide with rituximab
      produced clinically significant anemia at 25 mg/day for 21/28 days, the highest
      possible dose, in Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia (WM). We aimed to determine the
      maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of single agent lenalidomide and determine its
      impact on WM. RV-WM-0426 is a multicenter dose escalation open label phase 1/2
      study of lenalidomide in relapsed/refractory WM (RRWM). Lenalidomide was given
      orally 21/28 days per cycle for 1 year, at escalated dose of 15 to 20 mg during
      phase 1 to determine the MTD; the phase 2 part was conducted at the MTD.
      Seventeen RRWM patients were included. The MTD was established at 15 mg/day
      21/28. By ITT analysis, the overall response rate was 29%. With a median follow
      up of 36 months, median TTP was 16 months (95% CI 5.5-26), the 5-year OS was 91%.
      The most frequent adverse events >= grade 3 at 15 mg were 14% anemia and 43%
      neutropenia. The MTD of lenalidomide is 15 mg/day 21/28 days in RRWM.
      Lenalidomide is active in the treatment of RRWM and the safety profile appears
      manageable. Future studies may look into combinations of lenalidomide and
      continuous dosing.

PMID- 26284825
TI  - The curious case of the exploding spleen!

PMID- 26284826
TI  - Data management and archiving in a large microscopy-and-imaging, multi-user
      facility: Problems and solutions.
AB  - Advancements in microscopy and imaging have pushed the boundaries of what was
      once thought possible in many fields of research. New techniques, coupled with
      the application of new technologies, allow researchers to answer increasingly
      complex questions by probing deeper and with greater accuracy. While, these new
      techniques provide far greater specificity and increased sensitivity in regards
      to both resolution and frequency, the amount of data generated is swelling to a
      point where conventional data-management systems struggle to keep pace; this is
      especially true for large microscopy-and-imaging shared-user facilities. Sub
      optimal data management can severely hinder the ability of a researcher to
      determine experimental results accurately or efficiently, and will inevitably
      limit the functionality of the research facility itself. This review discusses
      the source of the problem: how data are produced by systems available today, and
      the information's specificity and relative importance; techniques for management
      of these data to maximize functionality of the facility; and practices that can
      be detrimental in the research core environment.

PMID- 26284827
TI  - Oxidative Nitration of Styrenes for the Recycling of Low-Concentrated Nitrogen
      Dioxide in Air.
AB  - The oxidative nitration of styrenes in ethyl acetate represents a metal-free,
      environmentally friendly, and sustainable technique to recover even low
      concentrations of NO2 in air. Favorable features are that the product mixture
      comprising nitroalcohols, nitroketones, and nitro nitrates simplifies at lower
      concentrations of NO2 . Experiments in a miniplant-type 10 L wet scrubber
      demonstrated that the recycling technique is well applicable on larger scales at
      which initial NO2 concentrations of >10 000 ppm were reliably reduced to less
      than 40 ppm. 

PMID- 26284828
TI  - De novo fatty acid biosynthesis and elongation in very long-chain acyl-CoA
      dehydrogenase-deficient mice supplemented with odd or even medium-chain fatty
      acids.
AB  - An even medium-chain triglyceride (MCT)-based diet is the mainstay of treatment
      in very long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (VLCAD) deficiency (VLCADD). Previous
      studies with magnetic resonance spectroscopy have shown an impact of MCT on the
      average fatty acid chain length in abdominal fat. We therefore assume that medium
      chain fatty acids (MCFAs) are elongated and accumulate in tissue as long-chain
      fatty acids. In this study, we explored the hepatic effects of long-term
      supplementation with MCT or triheptanoin, an odd-chain C7-based triglyceride, in
      wild-type and VLCAD-deficient (VLCAD(-/-) ) mice after 1 year of supplementation
      as compared with a control diet. The de novo biosynthesis and elongation of fatty
      acids, and peroxisomal beta-oxidation, were quantified by RT-PCR. This was
      followed by a comprehensive analysis of hepatic and cardiac fatty acid profiles
      by GC-MS. Long-term application of even and odd MCFAs strongly induced de novo
      biosynthesis and elongation of fatty acids in both wild-type and VLCAD(-/-) mice,
      leading to an alteration of the hepatic fatty acid profiles. We detected de novo
      synthesized and elongated fatty acids, such as heptadecenoic acid (C17:1n9),
      eicosanoic acid (C20:1n9), erucic acid (C22:1n9), and mead acid (C20:3n9), that
      were otherwise completely absent in mice under control conditions. In parallel,
      the content of monounsaturated fatty acids was massively increased. Furthermore,
      we observed strong upregulation of peroxisomal beta-oxidation in VLCAD(-/-) mice,
      especially when they were fed an MCT diet. Our data raise the question of whether
      long-term MCFA supplementation represents the most efficient treatment in the
      long term. Studies on the hepatic toxicity of triheptanoin are still ongoing. 

PMID- 26284829
TI  - Genetic and environmental contributions to the inverse association between
      specific autistic traits and experience seeking in adults.
AB  - Autistic traits are characterized by social and communication problems,
      restricted, repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests and
      activities. The relation between autistic traits and personality characteristics
      is largely unknown. This study focused on the relation between five specific
      autistic traits measured with the abridged version of the Autism Spectrum
      Quotient ("social problems," "preference for routine," "attentional switching
      difficulties," "imagination impairments," "fascination for numbers and patterns")
      and Experience Seeking (ES) in a general population sample of adults, and
      subsequently investigated the genetic and environmental etiology between these
      traits. Self-reported data on autistic traits and ES were collected in a
      population sample (n = 559) of unrelated individuals, and in a population based
      family sample of twins and siblings (n = 560). Phenotypic, genetic and
      environmental associations between traits were examined in a bivariate model,
      accounting for sex and age differences. Phenotypically, ES correlated
      significantly with "preference for routine" and "imagination impairments" in both
      samples but was unrelated to the other autistic traits. Genetic analyses in the
      family sample revealed that the association between ES and "preference for
      routine" and "imagination impairments" could largely be explained by a shared
      genetic factor (89% and 70%, respectively). Our analyses demonstrated at a
      phenotypic and genetic level an inverse relationship between ES and specific
      autistic traits in adults. ES is associated with risk taking behavior such as
      substance abuse, antisocial behavior and financial problems. Future research
      could investigate whether autistic traits, in particular strong routine
      preference and impaired imagination skills, serve as protective factors for such
      risky behaviors. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 26284830
TI  - Human hair follicle organ culture: theory, application and perspectives.
AB  - For almost a quarter of a century, ex vivo studies of human scalp hair follicles
      (HFs) have permitted major advances in hair research, spanning diverse fields
      such as chronobiology, endocrinology, immunology, metabolism, mitochondrial
      biology, neurobiology, pharmacology, pigmentation and stem cell biology. Despite
      this, a comprehensive methodological guide to serum-free human HF organ culture
      (HFOC) that facilitates the selection and analysis of standard HF biological
      parameters and points out both research opportunities and pitfalls to newcomers
      to the field is still lacking. The current methods review aims to close an
      important gap in the literature and attempts to promote standardisation of human
      HFOC. We provide basic information outlining the establishment of HFOC through to
      detailed descriptions of the analysis of standard read-out parameters alongside
      practical examples. The guide closes by pointing out how serum-free HFOC can be
      utilised optimally to obtain previously inaccessible insights into human HF
      biology and pathology that are of interest to experimental dermatologists,
      geneticists, developmental biologists and (neuro-) endocrinologists alike and by
      highlighting novel applications of the model, including gene silencing and gene
      expression profiling of defined, laser capture-microdissected HF compartments. 

PMID- 26284831
TI  - Measuring Maternal Health Literacy in Adolescents Attending Antenatal Care in
      Uganda: Exploring the Dimensionality of the Health Literacy Concept Studying a
      Composite Scale.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purpose of this article is to test the requirement of
      "local independence" in the newly developed "Maternal Health Literacy" (MaHeLi)
      composite scale measuring health literacy in pregnant adolescents attending
      antenatal care. METHODS: The 20-item scale was administered to 384 adolescents
      aged 15-19 years attending antenatal care in Uganda during the period July
      December 2013. Rasch analysis was conducted using RUMM2030. RESULTS: Differential
      item functioning was observed for 3 items. One item had disordered response
      categories. One subscale brought substantial multidimensionality into the MaHeLi
      scale. CONCLUSIONS: Results support the use of a 12-item version of the MaHeLi
      scale. The article shows how Rasch analyses help us to identify violations of
      local independence in scales.

PMID- 26284832
TI  - Determining Intervention Fidelity From Chronological Field Notes.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Intervention fidelity (IF) is a relatively recent
      methodological consideration in nursing research that refers to the adherent and
      competent behaviors by the interventionist. The purpose of this study was to
      explore an alternative method of determining IF using chronological field notes
      (CFNs). METHOD: A secondary analysis using data from an intervention study. A
      randomly selected sample of CFNs (N = 181) written by interventionist nurses (N =
      20) were coded using the Collaborative Study Psychotherapy Rating Scale, a
      validated fidelity instrument used in similar studies. RESULTS: The study
      provides no evidence that the field notes could be used for determining
      intervention fidelity. CONCLUSION: Further research is needed on IF that would
      provide less intrusive an alternate method.

PMID- 26284833
TI  - The Useful Depression Screening Tool for Older Adults: Psychometric Properties
      and Clinical Applicability.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to test the reliability and
      validity of the 3-item Useful Depression Screening Tool (UDST) for use with older
      adults in congregate living settings. METHODS: There were 176 residents of senior
      housing or assisted living who completed the UDST. Rasch analysis and test
      criterion relationships with pain, physical activity, and depression diagnosis
      were used to determine validity. Test-retest reliability was conducted with 29
      senior housing residents. RESULTS: Rasch analysis demonstrated good fit of all
      items to the concept of depression. Criterion validity was supported, F(5) =
      14.17, p < .001. Test-retest showed no significant differences in UDST scores
      over time (p = .29). CONCLUSIONS: The findings provide support for the validity
      and reliability of the UDST for use with older adults in congregate living
      settings.

PMID- 26284834
TI  - Adaptation and Validation of the Learning Style Inventory Version 3.1 in Greek
      Language: A Methodological Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The nursing research on learning differences is currently
      expanding, suggesting the need for trustful measurements. This study aimed to
      adapt and cross-culturally validate the Learning Style Inventory. METHODS: The
      first phase involved symmetrical translation and adaptation to the Greek target
      language. The second phase concerned the psychometric testing. RESULTS: Internal
      reliability showed satisfactory alpha values. Kappa coefficients supported the
      test-retest reliability, and paired t test correlations justified the stability.
      Factor analysis yielded 2 constructs fitted with theory. The internal validity
      was also evidenced. The nursing students' learning style profile was discussed
      within their educational field and cultural background. CONCLUSIONS: The
      inventory presented content and construct equivalence to original scales. Certain
      implications were drawn for nursing supporting the utility of learning styles'
      measurements.

PMID- 26284835
TI  - I would like to give a huge "thank you" to everyone who has submitted,
      reviewed,and published in the Journal of Nursing Measurement. Introduction.

PMID- 26284836
TI  - Psychometric Testing of a Comprehensive Patient Satisfaction Survey in Arabic.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Although patient satisfaction is an important indicator
      of the quality of care received in hospitals, no reliable and valid Arabic
      comprehensive inpatient satisfaction survey has been published. The purpose of
      this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of an Arabic patient
      satisfaction survey. METHODS: A cross-sectional design was used where 1,339
      randomly selected patients were interviewed by phone. The questionnaire was
      adopted and from the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and
      Systems survey, refined and tested over a 4-year period. RESULTS: Item-item
      correlations for the 22 items on the survey ranged from .52 to .92, and the
      Cronbach's alpha coefficient was .87. Construct and predictive validity were also
      adequate. CONCLUSION: The survey is recommended for use in hospitals in Lebanon
      and other Middle Eastern countries to facilitate benchmarking and quality
      improvement.

PMID- 26284837
TI  - Development and Preliminary Validation of the Adherence to Weight Control
      Questionnaire.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This study tests the psychometric properties of the
      Adherence to Weight Control Questionnaire, a new screening tool to measure
      treatment adherence (TAWC) and the risk of nonadherence to weight control (RNAWC)
      in adolescents. METHODS: Participants are 92 adolescents (12-18 years old) from a
      pediatric obesity clinic. Construct validity were evaluated using a principal
      axis factoring method with varimax rotation. Reliability and criterion-related
      validity of both scales were also checked. RESULTS: Both scales presented good
      reliability values (.770 and .908). Statistical analyses yielded a 1-factor
      solution for the RNAWC and a 4-factor solution for the TAWC. Criterion-related
      validity of scales was also checked. CONCLUSIONS: Results showed that this theory
      driven measure of adherence to weight control has adequate psychometric
      properties to support both research and the clinical practice.

PMID- 26284838
TI  - Reliability and Validity of a Tool to Measure School Nurse Perceptions and
      Practices Associated With Childhood Obesity Prevention.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Childhood obesity prevention (COP) should include
      increasing school nurse involvement. Measurements of school nurse perceptions
      influencing COP practices are limited. The purpose of this study is to evaluate
      the reliability and validity of 5 measures of school nurse COP practices and
      perceptions. METHODS: A 70-item anonymous survey was completed by 171 Florida
      registered nurse (RN) school nurses and tested for reliability and validity.
      RESULTS: Internal reliability was acceptable with Cronbach's alphas ranging from
      .81 to .94. Uncertain to adequate test-retest reliability was determined by
      correlation coefficients (r = .55-.78). Significant correlations (p < .05) based
      on hypothesized relationships provided moderate support for construct validity.
      CONCLUSIONS: Results support use of these scales in research with targeted school
      nurse populations to promote COP practices.

PMID- 26284839
TI  - Measuring Care Needs of Parents of Children With Cancer: Psychometric Properties
      of the FIN-PED II Arabic Version.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This study was conducted to test the Arabic version of
      the Family Inventory of Needs-Pediatrics II (FIN-PED II). METHODS: The Arabic FIN
      PED II was developed using the translation/back-translation method. Then, an
      expert panel of 5 parents of children with cancer rated the tool for clarity and
      content validity. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability was evaluated
      in a convenience sample of 113 parents of children with cancer. RESULTS: The FIN
      PED II was found to be acceptable and clear to almost all parents. The FIN-PED II
      demonstrated good psychometric properties. The internal consistency was high with
      alpha values > 0.70 and high test-retest correlations. CONCLUSIONS: Although the
      Arabic FIN-PED II needs further psychometric testing, it is an acceptable,
      reliable, and valid measure of perceived parents need during child's treatment.

PMID- 26284840
TI  - Measuring Physical Activity of Elementary School Children With Unsealed
      Pedometers: Compliance, Reliability, and Reactivity.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Evidence of compliance, reliability, and reactivity of
      using pedometers in children remains inconsistent. This study aimed to examine
      these aspects of unsealed pedometers. METHODS: There were 133 children who wore
      pedometers for 7 days. A subsample of 50 children completed surveys measuring
      self-efficacy, enjoyment, parental influence, and environment on Day 1 and 8.
      Investigator presence and incentives were used to increase compliance. RESULTS:
      About 87% of children returned pedometers, with 62% wearing pedometers for 4 days
      or longer. The intraclass correlation coefficients ranged from .70 to .87, with
      ICC for 4-day pedometer steps exceeding .80. Wearing pedometers did not change
      pedometer steps nor alter children's perceptions of self-efficacy, enjoyment,
      parental influence, and environment significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Children were
      compliant wearing pedometers, and there was no reactivity from wearing them.

PMID- 26284841
TI  - Measuring Nurse Attitudes About Childbirth: Revision and Pilot Testing of the
      Nurse Attitudes and Beliefs Questionnaire.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Labor/delivery nurse attitudes and beliefs may affect
      nursing care decisions and patient outcomes. This psychometric study was
      conducted to revise the Nurse Attitudes and Beliefs Questionnaire-Revised (NABQ
      R). METHODS: The NABQ-R contains 42 items scored with a 4-point Likert scale from
      1 (strongly disagree) to 4 (strongly agree). An online survey invitation was sent
      to Colorado intrapartum nurses with 84 complete surveys returned. RESULTS: The
      NABQ-R scores ranged from 82 to 156 and the Cronbach's alpha was .90. An
      exploratory factor analysis was conducted, and all items loaded on at least 1
      factor. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support acceptable initial psychometric
      properties for the NABQ-R consistent with existing theory indicating that the
      NABQ-R shows promise for use in future studies.

PMID- 26284842
TI  - Assessing Longitudinal Invariance of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies
      Depression Scale Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The longitudinal invariance of the Center for
      Epidemiologic Studies-Depression (CES-D) scale among middle-aged and older adults
      is unknown. This study examined the factorial invariance of the CES-D scale in a
      large cohort of community-based adults longitudinally. METHODS: 1,204
      participants completed the 20-item CES-D scale at 4 time points 1 year apart.
      Structural equation modeling was used to identify best fitting model using
      longitudinal data at baseline and at 1-, 2-, and 3-year follow-up. RESULTS: The 4
      factor model showed partial invariance over 3 years. Two of the 6 noninvariant
      items were consistently noninvariant at the 3 follow-up points. CONCLUSION:
      Special consideration should be given to these 2 items when using the CES-D scale
      in healthy adults (45-75 years old).

PMID- 26284843
TI  - Psychometric Properties of Newly Translated Spanish Life Events Inventory and
      Daily Hassles Scale.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Measuring stress in Hispanic Americans, the fastest
      growing U.S. minority, is problematic. The Life Events Inventory (LEI) and the
      Daily Hassles Scale (DHS), widely used stress instruments, are not available in
      Spanish. PURPOSE: To test the psychometric properties of the translated Spanish
      versions of the LEI and DHS. METHODS: A convenience sample of 63 Hispanic women
      completed both instruments in Spanish and English 2 weeks apart. RESULTS:
      Internal consistency reliability and stability were strong for both instruments
      (.85-.97). Reliability and validity evidence for the translated Spanish versions
      were strong and similar to the English version. CONCLUSIONS: Psychometric
      findings suggest that the newly translated Spanish versions are good
      representations of the English versions and that these newly translated
      instruments are ready for use.

PMID- 26284844
TI  - Reliability and Validity of a Shortened Version of an Instrument for Diabetes
      Self-Care Agency.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to develop a shortened version of the
      Instrument of Diabetes Self-Care Agency (IDSCA). METHODS: In the development of
      the shortened version of IDSCA, intraclass correlation coefficient 2 (ICC2)
      analysis was done to determine items to be deleted. However, the 7 subscales were
      retained. The shortened IDSCA was evaluated for internal consistency,
      reproducibility, concurrent validity, criterion-related validity, and goodness of
      fit. RESULTS: The shortened IDSCA included 35 items addressing 7 subscales. High
      ICC2 (.804) and a high Cronbach's alpha (.89) indicate internal consistency and
      reproducibility. A high correlation (.62) between the shortened version of the
      IDSCA and the Self-Care Agency Questionnaire indicated concurrent validity.
      CONCLUSION: The shortened IDSCA provides a reliable and valid measure of self
      care agency of individuals with diabetes.

PMID- 26284845
TI  - Assessment of Insulin Administration Methods: Perceptions by Patients and
      Significant Others Instrument Development.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To develop, test, and establish the validity and
      reliability of 4 instruments to evaluate perceptions of paired patients and
      patient-identified significant others to assess the impact of continuous
      subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) and multiple daily insulin injections (MDII)
      on diabetes management and lifestyle. METHODS: Sociotechnical systems theory and
      the life patterns model framed the study. Four parallel survey instruments
      (patient CSII and MDII and significant other CSII and MDII) were developed to
      elicit demographic information and perceptions concerning CSII and MDII. RESULTS:
      Validity and reliability were established. CONCLUSIONS: The instruments developed
      for this study could be adapted or used as templates in management approach
      impact studies of other chronic diseases. The study should be replicated with a
      different geographic sample.

PMID- 26284846
TI  - Preliminary Reliability and Validity of an Exercise Benefits and Barriers for
      Stroke Prevention Scale in an African American Sample.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: African Americans are at heightened risk of first stroke,
      and regular exercise can reduce stroke risk. Benefits and barriers to exercise
      subscales from 2 instruments were combined to create the Exercise Benefits and
      Barriers for Stroke Prevention (EBBSP) scale. METHODS: Reliability and validity
      of the EBBSP scale were examined in a nonrandom sample of 66 African Americans
      who were primarily female, average age 43.3 +/- 9.4 years, and high school
      graduates. RESULTS: Both subscales had adequate internal consistency reliability.
      Factor analysis revealed two factors for each subscale. More benefits and fewer
      perceived barriers were significantly related to current exercise and future
      intentions to exercise. CONCLUSIONS: The EBBSP scale may be useful in research
      focused on understanding, predicting, and promoting exercise for stroke
      prevention in adults.

PMID- 26284847
TI  - Effect of Head Position on Facial Soft Tissue Depth Measurements Obtained Using
      Computed Tomography.
AB  - Facial soft tissue depth (FSTD) studies employing clinical computed tomography
      (CT) data frequently rely on depth measurements from raw 2D orthoslices. However,
      the position of each patient's head was not standardized in this method,
      potentially decreasing measurement reliability and accuracy. This study measured
      FSTDs along the original orthoslice plane and compared these measurements to
      those standardized by the Frankfurt horizontal (FH). Subadult cranial CT scans (n
      = 115) were used to measure FSTDs at 18 landmarks. Significant differences were
      observed between the methods at eight of these landmarks (p < 0.05),
      demonstrating that high-quality data are not generated simply by employing modern
      imaging modalities such as CT. Proper technique is crucial to useful results, and
      maintaining control over head position during FSTD data collection is important.
      This is easily and most readily achieved in CT techniques by rotating the head to
      the FH plane after constructing a 3D rendering of the data.

PMID- 26284848
TI  - Discussing endogenous NO(*)/HNO interconversion aided by phenolic drugs and
      vitamins.
AB  - The reduction of NO(*) to HNO/NO(-) under biologically compatible conditions has
      always been thought as unlikely, mostly because of the negative reduction
      potential: E degrees (NO(*),H(+)/HNO) = -0.55 V vs NHE at physiological pH.
      Nonetheless, during the past decade, several works hinted at the possible NO-to
      HNO conversion mediated by moderate biological reductants. Very recently, we have
      shown that the reaction of NO(*) with ascorbate and aromatic alcohols occurs
      through a proton-coupled nucleophilic attack (PCNA) of the alcohol to NO(*),
      yielding an intermediate RO-N(H)O(*) species, which further decomposes to release
      HNO. For the present work, we decided to inspect whether other common biological
      aromatic alcohols obtained from foods, such as Vitamin E, or used as over-the
      counter drugs, like aspirin, are able to undergo the reaction. The positive
      results suggest that the conversion of NO to HNO could occur far more commonly
      than previously expected. Taking these as the starting point, we set to review
      our and other groups' previous reports on the possible NO-to-HNO conversion
      mediated by biological compounds including phenolic drugs and vitamins, as well
      as several thiol-bearing compounds. Analysis of revised data prompted us to ask
      ourselves the following key questions: What are the most likely
      physio/pathological conditions for NO(*)-to-HNO conversion to take place? Which
      effects usually attributed to NO(*) are indeed mediated by HNO? These inquiries
      are discussed in the context of 2 decades of NO and HNO research. 

PMID- 26284853
TI  - Unlucky year thirteen for Needham's Odd Fellows Building: did Leach's ether
      contribute to the conflagration?

PMID- 26284849
TI  - Resveratrol in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
AB  - Pancreatic cancer (PCa), which is now the fourth most frequent cause of cancer
      related death, has a median survival of less than 6 months and a 5-year survival
      rate of <6%. The hallmarks of this cancer include poor outcome, short survival
      duration, and resistance to therapy. The poor prognosis of PCa is related to its
      local recurrence, lymph node and liver metastases, and peritoneal dissemination.
      Recent studies have indicated that resveratrol has cancer-chemopreventive and
      anticancer activities. In this short review we summarize the chemopreventive and
      treatment effects of resveratrol in PCa, as follows: resveratrol inhibits the
      proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells; induces apoptosis and cell cycle
      arrest; inhibits metastasis and invasion of PCa cells; inhibits the proliferation
      and viability of PCa stem cells; enhances the chemoradiosensitization of PCa
      cells; and can affect diabetes mellitus in addition to PCa. On the basis of these
      data, resveratrol may be considered a potential anticancer agent for the
      treatment of PCa. 

PMID- 26284854
TI  - Paul Meyer Wood's parents at "The Biblical Seminary in New York".

PMID- 26284855
TI  - Labat and the Anglo-French drug company's Neocaine.

PMID- 26284856
TI  - Insufficient proof of concept for using ultrasound to guide fluid resuscitation.

PMID- 26284857
TI  - Lack of evidence for the use of ultrasound B-line artifacts to guide fluid
      resuscitation.

PMID- 26284858
TI  - Inappropriate use of B-lines for fluid assessment and management in intensive
      care patients.

PMID- 26284859
TI  - In reply.

PMID- 26284860
TI  - Benefits of adding sciatic nerve block to femoral nerve block for total knee
      arthroplasty.

PMID- 26284861
TI  - In reply.

PMID- 26284862
TI  - Propofol-induced electroencephalogram dynamics: a missing piece.

PMID- 26284863
TI  - In reply.

PMID- 26284864
TI  - Perioperative care of the elderly patient with hip fracture.

PMID- 26284865
TI  - In reply.

PMID- 26284866
TI  - In reply.

PMID- 26284867
TI  - Questions regarding the diagnosis of malignant hyperthermia.

PMID- 26284868
TI  - In reply.

PMID- 26284869
TI  - Effect of lateral tilt angle on the volume of the abdominal aorta and inferior
      vena cava in pregnant and nonpregnant women determined by magnetic resonance
      imaging.

PMID- 26284870
TI  - In reply.

PMID- 26284871
TI  - Anaphylaxis incidence with rocuronium, succinylcholine, and atracurium: how risk
      communication can influence behavior.

PMID- 26284877
TI  - Anesthesiologists & Ultrasonography: A Historical Window.

PMID- 26284878
TI  - Scaffolded multimers of hIAPP(20-29) peptide fragments fibrillate faster and lead
      to different fibrils compared to the free hIAPP(20-29) peptide fragment.
AB  - Applying fibril-forming peptides in nanomaterial design is still challenged by
      the difficulties in understanding and controlling how fibrils form. The present
      work investigates the influence of motional restriction on peptide fibrillation.
      We use cyclotriphosphazene and cyclodextrin as templates to make conjugates of
      the fibril-forming core of human islet amyloid polypeptide. Attachment of the
      peptide to the templates resulted in multimers containing six peptide fragments
      at different positions. ThT fluorescence, CD and FTIR spectroscopy, and AFM and
      TEM imaging reveal that in both conjugates the peptide retained its fibrillating
      properties and formed fibrils. However, the conjugate fibrils formed more rapidly
      than the free peptide and were long and thin, as opposed to the thick and twisted
      morphology of the intact peptide. Thus the motional restrictions introduced by
      the scaffold modulate the structure of the fibrils but do not impede the actual
      fibrillation process. 

PMID- 26284879
TI  - ["Would I get there in time, or would the disease already have run it's course?".
      The provincial doctor fought against the Spanish flu in the forest districts of
      Jamtland].

PMID- 26284880
TI  - [Death is delayed--but it arrives soon].

PMID- 26284881
TI  - [Foreign-born report more problems after total hip arthroplasty than Swedish
      born. Unclear why, but better informed and educated interpreters may be needed].
AB  - In 2013, 23.3% of the Swedish population of 9.7 million had foreign background
      and 15.4% were born outside the country. Immigrants, just as natives, suffer or
      will suffer from hip disease, which could involve surgery with total hip
      arthroplasty. Our aim was to explore the association between birthplace (in or
      outside Sweden), socio-economic factors and outcome after primary total hip
      arthroplasty. Records from the Swedish Hip Arthroplasty Register were cross
      matched with population-based registers from the National Board of Health and
      Welfare and Statistics Sweden.  Preoperatively immigrants reported more problems
      with self-care (P<=0.02), usual activities (P<=0.05) and anxiety/depression
      (P<=0.005) as well as higher levels of pain. Postoperatively immigrants reported
      more problems in all EQ-5D dimensions. Improved patient information, better
      training of medical staff and better access to interpreters could facilitate
      these patients' contacts with health care and also contribute to improved
      outcome. 

PMID- 26284882
TI  - [Knowledge of the cultural aspects of health is key to equitable care].

PMID- 26284883
TI  - [Serrated polyps is a hidden but common cause of colorectal cancer].
AB  - The concept that serrated polyps can cause colorectal cancer is relatively new
      and not very well-known. Serrated polyps are difficult to identify and treat
      endoscopically. This together with the fact that premalignant serrated polyps are
      mainly located in the proximal colon might help explain why colonoscopy is less
      effective against right-sided compared to left-sided colorectal cancers and why
      interval cancers usually appear in the proximal colon. In fact, serrated polyps
      may cause up to one third of all sporadic colorectal cancers. In spite of this,
      the aetiology, incidence, prevalence and natural history of serrated polyps
      remains elusive. Endoscopists and pathologists must have a good understanding of
      serrated polyps in order to effectively diagnose, treat and follow up these
      lesions. This review focuses on the pathophysiology, types, work-up, treatment
      and follow-up of serrated polyps in the colon and rectum. 

PMID- 26284884
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 26284885
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 26284886
TI  - [Hazardous supplements in athletes pill containers].

PMID- 26284887
TI  - [The possibility of self-chosen end of life. Investigate living will].

PMID- 26284888
TI  - Self-Healing Nanofiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites. 1. Tensile Testing and
      Recovery of Mechanical Properties.
AB  - The present work aims at development of self-healing materials capable of
      partially restoring their mechanical properties under the conditions of prolonged
      periodic loading and unloading, which is characteristic, for example, of
      aerospace applications. Composite materials used in these and many other
      applications frequently reveal multiple defects stemming from their original
      inhomogeneity, which facilitates microcracking and delamination at ply
      interfaces. Self-healing nanofiber mats may effectively prevent such damage
      without compromising material integrity. Two types of core-shell nanofibers were
      simultaneously electrospun onto the same substrate in order to form a mutually
      entangled mat. The first type of core-shell fibers consisted of resin monomer
      (dimethylsiloxane) within the core and polyacrylonitrile within the shell. The
      second type of core-shell nanofibers consisted of cure (dimethyl-methyl hydrogen
      siloxane) within the core and polyacrylonitrile within the shell. These mutually
      entangled nanofiber mats were used for tensile testing, and they were also
      encased in polydimethylsiloxane to form composites that were also subsequently
      subjected to tensile testing. During tensile tests, the nanofibers can be damaged
      in stretching up to the plastic regime of deformation. Then, the resin monomer
      and cure was released from the cores and the polydimethylsiloxane resin was
      polymerized, which might be expected to result in the self-healing properties of
      these materials. To reveal and evaluate the self-healing properties of the
      polyacrylonitrile-resin-cure nanofiber mats and their composites, the results
      were compared to the tensile test results of the monolithic polyacrylonitrile
      nanofiber mats or composites formed by encasing polyacrylonitrile nanofibers in a
      polydimethylsiloxane matrix. The latter do not possess self-healing properties,
      and indeed, do not recover their mechanical characteristics, in contrast to the
      polyacrylonitrile-resin-cure nanofiber mats and the composites reinforced by such
      mats. This is the first work, to the best of our knowledge, where self-healing
      nanofibers and composites based on them were developed, tested, and revealed
      restoration of mechanical properties (stiffness) in a 24 h rest period at room
      temperature. 

PMID- 26284889
TI  - Eps15 homology domain containing protein of Plasmodium falciparum (PfEHD)
      associates with endocytosis and vesicular trafficking towards neutral lipid
      storage site.
AB  - The human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, takes up numerous host
      cytosolic components and exogenous nutrients through endocytosis during the intra
      erythrocytic stages. Eps15 homology domain-containing proteins (EHDs) are
      conserved NTPases, which are implicated in membrane remodeling and regulation of
      specific endocytic transport steps in eukaryotic cells. In the present study, we
      have characterized the dynamin-like C-terminal Eps15 homology domain containing
      protein of P. falciparum (PfEHD). Using a GFP-targeting approach, we studied
      localization and trafficking of PfEHD in the parasite. The PfEHD-GFP fusion
      protein was found to be a membrane bound protein that associates with vesicular
      network in the parasite. Time-lapse microscopy studies showed that these vesicles
      originate at parasite plasma membrane, migrate through the parasite cytosol and
      culminate into a large multi-vesicular like structure near the food-vacuole. Co
      staining of food vacuole membrane showed that the multi-vesicular structure is
      juxtaposed but outside the food vacuole. Labeling of parasites with neutral lipid
      specific dye, Nile Red, showed that this large structure is neutral lipid storage
      site in the parasites. Proteomic analysis identified endocytosis modulators as
      PfEHD associated proteins in the parasites. Treatment of parasites with
      endocytosis inhibitors obstructed the development of PfEHD-labeled vesicles and
      blocked their targeting to the lipid storage site. Overall, our data suggests
      that the PfEHD is involved in endocytosis and plays a role in the generation of
      endocytic vesicles at the parasite plasma membrane, that are subsequently
      targeted to the neutral lipid generation/storage site localized near the food
      vacuole. 

PMID- 26284890
TI  - Development of an ultra-sensitive single molecule counting assay for the
      detection of interleukin-13 as a marker for asthmatic severity.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Interleukin-13 (IL-13) has been difficult to quantify within human
      serum due to low abundance. Available assays have not been sensitive enough to
      detect IL-13 at the femtogram level. Thus, there are inconsistencies within the
      published literature as to IL-13 concentrations in normal or disease populations.
      To better understand IL-13 serum concentrations, a highly sensitive immunoassay
      was developed and used to determine concentrations from asthmatics with varying
      clinical severities. METHODS: A single molecule counting (SMC) method was used to
      analyze serum samples from a total of 145 individuals (60 severe asthma, 60
      moderate asthma, 60 mild asthma and 23 healthy donors). RESULTS: IL-13
      concentrations correlated with severity of asthma, with overlapping ranges. Mean
      IL-13 levels were highest in severe asthma. Mean IL-13 levels in moderate asthma
      population were second highest followed by mild asthma with the lowest IL-13
      concentration. IL-13 concentrations in healthy donors were similar to the mild
      asthmatic population. The average concentrations of IL-13 in severe, moderate,
      mild and healthy donors were 1.286pg/mL, 0.672pg/mL, 0.508pg/mL and 0.155pg/mL
      respectively. CONCLUSION: Severe asthma patients have elevated levels of IL-13.

PMID- 26284891
TI  - Aggregate structure, morphology and the effect of aggregation mechanisms on
      viscosity at elevated protein concentrations.
AB  - Non-native aggregation is a common issue in a number of degenerative diseases and
      during manufacturing of protein-based therapeutics. There is a growing interest
      to monitor protein stability at intermediate to high protein concentrations,
      which are required for therapeutic dosing of subcutaneous injections. An
      understanding of the impact of protein structural changes and interactions on the
      protein aggregation mechanisms and resulting aggregate size and morphology may
      lead to improved strategies to reduce aggregation and solution viscosity. This
      report investigates non-native aggregation of a model protein, alpha
      chymotrypsinogen, under accelerated conditions at elevated protein
      concentrations. Far-UV circular dichroism and Raman scattering show structural
      changes during aggregation. Size exclusion chromatography and laser light
      scattering are used to monitor the progression of aggregate growth and monomer
      loss. Monomer loss is concomitant with increased beta-sheet structures as
      monomers are added to aggregates, which illustrate a transition from a native
      monomeric state to an aggregate state. Aggregates grow predominantly through
      monomer-addition, resulting in a semi-flexible polymer morphology. Analysis of
      aggregation growth kinetics shows that pH strongly affects the characteristic
      timescales for nucleation (taun) and growth (taug), while the initial protein
      concentration has only minor effects on taun or taug. Low-shear viscosity
      measurements follow a common scaling relationship between average aggregate
      molecular weight (Mw(agg)) and concentration (sigma), which is consistent with
      semi-dilute polymer-solution theory. The results establish a link between
      aggregate growth mechanisms, which couple Mw(agg) and sigma, to increases in
      solution viscosity even at these intermediate protein concentrations (less than
      3w/v %). 

PMID- 26284892
TI  - Efficacy of Different Types of Mobilization Techniques in Patients With Primary
      Adhesive Capsulitis of the Shoulder: A Systematic Review.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the literature for efficacy of isolated
      articular mobilization techniques in patients with primary adhesive capsulitis
      (AC) of the shoulder. DATA SOURCES: PubMed and Web of Science were searched for
      relevant studies published before November 2014. Additional references were
      identified by manual screening of the reference lists. STUDY SELECTION: All
      English language randomized controlled trials evaluating the efficacy of
      mobilization techniques on range of motion (ROM) and pain in adult patients with
      primary AC of the shoulder were included in this systematic review. Twelve
      randomized controlled trials involving 810 patients were included. DATA
      EXTRACTION: Two reviewers independently screened the articles, scored
      methodologic quality, and extracted data for analysis. The review was conducted
      and reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews
      and Meta-Analyses statement. All studies were assessed in duplicate for risk of
      bias using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database Scale for randomized controlled
      trials. DATA SYNTHESIS: The efficacy of 7 different types of mobilization
      techniques was evaluated. Angular mobilization (n=2), Cyriax approach (n=1), and
      Maitland technique (n=6) showed improvement in pain score and ROM. With respect
      to translational mobilizations (n=1), posterior glides are preferred to restore
      external rotation. Spine mobilizations combined with glenohumeral stretching and
      both angular and translational mobilization (n=1) had a superior effect on active
      ROM compared with sham ultrasound. High-intensity mobilization (n=1) showed less
      improvement in the Constant Murley Score than a neglect group. Finally, positive
      long-term effects of the Mulligan technique (n=1) were found on both pain and
      ROM. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, mobilization techniques have beneficial effects in
      patients with primary AC of the shoulder. Because of preliminary evidence for
      many mobilization techniques, the Maitland technique and combined mobilizations
      seem recommended at the moment.

PMID- 26284894
TI  - Synthesis and Chiroptical Properties of Double-Helical (M)- and (P)-o
      Oligophenylenes.
AB  - All of the M and P isomers of optically pure oligophenylenes with 6, 8, 10, and
      12 phenyl rings were synthesized and fully characterized. The Suzuki cross
      coupling reaction has been revealed to be a viable strategy in the syntheses of
      tetraphenylene derivatives, which, together with the copper-mediated oxidative
      cross-coupling reaction, were employed in the quest for the oligophenylenes. X
      ray diffraction analysis in combination with specific rotation and circular
      dichroism spectroscopy unambiguously identified the unique covalent double
      helical frameworks of these oligophenylene molecules. 

PMID- 26284893
TI  - The interneuron energy hypothesis: Implications for brain disease.
AB  - Fast-spiking, inhibitory interneurons - prototype is the parvalbumin-positive
      (PV+) basket cell - generate action potentials at high frequency and synchronize
      the activity of numerous excitatory principal neurons, such as pyramidal cells,
      during fast network oscillations by rhythmic inhibition. For this purpose, fast
      spiking, PV+ interneurons have unique electrophysiological characteristics
      regarding action potential kinetics and ion conductances, which are associated
      with high energy expenditure. This is reflected in the neural ultrastructure by
      enrichment with mitochondria and cytochrome c oxidase, indicating the dependence
      on oxidative phosphorylation for adenosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP) generation. The
      high energy expenditure is most likely required for membrane ion transport in
      dendrites and the extensive axon arbor as well as for presynaptic release of
      neurotransmitter, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Fast-spiking, PV+ interneurons
      are central for the emergence of gamma oscillations (30-100Hz) that provide a
      fundamental mechanism of complex information processing during sensory
      perception, motor behavior and memory formation in networks of the hippocampus
      and the neocortex. Conversely, shortage in glucose and oxygen supply (metabolic
      stress) and/or excessive formation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species
      (oxidative stress) may render these interneurons to be a vulnerable target.
      Dysfunction in fast-spiking, PV+ interneurons might set a low threshold for
      impairment of fast network oscillations and thus higher brain functions. This
      pathophysiological mechanism might be highly relevant for cerebral aging as well
      as various acute and chronic brain diseases, such as stroke, vascular cognitive
      impairment, epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia. 

PMID- 26284895
TI  - Controls and forecasts of nitrate yields in forested watersheds: A view over
      mainland Portugal.
AB  - A study on nitrate yields was conducted in forested watersheds of mainland
      Portugal. The prime goal was to rank parameters in descending order of their
      contribution to the export of nitrate towards streams and lakes. To attain the
      goal, variables like soil loss, rainfall intensity, topography, soil type, forest
      composition and environmental disturbances such as hardwood harvesting or
      wildfires were organized in a conceptual yield model. Because some parameters
      were potentially collinear, a robust multivariate statistical technique was
      selected to execute the conceptual model and perform the aforementioned ranking,
      namely Partial Least Squares (PLS) regression. This technique was tested with a
      sample of 60 forested watersheds (>70% of forest occupation), being subject to a
      double-validation process to ensure prediction capability. According to final
      regression coefficients, soil erosion seems to regulate nitrate distribution
      across the basins, because soil loss and type, rainfall intensity and topography
      explained around 60% of nitrate yield variance. The major importance of erosion
      is followed by a moderate role of biochemical processes such as nitrification or
      nutrient uptake, which accounted for approximately 15% of nitrate yield variance.
      In this case, deciduous forests and scrubland seem to behave as net sinks of
      nitrate while coniferous and mixed forests seem to act dually, as net sources or
      sinks. The least important parameters are the environmental disturbances,
      explaining no more than 5% of nitrate yield variance. The results of PLS
      regression were coupled in a scenario analysis with measures designed to protect
      soil from erosion and surface water from eutrophication. These interventions are
      to be implemented until 2045, according to regional plans of forest management.
      Considering the key role of erosion in explaining nitrate dynamics across the
      catchments, it was not surprising to verify that soil protection measures may
      reduce nitrate yields by some 35% of their current values. 

PMID- 26284896
TI  - Dynamic silver speciation as studied with fluorous-phase ion-selective
      electrodes: Effect of natural organic matter on the toxicity and speciation of
      silver.
AB  - The widespread application of silver in consumer products and the resulting
      contamination of natural environments with silver raise questions about the
      toxicity of Ag(+) in the ecosystem. Natural organic matter, NOM, which is
      abundant in water supplies, soil, and sediments, can form stable complexes with
      Ag(+), altering its bioavailability and toxicity. Herein, the extent and kinetics
      of Ag(+) binding to NOM, matrix effects on Ag(+) binding to NOM, and the effect
      of NOM on Ag(+) toxicity to Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 (assessed by the BacLight
      viability assay) were quantitatively studied with fluorous-phase Ag(+) ion
      selective electrodes (ISEs). Our findings show fast kinetics of Ag(+) and NOM
      binding, weak Ag(+) binding for Suwannee River humic acid, fulvic acid, and
      aquatic NOM, and stronger Ag(+) binding for Pony Lake fulvic acid and Pahokee
      Peat humic acid. We quantified the effects of matrix components and pH on Ag(+)
      binding to NOM, showing that the extent of binding greatly depends on the
      environmental conditions. The effect of NOM on the toxicity of Ag(+) does not
      correlate with the extent of Ag(+) binding to NOM, and other forms of silver,
      such as Ag(+) reduced by NOM, are critical for understanding the effect of NOM on
      Ag(+) toxicity. This work also shows that fluorous-phase Ag(+) ISEs are effective
      tools for studying Ag(+) binding to NOM because they can be used in a time
      resolved manner to monitor the activity of Ag(+) in situ with high selectivity
      and without the need for extensive sample preparation. 

PMID- 26284897
TI  - Postural Steadiness and Ankle Force Variability in Peripheral Neuropathy.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The purpose was to determine the effect of peripheral neuropathy
      (PN) on motor output variability for ankle muscles of older adults, and the
      relation between ankle motor variability and postural stability in PN patients.
      METHODS: Older adults with (O-PN) and without PN (O), and young adults (Y)
      underwent assessment of standing postural stability and ankle muscle force
      steadiness. RESULTS: O-PN displayed impaired ankle muscle force control and
      postural stability compared with O and Y groups. For O-PN, the amplitude of
      plantarflexor force fluctuations was moderately correlated with postural
      stability under no-vision conditions (r = .54, p = .01). DISCUSSION: The
      correlation of variations in ankle force with postural stability in PN suggests a
      contribution of ankle muscle dyscontrol to the postural instability that impacts
      physical function for older adults with PN.

PMID- 26284898
TI  - Protonation Dynamics and Hydrogen Bonding in Aqueous Sulfuric Acid.
AB  - Hydration of sulfuric acid plays a key role in new-particle formation in the
      atmosphere. It has been recently proposed that proton dynamics is crucial in the
      stabilization of these clusters. One key question is how water molecules mediate
      proton transfer from sulfuric acid, and hence how the deprotonation state of the
      acid molecule behaves as a function concentration. We address the proton transfer
      in aqueous sulfuric acid with O K edge and S L edge core-excitation spectra
      recorded using inelastic X-ray scattering and with ab initio molecular dynamics
      simulations in the concentration range of 0-18.0 M. Throughout this range, we
      quantify the acid-water interaction with atomic resolution. Our simulations show
      that the number of donated hydrogen bonds per Owater increases from 1.9 to 2.5
      when concentration increases from 0 to 18.0 M, in agreement with a rapid
      disappearance of the pre-edge feature in the O K edge spectrum. The simulations
      also suggest that for 1.5 M sulfuric acid SO4(2-) is most abundant and that its
      concentration falls monotonously with increasing concentration. Moreover, the
      fraction of HSO4(-) peaks at ~12 M. 

PMID- 26284899
TI  - An Effective Electrical Throughput from PANI Supplement ZnS Nanorods and PDMS
      Based Flexible Piezoelectric Nanogenerator for Power up Portable Electronic
      Devices: An Alternative of MWCNT Filler.
AB  - We demonstrate the requirement of electrical poling can be avoided in flexible
      piezoelectric nanogenerators (FPNGs) made of low-temperature hydrothermally grown
      wurtzite zinc sulfide nanorods (ZnS-NRs) blended with polydimethylsiloxane
      (PDMS). It has been found that conductive fillers, such as polyaniline (PANI) and
      multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), can subsequently improve the overall
      performance of FPNG. A large electrical throughput (open circuit voltage ~35 V
      with power density ~2.43 MUW/cm(3)) from PANI supplement added nanogenerator (PZP
      FPNG) indicates that it is an effective means to replace the MWCNTs filler. The
      time constant (tau) estimated from the transient response of the capacitor
      charging curves signifying that the FPNGs are very much capable to charge the
      capacitors in very short time span (e.g., 3 V is accomplished in 50 s) and thus
      expected to be perfectly suitable in portable, wearable and flexible electronics
      devices. We demonstrate that FPNG can instantly lit up several commercial Light
      Emitting Diodes (LEDs) (15 red, 25 green, and 55 blue, individually) and power up
      several portable electronic gadgets, for example, wrist watch, calculator, and
      LCD screen. Thus, a realization of potential use of PANI in low-temperature
      synthesized ZnS-NRs comprising piezoelectric based nanogenerator fabrication is
      experimentally verified so as to acquire a potential impact in sustainable energy
      applications. Beside this, wireless piezoelectric signal detection possibility is
      also worked out where a concept of self-powered smart sensor is introduced. 

PMID- 26284900
TI  - In Situ Formation of Metal Oxide Nanocrystals Embedded in Laser-Induced Graphene.
AB  - Hybrid materials incorporating the advantages of graphene and nanoparticles have
      been widely studied. Here we develop an improved cost-effective approach for
      preparation of porous graphene embedded with various types of nanoparticles.
      Direct laser scribing on metal-complex-containing polyimide film leads to in situ
      formation of nanoparticles embedded in porous graphene. These materials are
      highly active in electrochemical oxygen reduction reactions, converting O2 into
      OH(-), with a low metal loading of less than 1 at. %. In addition, the
      nanoparticles can vary from metal oxide to metal dichalcogenides through lateral
      doping, making the composite active in other electrocatalytic reactions such as
      hydrogen evolution. 

PMID- 26284901
TI  - Mediastinal Granulomatous Inflammation and Overall Survival in Patients with a
      History of Malignancy.
AB  - RATIONALE: Investigators have postulated that mediastinal granulomatous
      inflammation is associated with prolonged overall survival in patients with
      cancer. OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine whether mediastinal granulomatous
      inflammation affects overall survival in patients with a history of treated
      cancer. METHODS: Patients with a history of treated cancer who underwent
      endobronchial ultrasound-transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) for
      evaluation of mediastinal or hilar lymphadenopathy were grouped based on whether
      they had mediastinal granulomatous inflammation or benign mediastinal
      lymphadenopathy without granulomas. Overall survival from the date of EBUS-TBNA
      to cancer-related death or to last follow-up in patient groups was compared.
      MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: We reviewed the records of 106 patients (44 with
      mediastinal granulomatous inflammation and 62 with benign mediastinal
      lymphadenopathy). The 3-year survival rate was 90% overall and 93 and 88% in
      patients with mediastinal granulomatous inflammation and benign mediastinal
      lymphadenopathy, respectively (P=0.40). After multivariate adjustment, whether
      patients had mediastinal granulomatous inflammation or benign mediastinal
      lymphadenopathy did not significantly affect the risk of cancer death
      (mediastinal granulomatous inflammation to benign mediastinal lymphadenopathy
      hazard ratio, 1.27; P=0.76). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that patients who
      develop mediastinal granulomatous inflammation after cancer treatment do not have
      an increased overall survival when compared with patients who develop benign
      mediastinal lymphadenopathy. EBUS-TBNA is warranted for patients with treated
      cancer who develop mediastinal and/or hilar lymphadenopathy to avoid erroneous
      upstaging or misdiagnosis of cancer recurrence that would lead to suboptimal
      management.

PMID- 26284902
TI  - Global trends of municipal solid waste research from 1997 to 2014 using
      bibliometric analysis.
AB  - This study uses a bibliometric approach to identify global trends related to the
      municipal solid waste (MSW). It applies related literature in the Science
      Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI),
      Conference Proceedings Citation Index - Science (CPCI-S) and Conference
      Proceedings Citation Index - Social Science & Humanities (CPCI-SSH), retrieved
      from the ISI Web of Science. The data used covers the period from 1997 to 2014.
      Analyzed aspects included document type, and publication output as well as
      distribution of journals, subject category, countries, institutions, title-words,
      author keywords, and keywords plus. An evaluating indicator, citation score, was
      applied to characterize the MSW publications. The research outputs of MSW had
      steadily increased in the field of energy fuels, engineering chemical and
      biotechnology applied microbiology, especially environmental sciences and
      engineering environmental. The predominance of Chinese institutions in terms of
      article count and a predominance of industrialized countries' institutions in
      terms of citation score were compared. Finally, author keywords, words in title,
      and keywords plus were analyzed to provide research emphasis, with the developing
      trends and recent hotspots provided. IMPLICATIONS: A systematic overview of
      scientific literature dealing with municipal solid waste (MSW) is provided by a
      bibliometric analysis. The analysis of author keywords helps in drawing the
      research trends in a special perspective. Research studies on food waste, life
      cycle assessment (LCA), and renewable energy tend to be a new research focus in
      the area of MSW. The conclusions could provide a reference to the decision making
      and policy of MSW management for the government to some extent.

PMID- 26284903
TI  - Combination of Calcium Hydroxyapatite Antibiotic Carrier with Cement Spacers in
      Peri-Prosthetic Knee Infections.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Forty-six patients (38 females and 8 males) with infected knee
      arthroplasties were included in this study. In 31 patients (group A) an
      antibiotic-impregnated articulating spacer was used, whereas in 15 patients
      (group B) a combination of spacer and antibiotic carrier was used. METHODS: All
      patients were reviewed weekly with laboratory examinations (white blood cell
      count [WBC], erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR], C-reactive protein [CRP])
      prior to re-implantation. At a mean follow-up of 36 mo (range, 8-60 mo) no
      patient was lost to follow-up or had died. RESULTS: White blood cell count and
      ESR showed no differences at any time interval. C-reactive protein values had a
      statistically significant difference between the two groups after the second week
      (third week p = 0.042) and group B had significantly lower CRP values at every
      checkpoint thereafter. The re-infection rate was 16.12% in group A and 6.6% in
      group B (p = 0.192).

PMID- 26284904
TI  - The mRNA expression of soluble urokinase plasminogen activator surface receptor
      in human adipose tissue is positively correlated with body mass index.
AB  - suPLAUR is the transcript variant that encodes the soluble form of the urokinase
      plasminogen activator surface receptor (suPLAUR). This soluble protein has been
      shown to enhance leukocyte migration and adhesion, and its circulatory level is
      increased in inflammatory states. In this pilot study, we used RNA-Seq to examine
      the splicing pattern of PLAUR in omental adipose tissues from obese and lean
      individuals. Of the three transcript variants of the PLAUR gene, only the
      proportion of suPLAUR (transcript variant 2) increases in obesity. After removing
      the effects of gender and age, the expression of suPLAUR is positively correlated
      with body mass index. This observation was validated using RT-qPCR with an
      independent cohort of samples. Additionally, in our RNA-Seq differential
      expression analysis, we also observed, in obese adipose tissues, an up-regulation
      of genes encoding other proteins involved in the process of chemotaxis and
      leukocyte adhesion; of particular interest is the integrin beta 2 (ITGB2) that is
      known to interact with suPLAUR in leukocyte adhesion. These findings suggest an
      important role for suPLAUR in the recruitment of immune cells to obese adipose
      tissue, in the pathogenesis of obesity. 

PMID- 26284905
TI  - The effect of SIRT1 gene polymorphisms on ambulatory blood pressure of
      hypertensive patients in the Kazakh population.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1)
      gene polymorphisms on ambulatory blood pressure in hypertensive patients.
      METHODS: Three hundred forty hypertensive patients were recruited from January
      2013 to January 2015. SIRT1 Tag single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; rs2273773,
      rs4746720, and rs7896005) were genotyped using a PCR-direct sequencing method,
      and the association between the SIRT1 gene SNPs and ambulatory blood pressure was
      analyzed. RESULTS: After adjusting for confounding factors, patients with the
      rs2273773/CT+CC genotypes had lower 24-h systolic and diastolic blood pressures;
      there were no associations between rs4746720 and rs7896005 genotypes and blood
      pressure. CONCLUSION: The SIRT1 gene polymorphism (rs2273773) is significantly
      associated with ambulatory blood pressure level in Han Chinese patients with
      hypertension.

PMID- 26284906
TI  - Cordyceps militaris Enhances Cell-Mediated Immunity in Healthy Korean Men.
AB  - Cordyceps militaris is a mushroom traditionally used for diverse pharmaceutical
      purposes in East Asia, including China, and has been found to be effective for
      enhancing immunity through various types of animal testing. The aim of this study
      is to determine the efficacy of C. militaris for enhancing cell-mediated immunity
      and its safety in healthy male adults. Healthy male adults were divided into the
      experimental group (n = 39), given 1.5 g/day of ethanol treated C. militaris in
      capsules, and the control group (n = 40), given the same number of identical
      placebo capsules filled with microcrystalline cellulose and lactose for 4 weeks
      from February 13 to March 14, 2012; the natural killer (NK) cell activity,
      lymphocyte proliferation index (PI), and T-helper cell 1 (Th1) cytokine cluster
      (interferon [IFN]-gamma, interleukin [IL]-12, IL-2, and tumor necrosis factor
      [TNF]-alpha) were measured, along with stability test, at weeks 0, 2, and 4. The
      C. militaris group showed a statistically significant greater increase in NK200
      (P = .0010), lymphocyte PI (P <= .0001), IL-2 (P = .0096), and IFN-gamma (P =
      .0126), compared with the basal level, than the placebo group. There was no
      statistically significant adverse reaction. C. militaris enhanced the NK cell
      activity and lymphocyte proliferation and partially increased Th1 cytokine
      secretion. Therefore, C. militaris is safe and effective for enhancing cell
      mediated immunity of healthy male adults.

PMID- 26284907
TI  - A Large Repetitive RTX-Like Protein Mediates Water-Soaked Lesion Development,
      Leakage of Plant Cell Content and Host Colonization in the Pantoea stewartii
      subsp. stewartii Pathosystem.
AB  - Pantoea stewartii subsp. stewartii is the etiological agent of Stewart's wilt and
      is a serious bacterial pathogen affecting sweet corn. During the leaf blight
      phase, P. stewartii colonizes the leaf apoplast and causes a characteristic water
      soaked lesion. The Hrp type III secretion system has been implicated in the water
      soaking phenotype, and the goal of this study was to investigate other potential
      factors that contribute to the plant cellular disruption associated with these
      lesions. The P. stewartii genome contains a gene encoding a large repetitive RTX
      toxin, designated rtx2. RTX toxins comprise a large family of pore-forming
      proteins, which are widely distributed among gram-negative bacteria. These
      cytotoxins usually lyse their target host cells and cause significant tissue
      damage as a consequence. We hypothesized that this RTX-like toxin plays a role in
      the water-soaking phase of infection due to its predicted cytolytic properties.
      Based on the data reported here, we conclude that RTX2 contributes significantly
      to the development of water-soaked lesions and leakage of plant cellular contents
      and is an important pathogenicity factor for P. stewartii. 

PMID- 26284908
TI  - Genome-Wide Association of Rice Blast Disease Resistance and Yield-Related
      Components of Rice.
AB  - Robust disease resistance may require an expenditure of energy that may limit
      crop yield potential. In the present study, a subset of a United States
      Department of Agriculture rice core collection consisting of 151 accessions was
      selected using a major blast resistance (R) gene, Pi-ta, marker and was genotyped
      with 156 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Disease reactions to Magnaporthe
      oryzae, the causal agent of rice blast disease, were evaluated under greenhouse
      and field conditions, and heading date, plant height, paddy and brown seed weight
      in two field environments were analyzed, using an association mapping approach. A
      total of 21 SSR markers distributed among rice chromosomes 2 to 12 were
      associated with blast resistance, and 16 SSR markers were associated with seed
      weight, heading date, and plant height. Most noticeably, shorter plants were
      significantly correlated with resistance to blast, rice genomes with Pi-ta were
      associated with lighter seed weights, and the susceptible alleles of RM171 and
      RM6544 were associated with heavier seed weight. These findings unraveled a
      complex relationship between disease resistance and yield-related components. 

PMID- 26284910
TI  - Exploring the Health Belief Model and first-year students' responses to HIV/AIDS
      and VCT at a South African university.
AB  - The Health Belief Model (HBM) is a psychosocial framework that attempts to
      explain health behaviour. It is determined by an individual's personal beliefs or
      perceptions about a disease and the options available to decrease its occurrence.
      In the context of sexual risk behaviours, literature reveals that knowledge about
      HIV/AIDS and Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) are key strategies in the
      management and prevention of HIV. This study was conducted in 2011, the same year
      the First Things First campaign was implemented in universities across South
      Africa to maximise opportunities for HIV testing among youth. It aimed to
      identify first-year students' responses to HIV/AIDS and VCT at the University of
      the Witwatersrand (WITS). The mixed research methods consisted of self
      administered structured questionnaires with a sample population of 195 first-year
      students and 2 in-depth interviews with experts in the field of HIV/AIDS.
      Descriptive statistical analyses (frequencies and cross-tabulations) and thematic
      content analysis was carried out. The findings indicate that students are willing
      to know their status. The positive influence of peers is a motivation for those
      accessing VCT. However, some students do not access VCT due to personal fears
      while other students do not access VCT because of their low individual risk
      perception for HIV due to sexual abstinence. It concludes that university
      students' self-efficacy and cues to action might bring about a positive change in
      the future of the epidemic within a university context. 

PMID- 26284909
TI  - Unusual cutaneous features associated with a heterozygous gain-of-function
      mutation in IFIH1: overlap between Aicardi-Goutieres and Singleton-Merten
      syndromes.
AB  - Cutaneous lesions described as chilblain lupus occur in the context of familial
      chilblain lupus or Aicardi-Goutieres syndrome. To date, seven genes related to
      Aicardi-Goutieres syndrome have been described. The most recently described
      encodes the cytosolic double-stranded RNA receptor IFIH1 (also known as MDA5), a
      key component of the antiviral type I interferon-mediated innate immune response.
      Enhanced type I interferon signalling secondary to gain-of-function mutations in
      IFIH1 can result in a range of neuroinflammatory phenotypes including classical
      Aicardi-Goutieres syndrome. It is of note that none of the patients with a
      neurological phenotype so far described with mutations in this gene was reported
      to demonstrate cutaneous involvement. We present a family segregating a
      heterozygous pathogenic mutation in IFIH1 showing dermatological involvement as a
      prominent feature, variably associated with neurological disturbance and
      premature tooth loss. All three affected individuals exhibited increased
      expression of interferon-stimulated genes in whole blood, and the mutant protein
      resulted in enhanced interferon signalling in vitro, both in the basal state and
      following ligand stimulation. Our results further extend the phenotypic spectrum
      associated with mutations in IFIH1, indicating that the disease can be confined
      predominantly to the skin, while also highlighting phenotypic overlap with both
      Aicardi-Goutieres syndrome and Singleton-Merten syndrome. 

PMID- 26284911
TI  - Absorbance amplification using chromophore-nanoplasmon coupling for
      ultrasensitive protein quantification.
AB  - A plasmonic nanoscale Lycurgus cup array (nanoLCA), via near-field interaction
      with chromophores in commercial colorimetric biochemical assays, can drastically
      enhance assay sensitivity by over 2 orders of magnitude. A 96-microwell plate
      modified by placing the plasmonic nanoLCA on the well-bottom was used with the
      commercial Bradford protein quantification assay. Plasmons on the nanoLCA serve
      as an energy donor to matched resonance chromophores, and the near-field
      plasmonic energy coupling effect results in an increase in absorbance value at
      the plasmonic resonance wavelength. Even with a 5.1-fold reduced sample volume, a
      limit of detection enhancement factor of 200 is accomplished using the nanoLCA
      compared to using the conventional Bradford assay without plasmon aid. The
      nanoLCA-microplate sensing platform is readily scalable to 384- or 1536-microwell
      plates, which further reduces the sensing volume and boosts detection throughput
      with the enhanced sensitivity. 

PMID- 26284912
TI  - Precision Nursing: New Era of Cancer Care.

PMID- 26284913
TI  - Survivorship Care Provision for Patients With Hematologic Malignancies: The Quest
      for Quality Evidence.

PMID- 26284914
TI  - Silk Reconstitution Disrupts Fibroin Self-Assembly.
AB  - Using atomic force microscopy, we present the first molecular-scale comparison of
      two of the most important silk dopes, native (NSF) and reconstituted (RSF)
      silkworm fibroin. We found that both systems depended on shear to show self
      assembly. Significant differences in the nature of self-assembly between NSF and
      RSF were shown. In the highest studied concentration of 1000 mg/L, NSF exhibited
      assembly into 20-30 nm-wide nanofibrils closely resembling the surface structures
      found in natural silk fibers. RSF, in contrast, showed no self-assembly
      whatsoever at the same concentration, which suggests that the reconstitution
      process significantly disrupts silk's inherent self-assembly capability. At lower
      concentrations, both RSF and NSF formed fibrils under shear, apparently denatured
      by the substrate. Using image analysis, we quantified the properties of these
      self-assembled fibrils as a function of concentration and found low-concentration
      fibrils of NSF to form larger continuous structures than those of RSF, further
      supporting NSF's superior self-assembly capabilities. 

PMID- 26284915
TI  - A carbon coated NASICON structure material embedded in porous carbon enabling
      superior sodium storage performance: NaTi2(PO4)3 as an example.
AB  - Sodium super ion conductor (NASICON) type structure materials (e.g. Na3V2(PO4)3,
      NaTi2(PO4)3) have been considered as promising electrode materials for sodium-ion
      batteries (NIBs). However, the inherent poor electronic conductivity of the
      NASICON type structure materials owing to their poor electronic conductivity of
      phosphates leads to poor cyclability and rate capability. Here, we develop a
      general strategy to achieve high rate capability and long cycle life by preparing
      "double carbon coating" NASICON NaTi2(PO4)3 using a soft-chemical method. The
      obtained carbon-coated NaTi2(PO4)3 within the porous carbon matrix (denoted as
      NTP@C@PC) imparts a reversible capability of 103 mA h g(-1) at 5 C after 5000
      cycles and a rate capability of 64 mA h g(-1) at 50 C for sodium storage. The
      high capacity, stable cyclability and excellent rate capability of the NTP@C@PC
      are attributed to the advantages of the special structure: the fast Na(+)/e(-)
      transfer in the nanocomposites, large surface area and mesoporous nature of the
      3D porous carbon matrix that facilitate the electrolyte to soak in, an intimate
      interaction between the particles and the carbon matrix. In addition, the 3D
      porous carbon matrix could effectively accommodate the volume variation during a
      repeated sodiation/desodiation process. 

PMID- 26284916
TI  - Summer Precipitation Predicts Spatial Distributions of Semiaquatic Mammals.
AB  - Climate change is predicted to increase the frequency of droughts and intensity
      of seasonal precipitation in many regions. Semiaquatic mammals should be
      vulnerable to this increased variability in precipitation, especially in human
      modified landscapes where dispersal to suitable habitat or temporary refugia may
      be limited. Using six years of presence-absence data (2007-2012) spanning years
      of record-breaking drought and flood conditions, we evaluated regional occupancy
      dynamics of American mink (Neovison vison) and muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus) in a
      highly altered agroecosystem in Illinois, USA. We used noninvasive sign surveys
      and a multiseason occupancy modeling approach to estimate annual occupancy rates
      for both species and related these rates to summer precipitation. We also tracked
      radiomarked individuals to assess mortality risk for both species when moving in
      terrestrial areas. Annual model-averaged estimates of occupancy for mink and
      muskrat were correlated positively to summer precipitation. Mink and muskrats
      were widespread during a year (2008) with above-average precipitation. However,
      estimates of site occupancy declined substantially for mink (0.56) and especially
      muskrats (0.09) during the severe drought of 2012. Mink are generalist predators
      that probably use terrestrial habitat during droughts. However, mink had
      substantially greater risk of mortality away from streams. In comparison,
      muskrats are more restricted to aquatic habitats and likely suffered high
      mortality during the drought. Our patterns are striking, but a more mechanistic
      understanding is needed of how semiaquatic species in human-modified ecosystems
      will respond ecologically in situ to extreme weather events predicted by climate
      change models. 

PMID- 26284917
TI  - Innate Immunity and the Inter-exposure Interval Determine the Dynamics of
      Secondary Influenza Virus Infection and Explain Observed Viral Hierarchies.
AB  - Influenza is an infectious disease that primarily attacks the respiratory system.
      Innate immunity provides both a very early defense to influenza virus invasion
      and an effective control of viral growth. Previous modelling studies of virus
      innate immune response interactions have focused on infection with a single virus
      and, while improving our understanding of viral and immune dynamics, have been
      unable to effectively evaluate the relative feasibility of different hypothesised
      mechanisms of antiviral immunity. In recent experiments, we have applied
      consecutive exposures to different virus strains in a ferret model, and
      demonstrated that viruses differed in their ability to induce a state of
      temporary immunity or viral interference capable of modifying the infection
      kinetics of the subsequent exposure. These results imply that virus-induced early
      immune responses may be responsible for the observed viral hierarchy. Here we
      introduce and analyse a family of within-host models of re-infection viral
      kinetics which allow for different viruses to stimulate the innate immune
      response to different degrees. The proposed models differ in their hypothesised
      mechanisms of action of the non-specific innate immune response. We compare these
      alternative models in terms of their abilities to reproduce the re-exposure data.
      Our results show that 1) a model with viral control mediated solely by a virus
      resistant state, as commonly considered in the literature, is not able to
      reproduce the observed viral hierarchy; 2) the synchronised and desynchronised
      behaviour of consecutive virus infections is highly dependent upon the interval
      between primary virus and challenge virus exposures and is consistent with virus
      dependent stimulation of the innate immune response. Our study provides the first
      mechanistic explanation for the recently observed influenza viral hierarchies and
      demonstrates the importance of understanding the host response to multi-strain
      viral infections. Re-exposure experiments provide a new paradigm in which to
      study the immune response to influenza and its role in viral control. 

PMID- 26284918
TI  - A Comparison of the Effects of the GLP-1 Analogue Liraglutide and Insulin
      Glargine on Endothelial Function and Metabolic Parameters: A Randomized,
      Controlled Trial Sapporo Athero-Incretin Study 2 (SAIS2).
AB  - OBJECTIVES: GLP-1 improves hyperglycemia, and it has been reported to have
      favorable effects on atherosclerosis. However, it has not been fully elucidated
      whether GLP-1 is able to improve endothelial function in patients with type 2
      diabetes. Therefore, we investigated the efficacy of the GLP-1 analogue,
      liraglutide on endothelial function and glycemic metabolism compared with insulin
      glargine therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this multicenter, prospective
      randomized parallel-group comparison study, 31 diabetic outpatients (aged 60.3 +/
      10.3 years with HbA1c levels of 8.6 +/- 0.8%) with current metformin and/or
      sulfonylurea treatment were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive liraglutide
      or glargine therapy once daily for 14 weeks. Flow mediated dilation (FMD), a
      comprehensive panel of hemodynamic parameters (Task Force Monitor), and serum
      metabolic markers were assessed before and after the treatment period. RESULTS: A
      greater reduction (worsening) in %FMD was observed in the glargine group,
      although this change was not statistically different from the liraglutide group
      (liraglutide; 5.7 to 5.4%, glargine 6.7 to 5.7%). The augmentation index, C
      peptide index, derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites and BMI were
      significantly improved in the liraglutide group. Central systolic blood pressure
      and NT-proBNP also tended to be improved in the liraglutide-treated group, while
      improvements in HbA1c levels were similar between groups. Cardiac index, blood
      pressure and most other metabolic parameters were not different. CONCLUSIONS:
      Regardless of glycemic improvement, early liraglutide therapy did not affect
      endothelial function but may provide favorable effects on beta-cell function and
      cardioprotection in type 2 diabetics without advanced atherosclerosis. TRIAL
      REGISTRATION: UMIN Clinical Trials Registry System as trial ID UMIN000005331.

PMID- 26284919
TI  - Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 Exerts Antiviral Activity against Respiratory
      Syncytial Virus.
AB  - Increased lung levels of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) are frequently
      observed during respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection and elevated MMP9
      concentrations are associated with severe disease. However little is known of the
      functional role of MMP9 during lung infection with RSV. To determine whether MMP9
      exerted direct antiviral potential, active MMP9 was incubated with RSV, which
      showed that MMP9 directly prevented RSV infectivity to airway epithelial cells.
      Using knockout mice the effect of the loss of Mmp9 expression was examined during
      RSV infection to demonstrate MMP9's role in viral clearance and disease
      progression. Seven days following RSV infection, Mmp9-/- mice displayed
      substantial weight loss, increased RSV-induced airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR)
      and reduced clearance of RSV from the lungs compared to wild type mice. Although
      total bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cell counts were similar in both
      groups, neutrophil recruitment to the lungs during RSV infection was
      significantly reduced in Mmp9-/- mice. Reduced neutrophil recruitment coincided
      with diminished RANTES, IL-1beta, SCF, G-CSF expression and p38 phosphorylation.
      Induction of p38 signaling was required for RANTES and G-CSF expression during
      RSV infection in airway epithelial cells. Therefore, MMP9 in RSV lung infection
      significantly enhances neutrophil recruitment, cytokine production and viral
      clearance while reducing AHR. 

PMID- 26284921
TI  - Effects of oxygen impurities and nitrogen vacancies on the surface properties of
      the Ta3N5 photocatalyst: a DFT study.
AB  - Surface defects and impurities play important roles in the photocatalytic
      performance of semiconductors. In this study, DFT calculations are performed to
      investigate the effects of oxygen impurities and nitrogen vacancies on the
      surface stability and electronic structures of Ta3N5(100), (010) and (001) low
      index surfaces. The results show that, for each surface, the oxygen impurities
      and nitrogen vacancies are beneficial and harmful, respectively, to the surface
      stability of Ta3N5. The oxygen impurities and nitrogen vacancies have mainly two
      effects on the surface electronic structures of Ta3N5. One is saturating surface
      states on the clean surface, and the other is inducing the downshift of
      conduction band minimum. In addition, the Ta3N5(100) surface with oxygen
      impurities is expected to have the strongest reduction ability in practice,
      providing useful guidance for further investigations of Ta3N5 in the
      photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. 

PMID- 26284920
TI  - Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary
      Disease in China.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Relatively little is known about the specific relationship and impact
      from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on multidrug-resistant
      tuberculsosis (MDR-TB). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study included
      patients aged >=40 years with a confirmed pulmonary TB at three tertiary
      hospitals (Shandong, China) between January 2011 and October 2014. Univariable
      and multivariable analyses were performed to identify the relationship of MDR-TB
      and COPD. RESULTS: A total of 2164 patients aged >= 40 years with available
      results of drug susceptibility test (DST) and medical records were screened for
      this study: 268 patients with discharge diagnosis of COPD and 1896 patients
      without COPD. Overall, 14.2% of patients with COPD and 8.5% patients without COPD
      were MDR-TB. The rate of MDR-TB were significantly higher in patients with COPD
      (P<0.05). Migrant (odds ratios (OR) 1.32, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02
      1.72), previous anti-TB treatment (OR 4.58, 95% CI 1.69-12.42), cavity (OR 2.33,
      95% CI 1.14-4.75), and GOLD stage (OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.01-2.93) were the
      independent predictors for MDR-TB among patients with COPD. CONCLUSIONS: MDR-TB
      occurs more frequently in patients with underlying COPD, especially those with
      being migrant, previous anti-TB therapy, cavity and severe airway obstruction.

PMID- 26284923
TI  - Parallel Key Frame Extraction for Surveillance Video Service in a Smart City.
AB  - Surveillance video service (SVS) is one of the most important services provided
      in a smart city. It is very important for the utilization of SVS to provide
      design efficient surveillance video analysis techniques. Key frame extraction is
      a simple yet effective technique to achieve this goal. In surveillance video
      applications, key frames are typically used to summarize important video content.
      It is very important and essential to extract key frames accurately and
      efficiently. A novel approach is proposed to extract key frames from traffic
      surveillance videos based on GPU (graphics processing units) to ensure high
      efficiency and accuracy. For the determination of key frames, motion is a more
      salient feature in presenting actions or events, especially in surveillance
      videos. The motion feature is extracted in GPU to reduce running time. It is also
      smoothed to reduce noise, and the frames with local maxima of motion information
      are selected as the final key frames. The experimental results show that this
      approach can extract key frames more accurately and efficiently compared with
      several other methods. 

PMID- 26284922
TI  - Fabrication of Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene Nanostructures with Anodic Alumina
      Oxide Templates, Characterization and Biofilm Development Test for Staphylococcus
      epidermidis.
AB  - Medical devices can be contaminated by microbial biofilm which causes nosocomial
      infections. One of the strategies for the prevention of such microbial adhesion
      is to modify the biomaterials by creating micro or nanofeatures on their surface.
      This study aimed (1) to nanostructure acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), a
      polymer composing connectors in perfusion devices, using Anodic Alumina Oxide
      templates, and to control the reproducibility of this process; (2) to
      characterize the physico-chemical properties of the nanostructured surfaces such
      as wettability using captive-bubble contact angle measurement technique; (3) to
      test the impact of nanostructures on Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilm
      development. Fabrication of Anodic Alumina Oxide molds was realized by double
      anodization in oxalic acid. This process was reproducible. The obtained molds
      present hexagonally arranged 50 nm diameter pores, with a 100 nm interpore
      distance and a length of 100 nm. Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene nanostructures
      were successfully prepared using a polymer solution and two melt wetting methods.
      For all methods, the nanopicots were obtained but inside each sample their length
      was different. One method was selected essentially for industrial purposes and
      for better reproducibility results. The flat ABS surface presents a slightly
      hydrophilic character, which remains roughly unchanged after nanostructuration,
      the increasing apparent wettability observed in that case being explained by
      roughness effects. Also, the nanostructuration of the polymer surface does not
      induce any significant effect on Staphylococcus epidermidis adhesion. 

PMID- 26284925
TI  - Central skull base osteomyelitis: a rare but life-threatening disease.
AB  - We present the case of a 70-year-old non-diabetic patient who presented to the
      emergency department with unrelenting otalgia. A severe otitis externa (OE) and
      mastoiditis were treated with broad spectrum antibiotics and surgical drainage.
      No bacteria was isolated from surgical samples. Because the otalgia persisted, a
      magnetic resonance (MR) was performed and showed an infiltrating process at the
      skull base. Biopsies failed to prove malignancy or granulomatosis. The patient's
      neurological state deteriorated. The suspicion of a skull base osteomyelitis
      (SBO) was raised and proven by CT-guided biopsies that grew Pseudomonas
      aeruginosa. Meropenem and ciprofloxacin, given for 8 weeks, lead to a fast
      clinical improvement and a full recovery. SBO is uncommon, often complicating
      severe OE. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the main pathogen. Prompt diagnosis and
      adequate antibiotherapy are required to lower mortality and morbidity. The
      diagnosis may be delayed because of unawareness and large differential diagnosis
      including solid neoplasic tumours, malignant hemopathies and granulomatosis. 

PMID- 26284924
TI  - Cost Resulting from Anti-Tuberculosis Drug Shortages in the United States: A
      Hypothetical Cohort Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: From 2012 through 2014, the United States experienced acute shortages
      and price escalations of several first-line anti-tuberculosis (TB) medications.
      Because secondary TB drug regimens are longer and adverse events occur more
      frequently with them, we sought to conservatively estimate the cost, to patients
      and the health care system, of TB treatment and medication adverse events from
      alternative regimens during drug shortages. METHODS: We assessed the cost of
      treatment for TB disease in the absence of isoniazid (INH), rifampin (RIF), or
      pyrazinamide (PZA), or both INH and RIF. We simulated adverse events based on
      published probabilities using a monthly discrete-time stochastic model. For total
      costs, we summed costs of medications, routine testing, and treatment of adverse
      events using procedural terminology codes. We report average cost ratios of TB
      treatment during drug shortages to standard TB treatment. RESULTS: The cost ratio
      of TB treatment without INH, RIF, or PZA to standard treatment was 1.7 (Range:
      1.2, 2.3), 4.9 (Range: 3.2, 7.3), and 1.1 (Range: 0.7, 1.7) times higher,
      respectively. Without both INH and RIF, the cost ratio was 18.6 (Range: 10.0,
      39.0) times higher. When the prices for INH, RIF and PZA were increased, the cost
      for standard treatment increased by a factor of 2.7 (Range: 1.9, 3.0). The
      percentage of patients experiencing at least one adverse event while taking
      standard therapy was 3.9% (Range: 1.3%, 11.8%). This percentage increased to
      51.5% (Range: 20.1%, 83.8%) when RIF was unavailable, and increased to 82.5%
      (Range: 41.2%, 98.5%) when both INH and RIF were unavailable. CONCLUSIONS: Our
      conservative model illustrates that an interruption in first-line anti-TB
      medications leads to appreciable additional costs and adverse events for
      patients. The availability of these drugs in the United States should be ensured.
      Models that incorporate the effectiveness of alternative regimens, delays in
      treatment initiation, and TB transmission can provide broader perspectives on the
      impact of drug shortages.

PMID- 26284926
TI  - Takayasu's arteritis as the aetiology of unresolved fever in an adult patient
      with cystic fibrosis.
AB  - Vasculitis is an unusual complication of cystic fibrosis (CF), normally affecting
      patients with more severe lung disease. Typical presentation is with skin disease
      but other organ involvement has been reported. Systemic response to bacterial
      colonisation and immune complex deposition secondary to chronic airway
      inflammation is thought to be underlying mechanism of the disease. The authors
      describe a 28-year-old female Turkish patient with CF presented with fever and
      arthralgias. The patient was known to have chronic Pseudomonas infection;
      therefore, a respiratory tract infection was assumed and the patient was treated
      with imipenem and amikacin for 14 days. Following through investigations of fever
      of unknown origin, Takayasu's arteritis was identified and the patient responded
      well to immunosuppression with corticosteroid.

PMID- 26284928
TI  - Modulation of Cholesterol-Related Gene Expression by Dietary Fiber Fractions from
      Edible Mushrooms.
AB  - Mushrooms are a source of dietary fiber (DF) with a cholesterol-lowering effect.
      However, their underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. The effect of DF
      enriched fractions from three mushrooms species on cholesterol-related expression
      was studied in vitro. The Pleurotus ostreatus DF fraction (PDF) was used in mice
      models to assess its potential palliative or preventive effect against
      hypercholesterolemia. PDF induced a transcriptional response in Caco-2 cells,
      suggesting a possible cholesterol-lowering effect. In the palliative setting, PDF
      reduced hepatic triglyceride likely because Dgat1 was downregulated. However,
      cholesterol-related biochemical data showed no changes and no relation with the
      observed transcriptional modulation. In the preventive setting, PDF modulated
      cholesterol-related genes expression in a manner similar to that of simvastatin
      and ezetimibe in the liver, although no changes in plasma and liver biochemical
      data were induced. Therefore, PDF may be useful reducing hepatic triglyceride
      accumulation. Because it induced a molecular response similar to
      hypocholesterolemic drugs in liver, further dose-dependent studies should be
      carried out. 

PMID- 26284927
TI  - B7H1 Expression and Epithelial-To-Mesenchymal Transition Phenotypes on Colorectal
      Cancer Stem-Like Cells.
AB  - Cancer stem cells (CSCs) can invade and metastasize by epithelial-to-mesenchymal
      transition (EMT). However, how they escape immune surveillance is unclear. B7H1
      is crucial negative co-stimulatory molecule but little information about whether
      it works in CSCs. Therefore, we determined the expression of B7H1 and EMT
      associated markers in colorectal cancer stem-like cells to investigate a possible
      immunoevasion way of CSCs. We enriched CD133+ colorectal cancer cells which
      manifested the CSCs-like properties such as higher levels of other stem cell
      markers Oct-4 and Sox-2, tumor sphere forming ability and more tumorigenic in
      NOD/SCID mice. These CD133+ cells possess EMT gene expression profile including
      higher level of Snail, Twist, vimentin, fibronectin and lower level of E
      cadherin. Moreover, CD133+ cells in both cell line and colorectal cancer tissues
      expressed high level of negative co-stimulate molecule B7H1. Furthermore, some
      B7H1+ cancer cells also showed the characteristic of EMT, indicating EMT cells
      could escape immune attack during metastasis. B7H1 expression and EMT phenotypes
      on CSCs indicates a possible immunoevasion way. 

PMID- 26284929
TI  - Discovery of Power-Law Growth in the Self-Renewal of Heterogeneous Glioma Stem
      Cell Populations.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Accumulating evidence indicates that cancer stem cells (CSCs) drive
      tumorigenesis. This suggests that CSCs should make ideal therapeutic targets.
      However, because CSC populations in tumors appear heterogeneous, it remains
      unclear how CSCs might be effectively targeted. To investigate the mechanisms by
      which CSC populations maintain heterogeneity during self-renewal, we established
      a glioma sphere (GS) forming model, to generate a population in which glioma stem
      cells (GSCs) become enriched. We hypothesized, based on the clonal evolution
      concept, that with each passage in culture, heterogeneous clonal sublines of GSs
      are generated that progressively show increased proliferative ability.
      METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: To test this hypothesis, we determined whether,
      with each passage, glioma neurosphere culture generated from four different
      glioma cell lines become progressively proliferative (i.e., enriched in large
      spheres). Rather than monitoring self-renewal, we measured heterogeneity based on
      neurosphere clone sizes (#cells/clone). Log-log plots of distributions of clone
      sizes yielded a good fit (r>0.90) to a straight line (log(% total clones) =
      k*log(#cells/clone)) indicating that the system follows a power-law (y = xk) with
      a specific degree exponent (k = -1.42). Repeated passaging of the total GS
      population showed that the same power-law was maintained over six passages (CV = 
      1.01 to -1.17). Surprisingly, passage of either isolated small or large subclones
      generated fully heterogeneous populations that retained the original power-law
      dependent heterogeneity. The anti-GSC agent Temozolomide, which is well known as
      a standard therapy for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), suppressed the self-renewal
      of clones, but it never disrupted the power-law behavior of a GS population.
      CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Although the data above did not support the stated
      hypothesis, they did strongly suggest a novel mechanism that underlies CSC
      heterogeneity. They indicate that power-law growth governs the self-renewal of
      heterogeneous glioma stem cell populations. That the data always fit a power-law
      suggests that: (i) clone sizes follow continuous, non-random, and scale-free
      hierarchy; (ii) precise biologic rules that reflect self-organizing emergent
      behaviors govern the generation of neurospheres. That the power-law behavior and
      the original GS heterogeneity are maintained over multiple passages indicates
      that these rules are invariant. These self-organizing mechanisms very likely
      underlie tumor heterogeneity during tumor growth. Discovery of this power-law
      behavior provides a mechanism that could be targeted in the development of new,
      more effective, anti-cancer agents.

PMID- 26284931
TI  - Depression Following gamma-Hydroxybutyrate Withdrawal: A Case Report.

PMID- 26284930
TI  - A Comparison between Transcriptome Sequencing and 16S Metagenomics for Detection
      of Bacterial Pathogens in Wildlife.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Rodents are major reservoirs of pathogens responsible for numerous
      zoonotic diseases in humans and livestock. Assessing their microbial diversity at
      both the individual and population level is crucial for monitoring endemic
      infections and revealing microbial association patterns within reservoirs.
      Recently, NGS approaches have been employed to characterize microbial communities
      of different ecosystems. Yet, their relative efficacy has not been assessed.
      Here, we compared two NGS approaches, RNA-Sequencing (RNA-Seq) and 16S
      metagenomics, assessing their ability to survey neglected zoonotic bacteria in
      rodent populations. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We first extracted nucleic
      acids from the spleens of 190 voles collected in France. RNA extracts were
      pooled, randomly retro-transcribed, then RNA-Seq was performed using HiSeq.
      Assembled bacterial sequences were assigned to the closest taxon registered in
      GenBank. DNA extracts were analyzed via a 16S-metagenomics approach using two
      sequencers: the 454 GS-FLX and the MiSeq. The V4 region of the gene coding for
      16S rRNA was amplified for each sample using barcoded universal primers.
      Amplicons were multiplexed and processed on the distinct sequencers. The
      resulting datasets were de-multiplexed, and each read was processed through a
      pipeline to be taxonomically classified using the Ribosomal Database Project.
      Altogether, 45 pathogenic bacterial genera were detected. The bacteria identified
      by RNA-Seq were comparable to those detected by 16S-metagenomics approach
      processed with MiSeq (16S-MiSeq). In contrast, 21 of these pathogens went
      unnoticed when the 16S-metagenomics approach was processed via 454-pyrosequencing
      (16S-454). In addition, the 16S-metagenomics approaches revealed a high level of
      coinfection in bank voles. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: We concluded that RNA-Seq
      and 16S-MiSeq are equally sensitive in detecting bacteria. Although only the 16S
      MiSeq method enabled identification of bacteria in each individual reservoir,
      with subsequent derivation of bacterial prevalence in host populations, and
      generation of intra-reservoir patterns of bacterial interactions. Lastly, the
      number of bacterial reads obtained with the 16S-MiSeq could be a good proxy for
      bacterial prevalence.

PMID- 26284932
TI  - Long-Term Treatment Outcome in Adult Male Prisoners With Attention
      Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Three-Year Naturalistic Follow-Up of a 52-Week
      Methylphenidate Trial.
AB  - Despite high rates of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among adult
      lawbreakers, particularly the long-term effects of ADHD pharmacotherapy remain
      unclear, not the least because of ethical challenges with preventing control
      subjects in randomized controlled trials from receiving medication over prolonged
      time. We followed up adult male prisoners with ADHD who completed a 5-week
      randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial followed by a 47-week open
      label extension of osmotic-release oral system methylphenidate in a Swedish high
      security prison from 2007 to 2010 (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00482313). Twenty-five
      trial completers were prospectively followed up clinically 1 year (24/25, 96%
      participated fully or in part) and 3 years (20/25, 80% participation) after trial
      regarding ADHD symptoms (observer and self-reports), psychosocial functioning,
      substance misuse, and criminal reoffending. Methylphenidate-related improvements
      in ADHD symptoms and psychosocial functioning obtained during the 52-week trial
      were maintained at 1- and 3-year follow-ups. Specifically, after 3 years, 75%
      (15/20) of the respondents had been released from prison, and 67% of these
      (10/15) had employment, usually full time. In contrast, nonmedicated respondents
      at the 3-year follow-up (5/20) reported more ADHD symptoms, functional
      impairment, and substance misuse compared with currently medicated respondents
      (15/20). Further, 40% of the respondents self-reported reoffending, indicating a
      substantially lower relapse rate than expected (70%-80%).In summary, although
      these observations need validation from new and larger samples, positive effects
      were maintained after 4 years of methylphenidate treatment. Most study completers
      were employed and had no relapse in substance misuse or criminality. These
      results suggest that motivational support and continued medication are important
      for improved outcome in adult criminal offenders with ADHD.

PMID- 26284933
TI  - Depletion of the SR-Related Protein TbRRM1 Leads to Cell Cycle Arrest and
      Apoptosis-Like Death in Trypanosoma brucei.
AB  - Arginine-Serine (RS) domain-containing proteins are RNA binding proteins with
      multiple functions in RNA metabolism. In mammalian cells this group of proteins
      is also implicated in regulation and coordination of cell cycle and apoptosis. In
      trypanosomes, an early branching group within the eukaryotic lineage, this group
      of proteins is represented by 3 members, two of them are SR proteins and have
      been recently shown to be involved in rRNA processing as well as in pre-mRNA
      splicing and stability. Here we report our findings on the 3rd member, the SR
      related protein TbRRM1. In the present study, we showed that TbRRM1 ablation by
      RNA-interference in T. brucei procyclic cells leads to cell-cycle block, abnormal
      cell elongation compatible with the nozzle phenotype and cell death by an
      apoptosis-like mechanism. Our results expand the role of the trypanosomal RS
      domain containing proteins in key cellular processes such as cell cycle and
      apoptosis-like death, roles also carried out by the mammalian SR proteins, and
      thus suggesting a conserved function in this phylogenetically conserved protein
      family. 

PMID- 26284934
TI  - De Novo Transcriptome Analysis of Allium cepa L. (Onion) Bulb to Identify
      Allergens and Epitopes.
AB  - Allium cepa (onion) is a diploid plant with one of the largest nuclear genomes
      among all diploids. Onion is an example of an under-researched crop which has a
      complex heterozygous genome. There are no allergenic proteins and genomic data
      available for onions. This study was conducted to establish a transcriptome
      catalogue of onion bulb that will enable us to study onion related genes involved
      in medicinal use and allergies. Transcriptome dataset generated from onion bulb
      using the Illumina HiSeq 2000 technology showed a total of 99,074,309 high
      quality raw reads (~20 Gb). Based on sequence homology onion genes were
      categorized into 49 different functional groups. Most of the genes however, were
      classified under 'unknown' in all three gene ontology categories. Of the
      categorized genes, 61.2% showed metabolic functions followed by cellular
      components such as binding, cellular processes; catalytic activity and cell part.
      With BLASTx top hit analysis, a total of 2,511 homologous allergenic sequences
      were found, which had 37-100% similarity with 46 different types of allergens
      existing in the database. From the 46 contigs or allergens, 521 B-cell linear
      epitopes were identified using BepiPred linear epitope prediction tool. This is
      the first comprehensive insight into the transcriptome of onion bulb tissue using
      the NGS technology, which can be used to map IgE epitopes and prediction of
      structures and functions of various proteins. 

PMID- 26284935
TI  - Possibility for the Conjugated Use of Photodynamic Therapy and Electrosurgical
      Devices.
AB  - Because tissue optics limits the treated volume during anti-tumor Photodynamic
      Therapy (PDT), its conjugation with prior tissue debulking has been suggested
      clinically. In this context, the conjugation of radiofrequency ablation and PDT
      has already been demonstrated. However, the basic principles that enable the
      success of these protocols have not been discussed. This proof-of-principle study
      analyzes the possibility of conjugating electrosurgery (ES) and PDT, analyzing
      different sequences of photosensitizer (PS) administration in an animal model.
      The animals were distributed over five groups: ES, PS+Light, PS+ES, ES+PS+Light
      and PS+ES+Light. The PS Photogem was administered systemically. An
      electrosurgical unit (480 kHz) was used to remove a portion of the liver, leaving
      a plane surface for PDT illumination (630 nm, 150 J/cm2). Fluorescence was
      collected during the stages of the experiment to monitor the PS accumulation.
      After 30 hours, histological processing was performed. The fluorescence spectra
      revealed strong Photogem emission in both administration sequences (ES+PS;
      PS+ES), and little PS bleach after ES was observed. The maximum necrosis depth
      was observed for the PS+ES+Light group-(716 +/- 75) MUm-higher than its
      respective control group (160 +/- 28) MUm, proving successful conjugation.
      Histological features from ES and PDT on both conjugation sequences were
      observed. Pre-photosensitized tissue presented decreased ES-related thermal
      damage. A simple physical hypothesis, based on the Joule effect and the tissue
      electrical conductivity, was proposed to support these findings. In conclusion,
      the results successfully demonstrated the possibility of conjugating ES and PDT
      in a single protocol. 

PMID- 26284936
TI  - New Rimocidin/CE-108 Derivatives Obtained by a Crotonyl-CoA Carboxylase/Reductase
      Gene Disruption in Streptomyces diastaticus var. 108: Substrates for the Polyene
      Carboxamide Synthase PcsA.
AB  - The rimJ gene, which codes for a crotonyl-CoA carboxylase/reductase, lies within
      the biosynthetic gene cluster for two polyketides belonging to the polyene
      macrolide group (CE-108 and rimocidin) produced by Streptomyces diastaticus var.
      108. Disruption of rimJ by insertional inactivation gave rise to a recombinant
      strain overproducing new polyene derivatives besides the parental CE-108 (2a) and
      rimocidin (4a). The structure elucidation of one of them, CE-108D (3a), confirmed
      the incorporation of an alternative extender unit for elongation step 13. Other
      compounds were also overproduced in the fermentation broth of rimJ disruptant.
      The new compounds are in vivo substrates for the previously described polyene
      carboxamide synthase PcsA. The rimJ disruptant strain, constitutively expressing
      the pcsA gene, allowed the overproduction of CE-108E (3b), the corresponding
      carboxamide derivative of CE-108D (3a), with improved pharmacological properties.

PMID- 26284937
TI  - Quality of Life and Body Mass Index in Overweight Adult Women with Polycystic
      Ovary Syndrome During a Lifestyle Modification Program.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate changes in body mass index (BMI) and health-related
      quality of life (HRQoL), including an acne parameter, of overweight adult women
      with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) during a lifestyle modification program.
      DESIGN: Prospective longitudinal within-patient study. SETTING: Department of
      Reproductive Medicine of the Ghent University Hospital (Belgium). PARTICIPANTS:
      Thirty-three overweight (BMI >= 25 kg/m2) women with PCOS between age 18 and 43
      years. METHODS: Participants followed a 24-week lifestyle modification program
      consisting of a diet, exercise, and psychological subprogram. BMI was assessed at
      Weeks 0, 8, 16, and 24 of the program. The HRQoL was measured at Week 0, 12, and
      24 of the program using the PolyCystic Ovary Syndrome Questionnaire (PCOSQ) and a
      Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) to evaluate the influence of acne on HRQoL. RESULTS:
      During a 24-week period no significant decrease in BMI occurred (mean difference
      = 1.71, 95% confidence interval [CI] [-1.38, 4.81]. During that period, there was
      a significant positive evolution of the total PCOSQ score, F(2, 37.5) = 23.7, the
      emotions, F(2, 37.9) = 4.2, weight, F(2, 42.1) = 24.8, body hair, F(2, 35.6) =
      3.3, and infertility problems domain scores, F(2, 43.1) = 15.64, of the PCOSQ, as
      well as of the acne VAS score, F(2, 29.3) = 4.2. These effects primarily occurred
      during the first 12 weeks. CONCLUSION: In spite of no significant changes in BMI,
      the HRQoL of overweight adult women with PCOS significantly improved during a 24
      week lifestyle modification program.

PMID- 26284938
TI  - Alcohol Dehydrogenase-1B (rs1229984) and Aldehyde Dehydrogenase-2 (rs671)
      Genotypes Are Strong Determinants of the Serum Triglyceride and Cholesterol
      Levels of Japanese Alcoholic Men.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Elevated serum triglyceride (TG) and high-density-lipoprotein
      cholesterol (HDL-C) levels are common in drinkers. The fast-metabolizing alcohol
      dehydrogenase-1B encoded by the ADH1B*2 allele (vs. ADH1B*1/*1 genotype) and
      inactive aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 encoded by the ALDH2*2 allele (vs. ALDH2*1/*1
      genotype) modify ethanol metabolism and are prevalent (~90% and ~40%,
      respectively) in East Asians. We attempted to evaluate the associations between
      the ADH1B and ALDH2 genotypes and lipid levels in alcoholics. METHODS: The
      population consisted of 1806 Japanese alcoholic men (>=40 years) who had
      undergone ADH1B and ALDH2 genotyping and whose serum TG, total cholesterol, and
      HDL-C levels in the fasting state had been measured within 3 days after
      admission. RESULTS: High serum levels of TG (>=150 mg/dl), HDL-C (>80 mg/dl), and
      low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C calculated by the Friedewald formula
      >=140 mg/dl) were observed in 24.3%, 16.8%, and 15.6%, respectively, of the
      subjects. Diabetes, cirrhosis, smoking, and body mass index (BMI) affected the
      serum lipid levels. Multivariate analysis revealed that the presence of the
      ADH1B*2 allele and the active ALDH2*1/*1 genotype increased the odds ratio (OR;
      95% confidence interval) for a high TG level (2.22 [1.67-2.94] and 1.39 [0.99
      1.96], respectively), and decreased the OR for a high HDL-C level (0.37 [0.28
      0.49] and 0.51 [0.37-0.69], respectively). The presence of the ADH1B*2 allele
      decreased the OR for a high LDL-C level (0.60 [0.45-0.80]). The ADH1B*2 plus
      ALDH2*1/*1 combination yielded the highest ORs for high TG levels and lowest OR
      for a high HDL-C level. The genotype effects were more prominent in relation to
      the higher levels of TG (>=220 mg/dl) and HDL-C (>=100 mg/dl). CONCLUSIONS: The
      fast-metabolizing ADH1B and active ALDH2, and especially a combination of the two
      were strongly associated with higher serum TG levels and lower serum HDL-C levels
      of alcoholics. The fast-metabolizing ADH1B was associated with lower serum LDL-C
      levels.

PMID- 26284940
TI  - Split skin graft "from scalp to scalp" for repairing large surgical defects.

PMID- 26284941
TI  - A Multisite Study of Environmental Correlates of Active Commuting to School in
      Mexican Children.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mexican children often use active commuting to school (ACS). In order
      to maintain high levels of ACS it is important to understand correlates of ACS in
      this population. However, most evidence comes from high-income countries (HICs).
      We examined multilevel correlates of ACS in children attending public schools in
      3 Mexican cities. METHODS: Information on 1191 children (grades 3 to 5) attending
      26 schools was retrieved from questionnaires, neighborhood audits, and geographic
      information systems data. Multilevel logistic modeling was used to explore
      individual and environmental correlates of ACS at 400-m and 800-m buffers
      surrounding schools. RESULTS: Individual positive correlates for ACS included age
      (6-8 years vs 9-11 years, odds ratio [OR] = 1.5; 6-8 years vs >=12 years: OR =
      2.1) and >= 6 adults at home (OR = 2.0). At the 400-m buffer, more ACS was
      associated with lower walkability (OR = 0.87), presence of posted speed limits (<
      6% vs > 12%: OR = 0.36) and crossing aids (< 6% vs 6-20%: OR = 0.25; > 20%: OR =
      0.26), as well as higher sidewalk availability (< 70% vs > 90%: OR = 4.5).
      Similar relationships with speed limits and crossing aids were observed at the
      800m buffer. CONCLUSIONS: Findings contrast with those reported in HICs,
      underscoring the importance of considering the local context when developing
      strategies to promote ACS. Future studies are needed to replicate these
      relationships and investigate the longitudinal impact of improving active
      transportation infrastructure and policies.

PMID- 26284939
TI  - Breaking immune tolerance by targeting Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells mitigates
      Alzheimer's disease pathology.
AB  - Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder in which chronic
      neuroinflammation contributes to disease escalation. Nevertheless, while
      immunosuppressive drugs have repeatedly failed in treating this disease,
      recruitment of myeloid cells to the CNS was shown to play a reparative role in
      animal models. Here we show, using the 5XFAD AD mouse model, that transient
      depletion of Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs), or pharmacological inhibition
      of their activity, is followed by amyloid-beta plaque clearance, mitigation of
      the neuroinflammatory response and reversal of cognitive decline. We further show
      that transient Treg depletion affects the brain's choroid plexus, a selective
      gateway for immune cell trafficking to the CNS, and is associated with subsequent
      recruitment of immunoregulatory cells, including monocyte-derived macrophages and
      Tregs, to cerebral sites of plaque pathology. Our findings suggest targeting Treg
      mediated systemic immunosuppression for treating AD. 

PMID- 26284942
TI  - Impact of Type-2 Diabetes Time Since Diagnosis on Elderly Women Gait and
      Functional Status.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The gait, mobility and lower-limb strength alterations of
      diabetic elderly women without symptoms of diabetic neuropathy in different
      periods of the chronic disease can contribute to an early functional diagnosis,
      allowing prevention of adverse outcomes like falls and disability. This could
      also contribute to the development of interventions, cures and physiotherapy
      practice for this population. The aim of this study was to verify the impact of
      type-2 diabetes mellitus time since diagnosis on gait and functional status of
      elderly women. METHODS: Eighty-two diabetic elderly women without neuropathic
      symptoms participated and divided in two groups: 1) 49 elderly (71.4 +/- 4.8
      years) with less than 10 years of type-2 diabetes mellitus diagnosis, and 2) 33
      elderly (70 +/- 4.5 years) with 10 or more years of type-2 diabetes mellitus
      diagnosis. Outcomes were spatiotemporal gait parameters (speed, cadence, step
      length, base of support, stance time, swing time, and double support time)
      assessed through GAITRite(r) system, and functional status assessed using the
      Timed Up and Go test and five times sit-to-stand test. To compare spatiotemporal
      gait variables and performance on functional tests between groups, multivariate
      analysis of variance and Mann-Whitney test were performed, respectively. RESULTS:
      The group with 10 or more years of diagnosis showed lower gait speed and smaller
      step length (112.3 cm/s; 59.2 cm) compared with the group with less than 10 years
      of diagnosis (122.9 cm/s; 62.4 cm). In relation to Timed Up and Go test and five
      times sit-to-stand test, there were no statistically significant differences
      between the groups. CONCLUSION: Type-2 diabetes mellitus time since diagnosis has
      a negative impact on gait speed and step length, but not on functional status of
      the elderly women. Copyright (c) 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID- 26284943
TI  - alpha1 and alpha2-adrenergic agonists on cirrhotic patients with refractory
      ascites.

PMID- 26284944
TI  - pK(A) in proteins solving the Poisson-Boltzmann equation with finite elements.
AB  - Knowledge on pK(A) values is an eminent factor to understand the function of
      proteins in living systems. We present a novel approach demonstrating that the
      finite element (FE) method of solving the linearized Poisson-Boltzmann equation
      (lPBE) can successfully be used to compute pK(A) values in proteins with high
      accuracy as a possible replacement to finite difference (FD) method. For this
      purpose, we implemented the software molecular Finite Element Solver (mFES) in
      the framework of the Karlsberg+ program to compute pK(A) values. This work
      focuses on a comparison between pK(A) computations obtained with the well
      established FD method and with the new developed FE method mFES, solving the lPBE
      using protein crystal structures without conformational changes. Accurate and
      coarse model systems are set up with mFES using a similar number of unknowns
      compared with the FD method. Our FE method delivers results for computations of
      pK(A) values and interaction energies of titratable groups, which are comparable
      in accuracy. We introduce different thermodynamic cycles to evaluate pK(A) values
      and we show for the FE method how different parameters influence the accuracy of
      computed pK(A) values.

PMID- 26284947
TI  - A Remarkably Simple Hybrid Surfactant-NHC Ligand, Its Gold-Complex, and
      Application in Micellar Catalysis.
AB  - A combination of an N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand and a structurally simple
      surfactant has been realized, the hybrid surfactant-NHC. The related gold complex
      was synthesized, fully characterized, and applied in catalysis. This remarkably
      simple strategy allows, in combination with a co-surfactant, the application of
      gold catalysis in water. 

PMID- 26284948
TI  - Functionalization of Intramolecular Frustrated Lewis Pairs by 1,1-Carboboration
      with Conjugated Enynes.
AB  - The vicinal P/B frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) Mes2PCH2CH2B(C6F5)2 undergoes 1,1
      carboboration reactions with the Me3Si-substituted enynes to give ring-enlarged
      functionalized C3-bridged P/B FLPs. These serve as active FLPs in the activation
      of dihydrogen to give the respective zwitterionic [P]H(+)/[B]H(-) products. One
      such product shows activity as a metal-free catalyst for the hydrogenation of
      enamines or a bulky imine. The ring-enlarged FLPs contain dienylborane
      functionalities that undergo "bora-Nazarov"-type ring-closing rearrangements upon
      photolysis. A DFT study had shown that the dienylborane cyclization of such
      systems itself is endothermic, but a subsequent C6F5 migration is very favorable.
      Furthermore, substituted 2,5-dihydroborole products are derived from cyclization
      and C6F5 migration from the photolysis reaction. In the case of the six-membered
      annulation product, a subsequent stereoisomerization reaction takes place and the
      resultant compound undergoes a P/B FLP 1,2-addition reaction with a terminal
      alkyne with rearrangement.

PMID- 26284952
TI  - Relationships between gastrointestinal symptoms, uncertainty, and perceived
      recovery in patients with gastric cancer after gastrectomy.
AB  - This study examines relationships between gastrointestinal symptoms, uncertainty,
      and perceived recovery in gastric cancer patients after gastrectomy. Data were
      collected from 146 patients at an outpatient clinic of a university hospital in
      Seoul, Korea from October to November 2012. The Gastrointestinal Symptoms Rating
      Scale, the Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale, and questions on perceived
      recovery of physical, psychological, and social functions were analyzed. High
      gastrointestinal symptom scores were reported in women younger patients (F =
      5.55, P = 0.005), and in patients without a family history of gastric cancer. The
      uncertainty score was higher in patients with low economic (F = 3.84, P = 0.024)
      and educational status and no family history. Regression analysis revealed
      uncertainty was the strongest factor associated with recovery. Nurses can assist
      patients and families to predict and deal with health problems by offering
      education on progress from diagnosis to postoperative management, promoting all
      aspects of recovery after gastrectomy. 

PMID- 26284951
TI  - Changes in cardiac biomarkers with bortezomib treatment in patients with advanced
      cardiac amyloidosis.

PMID- 26284954
TI  - The kiss of sleeping beauty.

PMID- 26284953
TI  - Patterns of weight-control behavior among 15 year old girls.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The objectives were to identify and predict patterns of weight-control
      behavior in 15 years old (yo) girls and to examine weight-control group
      differences in energy intake. METHOD: Participants included 166 girls assessed
      every 2 years (ys) from age 5 to 15. Latent class analysis was used to identify
      patterns of weight-control behaviors. Antecedent variables (e.g., inhibitory
      control at 7 ys), and concurrent variables (e.g., BMI and dietary intake at 15
      ys) were included as predictors. Assessments were a combination of survey,
      interview, and laboratory measures. RESULTS: Latent class analysis (LCA)
      identified four classes of weight-control behaviors, nondieters (26%), and three
      dieting groups, namely lifestyle (16%), dieters (43%), and extreme dieters (17%).
      Levels of restraint, weight concerns, and dieting frequency increased across
      groups, from nondieters to extreme dieters. Body mass index (BMI) at 5 ys and
      inhibitory control at 7 ys predicted weight-control group at 15 ys; for example,
      with every one point decrease in inhibitory control, girls were twice as likely
      to be extreme dieters than nondieters. Girls in the extreme dieters group were
      mostly classified as under-reporters and had the lowest self-reported intake, but
      ate significantly more in the laboratory. DISCUSSION: Among 15 yo girls,
      "dieting" includes a range of both healthy and unhealthy behaviors. Risk factors
      for membership in a weight-control group are present as early as 5 ys. Patterns
      of intake in the laboratory support the view that lower reported energy intake by
      extreme dieters is likely due under-reporting as an intent to decrease intake,
      not actual decreased intake.

PMID- 26284955
TI  - Structural and functional correlates of a quantitative autistic trait measured
      using the social responsive scale in neurotypical male adolescents.
AB  - Behaviors associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have been suggested to
      be considered as quantitative traits. This study investigated the structural and
      functional correlates of autistic traits measured using the Social Responsiveness
      Scale (SRS) in neurotypical adolescents. Twenty-six neurotypical male adolescents
      (12-18 years old) were recruited for this study and underwent structural and
      resting functional magnetic resonance image scanning, and intelligence quotient
      and SRS evaluations. We used the automated surface-based method (FreeSurfer) to
      measure cortical thickness and seed-based functional connectivity (FC) analysis
      to derive the FC map of the dorsal anterior cingulate (dACC). Brain-wise
      regression analyses of cortical thickness and FC maps on SRS scores were
      performed using a general linear model. The results indicated that higher
      autistic trait ratings of total SRS scores were associated with a thinner cortex
      in the left insula, right insula, and right superior temporal gyrus. Furthermore,
      we observed that only higher scores of social awareness were correlated with
      increased FC between the dACC and right superior temporal gyrus and decreased FC
      between the dACC and right putamen and thalamus. These results indicated that a
      quantitative trait in social cognition is associated with structural and
      connectivity variations linked to ASD patients. Autism Res 2016, 9: 570-578. (c)
      2015 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 26284956
TI  - Sodium channel haploinsufficiency and structural change in ventricular
      arrhythmogenesis.
AB  - Normal cardiac excitation involves orderly conduction of electrical activation
      and recovery dependent upon surface membrane, voltage-gated, sodium (Na(+) )
      channel alpha-subunits (Nav 1.5). We summarize experimental studies of
      physiological and clinical consequences of loss-of-function Na(+) channel
      mutations. Of these conditions, Brugada syndrome (BrS) and progressive cardiac
      conduction defect (PCCD) are associated with sudden, often fatal, ventricular
      tachycardia (VT) or fibrillation. Mouse Scn5a(+/-) hearts replicate important
      clinical phenotypes modelling these human conditions. The arrhythmic phenotype is
      associated not only with the primary biophysical change but also with additional,
      anatomical abnormalities, in turn dependent upon age and sex, each themselves
      exerting arrhythmic effects. Available evidence suggests a unified binary scheme
      for the development of arrhythmia in both BrS and PCCD. Previous biophysical
      studies suggested that Nav 1.5 deficiency produces a background
      electrophysiological defect compromising conduction, thereby producing an
      arrhythmic substrate unmasked by flecainide or ajmaline challenge. More recent
      reports further suggest a progressive decline in conduction velocity and increase
      in its dispersion particularly in ageing male Nav 1.5 haploinsufficient compared
      to WT hearts. This appears to involve a selective appearance of slow conduction
      at the expense of rapidly conducting pathways with changes in their frequency
      distributions. These changes were related to increased cardiac fibrosis. It is
      thus the combination of the structural and biophysical changes both accentuating
      arrhythmic substrate that may produce arrhythmic tendency. This binary scheme
      explains the combined requirement for separate, biophysical and structural
      changes, particularly occurring in ageing Nav 1.5 haploinsufficient males in
      producing clinical arrhythmia. 

PMID- 26284957
TI  - Aggression in non-human vertebrates: Genetic mechanisms and molecular pathways.
AB  - Aggression is an adaptive behavioral trait that is important for the
      establishment of social hierarchies and competition for mating partners, food,
      and territories. While a certain level of aggression can be beneficial for the
      survival of an individual or species, abnormal aggression levels can be
      detrimental. Abnormal aggression is commonly found in human patients with
      psychiatric disorders. The predisposition to aggression is influenced by a
      combination of environmental and genetic factors and a large number of genes have
      been associated with aggression in both human and animal studies. In this review,
      we compare and contrast aggression studies in zebrafish and mouse. We present
      gene ontology and pathway analyses of genes linked to aggression and discuss the
      molecular pathways that underpin agonistic behavior in these species. (c) 2015
      Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 26284958
TI  - Somatotrope GHRH/GH/IGF-1 axis at the crossroads between immunosenescence and
      frailty.
AB  - Immunosenescence, characterized by complex modifications of immunity with age,
      could be related to frailty syndrome in elderly individuals, leading to an
      inadequate response to minimal aggression. Functional decline (i.e., the loss of
      ability to perform activities of daily living) is related to frailty and
      decreased physiological reserves and is a frequent outcome of hospitalization in
      older patients. Links between immunosenescence and frailty have been explored and
      20 immunological parameters, including insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1),
      thymopoeisis, and telomere length, were shown to be affected in elderly patients
      with functional decline. A strong relationship between IGF-1 and thymic ouput was
      evidenced. IGF-1, a mediator of growth hormone (GH), was subsequently shown to
      induce interleukin-7 secretion in cultured primary human thymic epithelial cells.
      We are exploring the stress hypothesis in which an acute stressor is used as the
      discriminator of frailty susceptibility. GH can counteract the deleterious
      immunosuppressive effects of stress-induced steroids. Under nonstress conditions,
      the immunosenescent system preserves physiological responses, while under stress
      conditions, the combination of immunosenescence and a defect in the somatotrope
      axis might lead to functional decline. 

PMID- 26284959
TI  - Assessment of the Role Played by N-propanol Found in Postmortem Blood in the
      Discrimination Between Antemortem Consumption and Postmortem Formation of Ethanol
      Using Rats.
AB  - This study disproves the reliability of n-propanol as a biomarker to establish
      whether the ethanol found in postmortem blood is derived from antemortem
      ingestion or postmortem putrefactive processes. Two groups of rats were given
      ethanol or normal saline solution, respectively, and sacrificed 1.5 h later.
      After putrefaction, blood and, in a few cases, urine samples from the rats were
      analyzed for ethanol and n-propanol by head-space gas chromatography equipped
      with flame ionization detection. Although the concentration ratios of ethanol/n
      propanol in the postmortem blood collected from the bodies without prior alcohol
      consumption were expected to be <20 (as per limited case reports and previous in
      vitro studies), in samples from several rats that were on saline solution, this
      ratio was found to exceed 20. In conclusion, the concentration ratio of ethanol/n
      propanol in postmortem blood does not allow for the discernment between
      antemortem ingestion and the postmortem synthesis of ethanol.

PMID- 26284960
TI  - Radial Artery Bypass for Intractable Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency: Case Series
      and Review of the Literature.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Vertebrobasilar insufficiency resulting from embolism,
      atherosclerosis, or arterial dissection has long been a challenge for successful
      management and outcomes. The main treatment options include medical therapy,
      angioplasty and stenting, and surgical revascularization. Unlike cardiac or
      peripheral vascular revascularization, large randomized trials with
      cerebrorevascularization have not revealed favorable outcomes. In patients who
      have failed maximal medical therapy, and having persistent debilitating
      symptomology, cerebral revascularization may still be a viable option. METHODS:
      We report 3 patients who presented with symptoms of vertebrobasilar ischemia. The
      diagnosis was verified by computerized tomographic arteriography and digital
      subtraction angiography. RESULTS: These patients subsequently underwent
      revascularization with a radial artery graft. We also present a comprehensive
      review of the literature of treatment for vertebrobasilar insufficiency.
      CONCLUSIONS: Surgical revascularization should be considered in the posterior
      circulation in the rare subset of patients with VBI, who remain symptomatic
      despite having a protracted course of maximal medical therapy with large- and
      medium-sized vessel occlusions and poor collateral circulation.

PMID- 26284961
TI  - In the Final Act.

PMID- 26284964
TI  - Infrared Photodissociation Spectroscopy of the Ni(O2)n(+) (n = 2-4) Cation
      Complexes.
AB  - The infrared spectra of mass-selected Ni(O2)n(+) (n = 2-4) and their argon-tagged
      complexes are measured by infrared photodissociation spectroscopy in the gas
      phase. The experimental spectra provide distinctive patterns allowing the
      determination of their geometric and electronic structures by comparison with the
      simulated vibrational spectra from density functional theory calculations. The
      [Ni(O2)2Ar2](+) cation complex was determined to have D2h symmetry involving a
      Ni(O2)2(+) core ion with two equivalent superoxide ligands side-on bound to a
      Ni(3+) cation center. The higher Ni(O2)3(+) and Ni(O2)4(+) cation complexes were
      determined to have structures with a chemically bound Ni(O2)2(+) core ion that is
      weakly coordinated by neutral O2 molecule(s). 

PMID- 26284963
TI  - Challenges to get axenic cultures of Trichomonas spp. - A new approach in
      eradication of contaminants and maintenance of laboratory microbiological
      cultures.
AB  - Contamination of microbiological and cell cultures is a major problem in many
      scientific and clinical laboratories as well as bioproduct manufacturers
      worldwide. In the current study we established a rapid (9day) method to detect
      and eliminate fungal and bacterial contamination in cultures of the unicellular
      eukaryote Trichomonas spp. The developed method combines identification of the
      contaminating microorganisms using PCR and sequencing of the 16/18S regions
      followed by phylogenetic analysis. The next step was a phylogeny-guided selection
      of antibiotic treatments. We then used a two-step propidium iodide-resorufin
      assay to test the effect of selected antibiotics. The result was a quick and
      worthwhile purification of trichomonad laboratory cultures. Our workflow may also
      be implemented to obtain new isolates of trichomonads from clinical samples if
      initial broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy fails. 

PMID- 26284965
TI  - Paternity analysis based on NGM SElect system in the Medical and Forensic
      Genetics Laboratory, Department of Forensic Medicine, Medical University of Lodz.
AB  - The aim of the study was to evaluate the usefulness of the NGM SElect multiplex
      kit for paternity testing in the population of central Poland, and compare it
      with the IDENTIFILER system. The study material consisted of buccal swabs taken
      from individuals who reported to the Medical and Forensic Genetics Laboratory in
      Lodz. Samples from 450 trio cases of disputed paternity carried out in 2010-2014
      were investigated. Genomic DNA was extracted from buccal swabs collected from
      1,350 individuals using the Swab kit (A and A Biotechnology) according to the
      manufacturer's protocol. DNA amplification was performed using the AmpFlSTR(r)
      NGM SelectTM PCR Amplification Kit (Life Technologies). PCR products were
      separated by capillary electrophoresis using HID 3500 Genetic Analyzer. In the
      analyzed cases with paternity confirmation in the NGM SElect system, the maximum
      value of PI was 3.9 * 1012, which corresponds to the probability of paternity W =
      99.9999999999%. It was thus significantly higher than analogical parameters
      obtained in the IDENTIFILER system (PI = 6.0 * 1010, W = 99.99999999%). The NGM
      SElect kit was unable to resolve just one case out of 450, which represents only
      0.2% of all analyzed disputed paternity cases. The study showed the SE33 (ACTBP2)
      locus to have the highest evidence value in paternity analysis out of all
      investigated autosomal STRs. 

PMID- 26284966
TI  - Medico-legal and legal-penal aspects of expert opinions and adjudication in cases
      of intoxications with intoxicating agents and ethanol-like intoxicants.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The available legal regulations in Poland do not define the
      concentration thresholds enabling to differentiate between the states of "after
      use" versus "under the influence" of a drug, as it is in the case of alcohol. The
      aim of the study was to analyse jurisdiction in cases regarding the evaluation of
      the effects of intoxicating agents and ethanol-like intoxicants and to identify
      ambiguities and gaps in the applicable regulations leading to problems in
      preparing expert opinions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The material included the
      opinions of experts in the field of toxicology and forensic medicine made by the
      Department of Forensic Medicine in Lublin in the years 2009-2011 and records
      obtained in the process of inquiry from the regional prosecutor's offices and
      courts in 52 cases. RESULTS: Amongst 52 cases in which the ordered toxicology
      examinations demonstrated the presence of intoxicating agents in drivers' blood
      (tetrahydrocannabinols in 39 and amphetamine in 21 cases) in 2 cases petty
      offence proceedings were instituted (Art. 87 of the Petty Offence Code) although
      high concentrations of xenobiotics indicated the state of being "under the
      influence" of a narcotic drug (Art. 178a of the Penal Code). Three cases were
      discontinued despite expert opinions that the drivers were at least in the after
      narcotic use state. In only 3 cases were witnesses asked to provide testimony
      about the circumstances of the driver's conduct. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis has
      demonstrated that judicial bodies expect forensic expertise based exclusively on
      toxicological examination results; when expert findings are inconclusive, they
      only administer litigations opportunistically applying the principle of the
      presumption of innocence understood literally. Considering the above, threshold
      values of "use" and "influence" of the most commonly detected drugs should be
      urgently determined.

PMID- 26284967
TI  - Pharyngitis - fatal infectious disease or medical error?
AB  - Reporting on adverse events is essential to create a culture of safety, which
      focuses on protecting doctors and patients from medical errors. We present a
      fatal case of Streptococcus C pharyngitis in a 56-year-old man. The clinical
      course and the results of additional diagnostics and autopsy showed that sepsis
      followed by multiple organ failure was the ultimate cause of death. The clinical
      course appeared fatal due to a chain of adverse events, including errors made by
      the physicians caring for the patient for 10 days. 

PMID- 26284968
TI  - The role of respiratory failure caused by congenital central nervous system
      abnormalities and the effect of beta-casomorphins in sudden infant death syndrome
      pathogenesis.
AB  - The aim of the paper is to discuss the role of respiratory failure caused by
      endogenous (both structural and functional) abnormalities in the central nervous
      system and exogenous food-derived opioid-like peptides in the pathogenesis of
      sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). By stimulating MU-opioid receptors, opioid
      like peptides may suppress the tonic activity of the respiratory centre in the
      brain stem. 

PMID- 26284969
TI  - Angiogenesis in brain contusion.
AB  - In the forensic medicine, objective and, if possible, the most accurate
      determination of the age - the time of the brain contusion, has practical
      significance. In our previous work, we discussed the importance of the neuron
      cytoskeleton proteins - neurofilaments, in this area. The purpose of this paper
      is to present the possibilities of using the phenomenon of angiogenesis in the
      brain contusions, to determine its age, on the basis of previous studies in
      animal models and in human biological material. The current review of the
      literature showed no conclusive data that would allow use morphological changes
      in angiogenesis to determine the age of the brain contusion in forensic medical
      practice. For these reasons, it is reasonable to take a broader research on the
      human material. 

PMID- 26284970
TI  - Alpha-Synuclein Regulates Neuronal Levels of Manganese and Calcium.
AB  - Manganese (Mn) may foster aggregation of alpha-synuclein (alphaSyn) contributing
      to the pathogenesis of PD. Here, we examined the influence of alphaSyn
      overexpression on distribution and oxidation states of Mn in frozen-hydrated
      primary midbrain neurons (PMNs) by synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and
      X-ray absorption near edge structure spectroscopy (XANES). Overexpression of
      alphaSyn increased intracellular Mn levels, whereas levels of Ca, Zn, K, P, and S
      were significantly decreased. Mn oxidation states were not altered. A strong
      correlation between Cu-/Mn-levels as well as Fe-/Mn-levels was observed in
      alphaSyn-overexpressing cells. Subcellular resolution revealed a punctate or
      filament-like perinuclear and neuritic distribution of Mn, which resembled the
      expression of DMT1 and MnSOD. While overexpression of alphaSyn did not
      significantly alter the expression patterns of the most-expressed Mn transport
      proteins (DMT1, VGCC, Fpn1), it attenuated the Mn release from Mn-treated
      neurons. Thus, these data suggest that alphaSyn may act as an intracellular Mn
      store. In total, neurotoxicity in PD could be mediated via regulation of
      transition metal levels and the metal-binding capacity of alphaSyn, which could
      represent a promising therapeutic target for this neurodegenerative disorder. 

PMID- 26284971
TI  - Effect of IL28B genotype on hepatitis B and C virus infection.
AB  - Genetic factors play a major role for treatment response and disease progression
      of chronic hepatitis B (HBV) and C virus (HCV) infection. In 2009 a genome-wide
      association study (GWAS) identified a single nucleotide polymorphism near the
      IL28B gene that was associated with treatment-induced viral clearance in chronic
      HCV infection treated with pegylated interferon-alpha (PEG-IFN) and ribavirin
      (RBV). Further, another GWAS found an association between IL28B genotype and
      spontaneous viral clearance in acute HCV infection. The effect on sustained viral
      response (SVR) could also be observed in patients receiving a triple-therapy with
      a direct antiviral agent (DAA) combined with PEG-IFN/RBV. In the era of all-oral
      interferon-free treatment regimens with the combination of different DAAs-with
      SVR rates exceeding 90%-the effect of IL28B was blunt. In contrast, in HBV
      several retrospective studies yielded conflicting results of the association of
      IL28B with PEG-IFN-induced treatment response. 

PMID- 26284973
TI  - Effect of molecular weight and concentration of hyaluronan on cell proliferation
      and osteogenic differentiation in vitro.
AB  - Hyaluronan (HA), the simplest glycosaminoglycan and a major component of the
      extracellular matrix, exists in various tissues. It is involved in some critical
      biological procedures, including cellular signaling, cell adhesion and
      proliferation, and cell differentiation. The effect of molecular weight (MW) and
      concentration of HA on cell proliferation and differentiation was controversial.
      In this study, we investigated the effect of MW and concentration of HA on the
      proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of rabbit bone marrow-derived stem
      cells in vitro. Results showed that high MW HA decreased the cell adhesion rate
      in a concentration-dependant manner. The cell adhesion rate was decreased by
      increasing MW of HA. Cell proliferation was significantly enhanced by low MW HA
      (P < 0.05). The factorial analysis indicated that MW and concentration had an
      interactive effect on the cell adhesion rate and cell proliferation (P < 0.05).
      High MW HA increased the mRNA expressions of ALP, RUNX-2 and OCN. The higher the
      MW was, the higher the mRNA expressions were. The factorial analysis indicated
      that MW and concentration had an interactive effect on ALP mRNA expression (P <
      0.05). HA of higher MW and higher concentration promoted bone formation. These
      findings provide some useful information in understanding the mechanism
      underlying the effect of MW and concentration of HA on cell proliferation and
      differentiation.

PMID- 26284972
TI  - The Evolution of Aggregative Multicellularity and Cell-Cell Communication in the
      Dictyostelia.
AB  - Aggregative multicellularity, resulting in formation of a spore-bearing fruiting
      body, evolved at least six times independently amongst both eukaryotes and
      prokaryotes. Amongst eukaryotes, this form of multicellularity is mainly studied
      in the social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum. In this review, we summarise
      trends in the evolution of cell-type specialisation and behavioural complexity in
      the four major groups of Dictyostelia. We describe the cell-cell communication
      systems that control the developmental programme of D. discoideum, highlighting
      the central role of cAMP in the regulation of cell movement and cell
      differentiation. Comparative genomic studies showed that the proteins involved in
      cAMP signalling are deeply conserved across Dictyostelia and their unicellular
      amoebozoan ancestors. Comparative functional analysis revealed that cAMP
      signalling in D. discoideum originated from a second messenger role in amoebozoan
      encystation. We highlight some molecular changes in cAMP signalling genes that
      were responsible for the novel roles of cAMP in multicellular development. 

PMID- 26284974
TI  - Idebenone protects against oxidized low density lipoprotein induced mitochondrial
      dysfunction in vascular endothelial cells via GSK3beta/beta-catenin signalling
      pathways.
AB  - The early stages of the atherosclerotic process are initiated by accumulation of
      oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) and damage to the structure or function
      of the endothelium. Antioxidant supplementation may be a plausible strategy to
      prevent atherosclerotic disease by quenching excessive reactive oxidative
      species. In the present study, we demonstrated that idebenone at suitable
      concentrations significantly prevented oxLDL-induced endothelial dysfunction. The
      underlying mechanisms of idebenone included inhibition of oxidative damage,
      suppression of the down-regulation of Bcl-2 and up-regulation of Bax and cleaved
      caspase-3 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) exposed to oxLDL.
      Moreover, idebenone pretreatment inhibited oxLDL-mediated HUVECs damage by
      attenuating lipid peroxidation and promoting SOD activity. Finally, pro
      incubation with idebenone inhibited mitochondrial dysfunction induced by oxLDL
      through the mitochondrial-dependent apoptotic pathway and GSK3beta/beta-catenin
      signalling pathways. In summary, idebenone is a promising agent in the treatment
      or prevention of atherosclerosis via inhibiting oxidative stress and improving
      mitochondrial function. 

PMID- 26284975
TI  - Fatty acid transport protein-2 inhibitor Grassofermata/CB5 protects cells against
      lipid accumulation and toxicity.
AB  - The inhibition of the fatty acid uptake into non-adipose tissues provides an
      attractive target for prevention of lipotoxicity leading to obesity-associated
      non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes. Fatty acid transport
      proteins (FATPs) are bifunctional proteins involved in the uptake and activation
      of fatty acids by esterification with coenzyme A. Here we characterize
      Grassofermata/CB5, previously identified as a fatty acid uptake inhibitor
      directed against HsFATP2. The compound was effective in inhibiting the uptake of
      fatty acids in the low micro-molar range (IC50 8-11 MUM) and prevented palmitate
      mediated lipid accumulation and cell death in cell lines that are models for
      intestines, liver, muscle and pancreas. In adipocytes, uptake inhibition was less
      effective (IC50 58 MUM). Inhibition was specific for long chain fatty acids and
      was ineffective toward medium chain fatty acids, which are transported by
      diffusion. Kinetic analysis of Grassofermata-dependent FA transport inhibition
      verified a non-competitive mechanism. By comparison with Grassofermata, several
      atypical antipsychotic drugs previously implicated as inhibitors of FA uptake
      were ineffectual. In mice Grassofermata decreased absorption of (13)C-oleate
      demonstrating its potential as a therapeutic agent.

PMID- 26284976
TI  - Post-mortem imaging compared with autopsy in trauma victims--A systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Post-mortem imaging or virtual autopsy is a rapidly advancing field
      of post-mortem investigations of trauma victims. In this review we evaluate the
      feasibility of complementation or replacement of conventional autopsy by post
      mortem imaging in trauma victims. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic review was
      performed in compliance with the PRISMA guidelines. MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane
      databases were systematically searched for studies published between January 2008
      and January 2014, in which post-mortem imaging was compared to conventional
      autopsy in trauma victims. Studies were included when two or more trauma victims
      were investigated. RESULTS: Twenty-six studies were included, with a total number
      of 563 trauma victims. Post-mortem computer tomography (PMCT) was performed in 22
      studies, post-mortem magnetic resonance imaging (PMMRI) in five studies and
      conventional radiography in two studies. PMCT and PMMRI both demonstrate moderate
      to high-grade injuries and cause of death accurately. PMCT is more sensitive than
      conventional autopsy or PMMRI in detecting skeletal injuries. For detecting minor
      organ and soft tissue injuries, autopsy remains superior to imaging. Aortic
      injuries are missed frequently by PMCT and PMMRI and form their main limitation.
      CONCLUSION: PMCT should be considered as an essential supplement to conventional
      autopsy in trauma victims since it detects many additional injuries. Despite some
      major limitations, PMCT could be used as an alternative for conventional autopsy
      in situations where conventional autopsy is rejected or unavailable.

PMID- 26284977
TI  - Rigor mortis at the myocardium investigated by post-mortem magnetic resonance
      imaging.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Post-mortem cardiac MR exams present with different contraction
      appearances of the left ventricle in cardiac short axis images. It was
      hypothesized that the grade of post-mortem contraction may be related to the post
      mortem interval (PMI) or cause of death and a phenomenon caused by internal rigor
      mortis that may give further insights in the circumstances of death. METHOD AND
      MATERIALS: The cardiac contraction grade was investigated in 71 post-mortem
      cardiac MR exams (mean age at death 52 y, range 12-89 y; 48 males, 23 females).
      In cardiac short axis images the left ventricular lumen volume as well as the
      left ventricular myocardial volume were assessed by manual segmentation. The
      quotient of both (LVQ) represents the grade of myocardial contraction. LVQ was
      correlated to the PMI, sex, age, cardiac weight, body mass and height, cause of
      death and pericardial tamponade when present. In cardiac causes of death a
      separate correlation was investigated for acute myocardial infarction cases and
      arrhythmic deaths. RESULTS: LVQ values ranged from 1.99 (maximum dilatation) to
      42.91 (maximum contraction) with a mean of 15.13. LVQ decreased slightly with
      increasing PMI, however without significant correlation. Pericardial tamponade
      positively correlated with higher LVQ values. Variables such as sex, age, body
      mass and height, cardiac weight and cause of death did not correlate with LVQ
      values. There was no difference in LVQ values for myocardial infarction without
      tamponade and arrhythmic deaths. CONCLUSION: Based on the observation in our
      investigated cases, the phenomenon of post-mortem myocardial contraction cannot
      be explained by the influence of the investigated variables, except for
      pericardial tamponade cases. Further research addressing post-mortem myocardial
      contraction has to focus on other, less obvious factors, which may influence the
      early post-mortem phase too.

PMID- 26284978
TI  - Flemingin-Type Prenylated Chalcones from the Sarawak Rainforest Plant Desmodium
      congestum.
AB  - In an ongoing program to identify new anti-infective leads, an extract derived
      from whole plant material of Desmodium congestum collected in the Sarawak
      rainforest was found to have anti-MRSA activity. Bioassay-guided isolation led to
      the isolation of two new prenylated chalcones, 5'-O-methyl-3-hydroxyflemingin A
      (1) and 5'-O-methylflemingin C (2), which were closely related to the flemingins
      previously isolated from various Flemingia species. Chalcones 1 and 2, which were
      determined to be 4:6 enantiomeric mixtures by chiral HPLC, exhibited moderate
      activity against a panel of Gram-positive bacteria and were also cytotoxic to the
      HEK293 human embryonic kidney cell line. 

PMID- 26284980
TI  - Generation of human iPSC line GRX-MCiPS4F-A2 from adult peripheral blood
      mononuclear cells (PBMCs) with Spanish genetic background.
AB  - We have generated iPSCs from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of a
      healthy man using heat sensitive and non-integrative Sendai virus containing
      Sox2, Oct3/4, c-Myc and Klf4. Human GRX-MCiPS4F-A2 cell line was established and
      characterized through this study. 

PMID- 26284979
TI  - hVGAT-mCherry: A novel molecular tool for analysis of GABAergic neurons derived
      from human pluripotent stem cells.
AB  - BACKGROUND: GABAergic synaptic transmission is known to play a critical role in
      the assembly of neuronal circuits during development and is responsible for
      maintaining the balance between excitatory and inhibitory signaling in the brain
      during maturation into adulthood. Importantly, defects in GABAergic neuronal
      function and signaling have been linked to a number of neurological diseases,
      including autism spectrum disorders, schizophrenia, and epilepsy. With patient
      specific induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-based models of neurological
      disease, it is now possible to investigate the disease mechanisms that underlie
      deficits in GABAergic function in affected human neurons. To that end, tools that
      enable the labeling and purification of viable GABAergic neurons from human
      pluripotent stem cells would be of great value. RESULTS: To address the need for
      tools that facilitate the identification and isolation of viable GABAergic
      neurons from the in vitro differentiation of iPSC lines, a cell type-specific
      promoter-driven fluorescent reporter construct was developed that utilizes the
      human vesicular GABA transporter (hVGAT) promoter to drive the expression of
      mCherry specifically in VGAT-expressing neurons. The transduction of iPSC-derived
      forebrain neuronal cultures with the hVGAT promoter-mCherry lentiviral reporter
      construct specifically labeled GABAergic neurons. Immunocytochemical analysis of
      hVGAT-mCherry expression cells showed significant co-labeling with the GABAergic
      neuronal markers for endogenous VGAT, GABA, and GAD67. Expression of mCherry from
      the VGAT promoter showed expression in several cortical interneuron subtypes to
      similar levels. In addition, an effective and reproducible protocol was developed
      to facilitate the fluorescent activated cell sorting (FACS)-mediated purification
      of high yields of viable VGAT-positive cells. CONCLUSIONS: These studies
      demonstrate the utility of the hVGAT-mCherry reporter construct as an effective
      tool for studying GABAergic neurons differentiated in vitro from human
      pluripotent stem cells. This approach could provide a means of obtaining large
      quantities of viable GABAergic neurons derived from disease-specific hiPSCs that
      could be used for functional assays or high-throughput screening of small
      molecule libraries.

PMID- 26284981
TI  - Controlled Release of Salicylic Acid from Biodegradable Cross-Linked Polyesters.
AB  - The purpose of this work was to develop a family of cross-linked poly(xylitol
      adipate salicylate)s with a wide range of tunable release properties for
      delivering pharmacologically active salicylic acid. The synthesis parameters and
      release conditions were varied to modulate polyester properties and to understand
      the mechanism of release. Varying release rates were obtained upon longer curing
      (35% in the noncured polymer to 10% in the cured polymer in 7 days). Differential
      salicylic acid loading led to the synthesis of polymers with variable cross
      linking and the release could be tuned (100% release for the lowest loading to
      30% in the highest loading). Controlled release was monitored by changing various
      factors, and the release profiles were dependent on the stoichiometric
      composition, pH, curing time, and presence of enzyme. The polymer released a
      combination of salicylic acid and disalicylic acid, and the released products
      were found to be nontoxic. Minimal hemolysis and platelet activation indicated
      good blood compatibility. These polymers qualify as "bioactive" and "resorbable"
      and can, therefore, find applications as immunomodulatory resorbable biomaterials
      with tunable release properties. 

PMID- 26284982
TI  - Copper-Catalyzed Diazo Cross-/Homo-Coupling toward Tetrasubstituted Olefins and
      Applications on the Synthesis of Maleimide Derivatives.
AB  - A challenging selective intermolecular cross-coupling and homocoupling of aryl
      aryl or aryl-alkyl diazo compounds has been accomplished via a copper system,
      which afforded tetrasubstituted olefins in moderate to high yields with good to
      excellent Z-selectivity. This novel methodology enables rapid synthesis of
      tetrasubstituted olefins, which would find broad application in accessing
      maleimide libraries of nature products and bioactive small molecules. 

PMID- 26284983
TI  - Effect of Practicing Soccer Juggling With Different Sized Balls Upon Performance,
      Retention, and Transfer to Ball Reception.
AB  - The aim of this study was to investigate if making the skill acquisition phase
      more difficult or easier would enhance performance in soccer juggling, and if
      this practice has a positive intertask transfer effect to ball reception
      performance. Twenty-two adolescent soccer players were tested in juggling a
      soccer ball and in the control of an approaching ball at a pre, post and
      retention test. The participants were randomly divided in a small ball size and
      bigger ball size training group that both trained four times per week for 6
      weeks. At the post and retention test both groups enhanced performance in soccer
      juggling test with no difference between groups and no increase in ball reception
      performance at these tests. It was concluded that about intra task transfer and
      retention of soccer juggling skills, it does not matter if you increase (small
      balls) or decrease the difficulty (larger balls) when using the same amount of
      practice time within the skill acquisition phase in soccer juggling. In addition
      that for ball juggling and ball reception (inter task) these two tasks differ too
      much in afferent information and movement characteristics that no positive
      transfer between these two skills no positive intertask transfer can be expected.

PMID- 26284984
TI  - Plasticized Polymer Composite Single-Ion Conductors for Lithium Batteries.
AB  - Lithium bis(trifluoromethane) sulfonamide (TFSI) is a promising electrolyte salt
      in lithium batteries, due to its good conductivity and high dissociation between
      the lithium cation and its anion. By tethering N-pentane trifluoromethane
      sulfonamide (C5NHTf), a TFSI analogue molecule, onto the surface of silica
      nanoparticle as a monolayer coverage should increase the Li(+) transference
      number to unity since anions bound to particles have reduced mobilities. Silica
      polymer composite has better mechanical property than that of the pure PEO.
      Analogously trifluoromethane sulfonic aminoethyl methacrylate (TfMA), a TFSI
      analogue vinyl monomer, was polymerized on silica nanoparticle surface as a
      multilayer coverage. Anchored polyelectrolytes to particle surfaces offer
      multiple sites for anions, and in principle the carrier concentration would
      increase arbitrarily and approach the carrier concentration of the bulk
      polyelectrolyte. Monolayer grafted nanoparticles have a lithium content of 1.2 *
      10(-3) g Li/g, and multilayer grafted nanoparticles have a lithium content over
      an order higher at 2 * 10(-2) g Li/g. Electrolytes made from monolayer grafted
      particles exhibit a weak conductivity dependence on temperature, exhibiting an
      ionic conductivity in the range of 10(-6) S/cm when temperatures increase to 80 
      degrees C. While electrolytes made from multilayer grafted particles show a steep
      increase in conductivity with temperature with an ionic conductivity increase to
      3 * 10(-5) S/cm at 80  degrees C, with an O/Li ratio of 32. 

PMID- 26284985
TI  - Evaluation of Toxicity Ranking for Metal Oxide Nanoparticles via an in Vitro
      Dosimetry Model.
AB  - It has been argued that in vitro toxicity testing of engineered nanoparticles
      (NPs) should consider delivered dose (i.e., NP mass settled per suspension
      volume) rather than relying exclusively on administered dose (initial NP mass
      concentration). Delivered dose calculations require quantification of NP
      sedimentation in tissue cell culture media, taking into consideration fundamental
      suspension properties. In this article, we calculate delivered dose using a first
      principles "particles in a box" sedimentation model, which accounts for the
      particle size distribution, fractal dimension, and permeability of agglomerated
      NPs. The sedimentation model was evaluated against external and our own
      experimental sedimentation data for metal oxide NPs. We then utilized the model
      to construct delivered dose-response analysis for a library of metal oxide NPs
      (previously used for hazard ranking and prediction making) in different cell
      culture media. Hierarchical hazard ranking of the seven (out of 24) toxic metal
      oxide NPs in our library, using EC50 calculated on the basis of delivered dose,
      did not measurably differ from our ranking based on administered dose. In
      contrast, simplified sedimentation calculations based on the assumption of
      impermeable NP agglomerates of a single average size significantly underestimated
      the settled NPs' mass, resulting in misinterpretation of toxicity ranking. It is
      acknowledged that in vitro dose-response outcomes are likely to be shaped by
      complex toxicodynamics, which include NP/cellular association, triggering of
      dynamic cell response pathways involved in NP uptake, and multiple
      physicochemical parameters that influence NP sedimentation and internalization. 

PMID- 26284986
TI  - Updated methods for assessing the impacts of nearby gas drilling and production
      on neighborhood air quality and human health.
AB  - An explosive growth in natural gas production within the last decade has fueled
      concern over the public health impacts of air pollutant emissions from oil and
      gas sites in the Barnett and Eagle Ford shale regions of Texas. Commonly
      acknowledged sources of uncertainty are the lack of sustained monitoring of
      ambient concentrations of pollutants associated with gas mining, poor
      quantification of their emissions, and inability to correlate health symptoms
      with specific emission events. These uncertainties are best addressed not by
      conventional monitoring and modeling technology, but by increasingly available
      advanced techniques for real-time mobile monitoring, microscale modeling and
      source attribution, and real-time broadcasting of air quality and human health
      data over the World Wide Web. The combination of contemporary scientific and
      social media approaches can be used to develop a strategy to detect and quantify
      emission events from oil and gas facilities, alert nearby residents of these
      events, and collect associated human health data, all in real time or near-real
      time. The various technical elements of this strategy are demonstrated based on
      the results of past, current, and planned future monitoring studies in the
      Barnett and Eagle Ford shale regions. IMPLICATIONS: Resources should not be
      invested in expanding the conventional air quality monitoring network in the
      vicinity of oil and gas exploration and production sites. Rather, more
      contemporary monitoring and data analysis techniques should take the place of
      older methods to better protect the health of nearby residents and maintain the
      integrity of the surrounding environment.

PMID- 26284988
TI  - Identification and analysis of retrogenes in the East Asian nematode
      Caenorhabditis sp. 5 genome.
AB  - Retroposition, a molecular mechanism generating new genes, helps the formation of
      retrogenes and new functions, contributing to the evolution of genomes. The
      completed genome sequence of Caenorhabditis sp. 5 presents an excellent
      opportunity to identify retrogenes within C. sp. 5. We identified a total of 43
      retrogenes and their corresponding chimeric genes. Among these, 29 were found to
      be intact retrogenes and 14 to be retropseudogenes. Unexpectedly, a high number
      of retrogenes appear to be functional and possibly involved in catalysis. Also,
      the proportion of the retrogenes forming chimeric structure is the highest among
      Caenorhabditis nematodes. In addition, the Ks distribution shows that C. sp. 5
      has more retrogenes with high Ks, which may explain the high functionality of
      them among Caenorhabditis species. Our study will be helpful in the understanding
      of the functional and evolutionary impact of retroposition on C. sp. 5 genome. 

PMID- 26284989
TI  - Oxygen Conditioning at High Altitude.

PMID- 26284990
TI  - Physical Activity, Exercise, and Mammalian Testis Function: Emerging Preclinical
      Protein Biomarker and Integrative Biology Insights.
AB  - Exercise and physical activity have long been recognized for health promotion and
      to delay the onset of many pathological situations such as diabetes and cancers.
      Still, there appears to be an upper limit on the beneficial health effects
      regarding intensity and frequency of exercise training. In humans, the effect of
      exercise training in the male reproductive system has been studied mainly through
      the analysis of semen quality parameters, with inconsistent results. Less is
      known on molecular biomarkers of exercise-related changes in testis at the
      protein/proteome level. This review offers an in-depth analysis on the small
      scale protein studies available primarily from the preclinical studies and
      interprets their functional impact on the reproductive health with a view to
      humans. In all, exercise training in preclinical models seems to negatively
      modulate, in the course of health, critical functions that directly affect
      spermatogenesis, such as testosterone biosynthesis, energy supply, and
      antioxidant system components. Exercise training induces apoptosis, leading to
      the impairment of spermatogenesis and, consequently, to male infertility. In
      pathological conditions, an improvement in the testicular functions is observed
      by increases in steroidogenic enzymes and antioxidant defenses, and reductions in
      activity of inflammatory pathways. Importantly, the mechanisms by which exercise
      training modulates the reproductive function are far from being fully understood.
      The analyses of the testis proteome in varying exercise conditions would inform
      the molecular mechanisms involved and identify putative theranostics
      opportunities. Such future research is a cornerstone for health promotion in the
      pursuit of reproductive health informed by omics systems sciences. 

PMID- 26284991
TI  - Oscillations or Synchrony? Disruption of Neural Synchrony despite Enhanced Gamma
      Oscillations in a Model of Disrupted Perceptual Coherence.
AB  - It has been hypothesized that neural synchrony underlies perceptual coherence.
      The hypothesis of loss of central perceptual coherence has been proposed to be at
      the origin of abnormal cognition in autism spectrum disorders and Williams
      syndrome, a neurodevelopmental disorder linked with autism, and a clearcut model
      for impaired central coherence. We took advantage of this model of impaired
      holistic processing to test the hypothesis that loss of neural synchrony plays a
      separable role in visual integration using EEG and a set of experimental tasks
      requiring coherent integration of local elements leading to 3-D face perception.
      A profound reorganization of brain activity was identified. Neural synchrony was
      reduced across stimulus conditions, and this was associated with increased
      amplitude modulation at 25-45 Hz. This combination of a dramatic loss of
      synchrony despite increased oscillatory activity is strong evidence that
      synchrony underlies central coherence. This is the first time, to our knowledge,
      that dissociation between amplitude and synchrony is reported in a human model of
      impaired perceptual coherence, suggesting that loss of phase coherence is more
      directly related to disruption of holistic perception. 

PMID- 26284992
TI  - Steady-state BOLD Response to Higher-order Cognition Modulates Low-Frequency
      Neural Oscillations.
AB  - Steady-state responses (SSRs) reflect the synchronous neural oscillations evoked
      by noninvasive and consistently repeated stimuli at the fundamental or harmonic
      frequencies. The steady-state evoked potentials (SSEPs; the representative form
      of the SSRs) have been widely used in the cognitive and clinical neurosciences
      and brain-computer interface research. However, the steady-state evoked
      potentials have limitations in examining high-frequency neural oscillations and
      basic cognition. In addition, synchronous neural oscillations in the low
      frequency range (<1 Hz) and in higher-order cognition have received a little
      attention. Therefore, we examined the SSRs in the low frequency range using a new
      index, the steady-state BOLD responses (SSBRs) evoked by semantic stimuli. Our
      results revealed that the significant SSBRs were induced at the fundamental
      frequency of stimuli and the first harmonic in task-related regions, suggesting
      the enhanced variability of neural oscillations entrained by exogenous stimuli.
      The SSBRs were independent of neurovascular coupling and characterized by
      sensorimotor bias, an indication of regional-dependent neuroplasticity.
      Furthermore, the amplitude of SSBRs may predict behavioral performance and show
      the psychophysiological relevance. Our findings provide valuable insights into
      the understanding of the SSRs evoked by higher-order cognition and how the SSRs
      modulate low-frequency neural oscillations. 

PMID- 26284993
TI  - Electrophysiological and Kinematic Correlates of Communicative Intent in the
      Planning and Production of Pointing Gestures and Speech.
AB  - In everyday human communication, we often express our communicative intentions by
      manually pointing out referents in the material world around us to an addressee,
      often in tight synchronization with referential speech. This study investigated
      whether and how the kinematic form of index finger pointing gestures is shaped by
      the gesturer's communicative intentions and how this is modulated by the presence
      of concurrently produced speech. Furthermore, we explored the neural mechanisms
      underpinning the planning of communicative pointing gestures and speech. Two
      experiments were carried out in which participants pointed at referents for an
      addressee while the informativeness of their gestures and speech was varied.
      Kinematic and electrophysiological data were recorded online. It was found that
      participants prolonged the duration of the stroke and poststroke hold phase of
      their gesture to be more communicative, in particular when the gesture was
      carrying the main informational burden in their multimodal utterance. Frontal and
      P300 effects in the ERPs suggested the importance of intentional and modality
      independent attentional mechanisms during the planning phase of informative
      pointing gestures. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the
      complex interplay between action, attention, intention, and language in the
      production of pointing gestures, a communicative act core to human interaction. 

PMID- 26284994
TI  - Competition between Mutually Exclusive Object States in Event Comprehension.
AB  - Successful language comprehension requires one to correctly match symbols in an
      utterance to referents in the world, but the rampant ambiguity present in that
      mapping poses a challenge. Sometimes the ambiguity lies in which of two (or more)
      types of things in the world are under discussion (i.e., lexical ambiguity);
      however, even a word with a single sense can have an ambiguous referent. This
      ambiguity occurs when an object can exist in multiple states. Here, we consider
      two cases in which the presence of multiple object states may render a single
      sense word ambiguous. In the first case, one must disambiguate between two states
      of a single object token in a short discourse. In the second case, the discourse
      establishes two different tokens of the object category. Both cases involve
      multiple object states: These states are mutually exclusive in the first case,
      whereas in the second case, these states can logically exist at the same time. We
      use fMRI to contrast same-token and different-token discourses, using responses
      in left posterior ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (pVLPFC) as an indicator of
      conflict. Because the left pVLPFC is sensitive to competition between multiple,
      incompatible representations, we predicted that state ambiguity should engender
      conflict only when those states are mutually exclusive. Indeed, we find evidence
      of conflict in same-token, but not different-token, discourses. Our data support
      a theory of left pVLPFC function in which general conflict resolution mechanisms
      are engaged to select between multiple incompatible representations that arise in
      many kinds of ambiguity present in language. 

PMID- 26284995
TI  - Musical Meter Modulates the Allocation of Attention across Time.
AB  - Dynamic attending theory predicts that attention is allocated hierarchically
      across time during processing of hierarchical rhythmic structures such as musical
      meter. ERP research demonstrates that attention to a moment in time modulates
      early auditory processing as evidenced by the amplitude of the first negative
      peak (N1) approximately 100 msec after sound onset. ERPs elicited by tones
      presented at times of high and low metric strength in short melodies were
      compared to test the hypothesis that hierarchically structured rhythms direct
      attention in a manner that modulates early perceptual processing. A more negative
      N1 was observed for metrically strong beats compared with metrically weak beats;
      this result provides electrophysiological evidence that hierarchical rhythms
      direct attention to metrically strong times during engaged listening. The N1
      effect was observed only on fast tempo trials, suggesting that listeners more
      consistently invoke selective processing based on hierarchical rhythms when
      sounds are presented rapidly. The N1 effect was not modulated by musical
      expertise, indicating that the allocation of attention to metrically strong times
      is not dependent on extensive training. Additionally, changes in P2 amplitude and
      a late negativity were associated with metric strength under some conditions,
      indicating that multiple cognitive processes are associated with metric
      perception. 

PMID- 26284996
TI  - Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation over Left Dorsolateral pFC on
      the Attentional Blink Depend on Individual Baseline Performance.
AB  - Selection mechanisms that dynamically gate only relevant perceptual information
      for further processing and sustained representation in working memory are
      critical for goal-directed behavior. We examined whether this gating process can
      be modulated by anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over left
      dorsolateral pFC (DLPFC)--a region known to play a key role in working memory and
      conscious access. Specifically, we examined the effects of tDCS on the magnitude
      of the so-called "attentional blink" (AB), a deficit in identifying the second of
      two targets presented in rapid succession. Thirty-four participants performed a
      standard AB task before (baseline), during, and after 20 min of 1-mA anodal and
      cathodal tDCS in two separate sessions. On the basis of previous reports linking
      individual differences in AB magnitude to individual differences in DLPFC
      activity and on suggestions that effects of tDCS depend on baseline brain
      activity levels, we hypothesized that anodal tDCS over left DLPFC would modulate
      the magnitude of the AB as a function of individual baseline AB magnitude.
      Indeed, individual differences analyses revealed that anodal tDCS decreased the
      AB in participants with a large baseline AB but increased the AB in participants
      with a small baseline AB. This effect was only observed during (but not after)
      stimulation, was not found for cathodal tDCS, and could not be explained by
      regression to the mean. Notably, the effects of tDCS were not apparent at the
      group level, highlighting the importance of taking individual variability in
      performance into account when evaluating the effectiveness of tDCS. These
      findings support the idea that left DLPFC plays a critical role in the AB and in
      conscious access more generally. They are also in line with the notion that there
      is an optimal level of prefrontal activity for cognitive function, with both too
      little and too much activity hurting performance.

PMID- 26284998
TI  - Quantification of PEG-maleimide ligands and coupling efficiencies on
      nanoparticles with Ellman's reagent.
AB  - The surface modification of nanometer- and micrometer-sized particles and planar
      substrates with polyethylene glycol (PEG) ligands of varying length is a very
      common strategy to tune the hydrophilicity and biocompatibility of such
      materials, minimize unspecific interactions, improve biofunctionalization
      efficiencies, and enhance blood circulation times. Nevertheless, simple methods
      for the quantification of PEG ligands are comparatively rare. Here, we present a
      new concept for the quantification of PEG ligands for maleimide-functionalized
      PEG molecules and the determination of PEG coupling efficiencies, exploiting the
      quantitative reaction of maleimide with l-cysteine, and the subsequent
      determination of the unreacted thiol with the photometric Ellman's test. This is
      shown for heterobifunctional PEG spacers of varying length and amino
      functionalized polystyrene nanoparticles (PS NP) without and with differently
      charged encoding dyes. The reaction of l-cysteine with the Ellman's reagent was
      monitored photometrically and with electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass
      spectrometry (ESI-TOF-MS) to derive the reaction mechanism and to obtain the
      stoichiometry factor for l-cysteine quantification. Mass balances and
      quantification of l-cysteine via its sulfur concentration using elemental
      analysis and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) confirmed the
      accuracy and reliability of this approach that can be extended to other surface
      groups and ligands. 

PMID- 26284999
TI  - Social models of HIV risk among young adults in Lesotho.
AB  - Extensive research over the past 30 years has revealed that individual and social
      determinants impact HIV risk. Even so, prevention efforts focus primarily on
      individual behaviour change, with little recognition of the dynamic interplay of
      individual and social environment factors that further exacerbate risk
      engagement. Drawing on long-term research with young adults in Lesotho, I examine
      how social environment factors contribute to HIV risk. During preliminary
      ethnographic analysis, I developed novel scales to measure social control,
      adoption of modernity, and HIV knowledge. In survey research, I examined the
      effects of individual characteristics (i.e., socioeconomic status, HIV knowledge,
      adoption of modernity) and social environment (i.e., social control) on HIV risk
      behaviours. In addition, I measured the impact of altered environments by taking
      advantage of an existing situation whereby young adults attending a national
      college are assigned to either a main campus in a metropolitan setting or a
      satellite campus in a remote setting, irrespective of the environment in which
      they were socialised as youth. This arbitrary assignment process generates four
      distinct groups of young adults with altered or constant environments. Regression
      models show that lower levels of perceived social control and greater adoption of
      modernity are associated with HIV risk, controlling for other factors. The impact
      of social control and modernity varies with environment dynamics. 

PMID- 26285000
TI  - Skeletal muscle sodium channelopathies.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This is an update on skeletal muscle sodium channelopathies
      since knowledge in the field have dramatically increased in the past years.
      RECENT FINDING: The relationship between two phenotypes and SCN4A has been
      confirmed with additional cases that remain extremely rare: severe neonatal
      episodic laryngospasm mimicking encephalopathy, which should be actively searched
      for since patients respond well to sodium channel blockers; congenital myasthenic
      syndromes, which have the particularity to be the first recessive Nav1.4
      channelopathy. Deep DNA sequencing suggests the contribution of other ion
      channels in the clinical expressivity of sodium channelopathies, which may be one
      of the factors modulating the latter. The increased knowledge of channel
      molecular structure, the quantity of sodium channel blockers, and the
      availability of preclinical models would permit a most personalized choice of
      medication for patients suffering from these debilitating neuromuscular diseases.
      SUMMARY: Advances in the understanding of the molecular structure of voltage
      gated sodium channels, as well as availability of preclinical models, would lead
      to improved medical care of patients suffering from skeletal muscle, as well as
      other sodium channelopathies.

PMID- 26285001
TI  - A novel fluorescent retrograde neural tracer: cholera toxin B conjugated carbon
      dots.
AB  - The retrograde neuroanatomical tracing method is a key technique to study the
      complex interconnections of the nervous system. Traditional tracers have several
      drawbacks, including time-consuming immunohistochemical or immunofluorescent
      staining procedures, rapid fluorescence quenching and low fluorescence intensity.
      Carbon dots (CDs) have been widely used as a fluorescent bio-probe due to their
      ultrasmall size, excellent optical properties, chemical stability,
      biocompatibility and low toxicity. Herein, we develop a novel fluorescent neural
      tracer: cholera toxin B-carbon dot conjugates (CTB-CDs). It can be taken up and
      retrogradely transported by neurons in the peripheral nervous system of rats. Our
      results show that CTB-CDs possess high photoluminescence intensity, good optical
      stability, a long shelf-life and non-toxicity. Tracing with CTB-CDs is a direct
      and more economical way of performing retrograde labelling experiments.
      Therefore, CTB-CDs are reliable fluorescent retrograde tracers. 

PMID- 26285002
TI  - Combined pressure and cosolvent effects on enzyme activity - a high-pressure
      stopped-flow kinetic study on alpha-chymotrypsin.
AB  - We investigated the combined effects of cosolvents and pressure on the hydrolysis
      of a model peptide catalysed by alpha-chymotrypsin. The enzymatic activity was
      measured in the pressure range from 0.1 to 200 MPa using a high-pressure stopped
      flow systems with 10 ms time resolution. A kosmotropic (trimethalymine-N-oxide,
      TMAO) and chaotropic (urea) cosolvent and mixtures thereof were used as
      cosolvents. High pressure enhances the hydrolysis rate as a consequence of a
      negative activation volume, DeltaV(#), which, depending on the cosolvent system,
      amounts to -2 to -4 mL mol(-1). A more negative activation volume can be
      explained by a smaller compression of the ES complex relative to the transition
      state. Kinetic constants, such as kcat and the Michaelis constant KM, were
      determined for all solution conditions as a function of pressure. With increasing
      pressure, kcat increases by about 35% and its pressure dependence by a factor of
      1.9 upon addition of 2 M urea, whereas 1 M TMAO has no significant effect on kcat
      and its pressure dependence. Similarly, KM increases upon addition of urea 6
      fold. Addition of TMAO compensates the urea-effect on kcat and KM to some extent.
      The maximum rate of the enzymatic reaction increases with increasing pressure in
      all solutions except in the TMAO : urea 1 : 2 mixture, where, remarkably,
      pressure is found to have no effect on the rate of the enzymatic reaction
      anymore. Our data clearly show that compatible solutes can easily override
      deleterious effects of harsh environmental conditions, such as high hydrostatic
      pressures in the 100 MPa range, which is the maximum pressure encountered in the
      deep biosphere on Earth. 

PMID- 26285003
TI  - A Collaborative Paradigm for Improving Management of Sleep Disorders in Primary
      Care: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To test a collaborative care model for interfacing sleep specialists
      with primary care providers to enhance patients' sleep disorders management.
      METHODS: This study used a randomized, parallel group, clinical intervention
      trial design. A total of 137 adult (29 women) VA outpatients with sleep
      complaints were enrolled and randomly assigned to (1) an intervention (INT)
      consisting of a one-time consultation with a sleep specialist who provided
      diagnostic feedback and treatment recommendations to the patient and the
      patient's primary care provider; or (2) a control condition consisting of their
      usual primary care (UPC). Provider-focused outcomes included rates of adherence
      to recommended diagnostic procedures and sleep-focused interventions. Patient
      focused outcomes included measures taken from sleep diaries and actigraphy;
      Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores; and self-report measures of
      sleepiness, fatigue, mood, quality of life, and satisfaction with health care.
      RESULTS: The proportions of provider-initiated sleep-focused interventions were
      significantly higher in the INT group than in the UPC group for polysomnography
      referrals (49% versus 6%; P < 0.001) and mental health clinic referrals (19%
      versus 6%; P = 0.02). At the 10-mo follow up, INT recipients showed greater
      estimated mean reductions in diary total wake time (-17.0 min; 95% confidence
      interval [CI]: -30.9, -3.1; P = 0.02) and greater increases in sleep efficiency
      (+3.7%; 95% CI: 0.8, 6.5; P = 0.01) than did UPC participants. A greater
      proportion of the INT group showed >= 1 standard deviation decline on the PSQI
      from baseline to the 10-mo follow-up (41% versus 21%; P = 0.02). Moreover, 69% of
      the INT group had normal (<= 10) Epworth Sleepiness Scale scores at the 10-mo
      follow-up, whereas only 50% of the UPC group fell below this clinical cutoff (P =
      0.03). CONCLUSIONS: A one-time sleep consultation significantly increased
      healthcare providers' attention to sleep problems and resulted in benefits to
      patients' sleep/wake symptoms. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: This study is
      registered with clinicaltrials.gov with identifier # NCT00390572.

PMID- 26285004
TI  - Maturational Patterns of Sigma Frequency Power Across Childhood and Adolescence:
      A Longitudinal Study.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVES: To further evaluate adolescent brain maturation by determining
      the longitudinal trajectories of nonrapid eye movement (NREM) sigma (11-15 Hz)
      power across childhood-adolescence. METHODS: The maturational trend for sigma (11
      15 Hz) power was evaluated in an accelerated longitudinal study of three
      overlapping age cohorts (n = 92) covering ages 6 to 18 y. Semiannually, sleep
      electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded from participants sleeping at home in
      their normal sleep environment while keeping their current school night
      schedules. RESULTS: Sigma frequencies became faster with age. The frequency of
      the 11-15 Hz spectral peak increased linearly. Sigma frequency power (SFP)
      declined with age, but its trajectory was complex (cubic). Power in a group of
      low sigma subfrequencies declined with age. Power in a group of high sigma
      frequencies increased with age. Power in subfrequencies within 11-15 Hz also
      showed different trends across the night, with lower frequencies increasing
      across NREM periods and higher frequencies decreasing across NREM periods. The
      upper and lower boundaries for the sigma frequencies that changed across NREMPs
      shifted upward with age. CONCLUSIONS: We hypothesize that these maturational
      brain changes result from synaptic elimination which decreases sleep depth and
      streamlines circuits. SFP displays a maturational trajectory different from both
      delta and theta power. Theories on the function of sigma must be reconciled with
      its maturational trajectory. These findings further demonstrate the value of
      sleep EEG for studying noninvasively the complex developmental brain changes of
      adolescence.

PMID- 26284997
TI  - Molecular cancer prevention: Current status and future directions.
AB  - The heterogeneity and complexity of advanced cancers strongly support the
      rationale for an enhanced focus on molecular prevention as a priority strategy to
      reduce the burden of cancer. Molecular prevention encompasses traditional
      chemopreventive agents as well as vaccinations and therapeutic approaches to
      cancer-predisposing conditions. Despite challenges to the field, we now have
      refined insights into cancer etiology and early pathogenesis; successful risk
      assessment and new risk models; agents with broad preventive efficacy (eg,
      aspirin) in common chronic diseases, including cancer; and a successful track
      record of more than 10 agents approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for
      the treatment of precancerous lesions or cancer risk reduction. The development
      of molecular preventive agents does not differ significantly from the development
      of therapies for advanced cancers, yet it has unique challenges and special
      considerations given that it most often involves healthy or asymptomatic
      individuals. Agents, biomarkers, cohorts, overall design, and endpoints are key
      determinants of molecular preventive trials, as with therapeutic trials, although
      distinctions exist for each within the preventive setting. Progress in the
      development and evolution of molecular preventive agents has been steadier in
      some organ systems, such as breast and skin, than in others. In order for
      molecular prevention to be fully realized as an effective strategy, several
      challenges to the field must be addressed. Here, the authors provide a brief
      overview of the context for and special considerations of molecular prevention
      along with a discussion of the results from major randomized controlled trials.

PMID- 26285005
TI  - Global and Regional Brain Non-Gaussian Diffusion Changes in Newly Diagnosed
      Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVES: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients show brain structural
      injury and functional deficits in autonomic, affective, and cognitive regulatory
      sites, as revealed by mean diffusivity (MD) and other imaging procedures. The
      time course and nature of gray and white matter injury can be revealed in more
      detail with mean kurtosis (MK) procedures, which can differentiate acute from
      chronic injury, and better show extent of damage over MD procedures. Our
      objective was to examine global and regional MK changes in newly diagnosed OSA,
      relative to control subjects. METHODS: Two diffusion kurtosis image series were
      collected from 22 recently-diagnosed, treatment-naive OSA and 26 control subjects
      using a 3.0-Tesla MRI scanner. MK maps were generated, normalized to a common
      space, smoothed, and compared voxel-by-voxel between groups using analysis of
      covariance (covariates; age, sex). RESULTS: No age or sex differences appeared,
      but body mass index, sleep, neuropsychologic, and cognitive scores significantly
      differed between groups. MK values were significantly increased globally in OSA
      over controls, and in multiple localized sites, including the basal forebrain,
      extending to the hypothalamus, hippocampus, thalamus, insular cortices, basal
      ganglia, limbic regions, cerebellar areas, parietal cortices, ventral temporal
      lobe, ventrolateral medulla, and midline pons. Multiple sites, including the
      insular cortices, ventrolateral medulla, and midline pons showed more injury over
      previously identified damage with MD procedures, with damage often lateralized.
      CONCLUSIONS: Global mean kurtosis values are significantly increased in
      obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), suggesting acute tissue injury, and these changes
      are principally localized in critical sites mediating deficient functions in the
      condition. The mechanisms for injury likely include altered perfusion and
      hypoxemia-induced processes, leading to acute tissue changes in recently
      diagnosed OSA.

PMID- 26285006
TI  - Sleep-Dependent Potentiation in the Visual System Is at Odds with the Synaptic
      Homeostasis Hypothesis.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVES: Two commentaries recently published in SLEEP came to very
      different conclusions regarding how data from a mouse model of sleep-dependent
      neural plasticity (orientation-specific response potentiation; OSRP) fit with the
      synaptic homeostasis hypothesis (SHY). To assess whether SHY offers an
      explanatory mechanism for OSRP, we present new data on how cortical neuron firing
      rates are modulated as a function of novel sensory experience and subsequent
      sleep in this model system. METHODS: We carried out longitudinal extracellular
      recordings of single-neuron activity in the primary visual cortex across a period
      of novel visual experience and subsequent sleep or sleep deprivation. Spontaneous
      neuronal firing rates and visual responses were recorded from the same population
      of visual cortex neurons before control (blank screen) or novel (oriented
      grating) stimulus presentation, immediately after stimulus presentation, and
      after a period of subsequent ad lib sleep or sleep deprivation. RESULTS: Firing
      rate responses to visual stimuli were unchanged across waking experience,
      regardless of whether a blank screen or an oriented grating stimulus was
      presented. Firing rate responses to stimuli of the presented stimulus orientation
      were selectively enhanced across post-stimulus sleep, but these changes were
      blocked by sleep deprivation. Neuronal firing increased significantly across
      bouts of post-stimulus rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and slow wave sleep (SWS),
      but not across bouts of wake. CONCLUSIONS: The current data suggest that
      following novel visual experience, potentiation of a subset of V1 synapses occurs
      across periods of sleep. This finding cannot be explained parsimoniously by SHY.

PMID- 26285007
TI  - Sleep, Don't Sneeze: Longer Sleep Reduces the Risk of Catching a Cold.

PMID- 26285008
TI  - Altered Resting Cerebral Blood Flow in Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Helpful Change
      or Not?

PMID- 26285010
TI  - How Different Are Our Perceptions of Equal-Tempered and Microtonal Intervals? A
      Behavioural and EEG Survey.
AB  - For listeners familiar with Western twelve-tone equal-tempered (12-TET) music, a
      novel microtonal tuning system is expected to present additional processing
      challenges. We aimed to determine whether this was the case, focusing on the
      extent to which our perceptions can be considered bottom-up (psychoacoustic and
      primarily perceptual) and top-down (dependent on familiarity and cognitive
      processing). We elicited both overt response ratings, and covert event-related
      potentials (ERPs), so as to compare subjective impressions of sounds with the
      neurophysiological processing of the acoustic signal. We hypothesised that
      microtonal intervals are perceived differently from 12-TET intervals, and that
      the responses of musicians (n = 10) and non-musicians (n = 10) are distinct. Two
      note chords were presented comprising 12-TET intervals (consonant and dissonant)
      or microtonal (quarter tone) intervals, and ERP, subjective roughness ratings,
      and liking ratings were recorded successively. Musical experience mediated the
      perception of differences between dissonant and microtone intervals, with non
      musicians giving similar ratings for each, and musicians preferring dissonant
      over the less commonly used microtonal intervals, rating them as less rough. ERP
      response amplitude was greater for consonant intervals than other intervals.
      Musical experience interacted with interval type, suggesting that musical
      expertise facilitates the sensory and perceptual discrimination of microtonal
      intervals from 12-TET intervals, and an increased ability to categorize such
      intervals. Non-musicians appear to have perceived microtonal intervals as
      instances of neighbouring 12-TET intervals. 

PMID- 26285009
TI  - Sleep Duration and Area-Level Deprivation in Twins.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVES: We used quantitative genetic models to assess whether area
      level deprivation as indicated by the Singh Index predicts shorter sleep duration
      and modifies its underlying genetic and environmental contributions. METHODS:
      Participants were 4,218 adult twin pairs (2,377 monozygotic and 1,841 dizygotic)
      from the University of Washington Twin Registry. Participants self-reported
      habitual sleep duration. The Singh Index was determined by linking geocoding
      addresses to 17 indicators at the census-tract level using data from Census of
      Washington State and Census Tract Cartographic Boundary Files from 2000 and 2010.
      Data were analyzed using univariate and bivariate genetic decomposition and
      quantitative genetic interaction models that assessed A (additive genetics), C
      (common environment), and E (unique environment) main effects of the Singh Index
      on sleep duration and allowed the magnitude of residual ACE variance components
      in sleep duration to vary with the Index. RESULTS: The sample had a mean age of
      38.2 y (standard deviation [SD] = 18), and was predominantly female (62%) and
      Caucasian (91%). Mean sleep duration was 7.38 h (SD = 1.20) and the mean Singh
      Index score was 0.00 (SD = 0.89). The heritability of sleep duration was 39% and
      the Singh Index was 12%. The uncontrolled phenotypic regression of sleep duration
      on the Singh Index showed a significant negative relationship between area-level
      deprivation and sleep length (b = -0.080, P < 0.001). Every 1 SD in Singh Index
      was associated with a ~4.5 min change in sleep duration. For the quasi-causal
      bivariate model, there was a significant main effect of E (b(0E) = -0.063;
      standard error [SE] = 0.30; P < 0.05). Residual variance components unique to
      sleep duration were significant for both A (b(0Au) = 0.734; SE = 0.020; P <
      0.001) and E (b(0Eu) = 0.934; SE = 0.013; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Area-level
      deprivation has a quasi-causal association with sleep duration, with greater
      deprivation being related to shorter sleep. As area-level deprivation increases,
      unique genetic and nonshared environmental residual variance in sleep duration
      increases.

PMID- 26285011
TI  - Association of Genetic Polymorphisms in CDH1 and CTNNB1 with Breast Cancer
      Susceptibility and Patients' Prognosis among Chinese Han Women.
AB  - This study aims to investigate whether the germline variants in CDH1 and CTNNB1
      would affect breast cancer susceptibility and patients' prognosis among Chinese
      Han women using a haplotype-based association analysis. We genotyped 12 haplotype
      tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (htSNPs) in CDH1 and CTNNB1 among 1,160
      BC cases and 1,336 age-matched cancer-free controls using the TaqMan(r)
      Genotyping Assay. For association analyses of germline variants with breast
      cancer susceptibility, the results showed that rs7200690, rs7198799, rs17715799,
      rs13689 and diplotype CGC/TGC (rs7200690 + rs12185157 + rs7198799) in CDH1 as
      well as rs2293303 in CTNNB1 were associated with increased breast cancer risk. In
      addition, the Generalized Multifactor Dimensionality Reduction (GMDR) and
      logistic regression analysis predicted an interaction on breast cancer risk
      between rs17715799 and rs13689 as well as rs13689 and menarche-FFTP (First Full
      Term Pregnancy) interval. For survival analyses, the results demonstrated that
      the minor allele homozygotes of rs13689 and haplotype TGC in CDH1 were linked
      with unfavorable event-free survival of breast cancer, whereas, rs4783689 of CDH1
      showed the opposite effect under dominant model. Notably, the stratified analysis
      revealed that rs7186053 was associated with favorable event-free survival among
      patients with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, progesterone receptor (PR)
      positive or lymph node metastasis negative patients. Moreover, rs7200690 and
      rs7198799 in CDH1 as well as rs4533622 in CTNNB1 were associated with worse event
      free survival among patients with clinical stage 0-I tumors. This study indicated
      that the genetic polymorphisms of CDH1 and CTNNB1 were associated with breast
      cancer susceptibility and patients' prognosis. 

PMID- 26285012
TI  - A Stochastic Multiscale Model That Explains the Segregation of Axonal
      Microtubules and Neurofilaments in Neurological Diseases.
AB  - The organization of the axonal cytoskeleton is a key determinant of the normal
      function of an axon, which is a long thin projection of a neuron. Under normal
      conditions two axonal cytoskeletal polymers, microtubules and neurofilaments,
      align longitudinally in axons and are interspersed in axonal cross-sections.
      However, in many neurotoxic and neurodegenerative disorders, microtubules and
      neurofilaments segregate apart from each other, with microtubules and membranous
      organelles clustered centrally and neurofilaments displaced to the periphery.
      This striking segregation precedes the abnormal and excessive neurofilament
      accumulation in these diseases, which in turn leads to focal axonal swellings.
      While neurofilament accumulation suggests an impairment of neurofilament
      transport along axons, the underlying mechanism of their segregation from
      microtubules remains poorly understood for over 30 years. To address this
      question, we developed a stochastic multiscale model for the cross-sectional
      distribution of microtubules and neurofilaments in axons. The model describes
      microtubules, neurofilaments and organelles as interacting particles in a 2D
      cross-section, and is built upon molecular processes that occur on a time scale
      of seconds or shorter. It incorporates the longitudinal transport of
      neurofilaments and organelles through this domain by allowing stochastic arrival
      and departure of these cargoes, and integrates the dynamic interactions of these
      cargoes with microtubules mediated by molecular motors. Simulations of the model
      demonstrate that organelles can pull nearby microtubules together, and in the
      absence of neurofilament transport, this mechanism gradually segregates
      microtubules from neurofilaments on a time scale of hours, similar to that
      observed in toxic neuropathies. This suggests that the microtubule-neurofilament
      segregation can be a consequence of the selective impairment of neurofilament
      transport. The model generates the experimentally testable prediction that the
      rate and extent of segregation will be dependent on the sizes of the moving
      organelles as well as the density of their traffic. 

PMID- 26285013
TI  - Deletion of RBPJK in Mesenchymal Stem Cells Enhances Osteogenic Activity by Up
      Regulation of BMP Signaling.
AB  - Recently we have demonstrated the importance of RBPjk-dependent Notch signaling
      in the regulation of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) differentiation during
      skeletogenesis both in vivo and in vitro. Here we further performed RBPJK loss-of
      function experiments to demonstrate for the first time that RBPJK deficient MSC
      shows enhanced differentiation and osteogenesis acts via up-regulation of the BMP
      signaling. In the present study, we first compared the spontaneous and osteogenic
      differentiation in normal and recombination signal binding protein for
      immunoglobulin kappa J region (RBPJK) deficient human bone marrow-derived
      mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). It was found that RBPJK highly expressed in fresh
      isolated MSCs and its expression was progressing down-regulated during
      spontaneous differentiation and even greater in osteogenic media inducted
      differentiation. Deletion of RBPJK in MSCs not only enhances cell spontaneous
      differentiation, but also significantly accelerates condition media inducted
      osteogenic differentiation by showing enhanced alkaline phosphatase (ALP)
      activity, Alizarin red staining, gene expression of Runx2, Osteopontin (OPN),
      Type I collagen (COL1a1) in culture. Additionally, BMP signaling responsive
      reporter activity and phosphor-smad1/5/8 expression were also significantly
      increased upon removal of RBPJK in MSCs. These data proved that inhibition of
      Notch signaling in MSCs promotes cell osteogenic differentiation by up-regulation
      of BMP signaling, and RBPJK deficient MSC maybe a better cell population for cell
      based bone tissue engineering. 

PMID- 26285014
TI  - Impact of AMP-Activated Protein Kinase alpha1 Deficiency on Tissue Injury
      following Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction.
AB  - BACKGROUND: AMP-activated protein kinase (Ampk) is a sensor of the cellular
      energy status and a powerful regulator of metabolism. Activation of Ampk was
      previously shown to participate in monocyte-to-fibroblast transition and matrix
      protein production in renal tissue. Thus, the present study explored whether the
      catalytic Ampkalpha1 isoform participates in the regulation of the renal fibrotic
      response following unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). METHODS: UUO was
      induced in gene-targeted mice lacking functional Ampkalpha1 (Ampkalpha1-/-) and
      in corresponding wild-type mice (Ampkalpha1+/+). In the obstructed kidney and,
      for comparison, in the non-obstructed control kidney, quantitative RT-PCR,
      Western blotting and immunostaining were employed to determine transcript levels
      and protein abundance, respectively. RESULTS: In Ampkalpha1+/+ mice, UUO
      significantly up-regulated the protein abundance of the Ampkalpha1 isoform, but
      significantly down-regulated the Ampkalpha2 isoform in renal tissue.
      Phosphorylated Ampkalpha protein levels were significantly increased in
      obstructed kidney tissue of Ampkalpha1+/+ mice but not of Ampkalpha1-/- mice.
      Renal expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin was increased following UUO, an
      effect again less pronounced in Ampkalpha1-/- mice than in Ampkalpha1+/+ mice.
      Histological analysis did not reveal a profound effect of Ampkalpha1 deficiency
      on collagen 1 protein deposition. UUO significantly increased phosphorylated and
      total Tgf-beta-activated kinase 1 (Tak1) protein, as well as transcript levels of
      Tak1-downstream targets c-Fos, Il6, Pai1 and Snai1 in Ampkalpha1+/+ mice, effects
      again significantly ameliorated in Ampkalpha1-/- mice. Moreover, Ampkalpha1
      deficiency inhibited the UUO-induced mRNA expression of Cd206, a marker of M2
      macrophages and of Cxcl16, a pro-fibrotic chemokine associated with myeloid
      fibroblast formation. The effects of Ampkalpha1 deficiency during UUO were,
      however, paralleled by increased tubular injury and apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: Renal
      obstruction induces an isoform shift from Ampkalpha2 towards Ampkalpha1, which
      contributes to the signaling involved in cell survival and fibrosis.

PMID- 26285016
TI  - A Survey of Increased Infectious Risk Donor Utilization in Canadian Transplant
      Programs.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Donors at increased risk of transmitting viral infections are a
      potential source of transplantable organs. Studies demonstrate that organs from
      increased risk donors (IRDs) are associated with excellent outcomes. However,
      considerable variation in practice likely exists. METHODS: We performed a cross
      country survey of Canadian Organ Transplant centers to determine organ
      utilization practices from IRDs. RESULTS: Of 40 surveys sent to transplant
      programs across Canada, 24 (60%) were returned. Of those, 60.9% (15/24) had a
      formal policy for their use, and 21.7% (5/24) had never accepted an IRD. Only
      41.7% (10/24) had access to timely nucleic acid testing (NAT), and respondents
      were more likely to accept IRD if NAT was available. For example the likelihood
      of using organs from an intravenous drug user increased from 12.5% (4/24) with
      serology negative donors to 70.8% (17/24) if NAT was available and the donor had
      no increased activity within the window period (P < 0.001). Only 37.5% (9/24)
      discussed the use of IRDs with candidates at listing, with 54.2% (13/24) stating
      that having a standardized consent would increase utilization of IRDs.
      CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that availability of NAT would increase IRD
      utilization. In addition written policies and procedures on IRD use and the
      consent process would be recommended in many Canadian centers.

PMID- 26285015
TI  - Evidence to Support a Contribution of Polyreactive Antibodies to HLA Serum
      Reactivity.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Assessing the serum reactivity to HLA is essential for the evaluation
      of transplant candidates and the follow-up of allograft recipients. In this
      study, we look for evidence at the clonal level that polyreactive antibodies
      cross-reactive to apoptotic cells and multiple autoantigens can also react to HLA
      and contribute to the overall serum reactivity. METHODS: We immortalized B cell
      clones from the blood of 2 kidney transplant recipients and characterized their
      reactivity to self-antigens, apoptotic cells as well as native, denatured, and
      cryptic HLA determinants using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA),
      immunofluorescence, flow cytometry and Luminex assays. We also assessed the
      reactivity of 300 pretransplant serum specimens to HLA and apoptotic cells.
      RESULTS: We report here 4 distinct B cell clones cross-reactive to self and HLA
      class I. All 4 clones reacted to numerous HLA class I alleles but did not appear
      to target canonical "shared" epitopes. In parallel experiments, we observed a
      strong correlation between IgG reactivity to HLA and apoptotic cells in
      pretransplant serum samples collected from 300 kidney transplant recipients.
      Further analysis revealed that samples with higher reactivity to apoptotic cells
      displayed significantly higher class I percent panel-reactive antibodies compared
      to samples with low reactivity to apoptotic cells. CONCLUSIONS: We provide here
      (1) proof of principle at the clonal level that human polyreactive antibodies can
      cross-react to HLA, multiple self-antigens and apoptotic cells and (2) supportive
      evidence that polyreactive antibodies contribute to overall HLA reactivity in the
      serum of patients awaiting kidney transplant.

PMID- 26285017
TI  - Immunological and Fibrotic Mechanisms in Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy.
AB  - Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) has a high prevalence among patients that
      have undergone heart transplantation. Cardiac allograft vasculopathy is a
      multifactorial process in which the immune system is the driving force. In this
      review, the data on the immunological and fibrotic processes that are involved in
      the development of CAV are summarized. Areas where a lack of knowledge exists and
      possible additional research can be completed are pinpointed. During the
      pathogenesis of CAV, cells from the innate and the adaptive immune system
      cooperate to reject the foreign heart. This inflammatory response results in
      dysfunction of the endothelium and migration and proliferation of smooth muscle
      cells (SMCs). Apoptosis and factors secreted by both the endothelium as well as
      the SMCs lead to fibrosis. The migration of SMCs together with fibrosis provoke
      concentric intimal thickening of the coronary arteries, which is the main
      characteristic of CAV. 

PMID- 26285019
TI  - Pediatric Chronic Dialysis in Brazil: Epidemiology and Regional Inequalities.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: There are few reports in the literature estimating the
      epidemiologic characteristics of pediatric chronic dialysis. These patients have
      impaired physical growth, high number of comorbidities and great need for
      continuous attention of specialized services with high demand for complex and
      costly procedures. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence
      and prevalence rates and describe the characteristics of children and adolescents
      undergoing chronic dialysis treatment in a Brazilian demographic health survey.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed in a representative
      sample of dialysis centers (nc = 239) that was established from the 2011
      Brazilian Nephrology Society Census (Nc = 708). We collected data encompassing
      the five Brazilian macro-regions. We analyzed the data from all patients under 19
      years of age. The sample population consisted of 643 children and adolescents who
      were on chronic dialysis program anytime in 2012. Data collection was carried out
      in the dialysis services by means of patients' records reviews and personal
      interviews with the centers' leaders. RESULTS: We estimated that there were a
      total of 1,283 pediatric patients on chronic dialysis treatment in Brazil,
      resulting in a prevalence of 20.0 cases per million age-related population
      (pmarp) (95% CI: 14.8-25.3) and an incidence of 6.6 cases pmarp in 2012 (95% CI:
      4.8-8.4). The South region had the highest prevalence and incidence rates of
      patients under dialysis therapy, 27.7 (95% CI: 7.3-48.1) and 11.0 (95% CI: 2.8
      19.3) cases pmarp, respectively; the lowest prevalence and incidence rates were
      found in the North-Midwest region, 13.8 (95% CI: 6.2-21.4), and in the Northeast
      region, 3.8 (95% CI: 1.4-6.3) cases pmarp, respectively. CONCLUSION: Brazil has
      an overall low prevalence of children on chronic dialysis treatment, figuring
      near the rates from others countries with same socioeconomic profile. There are
      substantial differences among regions related to pediatric chronic dialysis
      treatment. Joint strategies aiming to reduce inequities and improving access to
      treatment and adequacy of services across the Brazilian regions are necessary to
      provide an appropriate care setting for this population group.

PMID- 26285018
TI  - Donor Hepatic Steatosis Induce Exacerbated Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury Through
      Activation of Innate Immune Response Molecular Pathways.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Severe liver steatosis is a known risk factor for increased ischemia
      reperfusion injury (IRI) and poor outcomes after liver transplantation (LT). This
      study aimed to identify steatosis-related molecular mechanisms associated with
      IRI exacerbation after LT. METHODS: Paired graft biopsies (n = 60) were collected
      before implantation (L1) and 90 minutes after reperfusion (L2). The LT recipients
      (n = 30) were classified by graft macrosteatosis: without steatosis (WS) of 5% or
      less (n = 13) and with steatosis (S) of 25% or greater (n = 17). Plasma samples
      were collected at L1, L2, and 1 day after LT (postoperative [POD]1) for cytokines
      evaluation. Tissue RNA was isolated for gene expression microarrays. Probeset
      summaries were obtained using robust multiarray average algorithm. Pairwise
      comparisons were fit using 2-sample t test. P values 0.01 or less were
      significant (false discovery rate <5%). Molecular pathway analyses were conducted
      using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis tool. RESULTS: Significantly differentially
      expressed genes were identified for WS and S grafts after reperfusion.
      Comprehensive comparison analysis of molecular profiles revealed significant
      association of S grafts molecular profile with innate immune response activation,
      macrophage production of nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species, IL-6, IL-8, IL
      10 signaling activation, recruitment of granulocytes, and accumulation of myeloid
      cells. Postreperfusion histological patterns of S grafts revealed neutrophilic
      infiltration surrounding fat accumulation. Circulating proinflammatory cytokines
      after reperfusion and 24 hours after LT concurred with intragraft-deregulated
      molecular pathways. All tested cytokines were significantly increased in plasma
      of S grafts recipients after reperfusion when compared with WS group at same
      time. CONCLUSIONS: Increases of graft steatosis exacerbate IRI by exacerbation of
      innate immune response after LT. Preemptive strategies should consider it for
      safety usage of steatotic livers.

PMID- 26285020
TI  - Effect of Caffeine on Golf Performance and Fatigue during a Competitive
      Tournament.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the effect of a caffeine-containing
      supplement on golf-specific performance and fatigue during a 36-hole competitive
      golf tournament. METHODS: Twelve male golfers (34.8 +/- 13.9 yr, 175.9 +/- 9.3
      cm, 81.23 +/- 13.14 kg) with a United States Golf Association handicap of 3-10
      participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design in which
      they played an 18-hole round of golf on two consecutive days (36-hole tournament)
      and were randomly assigned to consume a caffeine-containing supplement (CAF) or
      placebo (PLA). CAF/PLA was consumed before and after nine holes during each 18
      hole round. Total score, drive distance, fairways and greens in regulation, first
      putt distance, HR, breathing rate, peak trunk acceleration, and trunk posture
      while putting were recorded. Self-perceived ratings of energy, fatigue, alertness
      and concentration were also recorded. RESULTS: Total score (76.9 +/- 8.1 vs 79.4
      +/- 9.1, P = 0.039), greens in regulation (8.6 +/- 3.3 vs 6.9 +/- 4.6, P =
      0.035), and drive distance (239.9 +/- 33.8 vs 233.2 +/- 32.4, P = 0.047) were
      statistically better during the CAF condition compared with those during PLA.
      Statistically significant main effects for condition (P < 0.05) and time (P <
      0.001) occurred for perceived feelings of energy and fatigue. Compared with PLA,
      CAF reported more energy (P = 0.025) and less fatigue (P = 0.05) over the
      competitive round of golf. There were no substantial differences in HR or
      breathing rates, peak trunk acceleration, or putting posture between conditions
      or over the round (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A moderate dose (1.9 +/- 0.3 mg . kg(
      1)) of caffeine consumed before and during a round of golf improves golf-specific
      measures of performance and reduces fatigue in skilled golfers.

PMID- 26285021
TI  - Effects of Standing and Light-Intensity Activity on Ambulatory Blood Pressure.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) response to
      accumulated standing (STAND), cycling (CYCLE), and walking (WALK) to a sitting
      only (SIT) day in adults. METHODS: Nine overweight or obese (body mass index,
      28.7 +/- 2.7 kg . m(-2)) adults (30 +/- 15 yr) participated in this randomized
      crossover full-factorial study. Four conditions (WALK, STAND, CYCLE, and SIT)
      were randomly performed 1 wk apart. WALK, STAND, and CYCLE conditions consisted
      of progressively increasing activity time to accumulate 2.5 h during an 8-h
      simulated workday. WALK (1.0 mph) and STAND (0.0 mph) were completed on a
      treadmill placed underneath a standing-height desk. During CYCLE, participants
      pedaled on a Monark cycle ergometer at a cadence and energy expenditure
      equivalent to WALK. Participants remained seated during the SIT condition.
      Participants wore an ABP cuff from 0800 h until 2200 h on all conditions. Linear
      mixed models were used to test condition differences in systolic (SBP) and
      diastolic (DBP) blood pressure. Chi-square was used to detect frequency
      difference of BP load. RESULTS: There was a whole-day (during and after work
      hours) SBP and DBP treatment effect (P < 0.01). Systolic blood pressure during
      STAND (132 +/- 17 mm Hg), WALK (133 +/- 17 mm Hg), and CYCLE (130 +/- 16 mm Hg)
      were lower compared with that during SIT (137 +/- 17 mm Hg) (all P < 0.01). CYCLE
      was lower than STAND (P = 0.04) and WALK (P < 0.01). For DBP, only CYCLE (69 +/-
      12 mm Hg) was lower than SIT (71 +/- 13 mm Hg; P < 0.01). Compared with SIT,
      WALK, STAND, and CYCLE reduced SBP load by 4%, 4%, and 13%, respectively (all P <
      0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with sitting, accumulating 2.5 h of light-intensity
      physical activity or standing during an 8-h workday may reduce ABP during and
      after work hours.

PMID- 26285022
TI  - Impact of Exercise Timing on Appetite Regulation in Individuals with Type 2
      Diabetes.
AB  - PURPOSE: Exercise improves appetite regulation, but it is not known if premeal or
      postmeal exercise more effectively improves appetite regulation in individuals
      with type 2 diabetes. For the first time, this study compared how premeal and
      postmeal exercise alters appetite regulation in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
      METHODS: Twelve obese individuals with type 2 diabetes performed 3 different
      trials, all in a random order, in which they consumed a dinner meal with the
      following: no resistance exercise (RE), premeal RE, or postmeal RE beginning 45
      min after dinner. A visual analog scale was used to assess perceived hunger and
      fullness, and frequent blood samples were drawn for determination of acylated
      ghrelin, pancreatic polypeptide (PP), and peptide tyrosine tyrosine (PYY)
      concentrations. RESULTS: Premeal RE increased premeal perceived fullness, reduced
      perceived hunger, and reduced acylated ghrelin concentrations compared with the
      no RE and postmeal RE trial (P < 0.05). In the postprandial period, both premeal
      and postmeal RE reduced perceived hunger compared with no RE, whereas only
      postmeal RE reduced postprandial perceived fullness (P < 0.05) compared with no
      RE. Premeal or postmeal RE did not alter PYY concentrations. In both the premeal
      and postprandial period, RE reduced PP concentrations compared with no RE (P <
      0.05), but upon cessation of RE, PP concentrations rebounded to concentrations
      that were similar to no RE. CONCLUSIONS: Both premeal and postmeal RE reduced
      perceived hunger and increased perceived fullness, effects that may help control
      food intake and aid in weight management efforts in individuals with type 2
      diabetes.

PMID- 26285023
TI  - Tyrosine Ingestion and Its Effects on Cognitive and Physical Performance in the
      Heat.
AB  - PURPOSE: Ingestion of tyrosine (TYR), a catecholamine precursor, has previously
      improved aspects of cognitive function and mood during acute stress, although
      there is limited research exploring the optimal dose relative to blood values.
      The serum responses of two doses of TYR were investigated (study 1), with the
      identified "optimal" dose assessed relative to cognitive and physical performance
      during a military-based protocol in the heat (study 2). METHODS: For study 1, 21
      participants were assigned to one of the following three groups: HIGH (two doses
      of 150 mg . kg(-1) body mass TYR), LOW (two doses of 75 mg . kg(-1) body mass
      TYR), and CON (sugar-free drink). Participants ingested TYR in two separate doses
      (0900 and 1300 h) and remained in the laboratory from 0800 to 1700 h, having
      blood drawn every hour. For study 2, eight participants completed a military
      based load carriage protocol composed of a 60-min walk (6.5 km . h(-1)) followed
      by a 2.4-km time trial carrying a 25-kg backpack (40 degrees C; relative
      humidity, 30%) on two occasions (TYR/placebo) in a double-blind counterbalanced
      crossover design. Cognitive function was assessed before, during, and after
      exercise. RESULTS: Study 1 demonstrated that ingestion of a single dose of 150 mg
      . kg(-1) body mass TYR was equally efficient at elevating serum TYR concentration
      relative to a double dose. In study 2, exercise heat stress impaired some aspects
      of cognitive function; however, TYR did not alleviate these decrements (P >
      0.05). Furthermore, no difference was observed in any physiological variable
      between conditions (P > 0.05) or time trial completion time (P = 0.74) between
      TYR (19.78 +/- 3.44 min) and placebo (20.29 +/- 3.55 min). CONCLUSIONS: Despite
      marked elevations in serum TYR concentration, ingestion of TYR did not influence
      cognitive function or physical performance during exercise heat stress.

PMID- 26285024
TI  - Endurance Training Attenuates Catabolic Signals Induced by TNF-alpha in Muscle of
      Mice.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine whether endurance training attenuates the negative effects
      induced by an acute injection of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in
      skeletal muscle of mice. METHODS: Trained (6 wk of endurance training at 60% of
      maximal velocity) and untrained mice were injected with TNF-alpha or vehicle and
      killed 6 h after. Tibialis anterior muscles were analyzed using Western blot and
      qRT-PCR for markers of inflammation and protein synthesis/degradation. RESULTS:
      Independently of training, TNF-alpha increased the mRNA of cytokines and
      downregulated signals linked to protein synthesis. The phosphorylation of
      IKKalpha/beta and IkappaBalpha induced by TNF-alpha was blunted in trained mice,
      suggesting altered NF-kappaB activation. This was associated with lower induction
      of several markers of protein degradation (FoxO1, MURF1, MAFbx, myostatin,
      Gabarapl1, and LC3BII/LC3BI ratio). CONCLUSIONS: Endurance training protects
      skeletal muscle against the activation of protein degradation signaling pathways
      induced by TNF-alpha.

PMID- 26285025
TI  - The Healthy Mind, Healthy Mobility Trial: A Novel Exercise Program for Older
      Adults.
AB  - BACKGROUND: More evidence is needed to conclude that a specific program of
      exercise and/or cognitive training warrants prescription for the prevention of
      cognitive decline. We examined the effect of a group-based standard exercise
      program for older adults, with and without dual-task training, on cognitive
      function in older adults without dementia. METHODS: We conducted a proof-of
      concept, single-blinded, 26-wk randomized controlled trial whereby participants
      recruited from preexisting exercise classes at the Canadian Centre for Activity
      and Aging in London, Ontario, were randomized to the intervention group (exercise
      + dual-task [EDT]) or the control group (exercise only [EO]). Each week (2 or 3 d
      . wk(-1)), both groups accumulated a minimum of 50 min of aerobic exercise
      (target 75 min) from standard group classes and completed 45 min of beginner
      level square-stepping exercise. The EDT group was also required to answer
      cognitively challenging questions while doing beginner-level square-stepping
      exercise (i.e., dual-task training). The effect of interventions on standardized
      global cognitive function (GCF) scores at 26 wk was compared between the groups
      using the linear mixed effects model approach. RESULTS: Participants (n = 44; 68%
      female; mean [SD] age: 73.5 [7.2] yr) had on average, objective evidence of
      cognitive impairment (Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores, mean [SD]: 24.9
      [1.9]) but not dementia (Mini-Mental State Examination scores, mean [SD]: 28.8
      [1.2]). After 26 wk, the EDT group showed greater improvement in GCF scores
      compared with the EO group (difference between groups in mean change [95% CI]:
      0.20 SD [0.01-0.39], P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: A 26-wk group-based exercise program
      combined with dual-task training improved GCF in community-dwelling older adults
      without dementia.

PMID- 26285026
TI  - Molecular Typing of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Complex by 24-Locus Based MIRU
      VNTR Typing in Conjunction with Spoligotyping to Assess Genetic Diversity of
      Strains Circulating in Morocco.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Standard 24-locus Mycobacterial Interspersed Repetitive Unit Variable
      Number Tandem Repeat (MIRU-VNTR) typing allows to get an improved resolution
      power for tracing TB transmission and predicting different strain (sub) lineages
      in a community. METHODOLOGY: During 2010-2012, a total of 168 Mycobacterium
      tuberculosis Complex (MTBC) isolates were collected by cluster sampling from 10
      different Moroccan cities, and centralized by the National Reference Laboratory
      of Tuberculosis over the study period. All isolates were genotyped using
      spoligotyping, and a subset of 75 was genotyped using 24-locus based MIRU-VNTR
      typing, followed by first line drug susceptibility testing. Corresponding strain
      lineages were predicted using MIRU-VNTRplus database. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:
      Spoligotyping resulted in 137 isolates in 18 clusters (2-50 isolates per cluster:
      clustering rate of 81.54%) corresponding to a SIT number in the SITVIT database,
      while 31(18.45%) patterns were unique of which 10 were labelled as "unknown"
      according to the same database. The most prevalent spoligotype family was LAM; (n
      = 81 or 48.24% of isolates, dominated by SIT42, n = 49), followed by Haarlem
      (23.80%), T superfamily (15.47%), >Beijing (2.97%), > U clade (2.38%) and S clade
      (1.19%). Subsequent 24-Locus MIRU-VNTR typing identified 64 unique types and 11
      isolates in 5 clusters (2 to 3isolates per cluster), substantially reducing
      clusters defined by spoligotyping only. The single cluster of three isolates
      corresponded to two previously treated MDR-TB cases and one new MDR-TB case known
      to be contact a same index case and belonging to a same family, albeit residing
      in 3 different administrative regions. MIRU-VNTR loci 4052, 802, 2996, 2163b,
      3690, 1955, 424, 2531, 2401 and 960 were highly discriminative in our setting
      (HGDI >0.6). CONCLUSIONS: 24-locus MIRU-VNTR typing can substantially improve the
      resolution of large clusters initially defined by spoligotyping alone and
      predominating in Morocco, and could therefore be used to better study
      tuberculosis transmission in a population-based, multi-year sample context.

PMID- 26285028
TI  - Temperature-Correlated Changes in Phytoplankton Community Structure Are
      Restricted to Polar Waters.
AB  - Globally distributed observations of size-fractionated chlorophyll a and
      temperature were used to incorporate temperature dependence into an existing semi
      empirical model of phytoplankton community size structure. The additional
      temperature-dependent term significantly increased the model's ability to both
      reproduce and predict observations of chlorophyll a size-fractionation at
      temperatures below 2 degrees C. The most notable improvements were in the
      smallest (picoplankton) size-class, for which overall model fit was more than
      doubled, and predictive skill was increased by approximately 40%. The model was
      subsequently applied to generate global maps for three phytoplankton size
      classes, on the basis of satellite-derived estimates of surface chlorophyll a and
      sea surface temperature. Polar waters were associated with marked decline in the
      chlorophyll a biomass of the smallest cells, relative to lower latitude waters of
      equivalent total chlorophyll a. In the same regions a complementary increase was
      seen in the chlorophyll a biomass of larger size classes. These findings suggest
      that a warming and stratifying ocean will see a poleward expansion of the habitat
      range of the smallest phytoplankton, with the possible displacement of some
      larger groups that currently dominate. There was no evidence of a strong
      temperature dependence in tropical or sub-tropical regions, suggesting that
      future direct temperature effects on community structure at lower latitudes may
      be small. 

PMID- 26285027
TI  - Stroking or Buzzing? A Comparison of Somatosensory Touch Stimuli Using 7 Tesla
      fMRI.
AB  - Studying body representations in the brain helps us to understand how we humans
      relate to our own bodies. The in vivo mapping of the somatosensory cortex, where
      these representations are found, is greatly facilitated by the high spatial
      resolution and high sensitivity to brain activation available at ultra-high
      field. In this study, the use of different stimulus types for somatotopic mapping
      of the digits at ultra-high field, specifically manual stroking and mechanical
      stimulation, was compared in terms of sensitivity and specificity of the brain
      responses. Larger positive responses in digit regions of interest were found for
      manual stroking than for mechanical stimulation, both in terms of average and
      maximum t-value and in terms of number of voxels with significant responses to
      the tactile stimulation. Responses to manual stroking were higher throughout the
      entire post-central sulcus, but the difference was especially large on its
      posterior wall, i.e. in Brodmann area 2. During mechanical stimulation, cross
      digit responses were more negative than during manual stroking, possibly caused
      by a faster habituation to the stimulus. These differences indicate that manual
      stroking is a highly suitable stimulus for fast somatotopic mapping procedures,
      especially if Brodmann area 2 is of interest. 

PMID- 26285029
TI  - Identification of Postpartum Depression in an Online Community.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To identify the rate of postpartum depression symptoms in an online
      community. A secondary purpose was to identify women's experiences when accessing
      health care services for postpartum depression (PPD). DESIGN: A quantitative,
      cross-sectional, survey design. SETTING: The setting consisted of nine birth
      clubs from one online community specifically targeted toward new mothers.
      PARTICIPANTS: A convenience sample of 469 mostly married (n = 373), White (n =
      401) mothers with a mean age of 29.3 (SD = 5.3) years took part in this study.
      The majority (n = 433) reported living in the United States with access to health
      insurance coverage. METHODS: The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was
      used to assess depression symptoms. Mothers indicating a previous diagnosis of
      PPD also completed the Access to Postpartum Depression Care (APDC) questionnaire.
      RESULTS: Total EPDS scores ranged from 0 to 27 with a median of 7.0. Sixteen
      percent of participants (n = 75) scored >= 13, indicating a high risk for
      developing PPD. Of these 75 mothers, 18 (24%) indicated having thoughts of
      harming themselves sometimes and five (7%) indicated having these thoughts quite
      often. Additionally, 76 mothers indicating a previous history of PPD also
      completed the APDC questionnaire. Findings suggested mothers often received care
      that did not meet their expectations. Barriers to PPD care included insurance
      limitations and insensitive comments from their health care providers.
      CONCLUSIONS: The rate of depression symptoms noted in this Internet-based
      population is in agreement with published rates. Therefore, findings of this
      study support further exploration and evaluation of using online platforms for
      PPD screening.

PMID- 26285030
TI  - Interaction of Vibrio spp. with the Inner Surface of the Digestive Tract of
      Penaeus monodon.
AB  - Several species of Vibrio are the causative agent of gastroenteritis in humans.
      In aquaculture, Vibrio harveyi (Vh) and V. parahaemolyticus (Vp) have long been
      considered as shrimp pathogens in freshwater, brackish and marine environments.
      Here we show by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) that Penaeus monodon
      orally inoculated with each of these two pathogens via an Artemia diet had
      numerous bacteria attached randomly across the stomach surface, in single and in
      large biofilm-like clusters 6 h post-infection. A subsequent marked proliferation
      in the number of V. harveyi within the biofilm-like formations resulted in the
      development of infections in the stomach, the upper and middle midgut, but
      neither in the posterior midgut nor the hindgut. SEM also revealed the induced
      production of peritrichous pili-like structures by the Vp attaching to the
      stomach lining, whilst only a single polar fibre was seen forming an apparent
      physical bridge between Vh and the host's epithelium. In contrast to these
      observations, no such adherences or linkages were seen when trials were conducted
      with non-pathogenic Vibrio spp. or with Micrococcus luteus, with no obvious
      resultant changes to the host's gut surface. In naive shrimp, the hindgut was
      found to be a favorable site for bacteria notably curved, short-rod shaped
      bacteria which probably belong to Vibrio spp. Data from the current study
      suggests that pathogens of P. monodon must be able to colonize the digestive
      tract, particularly the stomach, where chitin is present, and then they use an
      array of virulent factors and enzymes to infect their host resulting in disease.
      Oral infection is a better way of mimicking natural routes of infection;
      investigating the host-bacteria interactions occurring in the digestive tract may
      lead to new strategies for the prevention or control of bacterial infections in
      penaeids. 

PMID- 26285031
TI  - Prevalence of Neurocysticercosis in People with Epilepsy in the Eastern Province
      of Zambia.
AB  - Zambia is endemic for Taenia solium taeniosis and cysticercosis. In this single
      centered, cross-sectional, community-based study, the role of neurocysticercosis
      (NCC) as a cause of epilepsy was examined. People with epilepsy (PWE, n = 56)
      were identified in an endemic area using a screening questionnaire followed by in
      depth interviews and neurological examination. Computed tomography (CT) was
      performed on 49 people with active epilepsy (PWAE) and their sera (specific
      antibody and antigen detection, n = 56) and stools (copro-antigen detection, n =
      54) were analyzed. The CT scan findings were compared to a group of 40 CT scan
      controls. Of the PWE, 39.3% and 23.2% were positive for cysticercal antibodies
      and antigens, respectively, and 14.8% for coproantigens (taeniosis). Lesions
      highly suggestive of NCC were detected in 24.5% and definite NCC lesions in 4.1%
      of CT scans of PWAE. This compares to 2.5% and 0%, respectively, in the control
      CT scans. Using the Del Brutto diagnostic criteria, 51.8% of the PWAE were
      diagnosed with probable or definitive NCC and this rose to 57.1% when the adapted
      criteria, as proposed by Gabriel et al. (adding the sero-antigen ELISA test as a
      major criterion), were used. There was no statistically significant relationship
      between NCC, current age, age at first seizure and gender. This study suggests
      that NCC is the single most important cause of epilepsy in the study area.
      Additional large-scale studies, combining a community based prevalence study for
      epilepsy with neuroimaging and serological analysis in different areas are needed
      to estimate the true impact of neurocysticercosis in endemic regions and efforts
      should be instituted to the control of T. solium. 

PMID- 26285032
TI  - Vapor-Driven Propulsion of Catalytic Micromotors.
AB  - Chemically-powered micromotors offer exciting opportunities in diverse fields,
      including therapeutic delivery, environmental remediation, and nanoscale
      manufacturing. However, these nanovehicles require direct addition of high
      concentration of chemical fuel to the motor solution for their propulsion. We
      report the efficient vapor-powered propulsion of catalytic micromotors without
      direct addition of fuel to the micromotor solution. Diffusion of hydrazine vapor
      from the surrounding atmosphere into the sample solution is instead used to
      trigger rapid movement of iridium-gold Janus microsphere motors. Such operation
      creates a new type of remotely-triggered and powered catalytic micro/nanomotors
      that are responsive to their surrounding environment. This new propulsion
      mechanism is accompanied by unique phenomena, such as the distinct off-on
      response to the presence of fuel in the surrounding atmosphere, and spatio
      temporal dependence of the motor speed borne out of the concentration gradient
      evolution within the motor solution. The relationship between the motor speed and
      the variables affecting the fuel concentration distribution is examined using a
      theoretical model for hydrazine transport, which is in turn used to explain the
      observed phenomena. The vapor-powered catalytic micro/nanomotors offer new
      opportunities in gas sensing, threat detection, and environmental monitoring, and
      open the door for a new class of environmentally-triggered micromotors. 

PMID- 26285033
TI  - Habitat changes and changing predatory habits in North American fossil canids.
AB  - The spread of open grassy habitats and the evolution of long-legged herbivorous
      mammals with high-crowned cheek teeth have been viewed as an example of
      coevolution. Previous studies indicate that specialized predatory techniques in
      carnivores do not correlate with the spread of open habitats in North America.
      Here we analyse new data on elbow-joint shape for North American canids over the
      past ~37 million years and show that incipiently specialized species first
      appeared along with the initial spread of open habitats in the late Oligocene.
      Elbow-joint morphologies indicative of the behavior of modern pounce-pursuit
      predators emerged by the late Miocene coincident with a shift in plant
      communities from C3 to C4 grasses. Finally, pursuit canids first emerged during
      the Pleistocene. Our results indicate that climate change and its impact on
      vegetation and habitat structure can be critical for the emergence of ecological
      innovations and can alter the direction of lineage evolution. 

PMID- 26285034
TI  - Glycemic Control and Mortality in Diabetic Patients Undergoing Dialysis Focusing
      on the Effects of Age and Dialysis Type: A Prospective Cohort Study in Korea.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Active glycemic control has been proven to delay the onset and slow
      the progression of diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy in diabetic
      patients, but the optimal level is obscure in end-stage renal disease. In this
      study, we evaluated the effect of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) on mortality of diabetic
      patients on dialysis, focusing on age and dialysis type. METHODS: Of 3,302
      patients enrolled in the prospective cohort for end-stage renal disease in Korea
      between August 2008 and October 2013, 1,239 diabetic patients who had been
      diagnosed with diabetes or having HbA1c>=6.5% at the time of enrollment were
      analyzed. Age was categorized as <55, 55-64 and >=65 years old. Age, sex,
      modified Charlson comorbidity index, hemoglobin, primary renal disease, body mass
      index, and dialysis duration were adjusted. RESULTS: A total of 873 patients
      received hemodialysis (HD) and 366 underwent peritoneal dialysis (PD). During the
      mean follow-up of 19.1 months, 141 patients died. Patients with poor glucose
      control (HbA1c>=8%) showed worse survival than patients with HbA1c<8% (hazard
      ratio [HR], 2.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.48-3.29; P<0.001). Subgroup
      analysis divided by age revealed that HbA1c>=8% was a predictor of mortality in
      age <55 (HR, 4.3; 95% CI, 1.78-10.41; P = 0.001) and age 55-64 groups (HR, 3.3;
      95% CI, 1.56-7.05; P = 0.002), but not in age >=65 group. Combining dialysis type
      and age, poor glucose control negatively affected survival only in age < 55 group
      among HD patients, but it was significant in age < 55 and age 55-64 groups in PD
      patients. Deaths from infection were more prevalent in the PD group, and poor
      glucose control tended to correlate with more deaths from infection in PD
      patients (P = 0.050). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the effect of glycemic control
      differed according to age and dialysis type in diabetic patients. Thus, the
      target of glycemic control should be customized; further observational studies
      may strengthen the clinical relevance.

PMID- 26285038
TI  - Financial decision-making abilities and financial exploitation in older African
      Americans: Preliminary validity evidence for the Lichtenberg Financial Decision
      Rating Scale (LFDRS).
AB  - This study examines preliminary evidence for the Lichtenberg Financial Decision
      Rating Scale (LFDRS), a new person-centered approach to assessing capacity to
      make financial decisions, and its relationship to self-reported cases of
      financial exploitation in 69 older African Americans. More than one third of
      individuals reporting financial exploitation also had questionable decisional
      abilities. Overall, decisional ability score and current decision total were
      significantly associated with cognitive screening test and financial ability
      scores, demonstrating good criterion validity. Study findings suggest that
      impaired decisional abilities may render older adults more vulnerable to
      financial exploitation, and that the LFDRS is a valid tool. 

PMID- 26285040
TI  - Associations Between Parental Perceptions of the Neighborhood Environment and
      Childhood Physical Activity: Results from ISCOLE-Kenya.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A physical activity transition to declining activity levels, even
      among children, now poses a serious public health concern because of its
      contribution to a rising prevalence of noncommunicable diseases. Childhood
      physical activity levels are associated with parental perceptions of the
      neighborhood; however, these relationships have not been explored in sub-Saharan
      Africa (SSA). The objective was to investigate relationships between parental
      perceptions of the neighborhood and physical activity indicators among Kenyan
      children. METHODS: Data were collected from children 9 to 11 years old in Nairobi
      as part of the International Study of Childhood Obesity, Lifestyle and
      Environment. Child physical activity was assessed by accelerometry, and
      information on obtaining sufficient physical activity, active transport, and
      parental perceptions of the neighborhood collected using questionnaires. RESULTS:
      Of 563 participating children, 45.7%, 12.6%, and 11.4% used active school
      transportation, met physical activity guidelines, and were sufficiently active,
      respectively. Parental perception of positive neighborhood social cohesion,
      positive environs and connectivity, and negative child safety concerns, were
      associated with child physical activity outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Aspects of
      parental perceptions of the neighborhood were associated with child physical
      activity outcomes and should be further explored to appropriately inform policy
      and practice in curbing declining physical activity levels among children in SSA.

PMID- 26285041
TI  - Parsimonious Determination of the Optimal Infectious Dose of a Pathogen for
      Nonhuman Primate Models.
AB  - The nonhuman primate (NHP) model is often the best experimental model for testing
      interventions designed to block infection by human pathogens, such as HIV,
      tuberculosis, and malaria. A physiological model may require the use of a
      limiting dose of the infectious agent, where only a fraction of animals become
      infected upon any given challenge. Determining the challenge dose of the pathogen
      in such experiments is critical to the success of the experiment: using too-high
      or too-low a challenge dose may lead to false negative results and an excessive
      use of animals. Here I define an optimized protocol for defining the dose of
      pathogen that infects 50% of the time (AID50); other challenge doses, e.g. AID80,
      can be easily calculated from the same data. This protocol minimizes the number
      of animals, as well as resources and procedures, while providing an estimate of
      the AID50 within 1.5-fold of the true value. 

PMID- 26285039
TI  - Adaptation of the Mitochondrial Genome in Cephalopods: Enhancing Proton
      Translocation Channels and the Subunit Interactions.
AB  - Mitochondrial protein-coding genes (mt genes) encode subunits forming complexes
      of crucial cellular pathways, including those involved in the vital process of
      oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). Despite the vital role of the mitochondrial
      genome (mt genome) in the survival of organisms, little is known with respect to
      its adaptive implications within marine invertebrates. The molluscan Class
      Cephalopoda is represented by a marine group of species known to occupy
      contrasting environments ranging from the intertidal to the deep sea, having
      distinct metabolic requirements, varied body shapes and highly advanced visual
      and nervous systems that make them highly competitive and successful worldwide
      predators. Thus, cephalopods are valuable models for testing natural selection
      acting on their mitochondrial subunits (mt subunits). Here, we used concatenated
      mt genes from 17 fully sequenced mt genomes of diverse cephalopod species to
      generate a robust mitochondrial phylogeny for the Class Cephalopoda. We followed
      an integrative approach considering several branches of interest-covering
      cephalopods with distinct morphologies, metabolic rates and habitats-to identify
      sites under positive selection and localize them in the respective protein
      alignment and/or tridimensional structure of the mt subunits. Our results
      revealed significant adaptive variation in several mt subunits involved in the
      energy production pathway of cephalopods: ND5 and ND6 from Complex I, CYTB from
      Complex III, COX2 and COX3 from Complex IV, and in ATP8 from Complex V.
      Furthermore, we identified relevant sites involved in protein-interactions,
      lining proton translocation channels, as well as disease/deficiencies related
      sites in the aforementioned complexes. A particular case, revealed by this study,
      is the involvement of some positively selected sites, found in Octopoda lineage
      in lining proton translocation channels (site 74 from ND5) and in interactions
      between subunits (site 507 from ND5) of Complex I. 

PMID- 26285042
TI  - Utilization of (18-crown-6)-2,3,11,12-tetracarboxylic acid as a chiral NMR
      solvating agent for diamines and beta-amino acids.
AB  - The compound (18-crown-6)-2,3,11,12-tetracarboxylic acid was evaluated as a
      chiral nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) solvating agent for a series of diamines
      and bicyclic beta-amino acids. The amine must be protonated for strong
      association with the crown ether. An advantage of (18-crown-6)-2,3,11,12
      tetracarboxylic acid over many other crown ethers is that it undergoes a
      neutralization reaction with neutral amines to form the protonated species needed
      for binding. Twelve primary diamines in neutral and protonated forms were
      evaluated. Diamines with aryl and aliphatic groups were examined. Some are
      atropisomers with equivalent amine groups. Others have two nonequivalent amine
      groups. Association equilibria for these systems are complex, given the potential
      formation of 2:1, 1:1, and 1:2 crown-amine complexes and given the various
      charged species in solution for mixtures of the crown ether with the neutral
      amine. The crown ether produced enantiomeric differentiation in the (1) H NMR
      spectrum of one or more resonances for every diamine substrate. Also, a series of
      five bicyclic beta-amino acids were examined and (18-crown-6)-2,3,11,12
      tetracarboxylic acid caused enantiomeric differentiation in the (1) H NMR
      spectrum of three or more resonances of each compound.

PMID- 26285044
TI  - Group B Streptococci serotype distribution in pregnant women in Ghana: assessment
      of potential coverage through future vaccines.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Group B streptococcal (GBS) colonization of pregnant women can lead to
      subsequent infection of the new-born and potentially fatal invasive disease. Data
      on GBS colonization prevalence and serotype distribution from Africa are scarce,
      although GBS-related infections are estimated to contribute substantially to
      infant mortality. In recent years, GBS vaccine candidates provided promising
      results in phase I and II clinical trials. We aimed to assess the prevalence and
      serotype distribution of GBS in Ghana since this knowledge is a prerequisite for
      future evaluation of vaccine trials. METHODS: This double-centre study was
      conducted in one rural and one urban hospital in central Ghana, West Africa.
      Women in late pregnancy (>=35 weeks of gestation) attending the antenatal care
      clinic (ANC) provided recto-vaginal swabs for GBS testing. GBS isolates were
      analysed for serotype and antibiotic susceptibility. GBS-positive women were
      treated with intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) according to current
      guidelines of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). RESULTS: In
      total, 519 women were recruited at both study sites, recto-vaginal swabs were
      taken from 509. The overall prevalence of GBS was 19.1% (18.1% in rural Pramso
      and 23.1% in urban Kumasi, restrospectively). Capsular polysaccharide serotype
      (CPS) Ia accounted for the most frequent serotype beyond all isolates (28.1%),
      followed by serotype V (27.1%) and III (21.9%). No resistance to Penicillin was
      found, resistances to second line antibiotics clindamycin and erythromycin were
      3.1% and 1%, respectively. DISCUSSION: Group B Streptococcus serotype
      distribution in Ghana is similar to that worldwide, but variations in prevalence
      of certain serotypes between the urban and rural study site were high. Antibiotic
      resistance of GBS strains was surprisingly low in this study.

PMID- 26285043
TI  - TRPV1 Channels and Gastric Vagal Afferent Signalling in Lean and High Fat Diet
      Induced Obese Mice.
AB  - AIM: Within the gastrointestinal tract vagal afferents play a role in control of
      food intake and satiety signalling. Activation of mechanosensitive gastric vagal
      afferents induces satiety. However, gastric vagal afferent responses to
      mechanical stretch are reduced in high fat diet mice. Transient receptor
      potential vanilloid 1 channels (TRPV1) are expressed in vagal afferents and
      knockout of TRPV1 reduces gastro-oesophageal vagal afferent responses to stretch.
      We aimed to determine the role of TRPV1 on gastric vagal afferent
      mechanosensitivity and food intake in lean and HFD-induced obese mice. METHODS:
      TRPV1+/+ and -/- mice were fed either a standard laboratory diet or high fat diet
      for 20wks. Gastric emptying of a solid meal and gastric vagal afferent
      mechanosensitivity was determined. RESULTS: Gastric emptying was delayed in high
      fat diet mice but there was no difference between TRPV1+/+ and -/- mice on either
      diet. TRPV1 mRNA expression in whole nodose ganglia of TRPV1+/+ mice was similar
      in both dietary groups. The TRPV1 agonist N-oleoyldopamine potentiated the
      response of tension receptors in standard laboratory diet but not high fat diet
      mice. Food intake was greater in the standard laboratory diet TRPV1-/- compared
      to TRPV1+/+ mice. This was associated with reduced response of tension receptors
      to stretch in standard laboratory diet TRPV1-/- mice. Tension receptor responses
      to stretch were decreased in high fat diet compared to standard laboratory diet
      TRPV1+/+ mice; an effect not observed in TRPV1-/- mice. Disruption of TRPV1 had
      no effect on the response of mucosal receptors to mucosal stroking in mice on
      either diet. CONCLUSION: TRPV1 channels selectively modulate gastric vagal
      afferent tension receptor mechanosensitivity and may mediate the reduction in
      gastric vagal afferent mechanosensitivity in high fat diet-induced obesity.

PMID- 26285045
TI  - Fibrosis progression in patients treated for hepatitis C recurrence.

PMID- 26285046
TI  - Spaceflight-induced bone loss alters failure mode and reduces bending strength in
      murine spinal segments.
AB  - Intervertebral disc herniation rates are quadrupled in astronauts following
      spaceflight. While bending motions are main contributors to herniation, the
      effects of microgravity on the bending properties of spinal discs are unknown.
      Consequently, the goal of this study was to quantify the bending properties of
      tail discs from mice with or without microgravity exposure. Caudal motion
      segments from six mice returned from a 30-day Bion M1 mission and eight vivarium
      controls were loaded to failure in four-point bending. After testing, specimens
      were processed using histology to determine the location of failure, and adjacent
      motion segments were scanned with micro-computed tomography (MUCT) to quantify
      bone properties. We observed that spaceflight significantly shortened the
      nonlinear toe region of the force-displacement curve by 32% and reduced the
      bending strength by 17%. Flight mouse spinal segments tended to fail within the
      growth plate and epiphyseal bone, while controls tended to fail at the disc
      vertebra junction. Spaceflight significantly reduced vertebral bone volume
      fraction, bone mineral density, and trabecular thickness, which may explain the
      tendency of flight specimens to fail within the epiphyseal bone. Together, these
      results indicate that vertebral bone loss during spaceflight may degrade spine
      bending properties and contribute to increased disc herniation risk in
      astronauts.

PMID- 26285047
TI  - Stunting Is Associated with Food Diversity while Wasting with Food Insecurity
      among Underfive Children in East and West Gojjam Zones of Amhara Region,
      Ethiopia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Food insecurity has detrimental effects in protecting child
      undernutrition.This study sought to determine the level of child undernutrition
      and its association with food insecurity. METHODS: A community based comparative
      cross-sectional study design involving multistage sampling technique was
      implemented from 24th of May to 20th of July 2013. Using two population
      proportion formula, a total of 4110 randomly selected households were included in
      the study. Availability of the productive safety net programme was used for
      grouping the study areas. A multiple linear regression model was used to assess
      the association between food insecurity and child malnutrition. Clustering
      effects of localities were controlled during analysis. RESULTS: Stunting (37.5%),
      underweight (22.0%) and wasting (17.1%) were observed in East Gojjam zone, while
      38.3% stunting, 22.5% underweight, and 18.6% wasting for the West Gojjam zone.
      Food insecurity was significantly associated with wasting (beta = - 0.108, P <
      0.05).Food diversity and number of meals the child ate per day significantly
      associated with stunting (beta = 0.039, P < 0.01) and underweight (beta = 0.035,
      P < 0.05) respectively. Residential area was the significant predictor of all
      indices. CONCLUSION: The magnitude of child undernutrition was found to be very
      high in the study areas. Food insecurity was the significant determinant of
      wasting. Food diversity and number of meals the child ate per day were the
      significant determinants of stunting and underweight respectively. Child
      nutrition intervention strategies should take into account food security, dietary
      diversity, and carefully specified with regard to residential locations.
      Addressing food insecurity is of paramount importance.

PMID- 26285048
TI  - Effects of the ionization in the tautomerism of uracil: A reaction electronic
      flux perspective.
AB  - The one-step tautomerization processes of uracil and its radical cation and
      radical anion have been investigated in the light of the reaction force and
      reaction electronic flux (REF) formalisms. The relative energies of the different
      tautomers as well as the corresponding tautomerization barriers have been
      obtained through the use of the G4 high-level ab initio method and by means of
      B3LYP/6-311+G(3df,2p)//B3LYP/6-311+G(d, p) calculations. Systematically, the enol
      radical cations are more stable in relative terms than the neutral, due to the
      higher ionization energy of the diketo forms with respect to the enolic ones.
      Conversely, the enol radical anions, with the only exception of the 2-keto-N1
      anion, are found to be less stable than the neutral. The effects of the
      ionization are also sizable on the tautomerization barriers although this effect
      also depends on the particular tautomerization process. The reaction force
      analysis shows that all reactions are mainly activated through structural
      rearrangements that initiate the electronic activity. This electronic activity is
      monitored along the reaction coordinate through the REF that obeys a delicate
      balance between the acid and basic character of the atoms involved in the
      hydrogen transfer.

PMID- 26285049
TI  - An experimental and theoretical approach to investigate the effect of chain
      length on aminothiol adsorption and assembly on gold.
AB  - Despite the numerous studies on the self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of
      alkylthiols on gold, the mechanisms involved, especially the nature and influence
      of the thiol-gold interface are still under debate. In this work the adsorption
      of aminothiols on Au(111) surfaces has been studied by using surface IR and X-ray
      photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) as well as by density functional theory (DFT)
      modeling. Two aminothiols were used, cysteamine (CEA) and mercaptoundecylamine
      (MUAM), which contain two and eleven carbon atoms, respectively. By combining
      experimental and theoretical methods, it was possible to draw a molecular picture
      of the thiol-gold interface. The long-chain aminothiol produced better ordered
      SAMs, but, interestingly, the XPS data showed different sulfur binding
      environments depending on the alkyl chain length; an additional peak at low
      binding energy was observed upon CEA adsorption, which indicates the presence of
      sulfur in a different environment. DFT modeling showed that the positions of the
      sulfur atoms in the SAMs on gold with similar unit cells [(2?3*2?3)R30 degrees ]
      depended on the length of the alkyl chain. Short-chain alkylthiol SAMs were
      adsorbed more strongly than long-chain thiol SAMs and were shown to induce
      surface reconstruction by extracting atoms from the surface, possibly forming
      adatom/vacancy combinations that lead to the additional XPS peak. In the case of
      short alkylthiols, the thiol-gold interface governs the layer, CEA adsorbs
      strongly, and the mechanism is closer to single-molecule adsorption than self
      assembly, whereas for long chains, interactions between alkyl chains drive the
      system to self-assembly, leading to a higher level of SAM organization and
      restricting the influence of the sulfur-gold interface. 

PMID- 26285050
TI  - Maternal fatty acid levels during pregnancy, childhood lung function and atopic
      diseases. The Generation R Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Maternal fatty acid status during pregnancy might influence foetal
      immunological development and subsequently the risk of childhood atopic diseases.
      OBJECTIVE: To examine the associations of maternal fatty acid levels during
      pregnancy with airway resistance and inflammation, asthma and eczema, in school
      age children. METHODS: This study among 4976 subjects was embedded in a
      population-based prospective cohort study. We measured maternal plasma
      glycerophospholipid fatty acid levels by gas chromatography during the second
      trimester of pregnancy (mean gestational age: 20.7 (+/- 1.1) weeks). At the age
      of 6 years, airway resistance and inflammation were measured by interrupter
      technique (Rint) and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), and current
      physician-diagnosed asthma and eczema were assessed by ISAAC-based
      questionnaires. Multiple linear and logistic regression models were adjusted for
      socio-demographic, lifestyle and anthropometric factors. RESULTS: We did not
      observe consistent associations of maternal total polyunsaturated fatty acid
      (PUFA), total n-6 PUFA, total n-3 PUFA levels and n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio during
      pregnancy with child's Rint and FeNO. Higher maternal total PUFA and total n-6
      PUFA levels were associated with a decreased risk of childhood asthma (odds
      ratios (95% confidence interval): 0.76 (0.60, 0.97) and 0.71 (0.52, 0.96) per
      standard deviation score (SDS) increase of total PUFA and total n-6 PUFA levels,
      respectively) and with an increased risk of childhood eczema (1.16 (1.05, 1.28)
      and 1.21 (1.07, 1.37)). The observed associations were partly explained by
      Linoleic acid (LA, C18:2n-6) levels. Maternal total n-3 PUFA levels and n-6/n-3
      PUFA ratio were not associated with current asthma and eczema. The observed
      associations were not explained by child's PUFA intake. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL
      RELEVANCE: Higher maternal total PUFA and total n-6 PUFA levels during pregnancy
      seem to influence the risk of atopic diseases in childhood. The underlying
      mechanisms need to be further explored.

PMID- 26285051
TI  - Familial cortical dysplasia caused by mutation in the mammalian target of
      rapamycin regulator NPRL3.
AB  - We describe first cousin sibling pairs with focal epilepsy, one of each pair
      having focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) IIa. Linkage analysis and whole-exome
      sequencing identified a heterozygous germline frameshift mutation in the gene
      encoding nitrogen permease regulator-like 3 (NPRL3). NPRL3 is a component of GAP
      Activity Towards Rags 1, a negative regulator of the mammalian target of
      rapamycin complex 1 signaling pathway. Immunostaining of resected brain tissue
      demonstrated mammalian target of rapamycin activation. Screening of 52 unrelated
      individuals with FCD identified 2 additional patients with FCDIIa and germline
      NPRL3 mutations. Similar to DEPDC5, NPRL3 mutations may be considered as causal
      variants in patients with FCD or magnetic resonance imaging-negative focal
      epilepsy.

PMID- 26285052
TI  - A Minimum Spanning Forest-Based Method for Noninvasive Cancer Detection With
      Hyperspectral Imaging.
AB  - GOAL: The purpose of this paper is to develop a classification method that
      combines both spectral and spatial information for distinguishing cancer from
      healthy tissue on hyperspectral images in an animal model. METHODS: An automated
      algorithm based on a minimum spanning forest (MSF) and optimal band selection has
      been proposed to classify healthy and cancerous tissue on hyperspectral images. A
      support vector machine classifier is trained to create a pixel-wise
      classification probability map of cancerous and healthy tissue. This map is then
      used to identify markers that are used to compute mutual information for a range
      of bands in the hyperspectral image and thus select the optimal bands. An MSF is
      finally grown to segment the image using spatial and spectral information.
      CONCLUSION: The MSF based method with automatically selected bands proved to be
      accurate in determining the tumor boundary on hyperspectral images. SIGNIFICANCE:
      Hyperspectral imaging combined with the proposed classification technique has the
      potential to provide a noninvasive tool for cancer detection.

PMID- 26285053
TI  - Single-Trial ERP Component Analysis Using a Spatiotemporal LCMV Beamformer.
AB  - GOAL: For statistical analysis of event-related potentials (ERPs), there are
      convincing arguments against averaging across stimuli or subjects. Multivariate
      filters can be used to isolate an ERP component of interest without the averaging
      procedure. However, we would like to have certainty that the output of the filter
      accurately represents the component. METHODS: We extended the linearly
      constrained minimum variance (LCMV) beamformer, which is traditionally used as a
      spatial filter for source localization, to be a flexible spatiotemporal filter
      for estimating the amplitude of ERP components in sensor space. In a comparison
      study on both simulated and real data, we demonstrated the strengths and
      weaknesses of the beamformer as well as a range of supervised learning
      approaches. RESULTS: In the context of measuring the amplitude of a specific ERP
      component on a single-trial basis, we found that the spatiotemporal LCMV
      beamformer is a filter that accurately captures the component of interest, even
      in the presence of both structured noise (e.g., other overlapping ERP components)
      and unstructured noise (e.g., ongoing brain activity and sensor noise).
      CONCLUSION: The spatiotemporal LCMV beamformer method provides an accurate and
      intuitive way to conduct analysis of a known ERP component, without averaging
      across trials or subjects. SIGNIFICANCE: Eliminating averaging allows us to test
      more detailed hypotheses and apply more powerful statistical models. For example,
      it allows the usage of multilevel regression models that can incorporate between
      subject/stimulus variation as random effects, test multiple effects
      simultaneously, and control confounding effects by partial regression.

PMID- 26285054
TI  - Real-Time Patient-Specific ECG Classification by 1-D Convolutional Neural
      Networks.
AB  - GOAL: This paper presents a fast and accurate patient-specific electrocardiogram
      (ECG) classification and monitoring system. METHODS: An adaptive implementation
      of 1-D convolutional neural networks (CNNs) is inherently used to fuse the two
      major blocks of the ECG classification into a single learning body: feature
      extraction and classification. Therefore, for each patient, an individual and
      simple CNN will be trained by using relatively small common and patient-specific
      training data, and thus, such patient-specific feature extraction ability can
      further improve the classification performance. Since this also negates the
      necessity to extract hand-crafted manual features, once a dedicated CNN is
      trained for a particular patient, it can solely be used to classify possibly long
      ECG data stream in a fast and accurate manner or alternatively, such a solution
      can conveniently be used for real-time ECG monitoring and early alert system on a
      light-weight wearable device. RESULTS: The results over the MIT-BIH arrhythmia
      benchmark database demonstrate that the proposed solution achieves a superior
      classification performance than most of the state-of-the-art methods for the
      detection of ventricular ectopic beats and supraventricular ectopic beats.
      CONCLUSION: Besides the speed and computational efficiency achieved, once a
      dedicated CNN is trained for an individual patient, it can solely be used to
      classify his/her long ECG records such as Holter registers in a fast and accurate
      manner. SIGNIFICANCE: Due to its simple and parameter invariant nature, the
      proposed system is highly generic, and, thus, applicable to any ECG dataset.

PMID- 26285055
TI  - Numeric Investigation of Brain Tumor Influence on the Current Distributions
      During Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation.
AB  - This study constructed a series of high-resolution realistic human-head models
      with brain tumors, and numerically investigated the influence of brain tumor's
      location and grade on the current distributions, under different electrode
      montages during tDCS. The threshold area and the peak current density were also
      derived and analyzed in the region of interest. The simulation result showed that
      it is safe to apply tDCS on the patients with brain tumors to treat their
      neuropsychiatric conditions and cancer pain caused by the tumor; although
      considerable changes of the current distributions are induced by the presence of
      a brain tumor. In addition, several observations on the global and local
      influences of tumor grade and possible edema have been made as well. These
      findings should be helpful for researchers and clinical doctors to treat patients
      with brain tumors. This study is also the first numerical study to fill in the
      gap of tDCS applications on the patients with brain tumors. 

PMID- 26285056
TI  - Collaboration is key: The actual experience of disciplines working together in
      child care.
AB  - Promoting young children's academic and developmental outcomes can no longer be
      achieved by the single efforts of one profession, but requires professionals to
      work together in inter-professional teams to understand the complexity of young
      children's lives. Collaboration in early childhood programs involves health
      professionals, educators, and other professionals sharing information, validating
      each other's roles, and providing input around which strategies promote positive
      outcomes for all children. There are, however, limited studies available within
      early childhood education on inter-disciplinary relationships between nurses and
      teachers. This paper helps to fill this void by exploring the relationship of an
      early childhood teacher and maternal and child health nurse working alongside one
      another in an Australian kindergarten. Through a narrative approach, a number of
      characteristics of the relationship were identified as key elements to a
      productive relationship. Findings are important for health professionals working
      with early childhood educators. By understanding the complexity within and
      between disciplines, professionals can work effectively to support young children
      and their families. 

PMID- 26285058
TI  - Chemical analysis of constitutive pigmentation of human epidermis reveals
      constant eumelanin to pheomelanin ratio.
AB  - The skin constitutive pigmentation is given by the amount of melanin pigment, its
      relative composition (eu/pheomelanin) and distribution within the epidermis, and
      is largely responsible for the sensitivity to UV exposure. Nevertheless, a
      precise knowledge of melanins in human skin is lacking. We characterized the
      melanin content of human breast skin samples with variable pigmentations
      rigorously classified through the Individual Typology Angle (ITA) by image
      analysis, spectrophotometry after solubilization with Soluene-350 and high
      performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) after chemical degradation. ITA and
      total melanin content were found correlated, ITA and PTCA (degradation product of
      DHICA melanin), and TTCA (degradation product of benzothiazole-type pheomelanin)
      as well but not 4-AHP (degradation product of benzothiazine-type pheomelanin).
      Results revealed that human epidermis comprises approximately 74% of eumelanin
      and 26% pheomelanin, regardless of the degree of pigmentation. They also confirm
      the low content of photoprotective eumelanin among lighter skins thereby
      explaining the higher sensitivity toward UV exposure. 

PMID- 26285057
TI  - Factors associated with false-negative cardiovascular magnetic resonance
      perfusion studies: A Clinical evaluation of magnetic resonance imaging in
      coronary artery disease (CE-MARC) substudy.
AB  - PURPOSE: To examine factors associated with false-negative cardiovascular
      magnetic resonance (MR) perfusion studies within the large prospective Clinical
      Evaluation of MR imaging in Coronary artery disease (CE-MARC) study population.
      Myocardial perfusion MR has excellent diagnostic accuracy to detect coronary
      heart disease (CHD). However, causes of false-negative MR perfusion studies are
      not well understood. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CE-MARC prospectively recruited
      patients with suspected CHD and mandated MR, myocardial perfusion scintigraphy,
      and invasive angiography. This subanalysis identified all patients with
      significant coronary stenosis by quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) and MR
      perfusion (1.5T, T1 -weighted gradient echo), using the original blinded image
      read. We explored patient and imaging characteristics related to false-negative
      or true-positive MR perfusion results, with reference to QCA. Multivariate
      regression analysis assessed the likelihood of false-negative MR perfusion
      according to four characteristics: poor image quality, triple-vessel disease,
      inadequate hemodynamic response to adenosine, and Duke jeopardy score
      (angiographic myocardium-at-risk score). RESULTS: In all, 265 (39%) patients had
      significant angiographic disease (mean age 62, 79% male). Thirty-five (5%) had
      false-negative and 230 (34%) true-positive MR perfusion. Poor MR perfusion image
      quality, triple-vessel disease, and inadequate hemodynamic response were similar
      between false-negative and true-positive groups (odds ratio, OR [95% confidence
      interval, CI]: 4.1 (0.82-21.0), P = 0.09; 1.2 (0.20-7.1), P = 0.85, and 1.6 (0.65
      3.8), P = 0.31, respectively). Mean Duke jeopardy score was significantly lower
      in the false-negative group (2.6 +/- 1.7 vs. 5.4 +/- 3.0, OR 0.34 (0.21-0.53), P
      < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: False-negative cardiovascular MR perfusion studies are
      uncommon, and more common in patients with lower angiographic myocardium-at-risk.
      In CE-MARC, poor image quality, triple-vessel disease, and inadequate hemodynamic
      response were not significantly associated with false-negative MR perfusion.

PMID- 26285059
TI  - Antipsychotic drugs attenuate aberrant DNA methylation of DTNBP1 (dysbindin)
      promoter in saliva and post-mortem brain of patients with schizophrenia and
      Psychotic bipolar disorder.
AB  - Due to the lack of genetic association between individual genes and schizophrenia
      (SCZ) pathogenesis, the current consensus is to consider both genetic and
      epigenetic alterations. Here, we report the examination of DNA methylation status
      of DTNBP1 promoter region, one of the most credible candidate genes affected in
      SCZ, assayed in saliva and post-mortem brain samples. The Illumina DNA
      methylation profiling and bisulfite sequencing of representative samples were
      used to identify methylation status of the DTNBP1 promoter region. Quantitative
      methylation specific PCR (qMSP) was employed to assess methylation of DTNBP1
      promoter CpGs flanking a SP1 binding site in the saliva of SCZ patients, their
      first-degree relatives and control subjects (30, 15, and 30/group, respectively)
      as well as in post-mortem brains of patients with SCZ and bipolar disorder (BD)
      versus controls (35/group). qRT-PCR was used to assess DTNBP1 expression. We
      found DNA hypermethylation of DTNBP1 promoter in the saliva of SCZ patients
      (~12.5%, P = 0.036), particularly in drug-naive patients (~20%, P = 0.011), and a
      trend toward hypermethylation in their first-degree relatives (P = 0.085) versus
      controls. Analysis of post-mortem brain samples revealed an inverse correlation
      between DTNBP1 methylation and expression, and normalization of this epigenetic
      change by classic antipsychotic drugs. Additionally, BD patients with psychotic
      depression exhibited higher degree of methylation versus other BD patients (~80%,
      P = 0.025). DTNBP1 promoter DNA methylation may become a key element in a panel
      of biomarkers for diagnosis, prevention, or therapy in SCZ and at risk
      individuals pending confirmatory studies with larger sample sizes to attain a
      higher degree of significance.

PMID- 26285060
TI  - The charm of "small data".

PMID- 26285062
TI  - Age-dependent loss of parvalbumin-expressing hippocampal interneurons in mice
      deficient in CHL1, a mental retardation and schizophrenia susceptibility gene.
AB  - In humans, deletions/mutations in the CHL1/CALL gene are associated with mental
      retardation and schizophrenia. Juvenile CHL1-deficient (CHL1(-/-) ) mice have
      been shown to display abnormally high numbers of parvalbumin-expressing (PV(+) )
      hippocampal interneurons and, as adults, display behavioral traits observed in
      neuropsychiatric disorders. Here, we addressed the question whether inhibitory
      interneurons and synaptic plasticity in the CHL1(-/-) mouse are affected during
      brain maturation and in adulthood. We found that hippocampal, but not
      neocortical, PV(+) interneurons were reduced with age in CHL1(-/-) mice, from a
      surplus of +27% at 1 month to a deficit of -20% in adulthood compared with wild
      type littermates. This loss occurred during brain maturation, correlating with
      microgliosis and enhanced interleukin-6 expression. In parallel with the loss of
      PV(+) interneurons, the inhibitory input to adult CA1 pyramidal cells was reduced
      and a deficit in short- and long-term potentiation developed at CA3-CA1
      excitatory synapses between 2 and 9 months of age in CHL1(-/-) mice. This deficit
      could be abrogated by a GABAA receptor agonist. We propose that region-specific
      aberrant GABAergic synaptic connectivity resulting from the mutation and a
      subsequently enhanced synaptic elimination during brain maturation lead to
      microgliosis, increase in pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, loss of interneurons,
      and impaired synaptic plasticity. Close homolog of L1-deficient (CHL1(-/-) ) mice
      have abnormally high numbers of parvalbumin (PV)-expressing hippocampal
      interneurons in juvenile animals, but in adult animals a loss of these cells is
      observed. This loss correlates with an increased density of microglia (M),
      enhanced interleukin-6 (IL6) production and a deficit in short- and long-term
      potentiation at CA3-CA1 excitatory synapses. Furthermore, adult CHL1(-/-) mice
      display behavioral traits similar to those observed in neuropsychiatric disorders
      of humans.

PMID- 26285064
TI  - Depot delivery of dexamethasone and cediranib for the treatment of brain tumor
      associated edema in an intracranial rat glioma model.
AB  - Treatments of brain tumor associated edema with systemically delivered
      dexamethasone, the standard of care, and cediranib, a novel anti-edema agent, are
      associated with systemic toxicities in brain tumor patients. A tunable, reservoir
      based drug delivery device was developed to investigate the effects of delivering
      dexamethasone and cediranib locally in the brain in an intracranial 9L
      gliosarcoma rat model. Reproducible, sustained releases of both dexamethasone and
      solid dispersion of cediranib in polyvinylpyrrolidone (AZD/PVP) from these
      devices were achieved. The water-soluble AZD/PVP, which exhibited similar
      bioactivity as cediranib, was developed to enhance the release of cediranib from
      the device. Local and systemic administration of both dexamethasone and cediranib
      was equally efficacious in alleviating edema but had no effect on tumor growth.
      Edema reduction led to modest but significant improvement in survival. Local
      delivery of dexamethasone prevented dexamethasone-induced weight loss, an adverse
      effect seen in animals treated with systemic dexamethasone. Local deliveries of
      dexamethasone and cediranib via these devices used only 2.36% and 0.21% of the
      systemic doses respectively, but achieved similar efficacy as systemic drug
      deliveries without the side effects associated with systemic administration.
      Other therapeutic agents targeting brain tumor can be delivered locally in the
      brain to provide similar improved treatment outcomes. 

PMID- 26285065
TI  - Effect of Formaldehyde on the Heterogeneous Reaction of Nitrogen Dioxide on gamma
      Alumina.
AB  - Heterogeneous reactions of NO2 on various mineral aerosol particles have been
      investigated in many previous studies, but a fundamental understanding of how the
      adsorption of formaldehyde influences the heterogeneous reactions of NO2 remains
      unclear. In this work, the effect of formaldehyde preadsorption on heterogeneous
      reaction of NO2 on the surface of gamma-Al2O3 at 298 K and ambient pressure was
      investigated by using diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectrometry
      (DRIFTS). It was found that the preadsorption of HCHO on gamma-Al2O3 could
      suppress the formation of nitrate, and the rate of nitrate formation decreased
      with increasing amount of preadsorbed HCHO, whereas the following heterogeneous
      uptake of NO2 could suppress the hydration reaction of HCHO and promote the
      production of HCOO(-) during the reaction. Surface nitrite was formed and
      identified to be an intermediate product and gradually disappeared as the
      reaction proceeded. The amount of the formed nitrite decreased when the amount of
      HCHO increased. Uptake coefficients of heterogeneous reactions were calculated
      and found to be sensitive to the adsorption of HCHO. A possible mechanism for the
      influence of HCHO adsorption on the heterogeneous conversion of NO2 on gamma
      Al2O3 was proposed, and atmospheric implications based on these results were
      discussed. 

PMID- 26285061
TI  - Alcohol and violence: neuropeptidergic modulation of monoamine systems.
AB  - Neurobiological processes underlying the epidemiologically established link
      between alcohol and several types of social, aggressive, and violent behavior
      remain poorly understood. Acute low doses of alcohol, as well as withdrawal from
      long-term alcohol use, may lead to escalated aggressive behavior in a subset of
      individuals. An urgent task will be to disentangle the host of interacting
      genetic and environmental risk factors in individuals who are predisposed to
      engage in escalated aggressive behavior. The modulation of 5-hydroxytryptamine
      impulse flow by gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate, acting via distinct
      ionotropic and metabotropic receptor subtypes in the dorsal raphe nucleus during
      alcohol consumption, is of critical significance in the suppression and
      escalation of aggressive behavior. In anticipation and reaction to aggressive
      behavior, neuropeptides such as corticotropin-releasing factor, neuropeptide Y,
      opioid peptides, and vasopressin interact with monoamines, GABA, and glutamate to
      attenuate and amplify aggressive behavior in alcohol-consuming individuals. These
      neuromodulators represent novel molecular targets for intervention that await
      clinical validation. Intermittent episodes of brief social defeat during
      aggressive confrontations are sufficient to cause long-lasting neuroadaptations
      that can lead to the escalation of alcohol consumption. 

PMID- 26285063
TI  - Nanoparticle modulation of the tumor microenvironment enhances therapeutic
      efficacy of cisplatin.
AB  - The tumor microenvironment (TME) serves as a multidrug resistant center for
      tumors under the assault of chemotherapy and a physiological barrier against the
      penetration of therapeutic nanoparticles (NPs). Previous studies have indicated
      the ability for therapeutic NP to distribute into, and deplete tumor-associated
      fibroblasts (TAFs) for improved therapeutic outcomes. However, a drug resistant
      phenotype gradually arises after repeated doses of chemotherapeutic NP. Herein,
      the acquisition of drug resistant phenotypes in the TME after repeated cisplatin
      NP treatment was examined. Particularly, this study was aimed at investigating
      the effects of NP damaged TAFs on neighboring cells and alteration of stromal
      structure after cisplatin treatment. Findings suggested that while off-targeted
      NP damaged TAFs and inhibited tumor growth after an initial dose, chronic
      exposure to cisplatin NP led to elevated secretion of Wnt16 in a paracrine manner
      in TAFs. Wnt16 upregulation was then attributed to heightened tumor cell
      resistance and stroma reconstruction. Results attest to the efficacy of Wnt16
      knockdown in damaged TAFs as a promising combinatory strategy to improve efficacy
      of cisplatin NP in a stroma-rich bladder cancer model. 

PMID- 26285066
TI  - Nerve excitability and structural changes in myelinated axons from diabetic mice.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The mechanisms associated with nerve dysfunction and axonal loss in
      diabetes has not been fully clarified. Excitability and pathological aspects in
      nerves from diabetic mice were studied in order to explore the pathophysiology of
      diabetic neuropathy. METHODS: Myelinated nerve fibres from the sciatic nerve of
      BKS.Cg-m (+/+) Lepr (db) /J mice were studied by registering the CMAP controlled
      by an automated threshold tracking method. The sciatic nerve was also studied
      pathologically. RESULTS: Diabetic mice displayed longer latencies, higher
      thresholds and lower amplitudes compared to controls and had a rightward shift in
      the stimulus response curves. Strength-duration time constant was lower in
      diabetic mice but not reaching statistical significance (p=0.09). Diabetics
      displayed an increase in accommodation, with a smaller change in excitability in
      threshold electrotonus. Refractoriness, mean superexcitability and late
      subexcitability were reduced in diabetic mice. Diabetic mice had a larger number
      of myelinated fibres compared to controls (p<0.05), but larger than 9 MUm were
      virtually absent, accounting for near 7% in control animals. CONCLUSIONS: Db/db
      mice develop electrophysiological changes suggestive of membrane depolarization
      as the result of Na(+)/K(+) pump impairment. Loss of large myelinated fibres
      might also contribute to the nerve excitability profiles in this model.

PMID- 26285067
TI  - Quality of Life and Psychological Screening in Children with Type 1 Diabetes and
      their Mothers.
AB  - This study aimed to assess the levels of depression in children with type 1
      diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and evaluate the quality of life as well as levels of
      depression and anxiety of their mothers.30 children with T1DM (mean age: 12.9+/
      2.9 years) and their mothers (mean age: 40.0+/-7.5 years) were included in the
      study. Control group consisted of 30 healthy children (mean age: 12.7+/-2.7
      years) and their mothers (mean age: 39.8+/-7.2 years). The presence and severity
      of depressive symptoms in the children were evaluated using the Children's
      Depression Inventory (CDI). The short form 36-health survey (SF-36), the Beck
      Depression Inventory (BDI), and Spielberg's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)
      were administered to all mothers.The children with T1DM had higher scores of
      depression compared to healthy children in the control group. The mothers of
      children with T1DM had significantly lower scores on all subscales of SF-36
      except the bodily pain subscale. We observed a significant difference between
      groups in their BDI scores; the mean BDI score was higher in mothers of children
      with T1DM (p=0.004). There was a significant difference in STAI scores between
      groups. CDI scores positively correlated with the ages of and HgA1C levels in the
      children with T1DM. There was a positive correlation between CDI scores of
      children with T1DM and BDI scores of their mothers. In addition, CDI sores
      negatively correlated with the scores of vitality and social functioning
      subscales of SF-36.Our findings suggest screening for mental health issues and
      quality of life in diabetic children and their mothers. 

PMID- 26285068
TI  - Rosiglitazone Attenuates Memory Impairment in Aged Rat with Diabetes by
      Inhibiting NF-kappa B Signal Pathway Activation.
AB  - Although the cognitive impairment in geriatric diabetes is common, its mechanisms
      remain unclear and therapies are limited. The present study investigated the
      effects of rosiglitazone on memory impairment in aged rats with diabetes.
      Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin in aged Wistar rats of 20-22 months. Then,
      the diabetic rats were divided randomly into the diabetic model group and
      rosiglitazone treatment group for assessment of cognitive function and cerebral
      injury at 8 weeks using Morris water maze (MWM) paradigm, real-time PCR and
      western blot analysis. Wistar rats of the same age were also assessed as control.
      In vitro, the therapeutic effect of rosiglitazone was investigated using rat
      chromaffin cell line PC12 cultured with high glucose and/or C-reactive protein
      (CRP). 8 weeks after diabetes induction aged rats exhibited marked and persistent
      hyperglycemia, weight loss, higher level of serum CRP and learning impairments.
      Enhanced cerebral inflammation in aged rats with diabetes was associated with
      over-activation of the nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) signalling pathway and
      upregulation of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNFalpha) in the hippocampus.
      Compared with the diabetic group, level of serum CRP, inflammatory cytokines and
      over-activation of NF-kappaB signalling pathway in the hippocampus were restored
      partially concomitant with attenuation of cognitive dysfunction indicated as
      markedly decreased escape latency and distance during MWM test in the
      rosiglitazone treatment group. In vitro, high glucose significantly activated NF
      kappaB signalling pathway and upregulated inflammatory cytokines. CRP
      synergistically promoted high glucose-mediated effects. Rosiglitazone
      significantly ameliorated the effects mediated by high glucose and CRP.These
      effects were significantly reversed by co-treatment with the PPARgamma antagonist
      T0070907. These results suggest that rosiglitazone can improve cognitive function
      in aged rats with diabetes by inhibiting the NF-kappaB signal activation and
      decreasing the expressions of inflammatory cytokines in the hippocampus. 

PMID- 26285069
TI  - Short-term Regulation of Resistin in vivo by Oral Lipid Ingestion and in vitro by
      Fatty Acid Stimulation.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND AIM: Dysbalance of pro- and anti-inflammatory adipokines is a
      hallmark of metabolic syndrome but their nutrition-dependent regulation in
      healthy individuals is poorly characterized. We investigated pro-inflammatory
      resistin and anti-inflammatory adiponectin regulation during oral lipid ingestion
      (OLI) in healthy adults. Response of resistin upon free fatty acid (FFA)
      stimulation was investigated in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 100
      healthy volunteers underwent OLI. Venous blood was drawn after 0, 2, 4, and 6
      hours (h). Subjects were characterized by anthropometric and standard laboratory
      parameters. Serum concentrations of adiponectin and resistin were measured by
      enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Adipocytes were stimulated with FFA
      and concentrations of adipokines were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: Irrespective of
      BMI and gender, OLI led to a significant reduction of resistin serum levels in a
      stepwise manner whereas adiponectin concentrations remained unchanged. There were
      positive correlations of resistin with waist/hip ratio and visfatin levels, as
      was calculated by regression analysis. Resistin concentrations were significantly
      higher in smokers when compared to non-smokers. Adiponectin concentrations were
      higher in females and in users of hormonal contraception. Adiponectin levels
      showed a positive correlation with heart rate and HDL cholesterol and a negative
      correlation with age, waist/hip-ratio, BMI, diastolic/systolic blood pressure,
      visfatin levels and LDL/HDL-ratio. Resistin secretion was significantly induced
      by palmitic acid, linoleic acid and oleic acid in adipocytes. CONCLUSIONS: OLI is
      a physiological repressor of systemic resistin release whereas FFA upregulate
      resistin release in vitro from adipocytes.

PMID- 26285070
TI  - Gender-specific Effects of Treatment with Lifestyle, Metformin or Sulfonylurea on
      Glycemic Control and Body Weight: A German Multicenter Analysis on 9 108
      Patients.
AB  - Effects of diabetes treatment are strongly connected to individual factors, but
      the relevant role of gender has not been addressed so far. This observational
      study evaluates whether monotherapy with lifestyle, metformin or sulfonylurea has
      gender-specific effects on glycemic control and/or body weight. Data of 9 108
      patients with type 2 diabetes from 129 German diabetes centers were assessed by a
      standardized, prospective, computer-based diabetes care and outcome documentation
      system (DPV-Wiss-database; age 63.1+/-12.8 years, diabetes duration 5.7+/-7.4
      years, HbA1c 55+/-17.7 mmol/mol [7.2+/-1.6%], BMI 30.6+/-6.1 kg/m(2), 49.3%
      female patients). Antidiabetic concepts included lifestyle intervention
      (n=5,787), metformin (n=2,180), sulfonylurea (n=943) or other antidiabetic drugs
      (n=198), respectively. HbA1c and body weight were compared before and after a
      stable monotherapeutical period of 0.8+/-0.4 years. Women had a significantly
      higher reduction of body weight after treatment with lifestyle (women-0.8+/-0.1
      vs. men-0.2+/-0.1 kg; p<0.05), metformin (women-1.8+/-0.2 vs. men-1.2+/-0.2 kg;
      p<0.05) or sulfonylurea drugs (women-0.9+/-0.2 vs. men - 0.1+/-0.2 kg; p<0.05),
      whereas men displayed significantly higher HbA1c-reductions after treatment with
      lifestyle (women-6.9+/-0.2 mmol/mol [- 0.6+/-0.02%] vs. men-7.5+/-0.2 mmol/mol
      [0.7+/-0.02%]; p<0.05) and metformin only (women-6.3+/-0.3 mmol/mol [- 0.6+/
      0.03%] vs. men - 7.4+/-0.3 mmol/mol [- 0.7+/-0.03%]; p<0.05). No differences were
      seen for sulfonylurea monotherapy concerning the HbA1c-reduction (women - 5.6+/
      0.5 mmol/mol [- 0.5+/-0.05%] vs. men-6.4+/-0.4 mmol/mol [- 0.6+/-0.04%];
      p=0.196). In summary, antidiabetic treatment concepts might result in gender
      specific effects on body weight and HbA1c. Gender might therefore represent
      another important factor in the context of an individualized treatment management
      of type 2 diabetes. 

PMID- 26285071
TI  - Hemostatic Disorders in Hormonally Active Pituitary Tumors.
AB  - Endocrinopathies encompass heterogeneous diseases that can lead to hemostasis
      disorders at various stages over their clinical course. Normal hemostasis
      requires an equilibrium between the processes of coagulation and fibrinolysis,
      which depend on multiple activators and inhibitors. To date, the influence of
      various hormonal disorders on the hemostatic system has been assessed many times.
      The aim of this review was to analyze hemostasis abnormalities that occur in
      patients with hormonally active pituitary tumors: corticotropinoma,
      somatotropinoma, prolactinoma, gonadotropinoma and thyrotropinoma. Authors
      discuss studies that examined coagulation and hemostasis parameters among
      patients with these tumors, as well as analyze antithrombotic prophylaxis
      approach for endogenous hypercortisolemia subjects in particular. 

PMID- 26285073
TI  - Ureteral Myxolipoma.

PMID- 26285075
TI  - Modification of cut-off values for HE4, CA125 and the ROMA algorithm for early
      stage epithelial ovarian cancer detection: Results from 1021 cases in South
      China.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of human
      epididymis protein 4 (HE4) and the Risk of Ovarian Malignancy Algorithm (ROMA) in
      early stage epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) detection in patients in southern
      China. Additionally, this study proposes a possible ideal cut-off value for each
      marker to its own population in South China. DESIGN AND METHODS: Serum HE4 and
      CA125 were measured in 756 patients with pelvic masses (275 malignancies, 53
      borderline tumors and 428 benign diseases), and their ROMA values were
      calculated. Areas under the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves (AUC)
      were assessed for HE4, CA125, ROMA and combinations of these biomarkers. RESULTS:
      Both HE4 and ROMA performed better diagnostically than CA125 alone for early
      stage EOC, with AUCs ranging from 0.714 for HE4, 0.699 for ROMA, and 0.463 for
      CA125 in premenopausal subjects, and 0.902 for ROMA, 0.880 for HE4, and 0.256 for
      CA125 in postmenopausal subjects. CONCLUSIONS: HE4 and ROMA alone were found to
      be better than CA125 for detecting borderline tumors and early-stage EOC. The
      optimal cut-off values (HE4: 70pmol/l for all; CA125: 60U/ml for pre- and 35U/ml
      for postmenopausal women) could notably improve diagnostic performance in EOC
      detection in patients in southern China.

PMID- 26285074
TI  - Multi-center evaluation of a user-friendly lateral flow assay to determine IP-10
      and CCL4 levels in blood of TB and non-TB cases in Africa.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Multi-center evaluation of a user-friendly lateral flow test for
      detection of IP-10 and CCL4 levels in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) antigen
      stimulated whole blood samples from tuberculosis (TB) suspects. DESIGN AND
      METHODS: A quantitative lateral flow (LF)-based assay platform was applied to
      detect chemokines IP-10 and CCL4. Chemokine quantitation was achieved using
      interference-free, fluorescent up-converting phosphor (UCP) labels. The new
      assays allowed worldwide shipping and storage without requiring a cold chain and
      were tested at seven institutes (including Ethiopia, Malawi, The Gambia, South
      Africa, Uganda and Namibia) employing portable lightweight readers for detection
      of the UCP label. At each site, clinical samples, confirmed TB and non-TB (i.e.
      other respiratory diseases (ORD)) cases, were collected and analyzed
      simultaneously with quality control (QC) human IP-10 or CCL4 standards. RESULTS:
      Performance of the UCP-LF assay in Africa using QC standards indicated high
      robustness allowing quantitative detection between 100 and 100,000pg/mL. The
      optimized assays allowed successful determination of chemokine levels using 1MUL
      whole blood sample from the locally recruited subjects with TB or ORD.
      CONCLUSION: This African multi-center trial further demonstrated the
      applicability of the low-tech and robust UCP-LF platform as a convenient
      quantitative assay for chemokine detection in whole blood. Ambient shipping and
      storage of all assay reagents and the availability of lightweight standalone
      readers were acknowledged as essential requirement for test implementation in
      particular in remote and resource-limited settings.

PMID- 26285076
TI  - Doping Level of Boron-Doped Diamond Electrodes Controls the Grafting Density of
      Functional Groups for DNA Assays.
AB  - The impact of different doping levels of boron-doped diamond on the surface
      functionalization was investigated by means of electrochemical reduction of
      aryldiazonium salts. The grafting efficiency of 4-nitrophenyl groups increased
      with the boron levels (B/C ratio from 0 to 20,000 ppm). Controlled grafting of
      nitrophenyldiazonium was used to adjust the amount of immobilized single-stranded
      DNA strands at the surface and further on the hybridization yield in dependence
      on the boron doping level. The grafted nitro functions were electrochemically
      reduced to the amine moieties. Subsequent functionalization with a succinic acid
      introduced carboxyl groups for subsequent binding of an amino-terminated DNA
      probe. DNA hybridization significantly depends on the probe density which is in
      turn dependent on the boron doping level. The proposed approach opens new
      insights for the design and control of doped diamond surface functionalization
      for the construction of DNA hybridization assays.

PMID- 26285072
TI  - Oxidative stress in beta-thalassaemia and sickle cell disease.
AB  - Sickle cell disease and beta-thalassaemia are inherited haemoglobinopathies
      resulting in structural and quantitative changes in the beta-globin chain. These
      changes lead to instability of the generated haemoglobin or to globin chain
      imbalance, which in turn impact the oxidative environment both intracellularly
      and extracellularly. The ensuing oxidative stress and the inability of the body
      to adequately overcome it are, to a large extent, responsible for the
      pathophysiology of these diseases. This article provides an overview of the main
      players and control mechanisms involved in the establishment of oxidative stress
      in these haemoglobinopathies. 

PMID- 26285077
TI  - Comments and controversies: Piecing together the neurobiology of decision-making.
AB  - In this paper, we address issues raised by Tierney and Hart (Assessing Complex
      Cognitive Functioning Requires Multiple Tasks) in response to our recently
      published findings showing that less advantageous decision-making on the Iowa
      Gambling Task (IGT) was associated with enhanced right ventral striatal dopamine
      response to intravenous amphetamine (Oswald et al., 2015). We agree with the
      overall premise of the paper, which was that decision-making involves multiple
      components, which may not be tapped by a single measure. While Tierney and Hart
      also bring up some important issues related to the construct validity of the IGT,
      we suggest that they are failing to put the findings within the context of the
      growing body of research that has highlighted the role of DA function in risk
      taking behavior across species using a variety of tasks. It should also be noted
      that it was not our goal to "cover all bases" within the context of a single
      study. Nevertheless, we appreciate the discussion, which we believe highlights
      the need for further empirical refinement of the construct to facilitate
      detection and understanding of the differential role that specific molecular
      mechanisms may play in the component processes.

PMID- 26285078
TI  - Depressive symptomatology should be systematically controlled for in neuroticism
      research.

PMID- 26285079
TI  - The functional significance of EEG microstates--Associations with modalities of
      thinking.
AB  - The momentary, global functional state of the brain is reflected by its electric
      field configuration. Cluster analytical approaches consistently extracted four
      head-surface brain electric field configurations that optimally explain the
      variance of their changes across time in spontaneous EEG recordings. These four
      configurations are referred to as EEG microstate classes A, B, C, and D and have
      been associated with verbal/phonological, visual, subjective interoceptive
      autonomic processing, and attention reorientation, respectively. The present
      study tested these associations via an intra-individual and inter-individual
      analysis approach. The intra-individual approach tested the effect of task
      induced increased modality-specific processing on EEG microstate parameters. The
      inter-individual approach tested the effect of personal modality-specific
      parameters on EEG microstate parameters. We obtained multichannel EEG from 61
      healthy, right-handed, male students during four eyes-closed conditions: object
      visualization, spatial-visualization, verbalization (6 runs each), and resting (7
      runs). After each run, we assessed participants' degrees of object-visual,
      spatial-visual, and verbal thinking using subjective reports. Before and after
      the recording, we assessed modality-specific cognitive abilities and styles using
      nine cognitive tests and two questionnaires. The EEG of all participants,
      conditions, and runs was clustered into four classes of EEG microstates (A, B, C,
      and D). RMANOVAs, ANOVAs and post-hoc paired t-tests compared microstate
      parameters between conditions. TANOVAs compared microstate class topographies
      between conditions. Differences were localized using eLORETA. Pearson
      correlations assessed interrelationships between personal modality-specific
      parameters and EEG microstate parameters during no-task resting. As hypothesized,
      verbal as opposed to visual conditions consistently affected the duration,
      occurrence, and coverage of microstate classes A and B. Contrary to associations
      suggested by previous reports, parameters were increased for class A during
      visualization, and class B during verbalization. In line with previous reports,
      microstate D parameters were increased during no-task resting compared to the
      three internal, goal-directed tasks. Topographic differences between conditions
      included particular sub-regions of components of the metabolic default mode
      network. Modality-specific personal parameters did not consistently correlate
      with microstate parameters except verbal cognitive style which correlated
      negatively with microstate class A duration and positively with class C
      occurrence. This is the first study that aimed to induce EEG microstate class
      parameter changes based on their hypothesized functional significance. Beyond the
      associations of microstate classes A and B with visual and verbal processing,
      respectively, our results suggest that a finely-tuned interplay between all four
      EEG microstate classes is necessary for the continuous formation of visual and
      verbal thoughts. Our results point to the possibility that the EEG microstate
      classes may represent the head-surface measured activity of intra-cortical
      sources primarily exhibiting inhibitory functions. However, additional studies
      are needed to verify and elaborate on this hypothesis.

PMID- 26285080
TI  - Palladium(II)-Catalyzed Direct C-H Alkenylation of Thienothiophene and Related
      Fused Heteroarenes.
AB  - The palladium-catalyzed direct alkenylation of thieno[3,2-b]thiophene takes place
      regioselectively at C2. Symmetrically and unsymmetrically 2,5-dialkenylated
      thienothiophene derivatives can be prepared by the catalytic procedure. Related
      fused thienyl and carbazole derivatives also undergo regioselective direct
      alkenylation. 

PMID- 26285081
TI  - Statistical Considerations When Assessing Short Latency Stretch Reflexes in the
      Human Soleus Muscle.
AB  - The aim was to investigate trial-by-trial response characteristics in the short
      latency stretch reflex (SSR). Fourteen dorsiflexion stretches were applied to the
      ankle joint with a precontracted soleus muscle on 2 days. The magnitude and
      variability of trial-by-trial responses of the SSR were assessed. The SSR was log
      normally distributed and variance heterogeneous between subjects. For some
      subjects, the magnitude and variance differed between days and stretches. As
      velocity increased, variance heterogeneity tended to decrease and response
      magnitude increased. The current study demonstrates the need to assess trial-by
      trial response characteristics and not averaged curves. Moreover, it provides an
      analysis of SSR characteristics accounting for log-normally distributed and
      variance heterogeneous trial-by-trial responses.

PMID- 26285082
TI  - Direct hippocampal injection of pseudo lentivirus-delivered nerve growth factor
      gene rescues the damaged cognitive function after traumatic brain injury in the
      rat.
AB  - Traumatic brain injury (TBI) treatment is a long-term process and requires
      repeated medicine administration, which, however, can cause high expense,
      infection, and hemorrhage to patients. To investigate how a long-term expression
      of nerve growth factor (Ngf) gene affects the injured hippocampus function post
      TBI, in this study, a pseudo lentivirus carrying the beta-Ngf fusion gene, with
      green fluorescence protein (GFP) gene, was constructed to show the gene
      expression and its ability of protecting cells from oxidative damage in vitro.
      Then, the pseudo lentivirus-carried beta-Ngf fusion gene was directly injected
      into the injured brain to evaluate its influence on the injured hippocampus
      function post-TBI in vivo. We found that the expression of the pseudo lentivirus
      delivered beta-Ngf fusion gene lasted more than four-week after the cell
      transduction and the encoded beta-NGF fusion protein could induce the neuron-like
      PC12 cell differentiation. Moreover, the hippocampal injection of the pseudo
      lentivirus-carried beta-Ngf fusion gene sped the injured cognitive function
      recovery of the rat subjected to TBI. Together, our findings indicate that the
      long-term expression of the beta-Ngf fusion gene, delivered by the pseudo
      lentivirus, can promote the neurite outgrowth of the neuron-like cells and
      protect the cells from the oxidative damage in vitro, and that the direct and
      single dose hippocampal injection of the pseudo lentivirus-carried beta-Ngf
      fusion gene is able to rescue the hippocampus function after the TBI in the rat. 

PMID- 26285083
TI  - Bio-inspired configurable multiscale extracellular matrix-like structures for
      functional alignment and guided orientation of cells.
AB  - Inspired by the hierarchically organized protein fibers in extracellular matrix
      (ECM) as well as the physiological importance of multiscale topography, we
      developed a simple but robust method for the design and manipulation of precisely
      controllable multiscale hierarchical structures using capillary force lithography
      in combination with an original wrinkling technique. In this study, based on our
      proposed fabrication technology, we approached a conceptual platform that can
      mimic the hierarchically multiscale topographical and orientation cues of the ECM
      for controlling cell structure and function. We patterned the polyurethane
      acrylate-based nanotopography with various orientations on the microgrooves,
      which could provide multiscale topography signals of ECM to control single and
      multicellular morphology and orientation with precision. Using our platforms, we
      found that the structures and orientations of fibroblast cells were greatly
      influenced by the nanotopography, rather than the microtopography. We also
      proposed a new approach that enables the generation of native ECM having
      nanofibers in specific three-dimensional (3D) configurations by culturing
      fibroblast cells on the multiscale substrata. We suggest that our methodology
      could be used as efficient strategies for the design and manipulation of various
      functional platforms, including well-defined 3D tissue structures for advanced
      regenerative medicine applications. 

PMID- 26285085
TI  - Two-Dimensional CaIn2S4/g-C3N4 Heterojunction Nanocomposite with Enhanced Visible
      Light Photocatalytic Activities: Interfacial Engineering and Mechanism Insight.
AB  - Design and exploitation of efficient visible light photocatalytic systems for
      water splitting and degradation of organic dyes are of huge interest in the
      fields of energy conversion and environmental protection. Herein, two-dimensional
      CaIn2S4/g-C3N4 heterojunction nanocomposites with intimate interfacial contact
      have been synthesized by a facile two-step method. Compared with pristine g-C3N4
      and CaIn2S4, the CaIn2S4/g-C3N4 heterojunction nanocomposites exhibited
      significantly enhanced H2 evolution and photocatalytic degradation of methyl
      orange (MO) activities under visible light irradiation. The optimal CaIn2S4/g
      C3N4 nanocomposite shows a H2 evolution rate of 102 MUmol g(-1) h(-1), which is
      more than 3 times that of pristine CaIn2S4. The mechanisms for improving the
      photocatalytic performance of the CaIn2S4/g-C3N4 nanocomposites were proposed by
      using the photoluminescence measurement and electrochemical analyses. It was
      demonstrated that the enhanced photocatalytic performance of CaIn2S4/g-C3N4
      heterojunction nanocomposites mainly stems from the enhanced charge separation
      efficiency. In addition, a plausible mechanism for the degradation of MO dye over
      CaIn2S4/g-C3N4 nanocomposites is also elucidated using active species scavenger's
      studies. 

PMID- 26285084
TI  - Geometric guidance of integrin mediated traction stress during stem cell
      differentiation.
AB  - Cells sense and transduce the chemical and mechanical properties of their
      microenvironment through cell surface integrin receptors. Traction stress exerted
      by cells on the extracellular matrix mediates focal adhesion stabilization and
      regulation of the cytoskeleton for directing biological activity. Understanding
      how stem cells integrate biomaterials properties through focal adhesions during
      differentiation is important for the design of soft materials for regenerative
      medicine. In this paper we use micropatterned hydrogels containing fluorescent
      beads to explore force transmission through integrins from single mesenchymal
      stem cells (MSCs) during differentiation. When cultured on polyacrylamide gels,
      MSCs will express markers associated with osteogenesis and myogenesis in a
      stiffness dependent manner. The shape of single cells and the composition of
      tethered matrix protein both influence the magnitude of traction stress applied
      and the resultant differentiation outcome. We show how geometry guides the
      spatial positioning of focal adhesions to maximize interaction with the matrix,
      and uncover a relationship between alphavbeta3, alpha5beta1 and mechanochemical
      regulation of osteogenesis. 

PMID- 26285086
TI  - A Self-Cleaning TiO2 Nanosisal-like Coating toward Disposing Nanobiochips of
      Cancer Detection.
AB  - The advanced nanobiochips have been widely employed in diagnosing some high
      incidence of diseases because of their portable, low-cost, and highly sensitive
      features. However, the subsequent disposal of these wastes remains unexposed,
      probably giving rise to serious environmental pollution and health risks similar
      to traditional biomedical waste. Here, we have presented a TiO2 nanosisal-like
      coating for disposing nanobiochip waste via the photoresponsive self-cleaning
      features of the nanobiochip, demonstrated by the nanochips of cancer detection.
      Moreover, the high specificity and sensitivity of nanochips can be maintained by
      integrating unique nanostructured coatings (i.e., nanosisal-like coating) with
      specific recognition molecules (i.e., anti-EpCAM). Therefore, this study will
      provide a promising strategy for the design and management of practical
      nanobiodevices, thereby eliminating the old path "pollute first, clean up later".

PMID- 26285087
TI  - Inhomogeneity of methane emissions from a dairy waste lagoon.
AB  - Methane (CH4) is the dominant greenhouse gas emitted by animal agriculture
      manure. Since the gas is relatively insoluble in water, it is concentrated in
      discrete bubbles that rise through waste lagoons and burst at the surface. This
      results in lagoon emissions that are inhomogeneous in both space and time.
      Emissions from a midwestern dairy waste lagoon were measured over 2 weeks to
      evaluate the spatial homogeneity of the source emissions and to compare two
      methods for measuring this inhomogeneous emission. Emissions were determined
      using an inverse dispersion model based on CH4 concentrations measured both by a
      single scanning tunable diode laser (TDL) aimed at a series of reflectors and by
      flame ionization detection (FID) gas chromatography on line-sampled air.
      Emissions were best estimated using scanned TDL concentrations over relatively
      short optical paths that collectively span the entire cross-wind width of the
      source, so as to provide both the best capture of discrete plumes from the
      bursting bubbles on the lagoon surface and the best detection of CH4 background
      concentrations. The lagoon emissions during the study were spatially
      inhomogeneous at hourly time scales. Partitioning the inhomogeneous source into
      two source regions reduced the estimated emissions of the overall lagoon by 57%
      but increased the variability. Consequently, it is important to assess the
      homogeneity of a source prior to measurements and final emissions calculation.
      IMPLICATIONS: Plans for measuring methane emissions from waste lagoons must take
      into account the spatial inhomogeneity of the source strength. The assumption of
      emission source homogeneity for a low-solubility gas such as CH4 emitted from an
      animal waste lagoon can result in significant emission overestimates. The entire
      breadth and length of the area source must be measured, preferably with multiple
      optical paths, for the detection of discrete plumes from the different emitting
      regions and for determining the background concentration. Other gases with
      similarly poor solubility in water may also require partitioning of the lagoon
      source area.

PMID- 26285088
TI  - Dynamic Postural-Stability Deficits After Cryotherapy to the Ankle Joint.
AB  - CONTEXT: Decreased postural stability is a primary risk factor for lower limb
      musculoskeletal injuries. During athletic competitions, cryotherapy may be
      applied during short breaks in play or during half-time; however, its effects on
      postural stability remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the acute effects of
      a 15-minute ankle-joint cryotherapy application on dynamic postural stability.
      DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. SETTING: University biomechanics laboratory.
      PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: A total of 29 elite-level collegiate male field
      sport athletes (age = 20.8 +/- 1.12 years, height = 1.80 +/- 0.06 m, mass = 81.89
      +/- 8.59 kg) participated. INTERVENTION(S): Participants were tested on the
      anterior (ANT), posterolateral (PL), and posteromedial (PM) reach directions of
      the Star Excursion Balance Test before and after a 15-minute ankle-joint
      cryotherapy application. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Normalized reach distances;
      sagittal-plane kinematics of the hip, knee, and ankle joints; and associated mean
      velocity of the center-of-pressure path during performance of the ANT, PL, and PM
      reach directions of the Star Excursion Balance Test. RESULTS: We observed a
      decrease in reach-distance scores for the ANT, PL, and PM reach directions from
      precryotherapy to postcryotherapy (P < .05). No differences were observed in hip
      , knee-, or ankle-joint sagittal-plane kinematics (P > .05). We noted a decrease
      in mean velocity of the center-of-pressure path from precryotherapy to
      postcryotherapy (P < .05) in all reach directions. CONCLUSIONS: Dynamic postural
      stability was adversely affected immediately after cryotherapy to the ankle
      joint.

PMID- 26285089
TI  - Anticipatory Effects on Lower Extremity Neuromechanics During a Cutting Task.
AB  - CONTEXT: Continued research into the mechanism of noncontact anterior cruciate
      ligament injury helps to improve clinical interventions and injury-prevention
      strategies. A better understanding of the effects of anticipation on landing
      neuromechanics may benefit training interventions. OBJECTIVE: To determine the
      effects of anticipation on lower extremity neuromechanics during a single-legged
      land-and-cut task. DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. SETTING: University
      biomechanics laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Eighteen female National Collegiate
      Athletic Association Division I collegiate soccer players (age = 19.7 +/- 0.8
      years, height = 167.3 +/- 6.0 cm, mass = 66.1 +/- 2.1 kg). INTERVENTION(S):
      Participants performed a single-legged land-and-cut task under anticipated and
      unanticipated conditions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Three-dimensional initial
      contact angles, peak joint angles, and peak internal joint moments and peak
      vertical ground reaction forces and sagittal-plane energy absorption of the 3
      lower extremity joints; muscle activation of selected hip- and knee-joint
      muscles. RESULTS: Unanticipated cuts resulted in less knee flexion at initial
      contact and greater ankle toe-in displacement. Unanticipated cuts were also
      characterized by greater internal hip-abductor and external-rotator moments and
      smaller internal knee-extensor and external-rotator moments. Muscle-activation
      profiles during unanticipated cuts were associated with greater activation of the
      gluteus maximus during the precontact and landing phases. CONCLUSIONS: Performing
      a cutting task under unanticipated conditions changed lower extremity
      neuromechanics compared with anticipated conditions. Most of the observed changes
      in lower extremity neuromechanics indicated the adoption of a hip-focused
      strategy during the unanticipated condition.

PMID- 26285090
TI  - Lower Extremity Landing Biomechanics in Both Sexes After a Functional Exercise
      Protocol.
AB  - CONTEXT: Sex differences in landing biomechanics play a role in increased rates
      of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in female athletes. Exercising to
      various states of fatigue may negatively affect landing mechanics, resulting in a
      higher injury risk, but research is inconclusive regarding sex differences in
      response to fatigue. OBJECTIVE: To use the Landing Error Scoring System (LESS), a
      valid clinical movement-analysis tool, to determine the effects of exercise on
      the landing biomechanics of males and females. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study.
      SETTING: University laboratory. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-six (18
      men, 18 women) healthy college-aged athletes (members of varsity, club, or
      intramural teams) with no history of ACL injury or prior participation in an ACL
      injury-prevention program. INTERVENTION(S): Participants were videotaped
      performing 3 jump-landing trials before and after performance of a functional,
      sportlike exercise protocol consisting of repetitive sprinting, jumping, and
      cutting tasks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Landing technique was evaluated using the
      LESS. A higher LESS score indicates more errors. The mean of the 3 LESS scores in
      each condition (pre-exercise and postexercise) was used for statistical analysis.
      RESULTS: Women scored higher on the LESS (6.3 +/- 1.9) than men (5.0 +/- 2.3)
      regardless of time (P = .04). Postexercise scores (6.3 +/- 2.1) were higher than
      preexercise scores (5.0 +/- 2.1) for both sexes (P = .01), but women were not
      affected to a greater degree than men (P = .62). CONCLUSIONS: As evidenced by
      their higher LESS scores, females demonstrated more errors in landing technique
      than males, which may contribute to their increased rate of ACL injury. Both
      sexes displayed poor technique after the exercise protocol, which may indicate
      that participants experience a higher risk of ACL injury in the presence of
      fatigue.

PMID- 26285091
TI  - National Athletic Trainers' Association Position Statement: Exertional Heat
      Illnesses.
AB  - OBJECTIVE:  To present best-practice recommendations for the prevention,
      recognition, and treatment of exertional heat illnesses (EHIs) and to describe
      the relevant physiology of thermoregulation. BACKGROUND:  Certified athletic
      trainers recognize and treat athletes with EHIs, often in high-risk environments.
      Although the proper recognition and successful treatment strategies are well
      documented, EHIs continue to plague athletes, and exertional heat stroke remains
      one of the leading causes of sudden death during sport. The recommendations
      presented in this document provide athletic trainers and allied health providers
      with an integrated scientific and clinically applicable approach to the
      prevention, recognition, treatment, and return-to-activity guidelines for EHIs.
      These recommendations are given so that proper recognition and treatment can be
      accomplished in order to maximize the safety and performance of athletes.
      RECOMMENDATIONS:  Athletic trainers and other allied health care professionals
      should use these recommendations to establish onsite emergency action plans for
      their venues and athletes. The primary goal of athlete safety is addressed
      through the appropriate prevention strategies, proper recognition tactics, and
      effective treatment plans for EHIs. Athletic trainers and other allied health
      care professionals must be properly educated and prepared to respond in an
      expedient manner to alleviate symptoms and minimize the morbidity and mortality
      associated with these illnesses.

PMID- 26285094
TI  - Dental Materials, Instruments, and Devices.

PMID- 26285095
TI  - Anatomic Analysis of the Maxillary Sinus: Preliminary Morphologic Comparison of
      Animal Models (Pig, Lamb, and Human).

PMID- 26285093
TI  - Genome-wide analysis of esterase-like genes in the striped rice stem borer, Chilo
      suppressalis.
AB  - The striped rice stem borer, Chilo suppressalis, a destructive pest of rice, has
      developed high levels of resistance to certain insecticides. Esterases are
      reported to be involved in insecticide resistance in several insects. Therefore,
      this study systematically analyzed esterase-like genes in C. suppressalis. Fifty
      one esterase-like genes were identified in the draft genomic sequences of the
      species, and 20 cDNA sequences were derived which encoded full- or nearly full
      length proteins. The putative esterase proteins derived from these full-length
      genes are overall highly diversified. However, key residues that are functionally
      important including the serine residue in the active site are conserved in 18 out
      of the 20 proteins. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that most of these genes have
      homologues in other lepidoptera insects. Genes CsuEst6, CsuEst10, CsuEst11, and
      CsuEst51 were induced by the insecticide triazophos, and genes CsuEst9, CsuEst11,
      CsuEst14, and CsuEst51 were induced by the insecticide chlorantraniliprole. Our
      results provide a foundation for future studies of insecticide resistance in C.
      suppressalis and for comparative research with esterase genes from other insect
      species. 

PMID- 26285096
TI  - Developmental Dyslexia With and Without Language Impairment: ERPs Reveal
      Qualitative Differences in Morphosyntactic Processing.
AB  - This study aimed to characterize neuropsychological and linguistic skills in
      children with Developmental Dyslexia (DD) with and without Language Impairment
      (LI). Behavioral tests of short-term memory, phonemic awareness, and
      morphosyntactic processing and electrophysiological responses to agreement
      violations were administered to 32 DD children (16 with additional LI) and 16
      controls. Behavioral data revealed quantitative differences among groups: DD+LI
      children showed the worst performance, followed by DD-only children and controls.
      Event-related potential results confirmed atypical morphosyntactic processing in
      the DD-only group, highlighting qualitative differences between groups. These
      results support multifactor models of learning disabilities, where different
      patterns of deficits characterize different subgroups. 

PMID- 26285097
TI  - Behavioral Laterality and Aging: The Free-Recall Dichotic-Listening Right-Ear
      Advantage Increases With Age.
AB  - The effect of aging on brain asymmetry was studied under consideration of
      possible confounding effects of known age-related decline in higher cognitive
      functioning. In a sample of 3,680 participants aged 20-79 years, laterality was
      assessed with a verbal, free-recall dichotic-listening paradigm with one stimulus
      pair presentation per trial, minimizing working-memory and cognitive-control
      demands during task performance. Laterality, reflected as right-ear preference
      for dichotic stimuli, was found to be increased in older age (above 60 years).
      This effect was due to a reduced report of left-ear stimuli, while the report of
      right-ear stimuli stayed on comparable levels across all ages.

PMID- 26285099
TI  - Isolation of Brucella ceti from a Long-finned Pilot Whale (Globicephala melas)
      and a Sowerby's Beaked Whale (Mesoploden bidens).
AB  - Brucella ceti is an emerging zoonotic pathogen that has been recovered from
      several species of cetaceans in the world's oceans over the past 20 yr. We report
      the recovery of B. ceti from a Sowerby's beaked whale (Mesoploden bidens) and a
      long-finned pilot whale (Globicehala melas). Recovery from the testis of a long
      finned pilot whale provides further evidence of potential for B. ceti infection
      to impact the reproductive success of cetaceans, many of which are threatened
      species. The addition of another two cetacean species to the growing number from
      which B. ceti has been recovered also further emphasizes the concern for human
      infections with this organism. 

PMID- 26285098
TI  - Differentiation of ICOS+ and ICOS- recent thymic emigrant regulatory T cells (RTE
      T regs) during normal pregnancy, pre-eclampsia and HELLP syndrome.
AB  - Two different subsets of naturally occurring regulatory T cells (nTregs), defined
      by their expression of the inducible co-stimulatory (ICOS) molecule, are produced
      by the human thymus. To examine the differentiation of ICOS(+) and ICOS(-)
      CD45RA(+) CD31(+) recent thymic emigrant (RTE) T regs during normal pregnancy and
      in the presence of pre-eclampsia or haemolysis elevated liver enzymes low
      platelet (HELLP)-syndrome, we used six-colour flow cytometric analysis to
      determine the changes in the composition of the ICOS(+) and ICOS(-) T reg pools
      with CD45RA(+) CD31(+) RTE T regs, CD45RA(+) CD31(-) mature naive (MN) T regs,
      CD45RA(-) CD31(+) and CD45RA(-) CD31(-) memory Tregs. With the beginning of
      pregnancy until term, we observed a strong differentiation of both ICOS(+) and
      ICOS(-) CD45RA(+) CD31(+) RTE, but not CD45RA(+) CD31(-) MN T regs, into CD45RA(
      ) CD31(-) memory T regs. At the end of pregnancy, the onset of spontaneous term
      labour was associated with a significant breakdown of ICOS(+) CD45RA(-) CD31(-)
      memory T regs. However, in the presence of pre-eclampsia, there was a
      significantly increased differentiation of ICOS(+) and ICOS(-) CD45RA(+) CD31(+)
      RTE T regs into CD45RA(-) CD31(+) memory T regs, wherein the lacking
      differentiation into CD45RA(-) CD31(-) memory T regs was partially replaced by
      the increased differentiation of ICOS(+) and ICOS(-) CD45RA(+) CD31(-) MN Tregs
      into CD45RA(-) CD31(-) memory T regs. In patients with HELLP syndrome, this
      alternatively increased differentiation of CD45RA(-) CD31(-) MN T regs seemed to
      be exaggerated, and presumably restored the suppressive activity of magnetically
      isolated ICOS(+) and ICOS(-) T regs, which were shown to be significantly less
      suppressive in pre-eclampsia patients, but not in HELLP syndrome patients. Hence,
      our findings propose that the regular differentiation of both ICOS(+) and ICOS(-)
      CD45RA(+) CD31(+) RTE T regs ensures a healthy pregnancy course, while their
      disturbed differentiation is associated with the occurrence of pre-eclampsia and
      HELLP syndrome.

PMID- 26285100
TI  - Photosynthesis of a combinatorial peptide library in the gas phase.
AB  - A strategy for generating large numbers of peptides from a relatively small
      number of precursors based on photosynthetic combination in the gas phase is
      presented. In this approach, electrospray ionization is used to create a
      combination of proton-bound dimers from a specified set of peptides present in
      solution. The dimers are then accumulated and isolated in an ion trap mass
      spectrometer. Photoexcitation (at 157 nm) leads to water elimination and the
      formation of larger peptide sequences that are characterized by subsequent
      isolation and collision-induced dissociation. The method is illustrated by using
      a set of four enkephalin-related and acetylated peptides to generate 12 larger
      peptide sequences. The ability to synthesize, isolate, and characterize many
      amino acid sequences from only a few precursors provides a fast and efficient
      means of characterizing properties of such species (e.g., dissociation patterns
      and reactivities). 

PMID- 26285101
TI  - HIV/AIDS knowledge and stigma among women of reproductive age in Ethiopia.
AB  - HIV/AIDS stigma is one of the major public health challenges in Ethiopia. This
      study examined knowledge about HIV/AIDS and factors behind stigmatisation towards
      people living with the virus based on demographic and health survey data
      collected in 2011 from women in the age group 15-49 years. The result shows that
      49.3% of rural women had adequate knowledge about HIV/AIDS compared with 74.7% of
      urban women. About three-fourths (72.1%) of the rural women had stigmatising
      attitudes towards PLWHA whilst the proportion in urban areas was only about a
      third (34.2%). The likelihood of having adequate knowledge about HIV/AIDS was
      significantly higher among educated women but lower among those living in Afar,
      Somali, and Gambella regions and Dire Dawa City. Women with higher levels of
      education and frequent access to media had a lower tendency to stigmatise people
      living with the virus. Adequate knowledge about HIV/AIDS was also significantly
      associated with lower likelihood of stigmatisation. The results generally
      indicate that HIV/AIDS stigma in Ethiopia is partly explained by people's
      knowledge about HIV/AIDS and by socio-cultural factors that shape their
      perception of the epidemic. Awareness-raising efforts should thus consider the
      socio-cultural contexts in which stigma occurs to tackle discrimination against
      people living with HIV/AIDS. 

PMID- 26285102
TI  - B-cells in systemic sclerosis: emerging evidence from genetics to phenotypes.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review aims to summarize current evidence for a role of B
      cells in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis (SSc) from genetics to
      phenotypes, with an emphasis on recent insights. RECENT FINDINGS: Multiple
      genomic analyses have associated several B-cell signalling genes with SSc.
      Moreover, interesting B-cell subset alterations and activation/memory marker
      changes have also been documented in SSc. Co-cultures of blood B-cells with
      dermal fibroblasts isolated from SSc patients demonstrated the induction of
      collagen, interleukin (IL)-6, transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1, IL-1beta
      and chemokine (c-c motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) in the fibroblasts, following potential
      B-cell cues delivered to the fibroblasts. Plasma cell gene signatures were
      elevated in SSc patients' blood, and highly correlated with collagen gene
      expression. Finally, anti-CD20 B-cell depletion therapy not only improved skin
      disease but also preserved interstitial lung disease in early diffuse cutaneous
      disease. SUMMARY: Thus, there is resounding evidence that B-cells play a pivotal
      role in pathogenesis of SSc. However, the molecular pathways through which B
      cells may direct fibroblast function, SSc disease development and progression
      remain unclear, and warrant further study.

PMID- 26285103
TI  - Novel serology testing for sporadic inclusion body myositis: disease-specificity
      and diagnostic utility.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this article is to discuss recent advances in
      serological testing for sporadic inclusion body myositis (sIBM) and to provide a
      review of their diagnostic utility and disease-specificity of auto-antibodies in
      sIBM. RECENT FINDINGS: The identification, prevalence and diagnostic utility of a
      new auto-antibody targeting cytosolic 5'-nucleotidase 1A (cN-1A) in the serum of
      sIBM patients have recently been published. These studies have shown that anti-cN
      1A auto-antibodies have diagnostic utility for differentiating sIBM from other
      forms of myositis and from other neuromuscular diseases. Anti-cN-1A-positive
      patient sera are directed to multiple epitopes of cN-1A and contain, in addition
      to IgG, IgA and IgM, anti-cN-1A auto-antibodies. Recent studies have also shown a
      relatively high prevalence of these auto-antibodies in sera form Sjogren's
      syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosus patients. SUMMARY: The recent discovery
      of auto-antibodies to cN-1A provides a serological tool to aid the
      differentiation between inflammatory myopathies and supports the idea that apart
      from degeneration, an adaptive immune response may also play a role in sIBM
      pathophysiology. Future research will need to focus on standardization of methods
      to detect these auto-antibodies in order to further explore their specificity and
      diagnostic utility for sIBM.

PMID- 26285104
TI  - Hierarchical SrTiO3/NiFe2O4 composite nanostructures with excellent light
      response and magnetic performance synthesized toward enhanced photocatalytic
      activity.
AB  - Being capable of gathering advanced optical, electrical and magnetic properties
      originating from different components, multifunctional composite nanomaterials
      have been of concern increasingly. Herein, we have successfully demonstrated the
      preparation of SrTiO3/NiFe2O4 porous nanotubes (PNTs) and SrTiO3/NiFe2O4 particle
      in-tubes (PITs) via a single-spinneret electrospinning and a side-by-side
      spinneret electrospinning, respectively. The products were characterized by using
      scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray
      diffraction, UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectra and a vibrating sample
      magnetometer in detail. The results indicate that SrTiO3/NiFe2O4 PNTs are the
      heterojunction nanotubes by connecting perovskite SrTiO3 and spinel NiFe2O4
      nanoparticles, but SrTiO3/NiFe2O4 PITs are the self-assembled core/shell
      structures by embedding SrTiO3 nanoparticles into NiFe2O4 nanotubes. Compared
      with pure SrTiO3 nanofibers, the two SrTiO3/NiFe2O4 composites exhibit a powerful
      light response and excellent room temperature ferromagnetism. The magnetic
      separations directly reveal that such amazing recycling efficiencies of about 95%
      for SrTiO3/NiFe2O4 PNTs and about 99.5% for SrTiO3/NiFe2O4 PITs are obtained.
      Furthermore, both the magnetic composites perform considerable photocatalytic
      activity in the degradation of rhodamine B. We propose that Kirkendall-diffusion
      and phase-separation are probably responsible for the formation of SrTiO3/NiFe2O4
      PITs, and this work could provide a feasible way to assemble the core/shell
      structures of different materials. 

PMID- 26285105
TI  - Ultrafast excited state hydrogen atom transfer in salicylideneaniline driven by
      changes in aromaticity.
AB  - We investigated two important unresolved issues on excited state intramolecular
      proton transfer (ESIPT) reactions, i.e., their driving force and the charge state
      of the transferred species by means of quantum chemical topology. We related
      changes in the aromaticity of a molecule after electron excitation to reaction
      dynamics in an excited state. Additionally, we found that the conveyed particle
      has a charge intermediate between that of a bare proton and a neutral hydrogen
      atom. We anticipate that the analysis presented in this communication will yield
      valuable insights into ESIPT and other similar photochemical reactions. 

PMID- 26285106
TI  - Post-Transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder (PTLD) Manifesting in the Oral
      Cavity of a 13-Year-Old Liver Transplant Recipient (LTx).
AB  - BACKGROUND Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is a potential
      complication of solid organ or bone marrow transplants. The main PTLD risk
      factors are: the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), transplant type, and use of
      immunosuppressants. It mainly consists of an uncontrolled growth of lymphocytes
      in transplant recipients under chronic immunosuppressive therapy. About 85% of
      PTLDs are EBV-containing B-cell proliferations; 14% are T-cell proliferations, of
      which only 40% contain EBV; and the remaining 1% is NK-cell or plasmocyte
      proliferations. PTLD may present various clinical manifestations, from non
      specific mononucleosis-like syndrome to graft or other organ damage resulting
      from pathologic lymphocyte infiltration. PTLD may manifest in the oral cavity.
      CASE REPORT The objective of this study was to present the case of a 13-year-old
      female living-donor liver transplant recipient, resulting from biliary cirrhosis
      caused by congenital biliary atresia, with exophytic fibrous lesions on buccal
      mucosa and tongue. Exophytic and hyperplastic lesion of oral mucosa were removed
      and histopathological examination revealed polymorphic PTLD. The patient
      underwent 6 cycles of CHOP chemotherapy and all the oral lesions regressed
      completely. CONCLUSIONS All oral pathological lesions in organ transplant
      recipients need to be surgically removed and histopathologically examined because
      they present an increased risk of neoplastic transformations such as PTLD. 

PMID- 26285107
TI  - Comparative Efficacy of Tongxinluo Capsule and Beta-Blockers in Treating Angina
      Pectoris: Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: There have been no systematic reviews, let alone meta-analyses, of
      randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing tongxinluo capsule (TXL) and beta
      blockers in treating angina pectoris. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy
      of TXL and beta-blockers in treating angina pectoris by a meta-analysis of
      eligible RCTs. METHODS: The RCTs comparing TXL with beta-blockers (including
      metoprolol) in treating angina pectoris were searched and retrieved from
      databases including PubMed, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, and
      WanFang Data. Eligible RCTs were selected according to prespecified criteria.
      Meta-analysis was performed on the odds ratios (OR) of symptomatic and
      electrocardiographic (ECG) improvements after treatment. Subgroup analysis,
      sensitivity analysis, meta-regression, and publication biases analysis were
      conducted to evaluate the robustness of the results. RESULTS: Seventy-three RCTs
      published between 2000 and 2014 with 7424 participants were eligible. Overall ORs
      comparing TXL with beta-blockers were 3.40 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.97
      3.89; p<0.0001) for symptomatic improvement and 2.63 (95% CI, 2.29-3.02;
      p<0.0001) for ECG improvement. Subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis found
      no statistically significant dependence of overall ORs on specific study
      characteristics except efficacy criteria. Meta-regression found no significant
      except sample sizes for data on symptomatic improvement. Publication biases were
      statistically significant. CONCLUSION: TXL seems to be more effective than beta
      blockers in treating angina pectoris, on the basis of the eligible RCTs. Further
      RCTs are warranted to reduce publication bias and verify efficacy.

PMID- 26285108
TI  - 'I Used to Fight with Them but Now I Have Stopped!': Conflict and Doctor-Nurse
      Anaesthetists' Motivation in Maternal and Neonatal Care Provision in a Specialist
      Referral Hospital.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This paper analyses why and how conflicts occur and
      their influence on doctors and nurse-anaesthetists' motivation in the provision
      of maternal and neonatal health care in a specialist hospital. METHODOLOGY: The
      study used ethnographic methods including participant observation, conversation
      and in-depth interviews over eleven months in a specialist referral hospital in
      Ghana. Qualitative analysis software Nvivo 8 was used for coding and analysis of
      data. Main themes identified in the analysis form the basis for interpreting and
      reporting study findings. ETHICS STATEMENT: Ethical clearance was obtained from
      the Ghana Health Service Ethics Review board (approval number GHS-ERC:06/01/12)
      and from the University of Wageningen. Written consent was obtained from
      interview participants, while verbal consent was obtained for conversations. To
      protect the identity of the hospital and research participants pseudonyms are
      used in the article and the part of Ghana in which the study was conducted is not
      mentioned. RESULTS: Individual characteristics, interpersonal and organisational
      factors contributed to conflicts. Unequal power relations and distrust relations
      among doctors and nurse-anaesthetists affected how they responded to conflicts.
      Responses to conflicts including forcing, avoiding, accommodating and
      compromising contributed to persistent conflicts, which frustrated and
      demotivated doctors and nurse-anaesthetists. Demotivated workers exhibited poor
      attitudes in collaborating with co-workers in the provision of maternal and
      neonatal care, which sometimes led to poor health worker response to client care,
      consequently compromising the hospital's goal of providing quality health care to
      clients. CONCLUSION: To improve health care delivery in health facilities in
      Ghana, health managers and supervisors need to identify conflicts as an important
      phenomenon that should be addressed whenever they occur. Effective mechanisms
      including training managers and health workers on conflict management should be
      put in place. Additionally promoting communication and interaction among health
      workers can foster team spirit. Also resolving conflicts using the collaborating
      response may help to create a conducive work environment that will promote
      healthy work relations, which can facilitate the delivery of quality maternal and
      neonatal health care. However, such an approach requires that unequal power
      relations, which is a root cause of the conflicts is addressed.

PMID- 26285109
TI  - The Effects of Lithium Carbonate Supplemented with Nitrazepam on Sleep
      Disturbance during Cannabis Abstinence.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVE: Sleep disturbance is a hallmark feature of cannabis withdrawal.
      In this study we explored the effects of lithium treatment supplemented with
      nitrazepam on objective and subjective measures of sleep quality during inpatient
      cannabis withdrawal. METHODS: Treatment-seeking cannabis-dependent adults (n =
      38) were admitted for 8 days to an inpatient withdrawal unit and randomized to
      either oral lithium (500 mg) or placebo, twice daily in a double-blind RCT.
      Restricted nitrazepam (10 mg) was available on demand (in response to poor sleep)
      on any 3 of the 7 nights. Dependent outcome measures for analysis included
      repeated daily objective actigraphy and subjective sleep measures throughout the
      8 day detox, subjective cannabis withdrawal ratings, and detoxification
      completion rates. RESULTS: Based on actigraphy, lithium resulted in less
      fragmented sleep compared to placebo (p = 0.04), but no other objective measures
      were improved by lithium. Of the subjective measures, only nightmares were
      suppressed by lithium (p = 0.04). Lithium did not have a significant impact on
      the use of nitrazepam. Sleep bout length (p < 0.0001), sleep efficiency (p <
      0.0001), and sleep fragmentation (p = 0.05) were improved on nights in which
      nitrazepam was used. In contrast, only night sweats improved with nitrazepam from
      the subjective measures (p = 0.04). A Cox regression with daily repeated measures
      of sleep efficiency averaged across all people in the study a predictor suggests
      that a one-unit increase in sleep efficiency (the ratio of total sleep time to
      the total time in bed expressed as a percentage) resulted in a 14.6% increase in
      retention in treatment (p = 0.008, Exp(B) = 0.854, 95% CI = 0.759-0.960). None of
      the other sleep measures, nor use of lithium or nitrazepam were significantly
      associated with retention in treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Lithium seems to have only
      limited efficacy on sleep disturbance in cannabis withdrawal. However the
      nitrazepam improved several actigraphy measures of sleep disturbance, warranting
      further investigation. Discord between objective and subjective sleep indices
      suggest caution in evaluating treatment interventions with self-report sleep data
      only.

PMID- 26285110
TI  - Performance of a Portable Sleep Monitoring Device in Individuals with High Versus
      Low Sleep Efficiency.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVES: Portable and automated sleep monitoring technology is becoming
      widely available to consumers, and one wireless system (WS) has recently surfaced
      as a research tool for sleep and sleep staging assessment outside the
      hospital/laboratory; however, previous research findings indicate low sensitivity
      for wakefulness detection. Because difficulty discriminating between wake and
      sleep is likely to affect staging performance, we sought to further evaluate the
      WS by comparing it to the gold-standard polysomnography (PSG) and actigraphy
      (ACT) for overall sleep/wakefulness detection and sleep staging, within high and
      low sleep efficiency sleepers. METHODS: Twenty-nine healthy adults (eight
      females) underwent concurrent WS, PSG, and ACT assessment in an overnight
      laboratory study. Epoch-by-epoch agreement was determined by comparing
      sleep/wakefulness decisions between the WS to both PSG and ACT, and for detection
      of light, deep, and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep stages between the WS and PSG.
      RESULTS: Sensitivity for wakefulness was low (40%), and an overestimation of
      total sleep time and underestimation of wake after sleep onset was observed.
      Prevalence and bias adjusted kappa statistic indicated moderate-to-high agreement
      between the WS and PSG for sleep staging. However, upon further inspection, WS
      performance varied by sleep efficiency, with the best performance during high
      sleep efficiency. CONCLUSIONS: The benefit of the WS as a sleep monitoring device
      over ACT is the ability to assess sleep stages, and our findings suggest this
      benefit is only realized within high sleep efficiency. Care should be taken to
      collect data under conditions where this is expected.

PMID- 26285111
TI  - The 2012 AASM Respiratory Event Criteria Increase the Incidence of Hypopneas in
      an Adult Sleep Center Population.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of the 2012 American Academy of Sleep
      Medicine (AASM) respiratory event criteria on severity and prevalence of
      obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) relative to previous respiratory event criteria.
      METHODS: A retrospective, randomized comparison was conducted in an Australian
      clinical sleep laboratory in a tertiary hospital. The polysomnograms (PSG) of 112
      consecutive patients undertaking polysomnography (PSG) for suspected OSA were re
      scored for respiratory events using either 2007 AASM recommended (AASM2007Rec),
      2007 AASM alternate (AASM2007Alt), Chicago criteria (AASM1999), or 2012 AASM
      recommended (AASM2012) respiratory event criteria. RESULTS: The median AHI using
      AASM2012 was approximately 90% greater than the AASM2007Rec AHI, approximately
      25% greater than the AASM2007Alt AHI, and approximately 15% lower than the
      AASM1999 AHI. These changes increased OSA diagnoses by approximately 20% and 5%
      for AASM2007Rec and AASM2007Alt, respectively. Minimal changes in OSA diagnoses
      were observed between AASM1999 and AASM2012 criteria. To achieve the same OSA
      prevalence as AASM2012, the threshold for previous criteria would have to shift
      to 2.6/h, 3.6/h, and 7.3/h for AASM2007Rec, AASM2007Alt, and AASM1999,
      respectively. Differences between the AASM2007Rec and AASM2012 hypopnea indices
      (HI) were predominantly due to the change in desaturation levels required.
      Alterations to respiratory event duration rules had no effect on the HI.
      CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that implementation of the 2012 AASM
      respiratory event criteria will increase the AHI in patients undergoing PSG, and
      more patients are likely to be diagnosed with OSA. COMMENTARY: A commentary on
      this article appears in this issue on page 1357.

PMID- 26285112
TI  - Sleep Related Scratching: A Distinct Parasomnia?
AB  - ABSTRACT: Pruritus (itching) during the sleep period can present as a symptom of
      dermatological or systemic disease, or as a parasomnia. Sleep related scratching
      as a primary parasomnia, exclusively confined to sleep in the absence of
      coexisting dermatological disorders, has not been well described. This case
      series describes three such patients, and discusses potentially relevant
      pathophysiology that can underlie itching or pain. Such cases of sleep related
      scratching may merit nosologic classification apart from previously defined
      parasomnias.

PMID- 26285113
TI  - Sleeping Pill Administration Time and Patient Subjective Satisfaction.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVES: Taking hypnotic agents 30 min before bedtime is the usual
      suggested administration time, but some patients report dissatisfaction with
      their sleeping pills. We investigated whether the timing of sleeping pill
      administration influences patient subjective satisfaction with these drugs.
      METHODS: One hundred twelve patients with primary insomnia currently taking
      benzodiazepine or nonbenzodiazepine gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) agonists as
      sleeping pills were selected. The time of administration for their sleeping
      pills, bedtime, sleep onset time, and wake up time were obtained from their
      medical records. Subjects were also categorized into satisfied or dissatisfied
      groups. RESULTS: Hypnotic agents administration time (p < 0.001) and bedtime (p <
      0.001), but not sleep onset or wake up time, occurred later in the night in the
      satisfied group. The durations from administration of pills to sleep onset (33.6
      +/- 20.7 min) and to wake up time (7.2 +/- 1.2 h) were significantly shorter in
      the satisfied group when compared to the dissatisfied group (135.9 +/- 73.4 min
      and 9.3 +/- 1.5 h for time to sleep onset and wake up, respectively). Logistic
      regression analysis revealed that patient subjective satisfaction with hypnotic
      agents could be predicted by a short duration from administration of pills to
      sleep onset (odds ratio = 0.01; 95% confidence interval [0.001-0.09]) and a short
      duration from administration of pills to wake up time (0.53; [0.31-0.89], F =
      49.9, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Taking sleeping pills at a later time and a
      shorter interval between pill administration and wake up time may increase
      patient subjective satisfaction with hypnotic agents. We propose that physicians
      advise patients to take sleeping pills approximately 7 h before their usual
      getting-out-of-bed time instead of the current standard of 30 min before bedtime.

PMID- 26285114
TI  - Continuous and Loud Snoring Only in the Supine Posture.
AB  - Snoring and suspected sleep apneas are the most frequent causes for referral for
      a sleep study. Snoring varies across night and is usually recorded in all body
      postures. Here we report a unique patient showing continuous and loud snoring
      only in the supine posture.

PMID- 26285116
TI  - Bispectral Index in Evaluating Effects of Sedation Depth on Drug-Induced Sleep
      Endoscopy: DISE or No Dice.

PMID- 26285115
TI  - Psychosocial Characteristics of Children with Central Disorders of
      Hypersomnolence Versus Matched Healthy Children.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hypersomnia of central origin from narcolepsy or idiopathic
      hypersomnia (IHS) is characterized by pathological levels of excessive daytime
      sleepiness (EDS). Central hypersomnia has historically been underdiagnosed and
      poorly understood, especially with respect to its impact on daytime functioning
      and quality of life in children. OBJECTIVE: Describe the psychosocial adjustment
      of children treated for narcolepsy or IHS on school performance, quality of life,
      and physical/extracurricular activities. METHODS: Using a matched case control
      design, we compared child self- and parent-reported data from thirty-three 8- to
      16-year-olds with an established diagnosis of narcolepsy or IHS, according to
      ICSD-2 criteria, to that of 33 healthy children matched by age, race/ethnicity,
      gender, and household income. Assessments evaluated academic performance, quality
      of life and wellness, sleepiness, and participation in extracurricular
      activities. RESULTS: Compared to healthy controls, children with central
      hypersomnia had poorer daytime functioning in multiple domains. Children with
      hypersomnia missed more days of school and had lower grades than healthy
      controls. Children with hypersomnia had poorer quality of life by both parent and
      child report. Children with hypersomnia were significantly sleepier, had higher
      BMI, and were more likely to report a history of recent injury. Finally, children
      with hypersomnia engaged in fewer after-school activities than healthy controls.
      CONCLUSIONS: A range of significant psychosocial consequences are reported in
      children with hypersomnia even after a diagnosis has been made and treatments
      initiated. Health care professionals should be mindful of the psychosocial
      problems that may present in children with hypersomnia over the course of
      treatment.

PMID- 26285117
TI  - Physical Inactivity Is Associated with Moderate-Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether low levels of physical activity were
      associated with an increased occurrence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), OSA
      related symptoms, and cardiometabolic risk. METHODS: A case-control study design
      was used. OSA cases were patients referred to a sleep clinic for suspected OSA (n
      = 2,340). Controls comprised participants from the Busselton community (n =
      1,931). Exercise and occupational activity were derived from questionnaire data.
      Associations were modelled using logistic and linear regression and adjusted for
      confounders. RESULTS: In comparison with moderate exercise, the high, low, and
      nil exercise groups had an odds ratio (OR) for moderate-severe OSA of 0.6 (95% CI
      0.5-0.8), 1.6 (95% CI 1.2-2.0), and 2.7 (95% CI 1.9-3.7), respectively. Relative
      to men in heavy activity occupations, men in medium, light and sedentary
      occupations had an OR for moderate-severe OSA of 1.7 (95% CI 1.1-2.5), 2.1 (95%
      CI 1.4-3.2), and 1.8 (95% CI 1.2-2.8), respectively. Relative to women in medium
      activity occupations, women in light and sedentary occupations had an OR for
      moderate-severe OSA of 4.2 (95% CI 2.6-7.2) and 3.5 (2.0-6.0). OSA patients who
      adequately exercised had lower: levels of doctor-diagnosed depression (p =
      0.047); symptoms of fatigue (p < 0.0001); systolic (p = 0.015) and diastolic
      blood pressure (p = 0.015); and C-reactive protein (CRP) (p = 0.003).
      CONCLUSIONS: Low levels of physical activity were associated with moderate-severe
      OSA. Exercise in individuals with OSA is associated with lower levels of
      depression, fatigue, blood pressure and CRP.

PMID- 26285120
TI  - Dietary Flavonoids as Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitors: Structure-Affinity and
      Structure-Activity Relationships.
AB  - The flavonoid family has been reported to possess a high potential for inhibition
      of xanthine oxidase (XO). This study concerned the structural aspects of
      inhibitory activities and binding affinities of flavonoids as XO inhibitors. The
      result indicated that the hydrophobic interaction was important in the binding of
      flavonoids to XO, and the XO inhibitory ability increased generally with
      increasing affinities within the class of flavones and flavonols. The planar
      structure and the C2?C3 double bonds of flavonoids were advantageous for binding
      to XO and for XO inhibition. Both the hydroxylation on ring B and the
      substitution at C3 were unfavorable for XO inhibition more profoundly than their
      XO affinity. The methylation greatly reduced the inhibition (0.75-3.07 times) but
      hardly affected the affinity. The bulky sugar substitutions of flavonoids
      decreased the inhibition (1.69-1.99 times) and lowered the affinities (4.20-9.22
      times) to different degrees depending on the conjunction site. 

PMID- 26285119
TI  - MicroRNA-200c Promotes Suppressive Potential of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells
      by Modulating PTEN and FOG2 Expression.
AB  - Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) constitute one of the major populations
      that potently suppress anti-tumor immune responses and favor tumor growth in
      tumor microenvironment. However, the mechanism(s) regulating the differentiation
      and suppressive function of tumor-associated MDSCs remain(s) unclear. Here, we
      identified a microRNA-200c (miR-200c), whose expression was dramatically induced
      by tumor-derived factors. Meanwhile, we also demonstrated that GM-CSF was a main
      inducer of miR-200c in tumor environment, and miR-200c in turn promoted the
      expansion and immune suppressive activity of MDSCs via targeting phosphatase and
      tensin homolog (PTEN) and friend of Gata 2 (FOG2), which can lead to STAT3 and
      PI3K/Akt activation. Finally, we examined in vivo suppressive function of miR
      200c transfected MDSCs and found that miR-200c could remarkably promote tumor
      growth via modifying MDSCs. Thus, GM-CSF induced miR-200c in tumor environment
      plays a critical role in governing the expansion and functions of tumor
      associated MDSCs and serves as a potential target in immunotherapy against tumor.

PMID- 26285122
TI  - A Newly-Identified Polymorphism in Rhesus Macaque Complement Factor H Modulates
      Binding Affinity for Meningococcal FHbp.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Two meningococcal serogroup B vaccines contain Factor H binding
      protein (FHbp). Binding of Factor H (FH) to FHbp was thought to be specific for
      human or chimpanzee FH. However, in a previous study an amino acid polymorphism
      in rhesus macaque FH domain 6, tyrosine at position 352 (Y352) was associated
      with high binding to FHbp, whereas histidine at position 352 (H352) was
      associated with low binding. METHODS AND RESULTS: Here we report that a second FH
      polymorphism at position 360 also affects macaque FH binding. Of 43 macaques, 11
      had high FH binding and 32 had low binding. As in our previous study, all 11
      animals with high binding had Y352, and 24 with low binding had H352. However the
      remaining eight with low FH binding had Y352, which was predicted to yield high
      binding. All eight had S360 instead of P360. Thus, three allelic variants at
      positions 352 and 360 affect macaque FH binding to FHbp: HP (low), YS (low), and
      YP (high). We measured binding affinity of each FH sequence type to FHbp by
      surface plasmon resonance. Two animals with high binding types (YS/YP and HP/YP)
      had dissociation constants (KD) of 10.4 and 18.2 nM, respectively, which were
      similar to human FH (19.8 nM). Two macaques with low binding (HP/HP and HP/YS)
      had KD values approximately five-fold higher (100.3 and 99.5 nM, respectively). A
      third macaque with low binding (YS/YS) had a KD value too high to be measured.
      CONCLUSIONS: Macaques have at least three allelic variants encoding FH with
      different affinities for FHbp (five genotypic combinations of these variants).
      Since in previous studies binding of FH to FHbp vaccines decreased protective
      antibody responses, our data will aid in selection of macaques with FH binding
      that is similar to humans for further investigation of FHbp vaccine
      immunogenicity.

PMID- 26285121
TI  - Nonconsensus Protein Binding to Repetitive DNA Sequence Elements Significantly
      Affects Eukaryotic Genomes.
AB  - Recent genome-wide experiments in different eukaryotic genomes provide an
      unprecedented view of transcription factor (TF) binding locations and of
      nucleosome occupancy. These experiments revealed that a large fraction of TF
      binding events occur in regions where only a small number of specific TF binding
      sites (TFBSs) have been detected. Furthermore, in vitro protein-DNA binding
      measurements performed for hundreds of TFs indicate that TFs are bound with wide
      range of affinities to different DNA sequences that lack known consensus motifs.
      These observations have thus challenged the classical picture of specific protein
      DNA binding and strongly suggest the existence of additional recognition
      mechanisms that affect protein-DNA binding preferences. We have previously
      demonstrated that repetitive DNA sequence elements characterized by certain
      symmetries statistically affect protein-DNA binding preferences. We call this
      binding mechanism nonconsensus protein-DNA binding in order to emphasize the
      point that specific consensus TFBSs do not contribute to this effect. In this
      paper, using the simple statistical mechanics model developed previously, we
      calculate the nonconsensus protein-DNA binding free energy for the entire C.
      elegans and D. melanogaster genomes. Using the available chromatin
      immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing (ChIP-seq) results on TF-DNA binding
      preferences for ~100 TFs, we show that DNA sequences characterized by low
      predicted free energy of nonconsensus binding have statistically higher
      experimental TF occupancy and lower nucleosome occupancy than sequences
      characterized by high free energy of nonconsensus binding. This is in agreement
      with our previous analysis performed for the yeast genome. We suggest therefore
      that nonconsensus protein-DNA binding assists the formation of nucleosome-free
      regions, as TFs outcompete nucleosomes at genomic locations with enhanced
      nonconsensus binding. In addition, here we perform a new, large-scale analysis
      using in vitro TF-DNA preferences obtained from the universal protein binding
      microarrays (PBM) for ~90 eukaryotic TFs belonging to 22 different DNA-binding
      domain types. As a result of this new analysis, we conclude that nonconsensus
      protein-DNA binding is a widespread phenomenon that significantly affects protein
      DNA binding preferences and need not require the presence of consensus (specific)
      TFBSs in order to achieve genome-wide TF-DNA binding specificity. 

PMID- 26285123
TI  - Nanometer-Scale Pore Characteristics of Lacustrine Shale, Songliao Basin, NE
      China.
AB  - In shale, liquid hydrocarbons are accumulated mainly in nanometer-scale pores or
      fractures, so the pore types and PSDs (pore size distributions) play a major role
      in the shale oil occurrence (free or absorbed state), amount of oil, and flow
      features. The pore types and PSDs of marine shale have been well studied;
      however, research on lacustrine shale is rare, especially for shale in the oil
      generation window, although lacustrine shale is deposited widely around the
      world. To investigate the relationship between nanometer-scale pores and oil
      occurrence in the lacustrine shale, 10 lacustrine shale core samples from
      Songliao Basin, NE China were analyzed. Analyses of these samples included
      geochemical measurements, SEM (scanning electron microscope) observations, low
      pressure CO2 and N2 adsorption, and high-pressure mercury injection experiments.
      Analysis results indicate that: (1) Pore types in the lacustrine shale include
      inter-matrix pores, intergranular pores, organic matter pores, and dissolution
      pores, and these pores are dominated by mesopores and micropores; (2) There is no
      apparent correlation between pore volumes and clay content, however, a weak
      negative correlation is present between total pore volume and carbonate content;
      (3) Pores in lacustrine shale are well developed when the organic matter maturity
      (Ro) is >1.0% and the pore volume is positively correlated with the TOC (total
      organic carbon) content. The statistical results suggest that oil in lacustrine
      shale mainly occurs in pores with diameters larger than 40 nm. However, more
      research is needed to determine whether this minimum pore diameter for oil
      occurrence in lacustrine shale is widely applicable. 

PMID- 26285124
TI  - Improvement on Automated Perimetry After Surgery for Idiopathic Intracranial
      Hypertension: Comment.

PMID- 26285125
TI  - Improvement on Automated Perimetry After Surgery for Idiopathic Intracranial
      Hypertension: Response.

PMID- 26285126
TI  - The Psychometric Properties of the Midlife Women's Symptom Index.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Midlife Women's Symptom
      Index (MSI) among four racial/ethnic groups of midlife women in the United
      States. DESIGN: A secondary data analysis. SETTING: Internet communities/groups.
      PARTICIPANTS: A total of 494 midlife women with symptoms of menopause who self
      reported using an Internet survey and completed all sections of the MSI
      questionnaire. METHODS: Data were collected from January 1, 2008 to December 31,
      2010. The psychometric properties of the MSI were evaluated using measures of
      internal consistency, item-total correlation coefficients, and discriminant
      validity. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences in marital
      status, employment, income, religion, country of birth, level of education,
      diagnosed disease, and self-reported health status across the four racial/ethnic
      groups. The Kuder-Richardson Formula 20 (KR-20) coefficients for the three
      subscales of the MSI prevalence section (i.e., physical, psychological, and
      psychosomatic) ranged from 0.58 (psychosomatic symptoms in Whites) to 0.91
      (psychological symptoms in Asian Americans). The Cronbach's alpha coefficients
      for the three subscale scores ranged from 0.60 (psychosomatic symptoms in Whites)
      to 0.93 (psychological symptoms in Asian Americans). The mean scores of the MSI
      differed significantly by race/ethnicity among midlife women of each menopausal
      status, except for the prevalence section of the psychosocial symptoms.
      CONCLUSION: The MSI has demonstrated an acceptable reliability and appropriate
      discriminant validity across the four racial/ethnic groups, except in the domain
      of psychosomatic symptoms. Health care providers as well as researchers could use
      the MSI to assess the symptoms of menopause of midlife women from diverse
      racial/ethnic backgrounds.

PMID- 26285127
TI  - Diurnal Variation of Hormonal and Lipid Biomarkers in a Molecular Epidemiology
      Like Setting.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Many molecular epidemiology studies focusing on high prevalent
      diseases, such as metabolic disorders and cancer, investigate metabolic and
      hormonal markers. In general, sampling for these markers can occur at any time
      point during the day or after an overnight fast. However, environmental factors,
      such as light exposure and food intake might affect the levels of these markers,
      since they provide input for the internal time-keeping system. When diurnal
      variation is larger than the inter-individual variation, time of day should be
      taken into account. Importantly, heterogeneity in diurnal variation and
      disturbance of circadian rhythms among a study population might increasingly
      occur as a result of our increasing 24/7 economy and related variation in
      exposure to environmental factors (such as light and food). AIM: The aim of the
      present study was to determine whether a set of often used biomarkers shows
      diurnal variation in a setting resembling large molecular epidemiology studies,
      i.e., non-fasted and limited control possibilities for other environmental
      influences. RESULTS: We show that markers for which diurnal variation is not an
      issue are adrenocorticotropic hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, estradiol
      and high-density lipoprotein. For all other tested markers diurnal variation was
      observed in at least one gender (cholesterol, cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone
      sulfate, free fatty acids, low-density lipoprotein, luteinizing hormone,
      prolactin, progesterone, testosterone, triglycerides, total triiodothyronine and
      thyroid-stimulating hormone) or could not reliably be detected (human growth
      hormone). DISCUSSION: Thus, studies investigating these markers should take
      diurnal variation into account, for which we provide some options. Furthermore,
      our study indicates the need for investigating diurnal variation (in literature
      or experimentally) before setting up studies measuring markers in routine and
      controlled settings, especially since time-of-day likely matters for many more
      markers than the ones investigated in the present study.

PMID- 26285128
TI  - Earliest modern human-like hand bone from a new >1.84-million-year-old site at
      Olduvai in Tanzania.
AB  - Modern humans are characterized by specialized hand morphology that is associated
      with advanced manipulative skills. Thus, there is important debate in
      paleoanthropology about the possible cause-effect relationship of this modern
      human-like (MHL) hand anatomy, its associated grips and the invention and use of
      stone tools by early hominins. Here we describe and analyse Olduvai Hominin (OH)
      86, a manual proximal phalanx from the recently discovered >1.84-million-year-old
      (Ma) Philip Tobias Korongo (PTK) site at Olduvai Gorge (Tanzania). OH 86
      represents the earliest MHL hand bone in the fossil record, of a size and shape
      that differs not only from all australopiths, but also from the phalangeal bones
      of the penecontemporaneous and geographically proximate OH 7 partial hand
      skeleton (part of the Homo habilis holotype). The discovery of OH 86 suggests
      that a hominin with a more MHL postcranium co-existed with Paranthropus boisei
      and Homo habilis at Olduvai during Bed I times. 

PMID- 26285129
TI  - BDNF promoter methylation and genetic variation in late-life depression.
AB  - The regulation of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is important for
      depression pathophysiology and epigenetic regulation of the BDNF gene may be
      involved. This study investigated whether BDNF methylation is a marker of
      depression. One thousand and twenty-four participants were recruited as part of a
      longitudinal study of psychiatric disorders in general population elderly (age ?
      65). Clinical levels of depression were assessed using the Mini International
      Neuropsychiatric Interview for the diagnosis of major depressive disorder
      according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder IV
      criteria, and the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) for
      assessment of moderate to severe depressive symptoms. Buccal DNA methylation at
      the two most widely studied BDNF promoters, I and IV, was investigated using the
      Sequenom MassARRAY platform that allows high-throughput investigation of
      methylation at individual CpG sites within defined genomic regions. In
      multivariate linear regression analyses adjusted for a range of participant
      characteristics including antidepressant use, depression at baseline, as well as
      chronic late-life depression over the 12-year follow-up, were associated with
      overall higher BDNF methylation levels, with two sites showing significant
      associations (promoter I, Delta mean = 0.4%, P = 0.0002; promoter IV, Delta mean
      = 5.4%, P = 0.021). Three single-nucleotide polymorphisms (rs6265, rs7103411 and
      rs908867) were also found to modify the association between depression and
      promoter I methylation. As one of the largest epigenetic studies of depression,
      and the first investigating BDNF methylation in buccal tissue, our findings
      highlight the potential for buccal BDNF methylation to be a biomarker of
      depression.

PMID- 26285130
TI  - The use of statins for the treatment of depression in patients with acute
      coronary syndrome.
AB  - This study aimed to investigate the effect of statins for the treatment of
      depression in individuals with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We used 1-year
      follow-up data of a 24-week double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of
      escitalopram and a naturalistic prospective observational cohort study. Of 446
      participants with comorbid depressive disorders and ACS at baseline, 300
      participated in a randomised escitalopram trial and the remaining 146
      participated in a naturalistic observational study. The participants in the two
      studies were approached for a 1-year follow-up investigation. Treatment response
      rates, defined as a ? 50% reduction in the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM
      D) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scores, were used as the outcome
      variables. In the escitalopram trial, both HAM-D and BDI response rates were
      highest in patients taking escitalopram and statins together and lowest in
      patients receiving neither medication. Logistic regression analyses revealed that
      statin use was significantly associated with higher response rates on both the
      HAM-D and BDI at 1 year, whereas no such associations were found for
      escitalopram. In the naturalistic observational study, the response rates at 1
      year did not differ significantly by statin use. Instead, the HAM-D response rate
      was significantly higher in patients taking lipophilic statins than in those who
      did not. In conclusion, statins may be effective for the treatment of depression
      independent of medical status and escitalopram use, and they may potentiate the
      antidepressant action of serotonergic antidepressants in patients with ACS.

PMID- 26285131
TI  - Elevated baseline serum glutamate as a pharmacometabolomic biomarker for
      acamprosate treatment outcome in alcohol-dependent subjects.
AB  - Acamprosate has been widely used since the Food and Drug Administration approved
      the medication for treatment of alcohol use disorders (AUDs) in 2004. Although
      the detailed molecular mechanism of acamprosate remains unclear, it has been
      largely known that acamprosate inhibits glutamate action in the brain. However,
      AUD is a complex and heterogeneous disorder. Thus, biomarkers are required to
      prescribe this medication to patients who will have the highest likelihood of
      responding positively. To identify pharmacometabolomic biomarkers of acamprosate
      response, we utilized serum samples from 120 alcohol-dependent subjects,
      including 71 responders (maintained continuous abstinence) and 49 non-responders
      (any alcohol use) during 12 weeks of acamprosate treatment. Notably, baseline
      serum glutamate levels were significantly higher in responders compared with non
      responders. Importantly, serum glutamate levels of responders are normalized
      after acamprosate treatment, whereas there was no significant glutamate change in
      non-responders. Subsequent functional studies in animal models revealed that, in
      the absence of alcohol, acamprosate activates glutamine synthetase, which
      synthesizes glutamine from glutamate and ammonia. These results suggest that
      acamprosate reduces serum glutamate levels for those who have elevated baseline
      serum glutamate levels among responders. Taken together, our findings demonstrate
      that elevated baseline serum glutamate levels are a potential biomarker
      associated with positive acamprosate response, which is an important step towards
      development of a personalized approach to treatment for AUD. 

PMID- 26285132
TI  - Variation in the Williams syndrome GTF2I gene and anxiety proneness interactively
      affect prefrontal cortical response to aversive stimuli.
AB  - Characterizing the molecular mechanisms underlying the heritability of complex
      behavioral traits such as human anxiety remains a challenging endeavor for
      behavioral neuroscience. Copy-number variation (CNV) in the general transcription
      factor gene, GTF2I, located in the 7q11.23 chromosomal region that is hemideleted
      in Williams syndrome and duplicated in the 7q11.23 duplication syndrome (Dup7),
      is associated with gene-dose-dependent anxiety in mouse models and in both
      Williams syndrome and Dup7. Because of this recent preclinical and clinical
      identification of a genetic influence on anxiety, we examined whether sequence
      variation in GTF2I, specifically the single-nucleotide polymorphism rs2527367,
      interacts with trait and state anxiety to collectively impact neural response to
      anxiety-laden social stimuli. Two hundred and sixty healthy adults completed the
      Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire Harm Avoidance (HA) subscale, a trait
      measure of anxiety proneness, and underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging
      (fMRI) while matching aversive (fearful or angry) facial identity. We found an
      interaction between GTF2I allelic variations and HA that affects brain response:
      in individuals homozygous for the major allele, there was no correlation between
      HA and whole-brain response to aversive cues, whereas in heterozygotes and
      individuals homozygous for the minor allele, there was a positive correlation
      between HA sub-scores and a selective dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC)
      responsivity during the processing of aversive stimuli. These results demonstrate
      that sequence variation in the GTF2I gene influences the relationship between
      trait anxiety and brain response to aversive social cues in healthy individuals,
      supporting a role for this neurogenetic mechanism in anxiety. 

PMID- 26285133
TI  - Schizophrenia: a tale of two critical periods for prefrontal cortical
      development.
AB  - Schizophrenia is a disease of abnormal brain development. Considerable evidence
      now indicates that environmental factors have a causative role in schizophrenia.
      Elevated incidence of the disease has been linked to a wide range of disturbances
      in the prenatal environment and to social factors and drug intake during
      adolescence. Here we examine neurodevelopment of the prefrontal cortex in the
      first trimester of gestation and during adolescence to gain further insight into
      the neurodevelopmental processes that may be vulnerable in schizophrenia. Early
      embryonic development of the prefrontal cortex is characterized by cell
      proliferation, including renewal of progenitor cells, generation of early
      transient cell populations and neurogenesis of subcortical populations. Animal
      models show that curtailing early gestational cell proliferation produces
      schizophrenia-like pathology in the prefrontal cortex and mimics key behavioral
      and cognitive symptoms of the disease. At the other end of the spectrum,
      elimination of excitatory synapses is the fundamental process occurring during
      adolescent maturation in the prefrontal cortex. Adverse social situations that
      elevate stress increase dopamine stimulation of the mesocortical pathway and may
      lead to exaggerated synaptic pruning during adolescence. In a non-human primate
      model, dopamine hyperstimulation has been shown to decrease prefrontal pyramidal
      cell spine density and to be associated with profound cognitive dysfunction.
      Development of the prefrontal cortex in its earliest stage in gestation and in
      its final stage in adolescence represents two critical periods of vulnerability
      for schizophrenia in which cell proliferation and synaptic elimination,
      respectively, may be influenced by environmental factors. 

PMID- 26285134
TI  - Differential Utilization of Dietary Fatty Acids in Benign and Malignant Cells of
      the Prostate.
AB  - Tumor cells adapt via metabolic reprogramming to meet elevated energy demands due
      to continuous proliferation, for example by switching to alternative energy
      sources. Nutrients such as glucose, fatty acids, ketone bodies and amino acids
      may be utilized as preferred substrates to fulfill increased energy requirements.
      In this study we investigated the metabolic characteristics of benign and cancer
      cells of the prostate with respect to their utilization of medium chain (MCTs)
      and long chain triglycerides (LCTs) under standard and glucose-starved culture
      conditions by assessing cell viability, glycolytic activity, mitochondrial
      respiration, the expression of genes encoding key metabolic enzymes as well as
      mitochondrial mass and mtDNA content. We report that BE prostate cells (RWPE-1)
      have a higher competence to utilize fatty acids as energy source than PCa cells
      (LNCaP, ABL, PC3) as shown not only by increased cell viability upon fatty acid
      supplementation but also by an increased beta-oxidation of fatty acids, although
      the base-line respiration was 2-fold higher in prostate cancer cells. Moreover,
      BE RWPE-1 cells were found to compensate for glucose starvation in the presence
      of fatty acids. Of notice, these findings were confirmed in vivo by showing that
      PCa tissue has a lower capacity in oxidizing fatty acids than benign prostate.
      Collectively, these metabolic differences between benign and prostate cancer
      cells and especially their differential utilization of fatty acids could be
      exploited to establish novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. 

PMID- 26285135
TI  - Systematic Study on the Self-Assembled Hexagonal Au Voids, Nano-Clusters and
      Nanoparticles on GaN (0001).
AB  - Au nano-clusters and nanoparticles (NPs) have been widely utilized in various
      electronic, optoelectronic, and bio-medical applications due to their great
      potentials. The size, density and configuration of Au NPs play a vital role in
      the performance of these devices. In this paper, we present a systematic study on
      the self-assembled hexagonal Au voids, nano-clusters and NPs fabricated on GaN
      (0001) by the variation of annealing temperature and deposition amount. At
      relatively low annealing temperatures between 400 and 600 degrees C, the
      fabrication of hexagonal shaped Au voids and Au nano-clusters are observed and
      discussed based on the diffusion limited aggregation model. The size and density
      of voids and nano-clusters can systematically be controlled. The self-assembled
      Au NPs are fabricated at comparatively high temperatures from 650 to 800 degrees
      C based on the Volmer-Weber growth model and also the size and density can be
      tuned accordingly. The results are symmetrically analyzed and discussed in
      conjunction with the diffusion theory and thermodynamics by utilizing AFM and SEM
      images, EDS maps and spectra, FFT power spectra, cross-sectional line-profiles
      and size and density plots. 

PMID- 26285136
TI  - High Inorganic Phosphate Intake Promotes Tumorigenesis at Early Stages in a Mouse
      Model of Lung Cancer.
AB  - Inorganic phosphate (Pi) is required by all living organisms for the development
      of organs such as bone, muscle, brain, and lungs, regulating the expression of
      several critical genes as well as signal transduction. However, little is known
      about the effects of prolonged dietary Pi consumption on lung cancer progression.
      This study investigated the effects of a high-phosphate diet (HPD) in a mouse
      model of adenocarcinoma. K-rasLA1 mice were fed a normal diet (0.3% Pi) or an HPD
      (1% Pi) for 1, 2, or 4 months. Mice were then sacrificed and subjected to
      inductively coupled plasma mass/optical emission spectrometry and laser ablation
      inductively coupled plasma mass-spectrometry analyses, western blot analysis,
      histopathological, immunohistochemical, and immunocytochemical analyses to
      evaluate tumor formation and progression (including cell proliferation,
      angiogenesis, and apoptosis), changes in ion levels and metabolism, autophagy,
      epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and protein translation in the lungs. An
      HPD accelerated tumorigenesis, as evidenced by increased adenoma and
      adenocarcinoma rates as well as tumor size. However, after 4 months of the HPD,
      cell proliferation was arrested, and marked increases in liver and lung ion
      levels and in energy production via the tricarboxylic acid cycle in the liver
      were observed, which were accompanied by increased autophagy and decreased
      angiogenesis and apoptosis. These results indicate that an HPD initially promotes
      but later inhibits lung cancer progression because of metabolic adaptation
      leading to tumor cell quiescence. Moreover, the results suggest that carefully
      regulated Pi consumption are effective in lung cancer prevention. 

PMID- 26285137
TI  - The Efficacy of Synchronous Combination of Chemotherapy and EGFR TKIs for the
      First-Line Treatment of NSCLC: A Systematic Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The combination of chemotherapy and epidermal growth factor receptor
      (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) currently has become the hotspot issue
      in the treatment of non-small lung cancer (NSCLC). This systematic review was
      conducted to compare the efficacy and safety of the synchronous combination of
      these two treatments with EGFR TKIs or chemotherapy alone in advanced NSCLC.
      METHODS: EMBASE, PubMed, the Central Registry of Controlled Trials in the
      Cochrane Library (CENTRAL), Chinese biomedical literature database (CNKI) and
      meeting summaries were searched. The Phase II/III randomized controlled trials
      were selected by which patients with advanced NSCLC were randomized to receive a
      combination of EGFR TKIs and chemotherapy by synchronous mode vs. EGFR TKIs or
      chemotherapy alone. RESULTS: A total of six randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
      including 4675 patients were enrolled in the systematic review. The meta-analysis
      demonstrated that the synchronous combination group of chemotherapy and EGFR TKIs
      did not reach satisfactory results; there was no significant difference in
      overall survival (OS), time to progression (TTP) and objective response rate
      (ORR), compared with monotherapy (OS: HR = 1.05, 95%CI = 0.98-1.12; TTP: HR =
      0.94, 95%CI = 0.89-1.00; ORR: RR = 1.07, 95%CI = 0.98-1.17), and no significant
      difference in OS and progression-free survival (PFS), compared with EGFR TKIs
      alone (OS: HR = 1.10, 95% CI = 0.83-1.46; PFS: HR = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.67-1.10).
      The patients who received synchronous combined therapy presented with increased
      incidences of grade 3/4 anemia (RR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.10-1.79) and rash (RR =
      7.43, 95% CI = 4.56-12.09), compared with chemotherapy, grade 3/4 anemia (RR =
      6.71, 95% CI = 1.25-35.93) and fatigue (RR = 9.60, 95% CI = 2.28-40.86) compared
      with EGFR TKI monotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: The synchronous combination of
      chemotherapy and TKIs is not superior to chemotherapy or EGFR TKIs alone for the
      first-line treatment of NSCLC.

PMID- 26285138
TI  - Comparative Analysis of Transcriptional Profiles of Adult Schistosoma japonicum
      from Different Laboratory Animals and the Natural Host, Water Buffalo.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Schistosomiasis is one of the most widely distributed parasitic
      diseases in the world. Schistosoma japonicum, a zoonotic parasite with a wide
      range of mammalian hosts, is one of the major pathogens of this disease. Although
      numerous studies on schistosomiasis japonica have been performed using laboratory
      animal models, systematic comparative analysis of whole-genome expression
      profiles in parasites from different laboratory animals and nature mammalian
      hosts is lacking to date. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Adult schistosomes were
      obtained from laboratory animals BALB/c mice, C57BL/6 mice, New Zealand white
      rabbits and the natural host, water buffaloes. The gene expression profiles of
      schistosomes from these animals were obtained and compared by genome-wide
      oligonucleotide microarray analysis. The results revealed that the gene
      expression profiles of schistosomes from different laboratory animals and
      buffaloes were highly consistent (r>0.98) genome-wide. Meanwhile, a total of 450
      genes were identified to be differentially expressed in schistosomes which can be
      clustered into six groups. Pathway analysis revealed that these genes were mainly
      involved in multiple signal transduction pathways, amino acid, energy, nucleotide
      and lipid metabolism. We also identified a group of 1,540 abundantly and stably
      expressed gene products in adult worms, including a panel of 179 Schistosoma- or
      Platyhelminthes-specific genes that may be essential for parasitism and may be
      regarded as novel potential anti-parasite intervention targets for future
      research. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: This study provides a comprehensive database
      of gene expression profiles of schistosomes derived from different laboratory
      animals and water buffaloes. An expanded number of genes potentially affecting
      the development of schistosomes in different animals were identified. These
      findings lay the foundation for schistosomiasis research in different laboratory
      animals and natural hosts at the transcriptional level and provide a valuable
      resource for screening anti-schistosomal intervention targets.

PMID- 26285141
TI  - Training for prescribing in-office and home phototherapy.
AB  - BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: One reason phototherapy use is lacking in the United States
      may be inadequate phototherapy education during dermatology training. The purpose
      of this study was to estimate the level of dermatology resident training with
      prescribing phototherapy and to see whether inadequate education may be
      contributing to the underuse of phototherapy in the United States. METHODS: A
      questionnaire was developed to assess resident education and comfort with
      prescribing phototherapy from the resident perspective. Botulinum toxin and
      radiation therapy training were used as positive and negative controls,
      respectively. Responses were tabulated and comparisons made using Fisher's exact
      test and Cochran-Armitage trend test. RESULTS: A total of 88 residents responded.
      42% and 81% of respondents reported not receiving didactic education on
      prescribing in-office and home phototherapy, respectively, compared to 13% for
      botulinum toxin and 91% for radiation therapy. 29% and 76% reported not being
      comfortable prescribing in-office and home phototherapy, respectively, compared
      to 36% for botulinum toxin and 91% for radiation therapy. Phototherapy education
      satisfaction was positively correlated with comfort of prescribing, and comfort
      prescribing was positively correlated with actual prescribing of phototherapy.
      CONCLUSIONS: Training for prescribing phototherapy is lacking. Augmenting
      phototherapy training may help make home phototherapy more accessible for
      patients.

PMID- 26285139
TI  - Loss of the Homeodomain Transcription Factor Prep1 Perturbs Adult Hematopoiesis
      in the Bone Marrow.
AB  - Prep1, a TALE-family homeodomain transcription factor, has been demonstrated to
      play a critical role in embryonic hematopoiesis, as its insufficiency caused late
      embryonic lethality associated with defective hematopoiesis and angiogenesis. In
      the present study, we generated hematopoietic- and endothelial cell-specific
      Prep1-deficient mice and demonstrated that expression of Prep1 in the
      hematopoietic cell compartment is not essential for either embryonic or adult
      hematopoiesis, although its absence causes significant hematopoietic
      abnormalities in the adult bone marrow. Loss of Prep1 promotes cell cycling of
      hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPC), leading to the expansion of the HSPC
      pool. Prep1 deficiency also results in the accumulation of lineage-committed
      progenitors, increased monocyte/macrophage differentiation and arrested erythroid
      maturation. Maturation of T cells and B cells is also perturbed in Prep-deficient
      mice. These findings provide novel insight into the pleiotropic roles of Prep1 in
      adult hematopoiesis that were unrecognized in previous studies using germline
      Prep1 hypomorphic mice. 

PMID- 26285140
TI  - Overactivation of the nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2-antioxidant
      response element pathway in hepatocytes decreases hepatic ischemia/reperfusion
      injury in mice.
AB  - Hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) is a critical component of hepatic
      surgery. Oxidative stress has long been implicated as a key player in IRI. In
      this study, we examine the cell-specific role of the nuclear factor (erythroid
      derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2)-antioxidant response element pathway in warm hepatic
      IRI. Nrf2 knockout (KO) and wild-type (WT) animals and novel transgenic mice
      expressing a constitutively active nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2
      (caNrf2) mutant in hepatocytes (AlbCre+/caNrf2+) and their littermate controls
      underwent partial hepatic ischemia or sham surgery. The animals were killed 6
      hours after reperfusion, and their serum and tissue were collected for analysis.
      As compared to WT animals after ischemia/reperfusion (IR), Nrf2 KO mice had
      increased hepatocellular injury with increased serum alanine aminotransferase and
      aspartate aminotransferase, Suzuki score, apoptosis, an increased inflammatory
      infiltrate, and enhanced inflammatory cytokine expression. On the other hand,
      AlbCre+/caNrf2+ that underwent IR had significantly reduced serum transaminases,
      less necrosis on histology, and a less pronounced inflammatory infiltrate and
      inflammatory cytokine expression as compared to the littermate controls. However,
      there were no differences in apoptosis. Taken together, Nrf2 plays a critical
      role in our murine model of warm hepatic IRI, with Nrf2 deficiency exacerbating
      hepatic IRI and hepatocyte-specific Nrf2 overactivation providing protection
      against warm hepatic IRI.

PMID- 26285142
TI  - Diversity and antibiotic resistance profiles of Pseudomonads from a hospital
      wastewater treatment plant.
AB  - AIMS: To evaluate the diversity of Pseudomonads and antibiotic resistance
      profiles of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a hospital wastewater treatment plant
      (HWTP) located in Rio de Janeiro city, Brazil. Due its intrinsic multidrug
      resistance and its ability to colonize several environments, we selected Ps.
      aeruginosa isolates as indicator of antimicrobial resistance frequency. METHODS
      AND RESULTS: Twenty-seven Ps. aeruginosa strains isolated from five stages of
      HWTP identified by rrs 16S rDNA sequencing were submitted against 12
      antimicrobials through disc diffusion method. Among these isolates, 62.9% showed
      aztreonam resistance, followed by ticarcillin/clavulanic acid (33.3%) and
      cefepime (22.2%). Of these isolates, 22.2% were classified as multidrug-resistant
      (MDR >= 3 classes). Five 16S rRNA gene libraries of Pseudomonas genus were
      constructed, one for each stages of the plant, yielding 93 sequences clustered in
      41 Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs). Each treatment step showed unique OTU's
      composition, suggesting changes in Pseudomonas spp. communities during the
      process. Several Pseudomonas species involved in biodegradation and
      bioremediation of xenobiotics were detected suggesting a positive impact in the
      wastewater treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Our strategy using metagenomics associated
      with the isolation of Ps. aeruginosa strains as bio-indicator allowed us to
      assess their antimicrobial susceptibility, the viability and diversity of
      Pseudomonas species in the hospital wastewater. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE
      STUDY: The presence of MDR bacteria from treated effluents alerts for the need to
      improve these systems to avoid the spreading of resistance genes in aquatic
      ecosystems. This has special relevance in Brazil, where a significant portion of
      the population has no access to treated water.

PMID- 26285143
TI  - Effect of Maximal Apnoea Easy-Going and Struggle Phases on Subarachnoid Width and
      Pial Artery Pulsation in Elite Breath-Hold Divers.
AB  - PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to assess changes in subarachnoid space width
      (sas-TQ), the marker of intracranial pressure (ICP), pial artery pulsation (cc
      TQ) and cardiac contribution to blood pressure (BP), cerebral blood flow velocity
      (CBFV) and cc-TQ oscillations throughout the maximal breath hold in elite apnoea
      divers. Non-invasive assessment of sas-TQ and cc-TQ became possible due to
      recently developed method based on infrared radiation, called near-infrared
      transillumination/backscattering sounding (NIR-T/BSS). METHODS: The experimental
      group consisted of seven breath-hold divers (six men). During testing, each
      participant performed a single maximal end-inspiratory breath hold. Apnoea
      consisted of the easy-going and struggle phases (characterised by involuntary
      breathing movements (IBMs)). Heart rate (HR) was determined using a standard ECG.
      BP was assessed using the photoplethysmography method. SaO2 was monitored
      continuously with pulse oximetry. A pneumatic chest belt was used to register
      thoracic and abdominal movements. Cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) was
      estimated by a 2-MHz transcranial Doppler ultrasonic probe. sas-TQ and cc-TQ were
      measured using NIR-T/BSS. Wavelet transform analysis was performed to assess
      cardiac contribution to BP, CBFV and cc-TQ oscillations. RESULTS: Mean BP and
      CBFV increased compared to baseline at the end of the easy phase and were further
      augmented by IBMs. cc-TQ increased compared to baseline at the end of the easy
      phase and remained stable during the IBMs. HR did not change significantly
      throughout the apnoea, although a trend toward a decrease during the easy phase
      and recovery during the IBMs was visible. Amplitudes of BP, CBFV and cc-TQ were
      augmented. sas-TQ and SaO2 decreased at the easy phase of apnoea and further
      decreased during the IBMs. CONCLUSIONS: Apnoea increases intracranial pressure
      and pial artery pulsation. Pial artery pulsation seems to be stabilised by the
      IBMs. Cardiac contribution to BP, CBFV and cc-TQ oscillations does not change
      throughout the apnoea.

PMID- 26285144
TI  - Quantitative theory for the longitudinal relaxation time of blood water.
AB  - PURPOSE: To propose and evaluate a model for the blood water T1 that takes into
      account the effects of hematocrit fraction, oxygenation fraction, erythrocyte
      hemoglobin concentration, methemoglobin fraction, and plasma albumin
      concentration. METHODS: Whole blood and lysed blood T1 data were acquired at
      magnetic fields of 3 Tesla (T), 7T, 9.4T, and 11.7T using inversion-recovery
      measurements and a home-built blood circulation system for maintaining
      physiological conditions. A quantitative model was derived based on multivariable
      fitting of this data. RESULTS: Fitting of the model to the data allowed
      determination of the different parameters describing the blood water T1 such as
      those for the diamagnetic and paramagnetic effects of albumin and hemoglobin, and
      the contribution of methemoglobin. The model correctly predicts blood T1 at
      multiple fields, as verified by comparison with existing literature. CONCLUSION:
      The model provides physical and physiological parameters describing the effects
      of hematocrit fraction, oxygenation, hemoglobin concentration, methemoglobin
      fraction, and albumin concentration on blood water T1 . It can be used to predict
      blood T1 at multiple fields. Magn Reson Med 76:270-281, 2016. (c) 2015 Wiley
      Periodicals, Inc.

PMID- 26285145
TI  - HTLV-1 Tax Stimulates Ubiquitin E3 Ligase, Ring Finger Protein 8, to Assemble
      Lysine 63-Linked Polyubiquitin Chains for TAK1 and IKK Activation.
AB  - Human T lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) trans-activator/oncoprotein, Tax,
      impacts a multitude of cellular processes, including I-kappaB kinase (IKK)/NF
      kappaB signaling, DNA damage repair, and mitosis. These activities of Tax have
      been implicated in the development of adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) in HTLV-1
      infected individuals, but the underlying mechanisms remain obscure. IKK and its
      upstream kinase, TGFbeta-activated kinase 1 (TAK1), contain ubiquitin-binding
      subunits, NEMO and TAB2/3 respectively, which interact with K63-linked
      polyubiquitin (K63-pUb) chains. Recruitment to K63-pUb allows cross auto
      phosphorylation and activation of TAK1 to occur, followed by TAK1-catalyzed IKK
      phosphorylation and activation. Using cytosolic extracts of HeLa and Jurkat T
      cells supplemented with purified proteins we have identified ubiquitin E3 ligase,
      ring finger protein 8 (RNF8), and E2 conjugating enzymes, Ubc13:Uev1A and
      Ubc13:Uev2, to be the cellular factors utilized by Tax for TAK1 and IKK
      activation. In vitro, the combination of Tax and RNF8 greatly stimulated TAK1,
      IKK, IkappaBalpha and JNK phosphorylation. In vivo, RNF8 over-expression
      augmented while RNF8 ablation drastically reduced canonical NF-kappaB activation
      by Tax. Activation of the non-canonical NF-kappaB pathway by Tax, however, is
      unaffected by the loss of RNF8. Using purified components, we further
      demonstrated biochemically that Tax greatly stimulated RNF8 and Ubc13:Uev1A/Uev2
      to assemble long K63-pUb chains. Finally, co-transfection of Tax with increasing
      amounts of RNF8 greatly induced K63-pUb assembly in a dose-dependent manner.
      Thus, Tax targets RNF8 and Ubc13:Uev1A/Uev2 to promote the assembly of K63-pUb
      chains, which signal the activation of TAK1 and multiple downstream kinases
      including IKK and JNK. Because of the roles RNF8 and K63-pUb chains play in DNA
      damage repair and cytokinesis, this mechanism may also explain the genomic
      instability of HTLV-1-transformed T cells and ATL cells. 

PMID- 26285146
TI  - Polyphenolic profile and antioxidant effects of various parts of Artemisia annua
      L.
AB  - An annual Korean weed, Artemisia annua L., has been used as a folk medicine for
      the treatment of a number of diseases. Remarkably, among the 32 polyphenols
      characterized in various parts of plant tissue, including flowers, leafs, stems
      and roots, 10 compounds were detected for the first time using liquid
      chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). The quantification method was
      validated using structurally related external standards with determination
      coefficients (R(2) ) >=0.9995. The limits of detection and quantitation were
      0.068-3.932 and 0.226-13.108 mg/L, respectively. The recoveries estimated at 50
      and 100 mg/L ranged between 60.6-92.2 and 61.3-111%, respectively, with relative
      standard deviations <12%. The roots contained the largest concentration of
      identified components, while the flowers contained the least. The antioxidant
      capacity evaluated in terms of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2'-azinobis(3
      ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical cation-scavenging activities and
      reducing power was highest in the roots and lowest in the flowers. The findings
      are well correlated and suggest that the antioxidant capacities principally
      depend upon the polyphenol concentrations in each part of the plant.

PMID- 26285147
TI  - Isoflavonoids from Crotalaria albida Inhibit Adipocyte Differentiation and Lipid
      Accumulation in 3T3-L1 Cells via Suppression of PPAR-gamma Pathway.
AB  - Two 2"-isopropenyl dihydrofuran isoflavonoids (1 and 3), one 2"-isopropenyl
      dihydrofuran chromone (2), as well as 13 known compounds were isolated from the
      herbs of Crotalaria albida. Their structures and relative configurations were
      elucidated via NMR and HRESIMS analyses. The 2" S absolute configuration of 1 and
      2 were deduced by comparing their NOESY spectra with that of 3, which was
      determined via single crystal X-ray diffraction (CuKalpha). The 3R absolute
      configuration of 1 was determined by CD. Compounds 1, 2, and 3 inhibit the
      adipocyte differentiation and lipid accumulation of 3T3-L1 through down
      regulation of PPAR-gamma activity. 

PMID- 26285148
TI  - Dictionary Pair Learning on Grassmann Manifolds for Image Denoising.
AB  - Image denoising is a fundamental problem in computer vision and image processing
      that holds considerable practical importance for real-world applications. The
      traditional patch-based and sparse coding-driven image denoising methods convert
      2D image patches into 1D vectors for further processing. Thus, these methods
      inevitably break down the inherent 2D geometric structure of natural images. To
      overcome this limitation pertaining to the previous image denoising methods, we
      propose a 2D image denoising model, namely, the dictionary pair learning (DPL)
      model, and we design a corresponding algorithm called the DPL on the Grassmann
      manifold (DPLG) algorithm. The DPLG algorithm first learns an initial dictionary
      pair (i.e., the left and right dictionaries) by employing a subspace partition
      technique on the Grassmann manifold, wherein the refined dictionary pair is
      obtained through a sub-dictionary pair merging. The DPLG obtains a sparse
      representation by encoding each image patch only with the selected sub-dictionary
      pair. The non-zero elements of the sparse representation are further smoothed by
      the graph Laplacian operator to remove the noise. Consequently, the DPLG
      algorithm not only preserves the inherent 2D geometric structure of natural
      images but also performs manifold smoothing in the 2D sparse coding space. We
      demonstrate that the DPLG algorithm also improves the structural SIMilarity
      values of the perceptual visual quality for denoised images using the
      experimental evaluations on the benchmark images and Berkeley segmentation data
      sets. Moreover, the DPLG also produces the competitive peak signal-to-noise ratio
      values from popular image denoising algorithms. 

PMID- 26285149
TI  - Spartans: Single-Sample Periocular-Based Alignment-Robust Recognition Technique
      Applied to Non-Frontal Scenarios.
AB  - In this paper, we investigate a single-sample periocular-based alignment-robust
      face recognition technique that is pose-tolerant under unconstrained face
      matching scenarios. Our Spartans framework starts by utilizing one single sample
      per subject class, and generate new face images under a wide range of 3D
      rotations using the 3D generic elastic model which is both accurate and
      computationally economic. Then, we focus on the periocular region where the most
      stable and discriminant features on human faces are retained, and marginalize out
      the regions beyond the periocular region since they are more susceptible to
      expression variations and occlusions. A novel facial descriptor, high-dimensional
      Walsh local binary patterns, is uniformly sampled on facial images with
      robustness toward alignment. During the learning stage, subject-dependent
      advanced correlation filters are learned for pose-tolerant non-linear subspace
      modeling in kernel feature space followed by a coupled max-pooling mechanism
      which further improve the performance. Given any unconstrained unseen face image,
      the Spartans can produce a highly discriminative matching score, thus achieving
      high verification rate. We have evaluated our method on the challenging Labeled
      Faces in the Wild database and solidly outperformed the state-of-the-art
      algorithms under four evaluation protocols with a high accuracy of 89.69%, a top
      score among image-restricted and unsupervised protocols. The advancement of
      Spartans is also proven in the Face Recognition Grand Challenge and Multi-PIE
      databases. In addition, our learning method based on advanced correlation filters
      is much more effective, in terms of learning subject-dependent pose-tolerant
      subspaces, compared with many well-established subspace methods in both linear
      and non-linear cases. 

PMID- 26285150
TI  - A General-Thresholding Solution for lp (0 < p <1) Regularized CT Reconstruction.
AB  - It is well known that l1 minimization can be used to recover sufficiently sparse
      unknown signals in the compressive sensing field. The lp regularization method, a
      generalized version between the well-known l1 regularization and the l0
      regularization, has been proposed for a sparser solution. In this paper, we
      derive several quasi-analytic thresholding representations for the lp(0 < p < 1)
      regularization. The derived representations are exact matches for the well-known
      soft-threshold filtering for the l1 regularization and the hard-threshold
      filtering for the l0 regularization. The error bounds of the approximate general
      formulas are analyzed. The general-threshold representation formulas are
      incorporated into an iterative thresholding framework for a fast solution of an
      lp regularized computed tomography (CT) reconstruction. A series of simulated and
      realistic data experiments are conducted to evaluate the performance of the
      proposed general-threshold filtering algorithm for CT reconstruction, and it is
      also compared with the well-known re-weighted approach. Compared with the re
      weighted algorithm, the proposed general-threshold filtering algorithm can
      substantially reduce the necessary view number for an accurate reconstruction of
      the Shepp-Logan phantom. In addition, the proposed general-threshold filtering
      algorithm performs well in terms of image quality, reconstruction accuracy,
      convergence speed, and sensitivity to parameters.

PMID- 26285151
TI  - Nonlinear Hyperspectral Unmixing With Robust Nonnegative Matrix Factorization.
AB  - We introduce a robust mixing model to describe hyperspectral data resulting from
      the mixture of several pure spectral signatures. The new model extends the
      commonly used linear mixing model by introducing an additional term accounting
      for possible nonlinear effects, that are treated as sparsely distributed additive
      outliers. With the standard nonnegativity and sum-to-one constraints inherent to
      spectral unmixing, our model leads to a new form of robust nonnegative matrix
      factorization with a group-sparse outlier term. The factorization is posed as an
      optimization problem, which is addressed with a block-coordinate descent
      algorithm involving majorization-minimization updates. Simulation results
      obtained on synthetic and real data show that the proposed strategy competes with
      the state-of-the-art linear and nonlinear unmixing methods. 

PMID- 26285152
TI  - High-Resolution Light Field Capture With Coded Aperture.
AB  - Acquiring light field with larger angular resolution and higher spatial
      resolution in low cost is the goal of light field capture. Combining or modifying
      traditional optical cameras is a usual method for designing light field capture
      equipment, among which most models should deliberate trade-off between angular
      and spatial resolution, but augmenting coded aperture avoids this consideration
      by multiplexing information from different views. On the basis of coded aperture,
      this paper suggests an improved light field camera model that has double
      measurements and one mask. The two compressive measurements are respectively
      realized by a coded aperture and a random convolution CMOS imager, the latter is
      used as imaging sensor of the camera. The single mask design permits high light
      efficiency, which enables the sampling images to have high clarity. The double
      measurement design keeps more correlation information, which is conductive to
      enhancing the reconstructed light field. The higher clarity and more correlation
      of samplings mean higher quality of rebuilt light field, which also means higher
      resolution under condition of a lower PSNR requirement for rebuilt light field.
      Experimental results have verified advantage of the proposed design: compared
      with the representative mask-based light field camera models, the proposed model
      has the highest reconstruction quality and a higher light efficiency. 

PMID- 26285153
TI  - Gradient Domain Guided Image Filtering.
AB  - Guided image filter (GIF) is a well-known local filter for its edge-preserving
      property and low computational complexity. Unfortunately, the GIF may suffer from
      halo artifacts, because the local linear model used in the GIF cannot represent
      the image well near some edges. In this paper, a gradient domain GIF is proposed
      by incorporating an explicit first-order edge-aware constraint. The edge-aware
      constraint makes edges be preserved better. To illustrate the efficiency of the
      proposed filter, the proposed gradient domain GIF is applied for single-image
      detail enhancement, tone mapping of high dynamic range images and image saliency
      detection. Both theoretical analysis and experimental results prove that the
      proposed gradient domain GIF can produce better resultant images, especially near
      the edges, where halos appear in the original GIF. 

PMID- 26285155
TI  - Copper(II)-Specific Fluorogenic Task-Specific Ionic Liquids as Selective
      Fluorescence Probes and Recyclable Extractants.
AB  - The designed synthesis of a series of copper(II) specific fluorogenic hydrophobic
      task-specific ionic liquids (TSILs) from a new naphthalene-based tetradentate
      ligand is reported. Absorption and fluorescence spectral studies reveal both the
      ligand and its derivative TSILs show exclusive selectivity towards copper(II)
      ions. The Stern-Volmer method for calculation of the detection limit for ligand
      and TSIL1-3 shows values of 0.12, 20, 17, and 15 MUM, respectively. Extraction
      and striping studies by doping these TSILs in [bmim][NTf2] demonstrated that
      these TSILs are recyclable extractants for the selective recovery of Cu(II) ions
      from a mixture of 14 relevant metal chloride aqueous solutions in biphasic liquid
      liquid extraction with approximately 95% recovery.

PMID- 26285154
TI  - Ablation of Doublecortin-Like Kinase 1 in the Colonic Epithelium Exacerbates
      Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis.
AB  - Doublecortin-like kinase 1 (Dclk1), a microtubule-associated kinase, marks the
      fifth lineage of intestinal epithelial cells called tuft cells that function as
      tumor stem cells in Apc mutant models of colon cancer. In order to determine the
      role of Dclk1 in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) induced colonic inflammation both
      intestinal epithelial specific Dclk1 deficient (VillinCre;Dclk1f/f) and control
      (Dclk1f/f) mice were fed 3% DSS in drinking water for 9 days, allowed to recover
      for 2 days, and killed. The clinical and histological features of DSS-induced
      colitis were scored and immunohistochemical, gene expression, pro-inflammatory
      cytokines/chemokines, and immunoblotting analyses were used to examine epithelial
      barrier integrity, inflammation, and stem and tuft cell features. In DSS-induced
      colitis, VillinCre;Dclk1f/f mice demonstrated exacerbated injury including higher
      clinical colitis scores, increased epithelial barrier permeability, higher levels
      of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, decreased levels of Lgr5, and
      dysregulated Wnt/b-Catenin pathway genes. These results suggest that Dclk1 plays
      an important role in regulating colonic inflammatory response and colonic
      epithelial integrity. 

PMID- 26285156
TI  - REST rs3796529 variant does not confer susceptibility to Alzheimer's disease.

PMID- 26285157
TI  - Inter-device comparison of retinal sensitivity measurements: the CenterVue MAIA
      and the Nidek MP-1.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Our aim is to compare retinal sensitivity measurements obtained on
      two microperimeters: the CenterVue MAIA and the Nidek MP-1. DESIGN: A prospective
      study was conducted in a private ophthalmology clinic. PARTICIPANTS: Seventeen
      individuals with a range of stable macular function were recruited as
      participants. METHODS: Microperimetry in one eye with identical test strategy in
      both devices, with randomized testing order, is used. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The
      main outcome measures include differences in mean sensitivity (MS), point-wise
      sensitivity (PWS) and duration. Limits of agreement (LoA) in MS and pooled PWS
      were calculated. Concordance in scotoma assessment was analysed by kappa (kappa)
      agreement of local defect classification (LDC), LoA in number of scotomatous loci
      detected and congruence in scotoma localization (CSL). RESULTS: Median
      (interquartile range) MS of the MP-1 and MAIA was 13.3 (5.6-18.1) and 21.2 (14.5
      27.0) dB, (P < 0.05). Mean difference in PWS was 7.3 dB (MAIA > MP-1). Median
      (interquartile range) duration for the MP-1 and MAIA was 10'28" (7'17"-11'53")
      and 8'46" (8'30"-9'06"), (P = 0.21). LoA for MS and pooled PWS was 1.4 to 13.3 dB
      and -3.9 to 18.5 dB. There was moderate agreement between the devices for LDC
      (weighted kappa = 0.55, P < 0.05). LoA in number of scotomatous loci detected was
      -13 to 18. CSL varied from 0 to 100% and correlated strongly with increasing
      scotoma size. CONCLUSIONS: The large LoA and variation in scotoma mapping
      concordance suggest that the same microperimeter should be used for follow-up
      examination. We recommend caution in comparing results derived from different
      types of microperimeters.

PMID- 26285158
TI  - Sebox regulates mesoderm formation in early amphibian embryos.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mix/Bix genes are important regulators of mesendoderm formation
      during vertebrate embryogenesis. Sebox, an additional member of this gene family,
      has been implicated in endoderm formation during early embryogenesis in
      zebrafish. However, it remains unclear whether Sebox plays a unique role in early
      Xenopus embryos. RESULTS: In this study, we provide evidence that Sebox is
      uniquely required for the formation of mesoderm during early Xenopus
      embryogenesis. Sebox is dynamically expressed in the involuted mesoderm during
      gastrulation. It is activated by Nodal/Activin signaling and modulated by zygotic
      Wnt/beta-catenin signaling. Overexpression of Sebox perturbs movements during
      convergent extension and inhibits the expression of mesodermal, but not
      endodermal, genes induced by Nodal/Activin signaling. Depletion of Sebox using a
      specific morpholino increases the expression of noncanonical wnt5a, wnt5b, and
      wnt11b. Depletion of Sebox also up-regulates the expression of pcdh8.2, a
      paraxial mesoderm-specific protocadherin, in a Wnt11B-dependent manner. Sebox
      morphants display reduced development of the head and notochord. CONCLUSIONS: Our
      findings illustrate that Sebox, a unique member of the Mix/Bix gene family,
      functions downstream of Nodal/Activin signaling and is required for the proper
      expression of noncanonical Wnt ligands and the normal development of mesoderm in
      Xenopus.

PMID- 26285159
TI  - Concomitant high expression of BRAFV600E, P-cadherin and cadherin 6 is associated
      with High TNM stage and lymph node metastasis in conventional papillary thyroid
      carcinoma.
AB  - CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: BRAFV600E mutation is the most common activating mutation
      associated with aggressive behaviours in human tumours including conventional
      papillary thyroid carcinoma (cPTC). P-cadherin and cadherin 6 have been shown to
      be mesenchymal-associated cadherins and promote cancer cell invasion and
      metastasis. The purpose of this study was to examine BRAFV600E, P-cadherin and
      cadherin 6 expressions in cPTC and to assess the association of their expression
      with clinicopathological indicators. METHODS: BRAFV600E, P-cadherin and cadherin
      6 protein expressions in 80 cPTCs, 61 nodular hyperplasia and 76 normal thyroid
      tissues were examined by immunohistochemistry. The correlation of their protein
      expression with clinicopathological indicators of cPTC was statistically
      analysed. RESULTS: Protein expression of BRAFV600E, P-cadherin and cadherin 6 was
      upregulated in cPTC. High protein expression of BRAFV600E, P-cadherin and
      cadherin 6 was significantly correlated with high TNM stage and lymph node
      metastasis (LNM) (P < 0.001). Furthermore, BRAFV600E, P-cadherin and cadherin 6
      protein expressions were correlated with one another. BRAFV600E high expression
      combined with both P-cadherin and cadherin-6 high expressions had stronger
      correlation with high TNM stage and LNM when compared with BRAFV600E high
      expression combined with either P-cadherin or cadherin-6 high expression (P =
      0.042, 0.017 for TNM stage and P = 0.003, 0.006 for LNM, respectively) and only
      BRAFV600E high expression (P < 0.001 for both TNM stage and LNM). CONCLUSIONS:
      Concomitant high expression of BRAFV600E, P-cadherin and cadherin 6 is strongly
      associated with high TNM stage and LNM in cPTC.

PMID- 26285160
TI  - Organochlorine insecticides DDT and chlordane in relation to survival following
      breast cancer.
AB  - Organochlorine insecticides have been studied extensively in relation to breast
      cancer incidence, and results from two meta-analyses have been null for late-life
      residues, possibly due to measurement error. Whether these compounds influence
      survival remains to be fully explored. We examined associations between
      organochlorine insecticides [p,p'-DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane), its
      primary metabolite, p,p'-DDE, and chlordane] assessed shortly after diagnosis and
      survival among women with breast cancer. A population-based sample of women
      diagnosed with a first primary invasive or in situ breast cancer in 1996-1997 and
      with available organochlorine blood measures (n = 633) were followed for vital
      status through 2011. After follow-up of 5 and 15 years, we identified 55 and 189
      deaths, of which 36 and 74, respectively, were breast cancer-related. Using Cox
      regression models, we estimated the multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs)
      and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for lipid-adjusted organochlorine
      concentrations with all-cause and breast cancer-specific mortality. At 5 years
      after diagnosis, the highest tertile of DDT concentration was associated with all
      cause (HR = 2.19; 95% CI: 1.02, 4.67) and breast cancer-specific (HR = 2.72; 95%
      CI: 1.04, 7.13) mortality. At 15 years, middle tertile concentrations of DDT (HR
      = 1.42; 95% CI 0.99, 2.06) and chlordane (HR = 1.42; 95% CI: 0.94, 2.12) were
      modestly associated with all-cause and breast cancer-specific mortality. Third
      tertile DDE concentrations were inversely associated with 15-year all-cause
      mortality (HR = 0.66; 95% CI: 0.44, 0.99). This is the first population-based
      study in the United States to show that DDT may adversely impact survival
      following breast cancer diagnosis. Further studies are warranted given the high
      breast cancer burden and the ubiquity of these chemicals.

PMID- 26285161
TI  - Eight-year results of the Spiesser study, a randomized trial comparing de novo
      sirolimus and cyclosporine in renal transplantation.
AB  - We present the results at 8 years of the Spiesser study, a randomized trial
      comparing de novo sirolimus and cyclosporine in kidney transplant recipients at
      low immunologic risk. We assessed estimated glomerular filtration (eGFR), graft,
      patient, and death-censored graft survival (log-rank compared), de novo DSA
      appearance, risk of malignancy, post-transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM), and
      anemia. Intent-to-treat and on-treatment analyses were performed. Graft survival
      was similar in both groups (sirolimus: 73.3%, cyclosporine: 77.7, P = 0.574). No
      difference was observed between treatment groups concerning patient survival (P =
      0.508) and death-censored graft survival (P = 0.858). In conditional intent-to
      treat analysis, mean eGFR was greater in sirolimus than in cyclosporine group
      (62.5 +/- 27.3 ml/min vs. 47.8 +/- 17.1 ml/min, P = 0.004), in particular because
      graft function was excellent in patients maintained under sirolimus (eGFR = 74.0
      ml/min). Importantly, no detrimental impact was observed in patients in whom
      sirolimus has been withdrawn (eGFR = 49.5 ml/min). Overall, 17 patients showed de
      novo DSAs, with no difference between the two groups (P = 0.520). Malignancy did
      not differ by treatment. An initial maintenance regimen based on sirolimus
      provides a long-term improvement in renal function for kidney transplant
      patients, especially for those maintained on sirolimus.

PMID- 26285162
TI  - False normal Lung Clearance Index in infants with cystic fibrosis due to software
      algorithms.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Lung clearance index (LCI), a marker of ventilation inhomogeneity, is
      elevated early in children with cystic fibrosis (CF). However, in infants with
      CF, LCI values are found to be normal, although structural lung abnormalities are
      often detectable. We hypothesized that this discrepancy is due to inadequate
      algorithms of the available software package. AIM: Our aim was to challenge the
      validity of these software algorithms. METHODS: We compared multiple breath
      washout (MBW) results of current software algorithms (automatic modus) to refined
      algorithms (manual modus) in 17 asymptomatic infants with CF, and 24 matched
      healthy term-born infants. The main difference between these two analysis methods
      lies in the calculation of the molar mass differences that the system uses to
      define the completion of the measurement. RESULTS: In infants with CF the refined
      manual modus revealed clearly elevated LCI above 9 in 8 out of 35 measurements
      (23%), all showing LCI values below 8.3 using the automatic modus (paired t-test
      comparing the means, P < 0.001). Healthy infants showed normal LCI values using
      both analysis methods (n = 47, paired t-test, P = 0.79). The most relevant reason
      for false normal LCI values in infants with CF using the automatic modus was the
      incorrect recognition of the end-of-test too early during the washout.
      CONCLUSION: We recommend the use of the manual modus for the analysis of MBW
      outcomes in infants in order to obtain more accurate results. This will allow
      appropriate use of infant lung function results for clinical and scientific
      purposes.

PMID- 26285163
TI  - The impact of ranibizumab on the level of intercellular adhesion molecule type 1
      in the vitreous of eyes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study was to investigate the impact of ranibizumab on the level of
      intercellular adhesion molecule type 1 (ICAM-1) in the vitreous of eyes with PDR.
      METHODS: This is an interventional case-control study. A total of 82 eyes from 82
      patients who had undergone vitreous surgery for the treatment of retinal
      disorders were included. Twenty-two eyes with PDR received an intravitreal
      ranibizumab injection (IVR) 3-7 days before vitrectomy and were grouped as 'PDR
      with recent IVR' or Group 1. Sixteen eyes with PDR received IVR more than 7 days
      before vitrectomy and were grouped as 'PDR with remote IVR' or Group 2. Twenty
      two matched PDR eyes did not receive IVR before vitrectomy and were grouped as
      'PDR without IVR' or Group 3. Finally, 22 eyes from 22 patients with idiopathic
      macular pucker (IMP) served as the 'non-diabetic control' group, or Group 4.
      Vitreous samples were obtained at the time of vitrectomy from all eyes, and the
      levels of vascular endothelium growth factor (VEGF) and ICAM-1 were analysed
      using ELISA. RESULTS: PDR without IVR (Group 3) had the highest vitreous VEGF
      concentration; the difference was significant compared with those in the PDR with
      recent IVR (Group 1), PDR with remote IVR (Group 2) and the non-diabetic control
      group (Group 4) (p < 0.001). Group 2 had a lower vitreous VEGF level than Group 1
      (p = 0.041). Group 1 had the highest vitreous ICAM-1 levels (p < 0.001 versus.
      Groups 2, 3 and 4); Group 2 had a lower vitreous ICAM-1 level than Group 3 (p =
      0.028). CONCLUSION: The vitreous fluid level of ICAM-1 was significantly
      increased within 1 week of IVR administration, but markedly decreased after a
      week of administration in eyes with PDR. This suggests that leucostasis, vascular
      leakage and endothelial dysfunction may be amplified in the early days after IVR,
      but that a therapeutic effect of IVR in these processes may appear after 1 week
      of ranibizumab administration in eyes with PDR.

PMID- 26285164
TI  - Jacobsen syndrome: Advances in our knowledge of phenotype and genotype.
AB  - In 1973, the Danish geneticist Petrea Jacobsen described a three-generation
      family in which the proband carried a presumed terminal deletion at the end of
      the long arm of chromosome 11 (11q). This patient had dysmorphic features,
      congenital heart disease, and intellectual disability. Since Dr. Jacobsen's
      initial report, over 200 patients with Jacobsen syndrome have been reported,
      suggesting that Jacobsen syndrome is a contiguous gene disorder. With the advent
      of high resolution deletion mapping and the completion of the human genome
      sequencing project, a comprehensive genotype/phenotype analysis for Jacobsen
      syndrome became possible. In this article, we review research describing
      individual causal genes in distal 11q that contribute to the overall Jacobsen
      syndrome clinical phenotype. Through a combination of human genetics and the use
      of genetically engineered animal models, causal genes have been identified for
      the clinical problems in JS that historically have caused the greatest morbidity
      and mortality: congenital heart disease, the Paris-Trousseau bleeding disorder,
      intellectual disability, autism, and immunodeficiency. Insights gained from these
      studies are being applied for future drug development and clinical trials, as
      well as for a potential strategy for the prevention of certain forms of
      congenital heart disease. The results of these studies will likely not only
      improve the prognostic and therapeutic approaches for patients with Jacobsen
      syndrome, but also for the general population afflicted with these problems.

PMID- 26285165
TI  - Protease activated receptor-1 antagonist ameliorates the clinical symptoms of
      experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis via inhibiting breakdown of blood-brain
      barrier.
AB  - To evaluate the question of whether protease activated receptor-1 (PAR-1)
      antagonist is a potential therapeutic target in multiple sclerosis, we treated
      experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mice with two PAR-1 antagonists,
      KC-A0590 and SCH-530348. Treatment with both antagonists resulted in a
      significant decrease in the clinical characteristics of EAE mice by suppressing
      demyelination and infiltration of inflammatory cells in the spinal cord and
      brain, as well as a significantly reducing the increased thrombin and tumor
      necrosis factor-alpha. Profound leakage of dextran was observed in the brain of
      EAE mice. However, treatment with PAR-1 antagonists resulted in the stabilization
      of vascular endothelial cells and reduced blood-brain barrier breakdown with
      suppression of inflammatory response. Treatment with PAR-1 antagonists also
      resulted in down-regulated expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and preserved
      expression of occludin and zonula occludens (ZO)-1 in the brain and their
      significant expression was confirmed in neurons, astrocytes, and vascular
      endothelial cells. Finally, endothelial cells and primary cultured astrocytes
      were treated with PAR-1 antagonists; both antagonists suppressed thrombin-induced
      breakdown of ZO-1 in endothelial cells and secretion of matrix metalloproteinase
      9 in astrocytes. Collectively, our results suggest that PAR-1 antagonist is
      effective in attenuation of the clinical symptoms of EAE mice by stabilizing the
      blood-brain barrier and may have therapeutic potential for treatment of multiple
      sclerosis.

PMID- 26285166
TI  - Kinetic Profiling of Catalytic Organic Reactions as a Mechanistic Tool.
AB  - The use of modern kinetic tools to obtain virtually continuous reaction progress
      data over the course of a catalytic reaction opens up a vista that provides
      mechanistic insights into both simple and complex catalytic networks. Reaction
      profiles offer a rate/concentration scan that tells the story of a batch reaction
      time course in a qualitative "fingerprinting" manner as well as in quantitative
      detail. Reaction progress experiments may be mathematically designed to elucidate
      catalytic rate laws from only a fraction of the number of experiments required in
      classical kinetic measurements. The information gained from kinetic profiles
      provides clues to direct further mechanistic analysis by other approaches.
      Examples from a variety of catalytic reactions spanning two decades of the
      author's work help to delineate nuances on a central mechanistic theme. 

PMID- 26285167
TI  - Quantitation of baby wipes lotion transfer to premature and neonatal skin.
AB  - Exposure to topically applied substances occurs routinely in premature and
      hospitalized infant care. Safety determinations are most accurate when exposures
      are based on appropriately designed studies to capture variations in practice
      patterns and population heterogeneity. Current safety assessments may not reflect
      actual practice resulting in overly conservative or understated default
      assumptions for toxicological determinations. We quantified the amount of baby
      wipes lotion transferred to premature and term neonatal skin as grams/kg body
      weight/day. We observed the soil type and number of wipes used for skin cleansing
      and measured lotion transfer from one wipe applied to freshly clean, dry skin. A
      Bayesian imputation approach was applied to compute lotion exposure and produce
      summary statistics. Model covariates were age and weight at evaluation, gender,
      soil type, soil amount, and number of diaper changes per day. Lotion transfer was
      measured for 66 premature and 55 term neonates with 449 and 254 evaluations,
      respectively. The wipes per day was 12.52 overall (all infants and soils), 12.78
      for premature and 12.21 for term neonates. Lotion transfer was 0.20 g/kg/day
      (95th percentile) overall, 0.21 for premature and 0.19 for term neonates. The
      statistical and experimental methodology represents an effective strategy for
      determining exposure and assessing risk.

PMID- 26285168
TI  - Cell Therapy and Tissue Engineering from and toward the Uterus.
AB  - Regenerative medicine offers the potential for replacement or repair of different
      types of cells within damaged tissues or the tissues themselves, typically
      through cell therapy or tissue engineering. Stem cells are critical to these
      approaches; indeed, the involvement of bone marrow in the differentiation of stem
      cells to nonhematopoietic cells is well demonstrated. Further, the contribution
      of bone marrow-derived stem cells in promoting neoangiogenesis has been
      demonstrated not only in animal models, but also in human clinical trials with an
      excellent safety profile. Recent evidence indicates that the endometrium is a
      tissue with the potential for regeneration through such approaches. The presence
      of donor cells in the endometrium of women receiving bone marrow transplantation
      suggests a hematopoietic source with the ability to renew this tissue. Here we
      describe the role of cell therapy with bone marrow-derived stem cells in treating
      endometrial dysfunction in Asherman syndrome and/or endometrial atrophy in human
      and murine models. Additionally, the emerging field of tissue engineering has
      recently been applied in the reproductive tissues-beyond the endometrium-with
      elegant studies involving humans and animal models. 

PMID- 26285169
TI  - Endometrial Cancer Stem Cell as a Potential Therapeutic Target.
AB  - Adult stem cells have recently been identified in several types of mature tissue
      and it has been also suggested that stem-like cells exist in cancerous tissues.
      It is believed that many cancer stem cells (CSCs) upregulate the expression of
      drug transporters, allowing them to efficiently pump antitumor agents out of the
      cells. CSCs reside in a quiescent state, making them resistant to
      chemotherapeutic agents that target rapidly cycling cells. They are also endowed
      with a more invasive and metastatic phenotype. These results indicate the
      requirement to develop a new target treatment for CSCs. There are several methods
      for the identification of CSCs; for example, detection by CSC markers, such as
      CD133, CD44, CD117(c-kit), aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1), and isolation of
      side population (SP), which are identified based on their ability to remove
      intracellular Hoechst 33342, a fluorescent dye. Here, we review recent articles
      that show the presence of stem cells in endometrial cancer and introduce the
      results of our own recent studies using CD133 or CD117 positive cells and SP
      cells. 

PMID- 26285170
TI  - Stem Cells in the Uterus: Past, Present and Future.

PMID- 26285171
TI  - Treatment of allergic rhinitis with intranasal infusion of botulinum toxin type A
      in mice.
AB  - AIMS: To determine whether intranasal infusion of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A)
      relieves symptoms of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic rhinitis (AR) and reduces
      nasal inflammation in mice. MAIN METHODS: AR was induced via intraperitoneal
      injection of OVA followed by daily intranasal challenge with OVA. Five weeks
      after the initiation of OVA sensitization, nasal cavities were exposed to a
      single intranasal infusion of BTX-A. The behavior of mice was observed before and
      1, 3, 5, 7, 14, 21, and 28days after infusion. Mice were sacrificed after 28days
      and late histological findings were examined. PBS was administered to control
      mice. RESULTS: On Day 3, the frequency of typical AR symptoms, including sneezing
      and nose scratching, significantly decreased in the BTX-A-treated group (n=6)
      compared to the control group (n=6). Although the AR-inhibiting effects of BTX-A
      persisted until Day 21, AR symptoms re-appeared in response to daily OVA
      stimulation. Histological findings of the nasal mucosa also improved following
      BTX-A administration. Although capillary dilatation and eosinophil infiltration
      decreased by Day 3, these effects disappeared by Day 28. In contrast, the number
      and size of the secretary glands in the nasal mucosa did not change following BTX
      A administration. PBS had no effect on nasal symptoms or histology. CONCLUSIONS:
      Topical treatment with BTX-A efficiently and temporarily ameliorates AR symptoms.
      Intranasal infusion does not cause pain or bleeding, and the effects of a single
      infusion of BTX-A last for at least three weeks. This treatment might be a
      promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of AR.

PMID- 26285172
TI  - Thymoquinone modulates nitric oxide production and improves organ dysfunction of
      sepsis.
AB  - AIMS: The present investigation was designed to evaluate the effect of
      thymoquinone in a septic animal model and to explore the role of nitric oxide
      (NO) in the process. MAIN METHODS: To achieve this, mice (n=12 per group) were
      treated in parallel with thymoquinone (0.75mg/kg/day) and/or NG-nitro-l-arginine
      methyl ester (L-NAME; 400MUg/g/day) prior to sepsis induction with live
      Escherichia coli. KEY FINDINGS: Thymoquinone significantly improved renal and
      hepatic functions alone and in combination with L-NAME. This was associated with
      less NO production and lower oxidative stress in treated animals. Tumor necrosis
      factor-alpha concentration with thymoquinone and L-NAME were 36.27+/-3.41pg/ml
      and 56.55+/-5.85pg/ml, respectively, as opposed to 141.11+/-6.46pg/ml in septic
      controls. Similarly, Interleukin-1alpha, 2, 6 and 10 levels decreased
      significantly upon treatment with thymoquinone and L-NAME as compared with
      untreated septic animals. NF-kappaB and NF-kappaB-DNA binding activity in nuclear
      proteins were also significantly down-regulated. Vascular responsiveness studies
      in isolated mouse aortae demonstrated a reduced relaxation to acetylcholine
      exposure in septic mice treated with thymoquinone. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings
      suggest that thymoquinone prevents sequels of the multiple organ failure syndrome
      of sepsis by modulating the production of NO and its inflammatory sequela, and
      adjusting vascular responsiveness.

PMID- 26285174
TI  - Mesenchymal cells of umbilical cord and umbilical cord blood as a source of human
      oligodendrocyte progenitors.

PMID- 26285173
TI  - The anti-angiogenic action of 2-deoxyglucose involves attenuation of VEGFR2
      signaling and MMP-2 expression in HUVECs.
AB  - AIMS: 2-Deoxyglucose (2-DG) is a glucose analogue and has been shown to inhibit
      angiogenesis in human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) through
      interference with N-linked glycosylation. However, the anti-angiogenic mechanisms
      of 2-DG are not fully elucidated. MAIN METHODS: We first employed an ex vivo rat
      aortic ring model to substantiate the anti-angiogenic action of 2-DG and then
      used HUVECs to investigate the molecular mechanism underlying such an action. KEY
      FINDINGS: Results reveal that 2-DG (0.05-1.0mM) significantly inhibited tube
      formation in both rat aortic rings and HUVECs. 2-DG (0.1-1.0mM) also
      significantly inhibited cell invasion and migration, as well as the activity and
      mRNA and protein expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 in HUVECs. In
      addition, 2-DG (1.0mM) significantly inhibited mRNA and protein expression of
      vascular endothelial growth receptor 2 (VEGFR2) in a time-dependent manner. 2-DG
      also significantly inhibited the phosphorylation of the focal adhesion kinase
      (FAK) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38), the downstream molecules of
      VEGFR2. The effects of 2-DG on tube formation, MMP-2 activity, and VEGFR2 protein
      expression in HUVECs were reversed by mannose, an N-linked glycosylation
      precursor. Mannose also reversed 2-DG-induced accumulation of VEGFR2 in the
      endoplasmic reticulum. SIGNIFICANCE: This ex vivo and in vitro study demonstrates
      that 2-DG inhibits angiogenesis with an action involving attenuation of VEGFR2
      signaling and MMP-2 expression, possibly resulting from interference with N
      linked glycosylation of VEGFR2. Further studies are needed to show that 2-DG
      inhibits VEGF-mediated angiogenesis or that the actual status of N-glycosylation
      of VEGFR2 is affected by the treatment.

PMID- 26285175
TI  - Chlorogenic acid, a polyphenol in coffee, protects neurons against glutamate
      neurotoxicity.
AB  - AIMS: The present study has been designed to explore the molecular mechanism of
      chlorogenic acid (CGA) in the protective effect against glutamate-induced
      neuronal cell death. MAIN METHODS: Cortical neurons in primary culture were
      exposed to 300 MUM l-glutamic acid or vehicle, with or without 10 MUM CGA or 10
      MUM MK-801. After 16 h, primary cultures were stained with propidium iodide
      (PI)/Hoechst or calcein. Double-staining with PI and Hoechst was performed to
      confirm whether cell death induced by glutamate was apoptotic. In addition,
      intracellular concentrations of Ca(2+) were observed using Ca(2+) indicator fura
      2. KEY FINDINGS: We investigated the protective effects of CGA on glutamate
      induced neuronal cell death using primary cultures of mouse cerebral cortex
      because the release of glutamate during brain ischemia triggers death of neurons.
      Glutamate-induced neuronal cell death was inhibited by treatment with CGA. In
      addition, CGA prevented the increase in intracellular concentrations of Ca(2+)
      caused by the addition of glutamate to cultured neurons. On the other hand, there
      was little effect of CGA on cell death induced by nitric oxide, which is
      downstream of the ischemic neuronal cell death. Our results suggested that the
      polyphenol CGA in coffee protects neurons from glutamate neurotoxicity by
      regulating Ca(2+) entry into neurons. SIGNIFICANCE: CGA in coffee may have
      clinical benefits for neurodegenerative diseases such as ischemic stroke.

PMID- 26285176
TI  - Ginsenoside Compound K suppresses the hepatic gluconeogenesis via activating
      adenosine-5'monophosphate kinase: A study in vitro and in vivo.
AB  - AIMS: Compound K (CK) is a final intestinal metabolite of protopanaxadiol-type
      ginsenoside. We have reported that CK presented anti-diabetic effect via
      diminishing the expressions of hepatic gluconeogenesis key enzyme. Here, we
      further explore the possible mechanism of CK on suppression hepatic
      gluconeogenesis via activation of adenosine-5'monophosphate kinase (AMPK) on type
      2 diabetes mice in vivo and in HepG2 cells. MAIN METHODS: Type 2 diabetes mice
      model was developed by high fat diet combined with STZ injection. 30mg/kg/d CK
      was orally administrated for 4weeks, the fasting blood glucose level and 2h OGTT
      were conducted, and the protein expression of AMPK, peroxisome proliferator
      activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1alpha (PGC-1alpha), Phosphoenolpyruvate
      carboxykinase (PEPCK) and Glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) were examined. The
      mechanism of Compound K on hepatic gluconeogenesis was further explored in HepG2
      hepatocytes. Glucose production, the protein expression of AMPK, PEPCK, G6pase
      and PGC-1alpha, hepatic nuclear factor 4alpha (HNF-4alpha) and forkhead
      transcription factor O1 (FOXO1) were determined after Compound K treatment at the
      presence of AMPK inhibitor Compound C. KEY FINDINGS: We observed that CK
      inhibited the expression of PEPCK and G6Pase in the liver and in HepG2
      hepatocytes. Meanwhile, CK treatment remarkably increased the activation of AMPK,
      while decreasing the expressions of PGC-1alpha, HNF-4alpha and FOXO1. However,
      AMPK inhibitor Compound C could reverse these effects of CK on gluconeogenesis in
      part. SIGNIFICANCE: The results indicated that the effect of CK on suppression
      hepatic gluconeogenesis might be via the activation the AMPK activity.

PMID- 26285177
TI  - High-intensity interval training beneficial effects on body mass, blood pressure,
      and oxidative stress in diet-induced obesity in ovariectomized mice.
AB  - AIMS: To investigate the possible beneficial effect of high-intensity interval
      training (HIIT) on skeletal muscle oxidative stress, body mass (BM) and systolic
      blood pressure (SBP) in ovariectomized mice fed or not fed a high-fat diet. MAIN
      METHODS: Three-month-old female C57BL/6 mice were bilaterally ovariectomized (OVX
      group) or submitted to surgical stress without ovariectomy (SHAM group) and
      separated into standard chow (SHAM-SC; OVX-SC) and high-fat diet (SHAM-HF; OVX
      HF) groups. After 13 weeks, an HIIT program (swimming) was carried out for 8
      weeks in non-trained (NT) and trained (T) groups. KEY FINDINGS: The significant
      reduction of uterine mass and the cytological examination of vaginal smears in
      the OVX group confirmed that ovariectomy was successful. Before the HIIT
      protocol, the ovariectomized groups showed a greater BM than the SHAM group,
      irrespective of the diet they received. The HIIT minimized BM gain in animals fed
      an HF diet and/or ovariectomized. SBP and total cholesterol were increased in the
      OVX and HF animals compared to their counterparts, and the HIIT efficiently
      reduced these factors. In the HF and OVX mice, the muscular superoxide dismutase
      and catalase levels were low while their glutathione peroxidase and glutathione
      reductase levels were high and the HIIT normalized these parameters.
      SIGNIFICANCE: Diet-induced obesity maximizes the deleterious effects of an
      ovariectomy. The HIIT protocol significantly reduced BM, SBP and oxidative stress
      in the skeletal muscle indicating that HIIT diminishes the cardiovascular and
      metabolic risk that is inherent to obesity and menopause.

PMID- 26285178
TI  - Predictors of uterine evacuation following early medical abortion with
      mifepristone and misoprostol.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine predictors of uterine evacuation for women
      undergoing medical abortion using mifepristone and vaginal misoprostol through 63
      days' gestation. STUDY DESIGN: We pooled data from two prospective multicenter
      medical abortion trials. In one study, women received mifepristone 200 mg
      followed either 6-8 or 23-25 h later by misoprostol 800 mcg vaginally. In the
      second study, women received mifepristone 200 mg followed either <15 min or 23-25
      h later by misoprostol 800 mcg vaginally. We examined the absolute risk (AR) of
      uterine evacuation using Fisher's Exact Tests for categorical variables and
      Student t test and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests for continuous variables. We used
      logistic regression to calculate odds ratios (ORs) of uterine evacuation.
      RESULTS: Uterine evacuation was performed for 75 (3.5%) of 2160 women. In
      multivariable analysis, 5 or more prior deliveries (AR 11.9%, OR 4.6) and
      gestational age of 8 weeks or more (AR 4.1%, OR 2.1) were significantly
      associated with uterine evacuation, while age of 20 years or younger (AR 1.4%, OR
      0.4) was significantly and inversely associated with uterine evacuation. Prior
      cesarean delivery, multiple gestations, smoking, weight, body surface area and
      body mass index were not predictive of uterine evacuation in univariate or
      multivariable analysis. CONCLUSION: Uterine evacuation is an uncommon outcome in
      medical abortion with mifepristone and vaginal misoprostol. Five or more
      deliveries are the only significant predictor that identifies a group with an AR
      of uterine evacuation of more than 6%. IMPLICATIONS: Uterine evacuation is
      uncommon in medical abortion with mifepristone and vaginal misoprostol. Parity of
      five or more is the only significant predictor of uterine evacuation exceeding
      6%. Until additional research is completed, medical abortion should not be
      withheld from women with five or more deliveries.

PMID- 26285179
TI  - The effect of choline-stabilized orthosilicic acid on microelements and silicon
      concentration, photosynthesis activity and yield of tomato grown under Mn stress.
AB  - The aim of experiments was to assess the efficiency of choline-stabilized
      orthosilicic acid (ch-OSA; complex of orthosilicic acid with choline and a
      bioavailable source of silicon) application under increasing manganese (Mn)
      stress on the micronutritional composition and yielding of tomato (Solanum
      lycopersicum L. cvs. 'Alboney F1' and 'Emotion F1'). Plants were grown in
      rockwool with the application of a nutrient solution varied the Mn concentrations
      (in mg dm(-3)): 9.6 and 19.2 which cause strong oxidative stress of plants
      comparing with optimal concentration of that microelement in nutrient solution.
      The effect of ch-OSA application (at Si concentration of 0.3 mg dm(-3) nutrient
      solution) was investigated at both Mn-levels. Increasing Mn stress modified the
      concentration of microelements and silicon (Si) in tomato leaves. Application of
      ch-OSA also influenced the concentration of nutrients, but the determined changes
      were generally multidirectional and varied depending on Mn-level and cultivar.
      Under the increasing Mn stress a significant downward trend was observed for the
      mean concentration of Fe (in both cultivars) in fruits--but changes of Mn, Zn and
      Cu were varied depend on cultivar. In the case of cv. 'Alboney F1' ch-OSA
      application caused an increase the mean concentrations of Fe, Zn and Cu, while in
      the case of cv. 'Emotion F1' the reduction of mean concentrations of Zn and Cu
      was recorded. Ch-OSA treatment did not influence on the Mn concentrations in
      fruits. A beneficial role of ch-OSA was also found in photosynthesis activity.
      This was especially valid for lower levels of Mn. Application of ch-OSA improved
      significantly the marketable yield of tomato under stress by a low Mn level.

PMID- 26285180
TI  - Preoperative progressive explosive-type resistance training is feasible and
      effective in patients with hip osteoarthritis scheduled for total hip
      arthroplasty--a randomized controlled trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and feasibility of progressive explosive
      type resistance training (RT) in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip
      scheduled for total hip arthroplasty (THA). METHOD: Randomized controlled trial
      (1:1) in patients diagnosed with hip OA and scheduled for THA. The intervention
      group (IG) performed supervised preoperative progressive explosive-type RT twice
      a week for 10 weeks; four exercises (hip/thigh) performed in three series each (8
      12 repetition maximum). The control group (CG) received 'care as usual'. Efficacy
      was reported as the between-group difference in the Hip Osteoarthritis Outcome
      Score (HOOS) (primary endpoint; ADL function), and leg muscle power at post
      intervention follow-up immediate before surgery. Intention-to-treat analyses were
      performed in a multilevel regression model adjusting for baseline, sex, age and
      weight. Feasibility was reported as adherence, exercise related pain and adverse
      effects. Post-surgical follow up will be reported separately. ClinicalTrials.gov
      registration: NCT01164111. RESULTS: Eighty patients (age 70.4 +/- 7.6 years, BMI
      27.8 +/- 4.6, 52 females (65%) were included. Adherence was high (93%) with
      acceptable exercise related pain (VAS score <= 5) reported in 83% of sessions and
      no adverse events. Changes in HOOS 'function' was 10.0 points 95%CI [4.7; 15.3]
      higher in IG compared to CG (P < 0.001). For all the remaining HOOS subscales IG
      scored significantly better (P < 0.03) and had higher leg extension muscle power
      (P < 0.0001) compared to CG. CONCLUSION: Progressive explosive-type RT was
      feasible in the included group of hip OA patients scheduled for THA and resulted
      in significant improvement in self-reported outcomes and increased leg muscle
      power.

PMID- 26285181
TI  - Density-tapered spiral arrays for ultrasound 3-D imaging.
AB  - The current high interest in 3-D ultrasound imaging is pushing the development of
      2-D probes with a challenging number of active elements. The most popular
      approach to limit this number is the sparse array technique, which designs the
      array layout by means of complex optimization algorithms. These algorithms are
      typically constrained by a few steering conditions, and, as such, cannot
      guarantee uniform side-lobe performance at all angles. The performance may be
      improved by the ungridded extensions of the sparse array technique, but this
      result is achieved at the expense of a further complication of the optimization
      process. In this paper, a method to design the layout of large circular arrays
      with a limited number of elements according to Fermat's spiral seeds and spatial
      density modulation is proposed and shown to be suitable for application to 3-D
      ultrasound imaging. This deterministic, aperiodic, and balanced positioning
      procedure attempts to guarantee uniform performance over a wide range of steering
      angles. The capabilities of the method are demonstrated by simulating and
      comparing the performance of spiral and dense arrays. A good trade-off for small
      vessel imaging is found, e.g., in the 60lambda spiral array with 1.0lambda
      elements and Blackman density tapering window. Here, the grating lobe level is 
      16 dB, the lateral resolution is lower than 6lambda the depth of field is
      120lambda and, the average contrast is 10.3 dB, while the sensitivity remains in
      a 5 dB range for a wide selection of steering angles. The simulation results may
      represent a reference guide to the design of spiral sparse array probes for
      different application fields.

PMID- 26285182
TI  - Cardiac atrial appendage stem cells engraft and differentiate into cardiomyocytes
      in vivo: A new tool for cardiac repair after MI.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study assessed whether autologous transplantation of cardiac
      atrial appendage stem cells (CASCs) preserves cardiac function after myocardial
      infarction (MI) in a minipig model. METHODS AND RESULTS: CASCs were isolated from
      right atrial appendages of Gottingen minipigs based on high aldehyde
      dehydrogenase activity and expanded. MI was induced by a 2h snare ligation of the
      left anterior descending coronary artery. Upon reperfusion, CASCs were
      intramyocardially injected under NOGA guidance (MI-CASC, n=10). Non-transplanted
      pigs (MI, n=8) received sham treatment. 3D electromechanical mapping (EMM) and
      cardiac MRI were performed to assess left ventricular (LV) function. MI pigs
      developed LV dilatation at 2 months (2M), while in the MI-CASC group volumes
      remained stable. Global LV ejection fraction decreased by 16 +/- 8% in MI animals
      vs 3 +/- 10% in MI-CASC animals and regional wall thickening in border areas was
      better preserved in the MI-CASC group. EMM showed decreased viability and wall
      motion in the LV for both groups POST-MI, whereas at 2M these parameters only
      improved in the MI-CASC. Substantial cell retention was accompanied by
      cardiomyogenic differentiation in 98+/-1% of the transplanted CASCs, which
      functionally integrated. Second harmonic generation microscopy confirmed the
      formation of mature sarcomeres in transplanted CASCs. Absence of cardiac
      arrhythmias indicated the safety of CASC transplantation. CONCLUSION: CASCs
      preserve cardiac function by extensive engraftment and cardiomyogenic
      differentiation. Our data indicate the enormous potential of CASCs in myocardial
      repair.

PMID- 26285183
TI  - Circulating soluble low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (sLRP1)
      concentration is associated with hypercholesterolemia: A new potential biomarker
      for atherosclerosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is clinical interest in identifying novel lipid biomarkers for
      evaluating cardiovascular risk and targeting lipid-lowering treatment. Low
      density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) plays a crucial role in the
      dysregulated cholesterol transfer from modified lipoproteins to human coronary
      vascular smooth muscle cells (hVSMCs), promoting hVSMC-derived foam cell
      formation. LRP1 has a soluble and circulating form (sLRP1) generated from LRP1.
      Cholesterol modulates the release of the soluble form of LRP1. Using in vitro, ex
      vivo and patient-based approaches, we tested the association between circulating
      sLRP1 concentrations and hypercholesterolemia and the potential of sLRP1 as a
      biomarker of atherosclerosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: Circulating sLRP1
      concentrations were higher in severe hypercholesterolemia compared to moderate
      hypercholesterolemia or normocholesterolemia (Study 1). Circulating sLRP1 was
      significantly associated with established pro-atherogenic lipid parameters in two
      different hypercholesterolemic populations (Studies 2 and 3). sLRP1
      concentrations decreased after statin treatment and increased after statin
      withdrawal (Study 3). In vitro experiments showed that native LDL, aggregated LDL
      and VLDL+IDL lipoproteins induced the release of sLRP1 from hVSMC. sLRP1 levels
      were increased in the conditioned medium of coronary atherosclerotic plaque areas
      extracted from patients compared to non-atherosclerotic areas of the same
      coronary artery and patient. Circulating sLRP1 concentrations were independently
      associated with the occurrence of carotid atherosclerosis in a
      hypercholesterolemic population (Study 2). The later association was higher than
      that observed for other classical or novel lipid parameters. CONCLUSIONS:
      Circulating sLRP1 is a new lipid-related parameter potentially useful as a
      biomarker for atherosclerosis.

PMID- 26285184
TI  - Reply to the letter "Post-ischemic myocardial stunning was the starting point of
      takotsubo syndrome: Restitution is justified after falling down on".

PMID- 26285185
TI  - Reducing the economic burden of chronic disease requires major investment in
      public health.

PMID- 26285186
TI  - Variation across Canada in the economic burden attributable to excess weight,
      tobacco smoking and physical inactivity.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Tobacco smoking, excess weight and physical inactivity contribute
      substantially to the preventable disease burden in Canada. The purpose of this
      paper is to determine the potential reduction in economic burden if all provinces
      achieved prevalence rates of these three risk factors (RFs) equivalent to those
      of the province with the lowest rates, and to update and address a limitation
      noted in our previous model. METHODS: We used a previously developed approach
      based on population attributable fractions to estimate the economic burden
      associated with these RFs. Sex-specific relative risk and age-/sex-specific
      prevalence data were used in the modelling. The previous model was updated using
      the most current data for developing resource allocation weights. RESULTS: In
      2012, the prevalence of tobacco smoking, excess weight and physical inactivity
      was the lowest in British Columbia. If age- and sex-specific prevalence rates
      from BC were applied to populations living in the other provinces, the annual
      economic burden attributable to these three RFs would be reduced by $5.3 billion.
      Updating the model resulted in a considerable shift in economic burden from
      smoking to excess weight, with the estimated annual economic burden attributable
      to excess weight now 25% higher compared to that of tobacco smoking ($23.3 vs.
      $18.7 billion). CONCLUSION: Achieving RF prevalence rates equivalent to those of
      the province with the lowest rates would result in a 10% reduction in economic
      burden attributable to excess weight, smoking and physical inactivity in Canada.
      This study shows that using current resource use data is important for this type
      of economic modelling.

PMID- 26285187
TI  - Physical activity and sedentary behaviour of toddlers and preschoolers in child
      care centres in Alberta, Canada.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To describe duration of physical activity and duration and bouts of
      sedentary behaviour during child care in a sample of toddlers and preschoolers
      (19-60 months) from Alberta, Canada, and to examine whether duration and bouts
      differed among sex, age and parental immigration status groups. METHODS: One
      hundred and fourteen children aged 19-60 months from eight child care centres
      throughout Alberta participated. Data were collected at baseline of a study
      examining revised Alberta Child Care Accreditation Standards. Duration of
      physical activity (light (LPA), moderate-to-vigorous (MVPA)) and duration and
      bouts (1-4, 5-9, 10-14, and >=15 minutes) of sedentary behaviour during child
      care were accelerometer-derived using 15-second epochs during October/November,
      2013. Median [Interquartile ranges] and ANOVAs, accounting for the clustered
      nature of the data, were calculated. RESULTS: Minutes/hour spent in sedentary
      behaviour, LPA and MVPA were 36.9 [32.9, 40.7], 18.4 [16.0, 20.9] and 4.2 [2.5,
      5.6] respectively. Frequency/hour of sedentary bouts lasting 1-4, 5-9, 10-14 and
      >=15 mins were 6.7 [6.1, 7.6], 0.9 [0.6, 1.1], 0.4 [0.2, 0.5] and 0.3 [0.2, 0.4]
      respectively. Preschoolers participated in less sedentary behaviour and more LPA
      and MVPA, and had fewer sedentary bouts lasting 10-14 and >=15 mins compared to
      toddlers (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This is the first Canadian study to report on
      the duration of physical activity and duration and bouts of sedentary behaviour
      among both toddlers and preschoolers attending child care centres. These findings
      suggest child care interventions are needed to increase MVPA and decrease total
      sedentary behaviour while continuing to promote short sedentary bouts.

PMID- 26285188
TI  - Between a rock and a hard place: Smoking trends in a Manitoba First Nation.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to estimate and compare smoking
      prevalence over two time periods in a Manitoba First Nation community. METHODS:
      Data fromtwo independent Diabetes Screening Studies in Sandy Bay First Nation,
      collected in 2002/2003 (n = 482) and 2011/2012 (n = 596),were used. Crude
      prevalence of current and ever smoking as well as current smoke exposure was
      estimated. Change over time was tested using a chi2 statistic. RESULTS: The crude
      prevalence of current smoking was 74.0% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 70.1,
      78.0) in 2002/2003 and 80.0% (95% CI: 76.8, 83.2) in 2011/2012. The crude
      prevalence of ever smoking was 83.0% in 2002/2003 and 91.4% in 2011/2012. The
      prevalence of both current smoking status and ever smoking were significantly
      higher in 2011/2012 compared to 2002/2003 (p = 0.020 and p < 0.001 respectively).
      Among participants who were not current smokers, 58.5% (95% CI: 49.6, 67.4) and
      76.5% (95% CI: 68.9, 84.1) reported at least one person who smoked in the home in
      2002/2003 and 2011/2012 respectively (p = 0.003). In 2011/2012, 96.5% (95% CI:
      94.8, 98.2) of those who reported having any children under the age of 18 living
      in the home were either a current smoker and/or reported that someone else smoked
      in the home. CONCLUSION: Public health and policy initiatives are needed to
      address the increase in smoking prevalence in the study community.

PMID- 26285189
TI  - Engaging community organizations in falls prevention for older adults: Moving
      from research to action.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Falls prevention (FP) evidence abounds but falls rates remain
      relatively unaffected. This study aimed to explore community service providers'
      use of evidence-based FP interventions, attitudes toward implementation,
      knowledge and capacity for FP engagement, collaboration in FP, and organizational
      readiness to implement evidence. To our knowledge, this is the first study
      exploring the potential for broader integration of FP throughout communities.
      METHODS: A purposive sampling of providers (n = 84), in varied roles within
      diverse senior-serving community organizations (both health and non-health
      sectors) across disparate geographies, completed a structured survey as part of a
      larger mixed methods study. RESULTS: Nearly all (90%) reported already
      implementing at least one evidence-based FP practice. The majority indicated that
      falls were preventable (82%) and a top concern for older adults (75%), and that
      FP would be beneficial to their clients (75%). There were, however, notable
      differences between health and non-health sectors in their: confidence in
      providing FP activities (86% vs. 47%), desire for future collaboration (86% vs.
      56%) and already knowing how best to provide FP activities (49% vs. 36%). Only
      some (21%) perceived that staff to a great extent had the necessary knowledge and
      skills, and few (10%) perceived that available resources could support FP
      activities. CONCLUSION: Community service providers generally supported FP, but
      resources limited implementation, particularly in non-health sectors. Translating
      FP evidence to better fit community settings, and fostering collaboration to
      bridge resource gaps, suggest a public health role in the broader integration of
      FP within and across community sectors.

PMID- 26285190
TI  - Risk perception, psychological heuristics and the water fluoridation controversy.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Increasingly, support for water fluoridation has come under attack.
      We seek an explanation, focusing on the case of Waterloo, Ontario, where a 2010
      referendum overturned its water fluoridation program. In particular, we test
      whether individuals perceive the risks of water fluoridation based not on 'hard'
      scientific evidence but on heuristics and cultural norms. METHODS: A sample of
      376 residents in Waterloo were surveyed in June 2012 using random digit dialing.
      We use factor analysis, OLS regression, as well as t-tests to evaluate a survey
      experiment to test the credibility hypothesis. RESULTS: Perceptions of fluoride
      as a risk are lower among those who perceive fluoride's benefits (B = .473, p <
      0.001) and those whose cultural view is 'egalitarian' (B = .156, p < 0.05). The
      experiment shows a lower level of perception of fluoride's benefits among
      respondents who are told that water fluoridation is opposed by a national
      advocacy group (Group A) compared to those who are told that the government and
      the World Health Organization support fluoridation (Group B) (t = 1.6547, p <
      0.05), as well as compared to the control group (t = 1.8913, p < 0.05). There is
      no difference between Group B and the control, possibly because people's already
      general support for fluoridation is less prone to change when told that other
      public organizations also support fluoridation. CONCLUSION: Public health
      officials should take into account cultural norms and perceptions when
      individuals in a community appear to rise up against water fluoridation, with
      implications for other public health controversies.

PMID- 26285191
TI  - An adaptation of the Yesterday Method to correct for under-reporting of alcohol
      consumption and estimate compliance with Canadian low-risk drinking guidelines.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To estimate compliance with Canada's Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking
      Guidelines (LRDG) in different groups of drinkers after adjusting for
      underreporting of alcohol use, and to identify which types of beverage are more
      likely to be consumed when LRDGs are exceeded. METHOD: Our sample consisted of
      43,242 Canadians aged 15 and over who had responded to the Canadian Alcohol and
      Drug Use Monitoring Survey, 2008-2010. Consumption in excess of LRDG was
      estimated for subgroups of drinkers after adjustment for under-reporting of
      consumption. Responses to Beverage-Specific Yesterday questions were used to make
      age-, gender- and beverage-specific corrections to under-reporting for data from
      the last 12 months Quantity-Frequency questions. Statistics Canada data on sales
      of beer, wine and spirits were also incorporated into the adjusted calculations.
      RESULTS: After adjustment for under-reporting, non-compliance with weekly LRDG
      limits to reduce risk of long-term harm increased from 6.8% to 27.3% among
      drinkers, and from 42.3% to 68.3% with respect to drinks. Non-compliance with
      daily LRDG limits to reduce risk of short-term harm increased from 16.7% to 38.6%
      among drinkers, and from 53.3% to 80.5% with respect to drinks. After adjustment,
      over 92% of total consumption occurred on risky drinking days among underage
      Canadians and over 91% of consumption reported by young adults took place during
      risky drinking occasions. Wine was least likely to be drunk in a risky fashion,
      spirits were the most likely. CONCLUSION: When corrections for under-reporting
      are made, most Canadian alcohol consumption occurs on days when national LRDG are
      exceeded, especially for underage and young adult drinkers.

PMID- 26285192
TI  - The impact of policies to reduce blood glucose test strip utilization and costs
      in Canada.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Several strategies have been proposed to manage the utilization of
      blood glucose test strips (BGTS) in Canada; however their potential impacts on
      utilization and costs of publically funded test strips are unknown. METHODS: We
      investigated the impact of three potential policies that would restrict the
      number of test strips reimbursed by the public drug plans in Ontario and British
      Columbia (BC), and incorporated negotiated price reductions. These policies were
      based on recommendations from the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in
      Health, a briefing document by the Canadian Diabetes Association, and a new
      policy introduced by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. BGTS
      utilization rates were assessed in two cross-sectional analyses among adults aged
      18 years or older in BC and 65 or older in Ontario who received publicly-funded
      BGTS between January 2004 and December 2012. We modeled the 5-year utilization
      and cost implications of the three policies using time-series analysis. RESULTS:
      In 2012, there were 317,130 test strip recipients in Ontario and 136,659
      recipients in BC, at a cost of $104.4 million and $22.6 million respectively.
      Under the scenarios of reduced BGTS quantities, 5-year cost savings ranged
      between $98.8 million (18.2% reduction) and $224.1 million (41.4% reduction) in
      Ontario and between $23.1 million (19.2% reduction) and $51.1 million (42.4%
      reduction) in BC. Price reductions of 15% resulted in annual savings of $14.4
      million (13.7% reduction) in Ontario and $3.4 million (14.1% reduction) in BC.
      CONCLUSIONS: Policies that align with evidence and expert guidance could impart
      substantial cost savings in multiple jurisdictions despite different public drug
      plans.

PMID- 26285193
TI  - Breastfeeding as a means to prevent infant morbidity and mortality in Aboriginal
      Canadians: A population prevented fraction analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Canadian Aboriginal infants experience poor health compared with
      other Canadian infants. Breastfeeding protects against many infant infections
      that Canadian Aboriginals disproportionately experience. The objective of our
      research was to estimate the proportion of select infant infection and mortality
      outcomes that could be prevented if all Canadian Aboriginal infants were
      breastfed. METHODS: We used Levin's formula to estimate the proportion of three
      infectious outcomes and one mortality outcome that could be prevented in infancy
      by breastfeeding. Estimates were calculated for First Nations (both on- and off
      reserve), Metis and Inuit as well as all Canadian infants for comparison. We
      extracted prevalence estimates of breastfeeding practices from national
      population-based surveys. We extracted relative risk estimates from published
      meta-analyses. RESULTS: Between 5.1% and 10.6% of otitis media, 24.3% and 41.4%
      of gastrointestinal infection, 13.8% and 26.1% of hospitalizations from lower
      respiratory tract infections, and 12.9% and 24.6% of sudden infant death could be
      prevented in Aboriginal infants if they received any breastfeeding. CONCLUSION:
      Interventions that promote, protect and support breastfeeding may prevent a
      substantial proportion of infection and mortality in Canadian Aboriginal infants.

PMID- 26285194
TI  - [Gender, age, occupation, economic sector and mental health in the workplace: the
      results of the study SALVEO].
AB  - OBJECTIVES: This article examined the contribution of gender, age, occupation and
      economic sector on psychological distress, depression and burnout. METHODS: The
      data came from the SALVEO study carried out in 2009- 2012 among 2,162 workers
      employed in 63 Canadian workplaces. Multilevel logistic regression models were
      estimated on the total sample and separately for men and women. RESULTS: The
      prevalences of psychological distress, depression and burnout were 23.8%, 5.8%
      and 3.9% respectively. Mental health problems varied between workplaces, but
      variations between workplaces were stronger for burnout. Differences between men
      and women were significant only for psychological distress, depression, and
      emotional exhaustion. Unskilled workers were found more at risk for depression
      and burnout. Associations among age, occupation and economic sector were not the
      same between genders. CONCLUSION: Results from the SALVEO study highlight
      important mental health problems in workers that vary between workplaces, and
      that differences in symptomatology are associated with gender, age, occupation
      and economic sector. Gender reveals differentiated profiles of relationships.
      These results point towards the development of targeted approaches to the
      prevention of and intervention on mental health problems in workplaces.

PMID- 26285195
TI  - "If they tell me to get it, I'll get it. If they don't...": Immunization decision
      making processes of immigrant mothers.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To understand information-gathering and decision-making processes of
      immigrant mothers for scheduled childhood vaccines, vaccination during pregnancy,
      seasonal flu and pandemic vaccination. METHODS: We conducted 23 qualitative semi
      structured interviews with immigrated mothers from Bhutanese refugee, South Asian
      and Chinese communities. Participants lived in Edmonton, Alberta and had at least
      one child under eight years old. Using NVivo qualitative software, we generated
      an inductive coding scheme through content analysis of interview transcripts.
      RESULTS: Our three main findings on information gathering and use in vaccination
      decisions were: 1) participants in all three communities passively received
      immunization information. Most mothers learned about vaccine practices
      exclusively from health care practitioners during scheduled visits. Social
      networks were primary sources of information in origin countries but were lost
      during immigration to Canada; 2) participants demonstrated universal trust in
      vaccines (i.e., no anti-vaccination sentiment). They were comfortable in
      receiving vaccines for themselves and their children, regardless of past adverse
      reactions; 3) participants' recollection of the H1N1 vaccination campaign was
      almost nil, demonstrating the lack of reach of public health vaccination
      campaigns to designated priority groups (pregnant women and children) in Alberta.
      CONCLUSION: Our results highlight the limitations of Alberta's current
      vaccination communication strategies in reaching immigrant women. When immigrant
      mothers receive vaccination information, our results indicate they will likely
      follow recommendations. However, our study shows that current communication
      strategies are not making this information accessible to immigrant women, which
      limits their ability to make informed vaccination decisions for themselves and
      their children.

PMID- 26285197
TI  - Governing population screening in an age of expansion: The case of newborn
      screening.
AB  - Newborn bloodspot screening is one of the most enduring and successful population
      screening initiatives. Yet technological innovation to permit simultaneous
      measurement of multiple biomarkers - and potentially, entire genomes - has
      spurred expansion and debate. Through a cross-jurisdictional comparison, we
      describe the varied roles and reach of screening-related governance structures in
      the United States, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Canada, and highlight the
      distinct values and resources brought to bear by the genetics, public health and
      maternal-child health communities in adjudicating the benefits and burdens of
      expanded newborn screening. We call for the expansion of formal governance
      structures that are balanced in resources and perspective and mandated to ensure
      that the organization and delivery of newborn screening achieves optimal quality.

PMID- 26285196
TI  - Skin deep: Coverage of skin cancer and recreational tanning in Canadian women's
      magazines (2000-2012).
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Skin cancer is a significant public health problem among Canadians.
      Knowledge and attitudes about health are informed by mass media. The aim of our
      study was to describe the volume and nature of coverage of skin cancer and
      recreational tanning in Canadian women's magazines. METHODS: Directed content
      analysis on article text and images in six popular Canadian women's magazines
      (Chatelaine, Canadian Living, Homemakers, Flare, FASHION, ELLE Canada) from 2000
      2012 with attention to risk factors, ultraviolet radiation (UV) exposure and
      protection behaviours, and early detection. Six popular American women's
      magazines were used for a between-country comparison. RESULTS: There were 154
      articles (221 images) about skin cancer and tanning published over 13 years.
      Volume of coverage did not increase in a linear fashion over time. The most
      common risk factor reported on was UV exposure (39%), with other risk factors
      less frequently identified. Although 72% of articles promoted sunscreen use,
      little content encouraged other protection behaviours. Only 15% of articles and
      1% of images discouraged indoor tanning, while 41% of articles and 53% of images
      promoted the tanned look as attractive. Few articles (<11%) reported on early
      detection. Relative to American magazines, Canadian magazines had a greater
      proportion of content that encouraged sunscreen use and promoted the tanned look
      and a lesser proportion of content on risk factors and early detection.
      CONCLUSION: Skin cancer and tanning messages in Canadian women's magazines had a
      narrow focus and provided limited information on risk factors or screening.
      Conflicting messages about prevention (text vs. images) may contribute to harmful
      UV behaviours among Canadian women.

PMID- 26285198
TI  - The Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement: Trading away our health?
AB  - There is long-standing interest by the public health community in the potential
      implications of trade and investment agreements for public health. Our commentary
      highlights the main pathways by which the Trans-Pacific Partnerships (TPP), a
      comprehensive trade and investment agreement currently under negotiation, might
      undermine population health (based on analysis of and commentary about leaked
      chapters of the TPP), and calls for a more transparent and health-sensitive TPP
      negotiation process. We argue that use of comprehensive health impact assessments
      could be helpful in identifying how the potentially serious health consequences
      of the TPP and similar future international trade and investment agreements can
      be avoided, minimized or mitigated. 

PMID- 26285199
TI  - Population health promotion 2.0: An eco-social approach to public health in the
      Anthropocene.
AB  - Humanity is both an animal species that evolved within and is dependent upon
      natural ecosystems and a social animal that exists within the social systems we
      have created. Our health is dependent upon both these systems - natural and
      social - functioning well, and indeed upon their interactions. Yet our approach
      to improving the health of the population over the past few decades has been
      largely, if not exclusively, focused on the social determinants of health. A
      recent Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA) Discussion Document and the
      technical report on which it is based seek to strike a more balanced approach.
      First, they document the dramatic and rapid global ecological changes that humans
      have created and argue that they are a significant threat to the health of the
      population in the 21st century. Second, they identify the underlying social,
      cultural and economic forces that are driving these changes. Third, they argue
      that we need to take an eco-social approach in population health promotion,
      recognizing the interactions between the ecological and social determinants of
      health. Such an approach could be considered to be 'Population health promotion
      2.0', and it has profound implications for the practice of public health. 

PMID- 26285200
TI  - Missed opportunity to explore social determinants of health and protective
      properties in First Nations study.

PMID- 26285201
TI  - Design and Testing of a Bionic Dancing Prosthesis.
AB  - Traditionally, prosthetic leg research has focused on improving mobility for
      activities of daily living. Artistic expression such as dance, however, is not a
      common research topic and consequently prosthetic technology for dance has been
      severely limited for the disabled. This work focuses on investigating the ankle
      joint kinetics and kinematics during a Latin-American dance to provide unique
      motor options for disabled individuals beyond those of daily living. The
      objective of this study was to develop a control system for a bionic ankle
      prosthesis that outperforms conventional prostheses when dancing the rumba. The
      biomechanics of the ankle joint of a non-amputee, professional dancer were
      acquired for the development of the bionic control system. Subsequently, a
      professional dancer who received a traumatic transtibial amputation in April 2013
      tested the bionic dance prosthesis and a conventional, passive prosthesis for
      comparison. The ability to provide similar torque-angle behavior of the
      biological ankle was assessed to quantify the biological realism of the
      prostheses. The bionic dancing prosthesis overlapped with 37 +/- 6% of the non
      amputee ankle torque and ankle angle data, compared to 26 +/- 2% for the
      conventional, passive prosthesis, a statistically greater overlap (p = 0.01).
      This study lays the foundation for quantifying unique, expressive activity modes
      currently unavailable to individuals with disabilities. Future work will focus on
      an expansion of the methods and types of dance investigated in this work. 

PMID- 26285202
TI  - Microbial Communities Can Be Described by Metabolic Structure: A General
      Framework and Application to a Seasonally Variable, Depth-Stratified Microbial
      Community from the Coastal West Antarctic Peninsula.
AB  - Taxonomic marker gene studies, such as the 16S rRNA gene, have been used to
      successfully explore microbial diversity in a variety of marine, terrestrial, and
      host environments. For some of these environments long term sampling programs are
      beginning to build a historical record of microbial community structure. Although
      these 16S rRNA gene datasets do not intrinsically provide information on
      microbial metabolism or ecosystem function, this information can be developed by
      identifying metabolisms associated with related, phenotyped strains. Here we
      introduce the concept of metabolic inference; the systematic prediction of
      metabolism from phylogeny, and describe a complete pipeline for predicting the
      metabolic pathways likely to be found in a collection of 16S rRNA gene
      phylotypes. This framework includes a mechanism for assigning confidence to each
      metabolic inference that is based on a novel method for evaluating genomic
      plasticity. We applied this framework to 16S rRNA gene libraries from the West
      Antarctic Peninsula marine environment, including surface and deep summer samples
      and surface winter samples. Using statistical methods commonly applied to
      community ecology data we found that metabolic structure differed between summer
      surface and winter and deep samples, comparable to an analysis of community
      structure by 16S rRNA gene phylotypes. While taxonomic variance between samples
      was primarily driven by low abundance taxa, metabolic variance was attributable
      to both high and low abundance pathways. This suggests that clades with a high
      degree of functional redundancy can occupy distinct adjacent niches. Overall our
      findings demonstrate that inferred metabolism can be used in place of taxonomy to
      describe the structure of microbial communities. Coupling metabolic inference
      with targeted metagenomics and an improved collection of completed genomes could
      be a powerful way to analyze microbial communities in a high-throughput manner
      that provides direct access to metabolic and ecosystem function. 

PMID- 26285203
TI  - The Therapeutic Effect of Pamidronate on Lethal Avian Influenza A H7N9 Virus
      Infected Humanized Mice.
AB  - A novel avian influenza virus H7N9 infection occurred among human populations
      since 2013. Although the lack of sustained human-to-human transmission limited
      the epidemics caused by H7N9, the late presentation of most patients and the
      emergence of neuraminidase-resistant strains made the development of novel
      antiviral strategy against H7N9 in urgent demands. In this study, we evaluated
      the potential of pamidronate, a pharmacological phosphoantigen that can
      specifically boost human Vdelta2-T-cell, on treating H7N9 virus-infected
      humanized mice. Our results showed that intraperitoneal injection of pamidronate
      could potently decrease the morbidity and mortality of H7N9-infected mice through
      controlling both viral replication and inflammation in affected lungs. More
      importantly, pamidronate treatment starting from 3 days after infection could
      still significantly ameliorate the severity of diseases in infected mice and
      improve their survival chance, whereas orally oseltamivir treatment starting at
      the same time showed no therapeutic effects. As for the mechanisms underlying
      pamidronate-based therapy, our in vitro data demonstrated that its antiviral
      effects were partly mediated by IFN-gamma secreted from human Vdelta2-T cells.
      Meanwhile, human Vdelta2-T cells could directly kill virus-infected host cells in
      a perforin-, granzyme B- and CD137-dependent manner. As pamidronate has been used
      for osteoporosis treatment for more than 20 years, pamidronate-based therapy
      represents for a safe and readily available option for clinical trials to treat
      H7N9 infection. 

PMID- 26285204
TI  - Detailed Functional and Proteomic Characterization of Fludarabine Resistance in
      Mantle Cell Lymphoma Cells.
AB  - Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a chronically relapsing aggressive type of B-cell
      non-Hodgkin lymphoma considered incurable by currently used treatment approaches.
      Fludarabine is a purine analog clinically still widely used in the therapy of
      relapsed MCL. Molecular mechanisms of fludarabine resistance have not, however,
      been studied in the setting of MCL so far. We therefore derived fludarabine
      resistant MCL cells (Mino/FR) and performed their detailed functional and
      proteomic characterization compared to the original fludarabine sensitive cells
      (Mino). We demonstrated that Mino/FR were highly cross-resistant to other
      antinucleosides (cytarabine, cladribine, gemcitabine) and to an inhibitor of
      Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) ibrutinib. Sensitivity to other types of anti
      lymphoma agents was altered only mildly (methotrexate, doxorubicin, bortezomib)
      or remained unaffacted (cisplatin, bendamustine). The detailed proteomic analysis
      of Mino/FR compared to Mino cells unveiled over 300 differentially expressed
      proteins. Mino/FR were characterized by the marked downregulation of
      deoxycytidine kinase (dCK) and BTK (thus explaining the observed crossresistance
      to antinucleosides and ibrutinib), but also by the upregulation of several
      enzymes of de novo nucleotide synthesis, as well as the up-regulation of the
      numerous proteins of DNA repair and replication. The significant upregulation of
      the key antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 in Mino/FR cells was associated with the
      markedly increased sensitivity of the fludarabine-resistant MCL cells to Bcl-2
      specific inhibitor ABT199 compared to fludarabine-sensitive cells. Our data thus
      demonstrate that a detailed molecular analysis of drug-resistant tumor cells can
      indeed open a way to personalized therapy of resistant malignancies. 

PMID- 26285206
TI  - The Distribution of Cool Spots as Microrefugia in a Mountainous Area.
AB  - It has recently been proposed that microrefugia played an important role in
      species survival during past climate change events. However, the current
      distributions of microrefugia remain largely unknown. Wind-hole sites are areas
      affected by preferential flows of cool air generated in interstitial spaces
      created by rock fragments or colluvia. Alpine plant species occurring in lowland
      wind-hole sites isolated from alpine zones may be relicts of the last glacial
      period. Hokkaido, northern Japan, is known to contain many wind-hole sites in
      which alpine plant species can occur. Here we surveyed 55 wind-hole sites in the
      Kitami region, eastern Hokkaido, and observed two alpine plant species
      (lingonberry, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, and Labrador tea, Rhododendron groenlandicum
      ssp. diversipilosum var. diversipilosum) in 14 wind-hole sites. Statistical
      modeling showed that wind-hole sites are likely to occur in areas with high
      maximum slope angles and volcanic rock cover, and concave surfaces. Our
      predictions of wind-hole site distributions suggest that such topographic
      conditions are common in our study area, and that many undiscovered wind-hole
      sites exist. Ignoring microhabitats may greatly underestimate species
      distributions in topographically complex regions, and dispersed cool spots may
      also function as stepping stones and temporal habitats for cold-adapted species.
      Because these localized unique habitats usually occur in economically
      unproductive sites, identifying and protecting potential microrefugia (cool
      spots) would be a robust and cost-effective mitigation of climate change impacts.

PMID- 26285205
TI  - High Efficacy but Low Potency of delta-Opioid Receptor-G Protein Coupling in Brij
      58-Treated, Low-Density Plasma Membrane Fragments.
AB  - PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: HEK293 cells stably expressing PTX-insensitive delta-opioid
      receptor-Gi1alpha (C351I) fusion protein were homogenized, treated with low
      concentrations of non-ionic detergent Brij-58 at 0 degrees C and fractionated by
      flotation in sucrose density gradient. In optimum range of detergent
      concentrations (0.025-0.05% w/v), Brij-58-treated, low-density membranes
      exhibited 2-3-fold higher efficacy of DADLE-stimulated, high-affinity [32P]GTPase
      and [35S]GTPgammaS binding than membranes of the same density prepared in the
      absence of detergent. The potency of agonist DADLE response was significantly
      decreased. At high detergent concentrations (>0.1%), the functional coupling
      between delta-opioid receptors and G proteins was completely diminished. The same
      detergent effects were measured in plasma membranes isolated from PTX-treated
      cells. Therefore, the effect of Brij-58 on delta-opioid receptor-G protein
      coupling was not restricted to the covalently bound Gi1alpha within delta-opioid
      receptor-Gi1alpha fusion protein, but it was also valid for PTX-sensitive G
      proteins of Gi/Go family endogenously expressed in HEK293 cells. Characterization
      of the direct effect of Brij-58 on the hydrophobic interior of isolated plasma
      membranes by steady-state anisotropy of diphenylhexatriene (DPH) fluorescence
      indicated a marked increase of membrane fluidity. The time-resolved analysis of
      decay of DPH fluorescence by the "wobble in cone" model of DPH motion in the
      membrane indicated that the exposure to the increasing concentrations of Brij-58
      led to a decreased order and higher motional freedom of the dye. SUMMARY: Limited
      perturbation of plasma membrane integrity by low concentrations of non-ionic
      detergent Brij-58 results in alteration of delta-OR-G protein coupling. Maximum G
      protein-response to agonist stimulation (efficacy) is increased; affinity of
      response (potency) is decreased. The total degradation plasma membrane structure
      at high detergent concentrations results in diminution of functional coupling
      between delta-opioid receptors and G proteins.

PMID- 26285207
TI  - IL-22 Protects against Tissue Damage during Cutaneous Leishmaniasis.
AB  - Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a disease characterized by ulcerating skin lesions,
      the resolution of which requires an effective, but regulated, immune response
      that limits parasite growth without causing permanent tissue damage. While
      mechanisms that control the parasites have been well studied, the factors
      regulating immunopathologic responses are less well understood. IL-22, a member
      of the IL-10 family of cytokines, can contribute to wound healing, but in other
      instances promotes pathology. Here we investigated the role of IL-22 during
      leishmania infection, and found that IL-22 limits leishmania-induced pathology
      when a certain threshold of damage is induced by a high dose of parasites. Il22-/
      mice developed more severe disease than wild-type mice, with significantly more
      pathology at the site of infection, and in some cases permanent loss of tissue.
      The increased inflammation was not due to an increased parasite burden, but
      rather was associated with the loss of a wound healing phenotype in
      keratinocytes. Taken together, these studies demonstrate that during cutaneous
      leishmaniasis, IL-22 can play a previously unappreciated role in controlling
      leishmania-induced immunopathology. 

PMID- 26285208
TI  - Development and Validation of a Miniature Programmable tDCS Device.
AB  - Research is being conducted on the use of transcranial direct current stimulation
      (tDCS) for therapeutic effects, and also on the mechanisms through which such
      therapeutic effects are mediated. A bottleneck in the progress of the research
      has been the large size of the existing tDCS systems which prevents subjects from
      performing their daily activities. To help research into the principles,
      mechanisms, and benefits of tDCS, reduction of size and weight, improvement in
      simplicity and user friendliness, portability, and programmability of tDCS
      systems are vital. This paper presents a design for a low-cost, light-weight,
      programmable, and portable tDCS device. The device is head-mountable and can be
      concealed in a hat and worn on the head by the subject while receiving the
      stimulation. The strength of the direct current stimulation can be selected
      through a simple user interface. The device is constructed and its performance
      evaluated through bench and in vivo tests. The tests validated the operation of
      the device in inducing neuromodulatory changes in primary motor cortex, M1,
      through measuring excitability of dominant M1 of resting right first dorsal
      interosseus muscle by transcranial magnetic stimulation induced motor evoked
      potentials. It was observed that the tDCS device induced comparable
      neuromodulatory effects in M1 as the existing bulky tDCS systems. 

PMID- 26285209
TI  - MORPHEUS, a Webtool for Transcription Factor Binding Analysis Using Position
      Weight Matrices with Dependency.
AB  - Transcriptional networks are central to any biological process and changes
      affecting transcription factors or their binding sites in the genome are a key
      factor driving evolution. As more organisms are being sequenced, tools are needed
      to easily predict transcription factor binding sites (TFBS) presence and affinity
      from mere inspection of genomic sequences. Although many TFBS discovery
      algorithms exist, tools for using the DNA binding models they generate are
      relatively scarce and their use is limited among the biologist community by the
      lack of flexible and user-friendly tools. We have developed a suite of web tools
      (called Morpheus) based on the proven Position Weight Matrices (PWM) formalism
      that can be used without any programing skills and incorporates some unique
      features such as the presence of dependencies between nucleotides positions or
      the possibility to compute the predicted occupancy of a large regulatory region
      using a biophysical model. To illustrate the possibilities and simplicity of
      Morpheus tools in functional and evolutionary analysis, we have analysed the
      regulatory link between LEAFY, a key plant transcription factor involved in
      flower development, and its direct target gene APETALA1 during the divergence of
      Brassicales clade. 

PMID- 26285210
TI  - Influence of Feature Encoding and Choice of Classifier on Disease Risk Prediction
      in Genome-Wide Association Studies.
AB  - Various attempts have been made to predict the individual disease risk based on
      genotype data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS). However, most studies
      only investigated one or two classification algorithms and feature encoding
      schemes. In this study, we applied seven different classification algorithms on
      GWAS case-control data sets for seven different diseases to create models for
      disease risk prediction. Further, we used three different encoding schemes for
      the genotypes of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and investigated their
      influence on the predictive performance of these models. Our study suggests that
      an additive encoding of the SNP data should be the preferred encoding scheme, as
      it proved to yield the best predictive performances for all algorithms and data
      sets. Furthermore, our results showed that the differences between most state-of
      the-art classification algorithms are not statistically significant.
      Consequently, we recommend to prefer algorithms with simple models like the
      linear support vector machine (SVM) as they allow for better subsequent
      interpretation without significant loss of accuracy. 

PMID- 26285211
TI  - Experimental Transmission of Karshi (Mammalian Tick-Borne Flavivirus Group) Virus
      by Ornithodoros Ticks >2,900 Days after Initial Virus Exposure Supports the Role
      of Soft Ticks as a Long-Term Maintenance Mechanism for Certain Flaviviruses.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Members of the mammalian tick-borne flavivirus group, including tick
      borne encephalitis virus, are responsible for at least 10,000 clinical cases of
      tick-borne encephalitis each year. To attempt to explain the long-term
      maintenance of members of this group, we followed Ornithodoros parkeri, O.
      sonrai, and O. tartakovskyi for >2,900 days after they had been exposed to Karshi
      virus, a member of the mammalian tick-borne flavivirus group.
      METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Ticks were exposed to Karshi virus either by
      allowing them to feed on viremic suckling mice or by intracoelomic inoculation.
      The ticks were then allowed to feed individually on suckling mice after various
      periods of extrinsic incubation to determine their ability to transmit virus by
      bite and to determine how long the ticks would remain infectious. The ticks
      remained efficient vectors of Karshi virus, even when tested >2,900 d after their
      initial exposure to virus, including those ticks exposed to Karshi virus either
      orally or by inoculation. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Ornithodoros spp. ticks were
      able to transmit Karshi virus for >2,900 days (nearly 8 years) after a single
      exposure to a viremic mouse. Therefore, these ticks may serve as a long-term
      maintenance mechanism for Karshi virus and potentially other members of the
      mammalian tick-borne flavivirus group.

PMID- 26285212
TI  - Facial Emotion Recognition in Parkinson's Disease: An fMRI Investigation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Findings of behavioral studies on facial emotion recognition in
      Parkinson's disease (PD) are very heterogeneous. Therefore, the present
      investigation additionally used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in
      order to compare brain activation during emotion perception between PD patients
      and healthy controls. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We included 17 nonmedicated,
      nondemented PD patients suffering from mild to moderate symptoms and 22 healthy
      controls. The participants were shown pictures of facial expressions depicting
      disgust, fear, sadness, and anger and they answered scales for the assessment of
      affective traits. The patients did not report lowered intensities for the
      displayed target emotions, and showed a comparable rating accuracy as the control
      participants. The questionnaire scores did not differ between patients and
      controls. The fMRI data showed similar activation in both groups except for a
      generally stronger recruitment of somatosensory regions in the patients.
      CONCLUSIONS: Since somatosensory cortices are involved in the simulation of an
      observed emotion, which constitutes an important mechanism for emotion
      recognition, future studies should focus on activation changes within this region
      during the course of disease.

PMID- 26285213
TI  - Less Frequent and Less Severe Flu-Like Syndrome in Interferon Beta-1a Treated
      Multiple Sclerosis Patients with at Least One Allele Bearing the G>C Polymorphism
      at Position -174 of the IL-6 Promoter Gene.
AB  - One of the most common adverse event of interferon beta (IFNbeta) therapy for
      multiple sclerosis is flu-like syndrome (FLS), which has been reportedly related
      to increased levels of cytokines such as interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis
      factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). Average cytokine levels can be affected by single
      nucleotide polymorphism in the gene promoter regions. To investigate whether IL-6
      -174 G>C and TNF-alpha -376 G>A polymorphisms could be correlated to the
      incidence of FLS, and whether an anti-inflammatory/antipyretic therapy may
      influence FLS development, a prospective observational study was performed in 190
      treatment naive, multiple sclerosis patients who started IM IFNbeta-1a 30mcg once
      weekly. The identification of IL-6 -174 G>C and TNF-alpha -376 G>A polymorphisms
      was achieved by performing an amplification-refractory mutation system. Serum IL
      6 levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in blood samples
      taken before therapy and then after the first and last IFNbeta-1a injection of
      the follow-up. FLS-related symptoms were recorded by patients once per week
      during the first 12 weeks of therapy into a self-reported diary. We found that
      patients carrying at least one copy of the C allele at position -174 in the
      promoter of IL-6 gene produced lower levels of IL-6 and were less prone to
      develop FLS, which was also less severe. On the contrary, the polymorphism of TNF
      alpha had no effect on FLS. Patients taking the first dose of anti
      inflammatory/antipyretic therapy in the peri-injection period (within 1 hour)
      experienced a reduced FLS severity. In conclusion, the study of IL-6 -174 G>C
      polymorphism would allow the identification of patients lacking the C nucleotide
      on both alleles who are at risk of a more severe FLS, and may be addressed to a
      timely and stronger anti-inflammatory/antipyretic therapy for a more effective
      FLS prevention. 

PMID- 26285214
TI  - Goblet Cell Derived RELM-beta Recruits CD4+ T Cells during Infectious Colitis to
      Promote Protective Intestinal Epithelial Cell Proliferation.
AB  - Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli and related food and waterborne pathogens pose
      significant threats to human health. These attaching/effacing microbes infect the
      apical surface of intestinal epithelial cells (IEC), causing severe diarrheal
      disease. Colonizing the intestinal luminal surface helps segregate these microbes
      from most host inflammatory responses. Based on studies using Citrobacter
      rodentium, a related mouse pathogen, we speculate that hosts rely on immune
      mediated changes in IEC, including goblet cells to defend against these
      pathogens. These changes include a CD4+ T cell-dependent increase in IEC
      proliferation to replace infected IEC, as well as altered production of the
      goblet cell-derived mucin Muc2. Another goblet cell mediator, REsistin-Like
      Molecule (RELM)-beta is strongly induced within goblet cells during C. rodentium
      infection, and was detected in the stool as well as serum. Despite its dramatic
      induction, RELM-beta's role in host defense is unclear. Thus, wildtype and RELM
      beta gene deficient mice (Retnlb-/-) were orally infected with C. rodentium.
      While their C. rodentium burdens were only modestly elevated, infected Retnlb-/-
      mice suffered increased mortality and mucosal ulceration due to deep pathogen
      penetration of colonic crypts. Immunostaining for Ki67 and BrDU revealed Retnlb-/
      mice were significantly impaired in infection-induced IEC hyper-proliferation.
      Interestingly, exposure to RELM-beta did not directly increase IEC proliferation,
      rather RELM-beta acted as a CD4+ T cell chemoattractant. Correspondingly, Retnlb
      /- mice showed impaired CD4+ T cell recruitment to their infected colons, along
      with reduced production of interleukin (IL)-22, a multifunctional cytokine that
      directly increased IEC proliferation. Enema delivery of RELM-beta to Retnlb-/-
      mice restored CD4+ T cell recruitment, concurrently increasing IL-22 levels and
      IEC proliferation, while reducing mucosal pathology. These findings demonstrate
      that RELM-beta and goblet cells play an unexpected, yet critical role in
      recruiting CD4+ T cells to the colon to protect against an enteric pathogen, in
      part via the induction of increased IEC proliferation. 

PMID- 26285215
TI  - Assessment of Artificial MiRNA Architectures for Higher Knockdown Efficiencies
      without the Undesired Effects in Mice.
AB  - RNAi-based strategies have been used for hypomorphic analyses. However, there are
      technical challenges to achieve robust, reproducible knockdown effect. Here we
      examined the artificial microRNA (amiRNA) architectures that could provide higher
      knockdown efficiencies. Using transient and stable transfection assays in cells,
      we found that simple amiRNA-expression cassettes, that did not contain a marker
      gene (-MG), displayed higher amiRNA expression and more efficient knockdown than
      those that contained a marker gene (+MG). Further, we tested this phenomenon in
      vivo, by analyzing amiRNA-expressing mice that were produced by the pronuclear
      injection-based targeted transgenesis (PITT) method. While we observed
      significant silencing of the target gene (eGFP) in +MG hemizygous mice, obtaining
      -MG amiRNA expression mice, even hemizygotes, was difficult and the animals died
      perinatally. We obtained only mosaic mice having both "-MG amiRNA" cells and
      "amiRNA low-expression" cells but they exhibited growth retardation and
      cataracts, and they could not transmit the -MG amiRNA allele to the next
      generation. Furthermore, +MG amiRNA homozygotes could not be obtained. These
      results suggested that excessive amiRNAs transcribed by -MG expression cassettes
      cause deleterious effects in mice, and the amiRNA expression level in hemizygous
      +MG amiRNA mice is near the upper limit, where mice can develop normally. In
      conclusion, the PITT-(+MG amiRNA) system demonstrated here can generate knockdown
      mouse models that reliably express highest and tolerable levels of amiRNAs. 

PMID- 26285217
TI  - A Driving Right Leg Circuit (DgRL) for Improved Common Mode Rejection in Bio
      Potential Acquisition Systems.
AB  - The paper presents a novel Driving Right Leg (DgRL) circuit designed to mitigate
      the effect of common mode signals deriving, say, from power line interferences.
      The DgRL drives the isolated ground of the instrumentation towards a voltage
      which is fixed with respect to the common mode potential on the subject,
      therefore minimizing common mode voltage at the input of the front-end. The paper
      provides an analytical derivation of the common mode rejection performances of
      DgRL as compared to the usual grounding circuit or Driven Right Leg (DRL) loop.
      DgRL is integrated in a bio-potential acquisition system to show how it can
      reduce the common mode signal of more than 70 dB with respect to standard patient
      grounding. This value is at least 30 dB higher than the reduction achievable with
      DRL, making DgRL suitable for single-ended front-ends, like those based on active
      electrodes. EEG signal acquisition is performed to show how the system can
      successfully cancel power line interference without any need for differential
      acquisition, signal post-processing or filtering. 

PMID- 26285219
TI  - Optimizing Fingernail Imaging Calibration for 3D Force Magnitude Prediction.
AB  - This paper discusses the optimization of a fingernail imaging system for
      predicting fingerpad force. The effects of lighting coloration, calibration grid,
      and force prediction model on the registration process and force prediction
      accuracy of fingernail imaging are investigated. White and green LEDs are found
      to produce statistically similar effects on registration error and force
      prediction results across all three directions of force. Two calibration grids
      are implemented, with no statistically significant difference in either
      registration or force prediction between the Cartesian and cylindrical grid
      designs. Of the five force prediction models investigated, a principal component
      regression model based on the pixel intensity eigenvectors estimates the force
      with the greatest accuracy. This EigenNail Magnitude Model simultaneously
      estimates force in all three directions with RMS error with 95 percent confidence
      interval of 0.55 +/- 0.02 N (7.6 percent of the full force range). These results
      indicate a set of optimal parameter choices for the calibration of a fingernail
      imaging system.

PMID- 26285218
TI  - An Inductive Power and Data Telemetry Subsystem With Fast Transient Low Dropout
      Regulator for Biomedical Implants.
AB  - This paper presents a capacitorless low-dropout (LDO) regulator with fast
      transient response and data reverse telemetry circuit for fully implantable
      wireless transmission applications. We propose a novel hybrid feedback structure
      using high-frequency compensation technology to achieve a rapid transient
      response for the LDO regulator. To reduce the size of the implant and transmit
      neural recordings through the same coil without interfering with power
      transmission, the load-shift-key (LSK) modulation technique is adopted for back
      data telemetry. The proposed implantable chip, fabricated using commercial 0.18
      MUm complementary metal oxide semiconductor technology, yielded an output power
      of 15 mW. Under 1.15 V operation voltage, the maximum overshoot and undershoot
      voltages were less than 45 mV and 55 mV, respectively, for a 15 mA full-load
      current whose rising and falling time were less than 100 ns. The proposed LSK
      transceiver uses a digitized demodulator to improve bandwidth efficiency for low
      carrier frequency operation. 

PMID- 26285216
TI  - Effects of Sevoflurane on Young Male Adult C57BL/6 Mice Spatial Cognition.
AB  - Inhalation anesthetics are reported to affect cognition in both animals and
      humans. The influence of inhalation anesthetics in learning and memory are
      contradictory. We therefore investigated the effects of sevoflurane anesthesia
      with different durations on cognitive performance and the levels of NMDA receptor
      subunit NR2B, phosphorylated ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2) and activated caspase3 in mouse
      hippocampus. We anaesthetized eight-week old male C57BL/6 mice with 2.5%
      sevoflurane for durations ranging from one to four hours. Non-anaesthetized mice
      served as controls. Mice exposed to sevoflurane for one to three hours showed
      improved performance, whereas mice with exposure up to four hours displayed
      similar behavioral performance as control group. NR2B was increased both at 24h
      and at two weeks post sevoflurane exposure in all groups. The p-ERK1/2: total
      ERK1/2 ratio increased at 24h in all anesthesia groups. The ratio remained
      elevated at two weeks in groups with two- to four-hour exposure. Activated
      caspase3 was detected elevated at 24h in groups with two- to four-hour exposure.
      The elevated trend of activated caspase3 was still detectable at two weeks in
      groups with three- to four-hour exposure. At two weeks post anesthesia, the
      typical morphology associated with apoptotic cells was observed in the
      hippocampus of mice exposed to four hours of sevoflurane. Our results indicate
      that 2.5% sevoflurane exposure for one to three hours improved spatial cognitive
      performance in young adult mice. The cognitive improvement might be related to
      the increase of NR2B, the p-ERK1/2: total ERK1/2 ratio in hippocampus. However,
      exposure to sevoflurane for four hours caused neurotoxicity due to caspase3
      activation and apoptosis. 

PMID- 26285220
TI  - Near Optimal Event-Triggered Control of Nonlinear Discrete-Time Systems Using
      Neurodynamic Programming.
AB  - This paper presents an event-triggered near optimal control of uncertain
      nonlinear discrete-time systems. Event-driven neurodynamic programming (NDP) is
      utilized to design the control policy. A neural network (NN)-based identifier,
      with event-based state and input vectors, is utilized to learn the system
      dynamics. An actor-critic framework is used to learn the cost function and the
      optimal control input. The NN weights of the identifier, the critic, and the
      actor NNs are tuned aperiodically once every triggered instant. An adaptive event
      trigger condition to decide the trigger instants is derived. Thus, a suitable
      number of events are generated to ensure a desired accuracy of approximation. A
      near optimal performance is achieved without using value and/or policy
      iterations. A detailed analysis of nontrivial inter-event times with an explicit
      formula to show the reduction in computation is also derived. The Lyapunov
      technique is used in conjunction with the event-trigger condition to guarantee
      the ultimate boundedness of the closed-loop system. The simulation results are
      included to verify the performance of the controller. The net result is the
      development of event-driven NDP.

PMID- 26285221
TI  - Model-Free Primitive-Based Iterative Learning Control Approach to Trajectory
      Tracking of MIMO Systems With Experimental Validation.
AB  - This paper proposes a novel model-free trajectory tracking of multiple-input
      multiple-output (MIMO) systems by the combination of iterative learning control
      (ILC) and primitives. The optimal trajectory tracking solution is obtained in
      terms of previously learned solutions to simple tasks called primitives. The
      library of primitives that are stored in memory consists of pairs of reference
      input/controlled output signals. The reference input primitives are optimized in
      a model-free ILC framework without using knowledge of the controlled process. The
      guaranteed convergence of the learning scheme is built upon a model-free virtual
      reference feedback tuning design of the feedback decoupling controller. Each new
      complex trajectory to be tracked is decomposed into the output primitives
      regarded as basis functions. The optimal reference input for the control system
      to track the desired trajectory is next recomposed from the reference input
      primitives. This is advantageous because the optimal reference input is computed
      straightforward without the need to learn from repeated executions of the
      tracking task. In addition, the optimization problem specific to trajectory
      tracking of square MIMO systems is decomposed in a set of optimization problems
      assigned to each separate single-input single-output control channel that ensures
      a convenient model-free decoupling. The new model-free primitive-based ILC
      approach is capable of planning, reasoning, and learning. A case study dealing
      with the model-free control tuning for a nonlinear aerodynamic system is included
      to validate the new approach. The experimental results are given. 

PMID- 26285222
TI  - A Granular Self-Organizing Map for Clustering and Gene Selection in Microarray
      Data.
AB  - A new granular self-organizing map (GSOM) is developed by integrating the concept
      of a fuzzy rough set with the SOM. While training the GSOM, the weights of a
      winning neuron and the neighborhood neurons are updated through a modified
      learning procedure. The neighborhood is newly defined using the fuzzy rough sets.
      The clusters (granules) evolved by the GSOM are presented to a decision table as
      its decision classes. Based on the decision table, a method of gene selection is
      developed. The effectiveness of the GSOM is shown in both clustering samples and
      developing an unsupervised fuzzy rough feature selection (UFRFS) method for gene
      selection in microarray data. While the superior results of the GSOM, as compared
      with the related clustering methods, are provided in terms of beta -index, DB
      index, Dunn-index, and fuzzy rough entropy, the genes selected by the UFRFS are
      not only better in terms of classification accuracy and a feature evaluation
      index, but also statistically more significant than the related unsupervised
      methods. The C-codes of the GSOM and UFRFS are available online at
      http://avatharamg.webs.com/software-code.

PMID- 26285223
TI  - Adaptive Neural Network Based Control of Noncanonical Nonlinear Systems.
AB  - This paper presents a new study on the adaptive neural network-based control of a
      class of noncanonical nonlinear systems with large parametric uncertainties.
      Unlike commonly studied canonical form nonlinear systems whose neural network
      approximation system models have explicit relative degree structures, which can
      directly be used to derive parameterized controllers for adaptation, noncanonical
      form nonlinear systems usually do not have explicit relative degrees, and thus
      their approximation system models are also in noncanonical forms. It is well
      known that the adaptive control of noncanonical form nonlinear systems involves
      the parameterization of system dynamics. As demonstrated in this paper, it is
      also the case for noncanonical neural network approximation system models.
      Effective control of such systems is an open research problem, especially in the
      presence of uncertain parameters. This paper shows that it is necessary to
      reparameterize such neural network system models for adaptive control design, and
      that such reparameterization can be realized using a relative degree formulation,
      a concept yet to be studied for general neural network system models. This paper
      then derives the parameterized controllers that guarantee closed-loop stability
      and asymptotic output tracking for noncanonical form neural network system
      models. An illustrative example is presented with the simulation results to
      demonstrate the control design procedure, and to verify the effectiveness of such
      a new design method.

PMID- 26285224
TI  - Sequence Prediction With Sparse Distributed Hyperdimensional Coding Applied to
      the Analysis of Mobile Phone Use Patterns.
AB  - Modeling and prediction of temporal sequences is central to many signal
      processing and machine learning applications. Prediction based on sequence
      history is typically performed using parametric models, such as fixed-order
      Markov chains ( n -grams), approximations of high-order Markov processes, such as
      mixed-order Markov models or mixtures of lagged bigram models, or with other
      machine learning techniques. This paper presents a method for sequence prediction
      based on sparse hyperdimensional coding of the sequence structure and describes
      how higher order temporal structures can be utilized in sparse coding in a
      balanced manner. The method is purely incremental, allowing real-time online
      learning and prediction with limited computational resources. Experiments with
      prediction of mobile phone use patterns, including the prediction of the next
      launched application, the next GPS location of the user, and the next artist
      played with the phone media player, reveal that the proposed method is able to
      capture the relevant variable-order structure from the sequences. In comparison
      with the n -grams and the mixed-order Markov models, the sparse hyperdimensional
      predictor clearly outperforms its peers in terms of unweighted average recall and
      achieves an equal level of weighted average recall as the mixed-order Markov
      chain but without the batch training of the mixed-order model.

PMID- 26285225
TI  - Hierarchical Temporal Memory Based on Spin-Neurons and Resistive Memory for
      Energy-Efficient Brain-Inspired Computing.
AB  - Hierarchical temporal memory (HTM) tries to mimic the computing in cerebral
      neocortex. It identifies spatial and temporal patterns in the input for making
      inferences. This may require a large number of computationally expensive tasks,
      such as dot product evaluations. Nanodevices that can provide direct mapping for
      such primitives are of great interest. In this paper, we propose that the
      computing blocks for HTM can be mapped using low-voltage, magnetometallic spin
      neurons combined with an emerging resistive crossbar network, which involves a
      comprehensive design at algorithm, architecture, circuit, and device levels.
      Simulation results show the possibility of more than 200* lower energy as
      compared with a 45-nm CMOS ASIC design.

PMID- 26285226
TI  - Platinum(II)-Based Metallo-Supramolecular Polymer with Controlled Unidirectional
      Dipoles for Tunable Rectification.
AB  - A platinum(II)-based, luminescent, metallo-supramolecular polymer (PolyPtL1)
      having an inherent dipole moment was synthesized via complexation of Pt(II) ions
      with an asymmetric ligand L1, containing terpyridyl and pyridyl moieties. The
      synthesized ligand and polymer were well characterized by various NMR techniques,
      optical spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry studies. The morphological study by
      atomic force microscopy revealed the individual and assembled polymer chains of 1
      4 nm height. The polymer was specifically attached on Au-electrodes to produce
      two types of film (films 1 and 2) in which the polymer chains were aligned with
      their dipoles in opposite directions. The Au-surface bounded films were
      characterized by UV-vis, Raman spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and atomic force
      microscopy study. The quantum mechanical calculation determined the average
      dipole moment for each monomer unit in PolyPtL1 to be about 5.8 D. The precise
      surface derivatization permitted effective tuning of the direction dipole moment,
      as well as the direction of rectification of the resulting polymer-attached
      molecular diodes. Film 1 was more conductive in positive bias region with an
      average rectification ratio (RR = I(+4 V)/I(-4 V)) ~ 20, whereas film 2 was more
      conducting in negative bias with an average rectification ratio (RR = I(-4
      V)/I(+4 V)) ~ 18. 

PMID- 26285227
TI  - Validity and Responsiveness of At-Home Touch Screen Assessments in Advanced
      Parkinson's Disease.
AB  - The aim of this study was to investigate if a telemetry test battery can be used
      to measure effects of Parkinson's disease (PD) treatment intervention and disease
      progression in patients with fluctuations. Sixty-five patients diagnosed with
      advanced PD were recruited in an open longitudinal 36-month study; 35 treated
      with levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG) and 30 were candidates for
      switching from oral PD treatment to LCIG. They utilized a test battery,
      consisting of self-assessments of symptoms and fine motor tests (tapping and
      spiral drawings), four times per day in their homes during week-long test
      periods. The repeated measurements were summarized into an overall test score
      (OTS) to represent the global condition of the patient during a test period.
      Clinical assessments included ratings on unified PD rating scale (UPDRS) and 39
      item PD questionnaire (PDQ-39) scales. In LCIG-naive patients, the mean OTS
      compared to baseline was significantly improved from the first test period on
      LCIG treatment until month 24. In LCIG-nonnaive patients, there were no
      significant changes in the mean OTS until month 36. The OTS correlated adequately
      with total UPDRS (rho = 0.59) and total PDQ-39 (0.59). Responsiveness measured as
      effect size was 0.696 and 0.536 for OTS and UPDRS, respectively. The trends of
      the test scores were similar to the trends of clinical rating scores but the
      dropout rate was high. Correlations between OTS and clinical rating scales were
      adequate indicating that the test battery contains important elements of the
      information of well-established scales. The responsiveness and reproducibility
      were better for OTS than for total UPDRS. 

PMID- 26285228
TI  - An Automatic Subject-Adaptable Heartbeat Classifier Based on Multiview Learning.
AB  - In this paper, a novel subject-adaptable heartbeat classification model is
      presented, in order to address the significant interperson variations in ECG
      signals. A multiview learning approach is proposed to automate subject adaptation
      using a small amount of unlabeled personal data, without requiring manual
      labeling. The designed subject-customized models consist of two models, namely,
      general classification model and specific classification model. The general model
      is trained using similar subjects out of a population dataset, where a pattern
      matching based algorithm is developed to select the subjects that are "similar"
      to the particular test subject for model training. In contrast, the specific
      model is trained mainly on a small amount of high-confidence personal dataset,
      resulting from multiview-based learning. The learned general model represents the
      population knowledge, providing an interperson perspective for classification,
      while the specific model corresponds to the specific knowledge of the subject,
      offering an intraperson perspective for classification. The two models supplement
      each other and are combined to achieve improved personalized ECG analysis. The
      proposed methods have been validated on the MIT-BIH Arrhythmia Database, yielding
      an average classification accuracy of 99.4% for ventricular ectopic beat class
      and 98.3% for supraventricular ectopic beat class, which corresponds to a
      significant improvement over other published results.

PMID- 26285229
TI  - Representative Vector Machines: A Unified Framework for Classical Classifiers.
AB  - Classifier design is a fundamental problem in pattern recognition. A variety of
      pattern classification methods such as the nearest neighbor (NN) classifier,
      support vector machine (SVM), and sparse representation-based classification
      (SRC) have been proposed in the literature. These typical and widely used
      classifiers were originally developed from different theory or application
      motivations and they are conventionally treated as independent and specific
      solutions for pattern classification. This paper proposes a novel pattern
      classification framework, namely, representative vector machines (or RVMs for
      short). The basic idea of RVMs is to assign the class label of a test example
      according to its nearest representative vector. The contributions of RVMs are
      twofold. On one hand, the proposed RVMs establish a unified framework of
      classical classifiers because NN, SVM, and SRC can be interpreted as the special
      cases of RVMs with different definitions of representative vectors. Thus, the
      underlying relationship among a number of classical classifiers is revealed for
      better understanding of pattern classification. On the other hand, novel and
      advanced classifiers are inspired in the framework of RVMs. For example, a robust
      pattern classification method called discriminant vector machine (DVM) is
      motivated from RVMs. Given a test example, DVM first finds its k -NNs and then
      performs classification based on the robust M-estimator and manifold
      regularization. Extensive experimental evaluations on a variety of visual
      recognition tasks such as face recognition (Yale and face recognition grand
      challenge databases), object categorization (Caltech-101 dataset), and action
      recognition (Action Similarity LAbeliNg) demonstrate the advantages of DVM over
      other classifiers.

PMID- 26285230
TI  - Constrained Multiobjective Optimization Algorithm Based on Immune System Model.
AB  - An immune optimization algorithm, based on the model of biological immune system,
      is proposed to solve multiobjective optimization problems with multimodal
      nonlinear constraints. First, the initial population is divided into feasible
      nondominated population and infeasible/dominated population. The feasible
      nondominated individuals focus on exploring the nondominated front through clone
      and hypermutation based on a proposed affinity design approach, while the
      infeasible/dominated individuals are exploited and improved via the simulated
      binary crossover and polynomial mutation operations. And then, to accelerate the
      convergence of the proposed algorithm, a transformation technique is applied to
      the combined population of the above two offspring populations. Finally, a
      crowded-comparison strategy is used to create the next generation population. In
      numerical experiments, a series of benchmark constrained multiobjective
      optimization problems are considered to evaluate the performance of the proposed
      algorithm and it is also compared to several state-of-art algorithms in terms of
      the inverted generational distance and hypervolume indicators. The results
      indicate that the new method achieves competitive performance and even
      statistically significant better results than previous algorithms do on most of
      the benchmark suite. 

PMID- 26285231
TI  - Evidence Combination From an Evolutionary Game Theory Perspective.
AB  - Dempster-Shafer evidence theory is a primary methodology for multisource
      information fusion because it is good at dealing with uncertain information. This
      theory provides a Dempster's rule of combination to synthesize multiple evidences
      from various information sources. However, in some cases, counter-intuitive
      results may be obtained based on that combination rule. Numerous new or improved
      methods have been proposed to suppress these counter-intuitive results based on
      perspectives, such as minimizing the information loss or deviation. Inspired by
      evolutionary game theory, this paper considers a biological and evolutionary
      perspective to study the combination of evidences. An evolutionary combination
      rule (ECR) is proposed to help find the most biologically supported proposition
      in a multievidence system. Within the proposed ECR, we develop a Jaccard matrix
      game to formalize the interaction between propositions in evidences, and utilize
      the replicator dynamics to mimick the evolution of propositions. Experimental
      results show that the proposed ECR can effectively suppress the counter-intuitive
      behaviors appeared in typical paradoxes of evidence theory, compared with many
      existing methods. Properties of the ECR, such as solution's stability and
      convergence, have been mathematically proved as well. 

PMID- 26285232
TI  - Regularized Primal-Dual Subgradient Method for Distributed Constrained
      Optimization.
AB  - In this paper, we study the distributed constrained optimization problem where
      the objective function is the sum of local convex cost functions of distributed
      nodes in a network, subject to a global inequality constraint. To solve this
      problem, we propose a consensus-based distributed regularized primal-dual
      subgradient method. In contrast to the existing methods, most of which require
      projecting the estimates onto the constraint set at every iteration, only one
      projection at the last iteration is needed for our proposed method. We establish
      the convergence of the method by showing that it achieves an O ( K (-1/4) )
      convergence rate for general distributed constrained optimization, where K is the
      iteration counter. Finally, a numerical example is provided to validate the
      convergence of the propose method. 

PMID- 26285237
TI  - Move It!

PMID- 26285239
TI  - Growth and Change at NCCN.

PMID- 26285238
TI  - Advocating for Older Adults With Cancer: Merging Medicine and Law.

PMID- 26285242
TI  - On the Verge: Immunotherapy for Colorectal Carcinoma.
AB  - Although overall survival from colorectal cancer (CRC) has steadily improved over
      the past decade, there is still work to be done. The gains associated with
      improved detection and treatment paradigms with chemotherapy and biologics appear
      to have reached their ceiling. Immune-based therapies have recently demonstrated
      clinical benefit in other cancers, including CRC with microsatellite instability
      (MSI), but patients with CRC without MSI have not yet derived benefit. This
      article reviews the history of CRC immunotherapy trials, the conceptual basis for
      why the activity of the immune system may be relevant to survival in CRC, and
      current efforts in CRC immunotherapy, and speculates about future efforts in this
      area based on experience with immunotherapy efforts in other classes of solid
      tumors. 

PMID- 26285240
TI  - Cancer Signature Investigation: ERBB2 (HER2)-Activating Mutation and
      Amplification-Positive Breast Carcinoma Mimicking Lung Primary.
AB  - Next-generation sequencing of primary and metachronous metastatic cancer lesions
      may impact patient care. We present a case of relapsed metastatic breast cancer
      with a dominant pulmonary lesion originally identified as lung adenocarcinoma. A
      72-year-old, never-smoker woman with a protracted cough was found to have a large
      lung mass and regional lymphadenopathy on a chest CT. Lung mass biopsy showed
      adenocarcinoma with focal TTF-1 (thyroid transcription factor 1) positivity,
      favoring a lung primary. In addition to stereotactic brain radiation for cerebral
      metastases, she was started on carboplatin/pemetrexed. As part of the workup, the
      tumor was analyzed by a 50-gene targeted mutation panel, which detected 3 somatic
      mutations: ERBB2 (HER2) D769H activating missense mutation, TP53 Y126
      inactivating truncating mutation, and SMARCB1 R374Q missense mutation. Of note,
      the patient had a history of stage IIA triple-negative grade 3 invasive ductal
      carcinoma of the left breast 1.5 years ago and received neoadjuvant chemotherapy
      and adjuvant radiation, and underwent a lumpectomy. Further analysis of her
      primary breast tumor showed a mutational profile identical to that of the lung
      tumor. Fluorescence in situ hybridization revealed HER2 amplification in the lung
      tumor, with a HER2/CEP17 ratio of 3.9. The patient was diagnosed with recurrent
      HER2-positive metastatic breast carcinoma with a coexisting ERBB2 (HER2)
      activating mutation. Chemotherapy was adjusted to include dual HER2-targeted
      therapy containing trastuzumab and pertuzumab, resulting in an ongoing partial
      response. This case demonstrates that a unique genetic mutational profile can
      clarify whether a tumor represents a metastatic lesion or new malignancy when
      conventional morphological and immunohistochemical methods are indeterminate, and
      can directly impact treatment decisions. 

PMID- 26285243
TI  - Importance of Risk Factors for Febrile Neutropenia Among Patients Receiving
      Chemotherapy Regimens Not Classified as High-Risk in Guidelines for Myeloid
      Growth Factor Use.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Clinical practice guidelines recommend prophylaxis in patients with
      cancer receiving a colony-stimulating factor (CSF) when the risk of febrile
      neutropenia (FN) is high (>20%). For patients receiving chemotherapy regimens not
      documented as high-risk, the decision regarding CSF prophylaxis use can be
      challenging, because some patients may be at high risk based on a combination of
      the regimen and individual risk factors. METHODS: A retrospective cohort design
      and US private health care claims data were used. Study subjects received
      chemotherapy regimens classified as "low" or "intermediate," or unclassified, in
      terms of FN risk, and were stratified by cancer and regimen. For each subject,
      the first chemotherapy course, and each cycle and FN episode within the course,
      were identified. FN incidence proportions were estimated by the presence and
      number of risk factors and chronic comorbidities. RESULTS: Across the 17
      tumor/regimen combinations considered (n=160,304 in total), 74% to 98% of
      patients had 1 or more risk factor for FN and 41% to 89% had 2 or more. Among
      patients with 1 or more risk factor, FN incidence ranged from 7.2% to 29.0%
      across regimens, and the relative risk of FN (vs those without risk factors)
      ranged from 1.1 (95% CI, 0.8-1.3) to 2.2 (95% CI, 1.5-3.0). FN incidence
      increased in a graded and monotonic fashion with the number of risk factors and
      comorbidities. CONCLUSIONS: In this retrospective evaluation of patients with
      cancer receiving chemotherapy regimens not classified as high-risk for FN in US
      clinical practice, most patients had 1 or more FN risk factor and many had 2 or
      more. FN incidence was found to be elevated in these patients, especially those
      with multiple risk factors.

PMID- 26285241
TI  - Colorectal Cancer Screening, Version 1.2015.
AB  - The NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) for
      Colorectal Cancer Screening provide recommendations for selecting individuals for
      colorectal cancer screening, and for evaluation and follow-up of colon polyps.
      These NCCN Guidelines Insights summarize major discussion points of the 2015 NCCN
      Colorectal Cancer Screening panel meeting. Major discussion topics this year were
      the state of evidence for CT colonography and stool DNA testing, bowel
      preparation procedures for colonoscopy, and guidelines for patients with a
      positive family history of colorectal cancer. 

PMID- 26285244
TI  - Treatment Patterns and Outcomes in Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma
      Stratified by Stage-Guided Treatment Categories.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the survival and treatment
      patterns of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) stratified by the NCCN stage-guided
      treatment categories in the absence of a universally accepted staging system for
      HCC. METHODS: Patients with HCC were identified using ICD-9 codes and inclusion
      in the Huntsman Cancer Institute tumor registry. Patients were stratified by the
      NCCN groupings around the time of diagnosis as potentially resectable or operable
      (RESECT), potentially transplantable (TRANSP), unresectable (UNRESECT),
      inoperable due to performance status (INOPER), or having metastatic (METAST)
      disease. Survival and treatment patterns were assessed by NCCN stage-guided
      treatment categories. RESULTS: A total of 221 patients (72.9% men) with HCC were
      identified. At the time of diagnosis, patients were categorized as RESECT (n=28,
      12.7%), TRANSP (n=33, 14.9%), UNRESECT (n=77, 34.8%), INOPER (n=40, 18.1%), and
      METAST (n=38, 17.2%). Staging information was not specified for 5 patients (2.3%)
      even after chart review. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated significant
      differences in survival between RESECT and UNRESECT categories, and between
      UNRESECT and METAST categories. The median survivals in RESECT, TRANSP, UNRESECT,
      INOPER, and METAST categories were 594, 562, 247, 167, and 44 days, respectively.
      Patients considered RESECT most frequently underwent resection (61%, n=17) and
      patients considered TRANSP had the highest use of liver transplants (33.3%,
      n=11). Use of any treatment was low in the METAST (31.6%, n=12) and INOPER
      (60.0%, n=24) groups. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment patterns in the NCCN groupings
      correlated with recommended treatment strategies. Overall, the NCCN groupings
      have a linear relationship in overall survival.

PMID- 26285245
TI  - Preoperative Distress Predicts Persistent Pain After Breast Cancer Treatment: A
      Prospective Cohort Study.
AB  - PURPOSE: Persistent pain after breast cancer treatment (PPBCT) affects 25% to 60%
      of breast cancer survivors and is recognized as a clinical problem, with 10% to
      15% reporting moderate to severe pain several years after treatment.
      Psychological comorbidity is known to influence pain perception, and evidence
      links signs of depression and anxiety with development of PPBCT. The purpose of
      this study was to assess preoperative distress as a predictive factor for
      development of PPBCT. METHODS: Between October 2008 and October 2009, 426 women
      diagnosed with primary breast cancer, undergoing surgery at the Department of
      Breast Surgery, Rigshospitalet, Denmark, were invited to participate in the
      study. Patients filled out a questionnaire preoperatively, and 4 and 8 months
      after surgery. Preoperative distress was measured with the Distress Thermometer
      (DT; 11-point scale, 0-10). We examined the association between severe
      preoperative distress (using DT >=7) and moderate to severe PPBCT 8 months after
      diagnosis using a logistic regression model. RESULTS: A total of 357 patients
      participated in this study and 291 (82%) returned all follow-up questionnaires.
      Preoperative distress was significantly associated with moderate to severe PPBCT
      at 8 months, with an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 2.05 (95% CI, 1.18-3.59; P=.01),
      and at 4 months, with an OR of 2.23 (95% CI, 1.23-4.05; P=.01). CONCLUSIONS:
      Preoperative distress was associated with PPCBT, suggesting distress as an
      independent risk factor for PPBCT. Preoperative identification of patients at
      risk for PPBCT allows for further research in psychological and pharmacological
      treatment of this condition.

PMID- 26285246
TI  - CHAMBER: A Regional Performance Improvement CME Initiative for Breast Cancer
      Health Care Providers.
AB  - CHAMBER was a regional educational initiative for providers of care to patients
      with HER2+ breast cancer. The study goals were to (1) enhance testing for
      HER2/neu overexpression in patients with invasive breast cancer; (2) increase the
      appropriate use of targeted therapy for patients with HER2+ breast cancer; and
      (3) enhance patients' coping ability. This Performance Improvement Continuing
      Medical Education (PI-CME) initiative included clinical practice assessment,
      educational activities, and reassessment. Chart review revealed a high rate of
      HER2 testing (98%) before and after education. Targeted therapy for patients with
      HER2+ breast cancer declined after the program (from 96% to 61%), perhaps
      attributable to an increase in awareness of medical reasons to avoid use of
      targeted therapy. Assessment for patients' emotional coping ability increased
      after education (from 55% to 76%; P=.01). Rates of testing for HER2 amplification
      and assessment of emotional well-being after education were consistent with ASCO
      Quality Oncology Practice Initiative benchmark values. Documentation of actions
      to address emotional problems remained an area for improvement. 

PMID- 26285248
TI  - Role of Repeat Resection in Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer.
AB  - Repeat transurethral resection (TUR) is indicated for high-grade non-muscle
      invasive bladder tumors. Repeat TUR is a diagnostic, therapeutic, prognostic, and
      predictive procedure. Repeat TUR achieves optimal local control by removing
      residual tumors after initial TUR, improves staging accuracy, provides additional
      histologic material favoring accurate diagnosis, allocates appropriate therapy
      with improved outcomes, facilitates response to intravesical therapy, and
      provides important prognostic information. 

PMID- 26285249
TI  - The Future of Cancer Care: Are We Ready For Personalized Value?

PMID- 26285250
TI  - Optimizing Endocrine Therapy for Breast Cancer.
AB  - Endocrine therapy has significantly improved outcomes for patients with early-
      and advanced-stage hormone-receptor (HR)-positive breast cancer. Despite the
      success of adjuvant endocrine therapy, some patients with early-stage disease
      will experience relapse. Additionally, all patients with advanced disease will
      eventually experience disease progression on endocrine therapy due to resistance.
      Improved understanding of the mechanisms associated with resistance to endocrine
      agents has recently led to the approval of new therapeutics. Multiple questions
      remain unanswered, including the optimal duration of adjuvant therapy, the role
      of ovarian ablation in early-stage breast cancer in premenopausal women, and how
      to best incorporate targeted agents with endocrine therapy in the metastatic
      setting. This article reviews the optimization of endocrine therapy in patients
      with HR-positive breast cancer, focusing on these controversial areas. 

PMID- 26285302
TI  - Annual salary survey.

PMID- 26285303
TI  - Special issue in honor of Hans Selye.

PMID- 26285247
TI  - Cancer-Related Fatigue, Version 2.2015.
AB  - Cancer-related fatigue is defined as a distressing, persistent, subjective sense
      of physical, emotional, and/or cognitive tiredness or exhaustion related to
      cancer or cancer treatment that is not proportional to recent activity and
      interferes with usual functioning. It is one of the most common side effects in
      patients with cancer. Fatigue has been shown to be a consequence of active
      treatment, but it may also persist into posttreatment periods. Furthermore,
      difficulties in end-of-life care can be compounded by fatigue. The NCCN Clinical
      Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) for Cancer-Related Fatigue
      provide guidance on screening for fatigue and recommendations for interventions
      based on the stage of treatment. Interventions may include education and
      counseling, general strategies for the management of fatigue, and specific
      nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic interventions. Fatigue is a frequently
      underreported complication in patients with cancer and, when reported, is
      responsible for reduced quality of life. Therefore, routine screening to identify
      fatigue is an important component in improving the quality of life for patients
      living with cancer. 

PMID- 26285304
TI  - Abstracts from the Zinqap Annual Scientific Conference, 2012.

PMID- 26285305
TI  - Abstracts of the Annual Medical Research Day, 2012.

PMID- 26285308
TI  - Abstracts from the XXII National Congress of the Bulgarian Anatomical Society
      with International Participation, June 5-6, 2015, Plovdiv, Bulgaria.

PMID- 26285307
TI  - Abstracts from the Anniversary Scientific Conference 'Science for Health', May 20
      22, 2015, Plovdiv, Bulgaria.

PMID- 26285309
TI  - Proceedings of the 8th International Triticale Symposium, June 10-14, 2014,
      Ghent, Belgium.

PMID- 26285306
TI  - Diagnostic interpretation of array data using public databases and internet
      sources.
AB  - The range of commercially available array platforms and analysis software
      packages is expanding and their utility is improving, making reliable detection
      of copy-number variants (CNVs) relatively straightforward. Reliable
      interpretation of CNV data, however, is often difficult and requires expertise.
      With our knowledge of the human genome growing rapidly, applications for array
      testing continuously broadening, and the resolution of CNV detection increasing,
      this leads to great complexity in interpreting what can be daunting data. Correct
      CNV interpretation and optimal use of the genotype information provided by single
      nucleotide polymorphism probes on an array depends largely on knowledge present
      in various resources. In addition to the availability of host laboratories' own
      datasets and national registries, there are several public databases and Internet
      resources with genotype and phenotype information that can be used for array data
      interpretation. With so many resources now available, it is important to know
      which are fit-for-purpose in a diagnostic setting. We summarize the
      characteristics of the most commonly used Internet databases and resources, and
      propose a general data interpretation strategy that can be used for comparative
      hybridization, comparative intensity, and genotype-based array data.

PMID- 26285310
TI  - The next step   Meyer anticipates his new role   in AVMA leadership.

PMID- 26285311
TI  - 47M birds dead in flu outbreak: Egg-laying hens hit hardest, followed by turkeys.

PMID- 26285312
TI  - Georgia court rejects pet's intrinsic value appeal.

PMID- 26285313
TI  - Marijuana toxicosis  claims yield insights.

PMID- 26285314
TI  - Some compounding  may be allowed, even if  still illegal.

PMID- 26285316
TI  - USDA may require euthanasia of downed veal calves.

PMID- 26285315
TI  - FDA wants species-level antimicrobial data.

PMID- 26285317
TI  - A New Revolution?

PMID- 26285318
TI  - Cardiac Tamponade Associated with Rivaroxaban.
AB  - Rivaroxaban is an oral anticoagulant approved for prevention of stroke, as well
      as for the treatment and prevention of venous thromboembolic disease.
      Hemopericardium is a serious complication of anticoagulant use, which has been
      reported with oral vitamin-K antagonists and newer oral anticoagulants. At the
      time of this report, to my knowledge, there are no published reports of
      hemorrhagic effusion leading to tamponade associated with a Factor Xa Inhibitor.
      I report a case of hemopericardium with associated tamponade in a patient who
      developed pericarditis while being treated with Rivaroxaban. The case highlights
      an important adverse effect of a newer anticoagulant, as well as the particular
      dangers of medication co-administration in the elderly.

PMID- 26285319
TI  - Thrombus in Transit through a Patent Foramen Ovale: Surgical Prevention of
      Impending Stroke.
AB  - A Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE) is essential in identifying thrombus in
      transient in patients with deep venous thrombosis (DVT) presenting with symptoms
      suggesting potential systemic emboli. We present a case of a 71-year-old
      gentleman with recent DVT who developed slurred speech and was assumed to have
      transient ischemia attack (TIA). TEE showed the presence of a large Thrombus in
      Transit (TIT) through a patent foramen ovale (PFO). Surgical intervention in low
      to intermediate risk is probably the best option associated with fewer
      complications of recurrent embolic events than both thrombolysis and
      anticoagulation.

PMID- 26285320
TI  - Postmenopausal Bleeding Resulting from Acute Myeloid Leukemia Infiltration of the
      Endometrium.
AB  - Postmenopausal bleeding can be the result of numerous etiologies including
      endometrial carcinoma, vaginal atrophy, and endometrial polyps. Manifestation of
      a hematologic disease, such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML), is a rare
      occurrence. A 65-year-old woman with pancytopenia and postmenopausal bleeding was
      diagnosed with AML. Endometrial biopsy following dilation and curettage of the
      uterus revealed extensive mononuclear cell infiltrate consistent with AML. The
      patient was a poor surgical candidate and subsequently underwent treatment with
      chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, pelvic radiation, and uterine artery embolization
      to control her vaginal bleeding. A multi-disciplinary approach is necessary for
      treatment of post-menopausal bleeding resulting from AML infiltration of the
      endometrium.

PMID- 26285321
TI  - The Way to a Man's Lungs Is through His Nails: Defining Yellow Nail Syndrome.

PMID- 26285322
TI  - Weighing in on obesity and breastfeeding: factors possibly related to lower
      breastfeeding rates in women with higher BMIs.

PMID- 26285323
TI  - Antenatal information sources for maternal and infant diet.
AB  - This report describes information sources accessed by pregnant women around
      antenatal and early infant diet. Australian women in their first pregnancy (n =
      277) responded to questionnaires online and on paper between June 2010 and March
      2011 as part of the Feeding Queensland Babies Study. Antenatal information
      sources are reported for maternal diet, breastfeeding and formula-feeding.
      Pregnant women sought and encountered information for their own and their
      infants' diet from many sources. Health care professionals provided antenatal
      dietary information for 80% of respondents and infant feeding advice for 69%.
      Relatives or friends were the respondents' largest reported information source
      for infant feeding, reported by 78%. Information on artificial baby milk was
      accessed on television by 77% and on the internet by 52% of respondents. Health
      care professionals should proactively support clients' informational needs and
      address encountered nutrition misinformation. Further research is necessary to
      establish the nature and accuracy of dietary information in the mass media.

PMID- 26285324
TI  - Dear health professionals.

PMID- 26285325
TI  - [The role of the respiratory and relaxation training in the treatment of the
      patients after the surgical treatment of non-specific pulmonary diseases].
AB  - The present study included 62 patients who had undergone the surgical
      intervention for the treatment of non-specific pulmonary diseases. All the
      patients were subjected to the psychological and spirometric examination. The
      study has demonstrated the relationship between the characteristics of the
      external respiration function on the one hand and the ability to handle stress,
      the levels of anxiety, tension, emotional instability and hypochondriacal mood on
      the other hand. It was shown that the respiratory and relaxation training
      improves the effectiveness of the treatment of the patients presenting with such
      symptoms due to the correction of their psychological status and optimization of
      the external respiration function. The highest effectiveness of the respiratory
      and relaxation training was documented in the patients suffering moderate
      neurotic disorders.

PMID- 26285326
TI  - [The importance of muscular disbalance in physical therapy of the patients
      presenting with pneumonia].
AB  - Thematic justification. Pneumonia holds a leading position among the pathological
      conditions responsible for temporary disability. AIM: The objective of the
      present study was to develop a rationale for the system of therapeutic physical
      exercises designed to treat the patients presenting with pneumonia taking into
      consideration the myofascial disorders and to elucidate its advantages, if any,
      over the conventional approaches. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 134 patients
      the patients presenting were examined and treated after they were randomly
      divided into two groups. The study group was comprised of 73 patients at the mean
      age of 48.0 +/- 4.0 years while the control group consisted of 61 patients (mean
      age 48.0 +/- 4.0 years). The standard clinical and laboratory examination and the
      chest X-ray study of all the patients were supplemented by the evaluation of the
      external respiration function and the assessment of the state of myofascial
      structure with the use of the methods for testing the muscular function. RESULTS:
      The complete resolution of pneumonia documented by X-ray investigations in the
      patients of the study group was achieved 20.6% more frequently than in controls
      (p < 0.05). Chest excursion in the study and control groups increased by 36.63%
      (p < 0.01) and 7.46% (p < 0.05) respectively. The number of the patients with the
      unaltered vital lung capacity (VLC) (up to more than 90% of the normal value)
      increased in the study group by 35.6% (p < 0.01). Simultaneously, the number of
      the patients with moderate and severe disorders decreased in the study group by
      21.9% (p < 0.01) and 12.3% (p < 0.05) respectively. The results of the testing of
      the muscular function suggest that it was most frequently altered in the erector
      muscle of the spine, gluteus maximus and gluteus medius muscles, musculus
      quadriceps femoris, iliopsoas muscle, rectus abdominis muscle and oblique
      abdominal muscle, deep cervical flexor muscles, pectoralis major and pectoralis
      minor muscles on the side of the affected lung. After the treatment, these
      changes in the patients of the study group were observed significantly less
      frequently than in those of the control one. CONCLUSION: The patients with
      pneumonia developed the signs of muscular disbalance as a result of pathological
      myofascial disorders in the muscles of the neck, thoracic cage, abdominal wall,
      paravertebral region, thigh, and the ilio-lumbar region. The program for the
      combined treatment of the patients presenting with pneumonia based at a hospital
      facility including the newly proposed method of physical rehabilitation promoted
      the accelerated resolution of the inflammatory process as is apparent from the
      results of the X-ray examination. The respiratory exercises prescribed with due
      regard for the localization of the inflammatory process and specific changes of
      spirographic measurements together with microcorrection procedures exerted a more
      pronounced positive influence on the external respiration function and the state
      of the locomotor system in the patients of the study group in comparison with the
      control subjects prescribed a complex of conventional therapeutic physical
      exercises.

PMID- 26285327
TI  - [The influence of intravenous laser irradiation of the blood on the dynamics of
      leptin levels and the quality of life of the patients presenting with rheumatoid
      arthritis].
AB  - AIM: The objective of the present study was to estimate the influence of
      intravenous laser irradiation of the blood on the dynamics of leptin levels and
      the quality of life of the patients presenting with rheumatoid arthritis.
      MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 132 patients at the age varying from 18 to 65
      (mean 52.9 +/- 11.3) years presenting with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were
      available for the examination. The diagnosis of RA was based on the results of
      clinical, laboratory, and instrumental studies in accordance with the criteria of
      the American College of Rheumatology and European League Against Rheumatism
      (ACR/EULAR) dated 2010. The patients were divided into two groups. The control
      group was comprised of the patients who received the traditional medicamental
      treatment alone (n = 30) while the study group consisted of the patients given a
      course of intravenous laser irradiation of the blood in addition to the
      traditional medicamental treatment (n = 102).The course of intravenous laser
      therapy was performed with the use of a Matrix-VLOK apparatus ("Matrix", Russia)
      by means of the VLOK + UBI procedure. Each course consisted of 10 sessions per
      patient without a break for the weekend. RESULTS: The data obtained indicate that
      the patients with rheumatoid arthritis had the increased plasma leptin level
      suggesting the development of the inflammatory process. Moreover, the quality of
      the patients' life was deteriorated. CONCLUSION: The results of this study
      demonstrate that the combined treatment by means of low-intensity laser
      irradiation is accompanied by the normalization of the plasma leptin level,
      suppression of the inflammatory process, and a significant improvement of the
      quality of life of the patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.

PMID- 26285328
TI  - [The effectiveness of the spa and health resort-based treatment with the
      application of Essentuki-type drinking mineral waters for the management of non
      alcoholic fatty liver disease in the patients presenting with type 2 diabetes
      mellitus].
AB  - The objective of the present study was to estimate the effectiveness of the spa
      and health resort-based treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in 40
      patients at the mean age of 48,8 +/- 5.7 years suffering from type 2 diabetes
      mellitus. All of them received combined therapy including the application of
      potable Essentuki-Novaya mineral water (20 patients) or Essentuki No 4 water (20
      patients). This therapeutic modality resulted in positive dynamics of clinical
      symptoms of the disease, the functional liver tests, and parameters of intra
      hepatic hemodynamics, lipid peroxidation homeostasis, and the hormonal status. It
      is concluded that the spa and health resort-based treatment with the application
      of local drinking Essentuki-type mineral waters for the management of non
      alcoholic fatty liver disease in the patients presenting with type 2 diabetes
      mellitus leads to the improvement of the main functions of the liver, stabilizes
      carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, and prevents progression of the pathological
      process.

PMID- 26285329
TI  - [The modern methods of the electrical stimulation for the management of
      neurogenic disturbances of urination].
AB  - The results of the present study provide materials for the characteristic and the
      comparative analysis of the methods for electrical stimulation applied for the
      treatment of neurogenic disorders of urination and illustrate the up-to-date
      requirements to this therapy taking into consideration the neuroanatomical and
      neurophysiological features of micturition. One of the most advanced non
      pharmacological methods is electrical stimulation and neuromodulation of the
      urinary bladder function and pelvic floor muscles. The objective of this three
      step research was to elucidate the mechanisms of action of electrical stimulation
      and to compare the effects of tibial and pudendal neuromodulation in 22 patients
      presenting with ischemic lesions in the brain. The first step included the
      comprehensive clinical and neuroimaging investigations designed to determine the
      role of functional asymmetry of cortical and subcortical micturition regulatory
      centers during the recovery process following the ischemic lesions. At the second
      stage, afferent and central regulation of micturition was investigated by the
      method of tibial and pudendal somatosensory evoked potentials in the patients
      presenting with overactive bladder and acute or chronic cerebral ischemia. At the
      final step, the optimal parameters of neuromodulation were chosen depending on
      the form of the urination disorder. It is concluded that the study gave evidence
      of the high therapeutic effectiveness of tibial and pudendal neuromodulation for
      the treatment of overactive bladder associated with neurological disorders
      (including ischemic lesions in the brain).

PMID- 26285330
TI  - [The influence of balneo- and peloid therapy on the characteristics of the
      hormonal regulation in the women presenting with bacterial vaginosis].
AB  - AIM: The objective of the present work was to study the influence of balneo- and
      peloid therapy on the characteristics of the hormonal regulation in the women
      presenting with bacterial vaginosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The immunoenzymatic
      assay (ELISA) was used to study characteristics of hormonal regulation in 128
      women presenting with bacterial vaginosis and normal prolactin level and 58 women
      with bacterial vaginosis and concomitant hyperprolactinemia. The study included
      the evaluation of dynamics of the clinical and laboratory parameters under the
      influence of peloidtherapy. RESULTS: The application of the sulfide-containing
      siltypeloids was shown to have positive clinical effect on the adrenal and
      ovarian function and to exert the modulating action on the levels of the
      pituitary and sex hormones in women with bacterial vaginosis and normal prolactin
      levels. In contrast, the same treatment of the women with bacterial vaginosis and
      hyperprolactinemia causes a further deterioration of hormonal imbalance,
      increases the initially elevated prolactin level, aggravates disorders in the
      pituitary and ovarian regulation, and decreases the effectiveness of the
      treatment. CONCLUSION: The results of the study suggest the necessity of the
      differential approach to the prescription of balneo- and peloid therapy to the
      patients with gynecological problems associated with hormonal disorders taking
      into account the level of prolactinemia.

PMID- 26285331
TI  - [Investigations into the relationship between respiratory disorders and excessive
      body weight in the adolescents presenting with bronchial asthma treated based at
      a specialized health resort facility].
AB  - A total of 71 patients with bronchial asthma (BA) were examined and treated based
      at a specialized health facility of whom 43 ones presented with mild asthma and
      26 patients with moderately severe asthma in remission. The median age of the
      patients was 12,04 +/- 2,08 years. Spirometry parameters: MOS50, MOS75, and PSV,
      proved to be of high informative value combined with high enough sensitivity and
      specificity. The significant difference between the groups as a whole (p < 0.05)
      were documented based on the serum leptin levels that were higher in the
      overweight patients and especially in the girls (p < 0.05). The leptin level was
      a similarly sensitive/specific (AUROC > 0.5) and informative (SCDFC > 0.5)
      parameter which confirms its diagnostic value given it is employed in combination
      with overweight for the evaluation of the status of the patients suffering from
      asthma. Negative linear and non-parametric correlation between the functional
      parameters and the serum leptin levels in the overweight patients with bronchial
      asthma suggests that the enhanced leptin concentration may serve as a marker of
      strong obstruction and severe inflammation at all levels of the respiratory tract
      in the patients presenting with a combination of the two conditions.

PMID- 26285332
TI  - [Inhalation of Myramistin in the children presenting with acute respiratory
      diseases].
AB  - This paper reports the results of the clinical observations and special
      investigations carried out with the involvement of the children presenting with
      acute respiratory diseases treated with the use of a Myramistin solution for
      inhalation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included a total of 60 children with
      the above condition at the age varying between 2 and 17 years. Forty patients
      inhaled the Myramistin solution through a face mask connected to the nebulizer.
      The remaining 20 children that comprised the control group inhaled Myramistin in
      the form of a spray. RESULTS: The study has demonstrated the effectiveness of the
      proposed method that produced beneficial effect on the clinical symptoms of the
      respiratory diseases and characteristics of peripheral blood. Moreover, it
      accelerated the recovery of the patients due to the anti-inflammatory and trophic
      action of the inhaled solution and promoted normalization of mucociliary
      clearance. The therapeutic effectiveness of the Myramistin spray was
      significantly lower than that of the solution. CONCLUSION: The results of the
      study provided a basis for the development of the optimal technologies for the
      application of the Myramistin inhalation solution to the treatment of the
      children presenting with acute respiratory diseases of the upper and lower parts
      of the respiratory tract.

PMID- 26285333
TI  - [The ultrastructural manifestations of the regenerative processes in the Sertoli
      cells under the action of low-intensity electromagnetic radiation in the rats
      subjected to stress].
AB  - The experiments on the outbred female rats using the electron microscopic
      technique have demonstrated that the application of ultrahigh frequency low
      intensity electromagnetic radiation (LIEMR) with a flux density below 1 mCW/Cm2
      and a frequency of approximately 1,000 MHz in the regime of primary prophylaxis
      and therapeutic-preventive action suppressed the development of the post-stress
      pathological ultrastructural changes and increased the activity of the
      regenerative processes in the Sertoli cells. It was shown that the developing
      adaptive and compensatory changes in the Sertoli cells most frequently involve
      the energy-producing structures (mitochondria) that undergo the enlargement of
      their average and total dimensions. Simultaneously, the amount of granular
      endoplasmic reticulum and the number of ribosomes increased while the
      intracellular links between the organelles strengthened and the reserve potential
      of the cells improved. It is concluded that the observed effects may be due to
      the action of both local and systemic regulation mechanisms.

PMID- 26285334
TI  - [The enhanced external counterpulsation as a method of non-invasive auxiliary
      blood circulation used for the combined rehabilitative treatment of the patients
      surviving after ischemic stroke (a review)].
AB  - The present review of the foreign and domestic literature is concerned with the
      application of the method of enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) therapy
      for the treatment of the patients presenting with various diseases. It is shown
      that many recent publications report extensive investigations of the clinical and
      neurophysiological aspects of the application of this method for the combined
      regenerative treatment of the patients surviving after ischemic stroke (IS). The
      possibility of the influence of EECP therapy on the system of regulation of the
      cerebral blood flow, the formation of collateral circulation in the ischemic
      tissue, and the cellular-humoral mechanisms are considered. It is concluded that
      the introduction of enhanced external counterpulsation therapy into the program
      of the combined rehabilitative treatment on an individual basis for the patients
      surviving after ischemic stroke is pathogenetically substantiated as promoting
      regression of clinical, neurological, and neuropsychological disorders.

PMID- 26285335
TI  - [The role of evidence-based medicine in the neurorehabilitation: the innovative
      technologies (a review)].
AB  - The present review is focused on the randomized controlled trials and meta
      analyses in the field of technological means for neurorehabilitation. The
      available literature data and the results of original observations provide a
      basis for distinguishing between the following levels of evidence: instrumental
      verticalization--2a, robot-assisted mechanotherapy--1a, biological feedback--1a,
      virtual reality--1a, transcranial magnetic stimulation--1a for central
      hemiparesis and 1b for speech disturbance and unilateral spatial agnosia,
      transcranial electrical stimulation--2b, electromyostimulation--1a,
      telerehabilitation--3. It is concluded that the use of the innovative
      technologies for the purpose of neurorehabiltation is objectively substantiated.
      Further investigations are needed to allow their application on an individual
      basis.

PMID- 26285336
TI  - [The indications for medical rehabilitation of certain oncological patients
      presenting with the complications of the radical treatment under the conditions
      of a multi-disciplinary hospital].
AB  - This article was designed to help the practitioners by proposing the
      recommendations for diagnostics and evaluation of the severity of complications
      of the radical treatment of the patients presenting with breast cancer, stomach
      cancer, endometrial cancer, cervical cancer, bone sarcoma (osteosarcoma,
      chondrosarcoma, periosteal sarcoma, et al.). The indications for medical
      rehabilitation of the patients with these problems are described with special
      reference to their treatment under the conditions of a multidisciplinary hospital
      depending on the type and severity of complications of the radical treatment. The
      results of the long-term investigations and analysis of a large number of
      observations were used to substantiate the application of the available
      physiotherapeutic technologies for the medical rehabilitation of the oncological
      patients belonging to clinical group III.

PMID- 26285337
TI  - [Annenskie mineral waters: the history of discovery (the 150th anniversary of the
      balneotherapeutic centre spa "Annenskie waters")].
AB  - The present article is an attempt to create a complete picture of the history of
      foundation of the first Far East balneotherapeutic spa centre known as "Annenskie
      waters". This article brings together the legends and historical information
      concerning this locality dated since 1858 up to the present time. The main stages
      of the development of the medical centre are reviewed starting from the period of
      unorganized chaotic attendance to the creation of the modern comfortable spa
      facility, building new bathrooms, halls, dormitories, dining and auxiliary
      premises. The process of developing and extending indications for the medical
      application of Annenskie mineral waters is followed backward in the past. The
      first report on the clinical effectiveness of Annenskie waters is presented. The
      contribution made by several historical figures to the development of the
      balneotherapeutic centre is described.

PMID- 26285338
TI  - Oral Healthcare for Elders: A Missing Link.

PMID- 26285339
TI  - FOCUS ON: Facial Aesthetics.

PMID- 26285340
TI  - Claude Berthoin, President and CEO, Denterprise International.

PMID- 26285341
TI  - I'm Beginning to See the Light.

PMID- 26285342
TI  - Uncontrolled Dental Caries in a Young Adult: A Therapeutic Perspective and Case
      Report.

PMID- 26285343
TI  - Optimal Shaping of Root Canal Systems: Demonstrating the Use of Controlled Memor
      Ni-Ti Files.

PMID- 26285344
TI  - Bulimia: Complex Etiology, Challenging Treatment.

PMID- 26285345
TI  - Nanoceramic CAD/CAM Restorations.

PMID- 26285346
TI  - A Restorative Challenge: Tetracycline-Stained Teeth.

PMID- 26285347
TI  - Ensuring Restorative Success With Bruxism Testing.

PMID- 26285348
TI  - Lasers in Implant Dentistry, Part I.

PMID- 26285349
TI  - An Oral Bisphosphonate Dilemma.

PMID- 26285350
TI  - Immediate Implant Prosthesis Via Guided Bone Reduction.

PMID- 26285351
TI  - Intraoral Repair of Multiple Substrates Using Silication.

PMID- 26285352
TI  - THALIACEANS, THE NEGLECTED PELAGIC RELATIVES OF ASCIDIANS: A DEVELOPMENTAL AND
      EVOLUTIONARY ENIGMA.
AB  - Most developmental biologists equate tunicates to the sessile ascidians,
      including Ciona intestinalis, and the pelagic appendicularians, in particular
      Oikopleura dioica. However, there exists a third group of tunicates with a
      pelagic lifestyle, the thaliaceans, which include salps, pyrosomes, and
      doliolids. Although thaliaceans have raised the curiosity offamous zoologists
      since the 18th century, the difficulty of observing and experimentally
      manipulating them has led to many controversies and speculations about their life
      cycles and developmental strategies, the phylogenetic relationship within the
      group and with other tunicates, and the drivers of speciation in these widely
      distributed animals living in a seemingly uniform environment. Here, we take a
      historical perspective to summarize 250 years of work on this intriguing group of
      animals, and explore how modern genomics and imaging approaches are starting to
      solve fascinating evolutionary and developmental riddles. Recent molecular
      analyses support previous morphological evidence that ascidians are not
      monophyletic and that thaliaceans evolved from a sessile ascidian-like ancestor.
      In parallel, preliminary live-imaging and gene-expression data offer exciting
      entry points to understand how the adoption of a pelagic lifestyle led to drastic
      modifications in the morphology, embryology, and life cycle of these tunicates,
      compared to their sessile ancestor.

PMID- 26285353
TI  - PROMOTING RESILIENCE.
AB  - Broadening contingents of ecologists and environmental scientists have recently
      begun to promote ecological resilience both as a conceptual framework and as a
      practical goal. As some critics have noted, this growing interest has brought
      with it a multiplication of notions of ecological resilience. This paper reviews
      how and why the notion of ecological resilience has been adopted, used, and
      defended in ecology since its introduction by C. S. Holling in 1973. We highlight
      the many faces of ecological resilience, but unlike other reviewers who see these
      as disunified and confused, we interpret ecological resilience as an evolving,
      multidimensional, theoretical concept unified by its role in guiding practical
      response to ecological and environmental challenges. This perspective informs a
      review of some of the factors often recognized as favoring resilience (structural
      and response diversity, functional redundancy, modularity, and spatial
      heterogeneity); we show how the roles and relationships of these factors can be
      clarified by considering them in the theoretical framework of Complex Adaptive
      Systems (CASs).

PMID- 26285355
TI  - Social Security Disability Insurance: How Social Workers Can Support Necessary
      Action.

PMID- 26285354
TI  - HOW TO STUDY ADAPTATION (AND WHY TO DO IT THAT WAY).
AB  - Some adaptationist explanations are regarded as maximally solid and others
      fanciful just-so stories. Just-so stories are explanations based on very little
      evidence. Lack of evidence leads to circular-sounding reasoning: "this trait was
      shaped by selection in unseen ancestral populations and this selection must have
      occurred because the trait is present." Well-supported adaptationist explanations
      include evidence that is not only abundant but selected from comparative,
      populational, and optimality perspectives, the three adaptationist
      subdisciplines. Each subdiscipline obtains its broad relevance in evolutionary
      biology via assumptions that can only be tested with the methods of the other
      subdisciplines. However, even in the best-supported explanations, assumptions
      regarding variation, heritability, and fitness in unseen ancestral populations
      are always present. These assumptions are accepted given how well they would
      explain the data if they were true. This means that some degree of "circularity"
      is present in all evolutionary explanations. Evolutionary explanation corresponds
      not to a deductive structure, as biologists usually assert, but instead to ones
      such as abduction or Bayesianism. With these structures in mind, we show the way
      to a healthier view of "circularity" in evolutionary biology and why integration
      across the comparative, populational, and optimality approaches is necessary.

PMID- 26285356
TI  - Suicide Risk, Stress Sensitivity, and Self-Esteem among Young Adults Reporting
      Auditory Hallucinations.
AB  - Individuals with subthreshold psychotic experiences are at increased risk for
      suicidal thoughts and behavior, similar to those with schizophrenia and other
      psychotic disorders. This may be explained by shared risk factors such as
      heightened stress sensitivity or low self-esteem. Understanding the nature of
      this relationship could inform suicide prevention in social work practice. In
      this study, authors examined the relationship between self-reported auditory
      hallucinations and suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts, in a nonclinical
      sample of young adults, controlling for scores on the Psychological Stress Index
      and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Auditory hallucinations were associated with
      approximately double the odds of suicidal ideation and plans and four times the
      odds for suicide attempts. This relationship was not explained by stress
      sensitivity or self-esteem, which were independently related to hallucinations
      and suicidality, respectively. Subthreshold auditory hallucinations may be a
      useful indicator of suicide risk. This association may represent a clinically
      significant relationship that may be addressed through social work interventions
      intended to alleviate stress sensitivity or improve self-esteem.

PMID- 26285357
TI  - Modeling Active Aging and Explicit Memory: An Empirical Study.
AB  - The rapid growth of the population of older adults and their concomitant
      psychological status and health needs have captured the attention of researchers
      and health professionals. To help fill the void of literature available to social
      workers interested in mental health promotion and aging, the authors provide a
      model for active aging that uses psychosocial variables. Structural equation
      modeling was used to examine the relationships among the latent variables of the
      state of explicit memory, the perception of social resources, depression, and the
      perception of quality of life in a sample of 184 older adults. The results
      suggest that explicit memory is not a direct indicator of the perception of
      quality of life, but it could be considered an indirect indicator as it is
      positively correlated with perception of social resources and negatively
      correlated with depression. These last two variables influenced the perception of
      quality of life directly, the former positively and the latter negatively. The
      main outcome suggests that the perception of social support improves explicit
      memory and quality of life and reduces depression in active older adults. The
      findings also suggest that gerontological professionals should design memory
      training programs, improve available social resources, and offer environments
      with opportunities to exercise memory.

PMID- 26285358
TI  - Social Work Assessment Notes: A Comprehensive Outcomes-Based Hospice
      Documentation System.
AB  - This article describes the development of an integrated psychosocial patient and
      caregiver assessment and plan of care for hospice social work documentation. A
      team of hospice social workers developed the Social Work Assessment Notes as a
      quality improvement project in collaboration with the information technology
      department. Using the Social Work Assessment Tool as an organizing framework,
      this comprehensive hospice social work documentation system is designed to
      integrate assessment, planning, and outcomes measurement. The system was
      developed to guide the assessment of patients' and caregivers' needs related to
      end-of-life psychosocial issues, to facilitate collaborative care plan
      development, and to measure patient- and family-centered outcomes. Goals
      established with the patient and the caregiver are documented in the plan of care
      and become the foundation for patient-centered, strengths-based interventions.
      Likert scales are used to assign numerical severity levels for identified issues
      and progress made toward goals and to track the outcome of social work
      interventions across nine psychosocial constructs. The documentation system was
      developed for use in an electronic health record but can be used for paper
      charting. Future plans include automated aggregate outcomes measurement to
      identify the most effective interventions and best practices in end-of-life care.

PMID- 26285359
TI  - Addressing Heart Failure Challenges through Illness-Informed Social Work.
AB  - This article describes the role of social workers in addressing the needs of
      people with heart failure. Although previous studies have explored the role of
      social workers in health care settings, few studies have addressed the challenges
      of specific chronic diseases such as heart failure. To address this gap in the
      literature, this study used qualitative interviews with health care social
      workers (n = 8) to obtain in-depth information about activities and challenges
      related to heart failure care. Findings suggest that health care social workers
      perceive heart failure as characterized by an uncertain illness trajectory,
      frequent hospitalizations, and difficulties accessing formal and informal care.
      These findings suggest the importance of what we term illness-informed social
      work, a practice that combines heart failure knowledge with social work
      competencies to address the complex psychosocial issues in heart failure care.

PMID- 26285360
TI  - Contribution of Positivity Ratio and Self-Control to Reduced Gambling Severity
      among Adolescents.
AB  - In the past few years, gambling among adolescents has become a common health risk
      behavior, one that might lead to other health risk behaviors. Research on the
      etiology of gambling behavior among adolescents has hitherto focused primarily on
      the factors contributing to increased gambling severity (GS). The present study
      is different, in that it examines two key personality components that may help
      curb GS: self-control (SC) and positivity ratio (PR)--the latter being defined as
      the positive ratio between positive and negative affects--as factors that predict
      reduced GS among adolescents. A convenience sample of 595 adolescents, ages 13 to
      19 (M = 15.13, SD = 1.53), from six secondary and middle schools in five major
      cities in Israel, was taken between February and April 2012. Four instruments
      were used: a Gambling Behavior Scale, the DSM-IV (adapted for juveniles), the
      Adolescent SC Scale, and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule. The main
      findings showed that PR moderated the association between SC and GS--highlighting
      the importance of PR in reducing the likelihood of problem gambling and
      bolstering the individual's SC skills and pointing to possible preventive actions
      that might be taken in the community to promote healthy adolescent behavior.

PMID- 26285361
TI  - HIV Awareness and Knowledge among Viewers of a Documentary Film about HIV among
      Racial- or Ethnic-Minority Older Adults.
AB  - A documentary film on HIV was developed based on social cognitive theory and
      entertainment educational methods in an effort to increase awareness and
      encourage protective behavior change related to HIV among older adults. The
      documentary includes perspectives from racial- or ethnic-minority older adults
      who are living with HIV and those of health care providers, and was screened in
      several venues. Authors of this article conducted thematic content analysis of
      anonymous, written, open-ended responses from 341 film viewers (clinicians and
      laypeople) who described what they learned about HIV after viewing the film. Four
      key themes emerged from the analysis: (1) increased awareness about the
      epidemiology of HIV among older, minority groups and about sexuality among older
      people; (2) improved general HIV knowledge, including risk reduction strategies
      and details about HIV testing; (3) awareness of lack of sexual health education
      among health care providers, and that a call to action is needed; and (4)
      awareness that HIV reinfection can occur in certain circumstances with people who
      are already infected. Findings suggest that an educational documentary can be
      used to effectively increase awareness and knowledge about the impact of HIV
      among minority older adults, and may also encourage HIV prevention action steps
      by providers.

PMID- 26285362
TI  - Health Perceptions and Quality of Life among Low-Income Adults.
AB  - Marginalized populations may be predisposed to poor health outcomes due to health
      dis parities. Although much of the research on health and quality of life is from
      the perspective of the impact of clinical diagnosis, there is a need for more
      diverse inquiries and recognition of the individuals' perceptions and
      preferences. The present study examined the importance of an individual's
      perception of his or her current health in predicting quality of life over and
      beyond the presence of physical or mental health conditions. The sample included
      150 low-income adults, of which 84.7 percent were African American and 15.4
      percent were of another minority race or ethnicity. Participants had an average
      monthly income of $703. Having a better perception of health was significantly
      associated with increased quality of life scores. Subjective perceptions of
      current health were a better predictor of quality of life than the presence of a
      serious physical or mental health condition. The article ends with a discussion
      of appropriate interventions to improve health perceptions in similar populations
      predisposed to poor health outcomes.

PMID- 26285363
TI  - Psychosocial Needs of Relatives of Trauma Patients.
AB  - In trauma care, the patient is the primary focus of attention. However, patients'
      relatives also need attention, for two main reasons. First, the support of
      relatives is an important factor in the convalescence of patients. Second, the
      trauma means a serious disruption of not only the life of patients, but also that
      of their relatives. The purpose of this study was to explore the needs of
      relatives of trauma patients, to what extent these needs are met by the support
      of social workers, and how relatives benefit from this support. The study was
      conducted in hospitals in The Netherlands. Needs were measured using the Dutch
      version of the Critical Care Family Needs Inventory. Results of in-depth
      interviews were used to develop a questionnaire to explore the type of social
      worker support and to what extent relatives benefit from this support. Findings
      show that trauma patients' relatives have a need for information, access to the
      patient and hospital staff, and psychosocial assistance. In most cases social
      workers supported relatives and relatives benefited from the support. To ensure
      that trauma patients' relatives receive the support they need, social workers
      should be involved in trauma care as the standard of good care.

PMID- 26285364
TI  - Social Worker Perceptions and Observations Regarding Men's Management of
      Hemophilia and Use of Community-Based Support.
AB  - The study reported in this article was conducted in response to Utah service
      provider concerns that men with hemophilia may be disengaged from their local
      community-based support network. This study explored the challenges, adaptations,
      and needs of men with hemophilia from the perspective of Hemophilia Treatment
      Center (HTC) social workers. Utah's two active HTC social workers participated in
      face-to-face interviews. Fourteen HTC social workers from surrounding regions
      completed written interviews. The researcher used a qualitative, grounded theory
      approach to analyze the data. Resilience theory provided a lens for interpreting
      the results. Findings from these professionals indicate that men with hemophilia
      appear to be ambivalent toward services that are available to them for reasons
      that include work and insurance status, prior personal history with the bleeding
      disorders community, strength of relationship with local service providers,
      degree of customization of HTC services, and the desire to maintain personal
      independence. Understanding this dynamic may be helpful in developing services
      that are more specifically tailored to the needs of men with hemophilia, in
      addition to potentially providing stronger community-based support to men with
      other genetic disorders.

PMID- 26285365
TI  - Addressing the Needs of Individuals with Autism: Role of Hospital-Based Social
      Workers in Implementation of a Patient-Centered Care Plan.

PMID- 26285366
TI  - Pomp and Circumstance and Lifelong Learning.

PMID- 26285367
TI  - Celebrating Nursing's Past and Future.

PMID- 26285368
TI  - Failure to Rescue: The Nurse's Impact.
AB  - Failure to rescue is a major cause of mortality in acute care settings. Several
      factors contribute to this problem, and nurses hold a significant key to
      addressing the issue. Using bell curves to analyze patient assessment data
      enables nurses to recognize indicators of impending crisis and act expediently to
      safeguard the health of the patient.

PMID- 26285369
TI  - Improving Quality by Taking Aim at Incontinence-Associated Dermatitis in
      Hospitalized Adults.
AB  - A practice-improvement project was launched to implement an evidence-based
      intervention bundle for incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD) and evaluate its
      impact on the identification, prevention, and management of IAD in hospitalized
      adults.

PMID- 26285370
TI  - Use of a Novel Teaching Method to Increase Knowledge and Adherence to Isolation
      Procedures.
AB  - Adherence to infection prevention precautions is a challenge in many hospitals.
      The purpose of this study was to determine if an isolation educational program,
      which included visual demonstrations of cross-contamination during breaks in
      isolation procedures, increased nursing staff knowledge of and adherence to
      isolation procedures.

PMID- 26285372
TI  - A Sergeant's Story.

PMID- 26285371
TI  - Discharge Time Out: An Innovative Nurse-Driven Protocol for Medication
      Reconciliation.
AB  - An innovative method for discharge medication reconciliation was developed by
      nurses to ensure safe transition of care and improved patient outcomes. The
      discharge time-out process has empowered nurses to take a more active role in
      discharging their patients, and has fostered a more collaborative relationship
      between nurses and physicians.

PMID- 26285373
TI  - A Salute to the Armed Forces, Veterans, and AMSN Military Members.

PMID- 26285374
TI  - Nurses Providing Care to Military Veterans in Civilian Hospitals.

PMID- 26285375
TI  - Becoming a Nurse and Army Officer Through the ROTC Program.

PMID- 26285376
TI  - Moral Injury is the Wound: PTSD is the Manifestation.

PMID- 26285377
TI  - Nursing and Health Care in the Veterans Health Administration Today.

PMID- 26285378
TI  - My Career as a Navy Nurse.

PMID- 26285379
TI  - A Sailor and a Nurse.

PMID- 26285380
TI  - Discharging Veterans: Legal and Ethical Issues.

PMID- 26285381
TI  - Care of the Patient Undergoing Radial Approach Heart Catheterization:
      Implications for Medical-Surgical Nurses.
AB  - Primary treatment for coronary vascular disease focuses on therapeutic lifestyle
      changes. However, additional medical management or even coronary intervention may
      be required. Access sites for catheterization include the brachial, radial, and
      femoral arteries. As an increasing number of providers implement transradial
      cardiac catheterization, education for nurses is a priority.

PMID- 26285382
TI  - A Review of Antihypertensive Medications, Part I.
AB  - Hypertension requires careful management, including lifestyle modification and
      drug therapy. Use of thiazide diuretics and ACE inhibitors is discussed.

PMID- 26285383
TI  - Pressure Ulcers.

PMID- 26285384
TI  - Conducting Research with a Team of Clinical Nurses.

PMID- 26285385
TI  - Fun with Fluids.

PMID- 26285386
TI  - Physical Examination of the Adult Patient with Chronic Respiratory Disease.

PMID- 26285388
TI  - PHYSICIANS, VALUE AND COMPOUND INTEREST.

PMID- 26285389
TI  - DESIGNING THE NEW HEALTH CARE SYSTEM: THE NEED FOR CMO AND CFO COLLABORATION.

PMID- 26285387
TI  - Clinical Nurse Leader: A Role for the 21st Century.

PMID- 26285390
TI  - WHAT CONCERNS CMOs IN THE MOVE FROM VOLUME TO VALUE?

PMID- 26285391
TI  - TRUST: THE KEY TO BUILDING STRONGER PHYSICIAN RELATIONSHIPS.

PMID- 26285392
TI  - THREE KEYS TO CREATING A CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT CULTURE.

PMID- 26285393
TI  - DIFFICULT OR COMPLEX: CREATING SYSTEMS TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF COMPLEX PATIENT
      CARE.

PMID- 26285394
TI  - RISKS AND OPPORTUNITIES OF DATA MINING THE ELECTRONIC MEDICAL RECORD.

PMID- 26285395
TI  - LOST IN TRANSLATION: TRANSITION OF CARE AND POPULATION HEALTH.

PMID- 26285396
TI  - WHERE IS THE 'AFFORDABLE' IN THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT?

PMID- 26285397
TI  - LEADERSHIP AND THE REDISCOVERY OF FIRE.

PMID- 26285398
TI  - THE INFECTIOUS DISEASE SERVICE LINE: NEXT FRONTIER IN HOSPITAL/PHYSICIAN CO
      MANAGEMENT?

PMID- 26285399
TI  - A LOOK AT PHYSICIAN COMPENSATION MODELS.

PMID- 26285400
TI  - DOES MANAGERIAL SCIENCE HOLD THE KEY TO MANAGING THE UNCOOPERATIVE PATIENT?

PMID- 26285401
TI  - RE-ENTRY: WHAT EVERY PHYSICIAN LEADER SHOULD KNOW.

PMID- 26285402
TI  - Stepping back to look forward.

PMID- 26285403
TI  - The accreditation of nursing education in Australia.
AB  - This paper aims to explore and discuss the role that ANMAC and the accreditation
      standards play in pre-registration nursing education nationally. The context of
      the discussion is situated in the continuum of events that mark the accreditation
      of nursing education in Australia. The National Registration and Accreditation
      Scheme has given rise to significant challenges related to the accreditation of
      nursing programs of education in Australia. Given the importance of accreditation
      to the quality of nursing education, ANMAC in its appointed role as accrediting
      authority, must fill the position rather than occupy it. Enhancing transparency
      and effectiveness is central to ensuring accreditation facilitates quality in
      nursing education. Given ANMAC's key position, further work is needed in
      developing a broad base of expertise by fostering scholarly output in the
      substantive area of nursing accreditation. There is a concerning lack of research
      centred on the accreditation of programs of nursing education along with the
      processes associated with it. This problem is not restricted to the Australian
      context but also extends internationally. In this context, the expertise of
      accreditors ought to be questioned along with the processes ANMAC use to identify
      individual capability. As such, the selection of experts needs to be articulated
      clearly by ANMAC along with the ownership of introducing a research culture into
      accreditation.

PMID- 26285405
TI  - Nursing and climate change: An emerging connection.
AB  - Awareness of the importance of climate change to public health has been growing.
      Calls for health professionals, including nurses, to take action to prepare for,
      and mitigate, climate change have been coming from a number of credible sources.
      This paper will assist nurses to recognise the health consequences of climate
      change, to generate and disseminate knowledge about these health consequences, to
      be active in mitigating emissions locally and within their organisations and to
      advocate and have input into policy processes. It is valuable for nurses to
      understand the health co-benefits of emission mitigation and the current health
      costs of fossil fuels. As advocates for evidence-based public health initiatives,
      nurses have a role to play in communicating to the public and to policy makers
      accurate information, including about the health costs of fossil fuel policies
      and the affordability of renewable energy technologies.

PMID- 26285404
TI  - Characteristics of the nurse manager's recognition behavior and its relation to
      sense of coherence of staff nurses in Japan.
AB  - The recognition behaviors strongly influence the job satisfaction of staff nurses
      and an extremely important factor for the prevention of burnout and the promotion
      of retention. Additionally, among internal factors that may affect worker's
      mental health, a sense of coherence (SOC) is an important concept from the view
      of the salutogenic theory and stress recognition style. Individual's SOC
      increases in relation to recognition behavior. However, in Japan, few studies
      have examined the effect of recognition behaviors on the SOC of staff nurses. The
      purpose of this study was to investigate how staff nurses perceive recognition
      behaviors of the nurse manager and to determine the relationship between
      recognition behaviors and the staff nurses' SOC. This quantitative, cross
      sectional study involved 10 hospitals in Japan. A total of 1425 nurses completed
      the questionnaire. As a result, the perceptions of nurse manager's recognition
      behaviors by staff nurses were evaluated by presentation and report, individual
      value and the transfer of responsibility, and professional development. The
      median score of staff nurse SOC-13 was 50 (IQR; 45-55). Significant differences
      in SOC scores were found in marital status, age, years of experience, and mental
      and physical health condition. In conclusion, recognition behaviors by the nurse
      manager can improve staff nurse's SOC and effectively support the mental health
      of the staff nurse.

PMID- 26285406
TI  - Competency assessment tools: An exploration of the pedagogical issues facing
      competency assessment for nurses in the clinical environment.
AB  - Competency assessment is a paradigm that is common in the healthcare environment
      and this being particularly true within the nursing profession. Demonstration of
      competence is necessary to meet the requirements of healthcare organisations and
      is a mandated requirement of nurses by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of
      Australia. Within the nursing education sector, one approach to determine
      competence, is through the use of competency assessment tools. Despite widespread
      use of competency assessment tools there remains ongoing concerns relating to the
      efficacy of competency assessment tools as a mean to demonstrate 'competency'
      amongst enrolled and registered nurses in the clinical environment. The authors
      of this paper ascertain that competency assessment tools run a serious risk of
      being nothing more than a 'quick-fix' means of assessment to demonstrate 'nursing
      competence' required for key performance indicators and clinical governance and
      that will provide evidence for accreditation standards. Based on this premise,
      the authors, provide an alternative approach to the use of competency assessment
      tools that moves away from a 'tick-box' approach to a 'patient-centred'
      competency model. This approach increases the reliability and validity of
      competency assessments, allows for the recognition of the knowledge, skills and
      experience of individual nurses, offers a more satisfying and rewarding approach
      to demonstrating 'competency' for nurses and finally, demonstrates 'real-life'
      competency.

PMID- 26285407
TI  - Australian survey of current practice and guideline use in adult cancer pain
      assessment and management: The community nurse perspective.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cancer pain remains a major public health concern. Despite effective
      treatments being available to manage the majority of cancer pain, this
      debilitating symptom is frequently under treated. As cancer has becomes a chronic
      disease a range of health professionals, including community nurses in Australia
      are increasingly caring for people living with cancer related pain. Yet, little
      is known about community nurses capacity to assess and manage cancer pain in
      accordance with best available evidence. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to:
      identify the barriers and facilitators to adult cancer pain assessment and
      management as perceived by Australian health professionals; identify if cancer
      pain guidelines are currently used; identify barriers and facilitators to
      guideline use; and establish the need for Australian cancer pain guidelines. This
      article reports on community nurses' perceptions of managing cancer pain in the
      community setting. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was administered online.
      Invitations were circulated via peak bodies and clinical leaders seeking the
      views and experiences of health professionals involved in caring for people
      living with cancer pain. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the
      quantitative data, and thematic content analysis were used to describe the
      qualitative data. RESULTS: Sixty-two community nurses responded to the survey,
      representing 29% of the total sample. These participants reported high levels of
      adherence to accepted cancer pain management practices in their workplace, with
      71% nominating the Palliative Care Therapeutic Guideline V.3 as being most
      frequently used to manage community patients' cancer related pain. Key barriers
      to effective cancer pain management in the community were: difficulties accessing
      non-pharmacological interventions (89%), lack of coordination by multiple
      providers (89%), and impact of distance on ability to access pain-related
      services for patients (86%). CONCLUSION: A range of system, health professional
      and consumer barriers limit access to best available treatment in the community
      setting for people with cancer pain. A clinical pathway that gives step-by-step
      guidance on evidence-based practice along with an evaluation framework may be the
      best way of enabling community nurses to ensure their patients with cancer
      related pain have access to best available care.

PMID- 26285408
TI  - As they see it: A qualitative study of how older residents in nursing homes
      perceive their care needs.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Meeting care needs of nursing home residents is a significant element
      in providing the best quality care. A literature review revealed that there is
      poor understanding of the care needs of older residents from their own viewpoints
      within a nursing home context. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the older
      nursing home residents' care needs from their own perspectives. METHODS: This was
      a qualitative study. In-depth interviews were conducted by a purposive sample of
      18 nursing home residents with a mean age of 80.7 years in Taiwan. All data was
      transcribed and coded for emerging themes. RESULTS: A qualitative data analysis
      generated six themes including the body, economics, environment, mind,
      preparation for death, and social support, referred to subsequently as BEEMPS.
      CONCLUSIONS: These findings can provide nursing home managers with information on
      how to improve nursing home care protocols to accommodate residents' expressed
      needs and also inform healthcare professionals about the care needs of older
      residents, thus fostering better care.

PMID- 26285409
TI  - Direct care activities for assistants in nursing in inpatient mental health
      settings in Australia: A modified Delphi study.
AB  - This paper describes a modified Delphi approach to developing a set of direct
      care activities for assistants in nursing (AIN) working in mental health settings
      within a metropolitan local health district (LHD). Although AIN have been
      employed in a range of health care settings in recent years, they have not
      routinely been placed in the mental health context. A modified Delphi method was
      utilised as it has a proven history of application in the health sector,
      particularly in circumstances where new guidelines, policies or practice
      frameworks were required. A set of direct care activities for working in mental
      health settings was developed from an initial set of baseline descriptors and
      then two rounds of consensus conferencing with a panel of experts. This paper
      will detail that process and discuss the resulting implications for the consensus
      reached on the set of direct care activities.

PMID- 26285410
TI  - Moments of speaking and silencing: Nurses share their experiences of manual
      handling in healthcare.
AB  - Nursing care involves complex patient handling tasks, resulting in high
      musculoskeletal injury rates. Epidemiological studies from the 1980s estimated a
      lifetime prevalence of lower back injuries for nurses between 35 and 80%.
      National and international studies continue to mirror these findings. Despite the
      development of programs intended to reduce manual handling injuries, sustainable
      solutions remain elusive. This paper reports on a study of nurses speaking about
      their perspectives on current manual handling practices. Qualitative research
      conducted in 2012 investigated nurses' perceptions and experiences relating to
      manual handling in the healthcare context and their participation in injury
      prevention programs. There were two research methods: semi-structured interviews
      and researcher reflective journaling. The research was framed in critical
      emancipatory methodology. Thirteen nurses from two Australian states participated
      in the study. Thematic analysis revealed an overarching theme of 'power
      relations' with a subcategory of '(mis)power' that comprised two subthemes, these
      being 'how to practice' and 'voicing practice issues'. Specifically, this paper
      explores nurses verbalising their views in the workplace and responses which left
      them feeling silenced, punished and disillusioned. The findings suggest that the
      sociopolitical context within which nurses practice impacts upon their ability to
      voice concerns or ideas related to manual handling. Inclusion of nurses in the
      manual handling dialogue may generate an expanded understanding of, and the
      potential to transform, manual handling practices in healthcare environments.

PMID- 26285411
TI  - An analysis of Australian graduate critical care nurse education.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Preparation of specialist critical care nurses in Australia is at
      graduate level, although there remains considerable variation in courses offered
      in relation to qualification, content, assessment and outcomes. As higher
      education providers must now comply with the Australian Qualifications Framework
      (AQF) a study was conducted to examine existing critical care courses and
      graduate practice outcomes. METHODS: Twenty-two critical care courses were
      reviewed. Data sources included course provider, websites, course curricula and
      telephone interviews with course coordinators. A framework approach, was used
      consisting of five key stages: preliminary immersion of raw data, conceptualising
      a thematic framework, indexing, charting, mapping and interpretation of data.
      FINDINGS: Analysis revealed considerable variations in course delivery and
      graduate practice outcomes. Most courses used professional competency standards
      as a framework for course curricula and clinical assessment, with inconsistency
      in their translation to graduate practice outcomes. Twenty-one courses included
      clinical assessment at graduate certificate level with no clinical assessment
      conducted at master level. The expected practice outcome for fifteen courses was
      safe practice with graduates not expected to practice at a specialist or team
      leadership level. Minimum graduate practice standards were not included in three
      courses as an expected outcome. CONCLUSION: The AQF requires graduate nurse
      education to be compliant with academic outcome standards. The findings of our
      study indicate variations between courses and subsequent graduate practice
      outcomes. It is therefore timely to establish national critical care education
      graduate practice standards.

PMID- 26285412
TI  - A multi-perspective focus-group approach to revise items in a dietary self
      efficacy scale for older Taiwanese adults.
AB  - AIM: To revise items in the Cardiac Diet Self-Efficacy Scale, Chinese version
      (CDSE-C) using focus groups. BACKGROUND: There is limited literature on using
      focus groups with older adults as well as nursing and nutrition professionals to
      revise a questionnaire. METHODS: A qualitative research with multi-perspective
      focus-group approach was used from February through June 2009. Four serial focus
      groups were conducted including two focus groups of older adults from Taipei
      County (n = 6) and Yilan County (n = 6), one group of 5 nursing professionals,
      and one group of 4 nutritionists. RESULTS: Serial focus group discussions added
      one category to the CDSE-C (reducing salt) and 3 items, resulting in an 18-item
      scale with six categories: healthy eating behaviors, reducing fat and
      cholesterol, resisting relapse, increasing fiber and vegetable, reducing sugar,
      and reducing salt. CONCLUSIONS: This revised measure can serve as a reliable tool
      for assessing older Chinese adults' healthy eating self-efficacy to evaluate and
      improve nutritional status in this population.

PMID- 26285413
TI  - Effect of end-of-life care education using humanistic approach in Korea.
AB  - The essential concept of hospice and palliative care nursing is a humanistic
      approach to patient care. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of
      a humanistic end-of-life care course on South Korean undergraduate nursing
      students' attitudes toward death, death anxiety, and communication skills. A
      nonequivalent control group design was used. Thirty-nine students from two
      universities were allocated to the control (n = 20) and experimental (n = 19)
      groups. Participants in the experimental group were enrolled in an end-of-life
      care course that utilized humanistic approach two hours per week for 16 weeks.
      The data were analyzed using the SPSS WIN 17.0. Attitudes toward death and
      communication skills in the experimental group were found to have increased
      compared with those of the control group. In conclusion, the humanistic end-of
      life care course is effective in reducing negative attitudes toward death and
      increasing the communication skills of Korean nursing students.

PMID- 26285414
TI  - Literature review: An exploration of the role of the Australian breast care nurse
      in the provision of information and supportive care.
AB  - Breast care nurses (BCNs) were introduced to the Australian health care system in
      the 1990s to facilitate better continuity of care and increase psychosocial
      support to women with breast cancer. Yet women with breast cancer, particularly
      those in rural and remote Australia have high levels of unmet supportive needs.
      The purpose of this literature review was to examine the role of the Australian
      breast care nurse in the provision of information and support to women with
      breast cancer. A literature review was conducted using a number of databases from
      January 2006 to November 2012. Pre-set criteria were used, and nine research
      papers were identified; one randomised control trial, five quantitative studies,
      two qualitative studies and one mixed method study. Of the nine studies
      identified, only one attempted to explore the national perspective, however
      participants from Tasmania were not used. Overall, the review revealed very few
      published Australian studies evaluating the role of the BCN since 2006. The
      results demonstrate a need for larger studies conducted on a national scale,
      using participants from diverse geographical areas to gain more insight into the
      level of access to BCN care experienced by Australian women from both urban and
      rural and remote areas. It is recommended that further research be undertaken in
      order to build up a body of quantitative data about the role of the Australian
      BCN in providing information and support to women.

PMID- 26285415
TI  - The Perioperative Nurse Surgeon's Assistant: Issues and challenges associated
      with this emerging advanced practice nursing role in Australia.
AB  - AIMS: The aim of this study was to obtain Perioperative Nurse Surgeon's
      Assistants' views about their emerging new role in contemporary nursing practice
      in Australia. BACKGROUND: Internationally advanced practice nursing has led to a
      range of specialist roles aimed at delivering higher quality, efficient nursing
      care. In 2005 an Australian university developed the Perioperative Nurse
      Surgeon's Assistant graduate education and training program to provide nurses
      with an opportunity to gain advanced practice knowledge and extended skills
      specifically in the perioperative setting. DESIGN: This study was a qualitative
      research design that used online surveys and in-depth interviews to explore the
      issues and challenges associated with the introduction of the (currently non
      accredited) Perioperative Nurse Surgeon's Assistant role in Australia. METHODS:
      Experienced Australia perioperative nurses who had undertaken graduate education
      and training in this field were recruited for this study. Data were collected
      between August and October 2011. An inductive thematic analysis was used to
      interpret the findings. RESULTS: Eighteen nurses completed the online survey and
      six were interviewed (n = 24). Nurses cited their commitment to professional
      development and the delivery of high quality patient care, along with surgeons'
      encouragement for them to complete specialist clinical training, as key reasons
      for undertaking Perioperative Nurse Surgeon's Assistant education and training.
      CONCLUSIONS: The Perioperative Nurse Surgeon's Assistant role led to greater job
      satisfaction and autonomy, and assisted nurses to better meet the needs of
      patients, surgeons and clinical perioperative teams. Without formal recognition
      of the Perioperative Nurse Surgeon's Assistant role its future in the Australian
      health care system is under threat.

PMID- 26285416
TI  - Experiences of Turkish undergraduate nursing students in the intensive care unit.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Clinical practicum provides many opportunities for nursing students
      to learn more about their subject and develop essential nursing skills. In
      contrast, nursing students often have difficulties during their clinical
      practicum. AIM: This study aims to describe the clinical experiences of
      undergraduate nursing students in the intensive care unit. METHODS: A descriptive
      qualitative approach was used in this study. The study was performed at a
      military medical academy between 1 March and 30 April 2008. The study was
      conducted with 15 fourth-year baccalaureate nursing students. Data were obtained
      through open-ended and in-depth audio-taped interviews, which lasted
      approximately 35-45 min. FINDINGS: Themes emerged from the participants'
      descriptions of their experiences in the intensive care unit: anxiety, fear of
      doing harm, emotional connection and empathy, improving self-confidence,
      perceived responsibility for patients, prioritizing care of patients, preserving
      dignity, coping with confronting situations, and communication in the intensive
      care unit. CONCLUSION: The views and expectations of nursing students regarding
      intensive care practice are important for the organization of the nursing
      education environment. The nursing curriculum must be revised and developed
      according to the needs of students.

PMID- 26285417
TI  - Satisfaction with clinical placement--The perspective of nursing students from
      multiple universities.
AB  - Projected nursing shortfalls in Australia have identified the need for
      organisational planning and strategies around recruitment and retention in
      healthcare facilities. Strategies include but are not limited to alliances with
      university faculty and the quality of undergraduate clinical placement
      experience. This cross-sectional study explored undergraduate nursing students'
      satisfaction with clinical placement experience from the perspective of multiple
      university faculties, and the relationship this has with future employment
      intention at a metropolitan hospital in Sydney, New South Wales. Findings from
      respondents demonstrated satisfaction with the clinical placement on the
      following criteria: expectations being met; welcoming of unit staff and attitudes
      of thereafter; clinical and university facilitator support; and participation in
      patient care. Three quarters of respondents also indicated that they would
      consider the hospital as a future employer. Satisfaction with clinical placement
      experience may aid organisational recruitment strategies.

PMID- 26285418
TI  - Vivian Bullwinkel: A model of resilience and a symbol of strength.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The story of one of Australia's most well-known women in history,
      Vivian Bullwinkel, is a symbol of strength for nursing. She and her companions
      who were prisoners of war during World War II, refused the position of victim and
      went on to contribute much to the world after their ordeal. DISCUSSION: These
      women embody important elements of resilience that it is our duty to convey to
      generations of nurses so that they may be inspired to rise above adversity,
      foster connection with like-minded others, use adaptive coping mechanisms and
      soft power, be gentle yet persistent in their resistance practices, and most of
      all to do good work throughout their nursing careers. This paper argues that
      oppression theory provides only a limited understanding of present woes affecting
      nursing. Resilience theory suggests future actions and is therefore further
      enlightening. By examining the experiences of Bullwinkel, students can be
      assisted to see that stress has been a constant theme across nursing history.
      However ways of rising above adversity can be illuminated by critically and
      deeply examining aspects of iconic leaders and heroic stories such as can be
      found in the life of Vivian Bullwinkel. Summary: Students who are offered the
      chance to examine this symbol of strength in our profession may decide to
      internalise some of the positive traits and resolve to use the behaviours she and
      her contemporaries used to help them create for themselves a fulfilling career,
      pride in their profession and strong sense of purpose.

PMID- 26285419
TI  - Coordinating end of life care for individuals with a mental illness--A nurse
      practitioner collaboration.
AB  - People with a severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) who develop a life
      limiting illness are one of the most vulnerable and marginalised groups of people
      in society today (Woods, Willison, Kington, & Gavin, 2008). In addition to the
      effects of mental illness, individuals who also have comorbid life limiting
      illness frequently suffer the compounding issues of social isolation, declining
      physical abilities and physical pain. The Integrated Mental Health and Palliative
      Care Task (IMhPaCT) was an eighteen-month project funded through an Australian
      Government Department of Health and Ageing Grant. The project included a range of
      service improvement initiatives to enhance the quality of care for individuals
      with SPMI who also had a life limiting illness. This paper will report on the
      collaboration between two nurse practitioners, from the specialities of Mental
      Health and Palliative Care and their impact on optimising end of life care for
      this client group. Both specialities are underpinned by similar values including
      addressing the needs of the whole person and the importance of developing a
      therapeutic relationship (McGrath & Holewa, 2004). This paper will demonstrate
      how similarities in philosophy, as well as differences in focus of care, enhanced
      joint clinical practice at an advanced and extended level.

PMID- 26285420
TI  - "Lack of mental health support ruins lives".

PMID- 26285421
TI  - Safe staffing app to revamp rotas.

PMID- 26285422
TI  - UKIP pledges to restore state-enrolled 'home-grown' nurses.

PMID- 26285423
TI  - One-third of NHS staff 'not secure' to whistleblow.

PMID- 26285424
TI  - Barts appoints eminent interim chief nurse.

PMID- 26285425
TI  - Mental health student nurses urged to challenge convention.

PMID- 26285426
TI  - 'You need us,' carers tell mental health nurses.

PMID- 26285427
TI  - NICE issues new guidelines on safe staffing levels for midwives.

PMID- 26285428
TI  - Royal College of Midwives votes to accept 1% pay settlement.

PMID- 26285429
TI  - 'No evidence of national nurse shortage' claim.

PMID- 26285430
TI  - Pocket mirrors issued to reduce pressure ulcers.

PMID- 26285431
TI  - Worcestershire to launch inquiry into handling of nurse "bullying".

PMID- 26285432
TI  - Colchester trust struggling with high vacancies.

PMID- 26285433
TI  - "FGM must now be reported but reinfibulation guidance is needed" .

PMID- 26285434
TI  - "Bridging the age gap could help to solve the staffing crisis".

PMID- 26285435
TI  - Using information prescriptions in diabetes.
AB  - Information prescriptions are designed to give people with diabetes the
      information they need to understand, engage with and improve on their health
      targets. The prescriptions are short, personal, easy to read and clinically
      accurate, and are designed to support care planning and behaviour change.

PMID- 26285436
TI  - Type 2 diabetes: prevention, diagnosis and management.

PMID- 26285437
TI  - Managing diabetes in people with dementia.
AB  - Diabetes and dementia may manifest simultaneously: one is potentially life
      threatening, the other causes severe, progressive loss of memory and cognitive
      function. Where they coexist, they present nurses with challenges such as
      administering life-saving interventions to patients who are unable to give
      informed consent. This article offers guidance on the clinical and ethical
      challenges involved in blood glucose monitoring and medicines administration in
      patients with dementia.

PMID- 26285438
TI  - Encouraging student feedback on placements.
AB  - Student nurses at Guy's and St Thomas' Foundation Trust participated in pilot
      work for the local education and training board to ensure clinical placements
      were fit for purpose. This article looks at how they recognised a good practice
      placement and which themes emerged to highlight what they felt led to an
      effective learning environment. Feeling valued and being able to raise concerns
      in a transparent, open culture was important to them. The trust is working to
      ensure students can raise concerns in a supportive environment.

PMID- 26285440
TI  - 60 seconds with Gabriel Ngalomba.

PMID- 26285439
TI  - Interventions to tackle substance use in schools.

PMID- 26285441
TI  - Staying focused on patients.

PMID- 26285442
TI  - [Conventional medicine, evidence-based medicine, personalized medicine: three
      complementary approaches].

PMID- 26285443
TI  - [THE FOUNDATIONS OF EVIDENCE-BASED MEDICINE].
AB  - The fundamentals of Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) are the clinical experience,
      the application of best evidences from research and the consideration of patient
      expectations. It enabled significant progresses in the management of diseases
      with a low or multifactorial causality. But it has also led to unintended
      negative consequences, partly related to conflicts of interest. The objective of
      this article is to bring the attention back to the scientific rigor that must
      sustain the medical practice, namely in the occurrence : 1) formulating a
      question that addresses all the elements of an individual clinical situation; 2)
      exploring the literature systematically; 3) estimating the degree of confidence
      in the conclusions of clinical trials. EBM provides intuitive tools to address
      some uncomfortable concepts of biostatistics and to identify the biases and the
      embellished data that invalidate many studies. However, it is difficult to decide
      of the care of a single patient from observations issued from the comparison
      of'heterogeneous groups. Personalized medicine should help to overcome this
      difficulty and should facilitate clinical decision making by targeting the
      patients who are most likely to benefit from an intervention without much
      inconvenience.

PMID- 26285444
TI  - [STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF RANDOMISED CLINICAL TRIALS: EVOLVING CHANGES
      ACCORDING TO PERSONALIZED MEDICINE].
AB  - Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs) represent the cornerstone of Evidence-Based
      Medicine (EBM). Based upon the rules of Good Clinical Practice (GCP), they offer
      many strengths but also present some weaknesses. The rigorous methodology used
      allows avoid bias related to confounding factors (through a control group),
      selection bias (through randomisation) and interpretation bias (through double
      blinding). However, patients recruited in clinical trials and study experimental
      conditions markedly differ from the situation in real life. Furthermore, clinical
      trials recruit a mix of good and poor responders, so that the average therapeutic
      response is most often mitigated. Clinical trials must evolve according to the
      new concepts of personalized medicine to become even more performing. In a near
      future, they must progress from a statistical analysis on large cohorts of
      patients to a more individualized analysis guided by patient phenotype and
      genotype characteristics.

PMID- 26285445
TI  - [PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY AND PERSONALIZED MEDICINE: A PARADIGM SHIFT IN THE
      DEVELOPMENT OF NEW DRUGS].
AB  - The cost of pharmacotherapy is increasing in the health care budget. The
      pharmaceutical industry is facing the exhaustion of medications that are largely
      prescribed and have a high profitability (blockbusters). Because of patient
      heterogeneity, there is a great interindividual variability of the responses to
      drug therapy. Thus, it is essential to better detect potential <<good
      responders>> to avoid waste of resources resulting from the prescription of
      expensive drugs to poor responders. The development of personalized medicine, or
      precision medicine, certainly offers opportunities to the pharmaceutical
      industry, but also exposes it to new big challenges.

PMID- 26285446
TI  - [PERSONALIZED MEDICINE: NEW CHALLENGES FOR THE PHYSICIAN].
AB  - The clinician has to cope with new advances in medicine. Traditional medicine,
      which is based upon pathophysiological reasoning and clinical experience, has
      been reinforced by evidence-based medicine, which relies on levels of evidence
      provided by controlled clinical trials carried out on cohorts of patients. Since
      a few years, personalized medicine has been put at the forefront. A therapy
      tailored to every patient, if possible characterized by biomarkers, among which,
      since the achievement of the whole human genome sequencing, an increasing number
      of genetic markers. Personalized medicine should be used as a complement of
      traditional and evidence-based medicine. Physicians should progressively
      integrate this new strategy in their therapeutic approach. Hence, clinicians have
      to face new challenges as far as scientific knowledge, practical applications and
      physician-patient relationship are concerned.

PMID- 26285447
TI  - [PERSONALIZED MEDICINE: ALL BENEFITS FOR THE PATIENT BUT NEW CHALLENGE IN THE
      PHYSICIAN-PATIENT RELATIONSHIP].
AB  - Personalized medicine should lead to major advances for patient care since it
      contributes to deliver the <<right drug to the right patient>>. In curative
      medicine, this approach should improve the efficacy of medications by initial
      selection of "good responders", and should reduce adverse events due to poor
      tolerance or toxicity by a better pharmacological choice and a more appropriate
      individualized dose adjustment. Over recent years, considerable technical
      advances have increasingly linked personalized medicine with predictive and
      preventive medicine. This progress raises hopes for major advancements in
      medicine, but may also cause some concern among the lay public. The patient
      should actively be involved in the decisions related to his/her health, in a true
      model of participatory medicine. Finally, personalized medicine should leave its
      strict technical nature and become more interested in the person as a whole,
      within a holistic approach also integrating psychosocial aspects that are so
      important in the physician-patient relationship.

PMID- 26285448
TI  - [PHARMACOGENOMICS AND PERSONALIZED MEDICINE: TOWARDS A SYSTEMATIC GENOMIC
      SCREENING?].
AB  - Recent advances in medical genomics open new perspectives for personalized
      medicine through the identification of genetic variants that influence drug
      response and/or the risk of side effects. Today, the clinical applications of
      pharmacogenetics remain scarce as a consequence of the cost and turn-around-time
      of genetic tests. However, a few tests are recommended, for instance before the
      prescription of some anti-cancer agents or the anti-retroviral agent abacavir. In
      the future, we will probably move either towards rapid targeted tests or towards
      a large screening, before any diagnosis, of all the genetic factors influencing
      the therapeutic response. In that case, physicians will have to consult the
      patient genomic data before drug prescription in order to personalize the choice
      of the therapeutic agent or its dosage. However, such a genomic approach brings
      economical and ethical questions and will require further progress in our
      capacity to interpret and store the personal genomic data without compromising
      their confidentiality.

PMID- 26285449
TI  - [GENERAL AND PERSONALIZED APPROACH OF BIOMARKERS].
AB  - Biomarker determination is very frequently requested to make a diagnosis. The
      results that are obtained are generally compared with those observed in a
      <<general healthy>> population, without exactly knowing how this population has
      been selected. Thus, for a more personalized follow-up of the patient, multiple
      samples are needed and the reference change values as well as individuality index
      notions are important to correctly interpret the results. Personalized medicine
      also encompasses the results obtained by the patient him/herself by means of
      small analytical devices (self-monitoring), but also with smartphones that can
      now continuously monitor physical activity or, more generally, health parameters
      via some applications and devices. Finally, the future of personalized medicine
      will be the knowledge, for each subject, of all personal biomarkers like DNA and
      RNA sequences, his/her proteome, metabolome, microbiome, transcriptome, exposome,
      auto-antibodies and epigenome.

PMID- 26285450
TI  - [OMICS AND BIG DATA, MAJOR ADVANCES TOWARDS PERSONALIZED MEDICINE OF THE
      FUTURE?].
AB  - The increasing interest for personalized medicine evolves together with two major
      technological advances. First, the new-generation, rapid and less expensive, DNA
      sequencing method, combined with remarkable progresses in molecular biology
      leading to the post-genomic era (transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics).
      Second, the refinement of computing tools (IT), which allows the immediate
      analysis of a huge amount of data (especially, those resulting from the omics
      approaches) and, thus, creates a new universe for medical research, that of <<big
      data>> analyzed by computerized modelling. This article for scientific
      communication and popularization briefly describes the main advances in these two
      fields of interest. These technological progresses are combined with those
      occurring in communication, which makes possible the development of artificial
      intelligence. These major advances will most probably represent the grounds of
      the future personalized medicine.

PMID- 26285451
TI  - [BREAST CANCER: FROM TARGETED THERAPY TO PRECISION MEDICINE].
AB  - The authors review the principles of systemic therapy in breast cancer. They
      analyze the degree of treatment individualization in our current approach. New
      technologies allow the detection of genomic alterations in cancer cells.
      Unfortunately, we do not know yet how to best use this knowledge for routine
      patient care. Most genomic alterations are rare events complicating further drug
      development. Temporal and spatial heterogeneity in tumors also has to be taken
      into account. An intense international collaboration is ongoing to try and
      demonstrate that precision medicine will really improve treatment outcome.

PMID- 26285452
TI  - [SPORADIC SKIN MELANOMA BEYOND ITS NORMATIVE CLASSIFICATION. PLEA CONSIDERING ITS
      EVOLUTIVE CHARACTERISTICS].
AB  - For aeons, cutaneous sporadic melanoma, exhibiting either a slow or rapid growth
      rate, is identified using a set of well defined histopathological criteria. Such
      diagnostic step is greatly appreciated, and it brings a rough estimate of the
      probable evolution of the cancer. Some additional assessments try to improve the
      progressive prognosis of cutaneous melanoma. In this scope, fractals and spectral
      analyses expect to better perceive the individual progressive characteristics of
      each tumor. The extent in the tumoral germinative compartment and the peritumoral
      microvascular network are explored and should in a near future make clear the
      progressive potential of cutaneous melanoma. The posible tumoral regression and
      the immune reaction should be better perceived.

PMID- 26285453
TI  - [CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE AND HEART FAILURE: A GENOTYPE-BASED THERAPEUTIC
      APPROACH].
AB  - Phenotypic approach of the treatment of coronary artery disease and heart failure
      used in prospective randomized trials has contributed to significantly improve
      patieni prognosis. However, gene polymorphisms have been shown to be able to
      alter treatment efficacy with anti-platelets, beta-blockers or ACE-inhibitors in
      these settings. As suggested by several studies, therapeutic approaches based on
      genotype should contribute to personalize treatments with better efficacy and
      safety.

PMID- 26285454
TI  - [THE TREATMENT OF HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE MUST BE TAILOR-MADE].
AB  - Hypertension has a high world-wide prevalence, affecting more than 25 % of the
      population; it remains the silent killer number one in cardiovascular pathology.
      Although lowering high blood pressure is protective, perfect control of
      hypertension is far from being optimal in spite of many international guidelines
      regularly updated according to published scientific studies. A personalized
      approach of hypertension management is an attractive way to improve this
      situation. Tools are developing (pharmacogenetics, pharmacometabolomics), but
      their use in daily clinical practice seems premature. At the present time, it is
      the physician experience which offers the best opportunity to propose the best
      treatment to the best patient. The management of hypertension remains a difficult
      task in some cases. Patient education is also crucial to improve drug compliance.

PMID- 26285455
TI  - [PERSONALIZED APPROACH TO LIPID-LOWERING THERAPY].
AB  - Individualized therapeutic strategy of dyslipidemias, classically relies upon a
      phenotypic approach. The pattern of lipid profile allows the choice of the best
      pharmacological option (statin, fibrate) and the patient's clinical risk profile
      allows the definition of therapeutic goals, especially LDL cholesterol target
      levels. Dyslipidemias have a major genetic component, which is best illustrated
      by familial hypercholesterolemia, with its two heterozygous and homozygous forms.
      There is a huge between-subject variability in the response to lipid-lowering
      therapies (especially to statins) and ongoing pharmacogenetic and pharmacogenomic
      studies should help to better understand this inter-individual heterogeneity. The
      recent discovery of mutations in the PCSK9 rene opened new perspectives regarding
      the understanding of some forms of familial hypercholesterolemia and led to the
      development of monoclonal antibodies that selectively inhibit PCSK9. These PCSK9
      inhibitors allow, when combined to a statin, drastic reductions in LDL
      cholesterol concentrations, even when familial hypercholesterolemia is present.
      They are currently tested in large prospective controlled trials aiming to
      demonstrate a significant reduction in the residual cardiovascular risk in statin
      treated patients.

PMID- 26285456
TI  - [FROM EVIDENCE-BASED MEDICINE TO PERSONALIZED MEDICINE: THE EXEMPLE OF TYPE 2
      DIABETES].
AB  - Type 2 diabetes represents a major medical and public health problem due to its
      huge heterogeneity, the alarming rise of its incidence worldwide and its
      associated vascular complications, which impair quality of life and reduce life
      expectancy. At the present time, a patient-centered approach is recommended for
      the management of type 2 diabetes patients. However, these recommendations are
      not easy to implement because we only have little objective evidences to
      establish individualized strategies. Following the recent introduction of new
      drug classes, a large number of combinations is offered to clinicians, but we do
      not have high quality interventional studies comparing these different
      therapeutic possibilities. Moreover, the response to pharmacological treatment
      can vary greatly from one subject to the other. Pharmacogenetics might be a
      useful tool to better characterize the patient. However, despite some progress,
      the evidence we now have is very preliminary and should not allow to improve
      significantly the individual management of type 2 diabetes in the near future.

PMID- 26285457
TI  - [PERSONALIZED TREATMENT OF ASTHMA: THE ISSUE OF ANTI-INTERLEUKIN-5 ANTIBODIES].
AB  - Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease that often features eosinophilia,
      especially in its most severe forms. Monoclonal antibodies directed towards
      interleukin-5, such as mepolizumab or reslizumab, were shown to be very effective
      at reducing blood and airways eosinophilia. When administered monthly by
      intravenous or subcutaneous injection in severe eosinophilic asthmatic patients,
      they reduce severe exacerbation rate by 50 %, improve asthma control and quality
      of life, and have an oral glucocorticoids sparing effect in those requiring oral
      corticoids as maintenance therapy.

PMID- 26285458
TI  - [PERSONALIZED MEDICINE: CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE TREATMENT].
AB  - Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a complex disorder and not all
      patients respond to all available drugs. The importance of personalized treatment
      in COPD is inceasingly recognized and, for clinicians, identification of
      phenotypes represents the first step in this process. The new GOLD does not fully
      reflect the heterogeneous nature of the disease, but represents a progress in the
      personalized treatment of COPD. Historically, the two most widely recognized
      clinical phenotypes of COPD are emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Most COPD
      patients encountered in practice actually share both of these features. Genetic
      background, clinical presentation, comorbidities, variation in the response to
      treatment and propensity to exacerbations may also identify other phenotypes such
      as the frequent exacerbator,the asthma and COPD overlap syndrome and the
      persistent systemic inflammation phenotype. A more precise definition of COPD
      phenotypes should lead to a better targeted therapeutic approach based on these
      phenotypes. The purpose of this article is to point out that, in COPD, we are
      moving towards a more personalized therapeutic approach.

PMID- 26285459
TI  - [FROM EVIDENCE-BASED MEDICINE TO PERSONALIZED MEDICINE IN CROHN'S DISEASE].
AB  - The therapeutic armamentarium in Crohn's disease includes mesalazine, steroids
      (including topical drugs), anti-metabolites (purines, methotrexate), anti
      TNFalpha antibodies and, more recently, selective inhibitors of lymphocytes
      homing (vedolizumab). The efficacy of these drugs has been shown in pivotal phase
      3 placebo-controlled trials and meta-analyses. However, the use of these drugs in
      routine practice still remains ill-defined. Those are rather the cohort studies,
      natural history data and therapeutic strategy trials that help the clinician to
      determine, for each individual patient, the treatment leading to an optimal
      benefit/risk profile, aiming at moving from evidence-based medicine towards
      personalized medicine.

PMID- 26285460
TI  - [OSTEOPOROSIS AND PERSONALIZED MEDICINE].
AB  - Osteoporosis is at the very early stages of the implementation of personalized
      medicine. However, the development of FRAX(r), an algorithm offering the
      opportunity to calculate, in an individual patient, his/her 10-year fracture risk
      improves the decision process on the appropriateness to initiate a
      pharmacological treatment. This algorithm helps the physician to select drugs
      which are active on non-vertebral fractures only in high risk patients. Taking
      into consideration patients' preferences, when selecting a therapeutic option,
      will improve long term adherence and subsequently efficacy and efficiency of the
      treatments. Attempts to define the natural course of osteoporosis or the response
      to therapy in individual patients by assessing their genetic profile remains, so
      far, inconclusive.

PMID- 26285461
TI  - [EHLERS-DANLOS SYNDROME OF THE HYPERMOBILE TYPE: A MULTISYSTEMIC DISORDER.
      CONTRIBUTION OF SKIN ULTRASTRUCTURE TO INDIVIDUAL MANAGEMENT].
AB  - Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) represents a heterogeneous group of disorders of the
      connective tissue structure. Currently, several types are distinguished following
      a limited set of clinical signs and genetic mutations. However, there is a lack
      of specificity of most recognized genetic alterations with the current clinical
      typing. In addition, the criteria from dermatopathology, ultrastructure and
      biomechanics are not considered. In addition, the established EDS frontiers are
      hazardous because a series of anatomo-clinical signs are not considered in the
      classical EDS concept. The hypermobile type EDS represents an example of the
      diagnostic uncertainties. It results that guidelines based on evidence-based
      medicine cannot be established. Only an individual management can be offered to
      the concerned patients.

PMID- 26285462
TI  - [MAJOR DEPRESSION AND PERSONALIZED MEDICINE].
AB  - Depression is a major public health problem. According to the World Health
      Organization (OMS), depression is currently the second cause of disability in
      developing countries. Depression is also one of the most frequent mental
      illnesses. When treating depression, the main objective is to achieve complete
      remission and to prevent recurrence. Unfor-tunately, in clinical practice, this
      aim is particularly difficult to reach. Indeed, in clinical trials and in
      naturalistic studies, remission levels are rather low. The challenge is to
      individualize the treatment of depression taking account clinical specificities,
      but also advances in the field of biological and genetic research. Today, intense
      psychiatric research tries to discover biomarkers to predict treatment response.
      Because individuals are highly different from a biological, psychological and
      sociological point of view, more personalized therapeutic approaches are
      recommended.

PMID- 26285463
TI  - [PERSONALIZED MEDICINE : PHARMACOECONOMIC ASPECTS].
AB  - The development and establishment of personalized medicine should allow the
      improvement of the quality of the care services as well as of the development of
      new and adapted therapeutic solutions. In a society, whose resources for health
      care are not endless, the issue of costs and economic effectiveness of
      personalized medicine is important. Numerous pharmacoeconomic studies have been
      conducted and many of them suggest that personalized medicine leads to better
      health, but at higher cost. However, the pharmacoeconomic methods developed over
      recent years will have to be adapted to better take into account the complexity
      of the problem, especially the capacity and the reliability of tests to best
      target patients, and also the whole care process of patients.

PMID- 26285464
TI  - [PERSONALIZED MEDICINE AND EBM: ETHICAL ASPECTS].
AB  - More patients are actually treated due to the incredible improvements of medical
      care, especially in the field of pharmacotherapy. Medical guidelines are based on
      the results of controlled trials. This kind of medicine, also called Evidence
      Based Medicine (EBM), is actually the cornerstone of good clinical practice.
      Nevertheless, it remains a lot of patients disappointed by the fact that they
      have no medical gain of their treatment. The reason is that each patient has
      his/her own metabolic characteristics. Better is, the characterization of such
      patients, better will be the treatment targeting them. It is what is called the
      personalized medicine. To reach this challenge, pharmacogenetic advances would be
      helpful. From an antagonism between EBM and personalized medicine, this new
      medical paradigm has to consider these approaches as partners. To reach this
      goal, medical doctors, legal authorities and pharmaceutical companies have to be
      responsible in front of these new ethical challenges.

PMID- 26285465
TI  - [POLIOMYELITIS ERADICATION--ONE STEP TO ACHIEVE THE GOAL].
AB  - Poliomyelitis is a very old disease of humans, caused by poliovirus. With
      appearance of the epidemics in the 20th century, poliomyelitis became a global
      public health issue. In 1988, the World Health Organization started a campaign
      for global eradication of poliomyelitis and till now poliomyelitis cases have
      been reduced by more than 99%. In Croatia, the introduction of vaccination in
      1961 resulted in dramatic reduction of paralytic disease. The European region,
      including Croatia was certified polio free in 2002. However, the final goal of
      the "polio-free world" has not yet been reached. To reinforce the campaign, the
      global polio eradication initiative has come up with the Polio Eradication &
      Endgame Strategic Plan 2013-2018 with detailed program how to resolve the main
      challenges: (a) continued transmission of wild polioviruses in endemic
      reservoirs; (b) reinfection of polio-free areas; and (c) outbreaks due to the
      circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV). Global oral polio vaccine
      cessation will follow, with the introduction of universal use of inactivated
      polio vaccine.

PMID- 26285466
TI  - [USE OF CONTRACEPTION IN WOMEN FROM THE ZAPRESIC AREA AND FACTORS INFLUENCING THE
      CHOICE OF METHOD: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY].
AB  - There have long been no surveys in the field of family planning in Croatia. There
      were some carried out by commercial agencies and some related to adolescents, but
      none focused on women of reproductive age. Therefore, we embarked upon this
      survey including women living in the town of Zapresic and its surroundings. The
      aims of the study were to investigate how many of them used contraception, which
      methods prevailed, how they made their choice and whether demographic and health
      care characteristics had have any influence on it. This cross-sectional survey
      was conducted at eight family medicine practices from the town of Zapresic town
      and six practices from nearby rural settings. We used a purposeful sampling
      method; women aged 18-45 visiting family medicine practices for different reasons
      were asked to participate in the study. Those that agreed were given a
      questionnaire designed for this survey and based on literature results. The
      questions were closed and related to the women's demographic and some health
      related characteristics and those related to the usage of contraception, such as
      the method used, how they made their choice, if they made any changes and why.
      The STATA/IC 11.2 (license 30110536846) was used on data processing. Descriptive
      statistics was used with Pearson chi2-test and logistic regression analysis to
      determine associations between categorical variables and dependent variable, in
      this case contraception use or non-use. The value of p < 0.05 was considered
      significant. Out of 283 women having filled in the questionnaire, 44.5% used some
      contraceptive methods. The most frequently used was condom (24.7%), then pill
      (24.1%) and combination of several methods (20.0%). The women living in the town
      used more coitus interruptus, and those living in rural areas used more pills.
      The most frequently stated reasons for the use of certain methods were as
      follows: the methods is simple for use (32.9%), it is safe (24.6%), and it is
      efficient and safe (22.8%). The women with elementary school preferred more
      efficient and those with high education safer methods. The efficiency of the
      method was also the main reason for university students. The majority of women
      made their decision in consultation with gynecologist (48.8%), then in agreement
      with partner (29.4%) and by her own choice (18.2%). Married and unmarried women
      made their decision in consultation with gynecologist and partner, unmarried
      women more with partner than married ones. Only 0.6% of women did consult their
      family doctors. They did not consider him/her as a professional to consult. In
      45.5% of cases, women changed contraceptive methods, more women with high
      education. Mostly, they wished to use more efficient or safer method. The results
      of logistic regression analyses indicated that the predictors for contraceptive
      use were high education, working status, number of abortions and frequency of
      visits to gynecologist. In conclusion, only 44.5% of surveyed women used
      contraception, mainly condoms, pills and combination of methods. The efficacy and
      safety were important reasons, while gynecologists and partners were an important
      source of help on making decision. The place of living, age, education, married
      status and working status were associated with some aspects of contraceptive
      usage.

PMID- 26285467
TI  - [USE OF COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE AMONG FAMILY MEDICINE PATIENTS-
      EXAMPLE OF THE TOWN OF CAKOVEC].
AB  - The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is widespread around the
      world including Croatia. The number of studies that investigate both quantitative
      and qualitative use of CAM in Croatia is limited. The aim of this study was to
      investigate the use of CAM among family medicine patients in the town of Cakovec
      and the rate they report it to their family doctor. This was a cross-sectional
      study in a sample of 300 patients that visited primary health center for any
      reason. We used anonymous questionnaire already employed in a previous
      investigation (Cizmesija et al. 2008), which describes socioeconomic
      characteristics, modalities of CAM use, and reasons for use. We also added
      questions on the type of herbs used and use of over-the-counter vitamin and
      mineral supplements. On data analysis we used descriptive statistics, chi2-test
      and Fisher's exact test, while the level of statistical significance was set at p
      <= 0.05. The response rate was 76%. Out of the total number of patients, 82% used
      some modality of CAM. Women, patients with secondary school education, employed
      and retired persons used CAM more often. Students and pupils reported least use
      of CAM. The most commonly used were herbs (87%), bioenergy (29%), diet therapy
      (28%), chiropractics (22%), and homeopathy and acupuncture (11% each). Vitamin
      and mineral supplements were used by 77% of study subjects. CAM was most
      frequently used for respiratory, urinary and musculoskeletal problems, as well as
      to improve overall health condition. Of the respondents that reported CAM use,
      55% believed it would help them, 43% used it because they wanted to try something
      new, while only 2% indicated dissatisfaction with their physician as the reason
      for using CAM. Statistically, there were more subjects that used CAM and did not
      notify their family doctor about it, which could indicate poor communication
      between family doctors and health care users. Our results are consistent with a
      previous quantitative study conducted in Croatia and with literature data on the
      countries with a predominant use of western medicine. Qualitative data from
      previous studies in Croatia could explain the cultural and socioeconomic context
      of CAM use. Dissatisfaction with their physician as the reason for using CAM was
      rarely indicated, suggesting that CAM most probably fills the gap between
      successful and unsuccessful treatment, and perception that evidence based
      medicine has its own limitations. The arguments to turn to CAM therapy could
      involve poor doctor to patient ratio, i.e. 1750 patients per family medicine
      doctor on average, and the 20% increase in the number of diseases and conditions
      diagnosed by family medicine units. In conclusion, these results suggest that the
      use of CAM is common among patients in family medicine. When taking patient
      history, doctors should ask about CAM use and be aware of the patient beliefs and
      lifestyle. When patients strongly believe in CAM methods, there is the need of
      making compromise in therapy, with explanation of the possible side effects and
      at the same time continuous follow up. There is the need of additional education
      of family doctors and population about good and bad effects of CAM. In Croatia,
      accent should be on herbalism because this modality is most widespread.

PMID- 26285468
TI  - [LOW SPECIFICITY OF PLATELET TO SPLEEN RATIO FOR NONINVASIVE PREDIC- TION AND
      CHARACTERIZATION OF ESOPHAGEAL VARICES IN PATIENTS WITH ALCOHOLIC LIVER
      CIRRHOSIS].
AB  - Diagnosis of esophageal varices (EV) is based upon endoscopic examination, which
      is a rather unpleasant method that carries a certain risk of complications. For
      that reason, efforts have been made to develop noninvasive methods for
      characterization of EV. The aim of this study was to explore the value of
      platelet count to spleen size ratio (PSR) for noninvasive prediction and
      characterization of EV in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis (ALC). One
      hundred and seventeen patients (20 females and 97 males, mean age 60.7) with ALC
      were included in our research. All patients underwent endoscopic examination upon
      which the EV were classified as small (< 5 mm), large (> 5 mm), or absent. Spleen
      size (bipolar diameter in mm) was assessed by ultrasound. Platelet count to
      spleen diameter ratio was calculated and the values obtained were compared to the
      presence, size and risk of bleeding from EV as defined by endoscopy. No
      significant difference in PSR could be found between patients without and with EV
      (1.341 +/- 0.725 vs. 1.053 +/- 0.636, respectively; p = 0.06). The PSR was
      significantly different between the patients with small and large EV (1.103 +/-
      0.689 vs. 0.876 +/- 0.314; p < 0.05) with a cut-off value of 1.141 (sensitivity
      94.7%, specificity 38.2%, AUROC = 0.656; p = 0.042). The value of PSR below 1.182
      pointed to patients at risk from variceal bleeding with 91.7% sensitivity and
      38.5% specificity (AUROC = 0.625, p = 0.035). Based on our results, it is not
      possible to recommend the use of PSR as the exclusive noninvasive indicator for
      the presence, size and bleeding risk from EV due to its low specificity for these
      categories in patients with ALC.

PMID- 26285469
TI  - [A STUDY INVESTIGATING THE FACTORS OF INTERNET ADDICTION].
AB  - The aim of the study was to explore the characteristics of Internet use among
      elementary school eighth-graders in the Bjelo- var-Bilogora County, to evaluate
      gender and sociodemographic differences, and to examine predictors for Internet
      addiction. The study included 437 (female 51%) eighth-graders, mean age 13.8 +/-
      0.5 years. An anonymous questionnaire was used to measure the participants'
      Internet use, the functions for which they used Internet, their parents' attitude
      towards the child's Internet use, and their signs of Internet addiction. Logistic
      regression was conducted to evaluate predictors for Internet addiction. The
      majority of children (71.5%) reported using Internet every day. Considering
      important risk factors of Internet addiction development, we found that 32% of
      children almost always stayed on-line longer than intended, 13% of boys and 4% of
      girls almost always neglected chores to spend more time on-line and 51.7% of
      children thought their life would be boring and uninteresting without the
      Internet. There was no significant difference between urban and rural students.
      In terms of the function for which they used the Internet, they were mostly
      engaged in on-line community/chat websites (70%), to listen to music and watch
      movies (81 %), and boys in gaming websites. Most of the students (43.4%) spent 1
      2 hours daily on-line, 26.2% of students spent 3-4 hours on-line, and 9% spent
      more than 5 hours daily on-line. In conclusion, more public health preventive
      measures should be conducted to raise public awareness and concern about the
      negative effect of Internet use and Internet addiction, especially in the young
      population.

PMID- 26285470
TI  - [DIABETIC NEPHROPATHY AS A CAUSE OF CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE].
AB  - Diabetic nephropathy is the leading cause of end-stage chronic kidney disease in
      most developed countries. Hyperglycemia, hypertension and genetic predisposition
      are the main risk factors for the development of diabetic nephropathy. Elevated
      serum lipids, smoking habits, and the amount and origin of dietary protein also
      seem to play a role as risk factors. Clinical picture includes a progressive
      increase in albuminuria, decline in glomerular filtration, hypertension, and a
      high risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Screening for albuminuria
      should be performed yearly, starting 5 years after diagnosis in type 1 diabetes
      or earlier in the presence of adolescence or poor metabolic control. In patients
      with type 2 diabetes, screening should be performed at diagnosis and yearly
      thereafter. Patients with albuminuria should undergo evaluation regarding the
      presence of associated comorbidities, especially retinopathy and macrovascular
      disease. Achieving the best metabolic control (HbA1c < 7%), treating hypertension
      (target blood pressure < 140/85 mm Hg), using drugs with blockade effect on the
      renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, treating dyslipidemia and anemia are
      effective strategies for preventing the development of albuminuria, delaying the
      progression to more advanced stages of nephropathy and reducing cardiovascular
      mortality in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

PMID- 26285471
TI  - [PREOPERATIVE DIAGNOSTICS OF THYROID MEDULLARY CARCINOMA WITH EMPHASIS ON
      CYTOMORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES AND DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY
      THYROID TUMORS].
AB  - Medullary thyroid cancer is a rare neuroendocrine neoplasm that arises from the
      parafollicular C cells that produce calcitonin, a hormone essential for the
      regulation of calcium metabolism. It accounts for 4%-10% of all thyroid cancers.
      In most cases (75%-80%), it is sporadic, while in other cases it is part of the
      multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) syndrome. Most often, medullary thyroid
      carcinoma is presenting as a solitary nodule. At the time of diagnosis, about
      half of the patients have enlarged cervical lymph nodes, while a small number of
      patients have distant metastases in the liver, lungs, bones and brain. If the
      tumor is hormone active, the patient may have systemic symptoms such as diarrhea
      or flushing. Ultrasonically, medullary carcinoma usually appears as a
      hypoechogenic node with marked vascularity and uneven contours that can sometimes
      contain microcalcifications, and in most cases is located in the upper poles of
      the thyroid. The sample obtained by fine needle aspiration is usually cellular,
      tumor cells are disseminated or arranged in poorly cohesive groups. They are most
      often plasmacytoid, but sometimes can also be spindled. The nuclei are eccentric
      and chromatin shows features of neuroendocrine tumors. Cytoplasms of tumor cells
      are abundant, triangular or polygonal, amphophilic, finely granulated and
      unsharply limited. Background is clean and sometimes amyloid can be found.
      Depending on the cytologic picture, differential diagnostic problems can be well
      differentiated thyroid tumors, primarily follicular neoplasm, lymphomas, poorly
      differentiated insular carcinoma, metastatic small cell carcinoma, mesenchymal
      tumors or melanoma. In case of differential diagnostic difficulties, of great
      help is to determine calcitonin immunocytochemically or in aspirate or serum.
      Medullary carcinoma may show low progression and long-time survival, but can also
      be a rapidly progressive tumor where survival is measured in months. Good
      prognostic indicators are younger age, female gender, tumor size, tumor
      localization only in the thyroid gland, and absence of local or distant
      metastases. In conclusion, medullary thyroid carcinoma is a rare tumor in which
      we still have to think in diagnosing thyroid nodules, mainly due to adequate
      preoperative preparation in terms of exclusion of pheochromocytoma in MEN
      syndrome. Cytologic picture in some cases is typical; however, immunocytochemical
      evidence of calcitonin is of great help to confirm morphological diagnosis.

PMID- 26285472
TI  - [TREATMENT MODALITIES OF LABIAL FUSION IN PREPUBERTAL GIRLS].
AB  - Labial adhesion is a thin membranous fusion of the labia minora of varying
      length. It is not a rare condition in prepubertal girls, but since it is often
      asymptomatic, it remains undiagnosed. It is usually discovered during regular
      check-ups or when the fusion results in post-void dripping, bacteriuria, vaginal
      irritation, dysuria, urinary tract infection or obstruction. The cause of labial
      adhesions is unclear. Chronic irritation of the vulva in combination with poor
      hygiene is believed to be important etiologic factors. A theory of hypoestrogenic
      status in prepubertal girls as a potential etiologic factor for labial adhesions
      is no longer widely accepted, since a recent study concluded that there was no
      difference in estrogen levels between children with and those without labial
      adhesions. Treatment options include conservative management with topical
      estrogen or betmethasone creams or, when indicated, manual separation or surgery.
      Topical estrogen and betamethasone creams are generally considered safe and
      effective treatment of labial adhesions, even over prolonged periods of time,
      with minimal if any side effects. No guidelines have been structured for the
      limits or duration of topical therapy, but most authors agree that optimal
      treatment should last from 1 to 2 or 3 months on twice-a-day regimen. Parental
      education concerning appropriate application technique is important not only for
      the success of treatment, but also to avoid the possible side effects.

PMID- 26285473
TI  - [TICK-BORNE ENCEPHALITIS VIRUS: EPIDEMIOLOGICAL AND CLINICAL PICTURE, DIAGNOSIS
      AND PREVENTION].
AB  - Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is a small, enveloped virus that belongs to
      the family Flaviviridae, genus Flavivirus, tick-borne encephalitis serocomplex.
      There are three subtypes of TBEV: European, Far-Eastern and Siberian subtypes,
      which differ in geographical distribution, tick vector and clinical manifestation
      of disease in humans. TBEV is endemic in a wide geographic area ranging from
      Central Europe and the Scandinavian Peninsula to Japan. The virus is maintained
      in nature in so-called natural foci in cycles involving ticks and wild vertebrate
      hosts (mainly small rodents). The principal vector for the European subtype is
      Ixodes (I.) ricinus tick, whereas for Far-Eastern and Siberian subtypes it is I.
      persulcatus. In the Baltic States and Finland, co-circulation of two or all three
      subtypes was documented. Several animals, principally small rodents, serve as
      virus reservoirs. In the tick population, TBEV is transmitted by feeding/co-feed
      ing on the same host, transovarially (from infected females to their eggs) and
      trans-stadially (from one development stage to the next). An infected tick
      remains infected for life. While most TBE infections in humans occur following a
      tick bite, alimentary routes of TBEV transmission (consumption of unpasteurized
      milk/milk products from infected livestock) have also been described. All three
      tick stages can transmit the infection to humans. In the last decade, an increase
      of TBE incidence has been observed in some endemic areas. This could be due to a
      number of interacting factors such as changes in the climatic conditions
      affecting tick habitats, improvements in the quality of epidemiological
      surveillance systems and diagnostics, in landscape resources and their
      utilization and more outdoor recreation activity. In addition, the endemic area
      of TBEV has expanded to higher altitudes (up to 1500 m), apparently influenced by
      climatic changes. The typical clinical picture of infection with European subtype
      TBEV is characterized by a biphasic course (50%-77%). The first phase is
      characterized by nonspecific, flu-like symptoms followed by an asymptomatic
      interval of about one week. In 20%-30% of persons who develop symptoms, the
      second phase occurs with symptoms of central nervous system involvement
      (meningitis, encephalitis, myelitis, radiculitis). The mortality rate for
      European subtype is 1%-2%. Diagnosis is usually based on detection of specific
      antibodies (enzyme immunoassay, indirect immunofluorescent assay, plaque
      reduction neutralization test). From 1993 to 2013, a total of 777 cases of TBE
      were reported in Croatia. Endemicity is highest in north-western counties (mean
      incidence 3.61-6.78/100,000 inhabitants). The majority of patients were older
      than 20 years (88%). Most cases (73%) were reported from May to July.

PMID- 26285474
TI  - [GIANT CELL TUMOR OF BONE: RESULTS AND TREATMENT COMPLICATIONS].
AB  - Giant cell tumor of bone (GCT) is mostly benign, locally aggressive tumor with a
      high recurrence rate. GCT is treated primarily surgically, and the approach is
      determined according to localization and local tumor behavior. The aim of this
      study was to analyze results and complications of surgical treatment of GCT at
      atertiary orthopedic clinical center in Croatia. We analyzed all patients treated
      at University Department of Orthopedics, Zagreb University Hospital Center,
      during a 15-year period. From 1995 to 2009, 39 patients were surgically treated
      for GCT. Four patients were lost from follow up. In patients with low-grade GCT
      (n = 12, 34%), we performed marginal-intralesional resection, whereas in patients
      with locally aggressive GCT we performed en bloc resection and reconstruction
      with tumor endoprosthesis or bone allograft (n = 22, 63%). In one patient, the
      only treatment was tumor irradiation. Complications were evident in one-third of
      our patients. The most common complications were tumor recurrence (n = 6, 50% of
      all complications) and deep infection (n = 2, 17% of all complications). We
      performed amputation in two patients in whom osteosarcoma was revealed under GCT
      radiologic and histologic appearance. We performed 84 operations in 35 patients,
      not counting primary biopsy. In conclusion, treatment of GCT is complex, with a
      high incidence of tumor recurrence. Diagnosis and treatment are best provided
      through a multidisciplinary approach in highly specialized centers for orthopedic
      oncology.

PMID- 26285475
TI  - [OUR RESULTS IN LAPAROSCOPIC-ASSISTED PLACEMENT OF PERITONEAL DIALYSIS CATHETERS:
      TEN-YEAR EXPERIENCE].
AB  - The aim was to analyze our results and complications in laparoscopic-assisted
      placement of the Tenckhoff catheter for peritoneal dialysis in comparison with
      results reported in the literature. Fifty patients were included in this
      retrospective analysis. From January 2000 to November 2010, they underwent
      laparoscopic-assisted placement of catheter for peritonea dialysis at the
      University Department of Surgery, Rijeka University Hospital Center. The results
      of this approach, early and late postoperative complications, conversions to open
      technique, and reoperation rate were analyzed. The complications that occurred
      within the first 4 weeks were considered as early complications. In 23 patients,
      29 complications were recorded. There were 18 early complications, of which 2
      acute peritonitis, 2 ileus, 4 bleeding, 4 catheter infection, 3 fluid leakage, 2
      catheter malpositioning and 1 genital edema. There were 11 late complications, of
      which 5 acute peritonitis, 1 recurrent peritonitis, 1 bleeding, 1 catheter
      infection, 1 catheter malpositioning, 1 fluid leakage and 1 port site hernia.
      There were no deaths after surgery or any complications disabling the
      implementation of peritonea dialysis. In patients with end-stage renal disease,
      laparoscopic-assisted placement of catheter for peritoneal dialysis is a safe and
      appropriate method of treatment

PMID- 26285476
TI  - [ENTERIC DUPLICATION CYST IN NEONATAL PERIOD: CASE REPORT].
AB  - In recent decades, diagnosis of neonatal malformations has shown growing success
      thanks to advances in ultrasound diagnostics. Intra-abdominal cystic formation
      can be successfully diagnosed prenatally, most often in the third trimester,
      mainly as isolated unilateral lesions in otherwise healthy fetus. With the
      existence of intra-abdominal cyst in neonate, it is necessary to exclude urinary
      tract anomalies and abnormalities of the heart and the spine. We present
      diagnostic procedure and perinatal outcome of a female newborn with enteric
      duplication cyst.

PMID- 26285477
TI  - [METHODS FOR DETECTION OF ANTIBODIES TO HLA ANTIGENS IN PATIENTS AWAITING KIDNEY
      TRANSPLANTATION AND COMBINED PANCREAS-KIDNEY TRANSPLANTATION].
AB  - The best possibility to treat chronic renal disease is renal transplantation.
      Especially important fact in transplantation is the percentage of so-called panel
      reactive antibody (PRA) that is focused on the human leukocyte antigen. There are
      several methods to determine the percentage of PRA in sensitized patients
      awaiting kidney transplants. The most important is the complement-dependent
      cytotoxicity. A higher value of PRA implies greater likelihood of positive cross
      match with random donor and lower probability of receiving a transplant.
      Comparing the sensitivity of laboratory tests for determination of PRA percentage
      in patient serum, it is concluded that ELISA and flow cytometry proved to be more
      sensitive and specific.

PMID- 26285478
TI  - [FIRST OPERATION ON OPEN HEART IN HYPOTHERMIA PERFORMED IN CROATIA IN 1957].
AB  - On October 25, 1957, the first open heart surgery in hypothermia was performed in
      Zagreb, at the Department of Surgery, Dr. Ozren Novosel University Hospital (now
      Merkur University Hospital), in a female patient with pulmonary valve stenosis
      under the control of the eye and with interruption of venous circulation. It was
      the first such operation performed in hypothermia not only in Croatia, but
      probably in the territory of former Yugoslavia.

PMID- 26285479
TI  - [Behind the scenes of expert discussion on efficiency of implementation program
      of delaying of early drinking in adolescents in Croatia].

PMID- 26285480
TI  - NEW APPROACHES TO TREATMENT. THE BIGGEST CHANGES IN 20 YEARS ARE COMING.

PMID- 26285481
TI  - CHASING THE CURE. THE STATE OF THE SEARCH IN 2015.

PMID- 26285482
TI  - A new look at how HIV works. A biologist turned animator offers new insight.

PMID- 26285483
TI  - [The work of the doctor in times of crisis].

PMID- 26285484
TI  - [Interactions between markers of endothelial damage (homocysteine and asymmetric
      dimethylarginine) and antioxidants and B-vitamins in preeclamptic women].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-related pathological condition triggered
      by an abnormal placentation which produces endothelial dysfunction (ED). ED, in
      turn, is associated with an increase in homocysteine (hcy) and asymmetric
      dimethylarginine (ADMA); these molecules are also increased when some of the B
      vitamins are deficient. It is unclear whether increases in hcy and ADMA during
      preeclampsia are the result of ED, or the consequence of a B-vitamin deficiency.
      OBJECTIVE: To evaluate hcy, ADMA, folic acid (FA), vitamin B6 and B2
      concentrations in patients with preeclampsia. METHODS: In a cross-sectional
      design 19 patients with severe preeclamp- sia (preeclampsia) and 57 with normal
      pregnancy (no-preeclampsia), paired by gestational age and body mass index, were
      studied. Plasma hcy, ADMA, FA and vitamins B6 and B12 were determined. Non
      parametric statistics was used for between-groups comparisons and regression
      analyses to evaluate interactions among molecules. RESULTS: 72% of women were
      vitamin B deficient, 40% were deficient of B12 and 4% of FA. Preeclamptic
      patients presented hcy and ADMA concentrations higher than no-preeclamptic ones.
      Inferential analyses demonstrated that: hcy and ADMA are increased during
      preeclampsia independently from vitamins blood concentration; that the risk for
      pre- eclampsia is associated with high hcy but not with vitamins deficiency; and
      that the ratio L-arginine:ADMA decreases the preeclampsia risk. CONCLUSION: In
      patients with preeclampsia, increases of hcy and ADMA are associated with ED, but
      not with deficiency of the vitamins involved in their metabolism.

PMID- 26285485
TI  - [Intrauterine synechiae after use of monopolar resectoscope].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Uterine synechiae are defined as abnormal adhesions and fibrosis
      within the uterine cavity due to direct trauma or injury to the basal membrane of
      the endometrium. OBJECTIVE: To identify, by routine hysteroscopy, how many
      patients who were treated because of intrauterine pathology developed uterine
      synechiae within the first six months after treatment with monopolar
      resectoscope. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A descriptive, open, observational,
      retrospective and cross-sectional study was performed at Hysteroscopy Unit,
      Gynecology Service of General Hospital Manuel Gea Gonzalez, Mexico City. From
      January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2011, we took, from the record books of the
      operating rooms, the file number of those patients who were treated with
      monopolar resectoscopy, and subsequently underwent routine hysteroscopy within
      the first six months. RESULTS: 69 records were included in the study. The main
      diagnoses were: endometrial polyp in 48% (n=33), submucosal myoma in 45% (n=3 1);
      48% (n=33) polypectomy and 45% (n=31) myomectomy. Within the first six months
      after the main procedure, patients underwent a routine hysteroscopy, which
      revealed the development of intrauterine synechiae in 5.8% (n=4) of the patients.
      Of the patients who underwent myomectomy, 5.8% (n=4) developed uterine synechiae;
      while those patients who underwent polypectomy, synechiaes were not found.
      Minimal synechiaes were found in 4.3% (n=3) of patients, moderate synechiaes were
      found in 1.4% (n=1) of patients, and severe synechiaes were found in none
      patient. CONCLUSION: Uterine synechiaes were found in 5.8% of patients with
      intrauterine pathology and treated with monopolar resectoscopy. Minimal to
      moderate synechia occur more commonly after myomectomy.

PMID- 26285486
TI  - [Non-surgical management of rectovaginal fistula: a case report].
AB  - BACKGROUND: The rectovaginal fistula is a rare disease whose treatment is
      extremely difficult. OBJECTIVE: To present the expectant management of
      rectovaginal fistula as an alternative to surgery for those cases in which the
      surgical risk is not an acceptable option. CLINICAL CASE: We report the case of a
      rectovaginal fistula in an 85-year-old woman with significant comorbidity that
      avoided the performance of any surgical technique. CONCLUSION: In patients whose
      surgical risk does not exceed the benefits, non-surgical management would be an
      option of treatment of rectovaginal fistula.

PMID- 26285487
TI  - [Extra-abdominal umbilical vein varix. A case report].
AB  - The intra-abdominal umbilical vein varix is very uncommon, characterized by a
      dilation of the vein, usually located between its entry into the abdomen and
      completion in the portal system. However, the location of this anomaly to extra
      abdominal level is very unusual and more difficult to diagnose by ultrasound.
      CLINICAL CASE: We present a case undiagnosed during pregnancy, demonstrating cord
      abnormality in its extra-abdominal portion and confirmed later by the pathology
      study. It was a gestation of 36 + 6 weeks, ending by performing emergency
      caesarean section for abnormal fetal heart rate, with good perinatal outcome. The
      diagnosis was made after placental delivery, by the existence of fibrotic cystic
      structure in the middle third of the umbilical cord.

PMID- 26285490
TI  - Health Sciences Grants Change Learning at U-M.

PMID- 26285489
TI  - Learn About Your Life Insurance Options.

PMID- 26285488
TI  - [Consensus of diagnosis and treatment of obesity in women in reproductive age and
      climacterium].
AB  - BACKGROUND: The development of obesity is complex and multifactorial, with
      genetic, biological, environmental and lifestyle of each individual etiology. The
      different changes in metabolism of women, amongst other factors, lead to
      disorganization in the distribution of lipids, which gathered in large quantities
      within the viscera, increases cardiovascular mortality and it is a major
      determinant factor of the metabolic syndrome. OBJECTIVE: To homologate and to
      apply concepts of evidence-based clinical practice in diagnosis and treatment of
      obesity in women in reproductive age and climacterium. METHOD: The experts'
      consensus was done by specialized physicians properly endocrinologists,
      gynecologists, surgeons, psychologists, nutrition specialists, physical activity
      and public health, according to their expertise and clinical judgment. The
      recommendations were based in diagnostic criteria aside from the level of
      evidence of previously established treatment guidelines, controlled clinical
      trials and standardized guides for women in reproductive age and climacterium
      with obesity. RESULTS: The establishment of a nutritional intervention amongst
      other aspects of lifestyle is the first-line in the treatment of obesity. Current
      pharmacological treatments offer modest results in efficiency and security in
      weight reduction so these must go along with real changes in lifestyle in order
      to obtain better results in the short and long term. CONCLUSION: The high
      prevalence of overweight and obesity in our country, especially in women in
      reproductive age, compels us to pose and work in prevention strategies as well as
      diverse therapeutic plans favoring safe weight loss and results in the long term.

PMID- 26285491
TI  - Get Ready! National Children's Dental Health Month Is Coming.

PMID- 26285492
TI  - Loan Repayment Program Assists Dentists.

PMID- 26285493
TI  - Disappointed at Commentary.

PMID- 26285494
TI  - Author reply: To PMID 25647877.

PMID- 26285495
TI  - Sterilization Pouches, Bibs and More Added to MDA Services Gloves.

PMID- 26285496
TI  - Personal Accident Insurance Helps Pay Deductibles, Other Expenses.

PMID- 26285497
TI  - Take Advantage of the New MDA Public Education Campaign.

PMID- 26285498
TI  - Dealing with Patients Who Have Been Using Marijuana.

PMID- 26285500
TI  - Is Change Possible?

PMID- 26285499
TI  - Is This Thing On? Recording Conversations in the Workplace.

PMID- 26285502
TI  - Periodontal Considerations for the Child and Adolescent. A Literature Review.
AB  - The primary etiology of periodontal disease is bacterial plaque and its
      byproducts in a susceptible host. Although the prevalence of plaque-induced
      periodontal disease is relatively low for the child and adolescent, destructive
      periodontal disease may be a manifestation of an underlying systemic disease. In
      some cases, childhood periodontal destruction may be the first sign of systemic
      disease, making appropriate recognition and determination of etiology critical in
      this population. Therefore, this literature review discusses the periodontal
      considerations for the child and adolescent patient, aiming to offer a guide for
      differential diagnosis and oral management of periodontal disease in the young
      population.

PMID- 26285501
TI  - Pediatric Dentistry: Beginning a Lifetime of Dental Health.

PMID- 26285503
TI  - Facial Dog Bite Injuries of a 19-Month-Old Child: A Case Report.
AB  - It is estimated that 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs each year, and half
      of those are children. One in five dog bites results in injuries that require
      some form of medical attention. Children between 5 and 9 years of age are the
      most affected age group for this type of injury. A 19-month-old boy was admitted
      to the emergency department of Children's Hospital of Michigan for treatment of
      injuries due to a dog attack. Injuries were limited to the face of the child.
      Dental injuries included avulsion of upper lateral incisors, severe luxation of
      upper central incisors, and fracture of the facial alveolus bone. Surgical
      management of facial wounds was accomplished through irrigation, debridement and
      suturing. Dental treatment included extraction of central incisors and suturing
      soft tissues.

PMID- 26285504
TI  - Michigan Dentists' Attitudes toward Medicaid and an Alternative Public Dental
      Insurance System for Children.
AB  - PURPOSE: Healthy Kids Dental (HKD) was created as a pilot program of the Michigan
      State Medicaid program to increase access to care for Medicaid-eligible children.
      The purpose of this study was to evaluate dentists' attitudes toward Healthy Kids
      Dental and Medicaid in Michigan. METHODS: An online survey was sent to
      practitioners with an email address registered with the Michigan Dental
      Association (n=4,285). RESULTS: Surveys were returned from 965 practitioners (~23
      percent). Although practitioners were not fully satisfied with HKD, their
      satisfaction with the program was significantly higher than their satisfaction
      with the traditional Medicaid program (P<.001). Sixty-four percent of providers
      that accept Medicaid limit the number of children seen in some manner, while 28
      percent of providers that accept HKD limit the number of children seen. Families
      with traditional Medicaid who contact an office are significantly less likely to
      receive treatment for their child than families with HKD insurance who contact
      the same office (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Practitioners were more satisfied with
      programmatic and patient-related factors of the Healthy Kids Dental program than
      they were with Medicaid. Dentists were more likely to treat children with HKD
      than children with Medicaid when the parent contacts a dentist in Michigan.

PMID- 26285505
TI  - Business Planning: How to Become a More-effective Practice Owner.

PMID- 26285512
TI  - Reminder: Dentists Are Mandated Abuse, Neglect Reporters.

PMID- 26285513
TI  - ADA Launches Fluoride Initiatives.

PMID- 26285514
TI  - Comments on "Cooking the Books".

PMID- 26285515
TI  - Dr. Maihofer responds.

PMID- 26285521
TI  - Is There a Need for 24-Hour Walk-in Dental Care?

PMID- 26285522
TI  - Miscellaneous Dental Practice Questions.

PMID- 26285523
TI  - Vaping in the Workplace: E-Cigarettes and Your Smoking/Tobacco Policy.

PMID- 26285524
TI  - The Case of the Kissing Dentist.

PMID- 26285525
TI  - Can you weather the financial storm of musculoskeletal disorders.

PMID- 26285527
TI  - Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Case of the Month.

PMID- 26285526
TI  - An Interview with Dr. Mark Johnston 2015-16 MDA President.

PMID- 26285528
TI  - What Are We Teaching Dental Students about Practice Management?

PMID- 26285529
TI  - Hire Your Spouse? What to Consider Before You Say 'I Do'.

PMID- 26285532
TI  - Religious Accommodation Requests and Dress Code Policies.

PMID- 26285531
TI  - Sedation: Patient Safety and Informed Consent.

PMID- 26285533
TI  - Going After Unethical Advertisers.

PMID- 26285534
TI  - Focused Review--Revisited.

PMID- 26285535
TI  - Is Organized Dentistry Following Medicine Down the Drain?

PMID- 26285536
TI  - "Change, Progress and Continuous Improvement at the MDA"!

PMID- 26285537
TI  - Seven Cases of Proliferative Verrucous Leukoplakia: The Need for a High Clinical
      Suspicion Among Dental Practitioners.
AB  - Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia is a distinct precancerous condition with a
      high rate of recurrence and malignant transformation over time. Proliferative
      verrucous leukoplakia has no specific histopathologic presentation; therefore,
      emphases must be on clinical presentation and history to make a diagnosis giving
      the need for a high clinical suspicion. This condition is very important for the
      general dentist to recognize. Here we describe the clinical and microscopic
      features of seven cases of proliferative verrucous leukoplakia, with two cases
      which demonstrated malignant transformation (hybrid carcinoma and squamous cell
      carcinoma).

PMID- 26285539
TI  - Opportunities for influence post-Election.

PMID- 26285540
TI  - Challenging schedule for Ontario facility.

PMID- 26285541
TI  - Recognising design's role in reducing HAIs.

PMID- 26285542
TI  - Ambitious goals met, but more to achieve.

PMID- 26285543
TI  - Being clearer about estate requirements.

PMID- 26285544
TI  - Improving confidence to manage assets.

PMID- 26285545
TI  - Designed with multidisciplinary input.

PMID- 26285546
TI  - Preventing scalding/controlling Legionella.

PMID- 26285548
TI  - Event to reflect 'service user-led thinking'.

PMID- 26285547
TI  - Providing a better experience for all.

PMID- 26285549
TI  - Emergency generators' critical role examined.
AB  - The research evidence cited within this article relates to the reliability of
      emergency diesel generators, and concludes by recommending that NHS organisations
      urgently review their corporate strategy, business continuity plans, backlog
      maintenance schedules, etc., as it appears that these units are not operating to
      the 99.95% reliability figure suggested by the National Approved Codes of
      Practice (ACOP), but instead at reliabilities of around 98.5%. The practical
      interpretation of this lower reliability figure is that for a typical NHS Trust
      operating 10 emergency diesel generators, it can be surmised that they can expect
      to experience 1.81 failures/year, while under test conditions When combining the
      requirements for the generators to operate under test plus actual power outage
      conditions, with the 'fragility' of the power supply from the main electrical
      undertaker, then the Trust can expect to experience >1.81 failures/year, some of
      which could occur during a power outage. In putting together this article I
      conducted a small 'straw poll' of NHS acute hospital sites, which confirmed that
      the failure of emergency diesel generators was far from being a rare event, and
      indeed when the historical records were compared with the research papers cited,
      they showed that such failures were predictable, and in most cases preventable,
      i.e. certain.

PMID- 26285550
TI  - Multiple settings are targeted in pilots.

PMID- 26285551
TI  - A 'disaster prevention' approach advocated.

PMID- 26285552
TI  - Canopy considerations for cleaner airflow.

PMID- 26285553
TI  - Assessing the risks, taking the right steps.

PMID- 26285554
TI  - Guy's Cancer Centre takes shape.

PMID- 26285555
TI  - Good fire strategies are no accident.

PMID- 26285556
TI  - An appetite for making things better.

PMID- 26285557
TI  - System choice is greater than ever.

PMID- 26285558
TI  - Building on solid ground.

PMID- 26285560
TI  - Protection for the profession.

PMID- 26285561
TI  - Codes deserve careful examination.

PMID- 26285562
TI  - Moving towards a mandate.

PMID- 26285563
TI  - From haute couture to the FDI.

PMID- 26285564
TI  - Timing is everything.

PMID- 26285565
TI  - A frontal swelling with a cautionary tale.
AB  - Frontal sinus mucoceles are the most common paranasal mucoceles. They consist of
      sterile mucus and shed cells and form due to inflammatory changes or chronic
      nasofrontal duct obstruction. Coincident infection and expansile growth can lead
      to specific clinical features dependent upon the location of the lesion and the
      degree of spread. We present a case of a 56-year-old lady with a radiological
      diagnosis of a frontal sinus mucocele causing anterior dehiscence of her frontal
      cortex. She underwent incision and drainage of a frontal swelling misdiagnosed as
      an infected sebaceous cyst. The case emphasises the importance of correlating
      features in the patient history and previous investigations with presenting
      findings.

PMID- 26285566
TI  - Ebola virus disease: review and implications for dentistry in Ireland.
AB  - The current Ebola outbreak in West Africa is a global health emergency with
      implications for all healthcare professionals. This article will review the
      clinical features, transmission and oral manifestations of Ebola virus infection,
      and discuss the implications of the current outbreak for dental practices in
      Ireland. Guidance for managing suspected cases and contacts is also provided.
      CONCLUSIONS: Although Ebola is an alarming disease with a very high mortality
      rate, it is extremely unlikely that the dental team will encounter a new
      presentation of Ebola or that it will pose a significant transmission risk. The
      dental team should be aware of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC)
      Algorithm for Ebola Virus Disease Risk Assessment, and it should be followed as
      necessary. It is advised to defer dental treatment for 21 days after possible
      exposure to the Ebola virus.

PMID- 26285567
TI  - Mandibular implant-supported overdentures: attachment systems, and number and
      locations of implants--Part II.

PMID- 26285568
TI  - Press-fit fixation using autologous bone in the tibial canal causes less
      enlargement of bone tunnel diameter in ACL reconstruction--a CT scan analysis
      three months postoperatively.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Bone tunnel enlargement is a phenomenon present in all anterior
      cruciate ligament (ACL)- reconstruction techniques. It was hypothesized that
      press-fit fixation using a free autograft bone plug reduces the overall tunnel
      size in the tibial tunnel. METHODS: In a prospective cohort study twelve patients
      who underwent primary ACL reconstruction using an autologous quadriceps tendon
      graft and adding a free bone block for press-fit fixation (PF) in the tibial
      tunnel were matched to twelve patients who underwent ACL reconstruction with a
      hamstring graft and interference screw fixation (IF). The diameters of the bone
      tunnels were analysed by a multiplanar reconstruction technique (MPR) in a CT
      scan three months postoperatively. Manual and instrumental laxity (Lachman test,
      Pivot-shift test, Rolimeter) and functional outcome scores (International Knee
      Documentation Committee sore, Tegner activity level) were measured after one year
      follow up. RESULTS: In the PF group the mean bone tunnel diameter at the level of
      the joint entrance was not significantly enlarged. One and two centimeter distal
      to the bone tunnel diameter was reduced by 15% (p = .001). In the IF group the
      bone tunnel at the level of the joint entrance was enlarged by 14% (p = .001).
      One and two centimeter distal to the joint line the IF group showed a widening of
      the bone tunnel by 21% (p < .001) One and two centimeter below the joint line the
      bone tunnel was smaller in the PF group when compared to the IF group (p < .001).
      No significant difference for laxity test and functional outcome scores could be
      shown. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that press-fit fixation with free
      autologous bone plugs in the tibial tunnel results in significantly smaller
      diameter of the tibial tunnel compared to interference screw fixation.

PMID- 26285569
TI  - Demographic and obstetric factors affecting women's sexual functioning during
      pregnancy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sexual desire and frequency of sexual relationships during pregnancy
      remains challenging. This study aimed to assess factors that affect women's
      sexual functioning during pregnancy. METHODS: This was a cross sectional study
      carried out at prenatal care clinics of public health services in Iran. An author
      designed structured questionnaire including items on socio-demographic
      characteristics, obstetric history, the current pregnancy, and women's sexual
      functioning during pregnancy was used to collect data. The generalized linear
      model was performed in order to find out factors that affect women's sexual
      functioning during pregnancy. RESULTS: In all, 518 pregnant women participated in
      the study. The mean age of participants was 26.4 years (SD = 4.7). Overall 309
      women (59.7%) scored less than mean on sexual functioning. The results obtained
      from generalized linear model demonstrated that that lower education, unwanted
      pregnancy, earlier stage of pregnancy, older age, and longer duration of marriage
      were the most important factors contributing to disturbed sexual functioning
      among couples. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that sexual function during
      pregnancy might be disturbed due to several factors. Indeed issues on sexual
      relationship should be included as part of prenatal care and reproductive health
      programs for every woman.

PMID- 26285570
TI  - Erratum: Feasibility and acceptability of a novel, computerized screening and
      brief intervention (SBI) for alcohol and sweetened beverage use in pregnancy.

PMID- 26285571
TI  - Histological criteria for atypical pituitary adenomas - data from the German
      pituitary adenoma registry suggests modifications.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The term atypical pituitary adenoma (APA) was revised in the 2004
      World Health Organization (WHO) classification of pituitary tumors. However, two
      of the four parameters required for the diagnosis of APAs were formulated rather
      vaguely (i.e., "extensive" nuclear staining for p53; "elevated" mitotic index).
      Based on a case-control study using a representative cohort of typical pituitary
      adenomas and APAs selected from the German Pituitary Tumor Registry, we aimed to
      obtain reliable cut-off values for both p53 and the mitotic index. In addition,
      we analyzed the impact of all four individual parameters (invasiveness, Ki67
      index, p53, mitotic index) on the selectivity for differentiating both adenoma
      subtypes. METHODS: Of the 308 patients included in the study, 98 were diagnosed
      as APAs (incidence 2.9 %) and 10 patients suffered from a pituitary carcinoma
      (incidence 0.2 %). As a control group, we selected 200 group matched patients
      with typical pituitary adenomas (TPAs). Cut-off values were attained using ROC
      analysis. RESULTS: We determined significant threshold values for p53 (>=2 %;
      AUC: 0.94) and the mitotic index (>=2 mitosis within 10 high power fields; AUC:
      0.89). The most reliable individual marker for differentiating TPAs and APAs was
      a Ki-67-labeling index >= 4 % (AUC: 0.98). Using logistic regression analysis
      (LRA) we were able to show that all four criteria (Ki-67 (p < 0.001); OR 5.2//
      p53 (p < 0.001); OR 3.1// mitotic index (p < 0.001); OR 2.1// invasiveness (p <
      0.001); OR 8.2)) were significant for the group of APAs. Furthermore, we describe
      the presence of nucleoli as a new favorable parameter for TPAs (p = 0.008; OR:
      0.4; CI95 %: 0.18; 0.77). CONCLUSIONS: Here we present a proposed rectification
      of the current WHO classification of pituitary tumors describing an additional
      marker for TPA and specific threshold values for p53 and the mitotic index. This
      will greatly help in the reliable diagnosis of APAs and facilitate further
      studies to ascertain the prognostic relevance of this categorization.

PMID- 26285572
TI  - Expression of truncated human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 on circulating
      tumor cells of breast cancer patients.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The truncated form of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2
      (p95HER2) lacks the HER2 extracellular domain and has been associated with poor
      prognosis and resistance to trastuzumab. In the present study, the expression of
      p95HER2 was investigated on circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from breast cancer
      patients. METHODS: Triple-staining immunofluorescent experiments were performed
      on peripheral blood mononuclear cells' (PBMCs) cytospins obtained from patients
      with early (n = 24) and metastatic (n = 37) breast cancer. Cells were stained
      with the pancytokeratin (A45-B/B3) antibody coupled with antibodies against the
      extracellular (ECD) and the intracellular (ICD) domains of HER2. Slides were
      analyzed with either confocal laser scanning microscopy or with the Ariol system.
      RESULTS: HER2-positive CTCs were identified in 55.6 % of early and 65.2 % of
      metastatic CTC-positive breast cancer patients. p95HER2-positive CTCs were
      identified in 11.1 % of early and 39.1 % of metastatic breast cancer patients (p
      = 0.047). In 14 patients with metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer, CTCs were
      also analyzed before and after first-line trastuzumab therapy. Trastuzumab
      reduced the percentage of patients with full-length HER2-positive CTCs from 70 %
      at baseline to 50 % (p = 0.035) after treatment while increased the percentage of
      patients with p95HER2-positive CTCs from 40 % to 63 %. Moreover, the overall
      survival of metastatic patients with p95HER2-positive CTCs was significantly
      decreased (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: p95HER2-positive CTCs can be detected in both
      early and metastatic breast cancer patients. Their incidence is increased in the
      metastatic setting and their presence is associated with poor survival.
      Longitudinal studies during anti-HER2 treatment are required to determine the
      clinical relevance of p95HER2-expressing CTCs.

PMID- 26285573
TI  - Characterization of a second secologanin synthase isoform producing both
      secologanin and secoxyloganin allows enhanced de novo assembly of a Catharanthus
      roseus transcriptome.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Transcriptome sequencing offers a great resource for the study of non
      model plants such as Catharanthus roseus, which produces valuable monoterpenoid
      indole alkaloids (MIAs) via a complex biosynthetic pathway whose characterization
      is still undergoing. Transcriptome databases dedicated to this plant were
      recently developed by several consortia to uncover new biosynthetic genes.
      However, the identification of missing steps in MIA biosynthesis based on these
      large datasets may be limited by the erroneous assembly of close transcripts and
      isoforms, even with the multiple available transcriptomes. RESULTS: Secologanin
      synthases (SLS) are P450 enzymes that catalyze an unusual ring-opening reaction
      of loganin in the biosynthesis of the MIA precursor secologanin. We report here
      the identification and characterization in C. roseus of a new isoform of SLS,
      SLS2, sharing 97 % nucleotide sequence identity with the previously characterized
      SLS1. We also discovered that both isoforms further oxidize secologanin into
      secoxyloganin. SLS2 had however a different expression profile, being the major
      isoform in aerial organs that constitute the main site of MIA accumulation.
      Unfortunately, we were unable to find a current C. roseus transcriptome database
      containing simultaneously well reconstructed sequences of SLS isoforms and
      accurate expression levels. After a pair of close mRNA encoding tabersonine 16
      hydroxylase (T16H1 and T16H2), this is the second example of improperly assembled
      transcripts from the MIA pathway in the public transcriptome databases. To
      construct a more complete transcriptome resource for C. roseus, we re-processed
      previously published transcriptome data by combining new single assemblies. Care
      was particularly taken during clustering and filtering steps to remove redundant
      contigs but not transcripts encoding potential isoforms by monitoring quality
      reconstruction of MIA genes and specific SLS and T16H isoforms. The new consensus
      transcriptome allowed a precise estimation of abundance of SLS and T16H isoforms,
      similar to qPCR measurements. CONCLUSIONS: The C. roseus consensus transcriptome
      can now be used for characterization of new genes of the MIA pathway.
      Furthermore, additional isoforms of genes encoding distinct MIA biosynthetic
      enzymes isoforms could be predicted suggesting the existence of a higher level of
      complexity in the synthesis of MIA, raising the question of the evolutionary
      events behind what seems like redundancy.

PMID- 26285574
TI  - Re-evaluation of diagnostic parameters is crucial for obtaining accurate data on
      idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The FinnishIPF registry is a prospective, longitudinal national
      registry study on the epidemiology of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). It was
      designed to describe the characteristics, management and prognosis of prevalent
      and incident IPF patients. The study was initiated in 2012. METHODS: We present
      here results limited to five university hospitals. Patients with IPF were
      screened from hospital registries using ICD-10 diagnosis codes J84.1 and J84.9.
      All patients who gave informed consent were included and evaluated using novel
      diagnostic criteria. Point prevalence on the 31(st) of December in 2012 was
      calculated using the reported population in each university hospital city as the
      denominator. RESULTS: Patients with ICD-10 codes J84.1 and J84.9 yielded a
      heterogeneous group - on the basis of patient records assessed by pulmonologists
      only 20-30 % of the cases were IPF. After clinical, radiological and histological
      re-evaluation 111 of 123 (90 %) of patients fulfilled the clinical criteria of
      IPF. The estimated prevalence of IPF was 8.6 cases/100 000. 60.4 % were men.
      Forty four percent of the patients were never-smokers. At diagnosis, the
      patients' mean age was 73.5 years and mean FVC was 80.4 % and DLCO 57.3 % of
      predicted. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that hospital registries are
      inaccurate for epidemiological studies unless patients are carefully re
      evaluated. IPF is diagnosed in Finland at a stage when lung function is still
      quite well preserved. Smoking in patients with IPF was less common than in
      previous reports.

PMID- 26285575
TI  - Adjustment of the GRACE score by HemoglobinA1c enables a more accurate prediction
      of long-term major adverse cardiac events in acute coronary syndrome without
      diabetes undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) risk score is
      widely recommended for risk assessment in patients with acute coronary syndrome
      (ACS). Chronic hyperglycemia [hemoglobinA1c (HbA1c)] can independently predict
      major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) in patients with ACS. We investigated
      whether the prediction of MACEs with the GRACE score could be improved with the
      addition of HbA1c content in ACS patients without diabetes mellitus (DM)
      undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: We enrolled 549 ACS
      patients without DM who underwent PCI. The GRACE score and HbA1c content were
      determined on admission. Correlation was analyzed by Spearman's rank correlation.
      Cumulative MACE curve was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Multivariate
      Cox regression was used to identify predictors of MACEs. Additionally, the
      predictive value of HbA1c content alone and combined with GRACE score was
      estimated by the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC),
      continuous net reclassification improvement (NRI) and integrated discrimination
      improvement (IDI). RESULTS: During a median of 42.3 months (interquartile range
      39.3-44.2 months), 16 (2.9%) were lost to follow-up, and patients experienced 69
      (12.9%) MACEs: 51 (9.6%) all-cause deaths and 18 (3.4%) nonfatal myocardial
      infarction cases. The GRACE score was positively associated with HbA1c content.
      Multivariate Cox analysis showed that both GRACE score and HbA1c content were
      independent predictors of MACEs (hazard ratio 1.030; 95% CI 1.020-1.040; p <
      0.001; 3.530; 95% CI 1.927-6.466; p < 0.001, respectively). Furthermore, Kaplan
      Meier analysis demonstrated increased risk of MACEs with increasing HbA1c content
      (log-rank 33.906, p < 0.001). Adjustment of the GRACE risk estimate by HbA1c
      improved the predictive value of the GRACE score [increase in AUC from 0.75 for
      the GRACE score to 0.80 for the GRACE score plus HbA1c, p = 0.012; IDI = 0.055, p
      < 0.001; NRI (>0) = 0.70, p < 0.001]. CONCLUSIONS: HbA1c content is positively
      associated with GRACE risk score and their combination further improved the risk
      stratification for ACS patients without DM undergoing PCI.

PMID- 26285577
TI  - Macular hole formation following intravitreal injection of ranibizumab for branch
      retinal vein occlusion: a case report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Macular hole formation after anti-vascular endothelial growth factor
      therapy is a rare complication. We report macular hole formation after
      intravitreal ranibizumab injection for branch retinal vein occlusion. CASE
      PRESENTATION: A 63-year-old Asian male was treated with intravitreal ranibizumab
      injection for chronic macular edema with branch retinal vein occlusion in his
      right eye. Before treatment, best-corrected visual acuity in his right eye was
      20/200. Nine days after injection, a full thickness macular hole developed with
      reduction of macular edema. After pars plana vitrectomy combined with cataract
      surgery, the macular hole was successfully closed, and the best-corrected visual
      acuity in his right eye improved to 20/40. CONCLUSION: The possibility of an
      infrequent complication like macular hole should be considered for intravitreal
      ranibizumab for macular edema with branch retinal vein occlusion.

PMID- 26285576
TI  - Alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor is required for blood-brain barrier
      injury-related CNS disorders caused by Cryptococcus neoformans and HIV-1
      associated comorbidity factors.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cryptococcal meningitis is the most common fungal infection of the
      central nervous system (CNS) in HIV/AIDS. HIV-1 virotoxins (e.g., gp41) are able
      to induce disorders of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which mainly consists of
      BMEC. Our recent study suggests that alpha7 nAChR is an essential regulator of
      inflammation, which contributes to regulation of NF-kappaB signaling,
      neuroinflammation and BBB disorders caused by microbial (e.g., HIV-1 gp120) and
      non-microbial [e.g., methamphetamine (METH)] factors. However, the underlying
      mechanisms for multiple comorbidities are unclear. METHODS: In this report, an
      aggravating role of alpha7 nAChR in host defense against CNS disorders caused by
      these comorbidities was demonstrated by chemical [inhibitor: methyllycaconitine
      (MLA)] and genetic (alpha7(-/-) mice) blockages of alpha7 nAChR. RESULTS: As
      shown in our in vivo studies, BBB injury was significantly reduced in alpha7(-/-)
      mice infected with C. neoformans. Stimulation by the gp41 ectodomain peptide
      (gp41-I90) and METH was abolished in the alpha7(-/-) animals. C. neoformans and
      gp41-I90 could activate NF-kappaB. Gp41-I90- and METH-induced monocyte
      transmigration and senescence were significantly inhibited by MLA and CAPE
      (caffeic acid phenethyl ester, an NF-kappaB inhibitor). CONCLUSIONS:
      Collectively, our data suggest that alpha7 nAChR plays a detrimental role in the
      host defense against C. neoformans- and HIV-1 associated comorbidity factors
      induced BBB injury and CNS disorders.

PMID- 26285578
TI  - The danger of underlying Chlamydia trachomatis infection in treating urinary
      tract infection with over-the-counter antibiotics.

PMID- 26285579
TI  - Comparative effectiveness of two different interbody fusion methods for
      transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion: cage versus morselized impacted bone
      grafts.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The use of an interbody fusion device (cage) to assist fusion and
      increase intervertebral stability is widely supported. We applied the morselized
      impacted bone graft method without using a cage in a single level interbody
      fusion with encouraging medium-term clinical results. The purpose of this paper
      is to compare the clinical and radiological results of local bone grafts with a
      cage to morselized impacted bone grafts without cage, in patients undergoing
      transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) surgery. METHODS: One hundred
      eighty-nine consecutive patients who underwent TLIF in our hospital were
      evaluated from July 2009 to July 2012. Eighty-four patients received TLIF and
      local bone graft with one polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cage, while 96 patients
      received the TLIF with local morselized impacted bone grafts without a cage. The
      clinical data and perioperative parameters of the patients in the two groups were
      recorded and compared. RESULTS: The mean follow-up time was 35 months. There were
      no significant differences in operation time and blood loss between the two
      groups. Single-level fusion was performed in all patients. There were no
      statistically significant differences between the two groups, according to the
      preoperative or postoperative Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score. No
      statistically significant differences in fusion rate were observed between the
      two groups. At the final follow-up, the ratio of the disc height to vertebral
      height (HR) was not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSION:
      Morselized impacted bone graft is as beneficial as local bone grafts with a cage
      for TLIF. Since the no cage procedure is less expensive, the morselized impacted
      bone graft is an affordable choice for single level TLIF, especially in less
      developed regions.

PMID- 26285580
TI  - The influence of neighbourhood-level socioeconomic deprivation on cardiovascular
      disease mortality in older age: longitudinal multilevel analyses from a cohort of
      older British men.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Evidence from longitudinal studies on the influence of neighbourhood
      socioeconomic factors in older age on cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality is
      limited. We aimed to investigate the prospective association of neighbourhood
      level deprivation in later life with CVD mortality, and assess the underlying
      role of established cardiovascular risk factors. METHODS: A socially
      representative cohort of 3924 men, aged 60-79 years in 1998-2000, from 24 British
      towns, was followed up until 2012 for CVD mortality. Quintiles of the national
      Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD), a composite score of neighbourhood-level
      factors (including income, employment, education, housing and living environment)
      were used. Multilevel logistic regression with discrete-time models (stratifying
      follow-up time into months) were used. RESULTS: Over 12 years, 1545 deaths
      occurred, including 580 from CVD. The risk of CVD mortality showed a graded
      increase from IMD quintile 1 (least deprived) to 5 (most deprived). Compared to
      quintile 1, the age-adjusted odds of CVD mortality in quintile 5 were 1.71 (95%
      CI 1.32 to 2.21), and 1.62 (95% CI 1.23 to 2.13) on further adjustment for
      individual social class, which was attenuated slightly to 1.44 (95% CI 1.09 to
      1.89), but remained statistically significant after adjustment for smoking, body
      mass index, physical activity and use of alcohol. Further adjustment for blood
      pressure, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and prevalent diabetes made little
      difference. CONCLUSIONS: Neighbourhood-level deprivation was associated with an
      increased risk of CVD mortality in older people independent of individual-level
      social class and cardiovascular risk factors. The role of other specific
      neighbourhood-level factors merits further research.

PMID- 26285581
TI  - Correlates of sitting time in adults with type 2 diabetes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Studies suggest a relationship between sitting time and
      cardiovascular disease mortality. Our aim was to identify socio-demographic,
      contextual, and clinical (e.g., body composition, diabetes duration) correlates
      of self-reported sitting time among adults with type 2 diabetes, a clinical
      population at high risk for cardiovascular disease. We sought to determine if
      there was an inverse relationship between sitting and step counts in a diabetes
      cohort in whom we had previously identified low step counts with further lowering
      in fall/winter. METHODS: The cohort included 198 adults (54 % men; age 60.0 SD
      11.5 years; Body mass index 30.4 SD 5.6 kg/m(2)) (Montreal, Canada). Socio
      demographic, contextual and clinical factors were assessed using standardized
      questionnaires and step counts with a pedometer over 14 days (concealed viewing
      windows). Total sitting time was estimated once per season (up to 4 times per
      year at -month intervals) using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire
      Short version. Potential sitting time correlates were evaluated using Bayesian
      longitudinal hierarchical linear regression models in participants with sitting
      time data (n = 191). RESULTS: The average sitting time was 308 (SD 161)
      minutes/day without variation across seasons. Sitting time correlates were being
      an immigrant (56 fewer minutes/day spent sitting compared to non- immigrants, 95
      % credible interval, CrI: -100, -11) and having a university degree (55 more
      minutes/day spent sitting compared to those without a university degree, 95 %
      CrI: 10, 100) after adjustment for potential correlates observed in univariate
      analyses (sex, age, job status, waist circumference, depressed mood, steps).
      Correlation between sitting and steps, adjusted for age and sex, was -0.144 (95 %
      CI: -0.280, 0.002). CONCLUSION: There was low correlation between sitting time
      and step counts. Therefore, high sitting time and low step counts are behaviours
      that may need to be independently targeted. Interventions to reduce sitting time
      in adults with type 2 diabetes may need to target non-immigrants and those with a
      university degree.

PMID- 26285582
TI  - Factors influencing uptake of contraceptive implants in the immediate postpartum
      period among HIV infected and uninfected women at two Kenyan District Hospitals.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Family planning is a cost effective strategy for prevention of mother
      to child transmission of HIV and reduction of maternal/infant morbidity and
      mortality. Contraceptive implants are a safe, effective, long term and reversible
      family planning method whose use remains low in Kenya. We therefore set out to
      determine and compare the uptake, and factors influencing uptake of immediate
      postpartum contraceptive implants among HIV infected and uninfected women at two
      hospitals in Kenya. METHODS: This cross sectional study targeted postpartum
      mothers at two Kenyan district hospitals (one urban and one rural). All
      participants received general family planning and method specific (Implant)
      counseling followed by immediate insertion of contraceptive implants to those who
      consented. The data was analyzed by descriptive analysis, T-test, Chi square
      tests and logistic regression. RESULTS: One hundred eighty-five participants were
      enrolled (91 HIV positive and 94 HIV negative) with a mean age of 26 years. HIV
      positive mothers were significantly older (27.5 years) than their HIV negative
      counterparts (24.5 years), P = 0.001. The two groups were comparable in
      education, employment, marital status and religious affiliation. Overall, the
      uptake of contraceptive implants in the immediate postpartum period was 50.3% and
      higher among HIV negative than HIV positive participants (57% vs. 43%, P =
      0.046). Multivariate analysis revealed that a negative HIV status (P = 0.017) and
      prior knowledge of contraceptive implants (P = 0.001) were independently
      associated with increased uptake of contraceptive implants. CONCLUSION: There was
      a high uptake of immediate postpartum contraceptive implants among both HIV
      infected and un-infected women; efforts therefore need to be made in promoting
      this method of family planning in Kenya and providing this method to women in the
      immediate postpartum period so as to utilize this critical opportunity to
      increase uptake and reduce the high unmet need for family planning.

PMID- 26285583
TI  - GPs should consider delaying prescription of antibiotics, says NICE.

PMID- 26285584
TI  - The Primary Glucose-Lowering Effect of Metformin Resides in the Gut, Not the
      Circulation: Results From Short-term Pharmacokinetic and 12-Week Dose-Ranging
      Studies.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Delayed-release metformin (Met DR) is formulated to deliver the drug
      to the lower bowel to leverage the gut-based mechanisms of metformin action with
      lower plasma exposure. Met DR was assessed in two studies. Study 1 compared the
      bioavailability of single daily doses of Met DR to currently available immediate
      release metformin (Met IR) and extended-release metformin (Met XR) in otherwise
      healthy volunteers. Study 2 assessed glycemic control in subjects with type 2
      diabetes (T2DM) over 12 weeks. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Study 1 was a phase
      1, randomized, four-period crossover study in 20 subjects. Study 2 was a 12-week,
      phase 2, multicenter, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging study in 240 subjects with
      T2DM randomized to receive Met DR 600, 800, or 1,000 mg administered once daily;
      blinded placebo; or unblinded Met XR 1,000 or 2,000 mg (reference). RESULTS: The
      bioavailability of 1,000 mg Met DR b.i.d. was ~50% that of Met IR and Met XR
      (study 1). In study 2, 600, 800, and 1,000 mg Met DR q.d. produced statistically
      significant, clinically relevant, and sustained reductions in fasting plasma
      glucose (FPG) levels over 12 weeks compared with placebo, with an ~40% increase
      in potency compared with Met XR. The placebo-subtracted changes from baseline in
      HbA1c level at 12 weeks were consistent with changes in FPG levels. All
      treatments were generally well tolerated, and adverse events were consistent with
      Glucophage/Glucophage XR prescribing information. CONCLUSIONS: Dissociation of
      the glycemic effect from plasma exposure with gut-restricted Met DR provides
      strong evidence for a predominantly lower bowel-mediated mechanism of metformin
      action.

PMID- 26285585
TI  - Stroke patients admitted within normal working hours are more likely to achieve
      process standards and to have better outcomes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The presence of a 'weekend' effect has been shown across a range of
      medical conditions, but has not been consistently observed for patients with
      stroke. AIMS: We investigated the impact of admission time on a range of process
      and outcome measures after stroke. METHODS: Using routine data from National
      Scottish data sets (2005-2013), time of admission was categorised into weekday,
      weeknight and weekend/public holidays. The main process measures were swallow
      screen on day of admission (day 0), brain scan (day 0 or 1), aspirin (day 0 or
      1), admission to stroke unit (day 0 or 1), and thrombolysis administration. After
      case-mix adjustment, multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the
      OR for mortality and discharge to home/usual place of residence. RESULTS: There
      were 52,276 index stroke events. Compared to weekday, the adjusted OR (95%CI) for
      early stroke unit admission was 0.81 (0.77 to 0.85) for weeknight admissions and
      0.64 (0.61 to 0.67) for weekend/holiday admissions; early brain scan 1.30 (0.87
      to 1.94) and 1.43 (0.95 to 2.18); same day swallow screen 0.86 (0.81 to 0.91) and
      0.85 (0.81 to 0.90); thrombolysis 0.85 (0.75 to 0.97) and 0.85 (0.75 to 0.97),
      respectively. Seven-day mortality, 30-day mortality and 30-day discharge for
      weekend admission compared to weekday was 1.17 (1.05 to 1.30); 1.08 (1.00 to
      1.17); and 0.90 (0.85 to 0.95), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with stroke
      admitted out of hours and at weekends or public holidays are less likely to be
      managed according to current guidelines. They experience poorer short-term
      outcomes than those admitted during normal working hours, after correcting for
      known independent predictors of outcome and early mortality.

PMID- 26285586
TI  - Management of spontaneous intracranial hypotension - Transorbital ultrasound as
      discriminator.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) is most commonly caused by
      cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage. Therefore, we hypothesised that patients with
      orthostatic headache (OH) would show decreased optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD)
      during changes from supine to upright position. METHODS: Transorbital B-mode
      ultrasound was performed employing a high-frequency transducer for ONSD
      measurements in the supine and upright positions. Absolute values and changes of
      ONSD from supine to upright were assessed. Ultrasound was performed in 39 SIH
      patients, 18 with OH and 21 without OH, and in 39 age-matched control subjects.
      The control group comprised 20 patients admitted for back surgery without
      headache or any orthostatic symptoms, and 19 healthy controls. RESULTS: In supine
      position, mean ONSD (+/-SD) was similar in patients with (5.38+/-0.91 mm) or
      without OH (5.48+/-0.89 mm; p=0.921). However, in upright position, mean ONSD was
      different between patients with (4.84+/-0.99 mm) and without OH (5.53+/-0.99 mm;
      p=0.044). Furthermore, the change in ONSD from supine to upright position was
      significantly greater in SIH patients with OH (-0.53+/-0.34 mm) than in SIH
      patients without OH (0.05+/-0.41 mm; p<=0.001) or in control subjects (0.01+/
      0.38 mm; p<=0.001; area under the curve: 0.874 in receiver operating
      characteristics analysis). CONCLUSIONS: Symptomatic patients with SIH showed a
      significant decrease of ONSD, as assessed by ultrasound, when changing from the
      supine to the upright position. Ultrasound assessment of the ONSD in two
      positions may be a novel, non-invasive tool for the diagnosis and follow-up of
      SIH and for elucidating the pathophysiology of SIH.

PMID- 26285587
TI  - Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs).
AB  - DOACs are a new group of blood-thinner medications that may have some advantages
      over warfarin. A health care provider will look at several different factors to
      help patients decide if a DOAC is a good choice. Patients taking DOACs should
      discuss medication changes, a plan for taking the DOAC before and after a
      surgery, and any bleeding side effects with their health care provider.

PMID- 26285588
TI  - Vascular function and brain-derived neurotrophic factor: The functional capacity
      factor.
AB  - Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is essential for neurocognitive
      function. This study aims at establishing a plausible link between level of serum
      BDNF, functional capacity (FC), and vascular function in 181 young (age 25.5+/
      9.1 years old), apparently healthy adults. Fasting blood samples were drawn from
      participants' antecubital veins into plain glass tubes while they were in a
      sitting position to evaluate serum BDNF using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
      (ELISA). Mercury-in-silastic strain-gauge plethysmography was used to determine
      arterial function indices, blood flow and vascular resistance at rest and
      following 5 minutes of arterial ischemia. The 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) test
      was used to determine FC, according to the American Thoracic Society Committee on
      Proficiency Standards for Clinical Pulmonary Function Laboratories guidelines. It
      was conducted in an enclosed corridor on a flat surface with a circular track 33
      meters long. The walking course was demarcated with bright colored cones. The
      6MWD correlated with BDNF (r=0.3, p=0.000), as well as with forearm blood inflow
      (r=0.5, p=0.000) and vascular resistance (r = -0.4, p=0.000). Subsequent
      comparison showed that BDNF and blood inflow were greater (p<0.05) while vascular
      resistance was less (p<0.05) in participants who achieved a longer 6MWD.
      Similarly, BDNF correlated with forearm blood inflow (r=0.4, p=0.000) and
      vascular resistance (r = -0.4, p=0.000). Subsequent comparison showed improved
      vascular function (p<0.05) in the participants with greater BDNF. In conclusion,
      these findings might suggest that improved vascular function in individuals with
      greater FC is mediated, at least partially, by an enhanced serum BDNF level. 

PMID- 26285589
TI  - Images in Vascular Medicine. Carotidynia.

PMID- 26285590
TI  - Advances in axial imaging of peripheral vascular disease.
AB  - Peripheral artery disease (PAD) has become increasingly common in the US patient
      population and can be a highly symptomatic and significant source of morbidity.
      When PAD is suspected, the first-line screening study that is obtained is
      typically a noninvasive evaluation that includes the ankle brachial index (ABI).
      Following a positive screening study, invasive catheter digital subtraction
      angiography (DSA) has been historically used to image the peripheral artery
      system and still remains the gold standard. However, newer developments in axial
      imaging including computed tomography angiography (CTA) and magnetic resonance
      angiography (MRA) have in large part supplanted DSA for imaging the peripheral
      artery system in clinical practice. Benefits of CTA include rapid noninvasive
      acquisition, wide availability, high spatial resolution, and the ability to
      generate isotropic datasets on 64-detector row and higher CT scanners, thereby
      allowing for multiplanar 3D reformatting. Drawbacks of CTA include the exposure
      to both iodinated contrast and ionizing radiation, although the radiation dose
      exposure is lower than for DSA, and newer techniques such as using low tube
      voltage and rapid acquisition times allow for lower contrast doses. The presence
      of vascular calcification also limits the evaluation of small distal arteries
      using CTA, although the development of dual-energy CT techniques has
      significantly addressed this issue. Benefits of MRA include the avoidance of
      exposure to ionizing radiation and high diagnostic accuracy, while drawbacks
      include limited availability and increased cost along with the risk of
      nephrogenic systemic fibrosis that is associated with gadolinium-based contrast
      agents, although the latter can be mitigated by using newer non-contrast MR
      angiography techniques. Future technical advances in CT and MR hardware and
      software and MR pulse sequences will likely lead to the broader applicability and
      increased accuracy of noninvasive axial imaging in the evaluation of patients
      with peripheral artery disease. 

PMID- 26285591
TI  - The relationship between body temperature, heart rate, breathing rate, and rate
      of oxygen consumption, in the tegu lizard (Tupinambis merianae) at various levels
      of activity.
AB  - The present study determined whether EEG and/or EMG recordings could be used to
      reliably define activity states in the Brazilian black and white tegu lizard
      (Tupinambis merianae) and then examined the interactive effects of temperature
      and activity states on strategies for matching O2 supply and demand. In a first
      series of experiments, the rate of oxygen consumption (VO2), breathing frequency
      (fR), heart rate (fH), and EEG and EMG (neck muscle) activity were measured in
      different sleep/wake states (sleeping, awake but quiet, alert, or moving). In
      general, metabolic and cardio-respiratory changes were better indictors of the
      transition from sleep to wake than were changes in the EEG and EMG. In a second
      series of experiments, the interactive effects of temperature (17, 27 and 37 
      degrees C) and activity states on fR, tidal volume (VT), the fraction of oxygen
      extracted from the lung per breath (FIO2-FEO2), fH, and the cardiac O2 pulse were
      quantified to determine the relative roles of each of these variables in
      accommodating changes in VO2. The increases in oxygen supply to meet temperature-
      and activity-induced increases in oxygen demand were produced almost exclusively
      by increases in fH and fR. Regression analysis showed that the effects of
      temperature and activity state on the relationships between fH, fR and VO2 was to
      extend a common relationship along a single curve, rather than separate
      relationships for each metabolic state. For these lizards, the predictive powers
      of fR and fH were maximized when the effects of changes in temperature, digestive
      state and activity were pooled. However, the best r(2) values obtained were 0.63
      and 0.74 using fR and fH as predictors of metabolic rate, respectively.

PMID- 26285592
TI  - Biochemical effects of mutations in the gene encoding the alpha subunit of
      eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF) 2B associated with Vanishing White Matter
      disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Leukoencephalopathy with Vanishing White Matter (VWM) is an autosomal
      recessive disorder caused by germline mutations in the genes EIF2B1-5, which
      encode the 5 subunits of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor eIF2B. To
      date, analysis of the biochemical effects of mutations in the EIF2B2-5 genes has
      been carried out, but no study has been performed on mutations in the EIF2B1
      gene. This gene encodes eIF2Balpha, the smallest subunit in eIF2B which has an
      important role in both the structure and regulation of the eIF2B complex.
      METHODS: eIF2B subunits were overexpressed in HEK293 cells and isolated from the
      resulting cell lysates by affinity chromatography. Formation of the eIF2B complex
      and binding of its substrate, eIF2, was assessed by western blot. Assays of the
      guanine nucleotide exchange (GEF) activity were also carried out. RESULTS: Of the
      5 eIF2Balpha mutations studied, we found 3 that showed loss or reduction of
      binding of eIF2Balpha to the rest of the complex, one with increased GEF
      activity, and one where no effects on activity or complex formation were
      observed. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study on eIF2Balpha VWM mutations. We
      show that some mutations cause expected decreases in GEF activity or complex
      formation, similar to a majority of observed VWM mutations. However, we also
      observe some unexpected changes which hint at other effects of these mutations on
      as yet undescribed functions of eIF2B.

PMID- 26285595
TI  - Research Priorities in Correctional Nursing Practice: Results of a Three-Round
      Delphi Study.
AB  - Correctional nursing has been recognized as a specialty since 1985, but research
      to describe and support nursing practice in the criminal justice system has been
      sparse. The development of a research agenda can stimulate the research necessary
      to provide an evidence base for specialty practice development. A three-round
      Delphi study was undertaken to elicit a prioritized list of research topics to
      guide future research efforts for meaningful results. Six predominant themes
      emerged from an analysis of top research questions generated by a panel of 18
      correctional nursing experts. Research priorities include critical thinking and
      clinical judgment, competency and educational level, assessment, nursing
      protocols, effect on patient outcomes, and the environment of care. 

PMID- 26285594
TI  - Alcohol Production, Prevention Strategies, and Inmate Knowledge About the Risk
      for Botulism From Pruno Consumption in a Correctional Facility--Arizona, 2013.
AB  - During July to November 2012, two botulism outbreaks (12 cases total) occurred in
      one all-male prison; both were associated with illicitly brewed alcohol (pruno)
      consumption. Inmate surveys were conducted to evaluate and develop prevention and
      education strategies. Qualitative surveys with open-ended questions were
      performed among inmates from rooms where outbreaks occurred to learn about pruno
      consumption. Quantitative surveys assessed knowledge gained after the outbreaks
      and preferred information sources. For the quantitative surveys, 250 inmates were
      randomly selected by bed from across the correctional facility and 164 inmates
      were interviewed. Only 24% of inmates reported any botulism knowledge before the
      outbreaks and education outreach, whereas 73% reported knowledge after the
      outbreaks (p < .01). Preferred information sources included handouts/fliers (52%)
      and the prison television channel (32%). 

PMID- 26285593
TI  - Outcomes of endoscopic management of primary and refractory postcholecystectomy
      biliary leaks in a multicentre review of 178 patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Biliary leaks have been treated with endoscopic management using
      different techniques with conflicting results. Furthermore the appropriate rescue
      therapy for refractory leaks has not been established. We evaluated the clinical
      effectiveness of initial endotherapy for postcholecystectomy biliary leaks using
      an homogenous approach (sphincterotomy + placement of a 10-French plastic stent)
      in a large series of patients as well as the optimal and efficacy of rescue
      endotherapy for refractory biliary leaks. METHODS: This was a multicenter,
      retrospective study of 178 patients who underwent endoscopic management of
      postcholecystectomy biliary leaks with a combination of biliary sphincterotomy
      and the placement of a large-bore (10-French) plastic stent. Data were collected
      to analyze the clinical outcomes and technical success, efficacy of the rescue
      endotherapy and the need for surgery, adverse events and prognostic factors for
      clinical success of endotherapy. RESULTS: Following endotherapy, closure of the
      leak was accomplished in 162/178 patients (91.0%). The multivariate logistic
      model showed that the type of leak, namely a high-grade biliary leak, was the
      only independent prognostic factor associated with treatment failure (OR = 26.78;
      95% CI = 6.59-108.83; P < 0.01). The remaining 16 patients were treated with
      multiple plastic stents (MPSs) with a success rate of 62.5% (10 patients). The
      use of fewer than 3 plastic stents (P = 0.023) and a high-grade biliary leak (P =
      0.034) were shown to be significant predictors of treatment failure with MPSs in
      refractory bile leaks. The 6 patients in whom the placement of MPSs failed were
      retreated with a fully cover self-expandable metallic stent (FCSEMS), resulting
      in closure of the leak in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Endotherapy of biliary leaks
      with a combination of biliary sphincterotomy and the placement of a large-bore
      plastic stent is associated with a high rate of success (90%). However in our
      series there were several failures using MPSs as a strategy for rescue
      endotherapy suggesting that refractory biliary leaks should be treated with
      FCSEMS especially in patients with high-grade leaks.

PMID- 26285598
TI  - Timing of surgery in infective endocarditis.
AB  - Although early surgery is performed in approximately half of patients for the
      treatment of infective endocarditis (IE), the optimal timing of surgery remains
      unclear. Appropriate early surgery can avoid death and severe complications, but
      nearly one-quarter of patients with indications for surgery do not receive
      surgical intervention. Multidisciplinary collaborations among cardiologists,
      cardiac surgeons and infectious disease specialists are required for appropriate
      decisions about indication and timing of surgical intervention. Moreover, the
      potential benefits of early surgery should be weighed against its operative risks
      and long-term consequences. The main indications for early surgery in patients
      with IE are heart failure (HF), uncontrolled infection and prevention of
      embolism. Role of early surgery has been expanding and a recent randomised trial
      demonstrated that early surgery performed within 48 h after the diagnosis of IE
      effectively reduced systemic embolisms without increasing operative mortality or
      recurrence of IE. Urgent surgery is indicated in patients who have moderate to
      severe HF, uncontrolled infection and large vegetations associated with severe
      valvular disease. However, surgery should be delayed for 2-4 weeks in patients
      with large cerebral infarction and for at least 4 weeks in those with
      intracerebral haemorrhage if possible, because early surgery may pose significant
      risks of neurological deterioration and perioperative cerebral bleeding. The
      decision for surgical timing should be based on individual risk-benefit analysis,
      and early surgery is strongly indicated if its benefits exceed operative risks.

PMID- 26285597
TI  - Comparison of Opt-In Versus Opt-Out Testing for Sexually Transmitted Infections
      Among Inmates in a County Jail.
AB  - A majority of jails in the United States rely on an opt-in (voluntary) rather
      than opt-out (universal) approach to testing for sexually transmitted infections
      (STIs). This study compares an opt-out approach at intake to opt-in testing
      during incarceration and estimates the prevalence of common STIs among jail
      inmates. Data derive from a universal intake pilot testing program (n = 298) and
      an established, student-led voluntary testing program (n = 1,963), respectively.
      The adjusted prevalence as well as the odds of testing positive for chlamydia
      were significantly higher in the opt-out program (p = .025 and .008,
      respectively) than the opt-in program but not for gonorrhea (p = .402 and .300,
      respectively). These results demonstrate the potential public health benefit of
      implementation of universal STI testing of jail inmates. 

PMID- 26285599
TI  - True and true, but not a paradox.

PMID- 26285600
TI  - Riociguat for pulmonary hypertension in congenital heart disease: opportunities
      and challenges.

PMID- 26285601
TI  - Dear Readers of Scandinavian Journal of Immunology and ECI2015 Attendees.

PMID- 26285602
TI  - Clinical Management of Acute Portal/Mesenteric Vein Thrombosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Acute thrombosis of the portal vein (PV) and/or the mesenteric vein
      (MV) is a rare but potentially life-threatening disease. A multitude of risk
      factors for acute portal vein thrombosis (PVT)/mesenteric vein thrombosis (MVT)
      have been identified, including liver cirrhosis, malignancy, coagulation
      disorders, intra-abdominal infection/inflammation, and postoperative condition.
      METHODS: This article analyses the treatment options for acute PVT/MVT. RESULTS:
      Initially, the clinical management should identify patients with an intra
      abdominal focus requiring immediate surgical intervention (e.g. bowel ischaemia).
      Subsequently, emphasis is placed on the recanalization of the PV/MV or at least
      the prevention of thrombus extension to avoid long-term complications of portal
      hypertension. Several therapeutic options are currently available, including
      anticoagulation therapy, local/systemic thrombolysis, interventional or surgical
      thrombectomy, and a combination of these procedures. Due to the lack of
      prospective randomized studies, a comparison between these therapeutic approaches
      regarding the efficacy of PV/MV recanalization is difficult, if not impossible.
      CONCLUSION: In patients with acute PVT/MVT, an individualized treatment based on
      the clinical presentation, the underlying disease, the extent of the thrombosis,
      and the patients' comorbidities is mandatory. Therefore, these patients should be
      considered for an interdisciplinary therapy in specialized centres with the
      option to utilise all therapeutic approaches currently available.

PMID- 26285603
TI  - Modification of starch metabolism in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana increases
      plant biomass and triples oilseed production.
AB  - We have identified a novel means to achieve substantially increased vegetative
      biomass and oilseed production in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana.
      Endogenous isoforms of starch branching enzyme (SBE) were substituted by either
      one of the endosperm-expressed maize (Zea mays L.) branching isozymes, ZmSBEI or
      ZmSBEIIb. Transformants were compared with the starch-free background and with
      the wild-type plants. Each of the maize-derived SBEs restored starch biosynthesis
      but both morphology and structure of starch particles were altered. Altered
      starch metabolism in the transformants is associated with enhanced biomass
      formation and more-than-trebled oilseed production while maintaining seed oil
      quality. Enhanced oilseed production is primarily due to an increased number of
      siliques per plant whereas oil content and seed number per silique are
      essentially unchanged or even modestly decreased. Introduction of cereal starch
      branching isozymes into oilseed plants represents a potentially useful strategy
      to increase biomass and oilseed production in related crops and manipulate the
      structure and properties of leaf starch. 

PMID- 26285604
TI  - Association of metabolic parameters and rs726344 in FNDC5 with serum irisin
      concentrations.
AB  - BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Irisin has been suggested as a novel myokine with
      beneficial effects in rodents. However, previous data in humans showed
      conflicting results regarding its association with metabolic phenotypes and
      regulation of secretion. Furthermore, although an association of rs726344 in
      FNDC5 (fibronectin type III domain containing 5) coding for irisin with insulin
      sensitivity was reported, the effects of genetic variation at this locus on
      irisin serum levels have not been investigated, so far. Therefore, we
      investigated circulating irisin and the associations with rs726344 in a cohort of
      >1000 subjects. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Irisin serum concentrations were measured with
      enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Associations with metabolic parameters
      including renal function, glucose and lipid metabolism, inflammation, as well as
      adipokine profiles, were assessed in regression models. Dynamic changes of serum
      irisin were investigated during oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in a subset of
      the cohort (n=136). rs726344 was genotyped in all subjects and analyzed for
      associations with serum irisin and traits of the metabolic syndrome. RESULTS:
      Irisin was negatively associated with fat mass, fasting glucose and dyslipidemia
      but not with other adipokines. Moreover, irisin decreased during an OGTT in a
      subcohort comprising subjects with normal glucose tolerance, impaired fasting
      glucose, impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes mellitus. rs726344 was
      not associated with serum irisin levels or with other anthropometric and
      biochemical parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Circulating irisin levels are associated
      with a beneficial metabolic profile but not with other adipokines and not with
      rs726344 in our cohort. Our data suggest a potential favorable role of irisin in
      the regulation of metabolism.

PMID- 26285605
TI  - The bigger, the stronger? Insights from muscle architecture and nervous
      characteristics in obese adolescent girls.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Young obese youth are generally stronger than lean youth. This has
      been linked to the loading effect of excess body mass, acting as a training
      stimulus comparable to strength training. Whether this triggers specific
      adaptations of the muscle architecture (MA) and voluntary activation (VA) that
      could account for the higher strength of obese subjects remains unknown. METHODS:
      MA characteristics (that is, pennation angle (PA), fascicle length (FL) and
      muscle thickness (MT)) and muscle size (that is, anatomical cross-sectional area
      (ACSA)) of the knee extensor (KE) and plantar flexor (PF) muscles were evaluated
      in 12 obese and 12 non-obese adolescent girls (12-15 years). Maximal isometric
      torque and VA of the KE and PF muscles were also assessed. RESULTS: Results
      revealed higher PA (P<0.05), greater MT (P<0.001), ACSA (P<0.01), segmental lean
      mass (P<0.001) and VA (P<0.001) for KE and PF muscles in obese girls. Moreover,
      obese individuals produced a higher absolute torque than their lean counterparts
      on the KE (224.6+/-39.5 vs 135.7+/-32.7 N m, respectively; P<0.001) and PF
      muscles (73.3+/-16.5 vs 44.5+/-6.2 N m; P<0.001). Maximal voluntary contraction
      (MVC) was correlated to PA for the KE (r=0.46-0.57, P<0.05-0.01) and PF muscles
      (r=0.45-0.55, P<0.05-0.01). MVC was also correlated with VA (KE: r=0.44, P<0.05;
      PF: r=0.65, P<0.001) and segmental lean mass (KE: r=0.48, P<0.05; PF: r=0.57,
      P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: This study highlighted favorable muscular and nervous
      adaptations to obesity that account for the higher strength of obese youth. The
      excess of body mass supported during daily activities could act as a chronic
      training stimulus responsible for these adaptations.

PMID- 26285607
TI  - Primary RET-mutated lung neuroendocrine carcinoma in MEN2B: response to RET
      targeted therapy.

PMID- 26285606
TI  - Androgen receptor and prostate cancer stem cells: biological mechanisms and
      clinical implications.
AB  - Prostate cancer (PCa) contains phenotypically and functionally distinct cells,
      and this cellular heterogeneity poses clinical challenges as the distinct cell
      types likely respond differently to various therapies. Clonal evolution, driven
      by genetic instability, and intraclonal cancer cell diversification, driven by
      cancer stem cells (CSCs), together create tumor cell heterogeneity. In this
      review, we first discuss PCa stem cells (PCSCs) and heterogeneity of androgen
      receptor (AR) expression in primary, metastatic, and treatment-failed PCa. Based
      on literature reports and our own studies, we hypothesize that, whereas PCSCs in
      primary and untreated tumors and models are mainly AR(-), PCSCs in CRPCs could be
      either AR(+) or AR(-/lo). We illustrate the potential mechanisms AR(+) and AR(-)
      PCSCs may employ to propagate PCa at the population level, mediate therapy
      resistance, and metastasize. As a result, targeting AR alone may not achieve long
      lasting therapeutic efficacy. Elucidating the roles of AR and PCSCs should
      provide important clues to designing novel personalized combinatorial therapeutic
      protocols targeting both AR(+) and AR(-) PCa cells. 

PMID- 26285609
TI  - Assessment of Air Pollution Effects on the Respiratory System Based on Pulmonary
      Function Tests Performed During Spirometry Days.
AB  - The Polish Spirometry Day is an initiative aimed at increasing awareness of the
      causes, symptoms, course, and effects that accompany respiratory diseases,
      especially asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In 2013, the
      second edition of the Spirometry Day was held. It gathered 180 medical centers
      and other institution. The final analysis encompassed a total of 1187 persons
      from 26 different locations, including rural areas, and smaller and larger city
      agglomerations. Of this total, 755 persons (63.6 %) completed their spirometry
      tests for the first time in life. Each person fulfilled a questionnaire regarding
      the personal information, respiratory diseases, symptoms, lifestyle, and a place
      of residence. In the total group, 234 (19.7 %) cases of bronchial obstruction
      were diagnosed. A hundred and thirty four persons with obstruction, among those
      tested for the first time in life (17.8 %), were unaware of their disease. The
      lowest values of FEV1 and FEF(1)/FVC, corresponding to the highest percentage of
      persons with obstruction (27.9 %) were observed in small and medium cities
      (100,000-500,000 inhabitants). There were differences in the prevalence of
      obstruction depending on the distance of the place of residence from a busy
      traffic road. A significant decrease of both spirometric variables was observed
      among people living in cities above 100,000 inhabitants within a distance lower
      than 50 m from roads. In general, better spirometry results were observed among
      inhabitants living more than 150 m from main roads.

PMID- 26285608
TI  - Amide-linked Ethanolamine Conjugate of Gemfibrozil as a Profound HDL Enhancer:
      Design, Synthesis, Pharmacological Screening and Docking Study.
AB  - Elevated concentration of any or all types of lipids in the plasma including
      hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia leads to atherosclerotic
      cardiovascular disease. Effective medication needs multiple drug therapy as
      recommended cholesterol and triglyceride levels are difficult to achieve by
      monotherapy and frequently require the use of more than one lipid-lowering
      medication. Gemfibrozil lowers plasma triglyceride-rich lipoproteins mainly VLDL
      and increases HDL. It is associated with short plasma half-life (1.5h) and GIT
      distress on long term use. In a study it was found that ethanolamine decreases
      serum cholesterol, especially VLDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol in rats fed an
      HF/HC diet. In the present work, we thought of exploring the effect of co-drug of
      gemfibrozil with ethanolamine (GE-I) as a potential combination therapy for the
      management of mixed hyperlipidemia. Synthesis of GE-I was effected by CDI
      coupling. Structure was confirmed spectrally. Interestingly kinetic studies
      revealed that GE-I resisted chemical and enzymatic hydrolysis. In tritoninduced
      hyperlipidemia, significant lowering of serum lipid levels was observed. The
      hallmark of GEI was its profound effect on HDL level which was raised above the
      normal level by 15%. Docking study also supported modulatory effect of GE-I
      (docking score -7.012) on PPAR-alpha which was comparable to docking score of
      gemfibrozil (-9.432). These preliminary observations prompt us to consider GE-I
      as a novel, serendipitous, hybrid anti-hyperlipidemic new chemical entity which
      needs be studied extensively to prove it as an HDL enhancing anti-hyperlipidemic
      agent. 

PMID- 26285610
TI  - Causes of Chronic Cough in Non-smoking Patients.
AB  - Chronic cough is a common medical problem. The aim of the study was to analyze
      chronic cough causes in non-smoking patients and to search for demographic
      factors associated with different cough reasons. The etiology of cough was
      determined by medical history, diagnostic tests and response to specific
      treatment. Patients with significant abnormalities in the chest radiograph or
      spirometry were not included. The study included 131 non-smoking patients; median
      age 54 years, 77 % female. The most frequent causes of cough were
      gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) (62 %) and upper airway cough syndrome
      (UACS) (46 %). Cough variant asthma and non-asthmatic eosinophilic bronchitis
      (NAEB) were diagnosed in 32 (25 %) and 19 (15 %) patients, respectively. Other
      cough causes were found in 27 patients (21 %). Asthma was a significantly more
      common cause of chronic cough in women than in men (31 % vs. 3 %, p = 0.005). A
      reverse relationship was demonstrated for UACS (39 % vs. 67 %, p = 0.01).
      Patients with chronic cough aged >50 yrs were more likely to be diagnosed with
      less common cough causes. In conclusion, the most common chronic cough reasons
      are GERD and UACS. Asthma-related cough is diagnosed more frequently in females,
      while UACS-related cough is more frequent in males.

PMID- 26285611
TI  - Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Children with Cystic Fibrosis.
AB  - Previously published studies have indicated that gastroesophageal reflux (GER)
      disease is common in pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis. The aim of the
      present study was to get insight into the incidence of GER and to characterize
      the nature of reflux episodes in children with cystic fibrosis. This was a
      multicenter, prospective study of children with cystic fibrosis older than 18
      months. Forty four consecutive patients (22 boys, mean age 10.4 +/- 3.6, range
      3.0-17.8 years) were enrolled into the study. All patients underwent 24 h pH
      impedance monitoring. GER were classified according to the widely recognized
      criteria as an acid, weakly acid, weakly alkaline, or proximal. The pH-impedance
      trace was considered abnormal when acid exposure was >6 %. GER was diagnosed in
      24/44 (54.5 %) children. A total of 1585 (median 35, range 7-128) reflux episodes
      were detected; 1199 (75.6 %) were acidic, 382 (24.1 %) weakly acidic, and 4 (0.3
      %) weakly alkaline. Six hundred and ninety-one (43.6 %) reflux episodes reached
      the proximal esophagus. In 14/44 patients typical GER symptoms were present. We
      conclude that the incidence of GER in children with cystic fibrosis is very high.
      In the majority of patients typical GER symptoms are absent. Therefore,
      diagnostic procedures should be considered, regardless of lacking symptoms.
      Although acid reflux episodes predominate in children with cystic fibrosis,
      classical pH-metry may not constitute a sufficient diagnostic method in this
      population because of a relatively high number of proximal reflux episodes. Such
      episodes also indicate an increased risk for aspiration. The pH-impedance
      diagnostic measurement is advocated when suspecting GER in children with cystic
      fibrosis.

PMID- 26285612
TI  - Usage of Over-the-Counter and Herbal Products in Common Cold in Poland: Findings
      from Consumer Survey.
AB  - Upper respiratory tract infections are usually self-treated with synthetic and
      herbal over-the-counter products. The aim of the study was to assess the reasons
      for the purchase of those medications in Poland. We examined 413 adults, aged 18
      and over (70.5% of them were women) using a questionnaire. The findings
      demonstrate that oral synthetic products were used by 76% of respondents, while
      herbal products by 30%. Synthetic products were used mainly by educated people
      under 65 years of age, students, and the employed. Herbal products were used
      mainly by older people. In conclusion, synthetic products against common cold are
      perceived as more effective. Such medications are used by people who probably
      would like to recover and return to professional activity as quickly as possible.
      As they generally use more medications, they are at increased risk of adverse
      effects resulting from drug interactions, and they should be a target group for
      health education programs.

PMID- 26285613
TI  - The Influence of Asthma Exacerbations on Health-Related Quality of Life.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of asthma on the quality
      of life (QoL) of patients hospitalized for an exacerbation of the disease and
      those with controlled asthma receiving outpatient treatment, and to establish the
      patients' somatic status and the level of health care utilization. This study
      involved 239 adults with asthma (123 hospitalized patients and 116 outpatients of
      family physicians). The authors used: WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire and a
      questionnaire measuring health care utilization. There were no differences in QoL
      levels between the patients with severe and controlled asthma. The psychological
      domain was assessed higher by hospitalized patients (p = 0.02). QoL levels
      correlated negatively with age, place of residence, and marital status, and
      positively with education. The general QoL level was most strongly influenced by
      gender, age, education, the number of home visits and interventions of a district
      nurse, and the somatic index (p < 0.05). Somatic symptoms were more severe in
      hospitalized patients. The QoL assessment of asthma patients in relation to
      somatic symptoms, health care services and socio-demographic variables allows
      better understanding of the complex health situation of patients at various
      stages of the disease, and tailoring the therapy to individual needs. Patients
      receiving outpatient treatment require professional psychotherapeutic support.

PMID- 26285615
TI  - Obinutuzumab in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
AB  - Obinutuzumab is the second next-generation monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody (after
      ofatumumab) to enter clinical practice in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Its
      superiority in association with chlorambucil as compared with chlorambucil alone
      has led to its approval as a first-line treatment for chronic lymphocytic
      leukemia, for patients who are not candidates for a more intensive treatment. 

PMID- 26285614
TI  - Developing renal allograft surveillance strategies - urinary biomarkers of
      cellular rejection.
AB  - PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Developing tailored immunosuppression regimens requires
      sensitive, non-invasive tools for serial post-transplant surveillance as the
      current clinical standards with serum creatinine and proteinuria are ineffective
      at detecting subclinical rejection. The purpose of this review is: (i) to
      illustrate the rationale for allograft immune monitoring, (ii) to discuss key
      steps to bring a biomarker from bench-to-bedside, and (iii) to present an
      overview of promising biomarkers for cellular rejection. SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
      PubMed. FINDINGS: Recent multicentre prospective observational cohort studies
      have significantly advanced biomarker development by allowing for the adequately
      powered evaluation of multiple biomarkers capable of detecting allograft
      rejection. These studies demonstrate that urinary CXCR3 chemokines (i.e. CXCL9
      and CXCL10) are amongst the most promising for detecting subclinical
      inflammation; increasing up to 30 days prior to biopsy-proven acute rejection;
      decreasing in response to anti-rejection therapy; and having prognostic
      significance for the subsequent development of allograft dysfunction. Urinary
      CXCR3 chemokines are measured by simple and cost-effective ELISA methodology,
      which can readily be implemented in clinical labs. LIMITATIONS: Many biomarker
      studies are performed in highly selected patient groups and lack surveillance
      biopsies to accurately classify healthy transplants. Few validation studies have
      been done in unselected, consecutive patient populations to characterize
      population-based diagnostic performance. IMPLICATIONS: Based on these data,
      prospective interventional trials should be undertaken to determine if chemokine
      based post-transplant monitoring strategies can improve long-term renal allograft
      outcomes. This last step will be necessary to move novel biomarkers from the
      bench-to-bedside.

PMID- 26285616
TI  - Superstructure of TiO2 Crystalline Nanoparticles Yields Effective Conduction
      Pathways for Photogenerated Charges.
AB  - Materials with intricate nanostructures display fascinating properties, which
      have inspired extensive research on the synthesis of materials with controlled
      structures. In this study, we investigated the properties of superstructures of
      TiO2 to understand the inter-relationship between structural ordering and
      photocatalytic performance. The nanoplate anatase TiO2 mesocrystals were chosen
      as the typical investigation objects, which were newly synthesized by a
      topotactic structural transformation. The TiO2 mesocrystals displayed the
      superstructure of crystallographically ordered alignment of anatase TiO2
      nanocrystals with high surface area and large high-energy surface {001} planes
      exposed. The photoconductive atomic force microscopy and time-resolved diffuse
      reflectance spectroscopy were utilized to determine the charge transport
      properties of TiO2 mesocrystals, and their features were highlighted by a
      comparison with reference TiO2 samples, for example, anatase TiO2 nanocrystals
      with similar surface area and single crystal structure. Consequently, it was
      found for the first time that such a superstructure of TiO2 could largely enhance
      charge separation and had remarkably long-lived charges, thereby exhibiting
      greatly increased photoconductivity and photocatalytic activity. 

PMID- 26285617
TI  - Organic Semiconductors toward Electronic Devices: High Mobility and Easy
      Processability.
AB  - Chemists worldwide are making strong efforts toward finding an organic
      semiconductor with optimum charge-transport stability and processability
      properties, approaching the problem from several angles. The number and variety
      of organic semiconductors have expanded exponentially during the past few years,
      allowing their classification and identification of the advantages and drawbacks
      of the different candidates, and leading to an increasingly better understanding
      of factors affecting charge carrier mobility. In this Perspective, we present
      different types of materials available, classified according to their
      supramolecular order. As it will be shown, high intermolecular order, although
      beneficial for charge transport, may compromise processability. The required
      balance between processing and high mobility can be achieved only through an
      adequate design at both the molecular and supramolecular levels. 

PMID- 26285618
TI  - Resolution of a Challenge for Solvation Modeling: Calculation of Dicarboxylic
      Acid Dissociation Constants Using Mixed Discrete-Continuum Solvation Models.
AB  - First and second dissociation constants (pKa values) of oxalic acid, malonic
      acid, and adipic acid were computed by using a number of theoretical protocols
      based on density functional theory and using both continuum solvation models and
      mixed discrete-continuum solvation models. We show that fully implicit solvation
      models (in which the entire solvent is represented by a dielectric continuum)
      fail badly for dicarboxylic acids with mean unsigned errors (averaged over six
      pKa values) of 2.4-9.0 log units, depending on the particular implicit model
      used. The use of water-solute clusters and accounting for multiple conformations
      in solution significantly improve the performance of both generalized Born
      solvation models and models that solve the nonhomogeneous dielectric Poisson
      equation for bulk electrostatics. The four most successful models have mean
      unsigned errors of only 0.6-0.8 log units. 

PMID- 26285619
TI  - Enhancement of a Two-Photon-Induced Reaction in Solution Using Light-Harvesting
      Gold Nanodimer Structures.
AB  - We performed a quantitative analysis of plasmon-assisted two-photon photochromic
      reactions on light-harvesting gold nanodimer structures. Our strategy for the
      quantitative analysis of two-photon-induced photochemical reactions on gold
      nanostructures is using not only a confined photochemical reaction chamber but
      also a solution system. The strong intensification of near-field light at the
      nanogap positions on gold nanodimer pairs promoted two-photon absorption by a
      closed-form diarylethene derivative, resulting in highly efficient photochromic
      conversion to the open-form structure. 

PMID- 26285620
TI  - Ligand Discrimination in Myoglobin from Linear-Scaling DFT+U.
AB  - Myoglobin modulates the binding of diatomic molecules to its heme group via
      hydrogen-bonding and steric interactions with neighboring residues, and is an
      important benchmark for computational studies of biomolecules. We have performed
      calculations on the heme binding site and a significant proportion of the protein
      environment (more than 1000 atoms) using linear-scaling density functional theory
      and the DFT+U method to correct for self-interaction errors associated with
      localized 3d states. We confirm both the hydrogen-bonding nature of the
      discrimination effect (3.6 kcal/mol) and assumptions that the relative strain
      energy stored in the protein is low (less than 1 kcal/mol). Our calculations
      significantly widen the scope for tackling problems in drug design and
      enzymology, especially in cases where electron localization, allostery, or long
      ranged polarization influence ligand binding and reaction. 

PMID- 26285621
TI  - Electron Hopping Through Single-to-Few-Layer Graphene Oxide Films. Side-Selective
      Photocatalytic Deposition of Metal Nanoparticles.
AB  - Single- to few-layer graphene oxide (GO) sheets have been successfully anchored
      onto TiO2 films using electrophoretic deposition. Upon UV illumination of TiO2-GO
      films, photogenerated electrons from TiO2 are captured by GO. These electrons are
      initially used in GO's reduction, while additional electron transfer results in
      storage across its sp(2) network. In the presence of silver ions, deposition of
      silver nanoparticles (NPs) is accomplished on the GO surface opposite the TiO2,
      thus confirming the ability of GO to transport electrons through its plane.
      Illumination-controlled reduction of silver ions allows for simple selection of
      particle size and loading, making these semiconductor-graphene-metal (SGM) films
      ideal for custom catalysis and sensor applications. Initial testing of SGM films
      as surface-enhanced resonance Raman (SERRS) sensors produced significant target
      molecule signal enhancements, enabling detection of nanomolar concentrations. 

PMID- 26285622
TI  - Ag@SiO2 Core-Shell Nanostructures: Distance-Dependent Plasmon Coupling and SERS
      Investigation.
AB  - Enhancement of Raman signals of pyrene due to the enhanced electric fields on the
      surface of silver nanoparticles has been investigated by controlling the
      thickness of the silica shell. Dimeric nanostructures having well-defined gaps
      between two silver nanoparticles were prepared, and the gap size (d) was varied
      from 1.5 to 40 nm. The molecules trapped at the dimeric junctions showed higher
      Raman signal enhancements when the gap was less than 15 nm due to the presence of
      amplified electric field, in agreement with our theoretical studies. The
      experimental Raman enhancement factors at the hot spots follow a 1/d(n)
      dependence, with n = 1.5, in agreement with the recent theoretical studies by
      Schatz and co-workers. Experimental results presented here on the distance
      dependence of surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) enhancement at the hot
      spots can provide insight on the design of newer plasmonic nanostructures with
      optimal nanogaps. 

PMID- 26285623
TI  - Insights from Transient Optoelectronic Analyses on the Open-Circuit Voltage of
      Organic Solar Cells.
AB  - In this Perspective, we review recent progress on the use of transient
      optoelectronic techniques to quantify the processes determining the open-circuit
      voltage (VOC) of organic solar cells. Most theoretical treatments of VOC include
      the effects of both material energetics and recombination dynamics, yet most
      experimental approaches are based on materials energetics alone. We show that by
      direct measurement of charge carrier dynamics and densities, the rate of
      nongeminate charge recombination may be determined within working cells and its
      impact on achievable VOC determined. A simple fit-free device model utilizing
      these measurements is shown to agree (to within +/-5 mV) with experimentally
      observed open-circuit voltages for devices comprised of a range of different
      photoactive layer materials and different processing conditions, and utilizing
      both bulk and bilayer heterojunctions. This agreement is significantly better
      than that obtainable from analyzing materials energetics alone, even when
      employing an in situ analysis of effective electronic band gap. We go on to argue
      that the precision of our VOC calculations derives from implicitly including the
      impact of film microstructure on open-circuit voltage. We show that this can
      modulate VOC by up to 200 mV, and thereby account for the limits of energy-based
      models in accurately predicting achievable performance. 

PMID- 26285624
TI  - Plasmon Length: A Universal Parameter to Describe Size Effects in Gold
      Nanoparticles.
AB  - Localized surface plasmon resonances are central to many sensing and signal
      transmission applications. Tuning of the plasmon energy and line width through
      particle size and shape is critical to the design of such devices. To gain
      quantitative information on the size dependence of plasmonic properties, mainly
      due to retardation effects, we correlated optical spectra and structures for 500
      individual gold particles of five different shapes. We show that the effects of
      size on the dipolar plasmon frequency and line width are shape-independent when
      size is described by the plasmon length, the length over which the oscillations
      take place. This result suggests that edge effects are rather unimportant for
      dipolar modes in a large size range between 50 and 350 nm. Therefore, in
      describing the size-dependent plasmonic properties of nanoparticles, one should
      focus on the distance along which the oscillation occurs rather than its
      intrinsic shape. 

PMID- 26285625
TI  - Centrifugal Shape Sorting of Faceted Gold Nanoparticles Using an Atomic Plane
      Selective Surfactant.
AB  - Highly refined shape populations of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are important for
      emerging applications in catalysis, plasmonics, and nanomaterials growth. To
      date, research efforts have focused on achieving monodisperse shape by synthetic
      control or postsynthetic processing that relies on centrifugal sedimentation
      based sorting schemes where differences in the particle mass and aspect ratios
      (e.g., rods and spheres) provide a driving force for separation. Here, we present
      a technique to reversibly modify the sedimentation coefficients of AuNPs
      possessing different shapes that would otherwise be virtually indistinguishable
      during centrifugal sedimentation due to their similar densities, masses, and
      aspect ratios by exploiting the preferential affinity of the surfactant
      cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) for the Au(100) facet. The resulting
      tailored sedimentation coefficients enable AuNP shape sorting via density
      gradient centrifugation (DGC). DGC-refined populations of faceted AuNPs are shown
      to significantly enhance the growth rate of InAs nanowires when used as seed
      particles, emphasizing the importance of shape control for nanomaterials growth
      applications. 

PMID- 26285626
TI  - CoSn5 Phase: Crystal Structure Resolving and Stable High Capacity as Anodes for
      Li Ion Batteries.
AB  - Tin alloys form a class of interesting high-energy-density anode materials for Li
      ion batteries, but the improvement of their cycling stability is elusive. Here,
      we provide new insight on this fatal issue by synthesizing novel CoSn5-phase
      nanospheres via a conversion chemistry route and directly comparing their cell
      behavior with that of recently found FeSn5-phase nanospheres. The CoSn5 phase is
      absent in previous Co-Sn phase diagrams. Co0.83Sn5 nanospheres show a much longer
      cycle life, which partially is related to milder evolution of their cycling
      profiles over time. 

PMID- 26285627
TI  - Molecular Balances Based on Aliphatic CH-pi and Lone-Pair-pi Interactions.
AB  - CH...pi and lone-pair...pi interactions are estimated for a series of
      conformationally dynamic bicyclic N-aryliimides. On the basis of their strengths
      and mutual synergy/competition, the molecules prefer a folded/unfolded
      conformation. Calculations suggest strategies to selectively isolate the folded
      form by increasing the strength of the attractive CH...pi interaction or removing
      the lone-pair...pi repulsion. While the barrier for the folded ? unfolded
      transformation is too large to conformationally lock the molecules in either of
      the conformers, the dynamics for hopping of the alkyl group across rings and
      tumbling over the rings are found to be facile in the folded conformation. 

PMID- 26285628
TI  - System-Dependent Signatures of Electronic and Vibrational Coherences in
      Electronic Two-Dimensional Spectra.
AB  - In this work, we examine vibrational coherence in a molecular monomer, where time
      evolution of a nuclear wavepacket gives rise to oscillating diagonal- and off
      diagonal peaks in two-dimensional electronic spectra. We find that the peaks
      oscillate out-of-phase, resulting in a cancellation in the corresponding pump
      probe spectra. Our results confirm the unique disposition of two-dimensional
      electronic spectroscopy (2D-ES) for the study of coherences. The oscillation
      pattern is in excellent agreement with the diagrammatic analysis of the third
      order nonlinear response. We show how 2D-ES can be used to distinguish between
      ground- and excited-state wavepackets. On the basis of our results, we discuss
      coherences in coupled molecular aggregates involving both electronic and nuclear
      degrees of freedom. We conclude that a general distinguishing criterion based on
      the experimental data alone cannot be devised. 

PMID- 26285629
TI  - Solvent Vapor Annealing of Single Conjugated Polymer Chains: Building Organic
      Optoelectronic Materials from the Bottom Up.
AB  - Optoelectronic devices based on organic materials show a strong relationship
      between the morphological structure of the material and the function of the
      device. One of the grand challenges in improving the efficiencies of these
      devices is hence achieving morphological control throughout the entire course of
      processing. One of the most important postprocessing methods is solvent vapor
      annealing, which has repeatedly demonstrated its utility in improving the
      efficiency of organic-material-based devices by changing bulk-film morphology.
      This Perspective discusses the recent impact of single-molecule spectroscopy
      techniques in unraveling morphological changes and molecular dynamics and
      presents solvent vapor annealing as a tool to build organic optoelectronic
      materials from the bottom up. In particular, we discuss examples of how solvent
      vapor annealing at the single-chain level can be split into two different
      regimes, (i) the solvation regime, in which intrachain interactions and molecular
      dynamics during solvent vapor annealing can be probed, and (ii) the aggregation
      regime, in which the influence of interchain interactions can be probed. Finally,
      it will be shown that solvent vapor annealing in the aggregation regime can be
      used to build highly ordered mesoscopic objects with distinct properties such as
      long-range energy transfer. 

PMID- 26285630
TI  - Effects of Morphology on the Functionality of Organic Electronic Devices.

PMID- 26285631
TI  - Support Shape Effect in Metal Oxide Catalysis: Ceria-Nanoshape-Supported Vanadia
      Catalysts for Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Isobutane.
AB  - The support effect has long been an intriguing topic in catalysis research. With
      the advancement of nanomaterial synthesis, the availability of faceted oxide
      nanocrystals provides the opportunity to gain unprecedented insights into the
      support effect by employing these well-structured nanocrystals. In this Letter,
      we show by utilizing ceria nanoshapes as supports for vanadium oxide that the
      shape of the support poses a profound effect on the catalytic performance of
      metal oxide catalysts. Specifically, the activation energy of VOx/CeO2 catalysts
      in oxidative dehydrogenation of isobutane was found to be dependent on the shape
      of ceria support, rods < octahedra, closely related to the surface oxygen vacancy
      formation energy and the numbe of defects of the two ceria supports with
      different crystallographic surface planes. 

PMID- 26285632
TI  - Synthesis of Surface-Functionalized WS2 Nanosheets and Performance as Li-Ion
      Battery Anodes.
AB  - Separation of bulk tungsten disulfide (or WS2) into few-layer two-dimensional (2
      D) crystals is of interest because of their high surface area for certain
      chemical processes and size-dependent optical and electronic characteristics.
      Herein, we demonstrate a process that involves the physical separation of weakly
      bonded WS2 layers by use of a strong acid treatment (chlorosulfonic acid) at 2
      mg/mL, followed by quenching in deionized (DI) water. X-ray photoelectron
      spectroscopy of the superacid-treated WS2 suggests the formation of W-O type
      bonds, signifying oxidation of tungsten and reduction of the sulfur phase.
      Thermogravimetric analysis showed a three-phase weight-loss pattern, suggesting
      acid functionalization of WS2 surfaces. We also studied the electrochemical
      behavior of an acid-treated WS2 anode in a lithium half-cell configuration that
      showed a three-step charge-discharge behavior, characteristic of a conversion
      reaction. The electrochemical capacity was 118 mAh/g after 50 cycles. 

PMID- 26285633
TI  - What Is the Best Anchoring Group for a Dye in a Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell?
AB  - We developed a computational procedure to screen many different anchoring groups
      used or usable to connect a dye to the semiconducting surface in a dye-sensitized
      solar cell. The procedure leads to a clear identification of the anchoring groups
      that bind strongly to the surface and facilitate the electron injection at the
      same time, providing clear-cut indications for the design of new dyes. The
      complicated interplay of factors that determine the final results (preferred
      adsorption mode, the anchor's effect on the dye's electronic structure, and dye
      semiconductor coupling) is illustrated through a few examples showing how
      chemical intuition can often be misleading in this problem. 

PMID- 26285634
TI  - Modeling Charge Transfer in Fullerene Collisions via Real-Time Electron Dynamics.
AB  - An approach for performing real-time dynamics of electron transfer in a prototype
      redox reaction that occurs in reactive collisions between neutral and ionic
      fullerenes is discussed. The quantum dynamical simulations show that the electron
      transfer occurs within 60 fs directly preceding the collision of the fullerenes,
      followed by structural changes and relaxation of electron charge. The
      consequences of real-time electron dynamics are fully elucidated for the far from
      equilibrium processes of collisions between neutral and multiply charged
      fullerenes. 

PMID- 26285635
TI  - Sequential Energy and Electron Transfer in Polynuclear Complex Sensitized TiO2
      Nanoparticles.
AB  - Polynuclear-polypyridyl complexes exhibit a directional energy-transfer property
      that can improve their photosensitization activity. In the present work, the
      energy-transfer process is explored in a trinuclear Ru2(?)Os1 complex using
      transient absorption spectroscopy. This study reveals an efficient excitation
      energy transfer from the terminal (Ru(II) complex) to the core (Os(II) complex)
      region in the ultrafast time domain (400 fs-40 ps). The excitation energy funnel
      is useful in improving the functionalized core activity. This is evidenced in an
      interfacial electron-transfer study of Ru2(?)Os1, Ru2(?)Ru1, and Os1 complex
      sensitized TiO2 nanoparticle (TiO2 NP) systems. The intramolecular energy
      transfer causes sequential excitation of the core part of the Ru2(?)Os1 complex,
      which leads to multiexponential electron injection into TiO2 NP. Besides this,
      the electronic coupling between the metal ion centers stabilizes the positive
      charge within the trinuclear complex, which results in a slow charge
      recombination reaction. This study shows that polynuclear complexes can be very
      useful for their panchromatic effects, unidirectional energy- and electron
      transfer properties. 

PMID- 26285636
TI  - Reaction of HO with CO: Tunneling Is Indeed Important.
AB  - The potential energy surface and chemical kinetics for the reaction of HO with
      CO, which is an important process in both combustion and atmospheric chemistry,
      were computed using high-level ab initio quantum chemistry in conjunction with
      semiclassical transition state theory under the limiting cases of high and zero
      pressure. The reaction rate constants calculated from first principles agree
      extremely well with all available experimental data, which range in temperature
      over a domain that covers both combustion and terrestrial atmospheric chemistry.
      The role of quantum tunneling is confirmed to be extremely important, which
      supports recent work by Continetti and collaborators regarding the loss of
      hydrogen atoms from vibrationally excited states of HOCO. A sensitivity analysis
      has been carried out and serves as the basis for a plausible estimate of
      uncertainty in the calculations. 

PMID- 26285637
TI  - Synthetic Strategy and Structural and Optical Characterization of Thin Highly
      Crystalline Titanium Disulfide Nanosheets.
AB  - Two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials have recently received significant attention
      because of their attractiveness for use in many nanostructured devices. Layered
      transition-metal dichalcogenides are of particular interest because reducing
      their dimensionality causes changes in their already anisotropic physical and
      chemical properties. The present study describes the first bottom-up solution
      phase synthesis of thin highly crystalline titanium disulfide (TiS2) nanosheets
      (NSs) using abundant low-cost molecular precursors. The obtained TiS2 NSs have
      average dimensions of ~500 nm * 500 nm in the basal plane and have thicknesses of
      ~5 nm. They exhibit broad absorption in the visible that tails out into the near
      infrared. The obtained results demonstrate new opportunities in synthesizing low
      dimensional 2D nanomaterials with potential use in various photochemical energy
      applications. 

PMID- 26285638
TI  - Chiral Conformation at a Molecular Level of a Propeller-Like Open-Shell Molecule
      on Au(111).
AB  - A key stage in engineering molecular functional organizations is represented by
      controlling the supramolecular assembly of single molecular building blocks,
      tectons, into ordered networks. Here, we show how an open-shell, propeller-like
      molecule has been deposited under UHV conditions on Au(111) and its
      supramolecular organization characterized by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM).
      Racemic islands were observed at room temperature, and their chirality was imaged
      at the molecular level at low temperature. Modeling further suggests that the
      observed chirally alternating ordering dominated by intermolecular interactions
      is energetically favored. Electron paramagnetic resonance and ultraviolet
      photoemission spectroscopy evidences suggest that the supramolecular networks may
      preserve the open-shell character of the tecton. These results represent a
      fundamental step forward toward the engineering of purely organic spintronic
      devices. 

PMID- 26285639
TI  - Electrochemical Surface Potential Due to Classical Point Charge Models Drives
      Anion Adsorption to the Air-Water Interface.
AB  - We demonstrate that the driving forces for ion adsorption to the air-water
      interface for point charge models result from both cavitation and a term that is
      of the form of a negative electrochemical surface potential. We carefully
      characterize the role of the free energy due to the electrochemical surface
      potential computed from simple empirical models and its role in ionic adsorption
      within the context of dielectric continuum theory. Our research suggests that the
      electrochemical surface potential due to point charge models provides anions with
      a significant driving force for adsoprtion to the air-water interface. This is
      contrary to the results of ab initio simulations that indicate that the average
      electrostatic surface potential should favor the desorption of anions at the air
      water interface. The results have profound implications for the studies of ionic
      distributions in the vicinity of hydrophobic surfaces and proteins. 

PMID- 26285640
TI  - BiSI Micro-Rod Thin Films: Efficient Solar Absorber Electrodes?
AB  - The development of improved solar energy conversion materials is critical to the
      growth of a sustainable energy infrastructure in the coming years. We report the
      deposition of polycrystalline BiSI thin films exhibiting promising
      photoelectrochemical properties on both metal foils and fluorine-doped tin-oxide
      coated glass slides using a single-source chemical spray pyrolysis technique.
      Their strong light absorption in the visible range and well-crystallized layered
      structure give rise to their excellent photoelectrochemical performance through
      improved electron-hole generation and separation. The structure and surface
      composition of the films are dependent on deposition temperature, resulting in
      dramatic differences in performance over the temperature range studied. These
      results reveal the potential of n-BiSI as an alternative thin film solar energy
      conversion material and may stimulate further investigation into V-VI-VII
      compounds for these applications. 

PMID- 26285641
TI  - CuNb3O8: A p-Type Semiconducting Metal Oxide Photoelectrode.
AB  - A new p-type CuNb3O8 polycrystalline photoelectrode was investigated and was
      determined to have indirect and direct bandgap sizes of 1.26 and 1.47 eV,
      respectively. The p-type polycrystalline film could be prepared on fluorine-doped
      tin oxide glass and yielded a cathodic photocurrent under visible-light
      irradiation (lambda > 420 nm) with incident photon-to-current efficiencies of up
      to ~6-7% and concomitant hydrogen evolution. A Mott-Schottky analysis yielded a
      flat band potential of +0.35 V versus RHE (pH = 6.3) and a calculated p-type
      dopant concentration of ~7.2 * 10(15) cm(-3). The conduction band energies are
      found to be negative enough for the reduction of water under visible light
      irradiation. A hole mobility of ~145 cm(2)/V.s was obtained from J(I)-V(2)
      measurements using the Mott-Gurney relation, which is ~50% higher than that
      typically found for p-type Cu2O. DFT-based electronic structure calculations were
      used to probe the atomic and structural origins of the band gap transitions and
      carrier mobility. Thus, a new p-type semiconductor is discovered for potential
      applications in solar energy conversion. 

PMID- 26285642
TI  - B-cell lymphoma-2 localization in the female reproductive tract of the Chinese
      soft-shelled turtle, Pelodiscus sinensis and its relationship with sperm storage.
AB  - The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression and localization
      of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) in the oviduct of the Chinese soft-shelled turtle,
      Pelodiscus sinensis, during the reproductive cycle to analyze the relationship
      between Bcl-2 and sperm storage. Bcl-2 expression was confirmed in the P.
      sinensis oviduct by western blot analysis. Hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that
      female P. sinensis stored sperm from November to April of the following year. The
      oviduct showed positive immunostaining for Bcl-2 of epithelial ciliated cells,
      gland ducts, and gland cells. Bcl-2 expression in the oviduct was associated with
      sperm storage occurrence. This indicates that the survival factor Bcl-2 may play
      a role in P. sinensis sperm storage.

PMID- 26285643
TI  - The effect of immediate breast reconstruction on the timing of adjuvant
      chemotherapy: a systematic review.
AB  - Adjuvant chemotherapy is often needed to achieve adequate breast cancer control.
      The increasing popularity of immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) raises
      concerns that this procedure may delay the time to adjuvant chemotherapy (TTC),
      which may negatively impact oncological outcome. The current systematic review
      aims to investigate this effect. During October 2014, a systematic search for
      clinical studies was performed in six databases with keywords related to breast
      reconstruction and chemotherapy. Eligible studies met the following inclusion
      criteria: (1) research population consisted of women receiving therapeutic
      mastectomy, (2) comparison of IBR with mastectomy only groups, (3) TTC was
      clearly presented and mentioned as outcome measure, and (4) original studies only
      (e.g., cohort study, randomized controlled trial, case-control). Fourteen studies
      were included, representing 5270 patients who had received adjuvant chemotherapy,
      of whom 1942 had undergone IBR and 3328 mastectomy only. One study found a
      significantly shorter mean TTC of 12.6 days after IBR, four studies found a
      significant delay after IBR averaging 6.6-16.8 days, seven studies found no
      significant difference in TTC between IBR and mastectomy only, and two studies
      did not perform statistical analyses for comparison. In studies that measured TTC
      from surgery, mean TTC varied from 29 to 61 days for IBR and from 21 to 60 days
      for mastectomy only. This systematic review of the current literature showed that
      IBR does not necessarily delay the start of adjuvant chemotherapy to a clinically
      relevant extent, suggesting that in general IBR is a valid option for non
      metastatic breast cancer patients.

PMID- 26285644
TI  - Adipocytes can induce epithelial-mesenchymal transition in breast cancer cells.
AB  - Adipocytes are known to be involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in
      several cancers. However, the role of adipocytes in the EMT of breast cancer
      cells is poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to investigate the
      involvement of adipocytes in the EMT in breast cancer. Breast cancer cell lines
      MCF-7, MDA-MB-453, MDA-MB-435S, MDA-MB-231, and MDA-MB-468 were co-cultured with
      adipocytes and analyzed for morphological changes, proliferation activity, EMT
      markers, migration, and invasion. In addition, 296 human breast cancer specimens
      were classified according to the presence of the fibrous or adipose stroma and
      analyzed by immunohistochemistry for the expression of estrogen and progesterone
      receptors, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, antigen Ki-67, N-cadherin,
      Twist-related protein 1 (TWIST1), high-mobility group AT-hook 2, TGFbeta, and
      S100 calcium-binding protein A4 using tissue microarray. After co-culture with
      adipocytes, MCF-7, MDA-MB-435S, and MDA-MB-231 cells exhibited elongated spindle
      like morphology and increased proliferation; MDA-MB-435S and MDA-MB-231 cells
      also showed increased dispersion. In all tested breast cancer cells, adipocytes
      induced migration and invasion. The EMT-like phenotypic changes and increased
      cell migration and invasion were accompanied by the upregulation of matrix
      metallopeptidase 9 and TWIST1. Consistently, breast cancer tumors with the
      adipose stroma showed higher TWIST1 expression than those with the adipose
      stroma; however, no difference was observed in the levels of other EMT-related
      proteins. Adipocytes stimulate breast cancer cells to acquire aggressive tumor
      phenotype by inducing EMT-associated traits, and breast cancer with the adipose
      stroma expresses EMT markers as breast cancer with the fibrous stroma. 

PMID- 26285645
TI  - Concomitant neoplasms in the skin and stomach unveil the role of type IV collagen
      and E-cadherin in mucin core protein 5AC expression in vivo.
AB  - Mucin core protein (MUC) 5AC is a gel-forming glycoprotein that is expressed in
      different types of tumour cells. MUC5AC expression in cultured cells is regulated
      through the extracellular matrix and through remodelling by other membranous
      proteins such as type IV collagen (COL4) and E-cadherin. However, it has not been
      elucidated whether COL4 and E-cadherin affect MUC5AC expression in tumours in
      vivo. Here, by analysing a single individual with concomitant neoplasms in the
      skin [extramammary Paget disease (EMPD)] and the stomach (gastric cancer), we
      show that MUC5AC expression is reduced in COL4 and membranous E-cadherin
      expressing EMPD specimens whereas MUC5AC is not abolished in gastric cancer with
      COL4 negativity and E-cadherin cytoplasmic localization. As the EMPD and gastric
      cancer specimens were derived from a single patient, each specimen had the same
      genetic background. These in vivo results support previous in vitro studies which
      showed that COL4 and E-cadherin downregulated MUC5AC expression. Our study
      suggests that concomitant neoplasms in different organs of the same individual
      can serve as a strong tool for uncovering functional diversity in tumour markers
      in distinct cancer cells. 

PMID- 26285646
TI  - Role of host beta1- and beta2-adrenergic receptors in a murine model of B16
      melanoma: functional involvement of beta3-adrenergic receptors.
AB  - Complex interactions between tumor cells and their surrounding compartment are
      strongly influenced by the host in which the tumor grows. In melanoma, for
      instance, stress-associated norephinephrine (NE), acting at beta-adrenergic
      receptors (beta-ARs), stimulates melanoma cell proliferation and tumor
      angiogenesis. Among beta-ARs, beta3-ARs play a role acting not only at tumor
      cells but also at non-neoplastic stromal cells within the melanoma. In the
      present study, we used a murine model of B16 melanoma to evaluate the role of the
      host beta1- and beta2-ARs in melanoma growth and we determined whether the role
      of beta3-ARs can be influenced by the absence of stromal beta1- and beta2-ARs. As
      compared to wild-type mice, beta1/2-AR knockout mice displayed (i) increased
      intratumoral levels of both NE and beta3-ARs, as evidentiated at both messenger
      and protein levels; (ii) increased tumor vascularization; (iii) decreased tumor
      cell proliferation but increased tumor cell apoptosis; and (iv) increased
      responsiveness to intratumoral injection of the beta3-AR blocker L-748,337 in
      terms of decrease in tumor growth, tumor vascular response, tumor cell
      proliferation, and increase in tumor cell death. These findings together validate
      the role of beta-AR signaling in melanoma microenvironment suggesting that non
      neoplastic stromal cells may be targeted by beta-AR-related drugs. The additional
      fact that beta3-ARs play an important role in melanoma growth suggests selective
      beta3-AR antagonists as important proapoptotic agents. 

PMID- 26285648
TI  - [Health literacy among less well-educated young people: Influencing factors and
      consequences].
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Health literacy is known to influence health. Findings on the unequal
      distribution of health literacy among less well-educated young people are
      presented. The influence of socio-demographic factors and the consequences of a
      low level of health literacy with regard to health-related behaviour are
      discussed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from a survey on the health literacy of
      young people with a lower level of education, older people and migrants (n =
      1,000) were used. Health literacy was measured using the instruments of the
      European Health Literacy Survey (HLS-EU-Q47). RESULTS: The results demonstrate a
      lower level of health literacy among young people with less education and
      especially among young migrants. Explanations for a lower level of health
      literacy among young people with less well-educated young people were parents'
      educational background and parents' wealth. Migration-related factors had no
      influence on young people. Further correlations between health literacy and
      health behaviour were explored. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that health literacy
      is linked to health behaviour and that unequal distributions of health literacy
      among young people may increase health inequalities.

PMID- 26285647
TI  - 4-protein signature predicting tamoxifen treatment outcome in recurrent breast
      cancer.
AB  - Estrogen receptor (ER) positive tumors represent the majority of breast
      malignancies, and are effectively treated with hormonal therapies, such as
      tamoxifen. However, in the recurrent disease resistance to tamoxifen therapy is
      common and a major cause of death. In recent years, in-depth proteome analyses
      have enabled identification of clinically useful biomarkers, particularly, when
      heterogeneity in complex tumor tissue was reduced using laser capture
      microdissection (LCM). In the current study, we performed high resolution
      proteomic analysis on two cohorts of ER positive breast tumors derived from
      patients who either manifested good or poor outcome to tamoxifen treatment upon
      recurrence. A total of 112 fresh frozen tumors were collected from multiple
      medical centers and divided into two sets: an in-house training and a multi
      center test set. Epithelial tumor cells were enriched with LCM and analyzed by
      nano-LC Orbitrap mass spectrometry (MS), which yielded >3000 and >4000 quantified
      proteins in the training and test sets, respectively. Raw data are available via
      ProteomeXchange with identifiers PXD000484 and PXD000485. Statistical analysis
      showed differential abundance of 99 proteins, of which a subset of 4 proteins was
      selected through a multivariate step-down to develop a predictor for tamoxifen
      treatment outcome. The 4-protein signature significantly predicted poor outcome
      patients in the test set, independent of predictive histopathological
      characteristics (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.17; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.15 to
      4.17; multivariate Cox regression p value = 0.017). Immunohistochemical (IHC)
      staining of PDCD4, one of the signature proteins, on an independent set of
      formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor tissues provided and independent technical
      validation (HR = 0.72; 95% CI = 0.57 to 0.92; multivariate Cox regression p value
      = 0.009). We hereby report the first validated protein predictor for tamoxifen
      treatment outcome in recurrent ER-positive breast cancer. IHC further showed that
      PDCD4 is an independent marker.

PMID- 26285649
TI  - [Overweight in primary school-age children. Prevalence and risk factors].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Various studies show that pre-school age is a sensitive period for
      the development of overweight and obesity. During a longitudinal study between
      2010 and 2013, the municipal health authority (city of Frankfurt) in cooperation
      with the university children's hospital investigated the development of weight in
      children aged 5 to 8. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The weight and height of a
      collective of 5720 children were measured (2010/11). In addition, nutritional and
      exercise habits, as well as media consumption was documented for 4758 children
      through a questionnaire during the school enrolment procedure. The weight and
      height of 3481 children were measured again in the second grade (2012/13).
      RESULTS: Over a period of 24 months, the percentage of overweight (not obese)
      children increased from 7.5 to 9.4 % and that of obese children from 4.5 to 5.0
      %. 164 of 2818 children with a normal initial weight (5.8 %) changed to
      percentile class overweight or obese. 79 of 260 children who were initially
      overweight, not obese (30 %), changed to the group of normal weight, but only 4
      out of 156 obese children (3 %). Increased TV consumption (> 1 h per day),
      availability of their own television, lack of physical activity, and consumption
      of high-calorie drinks were risk factors for the development of overweight during
      the primary school age. 72 % of parents of overweight children and 22 % of obese
      children falsely classified their children as normal weight. CONCLUSIONS:
      Targeted education about the risk of obesity in the primary school age and offers
      for early intervention should be established in the healthcare services
      concerned.

PMID- 26285650
TI  - [Telematics in the public health sector. Where is the protection of health
      data?].
AB  - There is a long history of telematics in the German health system. Apart from the
      growing technical possibilities in the field, it is important to concentrate on
      the protection of health data in telematics applications. Health data in the
      hands of service providers or other third parties entails certain risks for the
      patient's personality rights, because these institutions may not be bound by the
      practice of medical confidentiality. In addition, big data processing risks make
      the individual lives of patients and insured persons totally transparent.
      Measures to reduce these risks have to be taken by the providers as well as by
      the users of telematics infrastructure; they are the ones who should explicitly
      address the relevant risks and dangers in a data protection and IT-security
      concept and develop adequate strategies to cope with these dangers. Additionally,
      the German legislator remains obliged to create a regulatory framework for the
      protection of patients' rights. 

PMID- 26285651
TI  - Reporting rates for severe hypersensitivity reactions associated with
      prescription-only drugs in outpatient treatment in Germany.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine which 10 prescription-only drugs used in outpatient
      treatment in Germany are most frequently reported to induce severe drug
      hypersensitivity reactions taking into account their prescription numbers. In
      addition, the reader should be made aware of respective databases available to
      the public and their limitations. METHODS: Reports of anaphylactic and severe
      cutaneous adverse reactions were identified in the adverse drug reaction database
      of the German competent authority for the time period January 1998 to December
      2012. For frequently reported drugs, the total number of reports was matched with
      their total number of prescriptions resulting in the reporting rate. RESULTS:
      Among the 10 drugs with the highest reporting rate for anaphylactic reactions,
      there were six antibiotics (moxifloxacin, levofloxacin, clindamycin,
      ciprofloxacin, cefuroxime and amoxicillin), three of which were fluoroquinolones.
      The other four drugs were glatiramer, metamizole and two angiotensin-converting
      enzyme inhibitors. Concerning severe cutaneous adverse reactions, four out of ten
      drugs were antibiotics (clindamycin, sulfamethoxazol + trimethoprim,
      ciprofloxacin and amoxicillin), and three were anticonvulsives. Because dental
      prescription numbers were not available to the public, the real reporting rates
      for clindamycin and to a lesser extent for amoxicillin are presumably lower.
      CONCLUSIONS: The predominance of antibiotics among the reports of severe
      immediate and delayed-type drug hypersensitivity reactions is largely in
      accordance with literature although fluoroquinolones seem to be slightly
      overrepresented concerning anaphylactic reactions. The reader should be aware of
      the limitations of adverse drug reaction and prescription databases available to
      the public, and that over-the-counter drugs, such as non-steroidal anti
      inflammatory drugs, and drugs typically administered in hospitals could not be
      considered.

PMID- 26285652
TI  - Mitochondrial Haplotypes Influence Metabolic Traits in Porcine Transmitochondrial
      Cybrids.
AB  - In farm animals, mitochondrial DNA mutations exist widely across breeds and
      individuals. In order to identify differences among mtDNA haplotypes, two porcine
      transmitochondrial cybrids were generated by fusion of a Lantang pig cell line
      devoid of mitochondrial DNA with enucleated cytoplasm from either a Large White
      pig or a Xiang pig harboring potentially divergent mitochondrial haplotypes.
      These cybrid cells were subjected to mitochondrial genome sequencing, copy number
      detecting and analysis of biochemical traits including succinate dehydrogenase
      (SDH) activity, ATP content and susceptibility to reactive oxygen species (ROS).
      The Lantang and Xiang mitochondrial genomes were highly homologous with only 18
      polymorphic sites, and differed radically from the Large White with 201 and 198
      mutations respectively. The Large White and Xiang cybrids exhibited similar mtDNA
      copy numbers and different values among biochemical traits, generated greater ROS
      production (P < 0.05) and less SDH activity (P < 0.05) and a lesser ATP content
      (P < 0.05). The results show that functional differences exist between cybrid
      cells which differ in mitochondrial genomic background. In conclusion,
      transmitochondrial cybrids provide the first direct evidence on pig biochemical
      traits linking different mitochondrial genome haplotypes. 

PMID- 26285653
TI  - Folding propensity of anoplin: A molecular dynamics study of the native peptide
      and four mutated isoforms.
AB  - Anoplin, a cationic decapeptide amide GLLKRIKTLL-NH2 derived from venom sac of
      the solitary wasp Anoplius samariensis has been investigated through Molecular
      Dynamics. The wild-type (WT) and four isoforms were simulated both in water and
      in the membrane-mimicking solvent trifluoroethanol (TFE). In water all the
      investigated species, found to be in rapid equilibrium between different
      conformational states, can be considered as unfolded. On the other hand, in TFE
      all the systems enhance their rigidity and, in general, show alpha-helix as the
      main folded conformation. Interestingly, a semi-quantitative thermodynamic
      analysis has suggested that the folding driving force is not always the same
      being in some cases (e.g., the WT Anoplin) of entropic nature and in other cases
      of energetic nature.

PMID- 26285654
TI  - Birds of a Feather: Pigeon Head Crest Findings Extend to Domesticated Doves.

PMID- 26285655
TI  - Peroxiredoxin 6 triggers melanoma cell growth by increasing arachidonic acid
      dependent lipid signalling.
AB  - Tumour cells are reported to display an imbalance in the levels of ROS (reactive
      oxygen species). Frequently, elevated ROS production goes along with compensatory
      up-regulation of antioxidant enzymes. Accordingly, we found in a previous study
      that protein levels of several peroxiredoxins, including PRDX6 (peroxiredoxin 6),
      are highly elevated in experimentally induced melanomas. In the present study, we
      investigated the functional role of PRDX6 in human melanoma cells. PRDX6 is a
      bifunctional enzyme, which harbours iPLA2 (Ca(2+)-independent phospholipase A2)
      activity in addition to its peroxidase function. Our results show that PRDX6 is
      strongly expressed in most melanoma cells and its expression levels are
      maintained in a post-transcriptional manner, particularly by EGFR (epidermal
      growth factor receptor)-dependent signalling. PRDX6 enhances cell viability
      mainly by enhancing proliferation, which goes along with activation of Src family
      kinases. Interestingly, we were able to show that the phospholipase activity of
      the enzyme mediates the pro-proliferative effect of PRDX6. We identified AA
      (arachidonic acid) as a crucial effector of PRDX6-dependent proliferation and
      inducer of Src family kinase activation. These results support further the
      biological importance of the emerging field of lipid signalling in melanoma and
      highlight the particular functional relevance of PRDX6-dependent phospholipase
      activity. 

PMID- 26285656
TI  - Doxorubicin inhibits E. coli division by interacting at a novel site in FtsZ.
AB  - The increase in antibiotic resistance has become a major health concern in recent
      times. It is therefore essential to identify novel antibacterial targets as well
      as discover and develop new antibacterial agents. FtsZ, a highly conserved
      bacterial protein, is responsible for the initiation of cell division in
      bacteria. The functions of FtsZ inside cells are tightly regulated and any
      perturbation in its functions leads to inhibition of bacterial division. Recent
      reports indicate that small molecules targeting the functions of FtsZ may be used
      as leads to develop new antibacterial agents. To identify small molecules
      targeting FtsZ and inhibiting bacterial division, we screened a U.S. FDA (Food
      and Drug Administration)-approved drug library of 800 molecules using an
      independent computational, biochemical and microbial approach. From this screen,
      we identified doxorubicin, an anthracycline molecule that inhibits Escherichia
      coli division and forms filamentous cells. A fluorescence-binding assay shows
      that doxorubicin interacts strongly with FtsZ. A detailed biochemical analysis
      demonstrated that doxorubicin inhibits FtsZ assembly and its GTPase activity
      through binding to a site other than the GTP-binding site. Furthermore, using
      molecular docking, we identified a probable doxorubicin-binding site in FtsZ. A
      number of single amino acid mutations at the identified binding site in FtsZ
      resulted in a severalfold decrease in the affinity of FtsZ for doxorubicin,
      indicating the importance of this site for doxorubicin interaction. The present
      study suggests the presence of a novel binding site in FtsZ that interacts with
      the small molecules and can be targeted for the screening and development of new
      antibacterial agents. 

PMID- 26285657
TI  - Targeted Disruption of the beta2-Microglobulin Gene Minimizes the Immunogenicity
      of Human Embryonic Stem Cells.
AB  - Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are a promising source of cells for tissue
      regeneration, yet histoincompatibility remains a major challenge to their
      clinical application. Because the human leukocyte antigen class I (HLA-I)
      molecules are the primary mediators of immune rejection, we hypothesized that
      cells derived from a hESC line lacking HLA-I expression could be transplanted
      without evoking a robust immune response from allogeneic recipients. In the
      present study, we used the replacement targeting strategy to delete exons 2 and 3
      of beta2-microglobulin on both gene alleles in hESCs. Because beta2-microglobulin
      serves as the HLA-I light chain, disruption of the beta2-microglobulin gene led
      to complete HLA-I deficiency on the cell surface of hESCs and their derivatives.
      Therefore, these cells were resistant to CD8+ T-cell-mediated destruction.
      Although interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) treatment significantly induced beta2
      microglobulin expression, promoting CD8+ T cell-mediated killing of control hESCs
      and their derivatives, CD8+ T-cell-mediated cytotoxicity was barely observed with
      beta2-microglobulin-null hESCs and their derivatives treated with IFN-gamma. This
      genetic manipulation to disrupt HLA-I expression did not affect the self-renewal
      capacity, genomic stability, or pluripotency of hESCs. Despite being relatively
      sensitive to natural killer (NK) cell-mediated killing due to the lack of HLA-I
      expression, when transplanted into NK cell-depleted immunocompetent mice, beta2
      microglobulin-null hESCs developed into tumors resembling those derived from
      control hESCs in severe combined immunodeficiency mice. These results demonstrate
      that beta2-microglobulin-null hESCs significantly reduce immunogenicity to CD8+ T
      cells and might provide a renewable source of cells for tissue regeneration
      without the need for HLA matching in the future. SIGNIFICANCE: This study reports
      the generation of a novel beta2-microglobulin (B2M)-/- human embryonic stem cell
      (hESC) line. Differentiated mature cells from this line do not express cell
      surface human leukocyte antigen molecules even after interferon-gamma stimulation
      and are resistant to alloreactive CD8+ T cells. Moreover, this B2M-/- hESC line
      contains no off-target integration or cleavage events, is devoid of stable B2M
      mRNA, exhibits a normal karyotype, and retains its self-renewal capacity, genomic
      stability, and pluripotency. Although B2M-/- hESC-derived cells are more
      susceptible to natural killer (NK) cells, murine transplantation studies have
      indicated that they are, overall, much less immunogenic than normal hESCs. Thus,
      these data show for the first time that, in vivo, the advantages provided by B2M
      /- hESC-derived cells in avoiding CD8+ T-cell killing appear significantly
      greater than any disadvantage caused by increased susceptibility to NK cells.

PMID- 26285658
TI  - 2005 Donor Eligibility Requirements: Unintended Consequences for Stem Cell
      Development.
AB  - Several human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived cell therapeutics have entered
      clinical testing and more are in various stages of preclinical development. The
      U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates these products under existing
      regulations and has stated that these products do not constitute a new class of
      biologic. However, as human tissue, hESCs are subject to regulations that were
      developed before hESCs were first described. The regulations have not been
      revised since 2005, well before the first hESC-derived product entered clinical
      studies. The current regulations require donors of hESCs to be tested in the same
      manner as donors of tissues intended for transplantation. However, because hESC
      derived cell products are more than minimally manipulated, they are also subject
      to the same end-of-production release testing as most other biologic agents. In
      effect, this makes hESC products subject to redundant testing. No other biologic
      is subject to a similar testing requirement. Furthermore, the regulations that
      require donor testing are specifically applicable to hESC cells harvested from
      donors after a date in 2005. It is unclear which regulations cover hESCs
      harvested before 2005. Ambiguity in the guidelines and redundant testing
      requirements have unintentionally created a burdensome regulatory paradigm for
      these products and reluctance on the part of developers to invest in these
      promising therapeutics. We propose a simple solution that would address FDA
      safety concerns, eliminate regulatory uncertainty and risk, and provide
      flexibility for the FDA in the regulation of hESC-derived cell therapies.
      SIGNIFICANCE: Regulatory ambiguity concerning donor eligibility screening and
      testing requirements for human embryonic stem cell lines, in particular those
      lines created before 2005, are causing significant concern for drug developers.
      Technically, most of these lines fail to meet eligibility under U.S. Food and
      Drug Administration (FDA) rules for product licensure, and many developers are
      unaware that FDA approval to begin trials under an exemption is not an assurance
      that the FDA will grant licensure of the product. This Perspective outlines the
      ambiguity and the problem it has caused and proposes a workable solution. The
      intent is to generate stakeholder and FDA discussion on this issue.

PMID- 26285660
TI  - Erratum to: Invasive urothelial carcinoma with chordoid features may be an
      ominous sign predicting sarcomatoid change: a case report of a bladder carcinoma.

PMID- 26285661
TI  - Erratum to: Pleomorphic leiomyosarcoma with a dedifferentiation-like appearance
      in the kidney: case report and literature review.

PMID- 26285659
TI  - In Vivo Effects of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Two Patients With Severe Acute
      Respiratory Distress Syndrome.
AB  - Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been investigated as a treatment for
      various inflammatory diseases because of their immunomodulatory and reparative
      properties. However, many basic questions concerning their mechanisms of action
      after systemic infusion remain unanswered. We performed a detailed analysis of
      the immunomodulatory properties and proteomic profile of MSCs systemically
      administered to two patients with severe refractory acute respiratory distress
      syndrome (ARDS) on a compassionate use basis and attempted to correlate these
      with in vivo anti-inflammatory actions. Both patients received 2*10(6) cells per
      kilogram, and each subsequently improved with resolution of respiratory,
      hemodynamic, and multiorgan failure. In parallel, a decrease was seen in multiple
      pulmonary and systemic markers of inflammation, including epithelial apoptosis,
      alveolar-capillary fluid leakage, and proinflammatory cytokines, microRNAs, and
      chemokines. In vitro studies of the MSCs demonstrated a broad anti-inflammatory
      capacity, including suppression of T-cell responses and induction of regulatory
      phenotypes in T cells, monocytes, and neutrophils. Some of these in vitro potency
      assessments correlated with, and were relevant to, the observed in vivo actions.
      These experiences highlight both the mechanistic information that can be gained
      from clinical experience and the value of correlating in vitro potency
      assessments with clinical effects. The findings also suggest, but do not prove, a
      beneficial effect of lung protective strategies using adoptively transferred MSCs
      in ARDS. Appropriate randomized clinical trials are required to further assess
      any potential clinical efficacy and investigate the effects on in vivo
      inflammation. SIGNIFICANCE: This article describes the cases of two patients with
      severe refractory adult respiratory syndrome (ARDS) who failed to improve after
      both standard life support measures, including mechanical ventilation, and
      additional measures, including extracorporeal ventilation (i.e., in a heart-lung
      machine). Unlike acute forms of ARDS (such in the current NIH-sponsored study of
      mesenchymal stromal cells in ARDS), recovery does not generally occur in such
      patients.

PMID- 26285662
TI  - Cognitive outcome in acute simvastatin treatment for aneurysmal subarachnoid
      hemorrhage: A propensity matched analysis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Experimental evidence has indicated the benefit of simvastatin in the
      treatment of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Recently, acute simvastatin treatment
      was not shown to be beneficial in neurological outcome using modified Rankin
      Scale. Cognitive function is another important dimension of outcome assessment
      and yet had not been investigated in statin studies for aneurysmal subarachnoid
      hemorrhage. We therefore explored whether acute simvastatin treatment would
      improve cognitive outcomes. METHODS: The study recruited SAH patients with acute
      simvastatin treatment enrolled in a randomized controlled double-blinded clinical
      trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01038193). A control cohort of SAH
      patients without simvastatin treatment was identified with propensity score
      matching of age and admission grade. Primary outcome measure was Montreal
      Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Secondary outcome measures were delayed ischaemic
      deficit (DID), delayed cerebral infarction, modified Rankin Scale (mRS), and Mini
      Mental State Examination (MMSE). RESULTS: Fifty-one SAH patients with acute
      simvastatin treatment and 51 SAH patients without simvastatin treatment were
      recruited for analysis. At 3 months, there were no differences in MoCA scores
      (MoCA: 21+/-6 vs. 21+/-5, p=0.772). MoCA-assessed cognitive impairment (MoCA<26)
      was not different (75% vs. 80%, OR 0.7, 95%CI 0.3 to 1.8, p=0.477). There were
      also no differences in DID, delayed cerebral infarction, favorable mRS outcome,
      and MMSE scores, and MMSE-assessed cognitive impairment between both groups.
      CONCLUSIONS: The current study does not support that acute simvastatin treatment
      improves cognitive outcome after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

PMID- 26285663
TI  - No relation between sympathetic outflow to muscles and respiratory function in
      amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: In amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), not only impairment of motor
      neurons but also impairment of the autonomic nervous system has been demonstrated
      by previous physiological studies. Several investigators have reported a
      correlation between autonomic dysfunction and respiratory dysfunction in ALS.
      This study analyzed the relation between parameters of respiratory function and
      muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) in a large number of ALS patients.
      METHODS: In 50 patients with ALS (mean age (SD): 62.1 (11.7) years), MSNA, heart
      rate (HR), and blood pressure (BP) were recorded simultaneously. The arterial
      oxygen content (PaO2), arterial carbon dioxide content (PaCO2), and forced vital
      capacity expressed as a percentage of the predicted value for healthy controls
      (%VC) were determined as parameters of respiratory function. RESULTS: There were
      no significant correlations between MSNA and PaO2, PaCO2, %VC, or the disability
      score. Analysis of chronological changes in 14 patients examined twice showed
      that the disability score and PaCO2 were significantly increased, and %VC was
      significantly more decreased at the second examination compared with the first
      examination (p<0.01 and p<0.05, respectively). In contrast, HR, BP, burst rate of
      MSNA, and age-adjusted MSNA exhibited no significant changes between the first
      and second examinations. CONCLUSIONS: These findings show that gradual
      deterioration of respiratory function in ALS patients is not associated with
      changes of quantitative MSNA parameters, which may suggest that abnormality of
      the autonomic nervous system is a primary feature of ALS.

PMID- 26285664
TI  - Prominent cognitive decline and behavioural disturbance in late-onset Alexander
      disease.

PMID- 26285665
TI  - An interesting case of characteristic methanol toxicity through inhalational
      exposure.
AB  - Methanol poisoning is rare but carries high risk of morbidity and mortality. Most
      of the cases witnessed in emergency are due to consumption of adulterated
      alcohol. Here we are reporting a very rare case of methanol poisoning through
      inhalational exposure leading to putamen necrosis and decreased visual acuity. He
      had dyselectrolytemia and metabolic acidosis which was successfully managed with
      early intervention. Its importance lies in the fact that inhalational methanol
      poisoning is an entity which if picked up early can prevent long-term
      neurological sequelae. 

PMID- 26285666
TI  - Evaluation of interactive teaching for undergraduate medical students using a
      classroom interactive response system in India.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The classical didactic lecture has been the cornerstone of the
      theoretical undergraduate medical education. Their efficacy however reduces due
      to reduced interaction and short attention span of the students. It is
      hypothesized that the interactive response pad obviates some of these drawbacks.
      The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an interactive
      response system by comparing it with conventional classroom teaching. METHODS: A
      prospective comparative longitudinal study was conducted on 192 students who were
      exposed to either conventional or interactive teaching over 20 classes. Pre-test,
      Post-test and retentions test (post 8-12 weeks) scores were collated and
      statistically analysed. An independent observer measured number of student
      interactions in each class. RESULTS: Pre-test scores from both groups were
      similar (p = 0.71). There was significant improvement in both post test scores
      when compared to pre-test scores in either method (p < 0.001). The interactive
      post-test score was better than conventional post test score (p < 0.001) by 8-10%
      (95% CI-difference of means - 8.2%-9.24%-10.3%). The interactive retention test
      score was better than conventional retention test score (p < 0.001) by 15-18%
      (95% CI-difference of means - 15.0%-16.64%-18.2%). There were 51 participative
      events in the interactive group vs 25 in the conventional group. CONCLUSIONS: The
      Interactive Response Pad method was efficacious in teaching. Students taught with
      the interactive method were likely to score 8-10% higher (statistically
      significant) in the immediate post class time and 15-18% higher (statistically
      significant) after 8-12 weeks. The number of student-teacher interactions
      increases when using the interactive response pads.

PMID- 26285667
TI  - Development of a clickable bimodal fluorescent/PET probe for in vivo imaging.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Fluorescent imaging agents are becoming evermore important in
      preclinical and clinical research. They do, however, suffer from poor tissue
      penetration, which makes optical fluorescence imaging incompatible with whole
      body imaging techniques. The design of novel bimodal PET active and fluorescent
      tracers could therefore combine the benefits of optical imaging with
      radioactively labeled imaging probes. Herein, we report the synthesis and
      evaluation of a clickable (18)F-labeled fluorescent dye. METHODS: An azide
      modified BODIPY-Fl dye could be successfully radio-labeled with (18)F using an
      (18)F/(19)F exchange reaction of the boron-fluoride core of the BODIPY dye to
      yield a clickable bimodal PET/fluorescent imaging tool. In vitro as well as in
      vivo imaging (PET/fluorescence) using a bombesin analog was conducted to study
      the applicability of the dual-modality imaging probe. RESULTS: We use the radio
      labeled small molecule, (18)F-BODIPY-azide to label site-specifically different
      targeted peptides, based on a standard modular labeling protocol. Following the
      synthesis of a bimodal bombesin analog, we determine the peptide tracer's
      performance in vitro and in vivo, exploring both the optical as well as PET
      imaging capabilities. CONCLUSION: This versatile methodology has the potential to
      have a transformational impact on (18)F radiotracer synthesis, opening the door
      for rapid screening of novel-labeled peptide tracers, both on the cellular
      (optical) as well as whole-body (PET) level.

PMID- 26285668
TI  - Treatment of periprosthetic femoral fractures with modular stems.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyse the efficacy of modular femoral
      stems for the treatment of certain post-operative periprosthetic fractures in
      patients with hip arthroplasty. METHODS: Of a total series of 61 modular revision
      stems, 17 were used to address periprosthetic femoral fractures and 12 of these
      are the object of this study. The average follow-up was 3.7 years (range 1-14
      years). The evaluations were performed at three and six months, and then annually
      using the HHS score and radiographic studies for the assessment of loosening,
      subsidence and bone integration of the stem. RESULTS: Seven cases had type B2
      fractures and five type B3 ones. All patients walked freely, eight of them using
      canes. HHS improved to a post-operative mean of 78 (range 72-83).
      Radiographically, fracture healing was observed at three months in nine cases. In
      six cases stem subsidence of a mean of 3.9 mm (range 2-12 mm) was observed, which
      stabilized a year following implantation and did not need revision surgery. In
      two cases a subsequent dislocation (at three and seven months after surgery)
      occurred, which were treated with constrained acetabular systems. In nine cases
      hypotrophy of the cortex in the diaphyseal area was noted, which did not alter
      the patients' clinical course. CONCLUSION: Modular femoral stems are an
      acceptable treatment in type B2 and B3 periprosthetic fractures.

PMID- 26285669
TI  - The use of customized cages in revision total hip arthroplasty for Paprosky type
      III acetabular bone defects.
AB  - PURPOSE: Revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) is challenging if severe
      periacetabular bone loss is present. Here we describe a method that uses a
      customised cage to reconstruct an acetabulum with a massive bone defect. METHODS:
      Designed with the aid of the rapid prototyping technique, a customised cage with
      a hook, crest and flange or braids was made, and then utilized to reconstruct
      severe compromised acetabulum in revision THA since 2001. Twenty-two patients (23
      hips) were included in this study. The mean patient age at the time of surgery
      was 60.9 years (range, 38-80 years). Three hips had massive acetabular bone
      defects of Paprosky type IIIA and 20 of type IIIB. The Harris hip score was used
      to evaluate hip function. Radiographs were taken to evaluate loosening of the
      cage and resorption of allograft bone. RESULTS: The average follow up was 81.6 +/
      24.9 months. The mean Harris hip score improved from 39.6 pre-operatively to
      80.9 at the final follow-up. There were no instances of deep infection, severe
      venous thrombosis, and nerve palsy. One patient who had an intra-operative
      rupture of the superior acetabular artery was successfully treated using the
      haemostatic suturing technique. Two patients experienced dislocation at post
      operative days four and six, respectively, and both were treated with closed
      reduction and skin traction for three weeks. CONCLUSIONS: The present study
      demonstrates that a customised cage may be a promising option for THA revision of
      severely compromised acetabula. Extended follow-up is necessary to evaluate the
      long-term performance of this approach.

PMID- 26285670
TI  - Pulse Generator Exchange Does Not Accelerate the Rate of Electrical Failure in a
      Recalled Small Caliber ICD Lead.
AB  - BACKGROUND: St. Jude Riata/Riata ST defibrillator leads (St. Jude Medical,
      Sylmar, CA, USA) were recalled by the Food and Drug Administration in 2011 for an
      increased rate of failure. More than 227,000 leads were implanted and at least
      79,000 patients still have active Riata leads. Studies have examined clinical
      predictors of lead failure in Riata leads, but none have addressed the effect of
      implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) generator exchange on lead failure.
      The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of ICD generator exchange on
      the rate of electrical failure in the Riata lead at 1 year. METHODS: A
      retrospective chart review was conducted in patients who underwent implantation
      of a Riata/Riata ST lead at one center. Patients with a functioning Riata lead
      (with/without externalized conductor) at the time of ICD exchange were compared
      to controls with Riata leads implanted for a comparable amount of time who did
      not undergo generator replacement. RESULTS: Riata leads were implanted in 1,042
      patients prior to the recall and 153 of these patients underwent generator
      exchange without lead replacement. Conductor externalization was noted in 21.5%
      of Riata leads in the ICD exchange cohort, which was not different from the
      control group (19.2%; P = 0.32). Two leads failed in the first year after
      generator replacement (1.5%) which did not significantly differ from the control
      group (2.0%; P = 0.57). At change-out, 54% received a commanded shock (18.6 +/-
      0.9 J) that did not result in any change in the high-voltage lead impedance (46.1
      +/- 1.1 ohms). CONCLUSIONS: Conductor externalization was seen frequently in our
      cohort of patients. ICD generator exchange did not accelerate the rate of Riata
      lead failure at 1 year. Although both the control and the change-out cohorts
      failed at a rate much greater than nonrecalled leads, generator exchange did not
      appear to add to the problem.

PMID- 26285671
TI  - fMRat: an extension of SPM for a fully automatic analysis of rodent brain
      functional magnetic resonance series.
AB  - The purpose of this study was to develop a multi-platform automatic software tool
      for full processing of fMRI rodent studies. Existing tools require the usage of
      several different plug-ins, a significant user interaction and/or programming
      skills. Based on a user-friendly interface, the tool provides statistical
      parametric brain maps (t and Z) and percentage of signal change for user-provided
      regions of interest. The tool is coded in MATLAB (MathWorks((r))) and implemented
      as a plug-in for SPM (Statistical Parametric Mapping, the Wellcome Trust Centre
      for Neuroimaging). The automatic pipeline loads default parameters that are
      appropriate for preclinical studies and processes multiple subjects in batch mode
      (from images in either Nifti or raw Bruker format). In advanced mode, all
      processing steps can be selected or deselected and executed independently.
      Processing parameters and workflow were optimized for rat studies and assessed
      using 460 male-rat fMRI series on which we tested five smoothing kernel sizes and
      three different hemodynamic models. A smoothing kernel of FWHM = 1.2 mm (four
      times the voxel size) yielded the highest t values at the somatosensorial primary
      cortex, and a boxcar response function provided the lowest residual variance
      after fitting. fMRat offers the features of a thorough SPM-based analysis
      combined with the functionality of several SPM extensions in a single automatic
      pipeline with a user-friendly interface. The code and sample images can be
      downloaded from https://github.com/HGGM-LIM/fmrat .

PMID- 26285672
TI  - Microemulsion-Based Topical Hydrogels of Tenoxicam for Treatment of Arthritis.
AB  - Tenoxicam (TNX) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used for the
      treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis,
      backache and pain. However, prolonged oral use of this drug is associated with
      gastrointestinal adverse events like peptic ulceration, thus necessitating its
      development as topical formulation that could obviate the adverse effects and
      improve patient compliance. The present study was aimed at development of
      microemulsion-based formulations of TNX for topical delivery at the affected
      site. The pseudoternary phase diagrams were developed and microemulsion
      formulations were prepared using Captex 300/oleic acid as oil, Tween 80 as
      surfactant and n-butanol/ethanol as co-surfactant. Optimized microemulsions were
      characterized for drug content, droplet size, viscosity, pH and zeta potential.
      The ex vivo permeation studies through Laca mice skin were performed using Franz
      diffusion cell assembly, and the permeation profile of the microemulsion
      formulation was compared with aqueous suspension of drug and drug incorporated in
      conventional cream. Microemulsion formulations of TNX showed significantly higher
      (p < 0.001) mean cumulative percent permeation values in comparison to
      conventional cream and suspension of drug. In vivo anti-arthritic and anti
      inflammatory activity of the developed TNX formulations was evaluated using
      various inflammatory models such as air pouch model, xylene-induced ear edema,
      cotton pellet granuloma and carrageenan-induced inflammation. Microemulsion
      formulations were found to be superior in controlling inflammation as compared to
      conventional topical dosage forms and showed efficacy equivalent to oral
      formulation. Results suggest that the developed microemulsion formulations may be
      used for effective topical delivery of TNX to treat various inflammatory
      conditions. 

PMID- 26285673
TI  - Development and Evaluation of a Novel Delivery System Containing
      Phytophospholipid Complex for Skin Aging.
AB  - Citrus auranticum and Glycyrrhiza glabra are rich in anti-oxidant polyphenols
      helpful in prevention of skin aging. Polyphenols have high polarity and lower
      skin penetration resulting in lower cutaneous delivery. The present work is
      attempted to develop a novel polyherbal phospholipid complex cream to improve
      cutaneous delivery of polyphenols for sustained anti-oxidant action.
      Phytochemical and in vitro anti-oxidant evaluation was done on methanolic
      extracts of orange peel and liquorice powder. Total phenolic content, total
      flavonoid content, and anti-oxidant assays were done on different ratios of
      orange peel and liquorice extract. Ratio 1:2 gave highest total phenolic content
      (TPC) (530.00 +/- 1.56 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE) g(-1) extract), total
      flavonoid content (TFC) (246.25 +/- 1.03 mg rutin equivalent (RUE) g(-1)
      extract), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity (87.99 +/-
      0.64%), and H2O2 scavenging activity (72.47 +/- 0.86%) and hence was used for
      formulation. Solvent evaporation method using methanol with 1:1 extract to
      phospholipid ratio was found to have entrapment efficiency of 93.22 +/- 0.26%.
      Evaluation parameters like scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform
      infrared spectrophotometry (FT-IR), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)
      confirmed formation of complex. The complex was formulated as oil-in-water cream
      and evaluated for various parameters. The optimized cream containing 1% complex
      was non-irritant and was found to be stable for 3-month period under conditions
      of stability study. Ex vivo diffusion studies showed that extract phospholipid
      complex cream had better retention of polyphenols in the skin when compared to
      conventional extract cream giving prolonged and stronger topical action. The
      cream had an anti-elastase activity of 28.02 +/- 0.95% at concentration of 3000
      MUg ml(-1) (w/v). Thus, the developed safe and stable polyherbal
      phytophospholipid complex cream exhibited good potential as anti-aging
      cosmeceutical. 

PMID- 26285674
TI  - Differential Diagnosis of Cystic Pancreatic Lesions Including the Usefulness of
      Biomarkers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cystic pancreatic lesions are more and more often found. Malignant
      risk ranges from nil to more than 60%. A precise diagnosis is required to adapt
      surveillance or therapeutic strategy. METHODS: We tried to identify the most
      difficult differential diagnoses encountered in a tertiary center of
      pancreatology and to guide the reader as how to reach the correct strategy and
      diagnosis in these situations. RESULTS: We identified eight clinically difficult
      situations: i) chronic pancreatitis versus intraductal papillary mucinous
      neoplasms, ii) serous versus mucinous cystic neoplasms, iii) serous cystic
      neoplasms versus branch-duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms, iv)
      intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms versus acinar cell cystadenoma, v)
      (pseudo-) solid serous cystic neoplasm versus neuroendocrine tumor, vi)
      pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors versus solid pseudopapillary tumors, vii) cystic
      forms of a solid tumor, and viii) rare pancreatic or peripancreatic cystic
      lesions. The work-up should rely on computed tomography scan, pancreatic magnetic
      resonance imaging, and, only if necessary, endoscopic ultrasound with or without
      fine needle aspiration. CONCLUSION: An expert analysis of imaging data allows a
      precise diagnosis in most of the cases. Pancreatic resection should no longer be
      performed in case of diagnostic doubt.

PMID- 26285675
TI  - A large multiexonic genomic deletion within the ALMS1 gene causes Alstrom
      syndrome in a consanguineous Pakistani family.

PMID- 26285676
TI  - Transcriptome-wide dynamics of RNA pseudouridylation.
AB  - Pseudouridylation is the most abundant internal post-transcriptional modification
      of stable RNAs, with fundamental roles in the biogenesis and function of
      spliceosomal small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs) and ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs). Recently,
      the first transcriptome-wide maps of RNA pseudouridylation were published,
      greatly expanding the catalogue of known pseudouridylated RNAs. These data have
      further implicated RNA pseudouridylation in the cellular stress response and,
      moreover, have established that mRNAs are also targets of pseudouridine
      synthases, potentially representing a novel mechanism for expanding the
      complexity of the cellular proteome. 

PMID- 26285677
TI  - Organelle dynamics: regulation of mitochondrial function by diet.

PMID- 26285678
TI  - The molecular era of the mitochondrial calcium uniporter.
AB  - The mitochondrial calcium uniporter is an evolutionarily conserved calcium
      channel, and its biophysical properties and relevance to cell death,
      bioenergetics and signalling have been investigated for decades. However, the
      genes encoding this channel have only recently been discovered, opening up a new
      'molecular era' in the study of its biology. We now know that the uniporter is
      not a single protein but rather a macromolecular complex consisting of pore
      forming and regulatory subunits. We review recent studies that harnessed the
      power of molecular biology and genetics to characterize the mechanism of action
      of the uniporter, its evolution and its contribution to physiology and human
      disease. 

PMID- 26285683
TI  - Bilateral Retinal Detachments Caused by Severe Preeclampsia Diagnosed with Point
      of-Care Ultrasound.
AB  - Bilateral retinal detachments are a rare complication of preeclampsia. We present
      a case report of a patient with an unknown pregnancy who presented with acute
      bilateral vision loss and elevated blood pressure. Point-of-care ocular
      ultrasound revealed bilateral retinal detachments. She was diagnosed with severe
      preeclampsia and taken for an urgent caesarean section with the delivery of a 26
      week-old infant. 

PMID- 26285679
TI  - Specificity and nonspecificity in RNA-protein interactions.
AB  - To fully understand the regulation of gene expression, it is critical to
      quantitatively define whether and how RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) discriminate
      between alternative binding sites in RNAs. Here, we describe new methods that
      measure protein binding to large numbers of RNA variants, and ways to analyse and
      interpret data obtained by these approaches, including affinity distributions and
      free energy landscapes. We discuss how the new methodologies and the associated
      concepts enable the development of inclusive, quantitative models for RNA-protein
      interactions that transcend the traditional binary classification of RBPs as
      either specific or nonspecific. 

PMID- 26285686
TI  - Structural and magnetic properties of mixed Co-Ln (Ln = Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd and Ho)
      diethyleneglycolate complexes.
AB  - New hybrid compounds LnCoCl(deg)2 (deg = diethyleneglycolate; Ln = Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd
      and Ho) have been synthesized by mixing cobalt and rare earth cations in a
      boiling diethyleneglycol (degH2) medium. Their crystallographic structures have
      been ab initio solved from synchrotron powder diffraction data. They consist of
      edge sharing tetrameric sub-units [(Ln2Co2)(deg)4(Cl)2] forming 1D infinite
      chains along the c parameter of a monoclinic unit cell (SG = C2/c). The five- and
      seven-coordination of Co(2+) and Ln(3+) cations inferred from the
      crystallographic results is confirmed by UV-visible absorption and Extended X-ray
      Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy. In the LnCoCl(deg)2 (Ln = Nd, Sm,
      Eu, Gd, Ho) series, weak antiferromagnetic superexchange interactions have been
      evidenced, between high spin Co(2+) and Ln(3+) orbitally degenerate cations.
      These materials are considered as potential precursors for the simultaneous
      reduction of Co-Ln-glycolate species into bimetallic nanoparticles by the polyol
      process. 

PMID- 26285684
TI  - Membrane microparticles: shedding new light into cancer cell communication.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Microparticles (MPs) or ectosomes are small enclosed fragments (from
      0.2 to 2 MUm in diameter) released from the cellular plasma membrane. Several
      oncogenic molecules have been identified inside MPs, including soluble proteins
      XIAP, survivin, metalloproteinases, CX3CL1, PYK2 and other microRNA-related
      proteins; membrane proteins EGFR, HER-2, integrins and efflux pumps; and
      messenger RNAs and microRNAs miR-21, miR-27a, let-7, miR-451, among others.
      Studies have shown that MPs transfer their cargo to neoplastic or non-malignant
      cells and thus contribute to activation of oncogenic pathways, resulting in cell
      survival, drug resistance and cancer dissemination. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION:
      This review summarizes recent findings on MP biogenesis and the role of the MPs
      cargo in cancer and discusses some of the RNAs and proteins involved. In
      addition, the discussion covers evidence of (1) how and which signaling pathways
      can be activated by MPs in recipient cells; (2) recipient cell-type selectivity
      in incorporation of proteins and RNAs transported by MPs; and (3) how upon
      stimulation, stromal cells release MPs, promoting resistance to chemotherapeutics
      and invasiveness in cancer cells.

PMID- 26285685
TI  - Comparison of individual component deletions in a glucose-specific
      phosphotransferase system revealed their different applications.
AB  - The phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent glucose-specific phosphotransferase system
      (PTS(Glc)) is the main glucose uptake pathway in Escherichia coli that affects
      both substrate assimilation and metabolism leading to the product formation. In
      this study, the effect of single PTS(Glc) mutation on cell growth and substrate
      consumption was investigated by knocking out the genes involved in the
      phosphotransfer cascade of the PTS(Glc). In addition, the distribution of the
      metabolites of mutants was analyzed. Each mutant was confirmed to have different
      adaptability in the presence of both glucose and xylose with different ratios,
      and a substrate mixture with high xylose content can be completely consumed in
      short time when the ptsI mutant is employed. Finally, ptsH deletion was for the
      first time applied for succinate production due to its well performance under
      anaerobic condition. Strain YL104H, in which ptsH was deleted, exhibited
      considerably increased succinate yield under both aerobic and anaerobic
      conditions. The succinate titer and overall productivity reached 511.11 mM and
      1.01 g/L/h after 60 h during the whole-phase fermentation in a mineral salt
      medium. The present results demonstrated the glucose and xylose co-utilization
      efficiency and the product yield and productivity can be significantly improved
      if a suitable PTS(Glc) deletion mutant was selected. 

PMID- 26285687
TI  - Bioinspired Nano-Prodrug with Enhanced Tumor Targeting and Increased Therapeutic
      Efficiency.
AB  - Nanotechnology-based drug delivery has a great potential to revolutionize cancer
      treatment by enhancing anticancer drug efficacy and reducing drug toxicity. Here,
      a bioinspired nano-prodrug (BiNp) assembled by an antineoplastic peptidic
      derivative (FA-KLA-Hy-DOX), a folate acid (FA)-incorporated proapoptotic peptide
      (KLAKLAK)(2) (KLA) to doxorubicin (DOX) via an acid-labile hydrozone bond (Hy) is
      constructed. The hydrophobic antineoplastic agent DOX is efficiently shielded in
      the core of nano-prodrug. With FA targeting moieties on the surface, the obtained
      BiNp shows significant tumor-targeting ability and enhances the specific uptake
      of cancer cells. Upon the trigger by the intracellular acidic microenvironment of
      endosomes, the antineoplastic agent DOX is released on-demand and promotes the
      apoptosis of cancer cells. Simultaneously, the liberated FA-KLA can induce the
      dysfunction of mitochondria and evoke mitochondria-dependent apoptosis. In vitro
      and in vivo results show that the nano-prodrug BiNp with integrated programmed
      functions exhibits remarkable inhibition of tumor and achieves a maximized
      therapeutic efficiency with a minimized side effect.

PMID- 26285688
TI  - Gap junctional protein Cx43 is involved in the communication between
      extracellular vesicles and mammalian cells.
AB  - Intercellular communication is vital to ensure tissue and organism homeostasis
      and can occur directly, between neighbour cells via gap junctions (GJ), or
      indirectly, at longer distances, through extracellular vesicles, including
      exosomes. Exosomes, as intercellular carriers of messenger molecules, mediate the
      transfer of biological information between donor and acceptor cells. Although the
      biological effects of exosomes in target cells have been intensively studied, the
      mechanisms that govern exosomal uptake are not fully understood. Here, we show
      that Connexin 43 (Cx43), the most widely expressed GJ protein, is present in
      exosomes in the form of hexameric channels and, more importantly, that exosomal
      Cx43 is able to modulate the interaction and transfer of information between
      exosomes and acceptor cells. This study envisions a new paradigm where Cx43
      containing channels mediate the release of exosomal content into cells, which
      constitutes a novel and unanticipated mechanism to modulate intercellular
      communication. 

PMID- 26285689
TI  - Reusable and specific proton transfer signalling by inorganic cyanide in solution
      and solid phase.
AB  - A highly specific cyanide mediated proton transfer signalling (PTS) is exhibited
      by a simple diaminomalenonitrile (DAMN) derivative 1. By virtue of the functional
      groups on it, the chromophore offered a rigid anchoring on a silica surface via a
      simple dip method, while retaining the recognition behaviour. The PTS triggered a
      prompt dual-modal display i.e., chromogenic and fluorogenic. The signal readout
      can be visualized even in micromolar concentrations. It is noteworthy that PTS
      can be reversed in both solution and solid phases. The remarkable sensitivity of
      1 to detect CN(-) from the solution and solid phase envisages a pivotal step
      towards field-usable sensing. 

PMID- 26285690
TI  - Neutrophil function in young and old caregivers.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The present study examined the effects of caregiving stress and ageing
      on neutrophil function in young and older individuals. DESIGN: As a model of
      caregiving, young parents (aged 38.3 +/- 4.78) of children with developmental
      disabilities were recruited and compared to older caregivers (aged 70 +/- 6.03),
      full time carers of a spouse with dementia. Age- and gender-matched controls were
      also assessed. METHODS: Participants completed a questionnaire pack assessing
      health behaviours, psychosocial status and caregiving characteristics, and
      provided a blood sample for assay of neutrophil function (phagocytosis of
      Escherichia coli and generation of reactive oxygen species to E. coli). RESULTS:
      Despite scoring poorly on the majority of psychological and caregiving variables,
      neutrophil function in caregivers was comparable to that in controls and was
      unexpectedly higher in older adults when compared to younger adults overall.
      However, those caregivers who reported higher psychological morbidity
      (depression, perceived stress, poor sleep quality), and more burdensome
      caregiving showed some evidence of poorer neutrophil phagocytic function.
      CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine the effect of
      caregiving stress on neutrophil function in young and older participants
      simultaneously. Overall, neutrophil function was preserved in caregivers with
      neutrophil phagocytosis compromised only in those with the highest levels of
      distress. This suggests that, in future studies, more attention should be paid to
      individual differences among caregivers rather than caregiving status per se.
      STATEMENT OF CONTRIBUTION: What is already known on this subject? Ageing is
      accompanied by the decrease in innate and adaptive immunity, termed
      immunosenescence. Caregiving stress has been shown to exert negative effect on
      immune function in both young and old. What does this study add? The study
      examined effect of caregiving and ageing simultaneously in four groups of
      participants. Neutrophil function and stress hormone levels were preserved in the
      stressed in both age groups. Those with higher psychological morbidity had poorer
      neutrophil phagocytosis.

PMID- 26285691
TI  - Nitric Oxide Contributes to Vasomotor Tone in Hypertensive African Americans
      Treated With Nebivolol and Metoprolol.
AB  - Endothelial dysfunction is more prevalent in African Americans (AAs) compared
      with whites. The authors hypothesized that nebivolol, a selective beta1 
      antagonist that stimulates nitric oxide (NO), will improve endothelial function
      in AAs with hypertension when compared with metoprolol. In a double-blind,
      randomized, crossover study, 19 AA hypertensive patients were randomized to a 12
      week treatment period with either nebivolol 10 mg or metoprolol succinate 100 mg
      daily. Forearm blood flow (FBF) was measured using plethysmography at rest and
      after intra-arterial infusion of acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside to
      estimate endothelium-dependent and independent vasodilation, respectively.
      Physiologic vasodilation was assessed during hand-grip exercise. Measurements
      were repeated after NO blockade with L-N(G) -monomethylarginine (L-NMMA) and
      after inhibition of endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF) with
      tetraethylammonium chloride (TEA). NO blockade with L-NMMA produced a trend
      toward greater vasoconstriction during nebivolol compared with metoprolol
      treatment (21% vs 12% reduction in FBF, P=.06, respectively). This difference was
      more significant after combined administration of L-NMMA and TEA (P<.001).
      Similarly, there was a contribution of NO to exercise-induced vasodilation during
      nebivolol but not during metoprolol treatment. There were significantly greater
      contributions of NO and EDHF to resting vasodilator tone and of NO to exercise
      induced vasodilation with nebivolol compared with metoprolol in AAs with
      hypertension.

PMID- 26285692
TI  - Variation in hospital caesarean section rates for women with at least one
      previous caesarean section: a population based cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Internationally, repeat caesarean sections make the largest
      contribution to overall caesarean section rates and inter-hospital variation has
      been reported. The aim of this study was to determine if casemix and hospital
      factors explain variation in hospital rates of repeat caesarean sections and
      whether these rates are associated with maternal and neonatal morbidity. METHODS:
      This population-based record linkage study utilised data from New South Wales,
      Australia between 2007 and 2011. The study population included maternities with
      any previous caesarean section(s) and were singleton, cephalic and >= 37 weeks'
      gestation (Robson Group 5). Multilevel regression models were used to examine
      variation in hospital rates of 'planned repeat caesarean section' and, among
      women who planned a vaginal birth, 'intrapartum caesarean section'. We assessed
      associations between risk-adjusted hospital rates of planned and intrapartum
      caesarean sections and rates of casemix adjusted maternal and neonatal morbidity,
      postpartum haemorrhage and Apgar score <7 at five minutes. RESULTS: Of 61894
      maternities with a previous caesarean section in 81 hospitals, 82.1% resulted in
      a caesarean section (72.7% planned and 9.4% unplanned intrapartum caesareans) and
      17.9% in vaginal birth. Observed hospital rates of planned caesarean sections
      ranged from 50.7% to 98.4%. Overall 49.0% of between-hospital variation in
      planned repeat caesarean section rates was explained by patient (17.3%) and
      hospital factors (31.7%). Increased odds of planned caesarean section were
      associated with private hospital status and lower hospital propensity for vaginal
      birth after caesarean. There were no associations between hospital rates of
      planned repeat caesarean section and adjusted morbidity rates. Among women who
      intended a vaginal birth, the observed rates of intrapartum caesarean section
      ranged from 12.9% to 71.9%. In total, 27.5% of between-hospital variation in
      rates of intrapartum caesarean section was explained by patient (19.5%) and
      hospital factors (8.0%). The adjusted morbidity rates differed among hospital
      intrapartum caesarean section rates, but were influenced by a few hospitals with
      outlying morbidity rates. CONCLUSIONS: Among women with at least one previous
      caesarean section, less than half of the variation in hospital caesarean section
      rates was explained by differences in hospital's patient characteristics and
      practices. Strategies aimed at modifying caesarean section rates for these women
      should not affect morbidity rates.

PMID- 26285693
TI  - Understanding the information needs of women with rheumatoid arthritis concerning
      pregnancy, post-natal care and early parenting: A mixed-methods study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) face a number of
      challenges in negotiating the journey to parenthood, no studies have explored the
      information needs of women with RA in relation to their childbearing years. This
      study aimed to determine the need for (and preferred mode/s of delivery of)
      information regarding pregnancy, post-natal care and early parenting among women
      with RA. METHODS: Interviews and focus groups were conducted with 27 women with
      RA who were pregnant in the last 5 years, currently pregnant or planning
      pregnancy. Verbatim transcripts were analysed using both inductive and deductive
      approaches. Two validated instruments were used to quantify information needs and
      preferences: the Educational Needs Assessment Tool (ENAT, range 0-156, higher
      scores indicate higher educational needs) and the Autonomy Preference Index (API,
      range 0-100, higher scores indicate stronger preferences). RESULTS: Lack of
      information about medication safety, access to physical/emotional support
      services and practical strategies for coping with daily challenges related to
      parenting were the most prominent of the six key themes identified.
      Rheumatologists were the primary source for information regarding treatment
      decisions while arthritis consumer organisations were perceived as critical
      'resource hubs'. There was strong preference for information delivered
      electronically, especially among rural participants. Quantitative outcomes
      supported the qualitative findings; on average, participants reported high
      educational needs (mean ENAT score 97.2, SD 30.8) and API scores indicated that
      desire for information (mean 89.8, SD 5.6) was greater than the need for
      involvement in treatment decision-making (mean 68.4, SD 8.2). CONCLUSIONS: Many
      women with RA struggle to find adequate information on pregnancy planning,
      pregnancy and early parenting in relation to their chronic condition, and there
      is a clear need to develop accessible information that is consumer-focused and
      evidence-based. Although most participants trusted their rheumatologist as their
      primary information source, there was consistent demand for more information,
      particularly regarding the safety of RA medications during pregnancy and
      breastfeeding, and the importance of learning from other women's personal
      experiences was strongly emphasised.

PMID- 26285694
TI  - Co-existing of adenoid cystic carcinoma and invasive squamous cell carcinoma of
      the uterine cervix: a report of 3 cases with immunohistochemical study and
      evaluation of human papillomavirus status.
AB  - BACKGROUNDS: The aim of this study was to describe the clinicopathological
      characteristics and high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection status in
      patients diagnosed with co-existing of adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) and
      invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the uterine cervix. METHODS: Three
      patients were identified from the pathology databank of Peking Union Medical
      College Hospital from year 2000 to 2014. Immunohistochemistry and in situ
      hybridization (ISH) were employed in this study. RESULTS: The patients were aged
      64, 77 and 63 years (average, 68 years old). All the patients were postmenopausal
      women who presented with bloody or watery vaginal discharge. The cervical
      cytology screening results were all suspicious for high-grade squamous
      intraepithelial lesion (HSIL). The subsequent cervical colposcopy biopsies all
      showed cervical intraepithelial neoplasia III (CINIII). One patient received only
      a cervical conization, whereas the other two patients underwent hysterectomy. The
      immunohistochemical results showed that the ACC compartments were positive for
      CK7 and CD117; the cases of SCC were negative for CK7 and CD117. P63 staining was
      strongly positive and diffuse throughout the SCC compartments, whereas only
      patchy positive areas were observed in the ACC. MYB exhibited strong nuclear
      staining in the ACC and SCC compartments but negative staining in the
      endocervical gland. In situ hybridization (ISH) signals for high-risk HPV DNA and
      mRNA were present in the two compartments of all three patients. The patients had
      no evidence of disease at an average follow-up time of 21.6 months. CONCLUSION:
      High-risk HPV was present in both the ACC and SCC compartments in all three
      patients.

PMID- 26285695
TI  - Long-term safety and efficacy of antithymocyte globulin induction: use of
      integrated national registry data to achieve ten-year follow-up of 10-10 Study
      participants.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Rabbit antithymocyte globulin (rATG, Thymoglobulin(r)) is the most
      common induction immunosuppression therapy in kidney transplantation. We applied
      a database integration strategy to capture and compare long-term (10-year)
      outcome data for US participants in a clinical trial of rATG versus FDA-approved
      basiliximab. METHODS: Records for US participants in an international, 1-year,
      randomized clinical trial comparing rATG and basiliximab induction in deceased
      donor kidney transplantation were integrated with records from the US national
      Organ Procurement and Transplantation (OPTN) registry using center, transplant
      dates, recipient sex, and birthdates. The OPTN captures center-reported acute
      rejection, graft failure, death, and cancer events, and incorporates
      comprehensive death records from the Social Security Death Master File. Ten-year
      outcomes according to randomized induction regimen were compared by Kaplan-Meier
      analysis (two-sided P). Non-inferiority of rATG was assessed using a one-tailed
      equivalence test (a-priori equivalence margins of 0-10 %). RESULTS: Of 183 US
      trial participants, 89 % (n = 163) matched OPTN records exactly; the remainder
      were matched by extending agreement windows for transplant and birthdates.
      Matches were validated by donor and recipient blood types. By Kaplan-Meier
      analysis, 10 years post-transplant, freedom from acute rejection, graft failure,
      or death was 32.6 % and 24.0 % in the rATG and basiliximab arms, respectively (P
      = 0.09). The incidence of acute rejection with rATG versus basiliximab induction
      was 21.0 % versus 32.8 % (P = 0.07). Patient survival (52.8 % [Corrected] versus
      52.2 %, P = 0.92) and graft survival (34.3 % versus 30.9 %, P = 0.56) rates were
      numerically and statistically similar for both arms. Comparison of the composite
      outcome meets non-inferiority criteria even with a 0 % equivalence margin (one
      sided P = 0.04). With a 10 % equivalence margin, the odds that rATG is no worse
      than basiliximab for 10-year risk of the composite endpoint are >99 %.
      CONCLUSIONS: Ten years post-transplant, rATG induction has comparable efficacy
      and safety to FDA-approved basiliximab. Integration of clinical trial records
      with national registry data can enable long-term monitoring of trial participants
      in transplantation, circumventing logistical and cost barriers of extended follow
      up. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00235300.

PMID- 26285696
TI  - Markers of iron status are associated with stage of pregnancy and acute-phase
      response, but not with parity among pregnant women in Guinea-Bissau.
AB  - While prenatal Fe supplementation prevents maternal Fe deficiency and anaemia, it
      is uncertain whether it improves infant health outcomes, at least when taken by
      Fe-replete women. Inflammation as well as physiological changes complicates the
      assessment of Fe status during pregnancy. In the present study, we measured the
      concentrations of serum ferritin and soluble transferrin receptors (sTfR), Hb and
      the acute-phase proteins C-reactive protein (CRP) and alpha1-antichymotrypsin
      (ACT) in a cross-sectional study among 738 pregnant women attending antenatal
      care in Guinea-Bissau, West Africa. Multiple linear regression analysis was used
      to identify the predictors of Fe status markers. The mean gestational age was 23
      (sd 7) weeks. Serum ferritin values were lower with progressing gestation, from
      27% lower during weeks 16-20 of gestation up to 59% lower after 29 weeks of
      gestation compared with early pregnancy. Using cut-off values for Fe deficiency
      as established in non-pregnant individuals, 52% of the women had sTfR levels >2.3
      mg/l, while only 25% had serum ferritin levels 2.3 mg/l decreased to 47% after
      adjustment for elevated serum CRP and ACT levels. On the contrary, the proportion
      of serum ferritin < 12 MUg/l increased to 33% after adjustment for ACT and CRP.
      The high proportion of elevated serum sTfR calls for pregnancy-specific cut-offs
      since increased erythropoiesis is expected in response to increased plasma volume
      of pregnancy. The present study further underlines the need to adjust for
      inflammation when serum sTfR and serum ferritin are used to assess Fe status in
      pregnancy.

PMID- 26285698
TI  - Identification of new biomarkers for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome by
      expression-based genome-wide association study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Accumulated to-date gene microarray data on Acute Respiratory
      Distress Syndrome (ARDS) in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) represent a rich
      source for identifying new unsuspected targets and mechanisms of ARDS. The
      recently developed expression-based genome-wide association study (eGWAS) for
      analysis of GEO data was successfully used for analysis of gene expression of
      comparatively noncomplex adipose tissue, 75 % of which is represented by
      adipocytes. Although lung tissue is more heterogenic and does not possess a
      prevalent cell type for driving gene expression patterns, we hypothesized that
      eGWAS of ARDS samples will generate biologically meaningful results. METHODS: The
      eGWAS was conducted according to (Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 109:7049-7054, 2012)
      and genes were ranked according to p values of chi-square test. RESULTS: The
      search of GEO retrieved 487 ARDS related entries. These entries were filtered for
      multiple qualitative and quantitative conditions and 219 samples were selected:
      mouse n sham/ARDS = 67/92, rat n = 13/13, human cells n = 11/11, canine n = 6/6
      with the following ARDS model distributions: mechanical ventilation (MV)/cyclic
      stretch n = 11; endotoxin (LPS) treatment n = 8; MV + LPS n = 3; distant organ
      injury induced ARDS n = 3; chemically induced ARDS n = 2; Staphylococcus aureus
      induced ARDS n = 2; and one experiment each for radiation and shock induced ARDS.
      The eGWAS of this dataset identified 42 significant (Bonferroni threshold P <
      1.55 * 10(-6)) genes. 66.6 % of these genes, were associated previously with lung
      injury and include the well known ARDS genes such as IL1R2 (P = 4.42 * 10(-19)),
      IL1beta (P = 3.38 * 10(-17)), PAI1 (P = 9.59 * 10(-14)), IL6 (P = 3.57 * 10(
      12)), SOCS3 (P = 1.05 * 10(-10)), and THBS1 (P = 2.01 * 10(-9)). The remaining
      genes were new ARDS candidates. Expression of the most prominently upregulated
      genes, CLEC4E (P = 4.46 * 10(-14)) and CD300LF (P = 2.31 * 10(-16)), was
      confirmed by real time PCR. The former was also validated by in silico pathway
      analysis and the latter by Western blot analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Our first in the
      field application of eGWAS in ARDS and utilization of more than 120 publicly
      available microarray samples of ARDS not only justified applicability of eGWAS to
      complex lung tissue, but also discovered 14 new candidate genes which associated
      with ARDS. Detailed studies of these new candidates might lead to identification
      of unsuspected evolutionarily conserved mechanisms triggered by ARDS.

PMID- 26285697
TI  - Gene expression during zombie ant biting behavior reflects the complexity
      underlying fungal parasitic behavioral manipulation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Adaptive manipulation of animal behavior by parasites functions to
      increase parasite transmission through changes in host behavior. These changes
      can range from slight alterations in existing behaviors of the host to the
      establishment of wholly novel behaviors. The biting behavior observed in
      Carpenter ants infected by the specialized fungus Ophiocordyceps unilateralis
      s.l. is an example of the latter. Though parasitic manipulation of host behavior
      is generally assumed to be due to the parasite's gene expression, few studies
      have set out to test this. RESULTS: We experimentally infected Carpenter ants to
      collect tissue from both parasite and host during the time period when
      manipulated biting behavior is experienced. Upon observation of synchronized
      biting, samples were collected and subjected to mixed RNA-Seq analysis. We also
      sequenced and annotated the O. unilateralis s.l. genome as a reference for the
      fungal sequencing reads. CONCLUSIONS: Our mixed transcriptomics approach,
      together with a comparative genomics study, shows that the majority of the fungal
      genes that are up-regulated during manipulated biting behavior are unique to the
      O. unilateralis s.l. genome. This study furthermore reveals that the fungal
      parasite might be regulating immune- and neuronal stress responses in the host
      during manipulated biting, as well as impairing its chemosensory communication
      and causing apoptosis. Moreover, we found genes up-regulated during manipulation
      that putatively encode for proteins with reported effects on behavioral outputs,
      proteins involved in various neuropathologies and proteins involved in the
      biosynthesis of secondary metabolites such as alkaloids.

PMID- 26285700
TI  - Directly observed treatment short-course (DOTS) for treatment of new tuberculosis
      cases in Somali Regional State, Eastern Ethiopia: ten years retrospective study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A third of the world population is infected with tuberculosis (TB)
      bacilli. TB accounts for 25% of all avoidable deaths in developing countries. The
      objective of the study was to assess impact of directly observed treatment short
      course (DOTS) strategy on new tuberculosis case finding and treatment outcomes in
      Somali Regional State, Ethiopia from 2003 up to 2012 and from 2004 up to 2013,
      respectively. METHODS: A health facility based retrospective study was employed.
      Quarterly reports were collected using World Health Organization (WHO) reporting
      format for TB case finding and treatment outcome from all zones in the region to
      the Federal Ministry of Health. RESULTS: A total of 31, 198 all types of new TB
      cases were registered and reported during the period from 2003 up to 2012, in the
      region. Out of these, smear positive pulmonary TB cases were 12,466 (40%), and
      10,537 (33.8%) and 8195 (26.2%) for smear negative pulmonary TB and extra
      pulmonary TB cases, respectively. An average case detection rate (CDR) of 19.1%
      (SD 3.6) and treatment success rate (TSR) of 85.5% (SD 5.0) for smear positive
      pulmonary TB were reported for the specified years period. For the overall study
      period, trend chi-squire analysis for CDR was X(2) = 2.1; P > 0.05 and X(2) =
      5.64; P < 0.05 for TSR. CONCLUSIONS: The recommended TSR set by WHO was achieved
      (85.5%) and the CDR reported was far below (19.1%) from the recommended target.
      Extensive efforts should be established to maintain the achieved TSR and to
      increase the low CDR for the smear positive pulmonary TB cases through
      implementing alternative case finding strategies.

PMID- 26285699
TI  - Major decrease in malaria transmission on Mayotte Island.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Plasmodium falciparum is responsible for most malaria cases on
      Mayotte Island, in the Comorian Archipelago. Malaria is endemic and a major
      public health problem in the archipelago with an intense, stable and permanent
      transmission. This study reports results of 8 years of malaria surveillance from
      2007 to 2014 after the strengthening of malaria control activities in Mayotte and
      the neighbouring islands. METHODS: Surveillance was based on physicians' reports
      of malaria cases between January 2007 and December 2014. Malaria cases were
      confirmed by at least a positive rapid diagnostic test and/or demonstration of
      Plasmodium sp. in a blood smear. The date, and the patients' age, sex, address,
      presentation of symptoms, biology, treatment and recent history of travel were
      collected by verbal questioning during consultation and/or hospitalization.
      Monthly rainfall data were also compiled during the study period. RESULTS: From
      2007 to 2014, 2073 cases were reported on Mayotte Island: 977 imported cases, 807
      autochthonous cases and 289 cases of unknown origin. The total malaria annual
      parasite incidence lowered from 3.0 in 2007 to 0.07 per 1,000 inhabitants in 2014
      as the autochthonous malaria incidence decreased from 1.6 to 0.004 per 1,000
      inhabitants in the same period and in all age groups. Most of the imported cases
      came from Comoros (94 %). Severe forms represented approximately 11 % of cases,
      and only two deaths have been recorded among the imported cases. Approximately 19
      % of cases were hospitalized (3 % in an intensive care unit). There is clearly a
      decrease in malaria transmission in Mayotte since 2007 and the goal of
      elimination seems more achievable than ever. In 2011, Mayotte entered the
      elimination phase when P. falciparum API passed under 1 case per 1,000 people at
      risk. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of vector control measures, active
      surveillance and case management, including effective treatment with artemisinin
      based combination therapy, has been essential to achieve a present status of low
      and decreasing malaria transmission on the island. Mayotte has entered the
      elimination phase, but some goals remain to be accomplished before a programme re
      orientation toward malaria elimination is contemplated. Moreover, a regional
      management policy is crucial because this would allow control measures to be
      targeted and based on a regional surveillance-response system rather than
      isolated.

PMID- 26285701
TI  - Musculoskeletal symptoms in an adolescent athlete population: a comparative
      study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal pain, symptoms or injuries are prevalent in the
      adolescent athlete population as well as in the general adolescent population,
      and often have significant consequences on their future musculoskeletal health.
      However, differences between these two populations in regards to their
      musculoskeletal health are not known and have not yet been explored. Therefore,
      the main objectives of this study are to 1) compare the 6-month prevalence of
      musculoskeletal symptoms and their impact on school attendance and reduction in
      sport or leisure activity between a group of adolescent athletes and a group of
      control adolescents, and 2) determine if gender has different effects on the
      prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in these two populations. METHODS: Among
      adolescents who participated in the 2012 Quebec summer games, 1,865 agreed to
      participate and constituted the adolescent athletes group (mean age:14.12 +/-
      1.22). An additional cohort of 707 adolescents from two schools was also
      recruited to form the comparison control group (mean age: 14.69 +/- 1.38).
      Anthropometric data were collected, and the musculoskeletal 6-month prevalence of
      symptoms and their related impacts were assessed using the Teen Nordic
      Musculoskeletal Screening Questionnaire (TNMQ-S). Participants' characteristics
      as well as symptoms prevalence for the nine anatomical regions as well as their
      impact on school/work absence and reduction in physical/leisure activities were
      compared between athletes and control adolescents. RESULTS: When compared to
      athlete adolescents, significantly more controls had a positive 6-month
      prevalence of symptoms affecting the neck (48.8% vs 26.3%), upper back (41.3% vs
      18.1%) and low back (45.4% vs 35.8%) when compared to athlete. Symptoms affecting
      the spine led to significantly more school absence and reduction in physical
      activity in the control group. Controls also showed higher prevalence of shoulder
      (37.1% vs 28.3%) and wrist/hand (23.8% vs 17.4%) symptoms, while athletes had a
      higher prevalence of elbow symptoms (8.7% vs 11.4%). CONCLUSION: Despite their
      higher risk of injuries related to high levels of competition or sport
      participation, adolescent athletes have fewer symptoms affecting the spine than
      "typical adolescents", and similar prevalence of symptoms affecting the body's
      extremities. Further investigations are necessary to understand the differences
      between athletes and non-athletes in regard to disability and long-term
      complications associated to musculoskeletal pain or symptoms.

PMID- 26285702
TI  - Improved coverage and timing of childhood vaccinations in two post-Soviet
      countries, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Timing of childhood vaccinations has received close attention in many
      countries. Little is known about the trends in correctly timed vaccination in
      former Soviet countries. We examined trends in vaccination coverage and correct
      timing of vaccination in two post-Soviet countries, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan, and
      analyzed factors associated with delayed vaccinations. METHODS: We used data from
      the Demographic and Health Surveys; the surveys were conducted in 2000 (n =
      1726), 2005 (n = 1430) and 2010 (n = 1473) in Armenia and in 1997 (n = 1127) and
      2012 (n = 4363) in Kyrgyzstan. We applied the Kaplan-Meier method to estimate age
      specific vaccination coverage with diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP)
      vaccine and a measles-containing vaccine (MCV). A Cox proportional hazard
      regression with shared frailty was used to examine factors associated with
      delayed vaccinations. RESULTS: Vaccination coverage for all three doses of the
      DTP vaccine increased in Armenia from 92 % in 2000 to 96 % in 2010. In
      Kyrgyzstan, DTP coverage was 96 % and 97 % in 1997 and 2012, respectively.
      Vaccination coverage for MCV increased from 89 % (Armenia, 2000) and 93 %
      (Kyrgyzstan, 1997) to 97 % (Armenia, 2010) and 98 % (Kyrgyzstan, 2012). The
      proportion of children with correctly timed vaccinations increased over time for
      all examined vaccinations in both countries. For example, the proportion of
      children in Armenia with correctly timed first DTP dose (DTP1) increased from 46
      % (2000) to 66 % (2010). In Kyrgyzstan, the proportion of correctly timed DTP1
      increased from 75 % (1997) to 87 % (2012). In Armenia, delays in the third DTP
      dose (DTP3) and MCV vaccinations were less likely to occur in the capital,
      whereas in Kyrgyzstan DTP3 and MCV start was delayed in the capital compared to
      other regions of the country. Also, in Armenia living in urban areas was
      associated with delayed vaccinations. CONCLUSIONS: Vaccination coverage and
      timing of vaccination improved over the last years in both countries. Further
      efforts are needed to reduce regional differences in timely vaccinations.

PMID- 26285703
TI  - Does obesity have detrimental effects on IVF treatment outcomes?
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of body mass
      index (BMI) on the in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment outcomes in a cohort of
      women undergoing their first IVF, using an intracytoplasmic sperm injection
      (ICSI). METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 298 cycles from women
      younger than 38 years old undergoing IVF-ICSI at a university infertility clinic.
      The treatment cycles were divided into three groups according to the BMI of the
      women involved: normal weight (18.5 <= BMI < 25 kg/m(2), 164 cycles), overweight
      (25 <= BMI < 30 kg/m(2), 70 cycles), and obese (BMI >= 30 kg/m(2), 64 cycles).
      The underweight women (BMI < 18.5 kg/m(2)) were not included in the analysis due
      to small sample size (n = 22). The patient characteristics and IVF-ICSI treatment
      outcomes were compared between the BMI groups. RESULTS: The total gonadotropin
      dose (p <0.001) and duration of stimulation (p = 0.008) were significantly higher
      in the obese group when compared to the normal BMI group. There were no
      significant differences across the BMI categories for the other IVF-ICSI cycle
      outcomes measured, including the number of retrieved oocytes, mature oocytes,
      embryos suitable for transfer, proportion of oocytes fertilized, and cycle
      cancellation rates (p >0.05 for each). Additionally, clinical pregnancy,
      spontaneous abortion, and the ongoing pregnancy rates per transfer were found to
      be comparable between the normal weight, overweight, and obese women (p >0.05 for
      each). CONCLUSION: Obese women might require a significantly higher dose of
      gonadotropins and longer stimulation durations, without greatly affecting the
      pregnancy outcomes.

PMID- 26285704
TI  - The effect of standard dose multivitamin supplementation on disease progression
      in HIV-infected adults initiating HAART: a randomized double blind placebo
      controlled trial in Uganda.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Efficacy trials investigating the effect of multivitamin (MV)
      supplementations among patients on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART)
      have so far been inconclusive. We conducted a randomized, double blind, placebo
      controlled trial to determine the effect of one recommended daily allowance (RDA)
      of MV supplementation on disease progression in patients initiating HAART.
      METHODS: Eligible subjects were randomized to receive placebo or MV
      supplementation including vitamins B-complex, C and E. Participants were followed
      for up to 18 months. Primary endpoints were: change in CD4 cell count, weight and
      quality of life (QoL). Secondary endpoints were: i) development of a new or
      recurrent HIV disease progression event, including all-cause mortality; ii)
      switching from first- to second-line antiretroviral therapy (ART); and iii)
      occurrence of an adverse event. Intent-to-treat analysis, using linear regression
      mixed effects models were used to compare changes over time in the primary
      endpoints between the study arms. Kaplan-Meier time-to-event analysis and the log
      rank test was used to compare HIV disease progression events and all-cause
      mortality. RESULTS: Four hundred participants were randomized, 200 onto MV and
      200 onto placebo. By month 18, the average change in CD4 cell count in the MV arm
      was 141 cells/uL compared to 147 cells/uL in the placebo arm, a mean difference
      of -6 . 17 [95 % CI -29 . 3, 16 . 9]. The average change in weight in the MV arm
      was 3 . 9 kg compared to 3 . 3 kg in the placebo arm, a mean difference of 0 . 54
      [95 % CI -0 . 40, 1 . 48]; whereas average change in QoL scores in the MV arm was
      6 . 8 compared to 8 . 8 in the placebo arm, a mean difference of -2.16 [95 % CI 
      4 . 59,0 . 27]. No significant differences were observed in these primary
      endpoints, or in occurrence of adverse events between the trial arms.
      CONCLUSIONS: One RDA of MV supplementation was safe but did not have an effect on
      indicators of disease progression among HIV infected adults initiating HAART.
      TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical trials NCT01228578 , registered on 15th October
      2010.

PMID- 26285705
TI  - Genetic variations of MUC17 are associated with endometriosis development and
      related infertility.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Genetic alterations of mucin genes, such as MUC2 and MUC4, were
      previously identified to be associated with endometriosis and related
      infertility. Additionally, gene expression profiling has confirmed MUC17 to be
      overexpressed in mucinous ovarian carcinoma; however, its associated risk for
      endometriosis remains unclear. This study was focused on the potential impact of
      genetic variations in MUC17 on endometriosis development and associated clinical
      features. METHODS: The study subjects included 189 female Taiwanese patients with
      pathology-proven endometriosis and 191 healthy Taiwanese women as controls. Five
      single-nucleotide polymorphisms (rs4729645, rs10953316, rs74974199, rs4729655,
      and rs4729656) within the MUC17 gene were selected and genotyped using the Taqman
      genotyping assay to examine the allele frequency and genotype distributions of
      MUC17 polymorphisms. RESULTS: Genotyping revealed that the A allele at rs10953316
      in MUC17 was a protective genetic factor in endometriosis development (p = 0.008;
      OR = 0.53; 95% CI: 0.36-0.79). Genetic variation of rs4729655 protected patients
      against endometriosis-induced infertility, but was associated with a higher
      cancer antigen 125 (CA125) level. Base-pairing analysis, called MaxExpect,
      predicted an additional loop in the mRNA structure caused by rs10953316
      polymorphism, possibly influencing ribosome sliding and translation efficiency.
      Such predictions were confirmed by immunohistochemistry that patients with AA
      genotype at rs10953316 showed low MUC17 levels in their endometrium, patients
      with GA genotype showed moderate levels, and strong staining could be found in
      patients with GG genotype. CONCLUSIONS: MUC17 polymorphisms are involved in
      endometriosis development and the associated infertility in the Taiwanese
      population.

PMID- 26285706
TI  - Intra-esophageal whitish mass - a challenging diagnosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Whitish intraluminal esophageal masses might represent the endoscopic
      feature of a bezoar or a pedunculated tumor, most likely a fibrovascular polyp,
      without exclusion of other mesenchymal tumors (leiomyoma, lipoma,
      gastrointestinal stromal tumor, leiomyosarcoma, granular cell tumor). If a
      process of dystrophic calcification is also encountered the differential
      diagnosis can be a challenge even after histological analysis, as it is
      highlighted by our case. CASE PRESENTATION: A 65-year-old female whom took
      lactate calcium tablets for 5 years presented with progressive dysphagia. A
      whitish esophageal mass with an appearance of a pharmacobezoar was detected at
      esophagoscopy. A pedunculated tumor was considered in the differential diagnosis,
      but the imagistic studies ruled out a pedicle. This intraluminal esophageal mass
      highly suggestive for a pharmacobezoar was endoscopically removed. The challenge
      of correct diagnosis was raised by histological examination performed after
      immersion into trichloracetic acid for decalcification. The identification of
      hyaline fibrous tissue, with numerous crystalline basophils deposits of minerals,
      rare fibrocytes and very few vessels brought in discussion a mesenchymal
      originating mass, most likely a fibrovascular polyp, even the pedicle was not
      detected. CONCLUSION: Based on our challenging and difficult to diagnose case we
      proposed an uncommon evolution: auto-amputation and calcification of an
      esophageal mesenchymal originating tumor (most likely a fibrovascular polyp).

PMID- 26285708
TI  - Plan and road map for health reform in Iran.

PMID- 26285707
TI  - Study of acute transfusion reactions in a teaching hospital of Sikkim: A
      hemovigilance initiative.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Blood transfusions are inherently associated with risks ranging in
      severity from minor to life-threatening. Continuous monitoring of transfusion
      related complications can promote understanding of factors contributing to
      transfusion reactions and help to formulate necessary remedial measures. This
      study was designed to analyze the frequency and nature of transfusion reactions
      reported to the blood bank of a remote North East Indian teaching hospital.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: All acute transfusion reactions (ATRs) reported to the
      blood bank over a period of 20 months (May 2013 to January 2015) were reviewed
      and analyzed. The risk of transfusion reactions associated with each individual
      component was assessed. RESULTS: A total of 3455 units of whole blood and
      component transfusions were carried out of which a total of 32 (0.92%) ATRs were
      encountered. Packed red blood cells (PRBCs) (n = 15, P = 0.06) and whole blood
      (WB) (n = 13, P = 0.83) were most commonly implicated. Allergic reaction was the
      most frequent transfusion reaction encountered (65.6%), seen most commonly with
      PRBC (risk of 0.76%, P = 0.42), and WB (risk of 0.68%, P = 0.63) transfusions.
      This was followed by febrile reactions (28.1%), which were seen more commonly
      with PRBCs (risk of 0.57%, P = 0.016). No reactions were observed with platelet
      transfusions. CONCLUSION: The overall incidence of transfusion reactions in this
      hospital is slightly higher than those having more advanced transfusion
      facilities in India. The lack of leukoreduction facilities in our hospital could
      be a likely cause for the same. The use of leukoreduced WB and PRBCs could
      possibly reduce the overall incidence of ATRs in general and febrile nonhemolytic
      transfusion reactions in particular.

PMID- 26285709
TI  - Different functional modes of BAR domain proteins in formation and plasticity of
      mammalian postsynapses.
AB  - A plethora of cell biological processes involve modulations of cellular
      membranes. By using extended lipid-binding interfaces, some proteins have the
      power to shape membranes by attaching to them. Among such membrane shapers, the
      superfamily of Bin-Amphiphysin-Rvs (BAR) domain proteins has recently taken
      center stage. Extensive structural work on BAR domains has revealed a common
      curved fold that can serve as an extended membrane-binding interface to modulate
      membrane topologies and has allowed the grouping of the BAR domain superfamily
      into subfamilies with structurally slightly distinct BAR domain subtypes (N-BAR,
      BAR, F-BAR and I-BAR). Most BAR superfamily members are expressed in the
      mammalian nervous system. Neurons are elaborately shaped and highly
      compartmentalized cells. Therefore, analyses of synapse formation and of
      postsynaptic reorganization processes (synaptic plasticity) - a basis for
      learning and memory formation - has unveiled important physiological functions of
      BAR domain superfamily members. These recent advances, furthermore, have revealed
      that the functions of BAR domain proteins include different aspects. These
      functions are influenced by the often complex domain organization of BAR domain
      proteins. In this Commentary, we review these recent insights and propose to
      classify BAR domain protein functions into (1) membrane shaping, (2) physical
      integration, (3) action through signaling components, and (4) suppression of
      other BAR domain functions. 

PMID- 26285710
TI  - Don't forget hand care when promoting hand hygiene in hospitals.

PMID- 26285711
TI  - Correction and Addition to "Tuning Metal-Organic Frameworks with Open-Metal Sites
      and Its Origin for Enhancing CO2 Affinity by Metal Substitution".

PMID- 26285712
TI  - Artificial Spectrin Shells Reconstituted on Giant Vesicles.
AB  - In the experimental approach to a synthetic minimal cell, the membrane
      compartment is a main component. Lipid vesicles represent the natural host for
      the artificial reconstruction of a cytomimetic membrane skeleton able to support
      mechanical function. Using the membrane component of human erythroid cells, we
      have reconstructed a membrane shell composed of a spectrin skeleton and fed by
      ATP. The structural and mechanical analysis reveals this spectrin skeleton as
      topological network supporting mechanical rigidity. Such an artificial shell
      would define a membrane compartment mechanically stable under physiological
      conditions. 

PMID- 26285713
TI  - Reduced Water Density in a Poly(ethylene oxide) Brush.
AB  - A model poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) brush system, prepared by spreading a
      poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(n-butyl acrylate) (PEO-PnBA) amphiphilic diblock
      copolymer onto an air-water interface, was investigated under various grafting
      density conditions by using the X-ray reflectivity (XR) technique. The overall
      electron density profiles of the PEO-PnBA monolayer in the direction normal to
      the air-water interface were determined from the XR data. From this analysis, it
      was found that inside of the PEO brush, the water density is significantly lower
      than that of bulk water, in particular, in the region close to the PnBA-water
      interface. Separate XR measurements with a PnBA homopolymer monolayer confirm
      that the reduced water density within the PEO-PnBA monolayer is not due to
      unfavorable contacts between the PnBA surface and water. The above result,
      therefore, lends support to the notion that PEO chains provide a hydrophobic
      environment for the surrounding water molecules when they exist as polymer brush
      chains. 

PMID- 26285714
TI  - Thioflavin T Promotes Abeta(1-40) Amyloid Fibrils Formation.
AB  - Fibrillogenesis of the small peptide Abeta(1-40) is considered to be the hallmark
      of Alzheimer's disease. Some evidence indicates small oligomers, rather than
      mature fibrils, as the key cytotoxic agents. The fluorescent dye Thioflavin T
      (ThT) is often used to detect amyloid deposits in both in vivo and in vitro
      experiments, and it is used to study kinetic measurements, under the fundamental
      hypothesis that this probe does not influence the aggregation processes. We
      report experimental data showing that ThT may promote the Abeta(1-40) peptide
      amyloid aggregation changing solvent-peptide interactions and stabilizing more
      ordered beta-like conformation. This finding has a two-fold importance: It is a
      fundamental warning in all fibrillation experiments where ThT is used as
      fluorescent probe, and it suggests that ThT, accelerating fibril formation, could
      be used to reduce the presence of transient small oligomers, thus interfering
      with the pathogenic impact of Abeta peptide. 

PMID- 26285715
TI  - Crystal Nucleation without Supersaturation.
AB  - Classical nucleation theory (CNT) has been extensively employed to interpret
      crystal nucleation phenomena and postulates the formation of an ordered
      crystalline nucleus directly from vapor or solution. Here, we provide the first
      experimental demonstration of a two-step mechanism that facilitates deposition of
      crystals on solid surfaces from vapor. Crucially, this occurs from saturated
      vapor without the need for supersaturation, conditions that, according to CNT,
      cannot lead to direct deposition of crystals from vapor. Instead, the process
      relies on condensation of supercooled liquid in surface cavities below the
      melting point. Crystals then nucleate in this liquid, leading to rapid deposition
      of more solid. Such a mechanism has been postulated for atmospheric nucleation of
      ice on aerosol particles and may have analogies in the crystallization of
      biominerals via amorphous precursor phases. 

PMID- 26285716
TI  - Functionalization of Graphene Oxide with Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane
      (POSS) for Multifunctional Applications.
AB  - Through the amide formation between amine-functionalized polyhedral oligomeric
      silsesquioxane (POSS) and oxygen-containing groups (e.g., epoxy and carboxyl
      groups) in graphene oxide (GO), we have synthesized POSS-functionalized graphene
      nanosheets (POSS-graphene), which are highly soluble in various organic solvents
      attractive for multifunctional applications. Thin films from solution casting of
      the resultant POSS-graphene were found to show superhydrophobic properties with a
      water/air contact angle of ~157 degrees , while the superhydrophobic POSS
      graphene powder could be used to construct liquid marbles. In addition, the POSS
      graphene hybrids were also used as novel nanofillers to increase the glass
      transition temperature (Tg) and decompose temperature (Td) for polymers. 

PMID- 26285717
TI  - Water Desalination with Wires.
AB  - We show the significant potential of water desalination using a novel capacitive
      wire-based technology in which anode/cathode wire pairs are constructed from
      coating a thin porous carbon electrode layer on top of electrically conducting
      rods (or wires). By alternately dipping an array of electrode pairs in freshwater
      with and in brine without an applied cell voltage, we create an ion
      adsorption/desorption cycle. We show experimentally how in six subsequent cycles
      we can reduce the salinity of 20 mM feed (brackish) water by a factor of 3, while
      application of a cation exchange membrane on the cathode wires makes the
      desalination factor increase to 4. Theoretical modeling rationalizes the
      experimental findings, and predicts that system performance can be significantly
      enhanced by material modifications. To treat large volumes of water, multiple
      stacks of wire pairs can be used simultaneously in a "merry-go-round" operational
      mode. 

PMID- 26285718
TI  - Synthesis and the Origin of the Stability of Thiolate-Protected Au130 and Au187
      Clusters.
AB  - Two stable thiolate-protected gold clusters (Au-SR), Au130 and Au187 clusters,
      were synthesized to obtain a better understanding of the size dependence of the
      origin of the stability of Au-SR clusters. These clusters were synthesized by
      employing different preparation conditions from those used to synthesize
      previously reported magic gold clusters; in particular, a lower [RSH] to [AuCl4(
      )] molar ratio ([AuCl4(-)]/[RSH] = 1:1) was used than that used to prepare
      Au25(SR)18, Au38(SR)24, Au68(SR)34, Au102(SR)44, and Au144(SR)60 (id. = 1:4-12).
      The two clusters thus synthesized were separated from the mixture by high
      performance liquid chromatography with reverse-phase columns. Mass spectrometry
      of the products revealed the presence of two clusters with chemical compositions
      of Au130(SC12H25)50 and Au187(SC12H25)68. The origin of the stability of these
      two clusters and the size dependence of the origin of the stability of thiolate
      protected gold clusters were discussed in terms of the total number of valence
      electrons. 

PMID- 26285719
TI  - Analysis of the Origin of Open Circuit Voltage in Dye Solar Cells.
AB  - Changes in the composition of the electrolyte are known to affect the parameters
      that determine the performance of dye solar cells. This paper describes a robust
      method for the analysis of the photovoltage in dye solar cells. The method
      focuses on the study of recombination resistance and chemical capacitance of TiO2
      obtained from impedance spectroscopy. Four dye solar cells with electrolytes
      producing known effects on photovoltage behavior have been studied. Effects of
      conduction band shifts and changes in recombination rate in the photovoltage have
      been evaluated quantitatively. 

PMID- 26285720
TI  - Ultrafast Photoinduced Dynamics at Air/Liquid and Liquid/Liquid Interfaces.
AB  - Although liquid/liquid and air/liquid interfaces are omnipresent, very little is
      known up to now about the dynamics of processes occurring at such interfaces. As
      a detailed understanding of these processes could be of invaluable technological,
      environmental, and medical importance, considerable effort has been invested over
      the last two decades in developing new interface-selective techniques that allow
      for gaining further insight into the dynamics of these processes. Whereas several
      major results have been achieved that helped to contribute to a deeper
      understanding, there are still many aspects concerning the properties of liquid
      interfaces that are not yet fully understood. In this Perspective, the work that
      has been carried out so far on photoinduced interfacial dynamics will be reviewed
      and the current challenges in this still emerging field of research discussed. 

PMID- 26285721
TI  - Correction to "Catalytic Activity of Pd/Cu Random Alloy Nanoparticles for Oxygen
      Reduction".

PMID- 26285722
TI  - Non-Ergodic Electron Transfer in Mixed-Valence Charge-Transfer Complexes.
AB  - Theories of activated transitions traditionally separate the dynamics and
      statistics of the thermal bath in the reaction rate into the preexponential
      frequency factor for the dynamics and a Boltzmann factor for the statistics. When
      the reaction rate is comparable to relaxation frequencies of the medium, the
      statistics loses ergodicity and the activation barrier becomes dependent on the
      medium dynamics. This scenario is realized for mixed-valence self-exchange
      electron transfer at temperatures near the point of solvent crystallization.
      These complexes, studied by Kubiak and coworkers, display anti-Arrhenius
      temperature dependence on lowering temperature when approaching crystallization;
      that is, the reaction rate increases nonlinearly in Arrhenius coordinates.
      Accordingly, the solvent relaxation slows down following a power temperature law.
      With this functional form for the relaxation time, nonergodic reaction kinetics
      accounts well for the observations. 

PMID- 26285723
TI  - Epitaxial Heterostructures of Lead Selenide Quantum Dots on Hematite Nanowires.
AB  - We present a novel method for synthesizing epitaxial quantum dot-nanowire (QD-NW)
      heterostructures using the example of colloidal PbSe QDs decorated on furnace
      grown hematite (alpha-Fe2O3) NWs. The direct heterogeneous nucleation of QDs on
      Fe2O3 NWs relies upon an aggressive surface dehydration of the as-synthesized
      Fe2O3 NWs at 350  degrees C under vacuum and subsequent introduction of colloidal
      reactants resulting in direct growth of PbSe QDs on Fe2O3. The synthesis is
      tunable: the QD diameter distribution and density of QDs on the NWs increase with
      increased dehydration time, and QD diameters and size distributions decrease with
      decreased injection temperature of the colloidal synthesis. Transmission electron
      microscopy (TEM) structural analysis reveals direct heteroepitaxial
      heterojunctions where the matching faces can be PbSe (002) and Fe2O3 (003) with
      their respective [110] crystallographic directions aligned. This can be a general
      approach for integrating colloidal and furnace synthetic techniques, thus
      broadening possible material combinations for future high-quality, epitaxial
      nanoscale heterostructures for solar applications. 

PMID- 26285724
TI  - Ionic Vapor: What Does It Consist Of?
AB  - A comprehensive description of room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) requires
      characterization of their properties around normal boiling and critical. Using a
      thoroughly parametrized force field, we report atomistic simulations of the vapor
      phase of N-butylpyridinium tetrafluoroborate and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium
      bis(trifluoromethanesulphonyl)amide, existing in equilibrium with the liquid
      phase. We show that in contrast to traditional gases comprised of one type of
      molecules, the saturated vapor of RTILs consists of a broad range of structures,
      involving both neutral and charged species. While typically the ionic pair is the
      most stable vapor structure, the species distribution depends on RTIL chemical
      composition and is sensitive to temperature and pressure. 

PMID- 26285725
TI  - Optical Properties of Mn-Doped ZnTe Magic Size Nanocrystals.
AB  - In this letter we report successful doping of ZnTe magic size nanocrystals
      (MSNCs) with Mn(2+). Colloidal ZnTe MSNCs are prepared via a hot-injection method
      and doped with Mn(2+) via cation exchange. The doped MSNCs show an emission band
      centered at 620 nm with a radiative decay time of 45 MUs, characteristic of
      Mn(2+) in ZnTe. The excitation spectrum of the Mn(2+) emission shows narrow
      absorption bands corresponding to different sizes of ZnTe MSNCs providing further
      evidence that the 620 nm emission originates from Mn(2+) incorporated in the ZnTe
      host, rather than Mn(2+) bound to the surface. The Mn(2+)-doped ZnTe clusters may
      serve as nuclei for the growth of larger ZnTe quantum dots doped with a single
      Mn(2+) ion. 

PMID- 26285726
TI  - Rational Development of Ternary Alloy Electrocatalysts.
AB  - Improving the efficiency of electrocatalytic reduction of oxygen represents one
      of the main challenges for the development of renewable energy technologies.
      Here, we report the systematic evaluation of Pt-ternary alloys (Pt3(MN)1 with M,
      N = Fe, Co, or Ni) as electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR).
      We first studied the ternary systems on extended surfaces of polycrystalline thin
      films to establish the trend of electrocatalytic activities and then applied this
      knowledge to synthesize ternary alloy nanocatalysts by a solvothermal approach.
      This study demonstrates that the ternary alloy catalysts can be compelling
      systems for further advancement of ORR electrocatalysis, reaching higher
      catalytic activities than bimetallic Pt alloys and improvement factors of up to 4
      versus monometallic Pt. 

PMID- 26285727
TI  - Probing Inter- and Intrachain Exciton Coupling in Isolated Poly(3-hexylthiophene)
      Nanofibers: Effect of Solvation and Regioregularity.
AB  - We report wavelength and time-resolved photoluminescence studies of isolated
      extended (1-10 MUm length) poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) nanofibers (xNFs) cast
      on glass from suspension. The PL spectra of xNFs show multiple vibronic replicas
      that appear to be associated with the existence of both H- and J-type aggregates.
      The PL spectra of xNFs made from regioregular (rr)- (93%) and highly regioregular
      (hrr)-P3HT (98%) both show similarities in PL spectra suggestive of common chain
      packing features, as well as subtle differences that can be attributed to higher
      long-range order in the hrr-xNFs. Specifically, PL spectral measurements on
      isolated xNFs made from highly regioregular (>98%) P3HT showed a red-shifted
      electronic origin (~30 meV) and increased 0-0/0-1 PL intensity ratio for the J
      type species, suggestive of enhanced structural coherence length and intrachain
      order. 

PMID- 26285728
TI  - Reaction of the Basal Plane of Graphite with the Methyl Radical.
AB  - The reaction of methyl radicals with the basal plane of graphite has been
      observed to occur with an activation energy of less than 0.3 eV. This reaction is
      initiated by Li-induced CH3Cl dissociation to produce CH3 radicals on the
      graphite surface. It is found that ~3/4 of the methyl radicals remain on the
      graphite surface up to 700 K at puckered sp(3) carbon sites, while 1/4 of the CH3
      radicals participate in CH4 formation and small amounts of C2 and C3 hydrocarbon
      formation. CH3 radicals become mobile over an activation energy barrier of ~0.7
      eV. 

PMID- 26285729
TI  - Probing Electron-Transfer Times in Photosynthetic Reaction Centers by Hole
      Burning Spectroscopy.
AB  - A brief discussion is presented of transient hole-burned (HB) spectra (and the
      information that they provide) obtained for isolated reaction centers (RCs) from
      wild-type (WT) Rhodobacter sphaeroides, RCs containing zinc-bacteriochlorophylls
      (Zn-BChls), and RCs of Photosystem II (PSII) from spinach and Chlamydomonas
      reinhardtii . The shape of the spectral density and the strength of electron
      phonon coupling in bacterial RCs are discussed. We focus, however, on
      heterogeneity of isolated PS II RCs from spinach and, in particular,
      Chlamydomonas reinhardtii , site energies of active (electron acceptor) and
      inactive pheophytins, the nature of the primary electron donor(s), and the
      possibility of multiple charge-separation (CS) pathways in the isolated PSII RC.
      We conclude with comments on current efforts in HB spectroscopy in the area of
      photosynthesis and future directions in HB spectroscopy. 

PMID- 26285730
TI  - Probing the Electronic Structure of a Photoexcited Solar Cell Dye with Transient
      X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy.
AB  - This study uses transient X-ray absorption (XA) spectroscopy and time-dependent
      density functional theory (TD-DFT) to directly visualize the charge density
      around the metal atom and the surrounding ligands following an ultrafast metal-to
      ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) process in the widely used Ru(II) solar cell dye,
      Ru(dcbpy)2(NCS)2 (termed N3). We measure the Ru L-edge XA spectra of the singlet
      ground ((1)A1) and the transient triplet ((3)MLCT) excited state of N3(4-) and
      perform TD-DFT calculations of 2p core-level excitations, which identify a unique
      spectral signature of the electron density on the NCS ligands. We find that the
      Ru 2p, Ru eg, and NCS pi* orbitals are stabilized by 2.0, 1.0, and 0.6 eV,
      respectively, in the transient (3)MLCT state of the dye. These results highlight
      the role of the NCS ligands in governing the oxidation state of the Ru center. 

PMID- 26285731
TI  - On the Electronic Structures of Au25(SR)18 Clusters Studied by Magnetic Circular
      Dichroism Spectroscopy.
AB  - The first magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectra are reported at room
      temperature for well-defined thiolate-protected Au25 clusters (Au25(SG)18 and
      Au25(PET)18, where SG and PET denote glutathione and 2-phenylethanethiolate,
      respectively). MCD essentially corresponds to electronic transitions in the
      absorption spectrum, so the electronic structures of the Au25 clusters are
      explored based on a simultaneous deconvolution analysis of both the electronic
      absorption and MCD spectra, giving enhanced spectral resolution. We then find
      that the observed MCD responses are entirely interpreted in terms of the Faraday
      B terms, representing strict nondegeneracies of the excited and ground states of
      the Au25 clusters that correspond to so-called superatom D and P orbitals,
      respectively. 

PMID- 26285732
TI  - "Light Switch" Effect Upon Binding of Ru-dppz to Water-Soluble Conjugated
      Polyelectrolyte Dendrimers.
AB  - We report the "light switch" effect of [Ru(bpy)2(dppz)](2+) (where bpy = 2,2'
      bipyridine and dppz = dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c] phenazine, Ru-dppz) in the presence
      of anionic conjugated polyelectrolyte dendrimers (CPDs). The metal-to-ligand
      charge-transfer luminescence from Ru-dppz is efficient in the presence of CPD
      because the complex is shielded from water by binding to the hydrophobic
      dendrimer core. 

PMID- 26285733
TI  - Helical Conjugated Polyelectrolyte Aggregation Induced by Biotin-Avidin
      Interaction.
AB  - Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) is applied to demonstrate avidin
      induced cross-linking in a system consisting of a helical anionic conjugated
      polyelectrolyte (P1) and a biotin-tetramethylrhodamine (TMR) conjugate (2). In a
      previous study, we used fluorescence spectroscopy to demonstrate that 2 binds to
      P1 via intercalation of the TMR chromophore into the P1 helix. Addition of avidin
      to the P1/2 complex induces little change in the fluorescence of the system;
      however, FCS reveals a remarkable increase in the diffusion time of the P1/2
      complex in the presence of avidin. This change is attributed to supramolecular
      polymer aggregates produced by cross-link formation between the biotin unit of
      intercalated 2 and avidin. Atomic force microscopy imaging provides evidence
      supporting the existence of these aggregates. The highly sensitive FCS method is
      used to develop a novel sensor for the biotin-avidin interaction, with a
      detection limit of <100 pM for avidin. 

PMID- 26285734
TI  - Spontaneous Spectral Diffusion in CdSe Quantum Dots.
AB  - Spectral diffusion of the emission line of single colloidal nanocrystals is
      generally regarded as a random process. Here, we show that each new spectral
      position has a finite memory of previous spectral positions, as evidenced by
      persistent anticorrelations in time series of spectral jumps. The anticorrelation
      indicates that there is an enhanced probability of the charge distribution around
      the nanocrystal returning to a previous configuration. We show both statistically
      and directly that this memory manifests as an observable spontaneous "relaxation"
      in the absence of a pump laser, so that spectral diffusion progresses in a manner
      of "two steps forward and one step back". 

PMID- 26285735
TI  - Photoinduced Dynamics in Membranes and at Interfaces.

PMID- 26285736
TI  - Structural and Entropic Allosteric Signal Transduction Strength via Correlated
      Motions.
AB  - Allosteric signal transduction in biomacromolecules can play an essential role in
      their function. Internal motional correlations in proteins provide a possible
      communication mechanism, but the quantitative relationship between statistical
      correlations and allostery is unknown. Quantitative relationships between
      internal motional correlations and the efficiency of propagation of allosteric
      structural and entropic effects are introduced and validated against
      conformational ensembles obtained from molecular dynamics simulations. This
      framework can explain a range of phenomena, such as the occurrence of an
      allosteric entropy change in the absence of any noticeable structural change. 

PMID- 26285737
TI  - Polymer Multilayers that Promote the Rapid Release and Contact Transfer of DNA.
AB  - We report a layer-by-layer approach to the fabrication of thin polymer-based
      multilayers that release DNA rapidly in physiologically relevant environments.
      This approach exploits the properties of a weak anionic polyelectrolyte
      [poly(acrylic acid); PAA] to disrupt ionic interactions and promote disassembly
      in coatings that otherwise erode slowly. We investigated this approach using
      multilayers fabricated from plasmid DNA and linear poly(ethylenimine) (LPEI), a
      model synthetic cationic polymer used widely for DNA delivery. LPEI/DNA
      multilayers erode and release DNA slowly over ~4 days when incubated in PBS
      buffer. In contrast, substitution of every other layer of DNA with PAA lead to
      thin films that released DNA rapidly, with >60% being released in the first 5
      min. These quick-release coatings release bioactive DNA and can be used to
      fabricate uniform coatings on a variety of objects, including the tips of
      inflatable balloon catheters. We demonstrate that these coatings can promote high
      levels of cell transfection in vitro and the robust contact transfer and
      expression of DNA in vascular tissue in vivo using a rat model of vascular
      injury. These materials provide useful alternatives to multilayers and other
      coatings that promote the prolonged release of DNA. More broadly, approaches that
      depart from the use of degradable polymers to promote film erosion create
      opportunities to design new gene delivery coatings using a broader range of
      polymer-based building blocks designed for other gene delivery applications. With
      further development, this approach could thus provide a new and useful platform
      for the rapid contact transfer of DNA to cells and tissues of interest in a range
      of fundamental and applied contexts. 

PMID- 26285738
TI  - Normobaric Hyperoxia Preconditioning Induces Changes in the Brain Lipidome.
AB  - Recent investigations have demonstrated that normobaric hyperoxia induces
      neuroprotection against ischemic injury. The aim of study was to determine the
      survey of HO (hyperoxia) preconditioning on brain lipidome.The animals were
      assigned into three groups, the first experimental group was exposed to 95%
      inspired HO for 4 h /day for six consecutive days. The second experimental group
      considered as the control group and was exposed to 21% oxygen as room air (RA) in
      the same chamber. The third group acted as sham, which was under the stress of
      surgery condition without ischemia. The first two groups were divided into 2
      subgroups, intact (without any surgery) and middle cerebral artery occlusion-
      operated (MCAO). Twenty-four hours after exposure to hyperoxia, MCAO subgroups
      were subjected to 60 min of right middle cerebral artery occlussion. After 24 h
      reperfusion, infarct volume (IV) and neurological deficit score (NDS) were
      assessed in MCAO subgroup. Brain lipidomics were measured in the intact subgroup.
      Preconditioning with HO significantly reduced NDS and IV and elevated the level
      of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), sphingomyelin (SM), cholesterol ester (CE),
      cholesterol (Chol), phosphatidylcholine (PC), triglyceride (TG) and cerebroside
      (CB) in the brain as compared with the control (sham and RA). HO preconditioning,
      significantly decreased the brain ceramide (Cer) and lyso- phosphatidylcholine
      (Lyso-PC or LPC) levels. Preconditioning with HO decreases brain ischemia injury
      via changes in brain lipidomics and significantly decreases the brain ceramides
      (CER).Although more studies are required to explain the mechanisms of time course
      of neuroprotection, HO preconditioning partly decreases brain ischemia injury via
      changes in brain lipidome.

PMID- 26285739
TI  - Corrigendum for: Plastid casein kinase 2 knockout reduces abscisic acid (ABA)
      sensitivity, thermotolerance, and expression of ABA- and heat-stress-responsive
      nuclear genes.

PMID- 26285740
TI  - Importance of re-calibration time on pulse contour analysis agreement with
      thermodilution measurements of cardiac output: a retrospective analysis of
      intensive care unit patients.
AB  - We assessed the effect of re-calibration time on cardiac output estimation and
      trending performance in a retrospective analysis of an intensive care unit
      patient population using error grid analyses. Paired thermodilution and arterial
      blood pressure waveform measurements (N = 2141) from 222 patient records were
      extracted from the Multiparameter Intelligent Monitoring in Intensive Care II
      database. Pulse contour analysis was performed by implementing a previously
      reported algorithm at calibration times of 1, 2, 8 and 24 h. Cardiac output
      estimation agreement was assessed using Bland-Altman and error grid analyses.
      Trending was assessed by concordance and a 4-Quadrant error grid analysis. Error
      between pulse contour and thermodilution increased with longer calibration times.
      Limits of agreement were -1.85 to 1.66 L/min for 1 h maximum calibration time
      compared to -2.70 to 2.41 L/min for 24 h. Error grid analysis resulted in 74.2 %
      of points bounded by 20 % error limits of thermodilution measurements for 1 h
      calibration time compared to 65 % for 24 h. 4-Quadrant error grid analysis showed
      <75 % of changes in pulse contour estimates to be within +/-80 % of the change in
      the thermodilution measurement at any calibration time. Shorter calibration times
      improved the agreement of cardiac output pulse contour estimates with
      thermodilution. Use of minimally invasive pulse contour methods in intensive care
      monitoring could benefit from prospective studies evaluating calibration
      protocols. The applied pulse contour analysis method and thermodilution showed
      poor agreement to monitor changes in cardiac output. 

PMID- 26285742
TI  - VEGF Splicing and the Role of VEGF Splice Variants: From Physiological
      Pathological Conditions to Specific Pre-mRNA Splicing.
AB  - During this past decade, the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway
      has been extensively studied. VEGF is a paradigm of molecular regulation since
      its expression is controlled at all possible steps including transcription, mRNA
      stability, translation, and pre-mRNA splicing. The latter form of molecular
      regulation is probably the least studied. This field has been neglected; yet
      different forms of VEGF with different sizes and different physiological
      properties issued from alternative splicing have been described a long time ago.
      Recently a new level of complexity was added to the field of splicing of VEGF pre
      mRNA. Whereas thousands of publications have described VEGF as a pro-angiogenic
      factor, an alternative splicing event generates specific anti-angiogenic forms of
      VEGF that only differ from the others by a modification in the last six amino
      acids of the protein. According to the scientists who discovered these isoforms,
      which are indistinguishable from the pro-angiogenic ones with pan VEGF
      antibodies, some of the literature on VEGF is at least inexact if not completely
      false. Moreover, the presence of anti-angiogenic forms of VEGF may explain the
      disappointing efficacy of anti-VEGF therapies on the overall survival of patients
      with different forms of cancers and with wet age-related macular degeneration.
      This review focuses on the existence of the different alternative splice variants
      of VEGF and the molecular mechanisms associated with their expression and
      function. 

PMID- 26285741
TI  - Monitoring of cerebral blood flow autoregulation in adults undergoing sevoflurane
      anesthesia: a prospective cohort study of two age groups.
AB  - Autoregulation of blood flow is a key feature of the human cerebral vascular
      system to assure adequate oxygenation and metabolism of the brain under changing
      physiological conditions. The impact of advanced age and anesthesia on cerebral
      autoregulation remains unclear. The primary objective of this study was to
      determine the effect of sevoflurane anesthesia on cerebral autoregulation in two
      different age groups. This is a follow-up analysis of data acquired in a
      prospective observational cohort study. One hundred thirty-three patients aged 18
      40 and >=65 years scheduled for major noncardiac surgery under general anesthesia
      were included. Cerebral autoregulation indices, limits, and ranges were compared
      in young and elderly patient groups. Forty-nine patients (37 %) aged 18-40 years
      and 84 patients (63 %) aged >=65 years were included in the study. Age-adjusted
      minimum alveolar concentrations of sevoflurane were 0.89 +/- 0.07 in young and
      0.99 +/- 0.14 in older subjects (P < 0.001). Effective autoregulation was found
      in a blood pressure range of 13.8 +/- 9.8 mmHg in young and 10.2 +/- 8.6 mmHg in
      older patients (P = 0.079). The lower limit of autoregulation was 66 +/- 12 mmHg
      and 73 +/- 14 mmHg in young and older patients, respectively (P = 0.075). The
      association between sevoflurane concentrations and autoregulatory capacity was
      similar in both age groups. Our data suggests that the autoregulatory plateau is
      shortened in both young and older patients under sevoflurane anesthesia with
      approximately 1 MAC. Lower and upper limits of cerebral blood flow
      autoregulation, as well as the autoregulatory range, are not influenced by the
      age of anesthetized patients. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov
      (NCT00512200). 

PMID- 26285743
TI  - Detection and Quantification of VEGF Isoforms by ELISA.
AB  - Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent mitogen for endothelial
      cells and plays an important role in physiological and tumor angiogenesis. The
      human VEGF gene has eight exons. Different VEGF isoforms are expressed via
      alternative RNA splicing and VEGF121 and VEGF165 are the major isoforms present
      in human tissues. The exact roles of these different VEGF isoforms are not
      totally clear. Assays to detect specific VEGF isoforms in biological samples are
      needed to understand the biological functions of these different VEGF isoforms
      and to better assess their potential use as predicative biomarkers for anti
      angiogenic therapy. Because monoclonal antibodies specific to different VEGF
      isoforms are lacking, we used antibodies directed to different epitopes on
      VEGF165 in a set of three enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) to assess
      the amount of VEGF121 and VEGF165 as well as VEGF110, which can be generated by
      plasmin cleavage in vivo. The first ELISA detects VEGF165. The second ELISA
      detects both VEGF121 and VEGF165. The third ELISA detects VEGF165, VEGF121, and
      VEGF110. The concentrations of VEGF121 can be assessed from the difference in
      VEGF concentrations measured by the second and the first ELISAs; the
      concentrations of VEGF110 can be assessed from the difference in VEGF
      concentrations measured by the third and the second ELISAs. The same assay
      strategy may be used to assess the amount of other VEGF isoforms if antibodies
      directed against the desired amino acids in those isoforms can be obtained.

PMID- 26285744
TI  - Quantitation of Circulating Neuropilin-1 in Human, Monkey, Mouse, and Rat Sera by
      ELISA.
AB  - Neuropilin-1 (NRP1) is a single spanning transmembrane glycoprotein that acts as
      a co-receptor for class 3 semaphorins and vascular endothelial growth factors.
      Naturally occurring soluble NRP1 isoforms containing partial extracellular domain
      (ECD) have been reported. In addition to soluble NRP1, full-length NRP1 ECD has
      also been identified in human and animal sera. Here, we describe primate and
      rodent NRP1 ELISAs that measure total circulating NRP1 including soluble NPR1 and
      NRP1 ECD in human, monkey, mouse, and rat sera. 

PMID- 26285745
TI  - Detection and Quantification of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor
      Tyrosine Kinases in Primary Human Endothelial Cells.
AB  - Proteins differ widely in their pattern of expression depending on organism,
      tissue, and regulation in response to changing conditions. In the mammalian
      vasculature, the endothelium responds to vascular endothelial growth factors
      (VEGFs) via membrane-bound receptor tyrosine kinases (VEGFRs) to modulate many
      aspects of vascular physiology including vasculogenesis, angiogenesis, and blood
      pressure. Studies on VEGFR biology are thus dependent on detecting expression
      levels in different cell types and evaluating how changes in protein levels
      correlate with changing conditions including circulating VEGF levels. Here, we
      present a robust immunoblot-based protocol for detecting and quantifying VEGFRs
      in human endothelial cells. Using internal and external standards, we can rapidly
      evaluate receptor copy number and assess how this is altered in response to the
      cellular environment. 

PMID- 26285746
TI  - Induction of VEGF Secretion in Cardiomyocytes by Mechanical Stretch.
AB  - Cells respond to their environment by relaying mechanical force into biochemical
      stimuli that activate intracellular signal transduction pathways. Subjecting
      cells to in vitro mechanical stretch can mimic cellular responses to changes in
      the rigidity of the extracellular matrix. Here we describe an in vitro model
      system that mimics stretch overload in vivo. In this stretch-mediated hypertrophy
      model, adult rat cardiomyocytes attached to laminin-coated flexible membranes are
      subjected to cyclic mechanical stretch at an extension level of 10 % at 30
      cycles/min. At various time points VEGF secretion into the media is collected and
      quantitated. 

PMID- 26285747
TI  - Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Assay: Examining the Interaction of NFkB with the
      VEGF Promoter.
AB  - The chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay is a versatile technique used to
      evaluate the association of proteins with specific DNA regions both in vivo and
      in vitro. This assay can be used to identify proteins associated with a specific
      region of the genome, or the opposite, to identify the many regions of the genome
      associated with a particular protein. The ChIP assay can also be used to analyze
      binding of transcription factors, transcription cofactors, DNA replication
      factors, and DNA repair proteins. Here we describe a useful ChIP-qPCR protocol to
      examine the interaction of NFkB with the VEGF promoter in adult rat primary
      cardiomyocytes that have been mechanically stretched after attaching to the
      extracellular matrix protein laminin.

PMID- 26285748
TI  - An Overview of VEGF-Mediated Signal Transduction.
AB  - Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a fundamental role in
      angiogenesis and endothelial cell biology, and has been the subject of intense
      study as a result. VEGF acts via a diverse and complex range of signaling
      pathways, with new targets constantly being discovered. This review attempts to
      summarize the current state of knowledge regarding VEGF cell signaling in
      endothelial and cardiovascular biology, with a particular emphasis on its role in
      angiogenesis. 

PMID- 26285749
TI  - Identification of Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Using Cell Surface
      Biotinylation and Affinity Isolation.
AB  - The mammalian vascular endothelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinases
      (VEGFRs) bind circulating growth factors and regulate the process of
      angiogenesis. The discovery of new small molecules that target the enzymatic
      activity of the VEGFR family as potential antiangiogenic drugs is of much
      commercial interest in the pharmaceutical sector. Here, we describe the use of a
      combined cell surface biotinylation and affinity isolation procedure to monitor
      ligand-stimulated VEGFR trafficking in endothelial cells, in which novel VEGFR
      inhibitors from chemical libraries can be identified by their ability to inhibit
      receptor internalization. Unlike a traditional cell-free enzyme activity assay,
      such a cell-based approach provides a physiologically relevant readout of
      inhibitor activity. In this example, we use the VEGF-A-VEGFR-2 axis and the well
      characterized tyrosine kinase inhibitor sunitinib as a working model; however
      this technique is highly applicable for the identification of inhibitors to other
      receptor tyrosine kinases. 

PMID- 26285750
TI  - Analysis of VEGF-Mediated ERK5 Activity in Endothelial Cells.
AB  - Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 (ERK5), also known as big MAPK (BMK1), is
      the most recently identified member of the mitogen-activated kinase pathway. It
      is ubiquitously expressed in mammalian cells and is activated by a number of
      growth factors. Gene knockout studies in mice have shown a critical role for ERK5
      cardiovascular development and vascular integrity. Current methods to detect ERK5
      activation in cells have relied on in vitro kinase assays and more recently
      phospho-specific antibodies. However, antibodies produced against phosphorylated
      proteins can often yield inconsistent data. Phos-tagTM Acrylamide is a reagent
      that enables specific tagging of phosphorylated proteins, resulting in retarded
      mobility and a distinct upward band shift from the non-phosphorylated protein
      following SDS-PAGE. Here, we describe the details of Phosphate affinity SDS-PAGE
      of ERK5 using acrylamide-pendant Phos-tagTM.

PMID- 26285751
TI  - In Vitro Angiogenesis Assays.
AB  - Angiogenesis is a key process mediated by VEGF, and the study of angiogenic
      mechanisms has clinical importance in a variety of pathological conditions,
      including ischemic heart disease and cancer. In vitro angiogenesis assays are
      based on the innate ability of endothelial cells to migrate and form tube like
      structures in response to VEGF stimulation. Although they are arguably not as
      physiologically relevant as in vivo angiogenesis models they still represent a
      relatively quick and useful method for looking at VEGF function. There are
      several different methods for studying in vitro angiogenesis and these are
      detailed here along with protocols for image capture and analysis. 

PMID- 26285752
TI  - Chemotactic Migration of Endothelial Cells Towards VEGF-A165.
AB  - In vitro assays of endothelial cell migration have led to critical insights into
      the mechanisms of angiogenesis. The transwell assay, or modified Boyden chamber
      assay was developed to investigate chemotaxis, which corresponds to the
      directional migration of cells in response to a chemoattractant gradient. It is a
      robust and easy-to-use assay that does not require expensive equipment. In the
      modified Boyden chamber assay, two compartments are separated with a porous
      membrane through which cells can migrate. The lower compartment contains the
      chemoattractant, creating a gradient by diffusing into the upper chamber
      containing the cells. The cells will migrate through the membrane and remain on
      the lower side of the membrane, where they can finally be fixed and counted. 

PMID- 26285753
TI  - Vasculogenesis and Angiogenesis in VEGF Receptor-1 Deficient Mice.
AB  - Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (VEGFR-1)/Flt-1 is a transmembrane
      tyrosine kinase receptor for VEGF-A, VEGF-B, and placental growth factor (PlGF).
      VEGFR-1 is an enigmatic molecule whose precise role in postnatal angiogenesis
      remains controversial. Although many postnatal and adult studies have been
      performed by manipulating VEGFR-1 ligands, including competitive binding by
      truncated VEGFR-1 protein, neutralization by antibodies, or specific ligand
      overexpression or knockout, much less is known at the level of the receptor per
      se, especially in vivo. Perplexingly, while VEGFR-1 negatively regulates
      endothelial cell differentiation during development, it has been implied in
      promoting angiogenesis under certain conditions in adult tissues, especially in
      tumors and ischemic tissues. Additionally, it is unclear how VEGFR-1 is involved
      in vascular maturation and maintenance of vascular quiescence in adult tissues.
      To facilitate further investigation, we generated a conditional knockout mouse
      line for VEGFR-1 and characterized angiogenesis in postnatal and adult mice,
      including angiogenesis in ischemic myocardium. These methods are briefly outlined
      in this chapter. We also discuss these findings in the context of the interplay
      between VEGF family members and their receptors, and summarize various mouse
      models in the VEGF pathway.

PMID- 26285754
TI  - The Embryonic Mouse Hindbrain and Postnatal Retina as In Vivo Models to Study
      Angiogenesis.
AB  - Angiogenesis, the growth of new blood vessels from preexisting ones, is a
      fundamental process for organ development, exercise-induced muscle growth, and
      wound healing, but is also associated with different diseases such as cancer and
      neovascular eye disease. Accordingly, elucidating the molecular and cellular
      mechanisms of angiogenesis has the potential to identify new therapeutic targets
      to stimulate new vessel formation in ischemic tissues or inhibit pathological
      vessel growth in disease. This chapter describes the mouse embryo hindbrain and
      postnatal retina as models to study physiological angiogenesis and provides
      detailed protocols for tissue dissection, sample staining, and analysis. 

PMID- 26285755
TI  - VEGF Gene Transfer to the Utero-Placental Circulation of Pregnant Guinea Pigs to
      Enhance Fetal Growth.
AB  - In this chapter, we describe a novel method of adenoviral gene transfer to the
      uterine and radial arteries of pregnant guinea pigs to improve fetal growth.
      Adenoviruses encoding VEGF-A165 or a reporter gene beta-galactosidase were
      reconstituted in pluronic gel and applied topically to the exposed uterine and
      radial arteries following laparotomy. Pluronic gel is a thermosensitive gel that
      is liquid at 4  degrees C, but becomes solid as soon as it comes in contact with
      body temperature. It thereby acts as a slow-release vehicle for viral vectors to
      the target tissue and also facilitates closer contact of the viruses with the
      host tissue. Our studies have shown that adenoviral gene delivery using pluronic
      gel resulted in the highest transduction efficiency compared to intra-arterial
      administration or external administration in PBS as a vehicle, when measured by X
      gal staining, immunohistochemistry, or Western blotting.

PMID- 26285756
TI  - VEGF Gene Transfer to the Utero-Placental Circulation of Pregnant Sheep to
      Enhance Fetal Growth.
AB  - In this chapter, we describe a safe and effective approach to achieve local VEGF
      gene transfer to the uterine arteries in pregnant sheep using direct injection of
      viral vectors into the uterine arteries. This approach resulted in improved fetal
      growth in growth-restricted pregnancies. Adenoviral vectors encoding VEGF-A165 or
      a reporter gene beta-galactosidase were dissolved in 10 mL normal saline shortly
      before administration. A midline laparotomy was performed and the course of the
      uterine artery identified. The main trunk (just prior to the first bifurcation)
      was mobilized by dissection and a vessel loop placed beneath it in order to
      elevate the artery, which was then occluded digitally just proximal to the
      planned injection site. The adenoviral solution was slowly injected over 1 min,
      and the occlusion was maintained for a further 4 min to maximize transduction of
      the downstream endothelium. After ensuring hemostasis, the abdomen was closed in
      layers. 

PMID- 26285757
TI  - Generation of Targeted Mutations in Zebrafish Using the CRISPR/Cas System.
AB  - Several strategies have been developed to generate targeted gene disruptions in
      zebrafish.Here we developed a simple targeted gene inactivation strategy in
      zebrafish using a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat
      (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein (Cas) system. By injecting two simple in vitro
      synthesized components [Cas9 mRNA and single guide (sgRNA)] into one-cell-stage
      embryos, mutations of the target gene could be efficiently generated. We used a
      codon-optimized version of Cas9 to improve its translation efficiency in
      zebrafish. In addition, we designed a cloning-free strategy to facilitate the
      synthesis of sgRNA. The system allows biallelic inactivation of multiple genes
      simultaneously by co-injecting a mix of sgRNAs with a single Cas9 construct. This
      flexible strategy of gene inactivation provides an efficient way to interrogate
      gene functions and genetic interactions in zebrafish.

PMID- 26285758
TI  - Recombinant Expression of Trichoderma reesei Cel61A in Pichia pastoris:
      Optimizing Yield and N-terminal Processing.
AB  - The auxiliary activity family 9 (AA9, formerly GH61) harbors a recently
      discovered group of oxidative enzymes that boost cellulose degradation. Indeed,
      these lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) are able to disrupt the
      crystalline structure of cellulose, thereby facilitating the work of hydrolytic
      enzymes involved in biomass degradation. Since these enzymes require an N
      terminal histidine residue for activity, their recombinant production as secreted
      protein is not straightforward. We here report the expression optimization of
      Trichoderma reesei Cel61A (TrCel61A) in the host Pichia pastoris. The use of the
      native TrCel61A secretion signal instead of the alpha-mating factor from
      Saccharomyces cerevisiae was found to be crucial, not only to obtain high protein
      yields (>400 mg/L during fermentation) but also to enable the correct processing
      of the N-terminus. Furthermore, the LPMO activity of the enzyme is demonstrated
      here for the first time, based on its degradation profile of a cellulosic
      substrate. 

PMID- 26285760
TI  - Comment to Vertical by Giordano CNSY-D-14-00096.

PMID- 26285759
TI  - Genetics of Type 2 Diabetes in African Americans.
AB  - Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a global health problem showing substantial ethnic
      disparity in disease prevalence. African Americans have one of the highest
      prevalence of T2D in the USA but little is known about their genetic risks. This
      review summarizes the findings of genetic regions and loci associated with T2D
      and related glycemic traits using linkage, admixture, and association approaches
      in populations of African ancestry. In particular, findings from genome-wide
      association and exome chip studies suggest the presence of both ancestry-specific
      and shared loci for T2D and glycemic traits. Among the European-identified loci
      that are transferable to individuals of African ancestry, allelic heterogeneity
      as well as differential linkage disequilibrium and risk allele frequencies pose
      challenges and opportunities for fine mapping and identification of causal
      variant(s) by trans-ancestry meta-analysis. More genetic research is needed in
      African ancestry populations including the next-generation sequencing to improve
      the understanding of genetic architecture of T2D. 

PMID- 26285761
TI  - Reference values for cerebral blood flow velocities in critically ill, sedated
      children.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD) is increasingly being used in
      the pediatric intensive care unit to assess cerebral hemodynamics during critical
      illness. However, no normative data in this patient population have been
      published to date. Therefore, we aimed to describe the anterior and posterior
      cerebral blood flow velocities in critically ill children undergoing mechanical
      ventilation and sedation. DESIGN: A prospective, observational cohort study was
      performed. Children with known or suspected acute or chronic neurologic
      conditions were excluded. Participants underwent TCD measurement of middle
      cerebral and basilar artery flow velocities. RESULTS: One hundred and forty
      children newborn to 17 years of age were enrolled. Measured values were lower in
      this cohort of children than the previously published cerebral flow velocities of
      normal, healthy children. CONCLUSIONS: Cerebral blood flow velocities of the
      basal cerebral arteries in critically ill, mechanically ventilated, sedated
      children are lower than in healthy children of the same age and gender published
      in previous studies. As such, the cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) values
      reported here may serve as a more accurate reference point when using TCD as a
      clinical tool to diagnose CBFV abnormalities and guide therapy in this patient
      population.

PMID- 26285762
TI  - Bilateral encephaloduroarteriosynangiosis (EDAS) in a 6-year-old female for
      moyamoya disease: case report and technical note with 12-year follow-up.
AB  - PURPOSE: To demonstrate that despite disease progression, indirect cerebral
      revascularisation via EDAS for moyamoya disease is able to maintain sufficient
      collateral blood supply over a 12-year period. METHODS: Case report of an
      individual patient with surgically managed moyamoya disease followed up with
      imaging and outpatient clinic assessments. RESULTS: Follow-up imaging and
      assessment over 12 years concluded with a good functional and radiographic
      outcome. CONCLUSION: The extensive follow-up in our case of a 6-year-old female
      treated with bilateral EDAS procedures for moyamoya disease demonstrates that
      despite disease progression over 12 years, sufficient collateral blood supply was
      maintained to achieve a good functional outcome.

PMID- 26285763
TI  - Severe liver and renal injuries following cerebral angiography: late life
      threatening complications of non-ionic contrast medium administration.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Contrast-induced nephropathy requiring dialysis support is rarely
      reported, whereas severe liver injury after contrast agent administration has not
      been described in children yet. CLINICAL CASE: A previously healthy 10-year-old
      boy with diagnosis of cerebral arteriovenous malformation underwent a cerebral
      angiogram study with iohexol (3 mL/kg). After 4 days, he developed vomiting and
      abdominal pain. Laboratory results showed abnormal liver function tests,
      including marked elevation of transaminases. In the next day, he evolved with
      oliguria and blood arterial hypertension. At this time, he presented with
      worsening renal function tests. Peritoneal dialysis was required for 13 days. The
      patient had a self-limiting course and received only supportive treatment.
      CLINICAL PRESENTATION: This report highlights delayed complications related to
      low non-ionic contrast media with a rare presentation that can be neglected or
      unrecognized by pediatric specialties.

PMID- 26285764
TI  - High-Throughput Cytochrome P450 Cocktail Inhibition Assay for Assessing Drug-Drug
      and Drug-Botanical Interactions.
AB  - Detection of drug-drug interactions is essential during the early stages of drug
      discovery and development, and the understanding of drug-botanical interactions
      is important for the safe use of botanical dietary supplements. Among the
      different forms of drug interactions that are known, inhibition of cytochrome
      P450 (P450) enzymes is the most common cause of drug-drug or drug-botanical
      interactions. Therefore, a rapid and comprehensive mass spectrometry-based in
      vitro high-throughput P450 cocktail inhibition assay was developed that uses 10
      substrates simultaneously against nine CYP isoforms. Including probe substrates
      for CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP2E1, and two
      probes targeting different binding sites of CYP3A4/5, this cocktail
      simultaneously assesses at least as many P450 enzymes as previous assays while
      remaining among the fastest due to short incubation times and rapid analysis
      using ultrahigh pressure liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The
      method was validated using known inhibitors of each P450 enzyme and then shown to
      be useful not only for single-compound testing but also for the evaluation of
      potential drug-botanical interactions using the botanical dietary supplement
      licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) as an example. 

PMID- 26285765
TI  - Potent and Selective Inhibition of Plasma Membrane Monoamine Transporter by HIV
      Protease Inhibitors.
AB  - Plasma membrane monoamine transporter (PMAT) is a major uptake-2 monoamine
      transporter that shares extensive substrate and inhibitor overlap with organic
      cation transporters 1-3 (OCT1-3). Currently, there are no PMAT-specific
      inhibitors available that can be used in in vitro and in vivo studies to
      differentiate between PMAT and OCT activities. In this study, we showed that
      IDT307 (4-(4-(dimethylamino)phenyl)-1-methylpyridinium iodide), a fluorescent
      analog of 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+), is a transportable substrate for
      PMAT and that IDT307-based fluorescence assay can be used to rapidly identify and
      characterize PMAT inhibitors. Using the fluorescent substrate-based assays, we
      analyzed the interactions of eight human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) protease
      inhibitors (PIs) with human PMAT and OCT1-3 in human embryonic kidney 293
      (HEK293) cells stably transfected with individual transporters. Our data revealed
      that PMAT and OCTs exhibit distinct sensitivity and inhibition patterns toward
      HIV PIs. PMAT is most sensitive to PI inhibition whereas OCT2 and OCT3 are
      resistant. OCT1 showed an intermediate sensitivity and a distinct inhibition
      profile from PMAT. Importantly, lopinavir is a potent PMAT inhibitor and
      exhibited >120 fold selectivity toward PMAT (IC50 = 1.4 +/- 0.2 uM) over OCT1
      (IC50 = 174 +/- 40 uM). Lopinavir has no inhibitory effect on OCT2 or OCT3 at
      maximal tested concentrations. Lopinavir also exhibited no or much weaker
      interactions with uptake-1 monoamine transporters. Together, our results reveal
      that PMAT and OCTs have distinct specificity exemplified by their differential
      interaction with HIV PIs. Further, we demonstrate that lopinavir can be used as a
      selective PMAT inhibitor to differentiate PMAT-mediated monoamine and organic
      cation transport from those mediated by OCT1-3.

PMID- 26285766
TI  - Phase I study of iniparib concurrent with monthly or continuous temozolomide
      dosing schedules in patients with newly diagnosed malignant gliomas.
AB  - Iniparib is a prodrug that converts to highly reactive cytotoxic metabolites
      intracellularly with activity in preclinical glioma models. We investigated the
      maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of iniparib with monthly (m) and continuous (c)
      temozolomide (TMZ) dosing schedules in patients with malignant gliomas (MG).
      Adults with newly diagnosed MG who had successfully completed >=80% of radiation
      (RT) and TMZ without toxicity received mTMZ dosing (150-200 mg/m(2) days 1-5/28
      days) or cTMZ dosing (75 mg/m(2)/days * 6 weeks) in conjunction with iniparib
      (i.v. 2 days/week) in the adjuvant setting. Iniparib was dose escalated using a
      modified continual reassessment method (mCRM). 43 patients (32 male; 34 GBM, 8
      AA, 1 gliosarcoma; median age 54 years; median KPS 90) were enrolled across 4
      dose levels. In the mTMZ group, 2/4 patients had dose limiting toxicities (DLT)
      at 19 mg/kg/week (rash/hypersensitivity). At 17.2 mg/kg/week, 1/9 patients had a
      DLT (grade 3 fatigue). Additional grade 3 toxicities were neutropenia,
      lymphopenia, and nausea. In the cTMZ group, one DLT (thromboembolic event)
      occurred at 10.2 mg/kg/week. Dose escalation stopped at 16 mg/kg/week based on
      mCRM. The mean maximum plasma concentration of iniparib increased with dose.
      Concentration of the two major circulating metabolites, 4-iodo-3-aminobenzamide
      and 4-iodo-3-aminobenzoic acid, was <=5% of the corresponding iniparib
      concentration. Iniparib is well tolerated, at doses higher than previously
      investigated, in combination with TMZ after completion of RT + TMZ in patients
      with MG. Recommended phase 2 dosing of iniparib based on mCRM is 17.2 mg/kg/week
      with mTMZ and 16 mg/kg/week with cTMZ. An efficacy study of TMZ/RT + iniparib
      followed by TMZ + iniparib in newly diagnosed GBM using these doses has completed
      enrollment. Survival assessment is ongoing.

PMID- 26285767
TI  - Changes in functional MRI signals after 3D based radiotherapy of glioblastoma
      multiforme.
AB  - The purpose of our study was to examine the potential effects of conventional 3D
      based radiotherapy on functional MRI activation areas following the treatment of
      glioblastoma multiforme. Seventeen patients with a histologically proven
      glioblastoma multiforme were enrolled in this study. A functional MRI examination
      was performed alongside the planning CT and conventional MRI prior to the
      delivery of conventional 3D based radiotherapy. All patients received 3D based
      postoperative radiotherapy (up to 60 Gy) combined with temozolomide. Follow-up
      fMRI examinations were performed after completion of the treatment in the 6th
      week and in 3 months time. Changes of the task related activation areas were
      registered and analyzed. The difference in changes of high dose and low dose
      areas of the brain were also registered and analyzed. The comparison of the
      pretreatment and 6th week control fMRI activation areas revealed significant
      changes in motor activation and listening tasks in the case of brain areas which
      received a high dose (over 40 Gy). Based on the population level statistical
      parametric images (motor activation tasks) acquired at the 6th week control
      examination, a significant increase of signal was registered in the precuneus
      region and in the globus pallidus region. When comparing the 6th week and 3rd
      month activation signals, no significant changes were registered. Our results
      demonstrate the influence of radiotherapy on functional MRI signals within the
      human brain. Based on our findings, functional activation transfers from high
      dose areas to low dose areas. In case of the motor activation tasks, activations
      of the secondary motor area were observed following radiotherapy.

PMID- 26285768
TI  - A phase II trial of tamoxifen and bortezomib in patients with recurrent malignant
      gliomas.
AB  - NF-kB inhibition by bortezomib enhances tamoxifen-induced apoptosis in
      preclinical glioma models. We conducted a single institution, phase II trial to
      evaluate efficacy and safety of high dose tamoxifen with bortezomib in adults
      with recurrent malignant gliomas. The primary endpoint was radiographic response.
      Concurrent enzyme inducing anticonvulsants and grade >=2 peripheral neuropathy
      were exclusion criteria. Patients received tamoxifen (120 mg PO twice daily) and
      bortezomib (1.3 mg/m2 IV on days 3, 6, 10, 13, 24, 27, 31, and 34) per 6-week
      cycles. We enrolled 42 patients with anaplastic gliomas (AGs, n = 12) and
      glioblastomas (GBMs, n = 30), 32 males and 10 females. Median age was 38 years
      (range 22-65) and 48 years (range 19-68) for AGs and GBMs, respectively. median
      karnofsky performance status was 90% (range 70-100) for AGs and 80% (range 60
      100) for GBMs. Median prior therapies was 3, ranging 1-7. Grade >=3 toxicities
      included lymphopenia (4/42), hypophosphatemia (3/42), thromobocytopenia (2/42),
      and 1/42 with hyponatremia, headache, dyspnea, or DVT. One patient withdrew
      consent, two were removed for toxicity, and all others discontinued for
      progression. Among 40 patients evaluable for response, only one achieved stable
      disease for 3 months; all others progressed rapidly. For AGs and GBMs
      respectively, median progression-free survival was 5.9 and 5.7 weeks and median
      overall survival was 25.6 and 14.7 weeks. The study was closed due to poor
      accrual and therapeutic futility. Combination tamoxifen and bortezomib has no
      activity in recurrent malignant gliomas. Poor penetration across blood brain
      barrier of bortezomib likely limited efficacy.

PMID- 26285769
TI  - Simulated bone remodeling around tilted dental implants in the anterior maxilla.
AB  - Dental implants have to be placed with the long axis in different angulations due
      to the change in bone morphology. The objective of this study was to investigate
      the different bone remodeling response induced by the tilted dental implants and
      to assess whether it could lead to bone loss and implant failure. In this study,
      bone remodeling due to palato-labially inclined dental implants placed in the
      anterior maxillary incisor region was simulated. CT-based finite element models
      of a maxillary bone with dental implants were created herein. Five dental
      implants were placed at [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see
      text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], respectively. The remodeling
      progression was recorded and compared. Model [Formula: see text] (palatal side)
      shows the highest bone density values, but the inclined implant at [Formula: see
      text] (labial side) leads to significant bone loss. From a biomechanical
      perspective, it is speculated that a palatally inclined implant is more likely to
      enhance the bone density in the maxillary anterior region, but labial inclination
      of implant could jeopardize its stability.

PMID- 26285770
TI  - Sudden cardiac arrest in sports - need for uniform registration: A Position Paper
      from the Sport Cardiology Section of the European Association for Cardiovascular
      Prevention and Rehabilitation.
AB  - There are large variations in the incidence, registration methods and reported
      causes of sudden cardiac arrest/sudden cardiac death (SCA/SCD) in competitive and
      recreational athletes. A crucial question is to which degree these variations are
      genuine or partly due to methodological incongruities. This paper discusses the
      uncertainties about available data and provides comprehensive suggestions for
      standard definitions and a guide for uniform registration parameters of SCA/SCD.
      The parameters include a definition of what constitutes an 'athlete', incidence
      calculations, enrolment of cases, the importance of gender, ethnicity and age of
      the athlete, as well as the type and level of sporting activity. A precise
      instruction for autopsy practice in the case of a SCD of athletes is given,
      including the role of molecular samples and evaluation of possible doping.
      Rational decisions about cardiac preparticipation screening and cardiac safety at
      sport facilities requires increased data quality concerning incidence, aetiology
      and management of SCA/SCD in sports. Uniform standard registration of SCA/SCD in
      athletes and leisure sportsmen would be a first step towards this goal. 

PMID- 26285771
TI  - Impact of training methods and patient characteristics on exercise capacity in
      patients in cardiovascular rehabilitation.
AB  - AIM: We aimed to identify patient characteristics and comorbidities that
      correlate with the initial exercise capacity of cardiac rehabilitation (CR)
      patients and to study the significance of patient characteristics, comorbidities
      and training methods for training achievements and final fitness of CR patients.
      METHODS: We studied 557 consecutive patients (51.7 +/- 6.9 years; 87.9% men)
      admitted to a three-week in-patient CR. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX)
      was performed at discharge. Exercise capacity (watts) at entry, gain in training
      volume and final physical fitness (assessed by peak O2 utilization (VO2peak) were
      analysed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) models. RESULTS: Mean training
      intensity was 90.7 +/- 9.7% of maximum heart rate (81% continuous/19% interval
      training, 64% additional strength training). A total of 12.2 +/- 2.6 bicycle
      exercise training sessions were performed. Increase of training volume by an
      average of more than 100% was achieved (difference end/beginning of CR: 784 +/-
      623 watts * min). In the multivariate model the gain in training volume was
      significantly associated with smoking, age and exercise capacity at entry of CR.
      The physical fitness level achieved at discharge from CR as assessed by VO2peak
      was mainly dependent on age, but also on various factors related to training,
      namely exercise capacity at entry, increase of training volume and training
      method. CONCLUSION: CR patients were trained in line with current guidelines with
      moderate-to-high intensity and reached a considerable increase of their training
      volume. The physical fitness level achieved at discharge from CR depended on
      various factors associated with training, which supports the recommendation that
      CR should be offered to all cardiac patients.

PMID- 26285772
TI  - Liposomal Nanoparticles of a Spleen Tyrosine Kinase P-Site Inhibitor Amplify the
      Potency of Low Dose Total Body Irradiation Against Aggressive B-Precursor
      Leukemia and Yield Superior Survival Outcomes in Mice.
AB  - This study was designed to improve the efficacy of radiation therapy against
      radiation-resistant leukemia. We report that the potency of low dose radiation
      therapy against B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BPL) can be markedly
      enhanced by combining radiation with a liposomal nanoparticle (LNP) formulation
      of the SYK-P-site inhibitor C61 ("C61-LNP"). C61-LNP plus low dose total body
      irradiation (TBI) was substantially more effective than TBI alone or C61-LNP
      alone in improving the event-free survival outcome NOD/SCID mice challenged with
      an otherwise invariably fatal dose of human ALL xenograft cells derived from
      relapsed BPL patients. C61-LNP plus low dose TBI also yielded progression-free
      survival, tumor-free survival and overall survival outcomes in CD22DeltaE12 * BCR
      ABL double transgenic mice with advanced stage, radiation-resistant BPL with
      lymphomatous features that were significantly superior to those of mice treated
      with TBI alone or C61-LNP alone. 

PMID- 26285773
TI  - Use of a risk quiz to predict infection for sexually transmitted infections: a
      retrospective analysis of acceptability and positivity.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Individuals who are sexually active may want to make a decision as to
      whether they are at risk for having a sexually transmitted infection (STI) such
      as Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Trichomonas vaginalis. Our
      goal was to develop and evaluate a simple self-taken sexual risk quiz for
      participants, ordering an online STI self-collection test kit to determine
      whether the score predicted infection status. METHODS: As part of the IWantTheKit
      programme for home sample self-collection for STIs, 2010-2013, the programme
      asked male and female users to voluntarily take a risk quiz. The six-question
      quiz was about risk behaviour and included an age question. Data analyses were
      stratified by gender as determined a priori. Scores 0-10 were stratified into
      risk groups for each gender based on similar risk score-specific STI prevalence.
      Retrospective analyses were performed to assess whether risk group predicted
      aggregate STI positivity. Urogenital/rectal mailed samples were tested by nucleic
      acid amplification tests. RESULTS: More females (N=836) than males (N=558)
      provided voluntary risk scores. The percentage of eligible participants who
      submitted scores was 43.9% for both females and males. There was a higher STI
      infection rate in females (14.0%) than in males (7.0%) for having any STI
      (p<0.001). Multivariate logistic analysis for females, which controlled for age
      and race, demonstrated that a higher risk score group independently predicted
      risk for having an STI (OR of 2.2 for risk scores 5-7 and 4.2 OR for scores of 8
      10). For males, the multivariate model, which controlled for race, indicated that
      no risk score group was associated having an STI. CONCLUSIONS: Results of a
      participant's own sexual risk quiz score independently predicted STI positivity
      for women, but not for men. Further study of this simple risk quiz is required.

PMID- 26285775
TI  - The ABC of diabetes: Are we doing enough?

PMID- 26285774
TI  - Comparative gene-expression profiling of CD133(+) and CD133(-) D10 melanoma
      cells.
AB  - AIMS: The present study aimed to compare the gene-expression profiling of
      CD133(+) and CD133(-) D10 cells. MATERIALS & METHODS: Cancer stem cell-like
      properties and gene-expression profiling of CD133(+) D10 cells versus CD133(-)
      cells were evaluated. RESULTS: The CD133(+) D10 cells showed significantly higher
      clonogenic and spheroid forming potential, also higher expression of stemness
      genes NANOG and OCT4A compared with the CD133(-) cells. Gene-expression profiling
      of CD133(+) versus CD133(-) D10 cells revealed that 130 genes including ABC
      transporter superfamily (ABCC1, ABCG2 and ABCC6) were upregulated, while 61 genes
      including apoptosis modifying genes (CASP8 and TNFRSF4) were downregulated.
      CONCLUSION: We conclude that many genes involved in drug resistance and tumor
      aggressiveness are upregulated in CD133(+) D10 cells and targeting them might be
      an efficient strategy for treatment of melanoma.

PMID- 26285776
TI  - More Trees, More Poverty? The Socioeconomic Effects of Tree Plantations in Chile,
      2001-2011.
AB  - Tree plantations play a controversial role in many nations' efforts to balance
      goals for economic development, ecological conservation, and social justice. This
      paper seeks to contribute to this debate by analyzing the socioeconomic impact of
      such plantations. We focus our study on Chile, a country that has experienced
      extraordinary growth of industrial tree plantations. Our analysis draws on a
      unique dataset with longitudinal observations collected in 180 municipal
      territories during 2001-2011. Employing panel data regression techniques, we find
      that growth in plantation area is associated with higher than average rates of
      poverty during this period. 

PMID- 26285777
TI  - Would you test for 5000 Shillings? HIV risk and willingness to accept HIV testing
      in Tanzania.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Despite substantial public health efforts to increase HIV testing,
      testing rates have plateaued in many countries and rates of repeat testing for
      those with ongoing risk are low. To inform policies aimed at increasing uptake of
      HIV testing, we identified characteristics associated with individuals'
      willingness-to-accept (WTA) an HIV test in a general population sample and among
      two high-risk populations in Moshi, Tanzania. METHODS: In total, 721 individuals,
      including randomly selected community members (N = 402), female barworkers (N =
      135), and male Kilimanjaro mountain porters (N = 184), were asked in a double
      bounded contingent valuation format if they would test for HIV in exchange for
      2000, 5000 or 10,000 Shillings (approximately $1.30, $3.20, and $6.40,
      respectively). The study was conducted between September 2012 and February 2013.
      RESULTS: More than one quarter of participants (196; 27 %) stated they would be
      willing to test for Tanzania Shilling (TSH) 2000, whereas one in seven (98; 13.6
      %) required more than TSH 10,000. The average WTA estimate was TSH 4564 (95 %
      Confidence Interval: TSH 4201 to 4927). Significant variation in WTA estimates by
      gender, HIV risk factors and other characteristics plausibly reflects variation
      in individuals' valuations of benefits of and barriers to testing. WTA estimates
      were higher among males than females. Among males, WTA was nearly one-third lower
      for those who reported symptoms of HIV than those who did not. Among females, WTA
      estimates varied with respondents' education, own and partners' HIV testing
      history, and lifetime reports of transactional sex. For both genders, the most
      significant association was observed with respondents' perception of the accuracy
      of the HIV test; those believing HIV tests to be completely accurate were willing
      to test for approximately one third less than their counterparts. The mean WTA
      estimates identified in this study suggest that within the study population,
      incentivized universal HIV testing could potentially identify undiagnosed HIV
      infections at an incentive cost of $150 per prevalent infection and $1400 per
      incident infection, with corresponding costs per quality adjusted life year
      (QALY) gained of $70 for prevalent and $620 for incident HIV infections.
      CONCLUSIONS: The results support the value of information about the accuracy of
      HIV testing, and suggest that relatively modest amounts of money may be
      sufficient to incentivize at-risk populations to test.

PMID- 26285779
TI  - Microscopy image analysis of p63 immunohistochemically stained laryngeal cancer
      lesions for predicting patient 5-year survival.
AB  - The aim of the present study was to design a microscopy image analysis (MIA)
      system for predicting the 5-year survival of patients with laryngeal squamous
      cell carcinoma, employing histopathology images of lesions, which had been
      immunohistochemically (IHC) stained for p63 expression. Biopsy materials from 42
      patients, with verified laryngeal cancer and follow-up, were selected from the
      archives of the University Hospital of Patras, Greece. Twenty six patients had
      survived more than 5 years and 16 less than 5 years after the first diagnosis.
      Histopathology images were IHC stained for p63 expression. Images were first
      processed by a segmentation method for isolating the p63-expressed nuclei.
      Seventy-seven features were evaluated regarding texture, shape, and physical
      topology of nuclei, p63 staining, and patient-specific data. Those features, the
      probabilistic neural network classifier, the leave-one-out (LOO), and the
      bootstrap cross-validation methods, were used to design the MIA-system for
      assessing the 5-year survival of patients with laryngeal cancer. MIA-system
      accuracy was about 90 % and 85 %, employing the LOO and the Bootstrap methods,
      respectively. The image texture of p63-expressed nuclei appeared coarser and
      contained more edges in the 5-year non-survivor group. These differences were at
      a statistically significant level (p < 0.05). In conclusion, this study has
      proposed an MIA-system that may be of assistance to physicians, as a second
      opinion tool in assessing the 5-year survival of patients with laryngeal cancer,
      and it has revealed useful information regarding differences in nuclei texture
      between 5-year survivors and non-survivors.

PMID- 26285778
TI  - Altiratinib Inhibits Tumor Growth, Invasion, Angiogenesis, and Microenvironment
      Mediated Drug Resistance via Balanced Inhibition of MET, TIE2, and VEGFR2.
AB  - Altiratinib (DCC-2701) was designed based on the rationale of engineering a
      single therapeutic agent able to address multiple hallmarks of cancer (1).
      Specifically, altiratinib inhibits not only mechanisms of tumor initiation and
      progression, but also drug resistance mechanisms in the tumor and
      microenvironment through balanced inhibition of MET, TIE2 (TEK), and VEGFR2 (KDR)
      kinases. This profile was achieved by optimizing binding into the switch control
      pocket of all three kinases, inducing type II inactive conformations. Altiratinib
      durably inhibits MET, both wild-type and mutated forms, in vitro and in vivo.
      Through its balanced inhibitory potency versus MET, TIE2, and VEGFR2, altiratinib
      provides an agent that inhibits three major evasive (re)vascularization and
      resistance pathways (HGF, ANG, and VEGF) and blocks tumor invasion and
      metastasis. Altiratinib exhibits properties amenable to oral administration and
      exhibits substantial blood-brain barrier penetration, an attribute of
      significance for eventual treatment of brain cancers and brain metastases.

PMID- 26285780
TI  - Two-stage autotransplantation of human submandibular gland: a novel approach to
      treat postradiogenic xerostomia.
AB  - Xerostomia is a persistent side effect of radiotherapy (RT), which severely
      reduces the quality of life of the patients affected. Besides drug treatment and
      new irradiation strategies, surgical procedures aim for tissue protection of the
      submandibular gland. Using a new surgical approach, the submandibular gland was
      autotransplanted in 6 patients to the patient's forearm for the period of RT and
      reimplanted into the floor of the mouth 2-3 months after completion of RT.
      Saxon's test was performed during different time points to evaluate patient's
      saliva production. Furthermore patients had to answer EORTC QLQ-HN35
      questionnaire and visual analog scale. Following this two-stage
      autotransplantation, xerostomia in the patients was markedly reduced due to
      improved saliva production of the reimplanted gland. Whether this promising novel
      approach is a reliable treatment option for RT patients in general should be
      evaluated in further studies. 

PMID- 26285781
TI  - A novel predictive marker for the recurrence of nasal polyposis following
      endoscopic sinus surgery.
AB  - We aimed to determine the value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (NLR) ratio for
      prediction of recurrence in patients subjected to endoscopic sinus surgery.
      Higher neutrophil counts mean more chronic inflammation so the NLR value could
      show the inflammatory level resulting with higher incidence of recurrence. From
      January 2011 to March 2013, we performed a retrospective review of the complete
      blood count samples from 192 patients with chronic sinusitis who underwent
      endoscopic sinus surgery. The patients were divided into two groups based on the
      presence of nasal polyps. NLR and platelet-to-lymphocyte (PLR) ratios were
      analyzed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to
      determine the cut-off value for significant differences in variables between the
      recurrence and non-recurrence groups. The ROC analysis results revealed an NLR
      cut-off of 3.13 and a PLR cut-off of 208.75. Our analysis revealed that NLR is an
      independent risk factor for recurrence of chronic sinusitis in patients subjected
      to endoscopic sinus surgery (p = 0.006), whereas the PLR was not a predictive
      factor for recurrence (p = 0.167). Our study revealed that the NLR could be used
      to predict disease recurrence before endoscopic sinus surgery. However,
      additional studies are needed to confirm these results. 

PMID- 26285782
TI  - Formal intergenerational mentoring at Australian Men's Sheds: a targeted survey
      about mentees, mentors, programmes and quality.
AB  - Intergenerational mentoring enables a purposeful exchange of skills and knowledge
      to enhance individual and social outcomes for sub-groups at risk of health and
      social disparities. Male intergenerational mentoring may be an approach to help
      address these disparities in young men. Over 1000 Men's Sheds operate in
      Australia with 39% providing some form of mentoring mainly to youth. Yet, little
      is known about the variables intrinsic to creating and running quality
      programmes. This study aimed to identify the characteristics of formal
      intergenerational mentoring programmes, review their quality against the
      Australian Youth Mentoring Network (AYMN) quality benchmarks, and identify the
      factors that predict quality in these programmes. All known Australian Men's
      Sheds were invited to participate in an online cross-sectional survey. Forty
      sheds with formal mentor programmes completed the survey for a total of 387
      mentees (mean = 9.7 mentees/programme), the majority being male. The majority of
      mentor programme facilitators were unpaid male volunteers aged 61 years and
      older, and programmes were unfunded. Promoting social and emotional well-being of
      the mentees was the primary focus in more than half of the programmes, and
      working on a shared construction project was the most common activity.
      Respondents rated the three most important factors that influenced programme
      effectiveness as being: (i) meaningful activities; (ii) mentors' approach; and
      (iii) a safe environment. Univariate analyses revealed that mentoring programmes
      that had a system in place for screening mentors, trained mentors and evaluated
      the programme were most likely to rate highly against the AYMN quality
      benchmarks.

PMID- 26285783
TI  - Decoding the Chemical Language of Motile Bacteria by Using High-Throughput
      Microfluidic Assays.
AB  - Motile bacteria navigate chemical environments by using chemoreceptors. The
      output of these protein sensors is linked to motility machinery and enables
      bacteria to follow chemical gradients. Understanding the chemical specificity of
      different families of chemoreceptors is essential for predicting and controlling
      bacterial behavior in ecological niches, including symbiotic and pathogenic
      interactions with plants and mammals. The identification of chemical(s)
      recognized by specific families of receptors is limited by the low throughput and
      complexity of chemotaxis assays. To address this challenge, we developed a
      microfluidic-based chemotaxis assay that is quantitative, simple, and enables
      high-throughput measurements of bacterial response to different chemicals. Using
      the model bacterium Escherichia coli, we demonstrated a strategy for identifying
      molecules that activate chemoreceptors from a diverse compound library and for
      determining how global behavioral strategies are tuned to chemical environments. 

PMID- 26285784
TI  - Azathioprine lacks efficacy in hidradenitis suppurativa: a retrospective study of
      nine patients.

PMID- 26285786
TI  - Tissue Distribution Dynamics of Human NK Cells Inferred from Peripheral Blood
      Depletion Kinetics after Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Receptor Blockade.
AB  - Human natural killer (NK) cell subsets differentially distribute throughout the
      organism. While CD56(dim) and CD56(bright) NK cell subsets similarly reside in
      the bone marrow (BM), the CD56(dim) population predominantly accumulates in non
      lymphoid tissues and the CD56(bright) counterpart in lymphoid tissue (LT). The
      dynamics with which these NK cell subsets redistribute to tissues remains
      unexplored. Here, we studied individuals newly exposed to fingolimod, a drug that
      efficiently blocks sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P)-directed lymphocyte - including
      NK cell - egress from tissue to blood. During an observation period of 6h
      peripheral blood depletion of CD56(bright) NK cells was observed 3 h after first
      dose of fingolimod, with 40-50% depletion after 6 h, while a decrease of the
      numbers of CD56(dim) NK cells did not reach the level of statistical
      significance. In vitro, CD56(bright) and CD56(dim) NK cells responded comparably
      to the BM-homing chemokine CXCL12, while CD56(bright) NK cells migrated more
      efficiently in gradients of the LT-homing chemokines CCL19 and CCL21. In
      conjuncture with these in vitro studies, the indirectly observed subset-specific
      depletion kinetics from blood are compatible with preferential and more rapid
      redistribution of CD56(bright) NK cells from blood to peripheral tissue such as
      LT and possibly also the inflamed central nervous system. These data shed light
      on an unexplored level at which access of NK cells to LT, and thus, for example
      antigen-presenting cells, is regulated.

PMID- 26285787
TI  - Selective amine labeling of cell surface proteins guided by coiled-coil assembly.
AB  - Covalent labeling of target proteins in living cells is useful for both
      fluorescence live-cell imaging and the subsequent biochemical analyses of the
      proteins. Here, we report an efficient method for the amine labeling of membrane
      proteins on the cell surface, guided by a noncovalent coiled-coil interaction. A
      carboxyl sulfosuccinimidyl ester introduced at the C-terminus of the coiled-coil
      probe reacted with target proteins under mild labeling conditions ([probe] = 150
      nM, pH 7.4, 25 degrees C) for 20 min. Various fluorescent moieties with different
      hydrophobicities are available for covalent labeling with high signal/background
      labeling ratios. Using this method, oligomeric states of glycophorin A (GpA) were
      compared in mammalian CHO-K1 cells and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) micelles. In
      the cell membranes, no significant self-association of GpA was detected, whereas
      SDS-PAGE suggested partial dimerization of the proteins. Membrane cholesterol was
      found to be an important factor that suppressed the dimerization of GpA. Thus,
      the covalent functionality enables direct comparison of the oligomeric state of
      membrane proteins under various conditions. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
      Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 106: 484-490, 2016. 

PMID- 26285785
TI  - Elastin Cables Define the Axial Connective Tissue System in the Murine Lung.
AB  - The axial connective tissue system is a fiber continuum of the lung that
      maintains alveolar surface area during changes in lung volume. Although the
      molecular anatomy of the axial system remains undefined, the fiber continuum of
      the lung is central to contemporary models of lung micromechanics and alveolar
      regeneration. To provide a detailed molecular structure of the axial connective
      tissue system, we examined the extracellular matrix of murine lungs. The lungs
      were decellularized using a 24 hr detergent treatment protocol. Systematic
      evaluation of the decellularized lungs demonstrated no residual cellular debris;
      morphometry demonstrated a mean 39 +/- 7% reduction in lung dimensions. Scanning
      electron microscopy (SEM) demonstrated an intact structural hierarchy within the
      decellularized lung. Light, fluorescence, and SEM of precision-cut lung slices
      demonstrated that alveolar duct structure was defined by a cable line element
      encased in basement membrane. The cable line element arose in the distal airways,
      passed through septal tips and inserted into neighboring blood vessels and
      visceral pleura. The ropelike appearance, collagenase resistance and anti-elastin
      immunostaining indicated that the cable was an elastin macromolecule. Our results
      indicate that the helical line element of the axial connective tissue system is
      composed of an elastin cable that not only defines the structure of the alveolar
      duct, but also integrates the axial connective tissue system into visceral pleura
      and peripheral blood vessels.

PMID- 26285788
TI  - Sodium glucose co-transporter inhibitors for the management of diabetes mellitus:
      an opinion paper from the Endocrine and Metabolism Practice and Research Network
      of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy.
AB  - Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) carries a high prevalence in the United States
      and worldwide. Therefore, the number of medication classes being developed and
      studied has grown. The individualized management of diabetes is accomplished by
      evaluating a medication's efficacy, safety, and cost, along with the patient's
      preference and tolerance to the medication. Sodium glucose co-transporter 2
      inhibitors are a new therapeutic class indicated for the treatment of diabetes
      and have a unique mechanism of action, independent of beta-cell function. The
      first agent approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was canagliflozin
      in March 2013. Two agents - dapagliflozin and empagliflozin - were FDA-approved
      in January and July 2014, respectively. A clear understanding of the new class is
      needed to identify its appropriate use in clinical practice. Members of the
      American College of Clinical Pharmacy Endocrine and Metabolism Practice and
      Research Network reviewed available literature regarding this therapeutic class.
      The article addresses the advantages, disadvantages, emerging role, and patient
      education for sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors. Key limitations for
      this article include limited access to clinical trial data not published by the
      pharmaceutical company and limited data on products produced outside the United
      States. 

PMID- 26285790
TI  - Retinal imaging with en face and cross-sectional optical coherence tomography
      delineates outer retinal changes in cancer-associated retinopathy secondary to
      Merkel cell carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The study aims to correlate Fourier-domain optical coherence
      tomography (FD-OCT) with Goldmann visual field (GVF) to show the photoreceptor
      (PR) structure and function relationship in the first described case of cancer
      associated retinopathy (CAR) from Merkel cell carcinoma. FINDINGS: A case study
      of a patient with CAR who was imaged with serial GVF and FD-OCT over a 2-year
      period was carried out. En face images were created using a custom algorithm from
      the volumetric Fourier-domain OCT scans at the PR level. The areas of decreased
      PR reflectivity on the en face images were compared with GVF obtained at the same
      time point. Regions of reduced signal on en face scans corresponded with the
      position and shape of the GVF scotomas. Initially, the vision improved without PR
      changes. Cross-sectional OCTs showed early recovery of the outer nuclear layer
      and later improvement in the nerve fiber layer. Worsening vision corresponded
      with recurrence of the underlying cancer. Progressive global retinal atrophy was
      seen over time. CONCLUSIONS: Merkle cell carcinoma can cause CAR. Retinal
      function recovered without structural PR recovery. Transient vision improvements
      in treated CAR patients may be due to layers other than the PRs, but eventual
      vision decline results from significant progressive retinal atrophy.

PMID- 26285789
TI  - Does Molecular Genotype Provide Useful Information in the Management of
      Radioiodine Refractory Thyroid Cancers? Results of a Retrospective Study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Whether mutation status should be used to guide therapy is an
      important issue in many cancers. We correlated mutation profile in radioiodine
      refractory (RAIR) metastatic thyroid cancers (TCs) with patient outcome and
      response to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), and discussed the results with
      other published data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Outcome in 82 consecutive patients
      with metastatic RAIR thyroid carcinoma prospectively tested for BRAF, RAS and
      PI3KCA mutations was retrospectively analyzed, including 55 patients treated with
      multikinase inhibitors. RESULTS: Papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs) were the
      most frequent histological subtype (54.9 %), followed by poorly differentiated
      thyroid carcinoma [PDTC] (30.5 %) and follicular thyroid carcinoma [FTC] (14.6
      %). A genetic mutation was identified in 23 patients (28 %) and BRAF was the most
      frequently mutated gene (23 %). Median progression-free survival (PFS) on first
      line TKI treatment was 14.6 months (95% CI 9.9-18.4). BRAF mutation positively
      influenced median PFS, both in the entire TKI-treated cohort (median PFS 34.7
      months versus 11.6 months; hazard ratio [HR] 0.29; 95% CI 0.09-0.98; p = 0.03)
      and in the TKI-treated PTC cohort (n = 22) [log-rank p = 0.086; HR 2.95; 95 % CI
      0.81-10.70). However, in TKI-treated patients, PDTC histologic subtype was the
      only independent prognostic factor for PFS identified in the multivariate
      analysis (HR 2.36; 95% CI 1.01-5.54; p = 0.048). CONCLUSION: Patients with BRAF
      mutant PTC had a significantly longer PFS than BRAF wild-type when treated with
      TKIs. However, due to the small number of BRAF-mutant patients, further
      investigations are required, especially to understand the potential positive
      effect of BRAF mutations in RAIR TC patients while having a negative prognostic
      impact in RAI-sensitive PTC patients.

PMID- 26285791
TI  - Absolute configuration of NFAT-133, an aromatic polyketide with immunosuppressive
      and antidiabetic activity from actinomycetes.

PMID- 26285792
TI  - Who's picking up the bill?

PMID- 26285795
TI  - Femtosecond laser ablation-based mass spectrometry: An ideal tool for
      stoichiometric analysis of thin films.
AB  - An accurate and routinely available method for stoichiometric analysis of thin
      films is a desideratum of modern materials science where a material's properties
      depend sensitively on elemental composition. We thoroughly investigated
      femtosecond laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (fs-LA
      ICP-MS) as an analytical technique for determination of the stoichiometry of thin
      films down to the nanometer scale. The use of femtosecond laser ablation allows
      for precise removal of material with high spatial and depth resolution that can
      be coupled to an ICP-MS to obtain elemental and isotopic information. We used
      molecular beam epitaxy-grown thin films of LaPd(x)Sb2 and T(')-La2CuO4 to
      demonstrate the capacity of fs-LA-ICP-MS for stoichiometric analysis and the
      spatial and depth resolution of the technique. Here we demonstrate that the
      stoichiometric information of thin films with a thickness of ~10 nm or lower can
      be determined. Furthermore, our results indicate that fs-LA-ICP-MS provides
      precise information on the thin film-substrate interface and is able to detect
      the interdiffusion of cations. 

PMID- 26285796
TI  - Non-truncating LIFR mutation: causal for prominent congenital pain insensitivity
      phenotype with progressive vertebral destruction?
AB  - We present a Qatari family with two children who displayed a characteristic
      phenotype of congenital marked pain insensitivity with hypohidrosis and
      progressive aseptic destruction of joints and vertebrae resembling that of
      hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathies (HSANs). The patients, aged 10 and
      14, remained of uncertain genetic diagnosis until whole genome sequencing was
      pursued. Genome sequencing identified a novel homozygous C65S mutation in the
      LIFR gene that is predicted to markedly destabilize and alter the structure of a
      particular domain and consequently to affect the functionality of the whole multi
      domain LIFR protein. The C65S mutant LIFR showed altered glycosylation and an
      elevated expression level that might be attributed to a slow turnover of the
      mutant form. LIFR mutations have been reported in Stuve-Wiedemann syndrome (SWS),
      a severe autosomal recessive skeletal dysplasia often resulting in early death.
      Our patients share some clinical features of rare cases of SWS long-term
      survivors; however, they also phenocopy HSAN due to the marked pain insensitivity
      phenotype and progressive bone destruction. Screening for LIFR mutations might be
      warranted in genetically unresolved HSAN phenotypes. 

PMID- 26285798
TI  - Optimized enzymatic colorimetric assay for determination of hydrogen peroxide
      (H2O2) scavenging activity of plant extracts.
AB  - The classical method to determine hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) scavenging activity of
      plant extracts is evaluated by measuring the disappearance of H2O2 at a
      wavelength of 230 nm. Since this method suffers from the interference of
      phenolics having strong absorption in the UV region, a simple and rapid
      colorimetric assay was developed where plant extracts are introduced to H2O2,
      phenol and 4-aminoantipyrine reaction system in the presence of horseradish
      peroxidase (HRP). This reaction yields a quinoneimine chromogen which can be
      measured at 504 nm. Decrease in the colour intensity reflects the H2O2 scavenged
      by the plant material. *Optimum conditions determined for this assay were 30 min
      reaction time, 37  degrees C, pH 7, enzyme concentration of 1 U/ml and H2O2
      concentration of 0.7 mM. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation
      (LOQ) were 136 MUM and 411 MUM, respectively.*Half maximal effective
      concentration required to scavenge 50% of H2O2 in the system (EC50 value)
      calculated for several plant extracts and standard antioxidants resulted in
      coefficient of variance (CV%) of the EC50 values less than 3.0% and correlation
      coefficient values (R (2)) > 0.95 for all dose response curves obtained.*This
      method is convenient and very precise which is suitable for the rapid
      quantification of H2O2 scavenging ability of standard antioxidants and natural
      antioxidants present in plant extracts. 

PMID- 26285797
TI  - The Phosphorylation Profile of Myosin Binding Protein-C Slow is Dynamically
      Regulated in Slow-Twitch Muscles in Health and Disease.
AB  - Myosin Binding Protein-C slow (sMyBP-C) is expressed in skeletal muscles where it
      plays structural and regulatory roles. The functions of sMyBP-C are modulated
      through alternative splicing and phosphorylation. Herein, we examined the
      phosphorylation profile of sMyBP-C in mouse slow-twitch soleus muscle isolated
      from fatigued or non-fatigued young (2-4-months old) and old (~14-months old)
      wild type and mdx mice. Our findings are two-fold. First, we identified the
      phosphorylation events present in individual sMyBP-C variants at different
      states. Secondly, we quantified the relative abundance of each phosphorylation
      event, and of sMyBP-C phospho-species as a function of age and dystrophy, in the
      presence or absence of fatigue. Our results revealed both constitutive and
      differential phosphorylation of sMyBP-C. Moreover, we noted a 10-40% and a 25-35%
      reduction in the phosphorylation levels of select sites in old wild type and
      young or old mdx soleus muscles, respectively. On the contrary, we observed a 5
      10% and a 20-25% increase in the phosphorylation levels of specific sites in
      young fatigued wild type and mdx soleus muscles, respectively. Overall, our
      studies showed that the phosphorylation pattern of sMyBP-C is differentially
      regulated following reversible (i.e. fatigue) and non-reversible (i.e. age and
      disease) (patho)physiological stressors. 

PMID- 26285799
TI  - The Physiologic Impact of Unilateral Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve (RLN) Lesion on
      Infant Oropharyngeal and Esophageal Performance.
AB  - Recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury in neonates, a complication of patent
      ductus arteriosus corrective surgery, leads to aspiration and swallowing
      complications. Severity of symptoms and prognosis for recovery are variable. We
      transected the RLN unilaterally in an infant mammalian animal model to
      characterize the degree and variability of dysphagia in a controlled experimental
      setting. We tested the hypotheses that (1) both airway protection and esophageal
      function would be compromised by lesion, (2) given our design, variability
      between multiple post-lesion trials would be minimal, and (3) variability among
      individuals would be minimal. Individuals' swallowing performance was assessed
      pre- and post-lesion using high speed VFSS. Aspiration was assessed using the
      Infant Mammalian Penetration-Aspiration Scale (IMPAS). Esophageal function was
      assessed using two measures devised for this study. Our results indicate that RLN
      lesion leads to increased frequency of aspiration, and increased esophageal
      dysfunction, with significant variation in these basic patterns at all levels. On
      average, aspiration worsened with time post-lesion. Within a single feeding
      sequence, the distribution of unsafe swallows varied. Individuals changed post
      lesion either by increasing average IMPAS score, or by increasing variation in
      IMPAS score. Unilateral RLN transection resulted in dysphagia with both
      compromised airway protection and esophageal function. Despite consistent,
      experimentally controlled injury, significant variation in response to lesion
      remained. Aspiration following RLN lesion was due to more than unilateral vocal
      fold paralysis. We suggest that neurological variation underlies this pattern. 

PMID- 26285800
TI  - Investigation of Human Cancers for Retrovirus by Low-Stringency Target Enrichment
      and High-Throughput Sequencing.
AB  - Although nearly one fifth of all human cancers have an infectious aetiology, the
      causes for the majority of cancers remain unexplained. Despite the enormous data
      output from high-throughput shotgun sequencing, viral DNA in a clinical sample
      typically constitutes a proportion of host DNA that is too small to be detected.
      Sequence variation among virus genomes complicates application of sequence
      specific, and highly sensitive, PCR methods. Therefore, we aimed to develop and
      characterize a method that permits sensitive detection of sequences despite
      considerable variation. We demonstrate that our low-stringency in-solution
      hybridization method enables detection of <100 viral copies. Furthermore,
      distantly related proviral sequences may be enriched by orders of magnitude,
      enabling discovery of hitherto unknown viral sequences by high-throughput
      sequencing. The sensitivity was sufficient to detect retroviral sequences in
      clinical samples. We used this method to conduct an investigation for novel
      retrovirus in samples from three cancer types. In accordance with recent studies
      our investigation revealed no retroviral infections in human B-cell lymphoma
      cells, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma or colorectal cancer biopsies. Nonetheless, our
      generally applicable method makes sensitive detection possible and permits
      sequencing of distantly related sequences from complex material. 

PMID- 26285801
TI  - Histone H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 regulatory genes control stable transmission of an
      epimutation in rice.
AB  - DNA methylation loss can produce inheritable active epialleles in plants. The
      mechanism involved in the stable transmission of hypomethylated epimuations is
      presently not clear. Here we show that maintenance of a stably hypomethylated
      active epiallele in rice required a CHD3 protein (CHR729) and that over
      expression of an H3K4me3 demethylase (JMJ703) or H3K27me3 methyltransferase
      (SDG711) could stably resilence the epiallele. CHR729 and JMJ703 have
      antagonistic function in H3K4me3 in maintaining the active state of the
      epiallele, whereas SDG711-mediated H3K27me3 was sufficient to stably repress the
      locus. The data suggest that H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 controlled by these chromatin
      regulators may be involved in stable transmission/resetting of epigenetic
      variation in rice. 

PMID- 26285803
TI  - PvD1 defensin, a plant antimicrobial peptide with inhibitory activity against
      Leishmania amazonensis.
AB  - Plant defensins are small cysteine-rich peptides and exhibit antimicrobial
      activity against a variety of both plant and human pathogens. Despite the broad
      inhibitory activity that plant defensins exhibit against different micro
      organisms, little is known about their activity against protozoa. In a previous
      study, we isolated a plant defensin named PvD1 from Phaseolus vulgaris (cv.
      Perola) seeds, which was seen to be deleterious against different yeast cells and
      filamentous fungi. It exerted its effects by causing an increase in the
      endogenous production of ROS (reactive oxygen species) and NO (nitric oxide),
      plasma membrane permeabilization and the inhibition of medium acidification. In
      the present study, we investigated whether PvD1 could act against the protozoan
      Leishmania amazonensis. Our results show that, besides inhibiting the
      proliferation of L. amazonensis promastigotes, the PvD1 defensin was able to
      cause cytoplasmic fragmentation, formation of multiple cytoplasmic vacuoles and
      membrane permeabilization in the cells of this organism. Furthermore, we show,
      for the first time, that PvD1 defensin was located within the L. amazonensis
      cells, suggesting the existence of a possible intracellular target.

PMID- 26285804
TI  - Effect of BIX-01294 on H3K9me2 levels and the imprinted gene Snrpn in mouse
      embryonic fibroblast cells.
AB  - Histone H3 lysine 9 dimethylation (H3K9me2) hypermethylation is thought to be a
      major influential factor in cellular reprogramming, such as somatic cell nuclear
      transfer (SCNT) and induction of pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). The diazepin
      quinazolin-amine derivative (BIX-01294) specifically inhibits the activity of
      histone methyltransferase EHMT2 (euchromatic histone-lysine N-methyltransferase
      2) and reduces H3K9me2 levels in cells. The imprinted gene small nuclear
      ribonucleoprotein N (Snrpn) is of particular interest because of its important
      biological functions. The objective of the present study was to investigate the
      effect of BIX-01294 on H3K9me2 levels and changes in Snrpn DNA methylation and
      histone H3K9me2 in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). Results showed that 1.3
      MUM BIX-01294 markedly reduced global levels of H3K9me2 with almost no cellular
      toxicity. There was a significant decrease in H3K9me2 in promoter regions of the
      Snrpn gene after BIX-01294 treatment. A significant increase in methylation of
      the Snrpn differentially methylated region 1 (DMR1) and slightly decreased
      transcript levels of Snrpn were found in BIX-01294-treated MEFs. These results
      suggest that BIX-01294 may reduce global levels of H3K9me2 and affect epigenetic
      modifications of Snrpn in MEFs.

PMID- 26285806
TI  - Washington State Opioid Prescribing Guidelines.

PMID- 26285807
TI  - Adjunctive Systemic and Local Antimicrobial Therapy in the Surgical Treatment of
      Peri-implantitis: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.
AB  - The aim of the present randomized controlled clinical trial was to investigate
      the adjunctive effect of systemic antibiotics and the local use of chlorhexidine
      for implant surface decontamination in the surgical treatment of peri
      implantitis. One hundred patients with severe peri-implantitis were recruited.
      Surgical therapy was performed with or without adjunctive systemic antibiotics or
      the local use of chlorhexidine for implant surface decontamination. Treatment
      outcomes were evaluated at 1 y. A binary logistic regression analysis was used to
      identify factors influencing the probability of treatment success, that is,
      probing pocket depth <=5 mm, absence of bleeding/suppuration on probing, and no
      additional bone loss. Treatment success was obtained in 45% of all implants but
      was higher in implants with a nonmodified surface (79%) than those with a
      modified surface (34%). The local use of chlorhexidine had no overall effect on
      treatment outcomes. While adjunctive systemic antibiotics had no impact on
      treatment success at implants with a nonmodified surface, a positive effect on
      treatment success was observed at implants with a modified surface. The
      likelihood for treatment success using adjunctive systemic antibiotics in
      patients with implants with a modified surface, however, was low. As the effect
      of adjunctive systemic antibiotics depended on implant surface characteristics,
      recommendations for their use in the surgical treatment of peri-implantitis
      should be based on careful assessments of the targeted implant
      (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01857804). 

PMID- 26285808
TI  - Wnt Signaling and Its Contribution to Craniofacial Tissue Homeostasis.
AB  - A new field of dental medicine seeks to exploit nature's solution for repairing
      damaged tissues, through the process of regeneration. Most adult mammalian
      tissues have limited regenerative capacities, but in lower vertebrates, the
      molecular machinery for regeneration is an elemental part of their genetic
      makeup. Accumulating data suggest that the molecular pathways responsible for the
      regenerative capacity of teleosts, amphibians, and reptiles have fallen into
      disuse in mammals but that they can be "jumpstarted" by the selective activation
      of key molecules. The Wnt family of secreted proteins constitutes one such
      critical pathway: Wnt proteins rank among the most potent and ubiquitous stem
      cell self-renewing factors, with tremendous potential for promoting human tissue
      regeneration. Wnt reporter and lineage-tracing strains of mice have been employed
      to create molecular maps of Wnt responsiveness in the craniofacial tissues, and
      these patterns of Wnt signaling colocalize with stem/progenitor populations in
      the rodent incisor apex, the dental pulp, the alveolar bone, the periodontal
      ligament, the cementum, and oral mucosa. The importance of Wnt signaling in both
      the maintenance and healing of these craniofacial tissues is summarized, and the
      therapeutic potential of Wnt-based strategies to accelerate healing through
      activation of endogenous stem cells is highlighted. 

PMID- 26285805
TI  - The cellular response to vascular endothelial growth factors requires co
      ordinated signal transduction, trafficking and proteolysis.
AB  - VEGFs (vascular endothelial growth factors) are a family of conserved disulfide
      linked soluble secretory glycoproteins found in higher eukaryotes. VEGFs mediate
      a wide range of responses in different tissues including metabolic homoeostasis,
      cell proliferation, migration and tubulogenesis. Such responses are initiated by
      VEGF binding to soluble and membrane-bound VEGFRs (VEGF receptor tyrosine
      kinases) and co-receptors. VEGF and receptor splice isoform diversity further
      enhances complexity of membrane protein assembly and function in signal
      transduction pathways that control multiple cellular responses. Different signal
      transduction pathways are simultaneously activated by VEGFR-VEGF complexes with
      membrane trafficking along the endosome-lysosome network further modulating
      signal output from multiple enzymatic events associated with such pathways.
      Balancing VEGFR-VEGF signal transduction with trafficking and proteolysis is
      essential in controlling the intensity and duration of different intracellular
      signalling events. Dysfunction in VEGF-regulated signal transduction is important
      in chronic disease states including cancer, atherosclerosis and blindness. This
      family of growth factors and receptors is an important model system for
      understanding human disease pathology and developing new therapeutics for
      treating such ailments.

PMID- 26285809
TI  - Ex Vivo Modeling of Multidomain Peptide Hydrogels with Intact Dental Pulp.
AB  - Preservation of a vital dental pulp is a central goal of restorative dentistry.
      Currently, there is significant interest in the development of tissue engineering
      scaffolds that can serve as biocompatible and bioactive pulp-capping materials,
      driving dentin bridge formation without causing cytotoxic effects. Our earlier in
      vitro studies described the biocompatibility of multidomain peptide (MDP)
      hydrogel scaffolds with dental pulp-derived cells but were limited in their
      ability to model contact with intact 3-dimensional pulp tissues. Here, we utilize
      an established ex vivo mandible organ culture model to model these complex
      interactions. MDP hydrogel scaffolds were injected either at the interface of the
      odontoblasts and the dentin or into the pulp core of mandible slices and
      subsequently cultured for up to 10 d. Histology reveals minimal disruption of
      tissue architecture adjacent to MDP scaffolds injected into the pulp core or
      odontoblast space. Additionally, the odontoblast layer is structurally preserved
      in apposition to the MDP scaffold, despite being separated from the dentin.
      Alizarin red staining suggests mineralization at the periphery of MDP scaffolds
      injected into the odontoblast space. Immunohistochemistry reveals deposition of
      dentin sialophosphoprotein by odontoblasts into the adjacent MDP hydrogel,
      indicating continued functionality. In contrast, no mineralization or dentin
      sialophosphoprotein deposition is evident around MDP scaffolds injected into the
      pulp core. Collagen III expression is seen in apposition to gels at all
      experimental time points. Matrix metalloproteinase 2 expression is observed
      associated with centrally injected MDP scaffolds at early time points, indicating
      proteolytic digestion of scaffolds. Thus, MDP scaffolds delivered centrally and
      peripherally within whole dental pulp tissue are shown to be biocompatible,
      preserving local tissue architecture. Additionally, odontoblast function and pulp
      vitality are sustained when MDP scaffolds are intercalated between dentin and the
      odontoblast region, a finding that has significant implications when considering
      these materials as pulp-capping agents. 

PMID- 26285810
TI  - Stem Cell-Soluble Signals Enhance Multilumen Formation in SMG Cell Clusters.
AB  - Saliva plays a major role in maintaining oral health. Patients with salivary
      hypofunction exhibit difficulty in chewing and swallowing foods, tooth decay,
      periodontal disease, and microbial infections. At this time, treatments for
      hyposalivation are limited to medications (e.g., muscarinic receptor agonists:
      pilocarpine and cevimeline) that induce saliva secretion from residual acinar
      cells as well as artificial salivary substitutes. Therefore, advancement of
      restorative treatments is necessary to improve the quality of life in these
      patients. Our previous studies indicated that salivary cells are able to form
      polarized 3-dimensional structures when grown on growth factor-reduced Matrigel.
      This basement membrane is rich in laminin-III (L1), which plays a critical role
      in salivary gland formation. Mitotically inactive feeder layers have been used
      previously to support the growth of many different cell types, as they provide
      factors necessary for cell growth and organization. The goal of this study was to
      improve salivary gland cell differentiation in primary cultures by using a
      combination of L1 and a feeder layer of human hair follicle-derived mesenchymal
      stem cells (hHF-MSCs). Our results indicated that the direct contact of mouse
      submandibular (mSMG) cell clusters and hHF-MSCs was not required for mSMG cells
      to form acinar and ductal structures. However, the hHF-MSC conditioned medium
      enhanced cell organization and multilumen formation, indicating that soluble
      signals secreted by hHF-MSCs play a role in promoting these features. 

PMID- 26285811
TI  - Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells: A New Frontier for Stem Cells in Dentistry.
AB  - Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are the newest member of a growing list of
      stem cell populations that hold great potential for use in cell-based treatment
      approaches in the dental field. This review summarizes the dental tissues that
      have successfully been utilized to generate iPSC lines, as well as the potential
      uses of iPSCs for tissue regeneration in different dental applications. While
      iPSCs display great promise in a number of dental applications, there are safety
      concerns with these cells that need to be addressed before they can be used in
      clinical settings. This review outlines some of the apprehensions to the use of
      iPSCs clinically, and it details approaches that are being employed to ensure the
      safety and efficacy of these cells. One of the major approaches being
      investigated is the differentiation of iPSCs prior to use in patients. iPSCs have
      successfully been differentiated into a wide range of cells and tissue types.
      This review focuses on 2 differentiation approaches-the differentiation of iPSCs
      into mesenchymal stem cells and the differentiation of iPSCs into osteoprogenitor
      cells. Both these resulting populations of cells are particularly relevant to the
      dental field. 

PMID- 26285813
TI  - Androgen actions via androgen receptor promote PTEN inactivation induced uterine
      cancer.
AB  - Haploinsufficient inactivating phosphatase and tensin homolog (Pten) mutations
      cause Cowden syndrome, an autosomal dominant risk genotype for hormone dependent
      reproductive cancers. As androgen actions mediated via the androgen receptor (AR)
      supports uterine growth and may modify uterine cancer risk, we hypothesized that
      a functional AR may increase PTEN inactivation induced uterine cancer. To test
      the hypothesis, we compared the PTEN knockout (PTENKO) induced uterine pathology
      in heterozygous PTENKO and combined heterozygous PTEN and complete AR knockout
      (PTENARKO) female mice. PTENKO induced uterine pathology was significantly
      reduced by AR inactivation with severe macroscopic uterine pathology present in
      21% of PTENARKO vs 46% of PTENKO at a median age of 45 weeks. This could be due
      to reduced stroma ERalpha expression in PTENARKO compared to PTENKO uterus, while
      AR inactivation did not modify PTEN or P-AKT levels. Unexpectedly, while
      progesterone (P4) is assumed protective in uterine cancers, serum P4 was
      significantly higher in PTENKO females compared to WT, ARKO, and PTENARKO females
      consistent with more corpora lutea in PTENKO ovaries. Serum testosterone and
      ovarian estradiol were similar between all females. Hence, our results
      demonstrated AR inactivation mediated protection against PTENKO induced uterine
      pathology and suggests a potential role for antiandrogens in uterine cancer
      prevention and treatment. 

PMID- 26285812
TI  - Salivary Glands: Stem Cells, Self-duplication, or Both?
AB  - Understanding the intrinsic potential for renewal and regeneration within a
      tissue is critical for the rational design of reparative strategies. Maintenance
      of the salivary glands is widely thought to depend on the differentiation of stem
      cells. However, there is also new evidence that homeostasis of the salivary
      glands, like that of the liver and pancreas, relies on self-renewal of
      differentiated cells rather than a stem cell pool. Here, we review the evidence
      for both modes of turnover and consider the implications for the process of
      regeneration. We propose that the view of salivary glands as postmitotic and
      dependent on stem cells for renewal be revised to reflect the proliferative
      activity of acinar cells and their role in salivary gland homeostasis. 

PMID- 26285815
TI  - RAS proto-oncogene in medullary thyroid carcinoma.
AB  - Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a rare malignancy originating from the
      calcitonin-secreting parafollicular thyroid C cells. Approximately 75% of cases
      are sporadic. Rearranged during transfection (RET) proto-oncogene plays a crucial
      role in MTC development. Besides RET, other oncogenes commonly involved in the
      pathogenesis of human cancers have also been investigated in MTC. The family of
      human RAS genes includes the highly homologous HRAS, KRAS, and NRAS genes that
      encode three distinct proteins. Activating mutations in specific hotspots of the
      RAS genes are found in about 30% of all human cancers. In thyroid neoplasias, RAS
      gene point mutations, mainly in NRAS, are detected in benign and malignant tumors
      arising from the follicular epithelium. However, recent reports have also
      described RAS mutations in MTC, namely in HRAS and KRAS. Overall, the prevalence
      of RAS mutations in sporadic MTC varies between 0-43.3%, occurring usually in
      tumors with WT RET and rarely in those harboring a RET mutation, suggesting that
      activation of these proto-oncogenes represents alternative genetic events in
      sporadic MTC tumorigenesis. Thus, the assessment of RAS mutation status can be
      useful to define therapeutic strategies in RET WT MTC. MTC patients with RAS
      mutations have an intermediate risk for aggressive cancer, between those with RET
      mutations in exons 15 and 16, which are associated with the worst prognosis, and
      cases with other RET mutations, which have the most indolent course of the
      disease. Recent results from exome sequencing indicate that, besides mutations in
      RET, HRAS, and KRAS, no other recurrent driver mutations are present in MTC. 

PMID- 26285814
TI  - Novel somatic mutations and distinct molecular signature in aldosterone-producing
      adenomas.
AB  - Aldosterone-producing adenomas (APAs) are found in 1.5-3.0% of hypertensive
      patients in primary care and can be cured by surgery. Elucidation of genetic
      events may improve our understanding of these tumors and ultimately improve
      patient care. Approximately 40% of APAs harbor a missense mutation in the KCNJ5
      gene. More recently, somatic mutations in CACNA1D, ATP1A1 and ATP2B3, also
      important for membrane potential/intracellular Ca(2) (+) regulation, were
      observed in APAs. In this study, we analyzed 165 APAs for mutations in selected
      regions of these genes. We then correlated mutational findings with clinical and
      molecular phenotype using transcriptome analysis, immunohistochemistry and
      semiquantitative PCR. Somatic mutations in CACNA1D in 3.0% (one novel mutation),
      ATP1A1 in 6.1% (six novel mutations) and ATP2B3 in 3.0% (two novel mutations)
      were detected. All observed mutations were located in previously described
      hotspot regions. Patients with tumors harboring mutations in CACNA1D, ATP1A1 and
      ATP2B3 were operated at an older age, were more often male and had tumors that
      were smaller than those in patients with KCNJ5 mutated tumors. Microarray
      transcriptome analysis segregated KCNJ5 mutated tumors from ATP1A1/ATP2B3 mutated
      tumors and those without mutation. We observed significant transcription
      upregulation of CYP11B2, as well as the previously described glomerulosa-specific
      gene NPNT, in ATP1A1/ATP2B3 mutated tumors compared to KCNJ5 mutated tumors. In
      summary, we describe novel somatic mutations in proteins regulating the membrane
      potential/intracellular Ca(2) (+) levels, and also a distinct mRNA and clinical
      signature, dependent on genetic alteration. 

PMID- 26285816
TI  - Qualitative website analysis of information on birth after caesarean section.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The United Kingdom (UK) caesarean section (CS) rate is largely
      determined by reluctance to augment trial of labour and vaginal birth. Choice
      between repeat CS and attempting vaginal birth after CS (VBAC) in the next
      pregnancy is challenging, with neither offering clear safety advantages. Women
      may access online information during the decision-making process. Such
      information is known to vary in its support for either mode of birth when
      assessed quantitatively. Therefore, we sought to explore qualitatively, the
      content and presentation of web-based health care information on birth after
      caesarean section (CS) in order to identify the dominant messages being conveyed.
      METHODS: The search engine GoogleTM was used to conduct an internet search using
      terms relating to birth after CS. The ten most frequently returned websites
      meeting relevant purposive sampling criteria were analysed. Sampling criteria
      were based upon funding source, authorship and intended audience. Images and
      written textual content together with presence of links to additional media or
      external web content were analysed using descriptive and thematic analyses
      respectively. RESULTS: Ten websites were analysed: five funded by Government
      bodies or professional membership; one via charitable donations, and four funded
      commercially. All sites compared the advantages and disadvantages of both repeat
      CS and VBAC. Commercially funded websites favoured a question and answer format
      alongside images, 'pop-ups', social media forum links and hyperlinks to third
      party sites. The relationship between the parent sites and those being linked to
      may not be readily apparent to users, risking perception of endorsement of either
      VBAC or repeat CS whether intended or otherwise. Websites affiliated with
      Government or health services presented referenced clinical information in a
      factual manner with podcasts of real life experiences. Many imply greater support
      for VBAC than repeat CS although this was predominantly conveyed through subtle
      use of words rather than overt messages, with the exception of the latter being
      apparent in one site. CONCLUSIONS: Websites providing information on birth after
      CS appear to vary in nature of content according to their funding source. The
      most user-friendly, balanced and informative websites appear to be those funded
      by government agencies.

PMID- 26285817
TI  - Outcomes after minimally invasive lumbar decompression: a biomechanical
      comparison of unilateral and bilateral laminotomies.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The unilateral approach for bilateral decompression was developed as
      an alternative to laminectomy. Unilateral laminotomy has been rated technically
      considerably more demanding and associated with more perioperative complications
      than bilateral laminotomy. Several studies have indicated that bilateral
      laminotomy are associated with a substantial benefit in most outcome parameters
      and thus constituted a promising treatment alternative. However, no complete
      kinematic data and relative biomechanical analysis for evaluating spinal
      instability treated with unilateral and bilateral laminotomy are available.
      Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the stability of various
      decompression methods. METHODS: Ten porcine lumbar spines were biomechanically
      evaluated regarding their strain and range of motion, and the results were
      compared following unilateral or bilateral laminotomies and laminectomy. The
      experimental protocol included flexion and extension in the following procedures:
      intact, unilateral or bilateral laminotomies (L2-L5), and full laminectomy (L2
      L5). The spinal segment kinematics was captured using a motion tracking system,
      and the strain was measured using a strain gauge. RESULTS: No significant
      differences were observed during flexion and extension between the unilateral and
      bilateral laminotomies, whereas laminectomy yielded statistically significant
      findings. Regarding strain, significant differences were observed between the
      laminectomy and other groups. These results suggest that laminotomy entails
      higher spinal stability than laminectomy, with no significant differences between
      bilateral and unilateral laminotomies. CONCLUSIONS: The laminectomy group
      exhibited more instability, including the index of the range of motion and
      strain. However, bilateral laminotomy seems to have led to stability similar to
      that of unilateral laminotomy according to our short-term follow-up. In addition,
      performing bilateral laminotomies is easier for surgeons than adopting a
      unilateral approach for bilateral decompression. The results provide
      recommendations for surgeons regarding final decision making. Future studies
      conducting long-term evaluation are required.

PMID- 26285818
TI  - A qualitative study on the ethics of transforming care: examining the development
      and implementation of Canada's first mental health strategy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Mental Health Commission of Canada worked collaboratively with
      stakeholders to create a new framework for a federal mental health strategy,
      which is now mandated for implementation by 2017. The proposed strategies have
      been written into provincial health plans, hospital accreditation standards, and
      the annual objectives of psychiatric departments and community organizations.
      This project will explore the decision-making process among those who contributed
      to Canada's first federal mental health policy and those implementing this policy
      in the clinical setting. Despite the centrality of ethical reasoning to the
      successful uptake of the recent national guidelines for recovery-oriented care,
      to date, there are no studies focused exclusively on the ethical tensions that
      emerged and continue to emerge during the creation and implementation of the new
      standards for recovery-oriented practice. METHODS/DESIGN: This two-year Canadian
      Institute of Health Research Catalyst Grant in Ethics (2015-2017) consists of
      three components. C-I, a retrospective, qualitative study consisting of document
      analysis and interviews with key policy-makers of the ethical tensions that arose
      during the development of Canada's Mental Health Strategy will be conducted in
      parallel to C-II, a theory-based, focused ethnography of how mental health
      practitioners in a psychiatric setting reason about and act upon new standards in
      everyday practice. Case-based scenarios of ethical tensions will be developed
      from C-I/II and fed-forward to C-III: participatory forums with policy-makers,
      mental health practitioners, and other stakeholders in recovery-oriented services
      to collectively identify and prioritize key ethical concerns and generate action
      steps to close the gap between the policy-making process and its implementation
      at the local level. DISCUSSION: Policy-makers and clinicians make important
      everyday decisions that effect the creation and implementation of new practice
      standards. Particularly, there is a need to understand how ethical dilemmas that
      arise during this decision-making process and the reasoning and resources they
      use to resolve these tensions impact on the implementation process. This catalyst
      grant in ethics will (1) introduce a novel line of inquiry focusing on the
      ethical tensions that arose in the development of Canada's first mental health
      strategy, while (2) intensifying our focus on the ethical aspects of moving
      policy into action.

PMID- 26285819
TI  - Standardised outcomes in nephrology - Haemodialysis (SONG-HD): study protocol for
      establishing a core outcome set in haemodialysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease is a significant contributor to mortality and
      morbidity worldwide, and the number of people who require dialysis or
      transplantation continues to increase. People on dialysis are 15 times more
      likely to die than the general population. Dialysis is also costly, intrusive,
      and time-consuming and imposes an enormous burden on patients and their families.
      This escalating problem has spurred a proliferation of trials in dialysis, yet
      health and quality of life remain poor. The reasons for this are complex and
      varied but are attributable in part to problems in the design and reporting of
      studies, particularly outcome selection. Problems related to outcomes include use
      of unvalidated surrogates, outcomes of little or no relevance to patients, highly
      variable outcome selection limiting comparability across studies, and bias in
      reporting outcomes. The aim of the Standardised Outcomes in Nephrology
      Haemodialysis (SONG-HD) study is to establish a core outcome set for
      haemodialysis trials, to improve the quality of reporting, and the relevance of
      trials conducted in people on haemodialysis. METHODS/DESIGN: SONG-HD is a five
      phase project that includes the following: a systematic review to identify
      outcomes that have been reported in haemodialysis systematic reviews and trials;
      nominal group technique with patients and caregivers to identify, rank, and
      describe reasons for their choices; qualitative stakeholder interviews with
      patients, caregivers, clinicians, researchers, and policy makers to elicit
      individual values and perspectives on outcomes for haemodialysis trials; a three
      round Delphi survey with stakeholder groups to distil and generate a prioritised
      list of core outcomes; and a consensus workshop to establish a core outcome set
      for haemodialysis trials. DISCUSSION: Establishing a core outcome set to be
      consistently measured and reported in haemodialysis trials will improve the
      integrity, transparency, usability, and contribution of research relevant to
      patients requiring haemodialysis; ensure that outcomes of relevance to all
      stakeholders are consistently reported across trials; and mitigate against
      outcome reporting bias. Ultimately, patients will be more protected from
      potential harm, patients and clinicians will be better able to make informed
      decisions about treatment, and researchers and policy makers will be more able to
      maximise the value of research to the public.

PMID- 26285820
TI  - Contribution of the non-effector members of the HrpL regulon, iaaL and matE, to
      the virulence of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 in tomato plants.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The phytohormone indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) is widely distributed
      among plant-associated bacteria. Certain strains of the Pseudomonas syringae
      complex can further metabolize IAA into a less biologically active amino acid
      conjugate, 3-indole-acetyl-epsilon-L-lysine, through the action of the iaaL gene.
      In P. syringae and Pseudomonas savastanoi strains, the iaaL gene is found in
      synteny with an upstream gene, here called matE, encoding a putative MATE family
      transporter. In P. syringae pv. tomato (Pto) DC3000, a pathogen of tomato and
      Arabidopsis plants, the HrpL sigma factor controls the expression of a suite of
      virulence-associated genes via binding to hrp box promoters, including that of
      the iaaL gene. However, the significance of HrpL activation of the iaaL gene in
      the virulence of Pto DC3000 is still unclear. RESULTS: A conserved hrp box motif
      is found upstream of the iaaL gene in the genomes of P. syringae strains.
      However, although the promoter region of matE is only conserved in genomospecies
      3 of this bacterial group, we showed that this gene also belongs to the Pto
      DC3000 HrpL regulon. We also demonstrated that the iaaL gene is transcribed both
      independently and as part of an operon with matE in this pathogen. Deletion of
      either the iaaL or the matE gene resulted in reduced fitness and virulence of Pto
      DC3000 in tomato plants. In addition, we used multicolor fluorescence imaging to
      visualize the responses of tomato plants to wild-type Pto DC3000 and to its
      DeltamatE and DeltaiaaL mutants. Activation of secondary metabolism prior to the
      development of visual symptoms was observed in tomato leaves after bacterial
      challenges with all strains. However, the observed changes were strongest in
      plants challenged by the wild-type strain, indicating lower activation of
      secondary metabolism in plants infected with the DeltamatE or DeltaiaaL mutants.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide new evidence for the roles of non-type III
      effector genes belonging to the Pto DC3000 HrpL regulon in virulence.

PMID- 26285821
TI  - Radial endobronchial ultrasound in diagnosing peripheral lung lesions in a high
      tuberculosis setting.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Current data for the utility of radial endobronchial ultrasound
      (EBUS) in investigating peripheral lung lesions (PLLs) has been restricted to
      populations with low pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) incidence. The aim of this study
      was to assess the diagnostic utility of radial EBUS with guide sheath in the
      diagnosis of peripheral lung lesions in Singapore, a high TB incidence setting.
      METHODS: A post-hoc database analysis was performed. 123 consecutive patients
      with computed tomographic evidence of PLLs who underwent radial EBUS guided
      bronchoscopy were included. RESULTS: The final diagnosis was malignancy in 76
      cases and benign in 44 cases. Radial EBUS guided bronchoscopy had a sensitivity
      of 65.8 % for malignancy, positive predictive value of 100 %, negative predictive
      value of 62.9 %, and a diagnostic accuracy of 82.5 %. 22 patients had a final
      diagnosis of pulmonary TB. The diagnostic sensitivity for pulmonary TB was 77.3
      %, with a positive predictive value of 100 %, negative predictive value of 95.2 %
      and a diagnostic accuracy of 95.8 %. Overall, 58.8 % of pulmonary TB cases relied
      on histology to make an early diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Radial EBUS guided
      bronchosopy is useful in investigating PLLs in a high TB incidence setting. Our
      data also suggests that radial EBUS is a more rapid diagnosis technique for
      tuberculous lesions.

PMID- 26285822
TI  - Displacements prediction from 3D finite element model of maxillary protraction
      with and without rapid maxillary expansion in a patient with unilateral cleft
      palate and alveolus.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Both maxillary protraction and rapid expansion are recommended for
      patients with cleft palate and alveolus. The aim of the study is to establish a
      three-dimensional finite element model of the craniomaxillary complex with
      unilateral cleft palate and alveolus to simulate maxillary protraction with and
      without rapid maxillary expansion. The study also investigates the deformation of
      the craniomaxillary complex after applied orthopaedic forces in different
      directions. METHODS: A three dimensional finite element model of 1,277,568
      hexahedral elements (C3D8) and 1,801,945 nodes was established based upon CT scan
      of a patient with unilateral cleft palate and alveolus on the right side in this
      study. A force of 4.9 N per side was directed on the anatomic height of contour
      on the buccal side of the first molar. The angles between the force vector and
      occlusal plane were -30 degrees , -20 degrees , -10 degrees , 0 degrees , 10
      degrees , 20 degrees , and 30 degrees . A force of 2.45 N on each loading point
      was directed on the anatomic height of contour on the lingual side of the first
      premolar and the first molar to simulate the expansion of the palate. RESULTS:
      The craniomaxillary complex displaced forward under any of the loading
      conditions. The sagittal and vertical displacement of the craniomaxillary complex
      reached their peak at the protraction degree of -10 degrees  forward and downward
      to the occlusal plane. There were larger sagittal displacements when the maxilla
      was protracted forward with maxillary expansion. The palatal plane rotated
      counterclockwise under any of the loading conditions. Being protracted without
      expansion, the dental arch was constricted. When supplemented with maxillary
      expansion, the width of the dental arch increased. Transverse deformation of the
      dental arch on affected side was different from that on unaffected side.
      CONCLUSIONS: Protraction force alone led the craniomaxillary complex moved
      forward and counterclockwise, accompanied with lateral constrain on the dental
      arch. Additional rapid maxillary expansion resulted in a more positive reaction
      including both larger sagittal displacement and the width of the dental arch
      increase.

PMID- 26285823
TI  - Role for intravesical prostatic protrusion in lower urinary tract symptom: a
      fluid structural interaction analysis study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Numerous studies indicated that Intravesical prostatic protrusion is
      relevant to prognosis of LUTS, however, the confounding effect that is brought
      about by prostate volume, urethra anterior curvature angle and other factors
      makes it hard to evaluate the role of intravesical prostatic protrusion in
      clinical observation. METHODS: We proposed a fluid structural interaction
      analysis approach. 3D models were constructed based on MRI images, and prostatic
      urethra diameters were calibrated with urodynamic data. Comparisons of urine flow
      dynamics were made between models with various degree of intravesical prostatic
      protrusion, while the intravesical pressure, anterior urethra curvature angle and
      diameter of prostatic urethra were same among all models to rule out their
      confounding effects. RESULTS: Simulation result showed that the decrement of
      diameter and increment of variation in cross-sectional area for prostatic urethra
      were related to the degree of intravesical prostatic protrusion. Such deformation
      would lead to deterioration of flow efficiency and could compromise the effect of
      bladder outlet obstruction alleviation treatment. CONCLUSIONS: These results
      provided further evidence for intravesical prostatic protrusion being an
      independent risk factor for bladder outlet obstruction severity and demonstrated
      that intravesical prostatic protrusion would be a promising marker in clinical
      decision making.

PMID- 26285824
TI  - Compliance with Surgical Safety Checklist completion in the operating room of
      University of Gondar Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Appropriate utilization and compliance of Surgical Safety Checklist
      reduces occurrence of perioperative surgical complications and improve patient
      outcomes. However, data on compliance of surgical checklists are scarce in the
      study area. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate compliance of
      checklist completion and its barrier for utilization at University of Gondar
      Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia. METHODS: A prospective observational study was
      conducted among 282 patients undergoing elective and emergency surgery from
      January to March 2013. Compliance and completeness rate with implementation of
      Sign-in, Time-out, and Sign-out domains was computed with SPSS 20 package.
      RESULTS: A total of 282 operations were performed and checklists were utilized in
      39.7% (112/282) of cases. Among these, most checklists were employed during
      emergency procedures (61.6%) that need general anesthesia (75.9%) in department
      of surgery (58.9%). The overall compliance and completeness rate were 39.7 and
      63.4% respectively. The sign-in, time-out and sign-out were missed in 30.5%
      (273/896), 35.4 % (436/1,232) and 45.7% (307/672) respectively. The main reasons
      cited for non-user were lack of previous training (45.1%) and lack of cooperation
      among surgical team members (21.6%). CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: The
      completeness rate was satisfactory but the overall compliance rate was
      suboptimal. An instrument that is used 40% of the time has been a fairly basic
      introduction without significant reinforcement training. Moreover, frequent use
      of the checklist during emergency cases has been deemed to be of value by
      clinicians. Supplementary training and attention to actual checklist use would be
      indicated to ensure that this valuable tool could be used more routinely and
      improve communication. Conducting regular audit of checklist utilization is also
      recommended.

PMID- 26285825
TI  - The content of social media's shared images about Ebola: a retrospective study.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Social media have strongly influenced awareness and perceptions of
      public health emergencies, but a considerable amount of social media content is
      now carried through images, rather than just text. This study's objective is to
      explore how image-sharing platforms are used for information dissemination in
      public health emergencies. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of images posted on
      two popular image-sharing platforms to characterize public discourse about Ebola.
      METHODS: Using the keyword '#ebola' we identified a 1% sample of images posted on
      Instagram and Flickr across two sequential weeks in November 2014. Images from
      both platforms were independently coded by two reviewers and characterized by
      themes. We reviewed 1217 images posted on Instagram and Flickr and identified
      themes. RESULTS: Nine distinct themes were identified. These included: images of
      health care workers and professionals [308 (25%)], West Africa [75 (6%)], the
      Ebola virus [59 (5%)], and artistic renderings of Ebola [64 (5%)]. Also
      identified were images with accompanying embedded text related to Ebola and
      associated: facts [68 (6%)], fears [40 (3%)], politics [46 (4%)], and jokes [284
      (23%)]. Several [273 (22%)] images were unrelated to Ebola or its sequelae.
      Instagram images were primarily coded as jokes [255 (42%)] or unrelated [219
      (36%)], while Flickr images primarily depicted health care workers and other
      professionals [281 (46%)] providing care or other services for prevention or
      treatment. CONCLUSION: Image sharing platforms are being used for information
      exchange about public health crises, like Ebola. Use differs by platform and
      discerning these differences can help inform future uses for health care
      professionals and researchers seeking to assess public fears and misinformation
      or provide targeted education/awareness interventions.

PMID- 26285826
TI  - Temporal patterns of physical activity and sedentary behavior in 10-14 year-old
      children on weekdays.
AB  - BACKGROUND: An important but often ignored aspect of physical activity (PA) and
      sedentary behavior (SB) is the chronological succession of activities, or
      temporal pattern. The main purposes of this study were (1) to investigate when
      certain types of PA and SB compete against each other during the course of the
      day and (2) compare intensity- and domain-specific activity levels during
      different day-segments. METHODS: The study sample consists of 211 children aged
      10-14, recruited from 15 primary and 15 secondary schools. PA was assessed
      combining the SenseWear Mini Armband (SWM) with an electronic activity diary. The
      intensity- and domain-specific temporal patterns were plotted and PA differences
      between different day-segments (i.e., morning, school, early evening and late
      evening) were examined using repeated-measures ANCOVA models. RESULTS: Physical
      activity level (PAL) was highest during the early evening (2.51 METSWM) and
      school hours (2.49 METSWM); the late evening segment was significantly less
      active (2.21 METSWM) and showed the highest proportion of sedentary time (54 % of
      total time-use). Throughout the different day-segments, several domains of PA and
      SB competed with each other. During the critical early-evening segment,
      screentime (12 % of time-use) and homework (10 %) were dominant compared to
      activity domains of sports (4 %) and active leisure (3 %). The domain of active
      travel competed directly with motor travel during the morning (5 % and 6 %
      respectively) and early-evening segment (both 8 %). CONCLUSIONS: Throughout the
      day, different aspects of PA and SB go in competition with each other, especially
      during the time period immediately after school. Detailed information on the
      temporal patterns of PA and SB of children could help health professionals to
      develop more effective PA interventions and promotion strategies. By making
      adaptations to the typical day schedule of children (e.g., through the
      introduction of extra-curricular PA after school hours), their daily activity
      levels might improve.

PMID- 26285827
TI  - Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activities of aqueous extract of flowers from
      Nycantus arbor-tristis L. in male mice.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Boiled aqueous extract of flowers (AEF) from Nyctanthes arbor-tristis
      L. are used in Sri Lankan traditional Ayruvedic Medicine to manage diabetes
      mellitus. AEF has widely been used as a folk medicine for the treatment of
      various ailments due to its therapeutic activity. However, little is known
      concerning therapeutic activity of the extract as well as its underline
      mechanisms and safety. Diabetes is known to increase low-density cholesterol and
      decrease high-density cholesterol thus triggering coronary diseases. Hence, the
      primary objective of the present study is to investigate the hypoglycemic and
      hypolipidemic activities of the AEF. METHODS: AEF was prepared and male mice (n =
      9 group) were gavaged either with 250, 500 and 750 mg/kg of AEF or distilled
      water (DW). Subsequently, fasting and random blood glucose concentrations were
      determined. To investigate mechanisms of actions of AEF, animals were orally
      administered with 500 mg/kg or the vehicle (DW) and glucose tolerance was
      performed before and after glucose challenge. For further studies, in vitro alpha
      amylase assay and glucose absorption from the gastrointestinal tract were
      performed using 500 mg/kg of the extract. Additionally, glycogen content in the
      liver and skeletal muscles, a complete lipid profile assay, and toxicological and
      biochemical parameters were conducted after a chronic study. RESULTS: Five
      hundred mg/kg and 750 mg/kg of AEF significantly (p < 0.01) reduced fasting blood
      glucose levels respectively by 49 and 39% at 4 h post-treatment, while 500 mg/kg
      of AEF also decreased the random blood glucose level significantly (p < 0.01) by
      32% at 4 h post-treatment. AEF significantly inhibited glucose absorption by 85%
      from the intestine and increased diaphragm uptake of glucose by 64%. The extract
      also exhibited inhibition (16.66%) of alpha-amylase enzyme activity. It also
      decreased the level of total cholesterol (by 44.8%), triglyceride (by 53%) and
      increased (by 57%) the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Treatment with AEF
      did not induce any overt signs of toxicity or hepatotoxicity. CONCLUSION: Results
      the present study indicated that AEF possess hypoglycemic and hypolipdemic
      properties. Therefore, AEF could be used as an alternative medicine in management
      of diabetes mellitus.

PMID- 26285828
TI  - Elevation of serum S100 protein concentration as a marker of ischemic brain
      damage in extremely preterm infants.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) is serious ischemic brain damage
      that occurs in extreme preterm infants. It is traditionally diagnosed by cranial
      echography. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between
      serum S100 calcium-binding protein B (S100B) concentrations and ischemic brain
      damage, and to find the cutoff value for the early identification of ischemic
      brain damage in high-risk preterm infants. METHODS: At the age of 3 days, 7 days,
      14 days, and 21 days, and before discharge, 22 extremely premature infants (i.e.,
      gestational age <33 weeks) underwent blood sampling to determine the S100B
      concentrations and cranial echography examinations. The severity of ischemic
      brain damage in echographic images was scored on a scale of 0-11, and was
      recorded as the brain echography index (BEI). If the last BEI value was >=7, the
      enrolled infants were grouped in the brain damage group. RESULTS: Eight infants
      were assigned to the brain damage group and 14 infants were assigned to the no
      brain damage group. At each age point of the blood samplings, the serum S100B
      concentrations were significantly higher in the brain damage group than in the no
      brain damage group. There was a significantly positive correlation between the
      serum S100B concentrations and the BEI on the same day (r = 0.738, p < 0.001) and
      7 days later (r = 0.774, p < 0.001). The receiver operating characteristic curve
      for the serum S100B concentrations showed that the area under curve was 0.985 (p
      < 0.001). The cutoff value of serum S100B of 1.0 MUg/L had a sensitivity of 93.8%
      and specificity of 90.5% for the diagnosis of ischemic brain damage. CONCLUSION:
      An elevation in the serum S100B concentration is highly associated with ischemic
      brain damage in extreme preterm infants. Ischemic brain damage in a high-risk
      preterm infant is strongly suggested if the early serum S100B concentration is >
      1.0 MUg/L.

PMID- 26285830
TI  - Sleep spindle reductions in schizophrenia and its implications for the
      development of cortical body map.

PMID- 26285829
TI  - CX3CR1 is dysregulated in blood and brain from schizophrenia patients.
AB  - The molecular mechanisms underlying schizophrenia remain largely unknown.
      Although schizophrenia is a mental disorder, there is increasing evidence to
      indicate that inflammatory processes driven by diverse environmental factors play
      a significant role in its development. With gene expression studies having been
      conducted across a variety of sample types, e.g., blood and postmortem brain, it
      is possible to investigate convergent signatures that may reveal interactions
      between the immune and nervous systems in schizophrenia pathophysiology. We
      conducted two meta-analyses of schizophrenia microarray gene expression data
      (N=474) and non-psychiatric control (N=485) data from postmortem brain and blood.
      Then, we assessed whether significantly dysregulated genes in schizophrenia could
      be shared between blood and brain. To validate our findings, we selected a top
      gene candidate and analyzed its expression by RT-qPCR in a cohort of
      schizophrenia subjects stabilized by atypical antipsychotic monotherapy (N=29)
      and matched controls (N=31). Meta-analyses highlighted inflammation as the major
      biological process associated with schizophrenia and that the chemokine receptor
      CX3CR1 was significantly down-regulated in schizophrenia. This differential
      expression was also confirmed in our validation cohort. Given both the recent
      data demonstrating selective CX3CR1 expression in subsets of neuroimmune cells,
      as well as behavioral and neuropathological observations of CX3CR1 deficiency in
      mouse models, our results of reduced CX3CR1 expression adds further support for a
      role played by monocyte/microglia in the neurodevelopment of schizophrenia.

PMID- 26285831
TI  - Higher Prevalence of Left-Handedness in Twins? Not After Controlling Birth Time
      Confounders.
AB  - Pregnancy- and birth-related factors may have an effect on handedness. Compared
      with singletons, twins have a lower birth weight, shorter gestational age, and
      are at higher risk for birth complications. We tested whether the prevalence of
      left-handedness is higher among twins than singletons, and if so, whether that
      difference is fully explained by pregnancy and birth-related differences between
      twins and singletons. We analyzed Finnish population-based datasets; included
      were 8,786 twins and 5,892 singletons with information on birth weight (n =
      12,381), Apgar scores (n = 11,129), and gestational age (n = 11,811). Two twin
      cohorts were involved: FinnTwin12 included twins born during 1983-1987, and
      FinnTwin16 included twins born during 1974-1979. We had two comparison groups of
      singletons: 4,101 individuals born during 1986-1988 and enrolled in the Helsinki
      Ultrasound Trial, and 1,791 individuals who were partners of FinnTwin16 twins. We
      used logistic regression models with writing hand as the outcome for comparison
      and evaluating effects of covariates. Left-handedness was more common in twins
      (9.67%) than in singletons (8.27%; p = .004). However, Apgar scores were
      associated with handedness, and after controlling for covariates, we found no
      difference in the prevalence of left-handedness between twins and singletons.
      Increased left-handedness among twins, often reported by others, was evident in
      our data, but only among our older twin cohorts, and that association disappeared
      after removing effects of perinatal covariates. 

PMID- 26285833
TI  - CNVs in neurodevelopmental disorders.

PMID- 26285832
TI  - High dietary protein decreases fat deposition induced by high-fat and high
      sucrose diet in rats.
AB  - High-protein diets are known to reduce adiposity in the context of high
      carbohydrate and Western diets. However, few studies have investigated the
      specific high-protein effect on lipogenesis induced by a high-sucrose (HS) diet
      or fat deposition induced by high-fat feeding. We aimed to determine the effects
      of high protein intake on the development of fat deposition and partitioning in
      response to high-fat and/or HS feeding. A total of thirty adult male Wistar rats
      were assigned to one of the six dietary regimens with low and high protein,
      sucrose and fat contents for 5 weeks. Body weight (BW) and food intake were
      measured weekly. Oral glucose tolerance tests and meal tolerance tests were
      performed after 4th and 5th weeks of the regimen, respectively. At the end of the
      study, the rats were killed 2 h after ingestion of a calibrated meal. Blood,
      tissues and organs were collected for analysis of circulating metabolites and
      hormones, body composition and mRNA expression in the liver and adipose tissues.
      No changes were observed in cumulative energy intake and BW gain after 5 weeks of
      dietary treatment. However, high-protein diets reduced by 20 % the adiposity gain
      induced by HS and high-sucrose high-fat (HS-HF) diets. Gene expression and
      transcriptomic analysis suggested that high protein intake reduced liver capacity
      for lipogenesis by reducing mRNA expressions of fatty acid synthase (fasn),
      acetyl-CoA carboxylase a and b (Acaca and Acacb) and sterol regulatory element
      binding transcription factor 1c (Srebf-1c). Moreover, ketogenesis, as indicated
      by plasma beta-hydroxybutyrate levels, was higher in HS-HF-fed mice that were
      also fed high protein levels. Taken together, these results suggest that high
      protein diets may reduce adiposity by inhibiting lipogenesis and stimulating
      ketogenesis in the liver. 

PMID- 26285834
TI  - USP8 mutation in Cushing's disease.

PMID- 26285835
TI  - Targeting interleukin-17 receptors.

PMID- 26285836
TI  - PlGF, immune system and hypertension.

PMID- 26285837
TI  - Efficacy of Spirulina platensis in improvement of the reproductive performance
      and easing teratogenicity in hyperglycemic albino mice.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The present study evaluates the therapeutic efficacy of cell
      suspension of Spirulina platensis (SP) on estrous cycle, fetal development and
      embryopathy in alloxan (AXN) induced hyperglycemic mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
      Diabetes was induced by intra-peritoneal administration of AXN. Mice with blood
      glucose level above 200 mg/dl were divided into Group I (control), Group II
      (diabetic control), Group III (diabetic control mice fed with SP), and Group IV
      (control mice fed with SP). Litter counts, estrous cycles, percent survival of
      litter, and gestation length were recorded. RESULTS: In hyperglycemic mice, a
      significant (P < 0.05) increase in duration of diestrus (14.48%), estrus
      (84.21%), and metestrus (164.15%) with concomitant decrease in proestrus phase by
      26.13% was recorded when compared with control. Reduction in litter count and
      survival of litter was 68.67% and 88.38%, respectively, whereas gestation length
      increased to 14.51% day in diabetic mice, but recovery in these parameters was
      observed (P < 0.05) when subjected to SP treatment. SP resulted in increased
      fertility rate from 77.5% to 82.5% and dropped off resorption of the fetus to
      33.73% while the survival rate of offspring of diabetic mice went up to 88.89%
      from 83.61%. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that SP is effective in
      improving the reproductive performance and easing teratogenic effects in diabetic
      mice and hence warrants further detailed dose-dependent studies to understand its
      mechanism of action.

PMID- 26285838
TI  - NMR-Based Metabolomic Analysis of Huanglongbing-Asymptomatic and -Symptomatic
      Citrus Trees.
AB  - Huanglongbing (HLB) is one of the most severe diseases that affects citrus trees
      worldwide and is associated with the yet uncultured bacteria Candidatus
      Liberibacter spp. To assess the metabolomic differences between HLB-asymptomatic
      and -symptomatic tissues, extracts from leaf and root samples taken from a
      uniform 6-year-old commercial orchard of Valencia trees were subjected to nuclear
      magnetic resonance (NMR) and chemometrics. The results show that the symptomatic
      trees had higher sucrose content in their leaves and no variation in their roots.
      In addition, proline betaine and malate were detected in smaller amounts in the
      HLB-affected symptomatic leaves. The changes in metabolic processes of the plant
      in response to HLB are corroborated by the relationship between the bacterial
      levels and the metabolic profiles. 

PMID- 26285839
TI  - Hydrocarbon on Carbon: Coherent Vibrational Spectroscopy of Toluene on Graphite.
AB  - The ability to study the interactions of hydrocarbons on carbon surfaces is an
      integral step toward gaining a molecular level understanding of the chemical
      reactions and physical properties occurring on them. Here, we apply vibrational
      sum frequency generation (SFG) to determine the tilt angle of toluene, a common
      organic solvent, on millimeter-thick highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG).
      The combination of a time-delay technique, which results in the successful
      suppression of the nonresonant SFG response, and a null angle method is shown to
      overcome the "strong optical absorber" problem posed by macroscopically thick
      carbon samples and yields a molecular tilt angle of toluene in the range of 37
      degrees  to 42 degrees  from the surface normal. The implications of this
      approach for determining the orientation of organic species adsorbed on carbon
      interfaces, which are important for energy-relevant processes, are discussed. 

PMID- 26285840
TI  - Ethanol Diffusion on Rutile TiO2(110) Mediated by H Adatoms.
AB  - We have studied the diffusion of ethanol on rutile TiO2(110)-(1 * 1) by high
      resolution scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) measurements and density
      functional theory (DFT) calculations. Time-lapsed STM images recorded at ~200 K
      revealed the diffusion of ethanol molecules both parallel and perpendicular to
      the rows of surface Ti atoms. The diffusion of ethanol molecules perpendicular to
      the rows of surface Ti atoms was found to be mediated by H adatoms in the rows of
      bridge-bonded O (Obr) atoms similarly to previous results obtained for water
      monomers. In contrast, the diffusion of H adatoms across the Ti rows, mediated by
      ethanol molecules, was observed only very rarely and exclusively on fully
      hydrogenated TiO2(110) surfaces. Possible reasons why the diffusion of H adatoms
      across the Ti rows mediated by ethanol molecules occurs less frequently than the
      cross-row diffusion of ethanol molecules mediated by H adatoms are discussed. 

PMID- 26285841
TI  - Insufficient Hartree-Fock Exchange in Hybrid DFT Functionals Produces Bent
      Alkynyl Radical Structures.
AB  - Density functional theory (DFT) is often used to determine the electronic and
      geometric structures of molecules. While studying alkynyl radicals, we discovered
      that DFT exchange-correlation (XC) functionals containing less than ~22% Hartree
      Fock (HF) exchange led to qualitatively different structures than those predicted
      from ab initio HF and post-HF calculations or DFT XCs containing 25% or more HF
      exchange. We attribute this discrepancy to rehybridization at the radical center
      due to electron delocalization across the triple bonds of the alkynyl groups,
      which itself is an artifact of self-interaction and delocalization errors.
      Inclusion of sufficient exact exchange reduces these errors and suppresses this
      erroneous delocalization; we find that a threshold amount is needed for accurate
      structure determinations. Below this threshold, significant errors in predicted
      alkyne thermochemistry emerge as a consequence. 

PMID- 26285842
TI  - Stability of Positively Charged Solutes in Water: A Transition from Hydrophobic
      to Hydrophilic.
AB  - To improve the description of solvation thermodynamics of biomolecules, we report
      here the dependence of solvation on the curvature and surface charge of
      positively charged solutes in water based on extensive molecular dynamics
      simulations analyzed using the two-phase thermodynamic method. At a surface
      charge of +0.4e, the compensating forces of favorable electrostatic stabilization
      and entropic destabilization cancel almost exactly, representing a molecular
      crossover point from hydrophobic to hydrophilic behavior, independent of
      curvature. These results suggest that one should include charge-dependent
      entropic corrections to continuum models aimed at predicting the solvation free
      energies of large biomolecules. 

PMID- 26285843
TI  - Probing the Low-Lying Electronic States of Cyclobutanetetraone (C4O4) and Its
      Radical Anion: A Low-Temperature Anion Photoelectron Spectroscopic Approach.
AB  - Despite a seemingly simple appearance, cyclobutanetetraone (C4O4) has four low
      lying electronic states. Determining the energetic ordering of these states and
      the ground state of C4O4(-) theoretically has been proven to be considerably
      challenging and remains largely unresolved to date. Here, we report a low
      temperature negative ion photoelectron spectroscopic approach. Well-resolved
      spectra were obtained at both 193 and 266 nm. Combined with recent theoretical
      studies and our own Franck-Condon factors simulations, the ground state of C4O4(
      ) and the ground and two low-lying excited states of C4O4 are determined to be
      (2)A2u, (3)B2u, (1)A1g (8pi), and (1)B2u, respectively. The frequency of the ring
      breathing mode (1810 +/- 20 cm(-1)), the electron affinity (3.475 +/- 0.005 eV),
      and the term values of (1)A1g (8pi) (6.27 +/- 0.5 kJ/mol) and (1)B2u (13.50 +/-
      0.5 kJ/mol) are also directly obtained from the experiments. 

PMID- 26285844
TI  - High Capacity MoO2/Graphite Oxide Composite Anode for Lithium-Ion Batteries.
AB  - Nanostructured MoO2/graphite oxide (GO) composites are synthesized by a simple
      solvothermal method. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy
      analyses show that with the addition of GO and the increase in GO content in the
      precursor solutions, MoO3 rods change to MoO2 nanorods and then further to MoO2
      nanoparticles, and the nanorods or nanoparticles are uniformly distributed on the
      surface of the GO sheets in the composites. The MoO2/GO composite with 10 wt % GO
      exhibits a reversible capacity of 720 mAh/g at a current density of 100 mA/g and
      560 mAh/g at a high current density of 800 mA/g after 30 cycles. The improved
      reversible capacity, rate capacity, and cycling performance of the composites are
      attributed to synergistic reaction between MoO2 and GO. 

PMID- 26285845
TI  - Polyoxometalate Surfactants as Unique Molecules for Interfacial Self-Assembly.
AB  - Whereas, commonly, Langmuir monolayers are structurally dominated by the
      aliphatic chains, we present here the first case of monolayers where the chains
      merely serve anchoring at the air/water interface and the organization is
      dictated by the hydrophilic head group self-assembling in a hexagonal lattice.
      These head groups are polyoxometalates known for their multifunctional potential.
      The chain length has been systematically varied, allowing for a general study of
      the impact of the chain length on the supramolecular structure. These model
      structures are studied here by a combination of modern techniques, the leading
      ones being X-ray reflectivity and grazing incidence X-ray diffraction. The
      quantitative structural insights offered in this Letter might represent a
      starting point for the rational design and study of a new class of emulsions,
      including an organic tail and a multifunctional inorganic polar head. 

PMID- 26285846
TI  - The Molecular Volcano Revisited: Determination of Crack Propagation and
      Distribution During the Crystallization of Nanoscale Amorphous Solid Water Films.
AB  - Temperature programmed desorption (TPD) is utilized to determine the length
      distribution of cracks formed through amorphous solid water (ASW) during
      crystallization. This distribution is determined by monitoring how the thickness
      of an ASW overlayer alters desorption of an underlayer of O2. As deposited, ASW
      prevents desorption of O2. During crystallization, cracks form through the ASW
      and open a path to vacuum, which allows O2 to escape in a rapid episodic release
      known as the "molecular volcano". Sufficiently thick ASW overlayers further trap
      O2 resulting in a second, higher temperature, O2 desorption peak. The evolution
      of this trapping peak with overlayer thickness is the basis for determining the
      length distribution of crystallization-induced cracks spanning the ASW.
      Reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS) and TPD of multicomponent
      parfait structures of ASW, O2, and Kr indicate that a preponderance of these
      cracks propagate down from the outer surface of the ASW. 

PMID- 26285847
TI  - Control of Plasmonic Superradiance in Metallic Nanoparticle Assembly by Light
      Induced Force and Fluctuations.
AB  - The possibility of simultaneous control of the configuration and optical
      functions of a metallic nanoparticle (NP) assembly by light-induced force (LIF)
      and thermal fluctuations has been demonstrated on the basis of self-consistent
      theory of LIF and nonequilibrium dynamics. It has been clarified that the NPs are
      arranged parallel to the polarization of the focused laser beam under the balance
      of LIF and the electrostatic repulsive force due to the ions on the surface of
      NPs. Particularly, in such a NP assembly consisting of high-density NPs, the
      light-scattering rate (radiative decay) of localized surface plasmon polaritons
      (LSPPs) can be drastically enhanced to be greater than 100 meV (10 times that of
      single NPs), and the spectral width is also greatly broadened due to the
      superradiance effect. The results will provide a foundation of the principles for
      designing a NP assembly with controllable light scattering for highly efficient
      broad-band light energy conversion devices. 

PMID- 26285848
TI  - Transient H2O Infrared Satellite Peaks Produced in UV Irradiated Formic Acid
      Doped Solid Parahydrogen.
AB  - We report newly identified satellite features of the R(0) rovibrational
      transition of all the fundamental modes of HDO and the nu3 mode of H2O measured
      via FTIR spectroscopy immediately after the 193 nm in situ photolysis of formic
      acid (HCOOH and DCOOD) in solid parahydrogen. The intensities of these satellite
      features decay slowly with a time constant of tau = 121(7) min after photolysis,
      even when the sample is maintained below 2 K. We propose that the van der Waals
      complex H...H2O (H...HDO) is the carrier of the satellite peaks and that these
      metastable complexes are produced after the low-temperature tunneling reaction of
      the OH (OD) photoproduct with the parahydrogen host. 

PMID- 26285849
TI  - Direct Observation of Hydrogen Tunneling Dynamics in Photoexcited Phenol.
AB  - The excited-state dynamics of phenol following ultraviolet (UV) irradiation have
      received considerable interest in recent years, most notably because they can
      provide a model for understanding the UV-induced dynamics of the aromatic amino
      acid tyrosine. Despite this, there has been some debate as to whether hydrogen
      tunneling dynamics play a significant role in phenol's excited-state O-H bond
      fission when UV excitation occurs below the (1)pipi*/(1)pisigma* conical
      intersection (CI). In this Letter, we present direct evidence that (1)pisigma*
      mediated O-H bond fission below the (1)pipi*/(1)pisigma* CI proceeds exclusively
      through hydrogen tunneling dynamics. The observation of hydrogen tunneling may
      have some parallels with proton tunneling dynamics from tyrosine residues (along
      the O-H bond of the phenol moiety) in a wide range of natural enzymes,
      potentially adding further justification for utilizing phenols as model systems
      for investigating tyrosine-based dynamics. 

PMID- 26285850
TI  - Nanodroplet Transport on Vibrated Nanotubes.
AB  - We show by molecular dynamics simulations that water nanodroplets can be
      transported along and around the surfaces of vibrated carbon nanotubes. In our
      simulations, a nanodroplet with a diameter of ~4 nm is adsorbed on a (10,0)
      single-wall carbon nanotube, which is vibrated at one end with a frequency of 208
      GHz and an amplitude of 1.2 nm. The generated linearly polarized transverse
      acoustic waves pass linear momentum to the nanodroplet, which becomes transported
      along the nanotube with a velocity of ~30 nm/ns. When circularly polarized waves
      are passed along the nanotubes, the nanodroplets rotate around them and
      eventually become ejected from their surfaces when their angular velocity is ~50
      rad/ns. 

PMID- 26285851
TI  - Development of Pharmaceutically Adapted Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Platform.

PMID- 26285852
TI  - Universal Correction of Density Functional Theory to Include London Dispersion
      (up to Lr, Element 103).
AB  - Conventional density functional theory (DFT) fails to describe accurately the
      London dispersion essential for describing molecular interactions in soft matter
      (biological systems, polymers, nucleic acids) and molecular crystals. This has
      led to several methods in which atom-dependent potentials are added into the Kohn
      Sham DFT energy. Some of these corrections were fitted to accurate quantum
      mechanical results, but it will be tedious to determine the appropriate
      parameters to describe all of the atoms of the periodic table. We propose an
      alternative approach in which a single parameter in the low-gradient (lg)
      functional form is combined with the rule-based UFF (universal force-field)
      nonbond parameters developed for the entire periodic table (up to Lr, Z = 103),
      named as a DFT-ulg method. We show that DFT-ulg method leads to a very accurate
      description of the properties for molecular complexes and molecular crystals,
      providing the means for predicting more accurate weak interactions across the
      periodic table. 

PMID- 26285853
TI  - Critical Considerations in the Biomedical Use of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles.
AB  - Since the first report of mesoporous silica nanoparticles in 2001, many efforts
      have been made to develop them for biomedical applications. With the emergence of
      new designs and increasingly complex synthetic schemes, mesoporous silica
      nanoparticles have never been more promising. For this promise to be fulfilled,
      however, practical considerations for biomedical use must be carefully addressed.
      Many current mesoporous silica reports, even those reporting in vivo work,
      neglect the observation of nanoparticle size, pore structure, aggregation state,
      and biodegradability under biological conditions before administration. These
      critical considerations, beginning at synthetic stages, must be taken into
      account to make effective and safe mesoporous silica nanoparticles for biomedical
      use and timely application in clinical trials. Herein, we present a comprehensive
      review of mesoporous silica nanoparticle synthetic strategies, pointing out
      nanoparticle behavior under biological conditions and how it may affect in vitro
      and in vivo results. 

PMID- 26285854
TI  - RI-MP2 Gradient Calculation of Large Molecules Using the Fragment Molecular
      Orbital Method.
AB  - The second-order Moller-Plesset perturbation theory (MP2) gradient using
      resolution of the identity approximation (RI-MP2 gradient) was combined with the
      fragment molecular orbital (FMO) method to evaluate the gradient including
      electron correlation for large molecules. In this study, we adopted a direct
      implementation of the RI-MP2 gradient, in which a characteristic feature of the
      FMO scheme was utilized. Test calculations with a small peptide presented a
      computational advantage of the RI-MP2 gradient over the canonical MP2 gradient.
      In addition, it was shown that the error of the RI-MP2 gradient, caused by RI
      approximation, was negligible. As an illustrative example, we performed gradient
      calculations for two biomolecules-a prion protein with GN8 and a human
      immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV1) protease with lopinavir (LPV). These
      calculations demonstrated that the gradient including the correlation effect
      could be evaluated with only about twice the computational effort of the Hartree
      Fock (HF) gradient. 

PMID- 26285855
TI  - Apparent Decoupling of the Dynamics of a Protein from the Dynamics of its Aqueous
      Solvent.
AB  - Studies of the low-temperature dynamics of proteins in aqueous solutions are
      limited by the crystallization of water. In this work, we use a solution of LiCl
      in D2O as a solvent for a protein to prevent crystallization and study the
      dynamics of both the protein and its aqueous solvent by quasielastic neutron
      scattering (QENS) in the temperature range of 210 to 290 K. Our results reveal
      that, while the dynamics of the aqueous solvent undergoes a crossover at about
      220 K, the dynamics of the protein itself shows no transition at this
      temperature. The prevailing view is that the beta-fluctuations of the protein are
      governed by the alpha-fluctuations of the solvent; therefore, observation of the
      apparent decoupling between the dynamics of the protein and its solvent below the
      crossover temperature is remarkable. 

PMID- 26285856
TI  - How Important is Working with an Ordered Electrode to Improve the Charge
      Collection Efficiency in Nanostructured Solar Cells?
AB  - The collection efficiency of carriers in solar cells based on nanostructured
      electrodes is determined for different degrees or morphological one-dimensional
      order. The transport process is modeled by random walk numerical simulation in a
      mesoporous electrode that resembles the morphology of nanostructured TiO2
      electrodes typically used in dye-sensitized solar cells and related systems. By
      applying an energy relaxation procedure in the presence of an external potential,
      a preferential direction is induced in the system. It is found that the partially
      ordered electrode can almost double the collection efficiency with respect to the
      disordered electrode. However, this improvement depends strongly on the
      probability of recombination. For too rapid or too slow recombination, working
      with partially ordered electrodes will not be beneficial. The computational
      method utilized here makes it possible to relate the charge collection efficiency
      with morphology. The collection efficiency is found to reach very rapidly a
      saturation value, meaning that, in the region of interest, a slight degree of
      ordering might be sufficient to induce a large improvement in collection
      efficiency. 

PMID- 26285857
TI  - Enhancement of Near-IR Photoelectric Conversion in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells
      Using an Osmium Sensitizer with Strong Spin-Forbidden Transition.
AB  - A new osmium (Os) complex of the [Os(tcterpy)-(4,4'-bis(p-butoxystyryl)-2,2'
      bipyridine)Cl]PF6 (Os-stbpy) has been synthesized and characterized for dye
      sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The Os-stbpy dye shows enhanced spin-forbidden
      absorptions around 900 nm. The DSSCs with Os-stbpy show a wide-band spectral
      response up to 1100 nm with high overall conversion efficiency of 6.1% under
      standard solar illumination. 

PMID- 26285858
TI  - Synthesis and Activities of Rutile IrO2 and RuO2 Nanoparticles for Oxygen
      Evolution in Acid and Alkaline Solutions.
AB  - The activities of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) on iridium-oxide- and
      ruthenium-oxide-based catalysts are among the highest known to date. However, the
      OER activities of thermodynamically stable rutile iridium oxide (r-IrO2) and
      rutile iridium oxide (r-RuO2), normalized to catalyst mass or true surface area
      are not well-defined. Here we report a synthesis of r-IrO2 and r-RuO2
      nanoparticles (NPs) of ~6 nm, and examine their OER activities in acid and
      alkaline solutions. Both r-IrO2 and r-RuO2 NPs were highly active for OER, with r
      RuO2 exhibiting up to 10 A/goxide at 1.48 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode.
      When comparing the two, r-RuO2 NPs were found to have slightly higher intrinsic
      and mass OER activities than r-IrO2 in both acid and basic solutions.
      Interestingly, these oxide NPs showed higher stability under OER conditions than
      commercial Ru/C and Ir/C catalysts. Our study shows that these r-RuO2 and r-IrO2
      NPs can serve as a benchmark in the development of active OER catalysts for
      electrolyzers, metal-air batteries, and photoelectrochemical water splitting
      applications. 

PMID- 26285859
TI  - Nanotechnology Meets Biology: Peptide-based Methods for the Fabrication of
      Functional Materials.
AB  - Nature exploits sustainable methods for the creation of inorganic materials on
      the nanoscale for a variety of applications. To achieve such capabilities,
      biomolecules such as peptides and proteins have been developed that recognize and
      bind the different compositions of materials. While a diverse set of materials
      binding sequences are present in the biosphere, biocombinatorial techniques have
      been used to rapidly identify peptides that facilitate the formation of new
      materials of technological importance. Interestingly, the binding motif of the
      peptides at the inorganic surface is likely to control the size, structure,
      composition, shape, and functionality of the final materials. In order to advance
      these intriguing new biomimetic approaches, a complete understanding of this
      biotic/abiotic interface is required. In this Perspective, we highlight recent
      advances in the biofunctionalization of nanoparticles with potential applications
      ranging from catalysis and energy storage to plasmonics and biosensing. We
      specifically focus on the physical characterization of the peptide-based surface
      from which specificity and activity are likely embedded. 

PMID- 26285860
TI  - On the Origin of the Energy Gain in Epitaxial Growth of Molecular Films.
AB  - The material properties of organic thin films depend strongly on their order. The
      different types of epitaxy may complicate the exploration of the large variety of
      ordered systems and its exploitation in potential electronic devices. In this
      Letter, we develop a coherent description of the driving force that creates
      epitaxial systems. We focus on flat-lying organic adsorbates and explain the
      energy gain in commensurate, point-on-line, and line-on-line epitaxy. We use
      potential energy maps to visualize our concept and to derive a relation that
      allows anticipating epitaxial growth from low-energy electron diffraction (LEED)
      data. A unified description facilitates the identification and interpretation of
      experimentally observed adsorbate structures, whereas the rationalized
      expectation from LEED means a considerable speed gain if suitable candidates for
      organic-organic epitaxy are searched for in a combinatory approach. 

PMID- 26285861
TI  - Surface-Selective Solution NMR Studies of Functionalized Zeolite Nanoparticles.
AB  - The surface chemistry of zeolite nanoparticles functionalized with the
      organosilane aminopropyldimethylmethoxysilane (APDMMS) was selectively probed
      using solution (1)H NMR spectroscopy. The use of solution NMR spectroscopy
      results in high-resolution NMR spectra, and the technique is selective for
      protons on the surface organic functional groups due to their motional averaging
      in solution. In this study, (1)H solution NMR spectroscopy was used to
      investigate the interface of the organic functional groups of APDMMS
      functionalized silicalite nanoparticles (~35 nm) in D2O. The pKa for the amine
      group of APDMMS-functionalized silicalite nanoparticles in D2O was determined
      using an NMR-pH titration method based on the variation in the proton chemical
      shift for the alkyl group protons closest to the amine group with pH. The
      resulting NMR spectra demonstrate the sensitivity of solution NMR spectroscopy to
      the electronic environment and structure of the surface functional groups. 

PMID- 26285862
TI  - Physicochemical Profiling of Surfactant-Induced Membrane Dynamics in a Cell-Sized
      Liposome.
AB  - We used a cell-sized model system, giant liposomes, to investigate the
      interaction between lipid membranes and surfactants, and the membrane
      transformation during the solubilization process was captured in real time. We
      found that there are four distinct dynamics in surfactant-induced membrane
      deformation: an episodic increase in the membrane area prior to pore-forming
      associated shrinkage (Dynamics A), fission into many small liposomes (Dynamics
      B), the formation of multilamellar vesicles and peeling (Dynamics C), and
      bursting (Dynamics D). Classification of the diversity of membrane dynamics may
      contribute to a better understanding of the physicochemical mechanism of membrane
      solubilization induced by various surfactants. 

PMID- 26285863
TI  - Orbital-Symmetry-Dependent Electron Transfer through Molecules Assembled on Metal
      Substrates.
AB  - Femtosecond charge-transfer dynamics in self-assembled monolayers of cyano
      terminated ethane-thiolate on gold substrates was investigated with the core hole
      clock method. By exploiting symmetry selection rules rather than energetic
      selection, electrons from the nitrogen K-shell are state-selectively excited into
      the two symmetry-split pi* orbitals of the cyano end group with X-ray photons of
      well-defined polarization. The charge-transfer times from these temporarily
      occupied orbitals to the metal substrate differ significantly. Theoretical
      calculations show that these two pi* orbitals extend differently onto the alkane
      backbone and the anchoring sulfur atom, thus causing the observed dependence of
      the electron-transfer dynamics on the symmetry of the orbital. 

PMID- 26285864
TI  - Diffusion Coefficients from (13)C PGSE NMR Measurements-Fluorine-Free Ionic
      Liquids with the DCTA(-) Anion.
AB  - Pulsed-field gradient spin-echo (PGSE) NMR is a widely used method for the
      determination of molecular and ionic self-diffusion coefficients. The analysis
      has thus far been limited largely to (1)H, (7)Li, (19)F, and (31)P nuclei. This
      limitation handicaps the analysis of materials without these nuclei or for which
      these nuclei are insufficient for complete characterization. This is demonstrated
      with a class of ionic liquids (or ILs) based on the nonfluorinated anion 4,5
      dicarbonitrile-1,2,3-triazole (DCTA(-)). It is demonstrated here that (13)C-PGSE
      NMR can be used to both verify the diffusion coefficients obtained from other
      nuclei, as well as characterize materials that lack commonly scrutinized nuclei -
      all without the need for specialized NMR methods. 

PMID- 26285865
TI  - Small-Angle X-ray Scattering Investigations of Biomolecular Confinement, Loading,
      and Release from Liquid-Crystalline Nanochannel Assemblies.
AB  - This Perspective explores the recent progress made by means of small-angle
      scattering methods in structural studies of phase transitions in amphiphilic
      liquid-crystalline systems with nanochannel architectures and outlines some
      future directions in the area of hierarchically organized and stimuli-responsive
      nanochanneled assemblies involving biomolecules. Time-resolved small-angle X-ray
      scattering investigations using synchrotron radiation enable monitoring of the
      structural dynamics, the modulation of the nanochannel hydration, as well as the
      key changes in the soft matter liquid-crystalline organization upon stimuli
      induced phase transitions. They permit establishing of the inner nanostructure
      transformation kinetics and determination of the precise sizes of the hydrophobic
      membraneous compartments and the aqueous channel diameters in self-assembled
      network architectures. Time-resolved structural studies accelerate novel
      biomedical, pharmaceutical, and nanotechnology applications of nanochannel soft
      materials by providing better control of DNA, peptide and protein
      nanoconfinement, and release from diverse stimuli-responsive nanocarrier systems.

PMID- 26285866
TI  - Complete APTX deletion in a patient with ataxia with oculomotor apraxia type 1.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ataxia with oculomotor apraxia type 1 is an autosomal-recessive
      neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a childhood onset of slowly
      progressive cerebellar ataxia, followed by oculomotor apraxia and a severe
      primary motor peripheral axonal motor neuropathy. Ataxia with oculomotor apraxia
      type 1 is caused by bi-allelic mutations in APTX (chromosome 9p21.1). CASE
      PRESENTATION: Our patient has a clinical presentation that is typical for ataxia
      with oculomotor apraxia type 1 with no particularly severe phenotype. Multiplex
      Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification analysis resulted in the identification of
      a homozygous deletion of all coding APTX exons (3 to 9). SNP array analysis using
      the Illumina Infinium CytoSNP-850 K microarray indicated that the deletion was
      about 62 kb. Based on the SNP array results, the breakpoints were found using
      direct sequence analysis: c.-5 + 1225_*44991del67512, p.0?. Both parents were
      heterozygous for the deletion. Homozygous complete APTX deletions have been
      described in literature for two other patients. We obtained a sample from one of
      these two patients and characterized the deletion (156 kb) as c.
      23729_*115366del155489, p.0?, including the non-coding exons 1A and 2 of APTX.
      The more severe phenotype reported for this patient is not observed in our
      patient. It remains unclear whether the larger size of the deletion (156 kb vs 62
      kb) plays a role in the phenotype (no extra genes are deleted). CONCLUSION: Here
      we described an ataxia with oculomotor apraxia type 1 patient who has a
      homozygous deletion of the complete coding region of APTX. In contrast to the
      patient with the large deletion, our patient does not have a severe phenotype.
      More patients with deletions of APTX are required to investigate a genotype
      phenotype effect.

PMID- 26285867
TI  - Colorimetric and fluorimetric detection of fluoride and cyanide ions using tri
      and tetra coordinated boron containing chromophores.
AB  - Two organoboron based fluorophores pyrazabole and BODIPY have been designed and
      synthesized by the Pd-catalyzed Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction and
      successfully employed for fluoride and cyanide ion sensing. Pyrazabole acts as a
      fluorimetric sensor, whereas BODIPY acts as a fluorimetric as well as
      colorimetric sensor for fluoride and cyanide ions with ratiometric response. The
      photophysical properties of pyrazabole and BODIPY exhibit good electronic
      communication between triarylborane and pyrazabole/BODIPY. The single crystal X
      ray structure of the pyrazabole shows a chair conformation for the pyrazabole
      core. The packing in pyrazabole and BODIPY shows interesting supramolecular
      structures. The computational studies show good agreement with the experimental
      results. 

PMID- 26285868
TI  - A long-life lithium ion sulfur battery exploiting high performance electrodes.
AB  - A novel lithium ion sulfur battery is formed by coupling an activated ordered
      mesoporous carbon-sulfur (AOMC-S) cathode and a nanostructured tin-carbon anode.
      The lithium ion cell has improved reversibility, high energy content and
      excellent cycle life. 

PMID- 26285870
TI  - Involving patients in enrolment decisions for acute myocardial infarction trials.

PMID- 26285869
TI  - Characterization of nitrogen mustard formamidopyrimidine adduct formation of
      bis(2-chloroethyl)ethylamine with calf thymus DNA and a human mammary cancer cell
      line.
AB  - A robust, quantitative ultraperformance liquid chromatography ion trap multistage
      scanning mass spectrometric (UPLC/MS(3)) method was established to characterize
      and measure five guanine adducts formed by reaction of the chemotherapeutic
      nitrogen mustard (NM) bis(2-chloroethyl)ethylamine with calf thymus (CT) DNA. In
      addition to the known N7-guanine (NM-G) adduct and its cross-link (G-NM-G), the
      ring-opened formamidopyrimidine (FapyG) monoadduct (NM-FapyG) and cross-links in
      which one (FapyG-NM-G) or both (FapyG-NM-FapyG) guanines underwent ring-opening
      to FapyG units were identified. Authentic standards of all adducts were
      synthesized and characterized by NMR and mass spectrometry. These adducts were
      quantified in CT DNA treated with NM (1 MUM) as their deglycosylated bases. A two
      stage neutral thermal hydrolysis was developed to mitigate the artifactual
      formation of ring-opened FapyG adducts involving hydrolysis of the cationic
      adduct at 37  degrees C, followed by hydrolysis of the FapyG adducts at 95 
      degrees C. The limit of quantification values ranged between 0.3 and 1.6 adducts
      per 10(7) DNA bases when the equivalent of 5 MUg of DNA hydrolysate was assayed
      on column. The principal adduct formed was the G-NM-G cross-link, followed by the
      NM-G monoadduct; the FapyG-NM-G cross-link adduct; and the FapyG-NM-FapyG was
      below the limit of detection. The NM-FapyG adducts were formed in CT DNA at a
      level ~20% that of the NM-G adduct. NM-FapyG has not been previously quanitified,
      and the FapyG-NM-G and FapyG-NM-FapyG adducts have not been previously
      characterized. Our validated analytical method was then applied to measure DNA
      adduct formation in the MDA-MB-231 mammary tumor cell line exposed to NM (100
      MUM) for 24 h. The major adduct formed was NM-G (970 adducts per 10(7) bases),
      followed by G-NM-G (240 adducts per 10(7) bases), NM-FapyG (180 adducts per 10(7)
      bases), and, last, the FapyG-NM-G cross-link adduct (6.0 adducts per 10(7)
      bases). These lesions are expected to contribute to NM-mediated toxicity and
      genotoxicity in vivo. 

PMID- 26285871
TI  - Parenting Behaviors and Nutrition in Children with Leukemia.
AB  - The aim of this study was to examine whether parenting behaviors are associated
      with child nutrition amongst pre-school children receiving treatment for acute
      lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and to determine whether this association differs
      from that observed amongst a healthy population. Participants were 73 parents of
      children aged 2-6 years. The children were either a) receiving treatment for ALL
      (n = 43), or b) had no major medical history (n = 30). Participants completed
      psychometrically validated questionnaires that assessed parenting behaviors and
      child diet. Increased parental overprotection was associated with higher fruit
      and vegetable consumption for the control group but lower fruit and vegetable
      consumption for the ALL group. Parental overprotection, inconsistent discipline
      and emotional feeding were positively associated with non-core ("junk") food
      consumption for the ALL group, particularly those who had recently received
      steroid treatment. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to show
      that certain parenting behaviors may be associated with poor nutrition during
      treatment for ALL. In light of these results, parenting interventions,
      specifically targeting parenting behaviors such as assertive discipline, may be a
      mechanism for nutrition promotion amongst this vulnerable group. 

PMID- 26285872
TI  - Taxing sugar should be just one element of a multifaceted campaign.

PMID- 26285874
TI  - Protein Arginylation: Over 50 Years of Discovery.
AB  - Posttranslational modifications have emerged in recent years as the major
      biological regulators responsible for the orders of magnitude increase in
      complexity of protein functions. These "molecular switches" affect nearly every
      protein in vivo by modulating their protein structure, activity, molecular
      interactions, and homeostasis. While over 350 protein modifications have been
      described, only a handful of them have been characterized. Until recently,
      protein arginylation has belonged to the list of obscure, poorly understood
      posttranslational modifications, before the recent explosion of studies has put
      arginylation on the map of intracellular metabolic pathways and biological
      processes. This chapter contains an overview of all the major milestones in the
      protein arginylation field, from its original discovery in 1963 to this day. 

PMID- 26285873
TI  - The kynurenine pathway activities in a sub-Saharan HIV/AIDS population.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tryptophan is an essential amino acid for the synthesis of proteins
      and important metabolites such as serotonin, melatonin, tryptamine and niacin.
      After protein synthesis, more than 90 % of tryptophan catabolism occurs along the
      kynurenine pathway. The inflammation-inducible enzyme indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase
      (IDO) is responsible for the first rate-limiting step in the kynurenine pathway,
      i.e., oxidation of tryptophan to kynurenine. Excessive IDO activity in conditions
      such as HIV/AIDS may lead to tryptophan depletion and accumulation of metabolites
      downstream from kynurenine. Little is known about the kynurenine pathway of
      HIV/AIDS patients in sub-Saharan regions. This study, in a low income sub-Saharan
      HIV/AIDS population, examined the effects of activities in the kynurenine pathway
      on plasma levels of tryptophan, kynurenine and the neurotoxin quinolinic acid,
      and on de novo synthesis of nicotinamide. METHODS: Plasma samples were obtained
      from a cohort of 105 HIV patients and 60 controls. Kynurenine pathway metabolites
      were analysed using gas chromatography - mass spectrometry. ELISA and flow
      cytometry were used to assess plasma inflammatory markers. RESULTS: IDO activity,
      depletion of tryptophan, as well as accumulation of kynurenine and the neurotoxin
      quinolinic acid, were not only significantly greater in the patients than in the
      controls, but also markedly greater than in HIV/AIDS patients from developed
      countries. Tryptophan levels were 12.3 % higher, kynurenine levels 16.2 % lower,
      quinolinic acid levels 43.2 % lower and nicotinamide levels 27,2 % lower in
      patients on antiretroviral treatment than in antiretroviral-naive patients.
      Patients' kynurenine pathway metabolites correlated with the levels of
      inflammatory markers, including that of the major IDO-inducer, interferon-gamma.
      Indications are that the rate of de novo synthesis of nicotinamide in the
      kynurenine pathway correlates with increases in quinolinic acid levels up to a
      point where saturation of the enzyme quinolinate phosphoribosyl transferase
      occurs. CONCLUSIONS: Higher levels of inflammatory activity in this low income
      sub-Saharan HIV/AIDS population than in patients from developed countries lead to
      greater tryptophan depletion and greater accumulation of metabolites downstream
      from tryptophan with quinolinic acid levels often reaching levels associated with
      the development of HIV/AIDS-associated neurocognitive dysfunction. De novo
      synthesis of nicotinamide from quinolinic acid contributes to the maintenance of
      nicotinamide, and by implication NAD levels, in HIV/AIDS patients from low income
      populations. Antiretroviral treatment partially corrects disturbances in the
      kynurenine pathway.

PMID- 26285875
TI  - Recollection of How We Came Across the Protein Modification with Amino Acids by
      Aminoacyl tRNA-Protein Transferase.
AB  - Protein arginylation has been discovered in 1963 as a soluble activity in cell
      extracts that mediates addition of amino acids to proteins. This discovery was
      nearly accidental, but due to the persistence of the research team, it has been
      followed through and led to the emergence of a new field of research. This
      chapter describes the original discovery of arginylation and the first methods
      used to demonstrate the existence of this important biological process. 

PMID- 26285876
TI  - Arginyltransferase: A Personal and Historical Perspective.
AB  - In the late 1960s and early 1970s, characterization of arginylation has been
      spearheaded via biochemical studies that enabled the first characterization of
      ATE1 and its substrate specificity. This essay summarized the recollections and
      insights from the era of research that followed from the original discovery of
      arginylation and led up to the identification of the arginylation enzyme.

PMID- 26285877
TI  - Arginylation in a Partially Purified Fraction of 150k * g Supernatants of
      Axoplasm and Injured Vertebrate Nerves.
AB  - Transfer RNA-mediated posttranslational protein modification by arginine has been
      demonstrated in vitro in axoplasm extruded from the giant axons of squid and in
      injured and regenerating vertebrate nerves. In nerve and axoplasm, the highest
      activity is found in a fraction of a 150,000 * g supernatant containing high
      molecular weight protein/RNA complexes but lacking molecules of <5 kDa.
      Arginylation (and protein modification by other amino acids) is not found in more
      purified, reconstituted fractions. The data are interpreted as indicating that it
      is critical to recover the reaction components in high molecular weight
      protein/RNA complexes in order to maintain maximum physiological activity. The
      level of arginylation is greatest in injured and growing vertebrate nerves
      compared with intact nerves, suggesting a role for these reactions in nerve
      injury/repair and during axonal growth.

PMID- 26285878
TI  - Preparation of ATE1 Enzyme from Native Mammalian Tissues.
AB  - Early studies of protein arginylation preceded the wide use of recombinant
      protein expression and relied heavily on fractionation of proteins from native
      tissues. The procedure described below has been developed in 1970 by R. Soffer,
      in the wake of arginylation discovery in 1963. This chapter follows the detailed
      procedure originally published by R. Soffer in the 1970, adapted from his article
      in consultation with R. Soffer, H. Kaji, and A. Kaji.

PMID- 26285879
TI  - Correlated Measurement of Endogenous ATE1 Activity on Native Acceptor Proteins in
      Tissues and Cultured Cells to Detect Cellular Aging.
AB  - Following our early discovery of arginylation in 1963, we have performed several
      studies to correlate its activity with essential biological processes. We
      employed cell- and tissue-based assays to detect both the level of acceptor
      proteins and the level of ATE1 activity under different conditions. Remarkably,
      in these assays, we found a close correlation between arginylation and aging, a
      discovery that we believe has longer-term implications in uncovering the
      importance of ATE1 in normal biology and disease therapies. Here we describe the
      original methods we used to measure ATE1 activity in tissues and correlate it
      with key biological events. 

PMID- 26285880
TI  - Assaying the Posttranslational Arginylation of Proteins in Cultured Cells.
AB  - To evaluate the posttranslational arginylation of proteins in vivo, we describe a
      protocol for studying the (14)C-Arg incorporation into proteins of cells in
      culture. The conditions determined for this particular modification contemplate
      both the biochemical requirements of the enzyme ATE1 and the adjustments that
      allowed the discrimination between posttranslational arginylation of proteins and
      de novo synthesis. These conditions are applicable for different cell lines or
      primary cultures, representing an optimal procedure for the identification and
      the validation of putative ATE1 substrates. 

PMID- 26285881
TI  - Assaying ATE1 Activity in Yeast by beta-Gal Degradation.
AB  - In 1980s it was found that addition of N-terminal Arg to proteins induces their
      ubiquitination and degradation by the N-end rule pathway. While this mechanism
      applies only to the proteins which also have other features of the N-degron
      (including a closely adjacent Lys that is accessible for ubiquitination), several
      test substrates have been found to follow this mechanism very efficiently after
      ATE1-dependent arginylation. Such property enabled researchers to test ATE1
      activity in cells indirectly by assaying for the degradation of such arginylation
      dependent substrates. The most commonly used substrate for this assay is E. coli
      beta galactosidase (beta-Gal) because its activity can be easily measured using
      standardized colorimetric assays. Here we describe this method, which has served
      as a quick and easy way to characterize ATE1 activity during identification of
      arginyltransferases in different species. 

PMID- 26285882
TI  - Bacterial Expression and Purification of Recombinant Arginyltransferase (ATE1)
      and Arg-tRNA Synthetase (RRS) for Arginylation Assays.
AB  - Here we describe the procedure for expression and purification of recombinant
      ATE1 from E. coli. This method is easy and convenient and can result in one-step
      isolation of milligram amounts of soluble enzymatically active ATE1 at nearly 99
      % purity. We also describe a procedure for expression and purification of E. coli
      Arg-tRNA synthetase essential for the arginylation assays described in the next
      two chapters.

PMID- 26285883
TI  - Assaying ATE1 Activity In Vitro.
AB  - Here we describe a standard arginyltransferase assay in vitro using bacterially
      expressed purified ATE1 in a system with minimal number of components (Arg, tRNA,
      Arg-tRNA synthetase, and arginylation substrate). Assays of this type have first
      been developed in the 1980s using crude ATE1 preparations from cells and tissues
      and then perfected recently for the use with bacterially expressed recombinant
      protein. This assay represents a simple and efficient way to measure ATE1
      activity. 

PMID- 26285884
TI  - High-Throughput Arginylation Assay in Microplate Format.
AB  - Here we describe the biochemical assay for ATE1-mediated arginylation in
      microplate format, which can be applied to high-throughput screens for
      identification of small-molecule inhibitors and activators of ATE1, high-volume
      analysis of ATE1 substrates, and other similar applications. Originally, we have
      applied this screen to a library of 3280 compounds and identified two compounds
      which specifically affect ATE1-regulated processes in vitro and in vivo. The
      assay is based on in vitro ATE1-mediated arginylation of beta-actin's N-terminal
      peptide, but it can also be applied using other ATE1 substrates. 

PMID- 26285885
TI  - Assay of Arginyltransferase Activity by a Fluorescent HPLC Method.
AB  - Syntheses of fluorescent substrate and product for arginyltransferase, N-aspartyl
      N'-dansylamido-1,4-butanediamine (Asp-4DNS), and N-arginylaspartyl-N'-dansylamido
      1,4-butanediamine (ArgAsp-4DNS), respectively, including their precursor 4
      dansylamidobutylamine (4DNS), are described. Then, HPLC conditions are summarized
      for a baseline separation of the three compounds in 10 min. The present method,
      which permits the simultaneous determination of Asp-4DNS, 4DNS, and ArgAsp-4DNS
      (in eluting order), is advantageous in measuring arginyltransferase activity and
      detecting the unfavorable enzyme(s) in 105,000 * g supernatant of tissues to
      ensure accurate determination.

PMID- 26285886
TI  - Identification of Arginylated Proteins by Mass Spectrometry.
AB  - Here we describe the method for identification of arginylated proteins by mass
      spectrometry. This method has been originally applied to the identification of N
      terminally added Arg on proteins and peptides, and then expanded to
      identification of side chain arginylation which has been recently described by
      our groups. The key steps in this method include the use of the mass spectrometry
      instruments that can identify peptides with very high pass accuracy (Orbitrap)
      and apply stringent mass cutoffs during automated data analysis, followed by
      manual validation of the identified spectra. These methods can be used with both
      complex and purified protein samples and, to date, constitute the only reliable
      way to confirm arginylation at a particular site on a protein or peptide.

PMID- 26285887
TI  - Analysis of Arginylated Peptides by Subtractive Edman Degradation.
AB  - During the early studies of N-terminal arginylation, Edman degradation was widely
      used to identify N-terminally added Arg on protein substrates. This old method is
      reliable but highly depends on the purity and abundance of samples and can become
      misleading unless a highly purified, highly arginylated protein can be obtained.
      Here we report a mass spectrometry-based method that utilizes Edman degradation
      chemistry to identify arginylation in more complex and less abundant protein
      samples. This method can also apply to the analysis of other posttranslational
      modifications. 

PMID- 26285888
TI  - Transferase-Mediated Labeling of Protein N-Termini with Click Chemistry Handles.
AB  - The E. coli aminoacyl transferase (AaT) can be used to transfer a variety of
      unnatural amino acids, including those with azide or alkyne groups, to the alpha
      amine of a protein with an N-terminal Lys or Arg. Subsequent functionalization
      through either copper-catalyzed or strain-promoted click reactions can be used to
      label the protein with fluorophores or biotin. This method can be used to
      directly detect AaT substrates or in a two-step protocol to detect substrates of
      the mammalian ATE1 transferase. 

PMID- 26285889
TI  - Applying Arginylation for Bottom-Up Proteomics.
AB  - Arginylation is an enzymatic reaction in which arginyl-tRNA protein transferase 1
      (ATE1, EC 2.3.2.8) conjugates a single arginyl moiety from aminoacylated
      tRNA(Arg) onto a target polypeptide. We established arginylation for in vitro
      labeling of peptides with N-terminal acidic amino acids. Consistent with prior
      knowledge, arginylated peptides flanked by basic amino acids result in rich
      redundant MS/MS fragment spectra using various precursor fragmentation modes.
      Arginylation carried out by ATE1 is a fast method for labeling peptides. Sequence
      specific proteolytic digest of proteins is best carried out using a double digest
      of proteins by Lys-C and Asp-N to generate peptides with a basic amino acid on
      the C-terminus and an acidic amino acid on the N-terminus. Under these
      conditions, arginylation is specific for N-terminal acidic amino acids and
      results in a near 2* sequence coverage in the MS/MS spectrum are achieved.

PMID- 26285890
TI  - Development of New Tools for the Studies of Protein Arginylation.
AB  - Studies of posttranslational modifications present many unique challenges,
      stemming from their role as the major drivers of biological complexity. Perhaps
      the most immediate challenge to researchers working on virtually any
      posttranslational modification is the shortage of reliable easy-to-use tools that
      can enable massive identification and characterization of posttranslationally
      modified proteins, as well as their functional modulation in vitro and in vivo.
      In the case of protein arginylation, which utilizes charged Arg-tRNA that is also
      used by the ribosomes, detection and labeling of arginylated proteins are
      especially difficult, because of the necessity of distinguishing these proteins
      from the products of conventional translation. As of now, this difficulty remains
      the major obstacle to new researchers entering the field. This chapter discusses
      some of the strategies for developing antibodies for arginylation detection, as
      well as some general considerations for development of other tools for the
      studies of arginylation. 

PMID- 26285891
TI  - Current Challenges in Stem Cell Transplantation in Myelofibrosis.
AB  - Primary or post-ET/PV myelofibrosis is one of the Philadelphia-negative
      myeloproliferative neoplasms with worst survival. Allogeneic stem cell
      transplantation (ASCT) can cure a substantial number of patients but is still not
      universally applicable due to toxicity which leads to therapy-related morbidity
      and mortality. In the more recent years, outcome of ASCT has improved by less
      toxic conditioning regimens and optimization of relapse prevention strategies.
      The introduction of novel therapies such as JAK2 inhibitors may also be helpful
      in preparation of the transplant by reducing spleen size and constitutional
      symptoms. To reduce the risk of relapse, molecular monitoring and adoptive
      immunotherapy with donor lymphocytes have been introduced. Despite lacking
      prospective randomized trials, it is justified to offer ASCT to eligible patients
      with PMF whose median survival is expected to be less than 5 years. This includes
      patients with intermediate-2 and high risk according to IPSS or DIPSS,
      respectively. The benefit/risk ratio should be considered in each patient taking
      also transplant- and patient-specific factors into account.

PMID- 26285892
TI  - Evaluation of antireflux surgery using multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH
      measurement in neurologically impaired patients.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate esophageal function before and after
      antireflux surgery (ARS) in neurologically impaired (NI) patients using 24 h
      multichannel intraluminal impedance (MII)-pH measurement. METHODS: Seven NI
      patients (age, 0-33 years; median, 13 years) were assessed before and after ARS
      using 24 h MII-pH. We described reflux parameters such as pH reflux index, bolus
      exposure index, number of acidic and nonacidic reflux episodes, mean acid
      clearance time and median bolus clearance time, and esophageal motility
      parameters in dry swallows such as bolus presence time (BPT), total bolus transit
      time (TBTT), and total propagation velocity (TPV). RESULTS: The postoperative
      reflux parameters such as pH reflux index, acid clearance time, bolus exposure
      index, and the number of acidic reflux episodes significantly decreased (P <
      0.05) compared with the preoperative ones. The esophageal motility parameters
      including all sites of BPTs, TBTT, and TPV did not change in the MII-pH
      measurement after ARS (P = non-significant). CONCLUSION: ARS effectively reduced
      gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) in NI patients without the impairment of
      esophageal motility by MII-pH measurement. MII-pH was useful to detect the
      subtype of GER before and after ARS and appeared to be appropriate for evaluating
      esophageal motility.

PMID- 26285893
TI  - Laparoscopic Toupet fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux: a series of 131
      neurologically impaired pediatric cases at a single children's hospital.
AB  - PURPOSE: To present the medium to long-term outcome of the largest pediatric
      series of laparoscopic Toupet fundoplications (LTF) performed at a single
      institution. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Subjects were 131 neurologically impaired
      children (81 M, 50 F) who underwent LTF between 2003 and 2013. Our LTF involves
      full dissection of the crus of the diaphragm to allow the intraabdominal
      esophagus to be mobilized at least 3-4 cm. RESULTS: Preoperative mean fraction
      time for pH <4 was 14.6 %. Mean age at LTF was 6.7 years (3 months-18 years).
      Mean duration of follow-up was 5.7 years (range 1.2-12.1 years). One case
      required conversion to open surgery. Intra-operative complications were all
      injuries to the esophagus/gastric wall (n = 4; 3.0 %) including full-thickness
      perforation (n = 1; 0.8 %). Postoperative complications included pyloric stenosis
      (n = 4; 3.0 %), dysphagia (n = 1; 0.8 %), incisional hernia (n = 1; 0.8 %),
      hemorrhage requiring transfusion (n = 1; 0.8 %), recurrence (n = 3; 2.3 % at 11,
      13, and 48 months, respectively), and gastrostomy site infection (n = 7; 5.3 %).
      Mean operative time decreased significantly with experience from 180.8 min for
      the first quarter of subjects to 150.6 (2nd quarter), 128.6 (3rd) and 109.2 min
      (4th). CONCLUSIONS: Our LTF would appear to be safe for treating GERD in children
      because of reliable outcome and low recurrence.

PMID- 26285894
TI  - Ureteric patency after Deflux(r) injection for the treatment of vesicoureteric
      reflux in children confirmed by a novel epidural catheter-assisted endoscopic
      technique.
AB  - PURPOSE: We present EDCAT (epidural catheter-assisted Deflux((r)) treatment) for
      treating vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) and confirming ureteric patency after
      Deflux((r)) treatment. METHODS: We treated 147 ureters in 101 children (M:F
      62:39; VUR <= grade III: n = 72; VUR >= grade IV: n = 75) using EDCAT between
      2011 and 2014. EDCAT involves injecting 1-3 mL of diluted indigo carmine solution
      through an epidural anesthesia catheter inserted into the Deflux((r))-treated
      ureter and observing for up to 15 min to confirm patency. RESULTS: For EDCAT,
      mean age was 4.9 years and mean operative time was 30.1 +/- 12.1 min; overall
      cure of VUR after initial treatment was 87.7 % for VUR grades I-V, 88.9 % for VUR
      <= grade III, and 86.6 % for VUR >= grade IV; VUR was cured in 129/147 after 1
      treatment, 7/18 after 2 treatments, 7/11 after 3 treatments, and persistent in
      4/4. We experienced 1 case of obstruction after an EDCAT catheter was removed
      before confirming patency. EDCAT catheters were left overnight in 2 ureters in 2
      cases when patency could not be confirmed after 15 min to prevent obstruction.
      Both did not develop obstruction. Four ureters with recurrence of VUR (all grade
      <= II) are being observed. CONCLUSION: EDCAT allows ureteric patency to be
      confirmed immediately and prevents obstruction.

PMID- 26285896
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 26285895
TI  - Anterior mediastinal tracheostomy with a median mandibular splitting approach in
      a Larsen syndrome patient with posterior cervical arthrodesis.
AB  - Larsen syndrome is a rare congenital connective tissue disorder characterized by
      multiple joint dislocations. A novel anterior mediastinal tracheostomy with a
      median mandibular splitting approach is presented for the treatment of airway
      obstruction in a Larsen syndrome patient with posterior cervical arthrodesis. 

PMID- 26285897
TI  - [Contact allergies in the elderly].
AB  - The percentage of seniors (> 65 years of age) in the general population continues
      to rise. Their sensitization profile may be influenced by lifelong work-related
      and nonwork-related exposures and comorbidities requiring local or systemic
      treatment. Recent analysis of the IVDK (Information Network of Departments of
      Dermatology) cohort concerning the most frequently recognized contact allergens
      in the age group above 65 (2009-2013: N = 14,841) revealed significant
      differences compared to the age group up to 65 years of age. The top 10 contact
      allergens recognized in individuals older than 65 years were the following:
      fragrance mix, Myroxylon pereirae (Balsam of Peru), nickel (II) sulfate,
      fragrance mix II, colophony, propolis,
      methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone (MCI/MI), lanolin alcohol,
      Amerchol L 101, tert-butylhydroquinone. Sensitization to nickel was significantly
      less frequent, while sensitizations to fragrance mix and Balsam of Peru were
      significantly more frequent than in the age group up to 65 years of age. The
      percentage of patients with leg dermatitis was 25.9 % in the age group above 65
      (versus 5.8 % in the age group up to 65 years of age). The analysis of the
      subgroup over 65 years of age with and without ulcer/stasis dermatitis/chronic
      venous insufficiency displayed remarkable differences in sensitization
      frequencies against ingredients of topical ointments (lanolin alcohol, Amerchol L
      101, and tert-butylhydroquinone). If these comorbidities exist, patch testing of
      the topical ointment series parallel to the standard series is worthwhile.

PMID- 26285898
TI  - [Not Available].
AB  - Allergic contact eczema in children is frequent. If clinically suspected, a patch
      test should be performed. In the present study, data obtained from 116,742
      patients who had undergone a patch test from 2005-2014 were analysed. The
      children group (range 0-12 years) included 925 patients. If at least 700 tested
      individuals were considered, the most frequent sensitizations in this group were
      nickel sulfate (8.5 %), fragrance mix I (5.5 %), and colophony (3.4 %), whereby
      sensitisation in adults was higher for nickel sulfate (15.5 %) and fragrance mix
      1 (8.4 %), while being similar for colophony (3.7 %). In adolescents with and
      without a profession, nickel sulfate (11.1 and 13.6 %, respectively) and cobalt
      (II) chloride (3.9 and 3.4 %, respectively) were the most frequent positively
      tested contact allergens. Sensitisations toward fragrance mix I was low (3.9 and
      3.4 %, respectively) in comparison to the adult group (8.4 %). In both children
      and adolescents, toluene diamine and paraphenylenediamine sensitizations were not
      infrequent, but it must be considered that these allergens were only tested if
      suspected. The data show that the sensitisation profile among children and
      adolescents display patterns similar to those in adults. Sensitisations in
      childhood and adolescence towards dyes like paraphenylendiamine may be associated
      with increased use of tattooing in these groups.

PMID- 26285899
TI  - The effect of iterative model reconstruction on coronary artery calcium
      quantification.
AB  - Coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring with computed tomography (CT) is an
      established tool for quantifying calcified atherosclerotic plaque burden. Despite
      the widespread use of novel image reconstruction techniques in CT, the effect of
      iterative model reconstruction on CAC score remains unclear. We sought to assess
      the impact of iterative model based reconstruction (IMR) on coronary artery
      calcium quantification as compared to the standard filtered back projection (FBP)
      algorithm and hybrid iterative reconstruction (HIR). In addition, we aimed to
      simulate the impact of iterative reconstruction techniques on calcium scoring
      based risk stratification of a larger asymptomatic population. We studied 63
      individuals who underwent CAC scoring. Images were reconstructed with FBP, HIR
      and IMR and CAC scores were measured. We estimated the cardiovascular risk
      reclassification rate of IMR versus HIR and FBP in a larger asymptomatic
      population (n = 504). The median CAC scores were 147.7 (IQR 9.6-582.9), 107.0
      (IQR 5.9-526.6) and 115.1 (IQR 9.3-508.3) for FBP, HIR and IMR, respectively. The
      HIR and IMR resulted in lower CAC scores as compared to FBP (both p < 0.001),
      however there was no difference between HIR and IMR (p = 0.855). The CAC score
      decreased by 7.2 % in HIR and 7.3 % in IMR as compared to FBP, resulting in a
      risk reclassification rate of 2.4 % for both HIR and IMR. The utilization of IMR
      for CAC scoring reduces the measured calcium quantity. However, the CAC score
      based risk stratification demonstrated modest reclassification in IMR and HIR
      versus FBP.

PMID- 26285900
TI  - Up-Regulation of CCT8 Related to Neuronal Apoptosis after Traumatic Brain Injury
      in Adult Rats.
AB  - Traumatic brain injury (TBI) initiates a series of neurochemical and signaling
      changes that could eventually lead to neuronal apoptosis. Recent studies
      indicated that mature neurons cell cycle re-enter played a crucial role in
      neuronal apoptosis. In this study, we identified that the chaperonin containing
      TCP-1, subunit 8 (CCT8), as a member of class II chaperonins, was significantly
      upregulated following TBI. Moreover, double immunofluorescence staining revealed
      that CCT8 was co-expressed with neuronal nuclei (NeuN). Besides, co-localization
      of CCT8/active caspase 3 was detected in NeuN. We also examined the expression
      profiles of active caspase 3 whose changes were correlated with the expression of
      CCT8. All our findings suggested that CCT8 might be involved in the
      pathophysiology of brain after TBI. 

PMID- 26285901
TI  - Magnesium Lithospermate B Protects Neurons Against Amyloid beta (1-42)-Induced
      Neurotoxicity Through the NF-kappaB Pathway.
AB  - Magnesium lithospermate B (MLB) is one of the major bioactive components of Radix
      Salviae miltiorrhizae, a Chinese traditional herbal medicine colloquially known
      as Dan Shen. In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective effect of MLB
      against oligomeric amyloid beta (Abeta) (1-42)-induced neurotoxicity in cultured
      FVB mouse hippocampal neurons. We found that pretreatment with MLB not only
      prevents a loss in neuronal cell viability following exposure to Abeta (1-42),
      but also attenuates Abeta (1-42)-induced release of pro-inflammatory cytokines
      and neuronal apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Mechanistic studies show that
      MLB counteracts Abeta (1-42)-induced activation of the nuclear factor kappa B (NF
      kappaB) pathway, evidenced by the suppression of NF-kappaB luciferase reporters,
      decreased expression of phosphorylated Inhibitor kappaB alpha and IkappaB kinase
      alpha, and reduced nuclear translocation of p65 in response to pre-treatment with
      50 MUg/ml MLB prior to Abeta (1-42) exposure. MLB was able to reverse the
      increase in phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) levels as well as the
      decrease in phosphorylated Akt levels that are induced by Abeta (1-42), although
      this finding did not extend to extracellular signal-regulated kinase or p38
      kinases. Furthermore, combining MLB with the JNK inhibitor SP600125
      synergistically counteracts the Abeta (1-42)-induced reduction in cell viability
      and neurite growth, and the neuroprotective effects of MLB could be attenuated by
      the Akt inhibitor triciribine. In conclusion, these results suggest that MLB can
      protect against Abeta (1-42)-induced neuronal damage, which is most likely to be
      mediated by the NK-kappaB pathway. 

PMID- 26285902
TI  - Differential Expression of AQP1 and AQP4 in Avascular Chick Retina Exposed to
      Moderate Light of Variable Photoperiods.
AB  - Aquaporins (AQPs) are integral membrane proteins which maintain cellular water
      and ion homeostasis. Alterations in AQP expression have been reported in rod
      dominated rodent retinas exposed to light. In rodents and also in birds, light of
      moderate intensities (700-2000 lux) damages the retina, though detailed changes
      were not examined in birds. The aim of our study was to see if light affects cone
      dominated retinas, which would be reflected in expression levels of AQPs. We
      examined AQP1 and AQP4 expressions in chick retina exposed to 2000 lux under 12 h
      light:12 h dark (12L:12D; normal photoperiod), 18L:6D (prolonged photoperiod) and
      24L:0D (constant light). Additionally, morphological changes, apoptosis (by
      TUNEL) and levels of glutamate and GFAP (a marker of injury) in the retina were
      examined to correlate these with AQP expressions. Constant light caused damage in
      outer and inner nuclear layer (ONL, INL) and ganglion cell layer (GCL). Also,
      there were associated increases in GFAP and glutamate levels in retinal extracts.
      In normal photoperiod, AQP1 was expressed in GCL, outer part of INL and
      photoreceptor inner segments of. AQP4 was additionally expressed in nerve fiber
      layer. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting revealed over all decreased AQP1
      and AQP4 expression in constant light condition compared to those in other two
      groups. The elevated GFAP and glutamate levels might be involved in the reduction
      of AQPs in constant light group. Such decreases in AQP expressions are perhaps
      linked with retinal cell damage seen in constant light condition, while their
      relatively enhanced expression in two other conditions may help in maintaining a
      normal retinal architecture, indicating their neuroprotective potential. 

PMID- 26285903
TI  - Combined Strategy for a Reliable Evaluation of Spinal Cord Injury Using an in
      vivo Model.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A complete neurological exam contributes in establishing spinal cord
      injury severity and its extent by identifying the damage to the sensory and motor
      pathways involved in order to address a more case-specific and precise
      pharmacological therapy. However, assessment of neurologic function in spinal
      cord injury models is usually reported by using sensory or motor tests
      independently. METHODS: A reliable integral method is needed to precisely
      evaluate location and severity of the injury at baseline and, in further
      assessments, to establish the degree of spontaneous recovery. A combination of
      sensation-based tests and motor-based tests was used to evaluate impaired
      neurologic function after spinal cord injury and the degree of spontaneous
      recovery, in different stages, on an in vivo model. RESULTS: Combined neurologic
      evaluation was useful to establish location and severity of the injury in all
      animals and also to detect degrees of spontaneous recovery at different stages
      after the injury. Comparisons of neurological function were assessed in time-days
      and groups between BBB motor score, latency maintenance of posture, locomotion
      and latency presentation of grooming before and after the injury. Our results
      suggest that a combined assessment strategy, including sensory and motor tests,
      can lead to better evaluation of spinal cord injury severity and location, and
      documentation of the extent of spontaneous recovery following SCI and identify
      specific motor and sensory pathway integrity. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, a
      combined assessment strategy provides a concise method for evaluating the impact
      of interventions in experimental models of SCI.

PMID- 26285904
TI  - Distribution and Size Relationships of Plastic Marine Debris on Beaches in South
      Korea.
AB  - The characteristics of the distribution of plastic marine debris were determined
      on 12 beaches in South Korea in 2013 and 2014. The abundances of large micro- (1
      5 mm), meso- (5-25 mm), and macroplastics (>25 mm) were 880.4, 37.7, and 1.0
      particles/m(2), respectively. Styrofoam was the most abundant debris type for
      large microplastics and mesoplastics (99.1 and 90.9 %, respectively). Fiber
      (including fabric) was the most abundant of the macroplastics (54.7 %). There
      were no statistical differences in the mean numbers and weights of plastic debris
      among three beach groups from west, south, and east coasts. No significant
      differences were detected between the abundances of beached plastics in high
      strandline and backshore for all three size groups. Spearman's rank correlation
      was used to determine the relationships between the three debris size classes.
      The abundance of large microplastics was strongly correlated with that of
      mesoplastics for most material types, which suggests that the contamination level
      of large microplastics can be estimated from that of mesoplastics. As surveying
      of smaller particles is more labor intensive, the surveying of mesoplastics with
      a 5-mm sieve is an efficient and useful way to determine "hot-spots" on beaches
      contaminated with large microplastics. 

PMID- 26285905
TI  - Sex and age effects on cardiovascular autonomic function in healthy adults.
AB  - PURPOSE: To determine the effects of sex and age on cardiovascular autonomic
      parameters in healthy adults as assessed by Finapres (finger arterial pressure)
      method and prolonged head-up tilt (HUT). METHODS: We enrolled 81 healthy
      volunteers (41 females, 40 males, 18-74 years) for extensive cardiovascular
      autonomic function testing including blood pressure (BP) recordings,
      electrocardiography, and impedance cardiography at rest, under 60 degrees  HUT
      for 45 min, active standing for 5 min, Valsalva maneuver, and deep breathing
      (DB). Mean values and orthostatic changes, i.e., differences to baseline, of
      heart rate (HR), systolic and diastolic BP, stroke volume (SV), and total
      peripheral resistance (TPR), as well as DB ratio and Valsalva ratio were
      calculated. A generalized linear model (extended by generalized estimating
      equations) was used to assess sex- and age-related differences. RESULTS: Mean HR
      at rest was higher in women than in men (p = 0.035). In men, we observed
      significantly higher mean BP at rest (p < 0.001 systolic and p = 0.004 diastolic)
      and during HUT (p = 0.001 systolic and p < 0.001 diastolic), mean TPR at rest (p
      = 0.034), and mean SV during HUT (p < 0.001). We found no significant impact of
      sex on orthostatic changes of HR and BP. Mean TPR during HUT increased with age
      (p = 0.001), particularly in older women. Orthostatic changes of HR and diastolic
      BP, DB ratio, and Valsalva ratio became attenuated with age (p = 0.018, p =
      0.006, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests
      that aging rather than sex needs to be taken into account when interpreting HR
      and BP changes during prolonged HUT performance.

PMID- 26285906
TI  - Iodide transport and breast cancer.
AB  - Breast cancer is the second most common cancer worldwide and the leading cause of
      cancer death in women, with incidence rates that continue to rise. The
      heterogeneity of the disease makes breast cancer exceptionally difficult to
      treat, particularly for those patients with triple-negative disease. To address
      the therapeutic complexity of these tumours, new strategies for diagnosis and
      treatment are urgently required. The ability of lactating and malignant breast
      cells to uptake and transport iodide has led to the hypothesis that radioiodide
      therapy could be a potentially viable treatment for many breast cancer patients.
      Understanding how iodide is transported, and the factors regulating the
      expression and function of the proteins responsible for iodide transport, is
      critical for translating this hypothesis into reality. This review covers the
      three known iodide transporters - the sodium iodide symporter, pendrin and the
      sodium-coupled monocarboxylate transporter - and their role in iodide transport
      in breast cells, along with efforts to manipulate them to increase the potential
      for radioiodide therapy as a treatment for breast cancer. 

PMID- 26285908
TI  - New lipoxygenase and cholinesterase inhibitory sphingolipids from Carthamus
      oxyacantha.
AB  - Two new sphingolipids: oxyacanthin A [(2S,3S,4R)-2-{[(2R,5E)-2-hydroxyoctadec-5
      enoyl]amino}hexaeicosane-1,3,4-triol; 1] and B [(2S,3S,4R)-2-{[(2R,5E)-2
      hydroxyoctadec-5-enoyl]amino}hexaeicosane-1,3,4-triol-1-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside;
      2], together with 1-octacosanol, beta-sitosterol, beta-sitosterol 3-O-beta-D
      glucopyranoside and luteolin 7-O-beta-glucopyranoside were isolated from the
      methanolic extract of the whole plant of Carthamus oxyacantha. Their structures
      were elucidated using (1)H and (13)C NMR spectra and 2D NMR analyses (HMQC, HMBC
      and COSY) in combination with mass spectrometry (EI-MS, HR-EI-MS, FAB-MS and HR
      FAB-MS) experiments and in comparison with the literature data of the related
      compounds. Both the compounds 1 and 2 showed inhibitory potential against
      lipoxygenase (LOX) in a concentration-dependent manner with IC50 values 83.3 +/-
      1.3 and 245.7 +/- 1.1 uM, whereas compound 2 showed inhibition against enzymes
      acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) with IC50 values
      65.3 +/- 0.1 and 93.6 +/- 0.1 uM, respectively. 

PMID- 26285907
TI  - STAT4 contributes to adipose tissue inflammation and atherosclerosis.
AB  - Adipose tissue (AT) inflammation is an emerging factor contributing to
      cardiovascular disease. STAT4 is a transcription factor expressed in adipocytes
      and in immune cells and contributes to AT inflammation and insulin resistance in
      obesity. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of STAT4
      deficiency on visceral and peri-aortic AT inflammation in a model of
      atherosclerosis without obesity. Stat4(-/-)Apoe(-/-) mice and Apoe(-/-) controls
      were kept either on chow or Western diet for 12 weeks. Visceral and peri-aortic
      AT were collected and analyzed for immune composition by flow cytometry and for
      cytokine/chemokine expression by real-time PCR. Stat4(-/-)Apoe(-/-) and Apoe(-/-)
      mice had similar body weight, plasma glucose, and lipids. Western diet
      significantly increased macrophage, CD4+, CD8+, and NK cells in peri-aortic and
      visceral fat in Apoe(-/-) mice. In contrast, in Stat4(-/-)Apoe(-/-) mice, a
      Western diet failed to increase the percentage of immune cells infiltrating the
      AT. Also, IL12p40, TNFa, CCL5, CXCL10, and CX3CL1 were significantly reduced in
      the peri-aortic fat in Stat4(-/-)Apoe(-/-) mice. Importantly, Stat4(-/-)Apoe(-/-)
      mice on a Western diet had significantly reduced plaque burden vs Apoe(-/-)
      controls. In conclusion, STAT4 deletion reduces inflammation in peri-vascular and
      visceral AT and this may contribute via direct or indirect effects to reduced
      atheroma formation. 

PMID- 26285910
TI  - Endovascular Management of Refractory Hepatic Encephalopathy Complication of
      Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt (TIPS): Comprehensive Review and
      Clinical Practice Algorithm.
AB  - Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) has evolved as an effective
      intervention for treatment of complications of portal hypertension. The use of
      polytetrafluoroethylene-covered stents have improved the patency of the shunts
      and diminished the incidence of TIPS dysfunction. However, TIPS-related
      refractory hepatic encephalopathy (rHE) poses a significant challenge.
      Approximately 3-7 % of patients with TIPS develop rHE. Refractory hepatic
      encephalopathy is defined as a recurrent or persistent encephalopathy despite
      appropriate medical treatment. Hepatic encephalopathy can be an extremely
      debilitating complication that profoundly affects quality of life. The approach
      to management of patients with rHE is complex and typically requires
      collaboration between different specialties. Liver transplantation is the
      ultimate treatment for rHE; however, the ongoing shortage of organ donation
      markedly limits this treatment option. Alternative therapies such as shunt
      occlusion or reduction can control symptoms and serve as a 'bridge' therapy to
      liver transplantation. Therefore, interventional radiologists play a key role in
      the management of these patients by offering a variety of endovascular
      techniques. The purpose of this review is to highlight some of these endovascular
      techniques and to develop a therapeutic algorithm that can be applied in clinical
      practice for the management of rHE. 

PMID- 26285911
TI  - Reply.

PMID- 26285909
TI  - Mutations of Epigenetic Modifier Genes as a Poor Prognostic Factor in Acute
      Promyelocytic Leukemia Under Treatment With All-Trans Retinoic Acid and Arsenic
      Trioxide.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a model for synergistic target
      cancer therapy using all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (ATO),
      which yields a very high 5-year overall survival (OS) rate of 85 to 90%.
      Nevertheless, about 15% of APL patients still get early death or relapse. We
      performed this study to address the possible impact of additional gene mutations
      on the outcome of APL. METHODS: We included a consecutive series of 266 cases as
      training group, and then validated the results in a testing group of 269 patients
      to investigate the potential prognostic gene mutations, including FLT3-ITD or 
      TKD, N-RAS, C-KIT, NPM1, CEPBA, WT1, ASXL1, DNMT3A, MLL (fusions and PTD), IDH1,
      IDH2 and TET2. RESULTS: More high-risk patients (50.4%) carried additional
      mutations, as compared with intermediate- and low-risk ones. The mutations of
      epigenetic modifier genes were associated with poor prognosis in terms of disease
      free survival in both training (HR = 6.761, 95% CI 2.179-20.984; P = 0.001) and
      validation (HR = 4.026, 95% CI 1.089-14.878; P = 0.037) groups. Sanz risk
      stratification was associated with CR induction and OS. CONCLUSION: In an era of
      ATRA/ATO treatment, both molecular markers and clinical parameter based
      stratification systems should be used as prognostic factors for APL.

PMID- 26285912
TI  - Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus Derivatives: Extraction Methods and Bioactivity
      Against Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae).
AB  - Plant-based insecticides can play an important role in integrated insect pest
      management (IPM), especially in protecting stored grains. The aim of this study
      was to evaluate the bioactivity of derivatives (powder, ethanolic extract, and
      essential oil (EO)) from the leaves of Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus (Myrtaceae), a
      Brazilian native species, against Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera:
      Curculionidae), the main insect pest of stored corn. The powder and essential oil
      prepared from leaves showed a repellent effect. Moreover, the EO exhibited
      promising insecticidal activity through residual contact (LC50 = 1522 mg kg(-1))
      and significantly decreased the F 1 progeny and the percentage of damaged grains.
      However, the essential oil obtained from P. pseudocaryophyllus leaves did not
      result in significant mortality of S. zeamais adults after 72 h of exposure by
      fumigation in concentrations up to 400 MUL L(-1) of air. Based on GC-MS analysis,
      20 compounds were identified in the essential oil of P. pseudocaryophyllus
      leaves, being chavibetol (38.14%), methyl eugenol (11.35%), and terpinolene
      (9.17%) as the major constituents. Essential oil from P. pseudocaryophyllus
      leaves is an interesting source of compounds with grain-protectant properties and
      should be analyzed in future studies aiming to develop new bioinsecticides to use
      in the IPM of stored grains.

PMID- 26285913
TI  - In Vivo Identification and Induction of Articular Cartilage Stem Cells by
      Inhibiting NF-kappaB Signaling in Osteoarthritis.
AB  - Osteoarthritis (OA) is a highly prevalent and debilitating joint disorder
      characterized by the degeneration of articular cartilage. However, no effective
      medical therapy has been found yet for such condition. In this study, we directly
      confirmed the existence of articular cartilage stem cells (ACSCs) in vivo and in
      situ for the first time both in normal and OA articular cartilage, and explored
      their chondrogenesis in Interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) induced inflammation
      environment and disclose whether the inhibition of NF-kappaB signaling can induce
      ACSCs activation thus improve the progression of experimental OA. We found an
      interesting phenomenon that ACSCs were activated and exhibited a transient
      proliferative response in early OA as an initial attempt for self-repair. During
      the in vitro mechanism study, we discovered IL-1beta can efficiently activate the
      NF-kappaB pathway and potently impair the responsiveness of ACSCs, whereas the NF
      kappaB pathway inhibitor rescued the ACSCs chondrogenesis. The final in vivo
      experiments further confirmed ACSCs' activation were maintained by NF-kappaB
      pathway inhibitor, which induced cartilage regeneration, and protected articular
      cartilage from injury in an OA animal model. Our results provided in vivo
      evidence of the presence of ACSCs, and disclosed their action in the early OA
      stage and gradual quiet as OA process, presented a potential mechanism for both
      cartilage intrinsic repair and its final degradation, and demonstrated the
      feasibility of inducing endogenous adult tissue-specific mesenchymal stem cells
      for articular cartilage repair and OA therapy.

PMID- 26285914
TI  - Genetic Structure across Broad Spatial and Temporal Scales: Rocky Mountain Tailed
      Frogs (Ascaphus montanus; Anura: Ascaphidae) in the Inland Temperate Rainforest.
AB  - Contemporary and historical processes interact to structure genetic variation,
      however discerning between these can be difficult. Here, we analyze range-wide
      variation at 13 microsatellite loci in 2098 Rocky Mountain tailed frogs, Ascaphus
      montanus, collected from 117 streams across the species distribution in the
      Inland Northwest (INW) and interpret that variation in light of historical
      phylogeography, contemporary landscape genetics, and the reconstructed
      paleodistribution of the species. Further, we project species distribution models
      (SDMs) to predict future changes in the range as a function of changing climate.
      Genetic structure has a strong spatial signature that is precisely congruent with
      a deep (~1.8 MY) phylogeographic split in mtDNA when we partition populations
      into 2 clusters (K = 2), and is congruent with refugia areas inferred from our
      paleorange reconstructions. There is a hierarchical pattern of geographic
      structure as we permit additional clusters, with populations clustering following
      mountain ranges. Nevertheless, genetic diversity is the highest in populations at
      the center of the range and is attenuated in populations closer to the range
      edges. Similarly, geographic distance is the single best predictor of pairwise
      genetic differentiation, but connectivity also is an important predictor. At
      intermediate and local geographic scales, deviations from isolation-by-distance
      are more apparent, at least in the northern portion of the distribution. These
      results indicate that both historical and landscape factors are contributing to
      the genetic structure and diversity of tailed frogs in the Inland Northwest. 

PMID- 26285916
TI  - The Transition States for CO2 Capture by Substituted Ethanolamines.
AB  - Quantum chemical studies are used to understand the electronic and steric effects
      on the mechanisms of the reaction of substituted ethanolamines with CO2. SCS
      MP2/6-311+G(2d,2p) calculations are used to obtain the activation energy barriers
      and reaction energies for both the carbamate and bicarbonate formation. Implicit
      solvent effects are included with the universal solvation model SMD. Carbamate
      formation is more favorable than bicarbonate formation for monoethanolamine (MEA)
      both kinetically and thermodynamically. Increase of the steric hindrance on the C
      atoms around the N atom in substituted ethanolamines favors bicarbonate formation
      over carbamate formation with lower activation barriers and thereby higher
      reaction rates. In contrast, substitution by an N-methyl or N-ethyl group on MEA
      leads to a lower activation barrier for both carbamate formation and bicarbonate
      formation. As a result, higher reaction rates are expected as compared to MEA,
      and therefore these compounds have significant potential as industrial CO2
      capturing solvents.

PMID- 26285915
TI  - Different DMRT3 Genotypes Are Best Adapted for Harness Racing and Riding in
      Finnhorses.
AB  - Previous studies showed a positive effect of the DMRT3 "gait keeper" mutation on
      harness racing performance in Standardbreds, French-, and Nordic trotters. The
      mutation has also been shown to influence riding traits in multiple breeds. This
      study investigated the effect of the DMRT3 mutation on harness racing performance
      and riding traits in Finnhorses. Finnhorses used for harness racing (n = 180) and
      for riding (n = 59) were genotyped for the DMRT3 mutation. For the trotters the
      genotypes were evaluated for association with racing performance (number of
      starts, victories, placings, earnings, and race times). At 3-6 years of age the
      AA genotype was superior compared with the CA and CC genotypes. The AA horses had
      a significantly higher proportion of victories (P = 1.4*10(-6)) and placings (P =
      4.1*10(-7)), better race times (P = 0.01), and earned more money (P = 0.009)
      compared with C-horses. For the Finnhorses used for riding the owners answered a
      questionnaire to score how well the horse performed the gaits walk, trot, and
      canter on a scale from 1 to 6. These scores were tested for association with the
      DMRT3 genotypes. Although AA horses were more successful as racehorses, the CC
      and CA horses appear more adapted for classical riding disciplines. The AA horses
      received significantly lower gait scores compared with C-horses for the majority
      of gaits. Except for rhythm in extended canter (P = 0.05), there were no
      significant differences between CA and CC horses. This study shows that there are
      different optimal genotypes for different disciplines and the DMRT3 mutation
      clearly influences gaits and performance in Finnhorses. 

PMID- 26285917
TI  - The epidemiological feedbacks critical to the evolution of host immunity.
AB  - We examine in detail how epidemiological feedbacks combine with costs and
      benefits to determine the evolution of resistance by systematically analysing
      continuously stable strategies (CSS) for different host-parasite frameworks. The
      mode of resistance (innate versus acquired), the nature of the host (i.e. life
      history and immunological memory) and the nature of the disease (effects on
      fertility or mortality) all impact on the feedbacks that are critical to the
      evolution of resistance. By identifying relationships between CSS investment and
      the underlying epidemiological feedback for each mode of resistance in each
      framework, we distil complex feedbacks into simple combinations of selection
      pressures. When the parasite does not affect fertility, CSS investment reflects
      only the benefit of resistance and we explain why this is markedly different for
      innate and acquired resistance. If infection has no effect on host fertility, CSS
      investment in acquired immunity increases with the square of disease prevalence.
      While in contrast for evolving innate resistance, CSS investment is greatest at
      intermediate prevalence. When disease impacts fertility, only a fraction of the
      host population reproduce, and this introduces new ecological feedbacks to both
      the cost of resistance and the damage from infection. The multiple feedbacks in
      this case lead to the alternative result that the higher the abundance of
      infecteds, the higher the investment in innate resistance. A key insight is that
      maximal investment occurs at intermediate lifespans in a range of different host
      parasite interactions, but for disparate reasons which can only be understood by
      a detailed analysis of the feedbacks. We discuss the extension of our approach to
      structured host populations and parasite community dynamics. 

PMID- 26285918
TI  - Initial dissolution kinetics of cocrystal of carbamazepine with nicotinamide.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Objectives of this study are investigating the initial dissolution
      kinetics of the cocrystal of carbamazepine (CBZ) with nicotinamide (NIC) and
      understanding its initial dissolution process. METHODS: Cocrystal solids of CBZ
      with NIC were prepared by co-milling and solvent evaporation methods. The
      formation of cocrystal solid was verified via X-ray diffraction measurement.
      Dissolution tests of the solids were performed using an original flow cell and
      ultraviolet-visible spectroscopic detector. The spectra monitored in situ were
      analyzed to determine the dissolved compounds separately using the classical
      least squares regression method. The initial dissolution profiles were
      interpreted using simultaneous model of dissolution and phase changes. KEY
      FINDINGS: In the initial dissolution, CBZ in the cocrystal structure dissolved in
      water and it was suggested that CBZ reached a metastable intermediate state
      simultaneously with dissolution. The cocrystal solid prepared by solvent
      evaporation provided a higher rate constant of the phase change than that
      prepared by co-milling. Our results thus support the use of evaporation as the
      method of choice to produce ordered cocrystal structures. CONCLUSION: We suggest
      that CBZ forms dihydrate during the dissolution process; however, during the
      initial phase of dissolution, CBZ changes to a metastable intermediate phase.

PMID- 26285919
TI  - Association and gene-gene interactions study of reelin signaling pathway related
      genes with autism in the Han Chinese population.
AB  - Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder with unclear etiology. Reelin had been
      proposed to participate in the etiology of autism due to its important role in
      brain development. The goal of this study was to explore the association and gene
      gene interactions of reelin signaling pathway related genes (RELN, VLDLR, LRP8,
      DAB1, FYN, and CDK5) with autism in Han Chinese population. Genotyping data of
      the six genes were obtained from a recent genome-wide association study performed
      in 430 autistic children who fulfilled the DSM-IV-TR criteria for autistic
      disorder, and 1,074 healthy controls. Single marker case-control association
      analysis and haplotype case-control association analysis were conducted after the
      data was screened. Multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) was applied to
      further test gene-gene interactions. Neither the single marker nor the haplotype
      association tests found any significant difference between the autistic group and
      the control group after permutation test of 1,000 rounds. The 4-locus MDR model
      (comprising rs6143734, rs1858782, rs634500, and rs1924267 which belong to RELN
      and DAB1) was determined to be the model with the highest cross-validation
      consistency (CVC) and testing balanced accuracy. The results indicate that an
      interaction between RELN and DAB1 may increase the risk of autism in the Han
      Chinese population. Furthermore, it can also be inferred that the involvement of
      RELN in the etiology of autism would occur through interaction with DAB1.

PMID- 26285920
TI  - IgM-type epidermolysis bullosa acquisita.

PMID- 26285921
TI  - Genetic damage in patients moving from hemodialysis to online hemodiafiltration.
AB  - End-stage renal failure patients exhibit a high incidence of genetic damage and
      genomic instability. Part of this genetic damage is assumed to be caused by the
      hemodialysis (HD) procedure. To reduce these effects, different alternative HD
      procedures have been proposed, such as the use of high efficiency convective
      therapies to improve the reactive oxygen species/antioxidant ratio. To determine
      the efficiency of online hemodiafiltration (HDF) technique on the levels of DNA
      damage, we have measured the frequency of micronucleus in peripheral blood
      lymphocytes of 33 individuals moving from low-flux HD to post-dilution online
      HDF. In addition to basal levels of genetic damage, potential changes in
      radiosensitivity were measured as indicators of genomic instability. Plasma
      antioxidant capacity was also determined. Second samples were obtained after 6
      months on the HDF protocol. Results indicate that moving to online HDF therapy
      produce a significant reduction of the basal levels of genetic damage, but does
      not affect the genomic instability status. In addition, a greater increase in
      plasma antioxidant capacity was observed. In spite of the lack of correlation
      between these parameters, our results confirm the usefulness of the online HDF
      technique as a way to reduce DNA damage in HD patients.

PMID- 26285923
TI  - Retraction Note to: Construction of pancreatic cancer double-factor regulatory
      network based on chip data on the transcriptional level.

PMID- 26285922
TI  - The patient experience of sleep problems and their treatment in the context of
      current delusions and hallucinations.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: There is increasing recognition that sleep problems are common in
      patients with psychosis, that they exacerbate delusions and hallucinations and
      should be a treatment target. The aim of this study was to gain a patient
      perspective on the nature of sleep problems in psychosis and experience of
      treatment. DESIGN: A qualitative, semi-structured interview-based study to
      explore patient accounts of sleep problems and associated psychological
      treatment. METHODS: Ten patients with recent delusions and hallucinations, who
      had experienced sleep problems and received psychological treatment during a
      clinical trial (the Better Sleep Trial), were interviewed. Responses were
      analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. RESULTS: Patients
      reported experiencing problems of getting to sleep, staying asleep, too much
      sleep, nightmares, and erratic sleep patterns. These sleep problems caused
      emotional distress, fatigue, and reduction in daytime activities. Worry and
      psychotic experiences disturbed sleep, while consequent tiredness meant that
      patients coped poorly with voices and persecutory fears. Treatment for sleep
      problems was viewed very positively and considered to have wide-ranging impacts.
      CONCLUSIONS: Sleep disturbance is a major problem for patients with psychosis,
      which should be treated more often in services using evidence-based
      interventions. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Psychological interventions for sleep
      problems are valued by patients with psychosis. Patients with current distressing
      psychotic experiences report wide-ranging benefits from a brief psychological
      intervention for sleep problems.

PMID- 26285924
TI  - Retraction Note to: Correlations of SELE genetic polymorphisms with risk of
      coronary heart disease and myocardial infarction: a meta-analysis.

PMID- 26285925
TI  - Retraction Note to: SELP genetic polymorphisms may contribute to the pathogenesis
      of coronary heart disease and myocardial infarction: a meta-analysis.

PMID- 26285926
TI  - Retraction Note to: Role of RASSF1A promoter methylation in the pathogenesis of
      hepatocellular carcinoma: a meta-analysis of 21 cohort studies.

PMID- 26285927
TI  - Retraction Note to: Aberrant promoter methylation of RASSF1A gene may be
      correlated with colorectal carcinogenesis: a meta-analysis.

PMID- 26285928
TI  - Retraction Note to: Relationships of LDLR genetic polymorphisms with cerebral
      infarction: a meta-analysis.

PMID- 26285929
TI  - Retraction Note to: Genetic polymorphisms in VDR, ESR1 and ESR2 genes may
      contribute to susceptibility to Parkinson's disease: a meta-analysis.

PMID- 26285930
TI  - Retraction Note to: Role of p16 gene promoter methylation in gastric
      carcinogenesis: a meta-analysis.

PMID- 26285931
TI  - Retraction Note to: Correlations of SELE and SELP genetic polymorphisms with
      myocardial infarction risk: a meta-analysis and meta-regression.

PMID- 26285932
TI  - Retraction Note to: Uncovering the pathogenesis and identifying novel targets of
      pancreatic cancer using bioinformatics approach.

PMID- 26285933
TI  - Retraction Note to: Genetic polymorphisms in the CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 genes and
      susceptibility to bladder cancer: a meta-analysis.

PMID- 26285934
TI  - Retraction Note to: Lactoferrin promote primary rat osteoblast proliferation and
      differentiation via up-regulation of insulin-like growth factor-1 expression.

PMID- 26285935
TI  - Retraction Note to: Genetic variations in the KIR gene family may contribute to
      susceptibility to ankylosing spondylitis: a meta-analysis.

PMID- 26285936
TI  - Retraction Note to: Key genes associated with osteoporosis revealed by genome
      wide gene expression analysis.

PMID- 26285937
TI  - Retraction Note to: IL-18 genetic polymorphisms may contribute to the
      pathogenesis of tuberculosis among Asians: a meta-analysis of case-control
      studies.

PMID- 26285938
TI  - Retraction Note to: The role of cystatin C in vascular remodeling of balloon
      injured abdominal aorta of rabbits.

PMID- 26285939
TI  - Retraction Note to: Relationships between PON1 Q192R polymorphism and clinical
      outcome of antiplatelet treatment after percutaneous coronary intervention: a
      meta-analysis.

PMID- 26285940
TI  - Retraction Note to: ChIP-seq analysis of androgen receptor in LNCaP cell line.

PMID- 26285941
TI  - Retraction Note to: Identification of featured biomarkers in different types of
      lung cancer with DNA microarray.

PMID- 26285942
TI  - Retraction Note to: Meta-analysis of the relationship between single nucleotide
      polymorphism rs72689236 of caspase-3 and Kawasaki disease.

PMID- 26285943
TI  - Retraction Note to: Analyzing time-series microarray data reveals key genes in
      spinal cord injury.

PMID- 26285945
TI  - Retraction Note to: Text mining and network analysis of molecular interaction in
      non-small cell lung cancer by using natural language processing.

PMID- 26285944
TI  - Retraction Note to: LCK: a new biomarker candidate for the early diagnosis of
      acute myocardial infarction.

PMID- 26285946
TI  - Retraction Note to: Relationships of COX2 and MMP12 genetic polymorphisms with
      chronic obstructive pulmonary disease risk: a meta-analysis.

PMID- 26285947
TI  - Retraction Note to: Gene expression profiles on predicting protein interaction
      network and exploring of new treatments for lung cancer.

PMID- 26285948
TI  - Retraction Note to: An infectious molecular clone in early infection with HIV-1
      subtype CRF01_AE strains: construction and biological properties.

PMID- 26285949
TI  - Retraction Note to: Knockdown of filaggrin influences the epidermal terminal
      differentiation via MAPK pathway in normal human epidermal keratinocytes.

PMID- 26285950
TI  - Retraction Note to: Distinctive pathways characterize A. actinomycetemcomitans
      and P. gingivalis.

PMID- 26285953
TI  - Language barriers leave us all in limbo.

PMID- 26285951
TI  - Glycemic Variability and Its Impact on Quality of Life in Adults With Type 1
      Diabetes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is evidence suggesting that glycemic variability reduces
      quality of life (QoL) in people with type 2 diabetes, but this association has
      not been explored in type 1 diabetes. We aimed to assess whether glycemic
      variability has an impact on QoL in adults with established type 1 diabetes using
      multiple daily injections (MDI) of insulin or continuous subcutaneous insulin
      infusion (CSII). METHODS: Participants wore a blinded continuous glucose monitor
      for up to 5 days and completed the diabetes quality of life (DQOL) questionnaire.
      Glycemic variability measures were calculated using the EasyGV version 9.0
      software. A correlation analysis was performed to assess whether there was a
      relationship between glycemic variability and measures of QoL. RESULTS: In all,
      57 participants with type 1 diabetes (51% male, 65% on CSII, 35% on MDI, mean
      [SD] age 41 [13] years, duration of diabetes 21 [12] years, HbA1c 63 [12]
      mmol/mol [7.9% (1.1)], body mass index 25.2 [4.0] kg/m(2)) were included in the
      analysis. No significant associations between glycemic variability and DQOL total
      or subscale scores were demonstrated. The glycemic variability was significantly
      higher for MDI participants compared to CSII participants (P < .05 for all
      glycemic variability measures), but no significant difference in QoL between the
      2 treatment modality groups was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with CSII is
      associated with lower glycemic variability compared to MDI. Despite this, and
      contrary to findings in type 2 diabetes, this study did not find an association
      between glycemic variability and QoL in adults with relatively well-controlled
      type 1 diabetes, irrespective of whether they are on MDI or CSII.

PMID- 26285955
TI  - Free gym sessions offered to help nurses unwind after long shifts.

PMID- 26285952
TI  - Impact of Blood Glucose Reporting on Glycemic Variability in Veterans With
      Diabetes.

PMID- 26285954
TI  - Better career pathway is high on RCN general secretary's to-do list.

PMID- 26285956
TI  - Steep increase in allegations of care home abuse.

PMID- 26285957
TI  - Action planned on undocumented migrant staff.

PMID- 26285958
TI  - Sitting at the bedside on ward rounds is best practice for patient experience.

PMID- 26285959
TI  - Diaries are late nurse's legacy.

PMID- 26285960
TI  - Union concern over 'undermining' of NHS Pay Review Body's remit.

PMID- 26285961
TI  - Nurses to advise inspection teams.

PMID- 26285962
TI  - Spray-based oxygen therapy effective in diabetic foot ulcers.

PMID- 26285964
TI  - A-level joy for future nursing student.

PMID- 26285965
TI  - Cuts in public health funding will hit areas of greater need hardest.

PMID- 26285966
TI  - New leader wants to inspire nurses to speak up for themselves.

PMID- 26285972
TI  - Obstructive sleep apnoea.

PMID- 26285973
TI  - Years of experience to bring to the bank.

PMID- 26285974
TI  - Keeping fit for purpose.

PMID- 26285975
TI  - A brave approach paid dividends.

PMID- 26285982
TI  - Men's Health Forum.

PMID- 26285984
TI  - MedScape.

PMID- 26285986
TI  - Calming music can relax patients and staff in the operating theatre.

PMID- 26285987
TI  - It all depends on who calls the tune in the operating team.

PMID- 26285989
TI  - NHS problems are fault of government, not nurses.

PMID- 26285988
TI  - RCN needs to balance union remit with professional roles.

PMID- 26285990
TI  - Do the maths to see impact of privatisation on patient care.

PMID- 26285993
TI  - Paul Dugdale.

PMID- 26285994
TI  - Evelyn Gillan.

PMID- 26285996
TI  - Advance care planning in dementia.
AB  - Advance care planning is the basis for delivering person-centred end of life care
      that accords with the wishes of the individual. It is important to support people
      with dementia in developing an advance care plan, since they may lose the
      capacity to make decisions associated with this early in the disease process.
      Healthcare policy indicates that we should all consider our wishes for end of
      life care. However, this may not be straightforward for people with dementia.
      This article considers the main issues in enabling advance care planning with
      people with dementia, reviews the limited evidence and offers possible solutions.

PMID- 26285997
TI  - Applying critical thinking to nursing.
AB  - Critical thinking and writing are skills that are not easy to acquire. The term
      'critical' is used differently in social and clinical contexts. Nursing students
      need time to master the inquisitive and ruminative aspects of critical thinking
      that are required in academic environments. This article outlines what is meant
      by critical thinking in academic settings, in relation to both theory and
      reflective practice. It explains how the focus of a question affects the sort of
      critical thinking required and offers two taxonomies of learning, to which
      students can refer when analysing essay requirements. The article concludes with
      examples of analytical writing in reference to theory and reflective practice. 

PMID- 26285998
TI  - Advance care planning.

PMID- 26286001
TI  - Working life on the ocean wave.

PMID- 26285999
TI  - Mind your attitude.

PMID- 26286002
TI  - Change for the better.

PMID- 26286003
TI  - Reality shock absorber.

PMID- 26286004
TI  - Patient dose evaluation for the whole-body low-dose multidetector CT (WBLDMDCT)
      skeleton study in multiple myeloma (MM).
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aimed at estimating the patient effective dose during whole
      body low-dose multi detector computed tomography with a scanner Philips Brillance
      64, and to compare it with those reported in literature for the same procedure
      and with the dose of the conventional X-ray examination in our institution.
      MATERIALS AND METHODS: WBLDMDCT effective dose was evaluated for 29 MM patients,
      using Dose Length Product values. Conventional X-ray examination dose was
      estimated using a Rando Phantom and Dose Area Product indexes. ICRP Publication
      103 based coefficients were used. RESULTS: Mean WBLDMDCT effective dose values
      estimated using sex-specific conversion coefficients and body weight factors-were
      3.6 and 2.8 mSv for females and males, respectively. The effective dose for the
      conventional method was 1.2 mSv for Rando phantom. CONCLUSION: The WBLDMDCT
      effective dose in our institution is consistent with the values reported in
      previous studies. Such a dose is about 2.5- to 3-fold higher than the mean
      radiation dose of the conventional X-ray study. Nevertheless, considering the
      improved diagnostic accuracy of the CT investigation, the comfort of the patient
      and the old age of the MM population, dose/quality ratio can be considered
      favourable.

PMID- 26286005
TI  - Investigation of medical intervention with fatal outcome: the impact of post
      mortem CT and CT angiography.
AB  - Post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) has been proven for its appropriateness to
      become an integral part of routine pre-autoptic forensic investigations either in
      the field of forensic investigation of fatal medical error or in hospital quality
      management. The autoptic investigation of unexpected and peri-interventional
      deaths can be usefully guided by post-mortem imaging which offers significant
      added value in the documentation of misplacement of medical devices before
      dissection with the risk of artificial relocation and the detection of iatrogenic
      air embolism. Post-mortem CT angiography (PMCTA) augments PMCT in the search for
      sources of hemorrhages and for the documentation of vascular patency and
      unimpaired perfusion after general and cardiovascular surgery or transvascular
      catheter-assisted interventions. Limitations of PMCT and PMCTA in medical error
      cases are method-related or time-dependent including artifacts by early post
      mortem tissue change. Thromboembolic complications including pulmonary embolism,
      the differentiation of ante- and post-mortem coagulation and the detection of
      myocardial infarction remain areas with compromised diagnostic efficiency as
      compared to autopsy. Furthermore, extended survival periods after a complication
      in question impedes visualization of contrast agent extravasation at vascular
      leakage sites. PMCT and PMCTA contribute substantially for proving a correct
      interventional approach and guide forensic or clinical autopsy in the
      reconstruction of adverse medical events with fatal outcome. Post-mortem imaging
      could also assume a new role as an alternative in a clinicopathological setting
      if autopsy is not achievable when the probability in the individual case is
      acceptable to answer specific questions. 

PMID- 26286006
TI  - The role of contrast enhanced computed tomography in the diagnosis of necrotizing
      fasciitis and comparison with the laboratory risk indicator for necrotizing
      fasciitis (LRINEC).
AB  - PURPOSE: To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of contrast enhanced computed
      tomography (CECT) in emergency departments for diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis
      (NF) and for differential diagnosis of other musculoskeletal infections; to
      correlate radiological findings with the laboratory risk indicator for
      necrotizing fasciitis (LRINEC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 7 radiological parameters
      to be analysed on CECT scans were established, exams of 36 patients with proven
      diagnosis of NF (n 12) and other musculoskeletal infections (n 24) were
      retrospectively reviewed; LRINEC score was calculated. Fisher's test and
      Spearman's and Kendall's coefficients of rank correlations were performed.
      RESULTS: Two parameters were found to be strongly associated with the diagnosis
      of NF: involvement of the fascia (Spearman's rho of 0.888, p < 0.001) and lack of
      fascial enhancement (Spearman's rho of 0.672, p < 0.001). LRINEC score did not
      show strong association with the presence of fasciitis NF (Spearman's rho of
      0.490, p = 0.0024). CONCLUSION: Computed tomography (CT) parameters, which are
      significantly associated with the diagnosis of NF, are the involvement of the
      fascia and its lack of enhancement; LRINEC score could be high (>5) also in other
      musculoskeletal infections. Final diagnosis of necrosis among the fascia is
      surgical. Presence of gas is not a specific sign of necrotizing fasciitis being
      present in other musculoskeletal infections. CT could easily discriminate NF from
      other musculoskeletal infections, adds an important value to clinical and
      laboratory tests in diagnosis of NF in an emergency context when magnetic
      resonance imaging, which is superior to CT in this discernment, could not be
      performed.

PMID- 26286007
TI  - Implying Analytic Measures for Unravelling Rheumatoid Arthritis Significant
      Proteins Through Drug-Target Interaction.
AB  - Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune and inflammatory disease that
      mainly alters the synovial joints and ultimately leads to their destruction. The
      involvement of the immune system and its related cells is a basic trademark of
      autoimmune-associated diseases. The present work focuses on network analysis and
      its functional characterization to predict novel targets for RA. The interactive
      model called as rheumatoid arthritis drug-target-protein (RA-DTP) is built of
      1727 nodes and 7954 edges followed the power-law distribution. RA-DTP comprised
      of 20 islands, 55 modules and 123 submodules. Good interactome coverage of target
      protein was detected in island 2 (Q-Score 0.875) which includes 673 molecules
      with 20 modules and 68 submodules. The biological landscape of these modules was
      examined based on the participation molecules in specific cellular localization,
      molecular function and biological pathway with favourable p value. Functional
      characterization and pathway analysis through KEGG, Biocarta and Reactome also
      showed their involvement in relation to the immune system and inflammatory
      processes and biological processes such as cell signalling and communication,
      glucosamine metabolic process, renin-angiotensin system, BCR signals, galactose
      metabolism, MAPK signalling, complement and coagulation system and NGF signalling
      pathways. Traffic values and centrality parameters were applied as the selection
      criteria for identifying potential targets from the important hubs which resulted
      into FOS, KNG1, PTGDS, HSP90AA1, REN, POMC, FCER1G, IL6, ICAM1, SGK1, NOS3 and
      PLA2G4A. This approach provides an insight into experimental validation of these
      associations of potential targets for clinical value to find their effect on
      animal studies. 

PMID- 26286008
TI  - Flavonoids as Multi-target Inhibitors for Proteins Associated with Ebola Virus:
      In Silico Discovery Using Virtual Screening and Molecular Docking Studies.
AB  - Ebola virus is a single-stranded, negative-sense RNA virus that causes severe
      hemorrhagic fever in humans and non-human primates. This virus is unreceptive to
      a large portion of the known antiviral drugs, and there is no valid treatment as
      on date for disease created by this pathogen. Looking into its ability to create
      a pandemic scenario across globe, there is an utmost need for new drugs and
      therapy to combat this life-threatening infection. The current study deals with
      the evaluation of the inhibitory activity of flavonoids against the four selected
      Ebola virus receptor proteins, using in silico studies. The viral proteins VP40,
      VP35, VP30 and VP24 were docked with small molecules obtained from flavonoid
      class and its derivatives and evaluated on the basis of energetics,
      stereochemical considerations and pharmacokinetic properties to identify
      potential lead compounds. The results showed that both top-ranking screened
      flavonoids, i.e., Gossypetin and Taxifolin, showed better docking scores and
      binding energies in all the EBOV receptors when compared to those of the reported
      compound. All the screened flavonoids have known antiviral activity, acceptable
      pharmacokinetic properties and are being used on human and thus can be taken as
      anti-Ebola therapy without the time lag for clinical trial. 

PMID- 26286009
TI  - Investigating the Conformational Structure and Potential Site Interactions of SOD
      Inhibitors on Ec-SOD in Marine Mud Crab Scylla serrata: A Molecular Modeling
      Approach.
AB  - Superoxide dismutases (SODs) act as a first line of the enzymatic antioxidant
      defense system to control cellular superoxide anion toxicity. Previously, several
      inhibitors have been widely identified and catalogued for inhibition of SOD
      activity; however, still the information about the mechanism of interaction and
      points toward the inhibitor interactions in structures of SODs in general and in
      extracellular (Ec)-SOD in particular is still in naive. In the present research,
      we present an insight to elucidate the molecular basis of interactions of SOD
      inhibitors with Ec-SOD in mud crab Scylla serrata using molecular modeling and
      docking approaches. Different inhibitors of SOD such as hydrogen peroxide
      [Formula: see text], potassium cyanide, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), [Formula:
      see text]-mercaptoethanol and dithiocarbamate were screened to understand the
      potential sites that may act as sites for cleavage or blocking in the protein.
      SOD-SDS and [Formula: see text] complex interactions indicate residues Pro72 and
      Asp102 of the predicted crab Ec-SOD as common targets. The GOLD result indicates
      that Pro72, Asp102 and Thr103 are commonly acting as the site of interaction in
      Ec-SOD of S. serrata with SOD inhibitors. For the first time, the results of this
      study provide an insight into the structural properties of Ec-SOD of S. serrata
      and define the possible involvements between the amino acids present in its
      active sites, i.e., in the regions from 70 to 84 and from 101 to 103 and
      different inhibitors. 

PMID- 26286010
TI  - Identify Secretory Protein of Malaria Parasite with Modified Quadratic
      Discriminant Algorithm and Amino Acid Composition.
AB  - Malaria parasite secretes various proteins in infected red blood cell for its
      growth and survival. Thus identification of these secretory proteins is important
      for developing vaccine or drug against malaria. In this study, the modified
      method of quadratic discriminant analysis is presented for predicting the
      secretory proteins. Firstly, 20 amino acids are divided into five types according
      to the physical and chemical characteristics of amino acids. Then, we used five
      types of amino acids compositions as inputs of the modified quadratic
      discriminant algorithm. Finally, the best prediction performance is obtained by
      using 20 amino acid compositions, the sensitivity of 96 %, the specificity of 92
      % with 0.88 of Mathew's correlation coefficient in fivefold cross-validation
      test. The results are also compared with those of existing prediction methods.
      The compared results shown our method are prominent in the prediction of
      secretory proteins. 

PMID- 26286011
TI  - Probing the impact of temperature on molecular events in a developmental system.
AB  - A well-appreciated general feature of development is the ability to achieve a
      normal outcome despite the inevitable variability at molecular, genetic, or
      environmental levels. But it is not well understood how changes in a global
      factor such as temperature bring about specific challenges to a developmental
      system in molecular terms. Here we address this question using early Drosophila
      embryos where the maternal gradient Bicoid (Bcd) instructs anterior-patterning
      (AP) patterning. We show that temperature can impact the amplitude of the Bcd
      gradient in the embryo. To evaluate how molecular decisions are made at different
      temperatures, we quantify Bcd concentrations and the expression of its target
      gene hunchback (hb) in individual embryos. Our results suggest a relatively
      robust Bcd concentration threshold in inducing hb transcription within a
      temperature range. Our results also reveal a complex nature of the effects of
      temperature on the progressions of developmental and molecular events of the
      embryo. Our study thus advances the concept of developmental robustness by
      quantitatively elaborating specific features and challenges-imposed by changes in
      temperature-that an embryo must resolve. 

PMID- 26286012
TI  - Application of carbon nanoparticles to mark locations for re-inspection after
      colonic polypectomy.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Endoscopic surgery has been a novel treatment for colon polyps or
      even early colorectal cancer. However, the exact re-inspection after colonic
      polypectomy to detect the scar from polyp removal was difficult to be performed.
      In our previous study, colon cancer tattooed with carbon nanoparticles was easily
      found during surgery. We speculated that carbon nanoparticles could be used in
      exact re-inspection after colonic polypectomy. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the
      efficiency of carbon nanoparticles for re-inspection after colonic polypectomy.
      METHODS: Twenty-four patients with precancerous lesion or early colorectal cancer
      that underwent colonoscopic polypectomy between October 2012 and December 2013
      were enrolled in the study. Participants were divided into two groups. Group A
      patients were injected with carbon nanoparticles beneath the lesion sites 3 cm.
      Group B patients were not treated with nanoparticles. All patients underwent
      quarterly colonoscopies. Once the colonoscope was withdrawn from the site last
      time record, the time spent searching for lesions was recorded. RESULTS: There
      were no significant differences between general conditions or lesion pathology
      between the groups. The time spent searching for lesions in Group B was much
      longer than that in Group A (13.67 +/- 8.07 vs. 1.21 +/- 0.39 min, P < 0.001).
      Carbon nanoparticles marked lesions for 12 months in some patients, and no
      adverse reactions were reported. LIMITATIONS: It was a small sample study.
      CONCLUSIONS: Tattooing lesions using carbon nanoparticles suspensions is safe.
      The durability of dye enables lesions to be re-checked by colonoscopy or
      laparoscopy for up to 1 year.

PMID- 26286013
TI  - Laparoscopy decreases complications for obese patients undergoing elective rectal
      surgery.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: While there are many reported advantages to laparoscopic surgery
      compared to open surgery, the impact of a laparoscopic approach on postoperative
      morbidity in obese patients undergoing rectal surgery has not been studied. Our
      goal was to determine whether obese patients undergoing laparoscopic rectal
      surgery experienced the same benefits as non-obese patients. METHODS: We
      identified patients undergoing rectal resections using the National Surgical
      Quality Improvement Project Participant Use Data File. We performed multivariable
      analyses to determine the independent association between laparoscopy and
      postoperative complications. RESULTS: A total of 26,437 patients underwent rectal
      resection. The mean age was 58.5 years, 32.6 % were obese, and 47.2 % had cancer.
      Laparoscopic procedures were slightly less common in obese patients compared to
      non-obese patients (36.0 vs. 38.2 %, p = 0.0006). In unadjusted analyses,
      complications were lower with the laparoscopic approach in both obese (18.9 vs.
      32.4 %, p < 0.0001) and non-obese (15.6 vs. 25.3 %, p < 0.0001) patients. In a
      multivariable analysis controlling for potential confounders, the risk of
      postoperative complications increased as the degree of obesity worsened. The
      likelihood of experiencing a postoperative complication increased by 25, 45, and
      75 % for obese class I, obese class II, and obese class III patients,
      respectively. A laparoscopic approach was associated with a 40 % decreased odds
      of a postoperative complication for all patients (OR 0.60, 95 % CI 0.56-0.64).
      CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic rectal surgery is associated with fewer complications
      when compared to open rectal surgery in both obese and non-obese patients.
      Obesity was an independent risk factor for postoperative complications. In
      appropriately selected patients, rectal surgery outcomes may be improved with a
      minimally invasive approach.

PMID- 26286014
TI  - Who Needs Follow-Up after Endoscopic Resection of Colorectal Adenomas?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Surveillance colonoscopy after endoscopic resection of colorectal
      adenomas is a crucial step in the concept of colorectal cancer screening. After
      identifying the patients at risk with screening and resection of adenomas, there
      has to be a tailored surveillance. Surveillance colonoscopy should detect
      recurrent and metachronal adenomas at a stage where they can be removed
      endoscopically. In the following, the criteria for a risk-adapted surveillance
      interval are presented. METHODS: A literature review based on American, European,
      and German guidelines for surveillance after polypectomy and the German guideline
      for the diagnosis and treatment of ulcerative colitis, as well as a selective
      literature search into hereditary colorectal cancer were performed. RESULTS:
      State of the art surveillance after endoscopic resection of colorectal adenomas
      is based on a focused anamnesis and the index colonoscopy. On the basis of
      existing guidelines, a risk-adapted surveillance strategy can be implemented.
      CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to surveillance guidelines is a basic part of colorectal
      cancer screening and should be the starting point for further research.

PMID- 26286015
TI  - Effect of Short-Term Mobile Phone Base Station Exposure on Cognitive Performance,
      Body Temperature, Heart Rate and Blood Pressure of Malaysians.
AB  - Individuals who report their sensitivity to electromagnetic fields often undergo
      cognitive impairments that they believe are due to the exposure of mobile phone
      technology. The aim of this study is to clarify whether short-term exposure at 1
      V/m to the typical Global System for Mobile Communication and Universal Mobile
      Telecommunications System (UMTS) affects cognitive performance and physiological
      parameters (body temperature, blood pressure and heart rate). This study applies
      counterbalanced randomizing single blind tests to determine if sensitive
      individuals experience more negative health effects when they are exposed to base
      station signals compared with sham (control) individuals. The sample size is 200
      subjects with 50.0% Idiopathic Environmental Intolerance attributed to
      electromagnetic fields (IEI-EMF) also known as sensitive and 50.0% (non-IEI-EMF).
      The computer-administered Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery
      (CANTAB eclipse(TM)) is used to examine cognitive performance. Four tests are
      chosen to evaluate Cognitive performance in CANTAB: Reaction Time (RTI), Rapid
      Visual Processing (RVP), Paired Associates Learning (PAL) and Spatial Span (SSP).
      Paired sample t-test on the other hand, is used to examine the physiological
      parameters. Generally, in both groups, there is no statistical significant
      difference between the exposure and sham exposure towards cognitive performance
      and physiological effects (P's > 0.05). 

PMID- 26286016
TI  - Blocking the tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA) receptor inhibits pain
      behaviour in two rat models of osteoarthritis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA) mediates nociceptor
      sensitisation by nerve growth factor (NGF), but it is unknown whether selective
      TrkA inhibition will be an effective strategy for treating osteoarthritis (OA)
      pain. We determined the effects of a TrkA inhibitor (AR786) on pain behaviour,
      synovitis and joint pathology in two rat OA models. METHODS: Knee OA was induced
      in rats by intra-articular monosodium-iodoacetate (MIA) injection or meniscal
      transection (MNX) and compared with saline-injected or sham-operated controls.
      Pain behaviour was assessed as weight-bearing asymmetry and paw withdrawal
      threshold to punctate stimulation. Oral doses (30 mg/kg) of AR786 or vehicle were
      administered twice daily in either preventive (day -1 to -27) or treatment (day
      14-28) protocols. Effect maintenance was evaluated for 2 weeks after treatment
      discontinuation. Alterations in knee structure (cartilage, subchondral bone and
      synovium) were examined by macroscopic visualisation of articular surfaces and
      histopathology. RESULTS: Preventive AR786 treatment inhibited pain behaviour
      development and therapeutic treatment attenuated established pain behaviour.
      Weight-bearing asymmetry increased 1 week after treatment discontinuation, but
      remained less than in vehicle-treated arthritic rats, whereas paw withdrawal
      thresholds returned to levels of untreated rats within 5 days of treatment
      discontinuation. AR786 treatment reduced MIA-induced synovitis and did not
      significantly affect osteochondral pathology in either model. CONCLUSIONS:
      Blocking NGF activity by inhibiting TrkA reduced pain behaviour in two rat models
      of OA. Analgesia was observed both using preventive and treatment protocols, and
      was sustained after treatment discontinuation. Selective inhibitors of TrkA
      therefore hold potential for OA pain relief.

PMID- 26286017
TI  - Outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with rheumatoid
      arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus: an 11-year nationwide cohort study.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus
      erythematosus (SLE) have an increased risk of developing coronary
      atherosclerosis. However, the impact of RA and SLE on the outcomes in patients
      undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains largely
      underdetermined. METHODS: Using the National Health Insurance Research Database
      of Taiwan, we identified 171 547 adult patients who underwent first-time PCI
      between 2000 and 2010. Among these patients, 525 had established RA, and 211 had
      SLE. The ORs of inhospital mortality and HRs of overall mortality and adverse
      cardiac outcomes after PCI (ie, ischaemic events, repeat revascularisation and
      major adverse cardiac events (MACE)) in relation to RA and SLE were estimated.
      RESULTS: After adjustment for potential confounders, including patient
      characteristics and procedural variables, RA (OR=1.73, 95% CI 1.11 to 2.68) and
      SLE (OR=3.81, 95% CI 2.02 to 7.16) were independent predictors of inhospital
      mortality. In addition, RA was independently associated with overall mortality
      (HR=1.55, 95% CI 1.35 to 1.79), ischaemic events (HR=1.18, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.39)
      and MACE (HR=1.20, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.34) during long-term follow-up, whereas SLE
      was independently associated with overall mortality (HR=2.20, 95% CI 1.74 to
      2.78), repeat revascularisation (HR=1.27, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.58) and MACE (HR=1.47,
      95% CI 1.24 to 1.75). Compared with patients without autoimmune diseases,
      patients with more recent SLE-related hospitalisations prior to PCI were at
      higher risk of inhospital mortality (p for trend <0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: This
      study recognises the inherent risks associated with RA and SLE in patients
      undergoing PCI and highlights the necessity to improve the caring and secondary
      prevention strategies for these high-risk patients.

PMID- 26286018
TI  - Patients with chronic back pain of short duration from the SPACE cohort: which
      MRI structural lesions in the sacroiliac joints and inflammatory and structural
      lesions in the spine are most specific for axial spondyloarthritis?
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To investigate the extent and performance of MRI lesions in the
      sacroiliac joint (MRI-SI) and spine (MRI-spine) in patients with suspected axial
      spondyloarthritis (axSpA). METHODS: MRI-SI/spine of patients with chronic back
      pain (onset <45 years) in the SPondyloArthritis Caught Early (SPACE) cohort were
      scored by two well-trained readers for inflammation, fatty lesions, erosions,
      sclerosis/ankylosis and syndesmophytes. MRI performances were tested against the
      Assessment of Spondyloarthritis international Society (ASAS) axSpA criteria
      (positive: imaging-arm+ or clinical-arm+; negative: possible axSpA (few
      spondyloarthritis (SpA) features present) or no SpA). Arbitrary cut-off levels
      for MRI lesions were set to assure at least 95% specificity (tested in the no SpA
      group). RESULTS: In total 126 patients were ASAS criteria positive (73 imaging
      arm+ (22 by modified New York criteria (mNY)+; 51 by MRI+mNY-); 53 clinical-arm+)
      and 161 were ASAS criteria negative (89 possible axSpA and 72 no SpA). On MRI-SI
      (n=287), at least three fatty lesions (or at least three erosions) were seen in
      45.5 (63.6)% of mNY+ patients, 15.7 (47.1)% of MRI+mNY- patients and 15.1 (13.2)%
      of clinical-arm+ patients versus 3.4 (6.7)% of possible axSpA patients and 2.8
      (4.2)% of no SpA patients. A combined rule (at least five fatty lesions and/or
      erosions) performed equally well. Sclerosis and ankylosis were too rare to
      analyse. On MRI-spine (n=284), at least five inflammatory lesions (or at least
      five fatty lesions) were seen in 27.3 (18.2)% of mNY+ patients, 13.7 (21.6)% of
      MRI+mNY- patients and 3.8 (1.9)% of clinical-arm+ patients versus 4.5 (6.7)% of
      possible SpA patients and 2.9 (4.3)% of no SpA patients. CONCLUSIONS: The
      presence of (1) at least five fatty lesions and/or erosions on MRI-SI, (2) at
      least five inflammatory lesions or (3) at least five fatty lesions on MRI-spine
      allows an acceptable discrimination of axSpA and no SpA, while assuring >95%
      specificity.

PMID- 26286019
TI  - Chiral Cyclobutane beta-Amino Acid-Based Amphiphiles: Influence of Cis/Trans
      Stereochemistry on Solution Self-Aggregation and Recognition.
AB  - Novel diastereomeric anionic amphiphiles based on the rigid cyclobutane beta
      amino acid scaffold have been synthesized and deeply investigated with the aim of
      generating new functional supramolecular architectures on the basis of the
      rational design of original amphiphilic molecules and the control of their self
      assembly. The main interest has been focused on the effect that cis/trans
      stereochemistry exerts on their molecular organization and recognition. In
      diluted solutions, the relative stereochemistry mainly influences the headgroup
      solvation and anionic-charge stabilization, i.e., better stabilized in the cis
      diastereoisomer due to intramolecular hydrogen-bonding and/or charge-dipole
      interactions. This provokes differences in their physicochemical behavior (pKa,
      cmc, conductivity) as well as in the structural parameters of the spherical
      micelles formed. Although both diastereoisomers form fibers that evolve with time
      from the spherical micelles, they display markedly different morphology and
      kinetics of formation. In the lyotropic liquid crystal domain, the greatest
      differences are observed at the highest concentrations and can be ascribed to
      different hydrogen-bonding and molecular packing imposed by the stereochemical
      constraints. Remarkably, the spherical micelles of the two anionic surfactants
      show dramatically diverse enantioselection ability for bilirubin enantiomers. In
      addition, both the surfactants form heteroaggregates with bilirubin at
      submicellar concentrations but with a different expression of supramolecular
      chirality. This points out that the unlike relative configuration of the two
      surfactants influences their chiral recognition ability as well as the fashion in
      which chirality is expressed at the supramolecular level by controlling the
      molecular organization in both micellar aggregates and surfactant/bilirubin
      heteroaggregates. All these differential features can be appropriate and useful
      for the design and development of new soft materials with predictable and tunable
      properties and reveal the cyclobutane motif as a valuable scaffold for the
      preparation of new amphiphiles. 

PMID- 26286022
TI  - Hexacene: Synthesis, Properties and Future Perspectives.

PMID- 26286021
TI  - Caesarean delivery and the risk of offspring overweight and obesity over the life
      course: a systematic review and bias-adjusted meta-analysis.
AB  - A causal role of Caesarean delivery (CD) on developing overweight and obesity in
      the life course of offspring has been postulated. However, the true strength of
      this association is not clear and the potential for confounding has not been
      adequately addressed. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to
      evaluate the strength of this association, this time using a bias-adjusted model
      in addition to conventional methods. Our search yielded 32 estimates from 14
      publications (n = 261,000) for meta-analysis. The pooled analysis of seven
      estimates (n = 194,463) demonstrated a trend only towards a risk increase (RR =
      1.15; 95% CI:0.94, 1.40) in overweight and obesity combined (ow+ob) due to CD in
      early childhood (0-5 years) and a similar trend was observed for mid-childhood
      and adolescence (5-18 years). In adulthood, a moderate increase in risk for ow+ob
      due to CD was observed (n = 30,200) (RR = 1.28; 95% CI 1.02, 1.34). Results for
      obesity and overweight separately were stronger for obesity and demonstrated a
      decreasing effect across the three life stages. Conventional methods of analysis
      suggested less uncertainty than we report and publication bias assessment was
      strongly suggestive of a bias in favour of positive studies. The current analysis
      therefore suggests that the small effects seen with CD in this and previous meta
      analyses are probably a cumulative consequence of several biases we have
      outlined, including confounding effect and publication bias.

PMID- 26286020
TI  - Assessing the genetic diversity of Cu resistance in mine tailings through high
      throughput recovery of full-length copA genes.
AB  - Characterizing the genetic diversity of microbial copper (Cu) resistance at the
      community level remains challenging, mainly due to the polymorphism of the core
      functional gene copA. In this study, a local BLASTN method using a copA database
      built in this study was developed to recover full-length putative copA sequences
      from an assembled tailings metagenome; these sequences were then screened for
      potentially functioning CopA using conserved metal-binding motifs, inferred by
      evolutionary trace analysis of CopA sequences from known Cu resistant
      microorganisms. In total, 99 putative copA sequences were recovered from the
      tailings metagenome, out of which 70 were found with high potential to be
      functioning in Cu resistance. Phylogenetic analysis of selected copA sequences
      detected in the tailings metagenome showed that topology of the copA phylogeny is
      largely congruent with that of the 16S-based phylogeny of the tailings microbial
      community obtained in our previous study, indicating that the development of copA
      diversity in the tailings might be mainly through vertical descent with few
      lateral gene transfer events. The method established here can be used to explore
      copA (and potentially other metal resistance genes) diversity in any metagenome
      and has the potential to exhaust the full-length gene sequences for downstream
      analyses. 

PMID- 26286023
TI  - Stromal cell-derived factor 2 is critical for Hsp90-dependent eNOS activation.
AB  - Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) catalyzes the conversion of l-arginine
      and molecular oxygen into l-citrulline and nitric oxide (NO), a gaseous second
      messenger that influences cardiovascular physiology and disease. Several
      mechanisms regulate eNOS activity and function, including phosphorylation at Ser
      and Thr residues and protein-protein interactions. Combining a tandem affinity
      purification approach and mass spectrometry, we identified stromal cell-derived
      factor 2 (SDF2) as a component of the eNOS macromolecular complex in endothelial
      cells. SDF2 knockdown impaired agonist-stimulated NO synthesis and decreased the
      phosphorylation of eNOS at Ser(1177), a key event required for maximal activation
      of eNOS. Conversely, SDF2 overexpression dose-dependently increased NO synthesis
      through a mechanism involving Akt and calcium (induced with ionomycin), which
      increased the phosphorylation of Ser(1177) in eNOS. NO synthesis by iNOS
      (inducible NOS) and nNOS (neuronal NOS) was also enhanced upon SDF2
      overexpression. We found that SDF2 was a client protein of the chaperone protein
      Hsp90, interacting preferentially with the M domain of Hsp90, which is the same
      domain that binds to eNOS. In endothelial cells exposed to vascular endothelial
      growth factor (VEGF), SDF2 was required for the binding of Hsp90 and calmodulin
      to eNOS, resulting in eNOS phosphorylation and activation. Thus, our data
      describe a function for SDF2 as a component of the Hsp90-eNOS complex that is
      critical for signal transduction in endothelial cells. 

PMID- 26286024
TI  - The transcription cofactor c-JUN mediates phenotype switching and BRAF inhibitor
      resistance in melanoma.
AB  - Most patients with BRAF-mutant metastatic melanoma display remarkable but
      incomplete and short-lived responses to inhibitors of the BRAF kinase or the
      mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK), collectively BRAF/MEK inhibitors.
      We found that inherent resistance to these agents in BRAF(V600)-mutant melanoma
      cell lines was associated with high abundance of c-JUN and characteristics of a
      mesenchymal-like phenotype. Early drug adaptation in drug-sensitive cell lines
      grown in culture or as xenografts, and in patient samples during therapy, was
      consistently characterized by down-regulation of SPROUTY4 (a negative feedback
      regulator of receptor tyrosine kinases and the BRAF-MEK signaling pathway),
      increased expression of JUN and reduced expression of LEF1. This coincided with a
      switch in phenotype that resembled an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In
      cultured cells, these BRAF inhibitor-induced changes were reversed upon removal
      of the drug. Knockdown of SPROUTY4 was sufficient to increase the abundance of c
      JUN in the absence of drug treatment. Overexpressing c-JUN in drug-naive melanoma
      cells induced similar EMT-like phenotypic changes to BRAF inhibitor treatment,
      whereas knocking down JUN abrogated the BRAF inhibitor-induced early adaptive
      changes associated with resistance and enhanced cell death. Combining the BRAF
      inhibitor with an inhibitor of c-JUN amino-terminal kinase (JNK) reduced c-JUN
      phosphorylation, decreased cell migration, and increased cell death in melanoma
      cells. Gene expression data from a panel of melanoma cell lines and a patient
      cohort showed that JUN expression correlated with a mesenchymal gene signature,
      implicating c-JUN as a key mediator of the mesenchymal-like phenotype associated
      with drug resistance. 

PMID- 26286025
TI  - Intravascular pressure enhances the abundance of functional Kv1.5 channels at the
      surface of arterial smooth muscle cells.
AB  - Voltage-dependent potassium (K(v)) channels are present in various cell types,
      including smooth muscle cells (myocytes) of resistance-sized arteries that
      control systemic blood pressure and regional organ blood flow. Intravascular
      pressure depolarizes arterial myocytes, stimulating calcium (Ca(2+)) influx
      through voltage-dependent Ca(2+) (Ca(v)) channels that results in
      vasoconstriction and also K(+) efflux through K(v) channels that oppose
      vasoconstriction. We hypothesized that pressure-induced depolarization may not
      only increase the open probability of plasma membrane-resident K(v) channels but
      also increase the abundance of these channels at the surface of arterial myocytes
      to limit vasoconstriction. We found that K(v)1.5 and K(v)2.1 proteins were
      abundant in the myocytes of resistance-sized mesenteric arteries. K(v)1.5, but
      not K(v)2.1, continuously recycled between the intracellular compartment and the
      plasma membrane in contractile arterial myocytes. Using ex vivo preparations of
      intact arteries, we showed that physiological intravascular pressure through
      membrane depolarization or membrane depolarization in the absence of pressure
      inhibited the degradation of internalized K(v)1.5 and increased recycling of
      K(v)1.5 to the plasma membrane. Accordingly, by stimulating the activity of
      Ca(v)1.2, membrane depolarization increased whole-cell K(v)1.5 current density in
      myocytes and K(v)1.5 channel activity in pressurized arteries. In contrast, the
      total amount and cell surface abundance of K(v)2.1 were independent of
      intravascular pressure or membrane potential. Thus, our data indicate that
      intravascular pressure-induced membrane depolarization selectively increased
      K(v)1.5 surface abundance to increase K(v) currents in arterial myocytes, which
      would limit vasoconstriction.

PMID- 26286026
TI  - Determining effects of areca (betel) nut chewing in a prospective cohort of
      pregnant women in Madang Province, Papua New Guinea.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chewing areca nut (AN), also known as betel nut, is common in Asia
      and the South Pacific and the habit has been linked to a number of serious health
      problems including oral cancer. Use of AN in pregnancy has been associated with a
      reduction in mean birthweight in some studies, but this association and the
      relationship between AN chewing and other adverse pregnancy outcomes remain
      poorly understood. METHODS: We assessed the impact of AN chewing on adverse
      outcomes including stillbirth, low birthweight (LBW, <2,500 g) and anaemia at
      delivery (haemoglobin <11.0 g/dL) in a longitudinal cohort of 2,700 pregnant
      women residing in rural lowland Papua New Guinea (PNG) from November 2009 until
      February 2013. Chewing habits and participant characteristics were evaluated at
      first antenatal visit and women were followed until delivery. RESULTS: 83.3%
      [2249/2700] of pregnant women used AN, and most chewed on a daily basis (86.2%
      [1939/2249]. Smoking and alcohol use was reported by 18.9% (511/2700) and 5.0%
      (135/2688) of women, respectively. AN use was not associated with pregnancy loss
      or congenital abnormalities amongst women with a known pregnancy outcome (n =
      2215). Analysis of 1769 birthweights did not demonstrate an association between
      AN and LBW (chewers: 13.7% [200/1459] vs. non-chewers: 14.5% [45/310], P = 0.87)
      or reduced mean birthweight (2957 g vs. 2966 g; P = 0.76). Women using AN were
      more likely to be anaemic (haemoglobin <11 g/dL) at delivery (75.2% [998/1314]
      vs. 63.9% [182/285], adjusted odds ratio [95% CI]: 1.67 [1.27, 2.20], P < 0.001).
      Chewers more commonly had male babies than non-chewers (46.1% [670/1455] vs.
      39.8% [123/309], P = 0.045). CONCLUSIONS: AN chewing may contribute to anaemia.
      Although not associated with other adverse pregnancy outcome in this cohort
      gestational AN use should be discouraged, given the potential adverse effects on
      haemoglobin and well-established long-term health risk including oral cancer.
      Future research evaluating the potential association of AN use and anaemia may be
      warranted. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01136850 (06 April 2010).

PMID- 26286028
TI  - Current trends in the use of cardiac implantable electronic devices and
      interventional electrophysiological procedures in the European Society of
      Cardiology member countries: 2015 report from the European Heart Rhythm
      Association.
AB  - AIMS: The aim was to provide comprehensive information on the use of cardiac
      implantable electronic device (CIED) and catheter ablation therapy in the
      European Society of Cardiology (ESC) area. METHODS AND RESULTS: The European
      Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) has collected data on use of invasive arrhythmia
      managements since 2008. Fifty-one of the 56 ESC member countries provided data
      for the EHRA White Book 2015. This analysis is based on the current and previous
      editions of the EHRA White Book. Up-to-date information on procedure rates for
      the last 5 years together with information on economic resources, reimbursement
      systems, and training requirements are presented for each country and the five
      geographical ESC regions. In 2014, the CIED implantation rates per million
      population were highest in the Western followed by the Southern and Northern
      European countries. The catheter ablation activity was largest in the Western
      followed by the Northern and Southern areas. Altogether the procedure rates were
      lowest in the Eastern European and in the non-European ESC countries. In the
      European ESC countries, the procedure rates were 3-10 times higher than in the
      non-European ESC countries. However, in some countries with a relatively low
      gross domestic product the procedure rates exceeded the average values indicating
      that utilization of arrhythmia therapies was not driven merely by the economic
      factors. CONCLUSION: This analysis indicates that considerable heterogeneity in
      the availability and utilization of arrhythmia therapies still exist across the
      ESC area. The data will hopefully aid in directing future activities and promote
      harmonization of cardiac arrhythmia care in the ESC countries.

PMID- 26286027
TI  - Positive association of tomato consumption with serum urate: support for tomato
      consumption as an anecdotal trigger of gout flares.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Gout is a consequence of an innate immune reaction to monosodium
      urate crystals deposited in joints. Acute gout attacks can be triggered by
      dietary factors that are themselves associated with serum urate levels. Tomato
      consumption is an anecdotal trigger of gout flares. This study aimed to measure
      the frequency of tomato consumption as a self-reported trigger of gout attacks in
      a large New Zealand sample set, and to test the hypothesis that tomato
      consumption is associated with serum urate levels. METHODS: Two thousand fifty
      one New Zealanders (of Maori, Pacific Island, European or other ancestry) with
      clinically-ascertained gout were asked about gout trigger foods. European
      individuals from the Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities (ARIC; n = 7517) Study,
      Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS; n = 2151) and Framingham Heart Study (FHS; n =
      3052) were used to test, in multivariate-adjusted analyses, for association
      between serum urate and tomato intake. RESULTS: Seventy one percent of people
      with gout reported having >=1 gout trigger food. Of these 20% specifically
      mentioned tomatoes, the 4(th) most commonly reported trigger food. There was
      association between tomato intake and serum urate levels in the ARIC, CHS and FHS
      combined cohort (beta = 0.66 MUmolL(-1) increase in serum urate per additional
      serve per week; P = 0.006) - evident in both sexes (men: beta = 0.84 MUmolL(-1),
      P = 0.035; women: beta = 0.59 MUmolL (-1), P = 0.041). CONCLUSIONS: While our
      descriptive and observational data are unable to support the claim that tomato
      consumption is a trigger of gout attacks, the positive association between tomato
      consumption and serum urate levels suggests that the self-reporting of tomatoes
      as a dietary trigger by people with gout has a biological basis.

PMID- 26286029
TI  - VE-821, an ATR inhibitor, causes radiosensitization in human tumor cells
      irradiated with high LET radiation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: High linear energy transfer (LET) radiation such as carbon ion
      particles is successfully used for treatment of solid tumors. The reason why high
      LET radiation accomplishes greater tumor-killing than X-rays is still not
      completely understood. One factor would be the clustered or complex-type DNA
      damages. We previously reported that complex DNA double-strand breaks produced by
      high LET radiation enhanced DNA end resection, and this could lead to higher
      kinase activity of ATR protein recruited to RPA-coated single-stranded DNA.
      Although the effect of ATR inhibition on cells exposed to low LET gamma-rays has
      recently been reported, little is known regarding the effect of ATR inhibitor on
      cells treated with high LET radiation. The purpose of this study is to
      investigate the effects of the ATR inhibitor VE-821 in human tumor and normal
      cells irradiated with high LET carbon ions. FINDINGS: HeLa, U2OS, and 1BR-hTERT
      (normal) cells were pre-treated with 1 MUM VE-821 for 1 hour and irradiated with
      either high LET carbon ions or X-rays. Cell survival, cell cycle distribution,
      cell growth, and micronuclei formation were evaluated. VE-821 caused abrogation
      of G2/M checkpoint and forced irradiated cells to divide into daughter cells. We
      also found that carbon ions caused a higher number of multiple micronuclei than X
      rays, leading to decreased cell survival in tumor cells when treated with VE-821,
      while the survival of irradiated normal cells were not significantly affected by
      this inhibitor. CONCLUSIONS: ATR inhibitor would be an effective tumor
      radiosensitizer with carbon ion irradiation.

PMID- 26286030
TI  - Food-Nonfood Discrimination in Ancestral Vertebrates: Gamete Cannibalism and the
      Origin of the Adaptive Immune System.
AB  - Adaptive immunity is a complex system that appeared twice in vertebrates (in
      gnathostomes and in jawless fish) although it is not required for invertebrate
      defence. The adaptive immune system is tightly associated with self-non-self
      discrimination, and it is now clear that this interplay is not limited to the
      prevention of autoreactivity. Micro-organisms are usually considered for their
      pathogenicity or symbiotic ability, but, for most small metazoans, they mainly
      constitute food. Vertebrates are characterized by feeding by predation on larger
      preys, when compared to their ancestors who were filter feeders and ate micro
      organisms. Predation gives a strong selective advantage, not only due to the
      availability of new food resources but also by the ability to eliminate
      competitors for environmental resources (intraguild predation (IGP)). Unlike size
      structured IGP, intraspecific predation of juveniles, zygotes or gametes can be
      detrimental for species fitness in some circumstances. The ability of individuals
      to recognize highly polymorphic molecules on the surface of gametes present in
      the plankton and so distinguish self versus non-self gametes might have
      constituted a strong selective advantage in intraspecific competition. Here, I
      propose the theory that the capacity to rearrange receptors has been selected in
      ancestral vertebrates as a consequence of this strong need for discriminating
      between hetero-cannibalism versus filial cannibalism. This evolutionary origin
      sheds light on presently unexplained features of the immune system, including the
      existence of regulatory T cells and of non-pathogenic natural autoimmunity.

PMID- 26286031
TI  - Two nucleotide second messengers regulate the production of the Vibrio cholerae
      colonization factor GbpA.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The nucleotide second messengers cAMP and c-di-GMP allow many
      bacteria, including the human intestinal pathogen Vibrio cholerae, to respond to
      environmental stimuli with appropriate physiological adaptations. In response to
      limitation of specific carbohydrates, cAMP and its receptor CRP control the
      transcription of genes important for nutrient acquisition and utilization; c-di
      GMP controls the transition between motile and sessile lifestyles often, but not
      exclusively, through transcriptional mechanisms. In this study, we investigated
      the convergence of cAMP and c-di-GMP signaling pathways in regulating the
      expression of gbpA. GbpA is a colonization factor that participates in the
      attachment of V. cholerae to N-acetylglucosamine-containing surfaces in its
      native aquatic environment and the host intestinal tract. RESULTS: We show that c
      di-GMP inhibits gbpA activation in a fashion independent of the known
      transcription factors that directly sense c-di-GMP. Interestingly, inhibition of
      gbpA activation by c-di-GMP only occurs during growth on non-PTS dependent
      nutrient sources. Consistent with this result, we show that CRP binds to the gbpA
      promoter in a cAMP-dependent manner in vitro and drives transcription of gbpA in
      vivo. The interplay between cAMP and c-di-GMP does not broadly impact the CRP
      cAMP regulon, but occurs more specifically at the gbpA promoter. CONCLUSIONS:
      These findings suggest that c-di-GMP directly interferes with the interaction of
      CRP-cAMP and the gbpA promoter via an unidentified regulator. The use of two
      distinct second messenger signaling mechanisms to regulate gbpA transcription may
      allow V. cholerae to finely modulate GbpA production, and therefore colonization
      of aquatic and host surfaces, in response to discrete environmental stimuli.

PMID- 26286032
TI  - Study protocol: the effects of air pollution exposure and chronic respiratory
      disease on pneumonia risk in urban Malawian adults--the Acute Infection of the
      Respiratory Tract Study (The AIR Study).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pneumonia is the 2nd leading cause of years of life lost worldwide
      and is a common cause of adult admissions to hospital in sub-Saharan Africa. Risk
      factors for adult pneumonia are well characterised in developed countries, but
      are less well described in sub-Saharan Africa where HIV is a major contributing
      factor. Exposure to indoor and outdoor air pollution is high, and tobacco smoking
      prevalence is increasing in sub-Saharan Africa, yet the contribution of these
      factors to the burden of chronic respiratory diseases in sub-Saharan Africa
      remains poorly understood. Furthermore, the extent to which the presence of
      chronic respiratory diseases and exposure to air pollution contribute to the
      burden of pneumonia is not known. DESIGN: The Acute Infection of the Respiratory
      Tract Study (The AIR Study) is a case-control study to identify preventable risk
      factors for adult pneumonia in the city of Blantyre, Malawi. Cases will be adults
      admitted with pneumonia, recruited from Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, the
      largest teaching hospital in Malawi. Controls will be adults without pneumonia,
      recruited from the community. The AIR Study will recruit subjects and analyse
      data within strata defined by positive and negative HIV infection status. All
      participants will undergo thorough assessment for a range of potential
      preventable risk factors, with an emphasis on exposure to air pollution and the
      presence of chronic respiratory diseases. This will include collection of
      questionnaire data, clinical samples (blood, urine, sputum and breath samples),
      lung function data and air pollution monitoring in their home. Multivariate
      analysis will be used to identify the important risk factors contributing to the
      pneumonia burden in this setting. Identification of preventable risk factors will
      justify research into the effectiveness of targeted interventions to address this
      burden in the future. DISCUSSION: The AIR Study is the first study of
      radiologically confirmed pneumonia in which air pollution exposure measurements
      have been undertaken in this setting, and will contribute important new
      information about exposure to air pollution in urban SSA. Through identification
      of preventable risk factors, the AIR Study aims to facilitate future research and
      implementation of targeted interventions to reduce the high burden of pneumonia
      in SSA.

PMID- 26286033
TI  - Spatial inequity in access to healthcare facilities at a county level in a
      developing country: a case study of Deqing County, Zhejiang, China.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The inequities in healthcare services between regions, urban and
      rural, age groups and diverse income groups have been growing rapidly in China.
      Equal access to basic medical and healthcare services has been recognized as "a
      basic right of the people" by Chinese government. Spatial accessibility to
      healthcare facilities has received huge attention in Chinese case studies but
      been less studied particularly at a county level due to limited availability of
      high-resolution spatial data. This study is focused on measuring spatial
      accessibility to healthcare facilities in Deqing County. The spatial inequity
      between the urban (town) and rural is assessed and three scenarios are designed
      and built to examine which scenario is instrumental for better reducing the
      spatial inequity. METHODS: This study utilizes highway network data, Digital
      Elevation Model (DEM), location of hospitals and clinics, 2010 census data at the
      finest level - village committee, residential building footprint and building
      height. Areal weighting method is used to disaggregate population data from
      village committee level to residential building cell level. Least cost path
      analysis is applied to calculate the travel time from each building cell to its
      closest healthcare facility. Then an integral accessibility will be calculated
      through weighting the travel time to the closest facility between three levels.
      The spatial inequity in healthcare accessibility between the town and rural areas
      is examined based on the coverages of areas and populations. The same method is
      used to compare three scenarios aimed at reducing such spatial inequity -
      relocation of hospitals, updates of weighting values, and the combination of
      both. RESULTS: 50.03% of residents can reach a county hospital within 15 min by
      driving, 95.77% and 100% within 30 and 60 min respectively. 55.14% of residents
      can reach a town hospital within 5 min, 98.04% and 100% within 15 and 30 min
      respectively. 57.86% of residential building areas can reach a village clinic
      within 5 min, 92.65% and 99.22% within 10 and 15 min. After weighting the travel
      time between the three-level facilities, 30.87% of residents can reach a facility
      within 5 min, 80.46%% and 99.88% within 15 and 30 min respectively. CONCLUSIONS:
      The healthcare accessibility pattern of Deqing County has exhibited spatial
      inequity between the town and rural areas, with the best accessibility in the
      capital of the county and poorest in the West of the county. There is a high
      negative correlation between population ageing and healthcare accessibility.
      Allocation of more advanced medical and healthcare equipment and highly skillful
      doctors and nurses to village clinics will be an efficient means of reducing the
      spatial inequity and further consolidating the national medical security system.
      GIS (Geographical Information Systems) methods have proven successful method of
      providing quantitative evidence for policy analysis although the data sets and
      methods could be further improved.

PMID- 26286034
TI  - What is the theory?

PMID- 26286035
TI  - No matter who, no matter how... and no matter whether the white matter matters.
      Why theories of bilingual advantage in executive functioning are so difficult to
      falsify.

PMID- 26286036
TI  - Identifying the causal link: Two approaches toward understanding the relationship
      between bilingualism and cognitive control.

PMID- 26286037
TI  - Cold shock induction of recombinant Arctic environmental genes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Heterologous expression of psychrophilic enzymes in E. coli is
      particularly challenging due to their intrinsic instability. The low stability is
      regarded as a consequence of adaptation that allow them to function at low
      temperatures. Recombinant production presents a significant barrier to their
      exploitation for commercial applications in industry. METHODS: As part of an
      enzyme discovery project we have investigated the utility of a cold-shock
      inducible promoter for low-temperature expression of five diverse genes derived
      from the metagenomes of marine Arctic sediments. After evaluation of their
      production, we further optimized for soluble production by building a vector
      suite from which the environmental genes could be expressed as fusions with
      solubility tags. RESULTS: We found that the low-temperature optimized system
      produced high expression levels for all putatively cold-active proteins, as well
      as reducing host toxicity for several candidates. As a proof of concept, activity
      assays with one of the candidates, a putative chitinase, showed that functional
      protein was obtained using the low-temperature optimized vector suite.
      CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that a cold-shock inducible system is advantageous for
      the heterologous expression of psychrophilic proteins, and may also be useful for
      expression of toxic mesophilic and thermophilic proteins where properties of the
      proteins are deleterious to the host cell growth.

PMID- 26286040
TI  - Impact of mode of delivery on the milk microbiota composition of healthy women.
AB  - Breast milk constitutes one of the most important sources of postnatal microbes.
      However, the influence of perinatal factors on the milk microbiome is still
      poorly understood. The aim of our study was to assess the impact of mode of
      delivery on the microbiome composition and diversity present in breast milk of
      healthy mothers. Mature milk samples (n=10) were taken from mothers after 1 month
      of exclusively breastfeeding. Microbiomes from milk samples were analyzed with
      16S ribosomal RNA gene pyrosequencing and targeted quantitative polymerase chain
      reaction (PCR). Despite inter-individual variability in bacterial composition,
      The Principal Coordinates Analysis clearly separated milk microbiome from mothers
      with vaginal delivery (n=6) from those who undergo C-section (n=4). In addition,
      higher bacterial diversity and richness was found in milk samples from vaginal
      deliveries. Quantitative PCR data showed that higher levels of Bifidobacterium
      spp. were related significantly to lower levels of Staphylococcus spp. Despite
      the low sample size, our data suggest that mode of delivery has an important
      impact on milk microbiome composition. Further studies with larger sample sizes
      are needed to confirm these results and to understand the biological effects of C
      section associated microbes on infant's health. 

PMID- 26286039
TI  - Effect of an intervention to enhance guideline adherence of occupational
      physicians on return-to-work self-efficacy in workers sick-listed with common
      mental disorders.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Since a higher level of self-efficacy in common mental disorders is
      associated with earlier return-to-work (RTW), it is important to know if work
      related self-efficacy can be increased by occupational health care. The primary
      aim of this study was to evaluate whether an intervention to enhance guideline
      adherence of occupational physicians lead to an increase in RTW self-efficacy in
      workers three months later. The secondary aim was to evaluate whether the
      intervention modified the association between RTW self-efficacy and return-to
      work three months later. METHODS: A total of 66 occupational physicians
      participated in the study. They were randomized into two groups; the intervention
      group received a training, the control group did not. The training aimed to
      enhance adherence to a mental health guideline that contained strategies that are
      supposed to enhance RTW self-efficacy. In 128 sick-listed workers guided by these
      occupational physicians, RTW self-efficacy, RTW, and personal, health-related and
      work-related variables were measured at baseline and three months later.
      Generalized linear mixed models analysis and linear mixed models analysis were
      used for the evaluations. RESULTS: In workers whose occupational physicians had
      received the training RTW self-efficacy increased significantly more than in
      workers whose occupational physicians had participated in the control group (t = 
      2.626, p <= .05). Higher baseline RTW self-efficacy scores were significantly
      more often associated with full RTW than with no RTW three months later (OR 2.20,
      95 % CI 1.18-4.07), but the intervention did not affect this association.
      CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that a training to enhance guideline adherence of
      occupational physicians leads to increased RTW self-efficacy in workers sick
      listed with common mental disorders during the first months of sickness absence
      in a real-life occupational health care setting. This insight is helpful for
      optimizing the recovery and RTW process, and for understanding the role of RTW
      self-efficacy in this process. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN86605310.

PMID- 26286038
TI  - Characteristics of patients with primary open angle glaucoma and normal tension
      glaucoma at a university hospital: a cross-sectional retrospective study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The characteristics of glaucoma patients and their response to
      therapy may differ by institution, region and country. Therefore, clinicians
      should understand the distinctiveness of their patients. Here, we profile primary
      open angle glaucoma (POAG) and normal tension glaucoma (NTG) patients at a major
      university hospital in Japan. METHODS: This study included 523 eyes from 523 POAG
      and NTG patients who underwent full clinical ophthalmologic evaluations at Tohoku
      University Hospital. Clinical characteristics such as age, sex, visual acuity,
      intraocular pressure, Humphrey field analyzer-measured mean deviation (MD) and MD
      slope were collected retrospectively. MD slope was calculated from MD data that
      included the first baseline measurement of MD and 4 subsequent, consecutive,
      reliable measurements of MD. Refractive error was analyzed in a subgroup with no
      history of refractive surgery, including intraocular lens implantation. Patient
      characteristics were analyzed separately in the groups of patients with low (<15
      mmHg) and high IOP (>=15 mmHg) and in the groups with MD slope >=-1.0 and <-1.0
      dB/year. RESULTS: Mean age, visual acuity (median), IOP, pre-treatment IOP (from
      patient history), refractive error and MD were 61.7 +/- 12.5 years, -0.08
      (interquartile range -0.08 to 0.05) LogMAR, 13.87 +/- 3.37 mmHg, 18.35 +/- 6.26
      mmHg, -4.48 +/- 3.81 diopters and -11.73 +/- 8.83 dB, respectively. POAG and NTG
      patients had significant differences in mean age (63.4 +/- 12.4 vs. 60.7 +/- 12.5
      years, P < 0.01), visual acuity, IOP (14.95 +/- 4.20 vs. 13.21 +/- 2.54 mmHg, P <
      0.01) and MD (-13.85 +/- 9.32 vs. -10.45 +/- 8.27 dB, P < 0.01). Interestingly,
      MD slope was slightly steeper in the low-IOP group than in the high-IOP group,
      although the difference was not statistically significant (-0.85 vs. -0.70
      dB/year, P = 0.31). Baseline MD was significantly worse in the group with MD
      slope <-1.0 dB/year than in the group with MD slope >=-1.0 dB/year (-11.56 vs. 
      7.64 dB/year, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: We identified characteristics of glaucoma
      patients at a university hospital that may reflect the specialized nature of such
      an institution.

PMID- 26286042
TI  - Lutein intake at the age of 1 year and cardiometabolic health at the age of 6
      years: the Generation R Study.
AB  - Lutein is a carotenoid with strong antioxidant properties. Previous studies in
      adults suggest a beneficial role of lutein on cardiometabolic health. However, it
      is unknown whether this relation also exists in children; therefore, we aimed to
      assess the relation between lutein intake at 13 months of age and cardiometabolic
      outcomes at the age of 6 years. We included 2044 Dutch children participating in
      a population-based prospective cohort study. Diet was measured at 13 months of
      age with an FFQ. Lutein intake was standardised for energy and beta-carotene
      intake. Blood pressure, anthropometrics, serum lipids and insulin were measured
      at the age of 6 years. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was performed to measure
      total and regional fat and lean mass. A continuous cardiometabolic risk factor
      score was created, including the components body fat percentage, blood pressure,
      insulin, HDL-cholesterol and TAG. Age- and sex-specific standard deviation scores
      were created for all outcomes. Multivariable linear regression was performed,
      including socio-demographic and lifestyle variables. Median (energy-standardised)
      lutein intake was 1317 mcg/d (95% range 87, 6069 mcg/d). There were no consistent
      associations between lutein intake at 13 months and anthropometrics and body
      composition measures at 6 years of age. In addition, lutein intake was not
      associated with a continuous cardiometabolic risk factor score, nor was it
      associated with any of the individual components of the cardiometabolic risk
      factor score. Results from this large population-based prospective cohort study
      do not support the hypothesis that lutein intake early in life has a beneficial
      role for later cardiometabolic health.

PMID- 26286041
TI  - Effects of Kaixinjieyu, a Chinese herbal medicine preparation, on neurovascular
      unit dysfunction in rats with vascular depression.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Kaixinjieyu (KJ), derived from Kaixin and Sini powder, is an
      effective Chinese herbal medicine preparation used in the treatment of vascular
      depression (VD). We hypothesize that broad antidepressant effect of KJ results
      from the improved neurovascular unit (NVU) function via neurogenesis,
      permeability of blood-brain barrier (BBB) and balance of the fibrinolytic system.
      METHODS: A VD model of rat was established by chronic unpredictable mild stress
      and separation after ligation of the bilateral common carotid arteries. The rats
      were treated with KJ and fluoxetine hydrochloride (FLU) for 21 days,
      respectively. The behavior and cerebral perfusion were investigated and then NVU
      functions including neurogenesis, permeability of BBB and balance of the
      fibrinolytic system were studied using a number of biomarkers and TUNEL assay.
      RESULTS: KJ significantly increased sucrose preference, moving distance, number
      of rearing and cortical blood flow. NVU functions measured by brain-derived
      neurotrophic factor (BDNF), tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) and tissue
      plasminogen activator (t-PA) proteins and mRNA, zona occludens protein-1 (ZO-1),
      occludin and claudin-5 proteins increased significantly, whereas, plasminogen
      activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) proteins, mRNA
      and apoptotic rates of neurons decreased significantly with treatment of KJ. FLU
      has a function similar to KJ in behavior, regulation of BDNF, TrkB, MMP-2,
      occludin and apoptotic rates of cells. CONCLUSIONS: KJ has function of reducing
      depression-like behavior and improving cerebral hypoperfusion, which might be
      mediated by the up-regulation of neurogenesis and tight junction of BBB, and
      balance of the fibrinolytic system. The results imply that KJ is better than FLU
      in improving cerebral hypoperfusion and the fibrinolytic system.

PMID- 26286043
TI  - Hyper-activated PI3K-delta in immunodeficiency.

PMID- 26286044
TI  - Molecular and morphological data supporting phylogenetic reconstruction of the
      genus Goniothalamus (Annonaceae), including a reassessment of previous
      infrageneric classifications.
AB  - Data is presented in support of a phylogenetic reconstruction of the species-rich
      early-divergent angiosperm genus Goniothalamus (Annonaceae) (Tang et al., Mol.
      Phylogenetic Evol., 2015) [1], inferred using chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) sequences.
      The data includes a list of primers for amplification and sequencing for nine
      cpDNA regions: atpB-rbcL, matK, ndhF, psbA-trnH, psbM-trnD, rbcL, trnL-F, trnS-G,
      and ycf1, the voucher information and molecular data (GenBank accession numbers)
      of 67 ingroup Goniothalamus accessions and 14 outgroup accessions selected from
      across the tribe Annoneae, and aligned data matrices for each gene region. We
      also present our Bayesian phylogenetic reconstructions for Goniothalamus, with
      information on previous infrageneric classifications superimposed to enable an
      evaluation of monophyly, together with a taxon-character data matrix (with 15
      morphological characters scored for 66 Goniothalamus species and seven other
      species from the tribe Annoneae that are shown to be phylogenetically
      correlated). 

PMID- 26286045
TI  - Vanishing Boundaries between Chemistry and Biology: Reflections on Our Journal.

PMID- 26286046
TI  - Ionization of Water Clusters Mediated by Exciton Energy Transfer from Argon
      Clusters.
AB  - The exciton energy deposited in an argon cluster (Arn, ?n = 20?) using VUV
      radiation is transferred to softly ionize doped water clusters ((H2O)n, n = 1-9),
      leading to the formation of nonfragmented clusters. Following the initial
      excitation, electronic energy is channeled to ionize the doped water cluster
      while evaporating the Ar shell, allowing identification of fragmented and
      complete water cluster ions. Examination of the photoionization efficiency curve
      shows that cluster evaporation from excitons located above 12.6 eV is not enough
      to cool the energized water cluster ion and leads to their dissociation to (H2O)n
      2H(+) (protonated) clusters. 

PMID- 26286047
TI  - Rational Design of Competitive Electrocatalysts for Hydrogen Fuel Cells.
AB  - The large-scale application of one of the most promising clean and renewable
      sources of energy, hydrogen fuel cells, still awaits efficient and cost-effective
      electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) occurring on the
      cathode. We demonstrate that truly rational design renders electrocatalysts
      possessing both qualities. By unifying the knowledge on surface morphology,
      composition, electronic structure, and reactivity, we solve that trimetallic
      sandwich-like structures are an excellent choice for optimization. Their
      constituting species are expected to couple synergistically yielding reaction
      environment stability, cost-effectiveness, and tunable reactivity. This
      cooperative-action concept enabled us to predict two advantageous ORR
      electrocatalysts: Pd/Fe/W(110) and Au/Ru/W(110). Density functional theory
      calculations of the reaction free-energy diagrams suggest that these materials
      are more active toward ORR than the so-far best Pt-based catalysts. Our designing
      concept advances also a general approach for engineering advanced materials. 

PMID- 26286048
TI  - Impact of Vibronic Couplings on Perceived Colors: Two Anthraquinones as a Working
      Example.
AB  - The accurate simulation of the dye colors remains a significant challenge for
      theoreticians, notably due to the sensitivity of the human eyes that are able to
      distinguish variations of hues corresponding to trifling energetic shifts. Using
      time-dependent density functional theory and two hybrid functionals, we have
      simulated vibrationally resolved absorption spectra of two anthraquinone
      derivatives (solvent blue 35 and solvent green 3) solvated in cyclohexane.
      Comparisons with recent experiments demonstrate the efficiency of the omegaB97X
      D/6-31++G(d,p) approach for these structures. The impact of microscopic vibronic
      couplings on the macroscopic chromatic coordinates of the dyes is quantified.
      This work unravels the key role of these couplings and is consequently a step
      further in the modeling of human-perceived colors from purely ab initio models. 

PMID- 26286049
TI  - Protonated Carboxyl Anchor for Stable Adsorption of Ru N749 Dye (Black Dye) on a
      TiO2 Anatase (101) Surface.
AB  - We have investigated the adsorption stability of ruthenium N749 dye [black dye
      (BD)], a highly efficient dye for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs), through
      protonated and deprotonated carboxyl group anchors on a TiO2 anatase (101)
      surface by using first-principles calculations. Geometry optimizations of the
      surface system with a supercell and the UV-visible spectrum calculation of the
      optimized dye structure were carried out. Among the configurations with one and
      two anchors, the BD adsorption anchored with one protonated carboxyl group was
      found to be the most stable, in contrast to most previous reports. Hydrogen
      bonding between the proton retained in BD and the surface oxygen is responsible
      for the stability of the protonated anchor. We confirmed that the calculated UV
      visible spectrum of the most stable dye structure shows the best consistency with
      the experimental data. It is also demonstrated that the electronic density of
      states largely depends on the proton position. This novel aspect of adsorption
      via a protonated carboxyl anchor gives a new perspective for interfacial
      electronic processes of DSCs. 

PMID- 26286050
TI  - A Photoconductive, Thiophene-Fullerene Double-Cable Polymer, Nanorod Device.
AB  - Gold/double-cable copolymer/gold multisegmented nanorods were prepared
      electrochemically via a template-based method. These "bulk heterojunction"
      nanorods showed photoconductivity providing us with a platform to study
      photoinduced charge separation/transport at the nanointerface and begin to think
      about the rational design of nanoscale solar cells based on such structures. 

PMID- 26286051
TI  - High-Resolution Rotational Spectroscopy of a Cyclic Ether.
AB  - The conformational landscape of crown ethers has constituted a central topic in
      the development of host-guest supramolecular chemistry. We report a high
      resolution rotational study of a crown ether, 1,4,7,10,13
      pentaoxacyclopentadecane (15-crown-5), by means of molecular beam Fourier
      transform microwave spectroscopy. The considerable size and the broad range of
      conformations allowed by the flexibility of the cyclic backbone of this ether
      pose important challenges to spectroscopy approaches. In this investigation,
      three stable rotamers of the 15-crown-5 ether have been identified and
      characterized through their rotational constants and centrifugal distortion
      coefficients. Ab initio quantum calculations at the MP2 level predict these
      conformers as the most stable ones for the title system and reproduce accurately
      their distinct structural features. The results pave the ground for an extensive
      survey of the conformational landscape of the 15-crown-5 and related cyclic
      ethers in the near term. 

PMID- 26286052
TI  - Adsorption and Photochemical Properties of a Molecular CO2 Reduction Catalyst in
      Hierarchical Mesoporous ZSM-5: An In Situ FTIR Study.
AB  - As part of our recent effort to attach well-defined molecular photocatalysts to
      solid-state surfaces, this present study investigates adsorption and
      photochemical properties of a tricarbonyl rhenium(I) compound, Re(bpy)(CO)3Cl
      (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine), in hierarchical mesoporous ZSM-5. The molecular Re(I)
      catalyst, a Ru(bpy)3(2+) photosensitizer, and an amine-based electron donor were
      coadsorbed in the mesopores of the hierarchical ZSM-5 through simple liquid-phase
      adsorption. The functionalized ZSM-5 was then characterized with infrared and UV
      visible spectroscopies and was tested in CO2 reduction photocatalysis at the gas
      surface interface. In the mesoporous ZSM-5, CO2 molecules were adsorbed on the
      amine electron-donor molecules as bicarbonate, which would release CO2 upon light
      irradiation to react with the Re(I) catalyst. The formation of important reaction
      intermediates, particularly a Re-carboxylato species, was revealed with in situ
      Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in combination with isotopic labeling.
      The experimental results indicate that hierarchical mesoporous zeolites are
      promising host materials for molecular photocatalysts and that zeolite mesopores
      are potential "reaction vessels" for CO2 reduction photocatalysis at the gas
      solid interface. 

PMID- 26286053
TI  - Chemical Reaction Rates from Ring Polymer Molecular Dynamics: Zero Point Energy
      Conservation in Mu + H2 -> MuH + H.
AB  - A fundamental issue in the field of reaction dynamics is the inclusion of the
      quantum mechanical (QM) effects such as zero point energy (ZPE) and tunneling in
      molecular dynamics simulations, and in particular in the calculation of chemical
      reaction rates. In this work we study the chemical reaction between a muonium
      atom and a hydrogen molecule. The recently developed ring polymer molecular
      dynamics (RPMD) technique is used, and the results are compared with those of
      other methods. For this reaction, the thermal rate coefficients calculated with
      RPMD are found to be in excellent agreement with the results of an accurate QM
      calculation. The very minor discrepancies are within the convergence error even
      at very low temperatures. This exceptionally good agreement can be attributed to
      the dominant role of ZPE in the reaction, which is accounted for extremely well
      by RPMD. Tunneling only plays a minor role in the reaction. 

PMID- 26286054
TI  - Nonmechanical Conductance Switching in a Molecular Tunnel Junction.
AB  - We present a molecular junction composed of a donor (polyacetylene strands) and
      an acceptor (malononitrile) connected together via a benzene ring and coupled
      weakly to source and drain electrodes on each side, for which a gate electrode
      induces intramolecular charge transfer, switching reversibly the character of
      conductance. Using a new brand of density functional theory, for which orbital
      energies are similar to the quasiparticle energies, we show that the junction
      displays a single, gate-tunable differential conductance channel in a wide energy
      range. The gate field must align parallel to the displacement vector between
      donors and acceptor to affect their potential difference; for strong enough
      fields, spontaneous intramolecular electron transfer occurs. This event radically
      affects conductance, reversing the charge of carriers, enabling a spin-polarized
      current channel. We discuss the physical principles controlling the operation of
      the junction and find interplay of quantum interference, charging, Coulomb
      blockade, and electron-hole binding energy effects. We expect that this switching
      behavior is a generic property for similar donor-acceptor systems of sufficient
      stability. 

PMID- 26286055
TI  - Probing Photosynthetic Energy and Charge Transfer with Two-Dimensional Electronic
      Spectroscopy.
AB  - Two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy (2DES) has emerged as a powerful method
      for elucidating the structure-function relationship in photosynthetic systems. In
      this Perspective, we discuss features of two-dimensional spectroscopy that make
      it highly suited to address questions about the underlying electronic structure
      that guides energy- and charge-transfer processes in light-harvesting materials.
      We briefly describe a pulse-shaping-based implementation of two-dimensional
      spectroscopy that is making the method widely accessible to problems spanning
      frequency regimes from the ultraviolet to the mid-infrared. We illustrate the
      utility of 2DES in the context of our recent studies of the primary energy
      transfer and charge separation events in the photosystem II reaction center,
      discussing remaining challenges and speculating about exciting future directions
      for the field of multidimensional spectroscopy. 

PMID- 26286056
TI  - Intensive Edge Effects of Nanographenes in Molecular Adsorptions.
AB  - Graphene has become a primary material in nanotechnology and has a wide range of
      potential applications in electronics. Fabricated graphenes are generally
      nanosized and composed of stacked graphene layers. The edges of nanographenes
      predominantly influence the chemical and physical properties because nanographene
      layers have a large number of edges. We demonstrated the edge effects of
      nanographenes and discrimination against basal planes in molecular adsorption
      using grand canonical Monte Carlo simulations. The edge sites of nanographene
      layers have relatively strong Coulombic interactions as a result of the partial
      charges at the edges, but the basal planes rarely have Coulombic interactions.
      CO2 and N2 prefer to be adsorbed on the edge sites and basal planes,
      respectively. As a result of these different preferences, the separation ability
      of CO2 is higher than that of N2 in the low-pressure region, thereby offering
      selective adsorptions, reactions, and separations on nanographene edges. 

PMID- 26286057
TI  - Dynamic Microscopy Study of Ultrafast Charge Transfer in a Hybrid
      P3HT/Hyperbranched CdSe Nanoparticle Blend for Photovoltaics.
AB  - We present a spectroscopic investigation on a new hyperbranched cadmium selenide
      nanocrystals (CdSe NC)/poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) blend, a potentially good
      active component in hybrid photovoltaics. Combined ultrafast transient absorption
      spectroscopy and morphological investigations by means of an ultrafast confocal
      microscope reveal a strong influence of the complex local structure on the
      photogenerated carrier dynamics. In particular, we map the electron-transfer
      process across the hybrid NC/polymer interface, and we reveal that charge
      separation occurs through a preferential pathway from the CdSe nanobranches to
      the P3HT chains. Efficient charge generation at the distributed heterojunction is
      also confirmed by scanning kelvin probe force microscopy measurements. 

PMID- 26286058
TI  - NaDyF4 Nanoparticles as T2 Contrast Agents for Ultrahigh Field Magnetic Resonance
      Imaging.
AB  - A major limitation of the commonly used clinical MRI contrast agents (CAs)
      suitable at lower magnetic field strengths (<3.0 T) is their inefficiency at
      higher fields (>7 T), where next-generation MRI scanners are going. We present
      dysprosium nanoparticles (beta-NaDyF4 NPs) as T2 CAs suitable at ultrahigh fields
      (9.4 T). These NPs effectively enhance T2 contrast at 9.4 T, which is 10-fold
      higher than the clinically used T2 CA (Resovist). Evaluation of the relaxivities
      at 3 and 9.4 T show that the T2 contrast enhances with an increase in NP size and
      field strength. Specifically, the transverse relaxivity (r2) values at 9.4 T were
      ~64 times higher per NP (20.3 nm) and ~6 times higher per Dy(3+) ion compared to
      that at 3 T, which is attributed to the Curie spin relaxation mechanism. These
      results and confirming phantom MR images demonstrate their effectiveness as T2
      CAs in ultrahigh field MRIs. 

PMID- 26286059
TI  - Graphene Oxide Nanosheet Induced Intrachain Conformational Ordering in a
      Semicrystalline Polymer.
AB  - The physical origin of graphene oxide nanosheet (GONS)-driven polymer
      crystallization was studied from the perspective of intrachain conformational
      ordering. Time-resolved Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy indicated that
      both conformational ordering and crystallization of isotactic polypropylene (iPP)
      were obviously accelerated by the presence of GONSs, indicating their efficient
      nucleation activity for iPP crystallization. Furthermore, the ordering of long
      helical segments occurred prior to the crystallization of iPP, as revealed by two
      dimensional correlation infrared analysis. Compared to pure bulk system, the
      presence of GONSs was in favor of the formation of long ordering segments,
      especially at the early stage, accompanied by considerable enhancement of the
      crystallization kinetics. GONS-driven iPP crystallization was suggested to be
      attributed to this GONS-induced intrachain conformational ordering. 

PMID- 26286060
TI  - The Role of Confined Water in Ionic Liquid Electrolytes for Dye-Sensitized Solar
      Cells.
AB  - Ionic liquids (ILs) provide an attractive medium for various chemical and redox
      reactions, where they are generally regarded as hydrophobic. However, Seddon et
      al. discovered that 4-10 wt % water absorbs into ILs that contain bulky anions,
      and Cammarata et al. found that the molecular state of water in ILs is
      dramatically different from that of bulk liquid water or that of water vapor. To
      determine the microstructure of water incorporated into ILs and the impact on
      properties, we carried out first-principles-based molecular dynamics simulations.
      We find water in three distinct phases depending on water content, and that the
      transport properties depend on the nature of the water phases. These results
      suggest that the optimal water content is ~10% mole fraction of water molecules
      (~1.1 wt %) for applications such as nonvolatile electrolytes for dye-sensitized
      solar cells (DSSCs). This suggests a strategy for improving the performance of IL
      DSSC by replacing water with additives that would play the same role as water
      (since too much water can deteriorate performance at the anode-dye interface). 

PMID- 26286061
TI  - The 2014 Impact Factor: ACS Chemical Neuroscience continues to rise.

PMID- 26286063
TI  - The role of pi-bonding on the high temperature structure of the double
      perovskites Ba2CaUO6 and BaSrCaUO6.
AB  - The high temperature structural behaviour of the uranium perovskites Ba2CaUO6 and
      BaSrCaUO6 has been investigated using a combination of synchrotron X-ray and
      neutron powder diffraction. Ba2CaUO6 undergoes a complex sequence of structures
      associated with the progressive loss of cooperative octahedral tilting: P21/n ->
      I2/m -> I2/m -> I4/m -> Fm3[combining macron]m. The observation of the
      intermediate tetragonal structure, I4/m, in this, contrasts with the previously
      reported rhombohedral R3[combining macron] intermediate formed by the Ba2SrUO6
      oxide. The importance of pi-bonding in determining the structural sequence is
      discussed. 

PMID- 26286064
TI  - Moulding calixarenes for biomacromolecule targeting.
AB  - After their successful use as a preorganized platform for the preparation of
      receptors for metal ions and small neutral molecules over the last 15 years,
      calixarenes are enjoying a renaissance of popularity as scaffolds for ligands
      that are able to efficiently and selectively target macromolecules such as
      proteins/enzymes, nucleic acids and lipids. This feature article summarizes the
      peculiar factors characterizing the calixarene structure and properties, as well
      as outlines the main rules that can be used to turn such macrocycles into
      efficient and successful ligands for these classes of biomacromolecules. Factors
      that affect the multivalent properties of calixarenes, such as the size,
      conformation and stereochemical presentation of binding groups or their
      amphiphilicity and hybrid character, are described in detail with the use of a
      few selected examples from the literature. Perspectives and applications of these
      ligands in bionanotechnology and nanomedicine, such as protein sensing and
      inhibition, gene-delivery, targeted drug-delivery and cell imaging, are also
      discussed. 

PMID- 26286065
TI  - In vitro and in vivo studies of the metabolic activation of 8-epidiosbulbin E
      acetate.
AB  - Furanoid 8-epidiosbulbin E acetate (EEA) is a major constituent of herbal
      medicine Dioscorea bulbifera L. (DB), a traditional Chinese medicine herb. Our
      preliminary studies demonstrated that administration of EEA caused acute
      hepatotoxicity in mice, and the observed toxicity required cytochromes P450
      mediated metabolism. Metabolic activation studies of EEA were performed in vitro
      and in vivo. Microsomal incubations of EEA supplemented with N-acetyl lysine
      (NAL) and glutathione (GSH) generated six metabolites (M1-M6). M1-M4 were
      characterized as pyrrole derivatives, and M5 and M6 were pyrrolinones. M2-M6 were
      detected in bile and/or urine of rats given EEA. Dimethyldioxirane-mediated
      oxidation of EEA in the presence of NAL and GSH produced M1-M6, all of which were
      generated in microsomal incubations. The structures of M3 and M6 were confirmed
      by (1)H and (13)C NMR. These findings provide evidence for the metabolic
      activation of EEA to the corresponding cis-enedial intermediate both in vitro and
      in vivo. Ketoconazole inhibited the microsomal production of the cis-enedial, and
      P450 3A4 was found to be the primary enzyme involved in the bioactivation of EEA.

PMID- 26286066
TI  - Effect of induction therapy on the expression of molecular markers associated
      with rejection and tolerance.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Induction therapy can improve kidney transplantation (KTx) outcomes,
      but little is known about the mechanisms underlying its effects. METHODS: The
      mRNA levels of T cell-related genes associated with tolerance or rejection
      (CD247, GZMB, PRF1, FOXP3, MAN1A1, TCAIM, and TLR5) and lymphocyte subpopulations
      were monitored prospectively in the peripheral blood of 60 kidney transplant
      recipients before and 7, 14, 21, 28, 60, 90 days, 6 months, and 12 months after
      KTx. Patients were treated with calcineurin inhibitor-based triple
      immunosuppression and induction with rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin (rATG, n =
      24), basiliximab (n = 17), or without induction (no-induction, n = 19). A
      generalized linear mixed model with gamma distribution for repeated measures,
      adjusted for rejection, recipient/donor age and delayed graft function, was used
      for statistical analysis. RESULTS: rATG treatment caused an intense reduction in
      all T cell type population and natural killer (NK) cells within 7 days, then a
      slow increase and repopulation was observed. This was also noticed in the
      expression levels of CD247, FOXP3, GZMB, and PRF1. The basiliximab group
      exhibited higher CD247, GZMB, FOXP3 and TCAIM mRNA levels and regulatory T cell
      (Treg) counts than the no-induction group. The levels of MAN1A1 and TLR5 mRNA
      expressions were increased, whereas TCAIM decreased in the rATG group as compared
      with those in the no-induction group. CONCLUSION: The rATG induction therapy was
      associated with decreased T and NK cell-related transcript levels and with
      upregulation of two rejection-associated transcripts (MAN1A1 and TLR5) shortly
      after KTx. Basiliximab treatment was associated with increased absolute number of
      Treg cells, and increased level of FOXP3 and TCAIM expression.

PMID- 26286067
TI  - DNA Interaction, Photocleavage and Topoisomerase I Inhibition by Ru(II) Complex
      with a New Ligand Possessing Phenazine Unit.
AB  - A new ruthenium complex with a dppz-like ligand pyidppz, [Ru(bpy)2(pyidppz)](2+)
      (pyidppz = 2-(pyridine-2-yl)imidazo-[4,5-b]dipyrido-[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine) has
      been synthesized and characterized by ES-MS, elemental analysis, (1)H NMR.
      Intercalative mode of the complex bound to calf thymus DNA has been supported by
      different spectroscopic methods and viscosity measurements. The introduction of
      phenazine unit may be one of the main reasons for the weak emission of Ru(II)
      complex in aqueous solution. Under irradiation, this complex can efficiently
      cleave DNA. And the photocleavage reaction of the complex is found to be
      inhibited in the presence of singlet oxygen scavenger. Topoisomerase inhibition
      and DNA strand passage assay demonstrated that [Ru(bpy)2(pyidppz)](2+) and its
      parent complex [Ru(bpy)2(pyip)](2+) (pyip = 2-(pyridine-2-yl)imidazo[4,5
      f][1,10]phenanthroline) can act as efficient catalytic inhibitor of DNA
      topoisomerase I. 

PMID- 26286068
TI  - Familial hematological malignancies: ASXL1 gene investigation.
AB  - PURPOSE: Familial aggregation among patients with several hematological
      malignancies has been revealed. This emphasizes the importance of genetic
      factors. Only few genes predisposing to familial hematological malignancies have
      been reported until now due to the low occurrence. We have described in previous
      study PRF1 and CEBPA variants that might contribute to the background of genetic
      factors, which encourage us to extend our investigations to other cooperating
      genes. The aim of this study is to determine whether germline additional sex
      combs-like 1 (ASXL1) gene mutations may be involved? METHODS/PATIENTS: In this
      study, we investigated the candidate gene ASXL1 by direct sequencing in 88
      unrelated Tunisian and French families with aggregated hematological
      malignancies. RESULTS: We report a new p.Arg402Gln germline missense substitution
      in two related Tunisian patients which has not been previously described. We
      identified here this variant for the first time in non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The
      p.Arg402Gln variant was not found in 200 control chromosomes. In silico analysis
      has predicted potential deleterious effect on ASXL1 protein. CONCLUSIONS: From an
      extended candidate genes analyzed in the field of familial hematological
      malignancies, ASXL1 might be involved. This variant should be considered since a
      potential damaging effect was predicted by in silico analysis, with a view to
      develop functional assay in order to investigate the biological assessment.

PMID- 26286069
TI  - Short stature in retinoblastoma survivors: a cross-sectional study of 138
      patients.
AB  - PURPOSE: Short stature has been reported in pediatric cancer survivors. Data on
      retinoblastoma survivors are limited. We conducted a cross-sectional study to
      assess the height in retinoblastoma survivors. METHOD: The recorded height was
      compared with median height for age and sex as per the Indian Academy of
      Pediatrics. Z-score less than -2 was considered short statured. RESULT: Thirty
      percent of the survivors were short statured. The mean height was shorter than
      the mean 50th percentile height (119.7 +/- 14.8 vs 128.7 +/- 15 cm, p < 0.001).
      Previous chemotherapy showed a trend toward association (p = 0.09). CONCLUSION:
      Short stature affects a significant number of retinoblastoma survivors.

PMID- 26286070
TI  - End-of-life care communications and shared decision-making in Norwegian nursing
      homes--experiences and perspectives of patients and relatives.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Involving nursing home patients and their relatives in end-of-life
      care conversations and treatment decisions has recently gained increased
      importance in several Western countries. However, there is little knowledge about
      how the patients themselves and their next-of-kin look upon involvement in end-of
      life care decisions. The purpose of this paper is to explore nursing home
      patients' and next-of-kin's experiences with- and perspectives on end-of-life
      care conversations, information and shared decision-making. METHODS: The study
      has a qualitative and explorative design, based on a combination of individual
      interviews with 35 patients living in six nursing homes and seven focus group
      interviews with 33 relatives. The data was analysed applying a "bricolage"
      approach". Participation was based on informed consent, and the study was
      approved by the Regional Committees for Medical and Health Research Ethics.
      RESULTS: Few patients and relatives had participated in conversations about end
      of-life care. Most relatives wanted such conversations, while the patients'
      opinions varied. With some exceptions, patients and relatives wanted to be
      informed about the patient's health condition. The majority wanted to be involved
      in the decision-making process, but leave the final decisions to the health
      professionals. Among the patients, the opinion varied; some patients wanted to
      leave the decisions more or less completely to the nursing home staff.
      Conversations about end-of-life care issues are emotionally challenging, and very
      few patients had discussed these questions with their family. The relatives'
      opinions of the patient's preferences were mainly based on assumptions; they had
      seldom talked about this explicitly. Both patients and relatives wanted the staff
      to raise these questions. CONCLUSION: Nursing home staff should initiate
      conversations about preferences for end-of-life care, assisting patients and
      relatives in talking about these issues, while at the same time being sensitive
      to the diversity in opinions and the timing for such conversations. As the
      popularity of advance care planning increases in many Western countries,
      discussions of patients' and relatives' perspectives will be of great interest to
      a broader audience.

PMID- 26286071
TI  - A Narrative Review of Evidence-Based Preventive Options for Chronic Migraine.
AB  - Chronic migraine is a debilitating disorder that affects 2 % of the global
      population and imparts a significant societal and economic impact. The
      cornerstones of chronic migraine management include making an accurate diagnosis,
      patient education, treatment of comorbid conditions, and selection of an
      appropriate, evidence-based acute and preventive treatment regimen. Although it
      is common to treat chronic migraine with preventive medications effective for
      episodic migraine, a number of treatment options exist with specific evidence for
      effectiveness in chronic migraine. Currently, onabotulinumtoxinA injections are
      the only FDA-approved preventive treatment for chronic migraine. A number of non
      medication treatment options including occipital nerve and supraorbital nerve
      stimulation have shown promise as effective prevention for patients either unable
      to tolerate or unable to obtain relief from oral medications, but more research
      is necessary. 

PMID- 26286072
TI  - Outcomes of Isolated Tibial Endovascular Interventions for Tissue Loss in CLI
      Patients on Hemodialysis.
AB  - PURPOSE: To compare the objective performance goals (OPGs) and patient-centered
      outcomes of isolated tibial interventions in patients with tissue loss who were
      on hemodialysis (HD) to patients with tissue loss who were not on HD. METHODS:
      Interrogation of a prospectively maintained database identified 242 critical limb
      ischemia (CLI) patients who underwent isolated tibial interventions for tissue
      loss in a single limb between 2007 and 2012. The 78 patients (mean age 66+/-12
      years; 44 men) on HD were compared with 164 patients (mean age 50+/-13 years; 82
      men) who were not on HD. There was an equal distribution of the tibial vessels
      treated; 152 (63%) patients had more than one treated tibial vessel. Patient
      centered outcomes of clinical efficacy (absence of recurrent symptoms,
      maintenance of ambulation, and no major amputation), amputation-free survival
      (AFS), and freedom from major adverse limb events (MALE) were evaluated. The
      Society for Vascular Surgery OPGs were defined at 30 days and 1 year. RESULTS:
      The 30-day major adverse cardiac events was significantly higher (p=0.004) in the
      HD group (5, 5%) compared with the no-HD group (0%), but both remained under the
      stated OPG of <=10%. The 30-day MALE rates were significantly higher than the
      stated <=9% OPG at 13% and 18% for the no-HD and HD groups, respectively. At 1
      year, the rates for AFS, freedom from MALE, limb salvage, and survival did not
      achieve the stated Society for Vascular Surgery OPGs in the HD group. Clinical
      efficacy was 61% and 25% at 3 years for the no-HD and HD groups, respectively
      (p<0.01). Overall, AFS was 54% and 22% and freedom from MALE was 56% and 27% at 3
      years for the no-HD and HD groups, respectively (both p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Tibial
      intervention for tissue loss in patients on HD is a valid treatment option but is
      associated with a high MALE rate. Three-year outcomes remain relatively poor,
      with <25% success in terms of clinical efficacy and AFS.

PMID- 26286074
TI  - Application of the "ORC" to Critical Limb Ischemia.

PMID- 26286073
TI  - Late Rupture of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm After Previous Endovascular Repair: A
      Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
AB  - PURPOSE: To report a systematic literature review of late rupture of abdominal
      aortic aneurysm (AAA) after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) and the results
      of a pooled analysis of causes, treatment, and outcomes. METHODS: Electronic
      information sources and bibliographic reference lists were interrogated using a
      combination of free text and controlled vocabulary searches; 11 articles were
      ultimately identified that fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The articles
      reported a total of 190 patients who were included in the qualitative and
      quantitative synthesis. Mortality within 30 days or during the admission with
      aneurysm rupture was a primary endpoint; major perioperative morbidity was a
      secondary endpoint. A meta-analysis was performed for 30-day/in-hospital
      mortality using the random effects model. RESULTS: A total of 152 ruptures
      occurred after 16,974 EVAR procedures reported by 8 of the case series, giving an
      incidence of 0.9% [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.77 to 1.05]. The mean time to
      rupture was 37 months. Twenty-nine percent (95% CI 20 to 39) of the patients had
      at least one previous secondary endovascular intervention following the initial
      EVAR, and 37% (95% CI 30 to 45) were not compliant with surveillance. Type I and
      III endoleaks were the predominant causes of rupture. Open surgical treatment was
      undertaken in 61% (95% CI 53 to 68) of the patients who underwent treatment. The
      pooled estimate for perioperative mortality was 32% (95% CI 24 to 41). A
      significantly lower mortality was found with endovascular treatment than open
      surgical management (p=0.027). CONCLUSION: Graft-related endoleaks appear to be
      the predominant causes of late aneurysm rupture. Quality of and compliance with
      post-EVAR surveillance are important factors in late rupture; a large proportion
      of late ruptures are amenable to endovascular treatment.

PMID- 26286075
TI  - Is It the Arc of Riolan or Meandering Mesenteric Artery?

PMID- 26286076
TI  - [Proximal femoral fractures in the elderly].
AB  - Proximal femoral fractures represent an increasing major healthcare problem due
      to the demographic changes in this aging population and are associated with the
      highest mortality among fractures in elderly patients after suffering
      insufficiency injuries (so-called fragility fractures). The main aim in the
      treatment of orthogeriatric patients who suffered from a proximal femoral
      fracture is the preservation of function and independency. Given the high
      prevalence of comorbidities in these patients, interdisciplinary and
      interprofessional approaches are required. The use of modern osteosynthesis
      procedures can provide an improved, individualized surgical treatment with early
      full weight bearing of the affected extremity. Another aspect is the accompanying
      geriatric treatment which is associated with a significant reduction of
      perioperative and postoperative complications. In addition to acute treatment,
      the organization of secondary fracture prevention is a crucial pillar of
      treatment. This article provides an overview of the essential elements of
      orthogeriatric trauma surgery in elderly patients following proximal femoral
      fractures. 

PMID- 26286078
TI  - [Not Available].

PMID- 26286077
TI  - DEL-FINE: a new tool for assessing the delirogenic properties of drugs of
      relevance for European pharmacotherapy.
AB  - This article presents a list of potentially delirogenic properties of drugs that
      are currently of relevance to drug therapy in Europe, which was created through a
      Delphi process including experts from professions relevant to diagnosis and
      treatment of delirium. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
      5 (DSM 5) defines delirium as a disturbance in attention, awareness and cognition
      that develops over a short period of time and fluctuates. Possible causes of
      delirium are manifold: usually delirium is considered to develop in a
      multifactorial way, caused by inalterable parameters, such as advanced age and
      pre-existing cognitive impairment and precipitated by modifiable parameters, such
      as the use of certain drugs or substance withdrawal. Delirium is a serious
      condition with a pronounced impact on morbidity, mortality and costs to the
      healthcare system. Circumstances and drugs that might precipitate or worsen
      delirium should therefore be avoided whenever possible. A list of drugs that
      might have a detrimental influence on the emergence and duration of delirium has
      been created using the terms "delirogenity" and "delirogenic" to describe the
      potential of a drug or withdrawal to cause or worsen delirium. The results are
      novel and noteworthy, as their focus is on substances relevant to European
      pharmacotherapy. Furthermore, they represent a methodical consensus from a group
      of experts of a wide variety of professions relevant to the prevention, diagnosis
      and treatment of delirium, such as nursing, pharmacy, pharmacology, surgical and
      internal medicine, neurology, psychiatry, intensive care and medicine, with
      working, teaching and scientific experience in several European countries
      practicing both in primary and secondary care. 

PMID- 26286079
TI  - Family Functioning in First-Episode and Chronic Psychosis: The Role of Patient's
      Symptom Severity and Psychosocial Functioning.
AB  - The aim of the present study was to assess the relationship between illness
      related characteristics, such as symptom severity and psychosocial functioning,
      and specific aspects of family functioning both in patients experiencing their
      first episode of psychosis (FEP) and chronically ill patients. A total of 50 FEP
      and 50 chronic patients diagnosed with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder (most
      recent episode manic severe with psychotic features) and their family caregivers
      participated in the study. Family functioning was evaluated in terms of cohesion
      and flexibility (FACES IV Package), expressed emotion (FQ), family burden (FBS)
      and caregivers' psychological distress (GHQ-28). Patients' symptom severity
      (BPRS) and psychosocial functioning (GAS) were assessed by their treating
      psychiatrist within 2 weeks from the caregivers' assessment. Increased symptom
      severity was associated with greater dysfunction in terms of family cohesion and
      flexibility (beta coefficient -0.13; 95 % CI -0.23, -0.03), increased caregivers'
      EE levels on the form of emotional overinvolvement (beta coefficient 1.03; 95 %
      CI 0.02, 2.03), and psychological distress (beta coefficient 3.37; 95 % CI 1.29,
      5.45). Family burden was found to be significantly related to both symptom
      severity (beta coefficient 3.01; 95 % CI 1.50, 4.51) and patient's functioning
      (beta coefficient -2.04; 95 % CI -3.55, -0.53). No significant interaction effect
      of chronicity was observed in the afore-mentioned associations. These findings
      indicate that severe psychopathology and patient's low psychosocial functioning
      are associated with poor family functioning. It appears that the effect for
      family function is significant from the early stages of the illness. Thus, early
      psychoeducational interventions should focus on patients with severe
      symptomatology and impaired functioning and their families.

PMID- 26286080
TI  - Eating Disorders in Lebanon: Directions for Public Health Action.
AB  - Research in the field of eating disorders (ED) is limited in the Middle East. The
      aim of the present study was to profile Lebanese ED outpatients. A mixed-method
      design was used. Clinicians across Lebanon filled individual questionnaires about
      their 2013 ED outpatients (n = 104) and participated in focus groups. Results
      showed that bulimia nervosa was the most prevalent ED (46.1 %) followed by
      anorexia nervosa (39.4 %) and binge eating (14.4 %). The emerging socio
      demographic profile of the Lebanese ED patient was that of a single female young
      adult of middle to high socio-economic status with severe ED symptoms
      (amenorrhea, multiple purging behaviors) and depression. Also, there was a
      general delay in seeking help which made patient recovery more difficult. The
      present study emphasizes the critical need for a public health approach to ED
      awareness and could help in developing preventive and remedial educational
      programs targeting youth in Lebanon and the Middle East.

PMID- 26286081
TI  - Mental Health Beliefs Amongst Emirati Female College Students.
AB  - Recent epidemiological data from Arabian Gulf nations suggest that mental health
      problems such as depression and anxiety have a relatively high prevalence,
      particularly amongst women. However, despite the widespread morbidity, treatment
      seeking for mental health problems is low. Mental health beliefs amongst female
      Emirati college students were explored. A questionnaire exploring perceptions
      about the causes, consequences and best forms of intervention for mental health
      problems was administered to 70 participants. Data revealed that social and
      environmental factors were given the most weight in terms of etiology. Social
      stigma was the most frequently identified barrier to help seeking. Religious
      practices were commonly reported as an approach to cope with mental health
      problems and to maintain good psychological health. Most participants reported
      willingness to seek help from a healthcare professional. Results are discussed in
      terms of their implications for improving the quality and accessibility of mental
      health services in the gulf region. 

PMID- 26286083
TI  - Predicting Thermodynamic Behaviors of Non-Protein Amino Acids as a Function of
      Temperature and pH.
AB  - Why does life use alpha-amino acids exclusively as building blocks of proteins?
      To address that fundamental question from an energetic perspective, this study
      estimated the standard molal thermodynamic data for three non-alpha-amino acids
      (beta-alanine, gamma-aminobutyric acid, and epsilon-aminocaproic acid) and alpha
      amino-n-butyric acid in their zwitterionic, negative, and positive ionization
      states based on the corresponding experimental measurements reported in the
      literature. Temperature dependences of their heat capacities were described based
      on the revised Helgeson-Kirkham-Flowers (HKF) equations of state. The obtained
      dataset was then used to calculate the standard molal Gibbs energies (?G (o)) of
      the non-alpha-amino acids as a function of temperature and pH. Comparison of
      their ?G (o) values with those of alpha-amino acids having the same molecular
      formula showed that the non-alpha-amino acids have similar ?G (o) values to the
      corresponding alpha-amino acids in physiologically relevant conditions (neutral
      pH, <100  degrees C). In acidic and alkaline pH, the non-alpha-amino acids are
      thermodynamically more stable than the corresponding alpha-ones over a broad
      temperature range. These results suggest that the energetic cost of synthesis is
      not an important selection pressure to incorporate alpha-amino acids into
      biological systems.

PMID- 26286082
TI  - Low CD1c + myeloid dendritic cell counts correlated with a high risk of rapid
      disease progression during early HIV-1 infection.
AB  - BACKGROUND: During early HIV-1 infection (EHI), the interaction between the
      immune response and the virus determines disease progression. Although CD1c +
      myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) can trigger the immune response, the relationship
      between CD1c + mDC alteration and disease progression has not yet been defined.
      METHODS: EHI changes in CD1c + mDC counts, surface marker (CD40, CD86, CD83)
      expression, and IL-12 secretion were assessed by flow cytometry in 29 patients.
      RESULTS: When compared with the normal controls, patients with EHI displayed
      significantly lower CD1c + mDC counts and IL-12 secretion and increased surface
      markers. CD1c + mDC counts were positively correlated with CD4+ T cell counts and
      inversely associated with viral loads. IL-12 secretion was only positively
      associated with CD4+ T cell counts. Rapid progressors had lower counts, CD86
      expression, and IL-12 secretion of CD1c + mDCs comparing with typical
      progressors. Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regression models suggested patients
      with low CD1c + mDC counts (<10 cells/MUL) had a 4-fold higher risk of rapid
      disease progression than those with high CD1c + mDC counts. However, no
      relationship was found between surface markers or IL-12 secretion and disease
      progression. CONCLUSIONS: During EHI, patients with low CD1c + mDC counts were
      more likely to experience rapid disease progression than those with high CD1c +
      mDC counts.

PMID- 26286084
TI  - Timescales of Oxygenation Following the Evolution of Oxygenic Photosynthesis.
AB  - Among the most important bioenergetic innovations in the history of life was the
      invention of oxygenic photosynthesis-autotrophic growth by splitting water with
      sunlight-by Cyanobacteria. It is widely accepted that the invention of oxygenic
      photosynthesis ultimately resulted in the rise of oxygen by ca. 2.35 Gya, but it
      is debated whether this occurred more or less immediately as a proximal result of
      the evolution of oxygenic Cyanobacteria or whether they originated several
      hundred million to more than one billion years earlier in Earth history. The
      latter hypothesis involves a prolonged period during which oxygen production
      rates were insufficient to oxidize the atmosphere, potentially due to redox
      buffering by reduced species such as higher concentrations of ferrous iron in
      seawater. To examine the characteristic timescales for environmental oxygenation
      following the evolution of oxygenic photosynthesis, we applied a simple
      mathematical approach that captures many of the salient features of the major
      biogeochemical fluxes and reservoirs present in Archean and early
      Paleoproterozoic surface environments. Calculations illustrate that oxygenation
      would have overwhelmed redox buffers within ~100 kyr following the emergence of
      oxygenic photosynthesis, a geologically short amount of time unless rates of
      primary production were far lower than commonly expected. Fundamentally, this
      result arises because of the multiscale nature of the carbon and oxygen cycles:
      rates of gross primary production are orders of magnitude too fast for oxygen to
      be masked by Earth's geological buffers, and can only be effectively matched by
      respiration at non-negligible O2 concentrations. These results suggest that
      oxygenic photosynthesis arose shortly before the rise of oxygen, not hundreds of
      millions of years before it. 

PMID- 26286085
TI  - Infantile encephalitic beriberi: magnetic resonance imaging findings.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Thiamine deficiency in infants is still encountered in developing
      countries. It may present with acute neurological manifestations of infantile
      encephalitic beriberi. OBJECTIVE: To review brain MRI findings in infantile
      encephalitic beriberi from a single institution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A
      retrospective review of MRI scans in 22 infants with acute-onset beriberi
      encephalopathy was carried out. RESULTS: Hyperintense lesions on T2-weighted
      images were seen symmetrically in the putamen in all patients, in the caudate
      nuclei in 16/22 (73%), the thalami in 7/22 (32%) and the globi pallidi in 3/22
      (14%) of the infants. Altered signal intensity lesions in the cerebral cortex
      were seen in 7/22 (32%). The mammillary bodies were seen in one infant and the
      periaqueductal gray matter in two. There was restricted diffusion in 14/22 (64%),
      and 6/8 children with no evidence of restriction had been imaged >=10 days after
      presentation. MR spectroscopy showed increased lactate peak in 6/8 infants (75%).
      CONCLUSION: Recognition of symmetrical T2-W hyperintense lesions in the basal
      ganglia with restricted diffusion and prominent lactate peak may allow early
      diagnosis of encephalitic beriberi in at-risk infants.

PMID- 26286087
TI  - Authors' reply to Lewis and Bray.

PMID- 26286086
TI  - EGFR Kinase Domain Duplication (EGFR-KDD) Is a Novel Oncogenic Driver in Lung
      Cancer That Is Clinically Responsive to Afatinib.
AB  - Oncogenic EGFR mutations are found in 10% to 35% of lung adenocarcinomas. Such
      mutations, which present most commonly as small in-frame deletions in exon 19 or
      point mutations in exon 21 (L858R), confer sensitivity to EGFR tyrosine kinase
      inhibitors (TKI). In analyzing the tumor from a 33-year-old male never-smoker, we
      identified a novel EGFR alteration in lung cancer: EGFR exon 18-25 kinase domain
      duplication (EGFR-KDD). Through analysis of a larger cohort of tumor samples, we
      detected additional cases of EGFR-KDD in lung, brain, and other cancers. In
      vitro, EGFR-KDD is constitutively active, and computational modeling provides
      potential mechanistic support for its auto-activation. EGFR-KDD-transformed cells
      are sensitive to EGFR TKIs and, consistent with these in vitro findings, the
      index patient had a partial response to the EGFR TKI afatinib. The patient
      eventually progressed, at which time resequencing revealed an EGFR-dependent
      mechanism of acquired resistance to afatinib, thereby validating EGFR-KDD as a
      driver alteration and therapeutic target. SIGNIFICANCE: We identified oncogenic
      and drug-sensitive EGFR-KDD that is recurrent in lung, brain, and soft-tissue
      cancers and documented that a patient with metastatic lung adenocarcinoma
      harboring the EGFR-KDD derived significant antitumor response from treatment with
      the EGFR inhibitor afatinib. Findings from these studies will be immediately
      translatable, as there are already several approved EGFR inhibitors in clinical
      use.

PMID- 26286088
TI  - Characterization of a novel alkaline arylsulfatase from Marinomonas sp. FW-1 and
      its application in the desulfation of red seaweed agar.
AB  - A bacterial strain capable of hydrolyzing sulfate ester bonds of p-nitrophenyl
      sulfate (pNPS) and agar was isolated from the coast area of Qingdao, China. It
      was identified as Marinomonas based on its 16S rRNA gene sequence and named as
      Marinomonas sp. FW-1. An arylsulfatase with a recovery of 13 % and a fold of 12
      was purified to a homogeneity using ion exchange and gel filtration
      chromatographies. The enzyme was composed of a single polypeptide chain with the
      molecular mass of 33 kDa estimated using SDS-PAGE. The optimal pH and temperature
      of arylsulfatase were pH 9.0 and 45, respectively. Arylsulfatase was stable over
      pH 8-11 and at temperature below 55  degrees C. The K m and V max of this enzyme
      for the hydrolysis of pNPS were determined to be 13.73 and 270.27 MUM/min,
      respectively. The desulfation ratio against agar from red seaweed Gelidium
      amansii and Gracilaria lemaneiformis were 86.11 and 89.61 %, respectively. There
      was no difference between the DNA electrophoresis spectrum on the gel of the
      arylsulfatase-treated G. amansii agar and that of the commercial agarose.
      Therefore, this novel alkaline arylsulfatase might have a great potential for
      application in enzymatic conversion of agar to agarose. 

PMID- 26286089
TI  - A validated, risk assessment tool for predicting readmission after open ventral
      hernia repair.
AB  - BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: To present a validated model that reliably predicts unplanned
      readmission after open ventral hernia repair (open-VHR). STUDY DESIGN: A total of
      17,789 open-VHR patients were identified using the 2011-2012 ACS-NSQIP databases.
      This cohort was subdivided into 70 and 30% random testing and validation samples,
      respectively. Thirty-day unplanned readmission was defined as unexpected
      readmission for a postoperative occurrence related to the open-VHR procedure.
      Independent predictors of 30-day unplanned readmission were identified using
      multivariable logistic regression on the testing sample (n = 12,452 patients).
      Subsequently, the predictors were weighted according to beta-coefficients to
      generate an integer-based Clinical Risk Score (CRS) predictive of readmission,
      which was validated using receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis of
      the validation sample (n = 5337 patients). RESULTS: The rate of 30-day unplanned
      readmission was 4.7%. Independent risk factors included inpatient status at time
      of open-VHR, operation time, enterolysis, underweight, diabetes, preoperative
      anemia, length of stay, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, history of
      bleeding disorders, hernia with gangrene, and panniculectomy (all P < 0.05). ROC
      analysis of the validation cohort rendered an area under the curve of 0.71, which
      demonstrates the accuracy of this prediction model. Predicted incidence within
      each 5 risk strata was statistically similar to the observed incidence in the
      validation sample (P = 0.18), further highlighting the accuracy of this model.
      CONCLUSION: We present a validated risk stratification tool for unplanned
      readmissions following open-VHR. Future studies should determine if
      implementation of our CRS optimizes safety and reduces readmission rates in open
      VHR patients.

PMID- 26286093
TI  - Management of Relapsed/Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia in the Elderly: Current
      Strategies and Developments.
AB  - Elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who are refractory to or
      relapse following frontline treatment constitute a poor-risk group with a poor
      long-term outcome. Host-related factors and unfavorable disease-related features
      contribute to early treatment failures following frontline therapy, thus making
      attainment of remission and long-term survival with salvage therapy particularly
      challenging for elderly patients. Currently, no optimal salvage strategy exists
      for responding patients, and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant is the
      only curative option in this setting; however, the vast majority of elderly
      patients are not candidates for this procedure due to poor functional status
      secondary to age and age-related comorbidities. Furthermore, the lack of
      effective salvage programs available for elderly patients with recurrent AML
      underscores the need for therapies that consistently yield durable remissions or
      durable control of their disease. The purpose of this review was to highlight the
      currently available strategies, as well as future strategies under development,
      for treating older patients with recurrent AML. 

PMID- 26286094
TI  - Effect of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors on Physical Function in
      Elderly Subjects: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia has been accepted as a new geriatric syndrome, which will
      become a common and important public health challenge. And angiotensin-converting
      enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) have been shown to improve exercise capacity in elderly
      without heart failure. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of angiotensin
      converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) on physical function in elderly. DATA
      SOURCES: The Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science were searched.
      ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: All researches included were randomized controlled trials
      (RCTs) which compared any kind of ACEIs with placebo or other anti-hypertensives
      in elderly, and provided empirical data of grip strength and 6-min walk distance
      change from baseline. STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS: Risk of bias was
      systematically assessed by using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Data of grip
      strength and 6-min walk distance change from baseline were collected and mean
      differences (MDs) were calculated along with 95% CI (confidence interval) by
      using a random effects model. RESULTS: In 3 RCTs including 337 elderly
      participants, ACEIs (n = 178) did not significantly improved 6-min walk distance
      (13.45, 95% CI: -16.71 to 43.61; P = 0.38) versus placebo or other
      antihypertensives (n = 159). In 3 RCTs including 499 elderly participants, grip
      strength was not significantly different (-0.67, 95% CI: -1.53 to 0.19; P = 0.12)
      between ACEIs (n = 260) and placebo or other antihypertensives (n = 239).
      LIMITATIONS: There exists only 4 RCTs and the number of participants is limited.
      Pooling of data were from different trials including different participant
      characteristics. And intervention is not strictly consistent. CONCLUSION: This
      study shows that ACEIs can not significantly improve walk distance or the age
      related decline of muscle strength for older participants in clinical trials.

PMID- 26286095
TI  - Adaptation to an autoimmune disorder: Does mental flexibility impact illness
      related self-regulation?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To examine whether mental flexibility moderates the relationship
      between illness representations of control and coping behaviour in individuals
      suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
      DESIGN: Recently, diagnosed RA (N = 80) and SLE (N = 75) patients completed
      questionnaires about illness representations of personal and treatment control
      and four coping behaviours: instrumental coping, adherence to medical advice,
      palliative coping and wishful thinking. Mental flexibility was assessed with the
      Trail Making Test Part B (TMT-B), while visuomotor processing speed, as a
      confounder, was assessed with the Trail Making Test Part A (TMT-A). Moderated
      mediation models were tested within a bootstrapped multiple regression framework.
      RESULTS: TMT-A scores had no statistically significant moderation effects on the
      relation between representations and coping behaviour. Conversely, in those
      participants with SLE, TMT-B scores moderated the relation of personal control to
      wishful thinking and palliative coping, as well as the relation of treatment
      control to both wishful thinking and palliative coping. All significant effects
      were restricted to the SLE group. CONCLUSION: Interactions between neurocognitive
      factors and the process of illness adaptation may emerge early during the course
      of SLE. The present findings highlight the role of cognitive functioning as an
      integral part of the illness-related self-regulation mechanism.

PMID- 26286096
TI  - Leukocyte Telomere Length and Cancer Risk: A Dynamic Problem.

PMID- 26286097
TI  - Septo-optic dysplasia: Magnetic Resonance Imaging findings.
AB  - Septo-optic dysplasia is a rare congenital disorder involving brain and optic
      pathways. We present typical Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) findings of a case
      of Septo-optic dysplasia in a 19 year old female patient. 

PMID- 26286098
TI  - Collapsed neonate? Cause.

PMID- 26286099
TI  - ReCAP: Feasibility and Effectiveness of a Pilot Program to Facilitate Quality
      Improvement Learning in Oncology: Experience of the American Society of Clinical
      Oncology Quality Training Program.
AB  - PURPOSE: Studies have demonstrated that structured training programs can improve
      health professionals' skills in performing clinical care or research. We sought
      to develop and test a novel quality training program (QTP) tailored to oncology
      clinicians. METHODS: The American Society of Clinical Oncology QTP consisted of
      three in-person learning sessions and four phases: prework, planning,
      implementation, and sustain and spread. We measured two primary outcomes: program
      feasibility and effectiveness. Feasibility was evaluated by recording
      participation. Effectiveness was measured using the Kirkpatrick model, which
      evaluates four outcomes: reaction, learning, behavior, and results. We collected
      qualitative feedback through a focus group of participants and mixed quantitative
      qualitative results from a 6-month follow-up evaluation survey. Results are
      presented using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: We received feedback from of 80%
      of participants who took part in 92% of in-person program days. QTP deliverables
      were completed by 100% of teams; none withdrew from the program. Regarding
      reaction, 100% of respondents expressed interest in actively contributing to
      future QTP courses. For learning, most teams continued to use the core
      methodology tools (eg, project charter, aims statements) after the program.
      Regarding behavior, when asked about intention to serve as a local quality
      improvement leader, a majority said they "definitely will" serve as: team leader
      on a specific project (75%), project champion or sponsor (75%), or teacher or
      trainer for others (64%). In evaluating outcomes, 50% reported applying learned
      methodology to new projects at their local institution. CONCLUSION: We
      demonstrate one of the first feasible and effective training programs to
      facilitate quality improvement learning for oncology clinicians.

PMID- 26286101
TI  - Genomic insights into the early-diverging magnetotactic bacteria.

PMID- 26286100
TI  - Health-Related Quality of Life of Food-Insecure Ethnic Minority Patients With
      Cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: The association between food insecurity and health-related quality of
      life (QOL) of racial/ethnic minority patients with cancer has not been examined.
      The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between food
      insecurity and health-related QOL reported by racial/ethnic minority patients
      with cancer. METHODS: A consecutive sample of 1,390 underserved ethnic minority
      patients receiving cancer care in 10 cancer clinics and hospitals in New York
      City participated in this study. Health-related QOL was measured by the
      Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) and food security was
      assessed by the US Department of Agriculture Core Food Security Module. RESULTS:
      Of the 1,390 patients, 581 (41.8%) were classified as food secure, 571 (41.1%)
      with low food security, and 238 (17.1%) with very low food security. Health
      related QOL decreased with each lower food security level. Patient self-reported
      physical, functional, social, and emotional well-being subscale scores decrease
      significantly with increasing food insecurity. After controlling for demographic
      and medical-related factors, the decreases in QOL, physical, functional, social
      and emotional well-being scores with increasing food insecurity remained
      significant. CONCLUSION: Food insecurity was associated with lower QOL in this
      sample of underserved racial/ethnic minority patients with cancer. Underserved
      ethnic minority patients diagnosed with cancer are a vulnerable patient
      population, at significant risk for inadequate food access and the related lower
      QOL.

PMID- 26286102
TI  - CSF N-glycan profile reveals sialylation deficiency in a patient with GM2
      gangliosidosis presenting as childhood disintegrative disorder.
AB  - Protein N-glycosylation consists in the synthesis and processing of the
      oligosaccharide moiety (N-glycan) linked to a protein and it serves several
      functions for the proper central nervous system (CNS) development and function.
      Previous experimental and clinical studies have shown the importance of proper
      glycoprotein sialylation for the synaptic function and the occurrence of autism
      spectrum disorders (ASD) in the presence of sialylation deficiency in the CNS.
      Late-onset Tay Sachs disease (LOTSD) is a lysosomal disorder caused by mutations
      in the HEXA gene resulting in GM2-ganglioside storage in the CNS. It is
      characterized by progressive neurological impairment and high co-occurrence of
      psychiatric disturbances. We studied the N-glycome profile of the cerebrospinal
      fluid (CSF) in a 14 year-old patient with GM2-gangliosidosis (LOTSD). At the age
      of 4, the patient presented regressive autism fulfilling criteria for childhood
      disintegrative disorder (CDD). A CSF sample was obtained in the course of
      diagnostic work-up for the suspicion of an underlying neurodegenerative disorder.
      We found definite changes of CSF N-glycans due to a dramatic decrease of
      sialylated biantennary and triantennary structures and an increase of asialo-core
      fucosylated bisected N-glycans. No changes of total plasma N-glycans were found.
      Herein findings highlight possible relationships between the early onset
      psychiatric disturbance featuring CDD in the patient and defective protein
      sialylation in the CNS. In conclusion, the study first shows aberrant N-glycan
      structures of CSF proteins in LOTSD; unveils possible pathomechanisms of GM2
      gangliosidosis; supports existing relationships between neuropsychiatric
      disorders and unproper protein glycosylation in the CNS.

PMID- 26286103
TI  - The Wild West: Associations between mining and violence in Western Australia.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between mining activity and police
      reported assault offences across Western Australia. DESIGN: A cross-sectional
      multivariable negative binomial regression analysis at the local government area
      level. SETTING: Local government areas in Western Australia. PARTICIPANTS:
      Victims of reported assault offences occurring in 2008-2009. MAIN OUTCOME
      MEASURES: Eight reported assault measures by gender of victim and type of
      assault. The analysis controlled for a range of potentially confounding
      variables, including numbers of licensed outlets and alcohol sales. RESULTS:
      Compared with females in other areas, females in mining regions had a 64%
      increased risk of assault, a 59% increased risk of non-domestic assault and a
      136% increased risk of sexual assault. Risk of domestic assault was 64% higher
      for males in mining regions. CONCLUSIONS: Regions where mining is a major
      employer of people usually or temporarily residing in the area (i.e. usual
      residents or temporary fly-in fly-out residents) are associated with higher risk
      of assaults among females and domestic assaults among males, and these
      associations appear to be independent of licensed outlet numbers and alcohol
      sales. Mining communities appear to present a special case for the management and
      reduction of violence; public health and safety intervention needs to identify
      and address risk factors independent of alcohol use.

PMID- 26286104
TI  - Fast, sensitive and specific diagnosis of infections with Leishmania spp. in
      formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded skin biopsies by cytochrome b polymerase chain
      reaction.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Northern spread of sandflies and Leishmania spp. has been observed in
      Europe. Diagnosis can be difficult owing to the various clinical manifestations.
      Species identification is important for patient management and therapy. Molecular
      diagnostics is increasingly used for pan-Leishmania detection but species
      identification remains challenging in formalin-fixed material. OBJECTIVES: To
      apply cytochrome b (cytb) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing for
      identification of Leishmania species on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE)
      skin biopsies; and to identify species-specific histological patterns. METHODS:
      Sixty-nine biopsies (48 patients) diagnosed with leishmaniasis based on the
      presence of amastigotes in the tissue (n = 41) or granulomatous infiltrates with
      positive pan-Leishmania real-time PCR (n = 28) were analysed with cytb PCR,
      sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Histological sections were analysed;
      epidemiological data were collected. RESULTS: Cytb PCR identified Leishmania in
      all specimens: L. infantum (79%), L. major (8%), L. panamensis (4%), L. tropica
      (4%), L. killicki (2%) and L. aethiopica (2%). Of the detected species 95% were
      endemic to the country in which the infection was acquired. Amastigotes were
      found in 59%. Infiltrates were mainly tuberculoid granulomatous (65%),
      interstitial (15%) and sarcoidal (10%). Pseudolymphomatous features and
      pseudocarcinomatous hyperplasia were more common in L. major infections than in
      L. infantum (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Cytb PCR and sequencing is a fast, reliable
      and sensitive assay for identification of Leishmania spp. in FFPE biopsies.
      Leishmania infantum is the main cause of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Germany.
      Tuberculoid granulomas, other types of granulomas and pseudolymphomatous
      infiltrates may be encountered; the latter being indicative of infection with L.
      major.

PMID- 26286105
TI  - Case formulation in clinical practice: Associations with psychological
      mindedness, attachment and burnout in staff working with people experiencing
      psychosis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Case formulation can impact on therapeutic relationships, staff
      understanding and outcomes, which might be particularly important when working
      with complex mental health problems such as psychosis. However, the evidence base
      is equivocal and there is insufficient understanding around the staff-related
      factors that influence effective psychological case formulation. This study
      investigated the influence of staff characteristics (both professional and
      personal) on case formulation skill. DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional study,
      with all of the measures collected at the same time point. METHODS: Fifty staff
      members working on inpatient wards with individuals experiencing psychosis were
      recruited. Measures included independently rated case formulation skill and
      psychological mindedness (the ability to draw together aspects of thoughts,
      feelings and actions), both in relation to hypothetical cases. Self-report
      questionnaires assessed psychological mindedness, attachment styles, symptoms of
      burnout and professional qualifications. RESULTS: The preliminary analyses
      indicated that case formulation skill was associated with higher psychological
      mindedness (both self-reported and independently-rated) and lower levels of
      avoidant attachment styles. Simultaneous entry multiple regression demonstrated
      that the only independent predictor of case formulation skill was independently
      rated psychological mindedness. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the factors
      that contribute to staff's ability to case formulate and the possibility for
      services to develop psychological mindedness and case formulation skills through
      formal training, alongside fostering a psychological minded working environment.
      PRACTITIONER POINTS: Case formulation skill is positively associated with the
      personal ability (or inclination) to draw together aspects of experience in a
      psychological manner (i.e., psychological mindedness) It might also be important
      to consider avoidant attachment tendencies in relation to formulation skills The
      sample was relatively small and drawn from a limited number of services, which
      might reduce the generalizability of the findings Psychological mindedness might
      not be captured adequately by self-report tools and services may wish to employ
      more novel ways of assessing this important skill in staff groups (such as the
      speech sample used in the current study).

PMID- 26286106
TI  - Tissue-engineered tubular substitutions for urinary diversion in a rabbit model.
AB  - Clinically, autologous gastrointestinal segments are traditionally used for
      urinary diversion. However, this procedure often causes many serious
      complications. Tissue engineering may provide an alternative treatment method in
      urinary diversion. This research aims to produce tissue-engineered tubular
      substitutions by using homologous adipose-derived stem cells, smooth muscle
      cells, and bladder acellular matrix in developing urinary diversion in a rabbit
      model. Adipose-derived stem cells and smooth muscle cells of rabbit were obtained
      and cultured in vitro. These cultured adipose-derived stem cells and smooth
      muscle cells were seeded onto the two sides of the bladder acellular matrix and
      then incubated for seven days. The cell-seeded matrix was used to build tissue
      engineered tubular substitutions, which were then implanted and wrapped into the
      omentum in vivo for two weeks to promote angiogenesis. In the experimental group,
      the bladder of 20 rabbits was totally resected, and the above tissue-engineered
      tubular substitutions were used for urinary diversion. In the control group,
      bladder acellular matrix tubular substitutions with unseeded cells were implanted
      into the omentum and were used as urinary diversion on another five rabbits with
      the same process. The implants were harvested, and histological examination was
      conducted at 2, 4, 8, and 16 weeks after operation. Intravenous urography
      assessment was performed at 16 weeks postoperatively. All the rabbits were alive
      in the experimental group until they were sacrificed. Histological analysis of
      the construct displayed the presence of multilayer urothelial cells on the
      luminal side and organized smooth muscle tissue on the other side, and different
      diameters of neovascularization were clearly identified in the substitutions
      obtained. No leakage, stricture, or obstructions were noted with intravenous
      urography assessment. All the animals in the control group died within two weeks,
      and urine leakage, scar formation, and inflammation were detected through
      autopsy. This study demonstrates the feasibility of tissue-engineered tubular
      substitutions constructed using homologous adipose-derived stem cells, smooth
      muscle cells, and bladder acellular matrix for urinary diversion in a rabbit
      model. 

PMID- 26286108
TI  - Effects of Hydrogen Peroxide and Metrifonate on Monogenean ligictaluridus
      floridanus on Catfish ( Ictalurus punctatus , Rafinesque) Gills.
AB  - Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and metrifonate (Mtf) are common products used in
      ectoparasite infestations on fish cultures. The therapeutic efficacy of H2O2 and
      Mtf on a common monogenean parasite, Ligictaluridus floridanus, was evaluated in
      channel catfish ( Ictalurus punctatus ). In vitro trials were conducted using
      excised fish gills naturally infected with L. floridanus, which were immersed in
      H2O2 (150, 300, and 570 mg L(-1)) and Mtf (0.25, 0.5, and 0.75 mg L(-1))
      solutions. The efficacy of the treatments was based on the survival time of the
      parasites, observed microscopically. In addition, an in vivo trial using catfish
      juveniles, naturally infected with L. floridanus, was also performed. One group
      received immersion baths of 570 mg L(-1) H2O2 (3%) during 4 min; the Mtf (90%)
      group received 0.5 mg L(-1) Mtf for 10 min. Treatments were done on days 3, 7,
      and 11 of the experiment. Results indicate that baths with Mtf do not
      significantly reduce the mean intensity of the parasite per gill arch, nor do
      they reduce the in vitro survival time of parasites during treatment; H2O2 baths
      at 570 mg L(-1) during 4 min were effective (P < 0.05) against adult and juvenile
      stages of L. floridanus. This study supports the use of H2O2 as an effective
      antiparasitic agent against I. punctatus . 

PMID- 26286109
TI  - The cricothyroid joint in elderly Japanese individuals.
AB  - Using 15 cricothyroid joint (CT joint) specimens obtained from donated cadavers
      of elderly individuals, we examined the morphologies of the ceratocricoid
      ligaments as well as the synovial tissue. The ligaments consistently contained
      abundant elastic fibers: the fibers tended to be straight on the anterior side in
      contrast to a mesh-like arrangement on the posterior side. Thick and/or long
      synovial folds were often evident in the CT joint. The synovial tissue usually
      contained CD68-positive macrophages, but the positive cells were often restricted
      to certain parts of the tissue. Factor VIII-positive capillaries were present but
      few in number, and CD3- or IgM-positive lymphocytes were absent in the synovial
      tissue. Degenerative changes in the joint cartilage, such as roughness or
      thinning, were often present, but no cartilage defects were evident. Therefore,
      in contrast to the small, non-weight-bearing joints of the musculoskeletal
      system, we considered the degeneration of the CT joint to be a specific, silent
      form of osteoarthritis. For high-pitched phonation and ossification of the
      laryngeal cartilage, the CT joint in elderly individuals seemed to maintain its
      anterior gliding and rotation with the aid of elastic fiber-rich tissues
      compensating for the loss of congruity between the joint cartilage surfaces. 

PMID- 26286107
TI  - A novel dopamine transporter transgenic mouse line for identification and
      purification of midbrain dopaminergic neurons reveals midbrain heterogeneity.
AB  - Midbrain dopaminergic (DAergic) neurons are a heterogeneous cell group, composed
      of functionally distinct cell populations projecting to the basal ganglia,
      prefrontal cortex and limbic system. Despite their functional significance, the
      midbrain population of DAergic neurons is sparse, constituting only 20 000-30 000
      neurons in mice, and development of novel tools to identify these cells is
      warranted. Here, a bacterial artificial chromosome mouse line [Dat1-enhanced
      green fluorescent protein (eGFP)] from the Gene Expression Nervous System Atlas
      (GENSAT) that expresses eGFP under control of the dopamine transporter (DAT)
      promoter was characterized. Confocal microscopy analysis of brain sections showed
      strong eGFP signal reporter in midbrain regions and striatal terminals that co
      localized with the DAergic markers DAT and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). Thorough
      quantification of co-localization of the eGFP reporter signal with DAT and TH in
      the ventral midbrain showed that a vast majority of eGFP-expressing neurons are
      DAergic. Importantly, expression profiles also revealed DAergic heterogeneity
      when comparing substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area. Dat1-eGFP mice showed
      neither change in synaptosomal DA uptake nor altered levels of DAT and TH in both
      striatum and midbrain. No behavioural difference between Dat1-eGFP and wild-type
      was found, suggesting that the strain is not aberrant. Finally, cell populations
      highly enriched in DAergic neurons can be obtained from postnatal mice by
      fluorescence-activated cell sorting and the sorted neurons can be cultured in
      vitro. The current investigation demonstrates that eGFP expression in this mouse
      line is selective for DAergic neurons, suggesting that the Dat1-eGFP mouse strain
      constitutes a promising tool for delineating new aspects of DA biology. 

PMID- 26286110
TI  - Congenital malformations of the ureter: anatomical studies.
AB  - The ureter is a derivate of the Wolffian mesonephric duct and undergoes complex
      changes during development. The most common developmental anomaly is complete
      duplication of the ureter. Duplication of the ureter may be complete or
      incomplete. Incomplete duplication of ureter is well known as bifid ureter.
      Presence of various anomalies of the ureter is associated with increased risk of
      urinary tract infections and many other clinical complications. 

PMID- 26286111
TI  - Added value of a single-energy projection-based metal-artifact reduction
      algorithm for the computed tomography evaluation of oral cavity cancers.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of our study was to investigate the added value of the
      single-energy projection-based metallic artifact reduction (SEMAR) technique on
      the visualization and diagnostic confidence of oral cavity cancers. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: Contrast-enhanced CT was performed on 40 patients with dental metalwork.
      Of these, 18 patients had pathologically confirmed oral cavity cancer, and the
      other 22 patients had no lesions. CT attenuation and noise in the oral cavity
      were compared between the conventional and SEMAR images. Two radiologists
      visually graded the diagnostic confidence on a 5-point scale from 1 (definitely
      absent) to 5 (definitely present). The value of the SEMAR was assessed in a
      receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis. RESULTS: The artifact of the
      SEMAR images was significantly lower than that of the conventional images (38.4
      +/- 18.0 HU vs. 187.7 +/- 162.7 HU; P < 0.01). Reviewers 1 and 2 detected 10 and
      7 more lesions with the SEMAR, respectively. Areas under the curve for the
      conventional and SEMAR reconstruction were 0.761 and 0.942, respectively, for
      reviewer 1 and 0.701 and 0.864, respectively, for reviewer 2. CONCLUSION: The
      SEMAR significantly improved the oral cavity cancer visualization and diagnostic
      confidence.

PMID- 26286112
TI  - Gene looping facilitates TFIIH kinase-mediated termination of transcription.
AB  - TFIIH is a general transcription factor with kinase and helicase activities. The
      kinase activity resides in the Kin28 subunit of TFIIH. The role of Kin28 kinase
      in the early steps of transcription is well established. Here we report a novel
      role of Kin28 in the termination of transcription. We show that RNAPII reads
      through a termination signal upon kinase inhibition. Furthermore, the recruitment
      of termination factors towards the 3' end of a gene was compromised in the kinase
      mutant, thus confirming the termination defect. A concomitant decrease in
      crosslinking of termination factors near the 5' end of genes was also observed in
      the kinase-defective mutant. Simultaneous presence of termination factors towards
      both the ends of a gene is indicative of gene looping; while the loss of
      termination factor occupancy from the distal ends suggest the abolition of a
      looped gene conformation. Accordingly, CCC analysis revealed that the looped
      architecture of genes was severely compromised in the Kin28 kinase mutant. In a
      looping defective sua7-1 mutant, even the enzymatically active Kin28 kinase could
      not rescue the termination defect. These results strongly suggest a crucial role
      of Kin28 kinase-dependent gene looping in the termination of transcription in
      budding yeast. 

PMID- 26286113
TI  - Risk and management of venous thromboembolisms in bevacizumab-treated metastatic
      colorectal cancer patients.
AB  - PURPOSE: Bevacizumab may potentiate the risk of venous thromboembolisms (VTEs) in
      cancer patients, who are already predisposed to pro-thrombotic states. We aimed
      to characterize the incidence of VTEs in a population-based cohort of metastatic
      colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients treated with bevacizumab, describe patient and
      treatment factors associated with VTEs, and examine how VTEs are managed.
      METHODS: Patients diagnosed with mCRC from 2006 to 2009 and offered bevacizumab
      were included. Descriptive statistics were used to describe VTE occurrences and
      management. Univariate and multivariate regression models were constructed to
      explore associations between clinical factors and VTEs. RESULTS: We identified
      541 mCRC patients: 27 never started bevacizumab and 15 were lost to follow-up. Of
      the 499 evaluable patients, median age was 61, 59.3% were men, 88.1% had ECOG
      0/1, and 5.2% reported previous VTEs. Mean number of bevacizumab doses was 13.3
      cycles. After receiving bevacizumab, 81 patients developed 93 cases of VTEs, with
      9 patients experiencing >1 event. Individuals who experienced VTEs were more
      likely to have had pre-existing cardiovascular disease (OR 2.259, p = 0.0245),
      resection of primary cancer (OR 3.262, p = 0.0269), pre-chemotherapy platelet
      count >=350,000/MUL (OR 2.295, p = 0.0293), and received >12 bevacizumab cycles
      (OR 2.172, p = 0.0158). Use of bevacizumab varied after occurrence of VTE where
      it was discontinued in 34.4%, continued in 34.4%, and temporarily held in 1.1%.
      CONCLUSIONS: VTE risk can be high, especially in patients with specific pre
      treatment risk factors as well as in those who received more bevacizumab,
      suggesting a potential dose-related effect. Management of bevacizumab-related
      VTEs was variable.

PMID- 26286114
TI  - Alpha-ring Independent Assembly of the 20S Proteasome.
AB  - Archaeal proteasomes share many features with their eukaryotic counterparts and
      serve as important models for assembly. Proteasomes are also found in certain
      bacterial lineages yet their assembly mechanism is thought to be fundamentally
      different. Here we investigate alpha-ring formation using recombinant proteasomes
      from the archaeon Methanococcus maripaludis. Through an engineered disulfide
      cross-linking strategy, we demonstrate that double alpha-rings are structurally
      analogous to half-proteasomes and can form independently of single alpha-rings.
      More importantly, via targeted mutagenesis, we show that single alpha-rings are
      not required for the efficient assembly of 20S proteasomes. Our data support
      updating the currently held "alpha-ring first" view of assembly, initially
      proposed in studies of archaeal proteasomes, and present a way to reconcile the
      seemingly separate bacterial assembly mechanism with the rest of the proteasome
      realm. We suggest that a common assembly network underpins the absolutely
      conserved architecture of proteasomes across all domains of life. 

PMID- 26286115
TI  - Improved survival in adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in the
      Netherlands: a population-based study on treatment, trial participation and
      survival.
AB  - This nationwide population-based study assessed trends in treatment, trial
      participation and survival among 1833 adult patients diagnosed with acute
      lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in the Netherlands between 1989 and 2012 reported to
      the Netherlands Cancer Registry. Patients were categorized into four periods and
      five age groups (18-24, 25-39, 40-59, 60-69 and ?70 years). The application of
      allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT), particularly reduced-intensity
      conditioning (RIC) alloSCT, increased over time up to age 70 years. The inclusion
      rate in the trials was 67, 66, 55, 58 and 0% for the five age groups. Survival
      improved over time for patients below 70 years. Five-year relative survival in
      the period 2007-2012 was 75, 57, 37, 22 and 5% for the five age groups. In that
      same period, 5-year overall survival among patients aged 18-39 years was 68% for
      the chemotherapy-alone group and 66% for the alloSCT group. For patients aged 40
      69 years, the corresponding estimates were 24 and 41%. Pronounced survival
      improvement observed among patients aged 18-39 years might mainly be explained by
      implementation of pediatric-based regimens since 2005, whereas among patients
      aged 40-69 years, increased application of RIC-alloSCT has contributed
      significantly to the observed improvement. Outcome of patients aged ?70 remains
      unsatisfactory, indicating a need for specific trials for the elderly. 

PMID- 26286118
TI  - Reply: Is the pot calling the kettle black?

PMID- 26286116
TI  - Blocking the ZZ domain of sequestosome1/p62 suppresses myeloma growth and
      osteoclast formation in vitro and induces dramatic bone formation in myeloma
      bearing bones in vivo.
AB  - We reported that p62 (sequestosome 1) serves as a signaling hub in bone marrow
      stromal cells (BMSCs) for the formation of signaling complexes, including
      NFkappaB, p38MAPK and JNK, that are involved in the increased osteoclastogenesis
      and multiple myeloma (MM) cell growth induced by BMSCs that are key contributors
      to multiple myeloma bone disease (MMBD), and demonstrated that the ZZ domain of
      p62 (p62-ZZ) is required for BMSC enhancement of MMBD. We recently identified a
      novel p62-ZZ inhibitor, XRK3F2, which inhibits MM cell growth and BMSC growth
      enhancement of human MM cells. In the current study, we evaluate the relative
      specificity of XRK3F2 for p62-ZZ, characterize XRK3F2's capacity to inhibit
      growth of primary MM cells and human MM cell lines, and test the in vivo effects
      of XRK3F2 in the immunocompetent 5TGM1 MM model. We found that XRK3F2 induces
      dramatic cortical bone formation that is restricted to MM containing bones and
      blocked the effects and upregulation of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha),
      an osteoblast (OB) differentiation inhibitor that is increased in the MM bone
      marrow microenvironment and utilizes signaling complexes formed on p62-ZZ, in
      BMSC. Interestingly, XRK3F2 had no effect on non-MM bearing bone. These results
      demonstrate that targeting p62 in MM models has profound effects on MMBD. 

PMID- 26286119
TI  - Is the pot calling the kettle black?

PMID- 26286117
TI  - Immunosuppressive human anti-CD83 monoclonal antibody depletion of activated
      dendritic cells in transplantation.
AB  - Current immunosuppressive/anti-inflammatory agents target the responding effector
      arm of the immune response and their nonspecific action increases the risk of
      infection and malignancy. These effects impact on their use in allogeneic
      haematopoietic cell transplantation and other forms of transplantation.
      Interventions that target activated dendritic cells (DCs) have the potential to
      suppress the induction of undesired immune responses (for example, graft versus
      host disease (GVHD) or transplant rejection) and to leave protective T-cell
      immune responses intact (for example, cytomegalovirus (CMV) immunity). We
      developed a human IgG1 monoclonal antibody (mAb), 3C12, specific for CD83, which
      is expressed on activated but not resting DC. The 3C12 mAb and an affinity
      improved version, 3C12C, depleted CD83(+) cells by CD16(+) NK cell-mediated
      antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, and inhibited allogeneic T-cell
      proliferation in vitro. A single dose of 3C12C prevented human peripheral blood
      mononuclear cell-induced acute GVHD in SCID mouse recipients. The mAb 3C12C
      depleted CMRF-44(+)CD83(bright) activated DC but spared CD83(dim/-) DC in vivo.
      It reduced human T-cell activation in vivo and maintained the proportion of
      CD4(+) FoxP3(+) CD25(+) Treg cells and also viral-specific CD8(+) T cells. The
      anti-CD83 mAb, 3C12C, merits further evaluation as a new immunosuppressive agent
      in transplantation. 

PMID- 26286120
TI  - Improved Techniques for Endoscopic Mucosal Resection (EMR) in Colorectal Adenoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Endoscopic therapy of colorectal adenomas and early cancers is a
      standard method. Besides oncological criteria, the method is limited by polyp
      location, size, and texture. METHOD: Based on the current literature, technical
      modifications and developments in endoscopic mucosal resection are described.
      RESULTS: Numerous approaches exist to improve the conditions of resection,
      including optimisation of mucosal elevation and modification of techniques,
      tools, and devices. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic therapy of sessile and flat colorectal
      polyps remains a challenge. Some of the presented modifications can help to
      address this challenge.

PMID- 26286121
TI  - Removal of oesophageal foreign bodies: comparison between oesophagoscopy and
      oesophagotomy in 39 dogs.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To compare complication rates and outcomes after removal of
      oesophageal foreign bodies by endoscopy or by oesophagotomy. METHODS:
      Retrospective evaluation of medical records of dogs with oesophageal foreign
      bodies treated by endoscopy and/or oesophagotomy. Postoperative clinical signs,
      management, length of hospitalisation, type and rate of complications, and time
      interval to return to eating conventional diet were compared. RESULTS: Thirty
      nine dogs diagnosed with oesophageal foreign bodies between 1999 and 2011 were
      included in the study. Most common breeds included West Highland white terrier,
      Jack Russell terrier and shih-tzu. Successful endoscopic removal was possible in
      24 out of 32 cases (Group 1), while surgical removal was successful in 15 out of
      15 cases (7 of which had unsuccessful attempts at endoscopic removal) (Group 2).
      Length of hospitalisation, time to removal of gastrostomy tube and time to eat
      conventional diet did not differ between the groups. After foreign body removal,
      the incidence of oesophagitis, oesophageal stricture and perforation observed
      during repeated endoscopy were similar between the groups. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
      In this retrospective study, removal of oesophageal foreign bodies either by
      oesophagoscopy or oesophagotomy had a similar outcome.

PMID- 26286122
TI  - Ir(III)-Catalyzed Oxidative Coupling of NH Isoquinolones with Benzoquinone.
AB  - The oxidative coupling reactions of NH isoquinolones with 1,4-benzoquinone
      proceeded efficiently to form spiro compounds in the presence of an Ir(III)
      catalyst through C-H activation. The reactions have a broad range of substrates,
      with nearly quantitative yields, without the use of external oxidants. For 1,4
      naphthoquinone and other substituted 1,4-benzoquinone substrates the reactions
      also gave high yields with Cu(OAc)2.H2O as an external oxidant. A catalytically
      competent five-membered iridacycle has been isolated and structurally
      characterized, thus revealing a key intermediate in the catalytic cycle. 

PMID- 26286123
TI  - A Branching Process to Characterize the Dynamics of Stem Cell Differentiation.
AB  - The understanding of the regulatory processes that orchestrate stem cell
      maintenance is a cornerstone in developmental biology. Here, we present a
      mathematical model based on a branching process formalism that predicts average
      rates of proliferative and differentiative divisions in a given stem cell
      population. In the context of vertebrate neurogenesis, the model predicts complex
      non-monotonic variations in the rates of pp, pd and dd modes of division as well
      as in cell cycle length, in agreement with experimental results. Moreover, the
      model shows that the differentiation probability follows a binomial distribution,
      allowing us to develop equations to predict the rates of each mode of division. A
      phenomenological simulation of the developing spinal cord informed with the
      average cell cycle length and division rates predicted by the mathematical model
      reproduces the correct dynamics of proliferation and differentiation in terms of
      average numbers of progenitors and differentiated cells. Overall, the present
      mathematical framework represents a powerful tool to unveil the changes in the
      rate and mode of division of a given stem cell pool by simply quantifying numbers
      of cells at different times. 

PMID- 26286124
TI  - Does follow-up offer the best quality of life for patients affected by so-called
      'giant' haemangiomas of the liver?

PMID- 26286126
TI  - Tumour, Oxidative Stress and Host T Cell Response: Cementing the Dominance.
AB  - Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and free radicals are produced intrinsically during
      normal cellular metabolic processes or extrinsically due to ionizing radiations,
      UV rays, xenobiotic insult, etc. ROS are important signal mediators and are used
      by the immune system to destroy pathogens, but as these are highly reactive, they
      also have the capacity to cause DNA damage and alter protein and lipid components
      of a cell. As a result, cells have evolved a tight regulation of internal redox
      environment that involves a balanced interplay between free radicals produced and
      quenched by cellular antioxidants and enzyme systems. Any deregulation of this
      subtle balance can result in oxidative stress that can lead to various
      pathological conditions including cancer. Oxidative stress can be a cause of
      neoplasia, or it can be induced by a growing tumour itself. The link existing
      between oxidative stress and inflammation is also very strong. Suppressed
      cellular immune system, especially effector T cell system, is a characteristic of
      tumour-bearing host. Both the direct oxidative stress caused by tumour cell(s)
      and oxidative stress mediators present in tumour microenvironment play a
      significant role in the suppression of effector T cell function and induction of
      T cell death. This review discusses in detail the complex interplay between
      tumour-stroma-immune system in the light of oxidative stress that dominates every
      phase of cancer including initiation, progression and establishment. This review
      also addresses in detail the mechanisms of oxidative stress-induced T cell
      dysfunction in tumour-bearing host and also briefly points out the possible
      therapeutic interventions. 

PMID- 26286127
TI  - Rainfall, runoff and sediment transport in a Mediterranean mountainous catchment.
AB  - The relation between rainfall, runoff, erosion and sediment transport is highly
      variable in Mediterranean catchments. Their relation can be modified by land use
      changes and climate oscillations that, ultimately, will control water and
      sediment yields. This paper analyses rainfall, runoff and sediment transport
      relations in a meso-scale Mediterranean mountain catchment, the Ribera Salada (NE
      Iberian Peninsula). A total of 73 floods recorded between November 2005 and
      November 2008 at the Inglabaga Sediment Transport Station (114.5 km(2)) have been
      analysed. Suspended sediment transport and flow discharge were measured
      continuously. Rainfall data was obtained by means of direct rain gauges and daily
      rainfall reconstructions from radar information. Results indicate that the annual
      sediment yield (2.3 t km(-1) y(-1) on average) and the flood-based runoff
      coefficients (4.1% on average) are low. The Ribera Salada presents a low
      geomorphological and hydrological activity compared with other Mediterranean
      mountain catchments. Pearson correlations between rainfall, runoff and sediment
      transport variables were obtained. The hydrological response of the catchment is
      controlled by the base flows. The magnitude of suspended sediment concentrations
      is largely correlated with flood magnitude, while sediment load is correlated
      with the amount of direct runoff. Multivariate analysis shows that total
      suspended load can be predicted by integrating rainfall and runoff variables. The
      total direct runoff is the variable with more weight in the equation. Finally,
      three main hydro-sedimentary phases within the hydrological year are defined in
      this catchment: (a) Winter, where the catchment produces only water and very
      little sediment; (b) Spring, where the majority of water and sediment is
      produced; and (c) Summer-Autumn, when little runoff is produced but significant
      amount of sediments is exported out of the catchment. Results show as land use
      and climate change may have an important role in modifying the cycles of water
      and sediment yields in Mediterranean mountain catchments.

PMID- 26286125
TI  - Coagulation factor XII genetic variation, ex vivo thrombin generation, and stroke
      risk in the elderly: results from the Cardiovascular Health Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The relationships of thrombin generation (TG) with cardiovascular
      disease risk are underevaluated in population-based cohorts. OBJECTIVES: To
      evaluate the relationships of TG influenced by the contact and tissue factor
      coagulation pathways ex vivo with common single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)
      and incident cardiovascular disease and stroke. PATIENTS/METHODS: We measured
      peak TG (pTG) in baseline plasma samples of Cardiovascular Health Study
      participants (n = 5411), both with and without inhibitory anti-factor XIa
      antibody (pTG/FXIa(-) ). We evaluated their associations with ~ 50 000 SNPs by
      using the IBCv2 genotyping array, and with incident cardiovascular disease and
      stroke events over a median follow-up of 13.2 years. RESULTS: The minor allele
      for an SNP in the FXII gene (F12), rs1801020, was associated with lower pTG in
      European-Americans (beta = - 34.2 +/- 3.5 nm; P = 3.3 * 10(-22) ; minor allele
      frequency [MAF] = 0.23) and African-Americans (beta = - 31.1 +/- 7.9 nm; P = 9.0
      * 10(-5) ; MAF = 0.42). Lower FXIa-independent pTG (pTG/FXIa(-) ) was associated
      with the F12 rs1801020 minor allele, and higher pTG/FXIa(-) was associated with
      the ABO SNP rs657152 minor allele (beta = 16.3 nm; P = 4.3 * 10(-9) ; MAF =
      0.37). The risk factor-adjusted ischemic stroke hazard ratios were 1.09 (95%
      confidence interval CI 1.01-1.17; P = 0.03) for pTG, 1.06 (95% CI 0.98-1.15; P =
      0.17) for pTG/FXIa(-) , and 1.11 (95% CI 1.02-1.21; P = 0.02) for FXIa-dependent
      pTG (pTG/FXIa(+) ), per one standard deviation increment (n = 834 ischemic
      strokes). In a multicohort candidate gene analysis, rs1801020 was not associated
      with incident ischemic stroke (beta = - 0.02; standard error = 0.08; P = 0.81).
      CONCLUSIONS: These results support the importance of contact activation pathway
      dependent TG as a risk factor for ischemic stroke, and indicate the importance of
      F12 SNPs for TG ex vivo and in vivo.

PMID- 26286128
TI  - Efficacy of a brief manualized intervention Managing Cancer and Living
      Meaningfully (CALM) adapted to German cancer care settings: study protocol for a
      randomized controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although psycho-oncological interventions have been shown to
      significantly reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression and enhance quality of
      life, a substantial number of patients with advanced cancer do not receive psycho
      oncological interventions tailored to their individual situation. Given the lack
      of reliable data on the efficacy of psycho-oncological interventions in
      palliative care settings, we aim to examine the efficacy of a brief, manualized
      individual psychotherapy for patients with advanced cancer: Managing Cancer and
      Living Meaningfully (CALM). CALM aims to reduce depression and death anxiety, to
      strengthen communication with health care providers, and to enhance hope and
      meaning in life. We adapted the intervention for German cancer care settings.
      METHODS/DESIGN: We use a single-blinded randomized-controlled trial design with
      two treatment conditions: intervention group (IG, CALM) and control group (CG).
      Patients in the CG receive a usual non-manualized supportive psycho-oncological
      intervention (SPI). Patients are randomized between the IG and CG and assessed at
      baseline (t0), after three (t1) and after 6 months (t2). We include patients with
      a malignant solid tumor who have tumor stages of III or IV (UICC classification).
      Patients who are included in the study are at least 18 years old, speak German
      fluently, score greater than or equal to nine on the PHQ-9 or/and greater than or
      equal to five on the Distress Thermometer. It is further necessary that there is
      no evidence of severe cognitive impairments. We measure depression, anxiety,
      distress, quality of life, demoralization, symptom distress, fatigue as well as
      spiritual well-being, posttraumatic growth and close relationship experiences
      using validated questionnaires. We hypothesize that patients in the IG will show
      a significantly lower level of depression 6 months after baseline compared to
      patients in the CG. We further hypothesize a significant reduction in anxiety and
      fatigue as well as significant improvements in psychological and spiritual well
      being, meaning and post-traumatic growth in the IG compared to CG 6 months after
      baseline. DISCUSSION: Our study will contribute important statistical evidence on
      whether CALM can reduce depression and existential distress in a German sample of
      advanced and highly distressed cancer patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION:
      ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02051660.

PMID- 26286130
TI  - Preoperative embolization of mediastinal Castleman's disease presenting with
      stroke.

PMID- 26286129
TI  - Gender disparities of chronic musculoskeletal disorder burden in the elderly
      Ghanaian population: study on global ageing and adult health (SAGE WAVE 1).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Traditionally, non-communicable diseases including musculoskeletal
      disorders have not been a priority in low-and-middle income countries. The main
      aim of this paper is to assess age and gender specific burden by estimating the
      current prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and associated risk factors in
      the elderly Ghanaian population. METHODS: Between May 2007 and June 2008, the
      World Health Organization conducted a nationwide study on AGEing (SAGE) and Adult
      Health in Ghana. The study employed a multistage cluster sampling strategy to
      identify participants by stratifying the population by age and setting. A
      structured questionnaire was used for data collection. A Poisson regression model
      was fitted with robust error variance. Prevalence estimates took into account the
      complex survey design and sampling weights. Statistical significance was
      considered at p <= 0.05 significance level. Statistical analysis was performed
      with STATA version 11.2. RESULTS: The prevalence rates of chronic back pain and
      chronic arthritis/joints pain were higher in women than men. The overall crude
      prevalence's rates were 28.2 and 10.7% for chronic back pain and chronic
      arthritis/joints pain respectively. Substantial differences existed between men
      and women in terms of socio-economic status, education level and occupational
      status. Women with primary education had a chronic back pain prevalence of 36.2%
      (95% CI; 29.2, 43.3) and chronic arthritis/joints pain prevalence of 15.8% (95%
      CI; 11.1, 20.6) while their male counterparts had prevalence rates of 29.0% (95%
      CI; 23.4, 34.5) and 9.8% (95% CI; 6.4, 13.2) respectively. Residence (rural and
      urban) did not appear to influence the prevalence of chronic back pain and
      arthritis/joints pain. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest the existence of sex
      differences in chronic back pain and chronic arthritis/joint pain in the elderly
      population in Ghana after adjustment for demographic and socio-economic factors.
      It indicates the existence of inequalities in health between elderly men and
      women with women suffering more from chronic back pain and chronic
      arthritis/joints pain.

PMID- 26286131
TI  - Successful i-gel insertion combined with Macintosh laryngoscope with a swollen
      tonsil.

PMID- 26286132
TI  - Guide wire loss after central venous catheterization: a preventable complication!

PMID- 26286133
TI  - A simple diagnostic test to confirm correct intravascular placement of peripheral
      catheters in order to avoid extravasation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Intravenous catheters are ubiquitous among modern medical management
      of patients, yet misplaced or tissued cannulas can result in serious iatrogenic
      injury due to infiltration or extravasation of injectate. Prevention is
      difficult, and currently few reliable tests exist to confirm intravascular
      placement of catheters in awake spontaneously breathing patients. METHODS: Twenty
      conscious spontaneously breathing healthy volunteers were injected with 50 mL
      normal saline and 50 mL 4.2%, or 50 mL 2.1%, or 20 mL 4.2% sodium bicarbonate in
      a random order. A blinded anesthetist observed continuous sampling of exhaled
      carbon dioxide and was asked to differentiate between the sodium bicarbonate and
      saline injections. Peak increase in measured exhaled carbon dioxide was also
      calculated. RESULTS: Exhaled carbon dioxide increased significantly in
      participants injected with intravenous sodium bicarbonate. Mean peak increase was
      7.4 mm Hg (+/-2.1 mm Hg) for 50 mL 4.2% sodium bicarbonate, 4.7 mm Hg (+/-2.5 mm
      Hg) for 20 mL 4.2% sodium bicarbonate, and 3.5 mm Hg (+/-1. 8 mm Hg) for 50 mL
      2.1% sodium bicarbonate. The blinded observer correctly identified the injection
      as sodium bicarbonate or normal saline in every instance. DISCUSSION: Intravenous
      injection of dilute sodium bicarbonate with exhaled carbon dioxide monitoring
      reliably confirms correct intravascular placement of a catheter. A transient
      increase of exhaled carbon dioxide by 10% or more is an objective and reliable
      confirmation of intravascular location of the catheter. We recommend using 20 mL
      of 4.2% sodium bicarbonate to minimize the mEq dose of sodium bicarbonate
      required.

PMID- 26286134
TI  - Postdural puncture headache and epidural blood patch use in elderly patients.
AB  - STUDY OBJECTIVE: Postdural puncture headache is a known complication after lumbar
      puncture. In elderly patients, postdural puncture headache necessitating epidural
      blood patch is considered rare. The literature assessing the use and safety of
      epidural blood patch in the elderly is sparse; therefore, in the present study,
      the use and efficacy of epidural blood patch in patients 65 years or older was
      evaluated. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Two tertiary and one secondary
      hospital in Finland. PATIENTS: The Information System Patient Measures Databases
      were interrogated to identify patients 65 years or older in whom epidural blood
      patch was performed between 2000 and 2011. INTERVENTIONS AND MEASUREMENTS: The
      patients' medical records were reviewed for the patient demographics, details of
      lumbar puncture, postdural puncture headache and other symptoms, conservative
      treatment, and efficacy and complications of epidural blood patch procedure. MAIN
      RESULTS: A total of 40 patients had epidural blood patch. Their age varied
      between 65 and 82 years, and 17 were men. The indications for lumbar puncture
      were as follows: diagnostic (n = 15), therapeutic (n = 1), spinal anesthesia (n =
      15), epidural anesthesia/analgesia (n = 5), and combined spinal-epidural
      anesthesia (n = 4). Most epidural blood patches were performed between 3 and 5
      days (1-20 days) after lumbar puncture. In 34 (85%) patients, epidural blood
      patch provided a complete and persistent relief of symptoms. In 2 patients, the
      outcome data were not available, and in 4 patients, symptoms were slightly (n =
      3) or not (n = 1) relieved with epidural blood patch. Conservative treatment was
      then provided. CONCLUSIONS: The elderly may also develop postdural puncture
      headache, and epidural blood patch is an effective and well-tolerated treatment
      of persistent and severe symptoms.

PMID- 26286135
TI  - Comparison of the phlebotomine (Diptera: Psychodidae) fauna of urban,
      transitional, and wild areas in northern Minas Gerais, Brazil.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Phlebotomines are directly related to the study of leishmaniases, and
      so the study of their distribution plays an important role in the epidemiology of
      these diseases. Collections of phlebotomines were made with the intent of
      comparing the distribution, richness, diversity, and abundance of species in
      three distinct environments in an area endemic for tegumentary and visceral
      leishmaniasis in Minas Gerais State, Brazil. METHODS: Phlebotomines were
      collected with automatic light traps in urban, transitional, and wild areas from
      March 2013 to February 2014 in the district of Barra do Guaicui, municipality of
      Varzea da Palma, Minas Gerais. The distribution patterns of these species of
      insects, as well as species richness, evenness, and abundance among the different
      areas, were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 3,365 phlebotomines belonging to 15
      species were collected. The urban area had the greatest abundance whereas the
      transitional area had the greatest diversity and evenness of species. Nyssomyia
      intermedia was the most abundant species in the urban area, whereas Evandromyia
      evandroi was the most abundant in the transitional area and Ev. lenti in the wild
      area. CONCLUSION: The analysis of our results showed that the distribution of the
      collected species had distinct profiles between the environments studied.
      Furthermore our study indicates the potential risk of transmission of
      leishmaniasis in the urban environment where it was observed had the highest
      population density and abundance of important vector species of Leishmania.

PMID- 26286136
TI  - Inducible knockout of Mef2a, -c, and -d from nestin-expressing stem/progenitor
      cells and their progeny unexpectedly uncouples neurogenesis and dendritogenesis
      in vivo.
AB  - Myocyte enhancer factor (Mef)-2 transcription factors are implicated in activity
      dependent neuronal processes during development, but the role of MEF2 in neural
      stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) in the adult brain is unknown. We used a transgenic
      mouse in which Mef2a, -c, and -d were inducibly deleted in adult nestin
      expressing NSPCs and their progeny. Recombined cells in the hippocampal granule
      cell layer were visualized and quantified by yellow fluorescent protein (YFP)
      expression. In control mice, postmitotic neurons expressed Mef2a, -c, and -d,
      whereas type 1 stem cells and proliferating progenitors did not. Based on this
      expression, we hypothesized that Mef2a, -c, and -d deletion in adult nestin
      expressing NSPCs and their progeny would result in fewer mature neurons. Control
      mice revealed an increase in YFP(+) neurons and dendrite formation over time.
      Contrary to our hypothesis, inducible Mef2 KO mice also displayed an increase in
      YFP(+) neurons over time-but with significantly stunted dendrites-suggesting an
      uncoupling of neuron survival and dendritogenesis. We also found non-cell
      autonomous effects after Mef2a, -c, and -d deletion. These in vivo findings
      indicate a surprising functional role for Mef2a, -c, and -d in cell- and non-cell
      autonomous control of adult hippocampal neurogenesis that is distinct from its
      role during development.

PMID- 26286137
TI  - Yoga's effect on inflammatory biomarkers and metabolic risk factors in a high
      risk population - a controlled trial in primary care.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Yoga can reduce blood pressure and has also been suggested to reduce
      inflammatory biomarkers and metabolic risk factors for cardiovascular diseases
      (CVDs). We aimed to assess the benefit of two yoga interventions on inflammatory
      biomarkers and metabolic risk factors in a high risk population in primary care.
      METHODS: Adult patients from a health care center in Sweden, with diagnosed
      hypertension, were invited to undergo a baseline check at the health care center.
      Baseline check included standardized blood pressure measurement, BMI and weight
      circumference measurements, blood sampling (hs-CRP, IL-6, FP-glucose, HbA1c,
      cholesterol, TG, LDL and HDL) and a questionnaire on self-rated quality of life
      (WHOQOL-BREF). There were three groups: 1) yoga class with yoga instructor; 2)
      yoga at home; and 3) a control group. In total, 83 patients were included and
      matched at the group level for systolic blood pressure. A majority of the
      patients (92 %) were on antihypertensive medication, which they were requested
      not to change during the study. After 12 weeks of intervention, the assessments
      were performed again. RESULTS: We recorded no evidence that yoga altered
      inflammatory biomarkers or metabolic risk factors in our study population. A
      total of 49 participants (59 %) met the criteria for metabolic syndrome.
      CONCLUSION: The yoga interventions performed in our study did not affect
      inflammatory biomarkers or metabolic risk factors associated with CVD in the
      study population of primary care patients with hypertension. Further randomized
      trials are needed to elucidate the effects of yoga on CVD risk factors in this
      particular group. TRAIL REGISTRATION: NCT01302535 , February 22, 2011.

PMID- 26286138
TI  - Programmed regulation of rat offspring adipogenic transcription factor
      (PPARgamma) by maternal nutrition.
AB  - We determined the protein expression of adipogenic transcription factor,
      peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) and its co-repressor
      and co-activator complexes in adipose tissue from the obese offspring of under-
      and over-nourished dams. Female rats were fed either a high-fat (60% kcal) or
      control (10% kcal) diet before mating, and throughout pregnancy and lactation
      (Mat-OB). Additional dams were 50% food-restricted from pregnancy day 10 to term
      [intrauterine growth-restricted (IUGR)]. Adipose tissue protein expression was
      analyzed in newborn and adult male offspring. Normal birth weight Mat-OB and low
      birth weight IUGR newborns had upregulated PPARgamma with variable changes in co
      repressors and co-activators. As obese adults, Mat-OB and IUGR offspring had
      increased PPARgamma with decreased co-repressor and increased co-activator
      expression. Nutritionally programmed increased PPARgamma expression is associated
      with altered expression of its co-regulators in the newborn and adult offspring.
      Functional studies of PPARgamma co-regulators are necessary to establish their
      role in PPARgamma-mediated programmed obesity. 

PMID- 26286139
TI  - Use of the Blue Button Online Tool for Sharing Health Information: Qualitative
      Interviews With Patients and Providers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Information sharing between providers is critical for care
      coordination, especially in health systems such as the United States Department
      of Veterans Affairs (VA), where many patients also receive care from other health
      care organizations. Patients can facilitate this sharing by using the Blue
      Button, an online tool that promotes patients' ability to view, print, and
      download their health records. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to
      characterize (1) patients' use of Blue Button, an online information-sharing tool
      in VA's patient portal, My HealtheVet, (2) information-sharing practices between
      VA and non-VA providers, and (3) how providers and patients use a printed Blue
      Button report during a clinical visit. METHODS: Semistructured qualitative
      interviews were conducted with 34 VA patients, 10 VA providers, and 9 non-VA
      providers. Interviews focused on patients' use of Blue Button, information
      sharing practices between VA and non-VA providers, and how patients and providers
      use a printed Blue Button report during a clinical visit. Qualitative themes were
      identified through iterative rounds of coding starting with an a priori schema
      based on technology adoption theory. RESULTS: Information sharing between VA and
      non-VA providers relied primarily on the patient. Patients most commonly used
      Blue Button to access and share VA laboratory results. Providers recognized the
      need for improved information sharing, valued the Blue Button printout, and
      expressed interest in a way to share information electronically across settings.
      CONCLUSIONS: Consumer-oriented technologies such as Blue Button can facilitate
      patients sharing health information with providers in other health care systems;
      however, more education is needed to inform patients of this use to facilitate
      care coordination. Additional research is needed to explore how personal health
      record documents, such as Blue Button reports, can be easily shared and
      incorporated into the clinical workflow of providers.

PMID- 26286142
TI  - PREVALENCE OF CHILD MARRIAGE AMONG BANGLADESHI WOMEN AND TREND OF CHANGE OVER
      TIME.
AB  - Many Bangladeshi women marry early, and many marry before the legal age of 18
      years. This practice has been associated with a higher risk of health and medical
      morbidities, and also early pregnancy with higher pre- and postnatal
      complications. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, and factors
      associated with, child marriage among Bangladeshi women using multiple binary
      logistic regression analysis of data from the BDHS-2011. Further analysis on the
      trend of age at first marriage was performed with additional data sets from
      previous surveys. The mean and median of ages at first marriage of Bangladeshi
      women in 2011 were 15.69+/-2.97 and 15.00 years, respectively. A remarkably high
      percentage (78.2%) married before the age of 18; of these, 5.5% married at a very
      early age (before 13 years of age). Binary logistic regression analysis
      demonstrated that uneducated women were more likely to be married early (p<0.001)
      than those with secondary and higher education. Child marriage was especially
      pronounced among women with uneducated husbands, Muslims, those with poor
      economic backgrounds and those living in rural areas. Further analysis including
      data from previous BDHS surveys showed that child marriage among Bangladeshi
      women had a decreasing trend from 1993-94 to 2011. These results show that child
      marriage was very common in Bangladesh, and closely associated with low level of
      education and low economic status. The decreasing trend in child marriage
      indicates an improvement over the past two decades but more effort is needed to
      further reduce and eventually eliminate the practice. 

PMID- 26286141
TI  - Umeclidinium/vilanterol versus fluticasone propionate/salmeterol in COPD: a
      randomised trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Umeclidinium (UMEC; long-acting muscarinic antagonist) plus
      vilanterol (VI; long-acting beta2 agonist [LABA]) and the LABA/inhaled
      corticosteroid fluticasone propionate/salmeterol (FP/SAL) are approved
      maintenance treatments for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This 12
      week, multicentre, double-blind, parallel-group, double-dummy study compared the
      efficacy and safety of these treatments in symptomatic patients with moderate-to
      severe COPD with no exacerbations in the year prior to enrolment. METHODS:
      Patients (n = 717) were randomised 1:1 to once-daily UMEC/VI 62.5/25 mcg or twice
      daily FP/SAL 500/50 mcg. Endpoints included 0-24 h weighted mean (wm) forced
      expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) (Day 84; primary), trough FEV1 (Day 85;
      secondary), other lung function endpoints, symptoms, quality of life (QoL) and
      safety. RESULTS: Improvements with UMEC/VI versus FP/SAL were 0.080 L (95 %
      confidence interval: 0.046-0.113; wmFEV1) and 0.090 L (0.055-0.125; trough FEV1)
      (both p < 0.001). UMEC/VI statistically significantly improved all other lung
      function measures versus FP/SAL. Both treatments demonstrated a clinically
      meaningful improvement in symptoms (Transition Dyspnoea Index >=1 unit) and QoL
      (St George's Respiratory Questionnaire Total score >=4 unit decrease from
      baseline) over 12 weeks. The incidence of adverse events was 28 % (UMEC/VI) and
      29 % (FP/SAL); nasopharyngitis and headache were most common. CONCLUSIONS: Once
      daily UMEC/VI 62.5/25 mcg over 12 weeks resulted in significant and sustained
      improvements in lung function versus twice-daily FP/SAL 500/50 mcg in patients
      with moderate-to-severe COPD and with no exacerbations in the year prior to
      enrolment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01822899 Registration date: March 28, 2013.

PMID- 26286140
TI  - Na,K-ATPase beta1-subunit is a target of sonic hedgehog signaling and enhances
      medulloblastoma tumorigenicity.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway plays an important role in
      cerebellar development, and mutations leading to hyperactive Shh signaling have
      been associated with certain forms of medulloblastoma, a common form of pediatric
      brain cancer. While the fundamentals of this pathway are known, the molecular
      targets contributing to Shh-mediated proliferation and transformation are still
      poorly understood. Na,K-ATPase is a ubiquitous enzyme that maintains
      intracellular ion homeostasis and functions as a signaling scaffold and a cell
      adhesion molecule. Changes in Na,K-ATPase function and subunit expression have
      been reported in several cancers and loss of the beta1-subunit has been
      associated with a poorly differentiated phenotype in carcinoma but its role in
      medulloblastoma progression is not known. METHODS: Human medulloblastoma cell
      lines and primary cultures of cerebellar granule cell precursors (CGP) were used
      to determine whether Shh regulates Na,K-ATPase expression. Smo/Smo
      medulloblastoma were used to assess the Na,K-ATPase levels in vivo. Na,K-ATPase
      beta1-subunit was knocked down in DAOY cells to test its role in medulloblastoma
      cell proliferation and tumorigenicity. RESULTS: Na,K-ATPase beta1-subunit levels
      increased with differentiation in normal CGP cells. Activation of Shh signaling
      resulted in reduced beta1-subunit mRNA and protein levels and was mimicked by
      overexpression of Gli1and Bmi1, both members of the Shh signaling cascade;
      overexpression of Bmi1 reduced beta1-subunit promoter activity. In human
      medulloblastoma cells, low beta1-subunit levels were associated with increased
      cell proliferation and in vivo tumorigenesis. CONCLUSIONS: Na,K-ATPase beta1
      subunit is a target of the Shh signaling pathway and loss of beta1-subunit
      expression may contribute to tumor development and progression not only in
      carcinoma but also in medulloblastoma, a tumor of neuronal origin.

PMID- 26286143
TI  - An avian influenza A (H7N9) virus vaccine candidate based on the fusion protein
      of hemagglutinin globular head and Salmonella typhimurium flagellin.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A novel influenza virus, subtype H7N9, circulated through China in
      2013-2014. Its higher rates of human infection in a wide range of locations
      within China and the associated increased likelihood of human-to-human
      transmission have caused global concern. Recombinant subunit vaccines provide
      safe and targeted protection against viral infections. However, the protective
      efficacy of recombinant subunit vaccines tends to be less potent than vaccines
      made from whole viruses. Studies have shown that bacterial flagellin has strong
      adjuvant activity and induces protective immune responses. RESULTS: In this
      study, we used overlap-PCR to generate an H7N9 influenza recombinant subunit
      vaccine that fused the globular head domain (HA1-2, aa 62-284) of the protective
      hemagglutinin (HA) antigen with the potent TLR5 ligand, Salmonella typhimurium
      flagellin (fliC). The resulting fusion protein, HA1-2-fliC, was efficiently
      expressed in an Escherichia coli prokaryotic expression system, and Western
      blotting and TLR5-stimulating activity analysis confirmed that the HA1-2-fliC
      moiety could be faithfully refolded to take on the native HA and fliC
      conformations. In a C3H/HeJ mouse model of intraperitoneal vaccination, the
      fusion protein elicited significant and robust HA1-2-specific serum IgG titers,
      maintaining high levels for at least 3 months in the vaccinated animals, and
      induced similar levels of HA1-2-specific IgG1 and IgG2a that were detectable 12
      days after the third immunization. HA1-2-fliC was also found to be capable of
      triggering the production of neutralizing antibodies, as assessed by measuring
      hemagglutination inhibition titers. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that immunization
      with HA1-2-fliC induces potent HA1-2-specific responses, offering significant
      promise for the development of a successful recombinant subunit vaccine for avian
      influenza A (H7N9).

PMID- 26286144
TI  - Total knee arthroplasty in a patient with a fused ipsilateral hip.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Many patients undergoing total knee replacement for joint
      degeneration may have cartilage wear in other joints and thus may already have
      had various other surgical procedures performed for these. To date, there is no
      data or description in the medical literature detailing how to perform a total
      knee replacement in a patient who previously underwent an ipsilateral hip fusion.
      METHOD: We describe how this is done in a patient who had her ipsilateral hip
      fused in 30 degrees  of flexion. This presents a surgical challenge because the
      knee can only be flexed to 70 degrees  if done in the conventional supine
      position. This not only makes exposure more difficult but can also lead to
      complications including component malpositioning and extensor mechanism problems,
      such as patellar tendon rupture. We present this case study and describe, with
      the aid of a series of intra-operative photographs, how this can be performed,
      with special focus on patient positioning to optimize knee exposure in a patient
      with a previous hip fusion. RESULTS: The modifications made during surgery
      allowed the knee replacement to be carried out uneventfully. The patient
      recovered well and was able to return to her usual activities. CONCLUSION: We had
      to make various modifications to the intra-operative positioning in order to
      carry out the surgery. We hope these practical pointers will help clinicians
      faced with a similar situation in the future.

PMID- 26286145
TI  - Immune phenotypes of microglia in human neurodegenerative disease: challenges to
      detecting microglial polarization in human brains.
AB  - Inflammatory responses in the brain, which can be demonstrated by changes in
      properties of microglia, the brain-resident macrophages, are a common feature of
      human neurodegenerative diseases. Different monocyte/macrophage phenotypes have
      been defined by changes in expression of cytokines, receptors and other markers
      as a response to different classes of stimuli. Monocytes, macrophages and
      microglia can have a range of phenotypes with associated properties depending on
      their microenvironment. Macrophage/microglia polarization states have been
      defined as classical activation (M1), alternative activation (M2a), type II
      alternative activation (M2b) or acquired deactivation (M2c). Available markers
      for identifying microglial phenotypes in human brains are still limited; those
      available provide incomplete information on the functions or polarization states
      of microglia observed in tissues from diseases such as Alzheimer's disease,
      Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis. The most widely used marker to
      describe activated microglia in human brains, particularly diseased brains, has
      been HLA-DR, the major histocompatibility complex II protein. HLA-DR-positive
      microglia can have a wide range of activation morphologies that are affected not
      only by disease pathology, but also by their differentiation states and brain
      regions. Two other widely used markers to identify microglia in human brains are
      ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule-1 and CD68. Although their expression
      changes in diseased brains, these markers do not show specificity for different
      phenotypes. Over the years there have been studies with additional markers that
      attempt to further define microglial properties, particularly in Alzheimer's
      disease brains. Most studies have employed immunohistochemical techniques to
      identify microglia in tissue sections, but recent advances in this field have
      allowed gene expression profiling of microglia upon immediate isolation from
      brains. We will review which markers might better define different activation
      phenotypes of microglia in human brains and whether they fit into current
      microglial polarization schemes. 

PMID- 26286146
TI  - Improving child survival through a district management strengthening and
      community empowerment intervention: early implementation experiences from Uganda.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Community and District Empowerment for Scale-up (CODES) project
      pioneered the implementation of a comprehensive district management and community
      empowerment intervention in five districts in Uganda. In order to improve
      effective coverage and quality of child survival interventions CODES combines
      UNICEF tools designed to systematize priority setting, allocation of resources
      and problem solving with Community dialogues based on Citizen Report Cards and U
      Reports used to engage and empower communities in monitoring health service
      provision and to demand for quality services. This paper presents early
      implementation experiences in five pilot districts and lessons learnt during the
      first 2 years of implementation. METHODS: This qualitative study was comprised of
      38 in-depth interviews with members of the District Health Teams (DHTs) and two
      implementing partners. These were supplemented by observations during
      implementation and documents review. Thematic analysis was used to distill early
      implementation experiences and lessons learnt from the process. RESULTS: All five
      districts health teams with support from the implementing partners were able to
      adopt the UNICEF tools and to develop district health operational work plans that
      were evidence-based. Members of the DHTs described the approach introduced by the
      CODES project as a more systematic planning process and very much appreciated it.
      Districts were also able to implement some of the priority activities included in
      their work plans but limited financial resources and fiscal decision space
      constrained the implementation of some activities that were prioritized.
      Community dialogues based on Citizen Report Cards (CRC) increased community
      awareness of available health care services, their utilization and led to
      discussions on service delivery, barriers to service utilization and processes
      for improvement. Community dialogues were also instrumental in bringing together
      service users, providers and leaders to discuss problems and find solutions. The
      dialogues however are more likely to be sustainable if embedded in existing
      community structures and conducted by district based facilitators. U report as a
      community feedback mechanism registered a low response rate. CONCLUSION: The
      UNICEF tools were adopted at district level and generally well perceived by the
      DHTs. The limited resources and fiscal decision space however can hinder
      implementation of prioritized activities. Community dialogues based on CRCs can
      bring service providers and the community together but need to be embedded in
      existing community structures for sustainability.

PMID- 26286147
TI  - Efficacy and safety of Qing-Feng-Gan-Ke Granules in patients with postinfectious
      cough: study protocol of a novel-design phase III placebo-controlled, double
      blind randomized trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Postinfectious cough (PIC) is a common condition that affects
      millions of people worldwide every year. There is Western medicine for this
      condition but the treatment effect is often incomplete. Traditional Chinese
      medicine (TCM) has been increasingly prescribed for patients with PIC.
      Preliminary trials on Qing-Feng-Gan-Ke-Granules (QFGKG) conveyed promising
      results in treating PIC. This protocol describes an ongoing phase III randomized
      controlled clinical trial, designed according to a novel methodology of "one
      study, one primary outcome", with the objective of evaluating the efficacy and
      safety of QFGKG in patients suffering from PIC. METHODS/DESIGN: This is a
      multicenter, phase III, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo
      controlled clinical trial, comprising two simultaneously conducted study parts,
      part A and part B, intending to investigate two primary outcomes, i.e. time to
      cough resolution and cough symptom score, respectively. A total of 480 patients,
      aged 18 to 65 years, who complain of an ongoing persistent cough that has been
      lasting >= 3 weeks, will be recruited from six participating sites and then
      randomized to receive QFGKG 12.0 g twice daily or placebo 12.0 g twice daily.
      Each part will enroll 240 patients, with 180 patients being allocated to the
      QFGKG group and 60 to the placebo group. DISCUSSION: Although traditional Chinese
      medicine is a structured intervention that has shown some promise in treating
      persistent cough, existing unconvincing evidence has noted limitations. This is a
      rare well-designed and rigorously-controlled, randomized, double-blind trial to
      evaluate the effects and safety of a Chinese herbal medicine in patients with
      postinfectious cough, providing tangible benefits for clinical research. Results
      of this trial are inclined to be conjectured as more truthful by implementing
      separate study parts that specifically estimate exclusive primary outcome. It
      will not only provide robust clinical evidence on the efficacy and safety of
      QFGKG for postinfectious cough, but will also provide a critical piece of
      information on the availability and superiority of a novel methodology for future
      clinical trials. The current trial is ongoing with recruitment of the
      predetermined number of patients being in progress. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The two
      parts of this trial were separately registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial
      Registry: ChiCTR-TRC-13003278 (part A); and ChiCTR-TRC-13003337 (part B).

PMID- 26286150
TI  - Role of Small Pd Ensembles in Boosting CO Oxidation in AuPd Alloys.
AB  - We present a theoretical explanation on how PdAu alloy catalysts can enhance the
      oxidation of CO molecules based on density functional theory calculations of CO
      adsorption and oxidation on AuPd/Pd(111) surfaces. Our study suggests that the
      enhanced activity is largely attributed to the possible existence of "partially
      poisoned" Pd ensembles that accommodate fewer CO molecules than Pd atoms. Whereas
      the oxidation of preadsorbed CO is likely governed by O2 trapping, our study
      shows that small Pd ensembles such as dimers and compact trimers tend to provide
      more active sites than larger ensembles; CO adsorbed on a Pd monomer is found to
      react hardly with O2 to form CO2. In addition, we find the tendency of CO-induced
      Pd agglomeration, which may in turn facilitate CO oxidation by creating more
      dimers and compact trimers as compared with the adsorbate-free surface where
      monomers are likely prevailing. 

PMID- 26286149
TI  - Rapid Virological Response Represents the Highest Prediction Factor of Response
      to Antiviral Treatment in HCV-Related Chronic Hepatitis: a Multicenter
      Retrospective Study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Standard [i.e. pegylated interferon (Peg-IFN) + ribavirin] treatment
      of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related chronic hepatitis is associated with a
      sustained virological response (SVR) in 50 - 90% of patients. A rapid virological
      response (RVR) (i.e. negative HCV-RNA after 4 weeks of treatment) predicts SVR in
      almost 90% of patients. OBJECTIVES: The main aim of this study was to assess the
      strength of RVR, as a predictive factor of antiviral treatment response. PATIENTS
      AND METHODS: Using univariate and multivariate analysis, we retrospectively
      evaluated biochemical, metabolic, genetic and viral variables that might affect
      both RVR and SVR to Peg-IFN plus ribavirin, in 315 consecutive outpatients
      affected by HCV-related chronic hepatitis. RESULTS: At univariate analysis,
      staging, body mass index, RVR, genotype and viral load were significantly related
      to SVR (P < 0.001). At multivariate analysis, RVR and genotype remained
      significant (P < 0.00001). The RVR had a predictive value of 83%. At univariate
      and multivariate analyses, diabetes (P = 0.003), genotype 2 (P = 0.000) and HCV
      RNA values (P = 0.016) were independent predictors of RVR, even though at
      multivariate analyses, only genotype 2 was significantly related to RVR. When we
      stratified patients, according to genotype, no laboratory or clinical factors
      were predictive of RVR in genotype 1 patients at either univariate or
      multivariate analysis. In genotype 2 patients, staging (P = 0.029) and diabetes
      (P = 0.001) were the only significant predictors of RVR at univariate analyses,
      whereas no factor was independently related to RVR, at multivariate analysis.
      CONCLUSIONS: The RVR is the strongest factor of SVR and infection with HCV
      genotype 2 is significantly associated with RVR. Neither biochemical and/or
      metabolic factors seem to exert influence on RVR.

PMID- 26286148
TI  - Neural-Network Scoring Functions Identify Structurally Novel Estrogen-Receptor
      Ligands.
AB  - The magnitude of the investment required to bring a drug to the market hinders
      medical progress, requiring hundreds of millions of dollars and years of research
      and development. Any innovation that improves the efficiency of the drug
      discovery process has the potential to accelerate the delivery of new treatments
      to countless patients in need. "Virtual screening," wherein molecules are first
      tested in silico in order to prioritize compounds for subsequent experimental
      testing, is one such innovation. Although the traditional scoring functions used
      in virtual screens have proven useful, improved accuracy requires novel
      approaches. In the current work, we use the estrogen receptor to demonstrate that
      neural networks are adept at identifying structurally novel small molecules that
      bind to a selected drug target, ultimately allowing experimentalists to test
      fewer compounds in the earliest stages of lead identification while obtaining
      higher hit rates. We describe 39 novel estrogen-receptor ligands identified in
      silico with experimentally determined Ki values ranging from 460 nM to 20 MUM,
      presented here for the first time. 

PMID- 26286151
TI  - Controlling Glycosyl Bond Conformation of Guanine Nucleosides: Stabilization of
      the anti Conformer in 5'-O-Ethylguanosine.
AB  - Nucleosides that consist of base and sugar moieties can adopt two main
      conformations, syn and anti, about the glycosidic bond. We have investigated the
      conformational properties of guanine nucleosides in the gas phase by using laser
      desorption combined with IR-UV double resonance spectroscopy. In guanosine, syn
      conformation is preferred as a result of internal hydrogen bonding between the 5'
      OH group of the sugar and the N3 site of the guanine moiety. We have therefore
      employed a chemically modified nucleoside 5'-O-ethylguanosine, in which possible
      glycosyl bond conformations are restricted upon ethylation of the 5'-OH group.
      The result shows that anti conformer is stabilized by the formation of hydrogen
      bonding involving the 2'-OH group. 

PMID- 26286152
TI  - Does a Molecule-Specific Density Functional Give an Accurate Electron Density?
      The Challenging Case of the CuCl Electric Field Gradient.
AB  - In the framework of determining system-specific long-range corrected density
      functionals, the question is addressed whether such functionals, tuned to satisfy
      the condition -epsilon(HOMO) = IP or other energetic criteria, provide accurate
      electron densities. A nonempirical physically motivated two-dimensional tuning of
      range-separated hybrid functionals is proposed and applied to the particularly
      challenging case of a molecular property that depends directly on the ground
      state density: the copper electric field gradient (EFG) in CuCl. From a
      continuous range of functional parametrizations that closely satisfy 
      epsilon(HOMO) = IP and the correct asymptotic behavior of the potential, the one
      that best fulfills the straight-line behavior of E(N), the energy as a function
      of a fractional electron number N, was found to provide the most accurate
      electron density as evidenced by calculated EFGs. The functional also performs
      well for related Cu systems. 

PMID- 26286153
TI  - Toward Low-Temperature Dehydrogenation Catalysis: Isophorone Adsorbed on Pd(111).
AB  - Adsorbate geometry and reaction dynamics play essential roles in catalytic
      processes at surfaces. Here we present a theoretical and experimental study for a
      model functional organic/metal interface: isophorone (C9H14O) adsorbed on the
      Pd(111) surface. Density functional theory calculations with the Perdew-Burke
      Ernzerhoff (PBE) functional including van der Waals (vdW) interactions, in
      combination with infrared spectroscopy and temperature-programmed desorption
      (TPD) experiments, reveal the reaction pathway between the weakly chemisorbed
      reactant (C9H14O) and the strongly chemisorbed product (C9H10O), which occurs by
      the cleavage of four C-H bonds below 250 K. Analysis of the TPD spectrum is
      consistent with the relatively small magnitude of the activation barrier derived
      from PBE+vdW calculations, demonstrating the feasibility of low-temperature
      dehydrogenation. 

PMID- 26286154
TI  - Hierarchal Light-Harvesting Aggregates and Their Potential for Solar Energy
      Applications.
AB  - The tunable optical properties of self-assembled chromophores are exploited by
      photosynthetic organisms to optimize their ability to harvest a broad range of
      the solar spectrum. Similarly, the efficiency of solar photovoltaic and
      photoelectrochemical devices depends strongly on the coincidence of the
      absorption spectrum of the photoactive components with the spectrum of the sun.
      While the possibility of borrowing ideas about light-harvesting aggregates from
      nature in order to improve the efficiency of solar energy conversion is quite
      attractive, progress to date is hindered by incomplete understanding of aggregate
      internal structure and its relation to excitonic states. In this Perspective, we
      describe our recent work on the hierarchal structure of self-assembled porphyrin
      aggregates that are similar to light-harvesting complexes of photosynthetic
      bacteria. We address the question of whether aggregation can be beneficial to dye
      sensitized solar energy conversion and present promising results for a solar cell
      based on an abundant plant pigment that displays signatures of aggregation when
      adsorbed on TiO2. 

PMID- 26286155
TI  - Simultaneous Ionization-Detected Stimulated Raman and Visible-Visible-Ultraviolet
      Hole-Burning Spectra of Two Tryptamine Conformers.
AB  - A key first step toward probing structures and interactions of individual
      conformers of isolated flexible molecules is uncovering their characteristic
      spectral signatures. Here, conformation-specific ionization-detected stimulated
      Raman (IDSR) and visible-visible-ultraviolet hole-burning spectra were measured
      simultaneously to determine the unique signatures of the two most stable
      conformers of tryptamine in the gas phase. These signatures together with the
      comparison of the IDSR spectra to the computationally predicted Raman spectra
      assisted in their characterization and structural identification. This new
      approach offers high selectivity and is foreseen to be an improved diagnostic
      tool for dissection of conformers of flexible molecules. 

PMID- 26286156
TI  - Nano Pinstripes: TiO2 Nanostripe Formation by Nanoparticle-Mediated Pinning of
      Step Edges.
AB  - The present scanning tunneling microscopy study describes the high-temperature
      growth of TiO2 nanostripes with tunable width, orientation, and spacing, mediated
      by thermally stable micellar Pt and Au NPs deposited on TiO2(110). This
      phenomenon could not be explained by spillover effects but is based on the
      preferential stabilization of [110] step edges on TiO2(110) by the metal NPs.
      Contrary to the behavior of physical-vapor-deposited NPs, which are known to move
      toward step edges upon annealing, our micellar NPs remain immobile up to 1000 
      degrees C. Instead, the mobility of TiO2 step edges toward the micellar NPs,
      where they become stabilized, is observed. Our findings are relevant to the
      technological application of nanostructured materials in the fields of catalysis,
      molecular electronics, and plasmonics. 

PMID- 26286157
TI  - Acoustic Vibrations in Bimetallic Au@Pd Core-Shell Nanorods.
AB  - The acoustic vibrations of gold nanorods coated with palladium were investigated
      as a function of Pd amount using ultrafast pump-probe spectroscopy. Both the
      extensional and breathing vibrational modes of the nanorods were coherently
      excited and detected. This permits precise determination of their periods, which
      were found to decrease and increase with Pd deposition, for the extensional and
      vibrational modes, respectively. These opposite behaviors reflect changes of the
      nanoparticle size and mechanical properties, in agreement with numerical
      simulations. Comparison of experimental and computed periods yields information
      on the amount of deposited Pd, providing a novel tool to characterize bicomponent
      nano-objects for small fractions of one of the components (Pd/Au atomic fraction
      down to 5%). 

PMID- 26286158
TI  - Mesocrystals - Properties and Applications.
AB  - Mesocrystals are a new class of nanostructured solid materials, which are most
      often made of crystallographically oriented nanoparticles. Structural features,
      properties, and possible applications of mesocrystals are summarized in this
      paper. Due to their unique structural features and the resulting physical and
      physicochemical properties, mesocrystals are expected to play a significant role
      in improving the performance of materials in many applications. These are as
      diverse as heterogeneous photocatalysts, electrodes, optoelectronics, biomedical
      materials, hard templates, and lightweight structural materials. 

PMID- 26286159
TI  - Progress in Heterogeneous Photocatalysis: From Classical Radical Chemistry to
      Engineering Nanomaterials and Solar Reactors.
AB  - The field of heterogeneous photocatalysis has expanded rapidly in the last four
      decades, having undergone various evolutionary phases related to energy and the
      environment. The two most significant applications of photocatalysis are geared
      toward solar water splitting and the purification of air and water. Notably, the
      interdisciplinary nature of the field has increased significantly, incorporating
      semiconductor physics, surface sciences, photo and physical chemistry, materials
      science, and chemical engineering. Whereas this forms the basis on which the
      field continues to grow, adequate bridging of multidisciplinary knowledge remains
      essential. By recalling some of the classical fundamentals of photocatalysis,
      this Perspective provides contemporary views on heterogeneous photochemical
      conversion, encompassing charge transport characteristics, radical chemistry and
      organic degradation mechanisms, photocatalyst design, and photoreactor
      engineering. 

PMID- 26286160
TI  - On the Field Dependence of Free Charge Carrier Generation and Recombination in
      Blends of PCPDTBT/PC70BM: Influence of Solvent Additives.
AB  - We have applied time-delayed collection field (TDCF) and charge extraction by
      linearly increasing voltage (CELIV) to investigate the photogeneration,
      transport, and recombination of charge carriers in blends composed of
      PCPDTBT/PC70BM processed with and without the solvent additive diiodooctane. The
      results suggest that the solvent additive has severe impacts on the elementary
      processes involved in the photon to collected electron conversion in these
      blends. First, a pronounced field dependence of the free carrier generation is
      found for both blends, where the field dependence is stronger without the
      additive. Second, the fate of charge carriers in both blends can be described
      with a rather high bimolecular recombination coefficients, which increase with
      decreasing internal field. Third, the mobility is three to four times higher with
      the additive. Both blends show a negative field dependence of mobility, which we
      suggest to cause bias-dependent recombination coefficients. 

PMID- 26286161
TI  - In situ Electrochemical Small-Angle Neutron Scattering (eSANS) for Quantitative
      Structure and Redox Properties of Nanoparticles.
AB  - The rapid growth in nanomaterial applications have revealed limitations in
      available physicochemical characterization methods. An in situ electrochemical
      small-angle neutron scattering (eSANS) methodology was devised that enables
      direct measurements of nanomaterial dispersion structure while undergoing
      reduction-oxidation (redox) reactions at the vitreous carbon electrode.
      Furthermore, these porous electrodes are amenable to contrast-variant neutron
      scattering strategies to measure nanoparticle structure and polymer conformation
      in multicomponent systems. The eSANS method was tested for feasibility by
      characterizing ZnO nanoparticles in 50 mmol/L NaCl deuterium oxide solution
      undergoing bulk electrolysis at negative potentials. Irreversible nanoparticle
      structural changes are observed during the potential cycle. The complete
      reduction of Zn(2+) to Zn(0) nanoparticles is unlikely, but a peak in the
      characteristic correlation length occurs during the redox bias with reduced
      average characteristic size. 

PMID- 26286162
TI  - Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering on Hierarchical Porous Cuprous Oxide
      Nanostructures in Nanoshell and Thin-Film Geometries.
AB  - Understanding the mechanism of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) of
      molecules on semiconductor nanostructures is directly related to our capabilities
      of designing and optimizing new SERS-active substrates for broad applications in
      the field of molecular detection and characterization. Here, we present an
      exploration of using cuprous oxide nanostructures with hierarchical porosity for
      enhancing Raman signals of adsorbed probe molecules. Distinct SERS signals were
      detected on both individual polycrystalline nanoshells and porous thin films
      composed of cuprous oxide nanocrystals. The observed enhancement of SERS signals
      can be interpreted as synergistic effects of strong chemical interactions between
      the probe molecules and cuprous oxide surfaces, localized electromagnetic field
      enhancement, and the unique hierarchical porosity of the nanostructures. Our work
      introduced a novel type of semiconductor substrates for high-performance SERS and
      extended the applications of cuprous oxide nanostructures to spectroscopy-based
      molecular sensing and characterizations. 

PMID- 26286163
TI  - Manipulation of Charge Transfer Across Semiconductor Interface. A Criterion That
      Cannot Be Ignored in Photocatalyst Design.
AB  - The Perspective focuses on photoinduced electron transfer between semiconductor
      metal and semiconductor-semiconductor nanostructures and factors that influence
      the rate of electron transfer at the interface. The storage and discharge
      properties of metal nanoparticles play an important role in dictating the
      photocatalytic performance of semiconductor-metal composite assemblies. Both
      electron and hole transfer across the interface with comparable rates are
      important in maintaining high photocatalytic efficiency and stability of the
      semiconductor assemblies. Coupled semiconductors of well-matched band energies
      are convenient to improve charge separation. Furthermore, semiconductor and metal
      nanoparticles assembled on reduced graphene oxide sheets offer new ways to design
      multifunctional catalyst mat. The fundamental understanding of charge-transfer
      processes is important in the future design of light-harvesting assemblies. 

PMID- 26286164
TI  - Semiconductor Photocatalysis - Past, Present, and Future Outlook.

PMID- 26286165
TI  - Nanodroplet Depinning from Nanoparticles.
AB  - Nanoscale defects on a substrate affect the sliding motion of water droplets.
      Using in situ transmission electron microscopy imaging, we visualized the
      depinning dynamics of water nanodroplets from gold nanoparticles on a flat SiNx
      surface. Our observations showed that nanoscale pinning effects of the gold
      nanoparticle oppose the lateral forces, resulting in stretching, even breakup, of
      the water nanodroplet. Using continuum long wave theory, we modeled the dynamics
      of a nanodroplet depinning from a nanoparticle of comparable length scales, and
      the model results are consistent with experimental findings and show formation of
      a capillary bridge prior to nanodroplet depinning. Our findings have important
      implications on surface cleaning at the nanoscale. 

PMID- 26286166
TI  - Stimuli-responsive chromism in organophosphorus chemistry.
AB  - Changes in color are one of the most obvious and easily followed responses that
      can be induced by an external stimulus. pi-Conjugated organophosphorus compounds
      are on the rise to challenge established systems by opening up new and simple
      pathways to diversely modified optoelectronic properties--the main challenge for
      the development of new chromic materials. Relevant stimuli highlighted in this
      Frontier article include electronic current (electrochromism), light
      (photochromism), solvent polarity (solvatochromism), aggregation formation
      (aggregation induced emission, AIE), mechanical force (mechanochromism),
      temperature (thermochromism), organic solvent vapor (vapochromism), and pH
      (halochromism).

PMID- 26286167
TI  - Electrochemistry in (Bio)-Nanoanalysis, Electromigration and Liquid Phase
      Separations.

PMID- 26286172
TI  - Insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1) enhances hippocampal excitatory and seizure
      activity through IGF-1 receptor-mediated mechanisms in the epileptic brain.
AB  - Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is known to promote neurogenesis and
      survival. However, recent studies have suggested that IGF-1 regulates neuronal
      firing and excitatory neurotransmission. In the present study, focusing on
      temporal lobe epilepsy, we found that IGF-1 levels and IGF-1 receptor activation
      are increased in human epileptogenic tissues, and pilocarpine- and
      pentylenetetrazole-treated rat models. Using an acute model of seizures, we
      showed that lateral cerebroventricular infusion of IGF-1 elevates IGF-1 receptor
      (IGF-1R) signalling before pilocarpine application had proconvulsant effects. In
      vivo electroencephalogram recordings and power spectrogram analysis of local
      field potential revealed that IGF-1 promotes epileptiform activities. This effect
      is diminished by co-application of an IGF-1R inhibitor. In an in vitro
      electrophysiological study, we demonstrated that IGF-1 enhancement of excitatory
      neurotransmission and alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionic acid
      receptor- and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-mediated currents is inhibited by IGF
      1R inhibitor. Finally, activation of extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK)
      1/2 and protein kinase B (Akt) in seizures in rats is increased by exogenous IGF
      1 and diminished by picropodophyllin. A behavioural study reveals that the ERK1/2
      or Akt inhibitor attenuates seizure activity. These results indicate that
      increased IGF-1 levels after recurrent hippocampal neuronal firings might, in
      turn, promote seizure activity via IGF-1R-dependent mechanisms. The present study
      presents a previously unappreciated role of IGF-1R in the development of seizure
      activity.

PMID- 26286173
TI  - Platinum(II) Monomer and Dimer Complexes with a Bis(oxazolinyl)phenyl Pincer
      Ligand.
AB  - A series of platinum(II) complexes with the formulas Pt(phebox)(L)(+) (phebox(-)
      = 1,3-bis(4,4'-dimethyl-2'-oxazolinyl)phenyl anion; L = pyridine (py), 4
      phenylpyridine, quinoline, acridine) and Pt2(phebox)2(MU-L')(2+) (L' = pyrazine,
      4,4'-bipyridine, 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane) was prepared. Crystallographic data
      establish that the metal center is bonded to the tridentate phebox(-) and
      monodentate pyridyl ligands. The five-membered oxazoline rings favor a CH2-CMe2
      twist conformation. Pt(phebox)Cl and Pt(phebox)(py)(+) undergo a ligand-based
      chemically reversible redox reaction, whereas the electrochemistry of the other
      complexes is chemically and electrochemically less reversible. In contrast to
      complexes with the 1,3-bis(piperdylmethyl)phenyl anion ligand (pip2NCN(-)) or
      related pincer ligands, each of the phebox(-) complexes described here exhibits
      intense emission in room-temperature methylene chloride solution, which is
      assigned as originating from a lowest, predominantly phebox(-) ligand-centered
      excited state. In acetonitrile, the complexes undergo solvolysis resulting in
      displacement of the pyridyl ligands. The accumulated data demonstrate that subtle
      variations in the nature of the NCN and ancillary ligands of platinum(II)
      complexes provide access to at least five orbitally distinct emissive excited
      states. 

PMID- 26286175
TI  - Nutritional Status of Rural Bengali Adolescent Boys of Tripura.

PMID- 26286174
TI  - Of mice and women: a comparative tissue biology perspective of breast stem cells
      and differentiation.
AB  - Tissue based research requires a background in human and veterinary pathology,
      developmental biology, anatomy, as well as molecular and cellular biology. This
      type of comparative tissue biology (CTB) expertise is necessary to tackle some of
      the conceptual challenges in human breast stem cell research. It is our opinion
      that the scarcity of CTB expertise contributed to some erroneous interpretations
      in tissue based research, some of which are reviewed here in the context of
      breast stem cells. In this article we examine the dissimilarities between mouse
      and human mammary tissue and suggest how these may impact stem cell studies. In
      addition, we consider the differences between breast ducts vs. lobules and
      clarify how these affect the interpretation of results in stem cell research.
      Lastly, we introduce a new elaboration of normal epithelial cell types in human
      breast and discuss how this provides a clinically useful basis for breast cancer
      classification. 

PMID- 26286176
TI  - Rare Lung Diseases: Interstitial Lung Diseases and Lung Manifestations of
      Rheumatological Diseases.
AB  - The concept of Childhood Interstitial Lung Disease (ChILD) is relatively young.
      There has been tremendous progress in this field in the last decade. The key
      advance has been the recognition of interstitial lung diseases that are often
      distinct and occur mainly in infants. Diagnosis is challenging because the
      incidence is low and no single center in the world has enough cases to promote
      experience and clinical skills. This has led to formation of international groups
      of people interested in the field and the "Children's interstitial and diffuse
      lung disease research network" (ChILDRN) is one such group which contributed to
      the progress of this field. Clinically, these disorders overlap with those of
      other common respiratory disorders. Hence, clinical practice guidelines emphasize
      the additional role of chest imaging, genetic testing and lung biopsy in the
      diagnostic evaluation. Genetic testing, in particular, has shown tremendous
      progress in this field. Being noninvasive, it has the potential to help early
      recognition in a vast majority. Despite progress, definitive therapeutic
      modalities are still lacking and supportive care is still the backbone of
      management in the majority. Early recognition of the definitive diagnosis helps
      in the management, even if, in a significant number, it helps in avoiding
      unnecessary therapy. Also discussed in this article, is the pulmonary
      manifestation of rheumatic diseases in children. The incidence and spectrum of
      pulmonary involvement in rheumatic conditions vary and can be result of the
      primary disease or its management or due to an concurrent infection. 

PMID- 26286177
TI  - The Tools of the Trade - Uses of Flexible Bronchoscopy.
AB  - Bronchoscopes have markedly improved the diagnosis as well as therapy in
      pediatric pulmonary disorders. Two types of bronchoscopes are available; flexible
      and rigid, with their own advantages and disadvantages. Depending on the clinical
      need and availability of skills, choice is made between the two. Typically, rigid
      scopes are largely used by the surgeons (pediatric or otolayngologists) while
      flexible bronchoscope stays in the domain of the pediatric pulmonologist and
      intensivists. Rigid scopes may be more versatile than flexible bronchoscopes in
      removing the foreign bodies from the airway. Flexible bronchoscopes on the other
      hand can even be introduced through an endotracheal tube. At times, use of both
      scopes may be required in a given patient for optimal results. Bronchoscopes give
      us a means to visualize the inside of the airway, which can be very informative
      for assessing various pathologies affecting the airways. Apart from the
      visualization of the parts of the airway tree and their structure as well as
      patency, it can also be used to take tissue biopsy specimens, collect secretions
      from the airways and bronchoalveolar lavage which can also get cellular elements
      from the distal alveoli. In the past few decades, more and more instruments are
      being used for expanding the utility of flexible bronchoscope for interventions
      ranging from bronchial toilet, foreign body removal, airway stenting and lasers
      or cryotherapy for airway lesions. The perinatologists have opened up more vistas
      and thrown newer challenges for using fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FB) for in utero
      tracheal occlusion in cases with diaphragmatic hernia. The vast applications of
      this tool makes it very relevant to pulmonary investigations and therapeutics. 

PMID- 26286178
TI  - A Review of Patient Preferences for Osteoporosis Drug Treatment.
AB  - Poor medication adherence is a major problem in chronic diseases such as
      osteoporosis that may partially be due to unaddressed patient values and
      preferences. Data on patient preferences could help clinicians to improve
      medication adherence and could also be useful in policy decisions and guideline
      development. This paper aims to identify literature reporting on the preferences
      of patients for osteoporosis drug medications. Several methods have been used to
      elicit patient preferences for medications and their characteristics including
      qualitative research, survey with ranking/rating exercises, discrete-choice
      experiments and clinical studies (crossover designs, open-label study). All these
      studies revealed that osteoporotic patients have preferences for medications and
      their attributes, in particular for less-frequent dosing regimens. Interestingly,
      variations in the preferences of patients were observed in most studies,
      suggesting the importance to take into account individual preference in decision
      making to improve osteoporosis care. 

PMID- 26286179
TI  - The ASAS Criteria for Axial Spondyloarthritis: Strengths, Weaknesses, and
      Proposals for a Way Forward.
AB  - Classification criteria should facilitate selection of similar patients for
      clinical and epidemiologic studies, therapeutic trials, and research on
      etiopathogenesis to enable comparison of results across studies from different
      centers. We critically appraise the validity and performance of the Assessment of
      SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) classification criteria for axial
      spondyloarthritis (axSpA). It is still debatable whether all patients fulfilling
      these criteria should be considered as having true axSpA. Patients with
      radiographically evident disease by the ASAS criteria are not necessarily
      identical with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) as classified by the modified New York
      criteria. The complex multi-arm selection design of the ASAS criteria induces
      considerable heterogeneity among patients so classified, and applying them in
      settings with a low prevalence of axial spondyloarthritis (SpA) greatly increases
      the proportion of subjects falsely classified as suffering from axial SpA. One of
      the unmet needs in non-radiographic form of axial SpA is to have reliable markers
      that can identify individuals at risk for progression to AS and thereby
      facilitate early intervention trials designed to prevent such progression. We
      suggest needed improvements of the ASAS criteria for axSpA, as all criteria sets
      should be regarded as dynamic concepts open to modifications or updates as our
      knowledge advances.

PMID- 26286181
TI  - [Augmented osteosynthesis].

PMID- 26286180
TI  - [Civilian blast injuries: an underestimated problem? : Results of a retrospective
      analysis of the TraumaRegister DGU(r)].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Blast injuries are a rare cause of potentially life-threatening
      injuries in Germany. During the past 30 years such injuries were seldom the cause
      of mass casualties, therefore, knowledge and skills in dealing with this type of
      injury are not very extensive. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective
      identification of all patients in the TraumaRegister DGU(r) of the German Trauma
      Society (TR-DGU) who sustained blast injuries between January 1993 and November
      2012 was carried out. The study involved a descriptive characterization of the
      collective as well as three additional collectives. The arithmetic mean, standard
      deviation and 95 % confidence interval of the arithmetic mean for different
      demographic parameters and figures for prehospital and in-hospital settings were
      calculated. A computation of prognostic scores, such as the Revised Injury
      Severity Classification (RISC) and the updated version RISC II (TR-DGU-Project-ID
      2012-035) was performed. RESULTS: A total of 137 patients with blast injuries
      could be identified in the dataset of the TR-DGU. Of the patients 90 % were male
      and 43 % were transported by the helicopter emergency service (HEMS) to the
      various trauma centres. The severely injured collective with a mean injury
      severity scale (ISS) of 18.0 (ISS >= 16 = 52 %) had stable vital signs. In none
      of the cases was it necessary to perform on-site emergency surgery but a very
      high proportion of patients (59 %) had to be surgically treated before admittance
      to the intensive care unit (ICU). Of the patients 27 % had severe soft tissue
      injuries with an Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) >= 3 and 90 % of these injuries
      were burns. The 24 h in-hospital fatality was very low (3 %) but the stay in the
      ICU tended to be longer than for other types of injury (mean 5.5 ventilation days
      and 10.7 days in the intensive care unit). Organ failure occurred in 36 % of the
      cases, multiorgan failure in 29 % and septic events in 14 %. Of the patients 16 %
      were transferred to another hospital during the first 48 h. The RISC and the
      updated RISC II tended to underestimate the severity of injuries and mortality
      (10.2 % vs. 6.8 % and 10.7 % vs. 7.5 %, respectively) and the trauma associated
      severe hemorrhage (TASH) score underestimated the probability for transfusion of
      more than 10 units of packed red blood cells (5.0 % vs. 12.5 %). CONCLUSION: This
      article generates several hypotheses, which should be confirmed with additional
      investigations. Until then it has to be concluded that patients who suffer from
      accidental blast injuries in the civilian setting (excluding military operations
      and terrorist attacks) show a combination of classical severe trauma with blunt
      and penetrating injuries and additionally a high proportion of severe burns
      (combined thermomechanical injury). They stay longer in the ICU than other trauma
      patients and suffer more complications, such as sepsis and multiorgan failure.
      Established scores, such as RISC, RISC II and TASH tend to underestimate the
      severity of the underlying trauma.

PMID- 26286182
TI  - Genotoxicity assessment of two common curing weeds: Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poir.
      and Leucas indica (L.) R. Br.
AB  - Hyptis suaveolens and Leucas indica, two common weeds were selected for the
      present study, to reveal their probable cytotoxic potential. The meristematic
      root tips of Allium cepa were used for testing the cytotoxic property of the
      aqueous leaf extracts containing both polar and non-polar compounds, and that
      containing polar compounds alone, at different concentrations (0.125, 0.25, 0.5,
      1 and 2 %) and at different time durations, using distilled water as negative
      control. Mitotic squash preparations were made using a standard protocol. The
      mitotic index of the treated root tip cells was found to be decreasing and the
      abnormality percentage was found to be increasing with increase in extract
      concentration when compared with the control. Maximum cytotoxicity was observed
      in the extract containing both polar and non-polar compounds. Both the tested
      plants were found to be cytotoxic. The abnormalities noticed were of both
      clastogenic (nuclear lesions, nuclear fragmentation, etc.) and non-clastogenic
      (aberrant cell wall formation at cytokinesis, ball metaphase, etc.) types. Both
      plant extracts were found to significantly (P < 0.05) inhibit root growth of
      Allium cepa with an EC50 value of 1.92 % (R(2) = 0.594) for Hyptis and 1.58 %
      (R(2) = 0.757) for Leucas. The results were also analysed statistically by using
      analysis of variance followed by appropriate post hoc tests. These two weeds are
      aromatic plants comprising of essential oils that are volatile, natural complex
      compounds characterized by a strong odour and formed as secondary metabolites. In
      nature, essential oils play an important role in the protection of the plants as
      insecticides by reducing their appetite for such plants. When specifically
      targeted the concept of effectively exploiting these weeds for the formulation of
      herbal insecticides/pesticides may be possible in the near future. 

PMID- 26286183
TI  - Early life adversity and C-reactive protein in diverse populations of older
      adults: a cross-sectional analysis from the International Mobility in Aging Study
      (IMIAS).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Recent studies suggest potential associations between childhood
      adversity and chronic inflammation at older ages. Our aim is to compare
      associations between childhood health, social and economic adversity and high
      sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) in populations of older adults living in
      different countries. METHODS: We used the 2012 baseline data (n = 1340) from the
      International Mobility in Aging Study (IMIAS) of community-dwelling people aged
      65-74 years in Natal (Brazil), Manizales (Colombia) and Canada (Kingston,
      Ontario; Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec). Multiple linear and Poisson regressions with
      robust covariance were fitted to examine the associations between early life
      health, social, and economic adversity and hsCRP, controlling for age, sex,
      financial strain, marital status, physical activity, smoking and chronic
      conditions both in the Canadian and in the Latin American samples. RESULTS:
      Participants from Canadian cities have less adverse childhood conditions and
      better childhood self-reported health. Inflammation was lower in the Canadian
      cities than in Manizales and Natal. Significant associations were found between
      hsCRP and childhood social adversity in the Canadian but not in the Latin
      American samples. Among Canadian older adults, the fully-adjusted mean hsCRP was
      2.2 (95% CI 1.7; 2.8) among those with none or one childhood social adversity
      compared with 2.8 (95% CI 2.1; 3.8) for those with two or more childhood social
      adversities (p = 0.053). Similarly, the prevalence of hsCRP > 3 mg/dL was 40%
      higher among those with higher childhood social adversity but after adjustment by
      health behaviors and chronic conditions the association was attenuated. No
      associations were observed between hsCRP and childhood poor health or childhood
      economic adversity. CONCLUSIONS: Inflammation was higher in older participants
      living in the Latin American cities compared with their Canadian counterparts.
      Childhood social adversity, not childhood economic adversity or poor health
      during childhood, was an independent predictor of chronic inflammation in old age
      in the Canadian sample. Selective survival could possibly explain the lack of
      association between social adversity and hsCRP in the Latin American samples.

PMID- 26286184
TI  - Tunable Release of Multiclass Anti-HIV Drugs that are Water-Soluble and Loaded at
      High Drug Content in Polyester Blended Electrospun Fibers.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Sustained release of small molecule hydrophilic drugs at high doses
      remains difficult to achieve from electrospun fibers and limits their use in
      clinical applications. Here we investigate tunable release of several water
      soluble anti-HIV drugs from electrospun fibers fabricated with blends of two
      biodegradable polyesters. METHODS: Drug-loaded fibers were fabricated by
      electrospinning ratios of PCL and PLGA. Fiber morphology was imaged by SEM, and
      DSC was used to measure thermal properties. HPLC was used to measure drug loading
      and release from fibers. Cytotoxicity and antiviral activity of drug-loaded
      fibers were measured in an in vitro cell culture assay. RESULTS: We show
      programmable release of hydrophilic antiretroviral drugs loaded up to 40 wt%.
      Incremental tuning of highly-loaded drug fibers within 24 h or >30 days was
      achieved by controlling the ratio of PCL and PLGA. Fiber compositions containing
      higher PCL content yielded greater burst release whereas fibers with higher PLGA
      content resulted in greater sustained release kinetics. We also demonstrated that
      our drug-loaded fibers are safe and can sustain inhibition of HIV in vitro.
      CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that we were able to overcome current limitations
      associated with sustained release of small molecule hydrophilic drugs at
      clinically relevant doses. We expect that our system represents an effective
      strategy to sustain delivery of water-soluble molecules that will benefit a
      variety of biomedical applications.

PMID- 26286185
TI  - Novel Gefitinib Formulation with Improved Oral Bioavailability in Treatment of
      A431 Skin Carcinoma.
AB  - PURPOSE: Oral administration of anticancer agents presents a series of advantages
      for patients. However, most of the anticancer drugs have poor water solubility
      leading to low bioavailability. METHODS: Controlled released spray dried matrix
      system of Gefitinib with hydroxypropyl beta-cyclodextrin, chitosan, hydroxy
      propyl methyl cellulose, vitamin E TPGS, succinic acid were used for the design
      of formulations to improve the oral absorption of Gefitinib. Spray drying with a
      customized spray gun which allows simultaneous/pulsatile flow of two different
      liquid systems through single nozzle was used to prepare Gefitinib spray dried
      formulations (Gef-SD). Formulation was characterized by in vitro drug release and
      Caco-2 permeability studies. Pharmacokinetic studies were performed in Sprague
      Dawley rats. Efficacy of Gef-SD was carried out in A431 xenografts models in nude
      mice. RESULTS: In Gef-SD group 9.14-fold increase in the AUC was observed
      compared to free Gef. Improved pharmacokinetic profile of Gef-SD translated into
      increase (1.75 fold compared to Gef free drug) in anticancer effects. Animal
      survival was significantly increased in Gef formulation treated groups, with
      superior reduction in the tumor size (1.48-fold) and volumes (1.75-fold) and also
      increase in the anticancer effects (TUNEL positive apoptotic cells) was observed
      in Gef-SD treated groups. Further, western blot, immunohistochemical and
      proteomics analysis demonstrated the increased pharmacodynamic effects of Gef-SD
      formulations in A431 xenograft tumor models. CONCLUSION: Our studies suggested
      that Gefitinib can be successfully incorporated into control release
      microparticles based oral formulation with enhanced pharmacokinetic and
      pharmacodynamic activity. This study demonstrates the novel application of Gef in
      A431 tumor models.

PMID- 26286186
TI  - Viscosity Analysis of Dual Variable Domain Immunoglobulin Protein Solutions: Role
      of Size, Electroviscous Effect and Protein-Protein Interactions.
AB  - PURPOSE: Increased solution viscosity results in difficulties in manufacturing
      and delivery of therapeutic protein formulations, increasing both the time and
      production costs, and leading to patient inconvenience. The solution viscosity is
      affected by the molecular properties of both the solute and the solvent. The
      purpose of this work was to investigate the effect of size, charge and protein
      protein interactions on the viscosity of Dual Variable Domain Immunoglobulin (DVD
      Ig(TM)) protein solutions. METHODS: The effect of size of the protein molecule on
      solution viscosity was investigated by measuring intrinsic viscosity and excluded
      volume calculations for monoclonal antibody (mAb) and DVD-Ig(TM) protein
      solutions. The role of the electrostatic charge resulting in electroviscous
      effects for DVD-Ig(TM) protein was assessed by measuring zeta potential. Light
      scattering measurements were performed to detect protein-protein interactions
      affecting solution viscosity. RESULTS: DVD-Ig(TM) protein exhibited significantly
      higher viscosity compared to mAb. Intrinsic viscosity and excluded volume
      calculations indicated that the size of the molecule affects viscosity
      significantly at higher concentrations, while the effect was minimal at
      intermediate concentrations. Electroviscous contribution to the viscosity of DVD
      Ig(TM) protein varied depending on the presence or absence of ions in the
      solution. In buffered solutions, negative k D and B 2 values indicated the
      presence of attractive interactions which resulted in high viscosity for DVD
      Ig(TM) protein at certain pH and ionic strength conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Results
      show that more than one factor contributes to the increased viscosity of DVD
      Ig(TM) protein and interplay of these factors modulates the overall viscosity
      behavior of the solution, especially at higher concentrations.

PMID- 26286187
TI  - The Effect of Excipients on the Permeability of BCS Class III Compounds and
      Implications for Biowaivers.
AB  - PURPOSE: Currently, the FDA allows biowaivers for Class I (high solubility and
      high permeability) and Class III (high solubility and low permeability) compounds
      of the Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS). Scientific evidence should
      be provided to support biowaivers for BCS Class I and Class III (high solubility
      and low permeability) compounds. METHODS: Data on the effects of excipients on
      drug permeability are needed to demonstrate that commonly used excipients do not
      affect the permeability of BCS Class III compounds, which would support the
      application of biowaivers to Class III compounds. This study was designed to
      generate such data by assessing the permeability of four BCS Class III compounds
      and one Class I compound in the presence and absence of five commonly used
      excipients. RESULTS: The permeability of each of the compounds was assessed, at
      three to five concentrations, with each excipient in two different models: Caco-2
      cell monolayers, and in situ rat intestinal perfusion. No substantial increases
      in the permeability of any of the compounds were observed in the presence of any
      of the tested excipients in either of the models, with the exception of
      disruption of Caco-2 cell monolayer integrity by sodium lauryl sulfate at 0.1
      mg/ml and higher. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the absorption of these
      four BCS Class III compounds would not be greatly affected by the tested
      excipients. This may have implications in supporting biowaivers for BCS Class III
      compounds in general.

PMID- 26286188
TI  - The Evaluation of the Therapeutic Efficacy and Side Effects of a Macromolecular
      Dexamethasone Prodrug in the Collagen-Induced Arthritis Mouse Model.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of N-(2-hydroxypropyl)
      methacrylamide (HPMA) copolymer-dexamethasone conjugate (P-Dex) in the collagen
      induced arthritis (CIA) mouse model. METHODS: HPMA copolymer labeled with a near
      infrared fluorescence (NIRF) dye was administered to mice with CIA to validate
      its passive targeting to inflamed joints and utility as a drug carrier system.
      The CIA mice were treated with P-Dex, dexamethasone (Dex) or saline and the
      therapeutic efficacy and skeletal toxicity evaluated using clinical scoring and
      micro-computed tomography (MU-CT). RESULTS: The NIRF signal of the HPMA copolymer
      localized to arthritic joints consistent with its passive targeting to sites of
      inflammation. While the CIA mice responded more rapidly to P-Dex compared to Dex,
      the final clinical score and endpoint MU-CT analyses of localized bone erosions
      indicated that both single dose P-Dex and dose equivalent daily Dex led to
      comparable clinical efficacy after 30 days. MU-CT analysis of the proximal tibial
      metaphyses showed that P-Dex treatment was associated with significantly higher
      BMD and BV/TV compared to Dex and the saline control, consistent with reduced
      glucocorticoid (GC) skeletal toxicity. CONCLUSION: These results validate the
      therapeutic efficacy of P-Dex in the CIA mouse model. P-Dex treatment averted the
      adverse effects of GC's on systemic bone loss, supporting its utility in clinical
      development for the management of rheumatoid arthritis.

PMID- 26286189
TI  - Alginate dressings for venous leg ulcers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Venous leg ulcers are a common and recurring type of chronic, complex
      wound associated with considerable cost to patients and healthcare providers. To
      aid healing, primary wound contact dressings are usually applied to ulcers
      beneath compression devices. Alginate dressings are used frequently and there is
      a variety of alginate products on the market, however, the evidence base to guide
      dressing choice is sparse.  OBJECTIVES: To determine the effects of alginate
      dressings compared with alternative dressings, non-dressing treatments or no
      dressing, with or without concurrent compression therapy, on the healing of
      venous leg ulcers. SEARCH METHODS: For this first update, in March 2015, we
      searched the following databases: The Cochrane Wounds Group Specialised Register;
      The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL); Ovid MEDLINE; Ovid
      MEDLINE (In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations); Ovid EMBASE; and EBSCO
      CINAHL. There were no restrictions based on language or date of publication.
      SELECTION CRITERIA: Published or unpublished randomised controlled trials (RCTs)
      that evaluated the effects of any type of alginate dressing in the treatment of
      venous ulcers were included. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors
      independently performed study selection, data extraction and risk of bias
      assessment. Meta-analysis was undertaken when deemed feasible and appropriate.
      MAIN RESULTS: Five RCTs (295 participants) were included in this review. All were
      identified during the original review. The overall risk of bias was high for two
      RCTs and unclear for three. One RCT compared different proprietary alginate
      dressings (20 participants), three compared alginate and hydrocolloid dressings
      (215 participants), and one compared alginate and plain non-adherent dressings
      (60 participants). Follow-up periods were six weeks in three RCTs and 12 weeks in
      two. No statistically significant between-group differences were detected for any
      comparison, for any healing outcome. Meta-analysis was feasible for one
      comparison (alginate and hydrocolloid dressings), with data from two RCTs (84
      participants) pooled for complete healing at six weeks: risk ratio 0.42 (95%
      confidence interval 0.14 to 1.21). Adverse event profiles were generally similar
      between groups (not assessed for alginate versus plain non-adherent dressings).
      AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: The current evidence base does not suggest that alginate
      dressings are more or less effective in the healing of venous leg ulcers than
      hydrocolloid or plain non-adherent dressings, and there is no evidence to
      indicate a difference between different proprietary alginate dressings. However,
      the RCTs in this area are considered to be of low or unclear methodological
      quality. Further, good quality evidence is required from well designed and
      rigorously conducted RCTs that employ - and clearly report on - methods to
      minimise bias, prior to any definitive conclusions being made regarding the
      efficacy of alginate dressings in the management of venous leg ulcers.

PMID- 26286190
TI  - [Overcoming disease in systemic lupus erythematosus].
AB  - BACKGROUND: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory
      autoimmune disease affecting a broad range of different organ systems and, hence,
      presenting with multiple symptomatic domains, which considerably reduces the
      quality of life of patients. Within the last decade the prognosis of the disease
      has been significantly improved by novel therapies and intensive monitoring;
      however, non-pharmaceutical strategies for symptom control, self-efficacy and
      coping abilities for those affected are still insufficiently established.
      OBJECTIVE: This article describes the possibilities and limitations of non
      pharmaceutical strategies and makes suggestions for future treatment and
      research. RESULTS: Preliminary interventional studies using psychoeducational,
      psychosocial and behavioral psychotherapeutic approaches, have consistently shown
      that the needs and expectations of patients related to help and support by
      doctors and professional care can be adequately and sustainably met. In addition,
      coping abilities and the quality of life can be increased.

PMID- 26286191
TI  - Proadrenomedullin and copeptin in pediatric pneumonia: a prospective diagnostic
      accuracy study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Community-acquired-pneumonia is the leading cause of child mortality
      worldwide. Very few studies have explored the predictive value of
      Proadrenomedullin and Copeptin in pediatric severe pneumonia and bacteremia.
      METHODS: Proadrenomedullin and Copeptin were assessed as predictors for
      complicated community-acquired pneumonia (bacteremia, empyema) in 88 children
      aged 0 to 16 years presenting to the pediatric emergency department, using
      B.R.A.H.M.S. Kryptor Compact pro-ADM and Copeptin with the TRACE technology (time
      resolved amplified cryptase emission). STARD standard reporting was used.
      RESULTS: A complicated community-acquired pneumonia was found in 11 out of 88
      children (12.5 %). Proadrenomedullin median values increased more than twofold,
      in complicated vs. uncomplicated (0.18 vs. 0.08 nmol/L, p = 0.039), and fivefold
      in bacteremic vs. non-bacteremic pneumonia (0.40 vs. 0.08 nmol/L, p = 0.02).
      Proadrenomedullin > 0.16 nmol/L showed 100 % sensitivity (95 % CI 39.8 - 100.0)
      and 70 % (95 % CI 58.7 - 79.7) specificity for bacteremia. Copeptin showed no
      added-value. CONCLUSIONS: Proadrenomedullin seems a reliable and available
      predictor for complicated CAP, and could therefore help the physician with the
      decision to hospitalize, and choose the antibiotics administration route. Larger
      studies are needed.

PMID- 26286192
TI  - Involvement of SRSF11 in cell cycle-specific recruitment of telomerase to
      telomeres at nuclear speckles.
AB  - Telomerase, a unique ribonucleoprotein complex that contains the telomerase
      reverse transcriptase (TERT), the telomerase RNA component (TERC) and the TERC
      binding protein dyskerin, is required for continued cell proliferation in stem
      cells and cancer cells. Here we identify SRSF11 as a novel TERC-binding protein
      that localizes to nuclear speckles, subnuclear structures that are enriched in
      pre-messenger RNA splicing factors. SRSF11 associates with active telomerase
      enzyme through an interaction with TERC and directs it to nuclear speckles
      specifically during S phase of the cell cycle. On the other hand, a subset of
      telomeres is shown to be constitutively present at nuclear speckles irrespective
      of cell cycle phase, suggesting that nuclear speckles could be the nuclear sites
      for telomerase recruitment to telomeres. SRSF11 also associates with telomeres
      through an interaction with TRF2, which facilitates translocation of telomerase
      to telomeres. Depletion of SRSF11 prevents telomerase from associating with
      nuclear speckles and disrupts telomerase recruitment to telomeres, thereby
      abrogating telomere elongation by telomerase. These findings suggest that SRSF11
      acts as a nuclear speckle-targeting factor that is essential for telomerase
      association with telomeres through the interactions with TERC and TRF2, and
      provides a potential target for modulating telomerase activity in cancer. 

PMID- 26286193
TI  - Role of a non-canonical surface of Rad6 in ubiquitin conjugating activity.
AB  - Rad6 is a yeast E2 ubiquitin conjugating enzyme that monoubiquitinates histone
      H2B in conjunction with the E3, Bre1, but can non-specifically modify histones on
      its own. We determined the crystal structure of a Rad6~Ub thioester mimic, which
      revealed a network of interactions in the crystal in which the ubiquitin in one
      conjugate contacts Rad6 in another. The region of Rad6 contacted is located on
      the distal face of Rad6 opposite the active site, but differs from the canonical
      E2 backside that mediates free ubiquitin binding and polyubiquitination activity
      in other E2 enzymes. We find that free ubiquitin interacts weakly with both non
      canonical and canonical backside residues of Rad6 and that mutations of non
      canonical residues have deleterious effects on Rad6 activity comparable to those
      observed to mutations in the canonical E2 backside. The effect of non-canonical
      backside mutations is similar in the presence and absence of Bre1, indicating
      that contacts with non-canonical backside residues govern the intrinsic activity
      of Rad6. Our findings shed light on the determinants of intrinsic Rad6 activity
      and reveal new ways in which contacts with an E2 backside can regulate ubiquitin
      conjugating activity. 

PMID- 26286194
TI  - Carbohydrate structure database merged from bacterial, archaeal, plant and fungal
      parts.
AB  - The Carbohydrate Structure Databases (CSDBs, http://csdb.glycoscience.ru) store
      structural, bibliographic, taxonomic, NMR spectroscopic, and other data on
      natural carbohydrates and their derivatives published in the scientific
      literature. The CSDB project was launched in 2005 for bacterial saccharides (as
      BCSDB). Currently, it includes two parts, the Bacterial CSDB and the Plant&Fungal
      CSDB. In March 2015, these databases were merged to the single CSDB. The combined
      CSDB includes information on bacterial and archaeal glycans and derivatives (the
      coverage is close to complete), as well as on plant and fungal glycans and
      glycoconjugates (almost all structures published up to 1998). CSDB is regularly
      updated via manual expert annotation of original publications. Both newly
      annotated data and data imported from other databases are manually curated. The
      CSDB data are exportable in a number of modern formats, such as GlycoRDF. CSDB
      provides additional services for simulation of (1)H, (13)C and 2D NMR spectra of
      saccharides, NMR-based structure prediction, glycan-based taxon clustering and
      other. 

PMID- 26286195
TI  - Adrenocortical Carcinoma: Impact of Surgical Margin Status on Long-Term Outcomes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The influence of surgical margin status on long-term outcomes of
      patients undergoing adrenal resection for ACC remains not well defined. We
      studied the impact of surgical tumor margin status on recurrence-free survival
      (RFS) and overall survival (OS) of patients undergoing resection for ACC.
      METHODS: A total of 165 patients who underwent adrenal resection for ACC and met
      inclusion criteria were identified form a multi-institutional database.
      Clinicopathological data, pathologic margin status, and long-term outcomes were
      assessed. Patients were stratified into two groups based on margin status: R0
      (margin >1 mm) versus R1. RESULTS: R0 resection was achieved in 126 patients
      (76.4 %), whereas 39 patients (23.6 %) had an R1 resection. Median and 5-year OS
      for patients undergoing R0 resection were 96.3 months and 64.8 % versus 25.1
      months and 33.8 % for patients undergoing an R1 resection (both p < 0.001). On
      multivariable analysis, surgical margin status was an independent predictor of
      worse OS (hazard ratio [HR] 2.22, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.03-4.77; p =
      0.04). The incidence of recurrence also differed between the two groups; 5-year
      RFS was 30.3 % among patients with an R0 resection versus 13.8 % among patients
      who had an R1 resection (p = 0.03). Lymph node metastasis (N1) was an independent
      predictor of RFS (HR 2.70, 95 % CI 1.04-6.99; p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: A positive
      margin after ACC resection was associated with worse long-term survival. Patient
      selection and an emphasis on surgical technique to achieve R0 margins are pivotal
      to optimizing the best chance for long-term outcome among patients with ACC.

PMID- 26286196
TI  - HPV and EBV Infections in Neck Metastases from Occult Primary Squamous Cell
      Carcinoma: Another Virus-Related Neoplastic Disease in the Head and Neck Region.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Approximately 1-9 % of all head and neck squamous cell carcinomas are
      neck metastases from clinically undetectable primary tumors. Human papillomavirus
      (HPV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) are proven carcinogenic factors that are
      associated with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma and nasopharyngeal
      carcinoma, respectively. In the present study, we evaluated the prevalence of
      these viruses in neck metastases from unknown primary squamous cell carcinoma.
      METHODS: We evaluated fresh samples from a consecutive series of 22 neck
      dissections for metastases from unknown primary squamous cell carcinoma obtained
      between 2010 and 2012 at a single institution. The samples were tested for the
      presence of HPV E6 and E7 mRNA and EBV DNA. RESULTS: Oncogenic viral infections
      were detected in 12 cases (54 % total; 2 HPV18, 5 HPV16, 2 EBV infection, and 3
      EBV/HPV16 coinfections). The most frequent primarily involved neck level in our
      series was IIA (70 %), which had the highest prevalence of viral infection (66
      %). We did not find any other significant correlations between virus detection
      and clinicopathologic parameters or prognosis. DISCUSSION: Neck metastasis from
      unknown primary squamous cell carcinoma could be another virus-related malignancy
      in the head and neck region, along with nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal
      carcinoma. An evaluation of the impact of viral infection on patient prognosis
      and sensitivities to different treatment modalities could modify our prognostic
      assessments and treatment planning. Furthermore, virus detection would have a
      decisive impact on diagnostic/decisional algorithms, especially if detection
      methods are implemented on cytologic samples (e.g., thin prep).

PMID- 26286197
TI  - Radiotherapy and Conservative Surgery in the Locoregional Management of Merkel
      Cell Carcinoma: The British Columbia Cancer Agency Experience.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an uncommon aggressive skin
      malignancy. Published series mainly focus on wide excision, which can be
      difficult at some sites (e.g., face) and in patients with comorbidities. In
      British Columbia, an approach of conservative surgery followed by radiotherapy is
      common. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective review of 179 patients
      treated for MCC with curative intent in British Columbia. RESULTS: Totals of 68,
      63, and 37 patients underwent narrow excision of primary, attempted wide
      excision, and biopsy only, respectively. Adjuvant radiotherapy reduced local
      recurrence after narrow excision (<10 mm margin) from 25 to 4.9 % (p = .03) and
      was effective in the presence of microscopic positive margins. Local recurrence
      rate was 7.1 % if the margin was >10 mm irrespective of radiation use. Local RFS
      was improved by adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) (p = 0.04), and there was a trend
      to reduced nodal relapse after elective nodal RT (p = .07). Irradiation of
      macroscopic tumor at 37 primary and 33 nodal sites provided 5-year local and
      nodal RFS of 90 and 75 %, respectively. The 5-year cancer specific survival was
      77 % and was not improved by the use of adjuvant radiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Local
      excision plus adjuvant RT is an effective treatment for MCC. Adjuvant radiation
      should be considered when the excision margin is <1 cm.

PMID- 26286198
TI  - Prognostic Significance of Sarcomatous Change in Patients with Hepatocellular
      Carcinoma After Surgical Resection.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with sarcomatous change (SC) is a rare
      malignancy associated with high aggressiveness and poor prognosis; however, its
      prognostic significance remains unclear. METHODS: From January 1994 to April
      2012, surgically resected HCCs with SC (n = 52) at West China Hospital were
      retrospectively reviewed. HCC with SC was defined as the concomitant presence of
      the sarcomatous component occupying at least 10 % (but not predominantly) of the
      HCC-bearing tissue. To validate its prognostic significance, we compared the
      clinicopathological features and survival rates of these patients with a cohort
      of 214 randomly selected ordinary HCC patients during the same period. RESULTS:
      The clinicopathological characteristics of HCC with SC were similar to those of
      ordinary HCC, with the exception of capsule formation, adjacent organ invasion,
      lymph node metastasis, and TNM staging. A total of 45 (86.5 %) HCC patients with
      SC experienced a recurrence, with a median time to recurrence of 6.0 months.
      Overall survival (OS) rates in the sarcomatous HCC group at 1, 2, and 3 years
      were 55.8, 25, and 17.3 %, respectively, which were significantly lower than
      those in the ordinary HCC group (p < 0.001). On multivariable analysis,
      macrovascular invasion, satellite nodules, and R1/R2 resection were identified as
      independent risk factors for shorter disease-free survival and OS. CONCLUSIONS:
      The presence of SC in HCC was uncommon, and was associated with much poorer
      prognosis than ordinary HCC. Radical resection with negative margin is essential
      for improving the prognosis. Future prospective studies are warranted to
      determine if recurrent patients can benefit from postoperative adjuvant
      therapies.

PMID- 26286200
TI  - Chyle Fistula After Neck Dissection: An 8-Year, Single-Center, Prospective Study
      of Incidence, Clinical Features, and Treatment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Chyle fistula is a relatively rare complication of neck dissection,
      and there is a lack of consensus regarding its incidence, risk factors, and
      management. METHODS: Between 2007 and 2014, a total of 472 cases of neck
      dissection involving the level IV compartment were included in the study. The
      incidence, risk factors, and clinical course of chyle fistula were investigated,
      as well as the outcomes of conventional management and the use of octreotide
      injection in high-output chyle fistula. RESULTS: The overall incidence of chyle
      fistula was 4.7 % (22/472), with an incidence of 3.0 % and 6.2 % after right and
      left neck dissection, respectively. The presence of a metastatic lesion around
      the junction of the internal jugular vein and subclavian vein was the only factor
      significantly associated with the development of chyle fistula (approximately
      fourfold higher risk) in univariate and multivariate analyses. In 22 cases of
      chyle fistula, the mean total drainage volume was 3226 mL during a mean 15.4 days
      of drain placement. Total parental nutrition for the management of chyle fistula
      was required in 16 cases. Nine (40.9 %) of 22 cases experienced additional
      complications related to chyle fistula. Of the six high-output cases, four were
      managed with conservative methods plus octreotide injection, and three did not
      require surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of chyle fistula after neck
      dissection was higher than expected, especially on the right side. Surgeons
      should pay greater attention to chyle fistula from preoperative evaluation to
      postoperative management.

PMID- 26286199
TI  - Prevalence of Malnutrition Among Gastric Cancer Patients Undergoing Gastrectomy
      and Optimal Preoperative Nutritional Support for Preventing Surgical Site
      Infections.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Malnutrition is an independent risk factor for postoperative
      mortality and morbidity in major gastrointestinal surgery. The aim of this study
      was to investigate the prevalence of malnutrition and identify the optimal
      preoperative nutritional support for preventing postoperative surgical site
      infections (SSIs) in malnourished gastric cancer patients undergoing gastrectomy.
      METHODS: We analyzed 800 patients with gastric cancer who underwent gastrectomy.
      Nutritional risk factors included weight loss >10 % within 6 months, body mass
      index <18.5 kg/m(2), Subjective Global Assessment Grade C, and serum albumin <3.0
      g/dl. Adequate energy intake was defined as receiving >=25 kcal/kg ideal body
      weight per day. Optimal nutritional support was examined in terms of both
      duration and calorie intake. RESULTS: Overall, 152 patients (19.0 %) were
      classified as malnourished. The incidence of SSIs was significantly higher in
      malnourished patients than in well-nourished patients (35.5 vs. 14.0 %; p <
      0.0001). The incidence of SSIs in malnourished patients was significantly lower
      in the well-supported group receiving adequate energy support for at least 10
      days than in the poorly-supported group, which received inadequate or no energy
      support or adequate energy support for <10 days (17.0 vs. 45.4 %; p = 0.0006). In
      multivariate analysis, well-managed nutritional support was identified as an
      independent factor associated with fewer SSIs (odds ratio 0.14; 95 % confidence
      interval 0.05-0.37; p = 0.0002). CONCLUSIONS: Malnutrition, a risk factor for
      SSI, was prevalent in gastric cancer patients preoperatively. Well-managed
      preoperative nutritional support decreased the incidence of postoperative SSIs in
      malnourished patients.

PMID- 26286201
TI  - Comparison of discrete ratios by rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta).
AB  - Perceiving and comparing ratios are crucial skills for humans. Little is known
      about whether other animals can compare ratios. We trained two rhesus macaques
      (Macaca mulatta) to choose arrays that contained the greater ratio of positive to
      negative stimuli, regardless of the absolute number of stimuli in each of the two
      choice arrays. Subjects learned this task, and their performance generalized to
      novel ratios. Moreover, performance was modulated by the ratio between ratios;
      subjects responded more quickly and accurately when the ratio between ratios was
      higher. Control conditions ruled out the possibility that subjects were relying
      on surface area, although the ratio between ratios of surface area did seem to
      influence their choices. Our results demonstrate that rhesus monkeys can compare
      discrete ratios, demonstrating not only proportional reasoning ability but also
      the ability to reason about relations between relations. 

PMID- 26286202
TI  - Early Benefit Assessments in Oncology in Germany: How Can a Clinically Relevant
      Endpoint Not Be Relevant to Patients?
AB  - After 4 years of early benefit assessment (EBA) in Germany, it is becoming
      evident that the Federal Joint Committee (FJC) frequently considers well
      established clinical endpoints as not being relevant to patients. Focusing on
      assessments of oncology medicines, we analysed the FJC's view on primary
      endpoints and compared it with the approach used by regulatory authorities.
      Mortality data were accepted by both stakeholders. Whereas regulatory authorities
      accepted primary morbidity endpoints such as progression-free survival and
      response rates, the FJC mostly excluded these from its assessments. Health
      related quality of life (HRQoL) data have been poorly reflected in the approval
      process; for EBAs, those data have rarely impacted on benefit ratings. We argue
      that agreement between regulatory authorities and the FJC is required regarding
      primary study endpoints that are relevant to patients, and that clarification of
      acceptable endpoints by the FJC, especially in the morbidity domain, has to be
      provided. Moreover, in order to fully acknowledge the benefit of a new medicinal
      product, mortality, morbidity and HRQoL should be weighted differentially,
      according to the condition. 

PMID- 26286203
TI  - Population Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of GSK961081 (Batefenterol), a
      Muscarinic Antagonist and beta2-Agonist, in Moderate-to-Severe COPD Patients:
      Substudy of a Randomized Trial.
AB  - GSK961081 (batefenterol) is a novel bifunctional molecule composed of a
      muscarinic antagonist and a beta2-agonist. The aims of this substudy were (1) to
      characterize the population pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of
      GSK961081 in patients with moderate-to-severe chronic obstructive pulmonary
      disease (COPD); and (2) to investigate the relationship between systemic exposure
      to GSK961081 and key cardiac-related safety parameters. Three once-daily doses
      (100, 400, and 800 MUg) and three twice-daily doses (100, 200, and 400 MUg) of
      GSK961081 DISKUS were investigated. A two-compartment disposition PK model with
      first-order absorption adequately described the plasma GSK961081 concentration
      time data. An empirical maximum-effects PD model adequately described the forced
      expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) response relationship with the covariate baseline
      FEV1 on day 1. No clear relationships between GSK961081 plasma drug levels and
      cardiac-related safety parameters were apparent. The PK and PD models will be
      used to guide the dose selection and development of GSK961081 in patients with
      COPD. 

PMID- 26286204
TI  - Regime shifts and resilience in China's coastal ecosystems.
AB  - Regime shift often results in large, abrupt, and persistent changes in the
      provision of ecosystem services and can therefore have significant impacts on
      human wellbeing. Understanding regime shifts has profound implications for
      ecosystem recovery and management. China's coastal ecosystems have experienced
      substantial deterioration within the past decades, at a scale and speed the world
      has never seen before. Yet, information about this coastal ecosystem change from
      a dynamics perspective is quite limited. In this review, I synthesize existing
      information on coastal ecosystem regime shifts in China and discuss their
      interactions and cascading effects. The accumulation of regime shifts in China's
      coastal ecosystems suggests that the desired system resilience has been
      profoundly eroded, increasing the potential of abrupt shifts to undesirable
      states at a larger scale, especially given multiple escalating pressures. Policy
      and management strategies need to incorporate resilience approaches in order to
      cope with future challenges and avoid major losses in China's coastal ecosystem
      services. 

PMID- 26286206
TI  - Use of perampanel in one case of super-refractory hypoxic myoclonic status: Case
      report.
AB  - Proper treatment of hypoxic myoclonic status is not clearly determined. Induced
      hypothermia is improving prognosis and a more aggressive treatment might be
      beneficial in some patients. Among the new options of antiepileptic drugs,
      perampanel (PER) is a drug with a novel mechanism, and it might be a promising
      drug for myoclonic status or as an antimyoclonic drug. We describe the use of PER
      in one patient with hypoxic super-refractory myoclonic status. DESCRIPTION: A 51
      year-old patient presented after an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest due to an
      acute myocardial infarction. The patient was diagnosed with clinical and
      electrical (EEG) myoclonic status at the rewarming phase. Several treatments were
      used, starting with clonazepam, valproate, sedation (midazolam, propofol), and
      subsequently barbiturate-induced coma with persistent myoclonic status. Finally,
      we decided to try PER (dose: 6-8 mg) through a nasogastric tube, resulting in a
      marked improvement of EEG activity and myoclonus decrease. The patient had a
      progressive clinical improvement, with a CPC (Cerebral Performance Category)
      scale score of 1. CONCLUSION: This case shows the potential utility of PER as a
      therapeutic option in super-refractory hypoxic status and even its potential use
      before other aggressive alternatives considering their greater morbidity.

PMID- 26286205
TI  - Selective Impairment of Spatial Cognition Caused by Autoantibodies to the N
      Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor.
AB  - Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) experience cognitive
      abnormalities in multiple domains including processing speed, executive function,
      and memory. Here we show that SLE patients carrying antibodies that bind DNA and
      the GluN2A and GluN2B subunits of the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR),
      termed DNRAbs, displayed a selective impairment in spatial recall. Neural
      recordings in a mouse model of SLE, in which circulating DNRAbs penetrate the
      hippocampus, revealed that CA1 place cells exhibited a significant expansion in
      place field size. Structural analysis showed that hippocampal pyramidal cells had
      substantial reductions in their dendritic processes and spines. Strikingly, these
      abnormalities became evident at a time when DNRAbs were no longer detectable in
      the hippocampus. These results suggest that antibody-mediated neurocognitive
      impairments may be highly specific, and that spatial cognition may be
      particularly vulnerable to DNRAb-mediated structural and functional injury to
      hippocampal cells that evolves after the triggering insult is no longer present. 

PMID- 26286207
TI  - Regulation of Gene Expression by Sodium Valproate in Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal
      Transition.
AB  - PURPOSE: Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an important mechanism in
      cancer metastasis and pulmonary fibrosis. Previous studies demonstrated effect of
      histone H3 and H4 acetylation in cancer and pulmonary fibrosis, so we
      hypothesized that histone modification might play a crucial role in gene
      regulation during EMT. In this study, we investigated the mechanism behind EMT by
      analyzing comprehensive gene expression and the effect of sodium valproate (VPA),
      a class I histone deacetylase inhibitory drug, on histone modification. METHODS:
      EMT was induced in human alveolar epithelial cells (A549) using 5 ng/mL of
      transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1. Various concentrations of VPA were then
      administered, and Western blotting was used to analyze histone acetylation or
      methylation. Comprehensive gene expression analysis was carried out by RNA
      sequencing, and chromatin immunoprecipitation was performed with an anti-acetyl
      histone H3 lysine 27 antibody. RESULTS: TGF-beta1 stimulation led to a decrease
      in histone acetylation, especially that of histone H3K27, and H3K27ac
      localization was decreased at particular gene loci. This decrease was recovered
      by VPA treatment, which also up-regulated the mRNA expression of genes down
      regulated by TGF-beta1, and correlated with the localization of H3K27ac. However,
      genes up-regulated by TGF-beta1 stimulation were not suppressed by VPA, with the
      exception of COL1A1. CONCLUSIONS: Histone acetylation was down-regulated by TGF
      beta1 stimulation in A549 cells. VPA partially inhibited EMT and the decrease of
      histone acetylation, which plays an important role in the progression of EMT.

PMID- 26286208
TI  - Benefits of Physical Training in Sarcoidosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sarcoidosis patients suffer from fatigue and exercise limitation. The
      aim of this study was to establish whether a physical training program improves
      these and other outcomes important to sarcoidosis patients. METHODS: From 11/2012
      to 9/2014, 201 sarcoidosis patients were referred to the ild care expertise team,
      Ede, the Netherlands. In our center, all patients are routinely recommended to
      undergo testing at baseline to determine their physical functioning and
      encouraged to complete a 12-week, supervised physical training program. Ninety
      patients underwent baseline testing and returned for repeat testing at 3 months
      in the interim, 49 completed the training program (Group I) and 41 chose not to
      participate (Group II). Change over time (from baseline to 3 months) in fatigue,
      exercise capacity, and skeletal muscle strength were assessed between the two
      groups. RESULTS: At baseline, there were no between-group differences for
      fatigue, DLCO%, FVC%, or exercise capacity [assessed by percent predicted six
      minute walk distance (6MWD%) and Steep Ramp Test (SRT)]. The 6MWD for Group I
      improved between baseline and 3 months, while the 6MWD remained the same in Group
      II (F = 72.2, p < 0.001). Group I showed a significantly larger decrease of
      fatigue compared with Group II (F = 6.27, p = 0.014). Lung function tests did not
      change in either group. CONCLUSION: A supervised physical training program
      improves exercise capacity and fatigue among sarcoidosis patients and should be
      included in their management regimen.

PMID- 26286210
TI  - Prediction and Dissection of Protein-RNA Interactions by Molecular Descriptors.
AB  - Protein-RNA interactions play crucial roles in numerous biological processes.
      However, detecting the interactions and binding sites between protein and RNA by
      traditional experiments is still time consuming and labor costing. Thus, it is of
      importance to develop bioinformatics methods for predicting protein-RNA
      interactions and binding sites. Accurate prediction of protein-RNA interactions
      and recognitions will highly benefit to decipher the interaction mechanisms
      between protein and RNA, as well as to improve the RNA-related protein
      engineering and drug design. In this work, we summarize the current
      bioinformatics strategies of predicting protein-RNA interactions and dissecting
      protein-RNA interaction mechanisms from local structure binding motifs. In
      particular, we focus on the feature-based machine learning methods, in which the
      molecular descriptors of protein and RNA are extracted and integrated as feature
      vectors of representing the interaction events and recognition residues. In
      addition, the available methods are classified and compared comprehensively. The
      molecular descriptors are expected to elucidate the binding mechanisms of protein
      RNA interaction and reveal the functional implications from structural
      complementary perspective. 

PMID- 26286209
TI  - IQGAP3 is essential for cell proliferation and motility during zebrafish
      embryonic development.
AB  - IQGAPs are scaffolding proteins that regulate actin assembly, exocyst function,
      cell motility, morphogenesis, adhesion and division. Vertebrates express 3 family
      members: IQGAP1, IQGAP2, and IQGAP3. IQGAP1 is known to stimulate nucleation of
      branched actin filaments through N-WASP and the Arp2/3 complex following direct
      binding to cytoplasmic tails of ligand-activated growth factor receptors,
      including EGFR, VEGFR2 and FGFR1. By contrast, little is known about functions of
      IQGAP2 or IQGAP3. Using in situ hybridization on whole mount zebrafish (Danio
      rerio) embryos, we show that IQGAP1 and IQGAP2 are associated with discrete
      tissues and organs, while IQGAP3 is mainly expressed in proliferative cells
      throughout embryonic and larval development. Morpholino knockdowns of IQGAP1 and
      IQGAP2 have little effect on embryo morphology while loss of function of IQGAP3
      affects both cell proliferation and cell motility. IQGAP3 morphant phenotypes are
      similar to those resulting from overexpression of dominant negative forms of Ras
      or of Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 1 (FGFR1), suggesting that IQGAP3 plays a
      role in FGFR1-Ras-ERK signaling. In support of this hypothesis, dominant negative
      forms of FGFR1 or Ras could be rescued by co-injection of zebrafish IQGAP3 mRNA,
      strongly suggesting that IQGAP3 acts as a downstream regulator of the FGFR1-Ras
      signaling pathway.

PMID- 26286212
TI  - Interplay between Catalysts and Substrates for Activity of Class Ib Aminoacyl
      tRNA Synthetases and Implications for Pharmacology.
AB  - Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase:transfer RNA (aaRS:tRNA) systems became recently
      essential targets in molecular medicine, because perturbed recognition of cognate
      tRNAs by aaRSs and poor precision in tRNA aminoacylation do not guarantee
      accurate protein biosynthesis, thus leading to diseases. Sets of identity
      determinants situated at particular zones of tRNA are responsible for functional
      accuracy. Recent work in X-ray crystallography has revealed various snapshots of
      aaRS:ligand complexes which represent the stages required for aminoacylation.
      Here we focus on a small group of class I aaRSs conserved in evolution, the
      ArgRSs, GluRSs, GlnRSs, and atypical LysRSs found mostly in Archaea and in a few
      Bacteria, that catalyze amino acid activation only in the presence of their
      cognate tRNAs. Structural and functional features of these aaRSs, ranked in
      subclass Ib, together with their peculiar mode of tRNA recognition and identity
      expression are reviewed and compared. Strategies to inhibit class Ib aaRS:tRNA
      aminoacylation systems, their dysfunction leading to human diseases, and the
      implications for pharmacology are outlined. 

PMID- 26286211
TI  - Recent Progress in Predicting Posttranslational Modification Sites in Proteins.
AB  - The posttranslational modification or PTM is a later but subtle step in protein
      biosynthesis via which to change the properties of a protein by adding a modified
      group to its one or more amino acid residues. PTMs are responsible for many
      significant biological processes, and meanwhile for many major diseases as well,
      such as cancer. Facing the avalanche of biological sequences generated in the
      post-genomic age, it is important for both basic research and drug development to
      timely identify the PTM sites in proteins. This Review is devoted to summarize
      the recent progresses in this area, with a focus on those predictors, which were
      developed based on the pseudo amino acid composition or PseAAC approach, and for
      which a publicly accessible web-server has been established. Meanwhile, the
      future challenge in this area has also been briefly addressed. 

PMID- 26286213
TI  - A New Insight of Herbal Promises Against Ocular Disorders: An Occuloinformatics
      Approach.
AB  - Ocular biology is a prominent area of research and advancement, as eyes are the
      most precious for us to see this beautiful world. Though we have overcome many
      ocular problems, but still challenges, no doubt exist in the path of the journey.
      Many ocular disorders still either have surgery or symptomatic drugs as a
      treatment. If we could get a better preventive way or single drug with many and
      more potential effects, will definitely be a boon for our society. Keeping the
      way we tried to focus on the impending effects of phytochemicals on some
      important ocular disorders. Our study promised with virtual screening based on
      important insilico protocols that can be a landmark for better futuristic
      approach towards novel drug development. As a selection Eales' Disease, Diabetic
      Retinopathy, Uveitis, Age related Macular Disorder, CRVO were taken. Causative
      Protein identification is the basic of study and further advance Insilico
      approaches were based on this target in respective disorders. Retinol Binding
      protein-3 and Retinal S antigen protein in case of Eales, Erythropoietin in the
      case of Diabetic Retinopathy, Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain
      containing protein-2 in case of Uveitis, Hemicentin-1 in case of Age related
      Macular Disorder, Coagulation Factor-V in case of CRVO were identified. Insilico
      characterization, Secondary and Tertiary structure prediction makes the study
      more prominent towards virtual screening. Virtual Screening was based on the
      parameters of docking, which reflects the potentiality of Ginkgolide, D-pinitol,
      Gugglesterones, Berberine and Curcumin herbal molecules against above mentioned
      ocular disorders respectively. Study signifies about the spectacular vision of
      herbal uses just to limit the vast side effects of synthetic chemicals used as
      ocular drugs. 

PMID- 26286214
TI  - Modulation of Cytokine Network in the Comorbidity of Schizophrenia and
      Tuberculosis.
AB  - Schizophrenia is a severe complex disabling disease that has impaired about 1% of
      the total population. It is widely recognized that schizophrenia is caused by the
      abnormal immune system. However, the current genome-wide association study (GWAS)
      of schizophrenia did not identify any cytokine molecules except genes in the
      major histocompatibility complex (MHC) region, suggesting that new strategies are
      needed to find out the effects of cytokines during the development of
      Schizophrenia. Recently, increasing evidences have found the comorbidity of
      schizophrenia with tuberculosis. To narrow down the scope of cytokines and reveal
      the core culprit, we first systematically review the common cytokines between
      these two diseases, followed by summarizing the core cytokines' interaction and
      modulation. The findings thus obtained may provide useful insights into the
      pathogeneses of both schizophrenia and tuberculosis from the angle of cytokines. 

PMID- 26286215
TI  - Recent Progresses in Studying Helix-Helix Interactions in Proteins by
      Incorporating the Wenxiang Diagram into the NMR Spectroscopy.
AB  - All residues in an alpha helix can be characterized and dispositioned on a 2D the
      wenxiang diagram, which possesses the following features: (1) the relative
      locations of the amino acids in the alpha-helix can be clearly displayed
      regardless how long it is; (2) direction of an alphahelix can be indicated; and
      (3) more information regarding each of the constituent amino acid residues in an
      alpha helix. Owing to its intuitionism and easy visibility, wenxiang diagrams
      have had an immense influence on our understanding of protein structure, protein
      protein interactions, and the effect of helical structural stability on protein
      conformational transitions. In this review, we summarize two recent applications
      of wenxiang diagrams incorporating NMR spectroscopy in the researches of the
      coiled-coil protein interactions related to the regulation of contraction or
      relaxation states of vascular smooth muscle cells, and the effects of alpha
      helical stability on the protein misfolding in prion disease, in hopes that the
      gained valuable information through these studies can stimulate more and more
      widely applications of wenxiang diagrams in structural biology. 

PMID- 26286216
TI  - Light to moderate intake of alcohol, drinking patterns, and risk of cancer:
      results from two prospective US cohort studies.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To quantify risk of overall cancer across all levels of alcohol
      consumption among women and men separately, with a focus on light to moderate
      drinking and never smokers; and assess the influence of drinking patterns on
      overall cancer risk. DESIGN: Two prospective cohort studies. SETTING: Health
      professionals in the United States. PARTICIPANTS: 88,084 women and 47,881 men
      participating in the Nurses' Health Study (from 1980) and Health Professionals
      Follow-up Study (from 1986), followed until 2010. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES:
      Relative risks of cancer. RESULTS: 19,269 and 7571 (excluding non-advanced
      prostate cancers) incident cancers were documented among women and men,
      respectively, over 3,144,853 person years. Compared with non-drinkers, light to
      moderate drinkers had relative risks of total cancer of 1.02 (95% confidence
      interval 0.98 to 1.06) and 1.04 (1.00 to 1.09; P(trend) = 0.12) for alcohol
      intake of 0.1-4.9 and 5-14.9 g/day among women, respectively. Corresponding
      values for men were 1.03 (0.96 to 1.11), 1.05 (0.97 to 1.12), and 1.06 (0.98 to
      1.15; P(trend) = 0.31) for alcohol intake of 0.1-4.9, 5-14.9, and 15-29.9 g/day,
      respectively. Associations for light to moderate drinking and total cancer were
      similar among ever or never smokers, although alcohol consumption above moderate
      levels (in particular >= 30 g/day) was more strongly associated with risk of
      total cancer among ever smokers than never smokers. For a priori defined alcohol
      related cancers in men, risk was not appreciably increased for light and moderate
      drinkers who never smoked (P(trend) = 0.18). However, for women, even an alcohol
      consumption of 5-14.9 g/day was associated with increased risk of alcohol related
      cancer (relative risk 1.13 (95% confidence interval 1.06 to 1.20)), driven by
      breast cancer. More frequent and heavy episodic drinking was not further
      associated with risk of total cancer after adjusting for total alcohol intake.
      CONCLUSION: Light to moderate drinking is associated with minimally increased
      risk of overall cancer. For men who have never smoked, risk of alcohol related
      cancers is not appreciably increased for light and moderate drinking (up to two
      drinks per day). However, for women who have never smoked, risk of alcohol
      related cancers (mainly breast cancer) increases even within the range of up to
      one alcoholic drink a day.

PMID- 26286217
TI  - Light or moderate drinking is linked to alcohol related cancers, including breast
      cancer.

PMID- 26286218
TI  - Fistulizing Epstein-Barr virus-positive plasmablastic lymphoma in an HIV-positive
      man.
AB  - Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is an unusual subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma
      recently classified as a diffuse immunoblastic lymphoma with a plasma-cell
      immunophenotype. Originally described in the oral cavity of HIV-positive
      patients, it has also been recognized to occur rarely at other sites. We describe
      a previously unreported fistulizing presentation of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)
      positive PBL, reviewing its association with HIV-1 infection and its importance
      as an AIDS-defining malignancy. 

PMID- 26286219
TI  - Oncologic safety of facial artery myomucosal flaps in oral cavity reconstruction.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Buccinator myomucosal flaps are routinely used for oral cavity
      reconstruction and are indicated mainly in patients classified as having stage N0
      cancer. This purpose of this study was to investigate whether preservation of the
      vascular pedicle of the flap (facial artery and vein) during stadiative neck
      dissection alters the oncologic safety in these patients. METHODS: Fifty patients
      underwent resection of T1 to 3, N0 squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue or floor
      of the mouth, stadiative neck dissection, and reconstruction with a facial artery
      musculomucosal (FAMM) flap were retrospectively analyzed concerning rate of
      occult neck metastasis and recurrences. RESULTS: Occult metastasis was detected
      in 10 patients. Mean follow-up was 41 months. The overall survival rate was 88%,
      and the disease-specific survival rate was 92%. CONCLUSION: Neck dissection with
      preservation of the facial artery and vein does not alter the rate of regional
      recurrences, confirming the oncologic safety of myomucosal flaps in oral cavity
      reconstruction. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E1200-E1202, 2016.

PMID- 26286220
TI  - Changes in the distribution of mechanically dependent plants along a gradient of
      past hurricane impact.
AB  - The severity of the effects that large disturbance events such as hurricanes can
      have on the forest canopy and the associated mechanically dependent plant
      community (epiphytes, climbers, etc.) is dependent on the frequency and intensity
      of the disturbance events. Here we investigate the effects of different
      structural and environmental properties of the host trees and previously modelled
      past hurricanes on dependent plants in Cusuco National Park, Honduras. Tree
      climbing methods were employed to sample different dependent life-forms in ten
      150 * 150 m plots. We identified 7094 individuals of dependent plants from 214
      different species. For holo- and hemi-epiphytes, we found that diversity was
      significantly negatively related to past hurricane impact. The abundance of
      dependent plants was greatly influenced by their position in tree canopy and
      hurricane disturbance regimes. The relationship between abundance and mean branch
      height shifts across a gradient of hurricane impact (from negative to positive),
      which might result from a combination of changes in abundance of individual
      species and composition of the dependent flora across sites. Mechanically
      dependent plants also responded to different structural and environmental
      conditions along individual branches. The variables that explained much of the
      community differences of life-forms and families among branches were branch
      surface area and bryophyte cover. The factors that explained most variation at a
      plot level were mean vapour pressure deficit and elevation. At the level of the
      individual tree, the most important factors were canopy openness and past
      hurricane impact. We believe that more emphasis needs to be placed on the effects
      that past disturbance events have on mechanically dependent plant communities,
      particularly in areas that are prone to catastrophic perturbations. 

PMID- 26286221
TI  - Orchid-pollinator interactions and potential vulnerability to biological
      invasion.
AB  - Mutualistic relationships between plants and their pollinators have played a
      major role in the evolution of biodiversity. While the vulnerability of these
      relationships to environmental change is a major concern, studies often lack a
      framework for predicting impacts from emerging threats (e.g. biological
      invasions). The objective of this study was to determine the reliance of
      Platanthera ciliaris (orange-fringed orchid) on Papilio palamedes (Palamedes
      swallowtail butterfly) for pollination and the relative availability of
      alternative pollinators. Recent declines of P. palamedes larval host plants due
      to laurel wilt disease (LWD) could endanger P. ciliaris populations that rely
      heavily on this butterfly for pollination. We monitored pollinator visitation and
      fruit set and measured nectar spur lengths of P. ciliaris flowers and proboscis
      lengths of its floral visitors in Jackson County, MS, USA. Papilio palamedes was
      the primary visitor with minimal visitation by Phoebis sennae (cloudless sulfur
      butterfly). Lengths of P. ciliaris nectar spurs were similar to proboscis lengths
      of both pollinator species. Fruit set was moderate with access to pollinators (55
      +/- 10.8 %), yet failed (0 %) when pollinators were excluded. Visitation
      increased with inflorescence size, but there was no such pattern in fruit set,
      indicating that fruit set was not limited by pollinator visitation within the
      range of visitation rates we observed. Our results are supported by historical
      data that suggest P. palamedes and P. sennae are important pollinators of P.
      ciliaris. Although P. sennae may provide supplemental pollination service, this
      is likely constrained by habitat preferences that do not always overlap with
      those of P. cilaris. Observed declines of P. palamedes due to LWD could severely
      limit the reproductive success and persistence of P. ciliaris and similar orchid
      species populations. This empirical-based prediction is among the first to
      document exotic forest pests and pathogens as an indirect threat to plant
      pollinator interactions. 

PMID- 26286223
TI  - Patterns in floral traits and plant breeding systems on Southern Ocean Islands.
AB  - The harsh climatic conditions and paucity of potential pollinators on Southern
      Ocean Islands (SOIs; latitude 46 degrees S-55 degrees S) lead to the expectation
      that anemophily or self-fertilization are the dominant modes of plant sexual
      reproduction. However, at least some species have showy inflorescences suggesting
      biotic pollination or dimorphic breeding systems necessitating cross-pollination.
      This study investigates whether anemophily and self-compatibility are common on
      SOIs, whether species or genera with these traits are more widespread or frequent
      at higher latitudes, and whether gender dimorphy is correlated with anemophily,
      as might occur if reliance on pollinators was a disadvantage. Of the 321
      flowering plant species in the SOI region, 34.3 % possessed floral traits
      consistent with anemophily. Compatibility information was located for 94
      potentially self-fertilizing species, of which 92.6 % were recorded as partially
      or fully self-compatible. Dioecy occurred in 7.1 % of species overall and up to
      10.2 % of island floras, but has not clearly arisen in situ. Gynodioecy occurred
      in 3.4 % of species. The frequency of anemophily and gender dimorphy did not
      differ between the SOI flora and southern hemisphere temperate reference floras.
      At the species level, gender dimorphy was positively associated with fleshy
      fruit, but at the genus level it was associated with occurrence in New Zealand
      and a reduced regional distribution. Anemophily was more prevalent in genera
      occurring on subantarctic islands and the proportion of species with floral
      traits suggestive of biotic pollination was significantly higher on climatically
      milder, cool temperate islands. These results support the contention that
      reliance on biotic pollinators has constrained the distribution of species on
      SOIs; however, it is also clear that the reproductive biology of few SOI species
      has been studied in situ and many species likely employ a mixed mating strategy
      combining biotic pollination with self-fertilization. 

PMID- 26286222
TI  - Contrasting responses of root morphology and root-exuded organic acids to low
      phosphorus availability in three important food crops with divergent root traits.
AB  - Phosphorus (P) is an important element for crop productivity and is widely
      applied in fertilizers. Most P fertilizers applied to land are sorbed onto soil
      particles, so research on improving plant uptake of less easily available P is
      important. In the current study, we investigated the responses in root morphology
      and root-exuded organic acids (OAs) to low available P (1 MUM P) and sufficient P
      (50 MUM P) in barley, canola and micropropagated seedlings of potato-three
      important food crops with divergent root traits, using a hydroponic plant growth
      system. We hypothesized that the dicots canola and tuber-producing potato and the
      monocot barley would respond differently under various P availabilities. WinRHIZO
      and liquid chromatography triple quadrupole mass spectrometry results suggested
      that under low P availability, canola developed longer roots and exhibited the
      fastest root exudation rate for citric acid. Barley showed a reduction in root
      length and root surface area and an increase in root-exuded malic acid under low
      P conditions. Potato exuded relatively small amounts of OAs under low P, while
      there was a marked increase in root tips. Based on the results, we conclude that
      different crops show divergent morphological and physiological responses to low P
      availability, having evolved specific traits of root morphology and root
      exudation that enhance their P-uptake capacity under low-P conditions. These
      results could underpin future efforts to improve P uptake of the three crops that
      are of importance for future sustainable crop production. 

PMID- 26286224
TI  - Facultative apomixis and development of fruit in a deciduous shrub with medicinal
      and nutritional uses.
AB  - Knowledge of reproductive biology of plants is crucial to understand their
      natural mode of propagation, which may aid in conservation and crop improvement.
      The reproductive details are also crucial for beginning the cultivation of a
      potential crop on a commercial scale. Fruits of sea buckthorn, Hippophae
      rhamnoides, are used in a variety of medicinal and nutritional products. So far,
      fruits are collected from the female plants in the wild. It is known that the
      species fruits profusely and also propagates by forming root suckers, but the
      details of sexual reproduction are not available. We investigated the mode of
      reproduction and development of fruits from natural populations of sea buckthorn.
      Megasporogenesis and megagametogenesis were studied through resin-embedded
      sectioning and ovule-clearing methods, and fruit development through
      histochemistry. The study of mitosis and male meiosis showed that the plants at
      the site were diploid (2n = 2x = 24). The embryo sac may develop either through
      the monosporic pathway and differentiates into 'Polygonum type' or aposporously
      into 'Panicum type'. The embryo may develop by sexual and adventitious pathways.
      Thus, sea buckthorn is a facultative apomict. The occurrence of diverse
      reproductive pathways assures the possibility of generation of novel genotypes
      through sexuality, while apomictic reproduction maintains adaptive genotypes and
      ensures reproduction in the absence of pollination. Anatomical details suggest
      that the fruit of sea buckthorn may be appropriately described as a pseudo-drupe.

PMID- 26286225
TI  - Natural populations of Arabidopsis thaliana differ in seedling responses to high
      temperature stress.
AB  - Little is known about adaptive within-species variation in thermotolerance in
      wild plants despite its likely role in both functional adaptation at range limits
      and in predicting response to climate change. Heat shock protein Hsp101, rapidly
      heat induced in Arabidopsis thaliana, plays a central role in thermotolerance in
      laboratory studies, yet little is known about variation in its expression in
      natural populations. We explored variation in thermotolerance and Hsp101
      expression in seedlings from 16 natural populations of A. thaliana sampled along
      an elevation and climate gradient. We tested both naive controls (maintained at
      22  degrees C until heat stress) and thermally pre-acclimated plants (exposed to
      a 38  degrees C 3-h acclimation treatment). After acclimation, seedlings were
      exposed to one of two heat stresses: 42 or 45  degrees C. Thermotolerance was
      measured as post-stress seedling survival and root growth. When stressed at 45 
      degrees C, both thermotolerance and Hsp101 expression were significantly
      increased by pre-acclimation. However, thermotolerance did not differ between pre
      acclimation and control when followed by a 42  degrees C stress. Immediately
      after heat stress, pre-acclimated seedlings contained significantly more Hsp101
      than control seedlings. At 45  degrees C, Hsp101 expression was positively
      associated with survival (r(2) = 0.37) and post-stress root growth (r(2) = 0.15).
      Importantly, seedling survival, post-stress root growth at 45  degrees C and
      Hsp101 expression at 42  degrees C were significantly correlated with the home
      sites' first principal component of climate variation. This climate gradient
      mainly reflects a temperature and precipitation gradient. Thus, the extent of
      Hsp101 expression modulation and thermotolerance appear to be interrelated and to
      evolve adaptively in natural populations of A. thaliana. 

PMID- 26286226
TI  - Your ticket to independence: a guide to getting your first principal investigator
      position.
AB  - The transition to scientific independence as a principal investigator (PI) can
      seem like a daunting and mysterious process to postdocs and students - something
      that many aspire to while at the same time wondering how to achieve this goal and
      what being a PI really entails. The FENS Kavli Network of Excellence (FKNE) is a
      group of young faculty who have recently completed this step in various fields of
      neuroscience across Europe. In a series of opinion pieces from FKNE scholars, we
      aim to demystify this process and to offer the next generation of up-and-coming
      PIs some advice and personal perspectives on the transition to independence,
      starting here with guidance on how to get hired to your first PI position. Rather
      than providing an exhaustive overview of all facets of the hiring process, we
      focus on a few key aspects that we have learned to appreciate in the quest for
      our own labs: What makes a research programme exciting and successful? How can
      you identify great places to apply to and make sure your application stands out?
      What are the key objectives for the job talk and the interview? How do you
      negotiate your position? And finally, how do you decide on a host institute that
      lets you develop both scientifically and personally in your new role as head of a
      lab? 

PMID- 26286227
TI  - Posttraumatic Growth Outcomes and Their Correlates Among Young Adult Survivors of
      Childhood Cancer.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: This study aims to identify and examine posttraumatic growth (PTG)
      experiences, and their correlates, among young adult survivors of childhood
      cancer. METHODS: 602 long-term childhood cancer survivors between the ages of 18
      and 39 participated. Their demographic (age, gender, race/ethnicity, education,
      relationship status, employment, and income), cancer-related (diagnosis, current
      health problem, age at diagnosis, and years since diagnosis), and psychosocial
      (social support and optimism) PTG correlates were examined using descriptive,
      correlational, and regression analyses. RESULTS: PTG was significantly greater
      for females and nonwhite survivors, and for those diagnosed at older ages.
      Survivors diagnosed with solid/soft tissue tumors reported lower PTG. Optimism
      and social support were positively associated with PTG. CONCLUSION: Study
      findings highlight potential intervention opportunities for increasing PTG by
      facilitating discussion around growth experiences within an optimistic framework
      among a supportive network of family members and peers.

PMID- 26286228
TI  - Effect of Testosterone Administration and Spiking on Reproductive Success of
      Broiler Breeder Flocks.
AB  - Age negatively affects reproductive success of broiler breeder flocks. One of the
      main hormones involved in the change of fertility with the age is testosterone
      (TT). The introduction of young males at later production stages of broiler
      flocks is known as spiking and is expected to reduce the fertility decline with
      age. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of injection of different
      levels of TT and the effect of spiking on reproductive fitness of broiler breeder
      flocks. Two experiments were conducted on Ross 308 breeder flocks for 10 weeks
      (41-50 weeks of age). The experiment 1 included a control and three treatments
      corresponding to three doses of TT (0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 cc), while the experiment 2
      included a control and one treatment corresponding to spiking. The lower dose of
      TT (0.1 cc) and the spiking clearly slowed down the decline in hatchability.
      Therefore, either the external administration of TT to the males when the natural
      concentration of TT starts to decline or spiking the breeder flock with young
      roosters could contribute to improve reproductive success in later stages of the
      production cycle in broiler breeder flocks.

PMID- 26286229
TI  - Unconventional superconductivity in Y5Rh6Sn18 probed by muon spin relaxation.
AB  - Conventional superconductors are robust diamagnets that expel magnetic fields
      through the Meissner effect. It would therefore be unexpected if a
      superconducting ground state would support spontaneous magnetics fields. Such
      broken time-reversal symmetry states have been suggested for the high-temperature
      superconductors, but their identification remains experimentally controversial.
      We present magnetization, heat capacity, zero field and transverse field muon
      spin relaxation experiments on the recently discovered caged type superconductor
      Y5Rh6Sn18 ( TC= 3.0 K). The electronic heat capacity of Y5Rh6Sn18 shows a T(3)
      dependence below Tc indicating an anisotropic superconducting gap with a point
      node. This result is in sharp contrast to that observed in the isostructural
      Lu5Rh6Sn18 which is a strong coupling s-wave superconductor. The temperature
      dependence of the deduced superfluid in density Y5Rh6Sn18 is consistent with a
      BCS s-wave gap function, while the zero-field muon spin relaxation measurements
      strongly evidences unconventional superconductivity through a spontaneous
      appearance of an internal magnetic field below the superconducting transition
      temperature, signifying that the superconducting state is categorized by the
      broken time-reversal symmetry. 

PMID- 26286230
TI  - Host Plant Associations and Parasitism of South Ecuadorian Eois Species
      (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) Feeding on Peperomia (Piperaceae).
AB  - The very species-rich tropical moth genus Eois Hubner (Lepidoptera: Geometridae)
      is a promising model group for studying host plant specialization and adaptive
      radiation. While most Eois species are assumed to be specialized herbivores on
      Piper L. species, records on other plant taxa such as Peperomia Ruiz & Pavon
      (Piperaceae) are still relatively scarce. Moreover, little is known about life
      history traits of most species, and only a few caterpillars have been described
      so far. We collected caterpillars associated with Peperomia (Piperaceae) host
      plants from June 2012 to January 2013 in three elevational bands of montane and
      elfin rainforests on the eastern slopes of the Andes in southern Ecuador.
      Caterpillars were systematically searched and reared to the adult stage. We were
      able to delimitate ten species of Eois on Peperomia by comparison of larval and
      adult morphology and by using 658 bp fragments of the mitochondrial COI gene
      (barcode sequences). Three of these species, Eois albosignata (Dognin), Eois
      bolana (Dognin), and Eois chasca (Dognin), are validly described whereas the
      other seven taxa represent interim morphospecies, recognized unequivocally by
      their DNA barcodes, and their larval and adult morphology. We provide information
      about their host plants, degree of parasitism, and describe the larval stages in
      their last instar. Additionally, caterpillars and moths are illustrated in color
      plates. This is the first comparative study dealing with Eois moths whose
      caterpillars feed on Peperomia hosts. 

PMID- 26286231
TI  - DNA Quantity and Quality in Remnants of Traffic-Killed Specimens of an Endangered
      Longhorn Beetle: A Comparison of Different Methods.
AB  - The sampling of living insects should be avoided in highly endangered species
      when the sampling would further increase the risk of population extinction.
      Nonlethal sampling (wing clips or leg removals) can be an alternative to obtain
      DNA of individuals for population genetic studies. However, nonlethal sampling
      may not be possible for all insect species. We examined whether remnants of
      traffic-killed specimens of the endangered and protected flightless longhorn
      beetle Iberodorcadion fuliginator (L., 1758) can be used as a resource for
      population genetic analyses. Using insect fragments of traffic-killed specimens
      collected over 15 yr, we determined the most efficient DNA extraction method in
      relation to the state of the specimens (crushed, fragment, or intact),
      preservation (dried, airtight, or in ethanol), storage duration, and weight of
      the sample by assessing the quantity and quality of genomic DNA. A modified
      cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide method provided the highest recovery rate of
      genomic DNA and the largest yield and highest quality of DNA. We further used
      traffic-killed specimens to evaluate two DNA amplification techniques
      (quantitative polymerase chain reaction [qPCR] and microsatellites). Both qPCR
      and microsatellites revealed successful DNA amplification in all degraded
      specimens or beetle fragments examined. However, relative qPCR concentration and
      peak height of microsatellites were affected by the state of specimen and storage
      duration but not by specimen weight. Our investigation demonstrates that degraded
      remnants of traffic-killed beetle specimens can serve as a source of high-quality
      genomic DNA, which allows to address conservation genetic issues.

PMID- 26286232
TI  - Low-level regulatory T-cell activity is essential for functional type-2 effector
      immunity to expel gastrointestinal helminths.
AB  - Helminth infection is frequently associated with the expansion of regulatory T
      cells (Tregs) and suppression of immune responses to bystander antigens. We show
      that infection of mice with the chronic gastrointestinal helminth Heligmosomoides
      polygyrus drives rapid polyclonal expansion of Foxp3(+)Helios(+)CD4(+) thymic
      (t)Tregs in the lamina propria and mesenteric lymph nodes while Foxp3(+)Helios(
      )CD4(+) peripheral (p)Treg expand more slowly. Notably, in partially resistant
      BALB/c mice parasite survival positively correlates with Foxp3(+)Helios(+)CD4(+)
      tTreg numbers. Boosting of Foxp3(+)Helios(+)CD4(+) tTreg populations by
      administration of recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2):anti-IL-2 (IL-2C) complex
      increased worm persistence by diminishing type-2 responsiveness in vivo,
      including suppression of alternatively activated macrophage and granulomatous
      responses at the sites of infection. IL-2C also increased innate lymphoid cell
      (ILC) numbers, indicating that Treg functions dominate over ILC effects in this
      setting. Surprisingly, complete removal of Tregs in transgenic Foxp3-DTR mice
      also resulted in increased worm burdens, with "immunological chaos" evident in
      high levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and interferon-gamma. In
      contrast, worm clearance could be induced by anti-CD25 antibody-mediated partial
      depletion of early Treg, alongside increased T helper type 2 responses and
      without incurring pathology. These findings highlight the overarching importance
      of the early Treg response to infection and the non-linear association between
      inflammation and the prevailing Treg frequency. 

PMID- 26286234
TI  - Somersault of Paramecium in extremely confined environments.
AB  - We investigate various swimming modes of Paramecium in geometric confinements and
      a non-swimming self-bending behavior like a somersault, which is quite different
      from the previously reported behaviors. We observe that Paramecia execute
      directional sinusoidal trajectories in thick fluid films, whereas Paramecia
      meander around a localized region and execute frequent turns due to collisions
      with adjacent walls in thin fluid films. When Paramecia are further constrained
      in rectangular channels narrower than the length of the cell body, a fraction of
      meandering Paramecia buckle their body by pushing on the channel walls. The
      bucking (self-bending) of the cell body allows the Paramecium to reorient its
      anterior end and explore a completely new direction in extremely confined spaces.
      Using force deflection method, we quantify the Young's modulus of the cell and
      estimate the swimming and bending powers exerted by Paramecium. The analysis
      shows that Paramecia can utilize a fraction of its swimming power to execute the
      self-bending maneuver within the confined channel and no extra power may be
      required for this new kind of self-bending behavior. This investigation sheds
      light on how micro-organisms can use the flexibility of the body to actively
      navigate within confined spaces. 

PMID- 26286235
TI  - National survey of the management of Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) in the UK in
      2014.
AB  - AIM: To examine, in a national survey, the outcomes of adult patients presenting
      with DKA in 2014, mapped against accepted UK national guidance. METHODS: Data
      were collected in a standardized form covering clinical and biochemical outcomes,
      risk and discharge planning. The form was sent to all UK diabetes specialist
      teams (n = 220). Anonymized data were collected on five consecutive patients
      admitted with DKA between 1 May 2014 and 30 November 2014. RESULTS: A total of
      283 forms were received (n = 281 patients) from 72 hospitals, of which 71.4% used
      the national guidelines. The results showed that 7.8% of cases occurred in
      existing inpatients, 6.1% of admissions were newly diagnosed diabetes and 33.7%
      of patients had had at least one episode of DKA in the preceding year. The median
      times to starting 0.9% sodium chloride and intravenous insulin were 41.5 and 60
      min, respectively. The median time to resolution was 18.7 h and the median length
      of hospital stay was 2.6 days. Significant adverse biochemical outcomes occurred,
      with 27.6% of patients developing hypoglycaemia and 55% reported as having
      hypokalaemia. There were also significant issues with care processes. Initial
      nurse-led observations were carried out well, but subsequent patient monitoring
      remained suboptimal. Most patients were not seen by a member of the diabetes
      specialist team during the first 6 h, but 95% were seen before discharge. A
      significant minority of discharge letters to primary care did not contain
      necessary information. CONCLUSION: Despite widespread adoption of national
      guidance, several areas of management of DKA are suboptimal, being associated
      with avoidable biochemical and clinical risk.

PMID- 26286236
TI  - Vervets revisited: A quantitative analysis of alarm call structure and context
      specificity.
AB  - The alarm calls of vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) constitute the
      classic textbook example of semantic communication in nonhuman animals, as vervet
      monkeys give acoustically distinct calls to different predators and these calls
      elicit appropriate responses in conspecifics. They also give similar sounding
      calls in aggressive contexts, however. Despite the central role the vervet alarm
      calls have played for understanding the evolution of communication, a
      comprehensive, quantitative analysis of the acoustic structure of these calls was
      lacking. We used 2-step cluster analysis to identify objective call types and
      discriminant function analysis to assess context specificity. Alarm calls given
      in response to leopards, eagles, and snakes could be well distinguished, while
      the inclusion of calls given in aggressive contexts yielded some overlap,
      specifically between female calls given to snakes, eagles and during aggression,
      as well as between male vervet barks (additionally recorded in South Africa) in
      leopard and aggressive contexts. We suggest that both cognitive appraisal of the
      situation and internal state contribute to the variation in call usage and
      structure. While the semantic properties of vervet alarm calls bear little
      resemblance to human words, the existing acoustic variation, possibly together
      with additional contextual information, allows listeners to select appropriate
      responses. 

PMID- 26286233
TI  - IL-21 and probiotic therapy improve Th17 frequencies, microbial translocation,
      and microbiome in ARV-treated, SIV-infected macaques.
AB  - Increased mortality in antiretroviral (ARV)-treated, HIV-infected individuals has
      been attributed to persistent immune dysfunction, in part due to abnormalities at
      the gastrointestinal barrier. In particular, the poor reconstitution of
      gastrointestinal Th17 cells correlates with residual translocation of dysbiotic,
      immunostimulatory microflora across a compromised intestinal epithelial barrier.
      We have previously demonstrated that oral probiotics promote increased intestinal
      CD4(+) T-cell reconstitution during ARV treatment in a non-human primate model of
      HIV infection; however, essential mucosal T-cell subsets, such as Th17 cells, had
      limited recovery. Here, we sought to promote Th17 cell recovery by administering
      interleukin (IL)-21 to a limited number of ARV-treated, probiotic-supplemented,
      Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV)-infected pigtailed macaques. We demonstrate
      that probiotic and IL-21 supplementation of ARVs are associated with enhanced
      polyfunctional Th17 expansion and reduced markers of microbial translocation and
      dysbiosis as compared with infected controls receiving ARVs alone. Importantly,
      treatment resulted in fewer morbidities compared with controls, and was
      independent of increased immune activation or loss of viral suppression. We
      propose that combining ARVs with therapeutics aimed at restoring intestinal
      stasis may significantly improve disease prognosis of ARV-treated, HIV-infected
      individuals. 

PMID- 26286237
TI  - Three Colon Adenocarcinomas Arising in a Patient with Serrated Polyposis
      Syndrome: Case Report and Review of the Literature.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Serrated polyposis syndrome (SPS) is a rare entity mainly concerning
      the 6th decade of life and which is characterized by the presence of multiple
      large hyperplastic polyps, sessile serrated adenomas, and adenomas within the
      colon. CASE REPORT: We describe the case of a SPS patient with 3 synchronous
      adenocarcinomas. The morphologic features of serrated colorectal lesions, their
      characteristic molecular alterations, and their role in colorectal cancer
      development are discussed herein. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that SPS is a
      rare condition with an increased risk for colon cancer. Patients suffering from
      SPS should have regular colonoscopic surveillance, and perhaps those with
      numerous dysplastic hyperplastic polyps should be treated with colectomy.

PMID- 26286238
TI  - RHCE*cE94G encodes variable expression of c (RH4).

PMID- 26286239
TI  - New data on vitamin D deficiency and mortality.

PMID- 26286240
TI  - VATS lobectomy, history, indication, contraindication and general techniques.
AB  - VATS lobectomy is a respected modality of anatomic lung resections nowadays.
      Video-assisted lobectomies without rib extractor fulfil all current requirements
      for minimally invasive lung resections. This type of an anatomic pulmonary
      resection with a targeted treatment of hilar structures doesn't traumatize the
      intercostal space by using rib retractor. Videothoracoscope serves to visualize
      the surgical field on the screen. Assisted VATS (aVATS) lobectomy is a procedure
      using 3-5 cm working incision. Fully endoscopic resection (VTS) or complete VATS
      lobectomy (cVATS) are operations performed only through ports, without working
      incision. The authors supplement the article with a videorecord of VATS lobectomy
      general technique (Fig. 4, Ref. 11).

PMID- 26286241
TI  - Impact of kidney transplantation on restless legs syndrome.
AB  - AIM: Our study was to assess the impact of kidney transplantation on restless
      legs syndrome (RLS) in end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. METHODS: A total
      of 75 patients after a successful kidney transplantation (39 males, 36 females)
      were assessed consecutively. All patients completed the self reported
      questionnaire focused on RLS 6 months after kidney transplantation with
      investigation of selected laboratory parameters. The questionnaire met the
      International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group criteria for RLS diagnosis.
      RESULTS: 30 (40.54%) out of 75 patients met the RLS diagnostic criteria. From
      this RLS positive group, 8 (26.7%) of them reported a complete regression of
      symptoms, 13 (43.3%) reported symptoms relief, 6 (20.0%) were without any change
      and 3 (10.0%) reported worsening of symptoms after kidney transplantation. In the
      RLS positive group, the majority of patients (26-86.7%) reported the occurrence
      of the symptoms in the evening and 21 (70.0%) of RLS positive patients reported
      the onset of symptoms after the onset of renal disease. CONCLUSION: Although the
      secondary RLS in EDRS patients is very common, it is often unrecognized or
      misdiagnosed. We concluded that kidney transplantation, except the primary
      benefit to kidney replacement and to its function, has a secondary impact on
      other conditions such as RLS (Tab. 5, Fig. 4, Ref. 17).

PMID- 26286242
TI  - Geriatric giants--contemporary occurrence in 12,210 in-patients.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: With advancing age, the degree of dependency and occurrence of great
      geriatric syndromes (GS), also referred to as geriatric giants, grow
      substantially. DESIGN: The prospective cohort study was aimed at conducting an
      analysis and comparison of geriatric syndromes (geriatric giants) among different
      age groups at admission to the acute geriatric department. SETTING, PARTICIPANTS:
      Between 1995 and 2012, we had altogether 12,210 elderly patients at an average
      age of 80.5 +/- 7.0 y (range 65-103 y) hospitalised at the Department of
      Geriatrics. We divided the patient set into three different age subgroups (65-74
      y; 75-84 y and >=85 y; e.g. 21.4%; 47.9% and 30.7%) and compared the results
      among them. RESULTS: 3,787 persons (31.0%) were without any GS. The growing
      tendency of the occurrence of all geriatric syndromes in combinations with
      increased age (p<0.001) is obvious. Their occurrence in the above mentioned
      different age sets was examined in relation to individual geriatric syndromes and
      sex (female and male), namely falls 22.0%, 27.8%, 39.9% and 20.5%, 27.0%, 36.1%;
      immobility 26.4%, 29.3%, 42.5% and 30.3%, 30.1% and 39.2%; incontinence 38.4%,
      50.6%, 69.5% and 38.2%, 47.4%, 61.8 %; dementia and cognitive impairment 13.4%,
      23.4%, 38.1% and 15.8%, 24.3%, 33.2% respectively. Age cut-off for geriatric
      syndromes occurrence based on ROC analysis is 83.5-84.5 y for females and 78.5
      82.5 y for males. CONCLUSION: The occurrence of geriatric giants increasing with
      age and female gender is of crucial importance not only for individuals and
      families but also for demands on costs of health and social care in oncoming
      decades (Tab. 6, Fig. 3, Ref. 52).

PMID- 26286243
TI  - Impact of asphyxia on red blood cell folate concentration levels in newborns.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To determine whether red blood cell (RBC) folate concentration levels
      are correlated with the occurrence of neonatal asphyxia and to study the effects
      of gestational age, gender, and mode of delivery on RBC folate concentration
      levels in newborns. BACKGROUND: Asphyxia is one of the frequent causes of
      morbidity and mortality of newborns. Severe perinatal asphyxia can arise due to
      many factors. METHODS: In a prospective study, the RBC folate concentrations were
      determined on day 1 of life in the whole group (n=181) of full-term (n=121) and
      preterm (n=60) newborns. Immunochemical analysis for the determination of folate
      in erythrocytes was performed. RESULTS: RBC folate concentration levels in
      asphyxiated newborns (n=16) were significantly decreased (median 974 ng/ml;
      p=0.023) in comparison with healthy newborns. On the other hand, the RBC folate
      concentration levels were significantly increased in preterm newborns (median
      1,212 ng/ml; p=0.01) in comparison with full-term newborns (median 1,098 ng/ml).
      Higher RBC folate concentration levels were found in newborns which had been
      delivered by Caesarean section (median 1,188 ng/ml; p=0.02) compared to those
      born vaginally (median 1,098 ng/ml). CONCLUSION: Our results confirmed a
      significant decrease in RBC folate concentration in asphyxiated newborns on their
      first day of life (Fig. 4, Ref. 36).

PMID- 26286244
TI  - Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy for morbid obesity with natural orifice specimen
      extraction (NOSE).
AB  - OBJECTIVE: An experience with laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy using the natural
      orifice specimen extraction (NOSE) technique. BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgery is
      nowadays the only long term effective obesity treatment method. METHODS: Twenty
      one consecutive patients underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy with the use
      of natural orifice specimen extraction (NOSE) in the Surgical Clinic of Faculty
      Hospital Ostrava between May 2012 and August 2012. Inclusion criteria were the
      body mass index (BMI) higher than 35 kg/m2 or higher than 32 kg/m2 accompanied
      with relevant comorbidities. RESULTS: Among 21 patients in this series, there
      were three men (14.3%) and 18 women (85.7%). Their mean age was 40.9+/-10.2
      years. Their mean preoperative BMI was 40.4+/-4.6 kg/m2. No patient had previous
      bariatric surgery, one patient had laparoscopic fundoplication. All operations
      were completed laparoscopically with no conversions to an open procedure. In two
      cases, laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed and the gallbladder was
      extracted along with the gastric specimen by transgastric approach. CONCLUSION:
      Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is a safe and effective bariatric procedure with
      low morbidity and mortality. Based on our initial experiences it could be an
      indication for NOSE with transgastric approach. Obese patients would benefit from
      this approach due to the elimination of wound complications (Tab. 2, Fig. 3, Ref.
      22).

PMID- 26286245
TI  - Non-linear Poincare analysis of respiratory efforts in sleep apnea.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a risk factor for hypertension, has
      effects on cardiovascular system and increases the sympathetic activity. The aim
      of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the non-linear Poincare plot
      analysis to predict OSA based on polysomnography (PSG). METHODS: The database of
      this study was collected by the sleep laboratory at the Philipps University in
      Marburg, Germany. It includes 24 PSG of men and women between 27-63 years old
      with obstructive and mixed sleep apnea. The start and end of apnea events in PSGs
      were marked. The Poincare plots of pre-apneic phase including 4-1 minutes before
      apnea were evaluated. Wilcoxon test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS:
      Poincare analysis showed that the dynamics of chest and respiratory efforts
      changed two minutes before the apnea and SD1/SD2 ratios of these parameters
      significantly increased in the pre-apneic phase (p<=0.01). The SD1/SD2 ratio of
      nasal airflow did not show significant difference even in episodes close to
      apnea. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that Poincare plot parameters of PSG have
      the potential to be considered predictors of apnea with the ability to show the
      dynamic of changes, which could lead to pre-diagnosis or prediction of apnea
      about 2-3 minutes before its occurrence (Tab. 2, Fig. 4, Ref. 23).

PMID- 26286246
TI  - Effect of coenzyme Q10 on organ damage in sepsis.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Investigating the effects of coenzyme Q10 on organ damage and survival
      on mice in cecal ligation perforation (CLP) model in sepsis. BACKGROUND: Coenzyme
      Q10 is an antioxidant molecule playing an important role in mitochondria.
      Mitochondrial dysfunction is an important mechanism in sepsis pathophysiology.
      METHODS: Nintyfour Swiss Albino male mice were divided into 8 groups. CLP was
      performed in Group I. Coenzyme Q10, 100 mg/kg subcutaneously, was given 5 hours
      after CLP to Group II and 20 hours after CLP to Group III. Sham operation was
      performed in Group IV, 100 mg/kg coenzyme Q10 subcutaneously was given 5 hours
      after sham operation to Group V and 20 hours after sham operation to Group VI. No
      operation was performed in Group VII; coenzyme Q10, 100 mg/kg subcutaneously, was
      given to Group VIII. Antibiotics and fluid replacement were applied for 3 days.
      The mice still living were sacrificed at 576th hour. The organ damages were
      scored under light microscopy. RESULTS: The survival of Group I and Group II was
      lower than that of the control groups, but the survival in the Group III was
      similar to control groups. It was established that spleen, kidney, heart damage
      and total organ damage were decreased when compared to CLP group. CONCLUSIONS:
      Coenzyme Q10 is effective in decreasing histological organ damage in sepsis (Tab.
      3. Fig. 1, Ref. 30).

PMID- 26286247
TI  - Does tamoxifen citrate prevent pulmonary fibrosis due to silica inhalation?
AB  - BACKGROUND: As shown in several studies, besides being used in breast cancer,
      tamoxifen is also known for its antifibrotic effects via reducing the serum TGF
      beta levels. We investigated the possible preventive effect of tamoxifen in rats
      exposed to silica particles depending on the antifibrotic effect. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: A total of 102 adult female Wistar Albino rats were divided into five
      groups. First two groups (control and tmx) were free of silica and the last three
      groups (slc, tmx1 and tmx 10) were exposed to crystalline silica. The rats in
      tmx, tmx1 and tmx10 groups received 10 mg/kg, 1 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg of body weight
      tamoxifen, respectively. On day 84, all rats were sacrified and tissue samples
      were obtained together with blood samples. The differences in serum TGF-beta
      levels, histological grades of fibrosis and inflammation in the lung and liver
      tissues together with addional biochemical markers were calculated between the
      groups. RESULTS: Silicosis occurred in slc, tmx1 and tmx10 groups in 100%, 91.7%
      and 52.1%, respectively. Liver fibrosis did not occur. The highest mean lung
      fibrosis scores were obtained in slc group while the scores were lower in tmx1
      group and the lowest in tmx10 within silica-exposed rats. Nevertheless, the
      inflammation scores were higher in tamoxifen-administered rats in a dose
      dependent pattern. CONCLUSION: Silica inhalation did not result in liver
      fibrosis. Tamoxifen is found to prevent lung fibrosis and reduce serum TGFbeta-1
      levels while increasing lung inflammation (Tab. 3, Fig. 3, Ref. 27).

PMID- 26286248
TI  - Research of inhibition of survivin in rat HSC-T6 cell by siRNA interference.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects and mechanisms of siRNA targeting survivin of
      inducing apoptosis in rat HSC-T6 cells. METHODS: The experiment was divided into
      blank group, pGPU6/GFP/Neo-shNC group and pGPU6/GFP/Neo-siRNA group. The siRNA
      was transfected into HSC-T6 cells mediated by LipofectamineTM2000 for 24 h, and
      then the efficiency of transfection was observed by fluorescence microscopy.
      After transfection for 48h, the expression of survivin mRNA and protein was
      assessed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method and
      Western-blot, and the form of cells was observed by microscopy. The apoptosis
      rate of HSC-T6 cells was measured by the flow cytometry with PI staining. The
      expression of caspase-3 protein was assessed by western-blot. RESULTS: The
      prominent apoptosis of the pGPU6/GFP/Neo-siRNA group by PI staining was high,
      there was significant difference comparing with blank group and pGPU6/GFP/Neo-
      shNC group (p<0.05). The expression of caspase-3 by Western-blot in pGPU6/GFP/Neo
      siRNA group was high, there was significant difference comparing with blank group
      and pGPU6/GFP/Neo-shNC group (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: siRNA targeting survivin can
      inhibit the expression of survivin mRNA and protein in rat HSC-T6 cells.
      Expression of survivin is negative correlation with expression of caspase-3.
      siRNA targeting survivin may up-regulate expression of caspase-3 and increase
      apoptosis of rat HST-T6 (Fig. 6, Ref. 24).

PMID- 26286249
TI  - Protective effect of distillated Nerium oleander on heart of type 2 diabetic
      rats.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: The current study aims to investigate the possible role of NO
      distillate either for therapeutic or for protective potential in diabetic
      cardiomyopathy. BACKGROUND: Protective and restorative effects of distillated
      Nerium oleander (NO) on the diabetes-induced electrophysiological and structural
      alterations were investigated. METHODS: Type 2 diabetes was induced by
      combination of single dose streptozotocin injection and high fat diet for four
      weeks. Experimental groups were designed as follows: control, diabetic,
      restorative-NO treated diabetic and protective-NO treated diabetic. Intracellular
      action potentials (AP) and contractile activities were measured form left
      ventricular papillary muscle strips as well as histopathological examination of
      heart tissue and biochemical examinations of serum were performed. RESULTS: Type
      2 diabetes induced AP prolongation was prevented with both ways of NO treatments.
      Moreover, treatments produced nearly complete restorations of diabetes-induced
      depressed amplitude and altered kinetics of contractile activities. In parallel
      to electrophysiological parameters, both histopathological and biochemical
      results indicates the NO induced beneficial effects on the diabetes related
      alterations. CONCLUSION: Distillated Nerium oleander (NO) can be a highly
      potential therapeutic or preventive agent on the diabetes induced excitation
      contraction coupling alterations (Tab. 3, Fig. 3, Ref. 23).

PMID- 26286250
TI  - Taming of Modulation Instability by Spatio-Temporal Modulation of the Potential.
AB  - Spontaneous pattern formation in a variety of spatially extended nonlinear
      systems always occurs through a modulation instability, sometimes called Turing
      instability: the homogeneous state of the system becomes unstable with respect to
      growing modulation modes. Therefore, the manipulation of the modulation
      instability is of primary importance in controlling and manipulating the
      character of spatial patterns initiated by that instability. We show that a
      spatio-temporal periodic modulation of the potential of spatially extended
      systems results in a modification of its pattern forming instability. Depending
      on the modulation character the instability can be partially suppressed, can
      change its spectrum (for instance the long wave instability can transform into
      short wave instability), can split into two, or can be completely eliminated. The
      latter result is of special practical interest, as it can be used to stabilize
      the intrinsically unstable system. The result bears general character, as it is
      shown here on a universal model of the Complex Ginzburg-Landau equation in one
      and two spatial dimensions (and time). The physical mechanism of the instability
      suppression can be applied to a variety of intrinsically unstable dissipative
      systems, like self-focusing lasers, reaction-diffusion systems, as well as in
      unstable conservative systems, like attractive Bose Einstein condensates. 

PMID- 26286251
TI  - Co-occurrence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and myeloproliferative disorder in a
      neonate with Noonan syndrome carrying Thr73Ile mutation in PTPN11.
AB  - Most cases of Noonan syndrome (NS) result from mutations in one of the RAS-MAPK
      signaling genes, including PTPN11, SOS1, KRAS, NRAS, RAF1, BRAF, SHOC2, MEK1
      (MAP2K1), and CBL. Cardiovascular diseases of varying severity, such as pulmonary
      stenosis and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), are common in NS patients. RAF1
      mutations are most frequent in NS with HCM, while PTPN11 mutations are also well
      known. Thr73Ile is a gain-of-function mutation of PTPN11, which has been highly
      associated with juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia and NS/myeloproliferative
      disease (MPD), but has not previously been reported in HCM. Here, we report a
      Japanese female infant with NS carrying the PTPN11 T73I mutation with NS/MPD,
      complete atrio-ventricular septal defect, and rapidly progressive HCM. No other
      HCM-related mutations were detected in PTPN11, RAF1, KRAS, BRAF, and SHOC2. This
      patient provides additional information regarding the genotype-phenotype
      correlation for PTPN11 T73I mutation in NS.

PMID- 26286252
TI  - Immunization with Single Oral Dose of Alginate-Encapsulated BCG Elicits Effective
      and Long-Lasting Mucosal Immune Responses.
AB  - Effective vaccination against pathogens, which enter the body through mucosal
      surfaces, requires the induction of both mucosal and systemic immune responses.
      Here, mucosal as well as systemic immune responses in the lung and spleen of
      BALB/c mice which were orally vaccinated with a single dose of alginate
      encapsulated bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) were evaluated. Twenty weeks after
      immunization, the vaccinated mice were challenged intranasally with BCG. Twelve
      weeks after immunization and 5 weeks after challenge, the immune responses were
      evaluated. Moreover, immune responses were compared with those of mice that were
      vaccinated with free BCG by subcutaneous (sc) and oral routes. Twelve weeks after
      the immunization, serum IgG level was higher in the sc-immunized mice, while
      serum IgA level was higher in the orally immunized mice with encapsulated BCG.
      Significant productions of both IgG and IgA were only detected in lungs of mice
      orally immunized with encapsulated BCG. Proliferative and delayed-type
      hypersensitivity responses and IFN-gamma production were significantly higher in
      mice immunized orally with encapsulated BCG, compared to mice immunized orally
      with free BCG. After challenge, the levels of IFN-gamma were comparable between
      sc-immunized mice with free BCG and orally immunized with encapsulated BCG;
      however, significantly less IL-4 was detected in mice which had received
      encapsulated BCG via oral route. Moreover, significant control of the bacilli
      growth in the lung of the immunized mice after intranasal challenge with BCG was
      documented in mice vaccinated with encapsulated BCG. These results suggest that
      oral immunization with alginate-encapsulated BCG is an effective mean of inducing
      mucosal and systemic specific immune responses.

PMID- 26286253
TI  - Experience with the transparotid approach via a mini-preauricular incision for
      surgical management of condylar neck fractures.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to describe our experiences of a mini
      preauricular transparotid approach for direct reduction and plating of condylar
      neck fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 58
      patients from 2009 to 2011 with 69 condylar neck fractures in Chang Gung Memorial
      Hospital. The fractures were treated surgically either with a 2-cm mini
      preauricular and transparotid approach in 29 patients with 36 fractures, or via
      endoscope-assisted intraoral, or facelift or retromandibular approaches in a
      control group of 29 patients with 32 fractures. The postoperative hospital stay,
      occlusion status, mouth opening and facial nerve and parotid gland related
      complications were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: In both groups
      around 90% of patients had good restoration of preinjury occlusion. Postoperative
      mouth opening was 39.8 mm and 39.9 mm in the mini-preauricular approach and the
      other approaches group, respectively. Facial symmetry was achieved in all of the
      patients. There was no incidence of facial nerve palsy, infection or hemorrhage
      in the mini-preauricular group. One patient in the control group had a persistent
      weakness due to frontal nerve palsy. CONCLUSION: Based on the results, the mini
      preauricular approach can be an alternative, safe and effective method in the
      management of condylar neck and high subcondylar fractures.

PMID- 26286254
TI  - Echocardiographic assessment of prosthetic valves.
AB  - Echocardiographic evaluation of prosthetic valves is similar in many respects to
      evaluation of native valve disease. However, there are some important
      differences. First, there are several types of prosthetic valves with different
      fluid dynamics for each basic design and differing flow velocities for each valve
      size. Second, the mechanisms of valve dysfunction are somewhat different from
      those for native valve disease. Third, the technical aspects of imaging
      artificial devices, specifically the problem of acoustic shadowing, significantly
      affect the diagnostic approach when prosthetic valve dysfunction is suspected.
      Fourth, transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has rapidly expanded in
      recent years. Echocardiography plays an essential role in identifying patients
      suitable for TAVI and providing intra-procedural monitoring, and is the modality
      for post-procedure follow-up. Both an understanding of the basic approach to
      echocardiographic evaluation and detailed knowledge of the specific flow dynamics
      for the size and type of prosthesis in an individual patient are needed for
      appropriate patient management. 

PMID- 26286256
TI  - Knee arthrodesis using a unilateral external fixator combined with crossed
      cannulated screws for the treatment of end-stage tuberculosis of the knee.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The treatment of end-stage tuberculosis (TB) of the knee remains a
      significant clinical challenge, and clinical data are lacking. This study aimed
      to retrospectively determine the outcome of single-stage knee arthrodesis with a
      unilateral external fixator combined with cannulated screws for the treatment of
      end-stage TB. METHODS: Twenty-six patients with end-stage knee TB were treated by
      single-stage arthrodesis. All patients underwent open debridement and the
      insertion of a unilateral external fixator combined with crossed cannulated
      screws and received systemic antitubercular therapy. Clinical evaluations and
      radiographic analyses were performed after an average follow-up duration of 5.5
      years. RESULTS: The mean time to radiographic bone fusion was 5.6 months. Primary
      full union was achieved in 25 patients (96.2%) within 8 months, and the remaining
      patients achieved bone fusion at 14 months postoperatively. The mean post
      operative alignment was 5.4 degrees  valgus and 12.5 degrees  flexion. The mean
      leg-length discrepancy was 2.8 cm. The mean VAS score improved from 67.3 before
      surgery to 16.2 at the last follow-up (P < 0.01), and the mean WOMAC score
      improved from 58.8 to 13.7 (P < 0.01). The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
      and C-reactive protein level returned to normal in 25 patients by 3 months
      postoperatively. No recurrence in the target knee was noted. CONCLUSIONS: Single
      stage arthrodesis with a unilateral external fixator combined with cannulated
      screws can be regarded as efficacious for the treatment of end-stage knee TB.
      Additional studies are necessary to confirm the findings of our study.

PMID- 26286255
TI  - Early salpingectomy (TUbectomy) with delayed oophorectomy to improve quality of
      life as alternative for risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy in BRCA1/2 mutation
      carriers (TUBA study): a prospective non-randomised multicentre study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) around the age of 40 is
      currently recommended to BRCA1/2 mutation carriers. This procedure decreases the
      elevated ovarian cancer risk by 80-96% but it initiates premature menopause as
      well. The latter is associated with short-term and long-term morbidity,
      potentially affecting quality of life (QoL). Based on recent insights into the
      Fallopian tube as possible site of origin of serous ovarian carcinomas, an
      alternative preventive strategy has been put forward: early risk-reducing
      salpingectomy (RRS) and delayed oophorectomy (RRO). However, efficacy and safety
      of this alternative strategy have to be investigated. METHODS: A multicentre non
      randomised trial in 11 Dutch centres for hereditary cancer will be conducted.
      Eligible patients are premenopausal BRCA1/2 mutation carriers after completing
      childbearing without (a history of) ovarian carcinoma. Participants choose
      between standard RRSO at age 35-40 (BRCA1) or 40-45 (BRCA2) and the alternative
      strategy (RRS upon completion of childbearing and RRO at age 40-45 (BRCA1) or 45
      50 (BRCA2)). Women who opt for RRS but do not want to postpone RRO beyond the
      currently recommended age are included as well. Primary outcome measure is
      menopause-related QoL. Secondary outcome measures are ovarian/breast cancer
      incidence, surgery-related morbidity, histopathology, cardiovascular risk factors
      and diseases, and cost-effectiveness. Mixed model data analysis will be
      performed. DISCUSSION: The exact role of the Fallopian tube in ovarian
      carcinogenesis is still unclear. It is not expected that further fundamental
      research will elucidate this role in the near future. Therefore, this clinical
      trial is essential to investigate RRS with delayed RRO as alternative risk
      reducing strategy in order to improve QoL. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov
      ( NCT02321228 ).

PMID- 26286258
TI  - Transcatheter tricuspid valve repair in a patient with isolated functional
      tricuspid valve regurgitation.

PMID- 26286259
TI  - Twiddler's syndrome: a rare cause of implantable cardioverter defibrillator
      malfunction.

PMID- 26286257
TI  - Successful Organizational Strategies to Sustain Use of A-CHESS: A Mobile
      Intervention for Individuals With Alcohol Use Disorders.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mobile health (mHealth) services are growing in importance in health
      care research with the advancement of wireless networks, tablets, and mobile
      phone technologies. These technologies offer a wide range of applications that
      cover the spectrum of health care delivery. Although preliminary experiments in
      mHealth demonstrate promising results, more robust real-world evidence is needed
      for widespread adoption and sustainment of these technologies. OBJECTIVE: Our aim
      was to identify the problems/challenges associated with sustained use of an
      mHealth addiction recovery support app and to determine strategies used by
      agencies that successfully sustained client use of A-CHESS. METHODS: Qualitative
      inquiry assessed staff perceptions about organizational attributes and strategies
      associated with sustained use of the mobile app, A-CHESS. A total of 73
      interviews of clinicians and administrators were conducted. The initial
      interviews (n=36) occurred at the implementation of A-CHESS. Follow-up interviews
      (n=37) occurred approximately 12 and 24 months later. A coding scheme was
      developed and Multiuser NVivo was used to manage and analyze the blinded
      interview data. RESULTS: Successful strategies used by treatment providers to
      sustain A-CHESS included (1) strong leadership support, (2) use of client
      feedback reports to follow up on non-engaged clients, (3) identify passionate
      staff and incorporate A-CHESS discussions in weekly meetings, (4) develop A-CHESS
      guidelines related to client use, (5) establish internal work groups to engage
      clients, and (6) establish a financial strategy to sustain A-CHESS use. The study
      also identified attributes of A-CHESS that enhanced as well as inhibited its
      sustainability. CONCLUSIONS: Mobile apps can play an important role in health
      care delivery. However, providers will need to develop strategies for engaging
      both staff and patients in ongoing use of the apps. They will also need to rework
      business processes to accommodate the changes in communication frequency and
      style, learn to use app data for decision making, and identify financing
      mechanisms for supporting these changes.

PMID- 26286260
TI  - Left ventricular pseudoaneurysm after transapical aortic valve-in-valve
      implantation: use of transthoracic 3D echocardiography for guiding therapeutic
      approach.

PMID- 26286261
TI  - A 45-year-old woman with chest pain after coronary stenting.

PMID- 26286262
TI  - Erratum to: Acaricidal effect and histological damage induced by Bacillus
      thuringiensis protein extracts on the mite Psoroptes cuniculi.

PMID- 26286263
TI  - Early results from a multi-component French public-private partnership initiative
      to improve participation in clinical research - CeNGEPS: a prospective before
      after study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A public-private (51/49 %) partnership was initiated in 2007 in
      France to improve the attractiveness of French sites in industry-sponsored
      international clinical trials. This initiative developed and implemented a
      combination of structuring actions and support actions. Here we report the
      assessment of the impact after 6 years on participation of French study sites in
      industry-sponsored clinical trials. METHODS: We performed a prospective before
      after study of clinical research activities in French public hospitals to assess
      the impact of actions developed and implemented by CeNGEPS. The programme
      involved a combination of structuring actions (establishment of sites of
      excellence, national networks and dedicated clinical research assistants (CRAs)),
      support actions (tools, templates and training) and competitive budget allocation
      for sites or networks based on performance. The impact was assessed using the
      following performance criteria: 1) reduction of the delay to contract signature
      to <= 60 days for 80 % of the trial sites; 2) inclusion of >=80 % of the planned
      number of patients by at least 80 % of trial sites; 3) closure of <15 % of trials
      sites without patients enrolled. RESULTS: In 2013, the median delay to contract
      signature was: 55 days, compared with 76 days in 2008 (27.6 % reduction), 50.5 %
      of all sites and 58 % of sites with a dedicated CRA included >=80 % of the
      planned number of patients compared with 44.8 % in 2008 (12.7 % increase) and
      21.3 % of all sites and 9 % of sites with a dedicated CRA closed with no patients
      included, compared with 26.4 % in 2008 (19.3 and 65.9 %, respectively).
      CONCLUSIONS: These results provide evidence that it is possible to improve a
      country's attractiveness for industry-sponsored clinical research. The two main
      actions, i.e. establishing sites of excellence throughout the country with well
      trained, dedicated staff and establishing a national network of clinical
      investigators, could be adapted to other countries in Western Europe to improve
      Europe's attractiveness to industry-funded trials.

PMID- 26286264
TI  - Meningitis and Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome During the
      Postpartum Period.

PMID- 26286265
TI  - Heterogeneity of primary outcome measures used in clinical trials of treatments
      for intermediate, posterior, and panuveitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Uveitis describes a heterogeneous group of conditions characterized
      by intraocular inflammation. Since most of the sight-threatening forms of uveitis
      are individually rare, there has been an increasing tendency for clinical trials
      to group distinct uveitis syndromes together despite clear variations in
      phenotype which may reflect real aetiological and pathogenetic differences.
      Furthermore this grouping of distinct syndromes, and the range of manifestations
      within each uveitis syndrome, leads to a wide range of possible outcome measures.
      In this study we wished to review the degree of consensus or otherwise in the
      choice of primary outcome measures for registered clinical trials related to
      uveitis. METHODS: Systematic review of data provided in clinical trial registries
      describing clinical trials dealing with medical treatment of intermediate,
      posterior, or panuveitis through 01 October 2013. We reviewed 15 on-line clinical
      trial registries approved by the International Committee of Medical Journal
      Editors. We identified all that met the following inclusion criteria:
      prospective, interventional design; target populations with intermediate,
      posterior or panuveitis; and one or more pre-specified outcome measures that were
      related to uveitis. Primary outcome measures were classified in terms of type
      (efficacy or safety or both; single, composite, or multiple); dimension (disease
      activity, disease damage, measured or patient-reported visual function); and
      domain (the specific study variable being measured). RESULTS: Of 195 registered
      uveitis studies, we identified 104 clinical trials that met inclusion criteria.
      There were 14 different domains used as primary outcome measures. Among clinical
      trials that utilized primary outcome measures of treatment efficacy (n = 94), 70
      (74 %) used a measure of disease activity (vitreous haze in 40/70 [57 %]; macular
      oedema in 19/70 [27 %]) and 49 (70 %) used a measure of visual function (visual
      acuity in all cases). Multiple primary outcome measures were used in 23 (22 %) of
      104 clinical trials. With regard to quality, in 12 (12 %) of 104 clinical trials,
      outcome measures were poorly defined. No clinical trial utilized a patient
      reported study variable as primary outcome measure. CONCLUSIONS: This systematic
      review highlights the heterogeneity of outcome measures used in recent clinical
      trials for intermediate, posterior, and panuveitis. Current designs prioritize
      clinician-observed measures of disease activity and measurement of visual
      function as outcome measures. This apparent lack of consensus regarding outcome
      measures for the study of uveitis is a concern, as it prevents comparison of
      studies and meta-analyses, and weakens the evidence available to stake-holders,
      from patients to clinicians to regulators, regarding the efficacy and value of a
      given treatment.

PMID- 26286266
TI  - Impact of extrusion processing conditions on lipid peroxidation and storage
      stability of full-fat flaxseed meal.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The full-fat flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) meal has obtained
      relatively new flourished concept as food or feedstuff for the development of
      healthier products. It provides favorable balance of polyunsaturated,
      monounsaturated and saturated fatty acids. However, flaxseed meal may be
      susceptible to oxidation by exposure to various storage conditions which is
      extremely undesirable and produces toxic compounds to human health. Another
      consideration in the application of flaxseed meal relates to the presence of anti
      nutritional compounds that need to be minimized using appropriate processing
      method. The present research work was conducted to evaluate the impact of
      extrusion processing conditions and storage of full-fat flaxseed meal on
      functional characteristics such as alpha-linolenic acid content, lipid
      peroxidation and sensory attributes. METHODS: The raw flaxseed meal was analyzed
      for cyanogenic glycosides, tannin and mucilage anti-nutritional compounds. Fatty
      acids composition was quantified by gas chromatography. The meal was extruded at
      barrel exit temperature (100-140  degrees C), screw speed (50-150 rpm), feed rate
      (30-90 kg/h) and feed moisture (10-30 %) for reduction of anti-nutritional
      compounds. The raw and extruded meals were stored for a ninety-day period under
      room conditions (20-25  degrees C). Lipid peroxidation was analyzed by peroxide,
      free fatty acids, conjugated dienes, total volatiles and malondialdehyde assay.
      Color, aroma and overall acceptability attributes were evaluated by sensory
      multiple comparison tests. RESULTS: The raw flaxseed meal possessed significant
      amount of anti-nutritional compounds, lipid and alpha-linolenic acid contents.
      The extrusion processing at high barrel exit temperature (140  degrees C)
      significantly reduced the cyanogenic compounds (84 %), tannin (73 %) and mucilage
      (27 %) in the flaxseed meal. The alpha-linolenic acid content and lipid
      peroxidation did not significantly change after extrusion processing or during
      storage at the end of 60 days. Fluctuations in sensory attributes occurred during
      storage, but at the end of 90 days, only the extruded samples presented negative
      effect and showed lowest consumer acceptability. CONCLUSIONS: The present study
      suggested that extrusion of flaxseed meal at optimum conditions and stored for 60
      days did not change the stability of full-fat flaxseed meal and can be used as
      supplement or ingredient for the production of various healthier products.

PMID- 26286267
TI  - Immobilization of trypsin in organic and aqueous media for enzymatic peptide
      synthesis and hydrolysis reactions.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Immobilization of enzymes onto different carriers increases enzyme's
      stability and reusability within biotechnological and pharmaceutical
      applications. However, some immobilization techniques are associated with loss of
      enzymatic specificity and/or activity. Possible reasons for this loss are mass
      transport limitations or structural changes. For this reason an immobilization
      method must be selected depending on immobilisate's demands. In this work
      different immobilization media were compared towards the synthetic and hydrolytic
      activities of immobilized trypsin as model enzyme on magnetic micro-particles.
      RESULTS: Porcine trypsin immobilization was carried out in organic and aqueous
      media with magnetic microparticles. The immobilization conditions in organic
      solvent were optimized for a peptide synthesis reaction. The highest carrier
      activity was achieved at 1 % of water (v/v) in dioxane. The resulting
      immobilizate could be used over ten cycles with activity retention of 90 % in
      peptide synthesis reaction in 80 % (v/v) ethanol and in hydrolysis reaction with
      activity retention of 87 % in buffered aqueous solution. Further, the optimized
      method was applied in peptide synthesis and hydrolysis reactions in comparison to
      an aqueous immobilization method varying the protein input. The dioxane
      immobilization method showed a higher activity coupling yield by factor 2 in
      peptide synthesis with a maximum activity coupling yield of 19.2 % compared to
      aqueous immobilization. The hydrolysis activity coupling yield displayed a
      maximum value of 20.4 % in dioxane immobilization method while the aqueous method
      achieved a maximum value of 38.5 %. Comparing the specific activity yields of the
      tested immobilization methods revealed maximum values of 5.2 % and 100 % in
      peptide synthesis and 33.3 % and 87.5 % in hydrolysis reaction for the dioxane
      and aqueous method, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: By immobilizing trypsin in
      dioxane, a beneficial effect on the synthetic trypsin activity resilience
      compared to aqueous immobilization medium was shown. The results indicate a
      substantial potential of the micro-aqueous organic protease immobilization method
      for preservation of enzymatic activity during enzyme coupling step. These results
      may be of substantial interest for enzymatic peptide synthesis reactions at mild
      conditions with high selectivity in industrial drug production.

PMID- 26286268
TI  - Quantitative analysis of pathogens in the lower respiratory tract of patients
      with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Bacterial infection of the lower respiratory tract is believed to
      play a major role in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
      (COPD) and acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD). This study investigates the
      potential relationship between AECOPD and the load of six common bacterial
      pathogens in the lower respiratory tract using real-time quantitative PCR (RT
      qPCR) in COPD patients. METHODS: Protected specimen brush (PSB) and
      bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples from the lower respiratory tract of
      66 COPD patients and 33 healthy subjects were collected by bronchoscopy. The load
      of Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Streptococcus pneumoniae,
      Pseudomonos aeruginosa, Haemophilus influenzeae, and Moraxella catarrhalis were
      detected by RT-qPCR. RESULTS: High Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonos aeruginosa,
      Haemophilus influenzeae and Moraxella catarrhalis burden were detected by RT-qPCR
      in both PSB and BALF samples obtained from stable COPD and AECOPD patients
      compared with healthy subjects. The load of the above four pathogenic strains in
      PSB and BALF samples obtained from AECOPD patients were significantly higher
      compared with stable COPD patients. Finally, positive correlations between
      bacterial loads and inflammatory mediators such as neutrophil count and cytokine
      levels of IL-1beta, IL-6 and IL-8, as well as negative correlations between
      bacterial loads and the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) %
      predicted, forced vital capacity (FVC) % predicted, and FEV1/FVC ratio, were
      detected. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that increased bacterial loads
      mediated inflammatory response in the lower respiratory tract and were associated
      with AECOPD. In addition, these results provide guidance for antibiotic therapy
      of AECOPD patients.

PMID- 26286269
TI  - End stage renal disease caused by thromboangiitis obliterans: a case report.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Thromboangiitis obliterans or Buerger's disease is a
      nonatherosclerotic, segmental, inflammatory vasculitis that is strongly
      associated with tobacco products and commonly affects the small- and medium-sized
      arteries of the upper and lower extremities. However, the disease can, rarely,
      involve large central or visceral arteries. We report here the case of end stage
      renal disease due to renal artery thrombosis caused by thromboangiitis
      obliterans. CASE PRESENTATION: A 51-year-old Korean man who had previously
      required amputation of both great toes due to thromboangiitis obliterans
      presented with left flank pain and oliguria. Both his renal arteries were
      occluded on contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography and abdominal
      angiography. He also had abdominal angina. He had no risk factor of
      thromboembolism from cardiac origin, atherosclerosis except for tobacco abuse,
      collagen diseases or hypercoagulable disorders. Renal failure and mesenteric
      ischemia associated with thromboangiitis obliterans progression was diagnosed.
      CONCLUSIONS: Renal failure due to renal artery thrombosis and mesenteric ischemia
      represents an unusual manifestation of thromboangiitis obliterans. But once it
      occurs, it can be life-threatening. When we care for a patient with
      thromboangiitis obliterans, we should pay attention to this rare disease course,
      and encourage cessation of the smoking of tobacco products.

PMID- 26286270
TI  - Chryseobacterium echinoideorum sp. nov., isolated from sea urchins (Tripneustes
      gratilla).
AB  - A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile, rod-shaped, flexirubin-producing
      bacterium, designated strain CC-CZW010T, was isolated from the edible sea urchin
      Tripneustes gratilla in Penghu Island, Taiwan. The isolate grew optimally at pH
      7.0 and 30  degrees C in the presence of 2 % (w/v) NaCl. The most closely related
      strains in terms of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity were Chryseobacterium
      taihuense NBRC 108747T (97.6 %) and Chryseobacterium aquaticum KCTC 12483T (96.7
      %). Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed a distinct
      taxonomic position attained by strain CC-CZW010T with respect to other species of
      the genus Chryseobacterium. Strain CC-CZW010T possessed iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15
      : 0, iso-C17 :  0 3-OH, summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1omega7c/C16 :
      1omega6c) and summed feature 9 (comprising C16 :  0 10-methyl/iso-C17 : 1omega9c)
      as predominant fatty acids. The major polar lipid profile consisted of
      phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified lipids and five aminolipids. The
      polyamine pattern contained the major compound sym-homospermidine. Menaquinone 6
      (MK-6) was the predominant respiratory quinone, and the G+C content of the
      genomic DNA was 36.4 mol%. According to distinct phylogenetic, phenotypic and
      chemotaxonomic features, strain CC-CZW010T represents a novel species of the
      genus Chryseobacterium, for which the name Chryseobacterium echinoideorum sp.
      nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-CZW010T ( = BCRC 80786T = JCM 30470T).

PMID- 26286271
TI  - Fracture resistance of three different posts in restoration of severely damaged
      primary anterior teeth: An in vitro study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Restoration of anterior primary teeth with severe caries lesion is a
      big challenge. The aim of this study was to compare the fracture resistance of
      three types of post, including composite resin, customized quartz fiber and
      prefabricated glass fiber in restoration of severely damaged primary anterior
      teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty extracted human primary maxillary incisors
      were randomly divided into three groups: Group 1: Customized quartz fiber post,
      Group 2: Composite post and Group 3: Prefabricated glass fiber post. Due to the
      effect of bonded area on the fracture resistance, the bonded surface of each
      sample was measured 1 mm above cementoenamel junction. An increasing force was
      subjected with a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min by a universal testing machine
      until fracture occurred, and the failure mode was assessed afterwards. Data were
      analyzed using One-way analysis of variance and Kruskal-Wallis tests. The level
      of significance was considered at P < 0.05. RESULTS: The mean fracture resistance
      values of three groups were 343.28 N, 278.70 N and 284.76 N, respectively.
      Although customized quartz fiber post showed the greatest fracture resistance,
      statistical analysis revealed no significant difference between groups (P =
      0.21). The mean fracture strength values of three groups were 12.82 N/mm(-2),
      11.93 N/mm(-2) and 11.31 N/mm(-2), respectively; however, the differences were
      not statistically significant (P = 0.72). Favorable failure mode was more
      frequent in all groups (P = 0.12). CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this
      study, it can be concluded that all three types of studied posts can be
      successfully used to restore badly destructed primary anterior teeth.

PMID- 26286272
TI  - The Active Phase of Palladium during Methane Oxidation.
AB  - The active phase of Pd during methane oxidation is a long-standing puzzle, which,
      if solved, could provide routes for design of improved catalysts. Here, density
      functional theory and in situ surface X-ray diffraction are used to identify and
      characterize atomic sites yielding high methane conversion. Calculations are
      performed for methane dissociation over a range of Pd and PdOx surfaces and
      reveal facile dissociation on either under-coordinated Pd sites in PdO(101) or
      metallic surfaces. The experiments show unambiguously that high methane
      conversion requires sufficiently thick PdO(101) films or metallic Pd, in full
      agreement with the calculations. The established link between high activity and
      atomic structure enables rational design of improved catalysts. 

PMID- 26286273
TI  - Phase Separation and Molecular Intermixing in Polymer-Fullerene Bulk
      Heterojunction Thin Films.
AB  - The phase separation and molecular intermixing in poly(3-hexylthiophene)
      (P3HT)/[6,6]-phenyl-C61 butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) bulk heterojunction thin
      films are investigated as a function of the overall PCBM content. The structural
      length scales, phase sizes, and molecular miscibility ratio in bulk
      heterojunction films are probed with grazing incidence small-angle neutron
      scattering (GISANS). The PCBM content is varied between 9 and 67 wt %. For the
      symmetric P3HT/PCBM ratio, which is typically highly efficient in photovoltaic
      devices, a structure size of 20 nm, the largest PCBM phases, and 18 vol %
      dispersed PCBM in the amorphous P3HT phase are found. The molecularly dispersed
      PCBM content is found to increase with the overall PCBM content. Absorption
      measurements complement the GISANS investigation. 

PMID- 26286274
TI  - Mechanism and Reaction Coordinate of Directional Charge Separation in Bacterial
      Reaction Centers.
AB  - Using first-principles molecular dynamics, we predict the reaction coordinate and
      mechanism of the first charge-separation step in the reaction center of
      photosynthetic bacteria in a model including the special pair (P) and closest
      relevant residues. In the ground state, a dynamical localization of the highest
      occupied orbital is found to be a defining characteristic of P. This feature is
      linked to the tuning of the orbital energy levels by the coupling with two
      collective low-frequency vibrational modes. After electronic excitation, we
      demonstrate one specific mode that couples to P*, representing the reaction
      coordinate along which the excited state develops. The characteristic vibrational
      coordinate we predict to be the rotation of an axial histidine (HisM202), which
      selectively lowers the energy of one (PM) of the two bacteriochlorophylls in P.
      This leads to a unidirectional displacement of electron density to establish
      PL(+)PM(-) charge-transfer character, a hypothesis well-supported by an extensive
      framework of experimental evidence. 

PMID- 26286275
TI  - Soret Band of the Gas-Phase Ferri-Cytochrome c.
AB  - We report the first visible spectrum of a heme-protein in the gas phase. The aim
      of this work was to provide a reference for the optical absorption of an isolated
      heme-protein to better understand the influence of protein conformation and
      fluctuation and of solvent on its optical properties. After laser irradiation of
      gas-phase cytochrome c (cyt c), electron emission is observed. Electron
      photodetachment yield of cyt c 6- was recorded in the region of the Soret band of
      the porphyrin group, showing a maximum at 410 nm. Our results are compared with
      optical spectra of gas-phase heme and of cyt c in solution. We discuss the
      influence of the polypeptide chain and of the solvent on both the position and
      the broadening of the Soret band. Action spectrum of gas-phase cyt c is close to
      the absorption of native cyt c in solution, suggesting an efficient protection of
      the heme group from solvent accessibility by the polypeptide chain and similar
      interactions between the two moieties in solution and the gas phase. 

PMID- 26286276
TI  - Efficient and Robust Heteronuclear Cross-Polarization for High-Speed-Spinning
      Biological Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy.
AB  - We present a new and highly efficient approach for heteronuclear coherence
      transfer in solid-state NMR spectroscopy under high-speed spinning conditions.
      The so-called (RESPIRATION)CP experiment exploits phase-alternated recoupling on
      only one of the two rf channels intertwined in a synchronized train of short rf
      pulses on both channels. The method provides significantly higher efficiencies
      than state-of-the art techniques including ramped and adiabatic cross
      polarization experiments with long durations of intense rf irradiation. At the
      same time, it is easier to setup experimentally and significantly more robust
      toward imperfections such as rf inhomogeneity, misadjustments, and sample-induced
      variations in the rf tuning. The method is described analytically, numerically,
      and experimentally for biological solids. We demonstrate sensitivity gains of
      factors of 1.3 and 1.8 for typical (1)H->(15)N and (15)N->(13)C transfers and a
      combined gain of a factor of 2-4 for a typical NCA experiment for biological
      solid-state NMR. 

PMID- 26286277
TI  - Electron Transfer Mechanism in Helical Peptides.
AB  - Electrochemical studies of a set of ferrocene-labeled helical peptides of
      increasing length were carried out by forming self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on
      gold electrodes. Electron transfer (ET) rates showed a very weakly distance
      dependent nature that has been interpreted as a result of a dynamically
      controlled tunneling mechanism. Specifically, the slow equilibrium between the
      alpha- and the 310 helical conformers in a SAM has been invoked, and the rate of
      formation of the more conductive 310 conformer has been proposed to be related to
      the ET rates observed. 

PMID- 26286278
TI  - Nonmonotonic Size-Dependent Carrier Mobility in PbSe Nanocrystal Arrays.
AB  - On the basis of a tight binding system-bath model, we investigated carrier
      mobility of PbSe nanocrystal (NC) arrays as a function of NC size and inter-NC
      separation. The size-dependent trend of calculated carrier mobilities are in
      excellent agreement with recent experimental measurements: electron mobility
      increased up to NC diameter of ~6 nm and then decreased for larger NCs, whereas
      hole mobility showed a monotonic size-dependency. Carrier mobility increase was
      associated with reduced activation energy that governs charge-transfer processes.
      In contrast, the decrease in electron mobility for large NCs was found to be due
      to smaller electronic coupling. Control of inter-NC separation is crucial for
      mobility enhancement: the mobility may change by an order of magnitude when inter
      NC separation varies by as little as 1 to 2 A. We anticipate similar size
      dependency of the mobility in other semiconductor NC arrays, although crossover
      diameter in which mobility reaches its maximum depends on the material. 

PMID- 26286279
TI  - Single Airborne Dust Particles using Plasmonic Metal Films with Hole Arrays.
AB  - An airborne dust particle is trapped in the hole of a plasmonic metal film with a
      patterned array of holes (mesh) by pumping air through the mesh. Both scatter
      free infrared spectra and scanning electron images are obtained on the same
      individual airborne dust particle, showing the feasibility of multiple,
      nondestructive experiments on a single, subwavelength particle. Ultimately, this
      may help to elucidate the effect of shape, orientation, and crystallinity on IR
      dust particle spectra. 

PMID- 26286280
TI  - Breaking Through the Glass Ceiling: Recent Experimental Approaches to Probe the
      Properties of Supercooled Liquids near the Glass Transition.
AB  - Experimental measurements of the properties of supercooled liquids at
      temperatures near their glass transition temperatures, Tg, are requisite for
      understanding the behavior of glasses and amorphous solids. Unfortunately, many
      supercooled molecular liquids rapidly crystallize at temperatures far above their
      Tg, making such measurements difficult to nearly impossible. In this Perspective,
      we discuss some recent alternative approaches to obtain experimental data in the
      temperature regime near Tg. These new approaches may yield the additional
      experimental data necessary to test current theoretical models of the dynamical
      slowdown that occurs in supercooled liquids approaching the glass transition. 

PMID- 26286281
TI  - Anisotropic Interactions in Protein Mixtures: Self Assembly and Phase Behavior in
      Aqueous Solution.
AB  - Recent experimental studies show that oppositely charged proteins can self
      assemble to form seemingly stable microspheres in aqueous salt solutions. We here
      use parallel tempering Monte Carlo simulations to study protein phase separation
      of lysozyme/alpha-lactalbumin mixtures and show that anisotropic electrostatic
      interactions are important for driving protein self-assembly. In both dilute and
      concentrated protein phases, the proteins strongly align according to their
      charge distribution. While this alignment can be greatly diminished by a single
      point mutation, phase separation is completely suppressed when neglecting
      electrostatic anisotropy. The results highlight the importance of subtle
      electrostatic interactions even in crowded biomolecular environments where other
      short-ranged forces are often thought to dominate. 

PMID- 26286282
TI  - Many-Body Nature of Relaxation Processes in Glass-Forming Systems.
AB  - Most glass-forming systems are composed of basic units interacting with each
      other with a nontrivial anharmonic potential. Naturally, relaxation and diffusion
      in glass formers is a many-body problem. Results from recent experimental studies
      are presented to show the effects of many-body relaxation and diffusion
      manifested on the dynamic properties of glass formers. Considering that the
      effects are general and critical, the problem of glass transition will not be
      solved until the many-body nature of the relaxation process has been incorporated
      fundamentally into any theory. 

PMID- 26286283
TI  - Ion Transport in Liquid Salt Solutions with Oxide Dispersions: "Soggy Sand"
      Electrolytes.
AB  - "Soggy sand" electrolyte, which essentially consists of oxide dispersions in
      nonaqueous liquid salt solutions, comprises an important class of soft matter
      electrolytes. The ion transport mechanism of soggy sand electrolyte is complex.
      The configuration of particles in the liquid solution has been observed to depend
      in a nontrivial manner on various parameters related to the oxide (concentration,
      size, surface chemistry) and solvent (dielectric constant, viscosity) as well as
      time. The state of the particles in solution not only affects ionic conductivity
      but also effectively the mechanical and electrochemical properties of the solid
      liquid composite. Apart from comprehensive understanding of the underlying
      phenomena that govern ion transport, which will benefit design of better
      electrolytes, the problem has far-reaching implications in diverse fields such as
      catalysis, colloid chemistry, and biotechnology. 

PMID- 26286284
TI  - Double sigma-Aromaticity in a Surface-Deposited Cluster: Pd4 on TiO2 (110).
AB  - We report double sigma-aromaticity in a surface-deposited cluster, Pd4, on the
      TiO2 (110) surface. In the gas phase, Pd4 adopts a tetrahedral structure.
      However, surface binding promotes a flat, sigma-aromatic cluster. This is the
      first time aromaticity has been found in surface-deposited clusters. The concept
      of aromaticity is expected to become instrumental in predicting and interpreting
      properties of such systems, much like it is for isolated molecules and clusters. 

PMID- 26286285
TI  - Strength of NH...S Hydrogen Bonds in Methionine Residues Revealed by Gas-Phase
      IR/UV Spectroscopy.
AB  - Despite of being ubiquitous in proteins, NHbackbone...S hydrogen bonds linking
      the sulfur atom of methionine or cysteine to backbone NH groups remain poorly
      documented. Here, we report vibrationally resolved IR NH stretch spectra of two
      methionine-containing dipeptides (Ac-Phe-Met-NH2 and Ac-Met-Phe-NH2). The
      conformations observed for both molecules, assigned with the help of DFT-D
      quantum chemistry, provide spectroscopic evidence for the formation of
      NHbackbone...S H-bonds, surprisingly strong enough to challenge the classical
      intrabackbone NH...O?C H-bonds. The methionine side chain is found to fold
      locally, forming a H-bond with the neighboring amide groups (NH(i) or NH(i+1)).
      Comparison with protein data bank structural information shows that such a local
      folding is also common in proteins where it concerns 24% of the methionine
      residues that have a sulfur atom linked to a backbone NH group. This convergence
      between the strength of these NH...S H-bonds and protein structural data
      illustrates their contribution to the stability of protein chains. 

PMID- 26286286
TI  - Simulation and Experiment - A Difficult Interaction.

PMID- 26286287
TI  - Emergence of Zeolite Analogs and other Microporous Crystals in an Atomic Lattice
      Model of Silica and Related Materials.
AB  - The potential of tailored nanopores to transform technologies such as drug
      delivery, biofuel production, and optical-electronic devices depends on
      fundamental knowledge of the self-assembly of ordered nanoporous solids. Atomic
      level geometries of critical nuclei that lead to such solids have remained hidden
      in the nanoscale blind spot between local (<0.5 nm) and collective (>5 nm) probes
      of structure. Heroic efforts at molecular simulation of nanopore formation have
      provided massive libraries of hypothetical structures; (1-5) however, to date no
      statistical simulation has generated a crystallization pathway from random
      initial condition to ordered nanoporous solid, until now. In this work, we show
      that a recently developed atomic lattice model of silica and related materials
      can form ordered nanoporous solids with a rich variety of structures including
      known chalcogenides, zeolite analogs, and layered materials. We find that whereas
      canonical Monte Carlo simulations of the model consistently produce the amorphous
      solids studied in our previous work, parallel tempering Monte Carlo gives rise to
      ordered nanoporous solids. The utility of parallel tempering highlights the
      existence of barriers between amorphous and crystalline phases of our model.
      Moreover, the self-assembly or nanoporous crystalline phases in the model open
      the door to detailed understanding of nanopore nucleation. 

PMID- 26286288
TI  - Ultrafast Exciton Dynamics in Silicon Nanowires.
AB  - Ultrafast exciton dynamics in one-dimensional (1D) silicon nanowires (SiNWs) have
      been investigated using femtosecond transient absorption techniques. A strong
      transient bleach feature was observed from 500 to 770 nm following excitation at
      470 nm. The bleach recovery was dominated by an extremely fast feature that can
      be fit to a triple exponential with time constants of 0.3, 5.4, and ~75 ps, which
      are independent of probe wavelength. The amplitude and lifetime of the fast
      component were excitation intensity-dependent, with the amplitude increasing more
      than linearly and the lifetime decreasing with increasing excitation intensity.
      The fast decay is attributed to exciton-exciton annihilation upon trap state
      saturation. The threshold for observing this nonlinear process is sensitive to
      the porosity and surface properties of the sample. To help gain insight into the
      relaxation pathways, a four-state kinetic model was developed to explain the main
      features of the experimental dynamics data. The model suggests that after initial
      photoexcitation, conduction band (CB) electrons become trapped in the shallow
      trap (ST) states within 0.5 ps and are further trapped into deep trap (DT) states
      within 4 ps. The DT electrons finally recombine with the hole with a time
      constant of ~500 ps, confirming the photophysical processes to which we assigned
      the decays. 

PMID- 26286289
TI  - Plasma-Assisted Reduction of Graphene Oxide at Low Temperature and Atmospheric
      Pressure for Flexible Conductor Applications.
AB  - Reduction of graphene oxide (GO) at low temperature and atmospheric pressure via
      plasma-assisted chemistry is demonstrated. Hydrogen gas is continuously
      dissociated in a microplasma to generate atomic hydrogen, which flows from the
      remote plasma to thin films of GO deposited on a substrate. Direct interaction
      with ions and other energetic species is avoided to mitigate ion-induced sputter
      removal or damage. The residual oxygen content and structure of the GO films
      after plasma treatment is systematically characterized at different temperatures
      and correlated to the conductivity of the films. For example, at 150  degrees C,
      we find that the plasma-reduced GO contains less than 12.5% oxygen and exhibits a
      sheet resistance of 4.77 * 10(4) Omega/sq, as compared with thermal reduction
      alone, which results in 22.9% oxygen and a sheet resistance of 2.14 * 10(6)
      Omega/sq. Overall, the effective removal of oxygen functional groups by atomic
      hydrogen enables large-scale applications of GO as flexible conductors to be
      realized. 

PMID- 26286290
TI  - Polarization- and Azimuth-Resolved Infrared Spectroscopy of Water on TiO2(110):
      Anisotropy and the Hydrogen-Bonding Network.
AB  - We have investigated the structure and dynamics of thin water films adsorbed on
      TiO2(110) using infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy (IRAS) and ab initio
      molecular dynamics. Infrared spectra were obtained for s- and p-polarized light
      with the plane of incidence parallel to the [001] and [110] azimuths for water
      coverages <= 4 monolayers. The spectra indicate strong anisotropy in the water
      films. The vibrational densities of states predicted by the ab initio simulations
      for 1 and 2 monolayer coverages agree well with the observations. The results
      provide new insight into the structure of water on TiO2(110) and resolve a long
      standing puzzle regarding the hydrogen bonding between molecules in the first and
      second monolayers on this surface. The results also demonstrate the capabilities
      of polarization- and azimuth-resolved IRAS for investigating the structure and
      dynamics of adsorbates on dielectric substrates. 

PMID- 26286291
TI  - Graphene Oxides as Tunable Broadband Nonlinear Optical Materials for Femtosecond
      Laser Pulses.
AB  - Graphene oxide (GO) thin films on glass and plastic substrates were found to
      display interesting broadband nonlinear optical properties. We have investigated
      their optical limiting activity for femtosecond laser pulses at 800 and 400 nm,
      which could be tuned by controlling the extent of reduction. The as-prepared GO
      films were found to exhibit excellent broadband optical limiting behaviors, which
      were significantly enhanced upon partial reduction by using laser irradiation or
      chemical reduction methods. The laser-induced reduction of GO resulted in
      enhancement of effective two-photon absorption coefficient at 400 nm by up to ~19
      times and enhancement of effective two- and three-photon absorption coefficients
      at 800 nm by ~12 and ~14.5 times, respectively. The optical limiting thresholds
      of partially reduced GO films are much lower than those of various previously
      reported materials. Highly reduced GO films prepared by using the chemical method
      displayed strong saturable absorption behavior. 

PMID- 26286292
TI  - Carrier Transport in Heterojunction Nanocrystals Under Strain.
AB  - We present a theory for carrier transport in semiconducting nanoscale
      heterostructures that emphasizes the effects of strain at the interface between
      two different crystal structures. An exactly solvable model shows that the
      interface region, or junction, acts as a scattering potential that facilitates
      charge separation. As a case study, we model a type-II CdS/ZnSe heterostructure.
      After advancing a theory similar to that employed in model molecular conductance
      calculations, we calculate the electron and hole photocurrents and conductances,
      including nonlinear effects, through the junction at steady state. 

PMID- 26286293
TI  - Large Variations of the Raman Signal in the Spectra of Twisted Bilayer Graphene
      on a BN Substrate.
AB  - We report an unusual enhancement of the Raman signal of the G mode in a twisted
      graphene bilayer (2-LG) on a hexagonal single-crystalline boron nitride
      substrate. We used an isotopically engineered 2-LG, where the top layer was
      composed of (13)C atoms and the bottom layer of (12)C atoms. Consequently, it was
      possible by Raman spectroscopy to distinguish between the enhancement coming from
      the top and bottom layers. The enhancement of the G mode was, however, found to
      be similar for the top and bottom layers, and this enhancement effect was
      observed only at certain locations on the substrate. The experiment with two
      different laser excitation energies showed that the location of the enhanced
      spots is dependent on the laser excitation energy. Therefore our results suggest
      that the enhancement comes from new states in the electronic structure, which are
      a consequence of a local specific rotation of the grains in graphene layers. 

PMID- 26286295
TI  - Synthesis of GO supported Fe2O3-TiO2 nanocomposites for enhanced visible-light
      photocatalytic applications.
AB  - This article reports novel ternary composites consisting of Fe2O3 nanorods, TiO2
      nanoparticles, and graphene oxide (GO) flakes that provide enhanced
      photocatalytic performance and stability. Fe2O3 nanorods grow evenly and embed
      themselves on the agglomerated TiO2/GO surface, which facilitate the formation of
      heterojunctions for effective migration of charge carriers at the interface of
      Fe2O3/TiO2 in the ternary composites. The formation of heterostructured Fe2O3
      TiO2/GO composites and the effect of GO addition on the photophysical properties
      of the composites were systematically investigated using various spectroscopic
      techniques. The photocatalytic performance of Fe2O3 was improved by coupling with
      TiO2 in the presence of GO, suggesting uncommon electron transfer from the
      conduction band of Fe2O3 to that of TiO2via GO under visible-light irradiation.
      An improved charge separation in the composite materials compared with that in
      bare Fe2O3 was confirmed by drastic fluorescence quenching and stronger
      absorption in the visible range. The optimum content of GO in the ternary
      composite was 1.0 wt%, which exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activity. The
      synergistic effect, heterostructured composite and role of GO, as an electron
      transporter, in the ternary composites account for the enhanced photocatalytic
      activity. 

PMID- 26286294
TI  - Mitoxantrone, More than Just Another Topoisomerase II Poison.
AB  - Mitoxantrone is a synthetic anthracenedione originally developed to improve the
      therapeutic profile of the anthracyclines and is commonly applied in the
      treatment of breast and prostate cancers, lymphomas, and leukemias. A
      comprehensive overview of the drug's molecular, biochemical, and cellular
      pharmacology is presented here, beginning with the cardiotoxic nature of its
      predecessor doxorubicin and how these properties shaped the pharmacology of
      mitoxantrone itself. Although mitoxantrone is firmly established as a DNA
      topoisomerase II poison within mammalian cells, it is now clear that the drug
      interacts with a much broader range of biological macromolecules both covalently
      and noncovalently. Here, we consider each of these interactions in the context of
      their wider biological relevance to cancer therapy and highlight how they may be
      exploited to further enhance the therapeutic value of mitoxantrone. In doing so,
      it is now clear that mitoxantrone is more than just another topoisomerase II
      poison. 

PMID- 26286296
TI  - Validation of the Sexual Communication Self-Efficacy Scale.
AB  - This study assessed a newly developed Sexual Communication Self-Efficacy Scale
      designed to measure the sexual communication self-efficacy of adolescent men and
      women. Three-hundred and seventy-four U.K. adolescents completed this new scale,
      along with several other validity measures. Factor analysis revealed that the
      Sexual Communication Self-Efficacy Scale consisted of five underlying factors:
      contraception communication, positive sexual messages, negative sexual messages,
      sexual history, and condom negotiation. These factors demonstrated high internal
      consistency and presents evidence to support construct validity. This scale may
      have utility in assessing the effectiveness of interventions designed to enhance
      sexual communication and sexual health behaviors among young people. 

PMID- 26286297
TI  - Intraclass Correlation Coefficients for Obesity Indicators and Energy Balance
      Related Behaviors Among New York City Public Elementary Schools.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Sample size and statistical power calculation should consider
      clustering effects when schools are the unit of randomization in intervention
      studies. The objective of the current study was to investigate how student
      outcomes are clustered within schools in an obesity prevention trial. METHOD:
      Baseline data from the Food, Health & Choices project were used. Participants
      were 9- to 13-year-old students enrolled in 20 New York City public schools (n=
      1,387). Body mass index (BMI) was calculated based on measures of height and
      weight, and body fat percentage was measured with a Tanita(r) body composition
      analyzer (Model SC-331s). Energy balance-related behaviors were self-reported
      with a frequency questionnaire. To examine the cluster effects, intraclass
      correlation coefficients (ICCs) were calculated as school variance over total
      variance for outcome variables. School-level covariates, percentage students
      eligible for free and reduced-price lunch, percentage Black or Hispanic, and
      English language learners were added in the model to examine ICC changes.
      RESULTS: The ICCs for obesity indicators are: .026 for BMI-percentile, .031 for
      BMIz-score, .035 for percentage of overweight students, .037 for body fat
      percentage, and .041 for absolute BMI. The ICC range for the six energy balance
      related behaviors are .008 to .044 for fruit and vegetables, .013 to .055 for
      physical activity, .031 to .052 for recreational screen time, .013 to .091 for
      sweetened beverages, .033 to .121 for processed packaged snacks, and .020 to .083
      for fast food. When school-level covariates were included in the model, ICC
      changes varied from -95% to 85%. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study reporting
      ICCs for obesity-related anthropometric and behavioral outcomes among New York
      City public schools. The results of the study may aid sample size estimation for
      future school-based cluster randomized controlled trials in similar urban setting
      and population. Additionally, identifying school-level covariates that can reduce
      cluster effects is important when analyzing data.

PMID- 26286298
TI  - Increases in Network Ties Are Associated With Increased Cohesion Among
      Intervention Participants.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Many behavior change programs are delivered in group settings to
      manage implementation costs and to foster support and interactions among group
      members in order to facilitate behavior change. Understanding the group dynamics
      that evolve in group settings (e.g., weight management, Alcoholics Anonymous) is
      important, yet rarely measured. This article examined the relationship between
      social network ties and group cohesion in a group-based intervention to prevent
      obesity in children. METHOD: The data reported are process measures from an
      ongoing community-based randomized controlled trial. A total of 305 parents with
      a child (3-6 years) at risk of developing obesity were assigned to an
      intervention that taught parents healthy lifestyles. Parents met weekly for 12
      weeks in small consistent groups. Two measures were collected at Weeks 3 and 6: a
      social network survey (people in the group with whom one discusses healthy
      lifestyles) and the validated Perceived Cohesion Scale. We used lagged random and
      fixed effects regression models to analyze the data. RESULTS: Cohesion increased
      from 6.51 to 6.71 (t= 4.4,p< .01). Network nominations tended to increase over
      the 3-week period in each network. In the combined discussion and advice network,
      the number of nominations increased from 1.76 to 1.95 (z= 2.59,p< .01). Cohesion
      at Week 3 was the strongest predictor of cohesion at Week 6 (b= 0.55,p< .01).
      Number of new network nominations at Week 6 was positively related to cohesion at
      Week 6 (b= 0.06,p< .01). In sum, being able to name new network contacts was
      associated with feelings of cohesion. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to
      demonstrate how network changes affect perceived group cohesion within a
      behavioral intervention. Given that many behavioral interventions occur in group
      settings, intentionally building new social networks could be promising to
      augment desired outcomes.

PMID- 26286299
TI  - Arrhythmic risk stratification by programmed ventricular stimulation in Brugada
      syndrome: the end of the debate?

PMID- 26286300
TI  - We only find what we look for: fetal heart rate and the diagnosis of long-QT
      syndrome.

PMID- 26286301
TI  - Prophylactic implantable defibrillators for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: disarray
      in the era of precision medicine.

PMID- 26286302
TI  - Epicardial ablation in post-myocardial infarction ventricular tachycardia: could
      it be one of the missing pieces of the puzzle?

PMID- 26286303
TI  - Misplaced brain sodium channels in heart kindle sudden death in epilepsy.

PMID- 26286304
TI  - Twelve-lead ECG of ventricular tachycardia in structural heart disease.

PMID- 26286305
TI  - Is ablation to termination the best strategy for ablation of persistent atrial
      fibrillation? Persistent atrial fibrillation is best ablated by a strategy that
      terminates the arrhythmia: procedural termination is associated with improved
      long-term outcomes.

PMID- 26286306
TI  - Is ablation to termination the best strategy for ablation of persistent atrial
      fibrillation? Ablation to termination is not the best strategy during ablation.

PMID- 26286307
TI  - Mechanism of a wide QRS complex tachycardia with variable atrial, his, and
      ventricular relationships.

PMID- 26286308
TI  - Wobble.

PMID- 26286309
TI  - Three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography to facilitate transseptal
      puncture and left atrial appendage occlusion via upper extremity venous access.

PMID- 26286310
TI  - Discordant junctional beats and preexcitation: what is the mechanism?

PMID- 26286311
TI  - Letter from Papagiannis and Kanter regarding article, "variable clinical features
      and ablation of manifest nodofascicular/ventricular pathways".

PMID- 26286312
TI  - Response to letter regarding article, "variable clinical features and ablation of
      manifest nodofascicular/ventricular pathways".

PMID- 26286313
TI  - Letter from Patane regarding article, "atrial fibrosis and conduction slowing in
      the left atrial appendage of patients undergoing thoracoscopic surgical pulmonary
      vein isolation for atrial fibrillation".

PMID- 26286315
TI  - Correction.

PMID- 26286314
TI  - Response to letter regarding article, "atrial fibrosis and conduction slowing in
      the left atrial appendage of patients undergoing thoracoscopic surgical pulmonary
      vein isolation for atrial fibrillation".

PMID- 26286316
TI  - Effect of Hypoxia on DDR1 Expression in Pituitary Adenomas.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Pituitary adenoma is a common intracranial tumor in neurosurgery.
      Some pituitary adenomas have the characteristics of invasive growth make them
      unable to be removed completely by surgery leading to easy relapse. Discoidin
      domain receptor l (DDR1) is a new kind of tyrosine kinase receptor on the cell
      surface. DDR1 can be activated by tumor microenvironment signal in tumorigenesis,
      increasing MMP-2/9 expression and promoting the invasive ability of tumor cells.
      Anoxia can promote tumor growth and metastasis. This study investigated the
      impact of anoxic environment DDR1 expression in pituitary adenoma. MATERIAL AND
      METHODS: A primary hypoxia pituitary adenoma cell model was established and
      treated with DDR1 inhibitor nilotinib. Real-time PCR and Western blot were used
      to detect DDR1 mRNA and protein expression. ELISA was used to detect MMP-2/9
      changes. MTT method was used to detect pituitary adenoma cell proliferation. We
      used a transwell chamber to determine pituitary adenoma cell invasion ability.
      RESULTS: DDR1 mRNA and protein were significantly overexpressed under hypoxia
      (P<0.05). MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression was obviously increased in supernatant
      (P<0.05). Pituitary adenoma cell proliferation and invasive ability improved
      markedly under hypoxia (P<0.05). Nilotinib could reduce DDR1 expression, decrease
      MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression, and inhibit pituitary adenoma cells proliferation and
      invasion. CONCLUSIONS: Hypoxia can increase DDR1 expression in pituitary adenoma
      cells, leading to improved MMP-2 and MMP-9 secretion, and promoting pituitary
      adenoma cell proliferation and invasion.

PMID- 26286317
TI  - An Ambient Intelligence Framework for End-User Service Provisioning in a Hospital
      Pharmacy: a Case Study.
AB  - End-user development is a new trend to provide tailored services to dynamic
      environments such as hospitals. These services not only facilitate daily work for
      pharmacy personnel but also improve self-care in elder people that are still
      related to hospital, such as discharged patients. This paper presents an ambient
      intelligence (AmI) environment for End-user service provisioning in the pharmacy
      department of Gregorio Maranon Hospital in Madrid, composed of a drug
      traceability infrastructure (DP-TraIN) and a ubiquitous application for enabling
      the pharmacy staff to create and execute their own services for facilitating drug
      management and dispensing. The authors carried out a case study with various
      experiments where different roles from the pharmacy department of Gregorio
      Maranon Hospital were involved in activities such as drug identification,
      dispensing and medication administering. The authors analyzed the effort required
      to create services by pharmacy staff, the discharged patients' perception of the
      AmI environment and the quantifiable benefits in reducing patient waiting time
      for drug dispensing. 

PMID- 26286318
TI  - A nanofibrous polypyrrole/silicon composite derived from cellulose substance as
      the anode material for lithium-ion batteries.
AB  - A bio-inspired nanofibrous polypyrrole/silicon composite derived from natural
      cellulose substance was synthesized. Due to its unique porous network structure
      and PPy coating on the silicon fibres, it showed improved reversible capacity,
      cyclability and rate capability upon long-term charge/discharge cycling when
      employed as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries. 

PMID- 26286319
TI  - 1H, 13C and 15N resonance assignments and secondary structure of the human PHF6
      ePHD1 domain.
AB  - The plant homeodomain (PHD) finger 6 (PHF6) is a multidomain protein that
      comprises four nuclear localization signals and two extended PHD zinc finger
      domains (ePHD), suggesting that the PHD domains of PHF6 may have different
      functions compared with other PHD domains. And the PHF6 was first identified as
      the gene mutated associated with Borjeson-Forssman-Lehmann syndrome, an X-linked
      mental retardation disorder. The mutant PHF6 is also associated with T cell acute
      lymphoblastic leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia. But the molecular mechanism
      between these diseases and PHF6 are still unclear. In addition, the first
      conserved ePHD (ePHD1) of PHF6 is involved in its nucleolus localization,
      directly interacts with upstream binding factor (UBF) and suppresses rRNA
      transcription. Here we show the backbone resonance and side chain assignments of
      the PHF6-ePHD1 domain from human by heteronuclear multidimensional NMR
      spectroscopy and its secondary structure as predicted by the TALOS+. These
      assignments of PHF6-ePHD1 domain throw a light on the further structure
      determination, dynamics and interaction with UBF. 

PMID- 26286320
TI  - 1H, 13C and 15N resonance assignments of a C-terminal domain of human CHD1.
AB  - Chromatin remodelling proteins are an essential family of eukaryotic proteins.
      They harness the energy from ATP hydrolysis and apply it to alter chromatin
      structure in order to regulate all aspects of genome biology. Chromodomain
      helicase DNA-binding protein 1 (CHD1) is one such remodelling protein that has
      specialised nucleosome organising abilities and is conserved across eukaryotes.
      CHD1 possesses a pair of tandem chromodomains that directly precede the core
      catalytic Snf2 helicase-like domain, and a C-terminal SANT-SLIDE DNA-binding
      domain. We have identified an additional conserved domain in the C-terminal
      region of CHD1. Here, we report the backbone and side chain resonance assignments
      for this domain from human CHD1 at pH 6.5 and 25  degrees C (BMRB No. 25638).

PMID- 26286321
TI  - Construct Polyoxometalate Frameworks through Covalent Bonds.
AB  - An emerging strategy for exploring the application of polyoxometalates (POMs) is
      to assemble POM clusters into open-framework materials, especially inorganic
      organic hybrid three-dimensional (3D) open-framework materials, via the
      introduction of different organic linkers between the POM clusters. This strategy
      has yielded a few 3D crystalline POMs of which a typical class is the group of
      polyoxometalate metal-organic frameworks (POMMOFs). However, for reported
      POMMOFs, only coordination bonds are involved between the linkers and POM
      clusters, and it has not yet produced any covalently bonded polyoxometalate
      frameworks. Here, the concept of "covalently bonded POMs (CPOMs)" is developed.
      By using vanadoborates as an example, we showed that the 3D CPOMs can be obtained
      by a condensation reaction through the oxolation mechanism of polymer chemistry.
      In particular, suitable single crystals were harvested and characterized by
      single-crystal X-ray diffraction. This work forges a link among polymer science,
      POM chemistry, and open-framework materials by demonstrating that it is possible
      to use covalent bonds according to polymer chemistry principles to construct
      crystalline 3D open-framework POM materials. 

PMID- 26286322
TI  - Age and aggregation trigger mating behaviour in the small hive beetle, Aethina
      tumida (Nitidulidae).
AB  - This study aimed to investigate the poorly documented reproductive behaviour of
      the small hive beetle, Aethina tumida (Nitidulidae), a honey bee (Apis mellifera)
      parasite. We described the mating behaviour in detail and tested the hypothesis
      that beetle aggregation plays a vital role in mating in this species. Gender
      preference was examined in the context of age-dependency and possible chemical
      communication. Beetles started mating at a high frequency 18 days after emergence
      from the soil but only if they were aggregated (p < 0.001); mating was infrequent
      when beetles were paired. Males in aggregation also tried to copulate with males
      and only copulated more frequently with females at 18 days after emergence from
      soil (p < 0.001) in contrast to newly emerged, 7-day-old and 60-day-old beetles.
      Males and females spent more time in social contact with the opposite sex (p <
      0.01) when they were 18 days old in contrast to 7-day-old beetles. Filter papers
      which had been in contact with 21-day-old beetles were highly attractive to
      similar-aged beetles of the opposite sex (p < 0.01). This suggests that chemical
      substances produced by the beetles themselves play a role in mating. Mating
      behaviour was characterised by a short pre-copulation courtship and female
      aggression towards other females and copulating couples. Both behaviours may be
      indicative of cryptic female choice. Delayed onset of reproductive behaviour is
      typical of many polygamous species, whilst the indispensability of aggregation
      for onset of sexual behaviour seems to be a feature unique to A. tumida. Both
      strategies support mass reproduction in this parasitic species, enabling A.
      tumida to overcome its honey bee host colony, and are probably triggered by
      chemotactic cues. .

PMID- 26286323
TI  - An experimental test for age-related improvements in reproductive performance in
      a frog that cares for its young.
AB  - Reproductive performance often increases with age in long-lived iteroparous
      organisms, a pattern that can result from within-individual increases in effort
      and/or competence. In free-living populations, it is typically difficult to
      distinguish these mechanisms or to isolate particular features of reproduction
      influencing outcomes. In captive Oophaga pumilio, a frog in which mothers provide
      extended offspring provisioning via trophic eggs, we experimentally manipulated
      the age at which females started breeding and then monitored them across repeated
      reproductive events. This experiment allowed us to decouple age and experience
      and isolate maternal care as the proximate source of any differences in
      performance. Younger first-time mothers produced larger broods than older first
      time mothers, but did not rear more offspring to independence. Across repeated
      reproductive events, maternal age was unassociated with any metric of
      performance. At later reproductive events, however, mothers produced fewer
      metamorphs, and a lower proportion of individuals in their broods reached
      independence. These patterns suggest that performance does not improve with age
      or breeding experience in this frog, and that eventual declines in performance
      are driven by reproductive activity, not age per se. Broadly, age-specific
      patterns of reproductive performance may depend on the proximate mechanism by
      which parents influence offspring fitness and how sensitive these are to effort
      and competence.

PMID- 26286329
TI  - Influencing factors on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels in Japanese chronic
      hepatitis C patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels are generally lower in chronic
      hepatitis C patients than in healthy individuals. The purpose of this study is to
      clarify the factors which affect serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels using data
      obtained from Japanese chronic hepatitis C patients. METHODS: The subjects were
      619 chronic hepatitis C patients. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels were measured
      by using double-antibody radioimmunoassay between April 2009 and August 2014.
      Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels of 20 ng/mL or less were classified as vitamin
      D deficiency, and those with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels of 30 ng/mL or
      more as vitamin D sufficiency. The relationship between patient-related factors
      and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels was analyzed. RESULTS: The cohort consisted
      of 305 females and 314 males, aged between 18 and 89 years (median, 63 years).
      The median serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 level was 21 ng/mL (range, 6-61 ng/mL). On
      the other hand, the median serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 level in the healthy
      subjects was 25 ng/mL (range, 7-52), being significantly higher than that those
      in 80 chronic hepatitis C patients matched for age, gender, and season (p = 1.16
      * 10(-8)). In multivariate analysis, independent contributors to serum 25
      hydroxyvitamin D3 deficiency were as follows: female gender (p = 2.03 * 10(-4),
      odds ratio = 2.290, 95 % confidence interval = 1.479-3.545), older age (p = 4.30
      * 10(-4), odds ratio = 1.038, 95 % confidence interval = 1.017-1.060), cold
      season (p = 0.015, odds ratio = 1.586, 95 % confidence interval = 1.095-2.297),
      and low hemoglobin level (p = 0.037, odds ratio = 1.165, 95 % confidence interval
      = 1.009-1.345). By contrast, independent contributors to serum 25-hydroxyvitamin
      D3 sufficiency were male gender (p = 0.001, odds ratio = 3.400, 95 % confidence
      interval = 1.635-7.069), warm season (p = 0.014, odds ratio = 1.765, 95 %
      confidence interval = 1.117-2.789) and serum albumin (p = 0.016, OR = 2.247, 95 %
      CI = 1.163-4.342). CONCLUSIONS: Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels in chronic
      hepatitis C Japanese patients were influenced by gender, age, hemoglobin level,
      albumin and the season of measurement.

PMID- 26286330
TI  - A method for estimating intrinsic noise in electroretinographic (ERG) signals.
AB  - PURPOSE: To develop a signal processing paradigm for extracting ERG responses to
      temporal sinusoidal modulation with contrasts ranging from below perceptual
      threshold to suprathreshold contrasts and estimate the magnitude of intrinsic
      noise in ERG signals at different stimulus contrasts. METHODS: Photopic test
      stimuli were generated using a 4-primary Maxwellian view optical system. The 4
      primary lights were sinusoidally temporally modulated in-phase (36 Hz; 2.5-50%
      Michelson contrast). The stimuli were presented in 1-s epochs separated by a 1-ms
      blank interval and repeated 160 times (160.160-s duration) during the recording
      of the continuous flicker ERG from the right eye using DTL fibre electrodes.
      After artefact rejection, the ERG signal was extracted using Fourier transforms
      in each of the 1-s epochs where a stimulus was presented. The signal processing
      allows for computation of the intrinsic noise distribution in addition to the
      signal-to-noise (SNR) ratio. RESULTS: We provide the initial report that the ERG
      intrinsic noise distribution is independent of stimulus contrast, whereas SNR
      decreases linearly with decreasing contrast until the noise limit at ~2.5%. The 1
      ms blank intervals between epochs de-correlated the ERG signal at the line
      frequency (50 Hz) and thus increased the SNR of the averaged response. We confirm
      that response amplitude increases linearly with stimulus contrast. The phase
      response shows a shallow positive relationship with stimulus contrast.
      CONCLUSIONS: This new technique will enable recording of intrinsic noise in ERG
      signals above and below perceptual visual threshold and is suitable for
      measurement of continuous rod and cone ERGs across a range of temporal
      frequencies, and post-receptoral processing in the primary retinogeniculate
      pathways at low stimulus contrasts. The intrinsic noise distribution may have
      application as a biomarker for detecting changes in disease progression or
      treatment efficacy.

PMID- 26286324
TI  - MitiiTM ABI: study protocol of a randomised controlled trial of a web-based multi
      modal training program for children and adolescents with an Acquired Brain Injury
      (ABI).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Acquired brain injury (ABI) refers to multiple disabilities arising
      from damage to the brain acquired after birth. Children with an ABI may
      experience physical, cognitive, social and emotional-behavioural impairments
      which can impact their ability to participate in activities of daily living
      (ADL). Recent developments in technology have led to the emergence of internet
      delivered therapy programs. "Move it to improve it" (MitiiTM) is a web-based
      multi-modal therapy that comprises upper limb (UL) and cognitive training within
      the context of meaningful physical activity. The proposed study aims to compare
      the efficacy of MitiiTM to usual care to improve ADL motor and processing skills,
      gross motor capacity, UL and executive functioning in a randomised waitlist
      controlled trial. METHODS/DESIGN: Sixty independently ambulant children (30 in
      each group) at least 12 months post ABI will be recruited to participate in this
      trial. Children will be matched in pairs at baseline and randomly allocated to
      receive either 20 weeks of MitiiTM training (30 min per day, six days a week,
      with a potential total dose of 60 h) immediately, or be waitlisted for 20 weeks.
      Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, immediately post-intervention and at 20
      weeks post-intervention. The primary outcomes will be the Assessment of Motor and
      Process Skills and 30 s repetition maximum of functional strength exercises (sit
      to-stand, step-ups and half kneel to stand). Measures of body structure and
      functions, activity, participation and quality of life will assess the efficacy
      of MitiiTM across all domains of the International Classification of Functioning,
      Disability and Health framework. A subset of children will undertake three tesla
      (3T) magnetic resonance imaging scans to evaluate functional neurovascular
      changes, structural imaging, diffusion imaging and resting state functional
      connectivity before and after intervention. DISCUSSION: MitiiTM provides an
      alternative approach to deliver intensive therapy for children with an ABI in the
      convenience of the home environment. If MitiiTM is found to be effective, it may
      offer an accessible and inexpensive intervention option to increase therapy dose.
      TRIAL REGISTRATION: ANZCTR12613000403730.

PMID- 26286332
TI  - Users or Students? Privacy in University MOOCS.
AB  - Two terms, student privacy and Massive Open Online Courses, have received a
      significant amount of attention recently. Both represent interesting sites of
      change in entrenched structures, one educational and one legal. MOOCs represent
      something college courses have never been able to provide: universal access.
      Universities not wanting to miss the MOOC wave have started to build MOOC courses
      and integrate them into the university system in various ways. However, the
      design and scale of university MOOCs create tension for privacy laws intended to
      regulate information practices exercised by educational institutions. Are MOOCs
      part of the educational institutions these laws and policies aim to regulate? Are
      MOOC users students whose data are protected by aforementioned laws and policies?
      Many university researchers and faculty members are asked to participate as
      designers and instructors in MOOCs but may not know how to approach the issues
      proposed. While recent scholarship has addressed the disruptive nature of MOOCs,
      student privacy generally, and data privacy in the K-12 system, we provide an in
      depth description and analysis of the MOOC phenomenon and the privacy laws and
      policies that guide and regulate educational institutions today. We offer privacy
      case studies of three major MOOC providers active in the market today to reveal
      inconsistencies among MOOC platform and the level and type of legal uncertainty
      surrounding them. Finally, we provide a list of organizational questions to pose
      internally to navigate the uncertainty presented to university MOOC teams.

PMID- 26286331
TI  - The impact of a self-development coaching programme on medical and dental
      students' psychological health and academic performance: a randomised controlled
      trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Psychological distress is well-documented worldwide among medical and
      dental students. Few studies have assessed the impact of self-development
      coaching programs on the students' psychological health. The aim of the study was
      to evaluate the effect of a self-development coaching programme on the
      psychological health and academic performance of preclinical medical and dental
      students at Umm Al-Qura University, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: Four-hundred and
      twenty-two participants (n = 422, 20-22 years) fulfilled the study requirements
      and were invited into a parallel-randomised controlled trial that was partially
      blinded. Participants were stratified by faculty, gender, and academic year, and
      then randomised. A total of 156 students participated in the intervention group
      (IG) and 163 students participated in the control group (CG). The IG received the
      selfdevelopment programme, involving skills and strategies aimed to improve
      students' psychological health and academic performance, through a two-day
      workshop. Meanwhile, the CG attended an active placebo programme focussing on
      theoretical information that was delivered through a five-hour workshop. Both
      programmes were conducted by the same presenter during Week 1 of the second
      semester of the 2012-2013 academic year. Data were gathered immediately before
      (T1), one week after (T2) and five weeks (T3) after the intervention.
      Psychological health was measured using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS
      21), the General Self-Efficacy (GSE), and the Satisfaction With Life Scale
      (SWLS). Academic performance was measured using students' academic weighted
      grades (WG). Student cognitive and emotional perceptions of the intervention were
      measured using the Credibility/Expectancy Questionnaire (CEQ). RESULTS: Data from
      317 students, who completed the follow ups, were analysed across the three time
      periods (IG, n = 155; CG, n = 162). The baseline variables and demographic data
      of the IG and CG were not significantly different. The IG showed short-term
      significant reductions in depression and anxiety in compared to CG from T1 to T2.
      The short-term changes in stress, GSE and SWLS of the IG were not significantly
      different from those of the CG. While both groups showed a significant change on
      most of the psychological variables from T1 to T3, no significant differences
      were found between the groups in this period. In addition, no significant
      difference was found in WG between the IG and CG after the intervention. No harms
      relevant to the intervention were reported. CONCLUSION: The investigated self
      development coaching programme showed only a short-term improvement on depression
      and anxiety compared with an active control. There was no effect of the
      intervention on academic performance. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ACTRN12614000896673.

PMID- 26286333
TI  - Evaluation of psychometric properties and differential item functioning of 8-item
      Child Perceptions Questionnaires using item response theory.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Four-factor structure of the two 8-item short forms of Child
      Perceptions Questionnaire CPQ11-14 (RSF:8 and ISF:8) has been confirmed. However,
      the sum scores are typically reported in practice as a proxy of Oral health
      related Quality of Life (OHRQoL), which implied a unidimensional structure. This
      study first assessed the unidimensionality of 8-item short forms of CPQ11-14.
      Item response theory (IRT) was employed to offer an alternative and complementary
      approach of validation and to overcome the limitations of classical test theory
      assumptions. METHODS: A random sample of 649 12-year-old school children in Hong
      Kong was analyzed. Unidimensionality of the scale was tested by confirmatory
      factor analysis (CFA), principle component analysis (PCA) and local dependency
      (LD) statistic. Graded response model was fitted to the data. Contribution of
      each item to the scale was assessed by item information function (IIF).
      Reliability of the scale was assessed by test information function (TIF).
      Differential item functioning (DIF) across gender was identified by Wald test and
      expected score functions. RESULTS: Both CPQ11-14 RSF:8 and ISF:8 did not deviate
      much from the unidimensionality assumption. Results from CFA indicated acceptable
      fit of the one-factor model. PCA indicated that the first principle component
      explained >30 % of the total variation with high factor loadings for both RSF:8
      and ISF:8. Almost all LD statistic <10 indicated the absence of local dependency.
      Flat and low IIFs were observed in the oral symptoms items suggesting little
      contribution of information to the scale and item removal caused little practical
      impact. Comparing the TIFs, RSF:8 showed slightly better information than ISF:8.
      In addition to oral symptoms items, the item "Concerned with what other people
      think" demonstrated a uniform DIF (p < 0.001). The expected score functions were
      not much different between boys and girls. CONCLUSIONS: Items related to oral
      symptoms were not informative to OHRQoL and deletion of these items is suggested.
      The impact of DIF across gender on the overall score was minimal. CPQ11-14 RSF:8
      performed slightly better than ISF:8 in measurement precision. The 6-item short
      forms suggested by IRT validation should be further investigated to ensure their
      robustness, responsiveness and discriminative performance.

PMID- 26286334
TI  - Acute necrotizing pneumonia combined with parapneumonic effusion caused by
      Mycobacterium lentiflavum: a case report.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mycobacterium lentiflavum (M. lentiflavum), a slow growing
      nontuberculous mycobacterium (NTM), has recently been described as an emerging
      human pathogen regardless of the immune status of the host. Previous reports have
      demonstrated that cervical lymphadenitis of children is the most frequent
      pathology of M. lentiflavum. However, there are little reports regarding
      pulmonary diseases by M. lentiflavum specifically in immunocompetent patients.
      CASE PRESENTATION: A 60-year-old man having prolonged productive cough and
      dyspnea with fever was initially diagnosed as pneumonia with parapneumonic
      effusion. Imaging studies showed that the radiologic abnormality was acute
      bronchopneumonic infiltration with abscess formation in the left lower lobe and
      parapneumonic pleural effusion. M. lentiflavum was identified in the cultured
      pleural tissues. On the basis of these findings, he was diagnosed as pulmonary
      infection and pleurisy caused by M. lentiflavum, which was treated with a
      combination of antibiotics covering NTM. His clinical manifestations were
      dramatically improved by the treatment targeting NTM, while those were refractory
      to empirical antibiotic therapy. CONCLUSION: In this report, we introduce the
      isolation of M. lentiflavum from pleural tissues associated with acute
      necrotizing pneumonia combined with parapneumonic effusion in an immunocompetent
      host, suggesting that the M. lentiflavum can be a human pathogen invovled in
      pulmonary infectious diseases and pleurisy with poor response to empirical
      antibiotic treatment.

PMID- 26286335
TI  - Looking out for the blind spot.

PMID- 26286336
TI  - Ectopia lentis in Marfan's syndrome causing positional visual symptoms.

PMID- 26286337
TI  - Patient-Reported Symptoms over 48 Weeks in a Randomized, Open-Label, Phase 3b Non
      inferiority Trial of Adults with HIV Switching to Coformulated Elvitegravir,
      Cobicistat, Emtricitabine, and Tenofovir DF Versus Continuation of Ritonavir
      Boosted Protease Inhibitor with Emtricitabine and Tenofovir DF.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Coformulated elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir
      disoproxil fumarate (EVG/COBI/FTC/TDF; Stribild((r))) is a recommended integrase
      inhibitor-based regimen in treatment guidelines from the US Department of Health
      and Human Services and the British HIV Association. The purpose of this analysis
      was to determine the change in patient-reported symptoms over time among HIV
      infected adults who switch to Stribild((r)) versus those continuing on a protease
      inhibitor (PI) with FTC/TDF. METHODS: A secondary analysis was conducted on the
      STRATEGY-PI study (GS-US-236-0115, ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01475838), a randomized,
      open-label, phase 3b trial of HIV-infected adults taking a PI with FTC/TDF who
      were randomly assigned (2:1) either to Stribild((r)) (switch) or continuation of
      their existing regimen (no-switch). Logistic regressions and longitudinal
      modeling were conducted to evaluate the relationship of treatment with bothersome
      symptoms. RESULTS: At week 4 as compared with baseline, the switch group
      experienced a statistically significantly lower prevalence in five symptoms
      (diarrhea/loose bowels, bloating/pain/gas in stomach, pain/numbness/tingling in
      hands/feet, nervous/anxious, and trouble remembering). The lower prevalence of
      diarrhea/loose bowels, bloating/pain/gas in stomach, and pain/numbness/tingling
      in hands/feet observed at week 4 was maintained over time. While there were no
      significant differences between groups in the prevalence of sad/down/depressed
      and problems with sex at week 4 or week 48, longitudinal models indicated the
      switch group had a statistically significantly decreased prevalence in both
      symptoms from week 4 to week 48. As compared with the no-switch group, higher
      levels of satisfaction with treatment were experienced by patients in the switch
      group at the first follow-up visit and at week 24. CONCLUSIONS: In this study
      sample, a switch from a ritonavir-boosted PI, FTC, and TDF regimen to
      coformulated EVG/COBI/FTC/TDF was associated with more treatment satisfaction and
      a reduction in the prevalence of patient-reported diarrhea/loose bowel symptoms,
      which was maintained over the 48-week study period.

PMID- 26286338
TI  - Community pharmacists' perceptions about pharmaceutical care of OTC western
      medicine: a survey in Harbin of China.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In China, increasingly OTC-western medicine is obtained at the
      community pharmacy. It is unknown which care the community pharmacists in China
      provides with such medicines. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated community
      pharmacists' attitude, practice and perceived barriers about pharmaceutical care
      of over-the-counter western medicine. Moreover, community pharmacists'
      suggestions of improvement measures were also collected. METHODS: Questionnaire
      survey targeting community pharmacist. RESULTS: Respondents generally showed
      positive attitude towards pharmaceutical care. About 30 % of the respondents
      reported that they provided pharmaceutical care "whenever necessary", while about
      40 % did it "as frequent as possible" or "to all consumers". Respondents
      considered "ambiguity of the professional role of pharmacists" (50.7 %), "Lack of
      scientific evidence of over-the-counter western medicine" (42.9), and "Lack of
      time" (40.0 %) as the main barriers. The 3 most important improvement measures
      suggested were "Formulating or refining legislation to clarify the legal
      professional role of pharmacists with respect to western medicine" (63.2 %),
      "Promoting public education of pharmacist role" (50.7 %), and "Formulating or
      refining the standards of pharmacists' practice with respect to western medicine"
      (50.7 %). CONCLUSION: Community pharmacists in Harbin of China have a relatively
      positive attitude and intention to provide pharmaceutical care of OTC western
      medicine. However, lack of professional role definition, limited pharmaceutical
      knowledge and lack of human and financial resources limited the provision of
      pharmaceutical care by community pharmacists.

PMID- 26286339
TI  - A case of exogenous corticosteroid-induced Kaposi's sarcoma that developed after
      a cure of endogenous hypercortisolism.
AB  - Case Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is a malignant vascular tumor that occurs commonly in
      patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. KS associated with Cushing's
      syndrome (CS) is unusual, especially in endogenous CS. Here, we report a case of
      KS associated with glucocorticoid-replacement therapy after surgical treatment
      for adrenal CS. A 70-year-old man presented with symptoms and signs of CS with a
      left adrenal mass. Adrenal CS was confirmed by biochemical studies. After left
      adrenalectomy, he took oral prednisolone (15 mg/day) to prevent adrenal
      insufficiency. Ten weeks later, numerous raised purple plaques on the lower
      extremities were newly detected. The biopsy findings were compatible with KS, but
      anti-HIV antibodies were negative. After withdrawal of glucocorticoid therapy,
      the skin lesions regressed completely. CONCLUSION: In this case, KS developed
      after the use of exogenous corticosteroid but not during endogenous
      hypercortisolism. This finding suggests that endogenous and exogenous
      corticosteroid play different roles in the development of KS.

PMID- 26286340
TI  - Adverse drug reactions experience in a teaching hospital in Jordan.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) represent a major health care problem.
      OBJECTIVE: To identify the most common ADRs, drugs implicated in ADRs, and to
      assess their causality, severity, preventability and risk factors predisposing to
      reported ADRs in Jordan. SETTING: Al-Karak teaching hospital, southern of Jordan.
      Method A cross sectional observational study was carried out for 11 months from
      January to November 2013. Suspected ADRs were recorded in ADRs report forms and
      analyzed for causality, severity, and preventability. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Most
      common ADRs, drugs involved in these ADRs, causality, severity, and
      preventability of suspected ADRs. RESULTS: A total of 64 reports were received.
      Some patients suffered more than one ADR. The total number of ADRs identified was
      108. Forty one drugs were involved in causing these ADRs. About 2/3 of adverse
      reactions (73.4 %) did not cause admission to the hospital, whereas 26.6 % of the
      ADRs resulted in admission. Majority of the ADRs were type A (62.5 %). Most of
      ADRs (92.2 %) were assessed as probable. Nearly, 65.6 % of ADRs were categorized
      as mild. Majority of ADRs were assessed as "not preventable" (75 %). The most
      common classes of drugs involved in ADRs were antibiotics, analgesics, vaccines
      and antiepileptics. The most commonly identified ADRs were abdominal pain, skin
      rash, shortness of breath, fever, upper gastrointestinal bleeding and vomiting.
      Risk factors contributed to ADRs were age and polypharmacy. CONCLUSION: Jordanian
      healthcare providers should be aware of the importance of detecting and reporting
      ADRs, in order to prevent and reduce the incidence of ADRs. Awareness of risk
      factors predisposing to ADRs may help in identifying patients with higher risk
      and therefore reducing the risk of these ADRs and improving patient outcome.

PMID- 26286341
TI  - Armed Conflict, Substance Use and HIV: A Global Analysis.
AB  - Armed conflict is frequently assumed to be a contributor to the global HIV
      epidemic, but existing evidence is sparse. We examined the relationship between
      armed conflict between 2002 and 2008 and HIV disability life years (DALYs) in
      2010 among WHO Member States. Using partial least squares analysis we also
      examined moderation of the armed conflict-HIV link by two susceptibility
      constructs (background risk, substance use) and one vulnerability mediator
      (numbers of refugees, people on ART, and total HIV spending). Background risk
      directly impacted HIV DALYs (p < 0.05), substance use moderated the conflict-HIV
      relationship (p < 0.01). The vulnerability construct mediated the conflict-HIV
      association (p < 0.01). Findings underscore the need to align HIV
      prevention/intervention efforts with pre-existing HIV burden and reduce the
      impact of natural disasters on the populace in conflict-affected states.
      Integration of substance prevention/harm reduction programs within national HIV
      responses, attention to most-at-risk populations and increased
      surveillance/treatment of drug resistant HIV and TB is warranted.

PMID- 26286342
TI  - Correlates of Alcohol Use Among Patrons of Alcohol Consumption Venues in
      Botswana.
AB  - This study evaluated the correlates of three alcohol measures using a cross
      sectional survey conducted among patrons of alcohol-serving venues in Gaborone,
      Botswana from October 2012 to February 2013. Using logistic regression, we found
      that engaging in higher levels of sexual risk behaviors was significantly
      associated with frequent drinking (at least 3 times a week), heavy episodic
      drinking (more than 6 standard units of alcohol at least weekly) and probable
      alcohol dependence (AUDIT score >=20). Additionally, having higher levels of
      alcohol expectancies that increase the risk of HIV infection was significantly
      associated with probable alcohol dependence. Although HIV knowledge was generally
      high in this population, there is need for HIV prevention and alcohol harm
      reduction efforts to address the role of alcohol in increasing HIV risk and
      encourage the adoption of safer drinking patterns and the modification of alcohol
      expectancies. 

PMID- 26286343
TI  - Community Collectivization and Consistent Condom Use Among Female Sex Workers in
      Southern India: Evidence from Two Rounds of Behavioral Tracking Surveys.
AB  - Community collectivization is an integral part of condom use and HIV risk
      reduction interventions among key population. This study assesses community
      collectivization among female sex workers (FSWs), and explores its relationship
      with sex workers' consistent condom use (CCU) with different partners considering
      the interaction effect of time and collectivization. Data were drawn from two
      rounds of cross-sectional surveys collected during 2010 (N1 = 1986) and 2012 (N2
      = 1973) among FSWs in Andhra Pradesh, India. Results of the multiple logistic
      regression analysis show that, CCU with regular and occasional clients increased
      over the inter-survey period among FSWs with a high collective efficacy (AOR 2.9
      and 6.1) and collective agency (AOR 14.4 and 19.0) respectively. The association
      of high levels of collectivization with CCU and self-efficacy for condom use are
      central to improve the usefulness and sustainability of HIV prevention programs
      worldwide.

PMID- 26286344
TI  - Hepatectomy of segment 4b and 5 with extrahepatic bile duct resection for pT2
      gallbladder carcinoma is valid: a single-institution result.
AB  - The results of surgical treatment for T2 gallbladder carcinoma are equivocal,
      while the precise preoperative TNM staging and localization of gallbladder
      carcinoma are difficult. The aim of this study was to report the validity of
      segment 4b and 5 (S4b+5) hepatectomy with extrahepatic bile duct resection for
      these tumors. We reviewed 30 patients with pT2 gallbladder cancer who underwent
      S4b+5 hepatectomy with extrahepatic bile duct resection. The median number of
      lymph nodes retrieved in the S4b+5 hepatectomy group was 11 (0-23) nodes, and
      lymph node metastasis was observed in 9 of 30 (30%) cases. Although all surgical
      margins were macroscopically negative, 4 of the 30 patients (13%) had
      pathologically positive margins. The overall survival rate of patients was 85.1%
      at 5 years. Of the 30 patients with S4b+5 hepatectomy, surgical margin alone was
      analyzed as a prognostic factor in univariate and multivariate analysis. The
      survival rate was comparable between the tumor on the hepatic side and peritoneal
      side (P = 0.856). Nine patients with additional S4b+5 hepatectomy after simple
      cholecystectomy because of incidental diagnosis of gallbladder cancer also had
      comparable survival compared to the remaining 21 patients with simultaneous S4b+5
      hepatectomy (P = 0.624). S4b+5 hepatectomy with extrahepatic bile duct resection
      could be good treatment modality for T2 gallbladder cancers because precise
      preoperative diagnosis of tumor depth, location, and lymph node metastasis for
      these tumors is difficult.

PMID- 26286345
TI  - The immunopathology of systemic sclerosis.

PMID- 26286346
TI  - White House boosts public health role in response to heroin epidemic.

PMID- 26286347
TI  - A new record of Myxobolus brachysporus and M. israelensis in the tilapia
      (Oreochromis niloticus) collected from the Nile River, Egypt.
AB  - The present study was carried out as part of an ongoing general survey for
      myxosporean parasites infecting tilapias in the River Nile, Egypt. In the present
      study, 77 Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) were collected from boat landing
      sites at Beni-Suef governorate, Egypt and examined for the myxosporean infection.
      The infection was encountered as a huge number of free spores in the kidney and
      the spleen. The infection showed a prevalence of 51.9% (40/77) for Myxobolus
      brachysporus while it was 25.9% (20/77) for Myxobolus israelensis. Mature spores
      of M. brachysporus were ellipsoidal and measured 8.6 * 13.2 MUm. The polar
      capsules were subcircular with 5-6 filament turns and measured 4.7 * 3.6 MUm.
      Spores of M. israelensis were ellipsoidal in the frontal view and fusiform in the
      lateral view. Spore measurements were 13.4 MUm long and 8.7 MUm wide. The polar
      capsules were elongated with 6-7 filament coils and measured 8.6 * 3.1 MUm. The
      findings presented here proved that tilapia fishes in the Nile River are still
      suffering from infections with Myxobolus species. Therefore, further studies
      should be carried out to survey the Myxobolus infection among tilapias under
      culture conditions to clarify the pathological impacts of this parasite in
      tilapias aquaculture. 

PMID- 26286348
TI  - Urine colour change as an indicator of change in daily water intake: a
      quantitative analysis.
AB  - PURPOSE: Urine colour (U Col) is simple to measure, differs between low-volume
      and high-volume drinkers, and is responsive to changes in daily total fluid
      intake (TFI). However, to date, no study has quantified the relationship between
      a change in TFI and the resultant change in U Col. This analysis aimed to
      determine the change in TFI needed to adjust 24-h U Col by 2 shades on an 8
      colour scale, and to evaluate whether starting U Col altered the relationship
      between the change in TFI and change in U Col. METHODS: We performed a pooled
      analysis on data from 238 healthy American and European adults (50 % male; age,
      28 (sd 6) years; BMI 22.9 (sd 2.6) kg/m(2)), and evaluated the change in TFI,
      urine volume (U Vol), and specific gravity (U SG) associated with a change in U
      Col of 2 shades. RESULTS: The mean [95 % CI] change in TFI and U Vol associated
      with a decrease in U Col by 2 shades (lighter) was 1110 [914;1306] and 1011
      [851;1172] mL/day, respectively, while increasing U Col by 2 shades (darker)
      required a reduction in TFI and U Vol of -1114 [-885;-1343] and -977 [-787;-1166]
      mL/day. The change in U Col was accompanied by changes in U SG (lighter urine: 
      .008 [-.007;-.010]; darker urine: +.008 [.006;.009]). Starting U Col did not
      significantly impact the TFI change required to modify U Col by 2 shades.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest a quantifiable relationship between a change in
      daily TFI and the resultant change in U Col, providing individuals with a
      practical means for evaluating and adjusting hydration behaviours.

PMID- 26286350
TI  - A national survey of Mohs micrographic surgery in the U.K.

PMID- 26286349
TI  - In vitro fermentation of nuts results in the formation of butyrate and c9,t11
      conjugated linoleic acid as chemopreventive metabolites.
AB  - PURPOSE: The consumption of foods rich in dietary fiber and polyunsaturated fatty
      acids such as nuts can contribute to a healthy diet. Therefore, the formation of
      fermentation end-products which might exert chemopreventive effects regarding
      colon cancer was investigated after an in vitro simulated digestion and
      fermentation of nuts using human fecal microbiota. METHODS: Fermentation
      supernatants (FS) and pellets (FP) were obtained after an in vitro fermentation
      of hazelnuts, almonds, macadamia, pistachios and walnuts. Short-chain fatty acids
      (SCFA) and bile acids (BA) in FS as well as fatty acids in FP were analyzed via
      gas chromatography. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in FS were determined
      photometrically. RESULTS: Fermentation of nuts resulted in 1.9- to 2.8-fold
      higher concentrations of SCFA compared to the control and a shift of molar ratios
      toward butyrate production. In vitro fermentation resulted in the formation of
      vaccenic acid (C18:1t11, 32.1 +/- 3.2 % FAME; fatty acid methyl ester) and
      conjugated linoleic acid (c9,t11 CLA, 2.4 +/- 0.7 % FAME) exclusively in
      fermented walnut samples. Concentrations of secondary BA deoxycholic-/iso
      deoxycholic acid (6.8-24.1-fold/4.9-10.9-fold, respectively) and levels of MDA
      (1.3-fold) were significantly reduced in fermented nut samples compared to the
      control. CONCLUSION: This is the first study that demonstrates the ability of the
      human fecal microbiota to convert polyunsaturated fatty acids from walnuts to
      c9,t11 CLA as a potential chemopreventive metabolite. In addition, the production
      of butyrate and reduction in potential carcinogens such as secondary BA and lipid
      peroxidation products might contribute to the protective effects of nuts
      regarding colon cancer development.

PMID- 26286351
TI  - Adherence and competence in two manual-guided therapies for co-occurring
      substance use and posttraumatic stress disorders: clinician factors and patient
      outcomes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The challenges of implementing and sustaining evidence-based
      therapies into routine practice have been well-documented. OBJECTIVES: This study
      examines the relationship among clinician factors, quality of therapy delivery,
      and patient outcomes. METHODS: Within a randomized controlled trial, 121 patients
      with current co-occurring substance use and posttraumatic stress disorders were
      allocated to receive either manualized Integrated Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
      (ICBT) or Individual Addiction Counseling (IAC). Twenty-two clinicians from seven
      addiction treatment programs were trained and supervised to deliver both
      therapies. Clinician characteristics were assessed at baseline; clinician
      adherence and competence were assessed over the course of delivering both
      therapies; and patient outcomes were measured at baseline and 6-month follow-up.
      RESULTS: Although ICBT was delivered at acceptable levels, clinicians were
      significantly more adherent to IAC (p < 0.05). At session 1, clinical female
      gender (p < 0.05) and lower education level (p < 0.05) were predictive of
      increased clinician adherence and competence across both therapies. Adherence and
      competence at session 1 in either therapy were significantly predictive of
      positive patient outcomes. ICBT adherence (p < 0.05) and competence (p < 0.01)
      were predictive of PTSD symptom reduction, whereas IAC adherence (p < 0.01) and
      competence (p < 0.01) were associated with decreased drug problem severity.
      CONCLUSIONS: The differential impact of adherence and competence for both therapy
      types is consistent with their purported primary target: ICBT for PTSD and IAC
      for substance use. These findings also suggest the benefits of considering
      clinician factors when implementing manual-guided therapies. Future research
      should focus on diverse clinician samples, randomization of clinicians to therapy
      type, and prospective designs to evaluate models of supervision and quality
      monitoring.

PMID- 26286352
TI  - The association between alcohol use and cardiovascular disease among people
      living with HIV: a systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: People living with HIV-infection (PLWH) have higher prevalence and
      earlier onset of cardiovascular disease (CVD), compared to uninfected
      populations. It is unclear how alcohol consumption is related to CVD among PLWH.
      OBJECTIVES: To summarize the current literature and strength of evidence
      regarding alcohol consumption as a risk factor for CVD among PLWH, to generate
      summary estimates for the effect of alcohol consumption on CVD outcomes, and to
      make recommendations for clinical practice and future research based on the
      findings and limitations of existing studies. METHODS: A systematic review was
      conducted using Pubmed/Medline to identify relevant peer-reviewed articles
      published between 1 January 1999 and 1 January 2014. After critical review of the
      literature, 13 studies were identified. Risk ratios were extracted or calculated
      and sample size weighted summary estimates were calculated. RESULTS: The
      prevalence of a CVD diagnosis or event ranged from 5.7-24.0%. The weighted pooled
      crude effect sizes were 1.75 (95% CI 1.06, 3.17) for general and 1.78 (95% CI
      1.09, 2.93) for heavy alcohol use on CVD. The pooled adjusted effect size was
      1.37 (95% CI 1.02, 1.84) for heavy alcohol use on CVD. Pooled estimates differed
      by CVD outcome and alcohol measure; alcohol consumption was most significant for
      cerebral/ischemic events. CONCLUSION: HIV clinicians should consider risk factors
      that are not included in the traditional risk factor framework, particularly
      heavy alcohol consumption. Neglect of this risk factor may lead to
      underestimation of risk, and thus under-treatment among PLWH.

PMID- 26286353
TI  - Ethnic inequalities in dental caries among adults in East London.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study explored ethnic inequalities in dental caries among adults
      and assessed the role of socioeconomic position (SEP) in explaining those
      inequalities. METHODS: We analysed data on 2013 adults aged 16-65 years, from the
      East London Oral Health Inequality (ELOHI) Study, which included a random sample
      of adults and children living in East London in 2009-10. Participants completed a
      questionnaire and were clinically examined for dental caries at home. Dental
      caries was measured using the number of decayed, missing and filled teeth or DMFT
      index. Ethnic inequalities in dental caries were assessed in negative binomial
      regression models before and after adjustment for demographic (sex and age
      groups) and SEP measures (education and socioeconomic classification). RESULTS:
      White Eastern European and White Other had higher DMFT, whereas all Asian
      (Pakistani, Indian, Bangladeshi and Other) and all Black (African, Caribbean and
      Other) ethnic groups had lower DMFT than White British. Similar inequalities were
      found for the number of filled and missing teeth, but there were no differences
      in the number of decayed teeth between ethnic groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study
      showed considerable disparities in dental caries between and within the major
      ethnic categories, which were independent of demographics and SEP.

PMID- 26286354
TI  - Circulating microRNAs as Candidate Biomarkers for the Surveillance of Melanoma
      Patients.

PMID- 26286355
TI  - Microbial activity in forest soil reflects the changes in ecosystem properties
      between summer and winter.
AB  - Understanding the ecology of coniferous forests is very important because these
      environments represent globally largest carbon sinks. Metatranscriptomics,
      microbial community and enzyme analyses were combined to describe the detailed
      role of microbial taxa in the functioning of the Picea abies-dominated coniferous
      forest soil in two contrasting seasons. These seasons were the summer,
      representing the peak of plant photosynthetic activity, and late winter, after an
      extended period with no photosynthate input. The results show that microbial
      communities were characterized by a high activity of fungi especially in litter
      where their contribution to microbial transcription was over 50%. Differences in
      abundance between summer and winter were recorded for 26-33% of bacterial genera
      and < 15% of fungal genera, but the transcript profiles of fungi, archaea and
      most bacterial phyla were significantly different among seasons. Further, the
      seasonal differences were larger in soil than in litter. Most importantly, fungal
      contribution to total microbial transcription in soil decreased from 33% in
      summer to 16% in winter. In particular, the activity of the abundant
      ectomycorrhizal fungi was reduced in winter, which indicates that plant
      photosynthetic production was likely one of the major drivers of changes in the
      functioning of microbial communities in this coniferous forest.

PMID- 26286356
TI  - Recent developments in the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary embolism.
AB  - Due to the nonspecific symptoms of the condition, a diagnosis of acute pulmonary
      embolism (PE) is frequently considered. However, PE will only be confirmed in 10
      20% of patients. Because the imaging test of choice, computed tomography
      pulmonary angiography (CTPA), is costly and associated with radiation exposure
      and other complications, a validated diagnostic algorithm consisting of a
      clinical decision rule and D-dimer test should be used to safely exclude PE in 20
      30% of patients without the need for CTPA. Recently, the age-adjusted D-dimer
      threshold has been validated, and this has increased the proportion of patients
      at older age in whom PE can be excluded without CTPA. Initial therapeutic
      management of PE depends on the risk of short-term PE-related mortality.
      Haemodynamically unstable patients should be closely monitored and receive
      thrombolytic therapy unless contraindicated because of an unacceptably high
      bleeding risk, whereas patients with low-risk PE may be safely discharged early
      from hospital or receive only outpatient treatment. The PESI score and Hestia
      decision rule are available to select patients in whom early discharge or
      outpatient treatment will be safe, although the safety of these strategies should
      be confirmed in additional studies. Standard PE therapy consists of low molecular
      weight heparin (LMWH) followed by vitamin K antagonists (VKAs). Recently, several
      nonvitamin K-dependent oral anticoagulants have been shown to be as effective as
      LMWH/VKAs, and maybe safer. Determining the optimal duration of treatment for a
      first unprovoked PE remains a challenge, although clinical prediction rules for
      estimating the risk of recurrence of venous thromboembolism and anticoagulation
      associated haemorrhage are under investigation. Using these prediction rules may
      lead to both more standardized and more individualized long-term treatment of PE.

PMID- 26286357
TI  - Restoration of cytoskeletal and membrane tethering defects but not defects in
      membrane trafficking in the intestinal brush border of mice lacking both myosin
      Ia and myosin VI.
AB  - Myosin Ia (Myo1a), the most prominent plus-end directed motor and myosin VI
      (Myo6) the sole minus-end directed motor, together exert opposing tension between
      the microvillar (MV) actin core and the apical brush border (BB) membrane of the
      intestinal epithelial cell (IEC). Mice lacking Myo1a or Myo6 each exhibit a
      variety of defects in the tethering of the BB membrane to the actin cytoskeleton.
      Double mutant (DM) mice lacking both myosins revealed that all the defects
      observed in either the Myo1a KO or Snell's waltzer (sv/sv) Myo6 mutant mouse are
      absent. In isolated DM BBs, Myo1a crosslinks between MV membrane and MV actin
      core are absent but the gap (which is lost in Myo1a KO) between the MV core and
      membrane is maintained. Several myosins including Myo1c, d, and e and Myo5a are
      ectopically recruited to the BB. Consistent with the restoration of membrane
      tethering defects by one or more of these myosins, upward ATP-driven shedding of
      the BB membrane, which is blocked in the Myo1a KO, is restored in the DM BB.
      However, Myo1a or Myo6 dependent defects in expression of membrane proteins that
      traffic between the BB membrane and endosome (NaPi2b, NHE3, CFTR) are not
      restored. Compared to controls, Myo1a KO, sv/sv mice exhibit moderate and DM high
      levels of hypersensitivity to dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis. Consistent
      with Myo1a and Myo6 playing critical roles in maintaining IEC integrity and
      response to injury, DM IECs exhibit increased numbers of apoptotic nuclei, above
      that reported for Myo1a KO.

PMID- 26286361
TI  - Rapid sequestration of rock avalanche deposits within glaciers.
AB  - Topographic development in mountainous landscapes is a complex interplay between
      tectonics, climate and denudation. Glaciers erode valleys to generate headwall
      relief, and hillslope processes control the height and retreat of the peaks. The
      magnitude-frequency of these landslides and their long-term ability to lower
      mountains above glaciers is poorly understood; however, small, frequent rockfalls
      are currently thought to dominate. The preservation of rarer, larger, landslide
      deposits is exceptionally short-lived, as they are rapidly reworked. The 2013
      Mount Haast rock avalanche that failed from the slopes of Aoraki/Mount Cook, New
      Zealand, onto the glacier accumulation zone below was invisible to conventional
      remote sensing after just 3 months. Here we use sub-surface data to reveal the
      now-buried landslide deposit, and suggest that large landslides are the primary
      hillslope erosion mechanism here. These data show how past large landslides can
      be identified in accumulation zones, providing an untapped archive of erosive
      events in mountainous landscapes. 

PMID- 26286358
TI  - Improved Pharmacological and Structural Properties of HIV Fusion Inhibitor AP3
      over Enfuvirtide: Highlighting Advantages of Artificial Peptide Strategy.
AB  - Enfuvirtide (T20), is the first HIV fusion inhibitor approved for treatment of
      HIV/AIDS patients who fail to respond to the current antiretroviral drugs.
      However, its clinical application is limited because of short half-life, drug
      resistance and cross-reactivity with the preexisting antibodies in HIV-infected
      patients. Using an artificial peptide strategy, we designed a peptide with non
      native protein sequence, AP3, which exhibited potent antiviral activity against a
      broad spectrum of HIV-1 strains, including those resistant to T20, and had
      remarkably longer in vivo half-life than T20. While the preexisting antibodies in
      HIV-infected patients significantly suppressed T20's antiviral activity, these
      antibodies neither recognized AP3, nor attenuated its anti-HIV-1 activity.
      Structurally different from T20, AP3 could fold into single-helix and interact
      with gp41 NHR. The two residues, Met and Thr, at the N-terminus of AP3 form a
      hook-like structure to stabilize interaction between AP3 and NHR helices.
      Therefore, AP3 has potential for further development as a new HIV fusion
      inhibitor with improved antiviral efficacy, resistance profile and
      pharmacological properties over enfuvirtide. Meanwhile, this study highlighted
      the advantages of artificially designed peptides, and confirmed that this
      strategy could be used in developing artificial peptide-based viral fusion
      inhibitors against HIV and other enveloped viruses. 

PMID- 26286360
TI  - Activity of neutral and alkaline ceramidases on fluorogenic N-acylated coumarin
      containing aminodiols.
AB  - Ceramidases catalyze the cleavage of ceramides into sphingosine and fatty acids.
      Previously, we reported on the use of the RBM14 fluorogenic ceramide analogs to
      determine acidic ceramidase activity. In this work, we investigated the activity
      of other amidohydrolases on RBM14 compounds. Both bacterial and human purified
      neutral ceramidases (NCs), as well as ectopically expressed mouse neutral
      ceramidase hydrolyzed RBM14 with different selectivity, depending on the N-acyl
      chain length. On the other hand, microsomes from alkaline ceramidase (ACER)3
      knockdown cells were less competent at hydrolyzing RBM14C12, RBM12C14, and
      RBM14C16 than controls, while microsomes from ACER2 and ACER3 overexpressing
      cells showed no activity toward the RBM14 substrates. Conversely, N
      acylethanolamine-hydrolyzing acid amidase (NAAA) overexpressing cells hydrolyzed
      RBM14C14 and RBM14C16 at acidic pH. Overall, NC, ACER3, and, to a lesser extent,
      NAAA hydrolyze fluorogenic RBM14 compounds. Although the selectivity of the
      substrates toward ceramidases can be modulated by the length of the N-acyl chain,
      none of them was specific for a particular enzyme. Despite the lack of
      specificity, these substrates should prove useful in library screening programs
      aimed at identifying potent and selective inhibitors for NC and ACER3. 

PMID- 26286362
TI  - Response to "Comments on 'A Simple Device for Syringe-to-Syringe Transfer During
      Lipofilling'".

PMID- 26286363
TI  - Comments on "A Simple Device for Syringe-to-Syringe Transfer During Lipofilling".

PMID- 26286364
TI  - Evaluation of the 10-year history of a 2-day standardized laparoscopic surgical
      skills training program at Kyushu University.
AB  - PURPOSE: Laparoscopic and open surgical skills differ distinctly from one
      another. Our institute provides laparoscopic surgical skills training for
      currently active surgeons throughout Japan. This study was performed to evaluate
      the effectiveness of our 2-day standardized laparoscopic surgical skills training
      program over its 10-year history. METHODS: We analyzed the data on trainee
      characteristics, outcomes of skills assessments at the beginning and end of the
      program, and self-assessment after 6 months using a questionnaire survey.
      RESULTS: From January 2004 to December 2013, 914 surgeons completed the 2-day
      training program. Peaks in postgraduate years of experience occurred at years 2,
      8, and 17. Suturing and knot tying times were significantly shorter at the end
      than beginning of the program (p < 0.001). However, the numbers of misplaced and
      loose sutures, maximum misplacement distance, and number of injuries to the
      rubber sheet were significantly higher at the end of the program (p < 0.001). A
      questionnaire at 6 months post-training revealed significant improvements in the
      overall skills and forceps manipulation (p < 0.0001) and a significantly shorter
      mean operation time for laparoscopic cholecystectomy (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our
      2-day training program for active Japanese surgeons is thus considered to be
      effective; however, continued voluntary training is important and further
      outcomes assessments are needed.

PMID- 26286366
TI  - Trends in the Surgical Management of Crohn's Disease.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Although medical management of Crohn's disease has changed in
      recent years, it is unclear whether surgical management has altered. We examined
      rate changes of surgical interventions, stoma constructions, and subset of
      ileostomy and colostomy constructions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the
      Nationwide Inpatient Sample database from 1988 to 2011. We examined the number of
      Crohn's-related operations and stoma constructions, including ileostomies and
      colostomies; a multivariable logistic regression model was developed. RESULTS: A
      total of 355,239 Crohn's-related operations were analyzed. Operations increased
      from 13,955 in 1988 to 17,577 in 2011, p < 0.001. Stoma construction increased
      from 2493 to 4283, p < 0.001. The subset of ileostomies increased from 1201 to
      3169, p < 0.001 while colostomies decreased from 1351 to 1201, p = 0.05.
      Operation percentages resulting in stoma construction increased from 18 to 24 %,
      p < 0.001. Weight loss (OR 2.25, 95 % CI 1.88, 2.69) and presence of perianal
      fistulizing disease (OR 2.91, 95 % CI 2.31, 3.67) were most predictive for
      requiring stoma construction. CONCLUSIONS: Crohn's-related surgical interventions
      and stoma constructions have increased. The largest predictors for stoma
      construction are weight loss and perianal fistulizing disease. As a result,
      nutrition should be optimized and the early involvement of a multidisciplinary
      team should be considered.

PMID- 26286365
TI  - Perioperative Blood Transfusion and Postoperative Outcome in Patients with
      Crohn's Disease Undergoing Primary Ileocolonic Resection in the "Biological Era".
AB  - BACKGROUND: Perioperative blood transfusion has been shown to be associated with
      inflammatory response and immunosuppression. Patients receiving blood transfusion
      may have an increased risk for developing postoperative morbidities. The impact
      of blood transfusion on the postoperative recurrence of Crohn's disease (CD) has
      been controversial. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of blood
      transfusion on postoperative outcomes in CD in the current biological era.
      METHODS: This historical cohort study involved data collection and analysis of CD
      patients who underwent the index ileocolonic resection in our institution between
      2000 and 2012. Postoperative complications were compared between the transfused
      and nontransfused patients. The effects of perioperative blood transfusion on
      postoperative complications and disease recurrence were analyzed with both
      univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: A total of 318 patients were
      included in the study, and 52 of them (16.5 %) received perioperative blood
      transfusion. Blood transfusion was found to be associated with an increased risk
      of postoperative infectious and noninfectious complications both in univariate (P
      < 0.001 for each) and multivariable analyses (infectious complications: odds
      ratio [OR] = 8.73, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 2.85-26.78, P < 0.001;
      noninfectious complications: OR = 3.64, 95 % CI 1.30-10.18; P = 0.014). In
      addition, the Cox regression model indicated that blood transfusion was
      associated with both surgical (hazard ratio [HR] = 3.43, 95 % CI 1.92-6.13; P <
      0.001) and endoscopic (HR = 2.08, 95 % CI 1.38-3.14; P < 0.001) CD recurrence
      following the index surgery. CONCLUSION: Adverse outcomes after perioperative
      blood transfusion for the primary ileocolonic resection for CD resemble findings
      in surgery for other diseases. The presumed immunosuppressive effect of blood
      transfusion did not confer any protective effect on disease recurrence.

PMID- 26286367
TI  - Incidence and Risk Factors Associated with Readmission After Surgical Treatment
      for Adrenocortical Carcinoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare disease with a poor
      prognosis. Given the lack of data on readmission after resection of ACC, the
      objective of the current study was to define the incidence of readmission, as
      well as identify risk factors associated with readmission among patients with ACC
      who underwent surgical resection. METHODS: Two hundred nine patients who
      underwent resection of ACC between January 1993 and December 2014 at 1 of 13
      major centers in the USA were identified. Demographic and clinicopathological
      data were collected and analyzed relative to readmission. RESULTS: Median patient
      age was 52 years, and 62 % of the patients were female. Median tumor size was 12
      cm, and the majority of patients had an American Society of Anesthesiologists
      (ASA) class of 3-4 (n = 85, 56 %). The overall incidence of readmission within 90
      days from surgery was 18 % (n = 38). Factors associated with readmission included
      high ASA class (odds ratio (OR), 4.88 (95 % confidence interval (CI), 1.75
      13.61); P = 0.002), metastatic disease on presentation (OR, 2.98 (95 % CI, 1.37
      6.46); P = 0.006), EBL (>700 mL: OR, 2.75 (95 % CI, 1.16-6.51); P = 0.02),
      complication (OR, 1.91 (95 % CI, 1.20-3.05); P = 0.007), and prolonged length of
      stay (LOS; >=9 days: OR, 4.12 (95 % CI, 1.88-9.01); P < 0.001). On multivariate
      logistic regression, a high ASA class (OR, 4.01 (95 % CI, 1.44-11.17); P = 0.008)
      and metastatic disease on presentation (OR, 3.44 (95 % CI, 1.34-8.84); P = 0.01)
      remained independently associated with higher odds of readmission. CONCLUSION:
      Readmission following surgery for ACC was common as one in five patients
      experienced a readmission. Patients with a high ASA class and metastatic disease
      on presentation were over four and three times more likely to be readmitted after
      surgical treatment for ACC, respectively.

PMID- 26286368
TI  - Initial Misdiagnosis of Proximal Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Is Associated with
      Delay in Diagnosis and Advanced Stage at Presentation.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Delay in diagnosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is
      associated with decreased survival. The effect of an initial misdiagnosis on
      delay in diagnosis and stage of PDAC is unknown. METHODS: This study is a
      retrospective review (2000-2010) from a University-based cancer center of new
      diagnoses of proximal PDAC. RESULTS: Of 313 patients, 98 (31.3 %) had an initial
      misdiagnosis. Misdiagnosed patients were younger, 62.8 +/- 12.6 vs. 68.0 +/- 10.1
      (p < 0.001). The most common initial misdiagnoses were: gallbladder disease,
      gastroesophageal reflux disease, and peptic ulcer disease. After excluding
      patients with prior cholecystectomy, 14.2 % were misdiagnosed with gallbladder
      disease and underwent cholecystectomy before PDAC diagnosis. Misdiagnosed
      patients had higher rates of abdominal pain (p < 0.001), weight loss (p = 0.04),
      and acute pancreatitis (p < 0.001) and lower rate of jaundice (p < 0.001). Median
      time between symptoms to PDAC diagnosis was longer in misdiagnosed: 4.2 months
      vs. 1.4 (p < 0.001). Median time from contact with medical provider to axial
      imaging was longer in misdiagnosed (p < 0.001). Rate of stages III-IV disease at
      diagnosis was higher in misdiagnosed: 61.2 vs. 43.7 % (p = 0.004), with a 1.4 (95
      % confidence interval (CI), 1.12-1.74) higher risk of stages III-IV disease at
      diagnosis; however, there was no difference in median overall survival in
      misdiagnosed patients (9.6 months in misdiagnosed vs. 10.3 months in correctly
      diagnosed, p = 0.69). CONCLUSIONS: Initial misdiagnosis of patients with proximal
      PDAC is associated with delay in diagnosis and higher risk of locally advanced or
      advanced disease at time of PDAC diagnosis.

PMID- 26286369
TI  - The objects of visuospatial short-term memory: Perceptual organization and change
      detection.
AB  - We used a colour change-detection paradigm where participants were required to
      remember colours of six equally spaced circles. Items were superimposed on a
      background so as to perceptually group them within (a) an intact ring-shaped
      object, (b) a physically segmented but perceptually completed ring-shaped object,
      or (c) a corresponding background segmented into three arc-shaped objects. A
      nonpredictive cue at the location of one of the circles was followed by the
      memory items, which in turn were followed by a test display containing a probe
      indicating the circle to be judged same/different. Reaction times for correct
      responses revealed a same-object advantage; correct responses were faster to
      probes on the same object as the cue than to equidistant probes on a segmented
      object. This same-object advantage was identical for physically and perceptually
      completed objects, but was only evident in reaction times, and not in accuracy
      measures. Not only, therefore, is it important to consider object-level
      perceptual organization of stimulus elements when assessing the influence of a
      range of factors (e.g., number and complexity of elements) in visuospatial short
      term memory, but a more detailed picture of the structure of information in
      memory may be revealed by measuring speed as well as accuracy. 

PMID- 26286370
TI  - Stability and Conversion of Tin Zintl Anions in Liquid Ammonia Investigated by
      NMR spectroscopy.
AB  - Homoatomic polyanions of post-transition main-group metals, namely, Zintl anions,
      are precast in analogous Zintl phases and can react in solution to form new
      materials. Despite comprehensible reaction approaches, the formed products cannot
      be planned in advance, as hitherto undetected and therefore disregarded side
      reactions take place. The outcomes and interpretations of the reactions of Zintl
      anions are so far based mainly on crystal structures, which only allow
      characterization of the product that has the lowest solubility. Here we present
      the results of our investigation of the stability of highly charged tin Zintl
      anions in liquid ammonia, which is not exclusively based on solution effects but
      also on the oxidative influence of the solvent. This allows for a deeper
      understanding of the ongoing processes in solution and opens doors to the
      directed synthesis of transition metal complexes of Sn4 (4-) , here shown by its
      reactivity towards MesCu. 

PMID- 26286371
TI  - Singapore Grouper Iridovirus ORF75R is a Scaffold Protein Essential for Viral
      Assembly.
AB  - Singapore Grouper Iridovirus (SGIV) is a member of nucleo cytoplasmic large DNA
      viruses (NCLDV). This paper reports the functional analysis of ORF75R, a major
      structural protein of SGIV. Immuno fluorescence studies showed that the protein
      was accumulated in the viral assembly site. Immunogold-labelling indicated that
      it was localized between the viral capsid shell and DNA core. Knockdown of ORF75R
      by morpholinos resulted in the reduction of coreshell thickness, the failure of
      DNA encapsidation, and the low yield of infectious particles. Comparative
      proteomics further identified the structural proteins affected by ORF75R
      knockdown. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis combined with proteomics
      demonstrated that ORF75R was phosphorylated at multiple sites in SGIV-infected
      cell lysate and virions, but the vast majority of ORF75R in virions was the
      dephosphorylated isoform. A kinase assay showed that ORF75R could be
      phosphorylated in vitro by the SGIV structural protein ORF39L. Addition of ATP
      and Mg(2+) into purified virions prompted extensive phosphorylation of structural
      proteins and release of ORF75R from virions. These data suggest that ORF75R is a
      novel scaffold protein important for viral assembly and DNA encapsidation, but
      its phosphorylation facilitates virion disassembly. Compared to proteins from
      other viruses, we found that ORF75R shares common features with herpes simplex
      virus VP22. 

PMID- 26286373
TI  - NMR spectral properties of the tetramantanes - nanometer-sized diamondoids.
AB  - Tetramantanes, and all diamondoid hydrocarbons, possess carbon frameworks that
      are superimposable upon the cubic diamond lattice. This characteristic is
      invaluable in assigning their (1)H and (13)C NMR spectra because it translates
      into repeating structural features, such as diamond-cage isobutyl moieties with
      distinctively complex methine to methylene signatures in COSY and HMBC data,
      connected to variable, but systematic linkages of methine and quaternary carbons.
      In all tetramantane C22H28 isomers, diamond-lattice structures result in long
      range (4)JHH, W-coupling in COSY data, except where negated by symmetry; there
      are two highly symmetrical and one chiral tetramantane (showing seven (4)JHH).
      Isobutyl-cage methines of lower diamondoids and tetramantanes are the most
      shielded resonances in their (13)C spectra (<29.5 ppm). The isobutyl methylenes
      are bonded to additional methines and at least one quaternary carbon in the
      tetramantanes. W-couplings between these methines and methylenes clarify spin
      network interconnections and detailed surface hydrogen stereochemistry. Vicinal
      couplings of the isobutyl methylenes reveal positions of the quaternary carbons:
      HMBC data then tie the more remote spin systems together. Diamondoid (13) C NMR
      chemical shifts are largely determined by alpha and beta effects, however gamma
      shielding effects are important in [123]tetramantane. (1)H NMR chemical shifts
      generally correlate with numbers of 1,3-diaxial H-H interactions. Tight van der
      Waals contacts within [123]tetramantane's molecular groove, however, form
      improper hydrogen bonds, deshielding hydrogen nuclei inside the groove, while
      shielding those outside, indicated by Deltadelta of 1.47 ppm for geminal
      hydrogens bonded to C-3,21. These findings should be valuable in future NMR
      studies of diamondoids/nanodiamonds of increasing size.

PMID- 26286372
TI  - Long- and Short-Range Electrostatic Fields in GFP Mutants: Implications for
      Spectral Tuning.
AB  - The majority of protein functions are governed by their internal local
      electrostatics. Quantitative information about these interactions can shed light
      on how proteins work and allow for improving/altering their performance. Green
      fluorescent protein (GFP) and its mutation variants provide unique optical
      windows for interrogation of internal electric fields, thanks to the intrinsic
      fluorophore group formed inside them. Here we use an all-optical method, based on
      the independent measurements of transition frequency and one- and two-photon
      absorption cross sections in a number of GFP mutants to evaluate these internal
      electric fields. Two physical models based on the quadratic Stark effect, either
      with or without taking into account structural (bond-length) changes of the
      chromophore in varying field, allow us to separately evaluate the long-range and
      the total effective (short- and long-range) fields. Both types of the field
      quantitatively agree with the results of independent molecular dynamic
      simulations, justifying our method of measurement. 

PMID- 26286374
TI  - Perceived Relevance of Gender-Specific Differences in Gastrointestinal Medicine
      and Surgery: Results of a Survey.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The recognition of the relevance of sex and gender differences in
      medicine has significantly increased in the last 20 years. Nonetheless, the
      implementation of these aspects into clinical practice still remains to be
      attained. In particular, while sex differences - which refer to biological
      attributes - are widely accepted, gender concepts - which include sociocultural
      and psychological properties - are frequently treated with diffidence. METHODS:
      In December 2012 and January 2013, all members of the German Society for General
      and Abdominal Surgery (DGAV) were invited to participate in an online-based
      survey to determine the relevance and incorporation of sex and gender aspects in
      gastrointestinal medicine and surgery. RESULTS: 493 (13.4%) of the 3,689 members
      of the DGAV participated in the survey. More than 50% of the participants
      reported including sex and gender aspects into consultation, diagnosis, and
      management at least occasionally. However, 44% reported no knowledge of the
      formal definition of 'gender medicine', suggesting potential differences in the
      perception of the notion of gender. CONCLUSION: The participants of the survey
      demonstrated vast knowledge about sex differences, while gender attributes were
      generally neglected. Since gender features are critically relevant for prevention
      as well as during medical consultation, we suggest this area as a potential
      target for further training initiatives.

PMID- 26286376
TI  - Identification of Bufavirus-1 and Bufavirus-3 in Feces of Patients with Acute
      Diarrhea, China.
AB  - Bufavirus (BuV) is a newly discovered human parvovirus that has been detected in
      some countries. The current study was designed to understand the epidemic of BuV
      in China. Totally 1877 fecal specimens were collected from pediatric and adult
      patients with acute diarrhea in two large hospitals from 2010 to 2014. BuV was
      detected in 0.5% (9/1877) of the fecal samples by PCR and subsequent sequencing.
      The positive patients had a wide age range from 1 month through 60 years (median
      24 years old) and 6 were male. A geographic specific pattern was obvious, with
      significantly higher frequency of BuV presented in Northern than in Southern
      China. Four BuV-1 and five BuV-3 were determined. Mixed-infections of BuV with
      sapovirus and novavirus were found in 2 cases, respectively. A temporal
      clustering was identified, with most positive detection focused in the cold
      weather. These findings have expanded the current knowledge on the geographic
      boundaries of BuV circulation. 

PMID- 26286378
TI  - O-GlcNAc cycling enzymes control vascular development of the placenta by
      modulating the levels of HIF-1alpha.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Placental vasculogenesis is essential for fetal growth and
      development, and is affected profoundly by oxygen tension (hypoxia). Hypoxia
      inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha), which is stabilized at the protein level in
      response to hypoxia, is essential for vascular morphogenesis in the placenta.
      Many studies suggested that responses to hypoxia is influenced by O
      GlcNAcylation. O-GlcNAcylation is regulated by O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) and O
      GlcNAcase (OGA) that catalyze the addition and removal of O-GlcNAc respectively.
      METHODS: We generated OGA deficient mice and evaluated OGA(-/-) placentas. The
      analysis of OGA(-/-) placentas was focused on morphological change and placental
      vasculogenesis. HIF-1alpha protein stability or transcriptional activity under
      dysregulation of O-GlcNAcylation were evaluated by Western blot, RT-qPCR and
      luciferase reporter gene assays in MEFs or MS1 cell line. RESULTS: Deletion of
      OGA results in defective placental vasculogenesis. OGA(-/-) placentas showed an
      abnormal placental shape and reduced vasculature in the labyrinth, which caused a
      developmental delay in the embryos. OGA deletion, which elevates O-GlcNAcylation
      and downregulates O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT), suppressed HIF-1alpha stabilization
      and the transcription of its target genes. In contrast, the overexpression of O
      GlcNAc cycling enzymes enhanced the expression and transcriptional activity of
      HIF-1alpha. DISCUSSION: These results suggest that OGA plays a critical role in
      placental vasculogenesis by modulating HIF-1alpha stabilization. Control of O
      GlcNAcylation is essential for placental development.

PMID- 26286377
TI  - Hepatic resection of hepatocellular carcinoma after proton beam therapy: A case
      report.
AB  - Despite the widespread use of proton beam therapy (PBT) as locoregional therapy,
      there is currently a lack of histological evidence about the therapeutic effect
      of PBT for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We present a case of hepatectomy and
      histological examination of HCC initially treated by PBT. A 76-year-old man with
      chronic hepatitis C underwent routine ultrasound surveillance, which revealed a
      22-mm HCC in segment 4 of the liver. His hepatic reserve was adequate for
      surgical resection of the tumor; however, he chose to undergo PBT because of his
      cardiac disease. The patient received 66 Gy in 10 fractions with no toxicity
      exceeding grade 1. Six months after completion of PBT, contrast computed
      tomography showed that the tumor had increased in size to 27 mm, and the marginal
      part of the tumor, but not the central region, was enhanced. Additionally, two
      new hypervascular nodules were present in segments 5 and 6. The patient underwent
      surgical treatment 7 months after PBT. The operation and postoperative clinical
      course were uneventful. Nine months later, however, computed tomography
      demonstrated new, small, enhanced nodules in the remnant liver (segments 3, 5 and
      6) and sacrum. In conclusion, PBT is a valuable treatment for HCC; however, it is
      difficult to evaluate therapeutic effect of HCC during the early post-irradiation
      period and provide an alternative treatment if PBT is not effective, especially
      in HCC cases with good liver function. 

PMID- 26286375
TI  - Discovery, Synthesis, and Optimization of Diarylisoxazole-3-carboxamides as
      Potent Inhibitors of the Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore.
AB  - The mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mtPTP) is a Ca(2+) -requiring
      mega-channel which, under pathological conditions, leads to the deregulated
      release of Ca(2+) and mitochondrial dysfunction, ultimately resulting in cell
      death. Although the mtPTP is a potential therapeutic target for many human
      pathologies, its potential as a drug target is currently unrealized. Herein we
      describe an optimization effort initiated around hit 1, 5-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-N
      (3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)isoxazole-3-carboxamide, which was found to possess
      promising inhibitory activity against mitochondrial swelling (EC50 <0.39 MUM) and
      showed no interference on the inner mitochondrial membrane potential (rhodamine
      123 uptake EC50 >100 MUM). This enabled the construction of a series of picomolar
      mtPTP inhibitors that also potently increase the calcium retention capacity of
      the mitochondria. Finally, the therapeutic potential and in vivo efficacy of one
      of the most potent analogues, N-(3-chloro-2-methylphenyl)-5-(4-fluoro-3
      hydroxyphenyl)isoxazole-3-carboxamide (60), was validated in a biologically
      relevant zebrafish model of collagen VI congenital muscular dystrophies. 

PMID- 26286379
TI  - The development, content validity and inter-rater reliability of the SMART-Goal
      Evaluation Method: A standardised method for evaluating clinical goals.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Goal setting is a complex skill. The use of formal goal writing
      procedures (including the use of the SMART goal model) has been advocated.
      However, a standardised method of writing and evaluating SMART goals is currently
      lacking. This study comprised of two phases. The aims of phase one was to (i)
      develop the SMART Goal Evaluation Method (SMART-GEM) based on a SMART goal model;
      and (ii) investigate the content validity of the SMART-GEM. The aim of phase two
      of the study was to test the inter-rater reliability of the SMART-GEM. METHODS:
      Development of the SMART- GEM involved defining and constructing evaluation
      criteria suitable for auditing goal statements. A content validity assessment was
      conducted using an expert panel of Occupational Therapists (n = 10). Inter-rater
      reliability of the SMART-GEM was examined using a purposive sample of multiple
      raters (n = 24). RESULTS: The SMART- GEM was rated as having good content
      validity (individual items CVI ranged from 0.90 to 1.00; total SMART- GEM CVI =
      0.99, rho = 0.05). Agreement between raters on individual items ranged from poor
      (kappa = 0.254) to excellent (kappa = 0.965) and agreement of overall grades was
      fair to good (kappa = 0.582). Inter-rater agreement on total scores was found to
      be very good (ICC = 0.895, 95% CI = 0.743 to 0.986, rho = 0.001) with excellent
      internal consistency (alpha = 0.995). CONCLUSION: The SMART-GEM demonstrated good
      construct validity and very good inter-rater reliability on total score and shows
      promise as a standardised method to writing and evaluating clinical goals.

PMID- 26286380
TI  - Upregulation of HO-1 with Haemin Alleviates LPS-Stimulated Pro-inflammatory
      Responses Through Downregulation of p38 Signalling Pathways in Rat Liver.
AB  - Haem oxygenase-1 (HO-1) plays an important role in inflammatory disease
      development and progression. Whether it has an anti-inflammatory role in
      lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced liver injury remains unclear. To investigate the
      functional role of HO-1 in protecting liver tissue against inflammatory response
      stimulated by LPS in rat and the mechanism by which it achieves this protective
      effect, LPS-stimulated inflammatory models were established. In pretreatment of
      rats with HO-1 activator (haemin) or inhibitor (zinc protoporphyrin-9, ZnPP, a
      specific inhibitor of HO) before LPS stimulation, we evaluated the pathological
      changes by haematoxylin-eosin staining. The mRNA expression and secretion of IL
      1beta and IL-6 in rat liver were analysed using the real-time PCR and ELISA. Real
      time PCR and Western blot were also used to evaluate the expression of HO-1, p38
      and p-p38 in liver. Liver CO contents were sensitized to the expression of HO-1.
      Induction of HO-1 by haemin remarkably inhibited the expression of p38, and
      addition of ZnPP increased this expression. Our results demonstrate that HO-1 is
      an anti-inflammation factor in LPS-stimulated liver, which regulate the
      inflammatory response through downregulation of p38 signalling pathways in rat
      liver. 

PMID- 26286381
TI  - A Dutch nationwide evaluation of serological assays for detection of Borrelia
      antibodies in clinically well-defined patients.
AB  - Numerous tests for the detection of antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi are
      commercially available. Manufacturer-derived data invariably report a high
      sensitivity and specificity, but comparative studies demonstrate large
      differences in clinical practice, especially with regard to specificity. We
      retrospectively collected data from validation studies for B. burgdorferi
      antibody assays from 8 laboratories in the Netherlands. The total number of
      samples was 809. Samples were selected based on clinical and laboratory
      parameters. We included samples from patients with erythema migrans,
      acrodermatitis chronicum atrophicans, and neuroborreliosis; cross-reactivity
      controls; and healthy controls. Data are presented from 10 enzyme-linked
      immunosorbent assays and 5 immunoblots. For manifestations of B. burgdorferi
      infection with short disease duration, the positivity rate of the assays varied
      significantly. In patients with long disease duration, the positivity rate
      differed only marginally. In cross-reactivity controls, there was significant
      variation in the reactivity rate. The majority of false-positive reactions are of
      the IgM isotype. 

PMID- 26286382
TI  - Advances in photoplethysmography: beyond arterial oxygen saturation.
AB  - PURPOSE: Photoplethysmography permits continuous measurement of heart rate and
      peripheral oxygen saturation and has been widely used to inform clinical
      decisions. Recently, a myriad of noninvasive hemodynamic monitoring devices using
      this same technology have been increasingly available. This narrative review aims
      to summarize the principles that form the basis for the function of these devices
      as well as to comment on trials evaluating their accuracy and clinical
      application. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Advanced monitoring devices extend
      photoplethysmography technology beyond measuring oxygen concentration and heart
      rate. Quantification of respiratory variation of the photoplethysmographic
      waveform reflects respiratory variation of the arterial pressure waveform and can
      be used to gauge volume responsiveness. Both the volume-clamp and physiocal
      techniques are extensions of conventional photoplethysmography and permit
      continuous measurement of finger arterial blood pressure. Finger arterial
      pressure waveforms can subsequently inform estimations of cardiac output.
      CONCLUSIONS: Although respiratory variations of the plethysmographic waveform
      correlate only modestly with the arterial blood pressure waveform, fluid
      responsiveness can be relatively consistently assessed using both approaches.
      Continuous blood pressure measurements obtained using the volume-clamp technique
      may be as accurate as conventional brachial noninvasive blood pressure
      measurements. Most importantly, clinical comparative effectiveness studies are
      still needed in order to determine if these technologies can be translated into
      improvement of relevant patient outcomes.

PMID- 26286383
TI  - Perioperative outcomes: Are we asking the right questions?

PMID- 26286384
TI  - Meta-analysis of selective laser trabeculoplasty versus topical medication in the
      treatment of open-angle glaucoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine possible differences in clinical
      outcomes between selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) and topical medication in
      the treatment of open-angle glaucoma. METHODS: Pertinent prospective comparative
      controlled trials comparing SLT with medication were selected through extensive
      searches of the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Chinese Biomedicine Database, and
      the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register database from their inception up to March
      2014. Efficacy estimates were measured by their weighted mean difference (WMD) to
      calculate the intraocular pressure reduction (IOPR) from baseline to endpoint and
      by the odds ratio (OR) to determine success rates. RESULTS: Five prospective
      studies, which met the predefined criteria, were included in the meta-analysis.
      Four studies were randomized clinical trials and one study was a prospective non
      randomized clinical trial. There were a total of 492 eyes of 366 patients with
      open-angle glaucoma. Four studies involving 325 eyes compared SLT with medication
      in terms of the IOPR. The WMD of the IOPR from the baseline was 0.6 (95 %
      confidence intervals: -0.24,1.43) when comparing SLT with medication. No
      statistical heterogeneity was observed between studies (chi2 = 1.30, P = 0.75,
      I(2) = 0.0 %). All five studies reported success rates, with a pooled OR of 0.84
      (95 % confidence intervals: 0.42, 1.68), which was not statistically significant.
      No statistical heterogeneity was observed between studies (chi2 = 5.98, P =
      0.200, I(2) = 33.1 %). Subgroup and sensitivity analysis confirmed the high
      stability of the meta-analysis results. CONCLUSIONS: Both SLT and topical
      medication demonstrate similar success rates and effectiveness in lowering
      intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma.

PMID- 26286385
TI  - Chronic low back pain clinical outcomes present higher associations with the
      STarT Back Screening Tool than with physiologic measures: a 12-month cohort
      study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Stratification strategies based on identifying patient's prognosis in
      order to guide patient care constitute one of the most prominent and recent
      approach in low back pain research. The STarT Back Screening Tool (SBST) although
      promising, has not been studied in patients with chronic low back pain (cLBP).
      Considering how challenging it is to translate research into practice, the value
      of integrating a new tool should be thoroughly assessed. The purpose was
      therefore to assess associations between the short- and long-terms clinical
      status and two types of variables, physiologic measures and the SBST, in
      participants with cLBP. The ability of both types of variables to discriminate
      between participants with and without higher levels of disability, pain, fear of
      movement and patient's global impression of change was also investigated.
      METHODS: Fifty-three volunteers with cLBP participated in an initial evaluation
      and follow-ups at 2-, 4-, 6- and 12-month. Physiologic measures (maximal
      voluntary contraction, maximal endurance and muscle activity evaluated during
      prone and lateral isometric tasks) and the SBST were assessed at baseline.
      Disability (Oswestry Disability Index, ODI), pain intensity (101-point Numerical
      Rating Scale, NRS), fear of movement (Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia, TSK) and
      patient's global impression of change (7-point scale, PGIC) were evaluated at
      baseline and at each follow-up. Aside the use of correlation analyses to assess
      potential associations; ROC curves were performed to evaluate the discriminative
      ability of physiologic measures and the SBST. RESULTS: The SBST allowed for the
      identification of participants presenting higher levels of disability (ODI >=24
      %), pain (NRS >=37 %) or fear of movement (TSK >=41/68) over a 12-month period
      (AUC = 0.71 to 0.84, ps < 0.05). The SBST score was also correlated with
      disability at each follow-up (tau = 0.22 to 0.33, ps < 0.05) and with pain
      intensity and fear of movement at follow-ups. Among physiologic measures, only
      maximal voluntary contraction was correlated to disability, pain intensity or
      fear of movement during the follow-up (|tau| = 0.26 to 0.32, ps < 0.05) and none
      was able to identify participants presenting higher levels of outcomes (AUC ps >
      0.05). CONCLUSION: Physiologic measures obtained during prone and lateral tests
      have limited associations with the clinical status over a 12-month period in
      patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain. On the other hand, the STarT
      Back Screening Tool is useful for the identification of patients who will present
      higher levels of disability, pain intensity and fear of movement over a year.
      TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02226692.

PMID- 26286386
TI  - Significant Radiation Dose Reduction in the Hybrid Operating Room Using a Novel X
      ray Imaging Technology.
AB  - OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND: To prospectively quantify radiation dose change in
      aortoiliac endovascular procedures in the hybrid operating room (OR) for patients
      and medical staff with a novel X-ray imaging technology (ClarityIQ technology),
      and to assess whether procedure or fluoroscopy time or dose of iodinated contrast
      was affected. METHODS: A prospective study including 138 patients was performed
      to compare radiation dose before and after installation of a novel X-ray imaging
      technology. Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) was performed in 37 patients and
      an endovascular procedure for aortoiliac occlusive disease (AIOD) in 101. Patient
      radiation dose in air kerma (AK) and dose area product (DAP), patient
      demographics, and procedural data were recorded. Staff radiation dose was
      measured with real time personal dosimetry measurements. In both the EVAR and
      AIOD groups the reference system, ALX (AlluraXper FD20; Philips Healthcare, Best,
      the Netherlands), was compared with the upgraded X-ray system, CIQ (AlluraClarity
      FD20; Philips Healthcare). Procedure time, fluoroscopy time, and iodinated
      contrast dose were recorded. RESULTS: Patient radiation dose reduction in the
      EVAR group, in median AK, was 56% (ALX = 1,262.5 mGy; CIQ = 556.0 mGy [p < .01]);
      and in median DAP it was 57% (ALX = 224.4 Gycm(2) and CIQ = 95.8 Gycm(2) [p <
      .01]). Patient radiation dose reduction in the AIOD group, in median AK, was 76%
      (ALX = 1,011.0 mGy; CIQ = 248.0 mGy [p < .01]); and in median DAP it was 73% (ALX
      = 138.1 Gycm(2); CIQ = 38.0 Gycm(2) [p < .01]). Staff dose reduction in the EVAR
      group was 16% (ALX = 70.1 MUSv; CIQ = 59.2 MUSv [p = .43]) and in the AIOD group
      it was 69% (ALX = 96.2 MUSv; CIQ = 30.1 MUSv [p < .01]). There was no
      statistically significant difference between patient demographics, procedure
      time, fluoroscopy time, and iodinated contrast medium use in the two treatment
      groups before and after installation. CONCLUSION: A novel X-ray imaging
      technology in the hybrid OR suite resulted in a significant reduction of patient
      and staff radiation dose without affecting procedure length, fluoroscopy time, or
      use of contrast.

PMID- 26286387
TI  - Time to Close the Stable Doors Before the Horse Has Bolted.

PMID- 26286388
TI  - Acute Monocular Blindness after Carotid Endarterectomy due to Non-arteritic
      Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy.

PMID- 26286389
TI  - Minireview on current antiangiogenic agents in oncology and ophthalmology.
AB  - Antiangiogenic drugs are approved for many cancer types for longer than a decade.
      Furthermore, several antiangiogenic agents are approved for local application in
      ophthalmology for treatment of macular degeneration, venous retinal occlusion and
      diabetic retinopathy. Knowing that antiangiogenic agents are active in ocular
      system, we reviewed the current literature, whether antiangiogenic drugs may
      cause ocular side effects in cancer patients by systemic application.  
      Furthermore, we searched in published papers, if systemic application of
      antiangiogenic agents in cancer patients may simultaneously treat their ocular
      disorders, if they have such.  Finally, we emphasized cooperation between an
      oncologist and ophthalmologist when treating patients with antiangiogenic drugs.

PMID- 26286390
TI  - Spasticity Health Literacy Among Canadian Family Physicians.

PMID- 26286391
TI  - Path analyses of cross-sectional and longitudinal data suggest that variability
      in natural communities of blood-associated parasites is derived from host
      characteristics and not interspecific interactions.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The parasite composition of wild host individuals often impacts their
      behavior and physiology, and the transmission dynamics of pathogenic species
      thereby determines disease risk in natural communities. Yet, the determinants of
      parasite composition in natural communities are still obscure. In particular,
      three fundamental questions remain open: (1) what are the relative roles of host
      and environmental characteristics compared with direct interactions between
      parasites in determining the community composition of parasites? (2) do these
      determinants affect parasites belonging to the same guild and those belonging to
      different guilds in similar manners? and (3) can cross-sectional and longitudinal
      analyses work interchangeably in detecting community determinants? Our study was
      designed to answer these three questions in a natural community of rodents and
      their fleas, ticks, and two vector-borne bacteria. METHODS: We sampled a natural
      population of Gerbillus andersoni rodents and their blood-associated parasites on
      two occasions. By combining path analysis and model selection approaches, we then
      explored multiple direct and indirect paths that connect (i) the environmental
      and host-related characteristics to the infection probability of a host by each
      of the four parasite species, and (ii) the infection probabilities of the four
      species by each other. RESULTS: Our results suggest that the majority of paths
      shaping the blood-associated communities are indirect, mostly determined by host
      characteristics and not by interspecific interactions or environmental
      conditions. The exact effects of host characteristics on infection probability by
      a given parasite depend on its life history and on the method of sampling, in
      which the cross-sectional and longitudinal methods are complementary.
      CONCLUSIONS: Despite the awareness of the need of ecological investigations into
      natural host-vector-parasite communities in light of the emergence and re
      emergence of vector-borne diseases, we lack sampling methods that are both
      practical and reliable. Here we illustrated how comprehensive patterns can be
      revealed from observational data by applying path analysis and model selection
      approaches and combining cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses. By employing
      this combined approach on blood-associated parasites, we were able to distinguish
      between direct and indirect effects and to predict the causal relationships
      between host-related characteristics and the parasite composition over time and
      space. We concluded that direct interactions within the community play only a
      minor role in determining community composition relative to host characteristics
      and the life history of the community members.

PMID- 26286393
TI  - Caring for a Person With Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment.
AB  - While much of the literature on caregiver burden has focused on caregiving for
      people living with Alzheimer's disease (AD) there is little information on the
      experience of caring for a loved one living with amnestic Mild Cognitive
      Impairment (aMCI), the group most likely to convert to AD. A hermeneutic
      phenomenological approach was used to understand the organizing principles that
      give experiences of being form and meaning in the lifeworld. Study findings
      highlight the precarious nature of caregiver role acquisition and the
      heterogeneity that is present among informal care providers. Specifically, the
      findings suggest that the wearing of multiple situational masks is required by
      the carer to cope with accumulated progressive losses suffered as they
      continually adjust to their new and evolving carer identity. Support groups
      specific to the carers of those living with aMCI are needed in an effort to
      remove these masks and to validate this unique caregiving experience. 

PMID- 26286392
TI  - Measurement of skeletal related events in SEER-Medicare: a comparison of claims
      based methods.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Skeletal related events (SREs) are common in men with metastatic
      prostate cancer (mPC). Various methods have been used to identify SREs from
      claims data. The objective of this study was to provide a framework for measuring
      SREs from claims and compare SRE prevalence and cumulative incidence estimates
      based on alternative approaches in men with mPC. METHODS: Several claims-based
      approaches for identifying SREs were developed and applied to data for men aged
      [greater than or equal to] 66 years newly diagnosed with mPC between 2000 and
      2009 in the SEER-Medicare datasets and followed through 2010 or until censoring.
      Post-diagnosis SREs were identified using claims that indicated spinal cord
      compression (SCC), pathologic fracture (PF), surgery to bone (BS), or radiation
      (suggestive of bone palliative radiation, RAD). To measure SRE prevalence, two
      SRE definitions were created: 'base case' (most commonly used in the literature)
      and 'alternative' in which different claims were used to identify each type of
      SRE. To measure cumulative incidence, we used the 'base case' definition and
      applied three periods in which claims were clustered to episodes: 14-, 21-, and
      28-day windows. RESULTS: Among 8997 mPC patients, 46 % experienced an SRE
      according to the 'base case' definition and 43 % patients experienced an SRE
      according to the 'alternative' definition. Varying the code definition from 'base
      case' to 'alternative' resulted in an 8 % increase in the overall SRE prevalence.
      Using the 21-day window, a total of 12,930 SRE episodes were observed during
      follow up. Varying the window length from 21 to 28 days resulted in an 8 %
      decrease in SRE cumulative incidence (RAD: 10 %, PF: 8 %, SCC: 6 %, BS: 0.2 %).
      CONCLUSIONS: SRE prevalence was affected by the codes used, with PF being most
      impacted. The overall SRE cumulative incidence was affected by the window length
      used, with RAD being most affected. These results underscore the importance of
      the baseline definitions used to study claims data when attempting to understand
      relevant clinical events such as SREs in the real world setting.

PMID- 26286394
TI  - Strategies for effective goals of care discussions and decision-making:
      perspectives from a multi-centre survey of Canadian hospital-based healthcare
      providers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Communication gaps impact the quality of patient care. Previous
      research has focused on communication barriers rather than seeking solutions. Our
      aim was to identify strategies for effective communication and decision-making
      about goals of care for medical interventions in serious illness, from the
      perspectives of hospital-based healthcare providers. METHODS: A cross-sectional
      survey composed of closed- and open-ended questions about goals of care
      communication and decision-making was administered to healthcare providers in 13
      centres in six Canadian provinces. We analyzed a portion of the open-ended survey
      questions, specifically (1) suggestions for overcoming barriers encountered in
      discussing goals of care, and (2) currently effective practices. Thematic content
      analysis was used to analyze responses to the open-ended questions. RESULTS: Of
      the 1,256 respondents to the larger survey, 468 responded to the open-ended
      questions (37%), including 272 of 512 nurses (53%), 153 of 484 internal medicine
      trainees (32%), and 43 of 260 attending physicians (17%). Responses to each of
      the two questions were similar, generating a common set of themes and subthemes.
      Effective strategies and ideas for improving communication and decision-making
      about goals of care clustered under five themes: patient and family factors,
      communication between healthcare providers and patients, interprofessional
      collaboration, education, and resources. Subthemes highlighted core elements of
      shared decision-making. CONCLUSIONS: Translating our findings into multifaceted
      interventions that consider patient and family factors, address knowledge gaps,
      optimize resource utilization, and facilitate communication and collaboration
      between patients, families and healthcare providers may improve communication and
      decision-making about goals of care.

PMID- 26286395
TI  - Modelling of diabetes knowledge, attitudes, self-management, and quality of life:
      a cross-sectional study with an Australian sample.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Quality of life (QoL) is an important aspect of wellbeing for people
      with chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes, making it a noteworthy outcome.
      Knowledge about diabetes, attitudes, and self-management of diabetes are key
      factors that might directly or indirectly impact QoL. However, little is known
      about the inter-relationships between diabetes knowledge, attitudes, self
      management and QoL among people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The aim of
      this study was to examine a model describing the relationship between diabetes
      knowledge, attitudes, self-management, and QoL of people with T2DM that is based
      on previous research linking pairs of these variables. METHODS: A cross-sectional
      study design was employed in this research. A total of 291 participants, 192
      males and 99 females, with T2DM, whose mean age was 55.8 (standard deviation =
      11.09) completed questionnaires measuring diabetes knowledge (Diabetes Knowledge
      Scale), attitudes (Diabetes Integration Scale -19), self-management (Summary of
      Diabetes Self-care Activities Scale), including the aspects of diet, exercise,
      blood glucose testing, and foot care, and QoL (Diabetes Quality of Life Scale),
      comprising the aspects of satisfaction and impact on QoL respectively. To examine
      the model we proposed relating these variables, data were analysed using the path
      analysis. RESULTS: In the final model, diabetes knowledge was a significant
      predictor for attitudes and self-management in terms of blood glucose testing.
      Attitudes was a significant predictor for self-management in terms of diet. In
      addition, self-management in terms of blood glucose testing was a significant
      predictor of impact of QoL, and self-management in terms of diet was a
      significant predictor of satisfaction and impact of QoL. Self-management in terms
      of exercise was a significant predictor of satisfaction in QoL. The final model
      reflected a good fit (chi(2) (14) = 22.52, p = 0.069; CFI = 0.983; GFI = 0.983;
      RMSEA = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes knowledge, attitudes, and self-management
      are important factors that can impact the QoL among people with type 2 diabetes.

PMID- 26286396
TI  - A Comprehensive Study of Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Genetic Polymorphisms, its
      Expression in Skin and Relation to Histopathological Features in Psoriasis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) is an important inflammatory
      mediator in psoriasis and several genetic polymorphisms of this cytokine have
      been reported. Majority of studies have focused on the increased G- A
      polymorphism at the -308 position in psoriasis. There has been no comprehensive
      study evaluating the genetic polymorphisms, TNFalpha expression in the skin and
      histopathology. We are undertaking this study to outline TNFalpha genetic
      polymorphisms, its skin expression and histopathological correlation to help
      determine its role at the genetic and protein level. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 112
      patients of psoriasis and 243 healthy controls were included in this prospective
      study. 5 ml of peripheral blood was collected to study the TNFalpha genetic
      polymorphisms by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length
      polymorphism analysis. Histopathological analysis of biopsies from the 112
      patients were done using visual analogue scale and correlated with the findings.
      61 of these cases were analyzed for TNFalpha expression by immunohistochemistry.
      The results of study were statistically analyzed using SPSS 13.0 statistical
      package program. RESULTS: A strong association of TNFalpha -308 G/A polymorphism
      in psoriasis cases was detected. The A allele of the TNFalpha -308 G/A
      polymorphism occurs rarely in the Indian population, however there is an over
      representation of this allele in psoriatic patients. There was no association
      seen between TNFalpha genotype and histopathological severity of psoriasis.
      CONCLUSION: The study emphasized the central role of TNFalpha in the pathogenesis
      of psoriasis. TNFalpha genotyping may be helpful in identifying subjects in whom
      anti-TNFalpha therapeutic strategies may be tried.

PMID- 26286397
TI  - Peak oxygen uptake and breathing pattern in COPD patients--a four-year
      longitudinal study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Activities of daily living in patients with chronic obstructive
      pulmonary disease (COPD) are limited by exertional dyspnea and reduced exercise
      capacity. The aims of the study were to examine longitudinal changes in peak
      oxygen uptake (VO2peak), peak minute ventilation (VEpeak) and breathing pattern
      over four years in a group of COPD patients, and to examine potential explanatory
      variables of change. METHODS: This longitudinal study included 63 COPD patients,
      aged 44-75 years, with a mean forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) at
      baseline of 51 % of predicted (SD = 14). The patients performed two
      cardiopulmonary exercise tests (CPETs) on treadmill 4.5 years apart. The
      relationship between changes in VO2peak and VEpeak and possible explanatory
      variables, including dynamic lung volumes and inspiratory capacity (IC), were
      analysed by multivariate linear regression analysis. The breathing pattern in
      terms of the relationship between minute ventilation (VE) and tidal volume (VT)
      was described by a quadratic equation, VT = a + b?VE + c?VE (2), for each test.
      The VTmax was calculated from the individual quadratic relationships, and was the
      point where the first derivative of the quadratic equation was zero. The mean
      changes in the curve parameters (CPET2 minus CPET1) and VTmax were analysed by
      bivariate and multivariate linear regression analyses with age, sex, height,
      changes in weight, lung function, IC and inspiratory reserve volume as possible
      explanatory variables. RESULTS: Significant reductions in VO2peak (p < 0.001) and
      VEpeak (p < 0.001) were related to a decrease in resting IC and in FEV1.
      Persistent smoking contributed to the reduction in VO2peak. The breathing pattern
      changed towards a lower VT at a given VE and was related to the reduction in
      FEV1. CONCLUSION: Increasing static hyperinflation and increasing airway
      obstruction were related to a reduction in exercise capacity. The breathing
      pattern changed towards more shallow breathing, and was related to increasing
      airway obstruction.

PMID- 26286398
TI  - Characteristics and determinants of knowledge transfer policies at universities
      and public institutions in medical research--protocol for a systematic review of
      the qualitative research literature.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Universities, public institutions, and the transfer of knowledge to
      the private sector play a major role in the development of medical technologies.
      The decisions of universities and public institutions regarding the transfer of
      knowledge impact the accessibility of the final product, making it easier or more
      difficult for consumers to access these products. In the case of medical
      research, these products are pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, or medical procedures.
      The ethical dimension of access to these potentially lifesaving products is
      apparent and distinguishes the transfer of medical knowledge from the transfer of
      knowledge in other areas. While the general field of technology transfer from
      academic and public to private actors is attracting an increasing amount of
      scholarly attention, the specifications of knowledge transfer in the medical
      field are not as well explored. This review seeks to provide a systematic
      overview and analysis of the qualitative literature on the characteristics and
      determinants of knowledge transfer in medical research and development. METHODS:
      The review systematically searches the literature for qualitative studies that
      focus on knowledge transfer characteristics and determinants at medical academic
      and public research institutions. It aims at identifying and analyzing the
      literature on the content and context of knowledge transfer policies, decision
      making processes, and actors at academic and public institutions. The search
      strategy includes the databases PubMed, Web of Science, ProQuest, and DiVa. These
      databases will be searched based on pre-specified search terms. The studies
      selected for inclusion in the review will be critically assessed for their
      quality utilizing the Qualitative Research Checklist developed by the Clinical
      Appraisal Skills Programme. Data extraction and synthesis will be based on the
      meta-ethnographic approach. DISCUSSION: This review seeks to further the
      understanding of the kinds of transfer pathways that exist in medical knowledge
      transfer as well as what factors lead to the adoption of one pathway over
      another. The aim is to provide evidence for political and academic actors
      designing policies for the translation of medical knowledge and public-private
      cooperation. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42015014241 .

PMID- 26286400
TI  - Anomalous pH Effect of Blue Proteorhodopsin.
AB  - Proteorhodopsin (PR) is a light-driven proton pump found in marine bacteria, and
      thousands of PRs are classified into blue-absorbing PR (B-PR; lambdamax ~ 490 nm)
      and green-absorbing PR (G-PR; lambdamax ~ 525 nm). In this report, we present
      conversion of B-PR into G-PR using anomalous pH effect. B-PR in LC1-200, marine
      gamma-proteobacteria, absorbs 497 and 513 nm maximally at pH 7 and 4,
      respectively, whose pH titration was reversible (pKa = 4.8). When pH was lowered
      from 4, the lambdamax was further red-shifted (528 nm at pH 2). This is unusual
      because blue shift occurs by chloride binding in the case of bacteriorhodopsin.
      Surprisingly, when pH was increased from 2 to 7, the lambdamax of this B-PR was
      further red-shifted to 540 nm, indicating that green-absorbing PR (PR540) is
      created only by changing pH. The present study reports the conformational
      flexibility of microbial rhodopsins, leading to the switch of absorbing color by
      a simple pH change. 

PMID- 26286399
TI  - New Tris(hydroxypyridinone) Bifunctional Chelators Containing Isothiocyanate
      Groups Provide a Versatile Platform for Rapid One-Step Labeling and PET Imaging
      with (68)Ga(3.).
AB  - Two new bifunctional tris(hydroxypyridinone) (THP) chelators designed
      specifically for rapid labeling with (68)Ga have been synthesized, each with
      pendant isothiocyanate groups and three 1,6-dimethyl-3-hydroxypyridin-4-one
      groups. Both compounds have been conjugated with the primary amine group of a
      cyclic integrin targeting peptide, RGD. Each conjugate can be radiolabeled and
      formulated by treatment with generator-produced (68)Ga(3+) in over 95%
      radiochemical yield under ambient conditions in less than 5 min, with specific
      activities of 60-80 MBq nmol(-1). Competitive binding assays and in vivo
      biodistribution in mice bearing U87MG tumors demonstrate that the new (68)Ga(3+)
      labeled THP peptide conjugates retain affinity for the alphavbeta3 integrin
      receptor, clear within 1-2 h from circulation, and undergo receptor-mediated
      tumor uptake in vivo. We conclude that bifunctional THP chelators can be used for
      simple, efficient labeling of (68)Ga biomolecules under mild conditions suitable
      for peptides and proteins. 

PMID- 26286401
TI  - Concerted HO2 Elimination from alpha-Aminoalkylperoxyl Free Radicals:
      Experimental and Theoretical Evidence from the Gas-Phase NH2(*)CHCO2(-) + O2
      Reaction.
AB  - We have investigated the gas-phase reaction of the alpha-aminoacetate (glycyl)
      radical anion (NH2(*)CHCO2(-)) with O2 using ion trap mass spectrometry, quantum
      chemistry, and statistical reaction rate theory. This radical is found to undergo
      a remarkably rapid reaction with O2 to form the hydroperoxyl radical (HO2(*)) and
      an even-electron imine (NHCHCO2(-)), with experiments and master equation
      simulations revealing that reaction proceeds at the ion-molecule collision rate.
      This reaction is facilitated by a low-energy concerted HO2(*) elimination
      mechanism in the NH2CH(OO(*))CO2(-) peroxyl radical. These findings can explain
      the widely observed free-radical-mediated oxidation of simple amino acids to
      amides plus alpha-keto acids (their imine hydrolysis products). This work also
      suggests that imines will be the main intermediates in the atmospheric oxidation
      of primary and secondary amines, including amine carbon capture solvents such as
      2-aminoethanol (commonly known as monoethanolamine, or MEA), in a process that
      avoids the ozone-promoting conversion of (*)NO to (*)NO2 commonly encountered in
      peroxyl radical chemistry. 

PMID- 26286402
TI  - Phase Transitions in Graphite Oxide Solvates at Temperatures Near Ambient.
AB  - It is demonstrated that solvent-saturated graphite oxide can be considered to be
      solid solvate, and two phases with distinctly different solvent composition are
      found near room temperature. Phase transitions between these two solvated phases
      were observed using synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction and DSC for methanol,
      ethanol, acetone, and dimethylformamide (DMF) solvents. Solvate A, formed at room
      temperature, undergoes a reversible phase transition into expanded Solvate L at
      temperatures slightly below ambient due to insertion of one monolayer of solvent
      molecules between the GO planes. The phase transition is reversible upon heating,
      whereas the low-temperature expanded phase L can be quenched to room temperature
      for ethanol and DMF solvates. 

PMID- 26286403
TI  - p-n Junction at the Interface between Metallic Systems.
AB  - Density functional theory is used to evaluate the electronic properties in a
      composite metallic material consisting of two subsystems made of interacting
      metallic thin films separated by a subnanometer gap. One of the subsystems, M/Pt
      M/Pt, has a monolayer of metal M over a core of Pt atoms, and the other is Pt-Pt,
      where the interacting surfaces are made of pure Pt. At equilibrium, this
      composite material exhibits a potential barrier at the interface, resembling a
      semiconductor p-n junction. In the gap region of M/Pt-M/Pt, the amount of
      electrons correlates with the surface layer degree of polarization, which depends
      on electronegativity and number of unpaired electrons in the external shells. The
      electron density in the gap, the system work function, and the built-in potential
      at the interface of the composite system calculated for various metal skins
      correlate with the degree of reduction of the Pt atoms located at the junction
      area. 

PMID- 26286404
TI  - Tuning Metal-Organic Frameworks with Open-Metal Sites and Its Origin for
      Enhancing CO2 Affinity by Metal Substitution.
AB  - Reducing anthropogenic carbon emission is a problem that requires immediate
      attention. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as a promising new
      materials platform for carbon capture, of which Mg-MOF-74 offers chemospecific
      affinity toward CO2 because of the open Mg sites. Here we tune the binding
      affinity of CO2 for M-MOF-74 by metal substitution (M = Mg, Ca, and the first
      transition metal elements) and show that Ti- and V-MOF-74 can have an enhanced
      affinity compared to Mg-MOF-74 by 6-9 kJ/mol. Electronic structure calculations
      suggest that the origin of the major affinity trend is the local electric field
      effect of the open metal site that stabilizes CO2, but forward donation from the
      lone-pair electrons of CO2 to the empty d-levels of transition metals as in a
      weak coordination bond makes Ti and V have an even higher binding strength than
      Mg, Ca, and Sc. 

PMID- 26286405
TI  - Carbon Dioxide Migration Pathways in Proteins.
AB  - Some of the most important biological processes, such as carbon fixation, are
      dependent on protein-gas interactions. The motion of CO2 through the enzyme
      phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase was investigated using extensive all-atom
      molecular dynamics simulations. Three discrete migration pathways were located,
      suggesting the protein directs the movement of CO2. The chemical nature of these
      pathways is discussed, as are their biotechnological ramifications. 

PMID- 26286406
TI  - Femtosecond Photoelectron Imaging of Aligned Polyanions: Probing Molecular
      Dynamics through the Electron-Anion Coulomb Repulsion.
AB  - The first time-resolved photoelectron imaging study of a polyanion is presented.
      Using the alignment induced through resonance excitation, the photoelectron
      angular distributions can be qualitatively understood in terms of the position of
      localized excess charges on the molecular skeleton, which influence the
      photoemission dynamics. Pump-probe experiments are used to demonstrate that the
      photoelectron angular distribution is also sensitive to molecular dynamics. This
      is shown here for the rotational dynamics of a polyanion, in which the
      photoelectron anisotropy tracks the rotational coherence as it dephases. The
      methodology can in principle be applied to general molecular dynamics in large
      polyanions, providing a new route to studying ultrafast structural dynamics in
      complex gas-phase systems. 

PMID- 26286407
TI  - Nanopattering in CeOx/Cu(111): A New Type of Surface Reconstruction and
      Enhancement of Catalytic Activity.
AB  - Our results indicate that small amounts of an oxide deposited on a stable metal
      surface can trigger a massive surface reconstruction under reaction conditions.
      In low-energy electron microscopy (LEEM) experiments, no reconstruction of
      Cu(111) is observed after chemisorbing oxygen or after reducing O/Cu(111) in a CO
      atmosphere. On the other hand, LEEM images taken in situ during the reduction of
      CeO2/CuO1-x/Cu(111) show a complex nonuniform transformation of the surface
      morphology. Ceria particles act as nucleation sites for the growth of copper
      microterraces once CuO1-x is reduced. Can this reconstructed surface be used to
      enhance the catalytic activity of inverse oxide/metal catalysts? Indeed, CeOx on
      reconstructed Cu(111) is an extremely active catalyst for the water-gas shift
      process (CO + H2O -> H2 + CO2), with the Cu microterraces providing very
      efficient sites for the dissociation of water and subsequent reaction with CO. 

PMID- 26286408
TI  - Observation of Charge Inversion of an Ionic Liquid at the Solid Salt-Liquid
      Interface by Sum Frequency Generation Spectroscopy.
AB  - Sum frequency generation (SFG) vibrational spectroscopy of the ionic liquid, 1
      butyl-3-methylimidazolium dicyanamide [BMIM][DCA], in contact with two different
      solid salt surfaces, BaF2(111) single crystal and solid NaCl{100}, are discussed
      in this Letter. This investigation describes the nature of an ionic liquid
      (solid) salt interface using SFG, contributing a new understanding to the
      molecular-level interactions involved in salts, which are conceptually similar
      compounds (of purely ionic character) but of different physical properties
      (liquid versus solid at room temperature). Results show the presence of [BMIM](+)
      at the NaCl{100} surface and [DCA](-) at the BaF2(111) surface. [BMIM](+) cations
      adhere closely via Coulombic interactions to the negatively charged NaCl{100}
      surface, while [DCA](-) anions subsequently have a strong electrostatic affinity
      to the positively charged BaF2(111) surface. Ions of the ionic liquid adsorb to
      the solid salt surface to form a Helmholtz-like electric double layer. 

PMID- 26286409
TI  - Understanding Periodic Dislocations in 2D Supramolecular Crystals: The
      PFP/Ag(111) Interface.
AB  - In-plane dislocation networks arise in both inorganic and organic films as a way
      of relieving the elastic strain that builds up at the substrate interface. In
      molecule/surface systems, supramolecular interactions are weak and more complex
      (compared to the atomic bonds in inorganic films), and their interplay with
      molecule-substrate interactions is very subtle, making it difficult to single out
      the driving force for a nanoscale dislocation pattern. On the basis of a combined
      experimental and theoretical work, we here show that periodic dislocations in a
      molecular PFP film are mainly driven by the optimization of molecule-substrate
      interactions. Compared to inorganic networks however, it implies a much lower
      energy imbalance, allowing a thermally induced transition from a low-energy
      strain dislocation pattern to a high-energy incommensurate moire. 

PMID- 26286410
TI  - Direct Determination of the Rate Coefficient for the Reaction of OH Radicals with
      Monoethanol Amine (MEA) from 296 to 510 K.
AB  - Monoethanol amine (H2NCH2CH2OH, MEA) has been proposed for large-scale use in
      carbon capture and storage. We present the first absolute, temperature-dependent
      determination of the rate coefficient for the reaction of OH with MEA using laser
      flash photolysis for OH generation, monitoring OH removal by laser-induced
      fluorescence. The room-temperature rate coefficient is determined to be (7.61 +/-
      0.76) * 10(-11) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), and the rate coefficient decreases by
      about 40% by 510 K. The temperature dependence of the rate coefficient is given
      by k1= (7.73 +/- 0.24) * 10(-11)(T/295)(-(0.79+/-0.11)) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1).
      The high rate coefficient shows that gas-phase processing in the atmosphere will
      be competitive with uptake onto aerosols. 

PMID- 26286411
TI  - Effects of the Excitation Wavelength on the SERS Spectrum.
AB  - SERS is nowadays a well-established ultrasensitive technique with potential to
      solve many analytical problems, especially those related to biosciences. This
      Perspective article aims at summarizing the experimental complexities, in
      particular, those related to the interaction of light with the sample, that the
      SERS practitioner may find when acquiring a spectrum while providing a general
      basis for the interpretation of the obtained vibrational features. With such an
      idea in mind, factors related to the instrumentation, the optical enhancer, and
      the analyte molecule are discussed to illustrate the effects of the incident
      light on the absolute and relative intensity, as well as the spectral profile of
      the SERS spectra. 

PMID- 26286412
TI  - Understanding Aqueous Dispersibility of Graphene Oxide and Reduced Graphene Oxide
      through pKa Measurements.
AB  - The chemistry underlying the aqueous dispersibility of graphene oxide (GO) and
      reduced graphene oxide (r-GO) is a key consideration in the design of solution
      processing techniques for the preparation of processable graphene sheets. Here,
      we use zeta potential measurements, pH titrations, and infrared spectroscopy to
      establish the chemistry underlying the aqueous dispersibility of GO and r-GO
      sheets at different values of pH. We show that r-GO sheets have ionizable groups
      with a single pK value (8.0) while GO sheets have groups that are more acidic (pK
      = 4.3), in addition to groups with pK values of 6.6 and 9.0. Infrared
      spectroscopy has been used to follow the sequence of ionization events. In both
      GO and r-GO sheets, it is ionization of the carboxylic groups that is primarily
      responsible for the build up of charge, but on GO sheets, the presence of
      phenolic and hydroxyl groups in close proximity to the carboxylic groups lowers
      the pKa value by stabilizing the carboxylate anion, resulting in superior water
      dispersibility . 

PMID- 26286413
TI  - Templating Highly Crystalline Organic Semiconductors Using Atomic Membranes of
      Graphene at the Anode/Organic Interface.
AB  - Charge and energy transport in organic semiconductors is highly anisotropic and
      dependent on crystalline ordering. Here, we demonstrate a novel approach for
      ordering crystalline organic semiconductors, with orientations optimized for
      optoelectronics applications, by using a single monolayer of graphene as a
      molecular template. We show, in particular, that large-area graphene can be
      integrated on metals and oxides to modify their surface energies and used to
      template copper phthalocyanine (CuPc), a prototypical organic semiconductor. On
      unmodified substrates, thermally evaporated films of CuPc are small-grained, and
      the molecules are in the "standing-up" (100) orientation. On graphene modified
      substrates, CuPc is templated in favorable "lying-down" (112) and (012)
      orientations with drastically larger crystal sizes. This results in an 86%
      increase in the absorption coefficient at 700 nm and should furthermore result in
      enhanced energy and charge transport. The use of highly conductive and
      transparent (>95%) graphene membranes as templates is expected to be a foundation
      for developing future planar and nanostructured organic light-emitting diodes and
      organic photovoltaics with improved performance. 

PMID- 26286414
TI  - Ultrafast Spatial Imaging of Charge Dynamics in Heterogeneous Polymer Blends.
AB  - Proof-of-concept transient absorption microscopy (TAM) with simultaneously high
      spatial and temporal resolution was demonstrated to image charge generation and
      recombination in model systems of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and [6,6]-phenyl
      C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) blends upon extended thermal annealing.
      Significant spatial heterogeneity in charge generation and recombination dynamics
      was revealed on the length scale of hundreds of nanometers near the micrometer
      sized PCBM crystallites, suggesting that information obtained in ensemble
      measurements by integrating over microscopically inhomogeneous areas could be
      misleading. In contrast to previous studies, high sensitivity of our
      instrumentation allows us to employ low excitation intensities to minimize higher
      order recombination processes. TAM provides a unique noncontact tool to probe
      local functionality in microscopically heterogeneous energy harvesting systems. 

PMID- 26286415
TI  - Size Focusing of Nanoparticles by Thermodynamic Control through Ligand
      Interactions. Molecular Clusters Compared with Nanoparticles of Metals.
AB  - Ligand-capped metal entities come in two sizes, (1) molecular clusters of 10-200
      metal atoms and (2) nanoparticles of 2000-10000 metal atoms. In numerous cases,
      certain "magic sizes" have been found to be most accessible and stable, clusters
      of 25, 38, 55, and 102 atoms and nanoparticles of 3500-5000 atoms or 4-5 nm. The
      most familiar and studied system is that of gold (metal) and thiol (ligand).
      Herein, the methods of synthesis of these gold clusters versus gold nanoparticles
      are carefully compared. In the cluster case, an important intermediate is the
      (Au(+)SR(-))n polymer, which is not the case in the synthesis of nanoparticles
      either from metal (vapor) atoms or metal ions. Also, it is shown that thiol can
      act as both a reductant (Au(3+) -> Au(+)) and as an oxidant (Au(0) -> Au(+)). The
      thermodynamic forces responsible for the favored formation of certain size
      clusters and nanoparticles are discussed. 

PMID- 26286416
TI  - Trends in the Catalytic Activity of Transition Metals for the Oxygen Reduction
      Reaction by Lithium.
AB  - Periodic density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicate that the intrinsic
      activity of Au, Ag, Pt, Pd, Ir, and Ru for the oxygen reduction reaction by Li
      (Li-ORR) forms a volcano-like trend with respect to the adsorption energy of
      oxygen, with Pt and Pd being the most active. The trend is based on two
      mechanisms: the reduction of molecular O2 on Au and Ag and of atomic O on the
      remaining metals. Step edges are found to be more active for catalyzing the Li
      ORR than close-packed surfaces. Our findings identify important considerations in
      the design of catalyst-promoted air cathodes for nonaqueous Li-air batteries. 

PMID- 26286417
TI  - Interparticle Interactions and Self-Assembly of Functionalized Nanodiamonds.
AB  - Although unpassivated detonation nanodiamonds are known to form tightly bound
      (and sometimes ordered) superstructures, in most high performance applications
      the surface are deliberately functionalized, and this can profoundly alter the
      aggregation behavior. In the present study, we model the aggregation of
      functionalized nanodiamonds and show that functionalization greatly reduces the
      Coulombic interactions characteristic of unsaturated particles. Our results
      provide new insights into the interactions of functionalized nanoparticles. 

PMID- 26286418
TI  - Ultrafast Photothermal Release of DNA from Gold Nanoparticles.
AB  - We report results on ultrafast photothermal release of DNA from gold
      nanoparticles. We show that dehybridization of oligonucleotide duplex anchored on
      a gold nanoparticle surface occurs during a single laser pulse, leading to the
      release of single-strand DNA in solution. Breaking of the Au-S bond anchoring the
      duplex and the release of thiolated DNA are also evidenced. Our findings show
      that the size distribution of the nanoparticles plays a major role in the control
      of both phenomena. We establish a criterion regarding the size distribution of
      nanoparticles that allows full release of DNA without breaking of the anchoring
      thiol bonds. 

PMID- 26286419
TI  - Gas-Phase Retinal Spectroscopy: Temperature Effects Are But a Mirage.
AB  - We employ state-of-the-art first-principle approaches to investigate whether
      temperature effects are responsible for the unusually broad and flat spectrum of
      protonated Schiff base retinal observed in photodissociation spectroscopy, as has
      recently been proposed. We first carefully calibrate how to construct a realistic
      geometrical model of retinal and show that the exchange-correlation M06-2X
      functional yields an accurate description while the commonly used complete active
      space self-consistent field method (CASSCF) is not adequate. Using modern
      multiconfigurational perturbative methods (NEVPT2) to compute the excitations, we
      then demonstrate that conformations with different orientations of the beta
      ionone ring are characterized by similar excitations. Moreover, other degrees of
      freedom identified as active in room-temperature molecular dynamics simulations
      do not yield the shift required to explain the anomalous spectral shape. Our
      findings indicate that photodissociation experiments are not representative of
      the optical spectrum of retinal in the gas phase and call for further
      experimental characterization of the dissociation spectra. 

PMID- 26286420
TI  - Transforming Anodized WO3 Films into Visible-Light-Active Bi2WO6 Photoelectrodes
      by Hydrothermal Treatment.
AB  - We directly transformed anodized tungsten oxide film (WO3.2H2O) into bismuth
      tungstate (Bi2WO6) by substituting the intercalated water molecules with
      [Bi2O2](2+) in a hydrothermal treatment. The resultant Bi2WO6 was readily used as
      an electrode to produce anodic photocurrent in H2 evolution on the Pt counter
      electrode observed under visible light irradiation. 

PMID- 26286421
TI  - Anomalous Transformation of Vapor-Deposited Highly Stable Glasses of Toluene into
      Mixed Glassy States by Annealing Above Tg.
AB  - Vapor-deposited glasses have recently emerged as a remarkable new class of
      materials that can form much denser and stable glasses than those obtained by
      cooling the liquid. These new amorphous materials reach lower regions of the
      energy landscape and may impact important technologies that use vapor-deposition.
      Here, we report on the formation of a glass with two distinct glassy states
      obtained through the partial annealing of highly stable vapor-deposited glassy
      films of toluene. The resulting glass exhibits two clear heat capacity overshoots
      with different onset and fictive temperatures. The transformation times of the
      ultrastable glass are around 10(5) times slower than the structural relaxation
      time (taualpha) of supercooled liquid toluene. We show that the nature of the
      transformed glass depends on the annealing temperature above Tg. This finding
      suggests the formation of distinct supercooled liquids at temperatures slightly
      above Tg during the transformation of the highly stable glass. Our results are
      compatible with the existence of polyamorphism in toluene. 

PMID- 26286422
TI  - Optical Excitations and Field Enhancement in Short Graphene Nanoribbons.
AB  - The optical excitations of elongated graphene nanoflakes of finite length are
      investigated theoretically through quantum chemistry semiempirical approaches.
      The spectra and the resulting dipole fields are analyzed, accounting in full
      atomistic details for quantum confinement effects, which are crucial in the
      nanoscale regime. We find that the optical spectra of these nanostructures are
      dominated at low energy by excitations with strong intensity, comprised of
      characteristic coherent combinations of a few single-particle transitions with
      comparable weight. They give rise to stationary collective oscillations of the
      photoexcited carrier density extending throughout the flake and to a strong
      dipole and field enhancement. This behavior is robust with respect to width and
      length variations, thus ensuring tunability in a large frequency range. The
      implications for nanoantennas and other nanoplasmonic applications are discussed
      for realistic geometries. 

PMID- 26286423
TI  - Self-Diffusion of Chain Molecules in the Metal-Organic Framework IRMOF-1:
      Simulation and Experiment.
AB  - Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) possess characteristics, such as tunable pore
      size and chemical functionality, that make them attractive candidates for
      separations, catalysis, gas storage, and sensing applications. The rate of
      diffusion of guest molecules in the pores is an important property for all of
      these potential applications. In this work, the self-diffusion of hydrocarbons in
      IRMOF-1 was studied as a function of chain length with a combination of molecular
      dynamics simulations and pulsed field gradient NMR experiments. Excellent
      agreement is seen between the experiments and simulations, and the self-diffusion
      coefficients in IRMOF-1 are on the same order as those in the bulk liquid.
      Additionally, the effect of concentration on diffusivity was found to be very
      small for low to moderate loadings. Molecular dynamics simulations also provided
      insights about the preferential diffusion pathways of these guests in IRMOF-1. 

PMID- 26286424
TI  - Lattice Strain Distributions in Individual Dealloyed Pt-Fe Catalyst
      Nanoparticles.
AB  - Lattice strain is considered to play an important role in the oxygen reduction
      catalysis on Pt-based catalysts. However, so far, direct evidence of the lattice
      strain in the catalyst nanoparticles has not been achieved. By using aberration
      corrected high-resolution transmission electron microscopy combined with image
      simulations, a unique core-shell structure, that is, a percolated lattice
      contracted Pt-Fe alloy core and a Pt-rich surface with a gradient compressive
      strain, was directly demonstrated within individual dealloyed Pt-Fe nanoparticles
      and thus provides direct evidence for the strain effect on their enhanced oxygen
      reduction activity. 

PMID- 26286425
TI  - Light on the Tip of a Needle: Plasmonic Nanofocusing for Spectroscopy on the
      Nanoscale.
AB  - The efficiency of plasmonic nanostructures as optical antennas to concentrate
      optical fields to the nanoscale has been limited by intrinsically short dephasing
      times and small absorption cross sections. We discuss a new optical antenna
      concept based on surface plasmon polariton (SPP) nanofocusing on conical noble
      metal tips to achieve efficient far- to near-field transformation of light from
      the micro- to the nanoscale. The spatial separation of the launching of
      propagating SPPs from their subsequent apex confinement with high energy
      concentration enables background-free near-field imaging, tip-enhanced Raman
      scattering, and nonlinear nanospectroscopy. The broad bandwidth and spectral
      tunability of the nanofocusing mechanism in combination with frequency domain
      pulse shaping uniquely allow for the spatial confinement of ultrashort laser
      pulses and few-femtosecond spatiotemporal optical control on the nanoscale. This
      technique not only extends powerful nonlinear and ultrafast spectroscopies to the
      nanoscale but can also generate fields of sufficient intensity for electron
      emission and higher harmonic generation. 

PMID- 26286426
TI  - Interaction of Metals with Suspended Graphene Observed by Transmission Electron
      Microscopy.
AB  - In this Perspective, we present an overview of how different metals interface
      with suspended graphene, providing a closer look into the metal-graphene
      interaction by employing high-resolution transmission electron microscopy,
      especially using high-angle dark field imaging. All studied metals favor sites on
      the omnipresent hydrocarbon surface contamination rather than on the clean
      graphene surface and present nonuniform distributions, which never result in
      continuous films but instead in clusters or nanocrystals, indicating a weak
      interaction between the metal and graphene. This behavior can be altered to some
      degree by surface pretreatment (hydrogenation) and high-temperature vacuum
      annealing. Graphene etching is observed in a scanning transmission electron
      microscope (STEM) under high vacuum and 60 kV electron beam acceleration voltage
      conditions for all metals, except for Au. This unusual metal-mediated etching
      sheds new light on the metal-graphene interaction; it might explain the observed
      higher frequency of cluster nucleation for certain transition metals and might
      have implications regarding controlled nanomanipulation, that is, for self
      assembly and sculpturing of future graphene-based devices. 

PMID- 26286427
TI  - Metal at the Nanoscale: Manipulating Matter to Control Light.

PMID- 26286428
TI  - Protective effect of hydroxyfasudil, a Rho kinase inhibitor, on ventral prostatic
      hyperplasia in the spontaneously hypertensive rat.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Rho kinase (ROCK) pathway is associated with various cellular
      functions, such as smooth muscle contraction, inflammatory response, and cell
      proliferation. The spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) is commonly used
      genetically hypertensive rat model which develops hyperplastic morphological
      abnormalities in the ventral prostate. We investigated whether administration of
      hydroxyfasudil, a ROCK inhibitor, could reduce the levels of growth factors,
      inflammatory markers, and morphological abnormalities in the ventral prostate of
      the SHR. METHODS: Twelve-week-old SHRs were treated with hydroxyfasudil (1
      mg/kg/day, i.p.) or vehicle once daily for another 6 weeks. Wistar Kyoto (WKY)
      rats treated with vehicle were used as normotensive controls. At 18 weeks of age,
      blood pressure and heart rate were measured by the tail cuff method. Then the
      rats were sacrificed, and the ventral prostates were removed. The levels of ROCK
      activity, growth factors (TGF-beta1 and bFGF), a smooth muscle differentiation
      marker (alpha-SMA) and an inflammatory cytokine (IL-6) in the ventral prostate
      were measured by ELISA and western blot. A histological evaluation in each group
      was also performed. RESULTS: There were significant increases in blood pressure,
      prostate weight, prostate body weight ratio, and tissue levels of ROCK activity,
      TGF-beta1, bFGF, alpha-SMA, and IL-6 in the SHR compared to the WKY rat.
      Histological examination of the ventral prostate showed morphological
      abnormalities such as a higher degree of proliferation in the glandular
      epithelial and stromal area in the SHR compared to the WKY rat. Treatment with
      hydroxyfasudil reduced the elevated ROCK activity, TGF-beta1, bFGF, alpha-SMA,
      and IL-6 found in the ventral prostate of the SHR. Moreover, treatment with
      hydroxyfasudil decreased the morphological abnormalies in the SHR ventral
      prostate. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with hydroxyfasudil decreased the growth
      factors, an inflammatory cytokine, and morphological abnormalies in the SHR
      ventral prostate. These results suggest that chronic treatment with
      hydroxyfasudil may inhibit the progression of prostatic hyperplasia in the SHR.

PMID- 26286429
TI  - Immunohistochemical Detection of Urokinase Plasminogen Activator and Urokinase
      Plasminogen Activator Receptor in Canine Vascular Endothelial Tumours.
AB  - Immunohistochemistry was used to assess the expression of urokinase plasminogen
      activator (uPA) and uPA receptor (uPAR) in 57 canine primary haemangiosarcomas
      (HSAs), 26 canine cutaneous haemangiomas (HAs) and in control sections of canine
      cutaneous granulation tissue. The correlation between uPA/uPAR expression and the
      Ki67 labelling index (LI) was estimated in the HSA and HA tissues. uPA was
      expressed by 73.2% and 75.0% of splenic HSAs and non-splenic HSAs, respectively.
      All HSA tissues tested expressed uPAR. Expression of both molecules was
      significantly higher in HSAs than in cutaneous HAs (3.8% for uPA and 30.7% for
      uPAR). The average Ki67 LI of the uPA(+)/uPAR(+) HSAs was significantly higher
      than that of uPA(-)/uPAR(+) HSAs and HA tissues (mean +/- SDs 32.8 +/- 15.3, 15.2
      +/- 7.2 and 2.1 +/- 0.7, respectively; P <0.05). These results suggest that uPA
      and uPAR play a significant role in the malignant proliferation of canine HSA,
      regardless of the primary origin of the tumour. 

PMID- 26286430
TI  - Effect of Cnidium Lactone on Serum Mutant P53 and BCL-2/BAX Expression in Human
      Prostate Cancer Cells PC-3 Tumor-Bearing BALB/C Nude Mouse Model.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cnidium lactone is a natural coumarin compound that can inhibit a
      variety of cancer cell proliferation and induce cancer cell apoptosis. This
      experiment investigated the effect of cnidium lactone on molecular marker
      expression in prostate cancer nude mice to study its effect in inducing
      apoptosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We randomly and equally divided 30 male BALB/C
      nude mice inoculated with human prostate cancer cells PC-3 into a negative
      control group, a cyclophosphamide group (500 mg/Kg), and cnidium lactone groups
      at 3 doses (280 mg/Kg, 140 mg/Kg, and 70 mg/Kg). The mice were weighed at 2 weeks
      after administration. Tunnel assay was applied to test the nude mice tumor cell
      apoptosis. ELISA was performed to detect serum AMACR, CD147, mutant P53, BCL-2,
      AND BAX expression levels. Tumor tissue was separated and weighed. RESULTS: Mice
      weight did not change significantly in the groups receiving 3 different doses of
      cnidium lactone(p>0.05), while it decreased obviously in the cyclophosphamide
      group (p<0.05). Tumor weight, CD147, mutant P53, and BCL-2 levels were
      significantly lower in the groups receiving 3 different doses of cnidium lactone
      than in the negative control group (p<0.05). Among them, the abovementioned
      indexes decreased markedly in the 280 mg/Kg and 140 mg/Kg dose groups than in the
      cyclophosphamide group (p<0.05). AMACR and BAX levels showed no significant
      difference in the cnidium lactone group or the cyclophosphamide group (p>0.05).
      CONCLUSIONS: Cnidium lactone may induce prostate cancer cell apoptosis and
      inhibit its proliferation through regulating CD147, mutant P53, and BCL-2
      expression in nude mice.

PMID- 26286431
TI  - Psychosocial Adaptation to Disability Within the Context of Positive Psychology:
      Philosophical Aspects and Historical Roots.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this article is to review the conceptual and clinical
      similarities that exist between the principles of positive psychology and those
      underlying rehabilitation counseling and psychology, occupational rehabilitation,
      and those espoused by the field of psychosocial adaptation to chronic illness and
      disability (CID). METHODS: Three themes were selected for review. These included
      the historical contributions of early scholars in the area of psychosocial
      adaptation to CID that later were indirectly infused into mainstream positive
      psychology; state and trait constructs that constitute much of the infrastructure
      of positive psychology and psychosocial adaptation to CID; and, finally, the
      philosophical congruencies between positive psychology and psychosocial
      adaptation to CID. CONCLUSION: The existing literature indicates that there is a
      substantial philosophical and conceptual overlap between the fields of positive
      psychology and psychosocial adaptation to CID. Since theoreticians and
      researchers, from both fields, often use differing terminology and definitions to
      describe similar concepts, as well as seek similar research goals, it would
      behoove both fields to seek a closer partnership in order to establish a
      meaningful dialogue that focuses on human strengths and virtues in the lives of
      people with CID.

PMID- 26286432
TI  - Demand, Control and Support at Work Among Sick-Listed Patients with Neck or Back
      Pain: A Prospective Study.
AB  - Purpose The main aim of this study was to assess changes in perceived demand,
      control and support at work of neck and back pain patients over 1 year. We also
      hypothesised that perceived changes in demand, control and support at work were
      associated with clinical improvement, reduced fear-avoidance beliefs and
      successful return to work. Methods Four hundred and five sick-listed patients
      referred to secondary care with neck or back pain were originally included in an
      interventional study. Of these, two hundred and twenty-six patients reported
      perceived psychosocial work factors at both baseline and 1-year follow-up, and
      they were later included in this prospective study. Changes in demand, control
      and support dimensions were measured by a total of nine variables. Results At the
      group level, no significant differences were found among the measured subscales.
      At the individual level, the regression analyses showed that decreases in fear
      avoidance beliefs about work were consistently related to decreases in demand and
      increases in control, whereas decreases in disability, anxiety and depression
      were related to increases in support subscales. Conclusions The perception of
      demand, control and support appear to be stable over 1 year in patients with neck
      and back pain, despite marked improvement in pain and disability. Disability,
      anxiety, depression and fear-avoidance beliefs about work were significantly
      associated with the perception of the work environment, whereas neck and back
      pain were not.

PMID- 26286433
TI  - Rational design of paraoxonase 1 (PON1) for the efficient hydrolysis of
      organophosphates.
AB  - A rational design of paraoxonase 1 based on molecular docking discovered
      H115W/T332S and I74F/H115W/T332S mutants exhibited a 40-fold increase in
      catalytic efficiency (kcat/Km) toward the hydrolysis of two toxic and popular
      organophosphates (diethyl-paraoxon and dimethyl-paraoxon). Moreover, the
      conversion of the paraoxons (741.3-825.6 mg L(-1)) by the evolved mutants was 42
      60-fold faster than that by the wild type. 

PMID- 26286435
TI  - Fetal Protection : The Roles of Social Learning and Innate Food Aversions in
      South India.
AB  - Pregnancy involves puzzling aversions to nutritious foods. Although studies
      generally support the hypotheses that such aversions are evolved mechanisms to
      protect the fetus from toxins and/or pathogens, other factors, such as resource
      scarcity and psychological distress, have not been investigated as often. In
      addition, many studies have focused on populations with high-quality diets and
      low infectious disease burden, conditions that diverge from the putative
      evolutionary environment favoring fetal protection mechanisms. This study tests
      the fetal protection, resource scarcity, and psychological distress hypotheses of
      food aversions in a resource-constrained population with high infectious disease
      burden. The role of culture is also explored. In the first of two studies in
      Tamil Nadu, India, we investigated cultural explanations of pregnancy diet among
      non-pregnant women (N = 54). In the second study, we conducted structured
      interviews with pregnant women (N = 94) to determine their cravings and
      aversions, resource scarcity, indices of pathogen exposure, immune activation,
      psychological distress, and emic causes of aversions. Study 1 found that fruits
      were the most commonly reported food that pregnant women should avoid because of
      their harmful effects on infants. Study 2 found modest support for the fetal
      protection hypothesis for food aversions. It also found that pregnant women most
      commonly avoided fruits as well as "black" and "hot" foods. Aversions were
      primarily acquired through learning and focused on protecting the infant from
      harm. Our findings provide modest support for the fetal protection hypothesis and
      surprisingly strong support for the influence of cultural norms and learning on
      dietary aversions in pregnancy. 

PMID- 26286436
TI  - Synthesis and Evaluation of New Generation Cross-Bridged Bifunctional Chelator
      for (64)Cu Radiotracers.
AB  - Bifunctional chelators have been successfully used to construct (64)Cu-labeled
      radiopharmaceuticals. Previously reported chelators with cross-bridged cyclam
      backbones have various essential features such as high stability of the
      copper(II) complex, high efficiency of radiolabeling at room temperature, and
      good biological inertness of the radiolabeled complex, along with rapid body
      clearance. Here, we report a new generation propylene-cross-bridged chelator with
      hybrid acetate/phosphonate pendant groups (PCB-TE1A1P) developed with the aim of
      combining these key properties in a single chelator. The PCB-TE1A1P was
      synthesized from cyclam with good overall yield. The Cu(II) complex of our
      chelator showed good robustness in kinetic stability evaluation experiments, such
      as acidic decomplexation and cyclic voltammetry studies. The Cu(II) complex of
      PCB-TE1A1P remained intact under highly acidic conditions (12 M HCl, 90  degrees
      C) for 8 d and showed quasi-reversible reduction/oxidation peaks at -0.77 V in
      electrochemical studies. PCB-TE1A1P was successfully radiolabeled with (64)Cu
      ions in an acetate buffer at 60  degrees C within 60 min. The electrophoresis
      study revealed that the (64)Cu-PCB-TE1A1P complex has net negative charge in
      aqueous solution. The biodistribution and in vivo stability study profiles of
      (64)Cu-PCB-TE1A1P indicated that the radioactive complex was stable under
      physiological conditions and cleared rapidly from the body. A whole body positron
      emission tomography (PET) imaging study further confirmed high in vivo stability
      and fast clearance of the complex in mouse models. In conclusion, PCB-TE1A1P has
      good potential as a bifunctional chelator for (64)Cu-based radiopharmaceuticals,
      especially those involving peptides. 

PMID- 26286437
TI  - [Diffusion formation and psychiatric diseases].
AB  - The basic principle behind diffusion is Brownian motion. The diffusion parameters
      obtained in a clinical association provide information on the spatial
      distribution of water molecule mobility and, therefore, evidence of the
      morphological integrity of the white and grey matters of the brain. In recent
      years functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) could contribute to obtaining
      a detailed understanding of the cortical and subcortical cerebral networks.
      Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) investigations can demonstrate the extent of
      anisotropy and the fiber pathways in so-called parametric images. For example, in
      Alzheimer's disease DTI reveals a reduced structural connectivity between the
      posterior cingulum and the hippocampus. This article shows examples of the
      application of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in psychiatric disorders. 

PMID- 26286434
TI  - New data and an old puzzle: the negative   association between schizophrenia and 
      rheumatoid arthritis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A long-standing epidemiological puzzle is the reduced rate of
      rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in those with schizophrenia (SZ) and vice versa.
      Traditional epidemiological approaches to determine if this negative association
      is underpinned by genetic factors would test for reduced rates of one disorder in
      relatives of the other, but sufficiently powered data sets are difficult to
      achieve. The genomics era presents an alternative paradigm for investigating the
      genetic relationship between two uncommon disorders. METHODS: We use genome-wide
      common single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data from independently collected SZ
      and RA case-control cohorts to estimate the SNP correlation between the
      disorders. We test a genotype X environment (GxE) hypothesis for SZ with
      environment defined as winter- vs summer-born. RESULTS: We estimate a small but
      significant negative SNP-genetic correlation between SZ and RA (-0.046, s.e.
      0.026, P = 0.036). The negative correlation was stronger for the SNP set
      attributed to coding or regulatory regions (-0.174, s.e. 0.071, P = 0.0075). Our
      analyses led us to hypothesize a gene-environment interaction for SZ in the form
      of immune challenge. We used month of birth as a proxy for environmental immune
      challenge and estimated the genetic correlation between winter-born and non
      winter born SZ to be significantly less than 1 for coding/regulatory region SNPs
      (0.56, s.e. 0.14, P = 0.00090). CONCLUSIONS: Our results are consistent with
      epidemiological observations of a negative relationship between SZ and RA
      reflecting, at least in part, genetic factors. Results of the month of birth
      analysis are consistent with pleiotropic effects of genetic variants dependent on
      environmental context.

PMID- 26286438
TI  - NBAS mutations cause a multisystem disorder involving bone, connective tissue,
      liver, immune system, and retina.
AB  - We report two unrelated patients with a multisystem disease involving liver, eye,
      immune system, connective tissue, and bone, caused by biallelic mutations in the
      neuroblastoma amplified sequence (NBAS) gene. Both presented as infants with
      recurrent episodes triggered by fever with vomiting, dehydration, and elevated
      transaminases. They had frequent infections, hypogammaglobulinemia, reduced
      natural killer cells, and the Pelger-Huet anomaly of their granulocytes. Their
      facial features were similar with a pointed chin and proptosis; loose skin and
      reduced subcutaneous fat gave them a progeroid appearance. Skeletal features
      included short stature, slender bones, epiphyseal dysplasia with multiple
      phalangeal pseudo-epiphyses, and small C1-C2 vertebrae causing cervical
      instability and myelopathy. Retinal dystrophy and optic atrophy were present in
      one patient. NBAS is a component of the synthaxin-18 complex and is involved in
      nonsense-mediated mRNA decay control. Putative loss-of-function mutations in NBAS
      are already known to cause disease in humans. A specific founder mutation has
      been associated with short stature, optic nerve atrophy and Pelger-Huet anomaly
      of granulocytes (SOPH) in the Siberian Yakut population. A more recent report
      associates NBAS mutations with recurrent acute liver failure in infancy in a
      group of patients of European descent. Our observations indicate that the
      phenotypic spectrum of NBAS deficiency is wider than previously known and
      includes skeletal, hepatic, metabolic, and immunologic aspects. Early recognition
      of the skeletal phenotype is important for preventive management of cervical
      instability.

PMID- 26286439
TI  - Emerging trends and persistent challenges in the management of adult syphilis.
AB  - There are an estimated 10.6 million incident cases of syphilis worldwide each
      year. We highlight some persistent challenges and emerging trends in the clinical
      management of syphilis with a particular focus on therapy, serology, diagnostics,
      and prevention. Decades after the introduction of penicillin, the optimal
      management of early syphilis continues to be a controversial topic, particularly
      in the setting of HIV co-infection. Similarly, the need for routine lumbar
      puncture in HIV co-infected asymptomatic persons is an unanswered question.
      Despite advances in both automation and point-of-care diagnostics, we continue to
      rely on indirect measures of disease activity to manage this infection. As
      syphilis rates in some populations continue to rise, novel and effective
      prevention strategies are needed. 

PMID- 26286441
TI  - Reply to Ma et al.

PMID- 26286440
TI  - Neurocognitive functions and brain atrophy after proven neuroborreliosis: a case
      control study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients often report neurocognitive difficulties after
      neuroborreliosis (NB). The frequency and extent of cognitive problems in European
      patients have been studied incompletely. METHODS: Sixty patients received a
      neurological and neuropsychological work-up 6 months or longer after treatment
      for proven NB. Quality of life, psychiatric symptom load, and brain atrophy were
      measured. All results were compared with a group of 30 healthy control persons
      adapted for age, gender and education being serologically negative for Borrelia
      burgdorferi senso latu. A cognitive sum score and a global sum score including
      cognitive, psychological results and quality of life data was calculated for both
      groups. RESULTS: Patients after NB showed a lower (i.e. more impaired) score on
      the Scripps Neurological rating scale (SNRS), but the observed neurological
      deficits were generally mild (mean +/- SD: 97.1 +/- 4.7 vs. 99.1 +/- 2.4, p =
      0.02). The mean neuropsychological domain results of the NB group were all within
      the normal range. However, a lower performance was found for the frontal
      executive function z-values (mean +/- SD -0.29 +/- 0.60 vs. 0.09 +/- 0.60; p =
      0.0059) of NB patients. Comparing the global sum score (mean +/- SD 11.3 +/- 4.2
      NB vs. 14.3 +/- 2.9 control , p = 0.001) and the cognitive sum score of the NB
      group with those of the control group (mean +/- SD -0.15 +/- 0.42 NB vs. 0.08 +/-
      0.31 control , p = 0.0079), both differences were statistically different. The
      frequencies of impaired global sum scores and those of the pathological cognitive
      sum scores (p = 0.07) did not differ statistically. No significant differences
      were found for health-related quality of life (hrQoL), sleep, psychiatric symptom
      load, or brain atrophy. CONCLUSION: The mean cognitive functions of patients
      after proven NB were in the normal range. However, we were able to demonstrate a
      lower performance for the domain of frontal executive functions, for the mean
      cognitive sum score and the global sum score as a sign of subtle but measurable
      sequelae of neuroborreliosis. Brain atrophy is not a common consequence of
      neuroborreliosis.

PMID- 26286442
TI  - Tricuspid regurgitation in single ventricular palliation for corrected
      transposition.

PMID- 26286443
TI  - The radial artery for coronary artery bypass grafting: a second revival?

PMID- 26286445
TI  - Study of light-induced MscL gating by EPR spectroscopy.
AB  - A number of techniques developed to investigate protein structure and function
      depend on chemically modifying and/or labeling of proteins. However, in the case
      of homooligomeric proteins, the presence of multiple identical subunits obstructs
      the introduction of residue-specific labels to only one or several subunits,
      selectively. Here, in order to study the initial conformational changes of a
      homopentameric mechanosensitive ion channel during its gating, we developed a
      method for labeling a defined number of subunits of the channel with two
      different cysteine-specific compounds simultaneously. The first one is a light
      sensitive channel activator that determines the degree of openness of the ion
      channel upon irradiation. The second one is a spin label, containing an unpaired
      electron, which allows following the resulting structural changes upon channel
      gating by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. With this method, we
      could open MscL into different sub-open states. As the number of light switches
      per channel increased, the intersubunit spin-spin interactions became less,
      indicating changes in intersubunit proximities and opening of the channel. The
      ability of controlled activation of MscL into different open states with a
      noninvasive trigger and following the resulting conformational changes by
      spectroscopy will pave the way for detailed spectroscopic studies in the area of
      mechanosensation. 

PMID- 26286446
TI  - Drowning in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and adolescents in
      Queensland (Australia).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous) children are at
      greater risk of drowning than other children, however little is known about
      drowning of Indigenous children. This study identifies the previously unpublished
      incidence and characteristics of fatal and non-fatal drowning in Indigenous
      children and adolescents. METHODS: Retrospective data (Jan 2002-Dec 2008) on
      fatal and non-fatal drowning events among Indigenous and Non-Indigenous
      Queensland residents aged 0-19 years were obtained from multiple sources across
      the continuum of care (pre-hospital; emergency department; admitted patients;
      fatality) and manually linked. Crude incidence rates for fatal and non-fatal
      events were calculated using population data from the Australian Bureau of
      Statistics. RESULTS: There were 87 (6.7 % of all events) fatal and non-fatal
      (combined) Indigenous drowning events yielding a crude Incidence Rate of
      16.8/100,000/annum. This is 44 % higher than the incidence rate for Non
      Indigenous children. For every fatality, nine others were rescued and sought
      medical treatment (average 12 per year). There were no significant changes in
      Indigenous drowning incidents over the study period. Drowning rates were higher
      for Indigenous females than males. Overall incidence was higher among Indigenous
      children and adolescents than Non-Indigenous children for every calendar year and
      age-group (0-4 years; 5-9 years; 10-14 years) except those aged 15-19 years where
      no drowning events were recorded for males. Location of drowning sites was
      similar in both populations 0-19 years, however there were slight differences in
      frequency at each of the locations. The three leading drowning locations for
      Indigenous 0-19 years olds were pool (48 %), bath (21 %) and natural water (16
      %), and for non-Indigenous 0-19 years the leading locations were pool (66 %),
      natural water (13 %) and bath (12 %) (p < .01). Except for pool drowning,
      Indigenous drowning occurred more often in geographic areas of relative
      disadvantage. Among Indigenous children drowning location varied with age (p <
      .001). Most frequent locations by age were: <1 year bath (71 %); 1-4 years pools
      (80 %); 5-9 years pools (75 %) and 10-19 years beach/ocean (36 %). Severity of
      event differed statistically with Indigenous status and by remoteness with all
      fatal drowning events occurring in Regional or Remote areas, and none in Major
      Cities. CONCLUSIONS: For every fatal drowning among Indigenous children in
      Queensland aged 0-19 years there are nine non-fatal events. This previously
      unreported survival ratio of 9:1 indicates the non-fatal injury burden in
      Indigenous children aged 0-19 years. Although higher Indigenous drowning rates
      prevailed, no significant changes over time are concerning. Equally the apparent
      over-representation of Indigenous adolescent females should be weighed against
      the absence of drowning among Indigenous male adolescents in the same age group
      in consecutive years of the study. Further investigation around behaviour and
      culture may highlight protective factors. Culturally specific prevention
      strategies which take into account social and demographic indicators identified
      in this study should be delivered to carers and peers of vulnerable age groups
      who frequent specific locations. Females, swimming ability, supervision and the
      young are areas which need to be incorporated into Indigenous-specific
      interventions for drowning prevention.

PMID- 26286444
TI  - Do Patient- and Parent-reported Outcomes Measures for Children With Congenital
      Hand Differences Capture WHO-ICF Domains?
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patient- and parent-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are
      increasingly used to evaluate the effectiveness of surgery for congenital hand
      differences (CHDs). Knowledge of an existing outcome measure's ability to assess
      self-reported health, including psychosocial aspects, can inform the future
      development and application of PROMs for CHD. However, the extent to which
      measures used among children with CHD align with common, accepted metrics of self
      reported disability remains unexplored. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We reviewed studies
      that used PROMs to evaluate surgery for CHD to determine (1) the number of World
      Health Organization-International Classification of Functioning, Disability and
      Health (WHO-ICF) domains covered by existing PROMs; (2) the proportion of studies
      that used PROMs specifically validated among children with CHD; and (3) the
      proportion of PROMs that targets patients and/or parents. METHODS: We performed a
      comprehensive review of the literature through a bibliographic search of
      MEDLINE(r), PubMed, and EMBASE from January 1966 to December 2014 to identify
      articles related to patient outcomes and surgery for CHD. We evaluated the 42
      studies that used PROMs to identify the number and type of WHO-ICF domains
      captured by existing PROMs for CHD and the proportion of studies that use PROMs
      validated for use among children with CHD. The most common instruments used to
      measure patient- and parent-reported outcomes after reconstruction for CHD
      included the Prosthetic Upper Extremity Functional Index (PUFI), Disabilities of
      the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire, Childhood Experience Questionnaire,
      and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory. RESULTS: Current PROMs that have been
      used for CHD covered a mean of 1.3 WHO-ICF domains (SD +/- 1.3). Only the Child
      Behavior Checklist and the Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale captured
      all ICF domains (body functions and structures, activity, participation, and
      environmental factors). The PUFI, the only PROM validated specifically for
      children with congenital longitudinal and transverse deficiency, was used in only
      four of 42 studies. Only 13 of the 42 studies assessed patient-reported outcomes,
      whereas five assessed both patient- and parent-reported outcomes. CONCLUSIONS:
      The PROMs used to assess patients after CHD surgery do not evaluate all WHO-ICF
      domains (ie, body structure, body function, environmental factors, and activity
      and participation) and generally are not validated for children with CHD. Given
      the psychological and sociological aspects of CHD illness, a PROM that
      encompasses all components of the biopsychosocial model of illness and validated
      in children with CHD is desirable. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, therapeutic
      study.

PMID- 26286447
TI  - Expectations and requests regarding team training interventions to promote
      interdisciplinary collaboration in medical rehabilitation--A qualitative study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Interdisciplinary teamwork and team interventions are highly valued
      in the rehabilitation sector because they can improve outcomes of care for
      persons with complex health problems. However, little is known about expectations
      and requests regarding team interventions, especially in medical rehabilitation.
      This study aimed to explore how clinical managers and health professionals within
      multidisciplinary rehabilitation teams describe their expectations and requests
      regarding team-training interventions in the field of medical rehabilitation.
      METHODS: Considering the methodology of qualitative research, data were collected
      using semi-structured interviews and focus groups at five rehabilitation clinics
      in Germany. We conducted face-to-face interviews with 5 clinical managers and 13
      department heads of health care teams as well as five focus groups with a total
      of 35 members of interdisciplinary rehabilitation teams. Afterwards, the data
      were analyzed through qualitative content analysis encompassing data coding and
      using inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS: The exploration of team members' and
      clinical managers' descriptions showed that, to them, interdisciplinary team
      training programs should include a wide array of training contents. Seven common
      core themes emerged from the interviews, including participation of employees,
      leadership, communication, team meetings, team composition, coordination, and
      equal esteem. Additionally, 13 themes were identified by either managers or team
      members. The body of expectations regarding team training content in healthcare
      spans the continuum of changes on the team and organizational levels. On the
      organizational level, a number of structural factors were mentioned (e.g.
      improving the general conditions for team meetings, organized workshops to
      exchange interdisciplinary experiences, and leadership training), and on the team
      level, changes in procedural factors were listed (e.g. optimizing the consecutive
      planning and coordination of patient treatments, clarity with regard to roles and
      responsibilities of team members, and mutual esteem and appreciation between
      different professions). CONCLUSIONS: The synthesis underscores that there is
      meaningful heterogeneity in team training needs; training interventions should be
      locally adapted for each clinic in terms of training content and training
      strategies. Tailored team interventions are important for rehabilitation clinics.
      Future work should evaluate employed team training concepts over time as well as
      training contents, implementation strategies, and learning outcomes. This
      includes using robust study designs and evaluating team-training effects.

PMID- 26286448
TI  - HLA-DQB1*05:10, a variant of HLA-DQB1*05:01, detected in a Chinese individual by
      cloning and sequencing.
AB  - A novel HLA-DQB1 allele, DQB1*05:10, was detected in a Chinese individual by
      cloning and sequencing. 

PMID- 26286449
TI  - Effects of Three Types of Exercise Interventions on Healthy Old Adults' Gait
      Speed: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Habitual walking speed predicts many clinical conditions later in
      life, but it declines with age. However, which particular exercise intervention
      can minimize the age-related gait speed loss is unclear. PURPOSE: Our objective
      was to determine the effects of strength, power, coordination, and multimodal
      exercise training on healthy old adults' habitual and fast gait speed. METHODS:
      We performed a computerized systematic literature search in PubMed and Web of
      Knowledge from January 1984 up to December 2014. Search terms included
      'Resistance training', 'power training', 'coordination training', 'multimodal
      training', and 'gait speed (outcome term). Inclusion criteria were articles
      available in full text, publication period over past 30 years, human species,
      journal articles, clinical trials, randomized controlled trials, English as
      publication language, and subject age >=65 years. The methodological quality of
      all eligible intervention studies was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence
      Database (PEDro) scale. We computed weighted average standardized mean
      differences of the intervention-induced adaptations in gait speed using a random
      effects model and tested for overall and individual intervention effects relative
      to no-exercise controls. RESULTS: A total of 42 studies (mean PEDro score of 5.0
      +/- 1.2) were included in the analyses (2495 healthy old adults; age 74.2 years
      [64.4-82.7]; body mass 69.9 +/- 4.9 kg, height 1.64 +/- 0.05 m, body mass index
      26.4 +/- 1.9 kg/m2, and gait speed 1.22 +/- 0.18 m/s). The search identified only
      one power training study, therefore the subsequent analyses focused only on the
      effects of resistance, coordination, and multimodal training on gait speed. The
      three types of intervention improved gait speed in the three experimental groups
      combined (n = 1297) by 0.10 m/s (+/-0.12) or 8.4% (+/-9.7), with a large effect
      size (ES) of 0.84. Resistance (24 studies; n = 613; 0.11 m/s; 9.3%; ES: 0.84),
      coordination (eight studies, n = 198; 0.09 m/s; 7.6%; ES: 0.76), and multimodal
      training (19 studies; n = 486; 0.09 m/s; 8.4%, ES: 0.86) increased gait speed
      statistically and similarly. CONCLUSIONS: Commonly used exercise interventions
      can functionally and clinically increase habitual and fast gait speed and help
      slow the loss of gait speed or delay its onset.

PMID- 26286450
TI  - Personality disorders do not affect treatment outcomes for chronic HCV infection
      in Spanish prisoners: the Perseo study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The link between infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and
      personality disorders (PD) has not been investigated in detail. The aim of this
      study was to compare the effectiveness of HCV treatment in prisoners with and
      without PD. METHODS: We performed a prospective multicentre study in inmates from
      25 Spanish prisons who had been treated with pegylated interferon alfa-2a plus
      ribavirin in 2011. PD diagnosis was based on the Personality Diagnostic
      Questionnaire-4+. We calculated adjusted Odds Ratios (AOR) and 95 % confidence
      intervals (95 % CI) using logistic regression. RESULTS: The sample included 236
      patients (mean age: 40.3 years, 92.8 % male, 79.2 % intravenous drug users, and
      26.3 % HIV-coinfected). The prevalence of PD was 72.5 %. 32.2 % of patients
      discontinued treatment; this percentage was higher in patients with HCV genotypes
      1/4 (AOR = 3.55; CI:1.76-7.18) and those without PD (AOR = 2.51; 1.23-5.11).
      Treatment discontinuation was mainly for penitentiary reasons (40.3 %): release
      or transfer between prisons. The rate of sustained viral response (SVR) was 52.1
      % by ITT and 76.9 % by observed treatment (OT). SVR was higher among patients
      with genotype 2 or 3, and those with low baseline HCV-RNA. We did not observe any
      differences between individuals with and without PD in term of SVR, HCV genotype
      or HIV infection. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the safety and clinical
      effectiveness of the treatment of chronic HCV infection in correctional
      facilities, both in prisoners with PD and those without. Our data support non
      discrimination between patients with and without PD when offering treatment for
      HCV infection to prison inmates. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Trial registration number
      (TRN) NCT01900886 . Date of registration: July 8, 2013.

PMID- 26286451
TI  - Lace plant ethylene receptors, AmERS1a and AmERS1c, regulate ethylene-induced
      programmed cell death during leaf morphogenesis.
AB  - The lace plant, Aponogeton madagascariensis, is an aquatic monocot that forms
      perforations in its leaves as part of normal leaf development. Perforation
      formation occurs through developmentally regulated programmed cell death (PCD).
      The molecular basis of PCD regulation in the lace plant is unknown, however
      ethylene has been shown to play a significant role. In this study, we examined
      the role of ethylene receptors during perforation formation. We isolated three
      lace plant ethylene receptors AmERS1a, AmERS1b and AmERS1c. Using quantitative
      PCR, we examined their transcript levels at seven stages of leaf development.
      Through laser-capture microscopy, transcript levels were also determined in cells
      undergoing PCD and cells not undergoing PCD (NPCD cells). AmERS1a transcript
      levels were significantly lower in window stage leaves (in which perforation
      formation and PCD are occurring) as compared to all other leaf developmental
      stages. AmERS1a and AmERS1c (the most abundant among the three receptors) had the
      highest transcript levels in mature stage leaves, where PCD is not occurring.
      Their transcript levels decreased significantly during senescence-associated PCD.
      AmERS1c had significantly higher transcript levels in NPCD compared to PCD cells.
      Despite being significantly low in window stage leaves, AmERS1a transcripts were
      not differentially expressed between PCD and NPCD cells. The results suggested
      that ethylene receptors negatively regulate ethylene-controlled PCD in the lace
      plant. A combination of ethylene and receptor levels determines cell fate during
      perforation formation and leaf senescence. A new model for ethylene emission and
      receptor expression during lace plant perforation formation and senescence is
      proposed. 

PMID- 26286452
TI  - BRAF-mutated clear cell sarcoma is sensitive to vemurafenib treatment.
AB  - We report a patient with a metastatic relapse of clear cell sarcoma, whose tumor
      harbored BRAF V600E mutation. Standard chemotherapy with doxorubicin and
      ifosfamide failed to slow the disease progression. Subsequent administration of
      vemurafenib (960 mg twice a day) resulted in complete tumor response after 8
      weeks of treatment. Literature data on the use of vemurafenib and dabrafenib in
      non-melanoma BRAF-mutated tumors are reviewed.

PMID- 26286453
TI  - Hyunsoonleella udoensis sp. nov., isolated from a gravel sample from a beach of
      Udo island, Korea.
AB  - A Gram-stain negative, non-motile, rod-shaped and aerobic bacterial strain,
      designated JG48(T), was isolated from a gravel sample taken from a beach adjacent
      to Udo island, South Korea. Strain JG48(T) was found to grow optimally at 25 
      degrees C, at pH 7.0-8.0 and in the presence of 2.0 % (w/v) NaCl. The 16S rRNA
      gene sequence of strain JG48(T) exhibited sequence similarities of 96.67 % to
      Hyunsoonleella jejuensis CNU004(T). The major fatty acids present in the strain
      JG48(T) were identified as iso-C15:0, iso-C15:1 G, iso-C17:0 3-OH and iso-C15:0 3
      OH. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was identified as MK-6. The polar lipids
      profile of strain JG48(T) was found to consist of phosphatidylethanolamine, three
      unidentified amino lipids and four unidentified lipids. The DNA G+C content of
      strain JG48(T) was determined to be 34 mol%. Based on the morphological and
      physiological properties, and the results of phylogenetic analyses, the strain is
      considered to represent a novel species of the genus Hyunsoonleella, for which
      the name Hyunsoonleella udoensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JG48(T)
      (=KCTC 42341(T)=JCM 30600(T)).

PMID- 26286454
TI  - Genetically modified "obligate" anaerobic Salmonella typhimurium as a therapeutic
      strategy for neuroblastoma.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Neuroblastoma currently has poor prognosis, therefore we proposed a
      new strategy by targeting neuroblastoma with genetically engineered anaerobic
      Salmonella (Sal-YB1). METHODS: Nude and nonobese diabetic-severe combined
      immunodeficiency (NOD-SCID) orthotopic mouse models were used, and Sal-YB1 was
      administered via tail vein. The therapeutic effectiveness, bio-safety, and
      mechanisms were studied. RESULTS: No mice died of therapy-related complications.
      Tumor size reduction was 70 and 30% in nude and NOD-SCID mice, respectively. No
      Salmonella was detected in the urine; 75% mice had positive stool culture if
      diaminopimelic acid was added, but all turned negative subsequently. Tumor
      tissues had more Sal-YB1 infiltration, necrosis, and shrinkage in Sal-YB1-treated
      mice. Significantly higher expression of TLR4, TNF-stimulated gene 6 protein
      (TSG6), and cleaved caspase 1, 3, 8, and 9 was found in the tumor masses of the
      Sal-YB1-treated group with a decrease of interleukin 1 receptor-associated kinase
      (IRAK) and nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cells
      inhibitor alpha (IkappaBalpha). There was a high release of TNFalpha both in
      human macrophages and mouse tumor tissues with Sal-YB1 treatment. The antitumor
      effect of the supernatant derived from macrophages treated with Sal-YB1 could be
      reversed with TNFalpha and pan-caspase inhibitors. CONCLUSIONS: This new approach
      in targeting neuroblastoma by bio-engineered Salmonella with the assistance of
      macrophages indirectly may have a clinical therapeutic impact in the future.

PMID- 26286455
TI  - Pivotal role of computers and software in mass spectrometry - SEQUEST and 20
      years of tandem MS database searching.
AB  - Advances in computer technology and software have driven developments in mass
      spectrometry over the last 50 years. Computers and software have been impactful
      in three areas: the automation of difficult calculations to aid interpretation,
      the collection of data and control of instruments, and data interpretation. As
      the power of computers has grown, so too has the utility and impact on mass
      spectrometers and their capabilities. This has been particularly evident in the
      use of tandem mass spectrometry data to search protein and nucleotide sequence
      databases to identify peptide and protein sequences. This capability has driven
      the development of many new approaches to study biological systems, including the
      use of "bottom-up shotgun proteomics" to directly analyze protein mixtures.
      Graphical Abstract ?. 

PMID- 26286456
TI  - Computer Modeling of an Ion Trap Mass Analyzer, Part I: Low Pressure Regime.
AB  - We present the multi-particle simulation program suite Computational Ion Trap
      Analyzer (CITA) designed to calculate the ion trajectories within a Paul
      quadrupole ion trap developed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). CITA uses
      an analytical expression of the electrodynamic field, employing up to six terms
      in multipole expansion and a modified velocity-Verlet method to numerically
      calculate ion trajectories. The computer code is multithreaded and designed to
      run on shared-memory architectures. CITA yields near real-time simulations with
      full propagation of 26 particles per second per core. As a consequence, a
      realistic numbers of trapped ions (100+ million) can be used and their
      trajectories modeled, yielding a representative prediction of mass spectrometer
      analysis of trace gas species. When the model is compared with experimental
      results conducted at low pressures using the conventional quadrupole and dipole
      excitation modes, there is an excellent agreement with the observed peak shapes.
      Owing to the program's efficiency, CITA has been used to explore regions of
      trapping stability that are of interest to experimental research. These results
      are expected to facilitate a fast and reliable modeling of ion dynamics in
      miniature quadrupole ion trap and improve the interpretation of observed mass
      spectra. Graphical Abstract ?. 

PMID- 26286458
TI  - The Danish approach to forensic age estimation in the living: how, how many and
      what's new? A review of cases performed in 2012.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The resulting statement of forensic age estimations in the living is
      of great consequence for the examinees in question. Concerns have been raised
      about the nature of these examinations, e.g. the potentially harmful radiographic
      exposures, as well as the accuracy of the estimated age. AIM: This manuscript
      investigates the reported age estimates performed at the Section of Forensic
      Pathology, Institute of Forensic Medicine, Copenhagen, in 2012. SUBJECTS AND
      METHODS: The results of the individual assessments, i.e. the physical
      examination, and the radiographic examinations of bone age and dental age, were
      investigated as well as the correlation between the age estimates of the two
      latter examinations. RESULTS: In 139 out of the 174 statements, a conclusive
      chronological age estimate of at least 18 years was given. Although bone age was
      assessed within the dental age-range in a total of 152 out of 162 cases, some
      variations in the combined assessments were seen. CONCLUSION: The current
      procedure is not mathematically or statistically satisfactory. Instead, the most
      likely age including the variation and error of the age estimate should be
      reported in statements. The introduction of a Bayesian approach and the use of
      post-mortem-imaging-based databases may be used for this purpose.

PMID- 26286457
TI  - Chromosome Y genetic variants: impact in animal models and on human disease.
AB  - Chromosome Y (chrY) variation has been associated with many complex diseases
      ranging from cancer to cardiovascular disorders. Functional roles of chrY genes
      outside of testes are suggested by the fact that they are broadly expressed in
      many other tissues and correspond to regulators of basic cellular functions (such
      as transcription, translation, and protein stability). However, the unique
      genetic properties of chrY (including the lack of meiotic crossover and the
      presence of numerous highly repetitive sequences) have made the identification of
      causal variants very difficult. Despite the prior lack of reliable sequences
      and/or data on genetic polymorphisms, earlier studies with animal chrY consomic
      strains have made it possible to narrow down the phenotypic contributions of
      chrY. Some of the evidence so far indicates that chrY gene variants associate
      with regulatory changes in the expression of other autosomal genes, in part via
      epigenetic effects. In humans, a limited number of studies have shown
      associations between chrY haplotypes and disease traits. However, recent
      sequencing efforts have made it possible to greatly increase the identification
      of genetic variants on chrY, which promises that future association of chrY with
      disease traits will be further refined. Continuing studies (both in humans and in
      animal models) will be critical to help explain the many sex-biased disease
      states in human that are contributed to not only by the classical sex steroid
      hormones, but also by chrY genetics. 

PMID- 26286460
TI  - Discovery of Bivalent Kinase Inhibitors via Enzyme-Templated Fragment
      Elaboration.
AB  - We have employed novel fragment-based screening methodology to discover bivalent
      kinase inhibitors with improved selectivity. Starting from a low molecular weight
      promiscuous kinase inhibitor, we appended a thiol for subsequent reaction with a
      library of acrylamide electrophiles. Enzyme-templated screening was performed to
      identify acrylamides that assemble into bivalent inhibitors of c-Src kinase. Upon
      identification of acrylamide fragments that improve the binding affinity of our
      lead thiol, we characterized the resulting bivalent inhibitors and identified a
      series of kinase inhibitors with improved potency and selectivity compared to the
      thiol-containing precursor. Provided that protein can be prepared free of
      endogenous reactive cysteines, our methodology is general and could be applied to
      nearly any enzyme of interest. 

PMID- 26286461
TI  - Zinc as a micronutrient and its preventive role of oxidative damage in cells.
AB  - Zinc is an essential trace element with special importance in the immune system.
      Deficiencies of zinc are seen in the course of ageing and in various diseases,
      such as diabetes mellitus or rheumathoid arthritis. The trace element is
      essential for a variety of basic cellular functions and especially important for
      various enzymes participating in the production and neutralization of reactive
      oxygen species (ROS) which are normally produced by the cell. Under normal
      conditions ROS are neutralized and are not able to harm the cell, but in case of
      ROS elevation, oxidative damage within the cell is the result. Interestingly,
      zinc deficiency is directly associated with oxidative stress. Thus, control and
      regulation of the intracellular zinc content is essential with participation of
      various transporter and zinc-binding proteins, such as metallothionein. Oxidative
      stress is mainly caused by elevated ROS production and a decrease of antioxidant
      mechanisms. Zinc partly functions as an antioxidant although it is redox inert.
      Zinc supplementation is associated with decreased ROS formation exhibiting
      beneficial effects especially in ageing and diabetes mellitus. This review
      summarizes current findings concerning zinc as a micronutrient and its actions as
      a pro-antioxidant, and the association between zinc and oxidative stress under
      various conditions is highlighted. 

PMID- 26286459
TI  - Growth and hormone profiling in children with congenital melanocytic naevi.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Multiple congenital melanocytic naevi (CMN) is a rare mosaic
      RASopathy, caused by postzygotic activating mutations in NRAS. Growth and
      hormonal disturbances are described in germline RASopathies, but growth and
      hormone status have not previously been investigated in individuals with CMN.
      OBJECTIVES: To explore premature thelarche, undescended testes, and a clinically
      abnormal fat distribution with CMN through prospective endocrinological
      assessment of a cohort of subjects with CMN, and a retrospective review of
      longitudinal growth of a larger group of patients with CMN from outpatient
      clinics (which included all subjects in the endocrinological assessment group).
      PATIENTS AND METHODS: Longitudinal growth in a cohort of 202 patients with single
      or multiple CMN was compared with the U.K. National Child Measurement Programme
      2010. Forty-seven children had hormonal profiling including measurement of
      circulating luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, thyroid
      stimulating hormone, adrenocorticotrophic hormone, growth hormone, prolactin, pro
      opiomelanocortin, estradiol, testosterone, cortisol, thyroxine, insulin-like
      growth factor-1 and leptin; 10 had oral glucose tolerance testing 25 had dual
      energy X-ray absorptiometry scans for body composition. RESULTS: Body mass index
      increased markedly with age (coefficient 0.119, SE 0.016 standard deviation
      scores per year), at twice the rate of the U.K. population, due to increased
      adiposity. Three per cent of girls had premature thelarche variant and 6% of boys
      had persistent undescended testes. Both fat and muscle mass were reduced in areas
      underlying large naevi, resulting in limb asymmetry and abnormal truncal fat
      distribution. Anterior pituitary hormone profiling revealed subtle and variable
      abnormalities. Oral glucose tolerance tests revealed moderate-severe insulin
      insensitivity in five of 10, and impaired glucose tolerance in one. CONCLUSIONS:
      Interpersonal variation may reflect the mosaic nature of this disease and
      patients should be considered individually. Postnatal weight gain is potentially
      related to the underlying genetic defect; however, environmental reasons cannot
      be excluded. Naevus-related reduction of fat and muscle mass suggests local
      hormonal or metabolic effects on development or growth of adjacent tissues, or
      mosaic involvement of these tissues at the genetic level. Premature thelarche and
      undescended testes should be looked for, and investigated, as for any child.

PMID- 26286462
TI  - Familial cleidocranial dysplasia misdiagnosed as rickets over three generations.
AB  - Cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD) is a rare autosomal dominant skeletal dysplasia
      characterized by hypoplastic clavicles, late closure of the fontanels, dental
      problems and other skeletal features. CCD is caused by mutations, deletions or
      duplications in runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), which encodes for a
      protein essential for osteoblast differentiation and chondrocyte maturation. We
      describe three familial cases of CCD, misdiagnosed as rickets over three
      generations. No mutations were detected on standard DNA sequencing of RUNX2, but
      a novel deletion was identified on quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR)
      and multiple ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA). The present cases
      indicate that CCD could be misdiagnosed as rickets, leading to inappropriate
      treatment, and confirm that mutations in RUNX2 are not able to be identified on
      standard DNA sequencing in all CCD patients, but can be identified on qPCR and
      MLPA. 

PMID- 26286464
TI  - Lysosomal Acid Lipase Activity: A Tool for the Detection and Management of Fatty
      Liver Disease?

PMID- 26286465
TI  - The High Ferritin App: electronic referral to the Australian Red Cross Blood
      Service for therapeutic venesection.

PMID- 26286463
TI  - Genome-wide association study of reproductive traits in Nellore heifers using
      Bayesian inference.
AB  - BACKGROUND: An important goal of Zebu breeding programs is to improve
      reproductive performance. A major problem faced with the genetic improvement of
      reproductive traits is that recording the time for an animal to reach sexual
      maturity is costly. Another issue is that accurate estimates of breeding values
      are obtained only a long time after the young bulls have gone through selection.
      An alternative to overcome these problems is to use traits that are indicators of
      the reproductive efficiency of the herd and are easier to measure, such as age at
      first calving. Another problem is that heifers that have conceived once may fail
      to conceive in the next breeding season, which increases production costs. Thus,
      increasing heifer's rebreeding rates should improve the economic efficiency of
      the herd. Response to selection for these traits tends to be slow, since they
      have a low heritability and phenotypic information is provided only later in the
      life of the animal. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) are useful to
      investigate the genetic mechanisms that underlie these traits by identifying the
      genes and metabolic pathways involved. RESULTS: Data from 1853 females belonging
      to the Agricultural Jacarezinho LTDA were used. Genotyping was performed using
      the BovineHD BeadChip (777 962 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)) according
      to the protocol of Illumina - Infinium Assay II (r) Multi-Sample HiScan with the
      unit SQ TM System. After quality control, 305 348 SNPs were used for GWAS. Forty
      two and 19 SNPs had a Bayes factor greater than 150 for heifer rebreeding and age
      at first calving, respectively. All significant SNPs for age at first calving
      were significant for heifer rebreeding. These 42 SNPs were next or within 35
      genes that were distributed over 18 chromosomes and comprised 27 protein-encoding
      genes, six pseudogenes and two miscellaneous noncoding RNAs. CONCLUSIONS: The use
      of Bayes factor to determine the significance of SNPs allowed us to identify two
      sets of 42 and 19 significant SNPs for heifer rebreeding and age at first
      calving, respectively, which explain 11.35 % and 6.42 % of their phenotypic
      variance, respectively. These SNPs provide relevant information to help elucidate
      which genes affect these traits.

PMID- 26286467
TI  - "Lifting the carpet" on cheating in medical school exams.

PMID- 26286466
TI  - Analgesic effect of a broad-spectrum dihydropyridine inhibitor of voltage-gated
      calcium channels.
AB  - Voltage-activated calcium channels are important facilitators of nociceptive
      transmission in the primary afferent pathway. Consequently, molecules that block
      these channels are of potential use as pain therapeutics. Our group has recently
      reported on the identification of a novel class of dihydropyridines (DHPs) that
      included compounds with preferential selectivity for T-type over L-type channels.
      Among those compounds, M4 was found to be an equipotent inhibitor of both Cav1.2
      L- and Cav3.2 T-type calcium channels. Here, we have further characterized the
      effects of this compound on other types of calcium channels and examined its
      analgesic effect when delivered either spinally (i.t.) or systemically (i.p.) to
      mice. Both delivery routes resulted in antinociception in a model of acute pain.
      Furthermore, M4 was able to reverse mechanical hyperalgesia produced by nerve
      injury when delivered intrathecally. M4 retained partial activity when delivered
      to Cav3.2 null mice, indicating that this compound acts on multiple targets.
      Additional whole-cell patch clamp experiments in transfected tsA-201 cells
      revealed that M4 also effectively blocks Cav3.3 (T-type) and Cav2.2 (N-type)
      currents. Altogether, our data indicate that broad-spectrum inhibition of
      multiple calcium channel subtypes can lead to potent analgesia in rodents. 

PMID- 26286468
TI  - Ten-year helium anomaly prior to the 2014 Mt Ontake eruption.
AB  - Mt Ontake in central Japan suddenly erupted on 27(th) September 2014, killing 57
      people with 6 still missing. It was a hydro-volcanic eruption and new magmatic
      material was not detected. There were no precursor signals such as seismicity and
      edifice inflation. It is difficult to predict hydro-volcanic eruptions because
      they are local phenomena that only affect a limited area surrounding the
      explosive vent. Here we report a long-term helium anomaly measured in hot springs
      close to the central cone. Helium-3 is the most sensitive tracer of magmatic
      volatiles. We have conducted spatial surveys around the volcano at once per few
      years since November 1981. The (3)He/(4)He ratios of the closest site to the cone
      stayed constant until June 2000 and increased significantly from June 2003 to
      November 2014, while those of distant sites showed no valuable change. These
      observations suggest a recent re-activation of Mt Ontake and that helium-3
      enhancement may have been a precursor of the 2014 eruption. We show that the
      eruption was ultimately caused by the increased input of magmatic volatiles over
      a ten-year period which resulted in the slow pressurization of the volcanic
      conduit leading to the hydro-volcanic event in September 2014. 

PMID- 26286469
TI  - Effect on Baby-Friendly Hospital Steps When Hospitals Implement a Policy to Pay
      for Infant Formula.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative requires hospitals to pay
      market price for infant formula. No studies have specifically examined the effect
      of hospitals paying for infant formula on breastfeeding mothers' exposure to Baby
      Friendly steps. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of hospitals implementing a
      policy of paying for infant formula on new mothers' exposure to Baby-Friendly
      steps and examine the effect of exposure to Baby-Friendly steps on breastfeeding
      rates. METHODS: We used a repeated prospective cohort study design. We recruited
      2 cohorts of breastfeeding mother-infant pairs (n = 2470) in the immediate
      postnatal period from 4 Hong Kong public hospitals and followed them by telephone
      up to 12 months postpartum. We assessed participants' exposure to 6 Baby-Friendly
      steps by extracting data from the medical record and by maternal self-report.
      RESULTS: After hospitals began paying for infant formula, new mothers were more
      likely to experience 4 out of 6 Baby-Friendly steps. Breastfeeding initiation
      within the first hour increased from 28.7% to 45%, and in-hospital exclusive
      breastfeeding rates increased from 17.9% to 41.4%. The proportion of mothers who
      experienced all 6 Baby-Friendly steps increased from 4.8% to 20.5%. The risk of
      weaning was progressively higher among participants experiencing fewer Baby
      Friendly steps. Each additional step experienced by new mothers decreased the
      risk of breastfeeding cessation by 8% (hazard ratio = 0.92; 95% CI, 0.89-0.95).
      CONCLUSION: After implementing a policy of paying for infant formula,
      breastfeeding mothers were exposed to more Baby-Friendly steps, and exposure to
      more steps was significantly associated with a lower risk of breastfeeding
      cessation.

PMID- 26286470
TI  - A Case Study of Michigan's Breastfeeding Initiative: The Role of Coalitions in
      Community-Based Breastfeeding Support.
AB  - The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) funded 9 local breastfeeding
      coalitions to implement breastfeeding support groups and to develop breastfeeding
      resources for mothers and health professionals. The authors conducted qualitative
      analyses of reports, success stories, and MDCH grantees' interview responses (via
      follow-up call with 3 coalitions) to assess key barriers, facilitators, and
      lessons learned for coalitions implementing breastfeeding support groups.
      Coalitions noted implementation barriers related to their organizational
      structure and to recruiting mothers and finding meeting locations. Facilitators
      to implementing breastfeeding support groups included referrals, expertise,
      resources, and incentives. The following themes emerged from the reports analysis
      regarding how to implement breastfeeding support groups: "meet moms where they
      are," build community partnerships, and leverage in-kind and financial resources
      to sustain breastfeeding support groups. 

PMID- 26286472
TI  - Do not assume that no news is good news: test result management and communication
      in primary care.

PMID- 26286471
TI  - Changes in apoptotic microRNA and mRNA expression profiling in Caenorhabditis
      elegans during the Shenzhou-8 mission.
AB  - Radiation and microgravity exposure have been proven to induce abnormal apoptosis
      in microRNA (miRNA) and mRNA expression, but whether space conditions, including
      radiation and microgravity, activate miRNAs to regulate the apoptosis is
      undetermined. For that purpose, we investigated miRNome and mRNA expression in
      the ced-1 Caenorhabditis elegans mutant vs the wild-type, both of which underwent
      spaceflight, spaceflight 1g-centrifuge control and ground control conditions
      during the Shenzhou-8 mission. Results showed that no morphological changes in
      the worms were detected, but differential miRNA expression increased from 43
      (ground control condition) to 57 and 91 in spaceflight and spaceflight control
      conditions, respectively. Microgravity altered miRNA expression profiling by
      decreasing the number and significance of differentially expressed miRNA compared
      with 1 g incubation during spaceflight. Alterations in the miRNAs were involved
      in alterations in apoptosis, neurogenesis larval development, ATP metabolism and
      GTPase-mediated signal transduction. Among these, 17 altered miRNAs potentially
      involved in apoptosis were screened and showed obviously different expression
      signatures between space conditions. By integrated analysis of miRNA and mRNA,
      miR-797 and miR-81 may be involved in apoptosis by targeting the genes ced-10 and
      both drp-1 and hsp-1, respectively. Compared with ground condition, space
      conditions regulated apoptosis though a different manner on transcription, by
      altering expression of seven core apoptotic genes in spaceflight condition, and
      eight in spaceflight control condition. Results indicate that, miRNA of
      Caenorhabditis elegans probably regulates apoptotic gene expression in response
      to space environmental stress, and shows different behavior under microgravity
      condition compared with 1 g condition in the presence of space radiation. 

PMID- 26286473
TI  - Laboratory testing in general practice: a patient safety blind spot.

PMID- 26286474
TI  - Sphingomonas hylomeconis sp. nov., isolated from the stem of Hylomecon japonica.
AB  - A yellow-pigmented bacterium, designated strain GZJT-2T, was isolated from the
      stem of Hylomecon japonica (Thunb.) Prantl et Kundig collected from Taibai
      Mountain in Shaanxi Province, north-west China. Cells of strain GZJT-2T were Gram
      reaction-negative, strictly aerobic, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming and non
      motile. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain
      GZJT-2T was a member of the genus Sphingomonas, with sequence similarities of
      92.1-96.9 % to type strains of recognized species of the genus Sphingomonas (92.1
      % to Sphingomonas oligoaromativorans SY-6T and 96.9 % to Sphingomonas
      oligophenolica JCM 12082T). Strain GZJT-2T contained ubiquinone-10 (Q-10) as the
      predominant respiratory quinone and sym-homospermidine as the major polyamine.
      The major cellular fatty acids were summed feature 8 (comprising C18 : 1omega7c
      and/or C18 : 1omega6c), summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1omega7c and/or C16 :
      1omega6c), C16 : 0 and C14 : 0 2-OH. Phosphatidylglycerol,
      diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine,
      phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, sphingoglycolipid, four
      unidentified phospholipids, an unidentified aminolipid and four unidentified
      lipids were detected in the polar lipid profile. The DNA G+C content was 62.5 +/-
      0.3 mol%. On the basis of data from phenotypic, phylogenetic and DNA-DNA
      relatedness studies, strain GZJT-2T is considered to represent a novel species of
      the genus Sphingomonas, for which the name Sphingomonas hylomeconis sp. nov. is
      proposed. The type strain is GZJT-2T ( = CCTCC AB 2013304T = KCTC 42739T).

PMID- 26286475
TI  - Cell Death Identification in Anticancer Therapy-Response.

PMID- 26286476
TI  - Correction: Long Noncoding RNA GAPLINC Regulates CD44-Dependent Cell Invasiveness
      and Associates with Poor Prognosis of Gastric Cancer.

PMID- 26286477
TI  - Correction: Host Immune Defense Peptide LL-37 Activates Caspase-Independent
      Apoptosis and Suppresses Colon Cancer.

PMID- 26286478
TI  - Cell Death Identification in Anticancer Therapy-Letter.

PMID- 26286479
TI  - Local atomic structure modulations activate metal oxide as electrocatalyst for
      hydrogen evolution in acidic water.
AB  - Modifications of local structure at atomic level could precisely and effectively
      tune the capacity of materials, enabling enhancement in the catalytic activity.
      Here we modulate the local atomic structure of a classical but inert transition
      metal oxide, tungsten trioxide, to be an efficient electrocatalyst for hydrogen
      evolution in acidic water, which has shown promise as an alternative to platinum.
      Structural analyses and theoretical calculations together indicate that the
      origin of the enhanced activity could be attributed to the tailored electronic
      structure by means of the local atomic structure modulations. We anticipate that
      suitable structure modulations might be applied on other transition metal oxides
      to meet the optimal thermodynamic and kinetic requirements, which may pave the
      way to unlock the potential of other promising candidates as cost-effective
      electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution in industry. 

PMID- 26286480
TI  - Capsule Commentary on Binswanger et al., Overdose Education and Naloxone for
      Patients Prescribed Opioids in Primary Care: A Qualitative Study of Primary Care
      Staff.

PMID- 26286481
TI  - Is raloxifene associated with lower risk of mortality in postmenopausal women
      with vertebral fractures after vertebroplasty?: a hospital-based analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Osteoporotic fractures are associated with mortality in
      postmenopausal woman. Whether raloxifen treatment after vertebroplasty can reduce
      mortality is unclear in this group. To compare the effect of raloxifene and no
      osteoporosis treatment on the risk of mortality after vertebroplasty, we designed
      this study. METHODS: This was a retrospective study (January 2001 to December
      2007). Follow-up for each participant was calculated as the time from inclusion
      in the study to the time of death, or to December 31(st), 2013, whichever
      occurred first. All of the patients underwent baseline bone density studies, and
      age and body mass index (kg/m(2)) were recorded. All associated medical diseases
      such as diabetes, hypertension, and liver and renal disease were recorded.
      RESULTS: One hundred and forty-nine patients with vertebral fractures were
      enrolled, of whom 51 used raloxifene and 98 patients did not receive any anti
      osteoporotic therapy. At the end of the follow-up period, 62 patients had died
      and 87 were still alive. The treated patients had a lower mortality rate than
      those who did not receive treatment (P = 0.001, HR = 3.845, 95% CI 1.884-7.845).
      The most common cause of mortality was sepsis, and those who received raloxifene
      had a lower rate of sepsis compared to those who did not receive treatment (P <
      0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Effective treatment with raloxifene may had a lower
      mortality rate in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis-related vertebral
      fractures after vertebroplasty.

PMID- 26286482
TI  - Cladosporium keratitis - a case report and literature review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Fungal keratitis is one of the major causes of infectious keratitis
      in tropical countries. Symptoms of fungal keratitis consist of blurred vision,
      redness, tearing, photophobia, pain and foreign body sensation. If not treated
      effectively, it could lead to blindness. Common causes include Candida spp.,
      Fusarium spp. and Aspergillus spp.. With the limited choices of topical
      antifungal agents, we were faced with Cladosporium keratitis, a rare cause of
      fungal keratitis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 62-year-old Asian male construction worker
      came to us with intense ocular pain, injection of the conjunctiva, blurred
      vision, and foreign body sensation in his left eye. His visual acuity was 20/40
      OD and 20/400 OS. Slit-lamp exam revealed a corneal ulcer with feathery margin
      and Descemet's membrane folding. The culture yielded Cladosporium species.. The
      patient did not show improvements after applying topical natamycin (5 %), topical
      amphotericin B (1mg/ml), topical fluconazole (2mg/ml) and oral ketoconazole
      (200mg). After shifting the medical regimen to voriconazole via topical and
      systemic routes (1mg/ml and 200mg respectively), the keratitis was controlled.
      CONCLUSIONS: Fungal keratitis remains a challenge for ophthalmologists as there
      is no evidence suggesting any particular drug or combination of drugs is more
      effective than another. A review of common topical antifungal agents was done.
      Voriconazole could be a good choice for treating corneal infection by
      Cladosporium species.

PMID- 26286483
TI  - Fluorescence microscopy of Streptomyces conjugation suggests DNA-transfer at the
      lateral walls and reveals the spreading of the plasmid in the recipient mycelium.
AB  - Conjugative DNA-transfer in mycelial streptomycetes is a unique process,
      manifested on agar plates by the formation of circular growth retardation zones
      called pocks. Because pock size correlates with the extent of the transconjugant
      zone, it was suggested that pocks reflect the spreading of the transferred
      plasmid in the recipient mycelium. However, this concept has not been
      experimentally proven yet. The use of an eGFP-encoding derivative of the
      conjugative pIJ303 plasmid and Streptomyces lividans T7-mCherry as recipient
      enabled us to differentiate donor, recipient and transconjugant hyphae in mating
      experiments by fluorescence microscopy. Microscopic observation of the
      conjugation process suggested DNA-transfer via the lateral walls. At the contact
      sites mCherry was never observed in the donor, indicating that the conjugative
      DNA-transfer does not involve interfusion of cytoplasms of donor and recipient.
      The spreading of the transferred plasmid to the older parts of the recipient
      mycelium was demonstrated. This spreading was impaired when plasmid-encoded spd
      genes were inactivated. Deletion of the FtsK-like DNA-translocase encoding tra
      gene from the plasmid and mating experiments with strains containing chromosomal
      copies of tra either in the donor and/or in the recipient revealed that Tra had
      an essential role in intramycelial plasmid spreading.

PMID- 26286485
TI  - Generation of entanglement in quantum parametric oscillators using phase control.
AB  - The control of quantum entanglement in systems in contact with environment plays
      an important role in information processing, cryptography and quantum computing.
      However, interactions with the environment, even when very weak, entail
      decoherence in the system with consequent loss of entanglement. Here we consider
      a system of two coupled oscillators in contact with a common heat bath and with a
      time dependent oscillation frequency. The possibility to control the entanglement
      of the oscillators by means of an external sinusoidal perturbation applied to the
      oscillation frequency has been theoretically explored. We demonstrate that the
      oscillators become entangled exactly in the region where the classical
      counterpart is unstable, otherwise when the classical system is stable,
      entanglement is not possible. Therefore, we can control the entanglement swapping
      from stable to unstable regions by adjusting amplitude and phase of our external
      controller. We also show that the entanglement rate is approximately proportional
      to the real part of the Floquet coefficient of the classical counterpart of the
      oscillators. Our results have the intriguing peculiarity of manipulating quantum
      information operating on a classical system. 

PMID- 26286484
TI  - Spatial distribution of Glossina sp. and Trypanosoma sp. in south-western
      Ethiopia.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Accurate information on the distribution of the tsetse fly is of
      paramount importance to better control animal trypanosomosis. Entomological and
      parasitological surveys were conducted in the tsetse belt of south-western
      Ethiopia to describe the prevalence of trypanosomosis (PoT), the abundance of
      tsetse flies (AT) and to evaluate the association with potential risk factors.
      METHODS: The study was conducted between 2009 and 2012. The parasitological
      survey data were analysed by a random effects logistic regression model, whereas
      the entomological survey data were analysed by a Poisson regression model. The
      percentage of animals with trypanosomosis was regressed on the tsetse fly count
      using a random effects logistic regression model. RESULTS: The following six risk
      factors were evaluated for PoT (i) altitude: significant and inverse correlation
      with trypanosomosis, (ii) annual variation of PoT: no significant difference
      between years, (iii) regional state: compared to Benishangul-Gumuz (18.0%), the
      three remaining regional states showed significantly lower PoT, (iv) river
      system: the PoT differed significantly between the river systems, (iv) sex: male
      animals (11.0%) were more affected than females (9.0%), and finally (vi) age at
      sampling: no difference between the considered classes. Observed trypanosome
      species were T. congolense (76.0%), T. vivax (18.1%), T. b. brucei (3.6%), and
      mixed T. congolense/vivax (2.4%). The first four risk factors listed above were
      also evaluated for AT, and all have a significant effect on AT. In the
      multivariable model only altitude was retained with AT decreasing with increasing
      altitude. Four different Glossina species were identified i.e. G. tachinoides
      (52.0%), G. pallidipes (26.0%), G.morsitans submorsitans (15.0%) and G. fuscipes
      fuscipes (7.0 %). Significant differences in catches/trap/day between districts
      were observed for each species. No association could be found between the tsetse
      fly counts and trypanosomosis prevalence. CONCLUSIONS: Trypanosomosis remains a
      constraint to livestock production in south-western Ethiopia. Four Glossina and
      three Trypanosoma species were observed. Altitude had a significant impact on AT
      and PoT. PoT is not associated with AT, which could be explained by the
      importance of mechanical transmission. This needs to be investigated further as
      it might jeopardize control strategies that target the tsetse fly population.

PMID- 26286486
TI  - Do personalised e-mail invitations increase the response rates of breast cancer
      survivors invited to participate in a web-based behaviour change intervention? A
      quasi-randomised 2-arm controlled trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previous research has shown that the personalisation of study
      invitations improves response rates in survey-based research. To examine if this
      finding extends to experimental studies, we examined the impact of personalised
      study invitation e-mails on the response rates of potentially eligible breast
      cancer survivors for participation in a 6 month randomised controlled trial
      testing the efficacy of a physical activity intervention. METHODS: Potential
      participants (n = 344) were sent either a personalised email or a generic email.
      RESULTS: Those sent the personalised email were 1.5 times (95 % CI = 1.18-1.93)
      more likely to respond than those sent the generic email. CONCLUSION: These
      findings suggest that personalisation may be a useful and potentially powerful
      tool that can be utilised when recruiting participants into experimental studies
      in order to boost response rates.

PMID- 26286487
TI  - Intraoperative Schnellschnittuntersuchungen parapylorischer Lymphknoten bei der
      pyloruserhaltenden Pankreaskopfresektion: Gibt es eine klinische Relevanz?
AB  - HINTERGRUND: Die pyloruserhaltende Pankreaskopfresektion (PPPD) ist als
      onkologisches Standardverfahren etabliert. Lokal fortgeschrittene Tumoren konnen
      eine erweiterte Resektion erforderlich machen. Ebenso soll fruheren Arbeiten
      zufolge bei Tumornachweis in den parapylorischen Lymphknoten (PLK) eine distale
      Magenresektion im Sinne einer klassischen Whipple-Operation indiziert sein.
      Entsprechend diesen Empfehlungen haben wir intraoperative
      Schnellschnittuntersuchungen der PLK in unseren Routineablauf integriert. Im
      Rahmen dieser Studie haben wir die klinische Relevanz dieses Vorgehens
      hinterfragt. METHODEN: Bei 105 onkologischen Patienten im Zeitraum von 2006-2012
      bestand die Indikation zur PPPD. In allen Fallen erfolgte eine intraoperative
      Schnellschnittuntersuchung der PLK. Die Patienten wurden bezuglich Primartumor,
      Anzahl der untersuchten Lymphknoten (LK) (gesamt und parapylorisch) sowie
      Auswirkungen auf das operative Konzept untersucht. Es handelt sich um eine
      retrospektive Studie, die auf prospektiv erhobenen Daten unserer
      Pankreasdatenbank basiert. ERGEBNISSE: Die Primartumoren waren 72
      Pankreaskopfkarzinome und 33 extrapankreatische Karzinome (Gallengangskarzinom,
      Ampullenkarzinom, Duodenalkarzinom). 73 Patienten waren nodalpositiv. Insgesamt
      wurden 2391 LK untersucht, von denen 325 parapylorisch lokalisiert waren. Die
      intraoperative Schnellschnittuntersuchung erbrachte lediglich bei 4 Patienten mit
      Pankreaskopfkarzinom jeweils einen positiven PLK; daraufhin erfolgte eine distale
      Magenresektion. In keinem der distalen Magenresektate waren Tumorresiduen
      nachweisbar. Lokale chirurgisch-technische Probleme im Sinne von
      Durchblutungsstorungen des Magens ergaben sich durch die regionale
      Lymphadenektomie nicht. PLK waren nur beim Pankreaskarzinom positiv. In der
      Subgruppe der nodalpositiven Patienten mit Pankreaskopfkarzinom hatten 8% der
      Patienten einen positiven PLK. SCHLUSSFOLGERUNG: Die regionale parapylorische
      Lymphadenektomie ist beim Pankreaskarzinom in einigen (5%) Fallen onkologisch
      sinnvoll. Der Nutzen einer intraoperativen Schnellschnittuntersuchung mit
      nachfolgender Konsequenz fur eine etwaige distale Magenresektion ist anhand
      unserer Daten nicht belegbar.

PMID- 26286488
TI  - Rasch Analysis of the Profiles of Occupational Engagement in people with Severe
      mental illness (POES) instrument.
AB  - PURPOSE: The Profiles of Occupational Engagement in people with Severe mental
      illness (POES) instrument was developed to study time use profiles of occupations
      and measure the extent they are characterized by engagement. However, the
      dimensional factors are not known. The aim of the present study was to establish
      the internal construct validity of the POES using the Rasch measurement model.
      METHODS: A sample of 192 outpatients in Sweden was administered the POES and data
      were subjected to Rasch analysis. RESULTS: The POES showed good fit to the Rasch
      model after accommodation for local dependency. The nine items had high
      reliability as measured by person separation index, and no threshold disordering
      was present. Differential item functioning analysis showed no significant
      differences across groups of age, sex, diagnosis, or country of origin.
      CONCLUSION: The POES is a unidimensional scale that represents a continuum of
      occupational engagement. The transformed POES sum score can be used on an
      interval scale to measure status and changes in occupational engagement in mental
      health practice and research.

PMID- 26286489
TI  - Sex offender risk assessment: A reexamination of the coffee can study.
AB  - There exists a valid concern among forensic psychology scholars that measures
      intended for sexual offenders have plateaued in their predictive accuracy. The
      current study examined this concern using the "coffee can" methodology of Kroner,
      Mills, and Reddon (2005). The Iowa Sex Offender Risk Assessment (ISORA8), Level
      of Service Inventory - Revised (LSI-R), and Static-99R were used to predict
      various methods of detected recidivism (general, sexual, and violent recidivism)
      as compared to three randomly generated measures and a weighted generated
      measure. Independent correlation and receiver operating characteristic
      comparisons found that in almost all cases, generated measures outperformed
      established measures. Analyses indicated that the current conceptualization of
      risk for sexual offenders has not been thoroughly integrated into established
      measures. Current measures appear incomplete, but have a clear and empirically
      noted ability to improve.

PMID- 26286490
TI  - [COPD management: what is essential?].

PMID- 26286491
TI  - [Factitia: artificial disorders from the internal medicine viewpoint].

PMID- 26286493
TI  - [What is your diagnosis?].

PMID- 26286495
TI  - [Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS)].
AB  - Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (BPS) is still an etiologically
      poorly understood chronic pain syndrome. BPS is a clinical diagnosis. The current
      treatment modalities are aimed at symptom relief because no cure is possible.
      Analgesics may be used at any point in treatment but preferably for short-term
      relief for flares or bladder pain. AUA has issued clinical practice guidelines
      with a stepwise approach. The first-line therapy begins with self-care and
      behavior modification. Physical therapy and oral medications such as
      amitriptyline, PPS, or antihistamines belong to the second-line therapy. Third
      line therapy requires cystoscopy and hydrodistension, treatment of Hunner
      lesions, or intravesical use of e.g. DMSO. Neuromodulation is considered a fourth
      line therapy in patients who have failed third-line treatments. Fifth-line
      therapies consist of intravesical injection of BoNT or oral cyclosporin A.
      Cystectomy is the sixth-line therapy and the treatment of last resort.

PMID- 26286494
TI  - Performance Measures in the Management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
      in Primary Care--A Retrospective Analysis.
AB  - RATIONALE: Adherence to recommendations regarding quality of care for chronic
      obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) improves outcome of patients. Performance
      measures (PM) reflect the quality of care but information about documentation of
      PM in primary care, is scant. AIM: To investigate the documentation of COPD PM in
      primary care practices of the Canton Zurich. METHOD: Twelve months retrospective
      medical chart review with physician of patients diagnosed COPD. PM were assessed
      by calculating the percentages of documented performance parameters. In addition,
      PM were compared with a practice running a structured COPD program. RESULTS: Data
      from 14 practices, total 115 patients, 57% male, mean age 68 (44-93) years, 46%
      active smokers, median pack-years 56 (range 22-150) were analyzed. Comorbidities
      were documented in 73%, GOLD grading in 70% (GOLD I 11%, GOLD II 64%, GOLD III
      21%, GOLD IV 4%). On average, patients were reported to have 1,4
      exacerbations/year. Documentation of PM ranged between 16% (written action plan
      for exacerbations) and 95% (smoking status). Documentation was identified for
      smoking cessation advice (74%), influenza vaccination/recommendation (49%),
      adequate pharmacotherapy (65%), inhalation instruction (57%), pulmonary
      rehabilitation advice (27%), collaborative care (60%) and proactive follow up
      (51%). The practice running the COPD program showed significant better
      documentation for all PM (p<0,01) but for influenza vaccination. CONCLUSION: In
      Swiss primary care gaps in documentation and tracking of COPD performance exist.
      Identifying and bridging these gaps is central for health care quality.

PMID- 26286496
TI  - ["Not to be taken lightly"].
AB  - A 78 year old patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus was hospitalized because of
      weakness and poor nutritional status. For several years, he suffered from an
      unintended weight loss and chronic, pulpy diarrhea. On examination, we found a
      severe loss of muscle and fat tissue as well as difficulty swallowing. An
      adequate nutritional therapy with combined parenteral and enteral nutrition was
      implemented under regular monitoring of electrolytes and volume status, under
      which the state of health improved noticeably, while steatorrhea improved under
      substitution of pancreatic enzymes.

PMID- 26286497
TI  - [Epidural steroids for lumbosacral radicular pain treatment is no better than an
      oral gabapentin].

PMID- 26286498
TI  - [Beta-lactam monotherapy in hospitalized pneumonia patients is not inferior to a
      combined therapy].

PMID- 26286500
TI  - [CME - Ultrasonography 65. Peripheral lung consolidation].

PMID- 26286503
TI  - Evolution and tinkering: what do a protein kinase, a transcriptional regulator
      and chromosome segregation/cell division proteins have in common?
AB  - In this study, we focus on functional interactions among multi-domain proteins
      which share a common evolutionary origin. The examples we develop are four
      Bacillus subtilis proteins, which all possess an ATP-binding Walker motif: the
      bacterial tyrosine kinase (BY-kinase) PtkA, the chromosome segregation protein
      Soj (ParA), the cell division protein MinD and a transcription regulator SalA.
      These proteins have arisen via duplication of the ancestral ATP-binding domain,
      which has undergone fusions with other functional domains in the process of
      divergent evolution. We point out that these four proteins, despite having very
      different physiological roles, engage in an unusually high number of binary
      functional interactions. Namely, MinD attracts Soj and PtkA to the cell pole, and
      in addition, activates the kinase function of PtkA. SalA also activates the
      kinase function of PtkA, and it gets phosphorylated by PtkA as well. The
      consequence of this phosphorylation is the activation of SalA as a
      transcriptional repressor. We hypothesize that these functional interactions
      remain preserved during divergent evolution and represent a constraint on the
      process of evolutionary "tinkering", brought about by fusions of different
      functional domains. 

PMID- 26286504
TI  - Effects of the Hybridization of Opioid and Neurotensin Pharmacophores on Cell
      Survival in Rat Organotypic Hippocampal Slice Cultures.
AB  - Several neurotransmitter and neuromodulatory systems can control physiological
      glutamatergic activity. For example, opioid receptor ligands were shown to
      partially inhibit N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor-dependent
      glutamatergic excitotoxicity. Also, the endogenous tridecapeptide neurotensin
      (NT) was found to modulate excessive glutamate release and glutamate receptor
      activity in neurons. Alternatively to the one target-one drug approach, it has
      been well documented that hybrid compounds encompassing two pharmacophores in one
      molecular scaffold can represent more potent drugs. Moreover, such structures
      with dual activity can potentially enable a reduction of undesirable side effects
      and/or improved bioavailability. Herein, we describe the neuroprotective
      potential of an opioid-NT hybrid peptide (PK20), which was recently designed and
      synthesized within our group. The protective properties of PK20, assessed in an
      in vitro model of excitotoxic injury in organotypic hippocampal slice cultures
      subjected to NMDA, were compared to the effects caused by NT. Our results
      indicate that PK20 is a potent anti-neurodegenerative agent. Moreover, co
      administered with NMDA, PK20 (25-100 ng/ml) dose-dependently reduced hippocampal
      cell death, determined by a decrease in the propidium iodide signal. We also
      report for the first time the significant NT-induced neuroprotective effect, as
      its application (50-100 ng/ml) to hippocampal slice cultures protected CA1 damage
      against neurotoxicity caused by NMDA.

PMID- 26286505
TI  - Effect of hospice care on quality indicators of end-of-life care among patients
      with liver cancer: a national longitudinal population-based study in Taiwan 2000
      2011.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Quality of near end-of-life (EOL) care is typically evaluated using
      six accepted quality indicators (QIs). Research has yet to evaluate the quality
      of EOL care for liver cancer patients in Taiwan. We evaluated the effect of
      hospice care on the quality of EOL care for patients with advanced liver cancer.
      METHODS: Using claims data obtained from the Taiwan National Health Insurance
      Research Database, we analyzed the QIs of EOL care for patients who died between
      2000 and 2011. Logistic regression was performed to identify predictors for QIs
      of EOL care. RESULTS: A total of 3092 adult patients died of liver cancer during
      the study period. The patients were divided into those who received hospice care
      for a period longer than 1 month (long-H group), shorter than 1 month (short-H
      group), and not at all (non-H group). There was no significant difference in
      survival probability among the three groups (p = 0.212). Compared with the non-H
      group, the long- and short-H groups exhibited a significantly lower risk of being
      admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) (odds ratios [ORs] = 0.25 and 0.26,
      respectively, p < 0.001) and requiring cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) during
      the final month of life (ORs = 0.21 and 0.09, respectively, p < 0.001). Compared
      with the non-H group, the short-H group had a higher risk of more than one
      emergency room (ER) visit, and more than one hospital admission (OR = 1.97, p =
      0.003; and OR = 1.56, p = 0.001, respectively), but the long-H group did not
      differed significantly from the non-H group on these measures. CONCLUSIONS:
      Patients with liver cancer who received hospice care were less likely to be
      admitted to ICUs or require CPR compared with those who received no hospice care.
      A longer duration of hospice care was associated with reduced risks of more than
      one ER visit and more than one hospital admission. We conclude that EOL cancer
      care in Taiwan might be improved by implementing policies encouraging early
      hospice referral programs.

PMID- 26286506
TI  - Protocol for a systematic review: understanding the motivations and barriers to
      uptake and use of female-initiated, primary biomedical HIV prevention
      technologies in sub-Saharan Africa.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Women in sub-Saharan Africa are disproportionately affected by high
      rates of HIV, yet relatively few products exist for female-initiated HIV
      prevention. New antiretroviral (ARV)-based prevention options could present
      opportunities for women to expand their HIV prevention choices; however,
      acceptability and adherence play a key role in the effectiveness of these
      products and implementation is still in early stages. To better understand which
      HIV prevention options might best serve women in sub-Saharan Africa, how and why,
      this review will explore qualitative evidence from clinical trials and
      implementation studies alike using a meta-ethnographic approach to synthesise
      data and interpret results. METHODS/DESIGN: This systematic review will use a
      meta-ethnographic approach to analyse qualitative data extracted from multiple
      studies featuring actual use of female-initiated technologies for HIV prevention.
      The search strategy will be applied in seven databases and papers will be
      selected using strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. The review will closely
      follow the guidance set forth by preferred reporting items for systematic reviews
      and meta-analyses (PRISMA) and Centre for Reviews Dissemination (CRD) where the
      guidance applies to qualitative data. Two reviewers will review all papers during
      the paper selection phase, with consultation from a third reviewer to confirm
      consensus. All papers included in the review will be read and analysed by two
      reviewers. The final analysis will be conducted by three primary reviewers with
      additional input from all other authors. DISCUSSION: With new HIV prevention
      technologies currently in early implementation phases and still more on the
      horizon, there is much to learn about how best these products may be delivered. A
      review such as this could help to inform the real-world implementation of the
      next wave of new HIV prevention technologies such as ARV-based oral pre-exposure
      prophylaxis (PrEP).

PMID- 26286507
TI  - Advanced Oxidation Protein Products as a Novel Marker of Oxidative Stress in
      Postmenopausal Osteoporosis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs) are acknowledged as a
      novel marker of oxidation-mediated protein damage. This study aimed to
      investigate the plasma levels of AOPPs in postmenopausal osteoporotic women, and
      to determine the relationship between AOPPs accumulation and lumbar bone mineral
      destiny (BMD) or bone turnover markers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Lumbar BMD was
      measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Plasma AOPPs levels as a marker of
      protein oxidation damage and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels as a marker of lipid
      peroxidation were measured by spectrophotometry. The concentrations of 2 specific
      markers of bone turnover, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP) and tartrate
      resistant acid phosphatase5b, (TRACP 5b) were quantified using ELISA kits.
      RESULTS: We recruited 60 postmenopausal women meeting osteoporosis (OP)
      diagnostic criteria of World Health Organization (WHO) and 60 postmenopausal
      women without OP. Plasma levels of AOPPs (P<0.001), BALP (P<0.001) and TRACP 5b
      (P<0.001) were statistically significantly increased in the postmenopausal
      osteoporotic women compared with controls, but there was no statistically
      significant difference in MDA (P=0.124) between the 2 groups. Plasma AOPPs levels
      were negatively correlated with lumbar BMD and positively correlated with bone
      turnover markers both in postmenopausal osteoporotic women and in all subjects.
      However, plasma MDA levels were not correlated with lumbar BMD or bone turnover
      markers. CONCLUSIONS: In postmenopausal osteoporotic women elevated AOPPs is
      associated with reduced BMD and increased bone turnover markers. Because AOPPs is
      stable and easy to detect it may be used as a simple plasma marker to predict the
      severity of postmenopausal OP.

PMID- 26286508
TI  - Herboxidiene biosynthesis, production, and structural modifications: prospect for
      hybrids with related polyketide.
AB  - Herboxidiene is a polyketide with a diverse range of activities, including
      herbicidal, anti-cholesterol, and pre-mRNA splicing inhibitory effects. Thus,
      production of the compound on the industrial scale is in high demand, and various
      rational metabolic engineering approaches have been employed to enhance the
      yield. Directing the precursors and cofactors pool toward the production of
      polyketide compounds provides a rationale for developing a good host for
      polyketide production. Due to multiple promising biological activities, the
      production of a number of herboxidiene derivatives has been attempted in recent
      years in a search for the key to improve its potency and to introduce new
      activities. Structural diversification through combinatorial biosynthesis was
      attempted, utilizing the heterologous expression of substrate-flexible
      glucosyltransferase (GT) and cytochrome P450 in Streptomyces chromofuscus to
      generate structurally and functionally diverse derivatives of herboxidiene. The
      successful attempt confirmed that the strain was amenable to heterologous
      expression of foreign polyketide synthase (PKS) or post-PKS modification genes,
      providing the foundation for generating novel or hybrid polyketides. 

PMID- 26286509
TI  - Efficiency of hepatitis A virus removal in six sewage treatment plants from
      central Tunisia.
AB  - The efficiency of six Tunisian sewage treatment plants (STP) for the removal of
      hepatitis A virus (HAV) from wastewater was analysed in order to evaluate the
      potential risk for human health linked to reuse or discharge of treated
      wastewater into the environment. The STP utilize different biological wastewater
      treatments including primary treatment, which involves the physical removal of
      organic and inorganic solids, and secondary treatment that involves different
      processes, such as activated sludge or lagoon. Quantitative real-time reverse
      transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and conventional RT-PCR were
      used for the analysis of the 325 wastewater samples (163 raw and 162 treated)
      obtained. Results revealed highest contamination in west-central of Tunisia in
      raw wastewater with 62.96 % of samples positive for HAV and predominance during
      winter and autumn, whereas east-central region showed 50.62 % of positive samples
      with high prevalence from winter through summer. The quantitative analysis
      revealed a range between 4.29 * 10(1) and 1.24 * 10(5) RNA copies/mL in treated
      wastewater, showing clearly the inefficiency for total removal of HAV regardless
      of the treatment method used. The vast majority of HAV sequences belonged to the
      sub-genotype IA, except one that was assigned to sub-genotype IB. 

PMID- 26286510
TI  - Effects of constant or dynamic low anode potentials on microbial community
      development in bioelectrochemical systems.
AB  - In bioelectrochemical systems, exoelectrogenic bacteria respire with anode
      electrodes as their extracellular electron acceptor; therefore, lower anode
      potentials can reduce the energy gain to each microbe and select against ones
      that are not able to respire at a lower potential range. Often fully developed
      anode communities are compared across bioelectrochemical systems with set anode
      potentials or fixed external resistances as different operational conditions.
      However, the comparative effect of the resulting constantly low versus
      dynamically low anode potentials on the development of anode microbial
      communities as well as the final cathode microbial communities has not been
      directly demonstrated. In this study, we used a low fixed anode potential of -250
      mV and a higher-current control potential of -119 mV vs. Standard Hydrogen
      Electrode to approximately correspond with the negative peak anode potential
      values obtained from microbial fuel cells operated with fixed external
      resistances of 1 kOmega and 47 Omega, respectively. Pyrosequencing data from a 2
      month time series show that a lower set anode potential resulted in a more
      diverse community than the higher- and variable-potential systems, likely due to
      the hindered enrichment of a Geobacter-dominated community with limited energy
      gain at this set potential. In this case, it appears that the selective pressure
      caused by the low set potential was counteracted by the low energy gain over a 2
      month time scale. The air cathode microbial community with constant low anode
      potentials showed delayed enrichment of denitrifiers or perchlorate-reducing
      bacteria compared to the fixed external resistance condition.

PMID- 26286511
TI  - Substrate sources regulate spatial variation of metabolically active methanogens
      from two contrasting freshwater wetlands.
AB  - There is ample evidence that methane (CH4) emissions from natural wetlands
      exhibit large spatial variations at a field scale. However, little is known about
      the metabolically active methanogens mediating these differences. We explored the
      spatial patterns in active methanogens of summer inundated Calamagrostis
      angustifolia marsh with low CH4 emissions and permanently inundated Carex
      lasiocarpa marsh with high CH4 emissions in Sanjiang Plain, China. In C.
      angustifolia marsh, the addition of (13)C-acetate significantly increased the CH4
      production rate, and Methanosarcinaceae methanogens were found to participate in
      the consumption of acetate. In C. lasiocarpa marsh, there was no apparent
      increase in the CH4 production rate and no methanogen species were labeled with
      (13)C. When (13)CO2-H2 was added, however, CH4 production was found to be due to
      Fen Cluster (Methanomicrobiales) in C. angustifolia marsh and Methanobacterium
      Cluster B (Methanobacteriaceae) together with Fen Cluster in C. lasiocarpa marsh.
      These results suggested that CH4 was produced primarily by hydrogenotrophic
      methanogens using substrates mainly derived from plant litter in C. lasiocarpa
      marsh and by both hydrogenotrophic and acetoclastic methanogens using substrates
      mainly derived from root exudate in C. angustifolia marsh. The significantly
      lower CH4 emissions measured in situ in C. angustifolia marsh was primarily due
      to a deficiency of substrates compared to C. lasiocarpa marsh. Therefore, we
      speculate that the substrate source regulates both the type of active methanogens
      and the CH4 production pathway and consequently contributes to the spatial
      variations in CH4 productions observed in these freshwater marshes. 

PMID- 26286512
TI  - Effect of inoculum and sulfide type on simultaneous hydrogen sulfide removal from
      biogas and nitrogen removal from swine slurry and microbial mechanism.
AB  - Four reactors were initiated to study the effect of inoculum and sulfide type on
      the simultaneous hydrogen sulfide removal from biogas and nitrogen removal from
      swine slurry (Ssu-Nir) process. Anaerobic sludge, aerobic sludge, and water were
      used as inocula, and Na2S and biogas were used as a sulfide substrate,
      respectively. Additionally, 454 pyrosequencing of the 16S rRNA gene was used to
      explore the bacterial diversity. The results showed that sulfur-oxidizing
      bacteria (Thiobacillus, 42.2-84.4 %) were dominant in Ssu-Nir process and led to
      the excellent performance. Aerobic sludge was more suitable for inoculation of
      the Ssu-Nir process because it is better for rapidly enriching dominant sulfur
      oxidizing bacteria (Thiobacillus, 54.4 %), denitrifying sulfur-oxidizing bacteria
      (40.0 %) and denitrifiers (23.9 %). Lower S(2-) removal efficiency (72.6 %) and
      NO3 (-) removal efficiency (<90 %) of the Ssu-Nir process were obtained using
      biogas as a sulfide substrate than when Na2S was used. For the Ssu-Nir process
      with biogas as the sulfide substrate, limiting H2S absorption caused a high
      relative abundance of sulfur-oxidizing bacteria, Thiobacillus (84.8 %) and
      Thiobacillus sayanicus (39.6 %), which in turn led to low relative abundance of
      denitrifiers (1.6 %) and denitrifying sulfur-oxidizing bacteria (24.4 %), low NO3
      (-) removal efficiency, and eventually poor performance. 

PMID- 26286513
TI  - Evaluation of soil bioremediation techniques in an aged diesel spill at the
      Antarctic Peninsula.
AB  - Many areas on the Antarctic continent already suffer from the direct and indirect
      influences of human activities. The main cause of contamination is petroleum
      hydrocarbons because this compound is used as a source of energy at the many
      research stations around the continent. Thus, the current study aims to evaluate
      treatments for bioremediation (biostimulation, bioaugmentation, and
      bioaugmentation + biostimulation) using soils from around the Brazilian Antarctic
      Station "Comandante Ferraz" (EACF), King George Island, Antarctic Peninsula. The
      experiment lasted for 45 days, and at the end of this period, chemical and
      molecular analyses were performed. Those analyses included the quantification of
      carbon and nitrogen, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis
      (with gradient denaturation), real-time PCR, and quantification of total
      hydrocarbons and polyaromatics. Molecular tests evaluated changes in the profile
      and quantity of the rrs genes of archaea and bacteria and also the alkB gene. The
      influence of the treatments tested was directly related to the type of soil used.
      The work confirmed that despite the extreme conditions found in Antarctic soils,
      the bacterial strains degraded hydrocarbons and bioremediation treatments
      directly influenced the microbial communities present in these soils even in
      short periods. Although the majority of the previous studies demonstrate that the
      addition of fertilizer seems to be most effective at promoting bioremediation,
      our results show that for some conditions, autochthonous bioaugmentation (ABA)
      treatment is indicated. This work highlights the importance of understanding the
      processes of recovery of contaminated environments in polar regions because time
      is crucial to the soil recovery and to choosing the appropriate treatment. 

PMID- 26286514
TI  - Mechanisms of fatty acid synthesis in marine fungus-like protists.
AB  - Thraustochytrids are unicellular fungus-like protists and are well known for
      their ability to produce interesting nutraceutical compounds. Significant efforts
      have been made to improve their efficient production of important fatty acids
      (FAs), mostly by optimizing fermentation conditions and selecting highly
      productive thraustochytrid strains. Furthermore, noticeable improvements have
      been made in understanding the mechanism of FA biosynthesis, allowing for a
      better understanding of how thraustochytrids assemble these unique metabolites
      and how their biosynthesis is coupled with other related pathways. This review
      summarizes recent achievements on two major FA biosynthesis pathways, the
      standard pathway and the polyketide synthase pathway, and detail features of
      individual enzymes involved in FA biosynthesis, biotechnological advances in
      pathway engineering and enzyme characterization, and the discovery of other
      pathways that affect the efficiency of FA accumulation. Perspectives of
      biotechnological potential application of thraustochytrids are also discussed.

PMID- 26286515
TI  - Microbial community in a hydrogenotrophic denitrification reactor based on
      pyrosequencing.
AB  - Effects of some key factors on hydrogenotrophic denitrification were investigated
      in lab-scale bioreactors. Results indicated that optimum biomass loading, pH
      value, temperature, nitrate loading, and C/N ratio in this study were optical
      density at 600 nm (OD600) of 0.173, 6.0~7.0, 35  degrees C, 105 mg L(-1), and 30,
      respectively. To obtain a better understanding of microbial community in the
      bioreactors, the 454-pyrosequencing technology was used to characterize the 16S
      ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) gene of bacteria in selected samples Y1 and Y2, in which
      a total of 62,559 effective sequences (36,445 in Y1 and 26,114 in Y2) were
      obtained. The taxonomic complexities in two samples were compared at
      phylum/class/genus levels. In total, 41 bacterial phyla, 43 bacterial classes,
      and 312 genera were detected, where phylum Firmicutes, class Clostridia were most
      abundant. Genus Proteiniclasticum was predominant among the top 100 genera. This
      work aims to add some novel insights into hydrogenotrophic denitrification
      process and its microbial community structures in bioreactors. 

PMID- 26286517
TI  - Erratum: Robust disruptions in electroencephalogram cortical oscillations and
      large-scale functional networks in autism.

PMID- 26286516
TI  - Divergent cerebrospinal fluid cytokine network induced by non-viral and different
      viral infections on the central nervous system.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Meningoencephalitis is one of the most common disorders of the
      central nervous system (CNS) worldwide. Viral meningoencephalitis differs from
      bacterial meningitis in several aspects. In some developing countries, bacterial
      meningitis has appropriate clinical management and chemotherapy is available.
      Virus-associated and virus not detected meningoencephalitis are treatable,
      however, they may cause death in a few cases. The knowledge of how mediators of
      inflammation can induce disease would contribute for the design of affordable
      therapeutic strategies, as well as to the diagnosis of virus not detected and
      viral meningoencephalitis. Cytokine-induced inflammation to CNS requires several
      factors that are not fully understood yet. METHODS: Considering this, several
      cytokines were measured in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with
      undiagnosed and viral meningoencephalitis, and these were correlated with
      cellularity in the CSF. RESULTS: The results demonstrate that an altered
      biochemical profile alongside increased cellularity in the cerebrospinal fluid is
      a feature of patients with meningoencephalitis that are not associated with the
      detection of virus in the CNS (P < 0.05). Moreover, HIV-positive patients (n =
      10) that evolve with meningoencephalitis display a distinct
      biochemical/cytological profile (P < 0.05) in the cerebrospinal fluid.
      Meningoencephalitis brings about a prominent intrathecal cytokine storm
      regardless of the detection of virus as presumable etiological agent. In the case
      of Enterovirus infection (n = 13), meningoencephalitis elicits robust intrathecal
      pro-inflammatory cytokine pattern and elevated cellularity when compared to
      herpesvirus (n = 15) and Arbovirus (n = 5) viral infections (P < 0.05).
      CONCLUSION: Differences in the cytokine profile of the CSF may be unique if
      distinct, viral or presumably non-viral pathways initially trigger the
      inflammatory response in the CNS.

PMID- 26286518
TI  - Close concordance between pulmonary angiography and pathology in a canine model
      with chronic pulmonary thromboembolism and pathological mechanisms after lung
      ischemia reperfusion injury.
AB  - To investigate the pulmonary angiography and pathology in a canine model with
      chronic pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE). The cylindrical blood clots were
      selectively introduced into the left (n = 10) or right (n = 20) lower pulmonary
      arteries of dogs. Pulmonary arteriography (PA) was performed before or after
      embolization. The values after embolization and baseline of mean pulmonary
      arterial pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance, cardiac output had changed.
      After 1 or 2 weeks' embolization, local PA demonstrated the abrupt cut-off
      perfusion defects or webs, bands, and abrupt vascular narrowing. 2 weeks after
      embolization, the pathology showed that the fibrin networks of the thrombi had
      multiple recanalization channels, and pulmonary artery had the concentric,
      lamellar (onion-like) intimal hyperplasia, multilayered, irregular arrangements
      of endothelial cells, and the infiltration of inflammatory cells. After
      embolectomy-mediated reperfusion, 2 weeks' subgroup showed destroyed and
      incomplete alveolar structures, and a large number of exudative cells, primarily
      neutrophils, and exudate. There close concordance between pulmonary angiography
      and pathology in a canine model with chronic PTE. The LIRI mechanisms after
      embolectomy-mediated reperfusion involve the destroyed, incomplete alveolar
      structures, and infiltration of inflammatory cells, primarily neutrophils.

PMID- 26286519
TI  - "The keeping is the problem": A qualitative study of IRB-member perspectives in
      Botswana on the collection, use, and storage of human biological samples for
      research.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Concurrent with efforts to establish national and regional
      biorepositories in Africa is widespread endorsement of ethics committees as
      stewards of the interests of individual donors and their communities. To date,
      ethics training programs for IRB members in Botswana have focused on ethical
      principles and international guidelines rather than on the ethical dimensions of
      specific medical technologies and research methodologies. Little is known about
      the knowledge and concerns of current and prospective IRB members in Botswana
      with respect to export, reuse, storage, and benefit-sharing of biospecimens.
      METHODS: This qualitative study examined perspectives of IRB members in Botswana
      about the collection and use of biospecimens in research. Forty-one IRB members
      representing five committees in Botswana participated in discussions groups in
      March 2013. Transcriptions of audiotapes and field notes were analyzed to
      identify issues of concern that might be alleviated through education and
      capacity-building, and areas that required ongoing discussion or additional
      regulatory guidance. RESULTS: Areas of concern included lack of understanding
      among patients and providers about the use of biospecimens in clinical care and
      research; reuse of biospecimens, particularly issues of consent, ownership and
      decision-making; export of specimens and loss of control over reuse and potential
      benefits; and felt need for regulatory guidance and IRB-member training. Local
      belief systems about bodily integrity and strong national identity in the
      construct of benefits may be at odds with initiatives that involve foreign
      biorepositories or consider such collections to be global public goods.
      CONCLUSION: Education is needed to strengthen IRB-member capacity to review and
      monitor protocols calling for the collection and use of biospecimens, guided by
      clear national policy on priority-setting, partnerships, review, and oversight.
      Engagement with local stakeholders is needed to harmonize fundamentally different
      ways of understanding the human body and community identity with the aims of
      contemporary biomedicine.

PMID- 26286520
TI  - A body shape index and body roundness index: two new body indices to identify
      diabetes mellitus among rural populations in northeast China.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Body Mass Index (BMI) has long been used as an anthropometric
      measurement. Waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) have been
      proposed as alternatives to BMI. Recently, two new anthropometric indices, the A
      Body Shape Index (ABSI) and Body Roundness Index (BRI) have been developed as
      possible improved alternatives to BMI and WC. The main research aim is to assess
      the capacity of the ABSI and BRI to identify subjects with diabetes mellitus (DM)
      and the secondary aim is to determine whether ABSI and/or BRI is superior to the
      traditional body indices (BMI, WC, and WHtR). METHODS AND RESULTS: This cross
      sectional study was conducted in the rural areas of northeast China from January
      2012 to August 2013, and the final analysis included data obtained form 5253 men
      and 6092 women. 1182 participants (10.4 %) suffered from DM. Spearman rank test
      showed that BRI and WHtR showed the highest Spearman correlation coefficient for
      DM whereas ABSI showed the lowest. The prevalence of DM increased across
      quartiles for ABSI, BMI, BRI, WC and WHtR. A multivariate logistic regression
      analysis of the presence of DM for the highest quartile vs. the lowest quartile
      of each anthropometric measure, showed that the WHtR was the best predictor of DM
      (OR: 2.40, 95 % CI: 1.42-3.39 in men; OR: 2.67, 95 % CI: 1.60-3.74 in women, both
      P < 0.001), and the ABSI was the poorest predictor of DM (OR: 1.51, 95 % CI: 1.05
      1.97 in men; OR: 1.55, 95 % CI: 1.07-2.04 in women, both P < 0.05). ABSI showed
      the lowest AUCs (AUC: 0.61, 95 % CI: 0.58-0.63 for men; AUC: 0.61, 95 % CI: 0.59
      0.63 for women) for DM in both sexes, while BRI (AUC: 0.66, 95 % CI: 0.63-0.68
      for men; AUC: 0.67, 95 % CI: 0.65-0.69 for women) had high AUCs for DM that
      equaled those of WHtR. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed neither ABSI nor BRI were
      superior to BMI, WC, or WHtR for predicting the presence of DM. ABSI showed the
      weakest predictive ability, while BRI showed potential for use as an alternative
      obesity measure in assessment of DM.

PMID- 26286521
TI  - Melatonin, quercetin and resveratrol attenuates oxidative hepatocellular injury
      in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.
AB  - In this study, effects of melatonin, quercetin and resveratrol on hepatocellular
      injury in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced experimental diabetes were aimed to be
      investigated by histological and biochemical methods. Thirty-five male Wistar
      albino rats were divided into five groups, namely, control, diabetes (STZ 45
      mg/kg/single dose/intraperitoneally (ip)), diabetes + melatonin (10 mg/kg/30
      days/ip), diabetes + quercetin (25 mg/kg/30 days/ip) and diabetes + resveratrol
      (10 mg/kg/30 days/ip). Initial and final blood glucose levels and body weights
      (BWs) were measured. At the end of the experimentation, following routine tissue
      processing procedure, sections were stained with haematoxylin-eosin (H-E),
      periodic acid Schiff and Masson's trichrome. Tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) and
      glutathione (GSH) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT)
      activities were examined. The diabetic rats had significantly higher blood
      glucose levels than those of control rats (p = 0.0001). Mean BWs of diabetic rats
      were significantly decreased when compared with the control rats (p = 0.0013).
      Histopathological alterations including cellular glycogen depletion, congestion,
      sinusoidal dilatation, inflammation and fibrosis were detected in diabetes group.
      On the other hand, histopathological changes markedly reduced in all of the
      treatment groups (p = 0.001). Mean tissue MDA level was increased but mean tissue
      CAT and SOD activities and GSH levels were decreased in the diabetes group.
      Melatonin, quercetin and resveratrol administered diabetic rats showed an
      increase in CAT activities and GSH levels and a decrease in MDA levels (p < 0.05,
      for all). Melatonin, quercetin and resveratrol administrations markedly reduced
      hepatocellular injury in STZ-induced experimental diabetes. 

PMID- 26286522
TI  - Glucose uptake through translocation and activation of GLUT4 in PI3K/Akt
      signaling pathway by asiatic acid in diabetic rats.
AB  - In this study, we examined the in vivo effect and the mechanism of asiatic acid
      (AA) on glucose uptake in an insulin target skeletal muscle. Diabetic rats showed
      significantly increased levels of plasma glucose, thiobarbituric acid reactive
      substances, and lipid hydroperoxides, decreased levels of insulin and
      antioxidants, and impairment in insulin-signaling proteins such as insulin
      receptor (IR), insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1/2, phosphoinositide 3-kinase
      (PI3K), Akt, and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) proteins. Oral treatment with AA
      (20 mg/kg body weight) showed near-normalized levels of plasma glucose, lipid
      peroxidation products, and antioxidants and improved insulin, IR, IRS-1/2, PI3K,
      Akt, and GLUT4 proteins. These findings suggest that AA improves glucose response
      by increasing GLUT4 in skeletal muscle through Akt and antioxidant defense in
      plasma and it also improves glucose homeostasis. 

PMID- 26286523
TI  - Enicostemma littorale prevents tumor formation in 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene
      induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis.
AB  - Oral cancer is one of the most common malignancies worldwide, and India has
      recorded the highest annual incidence of oral cancer in comparison with other
      countries. Altered lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status along with defect in
      detoxification cascade have been implicated in the pathogenesis of several
      cancers including oral cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the
      chemopreventive potential of ethanolic extract of Enicostemma littorale leaves
      (ElELet) in 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-induced hamster buccal pouch
      carcinogenesis. Oral tumor was developed in the buccal pouches of male golden
      Syrian hamsters by painting with 0.5% DMBA three times a week for 14 weeks. We
      observed 100% tumor formation with increase in tumor volume and tumor burden in
      the hamsters treated with DMBA alone. Imbalance in phase I (cytochrome P450 and
      cytochrome b5) and phase II (glutathione reductase, glutathione-S-transferase,
      glutathione, and Deoxythymidine-diaphorase (DT)-diaphorase) detoxification agents
      and lipid peroxidation by-products (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) and
      antioxidant (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and vitamins
      E and C) status was noticed in hamsters treated with DMBA alone. Oral
      administration of ElELet at a dose of 250 mg/kg body weight to hamsters treated
      with DMBA significantly prevented both precancerous and cancerous lesions in the
      oral cavity. ElELet modulated the status of phase I and II detoxification agents
      and antioxidants in favor of the suppression of oral carcinogenesis. This study
      thus suggests that E. littorale might have inhibited the oral carcinogenesis in
      DMBA-treated hamsters through its antioxidant potential. The present findings are
      also substantiated by histological studies during DMBA-induced oral
      carcinogenesis. 

PMID- 26286524
TI  - Beyond the 5-HT3 receptors: A role for alpha7nACh receptors in neuroprotective
      aspects of tropisetron.
AB  - Accumulation of reactive oxygen species, such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2),
      generated by inflammatory cells or other pathological conditions, leads to
      oxidative stress, which may contribute to the neuronal degeneration observed in a
      wide variety of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. Recent
      investigations have described effective properties of tropisetron, such as
      antiphlogistic action or protection against beta-amyloid induced
      neuroinflammation in rats. Our data revealed that H2O2-induced cell death in rat
      pheochromocytoma cell line (PC12) can be inhibited by tropisetron, as defined by
      3-[4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay, caspase 3
      and caspase 12 levels. We further showed that tropisetron exerts its protective
      effects by upregulation of heme oxygenase-1, glutathione, catalase activity, and
      nuclear factor-erythroid 2 p45-related factor 2 level. Moreover, tropisetron was
      recently found to be a partial agonist of alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor
      (alpha7nAChR). The activation of alpha7nAChR could inhibit inflammatory and
      apoptotic signaling pathways in the oxidative stress conditions. In this study,
      selective alpha7nAChR antagonists (methyllycaconitine) reversed the effects of
      tropisetron on caspase 3 level. Our findings indicated that tropisetron can
      protect PC12 cells against H2O2-induced neurotoxicity through alpha7nAChR in
      vitro. 

PMID- 26286525
TI  - Identification of hepatitis B and C screening and patient management guidelines
      and availability of training for chronic viral hepatitis among health
      professionals in six European countries: results of a semi-quantitative survey.
AB  - BACKGROUND: As part of the EU funded project "HEPscreen", the aim of this study
      is to identify hepatitis B and C screening and patient management guidelines, to
      assess the awareness of these among health professionals (HPs) and to explore the
      availability of hepatitis B/C training programmes for HPs in Germany, Italy, the
      Netherlands, the UK, Spain and Hungary. METHODS: A comprehensive literature
      search through the main scientific databases was performed to retrieve
      guidelines, following which an online survey was developed and sent to HPs in six
      areas of health care, including public health, to verify whether HPs are aware of
      these guidelines, to retrieve additional guidelines and to find out whether
      specific professional training is available. RESULTS: Twelve national guidelines
      were identified through the literature search. Of the 268 respondents, 80 % were
      aware of hepatitis B guidelines and 73 % were aware of hepatitis C guidelines in
      their country. The national guidelines identified through the literature search
      were mentioned by 1/3 of HPs in the UK and Germany, 13 % of HPs in the
      Netherlands, 14 % in Italy and 4 % in Spain. An additional 41 hepatitis B/C
      related guidance documents were retrieved through the online survey: 15 in the
      UK, seven in Hungary, six in Italy, five in the Netherlands, four in Germany and
      four in Spain. Availability of training programmes to improve skills and
      knowledge in viral hepatitis was most often reported in the Netherlands, with 82
      % indicating availability and just 10 % indicating no availability, and least
      commonly in Italy, with 42 % indicating yes but 40 % indicating no. Availability
      was also reported by the majority in the UK, Hungary and Spain, while in Germany
      the majority selected unsure. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that the scientific
      databases are not the most important information source of best clinical practice
      for many HPs. Implementation of best practices requires that guidelines are
      specifically designed and actively promoted among those who are to follow them.
      Training can disseminate these best practice recommendations and raise awareness
      of guidelines. It is therefore encouraging that diverse training about hepatitis
      B/C is available to the different professional groups.

PMID- 26286527
TI  - Appropriate timing and intensity of PC6 stimulation for the prevention of
      postoperative nausea and vomiting.

PMID- 26286526
TI  - Cost of care and social consequences of very low birth weight infants without
      premature- related morbidities in Italy.
AB  - Aim of this study was to estimate the cost that is borne by the Italian National
      Health Service, families, and social security due to very low birth weight
      infants (VLBWIs) without prematurity-related morbidities up to the age of 18
      months. We followed up on 150 VLBWIs and 145 comparable full-term infants (FTIs)
      who were born in one of 25 different neonatal intensive care units upon discharge
      from the hospital and at six and 18 months of age. The average length of the
      primary hospitalisation of the VLBWIs was 59.7 days (SD 21.6 days), with a total
      cost of ?20,502 (SD ?8409), compared with three days (SD 0.4 days) with a total
      cost of ?907 (SD ?304) for the FTIs. The total societal cost of the VLBWIs for
      the first 18 months of life was ?58,098 (SD ?21,625), while the corresponding
      figure for FTIs was ?24,209 (SD ?15,557). Among VLBWIs, both low birth weight and
      gestational age were correlated with the length of hospitalisation after birth
      (r(2) = 0.61 and r(2) = 0.57, respectively; p values < 0.0005). Our findings
      highlight that the existing DRGs and tariffs inadequately reflect the actual
      costs for Italian National Health Service.

PMID- 26286529
TI  - Oxidant-Controlled Catalytic Transformations of Phenols with Unexpected Cleavage
      of Aromatic Rings.
AB  - Oxidative transformations of phenols have attracted significant attention of
      chemists due to their importance in biological process and organic synthesis. In
      contrast to the relatively well-developed oxygenation and coupling reactions of
      phenols, the highly efficient and selective oxidative ring cleavage of phenols is
      under-represented. This work describes a novel CuCl-catalyzed tandem
      homocoupling/skeletal rearrangement of phenols that realizes the cleavage of the
      phenol ring by using air or Ag2CO3 as the oxidant. Interestingly, simply changing
      the oxidant to K2S2O8 results in the oxidative coupling/cyclization of phenols to
      give dibenzofurans. These results set an important precedent of oxidant
      controlled catalytic transformations of phenols.

PMID- 26286528
TI  - Identification of inhibitors that target dual-specificity phosphatase 5 provide
      new insights into the binding requirements for the two phosphate pockets.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Dual-specificity phosphatase-5 (DUSP5) plays a central role in
      vascular development and disease. We present a p-nitrophenol phosphate (pNPP)
      based enzymatic assay to screen for inhibitors of the phosphatase domain of
      DUSP5. METHODS: pNPP is a mimic of the phosphorylated tyrosine on the ERK2
      substrate (pERK2) and binds the DUSP5 phosphatase domain with a Km of 7.6 +/- 0.4
      mM. Docking followed by inhibitor verification using the pNPP assay identified a
      series of polysulfonated aromatic inhibitors that occupy the DUSP5 active site in
      the region that is likely occupied by the dual-phosphorylated ERK2 substrate
      tripeptide (pThr-Glu-pTyr). Secondary assays were performed with full length
      DUSP5 with ERK2 as substrate. RESULTS: The most potent inhibitor has a
      naphthalene trisulfonate (NTS) core. A search for similar compounds in a drug
      database identified suramin, a dimerized form of NTS. While suramin appears to be
      a potent and competitive inhibitor (25 +/- 5 MUM), binding to the DUSP5
      phosphatase domain more tightly than the monomeric ligands of which it is
      comprised, it also aggregates. Further ligand-based screening, based on a
      pharmacophore derived from the 7 A separation of sulfonates on inhibitors and on
      sulfates present in the DUSP5 crystal structure, identified a disulfonated and
      phenolic naphthalene inhibitor (CSD (3) _2320) with IC50 of 33 MUM that is
      similar to NTS and does not aggregate. CONCLUSIONS: The new DUSP5 inhibitors we
      identify in this study typically have sulfonates 7 A apart, likely positioning
      them where the two phosphates of the substrate peptide (pThr-Glu-pTyr) bind, with
      one inhibitor also positioning a phenolic hydroxyl where the water nucleophile
      may reside. Polysulfonated aromatic compounds do not commonly appear in drugs and
      have a tendency to aggregate. One FDA-approved polysulfonated drug, suramin,
      inhibits DUSP5 and also aggregates. Docking and modeling studies presented herein
      identify polysulfonated aromatic inhibitors that do not aggregate, and provide
      insights to guide future design of mimics of the dual-phosphate loops of the ERK
      substrates for DUSPs.

PMID- 26286530
TI  - Reclassification of Angiococcus disciformis, Cystobacter minus and Cystobacter
      violaceus as Archangium disciforme comb. nov., Archangium minus comb. nov. and
      Archangium violaceum comb. nov., unification of the families Archangiaceae and
      Cystobacteraceae, and emended descriptions of the families Myxococcaceae and
      Archangiaceae.
AB  - The species Archangium gephyra, Angiococcus disciformis, Cystobacter minus and
      Cystobacter violaceus are currently classified in three different genera of the
      order Myxococcales. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of the respective type strains
      show a similarity higher than 98.4 % and form a tight phylogenetic group. A
      dendrogram calculating the similarity of MALDI-TOF spectra confirmed the close
      relatedness of the four species that grouped in a monophyletic cluster in the
      neighbourhood of other species of the genus Cystobacter. The type strains shared
      similar fatty acid patterns of high complexity with iso-C15 : 0, C16 : 1omega5c
      and iso-C14 : 0 3-OH as the major components. The vegetative cells of these
      species are uniformly long needle-shaped rods, and the myxospores are short rods,
      ovoid or irregularly spherical thus differing from the myxospores of species
      related to Cystobacter fuscus, the type species of this genus. Some enzymic and
      hydrolysing reactions of the type strains are described. As a result of the high
      relatedness and similarity of the four species, it is proposed to place them into
      one genus, and due to phylogenetic and morphological distinctness, the species
      should be classified in a genus distinct from the genus Cystobacter as Archangium
      gephyra (type strain M18T = DSM 2261T = ATCC 25201T = NBRC 100087T), Archangium
      disciforme comb. nov. (type strain CMU 1T = DSM 52716T = ATCC 33172T), Archangium
      minus comb. nov. (proposed neotype strain Cb m2 = DSM 14751 = JCM 12627) and
      Archangium violaceum comb. nov. (type strain Cb vi61T = DSM 14727T = CIP 109131T
      = JCM 12629T). Since the family ArchangiaceaeJahn 1924 AL has priority over the
      family CystobacteraceaeMcCurdy 1970 AL, it is proposed to assign the genera
      Archangium, Anaeromyxobacter, Cystobacter, Hyalangium, Melittangium and
      Stigmatella to the family Archangiaceae. Emended descriptions of the families
      Myxococcaceae and Archangiaceae are also provided.

PMID- 26286531
TI  - Cannabis use in first episode psychosis: Meta-analysis of prevalence, and the
      time course of initiation and continued use.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Cannabis use is prevalent among people with first episode psychosis
      and the epidemiology of its use in early psychosis is unclear. We performed a
      meta-analysis of observational studies to determine; (1) the interval between age
      at initiation of cannabis use and age at onset of first episode psychosis, (2)
      the prevalence of cannabis use at time of first episode psychosis, and (3) the
      odds of continuing cannabis following treatment for first episode psychosis. DATA
      SOURCES: Search of electronic databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Web of Science
      and CINAHL for English-language papers using search terms (psychosis OR
      schizophrenia) AND (cannabis OR marijuana) IN (title OR keyword OR abstract),
      current to October 2014. STUDY SELECTION: Studies were included if they reported
      on prevalence of current cannabis use in first episode psychosis cohorts. A total
      of 37 samples were included for meta-analysis. DATA EXTRACTION: Rates of cannabis
      use in each sample were extracted to determine prevalence estimates. The age at
      initiation of regular cannabis and age at onset of psychosis were used to
      determine the length of cannabis use preceding psychosis. Prevalence estimates at
      first episode psychosis and various time points of follow-up following first
      episode psychosis were analysed to determine odds ratio of continuing cannabis
      use. Data synthesis was performed using random-effects meta-analyses. RESULTS:
      The pooled estimate for the interval between initiation of regular cannabis use
      and age at onset of psychosis was 6.3 years (10 samples, standardised mean
      difference = 1.56, 95% confidence interval = [1.40, 1.72]). The estimated
      prevalence of cannabis use at first episode psychosis was 33.7% (35 samples, 95%
      confidence interval = [31%, 39%]). Odds of continued cannabis use between 6
      months and 10 years following first episode psychosis was 0.56 (19 samples, 95%
      confidence interval = [0.40, 0.79]).

PMID- 26286532
TI  - Prediction of pain outcomes in a randomized controlled trial of dose-response of
      spinal manipulation for the care of chronic low back pain.
AB  - BACKGROUND: No previous studies have created and validated prediction models for
      outcomes in patients receiving spinal manipulation for care of chronic low back
      pain (cLBP). We therefore conducted a secondary analysis alongside a dose
      response, randomized controlled trial of spinal manipulation. METHODS: We
      investigated dose, pain and disability, sociodemographics, general health,
      psychosocial measures, and objective exam findings as potential predictors of
      pain outcomes utilizing 400 participants from a randomized controlled trial.
      Participants received 18 sessions of treatment over 6-weeks and were followed for
      a year. Spinal manipulation was performed by a chiropractor at 0, 6, 12, or 18
      visits (dose), with a light-massage control at all remaining visits. Pain
      intensity was evaluated with the modified von Korff pain scale (0-100). Predictor
      variables evaluated came from several domains: condition-specific pain and
      disability, sociodemographics, general health status, psychosocial, and objective
      physical measures. Three-quarters of cases (training-set) were used to develop 4
      longitudinal models with forward selection to predict individual "responders"
      (>=50% improvement from baseline) and future pain intensity using either
      pretreatment characteristics or post-treatment variables collected shortly after
      completion of care. The internal validity of the predictor models were then
      evaluated on the remaining 25% of cases (test-set) using area under the receiver
      operating curve (AUC), R(2), and root mean squared error (RMSE). RESULTS: The
      pretreatment responder model performed no better than chance in identifying
      participants who became responders (AUC = 0.479). Similarly, the pretreatment
      pain intensity model predicted future pain intensity poorly with low proportion
      of variance explained (R(2) = .065). The post-treatment predictor models
      performed better with AUC = 0.665 for the responder model and R(2) = 0.261 for
      the future pain model. Post-treatment pain alone actually predicted future pain
      better than the full post-treatment predictor model (R(2) = 0.350). The
      prediction errors (RMSE) were large (19.4 and 17.5 for the pre- and post
      treatment predictor models, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Internal validation of
      prediction models showed that participant characteristics preceding the start of
      care were poor predictors of at least 50% improvement and the individual's future
      pain intensity. Pain collected shortly after completion of 6 weeks of study
      intervention predicted future pain the best.

PMID- 26286533
TI  - Long-term outcomes after acute primary angle closure in a White Caucasian
      population.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Very limited data is available on the morbidity and progression to
      primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) in White Caucasian individuals following
      acute primary angle closure (APAC). Our aim is to identify the number of eyes who
      developed PACG following an APAC attack and to determine the risk factors for
      PACG development in a White Caucasian population in the United Kingdom (UK). We
      assessed the rate of blindness and visual impairment in the affected eye as
      defined by the World Health Organisation. METHODS: Retrospective observational
      study including 48 consecutive eyes of 46 White Caucasian subjects who presented
      with APAC to a tertiary referral unit in the United Kingdom. Eyes affected by
      glaucomatous optic neuropathy at presentation were excluded. We included in our
      analysis socio-demographic variables, ophthalmic findings, investigations and
      treatment. RESULTS: The mean final follow up period was 27 months +/- 14 standard
      deviation (SD). Seven (15 %) eyes developed PACG. Statistical analysis showed
      that the following factors were linked to a higher risk of progression: length of
      symptoms before presentation and time taken to break the attack. The intraocular
      pressure (IOP) was significantly higher in the group who developed PACG at the
      one- and six-month visit compared to the group which did not develop the disease.
      At the final visit 3 (6 %) eyes were blind while 5 (10 %) were visually impaired.
      PACG was responsible for visual impairment in 2 (4 %) eyes but not for any case
      of blindness. CONCLUSIONS: Delayed presentation, length of time taken to break
      the attack and poor IOP control can result in PACG development and visual
      impairment. APAC causes a low long-term visual morbidity in White Caucasians.

PMID- 26286534
TI  - Investigation of the relationship between the onset of arthritis and uveitis in
      genetically predisposed SKG mice.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Systemic rheumatic conditions are often accompanied by intraocular
      inflammatory disease (termed uveitis). Despite the frequent manifestation of
      uveitis with arthritis, very little is understood of the underlying mechanisms
      that mediate the eye's susceptibility to disease. The genetically susceptible SKG
      mouse strain develops arthritis that arises from an inherent mutation that
      disrupts T-cell antigen receptor signal transduction and thymic selection. The
      ensuing T-cell-mediated disease is further modulated through exposure to
      microbial triggers. The purpose of this study was to elucidate how a genetically
      determined shift in the T-cell repertoire toward self-reactive T cells that drive
      arthritis influences uveitis in SKG mice. METHODS: SKG mice (BALB/c mice that
      harbor the W163C point mutation in zeta-chain-associated protein kinase 70 [i.e.,
      ZAP-70]) were housed under arthritis-resistant, specific pathogen-free
      conditions. Arthritis was induced by intraperitoneal injection with fungal
      glucans (zymosan or curdlan). Arthritis onset and severity were evaluated by
      clinical scoring, histopathology and infrared imaging within the joints.
      Periocular traits involving blepharoconjunctivitis were evaluated by clinical
      scoring and histology. Eyes were evaluated for signs of anterior uveitis using
      intravital videomicroscopy to document cell-trafficking responses within the iris
      vasculature and stroma and by histology to detect inflammatory infiltrate and
      tissue damage within the anterior and posterior eye segments. RESULTS: Exposure
      to zymosan resulted in the predicted arthritic, sexually dimorphic phenotype in
      SKG mice. The eyes of SKG mice exhibited episodic intravascular cellular
      responses to zymosan or curdlan as indicated by significant increases in
      leukocyte-endothelium interactions akin to ocular vasculitis. However, despite
      the significant increase in early cell-trafficking responses, cellular
      infiltration into the iris stroma was not observed and histopathological signs
      indicative of a sustained uveitis were absent. Instead, eyes of SKG mice
      developed blepharoconjunctivitis that coincided with arthritis and exhibited
      sexual dimorphism. CONCLUSIONS: This study underscores the complexity surrounding
      the pathogenesis of uveitis and its relationship with arthritis. The findings
      suggest that distinct mechanisms exist by which pathogenic autoimmune T cells
      target the eyes versus joints, which likely involves the environmental context
      but nonetheless should be taken into account in the identification and
      development of effective therapies for each organ.

PMID- 26286535
TI  - Characteristics of Plant Essential Genes Allow for within- and between-Species
      Prediction of Lethal Mutant Phenotypes.
AB  - Essential genes represent critical cellular components whose disruption results
      in lethality. Characteristics shared among essential genes have been uncovered in
      fungal and metazoan model systems. However, features associated with plant
      essential genes are largely unknown and the full set of essential genes remains
      to be discovered in any plant species. Here, we show that essential genes in
      Arabidopsis thaliana have distinct features useful for constructing within- and
      cross-species prediction models. Essential genes in A. thaliana are often single
      copy or derived from older duplications, highly and broadly expressed, slow
      evolving, and highly connected within molecular networks compared with genes with
      nonlethal mutant phenotypes. These gene features allowed the application of
      machine learning methods that predicted known lethal genes as well as an
      additional 1970 likely essential genes without documented phenotypes. Prediction
      models from A. thaliana could also be applied to predict Oryza sativa and
      Saccharomyces cerevisiae essential genes. Importantly, successful predictions
      drew upon many features, while any single feature was not sufficient. Our
      findings show that essential genes can be distinguished from genes with nonlethal
      phenotypes using features that are similar across kingdoms and indicate the
      possibility for translational application of our approach to species without
      extensive functional genomic and phenomic resources. 

PMID- 26286536
TI  - Lost in Translation: Pitfalls in Deciphering Plant Alternative Splicing
      Transcripts.
AB  - Transcript annotation in plant databases is incomplete and often inaccurate,
      leading to misinterpretation. As more and more RNA-seq data are generated, plant
      scientists need to be aware of potential pitfalls and understand the nature and
      impact of specific alternative splicing transcripts on protein production. A
      primary area of concern and the topic of this article is the (mis)annotation of
      open reading frames and premature termination codons. The basic message is that
      to adequately address expression and functions of transcript isoforms, it is
      necessary to be able to predict their fate in terms of whether protein isoforms
      are generated or specific transcripts are unproductive or degraded.

PMID- 26286537
TI  - Febrile seizures.

PMID- 26286539
TI  - Piriformis muscle syndrome: a recurrent case after surgical release.
AB  - We report a recurrent Piriformisc muscle syndrome after surgical release. After
      the primary neurolysis, a second operation was performed to release adhesions.
      This case shows a different type of sciatic nerve entrapment by an abnormal thin
      muscle slip. Results of the revision surgery guide us to the point that revision
      surgery for Piriformis muscle syndrome should be meticulously selected, and after
      considering medical and interventional therapies. 

PMID- 26286538
TI  - Design of, and enrollment in, the palliative care communication research
      initiative: a direct-observation cohort study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Understanding the characteristics of communication that foster
      patient-centered outcomes amid serious illness are essential for the science of
      palliative care. However, epidemiological cohort studies that directly observe
      clinical conversations can be challenging to conduct in the natural setting. We
      describe the successful enrollment, observation and data collection methods of
      the ongoing Palliative Care Communication Research Initiative (PCCRI). METHODS:
      The PCCRI is a multi-site cohort study of naturally occurring inpatient
      palliative care consultations. The 6-month cohort data includes directly observed
      and audio-recorded palliative care consultations (up to first 3 visits);
      patient/proxy/clinician self-report questionnaires both before and the day after
      consultation; post-consultation in-depth interviews; and medical/administrative
      records. RESULTS: One hundred fourteen patients or their proxies enrolled in
      PCCRI during Enrollment Year One (of Three). Seventy percent of eligible
      patients/proxies were invited to hear about a communication research study
      (188/269); 60% of them ultimately enrolled in the PCCRI (114/188), resulting in a
      42% sampling proportion (114/269 eligible). All PC clinicians at study sites were
      invited to participate; all 45 participated. CONCLUSIONS: Epidemiologic study of
      patient-family-clinician communication in palliative care settings is feasible
      and acceptable to patients, proxies and clinicians. We detail the successful
      PCCRI methods for enrollment, direct observation and data collection for this
      complex "field" environment.

PMID- 26286541
TI  - Response to Letter Regarding Article, "Intracranial Dural Arteriovenous Fistulae:
      Clinical Presentation and Management Strategies".

PMID- 26286540
TI  - Periprocedural Myocardial Infarction After Carotid Endarterectomy and Stenting:
      Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS) is associated with
      higher risk of periprocedural stroke and death when compared with carotid
      endarterectomy (CEA). By contrast, the risk of myocardial infarction (MI) was
      higher after CEA than after CAS in randomized trials. However, numbers were
      small, and risk factors are unknown. METHODS: We performed a systematic review
      and a meta-analysis of studies published from January 1980 to June 2014 and
      collected unpublished data. We extracted data on 9 predefined risk factors (age,
      contralateral carotid occlusion, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, sex,
      hypertension, peripheral artery disease, type stenosis, and clinical
      presentation). We selected studies with data available on MI in at least 1
      subgroup, calculated absolute and relative risks, and identified differential
      effects on risks of MI. RESULTS: The 30-day absolute risk of MI was 0.87% (95%
      confidence interval, 0.69-1.07) after CEA and 0.70% (95% confidence interval,
      0.54-0.88) after CAS (Pint=0.38). After CAS, patients with symptomatic stenosis
      and restenosis were at higher risk of MI, whereas men were at lower risk. After
      CEA, age, history of coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease, and
      restenosis increased the risk of MI. Only the effect of sex differed between CAS
      and CEA with men being at lower risk of MI than women after CAS, whereas there
      was no difference between after CEA (Pint=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The risk of MI
      after CEA and CAS did not significantly differ. Risk factors for MI are overall
      similar in both techniques except that men are at lower risk of MI after CAS but
      not after CEA.

PMID- 26286543
TI  - Letter by Gross and Du Regarding Article, "Intracranial Dural Arteriovenous
      Fistulae: Clinical Presentation and Management Strategies".

PMID- 26286542
TI  - Ethnic Differences in Poststroke Quality of Life in the Brain Attack Surveillance
      in Corpus Christi (BASIC) Project.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Mexican Americans (MAs) have an increased risk of stroke
      and experience worse poststroke disability than non-Hispanic whites, which may
      translate into worse poststroke quality of life (QOL). We assessed ethnic
      differences in poststroke QOL, as well as potential modification of associations
      by age, sex, and initial stroke severity. METHODS: Ischemic stroke survivors were
      identified through the biethnic, population-based Brain Attack Surveillance in
      Corpus Christi (BASIC) Project. Data were collected from medical records,
      baseline interviews, and 90-day poststroke interviews. Poststroke QOL was
      measured at ~90 days by the validated short-form stroke-specific QOL in 3
      domains: overall, physical, and psychosocial (range, 0-5; higher scores represent
      better QOL). Tobit regression was used to model associations between ethnicity
      and poststroke QOL scores, adjusted for demographics, clinical characteristics,
      and prestroke cognition and function. RESULTS: Among 290 eligible stroke
      survivors (66% MA, 34% non-Hispanic whites, median age=69 years), median scores
      for overall, physical, and psychosocial poststroke QOL were 3.3, 3.8, and 2.7,
      respectively. Poststroke QOL was lower for MAs than non-Hispanic whites both
      overall (mean difference, -0.30; 95% confidence interval, -0.59, -0.01) and in
      the physical domain (mean difference, -0.47; 95% confidence interval, -0.81, 
      0.14) after multivariable adjustment. No ethnic difference was found in the
      psychosocial domain. Age modified the associations between ethnicity and
      poststroke QOL such that differences were present in older but not in younger
      ages. CONCLUSIONS: Disparities exist in poststroke QOL for MAs and seem to be
      driven by differences in older stroke patients. Targeted interventions to improve
      outcomes among MA stroke survivors are urgently needed.

PMID- 26286545
TI  - Genetic Determinants of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms in the General
      Population.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Genome-wide association studies have identified single
      nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for intracranial aneurysms in clinical samples.
      In addition, SNPs have been discovered for blood pressure, one of the strongest
      risk factors for intracranial aneurysms. We studied the role of these genetic
      variants on occurrence and size of unruptured intracranial aneurysms, discovered
      incidentally in a general community-dwelling population. METHODS: In 4890
      asymptomatic participants from the Rotterdam Study, 120 intracranial aneurysms
      were identified on brain imaging and segmented for maximum diameter and volume.
      Genetic risk scores (GRS) were calculated for intracranial aneurysms (10 SNPs),
      systolic blood pressure (33 SNPs), and diastolic blood pressure (41 SNPs).
      RESULTS: The GRS for intracranial aneurysms was not statistically significantly
      associated with presence of aneurysms in this population (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.96
      1.40; P=0.119), but showed a significant association with both maximum diameter
      (difference in log-transformed mm per SD increase of GRS, 0.10; 95% CI, 0.02
      0.19; P=0.018) and volume (difference in log-transformed uL per SD increase of
      GRS, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.01-0.41; P=0.040) of aneurysms. GRSs for blood pressures
      were associated with neither presence nor size of aneurysms. CONCLUSIONS: Genetic
      variants previously identified for intracranial aneurysms in clinical studies
      relate to the size rather than the presence of incidentally discovered,
      unruptured intracranial aneurysms in the general population.

PMID- 26286544
TI  - Thirty-Day Outcome of a Multicenter Registry Study of Stenting for Symptomatic
      Intracranial Artery Stenosis in China.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Although recent trials have suggested that stenting is
      worse than medical therapy for patients with severe symptomatic intracranial
      atherosclerotic stenosis, it is not clear whether this conclusion applies to a
      subset of patients with hypoperfusion symptoms. To justify for a new trial in
      China, we performed a multicenter prospective registry study to evaluate the
      safety and efficacy of endovascular stenting within 30 days for patients with
      severe symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis. METHODS: Patients with
      symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis caused by 70% to 99% stenosis
      combined with poor collaterals were enrolled. The patients were treated either
      with balloon-mounted stent or with balloon predilation plus self-expanding stent
      as determined by the operators following a guideline. The primary outcome within
      30 days is stroke, transient ischemic attack, and death after stenting. The
      secondary outcome is successful revascularization. The baseline characteristics
      and outcomes of the 2 treatment groups were compared. RESULTS: From September
      2013 to January 2015, among 354 consecutive patients, 300 patients (aged 58.3+/
      9.78 years) were recruited, including 159 patients treated with balloon-mounted
      stent and 141 patients with balloon plus self-expanding stent. The 30-day rate of
      stroke, transient ischemic attack, and death was 4.3%. Successful
      revascularization was 97.3%. Patients treated with balloon-mounted stent were
      older, less likely to have middle cerebral artery lesions, more likely to have
      vertebral artery lesions, more likely to have Mori A lesions, less likely to have
      Mori C lesions, and likely to have lower degree of residual stenosis than
      patients treated with balloon plus self-expanding stent. CONCLUSIONS: The short
      term safety and efficacy of endovascular stenting for patients with severe
      symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis in China is acceptable. Balloon
      mounted stent may have lower degree of residual stenosis than self-expanding
      stent. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique
      identifier: NCT01968122.

PMID- 26286547
TI  - Wilson disease: a most unusual patient.

PMID- 26286546
TI  - Management of Mycoplasma genitalium infections - can we hit a moving target?
AB  - Mycoplasma genitalium is an etiological agent of sexually transmitted infections,
      but due to its fastidious growth requirements, only a few M. genitalium strains
      are available for determination of the activity of currently used and new
      antimicrobial agents.Recent clinical trials have demonstrated that treatment with
      azithromycin has decreasing efficacy due to an increasing prevalence of macrolide
      resistance, which is likely to be attributed to the widespread use of 1 g single
      dose azithromycin. Second line treatment with moxifloxacin is similarly under
      pressure from emerging resistance. The era of single dose monotherapy for
      uncomplicated STIs such as M. genitalium and N. gonorrhoeae, while convenient for
      patients and physicians, has been associated with escalating resistance and
      treatment failure and is now drawing to a close. There is a critical need for
      trials of combinations of existing registered drugs and new antimicrobial
      compounds, implementation of diagnostic testing combined with molecular detection
      of resistance, and antimicrobial surveillance.

PMID- 26286548
TI  - The effect of computer-based cognitive flexibility training on recovery of
      executive function after stroke: rationale, design and methods of the TAPASS
      study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Stroke survivors frequently suffer from executive impairments even in
      the chronic phase after stroke, and there is a need for improved rehabilitation
      of these functions. One way of improving current rehabilitation treatment may be
      by online cognitive training. Based on a review of the effectiveness of computer
      based cognitive training in healthy elderly, we concluded that cognitive
      flexibility may be a key element for an effective training, which results in
      improvements not merely on trained tasks but also in untrained tasks (i.e., far
      transfer). The aim of the current study was to track the behavioral and neural
      effects of computer-based cognitive flexibility training after stroke. We
      expected that executive functioning would improve after the cognitive flexibility
      training, and that neural activity and connectivity would normalize towards what
      is seen in healthy elderly. METHODS/DESIGN: The design was a multicenter, double
      blind, randomized controlled trial (RCT) with three groups: an experimental
      intervention group, an active control group who did a mock training, and a
      waiting list control group. Stroke patients (3 months to 5 years post-stroke)
      with cognitive complaints were included. Training consisted of 58 half-hour
      sessions spread over 12 weeks. The primary study outcome was objective executive
      function. Secondary measures were improvement on training tasks, cognitive
      flexibility, objective cognitive functioning in other domains than the executive
      domain, subjective cognitive and everyday life functioning, and neural correlates
      assessed by both structural and resting-state functional Magnetic Resonance
      Imaging. The three groups were compared at baseline, after six and twelve weeks
      of training, and four weeks after the end of the training. Furthermore, they were
      compared to healthy elderly who received the same training. DISCUSSION: The
      cognitive flexibility training consisted of several factors deemed important for
      effects that go beyond improvement on merely the training task themselves. Due to
      the presence of two control groups, the effects of the training could be compared
      with spontaneous recovery and with the effects of a mock training. This study
      provides insight into the potential of online cognitive flexibility training
      after stroke. We also compared its results with the effectiveness of the same
      training in healthy elderly. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The Netherlands National Trial
      Register NTR5174. Registered 22 May 2015.

PMID- 26286549
TI  - Health literacy in Beijing: an assessment of adults' knowledge and skills
      regarding communicable diseases.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There have been a number of studies conducted to date looking at the
      issue of health literacy, but none have been conducted in Beijing, China. The aim
      of this study was to evaluate the communicable diseases health literacy (CDHL)
      levels of Beijing residents towards three key areas: knowledge, adoption of
      preventative measures/behaviours, and health skills. METHODS: A structured survey
      was undertaken with Beijing residents aged >=18 years. A multistage stratified
      sampling approach was used to identify and recruit residents. Participants were
      excluded if they were foreigners, residents of Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan, or
      were unable to communicate in Mandarin. RESULTS: The questionnaire was completed
      by 11052 participants, with a moderate accuracy rate (average: 61.3 %) and a good
      discrimination level (average: 0.428). Cronbach's alpha was 0.748. The items were
      grouped into three subscales representing knowledge, adoption of preventative
      measures and behaviours, and health skills. Correlations of the subscales and the
      Total Score is significant (P < 0.01), and all the three subscales correlate
      strongly with the Total Score The mean CDHL score of Beijing inhabitants was
      15.28. The percentage of those who were identified as having adequate CDHL was 41
      %. CONCLUSIONS: The total CDHL level of residents in Beijing was relatively low,
      particularly in those residing in the suburbs, those above 60 years of age,
      manual workers, and the illiterates. Gender, age-group, level of education,
      occupation, self-reported health status and region were all shown to be
      significantly predictive of CDHL. It is important that more resources are
      dedicated to improving the CDHL in Beijing, given the risk of emerging and re
      emerging infectious diseases in the region.

PMID- 26286550
TI  - Pre-existing atrial fibrillation and risk of arterial thromboembolism and death
      in intensive care unit patients: a population-based cohort study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Pre-existing atrial fibrillation (AF) may worsen prognosis in
      patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: In a cohort study
      (2005-2011) including all patients with first-time ICU admissions in Denmark
      (n=57,110), we compared patients with and without pre-existing AF and estimated
      absolute risks and relative risks (RRs) of arterial thromboembolism and death
      within 30 days and 365 days following admission, using Kaplan-Meier methods and
      multivariate regression analyses. We analysed the prognostic impact of AF within
      strata of patient age, sex, coexisting cardiac diseases, and ICU therapies.
      RESULTS: Among ICU patients, 5065 (9%) had pre-existing AF. Compared with
      patients without AF, those with AF were older (median age 75 vs. 62 years) and
      had more comorbidity. The risk of arterial thromboembolism was 2.8% in patients
      with AF and 2.0% in non-AF patients at 30 days, and 4.3% and 2.9%, respectively,
      at 365 days. Corresponding RRs were 1.41 crude and 1.14 (95% confidence interval
      [CI] 0.93-1.40) adjusted at 30 days, and 1.50 crude and 1.20 (95% CI 1.02-1.41)
      adjusted at 365 days. Thirty-day mortality was 27% in patients with pre-existing
      AF and 16% in non-AF patients (crude RR 1.67, adjusted RR 1.04, 95% CI 0.99
      1.10). Corresponding mortality estimates at 365 days were 40.9% and 25.4%,
      respectively (crude RR 1.61, adjusted RR 1.03, 95% CI 1.00-1.07). In stratified
      analyses, pre-existing AF increased mortality in ICU patients aged <55 years
      (adjusted RR at 30 days 1.73, 95% CI 1.29-2.32; adjusted RR at 365 days 1.34, 95%
      CI 1.06-1.69) and in ICU patients treated with mechanical ventilation (adjusted
      RR at 30 days 1.12, 95% CI 1.05-1.20, adjusted RR at 365 days 1.09, 95% CI: 1.04
      1.15). Analyses stratified by sex and coexisting cardiac diseases yielded
      adjusted RRs close to 1. CONCLUSIONS: In ICU patients, pre-existing AF was
      associated with modestly increased risk of arterial thromboembolism when adjusted
      for the substantially higher age and comorbidity levels in patients with AF,
      whereas there was no overall association with mortality. In ICU patients aged <55
      years and in those treated with mechanical ventilation, AF predicted increased
      mortality.

PMID- 26286551
TI  - Outcomes after fixation for undisplaced femoral neck fracture compared to
      hemiarthroplasty for displaced femoral neck fracture among the elderly.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study compared the rates of mortality, medical complication, and
      reoperation after fixation surgery for displaced femoral neck fracture with those
      after hemiarthroplasty surgery for undisplaced femoral neck fracture using
      competing risk analysis in inpatients aged 60 years and above from a population
      database in Taiwan. METHODS: We identified 13,772 subjects who underwent fixation
      for undisplaced cervical fracture and 13,772 matched controls who underwent
      hemiarthroplasty for displaced cervical fracture from 1998 to 2007, and followed
      them up until the end of 2009. The outcomes of patients who received internal
      fixation for undisplaced fracture and those of patients who received
      hemiarthroplasty for displaced fracture were compared. RESULTS: The 3-month, 2
      year, and 10-year mortality rates were 4.9%, 22.1%, and 67.1% for fixation, and
      5.6%, 23.8%, and 71.0% for hemiarthroplasty, respectively. The 3-month, 2-year,
      and 10-year cumulative incidence rates of the first reoperation were 7.4%, 18.1%,
      and 27.7% for fixation and 6.3%, 12.0%, and 22.3% for hemiarthroplasty,
      respectively. The 3-month cumulative incidence rates of the first medical
      complication were 14.4% for fixation and 15.4% for hemiarthroplasty,
      respectively. Hemiarthroplasty had a 1.09 times (95% CI: 1.05-1.12) higher hazard
      ratio for overall death than fixation. However, fixation had a 1.36 times (95%
      CI: 1.29-1.43) higher subdistribution hazard ratio for first reoperation than
      hemiarthroplasty after adjusting for gender, age, and comorbidities. CONCLUSIONS:
      The short-term overall mortality and medical complication rate of fixation for
      undisplaced fracture were slightly lower than those of hemiarthroplasty for
      displaced fracture. However, the short-term cumulative incidence of first
      reoperation after fixation was significantly higher than that for
      hemiarthroplasty. Further prospective studies or clinical trials based on the
      competing risk model, and which include important risk factors, are necessary to
      quantify the adjusted effects more precisely.

PMID- 26286552
TI  - A cascade computer model for mocrobicide diffusivity from mucoadhesive
      formulations.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The cascade computer model (CCM) was designed as a machine-learning
      feature platform for prediction of drug diffusivity from the mucoadhesive
      formulations. Three basic models (the statistical regression model, the K nearest
      neighbor model and the modified version of the back propagation neural network)
      in CCM operate sequentially in close collaboration with each other, employing the
      estimated value obtained from the afore-positioned base model as an input value
      to the next-positioned base model in the cascade. The effects of various
      parameters on the pharmacological efficacy of a female controlled drug delivery
      system (FcDDS) intended for prevention of women from HIV-1 infection were
      evaluated using an in vitro apparatus "Simulant Vaginal System" (SVS). We used
      computer simulations to explicitly examine the changes in drug diffusivity from
      FcDDS and determine the prognostic potency of each variable for in vivo
      prediction of formulation efficacy. The results obtained using the CCM approach
      were compared with those from individual multiple regression model. RESULTS: CCM
      significantly lowered the percentage mean error (PME) and enhanced r(2) values as
      compared with those from the multiple regression models. It was noted that CCM
      generated the PME value of 21.82 at 48169 epoch iterations, which is
      significantly improved from the PME value of 29.91% at 118344 epochs by the back
      propagation network model. The results of this study indicated that the
      sequential ensemble of the classifiers allowed for an accurate prediction of the
      domain with significantly lowered variance and considerably reduces the time
      required for training phase. CONCLUSION: CCM is accurate, easy to operate, time
      and cost-effective, and thus, can serve as a valuable tool for prediction of drug
      diffusivity from mucoadhesive formulations. CCM may yield new insights into
      understanding how drugs are diffused from the carrier systems and exert their
      efficacies under various clinical conditions.

PMID- 26286553
TI  - Rhodococcus antrifimi sp. nov., isolated from dried bat dung of a cave.
AB  - A Gram-reaction-positive, high DNA G+C content, non-motile actinobacterium,
      strain D7-21T, was isolated from dried bat dung inside a natural cave and its
      taxonomic status was examined by using a polyphasic approach. The 16S rRNA gene
      sequence study showed that the isolate belonged to the genus Rhodococcus and
      formed a cluster with Rhodococcus defluvii (98.98 % gene similarity), Rhodococcus
      equi (98.62 %) and Rhodococcus kunmingensis (97.66 %). Whole-cell hydrolysates
      contained meso-diaminopimelic acid, arabinose and galactose as the diagnostic
      diamino acid and sugars. MK-8(H2) was the predominant menaquinone. The major
      polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine,
      phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside, an
      unknown phosphoglycolipid and an unknown glycolipid. Mycolic acids were present.
      The major fatty acids were C16 : 0, C18 : 1omega9c and 10-methyl C18 : 0. The DNA
      G+C content was 70.1 mol%. A battery of phenotypic features and DNA-DNA
      relatedness data support that strain D7-21T ( = KCTC 29469T = DSM 46727T)
      represents a novel species of the genus Rhodococcus, for which Rhodococcus
      antrifimi sp. nov. is proposed.

PMID- 26286555
TI  - Young doctors' preferences for payment systems: the influence of gender and
      personality traits.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Activity-based payment contracts are common among doctors, but to what
      extent are they preferred? The aim of this paper is to elicit young doctors'
      preferences for alternative payment systems before they have adapted to an
      existing system. We examine the existence of gender differences and the extent to
      which personality traits determine preferences. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey
      of all final-year medical students and all interns in Norway examined the extent
      to which preferences for different payment systems depend on gender and
      personality traits. Data analysis relied on one-way ANOVA and multinomial
      logistic regression. RESULTS: The current activity-based payment systems were the
      least preferred, both in hospitals (16.6%) and in general practice (19.7%). The
      contrasting alternative "fixed salary" achieved similar relative support.
      Approximately half preferred the hybrid alternative. When certainty associated
      with a payment system increased, its appeal rose for women and individuals who
      are less prestige-oriented, risk-tolerant or effort-tolerant. Activity-based
      systems were preferred among status- and income-oriented respondents. CONCLUSION:
      The vast majority of young doctors prefer payment systems that are less activity
      based than the current contracts offered in the Norwegian health service.
      Recruitment and retention in less prestigious medical specialities might improve
      if young doctors could choose payment systems corresponding with their diverse
      preferences.

PMID- 26286554
TI  - Read clouds uncover variation in complex regions of the human genome.
AB  - Although an increasing amount of human genetic variation is being identified and
      recorded, determining variants within repeated sequences of the human genome
      remains a challenge. Most population and genome-wide association studies have
      therefore been unable to consider variation in these regions. Core to the problem
      is the lack of a sequencing technology that produces reads with sufficient length
      and accuracy to enable unique mapping. Here, we present a novel methodology of
      using read clouds, obtained by accurate short-read sequencing of DNA derived from
      long fragment libraries, to confidently align short reads within repeat regions
      and enable accurate variant discovery. Our novel algorithm, Random Field Aligner
      (RFA), captures the relationships among the short reads governed by the long read
      process via a Markov Random Field. We utilized a modified version of the Illumina
      TruSeq synthetic long-read protocol, which yielded shallow-sequenced read clouds.
      We test RFA through extensive simulations and apply it to discover variants on
      the NA12878 human sample, for which shallow TruSeq read cloud sequencing data are
      available, and on an invasive breast carcinoma genome that we sequenced using the
      same method. We demonstrate that RFA facilitates accurate recovery of variation
      in 155 Mb of the human genome, including 94% of 67 Mb of segmental duplication
      sequence and 96% of 11 Mb of transcribed sequence, that are currently hidden from
      short-read technologies. 

PMID- 26286556
TI  - High-Polarity Solvents Decreasing the Two-Photon Transition Probability of
      Through-Space Charge-Transfer Systems - A Surprising In Silico Observation.
AB  - In the Letter, we address the question as to why larger two-photon absorption
      cross sections are observed in nonpolar than in polar solvents for through-space
      charge-transfer (TSCT) systems such as [2,2]-paracyclophane derivatives. In order
      to answer this question, we have performed ab initio calculations on two well
      known TSCT systems, namely, a [2.2]-paracyclophane derivative and a molecular
      tweezer-trinitrofluorinone complex, and found that the two-photon transition
      probability values of these systems decreases with increasing solvent polarity.
      To rationalize this result, we have analyzed the role of different optical
      channels associated with the two-photon process and noticed that, in TSCTs, the
      interference between the optical channels is mostly destructive and that its
      magnitude increases with increasing solvent polarity. Moreover, it is also found
      that a destructive interference may sometimes even become a constructive one in a
      nonpolar solvent, making the two-photon activity of TSCTs in polar solvents less
      than that in nonpolar solvents. 

PMID- 26286557
TI  - Electrocatalytic Properties of Nanocrystalline Calcium-Doped Lanthanum Cobalt
      Oxide for Bifunctional Oxygen Electrodes.
AB  - Calcium-doped lanthanum cobalt oxide is a promising electrocatalyst for oxygen
      evolution and oxygen reduction in rechargeable metal-air batteries and water
      electrolyzers operating with alkaline electrolyte. Nanocrystalline perovskite of
      composition La0.6Ca0.4CoO3 with a unique cellular internal structure was prepared
      at 350  degrees C and then annealed in air at progressively higher temperatures
      in the range of 600-750  degrees C. The samples were characterized by
      electrochemical techniques and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The area
      specific electrocatalytic activity for oxygen evolution/oxygen reduction, the
      oxidation state of cobalt, and the crystallite size increased with annealing
      temperature, while the Tafel slope remained constant. These trends provide new
      insights into the role of the cobalt center in oxygen evolution and oxygen
      reduction, and how preparation conditions can be altered to tune the activity of
      the cobalt center for electrocatalysis. We expect these findings to guide the
      design of electrocatalysts for bifunctional oxygen electrodes, in general. 

PMID- 26286558
TI  - Chemical Reaction Evolving on a Droplet.
AB  - A high-speed camera was used to investigate the early stage of a chemical
      reaction within a few milliseconds. We focus on the process of color change
      caused by a droplet containing a pH indicator when impinging on the surface of
      alkaline solution. Contrary to our expectation, this reaction starts along the
      equatorial line, and not at the protruding edge of the droplet, where it first
      touches the reaction partner. Small vertical fingers emerge from the front line
      within 1.5 ms. The results suggest that the observed deformation of the droplet
      and heat diffusion play major roles during this early reaction stage. Our
      investigations contribute to the understanding of short-term transport processes
      across interfaces, including the onset of unstable behavior of reaction fronts. 

PMID- 26286559
TI  - Charge Separation at the Molecular Monolayer Surface: Observation and Control of
      the Dynamics.
AB  - Charge separation dynamics relevant to an electron transfer have been revealed by
      time- and angle-resolved two-photon photoemission spectroscopy for an n
      alkanethiolate self-assembled monolayer (SAM) on a Au(111) surface fabricated by
      a chemical-wet process. The electron was photoexcited into an image potential
      state located at 3.7 eV above the Fermi level (EF), and it survived well for more
      than 100 ps on dodecanethiolate (C12)-SAM. The degree of electron separation is
      precisely controlled by selecting the length of the alkyl chain (C10-C18). We
      have also evaluated molecular conductivity at the specific electron energy of EF
      + 3.7 eV. The tunneling decay parameter, beta, was fitted by beta90 K = 0.097 A(
      1) and betaRT = 0.13 A(-1). These values were one order smaller than that at
      around EF by conventional contact probe methods. 

PMID- 26286560
TI  - Controlled, Stepwise Reduction and Band Gap Manipulation of Graphene Oxide.
AB  - Graphene oxide (GO) has drawn tremendous interest as a tunable precursor in
      numerous areas, due to its readily manipulable surface. However, its
      inhomogeneous and nonstoichiometric structure makes achieving chemical control a
      major challenge. Here, we present a room-temperature based, controlled method for
      the stepwise reduction of GO, with evidence of sequential removal of each organic
      moiety. By analyzing signature infrared absorption frequencies, we identify the
      carbonyl group as the first to be reduced, while the tertiary alcohol takes the
      longest to be completely removed from the GO surface. Controlled reduction allows
      for progressive tuning of the optical gap from 3.5 eV down to 1 eV, while XPS
      spectra show a concurrent increase in the C/O ratio. This study is the first step
      toward selectively enhancing the chemical homogeneity of GO, thus providing
      greater control over its structure, and elucidating the order of removal of
      functional groups and hydrazine-vapor reduction. 

PMID- 26286561
TI  - Neutron Scattering Reveals Enhanced Protein Dynamics in Concanavalin A Amyloid
      Fibrils.
AB  - Protein aggregation is one of the most challenging topics in life sciences, and
      it is implicated in several human pathologies. The nature and the role of toxic
      species is highly debated, with amyloid fibrils being among the most relevant
      species for their peculiar structural and functional properties. Protein dynamics
      and in particular the ability to fluctuate through a large number of
      conformational substates are closely related to protein function. This Letter
      focuses on amyloid fibril dynamics, and, to our knowledge, it is the first
      neutron scattering study on a protein (Concanavalin A) isolated in its fibril
      state. Our results reveal enhanced atomic fluctuations in amyloid fibrils and
      indicate that the protein is "softer" in the fibril state with respect to the
      native and amorphous aggregate states. We discuss this finding in terms of a
      structural interpretation and suggest that the paradigm ordered structure <->
      lower flexibility can be questioned when considering the local fast side-chain
      protein dynamics. 

PMID- 26286562
TI  - Twin Problems of Interfacial Carbonate Formation in Nonaqueous Li-O2 Batteries.
AB  - We use XPS and isotope labeling coupled with differential electrochemical mass
      spectrometry (DEMS) to show that small amounts of carbonates formed during
      discharge and charge of Li-O2 cells in ether electrolytes originate from reaction
      of Li2O2 (or LiO2) both with the electrolyte and with the C cathode. Reaction
      with the cathode forms approximately a monolayer of Li2CO3 at the C-Li2O2
      interface, while reaction with the electrolyte forms approximately a monolayer of
      carbonate at the Li2O2-electrolyte interface during charge. A simple
      electrochemical model suggests that the carbonate at the electrolyte-Li2O2
      interface is responsible for the large potential increase during charging (and
      hence indirectly for the poor rechargeability). A theoretical charge-transport
      model suggests that the carbonate layer at the C-Li2O2 interface causes a 10-100
      fold decrease in the exchange current density. These twin "interfacial carbonate
      problems" are likely general and will ultimately have to be overcome to produce a
      highly rechargeable Li-air battery. 

PMID- 26286563
TI  - Hole Mobility of a Liquid Organic Semiconductor.
AB  - The first detailed study of charge transport through a liquid organic
      semiconductor (LOS) is reported with the goal of elucidating the effects of
      molecular motion on charge transport through molecular liquids. Using a liquid,
      silyl ether-substituted triarylamine, hole transport mobilities were obtained
      over a wide range of temperatures above the glass transition temperature of the
      material. Analysis of this data reveals that molecular motion(s) have a
      negligible effect on macroscopic charge transport through a molecular liquid. The
      results strongly resemble transport behavior found in conventional, disordered
      solids and suggest that silyl ether-substituted LOSs may be good candidates for
      integration into electronic devices, by those who are familiar with the
      application of traditional triarylamines, where their unique physical state can
      or could be exploited. 

PMID- 26286564
TI  - Nucleotide Dynamics at the A-Site Cleft in the Peptidyltransferase Center of H.
      marismortui 50S Ribosomal Subunits.
AB  - Resistance mutations to antibiotics targeting rRNA can be far from the drug
      binding site. Crystallography studies revealed that the antibiotic resistance
      mutation G2482A (G2447A in E. coli ) in Haloarcula marismortui 50S ribosomes does
      not directly contact the drug or introduce changes to the ribosomal structure
      except for losing a potassium ion coordinated to a base triple at the drug
      binding site. Using molecular dynamics simulations, we tested hypotheses
      regarding the effects of the G2482A mutation and ion coordination on the
      conformational dynamics of the 50S ribosome. Simulations show that the mutation
      enhances conformational fluctuation at the antibiotic binding site, weakens the
      hydrogen-bonding network, and increases flexibility at the 50S peptidyl
      transferase center (PTC). Our data supports the view that distant mutations can
      perturb the dynamic network in the ribosomal PTC, thereby raising the entropic
      cost of antibiotic binding. These results underscore the importance of
      considering conformational dynamics in rational drug design. 

PMID- 26286565
TI  - Highly Solvatochromic 7-Aryl-3-hydroxychromones.
AB  - Introduction of the dialkylaminophenyl group in position 7 of 3-hydroxychromone
      changes the orientation of the excited-state dipole moment and leads to superior
      solvatochromic properties (>170 nm emission shift in aprotic media). The excited
      state intramolecular proton-transfer (ESIPT) reaction of 7-aryl-3
      hydroxychromones is almost completely inhibited in most solvents. Methylation of
      the 3-OH abolishes ESIPT completely and also leads to improved photostability.
      The probes exhibit a ~100-fold increase in fluorescence intensity and large
      Stokes shifts upon binding to membranes, reflecting differences in membrane phase
      and charge by a >40 nm spread in the emission band position. 

PMID- 26286566
TI  - Graphene Interfaced with Biological Cells: Opportunities and Challenges.
AB  - By interfacing the quantum mechanical properties of nanomaterials with the
      complex processes in biology, several bio/nano systems have evolved with
      applications in biosensors, cellular devices, drug delivery, and
      biophotoluminescence. One recent breakthrough has been the application of
      graphene, a two-dimensional (2-D) sheet of sp(2) hybridized carbon atoms arranged
      in a honeycomb lattice, as a sensitive platform for interfacing with biological
      cells to detect intra- and extracellular phenomena, including cellular excretion
      and cell membrane's potential modulation. In this Perspective, we discuss the
      recent results on graphene/cell interfacial devices and the principles defining
      the modulation of charge-carrier properties in graphene and its derivatives via
      interaction with cellular membranes. Graphene's high sensitivity in these
      applications evolves from the pi-carrier cloud confined within an atom-thick
      layer, quantum-capacitance-induced doping enhancement, closely spaced electronic
      bands, and a large surface area. We discuss the effect of the electronegativity
      of the cell wall and the dynamic changes in its chemical potential on doping
      specific carriers into graphene. Finally, we discuss the challenges and
      opportunities of graphene-interfaced biocellular systems. 

PMID- 26286567
TI  - Deconvolution and Estimation of Water Diffusion in Sulfonated Polyethersulfone
      Membranes Using Diffusion-Weighted Inversion Recovery.
AB  - An NMR method was applied for the deconvolution of specific water in sulfonated
      polyether sulfone membranes, where sulfonated polyethersulfone is a proton
      conducting polymer in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. The distribution
      of (1)H longitudinal relaxation times obtained by the inverse Laplace method was
      utilized to estimate the volume fraction of proton species as a function of
      relative humidity (RH). The relaxation time distribution clearly revealed two
      distinguished peaks on the order of 10(-3) and 10(-2) s, which corresponded to
      water in the larger and smaller channels for proton transports, respectively. We
      applied a pulse sequence to understand the water species by diffusion-weighted
      inversion recovery, which led to individual self-diffusion coefficients for
      deconvoluted water by using the longitudinal relaxation time. At 30% RH, the
      diffusion coefficient of water in small-sized channels is greater than that in
      large-sized channels. On the other hand, the diffusion coefficients of protons
      with smaller and larger water channels are almost the same at 50, 70, and 90% RH.

PMID- 26286568
TI  - Charge Separation Propensity of the Coenzyme B12-Tyrosine Complex in
      Adenosylcobalamin-Dependent Methylmalonyl-CoA Mutase Enzyme.
AB  - We report the electrophilic Fukui function analysis based on density functional
      reactivity theory (DFRT) to demonstrate the feasibility of the proton-coupled
      electron transfer (PCET) mechanism. To characterize the charge propensity of an
      electron-transfer site other than the proton-acceptor site of the coenzyme B12
      tyrosine complex, several structural models (ranging from minimal to actual
      enzyme scaffolds) have been employed at DFT and QM/MM computations. It is shown,
      based on the methylmalonyl-CoA mutase (MCM) enzyme that substrate binding plays a
      significant role in displacing the phenoxyl proton of the tyrosine (Y89), which
      initiates the electron transfer from Y89 to coenzyme B12. PCET-based enzymatic
      reaction implies that one electron-reduced form of the AdoCbl cofactor induces
      the cleavage of the Co-C bond, as an alternative to its neutral analogue, which
      can assist in understanding the origin of the observed trillion-fold rate
      enhancement in MCM enzyme. 

PMID- 26286569
TI  - Unravelling the Role of the Compressed Gas on Melting Point of Liquid Confined in
      Nanospace.
AB  - Phase behaviors of the liquids in nanospaces are of particular interest to
      understand the thermodynamics of the liquid on the nanoscale and for their
      applications that involve the confined systems. However, in many cases, the
      inconsistent observations of melting point variation for confined liquids are
      often revealed by different groups. Ionic liquids are a special kind of liquid.
      Here, by using the merits of the nonvolatile nature of ionic liquids, we realized
      the encapsulation of ionic liquids inside of mesopores silica oxide nanoparticles
      with a complete removal of compressed gas under high-vacuum condition; the
      completely confined ionic liquid formed a crystalline-like phase. It was found
      that compressed gas plays an important role in changing the melting point of the
      confined ionic liquid. 

PMID- 26286571
TI  - New Subsections for JPC A/B/C and JPC Letters.

PMID- 26286570
TI  - Wave Packet Dynamics at an Extended Seam of Conical Intersection: Mechanism of
      the Light-Induced Wolff Rearrangement.
AB  - Quantum dynamics calculations on a model surface based on CASPT2//CASSCF
      calculations are carried out to probe the traversal of a wave packet through an
      extended seam of conical intersection during the light-induced Wolff
      rearrangement of diazonaphtoquinone. The reaction is applied in the fabrication
      of integrated circuits. It consists of nitrogen elimination and ring
      rearrangement to yield a ketene. After excitation, the wave packet relaxes and
      reaches the extended seam. A fraction of the wave packet decays to the ground
      state at a region of the seam connected to a carbene intermediate, while the
      remaining part decays at a region leading to the ketene. The passage of the wave
      packet through the extended seam explains the competition between concerted
      ketene formation and a stepwise mechanism involving a carbene. The two primary
      photoproducts are formed in the first 100 fs of the simulation, in agreement with
      recent ultrafast spectroscopy measurements. 

PMID- 26286572
TI  - Emerging Themes in Biophysical Chemistry.

PMID- 26286573
TI  - Bacterial meningitis in children under 15 years of age in Nepal.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Bacterial meningitis in children is a life-threatening problem
      resulting in severe morbidity and mortality. For the prompt initiation of
      antibacterial therapy, rapid and reliable diagnostic methods are of utmost
      importance. Therefore, this study was designed to find out the rate of bacterial
      pathogens of meningitis from suspected cases by performing conventional methods
      and latex agglutination. METHODS: A descriptive type of study was carried out
      from May 2012 to April 2013. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens from 252
      suspected cases of meningitis were subjected for Gram staining, bacterial culture
      and latex agglutination test. The identification of growth of bacteria was done
      following standard microbiological methods recommended by American Society for
      Microbiology. Antibiotic sensitivity testing was done by modified Kirby-Bauer
      disk diffusion method. RESULTS: From the total 252 suspected cases, 7.2 %
      bacterial meningitis was revealed by Gram staining and culture methods whereas
      latex agglutination method detected 5.6 %. Gram-negative organisms contributed
      the majority of the cases (72.2 %) with Haemophilus influenzae as the leading
      pathogen for meningitis. Overall, 33.3 % mortality rate was found. CONCLUSIONS:
      In conclusion, a significant rate of bacterial meningitis was found in this study
      prompting concern for national wide surveillance.

PMID- 26286574
TI  - Gastrointestinal localization of metronidazole by a lactobacilli-inspired
      tetramic acid motif improves treatment outcomes in the hamster model of
      Clostridium difficile infection.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Metronidazole, a mainstay treatment for Clostridium difficile
      infection (CDI), is often ineffective for severe CDI. Whilst this is thought to
      arise from suboptimal levels of metronidazole in the colon due to rapid
      absorption, empirical validation is lacking. In contrast, reutericyclin, an
      antibacterial tetramic acid from Lactobacillus reuteri, concentrates in the
      gastrointestinal tract. In this study, we modified metronidazole with
      reutericyclin's tetramic acid motif to obtain non-absorbed compounds, enabling
      assessment of the impact of pharmacokinetics on treatment outcomes. METHODS: A
      series of metronidazole-bearing tetramic acid substituents were synthesized and
      evaluated in terms of anti-C. difficile activities, gastric permeability, in vivo
      pharmacokinetics, efficacy in the hamster model of CDI and mode of action.
      RESULTS: Most compounds were absorbed less than metronidazole in cell-based Caco
      2 permeability assays. In hamsters, lead compounds compartmentalized in the colon
      rather than the bloodstream with negligible levels detected in the blood, in
      direct contrast with metronidazole, which was rapidly absorbed into the blood and
      was undetectable in caecum. Accordingly, four leads were more efficacious (P <
      0.05) than metronidazole in C. difficile-infected animals. Improved efficacy was
      not due to an alternative mode of action, as the leads retained the mode of
      action of metronidazole. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides the clearest empirical
      evidence that the high absorption of metronidazole lowers treatment outcomes for
      CDI and suggests a role for the tetramic acid motif for colon-specific drug
      delivery. This approach also has the potential to lower systemic toxicity and
      drug interactions of nitroheterocyclic drugs for treating gastrointestine
      specific diseases.

PMID- 26286575
TI  - Prevalence and type of drug-drug interactions involving ART in patients attending
      a specialist HIV outpatient clinic in Kampala, Uganda.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Scale-up of HIV services in sub-Saharan Africa has rapidly increased,
      necessitating evaluation of medication safety in these settings. Drug-drug
      interactions (DDIs) involving antiretrovirals (ARVs) in sub-Saharan Africa are
      poorly characterized. We evaluated the prevalence and type of ARV DDIs in Ugandan
      outpatients and identified the patients most at risk. METHODS: A total of 2000
      consecutive patients receiving ARVs at the Infectious Diseases Institute, Kampala
      were studied. The most recent prescription for each patient was screened for
      clinically significant DDIs using www.hiv-druginteractions.org. Univariable and
      multivariable logistic regression were used to identify risk factors for DDIs. A
      screening tool was developed using significant risk factors and tested in a
      further 500 patients. RESULTS: Clinically significant DDIs were observed in 374
      (18.7%) patients, with a total of 514 DDIs observed. Only 0.2% of DDIs involved a
      contraindicated combination. Comedications commonly associated with DDIs were
      antibiotics (4.8% of 2000 patients), anthelmintics (2.2%) and antifungals (3.5%).
      Patient age, gender, CD4 count and weight did not affect risk of DDIs. In
      multivariable analysis, the patient factors that independently increased risk of
      DDIs were two or more comedications (P < 0.0001), a PI-containing ARV regimen (P
      < 0.0001), use of an anti-infective (P < 0.0001) and WHO clinical stage 3-4 (P =
      0.04). A scoring system based on having at least two of these risk factors
      identified between 75% and 90% of DDIs in a validation cohort. CONCLUSIONS:
      Significant ARV DDIs occur at similar rates in resource-limited settings and
      developed countries; however, the comedications frequently causing DDIs differ.
      Development of tools that are relevant to particular settings should be a
      priority to assist with prevention and management of DDIs.

PMID- 26286576
TI  - Differential glatiramer acetate treatment persistence in treatment-naive patients
      compared to patients previously treated with interferon.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In the treatment of multiple sclerosis, a change of therapy is
      considered after treatment failure or adverse events. Although disease modifying
      drugs' (DMD) efficacy and side effects have been fully analysed in clinical
      trials, the effects of previous therapy use are less well studied. We aimed to
      study medication persistence with glatiramer acetate in treatment-naive patients
      and in patients previously treated with interferon. METHODS: A retrospective
      study of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients treated with glatiramer
      acetate in an MS Unit of a Spanish University Hospital (January 2004--September
      2013). Treatment time on glatiramer acetate was studied. Reasons for treatment
      discontinuation were considered as follows: lack of efficacy, serious adverse
      event, injection-related side effect, pregnancy and lost to follow-up. Use of
      prior DMD was registered and analysed. Homogeneity of groups was analysed using
      Fisher's and Mann-Whitney's tests. The Kaplan Meier method and Cox regression
      model were used to estimate time to and risk of treatment discontinuation.
      RESULTS: In total, 155 relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients were
      treated with glatiramer acetate: 100 treatment-naive patients and 55 treated
      previously with interferon. At the end of the study, 76 patients (49.0%)
      continued on glatiramer acetate (with an average treatment time (ATT) of 50.4
      months, s.d.32.8) and 50 patients (32.3%) had switched therapy: 27 patients
      (17.4%) for inefficacy (ATT 29.2 months, s.d.17.5), 20 patients (12.9%) for
      injection site reactions (ATT 16.5 months, s.d.20.3) and 3 patients (1.9%) after
      serious adverse events (ATT 15.7 months, s.d.15.1). ATT in our cohort was 39
      months (s.d.30.0), median follow-up 34 months. Six months after glatiramer
      acetate initiation, probability of persisting on GA was 91.4%, 82.5% after 12
      months and 72.5% after 2 years. The risk of glatiramer acetate treatment
      discontinuation was 2.8 [1.7 - 4.8] times greater for treatment-naive patients
      than for patients treated previously with interferon and this was hardly modified
      after adjusting for sex and age. CONCLUSIONS: Glatiramer acetate was safe and
      useful with low rates of serious adverse events and low rates of break-through
      disease. Injection intolerance proved a major limitation to glatiramer acetate
      use. Patients who had been previously treated with interferons presented a lower
      probability of glatiramer acetate discontinuation than treatment-naive patients.

PMID- 26286578
TI  - China sends in medical teams to cope with casualties of Tianjin blast.

PMID- 26286577
TI  - Reorienting risk to resilience: street-involved youth perspectives on preventing
      the transition to injection drug use.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The Youth Injection Prevention (YIP) project aimed to identify
      factors associated with the prevention of transitioning to injection drug use
      (IDU) among street-involved youth (youth who had spent at least 3 consecutive
      nights without a fixed address or without their parents/caregivers in the
      previous six months) aged 16-24 years in Metro Vancouver, British Columbia.
      METHODS: Ten focus groups were conducted by youth collaborators (peer
      researchers) with street-involved youth (n = 47) from November 2009-April 2010.
      Audio recordings and focus group observational notes were transcribed verbatim
      and emergent themes identified by open coding and categorizing. RESULTS: Through
      ongoing data analysis we identified that youth produced risk and deficiency
      rather than resiliency-based answers. This enabled the questioning guide to be
      reframed into a strengths-based guide in a timely manner. Factors youth
      identified that prevented them from IDU initiation were grouped into three
      domains loosely derived from the risk environment framework: Individual (fear and
      self-worth), Social Environment (stigma and group norms - including street
      entrenched adults who actively discouraged youth from IDU, support/inclusion,
      family/friend drug use and responsibilities), and Physical/Economic Environment
      (safe/engaging spaces). Engaging youth collaborators in the research ensured
      relevance and validity of the study. CONCLUSION: Participants emphasized having
      personal goals and ties to social networks, supportive family and role models,
      and the need for safe and stable housing as key to resiliency. Gaining the
      perspectives of street-involved youth on factors that prevent IDU provides a
      complementary perspective to risk-based studies and encourages strength-based
      approaches for coaching and care of at-risk youth and upon which prevention
      programs should be built.

PMID- 26286579
TI  - Multilevel thoracic ossification of ligamentum flavum coexisted with/without
      lumbar spinal stenosis: staged surgical strategy and clinical outcomes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Thoracic ossification of ligamentum flavum (TOLF) is a progressively
      disabling disease. Isolated or continuous TOLF has been frequently reported in
      literature, however there are very few reports of multilevel or non-continuous
      TOLF. The purpose of the study was to discuss the surgical strategy of multilevel
      TOLF and evaluate safety and efficacy of a two-stage operation regimen. METHODS:
      From October 2007 to May 2014, eleven patients (4 males, 7 females) that
      underwent two-stage surgery for multilevel spinal stenosis were retrospectively
      reviewed. The follow-up period lasted at least 12 months. Demographic data,
      radiological findings as well as operative data were collected. Postoperative
      functional outcomes evaluated by the modified Japanese Orthopedic Association
      score (mJOA) and complications were analyzed. RESULTS: The patients ranged in age
      from 30 to 65 years (average, 50.2 +/- 11.8 years), and comprised 4 men and 7
      women. All patients exhibited significant improvements in neurological deficits.
      The mJOA score improved from a mean of 3.5 +/- 2.2 preoperatively to 4.6 +/- 2.3
      before second-stage surgery and to 7.5 +/- 2.2 at final follow-up. The
      improvement was statistically significant in the average mJOA improvement rate at
      final follow-up. No staging-related complications were noted in this study.
      CONCLUSIONS: Staged surgery can effectively achieve neurological functional
      recovery in patients with multi-segment spinal stenosis in thoracic and lumbar
      regions, with favorable efficacy and safety. Yet, slight neurological
      deterioration was observed during the intervals of these two index surgeries.

PMID- 26286580
TI  - Impact of Time Lapse on ASCP Board of Certification Medical Laboratory Scientist
      (MLS) and Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) Examination Scores.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Research in several professional fields has demonstrated that delays
      (time lapse) in taking certification examinations may result in poorer
      performance by examinees. Thirteen states and/or territories require licensure
      for laboratory personnel. A core component of licensure is passing a
      certification exam. Also, many facilities in states that do not require licensure
      require certification for employment or preferentially hire certified
      individuals. OBJECTIVE: To analyze examinee performance on the American Society
      for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification (BOC) Medical Laboratory
      Scientist (MLS) and Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) certification
      examinations to determine whether delays in taking the examination from the time
      of program completion are associated with poorer performance. METHODS: We
      obtained examination data from April 2013 through December 2014 to look for
      changes in mean (SD) exam scaled scores and overall pass/fail rates. First-time
      examinees (MLS: n = 6037; MLT, n = 3920) were divided into 3-month categories
      based on the interval of time between date of program completion and taking the
      certification exam. RESULTS: We observed significant decreases in mean (SD)
      scaled scores and pass rates after the first quarter in MLS and MLT examinations
      for applicants who delayed taking their examination until the second, third, and
      fourth quarter after completing their training programs. CONCLUSIONS: Those who
      take the ASCP BOC MLS and MLT examinations are encouraged to do so shortly after
      completion of their educational training programs. Delays in taking an exam are
      generally not beneficial to the examinee and result in poorer performance on the
      exam.

PMID- 26286581
TI  - Electron Microscopic Analysis of Surface Inorganic Substances on Oral and
      Combustible Tobacco Products.
AB  - Although quantitative trace toxic metal analyses have been performed on tobacco
      products, little has been published on inorganic particulate constituents on and
      inside the products. We analyzed these constituents using scanning electron
      microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). The nature of SEM
      EDS instrumentation makes it an ideal choice for inorganic particulate analyses
      and yields relevant information to potential exposures during consumption of oral
      tobacco products, and possibly as a consequence of smoking. Aluminum silicates,
      silica and calcium compounds were common inorganic particulate constituents of
      tobacco products. Aluminum silicates and silica from soil were found on external
      leaf surfaces. Phytolithic silica, found in the lumen of the plant leaf, is of
      biogenic origin. Calcium oxalate was also apparently of biogenic origin. Small
      mineral deposits on tobacco could have health implications. Minerals found on the
      surfaces of smokeless tobacco products could possibly abrade the oral mucosa and
      contribute to the oral inflammatory responses observed with smokeless tobacco
      product use. If micron and sub-micron size calcium particles on cigarette filler
      were transported in mainstream smoke, they could potentially induce a pulmonary
      irritant inflammation when inhaled. The transport of aluminum silicate and silica
      in smoke could potentially also contribute to chronic inflammatory disease. 

PMID- 26286583
TI  - Combined use of antidepressants and NSAIDs: NNT for intracranial haemorrhage.

PMID- 26286582
TI  - Assessment of water, sanitation, and hygiene practices and associated factors in
      a Buruli ulcer endemic district in Benin (West Africa).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Control of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) requires multiple
      strategic approaches including water, sanitation and hygiene services (WASH).
      Buruli ulcer (BU), one of the 17 NTDs, remains a public health issue in Benin
      particularly in the district of Lalo. The availability of water as well as good
      hygiene are important for the management of Buruli ulcer particularly in the area
      of wound care one of the main component of the treatment of BU lesions. Given the
      growing importance of WASH in controlling NTDs and in order to assess the
      baseline for future cross-cutting interventions, we report here on the first
      study evaluating the level of WASH and associated factors in Lalo, one of the
      most BU-endemic districts in Benin. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was carried
      to assess WASH practices and associated factors in the district of Lalo. Data
      were collected from 600 heads of household using structured pretested
      questionnaire and observations triangulated with qualitative information obtained
      from in-depth interviews of patients, care-givers and community members.
      Univariate and multivariate analysis were carried to determine the relationships
      between the potential associated factors and the sanitation as well as hygiene
      status. RESULTS: BU is an important conditions in the district of Lalo with 917
      new cases detected from 2006 to 2012. More than 49 % of the household surveyed
      used unimproved water sources for their daily needs. Only 8.7 % of the
      investigated household had improved sanitation facilities at home and 9.7 % had
      improved hygiene behavior. The type of housing as an indicator of the
      socioeconomic status, the permanent availability of soap and improved hygiene
      practices were identified as the main factors positively associated with improved
      sanitation status. CONCLUSIONS: In the district of Lalo in Benin, one of the most
      endemic for BU, the WASH indicators are very low. This study provides baseline
      informations for future cross-cutting interventions in this district.

PMID- 26286585
TI  - Stability of metabolically healthy obesity over 8 years: the English Longitudinal
      Study of Ageing.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Metabolically healthy obesity possibly reflects a transitional stage
      before the onset of metabolic dysfunction, but few studies have characterised
      this transition. We examined the behavioural and biological characteristics of
      healthy obese adults that progressed to an unhealthy state over 8 years follow
      up. METHODS: Participants were 2422 men and women (aged 63.3+/-7.7 years, 44.2%
      men) from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Obesity was defined as BMI
      >=30 kg/m(2). Based on blood pressure (BP), HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, HbA1c
      and C-reactive protein (CRP) participants were classified as 'healthy' (0 or 1
      metabolic abnormality) or 'unhealthy' (>=2 metabolic abnormalities). RESULTS:
      Over 8 years follow-up, 44.5% of healthy obese subjects had transitioned into an
      unhealthy state, compared to only 16.6 and 26.2% of healthy normal-weight and
      overweight adults respectively. Compared with healthy obese adults who remained
      stable, those who progressed to an unhealthy state were more likely to have high
      BP (75.0% vs 37.0%, age- and sex-adjusted odds ratio (OR) 8.9, 95% CI 4.7-17.0),
      high CRP (53.7% vs 17.0%, OR=8.6, 95% CI 4.1-18.0), high HbA1c (46.3% vs 5.9%,
      OR=13.8, 95% CI 6.1-31.2) and high triglycerides (45.4% vs 11.9%, OR=5.9, 95% CI
      2.9-12.0) at follow-up, with excess risk remaining independent of lifestyle
      factors including self-reported physical activity. Progression to an unhealthy
      state was also linked with significant gains in waist circumference (B=2.7, 95%
      CI, 0.5-4.9 cm). CONCLUSION: These data show that a healthy obesity phenotype is
      relatively unstable. Transition to an unhealthy state is characterised by
      multiple biological changes that are not fully explained by lifestyle risk
      factors.

PMID- 26286584
TI  - Leptin produced by obese adipose stromal/stem cells enhances proliferation and
      metastasis of estrogen receptor positive breast cancers.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The steady increase in the incidence of obesity among adults has
      been paralleled with higher levels of obesity-associated breast cancer. While
      recent studies have suggested that adipose stromal/stem cells (ASCs) isolated
      from obese women enhance tumorigenicity, the mechanism(s) by which this occurs
      remains undefined. Evidence suggests that increased adiposity results in
      increased leptin secretion from adipose tissue, which has been shown to increased
      cancer cell proliferation. Previously, our group demonstrated that ASCs isolated
      from obese women (obASCs) also express higher levels of leptin relative to ASCs
      isolated from lean women (lnASCs) and that this obASC-derived leptin may account
      for enhanced breast cancer cell growth. The current study investigates the impact
      of inhibiting leptin expression in lnASCs and obASCs on breast cancer cell (BCC)
      growth and progression. METHODS: Estrogen receptor positive (ER+) BCCs were co
      cultured with leptin shRNA lnASCs or leptin shRNA obASCs and changes in the
      proliferation, migration, invasion, and gene expression of BCCs were
      investigated. To assess the direct impact of leptin inhibition in obASCs on BCC
      proliferation, MCF7 cells were injected alone or mixed with control shRNA obASCs
      or leptin shRNA obASCs into SCID/beige mice. RESULTS: ER+ BCCs were responsive to
      obASCs during direct co-culture, whereas lnASCs were unable to increase ER(+) BCC
      growth. shRNA silencing of leptin in obASCs negated the enhanced proliferative
      effects of obASC on BCCs following direct co-culture. BCCs co-cultured with
      obASCs demonstrated enhanced expression of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition
      (EMT) and metastasis genes (SERPINE1, MMP-2, and IL-6), while BCCs co-cultured
      with leptin shRNA obASCs did not display similar levels of gene induction.
      Knockdown of leptin significantly reduced tumor volume and decreased the number
      of metastatic lesions to the lung and liver. These results correlated with
      reduced expression of both SERPINE1 and MMP-2 in tumors formed with MCF7 cells
      mixed with leptin shRNA obASCs, when compared to tumors formed with MCF7 cells
      mixed with control shRNA obASCs. CONCLUSION: This study provides mechanistic
      insight as to how obesity enhances the proliferation and metastasis of breast
      cancer cells; specifically, obASC-derived leptin contributes to the
      aggressiveness of breast cancer in obese women.

PMID- 26286586
TI  - Safety, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of TV-1106, a long-acting
      GH treatment for GH deficiency.
AB  - BACKGROUND: TV-1106 (Teva Pharmaceuticals) is a genetically fused recombinant
      protein of human GH (hGH) and human serum albumin, in development for treatment
      of GH deficiency (GHD). TV-1106 is expected to have an extended duration of
      action compared to daily GH treatment and may enable a reduction in the frequency
      of injections and improve compliance and quality of life for adults and children
      requiring GHD therapy. OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety, local tolerability,
      pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of TV-1106 following single s.c. injections
      in healthy male volunteers. METHODS: Subjects (n=56) were assigned to one of
      seven ascending dose groups (3-100 mg) and received either a single dose of TV
      1106 (n=6) or placebo (n=2) by s.c. injection. RESULTS: Eighteen subjects
      reported 43 adverse effects (AEs), which were mild to moderate; no serious AEs
      (SAEs) occurred. In 50, 70 and 100 mg groups there were mild to moderate
      increases in heart rate and systolic blood pressure that significantly correlated
      with higher levels of IGF1. TV-1106 showed pharmacokinetic characteristics of a
      long-acting hGH as demonstrated by a terminal elimination half-life of 23-35 h,
      delayed time of peak concentration, and systemic levels seen up to 7 days after
      dosing. IGF1 levels increased in a dose-dependent manner, before reaching a
      plateau, with levels above baseline extending beyond 7 days post dose.
      CONCLUSION: Single administration of TV-1106 up to 100 mg was safe in healthy
      volunteers. Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics support once-weekly
      administration in patients with GHD.

PMID- 26286587
TI  - Study design cannot support link between intracranial haemorrhage,
      antidepressants, and NSAIDs.

PMID- 26286588
TI  - Anger Problems Predict Long-Term Criminal Recidivism in Partner Violent Men.
AB  - The current study investigated the influence of anger problems on partner violent
      men's long-term response to treatment, as indicated by criminal recidivism during
      an 8-year period after treatment initiation. Participants were 132 men who
      presented for treatment services at a community-based domestic violence agency.
      Results indicated that individuals with extensive anger problems had more charges
      for general violence (GV) offenses and more ongoing problems with protection
      orders than did those with Normal Anger (NA) profiles. Examinations of specific
      anger scales indicated that low Anger Control (LAC) and high Anger Expression
      predict GV recidivism. These findings indicate that a standard cognitive
      behavioral treatment program may not adequately reduce the recidivism risk of
      partner violent men with pronounced anger problems, stress the importance of
      further research to understand the role of anger problems in partner violence
      treatment, and highlight the need to develop and evaluate new intervention
      approaches for partner violent men with serious anger dysregulation.

PMID- 26286589
TI  - Integrating Tumor and Stromal Gene Expression Signatures With Clinical Indices
      for Survival Stratification of Early-Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Accurate survival stratification in early-stage non-small cell lung
      cancer (NSCLC) could inform the use of adjuvant therapy. We developed a
      clinically implementable mortality risk score incorporating distinct tumor
      microenvironmental gene expression signatures and clinical variables. METHODS:
      Gene expression profiles from 1106 nonsquamous NSCLCs were used for generation
      and internal validation of a nine-gene molecular prognostic index (MPI). A
      quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay was developed and validated
      on an independent cohort of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues (n =
      98). A prognostic score using clinical variables was generated using
      Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results data and combined with the MPI. All
      statistical tests for survival were two-sided. RESULTS: The MPI stratified stage
      I patients into prognostic categories in three microarray and one FFPE qPCR
      validation cohorts (HR = 2.99, 95% CI = 1.55 to 5.76, P < .001 in stage IA
      patients of the largest microarray validation cohort; HR = 3.95, 95% CI = 1.24 to
      12.64, P = .01 in stage IA of the qPCR cohort). Prognostic genes were expressed
      in distinct tumor cell subpopulations, and genes implicated in proliferation and
      stem cells portended poor outcomes, while genes involved in normal lung
      differentiation and immune infiltration were associated with superior survival.
      Integrating the MPI with clinical variables conferred greatest prognostic power
      (HR = 3.43, 95% CI = 2.18 to 5.39, P < .001 in stage I patients of the largest
      microarray cohort; HR = 3.99, 95% CI = 1.67 to 9.56, P < .001 in stage I patients
      of the qPCR cohort). Finally, the MPI was prognostic irrespective of somatic
      alterations in EGFR, KRAS, TP53, and ALK. CONCLUSION: The MPI incorporates genes
      expressed in the tumor and its microenvironment and can be implemented clinically
      using qPCR assays on FFPE tissues. A composite model integrating the MPI with
      clinical variables provides the most accurate risk stratification.

PMID- 26286590
TI  - Comparative effectiveness of psychological treatments for depressive disorders in
      primary care: network meta-analysis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: A variety of psychological interventions to treat depressive
      disorders have been developed and are used in primary care. In a systematic
      review, we compared the effectiveness of psychological treatments grouped by
      theoretical background, intensity of contact with the health care professional,
      and delivery mode for depressed patients in this setting. METHODS: Randomized
      trials comparing a psychological treatment with usual care, placebo, another
      psychological treatment, pharmacotherapy, or a combination treatment in adult
      depressed primary care patients were identified by database searches up to
      December 2013. We performed both conventional pairwise meta-analysis and network
      meta-analysis combining direct and indirect evidence. Outcome measures were
      response to treatment (primary outcome), remission of symptoms, post-treatment
      depression scores and study discontinuation. RESULTS: A total of 37 studies with
      7,024 patients met the inclusion criteria. Among the psychological treatments
      investigated in at least 150 patients face-to-face cognitive behavioral therapy
      (CBT; OR 1.80; 95 % credible interval 1.35-2.39), face-to-face counselling and
      psychoeducation (1.65; 1.27-2.13), remote therapist lead CBT (1.87; 1.38-2.53),
      guided self-help CBT (1.68; 1.22-2.30) and no/minimal contact CBT (1.53; 1.07
      2.17) were superior to usual care or placebo, but not face-to-face problem
      solving therapy and face-to-face interpersonal therapy. There were no statistical
      differences between psychological treatments apart from face-to-face
      interpersonal psychotherapy being inferior to remote therapist-lead CBT (0.60;
      0.37-0.95). Remote therapist-led (0.86; 0.21-3.67), guided self-help (0.93; 0.62
      1.41) and no/minimal contact CBT (0.85; 0.54-1.36) had similar effects as face-to
      face CBT. CONCLUSIONS: The limited available evidence precludes a sufficiently
      reliable assessment of the comparative effectiveness of psychological treatments
      in depressed primary care patients. Findings suggest that psychological
      interventions with a cognitive behavioral approach are promising, and primarily
      indirect evidence indicates that it applies also when they are delivered with a
      reduced number of therapist contacts or remotely. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION:
      01KG1012 at http://www.gesundheitsforschung-bmbf.de/de/2852.php.

PMID- 26286591
TI  - Qualitative evaluation of primary care providers experiences of a training
      programme to offer brief behaviour change counselling on risk factors for non
      communicable diseases in South Africa.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The global epidemic of non-communicable disease (NCDs) has been
      linked with four modifiable risky lifestyle behaviours, namely smoking, unhealthy
      diet, physical inactivity and alcohol abuse. Primary care providers (PCPs) can
      play an important role in changing patient's risky behaviours. It is recommended
      that PCPs provide individual brief behaviour change counselling (BBCC) as part of
      everyday primary care. This study is part of a larger project that re-designed
      the current training for PCPs in South Africa, to offer a standardized approach
      to BBCC based on the 5 As and a guiding style. This article reports on a
      qualitative sub-study, which explored whether the training intervention changed
      PCPs perception of their confidence in their ability to offer BBCC, whether they
      believed that the new approach could overcome the barriers to implementation in
      clinical practice and be sustained, and their recommendations on future training
      and integration of BBCC into curricula and clinical practice. METHODS: This was a
      qualitative study that used verbal feedback from participants at the beginning
      and end of the training course, and twelve individual in-depth interviews with
      participants once they had returned to their clinical practice. RESULTS: Although
      PCP's confidence in their ability to counselling improved, and some thought that
      time constraints could be overcome, they still reported that understaffing, lack
      of support from within the facility and poor continuity of care were barriers to
      counselling. However, the current organisational culture was not congruent with
      the patient-centred guiding style of BBCC. Training should be incorporated into
      undergraduate curricula of PCPs for both nurses and doctors, to ensure that
      counselling skills are embedded from the start. Existing PCPs should be offered
      training as part of continued professional development programmes. CONCLUSIONS:
      This study showed that although training changed PCPs perception of their ability
      to offer BBCC, and increased their confidence to overcome certain barriers to
      implementation, significant barriers remained. It is clear that to incorporate
      BBCC into everyday care, not only training, but also a whole systems approach is
      needed, that involves the patient, provider, and service organisation at
      different levels.

PMID- 26286592
TI  - Distribution characteristics of salivary cortisol measurements in a healthy young
      male population.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Salivary cortisol has been used in various fields of science as a non
      invasive biomarker of stress levels. This study offers the normative reference
      values of cortisol measurement for healthy young males. FINDINGS: Salivary
      cortisol levels were measured in 267 healthy young males (age: 21.7 +/- 1.5
      years) in the early morning on two consecutive days and were analyzed by
      radioimmunoassay. Frequency distribution analysis was conducted with mean values
      of the measurements taken on the 2 days. The mean salivary cortisol level was
      20.39 +/- 7.74 nmol/l (median: 19.31 nmol/l). The skewness and kurtosis of the
      distribution of the raw data were 0.72 and 0.68, respectively. They were both
      improved by a square root transformation but not by a logarithmic transformation.
      CONCLUSIONS: The skewness of the distribution for salivary cortisol measured in
      the early morning is considerably smaller than that previously reported from
      afternoon measurements. A "floor effect" may be an explanation for the difference
      in the distribution characteristics of salivary cortisol.

PMID- 26286593
TI  - Effects of sensorimotor training volume on recovery of sensorimotor function in
      patients following lower limb arthroplasty.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sensorimotor function is degraded in patients after lower limb
      arthroplasty. Sensorimotor training is thought to improve sensorimotor skills,
      however, the optimal training stimulus with regard to volume, frequency,
      duration, and intensity is still unknown. The aim of this study, therefore, was
      to firstly quantify the progression of sensorimotor function after total hip
      (THA) or knee (TKA) arthroplasty and, as second step, to evaluate effects of
      different sensorimotor training volumes. METHODS: 58 in-patients during their
      rehabilitation after THA or TKA participated in this prospective cohort study.
      Sensorimotor function was assessed using a test battery including measures of
      stabilization capacity, static balance, proprioception, and gait, along with a
      self-reported pain and function. All participants were randomly assigned to one
      of three intervention groups performing sensorimotor training two, four, or six
      times per week. Outcome measures were taken at three instances, at baseline
      (pre), after 1.5 weeks (mid) and at the conclusion of the 3 week program (post).
      RESULTS: All measurements showed significant improvements over time, with the
      exception of proprioception and static balance during quiet bipedal stance which
      showed no significant main effects for time or intervention. There was no
      significant effect of sensorimotor training volume on any of the outcome
      measures. CONCLUSION: We were able to quantify improvements in measures of
      dynamic, but not static, sensorimotor function during the initial three weeks of
      rehabilitation following TKA/THA. Although sensorimotor improvements were
      independent of the training volume applied in the current study, long-term
      effects of sensorimotor training volume need to be investigated to optimize
      training stimulus recommendations. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical trial
      registration number: DRKS00007894.

PMID- 26286594
TI  - Relationship of anabolic and catabolic biomarkers with muscle strength and
      physical performance in older adults: a population-based cross-sectional study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Previous studies have found inflammation, growth factors, and
      androgen signaling pathways all contribute to sarcopenia. However, few studies
      simultaneously have investigated the association between these potential risk
      factors and sarcopenia among older people. The aim of the study was to
      investigate whether elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines combined with low
      levels of anabolic hormone have a synergy effect on muscle strength and
      functional decline in older people. METHODS: We designed a cross-sectional study
      of 1,131 subjects aged 60 years and older. Concentrations of serum C-reactive
      protein, insulin-like growth factor 1 and dehydroepiandrosteronesulphate were
      assessed using chemiluminescent immunoassays. Handgrip strength was measured
      using a dynamometer, and physical performance was assessed using a four-meter
      gait speed and Timed Up and Go test. We defined poor physical performance as a 4
      m gait speed <0.8 m/s or Timed Up and Go test >=13.5 s. RESULTS: After adjustment
      for potential confounding factors, in multiple linear regression analysis, C
      reactive protein levels are inversely related to handgrip strength (P <0.01), and
      in multiple logistic regression analysis, C-reactive protein levels are inversely
      related to poor physical performance (P for trend <0.05) in males, but not in
      females. After combining three biomarkers, no significant results were observed
      between biomarker scores and muscle strength or physical performance.
      CONCLUSIONS: In older males, higher serum C-reactive protein levels, but not
      insulin-like growth factor 1 and dehydroepiandrosteronesulphate levels, are
      independently related to lower muscle strength and poor physical performance. In
      this study we did not observe that a combination of higher catabolic biomarkers
      and lower anabolic biomarkers were better predictors for muscle strength and
      physical performance.

PMID- 26286595
TI  - Using ultrasound to assess the thickness of the transversus abdominis in a sling
      exercise.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Activation of the deep stabilizing trunk muscle transversus abdominis
      (TrA) is important for trunk stabilization and spine stability. Sling exercises
      are used for the activation of trunk muscles, therefore we determined the
      thickness of the TrA in a standardized sling exercise in comparison to rest and
      abdominal press. Furthermore we propose a standardized measurement method, which
      can be used to compare relative muscle thickness levels in different exercises.
      METHODS: The main objective of the study was to assess and to compare the
      thickness of the TrA during different conditions; resting condition, sling
      exercise condition (non-voluntary contraction), and abdominal press condition
      (voluntary contraction) using a non-invasive ultrasound-based measurement method.
      Ultrasound measurement (USM; 8.9 MHz, B-mode) was employed to measure the
      thickness of the TrA in twenty healthy volunteers (13 m, 7 f), each one measured
      three times with breaks of 48 h. On each measurement day, the subjects were
      measured on three different conditions: resting condition (RC), sling condition
      (SC), and abdominal press condition (APC). The USM images were analyzed using a
      custom-made MatLab script, to determine the thickness of the TrA. RESULTS: A two
      way repeated-measurements ANOVA was performed with a significant effect of the
      factor condition [F(2,38) = 47.82, p < 0.0001, eta(2) = 0.72], no significant
      effect of the factor time [F(2.38) = 2.45, p = 0.1, eta(2) = 0.11], and no
      significant interaction effect [F(4,76) = 0.315, p = 0.867, eta(2) = 0.02].
      Statistically corrected post-hoc t-tests revealed significant differences in TrA
      thickness showing that RC < SC (p < 0.001; eta(2) = 0.19; d = 0.96), SC < APC (p
      < 0.0001; eta(2) = 0.23; d = 1.10), RC < APC (p < 0.0001; eta(2) = 0.53; d =
      2.11). As for the test-retest reliability the intra-class correlation coefficient
      (ICC) yielded a value of 0.71, 0.54, and 0.29, on the conditions RC, SC, and APC,
      respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We showed that the investigated sling exercise can be
      used to significantly increase the TrA thickness, and that the TrA thickness was
      significantly different on the three conditions (RC, SC, APC) using the
      ultrasound-based method.

PMID- 26286596
TI  - Correlation of clinical and physical-technical image quality in chest CT: a human
      cadaver study applied on iterative reconstruction.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The first aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between
      clinical and physical-technical image quality applied to different strengths of
      iterative reconstruction in chest CT images using Thiel cadaver acquisitions and
      Catphan images. The second aim was to determine the potential dose reduction of
      iterative reconstruction compared to conventional filtered back projection based
      on different clinical and physical-technical image quality parameters. METHODS:
      Clinical image quality was assessed using three Thiel embalmed human cadavers. A
      Catphan phantom was used to assess physical-technical image quality parameters
      such as noise, contrast-detail and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). Both Catphan
      and chest Thiel CT images were acquired on a multislice CT scanner at 120 kVp and
      0.9 pitch. Six different refmAs settings were applied (12, 30, 60, 90, 120 and
      150refmAs) and each scan was reconstructed using filtered back projection (FBP)
      and iterative reconstruction (SAFIRE) algorithms (1,3 and 5 strengths) using a
      sharp kernel, resulting in 24 image series. Four radiologists assessed the
      clinical image quality, using a visual grading analysis (VGA) technique based on
      the European Quality Criteria for Chest CT. RESULTS: Correlation coefficients
      between clinical and physical-technical image quality varied from 0.88 to 0.92,
      depending on the selected physical-technical parameter. Depending on the strength
      of SAFIRE, the potential dose reduction based on noise, CNR and the inverse image
      quality figure (IQF(inv)) varied from 14.0 to 67.8%, 16.0 to 71.5% and 22.7 to
      50.6% respectively. Potential dose reduction based on clinical image quality
      varied from 27 to 37.4%, depending on the strength of SAFIRE. CONCLUSION: Our
      results demonstrate that noise assessments in a uniform phantom overestimate the
      potential dose reduction for the SAFIRE IR algorithm. Since the IQF(inv) based
      dose reduction is quite consistent with the clinical based dose reduction, an
      optimised contrast-detail phantom could improve the use of contrast-detail
      analysis for image quality assessment in chest CT imaging. In conclusion, one
      should be cautious to evaluate the performance of CT equipment taking into
      account only physical-technical parameters as noise and CNR, as this might give
      an incomplete representation of the actual clinical image quality performance.

PMID- 26286597
TI  - Psychometric evaluation of the Malay version of the Montgomery- Asberg Depression
      Rating Scale (MADRS-BM).
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study examines the psychometric properties of the Malay version
      of the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS-BM). METHODS: A total of
      150 participants with (n = 50) and without depression (n = 100) completed the
      self-rated version of the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS-S),
      the Malay versions of the MADRS-BM, the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II-M),
      the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12), and the Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure
      Scale (SHAPS-M). RESULTS: With respect to dimensionality of the MADRS-BM, we
      obtained one factor solution. With respect to reliability, we found that internal
      consistency was satisfactory. The scale demonstrated excellent parallel form
      reliability. The one-week test-retest reliability was good. With respect to
      validity, positive correlations between the MADRS-BM, BDI-II-M, and the GHQ and
      negative correlation between the MADRS-BM and SHAPS-M provide initial evidence of
      MADRS-BM's concurrent validity. After adjusting for age, gender, ethnicity,
      educational level, and marital status, individuals with depression significantly
      reported higher MADRS-BM scores than did individuals without depression. Hence,
      there is additional evidence for concurrent validity of the MADRS-BM. Cut-off
      score of 4 distinguished individuals with depression from individuals without
      depression with a sensitivity of 78 % and a specificity of 86 %. CONCLUSIONS: The
      MADRS-BM demonstrated promising psychometric properties in terms of
      dimensionality, reliability, and validity that generally justifies its use in
      routine clinical practice in Malaysia.

PMID- 26286598
TI  - Burden of herpes zoster: the direct and comorbidity costs of herpes zoster events
      in hospitalized patients over 50 years in France.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The objectives of this study were to describe hospital stays related
      to HZ and to evaluate the direct and indirect cost of hospitalizations due to HZ
      among patients aged over 50 years. METHODS: The hospitalizations of people aged
      over 50 years were selected from the French national hospital 2011 database
      (PMSI) using ICD-10 diagnosis codes for HZ. Firstly, stays with HZ as principal
      or related diagnostic were described through the patient characteristics, type of
      hospitalization and the related costs. Secondly, a retrospective case-control
      analysis was performed on stays with HZ as comorbidity in 5 main hospitalizations
      causes (circulatory, respiratory, osteo-articular, digestive systems and
      diabetes) to assess the impact of HZ as co-morbidity on the length of stay,
      mortality rate and costs. RESULTS: In the first analysis, 2,571 hospital stays
      were collected (60 % of women, mean age: 76.3 years and mean LOS: 9.5 days). The
      total health assurance costs were 10,8 M?. Mean cost per hospital stay was
      4,206?. In the second analysis, a significant difference in LOS and costs was
      shown when HZ was associated as comorbidity in other hospitalization's causes.
      CONCLUSIONS: HZ directly impacts on the hospital cost. When present as
      comorbidity for other medical reasons, HZ significantly increases the length of
      hospital stay with subsequent economic burden for the French Health System.

PMID- 26286599
TI  - Adjusting heterogeneous ascertainment bias for genetic association analysis with
      extended families.
AB  - BACKGROUND: In family-based association analysis, each family is typically
      ascertained from a single proband, which renders the effects of ascertainment
      bias heterogeneous among family members. This is contrary to case-control
      studies, and may introduce sample or ascertainment bias. Statistical efficiency
      is affected by ascertainment bias, and careful adjustment can lead to substantial
      improvements in statistical power. However, genetic association analysis has
      often been conducted using family-based designs, without addressing the fact that
      each proband in a family has had a great influence on the probability for each
      family member to be affected. METHOD: We propose a powerful and efficient
      statistic for genetic association analysis that considered the heterogeneity of
      ascertainment bias among family members, under the assumption that both
      prevalence and heritability of disease are available. With extensive simulation
      studies, we showed that the proposed method performed better than the existing
      methods, particularly for diseases with large heritability. RESULTS: We applied
      the proposed method to the genome-wide association analysis of Alzheimer's
      disease. Four significant associations with the proposed method were found.
      CONCLUSION: Our significant findings illustrated the practical importance of this
      new analysis method.

PMID- 26286600
TI  - Identification of apoptosis-related microRNAs and their target genes in
      myocardial infarction post-transplantation with skeletal myoblasts.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Skeletal myoblasts (SkMs) has provided a promising treatment for
      myocardial infarction (MI). Functioning as posttranscriptional regulators,
      microRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in cardiac repairment and stem cell
      regulation. However, the correlation between miRNAs and their targeted genes in
      SkM cell therapy for MI was not fully understood. METHODS: We explored the
      cardioprotection by SkMs in infracted rats and determined cardiac functions at 4
      weeks. In addition, we compared the expression profiles of miRNAs and mRNAs in
      post-MI rats with or without SkM cell therapy using microarray. The concordance
      between miRNA expression and mRNA levels of potential target genes was confirmed
      by quantitative real-time PCR. RESULTS: Quantitative echocardiography and
      histology showed improved cardiac function, attenuated heart infarcted area and
      inhibited cardiomyocyte apoptosis in the SkM group, compared with MI group. We
      identified that 160 miRNAs were differentially expressed in MI group as compared
      to the control group and 78 miRNAs were differentially expressed in the SkM
      treated group as compared to the untreated post-MI. We focused on a novel set of
      apoptosis-associated miRNAs and their target genes, among which 4 miRNAs (miR-30a
      5p, miR-30c-5p, miR-145-5p, miR-140-3p), except one (miR-143-3p), were
      downregulated in the SkM treated group as compared to the untreated group.
      Furthermore, we found seven genes including Angptl4, Dpep1, Egr1, Eif5a, Tsc22d3,
      Irs2 and Cebpb that showed a linear correlation with which miRNAs. CONCLUSIONS:
      The downregulation of apoptosis-regulatory miRNAs and in turn upregulation of
      target genes may partially account for rescue effect of SKM therapy for MI.

PMID- 26286601
TI  - Progesterone Receptor (PGR) gene polymorphism is associated with susceptibility
      to preterm birth.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Preterm birth (PTB) is the major cause of death in newborn and the
      second major cause of death in children less than 5 years old worldwide. Genetic
      polymorphism has been implicated as a factor for the occurrence of preterm birth.
      The aim of this study is to evaluate whether polymorphism in the progesterone
      receptor (PGR) is associated with susceptibility to preterm birth. METHODS: A
      total of 135 women with preterm and 532 women with term deliveries were genotyped
      for PGR gene polymorphisms (rs660149, rs471767, rs10895068) using Sequenom
      MassARRAY platform. RESULTS: The G allele of PGR rs660149 polymorphism was
      significantly associated with susceptibility to PTB in the Malay women. The odds
      of G allele occurring among Malay women with preterm delivery was twice that of
      Malay women with term delivery (OR 2.3, 95 % CI (1.2-4.5, P = 0.011).
      Alternatively, no significant association was observed between PGR rs660149
      polymorphisms and susceptibility to PTB in Chinese and Indian women. CONCLUSIONS:
      This study shows that variability in the occurrence of PTB across ethnicities in
      Malaysia is partly due to differences in genetic background. We therefore suggest
      that in addition to life style and environmental factors, genetic factor should
      be greatly considered in this population. Prior information on the genetic
      composition of women may help in the identification and management of women at
      risk of preterm birth complication.

PMID- 26286602
TI  - Determinants of consistent condom use among female sex workers in Savannakhet,
      Lao PDR.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Female sex workers (FSWs) are a high-risk population for HIV. Correct
      and consistent use of condoms is the most effective measure for reducing
      transmission of HIV. Lao PDR is a low HIV-prevalence country, but FSWs have a
      relatively high HIV prevalence. To be able to make recommendations for condom
      promotion interventions in Lao PDR it is important to know more about the context
      specific situation. This study looked at reasons for and associated factors of
      consistent condom use among FSWs. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey among 258
      FSWs in Kaysone Phomvihan district in Savannakhet province was performed.
      RESULTS: Almost all FSWs had enough condoms (94%), condoms always available
      (100%) and could always afford condoms (92%). Consistent condom use was 97% with
      non-regular partners and 60% with regular partners. Almost all respondents (95%)
      had received information about condoms from the drop-in centre. Stated reasons
      for consistent condom use were prevention of HIV (94%), STIs (88%) and pregnancy
      (87%). Most reasons for inconsistent condom use were related to partners not
      wanting to use condoms because of reduced sexual pleasure. Some FSWs reported
      that they were physically abused and forced not to use condoms. Shorter time in
      sex work, higher education and FSW not having regular partners were significantly
      associated with consistent condom use. CONCLUSIONS: Consistent condom use was
      very high with non-regular partners, but less frequent with regular partners. The
      main reason for inconsistent condom use was that the partner did not want to use
      a condom. Associated factors for consistent condom use were not having regular
      partners, higher education and shorter time in sex work. Condom promotion
      programs should include both FSWs and their partners and female condoms should be
      included in condom intervention efforts. Future studies should investigate the
      validity of self-reported sexual practices, partners' reasons for inconsistent
      condom use, risk of violence in sex work and why shorter time in sex work is
      associated with consistent condom use.

PMID- 26286603
TI  - Monocyte Phenotype and Polyfunctionality Are Associated With Elevated Soluble
      Inflammatory Markers, Cytomegalovirus Infection, and Functional and Cognitive
      Decline in Elderly Adults.
AB  - Monocytes are mediators of the inflammatory response and include three subsets:
      classical, intermediate, and nonclassical. Little is known about the phenotypical
      and functional age-related changes in monocytes and their association with
      soluble inflammatory biomarkers, cytomegalovirus infection, and functional and
      mental decline. We assayed the activation ex vivo and the responsiveness to TLR2
      and TLR4 agonists in vitro in the three subsets and assessed the intracellular
      production of IL1-alpha (alpha), IL1-beta (beta), IL-6, IL-8, TNF-alpha, and IL
      10 of elderly adults (median 83 [67-90] years old;n= 20) compared with young
      controls (median 35 [27-40] years old;n= 20). Ex vivo, the elderly adults showed
      a higher percentage of classical monocytes that expressed intracellular IL1-alpha
      (p= .001), IL1-beta (p= .001), IL-6 (p= .002), and IL-8 (p= .007). Similar
      results were obtained both for the intermediate and nonclassical subsets and in
      vitro. Polyfunctionality was higher in the elderly adults. The functionality ex
      vivo was strongly associated with soluble inflammatory markers. The activation
      phenotype was independently associated with the anti-cytomegalovirus IgG levels
      and with functional and cognitive decline. These data demonstrate that monocytes
      are key cell candidates for the source of the high soluble inflammatory levels.
      Our findings suggest that cytomegalovirus infection might be a driving force in
      the activation of monocytes and is associated with the functional and cognitive
      decline. 

PMID- 26286604
TI  - Temporal Dynamics of Motor Functioning and Cognitive Aging.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Because of the possible implications for intervention and thus
      successful aging, researchers have striven to determine whether the age changes
      in physical and cognitive functioning are coincident or does functioning in one
      domain change before, and possibly contribute to, functioning in the other.
      METHODS: Bivariate dual change score models were applied to four cognitive
      factors and three motor functioning factors available from 813 adults who
      participated in the Swedish Adoption/Twin Study of Aging. Participants were aged
      50-88 at the first of six waves of testing covering a 19-year follow-up period;
      68% participated in at least three waves. RESULTS: Model comparisons indicated
      dynamic coupling relationships between Balance and Fine Motor factors and the
      Speed cognitive factor. Decline in motor function precedes decline in performance
      on processing speed tasks, even though the motor function tasks were not timed.
      Results indicated possible bidirectional coupling between Fine Motor and Speed.
      CONCLUSIONS: Combined with other dual change score model analyses of cognition
      and physical function, a picture is beginning to emerge of the cascade of events
      that may lead to cognitive aging.

PMID- 26286606
TI  - Relationship Between Mitochondrial DNA Mutations and Aging. Estimation of Age-at
      death.
AB  - Some studies have pointed to the relationship between mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)
      mutations and age in different tissues, which are potentially interesting in
      aging research and in forensic identification because they could help to improve
      the estimation of age-at-death. The present study aims to evaluate the mutations
      in mtDNA from dentin and pulp and their relation with age. Healthy erupted third
      molars were extracted from individuals from two Spanish populations, aged 20-70.
      When analyzing the amplification of hypervariable region 2 of the mtDNA by real
      time polymerase chain reaction, a negative strong linear correlation was found
      between the mtDNA amplification and age in dentin from both populations. In
      contrast, a significant correlation between mtDNA amplification and age in pulp
      was not discovered, probably due to the majority of the mitochondria are placed
      in dentin. A difference in mtDNA damage between these two populations was also
      detected, indicating the role of ancestry as a component. The findings from this
      research enrich the current studies related to aging and mitochondrial damage and
      provide a new quantitative tool for estimating the age-at-death that, in
      combination with traditional age markers, could improve identification accuracy
      in forensic cases. 

PMID- 26286605
TI  - Plasma Carotenoids Are Inversely Associated With Dementia Risk in an Elderly
      French Cohort.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Although intake of fruits and vegetables has been associated with a
      decreased risk of dementia, studies focusing on nutrients underlying this
      association are lacking. Our objective was to analyze the relation between plasma
      carotenoids and the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease (AD) in French
      elderly community dwellers. METHODS: The study population consisted of 1,092
      nondemented older participants, from the Three-City-Bordeaux cohort followed for
      up to 10 years (range: 1.8-10.8 years, median: 9.5 years). Dementia and AD were
      diagnosed by a committee of neurologists. The concentration of plasma carotenoids
      (beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin, and beta
      cryptoxanthin) was determined at baseline. Longitudinal analyses of the
      association between each plasma carotenoid, either crude or expressed as a ratio
      to plasma lipids (total cholesterol + triglycerides), and the risk of dementia or
      AD were performed by multivariate Cox models. RESULTS: During follow-up, 199
      dementia cases, including 132 AD, occurred. After adjustment for sociodemographic
      data, diet quality, and clinical variables, including baseline cognitive
      performances, only higher lutein concentration, considered as a function of
      plasma lipids, was consistently significantly associated with a decreased risk of
      all-cause dementia and AD (hazard ratio = 0.808, 95% confidence interval = 0.671
      0.973, p = .024 and hazard ratio = 0.759, 95% confidence interval = 0.600-0.960,
      p = .021, respectively for +1 SD). CONCLUSION: This large cohort of older
      participants suggests that maintaining higher concentrations of lutein in respect
      to plasma lipids may moderately decrease the risk of dementia and AD.

PMID- 26286607
TI  - P16INK4a Positive Cells in Human Skin Are Indicative of Local Elastic Fiber
      Morphology, Facial Wrinkling, and Perceived Age.
AB  - Senescent cells are more prevalent in aged human skin compared to young, but
      evidence that senescent cells are linked to other biomarkers of aging is scarce.
      We counted cells positive for the tumor suppressor and senescence associated
      protein p16INK4a in sun-protected upper-inner arm skin biopsies from 178
      participants (aged 45-81 years) of the Leiden Longevity Study. Local elastic
      fiber morphology, facial wrinkles, and perceived facial age were compared to
      tertiles of p16INK4a counts, while adjusting for chronological age and other
      potential confounders.The numbers of epidermal and dermal p16INK4a positive cells
      were significantly associated with age-associated elastic fiber morphologic
      characteristics, such as longer and a greater number of elastic fibers. The
      p16INK4a positive epidermal cells (identified as primarily melanocytes) were also
      significantly associated with more facial wrinkles and a higher perceived age.
      Participants in the lowest tertile of epidermal p16INK4a counts looked 3 years
      younger than those in the highest tertile, independently of chronological age and
      elastic fiber morphology.In conclusion, p16INK4a positive cell numbers in sun
      protected human arm skin are indicative of both local elastic fiber morphology
      and the extent of aging visible in the face.

PMID- 26286608
TI  - Prevalence and Factors Associated With Sarcopenia in Suburb-dwelling Older
      Chinese Using the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia Definition.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia is a common condition in older people. The aim of the
      present study was to examine the prevalence and factors associated with
      sarcopenia in an elderly Chinese suburb-dwelling population. METHODS: This study
      was conducted on 1,069 Chinese suburb-dwelling participants aged >=60 years to
      evaluate sarcopenia using the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia criteria.
      Sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics, as well as medical conditions,
      were considered independent variables to determine factors associated with
      sarcopenia using a logistic regression model. RESULTS: The prevalence of
      sarcopenia was 6.4% in men and 11.5% in women. Age was a significant factor in
      both sexes. In addition, presence of sarcopenia was inversely associated with BMI
      for both sexes. The odds ration and 95% confidence interval for factors
      statistically significantly associated with sarcopenia were 5.04 (1.70-14.89) and
      2.36 (1.06-5.25) for diabetes in males and females, respectively; 10.60 (1.75
      64.24) for daily consumption of alcohol (daily drinkers), 5.58 (2.13-14.59) for
      peptic ulcer in female (not statistically significant in males). CONCLUSIONS: The
      Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia criterion is useful for defining sarcopenia,
      and our data suggest that the prevalence of sarcopenia in the general elderly
      suburb-dwelling Chinese population is high. Moreover, we find that high body mass
      index is inversely associated with the likelihood of being sarcopenic and that
      several others factors such as diabetes, peptic ulcer, and drinking habits
      increase the prevalence of sarcopenia.

PMID- 26286609
TI  - Prevalence and correlates of contraceptive use among female adolescents in Ghana.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Adolescence is a critical stage in the life course and evidence
      suggests that even though contraceptive use has been steadily increasing among
      women in Ghana over the past years, contraceptive prevalence and determinants
      among female adolescents is quite lacking. This paper examines the prevalence and
      correlates of contraceptive use among female adolescents in Ghana. METHODS: The
      paper used data from the 2008 Ghana Demographic and Health survey. Bivariate
      analysis was carried out to determine the contraceptive prevalence among female
      adolescents while logistic regression analysis was applied to examine the
      correlates of female adolescent contraceptive use. RESULTS: The study founded
      that female adolescent contraceptive use was significantly determined by age of
      adolescent, education, work status, knowledge of ovulatory cycle, visit of health
      facility and marital status. CONCLUSIONS: This has implications for adolescent
      sexual and reproductive health programmes in Ghana. It is therefore essential to
      intensify girl child education and strengthen the provision of family planning
      information and services for female adolescents in the country.

PMID- 26286611
TI  - Construction of All-Carbon Quaternary Centers through Cu-Catalyzed Sequential
      Carbene Migratory Insertion and Nucleophilic Substitution/Michael Addition.
AB  - A Cu-catalyzed three-component cross-coupling reaction of terminal alkyne, alpha
      diazo ester, and alkyl halide has been developed. This transformation involves
      sequent migratory insertion of copper-carbene and nucleophilic substitution, in
      which a C(sp)-C(sp(3)) bond and a C(sp(3))-C(sp(3)) bond are formed successively
      on a carbenic center. Michael addition acceptors can also be employed instead of
      alkyl halides that enable Michael addition to be an alternative way to build
      C(sp(3))-C(sp(3)) bond. This transformation represents a highly efficient method
      for the construction of all-carbon quaternary centers. 

PMID- 26286610
TI  - Topical application of a linoleic acid-ceramide containing moisturizer exhibit
      therapeutic and preventive benefits for psoriasis vulgaris: a randomized
      controlled trial.
AB  - Psoriasis is a chronic skin inflammatory disorder with frequent relapse.
      Ceramides and their key enzymes are deficient in the lesions, resulting in
      impaired epidermal permeability barrier, which correlates with disease severity.
      We evaluated the efficacy of linoleic acid-ceramide moisturizer (LA-Cer) as an
      adjunctive and preventive therapy for psoriasis vulgaris. 106 patients were
      randomized into two groups. The control group (C1 ) received Mometasone Furoate
      0.1% Cream (MF) while the treatment group (T1 ) was given 0.1% MF in combination
      with LA-Cer moisturizer. Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), pruritus,
      capacitance (CAP), and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) of normal skin and lesion
      were evaluated at Week 0, 2, 4, 8. Subsequently, T1 patients were randomized for
      another 1 year. LA-Cer-group (T2 ) maintained the use of moisturizer while
      control group (C2 ) discontinued. CAPs, TEWLs, PASI were assessed after 1 year.
      Primary endpoints (PASI-50 at Week 8) revealed superiority of LA-Cer-MF versus
      MF, less relapse, and rebound in LA-Cer-group than control (C2 ) at Year 1. There
      were time-by-therapy interaction effect on CAPs, lesional TEWL, and PASI. LA-Cer
      MF induced higher CAP, an earlier reduction of lesional TEWL and PASI than
      control (C1 ). CAPs, lesional TEWL, and PASI remained stable in LA-Cer-group.
      CAPs, lesional TEWL, and PASI were comparable to the baseline levels in control
      group (C2 ). Topical LA-Cer moisturizer can alleviate psoriasis, and could be a
      valuable approach for the treatment and prevention of psoriasis. 

PMID- 26286612
TI  - Two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography: standardization efforts based
      on synthetic ultrasound data.
AB  - AIMS: Speckle tracking echocardiography has already demonstrated its clinical
      potential. However, its use in routine practice is jeopardized by recent reports
      on high inter-vendor variability of the measurements. As such, the European
      Association of CardioVascular Imaging (EACVI) and the American Society of
      Echocardiography (ASE) set up a standardization task force, which was joined by
      all manufacturers of echocardiographic equipment as well as by companies offering
      software solutions only, with the ambition to tackle this problem by
      standardization and quality assurance (QA). METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, a
      first step towards QA of all commercially available tracking solutions based on
      computer-generated ultrasound images is presented. The accuracy of the products
      was acceptable with relative errors below 10% and intra-vendor reproducibility
      within 5%. CONCLUSION: Whether these results can be extrapolated to the clinical
      setting is the topic of an ongoing study of the EACVI/ASE/Industry Task Force to
      standardize deformation imaging. This study was an important first step in the
      development of generally accepted tools for QA of speckle tracking
      echocardiography.

PMID- 26286613
TI  - Generic drugs: Review and experiences from South India.
AB  - The cost of pharmaceuticals, as a percentage of total healthcare spending, has
      been rising worldwide. This has resulted in strained national budgets and a high
      proportion of people without access to essential medications. Though India has
      become a global hub of generic drug manufacturing, the expected benefits of
      cheaper drugs are not translating into savings for ordinary people. This is in
      part due to the rise of branded generics, which are marketed at a price point
      close to the innovator brands. Unbranded generic medicines are not finding their
      way into prescriptions due to issues of confidence and perception, though they
      are proven to be much cheaper and comparable in efficacy to branded medicines.
      The drug inventory of unbranded generic manufacturers fares reasonably when
      reviewed using the World Health Organization-Health Action International (WHO
      HAI) tool for analysing drug availability. Also, unbranded generic medicines are
      much cheaper when compared to the most selling brands and they can bring down the
      treatment costs in primary care and family practice. We share our experience in
      running a community pharmacy for an urban health center in the Pathanamthitta
      district of Kerala State, which is run solely on generic medicines. The drug
      availability at the community pharmacy was 73.3% when analyzed using WHO-HAI tool
      and the savings for the final consumers were up to 93.1%, when compared with most
      selling brand of the same formulation. 

PMID- 26286615
TI  - Retraction: 'Viral pathogenicity determinants are suppressors of transgene
      silencing in Nicotiana benthamiana'.

PMID- 26286614
TI  - Factors influencing the implementation of chronic care models: A systematic
      literature review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The increasing prevalence of chronic disease faced by both developed
      and developing countries is of considerable concern to a number of international
      organisations. Many of the interventions to address this concern within primary
      healthcare settings are based on the chronic care model (CCM). The implementation
      of complex interventions such as CCMs requires careful consideration and
      planning. Success depends on a number of factors at the healthcare provider,
      team, organisation and system levels. METHODS: The aim of this systematic review
      was to systematically examine the scientific literature in order to understand
      the facilitators and barriers to implementing CCMs within a primary healthcare
      setting. This review focused on both quantitative and qualitative studies which
      included patients with chronic disease (cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney
      disease, chronic respiratory disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, depression and
      HIV/AIDS) receiving care in primary healthcare settings, as well as primary
      healthcare providers such as doctors, nurses and administrators. Papers were
      limited to those published in English between 1998 and 2013. RESULTS: The search
      returned 3492 articles. The majority of these studies were subsequently excluded
      based on their title or abstract because they clearly did not meet the inclusion
      criteria for this review. A total of 226 full text articles were obtained and a
      further 188 were excluded as they did not meet the criteria. Thirty eight
      published peer-reviewed articles were ultimately included in this review. Five
      primary themes emerged. In addition to ensuring appropriate resources to support
      implementation and sustainability, the acceptability of the intervention for both
      patients and healthcare providers contributed to the success of the intervention.
      There was also a need to prepare healthcare providers for the implementation of a
      CCM, and to support patients as the way in which they receive care changes.
      CONCLUSION: This systematic review demonstrated the importance of considering
      human factors including the influence that different stakeholders have on the
      success or otherwise of the implementing a CCM.

PMID- 26286616
TI  - The effects of anti-depressants on depression symptom scores at 12 months follow
      up in patients with cardiometabolic disease: Results from a large primary care
      cohort.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Evidence on the long-term usefulness of anti-depressants in managing
      depression in cardiometabolic disease is limited. AIM: We examined the effects of
      anti-depressant prescribing on depressive symptoms at 12 months follow-up in
      patients with cardiometabolic disease and a positive depression screening result
      at baseline. DESIGN AND SETTING: We retrospectively reviewed routine UK primary
      care data for patients with coronary heart disease, diabetes and previous stroke
      for the year 2008-2009. 35,537 patients with one of the three above diseases
      underwent depression screening using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale
      (HADS-D). Of 7080 patients with a positive screening result (HADS-D >= 8), 3933
      (55.5%) patients had a repeat HADS-D recorded at 12 months follow-up. METHODS: We
      compared the change in HADS-D at follow-up and remission rate in those who were
      prescribed anti-depressants (n = 223) against those who were not (n = 3710).
      RESULTS: The mean change in HADS-D from baseline, for the nonprescribed group was
      similar to the reduction observed in patients who were continuously prescribed (n
      = 93) with anti-depressants during follow-up. Patients who were prescribed
      intermittently (n = 72) or only one (n = 58) prescription during follow-up had a
      lower reduction in HADS-D compared to the nonprescribed group. There was no
      difference in remission rates between continuously prescribed and the
      nonprescribed group, but remission was lower in patients prescribed
      intermittently and single prescription. CONCLUSION: Improvement in depressive
      symptoms in patients with cardiometabolic disease at 12 months was not any better
      in patients prescribed with anti-depressants compared to the nonprescribed group.
      The role of anti-depressants in the management of depression in cardiometabolic
      disease merits further investigation.

PMID- 26286617
TI  - Disease network of mental disorders in Korea.
AB  - PURPOSE: Network medicine considers networks among genes, diseases, and
      individuals. Networks of mental disorders remain poorly understood, despite their
      high comorbidity. In this study, a network of mental disorders in Korea was
      constructed to offer a complementary approach to treatment. METHODS: Data on the
      prevalence and morbidity of mental disorders were obtained from the 2006 and 2011
      Korean Epidemiologic Catchment Area Study, including 22 psychiatric disorders.
      Nodes in the network were disease phenotypes identified by Diagnostic and
      Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV, and the links connected phenotypes
      showing significant comorbidity. Odds ratios were used to quantify the distance
      between disease pairs. Network centrality was analyzed with and without weighting
      of the links between disorders. Degree centrality was correlated with suicidal
      behaviors and use of mental health services. RESULTS: In 2011 and 2006, degree
      centrality was highest for major depressive disorder, followed by nicotine
      dependence and generalized anxiety disorder (2011) or alcohol dependence (2006).
      Weighted degree centrality was highest in conversion disorder in both years.
      CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, major depressive disorder and nicotine dependence are
      highly connected to other mental disorders in Korea, indicating their comorbidity
      and possibility of shared biological mechanisms. The use of networks could
      enhance the understanding of mental disorders to provide effective mental health
      services.

PMID- 26286618
TI  - Characterisation of the Cullin-3 mutation that causes a severe form of familial
      hypertension and hyperkalaemia.
AB  - Deletion of exon 9 from Cullin-3 (CUL3, residues 403-459: CUL3(Delta403-459))
      causes pseudohypoaldosteronism type IIE (PHA2E), a severe form of familial
      hyperkalaemia and hypertension (FHHt). CUL3 binds the RING protein RBX1 and
      various substrate adaptors to form Cullin-RING-ubiquitin-ligase complexes. Bound
      to KLHL3, CUL3-RBX1 ubiquitylates WNK kinases, promoting their ubiquitin-mediated
      proteasomal degradation. Since WNK kinases activate Na/Cl co-transporters to
      promote salt retention, CUL3 regulates blood pressure. Mutations in both KLHL3
      and WNK kinases cause PHA2 by disrupting Cullin-RING-ligase formation. We report
      here that the PHA2E mutant, CUL3(Delta403-459), is severely compromised in its
      ability to ubiquitylate WNKs, possibly due to altered structural flexibility.
      Instead, CUL3(Delta403-459) auto-ubiquitylates and loses interaction with two
      important Cullin regulators: the COP9-signalosome and CAND1. A novel knock-in
      mouse model of CUL3(WT) (/Delta403-459) closely recapitulates the human PHA2E
      phenotype. These mice also show changes in the arterial pulse waveform,
      suggesting a vascular contribution to their hypertension not reported in previous
      FHHt models. These findings may explain the severity of the FHHt phenotype caused
      by CUL3 mutations compared to those reported in KLHL3 or WNK kinases. 

PMID- 26286620
TI  - Hyperglycemia associated dissociative fugue (organic dissociative disorder) in an
      elderly.
AB  - Inadequate glycemic control in patients with diabetes is known to be associated
      with psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety disorder, and cognitive
      impairment. However, dissociative syndrome has not been reported so far. Here we
      are reporting a case of repeated dissociative fugue associated with
      hyperglycemia, in an elderly with type II diabetes. Possible neurobiological
      mechanism has been discussed. 

PMID- 26286619
TI  - A novel mechano-enzymatic cleavage mechanism underlies transthyretin
      amyloidogenesis.
AB  - The mechanisms underlying transthyretin-related amyloidosis in vivo remain
      unclear. The abundance of the 49-127 transthyretin fragment in ex vivo deposits
      suggests that a proteolytic cleavage has a crucial role in destabilizing the
      tetramer and releasing the highly amyloidogenic 49-127 truncated protomer. Here,
      we investigate the mechanism of cleavage and release of the 49-127 fragment from
      the prototypic S52P variant, and we show that the proteolysis/fibrillogenesis
      pathway is common to several amyloidogenic variants of transthyretin and requires
      the action of biomechanical forces provided by the shear stress of physiological
      fluid flow. Crucially, the non-amyloidogenic and protective T119M variant is
      neither cleaved nor generates fibrils under these conditions. We propose that a
      mechano-enzymatic mechanism mediates transthyretin amyloid fibrillogenesis in
      vivo. This may be particularly important in the heart where shear stress is
      greatest; indeed, the 49-127 transthyretin fragment is particularly abundant in
      cardiac amyloid. Finally, we show that existing transthyretin stabilizers,
      including tafamidis, inhibit proteolysis-mediated transthyretin fibrillogenesis
      with different efficiency in different variants; however, inhibition is complete
      only when both binding sites are occupied.

PMID- 26286621
TI  - Does age predict outcome after multiligament knee reconstruction for the
      dislocated knee? 2- to 22-year follow-up.
AB  - PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to determine whether age is a predictor of
      clinical and functional outcomes in patients who sustained a knee dislocation
      (KD) and underwent multiligament knee reconstruction. It was hypothesized that
      increasing age will negatively affect patient outcome. METHODS: In total, 125
      multiligament knee injuries (MLKI) associated with KD were surgically
      reconstructed between 1992 and 2013 and evaluated with IKDC and Lysholm scores at
      a median follow-up of 5 (range 2-22) years. Patient demographics including age
      were then analysed with respect to IKDC and Lysholm scores using rank sums and
      pair-wise rank sums analysis for continuous variables and Chi-square analysis for
      categorical variables. RESULTS: In total, 125 patients (96 males and 29 females)
      with a median age of 31 (range 11-62) years at the time of surgery were included.
      At final follow-up, patients <=30 years old compared to >30 years old obtained
      higher IKDC (73.3 vs. 61.9; p = 0.01) and Lysholm scores (76.9 vs. 68.5; p =
      0.04). No confounding variables including gender, injury mechanism, injury
      pattern, injuries to the peroneal nerve, popliteal artery, meniscus, or cartilage
      accounted for differences in outcome scores between the two groups. CONCLUSION:
      Based on current available literature, this study represents the largest cohort
      with the longest follow-up reported on MLKI to date. At intermediate- to long
      term follow-up, patients >30 years of age that undergo multiligament knee
      reconstruction for KD have inferior IKDC and Lysholm scores compared to those
      <=30 years of age. However, successful multiligament knee reconstruction can
      still be obtained in this age group. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

PMID- 26286623
TI  - Diurnal gene expression of lipolytic natriuretic peptide receptors in white
      adipose tissue.
AB  - Disruption of the circadian rhythm can lead to obesity and cardiovascular
      disease. In white adipose tissue, activation of the natriuretic peptide receptors
      (NPRs) stimulates lipolysis. We have previously shown that natriuretic peptides
      are expressed in a circadian manner in the heart, but the temporal expression
      profile of their cognate receptors has not been examined in white adipose tissue.
      We therefore collected peri-renal white adipose tissue and serum from WT mice.
      Tissue mRNA contents of NPRs - NPR-A and NPR-C, the clock genes Per1 and Bmal1,
      and transcripts involved in lipid metabolism were quantified at 4-h intervals: in
      the diurnal study, mice were exposed to a period of 12 h light followed by 12 h
      darkness (n=52). In the circadian study, mice were kept in darkness for 24 h
      (n=47). Concomitant serum concentrations of free fatty acids, glycerol,
      triglycerides (TGs), and insulin were measured. Per1 and Bmal1 mRNA contents
      showed reciprocal circadian profiles (P<0.0001). NPR-A mRNA contents followed a
      temporal pattern (P=0.01), peaking in the dark (active) period. In contrast, NPR
      C mRNA was expressed in an antiphase manner with nadir in the active period
      (P=0.007). TG concentrations in serum peaked in the active dark period (P=0.003).
      In conclusion, NPR-A and NPR-C gene expression is associated with the expression
      of clock genes in white adipose tissue. The reciprocal expression may thus
      contribute to regulate lipolysis and energy homeostasis in a diurnal manner. 

PMID- 26286622
TI  - Continuous passive motion and its effects on knee flexion after total knee
      arthroplasty in patients with knee osteoarthritis.
AB  - PURPOSE: This study evaluated the effects of continuous passive motion (CPM) on
      accelerated flexion after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and whether CPM
      application measures (i.e. initial angle and daily increment) are associated with
      functional outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective investigation was conducted at the
      rehabilitation centre of a university-based teaching hospital. Patients who
      received CPM therapy immediately after TKA surgery were categorized into rapid-,
      normal-, and slow-progress groups according to their response to CPM during their
      acute inpatient stay. Knee pain, passive knee flexion, and knee function-measured
      using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC)
      were assessed preoperatively at discharge and at 3- and 6-month outpatient follow
      up visits. RESULTS: A total of 354 patients were followed for 6 months after
      inpatient-stay discharge. The patients in the rapid-progress group (n = 119)
      exhibited significantly greater knee flexions than those in the slow-progress
      group did (n = 103) at the 3-month follow-up [mean difference (MD) = 10.3 degrees
      , 95 % confidence interval (CI) 4.3 degrees -16.3 degrees , p < 0.001] and 6
      month follow-up (MD = 10.9 degrees , 95 % CI 6.3 degrees -15.6 degrees , p <
      0.001). Significant WOMAC score differences between the rapid- and slow-progress
      groups were observed at the 3-month follow-up (MD = 7.2, 95 % CI 5.4-9.1, p <
      0.001) and 6-month follow-up (MD = 16.1, 95 % CI 13.4-18.7, p < 0.001). CPM
      initial angles and rapid progress significantly predicted short- and long-term
      outcomes in knee flexion and WOMAC scores (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: When CPM is
      used, early application with initial high flexion and rapid progress benefits
      knee function up to 6 months after TKA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.

PMID- 26286624
TI  - Development of a cloud-based application for the Fracture Liaison Service model
      of care.
AB  - The aims of this study are to develop a cloud-based application of the Fracture
      Liaison Service for practitioners to coordinate the care of osteoporotic patients
      after suffering primary fractures and provide a performance feedback portal for
      practitioners to determine quality of care. The application provides continuity
      of care, improved patient outcomes, and reduced medical costs. INTRODUCTION: The
      purpose of this study is to describe the content development and functionality of
      a cloud-based application to broadly deploy the Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) to
      coordinate post-fracture care for osteoporotic patients. METHODS: The Bone Health
      Collaborative developed the FLS application in 2013 to support practitioners'
      access to information and management of patients and provide a feedback portal
      for practitioners to track their performance in providing quality care. A five
      step protocol (identify, inform, initiate, investigate, and iterate) organized
      osteoporotic post-fracture care-related tasks and timelines for the application.
      A range of descriptive data about the patient, their medical condition, therapies
      and care, and current providers can be collected. Seven quality of care measures
      from the National Quality Forum, The Joint Commission, and the Centers for
      Medicare and Medicaid Services can be tracked through the application. RESULTS:
      There are five functional areas including home, tasks, measures, improvement, and
      data. The home, tasks, and data pages are used to enter patient information and
      coordinate care using the five-step protocol. Measures and improvement pages are
      used to enter quality measures and provide practitioners with continuous
      performance feedback. The application resides within a portal, running on a
      multitenant, private cloud-based Avedis enterprise registry platform. All data
      are encrypted in transit and users access the application using a password from
      any common web browser. CONCLUSION: The application could spread the FLS model of
      care across the US health care system, provide continuity of care, effectively
      manage osteoporotic patients, improve outcomes, and reduce medical costs.

PMID- 26286625
TI  - Natural history, reasons for, and impact of low/non-adherence to medications for
      osteoporosis in a cohort of community-dwelling older women already established on
      medication: a 2-year follow-up study.
AB  - Approximately 15 % of older women on oral medications for osteoporosis could be
      considered for alternatives including parenteral therapies. Collection of data on
      socio-demographic/clinical variables is unlikely to be helpful in predicting
      low/non-adherence. Alternative approaches are needed to identify individuals at
      risk of low/non-adherence. INTRODUCTION: This study aims to identify individual
      patient reasons for stopping medications for osteoporosis, and to investigate
      whether this can be predicted from knowledge about socio-demographic/clinical
      data, or whether alternative approaches need to be used. METHODS: The Cohort for
      Skeletal Health in Bristol and Avon (COSHIBA) recruited 3200 older women from
      South West UK, of whom a proportion were on medications for osteoporosis at
      baseline. Information on self-reported adherence and reasons for low/non
      adherence were collected at 6-monthly intervals over a 2-year period. Data was
      also collected on potential predictors of and impact of low/non-adherence.
      RESULTS: Two hundred thirty-three of 3200 (7.3 %) women were on medications for
      osteoporosis at baseline. Mean length of time on treatment prior to enrolment was
      46 months. Of those on osteoporosis medications, 94.9 % were on bisphosphonates;
      8.5 % reported low adherence and 21.6 % stopped their medication completely over
      the 2-year follow-up period. Length of time on medication at baseline did not
      influence rates of low/non-adherence. Reasons for low/non-adherence to
      bisphosphonates included side effects (53.9 %), practical reasons such as
      forgetting to take them (18.0 %) and beliefs about medications (20.5 %). No
      convincing predictors of low/non-adherence were identified. CONCLUSIONS:
      Approximately 15 % of older women on oral medications for osteoporosis could be
      considered for alternatives including parenteral therapies. This has important
      implications for healthcare provision. Collection of data on socio
      demographic/clinical variables is unlikely to be helpful in predicting low/non
      adherence. Alternative approaches are needed to identify individuals at risk of
      low/non-adherence to osteoporosis medications.

PMID- 26286626
TI  - Impact of hip fracture on hospital care costs: a population-based study.
AB  - Using a large cohort of hip fracture patients, we estimated hospital costs to be
      L14,163 and L2139 in the first and second year following fracture, respectively.
      Second hip and non-hip fractures were major cost drivers. There is a strong
      economic incentive to identify cost-effective approaches for hip fracture
      prevention. INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to estimate hospital
      costs of hip fracture up to 2 years post-fracture and compare costs before and
      after the index fracture. METHODS: A cohort of patients aged over 60 years
      admitted with a hip fracture in a UK region between 2003 and 2013 were identified
      from hospital records and followed until death or administrative censoring. All
      hospital records were valued using 2012/2013 unit costs, and non-parametric
      censoring methods were used to adjust for censoring when estimating average
      annual costs. A generalised linear model examined the main predictors of hospital
      costs. RESULTS: A cohort of 33,152 patients with a hip fracture was identified
      (mean age 83 years (SD 8.2). The mean censor-adjusted 1- and 2-year hospital
      costs after index hip fracture were L14,163 (95 % confidence interval (CI)
      L14,008 to L14,317) and L16,302 (95 % CI L16,097 to L16,515), respectively. Index
      admission accounted for 61 % (L8613; 95 % CI L8565 to L8661) of total 1-year
      hospital costs which were L10,964 higher compared to the year pre-event (p <
      0.001). The main predictors of 1-year hospital costs were second hip fracture,
      other non-hip fragility fractures requiring hospitalisation and hip fracture
      related complications. Total UK annual hospital costs associated with incident
      hip fractures were estimated at L1.1 billion. CONCLUSIONS: Hospital costs
      following hip fracture are high and mostly occur in the first year after the
      index hip fracture. Experiencing a second hip fracture after the index fracture
      accounted for much of the increase in costs. There is a strong economic incentive
      to prioritise research funds towards identifying the best approaches to prevent
      both index and subsequent hip fractures.

PMID- 26286627
TI  - Validity of parental recall of children's fracture: implications for
      investigation of childhood osteoporosis.
AB  - Fracture history is an important component of osteoporosis diagnosis in children.
      One in six parentally reported lifetime fractures in children were not confirmed
      on review of radiographs. Care should be taken to avoid unnecessary
      investigations for possible osteoporosis due to parental over-reporting of soft
      tissue injuries as fractures. INTRODUCTION: The diagnosis of osteoporosis in
      children requires either a vertebral compression fracture, or a significant
      fracture history (defined as >=2 long bone fractures <10 years or >=3 long bone
      fractures <19 years, excluding high impact fractures) and low bone mineral
      density. As children with frequent fractures might benefit from further
      evaluation, we determined whether parental reports of lifetime fracture were
      accurate compared to radiological reports and if they appropriately selected
      children for further consideration of osteoporosis. METHODS: Parents of children
      (<18 years) with a musculoskeletal injury completed a questionnaire on their
      child's fracture history, including age, site and mechanism of previous
      fracture(s). Radiological reports were reviewed to confirm the fracture. RESULTS:
      Six hundred sixty parents completed the questionnaire and reported 276 previous
      fractures in 207 children. An injury treated at our hospital was recorded in 214
      of the 276 parentally reported fractures. Thirty-four of 214 (16 %) were not a
      confirmed fracture. An injury was recorded for all parentally reported fractures
      in 150 children, but for 21 % children, there were inaccurate details (no
      evidence of fracture, incorrect site or forgotten fractures) on parent report.
      Eighteen of 150 children had a significant fracture history on parental report
      alone, but following review of radiology reports, 2 of 18 (11 %) did not have
      clinically significant fracture histories. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately one in six
      fractures reported by parents to have occurred in their child's lifetime had not
      resulted in a fracture. One in nine children with a significant fracture history
      could have been investigated unnecessarily.

PMID- 26286628
TI  - Complexity of cardiac signals for predicting changes in alpha-waves after stress
      in patients undergoing cardiac catheterization.
AB  - The hierarchical interaction between electrical signals of the brain and heart is
      not fully understood. We hypothesized that the complexity of cardiac electrical
      activity can be used to predict changes in encephalic electricity after stress.
      Most methods for analyzing the interaction between the heart rate variability
      (HRV) and electroencephalography (EEG) require a computation-intensive
      mathematical model. To overcome these limitations and increase the predictive
      accuracy of human relaxing states, we developed a method to test our hypothesis.
      In addition to routine linear analysis, multiscale entropy and detrended
      fluctuation analysis of the HRV were used to quantify nonstationary and nonlinear
      dynamic changes in the heart rate time series. Short-time Fourier transform was
      applied to quantify the power of EEG. The clinical, HRV, and EEG parameters of
      postcatheterization EEG alpha waves were analyzed using change-score analysis and
      generalized additive models. In conclusion, the complexity of cardiac electrical
      signals can be used to predict EEG changes after stress. 

PMID- 26286629
TI  - Performance evaluation of indel calling tools using real short-read data.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Insertion and deletion (indel), a common form of genetic variation,
      has been shown to cause or contribute to human genetic diseases and cancer. With
      the advance of next-generation sequencing technology, many indel calling tools
      have been developed; however, evaluation and comparison of these tools using
      large-scale real data are still scant. Here we evaluated seven popular and
      publicly available indel calling tools, GATK Unified Genotyper, VarScan, Pindel,
      SAMtools, Dindel, GTAK HaplotypeCaller, and Platypus, using 78 human genome low
      coverage data from the 1000 Genomes project. RESULTS: Comparing indels called by
      these tools with a known set of indels, we found that Platypus outperforms other
      tools. In addition, a high percentage of known indels still remain undetected and
      the number of common indels called by all seven tools is very low. CONCLUSION:
      All these findings indicate the necessity of improving the existing tools or
      developing new algorithms to achieve reliable and consistent indel calling
      results.

PMID- 26286630
TI  - Less is more: Avoiding the LIBS dimensionality curse through judicious feature
      selection for explosive detection.
AB  - Despite its intrinsic advantages, translation of laser induced breakdown
      spectroscopy for material identification has been often impeded by the lack of
      robustness of developed classification models, often due to the presence of
      spurious correlations. While a number of classifiers exhibiting high
      discriminatory power have been reported, efforts in establishing the subset of
      relevant spectral features that enable a fundamental interpretation of the
      segmentation capability and avoid the 'curse of dimensionality' have been
      lacking. Using LIBS data acquired from a set of secondary explosives, we
      investigate judicious feature selection approaches and architect two different
      chemometrics classifiers -based on feature selection through prerequisite
      knowledge of the sample composition and genetic algorithm, respectively. While
      the full spectral input results in classification rate of ca.92%, selection of
      only carbon to hydrogen spectral window results in near identical performance.
      Importantly, the genetic algorithm-derived classifier shows a statistically
      significant improvement to ca. 94% accuracy for prospective classification, even
      though the number of features used is an order of magnitude smaller. Our findings
      demonstrate the impact of rigorous feature selection in LIBS and also hint at the
      feasibility of using a discrete filter based detector thereby enabling a cheaper
      and compact system more amenable to field operations. 

PMID- 26286631
TI  - On the transmission pattern of Kyasanur Forest disease (KFD) in India.
AB  - Kyasanur Forest disease (KFD), a tick-borne viral hemorrhagic fever, is endemic
      in five districts of Karnataka state, India. Recent reports of the spread of
      disease to neighboring districts of the Western Ghats, namely Chamarajanagar
      district in Karnataka, Nilgiri district in Tamil Nadu, Wayanad and Malappuram
      districts in Kerala, and Pali village in Goa are a cause for concern. Besides
      vaccination of the affected population, establishing an event-based surveillance
      system for monkey deaths in the national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and reserve
      forests of the Western Ghats would help detect the disease early and thereby help
      implement appropriate control measures. 

PMID- 26286632
TI  - Elevated expression of mechanosensory polycystins in human carotid
      atherosclerotic plaques: association with p53 activation and disease severity.
AB  - Atherosclerotic plaque formation is associated with irregular distribution of
      wall shear stress (WSS) that modulates endothelial function and integrity.
      Polycystins (PC)-1/-2 constitute a flow-sensing protein complex in endothelial
      cells, able to respond to WSS and induce cell-proliferation changes leading to
      atherosclerosis. An endothelial cell-culture system of measurable WSS was
      established to detect alterations in PCs expression under conditions of low- and
      high-oscillatory shear stress in vitro. PCs expression and p53 activation as a
      regulator of cell proliferation were further evaluated in vivo and in 69 advanced
      human carotid atherosclerotic plaques (AAPs). Increased PC-1/PC-2 expression was
      observed at 30-60 min of low shear stress (LSS) in endothelial cells. Elevated PC
      1 expression at LSS was followed by p53 potentiation. PCs immunoreactivity
      localizes in areas with macrophage infiltration and neovascularization. PC-1 mRNA
      and protein levels were significantly higher than PC-2 in stable fibroatherotic
      (V) and unstable/complicated (VI) AAPs. Elevated PC-1 immunostaining was detected
      in AAPs from patients with diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, hypertension and
      carotid stenosis, at both arteries (50%) or in one artery (90%). PCs seem to
      participate in plaque formation and progression. Since PC-1 upregulation
      coincides with p38 and p53 activation, a potential interplay of these molecules
      in atherosclerosis induction is posed. 

PMID- 26286633
TI  - A Nucleus-Imaging Probe That Selectively Stabilizes a Minor Conformation of c-MYC
      G-quadruplex and Down-regulates c-MYC Transcription in Human Cancer Cells.
AB  - The c-MYC proto-oncogene is a regulator of fundamental cellular processes such as
      cell cycle progression and apoptosis. The development of novel c-MYC inhibitors
      that can act by targeting the c-MYC DNA G-quadruplex at the level of
      transcription would provide potential insight into structure-based design of
      small molecules and lead to a promising arena for cancer therapy. Herein we
      report our finding that two simple bis-triazolylcarbazole derivatives can inhibit
      c-MYC transcription, possibly by stabilizing the c-MYC G-quadruplex. These
      compounds are prepared using a facile and modular approach based on Cu(I)
      catalysed azide and alkyne cycloaddition. A carbazole ligand with carboxamide
      side chains is found to be microenvironment-sensitive and highly selective for
      "turn-on" detection of c-MYC quadruplex over duplex DNA. This fluorescent probe
      is applicable to visualize the cellular nucleus in living cells. Interestingly,
      the ligand binds to c-MYC in an asymmetric fashion and selects the minor
      populated conformer via conformational selection. 

PMID- 26286634
TI  - Neural evidence for moral intuition and the temporal dynamics of interactions
      between emotional processes and moral cognition.
AB  - Behavioral and neurological studies have revealed that emotions influence moral
      cognition. Although moral stimuli are emotionally charged, the time course of
      interactions between emotions and moral judgments remains unknown. In the present
      study, we investigated the temporal dynamics of the interaction between emotional
      processes and moral cognition. The results revealed that when making moral
      judgments, the time course of the event-related potential (ERP) waveform was
      significantly different between high emotional arousal and low emotional arousal
      contexts. Different stages of processing were distinguished, showing distinctive
      interactions between emotional processes and moral reasoning. The precise time
      course of moral intuition and moral reasoning sheds new light on theoretical
      models of moral psychology. Specifically, the N1 component (interpreted as
      representing moral intuition) did not appear to be influenced by emotional
      arousal. However, the N2 component and late positive potential were strongly
      affected by emotional arousal; the slow wave was influenced by both emotional
      arousal and morality, suggesting distinct moral processing at different emotional
      arousal levels. 

PMID- 26286635
TI  - Imaging of metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma with PSMA-targeted 18F
      DCFPyL PET/CT.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Molecular imaging with positron emission tomography (PET) provides a
      powerful means of identifying and characterizing cancerous processes, as well as
      providing a quantitative framework within which response to therapy can be
      ascertained. Unfortunately, the most commonly used PET radiotracer, 18F
      fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG), has not demonstrated a definitive role in determining
      response to therapy in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). As a result, new
      radiotracers able to reliably image RCC could be of tremendous value for this
      purpose. METHODS: Five patients with known metastatic RCC were imaged with the
      low-molecular weight radiotracer 18F-DCFPyL, an inhibitor of the prostate
      specific membrane antigen at 60 min post injection. 18F-DCFPyL PET/CT and
      conventional images (either contrast-enhanced computed tomography or magnetic
      resonance imaging) were centrally reviewed for suspected sites of disease.
      RESULTS: In all five patients imaged, sites of putative metastatic disease were
      readily identifiable by abnormal 18F-DCFPyL uptake, with overall more lesions
      detected than on conventional imaging. These PET-detected sites included lymph
      nodes, pancreatic parenchymal lesions, lung parenchymal lesions, a brain
      parenchymal lesion, and other soft tissue sites. 18F-DCFPyL uptake ranged from
      subtle to intense with maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmax) for the
      identified lesions of 1.6-19.3. Based upon this small patient series, limited
      pathology and imaging follow-up of these patients suggests a higher sensitivity
      for 18F-DCFPyL compared to conventional imaging in the detection of metastatic
      RCC (94.7 versus 78.9%). CONCLUSIONS: PSMA expression in the tumor neovasculature
      of RCC has been previously established and is believed to provide the basis for
      the imaging findings presented here. PSMA-based PET/CT with radiotracers such as
      18F-DCFPyL may allow more accurate staging of patients with RCC and conceivably
      the ability to predict and follow therapy in patients treated with agents
      targeting the neovasculature.

PMID- 26286637
TI  - Perineural invasion in prostate biopsy specimens is associated with increased
      bone metastasis in prostate cancer.
AB  - BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate the relationship between perineural invasion
      (PNI) and bone metastasis in prostate cancer (PCa). METHODS: We retrospectively
      reviewed the data of 633 PCas who had whole-body bone scan (WBBS) between 2008
      and 2014. We recorded the age, clinical T-stage, total PSA (tPSA) prior to
      biopsy, Gleason sum (GS), and PNI in transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy (TRUS
      Bx) and digital rectal examination findings. Bone metastases were assessed with
      WBBS and magnetic resonance image if WBBS was suspicious. We divided the patients
      into two groups according to NCCN criteria: (Group 1) bone scan not indicated,
      (Group 2) bone scan indicated. RESULTS: There were 262 patients in Group 1 and
      371 in 2. There is not significant relationship between PNI and bone metastasis
      in Group 1. However, there is very limited number of metastatic patients (n = 12)
      in this group. There is a strong relationship between PNI and bone metastasis in
      Group 2 (P = 0.001). Sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value of
      PNI for bone metastasis were 72.4%, 81.7%, and 77.7%, respectively. In this
      group, tPSA, GS, positive DRE, and PNI were significant covariates for prediction
      of bone metastasis in univariate and multivariate analysis (except age). The most
      powerful predictor was PNI, and it increased the risk of bone metastasis 11-fold.
      CONCLUSIONS: PNI in the TRUS-Bx specimens is the most powerful predictive
      histopathological feature for bone metastasis, by increasing the risk of bone
      metastasis 11-fold in NCCN bone scan indicated patients (Group 2).

PMID- 26286636
TI  - Toxicity of Nanoparticles and an Overview of Current Experimental Models.
AB  - Nanotechnology is a rapidly growing field having potential applications in many
      areas. Nanoparticles (NPs) have been studied for cell toxicity, immunotoxicity,
      and genotoxicity. Tetrazolium-based assays such as MTT, MTS, and WST-1 are used
      to determine cell viability. Cell inflammatory response induced by NPs is checked
      by measuring inflammatory biomarkers, such as IL-8, IL-6, and tumor necrosis
      factor, using ELISA. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay is used for cell membrane
      integrity. Different types of cell cultures, including cancer cell lines have
      been employed as in vitro toxicity models. It has been generally agreed that NPs
      interfere with either assay materials or with detection systems. So far, toxicity
      data generated by employing such models are conflicting and inconsistent.
      Therefore, on the basis of available experimental models, it may be difficult to
      judge and list some of the more valuable NPs as more toxic to biological systems
      and vice versa. Considering the potential applications of NPs in many fields and
      the growing apprehensions of FDA about the toxic potential of nanoproducts, it is
      the need of the hour to look for new internationally agreed free of bias
      toxicological models by focusing more on in vivo studies. 

PMID- 26286638
TI  - Topologically inferring pathway activity toward precise cancer classification via
      integrating genomic and metabolomic data: prostate cancer as a case.
AB  - Precise cancer classification is a central challenge in clinical cancer research
      such as diagnosis, prognosis and metastasis prediction. Most existing cancer
      classification methods based on gene or metabolite biomarkers were limited to
      single genomics or metabolomics, and lacked integration and utilization of
      multiple 'omics' data. The accuracy and robustness of these methods when applied
      to independent cohorts of patients must be improved. In this study, we propose a
      directed random walk-based method to evaluate the topological importance of each
      gene in a reconstructed gene-metabolite graph by integrating information from
      matched gene expression profiles and metabolomic profiles. The joint use of gene
      and metabolite information contributes to accurate evaluation of the topological
      importance of genes and reproducible pathway activities. We constructed
      classifiers using reproducible pathway activities for precise cancer
      classification and risk metabolic pathway identification. We applied the proposed
      method to the classification of prostate cancer. Within-dataset experiments and
      cross-dataset experiments on three independent datasets demonstrated that the
      proposed method achieved a more accurate and robust overall performance compared
      to several existing classification methods. The resulting risk pathways and
      topologically important differential genes and metabolites provide biologically
      informative models for prostate cancer prognosis and therapeutic strategies
      development. 

PMID- 26286639
TI  - Prospective association between body composition, physical activity and energy
      intake in young adults.
AB  - BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Despite considerable research on the association between
      physical activity (PA) and body composition, there remains limited information on
      the directionality of the relationship. The present study examined the
      prospective associations among objectively measured PA, energy intake (EI) and
      body composition. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A convenience sample of 430 adults (49% male)
      between 21 and 35 years of age was followed over 1 year with repeated
      measurements taken every 3 months. BMI (kg/m(2)) and percent body fat (%BF) were
      calculated based on anthropometric measurements and dual energy X-ray
      absorptiometry. A multi-sensor device was worn over a period of 10 days to
      estimate total daily energy expenditure and time spent in different intensities.
      EI was calculated based on change in body composition and total daily energy
      expenditure. RESULTS: A total of 379 participants provided valid data. On
      average, participants experienced a significant weight gain of 1.2+/-4.3 kg
      during the 12-month observation period, which was associated with an increase in
      %BF (0.8+/-3.2 %). Average time spent in moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) decreased
      significantly, whereas EI remained constant. Optimal linear mixed models,
      adjusting for age and sex, showed an inverse effect of MVPA on BMI and %BF,
      whereas EI only directly affected BMI (P<0.001). There was also a significant
      inverse effect of BMI and %BF on MVPA (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Results of this
      study indicate an inverse reciprocal association between MVPA and measures of
      adiposity. Thus, primary preventive actions are warranted to avoid excess weight
      gain, which may result in a vicious cycle of weight gain and low PA.

PMID- 26286640
TI  - Atypical fractures of the femur: effect of anterolateral bowing of the femur on
      fracture location.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Bisphosphonate therapy has been associated with the development of
      atypical femoral fractures. The most common sites of bisphosphonate-associated
      fractures are at the subtrochanteric region followed by the femoral shaft. This
      retrospective study hypothesizes that increasing anterolateral femoral bow is
      associated with more distal diaphyseal fractures. Awareness of this relationship
      is essential in the pre-operative planning and successful surgical management of
      these fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed twenty-one
      atypical subtrochanteric and femoral diaphyseal fractures and stress reactions
      within a 5-year period at our institution. Radiographs were assessed by two
      independent investigators for the degree of anterior and lateral femoral bow, and
      how distal the fracture was from the lesser trochanter. The relationship between
      the fracture position or stress reaction and degree of anterior and lateral
      bowing was analysed. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant linear
      relationship between anterior and lateral femoral bowing, and the fracture
      position along the diaphysis (correlation coefficient 0.63 (p = 0.002) and 0.684
      (p = 0.001), respectively). Inter-observer reliability was highly correlated
      (Kappa value >0.8). CONCLUSION: In atypical femoral fractures associated with
      bisphosphonate use, more distal diaphyseal fractures occurred with a higher
      degree of anterior and lateral femoral bow.

PMID- 26286641
TI  - Meniscal tears associated with anterior cruciate ligament injury.
AB  - PURPOSE: To investigate the frequency of meniscal tear and the location of tear
      associated with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We
      studied 549 patients (552 knees) who were diagnosed with ACL injury by
      arthroscopy at our center between January 2006 and March 2014 (8 years and 3
      months). The subjects comprised 289 males and 263 females ranging in age from 13
      to 66 (mean 26.1) years. The cause of injury was sports-related in 89.1 %, and
      the mean interval from injury to initial arthroscopy was 23 months. The patients
      were divided into two groups: arthroscopy performed within 8 weeks after injury
      (acute group; 256 knees) and more than 8 weeks after injury (chronic group; 296
      knees). Frequency of meniscal tear and location of tear were compared between two
      groups. RESULTS: The incidence of meniscal tear diagnosed by arthroscopic
      examination was 79.2 % (437 of 552 knees) in all subjects; 72.7 % (186 of 256
      knees) in acute group and 84.8 % (251 of 296 knees) in chronic group, and was
      significantly higher in chronic group. Regarding the locations of meniscal tears,
      in acute group (186 knees), medial meniscal tear only was found in 20 knees (10.8
      %), lateral meniscal tear only in 129 knees (69.4 %), and bilateral (including
      medial and lateral) meniscal tears in 37 knees (19.9 %). In chronic group (251
      knees), medial meniscal tear only was found in 62 knees (24.7 %), lateral
      meniscal tear only in 85 knees (33.9 %), and bilateral meniscal tears in 104
      knees (41.4 %). Lateral meniscal tear was commonly associated with acute ACL
      injury, while medial meniscal tear with chronic ACL injury. Bucket handle tear
      was observed in 25 knees (medial: 17 knees, lateral: 8 knees) in acute group, and
      81 knees (medial: 69 knees, lateral: 12 knees) in chronic group, and was more
      common in the chronic group. CONCLUSION: The incidence of meniscal tear
      associated with ACL injury is higher in chronic cases; the number of medial
      meniscal tears is particularly high, many of which require meniscectomy. Early
      ACL reconstruction is recommended also for the prevention of secondary meniscal
      tear.

PMID- 26286642
TI  - Precision imaging-its impact on image quality and diagnostic confidence in breast
      ultrasound examinations.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of noise-reducing innovation-precision imaging
      (PI)-on image quality and diagnostic efficacy in breast ultrasound. METHODS: The
      study, which assessed four levels of PI from zero to three, consisted of two
      parts: image quality assessment and diagnostic efficacy evaluation. For the first
      part, 247 sets of ultrasound images displayed at each PI level were evaluated by
      6 experienced breast imaging observers, by rating image quality using visual
      grading analysis on a 1-4 scale. For the diagnostic efficacy part 51 breast
      lesions were displayed at each PI level and scored 1-6 to generate a receiver
      operating characteristic (ROC) curve. These images were evaluated by radiologists
      and sonographers. Analyses were performed using non-parametric Friedman and
      Wilcoxon signed rank tests and a multireader multicase methodology. RESULTS:
      Statistically, higher scores of image quality were observed with increased levels
      of PI than with the zero setting (p < 0.001). The ROC analysis did not
      demonstrate any significant change in diagnostic efficacy, with mean scores for
      all observers being 0.79, 0.80, 0.81 and 0.81 for settings zero, one, two and
      three, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study suggested a perceived improvement in
      image quality with increasing levels of PI; however, no changes in diagnostic
      efficacy were noted. The importance of looking at the impact of new imaging
      technologies in a multifaceted way is emphasized. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: To our
      knowledge, this is the first article investigating the impact of the PI algorithm
      on ultrasound image quality and breast lesion characterization.

PMID- 26286643
TI  - Variants in RBP4 and AR genes modulate age at onset in familial amyloid
      polyneuropathy (FAP ATTRV30M).
AB  - Familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) ATTRV30M is a neurodegenerative disorder
      due to point mutations in the transthyretin gene, with V30M being the commonest.
      FAP ATTRV30M shows a wide variation in age at onset (AO) between clusters,
      families and generations. Portuguese patients also show remarkable AO differences
      between genders. Genes found to be associated with FAP ATTRV30M pathways may act
      as AO modifiers. Our aim was to further explore the role of APCS and RBP4 genes
      and to study for the first time the involvement of sex-linked genetic modifiers -
      AR and HSD17B1 genes - in AO variation in Portuguese families. We collected DNA
      from a sample of 318 patients, currently under follow-up. A total of 18 tagging
      SNPs from APCS, RBP4, AR and HSD17B1 and 5 additional SNPs from APCS and RBP4
      previously studied were genotyped. To account for nonindependency of AO between
      members of the same family, we used generalized estimating equations (GEEs). We
      found that APCS and RBP4 were associated with late AO. In addition, rs11187545 of
      the RBP4 was associated with an early AO. For the AR, in the male group three
      SNPs were associated with an early AO, whereas in the female group four were
      associated with both an early and later AO. These results strengthened the role
      of APCS and RBP4 genes and revealed for the first time the contribution of AR
      genes as an AO modifier in both males and females. These findings may have
      important implications in genetic counseling and for new therapeutic strategies. 

PMID- 26286644
TI  - The more the merrier? How a few SNPs predict pigmentation phenotypes in the
      Northern German population.
AB  - Human pigmentation traits are of great interest to many research areas, from
      ancient DNA analysis to forensic science. We developed a gene-based predictive
      model for pigmentation phenotypes in a realistic target population for forensic
      case work from Northern Germany and compared our model with those brought forth
      by previous studies of genetically more heterogeneous populations. In doing so,
      we aimed at answering the following research questions: (1) do existing models
      allow good prediction of high-quality phenotypes in a genetically similar albeit
      more homogeneous population? (2) Would a model specifically set up for the more
      homogeneous population perform notably better than existing models? (3) Can the
      number of markers included in existing models be reduced without compromising
      their predictive capability in the more homogenous population? We investigated
      the association between eye, hair and skin colour and 12 candidate single
      nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from six genes. Our study comprised two samples
      of 300 and 100 individuals from Northern Germany. SNP rs12913832 in HERC2 was
      found to be strongly associated with blue eye colour (odds ratio=40.0, P<1.2 *
      10(-4)) and to yield moderate predictive power (AUC: 77%; sensitivity: 90%,
      specificity: 63%, both at a 0.5 threshold for blue eye colour probability). SNP
      associations with hair and skin colour were weaker and genotypes less predictive.
      A comparison with two recently published sets of markers to predict eye and hair
      colour revealed that the consideration of additional SNPs with weak-to-moderate
      effect increased the predictive power for eye colour, but not for hair colour. 

PMID- 26286645
TI  - Transitioning From Community-Based to Institutional Long-term Care: Comparing
      1915(c) Waiver and PACE Enrollees.
AB  - Purpose of the Study: To compare the risk of long-term nursing home (NH)
      admission and the level of functional and cognitive impairment at the time of
      long-term NH admission in the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly
      (PACE) and in 1915(c) aged and aged and disabled waiver programs. Design and
      Methods: Cohorts of new waiver and PACE enrollees in 12 states were identified
      (in 2005-2007) and followed (through 2009) using the Medicaid Analytic Extract
      and the Minimum Data Set. Individual-level outcomes of interest were time from
      waiver or PACE enrollment to long-term (90+ days) NH admission and functional (29
      point activities of daily living [ADL]) and cognitive (7-point Cognitive
      Performance Scale [CPS]) impairment at NH admission. An overall measure of
      impairment was also created and categorized as low (ADL < 17 and CPS < 3) versus
      high (ADL >= 17 or CPS >= 3). The key independent variable was enrollment in PACE
      versus waiver program. County-level covariates were included. Analyses employed
      multivariable models including competing risk proportional hazard and linear and
      logistic regressions. Results: Compared with waiver enrollees, PACE enrollees had
      31% lower risk of long-term NH admission (p < .001). At NH admission, they were
      overall significantly (p < .0001) more cognitively impaired (0.34 point), with
      55% higher odds of severe (CPS >= 4) cognitive impairment (p < .001) and 45%
      higher odds of having overall high impairment (p = .003). Implications: PACE may
      be more effective than 1915(c) aged and aged and disabled waiver programs in
      reducing long-term NH use and may be particularly well suited to supporting
      cognitively impaired individuals, enabling them to remain in the community
      longer.

PMID- 26286646
TI  - Sequence of Functional Loss and Recovery in Nursing Homes.
AB  - PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: This study provides benchmarks for likelihood, number of
      days until, and sequence of functional decline and recovery. DESIGN AND METHODS:
      We analyzed activities of daily living (ADLs) of 296,051 residents in Veteran
      Affairs nursing homes between January 1, 2000 and October 9, 2012. ADLs were
      extracted from standard minimum data set assessments. Because of significant
      overlap between short- and long-stay residents, we did not distinguish between
      these populations. Twenty-five combinations of ADL deficits described the
      experience of 84.3% of all residents. A network model described transitions among
      these 25 combinations. The network was used to calculate the shortest, longest,
      and maximum likelihood paths using backward induction methodology. Longitudinal
      data were used to derive a Bayesian network that preserved the sequence of
      occurrence of 9 ADL deficits. RESULTS: The majority of residents (57%) followed 4
      pathways in loss of function. The most likely sequence, in order of occurrence,
      was bathing, grooming, walking, dressing, toileting, bowel continence, urinary
      continence, transferring, and feeding. The other three paths occurred with
      reversals in the order of dressing/toileting and bowel/urinary continence. ADL
      impairments persisted without any change for an average of 164 days (SD = 62).
      Residents recovered partially or completely from a single impairment in 57% of
      cases over an average of 119 days (SD = 41). Recovery rates declined as residents
      developed more than 4 impairments. IMPLICATIONS: Recovery of deficits among those
      studied followed a relatively predictable path, and although more than half
      recovered from a single functional deficit, recovery exceeded 100 days suggesting
      time to recover often occurs over many months.

PMID- 26286647
TI  - Female heterogamety in Madagascar chameleons (Squamata: Chamaeleonidae:
      Furcifer): differentiation of sex and neo-sex chromosomes.
AB  - Amniotes possess variability in sex determining mechanisms, however, this
      diversity is still only partially known throughout the clade and sex determining
      systems still remain unknown even in such a popular and distinctive lineage as
      chameleons (Squamata: Acrodonta: Chamaeleonidae). Here, we present evidence for
      female heterogamety in this group. The Malagasy giant chameleon (Furcifer
      oustaleti) (chromosome number 2n = 22) possesses heteromorphic Z and W sex
      chromosomes with heterochromatic W. The panther chameleon (Furcifer pardalis) (2n
      = 22 in males, 21 in females), the second most popular chameleon species in the
      world pet trade, exhibits a rather rare Z1Z1Z2Z2/Z1Z2W system of multiple sex
      chromosomes, which most likely evolved from W-autosome fusion. Notably, its neo-W
      chromosome is partially heterochromatic and its female-specific genetic content
      has expanded into the previously autosomal region. Showing clear evidence for
      genotypic sex determination in the panther chameleon, we resolve the long
      standing question of whether or not environmental sex determination exists in
      this species. Together with recent findings in other reptile lineages, our work
      demonstrates that female heterogamety is widespread among amniotes, adding
      another important piece to the mosaic of knowledge on sex determination in
      amniotes needed to understand the evolution of this important trait. 

PMID- 26286648
TI  - Precancerous Lesions and Carcinoma of the Pancreas.

PMID- 26286650
TI  - MicroRNAs and Noncoding RNAs in Hepatic Lipid and Lipoprotein Metabolism:
      Potential Therapeutic Targets of Metabolic Disorders.
AB  - Noncoding RNAs and microRNAs (miRNAs) represent an important class of regulatory
      molecules that modulate gene expression. The role of miRNAs in diverse cellular
      processes such as cancer, apoptosis, cell differentiation, cardiac remodeling,
      and inflammation has been intensively explored. Recent studies further
      demonstrated the important roles of miRNAs and noncoding RNAs in modulating a
      broad spectrum of genes involved in lipid synthesis and metabolic pathways. This
      overview focuses on the role of miRNAs in hepatic lipid and lipoprotein
      metabolism and their potential as therapeutic targets for metabolic syndrome.
      This includes recent advances made in the understanding of their target pathways
      and the clinical development of miRNAs in lipid metabolic disorders.

PMID- 26286651
TI  - Stress effects on the hippocampus: a critical review.
AB  - Uncontrollable stress has been recognized to influence the hippocampus at various
      levels of analysis. Behaviorally, human and animal studies have found that stress
      generally impairs various hippocampal-dependent memory tasks. Neurally, animal
      studies have revealed that stress alters ensuing synaptic plasticity and firing
      properties of hippocampal neurons. Structurally, human and animal studies have
      shown that stress changes neuronal morphology, suppresses neuronal proliferation,
      and reduces hippocampal volume. Since the inception of stress research nearly 80
      years ago, much focus has been on the varying levels of hypothalamic-pituitary
      adrenal (HPA) axis neuroendocrine hormones, namely glucocorticoids, as mediators
      of the myriad stress effects on the hippocampus and as contributing factors to
      stress-associated psychopathologies such as post-traumatic stress disorder
      (PTSD). However, reports of glucocorticoid-produced alterations in hippocampal
      functioning vary widely across studies. This review provides a brief history of
      stress research, examines how the glucocorticoid hypothesis emerged and guides
      contemporary stress research, and considers alternative approaches to
      understanding the mechanisms underlying stress effects on hippocampal
      functioning. 

PMID- 26286652
TI  - Neurobehavioral perspectives on the distinction between fear and anxiety.
AB  - In this review, we discuss the usefulness of the distinction between fear and
      anxiety. The clinical use of the labels is ambiguous, often defining one in terms
      of the other. We first consider what a useful, objective, and scientifically
      valid definition would entail and then evaluate several fear/anxiety distinctions
      that have been made in the neurobiological literature. A strong distinction
      should specify the difference in conditions that lead to fear versus anxiety.
      Additionally, fear and anxiety should generate distinct sets of behaviors.
      Ideally, the two states should be supported by distinguishable neuroanatomical
      circuits. Such a conceptualization would be consistent with the National
      Institute of Mental Health's Research Domain Criteria (RDoc). The majority of
      neurobiological approaches to the fear versus anxiety distinction fail to
      differentiate the two states in terms of behavior, often using the exact same
      behavioral measures as indicators. Of the two that do, only Predatory Imminence
      Theory provides a distinction both in terms of cause and effect. Indeed, that
      approach provides a ready distinction of anxiety, fear, and panic in terms of
      both antecedent conditions and response selection rules. Additionally, it appeals
      to distinct neural circuits to generate these modes of action. 

PMID- 26286654
TI  - Entorhinal-hippocampal neuronal circuits bridge temporally discontiguous events.
AB  - The entorhinal cortex (EC)-hippocampal (HPC) network plays an essential role for
      episodic memory, which preserves spatial and temporal information about the
      occurrence of past events. Although there has been significant progress toward
      understanding the neural circuits underlying the spatial dimension of episodic
      memory, the relevant circuits subserving the temporal dimension are just
      beginning to be understood. In this review, we examine the evidence concerning
      the role of the EC in associating events separated by time--or temporal
      associative learning--with emphasis on the function of persistent activity in the
      medial entorhinal cortex layer III (MECIII) and their direct inputs into the CA1
      region of HPC. We also discuss the unique role of Island cells in the medial
      entorhinal cortex layer II (MECII), which is a newly discovered direct
      feedforward inhibitory circuit to CA1. Finally, we relate the function of these
      entorhinal cortical circuits to recent findings concerning hippocampal time
      cells, which may collectively activate in sequence to bridge temporal gaps
      between discontiguous events in an episode.

PMID- 26286653
TI  - Synchrony and desynchrony in circadian clocks: impacts on learning and memory.
AB  - Circadian clocks evolved under conditions of environmental variation, primarily
      alternating light dark cycles, to enable organisms to anticipate daily
      environmental events and coordinate metabolic, physiological, and behavioral
      activities. However, modern lifestyle and advances in technology have increased
      the percentage of individuals working in phases misaligned with natural circadian
      activity rhythms. Endogenous circadian oscillators modulate alertness, the
      acquisition of learning, memory formation, and the recall of memory with examples
      of circadian modulation of memory observed across phyla from invertebrates to
      humans. Cognitive performance and memory are significantly diminished when
      occurring out of phase with natural circadian rhythms. Disruptions in circadian
      regulation can lead to impairment in the formation of memories and manifestation
      of other cognitive deficits. This review explores the types of interactions
      through which the circadian clock modulates cognition, highlights recent progress
      in identifying mechanistic interactions between the circadian system and the
      processes involved in memory formation, and outlines methods used to remediate
      circadian perturbations and reinforce circadian adaptation. 

PMID- 26286655
TI  - Reward processing by the dorsal raphe nucleus: 5-HT and beyond.
AB  - The dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) represents one of the most sensitive reward sites
      in the brain. However, the exact relationship between DRN neuronal activity and
      reward signaling has been elusive. In this review, we will summarize anatomical,
      pharmacological, optogenetics, and electrophysiological studies on the functions
      and circuit mechanisms of DRN neurons in reward processing. The DRN is commonly
      associated with serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT), but this nucleus also
      contains neurons of the neurotransmitter phenotypes of glutamate, GABA and
      dopamine. Pharmacological studies indicate that 5-HT might be involved in
      modulating reward- or punishment-related behaviors. Recent optogenetic
      stimulations demonstrate that transient activation of DRN neurons produces strong
      reinforcement signals that are carried out primarily by glutamate. Moreover,
      activation of DRN 5-HT neurons enhances reward waiting. Electrophysiological
      recordings reveal that the activity of DRN neurons exhibits diverse behavioral
      correlates in reward-related tasks. Studies so far thus demonstrate the strong
      power of DRN neurons in reward signaling and at the same time invite additional
      efforts to dissect the roles and mechanisms of different DRN neuron types in
      various processes of reward-related behaviors. 

PMID- 26286659
TI  - Sodium Selenite Decreased HDAC Activity, Cell Proliferation and Induced Apoptosis
      in Three Human Glioblastoma Cells.
AB  - AIMS: Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element for human health which also has
      antitumor properties. Little is known about its effects on brain tumor cells
      (BTC). The aim of this study was to investigate the anticancer effects of sodium
      selenite (SS) including histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity in three human
      glioblastoma (GBM) cell lines (LN229, T98G and U87). MATERIALS & METHODS: LN229,
      T98G and U87 GBM cell lines were treated with variable doses of SS for time
      varying from 24 to 72h. HDAC activity, cell proliferation, toxicity, cell death
      process, caspase-3 and MMP2 activities and Se absorption were evaluated. RESULTS:
      SS modulated all the parameters tested in a dose- and time-dependent manner. We
      found that SS decreased HDAC activity, blocked cell proliferation and cell cycle
      at the G2 phase, triggered an apoptotic cell death process caspase-3-dependent
      and reduced MMP2 activities. All these effects were performed whereas SS was
      weakly absorbed (<2%). CONCLUSIONS: SS decreasing HDAC activity exhibited
      interesting antitumor properties in GBM cells which may be taken into account in
      the novel strategies for achieving tumor growth inhibition and cytotoxicity.
      Epigenetic modifications induced by SS should be evaluated in further studies.

PMID- 26286658
TI  - The need for novel informatics tools for integrating and planning research in
      molecular and cellular cognition.
AB  - The sheer volume and complexity of publications in the biological sciences are
      straining traditional approaches to research planning. Nowhere is this problem
      more serious than in molecular and cellular cognition, since in this neuroscience
      field, researchers routinely use approaches and information from a variety of
      areas in neuroscience and other biology fields. Additionally, the multilevel
      integration process characteristic of this field involves the establishment of
      experimental connections between molecular, electrophysiological, behavioral, and
      even cognitive data. This multidisciplinary integration process requires
      strategies and approaches that originate in several different fields, which
      greatly increases the complexity and demands of this process. Although causal
      assertions, where phenomenon A is thought to contribute or relate to B, are at
      the center of this integration process and key to research in biology, there are
      currently no tools to help scientists keep track of the increasingly more complex
      network of causal connections they use when making research decisions. Here, we
      propose the development of semiautomated graphical and interactive tools to help
      neuroscientists and other biologists, including those working in molecular and
      cellular cognition, to track, map, and weight causal evidence in research papers.
      There is a great need for a concerted effort by biologists, computer scientists,
      and funding institutions to develop maps of causal information that would aid in
      integration of research findings and in experiment planning. 

PMID- 26286656
TI  - beta-Adrenergic receptor signaling and modulation of long-term potentiation in
      the mammalian hippocampus.
AB  - Encoding new information in the brain requires changes in synaptic strength.
      Neuromodulatory transmitters can facilitate synaptic plasticity by modifying the
      actions and expression of specific signaling cascades, transmitter receptors and
      their associated signaling complexes, genes, and effector proteins. One critical
      neuromodulator in the mammalian brain is norepinephrine (NE), which regulates
      multiple brain functions such as attention, perception, arousal, sleep, learning,
      and memory. The mammalian hippocampus receives noradrenergic innervation and
      hippocampal neurons express beta-adrenergic receptors, which are known to play
      important roles in gating the induction of long-lasting forms of synaptic
      potentiation. These forms of long-term potentiation (LTP) are believed to
      importantly contribute to long-term storage of spatial and contextual memories in
      the brain. In this review, we highlight the contributions of noradrenergic
      signaling in general and beta-adrenergic receptors in particular, toward
      modulating hippocampal LTP. We focus on the roles of NE and beta-adrenergic
      receptors in altering the efficacies of specific signaling molecules such as NMDA
      and AMPA receptors, protein phosphatases, and translation initiation factors.
      Also, the roles of beta-adrenergic receptors in regulating synaptic "tagging" and
      "capture" of LTP within synaptic networks of the hippocampus are reviewed.
      Understanding the molecular and cellular bases of noradrenergic signaling will
      enrich our grasp of how the brain makes new, enduring memories, and may shed
      light on credible strategies for improving mental health through treatment of
      specific disorders linked to perturbed memory processing and dysfunctional
      noradrenergic synaptic transmission. 

PMID- 26286660
TI  - Full circle: Resolving an adolescent's end-of-life issues.
AB  - We report the challenges in managing a troubled, medically ill adolescent with
      end-of-life issues. Our role as multi-professional service providers complemented
      the family's efforts to help him reconcile with himself before death. The present
      experience enhances understanding of the biopsychosocial aspects of care. Every
      child has the right to optimal care. 

PMID- 26286661
TI  - Exudativory in the Asian loris, Nycticebus: Evolutionary divergence in the
      toothcomb and M3.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Slow lorises (Nycticebus spp.) are obligate exudativores that gouge
      tree bark. Dental adaptations for gouging within marmosets, the only other known
      primate obligate exudativore, are well-known but dental adaptations in Nycticebus
      are largely unidentified. In an effort to more completely understand potential
      dental adaptions within Nycticebus and the evolution of this dietary niche within
      Primates as an order, the present study examined dental morphometrics in the
      Asian lorises (Nycticebus and Loris). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We compared dental
      morphometrics between Nycticebus and the insectivorous slender lorises (Loris).
      Measurements from the toothcomb and select other teeth were taken from 92
      specimens. Each variable was scaled by the geometric mean and resulting mean
      ratios were statistically compared between groups. A biomechanical shape variable
      was also calculated to estimate the ability of the toothcomb to resist bending
      that may be experienced during gouging. RESULTS: Toothcombs in Nycticebus were
      significantly (P < 0.05) more narrow, shorter, and thicker than those in Loris
      and had a higher calculated ability to withstand bending forces. Nycticebus also
      had reduced size in the last lower molar relative to Loris. CONCLUSIONS: The more
      robust, "squared off" toothcomb in Nycticebus matches behavioral observations
      that these primates gouge to access exudates. Results of the present study
      indicate that the toothcomb is the likely candidate for the dental tool used in
      gouging. The size reduction of the lower last molar in Nycticebus, a trait also
      found in a previous study in exudativorous galagos, may indicate that there is
      reduced selective pressure in a diet where little mastication would be needed to
      mechanically process exudates. These results may indicate that reduction in molar
      size could be a potential dental signature for exudativory, but further studies
      on a wider phylogenetic range of exudativorous primates would be necessary.

PMID- 26286662
TI  - Effects of botulinum toxin A and/or bimanual task-oriented therapy on upper
      extremity activities in unilateral Cerebral Palsy: a clinical trial.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This study reports on the effects of botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A)
      injections in the upper extremity (UE) in children with unilateral Cerebral Palsy
      (uCP) combined with bimanual task-oriented therapy (BITT) or either treatment
      modality performed separately. Bimanual activities were measured with the
      Assisting Hand Assessment (AHA), the ABILHand-Kids questionnaire (AK), the
      Observational Skills Assessment Score (OSAS). Goal achievement was measured with
      Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS), using blind video assessment, and the Canadian
      Occupational Performance Measure (COPM). METHODS: Thirty-five children, mean age
      7.14 years (SD 2.63), 11 Manual Ability Classification Score (MACS) I, 15 MACS II
      and 9 MACS III, participated. The trial started with four study groups: BoNT-A
      only (n = 5), BITT-only (n = 11), BoNT-A + BITT (n = 13), and control (n = 6).
      Twenty-two children were randomised, 13 children received their parents'
      preferred treatment: BoNT-A + BITT or BITT-only. Three comparisons were analysed:
      BITT (BoNT-A + BITT and BITT-only; n = 24) versus no BITT (BoNT-A-only and
      control; n = 11), BoNT-A (BoNT-A-only and BoNT-A + BITT; n = 18) versus no BoNT-A
      (BITT-only and control; n = 17), and the additional effect of BoNT-A (BoNT-A +
      BITT versus BITT-only). Follow-up time: 24 weeks. RESULTS: No significant
      differences between the groups were found on the AHA. The amount of use of both
      hands on the OSAS was significantly better in the BoNT-A group in the beading and
      sandwich-making task. The BoNT-A group also showed significant improvement in the
      quality scores of the OSAS: the wrist position during grasping and holding,
      especially in the younger children. The BITT group improved significantly on the
      AK and significantly more on the performance and satisfaction scores of the COPM
      at 12 and 24 weeks regarding several goals. BoNT-A showed a significant negative
      effect at 12 and 24 weeks in the most important goal. BITT, more than BoNT-A +
      BITT, showed positive effects on the GAS score at 12 (significant), 18 and 24
      weeks. CONCLUSIONS: BoNT-A has a positive effect on quality of movement and
      amount of use of the affected UE during the 3 months' working time. BoNT-A has no
      additional effect on bimanual performance and goal achievement. BITT has a
      positive effect on goal achievement and bimanual performance, even up to 6 weeks
      after therapy had stopped. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials
      ISRCTN69541857.

PMID- 26286663
TI  - Recent Developments on 1,2,4-Triazole Nucleus in Anticancer Compounds: A Review.
AB  - 1,2,4-triazole is an important nucleus present in a large number of compounds.
      More than thirty-five compounds containing this nucleus are introduced into the
      market. 1,2,4-triazole nucleus is stable to metabolism and acts as an important
      pharmacophore by interacting at the active site of a receptor as hydrogen bond
      acceptor and as a donor. Due to its polar nature, the triazole nucleus can
      increase the solubility of the ligand and it can significantly improve the
      pharmacological profile of the drug. A large number of 1,2,4-triazole derivatives
      are reported to possess a wide range of bioactivities including anti-cancer
      activity. This review article describes the role of 1,2,4-triazole nucleus in
      different types of anti-cancer agents such as nucleoside based anti-cancer
      agents, kinase inhibitors, tubulin modulators, aromatase and steroid sulfatase
      inhibitors, methionine aminopeptidase inhibitors, tankyrase inhibitors and metal
      complex based anti-cancer agents. It is expected that the current review article
      will provide insight into various ligand-receptor interactions and help in the
      rational design and development of novel 1,2,4-triazole based anti-cancer drugs
      with improved selectivity for cancer cells. 

PMID- 26286664
TI  - Investigating the psychometric properties of the Geriatric Suicide Ideation Scale
      (GSIS) among community-residing older adults.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To investigate the psychometric properties of the Geriatric Suicide
      Ideation Scale (GSIS) among community-residing older adults. METHOD: We recruited
      173 voluntary participants, 65 years and older, into a 2+ year longitudinal study
      of the onset or exacerbation of depressive symptoms and suicide ideation. We
      assessed the internal consistency of the GSIS and its four component subscales,
      and its shorter and longer duration test-retest reliability, convergent
      (depression, social hopelessness, and loneliness), divergent (psychological well
      being, life satisfaction, perceived social support, and self-rated health),
      discriminant (basic and instrumental activities of daily living and social
      desirability), criterion (history of suicide behavior), and predictive validity
      (future suicide ideation). RESULTS: The GSIS demonstrated strong test-retest
      reliability and internal consistency. Baseline GSIS scores were significantly
      positively associated with suicide risk factors, negatively associated with
      potential resiliency factors, and not associated with functional impairment or
      social desirability. GSIS scores significantly differentiated between
      participants with as compared to those without a history of suicide behavior.
      Baseline GSIS scores significantly predicted suicide ideation at a 2+ year follow
      up assessment. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest strong measurement characteristics
      for the GSIS with community-residing older adults, including impressive
      consistency over time. These results are consistent with research attesting to
      the empirical and pragmatic strengths of this measure. These findings have
      implications for the monitoring of suicide risk when aiming to enhance mental
      health and well-being and prevent suicide in later life.

PMID- 26286657
TI  - Sex steroid hormones matter for learning and memory: estrogenic regulation of
      hippocampal function in male and female rodents.
AB  - Ample evidence has demonstrated that sex steroid hormones, such as the potent
      estrogen 17beta-estradiol (E2), affect hippocampal morphology, plasticity, and
      memory in male and female rodents. Yet relatively few investigators who work with
      male subjects consider the effects of these hormones on learning and memory. This
      review describes the effects of E2 on hippocampal spinogenesis, neurogenesis,
      physiology, and memory, with particular attention paid to the effects of E2 in
      male rodents. The estrogen receptors, cell-signaling pathways, and epigenetic
      processes necessary for E2 to enhance memory in female rodents are also discussed
      in detail. Finally, practical considerations for working with female rodents are
      described for those investigators thinking of adding females to their
      experimental designs. 

PMID- 26286665
TI  - Life-history plasticity in female threespine stickleback.
AB  - The postglacial adaptive radiation of the threespine stickleback fish
      (Gasterosteus aculeatus) has been widely used to investigate the roles of both
      adaptive evolution and plasticity in behavioral and morphological divergence from
      the ancestral condition represented by present-day oceanic stickleback. These
      phenotypes tend to exhibit high levels of ecotypic differentiation. Population
      divergence in life history has also been well studied, but in contrast to
      behavior and morphology, the extent and importance of plasticity has been much
      less well studied. In this review, we summarize what is known about life-history
      plasticity in female threespine stickleback, considering four traits intimately
      associated with reproductive output: age/size at maturation, level of
      reproductive effort, egg size and clutch size. We envision life-history
      plasticity in an iterative, ontogenetic framework, in which females may express
      plasticity repeatedly across each of several time frames. We contrast the results
      of laboratory and field studies because, for most traits, these approaches give
      somewhat different answers. We provide ideas on what the cues might be for
      observed plasticity in each trait and, when possible, we inquire about the
      relative costs and benefits to expressed plasticity. We end with an example of
      how we think plasticity may play out in stickleback life history given what we
      know of plasticity in the ancestor.

PMID- 26286666
TI  - Polygamy and an absence of fine-scale structure in Dendroctonus ponderosae
      (Hopk.) (Coleoptera: Curcilionidae) confirmed using molecular markers.
AB  - An understanding of mating systems and fine-scale spatial genetic structure is
      required to effectively manage forest pest species such as Dendroctonus
      ponderosae (mountain pine beetle). Here we used genome-wide single-nucleotide
      polymorphisms to assess the fine-scale genetic structure and mating system of D.
      ponderosae collected from a single stand in Alberta, Canada. Fine-scale spatial
      genetic structure was absent within the stand and the majority of genetic
      variation was best explained at the individual level. Relatedness estimates
      support previous reports of pre-emergence mating. Parentage assignment tests
      indicate that a polygamous mating system better explains the relationships among
      individuals within a gallery than the previously reported female monogamous/male
      polygynous system. Furthermore, there is some evidence to suggest that females
      may exploit the galleries of other females, at least under epidemic conditions.
      Our results suggest that current management models are likely to be effective
      across large geographic areas based on the absence of fine-scale genetic
      structure.

PMID- 26286668
TI  - The Clinical and Socio-Economic Relevance of Increased IPMN Detection Rates and
      Management Choices.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Increased usage of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging
      has led to a large increase in identified pancreatic cysts of up to 25% in
      population-based studies. The clinical and economic relevance of identifying so
      many cystic lesions has not been established. Compared to other organs such as
      liver or kidney, dysontogenetic pancreatic cysts are rare. Pancreatic cysts
      comprise a variety of benign, premalignant or malignant lesions; however, precise
      diagnosis before resection has an accuracy of only 80%. The focus of recent
      research was the malignant potential of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms
      (IPMN) with the aim of establishing clinical pathways addressing risk of
      malignancy, age and comorbidity, treatment-related morbidity and mortality as
      well as cost-effectiveness of treatment and surveillance. The focus of this
      review is to analyze the clinical and socio-economic relevance as well as the
      cost-benefit relation for IPMNs. METHODS: For analysis, the following MESH terms
      were used to identify original articles, reviews, and guidelines in PubMed:
      ('intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm' OR 'pancreatic cysts') and (incidence
      OR relevance OR socio-economic OR economic OR cost-effectiveness OR cost
      benefit). The retrieved publications were reviewed with a focus on clinical and
      socio-economic relevance in relation to the increasing incidence of IPMN.
      RESULTS: Addressing the increasing prevalence of pancreatic cystic lesions,
      recent consensus guidelines suggested criteria for risk stratification according
      to 'worrisome features' and 'high-risk stigmata'. Recent prospective cohort
      studies evaluated whether these can be applied in clinical practice. Evaluation
      of three different clinical scenarios with regard to costs and quality-adjusted
      life years suggested a better effectiveness of surveillance after initial risk
      stratification by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration with cyst
      fluid analysis compared with immediate resection or follow-up without further
      intervention. Of interest, the 'immediate surgery' strategy was lowest for cost
      effectiveness. CONCLUSIONS: The increasing incidence of identified pancreatic
      cysts requires an improved strategy for non-invasive risk stratification based on
      advanced imaging strategies. In light of a malignancy risk of 2% for branch-duct
      IPMN, the socio-economic necessity of a balance between surveillance and
      resection has to be agreed on.

PMID- 26286669
TI  - Validated MicroRNA Target Databases: An Evaluation.
AB  - Preclinical Research Positive findings from preclinical and clinical studies
      involving depletion or supplementation of microRNA (miRNA) engender optimism
      about miRNA-based therapeutics. However, off-target effects must be considered.
      Predicting these effects is complicated. Each miRNA may target many gene
      transcripts, and the rules governing imperfectly complementary miRNA: target
      interactions are incompletely understood. Several databases provide lists of the
      relatively small number of experimentally confirmed miRNA: target pairs. Although
      incomplete, this information might allow assessment of at least some of the off
      target effects. We evaluated the performance of four databases of experimentally
      validated miRNA: target interactions (miRWalk 2.0, miRTarBase, miRecords, and
      TarBase 7.0) using a list of 50 alphabetically consecutive genes. We examined the
      provided citations to determine the degree to which each interaction was
      experimentally supported. To assess stability, we tested at the beginning and end
      of a five-month period. Results varied widely by database. Two of the databases
      changed significantly over the course of 5 months. Most reported evidence for
      miRNA: target interactions were indirect or otherwise weak, and relatively few
      interactions were supported by more than one publication. Some returned results
      appear to arise from simplistic text searches that offer no insight into the
      relationship of the search terms, may not even include the reported gene or
      miRNA, and may thus, be invalid. We conclude that validation databases provide
      important information, but not all information in all extant databases is up-to
      date or accurate. Nevertheless, the more comprehensive validation databases may
      provide useful starting points for investigation of off-target effects of
      proposed small RNA therapies.

PMID- 26286670
TI  - The potential impact of NIPT as a second-tier screen on the outcomes of high-risk
      pregnancies with rare chromosomal abnormalities.
AB  - AIM: To describe the potential impact of using noninvasive prenatal testing
      (NIPT) as a second-tier test, on the diagnosis and outcomes of pregnancies
      identified as high risk through first trimester screening (FTS) in a cohort of
      real pregnancies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Western Australian FTS and diagnostic
      data (2007-2009) were linked to pregnancy outcomes. Karyotype results from
      invasive prenatal testing in high-risk women were analysed. The outcomes of
      abnormal results that would not be detected by NIPT, assuming a panel of trisomy
      21/18/13 and sex chromosome aneuploidies, and the likelihood of diagnosis in a
      screening model using NIPT as a second-tier test are described. RESULTS: Abnormal
      karyotype results were reported in 224 of 1488 (15%) women with high-risk
      pregnancies having invasive diagnostic testing. NIPT potentially would have
      identified 85%. The 33 abnormalities unidentifiable by NIPT were triploidies (n =
      7, 21%), balanced (n = 8, 24%) and unbalanced rearrangements (n = 10, 30%) and
      level III mosaicisms (n = 8, 24%). For conditions not identifiable by NIPT, fetal
      sonographic appearance was likely to have led to invasive testing for 10 of 17
      (59%) pathogenic abnormalities. If a policy was adopted recommending invasive
      testing for FTS risk >1:50 and/or ultrasound detected abnormality, the residual
      risk of an unidentified pathogenic chromosomal abnormality in those without a
      diagnosis would have been 0.33% (95% CI 0.01-0.65%). CONCLUSIONS: A screening
      model with NIPT as a second-tier for high-risk pregnancies would be unlikely to
      have changed the outcome for the majority of pregnancies. Optimising the
      diagnosis of rare pathogenic abnormalities requires clear indicators for invasive
      testing over NIPT.

PMID- 26286671
TI  - Ischaemic stroke patients who present early but with therapeutic anticoagulation:
      a treatment dilemma.

PMID- 26286672
TI  - Characterization of the diversity of mycosporine-like amino acids in lichens from
      high altitude region of Himalaya.
AB  - Lichens are tolerant to a number of environmental variables including high
      intensity solar radiations, which is mainly due to the presence of chemical
      substances in the thallus. Especially, cyanobacterial lichens synthesize a unique
      class of chemical substances known as mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) the
      primary characteristic of which is strong ultraviolet (UV) absorption between 300
      and 360 nm. In view of its UV-protecting potential, the applicability of mass
      spectral fragmentation using electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometric
      analysis for the characterization of MAAs in lichen samples was explored. MAA
      compounds were characterized in four cyanobacteria-containing lichen species
      belonging to genus Peltigera, Stereocaulon and Lobaria. Among them, Peltigera and
      Lobaria are true cyanobacteria containing lichens (cyanolichens) while
      Stereocaulon is a tripartite lichen, as it contains both green algae (in the
      thallus) and cyanobacteria (in the cephalodia), collected from higher altitudes
      of Himalaya (Tungnath-Chopta in Garhwal Himalaya, 3432 m) from an exposed
      locality experiencing high light intensity. Mass spectral data of distinctive
      fragmentation pattern revealed that all the four species have good diversity of
      MAA compounds, especially Lobaria retigera was found to be enriched with highest
      diversity of oxo and imino MAAs. Overall, different numbers of oxo and imino MAA
      compounds were detected in the remaining lichen species. Good diversity of imino
      MAAs has ecological significance which is required to be investigated further.
      Moreover, the impressive diversity characterized in each lichen species suggests
      that lichens should be thoroughly studied for their MAAs contents.

PMID- 26286673
TI  - Novel Boronlectins Based on Bispyridium Salt with a Flexible Linker:
      Discriminative Sensing of Lactose and Other Monosaccharides and Disaccharides in
      Aqueous Solution.
AB  - N,N-Di-2-picolylamine (DPA)-derived diboronic acid receptors (NHBAs) with a
      flexible linker were designed and synthesized in this study, and two-component
      sensing ensembles based on cationic NHBAs and an anionic fluorescent indicator 8
      hydroxypyrene-1,3,6-trisulfonic acid trisodium salt (HPTS) were successfully
      developed for both monosaccharides and disaccharides sensing. The dibranched
      ortho-substituted receptor NHoBA exhibited unexpected selectivity towards lactose
      among five disaccharides used. The discrimination of five disaccharides and six
      monosaccharides was finally achieved by the integrated sensor array through
      linear discriminant analysis (LDA). 

PMID- 26286667
TI  - Interglacial refugia preserved high genetic diversity of the Chinese mole shrew
      in the mountains of southwest China.
AB  - The mountains of southwest China (MSC) harbor extremely high species diversity;
      however, the mechanism behind this diversity is unknown. We investigated to what
      degree the topography and climate change shaped the genetic diversity and
      diversification in these mountains, and we also sought to identify the locations
      of microrefugia areas in these mountains. For these purposes, we sampled
      extensively to estimate the intraspecific phylogenetic pattern of the Chinese
      mole shrew (Anourosorex squamipes) in southwest China throughout its range of
      distribution. Two mitochondrial genes, namely, cytochrome b (CYT B) and NADH
      dehydrogenase subunit 2 (ND2), from 383 archived specimens from 43 localities
      were determined for phylogeographic and demographic analyses. We used the
      continuous-diffusion phylogeographic model, extensive Bayesian skyline plot
      species distribution modeling (SDM) and approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) to
      explore the changes in population size and distribution through time of the
      species. Two phylogenetic clades were identified, and significantly higher
      genetic diversity was preserved in the southern subregion of the mountains. The
      results of the SDM, continuous-diffusion phylogeographic model, extensive
      Bayesian skyline plot and ABC analyses were congruent and supported that the Last
      Interglacial Maximum (LIG) was an unfavorable period for the mole shrews because
      of a high degree of seasonality; A. squamipes survived in isolated interglacial
      refugia mainly located in the southern subregion during the LIG and rapidly
      expanded during the last glacial period. These results furnished the first
      evidence for major Pleistocene interglacial refugia and a latitudinal effect in
      southwest China, and the results shedding light on the higher level of species
      richness in the southern subregion. 

PMID- 26286674
TI  - Development of an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test for detecting
      antibodies to chicken astrovirus in chicken sera.
AB  - The development of an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the
      serological diagnosis of Group B chicken astrovirus (CAstV) infections is
      described. The test was based on the use of an affinity-purified capsid antigen,
      specific to CAstV isolate 11672, produced as a glutathione-S-transferase N
      terminal fusion protein by a recombinant baculovirus. Strongly positive ELISA
      signals were elicited against experimentally produced antisera raised to CAstVs
      from Group B (subgroups i and ii) but were negative for antisera raised to a
      Group A CAstV. Using a panel of 240 selected serum samples, 99% agreement was
      observed when the results obtained by ELISA were compared to those from an
      indirect immunofluorescence test for CAstV 11672. The ELISA test was applied to
      68 serum sets comprising 1864 samples, which were obtained from parent and
      grandparent flocks originating mainly in the UK. Of the 52 sets containing ELISA
      positive samples, 24 sets had >75% samples positive and nine sets had <25%
      samples positive and were regarded as having high and low seropositivities,
      respectively. Of the 1864 serum samples tested 1090 (58.5%) were ELISA positive
      and of these, 234 sera (21.5%) produced strongly positive signals, whereas
      moderately positive and weakly positive signals were produced by 562 (51.5%) and
      294 (27%) sera. When used for flock screening purposes, this ELISA test can be
      used to (i) investigate the occurrence of first-time CAstV infections of parent
      flocks during lay and the possible adverse effects caused by vertically
      transmitted CAstV infections on broiler hatchability and performance and (ii)
      diagnose Group B CAstV infections within specific pathogen free flocks. 

PMID- 26286675
TI  - Classifying ADRs--does dose matter?

PMID- 26286676
TI  - High Sensitivity RT-qPCR Assay of Nonlabeled siRNA in Small Blood Volume for
      Pharmacokinetic Studies: Application to Survivin siRNA.
AB  - RNAi therapeutics provide an opportunity to correct faulty genes, and several
      RNAi have entered clinical evaluation. The existing quantification methods
      typically use radioactivity- or fluorescence-labeled RNAi, require large blood
      volumes, and/or have a limited dynamic detection range. We established a
      quantitative reverse transcriptase real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR)
      assay to measure RNAi; the model analyte was survivin siRNA (siSurvivin). A
      second siRNA was used as the internal standard. The three major steps were (a)
      extraction of the two siRNAs from blood or water, (b) synthesis of their cDNA by
      poly-A extension, and (c) qPCR of cDNA. Standard curves were established. Utility
      of the assay was demonstrated in a pharmacokinetic study where all 12 samples for
      the blood concentration-time profile were obtained from a single mouse given an
      intravenous dose of 1 nmole siSurvivin (prepared as lipoplex with pegylated
      cationic liposomes). The RT-qPCR assay was sensitive (lower detection limit of
      100 fM) and had a 5 * 107-fold dynamic range and low sample volume requirement
      (10 MUL). The 16-point standard curves constructed using whole blood samples were
      linear (R (2) > 0.98). The intraday and interday variations for the slopes were
      <=6%, although the variations for accuracy and precision at individual
      concentrations were substantially higher (58-145%). Standard curves prepared with
      water in place of blood showed similar results (<6% difference), indicating water
      may be used when blood is not available. The current RT-qPCR assay enabled the
      measurement of nonlabeled siRNA in small volume of blood samples. 

PMID- 26286677
TI  - A Modeling and Simulation Framework for Adverse Events in Erlotinib-Treated Non
      Small-Cell Lung Cancer Patients.
AB  - Treatment with erlotinib, an epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase
      inhibitor used for treating non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and other cancers,
      is frequently associated with adverse events (AE). We present a modeling and
      simulation framework for the most common erlotinib-induced AE, rash, and
      diarrhea, providing insights into erlotinib toxicity. We used the framework to
      investigate the safety of high-dose erlotinib pulses proposed to limit acquired
      resistance while treating NSCLC. Continuous-time Markov models were developed
      using rash and diarrhea AE data from 39 NSCLC patients treated with erlotinib
      (150 mg/day). Exposure and different covariates were investigated as predictors
      of variability. Rash was also tested as a survival predictor. Models developed
      were used in a simulation analysis to compare the toxicities of different
      regimens, including the previously mentioned pulsed strategy. Probabilities of
      experiencing rash or diarrhea were found to be highest early during treatment.
      Rash, but not diarrhea, was positively correlated with erlotinib exposure. In
      contrast with some common understandings, radiotherapy decreased transitioning to
      higher rash grades by 81% (p < 0.01), and experiencing rash was not correlated
      with positive survival outcomes. Model simulations predicted that the proposed
      pulsed regimen (1600 mg/week + 50 mg/day remaining week days) results in a
      maximum of 20% of the patients suffering from severe rash throughout the
      treatment course in comparison to 12% when treated with standard dosing (150
      mg/day). In conclusion, the framework demonstrated that radiotherapy attenuates
      erlotinib-induced rash, providing an opportunity to use radiotherapy and
      erlotinib together, and demonstrated the tolerability of high-dose pulses
      intended to address acquired resistance to erlotinib. 

PMID- 26286678
TI  - Risk factors for keratoconus in Israel: a case-control study.
AB  - PURPOSE: Keratoconus (KC) is a progressive corneal thinning disorder with an
      uncertain aetiology. Environmental and genetic factors, including consanguinity,
      eye rubbing and possibly sun exposure, play a role in the aetiology of KC. Here
      we test for risk factors for KC in an Israeli population with particular emphasis
      on sun exposure. METHODS: This case-control study included KC patients who were
      diagnosed at Care Laser Medical Group, a refractive surgery clinic with branches
      throughout Israel. The control group included age, sex and ethnicity matched
      individuals who were randomly selected from patients presenting at the clinic for
      refractive surgery, but without KC. Study subjects were asked to fill out a self
      administered questionnaire that included demographic and geographic details,
      questions on ocular and general health and sun exposure. Conditional logistic
      regression was used to analyse univariable and multivariable data to identify
      risk factors for KC. RESULTS: Seventy-three KC patients and 146 controls
      participated in the study. Univariable analyses demonstrated that eye rubbing
      [odds ratio (OR) = 3.76], positive family history of KC (OR = 6.10) and parents'
      education (<12 years, OR = 0.27, 0.23 for father's and mother's education
      respectively) were significant risk factors for KC. Univariable analyses of sun
      exposure behaviour during teenage years proved equivocal with some behaviours
      emerging as protective for KC (wearing a hat outdoors, OR = 3.13) or as risk
      factors (spending time in the shade, OR = 0.45), while others showed no
      association [limiting time in the sun (p = 0.51), and wearing sunglasses (p =
      0.20)]. Most of the factors that were significant in the univariable analyses,
      also emerged as statistically significant in the multivariable model (OR = 3.37,
      9.68, 0.35, 5.51 for eye rubbing, family history, parental education, wearing a
      hat outdoors, with the exception of spending time in the shade (p = 0.88).
      CONCLUSIONS: Eye rubbing, parents' education (as a measure of socio-economic
      status) and having family members with KC emerged as significant risk factors for
      KC. The role of sun exposure in KC remains equivocal and warrants further
      research.

PMID- 26286679
TI  - Coexistent lumbar spine disorders have a crucial impact on the clinical outcome
      after total hip replacement.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Degenerative hip and spine disease are known to frequently coexist.
      Lumbar spine disorders (LSDs), as opposed to other patient-related factors, are
      disregarded in the assessment of the clinical outcome after total hip replacement
      (THR). This prospective study investigates the influence of LSDs on the pre- and
      postoperative health-related quality of life and functional outcome of patients
      undergoing THR. METHODS: According to clearly defined criteria, 42 patients
      scheduled for cementless THR were assigned either to the LSD (13 patients with
      LSDs) or non-LSD group (29 patients without LSDs). A clinical assessment was
      performed preoperatively as well as 12, 24 and 60 months postoperatively using
      the Harris hip score (HHS), the Western Ontario and McMaster University
      osteoarthritis index (WOMAC) and the 36-item short form health survey (SF-36).
      RESULTS: The statistical analysis comparing the pre- and postoperative status
      within both groups showed an ongoing improvement of mean HHS and WOMAC after THR.
      The non-LSD group had a significantly higher postoperative HHS and WOMAC after
      12, 24 and 60 months as well as SF-36 after 24 and 60 months. The LSD group
      improved significantly in the HHS at 24 and 60 months and the WOMAC at 12, 24 and
      60 months postoperatively, whereas the SF-36 improvement was not significant.
      Comparison of preoperative data in both groups revealed a significantly higher SF
      36 in the non-LSD group but no difference between the HHS and WOMAC. At each
      postoperative assessment, the HHS, WOMAC and SF-36, including its physical and
      mental health sum scores, were significantly higher in the non-LSD group, except
      for the WOMAC after 60 months. CONCLUSION: Owing to their crucial impact on hip
      function scores and health-related quality of life, it is recommended to consider
      LSDs preoperatively in studies dealing with the clinical outcome after THR.

PMID- 26286680
TI  - Neuroproteomic profiling of human body fluids.
AB  - Analysis of protein expression and abundance provides a possibility to extend the
      current knowledge on disease-associated processes and pathways. The human brain
      is a complex organ and dysfunction or damage can give rise to a variety of
      neurological diseases. Although many proteins potentially reflecting disease
      progress are originating from brain, the scarce availability of human tissue
      material has lead to utilization of body fluids such as cerebrospinal fluid and
      blood in disease-related research. Within the most common neurological disorders,
      much effort has been spent on studying the role of a few hallmark proteins in
      disease pathogenesis but despite extensive investigation, the signatures they
      provide seem insufficient to fully understand and predict disease progress. In
      order to expand the view the field of neuroproteomics has lately emerged
      alongside developing technologies, such as affinity proteomics and mass
      spectrometry, for multiplexed and high-throughput protein profiling. Here, we
      provide an overview of how such technologies have been applied to study
      neurological disease and we also discuss some important considerations concerning
      discovery of disease-associated profiles.

PMID- 26286681
TI  - Uncertainty and Expectation in Sentence Processing: Evidence From
      Subcategorization Distributions.
AB  - There is now considerable evidence that human sentence processing is expectation
      based: As people read a sentence, they use their statistical experience with
      their language to generate predictions about upcoming syntactic structure. This
      study examines how sentence processing is affected by readers' uncertainty about
      those expectations. In a self-paced reading study, we use lexical
      subcategorization distributions to factorially manipulate both the strength of
      expectations and the uncertainty about them. We compare two types of uncertainty:
      uncertainty about the verb's complement, reflecting the next prediction step; and
      uncertainty about the full sentence, reflecting an unbounded number of prediction
      steps. We find that uncertainty about the full structure, but not about the next
      step, was a significant predictor of processing difficulty: Greater reduction in
      uncertainty was correlated with increased reading times (RTs). We additionally
      replicated previously observed effects of expectation violation (surprisal),
      orthogonal to the effect of uncertainty. This suggests that both surprisal and
      uncertainty affect human RTs. We discuss the consequences for theories of
      sentence comprehension.

PMID- 26286682
TI  - Screening of ligninolytic fungi for biological pretreatment of lignocellulosic
      biomass.
AB  - To identify white rot fungi with high potential in biological pretreatment of
      lignocellulosic biomass, preliminary screening was carried out on plates by
      testing different strains for their ability to oxidize guaiacol and decolorize
      the dyes azure B and Poly R-478. Of the 86 strains screened, 16 were selected for
      secondary screening for their ligninolytic ability; however, low manganese
      peroxidase activity and no lignin peroxidase activity were detected. Strain
      BBEL0970 proved to be the most efficient in laccase production and was
      subsequently identified as Trametes versicolor by analysis of the ribosomal DNA
      internal transcribed spacer gene sequence. In combining laccase production with
      biological pretreatment, the replacement of glucose with barley straw
      significantly improved the laccase activity by up to 10.3 U/mL, which provided
      evidence toward potential utilization of barley straw in laccase production by
      BBEL0970. Simultaneously, comparison by thermogravimetric analysis of the
      untreated and pretreated barley straw in liquid fermentation of laccase also
      demonstrated the high potential of BBEL0970 in biological pretreatment of
      lignocellulosic biomass. This work sheds light on further exploration on the
      integrated process of low-cost laccase production and efficient biological
      pretreatment of barley straw by T. versicolor BBEL0970. 

PMID- 26286683
TI  - Sample size calculation for meta-epidemiological studies.
AB  - Meta-epidemiological studies are used to compare treatment effect estimates
      between randomized clinical trials with and without a characteristic of interest.
      To our knowledge, there is presently nothing to help researchers to a priori
      specify the required number of meta-analyses to be included in a meta
      epidemiological study. We derived a theoretical power function and sample size
      formula in the framework of a hierarchical model that allows for variation in the
      impact of the characteristic between trials within a meta-analysis and between
      meta-analyses. A simulation study revealed that the theoretical function
      overestimated power (because of the assumption of equal weights for each trial
      within and between meta-analyses). We also propose a simulation approach that
      allows for relaxing the constraints used in the theoretical approach and is more
      accurate. We illustrate that the two variables that mostly influence power are
      the number of trials per meta-analysis and the proportion of trials with the
      characteristic of interest. We derived a closed-form power function and sample
      size formula for estimating the impact of trial characteristics in meta
      epidemiological studies. Our analytical results can be used as a 'rule of thumb'
      for sample size calculation for a meta-epidemiologic study. A more accurate
      sample size can be derived with a simulation study.

PMID- 26286684
TI  - Helping patients to reach decisions regarding their treatment: Do 'non-directive'
      approaches cause systematic bias?
AB  - OBJECTIVES: Many patients want help in considering medical information relevant
      to treatment decisions they have to make or agree to. The present research
      investigated whether focussing on particular issues relevant to a medical
      treatment decision (using an apparently non-directive procedure) could
      systematically bias a treatment decision. DESIGN AND METHODS: In a randomized
      design, participants (community volunteers, n = 146) were given standard
      information about treatment of cardiac risk factors by medication (statins).
      There were four experimental interventions in which the participants focussed on
      the likely personal relevance of subsets of the information previously given
      (positive, negative, or mixed aspects) or on irrelevant information. Participants
      were asked to rate their anticipated likelihood of accepting treatment before and
      after the experimental intervention. RESULTS: The rating of acceptance of
      treatment was significantly increased by positive focussing; negative focussing
      did not significantly alter the decision rating. CONCLUSIONS: The results
      partially replicate similar studies in health screening decisions. Reasons for
      the differences in results from those obtained in screening studies are
      considered. It is suggested that negative focussing may have less effect in
      decisions in which there are few risks. Statement of contribution What is already
      known on this subject? Decision-making in the context of health behaviour change
      has been widely described, but there are few experimental studies testing
      hypothesised strategies. 'Non-directiveness' is often regarded as desirable
      because it supposedly allows exploration of the decision without influencing it.
      Previous studies on health screening (but not treatment) have shown that health
      decision outcomes can be systematically influenced by the way in which a 'non
      directive' intervention is implemented. This can be accounted for by a modified
      subjective expected utility theory previously applied to both health screening
      and child vaccination decisions. What does this study add? The hypothetical
      decision about whether or not, in future, to take statins for elevated
      cholesterol levels was influenced by positive but not by negative focussing.
      Results were consistent with the theoretical framework. This study extends
      previous work on influences on the decision to undertake health screening and
      vaccination to treatment offered as secondary prevention. 'Non-directive'
      approaches to helping facilitate decisions can modify those decisions, and as
      such cannot be regarded as non-directive.

PMID- 26286686
TI  - 2015 RANZCOG Arthur Wilson Memorial Oration 'From little things, big things grow:
      The importance of periconception medicine'.
AB  - The time of our conception is when we are most vulnerable to survival and growing
      as a healthy human being. Genetic and environmental effects on gametes and the
      developing embryo can be literally life-and-death events with regard to the
      successful outcome of pregnancy. In the past decade, we have also understood that
      environmental factors under which the gametes grow and the embryo develops have
      lifelong implications with regard to developmental origins of health and disease.
      We now know that parenting begins before conception in that a compromised egg or
      sperm from either parent can alter the trajectory of development even if the
      embryo and intrauterine environment is optimal. There are now a large number of
      factors known to impact on the gametes to adversely affect them, including
      obesity, nutrition, cigarette smoking and environmental pollutants. The
      increasing use of in vitro fertilisation across the world exposes developing
      embryos to less than optimal environmental conditions through altered culture
      media, gases and potential pollutants from plastics, air and water. Many of these
      environmental exposures have not undergone experimental investigation and yet
      widely implemented in thousands of laboratories across the world. There have been
      many attempts to set up periconception planning either through the health
      service, the print and electronic media or through government action. We as a
      profession, as well as our Colleges, could do much better job in this area of
      preventative medicine by developing better guidelines and education for
      professional colleagues, the health service and the community. 

PMID- 26286685
TI  - Interactive effects of BDNF Val66Met genotype and trauma on limbic brain anatomy
      in childhood.
AB  - Childhood trauma is a major precipitating factor in psychiatric disease. Emerging
      data suggest that stress susceptibility is genetically determined, and that risk
      is mediated by changes in limbic brain circuitry. There is a need to identify
      markers of disease vulnerability, and it is critical that these markers be
      investigated in childhood and adolescence, a time when neural networks are
      particularly malleable and when psychiatric disorders frequently emerge. In this
      preliminary study, we evaluated whether a common variant in the brain-derived
      neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene (Val66Met; rs6265) interacts with childhood
      trauma to predict limbic gray matter volume in a sample of 55 youth high in
      sociodemographic risk. We found trauma-by-BDNF interactions in the right
      subcallosal area and right hippocampus, wherein BDNF-related gray matter changes
      were evident in youth without histories of trauma. In youth without trauma
      exposure, lower hippocampal volume was related to higher symptoms of anxiety.
      These data provide preliminary evidence for a contribution of a common BDNF gene
      variant to the neural correlates of childhood trauma among high-risk urban youth.
      Altered limbic structure in early life may lay the foundation for longer term
      patterns of neural dysfunction, and hold implications for understanding the
      psychiatric and psychobiological consequences of traumatic stress on the
      developing brain. 

PMID- 26286687
TI  - Using short vignettes to disentangle perceived capability from motivation: a test
      using walking and resistance training behaviors.
AB  - Self-efficacy is arguably the strongest correlate of physical activity, yet some
      researchers suggest this is because the construct confounds ability with
      motivation. We examine a more circumscribed construct, called perceived
      capability (PC), meant to measure ability but not motivation and propose that the
      construct will not be related to unskilled physical activities but may be linked
      to skilled behaviors. The purpose of this paper was to examine whether a PC
      construct can be stripped of motivation using a vignette approach in both walking
      and resistance training behaviors. Participants were a random sample of 248
      university students, who were then randomly assigned to either answer resistance
      training or walking behavior questions. Both groups completed a PC measure and
      reasons for their answer before and after reading a vignette that clarified the
      phrasing of capability to a literal use of the term. PC was significantly (p <
      .01) higher post- compared to pre-vignette and the differences were greater (p <
      .01) for walking than for resistance training. PC had significantly (p < .01)
      smaller correlations with intention and self-reported behavior post
      disambiguation, which resulted in a null relationship with walking but a small
      correlation with resistance training behavior. When PC was combined with
      intention to predict behavior, however, there was no significant (p > .05)
      difference in the amount of variance explained pre- to post-vignette. Thought
      listing showed that participants did not report capability barriers to walking
      and over half of the sample construed capability as motivation/other priorities
      pre-vignette. The findings support use of a vignette approach for researchers who
      wish to disentangle the assessment of PC from motivation while creating no
      overall loss in explained variance of physical activity.

PMID- 26286688
TI  - Increased Likelihood of Missed Appointments ("No Shows") for Racial/Ethnic
      Minorities in a Safety Net Health System.
AB  - Missed appointments have been linked to adverse outcomes known to affect
      racial/ethnic minorities. However, the association of missed appointments with
      race/ethnicity has not been determined. We sought to determine the relationships
      between race/ethnicity and missed appointments by performing a cross-sectional
      study of 161 350 patients in a safety net health system. Several race/ethnicity
      categories were significantly associated with missed appointment rates, including
      Hispanic/Latino patients, American Indian/Alaskan Native patients, and
      Black/African American patients, as compared with White non-Hispanic patients.
      Other significant predictors included Mexico as country of origin, medical
      complexity, and major mental illness. We recommend additional research to
      determine which interventions best reduce missed appointments for minority
      populations in order to improve the care of vulnerable patients.

PMID- 26286689
TI  - Single-Molecule Real-Time Sequencing Combined with Optical Mapping Yields
      Completely Finished Fungal Genome.
AB  - Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies have increased the scalability,
      speed, and resolution of genomic sequencing and, thus, have revolutionized
      genomic studies. However, eukaryotic genome sequencing initiatives typically
      yield considerably fragmented genome assemblies. Here, we assessed various state
      of-the-art sequencing and assembly strategies in order to produce a contiguous
      and complete eukaryotic genome assembly, focusing on the filamentous fungus
      Verticillium dahliae. Compared with Illumina-based assemblies of the V. dahliae
      genome, hybrid assemblies that also include PacBio-generated long reads establish
      superior contiguity. Intriguingly, provided that sufficient sequence depth is
      reached, assemblies solely based on PacBio reads outperform hybrid assemblies and
      even result in fully assembled chromosomes. Furthermore, the addition of optical
      map data allowed us to produce a gapless and complete V. dahliae genome assembly
      of the expected eight chromosomes from telomere to telomere. Consequently, we can
      now study genomic regions that were previously not assembled or poorly assembled,
      including regions that are populated by repetitive sequences, such as
      transposons, allowing us to fully appreciate an organism's biological complexity.
      Our data show that a combination of PacBio-generated long reads and optical
      mapping can be used to generate complete and gapless assemblies of fungal
      genomes. IMPORTANCE: Studying whole-genome sequences has become an important
      aspect of biological research. The advent of next-generation sequencing (NGS)
      technologies has nowadays brought genomic science within reach of most research
      laboratories, including those that study nonmodel organisms. However, most genome
      sequencing initiatives typically yield (highly) fragmented genome assemblies.
      Nevertheless, considerable relevant information related to genome structure and
      evolution is likely hidden in those nonassembled regions. Here, we investigated a
      diverse set of strategies to obtain gapless genome assemblies, using the genome
      of a typical ascomycete fungus as the template. Eventually, we were able to show
      that a combination of PacBio-generated long reads and optical mapping yields a
      gapless telomere-to-telomere genome assembly, allowing in-depth genome analyses
      to facilitate functional studies into an organism's biology.

PMID- 26286690
TI  - The Reemergent 1977 H1N1 Strain and the Gain-of-Function Debate.
AB  - The 1977-1978 influenza epidemic was probably not a natural event, as the genetic
      sequence of the virus was nearly identical to the sequences of decades-old
      strains. While there are several hypotheses that could explain its origin, the
      possibility that the 1977 epidemic resulted from a laboratory accident has
      recently gained popularity in discussions about the biosafety risks of gain-of
      function (GOF) influenza virus research, as an argument for why this research
      should not be performed. There is now a moratorium in the United States on
      funding GOF research while the benefits and risks, including the potential for
      accident, are analyzed. Given the importance of this historical epidemic to
      ongoing policy debates, we revisit the evidence that the 1977 epidemic was not
      natural and examine three potential origins: a laboratory accident, a live
      vaccine trial escape, or deliberate release as a biological weapon. Based on
      available evidence, the 1977 strain was indeed too closely matched to decades-old
      strains to likely be a natural occurrence. While the origin of the outbreak
      cannot be conclusively determined without additional evidence, there are very
      plausible alternatives to the laboratory accident hypothesis, diminishing the
      relevance of the 1977 experience to the modern GOF debate. 

PMID- 26286691
TI  - Sup35p in Its Soluble and Prion States Is Packaged inside Extracellular Vesicles.
AB  - The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae harbors several prions that constitute
      powerful models to investigate the mechanisms of epigenetic structural
      inheritance. [PSI(+)] is undoubtedly the best-known yeast prion and results from
      the conversion of the translation termination factor Sup35p into self
      perpetuating protein aggregates. Structurally different conformers of Sup35p
      aggregates can lead to [PSI(+)] strains with weak or strong prion phenotypes.
      Yeast prions are faithfully transmitted from mother to daughter cells during cell
      division, upon cytoplasmic mixing during mating, or when Sup35p fibrils made in
      test tubes are introduced into spheroplasts. Virtually all living cells in the
      three domains of life, Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya, secrete small membrane
      vesicles in the extracellular space. These extracellular vesicles (EV) have
      gained increasing interest as vehicles for the intercellular transfer of
      signaling molecules, nucleic acids, and pathogenic factors, as well as prion-like
      protein aggregates associated with neurodegenerative diseases. To begin to
      explore the question of whether EV could represent a natural mean for yeast prion
      transmission from cell to cell, we purified these extracellular vesicles and
      assessed whether they contained Sup35p. Here, we show that Sup35p is secreted
      within EV released in the extracellular medium of yeast cultures. We demonstrate
      that Sup35p within EV isolated from strong and weak [PSI(+)] cells is in an
      infectious prion conformation. Among the possible implications of our work is the
      possibility of previously unsuspected EV-mediated horizontal cell-to-cell
      transfer of fungal prions. IMPORTANCE: Most living cells in the three domains of
      life, Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya, secrete small membrane vesicles in the
      extracellular space. These extracellular vesicles (EV) were long viewed as "trash
      cans" by which cells disposed of unwanted macromolecules. EV gained renewed
      interest as their roles as vehicles for the cell-to-cell transfer of nucleic
      acids, signaling molecules, and pathogenic factors were recently uncovered. Of
      particular interest is their proposed role in the prion-like propagation of toxic
      protein aggregates in neurodegenerative diseases. Yeasts naturally harbor prion
      proteins that are excellent models to investigate the mechanisms of formation,
      propagation, and elimination of self-perpetuating protein aggregates. Here we
      show for the first time that a yeast prion is secreted within EV in its
      infectious aggregated state. A major implication of our work is the possibility
      of EV-mediated horizontal spread of fungal prions.

PMID- 26286692
TI  - Remodeling of the Z-Ring Nanostructure during the Streptococcus pneumoniae Cell
      Cycle Revealed by Photoactivated Localization Microscopy.
AB  - Ovococci form a morphological group that includes several human pathogens
      (enterococci and streptococci). Their shape results from two modes of cell wall
      insertion, one allowing division and one allowing elongation. Both cell wall
      synthesis modes rely on a single cytoskeletal protein, FtsZ. Despite the central
      role of FtsZ in ovococci, a detailed view of the in vivo nanostructure of
      ovococcal Z-rings has been lacking thus far, limiting our understanding of their
      assembly and architecture. We have developed the use of photoactivated
      localization microscopy (PALM) in the ovococcus human pathogen Streptococcus
      pneumoniae by engineering spDendra2, a photoconvertible fluorescent protein
      optimized for this bacterium. Labeling of endogenously expressed FtsZ with
      spDendra2 revealed the remodeling of the Z-ring's morphology during the division
      cycle at the nanoscale level. We show that changes in the ring's axial thickness
      and in the clustering propensity of FtsZ correlate with the advancement of the
      cell cycle. In addition, we observe double-ring substructures suggestive of short
      lived intermediates that may form upon initiation of septal cell wall synthesis.
      These data are integrated into a model describing the architecture and the
      remodeling of the Z-ring during the cell cycle of ovococci. IMPORTANCE: The Gram
      positive human pathogen S. pneumoniae is responsible for 1.6 million deaths per
      year worldwide and is increasingly resistant to various antibiotics. FtsZ is a
      cytoskeletal protein polymerizing at midcell into a ring-like structure called
      the Z-ring. FtsZ is a promising new antimicrobial target, as its inhibition leads
      to cell death. A precise view of the Z-ring architecture in vivo is essential to
      understand the mode of action of inhibitory drugs (see T. den Blaauwen, J. M.
      Andreu, and O. Monasterio, Bioorg Chem 55:27-38, 2014,
      doi:10.1016/j.bioorg.2014.03.007, for a review on FtsZ inhibitors). This is
      notably true in ovococcoid bacteria like S. pneumoniae, in which FtsZ is the only
      known cytoskeletal protein. We have used superresolution microscopy to obtain
      molecular details of the pneumococcus Z-ring that have so far been inaccessible
      with conventional microscopy. This study provides a nanoscale description of the
      Z-ring architecture and remodeling during the division of ovococci.

PMID- 26286693
TI  - An Alternative Terminal Step of the General Secretory Pathway in Staphylococcus
      aureus.
AB  - Type I signal peptidase (SPase) is essential for viability in wild-type bacteria
      because the terminal step of the bacterial general secretory pathway requires its
      proteolytic activity to release proteins from their membrane-bound N-terminal
      leader sequences after translocation across the cytoplasmic membrane. Here, we
      identify the Staphylococcus aureus operon ayrRABC (SA0337 to SA0340) and show
      that once released from repression by AyrR, the protein products AyrABC together
      confer resistance to the SPase inhibitor arylomycin M131 by providing an
      alternate and novel method of releasing translocated proteins. Thus, the
      derepression of ayrRABC allows cells to bypass the essentiality of SPase. We
      demonstrate that AyrABC functionally complements SPase by mediating the
      processing of the normally secreted proteins, albeit in some cases with reduced
      efficiency and either without cleavage or via cleavage at a site N-terminal to
      the canonical SPase cleavage site. Thus, ayrRABC encodes a secretion stress
      inducible alternate terminal step of the general secretory pathway. IMPORTANCE :
      Addressing proteins for proper localization within or outside a cell in both
      eukaryotes and prokaryotes is often accomplished with intrinsic signals which
      mediate membrane translocation and which ultimately must be removed. The
      canonical enzyme responsible for the removal of translocation signals is
      bacterial type I signal peptidase (SPase), which functions at the terminal step
      of the general secretory pathway and is thus essential in wild-type bacteria.
      Here, we identify a four-gene operon in S. aureus that encodes an alternate
      terminal step of the general secretory pathway and thus makes SPase nonessential.
      The results have important implications for protein secretion in bacteria and
      potentially for protein trafficking in prokaryotes and eukaryotes in general.

PMID- 26286695
TI  - The Justification for the Academy Track in mBio.

PMID- 26286694
TI  - New Insight into Filamentous Hemagglutinin Secretion Reveals a Role for Full
      Length FhaB in Bordetella Virulence.
AB  - Bordetella filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA), a primary component of acellular
      pertussis vaccines, contributes to virulence, but how it functions
      mechanistically is unclear. FHA is first synthesized as an ~370-kDa preproprotein
      called FhaB. Removal of an N-terminal signal peptide and a large C-terminal
      prodomain (PD) during secretion results in "mature" ~250-kDa FHA, which has been
      assumed to be the biologically active form of the protein. Deletion of two C
      terminal subdomains of FhaB did not affect production of functional FHA, and the
      mutant strains were indistinguishable from wild-type bacteria for their ability
      to adhere to the lower respiratory tract and to suppress inflammation in the
      lungs of mice. However, the mutant strains, which produced altered FhaB
      molecules, were eliminated from the lower respiratory tract much faster than wild
      type B. bronchiseptica, suggesting a defect in resistance to early immune
      mediated clearance. Our results revealed, unexpectedly, that full-length FhaB
      plays a critical role in B. bronchiseptica persistence in the lower respiratory
      tract. IMPORTANCE: The Bordetella filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA) is a primary
      component of the acellular pertussis vaccine and an important virulence factor.
      FHA is initially produced as a large protein that is processed during secretion
      to the bacterial surface. As with most processed proteins, the mature form of FHA
      has been assumed to be the functional form of the protein. However, our results
      indicate that the full-length form plays an essential role in virulence in vivo.
      Furthermore, we have found that FHA contains intramolecular regulators of
      processing and that this control of processing is integral to its virulence
      activities. This report highlights the advantage of studying protein maturation
      and function simultaneously, as a role for the full-length form of FHA was
      evident only from in vivo infection studies and not from in vitro studies on the
      production or maturation of FHA or even from in vitro virulence-associated
      activity assays.

PMID- 26286696
TI  - An Ounce of Tat Prevention Is Worth a Pound of Functional Cure.

PMID- 26286697
TI  - Deriving C4 photosynthetic parameters from combined gas exchange and chlorophyll
      fluorescence using an Excel tool: theory and practice.
AB  - The higher photosynthetic potential of C4 plants has led to extensive research
      over the past 50 years, including C4 -dominated natural biomes, crops such as
      maize, or for evaluating the transfer of C4 traits into C3 lineages.
      Photosynthetic gas exchange can be measured in air or in a 2% Oxygen mixture
      using readily available commercial gas exchange and modulated PSII fluorescence
      systems. Interpretation of these data, however, requires an understanding (or the
      development) of various modelling approaches, which limit the use by non
      specialists. In this paper we present an accessible summary of the theory behind
      the analysis and derivation of C4 photosynthetic parameters, and provide a freely
      available Excel Fitting Tool (EFT), making rigorous C4 data analysis accessible
      to a broader audience. Outputs include those defining C4 photochemical and
      biochemical efficiency, the rate of photorespiration, bundle sheath conductance
      to CO2 diffusion and the in vivo biochemical constants for PEP carboxylase. The
      EFT compares several methodological variants proposed by different investigators,
      allowing users to choose the level of complexity required to interpret data. We
      provide a complete analysis of gas exchange data on maize (as a model C4 organism
      and key global crop) to illustrate the approaches, their analysis and
      interpretation. (c) 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

PMID- 26286698
TI  - Multiple sclerosis patients have a diminished serologic response to vitamin D
      supplementation compared to healthy controls.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Vitamin D insufficiency is a risk factor for multiple sclerosis (MS),
      and patients do not always show the expected response to vitamin D
      supplementation. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine if vitamin D supplementation
      leads to a similar increase in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin-D (25(OH)D) levels in
      patients with MS and healthy controls (HCs). METHODS: Participants in this open
      label study were female, white, aged 18-60 years, had 25(OH)D levels ? 75 nmol/l
      at screening, and had relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) or were HCs. Participants
      received 5000 IU/day of vitamin D3 for 90 days. Utilizing generalized estimating
      equations we examined the relationship between the primary outcome (serum 25(OH)D
      level) and the primary (MS versus HC status) and secondary predictors. RESULTS:
      For this study 27 MS patients and 30 HCs were enrolled. There was no significant
      difference in baseline 25(OH)D level or demographics except for higher body mass
      index (BMI) in the MS group (25.3 vs. 23.6 kg/m(2), p=0.035). In total, 24 MS
      subjects and 29 HCs completed the study. In a multivariate model accounting for
      BMI, medication adherence, and oral contraceptive use, MS patients had a 16.7
      nmol/l (95%CI: 4.2, 29.2, p=0.008) lower increase in 25(OH)D levels compared with
      HCs. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with MS had a lower increase in 25(OH)D levels with
      supplementation, even after accounting for putative confounders.

PMID- 26286699
TI  - Pixantrone: a B-cell-depleting immunosuppressant for multiple sclerosis patients
      with active disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Mitoxantrone has been approved for patients with worsening relapsing
      remitting (RR) or secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS), but its long
      term use is limited by its cardiotoxicity. Pixantrone (PIX) is an analog of
      mitoxantrone. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this open-label, multicenter, noncomparative
      Phase I/II trial was to explore the immunosuppressive effect of PIX, its impact
      on clinical disease activity and cerebral gadolinium-enhanced (Gd(+)) lesions,
      and its safety. METHODS: Eighteen patients with active RRMS and SPMS (? 1
      cerebral Gd(+) lesion) despite approved immunomodulatory therapy received four
      intravenous PIX injections every 21 days. A neurological examination, hematology,
      lymphocyte subsets, and biochemistry were performed at Day 1, Weeks 3, 6 and 9,
      and Months 3, 6, 9 and 12. Echocardiography was performed before each infusion,
      at Months 3, 6 and 12. Cerebral MRI was performed at baseline, and at Months 6
      and 12. RESULTS: CD19+ cells were reduced by 95% at Month 3 and by 47% at Month
      12. Gd+ lesions were reduced by 86% at Month 12 (p = 0.01). The annual relapse
      rate was reduced by 87% (p < 10(-4)). Two patients experienced a transient
      reduction in left ventricular fraction. CONCLUSION: These preliminary data
      indicate the efficacy of PIX in active RRMS and SPMS.

PMID- 26286700
TI  - Over-the-counter anti-oxidant therapies for use in multiple sclerosis: A
      systematic review.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Anti-oxidant compounds that are found in over-the-counter (OTC)
      supplements and foods are gaining interest as treatments for multiple sclerosis
      (MS). They are widely used by patients, sometimes without a clear evidence base.
      OBJECTIVE: We conducted a systematic review of animal and clinical research to
      determine the evidence for the benefits of OTC anti-oxidants in MS. METHODS:
      Using predefined criteria, we searched key databases. Two authors scrutinized all
      studies against inclusion/exclusion criteria, assessed study risk-of-bias and
      extracted results. RESULTS: Of the 3507 titles, 145 met criteria and included
      compounds, alpha(alpha)-lipoic acid (ALA), anti-oxidant vitamins, Ginkgo biloba,
      quercetin, resveratrol and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (ECGC). The strongest
      evidence to support OTC anti-oxidants was for compounds EGCG and ALA in animal
      models; both consistently showed anti-inflammatory/anti-oxidant effects and
      reduced neurological impairment. Only vitamin E, Ginkgo biloba and ALA were
      examined for efficacy in pilot clinical trials with either conflicting evidence
      or evidence of no benefit. CONCLUSION: OTC anti-oxidants EGCG and ALA show the
      most consistent benefit, however only in preclinical studies. There is no
      evidence that they alter MS relapses or progression. Future work should focus on
      testing more of these therapies for clinical efficacy before recommending them to
      MS patients.

PMID- 26286701
TI  - Regional hippocampal involvement and cognitive impairment in pediatric multiple
      sclerosis.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We assessed global and regional hippocampal volume abnormalities in
      pediatric multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and their correlations with clinical,
      neuropsychological and magnetic resonance imaging metrics. METHODS: From 53
      pediatric MS patients and 18 healthy controls, global hippocampal volume was
      computed using a manual tracing procedure. Regional hippocampal volume
      modifications were assessed using a radial mapping analysis. MS patients with
      abnormal performance in three or more tests of a neuropsychological battery for
      children were classified as cognitively impaired. RESULTS: Global hippocampal
      volume was reduced in MS patients compared with controls, but did not correlate
      with clinical, neuropsychological and magnetic resonance imaging measures.
      Compared to controls, MS patients experienced bilateral radial atrophy of the
      cornu ammonis, subiculum and dentate gyrus subfields as well as radial
      hypertrophy of the dentate gyrus subfield. Regional hippocampal volume
      modifications correlated with brain T2 lesion volume as well as attention and
      language abilities. Global hippocampal volume did not differ between cognitively
      impaired (n=12) and cognitively preserved MS patients. Compared to cognitively
      preserved, cognitively impaired MS patients had atrophy of the subiculum and
      dentate gyrus subfields of the right hippocampus. CONCLUSIONS: Hippocampal
      subregions have different vulnerability to damage in pediatric MS. Regional
      rather than global hippocampal involvement contributes to global cognitive
      impairment as well as to deficits of selected cognitive tests.

PMID- 26286702
TI  - The mechanism of Rubisco-catalysed oxygenation.
AB  - Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) is the cornerstone of
      photosynthetic carbon assimilation because it catalyses the fixation of CO2 onto
      ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP). The enzyme also catalyses RuBP oxygenation,
      thereby evolving phosphoglycolate which is recycled along the photorespiratory
      pathway. Oxygenation is quantitatively important, because under ordinary gaseous
      conditions, more than one third of RuBP molecules are oxygenated rather than
      carboxylated. However, contrary to carboxylation, the chemical mechanism of
      oxygenation is not well known, and little progress has been made since the early
      80s. Here, I review recent experimental data that provide some new insights into
      the reaction mechanism, and carry out simple calculations of kinetic parameters.
      Isotope effects suggest that oxygenation is less likely initiated by a redox
      phenomenon (such as superoxide production) and more likely involves concerted
      chemical events that imply interactions with protons. A possible energy profile
      of the reaction is drawn which suggests that the generation of the oxygenated
      reaction intermediate (peroxide) is irreversible. Possible changes in oxygenation
      associated rate constants between Rubisco forms are discussed. 

PMID- 26286703
TI  - Impact of lithium alone or in combination with haloperidol on oxidative stress
      parameters and cell viability in SH-SY5Y cell culture.
AB  - BACKGROUND: It has been reported that lithium may inhibit lipid peroxidation and
      protein oxidation. Lithium salts also appear to stimulate cell proliferation,
      increase neurogenesis, and delay cell death. Oxidative stress and
      neurodegeneration may play an important role in the pathophysiology of bipolar
      disorder and the disease course thereof. The aim of this research is to estimate
      the influence of lithium (alone and in combination with haloperidol) on the
      parameters of oxidative stress and viability of SH-SY5Y cell lines in neutral and
      pro-oxidative conditions. METHODS: The evaluated oxidative stress parameter was
      lipid peroxidation. The viability of the cell lines was measured utilising the
      MTT test. RESULTS: In neutral conditions, higher levels of thiobarbituric acid
      reactive substances were observed in those samples which contained both
      haloperidol and lithium than in other samples. However, these differences were
      not statistically significant. Cell viability was significantly higher in
      therapeutic lithium samples than in the controls; samples of haloperidol alone as
      well as those of haloperidol with lithium did not differ from controls.
      CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study may indicate that lithium possess
      neuroprotective properties that may be partly due to antioxidative effects. The
      combination of lithium and haloperidol may generate increased oxidative stress.

PMID- 26286704
TI  - Orthopedic Injuries and Their Treatment in Children During Earthquakes: A
      Systematic Review.
AB  - Orthopedic injuries commonly affect children during earthquakes, but reports
      about them are rare. This setting may lead to different standards of care, but
      guidelines are still missing in this field. A systematic review was performed to:
      (1) assess type and body distribution of pediatric earthquake-related injuries,
      treatment performed, length of stay, and complications; and (2) identify starting
      points to define standards of care. PubMed database was researched for papers
      (1999-2014 period) in agreement with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic
      Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Statement. Inclusion criteria were: English,
      French, Spanish, or Italian language and data reported about orthopedic lesions
      in children (<=18 years old). Reviews, letters, commentaries, editorials, and
      single case reports were excluded. Two independent reviewers selected articles
      after abstract and full-text reading. Traumatic injuries caused child hospital
      admissions ranging from 46.9% to 100.0%; 16% to 53% suffered fractures. Lower
      limbs mostly were involved. Soft-tissue injuries affected 55% of patients.
      Debridement and external fixation (EF) were the most frequent surgical
      treatments. Amputation rates varied from 5% to 11%. This study revealed that
      field hospitals should be prepared to: (1) treat mainly lower extremities
      fractures in children; and (2) use especially EF techniques. The presence of
      orthopedic surgeons familiar with pediatric traumatology should be considered.

PMID- 26286705
TI  - Numerous Iron-Rich Particles Lie on the Surface of Erionite Fibers from Rome
      (Oregon, USA) and Karlik (Cappadocia, Turkey).
AB  - Erionite samples from Rome, Oregon (USA) and Karlik, Cappadocia (Turkey) were
      analyzed by environmental scanning electron microscopy (E-SEM) coupled with
      energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) to verify the chemical composition of this
      mineral phase, and the presence of iron in particular. By means of backscattered
      electron images, a large number of particles/grains were observed on the surface
      of the erionite fibers from both locations. The particles were found to be
      micrometric on samples from Rome and submicrometric on samples from Karlik, and
      always lighter than the hosting crystal in appearance. In different areas of the
      same fiber or bundle of fibers, several EDS spectra were recorded. Iron was
      detected only when a light particle was lying in the path of the electron beam.
      Iron was never identified in the EDS spectra acquired on the flat erionite
      surface. The results from E-SEM/EDS were confirmed by micro-Raman spectroscopy,
      showing bands ascribing to hematite-Fe2O3, goethite-FeO(OH), or jarosite
      KFe3(3+)(SO4)2(OH)6 when the laser beam was addressed on the light particles
      observed on the fiber surface. The evidence that iron is on the surface of
      erionite fibers, rather than being part of the crystalline structure, may be
      relevant for the carcinogenic potential of these fibers.

PMID- 26286706
TI  - Optimization of intermittent microwave-convective drying using response surface
      methodology.
AB  - In this study, response surface methodology was used for optimization of
      intermittent microwave-convective air drying (IMWC) parameters with employing
      desirability function. Optimization factors were air temperature (40-80 degrees
      C), air velocity (1-2 m/sec), pulse ratio) PR ((2-6), and microwave power (200
      600 W) while responses were rehydration ratio, bulk density, total phenol content
      (TPC), color change, and energy consumption. Minimum color change, bulk density,
      energy consumption, maximum rehydration ratio, and TPC were assumed as criteria
      for optimizing drying conditions of apple slices in IMWC. The optimum values of
      process variables were 1.78 m/sec air velocity, 40 degrees C air temperature, PR
      4.48, and 600 W microwave power that characterized by maximum desirability
      function (0.792) using Design expert 8.0. The air temperature and microwave power
      had significant effect on total responses, but the role of air velocity can be
      ignored. Generally, the results indicated that it was possible to obtain a higher
      desirability value if the microwave power and temperature, respectively, increase
      and decrease. 

PMID- 26286707
TI  - Specific exercise training for reducing neck and shoulder pain among military
      helicopter pilots and crew members: a randomized controlled trial protocol.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Flight-related neck/shoulder pain is frequent among military
      helicopter pilots and crew members. With a lifetime prevalence of 81% for pilots
      and 84% for crew members, the prevalence of neck pain is considered high compared
      to the general population. The aim of this study was to investigate whether a
      specifically tailored exercise intervention would reduce the prevalence and
      incidence rate of neck/shoulder pain among helicopter pilots and crew members.
      METHOD: This study used a prospective, parallel group, single blinded, randomized
      controlled design. Participants were military helicopter pilots and crew members
      recruited from the Royal Danish Air Force. Inclusion criteria were: 1) employed
      within the Royal Danish Air Force as a helicopter pilot or onboard crew member
      (technician, systems-operator, tactical helicopter observer and/or navigator), 2)
      maintaining operational flight status at enrollment, and 3) operational flying
      within the previous 6 months. Primary outcome was change in neck and shoulder
      pain assessed by 1) a modified version of the "Standardized Nordic questionnaire
      for the analysis of musculoskeletal symptoms" and by 2) pressure pain threshold
      measurements. Secondary outcomes included: postural balance, strength, stability,
      and rate of force development for neck and shoulder muscles. Measurements at
      baseline and follow-up were conducted at four air force bases in Denmark. Sixty
      nine participants were individually randomized to either a training group (TG) or
      a reference group (RG). Participants in the TG performed 20-weeks of physical
      exercise training divided into sessions of 3 * 20 min per week. Training was
      completed within working hours and consisted of specific exercise training for
      the neck and shoulder muscles based on the principles of "Intelligent Physical
      Exercise Training". The RG received no training. DISCUSSION: In spite of the high
      prevalence of flight related neck/shoulder pain among military helicopter pilots
      and crew members there are currently no evidence based guidelines for the
      prevention or clinical handling of neck pain among these occupational groups.
      Results from this study may therefore be beneficial for future establishment of
      such guidelines. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Ethical committee of Southern Denmark (S
      20120121) 29 August, 2012. Clinical Trail Registration (NCT01926262) 16 August,
      2013.

PMID- 26286708
TI  - Improved Model for Predicting the Free Energy Contribution of Dinucleotide Bulges
      to RNA Duplex Stability.
AB  - Predicting the secondary structure of RNA is an intermediate in predicting RNA
      three-dimensional structure. Commonly, determining RNA secondary structure from
      sequence uses free energy minimization and nearest neighbor parameters. Current
      algorithms utilize a sequence-independent model to predict free energy
      contributions of dinucleotide bulges. To determine if a sequence-dependent model
      would be more accurate, short RNA duplexes containing dinucleotide bulges with
      different sequences and nearest neighbor combinations were optically melted to
      derive thermodynamic parameters. These data suggested energy contributions of
      dinucleotide bulges were sequence-dependent, and a sequence-dependent model was
      derived. This model assigns free energy penalties based on the identity of
      nucleotides in the bulge (3.06 kcal/mol for two purines, 2.93 kcal/mol for two
      pyrimidines, 2.71 kcal/mol for 5'-purine-pyrimidine-3', and 2.41 kcal/mol for 5'
      pyrimidine-purine-3'). The predictive model also includes a 0.45 kcal/mol penalty
      for an A-U pair adjacent to the bulge and a -0.28 kcal/mol bonus for a G-U pair
      adjacent to the bulge. The new sequence-dependent model results in predicted
      values within, on average, 0.17 kcal/mol of experimental values, a significant
      improvement over the sequence-independent model. This model and new experimental
      values can be incorporated into algorithms that predict RNA stability and
      secondary structure from sequence. 

PMID- 26286710
TI  - Daily consumption of a mangosteen-based drink improves in vivo antioxidant and
      anti-inflammatory biomarkers in healthy adults: a randomized, double-blind,
      placebo-controlled clinical trial.
AB  - Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) is a tropical fruit cultivated mainly in
      Southeast Asia. Recent studies have shown mangosteen has many health benefits. In
      this study, we aimed to determine the effects of a mangosteen-based beverage on
      antioxidant and anti-inflammatory and immunity biomarkers in plasma of healthy
      adults. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was
      conducted using 60 participants, 30 men, and 30 women, ages 18-60. Participants
      were randomly divided into two groups, placebo and mangosteen groups, with the
      same number of male and female participants in each group. The trial duration was
      30 days. ORAC as an antioxidant biomarker was measured in both groups. It was
      found that after the 30-day trial, the group given the mangosteen-based drink
      formula showed 15% more antioxidant capacity in the bloodstream than did the
      placebo group. As for the inflammatory biomarkers, in the mangosteen group,
      between the preintervention and postintervention, the C-reactive protein level
      significantly decreased by 46%, while no significant decreases for the same
      biomarker was observed in the placebo group. Immunity biomarkers IgA, IgG, IgM,
      C3 and C4 were not affected in either group. In addition, the effects on hepatic
      function (Aspartate Aminotransferase and Alanine Aminotransferase) and kidney
      function (creatinine) were investigated. Our results indicated that after the 30
      day consumption of the beverage, there were no side effects on human hepatic and
      kidney functions. The outcome of this study showed that the mangosteen-based
      formula significantly increases antioxidant capacity and possesses anti
      inflammatory benefits with no side effects on immune, hepatic, and renal
      functions for long-term consumption. 

PMID- 26286711
TI  - Active Targeted Nanoparticles for Oral Administration of Gastric Cancer Therapy.
AB  - Gastric carcinogenesis is a commonly diagnosed type of cancer and has a dismal
      prognosis because of the rate at which it aggressively spreads and because of the
      lack of effective therapies to stop its progression. This study evaluated a type
      of oral drug delivery system of a potential target-activated nanosizer comprising
      a fucose-conjugated chitosan and polyethylene glycol-conjugated chitosan complex
      with gelatin containing encapsulated green tea polyphenol extract
      epigallocatechin-3-gallate, allowing oral administration of the drug through a
      site-specific release in gastric cancer cells. The results demonstrated that the
      nanoparticles effectively reduced drug release within gastric acids and that a
      controlled epigallocatechin-3-gallate release inhibited gastric cancer cell
      growth, induced cell apoptosis, and reduced vascular endothelial growth factor
      protein expression. Furthermore, in vivo assay results indicated that the
      prepared epigallocatechin-3-gallate-loaded fucose-chitosan/polyethylene glycol
      chitosan/gelatin nanoparticles significantly affected gastric tumor activity and
      reduced gastric and liver tissue inflammatory reaction in an orthotopic gastric
      tumor mouse model. 

PMID- 26286709
TI  - Effortful Control Predicts Adolescent Antisocial-Aggressive Behaviors and
      Depressive Symptoms: Co-Occurrence and Moderation by Impulsivity.
AB  - Effortful control is associated with fewer aggressive-antisocial behaviors (AAB)
      and depressive symptoms (DEP), but impulsivity may moderate these relations.
      However, few researchers have considered the effects of AAB-DEP co-occurrence. A
      multi-informant, multimethod approach assessed 5- to 10-year-olds' effortful
      control and impulsivity and, 5-6 years later, their AAB and DEP (N = 474).
      Participants were non-Hispanic Caucasian (59.2%) or Hispanic (27.9%) from a
      Southwestern U.S. metropolitan area. Low effortful control predicted pure AAB.
      Low effortful control and low impulsivity predicted pure DEP and co-occurring AAB
      DEP. An effortful Control * Impulsivity * Age interaction predicted pure AAB and
      co-occurring AAB-DEP. For older adolescents, lower effortful control predicted
      more symptoms only at average and high impulsivity. Results highlight multiple
      pathways to pure DEP versus pure AAB or co-occurring AAB-DEP.

PMID- 26286712
TI  - Administrative health data in Canada: lessons from history.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Health decision-making requires evidence from high-quality data. As
      one example, the Discharge Abstract Database (DAD) compiles data from the
      majority of Canadian hospitals to form one of the most comprehensive and highly
      regarded administrative health databases available for health research,
      internationally. However, despite the success of this and other administrative
      health data resources, little is known about their history or the factors that
      have led to their success. The purpose of this paper is to provide an historical
      overview of Canadian administrative health data for health research to contribute
      to the institutional memory of this field. METHODS: We conducted a qualitative
      content analysis of approximately 20 key sources to construct an historical
      narrative of administrative health data in Canada. Specifically, we searched for
      content related to key events, individuals, challenges, and successes in this
      field over time. RESULTS: In Canada, administrative health data for health
      research has developed in tangent with provincial research centres.
      Interestingly, the lessons learned from this history align with the original
      recommendations of the 1964 Royal Commission on Health Services: (1)
      standardization, and (2) centralization of data resources, that is (3)
      facilitated through governmental financial support. CONCLUSIONS: The overview
      history provided here illustrates the need for longstanding partnerships between
      government and academia, for classification, terminology and standardization are
      time-consuming and ever-evolving processes. This paper will be of interest to
      those who work with administrative health data, and also for countries that are
      looking to build or improve upon their use of administrative health data for
      decision-making.

PMID- 26286713
TI  - Substance misuse and older people: better information, better care.

PMID- 26286714
TI  - Response to 'Body mass index and the risk of rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic
      review and dose-response meta-analysis'.

PMID- 26286716
TI  - Molgenis-impute: imputation pipeline in a box.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Genotype imputation is an important procedure in current genomic
      analysis such as genome-wide association studies, meta-analyses and fine mapping.
      Although high quality tools are available that perform the steps of this process,
      considerable effort and expertise is required to set up and run a best practice
      imputation pipeline, particularly for larger genotype datasets, where imputation
      has to scale out in parallel on computer clusters. RESULTS: Here we present
      MOLGENIS-impute, an 'imputation in a box' solution that seamlessly and
      transparently automates the set up and running of all the steps of the imputation
      process. These steps include genome build liftover (liftovering), genotype
      phasing with SHAPEIT2, quality control, sample and chromosomal chunking/merging,
      and imputation with IMPUTE2. MOLGENIS-impute builds on MOLGENIS-compute, a simple
      pipeline management platform for submission and monitoring of bioinformatics
      tasks in High Performance Computing (HPC) environments like local/cloud servers,
      clusters and grids. All the required tools, data and scripts are downloaded and
      installed in a single step. Researchers with diverse backgrounds and expertise
      have tested MOLGENIS-impute on different locations and imputed over 30,000
      samples so far using the 1,000 Genomes Project and new Genome of the Netherlands
      data as the imputation reference. The tests have been performed on PBS/SGE
      clusters, cloud VMs and in a grid HPC environment. CONCLUSIONS: MOLGENIS-impute
      gives priority to the ease of setting up, configuring and running an imputation.
      It has minimal dependencies and wraps the pipeline in a simple command line
      interface, without sacrificing flexibility to adapt or limiting the options of
      underlying imputation tools. It does not require knowledge of a workflow system
      or programming, and is targeted at researchers who just want to apply best
      practices in imputation via simple commands. It is built on the MOLGENIS compute
      workflow framework to enable customization with additional computational steps or
      it can be included in other bioinformatics pipelines. It is available as open
      source from: https://github.com/molgenis/molgenis-imputation.

PMID- 26286715
TI  - Prevalence of genetic variants of keratins 8 and 18 in patients with drug-induced
      liver injury.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Keratin 8 and 18 (K8/K18) cytoskeletal proteins protect hepatocytes
      from undergoing apoptosis and their mutations predispose to adverse outcomes in
      acute liver failure (ALF). All known K8/K18 variants occur at relatively non
      conserved residues and do not cause keratin cytoskeleton reorganization, whereas
      epidermal keratin-conserved residue mutations disrupt the keratin cytoskeleton
      and cause severe skin disease. The aim of our study was to identify keratin
      variants in idiosyncratic drug-induced liver injury (DILI). METHODS: Genomic DNA
      was isolated from 800 patients enrolled in an ongoing US multicenter study, with
      DILI attributed to a wide range of drugs. Specific K8/K18 exonic regions were PCR
      amplified and screened by denaturing HPLC followed by DNA sequencing. The
      functional impact of keratin variants was assessed using cell transfection and
      immune staining. RESULTS: Heterozygous and compound amino acid-altering K8/K18
      variants were identified in 86 DILI patients and non-coding variants in 15
      subjects. Five novel amino acid-altering (K8 Lys393Arg, K8 Ala351Val, K8
      Ala358Val, K8 Ile346Val, K18 Asp89His) and two non-coding variants were observed.
      Several variants segregated with specific ethnic backgrounds but were found at
      similar frequencies in DILI subjects and ethnically matched population controls.
      Notably, variants in highly conserved residues of K8 Lys393Arg
      (ezetimibe/simvastatin-related) and K18 Asp89His (isoniazid-related) were found
      in patients with fatal DILI. These novel variants also led to keratin network
      disruption in transfected cells. CONCLUSIONS: Novel K8/K18 cytoskeleton
      disrupting variants were identified in two patients and segregated with fatal
      DILI. Other non-cytoskeleton-disrupting keratin variants did not preferentially
      associate with DILI.

PMID- 26286717
TI  - Second-Site Mutagenesis of a Hypomorphic argonaute1 Allele Identifies
      SUPERKILLER3 as an Endogenous Suppressor of Transgene Posttranscriptional Gene
      Silencing.
AB  - Second-site mutagenesis was performed on the argonaute1-33 (ago1-33) hypomorphic
      mutant, which exhibits reduced sense transgene posttranscriptional gene silencing
      (S-PTGS). Mutations in FIERY1, a positive regulator of the cytoplasmic 5'-to-3'
      EXORIBONUCLEASE4 (XRN4), and in SUPERKILLER3 (SKI3), a member of the SKI complex
      that threads RNAs directly to the 3'-to-5' exoribonuclease of the cytoplasmic
      exosome, compensated AGO1 partial deficiency and restored S-PTGS with 100%
      efficiency. Moreover, xrn4 and ski3 single mutations provoked the entry of
      nonsilenced transgenes into S-PTGS and enhanced S-PTGS on partially silenced
      transgenes, indicating that cytoplasmic 5'-to-3' and 3'-to-5' RNA degradation
      generally counteract S-PTGS, likely by reducing the amount of transgene aberrant
      RNAs that are used by the S-PTGS pathway to build up small interfering RNAs that
      guide transgene RNA cleavage by AGO1. Constructs generating improperly terminated
      transgene messenger RNAs (mRNAs) were not more sensitive to ski3 or xrn4 than
      regular constructs, suggesting that improperly terminated transgene mRNAs not
      only are degraded from both the 3' end but also from the 5' end, likely after
      decapping. The facts that impairment of either 5'-to-3' or 3'-to-5' RNA
      degradation is sufficient to provoke the entry of transgene RNA into the S-PTGS
      pathway, whereas simultaneous impairment of both pathways is necessary to provoke
      the entry of endogenous mRNA into the S-PTGS pathway, suggest poor RNA quality
      upon the transcription of transgenes integrated at random genomic locations. 

PMID- 26286718
TI  - Convergent Evolution of Endosymbiont Differentiation in Dalbergioid and Inverted
      Repeat-Lacking Clade Legumes Mediated by Nodule-Specific Cysteine-Rich Peptides.
AB  - Nutritional symbiotic interactions require the housing of large numbers of
      microbial symbionts, which produce essential compounds for the growth of the
      host. In the legume-rhizobium nitrogen-fixing symbiosis, thousands of rhizobium
      microsymbionts, called bacteroids, are confined intracellularly within highly
      specialized symbiotic host cells. In Inverted Repeat-Lacking Clade (IRLC) legumes
      such as Medicago spp., the bacteroids are kept under control by an arsenal of
      nodule-specific cysteine-rich (NCR) peptides, which induce the bacteria in an
      irreversible, strongly elongated, and polyploid state. Here, we show that in
      Aeschynomene spp. legumes belonging to the more ancient Dalbergioid lineage,
      bacteroids are elongated or spherical depending on the Aeschynomene spp. and that
      these bacteroids are terminally differentiated and polyploid, similar to
      bacteroids in IRLC legumes. Transcriptome, in situ hybridization, and proteome
      analyses demonstrated that the symbiotic cells in the Aeschynomene spp. nodules
      produce a large diversity of NCR-like peptides, which are transported to the
      bacteroids. Blocking NCR transport by RNA interference-mediated inactivation of
      the secretory pathway inhibits bacteroid differentiation. Together, our results
      support the view that bacteroid differentiation in the Dalbergioid clade, which
      likely evolved independently from the bacteroid differentiation in the IRLC
      clade, is based on very similar mechanisms used by IRLC legumes. 

PMID- 26286719
TI  - A convex formulation for joint RNA isoform detection and quantification from
      multiple RNA-seq samples.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Detecting and quantifying isoforms from RNA-seq data is an important
      but challenging task. The problem is often ill-posed, particularly at low
      coverage. One promising direction is to exploit several samples simultaneously.
      RESULTS: We propose a new method for solving the isoform deconvolution problem
      jointly across several samples. We formulate a convex optimization problem that
      allows to share information between samples and that we solve efficiently. We
      demonstrate the benefits of combining several samples on simulated and real data,
      and show that our approach outperforms pooling strategies and methods based on
      integer programming. CONCLUSION: Our convex formulation to jointly detect and
      quantify isoforms from RNA-seq data of multiple related samples is a
      computationally efficient approach to leverage the hypotheses that some isoforms
      are likely to be present in several samples. The software and source code are
      available at http://cbio.ensmp.fr/flipflop.

PMID- 26286720
TI  - Assessment of genetic diversity in Ethiopian field pea (Pisum sativum L.)
      accessions with newly developed EST-SSR markers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Field pea (Pisum sativum L.) is among the prominent crops in the
      world as food and feed. There are relatively few simple sequence repeat (SSR)
      markers developed from expressed sequence tags (ESTs) in P. sativum. RESULTS: In
      the present study, 15 new EST-SSR markers were developed from publicly available
      ESTs. These markers have successfully amplified their target loci across seven
      Pisum sativum subsp. sativum accessions. Eleven (73%) of these SSRs were
      trinucleotide repeats, two (13%) dinucleotide and two (13%) were hexanucleotide
      repeats. Across-taxa transferability of these new markers was also tested on
      other subspecies of Pisum as well as on P. fulvum, Vicia faba and Lens culinaris.
      In Pisum sativum subsp. sativum, 13 of the 15 markers were polymorphic and 12 of
      them subsequently used for genetic diversity analysis. Forty six accessions, of
      which 43 were from Ethiopia, were subjected to genetic diversity analysis using
      these newly developed markers. All accessions were represented by 12 individuals
      except two (NGB103816 and 237508) that were represented by 9 and 11 individuals,
      respectively. A total of 37 alleles were detected across all accessions. PS10 was
      the most polymorphic locus with six alleles, and the average number of alleles
      per locus over the 12 polymorphic loci was 3.1. Several rare and private alleles
      were also revealed. The most distinct accession (32048) had private alleles at
      three loci with 100% frequency. CONCLUSION: These newly developed EST-SSR primer
      pairs successfully amplified expected loci in P. sativum subsp. sativum as well
      as in other subspecies of the genus Pisum and related genera. High levels of
      genetic variation were detected in field pea accessions from Ethiopia using these
      markers. This result implies the potential of the Ethiopian field pea gene pool
      for improvement of field peas in various desirable traits. In addition, these
      markers could be a valuable asset in resolving the inconsistency in the taxonomic
      status of the different subspecies of genus Pisum as well as for characterization
      of field pea accessions in different gene banks around the world for breeding and
      conservation purposes.

PMID- 26286723
TI  - High levels of indium exposure relate to progressive emphysematous changes: a 9
      year longitudinal surveillance of indium workers.
AB  - BACKGROUND: During the last decade it has been clarified that the inhalation of
      indium compounds can evoke alveolar proteinosis, cholesterol granuloma, pulmonary
      fibrosis and emphysema. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the characteristics
      and time course of pulmonary disorders among indium workers using comprehensive
      pulmonary examinations at an indium-processing factory. METHODS: Data for 84 male
      workers who underwent the examinations for nine consecutive years from 2002 to
      2010 were analysed regarding their symptoms, serum indium concentration (sIn),
      serum markers of interstitial pneumonia, pulmonary function test parameters and
      high-resolution CT (HRCT) findings of the lungs. RESULTS: In association with
      improvements in the work environment and work practice, the sIn levels decreased
      with significant reductions in the KL-6 and surfactant protein D (SP-D) levels.
      Regarding the HRCT findings, the interstitial lesions regressed partially,
      whereas emphysematous lesions increased progressively in the workers with high
      sIn values. FEV1/FVC decreased with the years and the rate of decrease was
      significantly greater in those with high sIn. The biological half-life of sIn was
      estimated to be 8.09 years. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings suggest that the
      sIn, SP-D, KL-6 levels and radiological interstitial changes can be reduced in
      indium workers by alleviating exposure to indium, whereas emphysematous lesions
      can progress among those with a history of heavy exposure.

PMID- 26286721
TI  - Sphingosine-1-phosphate lyase is an endogenous suppressor of pulmonary fibrosis:
      role of S1P signalling and autophagy.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is characterised by
      accumulation of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts and deposition of extracellular
      matrix proteins. Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) signalling plays a critical role
      in pulmonary fibrosis. METHODS: S1P lyase (S1PL) expression in peripheral blood
      mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was correlated with pulmonary functions and overall
      survival; used a murine model to check the role of S1PL on the fibrogenesis and a
      cell culture system to study the effect of S1PL expression on transforming growth
      factor (TGF)-beta- and S1P-induced fibroblast differentiation. RESULTS: S1PL
      expression was upregulated in fibrotic lung tissues and primary lung fibroblasts
      isolated from patients with IPF and bleomycin-challenged mice. TGF-beta increased
      the expression of S1PL in human lung fibroblasts via activation and binding of
      Smad3 transcription factor to Sgpl1 promoter. Overexpression of S1PL attenuated
      TGF-beta-induced and S1P-induced differentiation of human lung fibroblasts
      through regulation of the expression of LC3 and beclin 1. Knockdown of S1PL
      (Sgpl1(+/-)) in mice augmented bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis, and patients
      with IPF reduced Sgpl1 mRNA expression in PBMCs exhibited higher severity of
      fibrosis and lower survival rate. CONCLUSION: These studies suggest that S1PL is
      a novel endogenous suppressor of pulmonary fibrosis in human IPF and animal
      models.

PMID- 26286722
TI  - Pulmonary macrophages: key players in the innate defence of the airways.
AB  - Macrophages are the most numerous immune-cells present in the lung environment
      under homoeostatic conditions and are ideally positioned to dictate the innate
      defence of the airways. Pulmonary macrophage populations are heterogeneous and
      demonstrate remarkable plasticity, owing to variations in origin, tissue
      residency and environmental influences. Lung macrophage diversity facilitates
      considerable specialisation, aids efficient responses to environmental signals
      and allows rapid alterations in phenotype and physiology in response to a
      plethora of cytokines and microbial signals. This review describes pulmonary
      macrophage origins, phenotypes, roles in diseases of the airways and implications
      for the treatment of respiratory disease. 

PMID- 26286724
TI  - "From me to HIV": a case study of the community experience of donor transition of
      health programs.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Avahan, a large-scale HIV prevention program in India, transitioned
      over 130 intervention sites from donor funding and management to government
      ownership in three rounds. This paper examines the transition experience from the
      perspective of the communities targeted by these interventions. METHODS: Fifteen
      qualitative longitudinal case studies were conducted across all three rounds of
      transition, including 83 in-depth interviews and 45 focus group discussions. Data
      collection took place between 2010 and 2013 in four states: Andhra Pradesh,
      Karnataka, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. RESULTS: We find that communication about
      transition was difficult at first but improved over time, while issues related to
      employment of peer educators were challenging throughout the transition. Clinical
      services were shifted to government providers resulting in mixed experiences
      depending on the population being targeted. Lastly, the loss of activities aimed
      at community ownership and mobilization negatively affected the beneficiaries'
      view of transition. CONCLUSIONS: While some programmatic changes resulted in
      improvements, additional opportunity costs for beneficiaries may pose barriers to
      accessing HIV prevention services. Communicating and engaging community
      stakeholders early on in future such transitions may mitigate negative feelings
      and lead to more constructive relationships and dialogue.

PMID- 26286726
TI  - Malformations of the Left Ventricle: What Comes First: Form or Function?

PMID- 26286725
TI  - MicroRNA-101 is a potential prognostic indicator of laryngeal squamous cell
      carcinoma and modulates CDK8.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Various microRNAs (miRNAs) negatively modulate genes that are
      involved in cellular proliferation, differentiation, invasion, and apoptosis. In
      many types of cancer, the expression profiles of these miRNAs are altered.
      Recently, miR-101 was identified as a tumour suppressor and was found to be
      expressed at low levels in various types of tumours, including prostate, breast,
      endometrium, and bladder cancers. However, the function(s) of miR-101 in
      laryngeal carcinoma remain unknown. METHODS: The expression levels of miR-101 in
      laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) tissues and cells were detected by qPCR.
      Cell proliferation, migration, cell cycle, and apoptosis assay were applied to
      assess the function(s) of miR-101 in vitro. Nude mice subcutaneous tumour model
      was used to perform in vivo study. Moreover, we identified Cyclin-dependent
      kinase 8 (CDK8) as the target of miR-101 by a luciferase assay. The possible
      downstream effectors of CDK8 were investigated in Wnt/beta-catenin signaling
      pathway. Changes of CDK8, beta-catenin, and cyclin D1 protein levels were
      analyzed by western blotting and immunohistochemical staining. The prognostic
      effect of miR-101 was evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS:
      Expression of miR-101 was down-regulated in the LSCC tissues compared with the
      adjacent normal tissues. Furthermore, downregulation of miR-101 correlated with
      T3-4 tumour grade, lymph node metastasis, and an advanced clinical stage in the
      LSCC patients examined (P < 0.05). The low level of miR-101 expression was
      associated with poor prognosis (P < 0.05). CDK8 was identified as the target gene
      of miR-101 by luciferase reporter assay. Moreover, we showed that up-regulation
      of miR-101 expression suppressed humen LSCC Hep-2 cells proliferation and
      migration, and induced cell-cycle arrest. Increased expression of miR-101 induced
      cells apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo. Correspondingly, exogenous expression
      of miR-101 significantly reduced the growth of tumour in a LSCC xenograft model.
      Furthermore, the miR-101 level was inversely correlated with levels of CDK8, beta
      catenin, and cyclin D1 in western blotting assay and immunohistochemical staining
      assay. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that miR-101 is a potent tumour
      repressor that directly represses CDK8 expression. Thus, detection and targeting
      of miR-101 may represent a novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategy for LSCC
      patients.

PMID- 26286727
TI  - Blood Pressure Genetics Just Don't Add Up.

PMID- 26286728
TI  - Giant Heart of Classical Infantile-Onset Pompe Disease With Mirror Image
      Dextrocardia.

PMID- 26286730
TI  - Design Issues in Randomized Clinical Trials of Maintenance Therapies.
AB  - A potential therapeutic strategy for patients who respond (or have stable
      disease) on a fixed-duration induction therapy is to receive maintenance therapy,
      typically given for a prolonged period of time. To enable patients and clinicians
      to make informed treatment decisions, the designs of phase III randomized
      clinical trials (RCTs) assessing maintenance strategies need to be such that
      their results will provide clear assessment of the relevant risks and benefits of
      these strategies. We review the key aspects of maintenance RCT designs. Important
      design considerations include choice of first-line and second-line therapies,
      minimizing between-arm differences in follow-up schedules, and choice of the
      primary endpoint. In order to change clinical practice, RCTs should be designed
      to accurately isolate and quantify the clinical benefit of maintenance as
      compared with the standard approach of fixed-duration induction followed by the
      second-line treatment at progression. To accomplish this, RCTs need to utilize an
      overall survival (or quality of life) endpoint or, in settings where this is not
      feasible, endpoints that incorporate the effects of the subsequent line of
      therapy (eg, time from randomization to second progression or death). Toxicity
      and symptom information over both the study treatment (maintenance) and the
      second-line treatment should also be collected and reported. 

PMID- 26286729
TI  - Repression of Esophageal Neoplasia and Inflammatory Signaling by Anti-miR-31
      Delivery In Vivo.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Overexpression of microRNA-31 (miR-31) is implicated in the
      pathogenesis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), a deadly disease
      associated with dietary zinc deficiency. Using a rat model that recapitulates
      features of human ESCC, the mechanism whereby Zn regulates miR-31 expression to
      promote ESCC is examined. METHODS: To inhibit in vivo esophageal miR-31
      overexpression in Zn-deficient rats (n = 12-20 per group), locked nucleic acid
      modified anti-miR-31 oligonucleotides were administered over five weeks. miR-31
      expression was determined by northern blotting, quantitative polymerase chain
      reaction, and in situ hybridization. Physiological miR-31 targets were identified
      by microarray analysis and verified by luciferase reporter assay. Cellular
      proliferation, apoptosis, and expression of inflammation genes were determined by
      immunoblotting, caspase assays, and immunohistochemistry. The miR-31 promoter in
      Zn-deficient esophagus was identified by ChIP-seq using an antibody for histone
      mark H3K4me3. Data were analyzed with t test and analysis of variance. All
      statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS: In vivo, anti-miR-31 reduced miR-31
      overexpression (P = .002) and suppressed the esophageal preneoplasia in Zn
      deficient rats. At the same time, the miR-31 target Stk40 was derepressed,
      thereby inhibiting the STK40-NF-kappaBeta-controlled inflammatory pathway, with
      resultant decreased cellular proliferation and activated apoptosis (caspase 3/7
      activities, fold change = 10.7, P = .005). This same connection between miR-31
      overexpression and STK40/NF-kappaBeta expression was also documented in human
      ESCC cell lines. In Zn-deficient esophagus, the miR-31 promoter region and NF
      kappaBeta binding site were activated. Zn replenishment restored the regulation
      of this genomic region and a normal esophageal phenotype. CONCLUSIONS: The data
      define the in vivo signaling pathway underlying interaction of Zn deficiency and
      miR-31 overexpression in esophageal neoplasia and provide a mechanistic rationale
      for miR-31 as a therapeutic target for ESCC.

PMID- 26286731
TI  - The Role of Multidrug Resistance Efflux Pumps in Cancer: Revisiting a JNCI
      Publication Exploring Expression of the MDR1 (P-glycoprotein) Gene.

PMID- 26286733
TI  - The Plasminogen System and Transforming Growth Factor-beta in Subjects With
      Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome: Effects of CPAP Treatment.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) has emerged as a risk factor
      for cardiovascular disease. A prothrombotic state may affect coagulation and
      participate in the atherosclerotic process in subjects with OSAS. These
      alterations in coagulation seem to involve the plasminogen activation system. We
      evaluated the imbalances of the plasminogen activation system related to OSAS,
      and we assessed the effects of CPAP on the plasminogen activation system.
      METHODS: Thirty-nine subjects were submitted to a home-based cardiorespiratory
      sleep study, and 14 healthy subjects (apnea-hypopnea index < 5) were used as
      controls. Serum levels of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), tissue-type
      plasminogen activator (tPA), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), and
      active transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) were measured. These molecules
      were reassessed in only 17 of the subjects after 1 month of CPAP. RESULTS: PAI-1
      and tPA were significantly higher in the subjects with OSAS compared with the
      controls, whereas TGF-beta and uPA levels were lower. PAI-1 showed a significant
      positive correlation with the apnea-hypopnea index, percentage of time spent at
      O2 saturation < 90%, and oxygen desaturation index, whereas TGF-beta was
      inversely related to all 3 of these parameters. After the CPAP therapy, PAI-1
      significantly decreased, whereas TGF-beta showed a significant increase, although
      the values did not reach those of the controls. uPA and tPA did not show
      significant differences after the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest an
      imbalance of fibrinolysis related to OSAS and an improvement of the prothrombotic
      state after the CPAP treatment.

PMID- 26286732
TI  - Sphingosine 1-Phosphate Receptor 3-Deficient Dendritic Cells Modulate Splenic
      Responses to Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury.
AB  - The plasticity of dendritic cells (DCs) permits phenotypic modulation ex vivo by
      gene expression or pharmacologic agents, and these modified DCs can exert
      therapeutic immunosuppressive effects in vivo through direct interactions with T
      cells, either inducing T regulatory cells (T(REG)s) or causing anergy.
      Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) is a sphingolipid and the natural ligand for five G
      protein-coupled receptors (S1P1, S1P2, S1P3, S1P4, and S1P5), and S1PR agonists
      reduce kidney ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) in mice. S1pr3(-/-)mice are
      protected from kidney IRI, because DCs do not mature. We tested the therapeutic
      advantage of S1pr3(-/-) bone marrow-derived dendritic cell (BMDC) transfers in
      kidney IRI. IRI produced a rise in plasma creatinine (PCr) levels in mice
      receiving no cells (NCs) and mice pretreated with wild-type (WT) BMDCs. However,
      S1pr3(-/-) BMDC-pretreated mice were protected from kidney IRI. S1pr3(-/-) BMDC
      pretreated mice had significantly higher numbers of splenic T(REG)s compared with
      NC and WT BMDC-pretreated mice. S1pr3(-/-) BMDCs did not attenuate IRI in
      splenectomized, Rag-1(-/-), or CD11c(+) DC-depleted mice. Additionally, S1pr3(-/
      ) BMDC-dependent protection required CD169(+)marginal zone macrophages and the
      macrophage-derived chemokine CCL22 to increase splenic CD4(+)Foxp3(+) T(REG)s.
      Pretreatment with S1pr3(-/-) BMDCs also induced T(REG)-dependent protection
      against IRI in an allogeneic mouse model. In summary, adoptively transferred
      S1pr3(-/-) BMDCs prevent kidney IRI through interactions within the spleen and
      expansion of splenic CD4(+)Foxp3(+) T(REG)s. We conclude that genetically induced
      deficiency of S1pr3 in allogenic BMDCs could serve as a therapeutic approach to
      prevent IRI-induced AKI.

PMID- 26286734
TI  - Accuracy of the Electronic Health Record: Patient Height.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Protective lung ventilation requires calculating predicted body
      weight (BW) from height. Thus, inaccuracy of height data in the electronic health
      record (EHR) is a risk factor for ventilator-induced lung injury. Charted height
      data often have uncertain accuracy. Study purposes were (1) to evaluate the
      difference between patient height charted in the EHR and predicted height (PH)
      from ulnar length and (2) to determine how the height data source affects
      predicted BW and the resulting values for protective tidal volume (V(T)).
      METHODS: Subject height data from the EHR were collected from several ICUs.
      Simultaneous ulnar data were collected by measuring ulnar length (cm): male PH
      (cm) = 79.2 +/- 3.60 * ulnar length; female PH = 95.6 +/- 2.77 * ulnar length.
      For each subject, BW (kg) was calculated from height charted in EHR and from
      predicted height: male BW = 50 +/- 0.91 * (height - 152.4); female BW = 45.5 +/-
      0.91 * (height - 152.4). Then V(T) was calculated as 8 mL/kg BW. Bland-Altman
      analysis of height and V(T) differences (charted - predicted) determined the
      limits of agreement. RESULTS: For white males (n = 27) the mean (SD) height from
      EHR was 177 (7.5); predicted height was 178 (6.9). The limits of agreement for
      height in males were -18.5 and 17.8 cm. The limits of agreement for females were 
      23.1 and 21.3 cm. The limits of agreement for V(T) in males were -1.8 and 1.8
      mL/kg. The limits of agreement for V(T) in females were -3.0 and 2.9 mL/kg.
      CONCLUSIONS: For overall populations, mean height calculated from values charted
      in the EHR is similar to that estimated from ulnar length. However, for
      individuals, differences in height between the 2 sources can be large, leading to
      large differences in predicted BW and resultant V(T) set in terms of mL/kg.

PMID- 26286735
TI  - Electromyographic Manifestations of Fatigue Correlate With Pulmonary Function, 6
      Minute Walk Test, and Time to Exhaustion in COPD.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate whether electromyographic
      manifestations of fatigue and exercise tolerance were related to stage of disease
      in men with a COPD diagnosis. METHODS: Fourteen men with COPD with a diagnosis of
      mild to severe air flow obstruction were involved in 2 separate testing sessions.
      The first one consisted of a pulmonary function (FEV1 and FEV1/FVC) and an
      exercise tolerance assessment using the 6-min walk test. During the second
      session, a multichannel surface electromyography was recorded from vastus
      medialis and vastus lateralis muscles during an isometric knee extension at 70%
      of maximum voluntary contraction. The slope of muscle fiber conduction velocity
      during the contraction was calculated as the index of fatigue. RESULTS:
      Conduction velocity slope significantly correlated with FEV1 (vastus medialis: r
      = 0.86, P < .001; vastus lateralis: r = 0.68, P = .01), FEV1/FVC (vastus
      medialis: r = 0.70, P = .006), and 6-min walk test (vastus medialis: r = 0.72, P
      = .005; vastus lateralis: r = 0.80, P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: The electromyographic
      manifestations of fatigue during sustained quadriceps contraction significantly
      correlated with disease severity and exercise tolerance in moderate to severe
      COPD.

PMID- 26286736
TI  - Albuterol Delivery via Facial and Tracheostomy Route in a Model of a
      Spontaneously Breathing Child.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Some pediatric patients receiving therapeutic aerosols undergo
      tracheostomy, and others who are tracheostomized continue requiring inhaled
      therapies upon decannulation. It is unknown whether a dose adjustment is
      required. Different devices are available for facial and tracheostomy delivery,
      and in some instances, the assisted technique is used. We hypothesized that the
      change from face mask to tracheostomy would result in a decrease in the lung
      dose. METHODS: A breathing simulator connected in series to a filter holder and
      an anatomically correct head model of a child was used. The drug captured in the
      filter was termed the lung dose. Breathing patterns with tidal volumes of 50,
      155, and 300 mL were tested. Albuterol hydrofluoroalkane (pressurized metered
      dose inhaler [pMDI]) with an AeroChamber Mini (face and 4.5-mm tracheostomy),
      AeroTrach (4.5-mm tracheostomy), and AeroChamber (face) and albuterol (2.5 mg/3
      mL) with a continuous output nebulizer (face and 4.5-mm tracheostomy) were
      tested. Masks were used for facial delivery. Four units of each device were
      tested. Particle size of the pMDI was measured by cascade impaction. Albuterol
      concentration was determined via spectrophotometry (276 nm). RESULTS: Switching
      from facial to tracheostomy delivery increased lung dose with nebulizer (all
      breathing patterns). When a pMDI was used, lung dose was unchanged or increased
      for the 50- and 155-mL and decreased for the 300-mL breathing pattern. The use of
      the assisted technique increased lung dose only during nebulization with the 300
      mL breathing pattern. The particle size of the pMDI decreased by 19-23% when
      traveling through the tracheostomy tube, which retained < 4% and < 26% of the
      nominal dose of a nebulizer and pMDI, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of
      changing the delivery route from face to tracheostomy was variable and depended
      on the delivery device and the breathing pattern. There is no advantage of using
      the assisted technique to enhance aerosol delivery.

PMID- 26286737
TI  - Predictive Model of Hospital Admission for COPD Exacerbation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The objective of this work was to determine predictive factors of
      hospital admission for exacerbation during primary care visits in patients with
      COPD. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was undertaken to assess risk of
      hospital admission for COPD exacerbation in primary care patients from November
      1, 2010 to October 31, 2013. Data sources were primary care electronic medical
      records and the hospital discharge minimum data set. A total of 2,501 subjects
      >40 y of age with a spirometry-based COPD diagnosis were included and followed up
      for 3 y. The dependent variable was hospital admission for exacerbation;
      independent variables were: clinical parameters, spirometry results, and severity
      of disease (according to Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease
      criteria). The association of these variables with hospital admission was
      analyzed with the adjusted odds ratio using a logistic regression model. RESULTS:
      Mean age of subjects at the beginning of the study was 68.4 y (SD = 11.6), and
      75% were men. Severity was mild in 50.8% of subjects, moderate in 35.3%, severe
      in 9.4%, and very severe in 4.4%. After 3 y, 32.5% of subjects had been admitted
      for exacerbation. Predictive values for hospital admission were: age, sex,
      previous exacerbations, number of visits to the primary care center,
      comorbidities, smoking, severity (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung
      Disease), and influenza immunization. The area under the receiving operator
      characteristic curve was 0.72. CONCLUSIONS: This model can identify patients at
      high risk of hospital admission for COPD exacerbation in our setting. Further
      studies are needed to validate the model in different populations and settings.

PMID- 26286738
TI  - Relapse Rate and Factors Related to Relapse in a 1-Year Follow-Up of Subjects
      Participating in a Smoking Cessation Program.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The most important and difficult task when it comes to reducing
      tobacco-related morbidity and mortality is to convince smokers to quit and to
      maintain their abstinence. This study aimed to determine the smoking relapse rate
      and factors related to relapse in subjects who participated in a smoking
      cessation program and completed a 1-y follow-up in our center. METHODS: The study
      included 550 subjects who applied to a smoking cessation clinic from June 1, 2011
      to December 31, 2011 and completed the 1-y follow-up. RESULTS: After 1 y, 282
      (51.4%) subjects had relapsed, 132 (24%) had quit smoking, and 135 (24.6%) could
      not be contacted. The mean age +/- SD was 41.5 +/- 10.8 y, and 52.5% were male.
      There was no difference between non-relapsed and relapsed subjects with regard to
      age, sex, average smoking duration and daily number of cigarettes, reason to
      quit, education level, presence of symptoms and concomitant diseases, Fagerstrom
      nicotine dependence score, Beck depression score, and frequency of
      pharmacotherapy administration. In the relapsed group, the age began smoking was
      younger (P = .05), and the longest prior duration of abstinence was shorter (P =
      .04). The average number of support contacts was found to be significantly higher
      in the non-relapsed subjects (P < .001). Logistic regression analysis revealed
      alcohol intake to be a factor influencing relapse (odds ratio: 2.11, 95% CI: 1.13
      3.93, P = .02), as was the number of support contacts (odds ratio: 2.06, 95% CI:
      1.59-2.65, P < .001). The presence of drug adverse effects was close to being
      significant (odds ratio: 1.96, 95% CI: 0.93-4.10, P = .07). CONCLUSION: The
      relapse rate in a 1-y period was 51.4%. Similar to previous studies, alcohol
      intake presented a relapse risk. In subjects receiving drug treatment, planning
      support meetings more frequently and paying attention to adverse effects may
      increase the success of smoking cessation.

PMID- 26286739
TI  - Chronic Occlusion of the Superior Vena Cava Resulting in Cyanosis in an Adult:
      Unusual Case Highlighting the Value of Collaboration Between Adult and Congenital
      Cardiology Services.

PMID- 26286740
TI  - Effect of Clinical Trial Experience on Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement
      Outcomes.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) was approved by the
      Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in November 2011 after a collaborative
      technology development process involving professional medical societies, the
      medical device industry, and the FDA. After FDA approval, TAVR was adopted by
      numerous hospitals that had not participated in TAVR clinical trials. It is
      uncertain if outcomes at these hospitals were comparable with those at clinical
      trial hospitals. METHODS AND RESULTS: All patients with Medicare physician claims
      for TAVR between January 1, 2011, and November 30, 2012, were identified, and
      postoperative mortality was assessed using Medicare enrollment data. Risk
      adjusted mortality was calculated via a multivariable model that adjusted for
      demographics and comorbidities. We identified 5009 patients who underwent TAVR,
      with 3617 TAVRs performed at 68 hospitals that had participated in clinical
      trials and 1392 TAVRs performed at 140 nontrial hospitals. The preoperative
      characteristics of patients at trial versus nontrial hospitals were similar.
      There were no significant differences in risk-adjusted 30-day mortality (5.9%
      versus 5.6%, odds ratio, 0.88; 95% confidence interval, 0.66-1.15; P=0.34) or 180
      day mortality (16.5% versus 15.8%, odds ratio, 0.99; 95% confidence interval,
      0.75-1.3; P=0.94). CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing TAVR at nontrial hospitals
      had comparable clinical outcomes to patients undergoing TAVR at clinical trial
      hospitals. This finding contrasts with several other cardiovascular devices and
      procedures for which higher mortality was observed at hospitals that did not
      participate in clinical trials. The unique policy and regulatory environment
      governing TAVR adoption by hospitals may have contributed to better outcomes
      during the technology diffusion process.

PMID- 26286743
TI  - The fast-track ultrasound clinic for early diagnosis of giant cell arteritis
      significantly reduces permanent visual impairment: towards a more effective
      strategy to improve clinical outcome in giant cell arteritis?
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Permanent visual impairment has been reported to occur in up to 19% of
      GCA patients. The aim of this study was to examine whether implementation of a
      fast-track approach could reduce the rate of permanent visual impairment and
      inpatient days of care in GCA patients. METHODS: A fast-track outpatient GCA
      clinic (FTC) was implemented in the Department of Rheumatology, Hospital of
      Southern Norway Trust Kristiansand, Norway in 2012. The patients included in this
      study were subsequently recruited between March 2010 and October 2014. Routine
      clinical and laboratory data and number of inpatient days of care were collected.
      RESULTS: During the observation period, 75 patients were diagnosed with GCA.
      Among the 75 GCA patients, 32 were evaluated conventionally and 43 in the FTC. In
      the conventionally approached group, six patients suffered from permanent visual
      impairment, while in the FTC group only one patient suffered from permanent
      visual impairment. The relative risk of permanent visual impairment in the GCA
      patients examined in the FTC was 88% lower compared with the conventionally
      evaluated group (relative risk 0.12, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.97, P = 0.01). The mean
      difference in inpatient days of care between patients evaluated conventionally
      and patients evaluated in the FTC was 3 days (3.6 vs 0.6 days, P < 0.0005).
      CONCLUSION: The implementation of the FTC in GCA care appears to significantly
      reduce the risk of permanent visual impairment and is more cost effective by
      reducing the need for inpatient care.

PMID- 26286744
TI  - Severe adult dermatomyositis with unusual calcinosis.

PMID- 26286745
TI  - The use of duplex-specific nuclease in ribosome profiling and a user-friendly
      software package for Ribo-seq data analysis.
AB  - Ribosome profiling is a technique that permits genome-wide, quantitative analysis
      of translation and has found broad application in recent years. Here we describe
      a modified profiling protocol and software package designed to benefit more
      broadly the translation community in terms of simplicity and utility. The
      protocol, applicable to diverse organisms, including organelles, is based largely
      on previously published profiling methodologies, but uses duplex-specific
      nuclease (DSN) as a convenient, species-independent way to reduce rRNA
      contamination. We show that DSN-based depletion compares favorably with other
      commonly used rRNA depletion strategies and introduces little bias. The profiling
      protocol typically produces high levels of triplet periodicity, facilitating the
      detection of coding sequences, including upstream, downstream, and overlapping
      open reading frames (ORFs) and an alternative ribosome conformation evident
      during termination of protein synthesis. In addition, we provide a software
      package that presents a set of methods for parsing ribosomal profiling data from
      multiple samples, aligning reads to coding sequences, inferring alternative ORFs,
      and plotting average and transcript-specific aspects of the data. Methods are
      also provided for extracting the data in a form suitable for differential
      analysis of translation and translational efficiency. 

PMID- 26286746
TI  - eIF4AII is dispensable for miRNA-mediated gene silencing.
AB  - MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression through
      partial complementary base-pairing to the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of target
      mRNAs. Inhibition of translation initiation has been identified as an early event
      of miRNA-mediated gene repression, but the underlying mechanistic details of this
      process are not well understood. Recently, eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF)
      4AII was identified as a critical modulator of miRNA activity with depletion of
      this factor alleviating miRNA-mediated gene repression. Using the CRISPR/Cas9
      editing system, we generated a novel cell line in which expression of eIF4AII was
      eliminated. The absence of eIF4AII does not affect cell viability, proliferation,
      or global mRNA translation. Importantly, we show that eIF4AII is dispensable for
      miRNA-mediated gene silencing. 

PMID- 26286747
TI  - MicroRNA-542-3p Suppresses Tumor Cell Invasion via Targeting AKT Pathway in Human
      Astrocytoma.
AB  - The molecular mechanism underlying constitutive activation of AKT signaling,
      which plays essential roles in astrocytoma progression, is not fully
      characterized. Increasing numbers of studies have reported that microRNAs are
      involved in the malignant behavior of astrocytoma cells via directly targeting
      multiple oncogenes or tumor suppressors. Here, we found that microRNA (miR)-542
      3p expression was decreased in glioblastoma cell lines and astrocytoma tissues,
      and reduced levels of miR-542-3p expression correlated with high
      histopathological grades and poor prognosis of astrocytoma patients. Exogenous
      miR-542-3p suppressed glioblastoma cell invasion through not only targeting AKT1
      itself but also directly down-regulating its two important upstream regulators,
      namely, integrin-linked kinase and PIK3R1. Notably, overexpressing miR-542-3p
      decreased AKT1 phosphorylation and directly and indirectly repressed nuclear
      translocation and transactivation activity of beta-catenin to exert its anti
      invasive effect. Furthermore, the miR-542-3p expression level negatively
      correlated with AKT activity as well as levels of integrin-linked kinase and
      PIK3R1 in human astrocytoma specimens. These findings suggest that miR-542-3p
      acts as a negative regulator in astrocytoma progression and that miR-542-3p down
      regulation contributes to aberrant activation of AKT signaling, leaving open the
      possibility that miR-542-3p may be a potential therapeutic target for high grade
      astrocytoma.

PMID- 26286748
TI  - Alternative Activation Mechanisms of Protein Kinase B Trigger Distinct Downstream
      Signaling Responses.
AB  - Protein kinase B (PKB/Akt) is an important mediator of signals that control
      various cellular processes including cell survival, growth, proliferation, and
      metabolism. PKB promotes these processes by phosphorylating many cellular
      targets, which trigger distinct downstream signaling events. However, how PKB is
      able to selectively target its substrates to induce specific cellular functions
      remains elusive. Here we perform a systematic study to dissect mechanisms that
      regulate intrinsic kinase activity versus mechanisms that specifically regulate
      activity toward specific substrates. We demonstrate that activation loop
      phosphorylation and the C-terminal hydrophobic motif are essential for high PKB
      activity in general. On the other hand, we identify membrane targeting, which for
      decades has been regarded as an essential step in PKB activation, as a mechanism
      mainly affecting substrate selectivity. Further, we show that PKB activity in
      cells can be triggered independently of PI3K by initial hydrophobic motif
      phosphorylation, presumably through a mechanism analogous to other AGC kinases.
      Importantly, different modes of PKB activation result in phosphorylation of
      distinct downstream targets. Our data indicate that specific mechanisms have
      evolved for signaling nodes, like PKB, to select between various downstream
      events. Targeting such mechanisms selectively could facilitate the development of
      therapeutics that might limit toxic side effects.

PMID- 26286749
TI  - Dephosphorylation during bleach and regeneration of visual pigment in carp rod
      and cone membranes.
AB  - On absorption of light by vertebrate visual pigment, the chromophore, 11-cis
      retinal, is isomerized to all-trans retinal to activate the phototransduction
      cascade, which leads to a hyperpolarizing light response. Activated pigment is
      inactivated by phosphorylation on the protein moiety, opsin. Isomerized all-trans
      retinal is ultimately released from opsin, and the pigment is regenerated by
      binding to 11-cis retinal. In this pigment regeneration cycle, the phosphates
      incorporated should be removed in order that the pigment regains the capability
      of activating the phototransduction cascade. However, it is not clear yet how
      pigment dephosphorylation takes place in the regeneration cycle. First in this
      study, we tried to estimate the dephosphorylation activity in living carp rods
      and cones and found that the activity, which is present mainly in the cytoplasm
      in both rods and cones, is three times higher in cones than in rods. Second, we
      examined at which stage the dephosphorylation takes place; before or after the
      release of all-trans retinal, during pigment regeneration, or after pigment
      regeneration. For this purpose we prepared three types of phosphorylated
      substrates in purified carp rod and cone membranes: phosphorylated bleaching
      intermediate, phosphorylated opsin, and phosphorylated and regenerated pigment.
      We also examined the effect of pigment regeneration on the dephosphorylation. The
      results showed that the dephosphorylation does not show substrate preference in
      the regeneration cycle and suggested that the dephosphorylation takes place
      constantly. The results also suggest that, under bright light, some of the
      regenerated visual pigment remains phosphorylated to reduce the light sensitivity
      in cones. 

PMID- 26286750
TI  - The capsule polymerase CslB of Neisseria meningitidis serogroup L catalyzes the
      synthesis of a complex trimeric repeating unit comprising glycosidic and
      phosphodiester linkages.
AB  - Neisseria meningitidis is a human pathogen causing bacterial meningitis and
      sepsis. The capsular polysaccharide surrounding N. meningitidis is a major
      virulence factor. The capsular polysaccharide consists of polyhexosamine
      phosphates in N. meningitidis serogroups A and X. The capsule polymerases (CPs)
      of these serogroups are members of the Stealth protein family comprising d-hexose
      1-phosphate transferases from bacterial and protozoan pathogens. CslA, one of two
      putative CPs of the pathophysiologically less relevant N. meningitidis serogroup
      L, is one of the smallest known Stealth proteins and caught our attention for
      structure-function analyses. Because the N. meningitidis serogroup L capsule
      polymer consists of a trimeric repeating unit ([->3)-beta-d-GlcNAc-(1->3)-beta-d
      GlcNAc-(1->3)-alpha-d-GlcNAc-(1->OPO3->]n), we speculated that the two predicted
      CPs (CslA and CslB) work together in polymer production. Consequently, both
      enzymes were cloned, overexpressed, and purified as recombinant proteins.
      Contrary to our expectation, enzymatic testing identified CslB to be sufficient
      to catalyze the synthesis of the complex trimeric N. meningitidis serogroup L
      capsule polymer repeating unit. No polymerase activity was detected for CslA,
      although the enzyme facilitated the hydrolysis of UDP-GlcNAc. Bioinformatics
      analyses identified two glycosyltransferase (GT) domains in CslB. The N-terminal
      domain modeled with 100% confidence onto a number of GT-A folded proteins,
      whereas the C-terminal domain modeled with 100% confidence onto TagF, a GT-B
      folded teichoic acid polymerase from Staphylococcus epidermidis. Amino acid
      positions known to have critical catalytic functions in the template proteins
      were conserved in CslB, and their point mutation abolished enzyme activity. CslB
      represents an enzyme of so far unique complexity regarding both the catalyzed
      reaction and enzyme architecture. 

PMID- 26286751
TI  - Site-directed Mutagenesis Shows the Significance of Interactions with
      Phospholipids and the G-protein OsYchF1 for the Physiological Functions of the
      Rice GTPase-activating Protein 1 (OsGAP1).
AB  - The C2 domain is one of the most diverse phospholipid-binding domains mediating
      cellular signaling. One group of C2-domain proteins are plant-specific and are
      characterized by their small sizes and simple structures. We have previously
      reported that a member of this group, OsGAP1, is able to alleviate salt stress
      and stimulate defense responses, and bind to both phospholipids and an
      unconventional G-protein, OsYchF1. Here we solved the crystal structure of OsGAP1
      to a resolution of 1.63 A. Using site-directed mutagenesis, we successfully
      differentiated between the clusters of surface residues that are required for
      binding to phospholipids versus OsYchF1, which, in turn, is critical for its role
      in stimulating defense responses. On the other hand, the ability to alleviate
      salt stress by OsGAP1 is dependent only on its ability to bind OsYchF1 and is
      independent of its phospholipid-binding activity. 

PMID- 26286753
TI  - Getting controls under control: the time is now for immunohistochemistry.
AB  - For several decades, immunohistochemistry (IHC), more specifically diagnostic IHC
      (dIHC), has been considered an art rather than a laboratory test. There was no
      clarity about what test performance characteristics are relevant to dIHC, test
      performance characteristics were not fully defined for dIHC and partly as a
      consequence of that, there were no standardised controls or reference standards.
      Herein, we discuss the role of standardisation of external controls for test
      performance characteristics and the role of standardised controls and reference
      standards for overall standardisation of IHC. 

PMID- 26286752
TI  - The GH130 Family of Mannoside Phosphorylases Contains Glycoside Hydrolases That
      Target beta-1,2-Mannosidic Linkages in Candida Mannan.
AB  - The depolymerization of complex glycans is an important biological process that
      is of considerable interest to environmentally relevant industries. beta-Mannose
      is a major component of plant structural polysaccharides and eukaryotic N
      glycans. These linkages are primarily cleaved by glycoside hydrolases, although
      recently, a family of glycoside phosphorylases, GH130, have also been shown to
      target beta-1,2- and beta-1,4-mannosidic linkages. In these phosphorylases, bond
      cleavage was mediated by a single displacement reaction in which phosphate
      functions as the catalytic nucleophile. A cohort of GH130 enzymes, however, lack
      the conserved basic residues that bind the phosphate nucleophile, and it was
      proposed that these enzymes function as glycoside hydrolases. Here we show that
      two Bacteroides enzymes, BT3780 and BACOVA_03624, which lack the phosphate
      binding residues, are indeed beta-mannosidases that hydrolyze beta-1,2-mannosidic
      linkages through an inverting mechanism. Because the genes encoding these enzymes
      are located in genetic loci that orchestrate the depolymerization of yeast alpha
      mannans, it is likely that the two enzymes target the beta-1,2-mannose residues
      that cap the glycan produced by Candida albicans. The crystal structure of BT3780
      in complex with mannose bound in the -1 and +1 subsites showed that a pair of
      glutamates, Glu(227) and Glu(268), hydrogen bond to O1 of alpha-mannose, and
      either of these residues may function as the catalytic base. The candidate
      catalytic acid and the other residues that interact with the active site mannose
      are conserved in both GH130 mannoside phosphorylases and beta-1,2-mannosidases.
      Functional phylogeny identified a conserved lysine, Lys(199) in BT3780, as a key
      specificity determinant for beta-1,2-mannosidic linkages.

PMID- 26286754
TI  - From water-in-oil to oil-in-water emulsions to optimize the production of fatty
      acids using ionic liquids in micellar systems.
AB  - Biocatalysis is nowadays considered as one of the most important tools in green
      chemistry. The elimination of multiple steps involved in some of the most complex
      chemical synthesis, reducing the amounts of wastes and hazards, thus increasing
      the reaction yields and decreasing the intrinsic costs, are the major advantages
      of biocatalysis. This work aims at improving the enzymatic hydrolysis of olive
      oil to produce valuable fatty acids through emulsion systems formed by long alkyl
      chain ionic liquids (ILs). The optimization of the emulsion and the best
      conditions to maximize the production of fatty acids were investigated. The
      stability of the emulsion was characterized considering the effect of several
      parameters, namely, the IL and its concentration and different water/olive oil
      volumetric ratios. ILs from the imidazolium and phosphonium families were
      evaluated. The results suggest that the ILs effect on the hydrolysis performance
      varies with the water concentration and the emulsion system formed, that is,
      water-in-oil or oil-in-water emulsion. Although at low water concentrations, the
      presence of ILs does not present any advantages for the hydrolysis reaction, at
      high water contents (in oil-in-water emulsions), the imidazolium-based IL acts as
      an enhancer of the lipase catalytic capacity, super-activating 1.8 times the
      enzyme, and consequently promoting the complete hydrolysis of the olive oil for
      the highest water contents [85% (v/v)].

PMID- 26286755
TI  - Simultaneous Descemet's membrane endothelial keratoplasty and posterior iris-claw
      fixated intra ocular lens implantation (IOL) in management of aphakic bullous
      keratopathy.
AB  - To evaluate the efficacy of combined procedure of Descemet's membrane endothelial
      keratoplasty (DMEK) and posterior iris-claw-fixated intra ocular lens (IOL)
      implantation in the management of aphakic bullous keratopathy (ABK). Sankara eye
      centre, a tertiary eye care centre. A prospective case series analysis. A
      prospective study comprised ten eyes of ten patients who underwent DMEK and
      posterior iris-claw-fixated IOL. Mean follow-up period was 12-36 months. Pre
      operative and post-operative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), endothelial
      cell density (ECD) and complications were noted. A total ten eyes of ten patients
      underwent DMEK. Out of ten patients BCVA improved from 1.00 to 1.60 LogMAR with
      mean and SD of 1.40 +/- 0.20 to +0.20-0.40 LogMAR with mean and SD of 0.30 +/-
      0.07, with a significant p value of <0.001, Mean ECD of the donor tissue pre
      operatively was 2367 cells, whereas 24 months post-operatively it was reduced to
      1798 cells. Mean reduction in ECD pre procedure and post procedure was 569 (24
      %). Iris-fixated IOL appears to offer simplicity in implantation and may be
      combined with DMEK in ABK. This procedure provides a faster visual recovery than
      other endothelial keratoplasties with iris-fixated IOL. 

PMID- 26286758
TI  - The field of fertility preservation comes of age.

PMID- 26286756
TI  - Effect on contrast sensitivity after clear, yellow and orange intraocular lens
      implantation.
AB  - The objective of this study is to evaluate contrast sensitivity function (CSF)
      after clear, yellow- and orange-tinted intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. This
      was a prospective randomized study of 98 patients with senile cataract for a
      period of 6 months from day 1 of August 2014 to day 31 of January 2015. After
      phacoemulsification, 33 patients were implanted with clear IOLs (AcrySof UV
      filtering IOL, SA60AT), 32 patients were implanted with yellow coloured IOLs
      (AcrySof Natural blue-light-attenuating and UV-filtering IOL, SN60AT with
      IMPRUV((r)) filter) and 33 patients were implanted with orange-tinted blue
      filtering IOLs (PC440Y Optech). After 1 month, monocular CSF was done under
      photopic (85 cd/m(2)) and mesopic (3 cd/m(2)) illumination condition with CSV
      1000 test. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) after 1 month was 0.021 +/-
      0.058 logMAR for clear lens, 0.022 +/- 0.059 logMAR for yellow lens and 0.019 +/-
      0.065 logMAR for orange lens (p = 0.989). Uniocular average photopic contrast
      sensitivity was 1.36 +/- 0.19, 1.43 +/- 0.18 and 1.46 +/- 0.15 log units for
      clear lens, yellow lens and orange lens, respectively (statistically not
      significant; p = 0.076). Average mesopic contrast sensitivity was 1.02 +/- 0.21
      log units for clear lens, 1.00 +/- 0.17 log units for yellow lens and 0.99 +/-
      0.15 log units for orange lens (statistically not significant; p = 0.771). Yellow
      or orange coloured blue-filtering IOLs are comparable to clear IOLs in terms of
      photopic and mesopic contrast sensitivity. 

PMID- 26286757
TI  - Central corneal thickness and intraocular pressure in premature infants.
AB  - To evaluate the central corneal thickness (CCT) and intraocular pressure (IOP) of
      premature infants and to document correlation of them with gestational age,
      chronological age, and birth weight of infants. Using a hand-held applanation
      tonometer and a portable pachymeter, IOP and CCT of 170 premature infants were
      measured just before initial retinopathy of prematurity screening examination and
      re-measured 4 weeks after the first visit. The CCT and IOP were positively
      correlated during the first (r = 0.616, p < 0.001) and second (r = 0.564, p <
      0.001) visits. The mean CCT at first and second visits were 568.1 +/- 22.1 (527
      628) and 561.6 +/- 21.4 (520-619) um, consecutively (p < 0.001). Gestational age,
      chronological age and birth weight of infants were found to be negatively
      correlated with CCT at first (r = -0.751, p < 0.001; r = -0.745, p < 0.001; r = 
      0.581, p < 0.001, consecutively) and second (r = -0.729, p < 0.001; r = -0.729, p
      < 0.001; r = -0.555, p < 0.001, consecutively) visits. The mean IOP at first and
      second visits were 14.1 +/- 1.9 (11-19) and 13.7 +/- 1.7 (11-18) mmHg,
      consecutively (p < 0.001). Gestational age, chronological age, and birth weight
      of infants were found to be negatively correlated with IOP at first (r = -0.724,
      p < 0.001; r = -0.715, p < 0.001; r = -0.558, p < 0.001, consecutively) and
      second (r = -0.704, p < 0.001; r = -0.703, p < 0.001; r = -0.518, p < 0.001,
      consecutively) visits. CCT and IOP of the premature infants with a smaller
      gestational age were found to be higher (p < 0.001 for both). Premature infants
      with smaller gestational age have higher CCT and IOP values when compared to
      older infants. These values tend to become lower 4 weeks after the first
      examination as infants become older. The CCT and IOP were positively correlated
      with each other and both were negatively correlated with gestational age,
      chronological age, and birth weight during first and second visits.

PMID- 26286759
TI  - The impact of paternal factors on cleavage stage and blastocyst development
      analyzed by time-lapse imaging-a retrospective observational study.
AB  - PURPOSE: Various time-lapse studies have postulated embryo selection criteria
      based on early morphokinetic markers. However, late paternal effects are mostly
      not visible before embryonic genome activation. The primary objective of this
      retrospective study was to investigate whether those early morphokinetic
      algorithms investigated by time-lapse imaging are reliable enough to allow for
      the accurate selection of those embryos that develop into blastocysts, while of
      course taking into account the correlation with the type of injected spermatozoa.
      METHODS: During a period of 18 months, a total of 461 MII oocytes from 43 couples
      with severe male factor infertility and previous "external" IVF failures after
      cleavage-stage embryo transfer (ET) were fertilized by intracytoplasmic
      morphologically selected sperm injection (IMSI). Thereof, 373 embryos were
      monitored in a time-lapse incubator until ET on day 5. Blastocyst outcome in
      combination with three previously postulated MKc (cc2: t3-t2, 5-12 h; t3, 35-40
      h; t5, 48-56 h) and the morphology of the selected sperm were analyzed. RESULTS:
      A significant increase in the rate of blastocysts (54.0 vs. 36.3 %; P < 0.01) and
      top blastocysts (25.3 vs. 10.8 %; P < 0.001) was observed in the group of those
      meeting all three morphokinetic criteria (MKc3). However, MKc3 were only met in
      23.3 % of all embryos. Moreover, TBR was influenced by the type of injected
      spermatozoa. In both groups, TBR decreased dramatically (MKc3, 35.0 vs. 17.0 %;
      MKc < 3, 14.2 vs. 8.4 %) when class II/III sperm instead of class I were
      injected. CONCLUSION: Early morphokinetic parameters might give some predictive
      information but fail to serve as a feasible selective tool for the prediction of
      blastocyst development given the influence of the type of spermatozoa injected.

PMID- 26286760
TI  - Effects of bevacizumab loaded PEG-PCL-PEG hydrogel intracameral application on
      intraocular pressure after glaucoma filtration surgery.
AB  - PEG-PCL-PEG (PECE) hydrogel for intracameral injection as a sustained delivery
      system can get a stable release of the medication and achieve an effective local
      concentration. The injectable PECE hydrogel is thermosensitive nano-material
      which is flowing sol at low temperature and can shift to nonflowing gel at body
      temperature. This study evaluated the intracameral injection of bevacizumab
      combined with a PECE hydrogel drug release system on postoperative scarring and
      bleb survival after experimental glaucoma filtration surgery. The best result was
      achieved in the bevacizumab loaded PECE hydrogels group, which presented the
      lowest IOP values after surgery. And the blebs were significantly more persistent
      in this group. Histology, Massion trichrome staining and immunohistochemistry
      further demonstrated that glaucoma filtration surgery in combination with
      bevacizumab loaded PECE hydrogel resulted in good bleb survival due to scar
      formation inhibition. In conclusions, this study demonstrated that bevacizumab
      loaded PECE hydrogel for intracameral injection as a sustained delivery system
      provide a great opportunity to increase the therapeutic efficacy of glaucoma
      filtration surgery. 

PMID- 26286762
TI  - Molecular Orientation in Stable Glasses of Indomethacin.
AB  - Spectroscopic ellipsometry has been used to measure the properties of
      indomethacin prepared by physical vapor deposition at Tsubstrate/Tg = 0.78, 0.84,
      and 0.90. The as-deposited glasses exhibited high kinetic stability and had
      densities 0.8-1.2% higher than the ordinary glass prepared by cooling the liquid
      at 1 K/min. Deposition at the higher temperatures yielded glasses with positive
      birefringence (up to Deltan = 0.028), while the lowest-temperature sample was
      negatively birefringent (Deltan = -0.015). These results indicate that substrate
      temperature can be used to manipulate molecular orientation in high-density and
      high-stability glasses. The data for the supercooled liquid and the ordinary
      glass of indomethacin are reasonably consistent with the Lorentz-Lorenz equation,
      but significant deviations are noted with the as-deposited materials. 

PMID- 26286761
TI  - Antibiosis of Necrotizing Pancreatitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Necrotizing pancreatitis is a life-threatening presentation of acute
      pancreatitis. The mortality of 20-80% initially depends on the persistence of
      organ failure and systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and, in the
      later course of the disease, on secondary infection of the necrosis. The
      questions whether prophylactic antibiotics aiming to prevent this infection
      should be administered and which antibiotic is the best to use, as well as the
      problem of fungal infection under antibiotic treatment are still intriguing and
      insufficiently solved. METHODS: A search of the literature using PubMed was
      carried out, supplemented by a review of the programmes of the Digestive Disease
      Week (DDW) and the United European Gastroenterology Week (UEGW). RESULTS: Despite
      the widely practised prophylactic antibiotic administration in severe
      pancreatitis, no evidence for the benefit of this strategy exists. One of the
      drawbacks might be a tendency for disastrous fungal infection under prophylactic
      antibiotics. Bacterial translocation from the gut in the second week after the
      onset of symptoms is the major source for infection of pancreatic necrosis and
      provides a clear indication for antibiotic treatment. However, routine fine
      needle aspiration for a calculated antibiotic therapy cannot be recommended, and
      all other tests offer only indirect signs. Important factors such as enteral
      versus parenteral feeding and the method of necrosectomy are mostly neglected in
      the trials but seem to be essential for the outcome of the patient. CONCLUSIONS:
      Even though most meta-analyses including the newer double-blind, placebo
      controlled trials on prophylactic antibiotics showed no beneficial effects in the
      prevention of infection of necrosis and/or outcome of the patients, this strategy
      is still widely used in clinical routine. Since nearly all trials published so
      far show systematic problems (i.e. inaccurate definition of the severity of the
      disease, poor statistical testing, and neglect of differences in the route of
      nutrition), there is a need for randomized controlled prospective trials with
      exact definitions of the disease.

PMID- 26286763
TI  - Realization of Associative Memory in an Enzymatic Process: Toward Biomolecular
      Networks with Learning and Unlearning Functionalities.
AB  - We report a realization of an associative memory signal/information processing
      system based on simple enzyme-catalyzed biochemical reactions. Optically detected
      chemical output is always obtained in response to the triggering input, but the
      system can also "learn" by association, to later respond to the second input if
      it is initially applied in combination with the triggering input as the
      "training" step. This second chemical input is not self-reinforcing in the
      present system, which therefore can later "unlearn" to react to the second input
      if it is applied several times on its own. Such processing steps realized with
      (bio)chemical kinetics promise applications of bioinspired/memory-involving
      components in "networked" (concatenated) biomolecular processes for multisignal
      sensing and complex information processing. 

PMID- 26286764
TI  - Quantifying the Structural Dynamics of Pharmaceuticals in the Glassy State.
AB  - Structural dynamics in the glassy state of two protic ionic liquids, carvedilol
      phosphate and procaine hydrochloride, were characterized from analysis of changes
      in the conductivity relaxation times during physical aging. The obtained
      relaxation times, having a magnitude exceeding feasible experimental time scales
      and thus not directly measurable, are consistent with published data from a
      method that relies on the presence of a secondary relaxation. We also observe a
      narrowing of the relaxation dispersion, specific to higher frequencies, that is a
      consequence of the heterogeneous dynamics of deeply supercooled materials. 

PMID- 26286765
TI  - Influence of Lithium Salts on the Discharge Chemistry of Li-Air Cells.
AB  - In this work, we show that the use of a high boiling point ether solvent
      (tetraglyme) promotes the formation of Li2O2 in a lithium-air cell. However,
      another major constituent in the discharge product of a Li-air cell contains
      halides from the lithium salts and C-O from the tetraglyme used as the solvent.
      This information is critical to the development of Li-air electrolytes, which are
      stable and promote the formation of the desired Li2O2 products. 

PMID- 26286766
TI  - Near-Infrared Plasmon-Assisted Water Oxidation.
AB  - We report the stoichiometric evolution of oxygen via water oxidation by
      irradiating a plasmon-enhanced photocurrent generation system with near-infrared
      light (lambda: 1000 nm), in which gold nanostructures were arrayed on the surface
      of TiO2 electrode. It is considered that multiple electron holes generated by
      plasmon-induced charge excitation led to the effective recovery of water
      oxidation after the electron transfer from gold to TiO2. The proposed system
      containing a gold nanostructured TiO2 electrode may be a promising artificial
      photosynthetic system using near-infrared light. 

PMID- 26286767
TI  - Influence of Processing Additives on Charge-Transfer Time Scales and Sound
      Velocity in Organic Bulk Heterojunction Films.
AB  - The role of processing additives in organic bulk heterojunction thin films was
      investigated by means of transient absorption spectroscopy. The rate of ultrafast
      charge transfer was found to increase when a small amount of diiodooctane was
      used during film formation. In addition, coherent acoustic phonons were observed,
      and their velocity was determined. A strong correlation between the sound
      velocity and the charge-transfer time scale was observed, both of which could be
      explained by a subtle increase in thin film density. 

PMID- 26286768
TI  - Does Solution Viscosity Scale the Rate of Aggregation of Folded Proteins?
AB  - Viscosity effects on the kinetics of complex solution processes have proven hard
      to predict. To test the viscosity effects on protein aggregation, we use the
      crystallization of the protein glucose isomerase (gluci) as a model and employ
      scanning confocal and atomic force microscopies at molecular resolution, dynamic
      and static light scattering, and rheometry. We add glycerol to vary solvent
      viscosity and demonstrate that glycerol effects on the activation barrier for
      attachment of molecules to the crystal growth sites are minimal. We separate the
      effects of glycerol on crystallization thermodynamics from those on the rate
      constant for molecular attachment. We establish that the rate constant is
      proportional to the reciprocal viscosity and to the protein diffusivity. This
      finding refutes the prevailing crystal growth paradigm and illustrates the
      application of fundamental kinetics laws to solution crystallization. 

PMID- 26286769
TI  - Thermal Tuning and Inversion of Excitonic Zeeman Splittings in Colloidal Doped
      CdSe Quantum Dots.
AB  - Variable-temperature magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectroscopy is used to
      measure excitonic Zeeman splittings in colloidal Co(2+)- and Mn(2+)-doped CdSe
      quantum dots with low dopant concentrations. The data demonstrate that the
      competition between intrinsic and exchange contributions to the excitonic Zeeman
      splittings in doped quantum dots can be tuned using temperature, from being
      dominated by exchange at low temperatures to being dominated by intrinsic Zeeman
      interactions at room temperature, with inversion at easily accessible
      temperatures and fields. These results may have relevance to spin-based
      information processing technologies that rely on manipulating carrier spins in
      quantum dots. 

PMID- 26286770
TI  - Specific Cation Effects on the Bimodal Acid-Base Behavior of the Silica/Water
      Interface.
AB  - Using nonresonant second harmonic generation spectroscopy, we have monitored the
      change in surface charge density of the silica/water interface over a broad pH
      range in the presence of different alkali chlorides. Planar silica is known to
      possess two types of surface sites with pKa values of ~4 and ~9, which are
      attributed to different solvation environments of the silanols. We report that
      varying the alkali chloride electrolyte significantly changes the effective acid
      dissociation constant (pKa(eff)) for the less acidic silanol groups, with the
      silica/NaClaq and silica/CsClaq interfaces exhibiting the lowest and highest
      pKa(eff) values of 8.3(1) and 10.8(1), respectively. Additionally, the relative
      populations of the two silanol groups are also very sensitive to the electrolyte
      identity. The greatest percentage of acidic silanol groups was 60(2)% for the
      silica/LiClaq interface in contrast to the lowest value of 20(2)% for the
      silica/NaClaq interface. We attribute these changes in the bimodal behavior to
      the influence of alkali ions on the interfacial water structure and its
      corresponding effect on surface acidity. 

PMID- 26286771
TI  - Plasmonic Near-Field Absorbers for Ultrathin Solar Cells.
AB  - If the active layer of efficient solar cells could be made 100 times thinner than
      in today's thin film devices, their economic competitiveness would greatly
      benefit. However, conventional solar cell materials do not have the optical
      capability to allow for such thickness reductions without a substantial loss of
      light absorption. To address this challenge, the use of plasmon resonances in
      metal nanostructures to trap light and create charge carriers in a nearby
      semiconductor material is an interesting opportunity. In this Perspective, recent
      progress with regards to ultrathin (~10 nm) plasmonic nanocomposites is reviewed.
      Their optimal internal geometry for plasmon near-field induced absorption is
      discussed, and a zero thickness effective medium representation is used to
      optimize stacks including an Al back reflector for photovoltaics. This shows that
      high conversion efficiencies (>20%) are possible even when taking surface
      scattering effects and thin passivating layers inserted between the metal and
      semiconductor into account. 

PMID- 26286772
TI  - Shedding Light on Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Hot Spots through Single
      Molecule Super-Resolution Imaging.
AB  - Super-resolution imaging has recently been utilized to develop a better
      understanding of the properties of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) hot
      spots. SERS hot spots are much smaller than the diffraction limit of light, and
      therefore, obtaining a clear picture of the enhanced electromagnetic (EM) fields
      comprising these hot spots is a challenging task. In this Perspective, we discuss
      recent work applying super-resolution imaging to single-molecule SERS (SM-SERS)
      of rhodamine 6G (R6G) adsorbed to randomly assembled silver colloidal aggregates,
      allowing the shape, size, and local enhancement of the hot spots to be imaged
      with <5 nm resolution. The results are compared with studies applying super
      resolution imaging to surface-enhanced fluorescence (SEF) of analytes diffusing
      into silver nanoparticle hot spots. Both studies show a strong correlation
      between emission intensity and position, allowing the EM field enhancements of
      SERS hot spots to be mapped with sub-5 nm resolution. 

PMID- 26286773
TI  - Polarization-Controlled Raman Microscopy and Nanoscopy.
AB  - Polarization imaging reveals unique characteristics of samples, such as molecular
      symmetry, orientation, or intermolecular interactions. Polarization techniques
      extend the ability of conventional spectroscopy to enable the characterization
      and identification of molecular species. In the early days of spectroscopy, it
      was considered that a set of polarizers placed in the illumination and the
      detection paths was enough to enable polarization analysis. However, with the
      development of new microscope imaging techniques, such as high-resolution
      microscopy, nonlinear spectroscopic imaging, and near-field microscopy, the
      inevitable polarization changes caused by external optical components needs to be
      discussed. In this Perspective, we present some of the hot topics that are
      specific to high-spatial-resolution microscopy and introduce recent related work
      in the field. Among the many spectroscopic techniques available, we focus in
      particular on Raman spectroscopy because Raman tensors are widely used in pure
      and applied sciences to study the symmetry of matter. 

PMID- 26286774
TI  - The Surface Chemistry of Atomic Layer Depositions of Solid Thin Films.
AB  - Atomic layer deposition (ALD) is one of the most promising methodologies
      available for the growth of solid thin films conformally on complex topographies
      and with atomic-level control on thickness. However, as a chemical process, ALD
      can lead to the incorporation of impurities and to the growth of poor-quality
      films. Here we discuss some possible complications associated with the chemistry
      of ALD, including its ill-defined stoichiometry, the stepwise and extensive
      surface conversion possible with the ligands of most ALD metalorganic precursors,
      the need for the reduction or oxidation of the deposited elements, the poor
      understanding of the role of the coreactants, the dominant activity of specific
      minority surface sites in starting ALD processes, and the development of complex
      layered or three-dimensional structures within the deposited films. The
      resolution of these issues should help with the development of a more systematic
      approach for the selection of ALD precursors and for the design of ALD processes.

PMID- 26286775
TI  - Imaging the O((1)D) + CD4 -> OD + CD3 Reaction Dynamics: The Threshold of
      Abstraction Pathway.
AB  - The O((1)D) + CD4 -> OD + CD3 reaction was investigated using the crossed
      molecular beam technique with sliced velocity map imaging at four different
      collision energies: 1.6, 2.8, 4.6, and 6.8 kcal/mol. The vibrational ground state
      product CD3 was detected using a (2 + 1) resonance-enhanced multiphoton
      ionization (REMPI). Remarkably different features were found in the forward and
      backward scatterings, and gradually changed with the collision energy. These
      features were attributed to two distinctive reaction mechanisms-insertion and
      abstraction-that occur on the ground and excited state surfaces, respectively.
      Contributions from the two mechanisms were extracted from the experiment results,
      and a positive correlation was found between the abstraction proportion and the
      collision energy. The threshold for the abstraction pathway was determined and
      compared with results from calculations. 

PMID- 26286776
TI  - Liquid Crystal Phases in Suspensions of Charged Plate-Like Particles.
AB  - Anisotropic interactions in colloidal suspensions have recently emerged as a
      route for the design of new soft materials. Nonisotropic particles can form
      nematic, smectic, hexatic, and columnar liquid crystals. Although the formation
      of these phases is well rationalized when excluded volume is solely at play, the
      role of electrostatic interactions still remains unclear and even less so when
      particles present a charge heterogeneity, for example, clays. Here, we use Monte
      Carlo simulations of concentrated suspensions of charged disk-like particles to
      reveal the role of Coulomb interactions and charge anisotropy underlying liquid
      crystal formation and structures. We observe a vast zoo of exotic structures,
      going from hexatic to columnar phases, which are shown to be controlled by the
      charge anisotropy. The particle volume fraction at which these phases start to
      form is found to decrease with increasing Coulomb interactions and charge
      anisotropy, which suggests a route to tune the structure of aqueous liquid
      crystals. 

PMID- 26286777
TI  - Exciton Conformational Dynamics of Poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) in Solution from
      Time-Resolved Resonant-Raman Spectroscopy.
AB  - We have used time-resolved resonant-Raman spectroscopy to investigate the
      picosecond conformational relaxation of regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene) (RR
      P3HT) in chlorobenzene after 510 nm photoexcitation. Vibrational signatures from
      modes along and peripheral to the exciton's backbone have been identified
      according to the time dependence of excited-state Raman features and from
      comparisons to Raman spectra of other polymer states. Measured spectral dynamics
      reflect initial changes in the resonance enhancement of backbone modes on a time
      scale of 9 +/- 1 ps. In contrast, contributions from peripheral modes exhibit
      time-dependent decay determined only by exciton intersystem-crossing kinetics.
      Spectral dynamics are interpreted in terms of evolution in bond lengths along the
      exciton's backbone resulting from increased conjugation allowed by torsional
      reordering. Possible origins of peripheral features are discussed, including
      distorted inter-ring modes at exciton termini. Findings provide a glimpse of the
      underlying molecular dynamics responsible for the red shift in the exciton's near
      IR transient absorption occurring on the same time scale. 

PMID- 26286778
TI  - Optical Response of Fluorescent Molecules Studied by Synthetic Femtosecond Laser
      Pulses.
AB  - The optical response of the fluorescent molecule IR144 in solution is probed by
      pairs of collinear pulses with intensity just above the linear dependence using
      two different pulse shaping methods. The first approach mimics a Michelson
      interferometer, while the second approach, known as multiple independent comb
      shaping (MICS), eliminates spectral interference. The comparison of interfering
      and non-interfering pulses reveals that linear interference between the pulses
      leads to the loss of experimental information at early delay times. In both
      cases, the delay between the pulses is controlled with attosecond resolution and
      the sample fluorescence and stimulated emission are monitored simultaneously. An
      out-of-phase behavior is observed for fluorescence and stimulated emission, with
      the fluorescence signal having a minimum at zero time delay. Experimental
      findings are modeled using a two-level system with relaxation that closely
      matches the phase difference between fluorescence and stimulated emission and the
      relative intensities of the measured effects. 

PMID- 26286779
TI  - Multiple Pathway Relaxation Enhancement in the System Composed of Three
      Paramagnetic Species: Nitroxide Radical-Ln(3+)-O2.
AB  - Longitudinal relaxation of nitroxide spin-labels has been measured for a membrane
      incorporated alpha-helical polypeptide in the presence and absence of residual
      amounts of membrane-dissolved O2 and paramagnetic Dy(3+) ions. Such a model
      system, containing three different types of paramagnetic species, provides an
      important example of nonadditivity of two different relaxation channels for the
      nitroxide spins. 

PMID- 26286780
TI  - Observation of NH X(3)Sigma(-) as a Primary Product of Methylamine
      Photodissociation: Evidence of Roaming-Mediated Intersystem Crossing?
AB  - 3+1 Resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization and photofragment excitation
      spectroscopy have been used to identify NH X(3)Sigma(-) as a primary product of
      methylamine photodissociation after state-specific excitation to the S1 state. On
      the basis of standard thermochemical data, NH X(3)Sigma(-) can be formed only in
      conjunction with closed-shell CH4 coproducts, indicating that dissociation must
      occur on the T1 surface. It is proposed that the mechanism for the formation of
      triplet NH and CH4 involves intramolecular abstraction between frustrated radical
      products and is an example of roaming-mediated intersystem crossing. 

PMID- 26286781
TI  - Polymer Single Crystal As Magnetically Recoverable Support for Nanocatalysts.
AB  - In this Letter, we report, for the first time, using polymer single crystal as
      magnetically recoverable support for nanoparticle catalysts. This catalyst system
      is composed of polymer single crystal, platinum nanoparticles, and iron oxide
      nanoparticles, which act as support, catalysts, and magnetic responsive
      materials, respectively. Platinum nanoparticles and iron oxide nanoparticles were
      bonded onto thiol groups and hydroxyl groups on a tailor-designed polymer single
      crystal surface. Because of its quasi 2D nature, polymer single crystal possesses
      high surface area to volume ratio (2.5 * 10(8) m(-1)), which is ~40 times higher
      than its nanosphere counterpart of the same volume. This high surface to volume
      ratio facilitates the high loading of both nanoparticles, which ensures efficient
      catalytic reaction and reliable nanoparticle recycling. Synergetic interactions
      between platinum and iron oxide nanoparticles also led to further improvement in
      catalytic activity. 

PMID- 26286782
TI  - Toward Antimony Selenide Sensitized Solar Cells: Efficient Charge Photogeneration
      at spiro-OMeTAD/Sb2Se3/Metal Oxide Heterojunctions.
AB  - Photovoltaic devices comprising metal chalcogenide nanocrystals as light
      harvesting components are emerging as a promising power-generation technology.
      Here, we report a strategy to evenly deposit Sb2Se3 nanoparticles on mesoporous
      TiO2 as confirmed by Raman spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry,
      and transmission electron microscopy. Detailed study of the interfacial charge
      transfer dynamics by means of transient absorption spectroscopy provides evidence
      of electron injection across the Sb2Se3/TiO2 interface upon illumination, which
      can be improved 3-fold by annealing at low temperatures. Following addition of
      the spiro-OMeTAD hole transporting material, regeneration yields exceeding 80%
      are achieved, and the lifetime of the charge separated species is found to be on
      the millisecond time scale (tau50% ~ 50 ms). These findings are discussed with
      respect to the design of solid-state Sb2Se3 sensitized solar cells. 

PMID- 26286783
TI  - Harnessing Chemical Raman Enhancement for Understanding Organic Adsorbate Binding
      on Metal Surfaces.
AB  - Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a known approach for detecting
      trace amounts of molecular species. Whereas SERS measurements have focused on
      enhancing the signal for sensing trace amounts of a chemical moiety,
      understanding how the substrate alters molecular Raman spectra can enable optical
      probing of analyte binding chemistry. Here we examine binding of trans-1,2-two(4
      pyridyl) ethylene (BPE) to Au surfaces and understand variations in experimental
      data that arise from differences in how the molecule binds to the substrate.
      Monitoring differences in the SERS as a function of incubation time, a period of
      several hours in our case, reveals that the number of BPE molecules that
      chemically binds with the Au substrate increases with time. In addition, we
      introduce a direct method of accessing relative chemical enhancement from
      experiments that is in quantitative agreement with theory. The ability to probe
      optically specific details of metal/molecule interfaces opens up possibilities
      for using SERS in chemical analysis. 

PMID- 26286784
TI  - Biomimetic Carbon Nanotube for Catalytic CO2 Hydrolysis: First-Principles
      Investigation on the Role of Oxidation State and Metal Substitution in Porphyrin.
AB  - Hydrolysis of carbon dioxide is an important reaction for CO2 collection. Using
      accurate first-principles electronic structure calculations, we predict how the
      catalytic hydrolysis reaction in carbonic anhydrase (CA) can be mimicked in a
      metal-porphyrin carbon nanotube. The two-step catalytic process can be improved
      remarkably by controlling the porphyrin oxidation state via the nanotube charge
      state and by substituting the porphyrin metal atom. The oxidation state and the
      metal substitution both have profound effects on the reaction energetics for the
      initial hydration reaction step. For the subsequent product-release reaction
      step, two different reaction mechanisms could take place. These mechanisms are
      distinctively sensitive to either the oxidation state change or the metal
      substitution, but not to both. For the overall catalytic cycle, a significant
      dependence on the nanotube charge state at low pH and on the metal substitution
      at high pH is expected. 

PMID- 26286785
TI  - Ferromagnetism in p-Type Manganese-Doped Zinc Oxide Quantum Dots.
AB  - The magnetic exchange interactions between paramagnetic Mn(2+) dopants in the
      presence of a N(2-) p-type defect in zinc oxide quantum dots are studied using
      density functional theory. Spin-dependent delocalization of the N(2-) 2p acceptor
      level among the nearest-neighbor Mn(2+) dopants is observed. The calculations
      show that parallel Mn(2+) spin alignment is favored upon the formation of a
      nitrogen-bridged Mn-Mn dimer. Although the effect is short-ranged, the observed
      magnitude of stabilization of the ferromagnetic alignment of nearest-neighbor
      Mn(2+) spins arises from p-d exchange and suggests p-type Mn(2+)-doped ZnO
      quantum dots as excellent candidates for exhibiting room-temperature
      ferromagnetism. Analytical expressions are derived and supported by density
      functional theory calculations that show that the N(2-) concentration has a
      stronger influence on the magnetic splitting compared with that of the Mn(2+)
      concentration. 

PMID- 26286786
TI  - Delocalized Lattice Plasmon Resonances Show Dispersive Quality Factors.
AB  - This Letter describes how out-of-plane lattice plasmon (OLP) resonances in 2D Au
      nanoparticle (NP) arrays show dispersive quality factors. These quality factors
      can be tailored simply by controlling NP height. Numerical calculations of near
      field optical properties and band diagrams were performed to understand the
      measured dispersion effects of the OLPs. The results revealed that delocalized
      OLPs are a type of surface Bloch mode composed of many Bloch harmonics. As the
      OLP dispersion evolves from a stationary state to a propagating state, the
      nonradiative loss decreases because of weak local field confinement, whereas the
      radiative loss increases because of strong coupling to the leaky zero-order
      harmonic. 

PMID- 26286787
TI  - Recombination in Organic Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cells: Small Dependence of
      Interfacial Charge Transfer Kinetics on Fullerene Affinity.
AB  - We investigate the causes for obtaining higher open-circuit voltage in solar
      cells that use a fullerene with a smaller electron affinity. Using impedance
      spectroscopy technique, we show that the change of fullerene LUMO energy has very
      little influence on the kinetic rate of charge transfer across the interface. In
      terms of the Marcus theory, large reorganization energy values govern the
      recombination kinetic rate, which is only slightly dependent on the fullerene
      LUMO energy, and also depends weakly on the energy location of recombining
      carriers within the broad density of states. Since the recombination rate is very
      similar in the different devices, we conclude that the larger open-circuit
      voltage is due to the larger donor HOMO/acceptor LUMO offset. 

PMID- 26286788
TI  - Enhancing the Sensitivity of Single-Particle Photothermal Imaging with
      Thermotropic Liquid Crystals.
AB  - Individual molecules and nanoparticles can be imaged based on their absorption
      using photothermal microscopy. This technique relies on the heating-induced
      changes in the refractive index of the surrounding medium. Here, we demonstrate
      an order of magnitude larger enhancement of the signal-to-noise ratio in
      photothermal imaging of 20 nm gold nanoparticles when using a thermotropic liquid
      crystal (5CB). We show quantitatively that this increase is due to the large
      change in the thermo-optical properties of 5CB mainly along the nematic director.
      Enhancing the sensitivity is important for the further development of absorption
      based single-molecule spectroscopy techniques. 

PMID- 26286789
TI  - Nanoscale Thermotropic Phase Transitions Enhancing Photothermal Microscopy
      Signals.
AB  - The photothermal heterodyne imaging technique enables studies of individual
      weakly absorbing nano-objects in various environments. It uses a photoinduced
      change in the refractive index of the environment. Taking advantage of the
      dramatic index of refraction change occurring around a thermotropic liquid
      crystalline phase transition, we demonstrate a 40-fold signal-to-noise ratio
      enhancement for gold nanoparticles imaged in 4-cyano-4'-pentylbiphenyl (5CB)
      liquid crystals over those in a water environment. We studied the photothermal
      signal as a function of probe laser polarization, heating power, and sample
      temperature quantifying the optimal enhancement. This study established
      photothermal microscopy as a valuable technique for inducing and/or detecting
      local phase transitions at the nanometer scales. 

PMID- 26286790
TI  - Rubidium on Helium Droplets: Analysis of an Exotic Rydberg Complex for n* < 20
      and 0 <= l <= 3.
AB  - Rubidium atom Rydberg states perturbed by helium droplets of different sizes
      provide insight into the role of a nanosized dielectric on the Coulomb potential.
      The observation of droplet size-dependent shifts of excited states with respect
      to bare atom states is explained by a decreased quantum defect and a lowered
      ionization threshold. Within the scope of a Rydberg model, we demonstrate that
      quantum defects and ionization potentials are constant for each specific Rydberg
      series, which confirms the Rydberg character of excited Rubidium states on helium
      droplets. A set of six Rydberg series could be identified. Individual Rydberg
      states are observed with effective principal quantum numbers up to n* ~ 19 and l
      <= 3, for which the expectation value of the electron orbital radius is about 10
      times larger than the droplet radius. 

PMID- 26286791
TI  - Carbon-Detected (15)N NMR Spin Relaxation of an Intrinsically Disordered Protein:
      FCP1 Dynamics Unbound and in Complex with RAP74.
AB  - Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) lack unique 3D structures under native
      conditions and as such exist as highly dynamic ensembles in solution. We present
      two (13)C-direct detection experiments for the measurement of (15)N NMR spin
      relaxation called the CON(T1)-IPAP and CON(T2)-IPAP that quantify backbone
      dynamics on a per-residue basis for IDPs in solution. These experiments have been
      applied to the intrinsically disordered C-terminal of FCP1, both free in solution
      and while bound to the RAP74 winged-helix domain. The results provide evidence
      that most of FCP1 remains highly dynamic in both states, while the 20 residues
      forming direct contact with RAP74 become more ordered in the complex. Parallel
      analysis of RAP74 backbone (15)N NMR spin relaxation reveals only very limited
      ordering of RAP74 upon FCP1 binding. Taken together, these data show that folding
      upon-binding is highly local in this system, with disorder prevailing even in the
      complex. 

PMID- 26286792
TI  - Structures of (3n-Crown-n)-Phenol (n = 4, 5, 6, 8) Host-Guest Complexes:
      Formation of a Uniquely Stable Complex for n = 6 via Collective Intermolecular
      Interaction.
AB  - Structures of crown-phenol 1:1 host-guest complexes, 3n-crown-n [12C4(n = 4),
      15C5(n = 5), 18C6(n = 6), 24C8(n = 8)], in the gas phase have been studied by
      various laser spectroscopic methods. The S1-S0 electronic spectra identified 3,
      2, 1, and 2 isomers for the complexes of 12C4, 15C5, 18C6, and 24C8,
      respectively, suggesting that only 18C6-phenol forms one uniquely stable complex.
      The IR spectra in the phenolic OH and CH stretch regions indicate that these
      complexes form the O...HO hydrogen bond, and the benzene ring is involved in the
      complex formation. Theoretical analysis with molecular mechanics and density
      functional theory calculations also supports one considerably stable isomer for
      18C6-phenol. The most stable 18C6-phenol isomer is largely stabilized through
      collective intermolecular interaction consisting of O...HO hydrogen bond,
      CH...pi, and O...HC(aromatic) so that phenol is inserted into the cavity of a
      particular conformation of 18C6 like a "lock and key". 

PMID- 26286793
TI  - Spectroscopy, Imaging, and Solar Energy Conversion with Plasmons.

PMID- 26286795
TI  - Pattern of chilblains in a high altitude region of Ladakh, India.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Extreme sub-zero temperature in winters (15  degrees C to -25 
      degrees C), high velocity winds and wind-chill factor pose risk to those who
      resides at the high altitude environment to develop cold related injuries like
      chilblains and frostbite. The aim of this study was to study the patterns of
      chilblains in high altitude region like Ladakh. METHODS: The study was conducted
      at Dermatology outpatient department of Military Hospital, Leh from 1 Sep 2009 to
      31 May 2010. Patients, satisfying clinical criteria for the diagnosis of
      chilblains were included into the study. Detailed history and thorough clinical
      examination was conducted. Complete blood count and Urine routine examination was
      carried out in every patient. Anti Nuclear Factor tests were carried out in only
      those who had history suggestive of connective tissue disease. RESULTS: Total 108
      (5.75%) were diagnosed to have chilblains. Only a single case of chilblain was
      found in a local resident (p < 0.005). Family history of chilblains was present
      in 10 (9.2%) patients, there was recurrence in 12 (11.1%) and 21 patients (19.4%)
      were smokers. Most (63.8%) of the patients, had BMI between 20 and 22 kg/m(2)
      (mean = 20.03 kg/m(2); 95% CI = 19.68-20.38 and SD 1.82). 42.1% of cases of
      chilblains also had hyperhidrosis (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In a HA area like
      Ladakh, the non-natives suffer maximum from chilblains. This could be explained
      by the protective genetic adaptability of natives to extreme cold environment and
      their protective life style against cold. Low body mass index (BMI) and
      hyperhidrosis are important associations for development of chilblains.

PMID- 26286794
TI  - Combined PET/MRI: Multi-modality Multi-parametric Imaging Is Here: Summary Report
      of the 4th International Workshop on PET/MR Imaging; February 23-27, 2015,
      Tubingen, Germany.
AB  - This paper summarises key themes and discussions from the 4th international
      workshop dedicated to the advancement of the technical, scientific and clinical
      applications of combined positron emission tomography (PET)/magnetic resonance
      imaging (MRI) systems that was held in Tubingen, Germany, from February 23 to 27,
      2015. Specifically, we summarise the three days of invited presentations from
      active researchers in this and associated fields augmented by round table
      discussions and dialogue boards with specific topics. These include the use of
      PET/MRI in cardiovascular disease, paediatrics, oncology, neurology and multi
      parametric imaging, the latter of which was suggested as a key promoting factor
      for the wider adoption of integrated PET/MRI. Discussions throughout the workshop
      and a poll taken on the final day demonstrated that attendees felt more strongly
      that PET/MRI has further advanced in both technical versatility and acceptance by
      clinical and research-driven users from the status quo of last year. Still, with
      only minimal evidence of progress made in exploiting the true complementary
      nature of the PET and MRI-based information, PET/MRI is still yet to achieve its
      potential. In that regard, the conclusion of last year's meeting "the real work
      has just started" still holds true. 

PMID- 26286796
TI  - Antimicrobial resistance of Pseudomonas spp. isolated from wastewater and
      wastewater-impacted marine coastal zone.
AB  - In this study, species distribution and antimicrobial susceptibility of
      cultivated Pseudomonas spp. were studied in influent (INF), effluent (EFF), and
      marine outfall (MOut) of wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). The susceptibility
      was tested against 8 antimicrobial classes, active against Pseudomonas spp.:
      aminoglycosides, carbapenems, broad-spectrum cephalosporins from the 3rd and 4th
      generation, extended-spectrum penicillins, as well as their combination with the
      beta-lactamase inhibitors, monobactams, fluoroquinolones, and polymyxins. Among
      identified species, resistance to all antimicrobials but colistin was shown by
      Pseudomonas putida, the predominant species in all sampling points. In other
      species, resistance was observed mainly against ceftazidime, ticarcillin,
      ticarcillin-clavulanate, and aztreonam, although some isolates of Pseudomonas
      aeruginosa, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes, and
      Pseudomonas protegens showed multidrug-resistance (MDR) phenotype. Among P.
      putida, resistance to beta-lactams and to fluoroquinolones as well as multidrug
      resistance become more prevalent after wastewater treatment, but the resistance
      rate decreased in marine water samples. Obtained data, however, suggests that
      Pseudomonas spp. are equipped or are able to acquire a wide range of antibiotic
      resistance mechanisms, and thus should be monitored as possible source of
      resistance genes. 

PMID- 26286797
TI  - The enzymatic and antioxidative stress response of Lemna minor to copper and a
      chloroacetamide herbicide.
AB  - Lemna minor L., a widely used model plant for toxicity tests has raised interest
      for its application to phytoremediation due to its rapid growth and ubiquitous
      occurrence. In rural areas, the pollution of water bodies with heavy metals and
      agrochemicals poses a problem to surface water quality. Among problematic
      compounds, heavy metals (copper) and pesticides are frequently found in water
      bodies. To establish duckweed as a potential plant for phytoremediation,
      enzymatic and antioxidative stress responses of Lemna minor during exposure to
      copper and a chloroacetamide herbicide were investigated in laboratory studies.
      The present study aimed at evaluating growth and the antioxidative and
      glutathione-dependent enzyme activity of Lemna plants and its performance in a
      scenario for phytoremediation of copper and a chloroacetamide herbicide. Lemna
      minor was grown in Steinberg medium under controlled conditions. Plants were
      treated with CuSO4 (ion conc. 50 and 100 MUg/L) and pethoxamide (1.25 and 2.5
      MUg/L). Measurements following published methods focused on plant growth,
      oxidative stress, and basic detoxification enzymes. Duckweed proved to survive
      treatment with the respective concentrations of both pollutants very well. Its
      growth was inhibited scarcely, and no visible symptoms occurred. On the cellular
      basis, accumulation of O2(-) and H2O2 were detected, as well as stress reactions
      of antioxidative enzymes. Duckweed detoxification potential for organic
      pollutants was high and increased significantly with incubation. Pethoxamide was
      found to be conjugated with glutathione. Copper was accumulated in the fronds at
      high levels, and transient oxidative defense reactions were triggered. This work
      confirms the significance of L. minor for the removal of copper from water and
      the conjugation of the selective herbicide pethoxamide. Both organic and
      inorganic xenobiotics induced different trends of enzymatic and antioxidative
      stress response. The strong increase of stress responses following copper
      exposure is well known as oxidative burst, which is probably different from the
      much more long-lasting responses found in plants exposed to pethoxamide. Lemna
      sp. might be used as a tool for phytoremediation of low-level contamination with
      metals and organic xenobiotics, however the authors recommend a more detailed
      analysis of the development of the oxidative burst following copper exposure and
      of the enzymatic metabolism of pethoxamide in order to elucidate the extent of
      its removal from water.

PMID- 26286798
TI  - Physicochemical profile of microbial-assisted composting on empty fruit bunches
      of oil palm trees.
AB  - This study was carried out to investigate the physicochemical properties of
      compost from oil palm empty fruit bunches (EFB) inoculated with effective
      microorganisms (EM?1TM). The duration of microbial-assisted composting was
      shorter (~7 days) than control samples (2 months) in a laboratory scale (2 kg)
      experiment. The temperature profile of EFB compost fluctuated between 26 and 52 
      degrees C without the presence of consistent thermophilic phase. The pH of
      compost changed from weak acidic (pH ~5) to mild alkaline (pH ~8) because of the
      formation of nitrogenous ions such as ammonium (NH4 (+)), nitrite (NO2 (-)), and
      nitrate (NO3 (-)) from organic substances during mineralization. The pH of the
      microbial-treated compost was less than 8.5 which is important to prevent the
      loss of nitrogen as ammonia gas in a strong alkaline condition. Similarly, carbon
      mineralization could be determined by measuring CO2 emission. The microbial
      treated compost could maintain longer period (~13 days) of high CO2 emission
      resulted from high microbial activity and reached the threshold value (120 mg CO2
      C kg(-1) day(-1)) for compost maturity earlier (7 days). Microbial-treated
      compost slightly improved the content of minerals such as Mg, K, Ca, and B, as
      well as key metabolite, 5-aminolevulinic acid for plant growth at the maturity
      stage of compost. Graphical Abstract Microbial-assisted composting on empty fruit
      bunches.

PMID- 26286799
TI  - Groundwater screening for 940 organic micro-pollutants in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh
      City, Vietnam.
AB  - Groundwater is the main source of drinking water for more than half of the
      residents of Hanoi (HN). It also provides about one third of the total water
      demand for residents of Ho Chi Minh City (HCM). However, due to rapid
      urbanization and frequent discharges of untreated urban wastewater to surface
      water, freshwater is widely contaminated by man-made chemicals, which may result
      in groundwater pollution. As part of an ongoing campaign to collect baseline
      information on the occurrence of organic micro-pollutants (OMPs) in the aquatic
      environment in Vietnam, 43 water samples were collected from 26 groundwater wells
      in HN (22) and HCM (4) in September 2013 and August 2014. Samples were analyzed
      by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and the resulting chromatograms
      were screened for 940 OMPs by an automated identification and quantification
      system (AIQS) within a GC-MS database. A total of 74 compounds were detected,
      with between 4 and 43 (median 18) compounds found at each site. Overall,
      contamination levels were low, with over 89 % of the detected concentrations that
      were less than 0.5 MUg L(-1). Results suggest that most of the sampled aquifers
      have been impacted by non-point source pollution. Most of the contaminants
      detected are either currently not regulated in drinking water or are present at
      low levels. A health risk assessment for detected contaminants implied that there
      were no risks to humans. Since this study was based on a limited number of
      samples, especially in HCM, further, more detailed studies on the occurrence of
      OMPs in groundwater in HCM and a full risk assessment of detected contaminants
      should be prioritized.

PMID- 26286800
TI  - Threats to water resources from hexachlorobenzene waste at Kalush City (Ukraine)-
      a review of the risks and the remediation options.
AB  - The production of chlorinated solvents such as tetrachloroethylene and
      tetrachloromethane has resulted in large stockpiles of unintentionally produced
      persistent organic pollutants (POPs) including high content of hexachlorobenzene
      (HCB waste). HCB waste of 15,000 t arising from the production of chlorinated
      solvents at the Kalush factory in Ukraine was landfilled. In 2008, it was
      discovered that HCB and other pollutants were escaping from the landfill into
      local environment including the Sapogi-Limnytsia Rivers, tributaries of the
      Dniester River. This showed that the HCB waste was not appropriately contained
      and represented a threat to the Dniester River basin. A Presidential Decree of
      Ukraine was therefore issued requiring remediation of the site and excavation of
      the waste. Between 2010 and 2013, approximately 29,445 t of HCB waste and
      associated contaminated soil was excavated and exported to various EU countries
      for incineration. This excavation revealed that these wastes can corrode through
      their drums within a few decades with release of pollutants. Other sites at which
      chlorinated solvents were produced should therefore be assessed for possible
      similar pollution. Despite the remediation efforts and the excavation of the
      landfill, the Kalush area remains a POP-contaminated site requiring further
      assessment. A part of the waste was exported to Poland and is stored close to the
      Baltic Sea and is treated in an incinerator with small capacity over a time frame
      of years. This case and recent similar cases reveal that the control of POP waste
      for destruction even in EU countries needs to be improved.

PMID- 26286801
TI  - Preparation and characterization of green bricks using pharmaceutical industrial
      wastes.
AB  - This paper reports on recycling of industrial wastes (three pharmaceutical
      industrial sludges) into environmental friendly value-added materials.
      Stabilization/Solidification (S/S or bricks) process was applied to make a safer
      way for the utilization of pharmaceutical waste. The additives in this study
      include binders (cement, lime and bentonite) and strengthening material
      (pulverized fuel ash (PFA), silica fume and quarry dust) was used at different
      compositions. Bricks were cured for 28 days, and the following analysis-like
      compressive strength, leachability of heavy metals, mineralogical phase identity
      by X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy
      (FTIR) and thermal behaviour by thermogravimetric-differential thermal analysis
      (TG-DTA) had done. All the bricks were observed to achieve the standard
      compressive strength as required for construction according to BIS standards.
      Metal concentration in the leachate has reached the dischargeable limits
      according to Brazilian standards. Results of this study demonstrate that
      production of bricks is a promising and achievable productive use of
      pharmaceutical sludge. 

PMID- 26286802
TI  - Comparative analyses of genotoxicity, oxidative stress and antioxidative defence
      system under exposure of methyl parathion and hexaconazole in barley (Hordeum
      vulgare L.).
AB  - The present study aims to evaluate the comparative effects of methyl parathion
      and hexaconazole on genotoxicity, oxidative stress, antioxidative defence system
      and photosynthetic pigments in barley (Hordeum vulgare L. variety karan-16). The
      seeds were exposed with three different concentrations, i.e. 0.05, 0.1 and 0.5 %
      for 6 h after three pre-soaking durations 7, 17 and 27 h which represents G1, S
      and G2 phases of the cell cycle, respectively. Ethyl methane sulphonate, a well
      known mutagenic agent and double distilled water, was used as positive and
      negative controls, respectively. The results indicate significant decrease in
      mitotic index with increasing concentrations of pesticides, and the extent was
      higher in methyl parathion. Chromosomal aberrations were found more frequent in
      methyl parathion than hexaconazole as compared to their respective controls.
      Treatment with the pesticides induced oxidative stress which was evident with
      higher contents of H2O2 and lipid peroxidation, and the increase was more
      prominent in methyl parathion. Contents of total phenolics were increased;
      however, soluble protein content showed a reverse trend. Among the enzymatic
      antioxidants, activities of superoxide dismutase and peroxidase were
      significantly up-regulated, and more increase was noticed in hexaconazole.
      Increments in total chlorophyll and carotenoid contents were observed up to 0.1 %
      but decreased at higher concentration (0.5 %), and the reductions were more
      prominent in methyl parathion than hexaconazole as compared to their respective
      controls. Methyl parathion treatment caused more damage in the plant cells of
      barley as compared to hexaconazole, which may be closely related to higher
      genotoxicity and oxidative stress.

PMID- 26286803
TI  - Determining soil enzyme activities for the assessment of fungi and citric acid
      assisted phytoextraction under cadmium and lead contamination.
AB  - Microorganism or chelate-assisted phytoextraction is an effective remediation
      tool for heavy metal polluted soil, but investigations into its impact on soil
      microbial activity are rarely reported. Consequently, cadmium (Cd)- and lead (Pb)
      resistant fungi and citric acid (CA) were introduced to enhance phytoextraction
      by Solanum nigrum L. under varied Cd and Pb pollution levels in a greenhouse pot
      experiment. We then determined accumulation of Cd and Pb in S. nigrum and the
      soil enzyme activities of dehydrogenase, phosphatase, urease, catalase, sucrase,
      and amylase. Detrended canonical correspondence analysis (DCCA) was applied to
      assess the interactions between remediation strategies and soil enzyme
      activities. Results indicated that the addition of fungi, CA, or their
      combination enhanced the root biomass of S. nigrum, especially at the high
      pollution level. The combined treatment of CA and fungi enhanced accumulation of
      Cd about 22-47 % and of Pb about 13-105 % in S. nigrum compared with the
      phytoextraction alone. However, S. nigrum was not shown to be a hyperaccumulator
      for Pb. Most enzyme activities were enhanced after remediation. The DCCA
      ordination graph showed increasing enzyme activity improvement by remediation in
      the order of phosphatase, amylase, catalase, dehydrogenase, and urease. Responses
      of soil enzyme activities were similar for both the addition of fungi and that of
      CA. In summary, results suggest that fungi and CA-assisted phytoextraction is a
      promising approach to restoring heavy metal polluted soil.

PMID- 26286804
TI  - COST action TD1407: network on technology-critical elements (NOTICE)--from
      environmental processes to human health threats.
AB  - The current socio-economic, environmental and public health challenges that
      countries are facing clearly need common-defined strategies to inform and support
      our transition to a sustainable economy. Here, the technology-critical elements
      (which includes Ga, Ge, In, Te, Nb, Ta, Tl, the Platinum Group Elements and most
      of the rare-earth elements) are of great relevance in the development of emerging
      key technologies-including renewable energy, energy efficiency, electronics or
      the aerospace industry. In this context, the increasing use of technology
      critical elements (TCEs) and associated environmental impacts (from mining to end
      of-life waste products) is not restricted to a national level but covers most
      likely a global scale. Accordingly, the European COST Action TD1407: Network on
      Technology-Critical Elements (NOTICE)-from environmental processes to human
      health threats, has an overall objective for creating a network of scientists and
      practitioners interested in TCEs, from the evaluation of their environmental
      processes to understanding potential human health threats, with the aim of
      defining the current state of knowledge and gaps, proposing priority research
      lines/activities and acting as a platform for new collaborations and joint
      research projects. The Action is focused on three major scientific areas: (i)
      analytical chemistry, (ii) environmental biogeochemistry and (iii) human exposure
      and (eco)-toxicology.

PMID- 26286805
TI  - Hospital admissions of hypertension, angina, myocardial infarction and ischemic
      heart disease peaked at physiologically equivalent temperature 0 degrees C in
      Germany in 2009-2011.
AB  - We aimed to understand and to provide evidence on relationships of the weather as
      biometeorological and hospital admissions due to hypertension, angina, myocardial
      infarction and ischemic heart disease in a national setting in recent years that
      might help indicate when to expect more admissions for health professionals and
      the general public. This is an ecological study. Ten percent of daily hospital
      admissions from the included hospitals (n = 1618) across Germany that were
      available between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2011 (n = 5,235,600) were
      extracted from Statistisches Bundesamt, Germany. We identified I11 hypertensive
      heart disease, I13 hypertensive heart and renal disease, I15 secondary
      hypertension, I20 angina pectoris, I21 acute myocardial infarction and I25
      chronic ischemic heart disease by International Classification of Diseases
      version 10 as the study outcomes. Daily weather data from 64 weather stations
      that covered 13 German States including air temperature, humidity, wind speed,
      cloud cover, radiation flux and vapour pressure were obtained and generated into
      physiologically equivalent temperature (PET). Two-way fractional-polynomial
      prediction was plotted with 95% confidence intervals. Hospital admissions of
      hypertension, angina, myocardial infarction, heart disease peaked in winter and
      early spring when PETs were around 0 degrees C. Admissions had an apparent drop
      when PETs reached 10 degrees C. More medical resources could have been needed on
      days when PETs were around 0 degrees C than on other days. While adaptation to
      such weather change for health professionals and the general public would seem to
      be imperative, future research with a longitudinal monitoring would still be
      needed.

PMID- 26286806
TI  - No age-related decline in efficacy of photodynamic therapy for treatment of basal
      cell carcinoma.

PMID- 26286807
TI  - Inhibitory KIR3DL1 alleles are associated with psoriasis.

PMID- 26286809
TI  - svviz: a read viewer for validating structural variants.
AB  - Visualizing read alignments is the most effective way to validate candidate
      structural variants (SVs) with existing data. We present svviz, a sequencing read
      visualizer for SVs that sorts and displays only reads relevant to a candidate SV.
      svviz works by searching input bam(s) for potentially relevant reads, realigning
      them against the inferred sequence of the putative variant allele as well as the
      reference allele and identifying reads that match one allele better than the
      other. Separate views of the two alleles are then displayed in a scrollable web
      browser view, enabling a more intuitive visualization of each allele, compared
      with the single reference genome-based view common to most current read browsers.
      The browser view facilitates examining the evidence for or against a putative
      variant, estimating zygosity, visualizing affected genomic annotations and manual
      refinement of breakpoints. svviz supports data from most modern sequencing
      platforms. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: svviz is implemented in python and
      freely available from http://svviz.github.io/.

PMID- 26286808
TI  - An integrated structure- and system-based framework to identify new targets of
      metabolites and known drugs.
AB  - MOTIVATION: The inherent promiscuity of small molecules towards protein targets
      impedes our understanding of healthy versus diseased metabolism. This promiscuity
      also poses a challenge for the pharmaceutical industry as identifying all protein
      targets is important to assess (side) effects and repositioning opportunities for
      a drug. RESULTS: Here, we present a novel integrated structure- and system-based
      approach of drug-target prediction (iDTP) to enable the large-scale discovery of
      new targets for small molecules, such as pharmaceutical drugs, co-factors and
      metabolites (collectively called 'drugs'). For a given drug, our method uses
      sequence order-independent structure alignment, hierarchical clustering and
      probabilistic sequence similarity to construct a probabilistic pocket ensemble
      (PPE) that captures promiscuous structural features of different binding sites on
      known targets. A drug's PPE is combined with an approximation of its delivery
      profile to reduce false positives. In our cross-validation study, we use iDTP to
      predict the known targets of 11 drugs, with 63% sensitivity and 81% specificity.
      We then predicted novel targets for these drugs-two that are of high
      pharmacological interest, the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma
      and the oncogene B-cell lymphoma 2, were successfully validated through in vitro
      binding experiments. Our method is broadly applicable for the prediction of
      protein-small molecule interactions with several novel applications to biological
      research and drug development. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: The program,
      datasets and results are freely available to academic users at
      http://sfb.kaust.edu.sa/Pages/Software.aspx.

PMID- 26286810
TI  - GenomeLaser: fast and accurate haplotyping from pedigree genotypes.
AB  - We present a software tool called GenomeLaser that determines the haplotypes of
      each person from unphased high-throughput genotypes in family pedigrees. This
      method features high accuracy, chromosome-range phasing distance, linear
      computing, flexible pedigree types and flexible genetic marker types.
      AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION:
      http://www.4dgenome.com/software/genomelaser.html.

PMID- 26286811
TI  - Epidermolysis bullosa simplex with mottled pigmentation with noncicatricial
      alopecia: identification of a recurrent p.P25L mutation in KRT5 in four affected
      family members.

PMID- 26286812
TI  - Correcting gene expression data when neither the unwanted variation nor the
      factor of interest are observed.
AB  - When dealing with large scale gene expression studies, observations are commonly
      contaminated by sources of unwanted variation such as platforms or batches. Not
      taking this unwanted variation into account when analyzing the data can lead to
      spurious associations and to missing important signals. When the analysis is
      unsupervised, e.g. when the goal is to cluster the samples or to build a
      corrected version of the dataset--as opposed to the study of an observed factor
      of interest--taking unwanted variation into account can become a difficult task.
      The factors driving unwanted variation may be correlated with the unobserved
      factor of interest, so that correcting for the former can remove the latter if
      not done carefully. We show how negative control genes and replicate samples can
      be used to estimate unwanted variation in gene expression, and discuss how this
      information can be used to correct the expression data. The proposed methods are
      then evaluated on synthetic data and three gene expression datasets. They
      generally manage to remove unwanted variation without losing the signal of
      interest and compare favorably to state-of-the-art corrections. All proposed
      methods are implemented in the bioconductor package RUVnormalize.

PMID- 26286813
TI  - Langerhans cell sarcoma following marginal zone lymphoma: expanding the knowledge
      on mature B cell plasticity.
AB  - The concept of unidirectional differentiation of the haematopoietic stem cell has
      been challenged after recent findings that human B cell progenitors and even
      mature B cells can be reprogrammed into histiocytic/dendritic cells by altering
      expression of lineage-associated transcription factors. The conversion of mature
      B cell lymphomas to Langerhans cell neoplasms is not well documented. Three
      previous reports have described clonally related follicular lymphoma and
      Langerhans cell tumours, whereas no case has been published of clonally related
      marginal zone lymphoma and Langerhans cell sarcoma. We describe the case of a 77
      year-old patient who developed a Langerhans cell sarcoma and 6 years later a
      nodal marginal zone lymphoma. Mutation status examination showed 100 % gene
      identity to the germline sequence, suggesting direct trans-differentiation or
      dedifferentiation of the nodal marginal zone lymphoma to the Langerhans cell
      sarcoma rather than a common progenitor. We found inactivation of paired box 5
      (PAX-5) in the lymphoma cells by methylation, along with duplication of part of
      the long arm of chromosomes 16 and 17 in the sarcoma cells. The absence of PAX-5
      could have triggered B cells to differentiate into macrophages and dendritic
      cells. On the other hand, chromosomal imbalances might have activated genes
      involved in myeloid lineage maturation, transcription activation and oncogenesis.
      We hypothesize that this occurred because of previous therapies for nodal
      marginal zone lymphoma. Better understanding of this phenomenon may help in
      unravelling the molecular interplay between transcription factors during
      haematopoietic lineage commitment and may expand the spectrum of clonally related
      mature B cell neoplasms and Langerhans cell tumours.

PMID- 26286815
TI  - Prevalence of diabetes mellitus in patients with sepsis-triggered Takotsubo
      syndrome.

PMID- 26286814
TI  - Validity of non-invasive point-of-care hemoglobin estimation in healthy and sick
      children-a method comparison study.
AB  - This study was conducted at a tertiary care center in northern India to evaluate
      the validity of non-invasive transcutaneous hemoglobin estimation in healthy and
      sick children in comparison to hemoglobin estimation by traditional lab method. A
      method comparison study was conducted including 150 subjects. Enrolled patients
      included 80 neonates with average age of 3.9 +/- 2.1 days, and 70 children with
      average age of 5.8 +/- 2 years. Each population (newborn and children) comprised
      of almost equal numbers of healthy and critically ill patients with shock.
      Hemoglobin (Hb) was estimated on enrolment by transcutaneous spectrophotometry
      (SpHb) and traditional automated lab analyzer (Hb-Lab). Difference between Hb
      levels by the two methods (called bias) was measured and analyzed using Bland
      Altman method. Out of 148 data pairs analyzed, bias between SpHb and Hb-Lab was 
      1.52 +/- 1.91 g/dl (mean +/- SD). SpHb showed excellent positive correlation with
      Hb-Lab (r = 0.94 (p < 0.001)) and good visual agreement on Bland-Altman plots.
      Bias was higher in sick subjects with shock as compared to healthy ones in both
      neonatal and pediatric population (-2.31 +/- 2.21 g/dl versus -0.77 +/- 1.2 g/dl,
      respectively). CONCLUSIONS: SpHb showed good accuracy and correlated well with
      lab estimated Hb levels in healthy children. However, in children with impaired
      peripheral perfusion, its diagnostic accuracy was inadequate to justify routine
      use for quantification of severity of anemia and making transfusion decisions
      solely on non-invasive estimation of hemoglobin. WHAT IS KNOWN: Non-invasive
      hemoglobin estimation is a relatively new and novel method which has given mixed
      results regarding its potential efficacy in adults. There is limited data
      regarding usefulness and accuracy of non-invasive Hb estimation by SpHb in sick
      neonates and children. WHAT IS NEW: Non-invasive Hb estimation by SpHb monitor is
      reasonably accurate in healthy neonates and children. It can be used in
      critically ill children and neonates, but in conjunction with lab confirmation of
      Hb values.

PMID- 26286816
TI  - No correlation between body size and hydromorphone analgesia in obese patients in
      ED.

PMID- 26286817
TI  - Syncope with QT interval prolongation and T-wave inversion: pulmonary embolism.
AB  - The patient presented with syncope, without chest pain and dyspnea. There was no
      peripheral edema or nervous system signs. The electrocardiogram (ECG) showed QT
      interval prolongation with T-wave inversion in anterior and inferior leads. T
      wave inversion in the right-sided precordial leads should prompt consideration of
      right ventricular overload. The patient underwent computed tomography of the
      chest that demonstrated pulmonary embolism. Ultrasonography of the veins of the
      lower limbs revealed an isolated calf vein thrombosis.

PMID- 26286818
TI  - The characteristics of a cohort who tamper with prescribed and diverted opioid
      medications.
AB  - AIMS: To describe the methods and baseline characteristics of a cohort of people
      who tamper with pharmaceutical opioids, formed to examine changes in opioid use
      following introduction of Reformulated OxyContin(r). METHODS: Participants were
      606 people from three Australian jurisdictions who reported past month injecting,
      snorting, chewing or smoking of a pharmaceutical opioid and had engaged in these
      practices at least monthly in the past 6 months. Baseline interviews were
      conducted prior to introduction of Reformulated OxyContin(r) in April 2014.
      Patterns of opioid use and cohort characteristics were examined according to
      whether participants were prescribed opioid medications, or exclusively used
      diverted medication. RESULTS: The cohort reported high levels of moderate/severe
      depression (61%), moderate/severe anxiety (43%), post-traumatic stress disorder
      (42%), chronic pain or disability (past 6 months, 54%) and pain (past month,
      47%). Lifetime use of oxycodone, morphine, opioid substitution medications and
      codeine were common. Three-quarters (77%) reported ICD-10 lifetime pharmaceutical
      opioid dependence and 40% current heroin dependence. Thirteen percent reported
      past year overdose, and 70% reported at least one past month opioid injection
      related injury or disease. The cohort displayed complex clinical profiles, but
      participants currently receiving opioid substitution therapy who were also
      prescribed other opioids particularly reported a wide range of risk behaviors,
      despite their health service engagement. CONCLUSIONS: Findings highlight the
      heterogeneity in the patterns and clinical correlates of opioid use among people
      who tamper with pharmaceutical opioids. Targeted health interventions are
      essential to reduce the associated harms.

PMID- 26286819
TI  - Some Points to Make About an Original Article.

PMID- 26286820
TI  - Modelling heat conduction in polycrystalline hexagonal boron-nitride films.
AB  - We conducted extensive molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the thermal
      conductivity of polycrystalline hexagonal boron-nitride (h-BN) films. To this
      aim, we constructed large atomistic models of polycrystalline h-BN sheets with
      random and uniform grain configuration. By performing equilibrium molecular
      dynamics (EMD) simulations, we investigated the influence of the average grain
      size on the thermal conductivity of polycrystalline h-BN films at various
      temperatures. Using the EMD results, we constructed finite element models of
      polycrystalline h-BN sheets to probe the thermal conductivity of samples with
      larger grain sizes. Our multiscale investigations not only provide a general
      viewpoint regarding the heat conduction in h-BN films but also propose that
      polycrystalline h-BN sheets present high thermal conductivity comparable to
      monocrystalline sheets. 

PMID- 26286821
TI  - Global variations and time trends in the prevalence of primary open angle
      glaucoma (POAG): a systematic review and meta-analysis.
AB  - Systematic review of published population based surveys to examine the
      relationship between primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) prevalence and
      demographic factors. A literature search identified population-based studies with
      quantitative estimates of POAG prevalence (to October 2014). Multilevel binomial
      logistic regression of log-odds of POAG was used to examine the effect of age and
      gender among populations of different geographical and ethnic origins, adjusting
      for study design factors. Eighty-one studies were included (37 countries, 216 214
      participants, 5266 POAG cases). Black populations showed highest POAG prevalence,
      with 5.2% (95% credible interval (CrI) 3.7%, 7.2%) at 60 years, rising to 12.2%
      (95% CrI 8.9% to 16.6%) at 80 years. Increase in POAG prevalence per decade of
      age was greatest among Hispanics (2.31, 95% CrI 2.12, 2.52) and White populations
      (1.99, 95% CrI 1.86, 2.12), and lowest in East and South Asians (1.48, 95% CrI
      1.39, 1.57; 1.56, 95% CrI 1.31, 1.88, respectively). Men were more likely to have
      POAG than women (1.30, 95% CrI 1.22, 1.41). Older studies had lower POAG
      prevalence, which was related to the inclusion of intraocular pressure in the
      glaucoma definition. Studies with visual field data on all participants had a
      higher POAG prevalence than those with visual field data on a subset. Globally
      57.5 million people (95% CI 46.4 to 73.1 million) were affected by POAG in 2015,
      rising to 65.5 million (95% CrI 52.8, 83.2 million) by 2020. This systematic
      review provides the most precise estimates of POAG prevalence and shows omitting
      routine visual field assessment in population surveys may have affected case
      ascertainment. Our findings will be useful to future studies and healthcare
      planning. 

PMID- 26286822
TI  - Topical cyclosporine A 0.05% for recurrent anterior uveitis.
AB  - AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness of treatment with cyclosporine A 0.05% eye
      drops in reducing frequency and severity of recurrences in patients with
      recurrent anterior uveitis. METHODS: A retrospective case-crossover study was
      conducted by reviewing medical charts of patients treated for recurrent anterior
      uveitis between 2002 and 2011 at the Kellogg Eye Center by one cornea specialist.
      We identified patients who had been treated with topical cyclosporine A 0.05% and
      recorded data regarding demographics, episodes of anterior uveitis, severity of
      episodes and treatment modalities before and after initiation of cyclosporine A
      0.05%. RESULTS: Eight patients were identified as having been treated with
      topical cyclosporine 0.05% in addition to standard treatment with an average
      follow-up of 54.9+/-33.9 months (range: 28-143 months). The patients had
      statistically significant fewer episodes of anterior uveitis, shorter duration of
      episodes and fewer total days of inflammation per year while on topical
      cyclosporine 0.05%. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed improvement of recurrent
      anterior uveitis in patients while on conventional treatment with cyclosporine A
      0.05% compared with conventional treatment alone.

PMID- 26286823
TI  - Effect of bilateral sequential cataract extraction on intraocular pressure in non
      glaucomatous Asian eyes.
AB  - BACKGROUND/AIMS: To determine the effect of cataract extraction on intraocular
      pressure (IOP) of both eyes in patients undergoing sequential cataract
      extractions. METHODS: Retrospective review of 116 consecutive treatment-naive non
      glaucomatous patients who underwent sequential cataract extractions of bilateral
      eyes. Baseline and postsurgical IOP measurements of eyes after cataract
      extraction were reviewed. Postsurgical IOP of the first surgical eye was compared
      with the IOP of the (unoperated) second eye. RESULTS: Before surgery, there was
      no significant difference between the mean IOP of both eyes (15.4+/-2.6 mm Hg vs
      15.2+/-2.5 mm Hg, p=0.22), and good correlation of presurgical IOP in both eyes
      was observed. After surgery, mean IOP in the first surgical eye decreased to
      14.0+/-3.1 mm Hg at 1 month (p<=0.001). There was sustained and statistically
      significant (p<0.001) decrease in IOP in that eye for 2 years. Mean decrease in
      IOP ranged from 1.6 (8.6%) to 2.3 mm Hg (14.0%). In contrast, the IOP in the
      fellow (non-surgical) eye remained unchanged. Subsequently, cataract surgery to
      the fellow eye resulted in a decrease in IOP to a level similar to that of the
      previously operated eye, which was similarly sustained. Presurgical IOP was the
      only factor affecting the magnitude of decrease in IOP. CONCLUSIONS: There is
      sustained decrease in IOP after cataract extraction in non-glaucomatous eyes.
      This decrease is of greater magnitude in eyes with higher presurgical IOP and is
      not affected by the type of surgery performed. The effect of IOP decrease after
      surgery is unilateral and does not affect the fellow eye.

PMID- 26286824
TI  - Validation and reliability of the Cardiff Visual Ability Questionnaire for
      Children using Rasch analysis in a Turkish population.
AB  - AIM: To develop a Turkish version of the 25-item Cardiff Visual Ability
      Questionnaire for Children (CVAQC) and to evaluate the validity and reliability
      of the questionnaire. METHODS: The study involved two main phases. The first
      phase involved a cross-cultural adaptation of the CVAQC from English into
      Turkish. The second phase involved the completion of the Turkish version of the
      CVAQC by 150 partially sighted children (6-18 years old) and validity and
      reliability checks. Extent and construct validity were investigated using Rasch
      analysis and reliability by internal consistency and person separation index
      (PSI). RESULTS: An adequate conceptual equivalence was achieved following the
      linguistic adaptation process. The dataset for validation comprised 150
      participants, 88 (58.7%) of whom were male. Evidence of disordered thresholds was
      found for one item (item 17). This item was recorded by collapsing two categories
      and ordered thresholds were evident. All items of the CVAQC were found to fit the
      Rasch model (chi2 (df)=59.90 (2), p=0.159). The internal construct validity was
      good (mean item fit (SD) -0.054 (1.132), person fit (SD) -0.629 (2.079))
      indicating a single underlying construct. The reliability was good with
      Cronbach's alpha of 0.91 and PSI of 0.94. Differential item functioning (DIF) was
      tested for age, sex, diagnosis, degree of visual impairment, and comorbidity.
      Evidence of DIF was found on age for one item (item 10, reading the board at
      school). CONCLUSIONS: The Turkish version of the CVAQC is a valid, reliable, and
      unidimensional questionnaire for partially sighted children aged 6-18 years.
      TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Ankara University Ethics Committees registry number 06
      177-12.

PMID- 26286825
TI  - Mathematical abilities in dyslexic children: a diffusion tensor imaging study.
AB  - Dyslexia is characterized by a deficit in language processing which mainly
      affects word decoding and spelling skills. In addition, children with dyslexia
      also show problems in mathematics. However, for the latter, the underlying
      structural correlates have not been investigated. Sixteen children with dyslexia
      (mean age 9.8 years [0.39]) and 24 typically developing children (mean age 9.9
      years [0.29]) group matched for age, gender, IQ, and handedness underwent 3 T MR
      diffusion tensor imaging as well as cognitive testing. Tract-Based Spatial
      Statistics were performed to correlate behavioral data with diffusion data.
      Children with dyslexia performed worse than controls in standardized verbal
      number tasks, such as arithmetic efficiency tests (addition, subtraction,
      multiplication, division). In contrast, the two groups did not differ in the
      nonverbal number line task. Arithmetic efficiency, representing the total score
      of the four arithmetic tasks, multiplication, and division, correlated with
      diffusion measures in widespread areas of the white matter, including bilateral
      superior and inferior longitudinal fasciculi in children with dyslexia compared
      to controls. Children with dyslexia demonstrated lower performance in verbal
      number tasks but performed similarly to controls in a nonverbal number task.
      Further, an association between verbal arithmetic efficiency and diffusion
      measures was demonstrated in widespread areas of the white matter suggesting
      compensatory mechanisms in children with dyslexia compared to controls. Taken
      together, poor fact retrieval in children with dyslexia is likely a consequence
      of deficits in the language system, which not only affects literacy skills but
      also impacts on arithmetic skills.

PMID- 26286826
TI  - Cortical thinning in former professional soccer players.
AB  - Soccer is the most popular sport in the world. Soccer players are at high risk
      for repetitive subconcussive head impact when heading the ball. Whether this
      leads to long-term alterations of the brain's structure associated with cognitive
      decline remains unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate cortical thickness
      in former professional soccer players using high-resolution structural MR
      imaging. Fifteen former male professional soccer players (mean age 49.3 [SD 5.1]
      years) underwent high-resolution structural 3 T MR imaging, as well as cognitive
      testing. Fifteen male, age-matched former professional non-contact sport athletes
      (mean age 49.6 [SD 6.4] years) served as controls. Group analyses of cortical
      thickness were performed using voxel-based statistics. Soccer players
      demonstrated greater cortical thinning with increasing age compared to controls
      in the right inferolateral-parietal, temporal, and occipital cortex. Cortical
      thinning was associated with lower cognitive performance as well as with
      estimated exposure to repetitive subconcussive head impact. Neurocognitive
      evaluation revealed decreased memory performance in the soccer players compared
      to controls. The association of cortical thinning and decreased cognitive
      performance, as well as exposure to repetitive subconcussive head impact, further
      supports the hypothesis that repetitive subconcussive head impact may play a role
      in early cognitive decline in soccer players. Future studies are needed to
      elucidate the time course of changes in cortical thickness as well as their
      association with impaired cognitive function and possible underlying
      neurodegenerative process.

PMID- 26286827
TI  - Liquid demixing of intrinsically disordered proteins is seeded by poly(ADP
      ribose).
AB  - Intrinsically disordered proteins can phase separate from the soluble
      intracellular space, and tend to aggregate under pathological conditions. The
      physiological functions and molecular triggers of liquid demixing by phase
      separation are not well understood. Here we show in vitro and in vivo that the
      nucleic acid-mimicking biopolymer poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR) nucleates intracellular
      liquid demixing. PAR levels are markedly induced at sites of DNA damage, and we
      provide evidence that PAR-seeded liquid demixing results in rapid, yet transient
      and fully reversible assembly of various intrinsically disordered proteins at DNA
      break sites. Demixing, which relies on electrostatic interactions between
      positively charged RGG repeats and negatively charged PAR, is amplified by
      aggregation-prone prion-like domains, and orchestrates the earliest cellular
      responses to DNA breakage. We propose that PAR-seeded liquid demixing is a
      general mechanism to dynamically reorganize the soluble nuclear space with
      implications for pathological protein aggregation caused by derailed phase
      separation. 

PMID- 26286828
TI  - Redesigning inpatient care: Testing the effectiveness of an accountable care team
      model.
AB  - BACKGROUND: US healthcare underperforms on quality and safety metrics. Inpatient
      care constitutes an immense opportunity to intervene to improve care. OBJECTIVE:
      Describe a model of inpatient care and measure its impact. DESIGN: A quantitative
      assessment of the implementation of a new model of care. The graded
      implementation of the model allowed us to follow outcomes and measure their
      association with the dose of the implementation. SETTING AND PATIENTS: Inpatient
      medical and surgical units in a large academic health center. INTERVENTION: Eight
      interventions rooted in improving interprofessional collaboration (IPC), enabling
      data-driven decisions, and providing leadership were implemented. MEASUREMENTS:
      Outcome data from August 2012 to December 2013 were analyzed using generalized
      linear mixed models for associations with the implementation of the model. Length
      of stay (LOS) index, case-mix index-adjusted variable direct costs (CMI-adjusted
      VDC), 30-day readmission rates, overall patient satisfaction scores, and provider
      satisfaction with the model were measured. RESULTS: The implementation of the
      model was associated with decreases in LOS index (P < 0.0001) and CMI-adjusted
      VDC (P = 0.0006). We did not detect improvements in readmission rates or patient
      satisfaction scores. Most providers (95.8%, n = 92) agreed that the model had
      improved the quality and safety of the care delivered. CONCLUSIONS: Creating an
      environment and framework in which IPC is fostered, performance data are
      transparently available, and leadership is provided may improve value on both
      medical and surgical units. These interventions appear to be well accepted by
      front-line staff. Readmission rates and patient satisfaction remain challenging.

PMID- 26286829
TI  - Citation Analysis in Bariatric Surgery.

PMID- 26286830
TI  - Retraction Note to: Correlation between PARP-1 Val762Ala polymorphism and the
      risk of lung cancer in a Chinese population.

PMID- 26286831
TI  - A new application of plant virus nanoparticles as drug delivery in breast cancer.
AB  - Nanoparticles based on non-pathogenic viruses have opened up a novel sector in
      nanotechnology. Viral nanoparticles based on plant viruses have clear advantages
      over any synthetic nanoparticles as they are biocompatible and biodegradable self
      assembled and can be produced inexpensively on a large scale. From several such
      under-development platforms, only a few have been characterized in the target
      specific drugs into the cells. Potato virus X is presented as a carrier of the
      chemotherapeutic drug Herceptin that is currently used as a targeted therapy in
      (HER2+) breast cancer patients. Here, we used nanoparticles formed from the
      potato virus X to conjugate the Herceptin (Trastuzumab) monoclonal antibody as a
      new option in specific targeting of breast cancer. Bioconjugation was performed
      by EDC/sulfo-N-hydroxysuccinimide (sulfo-NHS) in a two-step protocol. Then, the
      efficiency of conjugation was investigated by different methods, including sodium
      dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), Western blot,
      ELISA, Zetasizer, and transmission electron microscopy. SDS-PAGE and Western blot
      analysis confirmed an 82-kDa protein band that resulted from conjugation of
      potato virus X (PVX) coat protein (27 kDa) to heavy chain of Herceptin (55 kDa).
      Zeta potential values for conjugated particles, PVX, and HER were -7.05, -21.4,
      and -1.48, respectively. We investigated the efficiency of PVX-Herceptin to
      induce SK-OV-3 and SK-BR-3 cells (HER2 positive cell lines) apoptosis. We
      therefore counted cells and measured apoptosis by flow cytometry assay, then
      compared with Herceptin alone. Based on our data, we confirmed the conjugation of
      PVX and Herceptin. This study suggests that the PVX-Herceptin conjugates enable
      Herceptin to become more potential therapeutic tools. 

PMID- 26286832
TI  - Pseudogene integrator complex subunit 6 pseudogene 1 (INTS6P1) as a novel plasma
      based biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma screening.
AB  - In this study, we aimed to determine whether the pseudogene integrator complex
      subunit 6 pseudogene 1 (INTS6P1) in plasma could be used as a novel approach to
      screen for and detect hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We explored the clinical
      role of INTS6P1: First, the expression level of INTS6P1 was measured in a cohort
      of 33 HCC tissue samples and adjacent normal liver tissue, next, the INTS6P1
      expression was detected in the culture medium and tumor cells in a cellular
      experiment, and last, the diagnostic performance of INTS6P1 was examined in an
      independent cohort of 100 people. The expression level of INTS6P1 was remarkably
      downregulated in the HCC tissues compared with that in the normal liver tissues
      (p = 0.0066). In plasma, the INTS6P1 levels were significantly decreased in HCC
      patients compared with non-HCC patients (p < 0.01). Additionally, we inferred
      that INTS6P1 might be a prospective biomarker for screening HCC patients in which
      the serum-AFP levels were lower than 20 ng/ml by the area under the curve
      receiver operating characteristic (AUC-ROC) analysis (p < 0.05). Pseudogene
      INTS6P1 could be used as a novel HCC plasma-based biomarker and might improve the
      accuracy of HCC screening. 

PMID- 26286833
TI  - Src and epidermal growth factor receptor mediate the pro-invasive activity of Bcl
      w.
AB  - Members of the Bcl-2 family are established regulators of cell death. However,
      recent studies have shown that they can also regulate cell migration, invasion,
      and cancer metastasis. These functions of cancer cells are promoted by pro
      survival Bcl-2 proteins (Bcl-2, Bcl-XL, and Bcl-w) but are suppressed by pro
      apoptotic members (Bax and Bak). We have previously shown that Bcl-w and Bcl-XL
      enhance the ability of respiratory complex-I to produce reactive oxygen species
      (ROS), stimulating the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-dependent invasion
      pathway. Here, we show that Bcl-w overexpression increases the phosphorylation of
      epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and Src, and their interaction. Our
      results show that ROS production induced by Bcl-w activates Src, which then binds
      to and phosphorylates EGFR, leading to stimulation of the PI3K-dependent invasion
      pathway. Importantly, Bcl-w-induced cell invasion was prevented by treating cells
      with gefitinib (Iressa, ZD1839), an anticancer drug that directly inhibits EGFR.
      We also show that Bcl-XL can stimulate Src and EGFR phosphorylation, and that
      this function of Bcl-XL and Bcl-w is antagonized by Bax and Bak. Overall, this
      study demonstrates the involvement of Src and EGFR in the regulation of cellular
      invasiveness by Bcl-2 proteins, suggesting that chemotherapeutics targeting EGFR
      may be useful in preventing the progression of cancers that have altered Bcl-2
      protein functions. 

PMID- 26286834
TI  - miR-20a enhances cisplatin resistance of human gastric cancer cell line by
      targeting NFKBIB.
AB  - Drug resistance of cancer cells can be regulated by the dysregulated miRNAs, and
      sustained NFkappaB activation also plays an important role in tumor resistance to
      chemotherapy. Here, we sought to investigate whether there was a correlation
      between miR-20a and the NFkappaB pathway to clarify the effects that miR-20a
      exerted on gastric cancer (GC) chemoresistance. We found that miR-20a was
      significantly upregulated in GC plasma and tissue samples. In addition, it was
      upregulated in GC plasma and tissues from patients with cisplatin-resistant
      gastric cancer cell line SGC7901/cisplatin (DDP). And the upregulation of miR-20a
      was concurrent with the downregulation of NFKBIB (also known as IkappaBbeta) as
      well as upregulation of p65, livin, and survivin. The luciferase activity
      suggested that NFKBIB was the direct target gene of miR-20a. Transfection of miR
      20a inhibitor could increase NFKBIB level; downregulate the expression of p65,
      livin, and survivin; and lead to a higher proportion of apoptotic cells in
      SGC7901/DDP cells. Conversely, ectopic expression of miR-20a dramatically
      decreased the expression of NFKBIB; increased the expression of p65, livin, and
      survivin; and resulted in a decrease in the apoptosis induced by DDP in SGC7901
      cells. Taken together, our findings suggested that miR-20a could promote
      activation of the NFkappaB pathway and downstream targets livin and survivin by
      targeting NFKBIB, which potentially contributed to GC chemoresistance. 

PMID- 26286836
TI  - Nitrogen Backbone Oligomers.
AB  - We found that nitrogen and hydrogen directly react at room temperature and
      pressures of ~35 GPa forming chains of single-bonded nitrogen atom with the rest
      of the bonds terminated with hydrogen atoms - as identified by IR absorption,
      Raman, X-ray diffraction experiments and theoretical calculations. At releasing
      pressures below ~10 GPa, the product transforms into hydrazine. Our findings
      might open a way for the practical synthesis of these extremely high energetic
      materials as the formation of nitrogen-hydrogen compounds is favorable already at
      pressures above 2 GPa according to the calculations. 

PMID- 26286835
TI  - MDR1 polymorphisms have an impact on the prognosis of Chinese diffuse large B
      cell lymphoma patients.
AB  - MDR1 (multidrug resistance 1) encodes an adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-dependent
      efflux transporter that plays a fundamental role in transportation of harmful
      compounds outside cells to maintain optimal health. The present study was aimed
      to investigate whether the MDR1 gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were
      associated with the prognosis of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Three
      common SNPs, including C1236T, G2677T/A, and C3435T were focused on, and a total
      of 150 DLBCL patients from Jiangsu Han population were successively genotyped by
      polymerase chain reaction-allele-specific primers (PCR-ASP) method or DNA direct
      sequencing. At locus C1236T, patients carrying T allele (genotype CT and TT) had
      a prolonged overall survival (OS) when compared with patients with CC genotype (2
      year OS 82.6 vs. 60.0 %, respectively; hazard ratio (HR) = 0.1, 95 % confidence
      interval (CI) 0.01-0.6, p = 0.016). At locus C3435T, complete remission/ complete
      remission unconfirmed (CR/CRu) rate in C allele group was significantly higher
      than T allele group (66.7 vs. 51.9 %, respectively; p = 0.009). The progression
      free survival (PFS) curves of with T (genotype CT and TT) and without T (genotype
      CC) were significantly different (2-year PFS 46.4 % in with T group vs. 73.7 % in
      without T group, respectively; HR = 1.9, 95 % CI 1.0-3.6, p = 0.045). At locus
      G2677T/A, the age for genotypes AG and AT groups was significantly younger than
      the other genotypes (51.1 +/- 12.6 vs. 57.7 +/- 13.4 years, respectively; p =
      0.033). In the haplotype analysis of loci 1236-3435, compared with T-C group, the
      C-T group displayed an inferior PFS rate (2-year PFS 23.0 vs. 50.6 %,
      respectively; HR = 7.8, 95 % CI 1.9-32.6, p = 0.005), while C-C and T-T groups
      showed an intermediate PFS rate. Our findings demonstrate that genotype CT + TT
      at locus C1236T, allele C, and genotype CC at locus C3435T might contribute to a
      relatively superior prognosis in DLBCL, as well as haplotype of T-C in loci 1236
      3435. Besides, genotypes at locus G2677T/A might affect age at diagnosis, which
      has important prognostic value for DLBCL. 

PMID- 26286837
TI  - Management strategies for sciatica (PEDro synthesis).

PMID- 26286838
TI  - Minimum interspatial electrode spacing to optimize air-cathode microbial fuel
      cell operation with a membrane electrode assembly.
AB  - An optimum electrode spacing of less than 1cm was determined for an air cathode
      microbial fuel cell (MFC) with a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) system. The
      lag period decreased as the electrode spacing increased and the voltage
      generation increased. Stable power density increased from 93 mW/m(2) to 248
      mW/m(2) when the electrode distance increased from 0mm to 9 mm. In the
      polarization test, a maximum power density (400 mW/m(2)) was obtained at a
      distance of 6mm. The oxygen mass transfer coefficient (KO=4.60*10(-5) cm/s) with
      a 0mm spacing was five times higher than that at a 9 mm spacing (0.89*10(-5)
      cm/s). Long-term operation of the MFC exhibited relatively stable anode
      potentials of -285+/-25 (0 mm) and -517+/-20 mV (3, 6, and 9 mm) and a gradual
      decrease in cathode potential for all distances, especially with 0-mm spacing.
      The performance of air cathode MFCs can be improved using minimum electrode
      spacing rather than no spacing.

PMID- 26286839
TI  - Chronic Intermittent Ethanol Exposure Enhances the Excitability and Synaptic
      Plasticity of Lateral Orbitofrontal Cortex Neurons and Induces a Tolerance to the
      Acute Inhibitory Actions of Ethanol.
AB  - Alcoholism is associated with changes in brain reward and control systems,
      including the prefrontal cortex. In prefrontal areas, the orbitofrontal cortex
      (OFC) has been suggested to have an important role in the development of alcohol
      abuse disorders and studies from this laboratory demonstrate that OFC-mediated
      behaviors are impaired in alcohol-dependent animals. However, it is not known
      whether chronic alcohol (ethanol) exposure alters the fundamental properties of
      OFC neurons. In this study, mice were exposed to repeated cycles of chronic
      intermittent ethanol (CIE) exposure to induce dependence and whole-cell patch
      clamp electrophysiology was used to examine the effects of CIE treatment on
      lateral OFC (lOFC) neuron excitability, synaptic transmission, and plasticity.
      Repeated cycles of CIE exposure and withdrawal enhanced current-evoked action
      potential (AP) spiking and this was accompanied by a reduction in the after
      hyperpolarization and a decrease in the functional activity of SK channels. CIE
      mice also showed an increase in the AMPA/NMDA ratio, and this was associated with
      an increase in GluA1/GluA2 AMPA receptor expression and a decrease in GluN2B NMDA
      receptor subunits. Following CIE treatment, lOFC neurons displayed a persistent
      long-term potentiation of glutamatergic synaptic transmission following a spike
      timing-dependent protocol. Lastly, CIE treatment diminished the inhibitory effect
      of acute ethanol on AP spiking of lOFC neurons and reduced expression of the
      GlyT1 transporter. Taken together, these results suggest that chronic exposure to
      ethanol leads to enhanced intrinsic excitability and glutamatergic synaptic
      signaling of lOFC neurons. These alterations may contribute to the impairment of
      OFC-dependent behaviors in alcohol-dependent individuals. 

PMID- 26286841
TI  - Prostate cancer imaging of FSHR antagonist modified with a hydrophilic linker.
AB  - Follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) is selectively expressed in
      endothelial cells of prostate cancer (PCa) and becomes a potential target for
      tumor diagnosis and therapy. (18)F-Al-NOTA-MAL-FSH1 is a promising PET imaging
      probe for targeting FSHR; however, the unfavorable abdominal backgrounds may
      hamper clinical translation. GGGRDN is a new hydrophilic linker, which can
      improve the imaging quality of radiolabeled peptides. In this study, GGGRDN-FSH1
      (denoted as FSH2) was designed and conjugated with NOTA-MAL for (18)F-Al
      radiolabeling. NOTA-MAL-FSH2 was obtained with about 50% yield and labeled using
      (18)F-Al in a one-step method within 20 min with a yield of 41.46 +/- 10.36% (non
      decay-corrected). The radiochemical purity was more than 95% and the specific
      activity was more than 50 GBq/umol. The in vitro stability studies were
      determined in PBS and human serum. (18)F-Al-NOTA-MAL-FSH2 remained stable in PBS
      and human serum. Balb/c nude mice bearing PC-3 human PCa were used for in vivo
      study. PC-3 tumors were clearly visualized with good contrast to background
      through microPET. ROI analysis showed the tumor uptake values were 2.68 +/- 0.52
      and 1.97 +/- 0.61%ID/g at 30 and 60 min post injection (p.i.), respectively.
      Biodistribution studies showed that the accumulations of (18)F-Al-NOTA-MAL-FSH2
      in liver and intestine were 0.47 +/- 0.11 and 0.12 +/- 0.03%ID/g respectively at
      60 min p.i. FSHR-binding specificity was also demonstrated by reduced tumor
      uptake after coinjection of excessive unlabeled FSH2. In conclusion, (18)F-Al
      NOTA-MAL-FSH2 was successfully prepared in a one-step method and showed better
      pharmacokinetics than (18) F-Al-NOTA-MAL-FSH1. Favorable preclinical study
      revealed that (18)F-Al-NOTA-MAL-FSH2 appears to be a promising candidate for FSHR
      positive tumor imaging.

PMID- 26286840
TI  - Does Cannabis Cause, Exacerbate or Ameliorate Psychiatric Disorders? An
      Oversimplified Debate Discussed.
AB  - There have been extensive policy shifts in the legality of recreational and
      therapeutic use of cannabis in the United States, as well as a steady increase in
      the number of people using the drug on a regular basis. Given these rapid
      societal changes, defining what is known scientifically about the consequences of
      cannabis use on mental health takes on added public health significance. The
      purpose of this circumspectives piece is to discuss evidence of cannabis' effects
      on two psychiatric conditions: post-traumatic stress disorder and psychotic
      disorders. Dr Haney and Dr Evins will discuss two viewpoints regarding the
      benefit and harm of cannabis use for these conditions, while outlining what
      remains unproven and requires further testing to move the field forward. 

PMID- 26286842
TI  - Luminal acetylcholine does not affect the activity of the CFTR in tracheal
      epithelia of pigs.
AB  - Fluid homeostasis mediated by the airway epithelium is required for proper lung
      function, and the CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator) Cl(
      ) channel is crucial for these processes. Luminal acetylcholine (ACh) acts as an
      auto-/paracrine mediator to activate Cl(-) channels in airway epithelia and
      evidence exists showing that nicotinic ACh receptors activate CFTR in murine
      airway epithelia. The present study investigated whether or not luminal ACh
      regulates CFTR activity in airway epithelia of pigs, an emerging model for
      investigations of human airway disease and cystic fibrosis (CF) in particular.
      Transepithelial ion currents of freshly dissected pig tracheal preparations were
      measured with Ussing chambers. Application of luminal ACh (100 MUM) induced an
      increase of the short-circuit current (I(SC)). The ACh effect was mimicked by
      muscarine and pilocarpine (100 MUM each) and was sensitive to muscarinic receptor
      antagonists (atropine, 4-DAMP, pirenzepine). No changes of the I(SC) were
      observed by nicotine (100 MUM) and ACh responses were not affected by nicotine or
      mecamylamine (25 MUM). Luminal application of IBMX (I, 100 MUM) and forskolin (F,
      10 MUM), increase the I(SC) and the I/F-induced current were decreased by the
      CFTR inhibitor GlyH-101 (GlyH, 50 MUM) indicating increased CFTR activity by I/F.
      In contrast, GlyH did not affect the ACh-induced current, indicating that the ACh
      response does not involve the activation of the CFTR. Results from this study
      suggest that luminal ACh does not regulate the activity of the CFTR in tracheal
      epithelia of pigs which opposes observation from studies using mice airway
      epithelium.

PMID- 26286844
TI  - Prokineticin Receptor Modulators May Potentially Treat Psychiatric and
      Neurological Disorders.

PMID- 26286843
TI  - The Relationship of Religiosity, Spirituality, Substance Abuse, and Depression
      Among Black Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM).
AB  - HIV infection rates continue to disproportionately affect Black men who have sex
      with men (Black MSM) compared to other groups. Research has shown that higher
      rates of substance use and higher levels of depression are positively correlated
      with higher sexual risk behavior, and little research has examined relationships
      between high levels of religiosity and spirituality prevalent in Black culture
      and issues of substance use and depression among Black MSM. This study did just
      that and found a relationship between religiosity, spirituality, and risk
      behavior. These relationships suggest that future HIV prevention models might
      incorporate religiosity and spirituality to increase the efficacy of risk
      reduction interventions for Black MSM. 

PMID- 26286845
TI  - Electrostatic interaction map reveals a new binding position for tropomyosin on F
      actin.
AB  - Azimuthal movement of tropomyosin around the F-actin thin filament is responsible
      for muscle activation and relaxation. Recently a model of alphaalpha-tropomyosin,
      derived from molecular-mechanics and electron microscopy of different contractile
      states, showed that tropomyosin is rather stiff and pre-bent to present one
      specific face to F-actin during azimuthal transitions. However, a new model based
      on cryo-EM of troponin- and myosin-free filaments proposes that the interacting
      face of tropomyosin can differ significantly from that in the original model.
      Because resolution was insufficient to assign tropomyosin side-chains, the
      interacting-face could not be unambiguously determined. Here, we use structural
      analysis and energy landscapes to further examine the proposed models. The
      observed bend in seven crystal structures of tropomyosin is much closer in
      direction and extent to the original model than to the new model. Additionally,
      we computed the interaction map for repositioning tropomyosin over the F-actin
      surface, but now extended over a much larger surface than previously (using the
      original interacting-face). This map shows two energy minima-one corresponding to
      the "blocked-state" as in the original model, and the other related by a simple
      24 A translation of tropomyosin parallel to the F-actin axis. The tropomyosin
      actin complex defined by the second minimum fits perfectly into the recent cryo
      EM density, without requiring any change in the interacting-face. Together, these
      data suggest that movement of tropomyosin between regulatory states does not
      require interacting-face rotation. Further, they imply that thin filament
      assembly may involve an interplay between initially seeded tropomyosin molecules
      growing from distinct binding-site regions on actin. 

PMID- 26286846
TI  - Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial of the Efficacy of Venlafaxine Versus
      Citalopram in the Treatment of the Acute Phase of Major Depressive Disorder.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There are many antidepressant medications with different side-effects
      and efficacy profiles. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we compared the efficacy of
      citalopram and venlafaxine in major depression, which has not yet been studied in
      Iran. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this double-blind, randomized controlled trial
      study, 39 patients aged 18-54 year old with major depressive disorder were
      randomly allocated into two groups in Yazd City, Iran, between March 2011 and
      December 2012. A total of 16 patients were treated with velafaxine and 23
      patients were treated with citalopram for 8 weeks. Hamilton Depression Rating
      Scale (HDRS) questionnaire was used for monitoring depression severity. Data were
      analyzed by SPSS version 20.0 software using Mann Whitney U test and chi-square
      statistical tests. RESULTS: The HDRS scores were decreased significantly in each
      group after 8 weeks of treatment (P = 0.001). However, there was no significant
      difference considering the score of HDRS (P = 0.110). Ten patients in the
      venlafaxine group and two patients in the citalopram group stopped using
      medication, all due to nausea or vomiting, or both, and the rate of these two
      side-effects was significantly higher in the venlafaxine group (P = 0.010).
      CONCLUSIONS: The efficacy of venlafaxine and citalopram are almost the same, but
      compliance for the use of medication, such as nausea and vomiting, in patients
      using venlafaxine is much higher than the citalopram group. Therefore, this
      implies that citalopram could be a safer antidepressant for patients suffering
      from major depression.

PMID- 26286848
TI  - Identification and characterization of VEGF-A-responsive neutrophils expressing
      CD49d, VEGFR1, and CXCR4 in mice and humans.
AB  - Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) is upregulated during hypoxia and
      is the major regulator of angiogenesis. VEGF-A expression has also been found to
      recruit myeloid cells to ischemic tissues where they contribute to angiogenesis.
      This study investigates the mechanisms underlying neutrophil recruitment to VEGF
      A as well as the characteristics of these neutrophils. A previously undefined
      circulating subset of neutrophils shown to be CD49d(+)VEGFR1(high)CXCR4(high) was
      identified in mice and humans. By using chimeric mice with impaired VEGF receptor
      1 (VEGFR1) or VEGFR2 signaling (Flt-1tk(-/-), tsad(-/-)), we found that parallel
      activation of VEGFR1 on neutrophils and VEGFR2 on endothelial cells was required
      for VEGF-A-induced recruitment of circulating neutrophils to tissue. Intravital
      microscopy of mouse microcirculation revealed that neutrophil recruitment by VEGF
      A versus by the chemokine macrophage inflammatory protein 2 (MIP-2 [CXCL2])
      involved the same steps of the recruitment cascade but that an additional
      neutrophil integrin (eg, VLA-4 [CD49d/CD29]) played a crucial role in neutrophil
      crawling and emigration to VEGF-A. Isolated CD49d(+) neutrophils featured
      increased chemokinesis but not chemotaxis compared with CD49d(-) neutrophils in
      the presence of VEGF-A. Finally, by targeting the integrin alpha4 subunit (CD49d)
      in a transplantation-based angiogenesis model that used avascular pancreatic
      islets transplanted to striated muscle, we demonstrated that inhibiting the
      recruitment of circulating proangiogenic neutrophils to hypoxic tissue impairs
      vessel neoformation. Thus, angiogenesis can be modulated by targeting cell
      surface receptors specifically involved in VEGF-A-dependent recruitment of
      proangiogenic neutrophils without compromising recruitment of the neutrophil
      population involved in the immune response to pathogens. 

PMID- 26286850
TI  - Proteasome inhibitors induce FLT3-ITD degradation through autophagy in AML cells.
AB  - Internal tandem duplication of the Fms-like tyrosine kinase-3 receptor (FLT3)
      internal tandem duplication (ITD) is found in 30% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
      and is associated with a poor outcome. In addition to tyrosine kinase inhibitors,
      therapeutic strategies that modulate the expression of FLT3-ITD are also
      promising. We show that AML samples bearing FLT3-ITD mutations are more sensitive
      to proteasome inhibitors than wild-type samples and this sensitivity is strongly
      correlated with a higher FLT3-ITD allelic burden. Using pharmacologic inhibitors
      of autophagy, specific downregulation of key autophagy proteins including Vps34,
      autophagy gene (Atg)5, Atg12, Atg13, biochemical, and microscopy studies, we
      demonstrated that proteasome inhibitors induced cytotoxic autophagy in AML cells.
      FLT3-ITD molecules were detectable within autophagosomes after bortezomib
      treatment indicating that autophagy induction was responsible for the early
      degradation of FLT3-ITD, which preceded the inhibition of mitogen-activated
      protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), PI3K/AKT, and
      STAT5 pathways, and subsequent activation of cell death. Moreover, proteasome
      inhibitors overcome resistance to quizartinib induced by mutations in the kinase
      domain of FLT3, suggesting that these compounds may prevent the emergence of
      mutant clones arising from tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatments. In xenograft
      mice models, bortezomib stimulated the conversion of LC3-I to LC3-II, indicating
      induction of autophagy in vivo, downregulated FLT3-ITD protein expression and
      improved overall survival. Therefore, selecting patients according to FLT3-ITD
      mutations could be a new way to detect a significant clinical activity of
      proteasome inhibitors in AML patients. 

PMID- 26286849
TI  - Genetic diminution of circulating prothrombin ameliorates multiorgan pathologies
      in sickle cell disease mice.
AB  - Sickle cell disease (SCD) results in vascular occlusions, chronic hemolytic
      anemia, and cumulative organ damage. A conspicuous feature of SCD is chronic
      inflammation and coagulation system activation. Thrombin (factor IIa [FIIa]) is
      both a central protease in hemostasis and a key modifier of inflammatory
      processes. To explore the hypothesis that reduced prothrombin (factor II [FII])
      levels in SCD will limit vaso-occlusion, vasculopathy, and inflammation, we used
      2 strategies to suppress FII in SCD mice. Weekly administration of FII antisense
      oligonucleotide "gapmer" to Berkeley SCD mice to selectively reduce circulating
      FII levels to ~10% of normal for 15 weeks significantly diminished early
      mortality. More comprehensive, long-term comparative studies were done using mice
      with genetic diminution of circulating FII. Here, cohorts of FII(lox/-) mice
      (constitutively carrying ~10% normal FII) and FII(WT) mice were tracked in
      parallel for a year following the imposition of SCD via hematopoietic stem cell
      transplantation. This genetically imposed suppression of FII levels resulted in
      an impressive reduction in inflammation (reduction in leukocytosis,
      thrombocytosis, and circulating interleukin-6 levels), reduced endothelial cell
      dysfunction (reduced endothelial activation and circulating soluble vascular cell
      adhesion molecule), and a significant improvement in SCD-associated end-organ
      damage (nephropathy, pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary inflammation, liver
      function, inflammatory infiltration, and microinfarctions). Notably, all of these
      benefits were achieved with a relatively modest 1.25-fold increase in prothrombin
      times, and in the absence of hemorrhagic complications. Taken together, these
      data establish that prothrombin is a powerful modifier of SCD-induced end-organ
      damage, and present a novel therapeutic target to ameliorate SCD pathologies. 

PMID- 26286847
TI  - Mitochondrial DNA maintenance: an appraisal.
AB  - Mitochondria play a crucial role in a variety of cellular processes ranging from
      energy metabolism, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and Ca(2+)
      handling to stress responses, cell survival, and death. Malfunction of the
      organelle may contribute to the pathogenesis of neuromuscular disorders, cancer,
      premature aging, and cardiovascular diseases, including myocardial ischemia,
      cardiomyopathy, and heart failure. Mitochondria are unique as they contain their
      own genome organized into DNA-protein complexes, so-called mitochondrial
      nucleoids, along with multiprotein machineries, which promote mitochondrial DNA
      (mtDNA) replication, transcription, and repair. Although the organelle possesses
      almost all known nuclear DNA repair pathways, including base excision repair,
      mismatch repair, and recombinational repair, the proximity of mtDNA to the main
      sites of ROS production and the lack of protective histones may result in
      increased susceptibility to oxidative stress and other types of mtDNA damage.
      Defects in the components of these highly organized machineries, which mediate
      mtDNA maintenance (replication and repair), may result in accumulation of point
      mutations and/or deletions in mtDNA and decreased mtDNA copy number impairing
      mitochondrial function. This review will focus on the mechanisms of mtDNA
      maintenance with emphasis on the proteins implicated in these processes and their
      functional role in various disease conditions and aging. 

PMID- 26286852
TI  - Smoke-free legislation in England has reduced stillbirths, neonatal mortality,
      and low birth weight.

PMID- 26286851
TI  - Increased CTLA-4(+) T cells and an increased ratio of monocytes with loss of
      class II (CD14(+) HLA-DR(lo/neg)) found in aggressive pediatric sarcoma patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: There is little information regarding the composition of peripheral
      blood immunity in sarcoma patients and even less in the context of pediatric
      sarcomas. We describe the immune status using flow cytometry of peripheral blood
      in patients with osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma and demonstrate excessive CD14 in
      tumor tissues. METHODS: Peripheral blood from patients with OS and ES was
      collected at diagnosis or relapse, and used for immune phenotyping of 74
      different leukocyte phenotypes. Blood from young adult healthy volunteers was
      collected as controls. Tumor tissues were analyzed by immunohistochemistry.
      RESULTS: Nineteen patients (average age = 14 y) and 16 controls (average age =
      25y) were enrolled on study. Of the 74 phenotypes, 14 were different between
      sarcoma patients and HV. Sarcoma patients' leukocytes contained a higher
      percentage of granulocytes (67 % sarcoma vs. 58 % HV; p = 0.003) and fewer
      lymphocytes (20 % sarcoma vs. 27 % HV; p = 0.001). Increased expression of CTLA-4
      was seen in both T cells in sarcoma patients as compared to HV (p = 0.05).
      Increased CD14(+) HLA-DR(lo/neg) immunosuppressive monocytes were seen in sarcoma
      patients (p = 0.03); primarily seen in OS. Increased tumor necrosis factor
      receptor II expression was seen on CD14(+) cells derived from sarcoma patients as
      compared to HV (p = 0.01). Massive infiltration of CD14(+) cells was seen in OS
      (>50 % of cells in the majority of tumors) compared to ES (<10-25 % of cells). In
      contrast, both OS and ES had limited T cell infiltration (generally <10 % of
      cells). CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric sarcoma patients exhibit several immune phenotypic
      differences that were exacerbated in more severe disease. These phenotypes have
      the potential to contribute to immune suppression and may indicate potential
      targets for immune therapies.

PMID- 26286853
TI  - In situ allicin generation using targeted alliinase delivery for inhibition of
      MIA PaCa-2 cells via epigenetic changes, oxidative stress and cyclin-dependent
      kinase inhibitor (CDKI) expression.
AB  - Allicin, an extremely active constituent of freshly crushed garlic, is produced
      upon reaction of substrate alliin with the enzyme alliinase (EC 4.4.1.4). Allicin
      has been shown to be toxic to several mammalian cells in vitro in a dose
      dependent manner. In the present study this cytotoxicity was taken to advantage
      to develop a novel approach to cancer treatment, based on site directed
      generation of allicin. Alliinase was chemically conjugated to a monoclonal
      antibody (mAb) which was directed against a specific pancreatic cancer marker,
      CA19-9. After the CA19-9 mAb-alliinase conjugate was bound to targeted pancreatic
      cancer cells (MIA PaCa-2 cells), on addition of alliin, the cancer cell-localized
      alliinase produced allicin, which effectively induced apoptosis in MIA PaCa-2
      cells. Specificity of anticancer activity of in situ generated allicin was
      demonstrated using a novel in vitro system-integrated discrete multiple organ co
      culture technique. Further, allicin-induced caspase-3 expression, DNA
      fragmentation, cell cycle arrest, p21(Waf1/Cip1) cyclin-dependent kinase
      inhibitor expression, ROS generation, GSH depletion, and led to various
      epigenetic modifications which resulted in stimulation of apoptosis. This
      approach offers a new therapeutic strategy, wherein alliin and alliinase-bound
      antibody work together to produce allicin at targeted locations which would
      reverse gene silencing and suppress cancer cell growth, suggesting that
      combination of these targeted agents may improve pancreatic cancer therapy. 

PMID- 26286855
TI  - Determining canine skin concentrations of terbinafine to guide the treatment of
      Malassezia dermatitis.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Terbinafine (TBF) is known to concentrate and persist in human skin.
      Its use is increasing in veterinary medicine, but there are limited data
      concerning its tissue concentration and efficacy in dogs. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES:
      (i) Describe TBF accumulation in canine skin; (ii) Integrate pharmacokinetic data
      with historical minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) results for Malassezia
      pachydermatis to verify the currently used dosage of TBF for the treatment of
      Malassezia dermatitis. ANIMALS: Ten healthy, client-owned dogs. METHODS: Dogs
      were given TBF (generic preparation, 250 mg tablets) 30 mg/kg per os (p.o.) once
      daily for 21 days. Serum, sebum and stratum corneum (SC) samples were collected
      on days 1, 5, 7, 11, 14, 21, 28 and 35. High-pressure liquid chromatography was
      used to determine drug concentrations in samples. RESULTS: Relevant (mean +/-
      standard deviation) parameters for TBF in serum, paw SC, thorax SC and sebum,
      respectively, were: maximum concentration (Cmax , MUg/mL) 23.59 +/- 10.41, 0.31
      +/- 0.26, 0.30 +/- 0.32 and 0.48 +/- 0.25; half-life (t1/2 , d) 4.49 +/- 2.24,
      6.34 +/- 5.33, 4.64 +/- 3.27 and 5.12 +/- 3.33; time to maximum concentration
      (Tmax , d) 10.40 +/- 6.98, 13.20 +/- 5.16, 11.90 +/- 8.62 and 10.60 +/- 3.69.
      CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: These results suggest that TBF does not
      achieve high concentrations in canine SC or sebum compared to serum. The mean
      Cmax of all skin tissues (paw SC, thorax SC and sebum) barely exceeded the
      reported Malassezia MIC90, of 0.25 MUg/mL, which indicates that doses higher than
      30 mg/kg p.o. once daily may be necessary.

PMID- 26286854
TI  - Morin mitigates acetaminophen-induced liver injury by potentiating Nrf2 regulated
      survival mechanism through molecular intervention in PHLPP2-Akt-Gsk3beta axis.
AB  - Acetaminophen (APAP) is frequently taken to relieve pain. Staggered APAP
      overdoses have been reported to cause acetaminophen-induced liver injury (AILI).
      Identification of efficacious therapeutic modalities to address complications
      imposed by accidental/intentional long-term APAP ingestion is needed. Morin, a
      plant-derived phytochemical, possesses a multitude of pharmacological properties
      including hepatoprotective action; however, the underlying mechanisms have been
      inadequately explored. Our present report demonstrates significant attenuation of
      APAP-mediated liver injury by morin supplementation in vivo as indicated by
      reduction in histological and serum markers of hepatotoxicity. Morin not only
      limited necroinflammation as revealed by reduced HMGB1 release, NALP3 and caspase
      1 maturation, but also suppressed oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction.
      This suggests that morin may have exerted its cytoprotective role by way of early
      intervention in the pathway leading to perpetuation of AILI. Morin reinforced
      cellular defenses by suppressing Nrf2 ubiquitination and promoting nuclear Nrf2
      retention as well as ARE-Nrf2 binding affinity. The effects were observed to be a
      result of molecular intervention in the activity of PHLPP2, a phosphatase
      previously reported by us to subdue cellular Nrf2 responses via Fyn kinase
      activation. Morin was observed to inhibit APAP-induced increase in PHLPP2
      activity ex vivo as well as its association with cellular target Akt1. As a
      result, morin prevented oxidative stress induced deactivation of Akt (Ser473)
      leading to suppression in GSK3beta and Fyn kinase activation. The study supports
      the inhibitory action of morin against PHLPP2-regulated Nrf2-suppression and
      hence indentifies Nrf2-potentiating property of morin that may be exploited in
      developing novel therapeutic strategy to address AILI. 

PMID- 26286857
TI  - Talking welfare: the importance of a common language.
AB  - Ontologies describing mouse phenotypes and pathology are well established and
      becoming more universally used (Smith and Eppig in Mamm Genome 23:653, 2012;
      Scofield et al. in J Biomed Semant 4:18, 2013). However, the language used to
      describe and disseminate cage-side observations is less well developed. This
      article explores the hurdles to unifying a language and terminology, and
      introduces our initial attempt to do so. 

PMID- 26286856
TI  - Proximal caries lesion detection in primary teeth: does this justify the
      association of diagnostic methods?
AB  - The aim of this clinical study was to evaluate and compare the performance of
      visual exam with use of the Nyvad criteria (visual examination - (VE)),
      interproximal radiography (BW), laser fluorescence device (DIAGNOdent Pen-DDPen),
      and their association in the diagnosis of proximal lesions in primary teeth. For
      this purpose, 45 children (n = 59 surfaces) of both sexes, aged between 5 and 9
      years were selected, who presented healthy primary molars or primary molars with
      signs suggestive of the presence of caries lesions. The surfaces were clinically
      evaluated and coded according to the Nyvad criteria and immediately afterwards
      with the DDPen. Radiographic exam was performed only on the surfaces coded with
      Nyvad scores 2, 3, 5, or 6. Active caries lesions and/or those with discontinuous
      surfaces were restored, considering the depth of lesion as reference standard.
      Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and area under ROC curve were calculated for
      each technique and its associations. Visual exam with Nyvad criteria presented
      the highest specificity, accuracy, and area under ROC curve values. The DDPen
      presented the highest sensitivity values. Association with one or more methods
      resulted in an increase in specificity. The performance of visual, radiographic,
      and DDpen exams and their associations were good; however, the clinical
      examination with the Nyvad criteria was sufficient for the diagnosis of
      interproximal lesions in primary teeth.

PMID- 26286858
TI  - Collaborative Cross and Diversity Outbred data resources in the Mouse Phenome
      Database.
AB  - The Mouse Phenome Database was originally conceived as a platform for the
      integration of phenotype data collected on a defined collection of 40 inbred
      mouse strains--the "phenome panel." This model provided an impetus for community
      data sharing, and integration was readily achieved through the reproducible
      genotypes of the phenome panel strains. Advances in the development of mouse
      populations lead to an expanded role of the Mouse Phenome Database to encompass
      new strain panels and inbred strain crosses. The recent introduction of the
      Collaborative Cross and Diversity Outbred mice, which share an extensive pool of
      genetic variation from eight founder inbred strains, presents new opportunities
      and challenges for community data resources. A wide variety of molecular and
      clinical phenotypes are being collected across genotypes, tissues, ages,
      environmental exposures, interventions, and treatments. The Mouse Phenome
      Database provides a framework for retrieval, integration, analysis, and display
      of these data, enabling them to be evaluated in the context of existing data from
      standard inbred strains. Primary data in the Mouse Phenome Database are supported
      by extensive metadata on protocols and procedures. These are centrally curated to
      ensure accuracy and reproducibility and to provide data in consistent formats.
      The Mouse Phenome Database represents an established and growing community data
      resource for mouse phenotype data and encourages submissions from new mouse
      resources, enabling investigators to integrate existing data into their studies
      of the phenotypic consequences of genetic variation.

PMID- 26286859
TI  - Leaf proteome rebalancing in Nicotiana benthamiana for upstream enrichment of a
      transiently expressed recombinant protein.
AB  - A key factor influencing the yield of biopharmaceuticals in plants is the ratio
      of recombinant to host proteins in crude extracts. Postextraction procedures have
      been devised to enrich recombinant proteins before purification. Here, we
      assessed the potential of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) as a generic trigger of
      recombinant protein enrichment in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves before harvesting.
      Previous studies have reported a significant rebalancing of the leaf proteome via
      the jasmonate signalling pathway, associated with ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate
      carboxylase oxygenase (RuBisCO) depletion and the up-regulation of stress-related
      proteins. As expected, leaf proteome alterations were observed 7 days post-MeJA
      treatment, associated with lowered RuBisCO pools and the induction of stress
      inducible proteins such as protease inhibitors, thionins and chitinases. Leaf
      infiltration with the Agrobacterium tumefaciens bacterial vector 24 h post-MeJA
      treatment induced a strong accumulation of pathogenesis-related proteins after 6
      days, along with a near-complete reversal of MeJA-mediated stress protein up
      regulation. RuBisCO pools were partly restored upon infiltration, but most of the
      depletion effect observed in noninfiltrated plants was maintained over six more
      days, to give crude protein samples with 50% less RuBisCO than untreated tissue.
      These changes were associated with net levels reaching 425 MUg/g leaf tissue for
      the blood-typing monoclonal antibody C5-1 expressed in MeJA-treated leaves,
      compared to less than 200 MUg/g in untreated leaves. Our data confirm overall the
      ability of MeJA to trigger RuBisCO depletion and recombinant protein enrichment
      in N. benthamiana leaves, estimated here for C5-1 at more than 2-fold relative to
      host proteins.

PMID- 26286860
TI  - Differential diagnosis of leiomyoma in pregnancy: rapid growth, rapid regression
      and progestogenic effects.

PMID- 26286861
TI  - Six-dimensional quantum dynamics of dissociative chemisorption of H2 on Co(0001)
      on an accurate global potential energy surface.
AB  - Cobalt is a widely used catalyst for many heterogeneous reactions, including the
      Fischer-Tropsch (FT) process, which converts syngas (H2 and CO) to higher
      hydrocarbons. As a result, a better understanding of the key chemical steps on
      the Co surface, such as the dissociative chemisorption of H2 as an initial step
      of the FT process, is of fundamental importance. Here, we report an accurate full
      dimensional global potential energy surface for the dissociative chemisorption of
      H2 on the rigid Co(0001) surface constructed from more than 3000 density
      functional theory points. The high-fidelity potential energy surface was obtained
      using the permutation invariant polynomial-neural network method, which preserves
      both the permutation symmetry of H2 and translational symmetry of the Co(0001)
      surface. The reaction path features a very low barrier on the top site. Full
      dimensional quantum dynamical calculations provide insights into the dissociation
      dynamics and influence of the initial vibrational, rotational, and orientational
      degrees of freedom. 

PMID- 26286862
TI  - Dielectrophoretic characterization of cells in a stationary nanoliter droplet
      array with generated chemical gradients.
AB  - A novel design of reusable microfluidic platform that generates a stationary
      nanoliter droplet array (SNDA) for cell incubation and analysis, equipped with a
      complementary array of individually addressable electrodes for each microwell is
      studied. Various solute concentration gradients were generated between the wells
      where dielectrophoresis (DEP) was used to characterize the effect of the
      gradients on the cell's response. The feasibility of generating concentration
      gradients and observation of DEP responses was demonstrated using a gradient of
      salts in combination with microparticles and viable cells. L1210 Lymphoma cells
      were used as the model cells in these experiments. Lymphoma cells' cross-over
      frequency (COF) decreased with increasing stress conditions. Specifically, a
      linear decrease in the cell COF was measured as a function of solution tonicity
      and blebbistatin dose. Lymphoma cells were incubated under a gradient of the
      chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin (DOX), which led to saturation in the cell-COF
      response at 30 nM DOX, demonstrating the potential of the platform in screening
      of label-free drugs. 

PMID- 26286863
TI  - Early prognosis of metastasis risk in inflammatory breast cancer by texture
      analysis of tumour microscopic images.
AB  - Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a rare and aggressive type of locally
      advanced breast cancer. The purpose of this study was to determine the value of
      microscopic tumour histomorphology texture for prognosis of local and systemic
      recurrence at the time of initial IBC diagnosis. This retrospective study
      included a group of 52 patients selected on the basis of non-metastatic IBC
      diagnosis, stage IIIB. Gray-Level-Co-Occurrence-Matrix (GLCM) texture analysis
      was performed on digital images of primary tumour tissue sections stained with
      haematoxylin/eosin. Obtained values were categorized by use of both data- and
      outcome-based methods. All five acquired GLCM texture features significantly
      associated with metastasis outcome. By accuracies of 69-81% and AUCs of 0.71
      0.81, prognostic performance of GLCM parameters exceeded that of standard major
      IBC clinical prognosticators such as tumour grade and response to induction
      chemotherapy. Furthermore, a composite score consisting of tumour grade, contrast
      and correlation as independent features resulted in further enhancement of
      prognostic performance by accuracy of 89%, discrimination efficiency by AUC of
      0.93 and an outstanding hazard ratio of 71.6 (95%CI, 41.7-148.4). Internal
      validation was successfully performed by bootstrap and split-sample cross
      validation, suggesting that the model is generalizable. This study indicates for
      the first time the potential use of primary breast tumour histology texture as a
      highly accurate, simple and cost-effective prognostic indicator of metastasis
      risk in IBC. Clinical relevance of the obtained results rests on the role of
      prognosis in decisions on induction chemotherapy and the resulting impact on
      quality of life and survival.

PMID- 26286864
TI  - An algorithm for the reduction of genome-scale metabolic network models to
      meaningful core models.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Constraint-based analysis of genome-scale metabolic models has become
      a key methodology to gain insights into functions, capabilities, and properties
      of cellular metabolism. Since their inception, the size and complexity of genome
      scale metabolic reconstructions has significantly increased, with a concomitant
      increase in computational effort required for their analysis. Many stoichiometric
      methods cannot be applied to large networks comprising several thousand
      reactions. Furthermore, basic principles of an organism's metabolism can
      sometimes be easier studied in smaller models focusing on central metabolism.
      Therefore, an automated and unbiased reduction procedure delivering meaningful
      core networks from well-curated genome-scale reconstructions is highly desirable.
      RESULTS: Here we present NetworkReducer, a new algorithm for an automated
      reduction of metabolic reconstructions to obtain smaller models capturing the
      central metabolism or other metabolic modules of interest. The algorithm takes as
      input a network model and a list of protected elements and functions (phenotypes)
      and applies a pruning step followed by an optional compression step. Network
      pruning removes elements of the network that are dispensable for the protected
      functions and delivers a subnetwork of the full system. Loss-free network
      compression further reduces the network size but not the complexity (dimension)
      of the solution space. As a proof of concept, we applied NetworkReducer to the
      iAF1260 genome-scale model of Escherichia coli (2384 reactions, 1669 internal
      metabolites) to obtain a reduced model that (i) allows the same maximal growth
      rates under aerobic and anaerobic conditions as in the full model, and (ii)
      preserves a protected set of reactions representing the central carbon
      metabolism. The reduced representation comprises 85 metabolites and 105 reactions
      which we compare to a manually derived E. coli core model. As one particular
      strength of our approach, NetworkReducer derives a condensed biomass synthesis
      reaction that is consistent with the full genome-scale model. In a second case
      study, we reduced a genome-scale model of the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp.
      PCC 6803 to obtain a small metabolic module comprising photosynthetic core
      reactions and the Calvin-Benson cycle allowing synthesis of both biomass and a
      biofuel (ethanol). CONCLUSION: Although only genome-scale models provide a
      complete description of an organism's metabolic capabilities, an unbiased
      stoichiometric reduction of large-scale metabolic models is highly useful. We are
      confident that the NetworkReducer algorithm provides a valuable tool for the
      application of computationally expensive analyses, for educational purposes, as
      well to identify core models for kinetic modeling and isotopic tracer
      experiments.

PMID- 26286865
TI  - Molecular dynamics modeling of carbon dioxide, water and natural organic matter
      in Na-hectorite.
AB  - Molecular dynamics (MD) modeling of systems containing a Na-exchanged smectite
      clay (hectorite) and model natural organic matter (NOM) molecules along with pure
      H2O, pure CO2, or a mixture of H2O and CO2 provides significant new insight into
      the molecular scale interactions among silicate surfaces, dissolved cations and
      organic molecules, H2O and CO2 relevant to geological C-sequestration strategies.
      The simulations for systems containing H2O show the following results; (1) Na(+)
      does not bridge between NOM molecules and the clay surface at protonation states
      comparable to near neutral pH conditions. (2) In systems without CO2 the NOM
      molecules retain charge balancing cations and drift away from the silicate
      surface. (3) In systems containing both H2O and CO2, the NOM molecules adopt
      equilibrium positions at the H2O-CO2 interface with the more hydrophilic
      structural elements facing the H2O and the more hydrophobic ones facing the CO2.
      In systems with only CO2, NOM and Na(+) ions are pinned to the clay surface with
      the hydrophilic structural elements of the NOM pointed toward the clay surface.
      Dynamically, in systems with only CO2, Na(+) diffusion is nearly eliminated, and
      in systems with a thin water film on the clay surface diffusion perpendicular the
      surface is greatly reduced relative to the system with bulk water. Energetically,
      the results for the systems with only H2O show that hydration of the net charge
      neutral Na-NOM molecule outweighs the sum of its Coulombic and dispersive
      interactions with the net charge-neutral Na-clay particle and the interactions of
      the water molecules with the hydrophobic structural elements of the NOM. The
      aggregation of NOM molecules in solution appears to be driven not by Na(+)
      bridging between the molecules but by hydrophobic interactions between them. In
      contrast, for the systems with only CO2 the interaction between the Na-NOM
      molecules and the CO2 is outweighed by the interaction of NOM with the clay
      particle. With both H2O and CO2 present, the energetic interactions leading to
      the hydration of the Na-clay surface and the hydrophilic structural elements of
      the Na-NOM molecule and the hydrophobic interactions between the CO2 and the
      hydrophobic aromatic and aliphatic structural elements of the NOM can both be
      satisfied, leading to the Na-NOM molecules migrating away from the surface and
      residing at the H2O-CO2 interface. The MD results suggest some alternative
      explanations for the previously observed (23)Na NMR behavior of Na-hectorite at
      elevated temperatures and CO2 pressures. 

PMID- 26286867
TI  - LCZ696, The Need for an Indication in Arterial Hypertension.

PMID- 26286866
TI  - Cumulative Hypoxemia During Sleep Predicts Vascular Endothelial Dysfunction in
      Patients With Sleep-Disordered Breathing.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is associated with repeated
      intermittent hypoxemia, and it is known as one of the risk factors for
      cardiovascular diseases. Previous studies assessing the effects of frequency and
      depth of hypoxemia on cardiovascular diseases have shown conflicting results. The
      aim of the current study was to clarify what SDB-related parameters most predict
      endothelial dysfunction to better understand the pathogenesis of endothelial
      dysfunction in patients with SDB. METHODS: We conducted polysomnography (PSG) and
      measured flow-mediated vasodilation response (%FMD) in 50 outpatients suspected
      of SDB. Evaluated indices included: apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), 3% oxygen
      desaturation index (3%ODI), averaged arterial oxygen saturation (averaged SpO2),
      lowest arterial oxygen saturation (lowest SpO2), ratio of arterial oxygen
      saturation <90% (<SpO2 90%), and averaged time desaturation summation index (TDS:
      [100%-averaged SpO2] * total sleep time). RESULTS: Significant differences were
      observed only in the TDS between the first and third (P = 0.03) and between the
      first and forth (P = 0.04) quartile groups, stratified by %FMD. The %FMD showed a
      significant relationship with TDS (beta = -0.47, P = 0.001), even after adjusting
      for confounding factors (beta = -0.33, P = 0.02). In contrast, AHI, 3%ODI,
      averaged SpO2, lowest SpO2, and <SpO2 90% showed no significant relationships.
      CONCLUSIONS: This study shows the validity of TDS in predicting endothelial
      damage in patients with SDB. Cumulative hypoxemia, rather than the frequency of
      hypoxemic events presented as AHI, may be a greater contributing factor in
      causing endothelial dysfunction. A simple index like TDS may be a useful and
      novel indicator of the influence of SDB on the vasculature.

PMID- 26286868
TI  - Carnitine supplementation in high-fat diet-fed rats does not ameliorate lipid
      induced skeletal muscle mitochondrial dysfunction in vivo.
AB  - Muscle lipid overload and the associated accumulation of lipid intermediates play
      an important role in the development of insulin resistance. Carnitine
      insufficiency is a common feature of insulin-resistant states and might lead to
      incomplete fatty acid oxidation and impaired export of lipid intermediates out of
      the mitochondria. The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that
      carnitine supplementation reduces high-fat diet-induced lipotoxicity, improves
      muscle mitochondrial function, and ameliorates insulin resistance. Wistar rats
      were fed either normal chow or a high-fat diet for 15 wk. One group of high-fat
      diet-fed rats was supplemented with 300 mg.kg(-1).day(-1) L-carnitine during the
      last 8 wk. Muscle mitochondrial function was measured in vivo by (31)P magnetic
      resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and ex vivo by high-resolution respirometry. Muscle
      lipid status was determined by (1)H MRS (intramyocellular lipids) and tandem mass
      spectrometry (acylcarnitines). High-fat diet feeding induced insulin resistance
      and was associated with decreases in muscle and blood free carnitine, elevated
      levels of muscle lipids and acylcarnitines, and an increased number of muscle
      mitochondria that showed an improved capacity to oxidize fat-derived substrates
      when tested ex vivo. This was, however, not accompanied by an increase in muscle
      oxidative capacity in vivo, indicating that in vivo mitochondrial function was
      compromised. Despite partial normalization of muscle and blood free carnitine
      content, carnitine supplementation did not induce improvements in muscle lipid
      status, in vivo mitochondrial function, or insulin sensitivity. Carnitine
      insufficiency, therefore, does not play a major role in high-fat diet-induced
      muscle mitochondrial dysfunction in vivo.

PMID- 26286869
TI  - The skeleton in the closet: actin cytoskeletal remodeling in beta-cell function.
AB  - Over the last few decades, biomedical research has considered not only the
      function of single cells but also the importance of the physical environment
      within a whole tissue, including cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix
      interactions. Cytoskeleton organization and focal adhesions are crucial sensors
      for cells that enable them to rapidly communicate with the physical extracellular
      environment in response to extracellular stimuli, ensuring proper function and
      adaptation. The involvement of the microtubular-microfilamentous cytoskeleton in
      secretion mechanisms was proposed almost 50 years ago, since when the evolution
      of ever more sensitive and sophisticated methods in microscopy and in cell and
      molecular biology have led us to become aware of the importance of cytoskeleton
      remodeling for cell shape regulation and its crucial link with signaling pathways
      leading to beta-cell function. Emerging evidence suggests that dysfunction of
      cytoskeletal components or extracellular matrix modification influences a number
      of disorders through potential actin cytoskeleton disruption that could be
      involved in the initiation of multiple cellular functions. Perturbation of beta
      cell actin cytoskeleton remodeling could arise secondarily to islet inflammation
      and fibrosis, possibly accounting in part for impaired beta-cell function in type
      2 diabetes. This review focuses on the role of actin remodeling in insulin
      secretion mechanisms and its close relationship with focal adhesions and myosin
      II. 

PMID- 26286870
TI  - Natural Language Processing and the Promise of Big Data: Small Step Forward, but
      Many Miles to Go.

PMID- 26286871
TI  - Enhancing the Prediction of 30-Day Readmission After Percutaneous Coronary
      Intervention Using Data Extracted by Querying of the Electronic Health Record.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Early readmission after percutaneous coronary intervention is an
      important quality metric, but prediction models from registry data have only
      moderate discrimination. We aimed to improve ability to predict 30-day
      readmission after percutaneous coronary intervention from a previously validated
      registry-based model. METHODS AND RESULTS: We matched readmitted to non
      readmitted patients in a 1:2 ratio by risk of readmission, and extracted
      unstructured and unconventional structured data from the electronic medical
      record, including need for medical interpretation, albumin level, medical
      nonadherence, previous number of emergency department visits, atrial
      fibrillation/flutter, syncope/presyncope, end-stage liver disease, malignancy,
      and anxiety. We assessed differences in rates of these conditions between
      cases/controls, and estimated their independent association with 30-day
      readmission using logistic regression conditional on matched groups. Among 9288
      percutaneous coronary interventions, we matched 888 readmitted with 1776 non
      readmitted patients. In univariate analysis, cases and controls were
      significantly different with respect to interpreter (7.9% for cases and 5.3% for
      controls; P=0.009), emergency department visits (1.12 for cases and 0.77 for
      controls; P<0.001), homelessness (3.2% for cases and 1.6% for controls; P=0.007),
      anticoagulation (33.9% for cases and 22.1% for controls; P<0.001), atrial
      fibrillation/flutter (32.7% for cases and 28.9% for controls; P=0.045),
      presyncope/syncope (27.8% for cases and 21.3% for controls; P<0.001), and anxiety
      (69.4% for cases and 62.4% for controls; P<0.001). Anticoagulation, emergency
      department visits, and anxiety were independently associated with readmission.
      CONCLUSIONS: Patient characteristics derived from review of the electronic health
      record can be used to refine risk prediction for hospital readmission after
      percutaneous coronary intervention.

PMID- 26286872
TI  - A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Intranasal Midazolam and Chloral Hydrate
      for Procedural Sedation in Children.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intranasal midazolam and
      chloral hydrate syrup for procedural sedation in children. STUDY DESIGN:
      Prospective randomized placebo-controlled trial (double blind, double dummy).
      SETTING: Tertiary care hospital over 18 months. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Eighty-two
      children, 1 to 6 years old, undergoing auditory brainstem response testing were
      randomized to receive either intranasal midazolam with oral placebo or chloral
      hydrate syrup with placebo nasal spray. Intranasal midazolam was delivered at 0.5
      mg/kg (100 mcg per spray) and oral syrup at 50 mg/kg. Children not sedated at 30
      minutes had a second dose at half the initial dose. The primary outcomes measured
      were safety and efficacy. Secondary outcomes were time to onset of sedation,
      parental separation, nature of parental separation, parental satisfaction,
      audiologist's satisfaction, time to recovery, and number of attempts. RESULTS:
      Forty-one children were in each group, and no major adverse events were noted.
      The chloral hydrate group showed earlier onset of sedation (66%) compared with
      the intranasal midazolam group (33%). Significant difference in time to recovery
      was noted in the chloral hydrate group (78 minutes) versus the intranasal
      midazolam group (108 minutes). The parents' and audiologist's satisfaction was
      higher for chloral hydrate (95% and 75%) than for intranasal midazolam (49% and
      29%, respectively). Overall, sedation was 95% with chloral hydrate versus 51%
      with intranasal midazolam. Both drugs maintained sedation. CONCLUSIONS:
      Intranasal midazolam and chloral hydrate are both safe and efficacious for
      pediatric procedural sedation. Chloral hydrate was superior to intranasal
      midazolam, with an earlier time to onset of sedation, a faster recovery, better
      satisfaction among parents and the audiologist, and successful sedation.

PMID- 26286873
TI  - Life after Tracheostomy: Patient and Family Perspectives on Teaching,
      Transitions, and Multidisciplinary Teams.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To report patient/family experiences and outcomes after tracheostomy
      STUDY DESIGN: International survey of patients and families with tracheostomy.
      SETTING: Collaboration of the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Committee of
      the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and the Global
      Tracheostomy Collaborative. METHODS: A 50-item survey was developed with
      multistakeholder collaboration. The survey was disseminated via international
      social networks used by patients with a tracheostomy and their families.
      Qualitative and quantitative data were analyzed. RESULTS: Of 220 respondents, 90%
      cared for a pediatric patient with a tracheostomy. Only 48% of respondents felt
      "very prepared" at time of discharge, and 11% did not receive emergency
      preparedness training prior to discharge. Home nursing needs were inadequately
      met in 17% of families, with resulting difficulties shortly after discharge; 14%
      sought emergent care within 1 week of discharge. Nearly half of respondents
      indicated a desire to have met with a patient with a tracheostomy prior to
      surgery but were not offered that opportunity. Fragmented care or limited
      teamwork was reported by 32% of respondents, whereas tracheotomy care was
      described as "integrated" or "maximally integrated" for 67%. CONCLUSION: While
      many families report satisfaction with tracheostomy care, opportunities remain
      for improving care. This study highlights the importance of teaching, teamwork,
      and smoothing transition from the hospital. Potential quality improvement areas
      include standardizing tracheostomy teaching for routine and emergency needs and
      optimizing postdischarge support and coordination. Prior to surgery, connecting
      families to people with a tracheostomy may also be beneficial.

PMID- 26286878
TI  - Novel Application of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Demonstrates Characteristic
      Differences in Vasculature at Predilection Sites of Osteochondritis Dissecans.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Understanding the pathogenesis of osteochondrosis/osteochondritis
      dissecans and other developmental orthopaedic diseases that are thought to occur
      secondary to defects in vascular supply to growth/epiphyseal cartilage has been
      hampered by the inability to image the vasculature in this tissue. This is
      particularly true in human beings due to limitations of current imaging
      techniques and the lack of availability of appropriate cadaveric samples for
      histological studies. HYPOTHESIS: Susceptibility-weighted imaging, an MRI
      sequence, allows identification of characteristic differences in the vascular
      architecture in species that are affected by osteochondrosis/osteochondritis
      dissecans on the femoral condyle (humans and pigs) versus a species that is free
      of the disease (goat). STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. MATERIALS:
      Distal femora from cadavers of juvenile humans (n = 5), pigs (n = 3), and goats
      (n = 3) were scanned in a 9.4-T MRI scanner using susceptibility-weighted
      imaging. Three-dimensional reconstructions were created, and minimum intensity
      projections were calculated in 3 planes to enhance visualization of the vascular
      architecture. RESULTS: Susceptibility-weighted imaging allowed clear
      visualization of the epiphyseal vasculature in all species. Vascular
      architecture, with vessels primarily arising from the perichondrium, was similar
      in humans and pigs, which are predisposed to osteochondrosis/osteochondritis
      dissecans, and was starkly different from that present in goats, a species in
      which there are no reports of osteochondrosis/osteochondritis dissecans.
      Furthermore, vessels in the distal femoral predilection site disappeared with age
      in humans in a pattern similar to that reported previously in pigs. CONCLUSION:
      Nearly identical vascular architecture at the shared primary predilection site of
      osteochondrosis/osteochondritis dissecans in the femoral condyles in human beings
      and pigs suggests that vascular failure, which is known to be central to the
      pathogenesis of this disease in pigs, may also play a role in humans. CLINICAL
      RELEVANCE: This assumption of a shared pathogenesis is supported by the pattern
      of disappearance of vessels with age at the primary predilection site of
      osteochondritis dissecans in humans, which is essentially identical to that which
      has been reported in pigs. Susceptibility-weighted imaging will likely help
      further elucidate this potential relationship in the future.

PMID- 26286879
TI  - Prognostic Factors Affecting Rotator Cuff Healing After Arthroscopic Repair in
      Small to Medium-sized Tears.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Small and medium-sized rotator cuff tears usually have good clinical
      and anatomic outcomes. However, healing failure still occurs in some cases.
      PURPOSE: To evaluate prognostic factors for rotator cuff healing in patients with
      only small to medium-sized rotator cuff tears. STUDY DESIGN: Case-control study;
      Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: Data were prospectively collected from 339
      patients with small to medium-sized rotator cuff tears who underwent arthroscopic
      repair by a single surgeon between March 2004 and August 2012 and who underwent
      magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomographic arthrography at least 1 year
      after surgery. The mean age of the patients was 59.8 years (range, 39-80 years),
      and the mean follow-up time was 20.8 months (range, 12-66 months). The functional
      evaluation included the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, American Shoulder and
      Elbow Surgeons score, Constant-Murley score, and Simple Shoulder Test. RESULTS:
      Postoperative VAS for pain and functional scores improved significantly compared
      with preoperative values (P < .001). Forty-five healing failures occurred
      (13.3%), and fatty degeneration of the infraspinatus muscle, tear size
      (anteroposterior dimension), and age were significant factors affecting rotator
      cuff healing (P < .001, = .018, and = .011, respectively) in multivariate
      logistic regression analysis. Grade II and higher infraspinatus fatty
      degeneration correlated with a higher failure rate. The failure rate was also
      significantly higher in patients with a tear >2 cm in size (34.2%) compared with
      patients with a tear <=2 cm (10.6%) (P < .001). A receiver operating
      characteristic curve was used to determine the predictive cut-off value for the
      oldest age and the largest tear size for successful healing, which were
      calculated as 69 years and 2 cm, respectively, with a specificity of 90%.
      CONCLUSION: In small to medium-sized rotator cuff tears, grade II fatty
      degeneration of the infraspinatus muscle according to the Goutallier
      classification could be a reference point for successful healing, and anatomic
      outcomes might be better if repair is performed before the patient is 69 years
      old and the tear size exceeds 2 cm.

PMID- 26286880
TI  - Clinical and therapeutic factors associated with adverse pathological outcomes in
      clinically node-negative patients treated with neoadjuvant cisplatin-based
      chemotherapy and radical cystectomy.
AB  - PURPOSE: Several disease characteristics have been identified as potential
      predictors for pathological node involvement (pN+) following radical cystectomy
      (RC). However, these have not been assessed in patients treated with neoadjuvant
      chemotherapy (NAC). We endeavored to assess factors predicting adverse pathology
      in clinically node-negative patients treated with NAC and RC. METHODS: Patients
      from four North American institutions with cT2-4aN0M0 UC who received three or
      four cycles of NAC followed by RC were selected. Logistic regression was used to
      predict pN+, <pT2 and pT4 disease. RESULTS: One hundred and ninety-six patients
      were included. The clinical stage was cT2 in 115 (61 %), cT3 in 62 (33 %) and cT4
      in 12 (6 %) cases. NAC regiments were gemcitabine-cisplatin (GC)-4 cycles 57 (29
      %), GC-3 cycles 77 (39 %), methotrexate, vinblastine, adriamycin, cisplatin
      (MVAC)-3 cycle 22 (11 %) and MVAC-4 cycles 40 (21 %). pN+ was seen in 35 (18 %)
      patients. In the logistic regression analysis, cT4 stage (OR 7.50; 95 % CI 1.58
      33.3) and three compared to four cycles of GC (OR 3.44; 95 % CI 1.09-10.9) were
      significant predictors of pN+ status. Additionally, when controlling for clinical
      stage, three cycles of GC, compared to four, were significantly associated with
      higher rates of pT4 disease and lower rates of downstaging to non-muscle-invasive
      disease. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that four cycles of neoadjuvant GC may
      be superior to three cycles, and the latter regimen may be associated with
      adverse pathological findings. Although this would require validation in a
      prospective trial, it does encourage the completion of the conventional four
      cycles GC whenever possible.

PMID- 26286881
TI  - What do foraging wasps optimize in a variable environment, energy investment or
      body temperature?
AB  - Vespine wasps (Vespula sp.) are endowed with a pronounced ability of endothermic
      heat production. To show how they balance energetics and thermoregulation under
      variable environmental conditions, we measured the body temperature and
      respiration of sucrose foragers (1.5 M, unlimited flow) under variable ambient
      temperature (T a = 20-35  degrees C) and solar radiation (20-570 W m(-2)).
      Results revealed a graduated balancing of metabolic efforts with thermoregulatory
      needs. The thoracic temperature in the shade depended on ambient temperature,
      increasing from ~37 to 39  degrees C. However, wasps used solar heat gain to
      regulate their thorax temperature at a rather high level at low T a (mean T
      thorax ~ 39  degrees C). Only at high T a they used solar heat to reduce their
      metabolic rate remarkably. A high body temperature accelerated the suction speed
      and shortened foraging time. As the costs of foraging strongly depended on
      duration, the efficiency could be significantly increased with a high body
      temperature. Heat gain from solar radiation enabled the wasps to enhance foraging
      efficiency at high ambient temperature (T a = 30  degrees C) by up to 63 %. The
      well-balanced change of economic strategies in response to environmental
      conditions minimized costs of foraging and optimized energetic efficiency.

PMID- 26286882
TI  - Retrieval practice can eliminate list method directed forgetting.
AB  - It has recently been shown that retrieval practice can reduce memories'
      susceptibility to interference, like retroactive and proactive interference. In
      this study, we therefore examined whether retrieval practice can also reduce list
      method directed forgetting, a form of intentional forgetting that presupposes
      interference. In each of two experiments, subjects successively studied two lists
      of items. After studying each single list, subjects restudied the list items to
      enhance learning, or they were asked to recall the items. Following restudy or
      retrieval practice of list 1 items, subjects were cued to either forget the list
      or remember it for an upcoming final test. Experiment 1 employed a free-recall
      and Experiment 1 a cued-recall procedure on the final memory test. In both
      experiments, directed forgetting was present in the restudy condition but was
      absent in the retrieval-practice condition, indicating that retrieval practice
      can reduce or even eliminate this form of forgetting. The results are consistent
      with the view that retrieval practice enhances list segregation processes. Such
      processes may reduce interference between lists and thus reduce directed
      forgetting. 

PMID- 26286883
TI  - The description-experience gap in risky choice in nonhuman primates.
AB  - Risk attitudes in humans depend on the format used to present the gamble: we are
      more risk-averse for common gambles in the gains domain whose properties are
      described to us verbally than for those whose properties we learned about solely
      through experience. This difference, which constitutes part of the description
      experience gap, is important, because it highlights the role of knowledge
      acquisition in decision-making. The reasons for the gap remain obscure, but could
      depend upon uniquely human cognitive abilities, such as those associated with
      language. Thus, the gap may or may not extend to nonhuman animals. For this
      study, rhesus monkeys performed a novel task in which the properties of some
      gambles were explicitly cued (described), whereas others were learned through
      previous choices (experienced). Our monkeys displayed a description-experience
      gap. Overall, monkeys were more risk-seeking for experienced than for described
      gambles. This difference was observed for a range of gamble probabilities (from
      20% to 80% likelihood of payoff), indicating that it is not limited to low
      probability events. These results suggest that the description-experience gap
      does not depend on uniquely human cognitive abilities, such as those associated
      with language, and support the idea that epistemic influences on risk attitudes
      are evolutionarily ancient.

PMID- 26286885
TI  - Forced Displacement From Rental Housing: Prevalence and Neighborhood
      Consequences.
AB  - Drawing on novel survey data of Milwaukee renters, this study documents the
      prevalence of involuntary displacement from housing and estimates its
      consequences for neighborhood selection. More than one in eight Milwaukee renters
      experienced an eviction or other kind of forced move in the previous two years.
      Multivariate analyses suggest that renters who experienced a forced move relocate
      to poorer and higher-crime neighborhoods than those who move under less-demanding
      circumstances. By providing evidence implying that involuntary displacement is a
      critical yet overlooked mechanism of neighborhood inequality, this study helps to
      clarify why some city dwellers live in much worse neighborhoods than their peers.

PMID- 26286887
TI  - Blood pressure monitoring during exercise: comparison of pulse transit time and
      volume clamp methods.
AB  - During physical exercise, pulse transit time (PTT), expressed as the interval
      between ventricular electrical activity and peripheral pulse wave, may provide a
      surrogate estimate for blood pressure by the use of specific calibration
      procedures. The objective of this study was to determine systolic blood pressure
      (SBP) values derived from the PTT method and from an established method of non
      invasive continuous blood pressure measurement based on the volume clamp
      technique, and to compare their agreement with sphygmomanometry during exercise
      tests. In 18 subjects, electrocardiogram (ECG) and finger-photoplethysmography
      were continuously recorded during maximal cycle exercise tests. Intermittent and
      continuous blood pressure measurements were simultaneously taken using automated
      sphygmomanometry and a Portapres Model-2 device, respectively. PTT was calculated
      for each ECG R-wave and the corresponding steepest upstroke slope in the
      photoplethysmogram, and was transformed to a continuous blood pressure estimate
      using multipoint nonlinear regression calibration based on the individual
      subject's sphygmomanometer readings. Bland-Altman limits of agreement between PTT
      derived SBP estimates and sphygmomanometer values were -24.7 to 24.1 mmHg, and
      between Portapres and sphygmomanometer SBP values were -42.0 to 70.1 mmHg. For
      beat-to-beat SBP estimation during exercise, PTT measurement combined with
      multipoint nonlinear regression calibration based on intermittent
      sphygmomanometry may be an alternative to volume clamp devices.

PMID- 26286886
TI  - Activation of Hsp90 Enzymatic Activity and Conformational Dynamics through
      Rationally Designed Allosteric Ligands.
AB  - Hsp90 is a molecular chaperone of pivotal importance for multiple cell pathways.
      ATP-regulated internal dynamics are critical for its function and current
      pharmacological approaches block the chaperone with ATP-competitive inhibitors.
      Herein, a general approach to perturb Hsp90 through design of new allosteric
      ligands aimed at modulating its functional dynamics is proposed. Based on the
      characterization of a first set of 2-phenylbenzofurans showing stimulatory
      effects on Hsp90 ATPase and conformational dynamics, new ligands were developed
      that activate Hsp90 by targeting an allosteric site, located 65 A from the active
      site. Specifically, analysis of protein responses to first-generation activators
      was exploited to guide the design of novel derivatives with improved ability to
      stimulate ATP hydrolysis. The molecules' effects on Hsp90 enzymatic,
      conformational, co-chaperone and client-binding properties were characterized
      through biochemical, biophysical and cellular approaches. These designed probes
      act as allosteric activators of the chaperone and affect the viability of cancer
      cell lines for which proper functioning of Hsp90 is necessary. 

PMID- 26286888
TI  - Late diagnosis of Takayasu's arteritis with repeated attacks of heart failure and
      uncontrolled hypertension due to abdominal aortic thrombosis: case report and
      review of the literature.
AB  - Takayasu's arteritis (TA) is a chronic, idiopathic, inflammatory disease
      affecting the aorta and its branches. To date, only one case involving abdominal
      aortic thrombosis due to TA has been reported. After bilateral artificial
      subclavian-iliac bypass, a case of abdominal aortic thrombosis due to TA received
      a delayed diagnosis in a 44-year-old Chinese male who experienced recurrent
      episodes of heart failure and uncontrolled hypertension with claudication of two
      extremities. Abdominal color Doppler sonography and computed tomography
      aortography (CTA) showed occlusion of the abdominal aorta and bilateral renal
      artery stenosis. After vascular bypass and during 1 year follow-up, his cardiac
      function improved and blood pressure was well controlled, with reduced serum
      creatinine. Postoperative CTA still showed abdominal aortic thrombosis resulting
      in arterial occlusion extending from the left renal artery initial segment level
      to the bilateral common iliac artery and the bifurcation of the renal artery,
      except for the vascular bypass. Abdominal aortic thrombosis due to TA is very
      rare and potentially life threatening, probably becoming an atherosclerosis risk
      factor. Doppler sonography and CTA results are important for diagnosis.
      Artificial vascular bypass can be used for TA in debilitated patients with
      diffuse aortic disease.

PMID- 26286889
TI  - Distribution of temperature changes and neurovascular coupling in rat brain
      following 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "ecstasy") exposure.
AB  - (+/-)3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "ecstasy") is an abused
      psychostimulant that produces strong monoaminergic stimulation and whole-body
      hyperthermia. MDMA-induced thermogenesis involves activation of uncoupling
      proteins (UCPs), primarily a type specific to skeletal muscle (UCP-3) and absent
      from the brain, although other UCP types are expressed in the brain (e.g.
      thalamus) and might contribute to thermogenesis. Since neuroimaging of brain
      temperature could provide insights into MDMA action, we measured spatial
      distributions of systemically administered MDMA-induced temperature changes and
      dynamics in rat cortex and subcortex using a novel magnetic resonance method,
      Biosensor Imaging of Redundant Deviation in Shifts (BIRDS), with an exogenous
      temperature-sensitive probe (thulium ion and macrocyclic chelate 1,4,7,10
      tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetramethyl-1,4,7,10-tetraacetate (DOTMA(4-))).
      The MDMA-induced temperature rise was greater in the cortex than in the subcortex
      (1.6 +/- 0.4  degrees C versus 1.3 +/- 0.4  degrees C) and occurred more rapidly
      (2.0 +/- 0.2  degrees C/h versus 1.5 +/- 0.2  degrees C/h). MDMA-induced
      temperature changes and dynamics in the cortex and body were correlated, although
      the body temperature exceeded the cortex temperature before and after MDMA.
      Temperature, neuronal activity, and blood flow (CBF) were measured simultaneously
      in the cortex and subcortex (i.e. thalamus) to investigate possible differences
      of MDMA-induced warming across brain regions. MDMA-induced warming correlated
      with increases in neuronal activity and blood flow in the cortex, suggesting that
      the normal neurovascular response to increased neural activity was maintained. In
      contrast to the cortex, a biphasic relationship was seen in the subcortex (i.e.
      thalamus), with a decline in CBF as temperature and neural activity rose,
      transitioning to a rise in CBF for temperature above 37  degrees C, suggesting
      that MDMA affected CBF and neurovascular coupling differently in subcortical
      regions. Considering that MDMA effects on CBF and heat dissipation (as well as
      potential heat generation) may vary regionally, neuroprotection may require
      different cooling strategies.

PMID- 26286890
TI  - Role of fatty acids and micronutrients in healthy ageing: a systematic review of
      randomised controlled trials set in the context of European dietary surveys of
      older adults.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ageing is a multifaceted and inevitable process involving a decline
      in health and well-being that could be ameliorated by dietary modification. We
      review and discuss the evidence for nutritional interventions that may support
      healthy ageing. METHODS: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and
      Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used to identify randomised controlled
      trials investigating the role(s) of fatty acids and micronutrients in relation to
      markers of healthy ageing. RESULTS: European dietary surveys suggest that diets
      in elderly people are generally high in saturated fat, whereas intakes of vitamin
      D, magnesium, potassium, zinc and copper are below recommended levels. Thirty
      four studies meeting the criteria were found, with 12 of these investigating the
      role of fatty acids and 22 considering intakes of micronutrients in relation to
      healthy ageing. Overall, these studies suggested that certain nutrients were
      consistent with healthy ageing; for example, omega-3 fatty acids were helpful for
      cognitive health, whereas combinations of calcium, vitamin D and K were linked
      with better bone health. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin, mineral and fatty acid intakes are
      in need of improvement to help elderly populations achieve optimal diet quality
      and support healthy ageing. This could involve the judicious use of supplements
      alongside dietary advice. Additional research is needed to determine optimal
      nutrient doses, combinations and forms in relation to desired health outcomes.

PMID- 26286891
TI  - Age differences in hippocampal subfield volumes from childhood to late adulthood.
AB  - The hippocampus is composed of distinct subfields: the four cornu ammonis areas
      (CA1-CA4), dentate gyrus (DG), and subiculum. The few in vivo studies of human
      hippocampal subfields suggest that the extent of age differences in volume varies
      across subfields during healthy childhood development and aging. However, the
      associations between age and subfield volumes across the entire lifespan are
      unknown. Here, we used a high-resolution imaging technique and manually measured
      hippocampal subfield and entorhinal cortex volumes in a healthy lifespan sample
      (N = 202), ages 8-82 yrs. The magnitude of age differences in volume varied among
      the regions. Combined CA1-2 volume evidenced a negative linear association with
      age. In contrast, the associations between age and volumes of CA3-DG and the
      entorhinal cortex were negative in mid-childhood and attenuated in later
      adulthood. Volume of the subiculum was unrelated to age. The different magnitudes
      and patterns of age differences in subfield volumes may reflect dynamic
      microstructural factors and have implications for cognitive functions across the
      lifespan. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. 

PMID- 26286894
TI  - Laparoscopy improves clinical outcome of gastrointestinal fistula caused by
      Crohn's disease.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Benefits of laparoscopic surgery in the management of
      gastrointestinal fistula caused by Crohn disease need to be fully elucidated. We
      conducted this retrospective study to investigate the safety and feasibility and
      emphasize the advantages of laparoscopy compared with that of laparotomy for
      patients with gastrointestinal fistula caused by Crohn disease. MATERIALS AND
      METHODS: A total of 1213 patients with gastrointestinal fistula in our center
      were screened, and 318 qualified patients were enrolled and divided into
      laparoscopy (n = 122) and laparotomy (n = 196) groups. Postoperative
      complications, length of hospital stay, systemic stress responses to surgery,
      postoperative mortality, and economic burden were collected and compared.
      RESULTS: A total of 125 laparoscopic interventions were performed with a
      conversion rate of 20.0%. Fifteen versus 84 postoperative complications were
      obtained in laparoscopy and laparotomy groups, respectively (P = 0.0033). Total
      hospitalization was 22.7 d and 38.0 d in laparoscopy and laparotomy groups,
      respectively (P < 0.0001). Postoperative hospitalization was 10.9 d and 24.8 d in
      two groups, respectively (P < 0.0001). Elevation curve of serum C-reactive
      protein and procalcitonin in response to laparoscopy was significantly lower than
      that to laparotomy. Reduced postoperative mortality (P = 0.0292) and
      postoperative cost (P = 0.0292) were observed in laparoscopy instead of
      laparotomy group. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic approach is safe and feasible and
      could improve clinical outcome in gastrointestinal fistula patients with Crohn
      disease.

PMID- 26286893
TI  - Observations on hippocampal mossy cells in mink (Neovison vison) with special
      reference to dendrites ascending to the granular and molecular layers.
AB  - Detailed knowledge about the neural circuitry connecting the hippocampus and
      entorhinal cortex is necessary to understand how this system contributes to
      spatial navigation and episodic memory. The two principal cell types of the
      dentate gyrus, mossy cells and granule cells, are interconnected in a positive
      feedback loop, by which mossy cells can influence information passing from the
      entorhinal cortex via granule cells to hippocampal pyramidal cells. Mossy cells,
      like CA3 pyramidal cells, are characterized by thorny excrescences on their
      proximal dendrites, postsynaptic to giant terminals of granule cell axons. In
      addition to disynaptic input from the entorhinal cortex and perforant path via
      granule cells, mossy cells may also receive monosynaptic input from the perforant
      path via special dendrites ascending to the molecular layer. We here report
      qualitative and quantitative descriptions of Golgi-stained hippocampal mossy
      cells in mink, based on light microscopic observations and three-dimensional
      reconstructions. The main focus is on the location, branching pattern, and length
      of dendrites, particularly those ascending to the granular and molecular layers.
      In mink, the latter dendrites are more numerous than in rat, but fewer than in
      primates. They form on average 12% (and up to 29%) of the total dendritic length,
      and appear to cover the terminal fields of both the lateral and medial perforant
      paths. In further contrast to rat, the main mossy cell dendrites in mink branch
      more extensively with distal dendrites encroaching upon the CA3 field. The
      dendritic arbors extend both along and across the septotemporal axis of the
      dentate gyrus, not conforming to the lamellar pattern of the hippocampus. The
      findings suggest that the afferent input to the mossy cells becomes more complex
      in species closer to primates.

PMID- 26286892
TI  - Delirium superimposed on dementia: A quantitative and qualitative evaluation of
      informal caregivers and health care staff experience.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Delirium superimposed on dementia is common and potentially
      distressing for patients, caregivers, and health care staff. We quantitatively
      and qualitatively assessed the experience of informal caregiver and staff (staff
      nurses, nurse aides, physical therapists) caring for patients with delirium
      superimposed on dementia. METHODS: Caregivers' and staff experience was evaluated
      three days after delirium superimposed on dementia resolution (T0) with a
      standardized questionnaire (quantitative interview) and open-ended questions
      (qualitative interview); caregivers were also evaluated at 1-month follow-up
      (T1). RESULTS: A total of 74 subjects were included; 33 caregivers and 41 health
      care staff (8 staff nurses, 20 physical therapists, 13 staff nurse aides/health
      care assistants). Overall, at both T0 and T1, the distress level was moderate
      among caregivers and mild among health care staff. Caregivers reported, at both
      T0 and T1, higher distress related to deficits of sustained attention and
      orientation, hypokinesia/psychomotor retardation, incoherence and delusions. The
      distress of health care staff related to each specific item of the Delirium-O
      Meter was relatively low except for the physical therapists who reported higher
      level of distress on deficits of sustained/shifting attention and orientation,
      apathy, hypokinesia/psychomotor retardation, incoherence, delusion,
      hallucinations, and anxiety/fear. The qualitative evaluation identified important
      categories of caregivers' and staff feelings related to the delirium experience.
      CONCLUSIONS: This study provides information on the implication of the experience
      of delirium on caregivers and staff. The distress related to delirium
      superimposed on dementia underlines the importance of providing continuous
      training, support and experience for both the caregivers and health care staff to
      improve the care of patients with delirium superimposed on dementia.

PMID- 26286895
TI  - Immunoglobulin treatment in post-polio syndrome: Identification of responders and
      non-responders.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To define and characterize responders and non-responders in a group of
      124 patients with post-polio syndrome who received a single treatment with
      intravenous immunoglobulin. DESIGN: Open trial, prospective follow-up study.
      METHODS: Clinical examination and data from medical records. Short Form 36 (SF
      36), Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) and visual analogue scale
      (VAS) measured quality of life, physical activity and intensity of pain,
      respectively. Data were obtained before treatment and at 6-month follow-up.
      RESULTS: Two responder groups were identified with the outcome SF-36 Vitality and
      3 with Bodily pain, respectively. Forty-five percent were positive-responders,
      identified before treatment by reduced physical function, muscle atrophy in the
      lower extremities, higher levels of fatigue and pain, and a VAS pain score above
      20. Negative-responders were identified by good physical function and mental
      health, lesser muscle atrophy in the lower extremities, and low levels of fatigue
      and pain. CONCLUSION: Intravenous immunoglobulin is a biological intervention,
      and therefore it is important to be able to identify responders and non
      responders. In order to maximize a positive outcome it is suggested that patients
      with a high level of fatigue and/or pain and reduced physical function are
      selected.

PMID- 26286897
TI  - Does emotional intelligence predict breaking bad news skills in pediatric
      interns? A pilot study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: While both patients and physicians identify communication of bad news
      as an area of great challenge, the factors underlying this often complex task
      remain largely unknown. Emotional intelligence (EI) has been positively
      correlated with good general communication skills and successful leadership, but
      there is no literature relating EI to the delivery of bad news. PURPOSE: Our
      objectives were to determine: 1) performance of first-year pediatric residents in
      the delivery of bad news in a standardized patient (SP) setting; and 2) the role
      of EI in these assessments. Our hypothesis was that pediatric trainees with
      higher EI would demonstrate more advanced skills in this communication task.
      METHODS: Forty first-year residents participated. Skill in bad news delivery was
      assessed via SP encounters using a previously published assessment tool
      (GRIEV_ING Death Notification Protocol). Residents completed the Emotional and
      Social Competency Inventory (ESCI) as a measure of EI. RESULTS: Residents scored
      poorly on bad news delivery skills but scored well on EI. Intraclass correlation
      coefficients indicated moderate to substantial inter-rater reliability among
      raters using the delivering bad news assessment tool. However, no correlation was
      found between bad news delivery performance and EI. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded
      that first-year pediatric residents have inadequate skills in the delivery of bad
      news. In addition, our data suggest that higher EI alone is not sufficient to
      effectively deliver death news and more robust skill training is necessary for
      residents to gain competence and acquire mastery in this important communication
      domain.

PMID- 26286898
TI  - Does when you eat and exercise matter? Differences in eating and physical
      activity patterns in overweight and obese adults.
AB  - PURPOSE: Despite current recommendations and guidelines on the treatment of
      overweight and obesity, little is known about what patterns of energy intake or
      expenditure are ideal for weight loss. The present study examined patterns in
      energy intake and expenditure and explored whether those differences were
      associated with weight loss. METHODS: Self-monitoring data on energy intake and
      expenditure, along with minutes spent in exercise, were obtained from 90
      overweight or obese adults (mean BMI = 38.0) enrolled in two behavioral weight
      loss programs. Energy intake and minutes of daily exercise were self-reported and
      energy expenditure was obtained from the Caltrac accelerometers that were
      provided to participants. RESULTS: On weekends (Friday through Sunday),
      participants consumed more calories from breakfast (271 vs. 241 kcals/day; p <
      .01), dinner (605 vs. 547 kcals/day; p < .001), and alcohol (59 vs. 27 kcals/day;
      p < .01), as well as total daily calories (1669 vs. 1520 kcals/day; p < .001) and
      expended fewer total calories (2515 vs. 2614 kcals/day; p < .01) than on
      weekdays. Higher caloric intake on weekdays was associated with less overall
      weight loss (r = -.29, p < .01) and was marginally associated on weekends (r = 
      .19, p = .051). CONCLUSION: This investigation found evidence that while eating
      patterns clearly contribute to daily energy intake on weekdays and weekends, they
      may not necessarily contribute to weight change. At the end of the day, what may
      be most important is regular self-monitoring and total caloric intake on both the
      weekdays and weekends.

PMID- 26286899
TI  - Queries raised about MNA for frail older hospital patients.

PMID- 26286896
TI  - Latarcins: versatile spider venom peptides.
AB  - Arthropod venoms feature the presence of cytolytic peptides believed to act
      synergetically with neurotoxins to paralyze prey or deter aggressors. Many of
      them are linear, i.e., lack disulfide bonds. When isolated from the venom, or
      obtained by other means, these peptides exhibit common properties. They are
      cationic; being mostly disordered in aqueous solution, assume amphiphilic alpha
      helical structure in contact with lipid membranes; and exhibit general
      cytotoxicity, including antifungal, antimicrobial, hemolytic, and anticancer
      activities. To suit the pharmacological needs, the activity spectrum of these
      peptides should be modified by rational engineering. As an example, we provide a
      detailed review on latarcins (Ltc), linear cytolytic peptides from Lachesana
      tarabaevi spider venom. Diverse experimental and computational techniques were
      used to investigate the spatial structure of Ltc in membrane-mimicking
      environments and their effects on model lipid bilayers. The antibacterial
      activity of Ltc was studied against a panel of Gram-negative and Gram-positive
      bacteria. In addition, the action of Ltc on erythrocytes and cancer cells was
      investigated in detail with confocal laser scanning microscopy. In the present
      review, we give a critical account of the progress in the research of Ltc. We
      explore the relationship between Ltc structure and their biological activity and
      derive molecular characteristics, which can be used for optimization of other
      linear peptides. Current applications of Ltc and prospective use of similar
      membrane-active peptides are outlined.

PMID- 26286900
TI  - Is adductor pollicis muscle thickness a good predictor of lean mass in adults?
AB  - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Lean mass (LM) is an important parameter in clinical outcomes,
      which highlights the necessity of reliable tools for its estimation. The adductor
      pollicis muscle thickness (APMT) is easily accessible and suffers minimal
      interference from the adjacent subcutaneous fat tissue. OBJECTIVE: To assess the
      relationship between the APMT and LM in a sample of Southern Brazilian adults.
      METHODS: Participants were adults from the 1982 Pelotas (Brazil) Birth Cohort. LM
      was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). LM and lean mass index
      (LMI - LM divided by the square of height - kg/m(2)) were the outcomes. APMT was
      measured using a skinfold caliper. The mean of three measurements in the non
      dominant hand was used in the analyses. APMT was described according to socio
      demographic characteristics and nutritional status. The relationship between APMT
      and both LM and LMI was evaluated by correlation coefficient and linear
      regression using APMT as a single anthropometric parameter and also in addition
      to BMI. RESULTS: APMT was assessed in 3485 participants. APMT was higher in
      males, non-whites, less-schooled and obese individuals. APMT was moderately
      correlated to LM and LMI (ranged from 0.44 to 0.57). Correlation coefficients
      were higher for LMI as outcome and in females (LM: 0.51 and LMI: 0.57). APMT
      explained 19% and 26% of the variance in LM in males and females, respectively,
      whereas it explained 26% and 33% of the variance in LMI. APMT increased the
      prediction for LM in 3 and 4 percentage points in males and females, in
      comparison to explained by BMI. BMI explained 48% and 59% of the variance of LMI
      in males and females whereas APMT increased it to 51% and 62% for both sexes,
      respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Results were not good enough to promote the APMT as a
      single predictor of LM or LMI in epidemiological studies. APMT has a little
      predictive capacity in estimating LM or LMI when BMI is also considered.

PMID- 26286902
TI  - How quickly do albatrosses and petrels digest plastic particles?
AB  - Understanding how rapidly seabirds excrete or regurgitate ingested plastic items
      is important for their use as monitors of marine debris. van Franeker and Law
      (2015) inferred that fulmarine petrels excrete ~75% of plastic particles within a
      month of ingestion based on decreases in the amounts of plastic in the stomachs
      of adult petrels moving to relatively clean environments to breed. However,
      similar decreases occur among resident species due to adults passing plastic
      loads to their chicks. The few direct measures of wear rates and retention times
      of persistent stomach contents suggest longer plastic residence times in most
      albatrosses and petrels. Residence time presumably varies with item size, type of
      plastic, the amount and composition of other persistent stomach contents, and the
      size at which items are excreted, which may vary among taxa. Accurate measures of
      ingested plastic retention times are needed to better understand temporal and
      spatial patterns in ingested plastic loads within marine organisms, especially if
      they are to be used as indicators of plastic pollution trends. 

PMID- 26286901
TI  - Attitudes and Confidence in the Integration of Psychiatry Scale.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The authors sought to measure attitudes and confidence in the
      integration of psychiatry into other fields of medicine. METHODS: The Attitudes
      and Confidence in Integration of Psychiatry in Medicine (ACIP) scale was
      developed through discussion with content experts across disciplines and pilot
      testing of items and administered to third- and fourth-year medical students at
      University of Iowa, University of Michigan, Rush University for validation,
      focused on assessment of variability, internal consistency, factor structure, and
      test-retest reliability. RESULTS: A total of 310 medical students completed the
      survey (35% participation rate). The scale had a high internal consistency
      (Cronbach's alpha = 0.88) and was without ceiling or floor effects. Students
      rated the integration of psychiatry into the practice of surgery and its
      subspecialties as less relevant than its integration into other specialties;
      however, scores were not biased by students' interest in procedural vs. non
      procedural specialties. Test-retest reliability was high (Cronbach's alpha =
      0.90). CONCLUSIONS: The ACIP may serve a useful role in determining the outcome
      of educational efforts toward integrated care.

PMID- 26286903
TI  - Optimizing scintigraphic evaluation of split renal function in living kidney
      donors using the geometric mean method: a preliminary retrospective study.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Accurate assessment of pre-transplant split renal function in
      candidates for living kidney donation is indispensable for side-selection and a
      sufficient long-term residual renal function. OBJECTIVE: To analyse the need of
      depth correction in the assessment of split renal function in potential living
      kidney donors. METHODS: In 13 consecutive patients screened for living kidney
      donation split renal function was measured with four different methods including
      conventional posterior MAG-3-scintigraphy, the geometric mean method in MAG-3
      scintigraphy, MAG-3-scintigraphy with CT-based depth correction and CT-volumetry.
      Correlation and agreement of methods were analyzed using Spearman's rho
      correlation coefficient and the Bland-Altman method. RESULTS: Despite good
      correlation and agreement between the different radioisotopic methods there were
      clinically relevant differences in split renal function in 2/13 patients (15 %)
      between conventional posterior MAG-3 scan and the geometric mean method. The best
      correlation was found between the two scintigraphic methods with depth
      correction. Comparing radioisotopic methods with CT-volumetry, significant
      differences were found in up to 6/13 patients (46 %). CONCLUSIONS: Our results
      clearly indicate that in the case of living kidney donation further assessment
      concerning the accuracy and reliability of measuring split renal function is
      necessary. As there are no differences in duration of examination, costs and
      radiation exposure between techniques with and without depth correction, but
      clinically relevant differences in up to 46 % of patients, kidney depth should be
      incorporated in daily clinical practice of living kidney donor evaluation. The
      geometric mean method could significantly improve future patient assessment in
      cases of living kidney donation.

PMID- 26286904
TI  - Finding traction for mechanical circulatory support during coronary
      interventions.

PMID- 26286905
TI  - Use of mechanical circulatory support in patients undergoing percutaneous
      coronary intervention: insights from the National Cardiovascular Data Registry.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Little is known about the contemporary use of intra-aortic balloon
      pump (IABP) and other mechanical circulatory support (O-MCS) devices in patients
      undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the setting of cardiogenic
      shock. METHODS AND RESULTS: We identified 76 474 patients who underwent PCI in
      the setting of cardiogenic shock at one of 1429 National Cardiovascular Data
      Registry CathPCI participating hospitals from 2009 to 2013. Temporal trends and
      hospital-level variation in the use of IABP and O-MCS were evaluated. No
      mechanical circulatory support was used in 41 286 (54%) patients, 29 730 (39%)
      received IABP only, 2711 (3.5%) received O-MCS only, and 2747 (3.6%) received
      both IABP and O-MCS. At the start of the study period, 45% of patients undergoing
      PCI in the setting of cardiogenic shock received an IABP and 6.7% received O-MCS.
      The proportion of patients receiving IABP declined at an average rate of 0.3% per
      quarter, whereas the rate of O-MCS use was unchanged over the study period. The
      predicted probability of IABP use varied significantly by site (hospital median
      42%, interquartile range 33% to 51%, range 8% to 85%). The probability of O-MCS
      use was <5% for half of hospitals and >20% in less than one-tenth of hospitals.
      CONCLUSIONS: In this large national registry, the use of IABP in the setting of
      PCI for cardiogenic shock decreased over time without a concurrent increase in O
      MCS use. The probability of IABP and O-MCS use varied across hospitals, and the
      use of O-MCS was clustered at a small number of hospitals.

PMID- 26286906
TI  - Bilateral papilloedema in Camurati-Engelmann disease.
AB  - A 23-year-old woman presented with bilateral papilloedema in a setting of
      Camurati-Engelmann disease (CED). She was investigated with neuroimaging showing
      no optic nerve canal stenosis or jugular vein canal compromise. Her MRI venogram
      was normal. Her opening pressure at lumbar puncture and serum alkaline
      phosphatase were raised. Her papilloedema resolved with long-term use of
      acetazolamide. We believe that our patient suffered from raised intracranial
      pressure directly as a result of decreasing intracranial volume secondary to CED.

PMID- 26286907
TI  - A masquerader? Paecilomyces must be distinguished from Penicillium in fungal
      keratitis: a report of two contrasting cases.
AB  - We describe the clinical outcomes of two contrasting cases of fungal keratitis
      due to Paecilomyces spp. The first case involving a 58-year-old woman was
      complicated by an initial laboratory misidentification as Penicillium and
      consequently a delay in treatment with an optimised antifungal regimen. The
      patient had a protracted clinical course that required a total of four
      penetrating keratoplasties. However, an accurate diagnosis was promptly made in
      the second case, a 46-year-old woman, which resulted in a satisfactory outcome
      after penetrating keratoplasty. Our principal aim was to highlight a diagnostic
      challenge relating to the accurate microbial identification of Paecilomyces spp.
      This can be difficult given its morphological similarity to Pencillium, and
      confusion over the two genera has resulted in misdiagnoses reported previously.
      Our report aims to raise awareness of this potential laboratory
      misidentification, which can affect clinical decision-making in guiding
      antimicrobial therapy. 

PMID- 26286908
TI  - Enterobius granulomas as a cause of abdominal pain.

PMID- 26286909
TI  - Cardiac devices with class 1C antiarrhythmics: a potentially toxic combination.
AB  - A patient taking regular flecainide for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation presented
      with broad complex tachycardia and circulatory compromise. With no history of
      pacemaker insertion and no pacing spikes visible on the ECG, this was presumed to
      be ventricular tachycardia and treated with electrical cardioversion, leading to
      p-wave asystole. An indwelling pacemaker was now recognised and ventricular
      capture was eventually attained by significantly increasing ventricular lead
      output. Invasive haemodynamic support was required due to new ventricular
      systolic dysfunction. Pacing thresholds and ventricular function normalised
      within 72 h consistent with flecainide toxicity; levels were shown to be toxic.
      Pacemaker interrogation revealed evidence of an undiagnosed atrial flutter, at
      presentation this was likely slowed by flecainide toxicity to a rate below the
      pacemaker mode switch, such that it was tracked in the ventricle at the upper
      tracking rate (120 bpm). Cardioversion terminated the arrhythmia but raised the
      capture threshold of the ventricle above the maximum lead output. 

PMID- 26286910
TI  - Candy crush: a confounding presentation of blood per rectum in a child.

PMID- 26286911
TI  - Severe staphylococcal marginal keratitis presenting with hypopyon.

PMID- 26286912
TI  - Relationship between Complete Pathologic Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy and
      Survival in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.
AB  - PURPOSE: Pathologic complete response (pCR) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy reflects
      the cytotoxic efficacy of a drug, but patient survival is influenced by many
      other factors. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between
      increased pCR rate and trial-level survival benefit in triple-negative breast
      cancer (TNBC). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We used bootstrap resampling from a
      neoadjuvant trial to simulate trials with different pCR rates. We used estimates
      from Adjuvant!Online to simulate trial populations with different baseline
      prognosis and estimated survival improvements associated with changes in pCR
      rate. RESULTS: Assuming that survival is similar for patients with pCR regardless
      of treatment arm, a linear relationship exists between increasing pCR rate and
      increasing recurrence-free survival (RFS). The slope is equal to the difference
      in survival between those with pCR and residual disease, which in turn is
      influenced by (i) the baseline prognosis of the trial population, (ii)
      interactions between prognostic variables and pCR, and (iii) the efficacy of the
      postneoadjuvant therapies. For example, if the pCR rates are 30% and 60% (OR =
      3.5) and the 10-year RFS of the control arm is 0.74, the trial would require
      3,550 patients per arm, whereas if the RFS is 0.54, the trial would require only
      425 patients per arm to detect significant survival benefit. CONCLUSIONS: We
      provide a framework for understanding the relationship between pCR and overall
      survival benefit that can help inform the design of neoadjuvant trials aiming to
      demonstrate improved survival from a regimen that results in higher pCR rate.

PMID- 26286913
TI  - SH3BGRL3 Protein as a Potential Prognostic Biomarker for Urothelial Carcinoma: A
      Novel Binding Partner of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor.
AB  - PURPOSE: Mass spectrometry-based biomarker discovery has clinical benefit. To
      identify novel biomarkers for urothelial carcinoma, we performed quantitative
      proteomics on pooled urine pairs from patients with and without urothelial
      carcinoma. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Shot-gun proteomics using liquid chromatography
      tandem mass spectrometry and stable isotope dimethyl labeling identified 219
      candidate proteins. The potential implication of SH3 domain binding glutamic acid
      rich protein like 3 (SH3BGRL3) was examined by immunoblotting of the urine (n =
      13) and urothelial tumors (n = 32). Additional immunohistochemistry was performed
      on bladder cancer array (n = 1145) and correlated with tumor aggressiveness.
      Then, biologic functions and signaling pathways of SH3BGRL3 were explored using
      stable cell lines. RESULTS: The detectable urine SH3BGRL3 in patients with
      urothelial carcinoma was positively associated with higher histologic grading and
      muscle invasiveness of urothelial carcinoma. SH3BGRL3 is expressed in 13.9%
      (159/1145) of bladder cancer cohort and is positively associated with muscle
      invasion (P = 0.0028). SH3BGRL3 expression is associated with increased risk of
      progression in patients with nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer (P = 0.032).
      SH3BGRL3 expression is significantly associated with a high level of epidermal
      growth factor receptor (EGFR) in bladder cancer (P < 0.0001). SH3BGRL3 promotes
      the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, cell migration, and proliferation of
      urothelial carcinoma in vitro. SH3BGRL3 interacts with phosphor-EGFR at Y1068,
      Y1086, and Y1173 through Grb2 by its proline-rich motif, and activates the Akt
      associated signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation of SH3BGRL3 expression
      status or urine content may identify a subset of patients with bladder cancer who
      may require more intensive treatment. SH3BGRL3 deserves further investigation as
      a cotargeting candidate for designing EGFR-based cancer therapies. Clin Cancer
      Res; 21(24); 5601-11. (c)2015 AACR.

PMID- 26286914
TI  - Low Socioeconomic Status, Adverse Gene Expression Profiles, and Clinical Outcomes
      in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients.
AB  - PURPOSE: Low socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with adverse outcomes among
      unrelated donor hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT) recipients, but the
      biologic mechanisms contributing to this health disparity are poorly understood.
      Therefore, we examined whether social environment affects expression of a stress
      related gene expression profile known as the conserved transcriptional response
      to adversity (CTRA), which involves upregulation of proinflammatory genes and
      downregulation of genes involved in type I IFN response and antibody synthesis.
      EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We compared pretransplant leukocyte CTRA gene expression
      between a group of 78 high versus low SES recipients of unrelated donor HCT for
      acute myelogenous leukemia in first remission. Post hoc exploratory analyses also
      evaluated whether CTRA gene expression was associated with poor clinical
      outcomes. RESULTS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells collected pre-HCT from low
      SES individuals demonstrated significant CTRA upregulation compared with matched
      HCT recipients of high SES. Promoter-based bioinformatics implicated distinct
      patterns of transcription factor activity, including increased CREB signaling and
      decreased IRF and GR signaling. High expression of the CTRA gene profile was also
      associated with increased relapse risk and decreased leukemia-free survival.
      CONCLUSIONS: Low SES is associated with increased expression of the CTRA gene
      profile, and CTRA gene expression is associated with adverse HCT clinical
      outcomes. These findings provide a biologic framework within which to understand
      how social environmental conditions may influence immune function and clinical
      outcomes in allogeneic HCT.

PMID- 26286915
TI  - Noninvasive prenatal testing by nanopore sequencing of maternal plasma DNA:
      feasibility assessment.

PMID- 26286916
TI  - Stimulus Load and Oscillatory Activity in Higher Cortex.
AB  - Exploring and exploiting a rich visual environment requires perceiving,
      attending, and remembering multiple objects simultaneously. Recent studies have
      suggested that this mental "juggling" of multiple objects may depend on
      oscillatory neural dynamics. We recorded local field potentials from the lateral
      intraparietal area, frontal eye fields, and lateral prefrontal cortex while
      monkeys maintained variable numbers of visual stimuli in working memory. Behavior
      suggested independent processing of stimuli in each hemifield. During stimulus
      presentation, higher-frequency power (50-100 Hz) increased with the number of
      stimuli (load) in the contralateral hemifield, whereas lower-frequency power (8
      50 Hz) decreased with the total number of stimuli in both hemifields. During the
      memory delay, lower-frequency power increased with contralateral load. Load
      effects on higher frequencies during stimulus encoding and lower frequencies
      during the memory delay were stronger when neural activity also signaled the
      location of the stimuli. Like power, higher-frequency synchrony increased with
      load, but beta synchrony (16-30 Hz) showed the opposite effect, increasing when
      power decreased (stimulus presentation) and decreasing when power increased
      (memory delay). Our results suggest roles for lower-frequency oscillations in top
      down processing and higher-frequency oscillations in bottom-up processing.

PMID- 26286917
TI  - Multisensory Convergence of Visual and Vestibular Heading Cues in the Pursuit
      Area of the Frontal Eye Field.
AB  - Both visual and vestibular sensory cues are important for perceiving one's
      direction of heading during self-motion. Previous studies have identified
      multisensory, heading-selective neurons in the dorsal medial superior temporal
      area (MSTd) and the ventral intraparietal area (VIP). Both MSTd and VIP have
      strong recurrent connections with the pursuit area of the frontal eye field
      (FEFsem), but whether FEFsem neurons may contribute to multisensory heading
      perception remain unknown. We characterized the tuning of macaque FEFsem neurons
      to visual, vestibular, and multisensory heading stimuli. About two-thirds of
      FEFsem neurons exhibited significant heading selectivity based on either
      vestibular or visual stimulation. These multisensory neurons shared many
      properties, including distributions of tuning strength and heading preferences,
      with MSTd and VIP neurons. Fisher information analysis also revealed that the
      average FEFsem neuron was almost as sensitive as MSTd or VIP cells. Visual and
      vestibular heading preferences in FEFsem tended to be either matched (congruent
      cells) or discrepant (opposite cells), such that combined stimulation
      strengthened heading selectivity for congruent cells but weakened heading
      selectivity for opposite cells. These findings demonstrate that, in addition to
      oculomotor functions, FEFsem neurons also exhibit properties that may allow them
      to contribute to a cortical network that processes multisensory heading cues.

PMID- 26286918
TI  - The Association Between Eye Movements and Cerebellar Activation in a Verbal
      Working Memory Task.
AB  - It has been argued that cerebellar activations during cognitive tasks may
      masquerade as cognition, while actually reflecting processes related to movement
      planning or motor learning. The present study investigated whether the cerebellar
      load effect for verbal working memory, that is, increased activations in lobule
      VI/Crus I and lobule VIIB/VIIIA, is related to eye movements and oculomotor
      processing. Fifteen participants performed an fMRI-based Sternberg verbal working
      memory task. Oculomotor and cognitive task demands were manipulated by using
      closely and widely spaced stimuli, and high and low cognitive load. Trial-based
      quantitative eye movement parameters were obtained from concurrent eye tracking.
      Conventional MRI analysis replicated the cerebellar load effect in lobules VI and
      VIIB/VIIIa. With quantitative eye movement parameters as regressors, analysis
      yielded very similar activation patterns. While load effect and eye regressor
      generally recruited spatially distinct neocortical and cerebellar regions,
      conjunction analysis showed that a small subset of prefrontal areas implicated in
      the load effect also responded to the eye regressor. The present results indicate
      that cognitive load-dependent activations in lateral superior and posteroinferior
      cerebellar regions in the Sternberg task are independent of eye movements
      occurring during stimulus encoding. This is inconsistent with the notion that
      cognitive load-dependent cerebellar activations merely reflect oculomotor
      processing.

PMID- 26286919
TI  - Smaller Primary Visual Cortex Is Associated with Stronger, but Less Precise
      Mental Imagery.
AB  - Despite mental imagery's ubiquitous role in human perception, cognition and
      behavior, one standout question remains unanswered: Why does imagery vary so much
      from one individual to the next? Here, we used a behavioral paradigm that
      measures the functional impact of a mental image on subsequent conscious
      perception and related these measures to the anatomy of the early visual cortex
      estimated by fMRI retinotopic mapping. We observed a negative relationship
      between primary visual cortex (V1) surface area and sensory imagery strength, but
      found positive relationships between V1 and imagery precision (spatial location
      and orientation). Hence, individuals with a smaller V1 tended to have stronger,
      but less precise imagery. In addition, subjective vividness of imagery was
      positively related to prefrontal cortex volume, but unrelated to V1 anatomy. Our
      findings present the first evidence for the importance of the V1 layout in
      shaping the strength of human imagination.

PMID- 26286921
TI  - Structural Insights into the Incorporation of the Mo Cofactor into Sulfite
      Oxidase from Site-Directed Spin Labeling.
AB  - Mononuclear molybdoenzymes catalyze a broad range of redox reactions and are
      highly conserved in all kingdoms of life. This study addresses the question of
      how the Mo cofactor (Moco) is incorporated into the apo form of human sulfite
      oxidase (hSO) by using site-directed spin labeling to determine intramolecular
      distances in the nanometer range. Comparative measurements of the holo and apo
      forms of hSO enabled the localization of the corresponding structural changes,
      which are localized to a short loop (residues 263-273) of the Moco-containing
      domain. A flap-like movement of the loop provides access to the Moco binding
      pocket in the apo form of the protein and explains the earlier studies on the in
      vitro reconstitution of apo-hSO with Moco. Remarkably, the loop motif can be
      found in a variety of structurally similar molybdoenzymes among various
      organisms, thus suggesting a common mechanism of Moco incorporation.

PMID- 26286920
TI  - Psychotic Experiences, Working Memory, and the Developing Brain: A Multimodal
      Neuroimaging Study.
AB  - Psychotic experiences (PEs) occur in the general population, especially in
      children and adolescents, and are associated with poor psychosocial outcomes,
      impaired cognition, and increased risk of transition to psychosis. It is unknown
      how the presence and persistence of PEs during early adulthood affects cognition
      and brain function. The current study assessed working memory as well as brain
      function and structure in 149 individuals, with and without PEs, drawn from a
      population cohort. Observer-rated PEs were classified as persistent or transient
      on the basis of longitudinal assessments. Working memory was assessed using the n
      back task during fMRI. Dynamic causal modeling (DCM) was used to characterize
      frontoparietal network configuration and voxel-based morphometry was utilized to
      examine gray matter. Those with persistent, but not transient, PEs performed
      worse on the n-back task, compared with controls, yet showed no significant
      differences in regional brain activation or brain structure. DCM analyses
      revealed greater emphasis on frontal connectivity within a frontoparietal network
      in those with PEs compared with controls. We propose that these findings portray
      an altered configuration of working memory function in the brain, potentially
      indicative of an adaptive response to atypical development associated with the
      manifestation of PEs. 

PMID- 26286922
TI  - Missense mutation in SLC4A11 in two Pakistani families affected with congenital
      hereditary endothelial dystrophy (CHED2).
AB  - BACKGROUND: Autosomal recessive congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy
      (CHED2) is a recessively inherited eye disorder that is more common in
      consanguineous populations. METHODS: Two families affected with CHED2 were
      recruited from the Punjab province of Pakistan to identify the underlying genetic
      defect. Blood samples from both the families, designated as CH01 and CH02, were
      collected. Genomic DNA was isolated. Initially, linkage analysis using
      microsatellite markers was carried out to confirm the linkage to the SLC4A11
      gene, previously reported to be implicated in the pathology of the disease. Later
      on, sequencing was carried out to find the pathogenic mutation in the enrolled
      families. Identified variation was further confirmed by typing 50 ethnically
      matched normal control samples. RESULTS: The results of linkage analysis
      indicated the putative linkage to SLAC4A11 gene, located at the CHED2 locus on
      chromosome 20p13-p12 in both families. Mutational analysis revealed an
      unidentified homozygous mutation c.2024A>C (p.E675A) in the affected members of
      both the families. Haplotype analysis of both the families showed that the
      affected members carry the same haplotype, thereby indicating a possibility of a
      common ancestral mutation. Use of bioinformatic tools including PolyPhen and SIFT
      suggested that a single amino acid change of E to A at position 675 affected the
      function of the protein. CONCLUSION: This study reports a newly identified
      mutation (c.2024A>C) in the SLC4A11 gene segregating with the diseased haplotype
      in two consanguineous Pakistani families.

PMID- 26286923
TI  - A High-Voltage and Ultralong-Life Sodium Full Cell for Stationary Energy Storage.
AB  - Recently, there has been great interest in developing advanced sodium-ion
      batteries for large-scale application. Most efforts have concentrated on the
      search for high-performance electrode materials only in sodium half-cells.
      Research on sodium full cells for practical application has encountered many
      problems, such as insufficient cycles with rapid capacity decay, low safety, and
      low operating voltage. Herein, we present a layered P2-Na0.66 Ni0.17 Co0.17
      Ti0.66 O2 , as both an anode (ca. 0.69 V versus Na(+) /Na) and as a high-voltage
      cathode (ca. 3.74 V versus Na(+) /Na). The full cell based on this bipolar
      electrode exhibits well-defined voltage plateaus near 3.10 V, which is the
      highest average voltage in the symmetric cells. It also shows the longest cycle
      life (75.9 % capacity retention after 1000 cycles) in all sodium full cells, a
      usable capacity of 92 mAh g(-1) , and superior rate capability (65 mAh g(-1) at a
      high rate of 2C).

PMID- 26286924
TI  - Lifetime Risk of Stage 3-5 CKD in a Community-Based Sample in Iceland.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Lifetime risk estimates of CKD can be used effectively
      in public education campaigns. This study sought to estimate lifetime risk of
      incident CKD stage 3 and higher in Iceland for people without CKD by the age of
      45 years. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS: This was a prospective
      cohort study with longitudinal creatinine measurements of residents in Reykjavik,
      Iceland, from 1967 to 2005. CKD was ascertained by two consecutive eGFR
      measurements <60 ml/min per 1.73 m(2), development of treated kidney failure, one
      eGFR<60 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) if the participant died before the next evaluation,
      or one eGFR<45 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) if it was the last eGFR. RESULTS: Mean follow
      up was 25 (SD 10) years. Of the study participants, 727 (19%) developed the
      outcome and 942 (24%) died first. By age 85 years, the lifetime risks for 45-year
      old women and men without prevalent CKD were 35.8% (95% confidence interval [95%
      CI], 32.7 to 38.9) and 21.3% (95% CI, 18.7 to 23.8), respectively. Risk was
      higher in individuals with a lower eGFR, hypertension, and a higher body mass
      index. Lifetime risk for higher stages of CKD 3b and 4 were less common than
      stage 3a; by age 85 years, the lifetime risks for CKD stages 3a, 3b, and 4 in
      women were 38.5% (95% CI, 25.8 to 51.1), 19.4% (95% CI, 8.9 to 29.9), and 3.6%
      (95% CI, 2.2 to 5.0), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The lifetime risk of developing
      CKD stage 3 or higher is substantial, emphasizing the importance of strategies to
      prevent development of CKD throughout the course of life. Estimates are lower
      than reported using single estimates of GFR, emphasizing the importance of
      confirming estimates of reduced GFR in studies of CKD.

PMID- 26286925
TI  - Understanding the Recent Increase in Ferritin Levels in United States Dialysis
      Patients: Potential Impact of Changes in Intravenous Iron and Erythropoiesis
      Stimulating Agent Dosing.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Anemia management changed substantially among dialysis
      patients in the United States around the time of implementation of the new
      Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services bundled payment system and
      erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) label change in 2011. Among these, average
      ferritin levels increased dramatically and have remained high since; this study
      sought to gain understanding of this sustained rise in ferritin levels. DESIGN,
      SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS: Trends in mean ferritin, hemoglobin, IV
      iron dose, and ESA dose from 2009 to 2013 were examined in 9735 patients from 91
      United States Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study facilities. Linear
      mixed models were used to assess the extent to which intravenous (IV) iron and
      ESA dose accounted for patients' changes in ferritin over time. RESULTS: Mean ESA
      dose and hemoglobin levels declined throughout the study. Mean IV iron dose
      increased from 210 mg/mo in 2009-2010 to a peak of 280 mg/mo in 2011, then
      declined back to 200 mg/mo and remained stable from 2012 to 2013. Mean ferritin
      increased from 601 ng/ml in the third quarter of 2009 to 887 ng/ml in the first
      quarter of 2012; models suggest that higher IV iron dosing was a primary
      determinant during 2011, but lower ESA doses contributed to the sustained high
      ferritin levels thereafter. In a subset of 17 facilities that decreased IV iron
      dose in 2011, mean ferritin rose by 120 ng/ml to 764 ng/ml, which appeared to be
      primarily due to ESA reduction. Together, changes in IV iron and ESA doses
      accounted for 46% of the increase in ferritin over the study period. CONCLUSIONS:
      In contrast to expectations, the rise in average IV iron dose did not persist
      beyond 2011. The sustained rise in ferritin levels in United States dialysis
      patients after policy changes in 2011, to average levels well in excess of 800
      ng/ml, appeared to be partly due to reductions in ESA dosing and not solely IV
      iron dosing practices. The effect of these changes in ferritin on health outcomes
      requires further investigation.

PMID- 26286926
TI  - Lifetime Risk of CKD: What Does It Really Mean?

PMID- 26286927
TI  - Late Surgical Bleeding Following Total Artificial Heart Implantation.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Mechanical circulatory support for heart failure, including the
      Total Artificial Heart (TAH, Syncardia, Tucson, AZ, USA) has increased in recent
      years. This report describes bleeding complications associated with the device.
      METHODS: A single institution prospectively maintained quality improvement
      database was reviewed encompassing the first year of clinical experience with the
      TAH. Patients who underwent TAH implantation were identified, and a review of
      complications and outcomes was undertaken. RESULTS: Ten patients underwent TAH
      implant. Four patients experienced delayed postoperative bleeding. In three
      patients the manifestation of bleeding was tamponade and evidenced by TAH
      decreased cardiac output. In two patients, at postoperative days 31 and 137,
      there was a partial disruption of the aortic anastomosis along the outer
      curvature with pseudoaneurysm formation. Both were repaired by primary suture
      closure, without use of cardiopulmonary bypass. There was no mortality
      attributable to bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: TAH patients are at risk for delayed
      postoperative bleeding, often manifest as an acute decrease in cardiac output.
      Due to pulsatility and high dP/dT, bleeding from the aortic anastomosis should be
      considered in the differential of a patient with low flow and/or tamponade.

PMID- 26286928
TI  - MicRhoDE: a curated database for the analysis of microbial rhodopsin diversity
      and evolution.
AB  - Microbial rhodopsins are a diverse group of photoactive transmembrane proteins
      found in all three domains of life and in viruses. Today, microbial rhodopsin
      research is a flourishing research field in which new understandings of rhodopsin
      diversity, function and evolution are contributing to broader microbiological and
      molecular knowledge. Here, we describe MicRhoDE, a comprehensive, high-quality
      and freely accessible database that facilitates analysis of the diversity and
      evolution of microbial rhodopsins. Rhodopsin sequences isolated from a vast array
      of marine and terrestrial environments were manually collected and curated. To
      each rhodopsin sequence are associated related metadata, including predicted
      spectral tuning of the protein, putative activity and function, taxonomy for
      sequences that can be linked to a 16S rRNA gene, sampling date and location, and
      supporting literature. The database currently covers 7857 aligned sequences from
      more than 450 environmental samples or organisms. Based on a robust phylogenetic
      analysis, we introduce an operational classification system with multiple
      phylogenetic levels ranging from superclusters to species-level operational
      taxonomic units. An integrated pipeline for online sequence alignment and
      phylogenetic tree construction is also provided. With a user-friendly interface
      and integrated online bioinformatics tools, this unique resource should be highly
      valuable for upcoming studies of the biogeography, diversity, distribution and
      evolution of microbial rhodopsins. Database URL: http://micrhode.sb-roscoff.fr.

PMID- 26286930
TI  - Vascular Pythiosis of the Lower Extremity in Northern Thailand: Ten Years'
      Experience.
AB  - Pythiosis is a disease caused by Pythium insidiosum, a fungus-like organism. P.
      insidiosum is pathogenic in mammals, particularly in horses, dogs, and humans.
      Human pythiosis can be classified into 4 types: (1) cutaneous/subcutaneous, (2)
      ocular, (3) vascular, and (4) disseminated pythiosis. Vascular pythiosis is a
      rare disease but a serious limb- and life-threatening infection. We reviewed 22
      cases over a 10-year period in Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai/Chiang Mai University
      Hospital. The survival rate was around 63.6% during our follow-up period. The
      only effective treatment was complete excision of the infected tissue, which was
      done mainly by major amputation, such as above-knee amputation. This report
      raises awareness of this disease, which needs preemptive diagnosis and
      appropriate treatment. 

PMID- 26286931
TI  - The Buruli Ulcer.
AB  - Buruli ulcer (BU) is caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans and can manifest as a
      simple nodule or as aggressive skin ulcers leading to debilitating osteoarthritis
      or limb deformity. The disease is more prevalent in those living in remote rural
      areas, especially in children younger than 15 years. The exact mode of
      transmission is possibly through traumatic skin lesions contaminated by M
      ulcerans. IS2404 polymerase chain reaction from ulcer swabs or biopsies is a
      rapid method for confirmation of BU. In coendemic countries, HIV infection
      complicates the progression of BU, leading to rapidly spreading osteomyelitis.
      Treatment is principally medical, with antitubercular drugs, and surgery is
      utilized for complicated disease. Because of ineffective vaccination, primary
      prevention is the best option for control of the disease. 

PMID- 26286932
TI  - Repairing Pretibial and Foot Soft Tissue Defects with Reverse Transplantation of
      the Medial Crural Fasciocutaneous Flap.
AB  - Soft tissue defects of the pretibial area and the foot are among the most common
      complications in patients with lower extremity injuries and remain a challenge
      for surgeons. This study examined the clinical effects of repairing pretibial and
      foot soft tissue defects with a medial crural fasciocutaneous flap. Twenty-three
      injury cases with soft tissue defects in the middle/lower parts of the tibia and
      ankle/heel were treated. Of these, 8 injuries were in the lower pretibial region,
      11 injuries were in the heel, and 4 injuries were in the dorsalis pedis. The
      dimensions of the soft tissue defects ranged from 7 cm * 5 cm to 18 cm * 10 cm.
      The crural fasciocutaneous flap was used for wound repair in all cases. The skin
      harvest dimensions ranged from 12 cm * 6 cm to 23 cm * 12 cm, and the width of
      the reverse flap pedicle was greater than 4 cm. The patients were followed up for
      6 to 27 months postsurgery. All flaps survived and appeared healthy, and leg
      function was satisfactorily recovered. Five patients suffered from distal flap
      necrosis and 2 patients suffered from effusion. The area of the crural
      fasciocutaneous flap harvest appeared to have a good blood supply, and the
      procedure was easy to perform without injuries to the main vasculature. In
      conclusion, the medial crural fasciocutaneous flap is a safe and effective
      clinical intervention for the reconstruction of soft tissue defects of the
      pretibial area and foot. 

PMID- 26286933
TI  - Ozone Ameliorates Doxorubicine-Induced Skin Necrosis - results from an animal
      model.
AB  - Doxorubicin (DXR) extravasation result with serious morbidity like skin
      ulceration and necrosis. The purpose of this study is to determine the protective
      effects of ozone, olive oil, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and coenzyme Q10 in the
      treatment of DXR-induced skin ulcers on rats. After an intradermal injection of
      DXR on a basis of an animal extravasation model, the materials were topically
      applied. The ulcer sizes were measured, and a punch biopsy was taken from the
      extravasation site in which the skin ulcers formed at the end of the experiment.
      The samples were analyzed for tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha),
      interleukin 1-beta (IL1beta), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD),
      and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) enzymes, and examined histopathologically.
      The ulcer sizes clearly decreased in the study groups, including DMSO, olive oil,
      ozone plus coenzyme Q10, and ozone plus olive oil groups in comparison with the
      control group with the exception of the coenzyme Q10 group. The malondialdehyde
      levels were lower in the DMSO, olive oil, ozone plus olive oil, and ozone plus
      coenzyme Q10 groups than they were in the control group, but they were not
      significantly different. The TNF-alpha level was lower in the DMSO, ozone plus
      olive oil, coenzyme Q10, and ozone plus coenzyme Q10 groups in comparison with
      the control group. There was no significant change in the SOD, GSH-Px, and
      IL1beta levels in the study groups in comparison with the control and the sham
      groups. The ozone plus olive oil group could be considered to be an alternate
      therapy for skin ulcers due to DXR extravasation. 

PMID- 26286935
TI  - Cryoballoon Ablation for Pulmonary Vein Isolation in Patients With Persistent
      Atrial Fibrillation: One-Year Outcome Using Second Generation Cryoballoon.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Data regarding the freedom from atrial fibrillation (AF) in the
      follow-up of persistent AF patients is limited. The second-generation cryoballoon
      has better cooling properties compared with first-generation cryoballon. In this
      study, we aimed to assess the medium-term efficacy of second-generation
      cryoballoon in patients with persistent AF. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 100
      patients (63+/-10 years, 80% male) with symptomatic persistent AF, despite >=1
      antiarrhythmic drug(s), who were scheduled for pulmonary vein isolation using
      second-generation cryoballoon were enrolled in this study. Follow-up was based on
      outpatient clinic visits, including Holter ECGs. Recurrence was defined as a
      symptomatic or documented arrhythmia episode of >30 seconds excluding a 3-month
      blanking period. As a result, 393 pulmonary veins (7 patients with common ostium)
      were successfully isolated. Mean procedural and fluoroscopy times were 96.2+/
      21.3 and 19.7+/-6.7 minutes, respectively. Phrenic nerve palsy occurred in 3%
      (3/100) of the patients. At a mean follow-up duration of 10.6+/-6.3 months, 67%
      of the patients were in sinus rhythm. Stepwise multivariable Cox proportional
      hazard regression analysis showed that early AF recurrence (hazard ratio 3.83,
      95% confidence interval 1.91-7.68, P<0.001) was the only independent predictor
      for late AF recurrence apart from other clinical and echocardiographic variables.
      CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicated that second-generation cryoballoon use is
      associated with favorable outcomes in patients with persistent AF. Recurrence at
      blanking period was the only predictor of long-term AF recurrence.

PMID- 26286936
TI  - The Psychometric Properties of the Autobiographical Memory Test in Preschool-Aged
      Children.
AB  - The Autobiographical Memory Test (AMT) is the most commonly used tool to assess
      the phenomenon of overgeneral memory. The AMT has mainly been used in adult
      populations, but its use in preschool children is less common. The need to create
      an appropriate instrument to study the memory specificity in preschool years led
      us to develop an AMT version adapted for early childhood. The AMT-Preschool (AMT
      P) was administered to a sample of preschool children aged between 3 and 6 (N =
      364). The results suggest that the AMT-P functions differently in preschoolers
      depending on age. With children older than 53 months, results suggest that the
      AMT-P is appropriate for assessing overgenerality. Nevertheless, with younger
      children age, the task is more difficult. These results concur with previous
      research suggesting that the ability to recall specific memories is consolidated
      from the age of 41/2.

PMID- 26286937
TI  - Phenotypic Screening for Friedreich Ataxia Using Random shRNA Selection.
AB  - Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) is an autosomal recessive neuro- and cardio-degenerative
      disorder for which there are no proven effective treatments. FRDA is caused by
      decreased expression and/or function of the protein frataxin. Frataxin chaperones
      iron in the mitochondrial matrix and regulates the iron-sulfur cluster (ISC)
      assembly complex. ISCs are prosthetic groups critical for the function of the
      Krebs cycle and the mitochondrial electron transport chain. Decreased expression
      of frataxin is associated with decreased ISC assembly, mitochondrial iron
      accumulation, and increased oxidative stress, all of which contribute to
      mitochondrial dysfunction. In media with beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) as carbon
      source, primary FRDA fibroblasts grow poorly and/or lose viability over several
      days. We screened a random, short-hairpin-RNA (shRNA)-expressing library in
      primary FRDA fibroblasts and identified two shRNAs that reverse the
      growth/viability defect in BHB media. One of these two clones increases frataxin
      expression in primary FRDA fibroblasts, either as a vector-expressed shRNA or as
      a transfected short-interfering RNA (siRNA). 

PMID- 26286938
TI  - Low Grade Gliomas in Children.
AB  - Gliomas represent the most common solid tumor of the nervous system, and can
      occur as both low and high-grade tumors. Current risk stratification and
      treatment approaches rely heavily on the morphological classification of gliomas
      whereby low-grade gliomas have an excellent prognosis, particularly pilocytic
      astrocytomas, while high-grade gliomas have a poor prognosis. The past decade has
      witnessed a dramatic increase in scholars' knowledge of the biology of pediatric
      low-grade gliomas particularly through the advent of integrated genomics and next
      generation sequencing. Indeed, many of these biological advances are changing
      treatment paradigms, particularly in low-grade gliomas, where rationale targeted
      therapies are currently being explored in clinical trials. In this review the
      authors summarize the current approach to pediatric low grade gliomas and outline
      the biological advances over the past 10 years, which will be driving the next
      generation of clinical trials. 

PMID- 26286939
TI  - An interview with Caroline Dean.
AB  - Caroline Dean is a plant biologist based at the John Innes Centre in Norwich, UK.
      She helped to establish Arabidopsis as a model plant organism, and has worked for
      many years on the epigenetic mechanisms that regulate vernalisation, the process
      by which plants accelerate their flowering after periods of prolonged cold. We
      met Caroline at the recent Spring Meeting of the British Society for
      Developmental Biology. We asked her about her career, her thoughts on the plant
      field and being awarded this year's FEBS EMBO Women in Science Award. 

PMID- 26286940
TI  - The embryo reunited with its membranes in Gottingen.
AB  - An EMBO workshop entitled 'Embryonic-Extraembryonic Interfaces' took place in
      Gottingen, Germany, in May 2015. It showcased the enormous breadth of this area
      not only by touching on the molecular and cellular mechanisms of development, but
      also because of its coverage of particularly interesting evolutionary questions
      and of several medically related aspects. This Meeting Review discusses some
      highlights from the workshop and the emerging themes in the field. 

PMID- 26286942
TI  - The thyroid hormone nuclear receptor TRalpha1 controls the Notch signaling
      pathway and cell fate in murine intestine.
AB  - Thyroid hormones control various aspects of gut development and homeostasis. The
      best-known example is in gastrointestinal tract remodeling during amphibian
      metamorphosis. It is well documented that these hormones act via the TR nuclear
      receptors, which are hormone-modulated transcription factors. Several studies
      have shown that thyroid hormones regulate the expression of several genes in the
      Notch signaling pathway, indicating a possible means by which they participate in
      the control of gut physiology. However, the mechanisms and biological
      significance of this control have remained unexplored. Using multiple in vivo and
      in vitro approaches, we show that thyroid hormones positively regulate Notch
      activity through the TRalpha1 receptor. From a molecular point of view, TRalpha1
      indirectly controls Notch1, Dll1, Dll4 and Hes1 expression but acts as a direct
      transcriptional regulator of the Jag1 gene by binding to a responsive element in
      the Jag1 promoter. Our findings show that the TRalpha1 nuclear receptor plays a
      key role in intestinal crypt progenitor/stem cell biology by controlling the
      Notch pathway and hence the balance between cell proliferation and cell
      differentiation. 

PMID- 26286943
TI  - Intraflagellar transport 27 is essential for hedgehog signaling but dispensable
      for ciliogenesis during hair follicle morphogenesis.

PMID- 26286941
TI  - Primordial germ cells: the first cell lineage or the last cells standing?
AB  - Embryos of many animal models express germ line determinants that suppress
      transcription and mediate early germ line commitment, which occurs before the
      somatic cell lineages are established. However, not all animals segregate their
      germ line in this manner. The 'last cell standing' model describes primordial
      germ cell (PGC) development in axolotls, in which PGCs are maintained by an
      extracellular signalling niche, and germ line commitment occurs after
      gastrulation. Here, we propose that this 'stochastic' mode of PGC specification
      is conserved in vertebrates, including non-rodent mammals. We postulate that
      early germ line segregation liberates genetic regulatory networks for somatic
      development to evolve, and that it therefore emerged repeatedly in the animal
      kingdom in response to natural selection. 

PMID- 26286944
TI  - Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) in Asia: lessons gleaned from the South
      Korean outbreak.

PMID- 26286945
TI  - Endemic treponemal diseases.

PMID- 26286946
TI  - A review of West Nile and Usutu virus co-circulation in Europe: how much do
      transmission cycles overlap?
AB  - Due to the increasing global spread of arboviruses, the geographic extent of
      virus co-circulation is expanding. This complicates the diagnosis of febrile
      conditions and can have direct effects on the epidemiology. As previously
      demonstrated, subsequent infections by two closely related viruses, such as those
      belonging to the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) serocomplex, can lead to
      partial or complete cross-immunity, altering the risk of infections or the
      outcome of disease. Two flaviviruses that may interact at population level are
      West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV). These pathogens have antigenic
      cross-reactivity and affect human and animal populations throughout Europe. This
      systematic review investigates the overlap of WNV and USUV transmission cycles,
      not only geographically but also in terms of host and vector ranges. Co
      circulation of WNV and USUV was reported in 10 countries and the viruses were
      found to infect 34 common bird species belonging to 11 orders. Moreover, four
      mosquito species are potential vectors for both viruses. Taken together, these
      data suggest that WNV and USUV transmission overlaps substantially in Europe and
      highlight the importance of further studies investigating the interactions
      between the two viruses within host and vector populations. 

PMID- 26286947
TI  - Increase of Clostridium perfringens in association with Eimeria in haemorrhagic
      enteritis in Japanese beef cattle.
AB  - A coprological survey with detailed clinical observation of naturally occurring
      haemorrhagic enteritis (HE) cases was conducted to understand the pathophysiology
      of HE by clarifying the infection status of Eimeria and enteropathogenic bacteria
      in cattle. Faecal samples from 55 cases of HE and 26 clinically normal animals
      were collected, and a quantitative examination of Eimeria and potential
      enteropathogenic bacteria was performed. The number of Eimeria species oocysts
      per gram of faeces (OPG) exceeded 10,000 in 69.1 per cent of HE cases with a
      maximum of 1,452,500 OPG and Eimeria zuernii was found to be overwhelmingly
      dominant. A significant increase in faecal coliform count was observed in HE
      cases compared with clinically normal animals. Among the animals shedding >10,000
      OPG, 42.9 per cent showed a remarkable increase in Clostridium perfringens
      abundance (>104 CFU/g) in the faeces. In the cases with C. perfringens detected,
      its abundance was positively correlated with Eimeria OPG and high C. perfringens
      abundance was always accompanied by high Eimeria OPG. E. zuernii is likely to
      play a crucial role in massive multiplication of C. perfringens in HE in cattle.

PMID- 26286948
TI  - Trance-like syndrome in bull terriers.

PMID- 26286949
TI  - Vertical Ground Reaction Forces are Associated with Pain and Self-Reported
      Functional Status in Recreational Athletes with Patellofemoral Pain.
AB  - Individuals with patellofemoral pain (PFP) use different motor strategies during
      unipodal support in stair climbing activities, which may be assessed by vertical
      ground reaction force parameters. Thus, the aims of this study were to
      investigate possible differences in first peak, valley, second peak, and loading
      rate between recreational female athletes with PFP and pain-free athletes during
      stair climbing in order to determine the association and prediction capability
      between these parameters, pain level, and functional status in females with PFP.
      Thirty-one recreational female athletes with PFP and 31 pain-free recreational
      female athletes were evaluated with three-dimensional kinetics while performing
      stair climbing to obtain vertical ground reaction force parameters. A visual
      analog scale was used to evaluate the usual knee pain. The anterior knee pain
      scale was used to evaluate knee functional score. First peak and loading rate
      were associated with pain (r = .46, P = .008; r = .56, P = .001, respectively)
      and functional limitation (r = .31, P = .049; r = -.36, P = .032, respectively).
      Forced entry regression revealed the first peak was a significant predictor of
      pain (36.5%) and functional limitation (28.7%). Our findings suggest that
      rehabilitation strategies aimed at correcting altered vertical ground reaction
      force may improve usual knee pain level and self-reported knee function in
      females with PFP. 

PMID- 26286950
TI  - Photo Quiz: A 76-Year-Old with Community-Acquired Pneumonia.

PMID- 26286953
TI  - Plasticity of coral physiology under ocean acidification.

PMID- 26286954
TI  - The joining of the Hsp90 and Hsp70 chaperone cycles yields transient interactions
      and stable intermediates: insights from mass spectrometry.
AB  - The Hsp70/Hsp90 chaperone cycles depend on the coordinated interplay of several
      co-chaperones including Hsp40, Hop and peptidyl-prolyl isomerases such as FKBP52.
      Because of the many proteins involved in these interactions it is often difficult
      to delineate all possible combinations of subunits in the complexes formed. We
      employed mass spectrometry to monitor the assembly and to determine the favoured
      pathways within these chaperone cycles. Combining the subunit composition with
      chemical cross-linking and proteomics allowed us to define interaction
      interfaces, protein dynamics and new intermediates. 

PMID- 26286957
TI  - The Rise and Stall of Canada's Gender-Equity Revolution.
AB  - The growing symmetry in gender roles is a revolutionary change as consequential
      as technological advances and globalization. We illustrate how the social world
      in Canada has changed for women and men over the course of the last century, both
      in terms of greater gender equity and of policies supporting equity. However,
      some of the significant changes that occurred in the last 100 years have recently
      stalled, while the overall progress has been uneven for certain subgroups. We
      suggest reasons for both the stalling and the unevenness and make policy
      recommendations for reigniting the march to enhanced equality between the sexes.

PMID- 26286955
TI  - Exercise-mimetic AICAR transiently benefits brain function.
AB  - Exercise enhances learning and memory in animals and humans. The role of
      peripheral factors that may trigger the beneficial effects of running on brain
      function has been sparsely examined. In particular, it is unknown whether AMP
      kinase (AMPK) activation in muscle can predict enhancement of brain plasticity.
      Here we compare the effects of running and administration of AMPK agonist 5
      Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide 1-beta-D-ribofuranoside (AICAR, 500 mg/kg), for 3, 7
      or 14 days in one-month-old male C57BL/6J mice, on muscle AMPK signaling. At the
      time-points where we observed equivalent running- and AICAR-induced muscle pAMPK
      levels (7 and 14 days), cell proliferation, synaptic plasticity and gene
      expression, as well as markers of oxidative stress and inflammation in the
      dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus and lateral entorhinal cortex (LEC) were
      evaluated. At the 7-day time-point, both regimens increased new DG cell number
      and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) protein levels. Furthermore,
      microarray analysis of DG and LEC tissue showed a remarkable overlap between
      running and AICAR in the regulation of neuronal, mitochondrial and metabolism
      related gene classes. Interestingly, while similar outcomes for both treatments
      were stable over time in muscle, in the brain an inversion occurred at fourteen
      days. The compound no longer increased DG cell proliferation or neurotrophin
      levels, and upregulated expression of apoptotic genes and inflammatory cytokine
      interleukin-1beta. Thus, an exercise mimetic that produces changes in muscle
      consistent with those of exercise does not have the same sustainable positive
      effects on the brain, indicating that only running consistently benefits brain
      function. 

PMID- 26286958
TI  - Social Class, Economic Inequality, and the Convergence of Policy Preferences:
      Evidence from 24 Modern Democracies.
AB  - Using data from the World Values Survey and national-level indicators for 24
      modern democracies, we assess the influence of social class and economic
      inequality on preferences for government responsibility. We improve on previous
      research by using multilevel models that account for differences in attitudes
      both within (i.e., over time) and across countries. Our findings are consistent
      with the economic self-interest hypothesis. Specifically, working class
      individuals, who tend to gain the most from government intervention because of
      their low and often more precarious economic position, are more likely than
      others to support government intervention. We also find a positive relationship
      between national-level income inequality and support for government intervention.
      As income inequality rises, its social ills tend to be more pervasive, resulting
      in public opinion becoming more supportive of governments taking responsibility
      for their citizens. We further demonstrate that inequality moderates the
      relationship between social class and attitudes. Although the effect of income
      inequality is positive for all social classes, attitudes across social classes
      become more similar as inequality rises.

PMID- 26286956
TI  - The effects of graded levels of calorie restriction: III. Impact of short term
      calorie and protein restriction on mean daily body temperature and torpor use in
      the C57BL/6 mouse.
AB  - A commonly observed response in mammals to calorie restriction (CR) is reduced
      body temperature (Tb). We explored how the Tb of male C57BL/6 mice responded to
      graded CR (10 to 40%), compared to the response to equivalent levels of protein
      restriction (PR) over 3 months. Under CR there was a dynamic change in daily Tb
      over the first 30-35 days, which stabilized thereafter until day 70 after which a
      further decline was noted. The time to reach stability was dependent on
      restriction level. Body mass negatively correlated with Tb under ad libitum
      feeding and positively correlated under CR. The average Tb over the last 20 days
      was significantly related to the levels of body fat, structural tissue, leptin
      and insulin-like growth factor-1. Some mice, particularly those under higher
      levels of CR, showed periods of daily torpor later in the restriction period.
      None of the changes in Tb under CR were recapitulated by equivalent levels of PR.
      We conclude that changes in Tb under CR are a response only to the shortfall in
      calorie intake. The linear relationship between average Tb and the level of
      restriction supports the idea that Tb changes are an integral aspect of the
      lifespan effect. 

PMID- 26286959
TI  - Home Care Workers' Skills in the Context of Task Shifting: Complexities in Care
      Work.
AB  - Task shifting, which involves the transfer of care work from regulated health
      care professionals to home care workers (HCWs), is a strategy to ensure the
      efficient delivery of home care services in Canada and internationally. Using a
      feminist political economy approach, this paper explores the effects of task
      shifting on HCWs' skills. Task shifting may be understood as a form of downward
      substitution-and an effort to increase control over workers while minimizing
      costs-as some of health-care professionals' responsibilities are divided into
      simpler tasks and transferred to HCWs. Our interviews with 46 home health-care
      providers in Ontario, which focused explicitly on HCWs' role in care provision,
      problematize the belief that "low skilled" care workers have little control over
      their work. HCWs' skills become more complex when they do transferred tasks, and
      HCWs sometimes gain greater control over their work. This results in increased
      autonomy and mastery for many HCWs. In turn, this serves to reinforce the
      intrinsic rewards of care work, despite the fact that it is low paid and
      undervalued work.

PMID- 26286960
TI  - Critical Nexus or Pluralist Discipline? Institutional Ambivalence and the Future
      of Canadian Sociology.
AB  - While some scholars believe in a transdisciplinary future for the social sciences
      and humanities, we argue that sociology would do well to maintain its
      disciplinary borders, while celebrating the plurality of its intellectual,
      social, and political content. Although a pluralist position can threaten
      disciplinary coherence and increase fragmentation, we argue the counterbalance
      ought to be convergence around shared institutional norms of knowledge
      production. Establishing these norms is not easy, since there is a great deal of
      institutional ambivalence at play in the field of sociology. As such, sociology
      is pushed and pulled between two poles of at least four major continuums of
      knowledge production, which include the following: (1) interdisciplinary versus
      discipline-based research; (2) political versus analytical scholarship; (3)
      professional versus public/policy sociology; and (4) local/national versus global
      audiences. Since both sides of these ideal-typical continuums contain their own
      pathologies, we propose adopting a balanced position to correct for the
      shortcomings of each. Rather than imposing one philosophical or theoretical
      paradigm for the field, we suggest that embracing the "chaos" of our diverse
      forms of knowledge and centralizing and integrating findings will serve to
      strengthen our collective efforts in the long term.

PMID- 26286961
TI  - Novel chemical library screen identifies naturally occurring plant products that
      specifically disrupt glioblastoma-endothelial cell interactions.
AB  - Tumor growth is not solely a consequence of autonomous tumor cell properties.
      Rather, tumor cells act upon and are acted upon by their microenvironment. It is
      tumor tissue biology that ultimately determines tumor growth. Thus, we developed
      a compound library screen for agents that could block essential tumor-promoting
      effects of the glioblastoma (GBM) perivascular stem cell niche (PVN). We modeled
      the PVN with three-dimensional primary cultures of human brain microvascular
      endothelial cells in Matrigel. We previously demonstrated stimulated growth of
      GBM cells in this PVN model and used this to assay PVN function. We screened the
      Microsource Spectrum Collection library for drugs that specifically blocked PVN
      function, without any direct effect on GBM cells themselves. Three candidate PVN
      disrupting agents, Iridin, Tigogenin and Triacetylresveratrol (TAR), were
      identified and evaluated in secondary in vitro screens against a panel of primary
      GBM isolates as well as in two different in vivo intracranial models. Iridin and
      TAR significantly inhibited intracranial tumor growth and prolonged survival in
      these mouse models. Together these data identify Iridin and TAR as drugs with
      novel GBM tissue disrupting effects and validate the importance of preclinical
      screens designed to address tumor tissue function rather than the mechanisms of
      autonomous tumor cell growth. 

PMID- 26286962
TI  - Class 3 semaphorins expression and association with innervation and angiogenesis
      within the degenerate human intervertebral disc.
AB  - Nerve and blood vessel ingrowth during intervertebral disc degeneration, is
      thought to be a major cause of low back pain, however the regulation of this
      process is poorly understood. Here, we investigated the expression and regulation
      of a subclass of axonal guidance molecules known as the class 3 semaphorins, and
      their receptors; plexins and neuropilins within human NP tissue and their
      regulation by pro-inflammatory cytokines. Importantly this determined whether
      semaphorin expression was associated with the presence of nerves and blood
      vessels in tissues from human intervertebral discs. The study demonstrated that
      semaphorin3A, 3C, 3D, 3E and 3F and their receptors were expressed by native NP
      cells and further demonstrated their expression was regulated by IL-1beta but to
      a lesser extent by IL-6 and TNFalpha. This is the first study to identify sema3C,
      sema3D and their receptors within the nucleus pulposus of intervertebral discs.
      Immunopositivity shows significant increases in semaphorin3C, 3D and their
      receptor neuropilin-2 in degenerate samples which were shown to contain nerves
      and blood vessels, compared to non-degenerate samples without nerves and blood
      vessels. Therefore data presented here suggests that semaphorin3C may have a role
      in promoting innervation and vascularisation during degeneration, which may go on
      to cause low back pain. 

PMID- 26286963
TI  - Redox process is crucial for inhibitory properties of aurintricarboxylic acid
      against activity of YopH: virulence factor of Yersinia pestis.
AB  - YopH is a bacterial protein tyrosine phosphatase, which is essential for the
      viability and pathogenic virulence of the plague-causing Yersinia sp. bacteria.
      Inactivation of YopH activity would lead to the loss of bacterial pathogenicity.
      We have studied the inhibitory properties of aurintricarboxylic acid (ATA)
      against YopH phosphatase and found that at nanomolar concentrations ATA
      reversibly decreases the activity of YopH. Computational docking studies
      indicated that in all binding poses ATA binds in the YopH active site. Molecular
      dynamics simulations showed that in the predicted binding pose, ATA binds to the
      essential Cys403 and Arg409 residues in the active site and has a stronger
      binding affinity than the natural substrate (pTyr). The cyclic voltammetry
      experiments suggest that ATA reacts remarkably strongly with molecular oxygen.
      Additionally, the electrochemical reduction of ATA in the presence of a negative
      potential from -2.0 to 2.5 V generates a current signal, which is observed for
      hydrogen peroxide. Here we showed that ATA indicates a unique mechanism of YopH
      inactivation due to a redox process. We proposed that the potent inhibitory
      properties of ATA are a result of its strong binding in the YopH active site and
      in situ generation of hydrogen peroxide near catalytic cysteine residue. 

PMID- 26286964
TI  - Mineral Composition and Nutritive Value of Isotonic and Energy Drinks.
AB  - Several very popular brands of isotonic and energy drinks consumed for fluid and
      electrolyte supplementation and stimulation of mental or physical alertness were
      chosen for investigation. Liquid beverages available in polyethylene bottles and
      aluminum cans as well as products in the form of tablets and powder in sachets
      were studied. The total concentrations of 21 elements (Ag, Al, B, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co,
      Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Sr, Ti, V, and Zn), both essential and
      toxic, were simultaneously determined in preconcentrated drink samples by
      inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) equipped with
      pneumatic and ultrasonic nebulizers. Differences between the mineral compositions
      of isotonic and energy drinks were evaluated and discussed. The highest content
      of Na was found in both isotonic and energy drinks, whereas quite high
      concentrations of Mg were found in isotonic drinks, and the highest amount of
      calcium was quantified in energy drinks. The concentrations of B, Co, Cu, Ni, and
      P were higher in isotonic drinks, but energy drinks contained greater quantities
      of Ag, Cr, Zn, Mn, and Mo and toxic elements, as Cd and Pb. A comparison of
      element contents with micronutrient intake and tolerable levels was performed to
      evaluate contribution of the investigated beverages to the daily diet. The
      consumption of 250 cm(3) of an isotonic drink provides from 0.32% (for Mn) up to
      14.8% (for Na) of the recommended daily intake. For the energy drinks, the
      maximum recommended daily intake fulfillment ranged from 0.02% (for V) to 19.4 or
      19.8% (for Mg and Na).

PMID- 26286965
TI  - Sodium Para-aminosalicylic Acid Protected Primary Cultured Basal Ganglia Neurons
      of Rat from Manganese-Induced Oxidative Impairment and Changes of Amino Acid
      Neurotransmitters.
AB  - Manganese (Mn), an essential trace metal for protein synthesis and particularly
      neurotransmitter metabolism, preferentially accumulates in basal ganglia.
      However, excessive Mn accumulation may cause neurotoxicity referred to as
      manganism. Sodium para-aminosalicylic acid (PAS-Na) has been used to treat
      manganism with unclear molecular mechanisms. Thus, we aim to explore whether PAS
      Na can inhibit Mn-induced neuronal injury in basal ganglia in vitro. We exposed
      basal ganglia neurons with 50 MUM manganese chloride (MnCl2) for 24 h and then
      replaced with 50, 150, and 450 MUM PAS-Na treatment for another 24 h. MnCl2
      significantly decreased cell viability but increased leakage rate of lactate
      dehydrogenase and DNA damage (as shown by increasing percentage of DNA tail and
      Olive tail moment). Mechanically, Mn reduced glutathione peroxidase and catalase
      activity and interrupted amino acid neurotransmitter balance. However, PAS-Na
      treatment reversed the aforementioned Mn-induced toxic effects. Taken together,
      these results showed that PAS-Na could protect basal ganglia neurons from Mn
      induced neurotoxicity.

PMID- 26286966
TI  - CLM29 and CLM24, pyrazolopyrimidine derivatives, have antitumoral activity in
      vitro in anaplastic thyroid cancer, with or without BRAF mutation.
AB  - We have studied the antitumor activity of two new "pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine"
      compounds (CLM29 and CLM24) that inhibit several targets (including the RET
      tyrosine kinase, epidermal growth factor receptor, vascular endothelial growth
      factor receptor, with an antiangiogenic effect) in primary anaplastic thyroid
      cancer (ATC) cell cultures and in the human cell line 8305C (undifferentiated
      thyroid cancer). The antitumor effect of CLM29 and CLM24 was tested in: nine
      primary ATC cultures obtained from patients at the time of surgery at the
      concentrations of 1, 5, 10, 30, 50 uM; in 8305C cells at 1, 5, 10, 30, 50 uM for
      CLM29, and 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1, 10, 100 uM for CLM24. CLM29, and CLM24
      significantly inhibited the proliferation of 8305C cells. A significant reduction
      of proliferation with CLM29 and CLM24 in ATC cells (P < 0.01, for both, ANOVA)
      was shown. CLM29 and CLM24 increased the percentage of apoptotic ATC cells dose
      dependently (P < 0.001, ANOVA). The (V600E) BRAF mutation was observed in three
      ATCs; the results about the inhibition of proliferation by CLM29 and CLM24,
      obtained in ATC from tumors with (V600E) BRAF mutation were similar to those from
      tumors without BRAF mutation. CLM29 inhibited migration and invasion (P < 0.01)
      of primary ATC cells, while CLM24 had no significant effect. The antitumor
      activity of two new "pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine" compounds (CLM24, CLM29) in vitro
      in ATC, independent from BRAF mutation, has been shown, allowing a future
      clinical evaluation. 

PMID- 26286968
TI  - The Emotional Intelligence, Health, and Well-Being Nexus: What Have We Learned
      and What Have We Missed?
AB  - This paper reviews the claimed pivotal role of emotional intelligence (EI) in
      well-being and health. Specifically, we examine the utility of EI in predicting
      health and well-being and point to future research issues that the field might
      profitably explore. EI is predictive of various indicators of well-being, as well
      as both physical and psychological health, but existing research has
      methodological limitations including over-reliance on self-report measures, and
      neglect of overlap between EI and personality measures. Interventions focusing on
      emotional perception, understanding and expression, and emotion regulation, seem
      potentially important for improving health and well-being, but research on EI has
      not yet made a major contribution to therapeutic practice. Future research, using
      a finer-grained approach to measurement of both predictors and criteria might
      most usefully focus on intra- and inter-personal processes that may mediate
      effects of EI on health. A video abstract of this article can be viewed at
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_8JZX1Uc4k.

PMID- 26286967
TI  - PD-1/PD-L1 signal pathway participates in HCV F protein-induced T cell
      dysfunction in chronic HCV infection.
AB  - Programmed cell death-1/programmed cell death-1 ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) inhibitory
      signal pathway has been verified to be involved in the establishment of
      persistent viral infections. Blockade of PD-1/PD-L1 engagement to reinvigorate T
      cell activity is supposed to be a potential therapeutic scheme. Studies have
      verified the participation of PD-1/PD-L1 in hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein
      regulated immune response. To determine the roles of PD-1/PD-L1 signal pathway in
      HCV F protein-induced immunoreaction in chronic HCV infection, variations in T
      cells were examined. The results showed that PD-1 expression on CD8(+) and CD4(+)
      T cells was increased with HCV F stimulation in both chronic HCV patients and
      healthy controls, and could be reduced partly by PD-1/PD-L1 blocking.
      Additionally, by PD-1/PD-L1 blocking, HCV F-induced inhibition of T cell
      proliferation and promotion of cellular apoptosis were partly or even totally
      recovered. Furthermore, levels of both Th1 and Th2 cytokines were elevated in the
      presence of anti-PD-L1 antibody. All these results indicated that PD-1/PD-L1
      signal pathway also participates in HCV F protein-induced immunoregulation. PD
      1/PD-L1 blocking plays important roles in the restoration of effective
      functionality of the impaired T cells in chronic HCV patients. 

PMID- 26286969
TI  - Life and Job Satisfaction as Predictors of the Incidence of Diabetes.
AB  - We studied the hypothesised effects of baseline levels of life satisfaction and
      of job satisfaction on the incidence of diabetes. Participants were 2,305
      apparently healthy men and women who underwent routine health checks at two
      points in time, about 20 months apart. New cases of diabetes (N=104) were defined
      based on fasting glucose value > 125, or glycosylated hemoglobin value > 6.5, or
      self-reported physician diagnosis of diabetes and taking medications to treat it.
      Life satisfaction was measured using the scale constructed by Diener et al.
      (1985) while job satisfaction was assessed based on the Survey of Working
      Conditions. In the analyses, we controlled for socio-demographic predictors, for
      known physiological and behavioral precursors of diabetes, and for depressive
      symptoms. There was support for our hypothesis that the higher the baseline
      levels of life satisfaction, the lower the incidence of diabetes. However, job
      satisfaction did not predict the incidence of diabetes. We obtained the same
      results when limiting the analysis to new cases of diabetes based on objective
      criteria only and when using as predictors both life and job satisfaction. We
      suggest that life satisfaction could be a protective factor reducing the risk of
      diabetes.

PMID- 26286970
TI  - The Role of Socioeconomic Status and Control Beliefs on Frequency of Exercise
      During and After Cardiac Rehabilitation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Exercise is considered a key component of rehabilitation for heart
      patients, yet adherence to exercise remains problematic. This study examined the
      role of socioeconomic status, patients' perception of control over their heart
      problem and self-efficacy beliefs on exercise during and after cardiac
      rehabilitation. METHODS: A prospective design was used. Measures were assessed
      prior to beginning rehabilitation, at the end of rehabilitation, and 1 month post
      rehabilitation. RESULTS: There were 107 participants (Mean age = 59 years; 85%
      men) enrolled in the rehabilitation program who completed the study. Regression
      analysis showed that initial exercise capacity and patients' perception of
      control over their heart problem prior to starting rehabilitation predicted
      exercise during the rehabilitation period. Patients scheduling self-efficacy
      beliefs at the end of the rehabilitation was the key predictor of exercise 1
      month post rehabilitation. CONCLUSIONS: Findings support the role of multiple
      kinds of control beliefs, including conceptualising self-efficacy in terms of
      multiple dimensions. Further, there may be different motivational influences on
      exercise performed during rehabilitation than exercise performed after
      rehabilitation.

PMID- 26286971
TI  - A Comparison of Three Job Engagement Measures: Examining their Factorial and
      Criterion-Related Validity.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Engagement is an emerging job attitude that purports to measure
      employees' psychological presence at and involvement in their work. This research
      compares three academic approaches to engagement, and makes recommendations
      regarding the most appropriate conceptualisation and measurement of the construct
      in future research. The current research also investigates whether any of these
      three approaches to engagement contribute unique variance to the prediction of
      turnover intentions above and beyond the predictive capacity of alternative
      constructs. METHODS: An online survey was taken by 382 employees and managers
      from a mid-sized financial institution. RESULTS: Results failed to support either
      a multi- or unidimensional factor structure for the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale
      (UWES) engagement measure. For the Shirom-Melamed Vigor Measure (SMVM), a multi
      dimensional structure was identified as a good fit, while a unidimensional
      structure fit poorly. The uni-factorial structure of Britt's engagement measure
      was confirmed. The Schaufeli measure of engagement was a strong predictor of work
      outcomes; however, when controlling for job satisfaction and affective
      commitment, that measure lost its ability to predict intentions to leave. Two
      components of the Shirom vigor measure held their predictive validity.
      CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, these findings suggest that the Shirom vigor measure
      may provide better insight into whether and how much a person is 'into' his or
      her job. The Schaufeli measure was a good predictor of important work outcomes,
      but when job satisfaction and affective commitment were controlled, it lost its
      predictive validity. We were not able to confirm the three-factor structure of
      the Schaufeli measure. Two components of the Shirom vigor measure predicted
      turnover intentions after controlling for job satisfaction and affective
      commitment, suggesting less overlap with those constructs than the Schaufeli
      measure of engagement. This research adds important information on the nature of
      engagement and is expected to contribute toward a better understanding of the
      construct itself, as well as its measurement.

PMID- 26286972
TI  - Mindfulness and its Role in Physical and Psychological Health.
AB  - This study examined the relationships of mindfulness, a form of focused self
      awareness, with physical and psychological health. Mindfulness was measured in
      terms of four stable forms of awareness: Observe, an awareness of internal and
      external stimuli; Describe, an ability to verbally express thoughts clearly and
      easily; Act with Awareness, the tendency to focus on present tasks with undivided
      attention; and Accept without Judgment, the tendency to take a nonjudgmental
      attitude toward one's own thoughts and emotions. These aspects of mindfulness
      were explored in relation to both physical health, which consisted of heart rate
      variability, a measure of overall cardiovascular health, and psychological
      health, which consisted of flourishing, existential well-being, negative affect,
      and social well-being in a sample of 506 undergraduate students. Individuals high
      in mindfulness showed better cardiovascular health and psychological health. 

PMID- 26286973
TI  - Young Adults' Developmental Task-Related Goals Modify the Association between
      Self-Focused Goals and Depressive Symptoms.
AB  - Having self-focused goals is often a risk factor for a higher level of depressive
      symptoms. The present study investigated whether developmental task-related
      personal goals could moderate the association between self-focused goals and
      depressive symptoms in young adulthood. A total of 1,276 Finnish twins aged 21-26
      filled out a questionnaire on personal goals. The General Behavior Inventory for
      depressive symptoms at age 17 and 21-26 was applied. Longitudinal path analyses
      were carried out. Among those who had a goal related to their own family or life
      philosophy, self-focused goals were not associated with depressive symptoms,
      whereas among those who did not express these goals there was a strong
      association between self-focused goals and higher level of depressive symptoms.
      Among those who had a goal related to education, the association between self
      focused goals and depressive symptoms was weaker compared to those who did not
      express these goals. These results suggest that goals related to one's own
      family, life philosophy, and education have the potential to decrease the
      association between self-focused goals and depressive symptoms. 

PMID- 26286974
TI  - Health-Enhancing Physical Activity: Associations with Markers of Well-Being.
AB  - BACKGROUND: The association between health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA) and
      well-being was investigated across a cross-sectional (Study 1; N=243) and a
      longitudinal, two-wave (Study 2; N=198) design. Study 2 further examined the role
      played by fulfilling basic psychological needs in terms of understanding the
      mechanisms via which HEPA is associated with well-being. METHODS: Women enrolled
      in undergraduate courses were surveyed. RESULTS: In general, greater HEPA was
      associated with greater well-being (Study 1; rs ranged from .03 to .25). Change
      score analyses revealed that increased HEPA positively predicted well-being
      (Study 2; R(2) adj=0.03 to 0.15) with psychological need fulfilment underpinning
      this relationship. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively these findings indicate that
      increased engagement in health-enhancing physical activity represents one factor
      associated with greater well-being. Continued investigation of basic
      psychological need fulfilment as one mechanism underpinning the HEPA-well-being
      relationship appears justified.

PMID- 26286975
TI  - Emotional Intelligence Relates to Well-Being: Evidence from the Situational
      Judgment Test of Emotional Management.
AB  - BACKGROUND: This research was conducted to examine whether people high in
      emotional intelligence (EI) have greater well-being than people low in EI.
      METHOD: The Situational Test of Emotion Management, Scales of Psychological Well
      being, and Day Reconstruction Method were completed by 131 college students.
      RESULTS: Responses to the Situational Test of Emotion Management were strongly
      related to eudaimonic well-being as measured by responses on the Scales of
      Psychological Well-being (r=.54). Furthermore, the ability to manage emotions was
      related to hedonic well-being, correlating with both the frequency of experienced
      positive affect and the frequency of experienced negative affect, as measured by
      the Day Reconstruction Method. CONCLUSION: Two aspects of these results suggest a
      relationship between EI and well-being. First, the observed relationship between
      ability EI and psychological well-being is the largest reported in the literature
      to date. Second, this study is the first use of the Day Reconstruction Method to
      examine the relationship between well-being and EI. Results are discussed in
      terms of the potential for training emotion management to enhance well-being.
      Methodological advances for future research are also suggested.

PMID- 26286976
TI  - The Basic Psychological Needs at Work Scale: Measurement Invariance between
      Canada and France.
AB  - The purpose of this study is to develop and validate the Basic Psychological
      Needs at Work Scale (BPNWS) in French, but items are also provided in English in
      the article. The BPNWS is a work-related self-report instrument designed to
      measure the degree to which the needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness,
      as identified by Self-Determination Theory (Deci & Ryan, 2000), are satisfied at
      work. Using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, the first study
      examines the structure of the BPNWS in a group of 271 workers. The second study
      tests the measurement invariance of the scale in a group of 851 teachers from two
      different cultures, Canada and France. Results support the three-factor structure
      and show adequate internal consistency, as well as nomological validity across
      samples.

PMID- 26286977
TI  - An Experimental Test of Women's Body Dissatisfaction Reduction through Self
      Affirmation.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Body dissatisfaction (BD)--a health concern in its own right-often is
      positioned early in the causal chain toward eating pathology, and is a practical
      point of intervention for those aiming to reduce its negative health
      consequences. One approach to reducing people's resistance to receipt of other
      unwanted health information (e.g. about smoking) has been through the application
      of self-affirmation theory. This theory asserts that the self needs to maintain
      its integrity and, as such, when incoming information is threatening, one's
      defensive shields are activated and it is deflected. One way to reduce
      defensiveness, however, is to bolster some other aspect of the self. METHOD: We
      applied a one-shot, self-affirmation-based manipulation via a randomised
      controlled design (N=86) to a group of body-dissatisfied college women and
      compared its effects to a control group. RESULTS: All hypotheses predicted by
      self-affirmation theory were supported: Women who were self-affirmed exhibited
      (a) greater openness to threatening information about the dangers of BD, (b)
      lower BD, and (c) greater intention to reduce criticism of their bodies.
      CONCLUSIONS: The present study provided an experimental test of a mechanism of
      action which might prove useful in a comprehensive intervention program.

PMID- 26286978
TI  - Assessment of Parent Orientation towards Autonomy vs. Control in Promoting
      Children's Healthy Eating and Exercise.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Self-determination theory has been widely applied to understanding
      individuals' health-related behaviors such as eating healthy foods and
      exercising. Different reasons for engagement are associated with varying levels
      of personal agency or autonomy. Authority figures in the environment can be
      supportive of autonomy or, in contrast, controlling. Although researchers have
      assessed individuals' perceptions of the autonomy-support in their environments,
      studies have not directly examined the authority figures' orientations to
      autonomy with respect to health contexts. METHODS: A new scale, Parent
      Orientations to Health, was created to investigate parent orientation to autonomy
      and control with respect to healthy eating and exercise in children. One hundred
      and forty-three parents of elementary school-aged children responded to the
      scale. RESULTS: Scale validation and reliability results indicate that the scale
      successfully assessed parent orientation towards autonomy for children in health
      contexts. Furthermore, parent autonomy orientation varied according to child
      weight status and the healthiness of the child's diet. CONCLUSIONS: Parent
      orientation towards autonomy can be evaluated through the use of the Parent
      Orientations to Health scale. In addition, parent autonomy orientation is
      associated with both the healthiness of the child's diet (as perceived by the
      parent) and the child's body mass index.

PMID- 26286979
TI  - Are only Emotional Strengths Emotional? Character Strengths and Disposition to
      Positive Emotions.
AB  - This study aimed to examine the relations between character strengths and
      dispositional positive emotions (i.e. joy, contentment, pride, love, compassion,
      amusement, and awe). A sample of 574 German-speaking adults filled in the
      Dispositional Positive Emotion Scales (DPES; Shiota, Keltner, & John, 2006), and
      the Values in Action Inventory of Strengths (VIA-IS; Peterson, Park, & Seligman,
      2005). The factorial structure of the DPES was examined on item level. Joy and
      contentment could not be clearly separated; the items of the other five emotions
      loaded on separate factors. A confirmatory factor analysis assuming two latent
      factors (self-oriented and object/situation specific) was computed on scale
      level. Results confirmed the existence of these factors, but also indicated that
      the seven emotions did not split up into two clearly separable families.
      Correlations between dispositional positive emotions and character strengths were
      positive and generally low to moderate; a few theoretically meaningful strengths
      emotions pairs yielded coefficients>.40. Finally, the link between five character
      strengths factors (i.e. emotional strengths, interpersonal strengths, strengths
      of restraint, intellectual strengths, and theological strengths) and the
      emotional dispositions was examined. Each of the factors displayed a distinctive
      "emotional pattern"; emotional strengths evidenced the most numerous and
      strongest links to emotional dispositions.

PMID- 26286980
TI  - Awareness of the Historical Role of the Church and Change in Self-Esteem among
      Older African Americans.
AB  - The purpose of this study is to see if greater awareness of the historical role
      of the church in the black community is associated with a greater sense of self
      worth among older African Americans. A latent variable model is evaluated that
      contains the following core hypotheses: (1) older blacks who go to church more
      often will receive more spiritual support (i.e. encouragement to adopt religious
      teachings and beliefs) from fellow church members; (2) greater spiritual support
      is associated with greater awareness of the role that has been played by the
      church in the black community; and (3) greater awareness of the historical role
      of the church is associated with a greater sense of self-worth. Findings from a
      nationwide survey of older African Americans provide support for each of these
      linkages. Greater confidence may be placed in the findings because they are based
      on data that have been gathered at more than one point in time.

PMID- 26286981
TI  - News Feature: Intimate partnerships.

PMID- 26286983
TI  - Reproduction, symbiosis, and the eukaryotic cell.
AB  - This paper develops a conceptual framework for addressing questions about
      reproduction, individuality, and the units of selection in symbiotic
      associations, with special attention to the origin of the eukaryotic cell. Three
      kinds of reproduction are distinguished, and a possible evolutionary sequence
      giving rise to a mitochondrion-containing eukaryotic cell from an endosymbiotic
      partnership is analyzed as a series of transitions between each of the three
      forms of reproduction. The sequence of changes seen in this "egalitarian"
      evolutionary transition is compared with those that apply in "fraternal"
      transitions, such as the evolution of multicellularity in animals. 

PMID- 26286984
TI  - Genome expansion via lineage splitting and genome reduction in the cicada
      endosymbiont Hodgkinia.
AB  - Comparative genomics from mitochondria, plastids, and mutualistic endosymbiotic
      bacteria has shown that the stable establishment of a bacterium in a host cell
      results in genome reduction. Although many highly reduced genomes from
      endosymbiotic bacteria are stable in gene content and genome structure, organelle
      genomes are sometimes characterized by dramatic structural diversity. Previous
      results from Candidatus Hodgkinia cicadicola, an endosymbiont of cicadas,
      revealed that some lineages of this bacterium had split into two new
      cytologically distinct yet genetically interdependent species. It was
      hypothesized that the long life cycle of cicadas in part enabled this unusual
      lineage-splitting event. Here we test this hypothesis by investigating the
      structure of the Ca. Hodgkinia genome in one of the longest-lived cicadas,
      Magicicada tredecim. We show that the Ca. Hodgkinia genome from M. tredecim has
      fragmented into multiple new chromosomes or genomes, with at least some remaining
      partitioned into discrete cells. We also show that this lineage-splitting process
      has resulted in a complex of Ca. Hodgkinia genomes that are 1.1-Mb pairs in
      length when considered together, an almost 10-fold increase in size from the
      hypothetical single-genome ancestor. These results parallel some examples of
      genome fragmentation and expansion in organelles, although the mechanisms that
      give rise to these extreme genome instabilities are likely different. 

PMID- 26286985
TI  - Why chloroplasts and mitochondria retain their own genomes and genetic systems:
      Colocation for redox regulation of gene expression.
AB  - Chloroplasts and mitochondria are subcellular bioenergetic organelles with their
      own genomes and genetic systems. DNA replication and transmission to daughter
      organelles produces cytoplasmic inheritance of characters associated with primary
      events in photosynthesis and respiration. The prokaryotic ancestors of
      chloroplasts and mitochondria were endosymbionts whose genes became copied to the
      genomes of their cellular hosts. These copies gave rise to nuclear chromosomal
      genes that encode cytosolic proteins and precursor proteins that are synthesized
      in the cytosol for import into the organelle into which the endosymbiont evolved.
      What accounts for the retention of genes for the complete synthesis within
      chloroplasts and mitochondria of a tiny minority of their protein subunits? One
      hypothesis is that expression of genes for protein subunits of energy-transducing
      enzymes must respond to physical environmental change by means of a direct and
      unconditional regulatory control--control exerted by change in the redox state of
      the corresponding gene product. This hypothesis proposes that, to preserve
      function, an entire redox regulatory system has to be retained within its
      original membrane-bound compartment. Colocation of gene and gene product for
      redox regulation of gene expression (CoRR) is a hypothesis in agreement with the
      results of a variety of experiments designed to test it and which seem to have no
      other satisfactory explanation. Here, I review evidence relating to CoRR and
      discuss its development, conclusions, and implications. This overview also
      identifies predictions concerning the results of experiments that may yet prove
      the hypothesis to be incorrect.

PMID- 26286986
TI  - Propagation of prions causing synucleinopathies in cultured cells.
AB  - Increasingly, evidence argues that many neurodegenerative diseases, including
      progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), are caused by prions, which are
      alternatively folded proteins undergoing self-propagation. In earlier studies,
      PSP prions were detected by infecting human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells
      expressing a tau fragment [TauRD(LM)] fused to yellow fluorescent protein (YFP).
      Here, we report on an improved bioassay using selective precipitation of tau
      prions from human PSP brain homogenates before infection of the HEK cells. Tau
      prions were measured by counting the number of cells with TauRD(LM)-YFP
      aggregates using confocal fluorescence microscopy. In parallel studies, we fused
      alpha-synuclein to YFP to bioassay alpha-synuclein prions in the brains of
      patients who died of multiple system atrophy (MSA). Previously, MSA prion
      detection required ~120 d for transmission into transgenic mice, whereas our
      cultured cell assay needed only 4 d. Variation in MSA prion levels in four
      different brain regions from three patients provided evidence for three different
      MSA prion strains. Attempts to demonstrate alpha-synuclein prions in brain
      homogenates from Parkinson's disease patients were unsuccessful, identifying an
      important biological difference between the two synucleinopathies. Partial
      purification of tau and alpha-synuclein prions facilitated measuring the levels
      of these protein pathogens in human brains. Our studies should facilitate
      investigations of the pathogenesis of both tau and alpha-synuclein prion
      disorders as well as help decipher the basic biology of those prions that attack
      the CNS. 

PMID- 26286987
TI  - Phylogenetic analyses of melanoma reveal complex patterns of metastatic
      dissemination.
AB  - Melanoma is difficult to treat once it becomes metastatic. However, the precise
      ancestral relationship between primary tumors and their metastases is not well
      understood. We performed whole-exome sequencing of primary melanomas and multiple
      matched metastases from eight patients to elucidate their phylogenetic
      relationships. In six of eight patients, we found that genetically distinct cell
      populations in the primary tumor metastasized in parallel to different anatomic
      sites, rather than sequentially from one site to the next. In five of these six
      patients, the metastasizing cells had themselves arisen from a common parental
      subpopulation in the primary, indicating that the ability to establish metastases
      is a late-evolving trait. Interestingly, we discovered that individual metastases
      were sometimes founded by multiple cell populations of the primary that were
      genetically distinct. Such establishment of metastases by multiple tumor
      subpopulations could help explain why identical resistance variants are
      identified in different sites after initial response to systemic therapy. One
      primary tumor harbored two subclones with different oncogenic mutations in
      CTNNB1, which were both propagated to the same metastasis, raising the
      possibility that activation of wingless-type mouse mammary tumor virus
      integration site (WNT) signaling may be involved, as has been suggested by
      experimental models. 

PMID- 26286988
TI  - Mapping vaccinia virus DNA replication origins at nucleotide level by deep
      sequencing.
AB  - Poxviruses reproduce in the host cytoplasm and encode most or all of the enzymes
      and factors needed for expression and synthesis of their double-stranded DNA
      genomes. Nevertheless, the mode of poxvirus DNA replication and the nature and
      location of the replication origins remain unknown. A current but unsubstantiated
      model posits only leading strand synthesis starting at a nick near one covalently
      closed end of the genome and continuing around the other end to generate a
      concatemer that is subsequently resolved into unit genomes. The existence of
      specific origins has been questioned because any plasmid can replicate in cells
      infected by vaccinia virus (VACV), the prototype poxvirus. We applied directional
      deep sequencing of short single-stranded DNA fragments enriched for RNA-primed
      nascent strands isolated from the cytoplasm of VACV-infected cells to pinpoint
      replication origins. The origins were identified as the switching points of the
      fragment directions, which correspond to the transition from continuous to
      discontinuous DNA synthesis. Origins containing a prominent initiation point
      mapped to a sequence within the hairpin loop at one end of the VACV genome and to
      the same sequence within the concatemeric junction of replication intermediates.
      These findings support a model for poxvirus genome replication that involves
      leading and lagging strand synthesis and is consistent with the requirements for
      primase and ligase activities as well as earlier electron microscopic and
      biochemical studies implicating a replication origin at the end of the VACV
      genome. 

PMID- 26286989
TI  - NH4(+) triggers the release of astrocytic lactate via mitochondrial pyruvate
      shunting.
AB  - Neural activity is accompanied by a transient mismatch between local glucose and
      oxygen metabolism, a phenomenon of physiological and pathophysiological
      importance termed aerobic glycolysis. Previous studies have proposed glutamate
      and K(+) as the neuronal signals that trigger aerobic glycolysis in astrocytes.
      Here we used a panel of genetically encoded FRET sensors in vitro and in vivo to
      investigate the participation of NH4(+), a by-product of catabolism that is also
      released by active neurons. Astrocytes in mixed cortical cultures responded to
      physiological levels of NH4(+) with an acute rise in cytosolic lactate followed
      by lactate release into the extracellular space, as detected by a lactate
      sniffer. An acute increase in astrocytic lactate was also observed in acute
      hippocampal slices exposed to NH4(+) and in the somatosensory cortex of
      anesthetized mice in response to i.v. NH4(+). Unexpectedly, NH4(+) had no effect
      on astrocytic glucose consumption. Parallel measurements showed simultaneous
      cytosolic pyruvate accumulation and NADH depletion, suggesting the involvement of
      mitochondria. An inhibitor-stop technique confirmed a strong inhibition of
      mitochondrial pyruvate uptake that can be explained by mitochondrial matrix
      acidification. These results show that physiological NH4(+) diverts the flux of
      pyruvate from mitochondria to lactate production and release. Considering that
      NH4(+) is produced stoichiometrically with glutamate during excitatory
      neurotransmission, we propose that NH4(+) behaves as an intercellular signal and
      that pyruvate shunting contributes to aerobic lactate production by astrocytes.

PMID- 26286990
TI  - Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 activates guanine nucleotide exchange factor GIV/Girdin
      to orchestrate migration-proliferation dichotomy.
AB  - Signals propagated by receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) can drive cell migration
      and proliferation, two cellular processes that do not occur simultaneously--a
      phenomenon called "migration-proliferation dichotomy." We previously showed that
      epidermal growth factor (EGF) signaling is skewed to favor migration over
      proliferation via noncanonical transactivation of Galphai proteins by the guanine
      exchange factor (GEF) GIV. However, what turns on GIV-GEF downstream of growth
      factor RTKs remained unknown. Here we reveal the molecular mechanism by which
      phosphorylation of GIV by cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5) triggers GIV's ability
      to bind and activate Galphai in response to growth factors and modulate
      downstream signals to establish a dichotomy between migration and proliferation.
      We show that CDK5 binds and phosphorylates GIV at Ser1674 near its GEF motif.
      When Ser1674 is phosphorylated, GIV activates Galphai and enhances promigratory
      Akt signals. Phosphorylated GIV also binds Galphas and enhances endosomal
      maturation, which shortens the transit time of EGFR through early endosomes,
      thereby limiting mitogenic MAPK signals. Consequently, this phosphoevent triggers
      cells to preferentially migrate during wound healing and transmigration of cancer
      cells. When Ser1674 cannot be phosphorylated, GIV cannot bind either Galphai or
      Galphas, Akt signaling is suppressed, mitogenic signals are enhanced due to
      delayed transit time of EGFR through early endosomes, and cells preferentially
      proliferate. These results illuminate how GIV-GEF is turned on upon receptor
      activation, adds GIV to the repertoire of CDK5 substrates, and defines a
      mechanism by which this unusual CDK orchestrates migration-proliferation
      dichotomy during cancer invasion, wound healing, and development.

PMID- 26286992
TI  - Topological Bloch bands in graphene superlattices.
AB  - We outline a designer approach to endow widely available plain materials with
      topological properties by stacking them atop other nontopological materials. The
      approach is illustrated with a model system comprising graphene stacked atop
      hexagonal boron nitride. In this case, the Berry curvature of the electron Bloch
      bands is highly sensitive to the stacking configuration. As a result, electron
      topology can be controlled by crystal axes alignment, granting a practical route
      to designer topological materials. Berry curvature manifests itself in transport
      via the valley Hall effect and long-range chargeless valley currents. The
      nonlocal electrical response mediated by such currents provides diagnostics for
      band topology. 

PMID- 26286991
TI  - IL-22 regulates lymphoid chemokine production and assembly of tertiary lymphoid
      organs.
AB  - The series of events leading to tertiary lymphoid organ (TLO) formation in
      mucosal organs following tissue damage remain unclear. Using a virus-induced
      model of autoantibody formation in the salivary glands of adult mice, we
      demonstrate that IL-22 provides a mechanistic link between mucosal infection, B
      cell recruitment, and humoral autoimmunity. IL-22 receptor engagement is
      necessary and sufficient to promote differential expression of chemokine (C-X-C
      motif) ligand 12 and chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 13 in epithelial and
      fibroblastic stromal cells that, in turn, is pivotal for B-cell recruitment and
      organization of the TLOs. Accordingly, genetic and therapeutic blockade of IL-22
      impairs and reverses TLO formation and autoantibody production. Our work
      highlights a critical role for IL-22 in TLO-induced pathology and provides a
      rationale for the use of IL-22-blocking agents in B-cell-mediated autoimmune
      conditions. 

PMID- 26286993
TI  - Disruption of hippocampal-prefrontal cortex activity by dopamine D2R-dependent
      LTD of NMDAR transmission.
AB  - Functional connectivity between the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex (PFC) is
      essential for associative recognition memory and working memory. Disruption of
      hippocampal-PFC synchrony occurs in schizophrenia, which is characterized by
      hypofunction of NMDA receptor (NMDAR)-mediated transmission. We demonstrate that
      activity of dopamine D2-like receptors (D2Rs) leads selectively to long-term
      depression (LTD) of hippocampal-PFC NMDAR-mediated synaptic transmission. We show
      that dopamine-dependent LTD of NMDAR-mediated transmission profoundly disrupts
      normal synaptic transmission between hippocampus and PFC. These results show how
      dopaminergic activation induces long-term hypofunction of NMDARs, which can
      contribute to disordered functional connectivity, a characteristic that is a
      hallmark of psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia. 

PMID- 26286995
TI  - Tocopherol and annatto tocotrienols distribution in laying-hen body.
AB  - The impact of supplementing laying-hen feed with annatto tocotrienols (T3s) and
      alpha-tocopherol on the distribution of various forms of vitamin E and
      cholesterol throughout the hen's body was evaluated. A total of 18 organs or
      tissues (skin, fat pad, liver and gall bladder, heart, oviduct, forming yolk,
      laid yolk, lungs, spleen, kidney, pancreas, gizzard, digestive tract, brain,
      thigh, breast, manure, and blood) were collected after 7 wk of feeding on diets
      enriched with various levels of alpha-tocopherol and annatto extract that
      contained gamma-T3 and delta-T3. Tissue weights, contents of lipid, alpha
      tocopherol, gamma-T3, delta-T3, cholesterol, and fatty acid composition of
      extracted lipids from the collected organs and tissues were determined. Tissue
      weight and lipid content did not change significantly with feed supplementation
      treatments, except that the liver became heavier with increased levels of
      supplementation. Overall, the main organs that accumulated the supplemented
      vitamin E were fat pad, liver and gall bladder, oviduct, forming yolks, laid
      yolks, kidney, brain, thigh, and breast. Much of annatto gamma-T3 and delta-T3 (>
      90%) was found in the manure, indicating poor uptake. In some tissues (brain and
      oviduct,) a significant increase in polyunsaturated fatty acids was seen with
      increased supplementation. Alpha-tocopherol impacted the transfer of gamma-T3 to
      forming and laid yolks, but did not impact delta-T3 transfer. No significant
      differences were found in most of the tissues in cholesterol, except a reduction
      in heart, based on tissue as-is. Blood samples showed large variations in
      individual hens with no significant differences in total and HDL cholesterol, or
      total triacylglycerols. Supplementing feed with annatto T3s and alpha-tocopherol
      showed that the vitamin E profile and distribution of the laying-hen body can be
      altered, but to different extents depending on tissue. The result of this
      research has significance in enhancing meat nutrient content. 

PMID- 26286994
TI  - Age-related profiling of DNA methylation in CD8+ T cells reveals changes in
      immune response and transcriptional regulator genes.
AB  - Human ageing affects the immune system resulting in an overall decline in
      immunocompetence. Although all immune cells are affected during aging, the
      functional capacity of T cells is most influenced and is linked to decreased
      responsiveness to infections and impaired differentiation. We studied age-related
      changes in DNA methylation and gene expression in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from
      younger and older individuals. We observed marked difference between T cell
      subsets, with increased number of methylation changes and higher methylome
      variation in CD8+ T cells with age. The majority of age-related hypermethylated
      sites were located at CpG islands of silent genes and enriched for repressive
      histone marks. Specifically, in CD8+ T cell subset we identified strong inverse
      correlation between methylation and expression levels in genes associated with T
      cell mediated immune response (LGALS1, IFNG, CCL5, GZMH, CCR7, CD27 and CD248)
      and differentiation (SATB1, TCF7, BCL11B and RUNX3). Our results thus suggest the
      link between age-related epigenetic changes and impaired T cell function. 

PMID- 26286996
TI  - Isolation and culture of chicken primordial follicles.
AB  - The establishment of a primordial follicle culture system is important for the
      study of follicular development. Hence, the objective of this study was to
      isolate chicken primordial follicles and establish culture methods. Ovaries from
      2-wk-old chickens were treated with trypsin-EDTA, collagenase II, or collagenase
      type IA, along with a mechanical isolation technique. Isolated follicles were
      cultured under different conditions. Results showed a significant difference in
      the follicular recovery and survival rates among different enzymes and methods
      used. The maximal follicular yield was obtained by trypsin+EDTA and collagenase
      II digestion, followed by collagenase type IA digestion. However, the highest
      follicular viability rate was observed in groups of collagenase type IA digestion
      and the mechanical isolation method. Enzymatic treatment resulted in higher
      misshapen oocytes or follicles, though the diameters of the follicles were not
      significantly changed. In addition, our follicle culture results for different
      conditions showed maximal survival rates of primordial follicles in alginate
      hydrogel beads after 12 d of culture. Thus, we successfully established methods
      for isolating and culturing chicken primordial follicles. The present method will
      greatly facilitate investigation of the regulation of follicular development. 

PMID- 26286997
TI  - Identification and characterization of transcript variants of chicken peroxisome
      proliferator-activated receptor gamma.
AB  - Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma regulates adipogenesis. The
      genomic structure of the chicken peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma
      (cPPARgamma) gene has not been fully characterized, and only one cPPARgamma gene
      mRNA sequence has been reported in genetic databases. Using 5' rapid
      amplification of cDNA ends, we identified five different cPPARgamma mRNAs that
      are transcribed from three transcription initiation sites. The open reading frame
      analysis showed that these five cPPARgamma transcript variants (cPPARgamma1 to 5)
      could encode two cPPARgamma protein isoforms (cPPARgamma1 and cPPARgamma2), which
      differ only in their N-terminal region. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR analysis
      showed that, of these five cPPARgamma transcript variants, cPPARgamma1 was
      ubiquitously highly expressed in various chicken tissues, including adipose
      tissue, liver, kidney, spleen and duodenal; cPPARgamma2 was exclusively highly
      expressed in adipose tissue; cPPARgamma3 was highly expressed in adipose tissue,
      kidney, spleen and liver; cPPARgamma4 and cPPARgamma5 were ubiquitously weakly
      expressed in all the tested tissues, and comparatively, cPPARgamma5 was highly
      expressed in adipose tissue, heart, liver and kidney. The comparison of the
      expression of the five cPPARgamma transcript variants showed that adipose tissue
      cPPARgamma1 expression was significantly higher in the fat line than in the lean
      line from 2 to 7 wk of age (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Adipose tissue cPPARgamma3
      expression was significantly higher in the fat line than in the lean line at 3, 5
      and 6 wk of age (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), but lower at 4 wk of age (P < 0.05).
      Adipose tissue cPPARgamma5 expression was significantly higher in the fat line
      than in the lean line at 3, 4, and 6 wk of age (P < 0.01) and at 2 and 7 wk of
      age (P < 0.05). This is the first report of transcript variants and protein
      isoforms of cPPARgamma gene. Our findings provided a foundation for future
      investigations of the function and regulation of cPPARgamma gene in adipose
      tissue development. 

PMID- 26286998
TI  - Evaluation of yeast dietary supplementation in broilers challenged or not with
      Salmonella on growth performance, cecal microbiota composition and Salmonella in
      ceca, cloacae and carcass skin.
AB  - The dietary supplementation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii was
      evaluated in broilers challenged or not challenged with Salmonella Enteritidis
      (SE) using a 2 * 2 factorial arrangement. Depending on yeast inclusion at 0 (C)
      or 1 * 109 cfu/kg diet (Y) and SE challenge (0 or log 6.3 cfu/bird) on d 15, the
      experiment had four treatments C, Y, C-SE, and Y-SE, respectively. Each treatment
      had seven replicate floor pens with 15 broilers. Growth performance responses
      were determined weekly and overall for the 5 week experimental period. Salmonella
      levels and prevalence in ceca, cloacae, and carcass skin were determined by
      culture procedures, while cecal microbiota was determined by real time PCR. Yeast
      supplementation had no effect (PY > 0.05) on growth performance. For the overall
      post SE-challenge period (i.e., wk 3 to wk 5), Salmonella reduced body weight
      gain (BWG) (PSE < 0.001), feed intake (FI) (PSE = 0.032), and the European
      production efficiency (EPEF) factor (PSE = 0.005). Broilers Y-SE had higher (P <
      0.001) overall BW gain compared to C-SE ones. Overall mortality was 2.14% and did
      not differ (P > 0.05) between treatments. Reduced Salmonella levels in the
      cloacae (P = 0.014) and on the breast skin (P = 0.006) and lower prevalence on
      the neck skin (P = 0.007) were noted for treatment Y-SE compared to C-SE. Yeast
      supplementation did not have an effect (P > 0.05) on cecal microbiota composition
      at d 1 and d 21 post SE-challenge. On the contrary, SE-challenge reduced cecal
      levels of total bacteria (PSE = 0.002), E. coli (PSE = 0.006), Bifidobacterium
      spp. (PSE = 0.006), Bacteroides spp. (PSE = 0.010), and Clostridial populations
      belonging to cluster I and cluster XIVa, (PSE = 0.047 and PSE = 0.001,
      respectively) on d 1 post SE-challenge. At 21 d post SE-challenge, only the
      levels of cecal Lactobacillus spp. (PSE = 0.001) and Bifidobacterium spp. (PSE =
      0.049) were reduced compared to the non SE-challenged groups. In conclusion,
      yeast supplementation in SE challenged broilers (Y-SE) was beneficial for growth
      performance and reduced Salmonella presence compared to C-SE ones. The
      disturbance of cecal microbiota balance by SE merits further investigation for
      potential implications in gut and overall bird health.

PMID- 26286999
TI  - High pressure spray with water shows similar efficiency to trimming in
      controlling microorganisms on poultry carcasses.
AB  - A study was conducted to evaluate a high pressure spray (HPS) with water as an
      alternative to trimming to remove gastrointestinal contamination on poultry
      carcasses and improve microbiological quality. The study was conducted under
      commercial conditions in 5 slaughter plants with one plant presenting
      approximately 5% of carcasses with visible gastrointestinal contamination (VGC),
      and the others showing approximately 12% of VGC. In all 5 plants, carcasses were
      sampled from the slaughter line and separated into 6 groups corresponding to 3
      different treatments: A) carcasses with VGC before and after trimming; B)
      carcasses with VGC before and after HPS; and C) carcasses with no VGC before and
      after HPS. At the end of Trial A and prior to Trials B and C, an HPS equipment
      was installed before the end of the slaughter line. The HPS equipment was
      operated with 10 kgf/cm2 of pressure and 1.5 L of potable water per carcass.
      Carcasses were analyzed using a rinsing procedure, and the following
      microbiological parameters were evaluated: the prevalence of Salmonella and
      Campylobacter, the abundance of Escherichia coli (EC), Enterobacteriaceae (EB),
      and the Total Viable Count (TVC). Salmonella was found in all plants at a
      prevalence ranging from 0.8% (plant 1) to 17.3% (plant 5), and the difference
      between plants was significant (P < 0.05%). The prevalence of Campylobacter
      ranged from 2.1 (plant 1) to 18.6% (plant 4) (P < 0.05%). The prevalence of
      Campylobacter was similar in plants 2, 3, and 5, and a significant difference (P
      < 0.05%) was observed compared to plants 1 and 4. In all plants, the EC, EB, and
      TVC counts did not show a significant difference (P > 0.05%) in any treatments.
      These results demonstrate that HPS with water is an alternative method for
      removing VGC and improving or maintaining the microbiological quality and safety
      of broiler carcasses.

PMID- 26287000
TI  - Dietary acylated starch improves performance and gut health in necrotic enteritis
      challenged broilers.
AB  - Resistant starch has been reported to act as a protective agent against
      pathogenic organisms in the gut and to encourage the proliferation of beneficial
      organisms. This study examined the efficacy of acetylated high amylose maize
      starch (SA) and butyralated high-amylose maize starch (SB) in reducing the
      severity of necrotic enteritis (NE) in broilers under experimental challenge. A
      total of 720 one-day-old male Ross 308 chicks were assigned to 48 floor pens with
      a 2 * 4 factorial arrangement of treatments. Factors were a) challenge: no or
      yes; and b) feed additive: control, antibiotics (AB), SA, or SB. Birds were
      challenged with Eimeria and C. perfringens according to a previously reported
      protocol. On d 24 and 35, challenged birds had lower (P < 0.001) livability (LV),
      weight gain (WG), and feed intake (FI) compared to unchallenged birds. Challenged
      birds fed SA and SB had higher FI and WG at d 24 and 35 (P < 0.05) compared to
      birds fed the control diet, while being significantly lower than those fed AB.
      Unchallenged birds fed SA or SB had higher FI at d 24 and 35 compared to those
      fed the control diet (P < 0.05). Birds fed SB had increased (P < 0.001) jejunal
      villus height/crypt depth (VH:CD) ratios at d 15, increased ileal (P < 0.001) and
      caecal (P < 0.001) butyrate levels at d 15 and 24, and decreased (P < 0.01)
      caecal pH at d 15. Birds fed SA had increased (P < 0.001) ileal acetate content
      at d 24 and decreased (P < 0.01) caecal pH at d 15. These results demonstrated
      that dietary acylated starch improved WG in birds challenged with necrotic
      enteritis. Depending on the acid used, starch acylation also offers a degree of
      specificity in short chain fatty acid (SCFA) delivery to the lower intestinal
      tract which improves gut health. 

PMID- 26287001
TI  - Methods for assessment of keel bone damage in poultry.
AB  - Keel bone damage (KBD) is a critical issue facing the laying hen industry today
      as a result of the likely pain leading to compromised welfare and the potential
      for reduced productivity. Recent reports suggest that damage, while highly
      variable and likely dependent on a host of factors, extends to all systems
      (including battery cages, furnished cages, and non-cage systems), genetic lines,
      and management styles. Despite the extent of the problem, the research community
      remains uncertain as to the causes and influencing factors of KBD. Although
      progress has been made investigating these factors, the overall effort is
      hindered by several issues related to the assessment of KBD, including quality
      and variation in the methods used between research groups. These issues prevent
      effective comparison of studies, as well as difficulties in identifying the
      presence of damage leading to poor accuracy and reliability. The current
      manuscript seeks to resolve these issues by offering precise definitions for
      types of KBD, reviewing methods for assessment, and providing recommendations
      that can improve the accuracy and reliability of those assessments. 

PMID- 26287002
TI  - Pathogenicity of newly emergent turkey arthritis reoviruses in chickens.
AB  - Turkey arthritis reoviruses (TARVs) were isolated recently from gastrocnemius and
      digital flexor tendons of lame turkeys with swollen joints and tenosynovitis.
      These TARVs were genetically different from chicken arthritis reoviruses (CARVs)
      and produced gastrocnemius tenosynovitis when inoculated into turkey poults. The
      purpose of this study was to determine the pathogenicity of TARVs in chickens.
      One-week-old, specific-pathogen-free chicks were inoculated with either a TARV
      (TARV-MN2 or TARV-O'Neil) or CARV via oral, intratracheal, or footpad routes. At
      2 and 3 weeks post inoculation (PI), a subset of chicks from each group was
      euthanized followed by collection of tissues for real-time RT-PCR (rRT-PCR),
      virus isolation, and histopathology. Chickens inoculated with CARV via
      intratracheal and footpad routes developed gastrocnemius lymphocytic
      tenosynovitis at 2 and 3 weeks PI. Both TARV-MN2 and TARV-O'Neil induced
      gastrocnemius lymphocytic tenosynovitis in chicks inoculated only via the footpad
      route at 2 and 3 weeks PI. Although there was no evidence of clinical lameness,
      the virus was present in leg tendons, internal organs, and intestines of all TARV
      inoculated chicks regardless of route of inoculation, as indicated by rRT-PCR and
      virus isolation. These results indicate that TARVs do not produce gastrocnemius
      tenosynovitis in chicks by 3 weeks PI when administered via the most probable
      natural route (e.g., oral and intratracheal). Further studies are needed to
      determine the long term effects these viruses might play in inducing lameness in
      chickens. 

PMID- 26287003
TI  - Application of low-gossypol cottonseed meal in laying hens' diet.
AB  - An experiment was conducted to evaluate the application of dietary low-gossypol
      cottonseed meal (LCSM) in layers' diets. A total of 432 40-week-old Hy-line W36
      laying hens were allocated to one of the six dietary treatments with 6 replicates
      of 12 birds each. The control group was fed a corn-soybean meal basal diet, and
      the 4 experimental diets consisted of a basal diet with 50, 98.3, 144.2, or 189
      g/kg LCSM, respectively (correspondingly 25%, 50%, 75%, 100% dietary protein
      provided by soybean meal were replaced by LCSM). The sixth group was fed a basal
      diet supplemented with free gossypol (FG group). The feeding trial lasted for 12
      weeks. The results showed that no significant difference was observed on egg
      production or feed conversion ratio (FCR, feed/egg, g/g) among all groups, but
      feed intake and egg weight were significantly decreased in the 189 g/kg LCSM
      group in weeks 46 to 51 (P < 0.05). A significant decrease was not observed in
      shell strength, shell thickness, and yolk color in all periods, but Haugh unit,
      albumen height, and egg white protein content were reduced in 189 g/kg LCSM group
      in weeks 46 to 51 (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found between the
      control and FG group. There was no obvious difference on plasma levels of total
      protein, blood urea nitrogen, uric acid, and activities of albumen, alanine
      aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and the histopathology of liver,
      kidney, and oviduct in all groups. In conclusion, decreasing feed intake, egg
      weight, and egg quality were observed in the 189 g/kg LCSM group. However, the
      adverse effect was not relevant to the presence of FG in LCSM. Dietary LCSM
      supplementation of 98.3 g/kg was recommended with optimum FCR and without adverse
      effect on egg production, quality, and health of layers. 

PMID- 26287011
TI  - Lipids: The Macronutrient That Deserves Some Respect and Airtime.

PMID- 26287012
TI  - Measuring Protein Breakdown in Clinical Scenarios With Limited Accessible Tools.

PMID- 26287013
TI  - Assessing Nitrogen Balance in Older Patients.

PMID- 26287014
TI  - Response to "Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter for Use in Home Parenteral
      Nutrition: A 4-Year Follow-Up Study".

PMID- 26287015
TI  - Regarding the Response to "Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter for Use in Home
      Parenteral Nutrition: A 4-Year Follow-up Study".

PMID- 26287016
TI  - Body Composition Tools for Assessment of Adult Malnutrition at the Bedside: A
      Tutorial on Research Considerations and Clinical Applications.
AB  - Because of the key role played by the body's lean tissue reserves (of which
      skeletal muscle is a major component) in the response to injury and illness, its
      maintenance is of central importance to nutrition status. With the recent
      development of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics/American Society for
      Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition diagnostic framework for malnutrition, the loss
      of muscle mass has been recognized as one of the defining criteria. Objective
      methods to evaluate muscle loss in individuals with acute and chronic illness are
      needed. Bioimpedance and ultrasound techniques are currently the best options for
      the clinical setting; however, additional research is needed to investigate how
      best to optimize measurements and minimize error and to establish if these
      techniques (and which specific approaches) can uniquely contribute to the
      assessment of malnutrition, beyond more subjective evaluation methods. In this
      tutorial, key concepts and statistical methods used in the validation of bedside
      methods to assess lean tissue compartments are discussed. Body composition
      assessment methods that are most widely available for practice and research in
      the clinical setting are presented, and clinical cases are used to illustrate how
      the clinician might use bioimpedance and/or ultrasound as a tool to assess
      nutrition status at the bedside. Future research needs regarding malnutrition
      assessment are identified. 

PMID- 26287017
TI  - JPEN Journal Club 15. Putting Trials in Perspective.

PMID- 26287018
TI  - Editorial.

PMID- 26287019
TI  - Perioperative Considerations for Children With Right Ventricular Dysfunction and
      Failing Fontan.
AB  - The survival of patients with congenital heart diseases (CHD) has increased in
      the past decades, resulting in the identification of new characteristics of
      chronic comorbidities observed in pediatric and adults with CHD. Patients with
      CHD can present with a broad clinical spectrum of manifestations of congestive
      heart failure (CHF) at any point throughout their lives that may be related to
      anatomical or surgical variables. This article focuses on the perioperative
      assessment of patients with CHD and CHF, with an emphasis on pathophysiologic,
      diagnostic, and therapeutic alternatives in patients with right ventricular
      failure and failing Fontan circulation. We also provide descriptions of the
      effects of sedatives and anesthetics commonly used in this population in
      diagnostic or invasive procedures. 

PMID- 26287020
TI  - Prevalence of children whose parents have a substance use disorder: Findings from
      a Swedish general population survey.
AB  - AIMS: The present study examined the prevalence of Swedish children living with
      at least one parent whom has a substance use disorder (SUD), i.e. either an
      alcohol use disorder (AUD) or a drug use disorder (DUD). METHODS: A 2013 cross
      sectional survey of a nationally representative sample (n = 15,576) of the
      Swedish adult population 17-84 years of age was used. The response rate was
      59.3%. SUDs were measured using selected parts of the Mini International
      Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), derived from the 4th edition of the diagnostic
      and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-IV). In total, 3778 parents with
      7448 children under the age of 18 years participated. RESULTS: The proportion of
      children whose parent had a SUD was 4.6%, implying that around 90,000 children in
      Sweden experience this situation. Having a parent with an AUD was most common
      (3.7%), while 0.7% and 0.2% had a parent with a DUD and both (AUD plus DUD),
      respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that a substantial number of
      children in Sweden have parents with a SUD and that it is important to consider
      both alcohol and drugs, when estimating the size of this group. Our findings call
      for further strategies to support these children and their families.

PMID- 26287021
TI  - Angiotensin-(1-7): beyond its central effects on blood pressure.
AB  - Angiotensin (Ang) (1-7) is the main component of the depressor and protective arm
      of the renin-angiotensin system. Ang-(1-7) induces vasodilation, natriuresis and
      diuresis, cardioprotection, inhibits angiogenesis and cell growth and opposes the
      pressor, proliferative, profibrotic, and prothrombotic actions mediated by Ang
      II. Centrally, Ang-(1-7) induces changes in mean arterial pressure and this
      effect may be linked with its inhibitory neuromodulatory action on norepinephrine
      neurotransmission. The present review is focused on the role of Ang-(1-7) as a
      protective agent in the brain. 

PMID- 26287023
TI  - Teeth, genes, and genealogy.

PMID- 26287022
TI  - Ten-year experience in subclavian revascularisation. A parallel comparative
      observational study.
AB  - INTRODUCTION: Subclavian stenosis has a prevalence of approximately 2% in the
      community, and 7% within a clinical population. It is closely linked with
      hypertension and smoking. There is a relative paucity of published data to inform
      clinicians on the optimal mode of treatment for subclavian artery stenosis.
      OBJECTIVES: To compare clinical outcomes of subclavian bypass surgery with that
      of subclavian endovascular re-vascularisation. Endpoints were survival time, re
      intervention-free survival, and symptom-free survival. METHOD: In all, 21
      subclavian interventions were performed from 2000 to 2010. We compared
      angioplasty vs angioplasty with stenting vs bypass. RESULTS: Technical success
      was 100% in all groups. Symptom-free survival, at 70 months, was 60% in the
      angioplasty group, 100% in the angioplasty and stenting group and 75% in the
      bypass group. Re-intervention rate was 40% in the angioplasty group, 0% in the
      angioplasty and stenting group and 25% in the bypass group. Median time for re
      intervention was 9.5 months in angioplasty patients and 36 months in bypass
      patients (p = 0.102). Target lesion revascularisation was 20.0% for angioplasty
      procedures, 16.67% for angioplasty and stenting and 25% for bypass procedures.
      CONCLUSION: Angioplasty with stenting provides improved symptom-free survival and
      freedom from re-intervention in patients with symptomatic subclavian artery
      stenosis.

PMID- 26287024
TI  - All-ceramic inlay-retained fixed dental prostheses: An update.
AB  - Inlay-retained fixed dental prostheses (IRFDPs) represent a minimally invasive
      alternative to conventional fixed dental prostheses (FDPs) to replace single
      posterior missing teeth. The aim of the present review article is to assess the
      clinical outcome of different IRFDPs in order to derive recommendations regarding
      their clinical application. Hence, it is essential to highlight important factors
      that influence the longevity and success of IRFDPs, such as treatment plan,
      appropriate case selection with proper indications, as well as tooth preparation.
      Furthermore, a good understanding of bonding technologies and awareness of
      pretreatment procedures for different materials are indispensable for the long
      term success of IRFDPs. 

PMID- 26287025
TI  - The pain-related behavior and pain perception associated with computerized
      anesthesia in pulpotomies of mandibular primary molars: A randomized controlled
      trial.
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to compare the pain-related behavior and
      the pain perception associated with three anesthetic techniques in pulpotomies of
      primary mandibular second molars: traditional inferior alveolar nerve block
      (IANB), IANB with computer-controlled local anesthetic delivery (CCLAD), and
      intraligamental anesthesia with CCLAD. METHOD AND MATERIALS: The sample comprised
      91 randomly selected healthy children aged 5 to 9 years, who were scheduled for
      pulpotomy in the mandibular second molar. Patients were divided into three groups
      according to the type of anesthesia received. Group A received traditional IANB,
      group B received IANB with CCLAD, and group C received intraligamental anesthesia
      with CCLAD. Pain-related behavior and pain perception levels were assessed using
      the established behavior code and the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale
      respectively. RESULTS: The mean of pain-related behavior was significantly lower
      (P < .001) in the intraligamental anesthesia with CCLAD group than in the other
      two groups. The pain perception scores were significantly higher in the
      traditional IANB group than in the IANB with CCLAD group, and the intraligamental
      anesthesia with CCLAD group (P = .044 and P < .001 respectively). The mean +/- SD
      of the pain perception of IANB was 1.39 +/- 0.200, IANB with CCLAD was 0.87 +/-
      0.133 and ILA with CCLAD was 0.13 +/- 0.063. CONCLUSION: Intraligamental
      anaesthesia with CCLAD was clearly associated with less pain than the IANB with
      or without CCLAD.

PMID- 26287026
TI  - Glutathione-stabilized palladium nanozyme for colorimetric assay of silver(I)
      ions.
AB  - Glutathione-capped Pd nanoparticles with a size of 1.4-3.5 nm are facilely
      synthesized for peroxidase nanomimetics. The molar ratio of [Na2PdCl4]/[GSH]
      greatly affects the physicochemical properties including particle sizes, surface
      charge states and enzymatic activities. The most efficient Pd-based nanozyme,
      consisting of approximately 57% metallic Pd(0) species with an average diameter
      of 2.6 nm, exhibits the K(m) value of 0.068 mM toward 3,3',5,5'
      tetramethylbenzidine and 156 mM toward hydrogen peroxide. Ag(+) selectively binds
      to Pd(0) species through metallophilic interactions and induces an apparent
      aggregation of Pd nanoparticles. This is the first report that Ag(+)
      significantly inhibits the peroxidase mimicking activity of Pd nanoparticles. A
      Pd-based nanozyme is employed to explore colorimetric detection of Ag(+) with the
      limit of detection of 1.2 nM. This developed sensing system is potentially
      applicable for quantitative detection of Ag(+) in drinking water as well as Ag
      nanoparticles in aqueous solution.

PMID- 26287027
TI  - Metal-free carbonyl C(sp(2))-H oxidative alkynylation of aldehydes using
      hypervalent iodine reagents leading to ynones.
AB  - A new metal-free tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP)-mediated carbonyl C(sp(2))-H
      oxidative alkynylation of aldehydes with ethynyl benziodoxolones (EBX) for the
      synthesis of ynones is described. This method is based on a carbonyl C(sp(2))-H
      oxidative radical coupling process according to mechanistic studies, and provides
      a general route to the assembly of diverse ynones with a broad substrate scope
      and excellent functional-group compatibility. 

PMID- 26287028
TI  - Palladium-catalyzed bisarylation of 3-alkylbenzofurans to 3-arylalkyl-2
      arylbenzofurans on water: tandem C(sp(3))-H and C(sp(2))-H activation reactions
      of 3-alkylbenzofurans.
AB  - A protocol involving facile sequential C(sp(3))-H and C(sp(2))-H activation
      reactions of 3-alkylbenzofurans catalyzed by Pd(OAc)2 in the presence of pivalic
      acid, silver salt, and tricyclohexylphosphine 'on water' was developed. Aryl
      iodides were used as substrates in a tandem bisarylation reaction to generate 3
      arylalkyl-2-arylbenzofurans in moderate to high yields at room temperature. The
      reaction revealed in this study is a rare example of consecutive C(sp(3))-H and
      C(sp(2))-H bond activation under mild reaction conditions. 

PMID- 26287029
TI  - Recent trends in the development of vitamin B12 derivatives for medicinal
      applications.
AB  - This Feature Article highlights recent developments in the field of vitamin B12
      derivatives for medicinal applications. The following topics are emphasized: (1)
      the development of aquacorrinoids for cyanide detection and detoxification, (2)
      the use of vitamin B12 conjugates and (3) antivitamins B12 for therapy and
      diagnosis, and (4) the design of corrinoids as activators of soluble guanylyl
      cyclase (sGC). 

PMID- 26287030
TI  - Nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR) beta/delta in
      skin wound healing and cancer.
AB  - We review the functions of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR)
      beta/delta in skin wound healing and cancer. In particular, we highlight the
      roles of PPARbeta/delta in inhibiting keratinocyte apoptosis at wound edges via
      activation of the PI3K/PKBalpha/Akt1 pathway and its role during re
      epithelialization in regulating keratinocyte adhesion and migration. In
      fibroblasts, PPARbeta/delta controls IL-1 signalling and thereby contributes to
      the homeostatic control of keratinocyte proliferation. We discuss its therapeutic
      potential for treating diabetic wounds and inflammatory skin diseases such as
      psoriasis and acne vulgaris. PPARbeta/delta is classified as a tumour growth
      modifier; it is activated by chronic low-grade inflammation, which promotes the
      production of lipids that, in turn, enhance PPARbeta/delta transcription
      activity. Our earlier work unveiled a cascade of events triggered by
      PPARbeta/delta that involve the oncogene Src, which promotes ultraviolet-induced
      skin cancer in mice via enhanced EGFR/Erk1/2 signalling and the expression of
      epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers. Interestingly, PPARbeta/delta
      expression is correlated with the expression of SRC and EMT markers in human skin
      squamous cell carcinoma. Furthermore, there is a positive interaction between
      PPARbeta/delta, SRC, and TGFbeta1 at the transcriptional level in various human
      epithelial cancers. Taken together, these observations suggest the need for
      evaluating PPARbeta/delta modulators that attenuate or increase its activity,
      depending on the therapeutic target.

PMID- 26287031
TI  - Pluripotent stem cells as a cellular model for skin: relevance for
      physiopathology, cell/gene therapy and drug screening.
AB  - The skin represents the largest tissue in the human body. Its external part, the
      epidermis, accomplishes vital functions such as barrier protection,
      thermoregulation and immune function. The mammalian skin epidermis has been for
      decades the paradigm for studying the molecular events that occur in tissue
      homeostasis and repair. Many genes and signaling pathways have been identified by
      the use of manipulated transgenic and KO mice. However, despite numerous elegant
      transgenic mice experiments, absence of an appropriate in vitro model system has
      hampered the molecular study of the early events responsible for epidermal and
      dermal commitments, stages at which congenital genetic alterations are
      responsible for hundreds of rare skin diseases. For most of them, etiology and
      treatment are still missing. Here we review the last decade of studies aimed at
      designing cellular models from pluripotent stem cells (PSC) that recapitulate in
      vitro the main molecular steps of skin formation. As described below, PSC-based
      models are powerful tools to (i) clarify early molecular events that occur during
      epithelial/mesenchymal interactions, (ii) produce in large amount skin cells that
      could become an alternative for cell/gene therapies and (iii) screen for
      therapeutic compounds to treat genodermatoses.

PMID- 26287032
TI  - Effect of ArginMax on sexual  functioning and quality of life among  female
      cancer survivors: results of the  WFU CCOP Research Base Protocol  97106.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Problems with sexual functioning are common following therapy for
      breast and gynecologic cancers, although there are few effective treatments.
      OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of ArginMax, a nutritional supplement comprised
      of extracts of L-arginine, ginseng, gingko, and damiana, as well as multivitamins
      and minerals, on sexual functioning and quality of life in female cancer
      survivors. METHODS: This was a 12-week, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of
      eligible patients who were 6 months or more from active treatment and reporting
      problems with sexual interest, satisfaction, and functioning after therapy. The
      participants took 3 capsules of Arginmax or placebo twice daily. Outcome measures
      were the Female Sexual Function Inventory (FSFI) and the Functional Assessment of
      Cancer Therapy - General (FACT-G). Assessments were done at baseline, 4, 8, and
      12 weeks. RESULTS: 186 patients with a median age of 50 years were accrued
      between May 10, 2007 and March 24, 2010. 76% of the patients were non-Hispanic
      white. Most had breast or a gynecologic cancer (78% and 12%, respectively). At 12
      weeks, there were no differences between the ArginMax group (n = 96) and placebo
      (n = 92) group in sexual desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm,satisfaction or
      pain. However, FACT-G total scores were significantly better for participants who
      took ArginMax compared with those who took placebo (least squares [LS] means,
      87.5 vs 82.9, respectively; P = .009). The Fact-G subscales that were most
      affected were Physical (25.37 vs. 23.51, P = .001) and Functional Well-Being
      (22.46 vs. 20.72, P = .007). Toxicities were similar for both groups.
      LIMITATIONS: Study results are limited by a lack of data on the participants'
      psychological and physical symptoms and sexual partner variables. CONCLUSIONS:
      ArginMax had no significant impact on sexual functioning, but patient quality of
      life was significantly better at 12 weeks in participants who received ArginMax.

PMID- 26287033
TI  - Assessing the impact of a targeted  electronic medical record intervention on 
      the use of growth factor in cancer patients.
AB  - BACKGROUND: Patients receiving chemotherapy are at risk for febrile neutropenia
      following treatment. The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and
      National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) recommend screening patients for
      risk of febrile neutropenia and risk stratification based on likelihood of
      febrile neutropenia events. The impact of the implementation of an electronic
      medical record (EMR) system on physician compliance with growth factor support
      guidelines has not been studied. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether implementation
      of automated orders in EMRs can improve adherence to national guidelines in
      prophylactic G-CSF use in chemotherapy patients. METHODS: A retrospective chart
      review of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy from January 1, 2007 to August
      1, 2008 (pre- EMR) and January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011 (post-EMR) was
      conducted. Institutional adherence to ASCO and NCCN guidelines for G-CSF after
      the implementation of automatic electronic orders for pegfilgrastim in patients
      who received a high-risk chemotherapy regimen were examined. The results were
      compared with a similar study that had been conducted before the implementation
      of the EMR system. RESULTS: The number of regimens that included guideline-driven
      growth factor usage and nonusage was 75.6% in the post-intervention arm, compared
      with 67.5% in the pre-intervention arm. This is a statistically significant
      difference between the pre-EMR and post-EMR compliance with national guidelines
      on growth factor usage ( P = .041, based on chi-square test). The post-EMR
      implementation data of 1,042 individual new chemotherapy regimens showed correct
      use of G-CSF in 89.13% high-risk chemotherapy regimens and 58.74% intermediate
      risk regimens, with risk factors and incorrect usage in 26.23% of intermediate
      risk regimens without risk factors and 19.34% of low-risk regimens. The
      appropriateness of use in high- and low-risk regimens was the most compliant,
      because growth factor was built into chemotherapy plans of high-risk regimens and
      omitted from low-risk regimens. LIMITATIONS: This project was limited by a change
      in EMR systems at West Virginia University hospitals on January 1, 2009. All pre-
      EMR data was collected before 2009 and could not be further collected once the
      project began in 2013. CONCLUSIONS: Appropriateness of growth factor usage can be
      improved when integrated into an EMR. This can improve compliance and adherence
      to national recommendations. Further development and understanding of EMR is
      needed to improve usage to meet national guidelines, with particular attention
      paid to integration of risk factors into EMR to improve growth factor usage
      compliance.

PMID- 26287034
TI  - Comment.

PMID- 26287035
TI  - Benjamin Lane Crue 1925-2015.

PMID- 26287036
TI  - RETRACTION NOTICE.

PMID- 26287037
TI  - Proceedings of the 19th International Taurine Meeting, May 21-24, 2014, Krakow,
      Poland.

PMID- 26287039
TI  - Proceedings of the International Symposium on Understanding Moderate Malnutrition
      in Children for Effective Interventions, May 26-29, 2014, Vienna, Austria.

PMID- 26287038
TI  - Re: Introducing the HOPE (Hypospadias Objective Penile Evaluation)-Score:  A
      Validation Study of an Objective Scoring System for Evaluating Cosmetic 
      Appearance in Hypospadias Patients.

PMID- 26287040
TI  - Response: Lifelong Training Is the End in Sight?

PMID- 26287041
TI  - Simultaneous PRES and TMA secondary  to tacrolimus after allogeneic bone  marrow
      transplant.

PMID- 26287042
TI  - Vitamin D and breastfeeding: an update.

PMID- 26287043
TI  - Us? Bad Teeth? Not So Fast, Brits Say....

PMID- 26287044
TI  - Arginine Bicarbonate/Calcium Carbonate Soft Chews Seal Open Dentinal Tubules.

PMID- 26287045
TI  - Five Days to...Poor Health.

PMID- 26287046
TI  - Study Underscores the Costly Repercussions of Eliminating Adult Dental Coverage
      Under Medicaid.

PMID- 26287047
TI  - American Academy of Implant Dentistry Honors Leonard Linkow, DDS, DSMc.

PMID- 26287048
TI  - Anxiety in Social Situations Increases Risk of Bruxism.

PMID- 26287049
TI  - Kidney Transplantation--Celebrating 60 Years of Success.

PMID- 26287050
TI  - Ebola: Maintaining Safety with Knowledge.

PMID- 26287051
TI  - Reflections on 24 Years of Kidney Transplant Nursing.

PMID- 26287052
TI  - An Overview of Transplant Immunosuppression--History, Principles, and Current
      Practices in Kidney Transplantation.
AB  - From the historical first transplant in 1954 to the current transplant era,
      tremendous strides have been made in transplant immunology and immunosuppression.
      The most common immunosuppressive regimens use a combination of agents with
      differing modes of action to maximize efficacy and minimize the toxicities
      associated with each class of agent. The general categories of immunosuppressives
      are glucocorticoids, antimetabolites, calcineurin inhibitors, anti-lymphocyte
      antibody therapies (monoclonal and polyclonal), costimulation blockers, and mTOR
      inhibitors. This article reviews immunosuppressant medications, their actions,
      and significant side effects; discusses clinical management issues of
      immunosuppression; and describes future directions for the development of
      immunosuppressive medications.

PMID- 26287053
TI  - Twenty-Eight Kidney Transplant Recipients and Counting! One Center's Kidney
      Transplant Chain Experience.
AB  - With over 101,000 people currently on the waiting list for a kidney transplant,
      innovative solutions are needed to expand the number of available donor organs.
      This article describes the experience of one transplant center in using living
      donor paired exchanges and donor swaps to result in a chain of 28 kidney
      transplant recipients in the past year.

PMID- 26287054
TI  - The Independent Living Donor Advocate: An Essential Role for Living Kidney
      Donation.
AB  - Prior to 2007, living kidney donors who donated a kidney to a person with chronic
      kidney disease were screened, educated, and cared for by the same healthcare team
      caring for the recipient of the transplant. The independent living donor advocate
      or advocate team was created out of the need to ensure that the rights of the
      person donating a kidney are protected, respected, and maintained. Transplant
      programs must now have an advocate or advocate team who is separate from the
      recipient healthcare team to provide objective support for the donor, without
      regard for the recipient, and avoid any perception of a conflict of interest
      between the donor and recipient.

PMID- 26287055
TI  - The Development of Kidney Transplant Nursing.
AB  - An analysis of published literature, interviews with early transplant nurses, and
      other primary source materials shows how evolving medical treatments for
      rejection, nurses' ability to learn on the job, and their commitment to patients
      influenced the development of kidney transplantation as a specialized area of
      practice. The work of these nurses work is discussed in the context of unfolding
      nursing specialization at the middle of the twentieth century.

PMID- 26287056
TI  - Understanding the Changes to the National Deceased Donor Allocation System.
AB  - The national deceased donor kidney allocation system has not been changed since
      1986. After many years of study and collaboration, a new policy to revise the
      system goes into effect on December 4, 2014. This new system is intended to
      increase access to kidney transplantation and improve the overall success rates.
      Although the majority of candidates will not be significantly affected by the
      changes, certain populations of patients are projected to have decreased waiting
      times. Transplant candidates expected to need a kidney the longest are also more
      likely to receive a kidney predicted to last the longest. Many educational
      resources have been provided to transplant centers and have also been made
      available to patients and referring physicians.

PMID- 26287057
TI  - BK Virus in Recipients of Kidney Transplants.
AB  - Since its discovery in 1971, the BK virus, a human polyomavirus, has emerged as a
      significant cause of renal dysfunction and transplant graft loss in kidney
      transplant recipients. Improved screening methods have been effective in
      assisting in the early identification of the virus, and thus, prompt intervention
      to prevent the progression of the disease. Treatment options for the virus are
      limited; therefore, lowering immunosuppressive medications should be considered
      the first line of treatment. Current adjunctive therapies are not guaranteed to
      control the viral activity and may have limited therapeutic value.

PMID- 26287058
TI  - Willingness to Consider Non-Directed Kidney Donation.
AB  - The purpose of the study was to determine whether factors, including knowledge
      about living kidney donation or acquaintance with a donor or recipient, are
      related to willingness to consider donating a kidney. Participants were randomly
      assigned to read (n = 78) or not read (n = 71) educational materials regarding
      living donation. All participants then completed a living donation knowledge
      quiz, indicated whether they knew a donor or recipient, and indicated their
      support for living donation. Knowledge was not related to willingness to consider
      donation. Acquaintance with a living donor predicated greater willingness to act
      as a non-directed living donor, as did acquaintance with a transplant recipient.
      Decisions regarding whether to consider acting as a living organ donor may be
      related to whether a person is acquainted with an organ donor or a recipient.
      Emphasizing personal connections to transplant may lead to increased acceptance
      of living donation.

PMID- 26287059
TI  - Chronicles of a Living Kidney Donor.

PMID- 26287060
TI  - Steroid Withdrawal or Avoidance after Kidney Transplant.

PMID- 26287061
TI  - Do You Know How to Respond to Questions Related to Kidney Donation?

PMID- 26287062
TI  - New Neotropical species of Hygronemobius Hebard, 1913 (Orthoptera: Grylloidea:
      Nemobiinae), including a brief discussion of male genitalia morphology and
      preliminary biogeographic considerations of the genus.
AB  - Three new Neotropical species of Hygronemobius Hebard are described from Atlantic
      Forest remnants in southeastern Brazil: Hygronemnobius indaia sp. n. and
      Hygroneinobius iperoigae sp. n. from the state of Sao Paulo and Hygroneinobius
      guriri sp. n. from the state of Espirito Santo. We provide photographs of types
      and male genitalia, and discuss the morphology of male genitalia, taxonomy,
      calling songs and biogeographic distribution of the genus.

PMID- 26287063
TI  - Two new species of scalpelliform barnacles (Cirripedia: Thoracica) from the Plio
      Pleistocene of Cotentin, northwest France.
AB  - Two new species of pedunculate cirripede are described from the Plio-Pleistocene
      of Cotentin, northwest France. Scalpellum carentanensis sp. nov. is only the
      third species of this genus to be recorded from Pliocene strata in Europe. It is
      characterised by a triangular tergum with an apico-basal fold, without an outward
      extension, the inner surface of which has the raised part marked by wide growth
      lines, cut by a groove; the scutum has a ridge between the umbo and the tergo
      lateral angle, lacks an apico-basal ridge, and possesses a line formed by the
      convergence of the growth zones; the length of the upper lateral exceeds its
      width by about 1.25 times, the umbo being situated at one-fifth the length of the
      plate from the apex. Arcoscalpelluin concavitectum sp. nov. is the second species
      of this genus on record from the Pliocene of Europe. It possesses a carina with a
      concave tectum bordered on each side by a smooth rounded rib; the tergum has an
      apico-basal line formed by the convergence of growth zones; and the upper lateral
      has the basi-scutal angle more widely truncated than the basi-tergal angle.

PMID- 26287064
TI  - Insight into the validity of Leptobrachium guangxiense (Anura: Megophryidae):
      evidence from mitochondrial DNA sequences and morphological characters.
AB  - Lepobrachiun guangxiense Fei, Mo, Ye and Jiang, 2009 (Anura: Megophryidae), is
      presently thought to be endemic to Shangsi, Guangxi Province, China. A molecular
      phylogenetic analysis and morphological data were performed to gain insight into
      the phylogenetic position of this species. Maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood,
      and Bayesian inference methods were employed to reconstruct phylogenetic
      relationship, using 1914 bp of sequences from mtDNA genes of 12S rRNA, tRNAVal
      and 16S rRNA. Topologies revealed that L. guangxiense and Tam Dao (Vietnam) L.
      chapaense lineage (3A) formed a monophyletic group with well-supported values.
      The uncorrected p-distance of ~1.4k bp 16S rRNA data-sets between Tam Dao L.
      chapaense lineage (3A) and L. guangxiense is only 0.1%. Morphologically, L.
      guangxiense and Tam Dao L. chapaense lineage (3A) shared the same characters, and
      are distinguishable from "true" L. chapaense from the type locality in Sa Pa,
      Vietnam. Based on morphological characters and mitochondrial DNA, we suggested
      that the Tam Dao lineages of L. chapaense are conspecific with L. guangxiense.
      This represents a range extension for L. guangxiense, and a new country record
      for Vietnam.

PMID- 26287065
TI  - Two new bamboo-feeding species of the genus Neocarpia Tsaur & Hsu (Hemiptera:
      Fulgoromorpha: Cixiidae: Eucarpiini) from Guizhou Province, China.
AB  - Two new bamboo-feeding species of the cixiid planthopper genus Neocarpia Tsaur &
      Hsu, 2003 (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Cixiidae: Eucarpiini), N. bidentata sp. nov.
      (Guizhou: Xishui) and N. hamata sp. nov. (Guizhou, Yanhe), from southwest China,
      are described and illustrated. The generic characteristics are redefined. A key
      and a checklist to the known species of this genus in the world are provided.

PMID- 26287066
TI  - Description of Alocobisium tibetense sp. nov., representing the first record of
      the pseudoscorpion family Syarinidae (Arachnida: Pseudoscorpiones) from China.
AB  - Alocobisiun tibetense sp. nov. is described from Xizang Autonomous Region,
      representing the first record of Syarinidae from China. Alocobisium rahmi Beier,
      1976 is re-described from type material and a key is given to the genus.

PMID- 26287067
TI  - Taxonomic study of Chinese species of the genus Macropsis Lewis, 1836 (Hemiptera:
      Cicadellidae: Macropsinae) II: a new subgenus for Macropsisflavovirens Kuoh.
AB  - A new monobasic subgenus, Macropsis (Spinoniacropsis) subgen. nov., of the
      subfamily Macropsinae (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Cicadellidae) based on type
      species Macropsis flavovirens Kuoh, 1992 from Yunnan Province of China is
      proposed. The new subgenus can be distinguished by the unique character of the
      male pygofer with two spinelike processes on the caudal margin. Macropsis
      (S.)flavovirens is redescribed and illustrated, and data on its geographical
      distribution are given.

PMID- 26287068
TI  - Cambarus (P) theepiensis, a new species of crayfish (Decapoda:Cambaridae) from
      the coalfields region of Eastern Kentucky and Southwestern West Virginia, USA.
AB  - Cambarus (Puncticambarus) theepiensis is a stream-dwelling crayfish that appears
      to be endemic to the junction of the Cumberland Mountains with the Appalachian
      Plateau in West Virginia and Kentucky. Within this region, it is prevalent in the
      Guyandotte and Twelvepole basins of West Virginia, the Little Sandy River and
      Levisa Fork basins of Kentucky, and tributaries of the Big Sandy River shared by
      both states. The new species is morphologically most similar to Cambarus robustus
      and Cambarus sciotensis. It can be differentiated from C. robustus by its broad
      rostrum, with subparallel, thick-ened margins compared to the narrow, converging
      rostrum with reduced rostral margins of C. robustus.; larger areola width/length
      ratio (26 %) than C. robustus (22 %); and mottled color pattern compared to the
      monotypic color pattern of C. robustus. Canibarus theepiensis can be
      differentiated from C. sciotensis by the presence of a distinct lateral
      impression on the chelae compared to the absence of a lateral impression in C.
      sciotensis; constant thickness of the rostral margin compared to the gradation of
      rostral thickness in C. sciotensis; greater rostrum width/ length ratio in C.
      theepiensis (63.1 %) compared to C. sciotensis (57.2 %); and a central projection
      on the gonopod that is the same length as the mesial process, compared to a
      central projection that extends past the tip of the mesial process in C.
      sciotensis.

PMID- 26287069
TI  - One new species, four new records and key to species of Hydatothrips
      (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) from China (including Taiwan).
AB  - Hydatothrips ormosiae sp. n. (Thripidae: Sericothripinae) is described from
      southern China; H. ekasi, H. liquidambara and H. onari Kudo are newly recorded
      for mainland China, and H. noro Kudo is newly recorded for Taiwan. A key to the
      16 Hydatothrips species recorded from China (including Taiwan) is provided.

PMID- 26287070
TI  - A new species of Dicranophora Macquart (Diptera, Stratiomyidae) from Bahia State,
      Brazil and a key to species of the genus.
AB  - A new species of the Neotropical Dicranophora Macquart is described and
      illustrated from six males collected in northeast Brazil, Bahia state
      (Encruzilhada district). Dicranophora femurspiculata sp. nov. is characterized by
      the specific pattern of spots on the frons, on the legs and on the abdomen, and
      by a distinct shape of the scutellar process and mid femur A key to the species
      of the genus and a distribution map are presented.

PMID- 26287071
TI  - Two new species of Fiorinia Targioni-Tozzetti (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Diaspididae)
      from China.
AB  - The adult females of two new species of armored scale, Fiorinia tianshuiensis Wei
      & Feng sp. n. and F. dinghuensis Wei & Feng sp. n., are described and illustrated
      from specimens collected from China. A key is provided for the all Fiorilim
      species known from China.

PMID- 26287072
TI  - Scleractinia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from ECOMARG 2003, 2008 and 2009 expeditions to
      bathyal waters off north and northwest Spain (northeast Atlantic).
AB  - Nineteen species of deep-water scleractinian corals were collected at depths
      between 488-1222 m during ECOMARG 2003, 2008 and 2009 expeditions to the Avilds
      Canyon system, Le Danois Bank ('el Cachucho'), and Galicia Bank (northeast
      Atlantic). Eighteen of them were identified to species. All are previously known
      from the northeast Atlantic, although several are seldom reported (e.g.,
      Aulocyathus atlanticus, Balanophyllia thalassae, Dendrophyllia alternata,
      Stephanocyathus crassus). Records of Deltocyathus eccentricus and Flabellum
      chunii constitute northern range extensions. Six species (Caryophyllia sarsiae,
      Stephanocyathus crassus, Flabelluin chunii, Flabellun macandrewi, Dendrophyllia
      alternata, Balanophyllia cellulosa) were recorded outside their previously known
      bathymetric ranges in the Bay of Biscay and nearby areas. Dendrophyllia
      alternata, Deltocyathus eccentricus and Stephanocyathus crassus are new to the
      "West coast of Spain and Portugal" region, here considered of high biodiversity.
      The bank-building species Lophelia pertusa and Madrepora oculata were abundant on
      Galicia Bank, and the latter was as well in the Aviles Canyon system. Both were
      exceedingly rare on Le Danois Bank. Among all species identified, Madrepora
      oculata was the most common (11 stations). The number of species collected was
      higher on Le Danois Bank (13 species) than on Galicia Bank (12 species) and in
      the Aviles Canyon system (3 species), although results may be related to sampling
      effort. From a literature review and new records presented herein, numbers of
      species known from each of the three areas total 23, 12, and 18 respectively.

PMID- 26287073
TI  - A detailed description of Simulium (Meilloniellum) adersi (Pomeroy) from Mayotte,
      Comoro islands, with comments on bionomics and biogeography (Diptera:
      Simuliidae).
AB  - All stages of Simulium (Meilloniellum) adersi (Pomeroy) from Mayotte, Comoro
      archipelago are described in detail. This species is widespread on the African
      mainland and in Madagascar; morphological divergences from African material point
      towards the Mayotte entity being a separate, but closely related species. Biology
      of the species overall is reviewed and brief comments are made regarding habitats
      and biogeography of the Mayotte material.

PMID- 26287074
TI  - Crenicichla gillmorlisi, a new species of cichlid fish (Teleostei: Cichlidae)
      from the Parana river drainage in Paraguay.
AB  - Crenicichla gillmorlisi, new species, is described from the rio Acaray, a right
      bank tributary to the rio Parana. It is most similar to C. mandelburgeri in
      proportional measurements and meristics, but differs in colour pattern, adults
      having the body covered with small spots.

PMID- 26287075
TI  - New species of Nuuanu (Amphipoda: Nuuanuidae) from Norfolk Island, Torres Strait
      and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
AB  - Three new species of Nuuanu, N. quintalana sp. nov., N. stuckeyorun sp. nov. and
      N. titaseyi sp. nov. are described from Norfolk Island, Tasman Sea; Cocos
      (Keeling) Islands, Indian Ocean and the Torres Strait, Australia, respectively.
      There are currently 17 described species of Nuuanu with the genus distributed
      world-wide.

PMID- 26287076
TI  - Teleocichla wajapi, a new species of cichlid from the rio Jari, Brazil, with
      comments on T. centrarchus Kullander, 1988 (Teleostei: Cichlidae).
AB  - Teleocichla wajapi, new species, is described from the rio Jari basin, northern
      Brazil. The new species differs from its congeners by possessing four anal-fin
      spines, 56-62 scales in El series, smaller orbital diameter (24.6-30.2% of head
      length) and barred or zigzag color pattern on flanks. New information on the
      morphology and distribution of T. centrarchus is provided based on recently
      collected material.

PMID- 26287078
TI  - Chilocoris nitidus Mayr, 1865, the first Oriental burrower bug recorded in
      Tajikistan, with remarks on the zoogeography of the nitidus-group of Chilocoris
      Mayr, and an annotated checklist of Tajik Cydnidae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera).

PMID- 26287077
TI  - A new subgenus and species of the genus Hedyphanes Fischer von Waldheim, 1820
      (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Helopini) from Israel and Egypt.
AB  - A new species, Hedyphanes chikatunovi sp. n., is described from southern Israel
      (Negev, Gerofit) and Egypt (Northern Sinai). These localities represent the
      southwestern limit of the distribution of the genus. The new species is placed in
      a new monotypic subgenus, Microhedyphanes subgen. n.

PMID- 26287079
TI  - First record of the moray eel Gymnothorax reticularis, Bloch, 1795 in the
      Mediterranean Sea, with a note on its taxonomy and distribution.
AB  - The first Red-Sea Indo-Pacific alien moray eel in the Eastern Mediterranean is
      reported here. A single specimen ot Gymnothorax reticularis was captured by a
      commercial bottom-trawl vessel off the northern coast of Israel. Morphological
      and anatomical similarities with the single known Red-Sea specimen raise an old
      taxonomic dilemma.

PMID- 26287080
TI  - Revision of the Subgenus Coprochara Mulsant & Rey of the Genus Aleochara
      Gravenhorst from Japan (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae).
AB  - A taxonomic revision of the subgenus Coprochara Mulsant & Rey, 1874 of the genus
      Aleochara Gravenhorst, 1802 in Japan is presented. The following three species
      are recognized: Aleochara (C.) verna Say, 1833, A. (C.) binotata Kraatz, 1856 and
      A. (C.) squalithorax Sharp, 1888, of which A. binotata is new to Japan. All
      previous records of "A. (C.) bipustulata (Linnaeus, 1760)" should be regarded as
      misidentifications of eitherA. verna orA. binotata. New records are added for, A.
      squalithorax, a littoral species. All species are redescribed, figured, keyed and
      mapped.

PMID- 26287081
TI  - Four new species of Aphelinidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) from Mexico.
AB  - Four new species of Encarsia Forster (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) from Mexico are
      described--E. albata Myartseva sp. n. (State of Nuevo Leon), E. barracas
      Myartseva sp. n. (State of Baja California Sur), E. chichenitza Myartseva sp. n.
      (State of Yucatan) and E. elenae Myartseva sp. n. (State of Tamaulipas). A key to
      the species of Encarsia in Mexico published in 2012 is modified to include the
      newly described species.

PMID- 26287082
TI  - Lymnastis of Ukraine with the redescription of Lymnastis novikovi (Coleoptera:
      Carabidae).
AB  - The rare species Lymnastis novikovi Michailov, 1998, described from the single
      female specimen collected in Ukraine, is redescribed on the basis of new
      material. We provide the illustrations of the general habitus, the median lobe
      and its internal sac and describe the habitat of L. novikovi, to increase
      information about this species. A key to European Lyinastis species is given. The
      current distribution of Lymnastis galilaeus Piochard de la Brulerie, 1876 and L.
      novikovi in Ukraine is described.

PMID- 26287083
TI  - New and little known Brachodidae from tropical Asia and Papua New Guinea
      (Lepidoptera, Cossoidea).
AB  - In this study nine new species and a new genus of Brachodidae are described from
      tropical Asia and Papua New Guinea. Synechodes polias sp. nov. and Synechodes
      tamila sp. nov. are described from Sulawesi and southern India, respectively. A
      new genus, Saccocera gen. nov. (type species Miscera orpheus Kallies, 2004), is
      described to accommodate five species occurring from Taiwan and Sumatra across
      Melanesia to Papua New Guinea. It differs significantly from the related genera
      Miscera Walker, 1863 and Synechodes Turner, 1913 in morphological details of the
      head and the male and female genitalia. Two species of Saccocera are described
      here, Saccocera panaras sp. nov. from Papua New Guinea and Saccocera miangkabau
      sp. nov. from Sumatra. Furthermore, Miscera minahasa sp. nov. and Paranigilgia
      mariannae sp. nov. are described from Sulawesi, Paranigilgia brandti sp. nov. and
      Nigilgia atribractea sp. nov. from Papua, and Nigilgia browni sp. nov. is
      described from Christmas Island. Finally, Synechodes heppneri Kallies, 1998 syn.
      nov. is reverted to a junior synonym of Synechodes coniophora Turner, 1913.
      Nigilgia anactis Diakonoff, 1982 is figured for the first time and its
      distribution in Asia is discussed.

PMID- 26287084
TI  - Bregmosina, a new Neotropical genus of Limosininae (Diptera: Sphaeroceridae).
AB  - Bregmosina, a new genus of Limosininae (Diptera, Sphaeroceridae), is described on
      the basis of five new species from Central and South America. The genus is
      characterized by a broad head, swollen face, large oral cavity, a single pair of
      very large cruciate interfrontal bristles, short, broad fore tarsomeres and
      swollen hind tarsomeres one and two. The unusual male genitalia, including a
      longitudinally split sternite 5, strongly indicate that the genus is
      monophyletic. All species are probably associated with treefalls.

PMID- 26287085
TI  - From a dwarf to a giant: Revalidation of Callulops valvifer (Barbour, 1910),
      (Amphibia, Anura, Microhylidae).
AB  - According to the most recent revision of the subfamily Asterophryinae, the
      species Pomatops valvifera was considered to be a synonym of Phrynomantis (now
      Callulops) robusta. On the basis of recently collected material from near the
      type locality of Pomatops valvifera on the Bomberai Peninsula in western New
      Guinea, the invalidity of the genus name is confirmed but the species name is
      revalidated. Callulops valvifer (new combination) was hitherto unequivocally
      known from a single specimen of less than 30 mm snout-vent length. With a length
      of more than 70 mm for males and of more than 80 mm for females, this species is
      now among the largest of the currently known 22 species of the genus Callulops.

PMID- 26287086
TI  - Morphology and Postdepositional Dynamics of Eggs of the Predator Podisus
      distinctus (Stal) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae: Asopinae).
AB  - The predator Podisus distinctus (Stal) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae: Asopinae) has
      been reared to control lepidopteran defoliators. In this study, we describe this
      predator's morphology, postdepositional dynamics and eggs in different
      developmental stages under scanning electron microscope. Its eggs are subglobular
      and ovoid, narrower at the base than at the top, with a convex, circular
      operculum. They measure 1.09+/-0.03 mm in height and 0.90+/-0.04 mm in diameter.
      The aero-micropylar processes number 16.00+/-2.00 and are arranged radially at
      the egg anterior pole. Immediately after laying, the egg color is pearl-like, and
      soon after turns gray. Orientation of the spine-like projections and aero
      micropylar processes also change after deposition. Though the eggs of P.
      distinctus are similar to those of other species of the genus Podisus, certain
      aspects, including the egg size and shape, chorion micro-sculptures, and number
      of aero-micropylar processes, are specific, allowing for differentiation from
      other related species.

PMID- 26287087
TI  - Metopa gigas sp. nov. from southern Greenland, a giant among congeners
      (Crustacea, Amphipoda, Stenothoidae).
AB  - Metopa gigas sp. nov. is described from southern Greenland (east and west). This
      new species which reaches a length of around 20 mm is, together with M. mirifica
      Gurjanova, 1948 from the North Pacific, by far the largest member of the genus.
      The species is easily separated from sympatric Metopa clypeata (Kroyer, 1842; 15
      mm; type species of Metopa) with which it has been confused, by small saddle-like
      ornaments dorsally on pereonites, and much longer antenna 1. It can be
      distinguished from Metopa mirifica by the simple propodus of gnathopod 1, whereas
      that of M. mirifica is strongly subchelate.

PMID- 26287088
TI  - DNA-sequence data require revision of the parrot genus Aratinga (Aves:
      Psittacidae).

PMID- 26287089
TI  - An annotated catalog of the Iranian Dipsocoromorpha, Enicocephalomorpha,
      Gerromorpha, Leptopodomorpha and Nepomorpha (Hemiptera: Heteroptera).
AB  - A catalog of aquatic and semiaquatic Heteroptera from Iran is provided based on
      literature reports and field collections. Representatives of 107 species and
      morphospecies of the infraorders Dipsocoromorpha, Enicocephalomorpha,
      Gerromorpha, Leptopodomorpha, and Nepomorpha are listed, and are distributed in
      18 families including Aphelocheiridae (1 genus, 1 species), Belostomatidae (1
      genus, 1 species), Corixidae (8 genera, 29 species), Dipsocoridae (1 genus, 2
      species), Enicocephalidae (2 genera, 2 species), Gerridae (6 genera, 18 species),
      Hebridae (1 genus, 5 species), Helotrephidae (1 genus, 1 species), Hydrometridae
      (1 genus, 2 species), Leptopodidae (4 genera, 7 species), Mesoveliidae (1 genus,
      2 species), Naucoridae (1 genus, 1 species), Nepidae (3 genera, 5 species),
      Notonectidae (2 genera, 8 species), Ochteridae (1 genus, 1 species), Pleidae (1
      genus, 1 species), Saldidae (5 genera, 14 species), and Veliidae (2 genera, 7
      species). Synonyms and geographical distribution of all the species are given,
      together with an identification key of families. According to the actual catalogs
      and studies eight species are doubtful for Iranian fauna.

PMID- 26287090
TI  - Trans-Andean Ancistrus (Siluriformes: Loricariidae).
AB  - We review the trans-Andean species of Ancistrus from Panama, Colombia and
      Venezuela. Based on analyses of meristic, morphometric and pigmentation pattern
      data of preserved specimens, eight of sixteen species reported from this region
      are considered valid and two new species are described. Here we review Ancistrus
      chagresi Eigenmann & Eigenmann 1889 from both slopes of central Panama; A.
      centrolepis Regan 1913 from Pacific slopes of eastern Panama and western
      Colombia; Ancistrus caucanus Fowler 1943, from the Magdalena River drainage in
      northern Colombia; Ancistrus martini Schultz 1944, from the Lake Maracaibo Basin
      of Venezuela and Colombia. Ancistrus galani Perez & Viloria 1994, from a cave in
      the Lake Maracaibo Basin of Venezuela is considered valid but was not examined.
      Ancistrus tolima new species is described from the upper Magdalena River drainage
      and Ancistrus vericaucanus new species is described from the upper Cauca River
      drainage. Ancistrus gymnorhynchus Kner 1854 and A. falconensis Taphorn,
      Armbruster & Rodriguez-O. 2010 were treated previously. One specimen of A.
      clementinae Rendahl 1937 from the Pacific coast of Ecuador was examined, it is
      considered a valid species. A key for identification and geographical ranges are
      provided.

PMID- 26287091
TI  - A new species of Ceratophysella (Collembola: Hypogastruridae) from Japan, with
      notes on its DNA barcode and a key to Japanese species in the genus.
AB  - Ceratophysella comosa sp. nov. was collected from ascomata of Ciborinia
      canielliae in Japan and the morphological and molecular characteristics of the
      species are described here. The species has 3 + 3 cephalic spines as in
      Ceratophysella loricata and Ceratophysella pilosa, but a plurichaetosis
      intermediate between C. loricata (absent) and C. pilosa (strong). The new species
      can be distinguished from these two species also by the number of setae on the
      first thorax segment and ventral tube. Partial DNA sequences of the mitochondrial
      cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene were used as DNA barcodes to
      distinguish species. Interspecific genetic distances of the gene were higher than
      the intraspecific distances between Ceratophysella species for which sequence
      data are available. An identification key of Japanese Ceratophysella is provided.

PMID- 26287092
TI  - A new species of the genus Promacrolaelaps (Acari: Laelapidae) associated with
      Propomacrus bimucronatus (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in Iran.
AB  - We describe a new species of mite from Iran - Pronacrolaelaps propomacrus sp.
      nov. (Acari: Laelapidae). The new species was collected in association with the
      beetle Propomacrus bimucronatus (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Euchirinae)
      in holes in the trunk of oak trees. The genus Promacrolaelaps is redescribed and
      distinguished from the related genus Hypoaspis Canestrini sells. strict.

PMID- 26287093
TI  - Holothuria (Semperothuria) roseomaculata n. sp. (Aspidochirotida: Holothuriidae),
      a coral-reef inhabiting sea cucumber from the western Pacific Ocean.
AB  - Holothuria (Semperothuria) roseomaculata n. sp. is described from the main
      islands of Yap, Federated States of Micronesia. The ossicles are similar to those
      of its sister species, the sympatric H. (S.) flavomaculata Semper, 1868, but the
      new species is easily recognised, both in the field and among preserved
      specimens, by its much larger, rose-coloured dorsal papillae that fade to white
      in alcohol. Holothuria (S.) roseomaculata n. sp. appears to be an endemic of the
      tropical westernmost Pacific Ocean; it has been recorded from Okinawa to New
      Caledonia.

PMID- 26287094
TI  - External morphology, chondrocranium, hyobranchial skeleton, and external and
      internal oral features of Rhinoderma rufum (Anura, Rhinodermatidae).

PMID- 26287095
TI  - On some mites (Acari: Prostigmata) from the Interior Highlands: descriptions of
      the male, immature stages, and female reproductive system of Pseudocheylus
      americanus (Ewing, 1909) and some new state records for Arkansas.
AB  - The male and immature stages of Pseudocheylus americanus (Ewing, 1909)
      (Pseudocheylidae) are described and illustrated for the first time and the female
      is re-illustrated. The description of Pseudobonzia reticulata (Heryford, 1965)
      (Cunaxidae) is modified to include the presence of dorsal setae f2, which were
      not reported in the original description. In addition, Bonzia yunkeri Smiley,
      1992 and Parabonzia bdelliforimis (Atyeo, 1958) (Cunaxidae) are reported from the
      Ozark Mountains, Caeculus cremnicolus Enns, 1958 (Caeculidae) is reported from
      the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains, and Dasythyreus hirsutus Atyeo, 1961
      (Dasythyreidae) is reported from Missouri and the Ouachita Mountains in Arkansas.

PMID- 26287096
TI  - On the identity of Clistocoeloma balansae A. Milne-Edwards, 1873, and C. tectum
      (Rathbun, 1914), with description of a new species from the West Pacific
      (Crustacea: Decapoda: Sesarmidae).
AB  - The identity of the mangrove sesarmid crab Clistocoeloma balansae A. Milne
      Edwards, 1873, is clarified on the basis of the types from New Caledonia, and
      fresh material from Vanuatu and the Philippines. Sesarma (Sesarma) tectum
      Rathbun, 1914, is shown to be a junior subjective synonym of C. balansae A. Milne
      Edwards, 1873. A new species, C. melanesicum, superficially similar to C.
      balansae, is described from Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and, Solomon Islands.

PMID- 26287097
TI  - The taxonomic status of Oligoryzomys brendae Massoia, 1998 (Rodentia,
      Cricetidae), with comments on the availability of this name.
AB  - Oligoryzomys brendae was poorly described by Massoia in 1998 to include
      populations of the large form of Oligoryzomys that inhabits the Yungas and high
      altitudinal grasslands of northwestern Argentina, which were previously referred
      as O. longicaudatus, O. stolzmanni, O. destructor or Oligoryzomys sp. Contrary to
      some interpretations, we state that the name O. brendae is available, given that
      it fully accomplishes the requirements of the International Code of Zoological
      Nomenclature. We also present morphologic and genetic evidence showing that this
      taxon represents a distinct species and provide an emended diagnosis and re
      description of it. In addition, the evidence at hand indicates that O. brendae is
      the only large-sized species of Oligoryzomys inhabiting northwestern Argentina.

PMID- 26287098
TI  - Subfossils of extinct and extant species of Simuliidae (Diptera) from Austral and
      Cook Islands (Polynesia): anthropogenic extirpation of an aquatic insect?
AB  - Subfossil head capsules of Simuliidae larvae have been recovered from swamps on
      Tubuai and Raivavae of the Austral Islands, and Atiu and Mangaia of the southern
      Cook Islands. For Tubuai and Raivavae it is likely that the simuliids are
      extinct, but a single simuliid species is extant on nearby Rurutu. For Atiu and
      Mangaia, extant simuliids have not been reported, but are known on Rarotonga.
      Well-preserved head capsules indicate that the Cook Islands subfossils are those
      of Sinulitin (Inseliellumn) teruananga Craig and Craig, 1986. For the Austral
      Islands, the simuliid from Tubuai is considered a variant of Simudiunt
      (Inseliellumn) rurutuense Craig and Joy, 2000. That from Raivavae is
      morphologically distinct and is described here as a new species, Simuliun
      (Inseliellumn) raivavaense Craig and Porch. Humans arrived in Eastern Polynesia
      ca. 1,000 years ago resulting in the widespread destruction of lowland forest and
      conversion of wetlands to agriculture with implied consequences for the
      indigenous biota of these habitats. Here we consider that one such result was
      loss of freshwater aquatic biodiversity.

PMID- 26287099
TI  - Description of a new genus and species of the family Melphidippidae Stebbing,
      1899 (Crustacea: Amphipoda) from the deep waters of Brazil.
AB  - The species of the amphipod family Melphidippidae are distributed worldwide in
      marine habitats, but there is no record of this family from Brazil so far. A new
      genus and species of Melphidippidae are described from Brazilian waters.
      Stebbingiella gen. nov. is monotypic and is distinguished from the other genera
      of the family by the presence of: antenna 1 with accessory flagellum 7
      articulate, lateral cephalic lobe subacute, with globular eyes extremely
      produced, reaching beyond the second article of peduncle of antenna 2; gnathopods
      stout and slightly subchelate; coxae 3 and 4 with strong anterior projection and
      coxae 5 and 7 with strong posterior projection; telson cleft, not fully movable,
      with two globular lobes, about 2X wider than long. Stebbingiella globulosa sp.
      nov. is the first species of Melphidippidae recorded from Brazilian waters.

PMID- 26287100
TI  - First record of the genus Megalota Diakonoff from China, with the descriptions of
      two new species (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae: Olethreutinae).
AB  - Megalota Diakonoff, 1966 is reported from China for the first time. Two new
      species, M. bicepsunca, sp. nov., and M., curvativa, sp. nov., are described and
      illustrated based on the male adults, both of them are distributed in south China
      Photographs of the adults and male genitalia are provided.

PMID- 26287101
TI  - Two new species of the genus Paramitraceras Pickard-Cambridge, 1905 (Opiliones:
      Laniatores: Stygnopsidae) from Chiapas, Mexico.
AB  - Parainitraceras pickardcanibridgei sp. nov. and Paramitraceras tzotzil sp. nov.
      from Chiapas, Mexico are described based on specimens previously determined as
      Paramitraceras granulatum Pickard-Cambridge, 1905 by Goodnight and Goodnight. The
      male genitalia of the new species and P. granulatum are illustrated with scanning
      electronic micrographs (SEMs) or drawings derived from them. The importance of
      the ocular tubercle, cheliceral dentition and sexual dimorphism, pedipalpal
      armature and male genitalia as taxonomic characters within the genus is discussed
      as well as differences and similarities between Paramitraceras Pickard-Cambridge,
      1905 and its most similar genus, Sbordonia Silhavy, 1977.

PMID- 26287102
TI  - Larval morphology of the antlion Myrmecaelurus trigrammus (Pallas, 1771)
      (Neuroptera, Myrmeleontidae), with notes on larval biology.
AB  - Morphology and behaviour of third instar larvae of the Holomediterranean antlion
      species Myrmecaelurus trigranunus (Pallas) are described. Larvae are facultative
      pit-builders, they either ambush their prey at the surface, or dig pitfall traps
      that prey fall in to. Dark brown spots on dorsal and ventral sides of the head
      and on dorsal side of the thorax are characteristic of the larvae. Eye tubercles
      are not prominent. Jaws are equipped with long bristles, campaniform sensilla,
      sensilla coeloconica, and digitiform sensilla. A unique feature is the shape of
      the tips of all three teeth that is screw-like with a polyhedral surface. The
      body surface is covered with longitudinally grooved bristles and plumose hairs.
      On the tip of the antennae and on terminal and subterminal parts of labial palps
      sensilla basiconica occur. On the 9th abdominal segment there are two bulges,
      each of them bearing four digging bristles. Non-prominent eye tubercles and
      numerous mandibular bristles are morphological traits of pit-builders. Most of
      the behavioural traits are related to pit builders, whereas forward movement,
      waiting for prey without a pit and frequent changing of ambush location are
      traits of non-pit builders.

PMID- 26287103
TI  - A new species and new distribution records for Braconidae from Mountain Lake
      Biological Station in southwestern Virginia and a redescription of Pentapleura
      foveolata Viereck.
AB  - One new species of Alysiinae, Coelinius wrayi Kula, is described.
      Pentapleurafoveolata Viereck, also in Alysiinae and previously known only from a
      male collected at the type locality in Connecticut, is redescribed based on six
      females and two males collected at Mountain Lake Biological Station (MLBS) in
      Virginia. Morphological variation for Alysia (Alysia) salebrosa Wharton is
      discussed given variation observed in specimens from MLBS. Sixty-two species of
      Braconidae collected at MLBS in August of 2009 are listed along with 12 species
      reported previously from MLBS. Host use for the 62 species is discussed; 31 are
      in Alysiinae or Opiinae, subfamilies that exclusively contain parasitoids of
      cyclorrhaphous flies. Fifteen species are reported from Virginia for the first
      time. Problematic couplets in a key to species of Spathius Nees for North America
      (Marsh & Strazanac 2009) are discussed using specimens from MLBS.

PMID- 26287104
TI  - Epinephelus geoffroyi (Klunzinger, 1870) (Pisces: Serranidae), a valid species of
      grouper endemic to the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
AB  - The grouper Epinephelus geoffioyi (Klunzinger), type locality Red Sea, previously
      regarded as a synonym of E. chlorostigma (Valenciennes) is recognized as a valid
      species. It is differentiated from E. chlorostigma by having 25-29 (modally 27)
      gill rakers vs. 23-26 (modally 24), a more angular anal fin, the dark spots on
      the abdomen more widely separated, and lacking a clear white margin posteriorly
      on the caudal fin. The missing holotype of E. geoffroyi was found at the
      Staatliches Museum fur Naturkunde Stuttgart (SMNS 233, 191 mm). Epinephelits
      chlorostigma is wide-ranging from the Gulf of Aden and east coast of Africa to
      Samoa; it is reported from the depth range of 32-280 m. Epinephelus geoffroyi is
      presently known only from the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden at depths of 3-32 m.
      Illustrations are provided for three other species of groupers with numerous
      small dark spots, E. areolatus (Forsskal), E. gabriellae Randall & Heemstra, and
      E. polylepis Randall & Heemstra, that are, or might be, sympatric with E.
      geoffroyi.

PMID- 26287105
TI  - Taxonomic review of Chinese Phalonidia Le Marchand, 1933 (Lepidoptera:
      Tortricidae: Cochylini).
AB  - The Chinese species of Phalonidia Le Marchand, 1933 are reviewed. Sixteen species
      and one subspecies are treated, including three new species (P. brevifasciaria,
      sp. nov., P. rotundiventralis, sp. nov., and P. tenuispinifornis, sp. nov.) and
      three newly recorded species or subspecies (P. affinitana tauriana (Kennel,
      1899), P. aliena Kuznetzov, 1966, and P. coreana Byun & Li, 2006). The female of
      P. lydiae (Filipjev, 1940) is described for the first time. Images of adults and
      genitalia are provided, along with a key and a distribution map for the genus in
      China.

PMID- 26287106
TI  - New species and records of quill mites of the family Syringophilidae (Acari:
      Prostigmata) from the passerines (Aves: Passeriformes) from the Russian Far East.
AB  - Two new species, Syringophilopisis pari sp. nov. from Poecile palustris Linnaeus
      (Paridae) and Torotrogla volgini sp. nov. from Emberiza elegans Temminck
      (Emberizidae) are described. Additionally, new host species are reported for
      three syringophilid species: Emberiza tristrami Swinhoe and E. rutila Pallas for
      Betasyringophiloidus schoeniclus (Skoracki); Sitta europaea Linnaeus (Sittidae)
      for Syringophilopsis sittae Skoracki et al., and Zosterops erythropleurus Swinhoe
      (Zosteropidae) for Neoaulonastus zosterops Skoracki et al. All avian hosts were
      captured in the Primorsky Krai, Russia. The syringophilid fauna presently
      recorded from Russia is summarized.

PMID- 26287107
TI  - Three new species of the genus Sternoppia (Acari: Oribatida: Sternoppiidae) from
      Ecuador.
AB  - Three new oppioid mite species of the genus Sternoppia, S. paraincisa sp. nov.,
      S. paramirabilis sp. nov. and S. fissurata sp. nov., are described. Sternoppia
      paraincisa sp. nov. is most similar morphologically to Sternoppia incisa Balogh &
      Mahunka, 1977 from Bolivia, however, it differs from the latter by smaller body
      size, presence of notogastral setae c, location of lyrifissures ia, presence of
      granules on anal plates, and setiform sensilli. Sternoppia paramirabilis sp. nov.
      is most similar morphologically to Sternoppia mirabilis Balogh & Mahunka, 1968
      from Argentina, however it differs from the latter by larger body size, presence
      of two or three sensillar branches only, and long interlamellar setae. Sternoppia
      fissurata sp. nov. differs from all species of the genus by the nine pairs of
      notogastral setae, location of lyrifissures iad in inverse apoanal position, and
      the presence of large tectum on anterior part of ventral plate. Sternoppia
      brasiliensis is for the first time recorded in Ecuador. An identification key to
      all known species of Sternoppia is provided.

PMID- 26287108
TI  - Karyological and meiotic studies in seven species of Coreinae (Hemiptera:
      Heteroptera: Coreidae) from North India.
AB  - Coreinae, the largest subfamily of Coreidae, is distributed worldwide but is most
      abundant in the tropics. Cytogenetic data is available for 122 species, which
      include 40 from India. In the present paper, 7 species of Coreinae have been
      cytogenetically investigated for the first time for their diploid chromosome
      complement and for meiosis. Also, this is the first cytogenetic report for the
      genera Prionoloinia and Petalocnemis. The modal diploid chromosome complement of
      the family Coreidae is 2n=21=18A+2m+X0. The present study on 7 species shows the
      diploid chromosome complement to vary from 15 to 27. Microchromosomes are present
      in 6 and absent only in I species. The sex determining mechanism is X0 in 5 and
      X1X20 in 2 species. The decrease in autosome number (14A) has been accompanied by
      2 pairs of extremely large autosomes (Anoplocienis binotata Distant and Cletus
      borealis Blote) and the increase in autosome number (22A, 24A) has been
      accompanied by distinctly small autosomes (Petalocnemis obscura and Prionolomia
      sp.) in the complement. The behavior of chromosomes during meiosis is typical of
      Coreidae. Deviations wherever recorded are discussed. During diplotene, chiasmata
      are located terminally and there is a predominance of a single chiasma per
      bivalent. However, in Anoplocnemis binotata and Cletus borealis, one or both of
      the large bivalents show two terminal or subterminal chiasmata in diplotene. A
      regular arrangement of chromosomes is observed during both metaphase I and II:
      all the autosomes form a ring with microchromosomes lying inside and sex
      chromosomes lying outside the ring.

PMID- 26287109
TI  - Implementation as theory, hierarchy as transformation, homology as synapomorphy.
AB  - Presently cladistics is based on, and justified by, a computer implementation
      (Wagner Parsimony) rather than sound methodological or theoretical foundations.
      In this paper, the recent goals of cladistics that are derived from computer
      implementations and 'tree-thinking' are discussed. The discussion raises a
      critical point, namely whether one can dispense with these recent goals and adopt
      a wholly systematic approach, one herein termed systematic thinking.

PMID- 26287110
TI  - Two new species and a new genus of Calloporidae (Bryozoa: Cheilostomata) from the
      Southwest Atlantic.
AB  - The family Calloporidae occupies a basal position in the classification of the
      Cheilostomata, the relatively simple calloporid morphology seeming to be the
      basic pattern for the adaptive radiation of cheilostome bryozoans. The ovicells
      of the Calloporidae may be formed by the maternal zooid or the distal zooid,
      which can be an autozooid, a vicarious avicularium or a kenozooid. Examination of
      new calloporid material from the southern Patagonian shelf revealed the existence
      of two new species and a new genus. Kenoaplousinafissurata gen. nov., sp. nov. is
      characterized by its distinctive kenozooidal ooecium. The new genus is also
      deemed to include Aplousina grandipora Moyano, an allied species from the Chilean
      continental slope. Alderina simplicissima sp. nov., is also described from the
      Magellanic region.

PMID- 26287111
TI  - FORENSIC SCIENCE AROUND THE WORLD.

PMID- 26287112
TI  - NIST Forensic Science Research Update.

PMID- 26287113
TI  - The Forensic Technology Center of Excellence--Recent and Upcoming Activities.

PMID- 26287114
TI  - 20th Scientific Meeting of the Society of Hair Testing.

PMID- 26287115
TI  - FORENSIC SCIENCE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS--United Kingdom (UK) & Ireland.

PMID- 26287116
TI  - [RECOPANC Study: no difference between pancreatogastrostomy and
      pancreatojejunostomy of clinically significant pancreatic fistulas].

PMID- 26287117
TI  - [First randomized study on prophylactic lymph node dissection in papillary
      thyroid carcinoma].

PMID- 26287118
TI  - [It is not always gout! : A rare diagnosis of troublesome tumors on fingers and
      toes].

PMID- 26287119
TI  - Facet shapes and thermo-stabilities of H2SO4*HNO3 hydrates involved in polar
      stratospheric clouds.
AB  - The nucleation, ice crystal shapes and thermodynamic stability of polar
      stratospheric clouds particles are interesting concerns owing to their
      implication in the ozone layer destruction. Some of these particles are formed by
      conformers of H2O, HNO3, and H2SO4. We carried out calculations using density
      functional theory (DFT) to obtain optimized structures. Several stable trimers
      are achieved -divided in two groups, one with HNO3 moiety, second with H2SO4
      moiety- after pre-optimization at B3LYP/6-31G and subsequently optimization at
      B3LYP/aug-cc-pVTZ level of theory. For both most stable conformers five H2O
      molecules are added to their optimized trimers to calculate hydrated geometries.
      The OH stretching harmonic frequencies are provided for all aggregates. The zero
      point energy correction (ZEPC), relative electronic energies (?E), relative
      reaction Gibbs free energies ?(?G)k-relative, and cooling constant (K cooling )
      are reported at three temperatures: 188 K, 195 K, and 210 K. Shapes given in our
      calculations are compared with various experimental shapes as well as comparisons
      with their thermo-stabilities.

PMID- 26287120
TI  - Coil-Type Asymmetric Supercapacitor Electrical Cables.
AB  - Cable-shaped supercapacitors (SCs) have recently aroused significant attention
      due to their attractive properties such as small size, lightweight, and
      bendability. Current cable-shaped SCs have symmetric device configuration.
      However, if an asymmetric design is used in cable-shaped supercapacitors, they
      would become more attractive due to broader cell operation voltages, which
      results in higher energy densities. Here, a novel coil-type asymmetric
      supercapacitor electrical cable (CASEC) is reported with enhanced cell operation
      voltage and extraordinary mechanical-electrochemical stability. The CASECs show
      excellent charge-discharge profiles, extraordinary rate capability (95.4%), high
      energy density (0.85 mWh cm(-3)), remarkable flexibility and bendability, and
      superior bending cycle stability (~93.0% after 4000 cycles at different bending
      states). In addition, the CASECs not only exhibit the capability to store energy
      but also to transmit electricity simultaneously and independently. The integrated
      electrical conduction and storage capability of CASECS offer many potential
      applications in solar energy storage and electronic gadgets.

PMID- 26287121
TI  - Catalyst-Controlled, Regioselective Reactions of Carbohydrate Derivatives.
AB  - Carbohydrates generally possess multiple hydroxyl groups of similar reactivity,
      and selective monofunctionalization is often difficult. Catalysis provides a
      versatile and potentially general solution to this problem. This chapter provides
      an overview of catalyst-controlled methods for the regioselective activation of
      carbohydrate derivatives. The catalysts discussed include organocatalysts (Lewis
      bases, Bronsted acids/bases, and others) as well as those based on main group and
      transition metal elements. 

PMID- 26287122
TI  - Rearrangements Induced by Hypervalent Iodine.
AB  - This chapter describes advances in hypervalent iodine(III)-induced rearrangements
      reported between 2004 and 2015, beginning with Hofmann-type rearrangements and
      aliphatic aryl transpositions. In both reactions the iodine(III) reagent may be
      off-the-shelf or catalytically generated in situ. A number of stereoselective
      transformations are discussed, followed by transpositions triggered through
      phenol dearomatization, including Wagner-Meerwein-type rearrangements, Prins
      pinacol transpositions, and a tandem polycylization-pinacol process. Other
      rearrangements such as an iodonio-Claisen rearrangement, an ipso-rearrangement,
      and rearrangements performed using iodine(V) are also described. 

PMID- 26287123
TI  - Supersymmetry in quantum optics and in spin-orbit coupled systems.
AB  - Light-matter interaction is naturally described by coupled bosonic and fermionic
      subsystems. This suggests that a certain Bose-Fermi duality is naturally present
      in the fundamental quantum mechanical description of photons interacting with
      atoms. We reveal submanifolds in parameter space of a basic light-matter
      interacting system where this duality is promoted to a supersymmetry (SUSY) which
      remains unbroken. We show that SUSY is robust with respect to decoherence and
      dissipation. In particular, the stationary density matrix at the supersymmetric
      lines in parameter space has a degenerate subspace. The dimension of this
      subspace is given by the Witten index and thus is topologically protected. As a
      consequence, the dissipative dynamics is constrained by a robust additional
      conserved quantity which translates information about an initial state into the
      stationary state. In addition, we demonstrate that the same SUSY structures are
      present in condensed matter systems with spin-orbit couplings of Rashba and
      Dresselhaus types, and therefore spin-orbit coupled systems at the SUSY lines
      should be robust with respect to various types of disorder. Our findings suggest
      that optical and condensed matter systems at the SUSY points can be used for
      quantum information technology and can open an avenue for quantum simulation of
      SUSY field theories. 

PMID- 26287124
TI  - Minimal sample requirement for highly multiplexed protein quantification in cell
      lines and tissues by PCT-SWATH mass spectrometry.
AB  - The amount of sample available for clinical and biological proteomic research is
      often limited and thus significantly restricts clinical and translational
      research. Recently, we have integrated pressure cycling technology (PCT) assisted
      sample preparation and SWATH-MS to perform reproducible proteomic quantification
      of biopsy-level tissue samples. Here, we further evaluated the minimal sample
      requirement of the PCT-SWATH method using various types of samples, including
      cultured cells (HeLa, K562, and U251, 500 000 to 50 000 cells) and tissue samples
      (mouse liver, heart, brain, and human kidney, 3-0.2 mg). The data show that as
      few as 50 000 human cells and 0.2-0.5 mg of wet mouse and human tissues produced
      peptide samples sufficient for multiple SWATH-MS analyses at optimal sample load
      applied to the system. Generally, the reproducibility of the method increased
      with decreasing tissue sample amounts. The SWATH maps acquired from peptides
      derived from samples of varying sizes were essentially identical based on the
      number, type, and quantity of identified peptides. In conclusion, we determined
      the minimal sample required for optimal PCT-SWATH analyses, and found smaller
      sample size achieved higher quantitative accuracy. 

PMID- 26287125
TI  - Brain and behavioral inhibitory control of kindergartners facing negative
      emotions.
AB  - Inhibitory control (IC) - one of the most critical functions underlying a child's
      ability to self-regulate - develops significantly throughout the kindergarten
      years. Experiencing negative emotions imposes challenges on executive functioning
      and may specifically affect IC. In this study, we examined kindergartners' IC and
      its related brain activity during a negative emotional situation: 58 children
      (aged 5.5-6.5 years) performed an emotion-induction Go/NoGo task. During this
      task, we recorded children's performance and brain activity, focusing on the
      fronto-central N2 component in the event-related potential (ERP) and the power of
      its underlying theta frequency. Compared to Go trials, inhibition of NoGo trials
      was associated with larger N2 amplitudes and theta power. The negative emotional
      experience resulted in better IC performance and, at the brain level, in larger
      theta power. Source localization of this effect showed that the brain activity
      related to IC during the negative emotional experience was principally generated
      in the posterior frontal regions. Furthermore, the band power measure was found
      to be a more sensitive index for children's inhibitory processes than N2
      amplitudes. This is the first study to focus on kindergartners' IC while
      manipulating their emotional experience to induce negative emotions. Our findings
      suggest that a kindergartner's experience of negative emotion can result in
      improved IC and increases in associated aspects of brain activity. Our results
      also suggest the utility of time-frequency analyses in the study of brain
      processes associated with response inhibition in young children.

PMID- 26287127
TI  - Alphavirus capsid proteins self-assemble into core-like particles in insect
      cells: A promising platform for nanoparticle vaccine development.
AB  - The mosquito-borne chikungunya virus (CHIKV) causes arthritic diseases in humans,
      whereas the aquatic salmonid alphavirus (SAV) is associated with high mortality
      in aquaculture of salmon and trout. Using modern biotechnological approaches,
      promising vaccine candidates based upon highly immunogenic, enveloped virus-like
      particles (eVLPs) have been developed. However, the eVLP structure (core, lipid
      membrane, surface glycoproteins) is more complex than that of non-enveloped,
      protein-only VLPs, which are structurally and morphologically 'simple'. In order
      to develop an alternative to alphavirus eVLPs, in this paper we engineered
      recombinant baculovirus vectors to produce high levels of alphavirus core-like
      particles (CLPs) in insect cells by expression of the CHIKV and SAV capsid
      proteins. The CLPs localize in dense nuclear bodies within the infected cell
      nucleus and are purified through a rapid and scalable protocol involving cell
      lysis, sonication and low-speed centrifugation steps. Furthermore, an immunogenic
      epitope from the alphavirus E2 glycoprotein can be successfully fused to the N
      terminus of the capsid protein without disrupting the CLP self-assembling
      properties. We propose that immunogenic epitope-tagged alphavirus CLPs produced
      in insect cells present a simple and perhaps more stable alternative to
      alphavirus eVLPs. 

PMID- 26287126
TI  - Aldosterone induces clonal beta-cell failure through glucocorticoid receptor.
AB  - Aldosterone excess causes insulin resistance in peripheral tissues and directly
      impairs the function of clonal beta-cell. The aim of this study was to
      investigate the molecular mechanisms involved in the aldosterone-induced
      impairment of clonal beta-cells. As expected, aldosterone induced apoptosis and
      beta-cell dysfunction, including impairment of insulin synthesis and secretion,
      which were reversed by Glucocorticoid receptor (GR) antagonists or GR-specific
      siRNA. However, mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) antagonists or MR-specific siRNA
      had no effect on impairment of clonal beta-cells induced by aldosterone. Besides,
      aldosterone significantly decreased expression and activity of MafA, while
      activated JNK and p38 MAPK in a GR-dependent manner. In addition, JNK inhibitors
      (SP600125) and/or p38 inhibitors (SB203580) could abolish the effect of
      aldosterone on MafA expression and activity. Importantly, overexpression of JNK1
      or p38 reversed the protective effect of a GR antagonist on the decrease of MafA
      expression and activity. Furthermore, aldosterone inhibits MafA expression at the
      transcriptional and post-transcriptional level through activation of JNK and p38,
      respectively. Consequently, overexpression of MafA increased synthesis and
      secretion of insulin, and decreased apoptosis in clonal beta-cells exposed to
      aldosterone. These findings identified aldosterone as an inducer of clonal beta
      cell failure that operates through the GR-MAPK-MafA signaling pathway. 

PMID- 26287129
TI  - New Polyprenylated Phloroglucinol and Other Compounds Isolated from the Fruits of
      Clusia nemorosa (Clusiaceae).
AB  - Clusia nemorosa has been widely used in folk medicine to treat various ailments,
      including headaches and inflammation. Investigation of the fruits of Clusia
      nemorosa (Clusiaceae) led to the isolation and characterization of a new
      phloroglucinol derivative, named 6S,8S,28S-nemorosic acid (1), together with
      seven known compounds: friedelin (2), beta-sitosterol (3), stigmasterol (4), beta
      sitosterol glycoside (5), kaempferol (6), quercetin (7) and dimethyl citrate (8).
      The structures were determined by extensive 1D- and 2D-NMR, CD and MS
      spectroscopic analyses. 

PMID- 26287130
TI  - Mimosine Dipeptide Enantiomsers: Improved Inhibitors against Melanogenesis and
      Cyclooxygenase.
AB  - Melanogenesis plays an important role in the protection of skin against UV
      through production of melanin pigments, but abnormal accumulation of this pigment
      causes unaesthetic hyperpigmentation. Much effort is being made to develop
      effective depigmenting agents. Here, we show for the first time that a small
      library of mimosine dipeptide enantiomers (Mi-L/D-amino acid) inhibit the
      melanogenesis in B16F10 melanoma cells by down-regulating the cellular tyrosinase
      with little effect on their growth or viability. Two of them, Mi-D-Trp and Mi-D
      Val, turned out to be the most potent inhibitors on melanin content and cellular
      tyrosinase in B16F10 melanoma cells. In addition, most of the mimosine dipeptides
      were more potent than mimosine for inhibiting cyclooxygenase 1 (COX-1) with IC50
      of 18-26 MUM. Among them, Mi-L-Val and Mi-L-Trp inhibited cyclooxygenase 2 (COX
      2) more potently than indomethacin, with IC50 values of 22 and 19 MUM,
      respectively. Taken together, our results suggest the possibility that mimosine
      dipeptides could be better candidates (than mimosine) for anti-melanogenic (skin
      hyperpigmentation treatment) and cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibition. 

PMID- 26287131
TI  - Macrophage Activation by Ursolic and Oleanolic Acids during Mycobacterial
      Infection.
AB  - Oleanolic (OA) and ursolic acids (UA) are triterpenes that are abundant in
      vegetables, fruits and medicinal plants. They have been described as active
      moieties in medicinal plants used for the treatment of tuberculosis. In this
      study, we analyzed the effects of these triterpenes on macrophages infected in
      vitro with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). We evaluated production of nitric
      oxide (NO), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and cytokines (TNF-alpha and TGF-beta)
      as well as expression of cell membrane receptors (TGR5 and CD36) in MTB-infected
      macrophages following treatment with OA and UA. Triterpenes caused reduced MTB
      growth in macrophages, stimulated production of NO and ROS in the early phase,
      stimulated TNF-alpha, suppressed TGF-beta and caused over-expression of CD36 and
      TGR5 receptors. Thus, our data suggest immunomodulatory properties of OA and UA
      on MTB infected macrophages. In conclusion, antimycobacterial effects induced by
      these triterpenes may be attributable to the conversion of macrophages from stage
      M2 (alternatively activated) to M1 (classically activated).

PMID- 26287132
TI  - Synthesis, Characterization, and Anti-Cancer Activity of Some New N'-(2
      Oxoindolin-3-ylidene)-2-propylpentane hydrazide-hydrazones Derivatives.
AB  - Eight novel N'-(2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene)-2-propylpentane hydrazide-hydrazone
      derivatives 4a-h were synthesized and fully characterized by IR, NMR ((1)H-NMR
      and (13)C-NMR), elemental analysis, and X-ray crystallography. The cyto-toxicity
      and in vitro anti-cancer evaluation of the prepared compounds have been assessed
      against two different human tumour cell lines including human liver (HepG2) and
      leukaemia (Jurkat), as well as in normal cell lines derived from human embryonic
      kidney (HEK293) using MTT assay. The compounds 3e, 3f, 4a, 4c, and 4e revealed
      promising anti-cancer activities in tested human tumour cells lines (IC50 values
      between 3 and 7 MUM) as compared to the known anti-cancer drug 5-Fluorouracil
      (IC50 32-50 MUM). Among the tested compounds, 4a showed specificity against
      leukaemia (Jurkat) cells, with an IC50 value of 3.14 MUM, but this compound was
      inactive in liver cancer and normal cell lines. 

PMID- 26287133
TI  - Synthesis and Photophysical Properties of Polycarbo-Substituted Quinazolines
      Derived from the 2-Aryl-4-chloro-6-iodoquinazolines.
AB  - The reactivity of the 2-aryl-4-chloro-6-iodoquinazolines towards palladium
      catalyzed sequential (Sonogashira/Suzuki-Miyaura) and one-pot two-step cross
      coupling (bis-Sonogashira, and successive Sonogashira/Stille) reactions to afford
      novel unsymmetrical polycarbo-substituted quinazolines has been evaluated. In
      contrast to the chloro-bromo substituted quinazolines in which selectivity has
      been previously found to generally favor substitution at the more activated C(4)
      Cl bond over the weaker Csp(2)-Br bond, substitution in the case of the chloro
      iodo derivatives favors cross-coupling through the intrinsically more reactive
      Csp(2)-I bond. The electronic absorption and emission properties of the prepared
      2,3-diaryl-6-(phenylethynyl)quinazolines were studied in solvents of different
      polarity (dichloromethane, toluene, DMF, methanol) and CH2Cl2-TFA mixture using
      UV-Vis and emission spectroscopic techniques complemented with density functional
      theory method to establish the effect of substituents on intramolecular charge
      transfer properties. 

PMID- 26287134
TI  - Influence of Solid Drug Delivery System Formulation on Poorly Water-Soluble Drug
      Dissolution and Permeability.
AB  - The majority of drugs have a low dissolution rate, which is a limiting step for
      their absorption. In this manuscript, solid dispersions (SD), solid self
      microemulsifying drug delivery systems (S-SMEDDS) and solid self-nanoemulsifying
      drug delivery systems (S-SNEDDS) were evaluated as potential formulation
      strategies to increase the dissolution rate of carbamazepine. Influence of
      increased dissolution rate on permeability of carbamazepine was evaluated using
      PAMPA test. In S-SMEDDS and S-SNEDDS formulations, the ratio of liquid
      SMEDDS/SNEDDS and solid carrier (Neusilin((r)) UFL2) was varied, and
      carbamazepine content was constant. In SD formulations, the ratio of
      carbamazepine and Neusilin((r)) UFL2, was varied. Formulations that showed the
      best dissolution rate of carbamazepine (SD_1:6, SMEDDS_1:1, SNEDDS_1:6) were
      mutually compared, characterization of these formulations was performed by DSC,
      PXRD and FT-IR analyses, and a PAMPA test was done. All formulations have shown a
      significant increase in dissolution rate compared to pure carbamazepine and
      immediate-release carbamazepine tablets. Formulation S-SMEDDS_1:1 showed the
      fastest release rate and permeability of carbamazepine. DSC, PXRD and FT-IR
      analyses confirmed that in S-SMEDDS and S-SNEDDS carbamazepine remained in
      polymorph form III, and that it was converted to an amorphous state in SD
      formulations. All formulations showed increased permeability of carbamazepine,
      compared to pure carbamazepine. 

PMID- 26287135
TI  - Synthesis and Consecutive Reactions of alpha-Azido Ketones: A Review.
AB  - This review paper covers the major synthetic approaches attempted towards the
      synthesis of alpha-azido ketones, as well as the synthetic
      applications/consecutive reactions of alpha-azido ketones. 

PMID- 26287136
TI  - Synthesis of Photoswitchable Magnetic Au-Fullerosome Hybrid Nanomaterials for
      Permittivity Enhancement Applications.
AB  - We designed and synthesized several nanomaterials 3 of three-layered core-shell
      (gamma-FeOx@AuNP)@[C60(>DPAF-C9) 1 or 2]n nanoparticles (NPs). These NPs having
      e(-)-polarizable fullerosome structures located at the outer layer were
      fabricated from highly magnetic core-shell gamma-FeOx@AuNPs. Fullerosomic
      polarization of 3 was found to be capable of causing a large amplification of
      material permittivity that is also associated with the photoswitching effect in
      the frequency range of 0.5-4.0 GHz. Multilayered synthetic construction allows
      Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) of photoinduced accumulative surface
      plasmon resonance (SPR) energy in the gold layer to the partially bilayered
      C60(>DPAF-C9) 1 or 2-derived fullerosome membrane shell layer in a near-field of
      direct contact without producing radiation heat, which is commonly associated
      with SPR.

PMID- 26287137
TI  - Synthesis, Structural Studies and Molecular Modelling of a Novel Imidazoline
      Derivative with Antifungal Activity.
AB  - Six novel imidazoline derivatives were synthesized and tested in antifungal
      assays. One of the compounds, N-cyclohexyl-2-imino-3-(4-nitrophenyl)imidazolidine
      1-carboxamide showed moderate activity against several clinical strains of
      Candida albicans. Its structure was solved by X-ray crystallography and its mode
      of action was deduced using molecular modelling. It was found to be similar to
      that of fluconazole. The potential for further optimization including SAR of the
      compound is briefly discussed. 

PMID- 26287138
TI  - Rapid Estimation of Tocopherol Content in Linseed and Sunflower Oils-Reactivity
      and Assay.
AB  - The reactivity of tocopherols with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) was
      studied in model systems in order to establish a method for quantifying vitamin E
      in plant oils. The method was optimized with respect to solvent composition of
      the assay medium, which has a large influence on the course of reaction of
      tocopherols with DPPH. The rate of reaction of alpha-tocopherol with DPPH is
      higher than that of gamma-tocopherol in both protic and aprotic solvents. In
      ethyl acetate, routinely applied for the analysis of antioxidant potential (AOP)
      of plant oils, reactions of tocopherols with DPPH are slower and concentration of
      tocopherols in the assay has a large influence on their molar reactivity. In 2
      propanol, however, two electrons are exchanged for both alpha- and gamma
      tocopherols, independent of their concentration. 2-propanol is not toxic and is
      fully compatible with polypropylene labware. The chromatographically determined
      content of tocopherols and their molar reactivity in the DPPH assay reveal that
      only tocopherols contribute to the AOP of sunflower oil, whereas the contribution
      of tocopherols to the AOP of linseed oil is 75%. The DPPH assay in 2-propanol can
      be applied for rapid and cheap estimation of vitamin E content in plant oils
      where tocopherols are major antioxidants. 

PMID- 26287139
TI  - Novel Coumarin-Containing Aminophosphonatesas Antitumor Agent: Synthesis,
      Cytotoxicity, DNA-Binding and Apoptosis Evaluation.
AB  - A series of novel coumarin-containing alpha-aminophosphonates were synthesized
      and evaluated for their antitumor activities against Human colorectal (HCT-116),
      human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (human KB) and human lung adenocarcinoma (MGC-803)
      cell lines in vitro. Compared with 7-hydroxy-4-methylcoumarin (4-MU), most of the
      derivatives showed an improved antitumor activity. Compound 8j (diethyl 1-(3-(4
      methyl-2-oxo-2H-chromen-7-yloxy) propanamido)-1-phenylethyl-Phosphonate), with
      IC50 value of 8.68 MUM against HCT-116 cell lines, was about 12 fold than that of
      unsubstituted parent compound. The mechanism investigation proved that 8c, 8d, 8f
      and 8j were achieved through the induction of cell apoptosis by G1 cell-cycle
      arrest. In addition, the further mechanisms of compound 8j-induced apoptosis in
      HCT-116 cells demonstrated that compound 8j induced the activations of caspase-9
      and caspase-3 for causing cell apoptosis, and altered anti- and pro-apoptotic
      proteins. DNA-binding experiments suggested that some derivatives bind to DNA
      through intercalation. The results seem to imply the presence of an important
      synergistic effect between coumarin and aminophosphonate, which could contribute
      to the strong chelating properties of aminophosphonate moiety. 

PMID- 26287140
TI  - Bioassay-Guided Fractionation of a Leaf Extract from Combretum mucronatum with
      Anthelmintic Activity: Oligomeric Procyanidins as the Active Principle.
AB  - Combretum mucronatum Schumach. & Thonn. is a medicinal plant widely used in West
      African traditional medicine for wound healing and the treatment of helminth
      infections. The present study aimed at a phytochemical characterization of a
      hydroalcoholic leaf extract of this plant and the identification of the
      anthelmintic compounds by bioassay-guided fractionation. An EtOH-H2O (1:1)
      extract from defatted leaves was partitioned between EtOAc and H2O. Further
      fractionation was performed by fast centrifugal partition chromatography, RP18
      MPLC and HPLC. Epicatechin (1), oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPC) 2 to 10
      (mainly procyanidins) and flavonoids 11 to 13 were identified as main components
      of the extract. The hydroalcoholic extract, fractions and purified compounds were
      tested in vitro for their anthelmintic activity using the model nematode
      Caenorhabditis elegans. The bioassay-guided fractionation led to the
      identification of OPCs as the active compounds with a dose-dependent anthelmintic
      activity ranging from 1 to 1000 MUM. Using OPC-clusters with a defined degree of
      polymerization (DP) revealed that a DP >= 3 is necessary for an anthelmintic
      activity, whereas a DP > 4 does not lead to a further increased inhibitory effect
      against the helminths. In summary, the findings rationalize the traditional use
      of C. mucronatum and provide further insight into the anthelmintic activity of
      condensed tannins. 

PMID- 26287141
TI  - Non-Covalent Derivatives: Cocrystals and Eutectics.
AB  - Non-covalent derivatives (NCDs) are formed by incorporating one (or more)
      coformer molecule(s) into the matrix of a parent molecule via non-covalent
      forces. These forces can include ionic forces, Van der Waals forces, hydrogen
      bonding, lipophilic-lipophilic interactions and pi-pi interactions. NCDs, in both
      cocrystal and eutectic forms, possess properties that are unique to their
      supramolecular matrix. These properties include critical product performance
      factors such as solubility, stability and bioavailability. NCDs have been used to
      tailor materials for a variety of applications and have the potential to be used
      in an even broader range of materials and processes. NCDs can be prepared using
      little or no solvent and none of the reagents typical to synthetic modifications.
      Thus, NCDs represent a powerfully versatile, environmentally-friendly and cost
      effective opportunity. 

PMID- 26287142
TI  - Structural Stabilities and Transformation Mechanism of Rhynchophylline and
      Isorhynchophylline by Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography/Time-of-Flight Mass
      Spectrometry (UPLC/Q-TOF-MS).
AB  - To reveal the structural stabilities and transformation mechanism of
      rhynchophylline (RIN) and isorhynchophylline (IRN), HPLC and UPLC-Q-TOF-MS method
      were developed for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the conversion
      rate. The method was validated for linearity, inter- and intra-day precisions,
      repeatability and stability. All the quantitative determination method validation
      results were satisfactory. Under the optimized chromatographic conditions, the
      effect of various heat temperatures, retention time, and solvent polarities on
      conversion rate and equilibrium were systematically investigated for the first
      time. Besides, a model relating the retention yield value and time-temperature
      was built to predict the t0.5 and Ea of the conversion rate by the Arrhenius
      equation. The experimental results proved to be in good accordance with the
      predicted values. Furthermore, UPLC-Q-TOF-MS analysis was performed to verify the
      transformation mechanism and provide valuable information for stability analysis
      of the conversion products. 

PMID- 26287143
TI  - Development of a Single Vial Kit Solution for Radiolabeling of 68Ga-DKFZ-PSMA-11
      and Its Performance in Prostate Cancer Patients.
AB  - Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), a type II glycoprotein, is highly
      expressed in almost all prostate cancers. By playing such a universal role in the
      disease, PSMA provides a target for diagnostic imaging of prostate cancer using
      positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT). The PSMA-targeting
      ligand Glu-NH-CO-NH-Lys-(Ahx)-HBED-CC (DKFZ-PSMA-11) has superior imaging
      properties and allows for highly-specific complexation of the generator-based
      radioisotope Gallium-68 ((68)Ga). However, only module-based radiolabeling
      procedures are currently available. This study intended to develop a single vial
      kit solution to radiolabel buffered DKFZ-PSMA-11 with (68)Ga. A (68)Ge/(68)Ga
      generator was utilized to yield (68)GaCl3 and major aspects of the kit
      development were assessed, such as radiolabeling performance, quality assurance,
      and stability. The final product was injected into patients with prostate cancer
      for PET/CT imaging and the kit performance was evaluated on the basis of the
      expected biodistribution, lesion detection, and dose optimization. Kits
      containing 5 nmol DKFZ-PSMA-11 showed rapid, quantitative (68)Ga-complexation and
      all quality measurements met the release criteria for human application. The
      increased precursor content did not compromise the ability of (68)Ga-DKFZ-PSMA-11
      PET/CT to detect primary prostate cancer and its advanced lymphatic- and
      metastatic lesions. The (68)Ga-DKFZ-PSMA-11 kit is a robust, ready-to-use
      diagnostic agent in prostate cancer with high diagnostic performance. 

PMID- 26287144
TI  - Diterpenoids from Saliva plebeia R. Br. and Their Antioxidant and Anti
      Inflammatory Activities.
AB  - A new skeleton of diterpenoid, 1,2,3,4,4alpha,9,10,10alpha-octahydro-(4alpha
      hydroxyymethyl) -1,1-dimethyl-9-(1-methylethyl)-(2S,3S,4alphaR,9R,10alphaS)
      2,3,5,7-phenanthrenetertrol, named plebeianiol A (1), along with four known
      diterpenoids (2-5), were isolated from Salvia plebeia R. Br. Their structures
      were determined on the basis of spectral analysis. In the bioactivity tests,
      compounds 1, 2 and 5 showed 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical
      scavenging activities with IC50 values of 20.0-29.6 uM. In addition, these three
      compounds had significant inhibitory effects on reactive oxygen species (ROS)
      production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced macrophages. Compounds 1-3
      inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production in LPS-induced macrophages with IC50
      values of 18.0-23.6 uM. These results showed that compounds 1, 2 had significant
      antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities and might provide basis for the
      treatment of diseases associated with oxidative lesions and inflammation. 

PMID- 26287145
TI  - Recombinant Production of Snakin-2 (an Antimicrobial Peptide from Tomato) in E.
      coli and Analysis of Its Bioactivity.
AB  - Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) represent a diverse group of biologically active
      molecules that are part of the innate immune systems of a variety of organisms.
      Their primary function consists of protecting the host organism against invading
      microorganisms, including pathogens. AMPs show a broad spectrum of secondary
      structures, which are essential for antimicrobial activity. In this study, we
      produced snakin-2 (SN2), a 66-amino-acid-(aa)-long AMP from Solanum lycopersicum
      as a recombinant protein in E. coli. This AMP belongs to the GASA/GAST protein
      family and possesses a highly conserved 60-aa-long domain with six disulfide
      bonds in the C-terminus of the peptide. Because of the toxicity of SN2 against
      its producing E. coli strain, the AMP was attached to an N-terminal fusion
      protein (thioredoxin A), which was removed after affinity chromatography
      purification. The total yield of recombinant SN2 was approximately 1 mg/L. The
      membrane-active SN2 showed a bactericidal and fungicidal bioactivity, which can
      be explained by perforation of biomembranes of bacteria and fungi. 

PMID- 26287146
TI  - Synthesis of C3/C1-Substituted Tetrahydroisoquinolines.
AB  - A broad biological screening of the natural alkaloid N-methylisosalsoline (2)
      extracted from Hammada scoparia leaves against a panel of human and parasitic
      proteases revealed an interesting activity profile of 2 towards human 20S
      proteasome. This outcome suggests that the 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline
      skeleton may be exploited as a template for the development of novel anticancer
      agents. In this article, we report the synthesis and chemical characterization of
      a new series of isosalsoline-type alkaloids (10-11) with variations at N2 and C3
      positions with respect to the natural Compound 2, obtained by a synthetic
      strategy that involves the Bischler-Napieralski cyclization. The substrate for
      the condensation to the tetrahydroisoquinoline system, i.e., a functionalized
      beta-arylethyl amine, was obtained through an original double reduction of
      nitroalkene. The synthetic strategy can be directed to the construction of highly
      substituted and functionalized 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines. 

PMID- 26287147
TI  - A Combined Molecular Docking/Dynamics Approach to Probe the Binding Mode of
      Cancer Drugs with Cytochrome P450 3A4.
AB  - Cytarabine, daunorubicin, doxorubicin and vincristine are clinically used for
      combinatorial therapies of cancers in different combinations. However, the
      knowledge about the interaction of these drugs with the metabolizing enzyme
      cytochrome P450 is limited. Therefore, we utilized computational methods to
      predict and assess the drug-binding modes. In this study, we performed docking,
      MD simulations and free energy landscape analysis to understand the drug-enzyme
      interactions, protein domain motions and the most populated free energy minimum
      conformations of the docked protein-drug complexes, respectively. The outcome of
      docking and MD simulations predicted the productive, as well as the non
      productive binding modes of the selected drugs. Based on these interaction
      studies, we observed that S119, R212 and R372 are the major drug-binding residues
      in CYP3A4. The molecular mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann surface area analysis
      revealed the dominance of hydrophobic forces in the CYP3A4-drug association.
      Further analyses predicted the residues that may contain favorable drug-specific
      interactions. The probable binding modes of the cancer drugs from this study may
      extend the knowledge of the protein-drug interaction and pave the way to design
      analogs with reduced toxicity. In addition, they also provide valuable insights
      into the metabolism of the cancer drugs. 

PMID- 26287148
TI  - Eco-Friendly Synthesis of a New Class of Pyridinium-Based Ionic Liquids with
      Attractive Antimicrobial Activity.
AB  - The present study reports a green synthesis of a new family of ionic liquids
      (ILs) based on functionalized 4-dimethylaminopyridinium derivatives. The
      structures of 23 newly synthesized ILs (2-24) were confirmed by FT-IR, (1)H-,
      (13)C-, (11)B-, (19)F-, and (31)P-NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The
      antimicrobial activity of all novel ILs was tested against a panel of bacteria
      and fungi. The results prove that all tested ILs are effective antibacterial and
      antifungal agents, especially 4-(dimethylamino)-1-(4-phenoxybutyl) pyridinium
      derivatives 5 and 19. 

PMID- 26287149
TI  - Oral Intake of Carboxymethyl-Glucan (CM-G) from Yeast (Saccharomyces uvarum)
      Reduces Malondialdehyde Levels in Healthy Men.
AB  - Carboxymethyl-glucan (CM-G) is a water-soluble derivative of beta(1 -> 3)(1 -> 6)
      glucan, a well-known immunostimulant and antioxidant compound. In this
      experimental, randomized and placebo-controlled study, the effects of oral CM-G
      intake over a 60-day period on the peripheral blood, cholesterol, glycemic index
      and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels of healthy men was assessed. The CM-G was
      obtained from spent brewer's yeast (S. uvarum) with DS 0.8 and molecular weight
      of 2.2 * 10(5) Da. Following CM-G administration, no changes were observed in red
      and white blood cell, hematocrit, hemoglobin and platelet counts, or in
      cholesterol and glycemic indices. After 30 days of CM-G administration, the MDA
      levels decreased significantly (p <= 0.05) in men receiving CM-G. The results
      showed for the first time that CM-G may act as an adjuvant in preventing
      oxidative damage in healthy humans.

PMID- 26287150
TI  - Inhibitory Activity of Yokukansankachimpihange against Nerve Growth Factor
      Induced Neurite Growth in Cultured Rat Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons.
AB  - Chronic pruritus is a major and distressing symptom of many cutaneous diseases,
      however, the treatment remains a challenge in the clinic. The traditional Chinese
      Japanese medicine (Kampo medicine) is a conservative and increasingly popular
      approach to treat chronic pruritus for both patients and medical providers.
      Yokukansankachimpihange (YKH), a Kampo formula has been demonstrated to be
      effective in the treatment of itching of atopic dermatitis in Japan although its
      pharmacological mechanism is unknown clearly. In an attempt to clarify its
      pharmacological actions, in this study, we focused on the inhibitory activity of
      YKH against neurite growth induced with nerve growth factor (NGF) in cultured rat
      dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons because epidermal hyperinnervation is deeply
      related to itch sensitization. YKH showed approximately 200-fold inhibitory
      activity against NGF-induced neurite growth than that of neurotropin (positive
      control), a drug used clinically for treatment of chronic pruritus. Moreover, it
      also found that Uncaria hook, Bupleurum root and their chemical constituents
      rhynchophylline, hirsutine, and saikosaponin a, d showed inhibitory activities
      against NGF-induced neurite growth, suggesting they should mainly contribute to
      the inhibitory activity of YKH. Further study on the effects of YKH against
      epidermal nerve density in "itch-scratch" animal models is under investigation. 

PMID- 26287151
TI  - Fast Identification of Radical Scavengers from Securigera varia by Combining 13C
      NMR-Based Dereplication to Bioactivity-Guided Fractionation.
AB  - Securigera varia (Fabaceae) is a common herbaceous perennial plant widely growing
      in Europe and Asia and purposely established for erosion control, roadside
      planting, and soil rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to determine the
      radical scavenging activity of a crude methanol extract of S. varia aerial parts
      by using the free radical DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) and to rapidly
      identify the compounds involved in this activity. The crude extract was initially
      separated in five fractions on Diaion HP20 resin and the most active part was
      fractionated by Centrifugal Partition Extraction (CPE). Known compounds were
      directly identified by a (13)C-NMR-based dereplication method. Semi-preparative
      high performance liquid chromatography purification experiments were further
      performed to identify unknown or minor active compounds. As a result, one new
      (13) and twelve known flavonoid glycosides together with three
      nitropropanoylglucopyranoses were isolated, including astragalin (1), kaempferol
      3-O-(6-O-acetyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), kaempferol-3,4'-di-O-beta-D
      glucopyranoside (3), trifolin (4), isoquercitrin (5), hyperoside (6), isovitexin
      (7), isoorientin (8), isovitexin 4'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (9), apigenin 7-O
      beta-D-glucuronopyranoside (10), luteolin 7-O-beta-D-glucuronopyranoside (11),
      apigenin 7-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1->2)-beta-D-glucuronopyranoside (12),
      apigenin 7-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 -> 2)-beta-D-glucuronopyranoside (13), 6-O
      (3-nitropropanoyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (14), coronillin (16) and coronarian
      (15). 120 mg of the most active compound isoorientin against the free radical
      DPPH was recovered by CPE with an HPLC purity of 99%.

PMID- 26287152
TI  - Effect of Brewing Duration on the Antioxidant and Hepatoprotective Abilities of
      Tea Phenolic and Alkaloid Compounds in a t-BHP Oxidative Stress-Induced Rat
      Hepatocyte Model.
AB  - Tea is an interesting source of antioxidants capable of counteracting the
      oxidative stress implicated in liver diseases. We investigated the impact of
      antioxidant molecules provided by a mixture of teas' leaves (green, oolong, pu
      erh) after different infusion durations in the prevention of oxidative stress in
      isolated rat hepatocytes, by comparison with pure epigallocatechin-3-gallate
      (EGCG), the main representative of tea catechins. Dried aqueous tea extracts
      (ATE) obtained after 5, 15 and 30 min infusion time were characterized for total
      polyphenols (gallic acid equivalent), catechins, gallic acid and caffeine (HPLC
      DAD/ESI-MS) contents, and for scavenging ability against 2,2-diphenyl-1
      picrylhydrazyl free radical. Hepatoprotection was evaluated through hepatocyte
      viability tests using tert-butyl hydroperoxide as a stress inducer, (3-(4,5
      dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, neutral red uptake, real
      time cellular impedance) and mitochondrial function tests. We showed that a 5-min
      incubation time is sufficient for an optimal bioaccessibility of tea compounds
      with the highest antioxidative ability, which decreases for longer durations. A 4
      h pretreatment of cells with ATE significantly prevented cell death by regulating
      reactive oxygen species production and maintaining mitochondrial integrity. Pure
      EGCG, at doses similar in ATE (5-12 uM), was inefficient, suggesting a plausible
      synergy of several water-soluble tea compounds to explain the ATE beneficial
      effects. 

PMID- 26287153
TI  - Ethnomedicinal, Phytochemical and Pharmacological Profile of Anthriscus
      sylvestris as an Alternative Source for Anticancer Lignans.
AB  - Anthriscus sylvestris (L.) Hoffm. is a wild herbaceous plant common in most
      temperate regions. It has been used traditionally to treat headaches, as a tonic,
      as antitussive, antipyretic, analgesic and diuretic. The plant contains
      deoxypodophyllotoxin, which is proven to have antitumor and anti-proliferative
      effects, anti-platelet aggregation, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and insecticidal
      activity. Deoxypodophyllotoxin is considered to be the plant's most important
      constituent, because of its pharmacological properties and because it can be
      converted into epipodophyllotoxin, the main raw material for the semisynthesis of
      the cytostatic agents etoposide and teniposide. This work summarizes for the
      first time the results related to the botanical description, distribution and
      habitat, phytochemical and pharmacological properties and emphasizes the aspects
      for future biotechnological research to establish its utility in the therapeutic
      arsenal. 

PMID- 26287154
TI  - Copper-Catalyzed Dimerization/Cyclization of Itaconates.
AB  - A copper-catalyzed domino reaction between itaconate esters and diethyl zinc (or
      silane) is developed, affording itaconate dimerization products, multi-ester
      substituted cyclopentanones, in moderate to high yields. 

PMID- 26287155
TI  - Inhibition of Cytosolic Phospholipase A2alpha (cPLA2alpha) by Medicinal Plants in
      Relation to Their Phenolic Content.
AB  - The cytosolic phospholipase A2alpha(cPLA2alpha) is one of the potential targets
      for anti-inflammatory drugs, since this enzyme plays a key role in the
      inflammation processes seen in health disorders, like asthma, allergic reactions,
      arthritis and neuronal diseases. In this study, cPLA2alpha inhibition by 43
      methanol extracts from medicinal plants rich in polyphenols was determined. The
      eight most active extracts were derived from Ribes nigrum (IC50 of 27.7 MUg/mL),
      Ononis spinosa (IC50 of 39.4 MUg/mL), Urtica dioica (IC50 of 44.32 MUg/mL),
      Betula sp. (IC50 of 58.02 MUg/mL), Sanguisorba officinalis (IC50 of 76.25
      MUg/mL), Orthosiphon stamineus (IC50 of 78.83 MUg/mL), Petasites hybridus (IC50
      of 81.02 MUg/mL) and Tussilago farfara (IC50 of 123.28 MUg/mL). Additionally, the
      antioxidant activities of these extracts were determined with the 2,2-diphenyl-1
      picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and their phenolic content with the Folin-Ciocalteu
      reagent. Antioxidant activity showed a non-linear, positive correlation to the
      phenolic content, but no correlation of PLA2 inhibition with phenolic content
      could be established. This study provides evidence that cPLA2alpha may be a
      relevant target for anti-inflammatory agents. 

PMID- 26287156
TI  - One-Pot Synthesis of Organic-Sulfur-Zinc Hybrid Materials via Polycondensation of
      a Zinc Salt and Thiols Generated in Situ from Cyclic Dithiocarbonates.
AB  - Soluble organic-sulfur-zinc hybrid polymers were prepared via a one-pot reaction
      consisting of ring-opening addition and subsequent polycondensation. The first
      reaction is the nucleophilic ring-opening addition of 2-ethylhexylamine to
      multifunctional cyclic dithiocarbonates giving multiple thiols in situ. The
      sequential polycondensation of the in situ generated thiols with Zn(OAc)2 gave
      the target hybrid polymers. This one-pot method enabled the use of a shorter
      amine than the previous polycondensation of Zn(OAc)2 and purified thiols, which
      required octadecylamine to obtain a soluble product. The obtained hybrid polymers
      may be cast as composite films with polystyrene and poly(methyl methacrylate).
      Owing to the shorter alkyl chain, the calculated nD values of the products (1.60
      or 1.61) are higher than that of the previous product bearing octadecyl chains
      (1.53). 

PMID- 26287157
TI  - Antioxidant, Antimicrobial Effects and Phenolic Profile of Lycium barbarum L.
      Flowers.
AB  - L. barbarum L. is a widely-accepted nutraceutical presenting highly advantageous
      nutritive and antioxidant properties. Its flowers have been previously described
      as a source of diosgenin, beta-sitosterol and lanosterol that can be further
      pharmaceutically developed, but no other data regarding their composition is
      available. The purpose of this work was to investigate the chemical constituents,
      antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of L. barbarum flowers, as an
      alternative resource of naturally-occurring antioxidant compounds. The free
      radical scavenging activity of the ethanolic extract was tested by TEAC, two
      enzymatic assays with more physiological relevance and EPR spectroscopy. The
      presence of several phenolic compounds, such as chlorogenic, p-coumaric and
      ferulic acids, but also isoquercitrin, rutin and quercitrin, was assessed by an
      HPLC/MS method. The antioxidant assays revealed that the extract exhibited a
      moderate antioxidant potential. The antimicrobial activity was mild against Gram
      positive bacteria and lacking against Escherichia coli. These findings complete
      the scarce existing data and offer new perspectives for further pharmaceutical
      valorization of L. barbarum flowers. 

PMID- 26287160
TI  - The Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor BML-210 Influences Gene and Protein Expression
      in Human Promyelocytic Leukemia NB4 Cells via Epigenetic Reprogramming.
AB  - Today, cancer is understood as an epigenetic as well as genetic disease. The main
      epigenetic hallmarks of the cancer cell are DNA methylation and histone
      modifications. Proteins such as histone deacetylases (HDACs) that cause
      modifications of histones and other proteins can be targets for novel anticancer
      agents. Recently, interest in compounds that can inhibit HDACs increased, and now
      there are many HDACs inhibitors (HDACIs) available with different chemical
      structures, biological and biochemical properties; hopefully some of them will
      succeed, probably in combination with other agents, in cancer therapies. In our
      study we focused on the novel HDACI-BML-210. We found that BML-210 (N-phenyl-N'
      (2-Aminophenyl)hexamethylenediamide) inhibits the growth of NB4 cells in dose-
      and time-dependent manner. In this study we also examined how expression and
      activity of HDACs are affected after leukemia cell treatment with BML-210. Using
      a mass spectrometry method we identified proteins that changed expression after
      treatment with BML-210. We prepared RT-PCR analysis of these genes and the
      results correlated with proteomic data. Based on these and other findings from
      our group, we suggest that HDACIs, like BML-210, can be promising anticancer
      agents in promyelocytic leukemia treatment. 

PMID- 26287161
TI  - Kynurenines and Multiple Sclerosis: The Dialogue between the Immune System and
      the Central Nervous System.
AB  - Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system, in
      which axonal transection takes place in parallel with acute inflammation to
      various, individual extents. The importance of the kynurenine pathway in the
      physiological functions and pathological processes of the nervous system has been
      extensively investigated, but it has additionally been implicated as having a
      regulatory function in the immune system. Alterations in the kynurenine pathway
      have been described in both preclinical and clinical investigations of multiple
      sclerosis. These observations led to the identification of potential therapeutic
      targets in multiple sclerosis, such as synthetic tryptophan analogs, endogenous
      tryptophan metabolites (e.g., cinnabarinic acid), structural analogs (laquinimod,
      teriflunomid, leflunomid and tranilast), indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase inhibitors
      (1MT and berberine) and kynurenine-3-monooxygenase inhibitors (nicotinylalanine
      and Ro 61-8048). The kynurenine pathway is a promising novel target via which to
      influence the immune system and to achieve neuroprotection, and further research
      is therefore needed with the aim of developing novel drugs for the treatment of
      multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases. 

PMID- 26287162
TI  - Microwave-Induced Chemotoxicity of Polydopamine-Coated Magnetic Nanocubes.
AB  - Polydopamine-coated FeCo nanocubes (PDFCs) were successfully synthesized and
      tested under microwave irradiation of 2.45 GHz frequency and 0.86 W/cm(2) power.
      These particles were found to be non-toxic in the absence of irradiation, but
      gained significant toxicity upon irradiation. Interestingly, no increase in
      relative heating rate was observed when the PDFCs were irradiated in solution,
      eliminating nanoparticle (NP)-induced thermal ablation as the source of toxicity.
      Based on these studies, we propose that microwave-induced redox processes
      generate the observed toxicity. 

PMID- 26287163
TI  - Physiological and Molecular Aspects of Tolerance to Environmental Constraints in
      Grain and Forage Legumes.
AB  - Despite the agronomical and environmental advantages of the cultivation of
      legumes, their production is limited by various environmental constraints such as
      water or nutrient limitation, frost or heat stress and soil salinity, which may
      be the result of pedoclimatic conditions, intensive use of agricultural lands,
      decline in soil fertility and environmental degradation. The development of more
      sustainable agroecosystems that are resilient to environmental constraints will
      therefore require better understanding of the key mechanisms underlying plant
      tolerance to abiotic constraints. This review provides highlights of legume
      tolerance to abiotic constraints with a focus on soil nutrient deficiencies,
      drought, and salinity. More specifically, recent advances in the physiological
      and molecular levels of the adaptation of grain and forage legumes to abiotic
      constraints are discussed. Such adaptation involves complex multigene controlled
      traits which also involve multiple sub-traits that are likely regulated under the
      control of a number of candidate genes. This multi-genetic control of tolerance
      traits might also be multifunctional, with extended action in response to a
      number of abiotic constraints. Thus, concrete efforts are required to breed for
      multifunctional candidate genes in order to boost plant stability under various
      abiotic constraints. 

PMID- 26287164
TI  - Angiogenesis-Related Biomarkers (sFlt-1/PLGF) in the Prediction and Diagnosis of
      Placental Dysfunction: An Approach for Clinical Integration.
AB  - Placental dysfunction is involved in a group of obstetrical conditions including
      preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, and placental abruption. Their
      timely and accurate recognition is often a challenge since diagnostic criteria
      are still based on nonspecific signs and symptoms. The discovering of the role of
      angiogenic-related factors (sFlt-1/PlGF) in the underlying pathophysiology of
      placental dysfunction, taking into account that angiogenesis-related biomarkers
      are not specific to any particular placental insufficiency-related disease, has
      marked an important step for improving their early diagnosis and prognosis
      assessment. However, sFlt-1/PlGF has not been yet established as a part of most
      guidelines. We will review the current evidence on the clinical utility of sFlt
      1/PlGF and propose a new protocol for its clinical integration. 

PMID- 26287165
TI  - Human Dermal Stem/Progenitor Cell-Derived Conditioned Medium Improves Senescent
      Human Dermal Fibroblasts.
AB  - Adult skin stem cells are recognized as potential therapeutics to rejuvenate aged
      skin. We previously demonstrated that human dermal stem/progenitor cells (hDSPCs)
      with multipotent capacity could be enriched from human dermal fibroblasts using
      collagen type IV. However, the effects of hDSPCs on cellular senescence remain to
      be elucidated. In the present study, we investigated whether conditioned medium
      (CM) collected from hDSPC cultures (hDSPC-CM) exhibits beneficial effects on
      senescent fibroblasts. We found that hDSPC-CM promoted proliferation and
      decreased the expression level of senescence-associated beta-galactosidase in
      senescent fibroblasts. In addition, p53 phosphorylation and p21 expression were
      significantly reduced in senescent fibroblasts treated with hDSPC-CM. hDSPC-CM
      restored the expression levels of collagen type I, collagen type III, and tissue
      inhibitor of metalloproteinase, and antagonized the increase of matrix
      metalloproteinase 1 expression. Finally, we demonstrated that hDSPC-CM
      significantly reduced reactive oxygen species levels by specifically up
      regulating the expression level of superoxide dismutase 2. Taken together, these
      data suggest that hDSPC-CM can be applied as a potential therapeutic agent for
      improving human aged skin. 

PMID- 26287166
TI  - Disorder Prediction Methods, Their Applicability to Different Protein Targets and
      Their Usefulness for Guiding Experimental Studies.
AB  - The role and function of a given protein is dependent on its structure. In recent
      years, however, numerous studies have highlighted the importance of unstructured,
      or disordered regions in governing a protein's function. Disordered proteins have
      been found to play important roles in pivotal cellular functions, such as DNA
      binding and signalling cascades. Studying proteins with extended disordered
      regions is often problematic as they can be challenging to express, purify and
      crystallise. This means that interpretable experimental data on protein disorder
      is hard to generate. As a result, predictive computational tools have been
      developed with the aim of predicting the level and location of disorder within a
      protein. Currently, over 60 prediction servers exist, utilizing different methods
      for classifying disorder and different training sets. Here we review several good
      performing, publicly available prediction methods, comparing their application
      and discussing how disorder prediction servers can be used to aid the
      experimental solution of protein structure. The use of disorder prediction
      methods allows us to adopt a more targeted approach to experimental studies by
      accurately identifying the boundaries of ordered protein domains so that they may
      be investigated separately, thereby increasing the likelihood of their successful
      experimental solution. 

PMID- 26287168
TI  - Fumaric Acid Esters Do Not Reduce Inflammatory NF-kappaB/p65 Nuclear
      Translocation, ICAM-1 Expression and T-Cell Adhesiveness of Human Brain
      Microvascular Endothelial Cells.
AB  - Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) is approved for disease-modifying treatment of patients
      with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Animal experiments suggested that
      part of its therapeutic effect is due to a reduction of T-cell infiltration of
      the central nervous system (CNS) by uncertain mechanisms. Here we evaluated
      whether DMF and its primary metabolite monomethyl fumarate (MMF) modulate pro
      inflammatory intracellular signaling and T-cell adhesiveness of nonimmortalized
      single donor human brain microvascular endothelial cells at low passages. Neither
      DMF nor MMF at concentrations of 10 or 50 uM blocked the IL-1beta-induced nuclear
      translocation of NF-kappaB/p65, whereas the higher concentration of DMF inhibited
      the nuclear entry of p65 in human umbilical vein endothelium cultured in
      parallel. DMF and MMF also did not alter the IL-1beta-stimulated activation of
      p38 MAPK in brain endothelium. Furthermore, neither DMF nor MMF reduced the basal
      or IL-1beta-inducible expression of ICAM-1. In accordance, both fumaric acid
      esters did not reduce the adhesion of activated Jurkat T cells to brain
      endothelium under basal or inflammatory conditions. Therefore, brain endothelial
      cells probably do not directly mediate a potential blocking effect of fumaric
      acid esters on the inflammatory infiltration of the CNS by T cells. 

PMID- 26287167
TI  - Current Understanding of the Interplay between Phytohormones and Photosynthesis
      under Environmental Stress.
AB  - Abiotic stress accounts for huge crop losses every year across the globe. In
      plants, the photosynthetic machinery gets severely damaged at various levels due
      to adverse environmental conditions. Moreover, the reactive oxygen species (ROS)
      generated as a result of stress further promote the photosynthetic damage by
      inhibiting the repair system of photosystem II. Earlier studies have suggested
      that phytohormones are not only required for plant growth and development, but
      they also play a pivotal role in regulating plants' responses to different
      abiotic stress conditions. Although, phytohormones have been studied in great
      detail in the past, their influence on the photosynthetic machinery under abiotic
      stress has not been studied. One of the major factors that limits researchers
      from elucidating the precise roles of phytohormones is the highly complex nature
      of hormonal crosstalk in plants. Another factor that needs to be elucidated is
      the method used for assessing photosynthetic damage in plants that are subjected
      to abiotic stress. Here, we review the current understanding on the role of
      phytohormones in the photosynthetic machinery under various abiotic stress
      conditions and discuss the potential areas for further research.

PMID- 26287169
TI  - Lead Poisoning Disturbs Oligodendrocytes Differentiation Involved in Decreased
      Expression of NCX3 Inducing Intracellular Calcium Overload.
AB  - Lead (Pb) poisoning has always been a serious health concern, as it permanently
      damages the central nervous system. Chronic Pb accumulation in the human body
      disturbs oligodendrocytes (OLs) differentiation, resulting in dysmyelination, but
      the molecular mechanism remains unknown. In this study, Pb at 1 MUM inhibits OLs
      precursor cells (OPCs) differentiation via decreasing the expression of Olig 2,
      CNPase proteins in vitro. Moreover, Pb treatment inhibits the sodium/calcium
      exchanger 3 (NCX3) mRNA expression, one of the major means of calcium (Ca(2+))
      extrusion at the plasma membrane during OPCs differentiation. Also addition of KB
      R7943, NCX3 inhibitor, to simulate Pb toxicity, resulted in decreased myelin
      basic protein (MBP) expression and cell branching. Ca(2+) response trace with Pb
      and KB-R7943 treatment did not drop down in the same recovery time as the
      control, which elevated intracellular Ca(2+) concentration reducing MBP
      expression. In contrast, over-expression of NCX3 in Pb exposed OPCs displayed
      significant increase MBP fluorescence signal in positive regions and CNPase
      expression, which recovered OPCs differentiation to counterbalance Pb toxicity.
      In conclusion, Pb exposure disturbs OLs differentiation via affecting the
      function of NCX3 by inducing intracellular calcium overload. 

PMID- 26287170
TI  - Route and Regulation of Zinc, Cadmium, and Iron Transport in Rice Plants (Oryza
      sativa L.) during Vegetative Growth and Grain Filling: Metal Transporters, Metal
      Speciation, Grain Cd Reduction and Zn and Fe Biofortification.
AB  - Zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) are essential but are sometimes deficient in humans,
      while cadmium (Cd) is toxic if it accumulates in the liver and kidneys at high
      levels. All three are contained in the grains of rice, a staple cereal. Zn and Fe
      concentrations in rice grains harvested under different levels of soil/hydroponic
      metals are known to change only within a small range, while Cd concentrations
      show greater changes. To clarify the mechanisms underlying such different metal
      contents, we synthesized information on the routes of metal transport and
      accumulation in rice plants by examining metal speciation, metal transporters,
      and the xylem-to-phloem transport system. At grain-filling, Zn and Cd ascending
      in xylem sap are transferred to the phloem by the xylem-to-phloem transport
      system operating at stem nodes. Grain Fe is largely derived from the leaves by
      remobilization. Zn and Fe concentrations in phloem-sap and grains are regulated
      within a small range, while Cd concentrations vary depending on xylem supply.
      Transgenic techniques to increase concentrations of the metal chelators
      (nicotianamine, 2'-deoxymugineic acid) are useful in increasing grain Zn and Fe
      concentrations. The elimination of OsNRAMP5 Cd-uptake transporter and the
      enhancement of root cell vacuolar Cd sequestration reduce uptake and root-to
      shoot transport, respectively, resulting in a reduction of grain Cd accumulation.

PMID- 26287171
TI  - Synthesis and in Vitro Antifungal Activity against Botrytis cinerea of
      Geranylated Phenols and Their Phenyl Acetate Derivatives.
AB  - The inhibitory effects on the mycelial growth of plant pathogen Botritys cinerea
      have been evaluated for a series of geranylphenols substituted with one, two and
      three methoxy groups in the aromatic ring. The results show that the antifungal
      activity depends on the structure of the geranylphenols, increasing from 40% to
      90% by increasing the number of methoxy groups. On the other hand, the
      acetylation of the -OH group induces a change of activity that depends on the
      number of methoxy groups. The biological activity of digeranyl derivatives is
      lower than that exhibited by the respective monogeranyl compound. All tested
      geranylphenols have been synthesized by direct coupling of geraniol and the
      respective phenol. The effect of solvent on yields and product distribution is
      discussed. For monomethoxyphenols the reaction gives better yields when
      acetonitrile is used as a solvent and AgNO3 is used as a secondary catalyst.
      However, for di- and trimethoxyphenols the reaction proceeds only in dioxane. 

PMID- 26287172
TI  - Current Status on Stem Cells and Cancers of the Gastric Epithelium.
AB  - Gastric cancer is still a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide in
      spite of declining incidence. Gastric cancers are, essentially, adenocarcinomas
      and one of the strongest risk factors is still infection with Helicobacter
      pylori. Within the last years, it became clear that gastric self-renewal and
      carcinogenesis are intimately linked, particularly during chronic inflammatory
      conditions. Generally, gastric cancer is now regarded as a disease resulting from
      dysregulated differentiation of stem and progenitor cells, mainly due to an
      inflammatory environment. However, the situation in the stomach is rather
      complex, consisting of two types of gastric units which show bidirectional self
      renewal from an unexpectedly large variety of progenitor/stem cell populations.
      As in many other tumors, cancer stem cells have also been characterized for
      gastric cancer. This review focuses on the various gastric epithelial stem cells,
      how they contribute to self-renewal and which routes are known to gastric
      adenocarcinomas, including their stem cells. 

PMID- 26287173
TI  - Cdc42-Interacting Protein 4 Represses E-Cadherin Expression by Promoting beta
      Catenin Translocation to the Nucleus in Murine Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells.
AB  - Renal fibrosis is an inevitable outcome of end-stage chronic kidney disease.
      During this process, epithelial cells lose E-cadherin expression. beta-Catenin
      may act as a mediator by accumulation and translocation to the nucleus. Studies
      have suggested that CIP4, a Cdc42 effector protein, is associated with beta
      catenin. However, whether CIP4 contributes to E-cadherin loss in epithelial cells
      by regulating beta-catenin translocation is unclear. In this study, we
      investigated the involvement of CIP4 in beta-catenin translocation. Expression of
      CIP4 was upregulated in renal tissues of 5/6 nephrectomized rats and mainly
      distributed in renal tubular epithelia. In TGF-beta1-treated NRK-52E cells,
      upregulation of CIP4 expression was accompanied by reduced expression of E
      cadherin. CIP4 overexpression promoted the translocation of beta-catenin to the
      nucleus, which was accompanied by reduced expression of E-cadherin even without
      TGF-beta1 stimulation. In contrast, CIP4 depletion by using siRNA inhibited the
      translocation of beta-catenin to the nucleus and reversed the decrease in
      expression of E-cadherin. The interaction between CIP4 and beta-catenin was
      detected. We also show that beta-catenin depletion could restore the expression
      of E-cadherin that was suppressed by CIP4 overexpression. In conclusion, these
      results suggest that CIP4 overexpression represses E-cadherin expression by
      promoting beta-catenin translocation to the nucleus. 

PMID- 26287174
TI  - Structure-Based Optimization of Inhibitors of the Aspartic Protease
      Endothiapepsin.
AB  - Aspartic proteases are a class of enzymes that play a causative role in numerous
      diseases such as malaria (plasmepsins), Alzheimer's disease (beta-secretase),
      fungal infections (secreted aspartic proteases), and hypertension (renin). We
      have chosen endothiapepsin as a model enzyme of this class of enzymes, for the
      design, preparation and biochemical evaluation of a new series of inhibitors of
      endothiapepsin. Here, we have optimized a hit, identified by de novo structure
      based drug design (SBDD) and DCC, by using structure-based design approaches
      focusing on the optimization of an amide-pi interaction. Biochemical results are
      in agreement with SBDD. These results will provide useful insights for future
      structure-based optimization of inhibitors for the real drug targets as well as
      insights into molecular recognition. 

PMID- 26287175
TI  - Gene Networks Involved in Hormonal Control of Root Development in Arabidopsis
      thaliana: A Framework for Studying Its Disturbance by Metal Stress.
AB  - Plant survival under abiotic stress conditions requires morphological and
      physiological adaptations. Adverse soil conditions directly affect root
      development, although the underlying mechanisms remain largely to be discovered.
      Plant hormones regulate normal root growth and mediate root morphological
      responses to abiotic stress. Hormone synthesis, signal transduction, perception
      and cross-talk create a complex network in which metal stress can interfere,
      resulting in root growth alterations. We focus on Arabidopsis thaliana, for which
      gene networks in root development have been intensively studied, and supply
      essential terminology of anatomy and growth of roots. Knowledge of gene networks,
      mechanisms and interactions related to the role of plant hormones is reviewed.
      Most knowledge has been generated for auxin, the best-studied hormone with a
      pronounced primary role in root development. Furthermore, cytokinins,
      gibberellins, abscisic acid, ethylene, jasmonic acid, strigolactones,
      brassinosteroids and salicylic acid are discussed. Interactions between hormones
      that are of potential importance for root growth are described. This creates a
      framework that can be used for investigating the impact of abiotic stress factors
      on molecular mechanisms related to plant hormones, with the limited knowledge of
      the effects of the metals cadmium, copper and zinc on plant hormones and root
      development included as case example. 

PMID- 26287176
TI  - The Regulatory Role of Signaling Crosstalk in Hypertrophy of MSCs and Human
      Articular Chondrocytes.
AB  - Hypertrophic differentiation of chondrocytes is a main barrier in application of
      mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for cartilage repair. In addition, hypertrophy
      occurs occasionally in osteoarthritis (OA). Here we provide a comprehensive
      review on recent literature describing signal pathways in the hypertrophy of MSCs
      derived in vitro differentiated chondrocytes and chondrocytes, with an emphasis
      on the crosstalk between these pathways. Insight into the exact regulation of
      hypertrophy by the signaling network is necessary for the efficient application
      of MSCs for articular cartilage repair and for developing novel strategies for
      curing OA. We focus on articles describing the role of the main signaling
      pathways in regulating chondrocyte hypertrophy-like changes. Most studies report
      hypertrophic differentiation in chondrogenesis of MSCs, in both human OA and
      experimental OA. Chondrocyte hypertrophy is not under the strict control of a
      single pathway but appears to be regulated by an intricately regulated network of
      multiple signaling pathways, such as WNT, Bone morphogenetic protein
      (BMP)/Transforming growth factor-beta (TGFbeta), Parathyroid hormone-related
      peptide (PTHrP), Indian hedgehog (IHH), Fibroblast growth factor (FGF), Insulin
      like growth factor (IGF) and Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF). This comprehensive
      review describes how this intricate signaling network influences tissue
      engineering applications of MSCs in articular cartilage (AC) repair, and improves
      understanding of the disease stages and cellular responses within an OA articular
      joint. 

PMID- 26287178
TI  - Tangential Flow Ultrafiltration Allows Purification and Concentration of Lauric
      Acid-/Albumin-Coated Particles for Improved Magnetic Treatment.
AB  - Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) are frequently used for drug
      targeting, hyperthermia and other biomedical purposes. Recently, we have reported
      the synthesis of lauric acid-/albumin-coated iron oxide nanoparticles SEON(LA
      BSA), which were synthesized using excess albumin. For optimization of magnetic
      treatment applications, SPION suspensions need to be purified of excess
      surfactant and concentrated. Conventional methods for the purification and
      concentration of such ferrofluids often involve high shear stress and low
      purification rates for macromolecules, like albumin. In this work, removal of
      albumin by low shear stress tangential ultrafiltration and its influence on
      SEON(LA-BSA) particles was studied. Hydrodynamic size, surface properties and,
      consequently, colloidal stability of the nanoparticles remained unchanged by
      filtration or concentration up to four-fold (v/v). Thereby, the saturation
      magnetization of the suspension can be increased from 446.5 A/m up to 1667.9 A/m.
      In vitro analysis revealed that cellular uptake of SEON(LA-BSA) changed only
      marginally. The specific absorption rate (SAR) was not greatly affected by
      concentration. In contrast, the maximum temperature Tmax in magnetic hyperthermia
      is greatly enhanced from 44.4  degrees C up to 64.9  degrees C by the
      concentration of the particles up to 16.9 mg/mL total iron. Taken together,
      tangential ultrafiltration is feasible for purifying and concentrating complex
      hybrid coated SPION suspensions without negatively influencing specific particle
      characteristics. This enhances their potential for magnetic treatment. 

PMID- 26287179
TI  - Overexpressing Ferredoxins in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii Increase Starch and Oil
      Yields and Enhance Electric Power Production in a Photo Microbial Fuel Cell.
AB  - Ferredoxins (FDX) are final electron carrier proteins in the plant photosynthetic
      pathway, and function as major electron donors in diverse redox-driven metabolic
      pathways. We previously showed that overexpression of a major constitutively
      expressed ferredoxin gene PETF in Chlamydomonas decreased the reactive oxygen
      species (ROS) level and enhanced tolerance to heat stress. In addition to PETF,
      an endogenous anaerobic induced FDX5 was overexpressed in transgenic
      Chlamydomonas lines here to address the possible functions of FDX5. All the
      independent FDX transgenic lines showed decreased cellular ROS levels and
      enhanced tolerance to heat and salt stresses. The transgenic Chlamydomonas lines
      accumulated more starch than the wild-type line and this effect increased almost
      three-fold in conditions of nitrogen depletion. Furthermore, the lipid content
      was higher in the transgenic lines than in the wild-type line, both with and
      without nitrogen depletion. Two FDX-overexpressing Chlamydomonas lines were
      assessed in a photo microbial fuel cell (PMFC); power density production by the
      transgenic lines was higher than that of the wild-type cells. These findings
      suggest that overexpression of either PETF or FDX5 can confer tolerance against
      heat and salt stresses, increase starch and oil production, and raise electric
      power density in a PMFC. 

PMID- 26287180
TI  - Identification of Proteins Modulated in the Date Palm Stem Infested with Red Palm
      Weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Oliv.) Using Two Dimensional Differential Gel
      Electrophoresis and Mass Spectrometry.
AB  - A state of the art proteomic methodology using Matrix Assisted Laser
      Desorption/Ionization-Time of Flight (MALDI TOF) has been employed to
      characterize peptides modulated in the date palm stem subsequent to infestation
      with red palm weevil (RPW). Our analyses revealed 32 differentially expressed
      peptides associated with RPW infestation in date palm stem. To identify RPW
      infestation associated peptides (I), artificially wounded plants (W) were used as
      additional control beside uninfested plants, a conventional control (C). A
      constant unique pattern of differential expression in infested (I), wounded (W)
      stem samples compared to control (C) was observed. The upregulated proteins
      showed relative fold intensity in order of I > W and downregulated spots trend as
      W > I, a quite interesting pattern. This study also reveals that artificially
      wounding of date palm stem affects almost the same proteins as infestation;
      however, relative intensity is quite lower than in infested samples both in up
      and downregulated spots. All 32 differentially expressed spots were subjected to
      MALDI-TOF analysis for their identification and we were able to match 21 proteins
      in the already existing databases. Relatively significant modulated expression
      pattern of a number of peptides in infested plants predicts the possibility of
      developing a quick and reliable molecular methodology for detecting plants
      infested with date palm. 

PMID- 26287177
TI  - Disease Resistance Gene Analogs (RGAs) in Plants.
AB  - Plants have developed effective mechanisms to recognize and respond to infections
      caused by pathogens. Plant resistance gene analogs (RGAs), as resistance (R) gene
      candidates, have conserved domains and motifs that play specific roles in
      pathogens' resistance. Well-known RGAs are nucleotide binding site leucine rich
      repeats, receptor like kinases, and receptor like proteins. Others include
      pentatricopeptide repeats and apoplastic peroxidases. RGAs can be detected using
      bioinformatics tools based on their conserved structural features. Thousands of
      RGAs have been identified from sequenced plant genomes. High-density genome-wide
      RGA genetic maps are useful for designing diagnostic markers and identifying
      quantitative trait loci (QTL) or markers associated with plant disease
      resistance. This review focuses on recent advances in structures and mechanisms
      of RGAs, and their identification from sequenced genomes using bioinformatics
      tools. Applications in enhancing fine mapping and cloning of plant disease
      resistance genes are also discussed. 

PMID- 26287181
TI  - GC-MS-Based Metabonomic Profiling Displayed Differing Effects of Borna Disease
      Virus Natural Strain Hu-H1 and Laboratory Strain V Infection in Rat Cortical
      Neurons.
AB  - Borna disease virus (BDV) persists in the central nervous systems of a wide
      variety of vertebrates and causes behavioral disorders. Previous studies have
      revealed that metabolic perturbations are associated with BDV infection. However,
      the pathophysiological effects of different viral strains remain largely unknown.
      Rat cortical neurons infected with human strain BDV Hu-H1, laboratory BDV Strain
      V, and non-infected control (CON) cells were cultured in vitro. At day 12 post
      infection, a gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS)
      metabonomic approach was used to differentiate the metabonomic profiles of 35
      independent intracellular samples from Hu-H1-infected cells (n = 12), Strain V
      infected cells (n = 12), and CON cells (n = 11). Partial least squares
      discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was performed to demonstrate discrimination
      between the three groups. Further statistical testing determined which individual
      metabolites displayed significant differences between groups. PLS-DA demonstrated
      that the whole metabolic pattern enabled statistical discrimination between
      groups. We identified 31 differential metabolites in the Hu-H1 and CON groups (21
      decreased and 10 increased in Hu-H1 relative to CON), 35 differential metabolites
      in the Strain V and CON groups (30 decreased and 5 increased in Strain V relative
      to CON), and 21 differential metabolites in the Hu-H1 and Strain V groups (8
      decreased and 13 increased in Hu-H1 relative to Strain V). Comparative
      metabonomic profiling revealed divergent perturbations in key energy and amino
      acid metabolites between natural strain Hu-H1 and laboratory Strain V of BDV. The
      two BDV strains differentially alter metabolic pathways of rat cortical neurons
      in vitro. Their systematic classification provides a valuable template for
      improved BDV strain definition in future studies. 

PMID- 26287182
TI  - DNA Targeting Sequence Improves Magnetic Nanoparticle-Based Plasmid DNA
      Transfection Efficiency in Model Neurons.
AB  - Efficient non-viral plasmid DNA transfection of most stem cells, progenitor cells
      and primary cell lines currently presents an obstacle for many applications
      within gene therapy research. From a standpoint of efficiency and cell viability,
      magnetic nanoparticle-based DNA transfection is a promising gene vectoring
      technique because it has demonstrated rapid and improved transfection outcomes
      when compared to alternative non-viral methods. Recently, our research group
      introduced oscillating magnet arrays that resulted in further improvements to
      this novel plasmid DNA (pDNA) vectoring technology. Continued improvements to
      nanomagnetic transfection techniques have focused primarily on magnetic
      nanoparticle (MNP) functionalization and transfection parameter optimization:
      cell confluence, growth media, serum starvation, magnet oscillation parameters,
      etc. Noting that none of these parameters can assist in the nuclear translocation
      of delivered pDNA following MNP-pDNA complex dissociation in the cell's
      cytoplasm, inclusion of a cassette feature for pDNA nuclear translocation is
      theoretically justified. In this study incorporation of a DNA targeting sequence
      (DTS) feature in the transfecting plasmid improved transfection efficiency in
      model neurons, presumably from increased nuclear translocation. This observation
      became most apparent when comparing the response of the dividing SH-SY5Y
      precursor cell to the non-dividing and differentiated SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma
      cells. 

PMID- 26287183
TI  - 15,16-Dihydrotanshinone I from the Functional Food Salvia miltiorrhiza Exhibits
      Anticancer Activity in Human HL-60 Leukemia Cells: in Vitro and in Vivo Studies.
AB  - 15,16-Dihydrotanshinone I (DHTS) is extracted from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge
      which is a functional food in Asia. In this study, we investigated the apoptotic
      effect of DHTS on the human acute myeloid leukemia (AML) type III HL-60 cell
      line. We found that treatment with 1.5 MUg/mL DHTS increased proapoptotic Bax and
      Bad protein expressions and activated caspases-3, -8, and -9, thus leading to
      poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) cleavage and resulting in cell apoptosis. DHTS
      induced sustained c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation and Fas ligand
      (FasL) expression. The anti-Fas blocking antibody reversed the DHTS-induced cell
      death, and the JNK-specific inhibitor, SP600125, inhibited DHTS-induced caspase
      3, -8, -9, and PARP cleavage. In a xenograft nude mice model, 25 mg/kg DHTS
      showed a great effect in attenuating HL-60 tumor growth. Taken together, these
      results suggest that DHTS can induce HL-60 cell apoptosis in vitro and inhibit HL
      60 cell growth in vivo; the underlying mechanisms might be mediated through
      activation of the JNK and FasL signal pathways. 

PMID- 26287184
TI  - Methyl Sartortuoate Inhibits Colon Cancer Cell Growth by Inducing Apoptosis and
      G2/M-Phase Arrest.
AB  - The potential anti-neoplastic activity of terpenoids is of continued interest. In
      this study, we investigate whether methyl sartortuoate, a terpenoid isolated from
      soft coral, induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in a human colon cancer cell
      line. Culture studies found that methyl sartortuoate inhibited colon cancer cell
      (LoVo and RKO) growth and caused apoptotic death in a concentration- and time
      dependent manner, by activation of caspase-8, caspase-9, caspase-3, p53 and Bax,
      and inactivation of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) apoptosis regulating proteins.
      Methyl sartortuoate treatment led to reduced expression of cdc2 and up-regulated
      p21 and p53, suggesting that Methyl sartortuoate induced G2-M arrest through
      modulation of p53/p21/cdc2 pathways. Methyl sartortuoate also up-regulated
      phospho-JNK and phospho-p38 expression levels. This resulted in cell cycle arrest
      at the G2-M phase and apoptosis in LoVo and RKO cells. Treatment with the JNK
      inhibitor SP600125 and the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 prevented methyl
      sartortuoate-induced apoptosis in LoVo cells. Moreover, methyl sartortuoate also
      prevented neoplasm growth in NOD-SCID nude mice inoculated with LoVo cells. Taken
      together, these findings suggest that methyl sartortuoate is capable of leading
      to activation of caspase-8, -9, -3, increasing p53 and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio apoptosis
      through MAPK-dependent apoptosis and results in G2-M phase arrest in LoVo and RKO
      cells. Thus, methyl sartortuoate may be a promising anticancer candidate. 

PMID- 26287185
TI  - Lentiviral-Mediated Short Hairpin RNA Knockdown of MTDH Inhibits Cell Growth and
      Induces Apoptosis by Regulating the PTEN/AKT Pathway in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.
AB  - The activation of oncogenes and the loss of tumor suppressor genes are believed
      to play critical roles in the pathogenesis of human hepatocellular carcinoma
      (HCC). Metaherin(MTDH), also called astrocyte elevated gene-1 (AEG-1), is
      frequently amplified in a variety of cancers, but the roles of MTDH with regard
      to growth and apoptosis in HCC have not yet been studied. In the present study,
      we first analyzed the expression of MTDH in HCC samples. We found that MTDH
      protein levels are higher in most HCC cancerous tissues compared with their
      matched adjacent non-tumor tissues. Additionally, the MTDH mRNA was also higher
      inHCC tissues compared to their matched adjacent non-tumor tissues. Knockdown of
      the endogenous MTDH using small interfering RNA further showed that deficiency of
      MTDH suppressed cell growth and caused apoptosis in HCC cells. Knockdown MTDH
      promoted PTEN and p53 expression in HCC cells and inhibited AKT phosphorylation.
      Knockdown MTDH also inhibited tumor growth in vivo. All these results indicated
      that MTDH protein levels in most HCC tissues are higher than non-tumor tissues,
      and knockdown of MTDH inhibited growth and induced apoptosis in HCC cells through
      the activation of PTEN.Therefore, MTDH might be an effective targeted therapy
      gene for HCC.

PMID- 26287186
TI  - Molecular and Functional Characterization of Thioredoxin 1 from Korean Rose
      Bitterling (Rhodeus uyekii).
AB  - Thioredoxin is a multifunctional antioxidant enzyme that belongs to the reductase
      family. In this study, we cloned and characterized thioredoxin 1 cDNA from the
      Korean rose bitterling Rhodeus uyekii (RuTrx). The full-length RuTrx cDNA
      consists of 674 bp with a 324 nt open reading frame (ORF) encoding a 107 aa
      protein. The deduced RuTrx amino acid sequence indicated a characteristic redox
      active site, (31)WCGPC(35). Pairwise alignment revealed RuTrx amino acid identity
      (55.1%-83.2%) with orthologs from various species of mammalia, amphibia, fish and
      bird. Phylogenetic analysis was conducted to determine the evolutionary position
      of RuTrx. Expression analysis showed that RuTrx transcripts were present in all
      of the tissues examined, and was high in the hepatopancreas of R. uyekii. During
      early development, the expression of RuTrx transcripts was increased. Recombinant
      RuTrx protein (rRuTrx) was tested for its capacity to serve as an antioxidant
      enzyme using a metal-catalyzed oxidation (MCO) system. The ability of rRuTrx to
      protect against supercoiled DNA cleavage due to oxidative nicking increased in a
      dose-dependent manner. In Raw264.7 cells, Dihydroethidium (DHE) staining for ROS
      production indicated the antioxidant activity of rRuTrx. Together, these findings
      suggest that RuTrx may play a role in maintaining the redox state balance in
      Korean rose bitterling R. uyekii. 

PMID- 26287187
TI  - Pyrosequencing-Based Assays for Rapid Detection of HER2 and HER3 Mutations in
      Clinical Samples Uncover an E332E Mutation Affecting HER3 in Retroperitoneal
      Leiomyosarcoma.
AB  - Mutations in Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptors (HER) are associated with
      poor prognosis of several types of solid tumors. Although HER-mutation detection
      methods are currently available, such as Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS),
      alternative pyrosequencing allow the rapid characterization of specific
      mutations. We developed specific PCR-based pyrosequencing assays for
      identification of most prevalent HER2 and HER3 mutations, including S310F/Y,
      R678Q, L755M/P/S/W, V777A/L/M, 774-776 insertion, and V842I mutations in HER2, as
      well as M91I, V104M/L, D297N/V/Y, and E332E/K mutations in HER3. We tested 85
      Formalin Fixed and Paraffin Embbeded (FFPE) samples and we detected three HER2
      V842I mutations in colorectal carcinoma (CRC), ovarian carcinoma, and pancreatic
      carcinoma patients, respectively, and a HER2-L755M mutation in a CRC specimen. We
      also determined the presence of a HER3-E332K mutation in an urothelial carcinoma
      sample, and two HER3-D297Y mutations, in both gastric adenocarcinoma and CRC
      specimens. The D297Y mutation was previously detected in breast and gastric
      tumors, but not in CRC. Moreover, we found a not-previously-described HER3-E332E
      synonymous mutation in a retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma patient. The
      pyrosequencing assays presented here allow the detection and characterization of
      specific HER2 and HER3 mutations. These pyrosequencing assays might be
      implemented in routine diagnosis for molecular characterization of HER2/HER3
      receptors as an alternative to complex NGS approaches. 

PMID- 26287189
TI  - A Distributed Data-Gathering Protocol Using AUV in Underwater Sensor Networks.
AB  - In this paper, we propose a distributed data-gathering scheme using an autonomous
      underwater vehicle (AUV) working as a mobile sink to gather data from a randomly
      distributed underwater sensor network where sensor nodes are clustered around
      several cluster headers. Unlike conventional data-gathering schemes where the AUV
      visits either every node or every cluster header, the proposed scheme allows the
      AUV to visit some selected nodes named path-nodes in a way that reduces the
      overall transmission power of the sensor nodes. Monte Carlo simulations are
      performed to investigate the performance of the proposed scheme compared with
      several preexisting techniques employing the AUV in terms of total amount of
      energy consumption, standard deviation of each node's energy consumption, latency
      to gather data at a sink, and controlling overhead. Simulation results show that
      the proposed scheme not only reduces the total energy consumption but also
      distributes the energy consumption more uniformly over the network, thereby
      increasing the lifetime of the network. 

PMID- 26287190
TI  - Mass Detection in Viscous Fluid Utilizing Vibrating Micro- and Nanomechanical
      Mass Sensors under Applied Axial Tensile Force.
AB  - Vibrating micro- and nanomechanical mass sensors are capable of quantitatively
      determining attached mass from only the first three (two) measured cantilever
      (suspended) resonant frequencies. However, in aqueous solutions that are relevant
      to most biological systems, the mass determination is challenging because the
      quality factor (Q-factor) due to fluid damping decreases and, as a result,
      usually just the fundamental resonant frequencies can be correctly identified.
      Moreover, for higher modes the resonance coupling, noise, and internal damping
      have been proven to strongly affect the measured resonances and, correspondingly,
      the accuracy of estimated masses. In this work, a technique capable of
      determining the mass for the cantilever and also the position of nanobeads
      attached on the vibrating micro-/nanomechanical beam under intentionally applied
      axial tensile force from the measured fundamental flexural resonant frequencies
      is proposed. The axial force can be created and controlled through an external
      electrostatic or magnetostatic field. Practicality of the proposed technique is
      confirmed on the suspended multi-walled carbon nanotube and the rectangular
      silicon cantilever-based mass sensors. We show that typically achievable force
      resolution has a negligibly small impact on the accuracy of mass measurement. 

PMID- 26287188
TI  - Mitochondrial and Ubiquitin Proteasome System Dysfunction in Ageing and Disease:
      Two Sides of the Same Coin?
AB  - Mitochondrial dysfunction and impairment of the ubiquitin proteasome system have
      been described as two hallmarks of the ageing process. Additionally, both systems
      have been implicated in the etiopathogenesis of many age-related diseases,
      particularly neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's
      disease. Interestingly, these two systems are closely interconnected, with the
      ubiquitin proteasome system maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis by regulating
      organelle dynamics, the proteome, and mitophagy, and mitochondrial dysfunction
      impairing cellular protein homeostasis by oxidative damage. Here, we review the
      current literature and argue that the interplay of the two systems should be
      considered in order to better understand the cellular dysfunction observed in
      ageing and age-related diseases. Such an approach may provide valuable insights
      into molecular mechanisms underlying the ageing process, and further discovery of
      treatments to counteract ageing and its associated diseases. Furthermore, we
      provide a hypothetical model for the heterogeneity described among individuals
      during ageing. 

PMID- 26287191
TI  - An Energy-Efficient Spectrum-Aware Reinforcement Learning-Based Clustering
      Algorithm for Cognitive Radio Sensor Networks.
AB  - It is well-known that clustering partitions network into logical groups of nodes
      in order to achieve energy efficiency and to enhance dynamic channel access in
      cognitive radio through cooperative sensing. While the topic of energy efficiency
      has been well investigated in conventional wireless sensor networks, the latter
      has not been extensively explored. In this paper, we propose a reinforcement
      learning-based spectrum-aware clustering algorithm that allows a member node to
      learn the energy and cooperative sensing costs for neighboring clusters to
      achieve an optimal solution. Each member node selects an optimal cluster that
      satisfies pairwise constraints, minimizes network energy consumption and enhances
      channel sensing performance through an exploration technique. We first model the
      network energy consumption and then determine the optimal number of clusters for
      the network. The problem of selecting an optimal cluster is formulated as a
      Markov Decision Process (MDP) in the algorithm and the obtained simulation
      results show convergence, learning and adaptability of the algorithm to dynamic
      environment towards achieving an optimal solution. Performance comparisons of our
      algorithm with the Groupwise Spectrum Aware (GWSA)-based algorithm in terms of
      Sum of Square Error (SSE), complexity, network energy consumption and probability
      of detection indicate improved performance from the proposed approach. The
      results further reveal that an energy savings of 9% and a significant Primary
      User (PU) detection improvement can be achieved with the proposed approach. 

PMID- 26287192
TI  - Antigen-Antibody Affinity for Dry Eye Biomarkers by Label Free Biosensing.
      Comparison with the ELISA Technique.
AB  - The specificity and affinity of antibody-antigen interactions is a fundamental
      way to achieve reliable biosensing responses. Different proteins involved with
      dry eye dysfunction: ANXA1, ANXA11, CST4, PRDX5, PLAA and S100A6; were validated
      as biomarkers. In this work several antibodies were tested for ANXA1, ANXA11 and
      PRDX5 to select the best candidates for each biomarker. The results were obtained
      by using Biophotonic Sensing Cells (BICELLs) as an efficient methodology for
      label-free biosensing and compared with the Enzyme-Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay
      (ELISA) technique. 

PMID- 26287193
TI  - An Efficient VLSI Architecture for Multi-Channel Spike Sorting Using a
      Generalized Hebbian Algorithm.
AB  - A novel VLSI architecture for multi-channel online spike sorting is presented in
      this paper. In the architecture, the spike detection is based on nonlinear energy
      operator (NEO), and the feature extraction is carried out by the generalized
      Hebbian algorithm (GHA). To lower the power consumption and area costs of the
      circuits, all of the channels share the same core for spike detection and feature
      extraction operations. Each channel has dedicated buffers for storing the
      detected spikes and the principal components of that channel. The proposed
      circuit also contains a clock gating system supplying the clock to only the
      buffers of channels currently using the computation core to further reduce the
      power consumption. The architecture has been implemented by an application
      specific integrated circuit (ASIC) with 90-nm technology. Comparisons to the
      existing works show that the proposed architecture has lower power consumption
      and hardware area costs for real-time multi-channel spike detection and feature
      extraction. 

PMID- 26287194
TI  - Simultaneous Localization and Mapping with Iterative Sparse Extended Information
      Filter for Autonomous Vehicles.
AB  - In this paper, a novel iterative sparse extended information filter (ISEIF) was
      proposed to solve the simultaneous localization and mapping problem (SLAM), which
      is very crucial for autonomous vehicles. The proposed algorithm solves the
      measurement update equations with iterative methods adaptively to reduce
      linearization errors. With the scalability advantage being kept, the consistency
      and accuracy of SEIF is improved. Simulations and practical experiments were
      carried out with both a land car benchmark and an autonomous underwater vehicle.
      Comparisons between iterative SEIF (ISEIF), standard EKF and SEIF are presented.
      All of the results convincingly show that ISEIF yields more consistent and
      accurate estimates compared to SEIF and preserves the scalability advantage over
      EKF, as well. 

PMID- 26287195
TI  - Efficient Sparse Signal Transmission over a Lossy Link Using Compressive Sensing.
AB  - Reliable data transmission over lossy communication link is expensive due to
      overheads for error protection. For signals that have inherent sparse structures,
      compressive sensing (CS) is applied to facilitate efficient sparse signal
      transmissions over lossy communication links without data compression or error
      protection. The natural packet loss in the lossy link is modeled as a random
      sampling process of the transmitted data, and the original signal will be
      reconstructed from the lossy transmission results using the CS-based
      reconstruction method at the receiving end. The impacts of packet lengths on
      transmission efficiency under different channel conditions have been discussed,
      and interleaving is incorporated to mitigate the impact of burst data loss.
      Extensive simulations and experiments have been conducted and compared to the
      traditional automatic repeat request (ARQ) interpolation technique, and very
      favorable results have been observed in terms of both accuracy of the
      reconstructed signals and the transmission energy consumption. Furthermore, the
      packet length effect provides useful insights for using compressed sensing for
      efficient sparse signal transmission via lossy links. 

PMID- 26287197
TI  - Underwater Acoustic Wavefront Visualization by Scanning Laser Doppler Vibrometer
      for the Characterization of Focused Ultrasonic Transducers.
AB  - The analysis of acoustic wave fields is important for a large number of
      engineering designs, communication and health-related reasons. The visualization
      of wavefronts gives valuable information about the type of transducers and
      excitation signals more suitable for the test itself. This article is dedicated
      to the development of a fast procedure for acoustic fields visualization in
      underwater conditions, by means of laser Doppler vibrometer measurements. The
      ultrasonic probe is a focused transducer excited by a chirp signal. The scope of
      this work is to evaluate experimentally the properties of the sound beam in order
      to get reliable information about the transducer itself to be used in many kinds
      of engineering tests and transducer design. 

PMID- 26287196
TI  - Quadruplex Integrated DNA (QuID) Nanosensors for Monitoring Dopamine.
AB  - Dopamine is widely innervated throughout the brain and critical for many
      cognitive and motor functions. Imbalances or loss in dopamine transmission
      underlie various psychiatric disorders and degenerative diseases. Research
      involving cellular studies and disease states would benefit from a tool for
      measuring dopamine transmission. Here we show a Quadruplex Integrated DNA (QuID)
      nanosensor platform for selective and dynamic detection of dopamine. This
      nanosensor exploits DNA technology and enzyme recognition systems to optically
      image dopamine levels. The DNA quadruplex architecture is designed to be
      compatible in physically constrained environments (110 nm) with high flexibility,
      homogeneity, and a lower detection limit of 110 uM. 

PMID- 26287198
TI  - A Fast Robot Identification and Mapping Algorithm Based on Kinect Sensor.
AB  - Internet of Things (IoT) is driving innovation in an ever-growing set of
      application domains such as intelligent processing for autonomous robots. For an
      autonomous robot, one grand challenge is how to sense its surrounding environment
      effectively. The Simultaneous Localization and Mapping with RGB-D Kinect camera
      sensor on robot, called RGB-D SLAM, has been developed for this purpose but some
      technical challenges must be addressed. Firstly, the efficiency of the algorithm
      cannot satisfy real-time requirements; secondly, the accuracy of the algorithm is
      unacceptable. In order to address these challenges, this paper proposes a set of
      novel improvement methods as follows. Firstly, the ORiented Brief (ORB) method is
      used in feature detection and descriptor extraction. Secondly, a bidirectional
      Fast Library for Approximate Nearest Neighbors (FLANN) k-Nearest Neighbor (KNN)
      algorithm is applied to feature match. Then, the improved RANdom SAmple Consensus
      (RANSAC) estimation method is adopted in the motion transformation. In the
      meantime, high precision General Iterative Closest Points (GICP) is utilized to
      register a point cloud in the motion transformation optimization. To improve the
      accuracy of SLAM, the reduced dynamic covariance scaling (DCS) algorithm is
      formulated as a global optimization problem under the G2O framework. The
      effectiveness of the improved algorithm has been verified by testing on standard
      data and comparing with the ground truth obtained on Freiburg University's
      datasets. The Dr Robot X80 equipped with a Kinect camera is also applied in a
      building corridor to verify the correctness of the improved RGB-D SLAM algorithm.
      With the above experiments, it can be seen that the proposed algorithm achieves
      higher processing speed and better accuracy. 

PMID- 26287199
TI  - Porous Silicon Structures as Optical Gas Sensors.
AB  - We present a short review of recent progress in the field of optical gas sensors
      based on porous silicon (PSi) and PSi composites, which are separate from PSi
      optochemical and biological sensors for a liquid medium. Different periodical and
      nonperiodical PSi photonic structures (bares, modified by functional groups or
      infiltrated with sensory polymers) are described for gas sensing with an emphasis
      on the device specificity, sensitivity and stability to the environment. Special
      attention is paid to multiparametric sensing and sensor array platforms as
      effective trends for the improvement of analyte classification and
      quantification. Mechanisms of gas physical and chemical sorption inside PSi
      mesopores and pores of PSi functional composites are discussed. 

PMID- 26287200
TI  - Damage Detection Based on Static Strain Responses Using FBG in a Wind Turbine
      Blade.
AB  - The damage detection of a wind turbine blade enables better operation of the
      turbines, and provides an early alert to the destroyed events of the blade in
      order to avoid catastrophic losses. A new non-baseline damage detection method
      based on the Fiber Bragg grating (FBG) in a wind turbine blade is developed in
      this paper. Firstly, the Chi-square distribution is proven to be an effective
      damage-sensitive feature which is adopted as the individual information source
      for the local decision. In order to obtain the global and optimal decision for
      the damage detection, the feature information fusion (FIF) method is proposed to
      fuse and optimize information in above individual information sources, and the
      damage is detected accurately through of the global decision. Then a 13.2 m wind
      turbine blade with the distributed strain sensor system is adopted to describe
      the feasibility of the proposed method, and the strain energy method (SEM) is
      used to describe the advantage of the proposed method. Finally results show that
      the proposed method can deliver encouraging results of the damage detection in
      the wind turbine blade. 

PMID- 26287201
TI  - Visual Sensing for Urban Flood Monitoring.
AB  - With the increasing climatic extremes, the frequency and severity of urban flood
      events have intensified worldwide. In this study, image-based automated
      monitoring of flood formation and analyses of water level fluctuation were
      proposed as value-added intelligent sensing applications to turn a passive
      monitoring camera into a visual sensor. Combined with the proposed visual sensing
      method, traditional hydrological monitoring cameras have the ability to sense and
      analyze the local situation of flood events. This can solve the current problem
      that image-based flood monitoring heavily relies on continuous manned monitoring.
      Conventional sensing networks can only offer one-dimensional physical parameters
      measured by gauge sensors, whereas visual sensors can acquire dynamic image
      information of monitored sites and provide disaster prevention agencies with
      actual field information for decision-making to relieve flood hazards. The visual
      sensing method established in this study provides spatiotemporal information that
      can be used for automated remote analysis for monitoring urban floods. This paper
      focuses on the determination of flood formation based on image-processing
      techniques. The experimental results suggest that the visual sensing approach may
      be a reliable way for determining the water fluctuation and measuring its
      elevation and flood intrusion with respect to real-world coordinates. The
      performance of the proposed method has been confirmed; it has the capability to
      monitor and analyze the flood status, and therefore, it can serve as an active
      flood warning system. 

PMID- 26287203
TI  - Measurement Model and Precision Analysis of Accelerometers for Maglev Vibration
      Isolation Platforms.
AB  - High precision measurement of acceleration levels is required to allow active
      control for vibration isolation platforms. It is necessary to propose an
      accelerometer configuration measurement model that yields such a high measuring
      precision. In this paper, an accelerometer configuration to improve measurement
      accuracy is proposed. The corresponding calculation formulas of the angular
      acceleration were derived through theoretical analysis. A method is presented to
      minimize angular acceleration noise based on analysis of the root mean square
      noise of the angular acceleration. Moreover, the influence of installation
      position errors and accelerometer orientation errors on the calculation precision
      of the angular acceleration is studied. Comparisons of the output differences
      between the proposed configuration and the previous planar triangle configuration
      under the same installation errors are conducted by simulation. The simulation
      results show that installation errors have a relatively small impact on the
      calculation accuracy of the proposed configuration. To further verify the high
      calculation precision of the proposed configuration, experiments are carried out
      for both the proposed configuration and the planar triangle configuration. On the
      basis of the results of simulations and experiments, it can be concluded that the
      proposed configuration has higher angular acceleration calculation precision and
      can be applied to different platforms. 

PMID- 26287204
TI  - Gas-Sensing Performance of M-Doped CuO-Based Thin Films Working at Different
      Temperatures upon Exposure to Propane.
AB  - Cupric oxide (CuO) thin films are promising materials in gas sensor applications.
      The CuO-based gas sensors behaved as p-type semiconductors and can be used as
      part of an e-nose or smart sensor array for breath analysis. The authors present
      the investigation results on M-doped CuO-based (M = Ag, Au, Cr, Pd, Pt, Sb, Si)
      sensors working at various temperatures upon exposure to a low concentration of
      C3H8, which can be found in exhaled human breath, and it can be considered as a
      one of the biomarkers of several diseases. The films have been deposited in
      magnetron sputtering technology on low temperature cofired ceramics substrates.
      The results of the gas sensors' response are also presented and discussed. The
      Cr:CuO-based structure, annealed at 400  degrees C for 4 h in air, showed the
      highest sensor response, of the order of 2.7 at an operation temperature of 250 
      degrees C. The response and recovery time(s) were 10 s and 24 s, respectively.
      The results show that the addition of M-dopants in the cupric oxide films
      effectively act as catalysts in propane sensors and improve the gas sensing
      properties. The films' phase composition, microstructure and surface topography
      have been assessed by the X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy
      (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) methods. 

PMID- 26287202
TI  - Designing a Microfluidic Device with Integrated Ratiometric Oxygen Sensors for
      the Long-Term Control and Monitoring of Chronic and Cyclic Hypoxia.
AB  - Control of oxygen over cell cultures in vitro is a topic of considerable
      interest, as chronic and cyclic hypoxia can alter cell behaviour. Both static and
      transient hypoxic levels have been found to affect tumour cell behaviour; it is
      potentially valuable to include these effects in early, in vitro stages of drug
      screening. A barrier to their inclusion is that rates of transient hypoxia can be
      a few cycles/hour, which is difficult to reproduce in traditional in vitro cell
      culture environments due to long diffusion distances from control gases to the
      cells. We use a gas-permeable three-layer microfluidic device to achieve spatial
      and temporal oxygen control with biologically-relevant switching times. We
      measure the oxygen profiles with integrated, ratiometric optical oxygen sensors,
      demonstrate sensor and system stability over multi-day experiments, and
      characterize a pre-bleaching process to improve sensor stability. We show, with
      both finite-element modelling and experimental data, excellent control over the
      oxygen levels by the device, independent of fluid flow rate and oxygenation for
      the operating flow regime. We measure equilibration times of approximately 10
      min, generate complex, time-varying oxygen profiles, and study the effects of
      oxygenated media flow rates on the measured oxygen levels. This device could form
      a useful tool for future long-term studies of cell behaviour under hypoxia. 

PMID- 26287205
TI  - Ag-Modified In2O3/ZnO Nanobundles with High Formaldehyde Gas-Sensing Performance.
AB  - Ag-modified In2O3/ZnO bundles with micro/nano porous structures have been
      designed and synthesized with by hydrothermal method continuing with dehydration
      process. Each bundle consists of nanoparticles, where nanogaps of 10-30 nm are
      present between the nanoparticles, leading to a porous structure. This porous
      structure brings high surface area and fast gas diffusion, enhancing the gas
      sensitivity. Consequently, the HCHO gas-sensing performance of the Ag-modified
      In2O3/ZnO bundles have been tested, with the formaldehyde-detection limit of 100
      ppb (parts per billion) and the response and recover times as short as 6 s and 3
      s, respectively, at 300  degrees C and the detection limit of 100 ppb, response
      time of 12 s and recover times of 6 s at 100  degrees C. The HCHO sensing detect
      limitation matches the health standard limitation on the concentration of
      formaldehyde for indoor air. Moreover, the strategy to synthesize the nanobundles
      is just two-step heating and easy to scale up. Therefore, the Ag-modified
      In2O3/ZnO bundles are ready for industrialization and practical applications. 

PMID- 26287206
TI  - A Framework to Automate Assessment of Upper-Limb Motor Function Impairment: A
      Feasibility Study.
AB  - Standard upper-limb motor function impairment assessments, such as the Fugl-Meyer
      Assessment (FMA), are a critical aspect of rehabilitation after neurological
      disorders. These assessments typically take a long time (about 30 min for the
      FMA) for a clinician to perform on a patient, which is a severe burden in a
      clinical environment. In this paper, we propose a framework for automating upper
      limb motor assessments that uses low-cost sensors to collect movement data. The
      sensor data is then processed through a machine learning algorithm to determine a
      score for a patient's upper-limb functionality. To demonstrate the feasibility of
      the proposed approach, we implemented a system based on the proposed framework
      that can automate most of the FMA. Our experiment shows that the system provides
      similar FMA scores to clinician scores, and reduces the time spent evaluating
      each patient by 82%. Moreover, the proposed framework can be used to implement
      customized tests or tests specified in other existing standard assessment
      methods. 

PMID- 26287207
TI  - Review of Trackside Monitoring Solutions: From Strain Gages to Optical Fibre
      Sensors.
AB  - A review of recent research on structural monitoring in railway industry is
      proposed in this paper, with a special focus on stress-based solutions. After a
      brief analysis of the mechanical behaviour of ballasted railway tracks, an
      overview of the most common monitoring techniques is presented. A special
      attention is paid on strain gages and accelerometers for which the accurate
      mounting position on the track is requisite. These types of solution are then
      compared to another modern approach based on the use of optical fibres. Besides,
      an in-depth discussion is made on the evolution of numerical models that
      investigate the interaction between railway vehicles and tracks. These models are
      used to validate experimental devices and to predict the best location(s) of the
      sensors. It is hoped that this review article will stimulate further research
      activities in this continuously expanding field. 

PMID- 26287208
TI  - A Microgripper with a Post-Assembly Self-Locking Mechanism.
AB  - In this work, we report a new design for an electrostatically actuated
      microgripper with a post-assembly self-locking mechanism. The microgripper arms
      are driven by rotary comb actuators, enabling the microgripper to grip objects of
      any size from 0 to 100 MUm. The post-assembly mechanism is driven by elastic
      deformation energy and static electricity to produce self-locking and releasing
      actions. The mechanism enables the microgripper arms to grip for long periods
      without continuously applying the external driving signal, which significantly
      reduces the effects and damage to the gripped objects caused by these external
      driving signals. The microgripper was fabricated using a Silicon-On-Insulator
      (SOI) wafer with a 30 MUm structural layer. Test results show that this gripper
      achieves a displacement of 100 MUm with a driving voltage of 33 V, and a metal
      wire with a diameter of about 1.6 mil is successfully gripped to demonstrate the
      feasibility of this post-assembly self-locking mechanism. 

PMID- 26287209
TI  - A Charrelation Matrix-Based Blind Adaptive Detector for DS-CDMA Systems.
AB  - In this paper, a blind adaptive detector is proposed for blind separation of user
      signals and blind estimation of spreading sequences in DS-CDMA systems. The blind
      separation scheme exploits a charrelation matrix for simple computation and
      effective extraction of information from observation signal samples. The system
      model of DS-CDMA signals is modeled as a blind separation framework. The unknown
      user information and spreading sequence of DS-CDMA systems can be estimated only
      from the sampled observation signals. Theoretical analysis and simulation results
      show that the improved performance of the proposed algorithm in comparison with
      the existing conventional algorithms used in DS-CDMA systems. Especially, the
      proposed scheme is suitable for when the number of observation samples is less
      and the signal to noise ratio (SNR) is low. 

PMID- 26287210
TI  - Control Parameters Optimization Based on Co-Simulation of a Mechatronic System
      for an UA-Based Two-Axis Inertially Stabilized Platform.
AB  - This paper presents a method based on co-simulation of a mechatronic system to
      optimize the control parameters of a two-axis inertially stabilized platform
      system (ISP) applied in an unmanned airship (UA), by which high control
      performance and reliability of the ISP system are achieved. First, a three
      dimensional structural model of the ISP is built by using the three-dimensional
      parametric CAD software SOLIDWORKS((r)); then, to analyze the system's kinematic
      and dynamic characteristics under operating conditions, dynamics modeling is
      conducted by using the multi-body dynamics software ADAMSTM, thus the main
      dynamic parameters such as displacement, velocity, acceleration and reaction
      curve are obtained, respectively, through simulation analysis. Then, those
      dynamic parameters were input into the established MATLAB((r)) SIMULINK((r))
      controller to simulate and test the performance of the control system. By these
      means, the ISP control parameters are optimized. To verify the methods,
      experiments were carried out by applying the optimized parameters to the control
      system of a two-axis ISP. The results show that the co-simulation by using
      virtual prototyping (VP) is effective to obtain optimized ISP control parameters,
      eventually leading to high ISP control performance. 

PMID- 26287211
TI  - Nano-Enriched and Autonomous Sensing Framework for Dissolved Oxygen.
AB  - This paper investigates a nano-enhanced wireless sensing framework for dissolved
      oxygen (DO). The system integrates a nanosensor that employs cerium oxide (ceria)
      nanoparticles to monitor the concentration of DO in aqueous media via optical
      fluorescence quenching. We propose a comprehensive sensing framework with the
      nanosensor equipped with a digital interface where the sensor output is digitized
      and dispatched wirelessly to a trustworthy data collection and analysis framework
      for consolidation and information extraction. The proposed system collects and
      processes the sensor readings to provide clear indications about the current or
      the anticipated dissolved oxygen levels in the aqueous media. 

PMID- 26287212
TI  - Antifungal Activity of 14-Helical beta-Peptides against Planktonic Cells and
      Biofilms of Candida Species.
AB  - Candida albicans is the most prevalent cause of fungal infections and treatment
      is further complicated by the formation of drug resistant biofilms, often on the
      surfaces of implanted medical devices. In recent years, the incidence of fungal
      infections by other pathogenic Candida species such as C. glabrata, C.
      parapsilosis and C. tropicalis has increased. Amphiphilic, helical beta-peptide
      structural mimetics of natural antimicrobial alpha-peptides have been shown to
      exhibit specific planktonic antifungal and anti-biofilm formation activity
      against C. albicans in vitro. Here, we demonstrate that beta-peptides are also
      active against clinically isolated and drug resistant strains of C. albicans and
      against other opportunistic Candida spp. Different Candida species were
      susceptible to beta-peptides to varying degrees, with C. tropicalis being the
      most and C. glabrata being the least susceptible. beta-peptide hydrophobicity
      directly correlated with antifungal activity against all the Candida clinical
      strains and species tested. While beta-peptides were largely ineffective at
      disrupting existing Candida biofilms, hydrophobic beta-peptides were able to
      prevent the formation of C. albicans, C. glabrata, C. parapsilosis and C.
      tropicalis biofilms. The broad-spectrum antifungal activity of beta-peptides
      against planktonic cells and in preventing biofilm formation suggests the promise
      of this class of molecules as therapeutics. 

PMID- 26287215
TI  - Chemistry of Renieramycins. Part 14: Total Synthesis of Renieramycin I and
      Practical Synthesis of Cribrostatin 4 (Renieramycin H).
AB  - The first total synthesis of (+/-)-renieramycin I, which was isolated from the
      Indian bright blue sponge Haliclona cribricutis, is described. The key step is
      the selenium oxide oxidation of pentacyclic bis-p-quinone derivative (3) stereo-
      and regioselectively. We also report a large-scale synthesis of cribrostatin 4
      (renieramycin H) via the C3-C4 double bond formation in an early stage based on
      the Avendano's protocol, from readily available 1-acetyl-3-(3-methyl-2,4,5
      trimethylphenyl)methyl-piperazine-2,5-dione (8) in 18 steps (8.3% overall yield).
      The synthesis provides unambiguous evidence supporting the original structure of
      renieramycin I. 

PMID- 26287214
TI  - Marine Indole Alkaloids.
AB  - Marine indole alkaloids comprise a large and steadily growing group of secondary
      metabolites. Their diverse biological activities make many compounds of this
      class attractive starting points for pharmaceutical development. Several marine
      derived indoles were found to possess cytotoxic, antineoplastic, antibacterial
      and antimicrobial activities, in addition to the action on human enzymes and
      receptors. The newly isolated indole alkaloids of marine origin since the last
      comprehensive review in 2003 are reported, and biological aspects will be
      discussed. 

PMID- 26287216
TI  - Carotenoids from Marine Microalgae: A Valuable Natural Source for the Prevention
      of Chronic Diseases.
AB  - Epidemiological studies have shown a relation between antioxidants and the
      prevention of several chronic diseases. Microalgae are a potential novel source
      of bioactive molecules, including a wide range of different carotenoids that can
      be used as nutraceuticals, food supplements and novel food products. The
      objective of this review is (i) to update the research that has been carried out
      on the most known carotenoids produced by marine microalgae, including reporting
      on their high potentialities to produce other less known important compounds;
      (ii) to compile the work that has been done in order to establish some
      relationship between carotenoids and oxidative protection and treatment; (iii) to
      summarize the association of oxidative stress and the various reactive species
      including free radicals with several human diseases; and (iv) to provide evidence
      of the potential of carotenoids from marine microalgae to be used as therapeutics
      to treat or prevent these oxidative stress-related diseases. 

PMID- 26287218
TI  - Hormaomycins B and C: New Antibiotic Cyclic Depsipeptides from a Marine Mudflat
      Derived Streptomyces sp.
AB  - Alterations in microbial culture conditions may trigger the production of diverse
      bioactive secondary metabolites. While applying various culture conditions and
      monitoring secondary metabolite profiles using LC/MS, hormaomycins B and C (1 and
      2) were discovered from a marine mudflat-derived actinomycete, Streptomyces sp.,
      collected in Mohang, Korea. The planar structures of the hormaomycins, which bear
      structurally-unique units, such as 4-(Z)-propenylproline, 3-(2
      nitrocyclopropyl)alanine, 5-chloro-1-hydroxypyrrol-2-carboxylic acid and b
      methylphenylalanine, were established as the first natural analogues belonging to
      the hormaomycin peptide class. The absolute configurations of 1 and 2 were
      deduced by comparing their CD spectra with that of hormaomycin. These
      hormaomycins exhibited significant inhibitory effects against various pathogenic
      Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. 

PMID- 26287217
TI  - Chitosan: An Update on Potential Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Applications.
AB  - Chitosan is a natural polycationic linear polysaccharide derived from chitin. The
      low solubility of chitosan in neutral and alkaline solution limits its
      application. Nevertheless, chemical modification into composites or hydrogels
      brings to it new functional properties for different applications. Chitosans are
      recognized as versatile biomaterials because of their non-toxicity, low
      allergenicity, biocompatibility and biodegradability. This review presents the
      recent research, trends and prospects in chitosan. Some special pharmaceutical
      and biomedical applications are also highlighted. 

PMID- 26287219
TI  - Impact of Point-of-Sale Tobacco Display Bans in Thailand: Findings from the
      International Tobacco Control (ITC) Southeast Asia Survey.
AB  - In September 2005 Thailand became the first Asian country to implement a complete
      ban on the display of cigarettes and other tobacco products at point-of-sale
      (POS). This paper examined the impact of the POS tobacco display ban in Thailand,
      with Malaysia (which did not impose bans) serving as a comparison. The data came
      from the International Tobacco Control Southeast Asia Survey (2005-2011), a
      prospective cohort survey designed to evaluate the psychosocial and behavioral
      impacts of tobacco control policies. Main measures included smokers' reported
      awareness of tobacco displays and advertising at POS. At the first post-ban
      survey wave over 90% of smokers in Thailand were aware of the display ban policy
      and supported it, and about three quarters thought the ban was effective.
      Noticing tobacco displays in stores was lowest (16.9%) at the first post-ban
      survey wave, but increased at later survey waves; however, the levels were
      consistently lower than those in Malaysia. Similarly, exposure to POS tobacco
      advertising was lower in Thailand. The display ban has reduced exposure to
      tobacco marketing at POS. The trend toward increased noticing is likely at least
      in part due to some increase in violations of the display bans and/or strategies
      to circumvent them. 

PMID- 26287220
TI  - Estimating the Smoking Ban Effects on Smoking Prevalence, Quitting and Cigarette
      Consumption in a Population Study of Apprentices in Italy.
AB  - OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the effects of the Italian 2005 smoking ban in public
      places on the prevalence of smoking, quitting and cigarette consumption of young
      workers. DATA AND METHODS: The dataset was obtained from non-computerized
      registers of medical examinations for a population of workers with apprenticeship
      contracts residing in the province of Viterbo, Italy, in the period 1996-2007. To
      estimate the effects of the ban, a segmented regression approach was used,
      exploiting the discontinuity introduced by the application of the law on
      apprentices' smoking behavior. RESULTS: It is estimated that the Italian smoking
      ban generally had no effect on smoking prevalence, quitting ratio, or cigarette
      consumption of apprentices. However, when the estimates were applied to
      subpopulations, significant effects were found: -1% in smoking prevalence, +2% in
      quitting, and -3% in smoking intensity of apprentices with at least a diploma.

PMID- 26287221
TI  - Readiness Visual Analog Scale: A Simple Way to Predict Post-Stroke Smoking
      Behavior.
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to assess a relationship
      between readiness to quit and post-stroke smoking behavior. METHODS: Eighty-six
      active smokers with first-ever ischemic stroke were recruited in a tertiary-care
      stroke unit. The question "Are you ready to quit smoking within the next month?"
      with yes/no responses and the 10-cm readiness visual analog scale (VAS) was
      administered during the anti-smoking intervention. Smoking status was verified at
      the 3- and 12-month follow-up. RESULTS: The readiness VAS score at
      hospitalization was significantly lower in patients classified as smokers as
      compared to patients classified as non-smokers. The readiness score <5 cm was a
      significant predictor of smoking at the 3-month (OR, 7.3) and 12-month follow-up
      (OR, 4.9). CONCLUSIONS: The present results suggest that the readiness VAS can be
      used as a simple and inexpensive instrument for early identification of patients
      who continue to smoke after stroke.

PMID- 26287222
TI  - Solar-Enhanced Advanced Oxidation Processes for Water Treatment: Simultaneous
      Removal of Pathogens and Chemical Pollutants.
AB  - The review explores the feasibility of simultaneous removal of pathogens and
      chemical pollutants by solar-enhanced advanced oxidation processes (AOPs). The
      AOPs are based on in-situ generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), most
      notably hydroxyl radicals *OH, that are capable of destroying both pollutant
      molecules and pathogen cells. The review presents evidence of simultaneous
      removal of pathogens and chemical pollutants by photocatalytic processes, namely
      TiO2 photocatalysis and photo-Fenton. Complex water matrices with high loads of
      pathogens and chemical pollutants negatively affect the efficiency of
      disinfection and pollutant removal. This is due to competition between chemical
      substances and pathogens for generated ROS. Other possible negative effects
      include light screening, competitive photon absorption, adsorption on the
      catalyst surface (thereby inhibiting its photocatalytic activity), etc. Besides,
      some matrix components may serve as nutrients for pathogens, thus hindering the
      disinfection process. Each type of water/wastewater would require a tailor-made
      approach and the variables that were shown to influence the processes
      catalyst/oxidant concentrations, incident radiation flux, and pH-need to be
      adjusted in order to achieve the required degree of pollutant and pathogen
      removal. Overall, the solar-enhanced AOPs hold promise as an environmentally
      friendly way to substitute or supplement conventional water/wastewater treatment,
      particularly in areas without access to centralized drinking water or
      sewage/wastewater treatment facilities. 

PMID- 26287223
TI  - Factors associated with Early Initiation of Breastfeeding in Western Nepal.
AB  - The initiation of breastfeeding within one hour of birth has numerous nutritional
      and immunological benefits and has been found to reduce neonatal mortality. This
      community-based prospective cohort study aimed to report the rate of, and factors
      associated with, early initiation of breastfeeding in Western Nepal. The rate of
      early initiation of breastfeeding was reported, and associations between early
      initiation and independent variables were tested by Chi-square test, followed by
      multiple logistic regression. Of the 735 mother-infant pairs, a total of 310
      (42.2%) reported early initiation. Mothers who were assisted by traditional
      attendants during childbirth, delivered by caesarean section, from ethnically
      disadvantaged families and had delivered low birth weight infants, were less
      likely to initiate breastfeeding early whereas the mothers who were from the
      poorest families and did not introduce prelacteal feeds to their infants were
      more likely to initiate breastfeeding within the first hour. Skills-training to
      support breastfeeding as part of the training of skilled birth attendants and
      other health workers is likely to promote recommended infant feeding practices. 

PMID- 26287224
TI  - Can Public Health Risk Assessment Using Risk Matrices Be Misleading?
AB  - The risk assessment matrix is a widely accepted, semi-quantitative tool for
      assessing risks, and setting priorities in risk management. Although the method
      can be useful to promote discussion to distinguish high risks from low risks, a
      published critique described a problem when the frequency and severity of risks
      are negatively correlated. A theoretical analysis showed that risk predictions
      could be misleading. We evaluated a practical public health example because it
      provided experiential risk data that allowed us to assess the practical
      implications of the published concern that risk matrices would make predictions
      that are worse than random. We explored this predicted problem by constructing a
      risk assessment matrix using a public health risk scenario-Tainted blood
      transfusion infection risk-That provides negative correlation between harm
      frequency and severity. We estimated the risk from the experiential data and
      compared these estimates with those provided by the risk assessment matrix.
      Although we validated the theoretical concern, for these authentic experiential
      data, the practical scope of the problem was limited. The risk matrix has been
      widely used in risk assessment. This method should not be abandoned wholesale,
      but users must address the source of the problem, apply the risk matrix with a
      full understanding of this problem and use matrix predictions to inform, but not
      drive decision-making. 

PMID- 26287225
TI  - Oxidative Stress Mechanisms Caused by Ag Nanoparticles (NM300K) are Different
      from Those of AgNO3: Effects in the Soil Invertebrate Enchytraeus Crypticus.
AB  - The mechanisms of toxicity of Ag nanoparticles (NPs) are unclear, in particular
      in the terrestrial environment. In this study the effects of AgNP (AgNM300K) were
      assessed in terms of oxidative stress in the soil worm Enchytraeus crypticus,
      using a range of biochemical markers [catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase
      (GPx), glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR), total
      glutathione (TG), metallothionein (MT), lipid peroxidation (LPO)]. E. crypticus
      were exposed during 3 and 7 days (d) to the reproduction EC20, EC50 and EC80
      levels of both AgNP and AgNO3. AgNO3 induced oxidative stress earlier (3 d) than
      AgNP (7 d), both leading to LPO despite the activation of the anti-redox system.
      MT increased only for AgNP. The Correspondence Analysis showed a clear separation
      between AgNO3 and AgNP, with e.g. CAT being the main descriptor for AgNP for  7
      d. LPO, GST and GPx were for both 3 and 7 d associated with AgNO3, whereas MT and
      TG were associated with AgNP. These results may reflect a delay in the effects of
      AgNP compared to AgNO3 due to the slower release of Ag(+) ions from the AgNP,
      although this does not fully explain the observed differences, i.e., we can
      conclude that there is a nanoparticle effect. 

PMID- 26287226
TI  - Seasonal Variation and Sources of Dissolved Nutrients in the Yellow River, China.
AB  - The rapid growth of the economy in China has caused dramatic growth in the
      industrial and agricultural development in the Yellow River (YR) watershed. The
      hydrology of the YR has changed dramatically due to the climate changes and water
      management practices, which have resulted in a great variation in the fluxes of
      riverine nutrients carried by the YR. To study these changes dissolved nutrients
      in the YR were measured monthly at Lijin station in the downstream region of the
      YR from 2002 to 2004. This study provides detailed information on the nutrient
      status for the relevant studies in the lower YR and the Bohai Sea. The YR was
      enriched in nitrate (average 314 MUmol.L(-1)) with a lower concentration of
      dissolved silicate (average 131 MUmol.L(-1)) and relatively low dissolved
      phosphate (average 0.35 MUmol.L(-1)). Nutrient concentrations exhibited
      substantial seasonal and yearly variations. The annual fluxes of dissolved
      inorganic nitrogen, phosphate, and silicate in 2004 were 5.3, 2.5, and 4.2 times
      those in 2002, respectively, primarily due to the increase in river discharge.
      The relative contributions of nutrient inputs to nitrogen in the YR were:
      wastewater > fertilizer > atmospheric deposition > soil; while to phosphorus
      were: wastewater > fertilizer > soil > atmospheric deposition. The ratios of N, P
      and Si suggest that the YR at Lijin is strongly P-limited with respect to
      potential phytoplankton growth. 

PMID- 26287227
TI  - Study on the Adsorption Capacities for Airborne Particulates of Landscape Plants
      in Different Polluted Regions in Beijing (China).
AB  - Urban landscape plants are an important component of the urban ecosystem, playing
      a significant role in the adsorption of airborne particulates and air
      purification. In this study, six common landscape plants in Beijing were chosen
      as research subjects, and the adsorption capacities for each different plant leaf
      and the effects of the leaf structures for the adsorption capacities for
      particulates were determined. Preliminary results show that needle-leaved tree
      species adsorbed more airborne particulates than broad-leaved tree species for
      the same leaf area. Pinus tabuliformis exhibits the highest adsorption capacity,
      at 3.89 +/- 0.026 MUg.cm(-2), almost two times as much as that of Populus
      tomentosa (2.00 +/- 0.118 MUg.cm(-2)). The adsorption capacities for PM10 of the
      same tree species leaves, in different polluted regions had significant
      differences, and the adsorption capacities for PM10 of the tree species leaf
      beside the Fifth Ring Road were higher than those of the tree species leaves in
      the Botanical Garden, although the adsorption capacities for PM2.5 of the same
      tree species in different polluted regions had no significant differences. By
      determining the soluble ion concentrations of the airborne particulates in two
      regions, it is suggested that the soluble ion concentrations of PM10 in the
      atmosphere in the Botanical Garden and beside the Fifth Ring Road have
      significant differences, while those of PM2.5 in the atmosphere had no
      significant differences. In different polluted regions there are significant
      adaptive changes to the leaf structures, and when compared with slightly polluted
      region, in the seriously polluted region the epidermis cells of the plant leaves
      shrinked, the surface textures of the leaves became rougher, and the stomas'
      frequency and the pubescence length increased. Even though the plant leaves
      exposed to the seriously polluted region changed significantly, these plants can
      still grow normally and healthily. 

PMID- 26287228
TI  - Prevalence of Polyherbacy in Ambulatory Visits to Traditional Chinese Medicine
      Clinics in Taiwan.
AB  - Patients with a polyherbal prescription are more likely to receive duplicate
      medications and thus suffer from adverse drug reactions. We conducted a
      population-based retrospective study to examine the items of Chinese herbal
      medicine (CHM) per prescription in the ambulatory care of traditional Chinese
      medicine (TCM) in Taiwan. We retrieved complete TCM ambulatory visit datasets for
      2010 from the National Health Insurance database in Taiwan. A total of 59,790
      patients who received 313,482 CHM prescriptions were analyzed. Drug prescriptions
      containing more than five drugs were classified as polyherbal prescriptions;
      41.6% of patients were given a polyherbal prescription. There were on average 5.2
      +/- 2.5 CHMs: 2.3 +/- 1.1 compound herbal formula items, and 3.0 +/- 2.5 single
      Chinese herb items in a single prescription. Approximately 4.6% of patients were
      prescribed 10 CHMs or more. Men had a lower odds ratio (OR) among polyherbal
      prescriptions (OR = 0.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.92-0.99), and middle
      aged patients (35-49 years) had the highest frequency of polyherbal prescription
      (OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.13-1.26). Patients with neoplasm, skin and subcutaneous
      tissue disease, or genitourinary system disease were more likely to have a
      polyherbal prescription; OR = 2.20 (1.81-2.67), 1.65 (1.50-1.80), and 1.52 (1.40
      1.64), respectively. Polyherbal prescription is widespread in TCM in Taiwan.
      Potential herb interactions and iatrogenic risks associated with polyherbal
      prescriptions should be monitored. 

PMID- 26287229
TI  - Pollution Characteristics and Health Risk Assessment of Airborne Heavy Metals
      Collected from Beijing Bus Stations.
AB  - Airborne dust, which contains high levels of toxic metals, is recognized as one
      of the most harmful environment component. The purpose of this study was to
      evaluate heavy metals pollution in dustfall from bus stations in Beijing, and to
      perform a risk assessment analysis for adult passengers. The concentrations of
      Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pb, V and Zn were determined by inductively coupled
      plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS). The spatial distribution, pollution level and
      potential health risk of heavy metals were analyzed by Geographic Information
      System (GIS) mapping technology, geo-accumulation index and health risk
      assessment model, respectively. The results indicate that dust samples have
      elevated metal concentrations, especially for Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn. The nine metals
      can be divided into two categories in terms of spatial distribution and pollution
      level. Cd, Cr, Cu, Mo, Pb and Zn reach contaminated level and have similar
      spatial patterns with hotspots distributed within the Fifth Ring Road. While the
      hot spot areas of Co and V are always out of the Fifth Ring Road. Health risk
      assessment shows that both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks of selected
      metals were within the safe range. 

PMID- 26287231
TI  - Wolbachia Do Not Induce Reactive Oxygen Species-Dependent Immune Pathway
      Activation in Aedes albopictus.
AB  - Aedes albopictus is a major vector of dengue (DENV) and chikungunya (CHIKV)
      viruses, causing millions of infections annually. It naturally carries, at high
      frequency, the intracellular inherited bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia strains
      wAlbA and wAlbB; transinfection with the higher-density Wolbachia strain wMel
      from Drosophila melanogaster led to transmission blocking of both arboviruses.
      The hypothesis that reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced immune activation plays
      a role in arbovirus inhibition in this species was examined. In contrast to
      previous observations in Ae. aegypti, elevation of ROS levels was not observed in
      either cell lines or mosquito lines carrying the wild-type Wolbachia or higher
      density Drosophila Wolbachia strains. There was also no upregulation of genes
      controlling innate immune pathways or with antioxidant/ROS-producing functions.
      These data suggest that ROS-mediated immune activation is not an important
      component of the viral transmission-blocking phenotype in this species. 

PMID- 26287230
TI  - The Virus-Host Interplay: Biogenesis of +RNA Replication Complexes.
AB  - Positive-strand RNA (+RNA) viruses are an important group of human and animal
      pathogens that have significant global health and economic impacts. Notable
      members include West Nile virus, Dengue virus, Chikungunya, Severe acute
      respiratory syndrome (SARS) Coronavirus and enteroviruses of the Picornaviridae
      family.Unfortunately, prophylactic and therapeutic treatments against these
      pathogens are limited. +RNA viruses have limited coding capacity and thus rely
      extensively on host factors for successful infection and propagation. A common
      feature among these viruses is their ability to dramatically modify cellular
      membranes to serve as platforms for genome replication and assembly of new
      virions. These viral replication complexes (VRCs) serve two main functions: To
      increase replication efficiency by concentrating critical factors and to protect
      the viral genome from host anti-viral systems. This review summarizes current
      knowledge of critical host factors recruited to or demonstrated to be involved in
      the biogenesis and stabilization of +RNA virus VRCs. 

PMID- 26287232
TI  - Flaviviral Replication Complex: Coordination between RNA Synthesis and 5'-RNA
      Capping.
AB  - Genome replication in flavivirus requires (-) strand RNA synthesis, (+) strand
      RNA synthesis, and 51-RNA capping and methylation. To carry out viral genome
      replication, flavivirus assembles a replication complex, consisting of both viral
      and host proteins, on the cytoplasmic side of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)
      membrane. Two major components of the replication complex are the viral non
      structural (NS) proteins NS3 and NS5. Together they possess all the enzymatic
      activities required for genome replication, yet how these activities are
      coordinated during genome replication is not clear. We provide an overview of the
      flaviviral genome replication process, the membrane-bound replication complex,
      and recent crystal structures of full-length NS5. We propose a model of how NS3
      and NS5 coordinate their activities in the individual steps of (-) RNA synthesis,
      (+) RNA synthesis, and 51-RNA capping and methylation. 

PMID- 26287233
TI  - Autophagy Activated by Bluetongue Virus Infection Plays a Positive Role in Its
      Replication.
AB  - Bluetongue virus (BTV) is an important pathogen of wild and domestic ruminants.
      Despite extensive study in recent decades, the interplay between BTV and host
      cells is not clearly understood. Autophagy as a cellular adaptive response plays
      a part in many viral infections. In our study, we found that BTV1 infection
      triggers the complete autophagic process in host cells, as demonstrated by the
      appearance of obvious double-membrane autophagosome-like vesicles, GFP-LC3 dots
      accumulation, the conversion of LC3-I to LC3-II and increased levels of
      autophagic flux in BSR cells (baby hamster kidney cell clones) and primary lamb
      lingual epithelial cells upon BTV1 infection. Moreover, the results of a UV
      inactivated BTV1 infection assay suggested that the induction of autophagy was
      dependent on BTV1 replication. Therefore, we investigated the role of autophagy
      in BTV1 replication. The inhibition of autophagy by pharmacological inhibitors (3
      MA, CQ) and RNA interference (siBeclin1) significantly decreased viral protein
      synthesis and virus yields. In contrast, treating BSR cells with rapamycin, an
      inducer of autophagy, promoted viral protein expression and the production of
      infectious BTV1. These findings lead us to conclude that autophagy is activated
      by BTV1 and contributes to its replication, and provide novel insights into BTV
      host interactions. 

PMID- 26287235
TI  - Prevalence and Correlates of Vitamin D Deficiency and Insufficiency in Luxembourg
      Adults: Evidence from the Observation of Cardiovascular Risk Factors (ORISCAV
      LUX) Study.
AB  - Evidence on vitamin D status and related risk factors in Luxembourg adults is
      lacking. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and
      insufficiency and related risk factors among healthy adults in Luxembourg. Based
      on clinicians' observations, it was hypothesized that vitamin D deficiency and
      insufficiency might be common in our population, constituting a significant
      public health concern. A nationally representative random sample of 1432 adults
      was enrolled in the ORISCAV-LUX study, 2007-2008. The participants were divided
      into four categories according to their serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin
      D [25(OH)D]. Descriptive, univariate and multivariate statistical analyses used
      weighted methods to account for the stratified sampling scheme. Only 17.1% of the
      population had a "desirable" serum 25(OH)D level >=75 nmol/L, whereas 27.1% had
      "inadequate" [serum 25(OH)D level 50-74 nmol/L], 40.4% had "insufficient" [serum
      25(OH)D level 25-49 nmol/L], and 15.5% had "deficient" [serum 25(OH)D level <25
      nmol/L)]. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was greater among current
      smokers, obese subjects, those having reduced HDL-cholesterol level and fair/poor
      self-perception of health, compared to their counterparts. The prevalence of
      vitamin D insufficiency was additionally higher among nondrinkers of alcohol,
      Portuguese and subjects from non-European countries. The final multivariate
      logistic regression analyses revealed that smoking status and obesity were
      independent correlates of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency, respectively.
      Inadequate vitamin D status is highly prevalent among adults in Luxembourg and is
      associated with specific lifestyle factors. Along with the effect of vitamin D
      deficiency and insufficiency on the risk of several diseases, cancer and
      mortality, our findings have practical implications for public health dietary
      recommendations, and of particular importance for healthcare practitioners and
      policy makers. 

PMID- 26287236
TI  - Food Sources of Total Energy and Nutrients among U.S. Infants and Toddlers:
      National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005-2012.
AB  - Understanding the dietary intakes of infants and toddlers is important because
      early life nutrition influences future health outcomes. The aim of this study was
      to determine the dietary sources of total energy and 16 nutrients in a nationally
      representative sample of U.S. infants and toddlers aged 0-24 months. Data from
      the 2005-2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed.
      Dietary intake was assessed in 2740 subjects using one 24-h dietary recall. The
      population proportion was used to determine the contribution of foods and
      beverages to nutrient intakes. Overall infant formulas and baby foods were the
      leading sources of total energy and nutrients in infants aged 0-11.9 months. In
      toddlers, the diversity of food groups contributing to nutrient intakes was much
      greater. Important sources of total energy included milk, 100% juice and grain
      based mixed dishes. A number of foods of low nutritional quality also contributed
      to energy intakes including sweet bakery products, sugar-sweetened beverages and
      savory snacks. Overall non-flavored milks and ready-to-eat cereals were the most
      important contributors to micronutrient intakes. In conclusion this information
      can be used to guide parents regarding appropriate food selection as well as
      inform targeted dietary strategies within public health initiatives to improve
      the diets of infants and toddlers. 

PMID- 26287237
TI  - Structural Modeling Insights into Human VKORC1 Phenotypes.
AB  - Vitamin K 2,3-epoxide reductase complex subunit 1 (VKORC1) catalyses the
      reduction of vitamin K and its 2,3-epoxide essential to sustain gamma
      carboxylation of vitamin K-dependent proteins. Two different phenotypes are
      associated with mutations in human VKORC1. The majority of mutations cause
      resistance to 4-hydroxycoumarin- and indandione-based vitamin K antagonists (VKA)
      used in the prevention and therapy of thromboembolism. Patients with these
      mutations require greater doses of VKA for stable anticoagulation than patients
      without mutations. The second phenotype, a very rare autosomal-recessive bleeding
      disorder caused by combined deficiency of vitamin K dependent clotting factors
      type 2 (VKCFD2) arises from a homozygous Arg98Trp mutation. The bleeding
      phenotype can be corrected by vitamin K administration. Here, we summarize
      published experimental data and in silico modeling results in order to
      rationalize the mechanisms of VKA resistance and VKCFD2. 

PMID- 26287234
TI  - Adaptation to Lactose in Lactase Non Persistent People: Effects on Intolerance
      and the Relationship between Dairy Food Consumption and Evalution of Diseases.
AB  - Dairy foods contain complex nutrients which interact with the host. Yet,
      evolution of lactase persistence has divided the human species into those that
      can or cannot digest lactose in adulthood. Such a ubiquitous trait has
      differential effects on humanity. The literature is reviewed to explore how the
      divide affects lactose handling by lactase non persistent persons. There are two
      basic differences in digesters. Firstly, maldigesters consume less dairy foods,
      and secondly, excess lactose is digested by colonic microflora. Lactose
      intolerance in maldigesters may occur with random lactose ingestion. However,
      lactose intolerance without maldigestion tends to detract from gaining a clear
      understanding of the mechanisms of symptoms formation and leads to confusion with
      regards to dairy food consumption. The main consequence of intolerance is
      withholding dairy foods. However, regular dairy food consumption by lactase non
      persistent people could lead to colonic adaptation by the microbiome. This
      process may mimic a prebiotic effect and allows lactase non persistent people to
      consume more dairy foods enhancing a favorable microbiome. This process then
      could lead to alterations in outcome of diseases in response to dairy foods in
      lactose maldigesters. The evidence that lactose is a selective human prebiotic is
      reviewed and current links between dairy foods and some diseases are discussed
      within this context. Colonic adaptation has not been adequately studied,
      especially with modern microbiological techniques. 

PMID- 26287238
TI  - Determination of Free Radical Scavenging, Antioxidative DNA Damage Activities and
      Phytochemical Components of Active Fractions from Lansium domesticum Corr. Fruit.
AB  - Lansium domesticum Corr. or "long-kong" is one of the most popular fruits in
      Thailand. Its peel (skin, SK) and seeds (SD) become waste unless recycled or
      applied for use. This study was undertaken to determine the bioactivity and
      phytochemical components of L. domesticum (LD) skin and seed extracts. Following
      various extraction and fractionation procedures, 12 fractions were obtained. All
      fractions were tested for antioxidant capacity against O2(-*) and OH(*). It was
      found that the peel of L. domesticum fruits exhibited higher O2(-*) and OH(*)
      scavenging activity than seeds. High potential antioxidant activity was found in
      two fractions of 50% ethanol extract of peel followed by ethyl acetate (EA)
      fractionation (LDSK50-EA) and its aqueous phase (LDSK50-H2O). Therefore, these
      two active fractions were selected for further studies on their antioxidative
      activity against DNA damage by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in human TK6 cells using
      comet assay. The comet results revealed DNA-protective activity of both LDSK50-EA
      and LDSK50-H2O fractions when TK6 human lymphoblast cells were pre-treated at 25,
      50, 100, and 200 MUg/mL for 24 h prior to H2O2 exposure. The phytochemical
      analysis illustrated the presence of phenolic substances, mainly scopoletin,
      rutin, and chlorogenic acid, in these two active fractions. This study generates
      new information on the biological activity of L. domesticum. It will promote and
      strengthen the utilization of L. domesticum by-products.

PMID- 26287239
TI  - Protein Requirements and Recommendations for Older People: A Review.
AB  - Declines in skeletal muscle mass and strength are major contributors to increased
      mortality, morbidity and reduced quality of life in older people. Recommended
      Dietary Allowances/Intakes have failed to adequately consider the protein
      requirements of the elderly with respect to function. The aim of this paper was
      to review definitions of optimal protein status and the evidence base for optimal
      dietary protein. Current recommended protein intakes for older people do not
      account for the compensatory loss of muscle mass that occurs on lower protein
      intakes. Older people have lower rates of protein synthesis and whole-body
      proteolysis in response to an anabolic stimulus (food or resistance exercise).
      Recommendations for the level of adequate dietary intake of protein for older
      people should be informed by evidence derived from functional outcomes.
      Randomized controlled trials report a clear benefit of increased dietary protein
      on lean mass gain and leg strength, particularly when combined with resistance
      exercise. There is good consistent evidence (level III-2 to IV) that consumption
      of 1.0 to 1.3 g/kg/day dietary protein combined with twice-weekly progressive
      resistance exercise reduces age-related muscle mass loss. Older people appear to
      require 1.0 to 1.3 g/kg/day dietary protein to optimize physical function,
      particularly whilst undertaking resistance exercise recommendations. 

PMID- 26287241
TI  - The Placental Microbiome Varies in Association with Low Birth Weight in Full-Term
      Neonates.
AB  - Substantial evidence indicated that low birth weight was an independent risk
      factor for obesity, impaired glucose regulation, and diabetes later in life.
      However, investigations into the association between low birth weight and
      placental microbiome in full-term neonates are limited. Placentas were collected
      from low birth weight (LBW) and normal birth weight (NBW) full-term neonates
      (gestational age 37 w0d-41 w6d) consecutively born at Peking Union Medical
      College Hospital. The anthropometric measurements were measured and 16S ribosomal
      DNAamplicon high-throughput sequencing were utilized to define bacteria within
      placenta tissues. It showed that birth weight, ponderal index, head
      circumference, and placenta weight were significantly lower in LBW than NBW
      neonates (p < 0.05). The operational taxonomic units (OTUs) (p < 0.05) and the
      estimators of community richness (Chao) indexes (p < 0.05) showed a significantly
      lower diversity in LBW than NBW neonates. There were significant variations in
      the composition of placenta microbiota between the LBW and NBW neonates at the
      phylum and genus level. Furthermore, it indicated that Lactobacillus percentage
      was positively associated with birth weight (r = 0.541, p = 0.025). In
      conclusion, our present study for the first time detected the relationship
      between birth weight and placental microbiome profile in full-term neonates. It
      is novel in showing that the placental microbiome varies in association with low
      birth weight in full-term neonates. 

PMID- 26287240
TI  - Intestinal Microbiota and Celiac Disease: Cause, Consequence or Co-Evolution?
AB  - It is widely recognized that the intestinal microbiota plays a role in the
      initiation and perpetuation of intestinal inflammation in numerous chronic
      conditions. Most studies report intestinal dysbiosis in celiac disease (CD)
      patients, untreated and treated with a gluten-free diet (GFD), compared to
      healthy controls. CD patients with gastrointestinal symptoms are also known to
      have a different microbiota compared to patients with dermatitis herpetiformis
      and controls, suggesting that the microbiota is involved in disease
      manifestation. Furthermore, a dysbiotic microbiota seems to be associated with
      persistent gastrointestinal symptoms in treated CD patients, suggesting its
      pathogenic implication in these particular cases. GFD per se influences gut
      microbiota composition, and thus constitutes an inevitable confounding factor in
      studies conducted in CD patients. To improve our understanding of whether
      intestinal dysbiosis is the cause or consequence of disease, prospective studies
      in healthy infants at family risk of CD are underway. These studies have revealed
      that the CD host genotype selects for the early colonizers of the infant's gut,
      which together with environmental factors (e.g., breast-feeding, antibiotics,
      etc.) could influence the development of oral tolerance to gluten. Indeed, some
      CD genes and/or their altered expression play a role in bacterial colonization
      and sensing. In turn, intestinal dysbiosis could promote an abnormal response to
      gluten or other environmental CD-promoting factors (e.g., infections) in
      predisposed individuals. Here, we review the current knowledge of host-microbe
      interactions and how host genetics/epigenetics and environmental factors shape
      gut microbiota and may influence disease risk. We also summarize the current
      knowledge about the potential mechanisms of action of the intestinal microbiota
      and specific components that affect CD pathogenesis. 

PMID- 26287242
TI  - Botulinum Toxin for Neuropathic Pain: A Review of the Literature.
AB  - Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT), derived from Clostridium botulinum, has been used
      therapeutically for focal dystonia, spasticity, and chronic migraine. Its
      spectrum as a potential treatment for neuropathic pain has grown. Recent opinions
      on the mechanism behind the antinociceptive effects of BoNT suggest that it
      inhibits the release of peripheral neurotransmitters and inflammatory mediators
      from sensory nerves. There is some evidence showing the axonal transport of BoNT,
      but it remains controversial. The aim of this review is to summarize the
      experimental and clinical evidence of the antinociceptive effects, mechanisms,
      and therapeutic applications of BoNT for neuropathic pain conditions, including
      postherpetic neuralgia, complex regional pain syndrome, and trigeminal neuralgia.
      The PubMed and OvidSP databases were searched from 1966 to May 2015. We assessed
      levels of evidence according to the American Academy of Neurology guidelines.
      Recent studies have suggested that BoNT injection is an effective treatment for
      postherpetic neuralgia and is likely efficient for trigeminal neuralgia and post
      traumatic neuralgia. BoNT could also be effective as a treatment for diabetic
      neuropathy. It has not been proven to be an effective treatment for occipital
      neuralgia or complex regional pain syndrome. 

PMID- 26287243
TI  - Increased Proinflammatory Cytokine Production and Decreased Cholesterol Efflux
      Due to Downregulation of ABCG1 in Macrophages Exposed to Indoxyl Sulfate.
AB  - One of the possible causes of enhanced atherosclerosis in patients with chronic
      kidney disease (CKD) is the accumulation of uremic toxins. Since macrophage foam
      cell formation is a hallmark of atherosclerosis, we examined the direct effect of
      indoxyl sulfate (IS), a representative uremic toxin, on macrophage function.
      Macrophages differentiated from THP-1 cells were exposed to IS in vitro. IS
      decreased the cell viability of THP-1 derived macrophages but promoted the
      production of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1beta, IS 1.0 mM: 101.8 +/- 21.8 pg/mL
      vs. 0 mM: 7.0 +/- 0.3 pg/mL, TNF-alpha, IS 1.0 mM: 96.6 +/- 11.0 pg/mL vs. 0 mM:
      15.1 +/- 3.1 pg/mL) and reactive oxygen species. IS reduced macrophage
      cholesterol efflux (IS 0.5 mM: 30.3% +/- 7.3% vs. 0 mM: 43.5% +/- 1.6%) and
      decreased ATP-binding cassette transporter G1 expression. However, lipid uptake
      into cells was not enhanced. A liver X receptor (LXR) agonist, T0901317, improved
      IS-induced production of inflammatory cytokines as well as reduced cholesterol
      efflux. In conclusion, IS induced inflammatory reactions and reduced cholesterol
      efflux in macrophages. Both effects of IS were improved with activation of LXR.
      Direct interactions of uremic toxins with macrophages may be a major cause of
      atherosclerosis acceleration in patients with CKD. 

PMID- 26287244
TI  - Anthrax Toxins in Context of Bacillus anthracis Spores and Spore Germination.
AB  - The interaction of anthrax toxin or toxin components with B. anthracis spores has
      been demonstrated. Germinating spores can produce significant amounts of toxin
      components very soon after the initiation of germination. In this review, we will
      summarize the work performed that has led to our understanding of toxin and spore
      interactions and discuss the complexities associated with these interactions. 

PMID- 26287245
TI  - Ultraviolet Radiation-Induced Cytogenetic Damage in White, Hispanic and Black
      Skin Melanocytes: A Risk for Cutaneous Melanoma.
AB  - Cutaneous Melanoma (CM) is a leading cause of cancer deaths, with reports
      indicating a rising trend in the incidence rate of melanoma among Hispanics in
      certain U.S. states. The level of melanin pigmentation in the skin is suggested
      to render photoprotection from the DNA-damaging effects of Ultraviolet Radiation
      (UVR). UVR-induced DNA damage leads to cytogenetic defects visualized as the
      formation of micronuclei, multinuclei and polymorphic nuclei in cells, and a
      hallmark of cancer risk. The causative relationship between Sun exposure and CM
      is controversial, especially in Hispanics and needs further evaluation. This
      study was initiated with melanocytes from White, Hispanic and Black neonatal
      foreskins which were exposed to UVR to assess their susceptibility to UVR-induced
      modulation of cellular growth, cytogenetic damage, intracellular and released
      melanin. Our results show that White and Hispanic skin melanocytes with similar
      levels of constitutive melanin are susceptible to UVR-induced cytogenetic damage,
      whereas Black skin melanocytes are not. Our data suggest that the risk of
      developing UVR-induced CM in a skin type is correlated with the level of
      cutaneous pigmentation and its ethnic background. This study provides a benchmark
      for further investigation on the damaging effects of UVR as risk for CM in
      Hispanics. 

PMID- 26287248
TI  - Ethnic/Race Diversity and Diabetic Kidney Disease.
AB  - Ethnicity and race are often used interchangeably in the literature. However, the
      traditional definition of race and ethnicity is related to biological (bone
      structure and skin, hair, or eye color) and sociological factors (nationality,
      regional culture, ancestry, and language) respectively. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is
      a huge global public health problem. As the number of individuals with Type 2 DM
      grows, the prevalence of diabetic kidney disease (DKD), which is one of the most
      serious complications, is expected to rise sharply. Many ethnic and racial groups
      have a greater risk of developing DM and its associated macro and micro-vascular
      complications. 

PMID- 26287247
TI  - Update of Endocrine Dysfunction following Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury.
AB  - Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are common occurrences in childhood, often
      resulting in long term, life altering consequences. Research into endocrine
      sequelae following injury has gained attention; however, there are few studies in
      children. This paper reviews the pathophysiology and current literature
      documenting risk for endocrine dysfunction in children suffering from TBI.
      Primary injury following TBI often results in disruption of the hypothalamic
      pituitary-adrenal axis and antidiuretic hormone production and release, with
      implications for both acute management and survival. Secondary injuries,
      occurring hours to weeks after TBI, result in both temporary and permanent
      alterations in pituitary function. At five years after moderate to severe TBI,
      nearly 30% of children suffer from hypopituitarism. Growth hormone deficiency and
      disturbances in puberty are the most common; however, any part of the
      hypothalamic-pituitary axis can be affected. In addition, endocrine abnormalities
      can improve or worsen with time, having a significant impact on children's
      quality of life both acutely and chronically. Since primary and secondary
      injuries from TBI commonly result in transient or permanent hypopituitarism, we
      conclude that survivors should undergo serial screening for possible endocrine
      disturbances. High indices of suspicion for life threatening endocrine
      deficiencies should be maintained during acute care. Additionally, survivors of
      TBI should undergo endocrine surveillance by 6-12 months after injury, and then
      yearly, to ensure early detection of deficiencies in hormonal production that can
      substantially influence growth, puberty and quality of life. 

PMID- 26287246
TI  - Autophagy and Neurodegeneration: Insights from a Cultured Cell Model of ALS.
AB  - Autophagy plays a major role in the elimination of cellular waste components, the
      renewal of intracellular proteins and the prevention of the build-up of redundant
      or defective material. It is fundamental for the maintenance of homeostasis and
      especially important in post-mitotic neuronal cells, which, without competent
      autophagy, accumulate protein aggregates and degenerate. Many neurodegenerative
      diseases are associated with defective autophagy; however, whether altered
      protein turnover or accumulation of misfolded, aggregate-prone proteins is the
      primary insult in neurodegeneration has long been a matter of debate. Amyotrophic
      lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal disease characterized by selective
      degeneration of motor neurons. Most of the ALS cases occur in sporadic forms
      (SALS), while 10%-15% of the cases have a positive familial history (FALS). The
      accumulation in the cell of misfolded/abnormal proteins is a hallmark of both
      SALS and FALS, and altered protein degradation due to autophagy dysregulation has
      been proposed to contribute to ALS pathogenesis. In this review, we focus on the
      main molecular features of autophagy to provide a framework for discussion of our
      recent findings about the role in disease pathogenesis of the ALS-linked form of
      the VAPB gene product, a mutant protein that drives the generation of unusual
      cytoplasmic inclusions. 

PMID- 26287249
TI  - MicroRNAs and Growth Factors: An Alliance Propelling Tumor Progression.
AB  - Tumor progression requires cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and
      attraction of blood and lymph vessels. These processes are tightly regulated by
      growth factors and their intracellular signaling pathways, which culminate in
      transcriptional programs. Hence, oncogenic mutations often capture growth factor
      signaling, and drugs able to intercept the underlying biochemical routes might
      retard cancer spread. Along with messenger RNAs, microRNAs play regulatory roles
      in growth factor signaling and in tumor progression. Because growth factors
      regulate abundance of certain microRNAs and the latter modulate the abundance of
      proteins necessary for growth factor signaling, the two classes of molecules form
      a dense web of interactions, which are dominated by a few recurring modules. We
      review specific examples of the alliance formed by growth factors and microRNAs
      and refer primarily to the epidermal growth factor (EGF) pathway. Clinical
      applications of the crosstalk between microRNAs and growth factors are described,
      including relevance to cancer therapy and to emergence of resistance to specific
      drugs.